#valor sky of gas
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spinachandhoney · 8 months ago
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Last one for today because these are all the book 3 refs I have done besides Isaac
Jack Kelley is Aiko’s oldest friend. A half native southerner with a rancher veteran dad and a Seminole mom originally from Oklahoma, his family moved to Arkansas when Jack’s younger brother Maury was born. He’s a fierce fighter and sticks by Aiko’s side no matter what.
While he isn’t very skilled with weapons, Jack has had a tendency to get into fistfights since he was young, and ended up in detention a lot. Despite this, he’s actually very intelligent and made good grades. Due to both of these factors, Jack makes an exceptional addition to the team as he can contribute to planning and pack a punch. When he’s rendered disabled, Aiko’s cousin, Isaac, develops a set of bionic legs and a replacement jaw to help Jack get back in the saddle. While it takes him a while to get used to his new attachments, the bionics help Jack become more agile and a much better fighter.
Some notes about his design: the bandana and dog tags he wears are both memoriams he kept from his father after he was killed resisting the Empire. Jack wears them to remind himself to stay vigilant and never forget why he fights for the rebellion.
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syxnewt · 2 years ago
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Valorant Enemy Ultimate Calllouts, Ranked by usefulness
Imagine you’re a brand new agent to the Valorant protocol. You don’t know your teammates’ ults yet for some reason, which means you don’t know the other universe’s ults. Based on what you hear, how likely are you to know what’s going on?
Astra: 10/10 “You are divided!” Beautiful. You are, in fact, divided.
Breach: 10/10 “Off your feet!” You get bounced off your feet. Very good.
Brim: 7/10 “Prepare for hellfire!” You are told to prepare, then giant circles from the sky to the ground appear. You can pretty much use common sense with that.
Chamber: 1/10 “You want to play, let’s play.” A warning, for sure, but no indication of what’s about to happen.
Cypher: 10/10 “I know EXACTLY where you are!” Yep, that’s the ult.
Fade: 6/10 “Face your fears!” I mean, kinda? It doesn’t prepare you whatsoever for the deafening.
Harbor: 1/10 “I suggest you move!” You get warned, and you can see the water pooling at your feet, but you have no idea it will stun you. So not very good.
Jett: 1/10 “Get out of my way!” A warning, but you have no idea what you’re being warned about.
KAY/O: 10/10 “You! Are! Powerless!” Yeah.
Killjoy: 2/10 “You should run.” An implied warning, plus a clue on how to counteract the ult. Again, though, nothing to say what will happen if you don’t run.
Neon: 1/10 “Hoy! I’m pissed!” Warning, but nothing to go off of.
Omen: 0/10 “Scatter!” Go girl give us nothing! His ult is just a really good teleport. You don’t need to ‘scatter’ at all. It’s barely a warning.
Phoenix: 1/10 “Joke’s over, you’re dead!” A warning, but you still don’t know what it entails.
Raze: 2/10 “Fire in the hole!” It’s a warning, and maybe a clue to what you’re about to see. But it’s small, and probably only clear in hindsight.
Reyna: 1/10 “The hunt begins!” Another warning with no clue what’s about to happen.
Sage: 7/10 “You will not kill my allies!” I think you could reason your way into figuring it out? Like, Sage can heal, and then she yells about you not killing her allies, so she probably healed them from death??? Maybe?
Skye: 6/10 “I’ve got your trail!” She does, but there’s more the the ult than that. Still, it’s better than nothing.
Sova: 1/10 “Nowhere to run!” Another warning with nothing else.
Viper: 1/10 “Welcome to my world!” Genuinely not sure if this fits my ‘warning’ criteria but I feel like seeing the green gas coming right at you would help a lot in figuring out what is up.
Yoru: -0/10 “Who’s next?” Honest to god do not understand why this is his line. It sounds more like a kill line rather than an ult line. It has nothing to do with the ult whatsoever. Not even in the most barebones sense.
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bobelblogger · 6 months ago
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CCCP attacks the rear
Between Cocks In Hard Place.
Nulutuhk Nahk
Hayah Omis
Nijumet Hcezc
Hirahita Mejiin
"The phallus is a fallacy, nurture thy self and thy seed, natural balance of whose absence will makes life bitter and sour."
First Fallopians.
Concluding her postulate with the sign of matriarchy from her heart over to her breast down to her womb back up to her heart, rose up from crouching, inhaled the crisp morning air opened her eyes beheld the cloudless pink tinted sunrise from the east, secured in her vale and crack guard, breast caps and anti gas pills.
her radio tuned to the Femlin.
"As unto the sun we shall pass over the land and cleanse it for woman kind, collected in harmonious unity, with valor in our hearts, milk in our breasts and eggs in our ovaries we go forth as a tidal wave of femmunist fury, women of CCCP give to them nothing but agony!"
As the signal to advance passed from HQ to bunkers camouflaged and brush concealed trenches two million rose up along the whole of the border as high above aviatrix flew wings pulling gliders in the thousands from mountain carved aerodomes, some rode on horse as others jogged or piggy backed armored suits as still others followed behind towing cannon, moblie AA, medical tents and repair stations, the things they carried with them each was deftly versed in its use and function.
The first villages they came to defensively as the populace came out they divided the women who were inspected and frisked for futa aligned material and men eyed by unimpressed yet benevolent Cummissars for desirable traits selection harvesting behind closed doors.
Further along the first city of Krakaw with defenses dug and manned with army divisions, under a flag of truce she strode out to meet an officer on horseback as precaution, in rudimentary russ he asked.
"Matriarch Stala breaks the treaty with Polonia, have you come seeking a fight or fornication with free men?"
"CCCP has no feud with Polonish, we need only right of way to the western border." She replied withholding venom.
"One versed in diplomacy should remember to ask before doing, I've heard of no order from high command."
"It wasn't made known less the whole continent hear of our plans, spies and saboteurs of the Falsereich abound."
"Go around, your campaign is noble but I'll not have armed foreign soldiers marching through our city for show."
"A delay of two hours to reroute would put us in danger of a gap in our advance, send for Wasraw to clarify."
"I have, you do not give me orders and you aren't passing through without consent from the head ministry."
She had one reply of niceness left in her vocabulary before the swearing and threats came so made a stern nod.
Sending word via scouts to other corps of delays in link up while she eyed the sky for foe and friendly craft, her time dial read six forty five am, forty fucking minutes behind schedule, and they still had to cross the Oder river.
"You may pass through as requested in line with agreed terms under escort and arms sheathed, shall we march?"
"The point of such theatrics puts us in peril and is the reason the enemy have gotten thus far, we shall at once!"
It was nearly eight thirty by the time they reached the border objective, soon as the Harpy and Kilpid corps passed overhead they would advance south east then north east, expecting minefields blown bridges and ambushes after the rousing of the enemy air units amid a pitched battle for the sky along the entire front, urban warfare was to be avoided, they sought to surround and squeeze until the nut cracked.
The border got crossed without a shot, no defenses only ransacked houses and barren fields told of hurried recall.
It was twelve midday exactly when the distant boom of artillery not from behind but in front began, the barrage of shells released thick yellow mist, donning our masks and shrouds anchored the flanks and braced for the tsunami of dick about to wash over us, signals from the scouts stopped as the ground rumbled and shook then ceased.
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dilebe06 · 3 years ago
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Drama Quiz 2021
Ed eccoci qui anche quest'anno! Purtroppo a differenza dell'anno scorso sono un pò di fretta e mezza malata. Perciò se ho scritto cagate...perdonatemi! 😢
Devo dire che sono ampiamente soddisfatta: con un totale di 69 drama - più o meno - ho quasi raddoppiato il numero di drama visti rispetto allo scorso anno.
Certo... i web drama mi hanno dato una mano nella conta vista la loro brevità. Ma fanno comunque numero. 😆
Dunque...
Japan (13): Death Note, Prince Of Legend, Watashitachi Wa Douke Shiteiru, Fugitive Boys, Futatsu No Sokoku, The Count Of Monte- christ, Five, Sherlock: Untold stories, Bitter Blood, Kisarazu Cat's Eye, Ouroboros, Anata No ban Desu, Nihon Chinbotsu: kibo no hito.
Korea (30): Stranger 2, Private Lives, Thumping Spike, Itaewon Class, Cinderella and the 4 knight, The Royal Gambler, Mr Queen, Woman to 9.9 billions, 18 Again, 109 strange things, The uncanny Counter, My secret romance, 9 seconds: eternal time, Black, Go ho's starry night, 300 years old: class of 2020, 365 years: repeat the years, Class with passion for now, Aftermath, Doom at your service, Chicago Typewriter, legally,Dad, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Go back couple, Prison Playbook, Capital Scandal, Naked Fireman, Love in black Hole, Devilish joy, The great Shaman Ga Doo Shim.
Taiwan (7): Drunken to love you, The murphy's law of love, Lost romance, Heartbeat love, History 4, The victim's Game, Meet me @ 1006.
China (17): My unicorn girl, The brightest star in the sky, Memory Lost 1-2-3, Fake Princess, My roomate is a detective, Die now, Hello Mr Gu, Word of Honor, The Mystic Nine, Sweet Combat, Serendepity, Eagles and Youngster, Go Go Squid, Time flies and you are here, Fall love with him.
Thai (2): 2gether, Still 2gether
1) Il drama più bello che hai visto quest'anno - Black
Almeno per impatto emotivo. Questo drama è stato uno dei pochi che è riuscito a farmi rimanere incollata allo schermo dall'inizio alla fine. E' stato l'unico che mi ha triggherata così tanto nel finale, che sono stata costretta a pensarci su per tre giorni, impallandomi in cervello in trip mentali degni di un critico cinematografico.
Black è un drama intenso, drammatico e strutturalmente complesso. Non è esente da difetti per carità, ma ci sono passata sopra con abbastanza tranquillità, in virtù di una storia ricca di pathos, colpi di scena, profondità e con un cast perfetto che dona alla serie ancor più valore. Mi ha colpito intensamente - a giudicare anche dai pianti incessanti che ho fatto durante le tre visioni del finale - e duramente. Tanto da farmi capire perché io abbia votato questa serie: ad un ottima storia ed un buon cast, si aggiunge anche il perfetto impatto emotivo capace di toccare le corde del mio cuore.
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2) Il drama che si meriterebbe un sequel - Die Now
"E quindi? Ma come finisce così?"
Questa è la domanda che mi sono fatta dopo il finale di questo drama. Una serie intelligente, interessante e ben fatta con un ottima sceneggiatura e bei personaggi.
Solo che il finale è aperto. Nel senso che non esiste perché il finale non è stato scritto manco nel fumetto da cui prende corpo la serie. E quindi eccoci qui...con una serie amputata.
Io però vorrei vedere il seguito. [SPOILER] Sto finale che si chiude con il protagonista che sfida il gioco e che mai sapremo... non tanto se vincerà o meno, ma in cosa consisterà la sfida. [ FINE SPOILER]
Madò se sono curiosa.
3) Il drama che ti è piaciuto di meno - Meet Me at @ 1006
Una serie iniziata con grandi premesse ma che poi ha costretto me e @veronica-nardi a visionarla in modalità "skip compulsivo" per togliercela dalla balle il prima possibile.
Era partita bene, con questo appartamento che ogni sera per 42 minuti - più o meno - viaggiava nello spazio/tempo facendo incontrare i due protagonisti provenienti da due timeline differenti. In mezzo un caso di omicidio da risolvere. Insomma, pareva interessante.
Solo che più si andava avanti e più la serie perdeva mordente a causa soprattutto dei suoi personaggi scritti con i piedi. In più, motivazioni riprovevoli, azioni no sense, bipolarismo, depistaggi inutili...
Persino la storia d'amore che di solito risolleva una serie, non si è salvata da questo scempio: i due protagonisti si mettono assieme solo grazie alla sceneggiatura. Tanto che erano proprio le scene d'amore tra questi due, le scene che ho maggiormente skippato.
Per me vedersi questa serie equivale a buttare ore e ore di tempo che si può impiegare in cose più produttive... tipo che sò, cogliere pinoli.
4) Il protagonista maschile preferito - 18 Again
Ho adorato questo personaggio soprattutto per la sua imperfezione ed i suoi errori. Per i suoi tentativi, i suoi sbagli, i sacrifici e le scelte che ha fatto o dovuto fare.
La serie parte proprio da qui, dando al lead la possibilità di capire DOVE e QUANDO ha sbagliato, per permettergli di rimettere a posto le cose. Vederlo cercare di aggiustare la sua vita tra pianti, rimpianti e decisioni in questo viaggio in se stesso è stato potente e straziante.
Hong Dae Young è un uomo che ha fallito, sull'orlo del divorzio con dei figli che non lo cagano di pezza e con un lavoro che odia. Ma è tanto umano, credibile e sinceramente legato alla sua famiglia.
Ho percepito tutta la sua disperazione e la sua voglia di aggiustare le cose.
5) La protagonista femminile preferita - Private Lives
Ce l'ho. In realtà è stata nella mia mente per lungo tempo, lasciandomi commuovere per aver trovato una protagonista femminile da amare già all'inizio dello scorso anno.
Perché Cha Joo Eun? Beh, potrei amarla anche solo per essere andata in galera per frode, per essere una stronza e far comunella con gente ancora più stronza di lei. Per essere una galeotta, pronta a derubare chiunque e dovunque, intelligente e realistica, pronta a tutto. Soprattutto per amore.
Potrei incoronarla Regina perché in un mondo doramico dove le donzelle sono sempre in difficoltà e l'uomo di turno le deve salvare, Joo Eun è quella che salva il culo al suo uomo.
[SPOILER]Ho questo ricordo di lei che minacciata da due uomini, piglia una bottiglia di vetro, la sfracella sul muretto e usandola a mò di arma, intimidisce i suoi nemici...sempre con questa faccia scazzata come se i due tizi fossero due lombrichi che incrociano per errore il suo cammino. [ FINE SPOILER]
E poi è sempre elegantissima - probabilmente gli abiti li ha rubati a qualcuno - capace di tirare su piani incredibili, fregando chiunque.
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Nota di merito per la protagonista di Naked Fireman: una ragazza orfana, asociale e super ricca. Ma non stupida.
[SPOILER] Ho adorato come cercasse la verità sulla morte dei suoi genitori usando il cervello e aiutando il lead come poteva. Si è anche semi ammazzata cercando di salvare uno stronzo. #eroina [FINE SPOILER]
6) Un drama che ti ha fatto venire la sindrome da Second Lead - Go Back Couple
Quest'anno non ci sono stati grandi sindromi da second lead ed ecco perché voto la relazione tra Nam Gil e la protagonista.
Difficile non prendersi una sbandata per Jung Nam Gil. E credo che i motivi siano essenzialmente due: il primo è legato all'inevitabile paragone con il lead di questo drama.
[SPOILER] Ban Do almeno inizialmente, passa il tempo a comportarsi come un ragazzino, tratta male la sua ex moglie e non dà prova di essere un personaggio particolarmente profondo. Cosa che verrà poi smentita più avanti.
Nam Gil in compenso è un ragazzo responsabile, serio, maturo. E la sua storyline presenta delle tematiche veramente interessanti che lo rendono un personaggio molto stimolante. Anche la sua cotta per la protagonista - e qui arrivo al secondo punto - è costruita bene, passo per passo. E anche se sapevo che mai e poi mai questi due si sarebbero messi assieme, un pò del mio cuore a sofferto per il destino da second lead al quale Nam Gil era condannato.
C'è anche da dire che il motivo principale del perché lui e la lead MAI avrebbero potuto stare assieme, era anche il fatto che lei fosse "troppo vecchia" per lui. Ma io adoravo la loro interazione. [FINE SPOILER]
7) Un drama di cui faresti un rewatch adesso - Black
Se non avessi paura di soffrire troppo, Black sarebbe il drama che metterei su schermo adesso.
E che ci posso fare?! Un rewatch sarebbe anche necessario per ricapitolare e raccogliere tutti gli indizi che mi sono sicuramente persa per la via, troppo presa dalle emozioni e sensazioni che la serie mi ha dato per rendermene pienamente conto.
8) La morte di un personaggio che non hai ancora superato - Eagles and Youngster
Nel mondo dei drama esiste un clichè che definire ingiusto è riduttivo. Ossia quello che se un protagonista maschile cade da un dirupo/scogliera/pozzo chiamalo come ti pare sopravviverà in tutti i modi. Anzi, ne uscirà anche più forte. The Royal Gambler docet.
Ma se a cadere è un personaggio di contorno...quello creperà. Per forza. [SPOILER] E allora il mio pensiero vola verso il vice capitano Xing, unico stronzo ad essere precipitato in un burrone ed esserci rimasto secco. Xing...vai in cielo e insegna agli angeli AD AVERE SEMPRE RAGIONE.
Io lo adoravo perché era l'unico personaggio ad avere un pò di raziocinio tra quella marmaglia. L'unico ad aver detto agli altri di andarsene da quel posto perché sarebbero morti tutti. Era un codardo sì...ma così umano. [FINE SPOILER]
9) Miglior Second Lead maschile - Chicago Typewriter
Yoo Jin Oh si prende questo posto a mani basse. La sua storia lunga due vite, s'intreccia con quelle dei due protagonisti risultando a metà tra una storia d'amore e d'amicizia.
[SPOILER] Innamorato della lead nel passato e poi nel presente, si fa da parte per il suo migliore amico rimanendo sempre a vegliare su loro come un angelo custode. Jin Oh è un personaggio in realtà triste, con un destino malinconico e amaro ma che riesce a non farsi pesare, grazie al suo carattere solare, allegro e divertente. Ma soprattutto grazie all'amicizia per i due lead. [ FINE SPOILER]
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10) Miglior Second Lead femminile - Anata no ban desu
La psicopatica della porta accanto. Se è vero che i second lead sono coloro che si intromettono nella relazione tra i due protagonisti...chi meglio della Signorina Ono?!
[SPOILER]Lei travalica il concetto di "provarci con il lead" per arrivare direttamente a film mentali dove lei e il protagonista stanno già assieme. E dove la moglie del lead non è ovviamente contemplata. Quel suo provarci spudoratamente con il protagonista DI FRONTE ALLA DI LUI MOGLIE, rimarrà nella storia dei drama per sempre.[FINE SPOILER]
11) Miglior bacio - 2gether e Still 2gether
Anche se quest'anno i baci si sono sprecati, voto il bacio pocky Sarawat/Tine. Oltre ad aver alzato l'ormone a livelli indicibili - grazie ragazzi - quel bacio è stato quasi simbolico.
[SPOILER] Il pocky kiss era presente nella prima stagione, quando un allupatissimo Sarawat ci provava spudoratamente con l'ingenuo Tine e usava le sue ars amatorie per sedurre il giovane. Con Tine che ne usciva imbarazzatissimo.
Nella seconda stagione, quando ormai i due stanno insieme, non solo è Tine a condurre il pocky kiss ma i movimenti, gli sguardi e gli atteggiamenti tra i due giovani sono così diversi e decisi rispetto al primo pocky kiss, che mi sono sciolta come neve al sole. [ FINE SPOILER]
Ho urlato lo ammetto.
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12) Il protagonista e la protagonista che proprio non ti è piaciuto/a: Meet me at @ 1006 e Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Devo davvero dire qualcosa sulla protagonista di Meet Me?! Ho già scritto abbastanza su di lei qui su Tumblr e non ho davvero voglia di rimarcare il disastro. Basti solo sapere che gli sceneggiatori hanno creato una protagonista insopportabile, antipatica, presuntuosa, arrogante ed insostenibile a livello umano. Le sue scene, insieme a quelle d'amore - perché si sa che i disastri vanno sempre in coppia - sono state le scene che ho skippato di più. Ogni volta che era nello spettacolo, la bile mi si alzava così tanto che Dio solo sa come non sono andata in terapia.
Come protagonista maschile, il premio se lo prende il lead di Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Ora, non è stato insopportabile come la sua amica qui sopra. Ma...era un palo con mille paranoie. Sun Joon, figlio dell'uomo più potente di Joseon, bravissimo in tutto e per tutto, composto, serio, maturo ed un vero caga cazzi per le regole. Un gioiellino di rigore e morale.[SPOILER] Salvo prendersi una cotta per la lead e mandare a cagare le regole perché si sa: " tira più un pelo di fi...a che un carro di buoi". [ FINE SPOILER]
13) Miglior bromance - Prison Playbook
Scegliere una sola bromance di questa serie è difficilissimo perché sono state tutte bellissime: dal tenente Paeng e l'ergastolano, al Tossico e il Capitano Yoo. Dal lead e la guardia, al protagonista ed il galeotto. Le ho amate tutte. Tutte.
E' incredibile come questa serie abbia mostrato così bene ed in modo così splendido le relazioni che avvengono tra le sbarre di una prigione. Relazioni per lo più forzate visto che non ci si può scegliere con chi stare in cella. Ognuno così diverso, con vite e strade diametralmente opposte uno all'altro ma accomunati tutti dall'aver fatto la scelta sbagliata e di essersi ritrovati lì.
Ho adorato come sostenessero, proteggessero il lead e il tossico. Come si facessero piccole gentilezze uno con l'altro e si prendessero cura vicendevolmente anche per le cazzate.
Come disse l'inserviente riguardo ai detenuti della NOSTRA cella: " siete come gli Avangers".
14) Miglior Cast - Eagles and Youngster
Voglio premiare la gioventù.
Eagles and Youngster presenta infatti un cast giovanissimo: la protagonista ha solo 14 anni, per dire. Ed il resto del cast ondeggia tra i 20 ed i 32 massimo. Nonostante questo, non solo i novellini si sono fatti valere con una recitazione convincente e molto naturale, ma si sono integrati perfettamente con in cast degli adulti, senza che si mostrasse nessuna disparità di recitazione.
Inoltre il drama era anche bello lungo - 40 episodi se non erro - ma gli attori sono riusciti a reggere per episodi ed episodi senza perdere un minimo di credibilità. Bravissimi tutti.
15) Peggior Second Lead maschile e femminile - The Brightest star in the sky e Sweet Combat
Dio ci salvi e liberi dalle piattole.
Partiamo da Yu Zi Rui di Brightest Star In the Sky: il De André dei poveri che vuole il successo senza compromettersi, musicalmente parlando. [SPOILER] Mentre gli altri cantanti sgomitano e soffrono per bilanciare i loro desideri con quelli delle case discografiche a cui sono legati, il nostro eroe di legami non ne vuole sapere. Piuttosto canterebbe nelle piazze per sempre. Il che sarebbe encomiabile se non fosse che ho già il lead che combatte disperatamente contro la sua casa discografica e mentre quest'ultimo è costretto a cedere, il Nostro cantautore le vince tutte. E già per questo mi sta sulle balle.
Oltre a ciò, non si vuole arrendere con la protagonista. Nonostante abbia l'amica della lead che sbava letteralmente per lui, lui vuole la lead. Che ama un altro. [ FINE SPOILER] Ogni interazione tra Zi Rui e Zhen Zhen poi, era noiosa come la morte.
E poi c'è Xiao Mi - che si chiama come il mio telefono - da Sweet Combat, colei che ha portato il concetto di stalking e molestie ad un livello superiore. Non solo è appiccicosa, lamentosa e pedante. [SPOILER] Ma nonostante il lead sia stato chiaro di non essere interessato, lei gli si presenta a casa dove cucina per lui, si fa trovare di fronte al cancello della sua dimora, lo difende sempre, fa la mammina con i fratellini di lui... una piattola. [FINE SPOILER]
16) Miglior finale - Ouroboros
Se c'è una cosa che i giapponesi sanno fare bene sono i finali. Durante e dopo tutto il percorso di vendetta che Ikuo e Danno hanno percorso, la chiusura della serie per quanto straziante era l'unica possibile ed anche la più giusta.
[SPOILER] Svelato il cattivo, ottenuta la vendetta a costo della morte di Danno, anche Ikuo si toglie la vita nell'orfanotrofio dove tutto è cominciato. E se temevo che Ikuo potesse sopravivvere per andare a fare la bella vita happy ending con l'interesse amoroso di turno, mi sbagliavo. [FINE SPOILER]
Ed è stato bello ipotizzare un lieto fine che - considerando tutto il drama- era impossibile che si avverasse.
Finale perfetto.
17) Un drama che ti penti di aver visto - Legally, dad
Perché non ha senso raga'!
Un ragazzino ricchissimo che per ereditare dei beni deve avere delle figlie femmine e ne adotta due, di cui una ha la sua stessa età.
Ma poi trovate per strada: "-Toh guarda, una bambina che vaga da sola, convenientemente orfana. Presto adottiamola. E aspè...la bambina dice di avere una sorella convenientemente della mia stessa età? presto, adottiamo pure lei."
C'è sicuramente un piacere perverso nel chiamare "papà" il bonazzo di turno che ti ha adottato e con cui vivi. Ma onestamente ne avrei fatto volentieri a meno. Non c'era un modo migliore per fare questa storia?
18) Una ship fittizia che però tu shippi - Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Come detto sopra, la ship di questo drama non mi ha fatto morire. Anzi. Diciamo che ne sono rimasta neutra...ecco perché mi sono ritrovata a shippare senza pietà la lead con Moon Jae Shin, ribelle vagabondo con il capello lungo e sguardo luminoso.
[SPOILER] Nonostante lui sia uno dei primi che viene a sapere del vero sesso della protagonista, continua ad aiutarla e proteggerla, riuscendo per amore suo, ad andare d'accordo pure con quel palo in culo del lead. Rimane accanto a lei anche se la sua presenza gli fa venire il singhiozzo - malattia stranissima sui cui non indago perché non credo che esista proprio - e sarà proprio Yoon Hee ha tirare fuori il lato più dolce e tenero di questo ragazzo. [FINE SPOILER]
Poi va beh, Moon Jae Shin è interpretato da Yoo Ah In...di che stiamo a parla'?!
19) Un drama che merita più conoscenza - The victim's game
Serie vista da tre persone in croce, probabilmente perché pare un thriller come tanti altri, The Victim's game è una piccola perla che parte sì come thriller per poi sbandare verso altri lidi. E tematiche.
[SPOILER PESANTISSIMI] Interessantissimo il fatto che la serie alla fine parli di suicidio, del valore della vita per se stessi e per chi ci è accanto, come è stato importante vedere la serie stessa prendersi del tempo per raccontare tramite psicologi, dottori e addetti questa tematica. [FINE SPOILER]
Inoltre lo stesso cast ha aiutato: dal lead autistico alla protagonista giornalista avvoltoio, alla figlia del protagonista fino agli altri personaggi.
Un giro crudele e realistico nella mentalità umana con le sue debolezze e criticità.
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20) il drama in arrivo che non vedi l'ora di vedere - F4
Sarà che oramai questa storia l'ho vista in tutte le sue salse. Sarà che ci sono affezionata... sia alla trama che ai personaggi. Sarà che ci sono gli attori di Sarawat e Tine. Sarà che la versione tailandese mi manca alla collezione...io non vedo l'ora di vedere questa serie.
Chiariamoci, la serie giapponese è per me imbattibile visto che è stato anche il mio primo drama.
Ma questa versione mi attira come poche cose.
21) Di quale drama vorresti un reboot/revival? Fall Love With Him
L'idea non era male. Veramente.
Ma la resa - soprattutto verso il finale - è stata pessima. Mi piacerebbe un reboot serio di questo drama ambientandolo magari in Korea dove trovo che siano più bravi nel gestire il fantasy e magari dando più spazio ai personaggi secondari, a tratti più interessanti dei protagonisti stessi.
Ma soprattutto....RIFATE IL FINALE VE PREGO!
22) La storia d'amore peggiore - Prince of Legend
:-"Perché, c'era anche la storia d'amore?" si domanda il mio cervello. Sì. Ahimè c'era pure la storiella d'amore. Scritta con i piedi e interpretata peggio. Ma c'era.
[DOVEROSI SPOILER ANCHE SE è PRINCE OF LEGEND...CIOè DAVVERO DEVO METTERE LO SPOILER?] Dopo che il protagonista passa tutta la serie a trattare la lead come una poraccia, alla fine capisce di amarla e le si dichiara. Lei che per tutto il drama non ha dato segno di aver a cuore sto benedetto lead, ricambia i suoi sentimenti...perché una volta era caduta in piscina e lui l'aveva salvata.
Fine. Applausi grazie.
Madò, sono imbarazzata per loro. Sti due non si sono cagati per tutta la serie e alla fine si scoprono innamorati pazzi. Niente costruzione, sviluppo o una benché minima sorta di conversazione tra loro. Anche solo per parlare del tempo. Nulla. Però lui l'ha salvata dall'affogare in mezzo metro d'acqua.[FINE SPOILER]
Se non è vero amore questo.
23) Il finale peggiore - Mr Queen
In realtà avrei una bella lista per questo premio ma ci tengo a darlo alla serie che più mi ha fatto rimanere male per come è finito. Stava andando così bene: veleggiava verso quell'agognatissimo 9 - che pochissimi drama si sono presi - e poi...il finale.
[SPOILER] Quella paraculata incredibile con la Regina che dopo essere stata in vacanza ai Caraibi, torna nel suo corpo senza aver fatto una beneamata mazza e ritrovandosi la vita rimessa apposto dallo chef con tutti i problemi che aveva, che sono spariti. E dovrei esser contenta? [FINE SPOILER]
Guarda, non ne voglio manco parlare.
24) Una frase o una scena che ti è rimasta impressa - Prison Playbook
Mannaggia a tutti i troll!
Lo ammetto, sono una persona che punta alla felicità...o almeno che spera che le cose vadano bene, soprattutto se vedo impegno e costanza.
[SPOILER] Ecco perché ho seguito le vicende di disintossicazione del Tossico nella nostra prigione preferita, con aspettativa e trepidazione: dopo tutta la sofferenza, la grande forza di volontà messa in piedi dal ragazzo, il fidanzato che lo aspettava fuori, persino il tenente Paeng che faceva il tifo per lui, mi sono detta che ...era fatta. I tempi bui sono finiti e da questo momento al Tossico gli sarebbe andato tutto bene.
Sì certo. Manco messo piede fuori dal carcere che si ritrova di nuovo con la droga in mano. E quel momento, dove lui era indeciso se farsi oppure no, io mi stavo mettendo le mani nei capelli e urlavo:-" ti prego no, ci siamo appena usciti...non cadiamoci di nuovo! tutti gli sforzi, le medicine che non hai voluto prendere...te prego.." [FINE SPOILER]
E' stato straziante e deprimente. Crudelmente realistico e per questo fa ancora più male.
25) Personaggio più odiato - Woman to 9.9 billions
[ SPOILER] L'amorevole marito che scartavetrava le gambe di sua moglie per farsi dire la verità. Il tenero sposo che gettava la compagna sotto l' acqua gelida e poi la faceva dormire nel balcone in pieno inverno. L'affettuoso consorte che sfracellava la testa della moglie contro il bancone della cucina e la lasciava esanime a terra, scavalcandola elegantemente per tornarsene a letto. [FINE SPOILER]
Quando mi hanno raccontato che nella 5° stagione della Casa di Carta, il professore riusciva a scappare dalla polizia con un improbabile colpo di scena... dentro di me ho riso fortissimo. Bravo Professore.
[SPOILER] Ma non bravo quanto l'uomo di cui sopra, che è riuscito a disseppellirsi da solo, usando un misero cucchiaio: lo avevano chiuso in un sacco, legato e sepolto dentro un fosso. Ma d'altronde la malignità trova sempre il modo di fuggire. [FINE SPOILER]
Voi non sapete quante imprecazioni io gli abbia tirato dietro. Femminicida, violento, sadico...e la serie ha avuto anche il coraggio di dargli un piccolo arco di redenzione.
Ma andateve a fanc....o!
26) Un drama che meriterebbe uno spin-off - My roommate is a detective
Per quanto ami il protagonista di questa serie, devo ammettere che tutto il mio amore è in realtà per il poliziotto mezzo mafioso Qiao Chu Sheng. Costretto per colpa della sceneggiatura a fare da spalla a quell'altro, io amerei una serie incentrata su di lui.
Come è diventato poliziotto, la sua storia con la famiglia della lead, le sue relazioni nella malavita. Chi era prima di diventare un amico delle guardie e perché lo è diventato. E anche cosa ha combinato dopo la partenza dei due lead. Ha famiglia? qualcuno a cui è legato sentimentalmente?
[SPOILER] Ora, la seconda stagione si farà ma sono sicura che ripartirà con il ritorno dei due colombi. E la storia decollerà da quando i tre si riuniscono. Ma a me frega il giusto di sti tre. [FINE SPOILER]
Io voglio uno spin off su Sheng!
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27) La miglior storia d'amore secondaria - Doom at you service
[SPOILER] Tralasciando che ho adorato come il buon Cha Joo Ik abbia fregato senza molte remore la donzella al suo amico, questa storia d'amore mi è piaciuta tanto. Niente cose fantasy, drammi, tragedie, malattie terminali ecc ecc...
Semplicemente lui che era innamorato da tempi immemori di Ji Na e che alla fine si muove per conquistarla. E lei che all'inizio non coglie...ma che alla fine sceglie Joo Ik sul suo primo amore. Daje!
Una coppia normale che deve fare i conti con i sentimenti propri ed altrui, intervallata da ex che tornano in pista e dalla crescita emotiva della loro relazione.
Ho amato come Joo Ik aiutasse e supportasse Ji Na nel suo lavoro, come una volta capito che anche lei provava qualcosa per lui, lui partisse come un treno per conquistarla. Determinato, audace e senza freni. Una storia d'amore molto carina. [FINE SPOILER]
28) Il personaggio più figo - My Roommate is a detective
In realtà ne avrei due.
Il primo è il fantastico detective di My Roommate: ragazzi... [SPOILER] ma dove lo trovate uno che si squarcia il ventre con un coltello senza fare una piega? Sta lì, in ginocchio e con lo sguardo da uomo che non deve chiedere mai, guardando fisso davanti a se e con determinazione - e senza manco guardare - si apre la pancia. Capolavoro. E poi è sempre elegantissimo, piacione e mezzo mafioso. Alzo le mani. [FINE SPOILER]
Mi preme però dare un piccolo premio anche al lead di Mystic Nine. Fo Ye è la rappresentazione umana targata drama del celebre " a cazzo duro". E' talmente fenomeno che le donne non le conquista come i comuni mortali... a lui gliele danno in premio.
E poi combatte uno contro cinquanta e vince - GRAZIE AL DIO DELLA SCENEGGIATURA - coperto di sangue e sudore come un perfetto Dio della Guerra. Non importa che i nemici siano uno o cento...lui menerà le mani e con la grazia di un ballerino e la possanza di Thor sbaraglierà i suoi nemici. Signori...l'epicità.
29) Il momento più trash - Prince of Legend
Tutto di questo drama è trash.
Già solo dall'idea di base: una sfida (ma a cosa?) tra ragazzi per decidere chi sarà il Principe della Leggenda. ( Principe de che?!)
E poi tra tutti i ragazzi presenti - circa una dozzina - più della metà era innamorata della protagonista femminile. ci vuole coraggio fratè per amare un cartonato
Ma poi cose allucinanti: balletti, gente che arrivava a caso a minacciare altra gente, la sfida a chi ride prima...raga' qui c'è da decidere COSA NON SIA TRASH.
30) Miglior OST - Anata no ban desu
Perché mi ha fatto cagare in mano. Lo dico senza imbarazzo: questa OST è perfetta per il tipo di serie che Anata No Ban Desu è.
[SPOILER] Risolini di bambini, violini... una musica inquietante e tesa per un drama dove a metà stagione è già morta male la metà dei personaggi. [FINE SPOILER]
Anche se mi fa cagare in mano...anzi è proprio questo il suo bello. La capacità di completare l'aura di inquietudine della serie, grazie alla musica.
31) Il personaggio più amato - Die Now
Il mago di Die Now sta su questo podio come Carlo Magno sul suo trono.
Un tizio intelligentissimo che gioca a Die Now come un bambino gioca con le biglie. Che se ne stra frega delle vite degli altri - tranne di quella del lead - e sgozza la gente per sport.
[SPOILER] Salvo poi ritrovarlo nel mondo normale, carino e coccoloso con i suoi cagnolini a cui dona tutto il suo affetto. Psicopaticissimo.
Ed è talmente fenomeno che quando il protagonista ha avuto bisogno di una mano è da lui che è andato. Per capirci...un fenomeno. [FINE SPOILER]
32) Peggior villain - The royal gambler
Rido.
Rido per non piangere.
Perché se penso a come il villain di questa serie abbia agito, alle motivazioni per cui ha fatto quello che ha fatto, a tutti i piani, le paranoie, i trip escogitati...mi sento male.
[SPOILER] Lo studioso Lee In Jwa tira su tutto un progetto macchiavellico di conquista del trono spalmato in 20 anni di vita, che coinvolge i Re Magi, Topolino, i Sette Nani e pure La Fatina dei Dentini...per nulla. Questo fenomeno fa un piano per mettere sul trono un tipo che non è minimamente interessato a diventare Re e mai lo vorrà essere. #facepalm
Ma i più sbigottiti siamo noi spettatori quando, dopo aver visto trenturdici episodi di cospirazioni e lotte per mettere il tipo sul regale seggio, ci accorgiamo che il tipo il trono non lo vuole. [FINE SPOILER]
E quindi..? Mo' che si fa? che abbiamo guardato a fare tutti ste macchinazioni?
33) Miglior personaggio comico - Mr Queen
La Regina/Chef mi ha più volte fatta piegare dalle risate.
[SPOILER] Dal capire di esser stata rimandata indietro nel tempo, alla sua gravidanza. Dalla sua attrazione per il Re, fino ai minaccioni fatti ai Ministri...ce ne sono di cose che la Regina ha combinato. E la maggior parte di queste sono esilaranti. [FINE SPOILER]
Quando parlava in inglese al Re, quando cucinava il ramen o quando faceva sclerare la sua Dama di Corte che era costretta ad urlarle dietro per dirle di comportarsi bene.
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34) Peggior attore e peggior attrice - Prince of legend
Pensavo che Prince Of Legend mi regalasse solo bei ragazzi che girano dei videoclip ma in realtà mi ha donato anche la peggior attrice di quest'anno. Complimenti Shiraishi Sei.
Allora...già il suo personaggio non ha carattere o spessore e sta in questa serie solo come cartonato. Se poi ci aggiungo che non ha espressioni... capisci a me che la situazione è grave. Lei sta lì a vedersi sti ragazzi che gli dichiarano il loro amore - Dio solo sa il perché - senza muovere un muscolo facciale. #nonpervenuta
E siccome al peggio non c'è mai fine, voto come peggior attore il protagonista di questa serie. Ora, non voglio essere troppo crudele: Katayose Ryota è stato ORO COLATO rispetto alla sua controparte femminile. Ma anche se migliore di lei, la sua recitazione non mi ha trasmesso nulla. Sarà stato anche il personaggio: l'unica cosa che mi comunicava era la voglia di spingerlo giù da un dirupo.
35) La scenografia più bella - Die Now
Essendo Die Now basato su giochi , ho adorato come ogni gioco avesse una scenografia diversa che rispecchiava perfettamente il tipo di partita che i giocatori sarebbero andati a fare.
C'è da fare una sfida a tema Agatha Christie? Bene. Villa con mille stanze e tavola imbandita per tutti in pieno stile romanzo giallo.
C'è da trovare l'uscita in un labirinto? Ecco che ci troviamo in dei corridoi tutti uguali, bianchissimi e lunghissimi dove non si vede la fine.
Ambientazione perfetta per una drama che si basa sul realismo dei giochi che si inventa e dove si vince anche sapendo "usare e capire" la scenografia.
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36) Il miglior colpo di scena - Nihon Chinbotsu: Kibo no hito
Qui avrei avuto un botto di scelte. Ma ho deciso di premiare Nihon Chinbotsu per aver messo su pellicola la celebre frase " piove sempre sul bagnato".
[SPOILER] Quando pensavo che peggio di così non potesse andare, con la notizia di Tokyo sommersa dalle acque, la serie punta ancora più in alto dicendomi che non è Tokyo a fare la fine del Titanic...ma tutto il cazzo di Giappone.
TUTTO.
Ammetto di essermi messa le mani nei capelli. Un colpo di scena inaspettatatissimo, sopratTutto perché la capitale era già andata e pensavo che il disastro fosse finito lì. E invece... [FINE SPOILER]
Nota di merito per Fugitive Boys. Il suo colpo di scena è così potente e geniale che posso solo applaudire. Quando tutto pare finito ed i ragazzi hanno scontato le loro colpe, si rivedono al bar e paiono tutti essere andati avanti. Paiono. [ SPOILER] Perché il protagonista andandosene e salutando i suoi amici, si gira e Ichihashi Tetsuto è lì accanto a lui in modalità fantasma. A dargli i tormento per sempre per quello che il protagonista ed i suoi amici hanno fatto. Geniale. [FINE SPOILER]
37) Un attore o attrice un po' in là con gli anni che tu ami alla follia - Bae Jong Ok
Signori e Signore...lasciate il posto alla Regina - in tutti i sensi - del mio cuore. Bae Jong Ok ( vista quest'anno in Mr Queen) è una di quelle attrici da Oscar, capace di far mangiare la polvere alle sue colleghe più giovani con una recitazione esemplare e sempre perfetta.
Non importa che interpreti la Regina Madre arraffa potere in Mr Queen o la poliziotta in Live o ancora... la politica ambigua in Designated Survivor. Lei prenderà il suo ruolo e lo renderà credibile. Sempre. Questa donna è arte.
38) Una serie per riflettere, una per piangere, una per rilassarsi e una per innamorarsi - 18 Again / Black /My secret romance /Lost Romance
Se penso ad una serie per riflettere, la prima che mi viene in mente è 18 Again. Gli addetti ai lavori hanno fatto un lavoro encomiabile nel prendere un film leggero di Zac Efron e dargli un'anima più seria e matura. Vengono toccati temi affini alla maggior parte di noi, come la genitorialità, il lavoro per le donne, il sacrificio, il divorzio...tutti narrati con delicatezza e importanza.
Per piangere, scelgo Black. Forse quel finale di serie, visto tre volte rigorosamente piangendo tutte e tre le volte, influenza la mia scelta. Ma che ci posso fare? La parte finale di questo drama è una coltellata nel costato.
Per rilassarsi invece, credo che My Secret Romance vada più che bene. Drama leggero e super romantico, senza grandi drammi o tragedie con l'aggiunta di quel gran figo di Sung Hoon che male non fà.
Ed in ultimo, per innamorarsi, voto Lost Romance. Drama un pochino più "corposo" rispetto a My Secret Romance, romantico e carino ma allo stesso tempo quantomeno interessante: l'idea di entrare come second lead femminile in un romanzetto rosa da quattro soldi pieno di clichè e mandare a puttane la storia per pigliarsi quel pezzo da novanta del protagonista è una cosa geniale.
39) L'ambientazione più brutta - The Mystic Nine
Va beh, qui andiamo sul devasto. Essendo The Mystic Nine parente stretto di Lost Tomb, prendermela con lui è come sparare sulla croce rossa. Ma d'altronde, quando fai le cose alla "mentula canis" cosa gli vuoi dire?!
[SPOILER] La serie si svolge dentro una miniera?! e allora perché sta miniera sembra Moria? perché ci sta dentro un meteorite? Come ci è finito lì? E perché ci stanno teste con capelli che ti attaccano e ti rendono pazzo? Perché non si capisce quante entrate e uscite ha sta cazzo di miniera e passiamo episodi su episodi a cercare di entrarci? Ma non vediamo mai come usciamo? [FINE SPOILER]
Per capirci, qui non è un problema visivo. Ma proprio concettuale. Mystic Nine ha delle ambientazioni che non hanno un minimo di senso o spiegazione: sembra roba buttata là, per decorare l'ambiente.
40) Un drama che hai fatto fatica a finire - Word Of Honor
Drama che, al pari di Meet Me at @ 1006 e Royal Gambler, non vedevo l'ora che finisse. Una serie copia e incolla - fatta male - di The Untamed e che verso la fine andava clamorosamente alla deriva.
Ricordo che vedevamo io e @veronica-nardi due episodi al giorno per toglierselo della balle prima possibile probabilmente e che oramai seguivo le vicende della serie con lo stesso interesse che avrei potuto provare nel vedere un cane che urina nel deserto.
41) La scena dove hai pianto tutte le tue lacrime - 18 Again
[SPOILER] Questa è facile: la scena dove la figlia del lead legge il libretto bancario e scopre che i suoi genitori le hanno messo i soldi per ogni suo momento di crescita è un'occasione che ancora oggi mi fa commuovere.
Un pò di soldi quando ha detto per la prima volta la parola "papà"...quando ha mosso i primi passi, quando ha iniziato la scuola.. .gente sono sentimentale lo ammetto. Ma quella scena di amore e genitorialità mi stende ancora oggi. Lei che poi chiama il padre solo per sentire la sua voce e dirgli che gli manca...[ FINE SPOILER]
PS: e il finale di Black. Mai scordarsi il finale di Black.
42) i 3 attori e le tre attrici più belle
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43) Un oggetto/potere/abilità che vorresti - The Uncanny Counter
Qui scelta facile: con tutti sti personaggi con superpoteri, la scelta è davvero vasta. Dalla super forza all'esorcismo fino alla percezione.
Voto però il potere della guarigione. Oltre che il più utile sia per me che per gli altri... è anche quello più sgravo: è utilizzabile anche fuori dal combattimento.
44) Miglior villain - Itaewon Class
Non c'è miglior villain di quello che viene preso ad esempio.
Non solo il cattivo di questa serie non è un villain random che ammazza perché gli va o che compie crimini perché non sa che fare. [SPOILER]Jang Dae Hee infatti si è fatto da solo: da solo ha costruito un impero economico che dà lavoro a centinaia di persone. E se fa quel che fa, lo fa per mantenere quel potere. Perché quello che eretto in tutti questi anni non vada distrutto.
In realtà è un personaggio da tenere in grande rispetto. Poi va beh, su alcune cose ne possiamo anche parlare. XD
E questo rispetto non glielo do solo io, ma anche il lead. Perché se Sae Ro Yi decide di seguirne economicamente le orme è perché trova in quest'uomo un esempio da imitare. Per batterlo ed essere anche migliore di lui. [FINE SPOILER]
Voglio però fare anche una nota di merito a Memory Lost: i suoi villain ( sì sono più di uno) sono la parte forte della serie. Caratterizzati benissimo, interessanti, psicologicamente potenti e molto più interessanti e intelligenti dei buoni della serie.
45) Miglior storia d'amore - The Brightest Star in the sky
Ne avrei di storie d'amore belle e struggenti, drammatiche e intense. Da Black a Doom at your service fino al più leggero Devilish Joy. Ma voglio premiare la semplicità e la costruzione coerente di una storia d'amore.
Ecco perché premio la star Bo Xu e la sua agente Zhen Zhen. Una storia semplice senza drammi o tragedie di mezzo. Una storia dove un lui e una lei si conoscono, inizialmente non si piacciono ma poi passo passo imparano a conoscersi, sostenersi e amarsi. Una storia d'amore che aiuta i due protagonisti a crescere, maturare e cambiare, facendo affidamento uno sull'altro.
[SPOILER] Bo Xu sostenuto da Zhen Zhen ingoia il suo orgoglio e la sua presunzione per migliorare come cantante mentre lei acquista fiducia in se stessa e diventa sempre più competente e capace di aiutare il ragazzo. [FINE SPOILER]
Bellini da morire.
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45 bis) Come è andata? avete completato la Challenge? mentre ci pensate, ve ne propongo un'altra più tosta: Vi sfido a vedere un drama a vostra scelta, mentre è IN ONDA durante l'anno 2022 e a commentare ( dove volete: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumbrl...dove ve pare insomma. ) settimana dopo settimana le puntate. mi sento una stronza XD
Com'è andata?! Nì, onestamente. Ho voluto fare la grossa l'anno scorso, impegnandomi a vedere addirittura 3 drama che vegetavano nella mia lista da secoli. Ma alla fine sono riuscita a vederne solo 2. Per carità, va benissimo così eh!
Sono soddisfatta per essere comunque riuscita a guardare delle serie che altrimenti sarebbero rimaste morte nella mia lista. E questo trick mi ha fatto capire che per farmi vedere certi drama, "mi devo costringere": li metto in lista e poi - considerando quanti nuove serie escono al mese - rimangono là in eterno, soppiantate da quelle nuove.
Così invece, Kisarazu Cat's Eye e Sungkyunkwan Scandal possono finalmente entrare nella lista dei drama visti! Quindi sono molto contenta della challange dello scorso anno.
Per quest'anno mi impegnerò a vedermi un drama mentre è on air, anche se mi sarà difficile. Odio dover aspettare tra un episodio e l'altro. Ma farò del mio meglio.
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dancing-on-the-waves · 4 years ago
Text
A Day in the Life of...
A Day in the Life of...
Jonas arose from bed to four walls, A dresser, Closet, Chair and desk. Color of the walls The same as the halls. Grabbed his cell Quickly scanned texts, emails, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Meetup Responding to three. Got up, Grabbed some juice, A cookie to eat, Took a leak, Back to his cell To message Steve and Mel. Sat at his seat Stared at his computer Played some Valorant Went on a rant. AC working its way in there The window closed to keep out the fresh air.  
Beyond the window the world also awoke Shedding its muted voice and dusky cloak Reaching from end to end Free, open, unpenned. Grass velvety, Flowers Kaleidoscopic Painting the world In myriad colors galore. Trees bold, robust, towering over the shores Catching sol’s early beaming. Air stirring delicate leaves and petals Giving creation its mettle Carrying rapturous scents In its assent To the clouds Composing fleecy sculptures To challenge imaginations. Waters rushed down hillsides Over rocks and falls Crashing against coasts Rugged or sand strewn, harboring the ocean’s ghosts Etching features freshly hewn Beneath the azure gleam Heaven’s scheme Lifting spirits to its heights of wonder. Wrens warble, Robins sing, Eagles take wing, Buffalo amble along, Otters play all day long, Pups, kittens, hatchlings, foals Yip, mew, chirp, ninny, chitter, Cavort and nuzzle As the dawn awakens a new puzzle.
Jonas dresses, Starts his Sentra. To the King, and Dollar Tree he goes Picking up breakfast. lunch, snacks, and Monsters. Goes to work, Settles in, Puts his time in, Takes his breaks long, Production short, Enough to hold cour.t Talks, gossips.  Little snips At others he lets slip. Sneaks in a few texts, Places a couple of bets, Scores some escapisms To see the world through a prism. Ends his lifeless shift Heads to Gamestop To check the latest in games And what can he swap? Heads for Sam’s for gas. Then to home at last. To his computer and cell he retires With a sack and Coke from the Bell. Sorts clothes washed while he was gone. Sits down to an evening of  Call of Duty, Madden NFL, Fortnite Or an Avengers movie before ending the night. To bed Jonas retreats in the dark With Pornhub, XHamster, or Chaturbate  Not a little blate. His day and night spent Jonas starts his fantasies descent.
The world without walls Stirs and bustles along the trails In the parks, woods, hills and dales. The waters quiver and toss, Teased by the breezes Over the rivers, ponds, lakes, and seas. Bikes, canoes, kites, and dreams Canvas the oceans, ponds, wilderness and beaches. Beneath the aubade and a postmeridian sun Butterflies, larks, hawks float and soar.   Squirrels, horses, fan throated lizards scamper and crawl. Trout, crabs and dolphins swim ignoring the squall. Coursing the world about Their freedom they flout Beneath Sol’s dazzlings Rain’s sedations Storms breaking Rainbows mesmerizing. As the eve and night creep over the world The sun gives way to dusk and dusk to the sable sky of night. Giving rise to a sky etched with Orion, Pleiades, Sisters and bears, A crowned orb to give the night its light. Creation does not give into sleep As deer, skunks, possums, wolves creep, While sharks, rays, jellies, bass, and sturgeon swim, And owls, nightingales, bats, mockingbirds Hunt or offer to God their hymns. Leaves and grass still gently prance As the streams and brooks below continue their dance While Oceans sing and lakes whisper Beneath Cygnus, Hercules, and the Big Dipper
Jonas arose...
K. C. Barry
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updatingthedragon · 4 years ago
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Solo Dungeon Adventures/Unique Traps
Solo Dungeons and Dragons gets a shout out in the first edition of The Strategic Review, in a unique manner. Gary Gygax himself wrote this article, with a bit of help from others, in which he outlines a system whereby you, yes you, can play Dungeons and Dragons without… a referee. Yeesh, that just sounds weird. I much prefer Dungeon Master. It’s a much more evocative term than referee. Plus, everyone argues with a referee, but who would dare argue with THE DUNGEON MASTER?!
Well, a lot of people, but I digress. Gygax gives us tables by which we can endlessly generate our own dungeon, if we don’t have any friends to do it for us. It is a… bit clunky, like most things in early Dungeons and Dragons. There are a lot of sub-tables to refer too, monster behavior to keep track of, loot, magic pools of water…
Honestly, there are much better ways to play Dungeons and Dragons these days, with  Roll20 and other sites making it possible for even lonely nerds to find a group, and purpose-written solo adventures that avoid the complexity of Gygax’s system. Even if we want a random dungeon, we can simply Google “random dungeon generator” and get computer programs that will do all of this for us. It’s a lot easier, but it does lack some of that charm.
I can almost picture myself, if I had been a teen in those days, huddled under a blanket, flash light in hand, rolling dice and painstakingly tracing out the Caverns of Zurkrasheim (made it up as I wrote this, and I love it already), wondering with bated breath what I will encounter next. It’s raining outside, with that warm, pleasant smell of long-dry dirt finally getting a drink. A train horn sounds in the distance…
Sorry, got a bit carried away there. Anyway, there is quite a bit of stuff we can steal for 5e. While the game seems to have moved away from dungeon crawls, there are several traps worth a look at. I like the idea of hidden doors that are difficult to find (humans, unaided, had a 1 in 6 chance according to the chart), with some great reward behind them. But secret doors are easy. No, the trap I love the best is the gas trap. You step on a pressure plate, and gas fills the hallway! A great dramatic beat. Not only that, but the gas sub-table illustrates different kinds of gas your players could encounter. One literally made your Fighters stronger, while another would just straight up kill you if you failed a saving throw. With that in mind, here are my handy, uh, “gas traps?” That just sounds wrong…
Gas Trap: DC 16 to detect the pressure plate. If the players step on the trap, there is a hiss as a mysterious gas fills the corridor around them.
Types of Gas: 1. Smoke Screen. The gas is ashen gray and thick. The area covered by the gas is heavily obscured, blocking vision entirely. 2. Poison Gas. The gas is a sickly yellow and carried a vague scent of sulfur. Whenever a creature enters or starts their turn within the cloud, a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, take 3d6 poison damage. On a success, take half as much damage. 3. Blinding Gas. This light green gas has a strange texture, as if it is made of shards of finely woven glass. Roll a DC 14 Constitution saving throw whenever a creature enters the cloud or starts their turn within it. On a failure, the creature  is blinded for 1d8 turns. On a success, the creature is able to resist the gas, but will have to roll again next turn if they are still within the cloud. 4. Fear Gas. The gas is darkly colored, with strange flashes reminiscent of lightning rippling throughout. Roll a DC 14 Constitution(or Wisdom, depending on DM choice) saving throw whenever a creature enters the cloud or starts their turn within it. On a failure, the creature is frightened for 1d8 turns and cannot press further into the gas. On a success, the creature is able to resist the gas, but will have to roll again next turn if they are still within the cloud. 5. Sleeping Gas. This blue gas carries with it a sense of calm and the smell of cinnamon. Roll a DC 14 Constitution saving throw whenever a creature enters the cloud or starts their turn within it. On a failure, the creature falls asleep for 1d6 turns. On a success, the creature is able to resist the gas, but will have to roll again next turn if they are still within the cloud. This is also not “magical sleep”, so elves and half-elves beware! 6. Vapor of Valor. The gas is the shade of a summer rose and smells vaguely of rain. Your characters are suddenly reinvigorated, receiving almost all of the effects of a long rest; prepared spells, however, are unable to be changed.  
Why would you want a “Vapor of Valor” in your otherwise dank and dangerous dungeon? I can actually think of two scenarios. The first, “meta-scenario,” is that your players are slogging through a dungeon full of monsters slowly picking away at their health, and they’re unclear if they’re lost or going the right way. Triggering something like this might serve as a signal that, yes, you’re doing it right and reignite their adventuring spirit.
The other, “game-scenario,” is that back when the Caverns of Zurkrasheim (or whatever dungeon) was a Dwarven stronghold (or whatever ancient group ruled there), this corridor led to the arena. Gladiators would walk down this hallway in between fights, and the Vapor would replenish their health and make them ready for another brutal fight. And, thusly, your players walk through the Vapor of Valor, feel good about themselves, and then there’s a click, the floor they are on suddenly raises, and they find themselves in a long abandoned arena facing down a Purple Worm. Much like the stereotypical “ammo and health packs at the boss door,” this ensures your players won’t get absolutely bodied, adds a feeling of expectation, and also gives your world a reason to have the Vapor.
Another thing I think we should pull from Gary’s auto-dungeon tables are magic pools. We must, of course, differentiate these from magic lakes which act as portals to another dimension. Magic pools, on the other hand, have a variety of options on the table. Some pools add to your stats, others subtract. Some pools talk and grant wishes! But since Wish is, ah, dangerous, we should stay away from that…
Magic Pools: A still pool, surrounded by stones. DC 14 Arcana check will identify this pool as magical. Rolling an 18 or above on that check will also identify what kind of pool it is.
1. Pool of Polymorph: This pool seems to be surrounded with a strange array of feathers and tufts of fur. Any creature that enters the pool must make a DC 16 Wisdom save or be polymorphed into a random creature (1d8. 1, rat; 2, eagle; 3, giant crab; 4, wolf; 5, brown bear; 6, giant bat; 7, giant spider; 8, giant hyena). The effect lasts for one hour, when it wears off and restores the creature to their original form. 2. Pool of Teleportation. A strange blue-green gem gives off a faint glow  from the base of this 12-foot deep pool. Any creature that submerges in the pool will appear in a different Pool of Teleportation when they surface. This effect can be disabled by making a DC 14 Arcana check to deactivate the gem at the bottom of the pool. It can be reactivated with an additional DC 14 Arcana check. 3. Pool of Midas Touch. A few gold statues of goblins (or other creatures, depending on what’s in your dungeon) stand by the pool, which appears to be full of gold. Any creature that touches the pool must immediately make a DC 14 Wisdom save. On a failure, that creature begins to turn to gold and is Restrained. The Restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming Petrified as a golden statue. The Petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the Greater Restoration spell or other magic. 4. Pool of Souls. The water in this pool is nearly black, with strange runes carved into the stones surrounding it. Any creature that touches this pool will be able to communicate with the souls of ancient sacrificial victims who were slain here. They will answer questions truthfully and to the best of their ability. It is at the DM’s discretion how much they know. Optionally, roll a DC 10 Wisdom save after the first question, increasing the DC by two with each subsequent inquiry. On a failed save, the creature is affected by short-term madness for 1d8 hours. Communing with tortured souls may have consequences, after all. 5. Pool of Strength. The water in this pool is light green and seems almost gelatinous. Any creature that submerges in this pool will receive the effects of a Potion of Hill Giant Strength (Strength Score of 21 for an hour). 6. Djinn’s Pool. This pool radiates a sky blue light. Touching the water summons a extremely self-centered Marid,  who congratulates the party on entering his presence and asks for fitting tribute. It is up to the DM’s discretion on what the Marid will consider fitting tribute. If they comply, the Marid will give them a magical item of the DM’s choice. If they fail to present fitting tribute, the Marid will become bored, summon a water elemental to chase them off, and “close the door” by shutting off the connection between the Pool and the Elemental Plane of Water. If players bring up Wish, the Marid will calmly explain he was once “indisposed” and forced to grant Wishes, so he’d rather not. If players bring up Wish again, the Marid will become enraged and fight the party himself.
I think that’s enough to draw out from this assortment of auto-dungeon tables. Six different gases for your gas trap, six different kinds of magic pools for players to encounter. Pretty neat, if I do say so myself.
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ayittey1 · 4 years ago
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The Role of Women In Traditional African Societies
One area where the traditional societies were well advanced than their Western counterparts was in the area of women’s rights. Women in non-Western traditional societies were long “liberated” before those in the West. In fact, the Western feminist movement drew a lot of inspiration from the role women played in traditional Iroquois society. According to Jacobsen (2009),
 An aspect of Native American life that alternately intrigued, perplexed, and sometimes alarmed European and European-American observers, most of whom were male, during the 17th and 18th centuries, was the influential role of women. In many cases they hold pivotal positions in Native political systems. Iroquois women, for example, nominate men to positions of leadership and can “dehorn,” or impeach, them for misconduct. Women often have veto power over men’s plans for war. In a matrilineal society — and nearly all the confederacies that bordered the colonies were matrilineal — women owned all household goods except the men’s clothes, weapons, and hunting implements. They also were the primary conduits of culture from generation to generation.
 The role of women in Iroquois society inspired some of the most influential advocates of modern feminism in the United States. The Iroquois example figures importantly in a seminal book in what Sally R. Wagner calls “the first wave of feminism,” Matilda Joslyn Gage’s Woman, Church, and State (1893). In that book, Gage acknowledges, according to Wagner’s research, that “the modern world [is] indebted [to the Iroquois] for its first conception of inherent rights, natural equality of condition, and the establishment of a civilized government upon this basis.”
Gage was one of the 19th century’s three most influential American feminists, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Gage herself was admitted to the Iroquois Council of Matrons and was adopted into the Wolf Clan, with the name Karonienhawi, “she who holds [up] the sky.” (Jacobsen, 2009).
 It is not just in the Iroquois nation that women held important political positions. As we have shown above, most traditional societies have Clan or Queen Mothers with the power to appoint and depose a chief.  Her role is to scold, reprimand and rebuke an erring chief since a bad chief brings shame to the royal family.  If the chief continues in his errant ways, the Queen Mother has the power to recall and depose the chief.
 In other traditional; systems, women even played a more visible political role:
 ·        Women ruled the Mongol Empire (Weatherford, 2005).
 ·        Quen Nzinga of the Mbundu people of Angola put up a ferocious resistance against Portuguese colonial rule (http://www.blackpast.org/?q=gah/queen-nzinga-1583-1663).
 ·        The kings of Dahomey were assisted by a cabinet which consisted of the migan (prime minister); the meu (finance minister) created by Tegbesu; yovo-gan (viceroy of Whydah); the to-no-num (the chief eunuch and minister in charge of protocol); the tokpo (minister of agriculture); the agan (general of the army); and the adjaho (minister of the king's palace and the chief of police). The most interesting and unique feature of the cabinet was that each of these posts had a female counterpart who complemented him but reported independently to the king (Ayittey, 2006: 243).
 ·        During his reign, Gezo increased the number of the full-time soldiers from about 5,000 in 1840 to 12,000 by 1845. This army consisted not only of men but also of women, the famous Amazons `devoted to the person of the king and valorous in war.' This unique female section was created and organized by Gezo and consisted of 2,500 female soldiers divided into three brigades. Commanders of this army were also top cabinet ministers in charge of the central government thus enhancing the position of the army in decision making (Boahen, 1986; p.86).
 ·        In the Yoruba Kingdom (Nigeria) in early times it was not necessarily a male who was chosen as ruler, and the traditions of Oyo, Sabe, Ondo, and Ilesa record the reigns of female oba (kings) (Smith, 1969: 13).
 ·        In Asante, the British captured and exiled the king to Sierra Leone in January 1897. But to the Asante, it was the golden stool, not the king, was the symbol and soul of their nation. When the British made a vain attempt to capture the golden stool in April 1900, they met a stiff and humiliating defeat at the hands of an Asante woman, Yaa Asantewa, the Queen Mother of Edweso. Though this rebellion was finally crushed, the British never gained possession of the golden stool. Of course, British historians rarely mention this defeat, much less at the hands of a woman!
 Needless to say, there were bad women rulers too. One was Dode Akabi, whose accession to power constituted the first major female figure in Gá, and indeed Gold Coast. But in her long reign, 1610-1635, she cast aside the practice of rule by consensus and issued a series of brutal decrees which displeased her people. She was f killed after she had ordered her subjects to sink a well at a place called Akabikenke (Ayittey, 2006: 232)
 Women In The Traditional Economic System
 With the exception of Islamic countries in the Middle East, women also played a much more visible and important role in the traditional economy – especially in agriculture and market trading. Most traditional societies practice sexual division of labor. In early times, activities considered dangerous and physically strenuous such as waging wars, hunting, fishing, manufacturing (cloth weaving, pottery, leatherworks, iron smelting, sculpturing, etc) and building were male occupations. Food cultivation and processing were traditionally reserved for women. Since the family's entire needs could not be produced on the farm, a surplus was necessary to exchange for those items. It was only natural that trade in foodstuffs and vending came to be handled by women and for market governance to lie in their hands. Indeed in many localities, market rules were generally laid down and enforced by "Market Queens", usually selected from the women traders.
 Women still play this role today since agriculture continues to account for a higher share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of developing countries. For example, three out of four Africans are engaged in agriculture, with women making the most significant contribution. They perform “some 90 percent of the work of food processing, 80 percent of food storage tasks, 90 percent of hoeing and weeding, and 60 percent of harvesting and marketing, besides load carrying and transport services” (FAO, 1985, Chapter 7).[i] Rural markets and trade are also largely handled by women. Local farm produce ‑ either cash crops or food crops ‑ are marketed at the local market, almost invariably by women.
 In West Africa, for example, market activity has been dominated by women for centuries:
 ·        In 1879, Governor Rowe of Sierra Leone expressed his admiration of these women:  “The genius of the Sierra Leone people is commercial; from babyhood the Aku girl is a trader, and as she grows up she carries her small wares wherever she can go with safety. The further she goes from the European trading depots the better is her market” (White, 1987; p.27).
 ·        The market in every Ga town is run entirely by women. No trading, except that initiated by foreigners is ever carried on by men...Many of the women are very shrewd and ingenious in their trading. One day when good catches of fish were coming in I saw a woman, who had no fishing men‑folk, exchange a bowlful of fried akpiti cakes for a panful of fresh fish, and then hastily sell the fish to a `stranger' who was trying to make up a load to take away. The sale of the fish brought her three shillings and four pence. The sale of the cakes would have brought her one and sixpence. The materials out of which she made the cakes probably cost less than sixpence (Field, 1940: 64).
 ·        The market place among the Akan of Ghana is largely a woman's world. Except for the small percentage of traders who are men, the processes of trade are said to be mysteries to men. Men often seem uncomfortable in the market; they prefer to send a woman or a child to make purchases for them, and avoid entering it if possible. For women, the market place is not only a place of business but of leisure as well. Sales are sometimes slow and women chat and josh with each other” (McCall, 1962).
 ·        In South Dahomey, commercial gains are a woman's own property and she spends her money free of all control...Trade gives to women a partial economic independence and if their business is profitable they might even be able to lend some money ‑ a few thousand francs ‑ to their husbands against their future crops (Tardits and Tardits, 1962).
 The object in trading was to make a profit. The Yoruba women "trade for profit, bargaining with both the producer and the consumer in order to obtain as large a margin of profit as possible" (Bascom, 1984; p.26). And profits made from trading were kept by the women in almost all of the West African countries.
 Though the amount of profit was often small by today’s standards, many women traders were able to accumulate enough for a variety of purposes: to reinvest and expand their trading activities, to cover domestic and personal expenses since spouses have to keep the house in good condition, to replace old cooking utensils, to buy their own clothes and to educate their children. The case of Abi Jones was earlier cited where profits from her trading were used to educate her sons. Indeed, many of the post‑colonial leaders of Africa were similarly educated ‑ with funds accumulated from trading profits.
 Another important use of trade profits was the financing of political activity. As Herskovits and Harwitz  (1964) put it: "Support for the nationalist movements that were the instruments of political independence came in considerable measure from the donations of the market women" (p.7).
 To start trading, women often looked to their husbands for support or borrowed from the extended family pot. For example,
As soon as he is married the Ga husband is expected to set his wife up in trade (`ewo le dzra' ‑ he puts her in the market). It is part of every woman's normal occupation to engage in some sort of trade and every reasonable husband is expected to start her off...When she is unlucky in her trading and loses her capital her husband is expected to set her up again, but if she loses her capital three times she is a bad manager and he has no further obligation in the matter (Field, 1940:55).
 Market trading generally made African women economically independent. Chatting at the market place also provided an important social release for pent‑up emotions.  Of course, today, much of this market activity has spilled over into the informal sector, where women still play an important role in food-related activities, such as, food vending by the roadside.
 [i] Perhaps this gender characteristic explains why Africa’s agriculture revolution never materialized. In many countries, it was crafted with the help of Western agricultural experts who tended to prescribe “mechanization” with the importation of male-driven agricultural machinery.
References Ayittey, George B.N. (2006) Indigenous African Institutions. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Transnational Publishers.
Bascom, William (1984). The Yoruba Of Southwestern Nigeria. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press, Inc.
Boahen, A.A. (1986). Topics in West African History. New York: Longman.
 Bohannan, Paul and George Dalton eds. (1962). Markets In Africa. Evanston: Northwestern University Press.
Field, M. J. (1940). Social Organization of the Ga People. Accra: Government of the Gold Coast Printing
Herskovits, M.J. and Harwitz, M. eds. (1964). Economic Transition In Africa. Evanston: Northwestern University Press.
 Jacobsen, E. (2009) The Iroquois Constitutionhttps://ca01001129.schoolwires.net/cms/lib7/ca01001129/centricity/domain/221/the_iroquois_constitution.pdf
Johansen, Bruce E. (1990). “Native American Societies and the Evolution of Democracy in
America, 1600-1800,” Ethnohistory, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Summer, 1990): pp. 279-290.
______________ “Native American Ideas of Governance and U.S. Constitution
http://www.america.gov/st/peopleplace-english/2009/June/20090617110824wrybakcuh0.5986096.html
McCall, Daniel F. (1962). "The Koforidua Market," in Bohannan and Dalton, eds. (1962).
 Smith, Robert S. (1969).  Kingdoms of The Yoruba. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd
 Tardits Claudine and Claude (1962). "Traditional Market Economy in South Dahomey" in  Bohannan and Dalton (1962).
 Weatherford, Jack (1989). Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas transformed the  World. New York: Ballantine, 1989.
_______"The Women Who Ruled the Mongol Empire", Globalist Document - Global History, June 20, 2005
 White, E. Frances (1987). Sierra Leone's Settler Women Traders. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
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aion-rsa · 4 years ago
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The Game Awards 2020 Nominees
https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The Game Awards return in 2020 to celebrate the best titles of the year. The ceremony will take place on Dec. 10 and will be hosted once again by executive producer and presenter Geoff Keighley. Gamers will be able to watch the festivities via live stream.
Due to restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s ceremony will take place across multiple cities instead of one venue. According to a press release, the event will be streamed live in “4K UHD from studio locations with no in-person audience in Los Angeles, Tokyo and London. The three host cities for The Game Awards will be digitally connected for an innovative celebration with live award presentations, musical performances, and spectacular world premiere game announcements.”
Favorites at this year’s award ceremony include The Last of Us Part II, Hades, Ghost of Tsushima, Half-Life: Alyx, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
“In 2020, video games have connected and comforted us more than ever, and that makes the 2020 edition of The Game Awards our most important show ever,” Keighley said in a statement earlier this year. “Our team is working hard to deliver an innovative and thoughtful program that celebrates excellence, previews the future, and amplifies important voices that are shaping the future of this medium.”
The Game Awards 2020 will also kick off “a weekend of instantly playable game content, in-game drops, demos, and live streams that celebrate the exciting future for video games across PC, console, mobile and mixed reality experiences.”
Fans should expect “Game Award Sales” on various digital marketplaces. It’ll probably be a good time to buy those games you’ve been putting off all year.
BAFTA and Emmy nominated composer Lorne Balfe is returning as the Music Director and conductor of The Game Awards, and will be conducting the world-renowned London Philharmonic Orchestra from London’s famous Abbey Road Studios.
“Being a part of The Game Awards is truly a wonderful experience ,and I’m thrilled to again be celebrating the incredible games of 2020,” said Lorne Balfe in a press release. “There is nothing quite like music in video games and with the phenomenal talents from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, I look forward to bringing the scores from this year’s ground-breaking titles to viewers around the world from the legendary Abbey Road Studios.”
And of course, the ceremony wouldn’t be complete without some HUGE announcements regarding upcoming games. Last year’s event brought us the reveal of the Xbox Series X. How will The Game Awards top that this year? Fans will just have to wait and see!
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For now, here are all of The Game Awards 2020 nominees:
Game of the Year
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)
DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda)
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
Hades (Supergiant Games)
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Game Direction
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
Hades (Supergiant Games)
Half-Life: Alyx (Valve)
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Narrative
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (George Kamitani)
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Kazushige Nojima, Motomu Toriyama, Hiroki Iwaki, Sachie Hirano)
Ghost of Tsushima (Ian Ryan, Liz Albl, Patrick Downs, Jordan Lemos)
Hades (Greg Kasavin)
The Last of Us Part II (Neil Druckmann, Halley Gross)
Best Art Direction
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
Hades (Supergiant Games)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios/Xbox Game Studios)
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Score and Music
DOOM Eternal (Mick Gordon)
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Nobuo Uematsu, Masahi Hamauzu, Mitsuto Suzuki)
Hades (Darren Korb)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Gareth Coker)
The Last of Us Part II (Gustavo Santaolala, Mac Quale)
Best Audio Design
DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda)
Half-Life: Alyx (Valve)
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
Resident Evil 3 (Capcom)
The Last of Us Part 2 (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Performance
Ashley Johnson as Ellie, The Last of Us Part II
Laura Bailey as Abby, The Last of Us Part II
Daisuke Tsuji as Jin Sakai, Ghost of Tsushima
Logan Cunningham as Hades, Hades
Nadji Jeter as Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Games for Impact
If Found… (DREAMFEEL/Annapurna Interactive)
Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition (Cardboard Computer/Annapurna Interactive)
Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games)
Tell Me Why (Dontnod Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
Through the Darkest of Times (Paintbucket Games)
Best Ongoing
Apex Legends (Respawn/EA)
Destiny 2 (Bungie)
Call of Duty Warzone (Infinity Ward/Activision)
Fortnite (Epic Games)
No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
Best Indie
Carrion (Phobia Game Studio)
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver)
Hades (Supergiant Games)
Spelunky 2 (Mossmouth)
Spiritfarer (Thunder Lotus Games)
Best Mobile, Presented by LG WING, Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon
Among Us (InnerSloth)
Call of Duty Mobile (TiMi Studios/Activision)
Genshin Impact (miHoYo)
Legends of Runeterra (Riot Games)
Pokémon Café Mix (Genius Sonority)
Best Community Support
Apex Legends (Respawn/EA)
Destiny 2 (Bungie)
Fall Guys (Mediatonic/Devolver)
Fortnite (Epic Games)
No Man’s Sky (Hello Games)
Valorant (Riot Games)
Innovation in Accessibility
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Grounded (Obsidian/Xbox Game Studios)
HyperDot (Tribe Games)
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Watch Dogs Legion (Ubisoft Toronto/Ubisoft)
Best VR/AR
Dreams (Media Molecule/SIE)
Half-Life: Alyx (Valve)
MARVEL’s Iron Man VR (Camoflaj/SIE)
STAR WARS: Squadrons (Motive Studios/EA)
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (Skydance Interactive)
Best Action
DOOM Eternal (id Software/Bethesda)
Hades (Supergiant Games)
Half-Life: Alyx (Valve)
Nioh 2 (Team Ninja)
Streets of Rage 4 (DotEmu)
Best Action/Adventure
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft)
Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch/SIE)
MARVEL’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac Games/SIE)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Moon Studios/Xbox Game Studios)
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Respawn/EA)
The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog/SIE)
Best Role Playing
Final Fantasy VII Remake (Square Enix)
Genshin Impact (miHoYo)
Persona 5 Royal (Atlus, P Studios)
Wasteland 3 (inXile Entertainment/Koch)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio/Sega)
Best Fighting
Granblue Fantasy: Versus (Arc System Works/Cygames)
Mortal Kombat 11/Ultimate (NetherRealm Studios/WB Games)
Street Fighter V: Champion Edition (Dimps/Capcom)
One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows (Spike Chunsoft/Bandai-Namco)
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r] (French Bread/Arc System Works)
Best Family
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (Toys for Bob/Activision)
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (Velan Studios/Nintendo)
Minecraft Dungeons (Mojang/Double Eleven/Xbox Game Studios)
Paper Mario: The Origami King (Intelligent Systems/Nintendo)
Best Sim/Strategy
Crusader Kings III (Paradox Development Studio/Paradox)
Desperados III (Mimimi Games/THQN)
Gears Tactics (Splash Damage/The Coalition/Xbox Game Studios)
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Asobo/Xbox Game Studios)
XCOM: Chimera Squad (Firaxis/2K)
Best Sports/Racing
Dirt 5 (Codemasters Cheshire/Codemasters)
F1 2020 (Codemasters Birmingham /Codemasters)
FIFA 21 (EA Vancouver/EA Sports)
NBA 2K21 (Visual Concepts/2K)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 (Vicarious Visions/Activision)
Best Multiplayer
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo)
Among Us (InnerSloth)
Call of Duty: Warzone (Infinity Ward/Raven/Activision)
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout (Mediatonic/Devolver)
Valorant (Riot Games)
Best Debut Game
Carrion (Phobia Game Studio/Devolver)
Mortal Shell (Cold Symmetry/Playstack)
Raji: An Ancient Epic (Nodding Heads Games)
Röki (Polygon Treehouse/CI Games)
Phasmophobia (Kinetic Games)
Content Creator of the Year, Presented by Adobe
Alanah Pearce
NickMercs
TimtheTatman
Jay Ann Lopez
Valkyrae
Best Esports Game
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Infinity Ward/Raven/Activision)
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (Valve)
Fortnite (Epic Games)
League of Legends (Riot Games)
Valorant (Riot Games)
Best Esports Athlete
Ian “Crimsix” Porter / Call of Duty
Heo “Showmaker” Su / League of Legends
Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu / League of Legends
Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro / Call of Duty
Matthieu “ZywOo” Herbaut / CS:GO
Best Esports Team
DAMWON Gaming / League of Legends
Dallas Empire / Call of Duty
San Francisco Shock / Overwatch League
G2 Esports / League of Legends
Team Secret / DOTA2
Best Esports Event
BLAST Premier: Spring E2020 European Finals (CS:GO)
Call of Duty League Championship 2020
IEM Katowice 2020 (CS:GO)
League of Legends World Championship 2020
Overwatch League Grand Finals 2020
Best Esports Host
Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere
Alex “Machine” Richardson
Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez
James “Dash” Patterson
Jorien “Sheever” van der Heijden
The post The Game Awards 2020 Nominees appeared first on Den of Geek.
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thatswhatisee · 5 years ago
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Remember, Remember - Chapter 2
Since Mulder is color blind in one episode only, I'm choosing to ignore this tidbit of information. Now he can appreciate Scully's gorgeous red hair. You're welcome, Mulder.
This chapter has been checked by Hemingway Editor and Grammarly. No Betas were ‘harmed’ in the making of this installment.
A big thank you to @mulderwantstobelieve, @frangipanidownunder, @greycoupons, @if-the-seascatchfire, and @baronessblixen for coming to the rescue when the English language got me and bit me in the butt. I hope there are no other bites left unnoticed by my Portuguese-native-speaker brain.
As always, feedback is much appreciated and cherished. It feeds the muse. Chapter 1 can be found here or at AO3.
 xXxXxXx
Chapter 2
 I drive my car as fast as I can to Scully’s place, hoping that no officer tries to stop me for speeding. The last thing I need right now is to waste time being pulled over and having to flash my badge. The streetlamps wash over me, wave after wave of dark and light. Buildings and a few vehicles buzz by me in a blur, as I change lanes and outpace slower drivers.
 A chill runs down my spine as I wonder what I might find when I get to her place. Will I find her blood smeared on a piece of furniture along with some of her red hair again? Will this be the time I will find her lifeless body lying on the floor?
 I halt at a red light, tires screeching. Fingers drum the steering wheel and I move my head from side to side to look at the intersection. I ease the car forward, inch by inch, and take advantage of the lighter flow of cars to run the red light.
 A black sedan behind me does the same trick.
I keep looking at the rearview mirror and the road ahead of me alternately. The car is there. It is always there on my tail. My hands sweat.
 As I enter George Washington Memorial Parkway, darkness surrounds me and I can only count on my headlights to show me the way. Fewer cars can be seen on the road, so I press the gas pedal further.
 The black sedan behind me does the same thing.
 I try to think of a way to mislead my pursuer, but all my ideas will slow me down and that I can not allow. I just keep driving and, even though the AC is on, the sweat drips down my body. One of my hands searches my hip holster to feel the cold of my gun. A sigh escapes my nose and I return the hand to the wheel again.
 After a few miles, I use the left lane to merge to Washington Boulevard, and the black sedan follows suit. My heart races faster, the mouth gets dry and I have to wipe the sweat out of my forehead. I grip the steering wheel as I keep driving around the Memorial Circle, instead of taking the right to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The sedan, this time, continues onto Memorial Avenue making me release a deep breath and regain the circulation on my fingers.
 One more turn in the roundabout and I proceed to the original route, grieving those precious minutes lost to my paranoia. The Potomac River flows under me through the stone-arch bridge in an almost mockery. On both sides of the road, tall streetlights run by me. They lead me to Valor and Sacrifice, but The Arts of War are soon left behind in a blur of bronze.
 I pass by the Lincoln Memorial, hoping to be a savior as well, but to the reunion of Scully and her mother. The reunion of Scully to her future. I must save her one more time and balance out the endangerer plate on this scale of my role in our former alliance. 
 I finally reach the short buildings of Georgetown. My cell phone goes off and I fumble to answer it without losing control of the car.
 “Mulder, where are you?” Asks Langly on the other end of the line.
 “I’m getting to Scully’s place.”
 “Don't bother. Come to our office.”
 “I need to check if she is all right! Or at least if there is evidence that can help me find her!”
 “She's never made it home, Mulder. We’ve got something to show you. Come quick.”
 My cell phone falls. My hands turn the wheel fully to the left and the car skids to another lane, facing the direction where I came from. Squealing the tires, I drive off towards the Gunmen’s office.
  “We managed to hack some CCTV systems and we found footage from a camera near your place. It's from early this morning,” Langly says, as he turns on the computer screen for my inspection. “Take a look”.
 I sit on the chair in front of the screen and he presses the play button. In the grainy, black and white image, I recognize Scully crossing the street towards her car. She had parked some blocks away from my building and is now grabbing the car keys from her pockets. A white van halts next to her and a pair of arms tries to grab her from behind. Her elbow pounds the man’s chest. Then her knuckles find his nose. The man falls down to the ground and Scully tries to reach for her gun. A second man leaves the van and encircles her arm and neck in a chokehold, preventing her movements. She kicks his shin. His free hand places a white cloth on her face, making her movements slow down to a sudden stop. The guy on the floor stands up and grabs her feet. They place her torpid body inside the van, then get in the vehicle as it speeds off.
 “Where was this van headed?” I ask.
 “We’ve lost it after it reached Jefferson Davis Highway.”
 The one that leads people to the airport among other places. A cold wave washes over me from head to toe as I realize that by now she could be in Timbuktu.
 “Were you able to do your technological tricks and identify the plate?” I ask.
 They shake their heads with eyes cast downward. I pick up my phone and dial Skinner. I explain the situation and ask for an APB for a vehicle matching the description from the one on the video. I pace the room running my hands on my hair frantically. There has to be something that the Gunmen’s untrained eyes could not catch. That's why I ask them to rewind the footage.
 “Mulder, we have watched all these videos over and over while…”
 “Rewind the damn footage, please!” I interrupt Frohike.
 And they do it. Over and over again. After the fifth try, they teach me how to rewind it myself and leave me alone with the computer. I watch it one more time. Then another. And another. I try to burn it inside my mind. After almost an hour watching those same minutes, my eyes are the ones that seem on fire. I thump the desk, stand up and start to pace the room again. Think, Mulder. Think!
 “Mulder, you need to calm down and think straight. You will find her! You always do.” Says Byers.
 “It’s different this time!” I grab the clipping from the newspaper I had found this morning by my front door and show them. I had been keeping it in my jeans pocket since then.
 “‘Doctor accused of pedophilia found dead’? What does this have anything to do with Scully?” Asks Frohike.
 “This is the man who gave me the directions to all the clues in this case. He was murdered because he was feeding me information. Because we got too close to unveiling everything. First, he was discredited and then killed. Now they got Scully! They are targeting everybody who had aided me in exposing them!”
    I book myself the next flight to Dallas and rent another car as I arrive there. I thank my eidetic memory as I try to drive the same roads that had taken me and Scully to the domes and the cornfield. The scenery around me looks different, though; the colors are more vivid as the sun is getting high in the sky this time. The air conditioner can barely keep up with the heat from the desert outside.
 My eyes burn and I'm not sure if it's from not blinking enough or the dry air around me, but I focus solely on the drive ahead. One more time I reach the intersection at the end of the road. Without a second thought, I drive forward leaving a trail of dust behind me. Finding the train tracks, I follow it down, stop by the same hill and climb it.
 As I reach the top, my chest tightens and I shake my head in denial. I can’t believe my eyes. Instead of domes and cornfields, all I see now are flames, burning everything down.
 I fall down to my knees and weep.
  I fly back to DC. There's just nothing left for me to do. No leads, no double agent informants to point me where to go. Nothing.
 My eyes burn even more and now all the muscles in my body complain. That's what almost sixteen hours driving, and seven hours in airplanes can do to you. I drag my sorry, dehydrated ass out of the disembarking area. To my surprise, though, Skinner is waiting for me.
 “Where the hell have you been, Mulder?”
 I have no energy left, so I just keep walking as if he had never been there. If he follows me or not I don’t notice. And honestly, I don’t care. With every step, a deep breath to try and keep the tears out of my eyes.
 My arm is pulled. Skinner is demanding to know of my whereabouts and I see red. I make a lunge at him but am easily subdued by his alertness. He drags me out of the airport and into his car. Then everything is black.
 “Mulder! Wake up, Mulder! We’re here!”
 “Where is here?” I ask without bothering to open my eyes.
 “Your place.”
 I look out the window and notice night has fallen again. Another lost day. I must be too dry to shed tears, but my blood boils. Time was pivotal in disappearance cases. Didn't he know that?!
 “Why did you bring me here?! I need to find her!” I try to leave the car, but Skinner has still to unlock it.
 “You are not going anywhere, Mulder!”
 “They took Scully because I got too close to the truth. I need to find her, damn it! She is danger!” I jingle the lock to the door to no avail. “Unlock the fucking door!" I shout.
 “Mulder, listen to me!” Skinner barks and that stops me in my tracks. “You’re not going anywhere! You are not thinking straight. You’re just committing amateur errors and putting yourself in danger.” He sighs and softens his voice “You are not doing Scully any favors with such behavior. Get some rest and let the FBI handle this.”
 “One more thing.” Skinner adds “Why did Scully come to your place around 8:20 p.m and only left in the early hours of the following morning?”
 “That’s none of your business.”
 “It is if you are breaking the FBI's fraternization policy.”
 “We are not.” No lie in that statement, as she was not my partner anymore. “What does it matter anyway, she’s moving to Salt Lake City.”
 “Listen, we will find her. Get some rest and get ready for your OPR session tomorrow. I know the timing is the worst, but there’s nothing we can do about it. And it's your job at stake here.”
 “Why are you doing this?”
 “You saved my ass once. I owe you one and this is the least I can do. Good night, Mulder.”
 The lock clicks and I am out of the car. Skinner drives away as I get upstairs and pass out on my couch once again.
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staravya · 5 years ago
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e ye s
hi hello hope you’re doing well!
here’s me, still making pokemon go aus: haha what do you mean it’s been years and that whole shtick has died down. that’s ridiculous. anyway here’s b.nha,
“Let me make this clear,” Aizawa drawls. ”Remember, don’t get involved in any vigilante factions. Anytime you see one of these crests, you do not engage. You turn around and leave. Do you understand? They are not like our vigilantes. We cannot and should not try to root them out.” He shakes the paper with the three crests emblazoned on the white page. “Agreed, hell class?”
A few laughs skitter out at the nickname, but all of them chime in to respond, “Yes, sir!”
Winter roars past, and Izuku skids to a stop as a glacier pours itself into existence, catching the criminal first by the foot and then crawling up his body until he’s completely immobilized in the ice. He lets out a single sob of despair before the ice closes around his mouth, threatening to reach his nose and suffocate him in its grip.
For a moment, a part of Izuku wants to sigh in relief, but—he’s sparred against Todoroki enough times to realize that his ice doesn’t act like this. His ice doesn’t whip the air into a frenzy of blizzard wind long after the attack is over, tearing at Izuku’s clothes like fangs bared in a threat.
A figure walks closer, emerging with calm, measured steps from the powder-snow drifting through the air. As they pass under the illumination of a flickering streetlight, Izuku‘s eyes widen.
They’re wearing blue. An emblem rests on their lapels, the caricature of a deep blue bird with its wings extended.
Mystic.
Izuku holds his breath as the person approaches. He does not speak first, but instead studies their face and their clothes, committing it all to memory.
“Ah,” they say, not slowing their advance, “a hero hopeful. You’re one of the students who came with the prestigious UA.”
It’s not a question, but their glowing blue eyes glint dangerously in the dim light. Izuku hesitantly nods confirmation.
“Your laws have no say here,” the person says, and breezes past Izuku in a gust of cool air that sinks through his clothes, making him shiver.
“That d-doesn’t mean I can’t save people, though,” he dares to respond.
They don’t stop to address him, merely stepping over to the frozen criminal and trailing their fingers across the ice. “I suppose not,” they agree. The trapped person lets out a muffled sound of distress. In response, the ice contracts, tightening around its victim. “Run along, little hero. This agent will get his due, but here is no place for the lawful.”
Izuku doesn’t immediately whip around and flee. He doesn’t know why, really—Aizawa had warned them to do exactly that if confronted by an active vigilante, and to avoid the factions at all costs—but he doesn’t.
And that hesitation lets him see the ice pull back.
“Are you ready to speak?” the vigilante asks, allowing the ice to withdraw from the criminal’s mouth (and that level of control is astounding, not just creation but manipulation, not even Todoroki can do that).
The moment his mouth is freed, the criminal starts babbling. “I am, yes—please, Blanche, I didn’t know—I was just running an errand for quick money, I swear—“
“You are fortunate it was a treatable gas, and not an explosive.”
“—please, please, I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know—“
“Where did it come from?”
“I don’t know, I never met the source. They just texted me where to pick it up and drop it off, that’s it, I swear.”
Izuku can’t quite make himself move. Now that he knows that this criminal is just… not that much of a threat, frankly, and not apparently an intentional criminal at that, Izuku is—reasonably wary of what this vigilante might do.
When the students of UA’s class 3-A think of flame, they think first of Katsuki and the roar of an explosion in his palms, not fire but fiery, and hot, and destructive enough to be the same if not better. Or they will think of Todoroki and his ice-tempered flames, the balance he so carefully works towards after tipping the scales away from heat for so long.
But when the locals here think of flame, they think vigilante. They think Valor and the destruction of a wild blaze, and they duck their heads to hide.
Katsuki thinks he might finally understand why.
“You’re one of the UA kids, aren’t you?” says the living inferno in a flesh body before him. “I see that the pro hero thing’s still working out over in Japan. Must be stuffy over there.”
Katsuki has faced his classmate’s flames, snarled at Dabi’s blue fire, and witnessed Endeavor’s hellish heat, but this—elegance and precision, the steam she exhales and her ember eyes, wings feathered with fire, lazily half-furled at her back as they light up the night (like she’s more flame than mortal, more heat than human)—this is nothing like theirs. It’s nothing like his.
On instinct, his palms pop and crackle. It’s less a threat than a promise, a warning that he has teeth and isn’t afraid to use them. Too late, he remembers Aizawa’s warning: Remember, don’t get involved in any vigilante factions. Anytime you see one of these crests, you do not engage. You turn around and leave. Do you understand? They are not like our vigilantes. We cannot and should not try to root them out.
He was right. Katsuki knows he’s made a mistake in letting his quirk snap to life.
Not because it makes this vigilante with the emblem of a firebird on her jacket thinks he’s challenging her, but because it piques her interest. Her eyes light up as stars in supernova and she says, “Ooh, a kindred spirit! I wonder”—and the wings swing open, a rush of searing heat nearly igniting the sweat on his arms—“which of us is stronger, do you think.”
The fiery wings vanish, plunging the street into darkness. The lampposts are still shorted out, so the only sources of light are Explosion crackling in his hands and the glow of her eyes, ruby-red.
“Bakugou,” Sero begins, his voice muffled in the shadowed night, “we should go.”
“So soon?” the vigilante asks, disappointed.
When Kirishima shifts his weight, Katsuki feels a Hardened shoulder brush against his. “Our teacher’s waiting,” Kirishima says, his tone apologetic but stern, soft silk over a steel blade.
Katsuki exhales. Unfortunately, he has never been one to rest his laurels.
“Which of us is stronger? It’s me, obviously,” he says, and the quiet slap he hears might be Ashido’s palm meeting her forehead. Whatever. He’s not really angry, per se, and he’s far from stupid, but—
The vigilante laughs. It’s not a mocking laughter, it’s thrilled, and a small voice in the back of his mind that sounds kind of like Deku or Aizawa says that this is bad and he should probably disengage before something considerably awful happens, but Katsuki has years upon years of experience ignoring Deku (and almost three years of at least taking what Aizawa says with a grain of salt, so). “Let’s go then,” she says, a feral grin splitting her lips. “I am Candela of Valor and your challenge has been accepted, student of UA!”
Fire blooms against her silhouetted back, wings half-formed, and Candela lunges.
Katsuki shoves his classmates back and rushes up to meet her, bloodlust boiling in his veins. There’s nothing like the heat of the battle to wake him right up, and he doesn’t care how infamous the vigilantes in this stupid country are, he’s fought Dabi and sparred with Todoroki, he knows how fire works.
He knows how to beat other’s people fire with his own.
Flames lurch forward like wolves on the hunt, but Katsuki blasts apart the first of them and launches himself up into the air to avoid the rest.
He’s used to having the advantage in the air, but Candela only laughs. Her flames twist and shit that’s not just emission, that’s manipulation—
Candela herself may not be able to lift into the air, but her control is perfect, fire churning into a horselike shape that arches over Katsuki in the sky, its fiery hooves primed to stomp down on him.
Swearing, he blasts at it, launching himself back towards the ground as the force tears into the horse—only for the heat in his hands to suddenly turn on him, serpentine dragons of living flame curling up his arms and biting into him.
His sweat (his weapon) ignites at their white-hot fangs before he means for it to, exploding into his skin. Bakugou shouts as he falls, flipping around to slow his descent, but even as the force of his concussive blasts resist gravity’s pull, he can feel the heat pulling away from his control. Like sassy rebukes, they sting his face as they slip past, the nips of foxes as they skitter past.
“Explosions, huh?” Candela’s voice rises from below on the heat, thrilled laughter in every word. “Not bad, not bad at all. But not good enough, either.”
Bakugou lands, and the street flashes red. Flames erupt from Candela’s boots in a radius that just barely stops short of Kirishima’s feet behind him, a wildfire roaring up with such intensity that Bakugou grimaces, his sweat sparking and crackling all over his skin.
Izuku says, “You too?”
Kirishima nods. “We ran into the Valor leader, Candela,” he says, more hushed than Izuku’s ever known him to be. “She challenged Bakugou, and… Well, you can imagine.”
The news comes to mind—a scorched street, everything half-melted, the crest of Valor seared onto the road like a branding, Blanche’s silent fury in the face of such desecration—and Izuku grimaces. “Yeah,” he says, “I can.”
“It was pretty manly.”
“Kirishima.”
“It was!” he says defensively. “It was scary, but really cool.”
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paoloxl · 5 years ago
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In un’escalation micidiale, preoccupante ed esaltante, la lotta ai cancelli dell’Italpizza sta continuando giorno dopo giorno – sotto le piogge dispettose di maggio come sotto il caldo torrido e spossante di questo fine giugno. Ormai da mesi, i bravi cittadini modenesi – almeno quelli non abituati a girare sempre la testa dall’altra parte – stanno assistendo a un crescendo di cariche poliziesche, pestaggi e lanci di lacrimogeni, sparati addosso – principalmente – a donne armate solo della loro tenacia, che cercano di strappare a questa azienda perla dell’agroalimentare italiano, condizioni un minimo dignitose di vita e di lavoro: perché in questi tempi cupi, la divisione sindacalese tra contrattazione “acquisitiva” e “difensiva” non esiste più – nelle aziende spesso si lotta per sopravvivere, per strappare al padrone qualche centesimo in più di paga oraria, il diritto alle pause, ai bagni, al non essere considerata merce disponibile 24 ore su 24. E la sproporzione drammatica tra la quantità di lotte necessarie e la qualità modesta delle rivendicazioni, dà la cifra dello sprofondamento di questo paese di merda nel suo passato più regressivo.
Il sindaco – appena rieletto – tifa per l’azienda, così come la stragrande maggioranza del quadro politico e dei mezzi di informazione. La Cgil si è impantanata in un tavolo che le porterà solo ulteriore discredito e perdita di iscritti dentro quel sito. Ogni giorno un reparto di energumeni in divisa, bardati come se andassero in missione all’estero, attacca questi presidi sostanzialmente indifesi: ad animarli sono cobas, sono stranieri, sono donne – la loro incolumità e la loro fedina penale vale poco, sul mercato della cittadinanza in cui tutti noi, oggi, siamo pesati per censo e potere sociale – nella modernità “castale” che caratterizza le nostre società. Associazioni come Non una di meno, Case del Popolo, comitati per il boicottaggio di Italpizza, realtà di base, delegati sindacali del territorio – chi può sta cercando di esprimere solidarietà a questa cruciale battaglia popolare: il resto di quel che residua della famosa “società civile” (di cui fino a qualche anno fa si favoleggiava ampiamente, insieme all’altra chimera: il ceto medio riflessivo…), tace e acconsente, dando ormai per scontato che il mercato del lavoro debba essere strutturato a gironi – come l’inferno dantesco – e che sia necessaria e fisiologica per il funzionamento del sistema, una massa – crescente – di neoschiavi “multiservizi” (com’è denominato il loro contratto prevalente).
La tensione sta salendo, dicevamo. Il caldo torrido, la disperazione, gli scioperi che falcidiano stipendi già miserabili. Ormai è in gioco la dignità: le persone hanno fatto quel famoso “scatto” che trasforma i mesi in anni e fa crescere la coscienza di sé oltre la miseria della propria condizione di merce. L’atmosfera è quella che è, pesante, acida. Ci si butta davanti alle ruote dei camion. Si è storditi dai fetentissimi gas CS, si ruzzola sul tappeto di lacrimogeni che ormai nessuno raccoglie più, come fossero un arredo stradale. Basta poco. Forse il 14 settembre del 2016, davanti alla GLS di Piacenza, il clima era anche migliore di quello che si registra oggi all’Italpizza; probabilmente nessuno si aspettava quello che successe quella mattina piena di luce padana. Ahmed Abdel Salam, nel corso di un presidio davanti a quell’obbrobrio di capannone grigiastro, fini sotto le ruote di un Tir che stava cercando di bypassare i manifestanti schierati davanti ai cancelli, per portare fuori il suo preziosissimo carico di cianfrusaglie e salvarlo da quell’embargo dei poveri che è il picchetto operaio. E quando ci scappa il morto, tutti – dopo – corrono a prendere posizioni responsabili e pacificatrici: inni al dialogo, recriminazioni, associazioni datoriali costernate, solenni denunce sindacali, ispezioni ministeriali. Ecco, sulla vicenda Italpizza oggi – chi vuole, chi se la sente, chi ha ancora un po’ di sangue nelle vene o di coraggio civile o di consapevolezza del suo ruolo se fa il sindacalista, o anche se è un semplice cittadino che non si rassegna al ruolo assegnatogli di pubblico televisivo e platea elettorale – ebbene, sulla vicenda Italpizza, dicevamo, facciamo in tempo a parlare prima che il sangue operaio bagni l’asfalto come successe a Piacenza tre anni fa.
Non è scontato lo schieramento. Il nemico è solido. L’azienda è agguerrita, attrezzata, unge molte ruote, cura i rapporti con la stampa, gestisce finte informatissime pagine Facebook che incitano al crumiraggio e all’ostilità antioperaia. E la Questura è criminalmente determinata a fornire la sua manovalanza al servizio del padrone – e queste cose, si sa, sono decise a Roma, perché quando Salvini parla di sicurezza è precisamente della sicurezza delle tante Italpizza d’Italia, che si preoccupa, altro che i barconi. Quindi, la partita a San Donnino è cruciale, di sicuro spessore nazionale, di valore esemplare – sui temi degli appalti interni e dell’assetto del mercato del lavoro italiano. Si può provare a farlo diventare davvero un terreno ricompositivo, generale, per tutti quelli che in questo lungo anno di governo hanno arrancato nel tentativo di capire qual è il “punto d’attacco” con cui contrastare l’esecutivo gialloverde: Salvini è lì, dietro le inferriate di Italpizza, ci sta sfidando, ci fa ciao con la manina, ci invita a giocarcela fino in fondo. Sa che fino a quando le operaie e gli operai di Italpizza restano soli, il suo Governo non deve temere nulla – perché vuol dire che il paese è ancora in stato neurovegetativo, che nessuno potrà scuotere il laido consenso di cui gode.
Qualche giorno fa, un docufilm realizzato e trasmesso da Sky – Il Mostro di Modena – ha rilanciato in città la memoria di un presunto serial killer che agì sul territorio negli anni ’80 e poi sparì nel nulla, ignoto e impunito. Il prodotto è risultato di grande qualità e ha coinvolto molto l’opinione pubblica, che aveva rimosso quelle antiche storie. Chi ci pensava più, al Mostro di Modena?Suggestionato da questa visione televisiva, il nuovo Capo della Procura Giovagnoli, ha chiesto alla sua polizia giudiziaria di tirare fuori i vecchi faldoni delle inchieste di 35 anni fa, per verificare se sussistano oggi elementi utili per riaprire le indagini sul Mostro.
Certo, con la folla di mariti e fidanzatini assassini che continuano a “mostrificare” gli ambienti familiari, seminando morte e violenza, l’idea di questo vecchio serial killer in circolazione non spaventa più nessuno. Anche su quel terreno, ne abbiamo fatta di strada. Però viene da chiedersi: se basta un programma televisivo a riattizzare gli interessi della Procura su vecchie tragedie, perché non proviamo a spedire a Giovagnoli almeno una parte delle molte inchieste giornalistiche (anche televisive) che hanno raccontato in questi anni il distretto carni, la filiera agroalimentare e altre velenosissime specialità in salsa emiliana? Perché non gli mostriamo il racconto drammatico e rabbioso delle vite piegate e spremute di migliaia e migliaia di operai e di operaie che lavorano nella vetrina dell’eccellenza emiliana, ricavandone meno del minimo vitale? Se basta la visibilità televisiva, per occuparsi dei crimini, i “mostri” dell’imprenditoria modenese – quelli che stanno forgiando un nuovo perverso “modello emiliano” – hanno già accumulato un bel po’ di meriti e celebrità. Già, mentre cerchiamo di scovare i fantasmi dei vecchi killer della nostra memoria, cerchiamo di chiederci: chi sono oggi i nuovi Mostri di Modena? Chi ci sta uccidendo, lentamente, ogni giorno, corrompendoci e assuefacendoci alle sue brutture e alle ragioni dei suoi profitti?
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spinachandhoney · 1 year ago
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All the (complete) height charts I've made so far
In order: SnakeFace season 1, Emberfall Woods book 1, Violet's Pizzeria, Soap SMP, Valor: Sky of Gas, Eclipse at Dawn (Jake's Team)
I have yet to do SnakeFace 2 and 3, Emberfall (Elfling and Throne of Shadows), Valor (Rise of Rebellion [almost finished] and Glowing Planet, and Eclipse at Dawn (beehive and woodlanders)
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tillyswatson-blog · 5 years ago
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All You Need to Know About the Rural Boxing Gym in Wisconsin
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OC Moodboard and History of the Character: Meredith Rose Schuyler (Sky)
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“You’re a loaded gun...”
Meredith Rose Schuyler was born in the small town of Valor, TX with a population of no more than 5,000 individuals precisely one-hour north of the Mexican-American border and two hours south of the border that connected Texas to New Mexico.  She was born October 25, 1980 to Edward and Samantha Schuyler at precisely Midnight on a stormy Friday morning.  As of the start of her story in 2008 she is 28 years old.
At 5’8”, weighing approximately 180 lbs., Schuyler is an attractive woman with full shoulder length blonde hair, pale skin, soft blue eyes, and naturally long eyelashes.  She has wide hips, large thighs, and an impressively ample chest, but a firm and even abdomen that accentuates her already curvy figure.  Her skin is mostly pristine except for three or four visible stretch marks on either side of her chest.  She starts out the story with two tattoos: a large black, white, and gray piece of artwork covering her entire left leg from knee to ankle depicting two large and two small Chrysanthemum flowers woven together with vines.  Each flower as well as the background were meticulously shaded to give the piece a real and 3D appearance.  The second is a teapot pouring hot tea into a tea cup hovers just above her inner right ankle which she is just as proud of.  
She received most of her physical features from her mother as well as her mother’s warm laugh and desire to learn.  However, there is no doubt that when Schuyler smiles, she is her father’s child.  She also inherited his love for world traveling, his singsong voice with an impressive vocal range for an amateur, and exquisite taste in 80’s rock music. 
Schuyler was born the only child of Edward “The Midnight Sky” Schuyler when he was 39 years of age.  He met Schuyler’s mother Samantha at the age 20 when she was 18 in Texas during his days in the army.  Though Edward traveled during much of his time in the armed forces and was deployed during the Vietnam War he often found ways to visit Samantha during his leaves. When he was discharged at the age of 26 he returned home to California with nine men from his Splatoon including his best friends John Teller and Piermont Winston.  Together, with nothing left for them after the war, the group organized a club of sorts that would serve to give each of the members an excuse to meet regularly and remain in touch.  This group was an unofficial and dispersed motorcycle club that formed in 1967 called the Sons of Anarchy: Redwood.  Very little came out of this group other than monthly rides and camping trips resulting in opportunities to relive the “good ol’ days” for the first few months of the club’s existence.  However, things changed when John’s wife Gemma became pregnant and the group decided to settle down in her home town of Charming, California.  The expectations that came with the expected arrival of a baby did two things to the club: divide it and expand it.
John, who had been made the unofficial “President”, knew that he would be unable to keep a house and provide for his new family on the salary of a lone mechanic. He knew he had to do more; he had to invest.  He partnered with Clayton Morrow, the youngest of the First Nine, and purchased a plot of land with an auto shop that functioned as its main attraction.  Six months after it was opened he began to lay the plans for a private owned bar to be built on the same property which would eventually hold all club meetings.  With the introduction of a business to provide jobs for club members the club became less about motorcycles and more about community.  Teller-Morrow as the establishment was named became one of the most profitable and beloved family owned businesses in Charming.  The club was secure and prosperous for a time.  Those in association with the members found companionship and those who wore the club vest and logo formed a brotherhood that many carried with them from the army and extended to those who later joined.  
Everyone that is, except for Edward.  He poured his life into the formation of the club, but his heart had been with Samantha since he was 20 years old.  Samantha’s home and family were in Texas and she would never leave. The annual drives Edward would take to visit her became harder to wait for and his visits lasted longer each year.  Eventually he would make the decision not to return at all.  
While John and his wife’s baby brought prosperity to the club as a whole, his arrival made Edward realize that he had been neglecting his own desires by remaining apart from his wife-to-be.  In 1975, Edward said goodbye to his life and family in Charming and moved to Texas to be with Samantha.  This move was sanctioned at a cost.  Edward was entrusted to create and run the first branching charter of the SOA club in Texas.  This would mean that the club operated in two separate states and business would have to grow to meet the demand and keep up the traditions of brotherhood and community that had quickly been instilled in those effected by its presence.  Edward pulled all his resources and was able to open his own shop in Valor, Texas where he resided as the sole owner.  With the help of Ethan Dyer, a patch brother who would reside as the Texas charter’s first Vice President, he was able to set up a functioning clubhouse to hold meetings within a month of his transition.  It was decided that the smallest a settled charter could be was 5 men, so Edward and Ethan recruited three more (locals that Samantha could vouch for) in just two weeks and tentatively patched them in with success. The charter continued to grow from there.
With the near immediate success of the Texas charter, SOA would continue to expand rapidly for the next thirty years.  Charters sprung up from the border of Canada to small towns across Europe and one even branching as far as away as Australia. The club at its largest size combining all charters rounded out to 568 at one point in 1998 and has since continued to fluctuate.  The Texas charter under Edward Schuyler is widely considered to be the second most successful in the club’s history due to its equal parts’ ideal location and strong leadership.
Each charter is under democratic rule headed by a President, Vice President, Sgt. at Arms, and Secretary.  Those in charge are free to make their own rules and decide the best way for their members to produce a sustainable profit.  Many chose to work out of auto shops as the original had done while others owned escort businesses and even fewer owned gas stations or convenient stores.  However, all charters looked to the ‘Mother charter’, since renamed the Redwood Original, SAMCRO, for guidance.  It was Vice President Clay Morrow’s idea, with support from several other members across charters, to introduce the club to the business of gun running in 1977.  With a great deal of persuasion, he was able to convince John that it was the right direction for SOA.  Soon, the primary denominator of all groups was that they sold guns to neighboring outlaw groups for profit.  By 1979, the SOA was recognizable worldwide as an outlaw gang, but this did not slow the club’s progression. 
Guns were supplied from a branch charter in Belfast, Ireland and arrived in California to be spread from charter to charter throughout western America.  Product that wasn’t sold to organizations within the states left the country through Edward’s charter across the Mexican border. Each branch of the club faces its own obstacles when earning a sustainable living, but Valor obtains most of its money by making monthly runs bypassing Border Control and entering Mexico.  Valor was chosen as the town to settle in due to its small population with an equally small police department where the force was more than willing to operate on the club’s payroll.  Being so close to the border, at an entrance with significantly less border control than anywhere else, and equally as close to New Mexico made SAMTEX an ideal place for traffic. The charter found plentiful wealth in this location with few years of unprofitable business.  However, the promise of success and riches comes with a cost.  The costs being the constant looming gaze of Border Control and similar federal agents watching over the club’s every move and the constant threat of confrontation with notorious Mexican outlaw gangs and even the Mexican the Cartel.  These factors led Edward and Samantha to wait several years after the club was developed and for their finances to become secure before they ever tried to conceive a child. 
The gender of the highly anticipated baby was kept a secret from all including the patiently awaiting parents until the night of its birth. A nurse fresh out of college placed a healthy, happy, new born baby girl into Edward’s arms at 12:07 am and his first instinct was to cry out of a pure joy that he had never previously experienced.  His second was to pass the infant to her mother and call his friends that remained in California.  John didn’t answer on the first attempt, so Edward called Piermont. Piermont answered immediately and the two talked for hours.  Edward received nothing but joy and praise from his companion, if not some friendly chiding for having taken so long to have his first baby.  John returned Edward’s call in the early morning hours and his first question to his best friend was not “is it healthy”, but rather, “is it a boy”?          
The answer being ‘no’ brought about a different sort of conversation to the one Edward had with Piermont.  While congratulations were in order for the first-born child of SAMTEX John was overly concerned with the future of the charter entrusted to maintain the border and questioned his close friend about when he and his wife would be trying again to produce a male heir to the Presidential seat.           
This conversation didn’t spring from a malicious place but rather from one of genuine concern.  Due to the fact that the SOA club has a list of unspoken bylaws that must be followed by all charters, such as the fairly prominent one stating that all patched members are male, Edward’s first born would not be eligible to join.  While any ranking official including the president can be replaced and the position held by anyone a charter sees fit at any time, SAMTEX had only known one president and due to its success, it would be ideal if its successor was of the same bloodline.           
Edward, having known this to be the case, was still infuriated at the thought of his first born being ineligible to wear his club’s ‘cut’ or bare its ink.  Edward attempted to reason with original President, who he was obligated to adhere to, over the course of several days to seemingly no avail.  Piermont argued for Edward that any legitimate child of a First Nine member had more right to be patched in than any other relative of a club member or outsider regardless of sex because they were of direct family line.  John, exhausted with arguing during a time that should have been a joyous occasion and with tensions rising high in his own charter where he would soon be needing Piermont by his side, finally settled on an agreement with his fellow President down south.        
Edward had 18 years to groom his daughter for the club.  She would have the opportunity to ‘prospect’ like any man who wished to join.  After a year of observation, SAMTEX could decide if the daughter was fit to bare the Reaper or be cast out.  Until her fate was decided no member outside of SAMTEX would know the name, gender, or whereabouts of the SAMTEX child.  The secret was kept between the three friends and one would even take it to his grave before the secret was ever brought to light.          
Edward and Samantha knew the risks of keeping the secret from other charters. They independently decided that they would never bare another child before coming to that very decision together and put all their combined love and attention into their beautiful daughter Meredith.  They spent her entire adolescence making sure she was exposed to two ways of life: the civilian side where she went to school and was well educated with few friends and a promising future in any career she chose.  And the gangland side where her family and closest friends resided.  Few in the club were educated, but with the combined force of twenty club members, eight adoring wives, and five children who grew up alongside Meredith she became when adverse to interacting with an assortment of individuals from different backgrounds and learned many trades to concur the world she was born into.       
Meredith was 10 when she first asked her father what a cigarette was.  Nearly every adult in his daughter’s life smoked cigarettes and almost as many smoked marijuana.  At such a young age Edward already knew that he would be unable to prevent his beautiful daughter from taking up such an unhealthy habit.  Being the responsible father, he politely told Meredith the truth of what they were and that she would never be allowed to smoke them herself.  He then smiled as his daughter laughed in his face and ran out the front door to join her friends in the front yard knowing that they had most likely been asking their father’s the very same question.  
At 12 she began voicing the thought of wanting a tattoo.  It came as no surprise to anyone considering both of her parents bore some and nearly every member in the club had at least one symbol representing Sons of Anarchy on some part of their body along with their own tattoos.  By 14 most of the boys were learning how to shoot guns and Meredith had seen a few begin to ride on the back of their father’s motorcycles with the intent of learning how to balance for themselves.  At this point she didn’t know that she was being carefully observed by her parents for what she took an interest in and what things she ignored.  All she knew is that she wanted to hang out with her friends in the shooting range and go on bike rides with her dad.  Edward smiled fondly and agreed under a set of conditions: she continued to make A’s in school and she learned a skill that her friends were not interested in learning.  That year she learned how to shoot a hand gun and became proficient by the age of 19.  She also took up the skill of throwing knives which took her several additional years to master.  Her friends were very jealous of her knife collection.  
At age 15 Meredith became Schuyler.  The name allowed her to better fit in with the rambunctious boys she grew up with and don her father’s name with pride.  The name along with the nickname of “Sky” fit her well because she was often found outside playing in gardens or on hot asphalt chasing after boys who sometimes slowed down to stay with her and sometimes made her keep up.  This made her fast and build endurance at a young age.  Wrestling was a popular event in the group who took after their father’s who were often seen throwing fists to settle disputes.  Sky learned how to throw a punch and receive one in return.  This was also the year when Schuyler began to ask for her own motorcycle.  She was jealous that her best friend Jesse Dyer (born a week before her and son to V.P Ethan Dyer) received his own before any of the other boys in their friend group. He was always getting things before she was.  Unknown to her the parents of the two children regularly discussed when they should introduce things to their children before either was exposed.  She received her first bike on the following week, a fixer upper that she repaired with her father and it took until she was 16 and old enough to drive it on her own for the project to be complete.          
At age 16, with the help of her mother who is bilingual and Hispanic members of the club, she became fluent in reading and speaking Spanish. This was also the year her friends began to talk excitedly about the year to come when they could begin their prospecting year to enter the motorcycle club and ride alongside their father’s as quickly as they would be able to.  One must be 17 to begin prospecting and no one under the age of 18 can be sworn into the club.  This was about the time that Schuyler began to realize that she had in fact been being prepared for the day when she could start her prospecting year and the club would soon be judging her every move; if they hadn’t already been doing so.  She was observant enough to realize that there was one major difference between herself and the other children she would potentially be prospecting with.  While the boys she grew up with didn’t seem to notice this daunting difference their father’s, while they had helped to raise her and loved her dearly, certainly did. 
At 17 she began prospecting with all 5 of her friends.  Each child belonged to a member who was already patched, and their fathers took it upon themselves to sponsor, or shadow, their children during their prospecting year.  The prospecting year is an opportunity for the ‘prospects’ to ride alongside members of the club, follow them on jobs for the club including some across the Mexican-American border, and learn the meaning of being in such a well-established gang.  During her prospecting year Schuyler proved herself a valuable translator and to be persuasive during negotiations with other organizations.  She was attentive, even tempered, and eager to learn from the patches she rode with.  She never once showed that she was intimidated when in the middle of a group of men or shied away from a situation when things took a violent turn.  Rather she put herself in the middle of the conflict.  And if she could not deescalate a situation she drew her gun and made sure every member with her returned home in one piece.  It wasn’t long before Edward started to look to Schuyler before making decisions just as much as he looked to his V.P and SA.  Sometimes he asked for her opinion before seeking out others.  Near the end of her prospecting year all it took was one look to her father for them to communicate and come to a decision between the two of them before they acted on it without doubt. 
Schuyler turned 18 and watched all 5 of her friends get patched into the club.  One right after the other.  Schuyler knew not to press her father on the subject because the decision required careful deliberation and the results would be life as well as club wide altering.  In November of 1994, Meredith Rose Schuyler became the first woman to ever be patched into the SOA motorcycle club with a unanimous vote.  This was the same month she would be accepted into her dream school. Semesters were spent in a dorm room blaring loud rock music to block out the neighbors who spent their time partying. Summers and holidays were spent on the back of a motorcycle flying down the highway at twice the posted speed limit. A gun on her hip and a set of throwing knives strapped securely to her right leg Schuyler counted down the hours to each weekend she could travel home.  She never felt more sure of herself than when she was on the road with her family doing the one thing they were best at.  Earning.  It was on one of these weekends, when a class that Schuyler particularly despised was cancelled, that she would return home early and receive the news that would change her world forever.
In 2006, Edward Schuyler was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Schuyler’s immediate reaction was to drop all her educational responsibilities and move back home to help her father run the club. Edward forbade her from returning home until she graduated with her degree as she had set out to do. Furious, and unwilling to disappoint her father, Schuyler remained at the school until she graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) 6 months later.  Instead of entering the work force with her newly earned degree, Schuyler would spend the next 18 months of her life caring for her father, orchestrating jobs and making deliveries based on her own judgement, and preparing SAMTEX for the day they would no longer have the leadership of their first and only President. 
In February of 2008, Edward Schuyler lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 67.  The wake and proceeding funeral were held a 4 days later.  SAMTEX had lost many brother’s due to gangland violence before, but had never experienced the loss of an officer, much less a President.  The SOA hadn’t seen a loss so tragic since the passing of John Teller over a decade prior.  While many wanted to make the journey to Texas to pay respects to their sibling charter and the mourning family only members of the Original Nine were allowed to attend.  Three of the surviving members made the trip and were able to meet Schuyler personally. The secret was extended but had yet to be fully released.  Piermont was unable to make the trip and has regretted it ever since.  When all was said and done Samantha retained most of Edward’s worldly possessions including the deed to the mechanic shop and his official club vest which she hung in the living room on display; the Presidential patch worn with age facing the room at large.  Schuyler requested only two things: Edward’s impressive vinyl record collection and the last motorcycle he owned.
Many expected Schuyler to naturally inherit the President’s patch in the face of Edward’s passing.  The club was ready to vote her in and had pushed for her to take the patch even while Edward’s health had been deteriorating.  After all, she had done the unthinkable.  She had proven herself a worthy attribute capable of wearing the cut regardless of her gender.  It was the role she was breed for.  The position she was intended to fill.  She was the rightful heir to the gavel that rested at the head of the meeting table.
But it was after many long and difficult conversations were held with the members at that very table, and with her mother who struggled the most because she had dreamed of little else than seeing her daughter break down barriers and take up the President’s seat, Schuyler decided to take a very different path.
She revealed to her club that her father had intended for the two of them to take a trip to Northern California and visit the charter he had left behind for many years before his untimely passing.  It wasn’t until the cancer was discovered that Edward realized that he had missed his opportunity to do so.  Schuyler revealed that Edward had always intended for Schuyler to transfer charters when she came of age in order to find her own path and build her own legacy in a separate charter as not to compete in her father’s demanding shadow.  Schuyler wanted nothing more in the world than to keep her promises to her parents to make something of herself and make her father proud by continuing his legacy for him and finding her own way in the world.
Schuyler remained in Valor until new ranking officials could be appointed (Ethan Dyer was elected President and his son Jesse became his VP) and SAMTEX was prepared to continue in her absence.  Then she began what would essentially be a 7-week long journey to her new life.  It was decided that before Schuyler attempted to make contact with the Mother Charter (now headed by Clayton Marrow who wore the President’s patch and John Teller’s son Jackson Teller who resided as the V.P) she would first be sponsored by a third-party charter.  If she could convince a third charter of her worth and to vouch for her in just a few weeks time her chances of the original charter accepting her would likely double.  This trial period would also allow her to experience working with a different charter and experience life and club structure from a different perspective.
It wasn’t difficult to find a suitable host.  Nearly every branch of SOA in the States wanted to host the mystery SAMTEX child with an impressive club track record.  Eventually it was decided that she would stay with the Southern California charter known as SANDINO due to its location.  It also happens to be headed by one of the last surviving First Nine members Thomas “Uncle Tom” Whitney who had met Schuyler after her father’s passing and would know what to expect from the club transfer.
Schuyler spent just over 6 weeks with the sibling charter.  Tom, along with his fellow patch brothers, were skeptical to say the least upon meeting Schuyler.  Many members felt betrayed at the very aspect of a female patch being kept from them for so long.  Schuyler, never one to disappoint, was quick to show her eagerness to work and proved herself valuable enough to earn the respect and comradery of each member before it was time for her to move on.  Many were sad to see her go but they knew her destiny lied within another charter.  
At the end of her trial period, and nervous for what was possibly the first time in her life, Schuyler moved on from SANDINO and arrived on Charming’s doorstep 3 days later, ready to take on her next great adventure. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I applaud you if you’ve gotten this far.  It’s greatly appreciated.  I love this character a great deal and have spent a long time building her up.  I can’t wait to start diving into her story.  This was just the beginning!  The next “big thing” I will post for Schuyler’s story will be a WIP intro page.  So, look forward to that. 
Taglist:  @themildestofwriters, @writersshock, @writingmyselfintoanearlygrave, @sashathewriter, @annelaurant-writing, @samsfictionstuff, & @bluewritesforever
My taglist current consists of some cool writeblrs that I’ve had past interactions with that you should totally check out.  Please interact with this post to let me know if you want to be removed or added to the taglist.  Also, feel free to interact and let me know what you think of Schuyler as a character as I’m very eager and willing to talk about or answer questions for her.  Remember that this is not only a FF based off a pre-created world, but it is technically an AU so some details may be purposefully changed to fit the character and plot.  Other than that, I’d love to take questions (inbox is always open) and thanks so much for reading! I hope you all enjoyed it!
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samdelpapa · 2 years ago
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Menu martedì 12 luglio 2022
Tutto Attualità
Cultura Economia e Finanza
Esteri Innovazione
Politica Salute e Benessere
Sport Ultime Notizie
ATTUALITÀ La Nasa diffonde la prima immagine a colori dal telescopio spaziale Webb
Redazione 12/07/2022 L'immagine catturata dal telescopio spaziale James Webb - Foto di Nasa, Esa e Csa L'universo come non si era mai visto. È questo, in sintesi, il contenuto della prima immagine a colori catturata dal Telescopio spaziale James Webb, presentate dalla National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa). La Nasa ha svelato le prime immagini a colori immortalate dal telescopio spaziale James Webb. A presentarle alla nazione è stato il presidente degli Stati Uniti, Joe Biden, durante una cerimonia alla Casa Bianca con la vicepresidente Kamala Harris trasmessa in diretta sul web. L'immagine catturata dal telescopio spaziale James Webb "La prima immagine dal telescopio Webb rappresenta un momento storico per la scienza e la tecnologia, per l'astronomia e l'esplorazione spaziale. Ma anche per l'America e tutta l'umanità", ha scritto Biden divulgando l'immagine anche tramite il suo profilo Twitter. La presentazione alla Casa Bianca rappresenta un'anteprima della conferenza stampa durante la quale la Nasa, insieme all’Agenzia spaziale europea (ESA) e a quella canadese (CSA,) renderà pubblica l'intera serie di immagini catturare dal telescopio. Come ha spiegato al stessa agenzia statunitense, la foto mostrata "è l'immagine a infrarossi più profonda e nitida dell'universo lontano fino ad oggi. Conosciuto come il primo campo profondo di Webb, questa immagine dell'ammasso di galassie Smacs 0723 è traboccante di dettagli. Migliaia di galassie, inclusi gli oggetti più deboli mai osservati nell'infrarosso, sono apparse per la prima volta alla vista di Webb. Questa fetta del vasto universo copre una porzione di cielo grande all'incirca come un granello di sabbia tenuto a distanza di un braccio da qualcuno a terra". Il telescopio spaziale James Webb ha un valore di 10 miliardi di dollari e, secondo la Nasa, permetterà di indagare come mai fatto prima l'origine dell'universo e di scattare fotografie di una definizione mai raggiunta. Le lenti del telescopio Webb riusciranno a catturare le immagini della formazione di una stella, dell'atmosfera di un esopianeta, un'immagine dell'universo e quelle di un'insieme di galassie. 0:29
/ 1:00 Svelata prima immagine del telescopio... Svelata prima immagine del telescopio... Spazio, mostrate le prima immagini del... Quarta dose a over 60, i pareri degli... Tajani: se m5s non vota fiducia a... Vaccino covid 19, aifa: ok per over 60
Ladri di acqua, Giansanti: in Italia... Giappone, i funerali di Shinzo Abe
Covid, Costa a Sky TG24: prudenza ma... Nord Stream chiuso: import di gas russo... Totti e Ilary Blasi si separano, dopo... I titoli delle 8 di Sky TG24 del... Rassegna stampa: i giornali di oggi 12... <> Tag astronomia Esa Nasa telescopio Webb universo
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aenariasbookshelf · 7 years ago
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Darcy and Jane’s Post-Apocalyptic Road Trip, part three
Continuing on from this post, the road trip adventures of a Jane Foster attempting to avoid the US Government and a heavily pregnant Darcy Lewis just keep expanding.  
Technically this fic takes place in an alternate universe offshoot of The Incrediblesverse, but you don’t have to read those fics to understand this one.  Parts one and two, however - you kinda need to read those. ;)
Infinity War spoilers ahead...
**********
"You know, I am this close to killing you right now, Steve."  Darcy rubs her head, her eyes falling shut with weariness.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Steve replies, the distant phone connection sounding fuzzy even with the advanced technology propping up the signal on Steve's side.  "There's no way we can get a jet over American airspace right now.  But we got a guy with a boat in Galveston, who can get you and Jane out to sea far enough that we can pick you and Jane up."
Darcy frowns, her hand moving to her lower back to try and rub away the constant tension there that's been building up in her hips and at the base of her spine.  "It's thirteen hours to Galveston.  And that's without stopping.  Your son keeps kicking at my bladder every five minutes, so we'll be lucky to go ten feet without a bathroom break."
Steve doesn't really have anything to say in response to that, probably because discretion is the better part of valor, but also, frankly, because it's damn true.  
She takes a deep breath, flicking her eyes over at Jane who's pacing in circles as she waits for the chat to be finished.  "What sort of time frame are we looking at to be in Galveston?"
There's a pause, like he's checking in with someone given the muffled sounds that still manage to sneak through.  "Do you think you could be there in three days?  That'll keep our window as narrow as possible for getting you out of there."
Darcy looks over at Jane again, who's scrabbling through her bag to try and find the giant book of road maps that she'd been using lately to try and stay as far off the radar as possible.  "It's definitely doable, even taking a slow, roundabout route, " Jane says, after a couple of moments and some quick mental calculations.  "We'll just have to get a bucket and some cat litter for Darcy just in case."
"Oh, fuck off, Jane," Darcy spits out, even though there's barely any heat behind it.  They've got a plan now, and that feels a hell of a lot better than just sitting around waiting for the world to end.
**********
Jane plots them out a route that avoids major highways and major cities - it may take them a little longer, but they both feel better staying away from the larger population centers right now.  "Don't worry about the car," Jane says as they work on emptying out the dry goods from the cabinets to take with them later that day.  "We'll use mine...well, it's sort of mine.  Mine now, at least."
"Jane!"
"What, it's not like Marchand's going to miss it."  Jane shrugs, looking at a box of crackers and tossing them into a carrier bag.  "He's dust just like the rest of them, and his car's got a hell of a lot better gas mileage than my old van did.  And Ross won't be looking for his plates, either, so there's another bonus."
Darcy shakes her head, focusing on the tiny little onesies in her hands that she's folding up to put in a duffel bag.  She's got no idea how long they'll be away, and as it's looking more and more likely she's going to give birth in a foreign country, it's best to be prepared.  Most of the car will be baby gear by the time they're done, she thinks.  “As long as it can get us out of town quickly, and the seats aren’t too uncomfortable, I won’t complain.”  She fits a few more onesies and some of the tiniest socks she’s ever seen in the bag, and zips it shut with a rough tug.  “Are we still on track to leave tonight?”
They’re giving themselves as much of the three days as they can to reach Galveston.  It’s more time than they’ll need going by the map, but with the state of the world outside, it’s better to not take a chance.  Between the Army Corps of Engineers setting up shelters for the people who have suddenly found themselves without caretakers, the religious zealots screaming loudly that the Rapture has happened and the world is ending, the people setting up heavily armed compounds in some more rural areas to defend against the oncoming aliens, and the assholes who just want to take advantage of the current state of lawlessness in the country at the moment, it may not be the easiest ride.
“Yes, we are,” Jane says as she hops off the counter and surveys the food that looks good for traveling with.  It’s not a lot, but if they don’t have to stop too much for food, all the better.  “If we leave by 9 pm tonight, we can make a stop at Walmart for some necessities, and can still be in Marfa by the morning if all goes well.  Then we make for the coast after some sleep and drive up that way.  We’ve got time to stop for some solid sleep during the trip, even if we end up sleeping in the car. ”
“And you’ve met the person we’re supposed to meet in Galveston?  I don’t want to get all the way down there only for this guy to turn out to be a serial killer or something like that.”  Darcy sighs, pushing some hair out of her face, feeling more frazzled than ever.  “I swear to god, the more pregnant I get the more paranoid I get.”  What she wouldn’t give to turn back the clock, where her biggest worries were related to impending parenthood, something nowhere near as cosmic as their current state.
Jane reaches for the notepad that she’s been planning out their trip on, scribbling briefly before coming over to crouch down in front of Darcy.  “Look, it’s practically the end of the world out there - you’re allowed to be paranoid.”  She takes her hands, squeezing them tightly.  “But I can tell you this for certain - yes, I know the man who we’re going to meet.  Hell, he used to be an Avenger once, even though he’s retired now.  His name is Clint Barton, and he never misses.”
By the time the sun’s set and the sky’s turned an inky blue color speckled with glittery stars, Darcy and Jane are in the car and heading for the coast, leaving the little apartment that’s been her and Steve’s home for the last few years behind.
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