#raging grace (2023)

[gebo4482]

Raging Grace - Official Trailer (2023) Max Eigenmann, Jaeden Boadilla

[kristenswig]

#277. Raging Grace - Paris Zarcilla

3.5/5

[letterboxd-loggd]

Raging Grace (2023) Paris Zarcilla

December 23rd 2023

[ennaih]

Every Film I Watch In 2023:

267. Raging Grace (2023)

[genkinahito]

Raging Grace (2023) Director: Paris Zarcilla [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]

Raging Grace    Release Date: 2023 Duration: 99 mins. Director: Paris Zarcilla Writer: Paris Zarcilla (Screenplay), Starring: Max Eigenmann, Jaeden Paige Boadilla, Leanne Best, David Hayman Website IMDB Raging Grace is British-born Filipino writer-director Paris Zarcilla’s debut feature. His UK-set horror film has all of the hallmarks of traditional gothic horror as it has a haunted house,…

[boinin]

Batten down the hatches: Rin's ego is about to land

The latest chapters show Rin playing with an unfamiliar aura: what looks like swirling rivulets of water.

This represents the refinement of his ego and playstyle since the under-20 match. But what exactly are they going for with the swirling water? Here's my two cents.

Rin is strongly associated with water, specifically the sea. He grew up by the coast; he and Sae shared a love of watching the sunset over the water after training together. Those childhood memories are turbulent now, like dark clouds on the ocean's horizon.

It's here he realises that he can no longer play the puppetmaster football that helped him thrive in Blue Lock. As good as he is, it wasn't authentic... and it's nowhere near where he needs to be to compete with his brother, or even Isagi.

Rin's flow state is the most unique out of any others we've seen. Let's dig into it. All panels are from the official translation, which is important as the translation choices are 1) consistent and 2) likely chosen carefully.

In the dying moments of the match, Rin complains about feeling restrained. Being Itoshi Rin is eating him alive.

Cool, calm and aloof.

A genius. Prodigy. Puppetmaster.

Team player. Team captain.

Isagi Yoichi's partner. Shidou Ryuusei's rival.

Itoshi Sae's little brother.

The prospect of defeat rudely wakes him up. His pretence comes crashing down hard, triggered by his ineffectiveness in spite of the teammates around him. It's one of the best rugpulls in sports manga.

When the power of friendship comes knocking, Itoshi Rin tells it to fuck off and die.

What a glorious moment... and not just because it posits Rin as a Uchiha Sasuke kinnie. I prompt you to examine his eyes in this panel.

They're a swirling vortex of hate and destruction, befitting Blue Lock's angstiest character. The shape reminds me of this:

Satellite images of Hurricane Franklin and Hurricane Idalia, August 2023. Image credit: NOAA Satellites.

Rin's true ego, which he unleashes against Sae, is a storm.

Optional soundtrack for the rest of this post (because Rin 100% listens to this once it comes out in Blue Lock's universe).

Although it isn't portrayed visually as such in the under-20 arc, the metaphor fits Rin's evolving playstyle. What is more destructive, more uncontrollable, more senseless than a hurricane? A violent force of nature that we can predict but never avert?

When a storm approaches, all we can do is rank it, track it, then attempt to mitigate the inevitable damage.

In football terms? Sounds a lot like playing Rin.

It's even alluded to in chapter 250: the graphics for Rin's formation are similar to the satellite images of large storms.

Within the U20 match, there are exchanges that support this theory. Darai calls Rin's evolving playstyle arrogant and avaricious. The latter (meaning extreme greed) is evocative of a force that pursues what it wants without regard for anything in its surroundings. What it can't have, it destroys.

Niou is confident enough in his physicality to try withstand his opponent's attrack. Rin literally flips him into the air. Niou's hubris brings to mind all man-made constructs which are supposedly storm-proof... until a cyclone comes along and proves otherwise.

The contrast between Rin and Sae's egos are interesting. If we accept Rin's is a storm, i.e. a destructive force of nature that cannot be controlled, Sae's is the opposite despite being as impossible to defy. Sae's motif is defined in the manga as "beautiful destruction", plays and passes depicted in graceful data strings. Rather than natural, his playstyle is sleek and controlled, and dominant to the point of appearing pre-ordained by his opponents.

Their attitudes are equally different. While Rin drools and loses composure in the final minutes, Sae does little more than raise his eyebrows throughout the entire game. He's completely emotionless.

It's the extremes of human nature: animalistic rage versus robotic detachment. This time, the latter wins. Will Rin have an opportunity to face his brother again, with a better grasp on his ego? Here's hoping.

My final thoughts on Rin are speculative. How does one beat a storm? Not just endure—but subdue and calm one?

It's beyond human capability. The ability to control the weather exists only in myth and fantasy, and even then it's usually in the hands of powerful entities, not mere heroes or wizards.

Subduing something as powerful as a hurricane would require a god.

Is this Isagi and Rin's endgame?

Time will tell.

[primoredial-jade]

to you, 500 years from now.

" i wonder if you remember me as i was. sometimes, i think of those days. do you? " —dishonored

prompt: he wishes to see you again one day, in a world that is kinder for a soul as beautiful as yours.

pairing: neuvillette x gn!reader

cw: reincarnation alternate universe, heavy themes and depictions of death, neuvillette story quest spoilers, fontaine archon quest spoilers, a light-hearted scene sprinkled in, reader is an oceanid in their past life, reader is a geoscientist in their current life

as a part of @seraphiism's 2023 writing event 🤍 merry christmas!

500 years ago.

seldom did visitors grace the presence of the hydro dragon.

adorned with shimmering scales that reflected the hues of the deepest ocean, piercing violet eyes that sparkled like the shiniest amethysts, and hailed as one of the strongest sovereigns of the world– his reputation preceded him. thus, the hydro dragon chose to live in seclusion in the salacia plains.

time worked differently for a being such as him. in a momentary lapse, the hydro dragon had shut his eyes for what he thought was a brief respite, only to be roused by the gentle murmur of bubbling water. as his eyes fluttered open, he remained unaware that several years had slipped away during his tranquil slumber.

with seemingly no fear at being in the presence of the hydro dragon, a beautiful oceanid floated before him, blowing bubbles in his direction. twirling around him, the oceanid radiated a warmth that the hydro dragon could not resist. drawn by the mesmerizing glow of his scales, the oceanid came closer.

the hydro dragon sat up in his full form, extending his wings and towering over the oceanid, gauging its reaction. he knew he was terrifying like this. the oceanid did not flee in fear, rather, gazed up at him in amazement and wonder.

"what is your name?" the hydro dragon asks.

you offer it to him, easily.

days turned into nights into years as the hydro dragon finally had someone to call his companion. you followed him everywhere he went, offering him countless condessence crystals on your trips, "because it resembles your eyes."

with time, the hydro dragon had discovered a love that transcended ordinary within you.

fate, as cruel as it could be, had other plans. the heavenly principles had descended to wage war against the seven sovereigns. the hydro dragon urged you to stay away, to not get involved. yet, you refused, promising that you would never leave his side.

the heavenly principles, having sensed the unconventional bond between the hydro dragon and his oceanid, instantly killed you before the hydro dragon could even think to intervene. dying in his hands, you apologized.

"hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don't cry," you murmur, placing one last condessence crystal in his palm.

filled with agony and rage, the hydro dragon unleashed his elemental fury upon the heavenly principles.

still, it wasn't enough. he couldn't save you, he couldn't avenge you, and now, he was to also perish by the hands of fate.

as he lay dying with the condessence crystal in his hand, he wishes to see you again one day. in a world that is kinder, and more forgiving for a soul as beautiful as yours.

500 years later.

the stars are keeping you up tonight.

ever since furina had given up her position as the hydro archon and the prophecy was deemed to be untrue, you had felt a shift within yourself that you could not really explain. when you had been enveloped by the water of the primordial sea, you had felt... at home. tranquil, even.

fontaine's winter festivities were in full swing, and the city's lights twinkle slow as children zip past you through the streets. red and green decorations are adorned on every wall and lamp post. you raise a hand to catch a delicate snowflake– rarely did snow ever reach fontaine, but it was a welcomed change for the season.

you shiver, pulling your coat closer to your neck. it was probably reckless to be out this late when the night was this chilly, but you just couldn't shake the feeling of having to be out here. something was pulling you here, but you didn't know what.

"good evening," a voice calls your name and you startle, hand over your heart. you turn to meet piercing violet eyes and an easygoing smile, one that you meet sheepishly.

"good evening, monsieur neuvillette," you answer, inadvertently straightening your posture.

"i thought it was you i saw..." neuvillette trails off, clearing his throat. he gestures up to the palais mermonia, quite a ways away. you tilt your head in bewilderment.

"you could see me from there?"

"well, not at first," he answers, lightly tapping his cane on the floor. "you could say it was instinct, perhaps. i cannot find the words to really explain it, but it had to be you."

you would be lying if you said that one of the reasons as to why you had felt so on edge since the flooding didn't have anything to do with neuvillette.

as a geoscientist investigator for the marechaussee phantom, most of your interactions in the past had been strictly professional in solving cases and exonerating or indicting those on stand. after the failed prophecy, neuvillette had begun to seek you out for casual conversation. of course, you welcomed it. you were easily drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

something about the way he had interacted with you since then with a longing gaze in his eyes had you feeling as if he knew something that you didn't.

it did not do any favors to your heart. he was a gorgeous man with a kind and respectful personality to boot.

you shouldn't get this excited about him finding you, but your blood thumping in your ears betrays you.

"ah- i see... it's funny you say that, because, well- likewise," you manage to say, flustered and feeling the urge to bolt on the spot.

neuvillette smiles at you, nodding toward the brightly lit street. "would you take a walk with me?"

speechless, you nod. what would fontaine think seeing you strolling around town with neuvillette this late at night, shoulders so close?

"there are a few stands around with festive goods and the likes. there's actually a..." you pause, a sudden memory making you laugh, "a water taste-testing booth made by your fanclub. would you want to check it out?"

neuvillette's eyebrows raise in amusement. "it would be my pleasure. i had not even been aware i harbored a fanclub."

you absentmindedly lean closer to his side, "well, you are quite popular among fontainians, monsieur neuvillette. many of them admire you for everything you have done for fontaine."

"and what about you?" his eyes meet yours expectantly.

you're caught off guard by his teasing. ears burning, you focus your attention on the path. "well, of course, i do too," you mumble. you can't see it, but he smiles.

a brightly lit booth in blue finally comes into view. its banner reads, "water around the world!" with a small, cute drawing of neuvillette's face in the corner.

"surely that's breaking a law in copyright infringement?" you joke.

"the oratrice would surely find them guilty," he nods, and you cannot suppress your laugh.

"hello, and welcome to- monsieur neuvillette?!" the teenager running the stand jumps out of her seat at the sight. she sputters, waving her hands around frantically. "it- it's so nice to see you, monsieur! are you interested in trying out some of the water we've collected?" her outburst spawns members of neuvillette's fanclub whispering excitedly behind her, to your amusement.

"i would be delighted to, along with my companion, if you would be so kind." he gestures to you, and it is only now that the fanclub seems to notice you. a few of them audibly gasp, and you already feel the dread of having your name front and center on the steambird come tomorrow morning. "monsieur neuvillette and the esteemed geoscientist: on a late-night excursion?"

they're quick to place multiple cups of water in front of you. respectively labeled cider lake, samudra coast, dadaupa gorge, sal terrae, and the suigetsu pool. neuvillette takes the one from cider lake, swirling it, and taking a leisurely sip not unlike wine. he hums, encouraging you to take your sip as well.

as you go down the line, truthfully you cannot tell much difference between them all. but, your heart warms seeing neuvillette take this very seriously, to the delight of his fanclub.

"did you like them?" you ask as you both depart from the booth, truly curious.

neuvillette nods, a smile on his face. "they all tasted quite fresh."

you cannot repress your own grin at his honesty. "i'm glad, monsieur neuvillette."

as the snow gets heavier and the night turns darker, booths begin to shut their lights down with people scurrying back to their abodes. you get the occasional double take at being with the chief justice, of course.

you watch neuvillette as he slows to a stop to stare up into the sky. delicate snowflakes fall into his long hair and eyelashes, and yet he seems completely unbothered by the cold. he's beautiful.

you heart suddenly aches in a way that feels like the breath has totally escaped you. the feeling is so unknown that you wonder if this moment is even real at all.

you'd had nightmares about it that you didn't dare tell a soul, of how you had died once. it was impossible- unfathomable.

but if it was, then how could you vividly remember in your last moments the feeling of being held by warm, protective hands?

neuvillette is already looking at you when you come to, like he knows.

"maybe we should call it a night." your voice is thinned.

neuvillette takes a step closer. "may i?"

you can only nod, breath hitching. he's standing closer than how he usually allows himself to be. you move, but one of his hands lift to gently cup your cheeks.

instantly, tears begin to well up in your eyes. his touch feels so familiar. "i'm sorry," you whisper.

with his free hand, neuvillette unclips the brooch at his neck and places it in your hand. seeing it up this close, your eyes widen.

"this is a condessence crystal."

neuvillette's eyes meet your own. he closes both of your hands around the crystal, and you see white.

"what is your name?"

"it resembles your eyes."

"i love you."

"i won't ever leave your side."

"don't leave me by myself."

"hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don't cry."

your knees suddenly grow weak, but neuvillette is quick to catch you.

your mind is running at a thousand miles a minute, swirling with questions that repeat themselves in your head, what is wrong with you, what is wrong with him, what is wrong with fate.

"so it is real," he finally says, eyes so solemn yet relieved. his words, resolute and cutting, make you still.

"i– what is?"

"us."

you didn't realize that you needed to hear it from him to finally understand. his eyes are darting across your face, trying to get a read on your expression.

"ever since i was given my authority back on the day of the prophecy, i remembered everything of our past life together, traversing across the seas of the teyvat," he explains, thumbing a stray tear that escaped your eye.

“for a long time, i wondered why i had this when i was reborn into this form,” he squeezes your hand with the condessence crystal, “and then it all made sense.”

"i remember now too," you say, "neuvillette, i remember."

this world is much kinder for a soul that is as beautiful as yours.

"would you give it a chance?" he asks.

"why, neuvillette?"

"because i know," his beautiful eyes don't falter from your own. "i know of the one life i spent where i lost you."

the chill that runs up your spine is not from the cold.

"and now, i have finally found you again."

you don't know who moves first, but his lips are on yours in the next breath you take. you are anguished, confused, happy, at peace.

even in the snow and the pretty lights, all you can see is him.

[oldmanpeace]

My favorite album from each year, 1960+.

1960. Blues & Roots - Charles Mingus 1961. Blue Hawaii - Elvis Presley 1962. Jazz Samba - Stan Getz with Charlie Byrd 1963. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan 1964. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Bob Dylan 1965. Bringing It All Back Home - Bob Dylan 1966. Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan. 1967. Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix 1968. Beggars Banquet - The Rolling Stones 1969. Let It Bleed - The Rolling Stones 1970. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel 1971. Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin 1972. Harvest - Neil Young 1973. Pronounced - Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974. Pretzel Logic - Steely Dan 1975. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen 1976. Turnstiles - Billy Joel 1977. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac 1978. Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon 1979. Rust Never Sleeps - Neil Young 1980. Heartattack And Vine - Tom Waits 1981. Moving Pictures - Rush 1982. The Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden 1983. Kill 'Em All - Metallica 1984. Purple Rain - Prince 1985. Hounds of Love - Kate Bush 1986. Graceland - Paul Simon 1987. Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses 1988. ...And Justice For All - Metallica 1989. Doolittle - Pixies 1990. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest 1991. Nevermind - Nirvana 1992. Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine 1993. Enter The Wu-Tang - Wu-Tang Clan 1994. Weezer (The Blue Album) - Weezer 1995. Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette 1996. Beautiful Freak - Eels 1997. Either/Or - Elliott Smith 1998. Mezzanine - Massive Attack 1999. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers 2000. Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams 2001. Toxicity - System of a Down 2002. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips 2003. Deja Entendu - Brand New 2004. Hot Fuss - The Killers 2005. Takk... - Sigur Rós 2006. One-X - Three Days Grace 2007. Oracular Spectacular - MGMT 2008. 808s & Heartbreak - Kanye West 2009. Man On The Moon: The End of Day - Kid Cudi 2010. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West 2011. Watch The Throne - Jay-Z 2012. Born To Die - Lana Del Rey 2013. Pure Heroine - Lorde 2014. Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey 2015. To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar 2016. Puberty 2 - Mitski 2017. Cult Drugs - Blood Command 2018. Goodbye & Good Riddance - Juice WRLD 2019. Norman Fucking Rockwell! - Lana Del Rey 2020. The New Abnormal - The Strokes 2021. The Horses and the Hounds - James McMurtry 2022. It's Almost Dry - Pusha T 2023. World Music Radio - Jon Batiste 2024. The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray For The Riff Raff

[bucky-barnes-diaries]

Day 5 — Cozy Morning

Pairing || TFATWS!Bucky x Female!Reader

Word Count || Around 500

Contents & Warnings || Fluff, mild Smut — mild explicit content/language, implied nudity and sex.

Disclaimer || English is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes or misunderstandings!

Advent Calendar 2023

The December mornings were always cold, but with a raging snowstorm outside your bedroom window, it was almost freezing inside the room. Amidst the aftermath of passionate lovemaking the night before with Bucky, you had forgotten to put on extra heating, leaving you almost shivering beside him now, the comforter doing nothing to keep you warm. Bucky, still remaining peacefully asleep, seemed unaffected by the chill in the room.

Seeking refuge from the cold, you snuggled into his side, molding your body to his form. A sigh of relief escaped your lips as you absorbed the warmth and comfort emanating from Bucky, your personal furnace. You planted a kiss on his shoulder, the warmth of his skin a remedy for your cold lips.

Still in a daze of slumber, Bucky began to stir, a faint smile gracing his lips as he opened his eyes to find you cuddled against him like a content cat.

In a swift and gentle movement, he pulled you on top of him, savoring the weight of your naked body against his chest.

“Mornin’, doll,” Bucky mumbled, his voice husky from sleep, sending a delicious shiver through you. His flesh arm encircled your waist, drawing you even closer. “What’s got you all cute and cuddly this morning?” He teased, nuzzling your nose with a gaze filled with adoration.

“You’re so warm and cozy,” you murmured against his lips, tracing lazy patterns on his chest. “You make the cold disappear,” you purred before sealing your sentiment with a lingering, heated kiss.

Bucky groaned in approval, deepening the kiss as he enveloped you with both arms. Swiftly, he pulled the covers over, cocooning you in a haven of warmth and intimacy. Underneath the covers, you exchanged kisses and caresses, creating a shared fortress against the cold.

Breaking the kiss, you threaded your fingers through his hair and whispered against his lips. “You’re my favorite way to stay warm, Bucky.”

He kissed you passionately, switching positions with expert ease, resting comfortably between your spread thighs. Open-mouthed kisses trailed along your jaw and neck, eliciting sweet moans.

“Let me warm you up, baby,” Bucky murmured seductively, rocking inside your heat, making your back arch and legs lock around his waist—the storm outside ragging on as you and Bucky got lost in one another with fiery passion.

After the lovemaking that was as passionate as the night before, you and he lay entwined, treasuring the newfound warmth and comfort after the bliss you and he reached together. Your fingers traced lazy patterns on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your fingertips. Bucky’s hands, both flesh and machine, danced across your back, caressing your skin.

Breaking the comfortable silence, Bucky spoke in a gentle rumble. “What should we do today, doll?” He kissed the top of your head as he spoke the question.

You tilted your head to meet his handsome face. “How about a lazy day in? We can have a warm bath together before ordering some breakfast and start on some Christmas movies, maybe?”

Bucky’s eyes lit up, and a gorgeous smile crossed his face. “That sounds perfect, baby.”

You spent a few more moments tangled in the sheets, exchanging soft kisses and affectionate whispers, before you got up to continue your cozy morning with each other.

Feedback through a comment is highly appreciated! Or let me know through an anonymous ask if that feels more comfortable. As well as a reblog to share my work with other people!

I don’t do taglists so please follow @bucky-barnes-diaries-library and turn on notifications to never miss out on my writing!

[ateez-himari]

MAMA EXCLUSIVE STAGE: ICARUS

A tragic take on BTS' most memorable tracks and a classic Greek tale.

November 29, 2023 (1:24PM) by ATEEZNews

The second day of the MAMA Awards Ceremony hosted a joint stage between Stray Kids' Hyunjin and ATEEZ's Himari - performing to a fusion of BTS' Fake Love & Black Swan created by 3Racha in collaboration with ATEEZ's producer line.

It began with a cinematographic introduction where Stray Kids leader BangChan's voice narrated the story to be told. 'An angel walking amongst mortals, so pure and beautiful...so ignorant of the evil blackening their souls. A demon was the one who caught her fragile heart, his love burning as bright as the Sun lighting the skies. The angel was warned to stay away but it was too late...his passion soon turned to obsession, to chains binding her for the rest of eternity to his ever growing greed. In the end she who was thought by many as one with the most hopeful future of them all drowned in tears brought by the pain of her unrelenting love. A young woman with wings of such a pure white was burned by the raging fires of human desire...a damned soul mortals would remember as Icarus.'

To embody this concept both artists were dressed in outfits comprising mainly of satin, the fabric's flow emphasizing the story's tumultuous emotions. Whilst Stray Kid's main dancer is truly a radiant presence, his black clothing made him seem like nothing short of a dark prince and Himari's white dress made her seem like an apparition from Heaven.

The styling and stage set were already a sight to behold by themselves yet the complexity of their choreography managed to take the audience's breath away by offering an unexpected combination of contemporary and classical dance. As they are styles rarely used by idols it was already proving to be a challenge yet they added a layer of difficulty by being bound to each other throughout the performance. Long ribbons were tied to their wrists, connecting the artists together and requiring their bodies to move in nearly perfect sync in order to avoid getting tangled or jeopardizing the following sequence.

This stage is sure to engrave itself in MAMA history as one of the most spectacular performances to have graced the award ceremony.

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[awakenthemusic]

Fever

Dean’s hands clenched on empty air, his weapons removed and hidden away from his feverish gaze. Noise! Movement behind! Attack! Dean spun around, hands like claws, ready to tear into the threat. Strong hands caught his, easily overpowering him. Dean's heart pounded even harder as panic took hold. He snapped his head forward and felt a nose give way with a satisfying crunch. The hands shifted, something slammed into the backs of his knees, and before he could even try to counter the movement, his back hit the hardwood floor.

Tags: Short fic, ~1,000 words, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

For Suptober 2023 Day 14 - Fever

Under the cut or on Ao3

Fire flowed in Dean's veins, burning hotter every minute. His head pounded, thrumming in time with the frantic beating of his heart. The fire screamed, Threat, threat, threat! Attack! Kill the threat!

Dean clenched his empty hands, fighting down the waves of fear. His vision was stained by the flames, everything washed in shades of blood-red. He focused on the bleary shadow moving frantically across the room, mentally screaming his own litany of Sam, Sam, safe, Sam, to counteract the flames trying to consume his mind.

He willed his feet to stay glued to this spot on the floor even as the flames boiled up his throat in threatening growls. Soothing words came back to him in response as Sam scrambled to cobble together a fix for the witch's spell, darting frequent looks over to Dean.

Dean’s hands clenched on empty air, his weapons removed and hidden away from his feverish gaze.

Noise! Movement behind! Attack! Dean spun around, hands like claws, ready to tear into the threat. Strong hands caught his, easily overpowering him. Dean's heart pounded even harder as panic took hold. He snapped his head forward and felt a nose give way with a satisfying crunch. The hands shifted, something slammed into the backs of his knees, and before he could even try to counter the movement, his back hit the hardwood floor.

Dean roared as a body dropped on top of his, the heavy weight pinning him down. He thrashed in the hold, desperate to get free and heed the call of the fire, Attack! Kill! Destroy!

"Dean!" A voice Dean knew he should recognize cut across the cacophony in his mind. Cool, soothing water flowed into his veins, battling the fire raging under his skin. The red haze over his eyes cleared a little, enough for two points of clear, calm blue to shine through.

"Cas?" Dean's voice was shot all to hell, rough with the screams and growls of the past eternity he'd been fighting off the spell. Cas frowned from very close above him and the pressure pinning his hands to the floor lessened. "No!" Dean rasped. "Don't let me... Can't fight... Cas, please!"

The pressure returned and relief followed in its wake. Dean finally relaxed his stranglehold on the flames, letting himself thrash and knowing that Cas was strong enough to hold him down. "Please," Dean whispered. "Don't let me hurt..."

Cas nodded solemnly and the words that followed sounded like a promise, though the only one that Dean could make out was, Sam.

Dean shook his head, his eyes latched on the dark smear across Cas' mouth. "You," he whispered. "Don't let..."

Surprise flared over Cas' face, but he nodded again.

Dean let himself sag into Cas’ hold. Time flowed over Dean in meaningless waves as the cool water Cas poured into him kept the fire from spreading and consuming him whole.

The flow of water began to stutter and slow. Low on grace, Dean remembered.

The flames burned brighter, licking back into the places in Dean that Cas' grace had doused. Dean writhed, the flames stoking his flagging energy. He twisted against Cas' hold until the bones in his wrists started to creak. Cas' forehead wrinkled in a frown and his hold loosened.

"No," Dean growled, panic washing through him again. "Don't let me..."

Cas shook his head, but he clamped back down on Dean's wrists, turning briefly away, shouting words, not at Dean, but over toward Sam. The sharp despair in his eyes when he turned back told Dean all he needed to know.

The antidote wouldn’t get here in time.

"Kill me," Dean said, the words easy and soft, a gentle landing place, a pillow to hold his head after the long fight was over. "End it."

Tears welled in Cas' eyes as he scowled and shook his head. The cool flow of water redoubled, then stuttered low again.

The flames licked greedily against Dean's mind, scorching through him. He shouted, "Kill me!"

Glass broke across the room, and Cas turned to shout over to Sam again. He turned back to Dean, eyes wide.

"You promised," Dean whispered and Cas nodded, his eyes clouding with the memory of the Mark that had burned brand-hot on Dean's arm and one last promise to save the world. Tears flowed from Cas' face to land on the parched soil of Dean's cheeks as the flames boiled in his gut.

It was too much to ask. Dean begged for it anyway. "Please, Cas."

Sharp words sounded from across the room, but Cas lowered his mouth to Dean's forehead, dry lips barely brushing the skin there before Dean's world went black.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Dean!"

He floated back to consciousness slowly. The first thing he was aware of was a comforting weight on his arms and legs, pressing him into the cool floor at his back. His throat ached, his muscles were sore, and his head swam like he was on a boat in a storm, but the flames were gone.

He cracked his eyes open slowly and harried blue eyes met his.

"Dean?" Cas breathed the word softly, his tone almost unbelieving.

Dean swallowed, trying to work some water into his dry mouth. "Cas? What the hell happened?"

Rather than answer, Cas let go of Dean's wrists, reared back, and yanked Dean up into a fierce hug with a huff of breath that sounded a bit like a sob.

Dean blinked blearily over Cas' shoulder, his arms wrapping around Cas automatically as his eyes met Sam's.

Sam sat just behind Cas, the lines in his face carved deep with stress and worry only just starting to lighten with relief. He offered Dean a brief, tired smile, then nodded pointedly at Cas and mouthed, Talk to him, before getting up and stepping away.

Dean squeezed Cas tight and said, "Thank you—"

"No!" Cas cut him off with a sharp growl, his arms tightening around Dean almost to the point of pain. "Don't you dare thank me for... I almost..." His voice trailed off into ragged breaths and Dean felt fresh wetness trailing down where Cas' face pressed against Dean's ear.

Tears prickled at the backs of Dean's eyes and he moved his hand in soothing circles over Cas' back as he buried his face in Cas' neck and whispered, "I'm sorry."

[therizino-ao3]

Hermit Horror Week 2023

Day six: Flesh

Summary: Interior decorating used to be the part of base building Gem dreaded the most. Now, she thinks it might just be her favourite.

Read on ao3

Contains: murder, permanent character death, imprisonment, taxidermy, disfiguring dead bodies, wearing body parts. There's nothing too graphic but it is quite dark subject matter, and the reason my ao3 work is rated M.

Gem has just finished preparing her final piece for the collection and she is incredibly excited. As she makes her way down the spiral staircase, she hops and skips and twirls in her long dress, caught up in the euphoria of accomplishing her mission. Who can blame her? Wels can’t! His glass eyes stare back at her, blankly.

Prancing through her basement, she arrives at her head room. And oh, the sight looks amazing already. The heads of the other 23 hermits great them, standing proudly on their pedestals, all looking as they did in life. Gem found taxidermy a little rough at first, but with some tips from Cleo (under the guise of asking for help preserving a dead pet), she got the hang of it. She’s rather proud of herself! Comparing Wels to some of her first attempts, she’s definitely come a far way. Once she adds him, everything will be perfect.

Finding the pedestal she prepared ahead of time, she affixes his head to it. From there, it’s a lot of playing with his hair and the positioning of his helmet until she gets something she likes. There! She smiles; he looks so beautiful and serene now, a far cry from how he did before he died.

She had been waiting for him for a long time, with him being off-world and such. When he did come back, he was fairly happy to see her, but did start to get a little suspicious when they came across nobody else on Gem’s welcome-back tour. When he eventually clued together the reason why Gem was the only one here and the lack of messages from other hermits for months, he attacked. And it was a good attempt too! Gem nearly died. Fighting him was hard, not only because of his skill, but the suit of armour too. It would be tough enough just trying to kill him, but she also needed to kill him in a way that kept his neck and face intact. She did it though; her dodging eventually tired him out.

Her saving grace was Wels’ honour. He could’ve stabbed her in the back the moment he figured the whole thing out. But he didn’t. He chose to ask her if she killed them, and on the admittance she did, allowed her a chance to draw her sword and fight. Even when trying to avenge his friends, Wels kept it fair. She had to respect that. And when she killed him, she would never forget the look of rage and horror in his eyes.

She still wasn’t forgetting, as she giggled and flicked the tip of his nose, but it mattered a lot less to her now. Surveying her collection, she moves to fix a few things up and add some final touches here and there before she’s done. Dusting some of the shelves, she takes the time to reminisce. It’s funny to think about how this all began, as her thinking it might be fun to have a room with darker aesthetics, just to contrast with her base. Then, designing a full dungeon and trophy room, loving how naturally the dark designs came to her, and becoming enthralled with the idea of imprisoning her friends there or even displaying them as trophies. Now, that wasn’t all she ended up doing – she can’t forget the lovely little Riftie friends that she keeps in the cells – but collecting the hermits’ heads has been her main task.

And wow, it was hard at some points! Even excluding Wels, she had some near misses. Cub was a good fighter and she beat him by an inch. Fighting Hypno in a cave was not a good idea, with her hooves being unfit for the rocky terrain, and with him dealing some rough hits. The hardest was False, though, who Gem had to retreat from fighting two separate times, once with a sword and once with a bow. She only got her in the end because she did a very good combo, and even then, she had to take a lot of golden apples and potions afterwards.

Other hermits were… not so hard to take down. Gem likes to try and make sure everyone she fights against can fight back, making sure they have a weapon and know she is rearing for the kill. What is the point if there wasn’t a challenge for Gem? She could’ve poisoned all the drinks at a server-wide meeting if she wanted to kill everyone fast and easily. Her trophies had to be earnt. Most hermits fought back in defence, but some opted to run away without trying a single hit. Zedaph, the second he saw her, ran away, before Gem even gave a hint she was going to attack! Keralis wasn’t much better, dodging through the catacombs of his shanty town.

There were some good moments, like keeping Bdubs locked in her dungeon for months before she killed him – he was a fun prisoner! And some disappointments, Etho certainly wasn’t the brilliant fighter legends painted him as, and Gem overestimated his ability and killed him near instantly, missing out on a fun spar with plenty of dramatic one-liners. And she couldn’t forget the challenges she had to overcome, like finding a solution to make Jevin’s slime keep it’s shape and colour. It was a journey, for sure.

And heads weren’t all she could use, either! She got the idea after killing Zedaph - with his soft, sheep fur – and thought that it would be a shame to throw it away. So, she didn’t, and instead made an extremely cosy winter cloak. From there, she made all sorts of cute accessories, typically with hybrid features, mainly utilising spikes, claws, feathers, fur, and scales, but some other parts too. Her favourite pieces are her mega wings – a modified elytra with aspects of parrot, demon, and weird alien wings – and her tail belt – a thick, leather belt attached with all the tails her friends had; a beautiful, rainbow mismatch of features. She loves them. It’s nice to have something to carry around to remember your friends by.

Finally completed, she stands away and admires at her work. The head display looks wonderful. It’s probably her new favourite room in her base. She smiles. Her friends smile back.

[offender42085]

Post 0595

Geoffrey Tracy, New York inmate 23B0490, born 1992, incarceration intake 2023 at age 30, earliest release date 10/11/2029, with full release on 12/03/2030

Assault, Attempted Assault

In January 2023, a beefy fitness model who stabbed his roommate more than a dozen times in a fit of rage was sentenced to eight years behind bars for the sensational 2018 attack.

Geoffrey Tracy, 30, learned his fate nearly four years after he came at his rental host Gregory Kanczes with a knife, leaving the then-50-year-old man covered in blood in his Hell’s Kitchen pad.

“It is only by the grace of god that I survived your assault that nearly ended my life,” Kanczes said in a victim impact statement read aloud during the hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Justice Curtis Farber cited cellphone footage of the Aug. 14, 2018 crime as he sentenced Tracy — who was convicted at trial of assault and attempted assault the month before — saying he was disturbed by the sight of “a man literally having been assaulted by Mr. Tracy.”

Prosecutors initially sought 10 years in state prison, in addition to five years supervised release, while the defense argued that five years incarceration was sufficient.  Tracy, of Gilroy, Calif., was eventually handed an eight year term on the assault conviction and a sentence of up to four years for attempted assault, to run concurrently.

The stabbing frenzy occurred just days after Tracy, then 25, moved to New York to dance at a strip club.

Prosecutors said the bodybuilder attacked Kanczes 16 times with a knife after accusing him of going through his belongings. 

Tracy, who initially fled the scene and disposed of the knife, plead not guilty to charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault in Sept. 2018.

The prosecutor cited Tracy’s alleged steroid use, noting that he made money by dealing performance-enhancing drugs at the time of the attack.

Tracy, who looked noticeably less muscular in his khaki jail clothes, was supported in court by his father, Thomas Tracy, his girlfriend, Shawley Henderson, and his employer Alex Larson.

3u

Last reviewed October 2024

[swansstuff]

Uhhhh

OK so I haven't posted a chapter of my fic for a while so have some ramblings about fankids (anyone remember those fandom trends?) and other silliness <3 some I have thought about more than others but enjoy a tasty little morsel until I can actually produce something of substance lmao

Steph and Pete: get engaged when they graduate college in 2023. Get married when they both have steady income in 2026. Have Owen in October 2029. Have Amy in December 2034. Owen starts highschool in 2044. Amy skips 4th grade, starts highschool in 2047.

Pete: becomes a highschool physics teacher at hfh. Grows a moustache, sometimes double takes that he looks like Ted in the mirror. Takes Steph’s name.

Steph: becomes a 3rd grade teacher.

Owen: got the combo of autism and adhd, thanks mom and dad, had a 1:1 in elementary school (Mrs Keane). Art kid. May or may not be in love with his best friend (Will Green). Could be mistaken for Pete on a bad hair day. Inherited the Spankoffski family watch. Favourite colour is blue.

Amy: only got the autism but it's the freaky smart kind. Loves space, obsessed with planets. Probably also in love with her best friend (Elsie Chasity). Absolutely knows more than she should about the LiBs. Favourite colour is yellow.

Skrzynka: (Box in Polish) this fucked up, mixed breed cat that wandered into their backyard at some point. May or may not be a Tinky vessel

Grace and Ruth: get engaged in 2024. Get married in 2026. Have Joseph in 2031. Have Elsie in 2034. Have Abe in 2038.

Grace: criminal psychologist. (Major true crime fan)

Ruth: musical writer and director.

Joseph: quiet nerd kid, but has the same weird, threatening aura as Grace does. Into some real left field shit. Will debate the extended family on religion, one of those smarmy reddit atheists.

Elsie: non-verbal until like 7, Amy helped her communicate at school. Autism. Gentle, sweetheart. Creative girly, into her art, will forget to move until her piece is done.

Abe: nightmare toddler, Grace and Ruth regret having a third. Hair untamable.

Watson: ratty ass Irish wolfhound. Ruth had her childhood dog called Sherlock who passed so decided to get a puppy when Joseph was 3. They are inseperable.

Max and Richie: get engaged in 2024. Get married in 2028 once Max's dad finally fucking dies. Have Marie in 2033.

Richie: film critic (specifically horror movies)

Max: park ranger and highschool football coach

Marie: her middle name is Asuka, Richie had to be restrained and this was the compromise. She fucking hates this. Mini goth kid but also quite athletic, more into running than football. Did not inherit Richie's asthma but did inherit his insomnia.

Totoro: Named by Richie. Marie calls him Toto. Golden retriever.

Oscar: Named by Max. German Shepherd.

Suzie: Named by Marie after Suzie and the banshees. Rescue.

Lex and Ethan: get engaged in 2021, get married in 2026 once everything settles down. Have William in 2029.

Lex: actor at the Starlight

Ethan: runs his dad's garage

William: Will. Sort of takes after his dad, perceived as a bad kid but just likes sticking up for people. Quite creative as well, but more on the music side. Plays the piano and the violin, doesn't own either but plays at the highschool. Also very much in love with his best friend. Also raging adhd.

Hannah and Daniel: get married in 2040, have Meghan in 2043.

Hannah: guidance councillor

Daniel: ccrp worker

Meghan: can speak, doesn't until she's about 5. Her first word is Webby. This doesn't worry anyone at all. She may genuinely be a Webby conduit.

Emma and Paul: get married in 2022, have the twins in 2024. Have Jane in 2029.

Paul: this poor man will be with ccrp until the day he dies

Emma: "plant biologist"

Henry: yes he was named after hidgens. like a slightly more outgoing Paul, does end up working at Beanie's during his highschool years. Bit of a nerd for sci-fi thrillers. Has strong opinions on Working Boys.

Penny: named after Richie’s late mom, ie Paul's older sister. Manic anxious energy, doing everything all of the time, bit like cousin Tim. Has a Ted like sense of humor, Paul regrets letting him babysit.

Jane: named after Emma's older sister. Couldn't be more different. Absolute mess, reminds Emma of a younger her. Persued musical theatre in highschool and drove Paul fucking nuts.

[sparkylurkdragon]

Weird low-stakes drama at work today.

So I'm at the retail job, keeping an eye on the fitting room and jewellry because (1) morning fitting room called out, (2) afternoon fitting room is on bereavement leave and I appended her shift to the end of mine, and (3) I was originally scheduled for jewellry, when this lady comes up to me. She's been dubbed Hair Lady for reasons that will become obvious.

Hair Lady: Hi! Are you satisfied with where you get your hair cut? Me: *usually either cuts their own hair or asks a DSP to do it* Me: *is at work, which has a no soliciting policy, so my brain is not primed to deal with this kind of situation* Me: ...uhhh...? Hair Lady: *begins a sales pitch about her hair salon* Me: *RUNTIME ERROR: work social script interrupted* Me: *BACKUP PROTOCOL ACTIVATED: autistic bluntness* Me: -I'm working. Hair Lady: Oh! That's okay. *continues her pitch, leaves me with a business card and coupon, moves on to harass the customers*

At about this point my brain catches up and I radio the boss-on-duty to let her know, since kicking people out is Above My Pay Grade. Boss-on-duty politely tells Hair Lady she can stay and shop if she wants but to stop pitching her salon to our staff and customers, since like most places we do have a no soliciting policy. Hair Lady apparently takes this with grace and leaves.

A couple of hours later, Hair Lady calls back, and from what I hear she was pissed at getting politely not quite kicked out, raging that We Didn't Have A Sign Up. Apparently ours fell or something? But, like. Say what you will about the world we live in, but it's not exactly Advanced Economic Theory that stores don't want you advertising within them if they're not getting a cut.

And I may have trouble with social skills sometimes, but even I know that physically handing out coupons to people either working or shopping is, uh. Let's say frowned upon in 2023 America. Physically handing out things for the actual store you're in puts you on thin ice, let alone unrelated ones.

Anyway, Hair Lady actually got the same person who told her to stop on the phone, too, who informed her this is a corporate policy and offered the store manager, but Hair Lady asked for the district manager's number. Since we don't give that out, boss-on-duty had to email the district manager about The Incident, mentioning everyone who came in contact with Hair Lady.

From what I understand, this includes the poor sap Hair Lady initially talked to in order to ask if we had a no soliciting policy. Apparently she said she'd ask the boss but I gather Hair Lady just took that for a 'go ahead' and barged through before anyone could get their bearings. Then it was me, then it was one of the floorwalkers who was just a hair more diplomatic than me and so got harassed for longer, and finally the boss-on-duty.

I don't expect anything dire will come of it, particularly not for me, but it was, uh. Odd. I'm really curious to know Hair Lady's thought process here.

[indragonsaur]

Rathalaugust 2023 Day 27: Mizutsune

Mizutsune is a male Leviathan first introduced in Monster Hunter Generations.

All Mizutsune are male as the females are not seen. Like most other Leviathans, Mizutsune has a long, slender body. However, he is one of the few Leviathans to actually have fur on his body. This dark purple fur covers his chest, underbelly, legs and tail. His scales are light colored and resemble those of a fish. His head has a long snout and is beautifully adorned by many fin-like appendages. These fins are pink with yellow markings, and they can also be seen on his back and tail. His feet are said to be quite different from other Leviathans and allow Mizutsune to move swiftly on land. The females are said to be dull in color with shorter fins and dark black fur.

Mizutsune secretes a soapy fluid that coats its entire body, which combined with its unique fur allows it to freely slide across terrain with graceful agility. This fluid can also be used offensively to breathe bubbles at enemies, hindering their movement and making them unable to maintain their footing. It can also fire pressurized jets of water from its mouth, much like Plesioth.

Mizutsune isn't very aggressive towards hunters and likes to spend its time resting, only reacting violently if provoked first. However, males have been known to go berserk during the mating season, attacking anyone who comes across them. This rage is the reason hunters are requested to hunt them.

Mizutsune has been seen inhabiting the Misty Peaks and Primal Forest.