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otunnicliffe · 8 months ago

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Queens Of Hogwarts

Chapter Two: The Bet

I bet on losing dogs

I know they're losing and I pay for my place by the ring

Where I'll be looking in their eyes when they're down

I'll be there on their side, I'm losing by their side

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The sun glowed upon Hogwarts, the rays filling the entire castle with warm and sun. Hogwarts on a sunny day is a sight to behold, where the ancient magic of the castle meets the vibrant energy of the natural world. The sun casts a golden glow over the sprawling grounds, highlighting every detail with warmth and light.

The castle itself, with its high towers and turrets, appears even more majestic under the clear blue sky. The stone walls, weathered and worn with age, glisten slightly, reflecting the sun's rays. Stained glass windows sparkle in a riot of colours, casting playful patterns of light onto the ground below.

The Great Lake, usually dark and mysterious, transforms into a vast, shimmering expanse of blue, mirroring the sky above. Gentle ripples catch the sunlight, creating a dazzling dance of light on the water's surface. The giant squid occasionally breaks the surface, causing a cascade of sparkling droplets.

The Forbidden Forest, bordering the castle grounds, is less foreboding under the bright sunlight. The dense canopy of trees is illuminated, revealing shades of green from the darkest emerald to the lightest lime. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor and highlighting the vibrant flora and fauna.

Hagrid's hut, with its earthy charm, sits comfortably on the edge of the forest. The garden is in full bloom, with pumpkins growing larger by the day and colourful flowers nodding gently in the breeze. Smoke curls lazily from the chimney, a comforting sight against the blue sky.

The Quidditch pitch is a hive of activity, with students practicing and soaring high on their broomsticks, their laughter and shouts of excitement carried on the warm breeze. The golden snitch glints as it darts through the air, challenging players with its elusive speed.

The courtyards and lawns are bustling with life. Students lounge on the grass, their black robes contrasting with the bright green. Some are studying or reading, while others play games or engage in animated conversations. The statues and gargoyles around the castle seem to smile in the sunlight, their normally stern faces softened by the light.

The gardens and greenhouses are vibrant with colour and fragrance. Herbology students can be seen tending to magical plants, the sunlight enhancing the vivid hues of the exotic flora. The scent of fresh grass and blooming flowers fills the air, creating a heady, invigorating atmosphere.

In the afternoon, the warmth of the sun is tempered by a gentle breeze, rustling the leaves and carrying the sounds of laughter, chatter, and distant birdsong. As the sun begins to set, the sky transforms into a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow over the castle and grounds, making Hogwarts appear even more enchanting as day turns to night.

It was therefore, no surprise that practically every student was out on the field that lay over the Black Lake, soaking up the last rays of early September, before the cold autumn weather would take over, and eventually freeze during the winter months.

As the sun continued to shine, casting light all throughout the field, a group of Ravenclaw girls sat near an old oak tree, chattering away. These girls gossiped and chattered filling up the empty space that held there before.

At the centre of the group was the self-proclaimed leader of the group, Neveah Carter. Neveah was notoriously snide and nasty to everyone, even members of her own group. She was gossipy, and the fair majority of rumours have sprouted from her mouth. Everything about this girl seemed to exude a sense of self-worth. Her skin, a rich mahogany hue, glowed warmly under the soft lighting, highlighting the smoothness and depth of her complexion. Her dark eyes were deep and expressive, and always shone with a slightly nasty light, as if it seemed to show the person she was on the inside. Neveah's hair, a cascade of thick, natural curls, framed her face in a halo of texture and beauty, each coil a testament to her heritage and individuality. A pureblood, she seemed to be brimming with power and influence.

On the opposite side of the group sat Ximena Li. Ximena, to everyone else was just like the other three girls, shallow, self-centred and bitchy, but in reality she wasn't anything like them. As the years progressed her meeting them in first year, Ximena had started to realise just how toxic this group actually was, and was starting to want to distance herself from them, often finding herself staring at the Gryffindor girls jealously, looking at a friendship she was wishing for. She was quieter, never really mean and almost kind, especially to the other three girls. She was pale, with perfect skim, and round eyes marking her Chinese descendance, something that Ximena held with pride. Her eyes brimmed with knowledge, as she was the smartest one in the group by far, and always seemed unsure, as if she knew what her friends were saying to people was wrong, but knew that she couldn't do anything about it. Her hair was raven in colour, and was always perfectly straight and glossy. A muggle-born, she knew where her place was in a school full of pure-bloods and just tried to accept her place.

Another girl there was Amelia Rosario, who stood out vividly against the green backdrop of the field, her fiery red hair a brilliant cascade of curls that fell just past her shoulders. Her hair, naturally voluminous and full of life, framed her face in a way that highlighted her fair, freckled complexion. Her eyes, a striking shade of emerald green, sparkled with a mix of curiosity, mischief and usually venom for those whom she did not like or approve of. They were framed by naturally dark, thick lashes and perfectly arched eyebrows that gave her expressions an added depth and intensity. Amelia’s skin was a delicate, porcelain-like canvas dotted with a sprinkling of light freckles across her cheeks and nose, giving her a youthful, fresh appearance. She was considered nastier than Neveah, as she was more out-right with her taunts, whereas the other was more snide and calm. She also was obsessed with Sirius Black, telling anyone that would listen that he was hers, even though the reality was they hooked up at the end of the last year and Sirius never spoke to her again. She was also a pure-blood, and immensely power-hungry, always wanting to rise above her ranks.

The final girl in the group of Crystal Walker, who was sat with them, seemingly dazing away, which was not unusual for her. Her blonde hair, long and straight, was perfectly styled, cascading down her back in a way that highlighted its natural shine. She often wore it loose, the ends slightly curled to give it a touch of volume and bounce, framing her face with an effortless beauty. Her eyes were a deep blue, reminiscent of the sea, and often looked dazed, or at least not paying attention. They were framed by thick, mascara-coated lashes and perfectly shaped eyebrows that added to her doll-like appearance. Crystal's skin was smooth and fair, with a healthy, sun-kissed glow that suggested she spent plenty of time outdoors. Crystal moved with a carefree, almost whimsical grace, her steps light and buoyant as if she was walking on air. She was a wonder for many students, not many of them truly understanding how she was a Ravenclaw, and the ones who accepted it thought that the Sorting must have been on some kind of trip, as Crystal was not particularly smart, barely passing everything and she also seemed to be off in her own world, not really listening onto many conversations, seeming to be in her own world.

Another group on the field was a group of Slytherins, no one seeming to want to sit to close to them, for fear of the group. The girls in the group were the Black triplets; Andromeda, Narcissa and Bellatrix, alike in name and partially alike in looks, but all vastly different in personality. She was a half-blood, but doesn't really seem to care about blood status that much.

Andromeda was sat on the grass next to her sisters, her deep brown hair cascading in loose waves down her back. The rich brunette tones caught the sunlight, revealing subtle hints of chestnut and mahogany that added depth and warmth to her look. Her hair, naturally glossy and thick, framed her face perfectly, accentuating her refined features. Her eyes, blue like the scarlet Jem, were her most captivating feature. They sparkled with a blend of curiosity and kindness, framed by long, dark lashes that added an expressive touch to her thoughtful gaze. She was by far the kindest Slytherin, known for getting into arguments with her two other sisters about the issue of blood purity and about Bellatrix being kinder to the kids in younger years. Andromeda's movements were graceful and deliberate, reflecting her calm and composed demeanour. Her voice was warm and melodious, with a gentle, soothing quality that made people feel at ease in her presence. When she spoke, it was with a quiet confidence and thoughtfulness that revealed her keen intellect and empathetic nature.

Narcissa was next to her, in the middle of her sisters. That was really the perfect anecdote for her, in the middle of her sisters. She was very neutral about a lot of issues, not as extreme as either sister in terms of her views, trying to be what she hoped as being a good pure-blood girl. Her blonde hair, striking and bright, was cut into a chic bob that swung just above her shoulders. A neat fringe framed her forehead, drawing attention to her expressive eyes. What truly set Narcissa's look apart were the streaks of black interspersed throughout her blonde locks, creating a striking contrast that seemed to highlight the inner turmoil she was facing with her sisters. Her eyes, a piercing icy blue, peeked out from beneath her fringe, framed by naturally dark lashes that gave her gaze an intensity that was both captivating and intriguing. Her complexion was fair, with a healthy, rosy hue that suggested a life lived luxuriously. Her movements were always careful and planned, as if to not give too much away, and her voice was stern mostly, revealing her posh accent and prim manners.

The final sister, Bellatrix, was the exact opposite to Andromeda. She was a muggle-born hater, often going out of her way to terrorize younger year groups from Gryffindor especially. Bellatrix was a whirlwind of energy and unpredictability, her dark brown hair as wild and untamed as her spirit. Her hair fell in loose waves down her back, with the occasional errant curl that seemed to reflect her spontaneous nature. The deep, rich hue of her locks caught the light with an almost glossy sheen, highlighting the natural variations in colour that gave her hair depth and texture. Her eyes, a striking shade of silver, were wide and expressive, always sparkling with a hint of mischief and a glint of excitement. They were framed by thick, dark lashes that added to her intense and captivating gaze. Her skin was the palest of them all, but still held a natural glow that suggested a life lived passionately and without reservations. Bellatrix moved with a restless energy, her steps quick and purposeful, as if she were always on the brink of discovering something new and exciting. Her voice was animated and full of emotion, each word delivered with a dramatic flair that made every conversation an adventure. She had a tendency to speak quickly, her thoughts tumbling out in a rush of enthusiasm that could be both captivating and overwhelming.

Alongside the triplets, were four boys. The first of the boys was a cousin of the Black triplets, Regulus Black, Sirius's twin brother. Regulus stood with an air of quiet intensity, his presence marked by a refined elegance that set him apart. His dark, raven-black hair was impeccably styled, falling in soft waves that framed his sharp, aristocratic features. The hair, sleek and perfectly groomed, added to his overall aura of polished sophistication. His eyes, a piercing shade of grey, held a depth and complexity that reflected his inner turmoil and conflicting loyalties. They were the kind of eyes that seemed to see right through you, filled with a mixture of determination and a hint of melancholy. Framed by long, dark lashes and finely arched eyebrows, his gaze was both captivating and enigmatic. Regulus's complexion was fair, almost pale, highlighting the striking contrast with his dark hair and making his features stand out even more. His skin was smooth, giving him a youthful appearance despite the burden of the secrets he carried. His high cheekbones and well-defined jawline spoke of the pure-blooded heritage he was both proud of and constrained by. Regulus's movements were measured and graceful, exuding a sense of control and precision. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, though there was an underlying tension in his demeanour, as if he was always on guard. His voice was smooth and articulate, with a calm and composed tone that belied the storm of emotions often brewing beneath the surface.

Another boy was Lucius Malfoy. Lucius possessed an air of aristocratic superiority even from a tender age. His platinum blonde hair, sleek and perfectly styled, framed his angular face with a striking elegance that hinted at his pure-blood lineage. Each strand seemed meticulously arranged, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that would become a hallmark of his character in later years. His eyes, a piercing silver-grey, held a cold intensity that belied his youth. They seemed to size up the world around him with a calculating gaze, revealing a keen intelligence and an innate sense of superiority. Framed by thin, aristocratic eyebrows and long lashes, his gaze was both captivating and unsettling, hinting at the power and influence he would one day wield. Lucius's complexion was pale and flawless, almost ethereal in its porcelain-like perfection. His features were sharply defined, with high cheekbones and a proud, aristocratic nose that added to his regal countenance. His lips were thin and often curled into a disdainful smirk, as if he already knew he held the world at his fingertips. Lucius's complexion was pale and flawless, almost ethereal in its porcelain-like perfection. His features were sharply defined, with high cheekbones and a proud, aristocratic nose that added to his regal countenance. His lips were thin and often curled into a disdainful smirk, as if he already knew he held the world at his fingertips.

Another boy there was not a Slytherin, but a Ravenclaw. Nevertheless, he was friends with the group due to his pure-blood status and often chose to spend time with them rather than his fellow Ravenclaws. His name was Barty Crouch Jr, his dad now becoming a prominent figure in the ministry of magic. Barty sat next to Regulus, his chestnut brown hair tousled by the gentle breeze. His hair fell in casual waves, framing his face in a way that hinted at his easy going nature. The warm, earthy tones of his hair caught the sunlight, adding depth and dimension to his appearance. His eyes, a deep shade of haze, were already showing signs of the craziness he would later be known for, and they also displayed his emotions faster than his words could. They were framed by thick, dark lashes that accentuated their colour and depth, giving him a thoughtful gaze. He carried himself with a sense of casual confidence, his posture relaxed yet self-assured. His voice was cold and harsh with a hint of a laugh that seemed to bubble up effortlessly at others wrongdoings.

The final boy was Evan Rosier. Evan possessed an aura of quiet intensity that set him apart from his peers. His hair, a sleek and glossy shade of sandy blonde, was neatly styled to frame his angular face, adding to his mysterious and enigmatic allure. Each strand seemed to fall perfectly into place, reflecting his meticulous attention to detail and his penchant for perfection. His eyes, a piercing shade of dark green, held a depth and intensity that seemed to see straight through to the heart of any matter. They were framed by thick, dark lashes and sharply defined eyebrows, giving him a penetrating gaze that was both captivating and unnerving. Evan's complexion was pale and flawless, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline that added to his striking appearance. Evan's movements were measured and deliberate, reflecting a sense of self-assurance and control that belied his youthful appearance. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, his posture straight and proud, as if he were already accustomed to command and respect. His voice was smooth and commanding, with a hint of a drawl that added to his air of authority.

Fabian and Gideon Prewett were also present on the field. They were a dynamic duo, inseparable since birth and bound together by an unbreakable bond that was as fiery as their vibrant red hair. Their locks were a riot of coppery curls, tousled and untamed, reflecting their wild and adventurous spirits. Each strand seemed to dance with a life of its own, adding to the sense of mischief and excitement that surrounded them. Their eyes, a sparkling shade of emerald green, were filled with an infectious energy and a mischievous twinkle that hinted at the endless pranks and escapades they concocted together. Framed by a scattering of freckles across their cheeks and noses, their gazes were full of warmth and camaraderie, reflecting the deep connection they shared as twins. Molly, their other twin, also looked like them. Their movements were quick and agile, reflecting their boundless energy and zest for life. They moved in perfect synchrony, finishing each other's sentences and anticipating each other's thoughts with an almost telepathic connection. Their laughter was infectious, filling the air with joy and excitement wherever they went.

With them, was Arthur Weasley, their sisters boyfriend and close friend of Fabian and Gideon. Arthur was a picture of enthusiasm and curiosity, with a mop of fiery red hair that seemed to defy gravity as it stuck out in all directions. His freckled face was perpetually adorned with a wide grin, his bright blue eyes twinkling with a sense of wonder and mischief. Despite his youthful appearance, there was an earnestness and determination in his gaze that hinted at the depths of his character. His hair, a vibrant shade of red that matched the flames of his spirit, was tousled and unkempt, a reflection of his carefree and adventurous nature. Each strand seemed to have a mind of its own, defying any attempts to tame it into submission. His complexion was fair and dotted with freckles, giving him a boyish charm that was impossible to resist. Dressed in hand-me-down robes that were a few sizes too big, Arthur embraced his family's modest means with a sense of pride and resourcefulness. His clothing was often patched and worn, but he wore it with a confidence and flair that made it seem like the height of fashion. His wand, though slightly battered from years of use, was always kept close at hand, a constant reminder of the magical world that awaited him. Arthur's movements were animated and full of energy, reflecting his boundless enthusiasm for life. He moved with a youthful exuberance, his steps quick and light as if he were constantly on the verge of discovering something new and exciting. His voice was warm and jovial, with a hint of a Cockney accent that added to his charm.

Frank Longbottom was also among them, laughing alongside Arthur presumably at a joke made by the Prewett's. Frank possessed an air of youthful enthusiasm and optimism that seemed to radiate from every pore. His raven black hair was a wild tangle of curls, refusing to be tamed by any amount of combing. Despite his best efforts to rein it in, strands of hair often escaped in all directions, adding to his boyish charm and giving him an endearingly tousled appearance. His eyes, a warm shade of hazel, sparkled with curiosity and mischief, framed by long, dark lashes that gave his gaze an irresistible depth. Frank's complexion was sun-kissed and freckled, a testament to his love for spending time outdoors and his adventurous spirit. His smile was infectious, lighting up his face with a joy and exuberance that was impossible to resist. Frank's movements were quick and agile, reflecting his boundless energy and zest for life. He moved with a youthful exuberance, his steps light and carefree as if he were constantly on the verge of discovering something new and exciting. His voice was warm and animated, with a hint of a laugh that seemed to bubble up effortlessly.

With them, were the Gryffindor girls, Mary, Molly, Marlene, Dorcas and Alice. Arthur and Molly were together, as were Alice and Frank and the group seemed to burst into laughter at any given point, thierjoy obvious to all around them.

On the field, no one was really surprised to see Pandora Wesia and Xenophilous Lovegood sat together. Both of them were presumed as odd by the majority of students in their year, Xenophilious only really being friends with Pandora and Barty, whereas Pandora was close friends with Regulus Black.

Pandora was an eclectic blonde girl who seemed to effortlessly blend a variety of styles and influences into her unique look. Her hair, a bright and sunny shade of blonde, was long and curly that framed her face with a playful and youthful energy. Her hair was anything but ordinary, often adorned with quirky accessories like feathers or ribbons. Her eyes, a striking shade of turquoise, sparkled with a mischievous glint that hinted at the depth of her creativity and imagination. They were framed by thick, dark lashes and expertly groomed brows, adding to the intensity of her gaze. Pandora's complexion was fair and flawless, with a healthy flush of colour that suggested a life lived with passion and enthusiasm. Ava's movements were graceful and fluid, reflecting a sense of freedom and self-expression. She moved with a confident stride, her gestures animated and expressive as if she were constantly dancing to the rhythm of her own beat. Her voice was melodious and filled with laughter, her infectious energy drawing those who know her to her like a magnet.

Xenophilius was equally as eclectic, if not more so, whose style reflected his vibrant personality and adventurous spirit. His hair, a golden mane that seemed to catch the sunlight and radiate warmth, fell in tousled waves around his face. Xenophilius embraced his blonde locks with a carefree attitude, allowing them to grow long and wild without care. His eyes, a bright shade of blue reminiscent of a summer sky, sparkled with a sense of mischief and curiosity. They were framed by long, dark lashes that added depth and intensity to his gaze. Xenophilius's complexion was sun-kissed and freckled, a testament to his love for spending time outdoors and his adventurous nature. Xenophilius's movements were dynamic and energetic, reflecting his boundless enthusiasm for life. He moved with a fluid grace, his gestures animated and expressive as if he were constantly dancing to the rhythm of his own beat. His voice was vibrant and filled with laughter, his infectious energy drawing those like him towards himself like moths to a flame.

Missing from the field, rather unsurprisingly, was Severus Snape. Snape cut a striking figure even in his youth, with his sallow complexion and jet-black hair that hung in greasy locks around his angular face. His dark eyes, like chips of obsidian, were sharp and piercing, seeming to bore into the very soul of anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Framed by thin, arched eyebrows, his eyes held a depth of intensity and intelligence far beyond his years. Severus's features were sharp and angular, with a prominent nose and a thin-lipped mouth that seemed eternally set in a scowl. His pale skin was marred by the occasional blemish or scar, a testament to the hardships he endured growing up in the shadow of his troubled home life. Despite his rough exterior, there was a vulnerability in his eyes that hinted at the pain and loneliness he carried with him like a heavy burden. Severus's movements were slow and deliberate, as if he were constantly navigating a world that was hostile and unforgiving. He carried himself with a quiet dignity, his posture straight and proud despite the weight of his burdens. His voice was low and raspy, with a hint of bitterness that lingered in every word. He was never really seen with anyone, except Gwendolyn whom he had befriended before either of them had started Hogwarts. Also, he was usually subject to bullying from the Marauders, most notably James, who was jealous of his closeness with Gwendolyn.

Speaking of the Marauders, the four boys were also sat outside, like everyone else, trying to enjoy the last of summer before the chill would settle over Hogwarts.

'I'm bored,' Sirius announced, as he lay down on the ground, one arm behind his head for comfort.

'Me too,' James agreed, huffing as we wondered what to do.

'Maybe you could both do your homework before its due, for once?' Remus asked, a tone in his voice letting out he knew immediately that both boys would not like his suggestion.

'Mooney, I said I was bored, not that I was looking for a way to torture myself,' Sirius said plainly, making Peter laugh at his comment. Remus merely sighed and opened up his own book.

'Hey guys!' A voice called to them a few minutes later, making them all turn their attention to the boy whose voice it belonged to. They saw two Hufflepuffs walking towards them, Amos Diggory and Ted Tonks.

Amos Diggory was a beacon of youthful optimism and energy, with a shock of sandy blonde hair that seemed perpetually tousled from his adventurous exploits. His hair, a sun-kissed hue that caught the light and shimmered with golden highlights, framed his boyish face in a way that accentuated his bright blue eyes and easy smile. His tousled locks hinted at his propensity for diving headfirst into whatever adventure lay before him, with little concern for the consequences. His eyes, a clear and sparkling shade of blue, held a sense of wonder and curiosity that seemed to reflect the boundless depths of his adventurous spirit. They were framed by long lashes and expressive brows, giving him a youthful charm that was impossible to resist. Amos's complexion was sun-kissed and freckled, a testament to his love for spending time outdoors and his penchant for exploration. Amos's movements were quick and agile, reflecting his boundless energy and zest for life. He moved with a youthful exuberance, his steps light and carefree as if he were constantly on the verge of discovering something new and exciting. His voice was vibrant and filled with laughter, his infectious energy drawing people to him like moths to a flame.

Edward 'Ted' Tonks was a striking figure, with a mop of unruly chestnut curls that framed his face in a carefree cascade of waves. His hair, a rich and warm shade of brown, seemed to have a life of its own, defying all attempts to tame it into submission. Despite its wild appearance, his hair added to his boyish charm and gave him an air of approachability. His eyes, a warm and inviting shade of hazel, sparkled with intelligence and mischief, reflecting the depth of his character and the playful spirit that lurked beneath his easy going exterior. They were framed by long lashes and expressive brows, adding to the warmth and openness of his gaze. Ted's complexion was tan and freckled, a testament to his love for spending time outdoors and his adventurous nature. Ted's movements were quick and agile, reflecting his boundless energy and zest for life. He moved with a youthful exuberance, his steps light and carefree as if he were constantly on the verge of discovering something new and exciting. His voice was warm and animated, with a hint of a laugh that seemed to bubble up effortlessly.

'Hey guys,' Sirius greets, as they were quite good friends with the pair of them.

'Have you been rejected by Gwendolyn yet, James?' Ted teases, looking at the boy with mischief.

James scowled at him, his face souring at the boys' remark.

'He hasn't even asked her out this year, so far anyway,' Remus said, closing his book.

'Really?' Amos asked, a smile creeping onto his face.

'Finally taken the hint?' Ted adds.

'Maybe I'll have to ask her,' Amos says, grovelling in the idea.

'You are not!' James objected, sitting up before he stared angrily at the Hufflepuff.

'And why not?' Amos asked, as he feigned innocence.

'Because... because you can't!' James chastised. He knew deep down he couldn't really do anything, Gwendolyn's wasn't his.

'I bet you can't get her by Christmas,' Amos announced, proposing an idea.

'Amos... the girls are not objects!' Remus interjected angrily.

'I'm just saying... if James is so sure on getting Gwendolyn, then he shouldn't need much longer to charm her,' Amos says, nonchalantly.

'But mate... a bet? It's rough on them,' Ted cautioned, not really sure of his best friends idea.

'They won't find out will they?' Amos says, sure of himself.

'If it were me, they would be charmed,' Sirius remarks, full of himself.

'Fine, you have to try and get one of the other two,' Amos adds, his eyes shining mischievously. 'Kimberly or Arabella take your pick!'

'Sirius don't!' Remus says, anger palpable on his face. The whole night before, Remus had been talking about the incident on the train with Kimberly.

'Don't worry Mooney, I wasn't thinking of Kimberly,' Sirius reassures him.

'You like Kimberly?' Ted asks, surprise written all over his face.

'No!' Remus insists, but he could tell that the Hufflepuffs didn't believe him.

'Well that makes it all the better,' Amos chortled. 'By Christmas, James will have to be dating Gwendolyn, Remus with Kimberly and that leaves Sirius with Arabella.'

Sirius's face paled at the realization. He had forgotten Arabella in this encounter, and thought back to their friendship over the years. 'Actually, I'm with Remus, I don't think this is a good idea.'

'It's just a bet, don't be a prissy!' Amos bantered.

'No you don't get it!' Sirius sighed. 'Arabella has been my friend for YEARS, even before Hogwarts. I can't hurt her like this.'

'Who said anything about hurting her?' Peter asks.

'The bet, wormy!' Sirius cursed.

'They won't have to know,' Amos says. 'And you can date them after, I'm not saying to breakup with them at Christmas if you are successful!'

Against his better judgement, Sirius muttered, 'Fine. It's a bet.'

Amos's smile grew impossibly larger. 'Perfect! And you two?' He asked, looking at James and Remus expectantly.

James guiltily muttered 'I'm in.'

'I really don't like this idea,' Remus ponders.

'Remus are you in or out?' Amos asks defiantly.

Remus lets out a loud sigh before exclaiming. 'Fine! But I may as well give you my money now because I'm not going out of my way to do anything to Kim!'

'Just keep me out of this,' Ted tells his best friend, clearly still not 100% on board with the idea.

With this, both Ted and Amos say their goodbyes and leave.

'We shouldn't have done that,' Remus says to his best friends.

'The girls are really going to be upset if they find out,' Peter points out, feeling bad for the girls already.

'Well that's why we cannot have them finding out,' Sirius says, looking at James.

James nods. 'We don't want to hurt them.'

One thing the boys did know, is that they had to win, just to shove it into Amos's dumb face. And also not to let the girls know, that was arguably more important.

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twinsunstars · 2 years ago

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Reflecting on Star Wars Celebration 2023

For 2023, Star Wars Celebration was held in London, England, part of Europe. Fans had a blast, whether they actually attended in person wearing cosplay or just regular clothes, or tuned into the live broadcasts on the Star Wars Youtube channel. Like last year in 2022, there were a lot of surprises and awesome guests, but 2023 had a lot of special moments and emotional responses. The hosts of each panel also need some appreciation, I loved the energy and relatable moods they brought to each day. In this post, I’ll recap some of the amazing highlights of each celebration day, and share my thoughts on the panels I attended while tuning into the lives at home.

Starting off with Day 1, the excitement was at the top-level. Considering it was in London, the live started at 5 AM for me where I live. So I definitely did not get any sleep, but it was worth it. The Ahsoka series got the most recognition of the day with the teaser trailer dropping to all the fans. I woke up to the trailer being posted and immediately watched it, trying not to scream so loudly. Rebels fans were truly getting fed with the new live-action debuts of Hera, Sabine, Ezra, Thrawn, and Chopper. The Acolyte cast were given introductions, and I had no idea that a star from Squid Game (Lee Jung-jae) was going to be in it. I’m really excited to see more of this show. The Making of Andor was discussed with a few of the cast members and creators there, and Diego Luna really highlighted what Andor means to a personal level. Season 2 is in the making, and that will be something worth looking forward to. The next Star Wars films were also announced, and Dave Filoni’s directing one??? Let’s see what he has in store for us.

Day 2 included just as much fun as the first day had. There were more discussions on the Ahsoka characters, and Lars Mikkelsen IS PLAYING THRAWN?! Definitely a good live-action casting choice. Ming-Na Wen came to celebration to host the panel celebrating 40 years of Return of the Jedi, looking back at the characters and how that movie’s plot set up a lot of iconic memories. She also came to an interview to discuss her character, Fennec Shand, and how she is a “badass”. Andy Serkis came to the stage and certainly incited a powerful audience (”ONE WAY OUT!”). It’s unbelievable how it’s already been 15 years of The Clone Wars, with Matt Lanter, James Arnold Taylor, and Ashley Eckstein looking back at the legacy of all of it. Ian McDarmid served the iconic laughter of Palpatine, and Anthony Daniels arrived with his usual charm that makes C-3PO lovable, and got to meet one of his droid fans. Billy Dee William’s charm is irresistible, and we love to see Star Wars authors getting recognition.

In Day 3, there was a lot more looking back to look forward to. Starting off with the panel celebrating a few of the villains of the Sequels-Phasma, Snoke, and Palpatine-it was interesting to hear their perspectives. Cameron Monaghan served his look on the stage while rocking a poncho, and we love to hear the discussions about ponchos. He even gave it to a cosplaying fan, which was so sweet. Discussing “Jedi Survivor”, the sequel to “Jedi: Fallen Order”, there’s a lot more action to look forward to in the next game. Vivien Lyra Blair is just too adorable, and we have to agree with Hayden Christhansen; “This is where the fun begins” is one of the best Anakin lines. Along with Ewan McGregor and a few other cast members and creators, the team looks back at the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, getting nostalgia between the relationship of Obi-Wan and Anakin.

And finally, Day 4 was sad as it was to be the last day of celebration, but the energy was extra hyped this day. This day was filled with content of The Bad Batch, and we love to see everyone fangirling over Dee Bradley Baker performing the voices of a few clones. (Tech and Phee are canon now after they talked about it, you can’t change my mind.) Michelle Ang is so pure at heart, and we love to hear her takes on Omega and having her grow up a bit. The fact that Season 3 will be the last Bad Batch season is saddening, there’s still so much to discover. Ashley Eckstein is truly such a kind human being, and we love to see her giving the Ahsoka recognition that is truly deserved. A second season of Tales of the Jedi was announced, and we will be getting a Volume 2 of Star Wars: Visions, and I am in love with the animation. The fact that the studio who produced the film “Wolfwalkers” is getting to create a short in this makes me happy. Listen, Nubs, that little jedi from that upcoming Disney Junior show, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, is so CUTE! The closing ceremony was filled with a lot of emotions, but we can’t wait until the next celebration to see everyone again. Star Wars Celebration is truly home.

My first celebration was back in 2022, and I had attended that one through the lives at home as well. Whenever I sit down to attend the live streams, I really feel like I’m there at celebration, and I have tons of fun every time. Let’s look forward to enjoying ourselves again in 2025 in Japan!

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cineaura13 · 4 days ago

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Squid Game Season 2: A Thrilling Return to Chaos and Complexity

Netflix’s groundbreaking series Squid Game is back with its highly anticipated second season, premiering on December 26, 2024. Spanning seven intense episodes, this new chapter plunges audiences deeper into the shadowy world of life-or-death games, unraveling a tapestry of betrayal, survival, and shocking revelations. Building on the cultural phenomenon of its first season, Squid Game Season 2 redefines the boundaries of tension-filled storytelling while staying true to its dark, philosophical roots. Fans can also find Squid Game Season 2 Free to Watch in Hindi, making it accessible to a broader audience eager to experience this thrilling continuation.

A Gripping Evolution of the Squid Game Universe

The opening episode, Bread and Lottery, sets the stage for a season that delves not only into the physical brutality of the games but also into the psychological and emotional toll they exact. Seong Gi-hun (played by the inimitable Lee Jung-jae) returns, his character now driven by vengeance and haunted by the memories of his survival.

The show’s returning cast, including Wi Ha-jun’s Hwang Jun-ho, anchors the narrative with familiar faces, while a roster of new participants breathes fresh energy into the twisted arena. From moment one, alliances shift, tensions soar, and moral compasses are tested, creating a labyrinth of suspense and uncertainty.

Key Episodes That Redefine the Stakes

While each episode propels the story forward with relentless intensity, several chapters stand out for their audacity and emotional depth:

“Six Legs” (Episode 4): Players face a pentathlon of grueling challenges where teamwork and trust are essential—but trust is a dangerous gamble. The brutal unraveling of alliances here leaves lasting scars, both physical and emotional.

“One More Game” (Episode 5): Introducing Kang No-eul (played by Park Gyu-young), this episode disrupts the already fragile dynamics of the players. Her fierce determination and enigmatic motives create explosive conflicts and ethical dilemmas that ripple through the group.

“Friend or Foe” (Episode 7): The season finale delivers jaw-dropping twists as alliances fracture, secrets surface, and long-laid strategies collide. The climactic revelations leave viewers questioning everything they thought they knew about the characters and the sinister organization behind the games.

Unforgettable Performances

The cast’s stellar performances are the beating heart of Season 2.

Lee Jung-jae: Once again, Lee delivers a tour de force as Seong Gi-hun, portraying a man grappling with guilt, grief, and unrelenting determination to uncover the truth.

Wi Ha-jun: As Hwang Jun-ho, Wi navigates the treacherous duality of his undercover mission with a mix of raw vulnerability and steely resolve.

Park Gyu-young and Yim Si-wan: Among the newcomers, these two shine. Park’s Kang No-eul is a magnetic presence, while Yim’s nuanced performance adds layers of intrigue to the competition.

A Feast for the Senses

Season 2’s production elevates the series to new artistic heights:

Game Arenas: Designer Chae Kyoung-sun crafts hauntingly surreal arenas that embody the macabre beauty of the games. Each location is a visual masterpiece, juxtaposing whimsical design with harrowing stakes.

Cinematography: Kim Ji-yong’s striking visuals capture the eerie vibrancy of the game settings against the bleakness of the players’ realities, enhancing the emotional impact of every scene.

Score and Sound Design: Jung Jae-il’s haunting music and Gang Hye-yeong’s intricate soundscapes envelop viewers in a world where every footstep, gasp, and scream resonates with dread and despair.

Themes That Resonate

At its core, Squid Game Season 2 is a profound exploration of humanity’s darkest instincts and brightest hopes. Its central themes include:

Morality: The season raises chilling questions about what it means to be “good” or “just” in life-or-death situations.

Survival: As players are pushed to their limits, the narrative examines how far individuals will go to protect themselves or those they love.

Connection: Amid the chaos, the fragile bonds formed between players underscore the beauty and fragility of human relationships.

These thematic elements transform Squid Game from a mere thriller into a poignant reflection on greed, corruption, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Why You Can’t Miss It

With its high-stakes narrative, unforgettable characters, and stunning production, Squid Game Season 2 cements itself as a masterpiece of modern storytelling. The visceral intensity of the games, combined with deeply personal character arcs, offers an experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is exhilarating.

Whether you’re revisiting this dystopian nightmare or stepping into it for the first time, Season 2 promises a rollercoaster of emotions and twists that will leave you breathless. Squid Game Season 2 Free to Watch in Hindi, making it even more accessible for fans around the world. Now streaming on Netflix, it’s time to dive back into the arena—if you dare.

#Squid Game #squid game season 2 #watch hindi #free watch

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topconfessions · 6 days ago

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you’re a fan of seunghyun..? a lot of these questions and the answers you have for them is giving off weird vibes to be completely honest with you. especially since you seem to just eat up these “rumors” that surround him. it’s 2025 what adult is having fun with rumors that could potentially harm someone? have we not learned with the idols and actors who had off themselves? I just don’t get it. I haven’t read through all your shit but a lot of it is very off putting. no one genuinely knows seunghyun so why make up theories about him as if you’re his close friend? I don’t normally go off like this but I think he’s had a hard enough life with mistakes (like every human being on this planet) I don’t think adding fuel to the fire is helping. especially if new fans find this blog. with how the new gen is these days it’s scary.

And you sound new. Actually? I'm a former fan who naturally grew out of kpop as I got older but I still keep an eye him when I can. I'm not invested emotionally in him especially beyond the music. I'm 30 years old. I won't come for lets say those 2 anons who are 37 and are into him. They're closer to his age but I also won't discriminate againsg younger fans. However, I don't take shit from young fans regardless or new fans who want to get defensive or pretend they truly care about this man inside out as if they've been here to witness his every high and low as it unfolded.

Thats the problem with social media these days. Yall want to sit here and coddle your fave and never once speak critically of them or hold them accountable, call them out when they're wrong or showing sketchy behavior. I support him but I also call it like I see it. I'll have positive responses and I'll also have negative responses.

Make your own blog about him and take everyone with you. I've been checking in here continuously before squid game 2 was announced before he was even in the cast. You're new cause if you weren't, you would attack specifically things I've said and not question if I'm a fan or not?

P.S I'm a fan of /nobody/ for real. I like a plethora of celebs but I don't engage in that. I have a life, it's serious and requires my effort and attention. Its nice to look at kpop but I keep it real: those days are behind me.

If you don't like it? Tough luck. Also, respectfully, grow up. Don't come to me like america doesnt have the infamous blind site crazy days and nights where all the rumoted tea is spilled before it happens. I'm mentioning crazy days cause a great majority of shit spilled and theorized over there is legit, the rest is speculation. It wouldn't even have 2 legs to stand on if random new naysayers came in like childern asking for proof or only tea / dirt on celebrities people hate.

Now, with that being said, if you wouldn't have the energy to clock them and they DO drop korean / idol tea over there that isnt nice, then dont bring it here. Period.

We'll see who is still here when the hype wares off especilaly if, unfortunately so, top just lays low and doesnt have a movie or major project drop after this. We'll see if you still come back with the same rhetoric. And I'll tell you the same thing again. Period.

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commajade · 3 years ago

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This ask might go a bit off the rails but: I’ve been meaning to ask you this and your conversations about the reaction to the hometown cha cha cha lesbians (congrats to them btw 🎉) is kinda up this alley, but there was this post going around about how squid game was a) racist because they only had one brown person in the show and because said brown person was killed off and b) homophobic for that one scene with wi ha joon and that old VIP guy. And it just. Really rubbed me the wrong way. Like first I felt like the person was just saying shit to say shit, like trying to find something new and unique to say about a super popular show. But even if they were right or kind of had a point, I really felt like, unless THEY were Korean it’s really not their place to be making these judgements and accusations. Even if those choices were racist/homophobic that’s none of MY business as an American viewer because this is a Korean show. Their own history and reasons and issues for those choices has nothing to do with me as a viewer because ultimately I’m viewing this as an outsider. Idk if that makes sense but I feel like this is always my problem with Americans who watch foreign media, especially when it’s non-white. They just come in and accuse everything of being bigoted or bad as some kind of trump card and it’s like, even if they’re right that’s really none of their business. ESPECIALLY because they act like they were the first people to notice this. As if the people from these countries haven’t noticed these issues in their media and haven’t been working against it this whole time. Because at the end of the day, the biggest thing white people don’t know is WHY these issues are even there (I.e US imperialism being the root cause of homophobia in Korean society) so they just disregard any nuance and come with the take of “I’m holier than thou for not watching kdramas because they’re homophobic” idk. Idk. There’s a lot more I wanna say that might make more sense but I hope you get what I’m tryna say lol. (Also I don’t think the op for the post I’m talking was white/American I think they’re Chinese, but I still don’t feel like that changes much)

uhhhhh. i actually think those r perfectly valid criticisms of the show. those r claims u can make without being korean but there's a lot of room to be wrong and offensive in those arguments and that person seems to have been wrong. like "ali is the only brown character and is killed off" makes no sense on a show set in a historically ethnically homogenous country and where the entire cast is killed off except for the protagonist. also there's plenty of valid criticisms that white people aren't allowed to make cuz they should keep quiet instead. ur absolutely right that for many people it's none of their business and they should direct that energy into pressuring the US military to close their south korea army bases lol. and u probably know how i feel about english speakers calling korea/kmedia homophobic (am moved to physical violence). i'm actually happy ur bringing up those things like how people are so willing to demonize korean media as problematic or cringey and ignoring the constant activism and protesting and fighting south korea's known for.

but anyway the vip thing is 100% an accurate depiction of sex tourism and sex crimes that rich white tourists get away with in korea and every other colonized country. but is it a homophobic narrative choice as the only depiction of gay anything in the show? probably? ali is 100% a token not korean character but like. the entire cast was killed off besides gihun and ali's literally another asian person in an all asian cast you can't call it racist. his character is informed by class based stereotypes as a migrant worker but like carefully chosen to be a sympathetic depiction of his kind of story. this is a fable and every character is an archetype. is there colorism and xenophobia inherent in his character as a token brown migrant worker? yes. but it's not racism and it wasn't an offensive depiction at all imo, tho i'm open to being corrected.

#asks #sa //#long post //#squid game

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larentsaloud · 3 years ago

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holding myself accountable ie ADHD guide to watching dramas:

korea:

What’s wrong with secretary Kim (three more ep to watch)

LOST 2021 (ONLY THE BEST SHOW TO EVER EXIST???? )

Romance is a bonus book (one more ep to watch)

Just between lovers (actually the writing here is superb. must go back)

Lucky romance (and again I clocked out around the 12th)

She was pretty (yep I waved them goodbye at ep 12)

Memories of Alhambra (almost to the end...almost)

I am not a robot (umm...you guessed it. ep 7 I think)

Coffee Prince (YES MY BABIES. I think I completed this one)

Www search (SO GOOD. the cast the female energy is SPOT ON. did I finish it? no.)

Emergency couple (finished and rewatched!!!!)

I married an anti fan (dropped out ep 12)

Crash landing onto you (I have three more episodes to watch)

Bride of Habaek (love this so much but also spoilers there is a scene in later ep where they do the THING and it took me OUT. did not complete the series.)

Uncontrollably Fond (watched almost to the end, but not finished it for ‘reasons’)

Pinocchio (got half way through)

Oh my Venus (did not finish, left at penultimate ep)

Squid game (watched 5 ep)

Flower of evil (dropped out at penultimate ep, but amazing series must finish it)

Meteor garden (half way because I fell in love with the cast if not for that would have stopped sooner)

Boys over flowers (I managed to cram about 16 ep but then angst happened and I needed space)

Secret garden (half way thru)

Mad dog (half way thru)

The king the eternal monarch (three quarters in)

Where the camellia blooms (could not stand it watched two ep)

1% of something (amazing chemistry yes half way in)

Jumping girl (I sort of want to watch it??? first ep)

Hello me! (such good series but I cannot finish iiiittt)

Do you like Brahms (I FINISHED IT I LOVED IT SO MUCH)

Cheese in the trap (I FINISHED IT I HATED IT SO MUCH)

Suspicious partner ( I could not finish it. pray for me)

Healer (same)

K2 (yep)

Crowned clown (you guessed it)

Rookie historian (yeah...)

Home town cha cha cha (dropped out on ep 15 because well. idk)

Dol Sol (I FINISHED IT AND HATED THE ENDING WHY DID YOU DO ME LIKE THAT???)

Devilish joy (I love their chemistry they were incredibleeeeee. did not finish. looked like traumatising ending too scared)

Into the ring (yaaay my fave couple. did not finish it. not enough angst.)

Tale of the nine tailed (too much angst)

My roommate is a Gumiho (ANGST PERSONIFIED)

Vagabond (UGH. need to finish. such good series)

I’ll go to you when the weather is nice (literally love the cinematography but,,)

Doom at your service (ANGST IN YOUR FACE. uff. too perplexing. loved it. best kiss YET.)

Kill me heal me (lmao, I did not finish it because she screamed so much but HIS ACTING)

Mask (oh yeah this is amazing. should see how it pans out. love the actors)

Secret love (I COMPLETED THIS AND THIS SHOW BROUGHT ME TO MY KNEEEESSS ARGH I LOVED IT SO MUCH AKSJSKJSAJKD)

Take of nokdu (IN LOVE. MUST GO BACK)

Marriage not dating (so funny if you want FUN this is it. they are both so yummy. did not get to the ending but would recommend)

Blood (OHHHHH. if only there was less blood)

Descendants of the sun (ok but how can anyone watch this without enrolling to medical school to meet HIM?)

Weight lifting fairy (I love it? I do. I just...yeah)

Korean odyssey (my god. why won't they kiss properly I cannot take it)

Come and hug me (these two own my heart. too much to handle tbh)

Beautiful Kong Min Shi (such an underrated show. yes. but also no)

Masters Sun (please how can anyone like this its so 90s Buffy. I mean I leak Buffy. but also wtf)

Behind your smile (???)

Falling into innocence (YES but then he cut his hair so I left. im fickle)

Abbys (they were lush together amazing plot amazing everything I did not get to the end. little predictable for ADHD. not enough angst. you need the right amount of angst.)

W— two worlds apart (I love them together ok? but I could not get there)

You are my spring (a bit??? dunno)

It’s ok not to be ok (my early K drama! did I finish it? no)

My love from another star

While you were sleeping (great story I just didn't like their chemistry)

You are beautiful (ahaha the 2010 hair)

That winter the wind blows (they are mesmerising together I just have too many feelings about the bro and sis situation help)

Red sleeve ( I found out about the ending. glad I did not finish it)

Lawless Lawyer (THIS SHOW PLS WATCH IT. I should too. ep7)

Touch your heart (I love them <3 did not finish it)

True beauty (I don't remember???)

My shy boss ( amazing showww, one more ep I think)

Cinderella and four knights (why why why did you not let her end up with the SL. you got it wrong show no.)

Love alarm (FUCK YOU TO THE WRITERS. FUCK OFF. NO. THIS IS WHY I DONT WATCH THE ENDINGS. YOU DO THIS TO ME?????)

You are my destiny (LOVED THE KOREAN VERSION)

Because this is my first life (MY COMFORT SHOW WILL NEVER BE OVER IT)

Don’t dare to dream (the triangle was ridiculous. but the KISSINGGGG)

Run On (should I watch to the end? kinda like it)

Nevertheless (aghsakhjdjakhasjkhsdajhk YES WITH MY WHOLE CHEST I REWATCHED IT ABOUT THOUSAND TIMES ONLY)

Mysterious Love (OH YES. BUT HARD TO COMPLETE might the c drama)

Vincenzo (WELL STILL NOT WATCHED IT TO THE END PRAY FOR ME)

My name (I don't know?)

Itaewon class (oh yeah, I like this but also I don’t?)

Heirs (meh? I was rooting for the wrong characters damn it)

Healer (did not see the ending)

Goblin (could not bring myself to see the ending)

Dali and the cocky prince (meh? ep 8)

Stranger (this show is so goooooooood why did I not watch the second series yettt)

Blood (too much blood)

Crowned clown (oh...yeah)

Navillera (so good if only I can get past ep 8)

When my love blooms (no idea what this was)

Happiness (love love love but also too scared to go back and watch)

Let me be your knight (my fav actor! yes!)

Now we are breaking up (meh)

Madame Antoine (BEST BEST BEST BICKERING ALERT)

Imitation (HER HAIR PLS I WILL CRY.NO)

Love: ft Marriage & divorce (...)

VIP (mom forced me to watch it. did not

Where the stars land (love them <3 will finish this one actually)

Monthly magazine home (YES great drama will try to get there)

Hotel del luna (currently watching)

Mermaid one with lee min ho (YESSSSSS watched over and over)

Yumi’s cells ( great casting. great story. dropped ep 6)

I have a lover (dear god this show was all the cliches and I actually love to hate it)

Strong girl (ugh I could not finish this guys)

thai:

Tharn Type (yeah fine I didn't)

2gether (same as above)

Bad Buddy (yep)

You are my sky (aksjhdsakjh)

F4 (I will love this show until the day I die, it will be on my grave)

bromance (the best gender bender out there)

China

Put your head on my shoulder (??? I literally remember nothing. dropped early)

Falling into your smile (idk. they are so pretty but thousand episodes not something I can do)

Find yourself (hated the second ML. sorry)

Please feel at ease Mr Ling (hmmm, too much like other shows)

My unicorn girl (MY FAV C DRAMA<3)

Love me if you dare (if only I could watch this show. I do love the cast tho)

Across the ocean to see you (lovely show. lemme try to watch again)

To fly with you (YES)

Skate into love (loved)

Why women love ( currently watching)

Japan

My beautiful man (will rewatch forever)

Case of Incurable Love (almost almost finished it and loved it)

Mischevious Kiss (Tokyo) (ooooh I should finish this its so cute y'all)

From five to nine (this show is on crack I love it)

My love mix up (adorable)

Hana- kimi ( I love gender benderssss)

Coffee and Vanilla ( wtf was this I had question marks the whole time)

#drama rec #but ADHD style #c drama #k drama #thai drama #jap drama #all the drama lol #just a random ramble #holding myself accountable #there are more shows but this is just what I remember #from top of my head like

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dojae-huh · 3 years ago

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I feel your struggle. I'm also contemplating watching the drama. I was a kdrama enthusiast but college romance era is over for me. I don't have the energy to watch them anymore. I mean I can't even finish all the popular dramas nowadays. I don't even watch squid game can u believe that? The bigger reason might be due to me shifting to English period drama but anywayss,,

Based on the snippets that I've seen, I think it might be a really good college romance drama. College dramas with more than one pairing are usually more interesting based on what I've watched before. Plus, they got really good castings. Most of the actors have considerably good experience and I recognize two of them that I'd consider rising stars as they were involved in well-received projects before. I was actually kinda shocked to see them there. There's a good chance that the plot would be good. Or if the plot is cliche, the way it is written and delivered might be good.

A lot of factors can be counted in for the success of a project. It might be the script, the well-developed plot, the actor's performance, the director's popularity, etc. In Dear M's case, the actors' popularity has already brought a good start to the drama. An over-told story can be interesting if they know how to deliver it properly. Take a look at fairytales. There are so many versions of it but people are still supporting the movies (it might be due to it being nostalgic but do tell me any other examples, can't come up with anything else rn). I would recommend the drama to anyone who wanna watch light youth romance.

The same goes for Do's drama. It's kinda funny to see them acting the same role as the one-sided pining best friend. The comparison side by side would be hilarious. From what I can see so far, Jeong Shiho's personality is colder than Cha Min Ho's. Min Ho's personality is kinda similar to playful Jaehyun and since we don't see a lot of playful Jaehyun (you have to be an avid fan to properly see that), I can see how this drama can intrigue more ppl with this dual personality. I see a few ppl joking that Jae doesn't need to prepare much because the character is quite similar to him. Nonetheless, it's Jae's first acting roleeee, ppl are so excited. I'm excited. But I'll be cheering from the sidelines, I just can't watch more kdramaaa

p.s. if do or jae is casted in shows like Designated Survivors: 60 days I would definitely watch it. Manifesting...

I think both Jae and Do will go for more action/drama driven, big cast series where they can play sons or maknaes in working teams in the future. They need acting experience first, they get the romantic lead roles because they are idols and offer their popularity in exchange for the patience towards their inexperience and bad acting. Their roles also help with their straight images, I'm sure it's one of the main goals for the management and them.

I dropped Squid game. It's hard for me to finish any Korean series, tbh. I dropped all those I tried following Do's recommendation.

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into-the-daniverse · 4 years ago

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The Strait of Sirens

When the game map doesn’t give you the waterways you want, just carve them out yourself, am I right?

In this case, I’ve carved a strait from the Sea of Persephia to the Salty Sea, purely so my pirates can cross paths more. And it wouldn’t be a fantasy location in my canon if it didn't have something supernatural—so there’s also sirens.

This would come up in my canon specifically in Muriel’s route, where he and MC (Alec or Viviane depending) need to travel south. But before the events of the game, this gets used a lot by the band traveling back and forth over years, and obviously, by the pirates.

Gonna put most of this under the cut to save your dash!

Let’s start with the name of the strait.

The Strait of Sirens is inhabited and guarded by fairly neutral aligned sirens. Neutral as in they hate all humans equally. They’ve been there for a very long time, and they don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

The strait itself is fairly big. Traveling through the strait takes about a week to cross from one end to the other on an average sized ship, so there are a number of small towns scattered across on both sides with at least one substantial inn for travelers to rest at along the way. The towns all have enchantments on them, so once a ship is docked, it is considered safe, and the sirens can’t affect it or any of the crew members.

Both entrances to the strait are guarded by sirens from two different clans. One clan guards the entrance to the Sea of Persephia, and the other the entrance to the Salty Seas. The entrances look like this; large jagged rocks meant to discourage ships from entering.

For this reason, only experienced sailors usually attempt to enter. Though, once past the entrance, it’s pretty smooth sailing. Because the sirens themselves are enough of a threat.

Onto the sirens themselves; they don't look human.

Well, they kind of do, in the same way that Valdemar does.

Their skin is translucent, and their fins glow in the dead of night. Their teeth are too sharp to offer a comforting smile, and their eyes are too much like fish eyes to give any warmth as they peek over the waves. They all have long hair, but hair is a loose term, as it’s more like another appendage, laced with seaweed and rope from wrecked ships.

Not all of them have fish tails, some have tentacles, some beaks like squids. Some of them look more human than others, and they act as lures, sometimes pretending to be drowning so a naive sailor will jump in to “save” them.

They are not considered attractive (conventionally) and they don’t lure travelers into the depths by appealing to their sexual appetite. Instead, they use illusion magic in their songs to show their victims either their wildest fantasy, most horrible fear, or best kept secret. Whatever is the strongest pull is what will be shown to them.

They sing in a style similar to Kulning, an ancient Swedish herding call, except they’re herding the travelers off their ships, instead of calling cows home. This is an excellent example of what they would sound like.

They don’t speak in any known language, those who have heard it say it sounds more like clicking. They are not easily reasoned with, highly temperamental, and prone to feeding frenzies. If some poor unfortunate slips over the railing, they are to be considered dead the moment they hit the water.

And here’s a little siren moodboard for the aesthetics.

Generally, all ships that pass through the strait have to do the old “plug your ears and hope for the best” routine as they sail through, but the closer you get to the towns, the safer you are.

Some ships employ magicians for the purpose of counteracting the sirens, as a seven day journey is a long time for most vessels to go without hearing. When the band travels on supply ships Alec is usually sought after, as her vocal magic works directly against them.

She can use her magic to sing over them, and to cancel out their illusions. This takes a lot of concentration, and she can’t sing for seven days straight, so it’s only used when absolutely necessary.

For my pirates, they each have their own way to cross the strait safely.

For Meredith, she has Saoirse. They are the only thing the sirens fear, as all seas feed into each other, and the water from the Frozen Sea has a lot of stories to tell about the Pirate Queen’s quartermaster. The crew is still encouraged to keep quiet, and to keep away from the railings, as the sirens will try to snatch any distracted crew member. She usually stops at a few towns on their way to let the crew rest.

Rodrigo doesn’t know the extent of his magic, but he knows how to use it well enough to challenge the illusions that the sirens cast. It takes a ridiculous amount of energy, and he hates doing it, but in the case that the crew can’t just plug their ears, he can redirect the sirens illusions. He can even cast illusions on the sirens, though not for very long. His crew is the only one who’s been able to retrieve members after they fell into the water, as he can make the sirens think the crew member fell in a different spot just long enough for Jacqui or someone else to fish them out. He’ll stop at villages frequently just to get away from the sirens as much as possible.

The sirens hate Syd, and seeing Inuwashi on the horizon will send them into a frenzy. But he has agreements with both clan leaders (agreements, thinly veiled threats, hostages—the Sea Palace has a few sirens hidden in the catacombs) so they let him and his crew pass. Because his ship is much smaller and faster, it takes him closer to four days to cross the strait, so usually he’ll only stop at one town to rest up, or he’ll just push through for the four days straight.

Now as mentioned above, there are a handful of towns across both sides of the strait for travelers to stop at. There’s at least one town within a day’s range of each other on the North side, around seven total, and on the South side they are spread further apart, around four total.

On the North side, the biggest town (and the only one with a ferry to take you South) is called Hinode. This is where the Koizumi Inn is located, run by Manolo and Manuela Koizumi.

Hinode, and a few more villages that are closer to Venterre, would look similar to this picture of the fishing village Ine in Japan.

Hinode is simultaneously the safest and most dangerous village, as it is directly between both clans territories, and the only thing the sirens hate as much as humans is their rival clan. 90% of the time, this means that you are unlikely to see either clan in the waters, as they will just avoid each other, but the other 10% of the time will see bloodshed.

Once every 2 years or so, during a blue moon, the clans will fight, and Hinode is in the “splash zone” for lack of a better term. All ships will need to be properly secured and enchanted for protection, or they will be turned to splinters as the sirens fight, and people living directly on the water will often move inland for the duration of the fight. Or, the day before, they will take the day travel across the strait to the South side.

On the South side, the biggest town is called Sólsetur, and it would look more like Portloe, Cornwall, shown below.

There are a few more towns on the South side, but Sólsetur is the only one that will ferry you across to the North side, and the only one directly on the water. It’s not as centralized as Hinode, and because it’s hidden in a cove it is safer to be here during the blue moon.

All the villages along the strait have protections on them, especially the closer they are to the water, that keeps the sirens from attacking them. But, travel too far outside the barriers of the spells, and you are on your own.

Both Hinode and Sólsetur are very welcoming of travelers, sailors and pirates alike, and though the people on the South side are generally colder, it’s not hard to find a warm place to sleep and a good meal to eat.

#the arcana #the arcana game #into the daniverse #strait of sirens #lore #I dont know how to tag this lmao #I think that's it for now maybe lol

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osmw1 · 5 years ago

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Dimension Wave Chapter 34 — Limited Dimension Wave

“What’s with all the ruckus at this hour?”

Alto sleepily rubbed his eyes. Beside him stood Yamikage and Tsugumi, both of whom were asleep minutes ago as well. Yamikage had adjusted to living on the seas and has been sleeping properly too. Tsugumi was still half-asleep.

“The ship is being pulled along by something.” “Surely ‘tis but a wave.” “If it’s just a wave, then I don’t know why my Helmsmanship skill isn’t working at all.”

I was able to keep the ship from capsizing when the storm hit us, but I don’t know why it’s not doing anything now. Was it because I caught the Humongous Squid? That shouldn’t have anything to do with it. But if it is, then my fishing must’ve affected something. I mean, that doesn’t really make sense though. We should’ve only been jostled around a little by the drag of the squid. Maybe we simply triggered a flag for the Sea of No Return… but that would be awfully optimistic thinking.

“Be on gua—What?”

I turned around to see who tapped my shoulder. But there wasn’t anyone there. I mean, obviously not. Everybody on board is standing in front of me. To my right are Yamikage and Tsugumi. To my left are Alto and Sheryl. Ahead of me is Shouko. Who would be there to tap me on my shoulder?

“Kizuna, what if there were ghosts on the sea?” “Well, I’d expect you to be a little more scared…”

The lady standing right in front of me seemed as if she could see more than we could. I’m not scared enough to be shrieking out loud, but Shouko looked extremely serious considering the possibility of ghosts and stuff… Well, I know Dimension Wave is only a game, but I wish she would at least pretend to be scared. But someone else was.

“… phantom ships.” “S-S-Su-Surely you jest, miladies!” “Well, I s’pose ghost ships and pirate ships are nautical staples.”

Neither Sheryl nor Alto seemed surprised. It’s true that MMORPG’s usually have them as dungeons or events. Hell, it’d be more surprising if they didn’t show up on a nautical RPG. And why are you pissing your pants already, Yamikage?

“Yeah, you’re right… That would explain why the mist and the sudden chilliness too.”

Visibility had rapidly worsened. The fog, eerie and disturbing, was extremely well done on the developers’ part. Drowsy before, but Yamikage was now trembling. Was she that terrified?

“Hey, Yamikage. It’s a little clichéd, but would you let me scare you with a ‘boo!’?” “How! You would be such a knave!” “Figured you’d get mad.”

I don’t think my joke went over very well, but I also don’t think it made much of a difference that I warned her first.

“Thy mere suggestion has wrought me with fury!” “Fine… then how ‘bout you, Alto?” “No way, José! I’ve got the heebie-jeebies already!” “Heh, I never said I was actually gonna do it, but your guys’ reactions was amazing.”

It might’ve been more fun to push them, but the other three…

“Do tell why you are looking at me like that.” “… try me.” “You’re so oopy spoopy, big bro!”

Yikes. I don’t know what I expected out of my sister, but I really don’t want her to act all cutesy with me like that again.

“But in all seriousness, a ghost ship, huh? Sounds like it’ll be tough.” “Even during the day~!”

Well, the whole party’s leveled up a bit and even I’m at about half the Energy I used to have. I’ve also been using Transmutation to get some Energy out of the squid I fish up, but since the skill is only at rank I, it takes quite a bit of time to cast. Plus, since I get about 5-15 Energy per squid, that’s only about 700 Energy per hour. I’ll probably have to keep using the skill to level it up to II, but it’s yet to pop up even though I’ve been at it for a while now.

“I-I-Is that the ship, perchance?! Oh, but I am so frightened!” “What’s truly frightening is that you still haven’t acquired Night Vision.”

She probably sleeps through the night, but I’ve had it unlocked for so long already. More importantly, though, I looked over to the direction she was pointing. It was glowing in a ghostly white light, emitting a full body sense of dread. The realism of it all truly spoke to the beauty of VR.

The ghost ship was absolutely colossal. Our sailboat was only about 20 meters in length, but we were completely eclipsed in comparison. Sheryl explained that leisure watercraft over 25 feet (approximately 7.6 meters) are designated as cabin cruisers. But this was more like a yacht. It had the space for multiple living quarters and other facilities on board. It was probably, what, ten times bigger us and it had suddenly appeared in front of us. The sails were in tatters and its planks crumbling. If it weren’t for the mysterious white light that it’s emitting, you’d think this ghost ship is just some floating rotten junk. If this were a horror movie, there would be a theremin playing in the score right now.

“Yamikage.” “Gah!” “I… I just wanted to speak to you. No need to be shrieking or anything…”

And just for kicks, I turned to look at Alto and then gazed past his shoulders. He seemed out of it. Whatever it may be, their reactions are top notch. You’ve just gotta have at least one person in your squad like these two!

“I think I respect you a little less now, Kizuna.” “Whaaat? Just because there’s a ghost ship?” “But the look on your face!”

Haha! Oh, this guy. But I suppose there are more important matters at hand. Like the ghost ship.

“Like I was saying, let’s be on guard and prepare for combat. Something like this has gotta have enemies on board.” “Understood.” “‘kay.” “Mm-hmm!”

The three of them replied with confidence if not enthusiasm. The other two? Cowards. Especially that Yamikage. Get a grip! At least Alto’s got an excuse. He’s been busy trading up till now, so he might be a little underleveled. Yamikage, though, has the strongest stats out of all of us. With her Drain, her numbers are better than even Shouko. But, I mean, if she’s simply afraid of ghosts and spirits, then there’s nothing you can really do about it.

“If you two are that bad with ghosts and stuff, you wanna stay behind?” “… Stay behind? Here?” “Yeah.” “I shall follow you till the ends of the Earth!” “I mean, it’s probably safer if you stay here and wait for us.” “Hell to the no! It’s a billion times scarier to be here alone!” “I guess? I grew up watching a lot of this stuff, so I guess I’m used to it.”

My sisters and I used to always rent horror flicks and watch them together. There’s even new VR horrors where you watch in first-person. I’m not crazy about the genre as a whole though. But enough contemplating. Let’s charge on board.

Vrrt!

There was a crackling noise. It was a noise I’ve heard merely two weeks ago. It’s here… With a bright flash of light, time and space warped—

—Limited Dimension Wave.

Kizuna†Exceed (Captain)

Hakoniwa Shouko (Vice Captain)

Yamikage

Sheryl

Tsugumi†Exceed

Altorese

A menu popped up with a list of our names. Once past the blinding light, it looked like the dungeon was located below deck. There was no information on the minimap except for each of our locations. Everything else was pitch black. It’s probably one of those hidden dungeons that pop up in games all the time.

“Limited Dimension Wave?”

I muttered aloud to myself, but everyone else was similarly confused by what it meant. Shouko had already readied her weapon. It’s like she’s some sort of disciplined soldier, ready to engage in combat at the drop of the hat. Sheryl was simply looking around with her usual blank expression. Tsugumi had her battle scythe wielded in both hands. Her lower body trembled while her animal ears twitched agitatedly. Alto seemed out of it, just as before. And then there’s…

“Eeeeeeeeek! No, it’s too scary! Help meee!”

There was about one person who was almost repulsively afraid. But wait. Where did that verbal tic of her go? She’s actually that terrified? I mean, she was scared before, but… I don’t know, I feel bad for putting her through this now.

“Yamikage, it’s alright!” “… Kiz!” “… Who?” “… Miss Kizuna.”

I have so much to say about her correcting herself, but I can save that for later. I’m not about to ask her what she thinks about me though. But Yamikage. Just what is she? I’m sure if I got to know her, I’d understand her more and guess to how she is as a person. Not her character, but rather the actual player behind the ninja. I mean, of course, it’d be rude for me to pry. In online games like this, you never know who’s comfortable sharing what with whom. This is all just theory, but in my mind, Shouko is from old money, Sheryl… I’m not so sure about, Tsugumi is obvious, and Alto is probably… a little older. You know what they say about books and covers though.

“Chill, Yamikage. We’re in a game. Even if there were ghosts, it’s all just a game.” “… I understand, milady.”

From below her, I looked up straight into her eyes… And seemingly calmer now, she nodded in agreement. Alright, with her out of the way, I had to get a handle on the situation. I just had to pay no mind to Dark Shadow holding on to my sleeve.

“So, what’s does ‘limited’ mean?” “… With restrictions.” “I mean, if we look at it literally, then I suppose it’s a restricted Dimension Wave?” “I believe it to mean that it is limited to the current party listed in the information screen.” “Ooh, that makes sense…”

This was something I’ve seen more than once in MMO’s. It’s not dissimilar to instance dungeons and party quests. Tsugumi had played one that was all about co-op with your party members. It’s a total cliché, but I’ll bet that we’ll have to clear this dungeon and then defeat a boss. We’ll get quest rewards and boss drops at the end too. And we’re probably limited to doing this once a day or once a week or something. I get it now. That’s probably why it’s limited.

“Alrighty. No point to standing around like this. Shall we?”

contents: /prologue/ /ch001/ /ch002/ /ch003/ /ch004/ /ch005/ /ch006/ /ch007/ /ch008/ /ch009/ /ch010/ /ch011/ /ch012/ /ch013/ /ch014/ /ch015/ /ch016/ /ch017/ /ch018/ /ch019/ /ch020/ /ch021/ /ch022/ /ch023/ /ch024/ /ch025/ /ch026/ /ch027/ /ch028/ /ch029/ /ch030/ /ch031/ /ch032/ /ch033/ /ch034/ /next/

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brokehorrorfan · 6 years ago

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Best New Horror Movies on Netflix: Winter 2018

There’s an overwhelming amount of horror films and TV shows to sift through on Netflix, so I’ve decided to take out some of the legwork by compiling a list of the season’s best new genre titles available on Netflix’s instant streaming service.

Please feel free to leave a comment with any I may have missed and share your thoughts on the films you watch. You can also peruse past installments of Best New Horror Moves on Netflix for more suggestions.

1. The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House is, quite simply, some of the best long-form horror storytelling of all time. Based on - but not a strict adaptation of - Shirley Jackson's influential gothic horror novel of the same name, the series is created and directed by Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Ouija: Origin of Evil). Told through two timelines, with clever transitions between the past and present, the story concerns five siblings and how an alleged haunting they experienced as kids affects them as adults. The cast includes Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial), Carla Gugino (Watchmen), Michiel Huisman (Treme), Elizabeth Reaser (Ouija: Origin of Evil), Kate Siegel (Hush), Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People), and Lulu Wilson (Annabelle: Creation). It is admirably character-driven, which makes the horror elements hit even harder, and a spooky atmosphere is present throughout all 10 episodes.

2. Green Room

Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier achieves the impossible by matching - and perhaps even surpassing - the unbridled intensity of his previous film, Blue Ruin, with Green Room. The exercise in white-knuckle suspense finds a scrappy punk band trapped in a skinhead club after unwittingly walking in on a crime. The late Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) delivers one of the best performances of his tragically short career as the de facto leader of the band. In a bit of inspired casting, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) is chilling as the conniving, white supremacist venue owner. Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development), Joe Cole (Skins), and Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) round out the band, while Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) is also wrapped up in the brutal fight for survival. Akin to Don't Breathe, the tension on screen is enough to induce anxiety, and Saulnier nails the punk rock DIY spirit to boot.

3. Cam

Cam stars Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid's Tale) as a cam girl - one who performs pornographic acts live on camera for paying viewers - who is desperate to gain popularity. Produced by Blumhouse, this is not your typical "seedy underbelly of the sex industry" movie, although there is some of that; instead, it goes in a refreshing, unpredictable direction. Reminiscent of a neon-soaked episode of Black Mirror, Cam is a suspenseful and compelling mystery-thriller with a sci-fi twist and horror undertones. Brewer is spectacular in her fearless performance, while director Daniel Goldhaber makes a powerful feature debut.

4. The Night Comes for Us

The Night Comes for Us is an unrelenting action thriller in the vein of The Raid, John Wick, and Dredd. In fact, the Indonesian film reunites The Raid's Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais. Taslim leads as a man who goes rogue from a dangerous crime syndicate. A variety of deadly individuals (Uwais among them) are out to get him, but he has some tough allies as well. It all culminates in an incredible final battle in which the viewer feels every blow. The blend of brutal, graphic violence and impressively choreographed fight scenes is written and directed by by Timo Tjahjanto (whose V/H/S/2 segment is a highlight of the franchise).

5. Apostle

Forget that Nicolas Cage abomination; Apostle is the Wicker Man reboot we deserve. The Netflix original film is reminiscent of the 1973 occult horror classic not only in plot but also in tone, style, and pacing. Set in 1905 London, a feral Dan Stevens (The Guest) stars as a man whose sister is kidnapped by a religious cult on a secluded island, which he must infiltrate to save her. Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) serves as the cult's charismatic leader, while Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) plays his daughter. The slow-burn is quite a change of pace for writer-director Gareth Evans (The Raid franchise) and his regular cinematographer, Matt Flannery, but they handle it beautifully.

6. May the Devil Take You

May the Devil Take You feels like The Evil Dead's Sam Raimi directing an installment in The Conjuring universe. The Indonesian horror film is not a scrappy splatterfest; it's elegantly directed by Timo Tjahjanto (V/H/S/2). He culls from modern supernatural tropes to craft fine horror set pieces, spooky imagery, a good atmosphere, and strong production value. Chelsea Islan (Headshot) earns to be mentioned in the same breath as Bruce Campbell in her lead role as a daughter who investigates her estranged father's past to uncover the truth behind his coma and her haunting visions. It's a tad overlong at 110 minutes, which is particularly felt during the last act, but there's enough kinetic energy to keep it moving forward.

7. Hold the Dark

Hold the Dark is not quite as strong as Jeremy Saulnier's previous efforts (Green Room, Blue Ruin), but his mastery of tension remains unparalleled. Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) stars as a wolf expert who's convinced by an Alaskan woman (Riley Keough, Max Mad: Fury Road) to hunt a wolf that took her young son, only to get wrapped up in a murder plot. Meanwhile, the boy's soldier father (Alexander Skarsgård, True Blood) returns home from duty in the Middle East unhinged. The screenplay is written by Macon Blair (I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore), based on the book of the same name by William Giraldi. As viewers have come to expect from Saulnier, the violence is as unrelenting as the suspense.

8. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is not your TGIF version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Its aesthetically similar to the Archie Comics title on which its based, embracing the rich Gothic horror atmosphere, but the story veers more into teen drama territory. The result is like a mash-up of Riverdale, The Witch, and Harry Potter. It may take a few episodes to become invested, plus to get used to the distracting shallow depth of field style (which is thankfully used less as the season progresses), but it's eventually rather addicting. The midsection becomes something of a monster-of-the-week series, but it never loses sight of the overall story arc. Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) is charming as the titular witch, and the main cast also includes Ross Lynch (My Friend Dahmer), Lucy Davis (Shaun of the Dead), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings), and Michelle Gomez (Doctor Who).

9. Into the Forest

Into the Forest is a post-apocalyptic tale of sorts, but it's a grounded take on the subject matter that largely functions as a drama. Ellen Page (Inception) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld) star as sisters who live with their father (Callum Keith Rennie, Battlestar Galactica) in a secluded, woodland home. Directed by Patricia Rozema (Mansfield Park), the movie follows the family in their fight for survival in the months after electricity is lost throughout the world. Although it drags in spots, Page, who produced the film after falling in love with Jean Hegland's novel on which it's based, is in top form.

10. In Darkness

In Darkness stars Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) as a blind pianist who hears her upstairs neighbor (Emily Ratajkowski, Gone Girl) get murdered, drawing her into London's seedy underworld, where she meets Ed Skrein (Deadpool) and Joely Richardson (Event Horizon). With shades of Wait Until Dark, the thriller offers some solid suspense and tension, plus superb sound design and cinematography. The setup is gripping, though the plot later becomes too convoluted for its own good. Dormer is fantastic in the lead, and she also produced and co-wrote the script with director Anthony Byrne (Peaky Blinders).

11. Don't Watch This

Don't Watch This is listed on Netflix as a season, but it's simply five unrelated horror shorts, ranging between 2 and 9 minutes in length. There's body horror, killer kids, urban explorers, and Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski parodying American Psycho. In addition to a few clever setups and strong horror set pieces, they boast quality production value, cinematography, and special features (both practical and digital). Shorts usually struggle to find an audience on YouTube, so it's great to see them showcased on a platform as powerful as Netflix.

Bonus: De Palma

De Palma is a documentary on filmmaker Brian De Palma (Carrie, Scarface, Mission: Impossible, Blow Out, Phantom of the Paradise, et al.). The septuagenarian himself - with no other talking heads - discusses and reflects on his oeuvre, going movie by movie (plus a handful of unmade projects) in chronological order, accompanied by clips and stills. Co-directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale) and Jake Paltrow (Young Ones), the candid nature of the interviews prevent the film from feeling like a mere DVD special feature. It moves briskly, leaving you wanting more even at 110 minutes.

#netflix #the haunting of hill house #chilling adventures of sabrina #green room #cam #may the devil take you #apostle #the night comes for us #hold the dark #into the forest #best of netflix #article #list #haunting of hill house #sabrina #in darkness #don't watch this #de palma #bent neck lady

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ferallymine · 6 years ago

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Someone You Loved

A/N:: Y’all BakuLin has me by the BALLS and I just LOVE these fucking dorks okay so let’s go ((also slight lyric change at the end ehehe~))

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I'm going under and this time I fear there's no one to save me This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy

Katsuki Bakugo was going to be the Number One hero. There was no way he wouldn’t beat everyone in his class. All these losers and damn nerds were just stepping stones to his victory.

Push past the bullshit. Cut through the dramatics. There would be no contest- Katuski would be the best.

…

So why did this blue haired bitch keep knocking him on his ass?

I need somebody to heal Somebody to know

Lin’s quirk was… versatile. More useful than his own, but he’d never admit that aloud. As much as he enjoyed trying to fight against her in each training match, there were days that she was better as an ally.

“Wanna team up for this round?” Lin asked, stretching out her arms.

“Tch, why would I wanna be with a nerd like you?” Bakugo huffed, crossing his arms.

She shrugged, “Alright then, I’ll just go ask Midoriya. He’s not afraid of teaming up with me-”

“GET BACK HERE I’M NOT AFRAID WE’LL BEAT ALL THESE OTHER TEAMS INTO THE GROUND!”

It was strange at first, pairing up with her instead of fighting her. She was still working out how to apply different aspects of her quirk, which gave her fuel for small talk in the City Ruin Arena.

“Did you know everyone radiates a unique frequency?” Lin placed a magenta glowing hand to the ground, “This’ll be an easy rescue job.”

Bakugo raised an eyebrow at her, “You can locate people?”

“Kinda. I’m still tweaking out different applications of my quirk.” She chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Your energy frequency. It’s 420.”

“WHAT THE FUCK ENERGY DRINK WHY’D YOU GIVE ME THAT DUMB NUMBER!!”

“I don’t assign frequencies, Baku!”

“FUCKING HELL, LIN! WHERE’S THE RESCUE PEOPLE?!”

She rolled her eyes, hand still glowing, “Midoriya is southwest of our location. I can’t detect Jirou, so she must be farther than my range.”

Making their way south, Lin kept up the idle chatter, “Why UA?”

“None of your business.”

“Oh, c’mon Bakugo. Is it because All Might went here?”

“Stop talking.”

“The Shiketsu high school has a nice uniform. You’d look sharp in their hat.”

“Shut the fuck up, Lin.”

She stopped walking, “Is there something wrong with me wanting to get to know you?”

Bakugo grit his teeth, “Stop talking as if we’re friends. I’m not your fucking friend.”

He realized the effect of his words when he saw the light in her eyes go out. Lin didn’t speak the rest of the session.

Somebody to have Somebody to hold

“I WIN!” Ashido threw her hands up, left hand still clutching the controller, “Eat your heart out, Calamari!”

“BUT I HATE SQUID!” Kaminari sunk to his knees, defeated.

Kirishima pat the electric boy’s head, “We’ll get ‘em next round. Not like Asui did anything anyway. Mina CARRIED THE TEAM!”

“HAH! ONE GIRL BEAT TWO BOYS’ ASSES!” Ashido pointed, reveling in her victory.

“I’ll wipe that grin right off your face,” Lin snatched the controller from Kaminari’s limp hand.

Ashido’s smile widened, “Alright, Dea!!! Come at me with all you got!”

“Ribbit, you need two players for this game. Who’s your partner?” Asui put a finger to her chin.

Lin scanned the room, “Baku! You’re my partner!”

“EH?!” The blond boy’s face flushed with confusion.

She grabbed his wrist, “No refusals. We’re pummeling their asses tonight. I wanna see the joy of winning crumble within them as we smash their fictional bodies into the floor.”

Lin’s scary vibe got Bakugo to join, “Fine, but only because we’re guaranteed victory.”

Four pairs of eyes were glued to the screen. The rest of class 1-A watched intensely at both the screen and the players.

“NO!!!”

“YEAH!!!”

“HAH TAKE THAT!”

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“ribbit…”

Ashido sank to the floor, soul crushed, “If you hadn’t taken my sword…”

“We won!” Lin suddenly leaned over, crushing Bakugo in a hug, “Thank you, teammate!!” She let go just as quickly, returning her attention to lighthearted jests with the class.

…

Bakugo didn’t know what kind of warmth he felt in that spontaneous hug… but he wanted another.

It's easy to say, but it's never the same I guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain

Something was off and Lin could just…feel it. They way Bakugo walked. How hunched over he was. How…more reactionary he was, even for his known dramatic flare-ups.

She waited until everyone was about to head out for hero training before cornering him in the hallway.

“Lin what the fu-”

“Don’t play coy,” Her eyes were crimson, “Something’s wrong.”

Anger flared back, “I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT!” He struggled against her grip on his shoulders, but a glow of energy kept him pinned.

His jacket loosened around his collar, thanks to not wearing a tie. Lin noticed a…

Bakugo followed her eyes, “No it’s not-”

Before he could finish, she pulled him back into the dark empty classroom. In a flurry of motion and glowing energy, Bakugo couldn’t react until he stood shirtless before her.

“BITCH THAT’S NOT FAIR GIVE THEM BACK!” Pink on his cheeks, he lunged for her.

She stepped aside, unintentionally causing him to crash to the floor. No words could fall from her mouth.

His torso…was covered in disgusting bruises.

Bakugo kept his face hidden, screaming at her, “STOP STARING AT ME YOU FUCKING PERVERT. I GOT THESE AT TRAINING.”

“We…haven’t had combat for 2 weeks.”

“I DID SOLO WORK!!” He got up, still not looking at her, “GIMME BACK MY SHIT!”

“Bakugo,” A gentle hand rested on his cheek. Lin slowly raised his face to hers, kind green eyes gazing into angry red ones. His body trembled, fueled by anger and hurt. Knowing he wouldn’t dare whisper about it, Lin resigned her current tactic. She laid the shirt on the nearby desk and simply hugged him. It wasn’t tight. It was gentle, soft. Without saying a word, her arms slid under his own and came to a rest in the center of his back.

Foreign. It felt so foreign to have this warmth swell in his chest; to have anyone hold him like this. Bakugo froze, not knowing how to process this sensation.

Should he push away?

Should he hug her back?

“…you don’t have to tell me what’s going on,” Lin mumbled into the crook of his neck, “Just…just know I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

The armor around his heart cracked. Suddenly the sting of his wounds didn’t hurt anymore.

Now the day bleeds into nightfall And you're not here To get me through it all

The Villains…they found them…

Blue fire threatened Bakugo’s neck. He couldn’t move, making the situation even more terrifying.

Where is she… where’s Lin… Bakugo’s eyes scanned for her. The Villains said they wanted her, too. So if she wasn’t here, she was safe, right?

Screaming from the left.

Bakugo almost gave himself whiplash, turning to see a Nomu split in half with red energy.

No…

Lin landed in the clearing, crimson firing up.

No please run get away from here gET AWAY

“YOU BASTARDS!” She charged, bolts in each hand.

The man in the top hat cackled, “Finally, we have both packages.”

Bakugo noticed the blonde girl behind her. “MARDEA NO-”

I let my guard down And then you pulled the rug I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved

The shift from crimson to lilac was instantaneous. The blood flow even more so.

Lin collapsed to her knees, shaking. Eyes wide with horror at the metal speared through her body.

“He he he!” The blonde girl with twin buns giggled delightedly, “Fresh blood for Toga!!!”

The scream caught in Bakugo’s throat as she smashed a rock into Lin’s head. Her body crumpled, unconscious.

Everything faded to purple as they were dragged away into the portals.

…

Bakugo heard nothing of what this flaky skinned bitch had to say. His focus was on Lin, who was tied to the wall opposite him. She was still unconscious, but the villains did manage to bandage her up decently. At least she wouldn’t die from blood loss.

“HEY!” The flaky skinned bitch knelt down, forcing Bakugo to look at him. The rest of the villains moved positions to block his view of Lin, “I’m talking to you!”

“And I’m not listening. Get the fuck away from me,” He pulled against his restraints. Smoke from failed explosions seeped through the cracks.

That blonde bitch who stabbed Lin chipped in, “Oh! Oh oh oh Shiggy! If he’s gonna be one of us shouldn’t we, ya know, take off his restraints? If he gets hectic, I can always stab him, ehehehe~” The…obvious blushing taking over her body was disturbing.

“You have a point, Toga.” Shigaraki took out some keys, “Let’s formally welcome our new member.”

He didn’t wait a second more than being release. Bakugo set off well-timed explosions; crossing the room to kneel by Lin’s side.

“Dea…” He shook her shoulder, attempting to wake her up. Bakugo kept his eyes on the group before him, one hand ready to fire off unwanted advances.

The burnt fucker eyed him, “Of course, you run to the helpless one. How noble of you.”

She stirred, green energy wisping off her body. The bonds around her arms and legs began to glow. “Baku…go…” The bindings turned into pure energy, dissolving into her body. The new surge gave her just enough of a boost to wake up. She leaned on Bakugo for support to sit up properly. Blood seeped through her bandages, yet she ignored it and summoned a green shield around herself and him.

The lizard stepped back, “Shigaraki… yeah you said your sister had a cool quirk but that’s… that’s nuts and it’s not even her full potential.”

Sister?! Bakugo’s thoughts went wild.

“More of a reason for her to be here. Right, sis?”

Lin stayed silent; for fear or stubbornness, Bakugo couldn’t tell.

Everyone tensed when a knock came to the door.

Now, I need somebody to know Somebody to heal Somebody to have Just to know how it feels It's easy to say, but it's never the same I guess I kinda liked the way you helped me escape

They were in this…ruined warehouse. The night sky was eerily clear, casting bright moonlight onto their situation.

Bakugo held tight to Lin, keeping her from slipping back into unconsciousness. His spare hand put small rocks and debris into hers- easy way to force energy into her body.

Now stable enough to stand, Lin leaned into him for some support. They kept their eyes on the group of villains around them.

“Miss Mardea Lin,” A booming voice from above, “I’ve been looking forward to this interaction for years.” A large man floated high in the air.

“Thinking you can brainwash me like Tenko?” Lin cocked her head, “Bold of you to assume you can control me.”

Laughter, “Of course I can’t control you. I want your power.”

“Over my dead body.” Lin’s stance wavered, forcing Bakugo to hold her tighter to himself.

“That’s the idea.” Red and Black lines jagged out from his fingers.

He moved without thinking. Bakugo pulled Lin into himself, turning so his back faced the flying man. Shielding her from the attack.

Nothing happened.

Bakugo opened his eyes and saw white.

The shield was white. So was her hair. The look on her face was vacant, yet dangerous. Turning around, the lines were broken into uneven shards, unable to penetrate the white surrounding the duo.

“What?!” A furious tone from the flier.

“This isn’t yours to take.” Her voice was a deadpan echo.

More lines shot out, each one shattering upon impact. Again, again, again. The Man visibly became upset with the antics. “STOP RESISTING ME, CHILD!”

Distracted by her, the Man didn’t see someone honing in until a punch connected to his jaw.

Heroes swarmed the scene. The one responsible for the punch was All Might, himself.

“LEAVE THE CHILDREN ALONE!” His commanding voice put shock into the villains’ bodies. Other heroes began fighting against the remaining villains.

An unimaginable mass of ice pierced the night. A shadow jumped it, like a ramp. Everyone was too distracted by the fighting to notice, save for Bakugo and Lin.

“COME ON!” Kirishima held out a hand, screaming as loud as he could.

Tightening his grip on Lin’s body, Bakugo let loose an explosion and flew off towards his friend.

And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes

Bakugo sat in the hospital room, forcing back tears as medical staff went in and out of Lin’s room.

Keep it together, Katsuki… not here not now not ever you’re better than this you’re STRONGER than this you’re not a fucking weak-ass nerd she needs you don’t fucking cry it’s just a little longer-

I fall into your arms

Bakugo waited until everyone left before going into that room. Lin had woken up the next day, memory slightly foggy and pain only a 7/10.

“Hey, you…” She smiled at him as he walked in, “I was wondering when you’d NGH-” A quick hug cut off her sentence. Something wet streamed onto her shoulder.

Bakugo didn’t dare say a word. It was bad enough his god damn tears broke through; he didn’t need a voice crack ruining his image.

“Thank you, Katsuki…” Mardea placed her gentle arms around his body, “You saved me…”

He pulled away just enough to press his forehead to hers, “I… I was…I couldn’t lose you, Mardea.”

“I’m right here,” Her smile was so reassuring, “I’ll always be here, Katsuki.”

I'll be safe in your sound till I come back around

When the dorms were built, Katsuki made sure his was near Mardea’s. The class knew something about their dynamic changed, but couldn’t quite place it.

The duo knew they were safe in each other’s presence. After the kidnapping, it was rare to catch one without the other. They liked their unspoken relationship.

For now the day bleeds into nightfall

And you're right here

To get me through it all

I let my guard down

And you built me back up

I’m so happy being someone you love

#mardea lin #katsuki bakugou #bakulin #bnha #original character #someone you loved #ship song #writing #song writing for this fucking ship ugh im on a FEELS TRAIN

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