#speedrunning enemies-to-friends

[cave-monkey]

Monkey King Episode 8 (Part 2/2)

*BUSTS THROUGH THE DOOR* All right, time to finish this!

It's been two days since I watched this episode let's see what stuck.

"The Six-Eared Macaque has six ears! Isn't he really cute?"

Ginseng Fruit thinks Six Ears is cute. Canon.

Okay, so. The fake bunny ears? Absolutely adorable. Holy shit. These kids are the cutest. Jade Rabbit's body dysmorphia is probably on a level to qualify as the full disorder, and that's less cute and more sad and distressing, but it's so nice this attempt at comforting her worked and they were able to make her feel a little better about it.

Stone Monkey was so worried about her, too! Six Ears was clearly only there as emotional support (desperately needed, because Stone Monkey was not doing okay) since he had no idea who she was and Ginseng Fruit just didn't like her, but Stone Monkey probably would have started ripping the island apart stone by stone to find her if they hadn't managed to coax her out. He was worried! And emotionally unstable about it! Ginseng Fruit losing their patience and insulting her got them attacked.

Like, it took Marshal Ma a multi-episode timespan to wear Stone Monkey down enough to have him almost lunging for Marshal Ma's face. Ginseng Fruit got there in about two sentences. Even Six Ears was pretty alarmed about it. (Six Ears trying to comfort an angry and distressed Stone Monkey by cautiously reaching out to touch his shoulder from an entire arm's length away is very monkey of him. I just had to note that.)

Also that thing again of Stone Monkey's genuine anger being pretty violent. And how much quicker he is to lose it if the ones you're jabbing sticks at are his friends and not him.

I can't even really blame Ginseng Fruit for being upset they were spending so much time and energy checking on Jade Rabbit, since from Ginseng Fruit's perspective she was actively trying to hurt/kill the two of them nearly since Ginseng Fruit met her. They have reason to not like her and not want Stone Monkey around her. Still not the time or place, but their concern and frustration was understandable!

From Stone Monkey's perspective, what's a little attempted murder between friends, I guess? They had a Bash Brothers bonding moment against the Demon King's army before Jade Rabbit's headwrap was knocked off and she panicked, so clearly it's all square now. She was just upset! She didn't even manage to actually hurt them! It's fine! It's also possible he blames Ginseng Fruit for Jade Rabbit being angry at all, since if Ginseng Fruit had just stayed away from him like Stone Monkey had wanted them to, and hadn't tagged along, they never would have had a chance to run their mouth and set her off. Which isn't really fair, but. Stone Monkey barely seems to tolerate Ginseng Fruit at this stage of their relationship and that was true even before all this went down. I'm not sure he would be fair. Especially not when they're shouting insults his already hurting friend might be able to hear.

Six Ears got them to work it out, of course, but I definitely noticed that Ginseng Fruit's tears weren't even enough to rock that look of utter disdain until Six Ears scolded Stone Monkey about it.

(Ginseng Fruit: *sobbing*

Stone Monkey: Suffer.

Six Ears: Hey. Hey, isn't it funny how all your friends keep getting sad around you?

Stone Monkey: 😟*🎶SHOT THROUGH THE HEART🎶*)

Six Ears really did go for the throat, though. Jade Rabbit wasn't even Stone Monkey's fault! Don't imply it is! He'll believe it if it comes from you!

I thought it was pretty funny and cute though, that Six Ears apparently just took it upon himself to carry Ginseng Fruit around while they were accompanying Stone Monkey. Looking at all of this though, it might also have been him just trying to keep Ginseng Fruit alive. He put Ginseng Fruit down for FIVE SECONDS and in the next scene they're picking a fight with an already upset Stone Monkey and almost getting their skull crushed in. They were right back on Six Ears's hip in the next shot lol. Can't take these guys anywhere.

But in reality it was probably just Six Ears's self-appointed Monkey Kinda-Maybe-Prince Boy Scout babysitting reflexes kicking in. He accompanied an upset Stone Monkey to go find this other friend of his, saw this little guy with tiny little legs trying to keep up with them (and especially Stone Monkey who was probably not in the mood to slow down or have Ginseng Fruit on him), and just scooped without a second thought. And Ginseng Fruit likes him! At least if their comment about Six Ears being cute later is anything to go by. You have a stalwart fan now, Six Ears. You carried them, spoke up for them a bit, and now they will die for you. Ginseng Fruit does nothing by halves.

This episode had so much character relationship building in it. I loved it a lot. The actual editing of the episode was a bit more like a fever dream or like the guy storyboarding it hadn't slept in a week, so I hope they're all right, but the writing was hitting all the beats. It was so good. Easily my favorite.

[bbbbbbbbatman]

Timkon where their dynamic is just all or nothing, 100% all of the time.

The first time they meet on a mission they get off on the wrong foot and completely hate each other. It is on sight for them. Their respective guardians and teammates have to work tirelessly to make sure they don't get within 100 feet of each other on joint missions.

After more than a year of this, Tim is visiting the titan's tower and he and Kon walk into a room both wearing t-shirts for the same obscure band, they make eye-contact and immediate 180. They are best friends now, they are ride or die. Everybody hates this, both bc of their combined powers for chaos and also what the fuck have we been doing the past year when you get along just fine?!

Tim sees Kon shirtless after training and accepts that he is now in love. Kon watches Tim stab a guy (not in a sleek, sexy way but in a feral gremlin way) during a fight and he's instantly in love. A few weeks later Tim catches Kon staring at his ass. They start making out. Six months later they get married at the courthouse with Cassie and Bart as witnesses, and they all make a pact of secrecy. It is, to this day, the only secret all four of them have managed to successfully keep.

[dlartistanon]

Maybe in the future, but for now...

[lover-of-mine]

Buddie Countdown to Season 7:

105 days.

[solstrix]

Monster High March, Day 10: Your OTP

I just think Frankie deserves a tall buff gf. You agree. Reblog.

[teamhawkeye]

me anytime someone tells me that I don't have to fight and kill my way through every single enemy in the video game i'm playing:

[anachronistic-falsehood]

shane after i give him one (1) pepper: oh wow thanks! how'd you know this was my favourite?

me, already planning on stockpiling peppers for future gifts after seeing the little heart that popped up above his head when i gave it to him: heyg can we kiss

[spacetrashpile]

i’ve been watching my friend play p5 royal for a bit now and i’ve decided that it’s the ideal way to play p5 not because of any story changes or what have you, but because you can unlock isanagi-no-ookami (the god final persona from p4) for basically free at any level and then just myriad truths your way through the rest of the game and it’s the funniest thing in the world

[notmoreflippingelves]

I'm just saying that the Elena of Avalor fandom does not know how lucky they are that they don't have an active k*nk meme the way the Ace Attorney fandom does. Because I am not sure the world at large is ready for the absolute mad head canons, scenarios, and ships I would unleash upon them if only there was a designated appropriate, still-active, adults-only place to do so.

[ardenrosegarden]

[solitarelee]

This is the first time I've gotten so many new followers at once and had none of them be bots, I'm so enthusiastic. Are any of you redditors? Ohhhh I hope some of you are it's like having little ducklings I'm so excited

[meiloorun-notthefruit]

Reliving my childhood by playing Epic Mickey for the first time ever. How is this reliving it then? I found out about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit through a ridiculously huge d*sney encyclopedia book that had a whole two pages dedicated to him. They mentioned the game. I couldn’t buy it myself so I settled for watching someone doing a silent runthrough of the whole game and was OBSESSED with it and Oswald for months. Baby’s first hyperfixation. And now I get to experience the game myself :)

[astralisstar]

chapter 13

[fangaminghell]

Ryland: I want to kiss you.

Arrow, not paying attention: What?

Ryland: I said if you die, I wont miss you.

[samsspambox]

so i just finished pokémon violet (main and post story, not the legendaries yet) and

i don't think i'm okay at all

[mysterythief]

He had come for you again.

As he always does.

You can count on it more reliably than you can count on your paycheck.

Though your coworkers totally warned you when you first started. And they all called the boss Dunken for a reason.

He had grabbed you right as you walked out the door at the end of your 11 hour shift. He had picked you up effortlessly, and you were too tired to even try to sass him.

He had remarked on that rather quickly as he tied your hands (loosely) in front of you and placed you in the back seat of his car.

“Really Reni?! Not even a quick quip for little old me? I’d even take a stupid pun.”

I made muffled sounds in response, an old inside joke to when he use to gag me, the first 20 or so times he had kidnapped me, as he started the car and speed off. I could see his smile through the rear view mirror. So big it reached the edges of the cartoonish villain mask he had dawned today.

I smiled softly in response, “It’s been a loooong day David. Do we have a ways to go? Before you tie me up over the piranhas, or whatever dastardly plan you have for me today?” I flipped my hair dramatically as I said dastardly and attempted to roll my eyes (though truthfully I’ve never really been able to do it).

He smirked at me through the rearview mirror, “Trying to unfold my plot this early? Wow, someone really had a bad day at work. We have a few hours before we get where we’re going, but your feminine charm won’t work to get me to reveal our destination.”

“Good. In that case, this feminine charm is going to take a nap.”

“Aww, but that means I won’t get to enjoy the pleasure of your company Reni. Guess I’ll just have to listen to heavy metal music instead.” He plugged in his phone and turned on indie pop music. The soft sounds were a favorite of yours, and you figured his, since he had playlists full of it (you knew because you had managed to steal his phone one time when he had left it unlocked on the desk right by where you were “securely” tied up).

He had left a few blankets conveniently in the backseat (he had insisted on previous trips like this that they were for covering dead bodies), and your hands were tied loose enough that you managed to maneuver a blanket to act as a pillow and to drag one around you.

David whistled along softly to the song playing through the speakers as you let yourself drift into blissful sleep.

You woke up some 3ish hours later, having slept rather well. You only woke up once or twice when David cursed out a driver or took too fast a turn. He was honestly driving more within the legal bounds than normal. He probably didn’t want Wilk to catch onto him this early.

Not that it would likely matter this time.

“Good morning Reni!” David was quite excited that you were up. “Did you have a nice nap?”

“I did indeed. Though your driving could use some improvement. I’m shocked I don’t have a concussion from slamming my head with how quick you take turns.” I sassed.

“My driving?! My driving is impeccable. Clearly it is you who needs to learn better balance.” He scoffed backed. Though you noticed that he took the next few turns with more care.

You leaned forward between the two front seats, resting your chin on his chair, your lips nearly touching his shoulder. “So are you going to tell me where we are going now that you’ve almost killed me with your poor driving skills, or do I have to wait in agony? Also are we going to be there soon? Because I really need to pee. That’s probably contributing more to my agony than your driving.”

“We’ll be there soon. 45 more minutes. You think you can wait that long?” He asked, concern hinting in his tone.

“I guess.” You sighed as you sat back into your seat. You looked out the window for the first time in hours. “Wait?! We’re on the coast? Did you build a new lair on the coast? I’ve always wanted to visit the ocean, but it just seemed so far, and I was always too busy…”

You were rambling at this point, but he didn’t seem to mind. He just nodded his head as you talked, about your favorite sea creatures (mantis shrimps), how coral reefs were your favorite ecosystem, how you wanted to study marine biology in college. You never made it that far in school. You dropped out in high school. When your best friend got pregnant and her family disowned her. You both got a full time job until she couldn’t work any more. You’re the proud godmother of the sweetest 3 year old girl. You’d make the same choice again if it came to it. But you’re trying to finish your GED now. Hopefully you’ll be accepted to community college within a year.

He listened intently to it all, which was new.

Not for him, but for you. You were used to being constantly interrupted, interjected, or completely ignored.

Honestly, you had been looking forward to being kidnapped soon. Because he always listened.

Yes he was a little quirky. And absolutely dramatic. A little too over the top. And technically he was a villain. But really, was it so bad that he only targeted the worst corporations? Those polluting the environment and scrapping their workers for every last bit of cash. He had always treated you well (once you had convinced him to stop using the gag). And you were the “hero’s” girlfriend.

Extra emphasis on were.

Wilk was a decent enough guy, when you first met him at the coffee shop. You were still 16. Had just dropped out of school and were working full time there. And Wilk. Well, Wilk was in college. He played football. He was popular. He was everything you thought you wanted.

You had dated Wilk for the last 4 years. You thought you were happy with him. Then you finally came to your senses the last time David had kidnap you. And all because of blueberries and eggs.

David was always nice and generous to you. Yes, he was kidnapping you. But he was really just doing it because he was trying to get to Wilk. He would kidnap you, so Wilk would come stop him, while his buddies broke into whatever corporation they were after at the moment. Whether to break animals out, steal and then leak devastating information, or convince the employees to start a protest, David was the distraction and the fall guy. And Wilk was an idiot cause he never figured it out.

Regardless, David tended to make sure he had food on hand for you if he was going to take you on a longer trip. Last time he had a breakfast burrito and a smoothie for you.

“Don’t worry, I made sure there are no eggs on the burrito and there are extra blueberries in the smoothie.” He said as he handed the food to you. He always left your hands tied loosely enough that you could do basic tasks, like hold something and eat.

“You know I hate eggs?” You questioned.

“You told me when I brought you egg rolls.” He shrugged.

“That was…” you quickly did the math in your head, “…over 2 years ago. And how did you know extra blueberries?” You asked, astounded.

He blushed slightly. “I asked your coworker your favorite drink at the shop. She said a power smoothie with extra blueberries.”

You were so shocked that you barely spoke to him the rest of the ride. Wilk, your boyfriend, who you had been dating for 4 years, didn’t remember you hated eggs. He didn’t even know you loved blueberries. He hadn’t even thought to ask. Yet here was this guy. Who kidnapped you every so often, just to distract your boyfriend, who knew what you liked and disliked.

You dumped Wilk that night.

You rambled to David about your love of marine life and your goddaughter until he pulled up and stopped the engine at a quaint beach side cabin. You sat there silently for a minute, waiting for him to take you into the cabin as he announced his new sand death trap or whatever he had planned to catch Wilk.

“This is new.” You broke the silence first. “Typically you take me to a broken down warehouse or an abandoned shop.”

“I know.” He whispered.

That was odd. David never whispered. Unless he was doing it sarcastically.

After a moment he finally opened his door and then opened yours, offing you his hand to pull you out beside him.

“David,” you started hesitantly as he started to walk you towards the beach, Wilk won’t come for me today.”

“I know.” He said as he gently tugged you forward to walk with him towards the beach.

“I broke his heart.” You continued, not processing what he had said.

“Good for you.”

“Wait?! What?!” Your brain finally caught up to what he had first said as you dug your feet into the sand, stopping you both. “If you know that he’s not going to come, then why kidnap me? You can’t use me to distract Wilk from whatever scheme you have…”

You were cut off as David put a gloved finger to your mouth, his hand was shaking slightly. You’ve never seen him shake before. “My scheme isn’t for Wilk.” He hesitated a moment, “It’s for you.”

He move his finger from your lip, gently tugging you forward again.

You went with him intrigued. He lead you past the cabin further onto the beach. The sun had long set, but there were battery candles lighting the path to a picnic blanket where letters were drawn into the sand.

As you got closer you could make out the letters.

B MY GF?

“David, what’s this?” You questioned.

David smiled slightly as he untied your hands and held them both in his own.

“Reni, I know we really started off on the wrong foot….” He paused

“No dur Einstein.” You retorted, with a smile.

“There’s that wit I love.” He smiled a full smile back. “Reni, while I first started stealing you as bait for your ex, what I didn’t realize until recently was that you have stolen my heart. I want to get to know you better. And maybe steal your heart in the process. If you’ll let me?” He phrased the last part as a question, looking towards the B MY GF written in the sand.

“I can’t image a better thing to steal. So let’s start off on a better foot this time.” I replied as I pulled my hands away from his and held one hand out towards him. “Hi, my name is Lauren, though my boyfriend friends call me Reni because I refused to give him my full name at first and he just went with it.”

He laughed as he pulled off his gloves the took off the comedic mask, dropping them in the sand before taking my hand in his own to shake it. “My name is Cameron, though my girlfriend calls me David because I wouldn’t tell her my name so she made one up for me. It’s a privilege to met you. Shall we go enjoy this yummy picnic of PB&J sandwiches with fresh blueberries and get to know each other better?”

“That sounds perfect.”

You are kidnapped by the villain regularly, but you’re starting to look forward to it. You know they won’t hurt you, and are simply being dramatic. It also doesn’t help that you are the only person they ever kidnap. This time, the hero doesn’t bother trying to save you.