#kirsten iii

[kirstenonic05]

WE ARE JAPANESE HERO!!!

Redraw of Seibai ItaAAAAAsu! because I think it suits Avan's party a lot! Just swap Leira and Avan around :)

Original under the cut:

[curator-on-ao3]

🚨 Warning: I’m about to take @spockandstars’ excellent post way too seriously. Also note that the following is mostly about SNW and PIC. I haven’t seen the most recent season of Disco, and I haven’t seen any of Prodigy. Lower Decks, you’re an angel and I love you.

•

So, here’s the thing. We all know fanfic writing and actual canon writing call for different skills in terms of production needs, as well as writing a script versus narrative-style writing.

I also am probably in the minority in saying that a fanfic writer who did make the leap to the shows has written episodes that are fine and episodes that I can’t stand. So employing Trekkies/fanfic writers wouldn’t necessarily cure Trek’s problems and could, in fact, worsen them by limiting fresh perspectives. (Reminder: I’m taking the excellent post too seriously and the post’s insinuation that too many Trek show writers lack actual Trek knowledge is valid.)

However, what fanfic writers famously do is care. We care about characters, we care about coherence of plot and story. We care about the universe. And that care isn’t necessarily from a place of love. It can be. But fanfic writing also can come from a place of frustration, of wishing characters could have the plotline/attention/realization/etc. that the writer wants for them.

And, sometimes, it feels like modern Trek doesn’t care. Simple fixes to plot holes that would require a line or two of dialogue don’t happen. Characters are shunted to the side or have their characterization change with the season. It feels as if no one in the writers’ room says or is heard if they say, “That plot is repetitive, what about X or Y?” or, “Why would a character do that when they could do W or Z, which would be more in keeping with their established traits?” or even, “That doesn’t make sense. We have to find another way.”

So, yeah, I’ve always said fanfic writers have the luxury of caring about a show or characters without concern for the financial side of the property. But it would be nice to feel as if people who do control the financial and production sides cared, too.

[doll-princesse]

Luciana Vega and Dolly

Kirsten Larson and Laura Elizabeth Ingalls

Mary Amelia Ingalls and Maritza Ochoa

Corinne Mei-Ling Tan and Gwynn Guang Tan

Marivel and Claudie Wells♡

New dolls of 2022 round up :)

[harmslength]

(Mostly) NSFW Headcanons Part III

Disclaimer: Slight spoilers so be warned. Just covering movies I have seen or characters I know enough about to judge. This is just for funsies, just my own personal opinions, so it’s totally okay if you disagree. Fully aware how much of an ass I’m being. Horny hater at my core.

Disco Pigs (2001) | Enda Walsh, Kirsten Sheridan - Darren

• starting out strong with THE freak of freaks

• not to state the obvious but.. possessive, dominating, jealous asf but also loyal asf

• Incel ass behavior, would definitely have a Reddit account, frequent user of 4chan.

• would jerk off to hentai titties if he could

• would probably ask you to do the ahegao face during sex…

On the Edge (2001) | John Carney - Jonathan Breech

• as much as he would hate to admit it.. hopeless romantic. Super devoted but would have an annoying tendency to flirt with other girls to see if you’d get jealous.

• honestly.. great first bf to have. Would absolutely destroy your perception of what love should be.. but hey isn’t that first loves?

• heavy breathing and moaning in your ear. Loves to give hickeys.

Sunburn (1999) | Nelson Hume - Davin McDerby

• oh davin… dead beat baby daddy fr.. loved his character arc regardless tho

• ngl probably absolute shit in bed. He screams premature ejaculator..

• has a porn addiction, but would hide it from you

• would pick up edging and would talk about your sex life very openly with “the boys”

• loves sending nudes and nut vids if he had the chance

Intermission (2003) | John Crowley - John

• he has no qualms about saying it: you’re a whore 😌

• probably feels the need to be in charge and take control but really.. you’d be the one calling the shots mostly

• definitely the type to make stupid jokes during sex

• whiny, would definitely triple text if you didn’t respond fast enough

• still a cutie ofc

• jealousy is his middle name

Girl with the Pearl Earring (2003) | Peter Webber - Pieter

• breeding kink but not in the fun way. Breeding kink in the way where he would wanna fuck like rabbits and procreate like rabbits.

• would want you to have like 6 of his kids is what I’m saying

• acts like he’s touch starved half the time, really handsy, likes to tease and leave kisses all over you

• knows how to handle his meat

At Deaths Door (1999) | Conor Morrissey - Young Reaper

• this one is just for shits and giggles

• it’s giving virgin, inexperienced but passionate

• shy asf, again you’d probably have to make the first move

[kirstenrothbart]

Illustrator's Morning III

©2024, Kirsten Rothbart

[datcloudboi]

List of Films Turning 30 Years Old in 2024

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert

Airheads

Angels in the Outfield (the remake of the 1951 film of the same name)

Beverly Hills Cop III

Black Beauty (the one with Sean Bean in it)

Blankman

Blue Chips

Body Snatchers

Bullets Over Broadway

Clear and Present Danger

Clerks (Kevin Smith's first movie)

Crooklyn

The Crow

Death Wish V: The Face of Death

Double Dragon (based on the game of the same name)

Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Second Coming

Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly

Drunken Master 2

Dumb and Dumber

Eat Drink Man Woman

Ed Wood

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

The Flintstones

Forrest Gump

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Fresh

Heavenly Creatures (directed by a pre-Lord of the Rings and pre-Knighted Peter Jackson)

The Hudsucker Proxy (one of the more overlooked Coen brothers movies)

Interview With the Vampire

The Jungle Book (the live action version with Jason Scott Lee and Cary Elwes)

Junior (the movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger mpreg)

The Next Karate Kid (do you think the kid from this one will be in the last season of “Cobra Kai”?)

Legends of the Fall

Leon: The Professional

The Lion King

The Little Rascals

Little Woman (the version with Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst)

The Mask

Maverick

My Girl 2

The Naked Gun 33 1⁄3: The Final Insult (typing this out was way harder than you think)

Natural Born Killers

North

The Pagemaster

Pom Poko

Pulp Fiction

Quiz Show

Reality Bites (the first film directed by Ben Stiller)

The Return of Jafar (the sequel to "Aladdin")

The Santa Clause

The Shadow

The Shawshank Redemption

Speed

Squanto: A Warrior's Tale

Star Trek: Generations

Stargate

Street Fighter (based on the game of the same name)

Thumbelina

Timecop

A Troll in Central Park

True Lies

Wes Craven's New Nightmare (the meta-sequel to all of the Freddy Krueger movies where Wes Craven has to keep writing new installments to make sure that Freddy doesn’t break into our world)

Wyatt Earp

[saydams]

the usa senate passed the budget that banned all aid to UNRWA and Biden signed it.

the senators who voted for this budget (preventing usa from funding UNRWA) are under the readmore. if your senator is on this list, call (202) 224-3121 and demand they find another way of funding relief to palestine.

Tammy Baldwin Wis.

Richard Blumenthal Conn.

Cory Booker N.J.

John Boozman Ark.

Katie Britt Ala.

Sherrod Brown Ohio

Laphonza Butler Calif.

Maria Cantwell Wash.

S. Capito W.Va.

Benjamin L. Cardin Md.

Tom Carper Del.

Bob Casey Pa.

Bill Cassidy La.

Susan Collins Maine

Chris Coons Del.

John Cornyn Tex.

C. Cortez Masto Nev.

Tom Cotton Ark.

Kevin Cramer N.D.

Tammy Duckworth Ill.

Dick Durbin Ill.

Joni Ernst Iowa

John Fetterman Pa.

Deb Fischer Neb.

Kirsten Gillibrand N.Y.

Lindsey Graham S.C.

Chuck Grassley Iowa

M. Hassan N.H.

Martin Heinrich N.M.

John Hickenlooper Colo.

Mazie Hirono Hawaii

John Hoeven N.D.

Cindy Hyde-Smith Miss.

Tim Kaine Va.

Mark Kelly Ariz.

Angus King Maine

Amy Klobuchar Minn.

Ben Ray Luján N.M.

Joe Manchin III W.Va.

Edward J. Markey Mass.

Mitch McConnell Ky.

Robert Menendez N.J.

Jeff Merkley Ore.

Jerry Moran Kan.

Markwayne Mullin Okla.

Lisa Murkowski Alaska

Chris Murphy Conn.

Patty Murray Wash.

Jon Ossoff Ga.

Alex Padilla Calif.

Gary Peters Mich.

Jack Reed R.I.

Mitt Romney Utah

Jacky Rosen Nev.

Mike Rounds S.D.

Brian Schatz Hawaii

Charles E. Schumer N.Y.

Jeanne Shaheen N.H.

Kyrsten Sinema Ariz.

Tina Smith Minn.

Debbie Stabenow Mich.

Dan Sullivan Alaska

Jon Tester Mont.

John Thune S.D.

Thom Tillis N.C.

Chris Van Hollen Md.

Mark R. Warner Va.

Raphael G. Warnock Ga

Elizabeth Warren Mass.

Peter Welch Vt.

Sheldon Whitehouse R.I.

Roger Wicker Miss.

Ron Wyden Ore.

Todd Young Ind.

[msclaritea]

Box Office: ‘Civil War’ Starts Off With Impressive $2.9M in Thursday Previews

Alex Garland's controversial movie about the political divide in America easily scored the best preview number ever for A24.

BY PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

APRIL 12, 2024 9:18A

Alex Garland‘s dystopian action movie Civil War has started off its North American box office run with an impressive $2.9 million, a record for indie studio and distributor A24.

The $50 million movie about a divided America is a big swing for A24 as it tries to produce bigger movies, and is its most expensive production to date.

Civil War is tracking to open north of $20 million, although one leading tracking service has a slightly lower range of $19 million to $20 million. As with the preview number, that would be record for A24, beating the $13.6 million opening of A24’s horror pic Hereditary in 2018.

A24 and writer-director Garland held the movie’s world premiere last month at the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival, an ideal venue since many of the attendees are younger adults, the film’s target demo.

Set in the near-future, the story follows a wartime photojournalist (Kirsten Dunst) and her colleagues as they make their way across a hostile and divided United States of America that has been torn apart under the authoritarian rule of a three-term president (Nick Offerman). Yet the film shys away from red state/blue state divisions, and the politics behind the conflict are generally left unexplained, other than to say that one of the president’s first first actions was to disband the FBI in an apparent nod to former President Donald Trump, who has called to “defund” the Bureau.

Civil War‘s timing surely isn’t a coincidence as it hits cinemas amid a contentious election year in which President Biden and former President Trump are once again the leading candidates for their respective parties as Trump seeks to return to the White House

At a SXSW panel following the film’s premiere, Garland said it made sense to release Civil War now, although it’s not as if there is anything new about the contentious political discourse gripping the country.

“I think all of the topics in in [Civil War] have been a part of a huge public debate for years and years. These debates have been growing and growing in volume and awareness, but none of that is secret or unknown to almost anybody,” Garland said. “I thought that everybody understands these terms and, at that point, I just felt compelled to write about it.”

Cailee Spaeny, Jesse Plemons and Wagner Moura also star.

2012–2013: Founding and early years

A24 was founded on August 20, 2012, by film veterans Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges. Katz formerly led the film finance group at Guggenheim Partners, Fenkel was the president, co-founder and partner at Oscilloscope, and Hodges served as "Head of Production and Development" at Big Beach. The name "A24" was inspired by the Italian A24 motorway Katz was driving on when he decided to found the company.

Guggenheim Partners provided the seed money for A24. The company was started to share "movies from a distinctive point of view". In October 2012, Nicolette Aizenberg joined as head of publicity from 42West where she was senior publicity executive.

The company began its distribution of films in 2013. The company's first theatrical release was Roman Coppola's A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, which had a limited theatrical release. Other 2013 theatrical releases included Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring, Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now, and Sally Potter's Ginger & Rosa.

In September 2013, A24 entered a $40 million deal with DirecTV Cinema, where DirecTV Cinema would offer day-and-date releases 30 days prior to a theatrical release by A24; Enemy was the first film to be distributed under the deal. That same year, A24 entered a deal with Amazon Prime, where A24-distributed films would be available on Amazon Instant Video after becoming available on Blu-ray and DVD.

2014–2017: Television and later productions

In May 2015, A24 announced that it would start a television division and began producing the USA Network series Playing House, as well as working to develop a television series that would later become Comrade Detective, produced by Channing Tatum. The company also announced that they would also finance and develop pilots.

In January 2016, Sasha Lloyd joined the company to handle all film, television distribution and business development in the international marketplace. The company, with cooperation from Bank of America, J.P. Morgan & Co. and SunTrust Banks, also raised its line of credit from $50 million to $125 million a month later to build upon its operations. In April, the company acquired all foreign rights to Swiss Army Man, distributing the film in all territories, and partnering with distributors who previously acquired rights to the film, a first for the company. In June, the company, along with Oscilloscope and distributor Honora, joined BitTorrent Now to distribute the work of their portfolio across the ad-supported service.

Eileen Guggenheim Breaks Silence, denies Introducing Women To Epstein

New Court Documents Reveal More About Epstein's Relationship With JP Morgan Chase

Beef is Criticized After star's Resurfaced Rape Comments B

Does HBO's Euphoria Really Glamourize Drug Use?

Euphoria Season Two Review: Far Too Much Nudity, Sex and Violence

Michelle Yeoh Says Hot Dog Fingers Scene With Jamie Lee Curtis Was ‘Most Beautiful Love Story

Not much time is shown in this universe. All the audience knows is that Evelyn works at a pizza shop. She is shown wearing a ridiculous costume and waving around a sign.

"A24 and writer-director Garland held the movie’s world premiere last month at the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival, an ideal venue since many of the attendees are younger adults, the film’s target demo..."

Penske Media Corporation (PMC /ˈpɛnski/) is an American mass media, publishing, and information services company based in Los Angeles and New York City. It publishes more than 20 digital and print brands, including Variety, Rolling Stone, Women's Wear Daily, Deadline Hollywood, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Boy Genius Report, Robb Report, Artforum, ARTNews, and others. PMC's Chairman and CEO since founding is Jay Penske.

President Trump awards Medal of Freedom to Roger Penske | Fox News Video

In addition to media publications, Penske Media Corporation owns the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival and is a 50 percent stakeholder in South by Southwest. It is also the owner of Dick Clark Productions which includes the award shows Golden Globe Awards, American Music Awards, Streamy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Billboard Music Awards.

Jay Penske--NACSCAR Heir ARRESTED...and It's A Pisser

@aeltri I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. What was that you told us, recently, about Pizza and Hotdogs?

[lawolfe]

Daenaera Velaryon second wife of Aegon III

face cast: young kirsten dunst and amanda seyfried

[fabiansteinhauer]

Bild- und Rechtswissenschaft

1.

Ich verwende den Singular, spreche also trotz Zusammenstellung zweier Wissenschaften von einer Wissenschaft. Das ist eine Wissenschaft, deren Grenzen durch sie gehen und die insoweit auf unstillbare Weise entzwei ist. Das ist die Rechtwissenschaft m.E. auch, auch da ist alles strittig. Das ist die Bildwissenschaft m.E. auch, auch da ist alles strittig. Ich habe auch nie behauptet, dass ich etwas vermehre. Ich mache Kontraktion und Distraktion mit.

2.

Durch diese Wissenschaft, durch die Bild- und Rechtswissenschaft gegen ihre Grenzen. Sie trägt Konflikte aus, sie händelt ihren und bestreitet ihren Gegenstand. Mir geht es nicht um eine Rückkehr der Bilder ins Recht. Die Idee er Bilderflut kenne ich, vor allem ihre lange Geschichte, es wäre lächerlich anzunehmen, dass die heute, vor 20 Jahren, vor 40 Jahren oder vor 400 Jahren begann. Das sagen Leute, die sind aber keine Historiker. Seitdem es Bilder gibt, fluten sie, das sagen Historiker und der These schließe ich mich an, welich die archäologischen Beweise plausibel finde. Wenn zum Beispiel in einer Höhle hunderte Bilder sich finden, aber kein Wort und dazu die Gerippe von sieben Menschen, dann fluteten vor 40.000 Jahren Bilder eine Höhle.

Seit einem Aufsatz über die Rückkehr des Bilderstreites (in: Die Sprachen des Rechts Band III) arbeite ich zur Geschichte und Theorie sowie zur Praxis des Bilderstreites. Ich halte für meine Arbeit nicht für hilfreich, zu unterstellen, dass Bilder kein Teil des Rechts wären oder dass Juristen am Bildwissen (oder Bildwissenschaft am Rechtswissen) nicht beteiligt wären oder nicht kooperien würden. Auch für die Moderne halte ich das nicht hilfreich, schon weil ich sonst das Projekt zu Aby Warburg gar nicht machen könnte. Darum widerlege ich nicht die Thesen des Juristen Klaus Röhl oder der Kunsthistorikerin Kirsten Marek. Ich widerspreche ihnen, aber widerlege sie nicht. Von ihnen diese Annahmen hilfreich sind, dann sind die ihnen hilfreich. Die beiden wollen sowoohl den Rechtsbegriff als auch den Bildbegriff ohne Überschneidung treffen, wollen die Moderne von Vormoderne klären. Das tue ich nicht, u.a. wegen der Argumente, die ich in Bildregeln entfaltet habe, die Vismann in dem Band zum Bildregime entfaltet hat oder die Latour in Wir sind nie modern gewesen entfaltet hat. Philpipe Descola ist ein wichtiger Autor.

[gravemushrooms]

Tag ppl you wanna know betteeer

Tagged by: @missmassacre

Last song: not songs per se but: Ryuji Takeuchi / Essential Memories EP Part III / Sonoran District; Orbital / In Sides / Dŵr Budr (this has some singing but it's nonsense backwards words); Polygon Window / Surfing on Sine Waves / Polygon Window (it's Aphex Twin, also featured on Warp Records Artificial Intelligence)

Favorite color: i end up back at pink-purple but you'd never know from looking at me

Currently watching:

antiquities/religion MythVision Podcast (mostly critical studies of ancient christianity or related topics) Crecganford (a lot of proto-indo-european th.) Religion for Breakfast Gnostic Informant ESOTERICA (Dr. Justin Sledge) James Tabor Ancient Architects History for GRANITE World of Antiquity Archaeology Now Antiquity for All Crowhag Ancient Americas Jackson Crawford (Old Norse) Lady of the Library Let's Talk Religion toldinstone Simon Roper (English language over time + other topics) Sally Pointer (neolithic fibers + textiles)

experimental archaeology Primitive Technology (with subtitles) Roland Warzecha scholagladiatoria (Matt Easton) Tod's Workshop Malcolm P.L.

urbanism Not Just Bikes Stewart Hicks CityNerd Kirsten Dirksen (not really urbanism but houses, permaculture, DIY)

technology Asianometry

skepticism potholer54 (climate) Mick West AronRa (anti-creationism)

crank bigfoot Bob Gymlan i like to watch a lot of weird crank stuff but this is maybe the only one i think other people could find entertaining

self-actualization (?) Bitsii in Inaka

video game industry Timothy Cain

half a-press memes pannenkoek2012

Last movie: director's cut of The Little Shop of Horrors that has the apocalyptic ending. apparently i haven't really watched a movie since 2019

Currently reading: @eyeofpsyche recommended some books about Jung (Jung - The Key Ideas by Ruth Snowden and The Essential Jung by John Beebe but lately i've been swamped with work + school. earlier this year i was reading Big Dead Place because Antarctica is strange and miserable and Malleus Maleficarum to better understand a Euro-medieval/early modern notion of the supernatural. i skimmed through a bunch of Ekirch's At Day's Close - Night in Times Past for a course over the summer

Sweet/spicy/savory: food isn't really a thing for me. ask me when i have more money

Relationship status: the person i talk to the most online is someone that i don't even use words with

Current obsessions: i had a week where i was looking at weird things to do with Windows 3 and trying out linux distros in a virtual machine

Last googled: i was trying to find a magazine cover from the early/mid 90s that depicted a man wearing unusual shoes in a photo-realistic style and it was intended to illustrate how developments in digital image manipulation had made the notion of "the camera never lies" obsolete

Currently working on: lab report busywork for a microbio course, or i spent nearly all day setting up a biochemistry lab which involved making a lot of 1% solutions of a variety of amino acids

anyone that follows me that wants to do this feel free to have a go at it

[gravitywonagain]

Beating Like a Hammer; Part 3

continuing this story about wlw wangxian hate-sex :) [part 2]

tags: genderswapped characters, enemies to lovers, slow burn, dapper butch!lwj, vaguely femme!wwx, gratuitous mentions of woodworking and rugby minutiae, “dyke” but never as a slur, queer fam movie night, public sexual activity (it's not sex, but it's definitely horny)

more tags to come later (including but not limited to: pop culture references as flirting, trucks with sword names, bad bdsm etiquette, and better bdsm etiquette)

[E (eventually), 8k, 3/9, WLW Wangxian]

iii.

—

[she won’t get out of your seat on movie night so you spend the whole movie in her lap to prove a point.  she strums her fingers on your thigh and you wiggle into her crotch and cross your arms.  she laughs and it’s soft against your neck.  asshole.]

—

Movie night is a monthly thing that Nie Huaisang’s sister insists on hosting. It started as a way, Wei Ying is fairly certain, for Nie Mingjue to check in on her younger sibling and make sure they weren’t starving or getting into drugs or generally falling down a well. It has become a kind of community night that includes anywhere from three to twelve people, depending on the week. 

Wei Ying, as Nie Huaisang’s roommate, is not allowed to skip it. 

It’s not usually a hardship. Nie Mingjue has a truly massive TV -- it takes up almost an entire wall in her living room. Her sound system has better acoustics than most movie theaters. The food is usually good, the beer is plenty (and local!), and Wei Ying has figured out the best seat in the house, sinking into the soft, velvety corner of the couch next to the loveseat where she never catches a glare and the sound is loud enough that she can lose herself in the experience. 

(Hearing loss is a non-negligible risk in her career. Especially when she only uses headphones as protection, and not even the good ones. Yes, she can still hear her mother’s disappointment from beyond the grave, thank you for asking.)

The movies and films they watch are varied enough that it’s never boring, though occasionally they get a bit weird. Nie Huaisang went through a Lars von Trier phase some years ago that was… well. Wei Ying still has weird dreams about Charlotte Gainsbourg and Kirsten Dunst sometimes. Lately the group has decided to revisit the kung fu classics of the seventies and eighties. Not all of them have aged particularly well. Many in the group have trained in some form of wushu or wing chun. Heckling is not so much welcome as it is the goal. 

So, it’s a great time. A night a month where Wei Ying gets to hang out with friends and chosen family and just relax. Except--

Except. 

Nie Mingjue is only nominally not married to Lan Huan, and Lan Zhan is Lan Huan’s sister, which means that, even though Lan Zhan now has her own place, she still comes to movie night. 

It’s a little difficult to tell why, exactly, Lan Zhan comes to movie night. She never engages with the running commentary, positive or negative. Most of the time she looks mad that they’re all talking during the film at all. (She’s never said anything, but the vibe is there.) She just… watches. Silently. Radiating a vague sense of disapproval. 

Wei Ying is half-convinced Lan Zhan’s not even there for the movies, because sometimes she catches Lan Zhan’s eyes focused on her, glaring or something, even when she’s not talking. 

And they do continue their… antagonism. Wei Ying snipes, Lan Zhan is aloof. It’s still strangely off-kilter, in that place that hasn’t decided whether it's hot or hostile. But it’s growing, changing. 

They’re, maybe grudgingly, learning each other the more they interact. Wei Ying is building a catalog of every twitch of Lan Zhan’s face, noting every reaction and assigning it context and probable cause. Lan Zhan seems to know exactly which of Wei Ying’s buttons to push and when to push them to greatest effect, even if she pushes them harder than Wei Ying likes. (If Wei Ying is starting, maybe, to like it that hard… no she isn’t.) 

Like today. 

When Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang show up to Nie Mingjue’s house -- not that late -- Lan Zhan is already there, fizzy water in hand, waiting for Da-jie to queue up the film, and sitting in Wei Ying’s seat. 

She looks perfectly composed. No hint of mischief on her face -- well, maybe that new tilt to her left eyebrow? But not the lip-twitch of a wry smirk she usually uses to taunt Wei Ying. She is, as always, immaculately well dressed. Today it’s light-wash jeans and a short-sleeved blue and white patterned button-down with the sleeves cuffed tight around her (spectacular) biceps -- fuck. 

Huaisang snorts when they walk in and see her there. Wei Ying stops in her tracks and Huaisang continues past her with a gentle pat on her shoulder and a smile made of one part sympathy and two parts amusement. Wei Ying doesn’t appreciate the latter. 

Because the thing is--

The thing is: Lan Zhan knows it’s Wei Ying’s seat. Wei Ying knows Lan Zhan knows it’s Wei Ying’s seat because this is the fourth movie night since Lan Zhan started coming and Wei Ying has sat in that seat every single time. That’s a pattern. Obvious. Clear as a fucking name plate. 

Which means Lan Zhan is doing this on purpose. She’s sitting there, in Wei Ying’s fucking seat, on purpose. 

Wei Ying was raised with Good Manners™ by her mother and then Yu-ayi so instead of throwing the tantrum she very much feels rising on her chest, she turns on her heel and diverts into the kitchen. 

There’s nobody in the kitchen. In the kitchen she can Think and Process and figure out what she’s going to do without anybody looking at her like she’s as insane as she feels right now. 

She roots around in the cabinet until she finds an oversized coffee mug which she fills to the fucking brim with red wine. The first gulp goes down like acid, but then the alcohol begins to buzz softly in her veins and it’s better. Her fingers twitch tight into fists on both hands. The stoneware mug (probably handcrafted, probably local -- Da-jie is full of hashtag-life-goals like that) does not deserve to bear the burden of Wei Ying’s distress, so she sets it down gently with a little tap as she leans her head down onto the cold acrylic of the island countertop. 

She’s being ridiculous. She knows. 

Really. This should not be getting her worked up like this. This is a very stupid thing to be upset about. To be this upset about. But-- 

But. 

It’s Lan Zhan. 

Lan Zhan is definitely doing this on purpose which means she definitely has a purpose. Wei Ying can only defeat that purpose if she knows what it is. But she has no idea what Lan Zhan could possibly want out of this… theft? (It feels a little ridiculous to think of it as “theft.” It’s just a seat in her roommate’s sister’s house that Wei Ying occupies only once every few weeks. And yet…)

Wine sloshes dangerously close to the rim of her mug as she spins it idly (frantically) with her fingertips and her mind works through Lan Zhan’s possible motives. 

Does she want to edge Wei Ying out of the room? Does she want to assert some kind of dominance by proving that Wei Ying doesn’t matter to her? Does she want… Does she want Wei Ying to be freaking out about this right now? Because Wei Ying is so freaking out about this right now. And if that’s what Lan Zhan is hoping for… 

Wei Ying grabs her wine mug off the countertop. 

She opens the fridge and grabs a can of loquat-flavored fizzy water, too. She can be polite.

Nie Mingjue stomps into the kitchen as Wei Ying closes the refrigerator door and Wei Ying marvels at the possibilities that exist when you don’t have to worry about downstairs neighbors (or upstairs neighbors, or wall-sharing neighbors -- wow, houses are cool). 

“Wei Ying, sit the fuck down already. Are you twelve?”

“Da-jie!” She doesn’t mean to sound petulant, but the pitch of her voice does lend credence to Nie Mingjue’s age question. 

Nie Mingjue is unfazed. She’s put up with Wei Ying’s shit for too many years. Which is a damn shame, because when they first met, Da-jie would give into Wei Ying’s whining so easily it was amazing. But alas, no longer. 

“So sit somewhere else,” she says, “or sit on her lap, I don’t give a fuck. I want to start the damn movie.”

Heat rushes to Wei Ying’s cheeks. She’s not sure if it’s the suggestion or the scolding, but the suggestion is… something. Probably not actually a suggestion. Probably just Nie Mingjue being frustrated. But. 

“Fine.”

With her mug and the unopened can in her hands she follows Nie Mingjue out to the living room. 

There aren’t any other good seats, Wei Ying will tell herself later. Da-jie drops into her own usual spot next to Huan-jie, arms spreading wide to take over a solid half of the long couch. Huaisang is in their recliner, Mo Xuanyu on the floor and leaning against their shins. Wen Ning has his legs stretched out on the short couch, knees over Song Lan’s lap and feet in Xiao Xingchen’s. Wen Qing and Qin Su are curled up together on the loveseat. And Mianmian and Lan Zhan are taking up the rest of the big couch. With Lan Zhan in Wei Ying’s fucking seat. 

Which means. That. Wei Ying can either crush herself into the corner of the loveseat -- she could probably fit there with Wen Qing and Qin Su if she tried; none of the three of them take up too much space. Or she can sit on the floor. Or. 

Wei Ying likes her seat, is the thing. (It’s the angles, she rationalizes to absolutely nobody.) And she’s not sitting at Lan Zhan’s fucking feet, so… So. 

She grabs two coasters from the basket to set the drinks on -- she’s already refinished this coffee table twice and she’d rather not add to the watermarks she’ll eventually have to sand out again later -- and then plops herself down directly in Lan Zhan’s lap. 

Lan Zhan makes a tiny oof sound, like her breath was forced from her lungs, but she doesn’t resist. She, in fact, wraps an arm around Wei Ying’s waist and resettles them both into the seat with one easy, fluid motion that belies altogether far too much core strength. (And far too little shock or outrage.) 

It’s… annoyingly comfortable. 

Nie Huiasang snorts into their beer, Lan Huan makes a choking sound that is quickly muffled, and Nie Mingjue clears her throat. 

The movie starts almost immediately. 

Wei Ying leans her weight back against Lan Zhan’s chest, angling herself so she’s not blocking the screen -- she’s not unreasonable -- and tucking a foot behind Lan Zhan’s ankle to keep herself steady. 

She’s grateful for the darkness of late evening and thick curtains as she feels her cheeks get even warmer. (In the corner of her eye, she thinks she can see Mianmian looking very pointedly at the TV, but it’s hard to tell because Wei Ying is unwilling to look more directly and risk drawing attention.)

It’s oppressively hot outside -- late June, deep summer in the Sonoran Desert before the monsoons come to cool it down. Wei Ying is wearing leggings only because Mingjue-jie has an A/C that works and she likes to keep her house at a crisp 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Wei Ying assumes that’s also why Lan Zhan is capable of wearing jeans in this weather. Now, two layers of fabric separate skin from skin and the summer heat begins to creep back into Wei Ying’s chest despite Nie Mingjue’s very functional temperature control. 

She reaches for her mug and sips at her wine without tasting it. 

On the screen, Jet Li is stripped naked surrounded by dozens of men in black armor (ah, they’ve made it to the early aughts), and is led into the hall of the Qin king. 

Wei Ying tries to follow the story. Watches as Jet Li and Chen Daoming begin their high-contrast, highly-saturated verbal sparring match. She’s seen the film before, so it’s both easier and more difficult than if the story was brand new. Easier in that she already vaguely knows what’s going on. Harder in that she realizes she’s missed opportunities to comment only well after they’ve passed, which only serves to make her frustrated with herself. 

Lan Zhan shifts them again. It’s fine. No problems. Another too-easy flex of abs and biceps that makes Wei Ying feel hot all over. Whatever. 

But then Lan Zhan just… leaves her hand on Wei Ying’s thigh. Like it belongs there. Like it’s not searing through the stretched-thin cotton of Wei Ying’s yoga pants. Lan Zhan’s fingers are long. Wei Ying isn’t exactly small, her legs are built from Wing Chun and the years of soccer she played as a teenager. And yet. And yet while Lan Zhan’s palm rests (chastely) on the top of Wei Ying’s quadricep, her fingers wrap (obscenely) around the muscle to brand her fingerprints into the sensitive skin of Wei Ying’s inner thigh. 

Wei Ying does her best not to flinch or tense with the feeling. She thinks she manages it. Mostly. 

She, maybe, managed it less than she thought because a few minutes later when Donny Yen falls to Jet Li she notices that she’s much more relaxed. Internally she shakes it off and just hopes Lan Zhan didn’t notice. 

Lan Zhan definitely noticed. Wei Ying knows she did because as soon as Wei Ying is relaxed enough, Lan Zhan’s palm gets heavier, her fingers spread wider, and then she-- And then-- 

It’s slow. Subtle. A gentle back and forth, fingertips brushing up and down the soft inseam of Wei Ying’s leggings. 

Electricity follows the motion, crackling beneath her skin until she swears she can feel the goosebumps rising in Lan Zhan’s wake. Even the smooth twist of Lan Zhan’s wrist, the shifting of the heel of her palm where it presses against Wei Ying’s leg, even that is distracting. The sensation rides the branches of Wei Ying’s nerves down to her toes and back up to her pussy. 

It’s torturous. Fucking overwhelming. How--?

Wei Ying cannot pay attention to the movie while Lan Zhan is doing that. She cannot, in fact, pay attention to anything other than her own breath, her own heartbeat. They’re both quicker and shallower than they should be. But Wei Ying meditated regularly as a teenager, she should be able to get her shit back under control. 

She cannot get her shit back under control. 

She tries counting out her breaths, but then she ends up gasping for air and there’s only so many times she can hide that under a laugh or a cough. So she tries focusing on her heartbeat instead. Calming her mind, slowing herself down. 

It starts to work. Wei Ying finds that her breath is slowing, too. Becoming steadier. 

Lan Zhan huffs something like a laugh against her neck again and Wei Ying realizes her breath is slower because it’s following the slower strokes of Lan Zhan’s fingers on Wei Ying’s thigh. 

She’s not in control of herself at all. 

Heat rises in her cheeks, in her chest. She refuses to recognize it anywhere else. This is already mortifying enough, thanks. 

The control Lan Zhan has over her is… the worst. Obviously. It’s-- It’s terrible. 

She needs… she needs to get even. 

This whole night has felt like Wei Ying is one play behind Lan Zhan. Like she’s constantly catching up. Maybe she’s still catching up, but maybe she can do something about it. 

She leans forward to set her mug back down on the coffee table and Lan Zhan’s fingers clench around Wei Ying’s thigh. 

It’s not an admonishment. Not a retaliation. No. It’s too wild for that, too immediate. It’s a reaction. Involuntary, too, if the subsequent tremble is anything to go by. 

Wei Ying smiles. 

She readjusts herself in Lan Zhan’s lap. Nothing much. Just a short little wiggle of her hips, a purposeful grind into Lan Zhan’s crotch. 

The tiny breath that escapes Lan Zhan is quite possibly the sweetest sound Wei Ying has ever heard. 

And then it’s on. 

Over the course of the next hour, the movie plays and Wei Ying barely notices the shift in color schemes. It takes all of her attention to keep the game subtle, unnoticeable to the others in the room. Luckily the big couch is long enough that there is actually some room between them and Mianmian. (Mianmian is definitely watching the film with non-zero levels of determination which Wei Ying notes, but she’s too distracted to be much more than passively grateful.) The darkness and the surround sound are also on her side, but where Lan Zhan only really has to control her own reactions, Wei Ying has to consider each and every time she wants to fight back with a roll of her hips. Hip rolling is not nearly as easy to hide as (distressingly arousing) finger strokes.

But fight back she does. 

Every rushed inhale, every uncontrolled hand twitch, curls the corners of Wei Ying’s lips with smug satisfaction. Lan Zhan’s retaliations inch her fingertips higher and higher up Wei Ying’s inner thigh until her thumb is nearly brushing the hem of Wei Ying’s shirt. The competition of it, the game, drives the tension higher, the pleasure deeper. Wei Ying only manages to keep herself from moaning out loud by focusing on Lan Zhan -- Lan Zhan’s every motion and sound as the ripples of each are passed between their skin. 

Lan Zhan’s heart beats against Wei Ying’s spine, her breath ghosts across Wei Ying’s neck and shoulders. The world fades away until only the two of them exist in it. 

Occasionally the film will filter back into Wei Ying’s awareness. Da-jie will scoff a choice in the choreography, or Huaisang will comment on color theory and aesthetic facism. Wei Ying will be reminded that they are actually in the company of friends, and that they are, ostensibly, all here to watch a movie together. She will also remember that usually it’s her own voice making up the bulk of the commentary, and immediately lose that thought to another indecently placed strum of Lan Zhan’s fingers. 

Time passes both absurdly quickly and obscenely slowly. The film jumps forward and then stops, pausing for Lan Zhan to drive Wei Ying gradually toward insanity. Wei Ying is uncomfortably wet, but she can also feel how warm Lan Zhan’s body has become behind and beneath her. There is an intensity to each breath that ghosts along the back of Wei Ying’s neck, scattering up into the short hair of her undercut -- not labored, but… intense. Fevered. Hot. 

And then it’s over. 

The credits roll. People begin to stir. Mianmian is off the couch faster than anyone else can get their feet under them, expressing an urgent need to use the restroom. 

Wei Ying slides off Lan Zhan’s lap and into Mianmian’s vacated seat. The couch is so much colder than Lan Zhan’s lap had been, which is… good. Probably. Definitely. Wei Ying desperately needs to cool off. And she could use a moment to… reign herself in before standing. And maybe somehow trick Huaisang into bringing her her flannel to tie around her waist. Or something. 

Almost as soon as Wei Ying has moved, Lan Zhan is up and following Mianmian down the hall to the bathroom. 

It makes something strange twist in Wei Ying’s gut. She’s not sure why. (And she will not be examining it right now, thank you.) It leaves her sitting alone on the couch, tucking her toes up under her own thighs in a very loose lotus pose. 

She feels Mingjue-jie’s A/C hit her skin, goosebumps rising on her arms. 

Nie Huaisang flops down next to her and, far too loudly, says, “Wow, Wei Ying! I think that’s the quietest you’ve ever been during a movie.” They grin wide like the traitor they are as the focus of the room shifts to Wei Ying. 

Qin Su snickers into Wen Qing’s shoulder and adds, “Looks like Lan Zhan finally figured out how to shut you up.” 

Blood rushes to Wei Ying’s cheeks. 

She has no defense to offer them, though. She was uncharacteristically quiet, and it was Lan Zhan’s fault. But she’s not exactly going to say that out loud if she can help it. 

Her body is still buzzing with arousal, unsated and confusing. Humiliation feels sickly sweet in her throat. But not, necessarily, in a bad way. Definitely in a way she’d rather not share with her friends. Especially while it’s still happening. 

“I mean,” she says, tongue thick in her mouth, “maybe I just wanted to watch the movie, for once.” It falls flat and she knows it, but she’s not sure she can do anything about it right now. She just wants to leave. Immediately, if possible. “Whatever,” she says. “Sangsang, my head hurts. Can we go home?”

Huaisang gives her a look. A knowing look. But nods and -- with no small amount of amusement in their eyes -- hands Wei Ying her flannel shirt. Because they really are a good roommate. And also they see way too much. 

Wei Ying takes the shirt gratefully, and lets Huaisang shuffle her out of the house before Lan Zhan can return. 

“You good?” they ask, once they’re in the car. 

“Yeah!” says Wei Ying. “Just a headache.”

Neither of them believe her.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

also, for interest/reference, the titles of the individual mini plays in the mysteries (and playwrights), according to the show's program

Act I - The Fall

Song of the Trimorph (Lucifer's Lament) - Dael Orlandersmith

Falling for You - Liz Duffy Adams

The Eighth Day (Creation Hymn) - Jason Williamson

God's Rules - Johnna Adams

A Worm Walks into a Garden, or The Fall of Man - Madeleine George

Right of Return - Jorge Ignacio Cortinas

Cain and Abel - David Henry Hwang

Build It - Trista Baldwin

The Flood - Mallery Avidon

Fruitful and Begettin' - Nick Jones

Bright New Devil - Matthew Stephen Smith

The Moses Story - Ann Marie Healy

The Prophecy - CollaborationTown

The Annunciation - Jordan Harrison

Joseph's Troubles About Mary - Kate Gersten

The Shepherds - Kimber Lee

King of Kings - Kate Moira Ryan

The Slaughter of the Innocents - Chris Dimond

The Flight into Egypt - Kenneth Lin

Act II - The Sacrifice

Christ with the PhDs - Erin Courtney

Jesus Grows Up Fast - CollaborationTown

New Periods of Pain Part I - Craig Lucas

Something in the Water - A. Rey Pamatmat

Transfiguration - Billy Porter/Kirsten Greenidge

The Woman Taken in Adultery - Max Posner

The Raising of Lazarus - Amy Freed

Jesus Enters Jerusalem - Gabriel Jason Dean

Turning the Tables - CollaborationTown

The Conspiracy - Yussef El Guindi

The Last Supper - Jeff Whitty

The Garden of Tears and Kisses - José Rivera

The Denial of Peter - Bess Wohl

Christ Before Herod - Qui Nguyen

Judgment? - Marc Acito

The Remorse - Sevan K. Greene

The Road to Calvary - Jenny Schwartz

Act III - The Kingdom

New Periods of Pain Part II - Craig Lucas

The Death of Christ - Don Nguyen

The Harrowing of Hell - Lucas Hnath

Resurrection - Bill Cain

The Next Supper - Lloyd Suh

The Appearance - Ellen McLaughlin

Thomas Doubting (or, Doubting Thomas Doubts His Doubt) - Jordan Seavey

The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene - Meghan Kennedy

Pentecost - Sean Graney

Walking Away from the Mirror and Forgetting What You Looked Like - Eisa Davis

The Death of Mary - Lillian Groag

The Assumption of Mary - Najla Said

The Coronation - Laura Marks

The Last Judgment - Michael Mitnick

Sermon of The Senses - José Rivera

[wildlyfamousmusic]

Hello Everyone, and, Really, Had #FinalSpace had a Continuation in Animation or At Least a Radio Dub Later On, I think the Casting Choices for the Assumbled Cast for the Newer Characters and Variety would Actually Consist of:

Zeno Robinson, Wendi Malick, Roger Craig Smith, Fred Tatasciore, Kari Walhgren, Dee Bradley Baker, Grey Delisle Griffin, Khary Pheyton, Erica Lindbeck, Sumanee Montaro, Sarah-Nicole Roble, Kevin Michael Richardson, Cissy Jones, Kelly Hu, Mae Whitman, Troy Baker, Eden Regal, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Cree Summers, Laura Bailey, Rick D Wasserman, Alex Hirsch, Brian Bloom, April Stewart, Nolan North, Travis Willingham, Robin Atkin Downes, Ryan Hurst, Rachel McFarlane, Keston John, Abby Trott, Avi Roque, Mela Lee, Steve Blum, Jimi Piri, Jenny Yokobori, Matthew Rhys, Nika Futterman, Rhys Darby, Hynden Walsh, Kimiko Glenn, Max Mittleman, Kirsten Schaal, Bumper Robinson, Alek Le, Ben Diskin, Anaris Quinones, Kurtwood Smith, Stephen O'Young, JB Blanc, Greg Chun, Imari Williams, Stephen Root, Alan Le, Keith Furgeson, Stephanie Sheh, Kimberly Brooks, Jason Marnocha, Tati Gabrielle, Adam Harrington, Maurie LaMarche, Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt, James Matheis III, Barbara Goodson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sam Reigal, Clancy Brown, Scott Porter, Jonathan Adams, Josh Keaton, Gary Anthony Williams, Danny Trejo, James Arnold Taylor, NPH, Eric Bauza,William Saylers, Beck Bennett, Christian Lenz, Armin Taylor, Jason Mouzukas, Djimon Houndou, Jennifer Hale, Jeffrey Combs, David Kaye, Lauren Tom, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Armin Shimmerman, Andrew Kishino, Carlos Alazraqui, Kaji Taang, Kira Buckland, Faye Mata, Cristina Vee, Deidrech Deider, Henry Winkler, Ana Akana, Amanda Celine Miller, Keith Silverstein, Hoon Lee, Jessica Calvaro, Erik Kimermer, Matthew King, Erica Mendez, Jason Marsden, Sean Astin, Ben Shwartz, Rob Paulson, Patton Oswalt, Lena Haudrey, Trevor Duvall, James Urbaniak, etc.

[simcatcher-ts2]

SCARCEDY COVE NEIGHBORHOOD

All >> HERE

The AYAD I ○ II ○ III

Shani, Violet

The BALBLER I ○ II ○ III

Garelle, Marcia, Johnny, Cathy, Talia, Elsa

The CLAIBORNE (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Hannah, Jack

The CORSILLO I ○ II ○ III

Mitch

The DEMURE (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Hestia

The DENON (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Lilas, Rodrigue

The DUCROC (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Gaby, Merida, Kemel

(The HALLIWELL I ○ II ○ III)

The HARLEY (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Alanna, Queen

The HOLIDAY I ○ II ○ III

Elspeth

The LIA (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Peyton

The LOCKLEAR I ○ II ○ III

Lily, Finn, Noah

The LOITUMIS (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Caravella, Viko, Bhebe

The MONTGOMERY I ○ II ○ III

Tabby, Mithra, Jolene, Mune, Magnus, Eli

The MONTJOLY I ○ II ○ III

Theresa

The ORVILLE I ○ II ○ III

Georg, Penny, Chanel

The PERRY (not yet started) I ○ II ○ III

Miss, Micky, Kara (Xls), Mort (Xlt), Sheldon (Stahp)

The REMINGTON I ○ II ○ III

Kirsten

The SKELLYTONE I ○ II ○ III

Klets, Bendi, Vellica, Oliver, Anna Mae, Felix

The TURNER I ○ II ○ III

Katie, Shawn

The WAY I ○ II ○ III

Guy, Ivy, Rhea, Vera

The WATCHER I ○ II ○ III

Telly, Vid, Fizz

[women-of-malevolent]

Faroe Lester (III) - Part 19 to Part 30

LINK TO FAROE II!

Daughter of Suburbia - Kirsten Lilford 2017

PART 19

19.1

(Ocean waves, growing louder. Someone walks along a boardwalk. Seagulls cry out as the water laps at the shore. An ominous rumbling builds up, and a young girl says ‘Run!’.

Everything goes silent.

Something heavy walks at a distance, accompanied by creature-like snuffling. Metal clatters to the ground, startling Arthur awake.)

ARTHUR: Was that…?

JOHN: I think so.

ARTHUR (yawning): I must’ve dozed off last night. Morning.

JOHN: Morning.

(He sits up. A melancholy tune starts to play.) ARTHUR: What did they drop for us today?

19.2

19.3

19.4

19.5

PART 20

20.1

20.2

20.3

20.4

20.5

20.6

20.7

20.8

20.9

Part 20.5 Coda

Coda 1

Coda 2

PART 22

22.1

PART 24

24.1

PART 25

25.1

PART 26

26.1

26.2

26.3

PART 27

27.1

PART 28

28.1

PART 30

30.1

LINK TO FAROE IV!