#to which i doubt noah and the gang even..or barely know about that

[chippycore]

see now what if i put hatsune miku in xb3

[ariendiel]

Inspired by this picrew of Seliné the Mighty, I’ve had some fun writing a short fluffy thing for our very own @deuchess - because she deserves some Noah love too. Featuring quite a significant and important cameo from @garyandhisnan as well (which I’m sure will be very much appreciated) 😌

Word count: 1608

Pairing: Noah x Seliné ( + Viv)

Seliné the mighty. Seliné the brave. Seliné the powerful. Seliné the tired. 

So very, very tired.

Her dear horse, Viv, was clearly feeling just as exhausted where she trudged along beneath her; the sound of hoofbeats against the densely packed dirt road making for a soothingly familiar sound, but the repetition of which was not helping her combat the drowsiness.

Shifting uncomfortably in the saddle - her butt was going numb - a large jawn escaped her, the kind of jawn that made her jaw crack and eyes water. Oh how she longed to get home. She yearned to remove her armour and sink into a soft bed, and preferably stay there for a few days. First she needed a bath though: The brown curls around her face were a tangled mess after having come mostly loose from her braid, with chunks of it covered in sticky, drying blood. Not hers thankfully. Not this time. 

A few farmers whispered amongst themselves as she passed by their fields, and Seliné did her best to straighten and to come off as the hero they expected her to be: The protector of the land, their knight in shining armour and so on. Politely she smiled at them, knowing this was simply part of the trade. Besides, past that hill and on the outskirts of the village just beyond it was her house. Her home.

Eagerly kicking her heels into her poor mount’s sides, she urged Viv forwards into a soft canter, which made the old horse snort disapprovingly but she was too disciplined to protest. As they neared the cosy stone house, the sun hovering right above the horizon and casting the lush, green landscape in shades of warm gold and pink, the animal seemed to speed up on its own accord as she realised there would be a warm stable and food waiting for her as well.

Nearly galloping up to the gate set in between the green hedges and on a narrow gravel road, Seliné jumped out of the saddle before Viv had even stopped, and quickly undid the latch before pulling the horse along towards the house by the reins. “Yeah, yeah, you’ll have food soon, so stop with the complaining will you?” Seliné muttered as Viv kept on making small, impatient sounds while pushing against her back with her muzzle. And yet she smiled - she could never really be annoyed at her old companion.

In front of the house was a small front yard, with a young beech tree in the middle of it and well-tended flower beds underneath the windows, right now as the sun was setting the air filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers as they basked in the last rays of sun before closing for the night. Flanking the front yard on the left was the small stable, which was where Seliné stopped before she got about removing the saddle and bridle, replacing it with a headcollar before going to fetch some brushes. Sure, she was stiff, sore, and tired to the bone, but she couldn’t rest quite yet.

“Need any help?” The deep male voice startled her at first, making her automatically reach for one of her swords, but that moment passed in an instant because of course she knew who it was. Turning, she grinned at Noah where he stood, leaning against the doorframe of their now open front door, warm brown eyes resting on her. Upon fully taking her in, however, his brow furrowed somewhat, and she knew she had to look particularly gruesome. “You look, well, eh…”

“Awful,” Seliné finished for him, patting Viv absentmindedly with one hand while scratching some crusted blood off her face with the other. “Yeah, I know.”

“And that blood?”

“Not mine, promise,” she said and smiled again at the relief that washed over his face. No matter how many times she returned unscathed Noah always seemed concerned, and she knew he had a point. One day she would get hurt, possibly badly so, and while that was a thought she couldn’t afford to linger on, she nonetheless endlessly appreciated that he was willing to carry that burden for her. “Just a gang of bandits that figured trying to rob a dragon was a good idea. When’ll people learn to leave dragons alone? They just wanna sleep most day, you know? Sure they sleep on a pile of gold, but that’s still no excuse to go robbing them…”

Shaking her head disapprovingly, his warm chuckle sent a small shiver down her spine and she glanced up at him again. “I doubt they’ll ever learn, unfortunately,” he said as he approached her. Stopping right in front of her, he placed his index finger under her chin and tilted her head back a little before pressing a light kiss to her lips, the tender familiarity of it making her automatically sigh softly in blissful contentment. “Here, let me.” With a pleased smile at her reaction, he spun her around until she was facing Viv again, before he started on the many buckles connecting the bits and bobs of her armour.

First, he took her two swords off her back and she rolled her shoulder appreciatively, followed by her breastplate and arm bracers. While he helped her unbuckle, she started brushing the horse, enjoying the sensation of his large, warm hands stopping once in a while to rub at the tender spots up and down her spine - it felt so wonderful, even through chainmail. “I’ll have to do your braid better next time,” he murmured softly, “can’t have you getting hair in your eyes when beating up bad guys.”

“Mhmm,” was all she managed, closing her eyes for a moment as he dug his thumbs into the tense muscles right above her collarbones. Oh he was good.

“I’ve prepared you a bath, by the way,” he continued, leaning closer and resting his chin on top of her head, wrapping his arms around her. “And dinner is almost ready, I figure you must be hungry?” As if on cue, a loud growl emanated from her stomach, making her snort a short laugh.

“Yeah, I could probably eat.”

Noah pulled back, but still rested his hands lightly on her shoulders, and she halfway turned to look up at him. “I’ll finish here, love, you go inside and I’ll join you in a bit.”

“Now I like the sound of that,” Seliné smiled, a smile that only widened as he grew flustered under her heavy gaze, understanding the underlying implication there and momentarily locking him in place. “See you inside, big boy.” Passing him on her way inside before they got too carried away, she couldn’t help but smack his butt playfully, earning her another deep chuckle from him before she disappeared inside their house.

The stone building was more of a cottage really; warm and cozy, and with Noah’s books filling whole walls of densely packed bookshelves, with her maps and weapons scattered among them. A fire had been lit in their open fireplace, and the smell of food was drifting out from the kitchen, making her mouth water. It smelt delicious, as always. Smiling softly to herself, she allowed herself a moment to just take it all in, and to lower her shoulders, she was home. After days on the road, this was the best feeling in the world, and this was where she belonged.

Heading into the washroom, the sight of the steaming hot water filling the tub had her undressing as fast as she possibly could, flinging her chainmail and bloodied clothing onto the stone floor before eagerly sinking into it with a groan. Rosemary and lavender had been added to the bath, and their calming scent further helped her relax.

“This is just perfect, Noah, thank you,” she mumbled upon hearing him enter the room. Eyes half-shut, she couldn’t bother to even glance over at him, a softening expression settled across her features. Without a word he carried a stool over and sat down behind her, and goosebumps formed on her bare skin as he gently started untangling her hair, gently teasing strands apart without pulling at it.

“You deserve it.” His voice was low and gentle, and she could tell he was smiling that beautiful smile of his just from the tone, so loving and dripping with meaning. Carefully, he started pouring warm water over her head, soaking her brown curls until they lay flush against her skin. Hands so large and strong, it was incredible just how delicate his touch was, pressing gently against her skull in circular movements after lathering up with a lovely lavender soap.

Soon, Noah was humming as he worked, taking his time to wash her hair and evidently enjoying it as much as she was. Her eyes shut completely in pure bliss when he applied just the right amount of pressure, his thumbs traveling up the length of her slim neck and to the base of her skull, teasing a moan from her slightly parted lips.

It was simultaneously such an innocent and intimate moment. Just the two of them together; Noah humming in a way that seemed to resonate deeply from his chest, while she was half asleep in the embrace of the warm water. Utterly perfect in a way that only the bond between them could convey in the gentleness shared but without a word spoken. Moments such as this, so small and seemingly insignificant, was what Seliné truly lived for. Not the fighting, the glory, or the sword, but what they defended: The simple beauty of a life well lived, and well loved.

[cupidmarwani-archive]

The Gang Bang Fic

Summary: It’s all in the title

WC: ~2.3k

“Breathe.”

Crockett obeys. In. Out. Ethan’s gentle, tying his hands behind his back with soft red rope. He bought it just for this, a special gift to commemorate something Crockett never thought he would have, but Ethan is giving to him out of a love like no other. This takes a lot of trust, a lot of faith, between them both. He’s safe, he’s cared for, and Ethan loves him. The love is in the fiber of the rope, in the slight burn to come, in the people he knows are waiting in the living room with drinks. Their voices are murmurs, hums through the wall.

“If you say stop, everything stops.”

He nods. “I know. I’m in control here, you keep telling me.”

“What do you do if you can’t speak?”

Two snaps, which he demonstrates just to make a point. They’re not loud, but they’re audible, and will be noticed if he needs a way out. But he doubts he will when this is something he’s spent a lot of time craving. Not necessarily the specifics, but the general idea. Being able to just be taken care of. Being held, being fucked, being made to feel useful and wanted while all the real power is still in his own hands, something he can’t get if he hides behind inebriation and relies on the actions of drunkards in shady bars.

“I’m going to go get them. Deep breath.”

Ethan kisses Crockett’s forehead and walks out, making the voices louder as Crockett shifts on his knees. He can’t hold this punishing position for long, even on the soft mattress, but he won’t have to. They’ll move him as needed, do whatever possible to make him feel good while also using him as a means to take pleasure for themselves.

He focuses his eyes on the door as they file in, one by one. First Will, his cheeks a little pink. He’s always been a shy one. His eyes flit around, unwilling to make eye contact or let his gaze linger too long in one spot. Then Noah, who can’t seem to take it all in soon enough. Eyes catching on Crockett’s hips, on where he’s already hard and heavy between his thighs on proud display with his legs spread like this. And Jimmy, who still has his beer in hand and gives him a slow once over before backing into the corner to watch, for now. That’s expected of him, is typical of the way he runs his ED. He likes to know what he’s getting into before he acts. Last is Ethan, shutting the bedroom door behind him and smiling encouragingly. Crockett lowers his  head then. 

“Who starts?” Noah asks, from right beside the bed. He’s already reaching out, hesitant but wanting. Someone wants him. Crockett glances at him out of the corner of his eye. They’re all dressed, even still wearing shoes, but he’s naked and bared before them. “Choi? I mean, he’s your boyfriend, right?”

“Ask him,” Ethan answers.

The choice is in Crockett’s hands. The power is his. But at this moment, he doesn’t want it. He wants them all to do that for him, and he doesn’t want to be burdened with something as important as who he wants to touch him first. He looks to Ethan, and hopes it shows on his face without having to admit it.

“Or one of you could grow up and do something,” Jimmy interjects.

Thank God for Jimmy. 

So Noah comes forward and starts by kissing Crockett. He’s eager, a little sloppy, but Crockett doesn’t mind. He just wishes he could pull him closer, but instead he needs to stay still to keep his balance as Noah kisses him. He shuts his eyes and drowns in it.

The next thing he knows, there’s another set of hands on him. Will’s, because they’re cold and unsure as they pull him to fall back on the bed, then turn him so his head hands off the edge. Noah stops kissing him, gets on the bed behind him as Will fumbles with his own zipper. He’s not all the way hard yet, but Crockett doubts that’ll be a problem for long. Crockett opens his mouth unprompted, waiting for the chance to put it to use. It’s hard to focus on one thing or the other, though, because Noah has realized that Ethan already spent a good amount of time working Crockett open earlier, before their guests arrived. He’s ready for more. 

"I prepped him," Ethan says, like it's not obvious. "There's lube and condoms in the night stand. Use them if it would make you feel better, but I know he doesn't mind going without."

Crockett nods slightly. He trusts that Ethan made sure they're all clean. And he likes it messy, likes it hard. They all know that because Ethan told them before they came, gave them ground rules so that Crockett doesn't have to worry. He can just be.

That's the last rational thought he has for a while, because Noah pulls Crockett's hips up for a better angle and pushes into him. Warm. Thick. He barely has time to moan before Will's cock begins rubbing over his lips in an obvious request he's more than happy to fulfill. His eyes flutter shut and he doesn't have to worry about technique because Will just starts shallowly fucking his throat. A gentle contrast to the sharp pace Noah's picked up almost immediately, burning him alive from the inside out. 

"Don't be shy." It's Ethan's voice again, and his hand that guides Will's to lay over Crockett's throat. "He likes it rough, don't you?"

Crockett moans as best he can in response to the words, to the pressure below his jaw that makes his head spin a little as Will pushes in further, into his throat because Crockett's gotten really good at suppressing his gag reflex. But he can't focus on that. Noah has found his prostate and started aiming for it on purpose, slowing down to lazier thrusts as he digs strong fingertips into Crockett's waist. There'll be bruises. He can't wait. 

Ethan stays close, he knows because he can still feel those hands on him. On his face or neck, on his chest. Ethan is here. And there's another person in the room, Jimmy, who he knows is watching and waiting for the right. 

"Can we touch him?"

That's Noah again, still in need of reassurance that he's been given free rein. Ethan knows the answer is yes, they've talked about this, but he still curls a hand around Crockett's bicep and gives him the chance to strain, to show displeasure. He wouldn't. This is all he's ever wanted. 

"You don't have to ask."

Then Noah's got a hand on his dick, a loose grip that isn't wet enough but feels like heaven, and Crockett's back arches off the bed. His moan doesn't reach the air, but makes Will's hips stutter and his hands grab onto either side of Crockett's face to hold him still. Every part of him is held. His face, his hips. And his hands are still bound. It’s a question of surrender, which he’s desperate to give.

Ethan is still close by, a reassurance, when Jimmy comes to the edge of the bed and tells Noah to move his hand. And of everything that Crockett expected, it wasn’t this. Jimmy straddles his waist, and Crockett wonders when he got naked, because his thighs are bare on either side of Crockett’s hips. It doesn’t really matter, though, not when Jimmy’s wet and hot when he holds Crockett’s cock still to sink down on it. Jesus. 

Everything is so much at once, and Crockett thinks he might actually have died and gone to heaven, because there’s no other explanation for this. He can barely move, just overwhelmed by every single point of contact. Jimmy’s riding him, slow and deliberate, while Noah fucks him and Will uses him. He’s floating, he’s woozy, he’s gone as they overwhelm him with pleasure. The world is nothing but the way they each touch him.

Noah’s the first one to come, stilling in his movements and his grip tightening to the point of pain, sharp and stirring, on Crockett’s hips. He doesn’t mind it. In fact, it makes everything better. But then he pulls away, and for a moment Crockett whines, but then Will pulls out of his mouth and replaces Noah behind him. Without his mouth occupied, he can’t stop moaning. It fills the room, louder than Jimmy and Will, and he never wants this to end.

A hand curls under his neck supportively, lifts his head so his spine is straight, and when he looks up it’s Ethan. Looking after him, taking care of him like always. Crockett doesn’t have it in him to try and form words, so he just blinks up at him and hopes it says enough. Like always, Ethan understands, and unzips himself to take his own turn with Crockett’s mouth. Ethan is familiar, easy to please, and Crockett runs his tongue along the underside of Ethan’s cock as he slowly pushes into his throat because he knows that’s what he likes.

But he can’t focus on that for long. Not with Will fucking him and Jimmy on top of him. He’s not going to last much longer without coming and he knows it. That doesn’t mean this’ll stop, though, which is one of the best parts of this. It’s not up to him. It’s up to them as they care for him. 

“He’s going to come,” Ethan says. “Just so you know.”

Jimmy laughs breathlessly. “Good for him. I’m not stopping.”

Will doesn’t say anything, and Noah’s been quiet for a while. It doesn’t matter. Crockett’s eyes are rolling back in his head and he’s beyond gone now. He does come, he’s pretty sure, and the overwhelming pleasure starts to hurt in the best possible way, and he can’t help whining around Ethan’s cock. No one stops what they’re doing. He’s taken care of as they each take their turn, Jimmy and Will, getting off with his aid. And then Noah comes back again to suck him off as Ethan pulls away. No touch except for Noah, now. Like everything with Noah, it’s a little sloppy, but it’s enough to have Crockett screaming and writhing beneath him until he hits his high a second time, barely more than a dribble of come leaking out of him. 

He’s a mess. Two loads of cum in his ass, Jimmy’s all over his chest, covered in sweat and lube. And Ethan hasn’t come yet, but it’ll add to the mess. Crockett wants him to be last, to finish this off and take care of him afterward. But first, he wants them all to see how good he can make Ethan feel too, not just them. He wants to be a good boy.

Ethan thanks each of their guests in turn, bids them goodbye. They each have praise for Crockett, patting his cheek or stroking his hair as they leave while telling him he did wonderfully for them. He was good.

Then they’re gone, and it’s just him and Ethan, and he’s so tired, but awake at the same time. Ethan pulls him up on his knees and sits behind him, that way he can ease Crockett back onto him. He wishes he had the energy to make it better for Ethan, but instead, he all but goes limp. His head falls back against Ethan’s shoulder. Crockett just takes it as Ethan fucks him, slow and deep, rocking into him gently. 

One of Ethan’s hands comes up and settles over Crockett’s throat. He doesn’t squeeze, doesn’t apply anymore force than he already has, but the pressure is another type of control that he doesn’t have to worry about. Ethan isn’t choking him, but he could, and that’s what matters. What matters is that there’s trust.

“Think you can come for me one more time?” Ethan asks. 

He hums, the closest sound he can make to words right now. This feels good, and if he ever manages to come a third time in an hour, it would be now. Crockett just focuses on what he feels now. On Ethan fucking him, holding him, loving him. Nothing else in the world matters, and although Crockett isn’t able to finish again, he revels in the moment Ethan does. The end to a perfect evening, the best one of his life.

“You did so well,” Ethan says as he pulls out. He works immediately at the knots binding Crockett’s arms, letting them come undone so he can stretch his muscles and rub his wrists. Now he feels the ache. Satisfying pain. “I love you more than anything, you know that?”

Crockett tries to say he loves him too, but his voice is wrecked and he can’t get out a single word. It just makes Ethan laugh.

“Relax, okay? I’ll make you some tea once I get you cleaned up. You don’t have to say anything.”

Ethan disappears into the bathroom for a moment and comes back with a glass of water and a damp washcloth. The water he hands to Crockett right away to start sipping as he wipes him down. Cleans him up as good as possible without bathing because they both know Crockett doesn’t have it in him to even get out of bed right now. He tries to be still, be a good boy, but he can’t help a whimper when Ethan cleans up his dick and hole, both far too oversensitive now.

Once he’s clean, Ethan grabs their lotion to rub into the faint abrasions on Crockett’s wrists. They don’t much hurt and they’ll be gone soon, but the soothing cream helps, and its lavender scent is calming. He never used to understand the hype, but he’s come to associate it with safety and happiness and Ethan. Crockett relaxes into the bed as he finishes his water, and then Ethan puts on the kettle for herbal tea with honey to help with Crockett’s sore throat.

He slowly falls asleep warm and loved.

[avenger09]

Ideas for a new Bravestarr Series

Deep in Space, on a new frontier lies a planet beset by outlaws on all sides. Folks just trying to forge a new life for themselves live in fear and hope is a luxury. The desperate people of this planet call for help thinking they'll need a hundred lawman to restore peace. They got one... he was enough. His name: BraveStarr. Blessed with incredible Galactic powers and strength of character, BraveStarr alongside his posse of fellow Champions of Justice, fight off not just the corruption of Tex Hex, but the worst quality's the frontier can bring out in the ordinary people of New Texas.

Note: (This is just a few concepts I as a fan have come with with. Ironing out is for professionals.)

Marshal Bravestarr

-Noah Watts- 

One of the best Marshals to come out of the Academy, he was sent to the desperate planet of New Texas whose people where terrorized by undead outlaw, Tex Hex and his gang and return justice to this frontier planet.

Gifted incredible powers as a boy by a burst of energy, when the tainted spirit Stampede attacked his home. He spent his youth learning to be worthy of the abilities given to him: Strength of the Bear. Speed of the Puma. Eyes of the Hawk.

A charismatic and unflinchingly virtuous man, Bravestarr first made a name for himself by bringing in his own instructor, Jermaine "Jingles" Morgan, for a murder Jingles committed after loosing to the victim in a competition. In-spite of seeing his Hero fail to uphold the values he taught, Bravestarr promised himself to be a true servant of the law regardless.

When New Texas was told they would be getting him as a Marshal, the people doubted anything but a hundred law men would do any good. Soon they learned, he was enough.

Thirty/Thirty

-Gregg Burger-

Tough loyal and ready to have your back.

Thirty is a member of the endangered cyborg Equestroids who met his soon to be best friend, when he was framed by criminal kingpin who did not like the young Bravstarr's sense of justice. Thirty helped clear his name an act he got deputies for. If only to "keep his new buddy out of trouble".

Unlike his partner in law, Thirty/Thirty is far more quick-tempered, pugnacious, tough, hot-headed, independent, reckless, negative, defiant, rebellious. But also thoughtful, tenacious, heroic, insightful, truthful and sensitive. Occasionally the two have vocal disagreements between them about the use of force in the line of duty. Still they both have nothing but respect for the other. He has only one love in his life, his custom laser blunderbuss Sara Jane.

Judge J.B. McBride

-Kari Wahlgren-

Before the new Marshals arrival McBride was the last official representatives of justice on New Texas. Originally a simple town lawyer she was Inspired to become a Judge after her reporter father was beaten to near death by one of Hex's thugs for a story he'd written about their crimes. She's acted as the voice of reason among a decent but increasingly desperate people, calming tensions between the off-world settlers and the local Prairie-People, with both her words or her power-hammer. Which comes mighty handy during Hex's raid's. 

While skeptical of BraveStarr's chances at first she's come around to see him as a valued partner in justice and only her sense of professionalism and BraveStarr's own, has kept the two from expanded their relationship further, but everyone in the Fort can see the spark between them.

Deputy Fuzz

-Antony Del Rio-

The only deputized member of the indigenous New Texas folk, called the Prairie People. Young (for his race) and a savant with technology, he assists with the problems of the town In hopes of learning to combine the best of his People with the best of the Galactic's, which he sees in the Marshall and the Judge.

Since the rush began the Prarie's have mostly tried to keep to themselves in their underground kingdom, but greedy prospectors and other less scrupulous settlers have unjustly made them feel unwelcome on their own planet, forcing them from the tunnels closest to the surface to get at the rich resources that may lay under their feet. While others view them as vermin for their small size and seemingly simple nature.  

Fuzz is the only one of his tribe trying to understand the tech brought to their planet and improve on it, not just gather for scrap to trade like many other tribes choose to do. Because of that, Fuzz can't help but feel like a self made outcast as he seems to be the only one who understands the changing situation there in, even if he isn't treated like one like his cousin Scuzz is. Who shared his innovative spirit, unfortunately, he preferred the worst traits of the Galactic's when he fell in with Tex-Hex.

Handlebar 

-Jon St John-

The humble barkeep with a name no one can pronounce, so he lets everybody call him Handlebar, for the impressive Human style facial hair he has proudly cultivated. 

The Shaman

-Fred Tatasciore-

Descended from tribes uplifted from Earth by a dying Alien race who saw their spiritualism mirrored their own, and thus could be trusted with same magics as them. When their cousins eventually joined their thriving counterparts in space centuries Bravestarr’s family where among them. 

Soon becoming a mentor to the boy, the Shaman saw the same pure heart their precursors saw in them, he taught Bravestarr many things about the wonders of the universe as well as the many dangers that inhabit it. The worse among them Stampede. His lessons where fortuitous as the evil soon rampaged across their land scattering those may one day pose a threat to him. Many died including Bravestarr’s parents and the Shamans own family. 

To ensure their survival he sent Bravestarr away in an escape pod, confident they would meet again, which they would. Years later on New Texas.

Reunited Shaman helped the noble marshal unlock the full potential of the powers within him. The Strength of the Bear. Eyes of the Hawk. Speed of the Puma, and been a trusted confidant to his young friend. 

Wherever he goes expect the unexpected and learn to heed his wisdom.

Tex-Hex

-Charlie Adler- 

The undead, undisputed, unforgivable reigning outlaw on New Texas.

Years ago he and his business partner Angus first discovered the planets rare new resource. Despite promising to share the rights for it, a strange, intense greed took a hold of Tex, leading him to double cross his partner and fill his ships hold with more then it could bare, causing crash that killed most of the crew and Tex himself.

Angus survived and left to tell the Galaxy triggering a rush for this new mineral, but Tex his story wasn't over. The greed had twisted him down to the soul, and he rose again in service to the one who had infected him with it. A being in the form of a skeletal metal bull who revealed himself to Tex as the embodiment of malevolence Stampede.

In this revanant state came a sort of immortality, that Tex has used to torment the good, bad and ugly of New Texas ever since. Collecting the worst of the worst to fight in his posse. For these 20 years, no lawman or bounty hunter has managed to bring him in for very long, which is the only option they have to stop him. As hanging, shooting, drowning, burning and once even defenestration has failed to put him down.  

Stampede

-David Kaye-

"He is the manifestation of a aspect of Nature. Survival of the Fittest. As the beings of the Galaxy evolved so did it and by extension, Stampede, and not for the better. If he is cruel, it is because we are cruel, if he is ruthless, it is because we are ruthless, and if he is Evil it is because  we are. That is why he despises goodness valor and courage. They are the only things that can guide us from these selfish acts that empower him. Justice diminishes him, so he has made it his enemy."  

Original Characters 

Henry Walsh

-Kelsey Grammer- "Your a good man Marshall, this planet needs that. So please, don't get in my way." "If I don't, who will?" A wealthy man who arrives on New Texas with seemingly benevolent intentions. With his support the town receives new technology and better defenses to keep out the rotten influence of degenerates like Tex Hex. He even greatly admires Bravestarr for his dutifulness. And especially Fuzz, who he admits to that he sees some of himself in him. An entrepreneur who works to benefit others doesn't let others tell him what to do. Soon he starts to bring in his own men and making the odd "suggestion" or too to the Judge on how things should be done on New Texas. Bravestarr notes this and becomes conflicted over the benefits Walsh gives to the citizens and the risk of him eventually turning it into his own personal Kingdom. Though Walsh wants to work with the Marshal, when push comes to shove, Bravestarr can't condone Walsh’s threats and underhanded deals. What makes it more complicated is Fuzz siding with him over Bravestarr at a crucial moment essentially forcing him out of Fort Callahan. Fuzz is convinced of the good they'll do until Walsh makes he plans on forcing the Prairie people off their land so he can build another town. When he protests Walsh tries to convince him it's for the best as it'll finally force them to adapt like him. Not wanting things done this way, he ally's with Bravestarr again (who never lost faith he would) and they with the townsfolk and even Tex's help, bring him in. While being shipped off to Prison, Walsh condemns them for being so foolish. How he would have made New Texas a paradise and that it was a wasted effort arresting as he will be free anyway with the friends he has. Only for Bravestarr to say because this is on the edge of space he falls under frontier law and that means he's getting a swifter sentencing, and those "friends of his”, said they are more then happy to allow it. Seems they've been waiting for a chance to be rid of him for awhile with what he has on them. The victorious mood is soon brought down as now they have no benefactor anymore so the fort's back where it's started. Plus Bravestarr shares this observation with Fuzz. "Luck helped Justice today. But I can't help but think of all the folks out among the stars, who are just like him. People seen as too connected and too rich to get there dues no matter what they've done." (Much of his character is based on the Land Baron types who considered themselves above the law in the Old West. I added a bit more to the guy by including his genuine admiration for Fuzz. There's good in him but progress needs to be made his way and he won't have anyone tell him otherwise and he's willing to use seedy means to get it done, which brings him into conflict with our heroes.)

Note

(In case it wasn’t clear I tried keeping the optimistic adventure tone, but adding in a few heavy subjects here and there. Unlike other shows. -Animated or otherwise- I don’t think you need to by gritty to be poignant, or that you should ignore your own mythology, or talk down to your audience. Stargate SG1, The DCAU, Avatar TLAB, and Beast Wars all proved that.)  

[madrut16]

July Fanfic Challenge Day 3: Closure - Part 1

Author’s Note: Another new pairing! I finished playing this book back in October for Halloween and ILB (which I haven’t really played bc I want a good ending and I cannot afford the diamonds to get it) and I loved it! This is the first book where I haven’t really been drawn to any of the canon LIs so, of course, I had to come up with this! I can’t wait to write more with them and explore these characters post It Lives. 

Pairing/Book: ILITW (Dan x MC)

Rating: PG-13

Summary: There’s one last thing Raina needs to do before she and some of the gang leave for the start of a new chapter of their lives in Seattle. 

The doorbell rang as I scrambled to finish packing my suitcase, and I cursed out loud when I checked the time on my phone. I knew I should’ve gotten up an hour earlier but I was never a morning person and it took forever to go to sleep last night. Sighing, I stared at the two plastic bins left in my room before running downstairs to the front door.

“I’m coming!” I shouted as I reached the entryway. 

I took a second to smooth down the stray hairs that had appeared in the reflection of the old grandfather clock attached to the wall. It was a silly thing to do since he wouldn’t care what I looked like this early in the morning. But, then again years old crushes made you do a lot of trivial things. 

With a satisfied nod, I finally opened the door. “Hey! Come in.”

“Took you long enough,” Dan commented as I let him inside. 

I gave him one of my signature eye rolls. “Sorry, I was packing.”

“Still?”

“I know, usually I’m much more organized but, I’ve been doing most of this by myself so it’s taken a while,” I explained as I led him back up the stairs. “I swear I’m almost done though, it’s mainly just my suitcase for the road trip I have left.”

Catching my gaze, his lips turned up into a smile. “Good, cause the others are gonna be here in about 15 minutes.”

“I could use some help then,” I replied as we reached my room where I quickly added, “And don’t worry, my underwear is already in there so you don’t have to touch any of that.”

This caused him to chuckle, although I thought I saw his cheeks turn a little red. Or maybe it was just all my imagination, hoping it was true. “Wasn’t even concerned about it. I’m happy to help if it means we actually get to leave on time for a pit stop for coffee and donuts.”

“At Diane’s?” 

“Of course, is there really any other option?” He answered with a smirk. 

After waking up from the coma and dealing with all of the repressed trauma from Mr. Red and Jane and Noah, it made me happy to see him finally starting to return to his normal self over the past several months. 

Packing the pile of sweaters I folded late last night, I responded, “Not in Westchester there isn’t. We’ll have to find someplace like it in Seattle.”

“Oh, I’m sure it won’t be that hard, it’s practically dripping in coffee shops,” he said, handing me the last stack of clothes on my bed. “What are we doing with those?” he asked, gesturing to the closet behind me. 

“Already have that covered,” I disclosed, walking over and opening the door to reveal several hangers wrapped in trash bags. 

Looking over my handiwork, an impressed expression appeared. “You...really planned this out.”

“Actually this time it was my mom’s idea. Once I get to the apartment, I can just hang them back up and take the bags off. Easy peasy.” I started collecting them from the closet and setting them in the one bin that was left unfilled. 

There was a brief pause and I could tell he was deep in thought, almost as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if he should. He always got quiet when he did this but, so did I. That’s how I knew he had slipped into his own head. Well, that and the fact that we’ve been best friends off and on for over a decade now. 

“Dan?”

“Hmm?” he snapped out of his reflective daze. 

“Penny for your thoughts? You got quiet there for a minute.”

Meeting my gaze, he shrugged. “Nothing, I just...it must be hard, not having your parents with you to help move in.”

A small wave of sadness came over me. For almost four years now it’s been like this, them having to miss important milestones and events of my life. They barely made it back in time for my graduation over a year ago. 

“My Nana’s...health problems definitely don’t have a convenient schedule,” I sighed. “Especially now that they’re getting worse. Who knows how long they’ll have to be over there this time. They are helping pay my portion of the rent so...I can’t really complain. They're doing the best they can and that’s what matters.”

“Yeah.”

I managed another smile, not wanting to think about it any longer. “Plus, your family will be over there this weekend before classes start, and they’re always there for me when mine can’t be,” I added. 

“They do adore you,” Dan agreed with a laugh. 

As we finished up the last of my packing, we continued our normal banter until it was complete. Right after that my phone chimed and I saw a new message from Andy in the group chat. 

Andy: I’m here with Ava.

Ava: Can confirm. 

Stacy: I’m on my way, be there shortly. 

Smiling, I sent a thumbs up back. 

“Well, we timed that perfectly,” I told Dan who was reading the messages on his phone. 

This earned me a boyish grin, and I bit my lip as it stirred up a wave of butterflies. “What can I say? We make a great team. Almost perfect even.”

Was he flirting? God, I scrutinized everything between us these days. 

“We really do, don’t we?” I raised an eyebrow teasingly as we headed back downstairs, bringing the bins and my suitcase with us. We set them with the others in the kitchen before letting our friends inside. 

“Hey, Raina, Dan,” Andy said, the morning not hurting his energy one bit.

“Hey, guys!” I exclaimed giving him a hug. 

I attempted to do the same with Ava but she dodged me and I settled for a hive five instead. “Nice try Raina but, it’s not happening.”

“Oh, I’ll get you to let me one of these days.”

She scoffed in response. “Hah, doubtful. It is fun to see you try though.”

I rolled my eyes as Stacy walked through the door. 

“Sorry, I didn’t knock,” she panted out of breath. “But the door was open so I assumed it was fine.”

“Of course it is Stace,” I told her before taking in her haphazard appearance. “Running late?”

She nodded. “I couldn’t decide what to bring! It took me an hour to finally sort everything out. Plus, my mother was delaying me. I don’t think she wants to be by herself.” She frowned momentarily.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Dan chimed in, trying to reassure her. At this point, it was almost second nature. “She just needs some time to adjust.”

“Yeah, I know,” she replied, exhaling the pent up stress she carried. “Doesn’t make it easier. At least Conner is there so, she’ll have some peace of mind.” She rubbed her forehead before painting on a smile. 

Andy cleared his throat to relieve the sudden tension in the room. Everyone knew why Mrs. Green was paranoid. 

“Ready to leave?” he asked, the keys dangling from his hand. 

“I think so,” Dan replied, his analytical gaze wandering around the first floor. “Right Raina?”

I’m about to reply when I remember something. There was one last goodbye I needed to say. However, it meant letting them in on the secret that I’ve been keeping from them. But, I wasn’t one to break a promise and I wasn’t going to do it now. 

“Actually, there is one thing that I need to do,” I responded, a nervous knot forming in my stomach. “It should take ten minutes, fifteen at most.”

I was met with four confused stares. 

“What do you mean?” Dan asked me. 

My gaze drifted to the window where the woods could be seen outside. “I need to visit...Noah.”

The name lingered, slowly sinking into each of my friends’ minds. 

“Wait...you’ve been...seeing him?!” Stacy exclaimed first. 

I had told them about what had happened between us and what he’d become right after that night but not much else. 

I reluctantly nodded. I was tired, exhausted of carrying this burden on my own. 

“For several months now. I know, he’s not exactly my favorite person either, and I definitely think him taking Jane’s place was the right thing to do,” I started to explain. “But, I don’t know, I guess he still deserves some mercy, some compassion still. I don’t want to leave him alone out there. So, I sometimes visit him every week or two, just so he has company.”

They all looked at each other and I closed my eyes, bracing for a confrontation. Yet, that’s not what I received.”

“We’re not mad,” Andy said after a minute. “Well, at least I’m not. I will admit that I’m not really that pissed at the guy anymore. And I’m the one whose leg got busted.”

Stacy and Ava still looked hesitant and I couldn’t blame them. Dan was quiet and deep in thought again but other than that, I had no idea how he felt and that scared me to death. 

“I’m not completely over him trying to kill us...but I will admit I am tired of holding a grudge,” Ava mumbled, her arms folded tightly across her chest. 

After a beat, Stacy sighed reluctantly, a guilt-ridden expression on her face. “Ugh, I can’t believe I’m saying this but...me too. That whole mess brought us back together when we never should’ve separated in the first place.”

That left one person. The person I needed to hear from the most. I willed myself to look at him. 

“Dan? Say something,” I begged. 

Please. 

He shrugged a smile appearing. “You were actually worried Raina?” he commented, and I released the air I had been holding in. 

“A little,” I admitted sheepishly. I should’ve known that he’d be the one I’d have to convince the least. 

“I never really faulted the guy,” he said. “I mean yeah he betrayed us, but it was for a good reason. He wanted Jane back, his twin. And he mistakenly thought that was the only way he could do it. So, I’m definitely fine with you doing this. I just wish you would’ve felt like you could tell us. Me.”

I physically felt the weight lift off my shoulders. “Thank you, for not hating me. I just...we weren’t there for Jane when she was like this and look what happened. I don’t want the same thing to happen with Noah. I promised I’d say goodbye before we left.”

“Then let’s do it,” he replied. 

I was taken a bit back as the others nodded in agreement. “You guys don’t have to come if you don’t want to. Just because this is what I need to find peace doesn’t mean it’s what you do.”

His response was immediate. “We’re a team, Raina. All of us. We got into this mess together so we should end it that way too. I think this could be good for all fo us. Well besides Lucas and Lily who aren’t here.”

“They can come with us when we’re here in December if they want to,” Andy said. 

A touched smile appeared on my face. I was so grateful to have them so entrenched in my life again. 

“Then let’s go into the woods.”

[icharchivist]

can you talk about your opinion on Wisely ? I kinda have no opinion of him aside from "weird psychic noah who's in the secret with Road, also a slob at using his powers"; so I'd like to be enlightened about him in general/if there's subtle characterization on him or anything

oooh boy that’s gonna be hard. I can pull on essays when I have a starting point on what to say, kinda? but from scratch it’s... complicated. 

Especially since Wisely is kinda recent. I mean I lived his introduction in the manga. And by virtue of being “All Knowing” he has to remain mysterious or else he would ruin the fun, so...

this is kinda the problem with Wisely, we know he knows much, much more than anything we can imagine. So he seems too tied to the lore of the story rather than his own person, so it’s harder to pinpoint stuff about his development the way we can with any of the characters. Even the Bookmen who are linked to the lore aren’t... Living embodiment of that lore and memory like Wisely is.

That said, I kinda love him? 

We have so few scenes with him but what we can gather is that yes he’s all knowing, that he’s a dork, he’s as sadistic as his family, that he LOVES his family, especially the Earl and Road 

Which kinda makes sense? they’re the two that “hadn’t changed” since his days. Even if he knows the others’s “memories” (both litteraly and their noah memory) he’s new and barely know them. Hell if Tyki is anything to go by, Tyki finds him creepy because he creeps into his mind. Wisely can know eVERYTHING about Tyki but Tyki doesn’t know jackshit about Wisely. and that’s the case for everyone else.

Besides, he’s arriving right at the moment everyone has questions about the 14th and the only one who have answers are Road and Wisely. The thing is: Road is surprisingly the “Eldest Sister” of the gang: Since she survived the massacre, she saw the awakening of all the others Noah, and we can see she, for exemple, helped Skinn toward his, making it likely she did the same with the others. So I can see everyone accept Road knowing more than most, they’ve been used to that all along.

But Wisely is the new guy. He’s the last one to come back to life. Everyone should be his “senpai” by “birthstatue” but that punk just came and declared he knew better than everyone else and immediatly started to hit off with Road and the Earl.

Hell, especially for the likes of Sheryl I wonder how much kinship between Road and Wisely might sting. They all would believe they know Road well and all, that she was their eldest figure, that she joked off with them and loved them, and suddenly that new guy arrives and they start to keep secrets together and obviously have a bound that trancended Wisely’s death.

Tbh it’s probably why the guidebook mentioned that Wisely since then made himself join the Kamelot family. He can therefore remain close to Road WHILE pissing Sheryl off. If that’s not a Goal.

If anything though the fact Wisely can only create weird relationship is something that kinda puts his relationships into perspective? He seems like a nice, outgoing guy. He knows what goes on in anyone’s mind. Hell, in the manga’s bonus you even see him kinda like the exorcists. Having no boundaries to explore someone’s mind makes that Wisely can easily pinpoint them out, but yet he doesn’t seem to change his attitude a lot. I imagine he can take a glance at someone’s brain and wonder whenever or not it would be fun to hang around with them or to make their lives hell. It’s kinda fun that he’s not trying to adjust to anyone, he looks for his own fun.

What I loved with the Grey Log was how much apparently, Wisely and Tyki are enjoying “acting like hobos” in front of Fancy Sheryl. (from refusing to take bath to eating fishes out of pounds)  Tyki used to be alone in this disaster but now Wisely 100% supports him. And even more than him just finding out what’s the most fun, this is probably the closest thing we’ll ever get to Wisely connecting to his human life. And the fact he’s still carrying it on with pride is kinda amazing to me? Apparently the Jasdebi twins also love to play dress up with him? which is hilarious? (there’s also a bonus of them bullying Wisely by pulling his bandana if i remember). And he has a pet toad that apparently comes from when he became a Noah. I have no idea what to make of that aside that it is very cute.

So... trying not to look at the guidebook... wisely is so new we barely have enough info on him. And he’s too surrounded by mystery.

I think it’s undeniable that he cares for his family and that he is himself a rather playful person. He knows too much and we don’t know enough so we can’t relate.

Okay so one thing i think about, aside from the fact he kept contact with Road (which is WILD because Sheryl got very angry at the Bookmen and started to go further in his tortures when Road disappeared but somehow wisely could just have cleared it up?? But then I doubt Wisely cares much for whatever the hell they’re doing, and whatever Road is doing must remain a secret even from their family), and that he seems to be very adamant to protect the Earl:

When the Earl has his massive breakdown crying about how he is not Mana, Wisely hugs him tight and tries to calm him down right? Wisely obviously knows something, and it’s even to wonder if he could dig deeper about Mana Walker (even if we KNOW he knew Mana D Campbell). But he remained... so soft. So careful. He saw the Earl’s meltdown and was only preoccuped with making it easier for the Earl. It’s rather sweet and it shows that he has a very concerned side to him.

I think all i can say about Wisely is how... easily he could have been someone else? He could so easily have stayed distant in his own self-important mind. He could so easily be dropping every information he has on people. He could so easily just not care about making connections with people he can read like open books. He could so easily just know what someone would expect and act like it to controle them. But.... all of that isn’t in Wisely. For a All Knowing Character, he’s surprisingly gentle, he’s surprisingly outgoing, fun, trying to make connections. He tries to bound with people on his own terms, with his own preferences.

So i think that’s what I find interesting with Wisely? His archetype could have been anything, hell, it could have been a parallelism to the Bookmen’s lack of emotion (and perhaps the fact he so much as LOVE his peple serves as one, that he doesn’t hold back from having feelings despite his knowledge, that could work as a foil) but mostly the idea we can get of him he’s that he’s sweet and funny and teasing. 

And it was a nice addition to the Noah cast. I mean that we know well, we had the Earl (duh) who’s very sweet and caring, Road who is more playfully teasing and also caring, looking over how everyone deals with their internal issues, overprotective ect... We have Tyki that is extremely bound to his own humanity and therefore has the dilema of being the one who awoke his Noah so much he cant get back ot his human life. We had Skinn who was full of anger and frustration. Then we had The Twins, who represent a cruel childishness, who are always defying their family’s being (while loyal to the cause, they’re just brats). We had Lullubel, more stoic, more duty focused. Then we had Sheryl, the sadistic manipulator, sweet talker who prepares political horrors with a sweet work of tongue. And Nea... who’s Nea. (i’m not really counting the others ones since they’re not that developped. Fiidora perhaps deserves a mention under “sadistically childishly horrifying”)

Wisely works a bit how caring the Earl can be. And the fact he bounded more easily with Road and Tyki is also something to take into account. He’s the knowledge, he’s a manipulator on the feelings he can gather yes, but we also see him as more gentle, more playful, not in the amounts of cruauty we saw the youngest of the cast (.. which just reminded me the twins are actually 18 while Wisely is 17. Not that it matters when Wisely remembers all his past lives but.. still.). 

Ofc while all of them remains a certain amount of sadistic ofc.

Idk i guess it’s.. a question of what he could have been and what he adds to the cast that kinda gets my attention? and there’s mostly a lot to picture in his dynamic with his family and perhaps the Exorcists if we take the Komui Corner for granted.

THIS IS ALL OVER THE PLACE but unless i have an idea where i’m supposed to go i end up.... all over the place.

Idk i like him fine. Not a fav by all account bc i still wait to see how he might develop (if a character like him can develop) but.... we’ll see.

Take care!

[oneweekoneband]

Yeah So

This record was released in 2009. At this time, aged 16, my listening was dominated by bands like Noah and the Whale, Mystery Jets, Larrikin Love, The Holloways, Mumford and Sons and Los Campesinos!, These were all British bands that had spawned out the side of the british indie-rock genre, with their own niches in folk, pop and verging towards post-punk and heavier styles.

By this stage the british ‘indie’ scene proper was in its death throes of skinny white guys in skinny white jeans and a lot of fundamentally uninteresting bands with ‘The’ in their names. Despite what the NME would have you think there wasn’t a lot going on in the mainstream but there was a collection of artists operating loosely under the fringes of it’s umbrella term still pushing the boundaries.

2009 Slow Club can be corralled into this category for me; indeed I think this frame of reference helps go some way to explaining and justifying how stylistically varied this album is.

Perhaps this association is on my own experience as a teenager at this point, but this album, their debut, feels like an adolescent; certainly precocious but steeped in youthful energies and attitudes.  They themselves were only a little older than me and younger when writing the songs, some of which had been around on demos and EPs since 2006.

Even the title conjures up an image of a teenager talking back, sticking their tongue out to an authority figure for no reason other than because they can.

You’ve already heard When I Go, the album opener. It’s a delicate, doe-eyed little ditty in the mould of Belle and Sebastian or even Chairlift. The instrumentation is one finger-picked acoustic guitar augmented by something similar to a glockenspiel and it’s essentially a nursery rhyme lyrically. There is a break where Charles whistles. Let’s make no bones about it; this is as twee as it gets.

It is possibly quite a lot of people’s only exposure to Slow Club; a bastion of open mic nights where a boy plays guitar and mumbles along in harmony with a girl with a much better voice than his, and they trade a lot of awkward eye-contact trying to remember what age/rhyme comes next. I say this with some confidence, having been said boy on a number of occasions.

I wouldn’t say this is a shame, as it is a very pretty tune, but it certainly places them in a box which has limitations. The very next track is ‘Giving Up On Love’, which you’ve also hopefully already heard. It’s as far removed from it’s predecessor as it’s possible for an indie-pop band to be without offending it’s listener. It is at a blistering tempo, effectively a punk track, with cynical lyrics spat out in rotation, snarling.

‘And it was obvious from the start We were the only ones with hearts And you pull mine apart With the things that you do’

I have no doubt that this jarring contrast between the two tracks was intentional. After a delicate fade to stop for When I Go, Giving Up opens with one snare drum hit, cutting straight through all of the atmosphere created and triggering a whole new mood. This is Slow Club flexing their muscles, baring their teeth, setting out their stall, letting us know what we are likely to be in for.

In truth these two tracks are outliers in their back catalogue; the former almost saccharinely sweet whilst the latter is tragicomically fierce and forceful. Neither is forced but both present a simpler suggestion of exactly what kind of band Slow Club are than is actually the case.

It is on this continuum, hanging between the extremes of jagged almost-punk to cutesy-folk Apple advert soundtrack-alikes, that all of Slow Club’s music lies.*

They will sometimes leap from one end to the other several times in the same song, and Yeah So as a whole seems to be an exploration of these two themes and their extremes, exactly how far in either direction an indie-pop band can go. Charles at this stage is only playing electric and acoustic guitar. On live tours, they were backed just by a bassist, and drums were often filled in by Rebecca playing an improvised kit made out of chairs and a dustbin.

On this record however they are accompanied throughout by a host of other instruments. There is a chiming piano leading on ‘There Is No Good Way To Say I’m Leaving You’ and often a full drum kit and bass backing them. The dynamics are very transient, muted at times and pounding in others.

Genre is an instrument of itself which they slip comfortably between from song to song; It verges on a British bluegrass for ‘It Doesn’t Always Have To Be Beautiful’, while there is more of a shimmering shoegazey folk present for ‘Trophy Room’ and ‘Come On Youth’, full of sliding rises and falls and soft harmonising line-by-line. Vocally they move from softly cooing in contrast here to what are effectively gang vocals there in the climaxes of several songs.

Lyrically, it also feels youthful, with themes of true love, almost love, lost love and teenage heartbreak abounding. The record comes in at a reasonable 45 minutes, but the first 11 songs slip by in just over half an hour, none of them longer than three minutes. Given the amount of exploration done sonically, they do seem to whistle past you; albeit with a lot to enjoy and savour along the way.

The final ten minutes are devoted to Our Most Brilliant Friends and it’s bonus track, Boys On Their Birthdays.

The former is a cathartic blast, a release of all of the pent-up energies collected up in the record through the sweetest parts until that point.

So just dance with me, move your body round this time machine We’ll start it again, I want you to celebrate the fact our bodies can recreate new versions of ourselves That won’t need help

Their vocal lines intermingle throughout the song and are eventually layered into a climax over thumping drums, before being cut off with another snap of snare.

The latter is effectively a ballad, meditative and laden with emo sensibility. We’ll come back to this track later in a feature on their bonus tracks, a staple of all their releases.

Since it serves as a coda for the record proper, For now I’ll just close by playing you it’s predecessor. Unfortunately it was my ring tone at around this age for about 6 months so I can’t hear the insistent strum of the guitar opening without subconsciously itching to answer a non-existent phone. Why must we kill the things we love?

Apart from this sensation however, I think it stands out as a great example from their back catalogue of the depth of their sound and vision, even from such a standpoint of youth. This is vintage Slow Club - earnest, hopeful, wry and eventually almost euphoric.

*Apples and Pairs actually was used in a 2010 Apple commercial, but various other tracks found their way into adverts around this time.