#soliciting for help on your own blog? hell yeah

[yallemagne]

Folks, if you're gonna contact someone on the internet who you don't know and who doesn't know you requesting they give you money, maybe make sure you know that person has more than 20 bucks in their bank account.

[itsanerdlife]

Come Back to Me 16/20

Pairing: Clint Barton x Coulson’s Daughter!Reader

Warning: Angst. Drama. Struggles. Violence? Lying. Anger. Soul shattering ache in your chest. Self hate. Doubts. Plot twist!

Playlist

Everything slips right through his hands in the blink of an eye. Clint Barton can fix anything. World Ending? Save it. Bad Guys? Take ‘em out. The love of his life, his soul mate, forgetting their whole relationship? Fight even harder. She might not remember what they have. She might be confused, lost, scared, but it’ll be a cold day in hell if she thinks he’ll give up that easy. He’ll do anything he has too. Help her remember, or make her fall in love with him, all over again. But what if it’s not him that she’s getting close to this time? What if it’s a losing fight? Is he supposed to watch the woman he loves, fall for someone else? Like hell, is he letting that happen.

Tag List Is Open!!

Four Months & One Week After

You stroll to a stop outside the training room, watching through the window. Peter stops, backing up till he’s next to you, watching as well. Clint’s chatting with a woman, your guess is another agent. You have no idea who she is.

“Peter.” You can’t pull your eyes from your boyfriend.

“I can’t hear, it’s how the tower is built.” He shakes his head.

“FRIDAY?” You ask.

“Agent Coulson?” She replies.

“Can you hear Agent Barton’s conversation?” You wonder.

“I can, ma’am.” You and Peter exchange a look.

“Play it.” Peter orders as the agent’s hand lands on Clint’s bicep. 

“You know, I heard about Agent Coulson.” Hanna gives him a sympathetic smile, her hand on his arm.

“There have been serious ups and downs this last four months.” Clint nods.

“I’m sure that’s so hard on you. Losing her like that.” She nods.

“Well in certain ways, it has.” He agrees.

“I mean if you ever want to get together, talk about it or just wind down. I would be more than happy to help you.” She smiles.

“Um.” His head tips slightly.

Mild confusion flooding him. Her hand suddenly no longer friendly feeling on his arm. It sounds like muffled yelling, suddenly. They both look over to find Y/N yelling at Peter.

He’s blocking her path. Looking down at her, as she yells up at him. Her finger pointed at the two of them. Peter replies with something, she clamps her mouth shut, but stomps her foot down on Peter’s. 

Peter hobbles on one foot, yelling after her. As she stalks off down the hallway, and out of sight. He looks at Hanna, who cuts her glance to him. 

“I would stop touching me and probably check your backseat of your car before you leave tonight.” He steps back quickly.

“But she doesn’t. Her memories.” She babbles, looking confused. 

“Oh you didn’t think we broke up did you? She might not remember, but she still loves me.” He smirks.

“How? How does that work?” 

“Her heads broken, not her heart.” Clint snorts. “She’s not supposed to be angry; I’m going to go smooth that over. You might want to look into a transfer. She’s a little unstable, more so now than before.” He warns her. Heading for the door to speak to Peter.

“Peter?” He steps out of the training room.

“Why is it some woman touches you and I get beat up?” Peter wonders, shaking out his foot.

“Don’t sisters usually take their aggression out on their brothers?” Clint wonders.

“You might have a point.” Peter sighs.

“Where’d she go?” Clint chuckles.

“I’m assuming to your apartment, but she might be in that agent’s backseat for all we know.” Peter shrugs.

“I’ll find her.” He sighs.

“Or that agent’s body.” Peter calls after him. He chuckles to himself heading for the elevator. 

----- 

His phone dings before the elevator doors open. Fury announcing a meeting in thirty. He steps off the elevator, she’s staring at her phone confused. She clearly got the same text.

“Fury?” He asks.

“Peter better not have snitched.” She mutters, dropping her phone on the couch, she stalks out of the room. He chuckles, following after her.

“Snitched about your plans to murder another agent?” He wonders, standing in the bedroom doorway.

“Who said I was?” She looks over, batting her eyes.

“Yeah, Nat would.” He nods. She shrugs, going back to digging through her drawers.

“Want to talk about it?” He sits on the edge of the bed, watching her. She’s trying to pick a pair of jeans.

“Talk about what?” She doesn’t turn around this time.

“Hanna.” He smirks.

“Oh who’s that?” She asks, pulling out of a pair of bib overalls. She tosses them at the bed.

“You know I know you. I know you’re angry, and I’m sure you’re trying to remain collected, but I saw you stomp on Peter’s foot.” He smirks when she turns around.

“I saw, heard and witnessed her proposition you.” She throws up a hand.

“Yeah that was weird.” He nods.

“I have fucking brain damage and what woman just think it’s okay to what, solicit you?” She scoffs.

“Do you think I would take them up?” He snorts.

“That’s not the,” she struggles “point. I don’t know! We’re not in the same places.” She points out.

“Y/N just because we’re not in the same place, doesn’t mean I’m going to run off and entertain myself with someone else, while I wait for you to catch up.” He shakes his head. Standing he pulls open the drawers on his own dresser.

“Oh. Well I guess, I knew that somehow.” She runs a hand through her hair. She turns going back to looking for a shirt in her drawer. He quickly grabs his things, setting them on the bed, he stands right behind her.

“You might not remember, right now. But I still plan on keeping you for the rest of my life.” He leans down pressing a soft kiss to the curve of her neck.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She looks up at him. He shrugs. 

“Our two best friends are some of the most elite spies in the world.” He grins.

“So that would explain the jewelry receipt I found in an empty bag at the back of the closet.” She nods slowly. It’s his mouth that opens a little now.

“When did you?” He stares down at her.

“I was searching for anything that might trigger my memory.” She shrugs, pulling out a white tank top. She shoves the drawer shut.

“Good thing what’s in the back of the closet is from your necklace.” He chuckles.

“Damn.” She whispers. Her hand touches the necklace she never took off. Little silver chair with a arrow at the center. “Is that where this is from?” She looks up.

“I do believe that’s from our third anniversary.” He grins, snatching up his clothes.

“So what did you mean then?” She turns watching him head for the bathroom.

“You don’t really think I’m going to tell you, right?” He laughs, standing in the doorway.

“What about Wakanda?” She lifts a brow at him.

“What part about it?” He grins, leaning on the frame.

���I believe promises were made, never keeping secrets from each other. I believe something else happened as well.” She smirks.

“Do you really remember that?” He wonders.

“I remembered the day your possessive ass kissed me.” She pops her shoulder.

“You knew that whole time?” He gaps at her, a grin forming on his mouth. She brushes up against him as she moves into the bathroom behind him. A grin on her lips, she wiggles her brow at him.

“You walked away before I could say anything.” She shrugs. He turns grinning at her.

“Get back here.” He laughs pulling the door shut. Dropping his clothing to the floor.

“No, Fury called a meeting.” She laughs, trying to slip past him. He catches her around the waist, dropping his mouth against hers. He backs her up till they bump into the door of the shower.

---------------

Everything Peaches 9/3/19 @mo320​ @ml7010​ @courtmr​ @avxgers​ @eliza-kat​ @irepeldirt​ @jordan-ia​ @jcc04220​ @dumblani​ @allyp1023​ @joannie95​ @rogvewitch​ @rileyloves5​ @sarahp879​ @sexyvixen7​ @doctoranon​ @abschaffer2​ @tony-stank3​ @tomhardy41​ @bookluver01​ @drayshadow​ @teller258316​ @wandressfox​ @cutekittybast​ @xoxabs88xox​ @amandab-ftw​ @carostar2020​ @thelostallycat​ @henrietteoaks​ @nea90sweetie​ @circusofchaos​ @bettercallsabs​ @miraclesoflove​ @queenkrissy11​ @shield-agent78​ @elite4cekalyma​ @sadyoungadult​ @destiel-artemis​ @isabelcrichards​ @iwillbeinmynest​ @sweet-honey15​ @scooby-doodoo​ @chanelmadrid13​ @killerbumblebee​ @spookygrantaire​ @geeksareunique​ @supernatural508​ @itzmegaaaaaaan​ @optimistic-babes​ @elizabethaellison​ @rainbowkisses31​ @aspiringtranslator​ @mariekoukie6661​ @pure-princess-97​ @capsheadquaters​ @youclickedthislink​ @futuremrsb-r-main​ @lovemarvelousfics​ @notyourtypicalrose​ @petersunderoos96​ @loving-life-my-way​ @jesseswartzwelder​ @itsy-bitsy-spidergirl​ @buckystolemyheart​ @booktvmoviefangirl​ @thatpeachybandgirl​ @supernatural-girl97​ @abbypalmer14-blog​ @thefridgeismybestie​ @eggingamazinglove​ @deathofmissjackson​ @awkwardfangirl2014​ @muffininahandbasket​ @queenoftheunderdark​ @perpetually-tuned-out​ @laneygthememequeen​ @writingaworldofmyown​ @death-unbecomes-you​ @shann-the-artist-moon​ @supernaturallover2002​ @daughterofthenight117​ @mcuwillbethedeathofme​ @verymuchclosetedfangirl​ @profoundllamanickeleggs​ @for-the-love-of-the-fandom​ @ocaptain-mycaptainmorgan​ @crazy-little-thing-called-buck​ @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked​ @stupendoussciencenaturepanda​ @supernatural-strangerthings-1980​

Clint ‘Destory Me, I’ll Thank You’ Barton: @ml7010​ @tanelle83​ @sfreeborn​ @coley0823​ @xxloki81xx​ @boltsgirl919​ @carissime72​ @katpatrova17​ @honey-bee-holly​ @marvelfansworld​ @badassbeckettswan​ @fallinginlovewithqueue​ @thecaptainsgingersnap​ @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​

CBTM: @lakamaa12​ @alina-barnes​ @one-of-castiels​ @notyourtypicalrose​ @astudyoftimeywimeystuff​ @thedoctorlivesthroughbooks​ @jamesbarnesappreciationclub​

[elizabethrobertajones]

regarding your "wank" post. I really don't mean to be rude so you don't have to publish this if you don't feel like it. But you complain about being seen as a positivity police but the examples you give are kinda yea true. You're right on those ones. But I think there is a big difference on speculation that's coming for next seasons and genuine complaints about the show. For example Sam was out of character this season with following the BMOL. And it was bad writing. (1/2)

But when you come to certain meta bloggers with that you get a 5 paragraph expalantion about why that really wasn’t bad writing and it really fit the the character. And I don’t know at some point you get the feeling that there is NO place for people who still love the show but have complaints about it. You either love it. Or you hate it and should stop watching. As soon as you voice an opinion people will say; if you don’t like it, then stop watching. there is no room for complaint. onlypositivy

I just came upstairs to grab my phone and ended up looking in my inbox, but I will say quickly that:

But when you come to certain meta bloggers with that you get a 5 paragraph expalantion

The thing is after an episode I see a zillion posts about an episode doing this that or the other, and I can choose to agree, disagree, or just not engage at my leisure. There’s wanky bloggers I just never ever reblog from even when I see others do because they have nothing to say I agree with and I DO see the futility in talking to them.

ON THE OTHER HAND, when people bring stuff TO a meta writer, to our inboxes, with the exact same point, THEN you are either asking us to comment on it or for us to ignore an anon. And I do. I ignore some wanky anons I have no answer to or don’t think there’s anything I can say that will help.

BUT WHEN SOMEONE TAKES SOMETHING DIRECTLY TO A META BLOGGER AND ASKS AN OPINION YOU ARE GOING TO GET AN OPINION AND IT WILL NOT BE ONE YOU CAN PREDICT IF IT WILL VALIDATE YOUR OWN BITTERNESS OR NOT.

Largely, I see it as a chance to try and CHEER UP someone who is miserable about the show, on the assumption they do like watching it and maybe some more insight on their issue might help them out if I can offer it.

IT IS NOT POLICING ANYTHING IF YOU WALK RIGHT UP TO US AND ASK AN OPINION AND OUR OPINION IS NOT BITTER.

You’re literally soliciting an answer and waiting to see what it is and if it’s not “yeah fuck those guys” you have the right to continue disagreeing and feeling bitter but we have been asked our opinion and we’re going to give it and if it’s positive, well that’s just because we still see some light here and there and we’re enforcing it on literally no one, just offering the exact thing that anyone would come to the inbox of a meta blogger to ask for in the first place. You can find the blogs going “oh fuck them” easily enough by looking in the general tags.

Listen, if someone IS going around arguing with all the negative posts, fair enough they might be the “positivity police” (or just trying to help people feel better about something they supposedly love but proactively)

But in the example you gave you literally gave the ONE FREAKING WAY that is the LEAST AGGRESSIVE, POLICING WAY anyone can POSSIBLY offer positivity about the show on this hell site because they were ASKED THEIR OPINION AND GAVE IT. 

Like fucking hell, I’m sorry, I’m in a mood about this today because there’s some utterly ridiculous misconceptions about people who write meta and the idea that TAKING SOMETHING TO US FOR OUR OPINION is creating the positivity police, means MAYBE ONLY COME ASK A QUESTION WHEN YOU WANT TO READ THE ANSWER. WE ARE REALLY HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE SHOW IN ALL ITS ASPECTS AND TRY AND META IT THOROUGHLY FOR YOU SO YOU DON’t HAVE TO DO ANY THINKING YOURSELF.

Least you can do is be ready for the fact you’re asking people who are offering the service to explain and help and understand as much as possible the choices in the writing of the show and ASSUME they’re doing it in a customer service voice like how can we help, sir, do you want a side of speculation with that cheer up meta reasoning why it might not be as shitty as you think when you dig below the surface?

Because when you bring stuff to a meta writer, they’re going to meta it. And if they are generally positive enough about the show to be doing that activity in the first place, they’re going to find the upsides

There’s NOTHING policing about responding positively to someone BRINGING an idea or wank to them. 

Also there is no crime in being a positive blog full stop.

[mohayrixblog-blog]

MOHAY’S BLOG THE BEGINNING

Well since I am studying blogging and teaching the new style to others as I advance in my studies, it only makes sense that I create a regular blog myself. What I have learned is;

 My goal is to share my thoughts and get feedback from you. Your opinions are appreciated, valued, and solicited. If there is something you would like to challenge me with concerning writing don’t be shy. Jump in here and make suggestions. Also, I wish to gain a following of like-minded people (or aliens from Zekaphor). I want readers who truly enjoy what the Lord has blessed me with.

 I spend a lot of time writing since I decided to stop being disabled due to my broken down body and would like to know if it is being read. It is no easy task and this is a whole new style for me. I usually write detailed, over researched academic non-fiction. I did take two years of university journalism classes and started this new career based on that. Ever hear of the starving writer's fund? Is this my EGO talking? Of course, I think not, but it would nice to know that I may be a decent writer, with the ability to engage others on a long term basis. I too have a lot to say from the mundane to the extremely important (at least to myself) and wonder if I can earn enough to afford to eat from the talents given me. Perhaps I really fooled myself and I really cannot write anything that isn’t odiferous. I know I use big fancy college words and if you take the time to respond, I will give you the dictionary definition of those words. If you understand nothing I commit to print, I will start a fund for your higher education. 

Prices subject to change without further notice. Money back guarantee is only available to those with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher. Must be living outside a 500-mile radius of any highway in a non-liberal state that supports straight sex married couples. Liabilities stemming from major brain damage must submit, in detailed writing, with every t crossed with no spellin errors, and every I dotted correctly Submit claims with a non-refundable $5,000,000.000.00 processing fee to: Weird Writers Inc. 666 Bloopers Ave. Suite aBcD Ripoffville, Zamunda 72588302. Allow twenty-five years for responses. WARNING !!! This product has been known to cause wisdom to the consumer by the State Of Confusion.

If I so offend you then delete me, forget me, block me, defriend me (hey so called friends do that and I probably won’t know) and/or let me know you chose to be offended by a bit of hot air forced through vocal chords while the buccinator muscles form enunciation (I do use a VRP [voice recognition program] in my craft). I love brutal honesty; it helps me grow and is taken as “constructive criticism”. I rarely get too emotional and get over my offenses towards myself or others ASAP. That would be known as forgiveness.

 For those who are new to my pages or those who have read very little to nothing of my posts in 17 pages, I will give a brief educated, self-assessment. In other words for my friends from other lands and cultures; this is who I am (Sort of. OK I said brief. I am very complicated).

 I do not define myself by what I do for a living as my job typically only lasts 12 to 18 hours a day (OK sometimes longer) and doesn’t consume my entire life. That leaves time for me to pray (God forbid) (I see you running away) some sleep, and eat. Yes, I am one of those crazy people that loves my job with God. Am I perfect? Does the heading say Jesus’ blog? Then no. I make mistakes like everyone else and unknowingly sin (brain flatulence). As I get older I realize that I don’t want to miss out on the bliss of utopia or rapture which means “pure joy and/or overwhelming bliss”. I want to be on that train to heaven, not under the locomotive while it burns. I rarely allow others to dictate false teachings or doctrines to determine my beliefs about the afterlife.

I like music and am a professional musician; watersports like surfing, and helping others. I really like the happy, light-hearted humor of clean comedy. I have been successful in comedy and it leaks out every so often. I like Hagen Das Strawberry ice cream and sprout bread (Ezekiel 4:9). Long Epsom salts/ bubble baths with a candle burning leaves me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, but physically cold when I fall asleep in the tub. I also like public speaking and ministering the word, Mercedes-Benz autos, older Chevy trucks, boats that don’t make too much noise, and the following. I love to live by the title of my first English essay, “Life Is Too Serious To Take Too Seriously!!!” I am sure there are others but you will have to get to know me first and that involves actually reading my works. 😊😊😊

 What I don’t like: Fake, smarmy people who present as saints but live as demons. Learn to walk your talk!!! It reminds me of the old song “The Back Stabbers” by the O’Jays.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5OpeUts7sA

Since at this space in time, I am in several discussions about begging; I DO NOT LIKE IT (begging) AND HERE IS WHAT I THINK IS TRUE.

A  Facebook post between my new brother and myself.

ME

When you first told me you needed instruments, you did not beg and I appreciate that.

I envisioned enough to fill a large stage.

I always do things in a big way and was overwhelmed by the erroneous price tag I envisioned.

Victor

Great brother

Begging is not good

ME

I agree but was wondering if I could help in your needs without church begging.

begging shows me a person’s lack of faith

VICTOR

Yeah

Praying is the best weapon

ME

Bob said in his song "So Jah Seys" "not one of my seeds shall sit on the sidewalk, and beg your bread.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZwSJrk1YPo

 I don’t like purple eggs and spam, I do not like them says, Moman I am.

Oh yeah, I don’t like US citizens who can not write the English language correctly. No excuse folks. All you need to know was taught by the time of graduation from the fourth grade, and it is the law that children go to school until 16 in this country. No excuses but now that I think about it I can make money by editing the uneducated fools writing in the restrooms of sleazy honky tonks. Just last night I was told I had upset my partner, a sixth-grade dropout by insisting that he shut his unlearned, southern, country fried ebonics speaking mouth and read his own legal document out loud as I knew he would get the proverbial picture since he speaks well. Although he got a bit miffed, he said it motivated him to get it right or prove me wrong. After a macho exchange of testosterone laden verbiage he did as I suggested and five hours later the document that might make him millions in a lawsuit for police brutality was professionally edited, and he said he was impressed with my knowledge and skills, actually thanking me. Hell, I tried to tell him how impressed I was with the job he had done from jail and a general lack of English writing skills, but try to get a word in edgewise. Education is obviously not restricted to a formal classroom setting. Life or the university of hard knocks is learning at its best but most people can’t or will not recognize that. My friends in foreign countries such as Africa are excused since I realize that you speak at least two languages and English is not the first. I cringe at bad grammar, and if my partner can learn to research and write legalize with a sixth-grade education, then Americans have no excuses with all the opportunities that abound.  In some countries, there are no such things as libraries or available textbooks. We should be thankful that we live in what was once a great country, back when indigenous peoples ran things and authors chiseled petroglyphs into rocks. Grrrr!!!           ☹ ☹ ☹ ☹ ☹ ☹

 It is my wish that you get addicted to my writings so that you purchase my books, enabling me to administer aid programs to orphaned children that focus on long lasting sustainability projects in African nations. I also seek your input and will value your participation in any and all of my posted materials. Who knows, you may wind up having your thoughts published and win the grand prize.

Enjoy and 500 billion blessings. Have a Mohay day!!! 😊 😊 😊

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, LIZ! You’ve been accepted for the role of TYBALT. Admin Rosey: Liz, welcome, welcome, welcome back! Reading the application over is such a treat for the admin team as a whole. Your interpretation of Tiberius is so shameless, vibrant, and utterly unique that I couldn’t help but swoon a second time over when reading it. You give him such a vivid voice and direction -- I’m over the moon that he has come back into the fold once more. The Capulets kids are so ready to wreak havoc, I pray for the group as a whole. Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB.

Out of Character

Alias | Liz.

Age | 27.

Preferred Pronouns | She/her.

Activity Level | Since English is my third language, it takes not only inspiration, but a lot of effort to write, so I might not be able to pop out replies on a daily basis, but I shall always be around for plotting and developing the character. Overall, I’d say 5-6, writing-wise, and 8-9 plotting-wise.

Timezone | GMT +4.

In Character

Character  | Tybalt, Tiberius look-at-me-the-wrong-way-and-I’ll-step-on-your-throat Capulet.

What drew you to this character? | It’s been a while since I played a “villain”, and it’s a challenge I love to take on. At the face value, Tybalt is a bad guy - murderous, ambitious and ruthless. To be given a chance to dig deeper and find redeeming qualities, discover his many layers and hidden depths, which explains why he is the way he is – I find it to be the best part of writing a villain.

In history books, the names of villains and heroes are written with the same ink. Scratch that, history is written by the winners. In psychology, anger is a secondary emotion. There’s always a root cause emotion hiding underneath it, in most cases, fear or hurt. But, not when it comes to Tiberius. No, his anger stems from desire. The desire to make his mark on the pages of history. It’s not an ego thing, really, it’s more about – what’s the point of living if you don’t make it count? Endless money, beautiful women and fast cards do not interest him. He only cares about power - as a means to an end. The end being engraving his name in history for days to come. And honestly, his own and his family name are one and the same. He sees himself as the most efficient and capable weapon to guarantee the Capulet glory.

He isn’t a psychopath who can’t understand human emotions and have empathy, he just considers himself above it all. There’s a weakness in compassion. Even if his heart tells him to show mercy, he will only do it if it benefits him in the long run. Tiberius is rage given a voice, but his anger doesn’t control him, he controls his anger. Sometimes, he randomly shows either unexpected mercy or completely exaggerated ruthlessness. That’s part of his long-term game, too - always remain unpredictable, so the enemy can never anticipate your next move.

To sum up, he believes “you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”, and I’d love to bring him to this amazing journey.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character?

The King without a crown | Maybe he isn’t technically the leader, but I’d love to see him grow into a person the whole organisation gravitates towards, and listens to his command, even if his title doesn’t give him the ultimate authority by default.

Cat & Mouse | Tiberius is a violent person, but his violence is never personal, it’s always strategic. Every rule has an exception though, and there’s a person behind the enemy lines he simply enjoys making miserable. He beat the ever-living shit out of them on more than one occasion, always dropping them off in front of the hospital to make sure they make it out alive, so he can come back for more.

Friends in high places | Imagine if Tiberius had to set aside his knives, guns, and fists for once and, for once, be forced to get his way with smiles and champagne. There’s a person he needs on his side, and they’re too politically or socially powerful for Tiberius to punch into submission. But, absolutely have the attempt to try a different route blow up in his face and him resorting to good old, violent ways.

Regrets collect like old friends | Him killing someone that Rafaella, or Juliana truly care about. No, he won’t regret the act, but maybe regret being smug about it, in front of them. Tiberius trying to make amends would be a fun spectacle to watch.

Hell has no fury | One of his soldiers betraying him. For now, he’s confident his leadership methods are foolproof, and guarantee loyalty. How shall he deal with the idea that he might be wrong? Will he try to change anything? Or will he make such a vicious example out of the treacherous rat that no one else will dare to do the same? Maybe both…

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | Yes.

In Depth

In-Character Para Sample: Again, write as much or as little as you need to get your interpretation across.

He should have learned by now that when you were in charge of a group of men that may or may not contain one or two specimens of profound idiocy, things were going to get in the way of plans. There were always things; new things, old things, the repetition of things he thought he’d already resolved - problems, you called those - that were, apparently, beyond the mental capacity of certain barely-evolved ape-like goons that he called his family. The other family, of course; not the ones he sat quietly - or not so quietly - down to Sunday dinners with, but the other one - his Capulet soldiers. Yeah, that one, the one we don’t speak of in a legally inclined environment.

In fact, the problem he was presented with when he reached their safehouse - his base of operations - was of such an absurd level of imbecility that he’d contemplated shooting the poor bastard who’d solicited his assistance. Somehow, some way, by some twist of stupidity, they thought it was a good idea to execute a Russian loyalist on a Montague territory. It had taken most every swear-word he knew in every language he spoke to express his utter disappointment, before he instructed these useless piles of crap never to snort cocaine while on task. The place reeked of blood. He hadn’t been there when his men executed the loyalist who wouldn’t give up the information Tiberius needed, but he could tell, it had been brutal.

The body had been carried out, dropped off at the side of the room. There were a couple of guys standing nearby; Tiberius could hear that the topic of the evening was “the blonde with a huge rack”. Empty bragging from one of the guys; he knew that no blonde with a huge rack had gone home with him last night. If she had, it had happened after he left, and she would hardly have been as attractive as the man in question suggested. He loved him like a brother, but the guy did not have game. He had money, at times, but not game. The Dark Lady whores never turned him down.

“I look down, and she’s got her mouth wrapped around my cock…”

He heard the words, registered them, and he grinned. Empty talk. Big talk. He’d heard it all before. After raining fury upon them for making a mistake, Tiberius had calmed down. He walked up to them. “Let me guess, and then she asked you for my number?” he even offered a joke.

The guys broke out laughing, even the guy the comment was directed at. A crude joke here, a crude joke there, it kept them on his side, and it kept him on their level. Not to mention that it kept him where he felt comfortable. The captain of Capulets, where he could be as brutal and crude as he wanted without worrying about hurting people’s precious feelings; it suit him just fine. One day, he wanted to be the general. He was going to be the general. But for now, he loved being in charge of these morons he called his soldiers.

As the conversation started again, this time revolving around another loyalist’s latest conquest, he let his eyes stray from the party and take in the sight of the dead man. He couldn’t see his face; his arm had landed over his head when he’d been dropped there, hiding it, but he could still see the consequences of all the beating he took. It was like writing across his body; several large cuts, giant bruises, a rib sticking out of his skin. He could see his body moving, his chest rising and settling weakly. “You said that he was dead.” He didn’t realize until he’d said it that he’d interrupted the conversation, just to utter a statement in an accusatory tone. Everyone was suddenly silent, staring at him.

“Yeah, but… He’s as good as; we didn’t think it’d matter.”

He felt like clearing his throat, but didn’t. He didn’t like being lied to, or being served near-truths. “It doesn’t,” he barked, passing the speaker an annoyed look, “But if he isn’t dead yet, he isn’t dead yet. You don’t have to spare my feelings.” He finished his statement with a smirk, and the others laughed slightly. Feelings, pshh. Like any of them had that. He looked at the body again, the weak but desperate way it breathed. “Isn’t Alessandro’s closed over the weekend?“

“Aww, not Alessandro’s! That’s my favorite sandwich place!”

Tiberius smirked. “You don’t have to stop eating there.“ Some of the others laughed, one or two nudged the speaker in the side, waggling their eyebrows and making eating gestures. The man looked sick to his stomach, but it passed quickly, like it should. “Don’t blame me, anyway; blame Alessandro for going out of town at the right time.” It was the easiest way to handle it, really; find the nearest closed sandwich shop or restaurant under their care, make use of their machinery and avoid eating there for a couple of months, until there was no chance of human mixing with ham anymore. It made it easier to dispose of the bodies when they were in little bits, after all. “There a car out back?” he asked when the conversation between the others started to fade, and one of the guys dangled some keys and nodded. “Alright. Let’s move him.”

“What the hell are you waiting for? You want me to perform the last rites, or something?“ They stopped stalling and picked up the body. He groaned. "Stop.” The guys looked mildly concerned. “Put him down!” They dropped him, hard. He groaned again, weakly. He grabbed the man’s head, twisted it in a sudden motion. The snap was followed by a silent exhale. It almost sounded peaceful. He got back up, nodded to the guys. They picked up the body, carried him out. Looking down, he realized that there were stains of blood on his hands. Someone handed him a rag. He cleaned most of the blood off, subsequently dropping the dirty rag on the floor. He was done here. “Chop him and bury him,” the order went directly to one of his closest, and he nodded in response, “I’ve got a party to get to.”

Extras: here’s a link to mock.

[thecomicsnexus]

Seduction Of The Gun

BATMAN: SEDUCTION OF THE GUN FEBRUARY 1993 BY JOHN OSTRANDER, VINCE GIARRANO AND STEVE MATTSSON

SYNOPSIS

Batman helps the GCPD bust a series of illegal deals between gangs between two states where the currencies in use are drugs and guns. To do this, Batman will need to disguise as a “straw man” providing the guns to local band NZN, while Tim Drake goes to a high school protecting the daughter of the “straw man”.

But things go south when the straw man is discovered under police custody and all hell breaks loose.

CONTEXT

INTERVIEW WITH JOHN OSTRANDER, FROM COMICMIX

July 22, 2012. After the shootings in Colorado during the premiere of Dark Knight Rises.

In the wake of the terrible shootings in Aurora CO during the midnight showing of The Dark Night Rises, I was contacted by television station WRTV in Richmond VA to comment about my Batman anti-gun violence book, Batman: Seduction of the Gun, that was first published in 1993.

The stand-alone Batman story was done in response to the killing of John Reisenbach, the son of a Warner’s executive. DC wanted to respond at the time and it was felt that Batman was the logical choice for the story as his own parents were victims of gun violence and had a well-known aversion of handguns.

Denny O’Neil was the Batman editor back then and offered me the writing job, knowing I had once worked with an anti-gun organization. Denny emphasized that we couldn’t just preach; first and foremost we had to tell a good story. We could make our points but they had to be part of the story. I had no problem with that; it’s one of the lessons I learned from studying Shakespeare – theme should be hardwired into the plot.

I took what I knew and then researched more. One of the things that I learned was about “straw men sales.” If you lived in a state or municipality that had strict laws about the sales of firearms, you could get around it by having someone in another state buy the gun(s) for you, even in bulk. Gangs in New York City were doing that down in Virginia. I used that as a small section of the overall story, but it resonated. Virginia’s then-governor L. Douglas Wilder used the comic to help get his modest but controversial gun control law passed – buyers could purchase one gun a month. You could have belonged to a “Gun of the Month Club” and still been perfectly legal.

I was and am proud of the book. I’ve been asked recently if I thought that DC might or should reprint it in light of the events in Colorado. I’ve thought hard on it and I’ve come to my own conclusions.

I want to say, first of all, that I have no idea whether DC has any plans to re-issue Seduction of the Gun. They haven’t said and I haven’t asked or suggested it. I don’t think they will re-issue it, however, and perhaps they shouldn’t. There are reasons why not.

First of all, it would be months before it would get out there. It would have to be solicited in the Diamond Catalog and that’s planned way ahead. I don’t know as it would appear before next year and one could question the relevance.

Second, even if the book was re-published tomorrow, this is an election year and everything gets politicized. Putting Seduction of the Gun out there now would be characterized as a political statement and I don’t think it’s one either DC or Warners wants to make. The Dark Knight Rises is already connected with those terrible murders and I can’t see Warners wanting to keep reminding people of that. They want to sell tickets. It’s hard enough these days to get people to come to the movie theater instead of just waiting to see it at home. This wouldn’t help.

Third, what audience would the book reach? There’s no stomach, no political will these days, for a further conversation about gun control or banning guns. None. Sales of guns in Colorado spiked following the tragedy. Furthermore, in the comics community, any time you do a story about an issue these days a certain very vocal percentage of the comics’ blog-o-sphere dismisses it automatically as an “Afternoon Special.”

Finally, and I don’t want to seem too bleak here, but what good would it really do? Yes, Governor Wilder used it at the time to pass his gun control legislation but that law was repealed not long ago. You can once again buy as many guns as you want in Virginia. I heard one leader in the VA government claim the law wasn’t really needed now – that they had background checks and such to prevent bad things from happening. Tell that to the victims of James Holmes. He was able to legally get all the guns he wanted.

Let me be clear: I’m not in favor of banning guns and never have been. At heart, the country is not prepared to go for that and I think you would create the same sort of situation that the government did when it banned alcohol, that it does now in banning marijuana – people wouldn’t/don’t obey resulting in a large sub-rosa underground market that would make plenty of money for Organized Crime. There are also plenty of people with a legitimate reason for guns and rifles – hunters, for one example, and on farms and ranches there’s a need for pest control. That’s always been true.

On the other hand, what need does any private citizen have for an AK-47 or similar attack rifle? Explain it to me, please, someone. It might be argued that people have a perfect right to own them and its guaranteed by the Constitution. I’ve read somewhere that your Constitutional right to self-expression ends where your fist hits my face.

I’d say the same thing applies to a bullet.

When I wrote the story, I thought it was important for the reader to have characters who were sympathetic who became victims of gun violence. I wanted the reader to feel for them, to identify with them, so they would feel some sense of loss at their deaths. You can’t argue with a closed mind but you might be able to reach people by engaging their hearts. In the Aurora shootings, there are stories of people dying to protect ones they loved, shielding them with their own bodies. There was the single father who was out with his kids for the day. There were the very young children who were shot or killed. If these true stories don’t engage the heart, I don’t know what my fictional story will do.

I would love if Seduction of the Gun became anachronistic; my fear is that it will remain relevant. The cycle will resume – more gun shootings, more hand wringing, more passionate defense of perceived Constitutional rights, and nothing more will happen. That’s the life we live.

REVIEW

When I first read this story I was around 12, this was the first comic-book I read where Tim Drake was wearing the Robin costume. Gun control is not even a discussion in my home (third world) country. Criminals do have guns, but the situation has never been as complicated as in the United States. 

This is not about mass shootings at all. Back in 1993, mass shootings weren’t that common. The problem was more about gun violence in common, and it seemed to struck on those with less privileges more. You can watch “Dangerous minds” as a good example of what the problem was. Of course, as I said, I wasn’t born or raised in the USA, so I can only connect with the situations depicted in this comic.

After all these years, the statements made in this comic are still valid. Every now and then there will be monologues with useful information, but it is in the context of the story, it doesn’t go out of the blue to explain it and most importantly, it doesn’t preach on you.

Because this is a very complicated conversation to have in the United States (as it is specified in their Constitutional rights), Ostrander relies on something different (as he is not asking for the banning of guns). He says here that there is no law that can fix this problem. The human heart or mind need to open first to give up the guns. Guns are not the solution. This sounds simplistic, but it’s how it works in any other country in the world. We can access guns (with proper paperwork), but we know that using a gun has usually bad consequences for all the involved. And I am not going to have a gun around just in case. This is not the zombie apocalypse. So, yeah, it is a constitutional right for Americans, it doesn’t mean they actually NEED semi-automatic guns around. And this all may seem like a very intellectual conversation until someone innocent dies because of a poor decision somewhere. And that is the point of the whole thing. It’s not about laws, it’s not about rights, it’s not about self-defense. This is about victims. And I think that is where Ostrander nailed it. This comic wouldn’t be possible without the many different experiences of those kids in high school. They all have different stories about being victims of guns. About growing up in an environment where you can die at any time. To me, this feels like a continuation of the cold war state of mind. You can die any time, but the enemy is no longer on the other side of the world.

And then there is the gun manufacturer. That guy is not exactly a villain, but his decision to neglect certain truth in order to make more money made him one of the bad guys of this story. Of course the obvious bad guys are the NZN gang. Their motivations are not very clear out of context, you actually need to do some research to understand them.

Now, going to the story itself. There are many plot threads in this story and they all majestically explode in the climax (as most stories should). You have Lisa carrying a gun, making you wonder what she is going to use it for, you have Tim Drake trying to protect her, and you wonder if he will be able to save her. You have Batman trying to bust the NZN gang, Lasker trying to survive the deal with Gordon. There are so many things that are “about to explode” since before we started reading, and when it does is amazingly written.

Now, some may complain that Batman shouldn’t need this much help to bust a small gang. I don’t think that’s the point. First of all, he is helping the GCPD, as these criminals do not last long in jail (thanks to the gang’s lawyer). Also, Batman in 1993 wasn’t exactly bullet proof (it was more recently that Batman started wearing mythical armor against everything). And because this case involves both drugs and guns, I can imagine the FBI was involved. I do think that the gang is quite small and it really shouldn’t have been this hard. But they are very well armed.

Should this be a Batman story? Well he is another victim of a crime involving guns. And there is something Batman says here that really resonates:

“Guns don’t kill people”, some will tell you; “People kill people”. But I knew my father and I later met the man who killed him and I’ll tell you something. He never would have been able to kill my father without a gun.

Man, that was a powerful statement. In a nutshell... guns gave cowards an excuse to commit crimes.

Vince Giarrano has a very unique style, which I normally don’t enjoy. In this case in particular it looks good. The expressions look desperate and there are very close shots to eyes and faces. Very relate able emotions for the readers.

If you wonder about the organization profits went to, it ‘s called The John Reisenbach Foundation and it still exists. 

In the end, this is a very specific tale for the nineties. Problems with guns have escalated since then, affecting even more innocent people. One thing seems to be true about this story. We may never solve the problem if we don’t look at the victims of these crimes.

I give the special a score of 10

[death-by-sexiness]

I'll give you every dime in my bank if you'll spend the weekend with me that's a $$6,406.91 balance baby. Your so hot you need to let me pamper you you deserve the best girl! Say yes?

😮😮 I'm quite flattered, but I'm not for sale. I'd be a damn liar if I said that didn't sound tempting, considering my current financial situation [MY bank account is at a giant $7. 29]--(I had every single thing I ever owned and every penny I had snatched away from me and handed over to someone else last year and I am starting over from flat zero) and while I have thought about it the times when hunger gnawed at my insides or while being forced to bleed on a fucking towel, and came very close to acting on it out of desperation, I am just exasperatingly picky on top of only just recently getting over the severe trauma that was this past year. I'm fully incapable of casual sexual activity and am completely unable and unwilling to participate in sex with someone I wouldn't have chosen anyway. And those are very few and far between. I'm a mad flirt and a tease from hell at times, but then I just ghost your ass before anything actually happens if it even gets that far. I also still very much have a terribly bad taste in my mouth from the Escort Fiasco last spring....a friend and I were discussing petty revenge plots and laughing. Being the pettiest of the petty, I thought up a marvelously shitty plot to help her ruin her own homewrecker's week or whatever. I said "Pretend everything is cool and you forgive her, then get her info out of her phone and steal her nudes and then post them along with her info all over the escort agencies and Backpage and pornhub and tinder etc etc. I forgot about it after a few weeks, then she got enraged at me because she swore her shitty boyfriend was trying to get with me (he was) and I was trying to get with him (I wasn't)...and she proceeded to follow my advice to the fucking letter...on ME. Brought me some fucking cookies that turned out to be edibles and hired me to do some computer work for her. Half an hour later, I'm stoned into the dirt and highly focused on the laptop and my task. Hell my legs were asleep for endless minutes before I noticed that!....meanwhile that shifty bitch had my phone and pulled all kinds of pics and passwords and documents and all kinds of shit off my Google Drive then apparently sat it next to me like nothing happened. Needless to say, I started getting relentless texts and calls and emails from random ass men 24/7 requesting sex for money and asking me all kind of weird ass questions using a fairly unintelligible lingo and I knew then she had got over on me. She had used that Google account to sign up for countless sites and blogs and whatever else and by the time I became aware of it all, I had already synced everything up so now it was all jumbled up with alllllll my shit and accounts from computer to phone to tablet etc. I shut down that Google account and changed my number but most of the damage was done already. There's probably still numerous sites out there with my ass plastered all over them, sending endless solicitation emails to an unused account 😑 She has since apologized profusely and we are on civil terms but not exactly friends...never make an enemy out of someone you've shared venomous evil plots with. Ever. And holy wow did I get way off the original question....but I have 100% had my fill of dudes soliciting me and I guess my point is that while I'm an intensely sexual person, that particular line of sex work is highly unsuitable for me as I completely lack the ability to fake it no matter what's up for grabs. And in closing I am pretty sure I know who you are as you have come at me in an identical manner once before and not only are you married as fuck (100% off limits!!) but you also have a side hoe! I have to decline your generous offer as you are not the first to ask, and likely won't be the last, and it doesn't impress me at all. If I want it or need it, be it money or sex or anything else, I will bust my ass to obtain it my own damn self, on my own terms, now and forever after. Not even one more time in my life will I ever trustingly give a regular damn man the power over me to giveth or taketh away MY own shit, and that's a fucking fact. I'll not have a few grand hanging over my head like I'm in debt and owe something when my current fucking energy and flow are fucking rare delights and goddamn priceless. In all honesty, I'm being extra sharp with you simply because I now heartily dislike you...you are at least mostly aware of my current financial situation and are attempting to use it as an opportunity to try to prey on me?? Like yeah she's got like 10 bucks so she must finally be desperate enough to accept my offer?? I'd rather starve than stoop to laying down with the likes of you. The few men I have loved and lived with and lavished my intense sexual talents on have not been wealthy or greedy or obsessed with financial gain, I never have and never will be with a man for what he can give me or buy me or do for me. Hell, I spoke vows to a man who didn't have shit to his name so please don't come at me like I'm a basic bitch you can sample for the right price. You don't impress me. And despite your beautiful wife and your long toothed mistress, you are still unsatisfied which automatically proves that you would also not be satisfied with just a weekend of me being your bought and paid for object IF I ever considered it. Sorry but if I spend like 7,000 on something, I expect to be satisfied with whatever it is. Yet what I recognize in you is an inability to be satisfied with much of anything. Psshh. I'm so much more than you can afford in cold hard cash or otherwise. Fuck off.