#something always slips through the cracks. even when we're putting all the effort we can its not good enough for long enough

[altarplay]

i guess it's good to have confirmation that our best is everyone's elses mediocre. lack of effort. doesn't care enough. etc.

[amplesalty]

Halloween 2023 - Day 6 - Hellraiser: Deader (2005)

Still not from the arsehole of Clive Barker...

I'll admit this hasn't been the best year, feels like it's been a few years since I let it slip this badly but we're going out with a bang tomorrow with Halloween Ends and before we get there we need to look at one of our yearly staples; Hellraiser. Yes, after mentioning his potential cameo in Freddy vs Jason, it's time that we visit the world of Pinhead. After taking a detour last year to partake in all the Wokeraiser hot takes, we're back to our regular schedule of linear releases which brings us to part seven which is very much in the territory of crowbarring Pinhead into someone elses unrelated script. Apparently one of the potential names for this one was Jihad which I just dread to imagine what sort of weird exploitation movie that would be. The 9/11 terrorists are promised pleasure indivisible in the afterlife after carrying out their task but get a whole lot more than they bargained for…

What we do get is the story of Amy Klein, played by Kari Wuhrer, as she investigates a cult like entity in Romania before eventually running into the Cenobites. Wuhrer of course will be notable to many for her work in cult sci-fi TV series Sliders. Or perhaps Beastmaster 2, Anaconda, Eight Legged Freaks or some of the later Prophecy sequels. But, to me, she'll always be Agent Tanya in the delightfully cheesy cut scenes of RTS juggernaut Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. As much as she helped bring life to that character, I think the script and general tone of the thing can claim just as much credit. Nothing like a widescale invasion of the United States and nuking of Chicago to serve as the backdrop for some b-movie level chicanery. They certainly cast for it too with the likes of Wuhrer, Udo Kier and Ray Wise.

I digress because there's really not too much I can say about this one. We've touched upon the fact that the Cenobites are pretty much strangers in their own films at the best of times but these later ones really do become exorcises in drive by Pinheads. Like, it takes 30 minutes for him to show up for the first time and even that is for all of about five seconds. By my count he shows up in about 3 scenes across the whole movie, and whilst not long or anything, this is still a pretty standard 90 minute movie.

Wuhrer plays a reporter who after finishing off her expose on the seedy world of drug use, including what has to be a rather uncessary guide on how to become a crack whore (seems pretty self explanitory to me), her editor sends her to Romania to investigate a man who can seemingly bring people back from the dead.

All of which is hastily tied back into the Hellraiser mythology through exposition towards the end of the movie when it's said the leader of the cult is a descendent of the toymaker from back in part 4. He intends to become ruler of the Cenobites but is unable to open the box himself so is using his followers to do it. But Pinhead promptly shows up five minutes from the end like 'bitch please' and straight up murders everyone. Maybe if you like the sort of oblique storytelling found in Hellseeker this might be for you but I couldn't get on with it. There's some vague intruige in following Klein as she tries to piece everything together but ultimately this cult doesn't really amount to anything feels disconnected from the Hellraiser story despite the movies best efforts to try and tie everything together. Say what you will about these find and replace Hellraiser scripts but I think something like Inferno shows they can work when it still feels in universe. There it was very much an outsider looking in from the outside on all the weird shit that was going on and their reactions to that. This felt more like someones attempt at creative writing that they slapped Pinhead onto in an effort to get more eyes on it by putting 'and then the Cenobites showed up' at the end.

At least it has British actor Marc Warren in for local flavour, he of Hustle fame from the late 00's. Apparently he was in Homer Simpson's favourite movie about piano genius', Shine, as well as 2006's Colour Me Kubrick which is somewhat infamous for a scene in which Jim Davidson flounces down a staircase whilst singing Lionel Richie's 'Hello' to John Malkovich. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is a scene far more bizarre than anything the twisted world of Hellraiser could ever conjure up.

[nahoyaglock]

📃 AS I AM CHAPTER 1 — Surprise!

SUMMARY — You knew Kageyama Tobio since you both were in diapers, being close family 'friends'. You always wanted to befriend the quiet kid but no matter your efforts, he would never crack. When you transfer schools and meet Kageyama again, what will happen to your relationship?

PAIRING — family friend!kageyama x fem!reader

GENRE — fluff/crack/angst

WARNINGS — uh, non rlly, just enjoy :D

WORD COUNT — 2.1k

FIND THE MASTERLIST HERE

(Sent September 15th at 6:32 am)

Y/N: [Good morning Tobio!]

You turned your phone off before sitting up to stretch your arms. The warm sunrays peeked through your thick curtains, your room taking the shade of an idigo hue. You let out a bronx cheer before hopping out of bed, looking around at your nearly empty room. bzzz!

You smiled to yourself, hands finding your small hand held device before opening your notification, seeing a text from Kageyama.

(Sent September 15th at 6:33 am)

Kageyama: [Morning.]

Y/N: [How did you sleep?]

[Also, I have a surprise for you Tobiooo!]

Kageyama: [I slept fine. What is it?]

Y/N: [It wouldn't be a surprise if you told ya!]

You set your phone down gently on your drawer and you heard a light knock on your door, then the nob turning. Your mom peeked her head through the crack in your door, smiling as she watched you open your blinds.

"Hey honey," she whispered, knocking again lightly. You faced your mother with a sleepy grin, "good morning mom." You grabbed two bags from the corner of your room, slinging them over your shoulder.

"I'll load up the car mom, don't worry okay?" You walk over to the door and she moves over, allowing you to get through the door. "We leave in 20 minutes okay?" She pats your back before walking off to her room, leaving you to your job.

You slipped on your fuzzy pink slippers sitting at the front door and your turned the lock to go out. You went back and forth, in and out of the house loading up all of your luggage and baggage needed for the move. Your mom had finished her loading and was turning on the car as you grabbed your phone and locked up the house.

You climbed into the backseat with a fluffy, warm blanket for the long ride, buckling yourself up and checking your notifications.

(Sent September 15th at 6:35 am)

kageyama: [you're quiet annoying you know?]

(Sent September 15th at 7:01 am)

Y/N: [I wouldn't be y/n if I wasnt, am I right?]

After hours of sleeping, snacking and playing video games, the ride had come to an end. "We're here baby, wake up." Your mom shook your arm softly and your slowly forced your eyes open. You groaned and sat up, rubbing your eyes and yawning.

You and your mom unloaded your luggage into the empty house, your new home. It was a house way smaller than your previous one, two rooms, a bathroom and a small livingroom that connects to the kitchen. You decided that you wanted it to feel as much like a home as did your old house, so you decided to start decorating.

(Sent September 15th at 2:13 pm)

Y/N: [Hey tobio, ill tell you about the surprise in a week! :3]

Kageyama: [okay.]

As you went through some boxes you found old photos of you and Kageyama, the male with a blank expression but you could barely stay still that you were slightly blurry. You smiled at the memories of being an energetic kid and decided to put up the photos of you and kageyama on your pin board.

After your room was decently put together, missing a desk and a bed of course, you texted your friends from your old school and went to your moms room to see her folding her clothes. "Hey mom, can we go to the school to pick up my stuff?" She turned to you and smiled, putting her shirt down and standing up.

"Ah, yeah lets go now." She grabbed her keys and lead you to the car, you bouncing with excitement behind her. You opted on riding in the front with her, smiling at her as she turned the keys to start the car. The ride was filled with your conversation with your mom, talking about what you two should do since you arrived in your new home, your school and how you live closer to the rest of your family.

You pulled up to your new school and you eyed the entrance, reading the signs and inspecting the buildings. Your mom parked and unlocked the car, allowing you to hop out under the cold breeze. "Lets go honey," your mom grabbed your arm lightly and pulled you along with her, entering your new highschool. Karasuno highschool.

The principal greeted you and your mother and started to show you around the school. You saw your classes, your locker, the gym, and other important stuff that you mentally noted. Lastly was the office, where he gave you your printed schedule, needed textbooks and school uniform. With a wave goodbye you and your mom left to go back to your house, the car ride was silent this time.

—

It was the day, the day you started your first day at your new school. It's been a week since you settled into your new home, finally having a bed and a desk, some drawers and other things. You felt like you were at home, finally ready for a new start. Your mom decided to drive you to school for your first day, despite living close to the school.

"Are you excited?" She asked, eyes on the road with a proud smile. "Yeah, I am, time for a new start," you smiled, looking at your phone. "Well, im just glad you're feeling well. About your dad, you know–" your mom started. Your parents divorced, and your dad bringing in the most income, you and your mom had to leave tokyo, no longer able to afford the house that you had lived in since the age of 3.

"Mom, its fine, really. It didn't work out and thats okay, because now we have a little home of our own," you smiled widely, grabbing your bag as your mom parked at the side of the road. "Oh! Can we get a puppy?" You asked, bouncing in your seat and she laughed.

"I'll think about it. Have a good day, and if you see Kageyama tell him I said hi," she waved as you climbed out the car and you nodded at her before crossing the street and entering the school. You were so excited, seeing other students who noticed your foreign presence.

(Sent September 23rd at 6:54 am)

Y/N: [Good morning tobio!]

[I'll tell you the surprise later, are you busy after school?]

Kageyama: [morning, and yes I have volleyball.]

Y/N: [ah, okay! Have a good day today]

You spent your day alone, just taking in the new setting and adjusting to the classes you had. You had a few students talk to you when they found out you were new, but you decided to eat lunch alone that day. The day went by pretty fast and while you were slightly tired, you were still pumping with excitement. After all, you were going to see Kageyama today.

School ended, and after class you went down to your locker to put away some of your books and take anything you needed out of there. You remembered that Kageyama said he would be doing volleyball club today, and you assumed it would be held in the gym. You turned to see a tall blonde headed male with glasses from one of your classes.

"Excuse me, sir?" You tapped the male, causing him to stop and face you, removing his head phones and putting his hands in his pockets. "You're the new kid, y/n? Right?" He asked, but before you could answer he scoffed, "what do you need?"

"Ah, do you know where the volleyball club is meeting today?" You stood on one foot, bouncing slightly, which wasnt unnoticed by the male. "Im in the club, we're meeting in the gym." He answered before he turned to head to the gym.

"Is it cool if i walk with you then?" You asked, leaning to your left side to peek at the boy who scoffed before nodding. You smiled and he started walking, so you waddled after him. "Ah, whats your name?" You asked taking big steps to match the tall males natural stride. "Tsukishima Kei. Call me Tsukishima."

You realized that maybe he wasn't the type to like conversations based on the annoyance in his tone, so you just followed behind silently until you arrived at the gym. The team were doing warmups of their own already while a few males had stood around and talked amongst themselves. "Woah, Tsukishima! Is that like, your girlfriend or something?"

You saw a small male, with a noticably bright streak of blonde hair smack dab in the middle of his forehead. "Im Nishinoya Yu!" He grinned and stuck out a friendly hand, which you took. "Ah, actually im new here, I just asked Tsukishima to show me the volleyball club." You giggled at the charismatic member.

"What– what did you come to the club for? Are you trying out to be the new manager or something?" A taller, nearly bald male said, appearing behind the shorter male. Tsukishima groaned and walked off to the other side of the gym. "Ah, im actually here to see a friend." They both looked at each other then turned to the third years.

"Daichi, do you know her?" Nishinoya asked, pointing at you and the gyms attention was on you. You put your hands up and waved in defense "ah wait, im actually here to see–"

"Oh, whos this?" A familiar voice said and you turned to the entrance of the gym to see Kageyama Tobio. His eyes widened in shock and he froze, dropping his water bottle as you smiled widely at him. "Kageyama!" You shouted and ran to the male, wrapping your arms around his neck, giggling lightly as he stood frozen in shock.

"Y-y/n..?" He asked and softly pushed you off of him, looking at you with a glare that also had a hint of confusion fused in. "What are you doing here?" He asked, even though he knew exactly what was going on. He saw your uniform and heard about a new student who had transferred to their school. But why you?

"Well, I moved here and thought, why not transfer to your school?" You smiled as all the boys headed over. A orange haired male walked around you, inspecting you, bouncing around with an energetic presence. "Are you and Kageyama dating?"

"You moron!" Kageyama yelled and slapped hinata on the back of the head, causing the orange haired males expression turn sour. You jumped lightly and rubbed the short males head "ah, tobio." He whines and looks up at you and pouts at Kageyama. "Your girlfriend is way cooler and nicer than you."

"Ah, im not Kageyamas girlfriend, we're family friends," you say to the small male, and he thinks for a minute. "Ah, this is y/n?" Hinata asks and Kageyama pinches his ear, dragging him away while yelling at him. You smile and turn to the other males, seeing the captain walking over towards you.

"Hello, im Daichi Sawamura, call me Daichi." He says and bows. "Im Y/n L/n," you greet back. You were allowed to stay and watch the practice, and he even introduced you to the other team members and the coaches. The whole practice you watched Kageyama, who would occasionally shoot glances at you. You also noted that he wasn't doing really well, he seemed really distracted.

After practice ended, you stood up, slinging your bag over your shoulder and attempted to approach him, but he exited the gym as quickly as he could. You were slightly shocked and just decided to text him, hinata sneaking up on you. "Hey y/n, how do you know Kageyama?"

"Hmm, oh! Our moms are best friends, so kageyamas family was always welcome at out family get togethers," you stated, not taking your eyes off of your screen.

(Sent September 23rd at 8:05 pm)

Y/N: [hey kageyama, do you want a ride from my mom?]

Daichi called for everyone to exit the gym, so you put your phone into your pocket and exited with Hinata and Nishinoya. "So, Kageyamas girlfriend?" Noya asked and you laughed, "im not his girlfriend, again." You correct as you two walk to the bike racks for Noya and Hinata to grab their bikes.

"Hmm, well a friend of kageyamas is a friend of mine!" Hinata smiles and mounts his bike, wide and bright smile, when you hear a honk. "Ah thats my mom, I'll see you guys again!"

"Wait, do you want to eat lunch with us tomorrow?" Nishinoya asked, mounting his bike. "Ah, I'll think about it, it was nice to meet you guys!" You wave goodbye to the males and jog over to your moms car, climbing into the passenger seat.

(Sent September 23rd at 8:09 pm)

Kageyama: [no.]

© tomura-heart — all rights reserved. reposting, modifying, or copying is not allowed. you may translate with my permission and correct crediting. do not read my writing as asmr. do not plagiarize.

[lovedmoviesb]

A/N: This one is in response to a request from cuckoo91 who asked: Would it be possible to request a Divorce and reconciliation fic, where Rick wins Michonne back on the first anniversary of their divorce, please?

I hope you enjoy!

“Mom?”

Michonne looked up to where her son was sitting. Carl had paused his video game and come to his feet, a sure-fire sign that something was wrong. Video game time was a cherished hour in her house, a rare quiet moment when the younger two children had retired to bed and it was just her and her eldest awake. Though Carl was not her child by blood, their bond ran deep. After the divorce, Carl had chosen to live with her, refusing to be separated from his brother and sister.

“What is it?” Michonne marked her page with a scrap of paper, setting her book down on the coffee table. She glanced curiously at her son. He was bent over his phone, his long dark tresses shielding his face. He had refused to cut his hair in the year since his father left. Michonne did not have the heart to impose a haircut on him.

“Dad is coming.” He flicked his hair out of his eyes, his expression betraying his concern.

“To see you?” Michonne attempted to keep her question light, but her pulse was already racing. She mentally calculated how much time she would have to speak with her ex to be considered polite.

“No,” Carl sat his phone down, giving his mother his full attention. “He asked me if you are here.”

“He probably just wants to avoid me,” Michonne chuckled weakly, already reaching for her book again. She refused to entertain the idea that Rick wanted to speak with her. It was his lack of communication that had led them down this road in the first place. The proceedings had gone so quickly; one night they were fighting and then Rick had left, sullen and resigned. The paperwork went through in record time, the custody deal simple, and the child support checks came on time. Her marriage had dissolved in the blink of an eye, ten years melting away like ice left in the sun, evaporating as though it had never been there to begin with.

“I think he wants to talk to you,” Carl ventured, setting his controller to the side.

Michonne made a sound deep in her throat, unable and unwilling to express her opinions on that to their son.

“When is the last time you talked?” Carl asked, his full attention on his mother.

Michonne kept her eyes on the book, scanning the printed words without processing them.

Carl was undaunted. “I think Dad misses you.”

“What makes you think that?” she flicked her eyes back to Carl’s face, truly curious. Carl had taken their separation stoically, remaining the rock for Judith and Andre, refusing to express his sadness. He was so like his father that Michonne worried about him. They could tuck their emotions away so neatly, power through situations as though they did not affect them at all. Even after the shooting, her ex refused to open up. Michonne had nagged, attempting to get through to him. Her efforts cost her their marriage.

“He talks about you a lot. All of the time. He’s always asking how you are, what you’re doing, if you seem happy…” Carl rolled his eyes.

Michonne let out a shaky breath she hadn���t realized she had been holding. “He’s just being polite,” she explained, attempting to placate him.

“No,” Carl shook his head. “He misses you. And I know you miss him.”

The preteenager pinned her with such a scathing look that Michonne felt her stoicism wilt.

“I do,” she admitted, lowering the book to her lap.

“So you should talk to him,” Carl was on his feet, already moving towards the front door. He threw the lock and pulled it open, peering out into the twilight beyond. “Dad!” he called down the street.

Michonne’s chest tightened, fear seizing her. Carl glanced at her over his shoulder.

“You can do this Mom. Call me if you need me,” he told her quietly. He spun back around to wave at the man walking up the path to the house. Michonne could just make out his curly hair over the top of Carl’s head. He greeted his father, leaving Michonne stewing in her emotions.

The two men exchanged words quietly, the elder’s booted feet thumping across the hardwood in a familiar cadence. With a nod, Carl retreated upstairs, leaving his video game blinking on the television set in his haste to clear the area.

“Michonne,” he dragged the “o” out in her name the way he always had.

“Rick,” Michonne could not bring herself to move from the couch, but chanced a glance up at her ex-husband.

He looked good; even through her heartbreak she could admit that. The curly hair she was so enamored with was getting long, brushing the collar of his blue denim shirt. Michonne realized with a start that it was the same shirt he had worn on their first date, carefully preserved with the attentiveness that Rick gave to all things he cared about. He was staring at her, nervousness dancing across his face, his blue eyes skittering from her face to his feet and back.

“How are you?” he asked, his accent rumbling across her ears.

“I’ve been better,” it was an understatement, but Michonne managed to get it out without her voice cracking.

“Can I sit?” Rick’s hand came to his hair, disrupting his coif.

Michonne nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Rick lowered himself next to her, leaving only a few scant inches between them. Michonne smelled the musk of his cologne, the scent of the detergent that they apparently both still used. Rick’s hands came to his knees, the long fingers spreading as he flexed them. He began to drum a beat across his worn-out jeans.

“How’s work?” she took a chance at conversation, glancing at him quickly.

He opened his mouth to respond, but snapped it closed just as quickly. Michonne was familiar with the gesture. The silence spread between them. She contemplated imitating Carl and escaping upstairs.

“I miss you,” Rick blurted it out in one breath, his voice too loud, startling both of them. With a shaky inhale, he began again, turning his body towards hers. “What I did a year ago, that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my life. When Shane got shot…I don’t know. It’s like I couldn’t think straight.”

Michonne’s eyes widened as Rick continued speaking, the words tumbling out fast and thick.

“You were just trying to get me to open up. The more you asked, the more I buttoned down. I just kept thinking about Lori, kept hearing her voice. And I forgot—” he broke off, swallowing thickly.

“I’m not Lori,” Michonne reminded him quietly.

“I know that. I know you’re not.” Rick reached out for her shakily, his hand just brushing the back of hers. “I miss you so much, ‘Chonne. It’s like part of me left, and I just let it go. Hell, I chased it away.”

It was Michonne’s turn to sniffle now, pressure welling behind her eyes. She leaned forward, letting her locs tumble in front of her face, shielding her from Rick’s piercing blue gaze.

“I’ll do anything,” Rick continued, grabbing her hand now. “Anything.”

“Rick,” Michonne’s voice broke around his name. She glanced down at his hand, noticing the faint tan line on his left hand ring finger, a tan line that should have long since faded in a year.

“Please,” he begged. “Can we try again?”

“Everything has changed,” Michonne turned her head away from him.

“Except that I love you. That will never change.”

“I love you too,” she admitted. “But we can’t go back to the way it was.”

“We can go forward,” his response was instantaneous. He shuffled beside her, coming to kneel before her. “I’m not going to stop trying. I gave up a year ago. I’m never going to give up again.”

His hand cupped her chin, guiding her to look at him. They stared at one another for a long moment. Michonne felt her resolve crumbling. Rick’s calloused thumb wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Come out with me this week.” Rick pressed his advantage. “A date. We can talk about whatever you want to. You can yell at me if you want,” he licked his lips nervously. “Let’s start over.”

Michonne inhaled, her hands coming up to grasp his reflexively, her fingers twisting around his in a practiced movement.

“One date,” she agreed, nodding.

Rick’s face split into a smile. He leaned forward, his forehead brushing hers. Michonne felt the remnants of her resistance slip away.

“This is going to take work,” she reminded him.

“It doesn’t matter,” he assured her. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

She nodded against him, pulling back slightly before she could do something stupid, like kiss him. He had not earned that right back yet.

“You should go say hello to the kids,” she wiped her face as she put space between them. “They miss you.”

Rick nodded, standing up, attempting to coax the smile from his face and failing miserably. He glanced up the stairs. A parade of footsteps quickly rushing away to their bedrooms sounded as he moved to the base of the staircase. Michonne chuckled, knowing that all three of them had been listening. Rick joined her laughter, glancing at her knowingly.

“I missed this,” he told her. With a last smile, he disappeared up the stairs.

Michonne settled back on the couch, her book forgotten, her ears perking at the sounds of Judith and Andre reacting to their father.

She exhaled, her whole body relaxing. She’d missed this too.

“So,” Carl appeared in front of her, picking up his game controller just long enough to turn it off. “Did you talk?"

Michonne smiled at her son.

“Thank you,” she reached for him, hugging him to her.

“No problem,” he hugged her back. “Is dad moving back in?” he asked.

“Yes,” Michonne did not hesitate. “But don’t tell him that yet.” She gave him a conspirator’s grin that Carl returned.

“Make him work for it,” Carl laughed, sitting down beside her. He leaned his head on her shoulder. Together, the pair of them waited for Rick to come back downstairs.