#the number was so hilariously elevated help

[dearings]

fitness protip: to reach your step goal faster, use your fitbit hand to finger a man 🫶

[doctorprofessorsong]

More Destiel Fic Recs

Feast of the Assumptions by Amazonia_8 (Explicit, 19k)

I haven't laughed as hard at a fic since A Room of One's Own. When Dean agrees to host Thanksgiving despite his culinary skills beginning and ending at grilling a burger, he turns to the experts: a help hotline hosted by one of the turkey companies.

But he gets more than he bargained for when its Cas that takes his call. Before you can say butterball, Dean finds himself craving the enticing voice on the other end. But when have family holidays ever gone smoothly?

As I said, this fic is absolutely hilarious. I consumed it in a night, laughing hard enough to wake up my kid.

The Elevator Game by bexgowen, xfancyfranart @motherofdragonflies (Explicit, 88k)

A choose-your-own-adventure case fic must I even go on?? I will though. The fic is a thoroughly intense romp based on am urban legend. Your choices can lead you down any number of paths. Can you get everyone out alive and safe?

The fun of this fic is in part to read it over and over to see the subtle changes Your decisions make, but it's also a fun case standing alone. The other world is delightfully atmospheric and setting it in the divorce arc adds an extra layer of tense angst. It's a good time (for the reader, the guys go through it)

Salt and Rosemary by tiamatv (Explicit, 31k)

An ancient curse is coming for Dean - the result of a deal his mother made to save his father. On his 24th birthday, the curse will take his breath away. But Dean isn't going to take that lying down, especially because Sam will be faced with the same curse in a few years. So instead, Dean binds the curse, Castiel to him. But maybe the curse is exactly what Dean needed after all.

First of all, Curstiel is a delight so jot that down. He's dramatic and petulant and adorable. When you combine that with Stanford era Dean feels, the two of them make an unbeatable combination.

Despite some dark themes, this fic is so sweet and soft. It's an unconventional love story, but Dean and Cas are just deeply adorable in this fic. I found myself grinning at how cute they were.

The Crawling Dark by SylvanFreckles @sylvanfreckles (Teen, 16k)

Spooky season may be over, but now we are in family gathering and work event season which is the true horror. So if you find a need for a thriller as a break, this one has you. 

A simple case fic, Dean and Cas investigate some missing hikers and uncover a new and terrifying creature.

This fic delivers a pulse pounding atmosphere with the claustrophobia of caves and the knowledge that something brutal is lurking in the dark.

To counteract that is a softness in Dean and Cas who are together but haven't yet had sex, and who are extremely attuned and affectionate. 

Ungod by AmberXBoone, rezal @corrupt-touch (Explicit, 58k)

Some delicious blasphemy to keep you warm on those cold winter nights. Dean hates his job as an attorney (relatable) and especially hates his current case representing corrupt priests who have been stealing from parishioners.

That is until he realizes the one night stand he can't stop thinking about is one of the priests. Now he finds himself recklessly crossing ethical lines he can't bring himself to care about. 

But how far will the corrupt priests go to protect themselves? 

This one is a little bit thriller/mystery, but also a lot of horny, soft and sweet fun. Dean and Cas have a great dynamic (a profound bond even) and it's impossible not to root for them.

This Tainted Love You've Given by LazarusRose @lazarus-rose (Explicit, 17k)

This Stabfest fic has the most delightfully unhinged concept. Dean, a serial killer, meets a cute guy, hooks up with him, and then murders him. A regular night out.

Until his one night stand shows up at his door. Turns out Cas is an immortal witch now convinced he and Dean are meant to be. And, well, a serial killer and an immortal who can be killed just might be a pretty epic match. 

These two are so delightfully unhinged and weird. It's a great concept done well. 

This Blade for Hire by FriendofCarlotta @friendofcarlotta (Explicit, 20k)

Come for the really delightful adjacent take on the lore, stay for some delicious rare pair femslash. This stabfest fic gives the gays (me) everything they want.

Dean, Sam and Ava are a team. They hunt demons for a bounty from the angels with the help of Sam and Ava's special powers. Sure the angels are dicks, but the money's good and fuck demons.

Well, Dean made an exception for one angel, Cas. His lover and contact with Heaven. But Cas has disappeared without a word. So maybe he's a dick too.

But when Dean and Ava get tasked with hunting down Meg Masters, things get…complicated 

The Man in the Rock by FriendofCarlotta @friendofcarlotta (Explicit, 7k)

Another stabfest and another FriendofCarlotta (overachiever xoxo), this little fic packs a hell of a punch. It's beautiful and devastating and soft.

Ever since he lost his partner, Cas, five years ago, Dean has struggled to figure out what shape his life should take. But he's finally decided it's time to remove the monument to his grief - a giant statue of Cas that sits in his garden. But when he makes one last desperate wish, will that same monument give him the very thing he's been dreaming of?

[izpira-se-zlato]

JO Paris, 22.03.24

Gig report! Compiled this morning in the car to Antwerp with help form @zadig-fate and @yoda-bor 💛 I recorded everything except Katrina (bc my camera app crashed in the middle), so I'll upload this once I'm at a place with stable wifi again :D

all my buses were delayed so I power walked to the train station. Then that train was delayed so I almost missed my Eurostar. Then my Eurostar was also delayed. "That's what I call a Deutsche Bahn special, actually." – Kris ("when your first train is late but then it's okay because the second train is also delayed")

so many people I knew in the queue. From Helsinki. From London last year. From Utrecht. 😊💛

when I grabbed my number, Jan and Nace returned to the venue (and they were so pretty in daylight and in person)

Nace said hi as they walked past 😊

their postures??? Nace has definitely worked on his posture, meanwhile Jan appears so slim and small. It's wild.

Jan and Jure returned to the venue together, looking… Pissed is too harsh a word, but frowning? So we first kinda thought they were actually pissed off. But then Nace showed up a minute later, his usual sunny self, and was immediately accosted by fans. So. I assume it was less "pissed off" and more "do not approach" (and it worked)

soundcheck was Gola and Vem da greš, which we could hear every time they opened the doors (this was my last general access gig. It's EA from here on out, baby!)

Kris and I had decided to go on the balcony and got spots right next to the sound booth, where we were joined by @thisismyobsessionnow 🫶

it was warm but the sound was really good (duh)

also we had nice cushy seats like the old people we are 😂

first opener was a duo of brothers made up of discount Jure and Käärijä if he was French. Discount!Jure had a nice chest (Jure at home)

their music was eh, the lyrics cringe

Kris says they spoke french but I spent most of their set on tumblr/discord so I wasn't listening, but it was a Choice since pretty much none from the EA crowd spoke French

speaking of EA, there were allegedly 60 EA tickets though I saw numbers up to 62 (500 people venue)

JC Stewart was fun

he was told he looked French prime minister. He got confused by president vs prime minister but he also got kinda flustered. He was shown a pic and was "oh yeah, I see it"

we got Katrina opener

Nace. Jfc.

the venue was super hot so I tried to appreciate the fit while he had it on in full – white buttoned shirt with a sweater vest over it and a proper tie and glasses, going for the full teacher look except hot???

I still spent a good chunk of the gig looking at Jure though. The elevated balcony spot gave ussuch a nice view of him

Bojan was smiley and sounded way less congested than in Utrecht (maybe he's on the mend?)

Kris on the other hand was sipping tea on stage. In particular very sassily during Demoni

Kris had guitar problems at the beginning of Šta bih ja and went to Kiki to get it fixed but Bojan didn't see and so was actually worried for a moment that Kris had gotten sick off-stage. Kris was adorable in reassuring him that he was fine

they were all so mobile again

og demoni scream. In the middle. Might have been Bojan letting out his anxiety over Kris having disappeared from stage

"Kris, honey" and then that moment. What in the BoKris was that. I just turned to Kris and said that out loud bc what the fuck

There was a sizeable crowd of Slovenians in the audience and Bojan was delighted

fairly even split in the crowd for French vs foreigners, though the French were louder in yelling

the most hilarious to me moment: Bojan did his spiel about "who here experiences panic attacks?" And the crowd cheered, and he was like "yay! Panic attacks! It's me!" And Kris next to me went "I'm the problem, it's me," and literally on the last syllable, Bojan started saying the exact same thing. One brain cell. Or maybe he has the stream on his in-ears

Barve oceana 🫶🫶💛💛

according to Astrid, I looked ridiculously happy (I was ridiculously happy)

best galaxy of me version tonight. I still don't like it though 😂 it's gonna be my metulji 😂

Bojan went into the crowd for Umazane misli

it's so fun to watch from above

Vita was his trusty shadow and also a beacon of light to spot Bojan with

this time I don't think they forgot her in the crowd

Bojan made the balcony sing while he was still in the crowd. But it was mostly just Kris, Madeleine, and me, at least on the bleachers/seated part. We still gave our best 😂

Carpe Diem was not part of their "encore" but came before

no Tokio :( might be the first show without it?

fucking Novi val

the way Jure jumped up and sprinted to trade a drumstick for a baguette, it was so hilarious

he was so happy, and he first made fun of Nace for being unable to eat it

he shared it with Jan

Jan got chocolate and they put it into the baguette and then shared it.

Jure let everyone else also take a bite, including Bojan who was ostensibly singing

Nace bottle feeding Kris. What the fuck. Can someone make sure they still don't know about AO3?

no Umazane shenanigans even though Jan and Nace had talked right before it so I'd been hopeful

so many um versions in other langauges. It wasn't the longest rendition, but we also

when Bojan said we'd get the original Slovene version, I thought it would be the one he made up on the spot when they went on stage to play it all the way back? When they were babies. So it was a small disappointment when it was just the regular Slovene version 😂

Bojan asked the Slovenians if they were able to tell that they weren't playing at home and they said no and Bojan was so so delighted

he's also given the mic to people in the audience outside of Umazane misli (ne bi smel and plastika, I want to say)

he sang galaxy of me with a guy from the front row (Josh?)

not a lot of Jance, possibly because they were looking after Kris?

still a lot of eye contact

or maybe it was the fact that they apparently were out in Paris together in the afternoon 😏

my phone was so hot by the end (and I have 4gb left of memory)

after the gig I couldn't find my hat so I was worried I'd left it, so I went back in. Which was how I got JC and Vita to sign my gig memory book

I had forgotten about wanting to grab Vita's signature so if Astrid hadn't reminded me, I would have missed out

the boys got JC Stewart sick, he said his voice was going

It was raining so the boys ran out of the venue towards a van while we cheered. Bojan took a group selfie

Jan and Jure left first with the crew in that van so we assume that the others took a second car

[woodsfae]

B5 S03E19 Grey 17 Is Missing previous episode - table of contents

I'm not sure how this episode is going to go, because prior to this I have always watched B5 high (I started this saga while taking hydrocodone pain meds I was allergic to post-wisdom teeth removal) or sober (which I quickly stopped doing, because the recaps were a dry and stale recounting of the plot in a most unpleasant way), but now I can't have THC for awhile (pre-op instructions for what will hopefully be my last surgery for awhile) and so I am experimenting with liveblogging while tipsy. 

So far I thimk that tipsy b5 blogging may be the era of run-on sentences. play video. 

Harry Sanders says in response to the question "are you a telepath,": "sure." 

I am guessing that Mr Sanders is not a telepath. But I am a huge fan of people fucking with Zack Allen. Queer icon Harry Sanders tries to flirt his way into the job. sadly, he fails.

Unnamed maintenance worker gets sucked into a maintenance tunnel with random wires trailing out of it. That probably won't be relevant later :)

Someone, I am assuming Sinclair, spoke of Delenn "with great reverence" to his Minbari friend regularly. I LOVE THAT OMG. *shipping intensifies* 

Harlan Ellison consulted on this one, too?? That's so cool. My Eepectations just went up. Minbari With The Nose thinks that Delenn should take over as Ranger One. Are they going out of their way to not say his name? 

Calling a gun with bullets a slugthrower is a pretty amusing thing to share with Star Wars. I once read a crossover fic where Han Solo (iirc) went on smuggling runs to B5 to pick up kyber crystals, which the B5 people have been using for mere data storage. 

"I swear it's like the Centauri triangle in there - something's always going wrong."

I only support Garibaldi's casual racism because actually, everything IS always going wrong with the Centauri....but has the Bermuda Triangle myth been supplanted with a centauri space equivalent?? And what makes it a triangle in 3d space?

Stephen Franklin is looking rough. Withdrawl. Withdrawal? Sad plotline. Space AA is not my favorite plotline. Also, Mr Dr Franklin, maybe don't compain about people following you around when you haven't even left Babylon Five???? That's a cry for help if ever I saw one in metaphor. If you wanna be alone like...barter some medical attention for a ride to an abandoned planetoid. 

Gray 17 is a level of b5? Cool. I thought it was going to be a person that disappeared. And it is several of them at least. But there's also thirty official grey levels but only 29 accessible. I like it. 

Delenn looks extra pretty today. 

Why does this Minbari know about siren songs? Convergent cultural evolution, or does this guy like Earth ancient-greek sailor myths? 

It's genuinly hilarious (and apropos) for a Minbari Ranger to think it pollutes the rangers for humans to be admitted. This warrior class Minbari thinks it's heretical for Delenn-of-the-clerics to consider taking command of the Rangers, which he thinks are the rightful domain of the warrior caste. 

hm. Where'd he go. That won't come up later, either. 

Garibaldi is leaning into one of his strengths: investigation. He's counting the seconds the elevator takes between Grey levels. Grey  like the grey council, or pure coincidence?

ALSO. no minbari has killed another minbari for a thousand years?? I find that very hard to believe. Domestic violence? manslaughter?? What kind of statistical fuckery are they employing to make that something Delenn can say without winking??

Delenn: "I want your word that you will not tell [Sheridan] about [the warrior class dick threatening to kill me]. Your. Word." 

*cue Lennier hinting unsubtly about Delenn's life being in danger*

I did not expect Level 17 Grey to come up. Where is the missing number if Grey 17 is missing, it goes to Grey 30, but there's only 29 levels? This mystery is deeper than I expected it to be!

 The missing floor, once Garibaldi rules-lawyers the lift into stopping there, is trashed. And it says Grey 17 in a different place than the other floors. AND there's what looks like a technical diagram for a trash can where the other floors have their designation signs. Idk what this means, but it's a data point!! 

Well. I would drop kick that puppet if it talked to me on a trashed level. But Michael Garibaldi let it DART him. like a SCHMUCK. Don't let it do that. hit the follow button for more HOT TIPS FROM MICHAL. (pronounced like McCalll, not like Michael).

Lennier!!!! YES HE IS TELLING SOMEONE. But not Sheridan. Love his rules-lawyering. Super cute. My guy. Lancelot (purely platonic version).

I would kiss Lennier all over his sweet face. And he would not like it. I am sure. 

Garibaldi has recovered-ish from his darting of unknown substance. FUCK THAT PUPPET. burn it with fire or smth. 

Who is this council of lost persons?? Jim Henson's dream?????!

"My name is Jeremiah. Welcome to the end of the world." 

YES PLEASE. This is good plot, and I like it. 

Delenn is really beautiful this episode. I think the red/blue rich, saturated colors particularly flatter her. But she is always unfairly pretty and generally lickable.

Delenn's mother entered the sisters of valeria soon after Delenn was born, and she's only seen her twice. TWICE. And Delenn's father died ten years ago. She does not mention siblings. How old is Delenn? If it isn't a plot-relevant spoiler, please let me know if you know it. 

Her thoughts on missing her father are both relatable and wistful. It made me thoughtful about the same topic. 

Jeremiah says the reason the Minbari almost defeated the humans in the war was because the Minbari are closer to the truth than humans. AND we have learned that the people on Grey Level 17 is because they hacked the system and detached themselves from the rest of B5. Isolationists being isolationist on a tiny little level of a space station is illogical and funny and very, very human.

The Minbari offended by Delenn running the Rangers is called Neroon! That's super familiar and I think I've met him before. He says "During the war I killed fifty thousand of you....what's one more?" Well my dude. I bet you didn't kill fifty thousand humans in one-on-one combat. And I'm gonna go ahead and bet on Marcus's staff-fighting prowess over his. 

GET 'IM MARCUS.

This is a well-choreographed and filmed staff fight. 

Jeremiah on Grey Level 17 actually is super aligned with Delenn's philosophy on the universe. But is far more freaky about the practical side of the philosophy. tbh. I think Jeremiah did LSD one too many times. 

Garibaldi isn't super serious about his threat because his choke hold lacks a fulcrum...Jeremiah could break it anytime he liked if he knew how to identify what wrestling hold he was in....signed...someone whose father wrestled in highschool and taught them from a young age to identify and break choke holds by neck-feel....

GO MARCUS GO GET NEROON. 

Neroon: "Why? You must have known you could not win....so why do it?" Marcus: "For [Delenn]. [...] In Valen's name." 

LANCELOT MOVE OVER, GALAHAD HAS ARRIVED

Jeremiah: "Listen. Listen. The only way out is-is to find a purity of thought. A purity of belief! That is the door! The door of the mind." 

Hm. This dude is craycray. And his further speech does nothing to dispel the notion. What is screeching?? 

If Sinclair was Entil'Zha, wthen what was this Minbari Ranger going to designate Delenn?

Damn it, Neroon lives. Bring! Back! Galahad! fuck u neroon. You don't deserve a capitalized proper noun name.

wtf is this thing hunting on level 17 grey?? I don't recognize its silhouette. 

Michael Garibaldi (paraphrased): HOW DO WE HURT THIS THING??? *looks at .38 bullets in hand*

Me, reliving my misspent youth: IF YOU GRAB THE SHELL OF THOSE .38s WITH PLIERS THEN HIT THE PRIMER WITH A BALLPEEN HAMMER U CAN SHOOT IT

(yes I did this shit for fun as a child and I am EXTREMELY LUCKY I did not have a mishap of a permanent injury variety)

hmm. Garibaldi sorta used my childhood fun trick but with a pipe to protect his fragile hands.. UNLIKE ME AND MY PLAIN PLIERS AND HAMMER

Neroon kicked Marcus's ass but Marcus is going to recover -a relief. But Neroon!! FUCK OFF. 

"you are more noble than I" - Neroon (paraphrased)

THAT'S A GALAHAD MOVE. psych. Marcus got you with his ideological purity and ironic wit!!

The murderous thing on Grey level 17 was a "zarg." OK. Please, if it isn't spoilery, remind me what that is. 

This episode feels a bit more disjointed than they usually are, but I liked it. And fuck Neroon!!! Get behind Delenn or shut the fuck up. 

*a perfectly good episode. but also. GET BEHIND DELENN OR STFU!!

onward

[cornyonmains]

Finished The Eclipse. I honestly feel like I had the right instinct to tune it out the first time, but I do think it's interesting in that you can really see the baby steps GMMTV was taking to grow up a little bit.

You can really look at The Eclipse and see a show where it's clear GMMTV really diminished its potential with a lot of its own standards, and to their credit, I think they stood back and took a hard enough look at it, the BL environment in general, and how absolutely hard fans were calling out their bullshit and decided to get real with Only Friends.

The Only Friends cast is heavily indicative of this being the case. GMMTV was gunning for elevated talent that knew how to play ball, and Neo, First, and Khao were all shining stars in The Eclipse, that blasted their scene partners out of the water. Force and Book are intensely unique, as they've always been shafted with bad scripts and sexually repressed directors, despite the fact they came into the game with a lot more professionalism and comfort with the material they were handling. The director didn't wind up sobbing in the corner because they refused to move their mouths when they kissed. They're also a much more 'modern' ship, that doesn't default on yaoi contrasts and that weird seme/uke binary. After the success of KinnPorsche, and popularity of MileApo, I think GMMTV finally saw the potential in this pairing. About time.

But the casting is very indicative of GMMTV kind of telling fans, "We've been listening, we hear you, and we're making changes." Only Friends corrects a lot of complaints the fandom has been having.

Adults, for example, don't have much in this genre. Part of the reason The Eclipse fell short for me is it's just another damn coming of age drama. Great for the baby gays, but the adults are over it. GMMTV gave us Neo eating Mark's ass like groceries then getting godless with Force in the backseat of a car, and I'll live 10 years on that alone.

The plot contrivances they have to cook up to keep everyone from doing anything but doing a cutaway kiss with no tongue in the final episode is no more, people are fucking nasty, so now there's room for actual plot, which is hilariously ironic. But also, it's not, because I mean the desire women have for horny softcore erotica with good plots and high production value is not unknown.

Queer women and bisexuals have been complaining about a lack of representation. At the core of these yaoi tropes is a world where bisexuality has no meaningful distinction from being gay, which is really annoying, because bisexuals have a much different experience in the queer community, and that's not reflected in a world where X amount of interpersonal communication can magically turn anyone gay. Queer women just don't exist in BL. Women are all straight virgins trying to steal your man. Only Friends has lesbians. Actual FDA approved lesbians. Are they fucking nasty? No, but it's something. We are allowed to exist in the world of Only Friends and that's HUGE.

People have been complaining about the cringe. Only Friends removed that and replaced it rage provoking stupidity by the characters, and I approve of that.

Anyways, analysis is what I do for a living. TV is well within the ballpark. So while I'm only basing my thoughts on what I've observed and not cold hard numbers, there's only so much insight I can provide, but it's insight backed by years of experience. With Only Friends posting absolute numbers, we can expect to see some structural changes at GMMTV on the horizon, because this is going to create growth. Probably even stimulate a search for new actors to get on their roster, since they have a lot of actors that won't be able to deliver going into the new era. I also think this is going to help them land sponsorships from atypical brands, which is BIG. Mile getting Maserati on board for KinnPorsche is part of what allowed it to exist in an elevated form.

I also think the success is going to result in a shake-up with the quality of writers they hire, because that's at the core of a lot of issues in BL. They adapt these novels from these absolutely unhinged lunatics, these lunatics have WAY too much creative power despite the fact they're low brow porn writers, and it kills the quality of a finished product. America doesn't do that. Directors have the power to elevate material, and that's important. GMMTV got a proper writer for Only Friends, and it paid off in a big way. Mame is one of the names I hate in BL the most. Her goo-goo gaga shit is creepy, I hate it, it makes queer people look bad, and I'm hoping writers like Jojo just drive her out of the scene.

Anyways, I'm going to end things here. I just wanted to share some random thoughts I had.

[sophieswundergarten]

Sophie I saw the reblog game and got SO EXCITED because you write the best stuff.

Okay. I have a few options, you can pick what you like (no need to do them all unless you want to).

Option 1:

6. Reverse amnesia (everyone else has no memory/recognition of your character): Nathaniel, because I think it would be funny. His employees don’t know him and he’s trying to order them around. People mistake him for Nicholas. Nicholas has no idea why this stranger looks exactly like him. Idk if it’s an accident with the Whisperer/brainsweeper or if psychics or someone else can actually remember him for some reason, but whatever you do with it will probably be hilarious.

Option 2:

I think it was you that mentioned at one point wanting to write something for my SOS friend group. Now that they all have first names (finally) I think 22. truth or dare party games, 3. Misunderstandings, or 7. Trapped in a room/elevator/closet would all be good for that. Pick whichever you’d like, or if you think of a better number, use that one.

Option 3:

8. “Who did this to you?” With Jackson and Jillson (I know I’m terrible for choosing this, but you are talented when it comes to executive angst, and I know you’d write it well).

Again, no pressure if you’re not feeling any of these and pick whichever one you feel most comfortable with.

Alright, here you go! You picked some really good prompts

“I think they’re jammed.” Said Pedalian, stepping back from the elevator doors. “We’ll have to wait until someone comes to help us. I’m sure Milligan will be along any minute to get us out.”

No. No way. Ledroptha Curtain could not be stuck. Not in this ridiculous elevator. There was no way that they were trapped, without a way out. There had to be a way out. He was sure of it. Pedalian had just missed it somehow, that was it.

Stepping forward, he attempted to wrest the doors open himself. They didn’t budge.

Looking around, Curtain felt his breath quicken in his chest. “We can’t be stuck in here, we just cannot!” He was beginning to have trouble breathing, the walls were closing in on him, he was going to be stuck in this stupid elevator forever—

“—rtain. Curtain. Ledroptha!”

Niles had inserted himself into Curtain’s field of vision, gently taking hold of the hands that had been wildly grasping at the walls. He interlaced their fingers and began squeezing carefully.

“Ledroptha,” He said in a low voice. “You need to breathe. Deeply, okay? Copy me.” He pulled Curtain’s hand forward, placing it on his chest as he took in slow, deep breaths. His shirt was thin, and it was easy to feel the heat of his skin through it. To feel the pattering of his pulse.

Curtain’s world narrowed to just these few sensations, and then it winked out entirely.

After a few minutes, everything seemed to have stopped spinning. He could think clearly now, and he could still feel the soft thrumming of his friend’s heartbeat beneath his palm. Opening his eyes, he found that he had slumped into Pedalian, likely when he had fallen asleep.

Shamefaced, he pulled back, unsure of how to proceed. He wondered if he could pass this off as fainting from hyperventilation, but that was not something he really wanted to admit to either.

“Are you okay now?” Pedalian was looking at him with large eyes, watching his every move like someone trying to calm a startled rabbit.

“I’m fine.” He blustered, standing up straight and brushing himself off. “It’s as you said, Milligan will likely be here any minute to get us out.”

“Yes,” Said Pedalian doubtfully, still observing Curtain with unnerving intensity. “I guess it pays to have a friend who will always take the stairs.”

[eyeslikewatercoolers]

I feel like there’s gotta be a Christmas vacation prompt somewhere in what you reblogged, right? I’ll even pick out a dialogue prompt if you want me to!

Anyway, I *really* want to see a Squirrels Trip Christmas Vacation. Not like the movie Christmas Vacation, like a winter version of Squirrels Trip. Or if that’s too many characters for a one shot, you could always just make it Vandergerd with Jackae and Kiki… 😏

Ooohh… like a ski trip ⛷️That was the first thing that came to mind when I got this. So a nice little winter vacation trip to round everything out. Takes place about two years after the original Squirrels Trip Rusical.

"Alright, here's everyone's room assignments." Grace walked up to the rest of her friends, who were gathered around the large fireplace in the ski lodge. She passed out all the key cards to everyone before sitting on the loveseat next to Jill.

Jackae looked at her key card and glanced at Kiki's next to her. Both said 308, and she wasn't surprised at all.

"Guess we're roomies again," Kiki said, before putting the card in her coat pocket.

Jackae thought about how she and Kiki were always in the same room assignment whenever they went on a trip with their friends. Not that Jackae minded it, she and Kiki became closer after her friend left her husband and split the custody of their sons.

The rest of the group gathered their luggage and headed toward the elevators. Jackae looked suspiciously at her friends as they all found their way to their set of rooms in the resort.

"Do you ever find it weird that we are always roommates on these trips?" Jackae asked Kiki as they walked down the hall, as Kiki looked at the room numbers.

A few yards in front of them, Amber turned around to look at the two behind her. "No, why would you think that's weird?" she asked.

Ronnie glanced behind her shoulder, "Didn't you ask that during our trip to the lake last spring?" she added.

"And you said that to me on our camping trip last summer too."

"Jill, you aren't helping." Jackae rolled her eyes as she and Kiki turned the corner to where their room was.

Kiki walked in first and ran her hand along the wall to find the light switch. "You know, I never really thought about it before that we always share a room on these trips."

Jackae tilted her head in thought as she still waited in the hallway, "Really? Ever since the trip after my divorce, Grace always bunks us together." She said as Kiki found the light switch and clicked it on.

Once she looked at the room, it all made sense.

On the bed, there were two towels folded to look like two swans kissing, surrounded by several rose petals. The coffee table had a small ice bucket, accompanied by a bottle of champagne and two tall glasses. Lastly in the corner of the room, a hot tub had a cover and instructions for use.

"Why did they give us the honeymoon suite?" Kiki wondered aloud.

"Because our friends think they are hilarious," Jackae responded as she walked closer and sat her suitcase down. She came to the realization that this was definitely on purpose, and so were all the other times they roomed together.

They wanted her and Kiki to get together, and their efforts were anything but subtle.

The next morning, after meeting everyone for breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Jackae pulled her sister to the side as everyone else got ready to go to the ski slopes.

"Why do I feel like you have something to do with the room Kiki and I got assigned," Jackae said in a low voice.

"Oh, why I have no idea what you mean by that," Jill said in a mock-innocent tone.

"You booked the rooms since your wife's family has connections to this place," Jackae responded in a deadpan tone. "You know very well that you booked us the honeymoon suite on purpose."

Jill rolled her eyes as she tightened her ski boots. "We all know that you've both had sexual tension for months. You're both single, just talk and get it over with already!" she said in a loud whisper.

Jackae looked to the other side of the room, as Kiki was talking to Grace as she zipped her coat. She couldn't disagree with her sister, she did find herself attracted to Kiki the more they became closer. But she still wasn't certain if her friend felt the same way or not.

"Are we ready to go? I need to get on the slopes before the non-resort guests get there and take up all the good slopes." Ronnie said as she carefully put her goggles over her hair.

Everyone nodded and started to leave to go outside, but Jill suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Actually, I forgot my watch in the room." She said, and glanced at Grace, "Can you open the door for me?" she asked, giving the other woman a knowing look.

"Of course, the rest of you go ahead," she said as she glanced at Ronnie and Amber. "We'll catch up with you soon," she said as she and Jill quickly left in the other direction.

As she followed everyone else outside to the slopes, Jackae had a sinking feeling that her sister was up to no good.

The feeling didn't last long as the group started their brief ski lesson and started on the smaller hills. Grace and Jill eventually joined the group again, but seemed to act normal around everyone else.

But the feeling came back as Jackae found herself sitting on the same ski-lift seat as Kiki. The others were still on the ground, but the mechanics of the lift came to a sudden halt.

"Are we stuck up here?" Kiki asked, looking over the edge of the seat to the operator.

"We're having some technical issues, but we are working on getting moving as soon as possible." the operator responded, before looking to the group of friends on the ground.

"Are you guys okay up there? You might be up there for a while." Amber said, slightly out of view. She was just out of sight to take out her small wristlet and hand something to the operator discretely.

"I think we'll be okay," Jackae said, but shivering from the breeze. She noticed that kiki felt the chill in the air as well.

"It's freezing up here," Kiki said, rubbing her hands together. "Do you think we could...like share body heat?" she asked, gesturing to the space between them.

"Oh, yeah that's a good idea," Jackae said, as she carefully moved closer to Kiki, feeling the warmth from the other woman.

Jackae never felt so awkward around her close friend before. They slept in the same room tons of times and even slept in the same bed the night before.

But being on a small bench on a broken-down ski lift felt a lot more vulnerable, for some reason.

They were stuck on the lift for a little over an hour, invested in small talk. Jackae nearly forgot that the ski lift was actually broken, until they both felt a sudden jerking motion.

"It's just working out the kinks, but we'll get you ladies down soon!" the operator said. Their friends were sitting on a nearby bench, all drinking hot chocolate from styrofoam cups.

"Before we get down, I wanted to ask if you knew why everyone is acting so weird on this trip," Kiki said.

"Like how they are trying extra hard for us to be alone?" Jackae asked, glad that she wasn't the only one to notice.

"Yeah, it's like they want us to-" Kiki was interrupted by the sudden jerking motion of the seat, causing both of them to collide to be much closer. Their faces were now inches apart, and Jackae could feel Kiki's breath warm her cold nose.

Jackae wasn't sure who leaned closer to who, but she felt a pair of soft lips on her own. It was desperate and greedy, but she felt just the same in that moment

As the ski lift moved into a smother motion, they both pulled away, but close enough to notice the details in each other's eyes.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time now," Jackae admitted, barely under her breath,

"Me too," Kiki said, as their gloved hands met.

They would deal with their cheering friends once they got off the ski lift. But for now, Jackae never wanted to leave this moment with Kiki.

[nimata-beroya]

MY THOUGHTS on TBB 2×01 "SPOILS OF WAR" and 2×02 "RUINS OF WAR"

THEY'RE BACK! THE BOYS (+ OMEGA) ARE FINALLY HERE!!! I can't describe how happy that makes me. I guess I don't need to explain, since most of you if not all are as happy as I am.

Below, I'm leaving my reactions and thoughts about this amazing start to the season! It really paid off, all this excruciating wait.

I knew it, I knew they were going to start the season there in the beach. From the predictions I made for the season, I got that right. Also, that Cid's lady friend would appear in these episodes.

But let me go for a few back to the beach. Echo falling face down, hilarious, just as Wrecker's high-pitched voice. And Hunter's overprotective streak has grown stronger. The Dad™️ is still with him.

Hey! Azi is working as bartender??!!? Well, I guess that eliminates the trouble of an overcrowded Marauder.

🤣🤣🤣 Tech's response to flirt is sooooo Tech! And how Din Djarin of him to be called "Brown Eyes" 😆

Serenno?? They're going there now? My first bet was they'd go later in the season. I guess I was wrong about that.

Awwww, Dad Hunter helping Omega with her homework, so sweet! 🥰

😆 EVERYONE sided against Hunter. Aww, he's just thinking about giving Omega the best life she deserves. But Echo's got a point! I mean, what good it does that they have a quiet life while the galaxy is a mess, and how long their personal paradise would stay that way? We know the empire would catch up with them eventually. And Hunter, like it or not, you can't hide forever.

Aww 😩but Omega heard, and now she's feeling bad.

Hey! Echo's got a nickname! Killjoy 🤣 Love it!

Oh, so that's Serenno. When it showed up in the trailers, I thought it was any other planet but that. And oof! It was bombarded, too. Yikes! 😬

Ooh, new clone just dropped. A captain 😊 I love him already.

No!! Not again! 😱 Phew! Hunter, please, would you stop falling down from ships and stuff? Thank you!!!! Once was one too many!

Tech and Echo are being a real treat this episode! I love that we're having more of them this season.

Oh. he's got a name. Hello, captain Wilco!

😂 omega remembering things tech didn't think of. I love that he's impressed and told her so.

The scream when wrecker and hunter went down the elevator 🤣🤣🤣 Who was that? Probably Wrecker.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 😨Thank goodness they released 2 episodes. I'd have died waiting with that cliffhanger!!!

This mission is doing a number on Hunter's blood pressure 🤣He's so stressed.

Not so fast, guys. Ugh! It's going to leave a mark!

No! Tech is hurt 😫(And I don't appreciate the parallel to Nemmik's death in Andor! Don't scare me like that!)

Omega no. Don't get ideas! Ugh, you will do something foolish, won't you? 🫣

See, I thought that scene with the LAATi flying overhead was going to be on Ord Mantell. Glad that the batch is still having a safe place to lie low. It might not last long, tho.

New plan number dropped!! (saves as reference for fic writing).

It breaks my heart how Omega worries about the mission just to give her brothers a happy life.

Last season was the senator of Raxus and Echo, now it's Ramor who forces Tech to reconsider their worldview and see beyond former political inclinations. I mean, I can't blame the clones for not knowing better. They were raised to see the world as in allies and enemies, not just people that could be suffering the same despite what path their leaders were on.

Omega, no! Don't do something stupid1 Ugh! She's going to!

Oh, kriff!! They caught up with Hunter and Wrecker.

Yes, Tech people had lives before the war, you know.

🤣 For a moment I thought Wrecker was going to say "Come to daddy" I would've died if he had 😅

Oh, my man is so smart!! Glad that they're showing it!!!!! Maybe the ones who say Wrecker is dumb will shut up now.

Tech!! Ouch! Walking is not good for you, rn. Ugg, I don't like this, Tech!! AAAAAAHHH!!!

Hurry up hunter!!!

Oh, no, Tech!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Poor Omega feeling guilty 😫😫

Tech is definitely having a bad, very not good day

Ah, there we go! Phew! Just in time.

Wrecker is so happy with his new weapon 😁😁

Awww 🥺🥺🥰 Very nice Echo comforting Omega

Oh, rampart 🤮 covering your own ass, huh?

Ha! The batch is more famous among clones now than during the war 😅 Not exactly the best thing tbh.

Oh, no! Wilco don't say that!! Because then…

Ugh! That happens 😫 it was nice meeting you 😭😭 UGH! I HATE you, Rampart!! I hope you suffer the slowest and most excruciating death ever!

And now, I'm worried about Crosshair 😣😣😖😖 because Rampart knows he lied, and my fear is that he'll force him to prove his loyalty to the Empire over and over in awful missions where Cross will need to do worse and worse things until either Crosshair finally turns coat or die. 😭😭😭😭😭😭

The wait for next episode is going to be long!! If my prediction is correct based on the title (and with that ending) I'm pretty sure next episode we will see Crosshair, and it'll be mostly about him.

.

Hey, guys! Now that you know what are my impressions of the season premiere, I want to remind you that I have a little survey going on to check your interest in a Bad Batch fandom event in 2023. If you like to participate, please check the link below and let me know what are your preferences.

SURVEY LINK

[feyhunter78]

Targaryen Inc (4/?)

Description: Alyra calls the owner of Cherry's, her and Aegon watch Sarah leave, and Alyra tries to keep her cool while attending an award ceremony with Aemond.

Check out the amazing and hilarious fanart the wonderful and talented @gracielikegrapes made for this chapter here!!!!

“You’re saying Mr. Hightower is going to spend what my girls make in two months in one night, on multiple girls?” Benny, the owner of Cherry’s was flabbergasted.

“Yes, but only if you turn off your cameras and make sure no one else is recording him. Put him in a private room, take up phones, I don’t care. Just make sure there is no video or photo evidence of his actions.” She stressed, hoping the finality of her tone would get her point across.

The sound of a palm slapping against her window made her jump and she glanced up to see Aegon who had stuck a piece of paper that read ‘Cherry’s?’ on it to her window.

“Ma’am, I’ll even turn off my own phone for that kind of business. Will you express my appreciation to Hightower? I just opened this place in honor of my recently deceased dog, and his business would really help us out.” Benny said, a genuine tone of gratitude in his voice.

“I’ll pass on your sentiments, and a security officer will be joining him tonight. He’ll check the cameras and watch over Mr. Hightower.”

“That’s no problem, hell, the security guard can get a lap dance, on the house.”

Alyra pinched the bridge of her nose. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you, Mr. Benny.”

“No, thank you, ma’am.”

They said their goodbyes and she waved Aegon in.

“So? You coming to Cherry’s with me tomorrow?” Aegon said, flopping down in his usual seat.

“Again, never. But the owner had agreed to cut the cameras and wanted me to convey his sincerest gratitude for your patronage.”

Aegon smiled, “what can I say? I’m a man of the people.”

The sound of yelling made them both turn.

“Is that Sarah?” Alyra got up from her desk and swung out of her office, hanging onto the door frame with one hand.

“Who?” Aegon asked.

Alyra covered his mouth with her hand and strained her ears. While each of their individual offices might be big, the space between all of them was not.

A door slammed and Alyra scurried back into her office, pulling Aegon with her. Sarah stood by the elevators, arms crossed, her foot tapping the floor angrily.

“That’s Jace’s girlfriend.” Alyra whispered.

Aegon peeked his head out, scanning the woman. “I thought he was into blondes?”

Sarah had shoulder length dark brown hair, with dark eyes, and pale skin, that looked as if she’d never seen the sun. She was beautiful, in a severe way. Like a high fashion model, with their long legs and sharp edges.

“He is—Sarah is an exception. They’ve been on again-off again for a year or so now?”

“Waste of time if you ask me. Just breakup and find a new girl.”

Alyra elbowed him. “Some people can’t move on that quickly, some of us have feelings.”

“I have feelings, I just like to over them, or under them, either works.” He shrugged, a teasing smile on his face.

The elevator dinged and Sarah got on. Alyra waited till the doors closed to push Aegon. “Alright, get out of my office. Mara sent me the mockups and I need to give them to Aemond.”

She’d gone over the mockup a few times, adding in a few ideas, and correcting some of the numbers before she brought them to Aemond’s office.

She pushed his door open, papers in hand. “Here are the mockups, Mara and Arryk did a great job, I’m really proud of them.”

He held out one hand for the papers, his eyes focused on his computer.

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

Aemond set the papers on his desk and sighed. “I’ve been nominated for an award. Some nonsense about being young and successful in finance”

Alyra tilted her head in confusion, an award was usually a good thing. “That’s amazing, congratulations.”

He shook his head. “No, because now I need to attend the dinner, and write a speech for if I win, and mother will insist I bring a date to maintain our image.” His eyes flickered to her. “Are you busy next Saturday?”

Aemond was always punctual, something she knew, and yet it still caught her off guard. He knocked on her door at precisely six o’clock, and she was still slipping her shoes, on her necklace in one hand. She flung open the door, and hobbled over to her couch, leaning against it as she adjusted the straps on her heels.

“Are you ready for a night of pompous rich men, and their trophy wives?” She asked, once she had both shoes adjusted. She stood in front of the hall mirror trying to clasp her necklace.

Aemond came up behind her. He was always taller than her, even when she wore heels like tonight, but at least now they were almost the same height. At least now, she felt a little less flustered when he cast his crystalline eyes down at look at her. He swept her hair to one side and took the necklace from her, clasping it gently around her neck, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin, as he straightened out the delicate golden chain. “As ready as one can ever be.”

He held out his arm for her to take, leading her out of her apartment and towards the elevator. She admired him as he watched the numbers drop. His hair was pulled back like normal and fell across the shoulders of his black suit. Gods, he looks good in a suit.

Alyra herself had worn a maroon evening gown to match his tie. With a halter neckline and a slight leg slit to make walking easier.

The drive to the award dinner didn’t take very long, definitely not long enough for Alyra to realize that people were going to ask who she was, and what they were.

“How are you going to introduce me?” She asked him quietly, clinging to his arm. She was head of PR she talked to people all day long, but she still got a little nervous entering new situations.

“As my co-worker?” Aemond replied, looking down at her in confusion.

“Oh, okay, I just didn’t know if you were going to say we were friends, or if you wanted me to pretend to be your fiancée…”

Aemond chuckled lowly, “you’ve been watching far too many of those ridiculous romance films with my sister.”

“They’re good movies!” She protested, giving him an exaggerated look of disbelief as he handed their invitations to the man standing at the door.

“Table twelve, take a right, and it’ll be the fourth table.” The man said, gesturing in the direction of their table.

They both thanked him and found their seats.

“There’s a lot of people here.” Alyra commented, before looking over the paper menu laid atop her plate.

“Far too many, I was hoping this wouldn’t take too long.” Aemond drawled, glancing at his watch.

“Why, you have a date?” She teased.

Please say no. If you say yes, I'll cry,

“No, I just like to keep Vhagar on a schedule. She gets upset if we don’t go on our nightly run at least an hour before she goes to bed.”

“Understandable, Ziras always starts whining if he doesn’t get to cuddle with me for at least an hour a day.” Aemond nodded, not dismissing her statement, but not verbally responding.

Nice going, compare a regimented schedule to laying on the couch with your dog, totally the same thing Alyra. She internally smacked herself. She’d worked with Aemond for over two years now, she should be over this schoolgirl crush.

 “How is he doing?” Aemond said, scanning the wine list.

“Ziras?”

He nodded.

“Oh, really well, we’ve been working on some tricks, and I’ve been brainstorming Halloween costumes for him.” She said, digging her phone out of her purse to pull up photos.

Aemond chuckled at the costume ideas, pointing out the dragon costume with the tiny rider attached to it. “I like that one, maybe I’ll get one for Vhagar.”

“I can send you the link, if you want?”

“Please do.”

They placed their orders and began chatting about work, going over the budget for the charity ball.

Their food arrived, and they ate as they conversed with the other people seated at their table until the plates were cleared away and the lights dimmed.

The urge to pull her phone back out was strong, but Aemond seemed actually interested in the categories being announced, and she didn’t want to be rude.

Aemond leaned into her, “they’re announcing my category next.” He whispered.

“Exciting.” She whispered back, giving him a bright smile and two thumbs up.

Aemond sat stone still, and Alyra held her breath until finally she heard his name being called.

He stood, a radiant smile on his face, and she stood as well throwing her arms around him and giving him a quick hug before she pulled back, realizing what she’d just done.

Aemond surprisingly just turned that smile on her and made his way up to the stage.

He made his speech, an also surprisingly heartfelt speech about his father, both of them, and how much he enjoyed working at Targaryen Inc. When he sat back down plaque in hand, she pulled out her phone.

“Smile, I’m putting this out on our socials.” She smiled as he adopted a more neutral expression, and she quickly typed up a caption and mass posted it.

Aemond let her post the photo then grabbed her hand, kissing it quickly, before saying his thank-yous to their tablemates.

Alyra froze, her hand still in his. Sure, she’d seen him kiss Helaena’s hand, his mother’s hand, and Aegon kissed her hand all the time, but this? This was different.

Aemond looked back at her, a small smile on his face. “We can leave if you’d like, I only wanted to stay and see if I’d win.”

Alyra nodded and grabbed her purse.

He walked her back to her apartment, before bidding her goodnight and heading down the hall to his own apartment. Alyra unlocked her door then closed it sliding down until she was seated on the floor and screamed into her hands, her face hot with embarrassment and excitement? Delightful nervousness? She couldn’t put names to all the emotions she was feeling.

Ziras, her ever faithful companion came bounding up to her and began to lick her hands until she dropped them and scratched behind his ears.

“Oh bubba, I’m so screwed.” She groaned, patting his side, and standing up to get ready for bed.

Tag List: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @svtansdaddyx

[onebluebookworm]

December 2023 Book Club Picks

Batman: Mad Love and Other Stories by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm: Harley Quinn - the Joker's right hand henchwoman, hopelessly in love with her dear sweet puddin'. But what lead her down this dark path? And is there any hope to possibly reach her?

As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman: Welcome to Camp Three Peaks, a rustic, Christian summer retreat for teenage girls. A week of hiking, adventure, and communing with the God of its 19th-century founders… a God that doesn’t traditionally number people like 13-year-old Charlie Lamonte among His (Her? Their? Its?) flock. The only black camper in the group, and queer besides, she struggles to reconcile the innocent intent of the trip with the blinkered obliviousness of those determined to keep the Three Peaks tradition going. As the journey wears on and the rhetoric wears thin, Charlie can’t help but poke holes in the pious disregard this storied sanctuary has for outsiders like herself—and her fellow camper, Sydney.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte: Gilbert Markham is intrigued by Helen Graham, the beautiful, mysterious new tenant who's recently rented Wildfell Hall with her young son. Although Gilbert is more than happy to befriend her, Helen's reclusive behavior sparks local gossip, and she seems intent on keeping Gilbert at arm's length. Finally, as Gilbert's feelings for Helen become more than friendship, she allows him to read her diary that explains exactly why she behaves the way she does, as the details of the disastrous marriage she left behind unfurl.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: Will's older brother Shawn has been murdered. And Will knows the rules - no snitching. No crying. And revenge at any cost. So now, with a gun shoved in his waistband, he boards his building's elevator to do just that. But then the elevator stops and on comes Buck, the one who gave Shawn the gun in the first place...and who Will knows for a fact is dead too. As the elevator continues to descend and more passengers hitch a ride with Will, the cycle of violence unfolds before him. Each ghost has a piece that changes the story Will thought he knew, a story that might continue forever if Will gets off that elevator.

Get Well Soon: History Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright: In 1518, a woman in the small village of Strasbourg began dancing and didn't stop. Six days later, her corpse was carried away after she died of exhaustion. In a month, 400 more people would be infected with the so-called Dancing Plague. A national effort to clean the River Thames is ignited when a cholera outbreak is linked to the "Great Stink" in London. An eccentric English gentleman creates the No Nose Club, a social club for stigmatized syphilitics when there was no known cure. An Irish cook causes two lethal breakouts of typhoid, forever earning the moniker Typhoid Mary. Since the dawn of humanity, we've been fascinated and terrified by disease. In this hilarious and historical book, Jennifer Wright not only explores the circumstances that lead to the outbreaks, but the brave people who fought against them, found cures, or simply eased the suffering of its victims.

[itsawritblr]

"The Harry Potter brats owe JK Rowling an apology."

Jo Bartosch, 12th April 2024, via Spiked:

The Cass Review has cast the gender activism of celebs like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in a very different light.

JK Rowling is furious. And who can blame her? The recently published Cass Review has proven what she has been saying – and demonised for – for years. On Wednesday, the author and philanthropist posted on X to suggest that she wouldn’t forgive the actors-cum-activists she made famous for turning on her.

Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry in the blockbuster films) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) have both previously condemned the franchise’s creator for daring to point out the dangers of gender ideology. Now, in light of Dr Hilary Cass’s damning report, Rowling has said: ‘Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces.’

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Watson or Radcliffe will be apologising to anyone. The pair have been committed to pushing gender ideology ever since they publicly broke with Rowling in 2020, issuing robotic soundbites in support of trans rights.

This came in response to an essay that Rowling published, in which she outlined her concerns about the threat to women’s rights and children’s health from trans activism. It was powerful, personal and compassionate. Not that any of this mattered to the celebrity set, who turned on the once-beloved children’s author immediately.

Luvvies are as one in their tendency to pick up luxury beliefs like fashion accessories. And for the past few years no cause has been more on-trend than protecting ‘trans youth’. This newly discovered group are, apparently, at unique risk from an evil cabal of haters. Trans lobby groups like Stonewall and Mermaids push the myth that gender-confused kids are at risk of committing suicide unless we unconditionally affirm their identities. By this logic, anyone who disagrees is a guaranteed villain. And so Rowling, a woman who wants to stop kids from being given experimental drugs, and to help them get the support they so clearly need, has been cast as a witch.

Thankfully, the Cass Review has vindicated everyone who sought to raise the alarm about the growing numbers of gender-confused children seeking a medical answer for their growing pains. As Rowling put it on X:

‘And if I sound angry, it’s because I’m bloody angry. I read Cass this morning and my anger’s been mounting all day. Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, ‘celebrity mouthpieces’ like Watson and Radcliffe have been noticeably silent on any of this. The lives of these privileged brats, elevated to stardom by Rowling’s creative genius, could not be more different from those of the young people who have come to regret taking cross-sex hormones and undergoing surgeries.

To take one example, at around the time Watson was appointed as a visiting fellow at Oxford University’s Lady Margaret Hall in 2016, the then 19-year-old Keira Bell had been taking testosterone for just over two years. In 2017, the year that Bell had her healthy breasts surgically removed, Watson was getting hers out for a risqué Vanity Fair photoshoot. There is a gulf between the smug celebrities who parade around chanting about ‘trans rights’ and the vulnerable young people at the sharp end of these trendy crusades.

Generations of children have grown up immersed in the fantasy world of Harry Potter, where impossible things are true. While it’s charming when kids lose themselves in harmless make-believe, it is downright disturbing when influential adults do the same. Watson and Radcliffe really think that chanting magic phrases like ‘I identify as’ can change reality. And now that the harms of the trans experiment on children are being revealed, their continued silence is shameful.

Watson and Radcliffe would do well to remember that outside the worlds of Hollywood and Hogwarts, their actions have real consequences. Rowling is right: they owe the people harmed by trans ideology an apology.

Jo Bartosch is a journalist campaigning for the rights of women and girls.

Then:

Now:

[theseventhoffrostfall]

Following from that line of thought, and assuming it should be its own post, are there any notable non-clan powers in that setting? Ones with the strength or political sway to rival or at least fend off the clans? I'm not sure if I'm over-exaggerating the strength of clan forces in my interpretation, but they seemed to be overwhelmingly powerful compared to their contemporaries.

Yeah, actually. Some of that is stuff I've come up with since the last time they were mentioned that I just haven't brought up since this is the setting no one cares about, some of it's older setting concepts.

First, there are alien polities all around clan space, ranging from near 'lowborn' human levels of technological and military capability, to clan peer states. These represent the primary clientele for clans that base significant portions of their economy on mercenary work. There are also human nations of unknown power and size very, very far away (in the vicinity of Earth) though contact (and contracts) with them are very uncommon.

Second, there's at least one confederation that arose from among the lowborn planets, independently developing its industrial and technological bases until it was established as another peer state (literally, the clans refer to them as if they were a fellow clan, despite being a republic with a regimented military supported by an MIC in contrast to the clans' up-jumped outlaw warband style of governance). They aren't identical in all aspects (they're far more numerous than most clans put together, which helps counterbalance that they have no shield tech outside of experimental models on some spacecraft) but they're playing in the same ballpark. It's actually their ships that elevated them from 'lowborn' to 'clan' in the eyes of the clans and nearby alien peer states; being able to build FTL drives in sufficient numbers and reliability that their civilization is no longer wholly dependent on the relic jumpgates left from the old spheres of expansion.

I elected to focus a little more on these guys moving forward, largely because I know at least some people would be rather offput by a story about weird posthuman space elves just lording over the shitty normals with no hope of response.

And, lastly, to answer your question, yes and no. Clan forces are a technological match for any power within fighting range, and tend to be extremely experienced, motivated, and with a high enough degree of self-sufficiency that stalling them out or strategically decapitating them is incredibly difficult. That being said, their numbers are hilariously low (Clan Eissenshtadt isn't the biggest, but also not far from it, among the martially-focused clans, and they can field a bit under 200,000 troops in an all-out balls-to-the-wall call-in-everybody degree of full mobilization; which isn't really as many as could be hoped for when dealing with war on a planetary scale). They succeed militarily largely by (through their raid-focused doctrine) being very good at knowing where and when to pick their fight, hit high-value targets and fade out before response can be organized to make use of their qualitative superiority. The fact that they don't have much in the way of planetary settlement or permanent, static structures tying up key strategic assets is also a distinct advantage.

So, yes, they're at the top of the food-chain at present in their region of space, but that's a hard-fought position and their victories are by no means easy or guaranteed; they're not just rolling in and curb-stomping the competition

[remainseatedatalltimes]

2023: Bow Down To Barbenheimer

Oh 2023.  You came and went in a flicker.  And so will the memory of your cinema releases. 

Okay, okay.  It wasn’t that bad.  But in many ways, 2023 felt like a complete repeat of 2022 with the release of a series of decent, entertaining enough films to help moviegoers like myself enjoy a cinematic escape from the real world.  

Now don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it’s precisely what my overactive brain yearns for.  And it’s a large reason why so many of the movies I review tend to sit squarely in the 3-to-4-star category.  I’m so grateful for that escape that I genuinely do like most movies.  But essentially, a movie needs to make me FEEL something that compels me to want to talk about it to get above or below that range.  To keep that escape going beyond the boundaries of the cineplex.  Good, bad or otherwise (we all love to share horror stories of the appalling film we had to endure…remember Cats?).  So whilst I thoroughly enjoyed my cinematic escapes in 2023, very few films kept me thinking and talking extensively about them beyond the boundaries of the cinema.  With a few exceptions…

But first, let’s talk about the three movies that DID make an impact in 2023 with most cinemagoers:  Barbie, Oppenheimer, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.  All 3 were big successes that certainly lit up the interweb.  And whilst Barbie certainly drew lots of well-deserved praise, unfortunately for me, most of the sequences with Will Ferrell and the Mattel leaders – who clearly had to be larger than life caricatures so to not offend the real-world company banking the film – just completely ruined the overall tone and impact.  Which is a shame, because if these characters had in fact represented the real-world business leaders, it would have elevated this already joyous and clever film to greater heights.

Meanwhile, The Super Mario Bros. Movie did great fan service with a fun and fast-paced film that finally gave the biggest names in gaming the cinematic star-status they deserve.  Even if Nintendo clearly didn’t read the Disney rulebook on merchandising by failing to release a new gaming title in line with the film…go figure.

But it was the final film in the 2023 trifecta that transcended the crowd to take the crown of my number 1 film of the year.  That film, Christopher Nolan’s dark, anxious and ambitious study of guilt, in the biopic, Oppenheimer.

To be honest, this movie probably does deserve a higher ranking than I’ve awarded it.  It is pretty close to cinema perfection.  A stellar cast, a stunning soundscape, a captivating story, and some of the best scene composition I’ve seen in years.  But I review from my heart, and I still left Oppenheimer stunned, but slightly hollow.  Which arguably is the entire point of the film.  I think we’d all have been very confused if this had been a musical retelling (don’t laugh, it’s actually a thing - Google Australian musical Atomic).  But when I look at other films I’ve awarded higher scores to, I stand by my score based on my personal taste.  I am quite thrilled it still managed to take out the no. 1 spot, however.  And hey, this is my list, so I can do what I want 😉

Interestingly, my second favourite film dealt with very similar themes – depression, grief, isolation – but in a VERY different way.  Quirky, brilliantly acted, and at times both heartbreaking and hilarious, The Banshees of Inisherin did find its way to my heart, and captivated me for 2 joyous hours of intrigue, laughs, tears, and WTF is happening musings.  Not to mention the haunting, yet stunning landscape sitting at the films core.  I lied.  I did mention it.

Rounding out my top 3 was another Barry Keoghan star vehicle, and one of 2023’s most controversial movies.  Whilst not quite as sublime as Emerald Fennell’s spectacular 2021 film, Promising Young Woman, her recent take on wealth, privilege, desire, and greed was impossible to look away from (even though I kind of wanted to in several instances).  But that is precisely the point of this film.  Reminiscent to me of one of my favourite films of all time, the underrated The Talented Mr. Ripley, this cynical, shocking, and brutal film was intentionally wicked and wonderful to behold.  Even if it may not be for everyone.

Similarly to 2022, I ended up awarding 12 films this year with 4-star ratings.  So there were plenty of other very good films released this year that you should catch up on if you haven’t already.  These ranged from the wonderfully optimistic and sentimental, Wonka – which, despite the director’s claims to the contrary, is the very definition of a MUSICAL; to the brilliant and most original film of the year, Poor Things – which very nearly pipped Saltburn for my 3rd place.  Emma Stone can literally do no wrong.  I also thoroughly enjoyed the animated gems ranging from the best superhero film of the year – Spiderman: Across the Universe; to Pixar’s romantic comedy, Elemental; to Disney’s latest animated musical, Wish – a charming, somewhat clever tribute to the 100th anniversary of the studio. I also clearly have a thing for seeing the upper echelons suffer, because the disturbing, yet brilliantly funny Triangle of Sadness also wet my whistle.  And rounding out the top 12 were three bigger blockbuster style films that shot well above their weight:  The best game adaptation of a movie to date (no, it’s not the one you’re thinking), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves; the Nike origin story (is that a thing?), Air; and the hilarious, Joyride which accelerated nicely, but took out a few orange safety cones on the way to the finish line.

Thankfully this year was very firmly tipped in favour of the positives, with only 2 films falling below the 3-star level (although several such as the over-rated critical darling Tár, and the underwhelming slew of Marvel 2023 releases including The Marvels and Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3, did teeter precariously close to that edge.

Instead, it was another Marvel film, the over CGI’d and yet rather dull, Ant Man sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania that unfortunately became my first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to drop below the 3-star level.  Mostly because it felt pointless, hollow, and somewhat dull.  The sooner Marvel realises the solution to their box-office woes right now is less about super-hero fatigue, and more about the fact they’ve lost their human elements – and in doing so – their emotional core, the better.  The solution:  Ditch trying to go “bigger”, and bring the action back to Earth, in a setting we all find familiar, to make the action more personal.  In other words, bring in the moral quarry that the X-Men present.  There is no better time than now to tell the mutation story.  So they should hurry up and re-tell it the way only Marvel Studios can.

And finally, rounding out my list in last place was the incredibly oddly executed black comedy – Allelujah.  I say black comedy because that’s my best guess as to the genre this film was aiming for.  But unfortunately, not even the talented cast could save this film from delivering a storyline that has been done numerous times before (and better) on television, in a way that felt both shallow and frankly insulting, all at the same time. 

[project1939]

Day 24- Film: Singin’ in the Rain 

Release date: April 11th 

Studio: MGM 

Genre: Musical 

Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly 

Producer: Arthur Freed 

Actors: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Conner, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse 

Plot Summary: In the late 1920s, two of the Silent Screen's biggest stars, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, struggle to make the transition to sound pictures. Meanwhile, Don falls in love with aspiring actress Kathy. Can she and Don’s best friend Cosmo help save his career? 

My Rating (out of five stars): ***** 

What can you say about this movie that has not already been said? It’s broadly considered the greatest movie musical ever made, and it often makes the top 10, or even top 5, of the greatest films of any kind. For me, it was the film that set me on the path to becoming a film student and film scholar. I saw Singin’ in the Rain when I was 15 or 16, and it was one of those clichéd “before and after” moments in my life. I began devouring everything I could about Hollywood from the 1930s-1950s, and knew I wanted to get a film degree. You could even draw a straight line from that moment as a kid to today as I work on this project! 

I’ll do a list for “The Good” focused more on how it compares to other films from 1952. 

Luscious MGM Technicolor that I just want to swim in. There was something particularly about MGM’s color that other studios just couldn't touch. 

The energy in this film! I really felt that tonight- it's so manic and high tempo, you just want to strap yourself in and enjoy it. There’s been no other 1952 film so far that comes anywhere close. 

The humor! The satire was perfect- everything down to the smallest detail of sets, costumes, writing, and line delivery elevated it. It also strikes the perfect blend of being loving and biting at the same time. 

Of course the music! Because it was all from the oeuvre of Brown and Freed, there was a coherence to it that really worked for the time period of the film. 

The dancing. The dancing. The dancing! The choreography, the creative staging, and the performances are all as close to perfection as you can get. 

The combination of Kelly and O’Conner. Kelly is so athletic and dynamic, and O’Conner makes a great dancing partner for him. Kelly wasn’t always paired with dancers who were at his level (because barely anyone in Hollywood was), but O’Conner more than keeps up with him.  

Jean Hagen as Lena Lamont. Her portrayal of Lena is a major reason why the film is so funny. Her character could easily become grating, but she somehow continually keeps things hilarious.

The directing. Kelly and Donen both instinctively knew as dancers the most effective way to stage musical numbers. I’ve complained a couple of times before about other musicals lacking either creativity or competence- this film is a primer on exactly how to do it best. 

One of Kelly’s greatest attributes is the fact that he takes his craft very seriously, but he never takes himself too seriously. It makes him so much more effective as a performer and as a filmmaker. 

Two of the most epic dance scenes in film: The “Moses Supposes” number with Kelly and O’Conner and the title number. “Moses Supposes” still makes my jaw fall open whenever I see it, and the justly legendary title number is less chorographically flashy, but it somehow seeps into your soul when you watch it. (You could also easily make the case that “Make Em Laugh,” “Good Morning,” and the “Broadway Melody” are at the top of the heap when it comes to legendary dance sequences. That’s how good this film is!) 

Finally, I just wanted to give props to the way Kelly’s character Don chases after Reynolds’ character Kathy. He pursued her in a way that was surprisingly free of any “ick” factor. The most overt come-on line was, “I think you make just about the prettiest Juliet I’ve ever seen.” His character didn’t seem to objectify hers, he didn't pressure her, he didn't say she meant yes when she said no, and he didn't talk down to her. It was really refreshing! 

[tim-hoe-wan]

i place a lot of blame on buzzfeed and co for the internet boyfriend phenomenon and the backlash their SOs receive because publications like those are a huge part of the promotion of the personality side of celebrity when what they should be focusing on is the craft that made a celebrity a celebrity in the first place. it’s all the fluff articles and fawning content that enables the unwell fans in their frankly abusive behaviors.

they deify these celebrities to an extent that’s insane and while i understand that there is no excuse for fans that hurl abuse at celebrities’ SOs mental health services are lacking in many places and i do understand that on a psychological level when you’re constantly receiving messaging that this celebrity is so much better than “mere mortals” and they’re so so very special and basically the universe’s chosen one and prodigal son it’s gonna make certain fans feel some kind of way. because this celebrity rather than being a human being who ultimately is just as “normal” and mundane as everyone else who has ever existed and will ever exist has been made into this ultimate object of desire (basically a thing) and status symbol who has a result certain fans are going to strive to be with for validation because we live in a society that elevates the things buzzfeed and co promote. i know you don’t relate because of you and your family’s personal relationship to celebrities but that’s how the situation seems to me.

like it’s to the point where there are harry fans who would actually LOVE to be in olivia’s or taylor’s position receiving all the abuse and speculation and death threats from fans and busybodies on deuxmoi because at least it would mean that they were actually dating harry, it would be proof that they get to be the ones in what they see as the desirable position. does this make sense? i’m interested to know where you disagree

I generally agree. I do think this predates buzzfeed. It doesn’t help when a lot of the hollywood legends act like their affairs and number of women they bedded, even while they were married, is a mark of achievement. Even worst when they’re praised for it and people live for the age old dramas of rivalry for a man. Women fighting over men always sell a story. I remember teen magazines loved the whole team Hilary or team Lindsay over Aaron Carter. Then again with Selena and Miley over Nick. It doesn’t help that the celebs themselves love doubling down on this catfight and the men involved just keep acting smug. All that time I remember thinking Nick was not even attractive in my eyes for people to fight over.

Buzzfeed and other publications that use the same style did help reinforce this idea. Aside from this whole treating celebs like gods, they love riding on dramas and catfights. They’re practically one of the first to egg on people to pick a side. But it has always been fun for people to see women fighting for the sake of a man. Honestly it’s not limited to celebs, people do it at school or in the workplace or anywhere girls fight for a man’s attention.

And honestly, while men ultimately benefit from the worship, let’s be honest that it has led to people ignoring young men in hollywood being abused. Because that young boy is the subject of all women’s attention, suddenly people ignore inappropriate words and touches (such as for Shawn and JB), or the grooming of young men (Harry and ATJ). The idea of men as prize and worth fighting about affects everyone negatively end of day. Thirsting is one thing and normal. But if you get nasty and have unhealthy positive or negative attachments/emotions towards these strangers, take a step back pls.

[pagesfromthevoid]

Howdy 🧜‍♂️ could I pretty please request number 51 or 54 from that prompt list with Adrian Chase? 👀 Please and thank you~

51. Stuck in an elevator together/54. Showering together in a sexy way (maybe not exactly but…)

“I don’t think smashing the button over and over again will solve the problem,” Adrian pointed out, rocking back on his heels.

You continued to hit the button over and over again, hoping it would do something. All that happened though was the lights flickered, then shut off. You took a very shaky breath, hitting the button several more times as the elevator shuttered some. Your hands suddenly gripped the handrails.

“This is it,” you whisper, closing your eyes. “This is how I die.”

“Trapped in an elevator?”

“Trapped in an elevator with you.”

“Oh come on. It’s not that bad,” he insisted, leaning against the back wall. “Statistically, it’s unlikely we’ll die in here. And if we get to that point, I’ll shield you with my body if we fall. Then it’ll just be me that dies —“

“Adrian, that doesn’t help at all.”

“Oh.”

There was a beat before he sat on the floor, pulling his gloves off. You glanced down at him, taking another wavering breath as he held his hand out to you. Swallowing hard, you reached out and took his hand, shaking quite a bit. His brow furrowed some as he realized that you were legit afraid; which he genuinely found hilarious. But based on your physical reaction alone, he decided that laughing at you wasn’t the best at the moment.

You slowly brought yourself to the ground beside him, taking another shuttering breath. He continued to watch you, determining if there was something he could do to help.

“Have you ever had shower sex?”

“What?” You asked, looking at him with confusion.

He was trying to distract you; and that’s what was going through his head at the moment. The tight space reminded him of his shower, without the water, so logically there you sat and he had this thought of you in his shower and now he couldn’t get it out of his head.

“Have you ever had sex in the shower?” He repeated, leaning back against the wall. Then he looked up at the ceiling. “I haven’t. Chris says it sucks, because it’s wet and tight and uncomfortable. But I think that’s just because he’s so buff —he doesn’t fit in the shower by himself. I can’t imagine anyone else with him.”

You stared at him, heart racing now from completely different thoughts than dying in an elevator. Now you were thinking about him, in the shower with you. Which was…not the worst thought in the world, but certainly not one you wanted to be having right now.

“I-I haven’t, no,” you admit, leaning back beside him. He still has a hold of your hand.

“I bet it would be easy with like, me and you. We’re both pretty lean. And you’re kinda small, so it’s not like we wouldn’t fit. And I have this really nice walk in shower,” he continued, though he wasn’t looking at you as he spoke. “And like we don’t even have to have sex, honestly. I kinda just want to wash your hair —“

“Why?”

“Because your hair is always so soft and smells like apples, I really like it.”

You blushed, looking down for a moment.

“Maybe when this thing starts working again, we can try it.”

You keep your eyes on your lap, staring at his hand in yours as you slowly nod.

“Okay. Yeah. That sounds good.”