#viscious

[neurolady]

Just binged my way through Viscious. If Stuart (Derek Jacobi) isn't just Aziraphale in another life! I'd love a crossover AU where Aziraphale and Crowley met Stuart and Freddie. I wonder if I can find one 🤔

[bluboiart]

ELDEN RING: GURRANQ

The Beast Clergyman, he towers over u in size, and demands respect without even muttering a word.

I drew in procreate

[death2statues]

[shewhosleepsalotincemeteries]

Crazy how every year someone has a hot take about the “bi girls with straight boyfriends” but no one ever worries about bi men with straight girlfriends 🤔 it’s almost as if y’all just hate women or something…

[dopeydi]

Okay this is definitely one of my favorite theories regarding the mysteries of Julia

I have a lot of mixed feelings about Julia as a character and I whole heartedly believe that that’s the entire point.

This is a long one so buckle up buttercups.

I have so many questions for her.

Why didn’t she go with Spike when he left the syndicate?

Why did she doubt that Spike loved her?

Why reduce Faye to a messenger after revealing she knew who she was? Why not just have Faye take her to Spike?

Why did she apparently know so much about the Bebop crew, but still never sought out Spike?

What is the whole purpose of Julia as a character?

I relate to Faye and Jet, and their frustration if not their damn near resentment of her existence. From their perspective, she pulls Spike away from them. In Jets words, her name is “like a spell that unlocks a door”.

The audience, just like the crew, is robbed of any kind of access to her. Then before we can even begin to get attached to her, she’s gone.

We have a lot of beautiful poetry, stories, music, and references to classic authors like Hemingway in this series that act as echoes to possibly help explain the story. What if there are other story structures that aren’t as on the nose?

I was driving to Atlanta and listening to “The Great Gatsby”. The week before I had comfort binged Bebop. It all felt familiar and to me they echoed each other. The more I analyzed Julia, the more I saw parallels from the Great Gatsby. She reminds me so much of Daisy.

Just to break it down simply how I saw it:

Vicious would be fulfilling the role of Tom.

Spike in the role of Gatsby.

Julia in the role of Daisey.

The Bebop crew would be in the empathetic role of Nick Caraway.

In the Great Gatsby, the tragedy is told from Nick Caraways perspective. We get all of the context through him and what he sees and understands.

Similar to Daisy, the audience lacks a lot of empathy for Julia’s decisions because our perspective of the situation does.

In order to relate Julia to Daisey, I need to go into more detail about how I view Daisey from the great Gatsby.

Rather than viewing her as somebody who is obsessed with her money and no accountability, I actually see Daisey as a deeply flawed person and a victim of circumstance. I also believe she wholeheartedly loved both Jay and Tom.

She was ultimately a woman trapped between two men who were obsessed with the idea of her. She never got to be herself. She was never truly free.

I understand why we as an audience would see Gatsby as the obvious person for her to choose, but we have a biased view of Gatsby because Nick Caraway is our narrator. The harsh reality of it is that Gatsby was a criminal. He also didn’t accept Daisey for who she truly is. He was in love with the idea of her and who she was in his past. He couldn’t accept her evolving story and that she at one point she did love Tom.

In the wise words of Daniel Sloss:

“If you don’t love 100% of who I am, you do not love me.

You love an idea of me, which you have falsely fabricated in your head.

And it’s not my fault if I don’t live up to those expectations.”

When Spike asked Julia to run away with him she flat out said no and he shot back with “Yes you can.” That was a red flag for me. This appeared strongly to me as a romanticized one sided decision and that he wasn’t listening to her. He also gave her the information on how they were going to run away, he didn’t bother to include her on making the plans.

Just, YIKES.

Gatsby is an unreliable narrator for Daisy just like Spike is an unreliable narrator for Julia.

Julia saw one man who was abusive and controlling, and the other was seemingly good to her but not truly in love with her. And there’s a huge indicator that she doubted Spike really loved her, RIGHT HERE!!!

“Why did you love me.”

To me, Julia refused to have salvation in either of them.

Julia is an impressive character because she ultimately chose herself.

Daisy didn’t get the option of that choice. In my opinion, Daisey was practically trapped with Tom because he had her child and seemingly the most security. She also just committed a murder, and needed the protection. If she chose herself, of course Tom would have her arrested.

Spike and Vicious are two men who are impossible to say no to for different reasons. Julia (IN MY BIG FAT OPINION) chose loneliness over being someone’s idealization. Her inner strength made her truly alive.

“She was a real woman.”

On a more vulnerable perspective, I also believe fear kept Julia from Spike. In Jupiter Jazz there were some incredibly incriminate quotes said about her in a flashback.

Vicious: “Be careful when you’re with that woman.”

Julia: “All women are liars, don’t you know that?”

It seemed like Julia’s gift and what she provided to Vicious and the syndicate, was deception.

This visual in my opinion is an example of her deceptive nature. It feels incredibly sinister to me, not romantic.

Her hand on the back of his head weaving her fingers into Spikes hair feels like she’s snaring her way into his mind. His eyes are covered and most likely closed while hers are wide open. To me, doesn’t appear romantic. She’s in control. Julia sees what’s coming and Spike doesn’t.

I don’t know what Julia’s intentions were. Hell, we had more access to Daisey’s intentions than Julia.

Daisey wanted to be loved. But what did Julia want? I think her actions scream the loudest and this is my own personal opinion.

I believe Julia wanted autonomy.

Even if it meant being hunted, it would be her life. Even if it meant being alone, it would be her life. She wouldn’t be “free” on Vicious’s terms. She wouldn’t be free on Spike’s terms either. Julia chose a destiny that revolved around no man.

Julia chose herself, and that makes her a much more interesting and powerful character than Daisey.

I think however, did Spike surprise her. I think she did feel deep affection for him. I think when she saw him again she was full of regret. I truly feel her plea to Spike in the graveyard was genuine.

Her hand is closed, not ensnared in this moment. Her eyes are closed and she looks peaceful. She’s surrendered control.

Spike’s eyes are wide open and his expression feels hollow and apathetic. To me this indicates the power dynamic has switched.

Julia had a painful case of “what could have been” when she sees Spike again at last.

I think the graveyard was a huge turning point in her story arc. I think that was the moment she truly decided to belong to someone else.

And then after making the decision to be with him, their time is cut painfully short.

To me, she deserved better than just existing as an element of pining for our main character and then suddenly murdered to propel Spike’s arc.

But, Julia has had her own adventures and her own life for the past three years. She is a whole other story we’ve never had access to. She is a whole person outside of the Bebop crews’ perspective. There’s a lot of power in that unknown.

There’s a lot of power with Julia.

[katerinaaqu]

Guard Dog (a Patroclus and his dogs one-shot)

The Phrygian was really nervous. He could almost hear his heart beating up against the skin of his throat. His breath was coming out in hisses even if he was trying his best not to forget his training as a tracker and a spy for his people. It wasn't that he was a first-timer. He had been through some dangerous missions before and one required more skill than the other; he had once tracked the path of a deer outside a bear's den until the animal was captured by his fellow hunters. He was sent to spy close to an opposing tribe before and he had managed to come back with useful information that allowed his clan to come on top in that battle. He had contributed to that war even; collecting information on the enemy and he was undetected by everyone. However he was definitely scared out of his wits that night because that night's mission topped them all...by far!

He was supposed to sneak on the Strongest of all the Greeks...

Achilles the son of Peleus himself!

The Phrygian had heard many rumors on that man and all more terrible than the other. They said he had the strength of twenty men like Heracles himself. They said that he was faster than God Hermes himself while others said that the Argophontes had even given him his Winged sandals to fly faster. Fast in Feet they called him and strong like Apollo and with the same youth and glory. He heard rumors that he could kill you just by locking eyes with you...he even heard he was invulnerable by any kind of weapon; no one ever managed to wound him. The young Phrygian was considering himself intelligent enough not to pay attention to all those rumors but if just one of them were true then his life was hanging by a very thin and not to mention very fragile thread. Either way he had taken his precautions.

The assassination should be fast and precise.

He even forgot the idea of a knife for obvious reasons. Even if the rumors of his vulnerability held no truth whatsoever, he knew that he had no way of slitting the throat of a man who managed to singlehandedly bring an army to its knees. The game was dangerous. So he had prepared himself the poison he knew well. One drop in the wine by his side, the one he knew he kept, would do the job. He was sure that Achilles was not immortal. That much he knew. He also heard the rumor; that he was destined to die young. Perhaps fate had come to its toll that night. He spotted the dark figure of the tent the prince of Myrmindons was sleeping in. His steps became more careful; even more soundless. He had to be careful now. He knew the demigod was heavily guarded and that the guards would slash him in half without asking questions. But he knew. He knew a secret path behind the tent. He would take that. He would sneak in, pour the poison and run. No more stalling and no unpredictable moves!

He made a turn around avoiding the gaze of a guard skillfully and hid in the shadow of the tent. He estimated the slave with the duty to sleep by the ruler to protect him, wouldn't be much of a problem to him to be silenced but he hoped things wouldn't get rough. He had to make sure nothing would disturb the sleep of the son of Peleus before he had made his move. He hesitated for one second. What if he awoke? What if he wasn't sleeping yet and the calm breathing from the tent was a decoy? What if he was detected? He drew a breath and calmed himself. No more thoughts. He had to empty his mind. He had to do it. But once he was about to barge in as quietly as possible he heard something that drew five years out of his body. It was a human voice.

"If I were you, I would think twice before I did that!"

The soft and yet threatening tenor voice made him look at the shadows to detect the tall and lean figure. The man had long curly hair and arms that looked like good stretched leather. His back could belong to the best type of athlete and his bare legs showed a man that could run a marathon in the wilderness without problem. He was dressed with a simple cloth around his waist, showing he had just risen from sleep. The Phrygian spy gulped soundly realizing that this scenario he didn't think; the scenario that it would be no slave by the side of the son of Peleus!

"I am sure you thought you would achieve something tonight" Patroclus continued in his calm and yet deeply threatening voice, "but I assure you your efforts would be in vain! Even if you did manage to get past me there is no way that you would win against him no matter what ploy and scheme you have in your barbarian brain but I promise you by Hera that you won't achieve it!"

The man took a step back drawing his dagger. The man they called "divine" didn't look so divine at all and yet somehow he knew he was a forced to be reckoned with. Patroclus followed the move and his brown eyes shone like a jackal in the night.

"I wouldn't want to disturb my lord's sleep so I would strongly advise you not to come at me with threatening force"

The Phrygian stopped again. How could he run away now? How could he go back a coward and a failure? How could he explain to his clan that he backed away not by the threat itself but by his companion? He clenched upon his dagger; move not passing undetected by the son of Menoetius.

"I tried to warn you but you leave me no choice!"

He left a tiny and discreet whistle with his slightly decorated with the beginning of a beard lips. The Phrygian felt all his blood being pumped up with several miles per second as he heard the unworldly growl from the shadows. Several pairs of eyes glistered like coals within the night and soon enough the silhouettes dressed in fur emerged. Hounds. Hounds of all shapes and sizes capable of tearing grown boars to shreds with their teeth; teeth that were now bared and glistering with saliva, emerged beneath the drawn lips and the wrinkled noses. They all circled their master, plastering their eyes on him.

"I know you have your reasons, I'm sure" Patroclus whispered

He caressed the head of one of his dogs as it's pointy ears didn't even flinch and the threatening posture of the huge hound didn't change.

"I know you fear him and for a good reason but he is my cousin, my king, my brother, my lord and my soul! You shall not lay a finger on him while I am here and breathing!"

The spy gulped. He realized then that Patroclus was a pure mirror of his dogs; he barely made a sound; he was truly past the point of empty threats. He had crossed the line! He thought that Achilles was something to fear but now seeing that warrior standing like a guard dog and a head of a pack before the tent he realized a bit too late how wrong he was!

"You shall pay for your thoughts to harm him with your life!" Patroclus almost growled

His eyes looked at him; staring just like his Hounds that shivered from top to bottom in anticipation for the orders. They wanted to hunt and he was the prey!

"However..." his heart flattered with hope with that word, "if the gods are merciful they shall give you a chance to escape..."

Then those fierce eyes stuck within his. The Phrygian felt his previously racing heart stop.

"...IF you can run faster that is!"

"G-Gods...!" Was the first and last word the Phrygian uttered that nigt

Patroclus leaned forward caressing two of his loyal dogs.

"Get him!" He softly commanded

And without making a single sound, nine dogs pounced. The Phrygian could only shriek in terror as he broke into a run within the Achaean camp with the dogs coming behind him. Soon lights emerged as soldiers kings and slaves emerged to see what was going on as the shrieks of terror turned into screams of pain. Patroclus stood there looking at that direction before calmly entering the tent.

Upon the mattress he perceived the lean blonde figure and he smiled. All his previous anger and fury was gone; turned into tenderness. He slowly approached the shifting figure. Achilles hummed and stretched his bare body under the covers; every muscle tight against his pale skin. He was glistering like gold under the new light of the torches outside. His face thin and hairless like a woman's and a body strong and athletic like a man. Patroclus would agree with some of the rumors that reach even his eaes; he really DID look like Apollo this way.

"Hmm..." Achilles hummed, "what is it?"

"Nothing, my dear" Patroclus whispered, "go back to sleep."

"I hear voices outside..."

"My dogs just discovered a rat" the son of Menoetius replied once more, "they rose quite a commotion"

"Hmm...I see..."

Achilles stretched some more as Patroclus fixed the covers better around him. He smiled. Yes, he would protect that man from every cowardly attack they would send against him! He deserved better than having his destiny fulfilled in such a way! He would keep him alive for as long as possible! And if his life was the price of that so be it!

"Come to bed with me, darling..." Achilles whispered as he caressed his chest with his stretched arm, "I'm cold and I need you to help me..."

Patroclus snorted.

"Sheesh!" He whispered just like when they were kids, "you are incorrigible! You always act like a child!"

And yet he obeyed. He couldn't and didn't want to say no. He slowly tucked himself under the covers and allowed Achilles to rest his blonde head on his chest; his lean and muscular arms around him. He felt the man who was his other half nuzzle against the light layer of hair on his chest. He caressed that blonde head with his hand.

"Yes...rest well..." he whispered, "I am here...nothing will disturb you while I am here..."

***

Sooooo a little random thing I made. Given how I had made a post in the past about Patroclus's dogs here I thought I should write something on them!

I also wanted to show a more powerful and maybe vicious side of Patroclus given how we do not see it much and I cannot write a full battle scene without my computer dammit! But I hope you like thus, given how I wrote it in a few minutes in one go so forgive me if it is too simple or messy. Plus is past midnight hehehe sorry if this is so-so.

As always I remember some conversations with @deadbaguette about Achilles and Patroclus and their relationship as well as @ellilyre and @hermesmoly and of course @smokey07

As always wanna thank my dear friend @artsofmetamoor keep going with the amazing art girl!

My Patroclus design:

My other fic mentioning Patroclus:

[shoopsthereitis]

I will actually ride or die for Peeta Mellark always. I just saw a TikTok of someone talking about his quarter quell interview and he is literally?? the reason?? the victors all held hands?? and showed unity?? for the first time since the dark days of the last war?? like the way book Peeta plays that interview about him and Katniss secretly getting married using a district 12 ritual? then bringing up "if it weren't for the baby" and says it BITTERLY! bitterly. and then goes and holds katniss' hand and silently cries. and bc it sends emotions through Katniss about the kids lost and the reaction of the capitol citizens, THATS why she holds Chaffs hand. and the chain reaction of unity happens. BECAUSE OF PEETA and his brilliant mind. bc he came up with the whole marriage and baby thing ON HIS OWN.

anyways im so normal about peeta mellark

[verlaines-ex]

on the one hand i fully understand why so many hungarians behave irritated 24/7. on the other hand IT IS EXTREMELY FUCKING IRRITATING TO BE AROUND

[1stprototype]

THY FLESH CONSUMED

[hopepunk-priest]

Why is no one talking about "I watched a child's eyes vaporized in his tiny skull because he believed in me" like I'm so serious THAT'S the thesis of Magneto's arc rn

[shortbreadly]

do you reckon even long after everyone left, lawrence had crawled out of the bathroom and john had locked the door, the camera recording adam kept on rolling?

do you think even without light every little aspect of his final days were audibly crystal clear as he wasted away, every scream and voice crack as the gunshot and hunger killed him slowly?

do you reckon lawrence rediscovered the tape one day and against his better judgement watched it and, just as adam had been, was relieved when amanda snuck in and put the dying man out of his misery?

[kindercelery]

@horriblehistorieslandfill they’re so epic

[oatmilk-vampire]

The homoerotic tension between me and the killer that just threw me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing

[infinitegeli]

I just watched the trailer it’s kinda killing me like WHAAATTTTT IS SHE ACTING TOUGH FOR GIRL THEY AHVE YOU IN 1280P SNIVELING LIKE A DOG BCUZ UR TEAMATE QUIT. U DO NOT HAVE IT IN U. U R NOT THAT GUY.

[1moreoffkeyanthem]

What do you think of Stan with lots of piercings and tattoos (sleeves) dating Kyle who's more prep/nerd looking and glasses.

(Also Stan is a big boy, while Kyle is tiny)

Not gonna lie I’m a fan. But in a VERY specific way. Everyone knows one of my favorite Kyle tropes is for him to be a small studious looking guy, only to be the most smart mouthed hot headed dude on the PLANET. Bro will kick your ass and take advantage of the fact that he’s not threatening at first glance. Pair that with a Stan who’s huge and built as hell (y’all know how I am on big boy Staniel) with the full punk aesthetic looking scary as shit but then he smiles and he’s the biggest softie you’ve ever met? Hell yes. I’m just a sucker for characters being the antithesis of their appearance. You think the big tatted up guy is gonna be the scary one? Nah he’s a dork and a teddy bear his tiny nerdy boyfriend is the actual threat here.

[sleeping-dragon]

Tom Card just dropped a new song and as a short person, the 'I cast viscious mockery' part of the song feels as if he's targeting me specifically.

The line 'my boys are otherwise engaged' makes me cry-laugh every time.

(Also I wish that any of my friends would be willing to play DnD with me ;-;)