#there Will Be More

[ferociousmilfpope]

Nothing gets you into back into writing and creating quite like watching a good show. The first batch of episodes for season 2 came out today (November 9th, 2024) and I've binged it all without breaks, and here is all the thoughts I have 5 minutes after finishing.

They did not make Vi a cop. Read: she never accepts the lie of peace through violent 'peacemaking'. Her character was set up in such a way that she can't, and they stay loyal to that. Vi refuses the enforcers, refuses invasion, refuses shelter in Caitlyn's house to defy her, refuses the badge that would grant her everything she wants, refuses Caitlyn herself, refuses to take the easy 'violent' way out. Her cop art is two episodes long, and it involves her joining a small task force that does what would be considered minimal damage. All in line with both hers and the show's morals.

They made Caitlyn a cop. Read: in the push and pull of power, she chooses power. During the scene where Vi is talking to the 'good' cops the cute girl with the bright eyes mentions that Caitlyn bailed her by threating to withhold her families funding--she bribed them. It's funny. Vi acts as her control. She outright refuses and walks away from Caitlyn when she offers for her to join the forces. She talks her down from a full on enforcer attack to a small strike force comprising of herself, Caitlyn, the 'good' cops, and a poor alcoholic man off the street. When Caitlyn starts abusing her authority again when arresting some poor man left for dead in a vent, Vi cools her down again, deescalating the whole action further by telling her to call the rest of the strike force off now that they served their use. Caitlyn backs down again. Finally, when she gets so close to her goal of killing Jinx, and a final obstacle appears in front of her, seeing that the gun in her hand gives her the power to clear it, she decides to take the shot. This is Caitlyn's true turning point. When she shoots Vi, and then when she tries too shoot the at the kid and Jinx. The scene where they kiss is fits into this theme too: Vi begs her not to change, and Caitlyn tells her she wont. And she doesn't.

There is a difference between what a story portrays and what it says about what its portraying. All this to say this is politically, socially, philosophically conscious writing. For example, the beginning of episode two is a 'cool' montage of the strike force committing violence on the undercity. But it begins with the Kiramman ancestor's saying "the people of the undercity deserve to breath," and then cuts to Caitlyn using the vents to choke them. No matter how styling the montage is, the irony of the juxtaposition hits deep. At the end of episode two, Jinx mocks Vi for this specific fact, "you're poisoning us too now?" The

And therein lies their tension: Vi is never seduced by power or lofty visions. Caitlyn is, both to cope with her personal tragedy, and because it comes easy to her. It is all tied together by the motif of the vents and the smog. Finally, despite the depth of their interpersonal conflicts, and their personal psychologies and aspirations--there are the people of Zaun, and the poison they ingest. 'Janna's' wind blows away Caitlyn (and Vi) and all the smog, and redirects it towards the surface. And it is the perfect tie: scoping out from interpersonal drama to games of power.

Everybody is sort of pushed around in the aforementioned games of power. Caitlyn by the specter of her mother and her legacy (and love); Vi by her 'guilt by taint' connection to Jinx and love for Caitlyn, Jinx by her filial love for Silco, Jayce by his public expectations. Whatever their crimes and mistakes we can at least sympathize with their reluctance at their inclusion in the game. The active player in the first season was Mel--here, its Ambessa. And unlike Mel, her sights are on war and power at all costs. She moves all the pawn pieces: orchestrates the attack on the memorial, manipulates the sole remaining council member, and finally recruits Caitlyn as her mask, as a symbol to hide behind and maneuver with even more freedom. The scene where Ambessa calls out for war and invites Caitlyn, intercut with all the moves she made to get everyone here, is one the my favorite scenes ever. Ambessa you're so sexy pls become more evil.

The fundamental lesson: Summed up for me in the title of S1E3: 'The Base Violence Necessary for Change'.

The connective thread is betrayal of love for something greater. Ambessa abandons Mel in her pursuit of power (despite her claims to the contrary). Caitlyn abandons Vi in her pursuit of power. Victor abandons Jayce to ????. And, the central conflict of the show, Vi abandons Jinx in her adherence to her morals and self-ascribed protector role. Unlike any of them though,--unlike Cait who butts Vi in her old wound, or Vi does not manage to actually punch Jinx when she gets the chance. Maybe the greater good should include the things we love? Is it worth anything if it doesn't?

Arcane has an amazing team of artists and writers behind it. Whatever fumbles it has are directorial. Victor's arc continues to be this. I wanted machine herald, not arcane jesus. I can appreciate the 'close call with the void brought me enlightenment concerning the weakness of the human conditions', but that isn't how they've gone about it so far so. I don't think we're getting machine herald from this, and I hope I'm wrong.

Closing remarks:

It continues to amaze me that I got exactly the show I wanted, with exactly the characters I wanted, with exactly the region I wanted explored, with exactly the themes and politics I wanted explored. THEY MADE A SHOW ABOUT MY FAVORITE CHARACTER, MY FAVORITE LESBIANS IN LEAGUE, and my favorite geopolitical conflict in league. I tear up a little when I think about it. This show feels like it was made specifically for me.

The budged thrown towards this thing shows like in no other production.

The character designs are AMAZINGGGGGG. The chem barons are my favorite.

Them including Janna's story, especially with such an important thematic role, is very meaningful to me.

[dapper-lil-arts]

So P-E-R-F-E-C-T, let me solve this mystery!!

[nightsilver]

polaroid :)

[chunkysoup22]

i hope you die in a fire ^_^

[goldsbitch]

Just don't talk

summary: Enemies to lovers on steroids. Lando can't stand Y/N, the first female driver in F1. He also can't stand not having her with her clothes on.

warnings: please don't be offended by weak ass feminism debate, swear words, minors do not interact, just generally don't take this one too seriously, smut (that's what we came for)

He radiated stupidity. Reckless, annoying, careless and just plain stupid. Blood boiled hard and fast in Y/N when he entered the room. Cocky smile, as if he was the shit. And those poor fans did not even realize, because his PR managers worked around the clock to stop the scandals getting out and to remain his bubbly, down-to-earth image he seemed to hold in general public. Now, she never doubted his driving genius. It was honest respect on that part. No, this was about everything else. Even the way he grew his "so called" beard annoyed her.

She radiated arrogance. Being the first female driver on the grid had everyone looking differently at her, as it would be the opposite if she was just another rookie driver. He could not stand that. It felt strangely misogynistic. But what sent him to levels of annoyance he had not discovered prior to meeting her, was how she did absolutely nothing about this. Danced around as if she did not see it. But Lando could see through her, she was a calculating bitch that knew exactly what was happening.

It's not like either of them got it wrong really. Lando had his personality that did not correlate with the desired persona the public wanted him to maintain. For as long as he remembered, he had to be a grown up, missing his young adult experiences completely. Sometimes, it just got the better of him. Lando was not exactly proud of that or anything. Y/N was indeed calculating. But it would be hard to argue that she could have chosen not to do that - yet, the world was simply not ready for any kind of female driver to enter the grid. She had to be smarter than an average rookie. There is a possibility that this was all just in her head, but it was hard to prove it at this point.

They avoided talking to each other like they would avoid the plague. Lando felt like all the years of media training lead to the moments where they shared the interview room. Their disenchantment with each other was not exactly a known thing, they were deceitful enough to do keep it between themselves. Well, the more observant drivers and members of their team were well aware of the truth. There was not a single member of the close inner circle that would dare to speak about how when these two had to share the pre race interviews, it would be the driest interview of them all. Frankly, drivers dreaded that. Daniel would be the one to try and break the ice. George found it mildly amusing. Max could not give two shits about them.

And to the luck of everyone involved, there was Lando, set next to Alex Albon, who was sat next to Y/N. He sighed heavily before taking hold of the microphone.

First interviewer asked about the lasted updates on Y/N Aston Martin car. The second one went to Lando, with a request to address the bad strategy the team had on the last Grand Prix, which he answered very diplomatically.

Third interviewer asked Y/N on whether the talks have started regarding her contract for the upcoming season.

"Yes, we are talking about that. I love racing and I'm planning on staying here," she laughed lightly. "I want to be here to...possibly to inspire and attract young girls, same as those like Fernando was a role model to both Alex and Lando. The female audience of F1 is growing and that is absolutely amazing. And perhaps now will the female fans have an opportunity to cheer for one of their own."

"May I have a question?" Lando entered the chat. His tone was indicating fire being lit within him and him intending to spread it wide. The game was on. Y/N tensed up. Alex smiled nervously.

Both Lando and Y/N shot a look at the interview moderator, who was prepared for many scenarios, but not this one exactly. Once Lando received an unsure nod, he continued. "We both know the numbers, we sit on similar meetings. The percentage of female audience is now nearing almost half, is that correct?"

"Well, we are nowhere near that - more like 30-40%"

"Right. And this trend has started prior to you joining the grid, right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Are you saying that the female viewers did not have anyone to connect with before that?"

"I'd be brave enough to assume so. Where are you heading?"

Alex wanted to stop them, he shot looks to multiple people who had the power to end this. Members present from both teams woke up from their slow mundane afternoon. But the conversation was too fast for anyone to interrupt.

"So, what was the motivation of the female viewers to watch F1? Why were they watching?"

"Um, well the sport is fascinating and can capture one. The quality of our media teams has risen greatly, social media and-"

"Yes. So are you saying that young boys and teenagers were watching this for a different reason that girls and any other genders?"

"Like I was saying, it might be hard to connect. Young boys and teenagers can relate and even imagine themselves as the future F1 driver."

"So why do, in your opinion, little girls and female teenagers watch races? Are you saying that prior to your start, their reasons were less valid? Less noble? Does miss misogyny over here think that female audience is now validated due to her representation in the sport?"

The room went silent. Y/N took a deep breath and without missing a beat she replied.

"I'm sorry, there must have been something foul in your cornflakes this morning. After all, even in these progressive times, some of the people involved did not get the memo about the way how to interact with the fanbase in a healthy manner. It must be hard hard to think straight and not draw over-the-top conclusions when one's mind is stuck in an endless cycle of "Hello, gorgeous" and "Sure, I'll text you back.""

Alarmed looks were shared accros the room. Alex tried to laugh it off. The moderator ended the discussion. The pair kept staring at each other, until their prompted their exits orchestrated by their team.

//

Asshole. Obnoxious idiot. She wanted to slap him. The social media was on fire, this topic clearly resonating among fans. It was clear the opinions were divided and this was just not good to have on your track record. She was mad at herself as well. Got caught up like a fly to a spiderweb. He won this one. She'll just have to beat him during the race or shoot him in the leg at the next opportunity.

"Stay true to your beliefs" was the caption under his newly posted photo. Smiling as ever. Some photographer with under-appreciated talent managing to capture him in the perfect light. Total thirst trap. Her PR team was figuring out how to salvage this, but everyone knew Lando stuck a good one this time.

But that was not the opinion of the McLaren media team, who really did work their butts off the last few months. This was not good, as his haters were currently busy pointing out holes in his argument, making Y/N the hero they wanted to have. PR team picked the photo of him they had in store in order to play it safe and nonchalantly. Lando got a big threatening talk right after the press conference. McLaren was not letting the word misogyny be connected to their brand. He defended himself for a while, but at the end agreed to avoid bringing these subjects to light prior to the knowledge of the team. In his eyes, she won. He got her free attention. The nickname miss misogyny was not going to stick. The only thing this brough him was a headache and built up anger.

She was bursting with anger and was not about to leave it in for herself. "You can stick this bullshit up you ass, Lando."

"Don't assume I like the same things you do," was his immediate response.

Confidentiality. That was the only thing she believed he could uphold. Both of them had too much to loose.

//

They were bad for each other. Bringing out the worst traits, putting others in discomfort and creating drama out of nowhere. But the once the night covered the daily routines and worries, the truth would start crawling out. Once the chequered flag got packed up after a race, it was time for a parade of red flags to begin.

It was suppose to be a one time mistake. Party that go out of hand. Club bathroom sex that was better than they'd be willing to admit. They never spoke of it. Nobody knew.

Like magnets they circled towards each other on the quiet nights on the road. Always her place, never his. As if she'd make the effort to come toward him. Like he would ever let her invade his private safe space. It worked for them, transforming the anger into rough bites and hickeys. Lando enjoyed leaving them on her, just at the line where he knew she'd have to think about how to cover them up and made sure she never made any mark on him. Hate fucking, that's what that was.

Once again, his hot breath cut through the crispy Monaco night air coming from the opened window of her bedroom. He had her handcuffed to the bed side and legs wrapped around his toned torso. He was driving her crazy, not letting her stay on top this time, robbing her of the pleasure of watching him submit to her moves and direction. He watched attentively, making sure he changed his tempo whenever she was about to climax. She was not one to enjoy delayed gradification, not when this obnoxious idiot was watching her and having fun with it. One thing he had to admit was that she was fucking hot, mainly in the way how she able to carry herself around. From the first moment he had the misfortune to see her in person, it had been the one thought unable to leave his mind. What did she look like when she was just about to come? Was she the one to make any sounds? Did she like it rough or soft? Would she be able to dominate him? During the day, he let his frustrations out verbally, during the night he thrusted into her as if there was no tomorrow. Like a drug addict getting his hit. She was even more mad at him when he was fucking her. Because it was just so good. They had the same rhythm and their bodies spoke in a language no one would have understood anyway. So she just surrendered. It drove her crazy, not being on the top. He licked and bit her nipples and did forbidden things - like stopped fucking her out of nowhere and buried his head in her waist, slowly twisting his tongue around her clit. When he felt like she adjusted to that, he continued back with thrusting in her. He moved so fast that she started get dizzy from the motion, the heavenly kind of dizzy. Lando watched her like and animal would observe his prey. Not often did he manage to get completely under his control, but tonight was one of the precious days he'd be recalling in the shower days after. He delayed his own orgasm for as long as he could, but there was a point where he just gave in and released him into the condom. There was always a hint of disappointment in the joyous moment. His darkest wish was to have her walk the day after with his cum dripping out of her. She was his little work slut, his nemesis, his Vegas girl.

Y/N never wanted to cuddle afterwards. She appreciated that Lando always swiftly got up and left without a word. Because what if he had spoken, what if the oxytocin started flowing in and she'd loose her guard and get herself in even bigger of a mess than this little game was. She was the first female driver. There were things she had to prove to the world. Fucking one of the other drivers was not one of them.

p2

[posrar]

Colonel Miles “you think i care about some kid??” Quaritch

and Spider “guys sometimes is not so great to know who your father was🙄🫤” Socorro

[rayactive-factory]

[poscariastri]

more f1 drivers as tumblr textposts by yours truly

[mangaka-neko-chan]

Some pose ref and fashion practise with Marazhai and Rogue Trader Wynnrun.

[moon-suki]

✦ and then I saw you ✦

[karpachev]

It's him, the literal sunshine

[naomistares]

the universe was on my side yesterday cus i felt fairly fine up until i finished and posted last comic and then boom my condition took a turn for the worst so please imagine me laying in the dark with an old, cold, sopping kitchen rag on my forehead while i was reading all ur comments and trying not to laugh or do anything cus it hurt. i am fine tho its all funny i love everyone here lets all be friends forever

[askblog1]

fixtf2

[lawgx2010]

crumbs for oilrose fans out there

[ato-dato]

Coveted boy