#they’re all kids of the 80s; what do you expect?

[gyorklady]

Taliesin/Sir Dante: “This feels very derivative!”

Be honest, we’ve been waiting for this joke since the Daggerheart character create session.

[man-down-in-hatchet-town]

THERE'S A CASTLE ON THE HILL, AS THE STORY GOES...

As promised, some initial thoughts on the things I loved about seeing this show. Spoiler free, since most of us haven't gotten to see it yet, and under the cut since I do wax a bit poetic...

Cinderella’s Castle is, in a strange way, an exercise in irony. The show is a retelling of an ancient story that is beloved and recited throughout so many cultures, and yet somehow feels completely fresh. The modern take on glam-punk lighting, a score infused with styles from 80s synth to anime, a high fantasy set with the costumes to match, the spirit of Jim Henson lingering through both the puppets and some larger and intangible vibe, a script combining that Starkid humor and Hatchetfield darkness with a whole different style of speaking… all of these beautifully executed elements melted together into something that I’ve never before seen. To take a tale as old as time and make it unique is no easy feat, but Starkid did so with magic and charm to spare.

Like any good Starkid show, Cinderella’s Castle is relentlessly dynamic: fun and tragic and exciting and just-plain-silly, with many twists and turns and character moments will make you gasp or cheer just as often as you laugh. It simply rollicks. The story clicks right along, especially in act 2, but the characters are so distinct and fun that I found myself almost wishing the Langs had sacrificed their plotting and pace just to spend more time hanging with every single member of this ensemble of personalities.

And that’s also a tribute to the actors themselves. Jeff is David Bowie reborn as the impish and fabulous narrator. Jon and Joey bring Hop A Lot and Crumb to life with so much charm and presence that they practically had the audience eating out of their hands from the very first second. Like, seriously, you will not believe how invested you will immediately become in these talking animals. Kim’s Fairy Queen is as radiant and terrible as promised; her portrayal of immortal inhuman power compels and commands and stands fully distinct from the Lords in Black. Lauren and Mariah are delightfully disgusting as the vile but deeply lovable troll step-sisters; you can feel the fun they’re having practically radiating off of them. Curt’s Tadius is dryly funny and put-upon, but also provides a vitally grounding and centering presence in the larger-than-life world of the Lands That Are. His big scene with Bryce is probably my favorite part of the whole show. James Tolbert is nothing short of an absolute STAR as the Prince, stealing scene after scene after scene with ease and charm and more jokes about genitalia than I think any of us expected. Angela once again displays a completely different facet of her never-ending range, exuding such elegance and control even in trollish filth that I do fear that the kids on the internet are going to start calling her “mother” with greatly increasing frequency. "Facade" was an absolute highlight of the night. And of course Bryce anchors, propels, and heightens every scene she’s in with such apparent ease you forget she’s been rehearsing for weeks and isn’t simply Ella herself. Ella is this world’s bruised, brave, and angry heart, and you will absolutely root for her every step of the way as she wrestles with who she is and learns what it means to claim her own power.

This was Starkid’s biggest budgeted show to date, and you could tell. This group of Michigan Wolverines and friends have accomplished incredible things since the Very Potter days of a single door and some cardboard columns, and I’m so proud of how far they’ve come. And yet Cinderella’s Castle, the fifteenth musical in the fifteenth year, still retains some of that core Starkid magic that I’ve always believed boils down to love. You can so often see that love emanating from the performers on a Starkid stage: love for the show, for their friends, for their craft, for the audience’s energy pushing them through. And the sense of love and support and community radiating from the audience is just as palpable. The man sitting behind me last night was at his first ever Starkid show, and afterwards he remarked in awe how that was the best audience he’d ever been in. And all that love isn’t unearned—it is built and it is nourished by a proud history of creativity, of song and of dance and of laughter and tears. And Cinderella’s Castle, I think, is going to prove an installment worthy of both Starkid’s past and future.

Starkid family, Bogs Hollow grants thee Starlight.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

You Make Me Wanna 5

Warnings: dark elements, noncon, age gap, best friend’s dad trope other dark elements. Proceed with caution.

Note: Please let me know what you think as it helps me a lot with ideas and I love interacting with you all.

Part of The Club AU

Three times. Walter, Mr. Marshall, Detective, whoever he is that day, has driven by your house three times. Three times that you’ve noticed. 

The first time you recognised his car, you were taking out the trash. The second time, you were making sure your siblings got on the bus for school. And the third time, you’re coming out the front door, in uniform as you mentally steel yourself for another day at the grocery store. 

You try not to be too obvious as you look for him. You set out on your usual route, a peek here and there over your shoulder, a strategic glance down the street as you turn to cross. Maybe he can stop you for jaywalking. A perfect excuse for him to swing around his weight. 

You take out your phone as you come in sight of the plaza with the grocery store at its centre. Still not word from Faye. You really don’t expect her to be the first to reach out. You’re still sore yourself. It isn’t just that she ditched you, again, it’s that she was so quick to believe you sold her out. She knows the way her father is and yet just like him, she assumes you’re in the wrong. 

As you approach the front doors of the store, you glance back at the lot. It’s sparse with vehicles, still early enough that stockers work at the shelves and the deli still fills its baskets with slices and salads. You clock in and tie on your apron, taking your vigil behind a till. Debbie leaves you as the sole cashier as she goes to do her counts. 

You stare across the store, vision blurring, as the ceiling speakers drone out 80s pop. Your eyes nearly cross at the orbs of colours that form around you; the medley of produce, the smear of labels, and the looming shade of endless aisles. As you detach yourself from the monotony, you’re filled with a cloud of futile acceptance. Every day for the rest of your life. 

Last year, you still had hope. You remember you told Faye you could save up and join her at college. That’s definitely not going to happen. You barely saved a nickel. Just like high school, your cheques were spent picking up after your mom’s job hopping. Your siblings can’t go without food or clothes or everything you didn’t have. Even when you get a few staples free from the clearance cart, you’re still paying far too much just to feed the lot. 

Chrissie is almost fourteen now. She offered to put in an application but she’s still a few years from all that. Besides, you don’t want her to be like you. Only ever worrying about the empty fridge and your mom’s latest antics.  

Zooey is only ten and blissfully unconcerned with anything but anime and drawing in her sketchbook, and your brother, Milo, seven, likes to bring home frogs and snakes. They’re both too young to sense anything is off, though at times, they ask you very pertinent questions about the other kids in their class. 

You sigh. You never wanted this life. Against your will, you’ve inherited your mother’s lot. Your siblings need a parent and she’s not willing to be one. So, you’ll just have to ring through eggs and milk for the rest of your life and make sure they aren’t caught in the same bog. 

“Hey,” the sharp greeting draws you back. 

You blink and shake away the daze. You look over at Mr. Marshall. Not again. You do your best to smooth the worry from your forehead and reach for the sole item on the belt. An excuse, you’re sure. 

You can through the breakfast tray of a hardboiled egg, pita, hummus, cheese, and grapes. The beep chirps harshly in your ears as he stares you down over the top of your till. You stifle a yawn as you hover your hand over the buttons. 

“That everything?” You ask dully. 

“You looked worried,” he moves to lean on the other side of debit machine, where his tray awaits him. “Like maybe you’re keeping secrets.” 

You huff, “I told you I haven’t heard from Faye.” 

“I didn’t ask.” 

“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid,” you snap, “are you going to pay or do you want me to put this back, detective?” 

“I’m off duty,” he tilts his head, “night shift.” 

“Great, so credit or cash?” 

He puffs through his nostrils and squares his jaw, “lot of kids running around your place, huh?” 

“No,” you say curtly, “don’t.” 

“I’m just tryna figure out where my kid is. Pretty crowded at yours so... maybe she’s somewhere else.” 

“Maybe she is,” you utter in exasperation, “but I guess it doesn’t matter how many times I tell you that I don’t know where. You're still going to waste my time. And yours. So, please sir, cash or credit?” 

He scoffs and looks around, the place is still desolate, “you got time.” 

But you don’t have the patience. You barely keep from the retort. You turn and start tidying the till, distracting yourself as you rearrange your sanitizer and check the bin in case it was missed. 

“She’s my daughter. How would you feel if one of your sisters ran off, huh?” 

“You don’t get to talk about my sisters,” you turn back to him, “fine, alright, you want evidence, I’ll give you evidence, sir.” You take out your phone and flick through it in frustration, “the last message she sent me was the night we went out.” You turn the screen to him, “she hasn’t texted, she hasn’t called. Happy? Cause I don’t think she’s interested in being my friend anymore. She’s finally outgrown the poor girl.” 

You can’t help but throw the phone at him as your emotion wells up, “she was only ever friends with me to piss you off. Like I said, I’m not stupid. I just--” you cut yourself off, “I got work to do.” 

You turn back to the screen at your shoulder and brace the cash drawer. You take a slow breath and let it out. You’re embarrassed. He finally did it. He finally got you to crack. You refuse to look at him as he gently places your phone on the counter. 

“Got it,” he says softly, “she isn’t with you.” He clears his throat and shifts, “debit.” 

You grit your teeth, staring at the screen as you hit the button to activate the pin pad, “go ahead.” 

You listen to the beep of each button as he puts in his pin. You wait and the till chimes as the transaction goes through. You rip of the receipt and drop it beside you on the counter without looking. You can hear everything, even the soft noise of him slipping his card back in his wallet. You keep your attention on the monitor. 

“Enjoy your breakfast,” he says. 

Your furrow your nose as you listen to his footsteps and only turn when you hear the automatic door whoosh. You look down at your phone beside the tray of food, the receipt laid neatly over it. You peek up at the doors and your stomach growls. 

His pity is hardly preferable to his spite. 

[emry-stars-art]

Children of the Moriyama-Day thrones ✨

I’ve been putting off an explanation for the kingdom Evermore for FOREVER and honestly a lot of it is directly pulled from this post and some more chats with @snazzy-jas-z-is-a-fan-of (thank you ily you’re so smart)

So if you wanna know like 80% of the pre-timeline Moriyama-Day story, read on:

SO. In Evermore, at least amongst nobility, all importance is placed on direct descendants of family lines. Spouses to the royal family can claim titles if they so choose - the equivalent titles are reserved for that eventuality - but their children will always have higher titles than them (ex: the husbands of the Day line queens are not princes but instead something closer to dukes, while their children will be Day princes and princesses, as well as the reverse for the Moriyama wives). This means that every once in a while, if a spouse would prefer to live privately rather than subject themselves to the more stressful aspects of noble life, they remain only vaguely known by the public. This doesn’t happen often by any means, but it does give the royal family an excuse for why the father of Kevin Day has not made himself known.

Each generation has a shared title - the most fit and capable to rule will take the titles of kings and queens*, while their children are princes and princesses. The eldest of each family in the generation adds “high ___” to their title once a younger sibling is born. This is why even though Kevin is the younger between him and Natalie - the next Day generation - he is the heir to the Day throne because his mother was the elder sister. The names in pink are the highest ranking royalty of their generation, whom the throne is passed to.

*(Maybe Evermore retires their monarchs once they’re unfit to rule, or maybe the younger generations take them by force, thus proving they are fit for the throne. I could see it going either way tbh)

The Moriyama line here is continuing essentially as is usual and expected. There’s family members among each generation and the procession of power is in place. The Day family, on the other hand, has almost entirely crumbled.

Queen Shields left the throne of her own volition, taking her daughter Natalie with her. She left the throne and renounced her Evermore citizenship for reasons unknown to the public, though the Moriyama family brushed it aside as the whims of a young woman that clearly couldn’t handle the lifestyle. For this reason, even if she was to come back to Evermore, she would no longer be able to claim her place among the Day family. Her daughter Natalie Shields, on the other hand, was hardly more than an infant when she was taken, and so the Evermore nobility could not say she renounced her throne or her citizenship by choice. If Princess Natalie ever returned to Evermore and demanded her throne, she would have it.

High Queen Kayleigh, as we all know, has passed away. Her son Prince Kevin was raised beside Ichirou and Riko by the Moriyama family as the sole remaining member of the royal Day line. Though he and Prince Riko had always been close because of their age (High Prince Ichirou was at that age range and just older enough that he found littler kids and especially siblings to be “annoying”, the way kids do), as they grew up, Kevin realized that even if Riko was his best friend and brother, he himself had started agreeing more with Ichirou’s political views and ideas. Riko swallowed the Evermore ideals of “conquer and prosper” as any younger brother might. Kevin and Ichirou never had to fight for the power handed to them - they were beginning to see that those traditions were becoming obsolete, and there were better ways to expand and run a country.

Riko did not like the attention Kevin was suddenly getting from Ichirou.

So when Kevin said, suddenly and surprisingly, that he was going to travel before marriage - see what and who around them might benefit Evermore - no one could really stop him. He was by that point the Day crown. High King Kengo allowed it. (He wouldn’t have, had Ichirou not so strongly championed for the idea.)

Young king Kevin is not technically an Evermore deserter or traitor. The Moriyamas cannot prove that he is. But the longer he stays in Palmetto, the more suspicions arise that he isn’t there only on business, or even that he might never intend to return at all. The only way to take the throne from Kevin - destroying the Day line in Evermore for good - is for him to renounce his throne, or for war to break out between the two countries so that Kevin will be forced to pick a side.

(We know what side he’d pick, of course. His adopted brothers as well. The rest of the Moriyamas are fairly certain they know, and are growing severely impatient for the chance to label him a traitor.)

(This also leads to the idea that perhaps, if she found her way back to Evemore on an errand, all the lost princess Natalie would have to do is exchange her claim to the throne for a certain foreign prisoner’s freedom. Ichirou is always looking for ways to get rid of competition, and Riko’s lost plaything is not his to worry about. Kengo’s declining health makes it easy for Ichirou to pass off his word as the High King’s.

So the ex-princess is free to take Jean Moreau wherever he’d like to go. Or, when he says he doesn’t know, wherever she thinks is suitable.)

[tarotphlow]

Astro Observations 8

🌻Saturn in the 3H natives tend to have difficulties with phones or cars, whether that be always having a broken phone, or their car literally just not wanting to work for whatever reason

🌻Looking at what sign is located on your 12H could give you insight on to what life was like while you were in the womb. Ex: my 12H is in sag, before I was born my mother would pray constantly for her to have another chance at being a mother, she ended up having a kid with a man from a completely different state. (♐️ rules travel and religion).

🌻Have a big secret you need to get off your chest? Tell a Scorpio Mercury, they will never tell a single soul. I’m friends with a lot of Scorpio Merc’s and it’s amazing how well they can hold they’re water. (Hm, on second thought this might just be for scorp placements in general 🧐)

🌻7H placements how do you do it? Being so desirable to the point that people say they want to marry you without knowing anything about you at all? I just know y’all just smile 😀politely with so many confusing thoughts in y’all’s heads 😭

🌻I’ve noticed cap Venus will always gravitate to dating someone out of their age range.

🌻unlikely duo that actually goes super well with each other is Gemini and Scorpio. I think this has to do with how intelligent both of them are, this combo reminds me of detectives in a way.

🌻with NN going into Aries soon, Libra placements are gonna see a lot of stuff they buried in the distant past come back(like past life stuff 🕰️), probably gonna be a time of relearning some of those old old lessons or just seeing how well you developed since your last life!

🌻Moon in the 3H with a harmonious aspect with Uranus= extremely talented at vidya games 🎮

🌻If you have Gemini in the 6H you should try your hand at an online job, not as a profession but just as a job.

🌻Neptune aspecting your sun could indicate having trouble figuring out what you want to do in life.

🌻Uranus aspecting midheaven seems like you could be either really popular, really really weird or something of the two, but hey at least your smart😭😭

🌻Taurus Is definitely a foodie we know that, but surprisingly Capricorn is also kinda a glutton too lol, I have know idea why but I’ve noticed a lot of caps in my life really live for a good meal lots of savory things and also really really big on desserts as well. They also have sensitive noses, I mean scent is responsible for 80% of our taste so I guess that makes sense.

🌻our brains stop developing at age 25 and become a fully fledged functioning adult with no more growth which is really interesting because the profection year for age 25 is in Taurus which is the sign of stability.

🌻I really feel for Saturn dominants, they really just get the hardest trials out of everyone and expected to just be okay with that, Yk a lot of people say Saturn is gonna reward them and blah blah, but like I feel sometimes they’re trials are kind of unnecessary? Other planet ruled people (besides Scorpios) learn those exact same lessons but less harsher and the reward they get is quite possibly equivalent to Saturns soo idk… I feel like Saturn is just a bit much. (Let’s discuss this I’m curious to know what people have to say 🤓)

End of observations! I hope you all enjoy these as much as I did!

(Likes and reposts are appreciated! 💛)

[emmerrr]

adam parrish hcs

because it’s his day!! it’s today!!!

adam always kicks off his shoes without undoing the laces then gets annoyed when he has to untie them to put them on again

so for his birthday ronan dreams him up a pair of velcro sneakers

they’re super bright and obnoxious (neon green or something) but they ALSO light up when you stomp your foot AND they glow in the dark

adam: “they’re hideous. i love them.”

he hums when he concentrates really hard but doesn’t really realise he’s doing it

usually 70s or 80s songs that play a lot on the radio when he’s working at boyd’s

so he gets a lot of songs stuck in other people’s heads accidentally

adam: *humming the final countdown by europe while doing his homework*

ronan, later: 🎵it’s the final countdown, na na naaaa naa, na na na na na naaa🎵

adam: why are you singing that

ronan: are you fucken kidding me

he’s forever fixing things around the barns or 300 fox way

leaky faucet, loose door-handle, stiff window, squeaky hinges? adam’ll fix it

i already have a hc that ronan makes adam a new mixtape every time adam heads back to college for a new semester

but i think that adam makes mix-cds for ronan too

he has an older laptop that still has a cd-drive in it because it’s second hand

so he makes cd’s for ronan’s car, filled with songs that ronan finds irritating as a payback for the murder-squash song

think like uptown funk, hollaback girl, call me maybe, happy, somebody that i used to know -- stuff that probably got way overplayed and/or was annoyingly catchy

he leaves them in ronan’s car after he drives it so the next time ronan drives it and presses play he’s bombarded with 🎵A FEW TIMES BEEN AROUND THAT TRACK SO IT’S NOT JUST GONNA HAPPEN LIKE THAT CAUSE I AIN’T NO HOLLABACK GIRL🎵

(but maybe adam sneaks some songs on there that remind him of ronan too. maybe. just maybe)

gansey teaches him how to play chess and adam rapidly becomes better than him and now every time they play he wins

gansey always thinks this will be the time he wins until adam makes a move that turns the whole thing around and gansey realises adam could’ve ended it several turns back but was just humouring him

through carefully cultivated habit his expectations for his birthday are low to non-existent

but he has friends who think the world of him and who also have the worst poker faces of all time

so when blue arrives to take him out for a birthday breakfast it takes him all of two minutes to get her to admit they’re throwing him a surprise party

“you better act surprised or ronan is going to murder me”

they get back to the barns later on and there’s a bbq going and lights floating in the air around the deck and gansey, henry, matthew, ronan, opal and the fox way ladies are all there.

“SURPRISE!!”

adam, trying to act surprised: um wow thank you guys oh my god what a shock

ronan, narrowing his eyes: sargent i fuckin’ knew you’d cave

anyway he spends his birthday surrounded by people who love him who would do anything for him :’))))

[baronessblixen]

For the last time...

Prompt: 1. "It's not too late, let's go."

IVF arc, angsty fluff: They're supposed to go to the Gunmen's Halloween party, but there's something they need to make sure of first. (wc: 1,320)

Tagging @today-in-fic @xffictober2023

Fictober Day 31: Trick or Treat

When she asks Mulder what she can bring to the Gunmen’s annual Halloween party, she doesn’t expect him to say paper towels. But he does. She repeats the word, and he laughs, saying yes, paper towels and he’ll explain later. That is why she’s at the drugstore at 5 p.m., looking for said paper towels. Except she’s in the wrong aisle. In front of her are pictures of smiling women, chubby-cheeked babies, and blue skies.

Pregnancy tests.

At first, she just stares at them. She just took a wrong turn and now she’s confused as to why there are pregnancy tests. Then, she takes one from the shelf. Just to see what it says. This isn’t the first time she’s buying a test. If she’s buying one, anyway. She bought one once, when she was in college where she prayed every night that she wasn’t pregnant. Another one a few weeks ago, and this time praying that she was. In the end, she’d been pregnant neither time. Third time’s the charm, she thinks.

“Paper towels,” she mumbles, reminding herself why she's really here, but she’s unable to leave the aisle. Her period is late. Has been for a few days. She didn’t think much of it – still doesn’t. It’s been late before. With their job, it seems a given. And yet.

She stares at the boxes and she thinks of Mulder. They only just started being intimate. She can still count their sexual encounters on one hand. That’s how new it is. Just thinking of him makes her feel warm all over. Somewhere across town, he’s getting ready for the Halloween party at the Gunmen's, unaware of what she’s going through. ‘We don’t need condoms’, she’d said that first time. Maybe, she thinks, glaring at the boxes, she was wrong.

She decides to buy a test. An emergency pregnancy test, so to speak. She quickly makes her way through the store, picking up the paper towels, and a bag of candy corn, suddenly craving the overly sugary treat. She pays for everything and hides the pregnancy test at the bottom of her bag. It’s in there just in case, after all.

At home, she puts the pregnancy test and its implications out of her mind. But every once in a while, she glances at her bag, where the test remains hidden. She snacks on the candy corn while she gets ready and waits for Mulder.

“Trick or treat.” A voice that’s distinctively Mulder’s follows after a series of knocks. Scully smiles, opening the door to him. He’s surrounded by several small kids, all grinning up at her, some of them with missing teeth. There’s a little Batman, a Spiderman, and a witch. Luckily, she prepared a bowl with candy and she hands each child some of it, and every single one thanks her. Watching them, she tears up, her hormones overwhelming her.

“Have a spooky night,” Mulder says to them and they giggle as they make their way to the next apartment.

“Hey you,” he says, but his smile quickly fades. “Scully? Are you okay?” She nods, turning away from him because she’s convinced she will start crying any second. She hears the door click close and Mulder follows her inside. He’s gentle as he puts his arms around her from behind.

“What is it?” he whispers into her ear. “Did something happen?”

“No,” she replies truthfully. “I think I’m just tired.” She doesn’t want to burden Mulder with possibilities. Or pipe dreams. She isn’t pregnant. She can’t be pregnant. Buying that test was the worst idea she’s had in a long time.

“We can just stay in,” he says. “Hand out candy to the kids, go to bed early.”

“We’re not 80, Mulder,” she says, finding herself chuckling. She hopes they’re still doing this in 10 years, in 20. Maybe even when they’re 80.

“I know we aren’t.” He waggles his eyebrows at her. “I can think of lots of things we can do staying home.” He’s nuzzling her neck, his nose tickling her skin. She playfully pushes him away and he just grins at her with a dreamy look. What if their child smiles that exact same way? Her expression falters. There is no what if. There’s no child.

“Hey, what did I say? I know it’s Halloween, but you’re scaring the shit out of me.” Instead of answering him, she picks up her bag and hands it to him.

“Look inside,” she says quietly. He takes out the paper towels and then gasps. His eyes shoot up and meet hers.

“Is that- did you take it? Are you? Is it? Are you all right, Scully?”

“I didn’t take it. I don’t know why I bought it. I’m late, and I- I just stood there and I got it just in case. It was a dumb idea.”

“Since when do you eat candy corn?” Mulder asks and for a moment she’s perplexed. He points at the small bowl on the table. “You hate that stuff.” Unlike him, who stuffs one of the colorful treats into his mouth.

“I don’t know,” she says. “I felt like eating it.”

“Take the test, Scully,” he says, pressing the box into her hand. “I think… I think maybe today is a good day to test fate.”

“The Gunmen are expecting us.”

“They can wait. This can’t.”

“It’s not too late,” she says, trying to tug at his sleeve. “Let’s go.” He slowly shakes his head at her. It’s now or never.

“I’ll even hold your hand.”

“While I pee?”

“If that’s what you want,” he says solemnly.

“You can hold my hand after.”

And that’s what he does. His hand is sweaty, and she feels the restlessness inside him. If he weren't holding her hand, he'd be pacing. But she needs his strength, and he gives it to her willingly.

“Do you want me to talk?” he asks. “Or be quiet? I can do either.”

“You can talk, Mulder,” she says softly, smiling.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s a first.”

“This is too important,” he says. “I don’t want to jinx it. Which one do you think did it?” She turns to look at him. “I think it was the second time. Not the first. We didn’t know what we were doing. The second time. I think that’s when it took.”

“Mulder, we don’t know what the test is gonna say.”

“When have I ever been wrong? About anything that’s important?” She wants him to be right. She’s never wanted anything as much as this. “Your hand is ice-cold, Scully.”

“I’m nervous.”

“So am I, but I have a good feeling. A very good feeling. How much longer?” A moment later, the alarm dings. Scully’s heart races in her chest. The next second will change everything. The greatest joy or the biggest disappointment.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she says, her voice breaking. “Can you look?”

“You want me to do it? Are you sure?” She nods, tears in her eyes. She watches Mulder reach for the test with trembling hands. Her eyes are on his face, trying to read it. He blinks at the small plastic stick before he turns to her. “Trick or treat, Scully?”

“What?” she asks.

“Trick or treat,” he repeats, trying to keep his face neutral. But there’s something. A glimmer. Her heart is still racing, but she’s going to take a chance.

“Treat,” she says.

He shows the test to her, his hand shaking. “We’re gonna have a child,” he says with a laugh.

“We’re,” she begins, breaking off. She takes the test from him and there it is. Clear as day. She’s pregnant.

“I knew it when I saw the candy corn,” he says, taking her into his arms. “You’re pregnant, Scully. We did it. We got our miracle.”

“We did,” she says, still in awe. “We really did it.”

[stardustizuku]

Why Miraculous LadyBug Is the Worst Thing To Happen To Magical Girl Genre in All Its History.

It would be easy to sit here and tell you all the logical reasons why Ladybug is a bad show. It has horrible pacing, it has low stakes, repetitive episodes, and a dialogue that is cringe worthy enough to get its own tiktok sound.

But saying that, would be beating a dead horse at this point. Everyone knows this show is a bunch of wasted potential, only made worse by a director who keeps thinking he created gold, when in fact he messed up in a lot of areas – particularly the fact that he’s a grown man who thinks he knows what little girls want.

I’m not here for that.

Particularly, because I can be quite forgiving to shows like this. I mean, they’re kids' shows! Meant for little girls, and I haven’t been one for a few years now. But I still enjoy them.

Why? Well, cause I’m a massive fan of Magical Girl animes. I love the glitter, the sparkles, the silly adventures with friends, and the transformation sequences! Even with all its flaws, I really like them. So, stories or shows that borrow from them, get a pass in all these things. 

I mean, I have fun re-watching WINX Club, I love Star Vs The Forces of Evil despite its flaws. Steven Universe holds a deep place in my heart and She-Ra is…She-Ra is in its very own league of how amazing it is.

So, no. Be it a very dumb show or a very smart one, I can have fun. It’s very rare when a show with, you know, glitter, girly stuff and animals CAN’T hold my attention.

But, well, MLB failed at that.

It’s just, not a good show.

I mean, it could be. But the age demographic would need to drop several, several age groups just to be barely watchable – and even then, I seriously doubt that it would be good for young girls to watch it. The lessons it teaches are concerning, to say the least.

And at this point, you may be thinking,

"Why do you care so much about this show? It’s dumb and you’ve acknowledged it treats its demographic as toddlers. Why do you care so much?"

Well, because I've been here... for a very, very long time.

Listen, I started watching Miraculous Ladybug, back when I was in high school. Maybe a bit old, but, hey, a lot of unique cartoons came out around that time. (Star Vs, Steven Universe, etc). So, I was hopeful. Really hopeful.

Mainly, because I was here before it EVEN premiered. I remember it. The original PV was 2D animated and it had this vague Princess Tutu vibes that JUST I couldn’t resist. It was clear as day that it borrowed a lot of its inspiration from magical girls from the 90's, probably even 80's.

The premise looked similar enough to Kaito Jeanne, and Kaito St. Tail for me to draw those conclusions.

It had a dynamic very similar to Princess Tutu and seemed like a mix of silly and dark like that one was.

To be honest, I could even see hints of Sugar Sugar Rune with Pierre and Felix.

Not to mention, the animation was beautiful.

I will never, never forget that scene with Chat looking at Ladybug starry-eyed under the Paris Moonlight. That was so beautiful, a genuine touch of romance that rang so similar to the Magical Girl animes I grew up with.

I was thrilled, I was excited. I wanted this show to succeed, before even the premier had dropped.

This is all to say -

I never came to this show with the intention for it to fail.

And I didn’t expect nor want it to be ground-breaking or a giant of the genre. I just hoped I could have a fun time.

I didn't want subversions, I didn't want it to be dark, or deep. All I wanted, was sparkles, fun and a good time.

So, when it first aired, I tried to stay positive. I tried to like it, even when it had all these massive red flags.

I’ve never been a big fan of 3D animation, and especially not how it’s used in Magical Girl animes. (We all know the disaster the first season of Sailor Moon Crystal was).

But I swallowed it down.

The characters were different from the original PV

But I swallowed it down.

The background scenery was bland and generic and hardly felt unique.

But I swallowed it down.

I was here since day 1. I was here when Stormy Weather premiered. I was here before many of you were, and

I swallowed it all down.

Because I really, really wanted this to be good.

And I really thought it would.

But things should have been made clear, when they fucked up the one thing they shouldn't. The one thing that held this all together. The one thing that kept me here even as everything was burning to the ground, and I was too naive to realize it.

They fucked up the thing that started all this, to begin with.

MasterList >> NEXT

[potatoetree]

Incorrect quote generator - The Seven + Nico & Will addition!?

Characters

Jason Grace

Leo Valdez

Piper McLean

Percy Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Hazel Levesque

Frank Zhang

Nico di Angelo

Will Solace

__________________________________________________________

Nico: When I first met you, I thought you were weird and annoying.

Leo: And?

Nico: And you are.

Percy: Are you a cuddler?

Nico: I'm a machine of death and destruction.

Percy:

Nico: ...Yeah, I'm a cuddler.

Piper: What are the hardest things to say?

Jason: I was wrong.

Leo: I need help.

Percy: Worcestershire sauce.

Leo: Why cant trees give off something important like wifi??

Jason: So fuck oxygen, I guess.

Leo: Why are your tongues purple?

Percy: We had slushies. I had a blue one.

Jason: I had a red one.

Leo: oh.

Leo:

Leo: OH.

Hazel:

Hazel: You drank each others slushies?

Hazel: Piper you can’t move in with Jason.

Piper: Why not?

Hazel: Well, um, how are you going to feel when they see you without any makeup?

Piper: I’m not wearing makeup right now.

Hazel: Holy crap, you’re beautiful.

Jason: Okay, but if your not gay then why are you always holding my hand and kissing me and telling me I’m your boyfriend?

Percy: Dude- Its satire!

Jason: THAT'S NOT WHAT SATIRE MEANS!

Jason: Nico, I know you love Percy. I mean, we all do, they’re a very nice person and I respect them immensely.

Jason: But I think they might be a fucking idiot.

Frank: I spy with my little eye something that begins with the letter “s”.

Leo: *looks over at Nico and Will* Leo: Is it “sexual tension”?

Piper: Why is Jason crying on the floor?

Frank: They took one of those 'what person are you?' quizzes.

Piper: And?

Frank: They got Percy.

Will: *cocks gun* Go to Bed. This is no longer a request, This is now a Threat.

Percy: There’s no “I” in team, but there is one in pizza.

Jason: So, you’re not going to share?

Percy: I’m not going to share.

Annabeth: Just took a personality test and got an A+.

Nico: I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.

Annabeth: Nico is at that very special age where a kid only has one thing on their mind.

Leo: Boys?

Nico: Homicide.

Annabeth: Stop setting things on fire because you're curious about what will happen. What will happen is fire.

Leo: But what if something else happens just this one time.

*Frank comes home absolutely drunk, undresses, and stands in Hazel’s bedroom.*

Hazel: Babe, are you.. coming to bed?

Frank: No thank you, I’m sure you’re lovely but I have a girlfriend.

Frank: *Lies on the ground and falls asleep*

Hazel: ...

Percy: Can I have 2 straws with that milkshake?

Annabeth: Aww-

Percy: With 2 straws, I can drink it double as fast!

Leo: Jason and I are so close we even share a toothbrush.

Jason: We what?

Nico: My stomach growled super loud in French.

Nico: I would like to clarify, my stomach did not speak in French. It growled during French class.

Leo: Bonjour.

Will: Le growl.

Piper: Hon hon hon, feed me a baguette.

Piper: I am convinced Leo and Percy share a brain cell.

Frank: And it's not in use very often, it seems.

Percy: I’m 80% awesome 20% water and 100% handsome.

Nico: That’s 200%.

Percy: I’m twice the man you’ll ever be.

Percy: I'm going to get myself some soup.

Annabeth: Be careful not to burn yourself, it's hot.

Percy: Pfft, I won't burn myself.

*30 seconds later*

Percy, entering the room: I burned myself.

Will: What do you three have to say for yourself?

Jason:

Frank:

Percy: Oops?

Nico: Honestly, I am so evil. So full of darkness. I feed of the souls of the living I strike fear into-

Will: You sleep with a teddybear.

Nico: He’s my sECOND IN COMMAND IN MY ARMY OF DARKNESS!

Leo: What is wrong with you?

Nico: Loaded question. Elaborate.

Percy: Look at me straight in the eyes and tell me the truth, Nico!

Nico: You can’t expect me to look into your eyes and be straight.

*Everyone is playing a board game together*

Will: I will put 'A' down to make 'A'.

Frank: I will add onto your 'A' to make 'AT'.

Hazel: I will add onto your 'AT' to make 'RAT'.

Annabeth: I will add onto your 'RAT' to make 'BIOSTRATAGRAPHIC'.

Percy: *flips the board*

Percy & Jason: Surprise! We're having a baby!

Nico: What?!

Percy & Jason: *pull out adoption papers* It's you!

Will: You're ignoring all your problems.

Leo: I know.

Will: You also know it's an unhealthy coping mechanism?

Leo: I'm ignoring that fact as well.

Will:

The Squad: *walking at the mall*

Jason: Hey, have any of you guys seen Nico? They’ve been gone for a while..

Hazel: Eh, nope.

Percy: No, I haven’t...

Piper: Probably ran off to McDonald’s or something.

Nico: Hey.

Jason: Ooh, there you are-

Hazel: What the fu-

Piper: I- where were you?!

Nico: Walking right behind you guys.

Piper, handing out popsicles: Which flavor do you want?

Percy: Blue flavor!

Piper: Uh, you mean Blue Raspberry?

Percy: Blue flavor! Blue flavor!

Piper: Blue is not a flavor!

Percy: BLUE FLAVOR!

Will, jumping out of Nico's closet: BOO!

Nico:

Will:

Nico:

Will: *makes a sad face*

Nico: Ahh! Oh my god! You scared me!

Leo: Dom or sub?

Hazel: I guess Domino's, since I don't go to Subway that much. Don't see why you'd put them in the same category though.

Annabeth: You use humor to deflect your trauma.

Leo: Awww, thanks-

Annabeth: That’s not a good thing.

Leo: All I’m hearing is that you think I’m funny.

Frank: Oh shoot!

Frank: Excuse my vulgarity.

Hazel: I’ll let it slide.

Leo: So my therapist was talking to me and she said that I really just need to break down my walls and let people in.

Leo: So I’ve decided to break the fourth wall.

Leo: *looks at camera* Hi there. I use humor as a coping mechanism.

Will: What do you three have to say for yourself?

Jason:

Frank:

Percy: Oops?

[fantasticallyfruity4]

This is some hallmark bullshit but Single dad! Steve and single dad! Eddie.

Single dad Steve and single dad eddie whose daughters (El and Max, respectively) go to the same school.

Steve’s daughter has always gotten bullied, a fact he’s very unhappy about, but hasn’t been able to do anything about.

Calling teachers, meeting with the principal, these assholes can’t control their kids. And Els only friend from last year isn’t in her class anymore. This year has been rough, on both father and daughter. No one likes to see their kids so unhappy when they cant do anything about it, especially Steve. His little princess is his whole world.

But lately it seems she has a friend, finally. and apparently this girl protects her at school.

The girl is new to the class, new in town he assumes. She sticks up for El, apparently, and sits with her at lunch. Teams up with her in gym. El has a friend. Finally.

And Steve wants to go talk to this kids parent, tell them how much of a great kid they’ve got, thank them, thank the kid.

And the next day at school pickup when el comes out he asks, where’s the girl whose been sticking up for you, your new friend?. And el points at a little red head whose holding the pinky of a intimidating metal head whose signing her out.

He’s really hot, the dad, Atleast that’s what Steve assumes he is to her. And his brain is melting into itself. He’s got these rings and piercing and all this hair and he’s in all black and leather and metal and he’s beautiful and Steve’s having a moment. He was expecting to shake some old housewives hand. Not talk to this guy. He didn’t think he could do it, honestly.

“Pappa?” El asks yanking on Steve’s shirt hem, snapping him back into reality.

The dilf is picking up the girls yellow backpack and getting ready to leave, so Steve realizes he has to do this now or never.

“Hey, scuse me, sorry-“

Before Steve can talk more els friend is smiling and hugging her. “El!” And the man is grinning, eyes flicking between he display and Steve’s eyes. He’s got this grin and look in his eyes like he knows something.

“Maxxie is this that new friend of yours? The one who likes Wonder Woman too?”.

And oh my god, is that why els comics keep disappearing? Because she’s giving them to her friend? Steve thought she was loosing them, or even worse the bullies were taking them. But now Steve can’t be mad. That’s… that’s so sweet. That’s his kid. He’s doing okay too, if his kid is sharing her prized comics with her new friend.

The little red head grins and nods. “She’s my best friend!”.

Steve smiles, watching El blush while she hugs her friend. It’s so cute. It’s too fucking cute.

“Hey, I’m eddie” Eddie introduces. “Steve, nice to meet you man”.

Eddie nodds.

“Wanted to come say thank you, to you and your daughter. Els has it really hard here, and Max has really stood up for her. It means a lot to both of us, you uh, you’ve got a great kid.”

Eddie beams with pride, squeezing max’s shoulders.

“That’s what we do, right? We look out for other people, right?”.

She nods.

And it blooms into a beautiful friendship. Kids and adults alike.

Problem is both men assume the other must be straight.

“I like your rainbow converse max! They’re very cool!” Steve compliments the 7 year old. The girl beams with her missing front teeth on full display. “They match my daddy’s!” She proudly states. Steve chuckled to himself. “Your dad has rainbow converse? Are you sure were talking about the same guy?”.

The little girl runs back to el on the playground giggling, as Eddie approaches Steve.

Sure enough, in rainbow vans. “We’ll I’ll be damned”. Eddie chuckles and shakes his head. “You can say what you want about corporate pride, but giving Nike $80 sure beats getting the shit kicked out of me for liking guys” Eddie winks.

“Oh- you’re gay?”

Eddie nods. But it’s a curt nod. A little defensive. Steve hates it. “That a problem for you, big boy?”.

Steve isn’t sure he’s ever heard eddie so defensive, so hostile. And he hates it.

“No! No way not at all man! It’s cool, it’s all cool. I’m bi”

Eddies jaw drops a little bit. But closes quickly.

“You dress so fucking stupid I figured you were straight this whole time” Eddie teases elbowing Steve’s ribs.

“Ouch, this is coming from the guy in the worlds most gaudy converse?”

[thesapphicsoldier]

Everyone always talks about how Robin and Will should meet and connect in season 5, and yes I definitely agree, but—

Imagine her meeting Mike. Her seeing his closed off feelings. Her seeing the way he looks at Will. Her seeing how defensive he gets at the mere idea of him being intimate with a man, even if it wasn’t intended to be romantic (“we’re friends, we’re friends!”). She seems him. Really sees him. She knows what it was like to be young and in denial. In fact, she was about his age when she finally started to connect the rainbow colored dots, and things would have been a hell of a lot easier if she had someone to talk to it about.

So she gets close to him. Or at least, she tries to— Mike is a bit suspicious of her constantly running up to him or inserting herself into his conversations (and well, Robin isn’t the best at talking to people). But eventually, Mike warms up to her a little. He starts talking to her about dnd and even vecna, and if Robin were being optimistic, she’d say they’re friends. After awhile Robin starts dropping hints about her sexuality. (“Oh my god, Phoebe Kates is so hot, don’t you think?” - “I guess so— wait, you think Phoebe Kates is hot?” - “Hell yeah, are you kidding?!) Though it’s the 80s, she’s not scared. She’s talking to someone like her after all, even if he doesn’t know it yet.

But Mike doesn’t seem to be getting it. So she tells him about her crush on Vickie. At first he’s confused and asks her if Vickie is short for Victor or something like that, she tells him no. Vickie is the cute redhead that helps make the sandwiches. He’s shocked to say the least. He stands there wide eyed and mouth agape for about two minutes. Robin wonders if he’s going to run away or make some sort of “you’re going to hell” retort (she wouldn’t blame him for it, she went through that phase in elementary school). But he just… starts talking. Asking questions. Normal questions, like “how’d you guys meet?” or “are you gonna ask her out?” Robin is surprised about how casual he’s being. She had fully prepared herself for a meltdown or for him to not speak to her for weeks, but he just acted… normal. Maybe that’s what he wanted to do. To pretend, even just for a second, that being gay wasn’t such a bad thing. That it wasn’t satanic or disgusting or the cause of diseases, it was just normal. That he’s normal.

Weeks go by as the group tries to figure out how to defeat vecna, once and for all. Robin continues to tell Mike about Vickie, eventually telling him how they’re now happily dating (which she could tell Mike tried his best to not smile at). Mike doesn’t tell her about himself though, and she doesn’t expect him to. The road to self acceptance is long and rocky, with lots of bumps and turns on the way— and sometimes you never reach the end of it, though you hope with all your heart you do. Robin just wants him to know that being himself is okay, and that if he ever needs her, she’s right here.

It was a cold and rainy afternoon when Mike found Robin in the shed, visibly sweaty and conflicted. He looks left and right about fifty times before he mutters, barely above a whisper:

“Hey Robin?”

“Hm?”

“How did you know you were… different?”

Robin simply smiles, the warmest she possibly could, and tells him to sit down.

[ordinaryschmuck]

Quick Thoughts on Nimona

Based on the graphic novel by the creator of that She-Ra reboot no one likes anymore, Nimona is a movie that is well-worth the wait.

For those who don’t know, this WAS originally a Blue Sky Studios produced movie intended to be in theaters. They got about...80-90% done before Disney shut down the studio and forced Nimona to be indefinitely shelved until someone wanted it.

And it turns out that Netflix wanted it. And boy...Blue Sky REALLY dodged a bullet with this one.

Oh, not because the movie is bad. Again, it is VERY well-worth the wait.

The animation is stellar, having a unique style that sets it apart from other animated movies, as well as having fluent movements and bombastic facial expressions. The most it shines are in the action sequences, which are fun to watch even if there’s not many of them (really wish there were, though).

And the characters are also pretty decent. Ballister has a very tragic beginning to his story, as well as a character arc that’s pretty endearing.

His boyfriend Ambrosius is also endearing, having a decent conflict that makes you understand his side and why he’s always willing to go back and forth on what to do.

And the main antagonist, who is a surprise that’s cleverly revealed halfway, is a great villain representing the flaws of authority and why the people who make the laws actually have zero value on human life. It IS easy to tell they’re the twist villain, and their motivations are a little lacking, but you can let that stuff go if its thematically appropriate, which it is.

But then there’s the real star of the film: Nimona. At first, I found it a little weird how she’s top billing with how much of the story’s conflict is based on Ballister, but the film really picks up with Nimona, who is the heart of the movie. She’s definitely that character who some are going to love while others are going to hate, but I find her wild and violent tendencies entertaining and her chemistry with Ballister to be on point. Plus, her backstory and attitude towards how people see her really helps to endear her.

Seriously, I wasn’t expecting too much drama from Nimona, but BOY does it deliver with a few heart-clenching scenes that almost got to me a few times.

Not to mention that the themes of...I guess anti-police is the best way to put it. It’s made pretty obvious that the knights and their director are to represent the police system, and the movie does well to illustrate the flaws of it. Not EVERYTHING is perfect, but it’s...good enough.

Any real complaints I have towards the movie is the pacing and the jokes. The movie knows when to slow down for when it’s important, but there are some scenes that fly by, particularly some bonding moments between Ballister and Nimona and the development of their relationship. And the jokes can be hit or miss. When it hits, it’s REALLY funny. When it doesn’t, it’s REALLY awkward.

But that’s about it...So, WHY do I say that Blue Sky dodged a bullet with this one?

Because this is a movie that’s very against police and VERY supportive of the LGBTQA+ community. Nimona makes it clear that the bad guys are the ones who kill what society deems as monsters, even though some of these monsters got that name because all they did was exist.

If Disney didn’t kill Blue Sky, the amount of homophobic and conservative parents demanding that Nimona got pulled from theaters WOULD.

People already aren’t alright with the gay and mind-changing stuff that’s on TV nowadays. Hell, I saw on Twitter that a guy destroyed his sons Funko pop collection AND TV just because the kid was watching THE OWL HOUSE. There are VERY bad parents out there who would do anything to “protect the children,” and Blue Sky would have undoubtedly went down for a VERY brave stand to take.

Which is a shame because Nimona really is that good. It’s a solid 7/10 film that left me entertained throughout and should be seen by everyone. Bit of a warning, there’s a bit of an attempt to self-harm/suicide near the end...but thankfully it was only an attempt.

Still, check out Nimona. It’s fun, it has heart, and it’s pleasant on the eyes. You won’t be disappointed by this one.

[itcamefromthetoybox]

Past His Prime

Hey there, hi there, ho there! I’m back. Ended up taking a break from the blog to finish moving and just never got around to it for a while. One of those, “oh yeah, I’ll work on that tomorrow” things where I kept meaning to but kept forgetting. But yes! I am back! And on my update schedule of “when I get to it.” But what exactly dragged me back? New toys from the upcoming “Transformers: One” movie! Today, we’re going to be looking at “Transformers: One Prime Changers Optimus Prime.” How does the latest version of the Autobot leader hold up? Is he a hit or miss? And is he worth the big price tag? Let’s dive in and answer those questions!

Now, as of this article, the movie isn’t out yet, so I can’t spoil anything or say too much about the plot or characters, other than that the movie is about Orion Pax and D-16, the best friends who will become the heroic Optimus Prime and the evil Megatron. If you don’t know who those characters are, then I am very confused as to why you’re reading a review of Transformers toys. Are you that bored at work?

Now, what is a Prime Changer? Prime Changers, basically, are the main figures of the “Transformers: One” toyline. They’re simpler than the collector-aimed “Studio Series” line, and are the off the shelf figures for kids you’d think of when you think of Transformers. No fancy gimmicks, no overly complicated transformations, just a robot that turns into something and back again.

At first look, Prime Changer Optimus Prime looks great. He’s very colorful, blocky-looking, and seems to be exactly what you think of when you think of a young, pre-war Optimus. He has all the expected Optimus details, like the smoke stacks on his shoulders, the chest window, and the wheels on his legs. He’s supposed to capture the essence of Optimus Prime, and he does. Of course, these days, that means he also takes a massive amount of inspiration from the original, G1 Optimus Prime that’s been around since the 80’s and who gets a new figure every single year with no exception, so do keep that in mind. Now, when you get a closer look, flaws become apparent. The wheels in Prime’s shoulders are a different grey than the pant on him, so they stand out like a sore thumb, which takes away from the look. Hollow areas become more noticeable, and there’s nothing particularly new or interesting to compensate for those cosmetic letdowns.

Articulation-wise, Optimus is pretty decent. Very posable, lots of joints, just as you would expect. There’s nothing really shocking or dynamic here. Saying that a mainline Transformer is very posable is like saying ice is cold. Like, yeah, I would certainly hope so. If it wasn’t, I’d have some concerns. It’s important to note, though, that there are some limits on his poses. Optimus comes with a removable Matrix of Leadership that he can theoretically hold in his hands to recreate the classic “lighting our darkest hour” pose everyone does with the Matrix. The thing is, his big chest gets in the way of that, so he needs to hold the Matrix at about gut level. It looks a lot less impressive than you’d hope and a lot more like Optimus is rubbing it on his stomach for luck.

Speaking of his waist area, while he does have a waist joint, his crotch design actually limits how much the waist can rotate. And by “limits,” I mean he can barely rotate. It’s kinda a letdown, because the parts are there, but the toy itself stops you from using them.

So, this is a Transformer, so let’s talk about transforming. I hated this part. It wasn’t complicated, true. It was very straightforward, with a few extra steps like rotating the arms and opening the legs, and the process integrates Prime’s ax accessory into it, so that has a place to store, which is nice. The problem is that you gotta line up some tabs just so to make sure the whole thing pegs together right, and that was a living hell. I spent more time trying to get those tabs on his legs and the holes on his back lined up than I did on any other step of the transformation. It was frustrating as hell, and I really don’t wanna do that again. Also, part of the transformation is unfolding the truck grill from behind Prime’s chest. It’s a simple process with no extra steps, but if you have short nails, it’s gonna be more of a pain than it should be. Getting the axe into position for vehicle mode takes way too much fiddling and adjusting to be worthwhile. Transforming this guy was really annoying and not all that fun. As for getting him back to robot mode, that’s a damn chore. Prime’s back piece doesn’t like doing a lot of what it’s supposed to, and parts pop off constantly. Unless you’re very careful, expect Prime’s arms, chest, and back to pop off at least once during transforming, which especially sucks because reattaching the back is a pain. It took a while before I was able to transform him even once without any issues, and I remain convinced I just got lucky.

Of course, Optimus Prime turns into a truck. It’s basically an alien version of the truck he always turns into. If you’ve seen one G1 Optimus Prime truck mode, you have a solid idea of what this dude looks like. The truck mode doesn’t roll well at all. The back wheels just barely clear the legs to roll unencumbered, to the point that if you get a figure with the molding off by even a smidge, you’re outta luck.

Let’s talk accessories. Optimus comes with his axe, two smokestacks, and the Matrix of Leadership. The axe looks pretty good. Between the sculpting and color, it looks like a mechanical weapon charged with energy, and the sculpting and paint at the base make it look like the axe emerged from Prime’s palm.

It fits over Prime’s hand, with a peg inside the base that Prime holds onto, The problem here is that once Prime has it, he doesn’t wanna drop it. It’s a snug fit. Too snug. The way Prime’s hands are attached to his wrists means that you need to be careful taking the axe out of his hand, or else the hand will pop off. I find that pressing against where his hand connects to his wrist helps hold the hand in place while I pull the axe off.

Prime’s smokestacks are meh. They can be removed from his shoulders to be held as a pair of pistols that are blatantly just smokestacks in his hands. When you transform Prime, they will want to come right out of there, so keep an eye on them.

The Matrix, though, is awful. Just, really awful. It looks and feels cheap, which is a shame considering it’s the damn Matrix of Leadership. It’s also inconsistent about staying in Prime’s chest. Sometimes, it fits pretty well. Sometimes, it feels a bit loose. But the thing I really hate about it is that its plastic and design are definitely cheap. This became clear to me the first time I transformed Prime. When transforming Prime, the instructions say you can leave the Matrix in his chest, because its storage spot is a peg on the back of his truck grill.

The instructions are a sheet of lies. The Matrix takes up just enough space where it will get knocked out when transforming Prime, or , worse, it’ll break. The first time I transformed this figure, before I even took pictures, one of the handles on the Matrix snapped off.

This actually revealed how cheap it was to me. See, the break was a clean break. TOO clean. It seems like the handles of the Matrix are actually separate parts that were glued onto the Matrix, and that glue’s not exactly the stuff of legends. When I looked at the break, I also noticed that it looks like the Matrix itself is actually painted over blue plastic, the same kind Prime’s axe is made of. The Matrix is very small, and the plastic is very thin, so any amount of force on it’s going to break it. Hell, the plastic is so weak and cheap that when the handle broke off, I didn’t even notice. I didn’t feel any resistance or indicator it was in the way of the transformation. It was there, and then it broke. As easy as I breathe with as little notice. If you wanna keep it safe, just take it out and set it aside, only to be used for poses.

And now, of course, the main issues I have with this figure. I know plastic’s gotten more expensive, so toy companies are cutting costs. I get that. But by God, this figure feels cheap. The plastic feels so cheap to the touch that it’s the first thing my wife commented on when she touched Prime. When you start looking him over in your hands, you notice how hollow the toy is. He LOOKS very solid and bulky, like Optimus should. This makes how light he is feel surprising, and how hollow he is feel like a letdown. Some parts, like his chest plate are thin enough that I can see the shadow of my hand on the other side. Also, he’s just so damn small, He’s frustratingly short. I’m gonna sound like an old man here, but I remember when a $20 Transformer had some size and heft to him. This Prime’s smaller than the $10 ones I had as a kid and still do have. Between the cheap plastic, the parts popping off, how hollow and short Prime is, and how easily the Matrix broke, the whole toy just feels super cheap. 

“Transformers: One Prime Changer Optimus Prime” is available at mass retail for a starting price of $20 and is aimed at ages 6 and up. Would I recommend him? Absolutely not. This is really not a good toy. The plastic feels cheap to the touch, the transformation’s a pain, parts pop off way too easily, his guns are literally just his smokestacks held at a different angle, the Matrix is small, thin, and breaks easily, his waist is impeded by his own body, and he’s just so damn short. I can’t in good consciousness tell people to spend $20 on something so damn small that doesn’t even bring anything new to the table and, if anything, is a significant downgrade from what’s come before. Like, I compared this to older figures I have. It’s literally more money for less toy. This figure was such a letdown that it made me not want to get the other Prime Changer figures. I was actually turned off from an entire series of figures because of how annoying and disappointing this one toy was. He looks good from a distance, but then you get him in your hands and all the flaws, big and small, come shining through. Definitely pass on this one. I know, I sound like an old man. “Things were so much better when I was a kid.” Well, I handed this figure and some of my older ones to my wife, someone with very little interest in Transformers, who didn’t grow up with the figures or shows and has no problem telling me when she thinks I’m completely wrong or being that old guy. She actually agreed with me completely. Compared to the older toys, this one’s really not good. It’s more money for a toy that is significantly smaller and of lower quality. I know this is what’s out there, and this is all kids and collectors have on the market, but that doesn’t mean you should throw money at something that’s clearly not good. You want a great Optimus toy? Go on eBay. There’s plenty of fantastic old Primes from past movies and shows there for decent prices that WON’T break in two seconds and actually have some size to them. Next time, who knows what we’ll be looking at! Hopefully something I don’t feel an immense case of Buyer’s Remorse over. This is JS signing off and wishing you Happy Toy Hunting!

[likeshipsonthesea]

I love your recent posts about Eddie and Shannon and their relationship. I just don’t see how the show can address any of that with the way they’ve written this arc. There’s no one who can criticise Eddie’s feelings of ‘she was the love of my life, I’m broken without her’ except us the audience. There are no characters who saw their relationship as it actually was, so how can the show steer Eddie in that direction? I feel like they’re gonna leave it as she’s his Great Dead Love and that’s that

i see what you mean, and tbh i'm not sure what the show is going to do with this arc on-screen. they have a bunch of storylines to tie up in this finale episode (here's hoping we don't get any cliffhangers 🤞) and i don't know how much time they will have to devote to eddie, or even what they want to do with that time. it's possible they have a completely different perspective on this and will take it a whole other way, but i have faith that the show will tell the story they want to tell and, if the past six seasons are any indication, i will enjoy that story

all that being said, if we're talking dream arc, this is what i would want

as far as who can tell eddie "hey, you're looking at your marriage with rose-colored glasses, this is how it actually is," i've got two ideas for this. one is eddie himself, and the second is his parents, specifically helena, who has been rumored to be in the s7 finale. i'm kinda more excited about the second, so let's get the first one out of the way

eddie himself - hopefully after the clusterfuck that is explaining to his son that he's been seeing a dead ringer for his dead mom and she cosplayed as mommy to give eddie closure, eddie will talk about this in therapy, and through the skills he's learned and a frank discussion (pun intended) he will be forced to confront the reality of his marriage and start to address the trauma he has from everything with shannon

p cut and dry, my typical eddie-goes-to-therapy kinda story. we've all been here before.

now, for the good stuff 😈 (putting this under a read-more bc i have Thoughts)

helena. the diaz mother we all know and have complicated feelings over. or not-so-complicated feelings over, given the "don't drag [chris] down with you" line. i know i keep asking y'all to think of things from the white woman's perspective, but bear with me just one moment while i do this again

helena married into a large mexican family in the 80s. she had a mother in law whose cooking was renowned, a husband always away on business, and three children to bring up along with keeping her home together. given how everyone in their family seemed to treat shannon, i'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume there were some heavy expectations on helena to be the wife everyone thought ramon deserved, and i'm gonna assume that meant a lot of tradition--cooking the right things, doing the holidays the right way, teaching the kids the right values, etc. etc.

i think it was hard. i think helena didn't always meet the expectations put on her. i know it was played as a joke, but during ramon's retirement party, eddie and pepa were concerned that helena was cooking a specific dish (i can't remember which one atm) until abuela assured them she was in charge of it. meaning this is probably a running joke, helena not cooking things as well as she ought to.

also, raising three kids with a physically absent husband in a town that (i'm assuming) is full of in-laws seems hard to me, too. (if this is sounding familiar, yes i'm about to make a shannon comparison just gimme another second). the stories we hear about eddie as a kid are yes, reflections of traditional masculinity and eddie falling short of that, but also reflections on his parenting--how could helena let her son try to cook? that should be her job, she should be watching him! how could she let him try to drive at 8? tsk tsk and all that

i think helena has become a part of the diaz family fully, but i don't think it was always easy, and i think when her son married a white woman who didn't fit the expectations of a diaz wife either, helena recognized that. i think helena saw herself in shannon so clearly.

and instead of breaking the cycle and offering shannon that support and empathy that shannon (and young helena) needed, helena enforced those expectations even harsher. helena did it, so shannon had to, too.

maybe it was out of protection--she wanted shannon to fit into the family the way helena had learned to. maybe it was common generational sentiment, i.e. it's the Right way or it's the way I did it so therefore you have to do it that way, too. maybe it was a means of reinforcing her own place in the family, as she was no longer the newbie, shannon was.

whatever it was, i don't think she was conscious of it, and especially after shannon left her son, helena refused to acknowledge she was anything like shannon at all.

until now.

(yes i've found my way back to the point, i usually do i promise--and yes my adhd meds are THRIVING rn)

both helena's husband and son have done a lot of emotional work in the recent years and i think it's likely she would take a queue from them (and if her daughters are anything like me, i'm sure they're trying to nudge her towards a therapist at every turn). helena very well may be in a place where she can acknowledge how the expectations she's lived under may have been stifling, and given her son's recent encounter with kim, she very well may be in a place to acknowledge how similar shannon was to her.

and that's where, dear anon, your point comes in.

because helena was there for shannon and eddie's entire marriage. ramon was working, eddie was in the war, abuela and pepa were in la, but helena was right down the street (idk if she was actually right down the street but you know what i mean). helena knew shannon as an 18-20yo woman, as a new mother, as a struggling mother. she was in the unique position of watching shannon go through a marriage alone and remembering exactly how that felt.

kim may look like shannon, but she has no idea how shannon felt during her marriage. eddie can say all the things he wants to say, but it's like talking to a gravestone. i think helena can say the things eddie needs to hear, even if he may not want to hear them.

....and now i really wanna write that conversation. fuck.

[reigningqueenofwords]

Be Nice

Pairing: Bruce x Reader Word count: 2,179

Read on AO3

Part 6 of Without Me

You had never seen Bruce sweat under someone’s gaze before, but your sister was doing a great job of being the first. And it was bad not to lose it. 

“I, uh. I’m not good enough for her.” Bruce finally said. “I admit that.”

She raised her eyebrows further. “Something we agree on. Good. Tell me why.” She gently pinched your arm when you snorted. “Shush.”

“Be nice!” You whispered. “Please?”

She gave you a look and looked back at Bruce. “Well?” She said impatiently. “I’m waiting, Mr. Rich Boy.” It was clear she was teasing him- hardcore.

He huffed. “That’s exactly why I’m not good enough!” He answered with a shrug. “I’m just some rich kid.”

She narrowed his eyes. “Buying her off then?” 

Now it was starting to bother you. “Nichole!” You snapped.

“I’m just checking!” She defended. 

“It’s okay, babe.” Bruce nodded. “I know how I look to the world.” He grimaced. “I’m used to it.” 

You rolled your eyes. “If he was buying me off, he wouldn’t be bringing me to my favorite, cheap, food joint all the time.” You huffed. “We even regularly have date nights at a diner!” You moved to lace your fingers with his. 

“I believe you.” Nicole shrugged at you. “Just making sure .” She smiled. “So, nice to meet you, Brucie.”

He let out a breath. “You’re not going to hunt me down when we leave here right?” He asked, leaning towards you.

She shrugged and went to hug your parents. “Hi.” She grinned, expression completely changing. “I missed you two. Where’s the twirp?”

“I’m here! I wanted to show Bruce my Superman picture!” He burst in, frame in hands. “My favorite picture ever!”

Bruce smiled. “Lemme see that awesomeness.” He sat on the couch, letting your brother get up next to him.

You smiled warmly at the sight, enjoying how excited they both looked. “Where should I put our stuff?” You asked.

“Your old room is fine.” Your mom nodded. “For both of you.” She added at your questioning glance.

“...Really?” You asked in surprise. 

Your father laughed. “You're adults, and you live together. Really .”

You hummed. “Interesting.” You said to yourself. 

Bruce blushed slightly. “Thank you for trusting me.” He said shyly. 

“Don’t let us regret that.” Your mom teased. You blushed and sighed. 

“You’re all here to stress me.” You poked your sister. “I just got the stress of school to go away.”

“How is that going, by the way?” Your father asked. 

“Good. I passed all my classes.” You shrugged. “That’s what matters. And I’m liking them.” You smiled. “Just a couple more years.”

He nodded. “What’re you studying, Bruce?”

Bruce took taken aback a moment that he'd been asked. “Business.” He told him. 

“That’s always a good one.” Your mom provided. “Anything specific you'd like to do?”

“Uh.” Bruce thought. “No, actually. I don’t have a solid plan.” He shrugged. “I won't need to take over for my dad for a long time.”

“What does your father do again?” Your mom asked. 

Nichole sighed. “Wayne Enterprises or whatever!” She reminded her. “He could buy our town and it would be pocket change.”

“I don’t have access to the majority of the funds. I get an allowance.” He was a tiny defensive of that. “Just because my family has money doesn't mean I can spend it.”

“That sounds mature.” Your father complimented. “Though you are expected to take over the business some day?” 

Bruce nodded. “Once my father retires, but he jokes he won't retire until he's 80. Or my mother makes him.” He chuckled. 

You chuckled as well. “They’re really sweet. Not money snobs like some people believe.” You looked at your sister. “We actually went out to eat at the Hole in the Wall I love when I first met them.”

Everyone looked surprised at that except your brother who was just staring at his new gift. “Can someone open the package?!” He finally half whined. “So much tape.”

You snickered and Bruce happily got his Swiss knife out to help. “Sorry, buddy. Didn't think of that.”

“S’okay!” Your brother happily glued to his side. “Wanna play with me?”

“I’d be happy to. Can I take our bags to your sister’s room first?” Bruce asked. “Then we can play, deal?”

“Deal!” He said happily. 

Nichole glanced at your brothers new toy and raised her eyebrows. “It was a mutual buy.” You pointed a finger at her. “It wasn’t like he rushed out to get just anything.”

“Clearly it was something he’d like.” Your mother nodded. “It was thoughtful.”

“Nicole is just paranoid.” You huffed. “And annoying at times.” You added easily. “She’ll get better as the week wears on.” You hoped, at least. 

“We’ll see.” Nicole gently nudged you. “Is that a ring I see?!” She gasped when she finally saw your hand.

You immediately blushed. “It’s a promise ring!” Your automatic response was. “He surprised me with it yesterday. When he just ran out for a camera.” You chuckled.

“That’s so sweet.” Your mother held out her hand for a better look. “It’s gorgeous. You have wonderful taste, Bruce.”

“Thank you. I knew it was the one.” Bruce smiled. “Way different than all the others.” He glanced at you. “The lady who helped was really nice. I had actually been looking for something to bring you guys…” He admitted bashfully.

“Oh, how kind.” Your mother beamed at him. “You’re such a gentleman.” She gushed. “I’m glad you got the ring instead.” 

“What exactly does a promise ring entail?” Your father asked curiously. “I’ve never heard of it.” 

Bruce blushed. “It means I promise she’s it.” He explained. “Kind of a pre-engagement ring…”

“That is nice.” He hummed. “Saying she’s ‘it’ but knowing it is too soon for marriage.” He nodded. “And touching.”

You smiled lovingly at Bruce who rubbed the back of his neck. “Thank you, sir.” He smiled, then looked over at you.  

You blushed happily, making your parents look at each other. 

Lying on Bruce’s chest that night, you were lazily drawing lines on his skin. “Feel better?” You asked. “About this trip?” Your voice was quiet.

“Much. Your sister is still scary though.” He chuckled softly. “I think she’ll always hate me.” He sighed.

“I don’t know why she was being like that.” You matched his sigh. “She’s never been that bad.”

He shrugged. “I’m not mad at her or anything for it.” He told you. “It’s what I’d expect from an older sibling.”

“I guess it bothers me more since I know she could’ve nicer.” You shrugged. “And you mean a lot to me, and she was still like that.”

Bruce gently rubbed your back. “Thanks for defending me.” He said happily. 

“Of course. I love you.” You kissed his chest. “So much. She can deal with it.”

“Hell yeah.” He squeezed the arm that was around you. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Better not.” You giggled. “I’m glad to be ‘stuck’ with you.”

“I’m super happy to hear that, babe.” He smiled against your hair. “I hope you sleep well.”

“You, too.” You said happily, shutting your eyes. It never took long for you to fall asleep when you were with him. He was your home.

Nicole was the only one up when Bruce went down to see if he could get coffee. “Morning, Brucie.”

He winced. “Good morning.” He shuffled. “Uh, is coffee?”

She pointed to the fresh pot. “Mugs are in the cabinet above. Use the red ones. Those are Y/N’s.” She told him.

“Cool.” He quickly did so. He made you a mug, as well, wanting it ready for you. 

After a moment, she spoke up. “You really want to marry my sister? Why?”

“Because I love her with all my heart.” He answered easily. “I'd give up my money for her.”

“All of it?” She asked. There was a tad bit of disbelief in her voice.

“Yep! She’s shown me there’s more to life than money.” He shrugged. “She means more to me than my parent's entire fortune.”

She hummed but was clearly surprised. You walked in, yawning, moments later. “Morning.” You sat tiredly. Bruce held up your coffee, and you melted. “Thanks, Mr. Bond.”

Bruce chuckled and kissed your head. “Anything for my Bond girl.” He smiled. “What's the plan for today?”

“Mm, coffee first.” You groaned. “Then talk.” You sipped the hot liquid.

He shook his head and rubbed your back. “Hungry?” He asked, willing to cook.

You nodded. “I’ll help you, though.” You picked his cheek. 

“Yuck.” Your sister shook her head. 

“Jealous?” You asked. 

She made a face. “No.”

“That’s okay. I know jealousy when I see it.” Bruce chuckled. “Alright, what sounds good?”

“French toast?” You asked. “That's simple, and so good.”

“And my specialty.” He nodded. “If we can, want my fruit syrup, too?”

“Please.” You groaned. You looked at your sister. “Homemade fruit syrup.”

Nicole bit her lip. “That does sound good.” She admitted. “...Can I have some? We have strawberries.”

Bruce just chuckled. “Of course.” He went to get started. “I just need sugar and butter for them.”

She went to help him find ingredients with a soft look. He was winning her over. 

Bruce grinned and got things ready to start as she placed things on the counter. “This is honestly one of the best things Alfred has ever taught me.” He mused.

“Remind me to thank him.” You giggled. “I can't wait to meet him. He sounds great.”

“Who’s that?” Nicole asked. 

“He's our butler, but he's more like an uncle to me. Only person besides your sister to be brave enough to call me a brat.” He chuckled. 

“I believe that.” Nicole laughed. “They're right.”

“Mm, I’m starting to believe that.” He laughed. “Alright, let's melt this butter.”

You snorted. “Never thought I’d hear you say that.” You nudged him.

“Hey, I’m a great breakfast cook. I just haven’t shown you.” He teased. “You always beat me to it.”

“You make breakfast?” Nicole looked at you. 

You nodded. “Yeah. Before we moved in together, sometimes we would have leftovers, but I always do now.”

“Interesting.” She hummed. 

“How so?” Bruce asked.

“She never cooked here at home. I guess mom always did, dad sometimes. News to me that she can cook.” She explained. “That's all.”

“Stop making me sound bad.” You tossed a napkin at her back. “Jerk.”

“Just curious.” She shrugged. As the two of you moved around, she watched Bruce, sipping her coffee. Something about him had grinder her gears, but as he began cooking, it seemed to fade. Soon, the kitchen smelled amazing.

You woke up more once you had your first cup of coffee, so you helped serve plates. As you were, the rest of your family shuffled in.

“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise.” Your mother smiled. “It smells wonderful in here.”

“Y/N found herself a man who could cook.” Nicole smiled at Bruce. You set a plate down in front of her and giggled at her face.

“Well. He’s a winner in my book.” Your father joked. “Let's eat.”

Bruce tried to hide his smug smile as he sat beside you. He was surprised when your mother spoke up after that, however. “Oh, Bruce, your parents contacted me right before you got here. There coming for dinner in a few days.” She smiled. “Your mother sounds like someone I would go out for a girl’s day for!”

“...My...parents? Are coming? Here ?” He raised his eyebrows. He blinked.

You also looked surprised. “Here?” You felt a bit silly for even asking that.

“Here!” Your mother beamed. “I thought we might as well have us all meet.” She explained. “Your father is going to grill up some steaks.”

Bruce shrugged slowly. “Okay…” He said slowly. “I don’t think my parents have ever met a girl’s parents that I was seeing.” He admitted. 

You blushed at that, feeling your chest flutter. “I look forward to seeing them.” You admitted. “They’re very easy to talk to.”

“I’m sure we’ll get along, then.” Your father nodded. 

You were showing Bruce around your hometown that morning when he asked about his parents joining everyone. “Does that mean we’re even more serious? I mean, the parents meeting?”

“I would say, yes. It doesn’t happen that often...right?” You glanced at him.

He shook his head. “Definitely not for me. Have you gone through it?” He asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“No. I’ve met parents and they’ve met mine but this is new.” You shrugged. “It’s never gotten to parents meeting parents.” You told him.

He hummed and nodded, taking your hand and kissing where your ring laid. “I feel honored, then.”

You blushed. “I am, too.” You leaned your head on his shoulder for a moment. “But I’m glad it doesn’t scare you.” You smiled up at him.

“Nah, not at all.” He assured. “Does it scare you?” He glanced over at you. 

“A little. But I’ve always been scared at how much I love you.” You said softly.

[dianaladrislovebot]

my book annotations : book 2 edition - hunger

hey there yall it’s time for bookmarks part 2 i forgot to do this before my apologies,,, these still aren’t funny but that’s entirely because the entire books plot happens within the last 100 pages i promise it will get better at some point

‘diana was pitiless. “what, are you stupid now as well as crazy?”’ - get him baby girl (hunger, page 13)

‘“anyway, i might look good with just two hairs,” sam said. he looked at his reflection in the glass front of the microwave.’ - why is bro checking himself out (hunger, page 25)

‘“you’d like that, wouldn’t you diana? me fighting caine. sorry to disappoint you. i am 100% loyal to caine. we’re like brothers, the two of us. not like him and Sam, more like blood brothers,” he winked at her.’ - don’t lie drake you’re in love with him (hunger, page 41)

‘he didn’t look strong. he looked like a dweeb.’ - A DWEEB? LMFAO (hunger, page 55)

‘in the three months caine had spent hallucinating and yelling crazy stuff-‘ - my favourite basket case (hunger, page 79)

‘bug hadn’t just been sent to coates as a punishment; he’d been sent for his own safety.’ - god he’s a freak (hunger, page 80)

‘the boy evidently wanted the window open, but the battery was dead, so he drew a gun aimed it at the driver side window, and fired.’ - what’s wrong with him part 2 (hunger, page 90)

‘“i’m not anybody’s daddy,” sam practically snarled.’ - are you sure about that (hunger, page 104)

‘“you should be on our side, quinn. everyone knows you’re a normal,” another kid, lance, said. “well… kind of normal. you’re still quinn.”’ - homophobia ??? (hunger, page 216)

‘caine felt a flash of anger. josh was a kid, no more than ten. what was sam thinking, putting kids in this position?’ - is. is he serious. (hunger, page 251)

‘quinn was a little surprised by alberts matter of fact tone. he’d half expected a gollum-like, ‘my precioussss’, or something.’ - quinn what- (hunger, page 272)

‘“how’s it look?” caine asked. he laid his hand on jacks shoulder, a friendly gesture meant to reassure jack. for the first time in his life it occurred to jack that he wanted to spin around and punch caine. punch him hard.’ - DO IT JACK (hunger, page 285)

‘“let me explain something to you people. i’m not your parents. i’m a fifteen-year-old kid. i’m a kid, just like all of you. i don’t happen to have any magic ability to make food suddenly appear. it can’t just snap my fingers and make all your problems go away. i’m just a kid.”’ - and life is a nightmare (hunger, page 377)

‘“so we don’t drop it.” drake said finally.’ - he’s so impossibly stupid (hunger, page 447)

‘he smiled, patted drakes gaunt cheek-‘ - they’re so gay ????? (hunger, page 448)

‘“does he have a nickname?” diana went on remorselessly. “i mean, ‘gaiaphage’ is so long. can we call him phage? or maybe just g?” from outside came the sound of metal ripping, glass shattering. jack converting an suv into a convertible. “the ‘g’ monster.” diana said.’ - love of my life she’s so cute <3 (hunger, page 526)

‘his mouth was drawn into a grimace. it was the only time diana had ever looked at him and found him ugly.’ - DID SHE JUST CALL HIM UGLY (hunger, page 539)

‘brianna breathed hard. stared. there was a rushing waterfall in her ears. a roar. then a blur as the world around her screamed past and she hit caine with all the speed and fury at her command. caine went sprawling.’ - WOOOO BREEZE FOR THE WIN (hunger, page 558)

‘“you can’t buy me with food,” duck huffed. “i… i want a swimming pool too.”’ - there’s not going to be a swimming pool you stupid slut (hunger, page 559)