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hugheses · 1 month ago

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https://www.tumblr.com/hugheses/764073480185692160/hey-love-ut-work-do-u-know-where-quinn-said

It says I have to pay for the New York article 🥺 do you have any screenshots

here's the whole article

If you had the choice, would you rather play with Jack or Luke? And why? — Gage W.

If I had to choose right now, I’d probably play with Jack since he’s in the NHL. Playing with Luke I’d be USHL U18 so don’t wanna go backwards. (laughs) But I believe Luke’s a really good player and he’ll get here one day so that’ll be a tough question at some point but right now it’d be Jack because he’s in the same league.

Do you think it’s easier to find chemistry with another defenceman versus a forward or does it not really matter?

It depends. Sometimes you just think the same way and that can be with a forward that you read off. A lot of the times I’m on the ice with Millsy or Petey and we kinda know what we’re all doing to a certain extent so that’s pretty easy. And then me and (Travis) Hamonic have gotten pretty used to each other, I think the last couple of games we’ve really been doing well.

I think regarding that question, me and Jack, we’ve played together and we’ve had good chemistry. I think that’s kinda because we play the same way with our reads and the way we think of the game is the same. I think that’s the same with Luke so it’d be pretty easy with both of them.

Compare yourself to Luke as a defenceman. Who wins in different aspects of the game? — Junginator J.

Luke’s a hell of a player and he’s gonna get drafted really high. I think Luke can be … a guy I really like for him is Miro Heiskanen or Shea Theodore. I think those are guys he likes to watch because as much as he is like me, he is bigger than me, he’s 6-foot-2, so I think he can be more like those guys. For Luke with having that range he can be what he is as an offensive guy and then also defensively be really solid and be hard on guys.

I think he’s kinda got the best of both worlds and I always tell him he better take advantage of his height. (laughs)

What does a typical night on the road look like this year? What occupies your time away from the rink? — Andrew P.

We haven’t been on the road in a while, I think this is our first trip in 30 days maybe. But yeah, it’s definitely different this year. If it was last year and I was in Ottawa, I’d be going over to Brady’s (Tkachuk), see (Josh) Norris and we’d have dinner and he’d take me out somewhere.

Right now I think it would just be a quiet night. We’d have our team dinner and then maybe hang out as a group for a bit in the team lounge and then probably just all go up and get a good sleep.

Has it been tougher than other years because of that?

Yeah, I think it has been. Everyone’s dealing with it but I think last year was probably more fun than this year just because (of) the team camaraderie and being able to go to these cities and go out, see things, go eat and those things, not just sit in your hotel room. But it is what it is, the whole league’s dealing with it. We’re happy to be playing and if this is what you gotta do then it is what it is.

What is your favourite thing about living in Vancouver so far? — Andrew U.

When I first went to Vancouver I had no idea about some of the nice beaches they had. Especially at the start of the season, I got the scooter so me, Petey and Brock usually take our scooters along the pier and we’ll chill on the beaches.

If you go right now is it raining there? But a week ago it was really nice and we could take our scooters and go for a nice ride.

I think that’s something that not a lot of people know about Vancouver is how nice the beaches are. I always say that there are crazy beaches here and people are surprised. I think that’s a really nice part of Van that I really enjoy.

We’ve come to know that last season Petey chirped you for driving a Toyota. Did he peer pressure you into getting an Audi this year and have you ever chirped him back about the Audi commercial he was in? — Paolo M.

Yeah, I mean I think he’s pretty sensitive with his commercial, I don’t know how much he liked that. (smirks) For me, it was all fun and games and I thought he did a good job.

He would chirp me about that Toyota but I love the Toyota. I thought it was great, it was a really nice car. I would have went back to it for this year but just went with the (Audi) RS7. I’m not a car guy so I’ll take a wagon to the rink if I have to, anything with four wheels. (laughs) But yeah, it’s a nice car and sometimes Petey used to give it to me, it’s all good.

Last year I was coming out of the parking garage and I was like wow, Quinn’s got a bright blue Toyota SUV. I didn’t think you’d go for the bright colour there.

Wasn’t very subtle, was it? I thought I was getting black actually and they showed up with blue. I didn’t wanna be a brat, I was happy for the car so that was fine. But yeah, the bright blue wasn’t very subtle. (laughs)

What was one thing you splashed out on when you got your first big league paycheque? — Will C.

I haven’t bought anything yet honestly. I know my brother bought a car and he needed one. I haven’t really needed one right because I’ve gotten some in Van. I dabble on clothes, I buy some nice stuff once in a while, I’ll buy some nice shoes. But as far as something really big like a car or anything like that, I haven’t done that.

What clothing do you like? I heard from guys there’s a Gucci tie you wore a lot as a rookie.

Yeah, the Gucci ties are nice. I like Kith, Kith is a really cool brand I like to get into. We’ll see, I usually follow my brother’s lead too he’s pretty dialled into clothing.

Petey called you a messy guy, what was Elias Pettersson like as a roommate last year? — Emily B.

Me and Petey are really tight so I loved it. We had a lot of fun together. We don’t have roommates this year in the hotels but I think me and him both miss each other and would want to roommate.

Him as a roommate, sometimes he would ask me like a million questions at night. I would just be on my phone trying to relax and chill and I wouldn’t respond because I was just zoned in on my phone. He would get so mad at me and then all of a sudden he wouldn’t talk to me for like a day, he’s like “Oh, how does it feel now” and that happened two or three times. So I had to be careful with that not to hurt his feelings and act like I’m ignoring him.

But yeah, we had a lot of fun, he’s one of my best friends so we had some good times too.

What would he ask you about?

You don’t wanna know. (laughs)

Are you actually as messy as he says or are his standards for cleanliness too high?

No, I think his standards are crazy high and I mean good for him he’s a really neat and orderly person. I also think we were just on these crazy long road trips like we had a 16-day one and we were sick of each other. We must have been in one of those fights and he just got pissed at me and said that. I gave him a lot of crap after that, though.

Which Tkachuk brother is more annoying to play against? — Rebecca T.

I don’t know. I know Brady rubbed me out a couple times (Monday) and he had two assists so that was annoying. He was really good (Monday) and Matthew the same thing.

I think it’s more fun to play against Brady because I’ve known him since we were 10 years old, he’s one of my best friends and I can’t take him seriously out there. And Matthew we’re really good friends too, but I’ve just known Brady for so long so I’d say Matthew is more annoying to play against.

Who tells the best jokes and/or chirps on the team? Also, who would be your dream defence partner in the league (other than Chris Tanev or Travis Hamonic)? — Owen C.

We have some funny guys. Millsy’s really funny. (Brandon) Sutter’s funny too. (Tanner) Pearson’s funny, he says some good stuff on the bench. (Jayce) Hawryluk never stops talking on the bench, it’s crazy. It’s pretty funny we love his energy. (Tyler) Myers is very timely he says some good things that are pretty funny.

We got a fun group and definitely on the bench sometimes when someone’s yelling at someone, especially the last couple games because you know Brady’s yelling at someone and someone’s yelling back so it’s been funny.

And regarding the D partner, I don’t know. I don’t put a lot of thought into it because it’s a what-if question, I think me and Hamonic are doing a really good job right now. Obviously, me and Chris were good last year. I think me and Ham are starting to figure things out and we’re playing pretty well to be honest.

What’s one life lesson that you’ve learned since turning professional? And what’s one piece of advice you would give to 14-year-old Quinn Hughes knowing what you know now? — Eric L.

That’s a tough question. I don’t know, I think part of being a pro is just eating well, sleeping well, doing the right things and I think sometimes my rookie year I’d come to a game and I’d be really tired because maybe I wasn’t hydrated or warming up the way I should have been or whatever it was.

I think I played 68 games last year, it’s way more than what I usually play. I think this year I’ve been learning as a pro, getting some good sleep, eating the right way, practising hard and doing all those things so you’re more ready for the game.

Regarding the 14-year-old thing, I’d tell myself to just enjoy the process. As a young kid sometimes, you’re so worried about where you’re going to be or where you’re going or what’s going on but (I’d tell myself) to just enjoy it.

I think I did that. I did that and enjoyed it but if I had to say to other kids, I would say enjoy the process, work hard and have fun with it. When you’re having fun you’re going to work hard and if you’re working hard you’re going to get better.

If you weren’t a hockey player, what else might you be doing? — Veronica X.

I don’t know, I love golf. I’d probably be golfing a lot. I’d be in school somewhere … I’d be a senior right now so I’d probably be getting my degree in the next couple of weeks. Maybe business or sport management? That’s what I was looking at at Michigan for two years.

Never really had to think about that because I love hockey and that’s what I realized I want to do at a young age but if hockey was not an option I guess I’d be doing another sport.

Back when you played in Michigan, someone saw you dipping your turkey sandwich in your cup of coffee. Can you share with us any other weird food habits that you have? Also, have you made any progress on your cooking skills this season? — Paolo M.

That’s so crazy, I don’t know where this comes from — like I don’t even drink coffee. (laughs) I’ve never really drank coffee in my life. I even hate turkey sandwiches, I’d go with the salami sandwich.

But yeah I don’t know I feel like I’m a normal guy. I just have my same things as everyone else. I’m a normal guy, nothing crazy.

My cooking’s gotten better, it’s had to with (the fact that) we’re not allowed to go to restaurants and stuff. I’ve had a lot of fun with it, especially at the start of the year me and Petey would switch off and I’d eat at his house one night and he’d eat at mine. It was almost like a competition of whose dinners are better so that was pretty fun.

It’s getting tiring now, I’ve been cooking for five months, I kinda just wanna go out and eat but yeah it’s been good.

What are some of your favourite things to make?

I’m really good at making steaks. I can make salmon as well but I think Petey’s gotten me on the chicken and he’s pretty good on the steaks too but I’m solid on them. I make good steak and he’ll tell you that too.

#answered

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rueitae · 2 years ago

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Season 1, Episode 6, The opera in the outback caper

I find Player’s desire to do accents adorable and hilarious at the same time. A fun tidbit for his personality. ‘Cause he’s absolutely willing to do it again later. Bonus points that Carmen teases him for it. (At least I choose to interpret that as teasing)

Player: wow good sign or bad omen? (In an episode in which Carmen gets brainwashed)

Me: stares at camera

Seriously though, the foreshadowing of the dark red arc throughout the series is so well done. It’s so brazen. So much so you don’t see it coming. Crackle’s civilian-ization is, I believe, the first introduction of brainwashing tech. Upon rewatch it's so clear what they’ve done. I bet the writers were cackling to themselves the entire time for this one.

I, for one, am so happy they made Carmen the opera a thing for an episode. Thank you CS for not wasting this niche opportunity. And all the zingers that come with it.

Love how they suspended audience (and Carmen) disbelief for a while by not having Le Chevre show up right away, so Carmen thinks that Gray is running this job. Until she really gets a solid look at him in a different light. I just appreciate how the scene went down. Clever and fun writing to introduce us to the issue.

I also like that Player isn’t taking any crap. He never does. That’s what I like about his character. He’s the only one who can really tell Carmen “how about not” and she’ll think about it. (And 90% of the time she skips off anyway). Though the few times in the series she does take his advice on an emotional decision are very poignant and some of my favorites.

This fight scene above the opera??? The elegance, the silence so we focus on the opera music (as Bellum wants) the timing of the machine hitting the rafters. VERY nice.

VILE NOTE

Player stop hunching over in excitement, your back is gonna hurt by the time you’re 30.

I dunno I like that after all the times they say “VILE”, Player decides to not use the acronym to seemingly try and bring home a point to Carmen to be careful, they could be up to anything.

The glider is really silent wow. Gray doesn’t hear her until she lands. Well done Ivy.

Ultimately she’s heartbroken he doesn’t remember her, but also he’s not trying to kill her so there’s that. In this first season in these moments you can tell she misses the innocent life she had. And she supposedly hasn’t been civhting VILE for long, so that’s a nice character piece there that she’s still mourning a more innocent time that she can never go back to. She knows she can’t and won’t.

8pm. I find it so hilarious for that need to specify because I personally would be like “8…am?”

Me: googles all the deadly creatures and weather in Australia

Me, hides Google doc: it’s…totally not for fic research.

LOL I love the utterly confused civilians during dramatic moments. Sorry Miro

Lab coats! Everyone in a lab coat!!! Thank you CS.

OPERA IS FAR TOO DISTRACTING. Love her character. The backstory she gives to Zack and Ivy and their FACES is delightful

Ivy and Zack are not trained thieves. That’s what makes them so fun to watch while they’re trying to hold her back. Carmen is creative too, but she has fighting experience to fall back on. The sibs don’t.

I wonder if Carmen realizes what’s happening in the split second before she goes under.

Player has the BEST “sus” face. And also rewatching I realize that the writers did give Player a chance to snap Carmen out of it. It doesn’t work. And it wouldn’t have worked for dark red arc.

Carmen really stands there saying “launch the boomerang” for almost a minute and a half lol.

The DINGO alert.

There’s something in me that appreciates that especially in these early episodes it’s always the sibs vs El Topo and Le Chevre. They get to know each other. That’s why the diversion works.

Ivy almost going up with the rocket is a TOP angst trope for me. I still get so excited over it. Not even kidding this is the millionth time I’ve watched the episode and I’m salivating over the near miss.

MIRO he just sits in the car but I’m glad we see his relief.

Okay after the first episode (well second technically) where he’s worried this is the first big protective!Player moment. He really drills into Carmen all the reasons she shouldn’t meet up with Gray again. Like. Gets really serious. These are my FAVORITE moments. And this one in particular I like because Carmen takes his advice here, she changes her mind because of what he says but for an entirely different reason. For Gray’s protection.

Carmen’s a good person. VILE totally miscalculated everything about her.

I love Maelstrom’s office it’s so EXTRA with the fish tank lol. Very clever working the darkness of what Maelstrom is asking into a kids show, with the replacement of “hat” for “head”. Hello Paper Star see you next week.

#carmen sandiego #carmen sandiego weekly #csweekly #carmen sandiego netflix #carmen sandiego 2019 #cs liveblog

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naritaren · 2 years ago

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I'm putting the process and review section of the paper I wrote under a read more here if anyone is curious. The rest of the paper was talking about the background stuff with Brawl Out and just giving context. Please note I wrote this back in like October, so a lot of details weren't out yet.

In this case scenario, I will be stepping into the shoes of a hired change agent to look at different public facets of All Elite Wrestling that have indicated a need for widespread change. I will examine the company’s concerns and take a blended approach to create a change plan that would work for a unique company.

Process

Before beginning the dialog circles, I would do a contracting phase with ownership, outlining the process, setting reasonable goals, and finding out what the stakeholders would like to see as an outcome. Confidentiality would be addressed by using contracts that everyone involved would sign, understanding that the information will only be used to implement the change process.

To start the change process, I would use appreciative inquiry in group dialogs to get a sense of the company’s issues. I would take groups of mixed employees to gather information from different viewpoints. These groups would include behind-the-scenes staff, producers, the talent of varying experience, and upper management. Groups of on-screen friends would be separated to help reduce group-think tendencies and allow for a more open exchange of ideas. The use of appreciative inquiry would enable me to get to the causes of frustration while working on building those level-two relationships with the people involved.

While it would be ideal to have everyone in the company involved, it’s only reasonable that people who want to be involved would be there. The sessions would be completed over Zoom because the company is a traveling show. They would be completed on non-travel days and allow more people to attend.

Once the group dialog circles are completed, I would take the information back and analyze it, looking for themes and commonalities that were brought up. With the data collected and analyzed, a plan will be developed for the following process stages. The stakeholders will bring the information up, and locker room leaders will be invited to join in to hear the concerns raised. Once the information has been communicated, the next stage will begin.

In this stage, a collaborative process would be used to generate ideas to change these problems. The process would include small groups that are different from the original groups and would be facilitated with a world cafe-style approach. The groups would be tasked with other ideas to tackle for solution planning, and then the groups would rotate after 30 minutes of work. Between rotations, a 10-minute break would be afforded to everyone so that the mind stays fresh and engaged. The platform of Miro would be utilized for the process, allowing information to stay generated in an online space for analysis.

Once the data from the world cafe groups are analyzed, another meeting will be held to discuss the suggestions by the talent and staff, and a design scale change intervention will begin. This process would include a cultural assessment and interventions to teach the company how to implement the changes and recreate the method to solve problems that might arise in the future.

Information Collected

Based on most reports, issues with the culture have been the main problem with AEW. Some talent is frustrated with the ‘lone agents’ in the company that does not seem to come together to be cohesive. There have been outbursts on social media between talent, so much so that one wrestler tweeted about how he wanted his co-workers to stop arguing. (Sapp, 2022)

Locker room leaders, such as Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, and Bryan Danielson, have worked to mend the locker room issues, addressing things via team meetings. The talent has been finding that the meetings bring them together, to the point where some talent want to put everything behind them and focus on the product moving forward.

In this method, collaboration is crucial, and the company has been doing collaborative meetings with some success. The outliers mean that a double-loop learning system should be implemented to help prevent further issues. Since there were other issues, revisiting the process would help set things back on track.

On the surface, the issues in AEW have become a topic of conversation in WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), with sources telling Fightful that it feels like the brawl was the result of one person trying to run things and going over the heads of the EVPs and the CEO. The public reaction to the brawl has tarnished the company, and further altercations indicate that a wholesale culture change is needed. (Sapp, 2022)

Prescriptions

If I were the acting change agent, I would follow the blended method I outlined above and focus on the company's culture. I feel that bringing in talent who may not be at the top of the events to talk about what they see would provide more straightforward answers than letting the top names dominate. Having people who are veterans of the business stepping up to be leaders shows that the culture is not completely bad. There are good parts, and I think a collaborative method would bring those bad parts to the forefront and let people address them in a way that works for everyone involved.

A cultural assessment would be a good option so AEW can see where they can grow. The company is only three years old, and there is the argument that growing pains are going on right now. With a company so young, it is possible that a simple culture shift would help remedy the problem.

Combining the cultural assessment with the change methods would set the company on the right path and give them the tools to succeed going forward. I feel this is the best approach for a company like this, and if given a chance, I would jump at doing this.

Ok the funny thing about that article is I wrote a paper on a design scale change that AEW could implement to better fix their culture. I could go get the cliff notes from that if someone wants?

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the-kipsabian · 2 years ago

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18, 22, 26, 30, 32, 39? Wrestling asks for u, pls ramble for me

bless you babe 💜

wrestling asks

under a read more cause OH BOY this got long sorry not sorry

18: Best feud i dont know if i have one solid answer for this, but lemme just ramble a few that come to mind when i think stuff ive enjoyed.. few of the first ones i ever witnessed years ago, eddie guerrero vs rey mysterio. this is like my introduction to wrestling, the first time i got familiar with the context of heels and faces, etc. this was ultimately really stupid (the whole eddie was dominics dad, you know the one lol), but its the one im extremely nostalgic for and i will always remember it fondly despite that lol

then i dont remember a lot of it tbh, but at the time matt hardy vs edge (when he came back innnnnn 2007?? was that the year lmao), it introduced me to the terrible world of wrestling love triangles and also i do believe this was the first time i saw a bloody cage match. also the tension in this from that era will live with me forever my god

just a bonus mention to randy orton (or technically the ortons i guess) vs the undertaker. that shit went HARD in my tiny teen brain jfc

for more current stuff.. i mean i was always a fan of the whole kip sabian/miro vs best friends stuff. it had so much potential on all ends, im just very upset it got cut when it did cause kip was injured. also that is to date my favorite wrestling wedding honestly. only really rivaled by the indy/dexter one but anyways lol

also very much a fan of whatever the fuck jay white and kazuchika okada have going on at all times. i dont think i have to explain how much i enjoy the (sexual) tension and taking any times i can get to yell at jay and look at okada buT ANYWAYS

and a special mention to the one i know nobody else ever liked, but the whole thing seth and murphy had going on with the mysterios during the pandemic. it was the one thing that kept me really interested in wrestling on a weekly basis, i personally found it incredible until the end after they completely shafted murphy before releasing him etc., but prior to that everything in that was absolutely my shit. everything from the monday night messiah to the goddamn disciple run. i could base my entire personality around that whole storyline and im not kidding lol

ALSO ALSO literally anything eddie kingston has going on. him fighting anyone, right now especially garcia and claudio tho, is just fucking lit at all times. this man knows whats up

22: Worst entrance theme im trying to think whats a bad theme but not associated to someone that i dont care for.. and unfortunately i have to say clark connors. ever since salty pointed out they are just robot farts i cant fucking unhear it and everythings gone to hell since LOL

like i love clark but my god

26: One unpopular opinion of yours oh im sure i have many lol. lemme just keep this very tame and say i dont think aew in its current state is very good. and this isnt just my "give me kip sabian back" bias, i just really dont care for the product, or any of them tbh, as a whole right now. i want the early days back when they showcased smaller talents more and actually had storylines i could care about and not just teams and factions like this is new japan all over again woo

30: You get to make your own stable. Who would it consist of? What is their name? ..is it a cop out to say i dont wanna make one, i just want to join in the united empire? im gonna say that anyways cause yes. please. ive made my case for ue before, but its like. they are a group of misfit assholes around the world, which hey i fit the bill too, trying to prove themselves cause everyone sees them as foreigners wherever they go and whatever they do so they never fit in geographically, but keep on fighting to prove everyone wrong in that way. and i want that too you know ..also i just really like united empire i dont fucking care (also its half nine in the morning im on my first cup of coffee i cant think sorry)

32: Who would you like to be in a mixed tag team with? so this comes from two places. but its cause ive been very infatuated with him recently, and ive kinda realized that if i ever were a wrestler (i wont be cause lmao what is being in shape or starting a physical career at the ripe age of 30) i would definitely lean towards being a technical wrestler out of the given options.. so yeah zack sabre jr cause im a biased bitch lol. also the smol and toll dynamic with two loudmouth bitches just yelling accented insults? yeah who am i to say no to that lol

39: What is your best wrestling related memory? okay im sure the best one is yet to come (JERSEY IN A MONTH +1 DAY I GET TO MEET SO MANY BABES), but theres two. 1. my first (and only) live show in 2019. sure we had kinda shit seats now thinking about it, but getting to chant live that sami zayn sucks alongside my brothers and like two other random kids in the audience will live with me forever tbh. and 2. when we got into watching old (we're talking about like 2016) nxt with @ss-trashboat to get her back into watching wrestling after a few years and yeah. it literally started with her saying she had never seen tyler breeze and here we are now, like two years later, watching (at least my first) g1 together <3 wrestling brings people together, as its also the thing that brought us together like eleven years ago as friends to begin with, so. yeah im very fond of stuff like this <33

#wrestling musing #you wanted me to ramble here i ramble #thank you babe <33 #coughedfeathers #thank you for asking! <3

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debbiechanclub · 3 years ago

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Know You Better Now (*new* BTOOT sequel), Part 1

The title is the same, but I assure you the content is all shiny and new! The revamped BTOOT sequel is here!

Thank you to everyone for your patience on this. I just lost interest/direction for the original sequel after Ethan all but disappeared off Dynamite, but I'm honestly kind of glad I did because I like this new version so. Much. More. And we have Kenny's facial hair to thank for it.

So enough talking - enjoy! And please let me know what you think!

Know You Better Now

Synopsis: Nearly nine months have passed since Alex's freak shoulder injury, and she's still not cleared for action. But while Kenny has been a source of strength for her throughout her recovery, all her other relationships are in shambles - and she's finding it harder and harder to reconcile the Kenny she knows behind closed doors with his persona as the "Belt Collector."

Part: 1/?

Pairing: Kenny Omega x OFC x TBD 👀

Word count: 4.6k

Warnings: Language, ANGST

Find more of my fics here.

Tag squad: @galacticstat @hotyeehawman @hdbngsprnva @heelchampbucks @kingswitchblade @bec0m @betsy-bradock @linziland13 @librathepheonix13 @gabbynorth98 @exe-babymox-exe @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch @brokenglassslippers @rocca09 @meteora-fc @kawaiikels @adriii-omega @thatgirlforever5 @sugar-melts-mo-fo

May 30, 2021 AEW Double or Nothing

Surgery with six to twelve months’ recovery time. That was the prognosis Alex had received when she’d dislocated her shoulder in September. Now, nearly nine months later, everything had changed.

“Well, there’s good news and there’s not-as-good news,” Doc Sampson started. He’d just completed yet another check-up exam on her shoulder, and Alex could tell he was trying to keep up morale. But she already knew what he was going say. “The good news is you’ve gotten the full range of mobility back. The bad news is the strength isn’t quite there yet.”

She scoffed lightly to herself. It was exactly as she suspected. “So it’s no news, in other words,” she quipped.

“At least it’s not bad news?” Kenny hopefully offered.

Doc smiled sympathetically. “Just keep at it. Resistance bands, weights; you know the drill.”

Alex’s eyebrows arched. “Yeah, I do,” she returned. It seemed like weight training and physical therapy was all she did anymore.

“Just a few more weeks,” Doc said; but in medical-speak, time was relative. Alex knew all too well that weeks could easily mean months. “Good luck tonight, Kenny,” he added, and he went out the door.

Alex’s head fell back and she groaned in frustration. Kenny wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. “It won’t be much longer,” he assured with a kiss on the side of her head.

“It’s been almost nine months,” she muttered.

“I know. But you don’t want to rush your recovery, especially for something like a shoulder injury.”

She frowned. “At this rate Anna will be back from her shoulder injury before I am.”

“What?” Kenny laughed and hugged her tighter. “No, she won’t. I give it maybe another month and you’ll be back better than you were before. Which reminds me, you should probably have some new gear made. I bet your old stuff is too big on you now.”

The sound of her laugh was muffled by his shoulder. “Because you’ve been kicking my ass every week for the last six months,” she said. If there was a silver lining to her injury, it was that she’d gotten into the best shape of her life what with all the training she’d been doing—and it was all thanks to Kenny. Truth be told, Alex didn’t know what she would have done without him over the last nine months. He’d moved her into his house so she wouldn’t have to struggle through the weeks after surgery alone; he’d set her up with his doctors; he’d driven her to physical therapy appointments and trained with her every single week. He’d been there for her in ways she couldn’t even express, and she’d fallen even more in love with him for it.

It made it that much more difficult for her to admit that the Kenny she knew in private was a far cry from the one who called himself the “Belt Collector.”

“I wouldn’t push you if I didn’t think you could handle it,” he returned with a peck on her lips. “I don’t think anyone’s gonna recognize you out there tonight.”

Alex momentarily tensed in his arms, but she didn’t relax quick enough. Kenny felt it—and he knew exactly what it was about.

“You’re not having second thoughts about it, are you?”

She looked up at him. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” she admitted.

Kenny’s face fell. “Alex… we’ve talked about this.”

“I know,” she breathed. She stepped back from him, suddenly anxious. They had talked about it, at length. It was a big statement for her to accompany him for his match tonight, because she hadn’t been seen since her injury. In fact, she’d all but gone off-grid. She hadn’t been on television; she’d barely posted on social media; she hadn’t responded to any questions for comment about her recovery or her thoughts on Kenny’s pursuits. She’d just wanted to fly under the radar until she was back in that ring for good.

But then, two-and-a-half weeks ago, the match between PAC and Orange Cassidy for a shot at Kenny’s AEW World Championship had gone to a no contest. As a result, it was decided that Kenny would defend the title in a triple threat match against them both at Double or Nothing—tonight. And as soon as the match was booked, Alex knew—she knew—that Kenny would find a way to pull her into it.

But she didn’t know if she could—or should—go out there with him. Not with the way things currently were between her and the people she’d thought were her best friends.

Kenny reached out and took her hands in his, and she looked back up at him from the floor. His blue eyes were concerned. But she could tell he was frustrated.

“I want you out there with me, baby. And yeah… I’d be lying if I said Orange wasn’t part of the reason why.”

She frowned. “Kenny—”

“Just hear me out,” he gently cut her off, and she pursed her lips. But she let him continue. “Best Friends are actually supposed to be your best friends, right? But when was the last time any of them checked in on you? I know Chuck did for a while, but Trent? He’s been a complete asshole to you.”

Alex fidgeted, her chest tightening. His words were like salt in a wound—but he wasn’t wrong. At first, Chuck had checked in on her fairly regularly… but his texts and FaceTime calls had tapered off after the first couple months. At the time, she’d just chalked it up to circumstance. She was out of sight and out of mind, and he and Orange had been put through more than their fair share of bullshit by Miro, Kip, and Penelope after Trent had torn his pec muscle in December. She couldn’t really blame him for going quiet.

But then, two months ago, Trent had returned with Kris in tow—and Alex hadn’t been able to chalk it up to circumstance any longer. And when Kris seemingly became an official member of Best Friends, she couldn’t ignore the twinge of jealousy in her gut, either. She felt forgotten. Replaced in person just as much as she had been on the Best Friends t-shirt. And the thing of it was, none of them seemed to even miss her.

Least of all Trent.

Kenny squeezed her hands, redrawing her attention. “Look… I’m not trying to turn you against them. But I can see how hurt you are by how they’ve acted over the last couple months, and it kills me. And yeah, it pisses me off, too. So… why not come out there with me tonight, looking absolutely fucking fantastic, and show Best Friends just how good you’re doing without them?”

Alex’s brow furrowed. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, there was a petty part of her that wanted to do exactly that. But the softer side of her just wanted her friends back.

“I get what you’re saying, I just... I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

“I know you do,” he sympathetically returned. “But I’m not asking you to go out there and try to keep Orange from winning. I just want you in my corner. And maybe I want to show you off a little bit, too.”

He grinned and pulled her closer, and Alex couldn’t help the coy smile that pulled at her lips. Through all their ups and downs, Kenny had never failed to make her feel special; wanted. She didn’t take that for granted—especially not now.

“I did bring a really cute outfit to wear,” she said, sliding her hands up his arms. “It would be a shame if it went to waste.”

His smile widened. “Well then you gotta wear it.”

Alex bit her lip in thought. But she didn’t think for long. She put her hands on either side of his face and gave him a tender kiss. “You know I love you, right?”

Kenny gripped her waist. “Of course, I do. I love you, too,” he returned, and he kissed her again. “Come on, you should go get ready,” he said with a pat on her backside. And as they left the exam room, Alex knew that accompanying Kenny for his match was the right decision.

It was the potential consequences that worried her.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Holy shit, I almost didn’t recognize you!”

That was what Stella had proclaimed when Alex walked into hair and makeup. It was followed by a chorus of more of the same, a parade of hugs from everyone in the room—and dozens of questions.

“How are you? You look incredible!”

“Is your shoulder cleared?”

“So, are you officially living with Kenny now?”

“I’ve been dying to know how you feel about everything going on with him.”

And Alex had done her best to field each one of them.

“I’m doing pretty well, and thanks. It seems like I’ve been filling all my free time with working out.”

“No… not yet. But hopefully in the next few weeks.”

“I mean, not officially. I still have my house in Virginia—my cousin’s been renting it out. But I don’t know. It feels like I’ve officially moved in.”

“It is what it is. He’s just being Kenny Omega.”

Thankfully, no one pressed her on that last one.

Instead, Stella was all too happy to dish on all the latest and juiciest backstage news and gossip. Anna Jay and Jungle Boy were an item. Cody had estranged himself from nearly everyone. Callie had left AEW and pro wrestling altogether—and moved in with Cash. Alex had already known about that one, but it was still strange to hear. Looking back, it was hard to believe her friendship with Callie and relationship with Cash had ever even happened at all. It felt like another life; another time.

“You’re all done, my dear,” Stella said. She handed her a mirror—and Alex was taken aback by her own reflection. Long, sleek dark brown hair; glowing fair skin; pouty nude lips; a sexy reverse cat eye that made her hazel eyes pop. She sat up a little straighter. For perhaps the first time in months, she felt herself again.

She thanked Stella and hopped out of the chair, a pep in her step as she went out the door—

“Alex?!”

She halted in her tracks. Even though she hadn’t heard it in forever, she’d recognize that voice anywhere—Kris. She held her breath and turned around; but relaxed in relief. It was just her and Orange. At least she wouldn’t have to face them all at once.

“Holy shit!” She hurried over and wrapped her in a tight hug before she could even blink. Alex was stiff and awkward as she returned it. She hadn’t expected that reaction.

“Why didn’t you tell us you’d be here tonight?” Kris asked as she stepped back from her. Alex hesitated to answer.

“Um, I thought about it. But given why I’m here…”

She trailed off and looked awkwardly at Jim. He shrugged. “It’s business,” he returned. “So I guess this means you’ll be in Kenny’s corner tonight?”

Alex crossed an arm over herself and nervously fidgeted with the skin on her elbow. She nodded. Jim’s expression remained as indecipherable as ever.

“And you look hot as fuck,” Kris perceptively interjected. “Seriously, I think I might be questioning my sexuality.”

Alex breathed a laugh—

“You should come say hi to Chuck and Trent! Trent’s gonna shit himself.”

Just like that, her smile vanished. Her lips parted in silent question, uncertain if Kris was being serious. But she looked too genuinely excited not to be.

“I… I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Alex said. “I mean, considering the last time I talked to Trent…”

She trailed off and looked down at her shoes. There had been things said by both her and Trent in the heat of the moment that had made an already uncomfortable situation worse. They hadn’t spoken in more than five months, since right before he’d gotten injured. She didn’t think now was the time to start.

“Trent has his head up his ass,” Jim said, and Alex flicked her eyes back up at him, surprised. “You know how he is with this stuff. You’ll probably have to be the bigger person.”

Alex sighed. He was probably right. But again—tonight wasn’t the night. “Now’s just not the time,” she remorsefully returned. “But I’ll see you out there. Good luck—really.”

And before either of them could say anything else, she turned and continued down the hall, digging her nails into the palms of her hands.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Maybe you shouldn’t come out there… you’re gonna distract me walking around like this.”

Alex looked at Kenny through the mirror as he sidled up behind her. He reached up and brushed her hair back from her neck, and she tilted her head so he could press his lips against her skin.

“It's too late,” she returned. “I’ve already gone through all the trouble of getting ready.”

Kenny hummed. “Well, I can take it all off for you, if you want.”

He nipped her neck, and she smirked and squirmed. Her mood had completely turned around from earlier in the night; it was amazing what a little hair and makeup and the right outfit could do. The white bustier-style crop top she wore wasn’t her usual style, but it showed off the hard work she’d put in at the gym—and it didn’t hurt that it made her boobs look amazing. And even though she’d made the outfit more “her” with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans and her white low-top Chucks, Kenny was right—they probably wouldn’t recognize her out there.

But truth be told, she’d never felt more confident.

“You can later,” she smirked, and she felt a low growl rumble in his bare chest.

“Get a room!”

Alex rolled her eyes. Matt’s voice was an unwelcome interruption from across the locker room. She’d almost forgotten that he and Nick were there.

Kenny shot a glare over his shoulder. “Why are you looking?”

Matt opened his mouth, but two quick knocks on the door cut him off before he could make a smart-ass retort, and then Don Callis walked in.

“We’re up, Ken.”

Kenny smirked at Alex. “Let’s go give the people what they really want.”

He picked up his AEW World Championship, and she helped him secure it around his waist, followed by the Impact World Championship, which he strapped across his chest. Then, he picked up the AAA Mega Championship and old TNA World Heavyweight Championship and held them in each of his hands. And Alex had to admit—it was an impressive sight, Kenny draped in championship gold. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t turn her on.

“How do I look?” he asked her.

She bit her lip. “Good. Really good.”

He grinned, cocky.

They started for the door; but before Alex could follow Don and Kenny out, Matt stopped her. “Alex.” He pushed himself up from his chair and cast Nick a glance. He stood too. She rolled her eyes. They weren’t subtle at all.

Matt gave her a discerning look. “You are one-hundred percent in Kenny’s corner… right?”

Her brow lowered dangerously. Was he really questioning her loyalty now? “Are you serious?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Well… I know Orange is one of your best friends—”

“Or he was,” Nick interjected.

“—and I just want to make sure that there aren’t any conflicts of interest.”

He smirked, obnoxiously smacking his gum between his teeth. Alex bit down on her jaw. She’d thought that maybe—maybe—Callie’s departure and her relationship with Kenny would have led her and Matt to at least be friendly with each other. But she’d thought wrong.

She gave him a tight smile. “Don’t worry your pretty little head, Matt. The only conflict going on here is the one between what you think that outfit looks like and what it actually looks like.”

He abruptly stopped chewing his gum. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

But Alex was already out the door. She caught up with Kenny and fell in step beside him. “Forget something?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. Just got held up.”

They arrived at Gorilla, and Don went on and on talking Kenny up, boosting his confidence, assuring that neither Orange nor PAC stood a chance; but Alex tuned him out, nervously looking around. Waiting. And then she saw them: Orange, Chuck, Kris, and Trent.

Her heart jumped into her throat when her eyes met Chuck’s. He flashed her a smile; but it wasn’t as wide or as bright as she was used to.

“Hey. It’s good to see you,” he said, and he gave her arm a squeeze as he passed. She said nothing in response—just a tight grin of acknowledgement. Entirely impersonal compared to how they used to greet each other.

It’s the circumstances, she tried to tell herself.

Orange and Kris greeted her in much the same way, with awkward half-smiles as they walked by; Kris seemed apologetic, for some reason. And then, Trent reached her. His expression was cold, his eyes hard, and then he muttered underneath his breath, just loud enough for her to hear, “Thanks for telling us you’d be here.”

He kept walking, not waiting for her to even process what he’d said, and Alex’s heart sunk petrified into the pit of her stomach.

This was how things were now. She felt stupid for hoping for different.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alex had known it would be difficult to be ringside for this match. But, sixteen minutes into it, she hadn’t realized it would be this difficult.

PAC laid on his back, staring up at the lights courtesy of a bridging deadlift suplex into a pin attempt from Kenny. So, with him taken care of for the moment, Kenny turned his attention to Orange. He pulled his right kneepad down, and Alex had to stop herself from watching through her fingers as he kneed Orange hard in the face, once, and then again. She could feel the eyes of the fans at ringside watching her with keen interest, trying to gauge her reactions. They’d been shocked to see her come out with Kenny, and now her presence provided them with an extra layer of entertainment. At least Chuck, Trent, and Kris weren’t at ringside, too; they’d walked Orange out and promptly disappeared backstage. Alex didn’t know what she would have done if they’d stayed.

Kenny backed toward the ropes, aiming to deliver a third and final V-Trigger. But before he could, Orange held up his hands as if to tell him “stop.” And then he plunged them into his pant pockets and fell facedown onto the mat.

Kenny laughed, but he couldn’t care less. He walked over and started to pick Orange up; but then a revived PAC grabbed him and hit him with a hard forearm. They traded blows and kicks in the middle of the ring until Orange suddenly intervened and hit Kenny with a Michinoku Driver. However, Kenny rolled away and PAC hit Orange with a brainbuster. He covered him, but Orange thankfully kicked out at two.

Alex put her hand on Kenny’s shoulder as he laid underneath the ropes, halfway out of the ring. “Are you alright?”

But he didn’t answer her question. Instead, he said, “Go get one of my belts.”

She looked back at him in confusion. “What?”

“Go get one of my belts in case.”

Alex blinked and shook her head. She could not believe what he was asking her to do. “What? No, Kenny, I’m not doing that. You don’t need—”

But he rolled away, back underneath the ropes into the ring. PAC and Orange were in a precarious position on the top turnbuckle closest to them. It looked like PAC was trying to execute a superplex—but Kenny jumped up and shoved PAC off-balance, causing Orange to tumble from his grip and bounce off the ring apron to the floor. Alex started to check on him—but then she remembered she wasn’t out there for him and stopped short. She ran her hands over her hair, helpless. Inwardly hoping that he was alright.

Meanwhile, PAC had reversed Kenny’s attempt at a One-Winged Angel from the top turnbuckle and sent him sailing across the ring via a sunset flip powerbomb. They stood atop the opposite turnbuckle now, and Alex’s eyes widened in horror when PAC delivered an avalanche Falcon Arrow. But then, Orange suddenly scrambled back into the ring, tossed PAC out, and hooked Kenny’s leg. Every single person packed into Daily’s Place jumped from their seats as Bryce Remsburg slid to the mat and started to count. Kenny barely kicked out before three. Alex leaned her elbows on the ring apron, her head in her hands. That had been way too close.

All around her the fans started chanting, “That was three!” booming in her ears, and she bit down on her jaw. Kenny rolled out of the ring and stumbled over to her. For some reason, she already knew what for.

“Alex, go get one of my belts,” he said again. It was an order, not a question. But she stood her ground.

“No! I’m not helping you win like that!”

He let out a frustrated huff. “Baby, now’s not the time to argue about this. Just go get—”

She cut him off with a gasp as PAC came flying over the top rope headed straight for them. Kenny shoved her out of the way at the last second, taking all the impact himself and getting knocked to the floor. PAC, meanwhile, sprung back up and to the top turnbuckle. He slowly stood—and when Alex saw him jump into the air and perform the Black Arrow, she knew she had just seconds to act. She jumped over Kenny and rounded the turnbuckle as PAC hooked Orange’s leg. And just before Bryce could count three, she grabbed Orange’s boot and put it on the bottom rope.

Bryce stopped the count and pointed at Orange’s foot, none the wiser to what had happened. The fans, on the other hand, showered Alex with thunderous boos. Realizing what she’d done, PAC turned and shot her a glower that seemed almost inhuman. But she just pursed her lips and raised her chin in defiance.

Kenny pulled himself up by the ropes and ducked back into the ring, grinning like the cat that caught the canary, and the match went on, back and forth between him and PAC—until Orange scored another near-fall after he hit Kenny with a frantic Beach Break. PAC then tried for a Liger Bomb on Orange, but he fought out of it and landed a hard Orange Punch across his jaw, dropping him to the mat. Then he gave one to Kenny, and the crowd came unglued.

Orange fed off their energy, pumping himself up as PAC staggered to his feet. He hit another Orange Punch and went for the pin. Time seemed to stop as Alex watched, her heart in her throat and her hands on her head. She didn’t want Kenny to lose at all, let alone like this. But just as Bryce started the count, Don appeared out of nowhere and pulled him from the ring by his ankles.

Alex stood frozen to her spot as Bryce and Don yelled at each other, and she fully expected the former to expel the latter from ringside—but he didn’t. He simply got back in the ring, and the match continued. Don walked toward Alex, straightening his suit jacket. “Good work putting Orange’s foot on the ropes,” he said to her.

She didn’t say anything in return. She didn’t want a compliment from the likes of him.

Back in the ring, Kenny had been knocked to the floor once again—and PAC had the Brutalizer locked on Orange. When Kenny finally made it back through the ropes, he kicked PAC in the face once, twice. But he didn’t let go of his hold on Orange. So instead, Kenny made the desperate decision to hit Bryce with a hard double axe handle to the back.

The crowd booed, and Alex hid her face in her hands. “Come on, Ken…” she breathed. Not like this.

Meanwhile, Don took the initiative to do what Kenny had been asking Alex to do all along. He grabbed the Impact Championship from the timekeeper’s area and tossed it to Kenny in the ring. Kenny caught it, and then he turned and clocked PAC over the head. He dropped like dead weight to the mat, and Kenny tossed the belt aside, the fans still booing all the while.

But apparently, one belt wasn’t enough.

Don tossed in the Triple A Mega Championship next, and as PAC staggered to his feet, Kenny hit him again. Then he threw in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Alex had to bite her lip to keep from shouting at Kenny to stop. She looked away just before he hit PAC a third time.

Finally, Don handed Kenny the AEW World Championship. He took it and held it high above his head, gloating, reveling in the crowd’s hatred. Somehow, PAC was still moving, trying to stay in the match. But just as he climbed to his feet for a third time, Kenny hit him again and knocked him down for good.

Kenny held the championship up again, parading around the ring. He didn’t notice Orange darting toward him until it was too late. He laid him out with another Orange Punch across the jaw.

Orange crawled toward Kenny, obviously going for the pin; but Bryce was still down from Kenny’s earlier attack. However, it didn’t matter. As soon as he draped himself across Kenny’s chest, Aubrey ran down to the ring. Alex grabbed her own throat as she counted.

One.

Two—

But unexpectedly, Kenny reversed the pin and rolled Orange’s shoulders to the mat in a crucifix. Aubrey counted again.

One.

Two.

Three.

That was it. The bell rung, and Kenny’s music started. Alex let out a breath. He’d won by the skin of his fucking teeth.

She and Don both rushed to Kenny’s side as Justin Roberts officially announced him the winner. He clutched his jaw, and somehow his left hand had been sliced open. “What happened?” she asked, looking over the blood on his fingers with concern. But he wasn’t able to answer her before they were suddenly swarmed by both the Young Bucks and the Good Brothers. Matt and Nick practically pushed her aside as they congratulated Kenny, and Nick and Karl Anderson put an arm each over their shoulders and helped him up the steps to the entrance ramp. And as they all celebrated, reveling in Kenny’s stolen victory, Alex felt a sourness curdle at the back of her throat.

She was in love with Kenny. He’d come to mean the world to her over the last nine months. But she hadn’t signed up for this world.

#aew fanfiction #kenny omega fanfiction #the elite fanfiction #orange cassidy fanfiction #trent beretta fanfiction #chuck taylor fanfiction #kris statlander fanfiction

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omegatheunknown · 3 years ago

Text

On AEW's "Four Pillars"

I understand the metaphor is that they're a solid foundation for the future... but if it were me I'd avoid comparisons to the Four Pillars of Heaven and quickly append a descriptive word... The Four Pillars of... something. Point is, MJF said 'Pillar' a lot on Wednesday and I wanted to take a look at the boys individually and as a set. Threw in my 40 point scale for my own amusement, 30+ usually rounds out to 'main event talent.'

Notably, it's extremely obvious who this group is: under 30, in AEW from day 1, have shown star quality and have paired with a legend or two along the way. It doesn't include other good but less prominent prospects like Dante & Darius Martin, Lee Johnson, Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen, Brock Anderson, Wheeler Yuta, Lee Moriarty, Fuego Del Sol, Sonny Kiss, Brian Pillman Jr or uh... the Gunns. Daniel Garcia has a long future knocking down pillars, most likely.

Darby Allin (b. 1993 - 28) Work-7 Mic-6 Look-8 X-10 (31)

Darby Allin is neither the best wrestler nor the best talker, his look is the kind of thing that isn't 'cool' per se (many are dubious about the skinny hot topic skate geek when they first see him,) yet he commands attention and possesses an unmistakable aura. He also loves any and all dangerous looking spots. It's a tired comparison, but factor in his brooding sex appeal and he really is the natural heir to the charismatic enigma. They've paired him with Sting, he was CM Punk's first match in 7 years, he's held the TNT title, and in no small part due to his penchant for risk and flair for the dramatic in his self-shot artistic promos, he's been part of several memorable moments already.

He fights from underneath pretty much as a rule, taking a beating due to his size and powering through on daring -- he's definitely found a niche inside the ring. His pace is incredible, and he bumps like he means it. I think my biggest knock against Darby's long-term prospects are the alleged skeletons in his closet -- whether pro wrestling is doomed to always be 'carny shit' or not, it's in everybody's best interests to root out real life heels. They've confronted Sammy G's immature sense of humour, I don't know how closely they want to examine some of the things you hear about Darby -- but shouldn't they?

Sammy Guevara (b. 1993 - 28) Work-8 Mic-7 Look-7 X-8 (30)

'The Spanish God' does indeed have formidable gifts -- a face just straddling the line between cute and punchable atop a body that can match pace with the likes of Flamita, Rey Horus, Mike Bailey and even Ricochet back in 2017. Chris Jericho took one look at Sammy G and climbed right aboard -- it's been a long winding path (aforementioned suspension for gross 'jokes' included) through the Inner Circle and the Pinnacle and all that, but Sammy's star has risen steadily throughout, to the point where he can beat Miro and I'm not even upset about it really that much at all (it's fine.)

He's the best in-ring performer of this quartet right now, and he's arguably the most well-rounded. He's turned as a character once already, I think he's comfortable playing most sides in most angles. He's yet to have a big solo feud (Shawn Spears?) or stand-out match in AEW, probably his best match to-date was against MJF earlier this year. He's now the mid-card champion, so now's the time.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman 'MJF' (b 1996 - 25) Work-6 Mic-10 Look-8 X-8 -- 33

Any appraisal of MJF starts with his stand-out gift, which is praised so often people even start to levy complaints about him being overrated -- that's how you know MJF is great on the stick. Wrestling is very simple actually. Heat is heat, and cheap heat is different from lazy heat, and the clichés are clichés for a reason -- the boy's a maestro and there's no such thing as a wrestler 'peaking' on their promos in their mid 20s. He'll keep talking and finding ways to piss off everyone.

His ring work is of the old-school heel variety, which usually requires him to work to try and deny the crowd the exciting maneuvers of his opponent. Bobby Roode's NXT run is probably the blueprint for just how well this can still work, but at the time Bobby had been at it for close to twenty years (but hey, developmental...) He has a great look for where he's at -- big and strong enough to be a threat worth taking seriously and a smug mug that ranks pretty high on the all-time list.

I kind of want to quibble with Jericho as-Mentor: did MJF need a sparring partner on the mic considering he was already ascendant, and did Sammy need to be tagging with a middle-aged man to shine in the ring? He did accentuate their strengths, though, it made for good TV.

'Jungle Boy' Jack Perry (b 1997 - 24) Work-8 Mic-5 Look-8 X-9 -- 30

Youngest and most literally baby-faced, Jungle Boy is very over, on the strength of his boyish good looks, his fun tag team, his great theme song, and as of late, his being the Robin to Christian Cage's older version of Spiderman. One might expect the son of TV's Dylan McKay to be a little more natural on the mic, but standing next to an all-time snarker like Christian should help. He's still boyishly skinny but he's taller than Adam Cole and I'm not convinced he couldn't basically be Omega-sized in a decade.

His work suits his size and gimmick, he's daring and speedy, he's no technician but 'the snare trap' and other holds are laid in convincingly. Like the rest of the group he has presence, and he's generally booked well -- AEW has made sure to get him his reps and he continues to improve and is almost always adjacent to serious talent. That said, in his current form he's maybe plateauing. What's it going to take to turn this Jungle Boy into a Jungle Man, you know?

#aew #mjf #jungle boy #darby allin #sammy guevara #...curious if anybody cares for this kind of thing #not that apathy will deter me from doing the 4 pillars of the women's division later #wrestling reviews

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doctormomwriter · 3 years ago

Text

The List Pt 2

See disclaimer from part 1!!

"Ivy girl. Where is this even coming from? Is this because of what Tay said?" Max had walked to the door of the bathroom.

I swung it open. Not caring about my towel at this point.

"How did you know about that?" I covered my eyes.

"Because I interogated them when you ran off earlier.." Max smirked.

"Well, I just, you know I try really hard to not care what people think. I try hard to just be who I am, but it's hard. I want to look like them and I don't think I ever will." I sat on the bed and looked up at him. I felt so stupid.

"You do not have to look like them to be beautiful. Do you even realize how many dudes out here look at you daily? You can be pretty at any size." His eyebrows furrowed and he looked almost angry.

"You don't have to be nice just because we are friends." I whispered.

"Let me be clear with you, I am not nice. I am not a nice guy in general. I like you because I like your personality and I think you are very talented at your job. I like spending time with you at the gym not because I want you to lose weight, but because I thought it might make you feel more confident just going. I do not care if you are 100 pounds or 4000 pounds. You are a cool person." Max cleared his throat like he did not just tell me he liked me.

"Thank you.." I stood up from the bed. "I will go for like an hour, but I am only having two drinks.." I pouted.

"Yes! That's my girl." He did not move from the bed.

"Hey Max..."

"Yeah."

"I kinda need to get dressed first." I was blushing red.

"Oh, I know. I'll wait." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Just close your eyes, you stubborn menace!" I threw a pillow at him. "No peeking!"

When he covered his eyes with the pillow, I started searching for an outfit. I settled on a black cocktail dress that I always pack in case of a conference, but never end up wearing because it clings to my hips too much. I slipped on some panties and a strapless bra. I felt suffocated in it. My boobs spilled out the top, but it was the only non sports bra I packed this time. I walked to the bathroom with the dress and started doing my hair and make up which did not take too long. I put some moose on my wet curls and some pink lipstick on. A little eyeliner on my top lids and mascara. When I walked out Max was playing candy crush on his phone.

"Okay, lets go. This is as good as it gets." I shrugged and grabbed my purse.

"Yep! Lets go!" Max seemed stunned or confused again. I was not sure, but he was moving us down the hall to the elevator so fast I could barely keep up.

He did not say another word to me the whole drive down to the bar. It was like he was holding his breath. When we got out he said he was grabbing us drinks and I sat at the table next to Wardlow who was talking to Miro. Wardlow turned around to see who was sitting near him and his eyes widened. I started to feel like I looked like a grub worm.

"Jesus girl, where have you been hiding all night!" He gave me a one arm hug and it felt extra tight.

Miro peeked around him and waved at me. I was starting to feel elephant sized again. The girls came over and started talking to me like they had not just crushed my soul earlier this afternoon. They gave me hugs and cheek kisses. Everyone kept telling me how pretty I looked and part of me felt happy and the other half felt like they were only being nice out of pity. After what felt like an eternity, Max came back with drinks.

"Thank you!" I gladly accepted the alcohol to make me feel less tense.

Tay walked over to Max and asked him to dance. She pulled him by his sleeve onto the dance floor and that is when the party really started. I shot down the rest of my drink. I looked at Wardlow and told him I was about to be a problem. He shook his head and giggled. Fist bumping me under the table. I walked to the bar and ordered a double shot with sugar free cherry chaser. After four shots in 30 seconds I was feeling pretty good. A man at the bar put his arm around my shoulder and it was too crowded of a spot for me to make a quick escape. He whispered in my ear and I could smell his stinky beer breath.

to be continued..

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darktammy · 4 years ago

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The right kind of love (ch7)

@bss-babygirl @beenlovingromansincedayoneish @living-the-life-1996 @moxleybabe @moxslildevil2021 @fabulousrockstar @sausagefest1996 @angiem91 @bluepunkrock @sassymox

AEW was live and all you did was watch from the crowd. You was wearing Cassidy’s jean jacket because, when he saw you walk in to the building with a white low v cut tank top and some tight jeans that hug your curves, he saw not ready for that look. He made you smile to know that he love it. She thought he must have love the look a bit too much because she remember what he told her. “Hey hey Y/n take me jacket please.” Cassidy walk up behind her and right there she felt his cock getting hard. “Is that pipe in your pants Cassidy or are you just happy to see me.?” She ask him with a smile. Cassidy gave her a death stair while she laugh. “Alright big boy, I’ll be out there tonight with the crowed. See you soon.” Y/n gave him a kiss on his cheek as she walk away.

Now you watch as Cassidy match came on. You smiled as you watch him and Miro fight. You shook your head due to the fact that him and his wife luna are not together. Made you wish WWE can finally let her go so she can be with him. She knew how much they miss each other. After the match saw over you walk to the back to catch up with the guys. “Hey Miro great job out there.” She said with a smile. “Yeah thanks a lot, I just wish my wife was here.” He told her. “Yeah me too.” She said.

Cassidy walk up from behind Y/n hugging her. “So how did I do tonight?” He ask. She look back at him. “Well you did great 10 out of 10 for me.’ She said laughing. “Oh be careful there Y/n, remember your brother is around.” Miro told them. They both nodded as everyone walk away.

Later on Eddie was walking down the hallway with Jon talking about their match until the good brothers stop and laugh at them. “Hey man look who’s here the drunken buddies.” They said “Oh yeah it’s the loser who don’t know when to quit.” Eddie said “Hey the both of you stop it.” Tony said walking in. “The both of leave I need to talk to my guys alone.” The good brothers left as Tony look at Jon. “Hey man your sister’s stories are great before she leave for her break can you tell her to give guys two weeks of writing?” Tony ask. “Yeah sure I mean you could have ask her yourself, I mean she is here.” Jon said. Tony laugh as he pat Jon on his back. “Nah man she left with Cassidy like about 30 mins ago.” Tony said making Jon’s eyes widen. Eddie was just as surprise as Jon.

Cassidy walk out with two drinks in his hand. Y/n took the beer out of his hand. “Thank you love.” She said with a smile on her face. Cassidy smile back as he turn up the music. “Slow dance I like it.” She told him. “Well I mean I’m just guess here. So yeah can’t wait until where all lone. Just us both. I mean I’m just going to tell you right now. It’s going to be a farm house where we're going.” Cassidy told her. Y/n was confuse. “A farm house?” She said. “Yeah my grandparent gave it to me so yeah that’s were we’re heading to.” He told her drinking his beer. She smile as she look down. “You know I think I’m going to have fun, I can’t wait and no Jon have no clue. Renee yes and before you say anything yes I can trusted her. She won’t tell him.” She told him.

After a few beers that Y/n drank down she was already light headed. She laugh while they watch a movie together. Then she look at Cassidy with a smile. “Oh big boy I think I have an itch that need to be scratch.” She said as she crawl on top of him. “Hey are you sure that’s a good idea?” Cassidy ask her. “She smile as she nodded her head. “Nah your drunk and I’m sorry but, I’m not going to do that…” Y/n kisses Cassidy right on the lips as she took his hand and move it up to her hips. Cassidy pulled Y/n off just to turn her around. “Hey your little drink I think you need to sleep it off.” Cassidy look down at her. She sigh as she look up at him. “Alright fine then you win baby boy.” She laugh. Cassidy lay next to her as he held her close to him.

They where both watching tv until there was aloud knock at his door. “What the hell?” Cassidy said getting up. Y/n sat up just to see who it was. Cassidy open the door to see Eddie and Jon. “Where the hell is my sister at!?” Jon said walking in. “Hey get out!” Cassidy said. Eddie walk right passed Cassidy as well. Y/n got up and walk up to Jon. “Hey Jon stop yelling I’m fine.” She told him. Jon look at her and nodded. “Yeah your drunk let’s go.” Jon say grabbing her bag then her arm. “Jon let me go will ya.” She said as they both started to walk out. “Jon she’s old enough to do what ever she wants.” Cassidy told Jon.

Eddie stop Cassidy with a smile. “Hey man Jon just told ya fuck off.” Eddie said pushing Cassidy. Then Cassidy push Eddie back making Y/n look back to see Eddie punching Cassidy hard in his face. “Cassidy!” She said trying to break free from Jon. “Come on let’s go home.” Jon said picking her over his shoulder. Y/n try to fight Jon off while he walk back to his car. Kenny open his door to see Eddie walk out of Cassidy place. “What the hell did you do?” Eddie laugh as he walk away making Kenny run inside to see Cassidy lay on the ground. “Damn it.” Kenny pulled out his phone to make some calls. Then Kenny see Jon putting Y/n in the back of the car. Then Jon get’s in the driver sits and drove off. “Now I see why she left that house.” Kenny said as he walk back inside.

After Jon park his car Y/n got out from the back in tears. “Hey get back here Y/n.” Jon said as he to get out. “Y/n are you alright?” Renee ask. “No ok your husband came and just took me away from Cassidy.” Jon look at Renee as he explained. “Yeah because you was drunk at his place and we know you very well when you get drunk.” Jon said as he pulled her into the house. Renee followed right behind. “Jon my sister is old enough to know what she’s doing let her go.” She told him. “Y/n pulled her arm free as she look at him. “I don’t know why but, it’s my life Jon you're not my father ok?” Jon look at Y/n, “Yeah she old enough yeah you're old enough to do what ever you want right? You couldn’t even get out of that problem with Roman you need help with your uncle for that one right?” Jon said making Y/n cry a little. “I don’t know why Jon but you need to stop acting like a big brother, because last time check you couldn’t even save your damn sister from being a crake head!” Jon slaps Y/n hard across her face making Renee mad to the point when she slaps Jon across the face. Y/n touch her lips see blood on her on her. “Yeah this is the exact reason why I didn’t want to come back.” Y/n said as she run upstairs to her room slamming the door.

The next morning Y/n was packing her cloths early so that way when Sunday morning comes she’ll leave. A knock was heard, “Come in.” She told them. Renee open the door and walk right in. “Hey how you feeling?” She ask. She nodded her head as she finish packing. “I just can’t wait to get away from Jon. That’s all he does now is act like he cares. I mean don’t get me wrong I know he does but come on.” She told Renee. She put her arm around Y/n as she look down. “Well remember what happen with our mothers?” Renee ask.

She nodded. “Yeah remember how they found out about each other and what our father did. I mean my mother was mad she went crazy when she found out about you.” Renee said. “Yeah I remember when dad told her about my mother. It’s sad because my mother was street walker.” Y/n said. Renee rolled her eyes. “Your not like your mother that for sure. Like I said even tho what our dad did didn’t change too much, I mean yeah she made him sleep on the couch. He had to eat in another room pretty much she was mad at him. After some time she slowly got over what happen and she learn to love you.” Renee told her.

Y/n look over at Renee, “What are you getting at Renee?” She smiled at her. My mother for gave dad. Even tho he did cheated on her but, she for gave him. Now it’s time for you and Jon to do the same.” She smiled at her. Y/n nodded as she got up. “Right I’ll get ready and meet you down stairs sis.” Renee smiled as she walk out of her room closing the door. “You see champ that’s all she needs.” Jon shrug as he kiss Renee. “You always fix everything.” Jon smiled at her.

#aew fanfiction #orange cassidy #jon moxely #renee young #tony khan #kenny omega #Eddie kingstion

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wrestlingisfake · 3 years ago

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All Out preview

Here we go with AEW's annual Labor Day weekend show in Hoffman Estates, just like the original All In show three years ago. I have been going to wrestling shows for days, and it all comes down to this!

The show starts at 8pm EDT, streaming on Bleacher Report (in the US and Canada) and Fite.tv for $49.99. A free pre-show will be available at 7pm EDT.

CM Punk vs. Darby Allin - This is CM Punk's first pro wrestling match since January 26, 2014, when he spent 49 minutes in the Royal Rumble working with a staph infection and a possible concussion. The following night he walked out of WWE, leading to seven and a half years of debate about what is next move would/should be. Two weeks ago he debuted with AEW and declared that he wanted to help the younger talent, starting with a match against Allin. Allin, for his part, took some exception to being the first opponent, as if he's just a stepping stone to bigger matches.

The big issue here is seeing how well Punk, 42, has held up after seven years away. I've seen reports that he's looking good in training, but you just don't know until the bell rings. Regardless, I expect the hometown crowd to be very forgiving to Punk, and Allin is good enough to carry the match if he really has to.

I feel like I ought to have more to say about this, but it also feels like everything's been said. I can't believe Punk would lose his first match in. But I can believe that if Punk insisted on doing the job, AEW would let him do that. It'd be unusual for the returning guy to come up short, but New Japan does that sometimes and it can work as a longer build to the first win. Still, it is Chicago (sort of), so my gut says Punk wins to let us feel special.

Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage - Omega is defending the AEW men's world title. For months, Omega held four different belts, representing championships in AEW, AAA, and Impact Wrestling. But on August 13 Christian defeated Omega for the Impact/TNA world title (and later retired the TNA belt), leaving Kenny more vulnerable than ever. The AAA and Impact titles aren't at stake in this match, so no matter who what happens the winner will be a double champion.

Cage is a great wrestler, but not a great challenger for this match. For months the storytelling pointed towards Hangman Page in this spot, but Page was abruptly written off television so he could take paternity leave. I don't think anybody resents Christian for filling in, but nobody really expects the 47-year-old, recently returned from a seven-year retirement, to win the big one. It's also a rematch of something we already saw a few weeks ago, which isn't a big deal but it's a bit of a talking point when everyone is always dogging WWE for excessive rematches.

The big go-home angle on September 1 was that Omega, the Young Bucks, and their buddies destroyed Christian, the Lucha Bros., and their buddies. After the show went off the air Tony Khan promised that this kind of bullshit interference wouldn't happen in the Bucks-Lucha Bros. cage match. Well, okay, but this match doesn't have a steel cage, so I have a feeling there will be plenty of bullshit interference. And I'm willing to bet that interference gives Omega the win while somewhat protecting Christian.

Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson vs. Penta El 0M & Rey Fenix - The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick) are defending the AEW tag team title. The Lucha Bros. won a four-team tournament to earn this shot. The Bucks have relied on a lot of outside interference from their entourage lately, so to counter that this match will be held inside a steel cage. In AEW, the only way to win a cage match is by pinfall or submission.

I was at All Out 2019 when these teams last met in a crazy ladder match (which feels like a million years ago). Everyone raved about it, and also worried that the Bucks damn near killed themselves. Personally I had a really shitty view of the ring, which made it hard to follow the match. This time I've got a much better view, so I'm looking forward to some good karma.

In theory the Bucks have sworn off doing the dangerous shit from the ladder match, but technically this is a cage match so maybe they'll just do different dangerous shit. Personally I'm more intrigued by seeing them change their game to fit in the confines of the cage, which doesn't lend itself to springboard flips off the ropes. But the cage has places to stand at the top, which will encourage the idea of setting up crazy highspots.

I feel like a title change is possible, but I could just as easily see the Bucks hold the belts for another six months. Santana and Ortiz seem to be next in line for a shot, and honestly I think that would work with either of these teams. But I guess I'll lean towards the Bucks retaining.

Chris Jericho vs. MJF - MJF defeated Jericho on November 7, 2020, to earn entry into Jericho's stable, the Inner Circle. MJF inevitably betrayed Jericho and formed his own stable, the Pinnacle, which beat the Inner Circle on May 5, 2021. Jericho was so determined to get revenge that he accepted MJF's terms to perform five "labors" to earn a rematch, but MJF beat Jericho once again on August 18, 2021. So now MJF is 3-0 against Jericho. (For some reason we're counting the ten-man match on May 5 but not the other one on May 30, which Jericho's team won, but whatever.) To get this final rematch, Jericho has put his career on the line.

Suddenly everything else in this storyline has taken a back seat to the idea that this may really be the end of Chris Jericho's 30-year in-ring career. There are plenty of fans who think Jericho, 50, should hang it up, but now that it might actually happen I think people aren't so sure they're ready for it all to end. The timing for Jericho to tease this is perfect, because he could easily just win and go another couple of years, or he could easily just finish today.

Part of what makes this work so well is MJF. I think everyone recognizes that MJF is going to be a top name in the 2020s, and that Jericho wants to make this guy. So it's like, if Jericho can get retired by anyone he wants, why wouldn't he pick MJF? I think the match will feel a little flat if Jericho comes up short yet again, but if it's the end of his career it suddenly doesn't matter if he's lost too many times, y'know?

Still, something tells me this isn't the end. Something tells me Jericho has more he wants to do. And something tells me, in a few years, we may be wondering if it would have been better if he retired on this show.

Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander - Baker is defending the AEW women's world title. I expect to like this match but there's not really much to it. Baker was feuding with Red Velvet a while back and then Statlander made the save for Velvet. Baker and her crony Rebel have brought in Jamie Hayter to stack the deck against Statlander and Velvet. I think it's way too soon for Baker to drop the title, and I don't expect Kris to be the one to take it from her. So this is kind of a formality to kill time until Baker vs. Thunder Rosa down the road.

Miro vs. Eddie Kingston - Miro's AEW TNT championship is on the line. Somehow in the past year Miro has gone from Kip Sabian's gamer buddy to a monster heel who thinks God has anointed him to beat the shit out of people. Kingston has gone from a gutless heel to the most beloved guy in AEW. Wrestling is great.

Anyway, I love both of these guys, but I can't just bet that all the wrestlers have a good time. If Eddie's going to win a championship, it really ought to be in New York. I realize Chicago is AEW's favorite and we get all the good shit, but I've had my CM Punk ice cream and I'm maaaaaybeee going to get the Bryan Danielson debut too, so I'm willing to let New York have this one thing. Just this one time.

Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima - Moxley is the new GCW world champion following a surprise appearance at last night's GCW show; I assume that does not turn this into a title match. Moxley told top contender Nick Gage "you know where to find me," and it's anyone's guess if Gage will show up here to accept that invitation.

Mox is a busy boy making friends everywhere he goes. For a few weeks he was angling for a match with a top New Japan Pro Wrestling star on this show. The leading candidate was Hiroshi Tanahashi, but several other interesting names were discussed by fans and pundits alike. After that buzz, Kojima is a bit of a letdown.

Don't get me wrong, it's cool to get a guy who's held the IWGP heavyweight title, the All Japan Triple Crown, and the NWA world title. Kojima's a legend. But at this stage of his career, he's the guy New Japan sends when the real stars aren't available. Besides which, my cup runneth over when it comes to 50-year-old guys showing up to prove they can wrestle like they're 40. And I don't think anybody really believes Kojima can beat Moxley.

Ideally, this match should end with a video message from a bigger New Japan name calling out Moxley. I'm not confident that will happen. Then again, at this point I wouldn't be surprised if Moxley showed up in NXT UK to pick a fight with WALTER.

Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall - Formerly the Giant in WCW and the Big Show in WWE, Wight debuted with AEW earlier this year as a color commentator. QT and his goons were picking on Wight's broadcast partner Tony Schiavone when Wight intervened, setting up this match.

I was actually kind of into the idea of this until Marshall showed photos of Wight's recent hip surgery. Up to that point, they'd managed to keep me from noticing if Wight could move okay, and I was willing to accept he could do a basic squash match without a problem. But now I just assume he's broken down and he'll need a lot of smoke and mirrors to do even a simple match. Maybe that's the plan, to get me to lower my expectations and be pleasantly surprised. I sure hope it works out.

I'm about 95% sure Wight clobbers QT and just wins handily. There's a chance QT's squad pulls enough shenanigans to get a bullshit win, but I'm not sure what the point would be.

21-woman Casino Battle Royale - This is AEW's funky concept for a gauntlet battle royale. Five women start the match, and then every five minutes another wave of five enters; the 21st entrant gets to come out alone. Eliminations can occur at any time, by exiting the ring over the top rope to the floor. The last woman left after the others have been eliminated is declared the winner, and receives a future title match against the AEW women's champion.

AEW has announced 20 participants: Abadon, Anna Jay, Big Swole, Diamante, Emi Sakura, Hikaru Shida, Jade Cargill, Jamie Hayter, Kiera Hogan, KiLynn King, Leyla Hirsch, Nyla Rose, Penelope Ford, Rebel, Red Velvet, Riho, Skye Blue (a late substitution for Julia Hart), Tay Conti, The Bunny, Thunder Rosa.

The 21st spot has been left open for a surprise. Ruby Soho (formerly Ruby Riott in WWE) is widely expected to join AEW, and this would be a sensible spot for that to happen. But there are other women who could potentially debut here as a swerve.

I always want to pick the surprise entrant to win these things, but they really haven't done all that well in AEW battle royales. I could see them giving the win to, say, Big Swole, and just having Britt Baker beat her a few weeks later on Dynamite. Or Thunder Rosa could win to set up a major program for the next pay-per-view. They have a lot of options, which makes it hard to predict but fun to watch.

Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor & Wheeler YUTA & Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy vs. Matt Hardy & Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy & Jack Evans & Angelico - This is booked for the pre-show. Hardy's heel group has been feuding with most of the midcard babyfaces for months. I don't expect this match will blow off the feud, but it'd be nice if it did so we could move on to something else. Orange's team should probably win.

#aew #all out #cm punk #darby allin #kenny omega #christian cage #the young bucks #lucha bros #cannot *believe* i managed to get this done

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isconnormcdavidok · 4 years ago

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I was tagged by both @caixxa and @thosedaysthatwill to give the last twenty opening sentences I’ve written

1. “It’s fucking cold out, a few weeks after Esa’s 15th birthday and he takes the cigarette Teuvo offers, they need to find somewhere to crouch for a little while, until the sun comes back up and there are neon lights up and down the street but most of them need to be buying or selling.” (You’re Not Allowed To Save Him)

2. “At this point in his life Kimmo should be old enough to ignore Sami Kapanen’s business suggestions, he helped him buy a goddamn Liiga team.” (This Is Holiness)

3. “Teuvo is as rigorous about his post game work out as Rod was back in the day and he’s sitting in his office, home game losses still smarting after all these years and Rod’s not surprised when his door opens, Teuvo walking in and Rod’s seen the pictures from when he was drafted, he’s gotten older and more solid but not much bigger.” (I Want The Guts And Glory)

4. “Given when the IIHF Hall of Fame induction happens, Kimmo knows Teuvo can’t accompany him.” (In The Biblical Sense and Sensibility)

5. “Esa is the first star of the game with a couple of assists and a goal on his stick and Tyler’s grinning because this means it’s Esa’s turn to pick and Tyler is positively gleeful when he says that.” (And Company Wants More)

6. “Teuvo’s been waiting for this, the weight of the gun in the pocket of his hoodie steadying as he walks towards Esa’s parents apartment.” (And Here’s The Tragedy)

7. “Mat’s fifteen when he has his first hit of Adderall, it kind of changes his life. Makes everything better in a way that vodka doesn’t.” (The Way You Leave A Mark)

8. “Eeli’s father had tried to sell him before, to drug dealers mostly and most of them pass but this one says he thinks the Russians would like him.” (Catch Me)

9. “Teuvo is waiting for Esa to get to his apartment for what feels like hours, he swears Esa does this on purpose, they see each other twice a season and then as much as they can over the summer and twice a season Esa drags his ass.” (Baby, lie with me a while, ‘cause we’ve got time to kill)

10. “It is 2:30 am and Sami is sitting in the back booth of the truck stop diner.” (We Can Fake It For The Airways)

11. “He shouldn’t do this.” (Put Them On Ice)

12. “The only reason the man tied to the chair is still alive is because he missed Sebastian almost entirely, grazing Sebastian’s arm and hitting Svech in the shoulder.” (Your Number One With A Bullet)

13. “The gang war between St. Louis and Dallas started years ago, before Jamie was in Dallas, long before Roope was in America but that doesn’t mean Roope isn’t familiar with it, Patrik had done jobs for Pietrangelo when they’d been desperate.” (Don’t Need To Be Saved)

14. “He doesn’t mean to find it.” (Put Your Ear To The Speaker)

15. “Kari Lehtonen is a dangerous man, the former slave had earned his freedom through savvy business deals and clever accounting and these days he ran a high price brothel near the Coliseum, the kind of place the trainees can’t afford but Jamie makes an impressive purse with every game he wins.” (Let The Games Begin)

16. “It’s not Roope has a hair trigger per se.” (White Night Fantasy)

17. “Sebastian doesn’t know how to love.” (The Worse I Crave)

18. “Jamie is working when he gets the call, reviewing a dossier of documents on a drug deal when his latest phone rings.” (Knuckleduster)

19. “Jacob looms over him more often than not. Four inches and thirty pounds representing a lot of man when Elias is on his knees, the silky sensation of the blindfold against his eyes and the cool air on his bare skin.” (Waiting Tied And Bound)

20. “Miro exhales, the stolen gun heavy in his hoodie pocket, and he walks in to seedy strip club, the bright neon lights shining, it’s right around closing time and no one other than employees should be there.” (I’m Ready For What You Give)

There’s an interesting combination of run on sentences and one short sentence but they all just throw you right into the world of the story

And I tag @peppersandcats

#ask meme #writing

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jazararose · 5 years ago

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Ghosted

One-shot based around the song Ghostin’ by Ariana Grande. I really love that song. Very beautiful, very sad. This fic is also sad, has character death and mention of drug use.

"Inuyasha!" It was the splash heard around the world. The dark haired girl came up from the pool stuttering and slapping her hair out of her face. She wanted to pout and be angry, but then she saw his face. Cheeks wide and tinted pink, his arms hugging his middle tightly. His laugh was contagious as the people around began to join in on his glee.

Though his smile was brilliant, it was really his eyes. How could she stay mad when his were lit from the inside out with his mirth. Instead of being angry she too began to laugh. Slowly she swam to the edge and offered her hand. He'd thrown her in so, the least he could do was help her out. When they connected it only to took her a second to pull him in.

Now it was his turn to sputter and flail. He thought about pouting, just to make her feel bad, but her laugh made him pause. Her eyes stopped him in his tracks. He didn't realize eyes could be so...deep. Or so warm.

"Yeah yeah, have your fun wench I'm outta here." He went to pull himself out of the pool, but her cool slick hands on his shoulders stopped him.

"Don't be grumpy." She tweaked his nose like a kid, and he wanted to glare at her and be menacing. Instead his lips came into a pout and she continued to squeal over how cute he was.

"You're so annoying." He said with a grin.

"Aren't I so lucky that you love me anyway?" It was scary. The overwhelming feeling he had to kiss her, scared him. Before he could think or act, he dunked her head under the water.

And so began the epic splash fight of 2013.

7 years later...

"Sorry for your loss." Said the faceless person for the umpteenth time. Inuyasha rubbed his face, doing his best to hold in his sigh. He gave a weak smile when the same person gave him a clap on the shoulder. Probably meant to be comforting no doubt, but it only served to further irritate the young man.

It'd been 90 minutes of this torment. The smiling, the talking, the hand shaking. He was over it. He sighed again. The funeral wasn't even until tomorrow, this was just the viewing for family, friends, and other members of the community.

"Yash!" He looked up at that, the first greeting to actually catch his attention in a while.

"Sup, Miro." The two embraced, you know in that manly way where they only use one arm. "Hi Sango." He said turning to the brunette at his buddy's side.

"I'm so sorry Yash." Sango stood on the tips of her toes to wrap her arms around Inuyasha's neck. He met her in the middle and they stayed like that for awhile. Sango was rubbing his back and he took a long shuttering breath before pulling back.

"Do you want to see her?" He said quietly. This was the hard part. The part he was glad Ms. Higurashi allowed him to do privately. He'd come early so he could be alone with her.

Gingerly he took Sango's arm and they walked towards the silver casket. It was tasteful, with her name and little angels and flowers carved into the sides.

"I can't believe this is happening." Her voice slowly crumbling as she continued to speak. She reached out to touch her friend's face. Soft, still plump, just a little pale. Her hair had been brushed, curled, and brushed again. "She looks beautiful."

"Yeah, I think so too." As so it went like that for another 90 minuted before things started to clear and people began to go home. Tomorrow they'd all be back for the last hurray. Their last time to see her before she was really gone, truly out of reach.

Tomorrow they were burying Kagome Higurashi. His person. His other half. His best friend.

The drive home was mechanical, monotonous. By the time he opened and shut the door to his apartment, his tie had been severely undone and he was out of his shoes. He hated wearing suits. They were thick and stuffy. He could hear water sloshing as he walked passed the bathroom.

It took him 5 minutes to change, light a cigarette and make a drink.

"You know I hate it when you smoke." He didn't turn to look behind him. A pair of slim arms fell over his shoulders and came to circle his neck gently. A warm, soft kiss was placed on his cheek.

"Sorry." Usually he'd go to stuff it out, but he took a long drag. His fiancee came around to sit on his lap. Her hair was pulled up, but some droplets from the tub had run down the strands onto her neck. She smelled liked lavender. It was her go to nighttime scent.

"You doing okay?" She put her hands on his cheeks to make them eye level, and the guilt gnawed on his heart. She looked tired, worried. She was worried about him.

"As okay as I can be. Her family is moving...quickly. She's barely been dead a week." Much to his fiancee's dismay he lit another cigarette when the first had been reduced to nothing. She also noticed that he brought the bottle on the balcony. It was always a long night when he brought the bottle on the balcony.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Nah. Get some sleep, the funeral is in the morning. You coming with me?"

"Of course." She gave him a lingering kiss as she got up to leave. Sending him one last desperate look before turning in. Kicking his legs up on the railing and reclining in his seat, Inuyasha got comfy. He felt bad for making Kikyou sad and making her worry. He knew she hated going to bed alone, knew even more she hated waking up alone, but it couldn't be helped.

It had only been an hour or so since the viewing, but already Inuyasha missed her face. He needed to see her, see her smile and her eyes. The picture he scrolled to was one of his favorites. It was a couple years back.

Back when everything was still good.

Year 2016

It wasn't the knocking, that finally got Inuyasha out of bed, but the incessant ringing of his apartment bell. He flung his covers in frustration, anger pronouncing every single one of his steps.

"What!" He said in growl. He was going to say more, but Kagome was standing his hallway. Wearing fishnets, shorts that looked almost like underwear, and a top that barely covered her nipples. She was smiling widely, deep blue lipstick making her appear hypothermic. Though it did complete her silver eye shadow and the buckets of glitter she had clearly dumped on herself.

"Kagome what are you wearing?" She still hadn't answered him even after pushing her way in. Steadily she made her way to his closet, haphazardly throwing his laundry about his room. "Hello?" He said impatiently.

"I'm a rave babe Inuyasha. I've been dying to check out the EDM scene. There's a DJ playing at Webz tonight you gotta come with me."

"I'm so confused, Kagome I was sleeping."

"Key word is was. Now, we're raving. Luckily for you all you need are shorts, leave the shirt off handsome." She gave him a wink that had him blushing to his toes and 30 minutes later they were standing in front of Webz. A new club that opened up downtown almost 6 months ago. Inuyasha hadn't heard too many good things about this place. It was a little too dark and grungy for his tastes.

Soon they were drinking and dancing, or headbanging as Kagome called it. He watched as the sweat traveled down Kagome's back, down to her shorts where her hips and ass swayed to the beat. He found himself entranced as Kagome threw her head to and fro, her hair swinging wildly about her. She laughed and Inuyasha fell in love with how free she looked.

"C'mon! Loosen up!" Soon his hair was wild too and his back was sweaty. He was grateful Kagome made him ditch the shirt. Once they got into the crowd things got hot. Kagome tapped him on the shoulder and when he bent down she continued to push him, so she could climb on his shoulders. Kagome continued to dance as he kept a firm grip on her thighs.

When they leave the club it's three am and Inuyasha doesn't know how he let Kagome convince him to leave his place. He made them instant ramen and let Kagome borrow one of his shirts. That night Inuyasha went to sleep with his ears ringing and his body spinning.

A ghost of a smile plays across his lips. In the picture Kagome was still on his shoulders. Her eyes were squinted as she stuck out her tongue. His eyes were closed and his mouth was wide like he had just finished yelling 'yay' to the photographer.

The tears hit his phone, before he could stop them. He was tired of crying, but it seemed to be all he could do these days. Taking the last swig of his drink Inuyasha made his way inside. Though his thoughts were consumed of Kagome, he knew Kikyou could bring him some peace. He got in the bed and Kikyou instantly turned to embrace him.

She was always waiting.

He didn't mean to start crying again. He didn't mean to keep her awake. Kikyou didn't complain. She held hold him closer, kissed his cheeks and then his lips. Slowly she melted into him, giving him all he could take. She wanted him to feel good. She wanted him to feel loved. She cradled his head to her chest when they parted.

"I'm sorry." He said again. He'd been doing a lot of apologizing lately.

"Don't worry. We'll get through this."

Day of the funeral

It was a beautiful day. The funeral home was covered top to bottom in flowers. Kagome's grandfather was the priest overseeing the service. Several people including Kagome's mother got on the podium to speak. Ms. Higurashi had to stop and compose herself, but she finished. Now it was his turn. He'd tried to get out of it, but alas here he was. Standing in front of everyone, all their eyes on him.

All he could see was Kagome. Her beautiful hands folded over her beautiful dress as she laid in her beautiful coffin. What the fuck was he supposed to say? In an instant Kikyou was there, holding his hand and giving him an encouraging look. This was better, it felt better not to be alone.

"I don't have a lot to say," he started, "if you know me you know I don't do this. I don't speak to people, I don't hang out with people. Hell if you really know me then you know I barely like people." That got a small chuckle from the crowd. He was happy to make them laugh, but he was only saying the truth. He knew Kagome would agree.

"When I was nine my parents died in a boating accident. In a year I moved across the country to live with my grandmother and I started going to a new school. The teacher, Mrs. Oliander, made me stand in front of the class and introduce myself. While I was talking a kid threw a spit ball that hit me right in the eye. Everyone laughed, and a second later everyone went silent because Kagome stood up and punched that kid in the face."

"That's how we met, and ever since we had each other's back." He wiped his face and his throat burned. He would not cry in front of these people. He would be stronger than that. "Kagome...was the first person besides my parents that I gave my love to. She was kind and confident and she made it okay to love, to laugh. Kagome made everything okay, always, and if there's something I'm going to miss most about her it's going to be that. Thank you all for coming."

He sat for the rest of service and was one of the first people to leave and follow the hearse. The plot they had was nice, next to Kagome's father. Another thing they had in common. Only a kid with a dead parent knew how to comfort a kid with a dead parent.

It was harder than he thought watching them lower her into the ground. He wanted to skip out on throwing dirt on her coffin. Instead he threw a rose, something that would die just as beautifully as it grew. Like Kagome.

Kikyou was the one who pulled him away from the headstone. She said they could come back later, when they had covered her and they could bring her more flowers. The bright blue skies at the start of the service had slowly faded to grey as the day wore on. If the heaven's were so sad about gaining an angel maybe they should give her back.

That night Inuyasha sat on the balcony as he had been accustomed to doing the last several months. Kikyou sat beside him, a blanket over her lap and a book in her hand. He watched as Kikyou tried to tough it out for him. She was tired, but she didn't want to leave him alone. That gnawing guilt was back. The sour feeling in his stomach telling him that he was an asshole, that he didn't deserve all her kindness and understanding.

He sent her to bed with the promise to meet her there soon. He shouldn't finish the bottle of Jack, but he knew he would. Kikyou knew too. Instead of chastising him over his excess drinking, she let him indulge. He was grateful. Half a pack of smokes and several drinks later, Inuyasha was all but stumbling to bed.

Per usual, Kikyou rolled over as soon as his back hit the mattress. As Inuyasha closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his fiancee's hair, he allowed his drunken mind to wonder. Inuyasha gently maneuvered his way through a snag as the silky straight strands in his hands turned wavy.

"We'll get through this. We'll get past this." He heard Kagome say.

"I...don't know." He was so unsure, of everything.

"We will, because I love you." His grip on her tightened.

"I love you too."

6 months later

Kikyou woke up to the feeling of nails digging in her skin. The arm that was outstretched to her fiancee, as she always found herself reaching for him, was encased in a vice like grip. In the dark it was hard to see, but she thought Inuyasha was on his back. His head lulled back and forth, his grip loosening and tightening as he murmured under his breath. She could hear his legs and feet gliding across the sheets erratically.

"No...please." Kikyou sat up and scooted close. She could see his eyes moving rapidly under their lids. He was dreaming. She rested her free hand against his chest and began to rub, trying to soothe him.

"Shh, Inuyasha it's okay. It's okay."

"Kag...Kagome, don't, don't leave." She winced as she though his grip might actually break her wrist. She readjusted herself, snuggling her body close to his. She threw a leg around his middle, trying to wrap as much of herself as she could around him.

"I'm not going anywhere." She repeated as she rubbed where she could reach. She felt her tears running from corner to corner. She hoped he wouldn't ask why his shirt was wet in the morning. She wanted to stop. To shut off these tears and pretend to be stronger than that, but she couldn't.

The nightmares had gotten better. 3 months ago she woke up to the sounds of him screaming. Crying for Kagome in his sleep as he reached out for someone who wasn't there. The therapy seemed to be helping, seemed to be making him better. She had wanted to be that person he could talk to, and in so many ways she ways, but there were things he needed to say that she couldn't hear.

Things she knew she didn't want to hear. Kikyou knew Inuyasha loved Kagome. It was practically a damn commandment for being in Inuyasha's life. Thou shall know and respect Kagome Higurashi. When they had first began dating it was made very clear who Kagome was and what role she played in his life. It was also made very clear that any girl who found themselves unable to handle that, could leave.

So she stayed. She loved Inuyasha and she wanted to love Kagome too. If only because she meant so much to him. Kagome was bubbly and light and lively. She was the person in the room with so much energy she could invigorate anyone within a 10 mile radius. Many stories told of Kagome and her adventures, always seeming to be the most random things happening at the most random time in order to curate this beautiful moment.

Kikyou remembers the first nights of many nights, where Kagome found herself at their door. A random moment leading to an addiction and sending this beautiful, lively angel straight to hell. It was hard, watching someone as lovely as Kagome loose her wings. Watching her become someone no one could recognize.

It was never meth or heroine. It was pills and drinking and coke. Too many parties. Too many boys. Too many random moments that lead her into a nightmare. And now she was gone. Leaving a gaping hole in all the hearts she left behind. Leaving guilt with the ones who tried to help, but couldn't save her.

If there was one thing Kikyou hated Kagome Higurashi for, it was for leaving Inuyasha and turning him into this. There were so many things they were supposed to do, so many beautiful moments for her and Inuyasha to share. They were supposed to get married...then Kagome died and the world stopped turning. Inuyasha's world stopped turning.

He meant it when they said they always had each other's backs. Inuyasha was the only one that stayed by Kagome's side. Too many bail outs from jail, and DUIs, and fights, and thefts had caused everyone else to distance themselves. Even her mother, but not Inuyasha. He answered every 3 am call. He paid every bond. He never gave her cash, but he gave her food and a place to stay. Kikyou wanted him to change the locks when Kagome stole her engagement ring, in the middle of the night. He simply said that's why he splurged on insurance.

He refused to do what so many others had done. Inuyasha was nothing if not stubborn and he promised he would never give up on her. Then it happened. They found her in her bed, wrapped all cozy like she just wanted to take a nap. She remembers Inuyasha that day. The first time she'd ever seen him cry. The sight made her feel like she just took a drop from a 200 foot coaster.

For months it was a lot of crying, so much crying. Hardly ever in front of her. On the balcony, in the bathroom, into his pillow when he thought she was sleep. Each tear broke her heart. Each distant look caused her pain. She'd never forgive Kagome for taking away that light in his eye. The rare one that slips out when he's at his most unguarded. Now all that were left were shadows.

Inuyasha may have been living with a ghost, but so was she.

#JazaraRose #jazararosefanfiction #inukag #inukik #inuyasha #kagome #kikyo #fanfiction #inuyasha fanfiction #inukag fanfiction #inukik fanfiction

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yespoetry · 5 years ago

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An Interview with Maryan Nagy Captan

copy/body by Maryan Nagy Captan is a poetry collection that explores identity, place, home, gender, and family dynamics. It was originally published by Empty Set Press in 2017. With the close of Empty Set earlier this, we have partnered up with ESP and are offering the chapbook as a free ebook. You can read an interview with the Captan below (and poems from the collection are forthcoming on our site on Monday, October 14), and can download the collection here and below.

Did you write this collection to any kind of music?

This collection spans about 9 years worth of work. The oldest poem in the collection, "Housewife", was written in 2009 while "Blood Pact" was completed in 2017. There are so many albums that are my tried and true and have been for the past decade which deeply influenced the bulk of the work: The Lemon of Pink by The Books, Shake Shugaree by Elizabeth Cotton, Veneer by Jose Gonzalez, Noah’s Ark by CocoRosie, Aquimini by Outkast, Rain Dogs by Tom Waits, Plaisirs D'Amour by Rene Aubry, anything by Bessie Smith, anything by Kendrick Lamar, anything by John Cage, In Rainbows by Radiohead, the list goes on and on.

Describe your favorite meal.

I'm not sure if it qualifies as a meal but a minimum of 20 pieces of my mama's waraq ineb drenched in lemon juice (preferably eaten on the couch next to my dad while we switch between watching Wimbleton and Lebanese soap operas on DISH Network).

Choose three books that you've always identified with?

I have such a hard time answering questions about identifying with books or characters. I think partially because I don’t read narratives where I identify with the characters. I read to escape into form and language. However, I do have books that I love and have read many, many times over the last several years. Tender Buttons by Gertrude Stein is a bible, as is Recyclopedia by Harryette Mullen, and Zong! by M. NourbeSe Philip come to mind.

However, I find myself identifying much, much more strongly with visual art. I feel most connected to the work of Masao Yamamoto, Louis Bourgeois, Joan Miro, Paula Rego, and Ren Hang.

Choose one painting that describes who you are. What is it?

For the past few years, I’ve been enamored with the work of Julie Speed, an oil painter and collage artist based in Marfa, TX. My current favorite piece is titled “Eyes to See.” How does it describe me? I like to think that I am both figures in this painting. As a writer and performance poet, I get self conscious about overwriting or being too insistent in the work. As a reader and citizen of the world, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of information and insight that we’re expected to consume regularly. It can be suffocating.

However, behind all the chaos of humanity is a bird and a tree and an open window. I think this aspect speaks strongly to my desire to always find a sliver of hope in everything: an escape, a reminder, a moment of joy.

What do you imagine the apocalypse is like? How would you want to die?

Even though it’s a terrible movie, I always loved the premise of The Happening. In it, plant life develops an airborne toxin that causes humans to commit suicide.

In this version of the apocalypse, instead of an airborne toxin, all plants and trees develop a taste for human blood and devour all of humanity in a few days. I wouldn’t want it to last too long because it sounds horrific.

In this scenario, I’d prefer to be gently leaning onto and then very suddenly be absorbed into Bald Cypress. Though, I hope I’m the first to go because I’m way too soft to actually witness any of this.

If you could only watch three films for the rest of your life, what would they be?

This one’s too hard but okay: Beetlejuice, Cairo Station, and Chungking Express.

Where do you find inspiration lately?

Lately, I’ve been screenwriting and studying storytelling. It’s been really energizing and it’s changing the way I think about poetry. I’ve always been inspired by what I feel most challenged by so right now, I’m learning to tell stories through narrative and the three act structure rather than through emotion and musicality. It’s really hard but the creative payoff is huge.

Where did you write most of your book?

The majority of the book was written in Philadelphia, and three of the poems were written in Keene Valley, NY during a residency with Paul Smith College of the Adirondacks.

What was something surprised you recently?

I recently learned that a placebo can still have a positive effect on someone even if they know it’s a placebo which I thought was so fascinating.

What do you carry with you at all times?

A piece of mica from Clark Park in West Philly.

Tell us a bit about your writing process. What works and what doesn't? What doesn't, but you keep trying it anyway?

I’ve always been self conscious about how little I produce but I’ve slowly come to understand over the years that I don’t write unless I feel compelled to.

I can meditate on a poem for days before actually writing it. I’m obsessed with subjectivity (as a concept and with my own) and I feel most compelled to write when I’m in a state of deep introspection. I’ll meditate on an idea for days and when a poem finally comes, I’ll spend eight months editing it to death. I have some poems that have gone through 30-40 different drafts. The biggest challenge for me is to write a poem, edit once, then twice, and be done with it. The poem is done after the second edit. It has to be.

One of my favorite mantras comes from the teachings of J. Krishnamurti: Observe your confusion. Study it.

For me, what works is writing about something that scares me about myself. At the present moment, I’m most interested in examining how I’m complicit in, even though I protest against, the deconstruction of the natural world. I’m attracted to hypocrisy as a theme and find it really difficult to write without relying on tropes.

What doesn’t work for me is sitting down and saying “I’m going to write a poem.” The compulsion to write is an integral part of the process. Without it, ideas just don’t come.

What are some of your daily rituals or routines?

Birdwatching and drinking coffee is my favorite daily ritual because I like to pretend I’m retired even though I’ll probably be working for the rest of my life. (:

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Honestly, when Angelo invited me to publish with Empty Set, I already had these poems ready. They span the length of nearly a decade and I had already performed them dozens of times. These are the poems of my 20s.

Now, that I’m in my 30s and working on a new collection, one that is intentionally thematically linked and far more narrative, I think the obstacle I keep coming up against is the question of whether or not each of the poems is building on the last or if the poems are merely reiterating the same ideas.

copy/body is as a book is a collage: the poems are linked by their musicality, language play, and loose themes of domesticity. The current book I’m working on is much more intentionally themed and though there are individual pieces, the book is designed to be read as one long poem.

Ultimately, the hardest part of writing copy/body was finding the time to write and the hardest part about having time to write is actually writing. But maybe that’s the case for everything.

Define happiness for you.

The silence of a desert.

Maryan Nagy Captan is an experimental writer, educator, and performance poet based in Austin, Texas. She is a Fellow at The Michener Center for Writers and serves as the Marketing Director for Bat City Review. Maryan is the author of copy/body (Empty Set Press, 2017) and an alumna of the Disquiet International Literary Program. Her work has appeared in or is forthcoming in The Egyptian Writers Folio (Anomaly Press), Foundry, AJAR, Apiary Magazine, Mantra Review, Boneless/Skinless, Sundog Lit, and elsewhere.

Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams, The Gods Are Dead, Marys of the Sea, Sexting Ghosts, Xenos, No(body), #Survivor, (forthcoming, The Operating System), and is the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing by Survivors of Sexual Assault. They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is the founder of Yes Poetry and the senior managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Them, Brooklyn Magazine, BUST, and elsewhere. Joanna also leads workshops at Brooklyn Poets. joannavalente.com / Twitter: @joannasaid / IG: joannacvalente / FB: joannacvalente

#Maryan Nagy Captan #poetry #interview #chapbook

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