#marketing talent on demand

[fuziatalent]

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[thefrogdalorian]

Going to be very off-topic for just a sec, but given how that campaign is all over my dash, I feel like I can't go on ignoring the emotions it provokes in me. Plus, since this is such a common struggle, I hope that maybe some of you can relate and I want you to know that you aren't alone at all.

If you're also struggling with your emotions over this and you need someone to talk to in confidence, I'm here for you. I understand.

Anyway, warning for mentions of alcohol abuse below the cut:

It's always fascinating to me how alcohol is marketed as this positive thing which brings you happiness and a great social life. When in reality, it often destroys relationships and lives and is, by definition, a depressant. It is a substance which often leaves you unhappier, fatter, lonelier, weaker, sicker, poorer...

And also, do you ever notice how it's never marketed around the taste (because it's literally poisonous and due to social pressure, we have to trick our brains by drinking it enough times that we eventually convince ourselves we actually like the taste of poison)?

It's always about sharing a beer with friends at the beach or enjoying a glass of wine with a meal. Never about how delicious it tastes...

While you may crave the feeling of being drunk, do most people really enjoy the taste and that's the primary reason why they drink? Is that the main reason given at AA meetings/rehab clinics? Do you ever hear alcoholics say: "I couldn't stop drinking that beer because it was just so crisp and refreshing!"

No, of course not. Alcohol is primarily used as a social crutch, or as an escape from one's problems. Dutch courage, social drinking where you feel giggly, giddy and tipsy... until one day you realise you can't socialise without it and it transforms from enjoyment to dependency, hopefully before you permanently damaged your organs...

Anyway, this isn't me being puritanical. I'm not mad at these campaigns or those who star in them, because at the end of the day, celebrities will always take cash from questionable sources. Money talks. Always has, always will.

It's merely an observation on the life this campaign 'sells,' as someone who has decided to break the generational cycle of alcoholism in my family and has been sober for 18 months now.

And a way for me to sort through my feelings and vent my own emotions around these kinds of campaigns. I don't miss alcohol and I don't feel tempted to drink whatsoever, but it's everywhere and there will remain a danger for the rest of my life that I could forget everything I've learned about alcohol. I don't want to lose sight of why I walked away from this destructive drug which is so widely accepted. When the truth is it is far more harmful to you than many illegal drugs.

If you enjoy alcohol, I truly hope you have fun with it in moderation. But I hope you can also stop and recognise the risks involved each time you reach for the bottle. The slippery slope you may be on which there is a danger you don't realise you've been sliding down until you're at the bottom, looking back up. And I hope you realise that what these advertising campaigns show are never rooted in the reality of what this substance can do to you.

If you start drinking that beer, it's far more likely you'll end up with kidney damage than you will ever get to share a cold bottle of it on the beach with that actor you love so much...

[trans-elrond]

fantastic rebuttal to "writers don't deserve better pay because the stuff they write is terrible/unoriginal", full thread here

(to explain, the "Unknown" under his name is from a add-on bot detector; it usually can assign a percentage likelihood that a user is a human being and not a bot, but I think the blue check system disrupted the add-on so it says "Unknown" underneath his name now.)

[image id under the read more:

May 7, 2023 tweet thread from Tom Vaughan @/storyandplot

With #WGAStrong rightfully in the spotlight this week, I've seen some less-than-sympathetic comments focusing on the lack of originality in our projects. This is a fair criticism of the system, but not the writers. A quick history of how we got here (thread emoji)

The first thing to understand is that Hollywood has NOT run out of new ideas. The studio’s preference for I.P. has nothing to do with regurgitating ideas and everything to do with MARKETING.

The late 60s-70s is generally considered the artistic high of the studio system. Ironically, many contribute this to corporations buying up the studios! The corporations knew they had no idea how to run a movie studio, so... they put creative people in charge.

This is how you got the run of so many great films the studios would never make today. They also took bigger chances on young, promising talent (the first "film school generation" of filmmakers.)

But with the success of JAWS and STAR WARS, the corporations demanded more of those kinds of hits. The creative folks insisted such things were unpredictable, and the business folks said let's make them less so.

(Sidenote: This was also the same time a completely different phenomenon was happening. A/C was becoming the norm for theatres, making summer movie-going much more attractive.)

Over the next decade, more and more MBAs and marketing people gained influence in the studio system. Being business folks, huge hits were not a creative problem as much as a product/marketing problem.

The 80s is when the “high concept” became pre-eminent because it narrowed a sales pitch to one sentence, a trailer, and a poster. This made everyone a marketing agent for a movie because everyone could explain what it was about!

In the 90s, marketing became just as important as the film itself (reflected in their respective budgets) when Hollywood discovered they could profit from fifty years of pre-existing awareness for old TV shows and movies.

This allowed the marketing department to move away from pitching a movie and convincing you to go see it (lower success rate), to simple “audience awareness” and building anticipation. (higher success rate.)

The audience knew what THE FLINSTONES the movie was. They just needed to know the casting and when it opened. No one needed to have the remake of GODZILLA explained to them. They just needed to know when it opened.

The marketing department prefers AWARNESS over SELLING because awareness is something you can throw money at. Selling is harder, and it’s less predictable. This is why franchises are so valuable.

Whenever someone says, “That’s something I can sell!” It’s usually something that can sell itself. What they mean is, "I just have to let people know about this!"

Hollywoods's reliance on property the audience is already familiar with is 100% because... the audience is already familiar with it. It is easier to market the product and this increases its chances of success.

This focus on I.P. has become so pervasive, many, including executives themselves, have forgotten WHY it's valuable. They'll option an unknown comic BECAUSE it's I.P., forgetting that it's unknown and lacks the main asset of I.P.

Writers do love writing on an I.P. that means something to them. Every Star Wars fan who became a filmmaker would love to work in that universe. But we do not love it more than our own original work. We would always rather work on that.

So when you see another remake, or reboot, or adaptation, and think, "Can't they come up with something new?"

Remember, the answer is yes. Yes, we can. And we want to. You can blame the market or the marketing, but either way, the widespread production of truly original content is just not the studio business model we're in right now. #WGAStrong

end ID.]

[summertimenoir]

Miss Leigh’s Scarlett commands first commendation as a memorable performance, of wide versatility and effective earnestness. She possesses all the physical requirements for the part. It is not as a coquette that she scores most heavily, however, nor as the scheming, bitter and ruthless wife and mother who knows no opposition to her will. She is best when the story demands attributes and characteristics of courage and determination, as during the exciting sequence of the flight with the helpless mother and child in her care. Again, in the brief passage with the Yankee deserter whom she shoots and kills. With her youth, looks and abundant talent, Miss Leigh springboards from ‘Wind’ to a boxoffice factor in the film market. - John C. Flinn Sir. Variety, December 19, 1939.

Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind (1939)

[bakugoushotwife]

kinktober day one: daddy kink

>>> welcome to the start of kinktober 2023 with ya girl, kylee. i'm so excited to participate this year, with the following that i have, the friends i've made, and the stories we've all worked on so far. i'm so proud of every writer putting in that work this month!

>>> starring: kento nanami x curvy!fem!reader >>> cw: daddy kink-obviously-breeding kink, choking, clit stimulation, marking/ biting mention. creampie, nanami is such a whipped man it's borderline concerning, luv him 5ever >>>wc: 1.6k >>> event masterlist

the air was thick with the scent of sex and sweat, making you gasp out and struggle for breath. or it was due to the thick hand wrapped around your neck, strong and steady against your jumping pulse. he wasn’t like this often, so pent up with need and frustration that kento can’t help but rut into you like he was told he’d never get the chance to again.  his tanned chest heaves with breath, beads of sweat running in and out of the divots of his body. he looks so stunning like this, the honey blond tresses that you love to tug on so much sprawl in every direction, brown eyes zeroed in on every tick of your brow or ‘o’ of your mouth. his gaze was intense, and even if you wanted to look away, you couldn’t. not with his hand on your throat and every ounce of passion in his body driving into your cunt as hard as he can slam in. 

“you take me so well, darling.” he coos, pulling his hand from your neck in favor of pushing your thighs to your chest. he wanted to get a better angle, smiling to himself with a genuine pride as he watches your pretty pink hole swallow his fat cock, silken walls squeezing down on his lengthy shaft everytime it kisses your womb. he can’t help but draw well-timed circles across your clit, relishing the sweet gasps and moans you cry out with. your hands claw at his shoulders to demand him closer to you, and he hisses pleasantly at the sensation. 

“it’s ‘cause you’re made for me, daddy.” you whimper sweetly in his ear, and he’s almost embarrassed at how your saccharine whisper makes his dick jump, his brutal strokes stuttering a bit. your nails dig into his skin and your pussy clenches down on him again as you say it, and he kicks his pace up impossibly faster. his cock is perfect, hitting every spot just right, his girth stretching you every time, usually abusing your cervix like it is now. 

it was no secret he loved that name. loved it to such an extent that you called him that more often than his real name or any other pet name one would traditionally use for their husband–and it started way before you tied the knot. kento nanami hadn’t ever particularly felt special before in his entire life. not even amongst sorcerers. he thought his cursed technique was decent at best, and hated seeing talented sorcerers like satoru gojo walk around without a care in the world. nanami never felt like he had a role in life, settling to just live and work his life away. he would go home and watch shows or cook or maybe get into music–something mindless and low effort. maybe one day he would meet some average lady, probably at a market or bookstore if he had to say. then he would marry that girl and be happy enough. maybe even have a couple of kids while he works at that same job and does his best to stay out of trouble no matter the part of his rebel soul that desires to be known, to be important–necessary. 

so when he met you, the very personification of trouble, by happenstance, he knew his worldview had changed. you were a light he had never seen before, exquisite beauty paired with a bewitching personality and dangerous wit, he was in love with you before he had gotten your name. it was so utterly unlike him, such a logician and pessimist. he didn’t even know how you had wandered in, this location was veiled to non-sorcerers, but kento knew by the looks of you that you weren’t supposed to be there. so he’s surprised when he finds himself protecting you, knowing such a little thing like yourself had somehow bypassed the veil had him worried about you, and as much as he tried to tell himself he would be this concerned for any regular citizen that had wandered into a cursed trap, he knows it’s because he wants to be your hero, and he wants to matter in your story, maybe even become part of it himself. and you’re sweet. so darling he can’t even comprehend how quickly he’s become entranced by you. you talk to him through the entire mission, unable to see the cursed spirits yourself, you can only follow the tall man’s instructions, and clap whenever he waved you back to his side and straightened his patterned tie. 

he thought it was adorable, and even though you had no idea what he was doing, quite literally watching him slash through air with nothing but the foreboding sense of evil confirming the things the man named kento nanami told you about citizens and sorcerers and cursed energy and spirits. you praised him after, thanking him for keeping you safe. you bat your eyelashes at him, the affection in your eyes hard to miss. it was as if you thought the world of him, and it put a paralyzing grip on his heart. he had to see you again, and luckily you tucked your phone into the palm of his hand and smiled that same sun-moon-and-stars smile at him before he summoned the courage to ask for it himself. he programs his contact into your phone, but just the number. he hands it back to you, still on the contact page. you giggle and under the guise of flirtatious joking, put him in as ‘baby daddy.’ 

yeah, you were certainly a bundle of trouble. but kento took pleasure in undoing you layer by layer, getting to know you and growing his love for you day by day. the ‘joke’ of calling him daddy became a very real theme inside and outside the bedroom–only paused when in public. he finally had a role in life, the way you shower him in affection and lull that name off your lips is enough to make him feel whole, like every transgression he had experienced up to this point was a destination on the journey to be your perfect man, someone you put all your trust and love into. he felt like the most important man in the world, being by your side was the greatest reward a man like him could ask for. he had more than he had hoped for, but there was still a few goals left on his list, like seeing himself become your real baby daddy. 

with the way your tits bounce as he fucks into you, cunt squelching and leaking all over the sheets, he thinks this is the perfect time to really try. your sultry babblings of his name prickle goosebumps into his flesh–either that or it’s from your nails raking over his chest to pinch his overly sensitive nipples. his cock twitches against your spongy spot again, and a loud moan tears from your throat. he doesn’t repress the grunt that comes in response, nodding his head to the words that had been on repeat since you said them. “it’s ‘cause you’re made for me, daddy.” 

“that’s my girl, are you ready to be my little baby mama? tell daddy what you want, angel.” he says, withdrawing from your gripping walls  and slamming back in so hard your vision danced with colored orbs, mouth unable to form the words you so desperately wanted to say to him. you nod, feeling trails of saliva slide down your chin, drooling as he brutalizes your cunt. “use your words, darling, daddy needs to hear what you need.” 

“i’m ready daddy, please–god, wanna make you a daddy for real, i’ll give you the prettiest family, i swear!” you cry, the rate at which you spasm around him and claw at his chest tells him that you’re gonna cum again, for maybe the fifth time tonight. you’re so lewd; the sounds you make and the pretty white ring being smeared around by your pussy lips swallowing the adornement back up again and the way your doll-like hands fondle your tits all combining perilously to tip him over the edge.

“i know you are, love. i know, i’ll make sure of it, you know daddy’s got you.” he coos, planting his lips along your neck, going back over dark bruises and teeth marks from the night of passion. then  his balls tighten and his release spurts into you in long bursts, and he feels your pussy throbs and let a stream of cum spray from your cunt, coating his abs in more of your essence then he had ever had the pleasure of before. his smile is wolf-like, his cock still plugging you full. he wants to take you up on it, breeding you to be your baby daddy once and for all. you’re fucked out of your mind, legs twitching with pleasure as you continue to whine and catch your breath. he watches you, everything about your post-orgasm glow making his heart swell as always. you were effortlessly perfect, it was maddening. 

he keeps your hole stopped up until his dick softens, and even then he’s pulling your panties back up, kissing your clit over the bundle. he quickly cleans his stomach up and changes the sheets around you, picking you up when need be. he’s still grinning ear to ear from making you cum like that, so many times and so violently. you’re absolute mush, and because he’s such a good daddy, he’ll spend the rest of the night taking care of his baby girl.

[ginxyy]

Love&Hate

The cliche of loving your enemy and that enemy happens to be Seungcheol.

Every time I step into the magnificent, yet intensely competitive world of HYBE, I can feel my heart racing. I’ve always admired the bright lights of K-Pop, the perfect harmonies, the thrilling choreography. But among all that beauty, there’s one person who brings me…exasperation. Seungcheol. The leader of SEVENTEEN, and my self-appointed nemesis.

Let’s rewind a bit. I’ve been working at HYBE for a little over a year now, assisting in music promotion and marketing, but somehow, my job seems to always orbit around SEVENTEEN. And to make matters worse, I’m good friends with Seungkwan, who insists on dragging me along to their practice sessions. I get it; they’re great, talented, and sometimes even ridiculous, but the chaos that seems to follow Seungcheol and me? Infuriating.

At first, I thought it could evolve into an amicable working relationship, an understanding between two driven individuals. In fact, I remember the first time Seungcheol and I crossed paths. I was in the studio, going over some promotional material, when he barged in, demanding to know why the latest music video concept looked like “a toddler’s art project.” I shot back, "Maybe if you spent less time flexing your ‘leadership’ skills and more time appreciating the creative process, we could actually produce something worthwhile."

From that moment on, our relationship became an absurd contest of wills. I got smarter with my jabs, and he doubled down on his mockery. He would careful to find faults in my work, and I would promptly point out how clueless he was when it came to anything outside of being on stage. The tension was electric; I watched the way his jaw tightened whenever I called him out, how his expressive eyes could smolder with irritation, and bells seemed to ring inside me whenever I bested him in a particularly volatile argument.

It became a running joke among the other members when they found out I had a penchant for clashing with their leader. “You two should just date already,” Seungkwan teased, while others laughed along. I’d always rolled my eyes, but secretly, part of me thought they might be onto something. I mean, in a wild, ironic, twisted kind of way.

But there’s a line between attraction and annoyance and I was doing everything in my power not to cross it. Instead, we fanned the flames of our animosity when everyone least expected it. The insults were sharp, quick, and laughter always followed, but beneath that raucous exterior, simmered a tension that was impossible to ignore.

Then came that fateful night.

All the members had left the practice room, the thunderous claps of the beat fading into an eerie silence. I stood at the rehearsal studio, reorganizing some props and papers, trying not to think of the looming deadline but also of the contained fire that was Seungcheol. Just as I was eliminating the last of our remnants, I heard footsteps echoing on the bright wooden floor.

Seungcheol stepped into the room, his face blank, eyes scanning for some sign of my impending doom. “What are you still doing here?” he asked brusquely, a sharp edge slicing through his usual tone.

I could feel my irritation rising at his condescending demeanor. "Some of us actually take our jobs seriously," I snapped back. "Unlike others who are just a pretty face on stage."

“Are you really going to bring that up?” he said, stepping closer, his voice thick with disbelief. “I'm leading a group of talented individuals! What exactly is it that you do?”

It was becoming all too familiar, our daily sparring sessions. “Executing poorly planned promotional strategies does not entail standing and making grand gestures, Seungcheol,” I shot back, barely noticing the way his breath quickened at my words.

“You wouldn’t get it,” he yelled, the sound cutting through the silence like a knife. “You're just some marketing assistant trying to impress your favorite idol.”

And that was it. Something snapped within me. That was the final straw, and I could feel the anger coursing through my veins, clouding my judgment. “And you’re just a glorified performer letting your ego inflate to dangerous levels,” I screamed back, absolutely done with his arrogance.

There was a moment of silence thick, heavy, and swirling with palpable tension. I thought I could throw a punch at him, maybe grab an object and hurl it in his direction, but instead, I found myself mirrored in Seungcheol’s eyes. His expression shifted, a flash of intense emotion swirling as he stood still, almost contemplative.

And that’s when he did something so astonishing, it sent shockwaves through my body. His hands shot out and grabbed my shoulders, drawing me closer, our breaths coming together in sync. “You’re infuriating!” he growled

seconds before crashing his lips against mine.

I’m not sure how long we stayed like that. It was the kind of kiss that felt like a call to arms, a challenge, and an unbidden attraction igniting like gasoline, burning through every confrontational moment we’d shared before. My anger dissipated, melting into something far deeper, something I hadn’t been prepared for.

But reality crashed back in. I pushed him away, panting, desperately inhaling the scent of adrenaline that lingered between us. “What the hell was that, Seungcheol?”

He looked just as stunned, mouth slightly agape, unsure of what to say. “I don’t know,” he finally confessed. “I—”

“Think this is funny?” I interrupted, my heart pounding in protest. “Is this how you deal with all your enemies?”

“No! Not like this,” he retorted. “I don’t know what came over me. But you have to admit there’s something here.”

The realization hit me like a lightning bolt; I wasn’t ready to dissect, to label it, to change the dynamic we had. “This is a disaster,” I finally said, locking eyes with him for only a heartbeat.

But before I could formulate another coherent thought, he closed the distance again. “Or it could be the beginning of something incredible,” he said quietly.

Seungcheol’s words hung in the air, sending a shiver down my spine. The intensity in his eyes was unmistakable, a fiery determination that seemed to flicker and waver with something else something that mirrored my own unspoken desire.

I felt my pulse quicken as he closed the distance between us again, his gaze dark and unreadable. There was a magnetic pull between us, as if some invisible thread was pulling us together, and I could feel his breath, warm against my skin, stirring something deep within me. My fingers clenched at my sides, grappling with the sudden, intense proximity. But it was futile.

“Fine,” I whispered, my voice almost betraying me. His eyes widened slightly, as if daring me to say more, and a soft smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. But before he could respond, I reached out, grabbing his collar and pulling him to me in a move that surprised us both.

Our mouths collided with a hunger that was barely contained, fierce and fervent, as though we were both trying to pour weeks no, months of pent-up tension into this single moment. His hands slid down my arms and found my waist, pressing firmly, possessively, as if he had no intention of letting me go this time.

The soft glow of the practice room mirrored on the walls seemed to dim as everything narrowed to just the two of us, locked in a dance of passion that was far from choreographed. His touch ignited a fire beneath my skin, his fingers finding their way to the small of my back, pulling me closer still until our bodies were flush against each other. I could feel every inch of him, every breath and every heartbeat as we continued to tangle together.

“You drive me crazy,” he murmured, breaking away just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze hazy yet intense. I could feel his grip tightening on my waist, like he was afraid to let me go, like he was anchoring himself to this moment.

“You think I don’t know that?” I shot back, breathless, trying to muster any trace of the snark I’d used as a shield around him for so long. But it melted away the moment his thumb brushed the side of my face, gentler than I’d ever expected from him. I leaned into his touch instinctively, feeling my own barriers begin to crumble.

His hand found the back of my neck, drawing me to him again, and we crashed together, this time slower, more deliberate. His lips softened against mine, the ferocity giving way to something unexpected and infinitely more dangerous. The world outside faded, and all that mattered was the steady rhythm of his breathing, the warmth of his body pressed against mine, and the realization that this dance was far more potent than any words or glances we’d exchanged before.

He let his hands roam along my sides, his touch searing through the thin fabric, and I felt my own hands glide up his chest, feeling the rapid rise and fall as he struggled to catch his breath. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this was risky, that there would be consequences for crossing the line we’d so carefully toed all this time. But for once, I didn’t care. This was exactly where I wanted to be ost in the intensity of his embrace, caught in the electric pull between us.

With a smirk, he leaned in close, his voice low and rough. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.”

“Oh, shut up,” I shot back, before pulling him down to me once more, determined to silence him. And this time, neither of us held back.

Our bodies melded together in the soft glow of the practice room, each movement deliberate, each touch and kiss uncovering something we’d both hidden beneath layers of irritation and competition. It was a rush, a heady mix of passion and release that left me breathless, caught up in the warmth and weight of his touch, the way his lips explored mine with both urgency and reverence. There was no longer any room for words; this was the language we spoke best in that moment raw, unfiltered, honest.

And then, just as quickly as it began, we found ourselves pulling apart, the intensity simmering but settling into a heavy, charged silence. His face hovered close to mine, his breaths mingling with mine as we slowly came down from the shared high, both of us wide-eyed, still caught in the disbelief of what had just happened.

I swallowed hard, staring into his dark, penetrating gaze. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but I couldn’t wait to hear what he’d come up with. The reality was creeping in too quickly, and I needed space to think, to breathe, to process.

So, I slipped out of his grasp, muttering something about needing to go. He didn’t stop me, only watched with that same stunned, contemplative look as I grabbed my bag and left the studio, practically running down the hallway as if to escape the whirlwind of emotion left behind.

The next morning, I made my way to HYBE, a tangled knot of nerves twisted inside me, still replaying everything that had happened in the practice room. I tried to brush it off as an anomaly, an impulsive mistake, but even I couldn’t deny the way my pulse had quickened just thinking about it. Worse still, I had to act normal and pretend nothing had happened. And, knowing Seungkwan, that was going to be harder than ever.

True to form, he found me almost immediately, waving me down with his usual bright grin and practically skipping over, somehow managing to radiate sunshine and chaos before even 9 a.m.

“Y/N!” he called, bounding up to me. “I heard you were working late last night. Everything okay?”

I hesitated, my eyes darting down the hallway. “Um…yeah. Just, you know, a lot to handle.” I attempted a smile, desperately hoping he’d buy it and let me go before I said something incriminating.

But Seungkwan’s brow arched, his curiosity piqued. “Oh, really? And how did you handle it?” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. “Maybe with a certain leader we both know?”

I froze, my heart dropping straight to the floor. He couldn’t possibly know, could he? “What are you talking about?”

His grin widened, sly and all-knowing. “Come on, Y/N. You think I haven’t noticed the way you and Seungcheol are constantly butting heads? That kind of tension has to come from somewhere.” He poked my shoulder, his eyes bright. “So…what happened last night?”

I sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was in earshot. “Seungkwan, you can’t tell anyone, okay? Not even the guys. This…this is huge.”

His eyes went wide, practically sparkling with excitement. “I swear, you have my complete and undivided attention. Now spill!”

Taking a deep breath, I leaned in and whispered, “Seungcheol and I…we kissed. Well, more than that. It was… intense.” I felt a flush creeping up my neck, recalling the way his hands had felt on my skin, the way he’d looked at me with that fire in his eyes.

Seungkwan’s reaction was instantaneous. His mouth dropped open, his eyes widening in shock before he broke into an ear-splitting grin, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me excitedly. “Oh my god! You and Seungcheol? I knew it! I knew there was something going on with you two!” He released me, practically dancing in place with his glee. “I am so proud of you! My best friend is finally seeing the light!”

“Seeing the…Seungkwan, calm down!” I hissed, glancing around as he continued his celebratory mini-dance. “It was just one night. It didn’t mean anything at least, I don’t think it did…”

“Oh, it meant something, all right,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at me. “You don’t just spend months bickering with someone and then share a random kiss like that.” He crossed his arms, looking me up and down like he was putting together a master plan. “You two are soulmates in denial. This has been a long time coming.”

I rolled my eyes, though a part of me couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at his words. “Please, Seungkwan. Just because we kissed doesn’t mean we’re destined to be together.”

He shook his head, clearly not taking no for an answer. “No, no, no. I refuse to let you brush this off. I mean, do you know how rare it is to find someone who gets under your skin in just the right way? Who challenges you, makes you better, forces you to be honest?” He crossed his arms, as if daring me to argue with him. “You’re both too stubborn to admit it, but you’re into each other. And now that I have confirmation, it’s my mission to make this happen.”

“Oh, really?” I asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

Seungkwan’s grin turned devilish, his eyes glinting with a gleeful determination. “Easy. I’ll make it impossible for you two to avoid each other. Oh, trust me I have ideas. Lots of ideas.”

Before I could protest, he clapped his hands, already deep in thought, and practically skipped away, muttering to himself about “love at last” and “a love story for the ages.”

I watched him go, a mixture of exasperation and amusement settling over me. But even as I tried to brush it off, I couldn’t ignore the small thrill of excitement tingling at the thought of what lay ahead.

And despite myself, I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.

Over the next few weeks, Seungkwan’s “mission” played out with a maddening intensity. If there was a strategy meeting, Seungcheol and I somehow ended up seated next to each other. If a team was needed to coordinate with SEVENTEEN, Seungkwan somehow made it so that I was the only person available to assist. Even after-hours gatherings were no longer safe. Seungkwan took every possible opportunity to shove us into each other’s orbit, and each time, the tension between us seemed to double.

What began as a flurry of heated glances and subtle touches soon turned into an unbearable itch. Each encounter seemed to build upon the last, a constant, simmering tension that left me on edge, aware of every one of his movements, every fleeting look he’d shoot my way. Seungcheol, for his part, seemed to be caught in the same push and pull, always finding reasons to be near me, to brush past me, his hand grazing my arm in ways that felt anything but accidental.

Then one evening, after another long practice session where Seungkwan “accidentally” forgot to tell me that I was the last one needed to clean up, it happened.

I was gathering my things, mumbling under my breath about Seungkwan’s meddling, when I heard a low voice behind me.

“Y/N.”

I froze, recognizing that voice instantly. Turning slowly, I met Seungcheol’s eyes, dark and intense as they locked onto mine. There was an undeniable heat in his gaze, the kind I’d grown all too familiar with over the past few weeks but had tried my best to ignore. I felt my heart hammer in my chest as he took a step closer, his gaze searing and unyielding.

“Seungcheol,” I murmured, my voice coming out in barely a whisper.

“You know he’s doing this on purpose,” he said, his voice low, rough around the edges. His lips curled into a faint smirk, though his eyes held nothing but intensity. “Our dear friend Seungkwan.”

I nodded, swallowing hard, trying to ignore the butterflies that his proximity was stirring. “Yeah, well, he thinks he’s a matchmaker or something.” I attempted a laugh, but it sounded hollow.

He took another step, and suddenly, I found myself pressed back against the cool wall, his body close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. My breath caught, trapped somewhere between excitement and anticipation, my heart racing as his hand found my waist, holding me firmly in place.

“Maybe he’s right,” he murmured, his eyes dropping to my lips for a split second before returning to meet my gaze. His hand came up, his fingers brushing along my neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. I could feel his breath, warm against my skin, as he leaned closer, his lips ghosting over the curve of my neck. “You’ve been driving me crazy, Y/N.”

I shivered, his words sending a spark through my veins. “You’re not exactly innocent either,” I managed, though my voice betrayed the effect he was having on me.

He smirked, and before I could utter another word, his mouth found the curve of my neck, pressing a searing kiss to my skin. My hands instinctively found his shoulders, my fingers digging into the firm muscle as he moved his lips against my neck, marking me with a possessive intensity that stole my breath away. Each kiss felt like a claim, a silent declaration of everything we’d been holding back.

“Seungcheol,” I gasped, my fingers clutching him tighter as he continued, his mouth tracing a line from my neck to my collarbone. The world around us faded, and all that remained was the press of his body against mine, the feel of his hands roaming along my sides, the way he left my skin tingling with every touch.

His hand slipped beneath the hem of my shirt, his fingers splaying against my waist, his touch igniting a fire beneath my skin. His eyes met mine, dark and burning with an intensity that mirrored my own desire, and without another word, he crashed his lips against mine.

The kiss was fierce, filled with all the frustration and want we’d kept bottled up for so long. Our lips moved together in a heated dance, desperate and hungry, as though we were both trying to make up for every second we’d spent fighting the inevitable. His hands roamed over my body, pulling me impossibly close, and I melted into him, letting him take control, letting him show me exactly how much he wanted this wanted me.

Time seemed to blur, and before I knew it, he was guiding me toward the nearby couch, his movements deliberate, his touch electrifying. I followed him willingly, lost in the heat of the moment, in the way his hands gripped my waist, his mouth leaving a trail of kisses down my neck, over my shoulder, igniting a blaze that I couldn’t extinguish even if I’d wanted to.

We stumbled onto the couch, a tangled mess of limbs and breathless laughter as we surrendered to the pull that had been building between us for what felt like forever. His hands were everywhere, his touch searing into my skin, leaving me breathless and aching, as though he was determined to memorize every inch of me. Our movements grew frenzied, each kiss deeper, each touch more urgent, and I felt myself getting lost in him, in the way he seemed to know exactly what I needed, in the way he murmured my name against my skin like a prayer.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered no titles, no rivalry, no tension. Just us, tangled together, lost in the heat and intensity of something that had always been there, waiting for the right moment to explode.

The next morning, as the early sunlight streamed through my window, I lay in bed, my mind reeling from everything that had happened. I could still feel the ghost of Seungcheol’s touch, the warmth of his skin against mine, the way he’d held me as if he never wanted to let go. A part of me wanted to overthink it, to analyze every detail, but another part of me the part still basking in the afterglow of last night wanted nothing more than to hold onto the memory for as long as possible.

I didn’t get much time to dwell on it, though, because my phone buzzed with a message from Seungkwan:

Seungkwan: Y/N! You won’t believe what I dreamed last night. You and Seungcheol FINALLY got together! Haha! Just imagine if it were real.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. I had a feeling Seungkwan wouldn’t need to imagine for long.

I stared at Seungkwan’s message, feeling my stomach twist into knots. My heart pounded as I remembered every vivid, heated detail from last night, and I knew it was only a matter of time before Seungkwan pieced things together. It was as if his sixth sense for drama was on high alert. I bit my lip, hesitating before typing a response.

Me: Um, Seungkwan… about that “dream.” It wasn’t exactly a dream…

There was a moment of silence—too long a silence—before my phone exploded with rapid-fire notifications.

Seungkwan: WHAT

Seungkwan: ARE YOU SERIOUS??

Seungkwan: Y/N, this is HUGE. WHERE ARE YOU? I’M COMING TO YOU.

Before I could answer, my door burst open, and Seungkwan, looking entirely too wide-eyed and dramatic for this early in the morning, practically lunged into the room. “Y/N!” he gasped, throwing his hands up in theatrical shock. “I cannot believe this. YOU AND SEUNGCHEOL HOOKED UP?!”

I grabbed his arm, trying to shush him as I dragged him inside and shut the door. “Seungkwan, can you not yell that out loud? We’re not exactly trying to announce it to the world.”

“But, but…” he stammered, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement. “How am I supposed to stay calm when my two best friends just hooked up? This is epic! This is legendary! How was it? Was it magical? I need every detail!”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. “I’m not giving you details, Seungkwan. Just know… it was intense.” I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, and Seungkwan’s grin grew even wider.

He let out an exaggerated sigh, clapping his hands together. “I knew it. I knew it! All that unresolved tension finally had to go somewhere.” He grabbed me by the shoulders, shaking me gently. “Do you know what this means? This is fate, Y/N! You two are meant to be together!”

“Seungkwan, please,” I said, half-laughing, half-panicking. “It was one night. It doesn’t mean anything… at least, I think it doesn’t…”

He shot me an exasperated look. “One night? Are you kidding me? This is just the beginning. We are not leaving this as a one-night thing. Nope, not on my watch.”

Before I could stop him, he grabbed my wrist, practically dragging me out of the room. “Wait, where are we going?”

He turned, a glint of determination in his eye. “To the practice room. We’re going to put an end to this ‘maybe it’s nothing’ nonsense, and we’re going to do it in front of everyone.”

“Seungkwan!” I hissed, trying to pull back, but his grip was surprisingly strong. “You can’t just march me in there like this!”

“Oh, yes I can,” he replied, a wicked grin on his face. “Trust me, you’re going to thank me later.”

A few minutes later, we reached the practice room, and I could already feel the nerves building as I saw SEVENTEEN’s other members scattered around, talking and stretching. They glanced up as we entered, and I tried to shrink back, but Seungkwan had already caught their attention.

“Attention, everyone!” Seungkwan announced, his voice ringing out dramatically, his expression far too smug for my liking. “I have important news!”

A couple of the members groaned, while others raised curious eyebrows, clearly intrigued by Seungkwan’s antics. Then, I saw Seungcheol look up from across the room, his gaze meeting mine. My stomach flipped, and I was sure my cheeks were already burning.

“Seungkwan, what are you doing?” Seungcheol asked, his brow furrowing as he took a step toward us.

Seungkwan threw an arm around my shoulder, pulling me forward. “Our dear Y/N and your fearless leader here had a little rendezvous last night!” He grinned, looking between us like a proud matchmaker. “And I’m here to make sure they take the next step. Seungcheol, ask her out on a date. Properly.”

The room went dead silent. My eyes went wide as I looked up at Seungcheol, my pulse racing. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Seungcheol looked as stunned as I felt, his mouth slightly open, clearly trying to process what was happening.

“Seungkwan!” I whispered, feeling both mortified and strangely thrilled. “You can’t just… make him do that.”

Seungkwan crossed his arms, looking every bit the proud mastermind. “Oh, I think he can. In fact, I think he wants to.”

Seungcheol seemed to snap out of his shock, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Seungkwan, then back at me. I could see a mix of emotions flashing across his face surprise, amusement, something that looked a lot like determination.

Finally, he let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as a faint smile played on his lips. “Guess there’s no getting out of this, huh?” His gaze softened as he looked at me, the teasing edge in his expression giving way to something far more sincere. “Y/N,” he began, taking a step closer, his voice dropping so that only I could hear, “will you go out with me?”

The room collectively held its breath, and I felt my heart stutter in my chest. I wanted to smack Seungkwan for forcing this situation, but I couldn’t deny the thrill that raced through me at Seungcheol’s words, the gentle, honest way he was looking at me.

“Yes,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’d love to.”

Seungkwan cheered, pumping his fists in the air, and the other members burst into laughter and applause, some clapping Seungcheol on the back while others teased me with exaggerated winks and thumbs-up.

Seungcheol leaned in, close enough that only I could hear. “Guess we have Seungkwan to thank for this,” he murmured, his lips brushing my ear.

I shivered, feeling a familiar warmth flood through me. “Yeah,” I whispered back, my heart fluttering. “But something tells me we would’ve found our way here anyway.”

He smiled, his eyes glinting with that familiar mischievousness. “Then let’s make it worth the wait.”

[lol-jackles]

I hope you enjoyed chasing those windmills 😁

I have read that Jared and Jensen are repped by different agencies, Jared is with UTA and Jensen is with Gersh.

How do these agencies rank in Hollywood and what criteria does an actor usually use to choose which agency to work with?

Also, Jared appears to have one rep. (Jason Heyman) and Jensen has three (Alexander Yarosh, Bob Gersh, and Leslie Seibert). Does it mean anything that Jensen has more reps?

I know nothing about how these agencies work (obviously) but am interested to know what the difference is.

I found this information on IMDb Pro, I can’t figure out how to link it I’m sorry.

Those windmills turn out to be faster than they look. Who knew.

The "Big Three of Hollywood” talent agencies are :

Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The biggest and most influential agency in town known for their A-listers and sports clients. Recently bought ICM, an agency mostly known for representing high-tier showrunners/writers like Shona Rhimes, so they're known for (sometimes infamous) packaging bundle. Many agents have left CAA to go to UTA.

William Morris Endeavor (WME). A merge between two agencies in 2009 created another powerhouse agency and upped their game in events management.

United Talent Agency (UTA). Probably the most adaptable agency that includes news broadcasters and comedy clients. UTA likes to boast they represent the "most watched and celebrated actors in film and television".

The 4th position (X) is a battlefield of competing mid-size agencies looking to possible merge: Gersh Agency, A3 Artists Agency, Paradigm Talent Agency, Agency for Performing Arts (APA), and Verge Agency. Then there are the boutique agencies.

Actors choose the agencies based on the work they want to do i.e. commercials, modeling, or television/movies. Some boutique agencies specialize in children actors so there are age ranges to consider. Talents send in submissions of headshots, resume, and cover letters. As an actor grow, they move to bigger agencies, usually with submissions. In-demand actors generally don't send submissions to the Big Three Agencies, the agencies go to them.

Jared was originally represented by CAA and Jensen was originally represented by WME.

Jared's agent, Jason Heyman, was poached by UTA during a "midnight raid" in 2015 through 2019 and Jared decided to go iwth him to UTA while Melissa McCarthy stayed behind with CAA.  Heyman went from a high post at CAA to a partnership at UTA, so for him it’s a promotion.   

Jensen either left or was dropped by WME and he signed onto Gersh in 2014, who also represents Danneel. This was probably the best move for him because at WME he was always given to newbie agents (basically interns) to handle his career.

Actors can be repped by more than one agent or agencies in order to handle their brand in different markets as well as minimizing conflict of interests.  I’ve known actors who had 3 agents: one for voice work, another for commercial work, and a third for tv/film - maybe that's why Jensen has 3 representatives in one agency?   Then there are actors with just 1 agent for the same things but in different markets, maybe that's why Jared has 1 agent that we know of.

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Alchemical Ascension" Event: Take Part and Obtain the Event-Exclusive Weapon, Dialogues of the Desert Sages (Polearm)

〓Event Duration〓

〓Event Rewards〓

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 20 or above

And complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

※ Complete Archon Quest Chapter IV: Act V "Masquerade of the Guilty" and Eula's Story Quest "Aphros Delos Chapter: Act I" first to get the best experience from this event.

〓Event Details〓

● During the event, you must cultivate ingredients, concoct potions, sell potions, and gain revenue from your business to fund the expansion of your operations.

● In the "Cultivating Ingredients" gameplay, ingredients that have been specially processed can be used to greater effect during the process of concocting potions.

● In the "Concocting Potions" gameplay, place your ingredients into the Alchemy Cauldron in a certain order in order to concoct potions with different effects and special characteristics.

● In the "Selling Potions" gameplay, make your plans according to market news and sell the potions that are in demand to seize business opportunities and garner greater profits.

● When you reach a designated amount of total shop earnings, you can obtain Dialogues of the Desert Sages, Primogems, Crown of Insight, event-exclusive Weapon Refinement Materials, and other rewards.

● By continuously running and managing the shop while achieving the designated objectives, you can obtain Primogems, Hero's Wit, Character Talent Materials, Weapon Ascension Materials, Mystic Enhancement Ore, Mora, and other rewards.

[bugsfavoriteclown]

Jester!Buggy x Royal!R

Word Count: 1.1k Warnings: Yandereish? Genre: Romantic, Enemies to Lovers, Fantasy AU

———————————————————————

Jester!Buggy who pledges himself to your kingdom completely, devoting his entire being to pleasing your court in hopes of one day gaining your trust, desperate for power to be in his favor for once in his life.

Jester!Buggy who swipes as many valuables as he can from your castle halls without getting caught. Pocketing and taking them out to the market to pawn off to smugglers and citizens at varying prices.

Jester!Buggy who hates everything about you. He can’t stand the fact that you have his entire life in his hands and would overthrow you in a second if he was given the chance.

Jester!Buggy who hides his disdain for you through the jokes he makes. The only part of his job that he likes is that he can openly mock you and how you rule the country and hide it behind the mask of entertainment.

Jester!Buggy who has been planning your assassination since before he even began working for you. Who almost needs to have that same feeling of control you do, just to see what it's like. Who plans to coerce you into a vulnerable position where he can demand things from you instead. Who wants a taste of what it's like to be on the top of the caste system for once in his life.

Jester!Buggy who does like the fact that he can request any type of outfit to be paroled specifically for himself. He’s glad he can at least be granted a variety of clothes that he gets completely for free.

Jester!Buggy who slowly starts to feel himself soften whenever you smile at one of his jokes. Who almost chases the joyful gleam in your eyes when you find something he said funny. Who loves that you always call him back to cheer you up when you're sad as if he's the only one capable enough.

Jester!Buggy who starts to sneak into the castle's kitchens and steals small treats and snacks for you to eat when you have a break in the day.

Jester!Buggy who finds that he actually looks forward to performing in your court. Who feels a sense of pride at the thought that you brag about your wonderful, talented jester to other rulers in other kingdoms.

Jester!Buggy who starts stealing from other kingdoms when you take him with you during your visits. Who goes back home and either sells them or uses them as a replacement for other things he's stolen.

Jester!Buggy who starts to fear for your safety when Alvida, and the other bandits he's been selling to, begin asking why he hasn't been coming back with any new information lately. Demanding that he bring them back something they can use for the upcoming ambush they've been meticulously planning or they'll take it upon themselves.

Jester!Buggy who wants to warn you so badly but can't because he doesn't want to put any suspicion on himself out of fear of losing his job and position beside you. Who's too afraid to explain to you why he knows so much about the conspiracy being organized against you.

Jester!Buggy who, instead, goes to visit Shanks, one of your most valued knights, and begs for him to keep a closer eye out because there may be some type of scheme cooking up in the shadows. Who knows he’ll take what he says seriously without outing him for any of his past crimes.

Jester!Buggy who feels better about not having to fear you getting hurt, but is now starting to feel jealous at how often he sees you and Shanks walking together in the gardens. It pisses him off even more knowing that this is exactly what he asked him to do and so he can’t really be upset about it.

Jester!Buggy who continues to visit you during your breaks, but now also comes to see you at later times in the night because he’s memorized your sleep habits. At first, it was so he could pick the right time to rob you blind, but now he uses it to find good times to see you without it being a disturbance.

Jester!Buggy who starts getting noticeably more possessive over you when he spots Alvida and the rest of her posse near the castle walls one night as he’s on his way to see you.

Jester!Buggy who approaches Alvida and threatens to get her and the others executed if they keep snooping closer to you. But they only laugh as they know he doesn’t have that power and can’t stop them on his own, only making him angrier at the entire thing.

Jester!Buggy who has to find creative ways to play off his clinginess because he’d be damned if they got a hold of you in any way. Who is now always seen accompanying you as you wander from room to room in the castle, playing it off as him trying to learn more about you so he can entertain you better.

Jester!Buggy who offers to go to the markets for you and to help escort you on stage when you have to speak to the public, all with a knife up his sleeve and eyes roaming the crowds.

Jester!Buggy who uses the extra cash he has on him to hire mercenaries to keep watch on anyone he deems suspicious. Specifically Alvida and everyone else associated with her.

Jester!Buggy who starts to reveal to you the kind of person he actually is. Who starts displaying his more violent disposition and knack for murder, all things you weren’t aware of when you had first hired him. Who's ready to kill for you and makes that aspect painfully clear.

Jester!Buggy who does kill for you after someone tries pickpocketing you during your stroll through the country. Who noticed something was off immediately and stabbed the perpetrator before they could get any further with your things.

Jester!Buggy who begins to almost worship you. Who treats you far more gently than anyone else around him and is ready to drop anything on your whim. Who feels his body begin to react in ways he never thought possible whenever he sees you upset.

Jester!Buggy who would do anything to be closer to you, but can't ever seem to find the appropriate time to do so since you're his boss, and he was only ever meant to be your toy. Who is only supposed to enter the room on your terms. Who wasn't intended to be anything more than a worker.

Jester!Buggy who pledges himself to your kingdom completely, devoting his entire being to pleasing your court, but this time in hopes of pleasing you as well. Who would be anything you wanted him to be if you demanded it of him. Who would do anything if it meant he'd be able to spend more time with you.

[fuziatalent]

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[starsreality]

do u have some ways/explanations I could logically become rich and wealthy? I wanna be a billionaire but I just can’t imagine doing that without being unethical…

I was just thinking of this question a few days ago and consulted with ChatGPT, so I have the answers ready and loaded!

Ways to become super ultra rich without having to resort to unethical or immoral methods/practices:

› Entrepreneurship: Start your own business in a growing industry. Identify a gap in the market, create a product or service that meets a need, and scale it. Focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.

› Investing: Educate yourself on investing in stocks, real estate, or other assets. Consider long-term investment strategies, such as index funds or rental properties, which can compound wealth over time.

› Build a Personal Brand: Create a strong online presence in your field. Share knowledge through blogs, podcasts, or social media, and leverage your brand for consulting, speaking engagements, or product endorsements.

› Develop Valuable Skills: Acquire skills in high-demand fields like technology, finance, or healthcare. Expertise can lead to high-paying job opportunities or freelance work.

› Networking: Build relationships with influential people in your industry. Networking can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities that can significantly boost your wealth.

› Innovate and Create: Focus on research and development in emerging fields, such as renewable energy, biotechnology, or artificial intelligence. Invent new products or improve existing ones.

› Real Estate Development: Invest in real estate, starting with rental properties or flipping houses. Learn the market and focus on areas with potential growth.

› Passive Income Streams: Create sources of passive income, such as writing books, creating online courses, or investing in dividend-paying stocks.

› Franchise Ownership: Consider investing in a reputable franchise. This can provide a proven business model and brand recognition while allowing you to operate your own business.

› Philanthropy and Ethical Investing: Invest in socially responsible businesses or initiatives. This can lead to both financial returns and positive societal impact, enhancing your reputation and network.

Ways to “stumble” into wealth without (directly) hoarding wealth:

› Inheriting Wealth: Unexpectedly inheriting wealth from a distant unknown relative or family friend.

› Winning the Lottery: Not a very sustainable source of income but it works.

› Discovering Hidden Talents: Uncovering a unique skill or talent that becomes highly valued—like writing a bestselling book or creating viral content.

› Investing Early: Accidentally investing in a promising startup or stock that later skyrockets in value.

› Networking: Making a valuable connection at a social event that leads to a lucrative job or business opportunity.

› Crowdfunding Success: Launching a project that resonates with a broad audience, leading to substantial financial backing.

› Accidental Invention: Creating a product by chance that fills a market need, like a popular app or gadget.

[thenightling]

A bigot demanded I tell him what's so good about Agatha All Along without mentioning representation and diversity so... Here we go...

1. It has an intriguing plot with a morally grey protagonist who may or may not be on a subtle redemption arc. I'm a sucker for a good redemption story.

2. It features very talented actors including the Tony award winning Broadway icon, Patti LuPone as one of the leads.

3. It features fairly accurate and respectful depictions of many Occult beliefs.

4. "Teen" is a very likable sidekick character and serves as a good moral compass for many of the other characters.

5. It has good music and a catchy recurring song from the composers of Avenue Q and Frozen, including a cover by the main cast in the style of Glam Rock.

6. It's better than WandaVision.

7. It's entertaining.

8. It's one of the only MCU depictions of supernatural magick while allowing it to actually be magick instead of pseudo-science and while also acknowledging an afterlife instead of pandering to the Chinese censors to get a Chinese theatrical release. The Chinese market doesn't allow for "Western depictions of the afterlife." (This includes ghosts. It's why the Disney Haunted Mansion in Hong Kong Disney isn't haunted but instead has enchanted furniture).

9. This was the first time we had ghosts in a Marvel property. Same reason as number 8.

10. It's refreshingly different from other other Marvel releases that have been following and obvious and tired formula for some time now.

11. Kathryn Hahn is a good actress.

12. It has a great, Gothic / spooky ambiance while also being fun. 13. It's the side of Marvel I get starved for because Marvel is too cowardly to have things like this outside of the Halloween season.

14. It has "Found Family" which is one of my favorite TV and movie tropes.

15. It's not all boring action sequences or sex scenes like most TV today. And yes, I find those things boring.

16. I had once said I wanted to see a TV show based on the concept of "Gothic Golden Girls" with witch Golden Girls and this is close enough. 17. I think Agatha, as a character, is well-written.

18. With other shows like Wednesday this has helped restore Goth Culture to the mainstream, enough so that there's a Goth clothing section on Target's website now (and has been for a full year). So I'm loving the influence on Pop culture.

19. This may open the door for more supernatural content from Marvel, I just hope they start allowing it outside of the Halloween season.

20. I'm not really enjoying many other new scripted TV shows right now. Both The Sandman and Wednesday are currently between seasons.

[meowsequence]

Mouthwashing brainrot analysis

I played Mouthwashing yesterday. Good game, do recommend to play at least once. (It didn't hit me as much as Signalis, so don't expect much fanart >_>)

Today I started diving into game's reviews and analysis videos but I already can tell it mostly going to land far from my own vision of "Mouthwashing" events. I hope it DOESN'T hurt to share my point of view as well >_>

SPOILERS!

I didn't see much of the "Evil Corporation" that is frequently mentioned by many others. In fact, working conditions aboard Tulpar seemed very decent for such job and the ship has a lot of safety measures and protocols. If I understood it correctly, providing such level of conditions even became the very reason why "Pony Express" lost it's market to pilotless competitors. And I'm not writing all of that to advocate for the "good corporation" of course!

It's that tendency to bend every story into "Society (always bad) vs Individual (always good)" point of view is what prevents many people from viewing full picture. And there is more than a single dead pixel in the corner.

Now there is a lot of discussions about who did what and what they should have been doing. "Is Jimmy actually hated enough?", "was Curley innocent?", "did Swansea know?", "should Anya have been given a gun?" and so on. In my opinion they all did what they did and it's impossible to prevent such tragedy by demanding from individuals to be a better person. They are who they are and they are locked together.

In order to fix a problem that appeared within any system, one should go a level above it (because current level is already compromised and it's sub components didn't have that problem revealed yet). Mouthwashing's problems originating on the level of personal interactions and there is simply NO bigger system to keep it in control. Look… All I'm saying is Tulpar's crew were not a real team. They lack actual respect and barely care about each other except rare and sentimental cases. There is no bigger "collective" entity to unite it's members, keep them in check or at least set up some rules and boundaries. Instead every one of that small group of bright individuals is left to deal with their problems alone on individual or person-person confrontation levels. In such environment people like Jimmy will abuse others while picturing themselves as victims, people like Anya will be silently assaulted and ignored, people like Daisuke will be talked into doing dumb and dangerous shit or do it by themselves, Curly - becoming overconfident and delusional, Swansea - … (not sure lol). In fact, any group of people locked up together for a year would either build their own society (sometimes cruel or unjust) or be at each other's throats. Grown-up people should have understood that and work towards building sane and beneficial community instead of simply working off their hours for a pay-check. It would have been way harder for Jimmy to fool whole group instead of manipulating them one by one. It would made it easier for Anya to express her concerns loud and clear if she felt group's support. And they sure as fuck should have treated Daisuke as an equal crew member starting from the day one!

That, in my opinion, is the actual lesson of Mouthwashing. No matter whether this was intended by the game's talented creators or not.

[sgiandubh]

Offer and demand

For comparison purposes, kindly find below what a devoted Ozzie fan will have to be prepared to pay for a pic with one or several of the participants to the Hublander Australia 'A Visit to The Highlands' event, this week-end, in Sydney and Melbourne:

On top of that, there is an extra option I have never seen for European events (and correct me if I am wrong). You can buy signed personal items and autographed pics for somebody who cannot attend (personal items cost a little extra, no idea why). Here is an example, for S:

Just to have an idea, remember (I will always LOL at this word, from now on, and that's really a shame, because I use it a LOT, irl) these are the prices in Australian dollars. A pic with S would cost you around 115 euros or 125 USD and the most expensive group pic would lighten your purse by around 360 USD or 333 euros.

All this, like for the Paris Landcon, are on top of what you pay for access and the rest of the side gigs, depending of your tier of choice. Those can set you anywhere from 200 Australian dollars for the standard entry ticket to 1800 Australian dollars for the Platinum Tier, where I hope S will pour you a dram or something - nope, not really, that was really a cheap joke, forget about it. You do the math, it's easy.

If you take the time to compare with the Paris Landcon, the discrepancies are clear. The Australian Lollapalooza easily costs the double. But before you screech and wail, do remember two things:

Prices in Australia and France are not really the same. Same goes for the disposable wages of the people buying these tickets. Same goes for the logistical costs (venue rent, talent accommodation and fee, insurance - very important!, other administrative expenditures like legal costs: never forget these people also sell licensed merchandise, which comes at an extra cost itself, etc).

Also, event organization is a business in itself. There is a market and a pool of potential clients for this type of business. Demand and offer meet (or should do so) on that market and the result of this encounter of sorts should reasonably reflect what the people are willing to pay for whatever you peddle around, from bagels to Scottish fantasies. Too expensive - nobody will come. Too cheap - the talent you hope to attract would, in all likelihood, not show up, especially if it takes 10 to 20 hours of flight to get there.

Now add to this the need to satisfy just about everyone in the room. The simple need to make sure that the person who paid 200 dollars for the basic ticket would not feel left behind those who paid nine times (yes, nine times, for Australia, land of plenty) more. That is not an easy task and those figures you have seen are not what you may think they do represent, on face value.

Last, but not least, a wee secret: the bulk of the talent's fee comes from those autographed pics you bought extra, the Q&A sessions and the Platinum Meet and Greets - isn't that a strange form of Marxist distribution circuit (but I digress, forgive the scholar). The rest is probably going to cover operational costs.

Nobody robbed you. Nobody forced you or hypnotized you. You will meet the real people, not some denizen of Abuja who pretends he is Mr. Blue Eyes. And S will not get richer after Melbourne, only more tired.

You're welcome.

PS: merci à toi; chérie, pour l'info and also a heartfelt thank you to you, New Friend on the Block. You know who you are! 😘😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️

[Edit]: @joey-baby tells me the Oz fans can buy the recording of both days. That is a local exclusive and I surely hope we'd see some of it in here. Thank you! 🙌

[globalrebrand]

Fleurs par la Reine de la Nuit: Part I

Warning: None! Pure fluff.

A/N: This manlet has stolen my heart. Also posted on Ao3!

Lyney finds he must unmask a most skillful rival, yet your trade is not magic, but flowers.

Finding a good florist in Fontaine was not a matter of great difficulty. One only needed to step out into the bustling avenues of the Court of Fontaine and look several meters or so in virtually any direction to find a shop of high-quality blooms and well-styled bouquets. Nearly every district in the Court of Fontaine possessed these flower shops as given the propensity of the Fontainese for affectionate gestures, amorous gifts, and lively celebration, there was always demand for floral accompaniment. So how you managed to craft arrangements that surpassed the exceedingly high expectations of Fontaine’s florally astute populace meant your talent was nothing short of exceptional.  

The arrangements Lyney had seen were truly spectacular. He seldom found himself taking notice of flower arrangements beyond a gentle acknowledgment of pretty or lovely, but upon witnessing your work, he could only think of the sheer artistry and splendor your particular brand of blossoms possessed. Arrangements that recaptured the romanticism of old masters only to now be witnessed in the musée, yet made use of exotic blooms from across Teyvat, blending the traditional with the foreign. How you interwove padisarah’s and cecilia's with rainbow roses and lumoidouce bells as if there were grown out of the earth in each other's company was incredibly difficult to replicate. He had seen would-be copycats try, but their arrangements always seemed to look so contrived or ostentatious and sometimes downright gaudy. Your particular brand of effortless opulence and organic luxury seemed singular in a city utterly brimming with blooms. Lyney decided you must have used magic in some capacity. It seemed impossible that you could ensnare an entire city with flowers alone.  

He supposed your enigmatic methods of marketing were also particularly enchanting to a nation obsessed with mystery and mysticism. Lyney knew not your name. Your modus operandi was a well-executed and thoughtful affair. Your bouquets arrived at their destination via a determined black poodle pulling a gilded wagon or, for more elaborate orders, via masked individuals with a gilded tag that on one side read,  Fleurs par la Reine de la Nuit , and on the other a polite Merci beaucoup.  Perhaps it was not common knowledge, but Queen of the Night flowers were native to Natlan and only bloomed at night and wilted by dawn. Fittingly the only way to commission you was through a beautifully sculpted marble receptacle that sat on a prominent corner of the Quartier Narbonnais from dusk until dawn. It was utterly immovable to any passerby and firmly rooted to its spot. Paper slips for one's contact information would be accessible through a drawer in the front of the sculpture, then filled-out floral requests would be dropped into a slit on the top. He had not yet requested anything from you, but he had heard from those who used it that the next morning, a dove would arrive stating their request had been accepted and that a rather considerable payment should be remitted in a velvet coin pouch on the dove’s back. 

Lynette was utterly taken with your work, she often sighed with deep longing upon coming across your works, a small pout settling on her expression, and while Lyney was undeniably charmed, Lynette was right. There was a strange pragmatism in him that prevented him from fully being enamored, though Freminet would argue he seemed sufficiently enchanted by your enterprise. 

He encouraged Lynette to request an arrangement from you, but she stubbornly resisted saying that buying them for herself would cut the allure of your practice. So naturally, big brother Lyney had to take it upon himself to make his younger siblings happy.  

Lyney set off the marble box and grabbed a paper slip, name,address of delivery, date of delivery, budget, and colors, simple enough. However, the questions soon took a rather intriguing turn. Two columns with separate questions, If for a friend or loved one, answer the following. The other column was for events.

Alright, Lyney thought. He would play along to your silly game. 

If this person were a dish, what would they be? Ex. A chocolate souffle, understated in elegance with a rich and sweet inner composition.

What is the mood you would like for the arrangement? Ex. flirtatious, somber, wistful, effervescent, etc. 

Describe how much this person means to you. I will only accept genuine confessions of affection. The sentiments need not be profound but honest. 

Lyney couldn’t help but be thoroughly amused, but he answered each question in earnest. Lynette would probably be a plum galette, demure in appearance but sweet, simple, and endlessly comforting but with a surprising tartness. The mood of the bouquet should be whimsical and inspired but not overly gauche. The fragrance of the flowers should be subtle out of respect for Lynette’s sensitive nose and as for ‘how much does she mean to him?’... Lyney began to write:

"I would sacrifice myself for her in an instant. Her continued safety and happiness mean more to me than life itself." 

Now, Lyney could go on, but there wasn’t much room for a more extensive response. So with all the questions answered, he sealed up his slip and placed it in the box, anticipation brimming within him. 

No one knew anything about you, despite Charlotte vigorously trying to ascertain your identity in an ongoing column about your floral dealings in the Steambird. In part, he was delighted that Lynette would no doubt be pleased by the flowers, but your peculiar line of questioning had him thinking about exactly who you were and your motivations for producing floral arrangements in such a fashion. On a nearby bench, a stylish young couple eagerly filled out the form, quite obviously asking you to provide the flowers for their upcoming nuptials. 

Clearly, you were a hopeless romantic, and his magician's intuition told him that you were fond of tradition but seeking to innovate for the future and sow joy to the population through your bouquets. That and that you possessed a high degree of magical ability yourself, the regimented appearance and disappearance of your magical marble letter box that never seemed to become full despite receiving hundreds of requests per day, your letter-carrying doves, and all manner of mystery in your deliveries. As a magician, your skill almost made him envious, but he could not let the feeling distract from your allure. Lyney reasoned that you must be a delicate and shy soul and he often imagined that you and Lynette might get along. He pondered what expression you wore as you read through the requests. Were you exhausted by banal queries, or tickled by the sweet secrets of love and admiration written on your forms? The more he thought about it, the more Lyney decided he must uncover your identity. Not to the public but just for his personal fulfillment. 

Whether you were a great beauty or a simple flower, he decided he must see you, your secrets suddenly becoming a treasure he wished to take for himself.

[mythalism]

i agree completely with the bootlicking and also the “um just let people enjoy things” mentality. it’s not great art and that’s okay! it’s pretty aggregeous in some areas and i wish people would just own that instead of throwing themselves at the feet of bioware. bioware as a company doesn’t care about paying its staff or honoring the writers of the past games. they literally fired almost all of them. they care about money! they view the fanservice and “deep lore” cameos as a way to earn more money! any credit for artistic value should be given to the current writers’ attempts and NOT to the company or game as a product itself! everyone needs stop being insecure about the fact that it’s kind of garbage and call this shit out because that’s why we keep getting games with shitty writing quality. because the community lets it slide! stop letting it slide! demand and expect high-quality writing the same way we demand and expect high-quality graphics.

i completely agree and i love that you brought up how these business practices harm the actual people who work at bioware and the developers themselves and how a refusal to express our criticism and anger with a product that not only is disappointing but was also advertised deceptively (again, thats EA marketing, not bioware) just further enables business practices like the massive layoffs that lost us writers that were foundational to dragon age like mary kirby. if you love dragon age and you want games with depth and complexity and that carry over your past decisions and that prioritize narrative over combat and flashiness and are made for adults and not teenagers etc. etc. etc. you have no choice but to speak up and be critical! or else EA is just going have some out-of-touch marketing consultant decide that making dragon age 5 rated T for teens is the future of the franchise because gaming's largest demographic is 12-18 year old boys and they really need to "expand to new markets" or whatever other bullshit (no i dont think this will actually happen its hyperbolic). we KNOW how beholden EA is to their own market trends because of the fact that veilguard is single-player at all thanks to fallen order!!!!! we can send a similar message again!!!!!!! there is a reason baldurs gate 3 is so good and was such a breath of fresh air. its not because those devs have some magical talent that bioware devs dont have. its because larian isn't owned by a mega media conglomerate that will happily crush any remaining shred of human creativity under their boot to make an extra dollar. and so they could make a game like bg3 that looked at every single larger, more lucrative gaming trend in the face, shrugged, and did what they actually wanted to do. the only way we will ever get a game like that from bioware will be if you STAND UP!!!!!!!!!