#rarely i have but they are amply tagged as such

[soaps-mohawk]

I NEED to know of there's gonna be angst or hurt/comfort in this fic. I'm such a fucking sucker for it and I feel like your fic has such the potential for it! (Obvi you don't have to tell! I'm having a good time reading the fic!)

Absolutely.

I'm going to rip your little hearts out and stomp all over them and then put them back together and shove them back into your chests.

I am not kidding.

(Also I do think hurt/comfort is tagged in the warnings on the masterlist, though for some reason I always forget to tag angst in general. I usually get the specific things that cause the angst, but not angst itself 🤦‍♀️ but yes. Much pain. Much hurt. Much comfort.)

[countessofbiscuit]

@ct-1994 adopted a list of one-liners for a SW prompt game (loved the idea), and then this happened in the Arabian Sea. This is the result. 

Happy Hour | Ao3

Teen, 1000 words, Commander Fox & Admiral Salima, Background Foxiyo

“No shit, there I was, a TIT getting soggy and tit-faced off this crazy stacked falleen, procured and paid for by the Provost Marshal Commander of the goddamn Republic.”

— CT-4000 Weber, in a story posted on GAR tacChat, since deleted by the mods. . . . “Commander, if you could spare a moment,” said Admiral Salima, when the Coruscant command meeting adjourned, “there’s something I’d like to show you.”

Obliged to oblige, Fox followed her. Wardroom caf and confab on the Adherent had never been worth sticking around for; and he understood his presence only threw a chill over both.

Salima’s reserve was more familiar. She simply enquired after Thorn (the only brother with a changing view); congratulated Fox on Operation Luster and his promotion (a glorified flimsi shuffle, really); and nearly made a snide remark about his new boss, Admiral Tarkin (the glorified flimsiweight, fashioned from ossified wax) — all in short order. Her conversation remained hard-shouldered throughout; Fox had learned how to corner it comfortably.

She’d been something of a mentor to him, back when Fox and the rest of the Corrie-bound Guard had been little better than cargo from Kamino. He’d been fool enough to hope for mutual attraction; now, he recognized benign curiosity and was grateful Salima had only corrected him in private, with a stern reminder to maintain the straight-and-narrow among his men. She’d had the power to do much worse.

Through the labyrinth they walked. Down the turbolift and straight on till Zhellday, so it felt.

Like Fox, the shine had worn off this ship. The factory smell had long since lost the war of molecular attrition to concentrated crew life, too. The cologne alone exhausted the finest air scrubbers. Home Defense was the gentle proving ground for Core kids who liked home-cooking and Corrie nightlife; the only fleet with a birther majority.

“No doubt it’s just gone on viral on your network, but since you’re here ... ” Salima stiffly prefaced as they entered hangar command. The skeleton crew inside excused themselves, and the Admiral assumed a station at the window. Fox joined her and looked down.

The normally clear flight deck bristled with hardware. Anti-armor weapons, sniper rifles, sonic blasters, carbines galore, power packs, and enough dets to make an EOD tech nervous.

Fox blinked. His helmet would have glitched trying to identify it all. Quite a cache. Quite a coup.

“The shuttle?” Fox said, when comprehension clicked. An unregistered, offbrand Nu-class had been seized yesterday — when it’d been easier to blink away a ‘shabla fucking fuckton’ of Sep and stolen weapons.

“Yes. The pilot was so confident in her scrambled transponder, she didn’t reckon on a visual,” Salima said. “The interdiction team had a hot welcome. Left no one standing.”

Fox hummed his approval. But if Salima had brought him here expecting tears of joy, she’d be kept waiting. He’d only ever wept for Riyo Chuchi — and she approved of weapons about as much as she appreciated hopelessly dead criminals.

If anyone deserved a cry, it was the working party who’d been tasked with dressing the deck down to the inch, tagging everything, and squinting for scrubbed serial numbers. The layout was so religiously uniform, it could only be clone work. And only on Kamino, only to the audio instruction of Jango Fett, had Fox had ever seen grenades arranged rings-inward, two-by-five, to make them easier to count.

“Commander Kathcar’s bright idea,” said Salima, her expression hard. “Claims it was for my birthday. Nerfshit.” She spat the word. “Forget the Seps: ever since I’ve had the misfortune to command him, he’s been locked in an epic battle with CorSec’s OCU for the most testosterone in one holopic.”

Fox glanced at her, completely at sea. He’d only ever fielded complaints up his kama. Collected them like sourgums, and chewed them into a more palatable mass for higher. But a superior griping to him? And birther-on-birther bitching, too? Goddamn unnatural.

“Truly, it’s a mercy he’s on our side,” Fox offered, exerting himself to meet her tone.

“We sing a song of thanksgiving.” And if he wasn’t mistaken, that was Salima sarcasm. “His efforts have been amply recognized,” she went on. “Kathcar’s entire staff has been assigned to the second inventory, the pack-up, and multiple walkdowns.”

Still unsure why he’d been brought to bear witness, Fox mirrored her satisfied stance. Wasn’t hard. Justice had been served, and that was a satisfaction that swelled readily within Commander Fox.

“Don’t suppose you men recognize birthdays,” Salima mused, severely pivoting the conversation. Her hands fidgeted behind her back. “Do you even know when you took your first breath, Commander?”

“I’m sure it’s in the metadata somewhere, sir,” Fox replied, tapping his temple, because birthers assumed they were chipped in the head.

Salima laughed. A real chestful of mirth. And Fox suddenly remembered what he’d seen in her.

“Well, if the troopers responsible for this sexy jigsaw here have ever celebrated a birthday, it must’ve been a muted affair. My staff tell me they’ve never left the ship.” She seemed to buckle under this admission; braced herself on the console with the visible weight of decision-making. Fox tensed. “Two years in space. Mother of Farrik.”

Two years in space, four years in clone, all time that had never belonged to them anyway. Fox shifted his helmet, to worry his left thumb raw instead.

“If you can fit them on your transport — the traffic troops and two more squads, I’d be grateful,” she said, straightening herself and her jacket. “I figure, if anyone can show some young men a good, mostly law-abiding time in Galactic City, it’s your staff.”

Fox was somewhat gobsmacked. But he’d suffer a vac-head shiny upon his lap, if it meant they finally enjoyed some shore leave. “I might know a solid establishment or three.”

Salima actually shook his hand, transferring a high-denomination credit chip from some unseen pocket. “Forty-eight hours. Let them have a birthday party. For me. Don’t make anyone regret it and you can keep the change.” Her mouth scrunched against a smile.

“Yes, sir,” Fox replied, equally guileful and all appreciation.

An all-expenses-paid night on the town was a rare thing. But watching whitejobs practically shit slugs at a mandatory invitation from the strong arm of the law? Always priceless.

. . . . . 

(Ao3)

[ellana-ravenwood]

NEW PART : “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore” 2/3 - Batfam x Fem!Reader (Marvel crossover)

Well, almost two months of not writing as I really lacked the motivation to do...anything, here I am. Back, with the part two of my little Batfam/Marvel crossover ! This is a transition chapter just to settle a few things before the big final chapter where the all action will take place ;). I hope you will still like it :

If you wanna catch up, here’s PART 1 And here’s my masterlist : @ella-ravenwood-archives

__________________________________________________

“Wow, this looks a LOT like Wayne Manor !”

Damian exclaimed as he looked down from the jet and spotted a gigantic house in the middle of the trees. Even the grounds looked like his home, with the forrest surrounding it, and it’s remote location a bit out of a big town. 

The basketball court opened, and the “X-jet” slowly lowered down into it. 

The guy called Wolverine absolutely refused to take one of the Avengers’ planes, saying that the S.H.I.E.L.D tracked those down, had all kind of surveillance on them, and didn’t want one of them inside the school. Too many valuable informations could be stolen and used against them. 

When “Iron Man” assured him he checked those planes daily to make sure they weren’t rigged, Wolverine just raised his eyebrows, smiled and said : “Sure bub, sure. Nick Fury would totally let that happen, and your technology is definitely superior to the S.H.I.E.L.D. They most definitely do not steal and copy everything you do, and know how it works”...And they ended up taking the X-Jet.

According to your youngest sons, it looked and was much cooler anyway. Kinda reminded them of the Batplane...It made Bruce smile, that they liked the X-Men’s plane better just because it kinda looked like his. 

You were landing inside a bunker like place, when Wolverine said :

“Welcome to Xavier school for gifted youngsters.”

************

A few hours before :

Shortly after Wolverine announced you needed to go see a certain “Charles Xavier”, and after a quick introduction, most of you got ready to leave. 

It was decided that not all of the Avengers would go to the school because searches and investigations were always more effective when multiple groups would work in multiple places. And there were a LOT of those dudes, so they could most definitely cover more grounds by scattering all around, and asking questions. 

You absolutely refused to be separated from your family again, and even if Bruce thought it would’ve been better to split up and each go with a search team, he didn’t push it too much. 

Obviously, none of the kids wanted to be separated either, and when you had an idea in your head, it was very difficult to change your mind. You’ve always been a very stubborn woman. 

So Bruce relented and it was decided you’d all go to the Xavier school, as you were the one that knew Klarion the most, and could help Charles to narrow his search down a bit. 

With you came Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Storm of course, the Xavier school was their home after all. Along also came that Captain America guy, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Thor. 

Hawkeye, Black Widow, the big green guy and a few other Avengers you could not remember the name of for the life of you (there were so many new people ! Even with your “charity” practice, where you often faked remembering people’s name, you just couldn’t keep up...it didn’t help that they obviously all had code names rather than simple easy to remember ones like... “Kevin”, for example. Or John. John was good, short and easy to remember) left for other places where the trail was still warm.  

And so multiple “teams” were formed to cover multiple grounds. 

Your family and a few others were going to the school in the hope that Charles Xavier could find Klarion thanks to his mental powers, while other teams would go investigate the Brooklyn Bridge where Klarion was last seen, and yet another team was going to find a certain “Dr Strange” since he was apparently able to travel through dimensions or something ? 

You weren’t too sure, honestly, after hearing so many new infos and names you kinda zoned out and expected Bruce to remember everything for you (as often, really, more than once he was the one to help you remember the name of a politician or actress, whispering it in your ear as they walked towards you).

As you were in an elevator that would lead you all to the roof’s airport so you could go and try to find Klarion, Dick bended to whisper in your ear :

“Do you remember any of their names ?”

You turned to him and, as discreetly as you could, answered :

“Absolutely not. Except for that Spider kid, because he’s adorable and Damian seems to like him. And the one that got Jason and I here, Deadpool. Though he’s not even here anymore. I can’t recall any of them...I think one is like, Odin or something ? The one who brought Tim, I forgot which one but I know he’s a viking god or something.”

Your son let out a little snort, trying to suppress his chuckle so none of the people can hear you, but...

“I wouldn’t blame ya if you can’t remember many of us. After all, travelin’ in another dimension and seeing all those new things is a lot to take in, I know what I’m talkin’ about. So rememberin’ our names ? Tough.”

The short man who made you blush earlier said. He had a sort of gentle smile on his face that you’re pretty sure was rarely there, but it seemed yours and your son’s inability to remember much of anyone’s name made him genuinely smile. He adds, his voice lowering a few octave in an intimate way :

“I can help you rememberin’ in the plane if you want to.”

“I’ll help her, thank you very much.”

Your husband says, interposing himself between you and that...Badger guy ? Was that his name ?

“Logan.” 

He answers the question you didn’t ask, and you’re genuinely surprised. With a charming smirk that you thought only Bruce could have, “Logan” adds :

“It was written all over your face you didn’t remember my name. And hey, I’d like for you to call me Logan more than Wolverine y’know.”

Bruce gives an outraged look to “Logan”, as you try your best not to blush (that guy had a strange kind of aura...he was essentially a hairy midget who was totally not your style and yet he seemed to have a strange effect on you).

Wolverine answered your husband’s glare with an infuriating knowing smile, and you could almost feel Bruce’s blood boiling. 

It’s only Tim and Damian laughing quietly that eased the atmosphere. But their laughter most definitely finish to vex your Broosh, who threw an arm around your shoulder and looked proudly high in front of him. 

Jealous Bruce always made you smile, and here, doing some PDA while on a mission ? Yup, definitely jelly. 

The elevator quickly brought you to the top floor, where you discovered a rather big “airport” for such a building. Quite the fancy place. Even Bruce never even though about putting an airport on his roof. A heliport was amply sufficient. 

The man called Tony Stark, who had a rather advanced armor around his body, casually walked towards one of the plane stamped with a big “A” on. 

“Seriously, those people don’t know the meaning of the word “discreet””. 

Your husband said as he saw the planes. You roll your eyes, but don’t say anything. You don’t think any less though, because those words were coming from a guy who had a “bat” aesthetic in everything he did, including flying vehicles so...Not particularly discreet either. 

But Logan grabbed Iron Man’s shoulder before he could reach one of the “A” plane, and said : 

“Ah where are you going Stark ? We’re not taking one of yours.”

Tony rolled his eyes the hardest he could, as he shooed away Logan’s hand and said, beyond exasperated : 

“I’m telling you for the thousands time Logan, our Avengers planes aren’t tracked !”

“Says you. We’re still taking the X-Jet.”

“But there’s more space on our planes.”

“We’re still taking the X-Jet.”

“They’re faster !”

“We’re still taking the X-Jet.”

“I promise you they’re safe, they won’t spy on your precious little school, the S.H.I.E.L.D has no hold over our planes !”

Short silence. 

“We’re still taking the X-Jet.” 

“Be reasonable Wolverine please, this is getting ridiculous.”

“Bub, do I look like someone who’s reasonable ? We’re taking the X-Jet.”

“But-”

But the short hairy man known as “Wolverine” was already leaving, clearly not about to listen to more of that Stark guy’s plea. 

Well apparently...you were taking the X-Jet.

************

It must’ve been less than ten minutes since your family, a few of the X-Men and a few of the Avengers climbed into the jet flying in the direction of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, when Logan jumped on his feet, put the plane on auto-pilot and rushed at the back of the vehicle.

“The hell is wrong with that guy ?”

Jason asks as you all turn to look at him run across the plane. Your husband looks insistently at you as if to say : “see, I’m better” (like you needed a proof of that). Clearly not quite over the fact the clawed mutant managed to make you blush. Twice. 

For the past fifteen years, he was the only one that ever managed to do that !

Dick says :

“Maybe the toilets are over there ? I mean, when you gotta go, you gotta go.”

But then Logan comes back with Deadpool, dragging him by the collar.

“What are you doing here Wade, I thought we told you to leave and never come back !”

“Wow alright Scar, tell your hyenas to lower their guard please I’m not here to cause trouble; honest !”

Deadpool says, his hands up as he faces the Avengers taking a fighting stance in front of him. 

The man who brought you to the Avengers’ Tower was immediately kicked off of the building as soon as you all started to make plans to run after Klarion and Loki.  Somehow though, and oddly enough it didn’t really surprise you, he managed to get onto the X-Jet. 

“Wade, whenever you’re around trouble just comes by itself. We told you not to tag along already. Three times at the watch tower until we forcefully throw you out. So now, time to leave.”

Wolverine was opening the jet’s hatch, but before he could get a hold of “Wade”, Deadpool jumped on his feet and went to hide behind your husband.

“He’s clearly a mad man, he’s trying to kill me ! Hey, you’re very against killing right ? I read it somewhere in a comic once...”

“What ?”

“Nevermind, I’m crazy. But I deserve to live, just like everyone ! Just stop him from trying to kill me ! PLEASE GOD OH GOOOOOOOD, I’M TOO YOUNG TO DIE !! I STILL HAVEN’T SEEN ALL THE FANTASTIC BEASTS MOVIES AND I’M...TOTALLY A VIRGIN !! I’VE BEEN A FAN OF J.K ROWLING FOR DECADES, I DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEEEEEEEEEEEN !! I DESERVE TO KNOW REAL LOOOOOOOOOOoooOooooOoooVE !!”

Deadpool was yelling dramatically, latching his arms around your husband’s leg.

And you had to admit, there was something comical about seeing a grown ass man holding the big scary Bat like that. Bonus point for the face Bruce was making, clearly unsure as to how to react to all of this. It was rare to see an unsure Batman.

Ah, but in the short time you’ve known that Wade Wilson, you already realized that he was probably the only person that could destabilized anyone with his behavior. You kinda liked that. 

Logan was rolling his eyes now, and with a sigh walked resolutely towards Deadpool and Bruce. 

But your husband stopped him by putting a hand on his chest. And though Logan was at least an entire foot smaller than Bruce, he still looked impressive as his eyes narrowed at your husband and his muscles tightened, fists slowly closing. You had a bad feeling about all this...

“Listen, bub. You have no idea what this guy is capable of. And believe me, if I throw him out of the plain  he won’t-”

“I can’t let you do that. He might be clinically insane, but we can’t just kill him like that !”

“But he can’t die and-”

“YES ! YES I CAN, I’ll die a horrible death if he throws me out.”

“Wade you-”

“Please mister Batman, don’t let him throw me out ! Show that you have a heart and ignore all the bad writing you’ve been a victim of lately !”

Once again, there’s a small silence following Wade’s apparent words of madness...But you have to say, you’re not a big fan of throwing people out of planes either. So before everything turns sour, as you can see both Wolverine and Bruce getting wayyyy too tense, you interpose yourself in-between all of them. 

You know that Bruce already having prejudice against Logan because he flirted a little with you is not any good news, and Wolverine himself ? Well it seemed like he also could suddenly snap if pushed too much. 

“Wow wow wow wow. Let’s be reasonable about it. Yeah yeah I know, you’re not a reasonable guy. Well you’re going to be right now.” 

Your words surprise the Wolverine so much, that his fists unlock and his eyebrows raise. Your husband gives him a sneaky look that most definitely means : “haha, she got you didn’t she ?”. But he’s immediately put back in his place as you glare at him too, and he relaxes as well. Forcibly.

“Ok. I must admit I don’t know Deadpool since very long, but he’s the one that lead us to the Avengers. You guys are the one that instantly attacked him without giving him any chance ! Now maybe you gave him lots of chances before -at those words, all the Avengers and X-Men nods- but just give him one last one ok ? I have a good feeling about him.” 

************

You were sitting next to Deadpool...Who was literally taped to the wall. You guessed in this world, the black electric tape was very strong. According to Logan, this was the only way to make sure he wouldn’t do anything stupid. Dangerous for everyone, or for himself. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t convince them to let you join and all.” 

“Ah well no worries, at least they didn’t throw me off the plane ! I hate when that happened. Regenerating from being as flat as a pizza is very painful.”

“You can..regenerate ?” 

“Yup ! Haven’t you noticed, the tear your kid made with that knife looking like a bat in my awesome costume I definitely clean often...is still there. But the wound isn’t.” 

“Oh right. Neat.” 

“Not really. Healing powers mean I can’t die, and I really want to die...” 

“...That’s awful. Are you ok ?” 

“Does someone that tell you they want to die sound ok ?” 

“Well if they say out loud they want to die it’s like a cry for help, so a sort of step to recovery you know ?”

“I-Wh-...What ? I never saw it like that. I mostly just talk about it out loud because I hope someone will hear me and finish me off somehow.” 

“Oh.” 

After that, it seemed like Wade did not want to talk anymore as he turned away from you, and somehow managed to put on a pair of knock-off air pods in his ears, and blasted the main theme from the movie “The Godfather” so loud that you could hear it as you were sitting next to him. 

************

There was a long silence that installed itself in the plane, as no one talked and thought of the task ahead, completely focused on...

“So, I have no idea what you guys’ names are. I zoned out half-way through the little man’s explanation, as I already listened to it when I found him and my friend Hulk was holding him upside down.” 

Thor said casually, shattering this all impression of seriousness. It makes you chuckle, even more so when Dick exclaimed : 

“OH THANKS GOD (literally) ! I was so afraid to ask ! I’m so glad you started. Because except for Logan, Ororo and Kurt who literally saved my life, I cannot remember who any of you are !”

You full on laughed, as the idea that none of you really knew how the others were called and yet still managed to trust each others was very funny to you. Quickly, your communicative laughter reached the rest of the team (well, almost, Bruce and Logan only exhaled a little bit of air, like a millisecond chuckle). 

It takes you all a little while to calm down, but as you all stop to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation, Thor continues : 

“So, should we introduce ourselves again ? This time there’s much less of us, it should be fine. Guests must start, it is the norm. Go ahead now, little Red Robin’s sidekicks. Introduce yourselves.”

“...Red Robin’s sidekicks ?” 

Your entire family turns to Tim, who turns very pale all of a sudden. He smiles awkwardly at you all and says : 

“Um. To my defense, I was hung upside down by a green goliath who was threatening to “smash” me and the subject of family seemed a little iffy with Thor here. I said the first thing that came to my mind.” 

This makes you and your husband smile, and your two oldest son to roll their eyes. Your youngest however, jumps on his feet and says : 

“I’m Robin ! And most definitely not his sidekick ! I’m...”

There’s a pause where Damian looks at his brother almost sadly, and oh you know exactly what he’s about to do. 

“I’m his brother. His equal. Or so I thought...” 

Oh. Smart little Damian. Guilt tripping your Tim, so that in a near future he will do something for him. Tim reddens even more in embarrassment and adds : 

“It really was just to save myself ! I don’t think of any of you as my sidekicks ! Of course you’re my equal Dam-Robin ! And um, I’m Red Robin by the way. Like the restaurants. Um.”

Thor shakes his head, lost in thoughts, and then says : 

“Robin and Red Robin. Very smart. I see how much research you put in your aliases.” 

You weren’t sure if the man was serious or being sarcastic...But the way he was nodding thoughtfully made you think he was actually more serious than anything else. The blond bearded man continued : 

“Well my turn now ! I am...Thor ! GOD OF THUNDER ! Son of Odin, God of all. We’re going after my brother, Loki. Who befriended that Klarion of yours. Your turn again now.”

Thor points at your oldest son, who doesn’t hesitate to jump in and say : 

“Nightwing ! Son of Batman, the Black Knight of Gotham ! I’m the oldest of our ass beating organization. Criminals. I mean, we’re not criminals...Well, depends of your definition I guess. But what I was saying is, we beat the asses of criminals. Um. Yes. Have I said I’m the oldest of the family ? Well technically my dad is the oldest, but I mean-”

“I’m Jason. Perpetually helping my older brother here to avoid embarrassment by cutting him off rudely and fulfilling my little brother’s duty at the same time. Two birds with one stone. I like guns. Unlike my dad...”

Bruce just gives an exasperated look to Jason, and your son rolls his eyes : 

“I just gave you the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself ! Amazing transition ! But I guess you weren’t ready, so um...Discout Bruce Wayne, go.”

You slap the back of your son’s head at his disrespect towards your new friend, and give an apologetic look to the one you think is called “Iron Man”. But clearly, your son’s jab doesn’t bother the man (probably because he has no idea who Bruce Wayne is) and with a hint (a big big hint) of arrogance and pride, he says : 

“Tony Stark. Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Also Iron man, I saved this planet multiple times.” 

“...And very modest. Not over the top at all. Mm. Reminds me of someone, before I met him, and with less charisma.”

You say, giving a look at your husband. He smiles and winks at you, while Tony Stark frowns, pretty sure you just insulted him. But you don’t leave him the time to say anything as you continue : 

“(Y/N). I don’t have a superhero name because technically I’m not one. It was kind of...unlucky for me to be there. At the same time lucky, I would be dying of being worried sick right now if I wasn’t there and knowing where my family was. And...That’s all.”  

“Wolverine. But y’all can call me Logan.” 

Ah. Short (like him). To the point. You liked it. 

“Batman.” 

Even shorter (unlike him), you liked it even more. 

Turning to your husband you smile and forgetting for a second you were surrounded by a bunch of strangers, you cuddled a little closer to him. 

“I’m Storm. Or Ororo. As you wish. I control the weather, and I teach at the Xavier school, I help young mutants to understand their power more. As I wish I had that kind of help as a child.”

Wow. Majestic. You were quite impressed, and clearly, so were your sons. You had to close Jason’s mouth. And Dick’s. Tim and Damian got the message. 

“Spider-Man ! I um...Can do whatever a spider does. According to that song at least. Sorry. I’m not good at introductions, my teachers always said so. ”

You smile encouragingly at him. He was one of the only one you remembered the name of, only because he brought your youngest son and seeing how Damian talked about him, he seemed quite fond of him already. And it was rare, that your kiddo was fond of someone that fast, so that Spider kid must be quite something. You got it though, he did have a relaxed, nice vibe about him, if not a bit awkward. 

“I am Captain America, please to meet you all, I am very glad we’re on this mission together. Let’s hope for a peaceful coalition until this is all over. Now that the introductions are done, I think we should-”

“Oh, typical American to forget the German guy ! I’m Kurt, an X-Men since many years. But a lot of people in the circus called me Nightcrawler and it stuck. You can call me whatever you want.”

“In the circus ! No way I used to be in a circus ! I was an acrobat !”

“Oh me too !”

Dick excitedly jumped on his feet, so did Kurt, while the one called “Captain America” was clearly feeling very uneasy. 

“I um, am sorry, Nightcrawler. I did not pay attention. I would never-”

“Relax Kapitän, I was only teasing. I know you would never forget me on purpose ! It was my fault. I was standing in the shadow. I disappear, in the shadow.” 

Damian’s eyes widen as he witnessed Kurt slowly becoming invisible as he retrieved to the shadows. 

“WOW ! So cool !”

Nightcrawler came into the light again, and smiled brightly at your son : 

“Thank you very much young man, it is rare people think of my ability as rare. Usually, they’re frightened.” 

Damian looked curiously at Kurt, and asked : 

“...Why ?” 

You could clearly see the shock on the mutant’s face, at the candid and innocent question Damian asked. It was probably the first time in a very long time he met someone that did not judge his appearance at all...You were very proud of your son, in that moment. 

“Wow is that really what you’re all going for ? What a joke ! And you say I’m the dishonest one ? Well let me re-introduce all of you.” 

The cute and sweet moment is shattered by Deadpool sly laughter, the shift in the mood is brutal and you wonder how it happened. He continues : 

“I can’t say anything about you all...Batfamily, I don’t know you, only through a few terribly written comics. I’m sure you’re much more than the cliches in there...Proof is that little Tim here hasn’t had a drop of coffee in hours ! And Jason didn’t shoot anyone, also that Damian kid totally accepted Nightcrawler seconds ago and wasn’t a brat !” 

Silence. What ? Comics ? What was he even on about...

“You’re such hypocrites though, all of you -he points at the Avengers and X-Men- Stark for example, he’s an ex-arms dealer. He likes to think of himself as a philantropist but he really never did something for someone else that didn’t benefit him in some ways, so he really isn’t like your husband. I don’t know why people in the real world always compare the two...”

“What ?”

“Nevermind. Wolverine. He killed more people in his life than me, and my job for a long time was literally to kill people. Granted his life is long, but the man can get crazily out of control and kill anything that moves ! It happens a scary amount of time. Storm, thought she was a goddess back home but really was just a pickpocket that gullible villagers put on a pedestal ! Kurt ? Act all nice and religious, but did some pretty terrible thing in moments he had to survive ? Isn’t that right Kurt ? Oh and Cap ? A literal war criminal. Well, I mean in some stories, but like he fought during World War II and was most definitely not always nice and did questionable things...As for Spidey here ! ...Well he never did anything wrong. I refuse to hear about all those times he supposedly was an asshole. Spider-Man is amazing. That’s all.” 

There’s a big silence, as your family looks at the Avengers and X-men suspiciously. But then Deadpool adds : 

“Oh, and by the way, I’m Wade. Completely crazy, and highly unreliable. I hear voices. A lot of them. Well not a lot of them. Just two. But it’s two more than most people do.” 

And then he laughs like a mad man, and the sudden tension falls just as fast as it rose. Wether Deadpool was telling the truth or not, you couldn’t know. But there was something sure about this all thing : he was most definitely not all there in the head. 

Plus, you had a gut feeling that you could trust those guys, after all, they did look like a lot of people you knew back in your own world. Like if they were their counterpart in this universe. Plus it seemed you all had the same goal...Stopping Klarion, and whoever that Loki was. 

It was vital, to avoid chaos across the multiverses. 

************

The introductions made, you started to all talk about your respective world. How it was where you were from, and how it was here. 

“Registering mutants ? It sounds very...Germany nineteen forties.” 

“Ah yes, some of our mutant compatriots think the same. But us, X-Men, still hope for a peaceful and nice way to resolve everything.” 

(...)

“But what are you really avenging ?” 

“I’m telling you it’s just a name !” 

“...It makes no sense. Like, the X-men are called like that because of the X genes, if I understood. Back home, our League of Justice is called like that because...Well, pretty self-explanatory, but you, why “Avengers” ?” 

“It just sounded cool ok ?!”

(...)

“And so we did that trick in the circus, where I would jump and teleport to the other side and in the dim light people would just think I did an impossible jump !” 

“That is wayyy cool !” 

(...)

“Are you a mutant too ?”

Damian asked Spider-man, and Peter answered : 

“No, I was bit by a radioactive spider.”

“Oh ! Were can I acquire such a spider ?!”

“Damian ! Stop trying to get superpowers , you’re perfect as you are !”

You scold your son, and Damian continues, looking dad : 

"I used to have superpowers...When my father resurected me with a crystal from Apokolips.”

“You died ?”

“Yeah. We all died once. Or faked our death.”

After those words your youngest son glares at your oldest, who yells : 

“OH YOU’RE NEVER GONNA LEAVE THAT DOWN ARE YOU ?!”

(...)

Conversations were happening a bit everywhere, as you were steadily flying towards The Xavier school for gifted youngsters, slowly discovering each others, and the worlds you were coming from.

************

“Wow this looks a lot like Wayne Manor !”

“Wayne Manor ?”

“Our house, back in our World.”

Damian exclaimed, and his father cleared his throat in a scolding way (a talent, really).

“What ? Do you seriously expect them to come to our dimension and tell everyone who we really are ? The chances are thin father. They’re the good guys of this world as well. Plus look at them, none of them really hide their identity. Except for Spidey.”

“Well they’re wrong. I already told you keeping your true identity secret is crucial. This is why we keep our aliases, even here.”

“AH ! Couldn’t agree more dude !”

Spider-man says, turning to your husband. Bruce continues :

“Very poor choice of them. If any of their enemies truly know who they are, their home will be targeted.”

“RIGHT ?! They all parade around with everyone knowing their real names like what’s their problems right ?”

“I have to agree young man.”

“You know the X-Men ? Their school was blown up like, thirty times because everyone knows where they live, and because they dox themselves all the time !” 

“Irresponsible.” 

“RIGHT ?! I’m so glad you agree !” 

Ignoring the current conversation about secret identities, Wolverine, or rather “Logan” as he himself told you to call him (most definitely have a problem with the concept of code names and secret identities, in this universe) lands and says : 

“Welcome to the Xavier school for gifted youngsters.” 

************

“So, how dangerous exactly is this Klarion boy ?”

Charles Xavier asked, sitting in one of the salon in the school. 

“He’s already extremely dangerous, but if paired with someone like Loki, he’d be even worst. At least according to what Thor told us about his brother.” 

Your husband answers, all stoic and serious, and then Thor awkwardly says, as if ashamed : 

“He’s adopted.” 

“Adopted brothers are still brothers !”

Damian fiercely said, narrowing his eyes at the god of Thunder. It made your heart warm, to think how such a long way he came. A few years ago, when he first entered your life, he would’ve never defended adopted sibling with such convictions. 

Tim ruffles Damian’s hair, and winks at him before saying : 

“Look at him Dam-Robin, he clearly didn’t think before he spoke ! And I think it was a joke, right Thor ?”

Thor nods, even though he wasn’t sure he was really joking. He most definitely loved his brother, but it was true he was adopted ? The God of Thunder was a bit confused as to why the little man took it so personally. Ah, but they were raised in very much different ways...

In any case, the focus of the conversation went back to Professor Xavier.

“So, do you think you can find Klarion ?” 

Your husband asks, his seriousness back (he might have been a little on the softer side when he witnessed Damian defending his “adopted” brothers as being really his brothers, but now he was all back to business). 

“Well, we won’t know if I do not try, right ?” 

************

You, Bruce, Tim, Jason, Dick, Damian, Storm and Charles Xavier went to the school’s underground, while Wolverine, Nightcrawler and the Avengers stayed in the upper levels. 

Logan didn’t seem to trust them much, especially not Tony Stark. And if he stopped Tony Stark from going down to Cerebro, then in all fairness he had to stop all the other Avengers too. 

You and your family ? It was different. He had a good feeling about you, and his guts never lied. Plus Charles needed you to guide him to find Klarion, the infos you had on the boy being crucial in his search.

And so Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Nightcrawler stayed up there, discussing any plan of action possible once they’ll find Klarion. If, they find Klarion. 

Deadpool was there too, now taped to the wall in the salon, as no one was quite ready to give him his freedom yet. He was softly whistling an unknown song, all the while carefully listening to his “friends”. 

************

Cerebro was an impressive room with a single helmet in the middle. Was this huge size really necessary ?

“The size of the room is indeed necessary. It permits for a lot of components to be added, and for it all to function. All the walls are made of very complicated circuits without which the all machine wouldn’t work. 

Wow ! It was as if he-

“Read your thoughts ? I am sorry, I tend to indeed do so with people I just meet. It’s a...defense mechanism if you will, to make sure they’re not ill intentioned. But in your thoughts, I perceived no malice, which is why I’m allowing all of you here, in my Cerebro. Plus, your common knowledge of that Klarion boy is crucial to finding him.” 

Ah. So this is why the X-men left you alone with their leaders so easily. He was a telepath, not just able to find people with his mind. He could read them, and know if someone was thinking something bad or not...Well, at least, it was easy to build trust. 

At least on his side, because thinking about someone always reading whatever you thought were made you uncomfortable. What if you suddenly thought about a wild night you spend with Bruce ? Oh my God, here you were, thinking exactly about that !

“Ah, do not worry, I read into the minds of those I do not know up until I trust them. And I trust you know, so you can...Think of whatever you want. I’ll just add that you most definitely find each others well.” 

What Professor X implied as he smiled at you and Bruce made you both blush, and you quickly looked away, trying to think only about Klarion. Thankfully your son had been completely oblivious to it all, or...Well, those poor souls.

“Stay perfectly still, please.”

Before you could ask why, the machine started and WOW, it was overwhelming ! Millions and millions of voices all talked at the same time, and silhouettes of people started to appear everywhere. 

How the hell did that Xavier did...whatever he was doing ? 

Slowly but surely, less and less people floated into the air, until eventually, only one person remained...

“It’s Klarion !” 

Tim exclaimed, and sure enough, in front of you, was Klarion. He was sitting on something, and saying unintelligible things. 

“Where is he ?” 

Bruce asked avidly. But Professor Xavier’s forehead had more and more creases, and sweat slowly pearled at the corner of his temples. 

“Hey, hey what are you doing you sneaky little rat ?!” 

Klarion. That was most definitely Klarion. Looking straight at you all. Did he just sense Charles ?

“I’ll have you know I’ve been train about mind invasion, it’s witch school 101 ! Now, get...OUT !!” 

And suddenly, the entire machine shut down and with a groan of pain, Xavier took his helmet off. You rushed to him, worried, but in his calming voice he said : 

“I am alright my dear, but this Klarion boy is much stronger than I thought. I wasn’t quite able to get his exact location, but I think we can work with what I have...”

************

Charles managed to have an area where Klarion could possibly be, but it was very vague. However he projected the 3D image he found of him as he searched with Cerebro, and showed it to everyone in one of the X-Men’s many briefing room. 

“This is what he looks like. I can actually manage to print a decent quality picture of him, based on the mental image I have in my mind. If we go to the area I spotted  him, we could...”

“Heyyyyyy ! I know that little Wolverine haired guy !” 

Cutting the professor off, Deadpool, who, from his spot handcuffed to a heater (it was still an improvement from being taped to the wall) said. He had managed to catch a glimpse of Klarion, and clearly...recognized him ?

“You’ve seen him before ?” 

Bruce asks, suspicious. After all, Deadpool had proven so far to not be the most reliable guy indeed. Yet he still somehow tried to help nonetheless. 

“Yeah I did ! You should’ve told me what he looked like, would’ve saved us a lot of work ! I kinda thought he was just yet another one of Logan’s kid, I mean, the dude NEVER uses protection ! Anyway I saw him on my way to get you two from the subway station, and I saw him go in a very special place, from which I was coming out. He’s at my ex-wife’s Shikla’s place...And I mean “ex” as in we’re no longer married, not like, she’s part of the X-men; They’d never accept her, she’s a total psycho ! She kinda rules over the world of monsters and often plans for the end of the Human race. Should we go visit her ?”

And that’s how you embarked for a new adventure down under...Literally. 

To be continued...

__________________________________________________

Well after months of not writing...I tried :/. I hope you still like this little transition chapter. You probably noticed a lot of characters had almost no “screen time” even though they were present (and how Deadpool has a lot of said screen time...i needed him to find the witch boy), I’ll do better in the next chapter ! It’s just I needed a little sort of transition to go from searching Klarion to finding him, if that makes sense ? I hope you’re not disappointed and think things are moving too fast, or things aren’t making sense/are a mess, with this more lighthearted chapter, real action coming next chapter, and thanks for reading ! 

If you did like it, as always : feedbacks and reblogs are more than welcomed <3. Thanks in advance !

[into-crazy]

More to the Madness Pt. 4

Ledger!Joker x Female Reader series

Summary: You accompany the Joker along with his goons to take out Gambol.

Warnings- Cursing, violence, murder, incorporated elements from TDK, things get a little heated, Joker turns you on

You can find the other parts RIGHT HERE and through the “More to the Madness” tag lovelies💞💞

Seated in the middle of the black SUV, you sit silently. Going over the plan in your head as Joker and the goons talk amongst themselves. Two seated up front, two behind, then you and J in the middle row. Another SUV carrying more of his men trail directly behind.

It's unnerving being surrounded by all these men, and even more so that you have one lying down comfortably in your lap. Joker's head lay amply facing up at you. Green hair wildly thrown back, body half covered in a black trash bag.

He had to be lying down to avoid being spotted by civilians or police, and the fact that he was playing dead. You felt his eyes run across you a few times as he stared at the roof of the vehicle. This position was awkward enough, you didn't want it to increase by making accidental eye contact.

Though you kind of walked yourself right into this trap. When everyone was deciding who was riding with who- and where to sit- you deemed it best to ride in the same vehicle as Joker. Once situated next to him in the car, you couldn't help but laugh at how he sat upwards wrapped in the bag. It was a hilarious sight. You absentmindedly joked, "aren't you supposed to be playing dead?"

To which J replied, "good point." Surprising you when he laid down in your lap to act the part. "How's this?" He glanced up at you running his tongue across his painted lips.

Stunned, you answer, "g-great. It's believable now."

You haven't spoken another word since, and that was about ten minutes ago. Almost straining your arms having to hold them by your sides instead of running them through his greasy locks out of an instinct. Joker on the other hand, was relaxed in his position, having full on conversations with the crew.

Nearing closer to the destination, your knee starts to lightly bounce due to the anticipation.

"Nervous?" Joker's voice arises under you.

You look down at him ultimately, "huh?" Dark makeup gaze alike meeting his. Only his gaze is calm and collected.

"Are you nervous?" He repeats, while his head bobs around from your constant fidgeting and bumps from the car.

"Slightly," you lie. You're actually very anxious. It's rare for you to go out amid the day in your get up. The hair, excessive makeup, and weaponry. Any regular person that might catch glimpse of you would surely do a double take. Being much easier when it's dark out, it hid these extreme details. "I'm not used to being out like this during the day," you admit glancing out the window. The uneasiness fading as you find your talking voice. "I envy you J, how do you do it? You make it look so easy." You subtly nudge his head with your knee.

"You, ah, get used to it." He states blankly staring up at the ceiling. The strange serenity in this moment is exhilarating. He almost seems at peace- a period of tranquility before chaos. This moment didn't last very long. Arriving at the destination, the car comes to a full stop. "Showtime," Joker wiggles his brows in anticipation.

"Give 'em hell," you encourage, pulling the bag to completely cover his face. His body goes limp, as if he were dead. Scooting out from under him, his head drops down onto the padded seat below. "Soorry," you hiss quietly. But he doesn't budge.

You exit the car, stretching the feeling in your legs while the goons approach the two bodyguards Gambol has perched at the entry. They explain they took out the Joker and that they're here to claim the reward. The well dressed guards nod, allowing the men to carry Joker's body into the building.

You stroll warily behind them, trying your hardest to avoid any attention. It works. None of Gambol's men caught a glimpse of you yet.

Everyone's focus was on who was in the bag.

Gambol leaned over the pool table, playing a solitary game. He begins to line up the next shot when the bodyguards interrupt with the news. They tell him there’s people here that claimed to have killed the Joker. "They brought the body," a guard states while the goons bring Joker in. Placing him down onto the pool table, they pull the bag down revealing his painted face.

As he lays motionless, he appears to really be dead.

With a satisfied grin, Gambol turns to the crew. "So, dead? That's five hundred-" you walk in just as Joker cuts him off. Springing to life from the table, he quickly places a blade into Gambol's mouth.

"How about alive? Hm?" J loudly declares. His goons disarm the bodyguards, forcing them to their knees to watch. You stay behind the commotion. Gun in hand, keeping an eye over the situation.

"You wanna know how I got these scars?" Joker asks Gambol, pulling back nodding his head. "My father was, a drinker. And a fiend.." J calmly goes on to describe to him his story of acquiring the scars on his cheeks. You watch him intently. His tone is audibly low, but the whole room can hear him word for word. You're stunned in place, the sight in front of you is frightening.

Joker's growling franticly at the mob boss crazily as he pushes the blade further into the side of his mouth. "..Comes at me with the knife, why so serious!? Sticks the blade in my mouth. Let's put a smile on that face!" J growls loudly into his ear, the sound sends chills up and down your arms. You're witnessing just how dangerous he can be. The sight and powerful tone in his voice is actually kind of hot.. Really hot. And it shouldn't, but it's actually turning you on.

Joker has this man entirely at his mercy with nothing but his intense nature, and a small knife. It makes you wonder- under a different circumstance- the sinful things he could do to you if you were submissive to him.

"Aaaaand.." Joker's gaze meets your shocked face, flashing a cocky grin then looks at one of the terrified men held down on the floor. The young man's eyes are wide with pure fear, his chest noticeably heaving. "Why so serious?" Joker directs at that man before effortlessly killing Gambol without even looking at him. Releasing his body to drop to the floor with a loud thud.

Tearing off the remainder of the bag, Joker continues, "now, our operation is small.." He offers a job to the three men below him. Your blown eyes are fixated on his every move while he confidently moves about. Mouth held agape in your trance. He's so suave with his movements, his determination sexy in all the wrong- yet deliciously right- ways.

J grabs a pool stick from the table. "But there's only one spot open right now. So we're gonna have-" he cracks the wooden pole into two pieces over his knee. "Tryouts." He huffs deeply, closely examining the sharpness of one of the broken pieces. Dropping it before the men held on the floor. Making it clear that only one of them will be able to join, alive. He walks through them. "Make it fast." He orders walking over to you, eyes locked onto your own. He waves for you to take a seat at the bar beside him.

Seated on the high stool, you can't even meet his hard stare. Quite flustered and roused up due to the scene that just took place, and you don't want J to see that on you. Despite your efforts though, he senses that you're uncomfortable. He asks, "you alright, doll?" Tapping his finger on the counter top, "I didn’t scare ya, did I?"

You struggle to come up with an excuse other than- No, the opposite. In fact, you turned me on.

Yeah? No.

"Not at all," you muster up the courage to look him in the eye. You're pretty good at selling a lie when you strive for it hard enough. And you're damn well trying your hardest to hold this one.

"Hm, good." Joker glances to the activity taking place in the other room. Not looking too long before he brings his attention back to you.

You stare down at your clothed fingers, twiddling your thumbs. Paying no mind to the harsh sounds in the next room. Desperately wishing he'd do something else, anything else. There's far more important things going on and yet his focus is solidly on you. Fuck why? You think that maybe he's aware. Maybe he sees the desire rising in your rattled eyes. Squeezing your thighs together, his hard stare on you making this ten times worse. Any more of this silent torture, then you'll surely explode.

Your eyes avert from your hands to his. To the purple leather wrapped snugly around his hands. "Your gloves are hot. Where'd you get them?" You admire the material, hinting towards the possibility of wanting a pair for yourself, though perhaps a different color. But that isn’t the only thing you’re thinking about, is it?

"Some place long gone," he mutters.

"They look like they're made of excellent material, and the stitching!" Shut up, shut up! You scold yourself. Trying to stop talking but your mouth has a mind of it's own at this point.

Joker squints confusingly at your fascination with his gloves. He just brutally killed a man, and your talking about his choice in gloves. Why were you talking like this?

You continue rambling, "mhm, they look real good on your hands. Though they'd look even better wrapped around m-HEY! HELLO! Looks like we're done here." You swat your thighs, glad you didn't finish that sentence. Luckily the crew came in, pulling your thoughts away. Jumping off the stool, you hurriedly walk out the room.

Joker sat there speechless. You didn't realize, but he caught that. Grasped the provoking tone in your voice. By the way you were speaking, he knew you liked his hands. Drawn to them. Even though you spoke really fast toward the end before cutting off, he put two and two together. Your wide, wandering eyes, high pitch in tone, and the uncontrollable fidgeting. You're attracted to him. He may not know how much yet, but he's certain that you are.

Come on, he's not clueless. Being as observant as he is, he picks up even the slightest of hints and details. And no question, they were there. He does recognize the problem this can be. Because he's irately attracted to you. His fascination in you bothers him greatly, but he can't help it. More reason now that he knows the feeling is mutual, it's going to bring a lot of pent up tension and frustration. Especially since neither one of you want to address the elephant in the room. Yeah, this is going to be a huge problem.

After that nearly embarrassing incident, you decided to wait outside. To collect some fresh air and try to rid your head of those bothersome thoughts. Taking a couple of hard breaths, you manage to gather yourself together fairly quickly. In time too, because Joker and the crew were coming out of the building. To you, he appeared unfazed by the matter. If only you knew how wrong you were.

Everyone started piling into the cars, but Joker stops to the sound of ringing. So did you. It was coming from him. He searches his pockets, reaching into his large coat and pants. Pulling out a small phone.

Taking a few steps away, he answers, "yeah?.. 8 pm? Roller rink... mhm, uh what's the address?" J talks into the device, occasionally glancing over at you slowly stepping towards him. "I'll be there," he ends the call, placing the device back in his coat somewhere.

You sneer at him, "what happened to 'I don't give my cards out to everyone' huh?"

He humors you, "that, that was the ah, Chechen. He wants to meet up to discuss an offer I made."

One of Gotham's all powerful Russian mafias, led by a man who goes by "the Chechen" since no one knows his real name. You're familiar with whom they are.

"The leader of the Chechen mafia wants to see you?" You question. Joker hums to which you add, "I thought the mob was trying to have you killed. Could be a set up." Making a finger gun, you aim the imaginary weapon at his head, mimicking squeezing the trigger. "Bang, bang!" You then proceed to laugh at his entertained reaction.

"Not all of the mob, doll," J replies. "We're meeting them at a place downtown later." He holds the door to the vehicle open, waving you up, "come on."

You hop in and he jumps in right after.

Figuring there's a couple hours to kill, you suggest, "could we stop and pick up some burgers on the way there?"

He rolls his eyes at you, "seriously? Burgers?"

"Come on boss," you plead aloud getting the other goons attention. You indirectly beckon for their support, "try and tell me that thick, juicy burgers don't sound appealing." They remain quiet, but they're interested on the yummy topic, murmuring and nodding amongst one another. Considering the majority of everyone in this car hadn't eaten a bites worth within the past 6 hours.

Even Joker is realizing how hungry he is, now that you've brought it up. Busy terrorizing the city, he doesn't reserve the time to splurge on food. And when he does, it’s not on anything specific. At least not lately. But boy, can the man eat, though. Especially when his hunger becomes unbearable, J will make sure to get his fill on the necessary protein. Whatever it may be. He wouldn't neglect his body of needed fuel. Otherwise, how else would he keep himself strong as he is?

Right now, anything fulfilling sounds great to him. So reluctantly, J agrees. "Fine, I'm sold. We'll stop."

Peeking back at the goons, you flash them a double thumbs up when he's not looking. You win. Burgers for everyone! Well, one thing's for certain, you're not gonna buy them. And you assume that no one else is going to either. Which poses the next question- who's getting off to steal 'em?

End of part 4.

[clarasimone]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Iain Glen - Fandom, Game of Thrones (TV), British actor - Fandom, Anchor Me Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Iain Glen/Original Character(s) Additional Tags: Meta, non-fiction, Essays, Character Analysis, Analysis, Narrative Analysis, Film Aesthetics analysis, film analysis, Religious Imagery & Symbolism, Psychoanalysis, Erotica, Eros & Thanatos, Childhood Trauma, Acting, Anchor Me - Freeform

Summary:

An in-depth analysis of ANCHOR ME (2000), a made-for-tv UK production starring Iain Glen (Ser Jorah Mormont in GoT) discussing the what and the how of its thematic tropes, motifs, symbols, stylistic figures and acting.

Notes:

I’m not sure why @bellahadar​ and I chose this film to begin our series of metas on Iain Glen’s work, but it soon became evident that this production resonated deeply and personally with us… for reasons explained in the End notes.

Though ANCHOR ME is lacking in budget and directorial flourishes (made-for-tv productions had not come into their own in 2000), its screenplay, narrative structure and performances, by IG especially, amply make up for it. We have rarely come across a narrative showing such a deep empathy for human frailties and understanding of the effect of family trauma and the ways we can heal from them.

We hope you enjoy our 4-hand analysis. All moodboards and screencaps by @bellahadar​.

[drabblesofthesoul]

WIP Questions Tag Game

WIP Questions Tag Game

I was tagged by @somuchtowrite Thank you!! (: I am tagging anyone and everyone who wants to participate! Feel free to say I tagged you :)

1. Describe the plot in one sentence

The Queen of Amoria is forced to juggle treaties and rebels while also struggling with serious personal losses.

2. Pick on sight, smell, sound, and taste to describe the aesthetic for your novel.

Sight: stars

Smell: pine trees

Sound: steady cantering of a war horse

Feel: chill of fall

Taste: iron

3.  Which 3+ songs would make up a playlist for the novel?

This is a hard question since I am still in the very early stages of writing and planning, but I’d have to say:

Revolution - The Score

You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins

Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer

If Everyone Cared – Nickelback

When We Stand Together – Nickelback

4. What’s the time period and location in which the novel takes place?

This is hard seeing as my WIP takes place in a fantasy-ish realm, I can say it takes place (for the most part) in the country of Amoria.

5. Are there any former titles you’ve considered but discarded?

No, I like the title being my main character, Oliver deserves it for sure 😊

6. What’s the first line of your novel?

“Your Majesty!”

Not turning from my seat, I calmly rebuked the young one. “We do not raise our voices when there is a roof over our head, Jeremiah.” Actually the first two lines, and I’m not sure if this is even where I want to start, I just jotted down some dialogue because I had to start somewhere (right? ^-^)

7. What’s a line of dialogue you’re particularly proud of?

I rolled my eyes, “Nikoli, I have said since we were children, you are not required to bow.”

Standing straight again, Nikoli smirked and replied, “I will always bow for my Queen, no matter how unruly she may be.”

I don’t know why I’m proud of this, I think just because it shows the tie between Nikoli and Oliver so uniquely, I love it.

8. Which line most represents it as a whole?

Like I mentioned before, I am not very far into my work, so I do not have a lot to work with just yet so I will take a rain check on this question 😊

9. Who is your character(s) faceclaims?

They are each uniquely their own person.

10. Sort your character(s) into Hogwarts houses

Oliver: Slytherin

Ethan: either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff I can’t decide

Nikoli: Hufflepuff

Evv: Slytherin like her mom

Jeremiah: Hufflepuff

11. Which character’s name do you like the most?

Definitely Oliver. I don’t know why I just have always loved the name Oliver especially for a female since its rare. Evv is also a favorite.

12. Describe each character’s daily outfit.

Oliver tends to go for flowing yet regal dresses, saving her extravagant gowns for special events such as balls or various ceremonies. Her tighter and more form-fitting dresses are for public appearances or the entertaining of guests. Ethan likes well-worn black cotton pants and a loosely tucked in white cotton shirt (at first glance may have mistaken him for the help instead of their King), and Evv opts for tight pants that allow her to move amply, her favorite pair of boots, and a pressed white, long-sleeved shirt. Like her mom, Evv saves her “princess” gowns for special events and will don a simple yet elegant (usually velvet) floor-length dress when there are guests visiting the castle. When any of them visit the troops they each have a special uniform that allows them, to the civilian or un-educated eye, to blend in with the soldiers yet is distinguishable enough by the troops.

13. Do any characters have a distinctive birthmark/scar?

Ethan has a scar that cuts through his right eyebrow up and away from his eye, starting just below the eyebrow and reaching a good inch above. He has many different scars along his arms and legs from the years of training and working alongside his troops. Evv has a couple of scars on her arms and hands as well, and freckles splashed along her cheeks and ridge of her nose. Oliver appears to have zero birthmarks/scars, as she covers the one scar that cuts from her upper left arm, across to her back and down to her shoulder blade, this was gained in the raid on her home when she was 19.

14. Which character most fits a character trope?

Umm, I’d have to say Jeremiah fits the “cinnamon roll who actually is a cinnamon roll.” He’s an innocent child that dreams of being a hero one day and killing all the bad guys but in reality, carries spiders outside so that no one squashes them. Oliver is textbook Mama Bear, whether it’s her own kid, her kingdom, or some innocent child she saw two seconds ago.

15. Which character is the best writer? Worst?

Ethan is the best, he would send beautiful letters to Oliver while they were “courting” and writes up most of the treaties and important documents himself instead of having a scribe. The worst would be Nikoli, simply because he never learned to write beyond the basics of communication. He never wanted to, and it never mattered in his line of work, so he just didn’t. He can write out simple sentences, but his handwriting is atrocious, so he usually gets a younger man soldier in his command to do it for him.

16. Which character is the best liar? Worst?

The worst liar is definitely Jeremiah. The kid is just too pure, and his cheeks light up bright red whenever he tries to pull the smallest of white lies. The best, hmm. I would have to say the best is Evv. She is good at covering the truth, making sure her secrets are kept hidden.

17. What character swears the most? Least?

Oliver swears a lot in her head but has long since trained herself to keep her mouth shut when she gets in an angry or frustrated mood. Ethan is usually a calm and collected person, but when something finally pushed him over the edge the man swears up a storm. I have to say Evv swears the most though, it’s just second nature for her. (Oliver is constantly reprimanding her in hushed tones.)

18. Which character has the best handwriting? Worst?

Evv, surprisingly. Though she was never as devoted to the “art of calligraphy” like her mother, Evv naturally has beautiful handwriting. I already mentioned before Nikoli has terrible handwriting, its definitely the worst.

19. Which character is most like you? Least like you?

Though I’m sure there are parts of me in each of my characters, they are each their own unique individual. I think as I continue to write and each of the characters shows their true colors I can answer this question better. 😊

20. Which character would you most like to be?

Nikoli’s husband Isaac. He is a minor character that really only serves to aide Nikoli’s characterization (at least so far, who knows what the future holds😉) but he is a sweet man who just wants his husband to come home and love him; he loves Nikoli, their son James, and tending to the Royal Gardens (which is NOT his job, but he loves to and no one can get the man to stop and let the gardening people do their job so they let Isaac do his thing.)

[mrmichaelchadler]

The Kid Who Would Be King

I have good news and bad news for anybody who is (as I was) looking forward to "The Kid Who Would Be King," the latest film by British writer/director Joe Cornish. The bad news is a little complicated. Cornish has essentially transplanted "A Kid in King Arthur's Court" to a modern-day post-Brexit England. This isn't theoretically a bad thing, but it is practically (and frequently) a problem when so much of the film's action is halted by arch expository dialogue. Cornish's gift for character-driven action—amply displayed in his fleet, modestly scaled 2011 sci-fi action-comedy "Attack the Block"—is, in that sense, often subordinate to his prevailing need to establish the emotional stakes of his over-inflated, but cheery allegory about the importance of inclusivity and turning the other cheek. Luckily, there is some good news, too: Cornish's gift for working with child actors is still apparent, as is his knack for dynamic action set pieces. "The Kid Who Would Be King" is not, in that sense, everything that it could have been. But it is fun where it counts and that's realistically what matters most.

The film suffers from Cornish's blocky and plentiful dialogue. Much of the plot is related verbally and often by endearingly hopeful kid hero Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis). Alex tells us—and other characters—that he's the kind of 12-year-old who sticks up for his loyal but helpless best friend Bedders (Dean Chaumoo), even if it means making himself a target for harassment by 16-year-old bullies Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Dorris). Alex also has a code of honor, as we see when he, in a rare moment of silence, clams up after his never-named mom (Denise Gough) asks why he didn't tell the school's out-of-touch principal (Noma Dumezweni, doing a fine job in another pivotal but unnamed role) that he’s being bullied.

You can see why Cornish loves Alex just by looking at the way that Alex refuses to defend himself or even cry to his mother: Alex has grown accustomed to a world where might does not make right and where empathy is in short supply. He ultimately does not want to defend himself against Lance and Kaye, even if they are snotty bullies who initially can't stand Alex or his immature heart-on-his-sleeve declarations. That makes Alex a perfect Arthurian surrogate—somebody who leads with a firm hand, even when circumstances are a bit wobbly—and therefore somebody who deserves to wield Excalibur, train with a flighty teenage version of Merlyn (Angus Imrie), and lead a rag-tag group of adolescents against a newly revived Morgana Le Fay (Rebecca Ferguson), an evil sorceress who has waited for centuries to take over England after Arthur, her brother, and his knights initially defeated Morgana.

If that last sentence wore you down: boy, are you gonna be tested by "The Kid Who Would Be King." Serkis (son of Andy) does a fine enough job with the role he's given, even if much of that role is as a Thankless Plot Dispenser. He talks so much that you wish he would just fight somebody, anybody. The same is true for most members of Cornish's decent, but overwhelmed ensemble cast. Imrie—who has a rare gift for delivering goofy, tedious exposition with campy panache—is the exception that proves this general rule.

Luckily, "The Kid Who Would Be King" is good where it counts most. The film’s bright spots are pretty bright. A dialogue-light training montage—where Alex leads his team in sparring with sentient trees(!!)—is especially good, as is a nightmarish post-dream sequence involving a demonic skeleton knight (this scene brings to mind the original 1953 sci-fi chiller "Invaders from Mars"). Even a handful of key emotional scenes work, mostly because Cornish knows how to let his actors’ body language and facial expressions speak louder than anything that they're verbally saying.

So, yes, "The Kid Who Would Be King" is worth a look, even if it is a bit soggy. Cornish fans will likely get what they hoped for, and uninitiated viewers will probably groove on the film's well-intended and clever ideas. "The Kid Who Will Be King" may also lead some younger viewers to fall down a deep rabbit hole of Arthurian fables and cheapjack fantasy flicks. I envy those kids, and hope that they find this movie however they can.

from All Content http://bit.ly/2Drt2n0

[attendantdesign-blog]

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New Post has been published on https://attendantdesign.com/the-internet-of-things-could-be-the-light-at/

The Internet of Things could be the light at

India’s $a hundred and fifty billion records era (IT) enterprise is in a kingdom of turmoil, however, there’s one shiny spot: the Internet of Things (IoT). Employees in the united states of America’s billion-dollar behemoths are speedy re-skilling themselves to work with the new-age era had to add sensors to machines in order that they may be monitored and controlled over the net. As an end result, India’s era corporations are doing IoT-associated business really worth $1.52 billion, accounting for forty-four% of the $3.5 billion worldwide IoT era offerings outsourcing marketplace in 2017, consistent with a file by Bengaluru-based totally studies, consulting, and advisory company Zinnov, launched on Aug. 07. The largest percentage—43%—of India’s IoT-offerings pastime is devoted to product engineering.

India-primarily based legacy agencies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL, Wipro, Infosys, and Tech Mahindra are indexed a number of the “mounted” and “expensive” market leaders in the IoT space. And other neighborhood businesses, like L&T Technologies, TATA Elxsi, Persistent Systems, L&T Infotech, and Happiest Minds, have moved extensively over the last 12 months in scores amongst Indian companies, Sidhant Rastogi, companion at Zinnov, told the Business Standard newspaper. All of those players are set to gain as the worldwide IoT era services and products spend is predicted to climb up extensively from around $one hundred forty billion in 2017 to $322 billion by means of 2022.

But even as IoT era is anticipated to create 25,000 jobs through 2021

, some distance more jobs—ninety-four,000 of them—could be removed at the same time, Zinnov anticipated closing year, compounding the hassle of layoffs associated with automation. That means that going forward, Indian organizations will not best want to diversify within the type of era services they offer, but additionally look past the IT enterprise for paintings. For example, Tech Mahindra’s chief executive, C P Gurnani, cited the want for his enterprise to construct offerings in healthcare, production, retail and managed offerings, and other such regions as properly. MOST POPULAR

Harish C Menon August 09, 2017Quartz India An old buddy and I met up one afternoon this May. She had changed. Many instances over. For exact or for terrible, I am not to judge, however, I didn’t like what I saw. We have acknowledged each different due to the fact that 1980, the 12 months I changed into born. So, no matter lengthy intervals of separation, I perk up on every occasion she is cited. Evidently, bits of her have stayed on with me.

There’s no taking Bangalore out of a Bangalorean, is going the cliche. A motorist passing by means of the Belandur lake on the outskirts of Bangalore April 2015. Hundreds of electroplating and e-waste recycling gadgets within the town’s business wallet discharge fantastically polluting chemical compounds into the water streams, which circulate lakes and the lethal concoction of phosphates, nitrates, and myriad industrial pollutants had mixed to create that lather effect. Dystopia: Toxic foam from a polluted metropolis lake. So there I stood at our Borewell Bus Stop Rendezvous on Old Airport Road, looking for stray tips of familiarity: Flaming-pink Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) buses, the fishing spot in the marsh, Gulmohar (Mayflower) timber in full bloom

But all I got  Things turned into a choked light highway, an elite township wherein the Marsh Internet 

as soon as lay, and gusts of exhaust fumes. And like I had examined in advance incredulously, the Gulmohar, too, were disappearing. In simply round 30 years, Bangalore had long gone from “Garden City” to “Garbage City” thru “India’s Silicon Valley.” Today it has too often grappled with something as weird as self-combusting foaming toxic lakes. When, why, and how did she come to this? The solutions are not too obscure if one traces returned her footsteps. But before that, a touch about the existing. Frantic, choking

Bangalore is the face of India’s changed fortunes, a face that itself has changed past recognition. Consider these startling numbers: Bengaluru, as she has been formally referred to as given that November 2014, is the hub of the $one hundred fifty billion facts technology (IT) sector that contributes almost 10% to India’s GDP. She unmarried-handily generated $forty-five billion in IT sales in 2014.

The government of Karnataka expects the country capital to residence two million IT people by using 2020. Such is her impact that, until these days, techies within the west dreaded the time period Bangalored—it supposed losing your activity to fantastically less expensive Indian friends. The current role reversal is unlikely to affect her dominance. At an in line with capita GDP of $five,051 (2014), the metropolis is the arena’s 87th maximum critical metro, a Brookings Institute document says. She is India’s 5th-most populous city agglomeration, with an envisioned over 10 million residents in 2017, up nearly 2 hundred% from three.Four million in 1985. To accommodate all the one’s new human beings, she has elevated with the aid of 360% from 161 rectangular kilometers (pdf) in 1979 to 709 square km these days.

A fashionable view of an uprooted tree, following heavy rain a day in advance, in Bangalore, India, 27 May 2017. Over 70 trees have been uprooted and lots of tree branches had been broken following lightning and thunderstorm due to heavy rainfall inside the city. The pre-Monsoon showers will amalgamate with Monsoon rains. Normally during the primary week of June, Monsoon reaches over Bangalore. EPA/JAGADEESH NV Shaking pillars.)

However, because of the dismal city making plans and corruption,

she’s now additionally a disaster in slow motion. Take, as an instance, those water bodies. Bangalore is that uncommon large metro and not using a large perennial supply of water nearby. Hence, its founders created a tremendous interconnected gadget of lakes and tanks, a key to her Garden City tag. In 1961, there have been 262 lakes and tanks in and around her. But satellite tv for pc imagery in 2003 confirmed simply 18 definitely delineated ones (I don’t need to know what it seems like in 2017). Yet, there’s been a 584% growth inside the metropolis’s built-up area during the last four decades. The end result: A parched metropolis relies upon on heaps of tanker-trucks for its everyday delivery of water.

Trees, Bangalore’s other pillar, are vanishing, too. According to observe via the Indian Institute of Science, greater than sixty-eight% of her land area had flora in 1973; by way of 2012, that had fallen to a bit above 23%. A couple of minutes spent at the Domlur Signal, with its recently constructed maze of flyovers, amply drives domestic the message. This cataclysm has begun to have an effect on her famed climate. Summer temperatures that ranged in the relaxed 18-33 degree Celsius area—and rarely on the better side—hit 39.2 levels in April 2016. “Today…quiet tree-covered lanes of creeper- and flower-decked homes have grown to be treeless, concrete, air-conditioned ghettos—artificially created heat islands in a town that when did now not need even ceiling fanatics,” journalist Samar Halarnkar wrote currently.

That’s exactly what I felt on that breathless May afternoon. And if you, O reader, aren’t painting yet, then welcome to Bangalore like always. Because she stays a chum to anybody as she was in the course of her developing up years. “The metropolis’s morphology intently corresponds to four awesome evolutionary phases—the local city (1537-1809); colonial period (1809-1947); technological know-how & industry phase (1947-Nineteen Eighties); and the hello-tech section (mid-1980s-present),” urban planner Radha Chanchani said in a word she prepared at the situation, which she shared with me. “And until the British left, the city developed as distinct and separate entities,” Chanchani, dealing with associated with the sustainable town’s program of the World Resources Institute, Bangalore, delivered.