#that deleted scene changed lives fr

[yrsonpurpose]

But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable. insp.

[froglover7789]

"biggs' death was important in a new hope it was symbolic of luke fully leaving behind his boyishness/ immaturity and embracing his destiny---" SHUT UP

like.... i know.... i am aware.... i am ceo of arguing this point and Also the deleted tatooine scene's number one fan (it shouldve been included to drive this point home but i get why it was cut for the pacing)

BUT MANNNNNNNNNNN i wish he'd gotten to live bro tf! if biggs had been around to be gay with luke we wouldve had less weird incest shit in esb <3 you cannot deny that it's the truth <3

just like. imagine with me tho. like just thought experiment rn. biggs as a tether for luke's boyishness.... biggs existing to allow luke to be silly and dramatic and fruity in the wake of all these evil revelations and crushing expectations... biggs who knows luke as luke first and Luke Skywalker, Destroyer of the Death Star, Killer of Darth Vader and the Emperor, Last Jedi second. like.....

lots of people like to have han and leia and chewie play this role and its like. i mean yeah fuckin thats the canon shit right there like thats canon baby! but they didnt fr know him back when he was no one. han and chewie a little but they haven't watched luke tear through tatooine's canyons at break-neck speeds for fun. they haven't helped him try to fix worthless vaporators bc some days that's the only way they could see him. they never met beru and owen. hell they don't even know that he was known as wormie!

i think that han and leia and chewie (tho him to a lesser extend bc he's known jedi) definitely have moments where they fail to see luke first. i think there's a lot of moments, esp post rotj, where they see him as the last jedi, where they see him as detached or untouchable or unlovable, because they didn't fully know him outside of the rebellion. and i think that luke, esp when he's still working through what the jedi code means to him, just accepts this rejection at times bc "jedi don't covet" and i think it kinda kills him inside.

but biggs? biggs will always see bucket hats and oversized ponchos and a smile that rivals the twin suns when he sees luke because he spent most his life being in love with him and a lost religion isn't going to change that.

[cherryheairt]

I've been in a bit of a rabbit hole thinking about Daenys' Mamma Mia situation, and I wanted to share! Sorry this is a long one

So Rhaenyra and Daemon went to freakytown in that one brothel, she got pregnant, Daemon asks Viserys for her hand and he refuses. Rhaenyra and Laenor get married immediately, and without anything else going for him, Daemon marries Laena and leaves for Essos. Maybe they didn't even know Nyra was expecting when the wedding happened, otherwise Daemon would have taken Rhaenyra to Dragonstone to marry, like she asked him to. But now he knows for certain that's his child, probably because of the timing of the birth. That probably also fuels his refusal to go back to Westeros.

Being the kind of man he is, I feel like Daemon's sadness and regret of not being able to be with his firstborn child would translate into resentment towards Laenor and Harwin, who were raising Daenys and her siblings together with Nyra. (Even if he didn't know Harwin himself, there's one deleted scene with Laena where they discussed the fact that Rhaenyra's children were not Laenor's so he definitely knew that there was someone else in the picture).

Eventually, all that pent-up emotion would have Daemon jumping at the opportunity to push Laenor aside and take his place as Rhaenyra's husband and stepfather of her children.

Speaking of Laenor, I keep going back to the scenario of him figuring out that Rhaenyra was already pregnant when they married. He was like "Oh shit girl", but he jumped right in as soon as Daenys was born, maybe keeping a lie like "Well she really is big for a premature baby, what a miracle!!!". His flashback where he takes Daenys to the beach 🥺. Those were his children, even if not biological. Being queer, he probably wouldn't have chosen for himself to have children (because of the implication of having a wife) but in this forced situation, he came to have 4 kids, that he loved in his own way.

Leanor probably knew that Daemon was Daenys' dad, I imagine maybe that was a factor in his acceptance of leaving Westeros with his lover, knowing that Rhaenyra and Daenys would have Daemon, who would raise hell to defend them and the boys.

As for Harwin, it was very sweet that flashback where he called her "my girl". When I read it the first time, I thought that meant that he was the bio dad fr. Did he even know for certain that she wasn't his? Would that have made a difference? I don't think so. Harwin loved Rhaenyra and her children all the same.

If he hadn't died, he would have been part of Rhaenyra's Queensguard and would have also stood up against Cregan with Daemon and Jace.

At last and certaily least, I thought of that scene where Aegon also mentions Cole. He hates the Velaryon kids, that probably wouldn't change even if Daenys was his, but I can see him, waking up one night sweating like "shit, am I her dad?" Fuck you, Cole.

FREAKTOWN is a bit crazy but so real

I definitely think when Rhaenyra asked him to marry her, she didn't know about her pregnancy yet and would've told him to make him fight harder if she did. Him finding out about a babe being born 9 months later and hes like, "did she really keep my daughter from me on purpose?" and never returns until Laena's death, by then already having the daughters he loves a lot.

Maybe some ravens between Rhaenyra and Daemon after the dust settled? He's sooo jealous and spiteful towards Harwin, because while not being her blood father and knowing it that man still treated her like one. #harwin4life

Laenor, too, for being the official dad by marriage and seen by the courts. They both have everything he's ever wanted, so of course he jumps to get rid of Laenor.

Laenor loved those kids so fiercely, he just stayed away from King's Landing a lot because of how court treated him and his lover, I think if they lived on DS from the start Laenor would've been more involved (speaking from the show, he seems to be away a lot and late to important things) and accepted himself more. Definitely want to add more family flashbacks, and will! Just need to place them in spots where they don't seem too out of place sigh

Yeah, part of him leaving might have a lot to do with his insecurities. He said in the show he wishes he were born different, and I think that's partly his sexuality and partly his calm nature.

Daemon might have been in both Rhaenyra's and Laenor's ears, saying how he'd be more fit to take care of them all and defend Rhaenyra when time came to take the Throne.

Harwin did know, seeing the timelines were before Rhaenyra took him as her lover, but never cared at all. Those four were his babies, no matter their blood.

That's quite amusing to think about, a whole gang of Daenys protectors outnumbering Cregan and making everything hard for him, while Daenys is tired of it and trying to tell them thats her mans

LMAO, Cole DEFINITELY had a phase where he was certain he was the father. I think they had a night together, but Rhaenyra took the moon tea like Alicent lol. Would've been cute babies.

He probably started treating her kindly in that months/years phase, to everyone's shock. Then, he gave up when she was around five and Alicent started to make her out to be mad, insisting to himself that his offspring would be perfect

he's an alicent d*ickrider 🥱

Next chapter is delayed unfortunately due to taking more shifts 🥲 hopefully chapter 11 on monday and tweleve sometime before the weekend?

[melancholysway]

TMNT Bop or Flop

Feel free to join me in this bc I'm bored af and im trying to start all the requests i have :")

this is also a slight smash or pass bc I'm bored also- however I'm not doing it with TMNT 2012- that's just wrong LMAO or rise TMNT- self-explanatory. 2003/Bayverse/2007 is fair game though yall!

TMNT 2003

Leonardo

Ngl... a bit of a flop but a bop lowkey .

I liked him when he was starting to be more carefree and not so into the whole being perfect and leader thing ...

if this was smash or pass... SMASH IDC

Idk yall something about this Leo makes me happy in a weird way, so maybe half bop half flop? a blop?

Raphael

MAJOR BOP ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ah yes a man who loves animals I'm here for it

I also really love his accent in this wtf .

He's a bop b/c he fought blind once, GTFOHHHHH!! and he ain't afraid of SHIT!

pass btw if this was smash or pass, he seems like a cool friend to have tho!

Donatello

BOP! His sassiness hasn't peaked in this version but it's very much there . 2003 Donnie is actually so sweet yall. Plus, his voice is very nice to listen to! I would love for him to read me a long book aloud as a bedtime story <3

smashbtw

Michelangelo

the man makes a mean scrambled egg according to Raph, but I make it better. FLOP.

I can't put my finger on it, but I just didn't enjoy this Mikey as much as I did in other versions. He made me wanna punch him sometimes . Also would notttt shutup about being the battle nexus champion like boy if you don't shut yo ass up-

pass pass pass pass btw

TMNT 2007

Leonardo

MAJOR. FUCKING. FLOP.

I don't care what yall mfs say, he was way too mf serious, and even said he was better than Raph??? I don't know exactly what he dealt with during that training in South America, but it changed him man.

He tried too fucking quick to bring the team back together, and that's why him and Raph had a falling out and a big fight. Raph knew it was wrong of Leo to try and waltz in again in their lives and be Fix-It-Felix bro.

sidenote: Mega SMASH. That "come to daddy" quote????? He knew wtf he was doin with that. He's too mf fine to be actin the way he was actin in this movie LMAO- I still really enjoy this Leo though, if they made a sequel like it was intended, I would probably change it to a bop, but I need more scenes of 2007 Leo/ this design of Leo to do this !

Raphael

Do I even have to say it????

BOP. BOP BOP BOP! BOP BOP BOP TO THE MF TOP YALL!

By far my FAVORITE Raph in the entire franchise! I love it, he's at his peak rebellion, and even made a name for himself fighting crime, I love it.

I also LIVE for his Brooklyn accent. I also hc if we got more screentime of him in the sequel, he'd be the most chill turtle. I believe there's a deleted scene of him talking to Leo at the end of the movie, and his tone/mannerisms were very mellow. 2007!Raph is mad chill

Also gave 2007 Leo a run for his money bro-

SIDENOTE: SMASHHHHHH! HULK SMASH IDC CALL ME WILD BUT IDC . Whoever designed him needs a raise. His eyes??? gtofh.

Donatello

Ngl...a slight flop?

he's not as sassy in this version, and I love me some sassy Donnie.

Like Leo, I really wish he got more screentime, I do love him challenging Raph in the beginning of the movie though :) Go Donnie go!

There's a deleted scene of Donnie and Splinter, it's called "let him eat cake" on youtube I believe- he would've been a bop if they kept that scene in! I feel like there was a lack of Donnie scenes in this- but I like that this movie was focused on Raph so I can't complain.

In a deleted scene it reveals Donatello loves money, he's also a flop bc he takes Mikey's money away so he can't buy dumb shit for the lair, at least let the man keep more than a $5 ya know?

ahem...smash.

Michelangelo

BOP! surprised? don't be.

he's a single mom that works one job who loves his brothers and never stops

with gentle hands and a heart of a fighter

he's a survivor <3

i also feel bad that he gets beat up by kids :( he really be providing for his family fr fr. He really out and about making his coin as a turtle in a turtle suit. he also started his own business??? got his own slogan, and is a kids party host??? like okay support small business xoxo

erm...pass btw, I just cannot see Mikey that way yall.

TMNT 2012

Leonardo

BIGGEST BOP OF THE CENTURY! This version of Leonardo is my all time favorite. He even beats Rise Leo by a few! I can't explain it, but this Leonardo- the first one we see that's more upbeat and not so serious, I loved it! They gave him interests other than training or being a leader- they gave him a love for a show he devotes his time to! be fuckin fr.

Also played tea time with some random ass lil girl, it was so cute. I loved to see Leo be put in situations where he's just being him.

So yes this is very biased but idc, he's my fave. One thing about 2012 Leo he gon get to the bag no matter what.

He also literally SLAYED Shredder and brought his head! OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!!

Raphael

Do I need to say anything?

Bop, wanna know why?

HIS ONE-LINERS. He's so in tune with his sarcasm and wits that it's so satisfying to hear some sarcastic shit come out his mouth.

May even be a bit sassy, he has no time for bullshit. will beat some ass- and is the best pet dad.

no bc when he was being a foster dad to Chompy??? my heart. my fucking heart yall.

Also the fact that he named him Chompy Picasso? PLS.

Donatello

Bop guys!

Lowkey gets bullied by Raph but makes up for it by making him look dumb at times.

SASSIER. VERY SASSY. WIll point out his brothers (Raph/Mikey's) stupidity.

Plus his gap is so cute

Also, he's a bop because he made fucking RETRO MUTAGEN. If I'm not mistaken, 2012 Donnie is the first one of his installments to make a retro mutagen.

Okay maybe Mikey mixed a chemical or two and was the original creator of the retro mutagen, but Donnie was able to make copies of it after finding out how Mikey made it.

Michelangelo

BOP BOP BOP

He might be my favorite Mikey! I really like 2007 Mikey bc his comedic timing was on point, but this Mikey! Oh my god his timing is fucking terrible and I love it.

he's also the reason why his brothers aren't in the stomachs of those big-ass wasps, he's underrated! When he applies himself, he's unstoppable fr.

Also, he's an animal lover like Raph! He also really cares for Ice Cream Kitty (IC Kitty is also one of my fave characters for some reason they're sooo cute!)

BAYVERSE TMNT

Leonardo

Hear me out.

Blop.

I know, why isn't he just a bop or why isn't he just a flop? I honestly couldn't decide. I found that he wasn't the most memorable in this version, but he did certain things that I remembered. He also has cute blue eyes so that's why he's a blop.

I didn't like the way he talked to Raph in the second movie bro, he was such a bitch, then acted mad shocked that Raph went out and tried to get the ooze himself. he also benched tf out of Raph and Mikey just because Raph called him out on his shit.

Okay I'm changing it- he's a blop but VERY close to being a flop because of that.

all this being said...pass.

Raphael

He's mad chill. A fuckin Bop. Honestly, all Raph's are bops, but this one especially. He knits yall. KNITS. Raph KNITS. I never thought I'd see the day.

Also a Vin Diesel stan, I love that for him.

They also gave him a fear of heights...or erm...skydiving, which I thought was kinda cute! Big bad Raph is scared of a plane dive!

P.S- smashy smash. he's truly a sweetheart yall.

Donatello

I actually really like his design! Love the glasses on him fr fr!

This Donnie is a blop though...sorry guys.

He was very nerdy in this one, but I'm so used to Donnie being a sass king that it didn't feel normal.

I wish they gave him more substance than just the genius of the team, if this makes any sense. Same with 2007!Donnie.

Blop positive: he's the only turtle to curse in the movie! he also snorts. it's cute.

Sadly...pass.

but, if they made him sassy as FUCK- ALL MIGHT DEKU SMASH.

Michelangelo

BOPPITY BOP

he's mad cool i dont see anything wrong with him. He's just a bro.

i dont have much to say about bayverse Mikey for some reason, so I'll leave it at this.

He also calls April "Angelcakes" which I think is cute yall-

Pass btw

RISE!TMNT

Leonardo

Final boss level BOP BRO. I love love love this Leo! He's amazing. I have no complaints fr.

Total asshole in the lair olympics but I loved every second of it LMFAO

also his granny disguise to spy on April??? 10/10 great style. It's nice to see Leo not be the leader for once, I truly see what he could be when he doesn't carry the burden of the leader.

Raphael

Okay, I'm used to hothead/soft Raph, but this Raph?! MF BOP! HE'S FINALLY GETTING THE UNOFFICIAL LEADERSHIP ROLE HE DESERVES.

He's a big mf softie, and I love it! I love his design, everything! No complaints about this Raph, he finally is able to show his leadership skills!

spoiler all rise! turtles are bops bc its so nice to see them written differently than their usual stereotypes.

Donatello

I absolutely adore this version of Donnie! His lines are absolutely top tier bro.

HIS RAP IN MYSTIC LIBRARY??? GTFOH. I also really loved his rivalry with Leo in the olympics btw .

He has so many golden moments that this is exactly why hes a BOP! BOP OF THE MF UNIVERSE.

He's also unintentionally funny, his computer password??? yeah bro he's funny.

Michelangelo

BOP. I finally feel like Mikey isn't the butt of the joke anymore. All boys are funny in this series in their own way, and they're all shown being a little dumb so I love that LMAO

I love that Mikey is still childish, but it seems to do toned down as his brothers are equally childish in some way

We don't rely on Mikey for comedic relief, we can rely on him to be sporadic and chaotic though! i love this version of Mikey, this one is my favorite. Point blank my fave!

Masterlist

[myj0intsp0p]

My thinspo movie catalogue

Some of these are focused around Ed’s, some mental health or body image, some just have ✨that vibe✨ for me

I HIGHLY suggest Amazon prime for obscure ED movies that you can’t find anywhere else

(Working on a show catalog so lmk your suggestions)

To the bone 10/10- my og thinspo movie. I used to watch it multiple times a week. Not realistic at all a total dramatization/romanticization of fantasies fr

Girl, interrupted 10/10- I learned that Angelina Jolie’s lips are natural and I am happy for her but so goddamn envious. If you love a sexy crazy bitch, and a main character that (for me) was too relatable HIGHLY recommended

Starving in Suburbia 5/10- almost a passing grade but I just hate the main character and the vibe. Feels like someone’s mom found //that🦋site// and spent about 20 minutes browsing before writing the script. The end was also kind of cringe IMO

Suspiria- 10/10- a fucking horror (thinspo) movie🖤🖤 love the themes too

Neon Demon- 8/10- if you ignore the plot holes it’s great. Aesthetic, but the “twist” should have been more apart of the story, it feels like they changed the plot last minute on set the story otherwise was alright. I like how the protagonist felt with her situation and Keanu Reeves gave me mf chills

Jennifer’s body- 10/10- love this movie, love the plot, love young Megan fox, wish needy had more screen time locked up (recently watched some deleted scenes, should of left them in)

Ghost world-7/10- hyper sexual teenager(?) falls for a strange older man that loves old music, i liked the vibe, the main chick got on my nerves but black widow actress is 10/10

Sharing the Secret (2000)- 10/10- (bulimia) kind of boring story but VERY VERY realistic and hella triggering. Honestly the acting is like the best I’ve seen and the writing is spot on

Without Consent- 7/10- really boring kind of like idk great story but it just couldn’t keep me hooked and I ended up distracted through a lot of it. It wanted to be girl, interrupted like really badly. It’s fun though and I like the characters.

Emma wants to live- 10/10- ana doc about a girl who died. Hella triggering seriously, and the fact that you have to read subtitles keeps me focused. Seriously sad but free on yt. If I had to put a TW on one movie it would be this one.

Birds of paradise -10/10- ballet bulimia bitches. Makes me feel like I’ve done nothing with myself

Movies I haven’t seen yet

Tie me up! Tie me down!

Smithereens (punk)

The river

Personal best (lesbians)

Lovelace (porn actress, played by needy from Jennifer’s body)

Halfway

Black swan (ballet)

Without consent (mental institution)

The Stockholm solution (ed documentary)

Hunger Point (mother/daughter/sister ana movie)

Pieces of April (family issues, weird daughter)

Dazed and confused (stoner film)

Vally girl (bimbo & punk romance, 1983)

Heathers

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday 5th January

SPIKE: What's Buffy thinking? H-honestly? ANGEL: She doesn't exactly have the best taste in men. Case in point. (looks at Spike) SPIKE: H-hey! I think I turned out all right. ANGEL: Yeah. Once she got through with you. SPIKE: I wasn't the one livin' in alleys, rubbin' rat filth all over my face. If we're talkin' projects, you're the Sistine Chapel. ANGEL: I wasn't a project. SPIKE: Well, neither was I.

~~The Girl in Question~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Always Prepared (Buffy, PG) by badly_knitted

biological necessity (Giles/Jenny, Explicit) by The_Eclectic_Bookworm

The Sound of Music (Buffy/Angel, general audiences) by OveliaGirlHaditRight

Bound together (Ensemble, Mature) by R4ik3n

Smile Time Comic Script (Angel & Spike, General audiences) by AstridV

Mistress Tara Maclay Owns Buffy (Buffy/Tara, Explicit) by GTD

Baby Fever Jenny (Giles/Jenny, not rated) by jessannperreault

[Chaptered Fiction]

Season 7: Deleted Spike Scenes (Spike/Buffy, Angel/Buffy, Teen and up) by Witherstone

The Slayer's Moon (Spike/Buffy, Mature) by Witherstone

Everything You Wanted to Know About Vampires But Were Afraid to Ask, 2/3 (Buffy/Spike, Teen and up) by Witherstone

Series: Part 1 of Five Times Giles went to Vegas (Not Rated, BUT: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Crossovers with Stargate SG-1, Punky Brewster (TV 1984)) by Vidicon666

Dominoes, Chapter 1 (Spike/Buffy, R) by Sigyn

The Fairytale, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Dusty

Daughter of Aurelius, Chapter 40 (Spike/Buffy, NC-17) by Loup Noir

We Go Forward, We Go Back, Chapter 5 (Buffy Centred, crossover with Sailor Moon, Once Upon a Time, FR-18) by Wrytergrrrl

[Reviews & Recaps]

PODCAST: Blood Money • S02E12 • TPN’s Angel Guide by Passion of the Nerd

[Community Announcements]

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[Fandom Discussions]

In s2 Spike refers to Buffy as “Rebecca of Sunnyhell Farm” by millennialslayer

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I hate Being An Adult by blueberrysconematurity

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Spike and Buffy: “I love you,” - “ No, you don’t.” by Joan the Vampire Slayer

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[cherryxsubs]

REAL⇔FAKE 2nd Stage Episode 2 Summary

CAST: Aramaki Yoshihiko as Makino Nagisa Ueda Keisuke as Ikuta Yuusuke Wada Masanari as Sena Masayuki Sato Ryuji as Suzuki Kakeru Matsumura Ryuunosuke as Umehara Reijirou Someya Toshiyuki as Moriya Hidetoshi Aoi Shouta as Akane Ino Hiroki as Uno Kouki Sasamori Hiroki as Inamori Mizuki

⋆♕⋆♕⋆♕⋆

Opening theme RUMOR by Stellar CROWNS with Akane

Ending theme Garasu no Kutsu by Aoi Shouta

⋆♕⋆♕⋆♕⋆

Summary under the cut.

sorry i cut out the fluff and focused on the main story

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Same night The one who called Akane in the last part of the previous episode turns out to be Masayuki. Akane asks to meet up with Masa tomorrow so they could talk.

Next day, early morning Masa wakes up and sees that Nagisa still hasn't come home. He was about to leave when he comes across Reijirou who was making bentou for their practice later. He explains the situation to him and heads out. Rei was gonna follow him but he was already out of sight when he went out the door.

Rei opens up his laptop and hacks into the mainframe to locate Masa's phone using GPS(?).

--later--

Yuusuke reads fan tweets / replies on his phone, most of them expressing their sadness and disappointment due to the scandals coming out. Kakeru snatches the phone away from him, and found tweets from other fans defending Stellar CROWNS and expressing their belief in them.

They found the bentou on the table, with a message from Rei saying that he and Masa will be out looking for Nagisa.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ 

QUEEN RECORDS building The guard told Masayuki that Nagisa didn't come to the building, and that no one came last night.

QUEEN RECORDS indoor parking area(?) Masa receives a call from Yuusuke, but gets cut off because his phone ran out of battery. He looks at the clock and sees that he has 50 minutes left before the arranged meeting with Akane, so he sets out for the meeting place.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ 

Dance Studio(?) Yuusuke and Kakeru arrive together, and saw that Kouki and Mizuki (ASTRA RING) were already there. Kamishiro, ASTRA RING's manager, explained that it was for the documentary that they'll be shooting for STELLAR CROWNS and ASTRA RING's joint live. Yuusuke and Kakeru were both surprised, and Kamishiro explained that it was Akane who decided this to recover from the recent scandals.

Kamishiro then asks them where the rest of Stellar CROWNS are.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

QUEEN RECORDS indoor parking area Using the GPS(?), Rei arrives at the last location where Masa was before his phone went out. There he sees a set of keys with a strawberry keyholder on the ground.

Image sources: (x) (x)

--flashback-- Rei remembers that the keyholder was given by Masa to Nagisa. Nagisa names it “berry-yuki” (strawberry + Masayuki).

Image source: (x)

Moriya arrives in his car at the parking area and sees Rei. Together, they went to the guard to ask him about Nagisa. They found out that all security camera footage from yesterday was deleted, as instructed by Akane.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Dance Studio Yuusuke explains the situation to ASTRA RING and their manager. Kakeru turns to leave to help with the search for the missing Nagisa. Kamishiro guilt-trips Yuusuke to stay. Yuusuke also convinces Kakeru to stay, telling him that both of them should do what they can do.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

QUEEN RECORDS indoor parking area

Image source: (x)

Moriya is working on his laptop trying to restore the deleted security footage. Rei offers to help but Moriya declined saying that it's not something amateurs can do. Moriya fails, and Rei takes over. He proceeds to do the fancy hacking thing while Moriya looked on in awe

(I said I cut out the fluff but I found the 'hacking' scenes so extra, I love it)

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Dance Studio

Image source: (x)

Kouki picks a fight with Kakeru and Mizuki and Yuusuke stops them. Kakeru tries to leave, but Mizuki stops him to apologize, and then manages to force Kouki to apologize as well. Kakeru tells them to change to their practice clothes so they can start.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Unknown location Nagisa manages to free his feet so he got up and looked around. He found an envelope on a table and opens it.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

QUEEN RECORDS indoor parking area The security footage got recovered successfully. (Moriya is like, “wtf?”) They looked at the footage from the camera in the parking area. They see Akane pushing a trolley with something like a body bag on it. As we walked by, something fell on the ground. They looked at it closer and it turned out to be the keys with the strawberry keyholder. A few moments later, a black van exits the parking area.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Unknown location Nagisa looks through the file inside the envelope. It turned out to be an investigation report about Kouki and Mizuki. It details Fyrklöver’s activities in chronological fashion, including the time when Yuusuke withdrew from the group and the time when Nagisa became busy with his acting career.

--flashback: 2014-- Nagisa is just about to enter the dance studio where Fyrklöver is practicing, when he hears Kouki and Mizuki talking. Kouki wonders what would happen to the two of them, since Yuusuke quit and Nagisa’s acting career is going well. Mizuki tells him that Kouki will do just fine, it’s just that no one has taken notice of his talent yet. Kouki asks him if he’s being sarcastic, or just trying to cheer him up. Mizuki answers that he really believes what he said. The two begin practice, and Nagisa only looks on.

Image source: (x)

--flashback end

Just then, someone started to violently turn the door knob, trying to get in. Nagisa thinks it's Akane and hurriedly tries to free his hands and arms.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Masa is walking towards his and Akane's arranged meeting place. A black van can be seen following him.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Dance Studio, dressing area Mizuki reads another article that just broke out, accusing Reijirou of being a part of an international hacking group.

Kouki asks Mizuki why he stopped him earlier when it seemed like it would've gone well. He tells him they should just hurry up and do it, when Mizuki kabedons stops him. Mizuki tells him to stop acting on his own, because it may be the end for the two of them.

Image source: (x)

this photo gives me strange feelings

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Meeting Area (underpass) Akane apologizes to Masayuki for dragging them into something once again. He tells them that they're in danger. Before Masa could ask him for an explanation, a black van speeds straight at them. They both manage to get out of the way in time. But then, unknown men gets out of the van and rushes towards them. Akane gets tasered, and eventually Masayuki gets tasered as well. They were carried back to the van, and it speeds off to somewhere.

Image source: (x)

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Nagisa is struggling to free himself while someone is trying to get in the room.

Moriya and Reijirou are in Moriya's car, hurrying to somewhere.

While Nagisa is still trying to untie himself, the door is opened. Two people walk in.

⋆ ♕ ⋆

End of Episode 2

[smokeybrandreviews]

Smokey brand Retrospective: Red Pill Me

Cinemacon has passed and there has been a lot of awesome sh*t revealed. On the top of that list, obviously, Spider-Man: Far From Home has me geeked to high heaven but there were a ton of other noteworthy reveals. There was some Batman reveals, a few Mission Impossible 7 and Top Gun 2 trailers, plus audiences ever got a surprise screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Now, that would be great on it's own but cats even got a little sizzle real for Matrix Resurrections: The long gestating fourth Matrix film. Apparently, this thing is releasing in December. I am lukewarm at best. I have fond memories of the Matrix trilogy as a whole but, since it’s final release some twenty years ago, the Wachowskis have been revealed to be one trick ponies. They kind of suck at film making. I mean, i liked Speed Racer but i just generally enjoy Speed Racer. It helped tremendously that Christina Ricci was Trixie, too, but everything after that was kind of balls. I also really like V for Vendetta but that’s not real their movie, they just adapted it. I guess you can say that about Speed Racer, too. Anyway, in light of there near Shyamalan-esque track record with their films, i wanted to revisit the first three Matrix films and see if they hold up, to try and muster some sense of excitement for what comes next.

The Matrix

Of the trilogy, this is easily the best film. Everything about it is exceptional. The Matrix was a whole ass shift in the cultural zeitgeist. It was a lot of people’s first experience with accessible cyberpunk and I'll always love it for that. I’ll also love it for normalizing Hong Kong style action sequences and giving us the most breathtaking application of Bullet Time I've seen to date. The Matrix s why the theater exists. If you’ve never seen this thing on the big screen, you missed out on something very special. I had just just turned thirteen when it released and checked it out at the dollar theater. I had only ever seen anything like this, in anime. Seeing all of my favorite Eighties OVAs filtered through the big budget Hollywood lens was incredible. I even like the rather pedestrian narrative. I think the story worked for what the movie was trying to do. It’s a shame the Wachowskis have tried to rewrite history about the narrative as of late. I understand the underlying themes of identity and sexuality but come on? That’s some college film theory bullsh*t that got tacked on after the fact. Now, if the original script is to be believed, then, yes, all of that, but what we got is not so profound. This is a basic Chosen One narrative with Dope ass effects that were ahead of it’s time.

A fr as the cast, what can i say? These motherf*ckers were perfect. Keanu Reeves as Neo was inspired. It’s wild to say that because dude is a plank but it works. He’s the POV character, he’s who you see that world through. Making him a blank slate so to speak, helps with immersion and that is a world you definitely wan to be immersed within. This was my first experience with Carrie-Ann Moss and I've loved her ever since. Her Trinity fast became one of my favorite characters and I'm actually pretty excited to see where she is in the new film. Lawrence Fishburne as Morpheus was an interesting choice. I wasn’t mad and it worked perfectly but it was weird seeing him in such an active, action oriented, role. That said, for me, this movie is made by Hugo Weaving. He is absolutely monstrous as Agent Smith. He’s got this scene chewing energy that mirrors Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa and we all know how much i love that Nazi f*ck so that’s really high praise. To this day, I've got his Humanity is a Virus speech memorized. It was just that f*cking good! The Matrix is an exquisite watch and it is absolutely mandatory viewing if you consider yourself a fan of cinema.

The Matrix Reloaded

Whoo, boy, talk about a drop in quality. Reloaded released four years later in 2003 and it screams Studio Mandate. I was a sprightly eighteen years old when this thing dropped and made it a point to see it opening day. I really enjoyed the first outing so i figured this one would be just as amazing. Indeed, i remember leaving the theater thinking to myself how decent of a sequel it turned out to be. It wasn’t better than the first but it didn’t sh*t the bed like most follow-ups do. Fast forward to present day and, after watching this thing again for the first time in probably fifteen years, it’s kind of f*cking bad. Like, as a cinematic experience, it’s pretty tight Everything is amped up. Tons more action, way more bombastic set pieces, stakes have been raised considerably; The Matrix Reloaded is everything you want in a summer blockbuster sequel. However, that’s it. Everything else is worse. The acting has become way too hammy and the new cast members fit into this narrative like a square peg in a round hole. Why is f*cking Niobe even in this thing? Who even is the Merovingian? Why is Mouse? The pacing is all over the place, too. Like, this thing stops dead in it’s tracks on several occasions but that’s not the worst of it.

The worst thing is the narrative. What the f*ck even is the story trying to be told in this movie? It doesn’t make any f*cking sense. The Matrix was, very obviously, a standalone film. That was a closed narrative. Neo’s story had been told. Everything after that is unnecessary. This movie is an exercise in the unnecessary. I appreciate all of how unchained and manic Smith is in this but, outside of that, what the f*ck was the point of this whole narrative? It’s filler. This movie is filler and it feels like it. The returning cast is serviceable and seeing Zion was interesting. I like how all the survivors are just sweaty black people. I literally hated everyone added to the cast though. Well, that’s not quite true. I rather enjoyed Collin Chou as Seraph. Dude was inconsequential but i love seeing Asian martial artists not name Li or Chan getting some shine. Also, Monica Bellucci is in this and i kind of just love her in general. Her Persephone is absolutely disposable but she looks damn fine in that plastic wrapped dress of hers. I literally can’t be bothered mentioning anyone else. They are that forgettable. This movie is that forgettable. And it’s arguably the best of the two sequels.

The Matrix Revolutions

Talk about going out with a thud. Man, i saw this with my best friend, rest in peace B, and we both hated it. He was an even bigger fan of The Matrix than i was so his disappointment was palpable. I’ll never forget his visceral reaction when that rainbow spread across the super happy Hollywood ending. Dude was hot and he had every right to be. The first Matrix set up this intriguing, immersive, world full of fanatic visuals, great piratical stunts, and a very through provoking premise. The second Matrix was your basic Hollywood sequel; More shine, less substance. But Revolutions? Man this is peak Wachowski fail. You saw hints of this messiah sh*t in the first, it’s literally a Chosen One narrative, but thy went all in on that sh*t in Reloaded. By the time Revolutions finished, this whole narrative was so far up it’s own ass, it didn’t know which way was up. It just f*cking ends. Everyone is dead and it’s over. The Wachowskis went heavy on the Jesus imagery, they were not subtle, and the f*cking conflict just ends. Robot don’t stop using people as batteries. Flesh and blood Humans still have to live in Zion. The only thing that’s changed is Neo’s dead and Agent Smith has been deleted. That’s it. The Matrix still exists, people are still trapped in it, and everything that happened in these films doesn’t f*cking matter. Literally right back at the start of the whole goddamn conflict. Revolutions is so f*cking disappointing, dude, by every measure of that metric.

Hugh Weaving is still pretty good as Smith and Keanu does his best imitation of white bread as Neo but, like, everything else is just so pedestrian. Plus, this thing is long. Like, unreasonably so. Why the f*ck is this movie two hours? The entire trilogy is kind of like that but it’s most egregious in this one. This story could be told in ninety minutes, just like Reloaded. Why the f*ck do i have an extra half hour of bullsh*t in this? Like, that whole “Neo Lost” arc was unnecessary, in both sequels. F*cking why? I don’t hate Revolutions. It’s not a “bad” film per say, it’s just disappointing. It’s the poster child for the law of diminishing returns. The Matrix Revolutions is the what happens when you let creatives with fresh egos, run amok with one hundred and fifty million f*cking dollars. So much spectacle but even less substance that Reloaded and that motherf*cker was a hollow mess. Still, The Matrix Revolutions is better than anything Michael Bay or Zack Snyder has ever made so i guess it’s got that going for it.

[hamilton-one-shots]

Hamilton High School AU 22

Alexander popped the phone onto a charger and waited for the screen to light up. When it did, he saw that the lock screen was Lafayette and a few old friends in front of the Eiffel Tower. He looked happy. At least, he looked substantially happier than the last time Alexander saw him. He sighed and added Lafayette's new number before texting him. [Laf: hey, its alex. marta gavme ur old phon. can we tak l8r? its imprtnt.] Then he switched to texting John. [John: hey, marta gav me lafs old phon 4 now.]

Both were headed back to class after lunch, though Lafayette was more nervous to respond. [Yes, of course, but it will have to wait a while. I have drama and we're talking to John after that.]

[I'm glad to hear that. I missed you. : )]

Alexander opened his laptop to work on something for the debate society, cringing as Lafayette's text tone rang through. 'Salut! New message, Monsieur! Meow!' Even Lafayette now would be annoyed by it.  [Laf: it ok. I jus wana tak. Hav fun in drama :)] He hoped he sounded friendly enough. The last thing he wanted to do was panic Lafayette. [John: i talked 2 marta a lot. I feel beter 4 it. Oh! Also took my meds] [...do u thnk Tomas gets angry spels?] [no, ignor tat. It's dum. Jus thinkin 2 much. Bored @ hoem.]

Lafayette was the first to respond with a simple [Thank you, I'll see you then.]

[I'm glad you feel better! Can't have my love feeling too bad ❤] [I'm also proud of you for taking your meds 💗] It was mushy, but it was John. He was usually like that. At least he was with Alexander. When the second set of messages came through, he frowned a bit. [Jefferson's just a stupid bully. I've known that for a while now, you know.] [Don't let him get to you.]

Alexander sighed. He couldn't blame John for thinking that way after what he did to him. [sry, just didnt tink ne1 cud b tat much of n ass w/out reson]

[I see where you're coming from, but Jefferson isn't like you. He doesn't care.]

John had a point, but... It was worth a shot. He logged into Facebook and pulled up his messages with Jefferson. [dnt b men to laf in drama]

[Anything for you <3 xx]

[dnt do tat. im tryin to b sivil]

[You just wanted to message me, didn't you? ;) xx]

[no.]

[Why? Besides, I'm meant to be working, boo <3 xx]

[4get it] Alexander dropped back to his pillow with a huff, holding the phone to his chest. This wasn't going anywhere. [jus bored. Go bck 2 studyin]

[Yes sir <3 xx] Thomas chuckled and strode into class with Lafayette and Hercules, where Alexander usually joined them, and sat beside the pair. "Smile, Mulligan. You use less muscle."

"When you drop, I will." He shot back.

"Now, now, I've been given specific instructions to be nice to Laf. I plan on following them." Thomas grinned.

Lafayette shifted to be a bit closer to Herc. He didn't feel like starting a fight with Thomas that day and didn't want Hercules to feel he had to. "If you really wanted to be nice to me, you'd kindly fuck off." He smiled, speaking low enough so that the teacher wouldn't hear, but loud enough for Thomas to hear him clearly.

Thomas nodded. "As you wish." And he... actually left?

"What's up with that?" Hercules asked.

"I don't know.. Maybe we should just enjoy this while it lasts."

[Laf asked me to move and I did. That's being kind, right? 😉 xx]

[i gess... thnx?].

[Don't mention it. See? I can be nice 💗 xx]  [What am I going to get in return? Or do I move back to sitting next to them? xx]

Alexander froze, feeling his heart jump wildly in his chest. [wat do u meen...?]

[I mean xx] [Either we start 'getting along' if you catch my drift, I'll play nice. I'll be nice to Laf, I'll be nice to Herc; hell, I'll even be nice to your Johnny 💗 xx] [We've just got to spend some time together, that's all xx] [Or I can go find John now. He's probably in the library, right? xx]

[nO] [dnt do that] [pls] He panicked, typing back quickly, biting his lip.

[Then let's hang out. Sit with me in lunch tomorrow when you're back. Then come to mine after school. I'll even drive us. OR I'll get John. xx]

Poor Alexander whimpered in panic. This wasn't what he wanted. Not in the least. [ok] He looked back to his conversation with John. [John, u cnt come ovr 2day. im 2 sick.]

John furrowed his eyebrows and took a break from drawing. [What? Are you sure? I asked Martha earlier and she said it'd be fine if I went over and visited you...] [And Lafayette asked me to come over, probably to talk about what they know.]

Crap, that was right. Alexander almost forgot. [sry, just havn an episod. frekd out fr a sec] He curled up and whimpered. He was scared... And he needed John now more than ever, but he wasn't going to let Thomas come near him, not after what he'd done to him. He had to take care of this himself. He switched back to Facebook. [tomas, im not sure about this...]

[So you'd rather me go back to sitting next to him and start something? Ooh, I know, I could tell him how hot he looks in skinnies 😉 xx]

Alexander jumped up. [no dnt] [sorry jus] [pls dnt do nythin] [pls] [tomas?] [thomas] [anser] [o god] [dnt hve dne nything] [pls] [tomas!]

[Chill. Eacker was looking this way so I had to hide my phone xx] This was a lie. Thomas had waited a few minutes before responding purposefully to scare poor Alexander. [Good to hear you screaming my name tho xx]

[stop pls]

[How'd you manage to misspell my name when it's on the screen in front of you? 😜 xx]

[pannic]

[Aww... don't panic 💗 I'm gonna look after you, I promise xx] He looked over at Lafayette and Hercules and smiled.

Lafayette glared back at him. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this..."

"Please be carerful.." Hercules kissed his cheek.

After school, Lafayette took a chance and sat beside Thomas for drama. "Hello, Thomas."

Thomas raised an eyebrow at him. "Since when do you talk to me?"

"I just thought I could ask you for some advice. Do you have any tips for playing Veronica sawyer?"

This sparked his interest. "There's not much to it. She's a high school chick trying to fit in. Sort of a sassy girl next door."

"I see.." He nodded. "And I wanted to apologize for our prank last night. I remember how hard it was for John to have to raise his siblings."

"Forget about it. Lucy's a kid. These things happen." He pulled out his script. "So, are you okay with Dead Girl Walking? Because we're going to have to practice that scene at some point and I don't want it to be awkward when we do." As if he cared. He only had to be nice to Lafayette.

Laf couldn't help but shudder a bit ,though he was able to keep it to himself. "It's just acting. No harm done. I'm sure Herc won't mind."

Thomas nodded. "You're right. He shouldn't."

Before Lafayette could comment on what Jefferson was obviously trying to do, Eacker stumbled in, apologizing for being late once again before announcing their roles. Of course, Lafayette was Veronica Sawyer and Thomas Jefferson was Jason Dean.

"See? You know me. It won't be so bad."

Though, of course, it was the fact that Lafayette knew him that made it bad.

"What scene are you two talking about?" Eacker asked as he passed the pair.

"Dead Girl Walking. Just hoping it won't be too awkward."

Eacker smiled. "Well, nothing like breaking the ice."

Wait, what?

"We're all friends here. We were going to head on stage anyways to practice a few scenes. Why not this one?"

Oh, god, were they really doing this now? Lafayette stood up and took a deep breath before following everyone out to the auditorium. It's just acting.

Thomas was too busy texting to worry.

[i dnt like tis] [im scared] [pls dnt taek it owt on laf] [i jst dnt want 2 go hoem w/ u] [sorry sory sorry] [nything els, u got it] [jus dnt ruin drma 4 laf] [dnt go neer Jhon] [John*] [pls] [pls] [pls]

[No. We've got a deal, babe. I'll behave if you do as I say. Laf's acting now; y'sure you wanna go back on this nooooow? 😉 xx]

[nO] [pls] [leev hm aloen] [il b good] [its fien] [il go w/ yu] [srry]

[Good choice 💗 xx]

Alexander changed the password on the phone to some complicated pattern before putting it down on the bed... then beginning to tremble. He hopped up from the bed before practically sprinting across to Lafayette's room and launching himself at John. Poor Rosie barely had time to leap out of the way. She hissed disapprovingly as she knocked her paw before returning to her basket as Alexander buried his face in John's chest, shaking like a leaf. He kept his arms wrapped around John's waist in the same vice like fashion he had before when he was scared John would leave him.

John didn't ask any questions. He didn't have to ask what happened. He had a good feeling. He texted Jefferson to confirm his beliefs. [What did you do to Alex? Leave him alone. If you're doing this to hurt me, just come after me instead. If you're not, come after me anyways. Leave him out.]

Thomas chuckled. How cute. But he couldn't respond yet. He got on stage with Lafayette and watched him act as the song began.

"The demon queen of high school has decreed it. She says Monday, 8 am I will be deleted. They’ll hunt me down in Study Hall, stuff and mount me on the wall. Thirty hours to live. How shall I spend them? I don’t have to stay and die like cattle. I could change my name and drive up to Seattle. But I don’t own a motorbike. Wait, here’s an option that I like. Spend these thirty hours getting’ freaky! Yeah! I need it hard, I’m a dead girl walking! I’m in your yard, I’m a dead girl walking! Before they punch my clock, I’m snappin’ off your window lock. Got no time to knock, I’m a dead girl walking." As much as Lafayette dreaded the scene, he wasn't about to half ass it.

"V-veronica..? What are you doing in my room...?" It was... unclear if Thomas was acting or not. It was either excellent acting ability... or Lafayette had genuinely caught Thomas off guard and scared him half to death. Either way, it certainly fit the role.

"Shh!" Lafayette looked back at Thomas with a sultry expression, grabbing his shirt collar. "Sorry, but I really had to wake you. See, I’ve decided I must ride you ‘till I break you ‘cause Heather says I gotsta go. You’re my last meal on Death Row. Shut your mouth and lose them tighty whiteys! Come on! Tonight I’m yours! I’m your dead girl walking." He pushed him down to his knees, lost in the role. "Get on all fours, kiss this dead girl walking. Let’s go, you know the drill. I’m hot, and pissed and I'm on the pill. Bow down to the will of a dead girl walking." He kneeled down and held his face. "And you know, you know, you know, it’s cause you’re beautiful. You say you’re numb inside but I can’t agree. So the world’s not fair? Keep it locked out there. In here it’s beautiful! Let’s make this beautiful!"

"Shh!" Lafayette looked back at Thomas with a sultry expression, grabbing his shirt collar. "Sorry, but I really had to wake you. See, I’ve decided I must ride you ‘till I break you ‘cause Heather says I gotsta go. You’re my last meal on Death Row. Shut your mouth and lose them tighty whiteys! Come on! Tonight I’m yours! I’m your dead girl walking." He pushed him down to his knees, lost in the role.

Thomas felt his knees click as he dropped, but it was totally worth it. Lafayette looked an image of perfection and coupled with those lyrics... Thomas felt like he could take him there and then.

"Get on all fours, kiss this dead girl walking. Let’s go, you know the drill. I’m hot, and pissed and on the pill. Bow down to the will of a dead girl walking." He knelt down and held his face.

It took all of Thomas' restraint not to go back on his 'deal' with Alexander. Whether or not getting in Lafayette's pants was his focus, he was undeniably gorgeous.

"And you know, you know, you know, it’s cause you’re beautiful. You say you’re numb inside but I can’t agree. So the world’s not fair? Keep it locked out there. In here it’s beautiful! Let’s make this beautiful!"

"Th-that works for me!" He exasperated before yanking Lafayette into a kiss. It was rough and messy... but at least it fit the scene.

It was going to take the power of every god to wash that taste from Lafayette's mouth. It tasted like.. Like.. Jefferson. And he hated it. But he didn't act like it. He kissed back just as roughly because it wasn't Lafayette kissing Thomas, it was Veronica kissing JD. And it was too late to back out then, so he kissed back and continued the song afterwards. "Yeah! Full steam ahead! Take this dead girl walking!

"How'd you find my address?"

"Let’s break the bed! Rock this dead girl walking!"

"I think we tore my mattress!"

"No sleep tonight for you! Better chug that Mountain Dew!"

"Okay, okay.."

"Get your ass in gear! Make this whole town disappear!"

"Okay, Okay!"

"Slap me, pull my hair! Touch me there, there, and there!" Lafayette didn't know what was worse, the fact that Thomas' hands were all over him or the fact that he was the one guiding them. At least he got to slap him. "No more talking!"

"Woah!"

"Love this dead girl walking!"

"Woah, woah! Hey, hey! Yeah, yeah!"

"Love this dead girl walking!"

"Love this dead girl! Woah, woah! Hey, hey! Wait, wait!"

They finished out the song in sync. "Love this dead girl! Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

"Ouch!"

"YEAH!”

“YEAH!"

As soon as the song was over, Lafayette got off of Thomas and caught his breath, smiling at the class a bit. He knew they did amazing. And he hated it.

Thomas looked like a mess. His hair was sticking up all directions and his face was glowing crimson. Thomas was no virgin, but he hadn't expected Lafayette to carry out the scene so well, or convincingly. He pulled himself to his feet, joining the applause for Lafayette and himself before offering a hand to help pull Lafayette up from the floor.

"See? You're both fine. Nothing to worry about." Eacker chirped with praise. "It helps when it's a friend there, right?"

"Right." Thomas piped back before returning back to his seat with Lafayette. "...so do I owe you a cigarette or...?" He laughed lightly, attempting to tidy his hair.

Lafayette rolled his eyes, holding his arms that much closer against his chest.

When class drew to a close, Thomas put his script back into his rucksack and swung it over his shoulder. "You're a great actor, Laf. Really. I mean that. I'll catch you tomorrow.," he complimented before waving him off and leaving the room, finally texting John back. [/I've/ done nothing. I haven't seen him today. Besides, he's /your/ boyfriend. You fix him xxx]

As Lafayette followed behind him, surrounded by his classmates, he felt conflicted. He loved acting, but it felt wrong doing that scene with Jefferson.

When Lafayette came out of the classroom, surrounded by various other drama members full of praise and compliments, Hercules bit his lip. This was something Lafayette was 1. Obviously passionate about and 2. Very good at. Hercules's jealousy would have to step aside. Instead, he greeted Lafayette with a supportive smile, pretending he hadn't just seen that scene. "Hey you! Someone's popular!" He hummed. "John headed back to yours early to see Alex. Are you ready to go?"

He nodded and faked a smile. "Yes. Let's go." He kissed his cheek and walked home with him.

When John and Alexander heard the pair arriving, the latter froze up a bit. Not only did they have the talk to do, but he hadn't gotten around to apologizing to Lafayette and he believed him to still be mad.

They entered the room and mumbled a few greetings before sitting down, even Rosie leaving the room as she sensed the tense atmosphere.

John was the first to break the silence.

[smokeybrand]

Smokey brand Retrospective: Red Pill Me

Cinemacon has passed and there has been a lot of awesome sh*t revealed. On the top of that list, obviously, Spider-Man: Far From Home has me geeked to high heaven but there were a ton of other noteworthy reveals. There was some Batman reveals, a few Mission Impossible 7 and Top Gun 2 trailers, plus audiences ever got a surprise screening of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Now, that would be great on it's own but cats even got a little sizzle real for Matrix Resurrections: The long gestating fourth Matrix film. Apparently, this thing is releasing in December. I am lukewarm at best. I have fond memories of the Matrix trilogy as a whole but, since it’s final release some twenty years ago, the Wachowskis have been revealed to be one trick ponies. They kind of suck at film making. I mean, i liked Speed Racer but i just generally enjoy Speed Racer. It helped tremendously that Christina Ricci was Trixie, too, but everything after that was kind of balls. I also really like V for Vendetta but that’s not real their movie, they just adapted it. I guess you can say that about Speed Racer, too. Anyway, in light of there near Shyamalan-esque track record with their films, i wanted to revisit the first three Matrix films and see if they hold up, to try and muster some sense of excitement for what comes next.

The Matrix

Of the trilogy, this is easily the best film. Everything about it is exceptional. The Matrix was a whole ass shift in the cultural zeitgeist. It was a lot of people’s first experience with accessible cyberpunk and I'll always love it for that. I’ll also love it for normalizing Hong Kong style action sequences and giving us the most breathtaking application of Bullet Time I've seen to date. The Matrix s why the theater exists. If you’ve never seen this thing on the big screen, you missed out on something very special. I had just just turned thirteen when it released and checked it out at the dollar theater. I had only ever seen anything like this, in anime. Seeing all of my favorite Eighties OVAs filtered through the big budget Hollywood lens was incredible. I even like the rather pedestrian narrative. I think the story worked for what the movie was trying to do. It’s a shame the Wachowskis have tried to rewrite history about the narrative as of late. I understand the underlying themes of identity and sexuality but come on? That’s some college film theory bullsh*t that got tacked on after the fact. Now, if the original script is to be believed, then, yes, all of that, but what we got is not so profound. This is a basic Chosen One narrative with Dope ass effects that were ahead of it’s time.

A fr as the cast, what can i say? These motherf*ckers were perfect. Keanu Reeves as Neo was inspired. It’s wild to say that because dude is a plank but it works. He’s the POV character, he’s who you see that world through. Making him a blank slate so to speak, helps with immersion and that is a world you definitely wan to be immersed within. This was my first experience with Carrie-Ann Moss and I've loved her ever since. Her Trinity fast became one of my favorite characters and I'm actually pretty excited to see where she is in the new film. Lawrence Fishburne as Morpheus was an interesting choice. I wasn’t mad and it worked perfectly but it was weird seeing him in such an active, action oriented, role. That said, for me, this movie is made by Hugo Weaving. He is absolutely monstrous as Agent Smith. He’s got this scene chewing energy that mirrors Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa and we all know how much i love that Nazi f*ck so that’s really high praise. To this day, I've got his Humanity is a Virus speech memorized. It was just that f*cking good! The Matrix is an exquisite watch and it is absolutely mandatory viewing if you consider yourself a fan of cinema.

The Matrix Reloaded

Whoo, boy, talk about a drop in quality. Reloaded released four years later in 2003 and it screams Studio Mandate. I was a sprightly eighteen years old when this thing dropped and made it a point to see it opening day. I really enjoyed the first outing so i figured this one would be just as amazing. Indeed, i remember leaving the theater thinking to myself how decent of a sequel it turned out to be. It wasn’t better than the first but it didn’t sh*t the bed like most follow-ups do. Fast forward to present day and, after watching this thing again for the first time in probably fifteen years, it’s kind of f*cking bad. Like, as a cinematic experience, it’s pretty tight Everything is amped up. Tons more action, way more bombastic set pieces, stakes have been raised considerably; The Matrix Reloaded is everything you want in a summer blockbuster sequel. However, that’s it. Everything else is worse. The acting has become way too hammy and the new cast members fit into this narrative like a square peg in a round hole. Why is f*cking Niobe even in this thing? Who even is the Merovingian? Why is Mouse? The pacing is all over the place, too. Like, this thing stops dead in it’s tracks on several occasions but that’s not the worst of it.

The worst thing is the narrative. What the f*ck even is the story trying to be told in this movie? It doesn’t make any f*cking sense. The Matrix was, very obviously, a standalone film. That was a closed narrative. Neo’s story had been told. Everything after that is unnecessary. This movie is an exercise in the unnecessary. I appreciate all of how unchained and manic Smith is in this but, outside of that, what the f*ck was the point of this whole narrative? It’s filler. This movie is filler and it feels like it. The returning cast is serviceable and seeing Zion was interesting. I like how all the survivors are just sweaty black people. I literally hated everyone added to the cast though. Well, that’s not quite true. I rather enjoyed Collin Chou as Seraph. Dude was inconsequential but i love seeing Asian martial artists not name Li or Chan getting some shine. Also, Monica Bellucci is in this and i kind of just love her in general. Her Persephone is absolutely disposable but she looks damn fine in that plastic wrapped dress of hers. I literally can’t be bothered mentioning anyone else. They are that forgettable. This movie is that forgettable. And it’s arguably the best of the two sequels.

The Matrix Revolutions

Talk about going out with a thud. Man, i saw this with my best friend, rest in peace B, and we both hated it. He was an even bigger fan of The Matrix than i was so his disappointment was palpable. I’ll never forget his visceral reaction when that rainbow spread across the super happy Hollywood ending. Dude was hot and he had every right to be. The first Matrix set up this intriguing, immersive, world full of fanatic visuals, great piratical stunts, and a very through provoking premise. The second Matrix was your basic Hollywood sequel; More shine, less substance. But Revolutions? Man this is peak Wachowski fail. You saw hints of this messiah sh*t in the first, it’s literally a Chosen One narrative, but thy went all in on that sh*t in Reloaded. By the time Revolutions finished, this whole narrative was so far up it’s own ass, it didn’t know which way was up. It just f*cking ends. Everyone is dead and it’s over. The Wachowskis went heavy on the Jesus imagery, they were not subtle, and the f*cking conflict just ends. Robot don’t stop using people as batteries. Flesh and blood Humans still have to live in Zion. The only thing that’s changed is Neo’s dead and Agent Smith has been deleted. That’s it. The Matrix still exists, people are still trapped in it, and everything that happened in these films doesn’t f*cking matter. Literally right back at the start of the whole goddamn conflict. Revolutions is so f*cking disappointing, dude, by every measure of that metric.

Hugh Weaving is still pretty good as Smith and Keanu does his best imitation of white bread as Neo but, like, everything else is just so pedestrian. Plus, this thing is long. Like, unreasonably so. Why the f*ck is this movie two hours? The entire trilogy is kind of like that but it’s most egregious in this one. This story could be told in ninety minutes, just like Reloaded. Why the f*ck do i have an extra half hour of bullsh*t in this? Like, that whole “Neo Lost” arc was unnecessary, in both sequels. F*cking why? I don’t hate Revolutions. It’s not a “bad” film per say, it’s just disappointing. It’s the poster child for the law of diminishing returns. The Matrix Revolutions is the what happens when you let creatives with fresh egos, run amok with one hundred and fifty million f*cking dollars. So much spectacle but even less substance that Reloaded and that motherf*cker was a hollow mess. Still, The Matrix Revolutions is better than anything Michael Bay or Zack Snyder has ever made so i guess it’s got that going for it.

[archofthedoor]

my favorite fob songs

wow i made this post on my laptop then added a tag on mobile and it deleted everything save the title. anyway i made a sorter for my favorite fob songs. its pretty accurate toward the top, but bc there are so Many it gets less accurate as it goes down (there’a 131 songs in total, so my judgment got impaired after a while lol. a quicker one would be the album sorter, but there’s like 12 others too). anyway here’s all 131 fob songs ranked 

Miss Missing You

Coffee's for Closers

Hum Hallelujah

Bang the Doldrums

From Now on We Are Enemies

Sugar, We're Going Down

Calm Before the Storm

Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year

Moving Pictures

Honorable Mention

G.I.N.A.S.F.S.

Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On a Bad Bet

Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes

City in a Garden

Alpha Dog

The Music Or the Misery

Lullabye

Switchblaades and Infidelity

Chicago Is So Two Years Ago

Homesick At Space Camp

7-9 Legendary

Fellowship of the Nerd

Caffeine Cold

Star 67

Pavlove

Young Volcanoes

27

Tiffany Blews

W.A.M.S.

Of All the Gin Joints In All the World

Tell That Mick He Just Made My List of Things To DO Today

Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

It's Not a Side Effect of the Cocaine, I Am Thinking It Must Be Love

She's My Winona

Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?

The (After) Life of the Party

Hot to the Touch, Cold on the Inside

Lake Effect Kid

America's Suitehearts

Catch Me If You Can/Proclamation of Emancipation

The Kids Aren't Alright

Back to Earth

Wrong Side of Paradise

Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)

I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears and None On My Fingers

20 Dollar Nosebleed

Where Did the Party Go

Rat a Tat

What a Catch, Donnie

You're Crashing, But You're No Wave

Hand of God

Love Will Tear Us Apart

Save Rock and Roll

Bishops Knife Trick

Pretty in Punk

It's Hard to Say 'I Do', When I Don't

Favorite Record

Golden

Fourth of July

Jet Pack Blues

Yule Shoot Your Eye Out

Footprints in the Snow

The Last of the Real Ones

Just One Yesterday

Death Valley

Alone Together

I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)

Immortals

American Beauty/American Psycho

West Coast Smoker

Fame < Infamy

Super Fade

Church

The Pheonix

Growing Up

The (Shipped) Gold Standard

Champion

Beat It

7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen)

Grand Theft Autum/Where Is Your Boy

Dead on Arrival

Nobody Puts Baby In the Corner

I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You)

Our Lawyers Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued

Xo

I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)

This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race

Thriller

Snitches and Talkers Get Stitches and Walkers

The Pros and Cons of Breathing

Grenade Jumper

Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part to Save the Scene and Stop Going to Shows)

A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me

My Heart Is the Worst Kind of Weapon

The Take Over, The Breaks Over

Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends

I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy and ALl I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me

Heaven's Gate

Bob Dylan

Dance, Dance

Saturday

Sending Postcards From a Plane Crash

Young and Menace

Dear Future Self (Hands Up)

The Mighty Fall

The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes

Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over

My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light Em Up)

Past Life

Novacaine

Uma Thurman

Twin Skeletons (Hotel in NYC)

Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea

Hold Me Tight Or Don't

Art of Keeping Up Disappearances

We Were Doomed from the Start (The King Is Dead)

Sunshine Riptide

Centuries

Irresistible

American Made

Short, Fast, and Loud

The World's Not Waiting (For Five Tired Boys in a Broken Down Van)

Parker Lewis Can't Lose (But I'm Gunna Give It My Best Shot)

Eternal Summer

I've Been Waiting

Demigods

Love, Sex, Death

We Don't Take Hits, We Write Them

Start Today

The Carpal Tunnel of Love

Guilty As Charged (Tell HipHop I'm Literate)

lots of evening out songs r higher atm bc ive been a Big evening out mood