#like yes shes fictional its not that deep blah blah blah but MAN. its my blog i get to complain about questionable readings of books

[officialleotolstoy]

ahem ahem. periodic reminder that hélène kuragina is a victim of domestic abuse and while she did do bad things and you are not obligated to like her it is in incredibly poor taste to make posts about how you wish she had been killed by her abusive husband. send tweet

[snowflakewrites1381]

CHAPTER - 1

The Chaos

Jan 1, 2012 Italy

12.00 A. M

August Walker sat on his couch, beside his lovely daughter Maya Walker. They are watching a science- Fiction movie after having dinner.

Maya Walker rested her head on his dad shoulder and yawning, making her father chuckle.

"Baby,  common it's getting late...You should sleep!"

"Yeah, dad... Just few more minutes. It's climax and I don't wanna miss that... and Happy New Year, Dad!!!" Maya said with excitement.

"Heyy.. I almost forget it, Happy New Year, Maya!!"

"What?  How can you, dad?" Maya laughed at her father words.

"Well, you know, I've been busy regarding my cases, files and blah blah blah..."

"I miss mom, dad"

August holds his daughter hand and gently rubs with his thumb and saying "Yeah, I know sweety, I do miss her.  Sometimes I even get angry on myself for not saving her life... "

"Dad, don't be. You did your best to save us from fire accident, but unfortunately God has another plan and eventually lead to this..."

August lifted his head and saw the teary eyes of Maya.

"Brave girls, don't cry!!" He wiped Maya tears with his thumb finger.

Maya chuckled.

"Dad, shall we go outside today? I want to spend this day with you because I don't know, when this free time will come again.."

"Yeah, Maya!! I am also thinking the same, I will make sure that, we will enjoy today with lots of ice creams, candies, party's and much more.... "

And then, August started tickling his daughter.

"Daddddyyyyy!!!!! Stop!!!!"

Beautiful moments between Dad and Daughter, was interrupted by a phone call...

"Hello, Walker Residency" August lifted the call.

Smile on August Walker face, is turned into a serious and attentive one.

"Yeah, I'll be coming!"

After some time....

"Maya, listen to me carefully, I have urgent thing to do, now be a good girl and be with your nanny and do the things what she will say to do... Is that ok?"

Maya nodded.

"I thought, I will be spending time with you, today! Because you are always busy with your cases. I know you have to be, but.... "

"Hey hey hey... " August knelt down in front of Maya.

"I know, Maya. I do feel the same, but it's important. I have to solve something in order to save people lives"

"Yeah, Dad. I get it. When you will return, dad? "

"Huh, it's depend on case, Maya. I can't say about that. But don't worry, Nanny will be there for you, until I return, okay?"

Maya nodded.

"I texted her, she will be coming at early morning, be safe. Close all the doors and windows! If you are unable to sleep, then watch T. V Or read, do some interesting stuff! to improve your skills."

Maya gasped and said "Dad,  I am not a kid any more!!"

August chuckled, and he got ready.

He took a small suitcase and dumped all the necessary stuff into it. And left the house...

He opened the garage door and settled in his car, and made his way to the caller place...

After sometime........

2.03 A. M

August Walker, finally arrived to his destination (Siena City).

The place is surrounded by cops, people, media.

A bald man with gun, approached to the August Walker. "Sir, I think you should really see this...Its fucking weird!!"

"That's what I came for, Jim"

Jim Carter - Assistant and good friend of detective August Walker.

"Hey, hey everyone! It is not a circus or entertainment show, move aside. Let us in!" Jim ordered to the people who are gathered around the victim's area.

People moved aside and letting them in.

"Oh my god!" August murmured.

Victim is male, covered with lots of blood and deep cuts on his entire body and face.

"It's like, killer used Saw on him" Jim whispered to August ear.

August knelt down and pulled his gloves on and examined the victims body and it's surrounding.

"It's like, killer had a pure revenge on this man. God look at those wrists, they must have been tied with zip ties."

"Yes, sir.. That sucks!!"

"How did this happen, I mean when? Any info?" August asked his fellow mate Jim.

"People are saying they found the victim like this, after the new year's party!"

"Where did the party happened?"

"2 blocks away! near the Saint alpha museum"

"Perfect! Who complained you about this victim?"

"A young boy!"

"Where is he? call him! I want to talk with him"

"yes, sir!" Jim nodded and went to bring the little boy.

"Umm, Mr. Walker! We are from times now channel, could you please tell us about something regarding victim?" A blonde girl along with camera man, asked August Walker.

"We are dealing with it, We hope we could find more details!"

"Is this case, bothering you so much? I mean You dealt with numerous cases in your life and solved them very professionally, what you will say about this case, Mr. Walker?"

"Well, I can say. Whoever the killer is, It can be female or male. I won't leave them for damn sure. They are gonna pay for it, for what they did!!" August said coldly, in front of camera.

"Excuse me..." August left the conversation...

"Hello, Kiddo!" August welcomed the young boy.

"Uh, Hi!" The boy sounded nervously.

"Can I take you, somewhere private?" August requested the young boy.

The Young boy stared at Jim for few seconds and then he nodded...

"Perfect!, Jim handle this situation until I return! Will you? " 

"Yes, sir!!!"

"Come on, pretty boy! We have more things to do" August holds one of boy's hand.

August and the young boy landed in a coffee shop.

"Do you hungry?" August asked while looking the menu.

"Uhm, yes!"

"Waiter!"

A waiter came near to the table "Yes sir, What would you like?"

"For the young boy, bring milk and cookies. And for me, nothing!"

Waiter nodded and left.

"What's your name? by the way!"

"Charlie" boy said while staring down.

"Now, let's get down into business, shall we? tell me everything, that you saw from starting!"

"I saw a person, who is acting weird in the party, I ignored that person for some time, and after the party I was going to home, then I saw that victim lying on the floor and no is there around him, I got panic and went back to the party place and I was confused and I immediately informed to the sweepers. That's it!"

"Hmm..."

"How the person look like?"

"Tall, thin, wearing black jacket and jeans, face is covered with cap, masks and  scarf"

"Where do you live, why you attended the party alone?"

"I am orphan and I live in the next colony"

"Oh!" August gasped.

Waiter came to the table with milk and cookies and served them on the table.

"I am so hungry! Thank you, Mr..."

"My name is August Walker, Detective."

"What should I call you, Sir or Mr. walker?"

"Treat me as your friend, Charlie!"

Charlie giggled.

After Charlie having his food, August paid the bill and immediately went to his car parking area, along with boy.

August dropped the young boy, at his home and he gave his phone number to the boy telling him that " I'll call you, when I need, make sure you are available!"

Charlie Nodded, hugged August and kissed on his cheek "Thank you for the food, my friend!"

"Welcome, my friend!"

BACK TO THE VICTIM'S PLACE

They cleared victim's body and the blood. And media, citizens left that place...

"Any updates? Jim?" August asked Jim.

"Forensic people took the body and we will get the results by today afternoon, sir. And..."

"And...?"

"The victim is a doctor!"

"And?"

"He is neurologist, Home town is Rome. we found his ID card in his car!"

"Okay, thanks pal! I think this killer, is something! Don't you think, jim? Why he or she wants to kill a doctor?, what is the reason?"

"We will find it, sir! I think pretty things are yet to come!!"

[tundrainafrica]

I just find it so unfortunate that some aggressive shippers ruin a ship and a character for so many people. A popular Erwin x Levi artist got hate comments by some Levihan shippers and so many people are bashing it now on twitter because of that. Its just so sad considering LH was one of the most beautiful and fun dynamics in such a depressing story. Even Hange is getting hated because LH is pretty much the default ship involving them and it just breaks my heart :(

Twitter has some great content and I actually hang around AOT twt for some quick content. It’s like every time I’m feeling fast food I just hang there, like a few tweets, read a few soc med AUs etc etc. 

But god. It’s a mess man. Last year I was constantly on twitter to be honest and it left me in a bad mood everyday because people are just being assholes for little to no reason really but just to put themselves in what they believe is a morally higher ground from their peers. And people just like fighting and the funny part is no opinions are actually heard, no views are actually exchanged. It’s just “you dont agree with me so you’re a bad person.” 

Ad hominem attacks are just everywhere.

So I like staying in my small little hole and just talking to myself there and just liking the content of the Levihan people I actually follow. I see stuff I don’t agree with but I’ve kinda accepted that a lot of people there are just there to push an agenda because really if people were that open minded, I don’t think lynching and call out culture would have gotten this far.  

I’ve used this same analogy so many times but I feel like in Twitter, people are just scrambling for some sort of moral high ground. Because of that, it is completely useless to engage in discourse there because one thing I noticed is most people who are vocal there already have a set stance on something and the fact that they’re ready to just bully anyone who stands in the way of their agenda, just makes convincing them out of the agenda impossible and a complete waste of time. And there are two issues in particular among the LH community which are really unsettling for me: the ship wars and within the LH community, the gender war. 

Ship wars

I find the ship wars unnecessary because really what makes a superior ship? 

Probability of being canon? How much fuel they were given in canon? Healthiness of the relationship?

The truth is people ship for many reasons. But really, who are we to judge how a person goes about the way they decide to participate in the fandom and ship? As long as it is something they keep within personal spaces and do it responsibly, I don’t think it’s our business to judge someone or lynch them. The important thing is people are able to not be an asshole about it. People can ship the most questionable shit, create the most dubious content, as long as that person is respecting boundaries and putting the right tags and trigger warnings, who are we to call them out right?

Of course I prefer LH over other Levi ships personally but is there really a need to attack other people’s ships about it? I probably do poke fun at Ereri because until now I still do not get why people enjoy Ereri in the first place but why destroy the fandom experience for people just because we don’t agree with them.

My general intention behind shipping Levihan is because above anything I value the healthiness in the relationship and the things people can learn about love and relationships by analyzing Levihan’s dynamics and headcanoning them. I love Levi and Hange’s dynamics to death and I like digging deeper into them and pulling out lessons from it about love, life and relationships and just sharing them with people which is my whole point for participating in this fandom in the first place. 

But in the end, ships are just preferences. Some people like getting a kick out of dubious pairings and toxic relationships. As long as they consume these responsibly and don’t emulate them in real life, I see no problem in it. 

The toxic ones are the ones who actively crucify people for preferences. 

The Gender War

One really disturbing thing I found about twitter is that deciding to use ‘she’ to refer to Hange can get you lynched. I found a few accounts that would reblog tweets where someone says something like “Yes, Hange, Queen” which gets retweeted by some NB Hange folk who say stuff like “Unfollow this transphobe now.” 

Because apparently deciding to headcanon Hange as a woman or just preferring to use ‘she’ makes people a transphobe. Which is personally just... really disturbing. I don’t believe words like homophobic, transphobic, racist should be so easily thrown around unless there is hard evidence to believe that someone is really one of the epithets above like for example: 

There are things I find completely assholish like of course, refusing to use someone’s preferred pronouns if they ask you. 

But Hange is fictional and Hange is a gift to the fandom.And I don’t even think the issue about Hange’s gender should have ever reached this far. The only thing Yams ever said was that Hange is just not the type to be tied down to a single gender. 

And policing Hange’s gender and saying NOPE SHE’S NON BINARY USE THEY Is just counterintuitive to the whole idea that she’s a free spirit. In the end, Hange as a character wouldn’t have given a fuck whether people called her a they, she or even a he. 

And yeah, it’s frustrating really that these two issues I just discussed above are ruining Hange as a character for a lot of people and consequently, ruining Levi x Hange as a ship. 

Apparently, a lot of people are closet LxH shippers or closet Hange stans because the moment they tweet something about Hange, there are people who will attack them. If people refer to Hange as they, they get attacked. If people refer to Hange as she, they get attacked. There are so many antis apparently to the LxH ship, some apparently are jealous because ‘it’s the closest to canon’ while others just apparently deem it a toxic ship because of our own internal gender war.  

There’s no winning really. And to be honest, there’s nothing I can do either and I don’t want to engage in any arguments in twitter if at the end of it, I’m just gonna end up wasting my time listening to ad hominem attacks directed at me just for not agreeing with someone in a fandom related matter. . 

I’ve said my piece about the Hange gender issue so many times. There are NBs who use she. There are those who use they. Being female and being NB aren’t mutually exclusive. You can be both at the same time.

But yeah, we still have people being assholes about this and pushing factually wrong agendas. I love research and I have been writing research papers and metas for a lot of things even before I started this blog in the first place. And I eventually learned that the world is so complex that no opinion is completely and absolutely correct. 

And ideally, opinions shouldn’t be made so easily. 

Don’t get me wrong. I believe everyone is entitled to a preference and when I say preference I mean the type of food they like, the type of wallpaper they like. 

But no one is entitled to a moral judgement or opinion just for existing and when I say opinion I mean questions on morals, on what’s right or what isn’t, what is or what should be. Every single person has the responsibility to research, hear both sides of a discourse and understanding them before deciding for themselves what’s right. And this is why hearing accusations that someone is ‘transphobic,’ ‘homophobic’ blah blah over how we hc a character just really does not sit well with me. 

Passing moral judgement on someone requires discernment, deep thought and lots and lots of evidence. But yeah this is a philosophical question and a political question so I ain’t going to delve into it here.

Because, in the end, fandoms are preferences. The way we choose to participate in a fandom and create content are preferences more than anything.

So what? (Btw, if you reached all the way here, thank you for listening to me ramble lol and sorry if you weren’t expecting this type of ramble)

I know I’ve just been rambling a lot up there for a lot of reasons but really what message do I wanna give? 

Fandoms are preferences more than anything so I don’t even believe that there should be a discussion on moral judgement here. People can have the weirdest kinks, the most questionable preferences but as long as they aren’t going around romanticizing abuse, beating up people in real life, killing them and lying in real life, who are we to judge?

Even if someone says they have a rape kink and abuse kink when it comes to fics, as long as they acknowledge it’s something they shouldn’t emulate in real life, as long as they can keep an adult conversation about it, I think these people are generally kinder and more pleasant overall than people who force their healthy canon ship and lynch everyone for having more questionable preferences. 

Ship and let ship. Live and let live. Headcanon and let headcanon. If a person has a differing opinion, listen. (Or really, if you just don’t want to deal with listening to differing opinions coz you’re just gonna get stressed, don’t lynch? Don’t send hate? And just ignore it?)

Ask yourself. Does the person acknowledge that it isn’t right in real life? Do they acknowledge if they emulate it in real life it has the potential to be harmful?

Honestly, all I wanna do is just let people stan Levi and Hange however they want to. There are obviously hcs I dont agree with. But in the LH community we just all love Levihan, let’s not ruin the fandom experience for anyone. In the AOT community, we all just love AOT, let’s not ruin it for anyone. Let’s not hurt anyone, attack them etc. 

If someone doesn’t agree and they can hold an adult conversation about it and they don’t emulate these toxic opinions in real life and they recognize that there is the option to just agree to disagree, why don’t we just listen and engage in this discourse to learn more about other people and to build more perspectives?

Because really it isn’t the questionable hcs or the multiple genders which leaves such a bad taste in my mouth. It’s the people who just go straight to attacking instead of actually considering that there’s potential for discourse and there’s potential to ‘agree to disagree’ because in the end, fandom discourse is a question of preference more than moral judgement. 

It’s easier said than done really. But personally for me, I just try to keep my fandom experience as non toxic as possible while at the same time as mentally fulfilling as possible. I enjoy discourse, I like hearing differing opinions and I really believe with something as light and as inconsequential as fandoms as our common ground, we can learn to peacefully co-exist despite differing opinions on what the best ship is or what Hange’s gender is. 

Note: I won’t delve too much on the Hange gender issue here because I have pending asks about those which I’ll answer in one go, but I really believe that both they and she are valid pronouns for Hange. 

I have a general preference for ‘she’ because it’s just easier to read. But personally I don’t think too much about the gender identity issue because it’s really just too complex for me and i like spending my time thinking of other headcanons about Hange than gender and people who push the Hange is nb agenda and people who push the Hange is a female agenda and just insult each other and lynch each other are both equally unsettling. 

[nerianasims]

Billboard #1s 1984

Under the cut.

Yes -- "Owner of a Lonely Heart" -- January 21, 1984

The full version of this song is way too long. Not surprising from a former prog rock band. The music is good and interesting, but it loses me before the end even in the shorter single version. There's too much stuff. As for the lyrics, maybe that prog rock gloss made people think they were profound, but they look like self-help. Some incredibly 80s Reagan-era individualism, better to be alone than to be hurt, you're the only one you can count on, blah blah blah. Not for me. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Culture Club -- "Karma Chameleon" -- February 4, 1984

The video to this song has nothing to do with it, unless there's supposed to be a connection between the con artist on the fantasy world 19th century steamboat and the guy who keeps coming and going whom Boy George is singing to. And I didn't fully realize the "you come and go" double entendre until just now. I like the video, anyway. And I like the song quite a bit. It's a very cheerful-sounding song about being strung along by some asshole.

Van Halen -- "Jump" -- February 25, 1984

Van Halen was something boys were into. It's weird how we delineate these things. At least back in 1984, if it got coded as a boy thing, then if you were a girl and also found it interesting, you'd damn well better hide it or certain other more socially powerful kids would tear you to shreds. That was my experience, anyway. (And if other girls were into it and you were not, you were also in serious trouble.) So though when I heard Van Halen songs I thought, "hm, I'm intrigued," I did not dare pursue that interest. Except for this song. This one was allowed. It's fun.

Kenny Loggins -- "Footloose" -- March 31, 1984

Footloose is a pretty good movie. At least I remember it being so when I eventually saw it in college in the 90s. Anything that stands against censorship, and for art and people having fun, already has an in with me. Also Kevin Bacon's great. The song isn't about the movie particularly; it's just about how dancing is wonderful. Though there is a hint at the movie: "You're playing so cool/ Obeying every rule/ Deep way down in your heart/ You're burning yearning for some/ Somebody to tell you/ That life ain't passing you by/ I'm trying to tell you/ It will if you don't even try." Yeah. Agatha Christie at one point lamented that young people in the 1950s were far too serious and self-righteous, and really needed to go dance in fountains. I feel the same now as she did then. Though wait until after the covid vaccine's been widely taken. Anyway, this is a good dance song.

Phil Collins -- "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" -- April 21, 1984

It's a lament about being dumped. Apparently, Collins wrote it about his wife leaving him out of the blue, taking the kids and the dog with her. Ouch. There's a great drum part, which keeps the song from being too boring, but I still don't like it. Phil Collins' serious love/heartbreak songs don't do it for me. I find this one depressing without being cathartic.

Lionel Richie -- "Hello" -- May 12, 1984

I remember this video from when it was on the air. Mostly because of the Lionel Richie clay head. But also because I was like... is she his student? Isn't that a bad thing? Even though she's an adult in college, I still thought you weren't supposed to do that? I've had a major squick against teacher/student relationships, even in fiction, since I was a kid. Possibly this is because I come from a family of professors. (I didn't get a PhD and am therefore the black sheep.) Without reference to the video, the song is terrible. The lyrics are just repetitive cheese, whatever, but the song is so slow and blah and I don't like Lionel Richie's singing.

Deniece Williams -- "Let's Hear It For the Boy" -- May 26, 1984

I keep being surprised that there are people who think someone is worthless if they don't have a lot of money and don't dress fashionably. In this song, the titular boy also can't dance, but is that a thing that people get dinged for in reality? I don't know, maybe. This song was in Footloose, and it's the same sentiment as "My Guy"; her boy isn't some smooth-talking rich brat, but "he's my lovin' one-man show." He's like Edward Ferrars, not Willoughby. It's a fun song.

Cyndi Lauper -- "Time After Time" -- June 9, 1984

This is one of the greatest songs ever. Not just pop songs. Any song, of any type.

Duran Duran -- "The Reflex" -- June 23, 1984

These lyrics make no sense. That doesn't matter for this song much, which is all about the music. Which is not the best of Duran Duran's music. For all the many, many, MANY different musical ideas in it, it's actually kinda boring. They'd have done better to simplify. I imagine this sounds something like cocaine feels, though drinking way too many Mountain Dews to pull an all-nighter's my only comparison. Duran Duran were never my favorite, but I do enjoy many of their songs. This one, meh.

Prince -- "When Doves Cry" -- July 7, 1984

Prince only two songs after Cyndi Lauper? Is it my birthday? The song's lyrics start out being about the amazing chemistry between the narrator and "you." That establishes why they're together. Then Prince moves on to how they "scream at each other," and it's what it sounds like "when doves cry." He's accusatory -- "How could you just leave me standing/ Alone in a world so cold?" But then he goes right into thinking maybe it's his fault: "Maybe I'm just too demanding" etc. It's a sexy, thoughtful, and anguished song about a relationship in trouble. I like to think they'll overcome their problems and stop screaming at each other. Trust me, it's very possible. Also the music is great.

Ray Parker Jr. -- "Ghostbusters" -- August 11, 1984

Um. I have no idea how to evaluate this one. I heard it first in the theatre when I saw the movie, but I heard it years after every week when I watched the cartoon. It just... is.

Tina Turner -- "What's Love Got To Do With It" -- September 1, 1984

I have an overwhelming memory of hearing this song when I was alone in the grocery store as a teenager. I have no idea why the memory's so strong. Maybe it was the first time I went to the grocery store by myself? Maybe I ran into a guy I had a huge crush on, though I don't remember that? (If I was 16, that could have been one of any three guys... Romance is my secondary aspiration, after all.) In any case, it's a good song. The attempt to pretend love is a bunch of chemicals and doesn't truly matter is a pretty common one for the broken-hearted. And Tina Turner's great as always.

John Waite -- "Missing You" -- September 22, 1984

Two songs in a row about being in denial over matters of love. Interesting. This isn't the most fascinating song ever, but it's a good solid song about heartbreak that isn't gloopy at all. In the main vocals, Waite keeps insisting "I ain't missing you," but in the background is a soft voice that sings "missing you" over and over. That's a smart artistic move.

Prince and the Revolution -- "Let's Go Crazy" -- September 29, 1984

I liked a lot of pop music when I was 7, but I didn't get Prince. His songs sort of slid out of my brain as a "thing for grownups," and who could understand grownups? He was short and wore fancy outfits, and that's about all that registered. When I hit puberty, though... yeah. This song is more adult than that, though, and I don't mean sexually, though there is plenty of sex in this song. "You better live now/ Before the grim reaper come knocking on your door." The song is about sex, partying, and death. Also Prince was an astonishing guitarist, along with everything else. It's not one of my favorite Prince songs, because the lyrics are pretty depressing and it's super loud, but it's still great.

Stevie Wonder -- "I Just Called To Say I Love You" -- October 13, 1984

I never really listened to the background beep-de-boops in this song before. I've wondered before why this song, with its simple lyrics and melody, didn't bore me. It's the beep-de-boops. They, along with Stevie Wonder's perfect delivery, make this song musically complex. And the simple lyrics, with the more complex musical counterpoints, absolutely work. It helps that this is the kind of thing people really do.

Billy Ocean -- "Caribbean Queen" -- November 3, 1984

That heavy breathing after the line "I get so excited just from her perfume" is unfortunate. Otherwise, it's a song about how he met this "Caribbean Queen" on vacation and she "tamed" him so he's no longer looking for "love on the run." Sure, why not. I'd like a little more story to it, but that's me. It's got a good beat though, and is enjoyable enough as-is.

Wham! -- "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" -- November 17, 1984

I just realized I don't like this song. The beat and hook are sort of irresistible, and as a dance song the music absolutely works. But there's too much nostalgia about stuff that George Michael actually wasn't old enough to be nostalgic about. He was only 21 at the time, born in 1963, and yet he was singing about Doris Day. You can homage anything at any age, but... meh. And speaking of age, it's kind of a childish song and George Michael's voice was always more on the mature end, even if he was young at the time. For me, it hits a jarring note.

Daryl Hall & John Oates -- "Out of Touch" -- December 8, 1984

The beginning makes it sound like this is gonna be a relatively hard rock song, but that ends after a pretty short time. It's still really loud, with huge drums, and Hall pretty much shouts the song. Hall & Oates were great when they stripped stuff down. All this noise doesn't work for them. There are neat parts when all the noise suddenly stops and there's total silence, but then it goes right back to the rather uninteresting loudness. Not for me.

Madonna -- "Like A Virgin" -- December 22, 1984

And so it begins. Backstory: Madonna went to the same high school as my mother. She was friends (maybe more? he won't talk) with one of my uncles. When my grandmother saw the Like A Virgin album on the rack at the store, she said, "I'm so glad [he] didn't marry that girl." When my mother told me that, my reaction was "Are you kidding? We'd be rich!" But my family cares about PhDs and not money. My uncle ran wild in high school, but eventually became a successful career diplomat (and stopped being a jackass) after the woman he was in love with told him he'd better shape up or else. Also he looks a lot like Guy Ritchie, so that was weird for a while. I'd be in the grocery store and for a second think, "Why's my uncle on The Enquirer with Madonna?"

So anyway, the song. The way Madonna sang it in later iterations, I like it. I can't stand the version that became a #1 hit. The Betty Boop voice is just ugh. I love a lot of Madonna's music, and she would be something of an inspiration to me in later days, with her unapologetic persona as a woman who liked and wanted sex -- and enjoyed shocking the censorious -- but I was 8 at the time. I didn't get any of it, I just knew she sounded squeaky in this song and it bugged me.

BEST OF 1984: "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. WORST OF 1984: "Hello" by Lionel Richie

[circle-bircle]

YAY, so *deep breath* ill be going from chapter to chapter, if you dont mind:p bc i feel like it's going to get messy, if i try to talk about everything at the same time.

CHAPTER ONE - first of all, THE WAY YOU WRITE Y/N AS A CHARACTER???? im at a loss of words (in a positive manner ofc!!).

:::::::i have no idea whether its the fault of all those works of fiction that i had to force myself to read IN ORDER TO consume at least a bit of rare content for certain of my hyperfixations, but whenever I see a signs of ,,no, this character isn't going to start screaming and crying, generally making their situation worse, because of their stupid perception of having good luck on their side blah blah blah making even mOre stupid escape plan and then be mad when it unsurprisingly doesnt work out- like,,, yes, jennifer, you do have the absolute right to cope with such situation like that, but please just cease your noise for at least a second and use your brain!!" i buRST with happiness. i'll go more on about ,,why??" in the next rants, because ill kinda have more to go off from:3

also, the line "You should lie, but this man seems like someone who would trust you and your word until the day he dies",,,,,,circle,,,,,were you kinda fore-shadowing,,,,because now that i re-read it, it feels like what mateus kinda did til the very last chapter,,,,,,

nEXT, i adore the biting/feeding descriptions (as weird as that sounds-). it's just so,,, mateus-like, meaning GREEDY AF, rough, obnoxious and oh-so-abrupt (at least for y/n lol). i liked that a lot. and then,,, the atmosphere change, i felt as if those were the main indication of there being,,, a possibly,,, more-or-less romantic,,, relationship? if it's possible to call it that. ////:::well, mateus somewhat seems to believe, through most of the chapters, that it is a connection of this sort. bUt, the atmosphere changes - the way his expression softens, his tone of voice alternates when speaking to y/n, the small affection tokens (that kind of progress along with the story), the petnames?? spectacular.

last but not least for this chapter's coverage, i'm coming back for a second to y/n as the character - i loVe that she basically admits that she's treated,, more-or-less well in her predicament, the only thing bothering her being the lack of companionship and pure boredom //not a backstory of abuse, depression and dependancy that for reasons unexplained still want to make her come back to her own home, as it usually happens- bc as sad as it can sometimes get, its awfully repetitive, poorly executed and just plainly boring at times//. the line about how the escape could actually be awfully easy, due to mateus seemingly trusting her or just having a good excuse, in case if she was caught was a gReat addition, because,,,, it's really all it takes, doesn't it? the circumstances she found herself in are,,, well,, crazy??? so, it wouldn't hurt - that much - to at least hatch a bit lacking of details, a bit messy, but still better than just straight up spitting in the bastard man's eye and making a run for it RIGHT BEFORE HIM AND HIS SERVANT (i mean, leon DIDNT see us leave, he says to us,,, as we leave,,,but if mateus were there to witness that too,, he wouldnt do so, lets be honest)

(i am sO sorry if its too long aND messy, but i was writing it in the sprout of a moment and right after waking up!! chapter 2 will be a cleaner take,,, i think)

My reply will be under the read more. Because I don’t know how Tumblr cuts it off anymore and. I’m mildly courteous sometimes :P

As I wrote INI, I wanted two things the most:

1. Mateus is hot.

2. Y/N is a mildly normal person. 

I don’t know who is reading on the other side of the screen. I don’t know who doesn’t have a parent, who does, who was homeless and lived in a cardboard box out in the country for his/her life. While I did want it to read like a Wattpad fic (I Fall In Love With The Hot Vampire That Takes Me Captive!?!!!?111?) I also didn’t want Y/N to be absolutely stupid. Generalizing what a normal experience might be seemed to be the smartest thing to do.

While Leon is definitely more ‘human’ due to his circumstances, Mateus only wants loyalty and a ‘bloodbag’ he can keep. I didn’t see Y/N falling in love with either of them as I wrote. As the story progresses with her first escape attempt, I knew I wanted her to be a functioning member of society.

I also didn’t want it to be like, ‘oh Y/N got kicked out of her apartment and now she’s homeless and x, x, x, happened to her OHHH LOOK AT HER!!!1!’ that’s silly (even if it would be accurate to what it would be like if INI was taking place in the real world). I think the isolation would be the worst part of living with them, especially in the beginning - Y/N isn’t nocturnal, she doesn’t want to be there, she’s attempting to be as neutral as possible. But also it’s a reader-insert so what can you do? 

I feel like Mateus would be the nicest during feeding sessions. I mean, HE’S getting what are endorphins and nutrition from your blood. You’re weak from the draining and now you’re all sweet and pliant! He’d really enjoy that, and would especially enjoy confusing you and riling you when you can’t do anything <3 

I feel like I missed things to cover, but oh well? :p

[englishchinesetranslations]

If you thought you can’t top the stupidity we experienced in 2019, brace yourself for 2020 because it’s going to be a pronoun-fueled weather cult pinko freakshow. But it won’t be all amusing antics – the left hates us and its ugly mask is coming off, revealing the even uglier fascist visage lurking beneath. If you listen to them, and if you aren’t an insufferable goo goo wimp who refuses to hear them, you will know that they intend to silence you, even imprison you, and deprive you of the ability to participate in your own governance. So, if you want to live as a free man or woman – if they have their way, they’ll destroy you for recognizing that unalterable binary – best be ready.

Be motivated to engage in the cultural melee.

Vote.

And buy guns and ammo. As my favorite literary creation famously says, no one has ever regretted being too well armed.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for 2020:

10. Trump Will Be Impeached��Yawn: Poor, flailing Nancy Pelosi will eventually transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, thereby actually impeaching the President. Now, whether Pelosi’s current antics constitute “impeachment” or not is irrelevant, except denying it due to her gamesmanship is fun because it owns the libs. No one cares, and to the limited extent we normal people do, this alleged impeachment is a badge of honor for the President. Her fringe-driven delay tactics make the Dems look dumber, and eventually she will send it to the Senate where Cocaine Mitch will kill it. Sure, some of the useless GOP caucus will make noises about how this clusterfark must be taken seriously because principles and honor and stuff. Saps. They just better take seriously that we in the base will electorally eviscerate them if they vote to convict. Maybe Mitt the Gimp will vote for it because he’s weak and stupid. Maybe Senator Iglookowski (RINO-AK) will too. But in the end, Trump will triumph and yet again humiliate his opponents.

9. The Economy Will Stay Strong, Disappointing Democrats: The party of the workin’ man is already in mourning because the Trump economy has finally brought some prosperity back to the workin’ man instead of concentrating wealth among the globalist liberal gentry that Obama served. The media will cheerlead for a recession; the Democrats will try to ignore the new Roaring 20s, but America’s success will remain a nightmare for liberals during 2020.

8. Virginia Will Declare War on Its Citizens: The liberals recently elected as moderates in the Old Dominion will reveal their true colors as they attempt to crush dissent wherever voters were stupid enough to elect them. The Virginia left will not back down – it will attempt to criminalize vast numbers of citizens and bend them to its will using violence and legal terrorism if need be. This will provoke a counterreaction that will make it clear to moderates that electing liberals means voting for conflict, not just center-left business as usual like with old school Democrats. Look for it to get ugly. They think they can break our will, and they will learn they can’t. This will energize conservatives across the country.

7. Replacing Justice Ginsburg: She’s had a good run but the opponent conservatives tend to most respect for being tough is playing a losing game against statistics. It is not to wish ill upon her to say that time is not on her side; in 2020, it is very, very likely Donald Trump will be replacing her. Count on the Murder Turtle not to buy into an interpretation of the Garland Rule that ties his hands – it’s confirmation time. The Democrats will go even nuttier than usual, but too bad. Just get ready for future Justice Amy Coney Barrett to have to explain that, yes, she likes beer, and no, she didn’t run a rape gang in elementary school.

6. Trans Fascism Backlash: Normal people are getting tired of being told they have to lie and say there are 631 sexes, and they are tired of militant jerks wanting boys hanging out in their girls’ locker room, and they are getting sick of boys winning girls’ sports championships. J.K. Rowling, who is otherwise a leftist doofus, recently survived social media cancelation for telling the truth that sex is real. The rest of us will be roused to action – people were trying to be polite, but now it’s all too stupid and obnoxious to tolerate. There is a big difference between being kind and not adding to the pain of people with real issues, and with being forced by drag bullies and their allies to publicly affirm what everyone knows is false. Look for more and more people, prominent and not prominent, to be told that they must agree that men can get pregnant and that women can have penises, and to answer, “No.”

5. Pardon This: We will see the President pardon the victims of Deep State vendettas designed to overturn the election of 2016. General Mike Flynn, Roger Stone, and Paul Manafort will all be cleared, probably right after the election. Which is good, because we will need the cells for…

4. Durham’s Indictments: The investigation into the soft coup is going to turn up wrongdoing that the entrenched leftist bureaucracy can’t shove under the rug anymore. John Durham telegraphed his righteous retribution when he publicly rejected IG Horowitz’s pathetic shrug over the Deep State’s shenanigans. We’re going to see some folks finally held to account. Not all of them – not Felonia Milhous von Pantsuit, not that Looming Doofus Comey, but others. It’s an important first step in defeating the cancer on our government that is having these Democrat partisans in positions of power in the bureaucracy.

3. Foreign Policy Success: With the National Security Council under the properly low-key and sober guidance of Robert O’Brien (I know him – great guy and perfect for this job), America will continue to rebuild its strength, wind down open-ended military commitments, force allies to do their part, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Iran will continue to destabilize, but we will not go to war – we will neuter the mullahs economically and let the Persian people deal with their oppressors. China has some strengths but many weaknesses – we will exploit those and build a trade relationship based on reciprocity instead of American submission. NATO countries will reluctantly fork over their dues, and our relationship with the UK will become even more special now that it is free of the EU’s yoke. Foreigners finally understand – America will use every element of its power to defend American interests, so behave. Also, we will get the Space Force going (long overdue) and move toward a 355-ship Navy (very long overdue). Finally, look for a promotion for America’s most effective diplomat (and future GOP presidential contender) Richard Grenell.

2. Democrats Will Lose the House: They took the House back promising to be pragmatic do-gooders who would work across party lines to do the people’s business blah blah blah blah blah. It was all garbage. The ones that weren’t actively defiling hotel room furniture via naked hair brushing grossness with underlings were obediently obeying Pelosi’s commands. “Impeach? Yes, ma’am, right away, ma’am.” And what were they doing that was useful to their voters? Nothing – America’s biggest problem is not that Democrats have too little control.

1. Trump Will Get Reelected: There are a number of reasons, many recited above. But the most important is that God looks out for the United States. Oh, and the Dems will nominate Biden, who will choose Sitting Bolshevik as his VP (He’s gotta choose a girl and Willie Brown’s Ex is out for dissing him and he can’t choose Amy Tantrum Gal Klobuchar because he needs to nail down the Dem’s commie wing). A fake Indian and a fake competent leader – great combo. Once nominated, Gropey J will continue to commit gaffes, only his slobbering media buddies won’t be able to keep hiding them. Plus, there’s the Lil’ Crackpipe factor. Hoover Biden, the nominee’s Snortunate Son, will have another crack issue, or another paternity suit, or maybe both – which the garbage media will tell us is none of our business and is not important. But it is. In the end, Trump will improve on his 2016 Electoral College numbers and win the popular vote too, at which point the liberals will turn against the entire concept of voting.

I also predict that my newest novel Collapse will continue to be an Amazon bestseller, and that there will be another action-packed, hilarious novel coming next year once I finish my traditional non-fiction book for Regnery that is also due out in 2020. Go ahead and use that gift card you got at Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa to get the other entries in the series, People's Republic, Indian Country and Wildfire. Remember, every time you read one of my books, the Never Trump weenies who called them “appalling” sob and rend their sissy bow ties.

[rowdywarrior85]

STRANGER THINGS PRESENTS: 8/11, PART 3 (ISSUE 1)

STRANGER THINGS PRESENTS: 8/11, PART 3

[DISCLAIMER: This story in purely fan-fiction, meaning I own no rights to the show STRANGER THINGS, its episodes or characters. Basically, this story is my interpretation of the show, its episodes or characters. Forewarning, there will be descriptions of violence (sometimes graphic), adult content and language; if you have kids under 17 reading this story, VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Either way, hope you enjoy it. This story takes place between Season 3: Episodes 4-8.]

(We open to a moonlit night, the full moon beaming down the Hawkins Community Pool. Nearby, Kali gears up for battle. First, she laces up her Purple Converses. Then, throws on her ninja gi over her black bra, black cotton panties, waist-high fishnet stockings and leather skirt, then ties her gi up with a ninja belt. Then, she dons two garderbelts, one for each leg, each garderbelt brandishing three kunai knives. Then, dons her custom Shirasaya samurai sword by tying the straps on her belt behind her so it hangs by the top her ass and the handle faces her right side. Then, she applies black eyeliner and black smudge around her eyes. Then she dons her demon mask and throws up her hood. And to top it all off, she throws her custom Kali technicolor butterfly leather jacket vest over her ninja gi. Just like that, the Goddess of Death was ready for battle. Kali then runs to the Pool, where inside the lights start flickering, the Party prepare to fight against Billy under the influence of the Mind Flayer. Billy manages to break the sauna door down, El starts things off by flinging a bench press barbell with 45 lbs on each side at Billy, using all her mental might to hold him to the wall, crushing him. But Flayed Billy uses his endowed enormous flayed strength, and sends it back to her. El ducks it, Billy takes advantage and grabs her by the hair, then proceeds to choke her and lift her to the ceiling. El starts to lose consciousness, just then Mike nails Billy in the back of the head with a pipe from the sauna.)

MIKE: GO TO HELL YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!

(Mike proceeds to nail him again, but Flayed Billy catches the pipe, then flings it away from him. Flayed Billy then moves in to kill Mike. When suddenly, a familiar voice catches Billy’s ear.)

NEIL: BILLY!!

(Billy turns to the exit, and sees his asshole father, Neil Hargrove, standing 5 feet from the middle of the back wall. The Party doesn’t know whether they should be relieved or concerned for Neil’s welfare, considering Billy’s present condition.)

MAX: Neil, what are doing here? You shouldn’t be here.

NEIL: Shut up, Max, I got this.

MAX: No, you don’t understand. Billy’s become some kind of a monster.

NEIL: I said shut the fuck up, young lady. I’ll deal with you and your faggot friends later.

MIKE: Piece of shit.

(Neil points to Mike, telling him to watch himself. Then turns his attention to his son. Billy starts staggering towards his father, looking to finally destroy him.)

NEIL: So this is how you spend your spare time, young man? Fucking with kids half your size. As if your little escapades of late weren’t enough.

(As she recovers, El then notices a technicolor butterfly fluttering towards the treadmill. El feels like she’s seen this particular butterfly before.)

LUCAS: Uh, sir. I don’t think you wanna make this worse than it already is.

NEIL: (points to Lucas) Shut the fuck up, Sinclair, or you’re next!

(To Billy) Just look at you. You look so fucked up, you don’t even know which way is up. You’re WEAK AS ALL FUCK, JUST LIKE YOUR BITCH MOTHER!!

BILLY: (ROARS) FUCK YOU!!!

(Billy furiously starts throwing numerous haymakers at his father. But strangely, the punches go through Neil like it’s some sort of an illusion. Billy and the Party are perplexed at this illusion, except for El is certain who is causing it.)

WILL: Everybody is seeing this, right?

MIKE: Yeah, we see it alright.

BILLY: (ROARS) WHAT ARE YOU!?!

(The illusion of Neil then looks to El, then smiles.)

NEIL: (British Accent) It’s OK, Jane. I’ll take it from here.

(El looks to the illusion, then utter a word.)

EL: (whispers) Kali.

(Just then, Billy feels a stabbing sensation on the bottom right side of his body. He looks down and sees a kunai pierced into his body. Three more fly through the Neil illusion, piercing his top left pec, bottom left side and top right pec, knocking him back with each one. The Neil illusion then fades away, and Kali leap rolls to the left side of Billy. She then pulls out her sword, delivering right upward diagonal slice along his back, making him stagger around to the right. Kali then drives a singular thrust into his liver. Billy looks down, then grabs the blade, palm on the cutting edge, and proceeds to pull it out. Kali is in disbelief as she holds on to the sword with Billy pulling it completely out of his body, roaring at her with murderous intent.)

KALI: Right, then.

(Kali pulls her sword away from Flayed Billy’s hand, leaving a nasty cut on his hand After he assess the cut on his hand, he starts pulling out the kunai knives.)

MAX: What… the fuck… is he?

BILLY: (growls) You’ve made a fatal mistake coming here.

KALI: Speak for yourself, pretty boy.

(Billy makes his way to Kali as she readies her blade. Suddenly, he’s lifted off the ground, screaming in pain. El walks behind Kali’s left side, both hands out, both nostrils bleeding. Both combatants screaming in anger, Kali flips her left middle finger at Billy, points at him like a gun, as she brings her thumb down, El send him flying through a brick wall, outside of the building. The lights go normal as Mike goes to comfort her exhausted supergirl, while Billy recovers and runs into the night, screaming in pain. Kali goes to the hole El made, sword in hand. She then flips it upside down, wipes the blood off with her left sleeve and flicks off the rest. As she sheathes her sword, Mike, Will, Lucas and Max walk up to her but keep their distance.)

MIKE: I don’t know who the Hell you are or how you knew we were here, but thank you.

KALI: (looks to the hole) I didn’t do it for you.

(Kali removes her mask, throwing down her hood revealing her single braided hair, and hangs the mask on the right side her sword.)

(deep breath) You’ve gotten soft lately, Jane.

MIKE: And another thing, who the Hell is Jane?

EL: I am Jane.

(El walks in-between Mike and Lucas.)

MIKE: El, you know who this is?

(Kali slowly turns to the right with a sad look on her face and a blood trail from her left nostril.)

EL: Kali.

WILL: (looks with intoxication) Wow.

KALI: You never should’ve left that night.

EL: You… should’ve came with me.

(El walks slowly towards Kali.)

KALI: I wanted to, so many times. But I had my own problems to deal with, just as you had yours to tend to. I’d check on you in the Void, just to see how you’re doing. You seem so happy, yet I could sense this unseen danger lurking around you. I had to come.

(Both sisters are a yard’s length away from each other.)

Well, aren’t you going to say anything?

(El’s face starts breaking into tearful joy.)

EL: (voice breaking) I’m glad… that you’re here.

(Both sisters break into tears, and grab each other for an epic hug.)

KALI: I was so afraid, Jane. Afraid you wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore.

EL: I do. But why are you…

KALI: I know it’s a lot for you to take in, and I swear I’ll tell you everything in time. Just hold onto me, Jane, and don’t let me go this time.

EL: I missed you, Kali.

KALI: Me too, Jane.

MIKE: Uh, excuse me.

(El and Kali look to the rest of the Party, wiping away their tears.)

But do you want to tell the rest of us who the Hell you are.

EL: This is… Kali. Kali, these are… my friends.

KALI: The ones you left me for.

EL: Yes.

LUCAS: So, Kali, how is it you know El?

KALI: First off, her name is Jane. Secondly,…

(Kali lifts her left sleeve, revealing her number 8 tattoo on her wrist. Mike and Lucas look to each other, realizing what this means.)

…she’s my sister.

MIKE, WILL, LUCAS & MAX: Sister!?!

KALI: Quite. So, somebody want to tell what fuck is going on here? Like, what’s the deal with that deranged stud there?

(Meanwhile, inside the Brimborn Steel Mill…)

HEATHER : The girl, was it her?

BILLY: Yeah, it was her. She knows now. She knows about me. There is another like her. She made me… see things. They both could’ve killed me.

HEATHER: Yes. But not us. Not us.

(Both Billy and Heather look to their army, “The Flayed” and of course, the Bio-Mind Flayer. Back at the HQ in the Wheeler Household, after trying to find out what Hopper and Joyce are up to, the boys wait out in the den while the girls tend to El. Kali rolls up her sleeves, turns on the hot water, douses a rag in the hot water and wipes the blood off her nose and the strangle bruise left by Billy.)

KALI: It still hurt much?

EL: Only when I talk.

MAX: Well it’s a good thing you’re not Mike, then. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. And you’d be in constant pain.

(The ladies have a chuckle. Max notices not only her 008 tattoo on her left wrist, but her line of faces tattoo on her right forearm.)

So, Kali. You got powers, too?

KALI: Quite. I can make people see whatever I want. I can make your dreams or your nightmares come to life. Which is how I knew your step-brother would be rattled by his father.

MAX: Cool. Now, I get the 8 tattoo, but what’s with the line of face on your right arm there?

KALI: A tribute to my crew.

(El points to Kali’s mask.)

EL: Kali…

(She strokes her index finger down, naming her friends.)

Funshine… Axel… Dottie… Mickie… and me. Where are the others? Did you leave them, too?

(Kali props herself on the wall, next to her sword.)

KALI: You left us in a fucked position after you left, Jane. We were in Milwaukee, waiting on our dinner. I was stuck in a lonely rut. Next thing I know, I hear a gunshot. Mickie’s brains were splattered across the windshield. Then in walks this Soviet twat holding Dottie hostage, then kills her. Soviet soldiers pour into our hideout, then killed Axel. Only Funshine and I made it, at least until we got the bus station. Funshine gave me time to escape, then sacrificed himself for me, taking out half the soldiers. I made it all the way to Los Angeles.

MAX: Wow, you made it all the way to California? By any chance did you run into my Dad over there?

KALI: I don’t know, Maxie. Might I continue uninterrupted, please?

MAX: Sorry.

KALI: Anyway, I ended up getting taken in by a Yakuza clan in Little Tokyo, hence the ninja attire. After six months, that same Soviet twat found me, but ended up slaying him. But not before spouting this story about a secret Russian base somewhere in this town before he died. Afterwards, I took my bath, found myself in the Void, seeing your policeman shitting on your boyfriend.

MAX: (chuckles) Oh, they’re not together anymore, all thanks to me and obviously Hopper.

(Kali looks to El like “Who is Hopper?”)

EL: Policeman.

KALI: Right. Well, at that moment, I saw something. Something monstrous, like it was drawn to me. From then on, I knew.

(sniffles) I realized, I had to find you.

EL: Kali, I’m… sorry. If I knew…

KALI: (tearfully) Oh, it’s OK, Jane. I’m here now, and you’re here. Funshine said that we’d need each other, and he was right.

(Both sisters hug each other, Max joins in on the hug. While in the den, the boys contemplate their next move, while at the same time Mike is wondering what the girls are doing in the bathroom.)

MIKE: What are they still doing in there?

LUCAS: I don’t know. Girls just like hanging out in bathrooms.

MIKE: Why?

LUCAS: I mean, I don’t know.

MIKE: They’re conspiring against me.

WILL: That’s what you’re concerned about now?

MIKE: It’s not my main concern, it’s just a sub-concern.

WILL: I thought it was already over.

MIKE: It’s not over, okay? We’re just taking a break.

WILL: She said she dumped your ass. That doesn’t sound like a break. Besides, what about Kali?

MIKE: What about her?

WILL: We should be grateful she’s here, that she saved our asses.

LUCAS: And you got the hots for her.

WILL: What?! No, I don’t.

LUCAS: Oh no? You weren’t all “WOW” with hearts in your eyes at her when she turned to us?

WILL: I was simply blown away by her skills.

LUCAS: I bet you were.

MIKE: Yeah, Will. If you like her that much, why don’t you date her, better yet marry her.

KALI: (in the bathroom) Oh, leave him alone, would ya? You do realize we can hear you tossers out there? For the record, I’m flattered.

(The girls giggle at the boys, yet the boys chuckle at Mike.)

MIKE: (mutters) Bitch.

(There’s a knock at the basement door.)

NOT NOW, MOM.

NANCY: Mike, open the door.

(Mike runs up the stairs to the open the door and find Nancy and Jonathan.)

We need to talk.

JONATHAN: Where’s Will?

WILL: I’m down here.

(Jonathan runs downstairs to embrace his little brother, knowing he’s OK. The girls step out of the bathroom.)

NANCY: Hey, El, Max, and you are…

KALI: Kali.

MIKE: She’s El’s sister from the lab.

KALI: Jane, if you would, Michael. Lovely to meet you, dear.

(Nancy and Kali shake hands.)

If you don’t mind, do you have any shirts I can comandeer? My selection is a bit limited.

NANCY: Oh, sure. Girls, wanna help me?

MAX: Sure. Come on, El.

MIKE: OK, let’s take a drink break. Guys, Mom’s got some soda in the fridge.

KALI: Actually, could you leave Will the Wise here? Exchange information and what not.

JONATHAN: Yeah, I don’t see why not. Guys, upstairs.

MIKE: Don’t try anything with him, got it.

(Kali flips him off and points him upstairs.)

WILL: It’s OK, Mike. We’ll be fine.

(As the rest head upstairs, Will turns to Kali, sitting seductively on the couch.)

So… what did want to talk to me about?

KALI: This “Mind Flayer”. From what Jane told me, it’s this monster composed of shadow and smoke. That it took you over last year.

WILL: That’s right.

(Kali prompts him to have a seat next to her. Will sits to her right.)

Is that what you want to talk to me about? My past is something I really don’t like to talk about.

KALI: Well, I wish that I could say my interest was… purely psychological.

WILL: You trying to get into my head, Kali?

KALI: Don’t have to, William. You’re real easy to read.

WILL: It’s the hair, right?

KALI: (giggles) All I’m saying is, I saw something similar to this rendition of this Mind Flayer. I can draw it up, if you like.

(Will passes the crayons and a sheet of paper.)

WILL: Be my guest.

(As Kali draws her assailant, the boys and Max wonder what’s going on down stairs.)

MIKE: I just wish I knew what was happening down there.

MAX: To tell you the truth, Mike, you really need to chill out.

LUCAS: Yeah, who knows. Kali might just be what Will needs right now.

MIKE: Seriously?

LUCAS: Why not? It worked out for Nancy and Jonathan.

(Jonathan chuckles and looks up concerning Nancy. She and El go through t-shirt selections. Nancy gets and sees somebody in the reflection. In the mirror, she sees her dead bestie, Barbara Holland. El knows Kali is inducing this illusion, but understands why.)

EL: (takes a few shirts) I’ll leave you two alone.

NANCY: Thank you.

(El leaves Nancy with her illusion.)

Barb?

BARB: Hi, Nance. I see you been busy lately. Dating Jonathan Byers, battling assholes at the Post, not to mention you and your mom throwing down with Hargrove asshole.

(Nancy tearfully laughs)

I couldn’t be any prouder of you.

NANCY: (tearfully places her hand on the mirror with Barb’s) I’ve missed you, Barb.

(Nancy and Barb smile at each other. Downstairs, Kali finishes her drawing, revealing the appearance of the Bio-Mind Flayer/B.M.F.)

WILL: Incredible. Only it looks different, almost if it like…

WILL & KALI: …organic.

WILL: (chuckles) Yeah.

KALI: What is it about scarred individuals? For some, it’s physical scars. For others, it’s the psychological scars. For you,…

(Kali feels up his left side under his shirt, feeling his burn scar.)

…physical and psychological.

WILL: My mom burnt the Mind Flayer out of my body last year. So, what?

(Will tries to get up, but Kali sits him back down.)

KALI: I don’t mind the resume’ or your measure of a mother’s love. I just wanna know the real you.

WILL: What’s there to know about me?

KALI: Your life’s an open book to me, and it’s rather sad. Of all your party members I’ve observed in the Void, Will the Wise, you fascinate me the most. You lost 2 years of your life to the horrors of this “Upside-Down”, and it’s devoid you of a life with your friends and family. Not to mention, it tremendously affects your sex life,...

(Kali looks him up and down) …or lack thereof.

WILL: Look, I don’t know what you see in me, Kali. But whatever it is, it’s not there.

(Will attempts to stands again, but Kali blocks him with a kick of the left leg, knocking him back down, allowing her to straddle him.)

KALI: Oh, you wanna give it a go?

(Kali starts undoing her ninja gi.)

I’ll bring the Pepsi,…

(She then slides it off, revealing her black lingerie and the rest of her fishnet stockings that go to her waist, topped with her leather skirt.)

…you just bring your scarred psyche with you.

(Will is godsmacked, not even believing this is actually happening as Kali adjusts herself on him.)

Relax William, this is actually happening. The only illusion I’m casting is for Nancy, a reunion of long gone friends.

WILL: (clears throat) Direct, aren’t you?

KALI: You prefer strong and dangerous women, don’t you. I’ve done my homework. Or do I need to look like something out of Dungeons & Dragons to get your attention?

WILL: It wouldn’t do you any good. I haven’t had much luck with girls lately.

(Kali inches closers to Will.)

KALI: Well, maybe you haven’t meant the right kind of girl.

(loudly) Unless Michael has something to say in the matter.

(Both Kali and Will look to Mike and the gang with El holding a choice of shirts.)

MIKE: Yeah, actually I would. You wanna get off Will, please?

KALI: (looks to Will, whispers) To be continued.

(Kali dismounts Will, then walks up to Mike.)

MIKE: And another thing, stay out of our heads, especially Nancy’s.

NANCY: Mike.

MIKE: As if she’s got enough up her ass.

NANCY: MIKE!!

(Mike stops talking.)

It’s OK.

(Nancy looks to Kali, mouthing a “thank you”. Kali winks at Nancy then turns to El.)

KALI: Those my choice of shirts, Jane?

EL: Here.

KALI: Thank you.

(Kali takes the shirts, flips off Mike and strolls off into the bathroom.)

MIKE: What a sociopath.

(Kali looks back at Mike and then to Will, then shuts the door.)

WILL: (sighs) What a woman.

(Mike and Lucas looks to Will with an awkward look while El looks at Will with a vacant expression. Moments later, after connecting the dots from the rats, devoured fertilizer and cleaning products, Mrs. Driscoll and the events from last night, it was clear the Mind Flayer had returned somehow. When Nancy learned that Heather Holloway became part of the “flayed”, it was obvious her former boss at the Hawkins Post, Tom Holloway is flayed as well.)

NANCY: We need to get to the Holloway residence.

(Kali steps out with a hot pink blouse cut up to show off her abs.)

KALI: Right. Then, there isn’t a moment to lose, is there? Let’s roll.

MIKE: No, WE are going to the Holloways, not you. You’re staying put.

KALI: Bullshit. After what happened last night, you’re going to need all the help you can get.

(Kali goes to grab her vest, but Mike swipes it from her.)

MIKE: You’re not coming with us. We don’t need your help.

KALI: Bitch, please. You lot needed my help against Billy, and how did that go before I came along?

MIKE: Do what you want. I’m not afraid of you or your goddamn illusions.

(Kali inches up to Mike.)

KALI: Who says I need an illusion to deal with you.

(She then does leg hook with a push to knock him down. Then proceeds to pull out her sword, hovering the point between his eyes. The Party act surprised.)

KALI: Steady, mates.

MIKE: El, call your crazy sister off, please!

EL: No. You need to listen to her.

KALI: Thank you, Jane. Not as long as your down there, Michael, listen to me very carefully. There are two kinds of people in this world. What a person can do, and what a person cannot do. For instance, you can either accept me into the fold, or you cannot. With all that’s going on lately, your going to have to contend with me eventually. Now, me personally, I can slice you up six ways Sunday and paint this whole basement in your blood. But you can’t combat this threat with just one trump card, now can do? So…

(Kali sheathes her sword, picks up and puts on her vest, and helps Mike up.)

…can you accept me into the fold, or not?

MIKE: (heavy sigh) Just don’t get in the way.

KALI: (Japanese) Dick.

(El laughs as Mike gets slightly aggravated. The Party then boards the Station Wagon. Nancy in the driver’s seat, Jonathan on shotgun, LuMax and El in the backseat, leaving Mike, Will and Kali how to fit in the trunk.)

MIKE: Seriously?

WILL: Welcome to my world.

KALI: Come now, boys. We’ll make do.

(Mike and Will sit across from each other in the trunk, with Kali sitting on Will’s lap, much to Mike’s dismay.)

NANCY: Seatbelts.

(Everybody straps in.)

Hey Kali, you okay where you are back there?

KALI: (Looks to Mike with a grin on her face) Oh yeah.