#to everyone else hes just some average joe but to her he is the most beautiful boy in the world

[kusuokisser]

i think terusai diving date... i think that kokomi would enamor all the fish..i think kusuo would have to stop himself from staring at her while she smiles and plays with the fishies.. i think kokomi would be genuinely enjoying herself so much.. i think kusuo would be happy to be in the water.. i think kokomi would glance at kusuo sometimes just because she thinks he is beautiful... i think kusuo would be trying not to lose it.. i think a lot of things about them..

[howlingday]

(demi-arkos au) pyrrha is letting the intrusive thoughts win and might just be trying to set up jaune with a harem because art like him needs to be shared with the world!

jaune goes out on the town with his friends and has a pretty good time with everyone

Pyrrha was having the worst day of her life.

What was supposed to be a normal day out with her friends have developed into a cavalcade of tease after constant tease of Jaune being the most perfect man on Remnant. Was this why her mother warned against involving herself with him? Every action he made with everyone else felt like something out of those cheesy stories Ruby read, and she was loving it!

But was that really so wrong? After all, Jaune is handsome, or at least she thought so, given his constant hiding of his good looks from everyone around him. He was kind to everyone, considerate, really the sweetest man she's ever met, and she's met plenty of men who weren't so sweet. As she was having her crisis, Jaune was wiping some ice cream from Ruby's lips, though her mind made it look a lot more scandalous than it should! A lot pinker and sharply designed, like the brush strokes of a lightly bristled tool.

"Here, let me get this for you, Ruby-chan~." Jaune cooed, taking a gentle, yet firm hold of his fellow leader's chin.

"J-Jaune-senpai~." Ruby stammered, her eyes alight with stars.

"Stop it!" Pyrrha slapped herself.

"Uh, you okay, Pyrrha?" Everyone stared at her, all looking completely normal. Though his sunglasses hid his eyes, she could tell Jaune's face was the most concerned.

"I... need to use the restroom!" She stood up, making her way quickly into the cafe.

"Pyrrha-" Ren put his hand on his shoulder, shaking his head. Jaune sighed, hoping for the best to come out of this situation.

"By the way, who's the guy staring at us from across the street?"

"What guy?" Weiss asked Nora.

"The guy wearing sunglasses and a face mask like Jaune." Nora pointed at the figure. True to her words, the figure was tall, lean with a bit of muscle, and wore the most stunning tank-top and jean combo they'd ever seen. If it weren't for the lack of paparazzi around, one would assume this were a supermodel working with the theme 'average joe'. "He's been standing over there, watching us for, like, five minutes."

"Really?!" Jaune's voice cracked as he stood up. He cleared his throat before jutting his thumb to the person of interest. "I-I'll go talk with her, make sure everything is good!" He then ran across the street.

Yang squinted at Jaune's target, squinting and shaking her head a few times to make sure she wasn't mistaken. "What does he mean 'her'?"

[isa-loves-you]

Telling People, You're a couple. | The Group Chat Head canons | Pt.2

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Soft willy- you and nick have been dating for almost 2 months now. It's still crazy to you that you have this man, I mean come one look at him he is the definition of what everyone wants to be or be with. respectful, good height, nice built, the funniest person you have ever met, sweet and caring nick was all these things; which is why you were kinda scared of telling people you were a couple.

It's not like you were the most horrible person to look at but you in your mind you just thought you were okay nothing special just your average joe, but to nick you were the most beautiful person he'd ever met so of course he wanted to show everyone how special he is to have you in his life. Ever since you guys started dating he's been trying to get your approval to tell his fans but you still felt a little anxious on the idea so nicked eventually stopped asking to respect your decision. 

One day you and nick were at a burger place eating lunch talking about his new album. “I don't know what I really want for the cover but I was kinda thinking if you would be able to pose for it?” Nick said looking hopeful at you “Nick I don't know, what if people connect the dots? I'm already on most of the tracks. It would be weird if I am also on the cover.”. He had to admit it would be kinda obvious but that was the whole point, he was happy that you were there to help accomplish the album and it would just be even more awesome if he got to see your face on the front of it all

“Here your refill sir” the waitress interrupted yours and nick conversation with a smile “oh thanks” “if you need anything, and i mean anything else just let me know” the waitress was basically eye fucking nick while saying her little beg of attention from nick. This mad you fucking livid like who  does she think she is talking to a random man like this and in front of his girlfriend out of all people.

“Thanks but i'm good” Nick let out an uncomfortable laugh while trying not to look at her anymore. You had to admit this girl was pretty but you were definitely better looking than her and that's all you needed in the moment to make a decision that went against your words. “You know what?I will pose for the cover "what do i have to hide” for the rest of the day. Nick couldn't stop thanking you and asking if you were sure about this but you already agreed and can't go back on it now.

Two weeks later you and Nick were drinking and  trying to think of all the different types of ways to take pictures. Since the songs on the album were based off of video games more specifically the games you could only play on the Nintendo DS you came up with  the idea of taking them on a DS. After three hours  later you and Nick finally captured the right picture to put on the album.

A couple of days passed, and Nick had posted the cover as a promotion which was the picture of you on a DS with a bold light blue font that read “Digital Dreams”. 

(This is sorta what I was going for. obvious if you don't like it you can totally imagine something else. Also credit to whoever these beautiful people are , I am jealous.)

In the caption of the post Nick had credited all the people who worked on the album including you but did it a completely different way. “I also want to thank my amazing partner for helping me throughout the process and even being on the album front and in the song @ ur username  i love you.”

You were surprised at the amount of people who were so supportive of you guys, of course there were some people who weren't, but you couldn't care. You were just happy that Nick was happy.

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

Larry-  you were getting some food for you and Larry because he said he hasn't eaten all day. You and Larry have been dating for almost a month and it was the best thing that has happened to you in a while. Everyday with him was so much fun and the group was accepting of you for dating their friend.

You had gotten him and you something small because Nick and Tanner wanted you and Larry to go with them to dinner later but since Larry didn't eat you just grabbed something while you were out so he wouldn't be so hungry later. You had stepped into the house looking for Larry but he was in his room doing the podcast with the others.

You knocked on his door which he called out for you to open “dude you didn't have to do that thank you so much” “no problem it wasn't a bother to me”. You walked up to his desk to set the food down “hi everyone” you waved to all of the boys in the call which they waved back. 

You stood there for a couple more minutes talking to them before you left to go be on your phone and leave them back with their work. Almost 45 minutes later Nick, Larry, and Tanner came out so you guys could go to dinner and have a fun night out. 

You woke up the next morning in Larry's bed since you didn't want to drive home  last night. You see Larry at his desk looking at the podcast comments, you walk up to him and put a hand on his shoulder “so do they love me” you let out a small laugh. “They love you alright, it seems like they love you more than me” “well in that case switch me jobs, i would love to make dumb jokes all day “. you guys shared a laugh and a few more while looking at the comments. You were glad that the people who loved him were happy that he was with you.

[faithrainee]

What really would have happened if Peter B hadn't been sent to Miles' dimension? Because as silly and Haha-I'm-Depressed Peter makes his life out to be in his introduction, he really did look like he was at the lowest point in his life. I also think it's interesting that Peter has, from what we see, no job at all. I don't think it's mentioned, though the Wikia's mention the Daily Bugle, I have no memory of that in ITSV.

But regardless of if my memory is right or not, most incarnations of Spider-Man that are meant to be of working age have some sort of job. Usually working at the Daily Bugle, doing a science position, or something else; unless they're being supported by Aunt May or, like the Homecoming Spider-Man, Tony Stark and SHIELD, for the most part.

It's interesting to me that we've never really seen a Spider-Man so depressed as this one, besides Far From Home's Spider-Man, though I feel it's not the same, as Peter in that movie is meant to be younger. Even Far From Home's Tobey and Andrew cameos don't seem to be doing that bad, just tired and melancholic.

I've read some fics discussing how Peter might have ended his own life if the Miles dimension situation hadn't happened to him, and I think that isn't too far-fetched to believe. However, I think an accident would probably be more likely, especially one from his Spiderman duties.

He was out of shape, he admits that, and he didn't really seem to have much to live for, being completely alone with no family at all. He wasn't inspired to talk to MJ by anyone, so she would have likely remarried to someone else after believing he wasn't interested in her anymore from his lack of initiative. People can't wait forever, and maybe she would have thought he wasn't going to change his mind about having children.

I do think his dimension might have had his narrative doomed from the start. I think he would be fighting a villain one day, with everyone surprised he was actually out fighting for once. Maybe he felt a little inspired to go touch grass that day as a civilian and a villain just happened to show up. He's fighting, slowly realizing that damn, this is harder than it used to be.

Maybe he gets thrown and injures his back again, leaving him paralyzed or somewhat disabled. That would likely, down the road, without any intervention from others in his life, leave him completely depressed. Not to mention New York City apartment + medical bills + single man = serious debt. Not sure how long he'd live if that happened, even if he dealt with his disability just fine, he was already hopeless in ITSV.

And the city finds out Spider-Man is just Some Guy. And they mourn that loss, because their hero for 20- hell, 30 something years at that point, was facing the same issues they were and he couldn't take it anymore and none of them knew before it was too late.

Or maybe it's less depressing than that. Maybe he gets crushed by rubble, the city shocked at the loss of their hero. And in revealing him to be some average Joe, they mourn a little, but move on. Someone probably replaces him after that, or the city just has higher crime rates than before.

Maybe he gets beaten to death by the villain, similar to Miles' dimension's Peter. Authorities find him, then, the city might have mixed feelings. He should've been stronger. How could he not have taken down that villain? He used to be at his prime, poor man had it coming. We didn't need him anymore anyways. Etc.

I'd just love to see more takes on Peter's existence without Miles intervention. His Spider-Man is so interesting to me because I feel we don't see a lot of older Spider-Men except in the comics. And we don't see a lot of older men struggling with mental health in media. Period.

[epickiya722]

Hello, can I ask from this ask game :

https://www.tumblr.com/threecheersforinking/677824836625694720/anime-ask-game?source=share

For anime/manga : Sk8, Demon Slayer, BNHA, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Thanks 🌻

I guess so, Anon! 😆

**

SK8 THE INFINITY 🛹

Favorite Character: Reki, hands down it's Reki. He's just such a great character to me, honestly a little bit of relatable (both as someone who isn't sure of themselves and having siblings).

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: The beach episode is definitely my favorite episode. But I gotta say the epilogue scene he has with his family is one of my favorite scenes because it's so damn cute!

Favorite Ship/Pairing: Reki/Langa is my favorite! They're just so cute!

Character I Think is Underrated: Oka is one, Sketchy is another. But a really underrated character? Miki. She's the green haired woman seen in the first episode. Made a post about how she should be a more major SK8 character. I like her design very much and I just think she should be a bigger part of the cast as a skater.

Character I Think is Overrated: Ooh, it's like most of the main cast... Reki is definitely one, Langa is one, too... Shadow is more underrated though... but it's definitely Joe and Cherry!

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: What mostly drawn me in to the show was the vibrant colors. I love colors and the aesthetic of the show is a bonus to me. Also, I love that Reki isn't like some big shot protagonist where he can outskate everyone and anybody. Really like it took an opposite approach, and hone in that he was the more creative type.

**

DEMON SLAYER 🗡

Favorite Character: Tanjiro! He is just so precious, kind and badass! (And it will always gets me how he got that hard ass forehead he got from his mom.)

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: Just any time he interacts with Nezuko will always touch my heart. One scene I adore a lot is from the Swordsmith Village arc when Tanjiro braids her hair to mimic Mitsuri's style. It was just too cute. Ooh, but overall my favorite arc so far has to be the Entertainment District arc. Gyutaro and Daki actually became my favorite antagonists because of that arc. And the opening for that arc in the anime is one of my favorite songs.

Favorite Ship/Pairing: I actually had to stop and think for this one. "Do I have a favorite ship here?" Okay, I gotta admit Tengen with his wives are cute. (Watching the anime in dub though becomes something else when you also watch JJK in dub and realize Sukuna and Uraume are married here.)

Character I Think is Underrated: Hmm... I wanna say Mitsuri for this one. Every since the Swordsmith Village arc came out, everywhere I turn there's some video on how Muichiro put in work in his fight scenes, and he did. I applaud that precious little misty guy. But I don't see a lot or even a little praise for Mitsuri and she was whipping that sword!! If anything, that is very impressive that she has a sword like that!!

Character I Think is Overrated: Ah... I gotta say it's tie between Uzui and Rengoku. But before anyone gets on my ass, I do adore both characters very much. (Remember seeing a post that had the absolute nerve to put Rengoku on the list of "frauds".)

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: That anime definitely deserved the animation award. But for me, it's definitely the character designs. The art style makes those designs pop and a lot of the way the characters look pleases me. Like the demons? They don't look like your average demons. One of the reasons why Tanjiro is my favorite is because of his character design.

**

MY HERO ACADEMIA ✨️

Favorite Character: If you have been following since forever, you already know I'm going to say my favorite two are Miruko and Midoriya. They're both my #1s.

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: The first half of Miruko's episode. I'll be honest... while I do like Kaminari, every time I rewatch that episode I just watch the Miruko parts. Another episode I really like is the dorm episode because it's mostly like a feel-good episode for me.

Favorite Ship/Pairing: It's Burnin/Miruko for me. "They haven't inter---" Ah! I am allowed to ship characters who haven't interacted and I adore them. Right now, they are my top ship.

Character I Think is Underrated: A lot of them. 😭 First person that comes to mind is Rock Lock. I would question, too, why kids are at a meeting about a dangerous situation. He's a husband and a dad and he loves his family! Of course, he would ask that!

Character I Think is Overrated: In-Universe, Hawks. I'm sorry, but every time there is a scene that showcases how he has many fans I just make this face 😐. He's like that famous gut almost everyone and their mama loves but you are just like "... what's so great about him". I mean, I get it, I do and I like Hawks. But... Also by the fandom, other than Hawks, Dabi and Bakugou. I feel like I don't have to explain here. Again, characters I like, but they are overrated. "But, Kiya, you like Midoriya!" I do! And I don't know if there is another popularity poll coming up, but if he doesn't get #1 on that I will scream. Come on, 9th poll? He is the 9th OFA user?

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: Definitely the range of quirks here. Some quirks, Horikoshi definitely got creative with. Also, say what you want, I like how some of the common tropes are here, but not exactly. Weird thing to be happy about, but I was happy I had to guess who the protagonist was because Midoriya didn't look like the typical one. (I didn't watch the first season first.)

**

JUJUTSU KAISEN 😈

Favorite Character: Yuji Itadori! He is my sunshine! Also a little feral and will take your kneecaps. Like Midoriya, I find he's not really the typical protagonist. He has some traits, but others you don't see too often in protagonists.

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: I do like the Shibuya Incident and Culling Game Arcs. Personally, for me, and yes I'm a little bias, my favorite scenes are those with Yuji. My favorite fight scene is his fight against Choso. Now, for the Culling Game Arc, I really enjoyed the fight between Uro, Ryu and Yuta. Mostly because Uro was the best character for me there. But fight scenes aside, I gotta say that other scenes I enjoy are those scenes Yuji has with Megumi and Nobara.

Favorite Ship/Pairing: ItaFushi is the first ship I got into! It's just... it makes me want to cry. Also, NobaMaki! Oh my gosh, that scene they have after the small confrontation with Mai? Love that scene!!

Character I Think is Underrated: The Kyoto students as a whole. My favorite out the bunch is Kasumi Miwa. She's just so silly, kind and come on. I know she says she's frightened at times, but she's also really brave to still fight. I admire that.

Character I Think is Overrated: Once season 2 came, I swear Toji has been a favorite almost overnight! Don't blame the fans, of course. And, no surprise, Gojo and Sukuna.

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: If I need a story to break my heart, I know I can just look to JJK! And I mean not in a dramatic way, I mean like "I'm watching a horror movie and the character I hot attached to too fast dies". Okay, for real though, one of the strongest points for me is the characters. I find a lot of the characters entertaining and intriguing. Even if it's a character I don't practically like. When it comes to the characters, I actually don't get bored of them. There's probably a couple I don't really care for. Also, unpopular opinion, I do like Akutami's art style from the beginning and to end. The style before has this charm to it I just like and it's the same for the style now.

Anime Ask Game

[like-rain-or-confetti]

This may sound sexist but this is twilight vamps we're dealing with. I'd imagine that like you said the Romanians probably wouldn't have the word compromise in their vocabulary. And unless you're a vampire and probably one who has 'been around the block' they'll most likely get you to do what they say or want using various methods...maybe. The average human may not have the push back to disagree.

But I can see them especially Vladimir keeping up with outdated ideals maybe not with physical beauty standards but with behavior or mannerisms he thinks a woman should have especially if you're dating him. I think he's a big believer of your behavior represent you and those around you. Especially since he used to be a leader of most powerful coven at one point in time. I can see him not wanting his mate(reader) to 'associate' herself with those he deems lesser than himself or reader. Like I think he still have a superiority complex from his days of ruling in a way. And he may have this ideology about keeping his mate away from other men to keep her 'pure' or keep her from getting the wandering eye.

Listen, I don't have to tell anyone here that white men in particular gave no fucks what anyone but themselves had to say and deemed everything else unimportant and uneducated. I find it hard to believe that these isolated covens move with the times when half the time they have dated clothes/ clothes you wouldn't see the common Joe wear.

It could just be me but I haven't seen this coat before nor after this character. Don't even get me STARTED on his twin. You just know if they showed up to a modern school like that- they're the weirdos who get bullied.

ANYWAY- not the point. I don't see these guys going from that upbringing, being isolated af for centuries to then seeing everyone as equal. Its just not realistic. They may look perfect but much like humans, theyre not perfect. However I do think there are some differences because I think of this as more of a social difference between species:

I reckon race isn't an issue for vampires of any era. I don't think they care because when a vampire, you're already on the outside of human values and norms. So why try to conform to something that is useless?

As for women, I think this genuinely depends on the person. Carlisle sees Esme as his partner and equal. I think his adoration for her always had that power over him. Not to mention he's constantly around humans so he watches them develop era by era. He can and always does compromise with Esme, if not going with what she wants and will drag the rest of the coven too.

Caius admired Athenodora's strength and is more than aware she could handle herself. However, as her mate, he will always make sure she'll never have to lift a finger nor fear for her survival. It'll never be a question for her and that's how he wants it. He was raised to be the strong man who protects his wife and maintains that to this very day. He'll make decisions and face everything for the both of them. Her safety means everything to him. He'll be nearly impossible to compromise with because he doesn't trust anyone outside the Volturi. Not to mention the number of enemies the Volturi has and the rising tensions.

Vladimir, having lost his mate, upon the situation of having another mate who is female will likely never let them do anything nor out of his sight. He doesn't care if they can think for themselves or cannot. What they want to do or not. He won't compromise on a single thing. It's his way and that is final. It's not that he looks down on them, not intentionally anyway. It's his normal, he was pushed to be this strong man who survives anything and everything because men couldn't be honest with their vulnerabilities or show weakness. He only does what he does because he cares and won't be able to survive such a loss again.

You're absolutely right! I totally agree and would even go as far to say all of the Volturi and the Romanian coven have a superiority complex. Amun too.

Remember: to most vampires, humans are just food and no one apologises to their food before they eat it or care for what the food wants or thinks-or even if it can.

So if one becomes attached, yay! You've moved up a peg in their eyes but it doesn't change that most were raised to be strong and not back down to anything or it shows weakness.

Plus, something that i don't think was covered too well with the Cullen's. Why would a human get their way when they're lucky to be alive to even acknowledge what's happening around them? You don't get to decide when, where and how you die. You just do.

P.S. sorry this took a few hours, I wanted it to have my full attention. I agree with a lot of this!❤️

[musingsofabookworm1]

Late October/Early November 2024 Reads

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Witaker 

I’d been on hold for this one since early summer. It finally came. Everyone seems to love it, but, alas, not I. Not worth the wait. Here’s the Goodreads/flap summary:

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.

Too many characters. Too much time spent on their development. Not enough plot except the very beginning and very end. The writing itself? Good. But it was too long to keep my interest throughout. 3 stars for me. However, everyone else seems to love it. 

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

I have enjoyed most of her books. This one, though, was another three stars for me. 

The book opens on a flight where a woman is predicting the death of other passengers: the cause and their age at the time. Of course, everyone thinks she’s a nut job. Until some of the predictions start coming true. 

Over the course of the 350ish pages, the reader learns about said woman in her own words interspersed between chapters following the passengers to whom she gave predictions. 

This had a bit of a similar premise to The Measure which I just read and enjoyed. Maybe if I’d not read these two so close together I would’ve liked it more. 

I really like Moriarty’s writing. She has a great ratio of dialog to prose which is a huge win for me. The plot for this one just wasn’t a winner for me. 

The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

May the average reads continue. *sigh* I have loved the last five of Erdrich’s releases. This one, though, didn’t do it for me. Kind of like the last, 3 stars because I love her writing. But the plot didn’t keep me interested enough. 

Here’s the Goodreads/flap info:

In Argus, North Dakota, a collection of people revolve around a fraught wedding.

Gary Geist, a terrified young man set to inherit two farms, is desperate to marry Kismet Poe, an impulsive, lapsed Goth who can't read her future but seems to resolve his.

Hugo, a gentle red-haired, home-schooled giant, is also in love with Kismet. He’s determined to steal her and is eager to be a home wrecker.

Kismet's mother, Crystal, hauls sugar beets for Gary's family, and on her nightly runs, tunes into the darkness of late-night radio, sees visions of guardian angels, and worries for the future, her daughter’s and her own.

Human time, deep time, Red River time, the half-life of herbicides and pesticides, and the elegance of time represented in fracking core samples from unimaginable depths, is set against the speed of climate change, the depletion of natural resources, and the sudden economic meltdown of 2008-2009. How much does a dress cost? A used car? A package of cinnamon rolls? Can you see the shape of your soul in the everchanging clouds? Your personal salvation in the giant expanse of sky? These are the questions the people of the Red River Valley of the North wrestle with every day.

The Mighty Red is a novel of tender humor, disturbance, and hallucinatory mourning. It is about on-the-job pains and immeasurable satisfactions, a turbulent landscape, and eating the native weeds growing in your backyard. It is about ordinary people who dream, grow up, fall in love, struggle, endure tragedy, carry bitter secrets; men and women both complicated and contradictory, flawed and decent, lonely and hopeful. It is about a starkly beautiful prairie community whose members must cope with devastating consequences as powerful forces upend them. As with every book this great modern master writes, The Mighty Red is about our tattered bond with the earth, and about love in all of its absurdity and splendor.

It did start strong, and it wasn’t exceptionally long. It just didn’t keep my interest. 

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

This one is definitely the best of this batch of reads. And a non-fiction to boot! Aside from being Elvis’ daughter and Michael Jackson’s ex-wife, I didn’t know much about Lisa Marie Presley. I think I actually know more about Riley Keough from looking up biographical information on her after watching Daisy Jones and the Six and Under the Bridge (cannot recommend the latter highly enough - Hulu, and the former is good as well - better than the book actually!). 

So Lisa Marie began this book late in her life. And when she got towards the end, she asked her daughter to help her finish. And then she died. She left Riley tapes of her speaking about her own life and memories. Riley starts out the book with a note including the fact that one font is used for her mother’s writing and another for hers. I liked that she commented, minimally, throughout. She’s a strong writer. 

As one would imagine, this isn’t a feelgood story. Once her father died when she was nine, Lisa Marie struggled mightily through most of her life in one way or another. 

I enjoyed this one. I thought it was well organized and the writing was real; rather than having some ghost writer come in and do it for them, these women wrote themselves. Having been to Graceland, it was cool to have some real images to go with the setting that began LIsa Marie’s life and where she lies in rest today. 

4 stars.

[bisluthq]

The other day I was reading Saoirse’s Harper’s Bazaar interview again (I need new interview content to consume) and when she’s talking about picking her roles she says “Because I am not, in my mind, a very intellectual person”. I was reminded of this with the conversation about Joe today. Because Jack, like Joe, is not smarter than the average person who’s been to uni. He doesn’t even have a proper degree, he only went to drama school (and that short history course he did that one time). But you can tell that Saoirse thinks he’s very smart and she probably would describe him as “intellectual”. She even said she’s jealous of his love of Scottish history, not only that but she told him and he said that she shouldn’t push it and that it would come to her at some point.

I don’t think their age gap is weird, 23 and 27 is completely normal, but in something like that she sounds so much younger than him? It sounds like a conversation you would have with your mum, not with your partner. I think in some ways she grew faster than people her age and she was more mature and seemed older than she was. But in other ways she does seem younger. She also said herself she has a childish temper in that same interview.

I guess that’s what happens to people who start working that young and I think she’s similar to Taylor in a lot of ways. They both are very good at their jobs and were very mature in that sense from a young age, but they can be immature when it comes to their personal lives. Taylor has dated a lot but she can be bad at things like communication, and Saoirse started dating later than a lot of people and she doesn’t seem to have dated much. Not to give too much credit to Jack but I do wonder if they would’ve been more like Joe and Taylor if Jack hadn’t been in a very long term relationship before. I don’t know that she would’ve known how make a ltr work otherwise.

Going back to the first point, that’s something else that Taylor and Saoirse have that’s similar. Taylor thought Joe was very intelligent too and it probably has a lot to do with them not having been to uni. They probably feel insecure about that. The Aristotle line makes me think Taylor enjoys feeling like the “smarter” person now.

I will say that I have sometimes wondered if Saoirse maybe cares too much about what Jack says? Most of the time I think it’s fine and like, you should respect your spouse and their opinion should matter more than everyone else’s. But that plus the potential tattoo and getting married/living/spending time in Scotland and the way she talked about feeling self conscious when she’s at events and not just with him and the stuff about his love of history (which she has now mentioned multiple times). I sometimes wonder if it’s maybe too much and he’s in too big of a pedestal for her. But then I see the way some of their friends talk about him and I’m like maybe that’s the norm for them. It’s interesting though because at one point he seemed so much more obsessed with her because he was the being asked about her and the one posting on instagram, which goes to show that maybe people shouldn’t judge what’s said publicly (thinking about the way swifties complain about Joe not talking about Taylor).

This was very rumbly and all over the place and I don’t know if it made any sense

this did all make sense but I don’t have much to add!

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Thursday, 18 July, 2024

Will it rain ? I hope so...

Nope, it was dry as toast.

Warmup

4 Rounds

10 Banded Thrusters

Strength

3 Power Cleans.....2 Front Squats.....1 Push Presses

E 2 M X 7 Rounds

Progressively Increase Weight

Shane=200 Ed/Owen=165 Tim/Robert/Chase=155 Sam/Herb/Dana=135 Tom/Joe/Britt=85 Coach/Sue=75 Sabrina/Shannon=55 Faith/Sandy=35 Jasper=25 Average Dave/Alicia/Nathan/Angel=and many others=did it.

WOD

15 Minute AMRAP

Equipment:

2 Dumb Bells (50/35/20)

1 ERG

10 Calories ERG

5 Dumb Bell Thrusters

Increase 2 Calories Each Round

SCORE: Total Thrusters

Suggestion: That You Share An ERG With A Buddy

Jasper=55 Sam/Ed/Robert/Shane=45 Tim/Dana/Shannon=40 Joe/Herb/Faith/Sue/Chase/Sabrina=35 Britt/Sandy=30 Coach/Tom/Nathan/Average Dave/Angel/Alicia and several others=did it but didn't post

Cool-Down

Alternating DB Curls 10 / 10 X 5

Did anyone do this ??

Notes:

The WOD was chaos. Too many people. Not enough ERGs. I implored everyone to share an ERG, but most were more anxious about getting a good score than they were about sharing a fun workout with our community. Screw everybody else, I just want to get the best score. I don't believe it, but someone slandered Shane and said he thought it was lousy programming. I already knew Ed, Tim, and Robert didn't like it. I expect that.

Not many people understand that the workout programming is for Linda, me, and several other old people. If anyone else enjoys it, it is a providential accident.

The after-party was outstanding. I won't name all the dishes and who brought what. That would only prove that I have an imperfect memory. But I do remember the huge dish that Britt brought, jambalaya made by he and Jan, that was a favorite. There were fancy cookies, complex dips and chips, many fresh veggie trays with dips, fresh Anna Bread, and lots of other delicious items. There were 3 Red wines, 1 Rose', and 4 whites, and lots of beer. It was superb.

I hope you noticed the new driveway to the lower field parking over-flow. I think it was beautifully made. Tim made a tour of it as he left.

Carole/Owen/Aiden/ and cousin and several others were here mainly for the after-party. Also they were here to sing the Birthday Song for Angel. It was falsely rumored that it was her 40th birthday, but when some of us started doing the math, she admitted "In the 40's".

Saturday at 0730 and at 0930.

[80-ursa-major]

binged midnight monologuesmass.

SPOILERS

went in blind so when SUDDENLY VAMPIRES i was like what the fuck. And then they killed Riley aaaahhh. But I saw he was on the next episode so I kept watching and then he died again. For real this time. noooooooooo! And then I thought I might as well finish it and pre-emptive tl;dr it was laughably bad.

the priest actor people praise? zero charisma, he was like you got an average joe from the streets and told him to recite sermons. and his voice droned and droned omg stop talking! Riley's monologue wasn't good either tbh but his voice (ok fine and his face) was easier on the ears (and eyes) so at least you could watch. But the teacher lady argh her monologues were cringe and then they fucking replayed them so she could have the final montage and I just couldn't do it. She does that thing with her eyes, they're so open and not blinking like she's trying to hypnotize you?? Idk maybe her husband told her it looks good on camera. Btw I was shook when I found out because he didn't add even one chaste kiss with Riley but he had no issue with five uninterrupted minutes of a gross demon sucking her neck. Ooof.

I almost forgot the worst monologue not because of the theme or the actor (at least he put some passion in instead of blahblah) but the TIMING. The doctor tells you, the policeman there's a contagion and idk maybe hopefully you have some ideas to minimize victims? And he's like I'M THE VICTIM! And launches on a long-ass life-story about how he's the best dude but the evil west still hates him cause he's a muslim. Like sir this is a wendy's. The show is reaching its end, the apocalypse is coming, the (non-white?) lady simply came to you because you are the only cop so this is literally your job. So many episodes and you couldn't give this man a proper place to rightly explode about this injustice. Ironically enough mr. flanagan this might be a macro-aggresion pfffft. Oh and his son needed a little more screentime or at least show when he took the eucharist but then again imagine if he had had a monologue too, lord help me! XD

As for the vampire (did he forget he could mimic voices? he was like the only one who should have gotten a monologue but didn't bah) come on now! I know what the bible says about angels. I get that some people had a vested interest in pretending he was helping them but this creature looks like the most generic movie demon. Did the oil spill affect the water and everyone's iq dropped or something? Speaking of iq I love Riley but my boy is pretty dumb too. Like self-immolate in front of everyone to convince them or go to the mainland to convince them to help. Don't fucking traumatise the woman you love who already lost a baby. It's even dumber cause he couldn't stop seeing the dead teen so he should know what it does to a person.

Ending was batshit! Like what was this dude's plan? How would they all immediately control themselves? No wonder everyone just goes crazy and for added dumbassery they burn their homes and then achieve clarity and accept they have to die. Sure sure no one was selfish enough to hide in the shade of the trees or under a blanket. Even Bev (best acting probably) just starts digging lmao. In a way this was a good comedy. I also like the tender love Riley's parents had and his brother escaping with his gf was great. But can they really reach the mainland? And who'll be paying for her therapies? And if the demon had died earlier wouldn't everyone else be cured??? Oh well no one cares.

most ironically enough despite the ten thousand long monologues the best part was just those two lines Riley scribbled and wasn't even there to deliver them himself. DUST!!!

lastly and most importantly fuck you fuck you fuck you for those dead cats. Should have stopped watching right there.

[flashingmarkii]

"Sometimes, lies are all we have," they might even help an individual to keep going through the worst of times. "Though… maybe it isn't necessarily a lie, maybe it's just hope. Hope that better days are coming. Maybe that's why we make up heroes out of people who were just doing what they had to do to survive. We—I might've not understood that until I got involved."

When the fog of uncertainty clouds your vision, it's nigh impossible to see the progress you've made. Most days, it feels like one step forward, two steps back. What can a single person do? That question often leads to nowhere.

A single person can lead. A single person can destroy. A single person, with clear ambition, can find it in themselves to build a force. To seek other people out whose ideals might coincide with theirs.

At the beginning of time, everyone was one.

It isn't what can a single person do? It's what may a single person do?

Regardless of whether one might live to bear the fruit of their work, the choice is still theirs. Even if Kamille might've never gotten involved with the AEUG, who's to say that later down the road, he wouldn't have been involved with the Titans? For better or for worse, there are situations in which lineage is inescapable.

"I believe that everyone takes these things for granted, it's the 'peace' we've been granted, it's either that or no one bothers to actually listen through their history lessons," a short laugh dispels any of the remaining tension clinging to her, there are times in which you just need someone else to listen. Two heads work better than one. "It's okay… I'd say one doesn't have enough time to unwind and let it all out nowadays."

Kamille's question, however, catches the adjutant off guard, evident by her shocked expression. It's like he's just put her on the spot. "I… was aiming for a spot in Anaheim Electronics," there's a pause of her own, as though trying to recolect her thoughts. "… I got through the first screening, and what was next was a scheduled tour through its North branch. You're aware that the South branch is the one giving us its support, yeah?

Well, that was it. I went to my tour and it was filled to the brim with Federation and Titans' officers. How can I put it… it was suffocating. I saw how miserable everyone was, the mistreatment towards the engineers was terrible, it must've been the first time I saw how the Titans did things. Singing nothing but big praises to the fat cats in charge, while the average Joe was being chewed alive for not abiding to their ludicrous requests… I didn't want that, but—you know by now, the moment you cross paths with them, they're relentless. I joined the AEUG thinking that it would be a place in which I could, at least, get some peace of mind, not feel like I had a target on my back constantly. G… Guess it kind of backfired, huh? I'm even more wanted now than I was before…"

… And yet, it doesn't look like she regrets it.

"People live by excuses, and I guess we might as well be part of that lot." He let out a breath. "Aside from that one time I gave that smug bastard a lesson for treating me like dirt, I've never felt the same joy of piloting a robot. I don't even have any incentive of doing what I'm doing. The last thing I wanna be regarded is a hero like Amuro. I guess... I'm in it to finish what I already started."

A youth caught by the unforgiving waters of conflict; a journey that didn't seem to have an end in sight. Amuro Ray's story was the clear indication that even after the One Year War, another war simply took its place. An endless cycle, much like life and death itself.

However, if Kamille did choose to sit idly by the sidelines that day, would he really have been content in simply furthering his education? Was a "normal" life for a child of parents involved with the Titans ever going to be in the cards at all? At one point in his life, he imagined working alongside his old man.

As far as Kamille recollected, however, not once had Franklin acknowledged his own son's creations. He felt like he couldn't even let himself have the ambition of following in the footsteps of his parents.

Now, things were different. No longer was he completely tied down by his own insecurities and frustrations, he was fighting against them. Being a soldier in the frontlines wasn't what he had in mind in order to break free from his own shackles, but it was still better than nothing.

It was how and why he was able to hold this kind of conversation with Melissa, with some of his heart worn on his sleeve. He felt like a thorn was pulled out of his subconscious, as a smile finally formed on his lips.

"You're right," he said. "All this talk of fighting for nothing, yet we're not under the tyranny of Zeon thanks to Amuro and the White Base." He then dug his hands inside the pockets of his jacket. "We might be doing the world a favor once we get rid of those damned Titans." Now that the fog inside his head cleared, he realized how childish his tantrums were just now. "Sorry about letting it all out on you. Maybe I haven't had time to clear my head lately."

A pause. "Say, what made you join in the fight anyway? You're exceptional at what you do, and any other base would love to have someone like you."

[itsnothingofinterest]

So, latest chapter’s continuing to talk about the Quirk-race-war talk; and with it, more of Shoji giving some of the laziest takes on the conflicts ever. This time he’s talking about how there must be a better way, because Spinner’s attack will just set their cause back 30 years. And since Spinner is indisposed, we fans will have to give the counter-arguments; because the thing with Shoji’s argument is, it’s only true if Spinner loses. And here’s the catch to that, Spinner & the Heteromorphic army also face constant threat of death if he loses, and also if he does nothing. And the ‘better way’ counts as nothing for them.

That’s the thing about the League; they’re selfish, and their lives are & always have been in constant danger. Something focused on the “next generation” is of no interest to them because people are trying to kill them now. It’s the same with Toga and the hate she got for her gross blood quirk. They want to live in a world where their lives aren’t in danger from average joes on the street killing them, specifically for their own sakes. And for as destructive as the League/PLF’s methods are, victory gets them that now.

And I think that’s part of why Shoji’s claims of a better way read hollow. While he once was attacked, he’s not in that danger anymore; he escaped the prejudice by becoming a hero, like most of his class who faced the same hardships as the League did. I talked about this last week but that’s not something just anyone endangered by society’s prejudices can do as well. Or rather, its not something everyone endangered by society’s prejudice could do; as after all, there’s 15,000 people just here for this cause.

Shoji and the rest of his buddies can ride out his better way in comfort, even if they die of old age and still never see the end result. Everyone else has to worry about getting attacked in the street in the meantime. And what, it’s unfair? Villainous? If they fight back in that meantime? Its setting their cause back to not just take it? Well when you put it that way, then I’m not surprised they tried their luck with Tomura.

Side note: God I hope more than ever that this isn’t really the final arc, or at least that this arc gets that Round 2 I’m hoping for, because Spinner & Shoji need to have another confrontation after Spinner gets these quirks removed so he can actually argue against Shoji’s terrible fallacies. As is, he’s just spouting the laziest takes ever against a brick wall like it’s a youtube video. What a disappointing way this would be to end both of their arcs.

[paradisetemporarilymisplaced]

So I was being a basic bitch the other day and listening to my true crime podcasts when it occurred to me just how suspicious Nile’s “death” would look to everyone not in the Guard, leading me to a train of thought that, 2200 words later, absolutely got away from me but I can’t let go so I’m inflicting it on all of you!

To set the stage, we know the movie takes place over approximately a week. Here’s what happens to Nile from the military’s point of view:

She dies is very seriously injured

She heals without a scratch

Just before she’s supposed to be shipped out to Germany, she vanishes, leaving two men concussed (and presumably reporting being knocked out by a woman with short hair wearing civilian clothes)

She goes AWOL for several days

They get word from the CIA that she is to be reported killed in action (details unclear)

So, at the beginning of this very weird week, the USMC has to tell Nile’s family of her death critical injury. What her family was told depends on how long she was dead – a Google search tells me that family will be notified in person within 8 hours of a soldier’s death, but we don’t know how long her first death lasted. For an injury, however, they’d get a phone call to notify them and the unit would arrange for them to visit as soon as the soldier is transferred out of a combat zone. Like I remember when I was in high school, a guy from my church who was a Marine was really seriously injured in a helicopter crash in Iraq and from what I could tell, his parents were told immediately and were flown out to Germany to see him, so it stands to reason that Nile’s family would have been informed relatively quickly after her throat was slashed, one way or another.

And then, she goes AWOL. Her family would be notified while the USMC tried to figure out where she went, not least because the military would want to know if she’s contacted them. (And it’s possible that her family may have been on the way to Germany to see her since we know that’s where she was supposed to go!) So for several days:

Nile’s mom and brother have no idea where she is

They know she was seriously injured and most certainly should not have been moving around on her own

They can’t get a hold of her

The military can’t tell them anything

And the next thing they know for sure is that she was “killed in action.” After being injured and vanishing into thin air. And they presumably cannot produce her body or any concrete evidence of her death. In any case, something sketchy is going on, so they’re like. SMELLS LIKE A MILITARY COVERUP.

In a surprise to probably no one, there is a well-documented legacy of mysterious US military deaths, particularly of women of color (TW for sexual assault in these links). The cases of LaVena Johnson and Vanessa Guillenin particular have made national news because of their families’ persistence in seeking justice. Likewise, Nile is a Black woman, and her mom and brother are most certainly hypercognizant of (a) state violence against Black people and (b) these high-profile cases of suspicious military deaths. So her family are seriously side-eyeing the situation, knowing that (a) the military has a serious incentive (and a documented history) of covering up things that make them look bad and (b) nothing about Nile’s disappearance and supposed death are adding up.

And Andy’s right. Nile does come from warriors. And you know who else does? Her brother.

Don’t get me wrong. Nile’s mom would absolutely not back down. She’d know something was up and want to get to the bottom of it. But based on what I know about Gen X parents (mine), they’re not the most technologically savvy. Like they can use the internet, but they didn’t grow up with it the way we young millennials and Gen Z did. So Nile’s brother takes the lead. And what do zillennials do best?

Social media.

Nile’s brother starts going hard on any site he can, trying to get the word out to see if anyone knows what happened to his sister. He starts a Reddit thread. He starts a Facebook group. He reaches out to the media and true crime bloggers and podcasters à la Sarah Turney, getting loud and being a general nuisance in hopes of getting some answers. He gets his friends and Nile’s friends involved. Maybe eventually Dizzy, Jay, and others from Nile’s unit hear about it and reach out, telling him what they saw and how weird it all was. He’s drumming up interest, and soon “Nile Freeman” becomes a household name (at least among the true crime fans).

Copley is, of course, trying his best, but at this point there is just so much that it’s impossible for him to scrub everything. Sure, he can erase new footage of Nile and the Guard, but what can he do about Reddit threads and podcast episodes that are speculating something weird has happened? Maybe he could hack the sites and shut those things down, but honestly, that’s the last thing he’d want to do, because that only adds weight to the theory that Nile’s disappearance is a military coverup. So eventually he has to tell Andy what’s going on.

Andy, obviously, does not take the news well. However, she is also completely computer illiterate, because that’s Booker’s job and he’s the only one who ever bothered to learn what the internet is in any meaningful way. (She probably calls Booker for advice, and for the record, I think Booker would have no qualms about shutting down conspiracy threads, tinhats be damned, but Copley is too concerned about the consequences. He’s ex-CIA for crying out loud, he knows how it’ll look if they scrub every mention of Nile’s name from the internet.) Maybe she confers with Joe and Nicky but, let’s be honest, they’d be equally unhelpful. So at this point, she knows they have to bring in Nile.

But the thing about Nile is that she, too, knows how to use the internet (duh). Aside from her being a young millennial/digital native, we know from the cave scene where she’s giving Booker suggestions on how to track Copley that she clearly is even more computer savvy than the average person. And for that reason she almost definitely took over the day-to-day tech stuff after Booker’s exile. So I think it would be foolish to expect her to be unaware of what’s happening. She’s not contacting her family or posting on the message boards or anything, but she knows what’s up. So Copley and the team probably sit her down to “break the news,” but we know the girl does not have a poker face (see: literally shooting herself in the foot and not being able to play it cool whatsoever) and cracks immediately, telling them she’s seen everything about her case – she’s not interacting with any of it, she certainly didn’t instigate anything, but she knows. (And she is so goddamn proud of her brother.)

At this point, I’d like to pause and consider Nile’s role in the overall narrative of this movie. She’s set up as a foil to Andy, obviously, but she’s also a foil to Booker. Booker, who, like Andy, is a serious pessimist, but who, unlike Andy, still has very fresh memories and trauma associated with being the new kid, which have destroyed him. In his mind (and Andy’s), if Nile communicates with her family, she’ll become just like him in a century or two – bitter, alone, and stuck with her grief and memories of watching her family die and knowing they died resenting her. It’s a small sample size, but this is the only experience they have to go off of.

But it doesn’t have to be like that.

There’s been a lot of discussion of TOG being a fundamentally queer movie – a group of people brought together because of something inherent about themselves that is different, that must be hidden, that causes others to hate, fear, and reject them. Booker’s backstory is the archetypal traumatic “coming out” story – his family learns who he is, hate him for it, and attempt to cast him out of their lives. He’s stuck with his trauma, his pain, his loss, and it consumes him.

But what if Nile’s family would be the opposite? What if her “coming out” to them as immortal is met with acceptance, love, celebration? What if her family is just overjoyed to have her back, and they don’t care what the circumstances are? I'm reminded of this incredible post from @shitty-old-guard-deaths a while back, where Nile’s mother hits Booker with a frying pan because “my baby let me believe she was dead for FIVE YEARS based on your bad advice???” (which may or may not have inspired this whole tangent). Nile takes the advice of someone who did the same thing she wants to do because she doesn’t want to risk her family’s rejection. She wants the good memories with her family and is afraid that showing them her true self will bring her unbearable pain, forever replacing those memories. But, with high risk comes high reward.

Anyway. Nile and the team are trying to come up with a plan for how to handle this whole thing, but she’s not really participating because she’s too afraid to hope. Until finally, quickly, so she doesn’t lose her nerve, she suggests she reach out to them, knowing that, realistically, that’s the only solution before things snowball even further out of control. The team is shocked, but realize that she has a point. They decide that Copley should actually be the first point of contact, posing as a US government official to talk with them and test the waters.

So Copley goes to Nile’s family’s house to talk with her mom and brother. They’re probably distrustful and apprehensive, but nonetheless secretly ecstatic that their work has paid off. They talk and review all of the information that they’ve collected, including testimonials from the people on Nile’s base and recent sightings (along with photos) of Nile (with the same three people) over the last few years that people have sent them but they haven’t posted publicly. At this point, Copley’s like, yeah this is about to blow up, we gotta put our cards on the table. He convinces them to come with him to some safe house/black site/whatever he can get that is technologically impenetrable (I’m picturing them in like, an interrogation room at a police station kind of deal), takes their phones, locks the doors, and brings in Nile.

What follows is the most delightful reunion scene of all time, bringing Joe, Nicky, and even Andy to tears as they watch and listen from outside the room. With Copley’s help, Nile tells her mom and brother about her immortality and what’s been going on since she died (within reason, of course), and they are thrilled. They don’t understand why (because no one does) but they don’t question it and they see it as a gift from God – she’s been resurrected, she will live, and she has a purpose. Her mother and brother are so happy to see her again and are willing to agree with pretty much anything to stay in her life as long as they can.

So. They set up some complicated agreement (they bring in the other three for support/intimidation as needed) setting the terms of their relationship. They swear Nile’s family to secrecy, maybe bringing up the lab to show how high the stakes are, and they readily agree. They come up with some cover story for Nile’s brother to share on the message boards (maybe that the government has opened an investigation but because it’s an open case he has to shut it all down? Tells people to direct their tips somewhere else? Something to that effect). There’s still speculation, of course, but without Nile’s brother at the helm providing the energy, the hype dies down as news stories are wont to do without any movement. And Nile’s family goes to work for the team. The experience has taught them that Copley can’t possibly do everything himself, especially when it comes to social media, so Nile’s brother takes the lead on the day-to-day tracking/social media while Copley and her mom focus on finding jobs and scrubbing their traces afterward.

So there you have it: Nile gets to integrate her biological family into her found family and spend the rest of their lives with them as it should be, Copley gets some badly needed help managing the reality of social media, the team finally has a positive narrative surrounding outsiders Knowing About Them AND about interacting with people from their previous life, and the audience gets the happy ending to this very lovely and very queer story to counteract the pain associated with Booker’s family.

Plus, you know, I’m a sucker for both a good government conspiracy theory and for Nile getting every good thing she deserves.

[beanieman]

Idk if you have already made this but how do you think the YTTD cast spend their Christmas? (does anyone spend it alone, commits dumb stuff or just enjoying a cake with a family)

Idk if this is a good time to ask about that since December is still far, but you could answer it later so ig it wouldn't matter :D

Time is an illusion and I'll post holiday headcanon's anytime.

Sara Chidouin - Sara and her parents have gone ice skating every Christmas since she was little. It's a tradition for sure, but Sara's made a new one in the last few years and that's meeting with Joe and Ryoko in the afternoon to hang out.

Joe Tazuna - Joe volunteer's for Christmas. He visits the local dog shelter, helps the elderly carry the groceries into their house, and goes door to door for charity.

Gin Ibushi - Gin and his family usually watch Christmas movies all day after opening gifts in the morning. They have a very lowkey Christmas but a fun one!

Keiji Shinogi - Keiji goes to see his Mom. The have a small dinner but they spend the most of the day talking about...everything. Keiji's childhood, what they're up to these days, and what tv shows they like to watch. It's always a great day.

Alice Yabusame - Alice listens to Christmas music all day. He doesn't do much else to celebrate, but he really enjoys the songs echoing around his walls.

Reko Yabusame - Reko and a few of her bandmates go caroling! They use it almost as promotion for their band, as most people really like Reko's voice. However, even if they don't check out her band Reko just likes to sing.

Nao Egokoro - A town next to Nao's does a tree lighting ceremony. She always goes to watch because she loves the aesthetic and the feeling of togetherness.

Kazumi Mishima - Mishima usually makes crafts that make him smile, such as cut out snowflake papers, a homemade wreath, and snow globes. He leaves them out until February long after everyone is begging him to take them down.

Q-taro Burgerberg - Q-Taro turns up at the orphanage with a Santa outfit. He's their Kris Kringle for the day and even brings them some gifts.

Kai Satou - Kai makes a nice gingerbread house to display in the Chidouin home. The best one he ever made in his opinion was an exact replica of their home.

Kanna Kizuchi - After opening gifts in the morning Kanna and Kugie go to their local park and play on the swings. They talk about life and joke about silly things that make them laugh. Overall, Kanna just spends her day wit her sister.

Shin Tsukimi - Shin is always sent a ton of gifts by his parents. They spoil him to a large degree, but Shin enjoys having more things to go in his apartment. After opening all their gifts he makes a nice homemade pot of soup as a gift to himself.

Dolls

Ranmaru Kageyama - He has a very average Christmas. Some of his family comes over, some he likes, and some he doesn't, and they all have a big meal. Afterwards everyone leaves and he listens to Christmas music for a bit before bed.

Naomichi Kurumada - Naomichi hangs out at the local ski resort on Christmas. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean he doesn't find extreme joy in sports.

Anzu Kinashi - It's a tradition in Anzu's family to play board game for Christmas. They usually end with someone rage quitting Monopoly but it's so much fun before that.

Mai Tsurugi - Mai makes Christmas cookies of all kinds! Sugar cookies, chocolate chip, gingerbread, and oatmeal.

Shunsuke Hayasaka - Shunsuke just goes into work. He drives around looking at the decorations later, but other then that he's not a big holiday guy.

Hinako Mishuku - Hinako just takes the opportunity to drink eights cups of hot chocolate without judgment.

[luigra]

Now, Jerma is a quite masculine guy. Some people would disagree, maybe even way more people than the ones that would agree. But in the end of the day it comes down to this: he has room to grow.

It was a little unusual when he mentioned a "transition" on stream, off-handedly and so casually that the more transgender part of the audience might not have even noticed, having accepted transitioning as such a normal part of human life does that to you. Obviously though, questions and even speculation popped up nonetheless, even if it didn't catch a wide spread.

But Jerma is famously girly. A normal person wouldn't agree, your average Joe doesn't understand the nuances of this stuff, but he wears makeup. Not even in an emo way, just casually fixes his brows, contours his face - you can see it if you look for it. Some streams he puts on eyeshadow just because he can.

Nobody really asks Jerma about pronouns. I mean, everyone defaults to he/him, but for feminism's sake wouldn't it be much more reasonable to assume they/them or even she/her first? When asked about it, Jerma just laughed the question off, implying in a joke that anything goes, although nobody's really sure for certain.

They shaved their hair recently. It made for a fun stream, even if it's not the most original of all ideas, but shaving streams can always get wild. It was mesmerizing to look at the screen seeing such a bold (haha, bald) transformation, and it was then, for some reason, that my brain had the urge to call Jerma butch or even girl. Well, we all know that one post. Butch Jerma and femme jerma, a great classic.

Ome day Jerma announced they will be changing their name to something else. Well, until we didn't know what it was going to be, we still had nothing else to use but Jerma, but most people were pretty excited and ready for the change. Supportive comments overflowed.

Jack.

When announced, the name ran a chill down my spine. It was deeply terrifying. No, gotta be just a coincidence though, right? Sure, many people were going to make the obvious jokes, but... no, it was fine.

Jack kept feminizing. It was weird. The mascara highlighted her cheekbones, which honestly fit her quite well. Dresses were on the table, and wigs not out of question. Those streams have felt more like girls night than any in-person girls night that I have ever been to, if girls nights happened as the world was crumbling.

It was when Jack put on a pink wig that I felt like I hace finally gone insane. This cannot be a coincidence, and yet. Nothing truly indicated that this was a reference to another streamer, other than those conclusions I've basically drawn myself. Yes, lots of people agreed, but honestly, Jack's done more convoluted bits before.

I woke up in a dark room. Chained to a metal chair, oh, you know the deal. A screen lit up in front of me struggling, failing to break out. A disembodied voice announced:

"You are watching a stream. You need to tell which streamer you're watching or the neurotoxins will flood the room in five minutes. Good luck."

A cold sweat ran down my forehead. On the screen was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And her name was Jack Manifold. And yet, I was unable to tell which one.

[gingercauldron]

Quiet Brilliance (Spencer Reid x BAU! Reader)

A/N: Here is my offering to the Criminal Minds fandom. Also this is my first time really writing fanfic? Just really wanted to have Spencer impressed by the reader and fall in love with them. So I hope you enjoy!! This is totally not an excuse to somehow make random stuff I’ve read about relevant in BAU cases lol

Pairing: Spencer Reid x BAU! Reader

Synopsis: Spencer notices how intelligent you really are, as well as how shy you are about it. He can’t stop thinking about you, your brilliance, and how much he just wants to hold you.

Warnings: None really, just fluff, and normal Criminal Minds content

Wordcount: 1.9k

No one in the BAU seemed to give you enough credit.

Not that it was their intention, of course, but Dr. Spencer Reid could not help but notice all of the times that your quiet brilliance went by as unremarkable. He might have had an eidetic memory, carrying a labyrinthine of facts and figures in his head - but you knew things that even he had not come across. He could tell that you were a researcher, that you would explore through files for knowledge because you wanted to.

When Spencer would pull a fact or statistic out of the air, you would be listening raptly. On several occasions you would scribble something down afterwards, and it made Spencer’s heart swell. This was how he first became so attuned to you when you joined the team. After that, he made sure to observe you.

He noticed that you would duck your head into files of each case, going through detail after detail with a furrowed brow. You would write in a frantic scrawl on post-it notes as a cue to do further research.

The most endearing part of it all, was that you would do the same thing even if there wasn’t a case. You would carry a tome with you, with the tails of post-it flaps coming out the side, each one crowded with writing. You were smart, Spencer learned, and he wondered why it wasn’t seen as big of an asset as it truly was to the team.

At first he could pretend that his interest was merely for the good of the team, learning more about you and what you were capable of. Obviously you were hired for a reason, likely your careful observations and sharp psychological profiling — but there was so much more. Spencer was finding it harder to pretend that this interest was not at all motivated by the affection that was developing for you.

He had three PhDs and was the so-called “resident genius,” but he wondered if you could give him a run for his money. The thing was, because you were quiet and private, he didn’t know — and that in itself was exciting.

On one case where you were observing the body at the scene, a particularly strange case where the jaw of the victim had swelled with tumors, you quickly told everyone to back up.

“What is it?” Hotch asked.

“It looks like possible radiation poisoning because of how localized the tumors are — like the unsub had the victim consume radium.” You said. “I could be wrong, of course. We could check her teeth.”

“Teeth?” Morgan asked.

Spencer quickly replied. “Radium has properties that make it glow in the dark, it was used as a novelty for that reason well into the 1970’s before restrictions were placed on it, actually. If the victim had been ingesting radium it is possible her teeth might glow. In 1938 a case was settled where a group factory workers sued their employment because they had been encouraged to lick paintbrushes covered in radium in the course of their work, resulting in massive tumours around the neck and jaw.”

“And the factory workers had tumours like this?” Hotch asked. He was asking Spencer now, not you.

“Remarkably similar.” Spencer replied.

Spencer glanced at you, but it didn’t seem to bother you that he had jumped in. In fact, the only that seemed to be upsetting to you was the fact that the unsub was on the loose.

“I’ll call some radiologists in.” Hotch said, already lifting the phone to his ear.

It turned out, that you were right. It was in fact radium, and you made sure that the team was safe by telling them to keep their distance from the body. The radiation levels on the body were dangerous.

On the plane home from that case Spencer had sat beside you, and he couldn’t stop thinking about your astute observation. You smiled up at him when he settled next to you, looking back down at the book in your lap.

“Hey, Y/N?”

You looked back up at him. “Yeah, Spencer?”

“That was a good catch with the radium.”

“Oh, that. Thank you.” You beamed. “But you would have caught it if I hadn’t.”

Would he? With all of the gruesome things he had seen they all morphed together, he wasn’t sure that he would have jumped to radium, of all things, as quickly as you had. That he would have been as cautious in avoiding the body to investigate if you hadn’t said something.

“I mean it. It was good catch. It was pretty brilliant, actually.”

“Thanks, Spence.” You said softly.

He knew he should let you get back to your book that was covered in post-it notes, but there was a thought that kept nagging at him. “Y/N?” He said again.

“Yeah?”

“Did it — did I overstep when you were telling the team about the radiation? Because if I did—”

“No, I got to stop you there. You helped. I’d rather not have the attention.”

He furrowed his brow, but didn’t say anything more, letting you return to your book.

After that it seemed that the rest of the team was starting to pick up on your fierce intelligence, too. It was hard to ignore the books you carried with you, but Spencer thought it would have been impossible to not notice you. Not just because you were utterly beautiful, but because everything about your mind was captivating.

Morgan remarked on it when you found a pattern in the artwork of a string of victims’ homes. The artwork looked nothing alike, but you picked it up.

“This painting.” You said, pointing at it. “It’s German expressionist.”

“Okay?” Morgan said.

“It could be nothing, but the last victim had a print of German artwork in their home — it was from the dada movement — but they’re both from the same time period. The other two victims had books on the Bauhaus — an influential German design school that operated between the first and second world wars.” You explained. “I wouldn’t have said anything, but the average joe wouldn’t have German post-World War One art. All of our victims are interested in the same time period for art — seems like too much of a coincidence.”

Morgan stared at you.

“What?” You asked sheepishly.

“Did Reid just possess you for a moment there? How’d you know all that?”

You shrugged and changed the subject. “I’ll call Garcia and see if she can connect the victims through local art groups or galleries.”

Morgan stared at you as you walked off, phoning Garcia. Spencer came up beside him and squinted at the painting on the wall.

“I think I know how the victims might be connected.” Spencer said to Morgan, analyzing the painting.

“The art?”

Spencer looked at Morgan in surprise. “You know about German art?”

Morgan snorted and shook his head. He gestured to you. “Y/N is calling up Garcia right now. Can’t imagine how she knew anything about it.”

Spencer furrowed his brow. “I knew it, though.”

“Exactly.” Morgan patted Spencer’s shoulder and left to talk to Hotch.

You put the phone down and turned noticing Spencer looking at you. You smiled when you saw him. He loved the way you smiled at him, as if he was the only other person in the entire world. He felt his heart rate increase and new, scientifically speaking, that he was completely infatuated with you.

“Garcia found a connection.” You told him.

You said nothing to him of the connections you had made first, but it made him appreciate the fact that he knew all the more. You downplayed your accomplishments. He wanted nothing more than to be by your side so that he could learn about every one of them.

Rossi noticed during a case, when Spencer was reading one of the unsub’s journals. Flipping through the book quickly and absorbing the information.

“Hard to believe the kid can read that fast sometimes.” Rossi said to you. “He reads 20,000 words per minute.”

“It’s over 60 times the norm. He’s pretty amazing.” You said back.

“The norm?”

You nodded. “Yeah, average adult reads between 200 to 300 words per minute, he reads around 333 words per second.”

“You some kind of whiz kid, too?” Rossi asked.

You scoffed. “Hardly. I just read a lot.”

“So does Reid.”

“You know what I mean.” And with that you left Rossi, effectively stopping the conversation.

Spencer smiled, having overheard you two. Whether you wanted to or not, you would slip little bits of information that show just how much you were thinking. You couldn’t hide your mind completely, and Spencer couldn’t stop thinking about what conversations would ensue in just spending a day with you alone.

Your voice saying he’s pretty amazing kept playing in his head and he could feel his face flush. Did you know how that sounded? You thought he, of all people, was amazing - not his brain, or his skills, but him. Did you mean it to sound like that?

Rossi turned to Spencer. “You know your face is red.” He said.

Spencer stared at Rossi, but he couldn’t make his mouth form any words. A grin spread across Rossi’s face, reading Spencer like a book.

“It’s okay Doctor, I won’t tell anyone.” Rossi said, and got back to his own work.

The rest of the day Spencer could hardly focus on anything, constantly aware of where you were in the bullpen - or distracted when you left the bullpen to see Garcia because that meant you were gone. He tried to keep his head down and look at evidence, but you were so close and you thought that he was pretty amazing, and it was nearly impossible to think about anything else. By the time he felt satisfied enough with the work he had done that day to maybe pack up it was already dark out.

Spencer saw you reading at your desk in the bullpen. Everyone had gone home already, but you were there scribbling notes down. When Spencer neared your desk he saw the book, a book he had been reading two days ago.

You looked up and smiled at him in surprise, with those dazzling eyes of yours. You pushed your hair behind your ear and all that Spencer could think about was what it would feel like to touch.

“Hi, Spence.” You said. “What’s up?”

Spencer swallowed, and his world came to a standstill. The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. “I think I love you.” His eyes suddenly went wide when he realized what he had said.

He turned around on his heel and rushed towards the door. He could hear your chair scratch against the floor and you called out.

“Spencer!”

He stilled, his hand on the door. He wanted to run, to get as far away and hopefully have you forget about it and not lose your friendship. He never wanted to disappoint you or make you uncomfortable, but he couldn’t turn his back on you either. He turned his head slowly, afraid to see your face.

You didn’t look angry. You had a small shy smile on your face.

“I think I love you, too.”

He dropped his hand from the door. “You do?”

You nodded. “I do.”

He laughed, feeling giddy. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” He confessed. “About your kindness and your brilliance, and just, you. I just — can I kiss you?”

“Why, Dr. Spencer Reid, I would like nothing more.”

That was all he needed before he was across the room, holding your face in his hands and kissing you. Spencer, with his eidetic memory, could not remember having ever been so happy.