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tbmunson · 1 year ago

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Escape - Gareth Emerson x Reader

Summary: You and Gareth get paired for the most important art project of the semester.

Warnings: Slow burn, idiots in love, caring for Gareth's sisters.

WC: 4,730

Notes: I'm in recovery for surgery, so updates will be slow. Shout out to @ashes-writing for being my absolute bestie and letting me bounce ideas.

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PART 1

“Okay, class, you’ll work as partners for your final project.” Mr. Greely the art teacher stated, earning a cheer from the class. “I wouldn’t cheer so fast. I paired you up myself. This project is to make art based on what you learn about your partner, hence the little questionnaire at your tables. It can be a painting, drawing, or sculpture. Any audio recordings or mixed tapes will be given a zero. This is art, not band.

You rolled your eyes, but not because you wouldn’t be working with Tiffany, the only other cheerleader in the class, but because there was a chance you’d have to work with one of the meatheaded basketball players. You didn’t really want to work with her either, but that was a whole other can of worms.

Mr. Greely droned on, only catching your attention when he said your name. “You’ll be working with Emerson.”

Your eyes widened, which caught the attention of a few of your classmates who began to giggle. The panic was not from the boy himself, rather the fear you would accidentally fall harder for him if you got to really know him. Your focus was disrupted by shuffling next to you as Gareth settled into the desk paired with yours. “Hi.” You said softly, meek almost.

Gareth assumed this was due to disdain for him, presented a bit more politely. He did hear the giggles after all. “What’s up?” Not a question, just a simple acknowledgement to your greeting.

You studied his side profile, debating the different art forms you could use to relay the puffy haired metalhead next to you.

“You have a month to complete this project. Oh, and, your partner will be grading you on how well they think you relay them to the world. That does have an effect on the overall grade, so get to know each other.” Mr. Greely finished as the bell rang.

“So, I don’t know if you’re busy tonight with it being Friday and all, but my house is free tonight if you want to come do the questionnaire.” You offered sweetly as you packed your notebook into your bag.

“I, uh, have to watch my sisters tonight, but, if you want to, I mean, you can come to my place.” His nerves were apparent, which made you smile.

“Yeah, I’ll find you at lunch and finalize the details.” You gripped the strap to your backpack and turned to meet Tiffany at the door.

She sputtered out a laugh as she glanced over her shoulder to Gareth. “You really got paired with the freak, huh?”

You couldn’t stop the eye roll. “Tiff, I’ve known him since forever. He’s a sweet guy. Just because he listens to different music and doesn’t dress the same doesn’t make him a freak.” You replied, trying to keep your tone level so as to not snap at the head of the cheerleading team.

“He plays a fucking fantasy game, babe. It’s weird.” She chirps back as if it was common knowledge.

“It’s an escape. Everyone has an escape. You totally zone out when you cheer. That’s your escape.” You’re fully annoyed now, but not showing it, which is hard due to the fact that she just laughs, mumbling a “Whatever.” under her breath.

You break off into your math class and sit next to Eddie Munson. “Hey, Eddie.” You say, catching his attention.

He peeks around you, looking around.

“What are you doing?” You ask, furrowing your brows.

“Wondering why Hawkins High’s very own princess is trying to talk to me. Not that I’m complaining. Just curious.” He responded with an amused look.

You can’t help the small smile that spreads at his antics. “I’m talking to you because I’m a nice person and I let you cheat off of me. It’s time to repay the favor.”

“Ooh, princess wants something from the freak. Enlighten me.” He taps the tips of his fingers together in a way that would mook maniacal if it weren’t Eddie.

You roll your eyes at the dramatics. “I have an art project and I need-”

“I will not model naked for you if that’s what you’re asking.” He had a very serious look on his face, which meant he was totally joking, something you’d come to know sitting next to him in three different classes.

You smacked his arm and furrowed your brow. “No. I need the inside scoop on Gareth. He’s my partner and I have to get to know him, like really get to know him for this project.”

Eddie nods, resting his chin in his hand. “Okay. I can help you with that. As long as I keep copying your homework and cheating off of your tests.” He smirked, a wide grin plastering his face.

“In all honesty, I didn’t even think about using that as a threat.” You giggled, reaching over and scribbling your number onto a page with a scratched out doodle in his notebook. “Call me tomorrow. I’ll be at Gareth’s tonight.”

“Oh yeah, date night.” Eddie replied kind of like an off hand comment.

“It’s not a date, Eddie.” Your eyes were wide again like they had been in art class.

Eddie laughed and shook his head. “I mean his parents. He has to watch his sisters. Although I may be reading into that reaction a little too much, but I think you-”

“Not another word or the copying does stop.” Your face was hard, begging him not to speak the words you already knew were true. You would like to go on a date with him, but this, getting to really know him as part of a project, it’ll work too. Better, you convince yourself. Better because there’s no pressure to actually like him and if you don’t, well at least you'll know and you can stop this pitiful pining over him.

“Yes, your highness.” Eddie bows as much as he can while sitting before the teacher begins class.

Two class periods later you were headed to lunch. Once you made it to the cafeteria you headed right for the Hellfire table, leaving a very confused Stephanie in the doorway. As you approached a group of freshmen were settled at the table. “Hi, does Gareth sit here?” You knew he did, but striking up a conversation would be better than just claiming a seat that didn’t belong to you.

The curly haired one looked up, surprised a cheerleader was talking to him. “I, uh, yeah.” he sputtered, earning a glare from the dark haired one.

“Dude, you can’t just tell people like-” He cuts himself off, looking up at you and wondering if you’d tear him a new one.

You laughed and leaned against the table. “I know. People like me have a bad rap, and usually for good reason. I have an art project with Gareth and we need to go over some details. No malice. No ill intent. Pinky promise.” You held out your pinky, waiting for one of the group to make their move.

The smaller boy with a bowl cut reaches out, linking his pinky with yours. “He’ll be here in a few. He usually takes a smoke break before coming to lunch. That’s his seat,” He points to a chair on the edge of the opposite side of the table. “And Jeff isn’t here today, so the spot next to him is open if you want to sit.”

“Thank you.” You smile before rounding the table and sitting in the middle seat. “My name is Y/N, by the way.” You offer a hand over the table for any one of them to take.

The curly haired boy reaches over and shakes it, “I’m Dustin, this is Mike and Will.”

“It’s nice to meet you guys. So, how does Dungeons and Dragons work? I’ve never played but it seems interesting from what I’ve seen.” You can’t find it in yourself to regret the question as Dustin and Will go into an in depth explanation of the game. You were so drawn in that you didn’t notice Gareth walking up to the table, or the look of horror as the freshmen bombarded you with facts about a fantasy game, even if he loved that fantasy game more than most things.

“Alright you guys, I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear about DnD.” Gareth sighed as he sat, drawing the attention of the four of you.

You gave him a playful glare. “I asked, actually. It sounds like a lot of fun. Very creative.” You were smiling by the end.

Gareth nodded, unable to help the thought that you were only saying that to seem nice and use it against them later. He immediately felt bad because in all the years of classes together, you’d never been that way. “Okay, well, I’m sorry. You can continue, Dustin.”

“Actually, Dustin, as much as I want to hear the differences in characters, I really need to get some stuff settled with Gareth about this project. How about I come sit here on Monday and you and Will can finish telling me about it.” You offered, finding the kids incredibly charming and utterly adorable.

“Yeah!” Dustin replied, opening a book to keep track of what he’d filled you in on already.

Gareth chuckled and leaned over to whisper to you. “You really don’t have to let them torture you like this.” The way his voice rumbled in your ear mixed with the warmth of his breath cascading down your neck, you knew you were screwed.

“Gare, really, I want to know about it. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.” You assured him, placing a hand on his forearm and giving it a small squeeze.

Gareth didn’t know what else to say, so he only offered a crooked smile instead.

“Good, it’s settled. Now to the main task at hand. What time do I need to come over?”

He shrugged and went over the schedule in his head. “I’m gonna do dinner at 5:30, give them a bath, and let them play. They’ll be out by 7:30.” He offered more as a question.

“Or, I can bring dinner from Benny’s around 6, help you give them a bath, and we can all watch a movie before they go to bed.” You twisted a curl around your finger as you waited for his response.

He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, they’d like that.”

You slid your notebook and a pen in front of him. “Write down your order and I’ll be over by six.”

“Do you even know where I live?” He quirked a brow as he scribbled down an order.

“Gareth Emerson, I have lived down the street from you my whole life. Of course I know where you live.” You reached out and gently smacked his shoulder.

Gareth laughed and held a hand up in surrender. “I’m just making sure. I’d hate for you to get lost and leave me starving.” He jokes, sliding the notebook across the table with the order, along with his number. “See you tonight?”

“For sure, but you’re going to see me sitting here for the rest of lunch, if that’s okay with you.” You looked up at him through your lashes.

“It’s totally fine!” Dustin said, grabbing your attention. You’d almost forgotten about the freshmen sitting across from you.

You laughed and nodded, knowing he wanted to continue his spill about the different kinds of characters.

The end of the day came and you were headed out to your car when you were stopped by Tiffany. “What in the hell were you doing at that table of freaks during lunch?”

Your jaw clenched, but you didn’t let your anger show. “I had to come up with a plan for this project. Gareth is my partner. Art is the only class we have together and I’d like to get it started sooner rather than later.”

Tiffany scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it happen again.”

“Actually, I’ll be there Monday too, and probably a few times throughout the next couple of weeks. I’ll sit with you guys on game days so no one sees me in my uniform at their table, but this project is important to me. Art is important to me. You know I want to be an artist. If getting to know him is what it takes to make a kickass piece, then I’m doing it.” Your tone wasn’t harsh, but it was firm, letting her know there would be no room for negotiation.

She didn’t say anything, just stomped away, which caught the attention of the older Hellfire members.

“I think she just stood up for us.” Grant said, eyebrows raised.

Gareth pressed his back against the brick wall and looked up at the tin of the sidewalk covers. “Fuck.” He shook his head as he breathed deeply.

“What, Emerson?” Eddie cocked a brow at Gareth’s pained expression.

“I don’t know. Like, this is going to be so hard. I’ve only been in love with her since kindergarten. Now she’s sitting at my lunch table, standing up for me and my friends, and she’s coming to my fucking house tonight. How am I supposed to do this?”

Eddie couldn’t help but to laugh at his friend's pained expression. “I usually don’t get in the middle of this crap, but, earlier I made a joke about it being date night. She got really defensive, and that’s fully a sign that she’s into you. Maybe just go for it?”

“You’re so full of shit, Munson. She’s just a nice person and didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.” He replied, finally pushing himself off the wall. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow at practice. Gotta get home so my parents can head out.”

Eddie and Grant mumbled their goodbyes before making their way to Eddie’s van.

It was currently 5:50 and you’d just pulled into the Emerson’s driveway with a passenger seat full of food and shakes. You released a breath you didn’t realize you had been holding before cutting the engine and getting out of the car. You’d barely made it to the passenger door when the glossy red door to the house flung open.

“Lori, get back here!” Gareth’s exhausted yell came as he chased her down the steps, not yet realizing you’d arrived. He scooped her up as she giggled.

“I was trying to see your friend!” Lori‘s giggles quickly turned into a whine when she realized her brother had no plans to put her feet back on the ground.

Gareth finally looked up, making eye contact with you as you rested your elbow on the roof of the car. “Hey, uh, sorry. One sec.” He finally returned Lori’s feet to the ground but made her look at him. “Go back inside. I’m going to help Y/N bring the food in and you can see her in there, okay?”

She pouted but nodded before walking slowly to the house.

“Someone’s got the dad voice down.” You smiled, bending to grab the bags as Gareth made his way over to you in a pair of grey sweat pants and a faded Metallica shirt.

“Yeah, well, someone had to be when my dad split a few years ago. Rick is nice though.” He replied, reaching to take the bags out of your hands.

You nodded, smiling as his skin brushed yours. “I think you’re doing a great job considering she actually listened.” You offered before bending back down to get the drink tray with the shakes.

Gareth planned on replying, but he was silenced by the sight of you bent over and the amount of leg coming out of the old practice cheer shorts you’d changed into. He watched you stand and bump the door with your hip to close it.

“C’mon Gare, shakes are melting.” You said, taking a few steps towards his house.

He nodded and followed wordlessly. This was going to be a lot harder than he thought.

As you and his sisters settled into the table Gareth apologized again that his sisters threw a fit to both sit next to you.

“They’re fine, Gareth. Tell your brother to stop worrying so much, Lori.”

“Yeah, stop worrying that much.” She sassed, making you laugh and Gareth roll his eyes.

“I don’t know how Clara expects me to help her with her food all the way over there.” He gave the youngest girl a look as if to say ‘didn’t think of that, did you’.

“I’ve got it. It’s just chicken and fries. She’s safe in my care.” You assured him as you opened the small styrofoam container to start tearing the strips into more manageable pieces for a two year old

“Yeah, but you shouldn’t have to.” He replied sincerely.

You sighed and turned to look at him. “Gareth, it’s okay to let people do stuff for you. If I minded I wouldn’t be doing it. Do you trust that?”

He was at a loss for words, only nodding in response.

“Good. Now eat your burger before it gets cold.” You instructed as you finished tearing the chicken. “One at a time, Clara. Don’t put another in your mouth until the first one is all gone, okay?”

The small girl with white curly hair and bright blue doe eyes nodded, reaching for a piece of her chicken.

You popped a fry into your mouth, fully ready to dive into your burger when there was a tap on your shoulder. You turned to see Lori looking at you with a pout.

“Can you do my chicken too? Pretty please.” She looked like she was scared you would say no.

“Of course, baby doll! Let me see.” You pulled her plate over to you and started ripping the chicken into bits.

“Lori, you eat strips all the time.” Gareth stated after swallowing a bite of his burger.

“Gareth, eat your burger and let her be. She wants my attention and that’s okay.” You assured him, cutting your eyes over to look at him across the table without moving your head very much.

“But your food is going to get cold.” He urged as you took on the second strip.

“We’ll call it practice for being a real mom one day. Cold food, cold coffee, hot ice cream.”

“Ew! Hot ice cream!” Lori laughed as you pushed her plate back towards her.

You couldn’t help but join in. Her laugh is tinkly like a fairy, contagious.

“Okay, alright, I won’t say anything else.” He raised his hands in surrender before going back to his food.

The rest of the meal went by quietly, ending with you spooning the girls' shared shake into separate cups.

Once dessert was had, it was bath time, resulting in your cheer camp t-shirt getting soaking wet.

“I am so sorry. Let me get you a shirt.” Gareth was red from embarrassment.

You, however, were still smiling. “Okay, Gare. I’ll get them dried off and changed, then I’ll come find you about the shirt.”

He nodded and left the bathroom.

“Are you my brother’s girlfriend?” Lori asked once she was sure Gareth was gone.

You giggled a bit and shook your head as you pulled her nightgown over her head. “No, baby doll, I’m not. We go to school together. He’s my friend.”

She nodded and her face twisted in thought. “Will you be his girlfriend?”

You gave her a soft smile. “Yeah, I hope so one day.” You winked at her before turning to help Clara into her nightgown. “Why don’t you girls go down stairs to the couch while I go find Gareth and change, hm?”

Lori nodded and took Clara’s hand to lead her away.

You sighed and pushed yourself from the floor.

It didn’t take much to figure out which door belonged to Gareth. He had various band stickers and drawings on the door. You knocked twice.

“Come in!” He called as he snagged his favorite Motley Crue shirt from the hanger. It may or may not have been for a fantasy he had not too long ago.

You opened the door and stepped in. “Hey, I sent the girls downstairs to get settled. Just came to grab the shirt. It’s starting to get a little chilly.” You chuckled at the end, leaning against the wall.

“Okay, great. Um, you can change here if you want. I can go get the movie ready.”

You nodded and stepped further into the room. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll be down in just a second.” You said taking the worn material from his hands. Once the door clicked closed you pulled your shirt over your head and unhooked your bra which was soaked through. You hoped the shirt would be big enough that the lack of bra wouldn’t be noticeable. What you didn’t think about though, was leaving the pile of damp clothes at the foot of the bed before walking out of the room and down stairs.

“Can I sit with you!” Lori yelled as she saw you finally descend the stairs.

“Of course, baby doll.” You smiled, glancing over at Gareth who managed to go a deep shade of red.

Maybe putting you into that shirt was one of his less than stellar ideas. His mind wandered back to the dream he had the other night of you, in the shirt, on top of him- He stopped his thoughts immediately before they became too much.

You settled next to him and let Lori climb into your lap as Gareth hit play on the Care Bears movie. You ran your fingers through the six year olds hair, eventually braiding it into a nice french braid before she fell asleep. You looked over to Clara who was dead asleep in Gareth’s lap.

He looked over at you and then up the stairs. “They won’t wake. They sleep pretty hard. Wanna take them up and get started?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” You smiled as you got a better grip on Lori. You followed Gareth up the stairs and pushed open Lori’s bedroom door. You laid her down gently in her princess bed sheets and covered her up before heading back to the hall to meet Gareth.

“You’re really good with them, you know.” He said, leading you back down the stairs and turning the light on.

“If I don’t go into art, I want to teach little ones.” You said, tucking a hair behind your ear.

“You could be the art teacher for the little ones.” Gareth offered. “Best of both worlds.”

“You’re so smart, you know that? That never crossed my mind.” You laughed a little, not believing you’d not thought of it before.

Gareth smiles as he bumped your shoulder. “Thanks. And when you do become an art teacher for little ones, make sure you credit me.” He winked before sitting on the floor at the coffee table.

You sat across from him, rolling your eyes at his joke. “I’ll put your name on the degree.” You said sarcastically as you pulled the questionnaire sheet from the spiral notebook.

Both of you took a second to look over the sheet before you spoke again.

“These are bullshit questions.” You said passively as you looked up from the bullet point asking ‘What is your partner’s favorite color.’

“Why do you say that?” He asked, putting his sheet down on the table.

You sighed and tapped your pen on your lip and you thought. “If I’m supposed to make an art piece based on you, what good is knowing your favorite food and color? I mean do I just draw a red cheeseburger? It’s so basic. Art is supposed to make you think. Make you feel something.” You emphasized before laying back on the floor.

Gareth laughed and scooted around to your side of the table to lay next to you. “You have a point, but how do you know my favorite color is red? I never told you.”

You turned your head to look at him rather than the ceiling. “I’ve lived 50 yards from you my whole life, we went to the same daycare, elementary, middle, and high school. Red is one of the few colors in your color palette. People don’t wear colors they don’t like.” You studied his face, taking in every freckle, every developing laugh line, every shade of blue and green in his eyes for the hundredth time, only this time you were much closer. It had much more of an effect on you.

“You’re very observant, you know.” His mouth ticked up into a lopsided smile as his eyes darted around your face.

“Which is you telling me that I’m right.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” He laughed this time, making you smile. “You’re not as oblivious as you present yourself as. Why do you do that?” His brows furrowed as he questioned you.

You shrugged, debating your answer for a moment. “I do what I have to in order to make it where I want to go. You present yourself as a dark, twisty guy who doesn’t care about anything, yet you’ve got smile lines and you’re amazingly sweet with your sisters. Why do you do that?” You challenged with a playful smile.

“Self preservation. I’m a weird kid and if I come off as someone who’s easy to mess with, life would be a whole lot worse. So I keep myself far away from the people who don’t deserve to know me.” He explained, his eyes holding a look that you couldn’t quite place.

Before you could stop yourself you asked, “Do I deserve to know you?”

His eyes that held your gaze flickered down to your lips and back up. “Yeah. Do I deserve to know you?”

You nodded, unable to resist the urge to reach over and rest your hand on the side of his face.

The moment was quiet, intimate, and gone far too quickly as his mom and stepdad came into the house.

“Gareth, whose car is in the drive-“ his mothers voice cut off as she walked in on the innocent scene because she could feel the tension between her son and the girl laying on the floor.

You snatched your hand away quickly and looked at the woman in the doorway, praying she wouldn’t berate you for being there.

“Mom. Hey. I told you Y/N was coming by for the art project.” He was red, not from a blush but from panic. His heartbeat was thundering in his ears so loud he thought it must have been audible.

She nodded and smirked. “Alright, well, carry on then.” She turned and walked into the kitchen where her husband was digging around in the pantry. “They’re going to get married. I’m calling it now.”

“Gwen, you can’t be serious. You haven’t even spoken to the girl.” He turned to look at her before glancing through the doorway to see the girl in question gathering her things.

“A mother knows.” She patted his chest and gave him the look. The look that said you-know-I’m-right.

Gareth walked with you out the door and to your car. “I’ll see you on Monday. Be careful.” He opened your door for you and watched you get in.

“If I wreck going three houses down the street, I probably don’t need a license.” You joked as you looked up at him, taking in the way the moonlight bounced off of the high points of his face.

“Be careful.” His tone was a bit more authoritative than before, making your insides turn.

“I will be.” You promised before smirking. “Do you want me to call you when I get there so you know I got in okay?” You teased lightly, making him roll his eyes.

“Just for that, I sure do. If my phone’s not ringing in 5 minutes I’m coming down there.” He was smiling, laughing at the way you scrunched up your nose at him before sticking your tongue out.

“Maybe I won’t call then.”

“Are you testing me?”

“I guess you’ll find out.”

“I guess I will.” He winked and closed the door to your car before walking towards the door. He stood there, watching you back out of the driveway thinking about how easy it was with you. It was easy to be himself. He finally went inside to wait for your call.

#gareth emerson #gareth the great #gareth x reader #Gareth Emerson x reader #gareth emerson fanfic #gareth emerson smut #Gareth Emerson fan fiction #stranger things fan fiction #stranger things #stranger things fan fict

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miss0atae · 9 months ago

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Mark plays Aek, a senior student in sport club who is a born leader.

Jimmy plays Pao, a normal kid who major in sciences and has few close friends.

Keng plays Pat, a collected, calm and observant person.

Zee plays San, a wild character who has a bad temper.

Tonnam plays Toto, a senior in cheerleading club.

Park plays Gus, someone who loves his friends and who is willing to get hurt or make sacrifice for them.

Max plays Torn, someone who cares for and loves his friends. He stands up for what is right and he is unafraid.

Yim plays Tee, Thorn's younger brother who has a "dominant" personality and he is obsessed with zombies.

Nat plays Night, an easygoing guy who doesn't like to be in trouble and loves solving any kind of problems.

Cartoon (Toon) plays Nan, the big sister of the group who is extremely tenacious and she is a fighter.

Dream plays Mook, a caring person who takes care of others and she is also very strong.

Pang plays Fah, the youngest of the group. She is skittish and easily frightened.

Tommy plays Jean, who helps others and is ready to fight if necessary.

(Nink) Chanya plays Lily, a manly girl who is selfless and altruistic. She is a close friends to Gavin.

Tutor plays Gavin, close friends of Lily who is a manly guy and very self-confident.

Boss plays Pooh, an observant person who is discreet, sensible but also reliable.

Praew plays Prao, a clever and pretty straightforward woman. She is cool and strong, but also unafraid.

Net plays Earth, a person who loves his friends and he is resolute.

Nunew plays Non, a university student at the Faculty of Art who has a fighting spirit.

Janis plays Ning, a quick thinker who is also skilled and a clear decisive person.

Namping plays Qi, a character who has a unique perk.

Pock plays Dr. Kanchana, who does everything for her child and who will make mistakes but she will try to fix them.

I don't know what character will Weir play or what will be his role in the series. To be seen...

Every pictures come from Zomvivor IG

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mookthecoroner · 2 months ago

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found myself scrolling through the zeltron tag and fell in love with Lyric (shes so pretty and fun!) and remembered i had this dumbass and got hit with the spiderman meme, drew it because why not :D

...may end up playing Old Republic because of this ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

✨Dash Starbolt and his trusty protégé Lyric Ornette✨

#star wars #other peoples ocs #mook does art

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soul-dwelling · 5 months ago

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Thoughts on the clowns going from an interesting representation of one's dark side and the temptation to induldge self destructive madness, into just generic faceless mooks with no personality or point besides bloating the already overstuff moon arc?

It’s wrong for me to generalize, but it seems like most final arcs in serialized stories suffer when they introduce new characters or details that inevitably will not get enough time to develop. This should work: it’s the last arc, break all the rules, so long as the result ends up being a spectacle or too cool not to do or so shocking but concise in reiterating the message that has been reinforced over and over in this story…and the clowns just don’t do any of that--the spectacle isn’t engaging enough, I thoroughly enjoy clowns in pop culture but even these clowns in Soul Eater aren’t that engaging visually or personality-wise, and nothing about the clowns does much to reinforce any message, or at least reinforcing the message of “fear is always with you” in any fashion that another part of the manga didn’t reinforce better.

And I don’t mean that Soul Eater should be criticized only because the clowns don’t get to develop to their full potential: I can’t think of any series where even main characters reach their full potential in their entire story because that’s not how storytelling works, that’s perfectionism and hence a fool’s errand. No, I mean that the characters and details are just there without any sense of progression, elaboration, or sometimes any use to the story aside from cannon fodder.

And that is what the clowns feel like: cannon fodder, antagonists that can be done away with easily not only because their personalities are so limited that we feel almost no sadness or any other emotion when they are gone and not only because their power sets are so dull that they can easily overpowered by the protagonists and we won’t miss losing that power set because they weren’t cool enough at all but also because they are dehumanized so killing them off is not regrettable. Oh, Stein wasted a ton of clowns? Who cares--they weren’t human, and they were barely humanized at all, including, again, in terms of having almost zero personality.

And yet, all of this could be salvaged if the clowns had something to them that was reflective of the larger themes of the story. As you point out, the clowns in parts of Soul Eater were indicative of a character’s dark side. We got to see how jealous Maka can be, how fearful she is of losing her father and her friends and teammates, and how powerless she feels without Soul. All of that is much needed character progression. Yes, I can be frustrated that it still feels a bit forced similar to throwing these details in during the Book of Eibon arc, but it makes sense that Maka would be this emotionally raw after Crona was kidnapped. It is also visually striking: look up just about any Maka clown art by Z-Raid and other illustrators.

But even then, aside from Maka, what did the clowns actually show us about any character’s dark side?

We get that with Justin--but even then, the clowns themselves don’t have much in the way of personality to get a sense of how they corrupt Justin. Granted, just about all of Justin’s story only works because of how little is given to us to show how he got corrupted. We know the “why,” we get belated clarification when Justin fights Tezca. But the clowns never have much in the way of personality to give us a sense how this unfolded. It’s good storytelling potential, likely something someone else did in their own fan works. But I wish Ohkubo had committed to some choice. We already have Ragnarok right there at times acting like a bad conscience on Crona’s shoulder--is that how a clown should act towards Justin? Should it be like the Symbiote telling Eddie what he wants to hear, more like what we got in Weisman and Cook’s Spectacular Spidey animated series?

Edit: I forgot to mention--elliotthezubat once again handles this stuff better: Justin's dilemma works better if you have it more like a clone of himself talking to him, a conversation between two Justins to emphasize different dimensions to his personality and the potential split happening, or the potential for one side overwhelming the other.

When the clowns did pop up to fight for Medusa against Black Star and Tsubaki, and against Team B with the Thompsons, was there really anything gained? Any character progression for Black Star was actually more from fighting Crona, not from fighting a clown, to demonstrate where Black Star and Crona could have gone had each one had different intervention by a parental figure, Black Star at least having Sid and the DWMA, Crona being stuck with an abuser like Medusa. But did the clown unlock any such insight into Kilik, Ox, Kim, and their partners, or Liz and Patty? The clown was just a scientific experiment without any personality of their own. (See also how Ragnarok gets reduced to almost a non-entity as the series persists, and his commentary on what Crona is going through is sorely missed, whether to add insight or just some Falstaff-ian comedic relief with how dire things are getting.)

The final arc had two major opportunities to justify the importance of the clowns: the characters as their own entities, and the characters as reflective of the path Stein could take. And then the arc fails to live up to either potential.

Let’s start with the latter first: like the clowns, Stein is falling more and more into madness--and then on the Moon he just doesn’t, instead weaponizing the madness to lay waste to Asura’s forces, re-establishing that even under madness he is still the same person and his commitment to Death and the DWMA does not falter. I’m not asking that the story continue to milk the angst of Stein after Buttataki’s murder, or take the path of the first anime and show Stein falling under Medusa’s sway. But with this being the last arc, this is the last chance to re-establish Stein is a good person. We need that Iron Giant moment hitting us over the head: we didn’t need the Giant to say, “I am not a gun,” but it summarized the point in an obvious fashion. Where is that moment for Stein? Is there a quotation or a panel from the final arc that I’m neglecting that adequately summarizes how Stein’s fight against the clowns is a rejection of the path Stein could have taken and in his last battle in this series recommits to his characterization, how he has progressed throughout almost 100 chapters, where he goes next, and some larger message the manga is trying to say or at least tie into the ongoing themes about courage, fear, and collaborative work? I don’t get that from Stein’s fight against the clowns, but maybe someone else and can share that quotation or panel.

As for the clowns as their own entities: what do they serve, in terms of their own character progression, or as larger allegorical or symbolic value, or as antitheses or foils to our protagonists? They just seem to be a grab-bag of mythological and literary references: rabbit on the moon, the story of Kaguya. What is Kaguya supposed to tell us in Soul Eater as a foil to Kid? Or, how is she a continuation of ideas Ohkubo is toying with when writing Blair and then later Tamaki in Fire Force? None of these questions really interest me because the potential answers are dull: there is barely anything between Kaguya and Kid to indicate a battle of differing philosophical viewpoints, Kaguya’s shtick is somehow more dull than Blair’s and lacks the other dimensions Blair has (whether in the manga or because fan writers are better at handling her), and the path from Kaguya to Tamaki is just a reminder how gross Ohkubo is when it comes to his attacks against feminism and readers who just get tired of his endless horny misogynistic bullshit. If you just want naked Kaguya, then just go naked Kaguya--that’s more honest and a clearer understanding why this character is here than dressing it up (so to speak) with pseudo-intellectual posturing to try to make her presence and maybe even this arc and this entire manga into something it’s not.

Or, they’re just leftovers from B Ichi, seeing as they are called “Dokeshi” in the original Japanese version of the Soul Eater manga. Super--this is somehow the less annoying version of Ohkubo’s same trick, that being waiting until the final arc to gesture back to the author’s previous work. I should appreciate that the final arc of Soul Eater referencing B Ichi is a harmless Easter egg, compared to the final arc of Fire Force ruining the continuity and thematic cohesion of Soul Eater.

And that’s not even getting into how the clowns just re-populating because of Asura’s almost infinite power of madness.

At least “madness and fear are always with humans” is a clear, understandable message. But clowns? I get that clowns are scary to a lot of people, and their exaggerated details and potentially inhuman grotesque shape is decent shorthand. But this also feels like a failure of using the images to address the message: not everyone is going to find clowns scary, even taking something from childhood enjoyment and making it fearsome isn’t much of a deep message: “I made the things from your childhood edgy” strikes me as lazy. It’s as bad as Ohkubo assuming breasts can only be maternal and must be only a yearning for maternal love as in the final chapter of Soul Eater, or Ohkubo’s regressive cisheteronormative approach to sex as existing only for baby-making and that the idealization of sex appeal is embodied only by an underage teenage girl (again: Ohkubo is fucking gross, fuck this guy) in Fire Force.

This is Ohkubo latching onto a small set of visual details or story tropes he likes and not letting them go. And it again disrupts what we already had: we go from Shotaro in B Ichi being a good guy who is clownish and literally turns into a clown as a final power-up form, to clowns just being absolutely evil in Soul Eater. Again, what is it with Ohkubo taking something from a previous manga, introducing it into another manga--and then taking a completely different approach in that new manga that contradicts what he did before? I can appreciate an author changing their mind over time, but it also comes across as a failure to let the previous work stand on its own and a refusal to let the message of that earlier story persist without needless contradiction by a later work. It comes across less as the author maturing and changing their mind with time and more like a creator who just wants to keep contradicting themselves for the sake of spurring on an argument (and more attention for the sake of more book sales).

#maka albarn #stein #clown (soul eater)#justin law #long post #dwells whines about fire force

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cartoon-buffoon · 2 months ago

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Watching a kwite stream while I do stuff and he is like going through his viewers screentimes and there is a shocking amount of time people spend on character AI. Now a specific person who spent a LUDICROUS amount of time on it prompted him to tell that individual "go find whatever character you're talking to on AO3, sort by kudos, and read!" Or something of the sorts. And I have to agree with that sentiment 100% as this is more or less my personal stance on AI and how it's used modernly: IT FUCKING SUCKS! I don't support AI used for creativity because it's not fucking creative at all, AI art, writing, and even chats, I support fucking none of that and I dislike anyone who does. I have a friend—the same friend who's my beta reader and is probably reading this so call out to you quartz, ya bitch—who uses character ai and I've been trying to get her to stop because it's awful. To those who think their (very sad) character AI addiction is okay as well: all you're doing is feeding a machine and making it replicate text better, you're basically training the tech so the company can then use that tech for whatever—NOT GOOD I GUARANTEE YOU—purposes, you're apart of the problem. Talk to people online, talk to people irl, join discord servers, do fucking SOMETHING that involves interacting with real people instead of soulless AI. ESPECIALLY if you're a creative, if you're an artist who draws and naturally is appalled by AI art and you use shit like character AI you're a hypocrite and should come to your senses.

Now while I do recommend reading fanfiction if you want more content featuring your favorite characters there's also the aspect of people with social anxiety just wanting something to talk to and their use of AI chats. That's fair, as a person who suffers from crippling social anxiety to the point I can't even fucking talk to people at stores or order food without rehearsing it 14 times beforehand: you genuinely just need to try. Like that sounds condescending but I guarantee you there will be a group of people or even a singular person either irl or online who will like you and want to be your friend, it's hard but you just need to try. If you have some sorta talent share it online and eventually there will be at least one person who will interact with you and maybe you can build some sorta friendship from there. My entire point in saying this is don't be a mook and feed AI, be better and have actual meaningful human connection because slop like character AI is a soulless novelty that does nothing but isolate you.

(oh also: Don't give me the bullshit that "oh fanfiction is cringe and AI chats are wayyy better than the shit I've seen" because the pillar you stand on is made of salt. Fanfics written by some 13 year old on Wattpad at least has a soul and effort put into it making it a better read then AI chats, not to mention that writer will probably get better if they continue to write. You are not above fanfiction and are equally as cringe, you are below it if anything)

#rambles from toon #anti ai #anti character ai #I do not support anything AI made

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invested-in-your-future · 9 months ago

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What are your thoughts on Ice Queendom?

Complicated.

You know how sometimes movies have tie-in comic merch where stuff happens that's not in the final product?

Sometimes, it has good art, while in other cases, it's just a lazy filter applied over movie screencaps. In some cases, the story is pretty good, but mostly - it's just inconsequential tie-in ideas to remind you that the movie exists and to get additional cash - a marketing opportunity.

That's, at the end of the day, what Ice Queendom ended up being.

Don't get me wrong, there are redeeming parts of it that shine - the parts that remake the content from early episodes are great. There's love and effort in depicting the V1 fights, and some genuine talent worked in animating them. It captures some of the charm that early RWBY had in those fights.

But beyond that? The worst thing about Ice Queendom is that it's largely inconsequential.

What does it add to the story, characterization, and worldbuilding?

The world still feels underbuilt, the WF are still the faceless mooks (arguably made even worse by the dream imagery used), Blake still makes no sense, and the under-used characters are still underused. The Faunus prejudice is not really expanded upon at all. It doesn't fix the issues with early Volumes or expand upon things that need expanding.

Weiss gets a few good moments, but nothing really that we haven't known before about her - and since it's inconsequential, it doesn't matter for the mainline product either. The show attempts to make us feel like Weiss's biases have a root in fear and the like, but there's not enough foundation to use that, so, in the end, we don't know more about her prejudice against Faunus either.

And since it's treated just like most of the side-media in RWBY ("hehe, it's canon if you were to headcanon it until we contradict something"), it's not built to SAY anything new, either. The parts that feel new, like the new kind of Grimm, also barely make any sense and FEEL the same way the "canon complimentary" comics or video-game tie-ins to movies do.

For a show titled after Weiss, it doesn't end up saying anything new about her or her family - most of it is just surface-level retelling of what's already there but with the use of visual representation now - a surface-level Kingdom Hearts kind of "evil representations" kind of deal that, in my opinion, only really work when it's all in someone's head and not there physically.

Ultimately, it's a show that doesn't bother committing to the concept it tries to execute - it is either afraid or uninterested (or not allowed to) delve deeper into the characters or do anything out of the ordinary. So, in the end, it's a show whose primary value lies in seeing the V1E1 and Nevermore fights. Once the "anime original" part starts, it quickly loses it's steam as it's not allowed to say or do anything with what it attempts depicting.

It does happen to have one of the worst opening credits ever - a literal clip show.

And it's also, coincidentally, the SECOND time Weiss gets a characterization arc in the media OUTSIDE the canon story. We shouldn't NEED to watch a spin-off airing in Japan or a weird Justice League crossover to get a sense of how Weiss feels about things.

Can we please stop stuffing the development and screentime of the story's ACTUAL PROTAGONISTS THAT THE SHOW IS NAMED AFTER into side media while dedicating all the screentime in the MAIN show to some guy named Jaune?

#rwby #rwde #weiss schnee #rwby ice queendom

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goddamnwebcomics · 5 months ago

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-Goblins: Life Through Their Eyes + Tempts Fate - By Ellipsis "Elli" Stephens and Danielle Stephens

A webcomic about a bunch of goblins who decide to form up their own rpg hero adventuring party. while another goblin has their own reluctant adventure as a b-plot. Arts seems fine, but then you notice stuff how the goblin main characters look like chewed gum people. It also kinda chucks the characters into their dangerous situations REALLY fast and fequently, relying on a lot of ass-pulling to get the main characters out of them. I've also heard someone from fellow Bad Webcomic Entry "Girl Genius" worked on this too. Lots of time wasting mook battles and skipped updates for advert shilling.

As if that weren't enough the other comic, "Tempt's Fate" is on the same site and is more or less just a donation drive where people paying keeps the titular goblin from getting killed by death traps.

- NIHILGUNZ - By Exzeedvelocity

Possibly the most tryhard edgy thing you will ever see in an ongoing webcomic. About an anthro cat named Malice(?) Wh9 helps a mouse dispose of bodies, it feelscomic equivalent of what is basically the video game "Cruelty Squad" in that is over-the-top mean and crazy, but lacks the involvement of bein a game and is less self-aware. Or maybe it is and its just kinda missing its own point? Im not sure? The style is very stylistic and angular and leads to some weird sequences and anatomy, and the writing in AND out of the comic is juvenile constant swearing.

-Realm of Kaerwyn- by Long Tom and then ZenForce

A fantasy comic that started as different webcomic, which became a roleplay, which became this. The world was once ruled mainly by dragonpeople and is now lived in by humans who were teleported in from another universe, though there are still dragon people around. The world is also overridden by werewolves that spread like a zombie disease through scratching and biting, with only one city left. Honestly don't know too much else aside from the art looking amateurish and the fact that the character who was the protagonist of the original comic and the role play (a half-wolf girl adventurer) is not the real main character of this comic.

Oh god, is the first one THAT Goblins? I've heard it's extremely infamous and the author does not take criticism well As for the other two, NIHILGUNZ does sound genuinely awful. even if the art style is kinda neat. And the third one, I am just confused, but I don't see why I shouldn't give this a chance.

#bad webcomic #weird webcomic #furry webcomic #not exactly safe for work #submission #edit

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baalzebufo · 1 year ago

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watching everyone comment nice things on the plutocrat art with big evil smile

hmm perhaps I will talk about my investor headcanons. under the cut

just my personal reads on em, in speedy note format. sorted from 'oldest' to 'youngest' though theyre probably built around the same time anyway, its more in Vibes-

CHARON - the 'big brother'. protective, cool-headed, the Adult. right hand to the Don. the most mature probably but also takes advantage of being the trusted one to fool the others with dumb stuff. hes the most responsible and generally the one cosmo gripes to the most

KEREBOS - loyal and aggressive. much like the aformentioned dog, he has bark and a decent amount of bite to back it up with. throws his weight around. kind of the 'big dumb thug' of the group, but hes not actually dumb. just the Tough Guy archetype. loves over the top threats

HYDRA - full of himself. the middle investor and middle manager, deals with the financial and accounting side of things mostly. finds himself managing the others a little too often because hes a little neurotic and likes control. keeps trying to push above his station, but he Does go above and beyond with his work.

NIX - handles the shakedowns. a little mood-swingy. i see him as the most melancholic and gloomy, at least in appearance. hes a great worker even if he tends to butt heads a bit because of his attitude. not as sad as he looks but hes got a bit of that 'resting exhausted face' going on.

STYX - a lil goofy, the 'heheh yeah boss!' guy. the newest and youngest. gets delegated to the restaurant side of the business bc hes the newbie. he takes it oddly seriously for what is just meant to be a front (he forgets they arent really a pizza joint)

the actual Mozarella Styx restaurant is signed under his name (so if anyone finds out about his criminal enterprise the don wont take the fall) and hes weirdly passionate about it now. he still does actual mob work too.

thats about it for now but just my quick tldr. its fun seeing what everyone else assigns the investors since theyre quite blank slate characters... i love a dysfunctional group of gangsters. one thing thats important is they fight a lot but they are ridiculously protective of each other and the don

for all his faults, plutocrat genuinely fosters an environment of loyalty within his family. if you are in hia family, you're IN. and he'll protect you as much as he can. the investors all get that too. just this group of mooks against the world

girl help im getting really attached to exceedingly minor characters aaah

#satellite investors #cosmo kuiper #plutocrat #ill put it in that tag i know its not TECHNICALLY about cosmo much but. if anyone is gonna appreciate the satellites its you guys #anyway yeah i really love these dweebs #i need to doodle them more

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mookthecoroner · 3 months ago

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Thrower, hazes traumatizes Shinies as a hobby (Dont worry, he doesn't go splat)

#clone trooper oc #coruscant guard #mook does art #health fire and safety department of the corrie guard

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dailycass-cain · 1 year ago

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This week the GOTHAM WAR has begun. Is the basis for this "war" for Catwoman/Batman work? How does Cass fit into this? I'll give my thoughts on it...

So the basis of the event is Catwoman is training the "hired help" of Gotham. Instead of working for Scarface, the Riddler, or Two-Face. They're off doing their own things in robbing the rich. But already there's a problem with that...

Not just the easy answer. Court of Owls.

Sure, maybe a few of them use mooks. This very issue brings up Professor Pyg as using "hired" help, but it feels kind of wrong for Pyg to do this sort of thing.

When Dollotrons have been his modus operandi. Why need thugs when breaking folks into nothing is far cheaper?

What's to stop Pyg from doing that exactly again? Nothing really. So all Selina is replacing is Pyg from going to hired back to his old ways.

That's not good at all. That's kind of why Batman and the Bat-Family are needed.

That isn't bringing up the "biggest" bad himself, the Joker. There have been numerous stories of the Joker just by himself making Gotham a literal hell without any hired help.

The Joker at his scariest is when he's by himself. Even then he's causing all sorts of harm in Gotham.

Those are the "easy" examples.

What about the other villains who already have an operating gang say Punchline and the Royal Flush Gang? It feels like writers Chip Zdarsky and Trini Howard make Selina's case paper thin.

That's not to say Batman's side is any better, "My parents were rich line." Was not the intended dramatic moment the book had. More made me chuckle as it could've easily been photoshopped with, "MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!" instead.

Likewise, is Selina's retort. Literally, again there are so many examples of Bruce showing compassion to folks by using his fortune.

Just alone in Batgirl (#63), we had this scene. That's just one moment that easily popped in my head.

It just feels so wrong for the basis of this "war" to be so flimsy when there are better ways for it. Aka the bot that literally subjugated all of Gotham because Batman took "a life" (that turned out to be false).

There's so much to see Selina's side of things when Failsafe had domain over the city. We have barely seen the city or ANYONE react to that.

Like that alone is more a cause for SOMETHING than what we're getting initially here.

I digress I could go on and on poking the holes into the fight itself, but how does it relate to Cass? Well, already she should be against Selina's plan.

A life is a life.

No matter what Selina's way will take lives. So…

The fact this is all glossed over with her being silent. Just says it all for me that her part in this is already "planned".

I'll probably hate it.

I'll probably despise it.

I thought long and hard about what the best course of action during this event would be for me. I really do love the artists attached to this event. I do love Cass. However, I do not like the context of the event AT ALL.

The answer is kind of right in front of me. Well, three answers. Birds of Prey (out next week), Spirit World, and Detective Comics. I adore two of these and by all things considered with the preview, I'm gonna probably LOVE BoP.

So instead of going into long rants and give myself stress I shouldn't need. I'm just gonna enjoy the good art.

If there are bad moments (which I'm sure there will be) in this event. I'm gonna call it like I see it.

But as for going into detailed thoughts like this? That's it. This is all this event is getting out of me. I have too much enjoyment else to give my focus too.

I just feel sorry for the fans of Duke, Tim, Stephanie, and Barbara. Those fans gotta suffer thru this as Damian, Cass, Kate, Luke, and Dick get to play outside this "sandbox" of woe.

This comic was garbage. This story is garbage. It's just best for me to look away for the most part and enjoy the stuff with Cass that I do have outside "the war".

That's my thoughts on it all. 😁

Now to enjoy a BETTER COMIC next week.

#cassandra cain #dc comics #my thoughts

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tiffanylamps · 2 years ago

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𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒗𝒊𝒍 (𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚)

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏: 나타나다 Pals, I wrote this post months ago (maybe at the end of last year??? I don't know). I wrote it with the intention of rewatching the whole show and doing episode reviews/documenting my musings. But.... life got in the way (as it always does).

But as today is the two year anniversary of the first episode airing, I thought I might as well share what I wrote. Even though it only covers the first like... 20 minutes of the episode lol

Having said that, I will note that there's definitely an abundance of rambling, as well as me taking the piss out of Joo Won, and of course, me thirsting HARD for Shin Ha Kyun 😌 So, are you wearing your glasses? Cause, I am. fyi, you're going to need a drink and maybe a snack because this is a very long post. I hope you enjoy what I share. Please note: Do not read this if you haven’t seen the whole show. It contains major spoilers.

Part 1/2 (??) Okay, out of all 16 episodes, the first is the one I have seen the most. I have previously done a ridiculous review of it, which you can read here. ⬅️ Now for my unorganised thoughts (which have been organised more as bullet points than anything else):

I like BE’s intro/title sequence. There are some very sexy scene selections and colour grading. I’m personally a little fatigued when it comes to glitch art, so the little 90s-inspired glitch effects don’t “wow” me. But I still appreciate that they included this in the overall design of the show’s aesthetic

here are some of my favourite shots

⬆️ THAT'S GAY! Dong Sik looking down with his eyes open and Joo Won looking up with his eyes closed??? heaven vs hell, open mind vs closed mind. Bound together by cuffs (their version of the red thread of fate) on THEIR LEFT HANDS. resting their heads against each other????? Excuse me, but this has no right being so obvious

I didn’t like the soundtrack when I first watched the show… I know… I know. I did like a few songs but overall, I wasn’t too keen on the general sound. Now, however??

i'm grooving Also, does anyone else get... you know... in the opening scene when Dong Sik demands Ji Hoon to put his flashlight into the air so he can find him?? 😳 sir, give me a chance! I like a logical man (who canonically was just flirting with his future boyfriend)

Also, I like that Ji Hoon is wearing a yellow and blue raincoat in this scene. I wonder if this is a slight nod to the yellow raincoat serial killer, Yoo Young Chul?? Also, visually, it is an early indicator of Ji Hoon’s age, as he (out of the three men in the scene) is the only one wearing bright primary colours, which is often associated with young children/younger people. It could also be a subtle indication of his profession, as the South Korean police use blue, yellow, and red as a part of their emblem's colour scheme. It is also an efficient way of adding contrast to an otherwise very dark and semi-monochromatic scene.

"동식아"/ “Dong Sik-ah”- JUST YES. Through the power of honorifics alone, we are able to gauge the nature of Ji Hoon’s relationship with Dong Sik, before they've even shared the same space onscreen.

Including Dong Sik’s heartbeat during this part of this scene - told entirely from his perspective - is a very nice touch of immediately humanising him to the audience and indicating the gravity of this event.

Cut to the year 2000 and we're immediately shown the killer (1 of 2). Jin Mook’s van is shown passing through various locations throughout Manyang as a way to establish the location, the events of the era, and the personality of the town. But what the creators do so artfully here is they showcase to us how Jin Mook was able to go on for 20 years without being suspected by his fellow townsfolk. We, the audience, just like everyone else in the story, do not pay attention to him/his van. Instead, we focus on the people and locations he passes through. He is almost invisible, but he is like a poison or an air bubble passing through the bloodstream, you can’t always see him, but he kills the host either way.

This sequence of events also mirrors how Joo Won is introduced

We are shown Jin Mook delivering a bouquet of flowers for a funeral (belonging to the Lee family. Which I'm guessing Jin Mook maaay have worked for or at the very least, helped out), and then immediately to Yu Yeon’s fingers.

Then we are shown Yu Yeon in the glow of the hazy sunlight basking through the church window as if she is an angel or more of a memory than a living person.

“Even when injustice strikes our world. Even when mistrust spreads. We will only believe in our Lord.” “Our world is covered in darkness. Lord, please light our world.”

These are the lyrics to the song the choir is singing. How… yeeeeah… how appropriate for the rain scene in episode 16.

I love the tenderness we see in Kim Young Hee (Yu Yeon and Dong Sik's mum). Honestly, I adore her! What a wonderful mother that loved her children and tried to do right by them. I love that Dong Sik got his curly hair from his mother, and I love that he has her wide smile (it's a smile the twins share). I love that you can see how proud Young Hee is of Yu Yeon and that, even though Dong Sik is “bringing down the family name”, you can tell that she still loves him dearly.... even if he’s a little shit.

Also, we do not give enough credit to the makeup department for the way they transformed Park Myung Shin’s appearance.

Oh god. Not Dong Sik not turning up to his grandmother’s funeral service…. In a scene where they just brought up the concept of karma, and how Dong Sik is bringing bad karma to the family… 🙃🙃

Here he is choosing not to say goodbye to a family member (in a church, no less), then later in the same day, he loses his twin sister, and then 3 years later, his father dies. He doesn’t go to the funeral of one family member and loses two family members by force…. Almost like he’s being punished for his “poor” choices. He was released from the army to attend his father’s funeral (where he was the “상주”/Sangju/Chief Mourner. He is shown all alone before Sang Bae came to support him), and then much later on, he is shown again choosing to go and to be the Chief Mourner of two more funerals (Kang Min Jeong and Nam Sang Bae). It is only when he completes this does he find out who Yu Yeon's killer is; almost as if he’s made up for his bad karma??? Am I pulling smoke out of my arse here? Probably

NOT DONG SIK BADLY SINGING ALONG TO A SONG WITHOUT A CARE! Nope. nope. STOP 😭😭😭

I find the way the three females in this scene interact with Dong Sik to be veeerrry interesting. There are no giggles, no exchanging of telling glances, no blushing, teasing, and definitely no flirting. None of them finds Dong Sik attractive (they have no taste) or believes that he finds them attractive. There is no indication of any romantic connection between him and them. They only view him as someone they can openly laugh at because he’s (in their eyes) an annoyance: someone worthy of their laughter. This scene could have been an easy way for the show to make Dong Sik het, but they didn’t do that, leaving his sexuality and relationship status during his younger years unknown to us. (Considering he didn’t go to church and that he has no romantic tension with any of the girls in his age group, it really says a lot👀)

I really like Bang Ju Seon… she’s so cool and a little mean but I respect her for it! Although....

This is uncool. But I do like that they interrogated this into the story and that it was subtly explored through Dong Sik's actions throughout the show

Young Dong Sik is really given way too much shit. They’re acting like he’s the worst kid on the block (i’m exaggerating), when in reality, he’s a 20-year-old hanging out at a music cafe in his local town. Yeah, he “starts fights”* (as noted in the church scene) but his face isn’t bruised or bloody. He’s not shown smoking or doing drugs; he’s not getting anyone pregnant. He’s just a teenager in a small religious town, who’s clearly feeling the pressures and restrictions placed upon him. He’s just trying to have fun. He’s not sure where his life is going next and honestly, that’s super okay. Poor baby, he really didn’t deserve what that town did to him. *throughout his childhood, Dong Sik would beat up bullies. But I do love how these small details of his teenage self are used as fuel for the fire. Because of his “bad” behaviour, the people in the town were quick to believe that he committed sororicide. The detail that Dong Sik is "nothing" in comparison to Yu Yeon was probably seen as a motive (he was angry about being second best and was jealous of YY, etc)

Yu Yeon has a picture of her and her mum together [top left-hand corner], just like Jae Yi.

Also, her room reminds me of Min Jeong’s

I like the detail of Yu Yeon sneaking out. It shows that she and Dong Sik aren’t as different as everyone makes them out to be. Also, I like that we’re led to believe that it was Dong Sik that “lured” her out of the house.

The Lee’s family home was so nice!! 😭😭😭😭

NO! NOt the camera lingering on where Yu Yeon’s fingers end up!

YU YEON AND DONG SIK BOTH WEAR PLAID SHIRTS. Do you think she’s wearing one of Dong Sik’s shirts??? Cause I do.

I also like that the camera focuses on Yu Yeon tucking her hair behind her ear. In visual media, this is often used to convey bashful/shyness/romantic feelings from young women. So, without words, we are being told that she’s thinking about/on her way to meet a romantic love interest.

ALSO!!! Due to the fact that the city council weren’t distributing funds equally throughout Manyang (it’s noted that they spend their budget on the densely populated areas), the lights are turned off on the road. This leads to Yu Yeon becoming scared and deciding to run to meet up with Jung Je. Perhaps, if the lights have been left on, she wouldn’t have felt scared, meaning she wouldn’t have run, and wouldn’t have ended up coming across Jin Mook murdering Ju Seon… meaning… maybe she wouldn’t have died that night.

I get shivers every time they pan down to Ju Seon's body

The religious imagery!!! The angel statue is first shown with Yu Yeon, then Ju Seon, Young Hee, Dong Sik, and then finally, Joo Won.

Okay, so this heartbreaking scene of Young Hee finding her daughter's fingers. Other than the obvious (and the way she stretches her hand out towards Yu Yeon, foreshadowing how even though she can no longer hold her daughter, she'll never let go😭😭), please note that Dong Sik and his mother have the same singing voice 🫠

Then we cut back to 20 years later/present day. But the show makes sure to show us that Seoul expanded and grew, but Manyang stayed the same/got worse (a.k.a became purgatory)

The female gaze is so sexy here. THIS IS ~THE~ INTRODUCTION SCENE OF ALL INTRODUCTION SCENES. Can you believe that Joo Won got to sleep with this man??? I honestly think about this scene every time I wash my face… that’s probably super sad but… here we are. Also, I know it doesn't need to be said but.... SHIN HA KYUN 😩😩😩😩

The shot of Dong Sik walking through his family home, with the camera following him to reveal the way the house hasn’t changed (has only been touched by time) is one of my favourite shots of the show. We are given so much information with a singular pan of the camera 😩

We are shown Dong Sik walking through his family home, stuck in time. Then the next introduction we are given is Joo Won, in his flashy sports car on his way to Manyang. It’s the equivalent of a slow-mo shot of a bullet leaving the barrel of a gun and the journey it takes before it reaches its destination. (Dong Sik is walking around in circles. Joo won is moving in a straight line, heading directly to Dong Sik. DS is shown wearing browns and reds. JW is first seen in a bright blue car. Dong Sik is shown as a person inside a family home, and Joo Won is shown inside a machine. What I’m trying to get at is that they’re shown as opposites)

NO. FUCK OFF! I JUST REALISED SOMETHING: jwds are both shown twice through glass/mirrors during their introduction sequence. (side note: I love that they're given equal attention during this sequence, it really establishes that this is their story)

Dong Sik is shown shaving- as in shedding a layer, preparing himself for the day, and getting ready for his next performance (which is something he has to overcome)

We first see Dong Sik through a fogged-up mirror, then through a completely distorted mirror. Further proving that the person we are being shown is viewed as a reflection of our perspective of him, and not the person he truly is

Joo Won is shown looking through the car window with the sun beaming on it- detailing to us that he is blinded (which is something he has to overcome)

His view is insular and dictated by the "bubble" he was brought up in/keeps himself in. He also looks out to the world through an unclear perspective.

Dong Sik is shown looking at his own distorted reflection, whereas Joo Won is looking out through the glass. Neither has a clear vision of what they're about to face. (And only when Dong Sik isn’t hiding behind his facade and Joo Won starts seeing with clear eyes are they able to unveil the truth.)

Am I making a mountain out of a molehill??? Or am I onto something here?

(Also, it should be illegal for a show to have two leads that are this attractive. That is genuinely one of the things I liked the most about BE, the first time around and even now😂 In my opinion, Shin Ha Kyun and Yeo Jin Goo are equally matched in their looks. Ngl, it’s a nice element to their partnership on screen haha)

When I saw Jin Goo’s face for the first time, I remember thinking, “gosh, he’s wearing a lot of makeup” 😂😂 But I will note that I like the way the makeup department decided to present Joo Won. He isn't too dulled up, he's not perfect (you can see Jin Goo's skin texture, his scars, and some spots/zits every now and then) and in comparison to other shows Jin Goo's been in, he looks way less airbrushed, and more like a person wearing makeup. It just looks like Joo Won is choosing to wear makeup, which I personally really like for his character. Basically, he's pretty but not perfect

[Cut to the salon scene] I like that it is noted that Lee Kang Ja’s husband is a cop, and how it’s understandable for the audience to believe that Dong Sik is her husband… but nah 👀😂 Also, I swear that Lee Kang Ja calls Dong Sik “Dong Sik-ah” (which… given her and Gil Goo’s involvement in his framing and the cover-up that ruined Dong Sik’s life, is suuuuper fucked up)

Also, I like that class and financial income is brought up in this scene. It adds substance to the kind of area Manyang is

I reaaaally like that we get to see Dong Sik doing his job without Joo Won making us believe that he’s guilty of something. We see that Dong Sik is observant, patient, kind, calm, and authoritative. He knows the law and understands when to apply it (👀😈)

Park Ji A... oh what I would give to be in your shoes right now. Also, thank fuck for Dong Sik that Joo Won never saw this… he may have gotten ideas 👀😂 (also tag yourself. i'm ji hoon at the window)

Honestly, this scene is kind of hilarious because it's like the only time the show dedicates this much screen time to comedy, and the way they chose to do it is by showing people disregarding Dong Sik's person 🙃 [cut to the station scene]

Up until the scene inside the station, we have been told by multiple people that Dong Sik isn’t/was not as accomplished as Yu Yeon. Which kind of implies that he wasn’t as academically accomplished, and perhaps, not as smart. But then we are shown Dong Sik resighting individual articles from the criminal code from memory, proving that these claims against him were false (it really sets up a precedent, doesn't it???)

Side note: Gwang Young is such a brown-noser and I really like that about him. He’s a bitch- a harmless bitch but a bitch nonetheless, and I fucking love it!! 😂😂😂 (I just wanted 1 bitch-off between him and Joo Won. Like a proper one! Where neither wants to back down)

This scene just proves that Dong Sik is the smartest in the room and is one step ahead of everyone and is sooooo bored. It’s the perfect time for someone smart and new to come into his life to shake things up, isn’t it? 👀 Also, the women from the salon were taken to the station with perming lotion on their hair… GOODBYE HAIR!! SEE YA! RIP. That hair is literally being burned off as they argue over their innocence

I love the first time Joo Won arrives (properly… aside from his stalking) at the station, we are shown him pausing to observe what is happening. Joo Won is highlighted as an outsider, looking in

Not Gil Goo wanting to break the rules and asking Dong Sik to let things slide!!!!!

💀💀 isn't that what he gets arrested for in the end???

🔊ATTENTION. ATTENTION. PLEASE MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. HAN JOO WON HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING. I repeat... HAN JOO WON HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING 🔊 🚨 IN FUCKING SLOW MO!!!!🚨

The “sea” of women part, making way for him… kind of like how the Red Sea parts for Moses, js

Of course, Dong Sik doesn’t look up from the computer until he hears THAT voice… I get it, Dong Sik, no judgement here. I totally get it. 😌

Joo Won has the fucking AUDACITY to sigh before introducing himself! Girl, YOU SET THIS UP. YOU WANTED THIS. THIS IS YOUR BIG MOMENT. WHY ARE YOU SIGHING??? (maybe it’s cause he knows he can’t go back now??)

🫠Yeo jin goo’s voice should be illegal🫠 Them:

Me:

In case you were wondering… dong sik fancies joo won from the get-go 🤷‍♀️ i don't make the rules Note: This is also the last scene Joo Won has any resemblance of “coolness” or can be seen as “chill”, which is hilarious considering all the hoops he put himself through to get to this moment 😂

In the scene with Joo Won and Sang Bae, I’m really taken aback by how young Joo Won seems. I know it’s because Jin Goo was like 22(??) when they filmed this, but yeah… he seems very… unprepared for what he’s about to face (which he is) “Delaying things isn’t really my style” Well, you sure did delay arresting Dong Sik, didn’t you???? I guess with everything in Joo Won’s strict life, Dong Sik is the exception to the rule

Joo Won’s first question about his new job is “who is my partner?” and I’m just screaming. I wrote about this scene here (but I’ll sum it up now: I think he wanted Dong Sik to be his partner)

Sang Bae isn’t really the kind of person to care about other people’s opinions of him. But in his first scene with Joo Won, he seems almost embarrassed that his computer crashes. He has a nervous energy and keeps laughing to downplay that embarrassment. Do you think he knew Joo Won came from Seoul and was worried that his smaller substation (later referred to as “the worst” substation by Hyuk) may be looked down upon?? Or… perhaps it’s all an act to make Joo Won warm up to him???

One of my favourite scenes of the whole show is where Dong Sik is pretending not to listen to the gang when they're talking about Joo Won. I. LOVE. IT!!! I love how much he wants us to know that he “doesn’t care”, but then just ends up showing us that he really does, in fact, care. I personally think that he likes what he hears about Joo Won’s accolades (although he's singing THIS to himself😂), and only seems to sour once he’s informed of who Joo Won’s father is. His disappointment is soooo apparent. He cannot and does not hide it. That’s a super interesting detail to include… it says a lot. (it's also the first time in the show that Dong Sik shows any interest in someone). Dong Sik learns that HKH is Joo Won’s dad, and his first reaction is quiet disappointment, NOT excitement… He cares more about Joo Won, the person, and not Joo Won, the chess piece. Hmmmmmmmmm... interesting.

(it's okay baby, you'll get him in the end dw)

Note that the camera lingers on Dong Sik when Gil Goo points out that Joo Won is handsome and physically fit… 👀👀👀👀 Also, when Joo Won is put down on paper, he’s super impressive and almost untouchable. But through Dong Sik, we get to see that it’s bullshit. Joo Won isn’t the person his father wants him to be (i.e, the perfect student and police officer). I really like that we’ve been told to be impressed by him, without getting to know him, and it’s only when we get to know Joo Won, do we get to see that he’s a walking contradiction (and he’s as human as everyone else). We shouldn’t view him through the narrow lens he and his father put him in, because he is so much more than that Sang Bae lets Dong Sik process a missing person’s case, even if they technically can’t do it within the confines of the law!!! 😩 Fucking hell, they really showed that guilt from the get-go, didn't they??? This scene is so goddamn important for the whole show!!! I JUST!! Ah! and of course it’s Dong Sik who first highlights the restrictive nature of the SK's laws. Joo Won watches this whole interaction (and gets turned on). He listens to the difference between a “runaway” and a missing person… what does Joo Won’s job become at the end of the show?????? 😩😩 I'm fine, I promise Joo Won leaves the station after getting one last look at Dong Sik and then later on (how long was he driving around Manyang, cause it is daytime and suddenly it’s nighttime??) in his car checking Dong Sik out, are the first warning signs of the Inner Slut ™ begging to be unleashed.

Also, I guess Dong Sik walked to work that day???

When I first watched BE, I wasn’t a huge fan of Dong Sik popping pills for his leg injury*. I’m still on the fence about the fact that he bites the pills and seems to eat them, instead of swallowing them whole. But then again, this guy is severely depressed and a smoker, so maybe he doesn’t care about the taste… or for the health of his teeth and gums???? It doesn't matter. I'm convinced that Dong Sik was thinking about Lee Sang Yeob in this scene because Joo Won reminds him of him (they have glaring similarities) and that's what causes his leg pain *During my first watch, I immediately knew it was psychosomatic pain. It’s a pretty easy visual motif to show us that he’s dealing with unresolved trauma.

Gosh, Joo Won really did watch Dong Sik cross the road, getting all horny cause Dong Sik can recite the criminal code from memory… and then later uses it as a way to flirt, showing that he cares enough to listen and that he retains that information... that really is one of Joo Won’s biggest love languages

ugh. Gay people.

So, yeah... that's all I wrote and I don't have the brain power to finish it. But I hope that was entertaining for you all See ya!

#beyond evil #jtbc beyond evil #jwds #chatty lamps

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