#sparrow is a known criminal

[gumjester]

thinking of the nominees for thronecoming king is so 😭😭😭😭😭 THERE ARE SIX BOYS THAT WE KNOW OF IN THE ENTIRE SCHOOL... there are four thronecoming nominees... i dont think this is going to be a thrilling race

[chxrryhansen]

౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊ Cherry’s SStan Series Rec List

here are my sebastian stan series fic recs! they are mostly bucky barnes series but mainly Au’s! i will be creating separate lists for cevans one shots and sstan one shots😚

Clockwork - @sgt-seabass

When life seems to be finally back on track, a visit by a mob boss to your dainty town changes everything. (Dark!Alpha Nick Fowler)

The Soldat And The Sparrow - @navybrat817

Your fire burns for the Winter Soldier. And one day, you'll be free. Both of you.

For The Love Of The Game - @pellucid-constellations

Bucky Barnes was a menace. NYU’s top baseball player, he was used to girls falling at his feet and could smooth talk his way out of just about anything. You hated him. He couldn’t figure out why. So when the novelty of weekend parties and quick hookups finally wore off—and his feelings for you began to grow—he made it his mission to fix it. 

The Heart Is A Deep Ocean - @dreamlessinparis

Titanic was known as the ship of dreams. For you, it was the dream of getting home, or so you thought. From the moment you locked eyes with James Buchanan Barnes, all those dreams changed and your life was never the same.

Everything’s Better In WestView - @espinosaurusrexex

Bucky and Y/N sneak into Westview to have the perfect life. Away from late Steve and Tony, Vision and Natasha, they let themselves be consumed by suburban magic. To their surprise, however, some of these people aren’t so dead in the town. And there are some other weird things happening that make them question their sanity. But that’s okay, right? ‘Cause everything’s better in Westview.

The Bride Of Soldat - @vampy-doll

In the summer of 1986, a young woman goes missing whenever HYDRA kidnaps her to be their next experiment for the reward of their Soldat. Now, post blip, Bucky starts to remember defining details of his love, his match made in hell, and is determined to find her. But after years of isolation and torture after his escape, she isn’t who he remembers. Now they’re trying to piece together who she was pre-HYDRA to teach her how to live, without his undying love and obsession of her getting in the way. But when one head is cut off, two more shall grow in its place, leaving them to discover those behind her abduction.

Awake My Soul - @foreverindreamlandd

It's been five years since zombies first started walking the Earth, destroying anything and everything in their wake. Now, in this apocalyptic world, fighting for survival comes as naturally as breathing. The one thing you've learned ever since they arrived, though, is that the living can be so much more dangerous than the undead. When you stumble across two young, scared boys lost in the woods and being chased by walkers, you go against your better judgment and help them to safety. Little did you know that helping them would lead you to Bucky - an angry, grumpy, distrusting member of the camp Shield. Bucky has zero interest in having you enter his life. He's been hurt before and lost too many people to risk experiencing that kind of pain again, and he knows that there are secrets you aren't telling the group. Yet, when push comes to shove, and you're put at risk, he'll stop at nothing to keep you safe.

Guiding Light - @wkemeup

It was supposed to be a simple mission. Get the intel and go home. Until everything goes wrong and you’re taken captive by Hydra. While you struggle to stay alive and hold your sanity, Bucky begins to lose himself to a darkness and gives into the soldier because he doesn’t know how to breathe without you. Not until he brings you home. If he even can.

The Witness - @wkemeup

Owner of a bar full of criminals, maybe you shouldn’t be surprised when you’re the sole witness to a hydra hit. In comes Detective Barnes, the quick-witted, flirtatious cop who somehow became a regular at your misfit bar. When he takes it upon himself to ensure your safety off the books, you learn to rely on someone else for a change and find you don’t mind it at all. Not when it’s him.

Under Oath - @ugh-supersoldiers

The people called for justice, the state answered. The trial of State v. Barnes is set to begin, and the odds are most certainly not in favor of the not so beloved ex Winter Soldier. That’s where you come in, the quick, smart, and all too brave lawyer set on defending and saving one Bucky Barnes from legal prosecution. The only problem? He’s not so sure he’s worth saving at all.

Just One Kiss - @sarahwroteathing

Bucky Barnes has been chasing after you since he was ten years old, but you’re determined not to give in. How long can you hold out when all he’s asking for is just one kiss?

He’s Hazardous To My Health - @writing-for-marvel

Bucky Barnes is a beefy paramedic with a traumatic past, who has left a trail of broken hearts behind him. You are a resident doctor new to town, who barely has time to date between long shifts. When your paths cross in your ER during a disaster, is it the start of something magical, or are you destined to be just another of Bucky’s former flames?

Just Try - @waiting4inspiration

Perfectly happy with your life at the Avengers’ compound, an alpha walks into your life, flipping it completely over and revealing secrets you hoped you had buried a long time ago.

Дорогая - @waiting4inspiration

Bucky's Winter Soldier programming has been triggered. Turns out the Winter Soldier has a thing for you.

Red Ties - @sebstan2020

Mary, a sweet Christian girl living in the city of Brooklyn as a nurse had a simple life. She loved her work, her friends and attending church every Sunday and helping Reverend Owens. Her life was nothing out of the ordinary. However, it all changed one day when she bumps into the intriguing and intimidating James Barnes, Brooklyn’s notorious mafia boss and is introduced to a world of guns, lust and dominance.

Delicate Edges - @wkemeup

Your family’s beloved flower shop was not the only thing you inherited when your parents passed. Trapped under a mountain of debt to the Hydra club, you bear the cost of your father’s desperate bargain. It’s only in moments when the charming Bucky Barnes walks into your shop that you can forget the cruelty of the biker clubs of this town. But a war is brewing. The border is crumbling. You're trapped in the middle. And Bucky will stop at nothing to keep you safe.

Pride And Privacy - @adrinktostopyourthirst

Bucky works on himself as he gets used to a roommate. Turns out, she has a much better room than him and he crossed the line.

Feelings Are Fatal - @sunmoonandeddie

After the events of Endgame, you struggle to come to terms with what you’ve lost, though you’re learning that you still have something to gain.

Appointments - @noctumbra

bucky barnes, finally being able to live freely in 21st century, accidentally gets a fuck buddy and starts to rediscover himself. the only weird thing about this situation is that you have to make an appointment to get railed by him. 

Lazarus - @sagechanoafterdark

Things are complicated between you and James Barnes. For you, life doesn’t mean much when you never stay dead for very long. But it might just be an ex-soviet assassin that convinces you to start living again.

Its A Deal - @justreadingfics

You’re out of a relationship of 10 years and you’re just in desperate need to get laid, no strings attached, no romance, no complications. You dear friend Natasha feels like she’s going to regret this later, but she might have the perfect guy to fulfill your needs.  

The Two Of Us - @bucky-bucket-barnes

You and Bucky go to investigate the phenomenon happening in Westview, New Jersey. While attempting to understand the issue, you yourselves are sucked into Wanda's world of pretend. Now, you believe yourselves to be the happily married Mr. and Mrs. Barnes; in real life, you are most definitely not a happy pair. It is up to you and Bucky to piece together what's happening while dealing with one another inside the hex.

Snow - @delaber

Tired of your constant bickering, Sam sends you and Bucky on a mission alone. When the worst possible outcome happens and you’re forced to spend several days together in a small cabin, you finally get to see a different, more pleasurable side to the man whose flesh you’ve always had a thorn in.

All Good Things - @sagechanoafterdark

After only three days of dealing with the annoying specter haunting you, you break the rules and accidently give a ghost a body. So what do you do when you find out the man you’re now sharing your your apartment with isn’t really a ghost and that haunted touch is a little warmer than you realized?

Welcome Home… Soldat? - @winterarmyy

Y/N had make a habit of greeting Bucky a warm 'welcome home' everytime he came back from his missions, but there was one particular day when she unknowingly greeted someone else.

Heavy Metal Lover - @mypoisonedvine

every client is different, with different needs; but this client is, in every way, exceptional. (Sub!Bucky Barnes + Dominatrix!Reader)

Parent-Teacher Conference - @coffeecatsandcandles

James Barnes, a widowed single dad, had forgotten what love felt like and let it crush him, taking his daughter, Rebecca, with him. He was cold, rude, and arrogant, being one of the few teachers at Westview High School the students seemed to absolutely despise. But when you show up, a hopeful math teacher who’d previously taught Rebecca’s kindergarten class, and are adored by your students and colleagues- James’s attitude starts to change.

Duck & Cover - @whirlybirbs

you’re the howling commandos’ new medic (Sniper!Bucky Barnes)

Winter’s Mate - @maggyme13

The Winter Soldier threatens to get out of control with his instincts taking over more and more. After years of supressed ruts his body built up a resistance and Hydra need to find another solution. Deciding it would be the easiest to just give in. Hydra kidnapped the reader to turn her into a Omega in Heat using injections whenever needed.

Key’s In Your Ignition - @georgiapeach30513

Caught up in a sexual relationship with your father’s Vice President, and trying to not get caught.  Blind to everything else that’s going on in the club, and even your old crush, Bucky Barnes.  Not even noticing your brother and best friend flirting, until your father suddenly passes, and things in the club drastically change. (Ari Levinson + Bucky Barnes + Harvard Hottie- Hayden)

[lilacspider]

TUA should’ve ended after season 2

i am just so kriffing disappointed in this final season. i am disgusted. steve blackman has absolutely zero regard for these characters, their development, and the story. he has no respect for the ACTORS. he threw the entirety of these past three seasons in the trash in just one season. they had so much opportunity and yet he chose to make it a fetish-filled, scandalous, and completely lazy season.

all the vomitting???????? klaus being force fed marigold (which dare i say might’ve made a good storyline for him IF HE WASNT PIMPED OUT AND THEJN NESRLY BURIED ALIVE????) which in turn made him into an alcoholic???

five and lila????? they scrapped fives motivation of saving his family and keeping them together because of his LOVE FOR THEM, all SO HE COULD HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH LILA????? that is probably the biggest mischaracterization altogether. lila would never cheat on diego. they are married. THEY HAVE CHILDREN TOGETHER. it’s NORMAL to have arguments and trouble in a relationship but by no means does it mean there’s room for affairs as a result. it just makes me mad. ritu has known aidan since he was 15, like this is so nasty.

diego being the stereotypical “bad father” for lack of better words because he apparently has no consideration for his family which is NOT TRUE AND IS A HUGE MISCHARACTERIZATION!!????

luther going back to being the guy that no one really listens to because they feel he has nothing of value to offer (it wasn’t super evident but i noticed it which made me sad bc we made so much progress with his character!)???

allison becoming a single mom whose husband, RAYMOND, walked out on her??? that literally makes no sense for raymond or her, yes allison is a strong and independent character but it feels like it’s just stereotype after stereotype.

viktor becoming a womanizer and LEAVING HIS FAMILY BEHIND! all viktor has ever wanted since childhood is to be apart of his family, and they take that away this season??? makes no sense.

dont even get me started on sparrow ben. i have never liked his character he is wayyyy too much of an asshole, but your saying he can’t have common sense??? they turn him into a criminal who is contaminated by this essence that is meant to end the world and ends up making him insanely attracted to the one consistent mystery in this entire show (jennifer/the jennifer incident) and then throw away the entire plot line to just have them end the world. **and then making him and jennifer overly sexually attracted to each other was just straight up weird, where did that even come from?? i had to skip those scenes because it was so kriffing cringe.

because out of no where, abigail had a change of heart. and reginald is somehow one of the only mentally stable characters this season which is new!??? jean and gene were completely and utterly useless. they had no point, the only five i liked in this season is brisket, newspaper, drunk, and season one five. CIA five can leave.

one of the only redeemable moments of this season is the flashback of our brellies. that was good. there were other parts that i liked but that is first that comes to mind. **and the birthday party scene where they reunite. very cute and family vibes. sucks they couldn’t all be together because viktor was straight up kidnapped by some crazy.

and then the subway to different timelines. that could’ve been such a freaking awesome idea and would’ve made a great plot device IF THERE WASN’T ONLY SIX EPISODES AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS PUT IN CHARGE OF WRITING. like why are five and lila the only ones who are aware of this?? this couldn’t have been utilized earlier?? also can we talk more about how ben is an asshole, people focus too much on the attractive aspect of his character (which no offense, i see no appeal to bc the personality is just awful—NO HATE TO JUSTIN H M, he’s fantastic it’s just we did not lose brelly ben for this), like he force fed/tricked EVERYONE into consuming the janky marigold. except klaus because he’s the only smart one there. also good on him for trying maintain sobriety. but still. that is so messed up???? if he had never given anyone the marigold, everything could’ve been fine. they could’ve lived long happy lives in this timeline reggie made.

and then they had david cross, pitch perfect 2 ref, iconic man, play an irrelevant character. i’m so mad. wasted potential right there.

AND! it’s a crime that there is no family dance montage/scene like past seasons. it hurts. **oh and also there being like zero MCR songs is such a slap in the face because if the producers and directors actually listened to the fans opinions and ideas every once in a while, they would know that we’ve been hoping for an MCR song to be included as an homage/reference to Gerard Way.

and then that ending. where they just accept death???? choosing that the world is better off without them??? that is such a lazy end. if they had ten episodes and let gerard way have some sort of say in the writing/directing process, we could’ve had something so good. something so creative and fun and fulfilling. but no. they die and come back as marigolds. **which i personally really liked, out of everything this season i’m not sure why so many people hate the fact they kind of turned into flowers 😭😭 the ending sucked cause it’s so obvious it wasn’t given much thought but it was still sad and seeing the eight marigolds was sweet and gave closure in a sense. as much as it could i guess. **also, the farthest marigold is ben regardless bc brelly ben is dead and sparrow ben doesn’t really consider the brellies as his family. it is not five or klaus or whoever, it is ben. it has to be imo. the two flowers closest together are lila and diego. fight me.**

another thing, all the bad guys having a happy ending? irks me. like they were iconic, but why them and not the brellies? **(while i still agree with the idea of why couldn’t the brellies be happy too, i actually liked the fact that the main villains or side characters had completely different lives had the umbrella academy never existed. like that’s actually crazy sad and really interesting. also two things: is detective patch in that last scene? i’m not sure if she is. and second: why is grace like alive? like she would still be alive, but she was alive in the sixties, so wouldn’t she be like super old by that point in time?? why is she still young? and having kids? the inconsistency is realll)** also i liked the version of i think we’re alone now they used but i think it could’ve been better if they used the tiffany version again 😞

anyway—thank you for reading my rant because i am just so baffled by how horrible this season was. i feel so bad for the cast because even they knew that this season would not be it. that not one true fan of TUA would like it. and it’s sad because this has been such a huge part of their lives and careers as actors. so they did great with what they were given and for that they have my respect.

** signify edits i made — mostly grammatical and clairty edits, and a few of my opinions updated or added on to now that i have had time to really think about what occurred this season.

[im-gonna-sing-the-doom-song-blog]

jason with a vigilante s/o?

Here you go!

JASON TODD WITH A VIGILANTE S/O

Thank you so much for the ask, anon!! Here you go!!!

ASKS ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR ANY OF THE BATFAM!

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

Shared Experience: Both would understand the complexities and challenges of leading a double life, the physical and emotional toll of their activities, and the necessity of sometimes making morally grey decisions.

Empathy and Support: They could empathize with each other’s struggles and provide emotional support. Jason, with his own troubled past, would appreciate having someone who understands his perspective.

TRUST AND TEAMWORK

Trust in the field: Jason would trust his s/o implicitly, knowing they have each other’s backs. This trust would extend to strategic planning and execution of missions.

Training and Skill Sharing; They might train together, learning from each other’s techniques and enhancing their combat skills, technology use, and strategic planning.

PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS

Protectiveness: Jason, known for his fierce loyalty and protective nature, might struggle with worry for his s/o’s safety. This could sometimes lead to overprotectiveness.

Mutual Protection: Conversely, his s/o would also be protective of him, understanding the dangers they face and the personal risks Jason often takes.

CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION

Clashing Ideals : There could be conflicts arising from differing approaches to justice and handling criminals. Jason’s more ruthless methods might clash with a partner who prefers non-lethal means.

Resolution and Compromise:Despite conflicts, their shared mission could lead to finding common ground and compromising, strengthening their bond.

ROMANTIC DYNAMICS

Intense Bond:The intensity of their vigilante lives would likely translate to a passionate and deep relationship. Shared adrenaline rushes and high-stakes situations could heighten their emotional connection.

Balancing Personal and Vigilante Lives: They would need to balance their personal relationship with their vigilante responsibilities, ensuring they find time to nurture their connection outside of their crime-fighting duties.

SECRET KEEPING AND COMMUNICATION

Secrecy: Both would be adept at keeping secrets, understanding the necessity of protecting their identities. This mutual secrecy could build a strong foundation of trust.

Open Communication: Effective communication would be crucial, both in the field and in their personal lives, to ensure they are aligned and supportive of each other’s goals and challenges.

….. and now… a little story…

A NIGHT OF VIGILANCE AND COMFORT

Description: Red Hood and Dark Sparrow ( Y/N)

Warnings: Some violence. Nothing that bad

It was a quiet night in Gotham, or as quiet as it ever got. Jason was perched on a rooftop, scanning the city below. His comm crackled to life.

“Hey, Jay. Got eyes on the shipment yet?” It was his partner and significant other, known in vigilante circles as Dark Sparrow.

“Not yet. Patience, Sparrow. These things take time,” Jason replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Working with Dark Sparrow always made the job a bit more bearable.

Dark Sparrow, a skilled vigilante with a knack for stealth, was positioned on a nearby rooftop. She scanned the docks with her binoculars. “I’ve got movement. East side, by the warehouse.”

Jason adjusted his position, eyes narrowing. “Good catch. Let’s move.”

They converged on the warehouse, moving like shadows in the night. Inside, they found a group of thugs unloading a shipment of illegal weapons. With a silent nod to each other, they sprang into action.

Jason went in with guns blazing, using rubber bullets to incapacitate the criminals. Dark Sparrow moved with grace and precision, her fighting style a blend of martial arts and acrobatics. Within minutes, the thugs were subdued, tied up, and ready for the authorities.

“Nice work, love ,” Jason said, catching his breath.

“You too, Red. Now, let’s get out of here before the cops show up,” she replied, a twinkle in her eye.

Back at their shared safehouse, they debriefed and checked for any injuries. Once satisfied they were both unscathed, they relaxed. Jason pulled out a couple of beers from the fridge, handing one to Dark Sparrow.

“To another successful night,” he toasted.

“Cheers,” she replied, clinking her bottle against his.

They sat on the couch, the weight of the night’s work lifting. Jason looked over at Dark Sparrow, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the city lights outside the window. He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“You know,” he began, a rare softness in his voice, “I don’t think I could do this without you.”

Dark Sparrow smiled, leaning into his touch. “You’d be lost without me, Jay.”

He chuckled, pulling her closer. “Yeah, I would.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers intertwining with his. “You make it all worth it, Y/N.”

“And you make it a little less lonely,” she replied, snuggling into his side.

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they sat there, bathed in the dim light from the city outside. Jason turned his head slightly, pressing a soft kiss to Y/N’s forehead. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting, a spark of warmth and affection passing between them.

“You know,” Jason murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t say it often, but I love you.”

Y/N’s eyes softened, and she cupped his cheek with her hand. “I love you too, Jay.”

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss, the world outside fading away. In their chaotic lives, these moments of peace and tenderness were precious, and they cherished each one deeply.

Together, they watched the city lights flicker, finding solace in each other’s presence. In the world of darkness and danger they navigated, these moments of romance and connection were rare treasures, making their bond even stronger.

[thesilliestrovingalive]

Updated: September 18, 2024

Reworked Group #4: S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S.

Overview

Tequila and Red Eye successfully dismantled a rogue military organisation engaged in illicit human trafficking and arms dealing, which had also planned to launch a global bioterrorist attack in collaboration with the Pipovulaj Army. The plot involved spreading a zombie plague to control the population, transforming numerous innocent civilians into violent Man Eaters as a means to create a twisted form of super-soldier. Impressed by Tequila and Red Eye's exceptional performance as highly capable spies, the Intelligence Agency and the Regular Army jointly established a covert operations branch, S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S., through a mutual agreement.

The S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. is responsible for gathering intelligence and managing information to prevent public panic and global hysteria. They provide their members with specialised training in high-risk covert operations that surpass the scope of regular Intelligence Agency agents, which are all conducted with utmost discretion and situational awareness. Some of these special covert operation missions involve precision targeting of high-priority threats and strategic disruption of complex criminal schemes.

Insignia

It features a cerulean square Iberian shield, rimmed with a spiky teal vine that’s outlined in bronze. Above the shield, the words "S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S." are inscribed in bluish-white, surmounting a stylized pair of bronze eyes with a yellowish-white star at their centre. The shield is flanked by a stylized peregrine falcon holding a gilded blade on the right side and a male house sparrow clutching an olive branch on the left side.

S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. Base

The Intelligence Division is tactically positioned adjacent to the Joint Military Police Headquarters, deeply entrenched within a dense and remote forest in Northern Russia. The rectangular military compound features a forest-inspired camouflage colour scheme, a secure warehouse for military vehicles, multiple surveillance cameras, and several elevators leading to a subterranean base. They have a rooftop array of parabolic antennas that enables real-time surveillance, threat detection, and situational awareness, preventing surprise attacks and informing strategic decision-making. The base features comprehensive protection through an advanced security system and a defensive magnetic field, which automatically activates in response to potential threats, safeguarding against enemy attacks.

The subterranean base features a state-of-the-art command and surveillance centre, equipped with cutting-edge technological systems to orchestrate and execute operations. Additional facilities include:

An armoury housing the group’s most cutting-edge, high-clearance weaponry and specialised ordnance.

A high-tech meeting room with a high-resolution, encrypted display screen and multi-axis, AI-enhanced holographic projection system.

A state-of-the-art gymnasium for maintaining elite physical readiness, featuring biometric monitoring systems and AI-driven training programs.

A fully equipped, high-tech medical bay with regenerative treatment capabilities and telemedicine connectivity for remote expert consultation.

A secure dining area serving optimised, nutrient-rich rations for peak performance.

A high-security quarters with biometrically locked storage for personal gear and AI-monitored, secure communication arrays.

A Combat Academy, led by Margaret Southwood, featuring a heavily fortified training area with advanced combat simulation zones, tactical obstacle courses, stealth and surveillance training areas, and high-tech weapons testing ranges.

Extra Information

S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. stands for Special Pursuit Agents and Rapid Response Operations Worldwide Strikeforce.

Members of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. are commonly known as "Sparrowers" or "Following Falconers", reflecting their affiliation with the unit and their close relationship with the P.F. Squad.

Despite being part of an elite covert operations branch, Sparrowers face a significant pay disparity: males earn a quarter of the average government agent's salary, while females earn about a third. Additionally, underperforming Sparrowers, both male and female, experience further financial hardship due to delayed salary payments, often waiting between one to two months to receive their overdue compensation.

The S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. conduct their covert operations in collaboration with the Peregrine Falcons Squad who provide primary firepower and protection for their agents.

The handguns carried by Sparrowers are the Murder Model-1915 .38 Mk.1Am or Classic Murder .38 for short. It’s a double-action revolver that features a 6-round cylinder. Originally designed to enhance the Enfield No.2 .38 Caliber revolver in 1915, the Murder Model retained only the frame and grip from the original. All other components were replaced with newer parts in later years.

[eirinstiva]

The Man with the Watches

Five years after the supposed death of Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls, this story featuring a quote from an un-named criminal investigator appeared in the Strand Magazine. Could this person have been Sherlock Holmes? You may decide for yourself…

New letter from my dear friend Watson and... surprise! It's "The Story of the Man with the Watches", part of Round The Fire series. This is the third time I read this story and always lefts my heart aching.

This start with a very tall man and a woman who looked like father and daughter. They arrived at the station and refused to share a smoking compartment with a very surprised man.

[Illustration by Frank Craig in The Strand Magazine (1898)]

The train stops briefly at Willesden at 5:12pm, and then again at Rugby at 6:50pm where the open door of a first-class carriage attracts notice. The three passengers have now vanished, and in their carriage is the body of a young man who has been shot through the heart. There is no clue to his identity but, oddly, he is in possession of six valuable gold watches, all of American manufacture…

[llustration by Manuel Orazi in Du mystérieux au tragique (1911)]

Mystery murders on trains are a classic trope, probably the most famous is Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Similar cases can be found in Detective Conan and Moriarty the Patriot. There's a reference too in Ron Kamonohashi's: Forbidden Deductions opening:

What makes this story peculiar is the subtext in the relationship between Sparrow MacCoy and Edward. There's an older and captivating criminal with a younger man crossdressing doing crimes in different cities. His brother James tried to get Edward back in "the right way", but everything ended with the tragic death of Edward in the train. MacCoy is shown as a ruthless criminal, expert card-sharper and very bad influence for young Edward, but after the murder we see a sensible side of MacCoy, who takes care of James after they fell from the train.

[Illustration by Frank Craig in The Strand Magazine (1898)]

Maybe Arthur Conan Doyle wasn't a writer of queer stories, but this one follows the typical "gay tragedy" trope that it was pretty common until last years. As Graham Robb said in Strangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteeth Century:

"Gay tragedy is a tradition, not just a circumstantial feature. This is one of the clearest signs that 19th-century gay literature was not a parasitic sub-section of 'serious' literature. It had a discret life on its own and was far more influential that it seems."

Also: who is this "well-known criminal investigator"? Sherlock Holmes? He was in some part of the world dismantling Moriarty's criminal organisation. Mycroft Holmes? Maybe Watson trying to follow Sherlock's style, or Lestrade... This is a new case to solve. ✨

[theglitchywriterboi]

Gifted Violets By Sparrow-Aiden

Word count: 492 || @flashfictionfridayofficial || This isn't my best work but HHHHHHH

In my family they say when you find them on your doorstep it's a sign your time is about to come.

I never believed that when I was little.

Then as a teen, we found some addressed to my mother. Within 12 hours she was dead.

But I brushed it off as a coincidence. My mother, you see, she was always superstitious. Knock on wood three times, throw salt behind you, blow cinnamon into your home on the first, etc. All these little rituals. So when it first happened I thought she stressed herself to death.

That they had just triggered an anxiety response & due to the relationship with them, she got in her own head.

Then it kept happening. Including to people outside my family - people who had no way to know of this silly superstition in my family.

My friend Mary - she had a baby. Only just brought her home when she saw them on her doorstep with her name. Unfortunately she didn't know the meaning, assuming it was just a cute gesture from a loved one. Mary was dead before morning, leaving her daughter without a mother. Mary's husband was a good man though - her daughter, Ella, grew up in a good home.

I scoured the internet & found some whispers of people believing what my family does - that this is a warning of your upcoming demise. It was far more common a delivery than I had known. Some brushed it off as a part of death. Much like a death rattle or releasing your bowels when you die - just a neutral part of it. But not everyone, or even most got them. It was a fairly rare sight. That's why there were only. Whispers. My family were morticians, so I suppose that's why in our family it was far more known & spoken about.

Others thought it was a warning. So you had time to bargain with death itself for another day, another week, if you're lucky, maybe even a month.

More off the wall theories were that it was a cabal of criminal killers & that was their calling card. That made the least sense.

It was only today I learned the real reason.

When you open your front door & you see them, it's not a warning, a threat, an olive branch to bargain. It's your final gift.

You see when you find them it's like for the next 24 hours, if you live that long of course, you're under a spell. You know what the gift means, but you're physically unable to tell anyone.

When you see them, before you open your note, take a deep breath. It's okay, your friends & loved ones will be okay.

Because when you're gifted violets, it's not a punishment or a threat. It's a welcome & a promise. It's a reward for being good.

A welcome to a new world - a forever world. And a promise that whoever you're leaving behind will be okay.

[ustwoforsaken]

atticus pierce, aka sparrow

fantapara of tim drake/red robin. his father, savior (corentin morroway) is, essentially, evil batman. he speaks eight languages fluently, but can understand many more than that if he listens to them long enough. he has killed people (and thinks that destroying himself in order to fix it is fitting retribution.) he started out as his own independent vigilante at age 14 (where he took up the name sparrow), though he did go out in the field with savior regularly under the name nightingale before that.

bedrock, a senior superhero, contacted him and offered to train him. initially sparrow declined, because he thought savior was a good person once too, so who could say whether bedrock would be? but sparrow began following bedrock on his patrols-- and he saw the way civilians would look at bedrock. they would be grateful, excited, the fear in their eyes would dim. bedrock could coax civilians from their panic. savior never did that. civilians looked at savior the same way that criminals did.

sparrow didnt know how to comfort civilians. he didnt want to be like how savior was. one night, sparrow got closer then he usually would while following bedrock, and bedrock finally called out to him. he had known sparrow was following him the whole time. and bedrock asked him, do you want to work with me?

teach me how to calm civilians, sparrow said. and bedrock did. he was under bedrocks mentorship for two years, and met apollo through bedrock, a young adult who'd been on the superhero scene for 7-ish years. apollo drew sparrow out of his shell and they became very close friends.

then sparrow was invited to join a new superhero team, new warriors. he declined outright. it took the combined effort of sphynx and apollo to get him to agree and he was still very begrudging.

in the current time, hes 17 and has been on new warriors for about a year and a half and hes very close with all of them. he hasnt revealed his identity or who his father is to them yet, though.

[runningdownthatroad]

I can't even...

"Why did Depp, who had already lost a similar case in Britain, insist on going back to court? A public trial, during which allegations of physical, sexual, emotional and substance abuse against him were sure to be repeated, couldn’t be counted on to restore his reputation. Heard, his ex-wife, was counting on the opposite: that the world would hear, in detail, about the physical torments that led her to describe herself, in the Washington Post op-ed that led to the suit, as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”

Even before the verdict came in, Depp had already won. What had looked to many like a clear-cut case of domestic violence had devolved into a “both sides” melodrama. The fact that Heard’s partial victory, which involved not Depp’s words but those spoken in 2020 by Adam Waldman, his lawyer at the time, can be spun in that direction shows how such ambiguity served Depp all along. As one commenter on The New York Times site put it, “Every relationship has its troubles.” Life is complicated. Maybe they were both abusive. Who really knows what happened? The convention of courtroom journalism is to make a scruple of indeterminacy. And so we found ourselves in the familiar land of he said/she said.

We should know by now that the symmetry implied by that phrase is an ideological fiction, that women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have a much harder time being listened to than their assailants. I don’t mean that women always tell the truth, that men are always guilty as charged, or that due process isn’t the bedrock of justice. But Depp-Heard wasn’t a criminal trial; it was a civil action intended to measure the reputational harm each one claimed the other had done. Which means that it rested less on facts than on sympathies.

In that regard, Depp possessed distinct advantages. He isn’t a better actor than Heard, but her conduct on the stand was more harshly criticized in no small part because he’s a more familiar performer, a bigger star who has dwelled for much longer in the glow of public approbation. He brought with him into the courtroom the well-known characters he has played, a virtual entourage of lovable rogues, misunderstood artists and gonzo rebels. He’s Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow, Hunter S. Thompson, Gilbert Grape.

We’ve seen him mischievous and mercurial, but never truly menacing. He’s someone we’ve watched grow up, from juvenile heartthrob on “21 Jump Street” to crusty old salt in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. His offscreen peccadilloes (the drinking, the drugs, the “Winona Forever” tattoo) have been part of the pop-cultural background noise for much of that time, classified along with the scandals and shenanigans that have been a Hollywood sideshow since the silent era.

In his testimony, Depp copped to some bad stuff, but this too was a play for sympathy, of a piece with the charm and courtliness he was at pains to display. That he came off as a guy unable to control his temper or his appetites was seen, by many of the most vocal social media users, to enhance his credibility, while Heard’s every tear or gesture was taken to undermine hers. The audience was primed to accept him as flawed, vulnerable, human, and to view her as monstrous.

Because he’s a man. Celebrity and masculinity confer mutually reinforcing advantages. Famous men — athletes, actors, musicians, politicians — get to be that way partly because they represent what other men aspire to be. Defending their prerogatives is a way of protecting, and asserting, our own. We want them to be bad boys, to break the rules and get away with it. Their seigneurial right to sexual gratification is something the rest of us might resent, envy or disapprove of, but we rarely challenge it. These guys are cool. They do what they want, including to women. Anyone who objects is guilty of wokeness, or gender treason, or actual malice.

Of course there are exceptions. In the #MeToo era there are men who have gone to jail, lost their jobs or suffered disgrace because of the way they’ve treated women. The fall of certain prominent men — Harvey Weinstein, Leslie Moonves, Matt Lauer — was often welcomed as a sign that a status quo that sheltered, enabled and celebrated predators, rapists and harassers was at last changing.

A few years later, it seems more likely that they were sacrificed not to end that system of entitlement but rather to preserve it. Almost as soon as the supposed reckoning began there were complaints that it had gone too far, that nuances were being neglected and too-harsh punishments meted out.

This backlash has been folded into a larger discourse about “cancel culture,” which is often less about actions than words. “Cancellation” is now synonymous with any criticism that invokes racial insensitivity, sexual misbehavior or controversial opinions. Creeps are treated as martyrs, and every loudmouth is a free-speech warrior. Famous men with lucrative sinecures on cable news, streaming platforms and legacy print publications can proclaim themselves victims.

Which is just what Depp did. And while he accused Heard of doing terrible things to him in the course of their relationship and breakup, the lawsuit wasn’t about those things. It was about words published under her name, none of which were “Johnny Depp.” In a sentence the jury found false and malicious, after describing herself as “representing domestic abuse” Heard wrote that she “felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.” This time she surely has.

Misogyny isn’t the subtext of American political rage and social dysfunction; all too often, it’s the plain text. The links between domestic violence and mass shootings are chilling and well documented, though rarely cited in arguments about policy and prevention. The mobs of social media mobilize against women with special frequency and ferocity, often using the language of righteous grievance. Gamergate, a campaign of harassment directed at women who wrote about video game culture, pretended to be about “ethics in journalism.” The alt-right in the months before the 2016 election and its post-Trump progeny specialize in targeted misogyny. The TikTok hordes that went after Amber Heard over the past few months took a page from that book.

Depp’s victory is also theirs. The rage of men whose grievances are inchoate and inexhaustible found expression in a 58-year-old movie star’s humiliation of his 36-year-old former wife. I have to wonder: Are men OK? That’s a sincere question. Does the blend of self-pity, vanity, petulance and bombast that Depp displayed on the stand represent how we want to see ourselves or our sons? That’s a rhetorical question. The answer is yes.

Not all men, though. Right? Now that the trial is over, we’ll find new things to be ambiguous about, new venues where indeterminacy can serve as an alibi for the same old cruelty, and for its newer iterations. Johnny Depp is being embraced as a hero in some quarters, but his victory extends even to those who will allow themselves to feel troubled by the outcome of the trial and then move on. Some of us may wince a little when we watch “Pirates of the Caribbean” or “Donnie Brasco,” but we’ll probably still watch. They’re pretty good movies, and it’s not as if they can be expunged from the collective memory. That hasn’t happened to Louis C.K., or Woody Allen, or Michael Jackson, or Mel Gibson, or even Bill Cosby. Some of them have gone to court, some have faced public censure and disgrace, but they all remain woven into the fabric of the culture, and their behavior is too. We may not entirely forget, but we mostly forgive.

Let’s at least be clear about what that means. It means that we value the comfort and self-regard of men, especially famous ones, more than we value the safety and dignity of women, even famous ones."

(x)

This was written by a man. Which honestly kills me because all it does is prove that misandry is alive and well when it comes to the subject of domestic abuse. Just like that age old view of the patriarchy unable to see women as equals, women as anything other than damsels in distress, fragile little creatures that must be protected at all costs, here we have proof that society is still unable to accept the fact that a woman can abuse a man. And because said abuser is a woman, then society demands that we absolutely believe everything they've claimed despite evidence that was entered into a court of law that was reviewed by legal experts and jurors alike proving the contrary. It demands that not only are we to circle her wagons and defend her due to her anatomy but also turn a blind eye to her abuses of not only a man but other human beings that it has been documented by law enforcement and in a court of law that she actually did.

I am just...astonished. This is the NY Times. They approved this piece. And rather than talk to actual abuse experts and psychological experts, even law enforcement, they choose to continue to be part of the problem.

Let me say this, had I heard JD making the statements on the audio recordings that AH did instead, I absolutely would be just as passionate in supporting her. Because I support ALL survivors, regardless of their gender.

And because of my experience in this arena, because I am a survivor, I can tell you that within seconds of hearing AH speaking that I knew right then, other evidence sight unseen, who was really abusing who. It's a special club that not one of us ever wants to be a part of.

[pandalorian36]

Masterlist

A collection of all my works. Links and descriptions included:

Acotar:

Azriel x Reader A night in a shared hotel room leads to confessions of love.

Criminal minds:

Spencer Reid x (gn) Reader A late night working ends with the both of you falling asleep on the couch where the rest of the team find you the following morning.

Loki Loki x Reader part 1-When you are invited to a party with the Avengers it is a shock to them all when it is revealed you are in fact engaged to the God of mischief. Loki x Reader Part 2 - This is a backstory to my Loki x reader promptYour mother takes you to Asgard where you meet Loki and slowly a friendship is formed. Loki x Reader Part 3 - You and Loki are once again reunited, on the readers home planet. Loki x Reader Part 4- Loki and you meet at a ball where feelings are finally revealed.

Eric Coulter Eric x Reader -Reader has been in love with Eric for ages little do they know he feels the same way and everything comes to light after a heated training session.

Izzy Hands Izzy x Reader -The crew finds out Izzy’s sparrow tattoo has more meaning than meets the eye when someone with a duplicate appears while they are on shore leave. Izzy x Reader -Ed reveals the reason Izzy is always so grumpy and short tempered is because he got separated from you. Izzy x Reader - A: You're right. I was jealous. B: I know. A: It was foolish. B: It was. A: Must you agree with me all of the time? Izzy x Reader You and Izzy come up with a pact. The two are equally matched and decide on a system when they spar. Whoever wins gets to ask a question which the loser must answer. Which after a while turns into a getting to know you.

Boba Fett Boba x Reader -Reader is a bounty hunter, they have known Boba for a while and when the two get captured readers tattoos are revealed which change colour to reflect their emotions. The two slowly realise perhaps their flirting actually has something deeper hidden underneath.

James Kirk Kirk x Reader part 1 -This is not based on any episode or film. In this you are half Vulcan but act more human than your brother. Very few people know you are related as your long hair usually hides your ears. Kirk knows your part Vulcan but not that you are related to Spock. You are a science officer, security guard and engineer with a small amount of medical knowledge. Your main job, however, is a science officer.) Kirk x Reader part 2

Carlisle Cullen Carlisle x Reader -You are a human and have been dating Carlisle for a while. It is almost Halloween and you want to share your love of pumpkin carving with the family.

[thefairefolk-rp]

Orders For The Impending Battle

Mages & Weavers

All mages are tasked with keeping enemies from crossing into the forest by any means necessary. A section of mage forces will spend the entirety of their time trying to uphold a magic forcefield that will block the way as long as possible. Be cautious. Using too much of one's magic may cause one to pass out -- or worse. A secret section of the Fae Armies, including mages, has been quietly sneaking around the enemy campy and will come from behind the enemy during the fight so that the enemy is attacked from two sides.

Additional Info

Halflings - Reports are implying the largely human army has a handful of halflings with magic. They are likely the products of fae trysts with humans in Dalk. This magic will likely be less potent, but still effective in numbers. Some halflings may be convinced to join your side, since they are likely looked down upon in the human world.

Blood magic - In an extremely controversial move, the Seelie court has acquiesced to allow their mages to temporarily use blood magic. However, the Wolf, Shark and Sparrow Clans have all refused to allow it among their mages. The Unseelie Court and Fox Clan already allowed blood magic. This will cause approval of Queen Mab in court to fall amongst many Seelie courtiers. The Unseelie based Church of Lilith has pledged many of their own blood mages to the fight, to the discomfort of many.

Magic Items - The Magi expressly forbid any use of unauthorized magical items due to their unpredictable nature. This is especially true of those acquired from The Night Market. However, this will not stop mages from using them.

Magic Diversity - This is a battle like no human has ever seen before. The more chaotic to the human eye, the better. Magic techniques and skills range widely by court. It is likely to see elemental, illusion, and shapeshifting magic in abundance during the fight. Some solitary fae will have the ability to control and communicate large groups of animals. Each mage's particular set of skills has been taken into account with their battle assignments. Additionally, the Sparrow clan mages do not believe in any lethal force.

Knights & Warriors

Queen Titania and Kasha Greywolf will lead the charge on horseback, flanked by all knights of high status also on horseback. The rest will follow on foot. A secret section of the Fae Armies has been quietly sneaking around the enemy campy, and will come from behind the enemy during the fight so that the fae are attacking the enemy from two sides Remember: Fae are not normal warriors. All fae fighters will possess inhuman reflexes, strength and agility. Knights may use small bits of magic to distract or subdue, but most of their training involves weapon or hand-to-hand combat.

Additional Info

Iron/Training Risks - It is confirmed that the Midsummer human colony, Oaktown, has been training members of the approaching army. They will have knowledge on tactics for fighting fae and common fae abilities. They will also likely be equipped with iron weaponry. There will be a mix of iron and steel armor, so be cautious of what you touch without gloves.

Charms - Pluck any rowan berry charms you find on a soldier or mage, especially if your attacks seems to be missing at a strangely high rate. This plant is an ancient tool used by early humans to ward away fae and it is quite effective.

Combat diversity - Fighting style will range by court and clan. Courts known to be more sneaky and underhanded will train their soldiers to fight the same way. Those who are more honor based may value fighting cleanly. Various weaponry will also reflect a fighter's origins (eg: the shark clan will have weapons formed from things in and around the ocean). Additionally the pacifistic Sparrow Clan do not have warriors.

Rogues, Criminals & Thieves

A very secretive campaign to sneak into the enemy camp and poison the wine barrels is taking recruits. The plan will be executed night before the battle is rumored to begin. This can only be heard about by word of mouth or being approached directly by royal representatives directly. There is particular interest in those with a seedier background, and knowledges of poisons.

Additional Info

Location - The enemy is largely camped in Dalk, less than a mile from the border of the forest. Higher ups are housed inside villager's homes, while the rest are camped out in tented fields.

Human Allies - Some of the more devout pagans in Dalk may disapprove of the army's actions and aid the fae. The names of some of those humans who may be sympathetic have be dispersed among those sneaking into Dalk.

Poison - Apothecaries all over Midsummer have been emptied in anticipation of this. Whether the poison is lethal or non-lethal is up to you, as long as it can disable a person for at least 24-48 hours.

Spies - There are also rewards offered for anyone who can catch an enemy spy. Keep your eyes peeled for anyone who seems suspicious or out of place - especially around a food source or near high ranking political figures.

[aquadestinyswriting]

Worldbuilding Wednesday- The Marked

Note: Since I've been mentioning that Meredith is a person who has been Marked by her gods, I thought, at @druidx's request, I'd expand on what, exactly, that means from my perspective.

tags: @druidx, @odysseywritings, @homesteadchronicles, @mariahwritesstuff, @sparrow-orion-writes, @blind-the-winds

Titan is a world that is claimed by myriad Gods, many who were involved in the creation of it and the creatures that live upon it, and many, many more who took notice of it long after its creation. Most people upon Titan swear fealty to one god or another and many are those who receive some degree of power from said god, or gods, in return. Occasionally, however, there arise singular individuals who have gained the direct attention of one or more of these deities, be it for the good or ill of the individual in question. These people are referred to as being Marked.

The history of Marked people is a long and storied one. Many are the tales of adventurers sent out on quests by one god or another to perform some heroic deed or other; however, what does being someone who is Marked mean, exactly? The definition above reflects the basics, for certain, but it does not exactly encompass everything implied by the word, nor its true significance to the world at large.

The truth is, those who have been Marked very often lead lives of great peril, thrust into situations most ordinary people could never fathom, and have to deal with obstacles that are nigh-on impossible to overcome. As high priest Ragnarsson observed, when he realised that Meredith was one such individual:

Those that were (Marked), tended to lead difficult, painful and, more often than not, criminally short lives.

In the case of Meredith; she is an individual who was, some say tragically, Marked by the circumstance of her birth as a Shaper. That, however, is not the full truth. While most Shapers are, indeed, Blessed by Throff, few are those who were truly Marked. Marked clerics are set apart from those who are merely particularly Blessed by their unusual ability to instinctively commune directly with their god, or gods. Marked clerics, and paladins by extension, have the uncanny ability to know the true will of their deity, even if it seems contradictory to established doctrine. The High Inquisitor has explained that this type of communion feels like the echo, or impression, of an unheard voice, conveyed through feelings rather than actual words. Such feelings have often been described by clerics who were later identified as Marked before, and seems to be a common trait in those who have gained the direct attention of a deity. For the moment, Meredith appears to be one of the few Marked dwarves in existence that may well outlive the tragedies of her fate and is rumoured to have already been chosen to succeed the current Archlector. Given that the last known Marked Shaper from Fangthane – Meredith’s ancestor, Merewin Stonespeaker – was executed during the second set of Purges following the ascension of Jotunn Goldseeker to the throne of Fangthane, perhaps this is a sign of better things to come for the dwarven kingdom. One can only hope that this is, indeed, the case.

The ability to be Marked is not limited to those with as deep a connection to the divine as clerics and paladins. Many are the tales of martial, magical, or roguish adventurers who have been dogged by seeming tragedy and misfortune, only to turn around and beat seemingly impossible odds to save the day, only to have yet more tragedy befall either them or the people around them. The most recent famous example of this is the legendary Shot in the Dark, Alexis Dalliance: a late Hero of Toreguarde and one of the Saviours of the Pagan Plains. Dalliance is at once honoured and reviled by the people of the city states of Toreguarde and Fangthane for her part in the Demon War and the many tragedies that led up to it. Few know which deity, exactly, she gained the attention and favour of – though rumour has it that she was the first devotee of the enigmatic god of Fate, Luck and Giver of Quests known only as Greg. Who this particular god is, or what his domains are exactly remain a mystery to the vast majority of the people of Titan, though those few people who have journeyed with Dalliance, and lived to tell the tale, maintain that His existence is no mere myth. There is no question that the Shot in the Dark was a Marked individual, though whether she was from childhood, or gained the status later in life is currently unknown. What is known is that tragedy followed in her wake throughout her adventuring career and even, rumours state, for a long time thereafter until her mysterious disappearance from all records on the material plane two years before the events of the recent near-Ragnarok event. Those people who knew her best have refused to comment on what happened to the woodling woman, and this chronicler doubts that they ever will. All that now remains of her existence is what is told in song and tale, which grow ever more exaggerated with every re-telling.

Of course, not every Marked individual has been chosen by a benevolent deity. Some of the most reviled villains in the history of Titan have gained the attention of the gods aligned with evil, or even the Demon Princes. The most famous examples of this are the Diabolic Three: Zagor, Balthus Dire and Zharradan Marr, all three of whom gained the attention of the Demon Princes during their various reigns of terror. Another example is the half-demonic, half-construct Turray Lok, an individual who was tragically Marked by the Demon Prince Myurr and tasked with the destruction of Allansia several years before the Demon War. The most recent example is, supposedly, the individual now known only as the Black Lady, a dwarven woman who is rumoured to have been Marked by at least one of the Dark Lords of the Void. There are some who some believe that the Black Lady has managed to ascend to the level of Demon Prince in her own right following the events of Ragnarok, though these conjectures remain entirely unsubstantiated and are routinely, vehemently opposed by the Archlector of Fangthane and the High Priestess of Kar Kherril. Those who have been Marked by Evil, are very often opposed by those Marked by more benevolent deities. Many believe that this is an effort to maintain some sort of cosmic balance. Whether or not this is truly the case, in most cases the clashes between these individuals often involve great loss of life, usually at the cost of those not directly involved who just happened to be in the way. As a result, many Marked individuals in the past have been run out of civilization altogether in a vain attempt to prevent such loss of life from occurring again.

In summary: To be Marked by the gods (or god-like beings) is both a blessing and a curse. Which one, depends somewhat on the individual in question, but is more down to the interpretation of the others around them. Just as many are reviled as they are celebrated, but there is no doubt that all have left an impact on the world that can never truly be forgotten

[letstalkaboutit100]

Ideas part 12: Blue= concepts pink=ep ideas Green: note

Anyway, Meeshell and Sparrow become good friends. Every day at lunchtime they meet up at the pool. They talk about music and their parents. They even start to write song lyrics! Meeshell is still shy though. So Sparrow sticks up for her a lot. "SHE SAID NO FISH!" He feels protective over her. She's his little sister at this point. ("I'm a year older than you." "Only in numbers.") She's a year older than him but they are still in the same grade. I feel like she is very mature. She looks like it. She's the mom of the group lol. (she wasn't left back or anything, BUT HE WAS) She's been a good influence on him. Helping him study and stay out of trouble (sometimes) and learn to respect women more. Every day he asks her if she would join his merry crew/band. And every time she says no because she's shy and worried she'll embarrass herself. "Come on! PLEASEEE!" "No." *cue puppy dog eyes* "You know that doesn't work on me" "Yeah I know" He literally calls her his sister! "Hey, where you going?" "To see my sister" *Confused faces on his friends' faces* "Did you know he had a sister?" "Sparrow your grades have gone up quite a lot!" "Thanks my sister helped me." *Confused teacher face* You know how in fanfic the school's bad boy that has a gang falls in love with the nerdy girl and puts her "under his protection". like "Oh wait! We can bully her that blab blab's girl". That's basically them. except it's sibling love. PLATONIC! No one touches her. "I'm having a sister." "Oh that's great! *slams adoption form on the table* "It's you. sign here." I will say she does become more confident in herself over time under his influence but is still mostly shy.

Both Poppy and Holly were born with their mother's long hair. But Holly didn't like it so when she was 7 she cut it off. It's a long story. Everyone was shocked! Sparrow liked it saying it looked cool and now he won't have any trouble telling them apart.

Dec 1: Ok so I thought that the long-haired twin was Poppy and the other was Holly. And personally, I like my way better. So long hair is poppy and short hair is holly. Also Poppy is older. My Poppy is the older mature twin while my Holly is rebellious and a troublemaker. They like blossom and buttercup. I also haven't seen any of the web episodes so don't judge me if I get something wrong!

Episode idea (season 2): The twins Poppy and Holly Rider (In my reboot version their last name isn't O'hair. I think it's dumb. sorry not sorry.) have a fight over Sparrow. They both have a crush on him. But it's not what you think. (not anymore. They see him as a brother again like before.) All three of them are childhood friends. Their father is his hero lol. They grew up together! They went on crazy adventures when they were kids! He always took the fall for them if something went wrong! Robin Hood likes them. He and Engene are friends. He and Lance used to be a part of his merry crew. Until they turn to a full life of crime. Eugene calls him 'son' a lot. Lance loves the girls to death. Their his nieces! And angry and Catalina's godmothers. "Listen, son, If so much as hurt my girls in any way I will find you. *points to max* You see him? That is the best horse in the whole world. He has caught thousands of criminals and put them away. He loves those girls. He will find you and we will make you pay." Lance said all of that lol. E: "Lance come on! Back off. I'm sorry about him. *whispers* But he's not kidding. And neither am I." Anyway, the episode starts with the twins in their room on their beds on opposite sides of the room. *Both of them sigh dreamily while looking at photos of Sparrow* *At the same time* P: "He's so dreamily!" H: "He's so hot!" *both of them look up at each other and laugh* P: "So? *smirking* who's the lucky guy?" H: *also smirking* "Well I could ask the same." P: "Well my guy is really funny." H: "Well my guy is really strong." P: "Me and him have known each other for a long time. H: "Same! Me and him have a lot in common. H: "Same! He's really talented on the guitar." P: "So is mine!" H: "Oh my fairy dust!" H: "What if they know each other!" P: "He does have a lot of friends!" H: "So does mine!" P: *squeals* "Ok! I can't wait any longer! Say at the same time?" H: "I'm not sure. I'm worried about how you'll react. You might be shocked." P: *takes her hand* (they got up from their beds as they were comparing Sparrow) "Honestly me too. But you know I'll support you. Your my sister. And I know whoever the guy is the luckiest guy in the world." H: "Thank Sunny. (that's her nickname for Poppy! Eugene calls Rapuzenl sunshine so Holly calls Poppy sunny!) H: "Ok! I'm ready! P: "Alright! On 3." P/H: 1, 2, 3... SPARROW! WHAT?! YOU?! YOU LIKE HIM?! SPARROW'S YOUR CRUSH?!

To be continued... MWHAAAA!

[renownedagent]

THE  SKILLS  &  REPUTATION  OF  AN  AGENT  LIKE  MARCUS  BECAME  KNOWN  WITHIN  THE  MANY  CIRCLES  OF  THE  CRIMINAL  UNDERWORLD.  AS  AN  AGENT,  HE  PROVIDED  INFORMATION  TO  THOSE  THAT  NEEDED  IT  &  COULD  AFFORD  IT.  UNLIKE  UNRELIABLE  BROKERS;  MARCUS  WAS  THE  BEST  AT  HIS  CRAFT.  marcus  had  chosen  to  meet  @ruskvya  at  a  small,  yet  secluded  cafe  in  milan.  they  had  exchanged  messages  previously;  marcus  providing  reliable  &  high  quality  information  on  many  of  the  red  sparrow's  target.  they  didn't  know  what  each  other  looked  like,  what  their  real  names  were.  just  two  call  signs  interacting.  the  red  sparrow  &  the  mirage.

their  meeting  was  simple;  make  their  meeting  look  like  two  close  friends  catching  up  so  that  it  would  take  any  prying  eyes  off  of  them  &  they  could  get  down  to  business.  when  marcus  saw  her,  he  gave  her  a  soft  hug,  playing  into  the  cover  they  had  previously  agreed.  "  my..  it's  been  a  while..  "  during  the  short,  yet  brief  hug;  she  would  get  a  whiff  off  marcus's  scent.  this  was  a  blend  of  cedarwood  with  black  pepper;  showing  that  he  was  sophisticated,  but  had  a  sense  of  mystery  behind  him.  "  here's  what  i've  dug  up  for  you..  "

he  pulled  up  a  tablet,  his  fingers  tapping  away  as  he  pulled  up  the  file  on  the  target  she  needed  information  gathering  on.  "  i  pulled  a  few  strings,  but  most  of  it  was  a  lot  of  poking  around;  but  you  know  me  -  i  always  deliver.  looks  like  your  target  is  attending  a  gala  tonight;  fancy  if  you  don't  mind  if  i  say  so.  i  do  have  his  itinerary  in  which  if  he  does  bolt  -  you  could  nab  him  on  his  'last'  flight  out  of  country.  i  know  you  assassin  types.  "

[livingfictionsystem]

Jasper Morgan Harvey: August 5th. Leo Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Aries Rising. (He/Him but She/Her only when in drag). Homoflexible, Homoromantic. Bipolar.

Theme song(s): First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen.

Fronting Frequency: A couple of times a month.

Born in August of 1902, Jasper Harvey and his partner, Jack, were orphans and petty criminals in Chicago, Illinois, until the Prohibition, which was arguably the best thing that could’ve happened to either of them. Starting from the ground up from a trainyard smuggling ring, he and Jack created a bootlegging gang known as the Rail Kings, who even caught the attention of Bugsy Moran and Al Capone. Jasper was known for being creative, flamboyant, impulsive, wily, and always down for a fight. Born as an androgen-insensitive intersex person, Jasper chose at a young age to primarily present as male. However, he did explore his gender a bit more and found he was perfectly content with taking trips to New Orleans and pretending to be a flapper girl by the name of Jazz. He has asserted, looking back on his life, that he probably was more non-binary than male. His life was marked by manic highs and sinking lows, which he tried to self-medicate with a tumultuous combination of cocaine and booze. Jack was closest to him, and even became educated on medical science in order to keep his transgender partner out of medical offices. Jasper died in December of 1933, drowned in the Chicago River by a rival gang. He identifies now as a past-life of Xanthe’s. He’s typically active when watching or reading anything like his life in Chicago, and is very much involved with a novel the host is writing of his rise and fall as a bootleg kingpin. He’s Sparrow’s adoptive father, having taken him in when Sparrow was homeless in the inworld.

[burningexeter]

As an aspiring writer and filmmaker, what are the connections or "themes" that my work has and share with each other. It's actually much more simple on my end with this:

• They tend to always focus on unconventional type of protagonists fighting against the highest stakes there is. But despite that sounding fairly interesting for a simple paragraph, there's much more to it than that. First off, the protagonists or even the ensembles are not at all the type of characters you'd ever expect or think of being the heroes. They're the bullies, criminals, blue collar workers, CDC doctors, rat exterminators, cynical schlubs, elderly grandfathers or grandmothers, spoiled brats, cheerleaders, truck drivers, shady and sleazy private detectives, sarcastic grumps, priests, former deadbeat parents trying to put their lives back together, the sexy but quick-tempered goth girl, drug dealers, cartel members, morticians, dysfunctional families, the town drunk, struggling drug addicts or even a little girl with a burnt scar on the side of her face. These are all no matter what the numerous type of people who you don't usually see as the heroic characters who save the day. These aren't the strong jawed, posing, good-looking Hollywood heroes like Superman, the Guardians Of The Galaxy, Optimus Prime, Luke Skywalker or Wonder Woman — god no, instead these are heroes in the exact same category as Jack Sparrow from the Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy, Walter White from Breaking Bad, Koichi Shikishima from Godzilla Minus One, Aldo Raine from Inglourious Basterds and Trevor Philips from Grand Theft Auto V.

That said however, all of the protagonists do grow, develop and even at times become better people over the course of the story. Most of them all have moral codes (standards basically) and always end up doing the right thing.

As for the stakes, these aren't just the odds. These are big. Big stakes that affect them and even everything and everyone they've ever loved or cared about. The stakes in my work are always - and I mean ALWAYS - huge. And no, it's not "Oh, it's the end of the world and the final battle is in New York City" but they are big, deadly, dangerous, high-edge stakes.

• Another thing is that the events of any of my work are either caused, furthered or BOTH by the protagonists and characters' actions and thus are more than character-driven. They make HUGE decisions, they even sometimes depending on which or who make the wrong choices, they don't do what they should've done and regardless of whether what they did was right, all of this leads to repercussions that build and culminate to the climax and end.

• The villains are never these one dimensional, generic, mustache-twirling villains who are just 100% evil all the way. Instead, the villains are intimidating, scary, charismatic, intelligent, threatening and even at times tragic characters. The ones who are tragic show it through moments and go out on their own sacrificial terms while the ones who aren't tragic have codes to them and make their presence known whenever they're on screen. We're not talking about again strong jawed, posing, good-looking Hollywood villains like Loki, Lex Luthor, Doctor Doom, Evelyn Deavor (good lord, that pun name is just dumb as hell) or Hans of the Southern Isles — nah, god no, instead these are the villains in the exact same category as Jared Nomak from Blade II, Dr. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus from Spider-Man 2, Davy Jones from Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest & At World's End, Syndrome from The Incredibles and Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from Shazam!.

• Last but not least, all of my work have genuinely bittersweet endings where the villain or villains and threat are defeated for good with no chance of coming back but sacrifices are made on the heroes side therefore they don't always end very happily. It shows us that not everything has a happy ending regardless of what it is.

Here's an example:

I have this whole entire, fully fleshed-out idea for a Kim Possible reboot called Global Justice and this is how it'll end:

After Kim and Shego have a heated argument about the former's future now that she's about to graduate high school, Shego realizes that she was wrong and that her reasons for not letting Kim go are selfish of her. But when she goes to apologize to Kim and admit her mistake, she shockingly finds that Kim has gone behind her back and done something that sets in motion the events of the series finale.

The bittersweet ending here is that the main threat that's been built up since the ending of the five-part premiere is finally defeated, all heroes come together and the day is at long last saved with the surviving villains being put to rest.... BUT due to everything that's just happened because of her, Shego has lost all trust in Kim that's been built and earned throughout the whole series with the final scene in the show being this —

Flying through the night sky over a now safe Middleton in their purple car as a full-on homage to the final moment in the original series, Kim in the front seat and Shego driving are sitting in complete silence with their hair blowing in the wind. It's then that a guilty and almost somber Kim says "I'm sorry, Shego. For everything".

To which Shego replies with this....

"I know you are, Kim. You're my girlfriend and nothing will ever change that. I brought you into all this from day one and nothing will ever change that. I will always love you no matter what and nothing will ever change that. But after everything that's just happened, from now until I don't know when, my trust is something that you're gonna have to earn back".

Kim then hangs her head down in shame, visibly heartbroken, while Shego continues driving emotionlessly into the moon.

Cue end credits.

Kim ended up fulfilling her goal in the show but at the cost of a loved one's trust. And it's Shego of all people.