#there's so much more i wanted to speak about here. like the tequila joseph scene

[nibwhipdragon]

Alright, Joseph for the character ask I wanna read an essay

You all really know who to ask for these character ask games don't you. Thank you I have. Written a lot. I apologise in advance if my writing seems to be discombobulated at times or if it feels like I'm going in circles, my brain has been like mush lately I cannot essay properly rn

Tagging @pey-no-attention-to-me as you asked for this too :3

It's all under the cut because I wrote SO MUCH.

Sexuality headcanon: Bisexual fr ❗️❗️❗️ Though I did see something abt Joseph being aro on here ages ago and it's been rattling around in my head ever since...him being aro/aroace actually kinda gives a reason as to why he's Like That imo, I like to dabble in it. Also it's really funny

Gender headcanon: Genderfluid 💥💥💥 It just fits, yknow? Though I am also open to other gender headcanons, I like to dabble in trans man and trans woman Joseph sometimes (I actually did do a screenshot edit with transfem Joseph once, and oh my god I hate hair so much) <3

A ship I have with said character: Caejose is my main ship with him, as you can probably tell. I also love joseq, they're such a sweet little couple, it's so wholesome (we ignore the cheating, though Joseph does have his selfish and bad traits he would NOT cheat, I hate Araki making him cheat just to get another Joestar for the plot). Hmm actually I should write some joseq I haven't written much and when I do it's sidelined by caejose...

A BROTP I have with said character: JOSEPH AND SMOKEY FR!!!!! WE SHOULD'VE GOTTEN MORE OF THEM AND THEIR SHENANIGANS!!!!! THEY WERE SUCH A GOOD DUO SMOKEY WAS THE FIRST FRIEND JOSEPH MADE HAUGHHHHH ARAKI WHY DO YOU DO THIS ALL THE TIME (I need to actually work on my full rewrite of jjba tbh)

Also I think there's probably something that can be said about Joseph having no proper friends before Smokey. Idk man but the way he always gets so aggressive over the littlest things, but it feels almost defensive in a sort of way to me? Like with the way he immediately demanded to know what was up with the Squid Ink Spaghetti, and the way he was really tentative with starting to eat it once he was told what it was. Yeah that could be chalked down to him just being wary of it as he's not used to the food and he won't know if he'll like it, but with him having no friends and also being arrested 3 times before hitting 20, I have a feeling something else is at play. Joseph was likely bullied in school, if I'm completely honest. That guy 100% did not have a good childhood I can guarantee you that.

And with that likely being the case, his first friend being Smokey kinda has a lot more meaning if you get what I mean. Like they first met because Smokey stole his wallet and ended up being attacked by the police for it. Of course yeah Joseph's not a racist so of course he wouldn't stand for that (ONCE AGAIN, WE IGNORE PART 3 BECAUSE ARAKI LITERALLY CANNOT KEEP HIS OWN CHARACTERS CONSISTENT. GOD.), but the whole arresting thing you'd assume he'd be fine with. And oddly enough he's not, he doesn't want Smokey to get arrested in the first place. You'd think he'd tell them to chill tf out with the racist stuff and leave it at that, but the first thing he tells the cops is that he gave Smokey the wallet – meaning there was no crime committed at all. And the police also only start doing stuff to Joseph after he tried to get Smokey off it scot-free (I feel that this change is more emphasised in the manga, where they straight up ask Joseph why he cares about Smokey as he's white and Smokey is black, I feel like they sorta bring Joseph down to Smokey's level in their minds after Joseph still stays on Smokey's side), so he definitely doesn't do this for his sake as it'd be better for him if he just left it. And with this being Joseph, with his selfish streak, that's quite notable. Personally I think that Joseph could recognise that Smokey wasn't in a good spot if he was stealing in broad daylight like that, he must've been desperate to do that. And once he saw how the police were treating him that just made him wanna make sure Smokey didn't get arrested more. I feel that if he really was bullied in childhood he'd understand the othering going on here (sure he can't understand completely bc getting othered by bullying and getting othered by racism is different. But the similarities ARE there) by the police to Smokey and that's what does cause him to have that REALLY violent outburst towards them (it was deserved, yes, but it didn't need to go that far to get the job done, ykwim). Actually the violent outburst is actually quite notable, seeing that kids that have been abused a lot – because bullying IS abuse – do usually tend to become aggressive and have behavioural and emotional regulation problems later in life as a result of it, sorta like a defence mechanism (and also because being bullied is not a good place to grow up in they also probably didn't have a chance to learn how to regulate emotions, especially if they were being teased and mocked for their feelings and that) and oh my god I'm going off on a major tangent I'll stop now

They also seem to have a sort of brotherly bond with each other, and I love that. They're just really awesome and cool and god I wish Araki had more screen time of them. Part 2 suffers from a lot of pacing issues actually now that I think about it. I'm Normal as you can tell

A NOTP I have with said character: Literally anything incestuous. There's so much incestuous stuff I come across it all the time it's so bad. I hate how Araki goes about writing jjba as he goes along if not for that we wouldn't have had the whole Lisa Lisa bath scene while also being his mother, which I think a lot of the incest stuff comes from. It's just...ew. You can't even get any interesting takes on the narrative with it the majority of the time. Just. 🤢

Also Josekars. Like I can see AUs where Kars ends up turning good and becomes friends or whatnot, Kars is a very interesting character for plots like that, but I simply do not like the ship for em both, it's just not my cup of tea.

A random headcanon: Whenever he had a nightmare as a child, he'd go and sleep in the same bed as Erina, as it'd bring him comfort. However, he still did this even when he was older, until he finally moved out with Suzi. Erina never minded, she'd do anything to make him feel better. (WAAAAHHHHH JOSEPH AND ERINA'S RELATIONSHIP...)

General opinion of said character: do i even need to say.

Well. I think he's very interesting due to his personality and morals being very gray in a way the other Joestars aren't, the other Joestars mainly have their negative traits be in what they do (steal, be a delinquent, etc.) and not their actual personality traits like selfishness and that. He's terribly underused by Araki and also mischaracterised in later parts because it's Araki of course that's gonna happen. I think about him every day for hours at a time he's at the forefront of my mind constantly I'm Normal about him and he's one of the main things keeping my mind tethered to jjba as Sonic's kinda dragging me away from it, hence why Sonic and Joseph are fistfighting in my mind, they both want all my autism RAM so bad you have no idea. Nobody gets him like I do. OK maybe not nobody else, Seaweed and Kirsten get him. Other jjba mutuals don't Josephpost enough/I don't know irl so I can't make a proper judgement on it. He makes me sick I hope he dies. Taking him out for ice cream. Kissing him sloppy (platonically). Detaching his penis so he can never have sex again. Joseph Joestar

[everyonesonthespectrum]

30 days of Autism Acceptance: Day 3!

April 3: Talk about special interests. Do you have any? What are they? How long have you had them? What does it feel like to have special interests? What does having special interests mean to you? Talk about your past special interests

HOO BOY! Ok, I’ll try not to go on too long about my special interests, but I have a lot to say about them! Also, some of my special interests are in this weird grey area of “are they a SpIn or a hyperfixation?”, so I’ll cover those as well, and make it noted when that’s the case for one. Also, this will be VERY LONG, so I’ll put it under a cut.

SpIn #1 - Pokemon

Pokemon has been my main special interest since I was 9, I believe! Black was my first game that I got for my birthday, and I was super happy to get it since all of my friends at the time would talk about it! I’ve gotten (almost?) every major release since then, thought I usually only get one out of the two versions. 

The Pokemon games that I have are *inhales*: Black, Black 2, HeartGold (got a few years after it came out), X (I have the limited edition 3DS), Alpha Sapphire, Moon (first completed Pokedex!), Ultra Moon (haven’t beat and probably never will), Let’s Go, Eevee!, Sword (still trying to beat), Conquest, Art Academy, PMD: Gates to Infinity, Picross, Rumble World, Battle Trozei, Pokemon Quest, Pokemon Playhouse (for when I’m regressed), Poke Park 1 & 2,  My Pokemon Ranch, and Battle Revolution!

I also used to play the TCG competitively, and in my first competition, I placed 9th in my division! I stopped playing about a year after that though because the cards I used in my strategy when I would practice with my Dad were too old to be viable.

I have a growing stuffie and merch collection as well! I have a lot of Unova stuffies, and a print of the Unova map that I got at a ren faire when I was younger (it currently hangs above my dresser)! My two favorite stuffies at this time are Baby my Eevee Build-A-Bear (named after my Eevee in Let’s Go, Eevee!), and Lily my Wooloo! I have a couple of Pokemon sketch cards that friends of my Dad’s drew, and some prints and figure-y things I’ve gotten in Artist Alleys over the years!

I also own a couple of different Pokemon books (not the manga, though), and 2 of the movies, along with the OSTs for B/W, X/Y, and ORAS! I don’t have much as far as clothing goes though, except for my “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” scarf and a Pikachu hat I got at an old anime store at the mall that has since closed. That’s probably all I can remember right now!

SpIn #2 - Steam Powered Giraffe

SPG has been a special interest for about 4 years now? Anyway, they’re my #1 favorite band and have literally saved my life. Watching Bunny Bennett’s (who plays Rabbit) vlogs about her transition, along with listening to the song Transform that she wrote (waaay before they just made it a single) really helped me accept myself and come out. 

They also came at a time where I was struggling emotionally a lot, and I remember being stuck in the ER hooked up to an IV, and my mom played some of their albums for me to keep me calm and grounded. More recently, I saw them perform at Anime Midwest last year, and when they performed Transform (which neither me or my friends expected), we were all hugging each other and crying tears of joy (my friends are trans as well, and have also been touched by Bunny’s vlogs).

Their songs (not including the sad ones) make me really happy as well, and Make Believe makes me stim a lot in particular! I also got to sing Honeybee as part of a voice coaching summer camp I took last year, and it felt really good to do it! I really recommend listening to them, especially if you like steampunk and/or you’re looking for trans artists to support!

SpIn #3 - Little Shop of Horrors

So this is more of a fairly recent one, compared to the first two. This special interest mostly applies to the 1986 movie, but I’ve seen the stage musical as well! The music, the cast, the plot, it’s all *chef’s kiss*. But for real though, my two favorite things about the movie are the practical effects and the endings.

With the CGI fresh hell we got with CATS, you may thing, “wow, special effects were so much better back then”. Except here’s the thing, they were practical effects. Audrey II is (I believe) entirely puppetry, not CGI. The same applies for the musical as well! It really culminated at the end of the film during “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space”, when Audrey II is at it’s biggest and most elaborate. Speaking of that scene, I much prefer the director’s cut over the theatrical cut. I know that the happy ending is much better for Audrey and Seymour, but “Don’t Feed The Plants” is an absolute banger, and I get a good cry out of it too.

I heard they might be making a remake of the movie, which I’m hesitant about, again, seeing how CATS turned out. We can only hope that they listen to the fans, and make the right decisions when it comes to making it.

SpIn #4 - Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Ok, so this is one of those aformentioned “is it a SpIn or a hyperfixation” moments. I’ve been hyperfixated on JJBA for the past 6 months and I’m physically unable to shut up about it XD

I’m about to start watching part 4 of the anime, I just need to set aside time to do it. I watched it a tad out of order, my ex told me to skip part 1 and watch a synopsis of it, so I started with part 2 (I’m a huge part 2 stan btw), got to part 3, was confused by everything going on with DIO, so I went back, watched part 1, and then resumed part 3.

As I mentioned, I’m a huge part 2 stan, so I currently have several part 2 character cosplays in the works. This includes (but isn’t limited to) Caesar, Suzi Q, Playboy Bunny Caesar (inspired by a piece of art that @tinypalettes drew), Tequila Joseph (but like,, actually decent drag), and Cleric Suzi Q from the JJBA D&D session me and my friends are having. I also want to do a drag/latex DIO look, along with maid DIO inspired by an old JUMP cover and a fanfic I read the other day.

I get a little nervous about doing/going to JJBA events at conventions because I’m worried about running into my ex, but knowing that I have supportive people with me helps a lot.

SpIn #5 - Homestuck/Hiveswap

So this is another one of those “SpIn or hyperfixation” moments as well. I’ve been into Homestuck since late 2016, but I’ve never been super involved in the fandom. Like, yes, I have a moirail and I’ve been in and hosted panels at conventions, but I’ve encountered some toxic people in it, so I try to distance myself.

I will say, however, that Homestucks are loyal to their fandom, and will buy merch if they like it. When I say that, yes, I mean myself, but it’s mostly about my Etsy customers. If you look at my sales history, the majority of it is quadrant necklaces, almost always the moirail ones. I get some orders for horns and pillows too, but not as often as the necklaces. When it comes to exhibiting at conventions, it depends. I normally don’t put Homestuck stuff out on the table because it’s such a niche, but when I do, people will usually buy a lot at once. For example, at Wizard World Madison in 2018, one guy bought $50-60 worth of Homestuck sprites from me. That weekend was the best I’ve ever done, and I haven’t come close since. My Etsy store started out as just me making Homestuck sprites for me and my friends too, so I’m glad that I was able to expand and give others what I like as well.

I’m also involved in a Hiveswap YouTube musical, and I’ve made a lot of good friends through it! We’re on hiatus right now, but we should be starting up again soon! I also have a lot of Homestuck cosplays! I’ve done Karkat, John, Jade, Nepeta, Trickster Nepeta, Karkat Peixes (a bloodswap), and I have a lot more that I want to do!

SpIn #6 - Danganronpa

So Danganronpa is (probably) one of those last “SpIn or hyperfixation” things. I’ve been into Danganronpa since 2018 (I think?), and DR:AE is my favorite (mostly because I’m a Kotoko and Toko kinnie oof-)!

Right now, my only Danganronpa cosplay is Toko/Syo, but I’m working on a couple of j-fashion (particularly menhera and fairy kei) inspired looks to do with my moirail (who was the one who got me into j-fashion), and just some Amazon/eBay cosplays as well! I’m also working on a Future Foundation Toko cosplay to do with my moirail so we can do Tokomaru together (though most of it is thrifting and clothes I already have)!

I own DR1, SDR2, and DR:AE on my computer, but I don’t play them much. The second trial in DR1 gives me panic attacks because of the whole breaking of trust thing (I’ve heard the audios and I just,,, break down), I haven’t touched SDR2 yet, and I’m sucky at the controls for DR:AE. However, I’ve watched the anime and I’ve seen let’s plays, so I have a feel for what’s going on, though I may not remember it all correctly since I haven’t watched them in a while.

———————————–

So that’s most (if not all) of my special interests! I probably forgot some, but it’s getting late and I need to pack for my Mom’s and go to bed. I hope you all have a good night!

[badwolf-in-the-impala]

~Whiskey Lullaby~

~Chapter 8~

||Previous Chapter ||

Image Credit: Me. Pictures not mine obviously, but the collage is.

Rating: Mature/18+

Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, violence, suggested sexual/physical abuse, kidnapping, sexual content, angst.

Chapter Warnings: None

A/N: Sorry it’s been a while since I updated last! I’ve had an insane case of writers block that has been kicking my ass. Anywho, I hope you enjoy! There’s a new character, Tawni, introduced in this chapter, portrayed by the lovely @jacksonroth, who actually came up with the idea of a cross over between her own SOA fic and this one! So hop on over and check out ‘This Charming Life’ and show her some love!

-------------------------------------------

Music blared from the speakers of the stereo she set up outside in the storage unit. Teagan moving outside to work on the Chevelle some more after finishing up the last of her stress cleaning endeavor, having taken it upon herself after the guys left to spend the rest of the morning elbows deep in reorganizing the entire bar and kitchen areas, using it as a way to distract herself from the anxiety that still loomed at the back of her mind.

Until Gemma came back in from the office at least, taken aback at first by how much Teagan had managed to accomplish in just a few short hours. “You need a better hobby, Sweetheart.” She had stated sarcastically as she poured herself some more coffee.

“C’mon now, out with you.” She shooed Teagan out the back the door. “Delivery guy just dropped off a shit load of parts for your car. Go do something more productive, that doesn’t end in me having to explain to Clay why the Clubhouse got redecorated!”

And now here she sat, unboxing and organizing parts in the order they needed to be used. Knowing she couldn’t get much done work wise without having a second pair of hands, and with everyone gone for the day she was burnt on actually accomplishing anything. As she stood, beginning to organize all her parts, dragging one of the tool boxes over, she jumped as the storage door rattled as it was slid up and opened.

“For fuck’s sake, Gemma! I’m fine in here! You didn't want me in the clubhouse, you didn't want me cleaning...what else is there to-” As Teagan ranted at ‘Gemma’ she ground the heels of her palms into her eyes as she turned. When she finally lowered her hands, the black spots soon fading, she stopped short, staring at the dark, curly haired woman smirking at her, green eyes burning in excitement.

“Last I checked,” She started, waltzing into the room, stepping over the scattered car parts. “I only looked like Gemma?”

“Holy fuck. Tawni! What the hell are you doing here?!” Teagan cried, making her way over to her and wrapping her arms around her neck, both women squealing in delight as they hugged.

“Well, I just got back from my trip.” Tawni said as she let go of her friend. “I was up in Washington for a while, checking on a few friends. I was going to come down with Kozik, but shit got tied up.” Tawni gave a shrug as she spoke, shoving her hands into her back pocket. Teagan chuckled and shook her head, stepping back to lean against the car with a sigh.

“Well, shit. It’s still good to see you.” Teagan sighed. Tawni smiled and nodded in return.

“Yeah, you too. When did you blow back into town?” Tawni asked, looking around at all the parts, picking up a few to inspect them. Teagan smirked and swiped the part from her hands, setting it aside with a snide smirk, making Tawni giggle.

“Is that supposed to be funny?” She teased. Tawni smirked, realizing what she meant.

“Hey, honey. If the boot fits?” She teased back as Teagan chuckled and shook her head.

“It’s a long fucking story.” Teagan stated, gesturing to her still healing face. “One that I’m fairly certain calls for a drink...or a bottle. That’s up to you.” She smirked.

Tawni gave a low whistle and stepped closer, touching her face gingerly. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Who the fuck did ye piss off, Teage?” Tawni asked, a subtle hint of her accent coming through.

“Some of Darby’s dipshit crew members...Bradley to be exact.” Teagan replied with a small sneer at the memory that was still fresh in her mind.

“Bradley. Tha’ fuckin’ snake. Hasn’ he gotten ‘imself killed yet?!” Tawni cried with a sneer of her own before she went to Teagan and slid her arms around her neck, pressing her cheek to hers. “‘M’sorry, babe. Wish I was here when it happened, I would have kicked his arse.”

Teagan chuckled in response and shooed Tawni away, making her giggle. “It’s cool...he’ll get what’s comin’ to him sooner or later.” She replied with a sly smirk. “You said hi to Gem yet?”

Tawni giggled and shook her head. “No. I saw your ‘Quinn’ girl parked out front where the other bikes usually are, and I had to come see you first.” Tawni giggled with a small smirk. “Besides, I see Gemma all the time. I’m nothing new.”

“Well, it’ll be a goddamn miracle she doesn’t call out the entire Charming Police force when she sees us walk in together.” Teagan gave a small laugh as she wrapped an arm around Tawni’s shoulder and tugged her forward towards the Clubhouse. Tawni laughed as well, sliding her arm around Teagan’s waist.

“Oh, please. We were not that bad...it was a few bitch fights, that’s all.” Tawni said. Her lips twisted up in a smirk as she added, “Besides, we were still friends after it.”

“True…except for that one time I hotwired the Principles car and we spent two days in Juvie. You didn’t speak to me for like a week.” Teagan mused with a thoughtful and mischievous grin. “But memory lane aside, it’s a shame I busted ass all morning cleaning the bar…’cause that shit’s about to get wrecked!”

Tawni tossed back her head and laughed, Teagan giggling as the two women walked and talked their way to the clubhouse. Gemma looked up at the sound and went to the door of the office, leaning against it, smirk on her face as she shook her head.

“Oh. Shit.” Gemma muttered.

~

It was late, around 2am, when the guys finally rolled back into the lot at Teller-Morrow, finding it extremely unusual when they noticed the loud music bumping from the Clubhouse the second they cut the engines of their bikes. A round of questioning glances making its way through the group.

“What in the hell is going on here?” Clay muttered in a disgruntled tone as they made their way to the door, pausing briefly just outside at the sounds of the loud drunken laughter that could be heard from inside over the music that was blaring. Clay turning to fix Tig with a glare, hand on the door waiting to open it.

“Why the hell you lookin’ at me?” Tig stated defensively.

“Maybe because she’s your Sister.” Clay ground out between clenched teeth, not in the mood to deal with whatever nonsense was happening on the other side of the door.

“Jesus…” Tig muttered under his breath as he stepped forward, Clay opening the door and gesturing for him to enter first as he stepped aside. Tig groaned outwardly at the scene that lay out before him as he stepped inside, shaking his head, the rest of the guys entering cautiously behind him.

“TIGGY!” The two women exclaimed -- Teagan with a little less enthusiasm -- from where they sat on the bar. Tawni climbing over the top of Teagan, using her as a foothold as she climbed down upon spotting her Uncle; Chibs. Hugging Tig briefly before nearly tackling the Scotsman that stood directly behind him.

“Jesus...are you high?” Tig questioned as he approached his Sister who was now struggling to climb down off the bar, watching as she slipped, landing on the floor with an audible ‘THUD’.

“Teagan…” She corrected drunkenly as he reached down and pulled her up, steadying her as she swayed a little. “And as a fuckin’ kite.”

“The hell you guys doin’ havin’ a party without us, anyway?” Jax inquired with a curious grin as he propped a elbow against the bar, plucking one of the half smoked blunts from an ashtray and relighting it to take a hit.

“T-Think of it as a loooong awaited reunion of BFF’s.” Tawni chimed in drunkenly before dissolving into a fit of uncontrollable giggles that Teagan soon became a part of. Tig turning to share a scathing look with Chibs.

“Aye, well, as lovely as tha’ is; party’s over. Time for bed Lassies.” Chibs stated as he ushered Tawni forward towards the hallway, ignoring both her and Teagan’s protesting, which was eventually silenced by a stern look from Clay.

“Fiiiiiiiiiiiine.” They both whined in unison.

“You two can continue your little ‘celebration’ some other time.” Clay stated flatly as he headed for the door of the Chapel. “But in the meantime, party’s over.”

~

“Looks like you two had quite a night.” Gemma stated sarcastically as she entered the Clubhouse to find both Teagan and Tawni, trash bags in hand, cleaning up their mess from the night before. Both girls groaning in disapproval at the intrusion of sunlight that the open door was providing as Gemma purposely held it open for longer than necessary.

“Don’t remind me…” Teagan all but gagged as she covered her mouth with the back of her hand, pausing her cleaning efforts for a moment as she struggled not to be sick. “I can still taste the tequila.”

“So I suppose a round o’whiskies is ou’ of the question this mornin’, then?” Chibs chimed in sarcastically as he rounded the corner of the hallway and entered the room, leaning up against the bar with an amused grin as he watched them.

“Why you gotta be like that?” Tawni whined as she turned to glare at her Uncle. His grin widening as he glanced behind her to find Teagan, staring him down what he assumed was supposed to be a menacing look, but her disheveled appearance only made it all the more amusing. Chibs coughing into his hand to cover up a laugh as she rolled her eyes and went back to cleaning up empty beer bottles as Tawni turned around to do the same.

“Well, as entertaining as this is,” Gemma mused as she passed through the room to the kitchen, no doubt heading for a cup of coffee. “I’ve got work to do. Which reminds me, there’s a couple of rigs need picking up in town, when you get the chance. I have the paperwork in the office.” She added, stopping in front a Chibs for a moment, giving him her own look before continuing on to the kitchen.

“Aye.” Chibs sighed as he pushed away from the bar and started towards the door. “Ye lassies try not to have too much fun now, ye hear.” He teased, ducking to avoid the stray boot that was aimed at his head by his Niece as she started shouting -- what Teagan only assumed to be expletives -- at him in Gaelic. Chibs’ laughter echoing through the Clubhouse, even after the door had swung shut behind him as he headed for the shop.

“I need a shower...and about eight more hours of sleep.” Tawni mumbled as she retrieved her boot, tugging it back on before returning to finish clearing off the bar, Teagan wiping it down behind her as they finished cleaning up in mutual silence for the sake of the roaring headaches that plagued them both from the previous nights events. Teagan finally taking a seat and resting her forehead against the coolness of the bar top when Gemma hollered at her from the kitchen.

“For the love of God...just put me out of my misery already.” Teagan groaned as she slid off of the barstool to see what Gem needed.

“As fun as that sounds, I feel like a shower is of greater priority at the moment.” Tawni gave a smirk as she patted Teagan on the back quickly before taking off down the hall to her room.

“Bitch!” Teagan yelled after her as she started for the kitchen, giving a small smirk of her own a Tawni yelled back,

“Jerk!”

Gemma was standing at the counter, piece of paper in hand, when Teagan rounded the corner. Grabbing herself a cup of coffee before leaning against the counter with an expectant look as she sipped at the contents of her mug. “You yelled?”

“Engine for your car finally came in.” Gemma stated matter of factly as she slid the piece of paper across the counter, Teagan picking it up to inspect the phone number that had been written on it, along with what time and where she could pick it up from. “I’m sure Ope would let you borrow his truck since Chibs won’t be back with the Tow-Truck for a while.

Teagan gave a nod and tucked the piece of paper into the back pocket of her jeans as she straightened and grabbed her coffee, taking a sip before she said, “Is Ope here yet?”

Gemma nodded with a sigh. “He should be. I think he’s heading out with Chibs. You might be able to catch him.” She said. Teagan gave a soft groan, not really wanting to have to chase the man down, but she would for the sake of her car. Teagan set her coffee down on the counter before rushing out, catching the tow truck just as it passed.

“Hey!” Teagan shouted, waving her hands to get their attention as she came up to the passenger window, Opie stopping the truck and rolling the window down. “Hey, Opie, can I borrow your truck? My engine came in and I want to go pick it up.”

“For the Chevelle? Shit, already?” Opie asked, throwing the truck in park as he dug through his pockets for his keys. Teagan lit up despite her headache, if only briefly, excited to get things going with her car.

“Well, I’ve been here for a few weeks already. I ordered it when I found out Tig kept the damn thing.” She shrugged in response, reaching in and swiping the keys from Opie’s outstretched hand. Opie chuckled and nodded.

“Just don’t fuck it up my truck?” Opie asked.

“Aye, are ye still drunk?” Chibs teased. Teagan narrowed her eyes at him, smirking as she gave a small shake of her head, pocketing the keys.

“No.” She scoffed playfully. “I’m hungover, not drunk. There’s a difference, Scotty.”

Chibs snickered as Opie put the truck back in drive, waiting for Teagan to step away. “Well, we’ll just have to see abou’ tha’ when I get back, won’ we?” He teased, his voice low so only Teagan could hear. Her lips pricked up as she fought the goofy grin that threatened to spread across her face.

“Don’t you two have work to do?” She teased back, stepping away before turning and going back to the clubhouse. Opie chuckled and shook his head as he drove off.

“Dude. Really? You’re gonna mess around with Raven? You do remember her, right?” Opie asked as they drove down the street. Chibs sighed and nodded.

“Aye. After’ las’ nigh’, seein’ her wit’ Tawni. I forgot how close they were before.” Chibs stated.

“And that still doesn’t change your mind? Or the fact that she’s Tig’s little sister?” Opie asked. Chibs scoffed, brushing the comment off.

“Och, i’s jus a bit’o fun. Nothin’ serious.” Chibs said, earning a snicker from Opie as he rolled his eyes..

“Right.”

~

Back in the clubhouse, Teagan still needed a little more of a pick me up, spiking her coffee with just a touch of whiskey, the thought of tequila making the back of her throat closing up in attempt to stop the threat of potentially throwing up. Tawni’s laughter perked her up a bit as she turned to see her walking down the hall with Juice. Teagan smirked and turned on the barstool, watching the pair, as she was still invisible to them for the time being.

“Come on, Tawn. You used to be as bad as the rest of us...you really don’t fight anymore?” Juice teased, grabbing a fistful of her side, making her squeak, laugh and jump as she turned to him, trying to pry his fingers away. She bit her lip as Juice moved his hands, Tawni’s hands around his wrists, pulling her closer as he moved his arms behind his back. Her laughter died off, slowly, as they got a little closer.

Teagan desperately wanted to witness this historical event, something that would make her ‘affair’ with Chibs pale in comparison to his precious niece flirting with a member, but she was still a decent enough friend that she cleared her throat, making her presence known and making the pair jump and move away from each other, both of them afraid it was Chibs. But Tawni sighed when she saw it was just Teagan.

“See? Even ask Teagan.” Juice said, diverting the moment as they approached the bar. “You can’t tell me you believe her, that she doesn’t fight anymore.”

Teagan shrugged.  “Well, I haven’t exactly been around lately, but...I believe her.”

Juice sighed and shook his head as Tawni went behind the bar, pulling out a beer and opening it before she handed it to him.

“I told you. You don’t see me as often anymore. I’m fucking mature, thank you.” Tawni giggled in reply as Teagan swung back around to the bar and leaned over her coffee cup with a soft groan. Tawni looked over her best friend and giggled. “Hey, I’m gonna hit the store. Gonna get some things to make my Nan’s hangover stew. Wanna come?”

Teagan shook her head and sat up, saying, “Nah. I have to go pick up my engine from the shop.”

Tawni gave a small pout, but shrugged it off and wiped down the bar, double checking everything before she left. The deviousness of Teagan’s mind began working as she sat back and added, “But, um...Juicy, why don’t you accompany her? I do still remember our dear, sweet, little Tawni likes company when she shops.”

“It’s called impulse control, and I’ve gotten a better hold on it, thank you...Bitch…” Tawni stated with a giggle. Teagan snickered and shrugged, going back to her coffee. Tawni glanced at Juice and said, “But I would like the company...especially being hungover.”

Juice smirked and set his beer down, leaning a little closer. “Yeah. Sure. I don’t have much to do today. I can come.” He said. Tawni bit her lip and smiled with a nod.

“Cool. I’ll go grab my stuff and meet you out front?” She said. Juice nodded and watched her as she walked off, letting out a heavy sigh as he smirked and bit his lower lip. Once she was out of sight, Juice chuckled and turned back to talk to Teagan, but stopped and jumped when he saw the fierce look she had fixed him with. He glanced around before he said, “What did I do?”

“Nothing...yet. Just make sure you’re well aware, that not only will Chibs kill you if he finds you with her, but I will break your face and cut off your balls if you ever hurt her…” Teagan threatened, making Juice’s eyes grow wide. “Don’t forget who I am, Juice.”

“No. Nope. No. Never. I-I promise.” Juice stumbled.

Teagan glared at him for a moment longer, then smirked and chirped, happily, “Good. Then have fun! Oh, and, if I were you, I’d make the first move? Tawni really wants to make good on her promise to Chibs about not messing around with members, but if you initiate, she won’t see it as her breaking the promise.”

Teagan giggled and wiggled her fingers at him as she left the clubhouse, with a little sing-song, “Have fun!”

-------------------------------------

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[spryfilm]

“Baby Driver” (2017)

Action

Running Time: 113 minutes

Written & Directed by: Edgar Wright

Featuring:  Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal

Doc: “So here’s the thing, I’m looking at some of the country’s finest thugs and of course young Mozart in a go-cart over there. People love great bank robbery stories, so let’s give them something full and brazen as fuck to talk about over their lattes.”

After much anticipation Edgar Wright’s career course correction has arrived, after leaving the super hero project “Ant-Man” (2015), (which in fact turned out very well thank you) he has brought to the screen an almost entirely original proposition. In seeing this weeks new release “Baby Driver” (2017), we can only wonder what his vision of the diminutive super hero may have been. To be frank I was shocked watching this new film as it hits the mark on almost every cylinder, it is full of action, drama, comedy, music and thrills, all packed in at under two hours, pedestrian by the lengths of some of the movies released this Summer – especially considering some of them go absolutely nowhere.

After all the shenanigans with mates Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as well as the overtly pop culture referenced work of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World“ (2010) it is great to see him create something (albeit with a nod towards Walter Hills now classic “The Driver” (1979)) original as well as slick not forgetting smart. This feels like the movie that Wright has promised for so long after the double hits of “Shaun of the Dead” (2004) and “Hot Fuzz” (2007). With “Baby Driver”, Wright has built a film around solid if not extreme characters, that are all driving towards goals that while not unified are understandable in the world they are living in. When you watch this movie it works because of the nature of the narrative that builds the plot which is the use of scene appropriate music that frames almost every scene, whether believable or not. This is a fantasy, a dream that asks us to leave real life at the door, welcome the madness as well as holding on to our seats for a truly unique experience.

The film is centred around Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young getaway driver in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was a child, a car accident killed his parents and left him with severe tinnitus, which he blocks out by listening to music. He also records his everyday conversations and remixes them into songs using vintage audio equipment. Baby works for Doc (Kevin Spacey), a mastermind heist planner, to pay off a debt he incurred after stealing one of Doc’s cars. Baby lives with his deaf foster father, Joseph. After pulling off a robbery, Baby is told that the next job will pay off his debt. Baby meets waitress Debora (Lily James) at a diner he frequents, and they fall in love.

Wright has done something few writer/directors are capable of, that is he has reinvented his style to accomodate a new movie. Now while the pace of this film is quick, the actual editing and the way we shift from scene to scene is not. This is in contrast to Wright’s previous films, pretty much all of them, where the audience would be taken from scene to scene with a frenetic style that may have been hiding some of the flaws that were hidden within the plot. Whilst music has always played a large part in Wright’s movies this is the first time he has injected them into the narrative without them being a crux that the move relies on. What I mean by this is if you remove the music from this movie you still have a heist/chase film. With the music added you are witness to a deeper story that invigorates the characters motivations – something special indeed.

The plot of this movie is something audiences have seen many times before, you know, the one about a person trapped in a situation that they cannot extricate themselves from, but can see a way out, particularly after meeting a third party, which normally turns into their love interest. However, this films plot is framed by the well thought out, as well as the soundtrack, full of deep cuts which opens with the toe tappingly great Jon Spencer Blues Explosion ‘Bellbottoms’, where Baby and his crew rob a bank, this plays while they make their outrageous getaway, something that hints at the pace for the rest of the film. The opening also makes a statement about the movie as well as Wright saying “I have arrived!”, in the loudest way possible. Most, if not all the music is diegetic which is unique in itself without the movie being a musical, although at times this movie has many of the same beats as a musical – witness the opening credits sequence with Baby moving in a single shot to the original ‘Harlem Shuffle’, as well as the ending all choreographed to the amazing ‘Brighton Rock’ by Queen. Baby moves as well as drives like a dancer, and the car fu (if you will) beats almost anything seen in the ‘Fast’ franchise, seemingly without the massive CGI that is needed for those behemoths.

Talking about Baby, played by relative newcomer Ansel Elgort, is a character that almost reaches the heights Wright had for him, but maybe his face is a little too baby, without the lived in physique another actor may have had – they try and rough him up by scarring him, but he is almost too pretty – maybe even prettier than leading lady Lilly James – who in my mind seems a little too twee for the part as well as out of her depth in the role. However none of this really matters when the stars come out to play with some of the best dialogue around, they chew it up and roughhouse with each other like the pros they are. Witness Kevin Spacey as ‘Doc’ (an obvious homage to Steve McQueen) who runs the show, Jon Bernthal as Griff (seen all too briefly) and Eiza González as Darling a a lovingly twisted partner to the scene stealing (saying that in this film is a real compliment) Jon Hamm as Buddy.

Speaking of the absolute best performances, they come from the aforementioned John Hamm as Buddy and Jamie Foxx as way too crazy Bats. It can be no mistake that these two actors have the best roles as well as give the best performances; they are polar opposites in this and are set up against each other for most of their time onscreen. However, it is Hamm in the bigger and more defining role that steals the entire movie – including the music. Hamm shines like no other time onscreen in his career, here he is not relying on his winking at the camera or chiseled looks, it is just his menace as well as his complete understanding of Baby that makes his part in this film timeless. Foxx is excellent as well in a dangerous role that sparks the entire third act into motion as well as offering some menacing looks and dialogue, he is always great, but here like Hamm he is off the hook, unlike anything I have seen him in since possibly “Django Unchained” (2012). These two performances are reason enough to see this movie at the cinemas.

Judging from the box office success of this film, quickly approaching US$100 million at the US box office alone this will be one of the bigger success of this Summer season, given that this is an original movie, much like “Dunkirk” (2017) which at this stage looks like it too will be a big success. It can be no coincidence that these two original films (both written and directed by Englishmen) will be surpassing expectations, unlike the glut of sequels, reboots and comic book movies which have mostly lagged behind expectations both critically and financially. What does this say about the tastes of audiences, for one thing maybe its time that more original movies were being made and that filmmakers should be left alone to create original properties?

If you want to see an excellent action/thriller movie this year then this will be the one for you. You will definitely get a kick out of the music as well as the interplay with Baby, as well as the rest of the cast. This is a modestly budgeted film with a cast that is worth their weight in gold. You would be crazy to not see this on the big screen with the volume turned up to 11.

Oh yeah, and look out for the great Paul Williams dressed in a white suit – priceless.

Track list:

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – ‘Bellbottoms’

Bob & Earl – ‘Harlem Shuffle’

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers – ‘Egyptian Reggae’

Googie Rene – ‘Smokey Joe’s La La’

The Beach Boys – ‘Let’s Go Away For Awhile’

Carla Thomas – ‘B-A-B-Y’

Kashmere Stage Band – ‘Kashmere’

Dave Brubeck – ‘Unsquare Dance’

The Damned – ‘Neat Neat Neat’

The Commodores – ‘Easy (Single Version)’

Rex – ‘Debora’

Beck – ‘Debra’

Incredible Bongo Band – ‘Bongolia’

The Detroit Emeralds – ‘Baby Let Me Take You (in My Arms)’

Alexis Korner – ‘Early In The Morning’

David McCallum – ‘The Edge’

Martha and the Vandellas – ‘Nowhere To Run’

The Button Down Brass – ‘Tequila’

Sam & Dave – ‘When Something Is Wrong With My Baby’

Brenda Holloway – ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’

Blur – ‘Intermission’

Focus – ‘Hocus Pocus (Original Single Version)’

Golden Earring – ‘Radar Love (1973 Single Edit)’

Barry White – ‘Never, Never Gone Give Ya Up’

Young MC – ‘Know How’

Queen – ‘Brighton Rock’

Sky Ferreira – ‘Easy’

Simon & Garfunkel – ‘Baby Driver’

Kid Koala – ‘Was He Slow (Credit Roll Version)’

“Baby Driver” is out now in cinemas everywhere.

  Film review: “Baby Driver” (2017) “Baby Driver” (2017) Action Running Time: 113 minutes Written & Directed by: Edgar Wright Featuring:  Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal…

[spryfilm]

“Baby Driver” (2017)

Action

Running Time: 113 minutes

Written & Directed by: Edgar Wright

Featuring:  Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal

Doc: “So here’s the thing, I’m looking at some of the country’s finest thugs and of course young Mozart in a go-cart over there. People love great bank robbery stories, so let’s give them something full and brazen as fuck to talk about over their lattes.”

After much anticipation Edgar Wright’s career course correction has arrived, after leaving the super hero project “Ant-Man” (2015), (which in fact turned out very well thank you) he has brought to the screen an almost entirely original proposition. In seeing this weeks new release “Baby Driver” (2017), we can only wonder what his vision of the diminutive super hero may have been. To be frank I was shocked watching this new film as it hits the mark on almost every cylinder, it is full of action, drama, comedy, music and thrills, all packed in at under two hours, pedestrian by the lengths of some of the movies released this Summer – especially considering some of them go absolutely nowhere.

After all the shenanigans with mates Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as well as the overtly pop culture referenced work of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World“ (2010) it is great to see him create something (albeit with a nod towards Walter Hills now classic “The Driver” (1979)) original as well as slick not forgetting smart. This feels like the movie that Wright has promised for so long after the double hits of “Shaun of the Dead” (2004) and “Hot Fuzz” (2007). With “Baby Driver”, Wright has built a film around solid if not extreme characters, that are all driving towards goals that while not unified are understandable in the world they are living in. When you watch this movie it works because of the nature of the narrative that builds the plot which is the use of scene appropriate music that frames almost every scene, whether believable or not. This is a fantasy, a dream that asks us to leave real life at the door, welcome the madness as well as holding on to our seats for a truly unique experience.

The film is centred around Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young getaway driver in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was a child, a car accident killed his parents and left him with severe tinnitus, which he blocks out by listening to music. He also records his everyday conversations and remixes them into songs using vintage audio equipment. Baby works for Doc (Kevin Spacey), a mastermind heist planner, to pay off a debt he incurred after stealing one of Doc’s cars. Baby lives with his deaf foster father, Joseph. After pulling off a robbery, Baby is told that the next job will pay off his debt. Baby meets waitress Debora (Lily James) at a diner he frequents, and they fall in love.

Wright has done something few writer/directors are capable of, that is he has reinvented his style to accomodate a new movie. Now while the pace of this film is quick, the actual editing and the way we shift from scene to scene is not. This is in contrast to Wright’s previous films, pretty much all of them, where the audience would be taken from scene to scene with a frenetic style that may have been hiding some of the flaws that were hidden within the plot. Whilst music has always played a large part in Wright’s movies this is the first time he has injected them into the narrative without them being a crux that the move relies on. What I mean by this is if you remove the music from this movie you still have a heist/chase film. With the music added you are witness to a deeper story that invigorates the characters motivations – something special indeed.

The plot of this movie is something audiences have seen many times before, you know, the one about a person trapped in a situation that they cannot extricate themselves from, but can see a way out, particularly after meeting a third party, which normally turns into their love interest. However, this films plot is framed by the well thought out, as well as the soundtrack, full of deep cuts which opens with the toe tappingly great Jon Spencer Blues Explosion ‘Bellbottoms’, where Baby and his crew rob a bank, this plays while they make their outrageous getaway, something that hints at the pace for the rest of the film. The opening also makes a statement about the movie as well as Wright saying “I have arrived!”, in the loudest way possible. Most, if not all the music is diegetic which is unique in itself without the movie being a musical, although at times this movie has many of the same beats as a musical – witness the opening credits sequence with Baby moving in a single shot to the original ‘Harlem Shuffle’, as well as the ending all choreographed to the amazing ‘Brighton Rock’ by Queen. Baby moves as well as drives like a dancer, and the car fu (if you will) beats almost anything seen in the ‘Fast’ franchise, seemingly without the massive CGI that is needed for those behemoths.

Talking about Baby, played by relative newcomer Ansel Elgort, is a character that almost reaches the heights Wright had for him, but maybe his face is a little too baby, without the lived in physique another actor may have had – they try and rough him up by scarring him, but he is almost too pretty – maybe even prettier than leading lady Lilly James – who in my mind seems a little too twee for the part as well as out of her depth in the role. However none of this really matters when the stars come out to play with some of the best dialogue around, they chew it up and roughhouse with each other like the pros they are. Witness Kevin Spacey as ‘Doc’ (an obvious homage to Steve McQueen) who runs the show, Jon Bernthal as Griff (seen all too briefly) and Eiza González as Darling a a lovingly twisted partner to the scene stealing (saying that in this film is a real compliment) Jon Hamm as Buddy.

Speaking of the absolute best performances, they come from the aforementioned John Hamm as Buddy and Jamie Foxx as way too crazy Bats. It can be no mistake that these two actors have the best roles as well as give the best performances; they are polar opposites in this and are set up against each other for most of their time onscreen. However, it is Hamm in the bigger and more defining role that steals the entire movie – including the music. Hamm shines like no other time onscreen in his career, here he is not relying on his winking at the camera or chiseled looks, it is just his menace as well as his complete understanding of Baby that makes his part in this film timeless. Foxx is excellent as well in a dangerous role that sparks the entire third act into motion as well as offering some menacing looks and dialogue, he is always great, but here like Hamm he is off the hook, unlike anything I have seen him in since possibly “Django Unchained” (2012). These two performances are reason enough to see this movie at the cinemas.

Judging from the box office success of this film, quickly approaching US$100 million at the US box office alone this will be one of the bigger success of this Summer season, given that this is an original movie, much like “Dunkirk” (2017) which at this stage looks like it too will be a big success. It can be no coincidence that these two original films (both written and directed by Englishmen) will be surpassing expectations, unlike the glut of sequels, reboots and comic book movies which have mostly lagged behind expectations both critically and financially. What does this say about the tastes of audiences, for one thing maybe its time that more original movies were being made and that filmmakers should be left alone to create original properties?

If you want to see an excellent action/thriller movie this year then this will be the one for you. You will definitely get a kick out of the music as well as the interplay with Baby, as well as the rest of the cast. This is a modestly budgeted film with a cast that is worth their weight in gold. You would be crazy to not see this on the big screen with the volume turned up to 11.

Oh yeah, and look out for the great Paul Williams dressed in a white suit – priceless.

Track list:

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – ‘Bellbottoms’

Bob & Earl – ‘Harlem Shuffle’

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers – ‘Egyptian Reggae’

Googie Rene – ‘Smokey Joe’s La La’

The Beach Boys – ‘Let’s Go Away For Awhile’

Carla Thomas – ‘B-A-B-Y’

Kashmere Stage Band – ‘Kashmere’

Dave Brubeck – ‘Unsquare Dance’

The Damned – ‘Neat Neat Neat’

The Commodores – ‘Easy (Single Version)’

Rex – ‘Debora’

Beck – ‘Debra’

Incredible Bongo Band – ‘Bongolia’

The Detroit Emeralds – ‘Baby Let Me Take You (in My Arms)’

Alexis Korner – ‘Early In The Morning’

David McCallum – ‘The Edge’

Martha and the Vandellas – ‘Nowhere To Run’

The Button Down Brass – ‘Tequila’

Sam & Dave – ‘When Something Is Wrong With My Baby’

Brenda Holloway – ‘Every Little Bit Hurts’

Blur – ‘Intermission’

Focus – ‘Hocus Pocus (Original Single Version)’

Golden Earring – ‘Radar Love (1973 Single Edit)’

Barry White – ‘Never, Never Gone Give Ya Up’

Young MC – ‘Know How’

Queen – ‘Brighton Rock’

Sky Ferreira – ‘Easy’

Simon & Garfunkel – ‘Baby Driver’

Kid Koala – ‘Was He Slow (Credit Roll Version)’

DVD & Blu-ray review: “Baby Driver” (2017) “Baby Driver” (2017) Action Running Time: 113 minutes Written & Directed by: Edgar Wright Featuring:  Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal…