#so thank you so much for being unsung heroes

[wondrouswendy]

All my friends are writing such banger sad fics…

@rangerzath with some Anduin Wrynn angst, @pintsizeninja with Odin Anderson angst, and @star-spangled-bastard writing Theodore Ash Jr. angst.

On the one hand, how dare all of you for making me so emotional over these characters.

On the other hand, please keep making me so emotional over these characters.

[weirdmarioenemies]

If you are a Fan of the Mushroom Kingdom, you've certainly heard the news by now, but just in case: Nintendo has recently announced that Charles Martinet is stepping down from voice work in Mario games. He will continue to work with the Mario series, now as a "Mario Ambassador", as which he will "continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with [us] all".

We're not going to act like this isn't somewhat of a sad occasion. It is! We can assure that we, as Mario Fans, are saddened by the news. That being said, this is not a sad post. It is a happy post, to celebrate the joy and whimsy Charles has brought us with his voice acting for all this time!

Charles Martinet was, until very recently, one of gaming's most unsung heroes. I'm sure most of the public didn't think about him until he was snubbed for a celebrity casting in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Even if we would't come to know his name until later on, for all of us here at weirdmarioenemies dot tumblr dot com, Charles Martinet was the voice of the most formative years of our lives, and the times we (and we're sure most of our readers) spent with his characters will stay with us forever. He is also a fairly prolific voice actor outside his roles within the Mario franchise, with credits in everything from Skyrim to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

However, Charles and Mario seems to be a match made in heaven, as he really seems to embody the spirit of Mario. Truly, they could not have cast a better talent for the character! Always jolly, kind, silly, and having so much fun, whether voicing the characters for games, appearing at events, or just making his own fun little videos!

It is almost surreal to think that we've come to the end of an era, but at the same time, it represents the beginning of a new one, for both Mr. Martinet and the franchise as a whole! We are so excited to see where both will go from here. We wish Charles all the best and hope he continues to have lots of fun doing whatever it is a Mario Ambassador does! We also wish luck to the new voices of Mario and friends, and hope they have a lot of fun with their roles! With all that being said, from all of us, thank you so much Charles Martinet. For everything.

[e-dubbc11]

Ik the summer sleepover is long gone 🥲 But i got hit with Matt Murdock feels and I saw the angst prompt list. Feel free to ignore this!!!!!

So this is for my fave catholic hoe 🫠

"You have to let go." - Y/N's already dead and he keeps hallucinating that she's still there

or

"I give up. You won." - Y/N breaks up with Matt because he always keeps her at arms length but it reaches breaking point when Elektra comes back

Chose wisely 😭💖

I could never ignore anything you send me, my dear friend ♥️ I hope you like what I did. I went with the first one BUT your second prompt reminded me of a Matt fic I wrote awhile back called Unsung Hero, so if you’re feeling ambitious, I’ll leave it linked HERE.

Thank you for always sending me things that pop into your brain, I love them ♥️

Letting Go

Photos are not mine. They are courtesy of Pinterest/Google.

Pairing: Matt Murdock x F! Reader

Warnings: Death, dealing with grief

Word Count: 1.4K-ish

Summary: You’ve been gone for awhile yet Matt still feels you everywhere he goes, he swears you’re there with him but you’re not and in order to start processing his grief, he has to say goodbye

As always, thank you for reading!  I appreciate it so much and comments, reblogs are welcome and encouraged. Don’t be shy to tell me your favorite part. 💕💕 💕

It hit him every time he walked into the apartment. It was here where he felt an overwhelming sense of your presence…only you weren’t there, you had been dead for 8 months now.

Reminders of you were scattered all over the apartment like stray pairs of earrings on the nightstand, a bottle of your favorite perfume, or the blanket you used to when you were quietly reading on the couch.

Not having his sight, Matt was never exactly sure what you looked like. He only had the pictures in his mind. Based on the description you had given him, he knew your eye color, your hair color, and the tone of your skin but he remembered the softness in your voice, the curves and hollows of your body, and the sound of your heartbeat as you slept soundly next to him.

Matt could never see your smile but he knew when you were smiling. He felt it tug on his heart as it stretched across your face when he did something to make you laugh or when he called you “sweetheart” but it also crushed him to taste the salt in the air if you had been crying.

He loved the smell of fresh flowers you would bring home every Friday for your date night at home but you always bought ones that didn’t have a strong scent because you didn’t want it to be too overwhelming for him. He loved how considerate you were, worrying about overloading his senses, like if the music was too loud or if cleaning products were too strongly scented.

Matt’s only wish was that he could have kept you safe, he wished he could have protected you, and more than anything he wished he wasn’t the first one to hear your heart stop beating.

Everywhere he went, he felt you with him, and he swore you were there. When Matt stopped for his morning coffee or Thai food, he had to stop himself from ordering your usual. He just couldn’t believe you were gone. You were dead and never coming back.

The guilt ate at him every day. Matt blamed himself and his nights as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen suffered because of it. “What’s the point in doing this if I couldn’t save the one person I loved the most?” He had asked himself after a particularly bad night.

Talking to Father Lantom helped but not as much as he hoped it would. Matt wanted answers that Father Lantom didn’t have. He would just tell him that “God had his reasons.” And Matt just thought he was being punished in every way possible. It was the typical Catholic guilt.

“I know you don’t wanna hear it but you know exactly what I would do, Red. I’d make sure they’d never get back up again.” Frank had said.

By asking Frank for advice, you knew Matt’s desperation was apparent as he had seriously contemplated taking their life. He knew it wouldn’t bring you back but maybe it would make him feel better knowing he avenged your death.

Maybe the hallucinations would stop, maybe he would stop hearing your voice in his head, and just maybe it would stop him from reaching for you as he was trying to fall asleep at night. The scum of Hell’s Kitchen felt his wrath every night and with every punch he landed, with every drop of blood that was spilled, he had hoped he would start to feel better but he didn’t.

And what about the tortured and unspeakable dreams where he would have to hear you cry out in pain over and over again. The heartbreak Matt felt left him miserable enough to be vulnerable whether he was awake or asleep.

At least when he was awake, he could throw himself into his work, talk to Foggy and Karen, and you would be far away from his mind. It was the alone time that left him confused, angry, and ashamed. Those feelings infiltrated his body where his heart was scorched and irregular with spasms.

“I still feel her here, Foggy! I can still smell her perfume, feel her smile against my lips, and hear her laugh. I swear she’s still here!” Said Matt, emphatically.

“But she’s not Matt, she’s gone.” Foggy had said.

You knew all of this was true because you were stuck in between worlds, you could see him. And like an angel on his shoulder you were there with him, protecting him as he was protecting his city.

As he sat perched on the rooftops of Hell’s Kitchen, you would reach for him, gently brushing his shoulder, and you were positive that he could tell you were there by the way his head would tilt to the side. You knew you couldn’t stay with him forever, but long enough to be able to tell him goodbye and that you were alright.

With his cheeks flushed with rage and his mouth twisted in anger, Matt left the office and headed for home even though that’s where he felt your presence the most.

He decided not to go out that night but instead he set aside the random belongings that you had left behind, held them in between his fingers, and gently inhaled the scent of your perfume one last time.

“You’re here with me now, aren’t you angel. I know you are; I’m not crazy like Foggy thinks I am.” Said Matt.

You’d give anything to be able to touch him again, to feel his days-old stubble against your cheek, or run your fingers through his soft brown hair.

You weren’t sure what you were feeling but knew you didn’t have much time so you moved in close to look at him one more time.

Matt was so handsome. You were going to miss his hazel colored eyes with the little flecks of gold like autumn leaves, the dimple on his cheek when he smiled, his soft full lips against yours, and the low gravelly tone of his voice. It always sounded so calm and soothing to you except on the night you died.

His screams could probably be heard for blocks in every direction but he was the last thing you saw before your world went dark and you were suddenly looking down at your body while Matt tried and then the paramedics tried to revive you.

After your funeral, Matt stayed after everyone else had left and apologized profusely for not being able to save you. Matt had to let you go but he told himself that burden of guilt rested on his shoulders. Although, you knew it wasn’t his fault.

You knew he couldn’t hear you but you replied anyway.

“I’m here, Matty, but I have a feeling not for much longer.” You said, trying to touch his hand but it just passed straight through and maybe you willed him to hear you as you spoke again. “You have to let go.”

You sensed he was ready to say goodbye which pained you more than that mugger’s lethal stab wound ever could.

“I don’t want to but I have to let you go, sweetheart.” Matt said as his eyes shined with unshed tears. “I’ll always love you, y/n.”

If you were capable of crying, you would have.

“I’ll always love you too, Matt.” You said with a warm smile and “touching” his face.

He closed his eyes and let out a long exhale just as you swept your hand across his cheek, almost as if he could feel your touches.

A slight smirk stretched across his lips as he said, “You’re trying to tell me you’re ok, aren’t you.”

Your hand ghosted against his other cheek and he smiled again.

“I’m ok, Matty. It’s alright, you can let go now.” You said.

The light at your back was calling to you. It was time to go. Although you didn’t know where you were being called to, you wished with all your heart that Matt would be alright and deep down, you knew he would be.

As you turned to walk away, you gazed at Matt one last time, committing to memory what he was wearing, the look on his face, and any other small things you never wanted to forget about him.

You loved the way he adjusts his glasses, rolls the sleeves of his dress shirt up, the way he puts his suit on in the morning, or anytime he kissed you and told you he loved you.

You wondered if he had little things about you he committed to his memory, and if he did, what were they? It made you sad that you’ll never know what they could be but you hoped that Matt Murdock would never ever forget you.

Tag List: @munsonownsmyass @gijos @chezagnes @elgrandeavocados @freshabogados @matt-erialgirl

Others that might enjoy: @itwasthereaminuteago @k-marzolf @fluffyprettykitty @hellskitchens-whore

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it! I’ve only tagged a handful of people. If you liked it, you can tell me, I don’t bite. I know I haven’t written for Matt in awhile, no pressure.

[vodika-vibes]

I love your writing and I was so excited to see this event! I promise I am still rereading and reading all your new releases and each and every one gives me life! May I get a Fairy Tale AU with Rex? Maybe where reader is a second born princess, with a protective but very feminist older brother, who has encouraged her to train to defend herself. Rex is the captain of her guard and he loves her because they grew up beside one another and yet she’s promised to a prince who doesn’t swing her way? They’ve grown up and “grown up” with each other in every possible way and she loves him back but it must be secret? But the prince she’s promised to sees their closeness and realizes that the only way he’s not going to be miserable is release her from the betrothal and take her older brother’s hand in marriage (which he’s not complaining about because her older brother is sweet and wonderful and very much more so who HE’s interested in). And because her older brother is a real one, he unapologetically rewrites their governing laws when he takes the throne to say screw you I’m not providing an heir because I don’t fancy women and you wouldn’t accept any foundlings I adopt, when my sister marries her beloved best friend Rex, that little one will be my heir to the throne. Angst at the beginning because reader doesn’t know how she can have what her heart wants while fulfilling her royal expectations, Rex loves her dearly but doesn’t think he’s worthy of standing at her side (honorable and self deprecating King he is), and all along her cheeky older brother is the unsung hero bringing justice and love to them all. Even if this isn’t quite how it plays out when you write it, I know you’ll work your magic! 💕

My Lady's Choice

Summary: Rex has been in love with his best friend for as long as he can remember. And he knows that she loves him too, she tells him often enough. But he’s just a knight, and she’s been promised to another man.

Pairing: Captain Rex x F!Reader

Word Count: 1239

Warnings: None

Prompt: Fairy Tale AU

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: Hi there! Thanks for your request! I hope this is close to what you wanted! Also, sorry that it took so long, words haven't wanted to agree with me for a bit.

“You’ve been in a foul mood all day,” Rex notes as he offers the Princess another arrow, “What’s wrong?”

Her pretty lips become a scowl as she notches her arrow and draws the sting back, “Nothing.” She releases the string and the arrow flies true, striking the dummy in the center.

Rex watches her momentarily, taking in the tension in her frame and how her lips are turned down, and he sighs. “You might be able to lie to yourself and your brother, but you can’t lie to me.”

She hesitates and lowers her bow, “My betrothed is coming to meet me.” She finally admits, “My brother told me yesterday.”

Rex feels a pang in his chest, but he shoves it to the side. He always knew that he was going to lose her one day, he just hoped that it would be one day far in the future. “Well, perhaps you’ll like him?” He offers.

She tosses him a frustrated look, “I don’t want to like him.”

“Now you’re just being stubborn.”

She whirls to face him, “I’ve made my choice. I made it years ago.”

Rex sighs, soft and slow, “Princess,” His voice is so softly pained, “I’m not an option. You know that.”

Her lower lip juts out and she lifts her chin defiantly, “I don’t care.”

“Princess,”

“I love you!”

Rex pauses and his heart swells with affection for the woman standing in front of him. He glances around and, upon seeing that they’re alone, he takes a step closer to her and brings his hand up to cup her face, “I know you do.”

There’s something almost panicked in her gaze, “And you love me?”

His smile spreads, “More than I can put into words.”

The panic settles into something a little steadier, and Rex lightly brushes his thumb across her painted lower lip, “Then why won’t you fight for us?”

“We always knew that this was going to happen, cyar’ika.” Rex murmurs, the familiar endearment falling from his lips without thought. “That someday you would be claimed by someone else, and that I would lose you.”

“No.”

She says it so firmly that Rex almost believes her. But then, she’s always been so sure that they would find a way to be them, even within the constraints of the laws.

“Cyar’ika,” Rex pauses, “Princess,” He corrects, “Maybe it would be best to end things before you lose everything.” It’ll break his heart, but he won’t stand here and watch her throw away everything that she has a right to because she was fool enough to fall in love with a lowborn knight.

The panic returns to her face, “Are you breaking up with me?” Her voice is small, fragile sounding almost, and Rex wants to kick himself. He knows, better than most, how his cyar’ika views herself. And why she’d view a breakup as a form of abandonment.

Rex presses his other hand to her cheek, “No. I said that I should.”

Confusion slides across her face, “Rex?”

“I should let you go.” He murmurs, “You might find happiness with your betrothed. But I don’t want to.”

“I won’t be happy with anyone who isn’t you.” She announces as she presses her hands over his.

For some reason, her announcement surprises him. Never mind that he already knew that. Never mind that he thinks the same thing.

He’s still shocked to hear her say it.

Slowly, he leans in and presses his forehead against hers, and a small smile lifts his lips when he feels her warm breath against his face.

Stars, he really does love her so much. 

Maybe he can talk himself into her guard after she gets married, that way they won’t be separated. And it’s not like she would be the first Queen who had a low-born lover after getting married.

It’s a horrible idea. And Rex knows it.

But he also knows that watching her ride off into the sunset with her betrothed will destroy him.

She leans in and catches his lips with hers, and Rex surges into the kiss, one of his hands moving to tangle in her hair as he adjusts her head to deepen the kiss.

He smiles into the kiss as she almost becomes boneless against him, her soft hands lightly gripping the plates of his armor to try and pull herself closer to him. She breaks the kiss before he does, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face.

She looks happy. Content.

He’d sell his soul to keep her smiling like that.

She opens her eyes and favors him with the warmest smile he’s ever seen, “Cyare?”

Slowly she reaches up and traces his lips, “I think I have an idea, Rex.”

Rex eyes her, doubtfully, “A good idea?”

Her smile widens, “Trust me.”

He watches her for a moment, and then sighs, “As if you have to ask,” Rex leans in and kisses her one more time, and then pulls away from her. It wouldn’t do for anyone to catch him kissing her, after all.

Rex doesn’t see much of his cyare for the next couple of weeks, a fact that makes him unbearably anxious. He knows that the wedding hasn’t happened, as there’s no way that he would miss that, but the constant meetings between his cyare, her brother, and her betrothed don’t bode well for his relationship.

When he does see her again, he’s a bit surprised.

Well, ‘a bit’ is something of an understatement.

The truth is, he almost doesn’t recognize her when she comes running up to him. She has a bright smile on her pretty face and her hair, normally pulled into a series of intricate braids, hangs loose around her head.

And she’s wearing civilian clothes. A tunic and comfortable trousers with boots, rather than the delicate gowns that she’s supposed to wear as princess.

“Princes—” Rex is forced to drop the training mat that he is supposed to be bringing to the salles when she flings herself into his arms. His arms wrap securely around her, supporting her weight as she wraps her arms around his neck.

She’s giggling as she bumps her nose against his, her grin so broad that it looks like it’s going to crack her face in two.

And, despite the audience, Rex can’t help but smile back at her, her good mood infectious, “Why are you so happy, cyare?” He murmurs.

“My brother has canceled my betrothal,”

“He did wha—”

Her hands come up to cup his face, “He’s also rewritten the laws, I am free to marry anyone I choose. And if the council of old people have a problem with it, they can take it up with him and his sword.”

“Cyare, what—?”

“My brother is going to marry my former betrothed,” She continues, “As it happens, my brother is more his type.” Her fingers slide over his short hair, “And, to keep the throne in the family, my firstborn child will be named heir.”

Rex stares at her, wide-eyed, and then a slow smile crosses his face, “So, that means—”

“—nothing is stopping us from being together.” She finishes.

That’s all Rex needs to hear as he crashes his lips against hers, no longer caring about their audience. Needing her as close as he can get her.

Looks like he’ll actually have a use for that ring he’s saved up for after all.

[jisuto]

Answered all the asks here:

thanks so much I appreciate it!! it's always nice seeing compliments like this, to be acknowledged and get recognition <33

yeah it sucks when you just want people to have decency and not go around stealing :// but I definitely won't delete everything

ikr and YEAH that anon is crazy writing that all up and thinking it somehow makes sense. thanks and I was thinking about trying out Bluesky but looks like they only allow Tenor gifs so we'll see. and same not only for us gifmakers but I see it often with fanartists too, I don't get how someone can act so out of line and attack them for no good reason

aww tysm and right, it doesn't cost anything to be nice and not be a jerk. yeah I practically fell into a coma since I stayed up playing smt3 LOL

yep typical anon hate that doesn't make an iota of sense but it's easy to block. EXACTLY like everyone does not want to have anything stolen this isn't a hard concept to understand?? I want my stolen gif removed but that anon completely twist it into NOT TRANSFORMATIVE lol can't argue at all and grasping at straws. yeah just bc it has no monetary value doesn't mean there wasn't any effort or time put into it, so many free pieces of media are still precious. I'm doing much better now thanks <3

it's not my first rodeo dealing with people like this but I know I'm in the right. yeah it's always so tiring to deal with idiots however I feel better now and thank you for the kind words!! I know and some people spend like 4 hours to make a single gif, it doesn't take a few minutes to run it through an online converter that's not even half as good. yeah that's the usual argument against them of "it's easy to make so why do you have to steal it if you can do it yourself just as easily?" like it's the only dumb defense thieves have that still doesn't make sense lol just take accountability for once in your life. it's a shame a lot of those blogs are purely built on stolen work

omg a fantranslator I always adore you guys TRULY unsung heroes, thanks for your hard work and sorry that happens to you as well ;w; translating isn't easy either and thank you, the recognition means a lot to be noticed. yeah there's a reason why watermarks are used and it's extra scummy to erase proof who created it. I like your honest input and yeah I love making gifs but it always annoying to see this happen. happy to hear that and thanks so much ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)

yeah absolutely insane someone typed that up and sent it, truly can't understand or have any basic decency. it's not hard to press that button but NOPE GOTTA GO REMOVE MY WATERMARK AND REUPLOAD IT INSTEAD

exactly and they think they're somehow in the right, they're not a clown but the entire circus

hey it definitely means a lot to me when I see praise for my work no matter what!! thanks so much and I'll do my best

yeah that's why all my recent gifs now have a new watermark to prevent them cropping it out or like half of it gets chopped off. leeches will always be around so I had to do that change. thank you a lot, it's very uplifting to hear that!! it's just really frustrating when this happens and Tumblr changed their policy so it's extra annoying to deal with. there was a few instances here where I sent messages (very similar to that in the reblog) to people to remove my gifs they edited and they ALL did plus were polite about it. most people are fine but the handful who do are a real nuisance and really makes it worse. but I'll do my best to be optimistic.

REALLY NO WAY LOL THE SELF-AWARENESS LMAOOOO how petty and thanks for sticking up for me <33 yeah it's unfortunate but I won't let it dwell on me too long

yeah for someone thinking it's nothing to be concerned about and then proceeds to have a meltdown like that hmmm and yeah that's pretty standard for people like that, having any basic sense and not being a idiot is apparently asking too much. thanks for the reassurance and kind words!

I looked at the form but I think I'll email support first to see if they can just remove the repost and if not, I'll see if I can submit that instead then and thanks!

oh it's fine, I can still block anon asks and they can't send more without actually using their own blog, which is fine since they can't hide behind anon anymore. tysm and yep, they have no ground to stand on with such trash takes like that

same I'm not sure how anyone can think I'm somehow in the wrong LOL and I'm flattered thank you so much <33 I really do my best to play it from start to finish and have extra save files in between so I can go back to redo anything or choose something different. exactly and awwwww thanks I'm glad <33

tbh based on their response to an earlier ask, I think it will just waste my time trying to do that. I'm just going to contact support and see if they can delete it instead. I really don't think they'll learn their lesson and showed no guilt for their actions. Earlier I skimmed through and yeah.... looks like it's just full of reposted stolen content

OMG SAME YOU'RE RIGHT I CAN TOTALLY SEE THAT?? have you seen that news story of some AI "artist" getting mad that people were stealing his wOrK and filed a lawsuit ACTUAL WILD WEST SHENANIGANS RIGHT THERE

...... I'm not surprised, but I'm also very surprised wtf the rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper and deeper yeah there's nothing to salvage from this jfc

hey thanks a bunch and I gotta preserve those classics while knocking those ancient childhood memories back into you guys <3

and that's it! thanks for all the lovely people sending these in and I'm genuinely amazed to see such huge support, I am really glad and more at ease. once again, thank you everyone <3

[literallyjustanerd]

Should've Switched Majors (Clone Shenanigans)

Summary: A very unfortunate grad student at the University of Coruscant is just trying to finish her thesis for her Investigative Journalism degree. Unbeknownst to her, she's picked the galaxy's worst interview subjects.

Words: 1,492

Characters: Commander Cody, Captain Rex, Domino twins, Waxer, Commander Fox, Commander Bly

University of Coruscant School of Arts Student Number: 218249662 Student Name: Lila Un’qara Course: Masters of Media and Communication – Majoring in Investigative Journalism Final Thesis: Unsung Heroes: Silenced Voices From The Republic’s Front Lines

[Recording Start]

Lila: Okay. The time is now… 0935 standard hours. We’re here in Briefing Room B of the GAR headquarters on Coruscant level 5127, where I’ve been graciously allowed time to speak with some of the Republic’s most decorated soldiers. To start, I’m sitting down with CC-2224 of the 212th Battalion. Though if I’ve been informed correctly, I believe you go by Cody?

CC-2224: Commander is fine, thank you.

L: Oh. Uh, right. My apologies, Commander.

CC-2224: Don’t mention it.

L: So… Your records indicate you’ve been in active service since the beginning of the war.

CC-2224: That’s right. I was decanted from Kamino with the first batch of Clone Commanders.

L: I’m looking at a transcript of your prior operations. There are some major battles here – Christophsis, Ryloth, Saleucami… You’re a true veteran.

CC-2224: As much a veteran as any of us can be, I suppose.

L: And as a Marshal Commander with such a prolific record, you must be highly regarded among your peers and superiors?

CC-2224: My brothers trust me as their Commander.

L: And your GAR command? Generals and Admirals? The Jedi?

CC-2224: …What about them?

L: Do they afford you the same level of trust?

CC-2224: That’s… [pause] Yes, I am trusted. My decisions and conduct are respected as any Commander’s wound be.

[Audio file is silent for 6 seconds]

CC-2224: There are those for whom it takes more for us clones to prove our competence. I don’t allow that to impact my performance. My record speaks for itself.

L: Must get frustrating, though. The pressure to demonstrate your worth. Probably leaves you without much time to let your guard down.

CC-2224: It’s our job. We do it with pride.

L: Surely you can’t keep that up all the time, though? It’s only human to want to have a little fun.

CC-2224: [clearing throat] I maintain a respectable bearing at all times, as do my men. We were trained from birth to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and I take pride in the reputation of the 212th Battalion as highly proficient, honourable, and—”

[Sound on audio file is briefing room door opening]

CT-2534 (“Waxer”): Hey, Cody…? Remember that thing you said not to do? Uhm, Boil’s in medbay and Fox says you gotta go bail Wooley out before—oh. Uh, hello.

CC-2224: [heavy sigh]

CT-2534 (“Waxer”): Is… this being recorded?

[Recording stop] [Recording start]

L: Thank you for moving our appointment up, Troopers. The Commander had to leave on some… unexpected business.

ARC-5555: Ha! Guess Waxer wasn’t bluffing after all.

ARC-1409: You owe me five credits.

L: May I refer to you as ARC Troopers, or do you prefer—

ARC-5555: Fives, please.

ARC-1409: Echo.

L: Great. So, the two of you serve under General Skywalker?

ARC-5555: Didn’t start off that way, but now we do, yeah.

ARC-1409: Captain Rex picked us personally to join the 501st as ARC troopers. We joined for him. But serving under General Skywalker is an honour, too.

L: Do you feel he respects your input as clones?

ARC-5555: You kidding? He’d be dead ten times over without us, and he knows it!

ARC-1409: Some of General Skywalker’s strategies are… hit or miss. But we owe him our lives as much as he owes us his.

ARC-5555: Nah. It’s 23-19 in our favour. I’ve counted.

ARC-1409: 23? You’re counting the Naboo thing?

ARC-5555: Far as I’m concerned, that’s the closest the General’s come to karking it.

L: Can you elaborate? What happened on Naboo?

[ARC-5555 begins to speak but is silenced by ARC-1409. Sound on audio file is ARC-1409 hitting ARC-5555 on the back of the head]

ARC-1409: Sorry. Sworn to secrecy. ARC Trooper’s honour.

L: Seems like you’re pretty close with your General. Can you tell me—

ARC-5555: So you’re a student, right? Coruscant University? What’s it like?

L: What’s… Uhm, it’s an excellent school. Good facilities, knowledgeable professors, the courses are highly-regarded. Now, if we could get back to—

ARC-1409: So –sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, I just– you can study anything you want? You just get to pick?

L: …Yes, that’s how it works.

ARC-1409: What if you don’t like what you pick?

L: You can change your course. Back on topic, we were discussing—

ARC-5555: You can change your course? You’re allowed to do that? Whenever you want?

L: Yup.

ARC-1409: Did you ever do that?

L: I’m starting to wish I had.

ARC-5555: Wish we could’ve done that. I’d have been a Naval Officer. Way better uniform.

ARC-1409: [chuckling] The navs would hate you! They’d have you decomm’ed on the first day for unruly behaviour.

ARC-5555: The navs wish they had the honour of my unruly behaviour.

L: Can we get back on topic. Please?

ARC-1409: What was the topic, again?

L: [heavy sigh]

ARC-5555: Hey… the 501st is on shore leave for the next two days. What are you doing tonight?

L: …Uh.

ARC-1409: We could…. continue the interview over a couple drinks at 79’s?

L: I… hm.

[Recording stop] [Recording start]

L: As a member of the Coruscant Guard, you’ve seen more than most other clones of the galaxy’s capital and its senate. Commander Fox, has this given you any opinions you feel are different to other clones about the war?

CC-1010: No.

L: Nothing? You don’t think being able to witness the senate debates has given you any sort of insight into the politics at play here?

CC-1010: Nope.

[Sound on audio file is CC-1010 sipping from a mug of caf for approximately 9 seconds]

L: Uhm. Well. There aren’t many people, clone or otherwise, who get such a close audience with Chancellor Palpatine. Are you and the other Coruscant Guard troopers close with him?

CC-1010: Hm. No.

L: …Thank you for your time.

[Recording stop] [Recording start]

L:  Captain Rex. I appreciate your willingness to, uh, actually speak to me. Have you given much thought to what might happen once the war is over?

CT-7567: Of course. All of us have. But you tend to stop thinking about that pretty early on in your service.

L: Oh? Why is that, do you think?

CT-7567: There’s just not much of a point to it, really. We’ve got too much on our mind every day trying to keep our heads up and keep ourselves and our brothers alive. The end of the war, it’s just not really a factor for us.

L: Right. You’ve been fighting for years now. That must take a toll.

CT-7567: I suppose, but in a sense, it’s just our way of life. We’ve never known anything besides war. How can we imagine a life after it? To a clone, the galaxy has always been, and will always be, at war. I don’t think I would know any other way to navigate the world.

L: That’s… actually very insightful.

CT-7567: You sound surprised?

L: Never mind. Does—does it frighten you, then? Not knowing what might come after?

CT-7567: Not at all. The future might be an unknown, but whatever happens, I know—

[Sound on audio file is the briefing room door opening]

CC-2224: Your boys are at it again.

CT-7567: [groan] Which ones?

CC-2224: All of them. They’re in the quad, Wooley said something about a stolen speeder.

CT-7567: So it’s your boys, then. Your boys who just got bailed out of Corrie holding this morning?

[Sound on audio file is CT-7567 standing]

L: Wait, no, we were just getting somewhere, don’t—

CC-2224: My men stepped in to control the situation.

CT-7567: Face it, your troops kriff around and blame mine when the osik hits the filtration system.

[Sound on audio file is CT-7567 and CC-2224 bumping the microphone as they move toward the door]

L: Captain? Commander? Please, if we could at least finish what we—

CC-2224: All I’m saying is, this wouldn’t be the first time the 212th have had to step in to clean up the 501st’s mess.

CT-7567: Mhmm. Is that what happened on Naboo, too?

CC-2224: That’s different and you know it.

[Sound on audio file is briefing room door closing. Following sound is approximately fifteen seconds of Lila groaning increasingly loudly]

[Recording stop] [Recording start]

L: [long sigh, followed by approximately 7 seconds of silence] It is currently… 1743 hours. I’m still in Briefing Room B, I’ve deleted more useless material than I’ve kept, and I am questioning… every choice I’ve made in my academic career. So. Commander Bly. Can you tell me a little about your relationship with your Jedi General?

CC-5052: No comment.

L: Oh, kark this.

[sound on audio file is Lila removing her lapel mic]

L: …Do you know how to get to 79’s from here?

[Recording stop]

[newtonsheffield]

No but obviously being an OBGYN, Anthony knows immediately when he does the scan whether their baby is a boy or girl and it’s been a long time some Kate did a pregnancy ultrasound so she’s not… super certain, and she decides she wanted it to be a surprise, even though Anthony is bursting with excitement.

And 15 minutes later Kate is outside at the desk, talking to the nurses, “Hi, Jane, could I just pick up Baby Bridge’s gender? Ant said to grab it off you.”

And Jane sighs, “Anthony told me this might happen, Kate. And he’s instructed me to remind you that you asked for him to keep it a surprise.”

“Useless!” Kate muttered before darting back, “the situation, not you. You’re a very valued member of the medical team. Nurses are the unsung heroes.”

“Get out of here, Kate.”

So instead Kate sprints after Anthony down the corridor.

“Tell me!”

“Kate,” Anthony sighed, “Do you remember, three days ago I said Kate, Babe, do you want to know the gender of the baby? And you said No, Anthony, I don’t want to know. Don’t tell me, no matter how much I plead. Do you remember that?”

“That just doesn’t sound like me.” Kate tutted petulantly.

“Would it help if I mimicked your voice?” He cleared his throat and lifted the register of his voice in a startling impression of hers “No Anthony-”

“Stop it.” Kate chuckled, putting her hand over his mouth, before she sighed, deciding it was time to bring out the big guns. “You look cute today.”

Anthony fell right into the trap, preening a little, “Thank you, I am having a great hair day today.”

She let her fingers walks up his chest, twisting in his tie: “Is this a new tie? I like the storks.”

“No it’s an old-” Anthony cut himself off with a gasp, pulling backwards. “Oh this was a trap!”

“Anthony, please!”

“You said you didn’t want to know!” Anthony hissed, striding away from her, “I have a delivery!”

“You really do look handsome today!” Kate called after her husband, defeatedly.

“Oh now it just feels hollow!”

[oboetemasuka]

Order of Attack, part 14

When you thought you were saving someone, but you were only doing them harm.

Amane visits Fuuta yet again, while Es interrogates Mikoto. If these events are concurrent, wouldn't it be more poetic?

Huge thanks to @lostxmelody and @laniemae for the pointers on the John section.

We're really almost done here... I've already got Kotoko's half-a-VD written out, just waiting for proofreading. Then one chapter left after that. (not counting side stories)

(cw cults, suicidal thoughts, self harm)

-

"Kajiyama Fuuta, how are-" Amane stopped in her tracks when she got a good look at Fuuta's face. His eyes were so dull, almost sunken in. Eyebags went down his face as far as they could. If she thought he couldn't have looked any more lifeless before, she was proven wrong now.

"Constant pain… as always. But fine… it'll be worth…" he groaned.

She had told him as much, so why did she feel so wrong? "Are you really okay with that?"

"Why not? …better than numbing… to obliv…" His words were so much more strained than before.

"You don't sound okay…" 

"…fine… be over soon…" Over? He couldn't mean-

"Hold on, let me get-" Get who? Certainly not the doctor sleeping in the corner. What about Yuno or Mahiru, then?

"No need… can manage… my own…"

This wasn't right. But who was Amane to steal a trial?

"I'm sorry for being so worried, but it feels like things are going horribly, horribly wrong."

"All accord… …plan… …you said… " Fuuta mumbled.

Amane did say those things before, didn't she? So why did it feel so bad to have them echoed back at her?

"What about you, though? What do you want?"

"…like… …was said… stay course… perish…"

"Perish!?"

"Something wrong…?"

Yes, everything was wrong. What had she gotten him into? How was she supposed to respond to her own words?

"Amane… what do… want… for me… follow… …light…"

"I… I don't know what I want," she admitted. "But it isn't this!" Tears streamed from her eye. She made no effort to hide them. "Fuuta-san, I don't want you to die…"

Fuuta's eyes were closed. He was… definitely asleep. Did he hear what she said?

Amane glanced at Shidou. She didn't want to get him, but honestly, he was the only one who knew how to help. She could just claim she was about to leave; waking Shidou up was the responsible thing to do so as not to leave Fuuta alone. She wouldn't say anything about their conversation, just let Shidou figure out what was wrong and do his job. She would just turn a blind eye and pretend she didn't know what he would do.

She hoped Fuuta would be okay.

——

Mikoto tugged the chains and laughed nervously. "Dangerous? Me? Warden-kun, you make funny jokes."

Es was sure the look on their face was the opposite of joking. "I know you're not clueless… or am I wrong?"

"You're so mean," Mikoto responded with a chuckle. "Though… I think I know what you're referring to." He swept his hair to one side in contemplation. "It's about Koto-chan, isn't it?"

Es nodded.

"I honestly don't remember beyond what the others told me. I just woke up and saw Fuuta and Amane horribly injured, with Shidou-san looking over them. I was hurting too, but they obviously needed help more."

Only now did Es realize that the attacks impacted Mikoto as well. "So did you eventually get help?"

"Oh, I didn't. It seems everyone is afraid of me, so I don't want to bother them. It's so strange. They say my actions saved Amane's life… That's like calling me an unsung hero to my face. It hurts, you know?" Yet he still said that with a smile.

"That must feel bad, indeed," Es replied flatly.

"Warden-kun, you're so cold. Everyone is. They won't even let me visit after what happened with Fuuta, apparently. I don't even remember what happened!" There was a crack in his voice.

"What are you getting at?"

"It's so lonely here. I can't visit anyone, and nobody visits me." Mikoto rested his chin on his hand. "Haru-kun was the last person to visit, and that was so long ago."

Es felt bad for Mikoto, but that didn't change what a liability he was.

They also felt bad for how they were about to steer the conversation.

-

"You scared of me?" The newly named John growled.

"Why should I be? You did get folded by Kotoko."

"Psh, she just caught me off guard. This time, I got the jump on her."

"I don't know… based on what I heard, the fight was a draw."

"Which means I didn't lose."

"Tell me, what were you doing in Fuuta's cell in the first place?"

"What's it to you?"

"I want to get a sense of your motivations."

"Hah, my motivations? Isn't it obvious?"

"Answer the question."

"So I tell you a sob story, and you forgive 'me'?"

"Answer the question, John."

John huffed. "It was all to protect 'me'. When I heard the scream, I thought that 'I' would be next. I went to seek out the threat so it wouldn't get the jump on me."

"You went all the way from across the panopticon?"

John shrugged. "It's best to stop threats early."

"I see. You had excellent timing."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You saved Amane's life, you know."

"Good for her." John clearly couldn't care less. Of course it wasn't about Amane. It was about Mikoto.

"Then would you say you've done a good job protecting the one you meant to protect?"

"The hell are you asking me about?"

"Mikoto has been ostracized because of your actions."

"My actions? All I was doing was keeping 'me' safe. You're the ones who put 'me' in this hellhole!"

"I had no hand in bringing anyone to MILGRAM."

"But you didn't forgive 'me'. That was the tipping point."

"I can't say I had any reason to judge otherwise. The footage was really incriminating."

"That was my doing," John said immediately, eyes wide with desperation. "I got us into MILGRAM." And he was ready to plead with Es to get them out.

[escrivoir]

for the "send me a fic" thing - All The Strangest Things Keep Happening pleesumthankyou

Oh man, this one is such a labor of love with @reallylilyreally ! So some of my answers might be the same as hers, fair warning. Thank you for the ask!!!

My favorite scene

Of the ones I wrote:

I think it's either the scene right before everything starts to unravel (the "weekend with my girl in town" bit up to when Dick walks in on them)

OR

Dick trying to find meaning in Paris halfway through the war. He's having such a hard time reconciling who he is with who he thinks he should be, and he can't find anywhere in Paris where he can speak to God about it. AND he punches a homophobe!

Of scenes I didn't write: So SO many. Probably anything Tab POV that involves Joe Liebgott. He ended up being and unsung hero of the story. That's all @reallylilyreally.

My favorite chapter (if it's a multichapter)

That I wrote... Either the final chapter, or the telegram fiasco chapter. The final chapter wraps up so much in a nice ending, and the telegram chapter involves SO MUCH. Confessions! Humor! Angst! All of that.

Hardest scene to write

Bastogne in general was a slog. It was especially hard to write the part where Nix figures out Dick's feelings about Tab because Dick is so taciturn in general and finding a way to let him express that anger at himself was difficult to write but satisfying when I got done.

Favorite character to write in the fic

Nix. He was my POV character, and I love writing him forever. He's clever, overeducated, has family drama and can't always accept the gifts that his upbringing gives him (although he'll take advantage of them when it indulges his vices).

And Colonel Dobie. Bless.

Favorite dynamic to write in the fic

One of the things that Lily and I always talk about is how the love story in our OT3 works ends up so often being the love story between Nixon and Tab. We already know how Nix and Tab feel about Dick, and vice versa. The fulcrum of the OT3 is the BunNix relationship because they have to grow into it. So - the BunNix dynamic.

Why I chose that title

We tossed out so many albums - having decided to do titles based on song lyrics, we really wanted some that packed a punch. Gang of Youths (HIGHLY recommended) fit the bill, and that song ("go further in lightness") really sets the tone. We wanted an AU/OT3 setting that had hope in it despite the darkness of war - for any queer relationships, for the future, all of that. And "all the strangest things keep happening" just seems like the perfect way to encapsulate how all three of them feel as things develop.

A fun fact about the fic

Other than the fact that we originally said, "oh, I think it's a 50-70k work"?

My spouse now pitches me fic names for paratrooper smut that are frankly horrifying. They're absurdly supportive of all of my writing endeavors, but @reallylilyreally can attest that the ideas provided are meant more as a ploy to make me smack them. It sometimes works.

Thanks again!

[macawritesupdates]

Writing Update 8/29/2024

Back to work full-time and off my break so writing updates have become slower! Still going to push onward with big fic updates u_u

Requests are on hold a bit, working at them, but at a rather slow pace as I want to finish up some longer fics and one-shots first <3

STORY UPDATES!

Seven Days to Fall in Love ends tonight! I have it done and working on edits to post it and bring that quick fic to an end. I feel the ending is a touch rushed, but I'm also running out of steam on it, so giving it an ending I feel wraps everything up nicely c: Malevolence of love is 50% done for next chapter. Going to be working on this one to finish it out before the end of September! I have it planned out, just need to get it written. I want to give it some love and bring it to its angsty conclusion 83

Can't Help a Cuddle/Jealous is a Bad Friend BOTH are nearly done and I'm very happy with how they both are coming out! There is some big emotional feels in both that I'm happy with how they played out and just the scenes in general <3 I hope they meet the expectations of all the suggestions given!

Cuddle is a bit harder as I got over twenty suggestions to weave into a coherent narrative, but think I did it justice!

Lessons in Accidental Seduction is nearly done! Finishing up the last scene <3

Spouse Wanted has me possessed and I just write out chapters and edit them in a sitting because I'm giggly over it

Who's a Good Boy is making good progress, as well as Broken in the Ways No One Can See. So should see those maybe next weekish? Depends on how well I write the rest of the week. I've just been on a ROLL for want to write and inspiration! The Yuuji Files has slowed down after writing the silly Toji being forced to look for a job scene....but I think once I get some other long fics cleared, will make it easier to focus on this one <3

Careful What you Joke About is being completely redone for this next arc. I have taken it apart and been redoing the outline for the final two arcs for better flow and to hit the points better. I think it will be a much more solid end when done <3

Mirrored Lives....going to sit down and rehash the ending and figure it out as I think my mental block on it is just dissatisfaction with a few things. MHA ACADAMIA FICS

Jealousy is Not a Good Friend Updates soon and I'm starting to poke at Unsung Heroes again! I SO WANT TO WRITE IT but it is on a backburner for when other things clear up! ONE-SHOTS Pull Me Along if I Can’t Move Forward (MHA: Bakugo/Deku): On a slow boat to getting done haha! But it is still being written! Heatwaves and Curses Don't Mix: A one-shot PWP of Nobara, Yuuji, and Sukuna :b That's it. When You Suddenly Get Another Grandson: The poll idea winner after doing the math.... told from Wasuke's POV of Yuuji suddenly showing up with a moody second twin after eating some mummified finger at school. Desperate Prom Date: Giftfic for an awesome person on twitter who has wanted this story so much.... writing it as thank you for comments and nice art c:

FUTURE FICS TO COME Culturally Insensitive: The sequel to Historically Inaccurate with Yuuji and Sukuna trying to figure things out while meeting with others who have their own possessions going on. Follows along the Culling Game Arc.

Blossoms Born on the Dragon Mountain: The Dragon AU c: Law Meets Disorder: STILL working on it 8I it is a very complicated work to get through. Going to def let some of the big fics finish before it goes out

A Sukuna/Nobara Fic...just feeling the mood to write some more about em :b

[universitypenguin]

Hey Alice! I’m not sure if you’ve been following the Travis kelce/taylor swift stuff but he recently uploaded this onto instagram and I sweaaaaaarrrrr the outfit/mustache combo reminds me of Lloyd 😂😂 I could see princess messing with him and being like “damn he’s trying to copy your style” or something

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxWoM9NROWN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Haha, oh my goodness, you're absolutely right!

That outfit and mustache combo totally screams Lloyd Hansen. The physical resemblance between them is uncanny! I could totally see Princess teasing him about how much they look alike and how similar their fashion sense is. She'd definitely tease him about it and Lloyd would just be like... 😑

And because Princess knows nothing about football she'd probably make the comparison between him playing for Harvard and Travis playing for the Chiefs. Being compared to a tight end would piss Lloyd off. I can imagine his reaction:

"A tight end? Sweetheart, comparing a tight end to a quarterback is like trying to compare a thoroughbred racehorse to a Clydesdale. Don't get me wrong, they each have their place, but the quarterback is the one who leads the team."

When Princess realizes that she's gotten under his skin, the ribbing would never stop. Lloyd keeps trying to explain why the position of quarterback is superior to that of a tight end and Princess is just deliberately missing the point.

"Really? But I thought Clydesdales worked in teams? Racehorses are just out for themselves."

He's frustrated, but keeps trying to explain:

"Being a quarterback is like being the CEO of the offense. We're the ones calling the shots, making the decisions, and taking the heat when things go south."

Of course, Princess tilts her head like a confused German Shepherd puppy, so Lloyd tries again:

"It's like this: the QB is the director of the movie, and the tight end is the lead actor, got it?"

She'd be an absolute troll.

"Oh, I get it! The tight ends are like the unsung heroes, and quarterbacks are... the ones with the cool handshakes, right?"

"So the quarterback is the guy with the fancy clipboard who yells really loud, and the tight end is... the guy who's really good at hugging?"

"Wait, wait, I think I'm getting it. So, a tight end is like the cozy blanket of the team, while the quarterback is the hot cocoa? ... No? I'm still off?"

Poor Lloyd! I think he'd eventually call up Zach and have him try to explain. Unfortunately, Zach would just agree with her - "you're totally right, hon. The tight end is the cozy blanket of the team."

Thank you for sharing this with me, it made me laugh! 😂

[mazm-imagines]

Lilies and Deliveries 2024!

So sorry for this being late I just wanted to make sure everyone could submit when they wanted to. All entries under the cut!

My entry :333

-----

AND a lovely sweet poem by @jani-livt2:

"Alan Brown

In all beauty and grace

There is a boy born in May

A sweet person and a lovely face

A gentleman and an icon, they say

A caring brother and a nice friend

Whose loyalty will never end

And at his jobs, he lends

Service, care and content

He never lets anyone down

And he doesn't make you (modgwaaaaar) frown

He's an unsung hero in town

He is Alan Brown"

What if i threw up this is really cute ❤ ALTHOUGH I FEEL TARGETTED 🤨/lh yeah he does never let me down ❤ i love this so much meowwww

-----

LOOK AT THIS CUTEASS FANART BY @moriartyutsuki I THINK IM GKNNA BE ILL I THINK IM GONNA CONVULSE AHHHHH CUTENESS AGGRESSION

-----

Fanart by @vampire-times!!! insert you are my sunshine rap remix... PEACE AND LOVE ON PLANET EARTH!!! HE LOOKS SO CUTIE PIE AND HAPPY 😁😁😁😁

This entry is from @guacstarz! LOOK AT HE !!!! LOOK AT HEEM!!! My silly man :3 i think he would love pink chocolate... and the nepi hair clippppp meow meow meow !

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR :3333 These are all very skillful creators (almost wrote creatures oops) so please check them out :333

[chaifootsteps]

So anyway. I'm enraged <3 everything about the music video makes me mad <3 I figured at LEAST if nothing else it was nice that Paranoid DJ got some more recognition. Honestly, amazing for him! He's a stand up chap and he deserves every good thing that's ever come his way. Like Micheal, Ashley and other unsung heros he did SO MUCH for hazbin/helluva and making us fall in love with the characters. BUT. THEY. BARELY. CREDITED HIM. And I am mad. I'm even more mad she did nothing in the video captions other than stick a middle finger up to her haters and the drama of the week. That is not the spirit of indie I fell in love with where she used to thank all her viewers and supporters, staff and collaborators. So instead I decided to look for something happy! SPINDLE'S PRECARIOUS FINANCES: https://graphtreon.com/creator/VivienneMedrano Notice on the graph the steady drop in subscribers Viv has gotten on her patreon since this time last year, 2022. (5.1k to 3.5k) If I'm being generous and looking at her peak a few days ago, (because everyone drops their sub and resubscribes at the end of each the month) she makes about 5.7k a month which adds up to 68.4k a year. Which could sound like an okay salary for ONE person but her patreon says she employs "100+ artists and crew members". that is 100+ people she is paying. I spent forever learning about youtube pay rates tonight. RPM is the term used for the amount a youtuber makes per 1000 ad views and it varies SO MUCH its hard to say what Viv's RPM is. BUT!!! The average rpm for a youtuber is $18. However many many forums have discussed that the category of a video greatly changes its rpm. For example, finance and tech videos have a top rpm due to their demographic (more affluent viewers that advertisers want to target) the younger/poorer the video's audience demographic is, the lower the rpm. Gamers are considered among the lower paid but EVEN LOWER THAN THAT are animators. They make PENNIES. (which is kind of sad because they have the highest effort videos and can't mass produce) I've seen animators say they get about 40 to 60 cents per 1000 views. I have no idea what vivziepop makes from youtube but I think it could be $600-18,000 as an absolute ceiling per 1 mil views.

Again, she has an entire studio to pay. Therefore, MOST of spindles money comes from merch and when you factor in the EXTREME oversaturation of merch with the declining viewers, toxic fandom and obvious loss of interest from die hards (based on her patreon) her merch sales are PLUMMETING. Her vacation money right now is probably from her Hazbin contract. Apparently for first time show runners, they make about $30,000 per episode. That's $240,000 she made for season 1 and will make maybe that much or more for season two. It's a good amount of money!! But with her spending rates, the mortgage on her home (that can't be paid off if she was begging for money to pay her dentist in 2019 and hadn't bought the house yet), her lifestyle and studio are NOT sustainable unless hazbin/helluva is her just her foothold in the industry and not the apex of her career.

While she's living the high life like she's 'made it' her whole career is in a very precarious place and what matters the most right now is her online conduct and the quality of her products to determine if she will find work in the future. Of course on the most pessimistic front, she could probably pull it together and do what she does best and leech off other peoples talents for the rest of her career. (eg stepping back, becoming the ceo of spindle and bringing in a network of indie shows by talented new creators that she can slap her name on as a producer and get half the credit)

Anon, there's not a lot of things I enjoy more than good, hard number crunching at Viv's expense. This is sublime.

Hope you're enjoying that Japan-spanning trip full of tea shops and abused animal petting, Viv, because it was probably the worst thing you could have done for yourself at a time like now.

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: The Fall Guy

When's the last time you saw a film that was just fun? A film that's devoid of all political messaging, agenda bias and was just plain, good old fashioned fun from beginning to end. It has truly been a while where a film like that has existed and especially in the action / romantic comedy genres. This film brings that feeling back with a bang in every conceivable way and I was here for it. I never saw the original 1980's series it was based on, but I do appreciate real stunt work and when it is recognized by the masses. Like Tropic Thunder, this film has the fun and hilarious idea of showing you the inner workings of the film industry while highlighting the unsung heroes of cinema, the stunt men and women. Not only does this film feature some excellent action and stunt work, but it features a truly funny and heartwarming love story that is predictable at times, but still manages to be fresh and classical. Fortunately, this film features a cast that has brilliant chemistry to bring it all home.

Ryan Gosling was fantastic and hilarious as the awkward, charming and fun seasoned stuntman Cole Seavers. Not only did he take so many hits and look great in action, but his trademark charm and comedic timing is on full display. Its always fun to see a character's arc of remembering his self worth and what gave him purpose in life. Cole goes through that arc in a sometimes dark, but always in a fun and energetic way. Emily Blunt was fantastic as his former lover and now film director, Jody Moreno. Their chemistry never stopped being magnetic from the opening scene to the bombastic finale. You really feel the connection they had and the heartbreak between them. The best scene between them was during her direction of fiery action shot that brilliantly brought out the painful conversation that usually happens in a coffee shop or side street in other films like this. Jody gets in on the action as well and Emily shows off her often forgotten stunt capabilities. Winston Duke was awesome as Cole's bestfriend and stunt coordinator, Dan Tucker. He was truly having the time of his life in his fight scenes and of course the execution of the stunt sequences "on set". Hannah Waddingham was great and very manic as the film producer, Gail Meyer. She really nailed the always reassuring and manipulative on set producer that has a metric ton of caffeine running through her veins. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was good as the “movie star” that Cole doubles for, Tom Ryder. As Tom, he nailed that typical and over the top version of a movie star that lives the party life and never takes responsibility for his actions. Johnson was hilarious in a good number of moments and a bit sinister in others. Stephanie Hsu was good as Tom's assistant, Alma Milan and I liked that she wasn't helpless during a particular scene.

Composer Dominic Lewis brings the film to life in an epic, poppy and fun spirited way. I loved the many different variations of the classic "I Was Made For Lovin' You Baby" by KISS. Yungblud's version was raspy, full of soul and plays in a perfect moment of the film. I truly love when stunts are showcased in frame and are not cheapened with shakey cam and this film truly showcases stunts and action beautifully. There is a scene that felt like the finale of an amazing stunt show that I would totally pay to go see. This film was a love letter to the stunt performers in the film industry around the world and I had so much fun watching them work. This was definitely the best way to start the summer film season and one of my favorite films of the year. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

[im-suchanicegirl]

Hi! Feel free to answer this whenever you're rested from your trip. But I'd like to know how Germany was 🥰 (other than the guys from SPC saying you're a good photographer 🤭)

HIIIIII.

Im still on the adrenaline of the flight and all but oh my god im ready to leave again for Germany.

Some highlights:

- "the Germans" became "the Germs" and @lovesomehate and I must have said ‘fucking germs’ too often

- german tv had an after hour sexy ad thing with half naked girls and one of the ad was called ‘susie 9’ and i said "oh no, this is what susie the saxophone grew up to be"

- i was holding my phone saying HELLO FROM MONTREAL and Stefan R. saw it and pointed at me, i pointed back (like the spiderman meme) and he did a 🫶🏼 but i didnt get a picture

- Dan, when i said i was from Canada: Montreal??? What are you doing in Germany? IN LEIPZIG?? Did you get lost??

- jan, when he heard us speak french: were you at the electric callboy show in Montreal?? IT WAS SO HOT?? *rambles to @chaotic-gingey about it*

- being thoroughly confused by The Butcher Sisters every single night

- I sang Ein Zwei Polizei everytime we saw a police car (sorry @lovesomehate and @chaotic-gingey )

- It was Anne-Marie in Germany instead of Emilie in Paris, as I strolled in the morning to get breakfast, coffee and food from the grocery store.

- Germans are so fucking tall y’all i need heels

- i can’t even explain how good and better food is there. The quality. The diversity. (Though i hope you like paprika)

- the döner and curry wursts are the unsung heroes

- on night two there were no barricades so we were right at the feet of the bands which was… interesting to say the least.

- thats when stefan said he and dan liked my pictures and i basically melt on my bed.

- me: these are candies from Canada for EVERYONE. Roberto, the merch dude: oh, Daniel will love this.

- @chaotic-gingey and I didn’t vibe in Berlin so we drove to Hamburg with the idea of visiting and maybe attend the show

- spoiler we did 🙄

- we stayed by the sound booth as we were tired and hot and basically… forgot to eat that day. Bad idea. The place got so hot i was sure I’d faint. Front row were troopers!

- @chaotic-gingey and I ‘awwwwwing’ when we saw that Bollo’s screen background was the Tekkno tour picture with the guys and their team

- Two German dudes tried to invite us to a party or a bar and wouldn’t take no for an answer and tbh it was just hilarious as they were not threatening. They even asked for a picture with us when they left 😂

- we met the guys again🥰 Stefan’s hugs > any hugs. Better than Kevin’s hugs. I don’t know. It’s just, pretty sure he cracked my back. He thanked us again a million times for coming.

- roberto gave us flame glasses and it was hilarious and its one of my favorite things

- me: did you like the Canadian candies? Dan: ohYES. I haven’t finished them but im working on it.

- the entirety of State fall guys being the sweetest bunch❤️

- we went to eat at the döner place after the show

- @chaotic-gingey : wouldnt it be funny if Bollo or any of the guys were to come in hahaha

- narrator: Bollo did come to the döner place to get some food, much to her shock.

- i fell on the ice And couldnt stop laughing

- we drove back to Berlin and with less than two hours of sleep we made our way to the airport

-now im writting this to you and I’m sad

-lets all move to Germany

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

What's this? Another Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow post?? But it's 2024! Surely, there's nothing new to uncover with regards to this seminal work of sequential storytelling...right?!?!?

Well...kinda. XD

BEHOLD! Another Tom King podcast interview, wherein he discusses Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and mostly confirms stuff we already knew, but! BUT! He does drop some new bits of info!

Right then. LET'S GO!

My usual disclaimer applies, recommend listening to the interview firsthand to get a more objective perspective.

But if you're cool with my (INCREDIBLY BIASED! ALWAYS! ALWAYS BIASED WITH THIS BOOK!) summary, then ONWARDS WE GO.

(And when I say 'biased summary' what I mean is that I will be including the bits that make me want to run a victory lap because my readings were SPOT HECKIN' ON, ALL YE NAYSAYERS!*)

Ahem. Anyways.

So I'm going to start off with some new-ish info (at least, it's new-ish to me. XD) The interviewers had asked about the title, specifically in regards to Zor-El's dialogue in issue six (I believe it's the portion where Zor is explaining to Kara why he's going to save her, and says something like, "tomorrow will come soon enough...and you will be a woman looking back on the many decades of your life..." hence 'Woman of Tomorrow') and whether that was planned from the outset, or if that part came about organically as he was writing it.

King said he'd originally written a completely different script for issue six (which we did know) but FUN NEW FACTOID TIME: Zor-El/Kara's origin (initially) weren't included in issue six like, at all. It therefore would not have come up at any point within the mini-series, had they gone with that first script.

But editorial hated it (King agreed with their conclusion, and another fun fact, we'll get to see said script in the backmatter for the new deluxe edition, YAY) and when King asked if there was anything in it that they liked, they said the tiny flashback to Kara's time on Argo was good.

SO. King then decided to expand that/incorporate her origin, because that would be 'easy', and this was back during his crazy COVID writing schedule.

(Folks will perhaps recall that he wrote issue seven in like...a day. What we did not know was that he rewrote issue six in that same week.)

And then it ended up being everyone's favorite issue so yaaaaay for editors! Unsung heroes of comics!

They are also comics' greatest villains but that's a discussion for another day!

Evely's art was mentioned at this point and King was like, 'I had to go back and make the writing more beautiful/esoteric to match what she was putting out.'

Also we stan a comic writer who lets his artists take as long as they need on art. (Though as he's mentioned before, Evely was able to turn in the art quickly on this book, which is heckin' WILD to me, have you SEEN that woman's pencils and inkwork??!??!?!??!?!)

They touched on the True Grit comparisons, only relevant/new bits there are that King feels it's the perfect novel (agree) and that the John Wayne version is terrible (also correct) and the Cohen Brothers' version is great (right again.)

Another bit we already knew: It was an editor who was responsible for the suggestion that Kara should be Rooster, not Mattie. (I think in the past he credited this to Jamie Rich, but this time he said he couldn't remember if it was Rich or Brittany Holzherr, and said they could fight over the credit if they want. XD)

Either way, THANK YOU, WHOEVER YOU ARE, b/c the alternative pitch, with Kara as Mattie and Lobo as Rooster, sounded awful.

Instead King went with, 'Kara will learn from the young naïf, and teach the young naïf.'

(Much better.)

MORE NEW, FUN TRIVIA!!!!

King said they had the first issue completely drawn, colored, and lettered--basically ready to go, and DC said, 'we can't publish this because Supergirl doesn't drink.'

King called Jim Lee, trying to make his case, that she was twenty-one, it was legal, it was a totally normal/human thing to do, and Lee was like, 'but we can't.'

King: Could I do it with Superman? Lee: Yeah.

Essentially it was a lot of tiptoeing around stuff like, 'girls can't get drunk and whatnot' coupled with 'Supergirl can't do that because she's perfect and pure.'

But! Lee ultimately was like, 'okay, you can leave the scene in, but you can't say she's drunk.'

So if you go back and read the actual dialogue/narration, there's no explicit language confirming that kara is three sheets to the wind.

(Which is so, so ridiculous to me because the art makes it very, very clear that she is. XD LOOPHOLES!)

King and the interviewers pointed out that this real world editorial incident ironically tied into one of the metanarratives of the character, that being the pressure placed on Kara, which Clark doesn't have to deal with.

Art imitating life etc. etc. XD

Feel like I've heard this bit in other interviews but it's sweet so it bears repeating: the green sun planet's name is based on King's nickname for his daughter, and she was the one who came up with the idea of a 'green sun planet' during a discussion at dinner one night.

So shifting gears a bit, the rest of the podcast focused specifically on various plot points that the interviewers wanted to discuss/had questions about; it's basically King offering his insights as the writer. And I really, really appreciate this, for reasons I'll get to further down. Now then, more summarizing!

One of the interviewers brought up a sticking point he had with the book: the execution of the Brigand in issue four. Ruthye says to Supergirl that she thought she would save him. To which Supergirl replies: Did you?

King explained that Ruthye and Kara are on opposite journeys in this book. In issue one, Kara is on the side of 'I don't kill, heroes never kill' and Ruthye is on the opposite side, 'Krem killed my father, I have to kill him.' At the end of the book, they are once again on opposite sides, but they've switched.

(I love the way King described it, that Ruthye becomes Supergirl, and saves Supergirl. More on this later.)

But specifically that part in issue four, where Kara doesn't step in, King confirmed that she's on that journey, she's going through that transition, but she hasn't crossed the line of, 'I'll kill him myself.' Rather, she's allowing the system to do what it will.

King also mentioned that this theme isn't especially new and has been examined in comics time and time again, of superheroes asserting their morality over governments, and how that spirals into fascism. He cited Kingdom Come, etc.

Further comments from King on Kara's character: she's conflicted, unlike Clark. Clark's soul and ideals are aligned one to one; Kara wants that. She loves those ideals and wants to uphold them, but she's not fully aligned like that because of what she's been through (read: She's Seen Some Things)

Loved this bit from King: "Supergirl's a little more human than Clark, in spite of being more alien."

King said DC probably would've let him have Supergirl kill Krem in the end, BUT (and it's a good 'but' tying into that earlier bit about Ruthye becoming Supergirl) he said that the theme of this book was 'what makes Supergirl awesome' (he admits this is kind of a dumb theme, but hard disagree, sir) and he liked that Kara's lessons to Ruthye are ultimately what saves her. Kara saves herself.

(STICK A PIN IN THAT ONE, FOLKS)

King once again stated, for the record, that Krem does not die in the end!

The two interviewers had differing interpretations, hence King needing to confirm. XD He even pulled out his script for issue eight, and the description does indeed say that Krem is unconscious, not dead.

And, AND, Evely even made this clearer in the art; the script didn't have Krem moving after Ruthye hit him, but Evely added Krem placing his hand on his head.

Another point the interviewers wanted to discuss: Ruthye writing that Supergirl had killed Krem.

King confirmed that this was to prevent the Brigands from retaliating against Ruthye, and instead focus on going after Supergirl.

In King's mind, Kara feels immense guilt that her father saved her over literally anyone else, so she spends her life taking on other people's pain, to make up for what she sees as taking someone else's spot on that ship.

The scene in issue seven, where Kara's falling through the atmosphere and pushes through in order to preserve the memories that she carries with her was inspired by events from King's life; his mother died unexpectedly, and when going through her things, realized that he was one of the only people who carried certain memories of his mother and grandparents; he described it as a kind of burden.

Last question from the interviewers: Why make Ruthye and unreliable narrator? Do we believe anything in this book, now?

King started off his answer by noting that he fought against using captions in his books for his entire career; by the time he started writing comics, caption boxes had sort of lost their vitality and had become the equivalent of thought balloons, which had long since fallen out of style.

But when he returned to them with Supergirl, he said, (and I have the full quote below)

King: "What I love about [captions] is that you can write things that contrast what's in the pictures, so that the captions can tell you a little bit of a different story than what you're seeing, and thereby enhance it--it's that idea of Ruthye being, she's narrating the story but we're seeing pictures of what's actually happening, creates an excellent sort of tension I think." (Bold mine)

And so, some THOUGHTS!

As always, I love learning new things about this comic. I wish this comic had a commentary track, with King (and Evely, Lopes, and Cowles!) talking about the creation/processes behind the book.

Next best thing is podcasts, I guess! XD

But IN ADDITION to fun, new information, as I mentioned at the outset, King has basically confirmed a bunch of stuff I mentioned in my deep dive posts.

To quote one of the interviews: "I was validated by Tom King!"

XD

This also debunks like. Every bad-faith criticism lobbed at the book. It's almost like a checklist of the month-to-month stuff I was seeing from those aforementioned naysayers, complaining on twitter that King had ruined Kara beyond repair.

They'll likely never listen to this podcast, but I wish they would! I think it would make them feel better. XD Like, hearing the insights on Kara/Ruthye/etc has just reminded me once again how good this book is, and how emotionally moving.

Like, again, I love the way King sums up how Kara and Ruthye work together in this book to shine a spotlight on Supergirl; Kara teaches Ruthye lessons, Ruthye becomes Supergirl thanks to those lessons, Ruthye then saves Kara, thus Kara saves herself.

(Which hey, I touched on in my issue eight post, way back when.)

(I'm also beyond thrilled that my assumption that the art is the true account while the narration boxes are Ruthye's recounting was CORRECT.)

(Which isn't to suggest this is a terribly deep, difficult to decipher text. I mean. It's a monthly comic book intended for mass consumption, starring popular IP--the writing isn't inaccessible by any means. XD But I just remember seeing SO MANY PEOPLE deliberately misreading these specific points as a way to Stay Mad, so I'm relieved that my glass half full interpretations wasn't just the result of desperate Evely Stan goggles, you know? XD)

TL;DR: I cannot heckin' WAIT for that big, beautiful hardcover coming out in July (IDK if I've posted about it here yet but Lopes said he recolored some stuff so you BETTER BELIEVE I'll be back on my Woman of Tomorrow nonsense this summer) and I'm also thrilled that this entire creative team has returned with a new creator owned title (EXPECT A POST ON THAT...AT SOME POINT???)