#television drama dance party

[sheltiechicago]

Dance Party, 1973, Tadanori Yokoo

This poster advertises the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s television drama Dance Party, a period piece set during the Meiji era (1868–1912) and adapted from the mystery novel Meiji Enlightenment Ango Detective Story by Sakaguchi AngoText provided by Poster House.

Photograph: The Merrill C Berman Collection

[timeagainreviews]

Witnessing Greatness

Thinking about the most recent episode of Doctor Who, I find myself reminded of Roger Corman, who died last month. Corman was a producer and director of b-movies and television. He was also beloved by industry titans due to his work ethic and ingenuity as a filmmaker. What made Corman so unique is how he dealt with limitations. If an aspect of one of his films was lacking, he made up for it in other departments. If the effects were bad, the script had to be great. If the acting was hammy, he’d make sure the music gave it strength. Instead of spreading everything thin, he knew that giving a little bit more attention to individual elements would make for an overall better experience. If you’re not firing on all cylinders, make sure the ones that do are firing brightly.

“Rogue,” is an episode with many bright shining points, lighting up the sky of Regency Era Britain. But lost within that light are a few flickering bulbs that could stand to be turned a bit tighter. However, it’s not as though we’re poking around in the dark. Without a doubt, the brightest star in the Whoniverse at the moment is Ncuti Gatwa. In a stand-out performance from a series of stand-out performances, Gatwa has really outdone himself this week and I can’t wait to talk about it. The folks at Bad Wolf Studios have refused to spread things thin, but no story is perfect. For as much as I enjoyed this week’s episode, I didn’t have to reach far to find problems. But when I’m smiling this much, it’s harder to care.

It’s funny how a week ago I said I didn’t like fan theories and then promptly made one. Just as promptly, I am now abandoning that theory. After the trailer for next week’s episode, I no longer think Susan Twist is the Rani. I officially don’t know what I think. I kind of love that. I have seen the rumours of Susan Twist being Sutekh. Maybe the Doctor is in the Land of Fiction. The name S Triad is an anagram of the word TARDIS. Perhaps she’s the original owner of the TARDIS coming to retrieve it. The point is, she could be anyone, and I am not all that worried about it. Why that feels important is that I was often full of dread waiting for Chibnall’s next big reveal. I didn’t look forward to the ways in which he might next waste a concept by not properly exploring it. So being in a place where I am game for whatever feels zen.

Having two new writers this week was a major draw for me. I’ve seen what both Davies and Moffat can do, the good and the bad. This is the first time all season where I felt like we were truly wandering into the unknown. I did watch Loki season one, so I was familiar with Kate Herron’s work, but not as a writer. I was even less familiar with Briony Redman. But like I said, I’m game for whatever. The pair bring a metatextual reading to the Regency Era drama that fits Doctor Who’s brand of camp. I was reminded of Kate Beaton’s satirical comics from her “Hark! A Vagrant” series. “Rogue,” acts as a sort of love-letter to Jane Austen, so it’s only appropriate that they treat it with a playful touch. The Doctor and Ruby aren’t just visiting Bath in 1813, they’re cosplaying Bridgerton. But they’re not the only anachronistic party goers. This bash is about to go to the birds.

Leading up to this episode, an article in Doctor Who Magazine had given us random lines of dialogue from each story, including this one. However, the line “Psychic earrings. Choreography beamed into your motor system. Tap twice to choose your moves. It's like instant Strictly!” left me a bit nervous. We were fresh off of “The Devil’s Chord,” and part of me was wondering if they weren’t suddenly turning Doctor Who into a variety show. I’m joking a little, but I was rather relieved when the line turned out to be about dancing at the Duchess’ ball. The Doctor and Ruby are dressed to the nines in their period appropriate clothing. I love the idea of the Doctor wearing more from his wardrobe as it’s always been fun in the past. Tom Baker’s tartan tam o’ shanter in “Terror of the Zygons,” is one of his most iconic costumes. Ncuti said in an interview that he wanted his costume to make him look like he owned land. It’s a brilliant image to depict when you consider the Regency Era was merely four years away from the abolition of slavery in Britain.

The Regency Era also brought with it a change in men’s attire. Dandies like Beau Brummell popularised a look of comfort and wealth while simultaneously streamlining much of the frills from 18th century fashion. It’s funny to look at the ruffles of a dandy’s attire and consider it anything other than flamboyant, but it was a considerable shift toward more conservative styles. While women’s fashion continued to evolve, men’s fashion stagnated a bit. A standard had been established and you can still see its influence today with the basic suit and tie combo. No wonder the Doctors often dress like variations on Edwardian fashion.

The opulence of the period led to a lot of scandalising and gossip, which has given us centuries of great drama. While I’ve never read “Emma,” I have seen “Clueless.” I’ve never watched Bridgerton, but I can still get into the costuming and pomp. Basically you don’t need to be a fan of the genre to know the tropes. It was a nice change of pace that it was Ruby’s love for a tv show that puts things into motion. The Doctor and Ruby are tourists as much as the Chuldur, but with far less deadly consequences. Both groups are there to experience the emotional highs of the time, but the Chuldur don’t care who they hurt in order to do it. This of course is why Rogue, a bounty hunter, has also crashed the party.

You’ll be pleased to know I actually remembered to watch “Doctor Who Unleashed,” this week. Partly because I had some questions, but mostly because I wanted to hear them talk about the costumes and make-up effects. Davies mentioned that the season hadn’t yet had its baddie in a mask trying to take over the world, which I love that he considers. If you read my review of “The Witchfinders,” you may recall how much I appreciated the Morax being scenery chewing people in latex makeup. There’s something essentially Doctor Who about bug eyed monsters (sorry Sydney) and there’s something very RTD when those monsters have animal heads. Davies is now confirmed as a furry, I’m calling it.

The Chuldur share their appearance with birds, something we don’t often see in Doctor Who. I’m trying to recall bird villains from the show and I am coming up a bit short. There were the Shansheeth in the Sarah Jane Adventures, those bird people on Varos, that heavenly chicken from “The Time Monster,” and the Black Guardian’s hat. Considering all of the reptiles we get, I’m surprised we’ve gotten so few birds. If you also watched the Unleashed episode, you may have noticed that they digitally changed the bird version of Emily’s beak from black to orange. It’s the Vinvocci’s green faces from “The End of Time,” all over again! What’s funny is that this change in Emily’s beak gives her something of a penguin appearance. It’s not exactly the shapeshifting penguin I was hoping for, but I digress.

Speaking of shapeshifting, I rather enjoyed the Chuldur’s unique method of doing so. If you recall, when the Duchess spots her servant out in the garden, the bird form of the servant is played by the same actor as the servant. It’s not until she takes the form of the Duchess that her bird form also takes on the resemblance of Indira Varma. You don’t usually see that and I admire them for making two versions of the same makeup, if nothing else. Doctor Who has had its share of shapeshifters, so it’s nice to see them changing up the formula a bit. Unfortunately for the Duchess, this isn’t a Zygon type of body snatching where you have to keep the person you’re copying alive.

Ruby’s psychic earrings are doing a treat until they begin picking up interference from Rogue’s tech. A lot of people have mentioned that this episode seems to borrow a lot from “An Empty Child,” and so it’s only appropriate that the Doctor does a scan for alien tech. The source of the interference directs the Doctor toward the balcony where Rogue stands brooding. Meanwhile, the Chuldur version of Lord Barton has taken a liking to Ruby. The Duchess, still human at this point, attempts to introduce them, but Ruby is not impressed by the pompous dandy, referring to him as Lord Stilton. As Ruby strops away she notices a painting of Susan Twist’s character as an old matron. The Duchess refers to her as “the Duke’s late mother,” whose eyes still follow her around the room in judgement.

The Duchess takes her leave to the garden where she meets her fate with the Chuldur masquerading as her servant. We get a bit more of a look at what exactly the Chuldur do when they take over your body. What’s left of the duchess is little more than a desiccated husk. Meanwhile, in the study, Ruby has stumbled upon a rather intimate moment between Lord Barton and Emily. The bookcase obscuring her from the two frames them like a television screen. Ruby is unable to look away from the real life Bridgerton scene playing out in front of her. The Lord tells Emily that he will not marry her which would leave her ruined, but he is compelled by her nonetheless. However, before they can kiss, Ruby knocks a pile of books onto her head causing a disturbance. I rather loved this moment for Millie Gibson. It’s rare that women get to be portrayed as clumsy and that book definitely bonked her on the head. A great bit of physical comedy.

The Lord storms out of the room leaving Emily and Ruby to talk. Removed from the framing of the bookshelf, Ruby finds her compassion once more and comforts Emily. After all, Lord Barton was being a bit of an ass toward her. Emily is amused by Ruby’s modern sensibilities and lack of finery. You could tell this scene was written by two women as they actually take the time to let them have this moment. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Rogue take a stroll through the garden in order to size one another up. There’s a flirtatious energy between the two but a wary tension underlies the conversation. The Doctor muses about the stars, but on a terrestrial level. It’s not until he finds the Duchess’ shoe and then the rest of her that he gives away that he is not of this world. Rogue sees the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver and begins to suspect the Doctor is a Chuldur in disguise. The two confront one another as the culprit, but Rogue has the bigger gun.

Still comparing sizes, the Doctor and Rogue compare ships like they were Ten and Eleven comparing sonic screwdrivers. Speaking of sonic screwdrivers, it feels appropriate that the Doctor’s sonic would match his outfit. That’s so Fifteen. He’s a fashionable Doctor, so of course he would accessorise. It’s like they made his wardrobe and accessories with cosplay in mind. Rogue’s costume is also noteworthy. People have drawn comparisons between Rogue and Jack Harkness and it’s not difficult to understand. His long coat draws parallels to that of Jacks and he even mentions assembling cabinets in regards to the sonic. But what’s equally interesting is how Rogue’s gun resembles the type of handgun you would see in a Regency Era duel. Its barrel resembles that of a blunderbuss. He’s either deep undercover, or he’s got a thing for cosplay himself.

Rogue doesn’t get a lot of time for character development, but they do give him a few little moments, mostly through environmental storytelling. He has a striking birdlike ship fit for a heroic rogue, but inside it’s dirty and depressing. Possibly most telling on Rogue’s ship are the set of orange dice on his table. Rogue gets his name from Dungeons and Dragons, but beyond being a geek, these dice could tell us more about his personality. We learn that Rogue has lost someone, perhaps these dice belonged to them. Perhaps he is unable to move the dice from that spot because he didn’t leave them there. We also learn later that Rogue isn’t a very strong roleplayer. He’s quieter and more thoughtful in his improvisation. Perhaps his staged tryst was the first time anyone has asked him to roleplay since losing his partner. Either way, Jonathan Groff plays it with a vulnerable subtlety, and I loved it.

Speaking of loved it, we have now reached the portion of this article where I gush over Ncuti Gatwa. Now, I need to preface this by reminding you all that I have always been pro-Ncuti. I adored his portrayal of Eric Effiong in Sex Education. I never doubted for a second that he could pull it off. However, it wasn’t until this episode that his Doctor finally crystalised for me. We’ve seen that his Doctor could be flirtatious and fun, but we hadn’t yet seen the way in which he could use that to do Doctory things. We’ve had hot Doctors, but we’ve never had a Doctor who was so effortlessly hot. He’s hot in the same way the Second Doctor was bumbling, as in it’s almost a distraction from what he’s actually doing. It actually makes him slightly terrifying.

Even as his Doctor is standing in a trap, he’s able to use his charm to buy time. Also, once again the Doctor is stepping onto things that can kill him. An odd recurring theme. He maintains an air of authority even in the face of danger and that is so the Doctor. When the Doctor finds Rogue’s music playlist I think I may have melted. How could anyone incinerate such a beautiful person? How could you not want to dance right along with him? As much as I loved this scene and the meta reference to Astrid Perth, it does also buckle a bit under itself. First of all, wouldn’t the Doctor knowing an Earth song like “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” make you question whether he was a Chuldur? Sure, they know Bridgerton, but it would be enough to give me pause. Furthermore, I’m not sure how seeing the Doctor’s many faces would cause you to not think he’s a shapeshifter. Kind of odd that one other face means shapeshifter but eighteen other faces don’t. Wait, did I say eighteen?

When I had first watched this episode, I didn’t immediately recognise Richard E Grant as the mysterious extra face in the lineup of past Doctors. We now have three extra faces in the form of Jodie Whittaker, Jo Martin, and David Tennant (again), but this extra Doctor wasn’t registering for me. At first I thought he was the Valeyard, and then I thought he looked a bit like Jim Broadbent, which is ironic considering “The Curse of Fatal Death.” It wasn’t until I got online afterward and saw people saying Richard E Grant that I could see it. I wasn’t even 100% convinced it was him, but I’ve heard they actually took new footage of Grant for that scene, so I guess it’s him. The more interesting question is which him is he? Is this the Shalka Doctor or the Fatal Death Doctor? Maybe he’s both. Maybe he’s neither. This wouldn’t be the first time they’ve given us retroactive Doctors. Moffat gave us the War Doctor to great effect. But despite a strong performance from Jo Martin, Chibnall did a piss poor job of establishing the Fugitive Doctor as a character. I’d love to get excited for this mystery incarnation, but I’m taking a Tim Gunn stance in the meantime- “Make it work.”

With Rogue now on his side, the Doctor takes him to his TARDIS so they can recalibrate his triform transporter to be non-lethal. Recently in an interview, Ncuti Gatwa mentioned he had gotten onto his agent about playing someone like the Doctor or Willy Wonka. It felt a bit like wish fulfilment for his Doctor to sing “Pure Imagination,” to Rogue as they entered the TARDIS. I really loved Jonathan Groff’s slow growing infatuation with the Doctor. I’m a big fan of “Mindhunter,” but it’s a very heavy show, so it was fun to see him in a more playful role. In many ways, Rogue feels like a bit of River Song and a bit of Jack Harkness. He’s something of a reboot and remix at the same time. I don’t doubt we will see him again, which would be a nice chance to give him some much needed character development, but for the time being, we’ve been given enough to work with.

The Doctor and Rogue’s plan is to draw the Chuldur to them by exploiting their love for drama and scandal. What better way to whip people into a frenzy in 1813 Britain than for two men to share a passionate dance together? Besties, I’ll be real, I was grinning from ear to ear. Watching Gatwa and Groff dance was very exciting. I’ve seen people complain that the Doctor and Rogue’s romance felt rushed compared to the “slow burn,” of Yaz and Thirteen. Slow burn is a funny way of saying “non-existent for two seasons.” And I would much rather see two men share a passionate kiss than two women share a passionate ice cream. What’s wild is that I’m not usually the kind of person who likes the Doctor to have romantic relationships. They managed without them for 26 seasons. However, due to Ncuti’s emotional availability, it works for me. I can buy that his time with Donna might have left him more open to romance. Furthermore, this is the antithesis of queerbaiting. Ice cream is not a payoff.

The Doctor ends the dance by staging an argument with Rogue and calling him a cad. But Rogue doesn’t respond in turn with the same volatile energy. There’s a hesitation on his end that feels personal. As I mentioned before, perhaps this is him working up the courage to roleplay again. Perhaps his lost partner was more the avid roleplayer between the two of them. Or perhaps Rogue simply has a softer approach. What I loved is that his marriage proposal felt equally as shocking, but in a more emotional manner. It even feels like it takes the Doctor by surprise. There’s a moment where it actually feels like a real proposal. The Doctor says he can’t and you almost believe he considered it. Or maybe the Doctor can’t even pretend to say yes because of his marriage with River song. If he undoes their wedding maybe it can revert us back to hot air balloon cars, Winston Churchill, and pterodactyls.

Not to be left out, Millie Gibson has gotten a lot of time to shine in this story as well. She does a fair bit of choreography, but there is one bit of her choreography of which I was a bit disappointed. After learning that Ruby is from the future, Emily reveals herself to be a Chuldur, and she wants to cosplay as Ruby next. However, Ruby’s psychic earrings come with a battle mode, which complicates things for the feathered fiend. My disappointment however, stems from the fact that they kind of phone in the fight choreography. They went through the trouble of hiring Bridgerton’s choreographer, Jack Murphy, for the dance sequences, but the fighting felt like a second thought. It could have been really cute to see Ruby do some “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,” moves, but instead she clobbers her with a book. A bit underwhelming. Still a fun idea, though.

The Doctor and Rogue abscond to the garden where they are pursued by the Chuldur who reveal their numbers to be greater than anticipated. As baddies go, the Chuldur were little more than hand wringing monsters foaming at the mouth for a bit of mayhem, but I liked that about them. The way they speak to one another reminded me a lot of the Slitheen. The last time we saw Indira Varma in the Whoniverse, she was playing Suzie Costello, the best part of Torchwood. Here she chews scenery with a zest befitting her brilliant makeup. The only time that I felt they went a bit too far with the Chuldur is when they call what they’re doing “cosplaying,” as it felt a bit too on the nose. Otherwise, I loved the idea of evil birds going around and messing up planets all too satiate a dangerous appetite for excitement.

The Doctor sees Ruby acting as though a Chuldur has taken her form and it brings out the fury of the Time Lord. I wouldn’t be the first and I won’t be the last to point out the parallels between this and “The Family of Blood,” wherein the Doctor has some long term punishment in mind for the bad guys. Unfortunately, it also feels like a case of writers giving the Doctor weird morality again. Rogue wants to send the Chuldur to the incinerator, but the Doctor wants to send them to a dimension where they can live out the rest of their lives somewhere where they can’t hurt anyone. How is that any different from what the Weeping Angels do? It’s “Arachnids in the UK,” all over again. When the Doctor expresses happiness that the Chuldur will suffer for a long time, it begs the question- as compared to what? I’m fine with the Doctor losing his temper and going too far, but what about his plan actually changed other than his attitude about it? He was always planning on sending them into a dimension where they would suffer for 600 odd years. A line of dialogue or two could have fixed that.

The Chuldur’s big finale is a wedding between Barton and Ruby followed by a light bit of mass murder, but the Doctor has other plans. The Doctor’s objection to the marriage reminded me a lot of Tom Baker. I could easily hear Tom saying that line about it being hard to hear things through those heavy doors. Gatwa has that bizarre alien charm that feels correct. However, neither the Chuldur or the Doctor know the entire story as neither side knows Ruby is still Ruby. So when the Doctor traps the Chuldur in the triform transporter, he’s also dooming Ruby to the same fate.

I’ve seen some confusion as to how the transporter actually works, but I think I can piece together enough to understand it. They had calibrated the transporter to trap up to six humanoids. When Ruby is first trapped, there are five humanoids in the trap. Rogue throws Emily into the trap bringing the count up to six. We’ve established that the Doctor was able to throw his psychic paper from inside the trap, so things can leave its field. My thinking is that as Rogue pushes Ruby out from the field, he overloads it with seven humanoids giving Ruby just enough give to fall out of the trap. What got a bit confusing is why didn’t Ruby just step out of her shoes? If you can throw psychic paper, then it’s not trapped by the field. Therefore, her shoes would be the only thing molecularly bonded to the field. They could even say the shapeshifters can’t step out of their shoes because they’re actually part of their bodies. But then we couldn't get the big sacrifice at the end.

The aspect of this that I found harder to follow was why Rogue would sacrifice himself in the first place. Sure he and the Doctor have chemistry and there could be a romance brewing, but he barely knows the guy. Perhaps he couldn’t stomach the idea of watching what happened to him happen to someone else. It was a chance to stop the sort of thing he was previously powerless to prevent. I could buy that well enough, but it barely felt earned. However, it fits the tone of the rest of the episode which was one of over the top romance and drama, so I digress. Around here, fun is king and fun I had. It didn’t matter that I didn’t fully understand people’s motivations. There’s plenty of time for that in the future.

The episode ends with the Doctor sending Rogues ship to orbit the moon until it can be retrieved again (or until the moon hatches like an egg, whichever comes first). He wants to move on, but Ruby won't let him until he takes a moment to feel his feelings. This is classic Doctor/companion stuff. The Doctor has always benefited from having humans around and I am glad they took a moment to reestablish that. The Doctor pulls out Rogue's ring from the proposal and slides it onto his pinky finger. Fans of Amy and Rory will recall that rings can be used to find lost lovers, so there's a seed of hope there. It was a fitting end to an emotional and exciting episode. I got to watch the Doctor and Ruby do Regency Era dances to covers of Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish. I got to see Indira Varma hunt people while dressed as a bird. This wasn’t just my favourite episode of the season, it may be one of my favourite episodes ever.

________________________________________

Before I go, I wanted to apologise for how long this article took me to write. I’ve been dealing with some pretty heavy depression as of late, and it’s been hard to write these last couple of reviews. Even though I enjoyed both episodes quite a bit, it’s been a struggle. Despite episodes dropping at midnight on Saturday now, I don’t usually get around to writing until Sunday or Monday. But I didn’t get any good work done on this article until Monday evening. These articles are actually very therapeutic for me. It feels like a lifeline to the outside world. You may not think it, but I read every comment and every hashtag. I appreciate them all. Thank you for taking the time to read my stuff. It means a lot.

[moamidzyism]

one for the road (h.kk + k.th)

and friends

girls miseducation + roomies

yunjin, y/n's best friend from childhood and roommate, political science major on prelaw track, mostly along for the ride and trying to survive but she knows how to have a good time!

wonbin, y/n's and yunjin's other best friend from childhood, music major, he's also in a band but is more concerned with being pretty and mysterious.

ningning, yunjin's friend and y/n and yunjin's roommate, gender studies major, i guess you could say she is not y/n's biggest fan but yunjin sucked her into this living arrangement.

the boys are back

beomgyu, kai and taehyun's friend, film and television major, social butterfly who in a frat and knows all the best parties.

yeonjun, taehyun's friend, dance major, he is also friends-ish with kai but he is closer with taehyun. he is sexy, cool, and mysterious like only his friends talk to him but somehow he is everywhere and knows everything.

soobin, kai's friend, food science and culinary arts major, he is also friends-ish with taehyun but closer with kai. he's also along for the ride. he's known kai for a while and he introduced him to beomgyu, which is how their friendgroup was created.

iota theta zeta

lea, kai's older sister, philosophy major, iota theta zeta social chair, literally the female version of beomgyu (because her job is to know everyone and plan the best parties).

yeji, president of iota theta zeta, dance major, she really just wants everyone to get along.

lia, vice president of iota theta zeta, vet studies major, only joined the sorority because of yeji and lea but she ended up really liking it.

ryujin, iota theta zeta recruitment chair, film and tv major, is so tapped out of everything and is only really in the sorority because all her friends joined and it looks good on her resume.

chaeryeong, iota theta zeta's pr chair, dance and communications double major, doesn't care about drama, just wants to party.

yuna, iota theta zeta philantrophy chair, marketing major, campus celebrity, instagram influencer.

hybe university news

the main source for campus news

ʚ♡⃛ɞ another tale of boy likes girl... but so does his best friend. previous masterlist next

comment or send an ask to join the taglist for this series! fill out this form to join my permanent taglist!

[fawnvelveteen]

Dance Party, 1973, Tadanori Yokoo

This poster advertises the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s television drama Dance Party, a period piece set during the Meiji era (1868–1912) and adapted from the mystery novel Meiji Enlightenment Ango Detective Story by Sakaguchi Ango.

Photograph: The Merrill C Berman Collection

[scotianostra]

Happy Birthday Scottish actress Laurie Brett.

Laurie was born in Hamilton on 28th March 1969. After her initial education in Scotland she studied at London Studio Centre a dance and theatre school providing courses in, ballet, modern dance and music, among other things.

While she was studying she earned her living as a bouncer in a nightclub, as an usherette and as a stage technician.

She toured with a travelling circus in Mexico and Central America with Circo Magico and studied at the London Studio Centre. She starred in fringe productions and made her television debut in London’s Burning (as an office girl) in 1992. Her singing and dancing skills made her a regular in the musical theatre and she appeared in several television advertisements. Laurie admits to having been a bit of a wild child, carrying on the Scottish tradition of drinking heavily for 20 years.

When Laurie moved to London she adopted the accent to help win parts, but in her everyday life she still speaks in a Scottish accent, she said she has always had a “knack” with accents, Waterloo Road fans will remember that home accent when she was in the series for 3 years. Brett has never been shy of talking about her home town, but she is still surprised by how many people don't realise she is a Scot and said in an interview in 2013 that she loves to watch people's reactions when she speaks in a Scottish accent. She added "When I am in London I tend to have a London accent, when I speak to my mum, Anne, I talk pure Hamilton and when I speak to my Aussie mates I end up talking like them.

Other shows Laurie has appeared in are The Bill, My Hero, London Kills, Traces, and Deadwater Fell alongside the popular Scottish actor David Tennant, she last popped up in the Hospital drama Holby city last year. Brett and her onscreen hubbie from Eastenders recently teamed up together on stage in a thriller called Looking Good Dead. On a possible return to the soap she said. If I was free and they wanted me back, who knows? If you’ve not been killed off then there’s always the possibility of a return. “

Laurie appeared in season 8 of the popular Scottish crime drama Shetland, she is joining the touring cast of Calendar Girls the musical, playing Annie Clarke.

Laurie has been inundated with support after opening up on recent surgery. She wrote: social media sharing photo from her hospital bed saying, "We have to ring fence & protect our NHS.....from any politics.. An all party agreement. Thanks especially to Nicole for post op care. Thanks to everyone. Additionally, her husband said that he was sharing all the kind messages Laurie had received with her while she rested..

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter 44: A Better Offer - The Winter’s Solstice brings with it a new offer for Katsuko.

Mitsuhide x OC; Hideyoshi x MC (Mai)

All Chapters Archived on Ao3 

Logline - With Mai, Hideyoshi, and Aki missing, Mitsuhide and Katsuko reluctantly team up. Disguised as a merchant and his concubine, can they outsmart the man known as the God of Deceit?

Warnings - M rated chapter, minors DNI

The weather forecasters were correct after all. When we left the hospital (after a very awkward conversation with the police – thankfully smoothed over by Shingen’s fast-talking), the early evening had ushered in a cold front and a thunder snow squall that was probably sending meteorologists into raptures across the country. By the time I returned to the Mikumos’ house, it was snowing pretty steadily.

Sasuke suggested I spend the night in his place, guessing accurately that I was upset, and inaccurately that I would want company. But with Aki once again AWOL (this time voluntarily) I had some decisions to make… but only after allowing myself an evening of indulgence that included putting the turquoise streaks back into my hair, eating an entire bag of potato sticks, then for the grand finale:

Solo K-Pop Dance Party.

The Mikumos might be thoroughly enmeshed in the past, but they did at least own a flat screened television (that I imagined was only used to watch serious academic documentaries, TED talks, and historical dramas that would be highly critiqued for inaccuracies). I felt no guilt over polluting it with K-pop videos. The bands had changed in the years I had been gone, and the dance steps had gotten more complicated (far beyond Gangnam style), but I’d spent seven years in the Sengoku honing my martial arts and parkour skills. I could manage a few dance steps, right?

And even if I couldn’t, no one would ever know.

Nearly an hour later, I’d taken out my filial angst on a makeshift dance floor, singing as loudly as possible (if I didn’t know the lyrics, I made them up), stomping my feet, whipping my newly dyed hair and –

Bang Bang Bang

Could my conception of ‘loud’ could be trusted after seven years in feudal Japan? As the pounding on the front door continued, I hurried to the entry, prepared to beg the pardon of an irate neighbor. With an apologetic smile already on my face and a concessions speech on my lips, I opened the do –

Mitsuhide stood before me, flakes of snow decorating his kimono, and his hair backlit by the neighbor’s Christmas lights.

What? How?

“How did you –“

He stopped my words with one finger pressed against my lips. “Let me go first.”

Like I could stop him. Since his finger was still warm on my mouth, I nodded.

“You were already there.”

Where? Is that supposed mean something?

He took my hand and placed it on his chest… over his heart. “You thought there was no room for you, but in fact you’d already moved in. You’d filled every chamber with your mouth and your rebellions and your passions until I couldn’t turn around without tripping over another thing that I loved about you.”

BSOD

I couldn’t think of anything to say – which was probably for the best, because he crushed me to his chest in a hug so tight I thought we would fuse together. His fingers tangled in my hair, hair that was still damp from my post-dye shower, then he answered the question that had been in my head for the past month. “I believed I didn’t deserve-“

I pulled myself free. “Me? I ought to leave you out here to freeze for such a stupidly clichéd-“

“Deserve to be happy. Hideyoshi already gave me the self-sacrifice lecture, so you can spare your breath.” Then, as if he too had run out of words, he folded himself into me, his arms tight, his hands clutching my waist, breathing me in.

We stayed there, motionless, while once again, my brain struggled to compute the concept of a warlord where I had not expected a warlord to be, and my body opted out of the debate altogether and relaxed into his embrace, and heartbeat, and the scent of sandalwood and cinnamon. I was already there. I am already here.

Finally, the December wind that brought the snow and Mitsuhide to my door intruded with a gust that reminded me we were standing out in the open. I tugged him backward, into the shelter of the house, and secured the door behind him. “I have… many many questions.” Almost too many to organize my thoughts. And my body was just humming along, that prickly sensation of nerves now buzzing along, just overall basking in his presence.

“I expect you do, but again, Brat… Love, let me go first.” He waved his hand toward the back of the house, where the soundtrack of my prior mood played on. “What is that rather painful noise?”

Oh come on, it’s K-pop not death metal. “Music.”

Because at some point he had grabbed my hands, I let him keep them and led him into the living room.

He surveyed the television with curiosity, while I adjusted the volume to low… and after a moment of thought, changed to a satellite radio station that played Japanese classical music. “Better?”

“It will do. I imagine I shall find the progression of culture… interesting.” He took a cell phone out of his kimono, an unusually glittery pink one with a designer pattern on it. The charger cord dangled from the port. “Mai gave me this communication device, with detailed instructions on how to, er, charge and employ it.” He patted the front of his clothing and it crackled with the sound of paper. “And amongst your things, I found a note from Kenshin’s ninja with his ‘cell phone number’ on it and the time and location of the nearest wormhole.”

That’s right. Winter solstice. Honno-ji. Thundersnow.

Ah… I could figure out the rest. After landing in Honni-ji, he’d probably contacted Sasuke and… hm. I looked around the room, and located my own cell, which had been haphazardly flung into the sofa cushion during my dance party. Yep. Missed a text from Sasuke. It had only one word: Incoming. Followed by an eggplant emoji. “Why?”

“Surely you have worked that part out on your own.” He abandoned his examination of the room and pulled me back into his arms. “You are generally more perceptive than that.”

“I want to hear you say it.” I had not expected to hear an ‘I love you’ from him, but now that he was in front of me, I found those three words to be important.

His laugh warmed my ear. “If my memory serves me correctly, I have yet to hear an explicit declaration from you as well.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to hear that.” Not from me.

“As it happens, I find I do.” He tipped my chin up so that he could stare directly into my eyes, as if willing me to speak.

Are we actually arguing over who was going to say ‘I love you’ first?

I was about to offer a count of three simultaneous compromise when he laughed again. “You’re adorable when you’re being stubborn. I’m aware that there’s a part of you that would like me to suffer-“

“I didn’t say tha-“

“Do you still plan to argue with everything I say?”

I considered. “Possibly.”

“Then I’ll have to discover ways to keep your mouth better occupied. This should do it.” He swooped in for a hard and fast kiss, his behavior revealing the desperation I had never gotten from his spoken words. When I was breathless and holding onto him for balance, he whispered. “I love you. I must, for I’ve ceded the high ground and said it first.” He traced the outline of my lips with his finger.

“I love you.” Adding the ‘too’ seemed like it would cheapen my own response. “There is no high ground. Just…” I swirled my hand in the air. “This.”

There was absolutely high ground and we’d likely be jockeying for it for the rest of – “Er, what is next?” Had he come here to live with me in the modern world? Did he come here to take me to Azuchi? This time, I was not against the idea.

He dipped lower, and nibbled the corner of my mouth. “Hm, some of this.” I received another bone-melting kiss. “A bit of this as well.” His hand skimmed over my hip. “I don’t believe I’ll ever want to stop touching you.”

He hadn’t been this urgent, this – almost needy - that night in Sakai. If he had been holding back then, he was not doing so now. I could say that I was more than happy to put my thoughts away for the time being, but the truth of the matter was, they had already fled on their own accord, leaving the rest of me to enjoy the sensation of being sandwiched between Mitsuhide and the wall. “Don’t stop touching me.”

“Your time seems to require a rather excessive number of layers.” He snagged the top of the zipper of my hoodie, and easily figured out how to use it, pulling it down until the hollow of my throat was visible. “Ah, clever this…?”

“Zipper. And no one in this time is require to wear a sixteen layer court kimono.” Because he was taking too long with it, I shrugged out of my hoodie. All I had on underneath was a simple t-shirt and pajama pants that I had intended to sleep in.

“I wasn’t aware that you’d ever been required to wear an imperial kimono either, so the point is moot. And…” He dipped closer to whisper in my ear. “You are arguing again. I shall have to see if I can-“ he bit my earlobe, grazing it with both tongue and teeth, “do something about…” then a hard kiss just under my ear that coaxed a moan from my throat. “That will do nicely.”

He was doing it again. Falling into that pattern of controlled teasing. Granted, I was probably inviting it with my words. As much as I enjoyed these debates – this wasn’t how I wanted things now, not in this moment. I wanted him to lose control. To lose as much as I did.

So when he paused to breathe, while I still had the willpower to do so, I put my hand across his mouth, then ducked away. “Catch me!”

While he was processing that, I scooted past him, knowing that the surprise, my knowledge of the house’s layout, and speed would give me the advantage.

When he reached the bedroom, just a few seconds after me, I tackled him to the bed.

“I was under the impression that I was required to catch you.” He didn’t otherwise protest when I undid his obi and pushed his kimono aside. His body was no less beautiful for being nicked and scarred by various battles, all lean tight muscle that I’d not had a chance to admire last time.

“I lied.” Straddling him, I quickly yanked the shirt over my head, then grabbed his shoulders, hugging him, letting our bodies slide across each other. “Just so you know. This is where the begging starts.”

“You must be aware I could …. reverse this… situation in a moment, should I… desire.” His voice was huskier than normal, and the breathlessness between the words suggested he was ok with the way things were at the moment.

“I know.” I tugged on his hair, just a little. “So I am asking you to take everything you want, except – control.” Though I was still wearing pajama pants, I ground myself against him, and he hardened instantly.

Instead of fighting, or teasing, both of which I had expected him to do, he surprised me by holding me closer, hugging me to his chest. “It seems more apologies are in order.” For a long moment he was quiet, stroking me hair. It felt even more intimate than what we had been doing just a few seconds before. “That night in Sakai. I made you feel as if you were indeed the prostitute you were pretending to be. It was not intentional, but intentions don’t matter. Only the hurt.”

“You didn’t.” I angled my head to look at him directly. “You treated yourself like you were the prostitute.”

His eyes widened and I could see the moment my words registered as truth. He touched his forehead to mine. “I am not comfortable with seeking my own happiness.” His cheeks had reddened somewhat – that might have been the only tell that I had finally found an emotional core. “Knowing that I could bring you to pleasure was enough.”

“Can you credit that I might feel the same way? Or at least that I want things to be a little bit more,” I thought for a moment, trying to find the right word, “balanced.”

He took my hand in his, linking our fingers into a basket. “It seems I am still learning, or perhaps, understanding, more about you.”

“I’m not asking you to completely stop teasing me.” Left unsaid was the fact that I was unlikely to stop fighting with him either. “I can’t deny that it’s fun. Sometimes.”

My comment immediately brought back his smirk. “Hm, yes I did notice that at times you highly appreciate it. I was not aware your voice could reach that pitch.”

I let that one go – given that I’d basically thrown him a fast ball up the middle. “As long as you’re not using it to hide.”

“My automatic response would be to say fair enough.” He closed his eyes and was quite for a long moment. “However I have enough self-knowledge to admit it isn’t something I can easily stop.”

“Take it from someone who has acquired a fair number of physical skills. That, is why we practice.” Then I took the initiative to kiss him first again. We could just see where this ended up going.

Where it went was a short kiss that led to another tiny kiss. Kiss after kiss like a swarm of bright fireflies. Each a little slower and longer until they converged and extended into one deep kiss as he half rolled on top of me and fused his mouth to mine. Still, I was the one setting the pace. It was I who opened my mouth to him first, and my tongue that eagerly encouraged his.

Kissing, touching, we had given each other permission to explore our bodies. I wanted to map out every battle scar I found, pressing a light kiss on each one, knowing that the worst of them were invisible.

I traced a long slash that traveled down his hip, taking the opportunity to remove the rest of his clothes. “Katana?”

“Mm, yes. If I recall correctly, Kyubei half-carried me off the battlefield that afternoon.” When I made a move to kiss the wound, he stopped me. “Careful. I have no major objection to the direction this is taking, but right now I want your face next to mine. Please.”

Ok then. Since he had asked nicely, and since I did want to see his face too, I crawled back up his body. “Hello again.”

He rolled fully on top of me and I reveled in his hot weight pushing me down into the mattress as he poured his desire into a kiss. I don’t know what exactly was the key that had unlocked his desperation, but I rejoiced in the power of knowing that this, this at last, was for me. I wrapped my leg across his, trying to pull him closer. “I take it you approve, Brat?”

“Yes, please.” If that was begging, I didn’t care anymore. His need, the sharpness and frantic movements, yes please.

His sweat slick body glided over mine, as he settled between my legs, not to thrust inside, apparently not yet, but his erection sliding across me set those firefly sparks humming along every nerve ending.

“So perfectly formed.” His mouth latched onto my breast, sucking just hard enough that I shrieked and tugged his hair again.

Each tiny flick of his tongue had me arching against him. My hands, fingers, dug into his shoulders and he continued to lavish attention on my breasts. Each time I thought I’d hit the point where I couldn’t stand it any longer, he would switch to the other breast and the cycle would begin again.

“I could dine on you all day. And night.” His words were rough. Short. He’d lost that slightly removed from things smoothness that usually categorized his speech. I could believe that in this, he wasn’t trying to please me, he truly wanted to keep the taste of me in his mouth, on his tongue, a tongue that usually noticed no flavor.

If he did that, I’d probably pass out from overstimulation. I poked his forehead lightly and just pointed to my lips.

He laughed. “As you wish.” Then his mouth was on mine again.

As the infinite kiss continued, our bodies naturally came closer together, His hand rested on my hip, leisurely drifting to between my legs. I was so close…

“You did claim the high ground.” The murmur was soft in my ear, before he flipped onto his back, the movement carrying me over. In no time, he guided me on top of him. I was already so wet that it was easy to take his length inside.

For a moment, I didn’t move – I looked down at his face, those sharp cheekbones softened slightly by his blush, and that amber gaze warmed by affection, by love. That snarky knowing grin now replaced by a smile. Oh I knew that the wicked tease was still in there, and I knew there would be many times that I would welcome that man into me as well, just as I knew that there would be many times that he would purposefully bait my internal rebel.

But for the moment, both of those people had stepped aside – our worst impulses had been tamed, as we found a new rhythm, mutual sighs and groans signaling that we had tamed each other.

Later…

I awoke from a semi-daze as something feathery tickled my nose. I opened my eyes to discover it was a lock of my own hair. “Oh. For an instant, I thought you had brought one of those peacock feathers through the wormhole.”

“I did not. However if that is something that would be of interest, I’m certain your time has birds, does it not?” From the expression on his face, I understood that to mean that if he could find a feather, he would tease me with it everywhere, and the thought made my nerves zing with a ‘sounds fun, let’s try that.’ He laughed. “I take it that’s a yes.”

“I could be persuaded.” I batted his hand away though when he swooped in with another tickle.

“Interesting shade your hair has become.” He held it up to the light, and the turquoise streaks looked brighter in the glow of the hundred watt bulb.

“It’s temporary. Should wash out in a couple of weeks.” I’d learned my lesson from the last time – even though there would no longer be a Fume ready to chop my hair off. Not everyone appreciates bright blue-green streaks. Which, reminded me… I still needed to clean up the bathroom. I’d left it looking like a slaughter on the Vulcan home world.

“It suits you somehow. Hints at a bit of chaos below the surface.” He linked his hand with mine, then lifted our hands up to the light. “Or more accurately, it warns of the chaos.”

“That’s not fair.” I poked him with my free hand. “I always had a reason and a logic behind everything that I did.” Even if sometimes that reason was to provoke him. Still counts, right?

“I stand corrected. I might not have always agreed with what that logic was, but I cannot claim you were completely heedless.” He was quiet a moment, long enough to pause for me to recognize he was holding something back.

Taking the opportunity to toss his favorite words at him, I asked, “What aren’t you telling me?”

“One of those dark moments of self-reflection – acknowledging that your calculated risks allow for a high degree of that risk to your person than I am comfortable with, because I don’t like seeing you in danger… which was followed by the knowledge that I have and likely will take greater chances with my own safety.”

“We could take them together.” Before he could immediate reject that, I added, “Remember, you got two for one with me. Well, now that you’ve taught me how to pick locks, you get a concubine, a spy and a thief all in one person. Really, I should ask for a raise.”

“If you move your hand a bit lower, you’ll find one.” While I was still deciding whether to react to the pun, he guided my hand to his shaft, and when I lightly stroked him, I received an enthusiastic twitch in response. I should have guessed that he’d have excellent powers of recovery. “In all seriousness am I to understand that you do wish to return the next time the wormhole makes it possible?”

“In about a month, it should be possible, and yes, I had planned to go back with… er, Sasuke.” Hm, perhaps not the best idea to mention that Shingen had offered me a job.

Of course Mitsuhide, being Mitsuhide, noticed my hesitation, and immediately rolled on top of me. With one hand, he easily pinned my wrists over my head. “You’re hiding something.”

“Many things, probably, but-“ my words ended on a squeak when he started nibbling on my throat playfully, then tickled inside of my elbow, the one place I am vulnerable. In moments, I was squirming and laughing hopelessly. “Stop. Stop. I swear if this is the secret of your interrogation techniques, then I want to watch the next time you – eek!” He’d swiped the spot with his tongue.

“I seem to recall you telling me that you’re not ticklish.”

“I lied about that too.”

No escape now. Even though I tried to roll away, he had me cornered. “I believe I have not yet received an explanation, Brat.”

“Oooh. Downgraded back to brat.” I didn’t actually mind the nickname, but there was no way I would let him know that.

“I do mean it in the most affectionate of ways. Now. Stop trying to divert my attention. What. Aren’t. You. Telling. Me?” Each word was punctuated by a kiss.

“So, um, well, Sasuke is actually here with Takeda Shingen.” There was no surprise on his face. Huh. I guess he’d already known that. “And he offered me a job. I was thinking of seeing if I could upgrade that to an apprenticeship, and then, at some point, when I think I am ready, I would take over Aki’s network.” I mean, he’s got a network in every timeline, I suppose, and I would be taking away some of his workload. Besides… technically, I stand to inherit the family business someday anyway.

Mitsuhide stared down at me. “You are a terrifying woman. If I didn’t love you so much, I would be thoroughly intimidated.” No he wouldn’t. But it was nice to hear him say it. “I do hope you have abandoned this idea.”

“Make me a better offer.” It was a bluff since I hadn’t really had a chance to counter-offer Shingen’s initial job offer, but I’m certain he would have agreed.

“I offer this…” He kissed me long and slow, powerfully moving his lips over mine, this time demanding a response. When I was gasping and breathless he continued, “And this –“

He brushed his hand down the side of my body, all the way past my hips. For one tantalizing moment, he kept it there, just long enough to warm my inner thigh…

… then he drifted upward, long, lazy strokes … he’d already learned my body so well that he knew just how much pressure and rhythm would have me arching off the bed and pressing up into him.

“But, most importantly, my love,” he gazed down at me, amber-gold eyes glistening with something I didn’t recognize, something I had never seen from him, “you may have my heart. All of it. To do with as you wish.”

I couldn’t speak – only nod, and he squeezed me tighter as he slowly pushed inside me again. Less frantic. More wondering… exploring this new world.

We moved together, reveling in each other’s touch, in that oh you are here… it’s you… it’s me… it’s us… something different.

Wait, who is crying? Were those tears? His tears were more frightening than his anger, frightening in a ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ kind of way, but I never planned to run from him again. I hadn’t thought it possible, but I loved him more in that moment than ever before.

It’s ok. I’m here.

Our extended, intimate embrace finally crested and crashed into the night, then softly drifted into a cozy warmth. We were home.

The sound of snow against the window woke me just before sunrise. Mitsuhide was still asleep – not in that vampiric pose (I knew that had been just to freak me out), but on his side, arm flung over his face… oh, we never had managed to turn off the light. I got up and did so, not that it mattered as a soft glow from outside infused the room.

With a sudden urge for a glass of water, I pulled on my pajamas, then as I turned to leave the room, something crinkled under my foot. I had stepped on Mitsuhide’s kimono, which had somehow been flung to this side of the room.

What was crackling though? Sounded like paper. I knelt to see, and found Mai’s instructions. Curious to know what she would tell someone who was about to suddenly go into the future, I started to pick it up, then paused. Mitsuhide and I had both read each other’s mail before, and I doubted he would care if I read this letter. However, for my own sanity, I needed to stop being afraid of what Mai meant to him. I set it on the edge of the bed for him, then picked up his clothes, folded them, and put them on the bed too.

When I caught sight of the fat snowflakes swirling across the garden. I upgraded my plan for a cup of water to a cup of hot tea, and once it was ready, I settled on the couch to watch it pile up outside.

I could hear Mitsuhide padding around upstairs, but I figured if he needed help finding anything (or how to work them) he would call for me. I wasn’t ignoring him, or anything. It was just that I was pleasantly sore all over and at present too comfortable to move.

Indeed, when Mitsuhide did emerge, he was already dressed and holding the turquoise robe. “Yoshimoto gave me the things you’d left at Genba.” He smiled as I shrugged myself into it. “It pleases me to see you so happy in something I had made for you.”

“Do you want breakfast? Or tea?” There was still plenty of hot water in the kettle. But when I made a move to get up, he shook his head.

“Not at present.” He looked over the couch with the curious eye of someone cataloging the future, before scooting in behind me. In one fluid motion, he’d lifted me onto his lap, without spilling a drop of my tea.

We sat there, completely comfortable, watching the snow sweep through the garden. The neighbor’s Christmas lights were (of course) still on, glowing softly against the growing drifts. There would be things to figure out later, but for the moment it was to just sit here, and zen out at the sight and sound of snow, in the warmth of each other’s presence.

He put his hands on my feet. “You never remember your socks.”

“Well, I had meant to come back to bed after I got a cup of water, but- oh, you don’t have to do.” Too late to protest. He’d taken off his socks and put them on my feet.

“I told you before. I don’t feel cold like some people.” He gave my toes, now warming up in the soft material, a little tweak.

I wiggled my feet inside the socks. “Probably ought to at some point get you some modern clothing. Or at least a coat and boots.”

“Hm, that was in fact included on Mai’s list. She thought I should go shopping first and appear at your door dressed in a, hm, what did she call it, a nice designer suit.” He shifted around, then handed me the letter. “I must admit to some disappointment that you didn’t even attempt to read this one. Is the mystery already gone in our relationship?” He punctuated the teasing with a light kiss under my ear.

 “Um, technically, I read Aki’s mail, not yours, Mr. I-Kept-a-Letter-for-weeks.” Did I want to probe his feelings for Mai? Now? When we were feeling so cozy and relaxed?

“Your ability to rationalize matters never ceases to astound me.” His arms snaked around my waist as he held the letter open. Even without reading it, I could see that it was indeed a list of how-tos and instructions, complete with very detailed drawings. In her how to recharge the phone, she’d even drawn a map to where the most likely free outlets would be with little tab A/slot B arrows to demonstrate what went where.

There was even a little Sasuke chibi answering his phone, with his familiar expression of blank-face intent, but a thought bubble over his head revealing his inner fanboy was nerding out over a call from Mitsuhide.

Wow. I had known Mai was a good designer, but I had not been aware that translated so well to her drawing skills. “She’s very good.”

“Indeed. Were she not only the Azuchi chatelaine but also a seamstress, I could use her as a scout.” He set his chin on my shoulder.

“No, you wouldn’t endanger her like that. She’s too precious.” Easier to approach the question from the side.

“True. Hideyoshi would very likely dismantle me for the thought.”

Agreed, but that wasn’t what I meant. “To you.”

“My love, you may someday acquire the skills of a very good interrogator, but not yet, and for the purposes of this conversation, you will have better luck simply asking me what you want to know.” He softened the statement by pulling me backward until I was resting on his chest. He brought his hand up and began smoothing out my hair.

“Are you in love with her?” It seemed I had the ability to ask that after all.

“Dear me, haven’t I just spent the past night proving that it’s you I love?” That… didn’t exactly answer my question, something he must have immediately realized, for he continued, “Mai is very loveable and she awakened feelings I didn’t not know I was still capable of. I also believed that the Iife I led required a sacrifice. But in the end, I discovered that the person I could not sacrifice was you. I’d rather condemn my soul to darkness than give up even one more day with you.”

Where to begin to unpack that? I’d wished for reassurance, and gotten an entire monologue. “I don’t really agree that you’re the dark side, but thank you for being willing to face it.” I hoped he knew now that he’d never have to face it alone. It wouldn’t just be me helping him face it. It was clear that Hideyoshi and Mai would also be at his side.

Idly I flipped to the next page of Mai’s instructions, in which a cartoon labelled ‘Grand Romantic Gesture’ portrayed chibi Mitsuhide, wearing a modern suit, kneeling in front of a chibi version of myself. He held jewelry sized gift box in his hands. “She has very specific ideas about romance, but I’m more than happy with the lockpick set.” And with him. To punctuate that, I gave him a kiss.

“Dear me, that is rather a disappointment, for I do have another gift for you – however, it’s waiting in Sakai.” I caught a rather unusual amount of repressed emotion in his tone, and wondered at it.

I knew him well enough to know there was no use asking for details, although… “What would you have done if I’d said I planned to stay here?”

“Gone back in time to Sakai, picked up your present, and brought it to you at the next available opportunity.” He tapped on his lips with his finger. “Because it is a very good gift, if I do say so myself.”

Almost, I asked if it was a pony, but… that had been a private joke between myself and Aki. Which reminded me. “Aki’s gone again.” While I was safely cocooned in his arms, sheltered from my father’s actions, I brought Mitsuhide up to date with what had happened after I disappeared from Genba.

“When you and Iekane went over the edge-“ He trailed off, then rested his face on my shoulder. I could feel a tremor go through him, and that told me more than words could. That this man, known for his cool, dispassionate conversation, could be at a loss for words, was humbling. Maybe no words were necessary anyway. I closed my eyes and breathed him for a while.

Eventually he asked me. “Are you upset that he left you here?”

“More angry that he didn’t leave a note… but I sort of expected him to leave. It’s what he does.” And now that I knew there was only one of Aki, and he was trying to keep several Katsus alive, to prevent several Hikos from being murdered, to find several Toshiies and trying to keep an unknown number of timelines from crashing into each other… I understood.

But he still could have left me a damn note.

“I can’t promise that I’ll never have to leave you behind – temporarily – but I promise I will always come back.” His voice was so quiet I could barely hear him.

“You could always take Katsu with you.”

“We shall discuss that later.”

“Oh, you can be sure of that.”

Artwork by Butterfly n'' Lace: https://www.facebook.com/butterflynlace

@lorei-writes @selenacosmic @bestbryn @lyds323 @akitsuneswife @tele86

[catindabag]

TBOSAS on Crack short take (21)

*When the 24 OG Mentors discussed The Hunger Games*

Clemensia: Ok. Be honest. Whoever annually watches the Hunger Games, raise your hands!

Everyone:. . .

Clemensia: Really?! No one? Well, I’m kinda relieved to see that.

Felix: Clemmie, we stopped watching Highbottom’s Killer Kids Game since we were in grade school.

Clemensia: But why though?

Androcles: Not fun.😔

Sejanus: Extremely and insanely cruel and inhumane.😡

Lysistrata: Fortunately, my mom said “no” because there were too many body parts flying on the screen.

Festus: I threw up my cheesecake the first time I saw a live decapitation on television.

Coryo: That’s your only reason?

Festus: Bro, you don’t understand. That was my last free cheesecake coupon for the whole year.🥲

Coryo: Well, I just quit watching the games the moment I saw a kid bit off another kid’s fingers.

Festus: So?

Coryo: He swallowed them.

Festus: Oh.

Coryo: You all know that I hate cannibals, right?

Persephone: *starts crying*

Coryo: Not you, Price.🙄

Livia: Well, I just don’t watch the games because it’s not really my cup of tea. I mean, there’s no romance, no gossips, no breakups-

Juno: Nothing. I gave it a zero.

Arachne: True. It lacks that ✨reality drama✨ that we girlies crave for.

Dennis: I watched it once with my mom and my very sensitive dad. Never again.

Coryo: Why? What happened?

Dennis: My poor daddy had nightmares for a whole year. Even now, he’s still crying about it.

Coryo: Wait. Is that why your mom now runs and rules the Capitol Black Market without him?

Dennis: Yup! My daddy officially decided to become a stay-at-home househusband.

Persephone: Like mine!😀

Dennis: No, Price. Not like yours.

Persephone: Not like mine? But my sweet daddy is also a stay-at-home househusband.

Dennis: For the wrong reasons.

Persephone: He’s just living his best werewolf life!

Coryo: No offense, Percy, but your sweet daddy is clinically insane.

Palmyra: Like us!😀

Coryo: I know that we’re all insane, but not Nero “I am a scary werewolf” Price insane.

Persephone: But-

Coryo: He hunts rabid raccoons for breakfast and howls at the moon.

Gaius: Cool.

Coryo: He also fought 10 wild coyotes, 5 Peacekeepers, and a stray brown bear for some lima beans once. It was epic.

Felix: Was he arrested?

Coryo: No. You can’t arrest a self proclaimed werewolf. It’s illegal.

Felix: Illegal? Who approved of that law?

Coryo: Your granduncle.

Felix: *sighs* That checks out.😑

Persephone: Aren’t we talking about the Hunger Games?🥲

Coryo: Oh, yeah. How about you, Moss? Why did you stop watching Highbottom’s Killer Kids Game?

Iphigenia: It’s too brutal for my liking. And my grocery store has a sh*tty TV. How about you, Ney Ney?

Vipsania: No introduction, no narrative, no story. Just plain killing.😪

Palmyra: There’s no food commercials after every kill!

Coryo: What the heck, Palm Palm!

Felix: My crazy granduncle- I mean, the President of Panem usually invites me over to one of his exclusive ✨THG Watch Parties✨, but after the 4th time watching, puking, and screaming, I just couldn’t stomach the gore anymore.

Clemensia: Ok? So if you’re in charge of The Hunger Games, what would you change? What would you like to do if you recreated the games from scratch?

Everyone: Everything!

Sejanus: And no killing!

Felix: Yeah! Let’s agree and write a “no killing” policy!

Coryo: Make sure to add the “no gore” and “no cannibalism” rule as well, Class Pres.

Felix: On it. *scribbles*

Apollo: Hear me out. ✨Hunger Games: Panem’s Next Top Model���!

Diana: No! It should be ✨Hunger Games: Dancing With The Stars✨!🤩

Livia: Ew. Your ideas suck! It should be ✨Hunger Games: LOVE ISLAND✨!💅

Sejanus: No! ✨Hunger Games: The Great Panem Bake Off✨ is gonna be the best program ever!

Coryo: Babe, what are you talking about?! ✨Hunger Games: Panem’s Got Talent✨ is the superior show!

Io: No! You’re all wrong! ✨Hunger Games: 90 DAY FIANCÉ✨ will have the most views!

Hilarius: ✨Hunger Games: Single’s Inferno✨ is better and spicier!

Palmyra: Suck it, Hilari! ✨Hunger Games: Fear Factor✨ will be the most iconic show!

Urban: You guys are not thinking! ✨Hunger Games: Project Runway✨ is the best concept! Just you wait! I will revolutionize Panem’s fashion industry!

Festus: What?! No! You’re so wrong, Ban Ban! ✨Hunger Games: TOP CHEF✨ will revolutionize Panem’s food industry!

Domitia: I kinda agree with Creed.

Dennis: Yeah. A food competition sounds nice.

Persephone: Oh, c’mon! ✨Hunger Games: Big Brother✨ will be a certified classic!

Pup: You’re kidding, right? ✨Hunger Games: Panem’s Ninja Warrior, Ultimate Beastmaster✨ will get us the most sponsors!😎

Felix: Slow down! All of your ideas and suggestions are great!

Palmyra: Thanks!☺️

Felix: But I can’t keep up with all that shouting!

Livia: Just do your stupid job, Class Pres! And FYI, mine’s the best. So make sure to highlight ✨LOVE ISLAND✨.

Festus: Oh, Horn of Plenty! I have another great idea!

Coryo: Fire away, Creed.

Festus: Hear me out. ✨Hunger Games: Keeping Up With The Ravinstills✨!

Coryo: Festus, my dumpster brother from another mother, you are a certified genius!😂

Sejanus: I’ll even trade my scheming old man to see that show air anytime!

Felix: That doesn’t even make sense?! How can the Tributes participate on that show?!

Juno: No offense, Felix, but we also want to see the chaotic family drama that you and your cousins are currently living in.

Coryo: I kinda agree with Juno, Class Pres. I mean, just last week, four out of your eight uncles got arrested by your other four uncles, just because of “illegally” breeding Bichon Frisé puppies inside your crazy granduncle’s secret basement.

Felix: How did you even get that private information?!

Coryo: You told us yourself.

[vanillasn0w]

A Rock N Roll Halloween

It certainly is the season for goblins and gouls and everything creepy. Its the time for monsters to show up on the television; its the time for all the woman to scream in terror. It's the time to put on your fake fangs and act like a vampire. This is the time to buy candy and bob for candy apples.

The blob and the witches can come out. The people dressed as serial killers and Harry Potter students can come out. For my boyfriend, Elvis, Halloween is a night of fun and frights. It's a night to eat candy and hand it out. It's a really good time with him, I've been told. 

Halloween is also the time to share spooky tales and give yourself nightmares. 

Speaking of nightmares, there is fake blood on the counters and the cobwebs in the corners. A cardboard ghost is sitting next to the coffeetable. Halloween is the time for Elvis to go as crazy as he likes with decorations. This should be a fun night with no drama and just love from Elvis. And the best part is? He will be dressed as a vampire.

                     ___________

Elvis comes downstairs to greet me looking as sexy as ever. He has his fangs in, makeup to make him look pale and his hair gelled back. He has a black cape on, white undershirt, and brown khaki pants. I sure am going to have trouble keeping my hands off of him tonight.

I, am dressed as a witch, hat and all, my face a slightly green hue. I have my black shirt on and a cape and black leggings to go with it. 

“Hey, there, little momma.” He says, kissing me. The whole world falls away for a moment as I press into the kiss. I pay attention to nothing but his lips. Oh, god, I love him so much. We pull away and we smile at each other. 

“You look amazing.” He says.

“Thanks. As for you, you've completely outdone yourself.” 

I whisper in his ear, “it's going to be hard to keep myself hands off of you tonight.”

“Who said you had to?” They are not here yet.” He says, with a smirk.

                         __________

After that blissful and amazing hour of touching each other and having sex, we come out to the party where we see the MM. There is Sonny and Red, dressed as Santa and an elf, their wives, dressed as cheerleaders. 

We walk hand in hand to greet them. The rest of the guys I don't know and names I have yet to figure out.  Two of them are dressed as thing one and thing two.

“Y/N. You know Sonny and Red, their wives, you have yet to meet the rest of them. Thing one here, is Joe Esposito. And thing two is Charlie Hodge.” 

“Good to meet you.” They both say in unison, giving me their hands to shake. One by one, I do.

They both seem very nice. The, the dancing begins as the Monster Mash is played on the speakers.

Elvis takes my hand and twirls me around, shimmying his hips as I shimmy my hips as well. I am filled with love and longing as he holds me close for a moment and then gives me a slight push forward, tapping his toes to the beat. I tap my toes, too and kiss him on the cheek. Gosh, if there was ever a man who made me feel extremely alive, it is him. I am simply floating when I am with him, I have never felt more alive in my life than I do when I am with him. He is my medicine, he is the pill I take everyday to stay alive. He makes me who I am. He takes my hand in his and we swing our arms, moving my hips. I am dying to feel closer to him tonight, so I rest my head on his shoulder for a minute. I pull myself away and we are still swinging our arms together. We stop and I twirl around in a circle and he takes my arm, and pulls me closer to him with his hand on my wrist. I love to feel his touch on my hand. For his touch is like warm sugar on my skin, bringing heat to my heart. He brings such joy to my life and dancing like this? It’s addictive.

He sings along with the music, bobbing his head. I bob my head, too, then give several shimmies of my hips.

“Girl, when you dance like that, I feel so aroused.” He whispers in my ear.

“Oh, yeah?” I say, with a smirk.

He nods. 

“Later.” I say.

“Definitely.” He says.

The music still plays, this time a different song, Purple People Eater comes on. Elvis takes my hand in his and lifts me up off the ground, cradling me like a baby, then puts me back down, kissing my cheek. I feel alive with the warmth of his touch and I only want more and more. I grin, laughing. He grins as well, happy as a clam. He whispers into my ear.  We watch Sonny and Red do the jive with their wives. They accent with their knees, one, then two, three then four,  and five, six, seven and eight. They move their hips and legs very well, the ladies doing a lot of action with their legs. They are all closed in position, rotating slightly. It’s all very well done. They now have their palm to palm action of their hands and continue to move their legs to the rhythm. When they are done we all clap our hands, Elvis, whispering, “I need to teach you how to dance like that.”

“I’d like that.” I say.

Elvis gets out in the middle of the floor and begins to sing, “My girlfriend is a Witch, by October Country; a perfect song for Halloween.

“Riding high, leaving trails of smoke across the sky, on a broom.” 

I move my head to the beat listening to his beautiful voice. I am absolutely mesmerized right now. He just sounds so pretty. And when he sings, he is one hundred percent the center of attention. Even if there were missiles in the air, it seems like everybody in the room would be paying attention to him.” He’s just that pretty and just that good of a singer and performer. 

He swings his body to the beat of the music, clapping his hands. 

“Spells fill the air, I think I hear footsteps on my stair, coming near

Her thoughts are telling me she’s near

I know my girlfriend is a witch.

He sings, pointing to me. I laugh.

His singing goes on for a couple of minutes, him dancing slowly and singing very well.  Again, he points at me, when he says the last line of the chorus and I point back at him. 

When he comes back to me, I give him a round of applause and say, “Fantastic job, Elvis. You really do know how to perform.”

He smiles at me and kisses me on the cheek. “Thanks. You really do know how to be an amazing girlfriend.”

I blush, smiling.

We go to the food table, where Elvis pretends to play guitar. I laugh. He grins as well, continuing to “play.” Then, we look at the food. There are so many good desserts that he and his father made. There is the worm pudding, with gummy worms, chocolate pudding for the “soil” and the chocolate chip cookie bits for the “dirt.” Then, there is the vampire dessert, with fangs sticking out of the vanilla cake and fake blood all over it. Elvis and I made a lava cake, except with only chocolate there is a ton of fake blood as the lava as well as the chocolate. The chocolate and fake blood lava lead down to a succulent vanilla cake. Gummy eyeballs lay on top of the lava. We had so much fun making it. 

“I had so much fun making this with you. You just couldn’t get enough of me being with you in the kitchen.”

I smirk. “There isn’t anybody in the world who would stay away from Chef Elvis.” 

“Chef Elvis? Oh, is that what you are calling me now?”

“No, that’s just what I’ll be calling you when we cook or bake together.” 

He smiles, wrapping his arm around my waist, saying, “I like it.”

“Good.” I say, with a smile.

Now, the most important question of the night? What should we get to eat?” Elvis asks.

“I think I’ll go with the pudding and a little bit of the lava cake.” 

“Good choice. I think I’ll have the vampire cake.”

We pick up our plates and put our helpings on them, walking over to Sonny and Red. They are telling stories of past Halloween with him, when we weren’t dating yet. His arm is still firmly wrapped around my waist, making me feel all nice and warm inside. 

“This kid, bobbed twenty apples, stunning us all! Nobody could get that many apples, nobody except the King.” Sonny says.

Elvis laughs, while I grin. Seems like something he would do.

“Hey, what can I say, they were my favorite color.”

They all laugh. 

“I remember one time, when he was stationed out in Germany, he scared off a cat with his costume. He walks into the room with a homemade serial killer mask and the cat goes running for the hills. It was hilarious!”

Elvis and his Memphis Mafia laugh. I laugh, too, joining in.

“This year, he carved his pumpkins to be a little too happy. They look like they’ve gone mad.” I say, with a grin.

Elvis and the gang chuckle. “Hey, you can never go wrong with carving pumpkins.” 

“I mean, really, Elvis, were you trying to make them look murderous?”

He laughs, as well as everybody else.

 “You never know.” He says, with a wink in my direction.

Towards the end of the party, Elvis comes to me and takes a velvet box out of his pocket. He smiles lovingly at me.

“Elvis, what is this?” I say, not expecting a gift. 

“Open it up.”

So, I do. I am beyond happy when I see what he has gotten me. Nobody else would have thought to give me this. It’s a gold coin with a picture of two hands being held on it. In the middle of the hands, it is inscribed, “I love you.”

“Oh, Elvis, this is just beautiful. Thank you so much.”

This is the first declaration of his love for me. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

“Only the best for my special woman.”

“I love you, too, Elvis. With all of my soul.” 

“I am glad. Because I love you more than that.” 

He takes my hand in his and kisses it. And with that, the night is over and we are holding each other.

[plumbogs]

YAY COLLEGE ROUND! Beau and Beatrice have similar enough majors (drama and art) that they both get to go to the art hall for classes to make life easier. So they went to class :)

yeah i'd also be making that face if they were making me do what appears to be advanced mathematics for my art degree

beau heads right for the back of the theater to fool around with the synthesizer after class. his lifetime want is to reach the top of the entertainment career, so i imagine this is relevant.

Beatrice actually needed a skill point in charisma for the semester, so she practiced that in the dance room (that nobody was doing ballet in).

a disgustingly stinky dormie interrupted their secret conversation about giant barrels of oil to do her assignment. leave them alone they're having a moment in the dark empty theater. don't you have basic courtesy. i'm pretty sure she's the girl that alex had to seduce to get into the secret society too.

meanwhile, at the dorm, Benedick went to the usual non-active class and Lucy logged onto nonspecific blogging platform to send visceral hate anons to that one bitch that has awful takes about her favorite director.

a healthy round of making the world a worse place emboldened her to skip her first day of classes.

Benedick finally came home and started on his term paper. Even if his life is in shambles, he wants to at least have a successful college career. besides anything that keeps him from fighting with beau and crashing and burning the few friendships he has left is worthwhile.

oh benny boy... you're really always in it. sure you can throw a toga party though

stupid bob haircut be damned my girl can work a toga while painting. She hasn't even spared a thought for her fiancee all day. It's impossible to tell if she regrets it or not.

wolf or not, this boy sure can clear a table with his awful conversational skills.

As everyone else goes to bed, he has to stay awake forever and chow down on many rounds of low quality dorm food. Jimmy Phoenix is still here and invested in whatever is on the television.

PLEASE let him sleep... benedick was so tired... the dormies love stinking up the place while doing assignments

then Beau dedicates his nocturnal powers to crushing his own term paper. imagine being a fucking werewolf and you still do your assignments... maybe he's going to gift himself a box of milkbones if he gets good grades

[thecrownnetflixuk]

5 Truth Bombs from The Crown S5

Don’t Sweat the Technique

It’s official: The Crown is a fictionalised drama, not a documentary. Only 1% of GB adults surveyed viewed the whole show as fully accurate (which a drama will never be.) That figure edges up to 2% for those in the Gen-Z age bracket.

Nobody tell the 2% about ‘Spencer’, ‘The Windsors’ or those lifetime movies when Harry Botswana’ed Meghan and the, err, spirit of Princess Diana lives on in a lion (or something.)

But as Gillian Anderson put it recently, whilst certain scenes are fictionalised, The Crown is heavily researched, double and triple-checked. There’s true gems amongst The Crown’s jewels!

#1 Prince Charles did try to breakdance*

*apologies if eye-bleach is required

Actor Dominic West told Jimmy Kimmel that The Crown hired a choreographer(!) so he could dance in the same 'style' as Charles.

That’s a gift that must keep on giving during party season.

#2 Mohamed Al-Fayed did restore the former King’s home AND employed valet Sydney Johnson

When Sydney Johnson (Jude Akuwudike) started working for the Duke of Windsor it was unusual for a person of colour to be employed in a royal household. He went on to maintain this position for 30+ years before being employed by Al-Fayed (Salim Daw.)

Mohamed Al-Fayed auctioned the royal heirlooms in the 1990's – with rumours abound that Queen Elizabeth II was a secret bidder!

#3 Prince Philip donated his real DNA to identify the Romanovs

Prince Philip’s (Jonathan Pryce) maternal grandmother was Czarina Aleksandra’s sister. He donated blood to prove that bones unearthed in a Russian forest in the 1990′s belonged to the Romanov family, who were executed in 1918.

Philip’s DNA helped prove that Anna Anderson was what Time magazine called “one of History’s greatest imposters.” Anderson claimed to be the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia, but none of the Czar’s children survived the shooting.

#4 Prince Charles and Princess Diana really became “Couple 31”

After the biggest royal wedding of the 1980′s, the most famous royal fairytale whimpered to an end as just another  couple in divorce court.

Neither Charles or Diana attended court for the routine hearing (perhaps too busy making breakfast?!🍳) Their divorce was later finalised in Aug 1996.

#5 Princess Diana did vote against the monarchy

“Monarchy: The Nation Decides” was televised in the UK in January 1997. According to one source, the real  Diana voted ‘no’ for a monarchy 250 times(!)

Head of Research Annie Sulzberger told The Crown Podcast  that although this wasn’t shown on screen, teenage Prince William was there too, trying to convince his Mother not to keep voting due to the cost of the phone calls.

Image(s): Ana Blumenkron, courtesy of Netflix

[oppvenuz7]

 Mouni Roy: A Bollywood Icon to Elevate Your Special Event  

Mouni Roy, a versatile Bollywood actress and celebrated fashion icon, is a perfect choice for events that demand elegance, glamour, and charisma. With her remarkable journey from television stardom to Bollywood blockbusters, Mouni has earned her place as a household name. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, wedding celebration, product launch, or gala, her presence guarantees sophistication and excitement.  

Click  Here For More  Details:https://www.oppvenuz.com/celebrity-booking/

 Mouni Roy’s Journey: From TV Stardom to Bollywood Fame  

Mouni began her career with her role in the iconic TV series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and rose to immense fame with Naagin, one of India’s most popular supernatural dramas. With her graceful leap into Bollywood, she delivered captivating performances in films like Gold, Romeo Akbar Walter, and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. Mouni’s growth from television sensation to film star showcases her relentless passion and dedication to her craft.  

---

 Why Mouni Roy is the Ideal Star for Your Event  

1. A Magnet for Media Attention  

Mouni’s presence ensures your event gets coverage and attention from press and social media platforms.  

2. Versatile Performer and Host  

Whether hosting a corporate function, emceeing a wedding, or delivering a keynote speech, Mouni’s grace and professionalism make her a great fit.  

3. Enthralling Dance Performances  

Her exceptional dance skills add energy to cultural events and weddings, leaving guests thoroughly entertained.  

4. A Style Icon Who Enhances Every Occasion  

Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Mouni brings unmatched glamour to fashion shows and product launches.  

5. An Inspirational Public Figure  

Mouni's journey from television to Bollywood success serves as a motivational story for audiences, making her a great speaker for corporate or leadership events.  

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 Types of Events Mouni Roy Can Grace  

- Weddings: From grand receptions to sangeet nights, Mouni can dazzle guests with a lively dance performance or host the event with flair.  

- Corporate Events: Her polished personality makes her ideal for corporate galas, conferences, and product launches.  

- Fashion Shows: Mouni’s style and grace make her a perfect guest or showstopper for luxury fashion events.  

- Private Celebrations: Mouni’s charm and energy can add a touch of Bollywood glamour to personal events and parties.  

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 FAQs About Booking Mouni Roy  

1. How can I book Mouni Roy for an event?  

You can contact her management team or a celebrity booking agency with your event details to confirm her availability.  

2. What is the cost of booking Mouni Roy?  

The fee depends on factors like the type of event, location, and the nature of her engagement (hosting, performing, or attending).  

3. Can Mouni Roy perform at private weddings?  

Yes, Mouni is known to perform at weddings and can add excitement to events like the sangeet or reception with her dance routines.  

4. Will Mouni Roy promote my event on social media?  

Based on the agreement, Mouni may promote the event across her social media platforms to amplify reach and engagement.  

5. What kind of events does Mouni prefer?  

Mouni is open to a variety of events, including weddings, corporate functions, fashion shows, product launches, and private galas.  

---

 Conclusion  

With her star power, charm, and elegance, Mouni Roy is the perfect addition to elevate any event. Whether performing at a wedding, hosting a corporate gala, or dazzling guests at a fashion show, Mouni ensures an unforgettable experience. Her presence brings a blend of Bollywood glam, sophistication, and excitement, making your event truly stand out.  

[jasonsutekh]

Come Dine With Me (2005+)

Strangers meet to take turns hosting a dinner party then give a score to decide whose was best. Sometimes this includes celebrities, couples, or professional chefs.

The premice is fairly simple and seems somewhat cheap to make usually. There’s the usual drama one expects when reality television is involved and occasionally it feels as though some have been put on, exaggerated, or stirred up by the show. The celebrity ones are the most engaging as things are somewhat repetative and tame without a gimmick otherwise.

One odd part is that the narrator has a dual function of explaining some parts and also constantly belittiling all of the constestants, sometimes in the most petty and unnecessary ways. It’s not even clear if they can hear him sometimes since he’ll be able to say things and then they’ll respond but other times blank him.

There’s at least some variety in the dishes sometimes as they invite contestants from a range of backgrounds and cultures, plujs some get themes to work around. It has the same device as Big Brother (2000+) in that the players get to go to another room and bitch about everything even if nothing much has occurred.

Easily the worst part is how cringe the entertainment usually is, ranging from weak party games, to clearly put-on dances where everyone tries desperately to look like they’re having a good time, to odd performances where the people stand awkwardly to the side watching and often clearly not enjoying it.

2/10 -It’s not THE worst, that’s something else. But…-

[pashterlengkap]

“My Little Pony” convention raided by Russian authorities for “LGBT propaganda”

A convention celebrating My Little Pony in Russia was deemed “LGBT propaganda” by authorities and shut down by federal agents. The pint-sized ponies are just too gay for diminutive Russian president Vladimir Putin. Related: Russia investigates Duolingo for spreading “traumatizing” LGBTQ+ content The popular language learning app includes “everyday depictions of LGBTQ+ life” that “show queer people… in an unsensationalized and normal way.” The raid was conducted to break up an event mounted by fans of the popular pony series and toys. The event was called “Mi Amore Fest,” according to Russian-language news site The Insider, based in Latvia. Global perspectives delivered daily Our daily newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world. Organizers went so far as to change the rainbow-colored mane of the central character, Rainbow Dash, to a Russia-themed tricolor pattern of red, blue, and white on fliers advertising the event. It didn’t fool authorities. Federal agents in Moscow have raided and ended a My Little Pony convention on the grounds that it constituted "gay propaganda." Even painting the animal's mane in the Russian tricolor couldn't save this one. https://t.co/KIv00sKoeN pic.twitter.com/p68hiFCmWm— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) February 17, 2024 Attendees shared a world-weary reaction to the latest Kafkaesque scene in Putin’s anti-LGBTQ+ drama. “Apparently, you won’t be able to get to the festival anymore. While we were drinking coffee, a squad arrived and dispersed everyone. They wrote a statement for LGBT propaganda. Well, let’s go home.”  Another Russian and English-language news site, Meduza, reported that Russian government-aligned movie database Kinopoisk added an 18+ symbol next to the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic television series. Telegram channel Sota speculated that the decision was based on the character Rainbow Dash’s rainbow mane. In addition to the rainbow-hued Dash, MLP has featured multiple characters with nonconforming character traits since its introduction as a toy by Hasbro in 1982. The first animated series debuted in 1986. A recent Russian Supreme Court ruling at the urging of Putin’s Ministry of Justice declared the so-called “international LGBT rights movement” a terrorist organization, just one of several laws aimed at erasing LGBTQ+ identity from Russia and passed at Putin’s direction. The convention raid was just the latest crackdown in that effort. Last week, two women were taken into custody after video they posted on social media revealed them kissing in a pizzeria not far from one of Putin’s palaces in the city of Krasnodar in southwest Russia. Another woman was recently arrested and charged after she and her companion were accosted at a restaurant by an angry mob complaining about her rainbow-styled earrings and her companion’s Ukraine flag lapel pin.   A Russian federal watchdog group is investigating language app Duolingo for “distribution of information that promotes LGBT,” and a Russian rapper spent 15 days in jail for the LGBTQ+ crime of wearing only a sock at a party. In Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, a video distributed by local news outlet Ura.ru revealed riot police storming a dance club and ordering patrons out, while in December, a crackdown in Moscow saw police raid a nightclub, a male sauna, and an LGBTQ+-inclusive bar in the Russian capital, with officers checking and photographing patrons’ IDs.  http://dlvr.it/T3CLK9

[buzz-africa-media]

Raymond Dokpesi: biography, AIT owner, cause of death, net worth, age, wife, children

Raymond Dokpesi, a prominent Nigerian businessman and media mogul, was born on October 25, 1951, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is the founder and chairman of Daar Communications PLC, a media conglomerate that owns and operates various Nigerian television and radio stations. Raymond Dokpesi Biography & Profile Summary Name: Raymond Dokpesi Born: October 25, 1951 (age 71) Died: May 29, 2023 Place of Death: Abuja Political party: People’s Democratic Party Alma mater: University of Gdańsk Website: raymonddokpesi.com Raymond Dokpesi Age At the time of his passing, Raymond Dokpesi was 71 years old. Raymond Dokpesi Education & Early Career Dokpesi received his primary and secondary education at Loyola College in Ibadan and continued his studies at Immaculate Conception College (ICC) in Benin City, where he even founded a dance/drama troupe. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from the University of Benin in Edo State and a master’s degree in marine engineering from the University of Gdańsk in Poland. Notably, his education was supported by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, demonstrating his belief in Dokpesi’s abilities. Dokpesi’s career was marked by his visionary approach to the Nigerian media landscape. He founded DAAR Communications, which grew to become a major player in the mass media market. Under DAAR Communications, Dokpesi established Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigeria’s first private television network, transforming the country’s media landscape. He also founded Raypower FM, Nigeria’s first privately owned radio station, and the Nigerian Compass newspaper. Dokpesi’s involvement extended to Nigerian politics, where he was an activist for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and held various positions within the party structure. The AIT and Daar Communications Plc In 1989, Raymond Dokpesi founded Daar Communications Plc, a media conglomerate that has become one of Nigeria’s leading media organizations. Daar Communications owns the Africa Independent Television (AIT) network, one of Nigeria’s prominent private television stations known for its extensive news coverage, entertaining programming, and thought-provoking documentaries. Raymond Dokpesi Family Raymond Dokpesi is a devoted family man, and his family has played a significant role in his life. He is married to Angela Dokpesi, and together they have several children. His children, including Regina Dokpesi, have established themselves in their respective fields, carrying on the family legacy of excellence. Regina works as an on-air personality for DAAR Communications Plc. Raymond Dokpesi’s marital situation has been complicated due to internal family conflicts, leading him to enter into polygamy, which he now considers one of the biggest mistakes of his life. He had been married to several women, with his second marriage resulting from family issues. As a devout Catholic, Dokpesi admits that he did not desire polygamy but was forced to accept it due to circumstances. Despite this, he has a deep affection for his first wife, a Polish immigrant, with whom he hoped to spend the rest of his life. They were physically separated as she needed to be with her parents in Poland as their only child. Raymond Dokpesi Philanthropy Raymond Dokpesi has shown his commitment to philanthropy by building community schools and providing scholarships to prospective students for tertiary education. Raymond Dokpesi Criticism and Controversy In 2010, Dokpesi was arrested for his alleged involvement in an Abuja car bombing but was released after nine hours in detention. He later filed a lawsuit against the country’s secret police for alleged wrongful imprisonment. On November 11, 2015, Dokpesi issued a public apology on behalf of the PDP party for the mismanagement of Nigeria under PDP governments, acknowledging that mistakes were made and expressing a sincere apology. Raymond Dokpesi – Health Challenges and COVID-19 Survival Dokpesi has faced health challenges, including a stroke in 2017 that required extensive medical care and rehabilitation. He demonstrated tenacity and determination in his recovery. In 2020, Dokpesi and some members of his family tested positive for COVID-19. Despite the severity of the virus, he survived and used his experience to raise awareness about the impact of the pandemic. Raymond Dokpesi Cause of Death According to family members, Dokpesi passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Abuja. He had a stroke after fasting during Ramadan and was in the process of recovery. Unfortunately, he suffered an electrocution during a routine gym session, leading to a stroke and, ultimately, his demise. Raymond Dokpesi Net Worth Raymond Dokpesi’s contributions to the media industry and his entrepreneurial ventures led to his financial success. He emerged as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest businessmen, with an estimated net worth of $50 million. Read the full article

[z-diaz]

ABOUT Z

name. zandria nova díaz, mostly goes by “z” pronouns. she/they age. twenty-four gender. nonbinary occupation. lead singer of dance of the dragonflies // owner and audio engineer at dragonfly studios // actress // model hometown. miami cities lived in. miami, los angeles, aurora bay (present) instruments. vocals // guitar // drums // piano languages. english // spanish likes. partying // cars // tattoos dislikes. speeding tickets // invasive fans // elevators

BIO. (tw. emotional abuse, drug abuse)

ivonna díaz and julian santiago were never in love. both of the high schoolers were little more than a recurring hookup for each other. both seniors in high school, the plan was to graduate and never see each other again. julian was going to stay in town and help at his family’s restaurant, while ivonna moved to los angeles to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. but her plans, especially, erupted like a geyser when she found out she was pregnant. for the first couple years, she tried her best to take care of zandria. but no matter how much she loved her baby girl, she had no interest in giving up her dreams to raise a child. she left no warning before she left for california, leaving zandria alone with her father.

julian, on the other hand, was more than happy to take care of zandria. while the circumstances could have been better, he loved her unconditionally and did everything he could to make up for her mostly absent mother

for the first few years that z can remember, their mom was more of an enigma than an actual person. her sacrifices seemed to have been worth it, as she succeeded where many others failed. she had a few small television roles before she was cast in a popular teen soap, rocketing her into stardom. this meant z saw her more often on the cover of magazines than in the flesh. but they didn’t resent her for choosing her career over her own family. instead, z looked up to her and decided they wanted to be just like her

when z first expressed interest in becoming an actor, their mom was thrilled. she was already spinning this angle into a way to bring more publicity to her own career. she got z into a recurring role on her tv show, and the network played up the mother-daughter actress combination. julian was dead set against it, as it meant that z would be temporarily leaving miami and living with her mom and that julian couldn’t protect her from the industry.

after her role on her mom’s show, z booked a few small movie roles before she was cast as the youngest daughter on the family drama cloverleaf. the show was a huge success and ran for five seasons. from there, she moved to a network for children and teens. she had a recurring role on one of their popular shows, before the network gave her a franchise of her own. soon, she started dating her costar.

(tw. emotional abuse) jaxon was the crush of many a teenage girl, and z felt so lucky being able to say that was her boyfriend. red carpet events, interviews, paparazzi sightings, all showed a young happy couple in love. but behind the scenes, jaxon was jealous and cutthroat. he frequently pressured z into dimming her light so she wouldn’t ‘upstage him’, and repeatedly told her that she had no talent and would never have made it this far without riding on her mom’s success. Worthless, fraud, fat, bitch...z was young and living in such a toxic environment, that she absorbed everything he said and started to believe it herself.

as the chloe clark franchise that z was starring in came to a close, they felt burned out and depressed. their mom wanted them to keep acting. “you’re at the height of your career. if you stop now, there’s no guarantee you won’t lose every bit of momentum you’ve built up. stay with them a couple more years, and then you’ll be old enough to take on more mature projects” their mom had advised. they appreciated the opportunities they had with the network, but they were frustrated at the amount of control other people had on their life. what to wear, how to talk, and even how white they should act were all someone else’s decision. furthermore, they hadn’t gone to a real school since elementary school. homeschooling had its perks, but they wanted a real high school experience. they wanted to see what being a real teenager was like, rather than a network’s concept of a perfect teen.

(tw. drug abuse) z’s dad supported their decision to put their acting career on pause. she had always felt like her dad and his husband were what kept her from going off the deep end. there was a seemingly never ending list of former child stars she wanted to avoid turning out like. but her move back to florida didn’t fill the anxiety and depression she felt in la, and having nothing in common with her peers sure didn’t help things either. she turned to drugs and partying to escape her mind. from then on, z was out of control. sneaking out, joy rides in her dad’s car, drinking, coming home late at night....despite julian’s best attempts, he didn’t know how to handle a troubled teen idol.

the one healthy coping mechanism z had was music. guitar had always been a hobby, something to do in their trailer during those long filming days. music had been an area they focused on in their homeschooling as well. and now that they didn’t have a job, that was more time they could dedicate to learning instruments and audio recording techniques. their taste was a lot angrier and heavy than anything they’d been allowed to express growing up in the spotlight, and they dived heavily into writing their own music and experimenting in the safety of their small bedroom studio.

(cw. drugs, police/arrest) z always planned on returning to acting. she figured she would drop out of high school, go crazy for a little bit longer, and then move back to hollywood and start working again. but this plan came crashing down the night she was arrested for speeding and the enthusiastic officer found drugs in her car. she was arrested for drug possession. between the unlawful search of her car and her having enough money to hire a good lawyer,  the charges were ultimately dropped. but not before tmz got a hold of her mugshot and put her in the spotlight once again.

following her brief legal battle, z returned to los angeles. but the damage to her reputation had been done and she struggled to find roles. the jobs she was offered were often less screen time she was used to, and much less money. she turned them down, and slowly stopped auditioning altogether.

the other thing she wanted to move to los angeles for was to join a band. miami had a music scene, but the rock world there left much to be desired. at first, she auditioned for local bands and it was always the same story; she was talented, but having chloe clark as the frontperson for your band wasn’t metal. somehow, she was too corrupted for good acting roles but not corrupted enough to be taken seriously as a musician. but instead of giving up, she formed her own band. dance of the dragonflies is a band that frequently gets radio play on the alternative charts, but are far from a household name. while z would love to perform with some of the greats in the genre, they’re just happy to be doing music without the constant demands of fame.

as the founder of dance of the dragonflies, and without aspirations to become top 40s radio rock, z had the freedom to leave the glow of the hollywood sign behind and move somewhere more peaceful. they already knew they wanted to leave la when they took a week long staycation in aurora bay, but by the end of their second day in town they knew this was where they wanted to escape to.

z may be reckless, but all things considered they’ve always been smart about their money. they had more than enough to buy a nice house on aurora bay drive, and have converted part of the house into a decent sized studio. they spend a lot of their time tinkering away and trying all kinds of new sounds, but they’re also open to letting other musicians book the studio and/or being hired to mix music for other local artists.

misc info.

z is usually more of a ‘act first, think later’ kind of person which can get them into trouble. since their arrest a few years ago, they’ve managed not to find themself in handcuffs or in any headlines.

she rarely heard the word “no” growing up, and can be a bit spoiled and demanding because of it

they’re here for a good time, not a long time

z’s level of fame is on par with someone like christy carlson romano, or lalane (miranda from lizzy mcguire). you probably know her name, but maybe don’t know she has a successful band or that she’s come out as nonbinary unless your into heavier music.

this was very briefly mentioned in the main bio but speaking of queer their dad is bi and married to a man and z is very proud of him for coming out to his conservative family and being his authentic self. they love their dads and wishes she could convince them to leave miami for aurora bay.

her relationship with her mom is a lot more complicated, though. they haven’t talked much at all since z was arrested. she’s come to realize they’re never going to have a good relationship and her mom’s career will always come first. she tells people it doesn’t bother her but it absolutely does.

jaxon, the exboyfriend i mentioned, is a very famous a-list celebrity now. think like if tom holland had been a disney kid.

also you may have figured out from the examples i’ve used that the childrens network she was on is heavily inspired by disney channel

z will be the first person to tell you that they’re an excellent driver. they have the enthusiasm and knowledge about cars to back up this claim. however, her driving scares most people. she has a collection of speeding tickets to her name and has been at fault for a couple of fender benders since she moved to town

she has an irrational fear of getting stuck in an elevator and takes the stairs as often as possible

wanted connections (musical edition).

bandmates. dance of the dragonflies is looking for a guitarist, drummer, bassist and keyboardist. less conventional instruments may apply too (i mean, yellowcard has a violinist after all)

other musicians. i know theres a couple other bands in aurora bay so maybe they just hang out and chat about music or have a fun jam session

clients. people who book time at dragonfly studios. could be a whole band, a solo artist, or even a voice actor, youtuber or podcaster.

concert buddies. someone who will go with z to concerts and/or festivals.

wanted connections (straight play edition).

c’mon barbie lets go party. someone who is always down to fuck around and find out. whether it’s a night out at oasis or getting high while watching some weird anime, you know they’re going to have a great time

dealer. someone who can get z what she’s looking for

former colleagues. aurora’s got a few other actors around so either they did a project together or they know each other from events

neighbor. maybe they’re always borrowing eggs and butter from each other, or they hate living next door to a recording studio tho everything is sound proofed

mechanic on call. someone’s gotta fix z’s toys when she breaks them.