#the power of the gays prevails once again
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anonymous-hopeful · 5 months ago
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Hi, is the ship headcanon request still open? Can I ask for Angus/Izaack?
(do they have a shipname... this fandom is in dire need of an official shipname list...)
Of course it's still open! It's open till I say it's closed. Also, I humbly dub this ship BusinessReport.
Getting an official shipname list sounds like a fun project...
Headcanon below!
What do you get when you put two bombastic extroverted flirtatious men together? You get two people with very, very poor skills at hiding a relationship. Not that anyone particularly minds them dating, of course, but pretty much everybody knows that they're together before they state it themselves...and once they do announce it to everyone, the entire building hits them with the "We know".
It started with the two exchanging glances every time they met up in the queue line for building entry, locking eyes for so long that the line before them had long moved up and anyone directly behind them (doppleganger or otherwise) knows exactly what they are.
Once they got to the security window, the not-so-subtle flirting didn't end. Whether or not Angus or Izaack were first in line, they'd conveniently forget their ID and Entry Request just to be able to look back at the other as they slid the papers through the hatch. Does the doorman care? Not particularly. If anything, unless the dopplegangers suddenly decided to get together, watching Angus and Izaack make eyes at each other in the most obvious way at least provides some sort of hint towards them being human. As soon as the both of them are in the building, the two unfortunately have to part ways since Angus lives on the first floor and Izaack on the second. This doesn't mean they have a quick goodbye, of course, it just means that they'll spend the next couple of hours standing by Angus' door talking about how they'll miss one another and can't wait to meet again tomorrow. They think they're being quiet, but really, everyone on the first floor can hear them.
One time a doppleganger got in, saw their public displays of affection, and just...turned around and left. What were they gonna do? Interrupt? Nah, let the gays be.
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jadedbirch · 2 months ago
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Well, I've seen the thing! Don't worry, I didn't pay for it. But if anyone is interested, here are my (extremely deep) thoughts about Formed Police Unit.
This is a movie that once again proves that China is incapable of subtlety when it comes to propaganda and self-promotion. Taking place in the fictitious country of "Santa Leonne", where the hard working salt-mining Proletariat has been oppressed by the two-headed monster of White Colonialism and Capitalist Greed leading to bloody uprisings, our Heroes arrive literally blazing the slogan CHINA IS HERE FOR PEACE. And it only gets sillier from here. At one point, a member of the FPU even says "Every life is equal and justice knows no borders!"
#AllLivesMatter? Sign me the fuck up 😂
I'm not going to talk about the "plot," instead I'm going to talk about how many times stuff happens to Wang Yibo's character, Yang Zhen.
(Spoilers under the cut)
1. He uses his helmet to cover a BOMB and when it blows up in his face says "I'm fine."
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2. Then the vehicle he's in gets blown up and flips in the air
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3. Then he gets shot
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4. And blown up again
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5. And then he drowns a little, but don't worry, he's still fine!
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6. And then he gets a little bit tortured by some Evil Whitey.
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Have I mentioned all of this happens in a typhoon?
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Anyways, he obviously survives all of this because China Never Surrenders, and because his boyfriend Captain loves comrades him very much. In fact, their chemistry is so transcendent that the power of their gay love Chinese Bravery stops a sniper from fulfilling his mission of shooting the hostages they've been protecting. Long story short, Justice Knows No Borders, and therefore the good people of Santa Leonne prevail and are never bothered by evil Westerners meddling with their land ever again, or so we are left to presume.
But look, I'm sure you already know that Wang Yibo has intense chemistry with all his male costars. What I was NOT expecting was that the infamous and horrible blackface scene was COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. They could've left it on the cutting room floor, along with poor Zhang Zehan's footage, and nothing about the plot would have been affected. It's really fucking pathetic that they chose to risk international goodwill for a 30 second nothing-burger 🤦🏻‍♀️. Get your shit together, China.
Was this movie worth watching? Honestly? Not really. But it helped to watch it with some like-minded Yibo fans who contributed much to my enjoyment with their own delightful shit talk 😂♥️.
I now leave you with this final look at the lovers comrades. Aren't they just 😍😍😍?
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lockea · 2 years ago
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So thinking about that one post talking about AO3 and how important ephemera is to Historians (Ea-Nasir's hate mail) got me thinking about two reasons fanfiction preservation is important beyond just fanfiction preservation being important.
The first is the glimpse into people's lives that are offered by Author's Notes. Author's Notes (ANs) are written at or near the time of the chapter publication and offer a glimpse into the feelings and experiences of that person at that moment.
In a recent update I read, the author announced they had just passed the Bar to be a lawyer. Rereading an older fanfiction the author mentioned their joy at the birth of their nephew. Shortly after Trump's election in 2016 I read a fic where the author noted they began writing this, quit political, fic to cope with the stressful new reality of the president of the US. My very first fanfiction was posted to FF.Net in Jan 2002 and was written as a direct response to the feelings I felt when my father returned home from his first deployment following 9/11.
Anne Frank is not a historically significant person because of any real influence she had on the global sphere during her life. She's a historically significant person because she was an avid diarist during a historically significant period of history who told a story future generations needed to hear.
The second reason preserving fanfiction is important is because fanfiction is an excellent litmus test for the prevailing beliefs and social mores of the Fandom community at the time. Fanfiction is overwhelmingly made up of female, queer, BIPOC, and other marginalized voices. Mainstream media has always been slower to adapt to the social mores that fanfiction authors embrace, but even we have our history.
Remember when having two characters of the same sex kiss conferred an adult rating on a work of fanfiction? That was once a thing, ya'll.
Consider the Open Doors project Boys in Chains. It was a slash centric slave fic focused archive that ran in the early naughts. I happen to like Power Exchange fic (which is an expansive category that includes slave fic) so I read BIC when it ran and recently reread some fic on AO3. Boy Howdy have we changed. We were extremely permissive of May-December relationships in slash back in 2004, for quite a few reasons I could spend a whole post on alone, but suffice to say our relationship with slash changed and we became less permissive of these types of relationships.
Again, because I track the tag, I'm aware of when the "Slavery" tag dropped out of AO3's top 100 tags (around 2018 iirc) because we as a community no longer engage with those topics with the same attitudes we had in the past. Given some of the ways it was engaged with in the past, this is not necessarily a negative, as we've also become more sensitive to things like the very real pain these topics can cause our communities of color. Given the BLM movement and the recognition of Juneteenth (the end of Slavery in the US) as a national holiday, the falling out of this tag nicely correlates with these events in our history.
LGBTQ+ themes emerge first in fanfiction and then are adopted by the mainstream. We saw this with slash and gay, lesbian, and bisexual relationships. We are currently seeing it with transgender and asexual characters now, with the character studies and experiences found in fanfiction slowly finding their way to mainstream media.
Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), the parent non profit that runs AO3 also runs an academic journal, Transformative Works and Cultures, where much of this type of history is being analyzed and preserved for future use. The Fanlore wiki, another OTW project, also works to document Fandom history that is not necessarily fanwork. Things like the amazing Ms.Scribe drama, for example.
Anyway, now that I've rambled long enough you probably stopped reading, here is the TL;DR Fanfiction preservation matters because it is an insight into the community around it at various times in history and reveals our relationship with and in opposition to mainstream culture at that time.
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dickens-daily · 16 days ago
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CHAPTER V—THE BROKER’S MAN
The excitement of the late election has subsided, and our parish being once again restored to a state of comparative tranquillity, we are enabled to devote our attention to those parishioners who take little share in our party contests or in the turmoil and bustle of public life. And we feel sincere pleasure in acknowledging here, that in collecting materials for this task we have been greatly assisted by Mr. Bung himself, who has imposed on us a debt of obligation which we fear we can never repay. The life of this gentleman has been one of a very chequered description: he has undergone transitions—not from grave to gay, for he never was grave—not from lively to severe, for severity forms no part of his disposition; his fluctuations have been between poverty in the extreme, and poverty modified, or, to use his own emphatic language, ‘between nothing to eat and just half enough.’ He is not, as he forcibly remarks, ‘one of those fortunate men who, if they were to dive under one side of a barge stark-naked, would come up on the other with a new suit of clothes on, and a ticket for soup in the waistcoat-pocket:’ neither is he one of those, whose spirit has been broken beyond redemption by misfortune and want. He is just one of the careless, good-for-nothing, happy fellows, who float, cork-like, on the surface, for the world to play at hockey with: knocked here, and there, and everywhere: now to the right, then to the left, again up in the air, and anon to the bottom, but always reappearing and bounding with the stream buoyantly and merrily along. Some few months before he was prevailed upon to stand a contested election for the office of beadle, necessity attached him to the service of a broker; and on the opportunities he here acquired of ascertaining the condition of most of the poorer inhabitants of the parish, his patron, the captain, first grounded his claims to public support. Chance threw the man in our way a short time since. We were, in the first instance, attracted by his prepossessing impudence at the election; we were not surprised, on further acquaintance, to find him a shrewd, knowing fellow, with no inconsiderable power of observation; and, after conversing with him a little, were somewhat struck (as we dare say our readers have frequently been in other cases) with the power some men seem to have, not only of sympathising with, but to all appearance of understanding feelings to which they themselves are entire strangers. We had been expressing to the new functionary our surprise that he should ever have served in the capacity to which we have just adverted, when we gradually led him into one or two professional anecdotes. As we are induced to think, on reflection, that they will tell better in nearly his own words, than with any attempted embellishments of ours, we will at once entitle them.
MR BUNG’S NARRATIVE
‘It’s very true, as you say, sir,’ Mr. Bung commenced, ‘that a broker’s man’s is not a life to be envied; and in course you know as well as I do, though you don’t say it, that people hate and scout ’em because they’re the ministers of wretchedness, like, to poor people. But what could I do, sir? The thing was no worse because I did it, instead of somebody else; and if putting me in possession of a house would put me in possession of three and sixpence a day, and levying a distress on another man’s goods would relieve my distress and that of my family, it can’t be expected but what I’d take the job and go through with it. I never liked it, God knows; I always looked out for something else, and the moment I got other work to do, I left it. If there is anything wrong in being the agent in such matters—not the principal, mind you—I’m sure the business, to a beginner like I was, at all events, carries its own punishment along with it. I wished again and again that the people would only blow me up, or pitch into me—that I wouldn’t have minded, it’s all in my way; but it’s the being shut up by yourself in one room for five days, without so much as an old newspaper to look at, or anything to see out o’ the winder but the roofs and chimneys at the back of the house, or anything to listen to, but the ticking, perhaps, of an old Dutch clock, the sobbing of the missis, now and then, the low talking of friends in the next room, who speak in whispers, lest “the man” should overhear them, or perhaps the occasional opening of the door, as a child peeps in to look at you, and then runs half-frightened away—it’s all this, that makes you feel sneaking somehow, and ashamed of yourself; and then, if it’s wintertime, they just give you fire enough to make you think you’d like more, and bring in your grub as if they wished it ’ud choke you—as I dare say they do, for the matter of that, most heartily. If they’re very civil, they make you up a bed in the room at night, and if they don’t, your master sends one in for you; but there you are, without being washed or shaved all the time, shunned by everybody, and spoken to by no one, unless some one comes in at dinner-time, and asks you whether you want any more, in a tone as much to say, “I hope you don’t,” or, in the evening, to inquire whether you wouldn’t rather have a candle, after you’ve been sitting in the dark half the night. When I was left in this way, I used to sit, think, think, thinking, till I felt as lonesome as a kitten in a wash-house copper with the lid on; but I believe the old brokers’ men who are regularly trained to it, never think at all. I have heard some on ’em say, indeed, that they don’t know how!
‘I put in a good many distresses in my time (continued Mr. Bung), and in course I wasn’t long in finding, that some people are not as much to be pitied as others are, and that people with good incomes who get into difficulties, which they keep patching up day after day and week after week, get so used to these sort of things in time, that at last they come scarcely to feel them at all. I remember the very first place I was put in possession of, was a gentleman’s house in this parish here, that everybody would suppose couldn’t help having money if he tried. I went with old Fixem, my old master, ’bout half arter eight in the morning; rang the area-bell; servant in livery opened the door:
“Governor at home?”—
“Yes, he is,” says the man; “but he’s breakfasting just now.”
“Never mind,” says Fixem, “just you tell him there’s a gentleman here, as wants to speak to him partickler.”
So the servant he opens his eyes, and stares about him all ways—looking for the gentleman, as it struck me, for I don’t think anybody but a man as was stone-blind would mistake Fixem for one; and as for me, I was as seedy as a cheap cowcumber. Hows’ever, he turns round, and goes to the breakfast-parlour, which was a little snug sort of room at the end of the passage, and Fixem (as we always did in that profession), without waiting to be announced, walks in arter him, and before the servant could get out,
“Please, sir, here’s a man as wants to speak to you,” looks in at the door as familiar and pleasant as may be.
“Who the devil are you, and how dare you walk into a gentleman’s house without leave?” says the master, as fierce as a bull in fits.
“My name,” says Fixem, winking to the master to send the servant away, and putting the warrant into his hands folded up like a note, “My name’s Smith,” says he, “and I called from Johnson’s about that business of Thompson’s.”—
“Oh,” says the other, quite down on him directly, “How is Thompson?” says he; “Pray sit down, Mr. Smith: John, leave the room.”
Out went the servant; and the gentleman and Fixem looked at one another till they couldn’t look any longer, and then they varied the amusements by looking at me, who had been standing on the mat all this time. “Hundred and fifty pounds, I see,” said the gentleman at last.
“Hundred and fifty pound,” said Fixem, “besides cost of levy, sheriff’s poundage, and all other incidental expenses.”—
“Um,” says the gentleman, “I shan’t be able to settle this before to-morrow afternoon.”—
“Very sorry; but I shall be obliged to leave my man here till then,” replies Fixem, pretending to look very miserable over it.
“That’s very unfort’nate,” says the gentleman, “for I have got a large party here to-night, and I’m ruined if those fellows of mine get an inkling of the matter—just step here, Mr. Smith,” says he, after a short pause.
So Fixem walks with him up to the window, and after a good deal of whispering, and a little chinking of suverins, and looking at me, he comes back and says, “Bung, you’re a handy fellow, and very honest I know. This gentleman wants an assistant to clean the plate and wait at table to-day, and if you’re not particularly engaged,” says old Fixem, grinning like mad, and shoving a couple of suverins into my hand, “he’ll be very glad to avail himself of your services.” Well, I laughed: and the gentleman laughed, and we all laughed; and I went home and cleaned myself, leaving Fixem there, and when I went back, Fixem went away, and I polished up the plate, and waited at table, and gammoned the servants, and nobody had the least idea I was in possession, though it very nearly came out after all; for one of the last gentlemen who remained, came down-stairs into the hall where I was sitting pretty late at night, and putting half-a-crown into my hand, says, “Here, my man,” says he, “run and get me a coach, will you?”
I thought it was a do, to get me out of the house, and was just going to say so, sulkily enough, when the gentleman (who was up to everything) came running down-stairs, as if he was in great anxiety. “Bung,” says he, pretending to be in a consuming passion. “Sir,” says I. “Why the devil an’t you looking after that plate?”—“I was just going to send him for a coach for me,” says the other gentleman. “And I was just a-going to say,” says I—“Anybody else, my dear fellow,” interrupts the master of the house, pushing me down the passage to get out of the way—“anybody else; but I have put this man in possession of all the plate and valuables, and I cannot allow him on any consideration whatever, to leave the house. Bung, you scoundrel, go and count those forks in the breakfast-parlour instantly.” You may be sure I went laughing pretty hearty when I found it was all right. The money was paid next day, with the addition of something else for myself, and that was the best job that I (and I suspect old Fixem too) ever got in that line.
‘But this is the bright side of the picture, sir, after all,’ resumed Mr. Bung, laying aside the knowing look and flash air, with which he had repeated the previous anecdote—‘and I’m sorry to say, it’s the side one sees very, very seldom, in comparison with the dark one. The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none; and there’s a consolation even in being able to patch up one difficulty, to make way for another, to which very poor people are strangers. I was once put into a house down George’s-yard—that little dirty court at the back of the gas-works; and I never shall forget the misery of them people, dear me! It was a distress for half a year’s rent—two pound ten, I think. There was only two rooms in the house, and as there was no passage, the lodgers up-stairs always went through the room of the people of the house, as they passed in and out; and every time they did so—which, on the average, was about four times every quarter of an hour—they blowed up quite frightful: for their things had been seized too, and included in the inventory.
There was a little piece of enclosed dust in front of the house, with a cinder-path leading up to the door, and an open rain-water butt on one side. A dirty striped curtain, on a very slack string, hung in the window, and a little triangular bit of broken looking-glass rested on the sill inside. I suppose it was meant for the people’s use, but their appearance was so wretched, and so miserable, that I’m certain they never could have plucked up courage to look themselves in the face a second time, if they survived the fright of doing so once. There was two or three chairs, that might have been worth, in their best days, from eightpence to a shilling a-piece; a small deal table, an old corner cupboard with nothing in it, and one of those bedsteads which turn up half way, and leave the bottom legs sticking out for you to knock your head against, or hang your hat upon; no bed, no bedding. There was an old sack, by way of rug, before the fireplace, and four or five children were grovelling about, among the sand on the floor. The execution was only put in, to get ’em out of the house, for there was nothing to take to pay the expenses; and here I stopped for three days, though that was a mere form too: for, in course, I knew, and we all knew, they could never pay the money. In one of the chairs, by the side of the place where the fire ought to have been, was an old ’ooman—the ugliest and dirtiest I ever see—who sat rocking herself backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, without once stopping, except for an instant now and then, to clasp together the withered hands which, with these exceptions, she kept constantly rubbing upon her knees, just raising and depressing her fingers convulsively, in time to the rocking of the chair. On the other side sat the mother with an infant in her arms, which cried till it cried itself to sleep, and when it ’woke, cried till it cried itself off again. The old ’ooman’s voice I never heard: she seemed completely stupefied; and as to the mother’s, it would have been better if she had been so too, for misery had changed her to a devil. If you had heard how she cursed the little naked children as was rolling on the floor, and seen how savagely she struck the infant when it cried with hunger, you’d have shuddered as much as I did. There they remained all the time: the children ate a morsel of bread once or twice, and I gave ’em best part of the dinners my missis brought me, but the woman ate nothing; they never even laid on the bedstead, nor was the room swept or cleaned all the time. The neighbours were all too poor themselves to take any notice of ’em, but from what I could make out from the abuse of the woman up-stairs, it seemed the husband had been transported a few weeks before. When the time was up, the landlord and old Fixem too, got rather frightened about the family, and so they made a stir about it, and had ’em taken to the workhouse. They sent the sick couch for the old ’ooman, and Simmons took the children away at night. The old ’ooman went into the infirmary, and very soon died. The children are all in the house to this day, and very comfortable they are in comparison. As to the mother, there was no taming her at all. She had been a quiet, hard-working woman, I believe, but her misery had actually drove her wild; so after she had been sent to the house of correction half-a-dozen times, for throwing inkstands at the overseers, blaspheming the churchwardens, and smashing everybody as come near her, she burst a blood-vessel one mornin’, and died too; and a happy release it was, both for herself and the old paupers, male and female, which she used to tip over in all directions, as if they were so many skittles, and she the ball.
‘Now this was bad enough,’ resumed Mr. Bung, taking a half-step towards the door, as if to intimate that he had nearly concluded. ‘This was bad enough, but there was a sort of quiet misery—if you understand what I mean by that, sir—about a lady at one house I was put into, as touched me a good deal more. It doesn’t matter where it was exactly: indeed, I’d rather not say, but it was the same sort o’ job. I went with Fixem in the usual way—there was a year’s rent in arrear; a very small servant-girl opened the door, and three or four fine-looking little children was in the front parlour we were shown into, which was very clean, but very scantily furnished, much like the children themselves. “Bung,” says Fixem to me, in a low voice, when we were left alone for a minute, “I know something about this here family, and my opinion is, it’s no go.” “Do you think they can’t settle?” says I, quite anxiously; for I liked the looks of them children. Fixem shook his head, and was just about to reply, when the door opened, and in come a lady, as white as ever I see any one in my days, except about the eyes, which were red with crying. She walked in, as firm as I could have done; shut the door carefully after her, and sat herself down with a face as composed as if it was made of stone. “What is the matter, gentlemen?” says she, in a surprisin’ steady voice. “Is this an execution?” “It is, mum,” says Fixem. The lady looked at him as steady as ever: she didn’t seem to have understood him. “It is, mum,” says Fixem again; “this is my warrant of distress, mum,” says he, handing it over as polite as if it was a newspaper which had been bespoke arter the next gentleman.
‘The lady’s lip trembled as she took the printed paper. She cast her eye over it, and old Fixem began to explain the form, but saw she wasn’t reading it, plain enough, poor thing. “Oh, my God!” says she, suddenly a-bursting out crying, letting the warrant fall, and hiding her face in her hands. “Oh, my God! what will become of us!” The noise she made, brought in a young lady of about nineteen or twenty, who, I suppose, had been a-listening at the door, and who had got a little boy in her arms: she sat him down in the lady’s lap, without speaking, and she hugged the poor little fellow to her bosom, and cried over him, till even old Fixem put on his blue spectacles to hide the two tears, that was a-trickling down, one on each side of his dirty face. “Now, dear ma,” says the young lady, “you know how much you have borne. For all our sakes—for pa’s sake,” says she, “don’t give way to this!”—“No, no, I won’t!” says the lady, gathering herself up, hastily, and drying her eyes; “I am very foolish, but I’m better now—much better.” And then she roused herself up, went with us into every room while we took the inventory, opened all the drawers of her own accord, sorted the children’s little clothes to make the work easier; and, except doing everything in a strange sort of hurry, seemed as calm and composed as if nothing had happened. When we came down-stairs again, she hesitated a minute or two, and at last says, “Gentlemen,” says she, “I am afraid I have done wrong, and perhaps it may bring you into trouble. I secreted just now,” she says, “the only trinket I have left in the world—here it is.” So she lays down on the table a little miniature mounted in gold. “It’s a miniature,” she says, “of my poor dear father! I little thought once, that I should ever thank God for depriving me of the original, but I do, and have done for years back, most fervently. Take it away, sir,” she says, “it’s a face that never turned from me in sickness and distress, and I can hardly bear to turn from it now, when, God knows, I suffer both in no ordinary degree.” I couldn’t say nothing, but I raised my head from the inventory which I was filling up, and looked at Fixem; the old fellow nodded to me significantly, so I ran my pen through the “Mini” I had just written, and left the miniature on the table.
‘Well, sir, to make short of a long story, I was left in possession, and in possession I remained; and though I was an ignorant man, and the master of the house a clever one, I saw what he never did, but what he would give worlds now (if he had ’em) to have seen in time. I saw, sir, that his wife was wasting away, beneath cares of which she never complained, and griefs she never told. I saw that she was dying before his eyes; I knew that one exertion from him might have saved her, but he never made it. I don’t blame him: I don’t think he could rouse himself. She had so long anticipated all his wishes, and acted for him, that he was a lost man when left to himself. I used to think when I caught sight of her, in the clothes she used to wear, which looked shabby even upon her, and would have been scarcely decent on any one else, that if I was a gentleman it would wring my very heart to see the woman that was a smart and merry girl when I courted her, so altered through her love for me. Bitter cold and damp weather it was, yet, though her dress was thin, and her shoes none of the best, during the whole three days, from morning to night, she was out of doors running about to try and raise the money. The money was raised and the execution was paid out. The whole family crowded into the room where I was, when the money arrived. The father was quite happy as the inconvenience was removed—I dare say he didn’t know how; the children looked merry and cheerful again; the eldest girl was bustling about, making preparations for the first comfortable meal they had had since the distress was put in; and the mother looked pleased to see them all so. But if ever I saw death in a woman’s face, I saw it in hers that night.
‘I was right, sir,’ continued Mr. Bung, hurriedly passing his coat-sleeve over his face; ‘the family grew more prosperous, and good fortune arrived. But it was too late. Those children are motherless now, and their father would give up all he has since gained—house, home, goods, money: all that he has, or ever can have, to restore the wife he has lost.’
_____
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kideternity · 3 months ago
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KILL HIM. KILL BELIALVAMDEMON WITH THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!!!!!!!!! GAY RIGHTS CAN ONCE AGAIN PREVAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!
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thenanamisimp · 7 months ago
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Tsurune: Kazemai High School Kyudo Club
Genre: Sports
Warnings: None
OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY THIS IS A GOOD ONE. (yes another sports anime shush)
Tsurune – the sound of a bow when it releases an arrow. That’s the reason Minato decided to learn kyudo, a modern Japanese martial art focusing on archery. After an incident in middle school, he decides to give up on kyudo. When he starts high school however, a strange turn of events have him joining the school’s kyudo club and picking up the bow again.
This sport anime, is genuinely up there with the best sports anime I’ve watched. I mean, nothing compares to Haikyuu but this might come the closest. Every trope included in Tsurune is also included in Haikyuu (and if you know me at all, you know I love everything about Haikyuu). Most importantly, the 3 big sports anime elements prevail once again; someone quitting and coming back, the power of friendship and – drumroll please – the gay tension between teammates!
With Tsurune having the same production studio as Free! we have some beautiful art and animation (as much as I can’t get myself to watch Free! I can appreciate the art).
Sidenote: I watch this when I was very sick with tonsillitis and had a 5 day long fever of 39 degrees (Celsius of course) and I had a fever dream that I was part of the kyudo club. It was fun.
Anyway, I really want more people to watch this anime and appreciate it! I wish it got more love cause I haven’t really heard anyone talk about it. If you do watch it, let me know your thoughts! I hope you enjoy it.
Also, can we take a second to appreciate the BEAUTY of this man? Thanks.
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Thanks for reading another anime ramble! Enjoy watching :)
theNanamiSimp
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alumort · 10 months ago
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Ao3
HI new fic. this one is fully finished im just going over it. its omegaverse but sfw, btw thank you dylan and cody for betaing for me, im anxious and i wanna post the 1st chap today lol.
i keep forgetting to promote my fics here...! if anyone would like me to continue putting them here w the ao3 link and the story itself, lemme know
One day, his world shattered beneath his feet, leaving him with an indescribable emptiness. Nothing would help make him feel any better, no matter how much he tried, no matter how much his loved ones attempted to cheer him up.
The prevailing belief held by the entire world was that the most formidable ninjas were alphas; resolute, powerful, and fearless. Though the occasional beta ninja existed, the hierarchy seemed fixed without any hopes of change. Then came the revelation: Neji, a member of a traditional clan, discovered he was an omega.
According to the stringent traditions of the Hyuga, omegas were relegated solely to the role of stay-at-home caregivers, solely tasked with raising pups. The pressure mounted as they would soon start trying to force him to find an alpha to make a family with, not caring about how skilled he was at his job, or what his desires were.
They would do their best to break him, but none could get close. His newly presented secondary gender caused him to refuse any and all company.
Devastated and with the urge to cry, he contemplated retreating from the world, seeking solace within the confines of his home. The irony struck hard—he had achieved the rank of Jounin through unwavering determination and hard work, only to be confronted by fate's capriciousness. It had once again decided to be a piece of shit to him, as if the universe was trying hard to play a foul joke on him.
His absence didn't go unnoticed by his team and, when Neji wasn't expecting it, they appeared at his doorstep to see what was going on, bringing fish soba and some sunflowers in an attempt to cheer him up. He’d learn later that they had already suspected his new identity as he admitted it in a whisper, not daring to look at the other three; all alphas, as he should've been.
“My dear student, there’s no need to feel any shame about being an omega,” Gai reassured with a soft smile decorating his face, placing a warm hand on his shoulder, but the brunet just kept his gaze fixed on the floor. “You’re already a splendid ninja, Neji! You'll just need to take scent blockers for your missions.”
Lee and Tenten stood by his side, not saying much in fear of upsetting him by accident– after all, not long had passed since Neji began to soften to the world, specifically to his team. Uncertain about how to interact with him, they were now grappling with the added complexity of what the brunet (and his clan) see as his newfound vulnerability.
“Have you seen an omega be a ninja, Gai? There's a reason they always stay at home,” Neji argued, crossing his arms against his chest, still not looking at his companions.
There was silence. The brunet could tell the room had grown tense just by the slightly sour smell surrounding him, though his friends were more nervous than anything else.
And then Gai spoke again, his voice sounding gentle and soft.
“... I used to know one, actually. Someone who taught me a lot of what I know, someone I admire with all of my heart,” he replied, and Neji looked at him with a combination of surprise and confusion in his gaze. “Maito Dai. My dad.”
His mentor had spoken about his dad with the team, yet he had always left that detail behind. Actually, Gai hadn't told them about Dai being an omega before. Neji’s not surprised that he’s not acknowledged much in the village’s history, in that case.
"We've got your back, Neji. Always have, always will!" Tenten chimed in with a warm smile, enveloping him in a careful hug. The rest of the team followed suit, and Neji couldn't deny the soothing effect their embraces always had on him. With the added reassurance of their alpha scents, Neji found himself releasing a sigh, choosing to remain in the comforting silence, reluctant to let go of the affectionate gesture.
“I– we will make sure nothing happens to you, rival!”
The brunet finally chuckled, noticing the slip from his friend in a heartbeat– rather than pointing it out, he leaned towards without saying a single word, knowing well that Lee would never let him fall outside of their usual sparring seasons.
His team would always be there for him, offering him a brief peace from his worries and concerns, at least while they were physically present by his side. The subtlest hint of a smile finally appeared on his face, and the four of them decided to share the food as an excuse to spend some time together..
~
Hiashi wasn’t happy with the outcome of his physical maturity, though Neji couldn't remember the last time he had seen his uncle smile in his eighteen years of life. That wasn’t going to change now that he was considered a family disappointment.
After his team left, the man had decided to pay him a visit, with a more evident frown on his face than the one the entire world was used to. Arms crossed against his chest, Hiashi invited himself to his home without asking, looking at his nephew with something akin to anger in his eyes.
“You're an omega,” he said, almost spitting the last word with disgust, as if Neji could have controlled in some way what his secondary gender would be. A growl escaped from his uncle’s mouth as he saw him flinch, only stopping to continue his speech. “You know what that means in our clan.”
Neji didn't reply at first, looking at the ground instead of at the man. He knew that very well, even if he hated all the traditional customs the Hyuga had. Ignoring it all wouldn't make judgment disappear from people's hearts.
“I don't care. I'm a Jounin, Lord Hiashi. I can't let it all go to waste,” Neji exclaimed, gulping as he heard Hiashi growling at him once again, already angrier than when he had stepped into his home.
“It's for your safety, Neji! You can't be a ninja while having the weakest secondary gender of them all!” Hiashi replied, and his wrathful scent made the brunet flinch again by mere instinct. Omegas were sensitive to that kind of thing, more so when it came from an alpha. His uncle seemed to notice and tried to calm down, wanting him to pay full attention to his words instead of focusing on his terror. “I… Hizashi would've wanted you to stay safe, nephew. Please, listen to me for once.”
Of course he had to mention his dead father. Neji could tell Hiashi was running out of ideas to convince him to stay at home for the rest of his life, bound by fate to only take care of his future pups.
“Don't talk about what he would've wanted, Uncle. Just leave me alone,” he argued as he looked away, not willing to dignify the man with his gaze. For once, Hiashi listened to him, though Neji knew the nightmare of being an omega ninja in a traditional clan had just begun.
~
Neji did whatever his heart desired, not really paying attention to his uncle. He went to explain the whole situation to Tsunade as soon as possible, who gladly helped him by providing him with any scent and heat blocker he might've needed. It was still too early to start using them due to just having reached physical maturity, but it was good to have them for the near future.
With time and exhaustive training, Neji began to identify people solely by their characteristic scent. It was hard to describe, just like books said, but he just… knew it in his heart. Only one person he knew smelled exactly like lotus flowers, someone who would always try to surprise him with a warm embrace, chuckling in his ears.
In the past he would’ve growled in response, but Lee was just trying to make him laugh. He had always wanted to cheer him up, and it was more evident now that the brunet was officially an omega. Somehow Lee had softened up with him enough for it to be noticeable, just like his other teammates did… it was probably an alpha thing, or something like that. Odd.
Another difference from the past was that Neji would unconsciously allow him to hug him longer, and he would accept his challenges without a second thought… only to have that nice flowery scent close to his whole being, inhaling it enough so as to leave it lingering on his lungs. Lee was probably more affectionate with him due to his secondary gender, but the brunet couldn’t find it in himself to mind it either way. He liked the attention, though he would never admit it.
They would spar as usual, do their best without causing deep injuries to the other, wrestling playfully as if they were pups once again. Neither of them had actual younger siblings, after all, so it was enjoyed even more due to a missed experience of the past.
And then, after becoming exhausted and scratched by the earth, Lee would hug him once again, his strong arms keeping him safe through it all. That was his favorite part. Neji knew nothing could go wrong as long as his rival was by his side, protecting him, but he knew it probably was because his friend was an alpha.
He could defend himself, yes, but his omega instincts still made him hide in Lee’s chest, comforted by his strength and listening to his soothing heartbeats..
“Geez, Lee, I envy you! I want to hold a cute omega, too! Neji, do you want me to hug you?” Tenten teased, though something in how she spoke told the brunet that she wasn’t joking in her question. He rolled his eyes and huffed, simply returning to Lee’s embrace and ignoring the girl. “Aw…”
“He’s taller than me now. If you get taller, I might consider it,” Neji said, and he could feel his rival’s laugh by the movement of his body. Tenten huffed and probably crossed her arms in annoyance, and something told the Hyuga that he would need to prepare himself for an unpredictable weapon attack on their next spar.
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the-tiniest-one · 3 years ago
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Hello! I saw you asking for requests to be sent in. I was wondering if you could do headcanons for kakashi and gai (separately) with a plus size civilian s/o? Or one or the other? Thank you in advance ❤
MIGHT GUY
SO we all know Guy is ALL about 3 things. Youth. Passion. Protecting Precious People….and guess what? When you happen to cross paths with the Leaf Village’s Blue Beast, he trips over himself to let you know just how PRESH you are.
I don't see your status as a civilian as much of a road block for him. He needs someone grounded and with soft hands to hold.
Someone who will think he’s the strongest man in the world, a superhero.
He protects the ones he loves with his life and once you're in that circle there is no way out of this man’s giant heart.
You somehow enter Guy’s line of sight, maybe on a walk to class or work too early in the morning…. and from that moment you pass by and he catches sight of your pretty face, he is out for the count.
Now. Lets remember….Guy is CONFIDENT (sometimes more in spirit than in actual ability, he is the fake-it-till-you-make-it KING).
Also important to note: Guy is NOT the same as Rock Lee in his pursuit of women. He’s not about to blow every kiss at you from the jump or shamelessly confess everything out right. Don't get me wrong, he’s shameless….but Guy wants to be seen as someone cool, sexy, a real macho/mighty man... He wants to be slick Kakashi his eternal rival. He’s going to try to be velvety smooth….without success.
He would find any excuse to be in your eye line while flexing or saving a poor disguised student he employed for his contrived scheme, in this case... Neji or Lee in a dress from falling off a building LOL. (“They would be asking him to please explain again how this is training?”)------You might be a civilian. But Genjutsu of that level does NOT work on you LOL.
You are the one to finally introduce yourself to a slumped and defeated Guy after about a week of his adorable attempts at trying to bate you in with his goober acts.
“Hello, my name is (y/n). I was hoping maybe you would like to get a drink sometime?” you say with a half smile.
He would raise his head, teeth BEAMING….the power of youth always prevails!
Best. Decision. Ever. Guy charming and not to mention SHREDDED.
When he accepts your date offer, He would stand and grin, maybe saying something a little cocky like; “A handsome, war hardened devilish shinobi such as myself will always find time to satiate the voracious desires of such a heavenly woman so bursting with the essence springtime.”
He would be so so so respectful.
That being said, you're HIGH AF if you think you aren't making a B-line to walk by Kakashi on the way so Guy can tactfully walk by loudly so that his rival notices he’s with a cute girl.
He’s going to be the chivalrous type. The kind of man who makes sure your hands are around his giant bicep whenever he escorts you anywhere….which from this point on is almost anytime he is home from missions or not training.
Guy is perfect. He’s tall, JACKED, and such a sweet loving man.
He is obsessed with your shampoo. His nose is always in your hair.
Lets face it. Guy is 100% the most physical man that has ever walked the streets of Konoha. If you aren't big on touching, then his is not the man for you.
One hand will always be around your waist, holding your hand, arm around your neck, locked on your curves or anywhere else….respeeeectfully of course.
He will always be up on you and in your face so get ready for that LOL.
He will be proud of you. He will be boisterous to an exhausting level about your achievements.
He will be exhilarating in every way.
One of Guy’s greatest strengths is also one of his most unfortunate downfalls. He is wildly protective. Never underestimate his ferocity when it comes to you. You may have to communicate more than once where the line is when it comes to him watching over you. Even though you aren’t skilled in combat as he is, you also are not a child and he will take some time to learn what you require and what you don’t.
He always means well.
You have some faults and things to work on as well. Guy is tender as hell, an emotional, hot blooded, love sick fool who can and WILL take things you say to heart so be sure if you notice him freaking out or trying too hard to make you happy, to hold him and let me know often that he is perfect the way he his.
In the end all of the passions and butterflies that Guy provokes from your heart are entirely justified.
He will ask you to marry him after a date, probably at sunset, one knee, giant ring he spent way too much on.
He claims you deserve the world and you tell him that instead of the world “you would settle for just having his hands, his lips, and his heart.”
Do your best to return his love to the best of your ability because not everyone gets the chance to be loved by the Hidden Leafs Handsome Blue Beast.
KAKASHI
I’ve never seen Kakashi as someone who would end up with another shinobi bombshell.
Instead I think he would find himself interested in someone who is a total badass in another line of work.
Example; You first encounter him one day while advising Lady Tsunade on the information the Hidden Leaf Village (and a few others) pay’s your company large sums of money to collect, aggregate, and report.
Kakashi stands guard during the meeting, watching you speak with an eloquent grace and authority he finds captivating and maybe a little seductive.
By then end of the meeting he is curious about you...wondering what you thought of him, what you think about everything.... You never even look his way.
He falls in line with you as we escorts you out of the building, walking beside you in the otherwise empty stairwell.
You smirk and take the liberty of speaking first. “Did you enjoy the show Scarecrow?”
From that moment on he’s hooked.
Now I also don’t find the idea of him falling for someone with some FULL curves to be all that outlandish….He has never given .00000001% of a shit what other people think.
He also shares the famous Pervy Sage’s taste in “women he describes from research” and romantic books about women shaped like gourds so with that logic in mind….dude likes thicc, full, curvaceous women for sure. It's basically cannon at this point ;)
Kakashi is someone who has learned emotional detachment through pain. You are the first person who shows promise in tearing down those defenses.
Your relationship not necessarily a slow burn. Kashi isn’t a kid, just because he hasn’t fallen head over heals with anyone before, doesn’t mean he is a mystery to himself or oblivious to his feelings.
That being said, I do think he will protect you by keeping a relationship with you under wraps for the first year or so.
If anything EVER happened to you….he wont let that happen.
The secrecy could be hard on you at first.
Watching more than a few women flirt shamelessly with your Kashi is beyond ROUGH.
Especially considering most of them are tough as nails ninja women with perfect bodies. You aren't used to feeling threatened by other people men or women, so you have a hard time learning how to deal with it.
Kakashi is always quick to remind you that he is serious about your relationship though.
He looks at you with a ferocity only seen by people who are no longer alive. His voice is low and serious when he gets close and tells you, “(Y/N) You are my entire life. I will never leave you. I promise I am yours until the day I die.”
After a few times of him promising you that he really is in love with you, you believe him and can be secure in his word.
As his girlfriend, you take his breath away.
The way you speak, move, sleep….
Even the way you casually conduct yourself at home and in public makes him more than proud to know who you are. Let alone get to go home to you.
Guy is the first one to catch on believe it or not. He notices Kakashi peaking over the top of his book at you as you walk down the opposite side of the street. He’s known Kakashi since they were kids, he puts a reassuring hand on your boyfriends shoulder and vows without spoken words to protect you when Kakashi can’t be there….and Kakashi understands. It helps him sleep just a little better knowing he has help.
Stargazing on a rooftop one chilly autumn night, Kakashi grabs your hand and proposes to you with a small silver ring, slightly ashamed for it’s lack of a stone.
“I want you to be my wife.” is all he says and you wrap your arms around him whispering in his ear “You have had my heart since the first day I met you…. And you always will.”
His heart melts into a puddle at the sound of you telling him he will have a wife. Finally have family that loves him this much.
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quilna · 3 years ago
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“…Lanyon's suave personality prevailed and he ended up being tentative to Jekyll's feelings or whether he kept himself emotionally distant throughout. Jekyll was also keeping emotionally distant so it's also possible that Lanyon matched that to try to give him space or out of worry of pushing him too hard.”
Once again, I love the idea of it being messy on both sides without their obviously being a “bad guy,” ya know, it feels truer to life in reality sometimes people just break up because shit happens…and I think it totally be within Jekyll’s power to cock it up in his own special way and to take his own biases and make a mess for himself in a relationship he really did love. They both seem to like, just never talked? And I guess that’s what fucked them is that they never were honest with each other. Like I keep coming back to the whole “(Lanyon) only dated people for a month or so” vs “eight months into the affair…” like Lanyon tell me your side of the STORY please! I’m missing so many puzzle pieces that I don’t even have the corners done!
I also think in my metaphorical jekyon playlist I’d throw in “Some girls” from once on this island, but like make it gay I guess. If only for the line “Some girls you marry…some you love…” because idk I do hc that Lanyon knew about his upcoming marriage before he told Jekyll and just stewed on it not really truly willing to give it up until ya know…he couldn’t keep up anymore (though I think the implication in the comic is…he resumed his fling searching after the marriage…probably propelled by the fact Everly’s a huge lesbian and wouldn’t care, and probably thankful children wouldn’t be an issue, but Jekyll probably doesn’t know that!)
We really need Lanyon's side of the story. Sabrina keeps mentioning in comments under the comic that Jekyll's memory of the relationship was in some way unreliable
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Like, PLOT RELEVANT???
What did Jekyll get wrong? How much was he wrong? What was Lanyon actually like in that relationship? What was Jekyll really like in that relationship?
I need answers.
At least it can be at least 95% certain that those two weren't fully honest with each other. Those two feel like they fail communication in their daily lives, let alone in a relationship.
--
Ah, I didn't really think about the time between Lanyon being told about the marriage and him telling Jekyll. It wouldn't have exactly been easy to bring up. I wonder how many times he got to sit with Jekyll, trying to figure out in his head how he was going to finally say it, knowing each moment could be his last.
I wonder if Lanyon did resume fling searching after marriage. I don't recall any evidence that he did but it does seem like Everly wouldn't care. I wonder if it affected him that his first eight month long relationship got ended and in such a harsh way as well.
If he does still go fling searching, I can't help but think that maybe they're less frequent now, maybe last even less time.
I definitely imagine he was too scared to go back to Jekyll after that though, even after he found out that their relationship could be possible again - they didn't exactly exchange the nicest final words.
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hanaridulsetcheese · 3 years ago
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i found you
a song of achilles x red, white and royal blue crossover.
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In the darkness, two shadows, reaching through the hopeless, heavy dusk. Their hands meet, and light spills in a flood like a hundred golden urns pouring out of the sun.
Years passed, actually centuries passed after the death of Achilles and his lover Patroclus. The souls of the lovers drifted aimlessly in an unknown void, so close yet so far away from each other. Fate never wanted them to be together, no matter how hard the two fought, it was just never enough.
Suddenly, at the dawn of a new eon, hope seemed to spark as the souls gravitated towards each other, a distant force seemed to have had mercy on them after the eons they spent unable to be together.
"Be reborn. " it spoke as the souls vanished, "Be happy. "
~~~
Henry and Alex stood hand in hand as they waved at the paparazzi from the steps of their plane. The two boys were on their way to Greece as representatives for both the British and American embassy. The paparazzi were still as crazy about the two boys now as they were at the beginning of their relationship, multiple cameras flashed as the boys waved one last time before finally entering the plane.
"Are we really that popular? " Alex plopped himself down on the fine leather seat of the plane, propping his feet up on Henry's lap who sat opposite to him.
"Everyone loves gays in power. " Henry replied.
The flight to Greece was smooth and quicker than the two had excepted it to be. It was already the peak of dusk as they got of the plane. The smell of the Aegean sea air immediately relaxed the boys as they looked forward to their week on the lush island of Delos.
"Greetings Mr. Diaz, Prince Henry. My name is Chiron and I will be taking care of you both during your visit here. " a tall, lean man met them as they got of the plane. His long and curly hair fluttered gracefully in the breeze of the late afternoon. The man extended a broad hand towards them and they took turns shaking his hand. "I trust that your flight here was smooth? "
"Indeed, it was. " Henry agreed.
"Splendid. You both must be famished after the flight so we will take you straight to your hotel when you can have dinner and an early night. " Chiron gestured for the two men behind him to take the luggage from the boys before leading them to an SUV.
During the ride to the hotel, Chiron listened as the two boys marvelled over the passing scenery. Despite the dark of the night the beauty of Greece still shone bright, captivating the boys as they looked around.
Alex was staring to his right hand side at the beach when there was a sudden force that drew towards the left. A row of white Greek columns lined the area, forming a barrier around something that Alex felt lured to.
"Chiron, what's inbetween those columns? " Alex kept his eyes glued to the columns until they drove past it. Henry glanced back to see what Alex was looking at before turning to Chiron to hear what he had to say.
"Those protect the graves and memorials of the soliders who fought during the Trojan War. Among them is the memorial site of the famous Greek hero, Achilles, himself. " Chiron glanced at Alex through the review mirror.
"The memorial site of Achilles? " Alex mumbled before looking back at the columns again, the last column no longer in his sight as they drove further away.
"You okay? " Henry placed a gentle arm over Alex's who just nodded his head and stared back at the beach, lost in his thoughts.
Henry decided that Alex might just be jet lagged and decided to leave him be, keeping his hand interlocked with Alex's for the rest of the car ride.
~~~
It's been three days since the couple arrived in Greece and it had been hectic. They were piled with work as soon as the work up the on the first day, they're schedule packed for almost every minute.
Since the two had to work at different embassies, they saw each other for breakfast and dinner, lunch was usually spent in their respective temporary work places.
As the days past by, Alex had forgotten about the grave of Achilles he'd seen the second they were handed their work. He'd only seen books during the past three days. There was absolutely no time to go out and visit the island of Delos they were on.
However, hard work and determination did prevail as Alex managed to finish his work ahead of schedule and was now free to roam the streets of Delos as he waited for Henry to complete his work.
Walking through a little market alleyway, Alex took in the sight of the locals as they went about their daily lives. They talked, laughed and just enjoyed each other's company, greeting each other enthusiastically as they passed and Alex found himself smiling to himself. He loved the social, carefree nature the Greeks had.
The place was small, innocent and friendly. It was something Alex grew to like during his days in Greece, it was definitely a huge contrast to his life back home.
"Young man, may I offer you a sample of figs? " a friendly old lady held out a platter with the ripest figs Alex had ever seen. He gratefully accepted the offer and poped a fig in his mouth, the fresh flavour exploded, filling his tastebuds with the grainy sweetness of it's juices.
Maybe he was overwhelmed with the sweetness of the fig or he was simply just exhausted from all the work he'd done the past couple of days but as he finished the fruit, he felt his hand reach out for more of the fruit. Each bite he took, a familiar yet foreign feeling took over him.
The old lady watched in delight as the First Son inhaled the fruits one after the other until the plate was cleared.
"You sure seem to like the figs, my boy. " she handed him a tissue to wipe the juice that he didn't even know had trailed down his arm.
"It seems so. I'd never ate anything quite like it before, yet it felt so familiar to me. " Alex looked at the crate of figs that sat on the stand behind her, "Could I please buy some? "
Alex made his way back to the hotel happily with his packet of figs bumping against his legs as he walked. He didn't expect Henry to be in the room as he walked in. The British boy eyed him sceptically as he shut the door behind him.
"What'd you bring? " Henry's voice was thick with exhaustion. He was laid back against the headboard with a book spread open on his lap. Alex jumped onto the bed and showered his tired boyfriend with little pecks all over his face, giggling as he did so.
"I brought you some figs. " Alex said once Henry finally got him to calm down. "It's the best thing you'll ever taste, I swear. " Alex handed the little fruit to Henry and watched eagerly as he bit into the fruit. The bliss that struck Henry's face as the sweetness burst in his mouth made Alex satisfied.
Together, they sat on their bed and devoured the fruit while talking about their day and their time in the beautiful land of Greece. Before they hd realised it, they had come down to the last fig in the packet.
"Catch." Henry tossed the last fig to Alex. Alex felt like he watched the fig in slow motion as it formed a perfect arc before landing into the cup of his palms, soft and slightly warm.
For some reason, Alex had felt like he'd just experienced deja vu. A blured image formed in his head. He found himself looking at a table full of boys however, Alex seemed to only foucs on a specific one.
They sat on opposite ends of the table, everyone's attention was on a boy who was devouring a bowl of figs in front of him. The aura around the boy seemed to draw Alex towards him, making him unable to remove his eyes from the boy.
Suddenly, the boy diverted his gaze from the fruit to Alex who wasn't quick enough to look away. Softly, with a quick flick of his wrist the boy tossed the fig towards Alex, "Catch. "
"Alex? " Henry called out to the dazed boy.
"Huh? What? " Alex focused on Henry who gave him a concerned gaze.
"Are you feeling okay? " Henry placed the back of his hand to Alex's forehead, "You've been acting strange ever since we arrived in Greece. "
"I-I really don't know. I keep getting this feeling like- I don't know, deja vu? " Alex rubbed his temples, "I keeping thinking about those columns we passed the other day. "
"Do you want to go and visit it? " Henry offered.
"I don't think we'd have the time for that. " Alex placed his hand over Henry's and gave him a smile, "It's alright though, I'd much rather spend my time with you. "
That night, as Alex slept soundly it was Henry's turn to think about those columns. Alex had talked about it a few times since they'd got there and Henry couldn't help but want to take him there. He'd do anything for Alex.
Sending a message to Chiron, Henry requested day off for the next day saying that he had something urgent to take care of before snaking his arms around Alex's sleeping body, slipping of to sleep.
The next morning Henry awoke earlier than Alex as usual and prepared himself for the day ahead before waking up his sleeping lover.
Alex peaked at Henry through the half opened lids of his eyes and gave him a toothy grin. He puckered his lips like a fish, demanding his daily morning kiss. "Not with your morning breath, mister. " Henry pulled Alex out of bed and told him to get dressed without any further information before leaving the room.
When Alex had met up with Henry at the lobby of the hotel, they were escorted out by a friendly local who drove them to their destination which Henry still refused to tell Alex about.
After what felt like hours, they finally pulled up to the place that had been on Alex's mind since the beginning on their trip.
"The memorial of Achilles? " Alex marveled at the tall Greek columns that towered over them, all arranged protectively around multiple, marble tombs.
They walked with interlocked hands along the path, acknowledging all the soldiers that fought during the Trojan War. Multiple flowers lined the banks of the tombs along with notes written by locals who were still grateful for the war they fought.
At the very center of the memorial stood the grandest marble tomb, it's surface gleamed in the sunlight as if heaven itself was acknowledging the memorial. Alex dropped Henry's hand and walked aimlessly towards the tomb.
"I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. " Alex ran his hands along the tomb of Achilles.
"I would know him in death, at the end of the world. " Alex's voice was now barely above a whisper.
"Alex, what are you saying? " Henry placed an arm on the boys shoulder.
Alex turned to him, tears glazed his eyes and threatened to spill as he stared back at Henry. The deep brown eyes of Alex stared longingly at Henry's as if he hadn't seen them before. It felt as if the person looking at Henry was not just Alex, but for some reason be still felt connected to that person.
"I have found you, my love. " Alex said. "Achilles, we can be happy now. "
Henry finally understood what was happening, it was as if all the mysteries in the world finally became clear. "Patroclus, we found each other. "
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thatsapphicsoprano · 4 years ago
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So I finished Free! Here are some of my thoughts (SPOILERS):
Harurin is DEFINITELY gay and DEFINITELY a childhood best friends to enemies to lovers trope CONFIRMED
Okok it’s not actually confirmed as in like an explicitly gay yaoi type of canon but it’s canon as in like how Korrasami and Bokuaka and all of those couples where you just go “oh yeah they’re definitely a thing the writers are just cowards” type beat
Like seriously
You can’t push each other and roll around on the ground and then stop with one pinning the other one down and spilling their tears on their face with a heartfelt angst moment only to end with a beautiful moment of reconciliation and NOT make it looks super fucking gay
Also the whole “Rin, come — this time I’m gonna show you a sight you’ve never seen before” with a floaty pink background with hearts and imaginary cherry blossoms flowing in the wind as he turns around to look at him
This might as well be a yaoi anime (I don’t even READ/WATCH yaoi and even I know holy fuck this show is GAY GAY GAY)
That Harurin & co. hug was BEAUTIFUL it made me very very happy I’m so glad they’re friends again
They’re all friends now!! Aaaah I’m so happy!!
The way they recreate the old relay photo.... the way we get to see a smiling Rin again.... MY HEART <333
Haru is seriously beautiful
They’re all seriously beautiful
I love them
Once again, the power of frrrrrrriendship prevails and conquers all! Overall this was a very cute anime I thoroughly enjoyed it, I’ll give it a solid 8/10! 😁 definitely recommend if you want something cute and inspiring and “slice of life” really similar to Haikyuu in that sense! Fun fact (that you may already know 😋✌️) : Kageyama’s character design from Haikyuu is actually heavily based off of Haruka’s from Free! Their personalities are quite similar as well, which is by no coincidence. They were initially gonna make Kags the protagonist like how Haru is in Free!, but then they changed their minds and made Hinata the main character and changed Kageyama’s personality a bit to make him a rival figure. Cool, huh?
Aaaaanyway, that’s all from me about Free! for the time being. I plan on watching season 2 (I think it’s listed as another series, I believe it’s called Free! Eternal Summer?) So I look forward to watching that some other time!!
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mercuryislove · 3 years ago
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Don’t hate me but… I kinda want you to answer all of the deep dive WIP asks 🥺 if that’s unreasonable tho, just 2, 9, and 10 please!
I am SORRY for the delay!!! i answered every question for BOTH projects so you're in for like.... several thousand words of shit that makes absolutely no sense, but i hope you you enjoy it! :)
1. Who are two characters that don't like each other? What do they reveal about each other to the readers? Will they ever learn to put aside their differences?
White Crane: okay this is hard because like. so many people do not like each other. (I know I made a post once about how terrible it would be to be one of twenty-eight people that have the power of dead gods but are trapped in stupid human bodies and you're all a thousand years old and hate each other so so so so so much because you all SUCK.) But for the sake of simplicity, I will talk about Ciaran and Sihla who never got along but only played nice to keep Anwei happy. They absolutely do NOT put aside their differences lmao once everything kind of, um, blows up between the three of them, all they want to do is KILL each other. She makes it her life's goal to make him suffer, and he basically loses his sanity in the process of trying to find a way to kill her for good. The beef is unbelievable. ANYWAY, what they reveal about each other is that Ciaran is not nearly as innocent in anything as he likes to pretend and Sihla is not as guilty as everyone says she is. I mean, she is still a terrible person in many ways, but that does not excuse the things he did to her all those years ago. She hates him for many, many good reasons.
Old Blood: Andhira HATES the entire Ekion family, but specifically the oldest son (who does not have an official name yet.... oops). He doesn't much care for her either but is usually too busy trying to better his social standing to worry too much about her. Except when they're in the same room together (which happens semi-regularly because her brother is kind of in love with him lmao). They hate each other for the exact same reason and it's that they're both SO arrogant. They look down on everyone around them (which in Andhira's case is like. fair. She's the firstborn of the two most powerful people on the planet, and the only person that comes close to that level of power is her twin brother who was born a mere fourteen minutes after her) but think the other is completely unjustified in their actions. Really all it reveals to a reader is that they both kind of suck and need to get over themselves because all that behavior does is make people resent you. They only put aside their differences because she does kind of need his help once or twice, but they would gladly spit in each other's face and/or push each other down a flight of stairs in the name of pettiness.
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2. What do you hope your readers will take away from your wip? Is there an intentional theme to the story?
These can be answered together! I started writing these stories because I wanted to have fun but they've both kind of morphed into a long-winded way of saying that like. it's okay to be messed up and hate yourself and have major internal struggles because there are people who still love you. I KNOW it doesn't sound like that from uhhhhhh literally everything I've ever said about this stuff but bear with me. The BIG theme is that love is EVERYTHING. All kinds of love. It's the reason to keep on going. You are never alone, even strangers can love you in their own way, etc etc etc etc. Also gay love fucking prevails always and forever.
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3. What do you love most about your protagonist?
Yixing is funny and weird and definitely a horse girl and he kind of sucks sometimes because he's stubborn as hell and has terrible people skills and maybe also a drinking problem, but he is kind and empathetic and despite the absolute hell he's lived through, he still sees the good in people and knows that it's easy to make mistakes and that most people deserve second chances in life. Also I like him because he is without a doubt the ideal man and I made him that way on purpose. And god I wish we could drink together. I'm talking stumbling drunk, crying on the bathroom floor, please-hold-my-hair-i'm-about-to-throw-up kind of drinking. We would have a great time being stupid together I think.
Vera is resilient and mean and stubborn and cold and off-putting and hard to get to know, and she sucks for those reasons but it's also why I love her so much. She has also lived through hell and it didn't make her try to see the good in people like Yixing does. It just made her bitter and resentful. She warms up over time, but she fights tooth and nail against it. I also love her so much because she is the archetype of like. the washed up former prodigy that has to return sort of against her will to her old life, and she realizes that she misses it in some ways but also remembers exactly why she left. I would Not want to drink with her (because she doesn't drink anymore), but I would love to take one of her art classes.
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4. Is there anything in the story that is implied but not directly stated? Will this become more relevant later on? How perceptive would a reader have to be to pick up on this?
White Crane: This is hard because I'm so invested in my own shit that it feels obvious to me, but I try to lay out a little candy trail that tells the reader that Ciaran and Anwei are Not What They Seem right from the start. It’s hard to explain without specific examples but it’s in the way they talk, they way they interact with other people, the way certain things they say don’t line up, etc etc etc. And there is a Big Hint of what will happen to Ciaran in the second and third installment, but idk if that counts. Also there are definitely implications that Yixing is trans but that's neither here nor there (honestly I’ve gone back and forth on whether or not he should be explicitly trans or if it should be left to reader interpretation because well... I don’t know if I'm capable of writing the nuance of transness because I'm not trans despite my complex and confusing relationship with gender but I'm also not a thirty-something year old Asian man NOR am I a god NOR am I a former vampire hunter NOR am I like. any of the things I write about other than a mean lesbian so. who knows?)
Old Blood: TRUE FANS already know this one, but regular degular readers that haven't participated in funny question friday or read my random late night posting would not immediately know that Josef and the Sovereign were once involved. Basically the only characters in the story that know are Josef, Luka, the Sovereign himself, and Tahire. But there are definitely some hints peppered throughout conversations and perhaps some photos and trinkets that Josef has kept after all this time... It has like no weight on the events of the story but I just think it's fun. Once again I am way too invested to know if it's easy to pick up on or not but I think it takes some theorizing about maybe? Other than that there aren’t any significant secrets.
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5. Which character has the most intricate backstory? Is this backstory common knowledge from the start, or is it revealed later on? How does the backstory affect the narrative?
White Crane: this is unfair because some of the characters are almost a thousand years old and some of them are like. 35. I DO have a full timeline written out of the thousand years of history that Ciaran and Anwei have lived through, if that counts as an answer. Like it doesn't have every single day and year, but it has all the big events for sure. Barring that, Yixing definitely has a pretty complex backstory. The man gets around lol and I try (and maybe fail?) to make him seem not too complex initially but then things get revealed and you learn more about him and are like “oh my god no wonder this man has Problems.” Also if he was like. “normal” and perhaps “well-adjusted” the story would not exist at all because he is the way he is and makes some of the stupid decisions he does because of his weird little life.
Old Blood: ONCE AGAIN, this is unfair because the Sovereign is like older than god. And Vera is 37. But like. I haven't fleshed him or any of the old ass vampires out nearly as much as Vera so there's your answer I guess? And I guess the important things are known from the start (that she was a prodigy, that she retired because terrible shit happened and she couldn't handle it, that she suffers from significant ptsd because of it, etc), but there is a lot of detail that doesn't come out until much later when she has to confront her Feelings (ewww feelings). Uh... the backstory affects the narrative because it wouldn't exist at all if Vera wasn't plagued by her fucked up blood nightmares lol
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6. Which two characters have the most complicated relationship? How does their relationship develop over time?
White Crane: Ciaran and Anwei totally. They love each other because they're brother and sister and were all the other had for a VERY long time (and even when they were still uh mortal, they relied on each other constantly), but also they hate each other because they're brother and sister. You know how it is with siblings. I love my brother and sister to pieces but I can't imagine being immortal and having to put up with the both of them for all eternity (sorry guys if you are reading this somehow.... I love you but we are all so annoying god bless). They handled their newfound godhood very, very, very differently and it kind of colors their relationship for the rest of time. There were times where they were extremely codependent and other times where they didn't speak to each other for DECADES. At the start of our story, they're on much better terms and have buried all their hatchets, but it doesn't take much for that to change....
Old Blood: Probably Vera and Andhira? They're only brought together because of their shared fucked up blood nightmares, and neither of them like that thought. They both resent the other for everything they are, and Vera is pretty much completely hostile to Andhira about it for a long time (and Andhira is only just barely cordial lol), but obviously a significant part of the plot revolves around them like. falling in love so they DO get over it after a while :)
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7. What is the most heart-wrenching scene in your wip? Why?
White Crane: When Yixing fucking DIES. I feel like this one should be self-explanatory. But I mean if you would like further explanation, it's unpleasant and slow and agonizing and nobody can do anything to stop it (haha....... unless?) so Ciaran gets to hold him for a long time and feel really bad about it lol
Old Blood: idk if there are any really heart-wrenching scenes but there are definitely some miserable and uncomfortable scenes like where Vera relives in vivid detail the days that she witnessed the gruesome deaths of her young apprentice and her last lover. They're upsetting because those are the two days that basically ruined her life (and one was the final straw that sent her spiraling completely out of control) and it's painful to watch her have to live with the guilt of what happened even if it wasn't her fault.
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8. What is a song that you associate with your wip? Explain.
White Crane: not to be basic but absolutely without a doubt in my stupid mind “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears lol it's because uh. well. Everybody wants to rule the world right? Basically way back in 2019 when I was crafting the ideas for the dnd campaign that became this thing instead, I was definitely having a metal gear moment (honestly I’m about to have a metal gear moment NOW lol) and was listening to a lot of like. mgs adjacent music and latched onto this song (and also promises, promises by naked eyes lmao) as some like thematic element. Like my brain making amvs. You know how it is. ANYWAY the point is. The concept was originally way different and was supposed to be more about the immediate aftermath of the so-called end of the world (yes Yixing was still there and yes he was still just some guy), and it focused a lot more on power struggles between all of these insane people that were granted godhood in the wake of the dying world. Which........ is something I'd like to write about at some point because it's intriguing in its own way but at the time I was unequipped to write about that when I really just wanted to write about people who are, for all intents and purposes, quite average getting caught up in the batshit drama of higher powers. (fun fact: Ciaran was supposed to be a tyrant king that ran a death cult and Anwei and Yixing were working together to figure out a way to kill him. Which is. Kind of what my dnd campaign is like now lol BASICALLY he's like if Big Boss was unkillable and could also rip souls out of people's bodies and eat them. I absolutely do not remember what this question originally was. Something about a song?)
Old Blood: THIS is the reason it took me so long to answer this whole thing. I thought long and hard and looked through all my playlists and listened to random songs that came to mind but it turns out the song I was looking for was right in front of me the whole time. DUH. It's “Golden Light” by Twin Shadow :) In my humble homo interpretation, I think it's a song about being afraid to fall in love and. Well. That's the whole point. Also #spoilers but the first time Vera sees Andhira and is like “oops I think I have feelings” is when they've just arrived at Andhira's home and the sun is rising and she looks over at her as they stand at the top of a hill and she has her eyes closed to the sun and she's bathed in golden light and OOUGGGGHGHHH poetic cinema. (honorable mention goes to “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-lite because it’s quintessential early 90s music that Vera would be super into)
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9. What does your protagonist want most? What would they do to achieve this? What is something they wouldn't do to achieve this?
White Crane: Yixing wants to be happy for once. Like actually really happy instead of just. getting by. There's a scene where they're making wishes for the next seasons during the summer solstice and someone asks what he wants and he's like “uh I guess I want to still be alive at the end of the year?” and the other person is like “isn't that what everyone wants? Raise the fucking bar please. What do you REALLY want?” and he's stands there for a really long time and thinks about it before finally saying “I think I just want to be happy for once” and everyone else is like. wow. Way to kill the fucking mood dude. Anyway. He has had fleeting moments of happiness in his life but wants nothing more than to feel that way forever. It's kind of hard to say what he wouldn't do for that because like. there's not really much you CAN do in the first place, so I feel like there's even less you couldn't do. I guess he wouldn't like sell his soul to the devil or something lmao (though by being involved with Ciaran he's pretty much halfway there)
Old Blood: to be left alone. Vera just wants a normal life. She really truly does want to pretend that none of the horrible shit happened to her and that she was never a world-famous hunter. And she wants to teach art classes and live a quiet life!!! I mean, she is already mostly doing that exact thing when we first meet her, but obviously she has some hindrances (aka fucked up blood nightmares). She is begrudgingly helping Andhira because she assumes that will fix her problem and that she'll be able to get to that quiet living as soon as all is said and done. The only thing she really wouldn't do to get what she wants is like... live somewhere far away from Josef and Luka lol She likes having them close by more than she wants to be left alone.
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10. Within your story's world, were there any events that impacted every character (or most characters)? How would they be different if this event never happened? (Alternatively, erase an important even from on character's backstory and imagine where they'd be now.)
White Crane: well. If the stupid old gods didn't all kill themselves and almost end the world then I guess none of this story would exist lol But the actual answer is like. If Yixing had never run out on his girlfriend of ten years then he wouldn't have moved across the continent to Jengmi and wouldn't have made a name for himself way out there and wouldn't have been scouted and recruited and wouldn't have met Ciaran or Anwei and wouldn't have gotten in the middle of the batshit grudge between a bunch of ancient petty gay people and wouldn't have DIED and wouldn't have made one of the ancient petty gay people in particular lose his grip on his humanity via a lust for power in a desperate attempt to guarantee his safety and wouldn't have been the reason that tens of thousands of people die in his name and wouldn't have accidentally set off a chain of events that resulted in him having to hunt down and kill the Actual God that started it all in a fit of jealous rage. So like. maybe he should have just gone through with the wedding. All things considered, his life would have been way less stressful.
Old Blood: uhhh, that's tough because the stuff that happens only really has any effect on the mortal characters (I mean yeah people still try to kill the Sovereign but they're too dumb to know the ACTUAL way to kill him.... haha unless??), so it would be more like a what if Vera didn't witness the violent deaths of both her apprentice and her lover and have a full blown nervous breakdown and abandon her career? Well...... I think most things in the plot would transpire more or less the same, except she would be WAY less pissed off about it. In fact, she would probably be hyped as hell to get the chance to make the acquaintance of the Sovereign's family like Josef had before her. The thought of Vera being upbeat and not a sleep-deprived asshole that hates being dragged back to her old life..... ew. Not that I enjoy her suffering but you know what I mean. It just wouldn't be the same.
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11. What is something from your wip that you just really want to ramble about?
Are you sure you're ready for this. This is going to be so so so so long I'm sorry in advance. It's Saturday night and I'm alone and kind of sad so I'm just going to let loose.
As I hone down plot elements for next two installments in my little trilogy, I have kind of become obsessed with the passage of time and how different it must feel to someone that, well, lives forever. One of the ways I'd written (that has since been kind of changed) for Yixing to start to figure out what Ciaran really is was that he would casually be looking through his bookshelf and find an old photograph of Ciaran, Anwei, and their mom standing backstage together after one of his performances. And when he eventually asks Ciaran about it, he gets upset because how dare you touch the one thing I have left to remember my mother? To remember what my life used to be like? There are so many names and faces and places and foods and sensations that I've forgotten in the 940 years I've lived like this and I would give anything I have to see any of it just one more time because I didn't know that the last time I would ever speak to my mom we would have an argument on the phone about how I need to go to the temple and pray for good fortune on my birthday, or that the last time I would ever see my best friend would be at 6am when we both came into the studio to practice and he asked me to go out to breakfast and I said no because I thought a nap would be more important. And there are so many people that I've watched die whose names I never learned and whose faces I forgot the moment I turned away, and there are so many others that I loved so dearly that I had to leave behind because they grew old and I didn't. And I have lived lifetimes in solitude to keep myself a secret from other people and I have died more than any person should ever have to die and I have witnessed atrocities no one should ever witness and I hate everything about this life so much but I love everything about this life so much and I wouldn’t trade it for anything but I think I would give it all away in an instant if only to remember the scent of my mother's favorite perfume and I think I would give it all away in an instant if it meant I didn't have to watch you turn to dust in my arms.
ANYWAY. I think a lot about the agony of loving things that aren't permanent and how it really DOES drive you mad because lately I have been unbelievably nostalgic for certain things that weren't even that long ago but..... I didn't appreciate them at the time and I feel so guilty about it. (And like. I too would give up my entire life to be able to remember the scent of my grandmother's favorite perfume.) And all my pent-up sadness is for things that only happened in my childhood. I have pictures and videos and other people to share those memories with, but what does it feel like to be one of very few people that watched the entire world fall apart and rebuild itself and have nothing to hold onto from that time? What does it feel like to foster dozens of generations of children and outlive every single one of them? What does it feel like to have only fragments of memories of entire lifetimes? How lonely is it? I mean, Ciaran and Anwei have each other and that makes a difference but it still has to be the most isolating feeling. And then there's the pain that comes with memories that have faded or otherwise become hazy. I doubt either of them remember their father's face. They hadn't seen him in years even before it all happened. If it wasn't for that single photo he has, they wouldn't remember their mother's face either. Do they still remember her name? Or her birthday? Do they remember anyone else? Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, coworkers? If they do, do they even want to talk about it? One thing I worry about in my own life (and this is how I know I have Problems) is that I'm so afraid that talking about memories will alter them somehow. There are so many things that I don't even like to share because once the words are spoken the little vhs tape that has all my memories has been recorded over, even if it's just by a single frame. Something about it has been changed forever each time I talk about it. Do they feel the same way and keep things to themselves instead of sharing the sadness? I think maybe they used to talk about the “old days” or whatever much more often back in the past, but as the years went by.... they just learned to keep it to themselves.
I think maybe I have a lot of anxiety about the passage of time and of being forgotten!
Anyway again. The passage of time drives me insane. And I think it would make me even more insane if I had been chosen to carry the mantle of a dead god and would live forever. My dog died a year ago and I still cry like every single day thinking about her. If I was doomed to live forever I don't know how the sadness wouldn't swallow me whole! No wonder all the people in this book are fucking CRAZY!!
And don't even get me started on the Sovereign lol he's like “oh boo-hoo you've lived for not even a thousand years? Bitch they hadn't invented fucking GLASS yet when I was born. The horse wasn't domesticated yet. Cry harder!!”
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instruth · 4 years ago
Text
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POVERTY AND DEVASTATION
I always remember what it’s like to be in a state of poverty and devastation, and to let go of the past.
I have composed, written and published several poems on these.
Here are three of my personal favorites.
THE OLD HOMETOWN - by J. P. Lee
Fair land of glory loveliest song of the morn
Smiling parks red roses set among thorns
Eager are the pigtailed gals busy to pick
Gallant swains fall in line ready quick
Gay day begins with a warm cheerful visit
Butterflies flapping, floating in their flit
Love songs from the robins for one and all
Joy of my youth ever pleasing as I recall
Blooms linger when seasons cause delay
Young hearts learn patience to wait and stay.
Innocence and ease enrich my simple life
Nature overriding all hardship and strife
Simple folks endear fine humble happiness
My daily loitering brings surpassing gladness
Pausing to admire the glory of dawn
Watching the deer with her little fawn
Grazing on tapestry green along the slope
While bees and grasshoppers shyly elope
I dream of the maiden I secretly love
Like cooing doves wooing in their cove
Crossing a quiet brook to watch her charm
Yonder fence lies her cultivated rainbow farm.
I bless the approaching brilliance of day
When all around me freely lend a play
Contentment fills my soul and cheers my heart
A pastime frolicking joyfully, never to part
Simple pleasures and joys in sweet succession come
Dancing pairs bring sweet memories to beds at home
Peaceful dreams follow when the day is done
Alas! These lovely charms are past and gone.
LEAVING FOR GREENER PASTURE
- by J. P. Lee
To greener pasture thy children flee
From the womb of Mother Earth set free
Relentless weather turns thy greens to yellow
No standing ovation, no cheer, from grass to fellow
Freedom stings not numbing thy pain
New owners destroying thy smiling plain
Thy glassy brooks no longer reflect
Mossy paths mirroring a land neglect
Collapsed greenery make nests for charging ants
From afar comes the loud cry of thy vagrants.
Wealth accumulates while thy land decays
Dry wind carries its stink day after day
Peasantry once boldly gay now in great despair
Stripped off its pride to breathe its own foul air.
Times have altered thy once compassionate train
Rolling swiftly only to dispossess thy grain
Thy packed lawn of fond cheering crowd
Now empty without the sportsmen's shout
Devoid of the peaceful scene that once delights
Even the polo ponies in their thunderous flights.
Staring across the sea standing on its weary shore
In hopes for better as generous provisions come no more.
Bitter sweet is the approaching sense of dreaded hour
To please or confront the tyrant in his rigorous power.
Covering the solitary rounds in wandering
Hopping along thy rugged path, staggering
Awakened remembrance roams thy ruins again
Captures my heart but changing the times in vain.
In all my loiterings on thy plains, Mother Care
I now see the gifts of griefs I have to bear
Give me my final hope in one Almighty I can trust
No memory, no understanding only doing thy will I must
That I may come home to write my story
Around a fireplace to tell all of your history
On all that I have seen, learned or have ever knew
That I may return, be buried where I'll be reborn in you.
THE NEW LAND - by J. P. Lee
Is this what we are told - a new found joy?
Not splendor but a treacherous decoy?
Groups cramped in pigeon holes on a stand
Large families packed in a home without a land
Hoisted home up in the sky swiftly built
No warm blankets just share a family quilt
Good Heaven! Greater sorrow newly imposed
Work! Native walks are as yet to be proposed
O Fair Land, why hast thou caused us to leave
To this distant land unknown, far more aggrieved?
Do thou, sweet Mother, weep in vain
Thine fair tribes now add on to thy pain?
Thine children knock at doors for bread
Chilling bones in hunger desperation led
Good neighbors forced to sell their daughters
Not through any faults of theirs that they should falter
Bless me - why, had we brothers any sister
Our decision would not have been better
Painful to watch sweet little girls in tears
Pretty innocents in their helpless years
I weep as I watch them in their charms,
Shaking wildly in their fathers' arms
Grieving mothers kiss their mindless babes
Strike their breasts looking skyward sadly in gapes
I see the fairies and nymphs degraded
In my dreams I see my heaven has faded
These are the hard truth in times of shame
Best to forget, nothing to share, no one to blame.
In the city their statesmen talk as their ale goes round
Laughing cheering with haughty looks profound
Such luxury migrants can ill afford
Even simple pleasures dismiss accord
Wealthy men arrive from world around
Suits and hats stunning ladies surround
A wanton wealth designed in tempting display
Painful truth in my mind I mindlessly survey
For I am sickened by this man-made pleasure
Toiling in the distrusting hearts of false leisure
Accumulated wealth stored in pride
Buy a lass to play as an obedient bride
Repossess the cuddly space of the poor
For their horses, hounds and more
Lawful acquisition to rob the timid folks
Stealing their meals of oats and yolks
Dressing up their females well adorned
To reign secured while simple folks mourn
Statesmen to their sons divide the wealth acquired
To their siblings, wives, married relatives
as required.
Beating my chest in bitter sweet memory
recall
In senses with unfailing truth reveal it all
Oh past the plain the surging joy prevail
That which I have loved can never fail
That broken teacups I have taken with me
Stirs my will daily sipping my humble tea
No tales no news from barbers or farmers
It's fine - all return at meals as we gather
No theatre, no ballad, no talent time
Everything comes handy in sublime
Make our own feathered balls and stuff
Marbles rolling, guessing games and bluff
Obscure yet it sinks deep in our souls and hearts
Those simple treasures, everlasting will not part
My vacant mind frolicking in the pond
Caress my soul, my spirit neatly bond
Contented on my stool writing my poetry
Pass my time in imagined peasantry
Raise my native strength for greater gain
Instead of indulging in pitiful afflicted pain
Plant my seeds, pull out the weeds annoy
With compliments from God, my daily joy.
©Johnny J P Lee
18 February 2021
Photos Credit J. P. Lee
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historic-old-guard-lover · 4 years ago
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The emperor has to be god-king Andy. Also like since nicky and Joe obv have to have the lovers why not have andy and quyhn kissing as the empress.
Another related ask (potentially by the same person):
Also since the fool is a journey's beginning I'd almost want to pick Nile for it. As well there are four characters who commonly have swords (or an axe but close enough) and cards have four corners. So one sword each corner, nicky, joe, andy, and quyhn.
So. Someone has good ideas. Here’s the post that prompted these asks. This made me pull out my tarot deck and go through the cards. Below the cut is a break down of the entire tarot deck. There will be an explanation of the (standard) interpretation of the cards, good then less good, and then my associated headcannon (or more than one if I couldn’t decide). The source is my experience with tarot. I’m trying to minimize repeats, but historic and modern Old Guard members are counted separately. Enjoy.
The Major Arcana (aka the cards most people have heard about)
0. The Fool - the seeker. Naivety. Courage. Living in the moment. Journey’s beginning. All paths available. Folly. Apathy.
Nile. Anon convinced me. Though Booker has got the folly, apathy, and madness down, Nile is ultimately the beginning. She’s naïve but headstrong, and quite frankly a perfect match.
I. The Magician - the trickster. Power, skill, talent. Mastery, self-control, willpower. Subtlety. Divine connection and inspiration. Self-reliant.
Modern Nicky. Definitely Nicky. Just. He’s a formerly very religious man who just says these things. Also sniper.
II. The High Priestess - the moon goddess. Intuition, wisdom, foresight, divination, prophecy. Enlightenment, understanding, intelligence, education. Pride, emotional instability, unforgiving.
Historic Quynh. Her name means “night-blooming flower”, which is very moon goddess vibes to me. Also, I’d say over 500 years in a box turns understanding and enlightenment into emotional instability and unforgiveness.
III. The Empress - the queen. Feminine power, matriarch, mother. Fertility, pleasure, beauty. Success, evolution, movement. Marriage, wealth. Overattachment, domestic upheaval, delay.
Quynh. The counterpart to Andy’s emperor card.
Nile. Let’s be honest, she’s going to take over from Andy some day.
IV. The Emperor - the king. Masculine power, patriarch, father. Authority, leadership, proficiency. Wealth, stability, effectiveness. Perseverance, logic, endurance, experience. Lack of ability, weak character, immature, rebellious.
Modern Andy. She is the leader who’s short-comings effect her entire team. And who doesn’t love a little gender bending? (and her film look is already soft butch)
V. The Hierophant - the religious leader. Tradition, convention, ritual symbolism. Ceremony, religion, morality, philosophy. Mercy, goodness, forgiveness, humility, vulnerability, Impotence, Religious tyranny.
Historic Nicky. I mean, former priest (enough said).
Historic Andy. “I was once worshipped as a god” (enough said).
VI. The Lovers - the lovers. Love, attraction. Compatibility, harmony, choice.  Triumph over trials, vacillation. Entanglement, enmeshment. Infidelity, moral lapse, vice, separation, quarrels, inadequacy, failing tests.
Andromaquynh. *peeks out from behind barricade* I know that most people would just put Kaysanova as this card, but look at all the negatives it is associated with. Sounds a lot more like our immortal wives can really cover the gamut. They have the range....I am a sucker for Kaysanova, though. Even though the beginning of their relationship is rocky, I’d like to think it’s been fairly constant over the years. But let’s reverse the uhaul lesbians and fickle gay men tropes! Sorry, Book of Nile fans. That ship just isn’t established enough for this, I’d say. Maybe one day?
VII. The Chariot - the journey. Ordeal, obstacles, competition. High stakes, ambition, discipline. Conquest, victory, greatness. Right action prevails, overwhelming odds, sudden defeat.
Merrick and/or Dr. Kozak. I mean, this is literally their characters in a nutshell. Merrick is the journey/ordeal for the old guard. He is driven by his ambition, thinks he’s won over impossible odds, and then has a sudden defeat.
VIII. Justice - the balance. Equilibrium, equality, symmetry, harmony. Integrity, honor, fairness, neutrality, moderation. Vindication, self-righteousness, bigotry, prejudice, favoritism.
Nile. This is the woman with a sword card. She brings a balance to the team, she clearly moderates conflict, and I’d love to see BLM art of her in this style. Just sayin.
IX. The Hermit - the seeker-sage. Wisdom, inspiration, contemplation, discretion, understanding. Safety, protection, spiritual quest. Seeking truth and justice. Self-denial, timidity, fear.
Historic Joe. The idealized warrior poet? Definitely just a form of the hermit. Helps explain why a Magrebhi trader/artist fought at the Siege of Jerusalem: spiritual quest. I also like the idea of Joe having a secret reserved side.
X. The Wheel of Fortune - cycles of life. Destiney, evolution and progress, advancement. Manifestation, unexpected events. Success, sudden luck. Ups and downs.
Modern Quynh. There is nothing that better encapsulates her storyline than the wheel of fortune. One day you’re roaming the world with your immortal wife. The next, you’re drowning for over 500 years. The next you’re in Booker’s shitty Paris apartment.
XI. Strength - fortitude. Resilience, courage, resolve, confidence. Integrity, moral victory, endurance. Energy, action, vitality. Power, force, violence. Abuse of power, disgrace, impotence.
Lykon. Do I love this character beyong measure and reason? Maybe so. We have so little to go on about him, however, that the only things we do know bely his strengths. Also, he becomes ultimately the weakest when he dies and encapsulates both “extremes” of the card.
XII. The Hanged Man - the tested. Delay, sacrifice, abandonment, rejection. Betrayal. Reversals, restrained or bound, limbo, trials. Falseness.
Booker. If the fact that his first death was by hanging didn’t convince you? Read that description again. His character arc is literally working through being the hanged man.
XIII. Death - the loss or parting. Alteration, transformation, transition. Boredom, depression, stagnation, failure or disaster. Bereavement, recovery, immobility.
Lykon. He literally represents the fear of death to the remaining immortals. It is HE that they invoke when they discuss it. Also, I’m still mourning my favorite underdeveloped character.
XIV. Temperance - the moderation. Self-control, economy, patience, coordination. Consolidation, harmony, friendship, recuperation. Unfulfilled desires, discord, stubbornness, hostility, clashing of interests. Time, seasons, and climate.
A Safehouse. I don’t think any of the people really capture the tempered essence of this card, the constancy throughout all seasons of life. An actual physical building that rises and falls with (regular) humanity, though, seems to do the trick.
XV. The Devil - the arcane. Magic, strange occurrences, prophecy, fate. Catastrophe, downfall, negative attitude, Temptations, sins, obsessions. Enslavement, bondage, misplaced loyalty, violence, fatality.
Honestly? I’m so torn. I feel like a major commentary of the movie is that our demons are the way people react more so than the people themselves. Maybe the armored van?
XVI. The Tower - the House of God. Disruption, expulsion from an earthly paradise, divine wrath. Punishment (of pride), loss, destructive rivalry, plans ruined. Need to start again, bankruptcy.
The Iron Coffin. While this doesn’t capture the religious undertones quite right, the coffin is the Tower for Andromaquynh, It is (divine? or very human?) wrath brought on by pride since the two probably thought that they would be fine. It is loss and painful new beginnings.
XVII. The Star - the bright promise. Hope, faith, light of the spirit. Recovery, symbols of immortality. Gifts, good prospects, new dawn, frustrated expectations.
Nile. The new immortal, enough said.
Historic Andy/Lykon. In a way, the first immortal would also be a great choice of representation.
XVIII, The Moon - the hidden forces. Twilight, illusion, deception, trickery. Dishonesty, danger, uncertainty, terror. Developments, particularly somewhat concealed. Errors, powerful feelings.
Copley. I know, I know. “He’s the moon when I’m lost in darkness” and all that jazz. But look at this card’s interpretation and notice it’s pretty negative. Copley’s entire role is to pull the strings behind the scenes. He makes headway on problems in secrets, he lies and deceives everyone in the film at some point.
XIX. The Sun - the work’s rewards. Daylight, co-creation, union “of male and female”. Peace, joy, pleasure, love, contentment. Accomplishment, achievement, success. 
Joe. Not only is he the sun, he also fits this card perfectly. He is creation and happiness. Enough said.
XX Judgement - the rebirth. Judgement, sentence. Rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection, call to the new from the old, rehabilitation. Creation, promotion.
Historic Booker. I feel like his backstory with his family helped highlight the theme of rebirth for the Old Guard. They must be willing to give up what they have left behind to move forward. Also, there’s the more literal play as well since Booker was a conscripted criminal.
XXI The World - the long journey. Perfection, completion, conclusion. Power through intelligence and wisdom. The universe and the material world.
A group photo, of course! Beyond that? Who knows.
Historic Andy? She’s seen so much of it. Like just her eyes portray the history of the world.
The Minor Arcana (aka the rest of the cards)
Since most people are only familiar with the major arcana,  I’ll just briefly explain it. The minor arcana are actually the majority of a tarot deck. There are four suits associated with the four elements. Each suit has ten number cards and four court/face cards (traditionally modelled either based on one person or different interpretations of similar costuming). Each number or face has its own meaning, each suit has its own meaning, and their combination mostly explains what the card should be interpreted as. Quite frankly, the minor arcana are vastly underrated in popular understandings of tarot.
Suit of Wands - fire. Spontaneity, action, passion, adrenaline, life force, stroke of genius.
Guns? It’d be a bit of a niche take, but I associate guns with fires.
Staffs? More traditional in shape.
Suit of Coins - earth. Solid growth, material interests, possessions, profit, business, labor, slow and considerate.
Historic currency. Enough said.
Suit of Cups - water. Heartfelt involvements, imagination, spirituality, love, friendship, family.
Fountains around the world. Enough said.
Suit of Swords - air. Worry, trouble, boundaries, objectivity, the power of truth.
Obviously, their weapons of choice. I would go into more detail about who best represents each number, but I don’t want to bore you.
Court of Kings - mature men. Leaders, authority, status-quo, taking responsibility.
Again, most tarot is very gendered. But members in tuxes?
Court of Queens - mature women. Reflective and active, concerned with security/foundations, supportive, focused.
Members in dresses/gowns/anything that glitters?
Court of Knights/Cavaliers - young men. Dynamic, adventurous, intensive, revolutionary.
Tactical gear. Or historical armor. But it’s easier to do tactical gear right than accidentally draw a 15th century helmet on a 14th century suit of armor.
Court of Knaves/Pages - younger women, teenagers, and children. Students, apprentices, trainees, messengers, new opportunities.
Casual clothes.
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beyondthecosmicvoid · 4 years ago
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"What you're talking about is manifest destiny."
"You can call it whatever you want, Tom. The fact remains that if the human race needs to do something to survive and lower orders don't have the power to stop us, we will prevail. It is not right ir wrong, it is just the way things are. You've got to stop projecting human motives and es onto other organisms. Everything is merely what it is. A mongoose that tries to steal a cobra's egg isn't evil -- it is just trying to survive. But the cobra is trying to survive too. And if it catches the mongoose in its nest, there's going be a fight. Fortunately for the mongoose, it has faster reflexes and a more efficient metabolism. Whether that's fair or not isn't event part of the equation -- it's simply the way things are."
"Yeah? Try telling that to the cobra. But for the sake of argument, we'll ignore the question of ethics. Still, all you're saying, Scott, is that it's all right to do whatever we want. To exploit any ecosystem, any species -- as long as we don't run into anything big enough to kick our butts."
"If you want to phrase it that way. Yeah. That's the way nature works."
"Sure, on tutoring disks, but not in the real world. Every part of an ecosystem is dependent on every other part. It's that interdependence that makes interfering with existing systems so chancy. Even the smallest components are vitally important."
“Who could have guessed that millions of ‘killer bee’s could spring from a handful of escaped African bees? Or that a few Brazilian fire ants could make the Southeastern portion of the U.S. virtually uninhabitable in just over seventy years? And what about the ‘oil-eating’ bacterium the gene-splicers at the petroleum companies developed to clean up their spills? Remember how they thought they had it completely in their control?”
“Come on, Tom, the oil would’ve dried up sooner or later anyway, and I hear the new repro-inhibitors they’re using are making a substantial dent in the fire ant populations. Sure, we suffer setbacks, but we’ll always find ways around the problems that nature throw at us.”
“Will we Scott? I’m not so sure, mankind never seems to learn. We get our hands slapped on a regular basis, but we still can’t seem to keep them to ourselves. The tighter the grip we try to get on nature, the more nature pushes through the cracks in our technology. And with some of the things we’re encountering in the settlements, we have no idea what kind of trouble we may be letting ourselves in for by messing around.”
“Well, so far we’ve done okay. On all of the life-supporting planets we’ve come across. The worst thing we’ve ever encountered has been the ‘blood willies’ of epsilon INDI TWO. And I hear they’ve got a vaccine for that now. If I were you, I’d put my faith in science and stop worrying about the bogeyman. And I’d watch what I said around the corporate types, Tom. All any of them care about is their jobs, and you’ll make them nervous with talk about problems that don’t exist yet.”
“I don’t care. This is my last long haul. I’m getting out while the getting’s good. All of the monkeying around the corporations are doing out in the settlements may not bother you, Scott, but it does me. We’ve had a long run of good fortune –longer than we’ve deserved there’s a major league turd coming down the pike, mark my words--- and I don’t want to be around when it hits the fan. I’m telling you, we shouldn’t be messing with mother nature. She’s a real bitch. We have to learn to work with nature. This reliance on technology is getting to be too much for me, Scott. It’s no longer a means to an end. It’s become an end unto itself. We use it like a wall between ourselves and our surroundings … between ourselves and who we really are. We’ve come a long way in the past three thousands years but I can’t help feeling that we’ve lost as much as we’ve gained.”
“So what’s your solution Tom? Give up modern convenience and go back to stone knives and squatting in caves?”
“You’re reaching for extreme again, Scott, but that just might be what it takes to put us back on the right track. And I’m not talking about austerity or deprivation. I’m talking about the challenge of putting away the crutches of our technology and going back to relying on our own strength and cunning. These days we’re so insulated that we make heroes out of anyone who dares to face up to a challenge. But it wasn’t always like that. Life of death challenges used to be an every day thing and real men didn’t wait for adventure to come to them. They rushed out to meet it not like the generals and corporate heads these days who send out the little guys to do their dirty work. It used to be that a man’s standing as a leader was determined by how he handled himself in the face of danger.”
“Yeah, yeah – very nostalgic, Thom. Very macho. But it’s not very practical in this day and age. Can you see a bunch of corporate VPs duking it out for the right be CEO? Or maybe you and me going at each other with knives to see who gets a better pilot’s rating?”
“Hey, every culture observes its own rituals for establishing status. Look at the infighting and back-stabbing that goes on at every level of our society. And we’re still fighting over the same things: property, leadership, territorial rights. The only difference is our methods have become more subtle, less direct. Somehow the old ways seem more honest.”
“You’re an idealist, Tom. What happens when the wrong guy wins? Then you’ve got the neighborhood bully calling the shots: You’re back to pack mentality.”
“There are checks and balances in every system, Scott.”
“Yeah, but your way leaves them all up to individual initiative! Without some kind of sanctioned avenue for dissent. A guy would have to be a real hero or a real fool to butt heads with the chief.”
“So? Are things really so different for us? You’re the one that’s always telling me to watch what I say around the desk jockeys. Where’s my ‘sanctioned avenue for dissent’? At least if I bust a gay in the chops, he clearly understands that I don’t like what he’s doing.”
“There you go with your idealism again. You’re trying to romanticize this into two tigers brawling to determine dominance or rights to a favorite hunting area. In the same situation humans would just kill each other. We’ve ‘out-grown’ the instinct for species preservation that prevents that in the lower orders but we haven’t truly grown into the morality that you’re so fond of citing, Tom. The society we’ve built isn’t perfect. Granted. But it works, probably more because of our level of technology than in spite of it. How many guys wouldn’t want to trade their boring, earthside job for yours: a job made possible by technology? But if you want to get back to nature, there are ways to do it. Go on one of those ‘wilderness’ safaris to Alpha C. I understand the gene-splicers now have something that almost looks like an elephant. Or, if you want real adventure, sign on for a hitch as a ranch hand at our next stop; plenty of fresh air, hard work, and not much else. Maybe that’s your idea of fulfillment. Though I can’t imagine anyone envying you the job. Me, I can get enough adventure from the vids. God bless modern technology!”
                                         (...)
“You’re awfully quiet, Tom. What’s the matter? YOu mad at me?”
“Huh? Uh, no Scott. I was just thinking.”
“Look, I know you said it as a joke. But maybe I should go on one of those safaris or sign on as a ranch hand. Maybe it’ll turn out that you’re right, and I wouldn’t like it. But I should at least give it a try. A change of scenery might be just what I need ... Get back to the land and living things ... Get some adventure and uncertainty back into my life. Did i ever tell you that I went hunting once? I had an uncle who was wealthy. He took me qual hunting when I turned fifteen -said it wuold make a man of me. But all I could think about was how big my shot gun was, and how small the birds were. I guess I oculd understand the potential for excitement in the hunt, but for me the thrill was missing. The contest seemed so lopsided. I wondered what it would be like to hunt something that was capable of hunting me. The challenge. The Danger. To put yourself on an equal footing with nature, that’s got to be the ultimate thrill! To risk everything on your own skill and strength ... I mean, look at what we do for a living - access the computer, punch a few buttons - all of the work is done for us. Anybody could do this job, with the right training. I guess that’s what I meant by m anti-technology tirade. It’s not that technology is evil in and of itself - but once in a while we have to put it aside and do something to remind ourselves that we’re alive - prove that we can accomplish something by relying solely on ourselves. I can’t help but think an experience like that would change a person. Maybe not in a way that other people would notice, but it would be something you’d carry with you for the rest of your life.”
“I know what you mean, Tom. Kinda like the first time you get laid, right? Did I ever tell you about that? I was at this party, see, and ...”
“Oh, brother ...”
   ~ Conversation between Tim & Scott from ALIEN VS PREDATOR #1
^It’s this type of existentialism that makes Dark Horse comics and other graphic novels set in the ALIENS/PREDATOR universe some of the best stuff in science fiction. It has a little bit of everything. Philosophy, cosmic horror, with occasional degrees of theological abstraction.If Disney wants to add more money to their pockets and wants to be true to their motto of inclusion and so on, keep this universe. Don’t erase it. Everything that it preaches, are in these comics. Not only that, but there is also a diversity of ideas where it subtly criticizes every school of thought via different characters and storylines. These are the types of stories that attract every fan, regardless of what their politics are. It’s entertainment, pure escapism (without preaching or self-serving, shaming BS) and world-building at its finest. And it remains respectful of ALL the ALIENS/PREDATORS films, while still offering something new.
Take Tom and Scott’s conversation here. These are two space truckers, blue collar workers like those from the first ALIEN movie, that are bringing up two very interesting points. They don’t fit into any neat box we assign a certain ideology. BOTH of these guys make good salient points. There is also a reason why the first issue of the AVP series starts with this conversation of technological dependence vs the old ways that Tom keeps going back to. While these two argue to disprove the other’s point and defend their own, we catch a brief glimpse into Yautja (Predator) society. It is a violent hierarchy where might becomes right. This is the type of meritocracy that Tom keeps defending. At the same time, it is also opportunistic and more technological advance to the point that they use their technology and survival instincts to hunt other species they deem worthy. This is done at the back of other species they consider inferior or worth risking for the ultimate hunt to prove their worth. Everything that Scott defends is part of the Yautja culture -with the obvious exception of divisions and over-dependence on technology and a corporate conglomerate controlling every aspect of daily life. Then there are the Xenomorphs (aliens). They are the other that is constantly being used as a coming-of-age rite for the predators, It’s an interest dynamic which hasn’t (yet) been explored in the films. This, among other things, makes this universe one of the most fascinating in the science fiction and horror genre.
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toku-explained · 4 years ago
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The Master Swordsman
SSSS.DYNAZENON: Chise is now also practicing with DynaSoldier, doing pretty well, and Yomogi and Koyomi test DynaSoldier Striker Combine, but they struggle to balance. Yomogi and Yume meet Urita, who shares footage of Kano, while Koyomi meets with Inamoto-san, wondering if its okay to be out drinking with a married woman, and recalling a misspent youth with her. At school Yomogi and Yume wonder about Sizumu, when Chise invites everyone to Beach Land he gets himself invited, Gauma intending to use the chance to capture him. On the day, Yume notices Chise is still wearing her black sleeve with her swimsuit, Gauma orders Yomogi and Yume to act as lovers so they can catch Sizumu off guard, his attempts at catching him are held up by lifeguard warnings. There's a fun day, until Yume goes into shock after seeing a woman fall in the pool. Today's Kaiju is melting objects. Yomogi doesn't realise why Yume's freaking out, Gauma seems in rough shape. Sizumu tells Yume and Yomogi more about the Eugenecists philosophy, of humans hurting other humans and themselves because of expectations. Juuga, Onija and Mujina turn up, grabbing Sizumu for the day's operation, though Mujina at least definitely wanted to enjoy herself. Sizumu awakens Neophobia, as the team rush in as well. Neophobia prevents a proper combination into Dynazenon, targeting DynaWing, so they form DynaSoldier Striker Combine again, struggling to balance to hit Neophobia long enough to break the attack. Dynazenon forms, struggles, quickly forms DynaRex, and wipes Neophobia out. The Eugenecists head back to the pool while Onija rages until nearly being hit again. Gauma and Chise decide to have fun in the river, Yume is about to join when Urita messages, saying he can get her contact with Fuuma, who had been club vice president. She and Yomogi meet him, and reluctantly informs her that the rumour was that, Kano's death was not an accident, but suicide.
Heroes' Odyssey: After a quick look at Z Gamma Future, we look at another hero using Tiga's power, Ultraman Orb Specium Zeperion, and his battle with Maga-Basser, followed by a short look at Orb Burnmite facing Maga-Jappa, Gai battling Juggler, Orb Hurricane Slash against Hyper Zetton Deathscythe, Orb Thunder Breaster against Maga-Orochi, and the reappearance of Orb Origin.
Saber: Southern Base are highlighted to have Ikazuchi, Gekido, Suzune, Noroshi and Kaiji, and the Wonder Ride Books Lamp do Alangina, Genbu Shinwa, Hanselnuts to Gretel, Konchu Daihyakka, Ocean History and King of Arthur, with Master Logos wanting the other Seiken retrieved and Ren eliminated by Reika. Kento cannot understand Rintaro's prevailing over Zooous, and receives another vision of sealing Ikazuchi. Mei apologises to Sophia for losing the key, Yuri explains Viktor and the First, which the Northern Base knows not of, Touma decides to try and convince Kento again, while Rintaro, Yuri and Mei look for Ren. Reika raises her new concerns to Ryoga about Master Logos and the Megiddo, but won't hear it and tells her to just follow orders. Desast appears to Ren, telling him to forget Kento and join him. Touma finds Kento to talk, while Mei loses Yuri and Rintaro. Touma tells Kento what he now remembers from 15 years prior, he and Luna had fought, and when Kento brought him back to apologise the Megiddo attack was in full swing. When his saving Sophia is brought up, Kento reveals she was created by Master Logos in Luna's image as a bridge between worlds, and is needed for Master Logos to complete the Original Book. Touma asks Kento to explain his visions, and he recalls seeing Touma vanish from the world, when Master Logos appears holding his Book and Ikazuchi, while Reika appears to Ren and Desast. Kento did a bad job sealing Hayate, as Ren is still able to become Kenzan to face Sabela, but he doesn't separate the blades. Master Logos explains how he intends to make a world where he rules over all humanity. Saber Elemental Dragon and Caliber Jaaku Dragon face him, Master Logos confirms it was he who manipulated Hayato into sacrificing Luna, the fact it was a sacrifice in particular is the key revelation, but looks like Kento already knew, and Master Logos pulls out Gekido to use both Seiken against them, both swearing to save Luna. Rekka reacts again, causing Wonder World elements to appear and a gap in space with Luna, Touma runs for her but it vanishes before he gets there. Amused, Master Logos leaves. When Sabela has Kenzan on the ropes Desast joins in, allowing them to take the advantage, Desast takes a finisher for Kenzan right before Rintaro arrives. Blades Tategami Hyouju Senki forces Reika to retreat, but Ren runs off as Yuri and Mei get there. Desast reforms, and Ren, annoyed nonetheless agreesvto follow him, and defeat him in the end. Touma again asks Kento to join him, and he cobsiders it, but refuses, not saying its because Touma is doomed if they fight together. Sophia finds the book she had secured gone, and Storious is busy using it to make his own Sophia. With Luna having reappeared, Master Logos decides to open the Book of Ruin once more.
Zenkaiger: Zyuran and Magine are the only ones wary of new arrival Zox Goldtsuikar, but questions quickly turn to his sentai Gear, but he just wants to eat. He eats at Colourful along with his fellow World Pirates, younger sister Flint Goldtsuikar, and the twins, diminutive robots Twokai Katana and Twokai Riki. Secchan questions if they're connected to the Gokaigers, but Flint says after seeing them on their own world she stole their design for Twokaiser, they're originally from Kaizokutopia. They then steal Colourful's entire stock, after Yatsude frees them Kaito challenges Zox to have him pay his bill. Stacey lays into Ijirude, as does Boccowaus, and then while Ijirude works on plans, Barashitara has sent Kashiwa Mochi World out. Zenkaiser and Twokaiser battle, seeing they use Gears, Zox asks if he stole them from the Tojitendo, explaining that when the invaded Kaizokutopia him and Flint did a retaliatory raid. Kashiwa Mochi World affects Flint, Magine and Gaon, who all ate it yesterday, sending them off for more. Zenkaiser uses the Denziman Gear, activating the Denzi Punch. As more and more people go crazy for Kashiwa Mochi, with even shady dealers, Kaito tries to go help, but Zox won't stop the fight, until Riki calls out about Flint being affected. When ZenkaiZyuran and ZenkaiVroon arrive, Kashiwa Mochi World is even able to set his victims on them. Twokaiser, pissed that his sister has been messed with, changes the battle to be about who defeats Kashiwa Mochi World. Twokaiser uses a Riki Gear to join with him into Ohren Form, which appears to be inspired by Kingranger and/or Gunmazin, here he clearly has Riki's will as well as his own. He then uses a Katana Gear to join with him as Shinken Form, inspired by the Shinkenger's Super or Hyper forms. Zenkaiser rips Kashiwa Mochi World's leaf off, which allows a Shinken Issen to finish him. Dai Kashiwa Mochi World springs up, ZenkaiOh ZyuraGaon faces him and wins. Kaito is glum about failing to win, when Zox shows up at Colouful to pay his debt, since Kaito technically defeated Kashiwa Mochi World, so he also won't pillage them, and hands them some other world's currency.
Dogengers Nice Buddy: Great Z and Shaberryman celebrate Maid Shitsuji's upgrade, Great Z intends to continue the fight, but seems to become fatigued, and leaves with Shaberryman, Maid Shitsuji is also fatigued. Yabai Kamen pines for the Dogengers while refusing to look at Hanagata, Shaberryman tries to convince him to work with them, revealing they've now brought the Karamis, Marou Kaijin, Nectaris and Uzagi to the house to join the show. Yabai Kamen asks what Hanagata gets from this, and he recalls a young boy playing with a Great K sofubi, but says something different before getting a call and assigning Gulf and Gallia to CM work, Shaberryman continues trying to convince Yabai Kamen, saying something about Maid Shitsuji, which actually excites Yabai Kamen. Cut to Maid Shitsuji requesting help from the "family" of Papaqman, Mamashiron and Boy Brave, but Fukuokaliber decides to let them stay. They wonder what happened to Tanaka and Ohgaman right as they get back, revealing they wound up in Kagoshima and met with Kojjn Senshi NEW Ex. Kitaqman tries to get a rise out of Maid Shitsuji, who holds it in until Kitaqman and El Brave leave. Gulf, Gallia and Great Z film a CM for main sponsor Pizza Cooc. After Great Z broods on the legacy he's maintaining, and the Dogengers being in the way. A scene is being refined when El Brave and Kitaqman crash it, leading Great Z to warp them away. They hold him up, but Kiaqman can't get his Nice Buddy to fire, so Great Z tells the Marou Kaijin to handle it. El Brave does manage to fire, but his shots go wide. Gulf continues to fight them, with Gallia more pranking. Kitaqman gets distracted, unmasking as Taki Yuki to talk about his helmet, El Brave gets mad at him, so Kitaqman takes his mask off, but of course El Brave has his wrestling mask underneath. They then flee when Kitaqman agains can't fire, but the Affect System warps Gulf and Gallia away, confusing them.
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