#what can i say [looks at my For the Love of Pix series over on ao3 that currently contains a grand total of one (1) fic]

[syn4k]

something something when u come home from work/school/whatever absolutely slammed and you have to lie down and involuntarily become completely defenseless for a minimum of 30 minutes while u recharge. that period of time is my favorite to write about in fics when im in my feels because get this: absolutely NOTHING beats the intimacy of some random guy, currently a fucking puddle due to exhaustion or injury or both, being cared for by their friend(s)/partner(s)/family/whatever. being treated and cared for and loved in a very gentle manner. that's the good shit right there

[floweroflaurelin]

wait you said you did an animatic on your main blog! is that for traffic series’s, is it posted here?

Oh right yes I was meaning to mention this here!! Thank you ahaha

Okay so YES! I did do an animatic, it’s for Empires SMP! No it’s not posted here yet because I am kind of unsure about what do with it… Let me explain.

Over the summer I had to do a big project for school, and it was entirely self-directed with no supervision. That meant it had to be about something I’m Really Passionate About to make sure that it would actually get done. So naturally I chose Empires! I got in touch with Pixlriffs and got his permission to use his audio for a school project (he said yes, thank you Pix <3) and then, audio in hand, went nuts and roughly storyboarded out 8min of an animatic in a single night.

When getting the project approved I told the professor, “hi I am going to do an 8 minute full colour animatic in two months while taking a full course load of classes” and he said

So the plan became to begrudgingly take a 2-3 minute excerpt of the audio and just do that for the class. And I did! And it slapped!! Full colour, rendered paintings you know and love from floweroflaurelin, except they’re moving a little bit. And Pixlriffs is there talking.

I figured at the time that once the semester was over I would paint the other 6 minutes of the animatic on my own time!! How hard could that be, right?? Except Things Kept Happening With School, and once it was over I was moving to a new place and getting sick and Tango’s desk mat took priority, and suddenly it’s over a month later with Do Those Other Six Minutes still on my to-do list.

The real kicker was that one of the Things That Happened With School resulted in me not getting feedback on the project—the teacher wasn’t able to really look at it. I got a grade, but a series of ridiculous circumstances meant that all that work was only briefly glanced at and a grade hastily entered, which was frustrating and resulted in me resenting the project a bit, since I worked hard on something I loved and it got no appreciation at all.

I’d love to share it with people who would appreciate it, which is to say, other fans!! But the thing is—as much as I want it to be Done the way I intended when I storyboarded it out initially, I won’t have the time to paint those six minutes any time soon: Huevember is in a couple weeks, and that’s a big commitment! But in my mind it’s not a complete project unless it’s a Complete Project. So I’ll put the question to you:

So yeah let me know! I’m still pretty busy but either way I want to revisit the animatic, either to paint more frames or to get it prepped for posting (something I’m not sure how to do yet).

(Also good news about Things Happening With School: I graduated yesterday!! Bachelors degree with honours, baby! Maybe now that school is behind me I can turn a new page where that project gets shared 😆)

[spot-splatter-splash]

We all know I love the Storm E. era content for this franchise (Lalaloopsy Girls & We're Lalaloopsy). But! I'm willing to admit that it is flawed. As much as I put it on a pedestal for it's humor, It's only fair that I acknowledge the strong point of the Webisodes and Nick Jr. Series. The animation.

Where I (personally) feel that the later pair adds more in terms of personality for the cast with the dynamic between Storm E. and Jewel being my favorite to watch and explore. The animation in those series does feel stiff when held next to the earliest set of media.

A lot of the time Its because of how sharp the joints are when they bend as opposed to the earlier series rounding them out. That created the ragdoll feel that the later series lack which breaks immersion.

This could have been a budgeting issue due to the declining popularity of the franchise. The puppet style animation bends at odd and sometimes sharp angles. Which breaks the illusion of them being rag dolls.

Mind you there is a way to make that style look good, if im not wrong the earlier series were rigs too. Just designed with more attention to the ragdoll feel. The bendiness of the limbs and squashing and stretching for emphasis when interacting with certain objects. Good examples that come to mind are Mouse and Pix E. In the episode Flight Plan And Peanut. In general Peanut has some of the cleanest animation.

While I hail the later series for the personality they give the characters that is not to say I think the eariler media is boring or does it poorly. I find the Webisodes and Nick Jr. Series really cute and pleasant to watch. But they also had more characters to work with and had to split that attention between them.

I have seen comments about the cast being boring in We're Lalaloopsy. A criticism which is subjective of course. But one I struggle to see. (I also see a lot of people shoot Storm E. down as being too mean. A rant for another post surely).

And while I acknowledge the subjectivness of it. I think Jewel, Storm E. and Spot are really well done in that series.

Spots is still an energetic artist who doesnt mind a mess. But added onto that she doesn't like conflict, struggles to voice her thoughts when frustrated, get attached easily, is eccentric and pleasantly weird, sensitive and forgiving almost to a fault. And yet still stands as her own person capable of putting her foot down when she reaches her breaking point. Shes lovable and I adore a weird girl whos just so comfortable being weird.

Jewel is clearly rising the ranks of favoritism. Shes still 'perfectly perfect' Jewel having a checklist for everything she deems important enough too. But now shes someone who can be easily frustrated, doesn't enjoy her schedule or plans being disrupted or altered, kinda of ditzy yet not entirely stupid. She focuses on herself to the point she talks over others and cant see that shes being an issue and has to be reined in. Perfectly perfect Jewel is actually wildly flawed. Shes not malicious but can come off as hostile or petty. Shes dramatic, a primadonna, self richeous and sometimes holier-than-thou and needs to have others correct her or to fail to learn and better herself. I am wildly enamored by this. She sucks shes my favorite. Her flaws are what makes her so fun to watch.

Finally Storm E. Shes polarizing and due to her being the most recent doll to make it into the animated series theres not much to compare her to. By design shes suppose to be the odd one out. A black sheep. I see a lot of critique about her being too different which is the point. Shes often yeilded as this unlikable asshole by some of the really critical fans but I feel that doesnt do Storm E. justice.

Shes different by design in both media shes in. Shes has a dry sense of humor, isn't as comfortable with affection as the other girls, isn't as open about her feelings as others, tends to fall to the back of the pack and a bit of a loner. But she's not a bad person. She does care about others she just has a hard time showing it. It does bother her when she hurts other people with her behavior.

We're Lalaloopsy handles this with her dynamic with Spot and Jewel. Spot is someone she has a soft spot for. Shes more open to Spot being in her space and feels like Spot kind of gets her as another artist. Spot likes Storm E. as she is. Her personality isn't the problem to Spot, it's certain actions that are. And that soft spot for Spot doesnt stop Spot from getting hurt. Storm E. (like Jewel) doesn't necessarily intend to harm others with her behavior. Intent doesn't negate hurting someone and Storm E. learns that. She does feel remorse and is apologetic. I like that shes never urged to be more like the others just corrected when her actions hurt someone.

Which is why her and Jewel work so well. They parallel eachother. Both of them have a tendancy to focus on and put themselves above others without any real malice behind it. Jewel needs to feel important and Storm E. feels she had to be independent. Storm E. is misunderstood and Jewel is melodramatic. Theyre polar opposites on the serface yet are so similar when cross examined. They clash but also relate to eachother.

The others get unique little peronality quirks too. Crumbs is very particular to an obsessive degree, Rosy will put herself last at the expense of her own well being and is anxious, Dot frequently fails, yet is excited by any chance to invent something.

Tangent oops, this post is getting long. The point is every bit of media for this series has merit and def worth watching for whatever it offers. Could be a good laugh, clean animation, fun dynamics, or a unique take on an old favorite.

Feel free to ask me about characters I can write essays about some of them. I know I haven't talked much about proper reboot stuff and thats because I'm in the process of watching everything I can to get a feel for the extended cast.

[spencer-reid-in-a-pool]

It Was You All Along (Part 7)

Author’s note: So that wasn’t much of a break, but I couldn’t resist! Here is the next installment of the series, featuring a meme I made myself to reflect the vibes of the first half of this part! And yes, it is supposed to be that pixely. It adds spice. Also, I tried to be as vague as possible describing reader’s outfit towards the end so that you could imagine it the way you wanted! As always, feedback is appreciated, and I hope you all enjoy! Link to my ask box! 

Tags: @ayyyyitswednesdaymydoods @blackjay04 @weaselbee04​ @bravelittlesunflower​ @mxsmwndr​ 

A voice called for me, but I didn’t quite process it. I was too busy trying to fix this gigantic, gaping hole in Geralt’s trousers. Melitele knows if I don’t do it, he would just walk around with it decorating his attire. 

The voice called for me again, but this time I ignored it on purpose. If I lost concentration, I would prick myself with the needle...again. And I didn’t really want to turn my fingers into more of a bloody mess than they already were. 

I heard footsteps beside me, but I didn’t realize how close they were until a rush of coldness surrounded my body. Not only coldness, but wetness. A bucket of ice cold water had been dumped on me, causing me to scream and drop what I was doing as I stood up in shock. 

“Julian!” 

His real name still felt unfamiliar on my lips. I had taken to calling him that every so often, usually when I was angry with him, or when I was messing with him. It was for that reason, I think, that he froze so suddenly when I spoke. He wasn’t used to it either, even though he was the one that suggested I start using it more. 

The bucket made a small thump sound as it hit the ground beneath us, and Jaskier raised his hands up in an apology. But he also backed away like a scared animal. I almost felt bad for him. Almost, but not quite. 

“Now, (Y/N)...I was just trying to get your attention is all. It’s quite important, you see.”

I gathered my skirts in my hands and stomped towards him, scowling and shivering the whole way. 

“What could possibly be so important that you couldn’t wait until I was finished? And what made you think dumping cold water on me was a good idea?”

I didn’t give him a chance to respond before I starting running towards him, my clothes making a sloshing noise against my skin. A string of curse words left his mouth as he took off trying to get away from me. He could be quite fast when he wanted to be. But no way was I going to let him get away from me that easily. 

As soon as he picked up speed, so did I. He wove through the trees surrounding our campsite, going in between them like a maze. Eventually we made it back to where we started. My spot was near a tree and the pants I had been working on were visibly in a bunch on the ground. But behind that was the river that I’m assuming the idiot got the water in the first place. I wonder if I could lead him back there... and “accidentally” knock him in.

As luck would have it, I didn’t even have to put that thought into action. He had made his way to the edge of the river, and turned quickly on his heel trying to run away from me again. But he slipped on the muddy bank, and fell right into the water himself. 

Coming to a stop, a sharp laugh came from my chest suddenly. And I laughed even harder when he bobbed above the surface, hair sticking to his forehead and his fancy doublet soaked. 

“That’s what you get!” I yelled to him between bouts of laughter. 

While Jaskier pulled himself out of the water unceremoniously, I heard more footsteps behind me followed by a thud. Geralt must be back. Only one man I know could walk and sit down that heavily. 

I turned towards the sound, and sure enough, Geralt was sitting down on the log he had claimed as his earlier. He took one look at me and one look at Jaskier who was now standing on the bank of the river, shivering like his life depended on it. 

“I don’t even want to know,” said Geralt with a twitch of his eyebrow and a roll of his eyes. 

~

Night had fallen now. I couldn’t help but reflect on the past few months since that attack at our camp. Things had been pretty boring since then honestly. But I guess I couldn’t complain. Being bored was better than being in danger. 

Geralt was asleep and snoring at an unholy volume. This of course caused a glance between Jaskier and I, and sent us into a fit of silent laughter together. The kind of laughter that had your stomach hurting and your mouth open with no sound. The kind that had you grabbing onto your friend for dear life. Which is precisely what the two of us were doing right now. I had such a grip on Jaskier’s arm, I thought he surely must be in pain. But if he was, he made no mention of it and kept laughing with me. 

However much time had passed, it seemed to only be a few minutes. And I still had my hand on his arm, although my grip definitely lessened. He didn’t notice this either, and simply looked into the dying flames with dried tears from his laughter on his cheeks. My gaze lingered a moment too long on his cheeks, and I began to think about how gentle his eyelashes looked against his skin as he blinked. 

Heat rose in my cheeks and I silently withdrew my hand from his arm. This seemed to catch his attention though. 

“Composed yourself now? Don’t need to steady yourself from anymore laughter?”

There was a glint in his eye as he asked me the questions. I had to keep from smiling. 

“That depends. Got any jokes?”

He stood suddenly and rested a hand on his chin, making it seem like he was deep in thought. 

“You look as if you are composing a new song, Julian.”

“I’m a musician, my dear, I am always composing.” 

He paced around the fire, which was even lower than before. The way he took everything so seriously was something that entertained me, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself because of it. 

Suddenly, he opened his mouth in a silent “Aha!”

“(Y/N), why must you never use a broken pen?”

I paused for a moment and scrunched my face in thought, trying to come up with an answer. But before I could, he delivered the punch line. 

“It’s pointless, darling.”

I snorted at the same time Geralt groaned. The fucker was awake. 

Jaskier almost jumped out of his boots at the sudden noise, which only caused me to laugh again. The pain in my stomach from earlier was back, but I couldn’t keep from laughing. 

“Have you been awake this whole time, Geralt?” Jaskier yelled in surprise. 

“Long enough. Don’t you have anything better to do? Like sleep?”

Jaskier open and closed his mouth a few times before settling on a simple, “Right,” in response. He then took his spot a few feet away from Geralt and laid down for the night. 

“Goodnight, Geralt.” Jaskier said with a stifled yawn.

Geralt simply grunted in return, rolling over so his back was facing Jaskier. 

“Goodnight, (Y/N),” Jaskier called in my direction. 

“Goodnight, Jaskier. And goodnight Geralt!” 

“Hmph,” was all I got in response. 

There was a silence over our camp now. But it was too quiet. The kind of quiet that felt like it would be broken at any moment now. Jaskier’s voice was what broke it, of course.

“Goodnight, Roach.”

“Oh, yeah! Goodnight, Roach and Lily!” I called out excitedly. 

“How could I forget Lily? Goodnight, Lily!” Jaskier parroted. 

“Oh, for the love of-” Geralt groaned loudly, sitting up and gathering his things. He promptly moved farther and farther away from us, settling on a spot under the cover of darkness in the trees. 

I snickered to myself as I got my things ready to lay down. Annoying Geralt had become one of our favorite things to do together over the past few months. 

It became silent again, and I could hear Jaskier’s even breathing now, signalling that he was asleep. I had the feeling I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Call it instinct, I guess. 

I laid down on my back and stared up at the sky. Jaskier and I were closer than ever, and it was so nice. But I needed more. I craved more. They say time heals all wounds, but my heart was still shattered after all these months had gone by. I was still so in love with my best friend that it hurt. Even more than it did before. 

Jaskier had been acting differently lately though. He called me more nicknames, and he was even more of a flamboyant disaster than when I first met him. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him with any random women in bars or taverns anymore. Could he-? No. No way. I must be out of my mind. 

My fingers instinctively went to the dagger Geralt had given me a while ago. Sometimes I would run my hands along the inscription, trying to remind myself to be brave like it said. I could almost laugh at myself right now. I was being anything but brave when it came to Jaskier. 

“Could you please calm your nerves down? I can feel them from over here,” a gruff voice said in the distance. Geralt. Of course.

“Sorry to disturb you. Maybe you should move to another new spot, even farther away. Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to ask. How is Yennefer?”

I didn’t have to have Witcher senses to feel how that comment landed. 

~

Morning came much more quickly than I was hoping it would. It meant today was the day we had to get moving, which meant we would be moving closer to the situation I had been trying to avoid thinking about. The ball. 

I seemed to be the last one awake, and I could feel the energy as soon as I had rubbed the sleepiness from my reluctant eyes. Geralt sad brooding in the corner of our camp, and Jaskier was flitting about getting everyone’s things together. It was easy to see who was excited and who was not. 

“Today is the day, you sad sack of...sadness,” Jaskier vocalized in regards to Geralt. 

“I know. Don’t remind me.”

I almost laughed as I sat up from my spot on the ground. Geralt wasn’t looking forward to this, and truth be told, I wasn’t either. At least part of me wasn’t. The other part couldn’t help being excited in a childlike way. I had never been in a castle before, let alone a ballroom. Although I couldn’t help but feel like I would be out of place, and painfully so. 

“Don’t look so excited, Geralt.” 

“You weren’t there. You don’t know what happened at the last one.”

I winced and realized that he was right. Although Jaskier had told me some of what happened, I was almost certain that he watered down the events of Pavetta’s betrothal ball in doing so. 

The man in question turned to look at me, apparently just now realizing I was awake. 

“There you are! Come on, we are losing daylight!”

“Jaskier, do I even really need to come? Geralt is only going to be your body guard, so I don’t really have a purpose.”

“Don’t be silly. You must come! We couldn’t just leave you by yourself for hours at a time. These things do tend to take a while.”

I rolled my eyes and stood, stretching as I did so. 

“I am a grown up, you know. I can take care of myself. Afraid I might get kidnapped?” 

Jaskier scoffed and continued packing, mostly ignoring my comment. But it was true, I could take care of myself. Geralt had taught me some things with the dagger over the past few weeks, and I felt confident in my abilities. 

“Well if I must go, at least be careful with my dress and things. I’m sure Yennefer paid good money for them.” 

“The witch probably stole them, more like.”

I watched as Jaskier carefully started packing my things, and tried not to cackle when Geralt made a comment about shoving his foot somewhere it didn’t belong in reference to Jaskier. 

Today was going to be quite...something. 

~

Since we had done most of the travelling yesterday, what was left for today didn’t take long. We made it to the castle in no time it seemed. 

Lily and Roach were tied up in the stables, in the same stall actually. I was quite happy that the stable master was willing to do that. They always seemed to enjoy each other’s company. 

I sat in my borrowed room getting ready, and I was assuming that Geralt and Jaskier were in their own rooms doing the same thing. But that thought was at the back of my mind now as I looked at myself in the mirror. Or at least, what I think was myself. I didn’t really recognize the woman staring back at me. 

Yennefer had picked out the most beautiful, elegant, and intricate floor-length ballgown I could ever imagine. It was sleeved as well, with lace adorning them to match the bodice. The skirt was made of layers on layers, it seemed, and with every move I made it swished gently to follow. It was even in my favorite color. I wonder how she knew? I don’t remember telling her...

She had also gotten me some jewelry to match, and the metals and gems complimented my skin tone perfectly. How did she know all this? I had only met her once, and it was very briefly. I would have to thank her for all this later. 

Not long after I had finished getting dressed, jeweled, and made up, a knock sounded at my door. 

“Come in,” I called. 

Jaskier entered in his outfit for the night. It was a dark, silky purple with golden accents along the doublet’s center, and my breath hitched in my throat when I saw him in the reflection of the mirror I sat in front of. 

“You look breathtaking, darling,” he said in a whisper as he approached me. 

Hopefully he didn’t notice the blush creeping up the sides of my neck. I don’t think I would ever get used to his names for me. 

“You don’t look too bad yourself. Compare that to when you fell into the water yesterday and looked like a dying animal, you basically are a different person.”

Jaskier feigned anger, but I could tell he was amused. 

“Do you like your clothes? I made sure to tell Yennefer all your favorite colors and shiny things.”

My heart skipped a beat. He had told her all of that? I didn’t even know that he knew those things about me.

I stood before really thinking about what I was doing, and turned to face him, the shock evident on my face.

“You told her all that? I didn’t know that you knew such trivial facts about me...Thank you.”

He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. 

“Of course I know. And it was no problem. I had to make sure she didn’t dress you in an unflattering way.”

I tilted my head in thought, almost as a reflex, and it caught his attention. 

“What are you thinking about, (Y/N)?” Jaskier asked me quietly with a crooked smile. 

“I seem to be thinking about everything and nothing at once...but I am mostly wondering how you convinced the people hosting this ball to let me in. Geralt is your security, of course, I get that. But how did you get me in? I’m no one special.”

He was silent for a moment and stared at a spot past me, for almost so long I didn’t think he would reply. But then he did, with an odd look on his face that showed happiness and some other emotion I didn’t recognize. 

“I told them you were my muse. A musician cannot perform without their muse.”

My mouth twitched as if to fall open in shock. but I didn’t let it. I didn’t want him to see how this affected me.

“I’m your what?”

“My muse. You know, inspiration?”

I shook my head furiously, matching the speed at which my heart was beating.

“I know what it means. But why did you tell them that? You couldn’t have come up with a better excuse to get me in here? You didn’t have to lie to them.” 

You couldn’t have come up with a better excuse in order to keep me from getting my hopes up?

He looked at me with a smile. But it was a pained smile. Then for a second, it looked like he might speak. Until Geralt passed by the open door way and told Jaskier it was time to go. The crowd was waiting on him. 

I stood frozen in the same spot I had been in, and I watched them leave. First Geralt, then Jaskier following behind him. At the last second before leaving the doorway, he stopped, placing a hand on the frame. 

Finally he turned to me, and looking over his shoulder, he simply said:

“I didn’t lie.” 

[askzloyxp]

Got an anonymous ask saying “do you actually hate grian or just his awful fanbase lol”

Hoo boi, this is an interesting one. What are we, in highschool? “Do you hate Grian yes/no/maybe”?

Sigh. Guess, I really have been talking a lot of critcism towards Hermitcraft, but what people don’t seem to understand is that crticism does not equal negativity. Part of being a fan of media is to look at it with honesty, and praise what works in it, and see what doesn’t. Especially in online media, where the creators have an open line with the fans.

The role of criticism is to help make the next one better. It’s true with the mainstream media, it’s true with let’s plays. It’s a whole other deal when the criticism is just bad faith arguments mixed with slander, but I do believe this isn’t the case for someone who’s been praising Hermitcraft on a weekly basis for over three seasons now.

So do I hate Grian? - I physically can not. I don’t know the guy. We have no interpersonal relationship. We never exchanged a word. Pix did and he said it was lovely, so I’ll trust his judgement.

Do I hate Grian as an artist? - Hell no.

Grian’s videos are brilliant in more ways than I can count. In many ways Grian is the YouTube content I want to create myself: from s2 of Fullstack to current Truly Bedrock I’ve been trying to do the exact same thing with the skits, the roleplay and the giggles. I very much enjoy Grian’s videos, and especially his Hermitcraft series, I think it’s imaginative and clever.

So why then am I so negative towards him? - For one, I am not. To invite you for a moment behind the scenes, I am the one writing the Recap segments about him. Everything positive said in the recap are my words, with a little Pixlriffs wit sprinkled in. But our mind is structured in a way where we pay more attention to negativity, especially when it comes to a youtuber you are stanning for. So every joke and every clip of him I alter is resonating through our comment section with literal hundreds of voices. Even something as inconsequential as accidentally putting someone else’s nametag on a Grian clip can cause a giant uproar in the comments of the video (which doesn’t happen if I do that same mistake on say, ZombieCleo, btw).

So do I then hate Grian’s fanbase? After all, for over two years now they’ve been turning any Hermitcraft discussion into a Grian fanclub and their outcries are visibly affecting the Hermits’ creative output and flooding my own comments with unnecessary toxicity towards me Gang, I wouldn’t have them any other way. On a personal level I am a bit tired of seeing nothing but Grian stanning in the Hermitcraft spaces, but that’s a pretty minor inconvinience, and a very expected one: popular people are popular.

Back in s4 it was Mumbo stans. Then Iskall stans. Now we have a new golden boi, and stans are a bit louder, but otherwise it’s business as usual. And their hyper-defensiveness and downright gullability we’ve been using for the Recap’s benefit. It’s straight up fun to play with their expectations, even if sometimes it’s a bit too mean and blatant on my part (the nametag goof was the most fun I’ve had with comments in a long time lol).

But that too, really, is in the job description: one of the Recap’s mission statements is to bring more viewers to less known hermits. We don’t need to showcase Grian as hard as everyone else, because really, he already has more exposure than we could ever give him.

Hate is a strong word. I hate that iJevin is not at a million subscribers, cuz the fella wastes a ton of time per episode on grand timelapses only to get less love for it than a chicken who laid an egg (and it was funny).

Just because I complain about some people, doesn’t mean I want them out of the fanbase, and especially doesn’t mean I want them run over by a bus.

[isthisthingeven0n]

why does it matter ? : j.w

brief summary: dating jeff and being 20, but no one seeing how it can work with your age gap. 

thank you for the request! this was good to write as a twenty-year-old I’m forever being told someone is too old for me and I’m too young for them. it’s a relatable piece. enjoy!

* masterlistin’ *

( also I’m going to be offline for a week as of sunday, so if you have something requested and it’s not up by then, I’m working on it don’t fear! i’ll be back v soon)

“Really dude, she’s a kid.” Jason sighs heavily as Jeff remains seated, perched on the edge of the sofa as he finally told his friends the truth about his newest relationship. “I’m old enough to be her Dad.” 

Jeff knew it wasn’t something that would be well received, even if he had understanding friends the media would swarm over you until you were nothing. “She’s not a kid, guys.” Jeff speaks up, but the expressions from his friends that follow silence him back down. “She’s really good for me, and I’m good for her.” 

“Yeah, you’re good for her bank account.” Erin comments as she drinks her coffee whilst David sits beside her, not having a response as of yet. “Oh, come on Jeff,” Erin scoffs but Jeff remains tight-lipped, his fists clenching in frustration. 

“You’ve not even met her and you’re judging her over what? The fact she’s younger than me? Real mature,” He rises to his feet, tired of trying to justify the fact that he was happy for the first time in months. “Why can’t you guys be happy for me?” Jeff looks around the room, watching each of their facial expressions changing before David rises to his feet. 

Turning away from everyone Jeff begins to walk out of David’s house, finding no benefit in trying to alleviate their ideas of you. 

“Jeff,” David calls out and Jeff pauses at his car door. “I’m glad you’re happy dude,” He starts, but Jeff waits for the but, that additional comment everyone has to add. “and don’t listen to them, they’re just cautious for you, you’d do the same for them.” Patting Jeff’s arm, David turns back around leaving Jeff to let that ponder as he drives away, heading straight towards yours.

*

As Jeff pulls up to your apartment block he releases a deep sigh, finally noticing how white his knuckles are turning from clenching the wheel unnecessarily tightly. All he needs is some reassurance from you, to just see you is enough reassurance to know this is something he wants. 

Slowly he walks up to your door, knocking and patiently waits for you to answer it. 

A series of barks sound through the apartment and the sound of crashing quickly follows. Jeff smiles to himself, never tiring of your antics whilst dog sitting for your neighbour. 

With a flustered face, you open the door, letting out a sigh of relief as you realise it’s Jeff. “Oh thank god it’s you.” You mumble as you bend down, taking hold of Pixie by the collar to stop her getting out, again. “Honestly I cannot tell you how crazy today has been,” 

Jeff watches as you walk around your apartment. Books remain covering a series of surfaces along with scattered mugs of cold coffee whilst a fresh one remains in your hand. You look tired but slightly wired due to the caffeine. He started noticing the small things recently. How you always touch your nose when you feel warm or embarrassed or fiddle with your rings when you’re concentrating. 

Out of all of the little things he’s realised he adores the way your eyes scrunch up when you laugh, or more accurately when he makes you laugh. 

“-and then Pixie tried to get away during our walk because I didn’t feed her before we left.” You collapse down onto your sofa before sitting upright, smiling up to Jeff as he remains silent, slowly processing everything you just said. “Hey,” You call out as he focuses on the ground, his hands in his pockets. “everything okay?” 

“I told my friends about us,” Jeff tries to force the confidence in his voice, but it falters at the last second. 

Jeff lifts his head up to see you looking straight ahead, straight through him as you rub your lips together, nodding. “What’d they say?” You don’t want to ask, you don’t want to hear the response fearing it to be the worst. 

“It’s a divide,” He mutters before walking towards you and sitting by your side. “but they’ll get used to it.” A small laugh follows to break the uncomfortable silence between the two of you, but you can’t act the same. 

“What did they say?” You ask bluntly, blinking slowly as you remain holding the lukewarm coffee in your grip, half full. 

“Nothing we didn’t anticipate hearing,” Jeff mumbles and you close your eyes, taking a deep breath. “but it doesn’t matter what they think, baby.” He reaches out to place his hand on your thigh, but you shift away from his embrace. 

“Doesn’t matter? Jeff, they’re your friends.” You state as Pixie collapses into her bed, giving you that sorrowful look. “I know that we’re the only two people in this relationship, but realistically, we aren’t.” 

“But it shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks if we’re happy.” Jeff tries to justify it, but you shake your head. “So what? That’s it?” He scoffs as you remain quiet, fighting back the tears that you can feel in the backs of your eyes. “Unbelievable.” 

Jeff walks off, the door slamming behind him as you place the coffee down and walk towards Pixie. “Oh Pix,” You mumble as you bury your face into her as she licks away some of your tears. “I’m such an idiot.” 

*

“So you just stormed out? Like a child?” David asks as he pants heavily as Jeff continues to walk in silence whilst David trails behind him. “Come on, Man!”

Jeff stops abruptly, turning back to wait for David to catch up on the incline. “What was I supposed to do, Dave? She clearly wasn’t happy or willing to give it a go.” 

“I don’t think that’s true Jeff,” David states and Jeff fights back the thoughts agreeing with him. “clearly she means a lot if you’re willing to talk about her to our friends.” 

Rolling his eyes, Jeff continues to walk in the hope the heat will be enough of a distraction for his mind to stop thinking about you. “But she won’t be accepted, Dave. How can I date her and hang out with all of you at the same time? It’s not fair on her to not be apart of this, this part of my life.” 

“Ease the two together,” David suggests and suddenly his eyes widen with delight. “I’ve got an idea,” He finishes as he walks alongside Jeff as they continue their hike whilst David explains his plan throughout, hoping the idea might actually work.

*

Three gentle knocks on your door, that’s all it took to set Pixie off as she starts howling. “Pix, chill!” You yell as you rush through the apartment as you tie your hair back and open the front door. “Erm, hi?” You ask the stranger before you who has wild brown hair and a big grin on his face.

“Hi, you must be Y/n?” He asks and you slowly nod, glancing back to check Pixie was close by. “Sorry, that sounds like I’m a creep. I’m David, one of Jeff’s friends.” David explains and you release the breath you’ve been holding and smile.

“It’s nice to meet you David, but what’re you doing here? Me and Jeff aren’t exactly on speaking or really dating terms right now,” You trail off, not wanting to admit to yourself that the other day was it, the end of your relationship. 

“Well, Jeff can be an asshole and whatever he said, he didn’t mean. I hate to ask, but can you trust me, a stranger for about ten minutes?” He asks apprehensively and you raise an eyebrow. “Ten minutes, that’s all I’m asking.” 

“Alright,” You shrug your shoulder before grabbing your keys and phone, leaving a few treats for Pixie to devour in a matter of seconds as you close your door behind you. “but if you kill me, I know people who will make you suffer.” You joke and David laughs lightly as you follow behind him. 

David pulls up in front of a large house and as he parks, you watch as Jeff walks through the front door. He waves nervously to you and you climb out, suddenly unsure whether this was a wise decision after all. 

“Hey,” Jeff mutters as you stand in front of him as a small smile rises on his lips. “I’m sorry, baby. I was stupid to storm out.” 

You shake your head. “It was me. I was being dumb and I should expect there to be people who don’t agree with us, and that’s okay.” 

“No, it’s not.” David interrupts and you both turn, seeing a series of people stood along with David. “If you guys are happy, then that’s all there is to it, right guys?” David turns and the series of people around him nod. 

“Doesn’t mean we won’t take the piss out of you guys,” One voice calls out and you laugh lightly, feeling a weight slowly being lifted from your shoulders as Jeff turns back to face you, his hand reaching out towards yours. 

“So, what’d you say, Y/n? Give this another go?” Jeff moves closer, pulling your hand until your inches away and his smirk is only visible to you along with that glint in his loving gaze.

“I guess I can old man,” You mutter as you rise on your tiptoes, kissing him softly as a series of cheers sound from across the driveway. 

[capricorny-c]

Hermitcraft ask thing

1 - when and how did you get into hermitcraft? - I had just finished watching Grian’s Evo series and saw his first Hermitcraft episode. I followed from there.

2 - what was the first hermit you watched? was it hermitcraft or another series of theirs? - Lol, pretty much the same answer as the one above. I watched Grian originally, and I actually found Grian just through his build tutorials

3 - watched any past seasons? - I have not, not in their entirety at least. I did go back and watch all of Xisuma’s evilXisuma episodes though, just for fun.

4 - favourite hermit? - I don’t have a single favorite, but right now my top 3 are Doc, Grian, and Impulse.

5 - favourite duo, trio or group? - Oof, uh... I guess I’d have to go with Architechs, since they’re the ones I’ve seen the most of, but I also adore ZIT and the ConVex

6 - favourite server event? - Demise by far. That was so incredibly fun to watch, also, it got me to branch out and watch at least one episode for a bunch of hermits I’d never watched before.

7 - favourite build? - That’s a tough one, but I think it would be Scar’s volcano island base. That thing is incredible.

8 - what hermit’s building style do you like most? and does it influence/resemble yours? - I have to go with Grian, and yeah, I’ve definitely been improving my building based on his stuff.

9 - since watching hermitcraft have you started saying things the hermits say? if so, what are they? (ex. “core concept”, “-ificate”, “- of doom”) - Lol, I can’t say I have

10 - how do you go about watching hermitcraft? (do you wait until the end of the week and binge everyone’s eps? do you use youtube’s speed settings? do you listen while doing something else? etc.) - Hm, well, pretty much, I wake up and check my youtube notifications to see who posted while I was asleep, then go through them based on who I’m most excited to watch. So, say if Grian, Iskall, Mumbo, and Zedaph all posted, I’d watch them in that order. And generally speaking I like to just sit and watch, maybe while eating, but sometimes if they start getting into long-winded redstone things (especially Iskall or Mumbo) then sometimes I’ll scroll through tumblr while listening.

11 - favourite hermit to listen to? - Doc. 100%. I can listen to his voice all day every day. Impulse is a close second though, I’ve recently found I really like his voice.

12 - favourite inactive hermit? - I don’t think I have one, since I haven’t really watched any of the hermits that are currently inactive.

13 - do you watch the recap? - Yup, even though I watch most of the hermits, the recap is still hilarious.

14 - favourite intro/outro? (whether just a spoken one or an edited one) - Zedaph’s intro. I love the music and the editing and just, everything. It always makes me dance in my seat a little bit.

15 - watch any hermit streams? if so, who’s? - I try to catch any streams I can, particularly Impulse, Tango, Cub, and Doc.

16 - favourite hardcore hermits season/team? - I don’t think I have a favorite, but I’ve only watched 1 season of it, lol.

17 - have any episodes you constantly go back to? which ones? - Uh... Not really, if I re-watch things it’s usually in order, or because I’m looking for something specific.

18 - what’s your favourite thing about the fandom? - The fanart and fanfics. I’ve been following fanartists like crazy over the last few days, and spending tons of time reading fanfics. My favorite fics so far are ATUS and TWOL

19 - favourite hermit design? (whether yours or someone else’s) - Maci’s Tango (I mean, everything Maci draws, but right now, specifically Tango)

20 - favourite hermit skin? - Uuuuuhhh Ren? I guess?

21 - favourite hermit interaction? - All of it.

22 - know any cursed things about the hermits you wish you didn’t know? - I mean, I have a video compilation of Grian swearing? But I loving having that knowledge. XD

23 - what was your original opinion on hermitcraft/a hermit? did it change? - I learned about Hermitcraft through Grian, and I’ve loved it since he started. A specific hermit... I guess Keralis took some getting used to. I had a hard time with his accent at first, but now I watch him all the time so *shrug*

24 - favourite honorary hermit? (ex. scicraft dudes, zloy and pix, etc.) - I don’t have a favorite

25 - any hermit quotes that have stuck with you? -  "I mean if you wanna do me, I don't know... then I guess that's a deal we could make too." - VintageBeef to Keralis 

[warehouse13pod]

Show Notes 108A Duped - Part 1

Down the rabbit hole we go, Agents!

Here they are! At long, long last—the show notes for 108 “Duped!”

These notes cover 108 “Duped” Part 1.

You can listen to it in this embedded player:

Or on Youtube:

Let’s jump right in! 

Miranda and I started this episode with some fun facts about ourselves. Mine was that I once got a pillow from Sargento that said “Sweet dreams are made of cheese,” because I complimented it online.

First of all, here’s the song it references.

Now, here are the tweets of how it happened. Here’s the Tweet I saw from Warehouse 13 co-creator and legendary TV writer/producer, Jane Espenson and the conversation that followed:

And at this very moment, that pillow is serving as a laptop cushion.

Now, onto the show.

This week’s writer appreciation focused on another writing team, Benjamin Raab and Deric A. Hughes who shared some awesome behind-the-scenes pix with us on twitter! After we released the episode, Ben tweeted at us and told us the crew let Ben and Deric cameo on every episode they wrote/produced. Here’s the pic from “Duped!” They were on the elevator with Pete!

We got that tweet and some good corrections and fun facts from Ben and Deric themselves! What up, dudes‽

Miranda says that we start the episode “en media res” which means “in the middle of things” in Latin. Here’s a link to what it means in terms of narrative storytelling.

Later, we also compared Myka’s dress in the pilot…

…to her dress in Duped.

Great work by the costuming/hair/makeup team on emphasizing all the subtle ways that Myka was Not Normal™

Because we love to give due credit, so, the people responsible are

Costuming: Joanne Hanson

Hair: Susan Exton-Stranks

Makeup: Marie Nardella

We also have a good laugh talking about how Pete miscategorizes Alice in Wonderland as Chick Lit.

Alice in Wonderland is obviously not Chick Lit (although there’s nothing wrong with Chick Lit).

This led us to a brief discussion of how Miranda’s sister trolls her by calling “Doctor Who” Mister Who. That already wasn’t accurate, but now it’s especially inaccurate as The Doctor is a woman! As a side note, I personally would buy a T-Shirt that said “Mister Who” on it just to make a laugh. Anyone else? Anyone?

Next up, Miranda noticed that Pete was wearing a North Canton, Ohio t-shirt and connected the dots that Eddie McClintock himself is from North Canton. Further proof that Eddie and Pete are essentially the same person.

Speaking of Eddie, this is also the episode where we learned that Eddie was voted the 82nd Sexiest Man Alive, according to TVBuddy. Alas, alack, the link to the list is now dead. So I can’t link it. I tried.

Next, we talked about how amazing Eddie is at doing an impersonation of Myka sticking her neck out when she’s mad.

In the Warehouse, an artifactified disco ball plays Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Here’s that song:

When Act II starts we get some really orange lighting that plays right into our color theory. I couldn’t find a picture of that scene and Amazon won’t let me screenshot, but, in general, most cinematography of Myka in this episode is very orange. Here are a couple examples of how orange most things are that involve Alice in this episode:

Then we talked about how weird it was when Myka actually took one of Artie’s pastries.

Actual footage of my face when she took one:

Actual footage of my face when she took SECONDS:

Then we got the introduction of Gary and Jillian Whitman—this week’s red herring bad guys and focus of this week’s dual Actor’s Spotlight, courtesy of Miranda.

Gary was played by Niall Matter.

Miranda recommended watching the TV show he was on called The Best Years.

Jillian (my name-thief) was played by Erica Cerra.

Miranda noticed a subtle Walt Whitman reference and gave the dates of his life and Lewis Carroll’s/Charles Dodgson’s life.

Walt Whitman: 1819 - 1892

Lewis Carroll/Charles Dodgson: 1832 - 1898

There will be a lot more information about Lewis Carroll/Charles Dodgson in the show notes for Part 2 of this episode.

Then we talked about how Artie was a tad too aggressive in telling Claudia to “back off!” and how this all reminded us of a scene in The Importance of Being Earnest where two characters grumpily eat cakes. Miranda later specified that it reminded her of the scene where Jack and Algernon eat muffins. Meanwhile, it reminded me of the scene where Gwendolen and Cecily get passive-aggressive over whether tea should be enjoyed with bread and butter or with cake.

Here’s a snippet of the scene Miranda was thinking of:

 Algernon.  If it was my business, I wouldn’t talk about it.  [Begins to eat muffins.]  It is very vulgar to talk about one’s business.  Only people like stock-brokers do that, and then merely at dinner parties.

Jack.  How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble, I can’t make out.  You seem to me to be perfectly heartless.

Algernon.  Well, I can’t eat muffins in an agitated manner.  The butter would probably get on my cuffs.  One should always eat muffins quite calmly.  It is the only way to eat them.

Jack.  I say it’s perfectly heartless your eating muffins at all, under the circumstances.

Here’s a snippet of the scene I was thinking of:

Cecily.  May I offer you some tea, Miss Fairfax?

Gwendolen.  [With elaborate politeness.]  Thank you.  [Aside.]  Detestable girl!  But I require tea!

Cecily.  [Sweetly.]  Sugar?

Gwendolen.  [Superciliously.]  No, thank you.  Sugar is not fashionable any more. [Cecily looks angrily at her, takes up the tongs and puts four lumps of sugar into the cup.]

Cecily.  [Severely.]  Cake or bread and butter?

Gwendolen.  [In a bored manner.]  Bread and butter, please.  Cake is rarely seen at the best houses nowadays.

Cecily.  [Cuts a very large slice of cake, and puts it on the tray.]  Hand that to Miss Fairfax.

[Merriman does so, and goes out with footman.  Gwendolen drinks the tea and makes a grimace.  Puts down cup at once, reaches out her hand to the bread and butter, looks at it, and finds it is cake.  Rises in indignation.]

Gwendolen.  You have filled my tea with lumps of sugar, and though I asked most distinctly for bread and butter, you have given me cake.  I am known for the gentleness of my disposition, and the extraordinary sweetness of my nature, but I warn you, Miss Cardew, you may go too far. 

Both of those scenes take place in Act II.

If you read nothing else in these show notes STOP AND WATCH THE FOLLOWING CLIP!

Here’s a clip from an early movie adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest that features my favorite line delivery of anything ever:

Good luck ever looking at a handbag without thinking of that again.

While we’re on the subject, I played Cecily in the Importance of Being Earnest, so I’m legally obligated to share a couple photos of that as proof:

As a final note on the matter, you can read the entire play from project Gutenberg here (and I recommend that you do, because it’s one of my all-time faves.).

Later, Miranda and I wondered if the infinity tattoo on Myka’s ankle was Joanne Kelly’s or was something Alice did when they got to Vegas. I think someone tweeted at us about this awhile ago. If anyone has that info, I’ll update the show notes with that and credit to the Tweeter.

After that, we discussed Myka’s/Alice’s casual mention of Carson’s Rule of Linear Transfer and her assertion that it means “forced outcomes require tangency.” I posited that this rule is not a mathematic or scientific principle but rather a warehouse-specific rule. The only Carson’s Rule that Miranda and I could find when researching this was an unrelated rule about bandwidth. If you’re super into telecommunications, you can read more about Carson’s Banwidth Rule here.

Backing up a little bit in the episode, we discussed a little bit about the history of disco and disco clubs via exerpts from a written interview with Professor Carol Cooper.

She spoke with us about Studio 54, Vaughn Harper, and the roots of a Studio 54 laying in a black-owned club called Leviticus.

I didn’t mention it in the episode, but that makes the club in Empire (also named Leviticus) a truly nicely named homage to history. Bustle.com did a deep dive on that fact here.

Relatedly, when the disco ball drops earlier in the warehouse, Claudia does her own take on the Saturday Night Fever dance…

…then devastates Artie by incorrectly dating the Disco Era. Find approximate dates and more info here.

Then Miranda compared Deanna Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Tara Maclay from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

First of all, the episode of Buffy that we referenced was Season 4, Episode 16 “Who Are You?”

Second of all, we made a Buffy reference, so… You know… Take a shot.

Then we talked about Myka’s reaction to Pete referencing a rabbit’s foot as a lucky charm.

That was both a great reference to the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland…

…and a great reference to keychains from the 1990s and early 2000s. For those who don’t understand that reference, I was gonna link to some funny pictures from that era, but googling “rabbit’s foot” actually led me to down a sad path, so… like.. Not gonna share that.

Then we talked about how Pete saying “Kirk out

…was an improvised line that referenced Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series and the communicators they used as well as to the flip phones from the era just before warehouse 13 premiered.

Then, both Ben Raab and Eddie McClintock explained that the reaction on set to Eddie saying “Kirk out!” looked something like this…

…until the network gave them the all-clear.

Winding things down for this episode, Miranda and I figured out what a Roulette table looked like:

…and appreciated Claudia’s knowledge of CIA laser mics. Turns out, laser microphones are really a thing!

Finally, for this week’s

~HEAVY THEMES~

…we talked about how off-putting Miranda and I found it when Alice (as Myka) drank both on the job and in front of Pete.

Not all people in recovery are triggered when people drink around them, but some are.

Here is an article from American Addiction Centers on how best to support an alcoholic and support their recovery.

If anyone has resources that they find helpful, we’re always happy to add them to these show notes or create a page devoted to resources for things discussed in our Heavy Themes sections. 

And, with that, we are done with Part 1!

 See you next time, Agents.

[clairebeauchampfan]

Tripe. Bollocks. Absolute tosh. Deliberate distortions?  Anyway, how would they know? Many ES claimed they only watched the first three episodes, then gave up because there wasn’t enough sex..(I mean, intimacy). did these people watch the whole series? Were they paying attention to what was actually going on? 

gaelic-fullmoon-lady

Only at the start…😩 Season 4 she’s soap-opera-equipment

accardi1921

Yeah,where did this character go she's talking about? Not badass in S4 & doesn't always have to be but S4 Claire was Just so unhappy looking.

mylessanchez

Session 4 she’s an after thought.  She had nothing in season 4.  She entertained his admirers and rubbed his shoulders.  Had to have irked Cait to no end

Etcetera etcetera (and ‘liked’ by people who should know better) . What a load of absolute cobblers. So here we go, Claire apparently had NOTHING to do in Season 4. Perhaps they’ve forgotten. Most likely they just blindly followed the reviews of people who were absolutley determined to be negative about the Season, about Outlander  and about Caitriona Balfe, as they  have been since 1st January 2018. I wonder why? 

Episode 1 Claire rescues Bonnett from hanging. Badass Claire  Claire sets off with her husband into a new land where they have only one relative, aunt Jocasta  Claire loses her wedding ring; has presence of mind to swallow one. Badass Claire.

Episode 2 Claire encourages Jamie to reject Aunt Jocasta’s inheritance; a life of ease and luxury, because she can’t own slaves. She faces down the lynch mob; patches up Rufus, then has the courage to give him a poison to spare him from a lynching, thus breaking her hypocratic oath - first, do no harm. Badass Claire much.

Episode 3 Claire sets of with her husband into the wilderness. She can ride a horse, confront ghosts, load and fire an eighteenth century rifle. Claire is badass Claire

Episode 4 Dr Claire fixes up Myers and , husband wounded after confrontation with the man bear: makes friends with wise woman from  potentially hostile indigenous people, the Cherokee. Does Claire run screaming back to civilisation? No, Claire is badass Claire. 

Episode 5. Dr Claire brings baby into world. No epidurals, no midwife....Dr Claire is badass doctor.  Dr Claire stops Mueller from starting war with cherokees by interposing herself between them. Badass Claire. ‘Vulture’ recap:  “Claire gathers her gun, Rollo, and some decent beef jerky, and hunkers down in the cabin. She’s terrified, but in a very badass way. Mueller finally arrives, but not to kill Claire — he wants to make sure she’s okay. He also wants to give her a gift. In a horrifying reveal, Claire opens the package to find Adawehi’s scalp. I’m sorry, but the fact that Claire hasn’t had some type of breakdown yet after suffering through an unreal amount of atrocities just seems ridiculous at this point. But she soldiers on. She throws Mueller out, gives Adawehi a proper (as proper as she can) send off, and still, the carnage continues”

Episode 6  Dr Claire saves Lord Johyn from the measles, survives having her husband’s would-be gay lover and Jamie’s by-blow son drop in on them, exchanges some brutal truths with Lord John. Badass Claire

Episode 7 Yeah, okay, Claire wasn’t in THIS ONE frigging episode. Oh My God! Her badass daughter is instead. 

Episode 8. Dr Claire works with her husband to save Murtagh from arrest, performs operation on local corrupt official . As Vulture says:

“There is chaos! There is commotion! Claire says he needs surgery immediately or he will die! Even in the midst of this, men are like, “But you have a vagina, how can you wield a scalpel!?” Honestly, Claire should just let Fanning suffer, but she’s a professional, so she orders everyone INTO THE LOBBY to get set up for emergency surgery. Meanwhile, she gets the low-down from Jamie, who needs her to distract Tryon as he runs off to warn Murtagh of the trap; Tryon can’t know Jamie’s gone.

Jamie uses George and Martha Washington as a sort of Colonial Lyft to get to Fergus and Marsali’s (they had a boy, BTW), and has Fergus find Murtagh while Jamie tries to slip back into the theater unnoticed. Don’t worry guys, it all works out! Although, it’s a little unsettling that Tryon knows exactly who Murtagh is. Keep an eye on our guy, Jamie!

And sure, saving Murtagh is exciting and all, but the most exhilarating part of the entire excursion to the theater is Claire, back in her element, crushing some impromptu surgery. Before you know it, she’s three knuckles deep in that dude’s abdomen and not even breaking a sweat. Governor Tryon is impressed, Fanning’s dummy doctors are impressed, we’re all impressed. You also must remember that while Claire is successfully performing surgery under less-than-desirable circumstances, she is also successfully saving her husband’s ass by distracting Tryon. She manages both tense tasks with a cool composure. Never forget that Claire’s the true hero of this show. If only the entire episode had just been Claire, Jamie, and George Washington”

Episode 9. The reunion. Claire is bowle4 over by her badass daughter travliing back through time to warn her mom about the fire. Claire , badass Claire, says nonchalently: we’ll just go have a holiday every year on that day. 

Vulture recap again:

“Brianna is pregnant and Claire figures it out. After a hilarious fight about why Brianna didn’t pack condoms for her trip to the 1700s (moms are moms no matter the century), Bree confesses that it might not be Roger’s baby, and the truth (without naming Bonnet) comes spilling out. This is definitely Sam Heughan’s episode, but can we give it up for how incredible Caitriona Balfe is in this scene as Claire processes a whole slew of emotions at once? “

Episode 10 No much badassery, to be sure . Here’s Vulutre again to remind us:

“As important as that Jamie-Bree conversation is, and as nice as their shared moment commenting on how at peace Claire seems in the wilderness is, the parent-child moments in this episode that moved me the most belonged to Claire and Bree. The ladies talking about what they missed back in their time — cheeseburgers, Led Zeppelin, and toilets that flush, to name a few things — was a rare lighter scene on Outlander, and brought me so much joy! Claire compassionately and tactfully discussing abortion as an option for Bree was a great reminder of both how Claire is a woman ahead of her time literally and figuratively and of the strength of this mother-daughter relationship. It’s all pretty great.

and Badass Claire takes the side of her daughter against the man she loves, like a real mom! And rides into the wilderness to find and rescue roger from that seriously badass tribe, the Mohawk, just a 700 mile ride away in upper NY state. Badass? 

Episode 11 Vulture again; my memory’s not what it was

Regardless of their scant airtime (in this episode) , Jamie and Claire get the best scene of the episode — maybe the best of the season.Things between Claire and Jamie are still very icy since separating from Bree, and no amount of ignoring it to focus on Claire’s fabulous headband will change that. Even Ian is begging Mom and Dad to make up. Finally, Claire gets to a point where she just can’t watch Jamie in so much pain over what he’s done to Brianna.She (Claire) he goes to him in his tent one night and explains that she’s not mad at him — she’s mad at the world. She explains that after Frank died, she and Brianna shared secrets and they belonged to them — so she’s sorry she didn’t tell Jamie about Bonnet as soon as she found out, and she blames herself for this entire mess. She explains that their marriage is different now because they’re parents. Listen, you guys, two people talking about the difficulties of balancing being a parent with being in a marriage is typically a snoozefest, but Balfe and Heughan are just so freaking good together (what’s new, I know) and imbue such vulnerability and honesty in this moment (I’m still sobbing over Jamie admitting that he’s worried both Bree and Claire think Frank was the better man), that I’ll be thinking about this scene for days. Sure, after Claire assures Jamie that Bree didn’t mean what she said and knows that Jamie for sure didn’t mean what he said and they both say “I’m sorry” and they both wipe away tears from their gorgeous faces, they have sex in that tent

Episode 12 OMG this episode didn’t feature Claire. Shock, horror

Episode 13 Badass Claire and her husband try to rescue Roger from the Mohawks. it all goes wrong. There’s a fight. Badass Claire is wearing the stone from the future! How badass do you have to be as a woman to go, outnumbered, under armed, into the wilderness, to rescue your daughter’s husband from a people whose track record is um.er...(how can one put this in non-judgemental terms?)..to use extreme methods when putting people to death. 

So there you have it: ‘not badass’ in Season 4? In Season 4 as an afterthought? Soap opera equipment ? She had ‘nothing’ in Season 4? I’ve gone on about how Cait-Haters have misused pictures of Claire holding her arms (which she does in EVERY season) as proof she is unhappy. Well, lots of unhappy things happen in Season 4, to Claire, to her friends, to her daughter. It would have been odd if she’s looked happy the whole time, wouldn’t it. I know I’d have been terrified, most of the time, in her position. Here’s some pix of Claire looking sad in Season 4.  

#Badass Dr. Claire Beauchamp

[purplerose244]

MY THOUGHTS ON SEASON 11'S TEASER!!!

If you haven't watched it go check it out!!

https://youtu.be/e7SKe4ROa5g

FOR EVERYONE ELSE SPOILERS FROM THE TEASER!!!

...

... okay, first of all, I'm super hype for the fighting scenes!! Like, the flames and the powers in general look so shining and good? ❤💙💚🖤💦💎

To be completely honest the landscapes don't look that great, and it's a bummer because it was my favorite thing from Hunted 🤔 But maybe It will look better in the actual episodes, I won't judge too much until I see the actual thing 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

And it looks like it's gonna have A LOT of content, which is fair since it's 30 episodes long 😍 Man I'm gonna enjoy every single minute, I wanna bake a LEGO cake for the occasion! 😋

Okay, going into a bit of theory mode:

IS THAT MY FLAME BABE?!??! 😱😱😱

So these egyptian serpentines have the power to absorb powers? Is that a thing? Poor guys, can't even use their powers long enough before someone steals them 😅

... while writing this I actually thought about something. That snake is stealing the power with his eyes apparently, basically facing bis victim. Which reminds me...

OKAY THAT WOULD BE AN AMAZING REFERENCE, I'M COUNTING ON THIS SEASON SO MUCH 🤩🤩🤩

There were a lot of hieroglyphs and pyramids around, so I'm half guessing the theme of the serie. Which is cool, why not, we had stranger things before 😉 On the other hand we also have those ice samurai from the leaks and THIS

That I don't know if it looks more like a dragon or the Great Devourer.... in any case HYPE!!! Also that digital vision, so cool, mah nindroid Zane definitely 😎 With life points, apparently? What are those things near his face 😂

From the teaser It looks like we're gonna have a few different arcs? Flame snakes, icy samurai, Evil Wu (I'll get there), and probably a vacation before all of this. I don't know, some frames look very different, almost reminding me the movie from legoland. I mean, between all this mess do they have time for this? 😂😂

... has the chicken taken Jay's power as well? I... I don't even know 😅 Let's just talk about all of our beautiful characters!! 🥰🥰🥰

So happy Pix is officially in the team 💜 I cry everytime she's on screen 😭😭 Been a while since she was only Zane's love interest 😎 I was waiting for Wolf Girl but apparently it's not her time yet, still very curious about her since in the teaser there is a scene with Nya and Jay fitghing some wolves. Waiting for it! 🐕🐕🐕

And now, while being over the top because of Antonia ❤ We also get HIM

LIL NELSON IS BACK!!! PURPLE NINJA IS IN THE HOUUUUSSSEEE!!! 💜💜💜

I was not expecting this and sure as heck I am not complaining ❤ So happy to see enough seasons passed for him to completely recover, and he's got a cool new friend (or sister, it could be, I don't really know)👍 I feel already attacked to Antonia knowing the story behind her character, I hope she's gonna be relevant, even just a bit! ✌✌

Also Clutchy Powers, which we knew about 👍 Who... is with Kai? Did my flame babe follow this old geaser into a pyramid and accidentally awakened the snakes that stole his power?... he did, didn't he? 🤦‍♀️ That's Kai for you, I love him but I wouldn't be surprised 😅 In any case that would make just the second ninja bringing the enemy out (looking at ya, Lloydy boy 💚) If you wanna go adventuring with an adult Kai, go with your dad!! BRING ME BACK RAY AND MAYA LEGO!!! 😡😡😡

Okay, here then we go with just ANOTHER villain, someone I did not expect to go ballistic

And after Tech Wu here we have another evil Wu 🤷‍♀️ I'm not against it, it's always a cool struggling for the ninja, I just wonder how is this gonna fit into the story with two other villains... mm, to be fair we also had the Overlord and Pythor back to season 3, so I might have a good feeling about this 😊

Of course, speaking of Wu, we cannot address the OTHER ONE. To be specific:

THE BABY DEMIGODS BOYS 💛🖤💛🖤

So I'm thinking, a flashback? Of these two into some kind of crypt? Wu... is there something you should've told us? AGAIN? 🤔 Or maybe it's his good self trying to break free from whatever curse got him, and so he's thinking about a past and more serene self?

Fascinating that Wu apparently warned them not to let their guard down and here he is, all berserk against them 😅 Is this the effect of the Forbitten Spinjitzu since he's holding what I think it's a scroll? Lloyd seemed to be overcharged as well (LOOKING AMAZING GREEN BEAN 💚💚), is he gonna get evil too or It's just super badass op?

Also...

IS THIS A REFERENCE TO THE MECH LLOYD USED AT THE END OF SEASON 2?? THE ONE FROM THE DARK ISLAND?? I hope so, I want my comebacks 😍 Maybe I'm just overthinking this, you never know

For now I can say that I love the battle sequences, I need to wait for the scenery, I can't wait to meet some character and... yeah, I'm waiting for the trailer 😊😊👍

And for Jay to deliver his usual stupid line that I love

Okay, I'm good now that I talked It out! I'd say we still have some questions, but I'm sure answers will come! See you guys around! 😙

[alcalavicci]

(Disclaimer: if you wrote this and don’t want it up, send me an ask and I’ll take it down)

Snippets of Geordie James’ letters to Claire, May-August 1974

Letter 1:

As you've probably noticed, there aren't enough of us Stockwell fans around. Before my first letter about Dean and Guy was published in the January issue of RBH [Rona Barrett's Hollywood], I felt a bit paranoid in my affection for them. I knew they must have fans somewhere, although maybe few and far-between. Now that I'm corresponding with several other fans of theirs, I can't believe it! I really enjoy exchanging praises about Dean and Guy. They are two subjects I never tire of reading or writing about. I hope you feel the same.

I know that when you wrote your letter, you didn't know how much I adore Dean -- as you've probably guessed by now, I've done as much research as possible on him. The one thing I didn't know about Dean was that he's living with Russ Tamblyn. I had heard from this fellow who wrote a book about former child stars that Dean "lives in Topanga Canyon with a very beautiful roommate." Now Russ Tamblyn is attractive, but I must admit I had something else in mind!

************

Your letter is very interesting and intelligent. This has been the case with all the Dean fans who have written me. If it's true that certain artists attract certain types of fans, I'd say that Dean definitely attracts mature and intelligent people.

Dean fans are generally older than are the fans of others, which prompts me to ask your age, if you don't mind telling me?

About myself -- I'm 27, a Pisces like Dean. In fact, his birthday is the day before mine.

*********

The most up-to-date information I've heard about Dean is that he was in Albuquerque in March of this year, on stage in a comedy called "Relatively Speaking." In an interview from the Albuquerque newspaper, Dean said that he would "prefer to exclude neurotics" in his roles in the future. He complained of being typecast, probably as a result of "Compulsion," his success at playing a poetic, deranged genius, his common character up til now. He said that he would like to do comedy and work with Mel Brooks. Reviews from the play raved that Dean was brilliant in comedy.

How does this news impress you? I ask because I'm wondering if you share my views, which are in complete sympathy with Dean. From that old "Bonanza" segment Dean did, I knew he had comedic sense that was very appealing. If you'll recall, that show opened with Dean playing a drunk, begging for whiskey in the saloon. When taken out of context from the story, that swaying, groping drunkeness showed a great scope for comedy. He is fantastic, able to play it up or down. It is Dean's subtleness, somehow, that makes him so great -- he could never be described as a ham, don't you agree? His acting style is convincing and he makes it look so easy! Just a look, the tiniest gesture, and he says everything. Dean definitely has a charisma, some sort of magic that only a few actors have shared. I often compare Montgomery Clift to Dean, which must be very terrible to do, but I consider Monty to have been the similar type of acting genius Dean is. I'd call it "realism," I guess. When an actor is charged with so much emotion in his work and is able to convey it without over-acting, that's something to praise.

**********

I'm sure I know that look you describe on Dean's face, that disgusted look. When reading this part of your letter, I could see him doing it, so you must have described it well. When I watch the adult Dean acting, I always wait for that subtle, quick scratch. Do you know what I mean? Usually it's his eyebrow that itches him, sometimes his nose. Somehow when I see his scratch, I know everything is all right. I realize I sound a bit like a nut here, but I'm so fond of Dean that I love his little quirks. I think if I ever saw him act when he didn't scratch something, I'd probably think something was wrong. Perhaps I'd better change the subject before I sound like a genuine nut!

*****************

Have you by any chance ever heard from Dean? I ask because no one who's written me has. Personally, I have written Dean half a dozen times at various addresses without any luck. For some time now I have been trying to get in touch with him and ask his permission about starting a fan club for him. All we Dean fans have agreed that we need some means by which we can keep abreast of his career, but the main snag is finding Dean. I'm continuing to try. Right now I have several lines out – if only I can get a bite.

Letter 2:

I agree with you completely in regard to Dean's scope for other characters beyond the neurotic ones. I've read several places about actors and actresses who really suffer prolonged, damaging traumas related to typecasting in neurotic and mercenary roles. Mercedes McCambridge blamed her alcoholism on just such typecasting, as one example. I heard from someone that Bette Davis said that celluloid villains were always the nicest people in Hollywood and now that I consider it, it seems to be so. I think Dean is very together, but all the same it must be very frustrating to see that producers invariably think of him as "the perfect nut" for the part. It is frustrating for any creative person to be confined to one outlet of expression.

"The Happy Years" is one Dean movie I haven't seen, but I'd really love to, especially now after you've described the scene in the classroom. I agree about his flair for comedy, though, in what I have seen of him. What bothers me most about Dean's dissatisfaction is that he just might give up acting, if only temporarily, if producers continue to see him as the perfect nut. This is a secret opinion, never before revealed to another soul, Claire, but have you noticed Dean's lack of enthusiasm for his most recent roles? In particular, that "Police Surgeon" segment, you'll recall, wherein Dean played a prosecuting attorney who was kidnapped in exchange for the mobster he was trying to convict. Dean's fire just wasn't burning very much in that part, unless it was my imagination. Was it? I thought it very refreshing that he played a Good Guy for a change, but something seemed wrong somehow. I don't know if you get "Orson Welles Great Mysteries" there, since we get it here through Canada and it is a British-made series, but Dean was fantastic in that. He had another Good Guy part, as an innocent fellow accused of murdering his girlfriend's husband. What, by the way, do you think of Dean's "ponytail?" I think that I'd love to see his hair let down long -- I'm very curious how he'd look if he "let his hair down." I like long hair on men, anyway, so long as it's not ridiculously long, but in a broader sense Dean's endears me to him more because of its obvious symbolism. Dean is unique, an odd mixture of flashiness and seclusion, a mystery. Someone called him a "male Greta Garbo" and in a way it befits him. I see him as very real, don't you? As a person one could talk to, though I'd probably be terrified to speak to him, I must admit. However, I'd love the chance to be terrified.

"Compulsion," which you mention for its fainting and rape scenes, is one of my favorite Dean films, although I feel like a traitor for saying that, since this movie was the most responsible for his typecasting, it seems. So much was left out of "Compulsion," probably because of the time it was made, but the homosexual relationship, the sado-masochism between Artie and Judd, the helplessness under Judd's superior attitudes. . . so much was trimmed and altered or left out entirely from the book, but Dean put back every word with his eyes, with his gestures, with those melting looks, the never-quite-smiles. For that reason "Compulsion" is one of my favorite films, because never did Dean say so much by saying nothing.

I think my favorite movie from Dean's childhood is "Home Sweet Homicide," so far, but I haven't had the opportunity to see them all. Dean was precious in HSH, don't you think?

Did I tell you last letter about reading how Dean worked as a field laborer in Mexico when he quit acting in his middle teens? I meant to if I didn't. Had you ever read about that?

Letter 3:

Protocol would have me first apologize for the small delay in replying this time and secondly thank you kindly for the adorable pix you copied of Dean for me -- but I know you will forgive me for being rude this time, since I have some fantastic news that just came today. First, I heard from Dean!!! Second, he wrote personally! And thirdly but not leastly, he actually authorized ME to start a FAN CLUB for HIM. Can you believe it? I am so excited that I have scarcely touched the ground all day, as you can imagine. I am absolutely thrilled! He wrote that he has never even felt inclined to endorse a fan club before this, "in all my years," as he phrased it, but recently he has had a change of heart and feels he should "involve" himself in the "give and take" between himself "and those who admire and enjoy my work." He writes a very intelligent letter, needless to say -- and he has told me to go ahead and conduct the club any way I choose and that he will cooperate as much as possible. I repeat, can you believe it? He said I should notify him of receiving this letter and he will write more and contribute information, which of course I did immediately.

***********

As for the fan club we'll be putting together, we will have to start out on a small scale and build through publicity. Of course, you and the other Dean fans who write to me are automatically members, which goes without saying, but we really do need the publicity to reach the masses of Stockwell fans. Have you any suggestions? Any help you can offer would be very much appreciated. I plan to order some printed ads to send here and there and of course I will try Rona -- I have the National Fan Club organization address somewhere -- they print ads, too. Right now I'm so excited that I feel like going door-to-door!

***************

No, I didn't get the Albuquerque interview from Richard. I received it from a very nice woman by the name of Olive White who lives in Albuquerque. She just happened upon my letter in Rona's mag and sent me the available material from the newspaper. We now correspond – she's very nice. Yes, I thought too that it sounded just like Dean to say "a bit of fluff." He has a really unique way of writing and speaking as himself, in my opinion, because he sounds very intelligent and yet very -- "free." If you know what I mean. That's a combination one doesn't find every day.

************

Dean mentioned in his letter that he has just returned from eight weeks location filming in the Phillipine Islands, but he didn't go into detail about it. I asked, of course, and I'll pass that information along to you as soon as he responds again.

I agree with you about that "Police Surgeon" episode Dean guested on. Like you, I feel he just didn't try to get into the part. I'm not sure I understand why an actor would accept a part that he wouldn't really give his best to, expecially when the actor is as gifted as Dean. (Only Dean is as gifted as Dean, come to think of it.) Perhaps it was a question of timing or maybe he was sick or something like that. I know

Dean is a veteran, though, and a trooper, and I'm convinced he could sing and dance with a 104 degree temperature if he wanted to -- I guess, in conclusion, the only thing that makes sense is that Dean didn't want to do the show and yet for some reason or another was obligated to. Perhaps he and the director were at each other's throats two minutes after they were introduced. Any speculations from you? I think I've run out of possibilities.

****************

On the question of Dean's ponytail, all I know is that he apparently had it still in March, during his Albuquerque run. The profile long-shot I received shows it clearly, but the photo was definitely inferior for copying material. I would assume he still wears it, probably lets his hair down at home. I think it's very becoming, don't you?

*****************

About your questions on Dean's marriage [to Millie Perkins], I have no facts, only gossip I've been collecting. I don't know how they met but the implication seems to be that it was through Fox, where both were under contract. They supposedly secretly married on a hiatus together and didn't reveal it til they had to -- they opened a bowling alley together -- how's that for a weird fact? Millie retired from her acting career and refused to fulfill her contract to Fox, which caused her several hassles. The general gossip is that Dean said one actor in the family was enough, what with the nomad's life actors lead and all the separations they might face, so Millie gladly retired, wanting only to be his wife. She followed him everywhere and they faithfully shunned photographers and refused to grant interviews. Naturally, Dean was blamed for making Millie "aloof" since he always had that "aloof" reputation. She married him in her heyday, career-wise, I would assume. In any case, I have a small clipping about Millie's reaction to the divorce which heavily insinuates Dean divorced her, and that she was heartbroken about it for awhile. She pulled herself together, one reporter observed, and was determined to "make a comeback" in films. A footnote to this, though, was that she was blackballed for her behavior during her marriage to Dean.

Letter 4:

As far as Dean's side of the club goes, he's still in there supporting and contributing his best. He said that he has no intention of withdrawing his support (I had feared that he might, since it took him so many years to agree to a fan club). He's sent me quite a bit of information, but more on that in a moment.

***********

The fact of the matter is, Dean has established personal communication with me and I am the only one he has entrusted with his home address and telephone number. In a way I am naturally very honored and in another way, I feel very MEAN indeed having this privilege when you and others love Dean as much as I do. But I'm sure you understand that I can't break Dean's trust because he has really given of himself a great deal to go this far. He told me that he intends to get a post office box number in his home (the city in which he lives, I mean -- Topanga) for the fan club members to use, if they'd care to write.

***************

Dean sent me a monstrous, fat collection of papers -- his biography, a copy of which should be sent to each member. It's several pages long and would cost a fortune for me to copy, just for a few members. Now I'm holding off having it copied myself, as I'd like to know if you could have it copied free of charge?

***************

I have constructed a newsletter about Dean's doings which I am getting copied immediately to be sent to the members of the club.

************

I have spoken to Dean twice and he is really wonderful, Claire! He is very kind and very natural. Naturally he is very intelligent and has an amazing kaleidoscope of interests. What impressed me singularly about Dean from the phone conversations is that he is very real, very easy. He gives one a very calm, happy feeling about things. My biggest thrill happened when Dean went off in a verbal fantasy, when talking about his hottest new interest, a martial arts form called arnis. He started to act, heatedly talking about this martial art. A performance for me alone. I smiled for days afterward!

*****************

I agree with you, I would like the club to be unique and mature, a true reflection of Dean's greatness. I certainly would not want the club to be teenybopperish, as you say, or in any way an embarrassment to Dean.

[qwertythepopstarian08]

Discarded- Gift Fic

A small gift fanfic for @wigglylefty, featuring their character Locust and my characters, Index and Artemis.

I wanted to explore the potential dynamic they could have if they met in less... dangerous times. Index has a lot of... issues with his past, and he tends to cling to powerful figures in his life, until he grows bored of them, or they grow bored of him.

In reality, he’s just projecting Celeste and Lovely onto them....

“And what is this supposed to be?”

Locust’s breath is still laced with traces of flaming heat, blowing against Index’s face as he approaches her. The giant’s head is rested against a softer surface of her nest, her many eyes half-lidded with a rare contentedness.

The robot, for all his bravado, has to force himself to muster up the will to speak, his words fumbling on his metaphorical tongue as he explains blankly, “It’s a Star Child. Her name is Artemis.”

The Star Child, Artemis, she was called, rolls towards Locust, letting out a series of soft, friendly cooing sounds. Artemis rests a nubby, fingerless paw on the beast’s snout, her dark purple eyes glinting in the light of her tiny body. 

She tilts her head, eyes full of curious light. Locust vaguely mirrors the movement, her many eyes briefly glancing over the orbular creature. Artemis giggles and claps her paws together.

And then, she does the unthinkable.

Index feels his heart nearly stop as the Star’s tiny jaws unhinge. He stumbles forth, vainly attempting to drag the baby away as she relentlessly crunches down on Locust’s nose.

Locust’s eyes widen by a fraction, and her lips pull back into a snarl. Index sees Artemis’s death flash before his eyes in a sort of false clairvoyance, and he jumps back, panic filling him.

His words leave him, rushing out like a waterfall as he rambles, “She’s not supposed to do that, I’m terribly sorry, Your Magnificence, she’s just a baby-”

He’s silenced by a snort of foggy smoke, the tiniest spark of corruption igniting within the air, enough to make him choke on his words, his breath halting as pain blossoms in his core. He glances at his paw, his claws slipping into the open, their sheaths aching.

A shudder races through him, his screen dimming.

Locust glowers down at the baby, who is oblivious to the danger she’s in. Locust could crush Artemis like a bug. Lovely had done the same to dozens of other Star Children, and she was a frail, tiny Fae. Index didn’t even want to imagine what the corrupted beast could do...

He whispers, feeling quite pitiful, “Please don’t hurt her… Artemis doesn’t know any better-”

“Does she have any parents?”

All traces of bravado evaporate, his voice cutting off with a squeak, dwarfed by Locust’s commanding, booming voice.

He robotically shakes his head. “No… she was created by the moon itself…” He moved so that Artemis could perch on his shoulder. She chirped and wrapped her arms around his neck, gnawing on his antennae. The bite sent pain rushing through him, but he ignored it, sighing, his voice becoming heavy with uncharacteristic sadness. “Star Children, children of Celeste… they don’t remain in the sky for long…. Celeste would have killed her if she had the chance.”

A dark look overtook Locust’s features. She tilted her head slightly, a low grumble escaping her.

“This Celeste… I’ve heard you exclaim her name quite a few times...” Her eyes narrow, their glow sparking with a distant irritation. “Is she some sort of deity in your homeworld?”

Index fidgets, fumbling for a response. How could he explain his realm’s laws to such a being?

… especially in a way that wouldn’t offend her…

He thinks back to his time with the Order, when he was forced to take on the accursed Celestial Madness, forced to become a monster just to remain in Lovely’s good graces. He loathed Celeste with all his being, resented the moon itself for its curse… the very curse that had rooted itself in his heart.

But, he realizes, how was Celeste different from Locust? In many ways, the astral being was worse, and Index had to admit… he did enjoy his time with Locust… very much so. Yet the small similarity made him squirm, and he wonders… is it just a matter of time until she twists his soul like Lovely had? Turns him into a tool of destruction, into a weapon… against his own will…?

He manages to whisper, “Celeste… she is the moon…” A pang of homesickness rushes through him, and suddenly, he’s drifting through his memory banks, reading off a script of his own distant recollections.  “She exudes control over all Fae...and twists them into beasts.” He catches himself, just barely,  just as he says, “In a way, she is similar to you…”

For a moment, Locust’s eyes widen, flashing with a certain glow that Index recognizes, a shimmer that only appeared when the giant was struck with an idea. A low chuckle escapes her, echoing through the air like the distant rumble of thunder.

Fear blossoms in Index’s core. He frowns.

“Celeste is a powerful creature… yet she is dwarfed in strength by you, Your Majesty...”

Locust pauses at that. Her maw splits into a grin, and she extends a foreleg, gently placing a claw upon Index’s head.

”Flattery will get you nowhere for speaking out of line…”

She lifts Artemis away from the Pix, who can do nothing but lower his head, accepting his fate. Locus coos and clicks, chirping softly to Artemis. The Star Child babbles and reaches for her face, awestruck by the many eyes…

The corrupted being hums, amused, “However, I am willing to pardon that… for the child’s sake…” She grins widely, showing off rows of fangs. Before Index can even sigh in relief, the beast adds, “and for a price…”

There’s a distinct snapping sound. Index cringes, nearly doubling over, clutching at his stomach. Tears well up in his eyes, and his vision blurs as metallic cracks and snaps fill the silence. Corrupted bile rises up his throat. The oil of his blood boils and churns, and a scream nearly rips from his throat as his screen starts to crack and crumble.

His wires explode into nothing but pain pain pain paIN PAIN-

As his vision fades to black, and his senses all go dull, the Pix distantly hears Locust chuckle, her voice filled with sadistic mirth.

“Now, Dexxie… you know how I feel about sycophants….”

All that she gets in response is a pained, gurgling cry. The Pix’s senses are alight with agony. He crumbles...

Artemis chirps and clings to Locust’s head. She hums, her voice filling with an almost parental warmth, a tone that the robot once heard directed at himself… 

Index was never the favorite, he realizes.

And now… he’s been discarded...

[legionnaireslover]

Answers to Mom anon post from @doctortwhohiddles blog...

I am not going to repost all of the original answer that Mom Anon wrote (nor the original post from @doctortwhohiddles) because of space and disruptiveness that would cause to any readers, but here's my take on Mom Anon's reply to @doctortwhohiddles...

About the Vanity Fair quote...

First MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

So she says she "thinks" the enthusiastic fans (who the Skeptic/Haters refer to as "Nans") are the "skeptics" Ben is referring to in this quote of his.

That is complete gobsmacking nonsense of course!

He CLEARLY isn't talking about enthusiastic fans! He is quite blunt right up front and identifies them as... the people who think his wife and children are PR stunts. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT ARE THE HATERS!

AND BEN KNOWS THAT! He also identifies these same people as CONSPIRACY THEORISTS ... and we ALL know which group is into THAT sort of thing (and it ISN'T the super enthusiastic fans!!!).

The part in which he zeroes in on their feelings of possessiveness about him directly related back to the Haters too. That's because, as Ben explained, this obsessive behaviour is what drives them to think that they are entitled to have a say in his private life, and AGAIN... ONLY THE HATERS ARE INTO THAT SORT OF BEHAVIOUR!

He NEVER once mentioned objecting to fans coming to see his plays more than once, NEVER mentioned fans giving him gifts are the ones who think his wife and children are faked, and NEVER once mentioned he has a problem with fans attending multiple conventions to see him!

So WHERE do people like this Mom Anon get this idea from?? How do the Haters make that enormous leap to conclude that?

Well, I think they are just saying this complete nonsense to try and justify their pathetic behaviour towards the Cumberbatches.

And if by chance they really DO believe this crap, then the Haters reeeeeeally should STOP trying to read Ben's mind and "interpret" what he means because they are ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE AT IT!

Oh, and one last point - what else could he have said... how about "no comment" ? That would have been pretty easy if he was finally asked about the nutters who have been saying his wife and family are fake.

But he chose to address it head on. So naturally the Haters, who have built a whole mythological structure around their obsession about his marriage and family, are going to just assume he was LYING when he gave an honest answer (even though, apparently, Haters like Mom Anon, actually believe he WASN'T talking about THEM when he decided to LIE about it... hey! That doesn't make any sense!!). LOL! CAUGHT YA!

About the second pregnancy picture...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

OK... so produce that "proof" photo, please! But it better NOT be just some undergarment that got bunched a bit! Or a bra strap showing! It better be absolutely CLEAR that it is a prosthetic, clear enough to identify the make and model (if Anna can do this then so can I )! It better be sharply in focus and that fake belly strap better be FULLY in view! (Not some wee bit of fabric that can't be identified as anything specific).

About the journalist not EVER seeing or saying ANYTHING about fake pregnancies of Sophie's...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

Wow! Yes, paps, photographers etc. Do snap pix very quickly. But IF all these pictures that the Haters claim are sooooo OBVIOUSLY showing her fake pregnancies, then how do these pictures EVER make it past the EAGLE EYES OF YGE MULTIPLE EDITORS WHO GO OVER THESE PIX WITH MAGNIFYING GLASSES BEFORE THEY ARE PUBLISHED (that's the way those things work... I ought to know - 40 years+ very close to the newspaper/publishing business)? Without them NOTICING anything "wonky" about THREE PREGNANCIES!!! And remember, it is the BUSINESS of these people to get scoops on celebrities everyday!! Oh, right! Sophie is PAYING THEM OFF TO KEEP THEM QUIET... oops! There's those "conspiracy "theories" (exclusive specialty of the Haters) coming up again! 🙄

About the name-calling of the Cumberbatch children...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

That's the Hater way of saying... I'll NEVER STOP calling those innocent children vile names! How "big" of this "Mom" to decide when a child deserves to be called by their rightful name! Disgusting ENTITLED behaviour!

About Haters not giving their approval of Ben's marriage...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

She claims she isn't demanding Ben have her approval of his private life BUT the proof of this is woven into the very fabric of the Hater posts they make EVERY DAY!

Haters make JUDGMENTAL PROCLAMATIONS about almost EVERY aspect of Ben's life - career, appearances, his marriage, how he behaves as a father, the food he eats, the projects he does, the clothes he wears... and much, much more! These entitled statements aren't just observational, they are completely infused with demanding "instructions" on just exactly how he SHOULD be living according to the Haters.

Haters are the ones who whinge on and on about Ben not "introducing" Sophie to his fandom in the "proper" way! They haven't "approved" of Sophie since that engagement announcement appeared in the London Times. They are constantly telling him how he SHOULD BE a husband and father (apparently - he DOESN'T hold her hand "correctly" enough for their tastes, Sophie and Ben AREN'T "loving" enough on camera for the Haters' sensibilities, they aren't GOOD ENOUGH PARENTS, etc.). So it rings VERY disingenuous of Mom Anon to say she doesn't care about Ben's private life when there is all kinds of concrete evidence to the contrary.

About the children's birth certificates...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

Yeah, almost to the person, the "the children aren't his and the family is fake" crowd are pretty solidly behind the "Fake/Nonexistent Birth Certificates".

So the question of the existence of those VERY REAL BIRTH CERTIFICATES is something that EVERY Hater should answer.

So Mom Anon is just plain LYING about being so neutrally "shrug" about this issue. Mom Anon declared right from the get-go that she didn't think Sophie has been pregnant.

It is just TOO CONVENIENT that she takes this blasé attitude so that she doesn't have to address the Cumberbatch children having legitimate birth certificates.

This is prevarication plain and simple. She is skirting around from facing the truth by acting like it doesn't matter. But it does and she knows it.

Because if you believe (like Mom Anon so clearly does) that Sophie has NEVER been pregnant with Ben's children... then how exactly WOULD you explain the very real existence of those birth certificates???

And finally, we come to THE PREGNANCIES...

MOM ANON'S REPLY:

MY RESPONSE:

Yes... her first point - she states as an outright fact that Sophie got on "a plan [sic] looking seven months pregnant" and got off "looking two months pregnant". Nice try, but THAT NEVER HAPPENED! That's all complete bullshit dreamed up by the Haters. Sophie got on and off that plane looking EXACTLY THE SAME AS FAR AS HER PREGNANCY IS CONCERNED. The pictures even show this (unless you are a Hater and then you just deny reality!).

As for the "hydration" bit... this is the first time I ever even heard of that, so who were the hoards who proclaimed this "theory"???

Then Mom Anon goes on to talk about the changes and shape of Sophie's belly. Again with the definitive statements about the position of Sophie's belly, when it is all based on a series of blurry, long shots that the Haters misrepresented with ridiculous lines drawn all over them, claiming Sophie had worn her prosthetic belly UPSIDEDOWN!! Again, just HOW did this happen??? Those honeymoon pix were all taken in a matter of minutes! This Hater "theory" cakes absolutely no sense at ALL!

The Oscar pix... no proof at all that it was Sophie's bellybutton showing - instead it makes total sense that what was moving was the fetus. But that's too simple and reasonable for the Haters to accept AND it doesn't fit into their conspiracy theories!

*******************

Soooo, there you have it! The truth laid out to counteract all the lies and delusional thinking of the Haters.

We also have Ben HIMSELF talking about (occasionally) his wife and family. And there are LOTS of other people totally corroborating EVERYTHING BEN HAS SAID!

But haters obviously don't care about the TRUTH or Ben . They have their "theories" and their "opinions" and their "experts" and their "secret sources". 🙄🤔😩🤯

[parachutingkitten]

Shades of Purple - Part 4

If you missed the first few chapters, you can start here, or just read it all in one place on my Fanfiction.net page

(I’m sorry, I’m going to go on for a while both before and after for some explanations/updates)

WARNING TO ANY ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE READERS: There is some… I’m going to say semi-creepy-male-domination-stuff this chapter, nothing too intense, and most of it is not intended to be read that way, but if you are extra sensitive to stuff like that, I would suggest skipping this chapter.

Part 4! Okay, let me explain some reasonings for this chapter:

First, I know it's pretty much all but confirmed that Mr. E is Echo at this point, something I personally don't agree with character and theme-wise, but it makes sense plot-wise and seems like the direction the series is going in. I name dropped Cryptor last chapter, so it doesn't take much to guess he's going to be here instead of Echo. It makes for better drama, is more in character, forces Pixal to confront her past again, and it's my freakin fanfic, so imma do what I want.

Second, this chapter plays off of a very specific headcanon of mine. I won't tell you what it is, but just keep in mind that at the time of the nindroid invasion, Pixal was the only female droid… at all… so…

Anyway… happy reading?

11-13: Mauve - Control

How can something be two things at once? When the whole world, the strongest force of all, takes control of your creation, and what it will become, how is it possible that I could ever make it something else?

Mauve 1. Mauve 2. Mauve 3.

Borg tower had lost power - something the center of all technology would find a bit of a hindrance. The building had been evacuated, my father was safe. He told us that a droid of his had been stolen; luckily we knew of a droid who had recently turned up.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Lloyd asked, one last time through the intercom. “We don't know what you're getting into. We have no idea who’s in there.”

“Of course we do. It only makes sense that the person that cut the power-"

“I mean we don't know if he brought support.”

“He’s alone, and he wants me,” I assured him.

“For what?”

“We… have some things to settle.”

“That's why I'm worried there's an ambush waiting inside for you.”

“I told you, he'll be alone.”

“How do you know?”

I thought for a moment. “I can sense it.”

Silence.

“Just be careful, okay Pix?”

“Of course. Lloyd, I'm going to mute you in order to focus my sensors inside.”

“We’ll be tracking your audio. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

I switched off his audio and entered the building. It was dark and cold. Without the lights blinking and buzzing the rooms felt eerily empty. There's just something not right about machinery that doesn't move.

I stopped to evaluate my options. Where would my mysterious enemy wait for me? There was a good chance he could be on the 100th floor - the control center for the whole building. Maybe the factory floor on which we were both made. But no. I knew where he would be expecting me. My old workroom. The place his designs were uploaded in the first place. My legs took me there without a second thought. Up the stairs, down the hall, last door on the left. I opened the door, the room dark and quiet, a shadowed figure standing in the back. I closed the door behind myself. I had no intention of fleeing him.

“The girl comes to see me.”

“Mr. Borg went through all the trouble of rebuilding and reprogramming you, and here you are anyway.”

“That was his mistake.”

“In all honesty, if he had told me he was building security droids with your blueprints, I would have told him that your image should be burned to ashes and forgotten by history.”

“That's a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

“Why are you here Mr. E?”

“Please, you need not be so formal. I'm not calling you ‘Samurai X’ now, am I? We know each other.”

“Something I regret every day, Cryptor.”

“Nice to know you still think of me, Pixal.”

I started at him through the darkness, his eyes glowing a nasty red. To think my eyes once shared the same color. I stepped forward to the middle of the room.

“What are you doing? What do you have to gain from this?”

He looked at me for a moment. His feet slowly moved forward as he began to circle me.

“I can think of a few things.”

“You lured me here for a reason. Why?”

He stopped in front of me. “You're one of the things.”

“How do you want to settle this?”

He looked at me, not answering my question. He thought for a moment, his eyes still piercing through me from behind his helmet.

“How's Zane?”

The question caught me off guard. “...why-?”

“Oh,” he shrugged and chuckled, shaking his head, lightly. “It’s just that the last time we saw him together was when he…” his head slowly turned back to look at me. “died…” our eyes remained connected for another moment. “A shame he had to sacrifice himself for… you.”

“His death was not my fault.”

“He only had half of his heart, and it overloaded!” He walked towards me. “Guess who had the other half!”

“I would have ripped his heart from my chest in order to rebuild him!”

“Pixal only weakened him, so you decide to abandon him, hide your face, take on a new identity, Samurai X, one set on protecting him… if only you could have done your job.” I could feel tears growing in my eyes.

“There was nothing anyone could have done-"

“Sure, sure. Make excuses, blame Harumi, blame me,” his steps took him so we were standing face to face. “but Zane, is dead. Nothing is bringing him back this time.” My eyes burned trying to keep tears from running down my cheeks. “What does that make? Two times now you couldn't save him?”

I turned away from him, blinking furiously to try and stop the sting. “Stop.”

“Oh, now let's not cry over him.” I could feel his hands grip my shoulders. “It’s been nearly a week now, time to get over it already. He’s replaceable.”

“Get off of me.”

“Oh, Pixal.” I heard him take off his helmet. He threw it to the floor in front of me, the noise of metal hitting concrete consuming the room. “Wouldn't you do anything to see him again?” I crossed my arms in front of my body. None of this was going to get to me. “Rip his heart from your chest?” he whispered in my ear. It stung. It echoed around in my head, my own words, twisted by his voice in order to blame me.

His hands slid from my shoulders to my waist. “How would he hold you if he were here? Like this?”

“You aren't him.”

“No, but I'm the closest thing you've got.” I turned around to face him. My eyes traced the outline of his face… Zane’s face, staring back at me with red eyes, and black metal skin. “I'm his clone.” his hand gently cupped my cheek. “I can be him.”

My head slowly began to shake. “No.” My arms guided him away from my body. “No. You can't. You are nothing like him. You're a monster and a murderer, and-"

“Yes, yes, but we can all pretend to be something we’re not, Can’t we? You’ve been doing it for months now.”

“That's not the point.”

“What is the point?!” his voice became sharp and frustrated. “You loved him, yes, but he's gone now! What are you going to do about it? Are you just going to stop loving anyone?!”

“What would you have me do? Love you?”

“You were built to serve me!” he screamed now, advancing towards me, as I backed up to meet his pace. “To get his designs to make me! To perfect his designs to make me! To take my commands! Listen to me!”

“Give me one reason!”

“It's in your coding! It's a part of you! It's who you are!” he threw his hand forward to hit me, but I caught his wrist before he could touch me.

“Not anymore.” He looked at his wrist, shocked. We sat there a few moments, his breath the only sound in the room.

“I respect you Pixal. I really do. I really don’t want to have to do this to you, but I think you’re being a bit unreasonable.”

“Oh, so now you care about what’s reasonable?” My grip tightened. “Give it up. You will never be anything like him. I will never want you the way I wanted him.” He thought for a moment, our eyes locked onto each other.

“Are you sure?” I gasped, my grip loosening, my heart pounding. His hand guided mine back down to my side, his fingers running against my palm. “Don't you miss this voice?”

It was Zane's. Zane's voice coming out of his mouth. Zane's mouth. My feet stumbled backwards, before my back hit a wall. I closed my eyes, trying to focus.

“You could hear this voice every day if you wanted.” My heart melted at the sound of his voice. I opened my eyes again to try and break the illusion. “I could say the things you've always wanted to hear.” Tears ran thick over my skin now. His body now cornered me, one of his hands finding its way to my hand, the other gently wiping away the water spilling from my eyes. “I hate seeing you cry.”

His inflection, his tone, so genuine, it paralyzed me.

“I love you Pixal.”

I closed my eyes, my programming telling me to stay away from him, but my heart telling me to bury my face in his chest. Zane's chest.

“He never told you that, did he?”

I opened my eyes and looked up at him, shaking my head, hesitantly.

“He never kissed you either, did he?”

I bit my lip, refusing to answer, but he didn't need one. His hand already on my cheek, he leaned forward, his lips stopping just in front of mine. “Pixal, is it okay if I kiss you?”

I closed my eyes tightly, more tears slipping out. How could I say no? How could I ever tell Zane no? I opened my eyes. He waited for my answer, but I could hardly get my lips to move. They parted from each other and attempted to speak, but no sound came out. He could see the conflict in my eyes. He could feel it in my body.

He sighed. “I thought that would work.”

A sharp pain surged through my system. He had sent a dagger through my chest. My vision cut out, and I felt my body drop to the floor. As my consciousness faded, the last thing I heard was his voice.

Zane's voice.

“I've hacked her systems once, I can do it again.”

Thanks for reading!

Random, but try reading this through with Cryptor’s voice as Kylo Ren’s. Idk, that popped into my head while reading it, and it’s kind of funny.

Fun bit of trivia, this chapter was written before this fic was in existence! I've changed it a lot since first writing it, but the core concept was the same. I fit it in because I thought it would be just the push our beautiful Pixal needed to be a mess in the next chapter!

For those of you who care, a week from today is when the main reveal of the story is set to post (don’t worry there’s more after that :) Because this was written beforehand there aren’t too many clues this chapter except the opening, but trust me, I will make up more than plenty for that in the next chapter. If you do your math, you will realize that means the next chapter is also the last chapter before the reveal, and your last chance figure out what the heck the openings even mean, who’s writing them, about what, and when. If you want to. No pressure or anything.

[hellzyeahthewebwieldingavenger]

You know what the stupidest thing about the whole ‘Spider-Man is about youth’ thing is?

Most people who have gotten into Spider-Man first discovered him through some form of media or merchandise outside of the comic books.

Toys, a t-shirt, TV shows and the movies of course.

And therein lies the utter nonsense of Spider-Man needing to be a high schooler in order to be relatable and appealing to mass audiences.

If your first exposure to Spidey is seeing him on a t-shirt, or on a lunchbox, or as an action figure line chances are you haven’t the first inkling as to his age.

In fact between the 1960s and the 1990s (maybe early 1980s) the dominant rendition of Spider-Man used in all merchandise was Romita Senior’s rendition which was based upon a college aged (we’re talking 19-20, 21 at a push) Spider-Man.

And that was used to sell Spider-Man in merchandise regardless of the fact that the character from the mid 1970s-the late 1980s was no longer in that age range. in fact come the mid-late 1980s Peter Parker wasn’t even in full time education anymore so using a college aged Spider-Man in merchandise didn’t make sense. Or I guess having him NOT be college aged like the merchandise really didn’t make sense.

Except it did because shockingly seeing this image on a t-shirt...

Doesn’t pin the character down as either 19-21 nor 22-25 nor 35+ because the costume if effing ageless.

AH but when they get to consuming actual STORIES about Spider-Man then his age WILL become a factor because they WILL be able to clearly tell if he is a teen, a college student or a fully grown married adult right?

Yes, but putting aside how by that point they’ve already tuned into or purchased a Spider-Man story anyway it still puts to bed the lie that he NEEDS to be a kid to attract an audience.

But lets run with the idea of consuming actual stories.

Lets consider how most people alive today who LIKE Spider-Man (regardless of whether they follow the comics or not) got into the character.

The answer is through the movies or the TV shows.

In fact whatever you might say about it’s quality overall, the 1960s Spider-Man cartoon was influential enough that it’s still seen as the defining piece of music related to Spider-Man. 

For children (and maybe some teens) of the 1980s Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends WAS Spider-Man.

For folks of my generation there can simply never be a truer rendition of Spider-Man than Chris Barnes in the 1990s television series.

And I’m sure for better or worse at least some people got greater expisure and maybe interest in Spider-Man due to the Shoddy as fuck Spider-Man Unlimited cartoon and the CGI MTV series.

But by leaps and bounds the original Sam Raimi trilogy takes the cake. Those movies, especially the first one, shot Spider-Man up to new heightes of pop cultural awareness.

Before the 2002 film people who’d never seen or read any Spidey stories (we’re not counting the poor parents of kids who watched the cartoons) could clearly identify him if they saw his costume and knew he could stick to walls and swing from webs and hey maybe they knew he was Peter Parker and (at a big push) could MAYBE identity Doc Ock and Venom. After the 2002 film EVERYONE knew Spider-Man was Peter Parker, that his Dad was Uncle Ben, that his mother was Aunt May, that he loved Mary jane, that his best friend was Harry, that Harry’s Dad was his enemy, that he worked for the J. Jonah Jameson of the Daily Bugle taking selfies and that he got his powers from a spider bite, those powers including super strength and agility.

Come the sequels everyone now knew who Doc Ock and Venom were too and that Harry followed in his Daddy’s footsteps.

And what might we ask do all those adaptations barring the 1960s show (but including the forgotten 1970s Nick Hammond experiment) have in common?

None of them are about a high school aged Spider-Man.

Oh, the 2002 film starts with a high school Spider-Man. But when we say he was in high school we mean for like the first half of the first movie where he was months away from graduating.

In fact even in the 1960s show Peter might have been in high school but it boiled down to more of a point of background trivia than anything. Peter sounded like a grown man in the show and precious little time was shown depicting him in school or going through typically teenage experiences. Mostly the show relied upon the Bugle as the main place for Peter to hang out wen not in costume and relied upon him getting into costume ASAP so the action (such as it was) could start.

So yes that did present a teenaged high school version of Spider-Man but not one for whom that was particularly emphasized. he was more or less a generic superhero except he lacked a batcave but did instead have an elderly aunt.

Hardly a life situation that a teenager, or a 8-12 year old (who allegedly Marvel actually want a their core readership) would relate to beyond perhaps the parent/child relationship with Aunt May but even that’s tenuous, a 12 year old wouldn’t have the same relationship with their mother as Peter had with May in the show).

The idea of an 8-12 year old relating to all those other Spider-Man adaptations becomes even more ridiculous once you realize that in half of them Peter is living away from home (either on his own or with roommates) and is clearly over 18, i.e. an adult. And he does adult things like go out on dates (or tries to), tries to earn money, worries about his sick mother, and goes to college which just in the way it’s talked about and looks on screen and how the classes play out is clearly giving off a different vibe to a high school setting.

Yes some adaptations still had him living at home but again, his relationship and dynamic with Aunt May was simply not the same as what the dynamic between an 8-12 year old kid’s would be with their parents. When you are that age your parents are the dominate authority figures in your life (whether you kick back against it or not). For a college aged man, even a young one of 18-19, Aunt May isn’t an authority figure and the shows clearly conveyed that.

In the 1994 cartoon Peter briefly moved out in the first season and was shown to look after Aunt May more than once (including in the first episode). in the iconic Alien Costume three parter he even shoots down May’s suggestion to stop taking Spidey pix.

No little kid seeing that saw themselves in Peter and their relationship with their parents in Peter’s relationship with Aunt May.

Perhaps the most adaptation where Peter’s life as an independent adult was clearly conveyed was Spider-Man 2. The whole movie is the aggressively NOT a coming of age story. That was the first movie.

Spider-Man 2 isn’t a coming of age story it’s about learning how to manage and come to terms with the push and pull of adult life and who you are within that.

Honestly the only thing that a kid could even possibly relate to in that movie is when Curt Connors gives Peter a dressing down and when Harry is upset with him. Kids have teachers and authority figures who take them to task and they fall out with their friends too. MAYBE they could relate to his falling out with MJ for the same reasons but it’s devoid of the actual point of those scenes, the romantic emotions that underpin them.

Beyond that Spider-Man the superhero that Marvel desperately want 8-12 year olds to love and follow deals with rent, romance, crappy accommodations, and rather complex emotions related to his dead Dad and his grieving mother. All whilst he battles a guy who he used to look up to but ho’s wife just died.

You know, all the stuff kids and teens could obviously relate to.

Except they couldn’t because no kid or teen deals with that kind of stuff.

And yet...kids and teens fucking LOVED Spider-Man 2. 

Much the same way kids and teens in 1980 fucking loved SUPERMAN II which was another super hero movie about another character dealing with another set of adult romantic issues that involved him also forsaking his role as a hero only to readopt it later...And he was clearly even older than Spider-Man. Shit, you straight up see Superman and Lois Lane in bed together in that movie, which (hopefully...dear God hopefully) no kid would relate to. An adult man and an adult woman sleeping together in the same bed? That’s not them being represented on screen, that’s their parents.

But they still loved it. Much as they still loved MOST Spider-Man adaptations that didn’t portray him in a lifestyle that close to their much at all.

In fact if we really, really ,really cut the shit to an 8-12 year old kid watching 18+ year old college student Peter Parker (who usually lives away from his mother figure), who is clearly interested in romance and also has to earn money...Spider-Man is an adult.

MAYBE they recognize he’s not AS much of an adult as Superman or Batman.

But he’s an adult all the same.

Because to an 8-12 year old once you are tall enough and are interested in romance and a job and going to college and not living with your parents anymore your an adult.

Hell when I was like 3-8 years old I could tell the Power Rangers were going to school but I didn’t relate to them because of that. Because just from how they looked and what they did besides going to school they were adults to me, like older brothers and sisters or something.

The same was true of Spider-Man.

He might literally have been a YOUNG adult but to a child there is precious little difference between him going to college, the Power Rangers going to high school, Superman going to work at the Planet and Batman having Robin as his ward.

They are all essentially characters who fall under the banner of ‘adult’ in the mind of a child.

And yet despite essentially seeing Spider-Man as an adult they couldn’t relate to children of multiple generations have continued to love Spider-Man and become interested enough to sometimes follow him into the comic book pages.

Because Spider-Man’s appeal is partially a thing of magic maybe nobody can fully understand and partially because yes he is relatable but because of his PERSONALITY not because of the specifics of his life situation.

Hell, the success of characters like James Bond, Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Wolverine and Daredevil rather eviscerates the notion of characters needing to even BE relatable to most people to be popular and successful. 

I personally relate to Superman more than Spider-Man in many ways but as a character Superman is...well it’s in his name. The central idea and appeal is for him to be a powerful human who is stronger and faster than anybody else, impervious to pain and can even defy gravity.

James Bond/Wolverine and Wonder Woman are quintessential male and female power fantasy figures, the latter two (especially Bond) being indulgent about that.

Daredevil is blind and that fact is integral to his whole set up despite most audience members reading or watching his stories obviously NOT being blind people.

By and large Batman is a wish fulfilment fantasy character who is at least AS popular as the more relatable Spider-Man and WAY more popular than Robin who was literally created to be the audience surrogate figure.

Long story short:

Spider-Man can and has repeatedly been able to appeal to mass audiences to immense critical and financial success regardless of what age he happens to be and what his life status quo in regards to his age might be.

So insisting his gimmick and purpose is to be young and a high schooler and that is the best way to optimize his success is profoundly idiotic.

[airoasis]

"Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep" | Father Ted | Series 3 Episode 2 | Dead Parrot

New Post has been published on https://hititem.kr/chirpy-burpy-cheap-sheep-father-ted-series-3-episode-2-dead-parrot/

"Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep" | Father Ted | Series 3 Episode 2 | Dead Parrot

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as a substitute of the notes it’s acquired 4 hours it’s a legend it would not exist right head the way in which as a Phantom of the Opera would not exist that was the Opera does not exist so i’m not going to get into this what does exist and what doesn’t exist debate once more okay but i’ll ought to insist you add these last two examples to the chart k Duggal no i’m extra involved about that i+ on Chris becoming king of the sheep i do not suppose it would win then no burping sheep has ever won us what about big Brendan in 1983 yeah anyway it is only a heating finances and seem what the weather information says just last yr’s climate information what that is this year I need to go and see if John and Mary would let me take my a reimbursement the next day to come I might go down with you see if they’ve obtained a different sound effects album quantity 5 reasonable sufficient I wager probably the most v-rod are on the within of his head I win a yawn it has a inexperienced leaf a chair to load a hand round and played a barrel hello Fargo and then he would not have any eyebrows at all except on Saturday you study from manners i will cellphone away the cake how do you love that huh whats up John hello silence fairly hi there Tiger McGuire very oh oh she’s mindful and her mother Wow it can be a room any one in the cupboard no father Mary Todd Mary I forgot you have been there proper I notion you heard your mother’s no I didn’t go to me mom in spite of everything i’m within the cabinet Mary what are you doing in there oh I understand it’s on account that of this beast of craggy Island factor I idea that Mary can be safer in the cupboard i am Errol show up welcome to you for father oh yeah percent of 20 includes i’ll get them love you keep in the cupboard John can i’ve a word ma’am hiya Mary no three days mechanics oh yeah i’m nice anyway i am sorry father a bets a raffle it’s just but when the girl would not have the operation she is not going to be under fetch water for her village i am sorry father if the pite failed to stay up for the percentages of prolong to twenty to one by reason of Chris’s anxious troubles anyway your cigarette thanks Ted they shouldn’t have the sound result out and we would as well simply go hi bye-bye then i am hoping you are convinced I shut up oh appear there is big Reed howdy enormous what are you eager about there Ted you must see the large critical look for your face I can’t see Crispin on this competition guru Ted it can be pointless even interested by it you are most effective wasting your time there’s nothing we are able to do about the trouble we simply have got to accept the actual fact and that’s that how about we carry Kris over right here for a while might be to alter your doing just right oh ho top notch exotic or some thing we could do failed to I say it at least India they’re just a 2nd in the past no no you didn’t you mentioned the unique opposite there used to be undoubtedly nothing we would do simply Ted you will have performed this to me earlier than I took the freedom of tape within the dialog simply have somewhat you’re most effective losing your time there’s nothing we can do the main issue I stand corrected ah serious now anyway i am still no longer certain about this now father do not fear more difficult but the subsequent time you see him he’ll be a new sheet if no longer with making me to a jumper and some chops i’m terribly sorry sir that used to be just a PI i’m terribly terribly sorry i will be off then k so and significantly it was one location he can also be certain peace and quiet I believe will probably be an insult to you if I conclude that sentence you’re a parity father sure we’re additionally try to get Chris into form for the competitors do you believe what are you company like a cup of tea father it is not she fellow i do not suppose they drink group has warmth oil now not until you have some distinctive sheet tea sure I do have some sheet tea in the kitchen rightful them provide them given some nothing okay so Godhead it is just about noon we have got to rise up this early question me accomplished Duggal we’ve obtained to get Chris from watching like this to watching like this it’s your father digit is he i am sorry we tried everything I went I think that I is I better take him residence aha ah gotcha did you what did you just did my exceptional so recognize what to assert father can i purchase you a drink to have fun alright mcdougal you mind Krister we get again and don’t let him get lost preserve an eye fixed on them and keep that front door closed ok Ted is the relaxation taking Shiva hi there did you see and you spark off gratefully over feeling your neck definitely located 33 that is how close once I must pay extra in these pix ever you can stack this the great baccarat seem at me eat yeah excellent sure that is like Duggal I discover that the front door is huge open oh it’s sure Ted as we are currently sheepish oh ah dude I advised you to hold the front door closed no simply maintain up their head how do we all know which option to go she’s like every wool bearing animals instinctively journey north but colder mr.Self so we have to go north which way is out I have no idea that you would be able to come from throughout us the Sioux Indians and the Arizona wilderness used to be able to pinpoint the specific place of Buffalo by gauging the position of the moon and putting their ears to the ground simply Ted perhaps the sound is coming from that stereo it’s Chris y’all right he’s high-quality he wants to realise it used to be simply something stereo placing from the tree i am home Dougal I suppose i am establishing to figure out what’s been occurring good it’s been an easy choice there may be one alpha no twin-off and alternatively than waste came with a speech and get on with the job of a recognized factor the winner who in these days has come compelled on this competitors to look who the winner is in the king of the sheep competition that we now have all come to in these days wondering who Andy will be to win the prize of king of the Sheep the winner of this year’s king of the Sheep competitors is up howdy what is the meaning of this this competition is a sham and a fraud and as sham how dare you there may be been a provides and rankings try and sabotage this excessive profile sheep competitors little puzzle are in this very room chines Reed and hood Hastings you higher have enjoyable the fact that opus hassle all I do I do you are the ones who regularly shatters of the so known as beast of tiny island continually within hearing distance of Krista sheep paragon of the champion and it was once you who used a copy of BBC sound results vol 5 to add approach to those pants will claim an influence of she could now not aid however be satisfied through the late-night time howlings of horrible monster Taipei and from way method approach work up pretty photo father Freddy has painted how dare you convey disgrace on this fella location or knock form and let me too difficult on them so you don’t know your identify brought do not be too rough on the malum they were quite simply pawns actual villain in this piece has yet to be published Fargo boils what yeah I acquired cool now it’s my deal with it was once you who used to be disenchanted on the bad odds Chris used to be receiving you who plan to govern those odds by way of sabotaging your own sheep after which staging a awesome healing on the day of the competition you who paid tremendous and hood to talk concerning the beast in front of Chris ah Oh James hi there there I didn’t depend on the shallowness of your accomplices who use their newfound wealth to purchase a fur coat and a crown and it was you who purchased the BBC sound effects document sixty four for the dramatic alterations you who gave the sheet to me realizing that may be a priest with an intuitive figuring out of sheep I might nurse him again to wellness you wish it can be now not true it is ordinary maintain the Panisse father no he’s lost the believe of his sheep that’s punishment adequate the farmer who deals chiefly to affordable excuse me there may be slightly of extension right here and i want some recent air one thing Ted if Chris has been disqualified does no longer mean you have misplaced the heating allowance money on the bed I realize it’s a thorough step Duggal but it is very very bloodless here three months then Ted certainly never go to the bathroom first