#to exist up there on my own or like with Millie it would already be winter and I don’t wanna try to drive up and move and find a job in

[milo-is-rambling]

I need to be in a big body of water !!!

[tealvenetianmask]

Is there stigma about mental illness in Hell?

Personal bit: I've had chronic depression and anxiety for my entire adult life, and I used to guard it as this big secret, but now I have friends and coworkers who are understanding and have their own issues. And I work in a helping profession where I see that dealing with this stuff is just really fucking common. But recently I've had a bit of culture shock hanging out with my family, and realizing that... oh wait, we still treat our mental health issues like deep dark secrets and refuse to talk about them and/or seek help. And that's the only acceptable way to act. Okay. Thanks guys.

Personal ramble aside, yes, mental health stigma is still an issue in America, 2024 (obviously). And thanks to Sinsmas, I'm convinced that it's an issue in Vivzie's Hell too, in a way that's pretty reflective of how real contemporary society treats it.

Stolas chooses not to tell Blitz about his happy pills. We find out as the episode progresses that he never told Via either.

And plenty of arguments could be made about Stolas just not wanting to burden the people he cares most for. Not wanting Via to worry about him. Not wanting Blitz to be put out financially by tracking down the pills. But I think there's a level of embarrassment here too, and here's why.

Stolas has spent his life being told to bottle up his emotions, and we have evidence of this. We've also seen him struggling to hide his emotions from Blitz before, turning his back in The Full Moon, and straining when forcing himself to stop crying in Apology Tour.

Is the cultural aversion to displays of emotion just an upper class thing in Hell? I think the answer is "sort of." There are ways in which a Goetia is expected to behave, and lower-class demons have more freedom.

BUT

It's not really that simple. We saw toxic masculinity coming from Millie's parents and from Crimson, and that kind of attitude sort of goes hand in hand with mental health stigma. We also saw Verosika say this-

Which shows a certain attitude toward seeking treatment . . .

And Blitz ALSO has a preoccupation with acting like he's fine and can handle things without help that seems very grounded in sort of a working class, "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" attitude. (Bye to all that by Ghostfuckers..)

This has all been a very long way of saying that yes, mental health stigma in Hell is significant and affects our characters.

So what role does discovering Stolas's pills play for Via?

She takes them as confirmation of her fear (one she already had a lot of evidence for, to be fair...) that Stolas stayed in a miserable marriage for 17 years just for her. And more- that she was "never enough" to make him happy.

And she's right but. She's oversimplifying it. She did make her dad happy. When someone's suffering, from abuse, from mental illness, from . . . literal society . . . one wonderful relationship is still not going to make their life a happy one.

Beyond Stolas's specific situation, people with great lives sometimes need happy pills. People's lives are multifaceted, and that's a lot for a young person to understand sometimes.

So if Octavia had grown up in a situation where people . . . idk, talked about mental health and didn't stigmatize emotions . . .?

Yeah, I think she'd react differently to the happy pills. But more importantly, the level of secrecy wouldn't be the same. Stolas would have been more open about his range of emotions and about needing pills, and in countless other ways this situation would have played out differently.

And now I'm tying myself in knots trying to imagine Goetia culture WITHOUT mental health stigma. I don't think it would exist in the same way at all. Quick, someone get an army of excellent mental health professionals and assign them to every single member of Hell's aristocracy.

[milliemuus]

The True Mochi Mayhem (still thinking of canonity):

Kieran: ok, he’s almost down Millie, we can do this!

Millie: Right!

*the rest of the friends cheer them on*

PV! Pecharunt: …you really think you can stop us?

*smoke bellows out, from the smoke there are voices*

Azure Dive Pecharunt: Well, Lookie here!

S&S Dipplins Pecharunt: It seems the runt has a little speech prepared,

@alatlus Pecharunt: You done with monologues?

All of the Pecharunts: ‘CAUSE IT’S OUR TURN Y’ALL SHOULD BE SCARED!

Kieran: …HOW ARE THERE MORE OF YOU?!

*The fight begins*

@tealmaskmybeloved Pecharunt: Toil on, but, you shall fall,

PV! Pecharunt: Malice black as tar, our toxins, will corrode all!

Azure Dive Pecharunt: It’s quite amusing as the light of hope fades from existence,

S&S Dipplins Pecharunt: With our mere chain we’ll quash the struggle of your last resistance!

@tealmaskmybeloved Pecharunt: Toxins of shadow…

@alatlus Pecharunt: …Conquest sears

Azure Dive Pecharunt: As the sovereign of fear,

PV Pecharunt: Tears away, your whole veneer!

All of the Pecharunts:

Who are you, To think that you could defy That which rules the night? We will bring forth your demise! So says us! And as the final spark of hope dies, Toxins shall swallow the land. Gales of miasma sweep life under black sand, And yet you stand up the miasma cloud, We’ll crush you by our own hands, We’re the soul of hate: ANNIHILATE! PV Pecharunt:

You'll bend the knee before us Like those other worthless cattle. As this whole world submits Locked tight within our toxic shackles!

Kieran & Carmine:

Yeah, yeah, that's nice and all, But I'm sick of your useless prattle! Put up your dukes, you fools So square up for the final battle!

(Basically, this is Au of what if Pecharunt won and recruited other Pecharunt that are the main antagonist, basically, other Aus Pecharunt. They are all the leaders of a new evil team for reasons I can’t disclose the name.)

(Also, this is just my imagination of what if all of these guys teamed up? Also, the leaders don’t have a ‘leader’ among them since they rotate being the leader but PV! Pecharunt is the leader most of the time since he was the one (I think) who trains the group, they all get along very well one another and arguments rarely happen, they are also a force to be reckoned with as they can all take down the Tao Trio with ease)

(Also, what they’re all saying are lyrics of ‘The Grand Finale by MOTI and Juno Songs, credits to them)

I LIKE TO THINK CANON KIERAN IS IN FETAL POSITION, HAVING A BREAKDOWN BECAUSE WHERE ARE THESE LITTLE GUYS COMING FROM???? HOW DO WE STOP THEM IF THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM??

He's also secretly wondering what happens to Millie in each one, unaware that PV is really the only timeline that Millie exists in (theoretically)

He wants to keep his friends safe, that's for sure. Makes me wonder if PV!Pecha would see him and kinda antagonize him, vaguely hinting at possessing him in his own timeline. I coukd also see PV!Pecha leading them on, simply because it has a childlike arrogance to it. It would probably run the other Pechas like a clan (Think of Momotaro and the Edo Period)

Also I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT ONE YET, BUT ANOTHER JUNO SONGS FAN? HELL YES! Speaking of Mario, a lot of my stuff is inspired by BIS, which you esp already know

That being said, before Pecharunt's insides were revealed to us, I had thought abt making PV!Pecharunt looking like one of the bosses ftom BIS, or maybe the Dark Star, but could never visualize a design

[wytchsbrew]

"Oh my GOD, SHE IS SO CUTE."

The sound of Livio's barely stifled cries of happiness filled the small room with vibrant, happy noise, and Wolfwood thought he'd never been happier in his entire life. No, in any possible life imaginable. There existed not a single version of himself that could top this level of happiness.

Because, he'd never expected to see this. He thought he'd meet his end, die alone in the middle of the desert before experiencing this small piece of life and love he'd stolen for himself, but there it was, standing in front of him.

It all started last night within a small, private, comfortable room toward the backend of the orphanage, in a flurry of Miss Melanie shoving Wolfwood out of the way and her own maternal instincts taking over as things became hectic and bloody in a way Wolfwood decidedly was not used to.

No guns. No death. No murder.

Instead, last night, the love of his life had given birth to his child. A baby girl. A daughter. With dark hair and blue eyes, and tiny, pudgy little hands and the sweetest, most beautiful cry in the entire universe.

Just when he thought he had seen everything he ever needed to see, the visitors began pouring in, one after the other. Milly and Meryl were first, then Livio came sauntering in shortly after, and he had the opportunity to see all his friends, and his brother, meet his baby girl.

And Wolfwood got to watch every single second of it, as he stood quietly in the corner by the door. With his heart full and soaring, full of praises and love, he watched Meryl fuss around Vash, giving him water and food and adjusting his pillows, pushing his hair away from his forehead and giving him more attention than she'd given the baby.

Milly had taken to baby duty immediately, before Livio walked in. Teaching Wolfwood how to change a diaper, how to bottle feed, how to swaddle - until Livio's eyes filled with tears and he begged to hold the baby girl. Milly relented, though with a pinch of hesitance because Wolfwood thought Milly may have held the baby forever if they allowed her.

"Isn't she?" Vash was already sitting up in bed, wearing an oversized shirt with a blanket tossed over his lap and looked absolutely stunning, as though he hadn't just given birth. Meryl sat perched on the bed at his side, arm draped over his shoulders, and Milly sat the end of the bed, hands folded in her lap.

Livio had moved to stand beside the bed, too, holding the baby girl wrapped tight in a hand knitted pink blanket, a gift from Melanie.

"Wait until you hear her name," Vash continued, and a small began spreading across his beautiful face.

"Hmm?" Livio glanced up, at Vash, then towards Wolfwood's position several steps away. "What's her name?"

Vash met Wolfwood's gaze. "Would you like to tell him, Nick?"

Wolfwood pushed away from the wall, pride and excitement filling his chest. He'd been waiting for this all night and all morning. Hell, he'd probably been waiting for this his entire life, and just hadn't realized it yet.

"Her name is Livi," Wolfwood said. "We named her after you."

The reaction felt immediate, as Livio's entire face collapsed in on itself and his mouth slowly fell open. "What? No, are you serious?" he whispered. His frantic eyes darted between himself and Vash, then to the girls, who just smiled bright like they had no idea what was going on.

Then, tears began streaming along his cheeks, and one shaking hand, the one not holding Livi, curled around the back of Vash's head. He dropped a kiss to the top of his hair.

Vash beamed up at him, tears of his own filling along the lines of his thick lashes, and he leaned into the kiss like they were lifelong best friends.

"I love her so much already," Livio sobbed. "And I love you so much, too."

When the two of them finished their moment, though, Livio handed the baby off to Vash, and pointed a sharp finger across the room at Wolfwood. "And you! I fucking love you!"

Livio launched himself at Wolfwood with his arms wide open and ready to grab him in a tight, big hug. Wolfwood ran from it, at first - though, it was all for show, as he relented fast, and let himself be gathered into Livio's big arms.

A hug that made him think back to two small boys, lonely and sad, and afraid they'd never live to see a brighter day.

But, they had.

In that small, little room, in the back of his orphanage, Wolfwood watched a gaggle of misfits and unlikely loved ones heal at the hands of a six pound baby girl, with bright blue eyes and a beauty mark on one cheek.

[chickensarentcheap]

@tragiclyhip @munstysmind @themaradwrites @youflickedtooharddamnit @secretaryunpaid @ninjasawakenedmystar @thebejeweledwatercat @asirensrage @residentdormouse @theesirenteller @kmc1989 @karimac @alisbackalleybbq @mrsmungus

“Why did you stay? When you found out just WHO was involved. And when you realized just how dangerous it would be. I would have thought that after what happened, she’d be the last person you’d want to help. After all, she broke your heart. Ruined your life. Just disappeared into thin air. I would have thought the anger…”

“I WAS angry. For a long time. I still am. But now that I realize she did it for a damn good reason.”

“At the time, it WAS a good reason. She did what was for the best. For herself and you. But when she didn’t contact you after the dust had settled…”

“She’s explained everything to me. Why she stayed under the radar. I don’t know if I quite understand it just yet, but I’ll get there.”

“And the child? She’s been on this earth for nearly five years. And not once did you…her father…even attempt to see her.”

“I didn’t know about Millie. If I had, I would have been on the first flight here. So don’t even try this shit with me. I had no idea she even existed.”

“And now that you do, you think you just walk right in and insert yourself into her life. She’s a child. A very smart and intuitive one, but a child nonetheless. One that’s been through more in the past four days than a lot of adults have in a lifetime. What do you think it will do to her? When she finds out? That you’re her father. A man that kills for a living?”

“She doesn’t need to know that.”

“She’s going to see it. You really don’t think you’ll get out of the city without bloodshed, do you? DiTomasso has a lot of people just waiting in the wings. They’re right outside the front door. The second you’re off the front steps, it’s open season. Do you really think you’re going to get Esme and that child…YOUR child…out of here without causing a scene?”

“I’m going to try. And if I have to, I will take out anyone who gets in my way. By any means necessary. You know the lengths I’m willing to go to for strangers. So you can imagine what I’ll do when it comes to my own family.”

“Your family,” Winston smirks. “That’s bold. Coming from a man who hasn’t bothered with that family in five years.”

“I already told you. I didn’t know about Millie. And if I had known Esme was pregnant, I would have come here and got her out of this fucking place. Out from under your thumb. And it would have been your turn to look for her for a goddamn year and then eventually give up. Don’t pull this shit with me, Winston. Don’t act like I don’t know what you’ve done. What part you played in all of this.”

“What I’ve done? Do I need to remind you that I gave her a safe haven? That I compromised my standing with The High Table and my reputation within the circle allowing her refuge here? This was the only place she would have been safe. Had I turned her away…”

“Yeah, you’re a fucking martyr, aren’t you. You may not have had anything to do with that adjudicator and you may have kept her safe, but let’s talk about what you didn’t do. I came here, Winston. You and I spoke face to face. I asked if you knew where she was. All I wanted was to talk to her. See her. Know she was okay. You told me you had no clue where she was. That you hadn’t even heard from her. And all that time we were right under the same roof.”

“I did what she asked. I kept her whereabouts quiet. To protect her. And the baby she was carrying.”

“All I wanted to know was that she was alive. That’s the least you could have done; let me know that she was okay. I would have walked away and waited for her to be ready to contact me. Does she know? That I came here? That I was looking for her?”

“I never told her. And I asked my staff to never speak a word of it. It would have only upset her. And put her and her child at risk.”

“Not just her child, Winston. That little girl is just as much mine as she is her mother’s. And don’t bullshit me; you didn’t keep it from her to protect her. And you certainly didn’t do it to protect me. You did it because you couldn’t stand the thought of us being together.

“I will admit, the idea does make me quite nauseous. However…”

“There’s no ‘however’. You wanted to keep her from me. Because you don’t think I’m good enough for her. I’m not worthy because I’m not part of your bullshit circle. What makes those guys better than me? They’ve taken just as many….if not more…lives than I have. Who do you want her with? John Wick? He’s somehow better for her? He’s an assassin, for fuck sake. With probably even more baggage than I have. But because I refuse to kiss your ass I’m the bad one?”

“As much as I love Jonathon as if he were my own flesh and blood and I think he’d be a much better match for her, I’d rather Esme wander outside the circle. Find someone that’s worthy of her. Someone that doesn’t kill for a living. She deserves normalcy. A quiet, content life. Where she doesn’t have to spend the rest of her days worrying about whether or not there’s a target on her back. You’re incapable of giving her what she needs. What she wants. What she DESERVES.”

“I would do anything for her. I already changed my entire life once for her; so I could be the kind of guy that she could be proud of. I can give her a good life. A normal one. “

“Because nothing quite screams normalcy like being a mercenary.”

“This? The job? That’s not who I am anymore. I gave it up. After that shit show in Russia. I walked away. I only took this gig because the client asked for me. And there was a kid involved. That’s the only reason I came here. You don’t know me, Winston. You don’t know who I am. Who I REALLY am. But Esme does.”

“Does she? Does she really? Or is it some version of you that doesn’t really exist that she knows?”

“She knows me in ways no one else does. There’s nothing she DOESN’T know about me. She’s seen it all. Every messy, fucked up part. You don’t know what it was like. Our life together. You don’t know the things we talked about or the plans we made. We were going to have a normal life. Until The High Table fucked it all up.”

“And you truly believe that you…of all people…can give her that kind of life? That you can give her…and your daughter…a sense of normalcy? Stability?”

“I know I can. I did it once before. Things weren’t perfect, but we were happy. We were working on things. And I know we can get there again. That we can be even better than that.”

“Well forgive me for not sharing in your optimism. Because from where I sit? From the things I know about you? I don’t think you CAN give them that. Because there is nothing remotely normal or stable about a life shackled to an alcoholic and drug addict.”

*****

“We both love Esme. We both want what’s best for her. And for her child, of course.”

“OUR child. She didn’t make that baby alone. Millie is just as much mine as she is Esme’s. You don’t get a say in what happens, Winston. When comes to Esme and Millie? They’re none of your business. Not anymore. And I do appreciate…in some fucked up, twisted way…that you kept Esme safe. That you allowed them to come here when the shit hit the fan a few days ago. But they’re not your concern anymore. They’re mine. And I’d appreciate it if you backed off.”

“I can’t do that. Esme has been hurt in the past. She’s very vulnerable and very weak and….”

“I guess you don’t know her as well as you think you do. Because Esme is far from weak. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever known. And you don’t make decisions for her. She’s a grown woman. That can decide what to do with her life and who she wants in it. And she wants ME. Nothing you do or say is going to change that.”

“She tends to make hasty decisions driven by emotion instead of logic. And she certainly doesn’t always know what’s best for her. Or she wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“But somehow you know what’s best for her? You think you’ve got some God-given right to dictate what she does with her life? If Esme didn’t want me, I wouldn’t be here right now. She would never have asked for me. But she did and I’m here and I’m sorry if you don’t like that.”

“And I’m sorry that you and I can’t see eye to eye. If you love her as much as you claim to and truly do have her best interests at heart…”

“I love her. I’ve always loved her. I always WILL.”

“...you would realize your limitations. On what you can offer and give her and your child. You’re dangerous and unpredictable and despite your numerous attempts at retirement, always seem to find your way back to this life. Trouble follows you, Mister Rake. And I hate the thought of Esme and the little one paying the price for that.”

“That’s not going to happen. When this job is done, I’M done. I’ve got a normal job back home. One that pays more than enough to take care of a family. It won’t matter if this world tries to suck me back into it. I won’t let it. Simple as that.”

Sighing heavily, Winston finishes his coffee and then leans forward in his chair; forearms resting on the tabletop, hands folded together. “Seeing as I can’t get through to you with even the best and most sound of logic, let’s try another way. I have a proposition for you. A very lucrative one, in fact.”

“I��m not staying in this life. I already said no to being under The High Table once. My mind hasn’t changed.”

“If you somehow DO manage to get Esme and Millie out of New York City AND keep them safe until all the dust has settled, I will double your payout. From five million to ten.”

“And what’s the catch?”

“After all is said and done and it’s safe to do so, I want you to return them here. To me. And then I want you to turn around, and walk away, and forget that either of them even exist.”

His entire body tenses. Shoulders and jaw drawn impossibly tight, both hands gripping the coffee mug with such force that his knuckles crack and the tips of his fingers turn white. It isn’t even up for consideration or discussion; no amount of money could ever persuade him to walk out of Esme's life and never look back. Especially not now; the existence of his daughter…THEIR daughter…the catalyst he needs to get them the hell out of New York City and on the road towards a new life. With HIM. He would never hurt either of them like that; knowing full well the enormous weight of anger and heartache that comes with being abandoned

“No.”

[klxudykai]

all 26 of my drs

soo as my bio says I have 26 drs!! and today I will be talking about each of them

in all honesty I thought it was a bit of a stretch to shift to that many, but who cares? the universe is unlimited so if I wanna shift to 3, 26, or even 100 I should be allowed to (and so should you!!)

anywaysss lets get into it

Anime drs

MHA - this is literally my MAIN DR. its the first ever dr I thought of shifting to and one of my favorites. I can't wait to shift there omg

MHA (fantasy au) - this isn't one of my top favs but it is def a cool one that I would enjoy fs

AOT (modern college au) - this dr is gonna be so fun I just know it

Haikyuu - volleyball is one of my FAVORITE sports so I already know this is gonna be exciting (I also had a haikyuu obsession ever since 2019 quarantine-)

★ ★ ★

Fame drs

singer - I always wanted to be a famous singer so this made inner 9 year old me SCREAM. I live and breathe music. all kinds of it, too. my playlist will go from SZA to Bone Thugs n Harmony to Billie Ellish and then to Deftones real quick

youtuber - this is another career that 9 year old me wanted. I've always looked up to YouTubers so I knew I would have a trip shifting to where I was one too

street racer - okay Im gonna be so honest and tell y'all rn I don't know jack shit abt cars- all I know is that I wanna have a hot pink car and blast flo milli while dusting a bunch of men in races (hot girl shit I fear-)

90s r&b singer - I love the 90s. the music, the fashion, all of it. absolutely amazing. that's it

band dr - I would love to be the lead singer of a famous ass band. I haven't decided if I was gonna join an existing one or make my own yet but one of the options will be happening

★ ★ ★

TV shows/Movies

hogwarts - when I first got into shifting a LOT of people were shifting to Hogwarts and honestly I understand why. it looks so fun there man

alice in wonderland - this is one of my FAVORITE movies. I love the weirdness of it all and its just so creative and calming for me. (I intend on scripting I live in a cute little cottage on a hill with my two headed cow because I have a major obsession with cows)

diary of a wimpy kid - I got one name for you. and that name is rodrick mf heffley. judge me I do not care but that man is FINE (he probably smells tho but I intend on scripting he isn't cause who tf wants a smelly man??). i also like the idea of being in loded diper

twilight - I've had an obsession with vampires and werewolves (ESPECIALLY werewolves) since I was in 4th grade so this move series and dr is right up my alley (I'm team Jacob btw even tho he's hella childish)

the breakfast club - the first time I watched this movie I was like "I'm officially shifting there". I love coming of age movies especially older ones like this so I didn't hesitate to add it to my list

riverdale - this series was kinda interesting tbh. I heard it got really wacky after the 3rd season though but I guess I'll find that out when I rewatch it (or when I shift idk). SPEAKING OF RIVERDALE- I had two dreams about shifting there and it was so crazy. like the first one was when I was in the diner with the characters and I was looking for my s/o, but I woke up before I could find him. and then the second dream I don't remember but I had the sensation I kissed someone???? so I'm pretty sure I found him LMFAO-

spiderman (itsv-atsv) - absolutely NO words for this one. I've had an obsession with this one ever since it came out. and I almost screamed in the movie theater when the producers hit us with that "to be continued" bs. also hobie brown <33

descendents - I was into every single original Disney channel movie that was released and this was one of them. AND I could be the daughter of Tiana like??? sign me up fr

monster high - these are literally THE monster it girls. it would be a crime to not shift there

total drama - this was the first reality tv show I ever watched and I was so here for it. they got real creative with the drama too

victorious - I LOVE arts. acting, painting, music, dance, you name it. if I could go to a school like this in my cr I would've already been there (oh wait I technically can)

power rangers - SPECIFICALLY the 2017 film. I don't feel like we got a backstory on half of the characters and its so disappointing but oh MAN when my boy DACRE got on that screen I almost hollered. this movie served so hard and it deserved a sequel badly.

stranger things - this was another obsession of mine and I couldn't have it any other way. its gonna be terrifying but badass (like nancy wheeler when she had that damn shotgun)

mid90s - this was a decision I made last week because I had JUST watched the movie and it was my obsession for a little bit too. I experienced a little home sickness (more like a lot of homesickness because I was SAD SAD)

★ ★ ★

other drs I thought of shifting to

demon slayer - this seemed pretty fun, but I heard that later down the plot it got boring and sucked pretty bad so I wasn't sure

kpop - I'm not 100% a kpop fan but I LOVE krnb so I was just thinking of making music like that but its still in the works a bit

avatar - I thought it would be cool, but I wasn't in love with the idea like I thought id be. maybe if I shifted to the first avatar I'd like it but idk yet

farm life - like I mentioned earlier I really love cows and thought a farm would be cool, but I kinda fell out of love with the idea so this most likely won't go all the way through

anastasia - this is one of the drs I most likely will still be shifting to because I just love classic Disney movies (and Dimitri was fine..)

ready player one - in all honesty, I completely forgot I intended on shifting there but its a fun ass concept

pitch perfect - okay but this movie was funny as hell plus singing so why not?

tinkerbell - this entire series was my Roman empire. they were my FAV when I was little and still are

10 things I hate about you - early 2000 movies are my favorite so when I watched this, I wanted to shift there asap

★ ★ ★

okay and I think those are all my drs!! this might be a little over 26 too but oh well LMFAO-

i really enjoyed making this and I hope y'all enjoyed reading it <3

stay tuned for more drs because i am always thinking of new ones to go to!!

[peculiarlyayse]

House of the Dragon thoughts: With better writing and planning, season one could have been easily spread into three seasons.

CAVEAT: This is just my take on the subject and it's open to criticism.

-- So, I would treat episode 1 as a prologue of sorts. It opens on the Great Council, just days after the death of Viserys father, Baelon. Who will be heir of the Iron Throne is up in the air now, as the court is torn between two factions; those who support the claim of Rhaenys, daughter of Aemon Targaryen who had been slain in Tarth, and Viserys, who was still grieving the loss of his father. I would establish that Rhaenyra is already born (four almost five), but that Aemma is very obviously pregnant with what she and Viserys hope is a boy.

--As she does in the book, once the decision is read out, Rhaenys snaps. She is angry, she hurls accusations, claiming Viserys is taking "her son's birthright", and that Jaehaerys is just letting it happen. Her outburst would be a shining example of the fact that most (if not all) of the Targaryen have explosive tempers. Tempers that blind them, and makes them lash out irrationally. However, the King's decision is final and Rhaenys (with Corlys) flee to Driftmark. Rhaenys does not return until Jaehaerys's death a few months later. At Dragonstone, she and Viserys make up.

-- Some time passes and we now see a beloved, precocious eight year old. She is being chased through the halls, giggling profusely as her maids (Alicent included) trot behind her, calling out for her and urging her to be careful. Whilst I don't necessarily approve of child actors. For me, it would be crucial to have an eight year old or someone a year or two older playing as Rhaenyra (No hate to Millie here). This would establish her actual age in the timeline and give us more room to grow with her as she grows. With an actual child playing young Rhaenyra, Season one would also establish Rhaenicent and would cement their ages (R is 8 and Ali is 14). Rhaenyra, having no siblings, adores Alicent and wants to spend as much time with her as physically possible (like most siblings who haven't exactly realized that boundaries exist. However, to showcase the level of entitlement R has, we see that Rhaenyra doesn't respect any boundary Alicent places). Likewise, we also see that while politically competent, Alicent cares for Rhaenyra , but due to her lack of agency and Rhaenyra outranking her, Alicent is never at liberty to say no.

-- Mid season finale, in true ASOIAF fashion, would be the death of Queen Aemma. After her death, we see Viserys retreat into himself, prioritizing his own grief, and shutting Rhaenyra out. This also pushes Nyra closer to Alicent who also grieves, as it feels like she's lost her mother all over again. We see the realm plunged into devestation, and we see Otto scheming, taking advantage of the King's grief by planting his daughter in Viserys' line of sight every opportunity he gets. This is where the bits of the show come into play with having Alicent before the king in a series of dresses obviously made for a woman grown and not a 14 year old.

-- I would end season one with Daemon's quip of "heir for a day" which caused him to be exiled, the with the Triarchy with Alicent showing just how cunning she is, and for Alicent and Viserys' wedding.

-- Season 2 Picks up three years after S1. Now being portrayed by Milly, we see that Nyra has grown but that she is lonely and argumentative. We open with her inauguration ceremony, where the Lords of the realm swear fealty to her, despite the fact that Viserys now has a son and likely another on the way.

-- Daemon is still in exile, still at war, and neither he nor Viserys have exchanged letters since Aemma and Baelon's deaths in 105. Rhaenyra, now her father's cup bearer, is at his elbow. Remember how I pointed out the Targ temper? Well, this would also show heavily in Nyra. Who, for the lat three years, has had to endure whispers, stares, and pitying looks. So, she istens in on meetings, but shows that she is not yet ready to be queen by choosing brute force rather than diplomacy, highlighting that they have dragons and you can't exactly fight back against a dragon.

-- Meanwhile, as in the show and book, Alicent (now portrayed by Olivia) and Rhaenyra have little to no relationship out of the etiquette bound greetings, and the barest of conversations. Alicent, bless her, tries, but Rhaenyra is non receptive. This would also be the perfect time for showcasing Rhaenyra's growing insecurities as Viserys' heir. She she isn't stupid, and she isn't deaf. She's known since Aegon drew his first breath that there would be those who supported his claim and would vie for it once the opportunity came (case in point, Otto).

Knowing this, Rhaenyra approaches Alicent and the two have a heart to heart. No, the Relationship isn't the same, but the relationship is much warmer than it had been. This establishes that Rhaenyra is at least cunning to some degree as so long as Alicent is loyal to her, so too would her children be. This would also the window that could be used to establish her relationship with both Criston and Harwin. For season two, the mid season finale would be the birth of another daughter. Viserys showing a luke warm enthusiasm, and a bit of unresolved feelings between Rhaenyra and Alicent break through.

I'd also point out that the mid season finale would also be perfect to highlight the death of Rhea Royce, Daemon's marriage to Laena and Rhaenyra's devestation at finding out.

-- The season finale would be the wedding of herself and Laenor, the death of Joffrey and Rhaenyra dismissing Criston from her service (Yes, they'd still have sex but it wouldn't be figured out until much later).

-- three would open up days after Aemond's eye had been taken, and the relation between Rhaenyra and Alicent has completely dissolved. Alicent discovers that she is being used by Rhaenyra, and she then acts accordingly, as Viserys doesn't defend his own children. It is here that she starts wearing green. This is a call to her uncle's bannermen: My children's lives are at stake, we require aid.

-- the mid season Finale would be the wedding for Daemon and Rhaenyra and the season finale would be Viserys death.

Note: I have skipped over a lot of things (allergies kicking my ass) so feel free to correct it.

[haggishlyhagging]

The eviction of TV's single women repeats a pattern established in television's last backlash. Early television actually offered quite a number of single-woman shows, although most featured hapless schoolmarms, maids, and typists in such fare as "Private Secretary," "Ella Miss," "My Friend Irma," "Our Miss Brooks," and "Meet Millie." By the mid-1950s, however, every program with a single woman in the lead had been canceled. And the unwed heroine would remain out of sight throughout the early and mid-1960s, appearing only as an incidental character, a reminder to female viewers of the woes of unwed life. On "The Dick Van Dyke Show," single Sally Rogers served to throw into relief the good fortunes and greater femininity of Van Dyke's doted-upon housewife—played by Mary Tyler Moore. In the many doctor and hospital shows of the '60s, single women surfaced only as patients, their illnesses typically caused by some "selfish" act—getting an abortion, having an affair or, most popular, disobeying a doctor's orders.

But in 1970, Mary Tyler Moore traded in the Van Dyke dollhouse for her own apartment and show. Moore's Mary Richards was not only unwed, she was more than thirty years old. Marriage panic did not afflict her. She had real male and female friends, enjoyed a healthy sex life, turned down men who didn't appeal to her, and even took the pill—without winding up on a hospital bed in the final scene. (She was, however, still the subordinated pseudo-schoolgirl to her boss; while her officemates called their chief "Lou," she always said "Mr. Grant.") Female viewers adored her. The program maintained top ratings for its entire run, won twenty-five Emmys, and it spun off two other successful sitcoms with independent female leads. Meanwhile, other programmers got the message and drafted their own shows about strong and independent unmarried women, from the realistic in "One Day at a Time" to the superhuman in "The Bionic Woman."

In 1986, a decade after her previous triumph, the networks returned Mary Tyler Moore to prime time—as a burned-out scowling divorcée whose career is only an object of derision. In "Mary," she writes the consumer Help Line column for a trashy tabloid. She has no confidantes on or off the job, a fact that heightens an already bleakly drawn existence. Next door, her earthy best friend Rhoda is replaced by a narcissistic single career woman, an ad executive who is desperate for a ring from any man. In one episode, the neighbor meets a mobster and announces her engagement the same day.

Moore's neighbor was not the only single television woman willing to lower her expectations in the quest for a marriage license. Under pressure from the network, the creators of "Kate and Allie" married off divorced mother Allie to a colorless suitor she had known only a short while. That same season on "Moonlighting," a pregnant Maddie Hayes got hitched to a dishwater-dull accountant right after they met on a train. Cybill Shepherd, who played Maddie, was adamantly opposed to this plot twist, and viewers were similarly disgusted. The show, in fact, was swamped with so many outraged letters that the producers finally had to annul the marriage.

Maddie's coerced matrimony was only the latest development in a long-running campaign to cow this independent female figure. David Addison, a carefree bachelor and Maddie's employee, ultimately tames his "queen bee" boss the old-fashioned way; he slaps her, and she surrenders to his advances. Still not satisfied, the series' producers later have her grovel before the preening David, literally on her knees. The shaming of Maddie Hayes was no idle writing exercise. It mirrored a behind-the-scenes campaign, conducted by both executive producer Glenn Caron and actor Bruce Willis (who played David), to curb the single Shepherd's "aggressive" personality. They told the press they didn't like how she was always voicing her opinion when she disagreed with the show's direction. At Caron's behest, the network sent Shepherd a disciplinary letter. The memo ordered her, on penalty of suit or the show's cancellation, to follow the director's orders, submit to timed breaks, and ask for permission before leaving the set. "I felt ill when I received it," Shepherd said at the time. "It was like reform school."

-Susan Faludi, Backlash: the Undeclared War Against American Women

[showtoonzfan]

This is a random thing to ask you, but what do you think of Moxxie's Mom? Imo she's the best character that was released in the new episode, but I feel like they could've done more with her. Like giving her an actual name lol.

Yeah I agree. I’m gong to get into nitpick territory with her, but they could have done a WHOLE lot more with Moxxie’s mother. For starters, it feels like her entire existence was just used for drama, like they literally dangle her corpse for shock value to the audience, and this wouldn’t be so bad if there was more to her. We don’t even see her face in the flashback for seemingly no reason, and like…we get to meet Crimson and his impact on Moxxie but not her? Sure, she’s nice, she was caring towards him while Crimson was a jerk and she didn’t want her son to get involved with him, but that’s it. We literally blink and then she’s gone. What’s worse is that like some other critic blogs have been saying, Viv CLEARY didn’t plan all of this out from the beginning. I’m going to nitpick again, but Moxxie never came across to me as someone who went through something THAT dark during childhood, especially since he was the one who killed his own mother, yes…Crim MADE him do it, but Moxxie was a child when it happened, for all we know he could have blamed himself. It’s just…kinda hard to acknowledge the impact Moxxie’s mother had on him when the first time we meet her IS ALSO the same time we see her killed, which is why I call Viv too impatient and too ambitious as a writer, cause if you’ve read my constructive criticism post, you’ll know that I wished this episode would keep her in the shadows but acknowledge that she existed, show Moxxie uncomfortable by her mere presence, and have Millie point out in the beginning that Moxxie NEVER brought up BOTH of his parents. Keep Crimson’s mask on until the end of the episode, and either introduce more about Moxxie’s mother in a later episode through MOXXIE’S perspective, or Crimson’s perspective, or maybe even both, anything to get to know her more. But unfortunately that’s not what we got, and guess what? After that flashback, she’s never brought up or acknowledged, she wasn’t even acknowledged in the entire episode, even by Moxxie.

I could be speaking too early, maybe they have more planned for her, but I doubt we’ll be able to see her on her own with Moxxie or even be mentioned without Crimson being attached to her so Vivzie can soak up how Uwu bad he is. Still, even if she does come up later, this episode should have been different regarding her. It already sucks that Moxxie never brought her up in the past or even seems to be scarred for killing her, again, none of this felt planned, they couldn’t even give this bitch a name. Knowing how Viv writes these episodes, she’s probably brainstorming as we speak how to bring Moxxie’s mother back into the picture, since she doesn’t plan ahead with these things, and the upcoming episodes from the trailer sure as hell don’t follow the events of Ex’s and Ooh’s so……..god Moxxie and his mother deserved better effort and writing. Feel like Viv poured more effort into freaking Crimson because she wants to have dark moments for this silly demon show so badly but never thinks the rest through or know where to go from there, and that’s a problem. That’s why I get so ticked, I feel like these dark themes feel so cheap, they feel like a desperate attempt to seem deep, even though the person writing this has NO idea how to handle these themes with respect or knows what they’re doing.

[toxic-ship-tournament]

ROUND 2 / SIDE A / POLL 2

Esmerelda Poofenplotz x Alice Luoja (@cantdanceflynn) vs Res x Leo (@adanaac)

who makes up your ship?:

Esmeralda Poofenplotz(Canon Phineas and Ferb character(although I draw her differently from canon)) and Alice Luoja(Background character turned Phineas and Ferb oc)

why does your ship deserve to be considered the most toxic?:

THEY BASICALLY STARTED OUT AS TWO DUMBASS TOXIC AF TEENAGERS GOING TO EVIL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER AND BEING THE TERRORS OF THE SCHOOL(POOFENPLOTZ BC SHES BIG ON BEAUTY AND WOULD BASICALLY DESTROY EVERYONE'S SELF ESTEEM AND ALICE BC. SHES WILLING TO KILL ANYONE WHO RLY FUCKS W HER), AND WHILE THEY ORIGINALLY HAD A RIVALRY IT GOT A LIL TOO HOMOEROTIC VERY QUICKLY AND THEY DON'T RLY KNOW HOW BUT THEY ENDED UP DATING. THEY ENDED UP, SURPRISE SURPRISE, RUINING EACH OTHER EVEN FURTHER THEN THE TWO OF THEM WERE ALREADY TRAUMATIZED!!!! A TYPICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN EM PRETTY MUCH WENT ALONG THE LINES OF POOFENPLOTZ POKING FUN AT SOMETHING ABOUT ALICES BODY OR PERSONALITY SHE KNEW WOULD TICK ALICE OFF("YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SAYING YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT, BUT THROWING UP YOUR LUNCH LATER COULDN'T HURT"), ALICE GETTING PISSED OFF AND PULLING A KNIFE ON HER("YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS TIME I'LL CHOP OFF YOUR TONGUE, STOP THAT HORRIBLE NOISE YOU CALL A VOICE"), AND THEN SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN OR ONE OF THEM WOULD FUMBLE OR FLIRT AND THEY'D JUST GO BACK TO NORMAL BANTER AND TERRORIZING PEOPLE. THEY DID CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER, AND WHATEVER THEY WERE EXPERIENCING CERTAINLY FIT SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE STRANGE AND NEBULOUS RANGE OF ROMANTIC LOVE, LIKE THEY DEFINITELY LIKED EACH OTHER, THEY WERE JUST TOXIC AS SHIT AND HAVING THEIR BEHAVIORS EXPANDED UPON OR REINFORCED BY THEIR ENVIRONMENT. EVENTUALLY ALICES OBSESSION W GODHOOD AND HER IDEA OF PERFECTION (ONE THAT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THERE, EVEN IF POOFENPLOTZ MADE IT MORE PHYSICAL) ENDED UP DRIVING THE TWO APART, WITH HOW HORRIBLE ALICES DECLINE WAS, AND POOFENPLOTZ ENDED UP BASICALLY LEAVING AND IGNORING HER AS A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO SNAP HER OUT OF HER DECLINE BUT ONLY PULLED HER FURTHER IN. AS IT STANDS NOW IN THE PRESENT, THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS A COMPLICATED SPIRAL OF "POOFENPLOTZ ACTUALLY HEALED AND REALIZED HOW AWFUL SHE WAS BEING AND WHILE SHE STILL HAD A DEGREE IN EVIL SCIENCE SHE HAD TO USE SO SHE MIGHT AS WELL GET A JOB DOING THAT, SHES ALSO RLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING W THE CAST AND HELP THEM, ESPECIALLY MILLIE AND PINKY, WHILE ALSO DEALING W " WHOOPS YOUR EX IS BACK IN TOWN AND SHES NOW BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE DEATHS THEN MOST FULL ON TERRORISM COMBINED, BUT SHE IS ALSO STILL KINDA HOT SO *NONCOMMITTAL HAND GESTURE*, YA KNOW?", MEANWHILE ALICE IS "OH RIGHT. SHE QUALIFIES FOR LOVEMUFFIN TOO. IM ALLOWED TO DENY ON HER ON TERMS OF HER BEING MY EX, RIGHT? BUT ALSO IM STILL GONNA INVITE HER TO OUR MEETINGS AND ALSO OFFER TO LET HER " LEAD" THE CULT IVE MADE THAT CONSISTS BASICALLY JUST OF MY VERY ABUSED OWN SON AND A VERY ABUSED TEENAGER WITH ME BC IF I CAN CHANGE HER MIND I CAN CHANGE ANYONES!"

ship tags/playlists/pinterest boards?:

Esmeralice, https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnP0Xop8gS5VdFNCP4Uetvq2pM5A9NZTe <- BAD PLAYLIST BY MY STANDARDS OF USUALLY A HUNDRED SONGS AT LEAST BUT ITLL DO FOR NOW

****

who makes up your ship?:

Res and Leo

why does your ship deserve to be considered the most toxic?:

Leo can’t remember anything that has happened to him before the age of twelve. All anyone knows is that he was in an accident that should have killed him, then he returned with an indestructible body and a void where his personality should be. He cannot comprehend good or evil, does not understand the concept known as ‘choice’, and cannot envision an existence where Res isn’t his Master. He imprinted onto Res the moment he met the other man and pushed himself into Res’ life without considering whether or not Res might want it. His first Master did not pass, he simply changed how he looked, and what he looks like now is Res. Period. He has nothing to offer, nothing to say, no emotions and no heart to give. All he knows are the facts, and the facts tell him that there is no Leo without Res. So he’ll make sure that there’s no Res without Leo. Res has always been very into science, but he isn’t too fond of how there are a bit too many restrictions on the experiments he can perform, and he’s even less fond of how they die whenever he tries some of his more ‘exciting’ stuff. Thankfully he has Leo, his little obedient puppy who will obey his every word and donate his body for research. Of course, he’s never asked him whether he was okay with that, but signing a consent form is so old school. He believes that we should be doers, not dreamers, and he’s always wanted to see what the insides of Leo’s body looked like. And all the resistance it’s putting up just makes it all the more exciting. Leo spells unending excitement, and that’s all the reason Res needs to make sure no one else has him. Res is life, but he is not Leo’s purpose for living, because Leo has not questioned whether or not life has a purpose. He doesn’t need to. Res is Leo’s Master, and Leo’s Master is the very concept of life itself. Without his Master, the earth does not spin, and the sun does not shine. Why would it be anything else? Leo is not a person, he is Res’ dream. The dream of a creature that would do nothing but obey his every word, and the dream of an anomaly that he could endlessly explore without an expiration date. A thing that Res will never get bored of. To Res, Leo is just an adorable lab rat who happens to be the only one in the world who can fulfill his dreams. He does not care for Leo, the person, because Leo is not a person, but he does care about Leo, the humanoid playground that belongs to Res, and Res alone. This is love, because love is when someone makes your heart race, and love is when someone makes you feel like you’re free-falling into obsession. Res loves him, loves him, loves him loves him loves himloveshim. Just as we don’t get emotionally attached to the oxygen that keeps our heart beating, Leo does not get emotionally attached to Res, and he doesn’t need to. This isn’t love, it’s something more than that. Love can change, fade and evolve- it’s fickle, fleeting and easily manipulated. What Leo and Res have is a constant. Res belongs with Leo, and Leo belongs with Res. Don’t argue with the facts. Because you’re wrong, and Leo will make sure you know you’re wrong, no matter who you are. It’s a good thing they’re with each other, and no one else. (Leo is Uno's oc, Res is Canada's oc. Above description written by Uno. Canada's description below) They're basically like those AITA stories where both are the asshole and its a good thing they're together and making each other worse. btw Res is the short pink one and Leo is the tall one.

ship tags/playlists/pinterest boards?:

[cherryrainn]

━━ ✧ 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 {𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫}

.4 - 𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙬.

─ ✩ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ; s3lf harm, depression, bulimia, mental health issues, self hatred, stuff like that, and just like my other stories... lots of angst!

─ ✩ 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ; im so sorry. im so dumb i forgot to put this on tumblr, sorry for those who were waiting for so long.

─ ✩ 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐏𝐀𝐃 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

─ ✩ 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆 ; here

─ ✩ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄

─ ✩ 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓

you sat outside the farmhouse, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within you. startled, scared, and unsure of what to do next, you found yourself grappling with conflicting thoughts. on one hand, part of you felt a strong urge to tell millie's parents or tell blitzø about what had happened inside the house.

but then, another part of you yearned to run away, to distance yourself from the terrifying ordeal you had just witnessed. the fear of striker's retaliation hung heavily in the air, leaving you uncertain of what he might do if he discovered that you had spoken up. would he do something to you? the weight of these questions pressed upon your conscience, casting a shadow of doubt over your decision.

as you contemplated your next move, a profound sense of guilt washed over you. you felt bad, terrible even, for considering keeping silent. it went against your principles of fairness and justice, yet in the depths of hell, selfishness and self-preservation seemed to be the norm. everyone around you acted in their own self-interest, looking out for themselves above all else. so, why shouldn't you prioritize your own well-being, just this once?

with a heavy sigh, you made a choice. you decided that, for now, you would put yourself first. the guilt lingered but you couldn't bear the thought of inviting trouble into your life, not when you were already shaken to the core.

you noticed that it was time for the ceremony, and with a sense of anticipation, you rose from your spot and began walking. as you made your way through the bustling crowd, a familiar pang of embarrassment washed over you. it was a feeling you couldn't quite explain or shake off, a nagging self-consciousness that seemed to follow you wherever you went. in your eyes, you were just ugly, unworthy of the attention and admiration that others seemed to effortlessly command. but you pushed those thoughts aside, for now.

finally, you found yourself a spot near the side of the crowd, seeking refuge under the shade of a structure. leaning against the cool brick wall, you settled in, waiting for the ceremony to commence. the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, a palpable energy that crackled in the air.

and then, it began. stolas took center stage, his presence commanding the attention of all those gathered. with a flourish of his grimoire, he conjured a spellbinding display of magic, flipping through the pages as if orchestrating an otherworldly symphony. his voice, infused with a blend of authority and enchantment, rang out across the crowd.

"my dear commoners of the ring of wrath!" stolas proclaimed, his words carrying the weight of both tradition and power. "i, stolas, the renowned demon of the ars goetia, hereby bestow a curse upon this year's harvest, imbuing it with the radiant glow of the true harvest moon!"

the clouds above began to swirl and twist, forming a mesmerizing portal in the darkened sky. with a surge of anticipation, the portal revealed itself to be a gateway to another realm, offering a breathtaking glimpse of an ethereal orange full moon. its soft, golden light spilled forth, casting an enchanting glow upon the land below.

the collective gasp of awe that swept through the crowd was mirrored in your own awestruck expression. the sight before you was nothing short of breathtaking—a testament to the boundless power and beauty that existed within the depths of hell itself. for a fleeting moment, you were transported away from your worries and insecurities, fully immersed in the splendor of this celestial spectacle.

as the crowd oohed and aahed in wonder, you couldn't help but join in, overcome by the sheer magnificence of the scene unfolding before your eyes.

so there you stood, beneath the comforting shade, a spectator in this grand theater of the damned. the harvest moon's radiant glow washed over you.

you lingered beneath the comforting shade, savoring the lingering warmth and tranquility that enveloped you. as the crowd gradually dispersed, the once-thriving space transformed into a quiet oasis, with only a few stragglers remaining. eventually, the solitude pulled you back to reality, prompting you to rise from your reverie.

the weariness that permeated your bones became all too apparent as you contemplated the long journey home. the thought of trudging through the darkness, navigating winding paths and treacherous terrain, weighed heavily on your fatigued form. seeking respite, you decided to opt for a nearby motel instead.

arriving at the motel, you approached the front desk, the scent of stale air and worn carpet mingling in the dimly lit space. weary eyes met yours as the receptionist acknowledged your presence, and with a simple exchange, you obtained the key to your room. climbing the worn staircase to the second floor, each step resonated with a soft creak, echoing the weariness that burdened your every move.

as you pushed open the door, the odor of neglect and mustiness greeted your senses. the room had certainly seen better days, with worn-out furniture and faded wallpaper that seemed to match your own sense of weariness. you discarded your belongings, allowing your body to collapse onto the bed, its lumpy mattress providing little respite for your tired frame. the pervasive smell threatened to invade your senses, but you resolved to ignore it, reminding yourself that this was just a temporary stop along your journey.

lying on your back, you found yourself staring up at the cracked ceiling, lost in your own thoughts. the weariness that had consumed you earlier began to morph into hunger pangs, gnawing at your stomach with an insistent intensity. you knew you should eat, nourish yourself after a long day, but the guilt and self-doubt that plagued your mind made it difficult to muster the will.

with a heavy sigh, you dragged yourself out of bed and shuffled towards the small bathroom, where a modest mirror hung on the wall. as you gazed at your reflection, a mix of disappointment and resignation washed over you. the reflection staring back seemed unfamiliar, a mere shadow of what you believed yourself to be. how had things come to this? did you even deserve to be seen, to be real?

you brought your hands to your face, feeling the roughness of your skin beneath your fingertips. it was a tactile reminder of your own existence, grounding you in the reality of your flawed and worn-out form. with a lingering frown, you turned away from the mirror, convinced that you didn't deserve the nourishment your body craved.

but then, your stomach rumbled with a newfound insistence. the hunger persisted. maybe, just maybe, you could let yourself have a small snack.

a small snack.

as you stepped out of the bathroom, and into your room, you opened the door and your eyes caught sight of a figure across the dimly lit hallway. it took a moment for your mind to process what you were seeing, but the shock that rippled through you was undeniable—it was striker, turning the doorknob and casually strolling into a room adjacent to yours.

a surge of unease coursed through your veins, quickening your heartbeat. questions raced through your mind, each one more urgent than the last. did he follow you here? was this mere coincidence? the mere thought of striker lurking in such close proximity to you sent shivers down your spine.

instinctively, you retreated into your own room, shutting the door with a forceful slam. your hands trembled slightly as you leaned against the wooden barrier, your mind racing to make sense of the situation. thoughts swirled in a chaotic whirlpool, blending fear, curiosity, and a tinge of curiosity.

he was probably just tired and wanted a place to sleep like you did... right?

as the moments ticked by and your curiosity continued to gnaw at your resolve, an irresistible urge compelled you to take a peek through the peephole. you hesitated for a brief moment, the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon you, but curiosity won out in the end.

gently, you pressed your eye against the peephole, your vision tunneling into a narrow perspective of the outside world. and there, standing right in front of your door, was striker, wearing a disarming smile that seemed to hold both mischief and possessiveness. his eyes were locked onto the peephole, as if he knew you were watching.

a gasp escaped your lips, your heart pounding in your chest like a trapped bird. how did he know? the sight of him, looming larger than life, sent a chill down your spine, tingling with a mix of fear and fascination.

before you could gather your thoughts, a sharp knock reverberated through the room, breaking the eerie silence. each thud echoed in your ears like a pounding drum, amplifying the intensity of the moment. you hesitated, frozen in place, unsure of how to respond to this unexpected encounter.

"ya know... i can open that door if i wanted to~"

he spoke in a way as if he were going to do so without your permission. his voice sounded like butter as he continued to lean against the door with his tail swaying back and forth. his words sent a shiver down your spine, hinting at the dangerous depths that lay hidden beneath his charismatic facade.

your heart raced, pounding against your ribcage like a wild animal desperate for escape. but despite the fear coursing through your veins, an inexplicable curiosity gnawed at your core. you knew deep down that striker's intentions were far from innocent, yet an unexplainable magnetic pull drew you closer to the door.

summoning every ounce of courage you could muster, you slowly turned the lock, feeling the weight of the decision pressing upon you. with a creak, the door swung open, revealing striker standing before you, his form towering over yours, emphasizing the vast difference in size and power.

he leaned casually against the doorframe, his posture exuding an air of nonchalance, as if the earlier peephole incident was nothing more than a playful game. his eyes, however, betrayed an intensity that sent chills down your spine. they burned with possessiveness and desire, consuming you with their unwavering focus.

"hey there, darlin'," he drawled, his voice dripping with a mix of charm and danger. "mind if i step in for a moment? i'm parched, and i reckon you might have a bottle of water to spare."

his words seemed innocent enough, but you knew better. there was an ulterior motive lurking beneath his nonchalant request.

but what you didn't know was that he craved something else entirely. his thirst ran deeper, fueled by an insatiable hunger that chilled you to the bone.

caught between fear and fascination, you nodded hesitantly, your voice betraying your inner turmoil. "uh... yeah, sure. come in."

as striker crossed the threshold, his presence enveloped the room, his imposing figure casting a shadow over your meager surroundings. you couldn't help but feel a mix of vulnerability and intrigue, knowing all too well that you were teetering on the edge of a dangerous precipice.

striker made his way further into the room, his eyes never leaving yours. you watched as he leaned against a nearby surface, his confident demeanor belying the storm of emotions brewing within you.

as you handed him the bottle of water, your hands trembled, betraying your apprehension. you knew the true nature of his desire, the thirst that burned within him. but for now, you had no choice but to play along, to keep your own secrets tucked away in the depths of your soul.

as striker quenched his thirst with the water, a flicker of satisfaction danced across his features. he wiped his lips with the back of his hand, fixing his piercing gaze upon you. the intensity in his eyes was undeniable, but to you, it remained a mystery, clouded by the thick veil of his enigmatic persona.

"thanks." he murmured, his voice laced with an undertone of amusement. "you're a real lifesaver. it's been a long day, and a little hydration goes a long way."

you nodded silently, your unease mingling with a subtle curiosity. striker's presence was both captivating and unsettling, drawing you in like a moth to a flame.

as he leaned against the wall, his gaze roamed around the room, taking in the modest surroundings. a faint smirk played at the corner of his lips, hinting at the thoughts swirling within his mind. it was as if he knew something you didn't.

"you know," striker began casually, his voice laced with a touch of mischief, "it's funny how paths cross in unexpected ways. i never would've imagined finding you here, all alone in this shabby motel. but i guess fate has a way of bringing together those who are destined to be entwined."

his words hung in the air, thick with possibilities that you struggled to comprehend. was it mere coincidence that he had stumbled upon your presence? or was there a deeper meaning hidden within his unclear statement? questions swirled within your mind, but you hesitated to voice them, fearing the unknown consequences they might bring.

striker's gaze lingered on you, his eyes searching for something you couldn't quite decipher. there was an intensity to his scrutiny, a hunger for understanding that mirrored the hunger burning within your own soul. yet, you remained oblivious to all of it.

as the silence stretched between you, an unspoken tension filled the room, thickening the air with anticipation. you wondered if there was more to this encounter than met the eye, if there was a purpose hidden within the folds of fate that had brought you together.

as striker observed you with an unknown glint in his eyes, he suddenly reached for the hat perched on his head. with a swift motion, he placed it on your head, the brim slightly tilting to the side. a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he took a step back to admire the sight.

"there you go, darlin'," he remarked with a wry grin. "looks like you could use a little touch of style. don't worry, i've got plenty more of these. can't have you looking too sad now, can we?"

his words cut deep, their cruel intent evident. striker took pleasure in belittling you, relishing in your vulnerability. to him, your struggles and insecurities were nothing more than a pitiful display of weakness.

before striding towards the door, he paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on your face. the disdain in his eyes was palpable, a clear reflection of his contemptuous opinion.

"you've got a sad little face, don't ya?" he remarked casually, his tone betraying a mix of amusement and fascination. "but there's something intriguing about it. guess i'll have to stick around to find out."

with a sly wink, striker turned away, leaving you in a state of bewilderment and curiosity. it was clear that he held a particular interest in you, drawn to your vulnerability in ways that went beyond his usual demeanor.

after striker left, you found yourself standing there, still trying to process the encounter. confusion swirled in your mind, mingling with the slightest hint of a blush on your cheeks. his presence had stirred something within you, but you couldn't fathom why he would take any interest in you. you shook your head, trying to dispel those thoughts. the idea of someone being attracted to you felt absurd, given your own insecurities and self-doubt.

it hurt to berate yourself like that, but it was a familiar coping mechanism. you'd always seen yourself as less-than, unworthy of any affection or attention. striker's attentiveness only added to your confusion, making you question if there was more to you than you had ever allowed yourself to believe.

you sighed, feeling the weight of the day's events and emotions bearing down on you. deciding to focus on something else, you walked over to the small motel bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling as you tried to clear your mind.

but striker's image kept appearing in your thoughts – the way he smiled at you, the gentle touch as he put his hat on your head. it was unsettling and thrilling all at once. you didn't know how to make sense of it, but you knew one thing: you couldn't let yourself fall for his charm. it would only lead to heartache and disappointment.

as you closed your eyes, you reminded yourself that here, nobody cared about anyone else. everyone was selfish, ruthless, and had their own hidden agendas. striker was no exception, and you couldn't afford to let yourself be drawn into his world.

with that thought in mind, you forced yourself to push striker and his enigmatic charm to the back of your mind. tomorrow was a new day, and you had to focus on surviving and getting by. you couldn't let anyone get under your skin, especially not someone like striker.

you drifted off to sleep, hoping that the confusing encounter with striker would be nothing more than a fleeting memory.

[bagheerita]

I am a SO ready to talk Godzilla movies. I’ve only seen a handful of them compared to like the dozens I know exist-the more recent ones where they were trying to do Avengers but the big Monsties-but god I love them.

Admittedly Kong is seared into my brain because it came out at the Height of my Tom Hiddleston obsession-I even own it in dvd like I was that deep-so that’s the one I remember the best. And it’s the one I like the most because of the wide range of monsters we get to see. Big Buffalo guy? The skull lizards? Fuck yeah love my monsters wish more movies were monster movies lol.

Anyways, the others are more spattering in recollection. But I wanna ask, which of these movies is your fave, why, and what do you think of the empty core earth/godzilla goes into the center of the earth to recharge like Superman does to the sun? I remember finding that very. Odd? But ripe for interest bc in Kong they set up that whole. Under-earth world the skull things came from.

I've also only seen a handful of the movies... exactly 6 Godzilla/Monster-verse related movies (that I can recall anyway): the original Gojira and the original King Kong. And then Godzilla 2014, Kong Skull Island, Godzilla King of the Monsters (watched last night), and Godzilla vs Kong (watched today!).

I've only seen each of them once, and Kong Skull Island is the only one I saw in the theater (Tom Hiddleston obsession what....😅😅💚❤). Watching Godzilla KotM's last night was the first time I'd actually seen several of the monsters I already knew of through cultural osmosis, like Rodan and Ghidorah, which was very cool.

My favorite is hard to say. (I mean, to say the best movie would be easy: it would be Gojira, because I think it's awesome and perfect and very much a product of its time that said what it needed to say. But I feel like it's an entirely separate genre than the other movies I've seen.) I enjoyed Skull Island and I remember it being slightly better story-wise than the Godzilla movies, IE it made me care more about the human characters and they had better development and reasons for what they were doing.

Since it's the one I just watched I might say KotM is my favorite, just because I loved all the monster battles, and because there are apparently no locked doors in this world (Millie Bobbie Brown can just walk into Fenway Park, and also her family home that's been abandoned for months/years, without any keys or any problems). And also because of Charles Dance, who is a fantastic villain even though he looked like he was phoning it in and even though he didn't get eaten by a dragon (It was all I wanted... what was promised. lol). GvK was fun, but not quite enough to overcome the silliness of the premise. (like, come on, giant monkey versus radioactive dinosaur. who do you think wins? I did like that the movie turned it into a team up against Mechagodzilla/the ghost of Ghidorah.)

The first mentions of the Hollow Earth Theory kind of took me by surprise, so it took me awhile to get over the silliness of it especially the gravity inversion lmao. (Just last month or so I finished watching Sanctuary, which has its own Hollow Earth theory lol) But I did really love the concept of Godzilla's temple where he would go to recharge in KotM. (Too bad they blew it up 😭 Or did they?? Maybe Godzilla's temple where he hangs out can withstand nuclear blasts? 🤔) I love the idea that he would go to this place of ancient worship to rest and regain his strength, sleeping among the memories of when he was perhaps more literally a god. The whole "recharging from the center of the earth bc there's radiation" is whatever. The origins of Godzilla have changed so much to get him to fit into this new idea of him and his place within the world and what he represents, so... sure. The Earth is a hollow, Godzilla recharging battery. 👍

I really liked the development they did for Hollow Earth in GvK. I like that Kong's axe gets charged up by Godzilla's blasts. And I loved that when you see Kong's "throne," Godzilla is carved into the stones around the base of the throne. To me this suggests that rather than a rivalry, Kong and Godzilla have an ancient symbiosis: Godzilla is King Kong's guard dog... or perhaps "court wizard" in the sense of the archetypal magician, with the knowledge and power to comprehend a balance within nature that he then "advises" the "king" about. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I dunno but I think that would be really cool. I'd love to see more "monsterverse" movies with fewer human characters getting in the way (though I did really like Millie Bobbie Brown's posse wandering around and stumbling onto Mechagodzilla; that was a cool way to reveal that information to the audience). But more stories specifically about the interactions between these ancient creatures would be very interesting. In the special features for KotM they say that Mothra is the only female monster, which is kind of odd. I suppose Godzilla never really "dies" so he doesn't need to... reproduce in a standard-for-higher-Earth-life-forms way, but I'm pretty sure I remember Kong having parents in Skull Island, which I guess makes him (or his mom) an outlier if we're roping him into the monsterverse. Though the continuity for any of these stories is very loose (in KotM there are kaiju on every continent, but GvK is 3 years later and all of them... left? Everything's normal now. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you? And then Godzilla rolls up in Hong Kong and trashes it. There's one shot of a "kaiju bunker" or whatever, but no other preparations or any sort of contingencies for what to do if attacked by world-destroying monsters which last happened 3 years ago).

Anyway I hear there's another Godzilla movie coming out this year, and one called GodzillaXKong which I can only hope is the shipper movie we've all been waiting to see!! ;b

[atoledefresa-delulusversion]

Time to fangirl about Helluva Boss: S1 E6

I'm sick so my levels of hyperfixation are very low. Anyways-

This is another of my favorite chapters. This is the moment where the animation and camara rotation of last chapters come together.

First we have the D.H.O.R.K.S. Apparently, they're a secret organization obssesed with proving the existence of demons and have been gathering evidence of IMP killing people around the human world. How do they got first shots of those moments? The magic of the plot, I guess. Once they're discovered and Biltz sees they're cornered, he tells Loona to close the portal and she obeys because he didn't swear or joke, which means he's being serious. Makes me wonder on how many ocassions has he been serious that she learned to recognize it (or maybe they have talked about it in case they were spotted. I personally don't think so but it can be a posibility).

[Also, I read my other post and catch many spelling mistakes and I'm sorry. I translate everything in my mind and have long nails and sometimes I think a clicked a letter and I didn't. Moving on-]

This episode gave us Millie and Loona teaming up. It's obvious at first that Loona is inexperienced, since Millie is the one giving orders, but they're both lethal. And we get an idea of M&M ages when Millie says that she's only 5 years older than Loona. So, guessing that Loona must be 18-19, Millie (and Moxxie) must be between 23-25. And Blitz looks older, so my guess is that he is close to 30 or 30-something. I'm talking about what the series gives us.

And talking about Loona-

Look how FLEXIBLE she is. This and the fact that she's not bothered at killing makes me wonder what was she doing before getting adopted? I mean- yeah, she's from Hell and everything, but even Moxxie had his doubts at the beginning.

This episode also gave us Moxxie being this little annoying bitch. We already know Blitz has the hability to turn everything into a sexual joke. But Moxxie?! Strategic or not, he DOES looks like the type of customer to order some complicated coffee. But I love their dynamic. Blitz made it uncomfortable and Moxxie join him to give Millie enough time to rescue them. They share one braincell. They really are the "dumbass twins".

We also get deep into Blitz and Moxxie's relationship, thanks to the thruth bomb.

To me, when Blitz kind-of reprimends Moxxie for being so dependant on Millie sounds like he's kinda jealous because, (like he said in the end), Moxxie is very capable of doing things on his own, why does he wants to spend SO MUCH time with Millie? Like, they're already married and they see each other all day, why be so "obssesed" with her? What has she that makes him want to spend all his time in her instead of hanging a little with Blitz (since they were the original duo)? And Moxxie is surprised, like, "That was personal, is that how you think of me?".

And then they go on and on insulting each other. I don't know why Moxxie would choose to insult Blitz's suit, like, don't talk about his appearance, talk about his personality. Unless he didn't really felt hurt about what he said about his wife and combat his inmature jealousy with an inmature insult.

We DO know that Moxxie gave Blitz a musical recommendation (we don't know if Blitz ask him or if it was more like a sugestion) and that Blitz lied and said that he like it when he didn't. We get a little glimps of them trying to BOND. At the beginning of the series, we know they were friends (why? We don't know), with a friendship based on bullying Moxxie, but now we KNOW that they were trying to get along. That Moxxie was trying to share his interest with Blitz, and Blitz lied to have a share interest with Moxxie (doesn't make it less bad, but it's a start. Besides, this resolves at the end of the chapter).

Now, let's talk about Moxxie's allucination:

Beautifully animated. A literal gem. I think you can see the sketches but I don't know how many people really work on this, how many time did they had and in what conditions. But I'm gonna praise it anyway.

First we have Moxxie asking Phanton!Blitz if it's okey with him that Moxxie starts speaking with honesty. Very considerate and in character for him (always ask your friends if they're ready to hear the thruth if they want it), but given his relationship with Blitz, I think asking is a very submisive move. That's how he sees his friendship with Blitz. I'm not even sure if he considers it a friendship at all. He DOES considers Blitz a friend, but (in his point of view) does Blitz?

Now that he has the confirmation, he starts with a very well deserved "fuck you". And tells Phanton!Blitz that if he (Moxxie) is being bothered by his own version of Blitz, then he (Blitz) must be really suffering with his own version of Moxxie, since he always points out how annoying he finds him. And he's kinda right-

Blitz IS being tortured. In his own allucination, he's dressed as a clown, and given that he wasn't a good clown, this has a humilitating purpose.

The first character that appears in Blitz's allucination is a bad drawn Moxxie speaking in a exaggerated formal way (this goes beyond my level of english, but you get it). As he keeps talking, he changes between the drawing and his original self. This is obviously a simbolism, but I don't know what is trying to tell. Maybe sometimes Blitz sees him as a cartoon when he speaks so formally and sometimes as a normal imp when he DOES understand what he's saying.

Then we go back to Moxxie. As he's climbing his way to Phanton!Blitz, he asks him why does he says so hurtful things to him? Why is he being a bad friend? Why does he push people away? And Phanton!Blitz responds that he pushes people away before they get the chance to abandon him. Let's remember this is MOXXIE'S allucination. This is Moxxie's version of Blitz. This means Moxxie KNOWS why Blitz is how he is and why he is mean with him (and maybe that's why he [Moxxie] allowed it). But as he said, it's a toxic behavior, and he can't keep allowing Blitz to minimize him. Tha's why he started at the bottom of the stairs and kept climbing until he reached an equal level with Bliltz, because he wants to be his equal. And that's the thing: he still wants to be friends with Blitz. He's willing to put effort into changing their relationshop for the better, instead of leaving him; something that Blitz is afraid of.

Meanwhile, Al!Moxxie is telling Blitz that he's life's a mess, that he needs the presence of other people around him to make him seen like he knows what he's doing. That he's not that bad to be around. And Blitz gets defensive. He tells him that he could easily manage all of IMP by himself. That he is SO GOOD at his job that he doesn't need anyone. And he could. He's very good at killing and everything. But he doesn't want to do it alone. He doesn't want to BE alone. And apparently, he already tried going solo and it didn't work (maybe at being a clown) and it made him think that he needed a team, but he couldn't help but trying to push them away and now he's regretting something that he can't change (it's his defensive mechanism. He can't allow himself to be hurt again). And now that they talk about intimacy-

Appears Stolas. Given their situationship, it makes me think that, yes, someone can crave to have an intimate relationship with their friends, be each others confidents and everything; but with Blitz specifically, he craves being loved ROMANTICALLY, thats why they show us Stolas. And is Stolas himself who tells him he's afraid of loving someone. He's afraid of letting anyone in. And whats interesting about this two is their respectively point of view of their relationship. In this chapter we see that Blitz sees Stolas as someone above him (which he is, because he is a royal) the same way Moxxie saw Blitz above him: as someone who holds power, authority. Moxxie already figured out his role. But Blitz doesn't want to lose his job by calling off his transaction with Stolas. Blitz sees himself as an inferior being because all his life that's what the system told him. And sometimes even Stolas reinforces it. Stolas is one of the only constants in his life and the closest thing to "love" Blitz can get, so I'm not surprised he starts having feelings.

And, as annoying as he finds it, Moxxie is probably the only voice of reason Blitz would be willing to listen. So he's the one saying in the background that even Blit'z conscious knows that he's so afraid of intimacy, doesn't matter how much he craves it, he will never allow himself to be so vulnerable around anyone. And just when the thruth starts to hurt, just when Blitz tells them to shut up, when he starts to push them away-

They dissappear.

Both Moxxie and Blitz are afraid of people leaving them. But both would handle things differently: Moxxie would learn from that, accept his failures and change; while Blitz would bottle it up, regret it and torture himself because changing and thrusting is. So. Hard.

Then the allucination stops. Moxxie tells Blitz something that made an impact in him that he still remembers: he tells him that he complimented him when Moxxie most needed it instead of being judgemental and mean. It made Moxxie realize that Blitz can empathize sometimes. And Blitz tells Moxxie that he needs to be more secure about himself and not let anyone (even his friends) get to his mind.

Then we finally see this two teaming up, working together SO WELL.

And when the cost was clear, Blitz went to Loona, to make sure she was okey, which-

She's good. I liked that she uses her mouth too. He confirmed that she knew how to handle herself and went to check on Millie, since she did most of the killing before and she's probably tired-

Once Blitz has checked that all his teamates are good, he starts handling things on his own. Until they're cornered (and I like that Blitz make himself "big" to try to protect Loona and M&M):

Also- Stolas' true form reveal?! (And his song being played by thrumpets then going back to a piano. I love my boy).

At first, Blitz is confused. He did a face that make me think he had a little idea of what was happening but it wans't until Stolas appear that he realize the Stolas' full power capacity. He's worried that Stolas might be mad that they were catch but then Stolas baby talks to him and that sems to bothered Blitz. Stolas is reinforcing Blitz feeling of inferiority by showing his worry instead of reprimend him. To Blitz, this is a sign that they're nowhere near to be equal demon beings. But he's grateful nonetheless and he will give Stolas the reward he deserves.

And it leaves us in a cliffhanger of what will happen in the human world now that the D.H.O.R.K.S. have the evidence they needed.

Anyway, I feel like I let many things out but this is all my little brain can handle for now. I'll be reading your takes on thus chapter very happily (and very sick).

[wondersofspite]

More and more the show declines into feeling like satirized fanfiction of itself, because it is written like a satirized fanfiction.

Build-up is the backbone of nearly every climax. If you want the payoff to be good as it gets, you gotta get us to care first. That’s one of the standing differences between fanfiction and media. One field of work has to build everything up from the ground - characters, plotlines, themes - but the other? Already geared up from the beginning line. The biggest issue you have to worry about is typos, prudish/diehard commenters, how much nights your gonna waste on the writing and potentially mischaracterizing a character. You get what I mean? Fanfiction is the fun sand ground you could make any castles, house and statues out of your whims, compared to the more inflexible, logical, time demanding, money draining subject like serialized media. In fanfiction, you can get away with a lot of stuff you won’t in the star business.

One of those big factors are already having pre-established characters. Which is also one of Helluva Boss’s biggest problem.

I would state again this is very much my own opinion, but any relationship and conflict that exists in Helluva feels like one-shot fanfics running on 2000 word count limit. Everything happens and ends in the same episode. 2 season in, and there is no connections made with anything that happened in past episodes. New shit upon new shit. How can I care about any of these character and their issues, when the series is constantly on it’s toes, trying to found the next cool thing to dangle in front of me as if trying to distract me like some child? This is comparable to an AU fic where the author is just tossing everything they found interesting in it rather then telling something with it. Why can’t the pace just relax for once? Where’s the comedic, Office-like, dysfunctional found family we’ve been promised? (The last one is more me bitching but. You feel me?)

It feels almost desperate how progressively, the show gets worse and worse with it’s balance of reality and fanfictioness (Stolas going from Medusa to begin beaten by an imp, Millie’s unlredictable strength scale etc. The tongue in cheek “damsel tied to train rails” point out felt more like insecure writers trying to cover their asses than anything worth a laugh). It breaks it’s own rule every day just for fan service: The character doesn’t live inside the world, the world lives for the characters. And unless you’re Blitzo or Moxxie, your not going to get any agency independent from those two for a long time. Everything you do is either a joke or to forward the plot.

The show treats all it’s characters and relatonships like something you should have had an pre-existing knowledge of, then promptly mold and twisted it every new episode. The pace felt like the writers were held at gunpoint to churn in as much as intrigue possible in 10 minutes. Action upon action: When’s it simply gonna sit and tell story instead of constantly throwing plot points at the audiences? Your show won’t instantly get smitten by gods and die if it doesn’t have drama in it everytime, Viv.

All of these issues reek of fanfic. Not even the good kind. It’s just a chaotic, unplanned spectacle caught in live

[drewandareview]

Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Originally published August 24th, 2014

I went into this movie with what I consider the perfect circumstances: I heard it was a very good movie and knew virtually nothing else about it.  Knowing I could be reasonably secure that this would not be a bad movie, I did not have to research it.  Therefore, I could go in blind and be entirely surprised with what it had to offer.  It's the perfect moviegoing experience.  Or, at least it should have been.

When I think modern, I think "This very day."  But that is not when Thoroughly Modern Millie was made.  It was made in the sixties.  And so I reset my sights, only to realize that this movie made in the sixties actually takes place in the twenties.  I reset once more.  I am uneasy.

It turns out to be a delightful, lighthearted romp, basing itself largely on classic comedies made from the era it is set in.  I relax and take a joyful breath.  Silly movies like these are far and few in my experience, and I'm glad to be experiencing one.  A frivolous scene of having to do a tap routine to make an elevator work.  Two lovers in a car sinking from view and reemerging moments later in entirely different positions.  A man being pushed out a window and dangling from a flagpole, with the very same happening to a woman mere moments later.  

Most wonderfully is Julie Andrews, our main character Millie, who on occasion will interact with us by looking right into the camera and giving a facial expression.  Every one of these fourth wall expressions fills me with an incredible bliss.  Julie Andrews radiates an ineffable warmth, regardless of what emotion she's conveying, and these expressions are literally infectious.  To my pleasant surprise, she isn't the only source of these--Mary Tyler Moore also delivers a brilliant array of her own bubbly expressions.  In fact, much of the cast seems to be emanating a blithe spirit that appears impossible to augment.

The premise is that Julie Andrews wants to be the perfect modern girl and marry her wealthy boss.  Perhaps it'll be this nice theme about subscribing to your own fashion rather than that of the world's?  No.  Not at all.  But wishful thinking.  Still, it's a sound premise for the attraction this movie purports to be.  I expect to smile frequently.

But my smiling finds itself interrupted with a contorted grimace.  There is another premise.  A group of nefarious Chinese people are drugging attractive women without families, throwing their unconscious bodies into a laundry basket, and selling them off as white slaves somewhere in China.  While I was introduced to this competing premise more gradually, its presence continues to hit me like a soaring baseball at a picnic.  Newspapers indicate that the police are investigating this ongoing matter.   Ongoing.  This has been happening for some time.  Newspapers go on to indicate some girls have already been sold as slaves.

The Chinese henchmen involved are 100% Chinese.  In the most oriental garb possible, they have the dopey expressions that successfully scream "foreign threat".  It's okay. I think.  The movie needed a group with strange customs and foreign people easily fit the bill.  I counter But that's racist.  I cannot disagree with this argument.  It occurs to me it would have been just as easy to invent strange customs for a group rather than pinpoint them to an existing culture.  But the movie is paying homage to classic twenties comedies, and those were racist. I think.  So this is okay.  I am at ease.  But not really.  Not at all.

The climax chooses to revolve around this scheme when one of the central characters is kidnapped herself.  Millie chases the Chinese henchmen into what is referred to as an opium den.  There, the camera casually showcases an extensive display of cages, filled with shrieking girls who are tied up inside of them.  Some Chinese henchmen are seen sealing a crate, which a sign reveals will be sent to China.  I tensen, sure that if the crate is sealed, an innocent girl must be contained within it.

My heart races at the sudden shift in tone, but the movie itself does not seem to recognize this shift.  As Millie chases after a laundry basket that contains her unconscious friend, being prepped for shipment, the two Chinese henchmen pushing it do a cute little dance.  They skip about and wave their arms, expressionless.  It's funny to see henchmen doing that.  But it's not.  I do not laugh.

The Chinese try, in vain, to keep their operation afoot after Millie rescues her friend and frees those captive.  The main characters are at Carol Channing's house.  Not the actress, but the character she plays in this movie.  The Chinese villains follow and confront these characters.  Carol Channing knows what to do.  She bellows unnaturally low singing notes.  This shatters the thick glasses of our Chinese henchmen.  How clever.  Now they are blind. I think.  This is not the case.  It turns out their glasses were not broken for any reason other than Carol Channing's amusement.  The very next shot features the camera slowly panning in on Carol Channing as she violently shimmies and laughs with an enthusiasm that feels with every fiber of my being that it must be contrived, but the alarming intensity in her bulging eyes proves that it is not.

In this moment, I found myself suddenly fearful.  What was I watching?  The entirely contradicting plot, the extreme racism, married with the inexplicable, uninvited cackling of Carol Channing as her jaw appears to unhinge.  What madness is this?  If we are capable of this as a species, should we fear ourselves?

The main characters go on to defeat the Chinese henchmen with acrobatic finesse.  It was never established that all these characters had acrobatic finesse. I want to suspend my disbelief as I had earlier in the movie, but I can't.  I don't know what to believe anymore.  I watch in existential apathy as one character leaps several feet into the air to land onto an elevated platform, just before descending onto one of the Chinese henchman below.  I watch our heroes deliver kicks that send the Chinese henchman spiraling several feet into the air like rag dolls, as if their mass momentarily disappeared.  They make arcs like rainbows and land bloodlessly.  I watch the main characters turn their abuse of these Chinese henchmen into something of a circus routine, complete with a bow.  I don't understand.  I don't know if I want to.

One character is shot in the neck with a needle, containing some Chinese liquid.  It paralyzes him, but the rest of the characters are unaware of his paralysis.  They communicate with him as if he is fully functioning, but he never responds.  He is frozen.  Every limb stiffened, his face frozen in a giant smile.  His eyes are wide and lifeless.  His jolly expression is a lie.  He seems to be whispering "Help me."  I wonder if this is the fate that will befall me upon this movie's conclusion.

The Chinese are defeated.  Millie's love interest, a slacking paper clip salesmen, reveals himself to actually be a millionaire.  His whole character had been a lie.  Carol Channing reiterates what she had taught Millie earlier.  "You don't need to marry somebody for money.  Marry somebody for love, because even if they are poor, they might secretly have money."  Millie beams, confirming that she has now learned this lesson.  No Millie, I want to say.  That doesn't make any sense.  I cannot speak.  Millie goes on to say to her man "I don't want to be your equal anymore.  I want to be a woman."  The movie ends.  I am left stunned at the sudden blow to women and poorer people everywhere.  I wonder what happened to the girls who were already sold as slaves.  I presume they are lost to slavery, their lives robbed of them.

The exit music plays, accompanied by a black screen.  I cannot imagine a more appropriate image.  All I can see is blackness.  A void, silent and beckoning.  I try to fill the space with images of Julie Andrews' charming expressions.  I am able to see glimpses of her look of surprise, or her look of playful condemnation, but these expressions are lost to the infinite spectrum of the colorless. I am here in the abyss.  But this was supposed to be the perfect moviegoing experience, I think as I'm kissed by the ashen whirlwind of disgust that coddles me voraciously.  I speak in many voices. The atoms of self and spirit coalesce. The illusion of existence crumbles like old stone.  It was supposed to be perfect.

[serenephenix]

There are already some really good points made here and I hope it's okay for me to add my two double dollars.

Please keep in mind that what I am going to talk about here is Trimax and Tristamp exclusively, since I never managed to finish the 98 anime.

Meryl, and by extension Milly, are an essential part of the plot. No matter whether Tristamp or Trimax, Meryl fulfills a very important role and is the one to get important notions, that other background characters had to make as a collective effort, across to Vash.

With Trimax, Meryl's and Milly's purpose was at first presented as comic relief. After all, No Man's Land is a lawless rock of sand, and the mere idea of there even being an insurance company is absolutely hilarious. It is also a genius writing move, because frankly speaking, there would have been no way for someone as level-headed as Meryl to tag alongside someone crazy like Vash long enough to get to know him.

Meryl and Milly, throughout the entirety of Trimax represent a simple but very important concept in this over the top sci-fi western universe - they represent the mostly average people in an environment fraught with different but extreme problems. They are the grounding force of the narrative representing the normal people and normal background characters that litter the world of Trigun.

They are the characters and supporting cast/main cast needed to balance everything out.

As much as Vash and Nick are foils in their own right, so are Meryl and Milly to them.

In a way, the boys often get too caught up in their otherness, of them being undeserving of kindness and forgiveness, or their simple right to just exist. And then here are Milly and Meryl, two of the arguably most normal and sanest people in the story (considering the circumstances), returning to them (un)prompted at different times in the story, despite everything that would drive most away.

They represent the hope for a better future to Vash and Nick, because they stand in such stark contrast to all of the terrible things that seem to follow them.

Milly does it a bit more overtly than Meryl, with being her caring self that takes time out of her day to write to all of her extended family. She has a deeply ingrained sense of right and wrong, is a good listener, more observant than people give her credit for and, most importantly, she isn't one to judge people too quickly despite her morals.

Her determination and capabilities allow her to hold her ground in a lot of fights, which is decisive in the last battle against Knives where she and Meryl thwart the military's attack on the ark.

And she teaches a lesson to the boys when Meryl is kidnapped by Zazie: Asking for help is okay. The fact that help is something we sometimes need is okay.

As for Meryl, she undergoes her own arc during Trimax. As mentioned earlier, Meryl starts out as a business-woman. She is level-headed, has little patience for nonsense, and has already a pretty good grasp on how the world is supposed to work.

In a sense, she is just as jaded as Nick, but in a different, more day to day kind of way. She is well aware of how difficult it is to live even a simple life on this arid planet and how dangerous things can get at the drop of a hat. She has already had to shoot someone to keep herself safe and is ready to do so again, albeit reluctantly. But her experiences have left her callous towards anyone who is a stranger, thus repeating the terrible cycle people live through on this planet.

That is, until she meets Vash, and he leaves an impression on her with his well of kindness. And the crucial thing is that she understands that it takes a lot of effort and fortitude to be kind on this planet.

And as @sleepyinstardewvalley already pointed out, this gives Meryl hope in a better future, making her more proactive after Vash's return when she realises what the company was planning to do after he reemerged.

And her overcoming the fear of the monstrous is so important because she also stood in perfect contrast to Nick when Vash transformed.

While Nick was shocked but able to compartmentalise by virtue of all the shit he has been through, Meryl was overwhelmed by what had happened. For one, because she was starting to realise just what she had gotten herself into, and second, because she saw what Vash had lived through over the years.

And it is obvious that while she was deeply afraid, she felt very guilty about her reaction after they had parted ways with Vash and Wolfwood. Because, ultimately, it isn't Vash's fault that he is the way is he is.

But she knows that she can't let fear consume her, because it will ultimately mean that more people will die.

And her managing to stand by Vash's side till the bitter end, after Vash already lost someone important to him, in spite of fear still persisting, it is her trust in him that actually gives Vash the strength and the hope he in turn needed to go through with the plan of separating Knives and the Plants.

Because, in a sense, Meryl represents the majority of the people living on No Man's Land. And if she can work up the courage to understand, so can they.

As for Meryl in Tristamp, she is different from her Trimax iteration but her core remains the same. While she may be more naïve, more sheltered and less experienced, she is once again the grounding force.

But the reason why she also is the foil to Roberto, is that even here she is willing to believe in Vash despite the odds and the unanswered questions. She will be important to Vash not losing hope, because he already helped her realise that pure nihilism and cowardice will get nothing accomplished.

She wants things to get better and that means taking a leap of faith that so very few are willing to take in No Man's Land.

i made a mini essay of a post abt this already but seeing the more shipping obsessed trigun fans view vashmeryl as the boring cutesy fluffy one and vashwood as the narritively richer, angst ridden, "and they were narritive foils" sexy one is infuriating bc it shows in abundant clarity that they have not bothered to take 2 more seconds to think about meryl besides "aww shes so cute"

like bro. there is some truth to seeing them that way considering the difference in ending both pairings get and how VW spend more time together and have more physical contact and are in life or death situations far more often but w VM its more Quiet Pining, You Stay I Go, Run Off Into The Sunset Together but thats not ALL they are

as someone who fucking LOVES both it gets very annoying when certain (thankfully not many) VW stans start acting. You Know. about meryl and theres a whole thing about misogyny and gay male fetishisation in here that i wont get into bc its 1am n i have fish fingers (fish sticks 4 all the sexy bodacious american babes in the audience) in the oven

vashmeryl are so rich and maybe they dont have that same Sworn Allies (But Maybe More) With A Tragic End sting that vashwood do but theres other things in there. Please Consider Understanding them a bit. maybe ill continue this post wen im eating and can think straight..