#regular sniper is technically there. extremely dead. but technically there

[variety-toaster]

OVERWATCH HEADCANON

In this headcanon, I believe I have finally unlocked the secret to solve the MASSIVE inconsistencies within Overwatch’s gameplay. Specifically, pertaining to Omnics.

I’m copy-pasting from my explanation to a close friend, thus the tone is sort of “I know you don’t play so here’s some basic explanation for things you wouldn’t normally understand.”

So, in Overwatch, there are robots called Omnics. They are basically "what would happen if robots got human-level intelligence or possibly higher." In Overwatch, there was an uprising called the Omnic Crisis, in which yah know, humans vs omnics for fair treatment and rights and basically a civil war. Now, humans technically won said war. But, many omnics became peaceful, and like, actually nice. There are even spiritual monks, like our boy Zenyatta. Now, here’s one of the biggest inconsistencies. See, in Overwatch, there's a lot of "healers." which, in their weapon names, say "bio". Implying they heal biological stuff. But, Omnics can also be healed. So, what gives? and how do u "heal" a robot?Now, in one of the cinematics, a terrorist sniper named Widowmaker from the terrorist organization Talon, shoots and kills an omnic monk who was a serious advocate for peace. People freak out! It's messed up. Anyway, he is, in canon, DEAD. But why? he's a robot. How did he "die" if they can just repair him? well he was shot through the head. But, they could just re-upload his memories right? Well, apparently not. So, omnics can be healed, but if they die, they're dead. We also see mention of them essentially having souls, especially given their spirituality, and Zenyatta is proven to be able to ascend, heal, and even just float midair like a fantasy monk! And, it's KNOWN that he IS NOT floating using some anti-gravity device (which does exist in Overwatch's lore, and is on most cars) So, they can be healed, repaired, but if they die they're dead, and apparently have souls. So, what does this mean? Let's go back to the "bio" title in most of the game's weapons.It is my belief, hear me out, that omnics are NOT made of regular metals. They are in FACT, made of some sort of BIO-STEEL. A material which is like metal, conducts electricity like metal, and HEALS like biological components. This explains why Torbjorn's mechanical turret cannot be healed, while bastion, an OMNIC turret, CAN. It explains why Genji, who is a cyborg, can heal, despite being covered in metal armor: it is made from the same Bio-steel. It explains why omnics can be put to sleep with Ana's sleep dart: You can't make a ROBOT sleep, but you can make an OMNIC sleep. You can't put Torbjorn's TURRET to sleep, but you can put ORISA or ZENYATTA, both omnics, to sleep! it also explains why you cannot bring the Omnic peace-talker person back from the dead; you cant just rebuild a brain! But, that begs the question: where do omnics come from then? Are they BORN then? or are they still built? Well of course they aren't BORN! Duh! They're BUILT, but USING bio-steel! now, what benefits does using bio-steel over building ordinary all-metal robots have? Well for one, they can be healed in battle, repair themselves (like Bastion's self-healing) without spare parts, but it also means that being somewhat ORGANIC in nature means they do, in fact, have souls, like humans or animals! Which is what separates them from some regular coffee-maker or a car! I think this is EXTREMELY important to Overwatch's lore, as it finally offers an explanation for all the 'strange inconsistencies' in the game! "why can you put a robot to sleep?" "how do you heal a machine that would need repairs?" "why do biotic weapons heal/hurt omnics?" "why can't you just rebuild the person Talon killed?" Bio-steel. It can also sort of explain why Sombra, who is the "world's greatest hacker" who can hack people in game to shut off their abilities, cannot completely shut down omnic heroes: if they're part-biological, sure, maybe you can mess with the computer part, but you can't shut them down completely; they’d be able to move biological limbs like humans!.There is only ONE exception to this rule I've found thus far. Ashe is a cowgirl sniper lady in the game, who's "Ultimate Ability" is to summon her butler, Bob, an omnic, to help in battle! Now, Bob can be healed, boosted, slept, all that, but, here's the only exception to my theory thus far: Sombra can hack Bob, and shut him down completely for a short while (and Bob only remains summoned for a short while as well, so, unfortunate). Now, she doesn't shut any of the other omnics down completely, Bob is an omnic, so how does she shut him down?  For that, I have no idea. The development team just loves to make Sombra totally overpowered with her hacking and fun-police the game and I hate it. BUT, I think Bio-steel explains WAY MORE stuff than it creates an inconsistency for. Lastly, I believe that there are several different types of Bio-steel, which are used for different things: Armor, such as Rienhardt, Orisa, and Hammond's Wrecking ball are all made out of a type of bio-steel, which allows them to be healed and repaired.

I think MOST things in game, not including objects in the environment or bullets, are made of bio-steel!

Bio-steel explains SO much of the inconsistencies in Overwatch’s gameplay and lore, and yes, there is that one hiccup, but it’s better than the lore team saying “Well, things that are in the game aren’t necessarily canon, they’re just there for gameplay,”

TL;DR: Omnics in Overwatch are made of Bio-steel, which is why they are able to be healed or hurt by biotic weapons, why they are different from regular machines like Torbjorn’s turret when it comes to in-game effects, and why they have souls like human beings. Also, armor like Rienhardt’s and Hammond’s Wrecking Ball are also made of this bio-steel material which is why they can be healed in-game. 

Let me know what you think of this theory, and let me know if you can think of other inconsistencies it creates!

[heymusings]

Things I loved in individual Marvel Movies (FYI...there’s a lot)

Iron Man

The epitome of showing character development within the time frame of a single film through Tony Stark.

Pepper Potts pretty much being Tony’s baby sitter.

Soundtrack

A man who has everything and nothing.

It’s literally just a well balanced action movie.

The fact that is was mostly just RDJ improvising and the other actors having to work with it.

Tony realizing he is part of the problem and finds his purpose in trying to fix those problems, and by doing so working to become a better person.

The fact that Tony is still not a fully realized “hero” at the end of this film-- he still has some quirks to work through and is a little too arrogant.  But this really sets up for even more amazing character development in the next films.

It is a movie of its time-- terrorism and greedy businessmen as the villains.

The fact that Tony and Pepper are not a couple by the end, even when I ship them.

“I am Iron Man”  The instant new trend of not hiding their identity.

Tony: Throw in a little hot rod red.  Jarvis: Yes, that will help you keep a low profile.

Pepper buying herself a birthday present from Tony.

Tony seeing her in the dress.

Pepper “taking out the garbage”-- burn

Tony’s suite tests and Dummy trying to put out a fire.

Tony making the first suite in the cave-- i love that montage

Stane’s moment in realizing how the suite worked-- it’s such a silent but great moment

“Don’t waste your life.”

The acting that takes place in the moment Stane takes the reactor out of Tony’s chest is amazing-- RDJ doesn’t even say anything.

Pepper getting the thumb drive out of the office-- and having the forethought to have Coulson follow her-- Coulson just sitting there waiting (it was oddly funny to me).

The eventual use of the SHIELD acronym

Proof that Tony Stark has a heart.

I don’t have anyone but you.

Iron Man 2

Tony and Pepper kissing for the first time....admittedly the first two films came out at a time when the thing I mostly cared about was shipping.

Soundtrack

Stark clearly still developing as a person and superhero...I love me some character development.

Stark refusing to give the suite

“If your priority was to actually to...”-- Tony questioning governmental control

“I am Iron Man.  The suite and I are one.  To turn it over will be to turn over myself which would be tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution...”

The Iron Man suit as a “shield”--- interesting.

I love watching Tony in his workshop.

Dummy.

Pepper taking charge several times throughout.

Natasha totally taking out Happy when he assumes she can’t.

Pepper actually coming to like Natasha as her assistant.

Tony dealing with his mortality

Tony: Were you aiming for him or me...I can’t tell!

Happy just ramming into Whiplash with the car over and over again.

I told you I don’t want to be part of your super secret boy band.

Fury and Tony talking about Howard Stark and how he was one of the founding members of shield.

Shout out to the tessaract.

Phil: I will taze you and watch super nanny as your drool into the carpet.  Got it?

The ex wife.

Tony: Hammer tech? Rhodey: Yea.

Two seals fighting over a grape.

Phil leaving to go to New Mexico-- Thor shout out.

“Nice work kid.”

Pepper!!!

War machine and Iron Man working together to beat the iron suites-- I am partial to the shots of them in the Park area

Natasha beating the shit out of all the guys as she makes her way down the hallway...doing so very nonchalantly-- while happy takes on one guy.

Tony: You have a big gun but you’re not the big gun.

Hammer’s shock that Pepper is having him arrested while Pepper just glares at him totally unafraid of him.

Captain America shout out.

Pepper and Tony kiss.

I was here first, get a roof.

Tony: Text book narcissism?....agreed.

Getting the guy who hated Stark to present the award at the end.

“Funny, how annoying a little prick can be.”

Iron Man 3

Tony interacting with Harley  

The question if Iron Man is the suite or the man-- Tony clearly needing to come to terms with the question if his heroism comes from the man or the suite-- and has to do so by accepting his weaknesses.

Tony proving he can still be a hero without the suite. He is a mechanic-- him infiltrating the mandarin mansion without the suite and just a bunch of every day items is amazing.  This film just reminds us that his bad-assery comes from his mind. It is honestly just one of the best Stark moments all around.

Continuity in how Tony is affected by what happens to him.

Pepper coming to the rescue.

The fact that Tony went back for Dummy after his home was attacked.

In the end Tony is sure that even without the suite he is still Iron Man-- You can take away my tricks and toys, but the one thing you can’t take away...I am Iron Man.

The Dora Explorer watch

Honestly, I hate working here.  They are so weird.

Captain America

Agent Carter totally beating the men into place and Steve clearly loving it.

Bucky: Weren’t you smaller?... What happened to you? Steve: I joined the army.  Bucky: Did it hurt...is it permanent?  Steve: A little...so far.

The introduction of the heart of the character-- good man vs perfect soldier

He’s artistic-- this really says something about his character.

The flag bit will not make me laugh.

Peggy Carter...enough said...literally...everything about her.

Steve using the garbage lid as a shield-- I just like the foreshadowing... someone get that man a shield.

I can do this all day-- even when he is tiny and doesn’t stand a chance he doesn’t back down against a bully knowing he won’t win (but he still called out the bully)

Knowing Peggy touching Steve’s chest was technically an honest reaction by the actress-- she was literally so shocked by seeing him without a shirt for the first time.

The fact that I can say, “aw look how cute and little they are,” about both Bucky and Steve.

Steve jumping on the grenade...is this a test?

He’s still skinny.

“You have no idea how to talk to a woman do you.”

“Waiting for the right partner.”

“How do you feel?” “Taller.”

“I could do this all day.”

Peggy making a kill shot on a man that is in a car and at quite a distance.

Peggy non nonchalantly shooting at Steve to test shield, but mostly out of jealousy...and Steve looking ready to pee himself. 

Kid: go get him, I can swim.

The extreme differences in the reactions to the “performance” in the cities compared to the camps.

I really like the leather jacket.

“Where I am going if anyone yells at me I can shoot them”  “Undoubtedly they will be shooting back.”

Fondue

Peggy: You can’t give me orders.  Steve: The hell I can’t, I am a Captain.

Steve: You sure this thing works? Howard: It’s been tested more than you, pal.

Do you know what you’re doing? Steve: Yeah, I knocked out Adolf Hitler over 200 times.

Until the end of the line.

Bucky: You don’t have one of those do you?

Bucky refusing to leave Steve behind.

Cap and Bucky leading the rescued men back to camp.

I couldn’t call my ride.

Bucky: That little guy from Brooklyn that was too dumb to run away from a fight, I am following him.

Bucky: I am visible, I am turning into you.  This is a horrible dream.  Steve: Don’t take it so hard.  Maybe she has a friend.

Bucky’s face of pure confusion after realizing Peggy wasn’t going to give him the time of day.

The subtle development of the friendship between Howard and Steve.

Bucky’s sniper skills.

Bucky: Remember when I made you ride the Cyclone at Coney Island? Steve: Yeah, and I threw up.  Bucky: This isn’t payback is it?

Bucky: I had him on the ropes.  Steve: I know you did.

Any time Bucky and Steve work together-- it just comes off very natural.

Bucky wielding, if only for a moment, the Captain America Shield.

Peggy and Steve’s kiss

I am not kissing ya.

Steve’s sacrifice.

Steve being able to think coherently enough to recognize that something is wrong when he wakes up by realizing the baseball game is too old.

The shot of Steve on a modern New York City.

“I had a date.”

Captain America Winter Soldier

The opening running scene (rather than something more actionesque-- and the banter that builds as Steve continuously passes Sam... this also really sets up the fact that this is a film that concentrates almost solely on characters (despite having great action sequences).

On your left....two passes later...Don’t say it.

Steve’s speech over the intercom, “...It’s a price I’m willing to pay.  I may be the only one...but I am willing to bet I am not.”

Steve in glasses.

The Winter Solider-- his knife skills....the clear progression throughout the film as he becomes more and more conflicted.

“I am 95, I am not dead.”--- I need more information about this line.

“Does anyone want to get off?”

Natasha and Steve as a team-- Steve becoming more trusting of her

The fact that of any movie he could have watched after waking up Steve watched “Saw”

Steve/WS hand to hand battle

“This isn’t freedom; this is fear.” (Steve seeing Shield as a bully...he doesn’t like bullies)

Steve’s progressive realization that the power of the individual to make choices is more important than orders from an entity that may have ulterior motives.

Falcon/Sam treating Steve like a regular guy and just developing a loyal friendship that I appreciate.

 WS catching Steve’s shield with one arm.

Until the end of the line.

Bucky/WS’s murder walk.

Nat: Where did Captain America learn to steal a car? Steve: Nazi Germany, and we’re borrowing, take your feet off the dash.

It’s really not your style Rogers.  Steve: You’re right, it’s not, it’s hers (then commence Nat still trying to find Steve a date).

Captain America Civil War

Bucky noticeably uncomfortable when he first hears the sirens, then his relief when they pass him and the immediate return to being on edge when he notices the man looking at him from across the street.

So many reminders that Bucky’s nature is not toward violence.

Steve confronting Bucky in his apartment only for Bucky to run, trying so hard to avoid a fight...but the fight that happens I love, especially in the stairwell.

Bucky going after the reactor of the Iron Man suite-- noticeably not going for killing blows during the final fight and despite Tony full out trying to kill him.

How tired and sad Bucky sounds when he tells Cap, “It always ends in a fight

Wanda: You guys know I can move things with my mind right.

Wanda: You were pulling your punches.

Steve’s talk with Wanda about doing and saving who you can and that it doesn’t always mean everyone.

Tony managing to disarm the greatest assassin with nothing but a gauntlet while wearing a three piece suite.

Steve’s clear conflict regarding his friendship with Tony and willingness to forgive him at the end.

Wanda’s relationship with both Clint and Steve... I wanted more of this.

Steve understanding the dangers of the accords more than Tony (based on experience)-- and the importance of his message, “you can’t save everyone,” but you can save the majority.

I admit...this movie got me so worked up about how Tony wants so much to start pushing away the blame for even one lost life that he becomes so willing to place all the responsibility on a governmental power rather than the individual (as Steve believes) even at the cost of putting targets on the back of his friends/allies.  I will never not be shocked at his shock when he talks of Wanda as a weapon or his shock when they put them all in prison. But I also love that I got so worked up about this-- it makes for a great watch.

“No you move.”

Bucky and the motorcycle-- wow, that was not only cool...but it was really, REALLY hot.

I can’t control their fear-- only my own.

I retire for like what five minutes and it all goes to shit.

You want to mope go to high school.  You want to make amends, you get off your ass.

I can’t, but she can.

You locked me in my room.

Bucky being totally done with all the weird stuff going on around him.

“I can do this all day.”

Geez, Tony.  How old is this guy.

Bucky moving in front of Sam to protect him from Spiderman.

You couldn’t have done that earlier? (I hate you.)

Can you move your seat up. (No).

“You don’t deserve it-- My father made that shield”-- he sounds like a child trying to defend himself and his actions.  Steve dropping the shield and taking Bucky is pretty much him winning the fight-- taking the higher ground-- good man vs. good soldier being reiterated here.  The shield doesn’t take away from Cap’s strength at all-- what made him a hero is his heart, the fact that he is a good man and he doesn’t need the shield.  This is something that Tony is still learning and coming to terms with in his developmental arc.

This is the first time that we see Tony truly angry during his first with Steve-- he is being driven by his instincts to get revenge at that moment-- he is devastating but it takes away from one of his strengths-- thinking things out.

Tony is in the wrong regarding his trying to kill Bucky, he even practically admits it when Steve attempts to get him to see reason, “I don’t care, he killed my mom.” Tony is in the wrong and yet Steve still understands Tony’s feelings, yet he can’t let Bucky die even from someone he calls a friend-- this just makes for good emotionally intense conflict that is matched by the actual physical conflict.

Steve: He’s my friend. Tony: So was I-- this line literally emotionally devastates both characters.

Steve: I can do this all day. (Cap refusing to back down to protect his friend).

Tony losing because of one moment Bucky helps Steve simply by providing a seconds distraction.

Natasha being there for Steve at Peggy’s funeral

Tony trying to appeal to Steve’s past in order to get him to sign the accords using pens from Howard (one for each of them) and Steve’s response, “Some would say it bought us closer to war.” What a way to immediately set up where these two stand.

The idea that there are two sides to “right”-- Steve concentrating on moral and Tony being a realist... it really calls in to question which side you agree with most, and I love that.

Steve: If I see a situation going south I can’t ignore it.  I wish I could.  Tony: No you don’t.  Steve: You’re right, I don’t.

Tony clearly trying to use the accords as an excuse to help him stop because he keeps finding excuses to not stop even when he wants to for Pepper

Did you know?-- the fact that it finally is made clear that Steve is not perfect and is willing to lie.  He has reasons, but I think it is great to realize the contrast between the legend of perfect Captain America and Steve Rogers.

Steve realizing that the accords are similar to what Shield was doing in trying to deter war using fear/threats/control before it happened (which never works)-- Steve’s, “She’s a kid!” vs Tony’s, “She’s not a U.S. citizen and they don’t grant visas to weapons of mass destruction!” is really Steve’s break away from any possibility of him signing the accords. 

Tony’s greatest fear of being alone coming to pass as he is left at Avengers headquarters alone.

Steve: Where you from kid? Peter: Queens. Steve: Brooklyn

Tony never really seems to truly agree with the accords (not only does he also break them) on a moral level and he seems haunted by it throughout the film, while Steve is made stronger by his decision because he is sure of his position 

Tony: I am trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart. Steve: You did that when you signed-- how upset Tony is vs. how calm and matter of fact Steve is (who is surer of themselves?)

Thor

Frigga and Loki’s relationship

Darcy... she needs to be around more in the other movies.

Not that it’s a favorite thing, but I am honestly always confused how Thor is so hero worshiped when he’s kind of a dick at the beginning, and then when Loki starts doing similar things that Thor did he’s the bad guy (not saying he should have done them...but double standards and hypocrisy abound in this movie).  The more you watch the more you realize that everyone treats Loki like crap... like wow, they were all lucky Loki loved Thor and his family or he would have done something much sooner.

Loki’s manipulations.

Sif: I did.  Thor: True, but I supported you.

“ What happened, silver tongue turned to lead?”

Loki’s entire storyline.

Sif.

Loki using magic and daggers-- his fighting style is so interesting, wish we saw more of it.

“Go home little princess.” “Damn”

Loki being touched by the frost giant.

Loki more actively protecting the warriors three and Sif on Johtunheim than Thor.

Loki’s face while listening to the argument between Odin and Thor.

Darcy: Does he need CPR, because I totally know CPR.

Darcy: Yeah, we can tell you’re hammered, it's pretty obvious.

Jane: I grazed him, but she tasered him.  Darcy: Yes, I did.

The number of times Jane hits Thor with a car.

Loki’s confrontation with Odin and the pure emotion that Hiddleston portrays in that moment.

Thor’s new found love of pop tarts and coffee

Next time you decide to taser someone make sure he’s already in the car.

Jane and Darcy’s reactions to Thor’s attractiveness.

“I used to know this scientist.  I pioneer in gamma radiation.  SHIELD showed up and I never saw them again.”

The first introduction to Hawkeye...being told to grab a gun but taking the bow and arrow instead.

Barton: You want me to slow him down sir or are you going to send in more guys for him to beat up.

Thor: You’re big- fought bigger.

Barton: I am starting to root for this guy.

Science Fiction as a precursor to science fact.

Science Fiction is just science we don’t understand yet.

My realization that even as early as the first Thor film Thor and Loki’s earth fashion sense was already very much established- high power businessman vs. “very comfortable/casual”-- symbolic, maybe.

The fact that Loki as a villain is perfection-- he is a match for Thor, he is personable, his motivations are similar but he has different methods, and you can see some reason in them.

Donald Blake shout outs.

Loki going from being rather meek at the beginning compared to his second return to Johtunheim to strike a deal with Laufey.

The fact that Loki clearly had no intention of letting Laufey kill Odin.

Heimdal’s learning that Loki is a better sorcerer then he was given credit for and can cloak himself even from the gatekeeper.

Thor and Jane bonding over science/magic.

We got xena, Jackie chan and Robin hood.

“Found you!”

“Is that one of Stark’s?”

Thor’s sacrifice- I love the drama of it.

Thor’s powers being returned- again, very dramatic.

So this is how you normally look-- it’s a good look.

Loki: I never wanted the throne! I only wanted to be your equal.

Thor pinning Loki just by putting the hammer on his chest.

Loki: I could have done it, father!Loki’s look of devastation when he is again rejected by his father.

Thor Dark World

Ta Da!

Loki totally ignoring the chaos of battle around him as he reads a book.

“I like her.”

You’ll what? Kill me? Evidently, there will be a line.

Loki: Now they’re firing at us.  Thor: Thank you for the commentary Loki, it's not at all distracting.

Loki and Thor teaming up and using Loki’s magic in battle... I would have loved to have seen more of this team up happening in the films

To be honest, the only real saving grace of this movie was Loki... which I can get behind.

“I didn’t do it for him.”

Loki lecturing Thor about his escape plan and Thor pushing him out the open hatch in their ship.

Loki being revealed on the throne.

“Oh dear, is she dead?”

“I think you missed a column”

Loki’s reaction to Frigga’s death.

Loki’s look after having yelled at his mother.

Frigga attempting to make Loki’s imprisonment comfortable, she will never not see him as her son.

Who put me there! (There are so many levels to that statement and the acting is amazing).

Thor Ragnarok

Soundtrack

The whole play that Loki had written for himself and his pure enjoyment of it while pretending to be Odin.

“Beg your pardon?”

“You had one job. Just the one.”

“I am not a witch.” “How come you dress like one?” “Hey (offended).”

Thor’s powers

“I’ve been falling for 30 minutes!”

Hela-- love her-- a little anti-climatic ending.

Loki’s epic eye roll.

“Oh shit.”

Thor totally fangirling over Valkyrie.

Thor’s story about when he and Loki were 8 and Loki pretended to be a snake before stabbing him.

“It’s in my brain now”

Thor being full out God of Thunder and the soundtrack during the scene is amazing.

“I am not doing get help.”

“Do you have a better plan?” “No.” “We’re doing it.”

Loki cheering the Hulk smashing Thor.

Loki using his daggers again...I still wish we got to see more of that.

Your savior is here.

“I saw you coming.”  “Of course you did”

“I’ve never met this man in my life.” “He’s my brother.” “Adopted.”

“I’m here.”

Avengers

There is something I greatly enjoy about the shot of Loki being taken in shackles down the hallway of the Shield based-- he definitely still feels in control even then.

Learning to become a team and not just automatically being a well-oiled machine.

Tony and Bruce’s science bromance

There will always be men like you.

Loki: I am listening.

Tony: Doth mother know you wearath her drapes.

Fury: 10 bucks says your wrong...Cap paying up on his bet with Fury.

Cap’s simple response: You should have left it in the ocean.

Avengers theme

I’ve got red in my ledger, I’d like to wipe it out.... the whole scene between Loki and Nat and the changing power dynamics during it is simply great writing and acting. And the end line of Nat’s being, “Thank you for your cooperation,” to show she came out on top in that battle is extra awesome.

She turns out not be another pretty face--- and then Natasha proceeds to annihilate them single-handed

Coulson calling Natasha through her targets phone then arguing with him on the phone that she’s too busy working, while also being tied up.

Natasha being convinced to leave her mission by being told Barton was compromised.

Bruce is on the run but still trying to do good.

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce

“No its won by soldiers”...fade into Captain America’s first intro in the film.

Tony: Like Christmas, but more me.

12% of a moment.

Tony: his first name is agent.

Pepper:  Is this about the Avengers initiative...which I know nothing about.  Tony:...I didn’t qualify for.  Pepper: I didn’t know that either.  Tony: Apparently I am volatile, self-obsessed, don’t play well with others.  Pepper: That I did know.

Phil and Pepper being chummy with each other...I would have enjoyed more of this.

Coulson totally fan-boying over Cap.

Coulson: I watched you while you were sleeping.

Natasha:  I thought Coulson was going to swoon.  Has he asked you to sign his trading cards yet?  They’re vintage, he’s very proud.

Bruce:  They want me in a submerged pressurized metal container? (sees its actually going to take flight instead) Oh no, this is much worse (in complete sarcasm).

Cap immediately accepting Bruce.

How obviously uncomfortable Bruce is upon first going on the helicarrier surrounded by people.  Such good acting.

Cap: Mr. Stark. Tony: Captain

Fury: Ant, meet boot.

Stark needing entrance music to confront Loki.

The near instant tension between Cap and Tony after capturing Loki.

Loki: I am not overly fond of what follows.

Cap: Stark, we need a plan of attack.  Stark: I have a plan, attack.

Loki: I remember a shadow, living in the shade of your greatness.

Tasha: He’s killed 80 people in two days.  Thor: He’s adopted.

Cap: I knew that reference!

Hill: When did you become an expert in thermonuclear astrophysics.  Tony: Last night.

Tony: I am a huge fan of how you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster.

Tony: An intelligence organization that fears intelligence? Historically, not awesome.

Bruce being uncomfortable naming the Hulk and calling him ‘the other guy’

Bruce looking so uncomfortable during the first act of the film

Tony and Cap bringing up phase 2 at the same time in two different ways-- action and intelligence.

Tony: I am sorry Nick, you were lying.

Bruce: I am not leaving just because you get a little twitchy.

Tony: How is this now about me?  Cap: I am sorry, isn’t everything.

Cap: You may not be a threat but you better stop acting like a hero. Tony: Like you?  Everything special about you came out of a bottle. (pretty much this entire conversation)

Cap: put on the suite let’s find out.  Tony: I am not afraid of you old man. (explosion) Cap: Put on the suite.  Tony: Yep.

Cap: It seems to run on some form of electricity.  Tony: Well, you’re not wrong.

Loki: Are you ever not going to fall for that?

Phil: So that’s what it does.

Man: You an alien...no...well, then son you’ve got a condition.

Tony: He wants a monument with his name plastered...son of a bitch.

Thinking he is going to die wants to call and talk to Pepper.

Tony: We have a hulk.

Tony: We may not be able to protect the earth but you can damn well be sure we’ll avenge it.

Cop: Why the hell should I take orders from you.  ( Cap destroys some aliens...cop then immediately obeys orders.)

Bruce: That’s my secret... I am always angry.

That epic Avengers assemble round shot.

Barton not even looking while he makes a kill shot.

Fury: I recognize the council as made a decision, but given that it is a stupid ass decision I’ve elected to ignore it.

Hulk saving Tony

The “A” left on Stark tower.

Avengers Age of Ultron

The reaction of the Avengers when discovering Barton’s family life.

The fact that Barton has a normal family life.

Language.

Please be a secret door...yay!

Tony: Good talk.  Random Hydra Extra: No it wasn’t

The teamwork in the opening scene

I somehow found myself shipping Nat and Bruce.

“A great deal of complaining and tales of torn deltoids.”- Thor

“He’s the boss”- Tony about Cap

“He’s fast and she’s weird” - Maria Hill

“What kind of monster would allow a German scientist to experiment on him in order to protect his country?”- Cap to Hill

“Unlike you, I don’t have a lot of time...will...Thor be there”

Sam: following cold leads on our missing person's case (Bucky).

“He’s also a huge dork...chicks dig that.”- Natasha flirting with Bruce by describing him...then Cap totally shipping them.

Cap: I’ve seen her flirt up close...As may be the world’s leading authority on waiting too long...don’t.  Bruce: What do you mean up close?

The team trying to lift the hammer.

Cap: Together.  Tony: We’ll lose.  Cap: Then we’ll do that together too.

Black Panther references

Tony admitting that watching his friends die is not as bad as watching them die and he doesn’t.

Tony: I cracked into the Pentagon when I was in high school on a dare.

Cap: I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science created was me.

Barton: You’re no match for him, Captain.  Cap:...Thanks, Barton.

Natasha: Cap, keep them occupied.  Cap (out of breath): What do you think I’ve been doing?

Wanda....everything Wanda

Wanda: Ultron can’t tell the difference between saving the world and destroying it; where do you think he gets that?

Vision handing Thor’s hammer to him like its no big deal.

No one listening to Pietro so he comes back with a gun...”get off your asses.”

Cap: You get killed, walk it off....you didn’t finish....what were you napping.

I actually never realized just how snarky Steve is in this movie.

The teamwork between Thor and Cap is awesome.

Wanda’s entrance as an Avenger...YES!!!!!

Cap: We are not clear...we are really not clear.

Pietro: Keep up old man.  Barton: No one would know...no one...last time I saw him Ultron was sitting on him...quick little bastard.

The fact that the above line was improvised by Renner.

Thor:...I am running out of things to say....you ready.

Pietro’s sacrifice. Wanda’s reaction after feeling it.

Barton names his son after both Natasha and Pietro.

Cap and Tony arguing that Vision picking up the hammer doesn’t count...and an elevator is also not worthy.

Wanda: I’ll protect it (looks at Hawkeye). It’s my job.

Vision: He’s right, he hates you the most.

Hulk having an obvious soft spot for Natasha

Natasha opening up to Bruce about her past.

Tony: Like the old man said, together.

Natasha: Still think you’re the only monster?

The whole idea of what makes a monster and how many people view someone else or themselves as a monster is so interesting and play a huge role in characterization.

Steve refusing to leave the flying city as long as there was even one civilian left there... Nat agreeing with him, “There are worse ways to go.”

Fury’s entrance and Steve’s, “Fury, you son of a bitch.”

Avengers Infinity War

Cap’s entrance by walking out of the shadows

Tom Holland’s improvising his death scene.

We don’t want to kill you, but we will.

Earth just lost her best defender.

Wanda being a complete badass-- she literally destroyed a stone with one hand and held off a nearly fully powered Thanos with the other

Caps glorious beard.

“I see you copied my beard.”

Strange seeing only ONE possible win in thousands...then giving up the stone... we’re in the endgame now...it was the only way.

Shuri making Bruce feel like an idiot.

Someone get this man a shield.

Steve and T’Challa running to the front of the battle line.

“I hope they remember you.”

Bucky alive and well

You speak groot...it was an elective.

Bring me Thanos!!! (In fact, the entire scene of Thor arriving to join the fight is cinematic gold)

Thanos on the farm-- yes, let them reiterate he won...like wow... you don’t get that much

What was she doing up there all this time?

“She’s not alone.”

Loki revealing the tessaract...trying to take Thanos on alone...and getting in one last jab with, “You will never be a god.”

Quill attempting to mimic Thor’s voice.

Rabbit

Any interaction between Thor and Rocket

Rocket engaging Thor in a meaningful conversation to comfort him-- such a huge growth is seen in his character.

Quill: What kind of weapon are we talking about here.  Thor: The Thanos killing kind.  Quill: Don’t you think we should all have a weapon like that.

“Stop messaging his muscles.”

Thor: Your bodies crumble as your minds collapse into madness.  Rocket: Is it weird I want to do it even more now?  Thor: A little bit.

Thor: He’s never fought me.  Rocket: Yes he has.  Thor: He’s never fought me twice.

It will kill you.  Thor: Only if I die. 

I’m way past asking for permission.

The 50% of me that’s stupid, that’s 100% you.

Rocket being picked up by Bucky and both continuing to shoot.

Oh, I’ll get that arm.

Thor being heartbreakingly optimistic and hiding his pain behind a smile until Rocket asks, “What if you’re wrong?” and Thor responds, “What more could I lose?” and Rocket’s, “I could lose a lot.”

The snap...”Oh god.”

You should have gone for the head.

You’re an Avenger now.

Peter: I should’ve gone home but it was such a long way down... If anything it’s kind of your fault that I am here. (Tony’s face is great)

Tony: The kid has seen more movies.

Tony and Thanos’ confrontation.

The adults are talking.

Steve giving his all to hold back Thanos with his bare hands and Thanos’ face of momentary confusion that a single man could hold him back even for a second.

My constant wondering what the result would have been if Tony and Cap were together in any of the scenes-- they work best together despite their contrasting personalities.

Doctor Strange

An arrogant man being forced to reconsider his world view and grow

Strange’s reaction to killing a man is perfect for the character but also just great acting from Ben.

Strange being called Master Strange and not wanting the title and being very adamant about not wanting the responsibility

Refusing to kill and being called a coward for it, but refusing to budge from his belief which results in a very interesting and wholly creative end battle... and fully earning and owning the title of Master.

Strange: You lack imagination.  (No you lack a spine).

Dormmamu, I’ve come to bargain.

A hero actually using an infinity stone.

Say what you want about this film but I honestly think it has a great character arc for Strange.

The cloak.

Strange’s jokes.

Strange using astral projection to learn more.

The Incredible Hulk

It was better than the first one...remake it with Mark Ruffalo and we’ll talk.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Soundtrack

Introduction to Star-Lord

The mugshot line up and jailbreak

“You said it yourself bitch, we’re the guardians of the galaxy”

Dance off distraction... also perfect part of his characterization.

Quill trying to get Gamora to join in on the dance off.

The circle moment where Quill first becomes emotionally open and asks for help-- ending with Rocket’s “We’re all standing now.”

Peter coming to terms with his mother’s death as signified by his finally opening her final gift to him.

We are groot.

Rocket’s commentary while on the public while tracking down Quill

Rocket: What’s a Racoon?  Quill: You are stupid.  Rocket: Ain’t no thing like me except me.

Rocket’s bed fur.

Gamora: You must be joking.  Rocket: No I really heard they find you attractive.

Let’s just say I really like Rocket.

Quill: A bomb? And you just leave it laying around? Rocket: I was going to put it in a box.

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2

The Guardians team...this movie was pretty disappointing in most areas but I did enjoy the interactions among the characters.

Ego brainwashing Quill through so much of the film to convince him that he is above his team and be swayed to Ego’s side

The bodies of Ego’s children reveal

Yondu being revealed to be the hero and the real father figure

You look like Mary Poppins...Is he cool....Yeah... I am Mary Poppins y’all.

Peter’s discovery of the cause of his mother’s death-- that moment is amazing cinema

Ego: You are a god...if you kill me you’ll be just like everyone else.  Quill: What’s so wrong with that? (aka being perfect doesn’t mean shit)

By the end, the Guardians become a family.

Rocket and Yando interaction... they’re both assholes that care.

Rocket’s shock that the colors shined for Yondu in his death... Quill accepting and sharing in Rocket’s pain in that moment.

Spiderman Homecoming

If you’re nothing without the suite then you shouldn’t have it.

The car intense car scene-- amazing cinema there

Peter: Come on Peter...come on, Spiderman. 

Training wheels protocol

If you even cared you’d actually be here.

The adult is talking.

Peter is pretty bad at keeping his secret.

MJ reveal

Peter deciding to continue being the friendly neighborhood Spiderman for a while longer.

Happy having kept a ring on him for years.

Peter speaking revealing he can understand and speak Spanish when the shop keeper talks about Aunt May.

Ant-Man

The father-daughter relationship is adorable.

“I hope you don’t catch him.”

My days of breaking in and stealing shit are done.  What do you want me to do? (I want you to break into a place and steal some shit.)

Scott as a father.

Ant-Man and Wasp

The montage of what Scott does in his spare time while under house arrest.

Again...father/daughter relationship.

The fact that Scott and Paxton go from viewing each other with low opinions in the first movie to seeing each other like family... it's so healthy.

Black Panther

Killmonger’s entrance into the throne room and very nonchalantly stating that he wants the throne before demanding to be asked who he is and letting it rip.  The calm to intense anger is awesome.

This corset is really uncomfortable so can we wrap this up and go home?

What are THOOOSSEE?!

Everyone is shooting at me...wait let me put on my helmet.

Okay...let us just assume most of this list would consist of the wonder that is princess Shuri.

“Americans”

Great another broken white boy for us to fix.

T’Challa’s growth as a character by coming to understand the world differently through Killmonger’s actions.

The fact that T’Challa and Killmonger actually want similar things but come into conflict by their complete opposite ways of going about accomplishing their goal.

Stand up, you are a king.

The fact that T’Challa surrounds himself with females rather than men as his most loyal, fierce, and intelligent people.

Killmonger and T’Challa sharing a sunset and having a moment of understanding before Killmonger’s death.

The truth behind Killmonger’s reasoning and goals.

“Would you kill me, my love?”  “For Wakanda?  Without question.”

You can’t blame me, I almost died.

The moment I believe T’Challa became king: You were wrong! All of you were wrong!  We let the fear of our discovery stop us from doing what is right!

.....I’ll add more, I’ve just been working at it for so long as I rewatched the films I am just posting it now and will add on later

[impossible-ancient]

Autumn Hunt

---Chapter Two---

-A Girl’s Name-

[Read Chapter One here: “Don’t Lose”]

{Exactly 2800 words}

             Loud rumbling is heard from a group of men running down wooden stairs.  Pratt steps to the side of the hallway to allow them to pass, since they seem to be in a hurry.  The one man in front with blond hair peeking out of a hood, stares back at Pratt on his way down the steps.  He and the others hold sniper rifles, but this man has two.  

“Are you Pratt, also known as ‘Peaches,’” the blond man asks the young deputy.

“Yeah.  That’s me.”

             The blond man tosses him a large .50 caliber sniper riffle.  Pratt analyzes its silver coating and it barely even has a scratch on it.  He turns around to look where they’re headed, and they all stop to stare at him.

“Well, come on,” the blond man nags with a thick southern accent.

             Pratt follows the group outside of the Veteran Center.  The sun is so bright that everyone squints their eyes.  It’s like that little stinging in your eye from the sun reflecting the morning snow, only it wasn’t winter quite yet.  

“Oh shoot,” the blond man says as he looks around him, “wrong exit.  I still get confused in this place.”

             Pratt tries to hide his laughing.  The same man begins to walk around the home towards the front of the building.  Behind the home is an open courtyard full of giant cages.  The group of men pass close by one of them and Pratt sees a woman asleep on the cold ground, with a bowl of meat scraps in front of her.  And, when the deputy looks around, he sees a man in another cage, sitting and facing the group.  The blond man and the others barely glanced at them.  Pratt slows his walking, faces the blond man again and asks, “why are these people trapped in cages like that?”

             He doesn’t stop walking.  His hooded head never turns around, but he quietly replies, “don’t worry about them dang sinner!”

             The group walks through a narrow walled-off alleyway on the side of the house, and finally reach the front driveway.  They approach a large red SUV with thick tires and the windows rolled all the way down.  The blond man tells Pratt to stand to the side for a few moments, and the other men begin to load equipment into the vehicle.  Pratt recalls the man with dark curly hair from earlier this morning, and that man pulls a cardboard box out of the trunk.  He yanks out a pocket knife from his pocket, opens the box, and pulls out a set of orange vests covered in plastic wrapping.  

“Oh shoot, Rick,” the blond man exclaims, “these huntin’ vests are brand new!”

             Pratt had no idea that anyone was planning on hunting today.  But he watches as the curly-haired Rick and the blond man open the rest of the bags, and they hand them off to the others.  Rick hands Pratt an orange vest and it smells like fresh plastic right out of the factory.  It’s Velcro pocket closings where met with a set of key rings on the sides.  Rick announces that Jacob will be joining them shortly, and that he’s finishing a conference call with his family.  Part of it could be heard over the intercom system by mistake:

“Can you even use a computer, Jacob?”

             The group of men look around as they hold in their laughter.

“If you’re going to invite the father,” one of Jacob’s brothers says, “then send…eh…Jacob…why is there an echo?”

             A rustling and a loud clicking noise soon followed.  The group of men chuckled as they look up towards the house’s second floor.  The poor man didn’t know how to even use half of the crap sitting in his office.  He usually just has someone make appointments and send emails for him.  

             A few minutes pass.  Jacob comes walking out of the Veteran Center towards the SUV, holding his red-painted sniper riffle in his pale scarred hands.  He now wears a dark gray and red vest with a few buckles on the sides, and his regular gray shirt beneath it.  His dog tags and lucky rabbit’s foot are somewhat visible through the partially zipped vest.

“Hello Jacob,” the group greets collectively as if he is their commander, which he technically is.

“I’m sure you guys heard my baby bro whining on the phone.  My mistake,” Jacob jokes.

             He then opens the driver door and steps to the side, letting Rick seat himself behind the steering wheel, before Jacob closes the door for him.  Jacob then opens the left rear door and a shorter man with a red hat hops in first. The blond man steps to the side and tells Pratt, “after you buddy!”  The deputy enters the back of the vehicle and shoves the rifle into any free space he could find, before the blond man hops in and shuts the door behind him.  Rick tells the group to sit their riffles against the seats, pointing downwards for safety reasons.  Jacob hops up into the passenger side.  His feet kicking the guardrails, and his long legs bending before closing the door.  The big man looks back with a short grin and shouts, “Ready for some good ol’ huntin,’ guys?”  The men in the car cheer loudly and Pratt joins in on it, only because he doesn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. The engine starts and the big SUV pushes forward in a rough jolt of an acceleration.  Rick slams the breaks and looks around.

“Woah,” Jacob shouts after keeping his head from flying forward.  He turns to look at Rick and stares at him for about five seconds, and then continues, “if you can’t drive a stick then you shouldn’t be up here, Rick.”

             Rick opens the door and offers up the driver’s seat to someone else.  He switches places with the man in the red hat and the SUV begins to move again, and much smoother this time.  They approach the main gateway to the Veteran Center and the four guards on the sides wave at them.  Jacob begins to go into detail about their destination: An open woodland area just off Clagett Bay.  The SUV drives on the blacktop road for quite some time, then rolls onto some harsh dirt and gravel trails.  Crossing old creaky bridges and crushing over sticks and dead logs, and the drive alone was a great start for this little outing.

“Hey Jacob, isn’t this where your old friend lives,” the blond man asks.

             Jacob looks back in his seat and from the corner of his eye, replying, “he’s not a friend anymore.  He hasn’t been for a while now.”

             Pratt looks at the visible side of Jacob’s seat in the front, and asks who he’s referring to.  

“Uncle…I mean…Eli.  He wouldn’t join the Project, so he started his own thing called the ‘White Tail Militia.’  Something like that.”

             The group silently looks around admiring the view of the woodland area, searching for Elk near the waters.  The open windows let in a rushing cold draft, but it’s scent of woodland pine sap was worth shivering.  Neither of the two guys up front ever bothered the radio.  Knowing Jacob, the radio would either play his favorite old tune, or be shut off completely.  He doesn’t care too much for the Sunday Church mix that his siblings kept on repeat all day long.  Pratt is always hesitant to start a conversation, fearing saying the wrong thing, or attracting the wrong kind of attention.  He’s extremely surprised that he isn’t in one of those cages, or even dead by now.  He is one of the marked enemies (or at least he was originally).  Maybe he’s beginning to gain some of Jacob’s trust, but he still senses that heavy barrier between them.  Yet, the deputy tosses out a quick kind word.

“Thanks for the shirt and vest, sir.”

“Yeah,” Jacob replies barely even paying attention, looking out of his open window for any wildlife.

             A voice comes from the driver’s seat calling out to Pratt.

“Hey man!  Hey,” the man calls out.  Pratt looks at him and then into his smiling dark eyes in the reflection of the rearview mirror.  He continues, “Muh name’s Rain.  Like ‘Rainfall.’”  Jacob and his group are actually sort of, well, kind.  Better yet, they seem to be fun to travel with.  But a paranoid Pratt doesn’t trust Jacob either.  

             A little more ways up the slope and the SUV finally rests its engine at the Clagett Bay Resting Area.  Everyone hops out.  Pratt looks around and waits for Jacob to be the last one to join the group.  He finds it strange that everyone barely even moves until Jacob either leads or commands them.  Jacob instructs the group of men to keep their orange hunting vests on at all time.  Next, he separates everyone into two groups.  

“Oh, my name’s Deveraux, by the way,” the blond man finally tells Pratt, “but just call me Dan.”  Both give each other a quick smile.  Jacob pairs Pratt with Dan while Rick and Rain go with Jacob.  There are to meet back here in 30 minutes whether they had caught anything or not.

“You guys be safe out there,” Rain tells them with a smile.  

             The two men go their own way along a dirt path, up and over hills.  Little feet patter with pebbles crunching under their shoes.  Dan wears a hoodie and utility belt with his dark cargo pants, that of an Eden’s Gate hunter.  But, today he carries a rifle like the rest of the gang.  The air up there is so cool and fresh this early in the morning.  The two climb over a huge log covered in vibrant green, damp moss.  Pratt steps back over to it just to observe the wavy brownish mushrooms along the rotted fallen tree’s side.  Dan turns around a few seconds later as he realized Pratt had stopped.

“Aye there,” he shouts and then walks over to Pratt, “Nah, I want you to be in my sight at all times. You seem like an alright guy, but Jacob wants me to keep an eye on ya.”

             Pratt nods his head in agreement.  The two men continue their trek.  Dan was no idiot.  He doesn’t know much about the deputy, and he’s not going to let Pratt out of his sight holding that sniper riffle either. They continue walking again side by side.  

“So, do ya like go to college or anything like that,” Dan asks Pratt.

“I graduated a few years ago actually,” Pratt replies.

             Dan looks around for any Elk or other fauna in the area, as he asks, “What kind of job ya got?”

             Pratt’s breathing gets heavier and his heartrate begins to quicken.  He quickly tosses out a lie that won’t have to come with more questions that he couldn’t answer:

“I’m a…helicopter pilot…tour…guide,” he hesitates to piece together.  Well, it was sort of true anyway.          

             The wind kicks up blowing Pratt’s un-moussed long hair into his face.  The two trek deeper into the woods kicking through dead leaves.  Dan spots one of those hexagonal hunting treehouses, which are the metal platforms high up in the trees.  They reach the rusted blue ladder and Dan let’s Pratt climb first. Both of them sit on the platform and wait for any sign of wildlife to enter the area, remaining alert with rifles in their hands.  Pratt notices Dan glance at a silver and bronze-plated wristwatch on his arm, before pulling his sleeve down.  He warns the deputy that they have about fifteen minutes before they needed to head back to the Rest Stop area.  The young deputy begins to ask Dan questions about his life in general, hoping that he can begin to understand why they had joined The Project at Eden’s Gate.

“Do you know who the Father is, Pratt,” Dan asks.

“I heard that he’s some sort of preacher.”

             Dan chuckles showing his teeth in a smile, turning his head and then looking up into the woodland canopy.  He shakes his hooded head, and then adds, “The Father is our light.  He opens our eyes and speaks the truth.”

“What about your life in general,” Pratt interrupts, having more interest in Dan than in their leader.

“I usually don’t piddle around in that,” Dan replies, “but since you asked; I used to be an electrician…slash…mechanic…slash, a few different jobs here and there.  I ain’t even 30 yet, and the Seed family offered me an early retirement if I work for them.”

“Doing what exactly?”

“I’m mainly a hunter and sometimes a cook,” Dan answers, “I get paid a few hundred for the week.”

             Pratt nods his head, and asks, “So, what does “the Father” do that the mayor can’t?”

             Dan tilts his head to the side, turns his body to face the deputy, and then smiles.  He begins counting his fingers one by one, and says, “Ain’t gotta pay for gas, ain’t gotta pay for any food in Jacob’s house, free water, no rent, barbecues every weekend, no bills, free cable, everybody got a job around here, which means no unemployment, free school for the little kids, John Seed represents you in court and even pays your hospital bills…”

             Pratt had to interrupt Dan just to get him to stop.

“But, what about those who don’t like him…those who disobey,” Pratt questions.

“The Father chooses those worthy.  He chooses those who must be cleansed.  And, if they cause any trouble…then they won’t be around anymore.”

             Something peeks its head through the shrubs on the ground.  The leaves rustle loudly.  It’s the head of an elk feeding and sniffing around.  Its hooves pattering around on the crunchy leaves.  Dan slowly picks up his sniper rifle and steadily aims it at the animal down below.  Pratt does the same.  The elk looks around and turns its head almost 180 degrees, as it checks for predators. Dan realizes something which causes him to hesitate.  He tells Pratt to put down his rifle.  The elk moves much slower than usual.

“Do ya see her belly? It’s swollen,” Dan tells Pratt, “she’s got babies.”

             The hunter sets down his rifle and instead of scaring it, he waits a few minutes until it wanders away.  The two men climb back down the ladder attached to the tree platform.  A black folded wallet falls from Pratt’s baggy plaid shirt pocket, slipping out from beneath his orange hunting vest.  He doesn’t even notice it as he walks back down the hill towards the SUV. Dan stops walking and picks it up and opens it.  The blond man doesn’t take anything, not that Pratt had any money anyway, other than $30 and a few commuter train one-week passes.  He reads Pratt’s driver’s license.  He then jogs to catch up to Pratt and begins walking with him again.  Pratt watches as Dan takes a cigar from a plastic gray bag in his pocket, before hearing the sharp clicking of the flickering lighter. Dan looks to Pratt on his right, and asks, “I got an extra if ya want one.”  Pratt kindly declines the offer.

“’Staci Pratt,’” Dan mocks as he begins to climb a steeper hill with the deputy, “that’s different.”

“What?”

             Dan makes a quiet wheezy chuckle and asks, “Ain’t that a girl’s name?”

             Pratt rolls his eyes but answers, “It’s like Casey or Kelly.  It can be either boy or girl.”

“I was just playin’ around with ya,” Dan jokes while handing the wallet back.

             When the two return to the SUV they see Jacob and Rain already there, with the windows rolled down, ready to go.  Rick had put the rifles in the trunk and waves to Pratt and Dan to hurry up.  The two men jog the rest of the short distance up the path.

“Did you guys catch anything,” Rick asks.

“We only saw a momma holdin’ babies,” Dan replies in a muffle with a cigar in his mouth.

“Nah, we can’t kill a momma elk like that.  It wouldn’t be right,” Rick replies, “We didn’t see anything out here either.”

             Rain hops back into the driver’s seat and starts up the SUV.  But then he begins to hum a tune.  Rick begins to sing that tune wording out, “Only You!”  And then, Dan soon after begins singing along.  Pratt smirks and looks at how silly the guys all look as they sing in the car.  They seem so playful like a family on a road trip.  Jacob looks behind his seat out of the corner of his eye.  And, when Rick and Dan sang one of the high notes, Jacob laughed and covered his mouth.  The deputy couldn’t believe it: Jacob Seed…just…laughed.

[zweiherzen-a]

HEADCANON —   Dr Ludwig E. Humboldt’s endgame has always been the same at its core: achieving immortality and, thus, the creation of a perfect human. The Übermensch, a being invincible and impervious to wounds && pain && injury. The Übercharge is only one step towards his childhood dream turned life purpose. Immortality comes last... for now, surviving long enough to succeed and to see a life eternal is the priority.

And so, immediately after the invention of his first Quick-Fix Medi Gun, Ludwig set his sights on a pet project that he fostered slowly on the side as he worked for almost two additional years on his main project. Two years after, with the Übercharge technology finally completed and set aside, Ludwig’s side project came to life mere months after the birth of his primary Medi Gun. His newest creation: an unnamed serum based on past  ( and admittedly crude )  experimentation that left Ludwig with a vastly improved immune system. This considerably more effective drug was designed to upgrade his system even further – manufactured with the purpose of boosting Ludwig back to perfect health within seconds upon receiving any injury.

Without his current technology, the medic’s assignment was strictly non-offence and his role nothing short of passive. The boundaries of his fieldwork were restricted to his medical tents behind the line of battle or hidden on the sidelines when there happened to be a wounded teammate who could not physically be transported to the tents. It was a less than satisfying job, with few risks and even fewer payoffs. The healing is never as rewarding as the hurting, after all.

The Übercharge technology reversed his entire role. It took Ludwig’s passive, unagressive class and turned the Medic into a tool for an incredibly effective and powerful offence when paired with a proper power class. However, it still stands that the medic without his power classes is not much of a threat on his own, and – even when paired with a capable teammate – he is largely focused on healing his colleague(s)... a job that leaves him especially vulnerable as he’s pushing at the front lines.

The regenerative serum is only absolutely necessary, in Ludwig’s eyes. While the survivability of his teammates and patients is important, he is more than aware of his susceptibility in his newfound part in a two-man offence on the battlefield. With a 30% chance of permanent death due to Respawn’s unreliability, Ludwig will risk nothing. And he is more than aware of that fact that along with his willing step beyond the line of passive healing comes the consequence of making himself a HIGH PRIORITY TARGET for the BLUs.

After all, you never shoot the medic... that is, unless the medic shoots at you first.

And while Ludwig isn’t necessarily equipped with the right guns to do the job himself, his loud Russian friend – yeah! that guy with the four hundred thousand dollar minigun! yeah, the one the medic's healing, and the one mowing you and all your teammates down on the front lines! – sure is shooting at you a lot.

Honestly? the Geneva Convention gets a little easier to sidestep when your entire team is dead because the enemy RED medic decided to get a little technical with the question of whether or not an assist kill makes him a viable target on the battlefield.

( The answer, by the way, is yes. Yes, it does. )

The regenerative formula does not defend Ludwig against a sniper’s spot-on headshot, nor against the well-aimed and twisted blade of the enemy spy’s. But it gives him much more of a fighting chance if either one misses their direct mark, and the unfortunate closer-range fighter of the two BLUs is likely to come out of their scuffle with an ubersaw in his gut.

The experimentation is incomplete; in addition, his body has developed an inevitable reliance on the drug. Deprivation of the serum will result in intense withdrawal and inability to operate. But as he injects less than 2 ml of the serum on a regular basis, a relatively small amount compared to the full 15 ml shot he shoots himself up with directly before a battle, Ludwig views the addiction reliance as a minor issue and easily resolved when the serum is finalised. If plans go as they should, the serum will be effective in his body permanently after a final injection. The finished product will render his regenerative ability permanent and hopefully vastly more effective without any significant side effects.

Because of his self-administered treatment, the medic’s body temperature is constantly several degrees ( F ) higher than is natural for a human being – during battle or upon being inflicted injury, the temperature will spike even higher during the process of healing, especially in the area of injury. The same goes for heart rate; when on the drug, Ludwig’s heart rate is constantly ramped up, escalating even higher to facilitate healing when necessary.

Since developing the serum, Medic’s eating portions have bumped up to 150% from his original meal sizes in order to provide energy to his now extremely-efficient body. During battle – during which healing is needed at its most extreme – having properly eaten beforehand is of utmost importance. Exhaustion comes far too quickly without sustenance. And while Ludwig has developed drugs and foods/drinks for his personal battle preparation that provide the necessary energy for his body to burn through, he does not always have access to a supply while out on the field, nor the budget or time to produce these things pre-battle. 

Thus, it is not rare to find the medic huddled behind a cluster of rocks or behind a wall, scarfing down a spare sandwich and any high-calorie snack he’s smuggled out to the battlefield. It’s just as expected that the next meal he has after a battle will be immense, and if there is no battle or strategy meeting coming up soon after, it’s safe to bet that his infirmary cot or office couch will be his companion for the next +20 hours.