#um i think thats it

[choasuqeen]

may the odds (chrumblr whumblr day 8!)

(warning you before, this has suicide. be careful)

Venatrix blinked. She wasn’t in the box anymore, instead she was in a concrete tunnel, like the one she had run with Nia in. But she was alone. 

“Hi! A challenge for you.”

Her hand drifted toward knives she didn’t have, snarling ”Where are the others?”

“Safe enough, don’t worry. But you can’t go back there till you get through my challenge!”

Gritting her teeth, she asks “And what is that?”

“This tunnel has the images of all the people you have killed, and will kill, in their last moments of life. Walk through the tunnel, and when you make it to the end, you will be let out.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all!”

“Fine.” She started moving, waiting for the first images to show up. It took a while but-

Oh

Before her, stood a man with red hair, holding the hand of a woman as she knelt. Those were faces she hadn’t seen in years, now panicked. The man was saying something to the woman, and she looked calmer at it.

I didn’t kill them

“I DIDN’T KILL THEM”

It was silent. She knew what had happened, even if they had never found the bodies. But it wasn’t her fault. She had gone out with Nia to protect them both, if she hadn’t she’d be dead. But she didn’t kill them. The people after them did. She was 8, she couldn’t have killed them.

It was fine. The Voice was messing with her head, and if she stayed, she wouldn’t get back to Nia. Or the others. 

She shook her head, and kept walking. There was the first guy she had killed. He threatened the bar, then Nia, and Trixi never thought she’d kill someone until that moment. But it was done. After that, everyone was a little nicer to her. The handle of a knife stood in the middle of his neck, it hadn’t been luck that landed it there. 

More faces. The first guy she was paid to kill. Some traveler who didn’t listen when she cut him off, and tried to take another drink. Another paid job, and another. She had forgotten how many she had taken. 

The first one Nia had bitten, looking as bad as she remembered. Face scratched open, as he had stumbled in, yelling at them. There was a shot in his forehead, he had gotten too close. 

More faces. She remembered some of them. And then, the guard. The last guy she had killed, with a slit across his throat. His face looked weird though, slightly to the side of where it should be.

Now she looked closer at the next one. She didn’t recognize him, that was good. She memorized his face, knowing she had killed him for a reason. Another, and another. Noting each one, she continued. The images didn’t show up until she was right in front of them, but she could see the end of the tunnel. Honestly, it was shorter than she expected.

 She was running now, noted a distinct feature before moving on. She was almost-

Venatrix froze. Before her mind even caught up to what she was seeing, she sobbed.

There, before her, at the end, she stood. Head tipped back, eyes horrified, three shots to the chest. Her auburn braids flying as she fell. 

“No.” 

“I’m sorry.” There was some sympathy to the voice. “But it’s true.”

Nia was in front of her, dying. By her hand. 

“Would you like to see?”

“See what.”

“How it happened.”

Venatrix bit her tongue to keep from screaming. She didn’t do that.

“Yes.”

The world shifted, and she was standing on a beach. Nia didn’t look much older then she was now, helping her fight some pirates, Trixi thought. 

She shot twice, getting someone off of her sister. Spinning and stabbing, dancing through the violence. Shots again, at another. Twist, throw a knife, grab another. It was all instinctual. She didn’t need to think about it, she just fought.

Strike, shoot. Reload your gun and twist away. Grin at Nia, who’s smiling while fighting, because of you. She’s having fun in this, because of you. Throw a knife, scare a pirate. Shift and shift and shift again, catch a sword. You were grinning too now, as you stabbed again. Shots and knives were your world, as you reloaded again. This is what you lived for, this is what you knew how to do. You almost cackled as someone ran away. They had done something to anger you, at the moment you couldn’t remember what. You turned and shot and-

There Nia was. Three bullet holes, from Trixi, in her chest. 

She rushed forward, ignoring the stragglers, vision tunneling. 

“Nia, Nia!”

She fell to her knees beside her, there was too much blood. Too much. 

“NIA”

“Hi- Trixi.”

“Hi- hi- oh-”

“I’m ok- just give me a minute”

“Nia, nia,” she sobbed

“Someone shot me- it kinda hurts”

“I know honey, I’m sorry. You’re going to be ok, just rest, ok? We’ll get you patched up.”

Nia nodded, eyes already drifting shut.

“Yeah I know- I’ll- I’ll be ok- I’ve got you,” she laughed.

Even to the end. 

Trixi nodded back. “You’ve got me. I’ll keep you safe.” She could see where the blood was seeping out from under her hands, into the sand.

She trusted her.

“Trixi- when….we get back ...remind me to get a…new sword. For you.”

She nods again. Her hands are covered, as her tears mix with what's pooling on her.

“I will. I’ll keep you safe. Just rest ok? You’ll be ok.”

“I will. Don’t worry- Trixi-”

Her eyes closed, again. 

“Goodbye, rabbit.”

She broke their promise.

The blood stained her hands as she kneeled there, in the sand. The only blood that matters. She had one bullet left. Enough for one more life. Her hands were shaking as she picked up her gun, one last time. It was easy enough to cock it. 

3 She had broken their promise.

2 She caused this. 

1 She had blood on her hands.

bang

It was her blood too.

[verflares]

(click for higher quality!) draconified link concept ive been chipping away at this past week ..... here's my funny little compendium concept for him:

"A heroic spirit has taken the form of this bestial dragon. Unlike it's kin, this creature exhibits an extremely aggressive disposition. It appears highly territorial, and will relentlessly chase down those who disturb its skywide patrols - of which it seems to be endlessly searching for either a long-time vassal or foe. Unfortunately, it seems the spirit within has long since forgotten exactly who it was looking for…"

[francy-sketches]

cringe ass family ❤

[baeshijima]

hmmm.... thoughts about composer!reader, whose pieces are always created for and featured in mr reca's films/projects.

people aren't sure when it first started, but in the release of one of his prior films was an ost. of course, it's not unusual to have music in such projects, but that one had felt... different, somehow — in the way its composition struck the chords of many, with billions across the cosmos instantly scouring for who made that piece.

it, of course, didn't take all that long when your name was featured in the credits. however there was barely any information aside from your name and credentials. (seriously, how could there not even be a single photo?!) no one knew what you looked like for quite a long time, only ever recognising your name and your music; even despite the numerous interviews, mr reca had never disclosed anything about you other than your talents. it came to a point where everyone believed they would never see your appearance.

well, until all hell broke loose during the annual intergalactic film awards, that is.

everyone already knew the drill — if mr reca had directed a film that year, it would undoubtedly win the adapted/original screenplay, cinematography, directing, production design, sound, music (original score and song), and film of the year awards, which also led to you winning both the music awards. usually, the composers would be the ones to collect said awards. however, the masses have become used to mr reca being the one to collect them on your behalf with thank you's also on your behalf.

that's how it's been ever since you made your mark in the universe, and so it really is understandable the uproar created by those in and out of attendance when the one who went collect the two awards wasn't the esteemed director, but a completely unfamiliar person; you.

you are definitely younger than they originally thought, having believed it must have been someone of a senior status of sorts to have consistently created such masterpieces. all eyes are trained on you as you step on stage and into the limelight for the first time, the light enhancing your features and formal attire when approaching the mic with a small flashcard in hand. your mouth opens, and the audience leans in with baited breaths as they await your first words.

...only for nothing to come out.

everyone watches a little dumbfounded as you try to talk once more but, aside from gaping like a fish, your efforts remain futile. it doesn't take long for you to clamp your mouth and eyes shut, even raising the awards in front of you in an attempt to shield your face from the crowd.

you... you were just really shy. or maybe a little...socially awkward, perhaps...? if this was the reason you never showed yourself, then they're beginning to understand why...

it passes in a blur — quite literally in that of brown. one moment you are alone on the stage, the next you have the presence of the renown director standing slightly in front of you, as though acting as a shield from the many prying eyes.

"apologies," he begins, his usual smile on display, "but my dearest composer has been suffering with a sore throat these past few days. on their behalf, we thank you all kindly for your support in our work."

and then he swiftly leaves with you tucked under and shielded by his coat, murmuring unreadable words to you as you both disappear backstage and leave everyone in a state of frenzy; to both those inside the ceremonial hall, and to those watching live elsewhere.

(it was only discovered after the awards ceremony concluded what the director had said to you, with the uploader being dubbed as a holy saint for their contributions to society. while the visual aspects of the video itself were not the clearest, barely anyone had it within themselves to complain when the audio was clear as crystal:

"and here i thought you were going to be brave and face your stage fright after all that pep-talk you gave yourself on the way here."

"i'm sorry... i really thought i could do it this time..."

"now, now, i'm merely teasing. you made a big step just making an appearance here today. i know how much courage this took for you, and i'm proud of you for facing it."

"really...?"

"but of course. i'm always proud of you, [name]. there is not a moment where i haven't been.")

(it also was not long until the cosmos was taken by storm when various pictures snapped during the awards ceremony spread. the millions of candids featuring you were one of the most liked and shared, with the top spot joined by the sequence of pictures taken of mr reca's soft expression when watching you onstage, into his realisation of your predicament, into him running onstage and shielding you from the cameras when making your way backstage.)

(...the drastic influx of fan accounts dedicated to both you alone and to you and reca should really be a studied phenomenon.)

[k1tty5]

day 1: throwback

[couch-house]

yippee knuckles comic done! wanted to try several things: tell a story in 4-7 pages, attempt to style layouts and writing a bit more like stc comics, and lump my "knuckles raised unknowingly by the m.e." headcanons together. mixed results I think but I still think it turned out nice :)

[pinkavtomation]

Checking in :] not much 2 say 4 this one

[buqbite]

loved the 2.3 scene where they bickered like petty little kids

[potatobugz]

dugon my friend my buddy my pal

[vellichorsdesire]

cuddling with your f/o(s) in bed but your arms always fall asleep. their hair gets in your face sometimes or vice versa. being in the middle of kissing, noses bumping too much or you just miss their lips completely with your eyes closed. bumping foreheads accidentally!!! kissing even more and then breaking it off to yawn or giggle and trying to kiss again but it only repeats. goosebumps and shivering whenever you touch them. accidental (or very much intentional/jokingly) shoving/elbowing because the others feet are too cold or it is suuper warm to even be this close to each other. they love and love and love you tremendously still through anything and everything. even if you steal the covers off them when you sleep, maybe

[thewhizzyhead]

how genderbending the warriors (2024) is done not for the sole sake of "bad-assery"

okay here we go feminist ramble time for our newest chick on the block: warriors. now i'll be honest, prior to listening to the album, when i first heard that the warriors main girls were originally dudes in the movie and the novel, i thought that the decision for the genderbending, in lmm's perspective, were from the following: 1.) girl power move in like a very basic meaning of the word "bad-ass" 2.) simply a twist on a cult movie about big gang bros loved by the film bros, and 3.) a way to have the schuyler sisters back together gjfkdfldf

but when i read more about warriors and its development and how lmm took inspiration from the gamergate controversies of 2014-2015 aka among the peak of gamerbro misogyny campaigns, that's when i realized that Oh Shit Is Serious - because adapting a story about a group being framed and targeted and harassed for something they are accused of doing without any substantial proof other than a man screaming "THE WARRIORS SHOT CYYYYRUUS" with 21st century misogyny campaigns in mind makes the theme of fighting back a lot more complicated and a lot more resonant, going beyond just marketing a cast you can call "badass"

take the hurricanes' quiet girls, for example. the hurricanes (concept album version) is the only gang that lets the warriors off the hook and with a stern warning: quiet girls don't make it home. here, the hurricanes berate the warriors for not saying shit or attempting to defend themselves from accusations they know well aren't true. THIS MESSAGE IN PARTICULAR is what stays and influences ajax, fox, and swan til the very end of their stories.

literally one song after this does ajax show how easily she resonated with the hurricanes' lesson by finally sticking with her gut and actually choosing to fight back against both the baseball furies AND against the sleazy undercover cop. the latter encounter is one of the instances that really solidifies the recontextualization of the story because in the OG movie, ajax (a dude) WAS the sleazy fuck up harassing a woman in a park - and now with the literal character switch, ajax goes from being just a rebellious gangbro dude bro into someone whose want to fight is warranted. such a want to fight is seen in fox seeing as fox is the first to comment on the quiet girls scene and that, in the concept album, she is the one that instigates the rumble against the police in union square - saying that she is sick of being afraid of them and their 'fuckin powder blue' colors (also notice how she is the only warrior that really does say fuck the cops i think that's cool BUT I'LL TALK ABOUT FOX MORE NEXT TIME)

to a less obvious extent, swan also gets the receiving end of this recurring theme - by the album's finale, the usually violence-averse caution-first interim leader becomes a lot fiercer in protecting her crew. but perhaps among what i consider to be the biggest recontextualized change in the feminist sense is MERCY and her motivations to join the warriors in the first place. according to the wiki, her attraction to swan and the warriors and um seeing the orphans as wimps is what led her to switch sides BUT IN THE CONCEPT ALBUM, mercy's motivation to become a warrior is deepened, rooted in admiration rather than attraction - wanting to be like those women who hold their head up high. and again, we see this in Sick of Runnin' when she takes part in the rumble, finding her bravery within their ranks as they fight back. here, mercy becomes less of a swan tagalong and more of someone that wants what the warriors have: pride.

of course now that i type this out i realize that warriors is not based solely on the feminist rhetoric as with their theme of hope amidst adversity, the story is more intersectional and rooted in community struggle and wanting for more than that. but nonetheless, i genuinely believe that the twt filmbros arguments on why the genders should not have been changed in the first place just for "woke" points is kinda like,,,very shortsighted because not only does the narrative of women narrowly escaping unwarranted accusations actually fucking fit, but the act of learning to fight back amidst all odds - be it that of disbelieving, predatory men or the power of oppressive pigs - stays resonant for women yesterday, today, and the days to come.

ultimately, warriors (2024) is not solely a tale of female badassery - rather, it is a tale of the need for such "female badassery" in the face of past and present realities, which is why it somehow fucking worked.

[lucabyte]

Comfortable in New Skin

[garmaballs]

harumi and i should be locked in a room together and have a crying contest

[cerealmonster15]

skully (scully??) in his element: alone in a quiet dark room with NOTHING but a single pumpkin and a light inside😌

[itslilacokay]

CHOSENWEEK DAY 4&5 : FESTIVAL + FLIGHT

i dunno, this was just a little what if hehe

oh im not done yet! have another combined day

CHOSENWEEK DAY 6&7 : COMFORT + FREEDOM (glitch/flashing warning)

this one ive thought of for a whiiile while! you see my vision right guys

okay see you all on finale day!

[deoxysacid]

brendan writes an apology letter for his sins