#will there be danger conga? I DO NOT KNOW

[greyias]

SWTOR-Tumblr Annual Holiday Party

SWTOR Holiday Party - Star Forge Server

Saturday, December 30th -  4:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM CT  / 1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM GMT

Countdown // Translate to your timezone

Come on out this Saturday for some cross-faction fun! For the fifth(!) year in a row, we’ll be throwing snowballs at each other on scenic, but chilly, Ilum. Grab your snowballs/snowball cannons/tinsel bombs for a little holiday get-together!

We’ll be meeting up on Ilum on the Eastern Ice Shelf at the twin frozen lakes, which is south of the Imperial Base Camp, and east of the Republic Way Station.

Type /cjoin TumblrChat to shout at people long distance, or you can whisper me on the name “Greyias” if you need some help finding where we’re at. (Whispers will only work on Pubside unfortunately, only because of cross-faction restrictions)

Need to grab some snowballs? Head over to the Master of Ceremonies on your respective faction’s fleet and purchase the snowball item.

Come on out, we’d love to see you!

And now, look under the cut for some of our really silly, 100% optional, party traditions we sometimes indulge in:

Ugly Life Day swtor Sweater Challenge

A lot of the lowbie chest pieces on the starter planets (like the Nerfherder tunic), also dye really well. Truly the potential in-game are practically endless.

White Bantha Gift Exchange

Find or bring some random in-game object to exchange with some unwitting bystander another partygoer! The more useless, unique, or hilarious the item, the better!

Use the in-game trade function to exchange the “gift” to someone live! Alternately you can mail it to your recipient of choice, the but it can sometimes take up to an hour for it to be delivered.

The only catch with this activity that I can tell is that you have to be on the same faction in order to trade with or mail another player. Because apparently rival factions must be at war, or something lame like that. Like the name of the game is Star Wars or something. 

Again, both of these are 100% optional (so is the snowball fight for that matter), you can just come and hang out with us if that’s all you want to do! The goal is for us to have fun and hang out with each other in-game as a community, so as long as you have fun, that’s all that matters! ♥

[rad-batson]

Here’s some more about the game :D for your reading pleasure @portal-to-oblivion (Based on this post)

Freestyle Checkers: A Tim and Damian Special OR “How can we make talking to people a competition?”

They are sneaky. They are underhanded. They will do anything to win.

Originally, this was a ploy to get Bruce to ban them from the galas. Over the coming months, however, they begin to enjoy attending. A little too much.

Tim starts a conga line and convinces everyone on his team to join before marching them to Damian’s side.

Damian subtly moves the tables just an inch or two to the right all night until the whole room has switched seating arrangements.

After a particularly eventful game, Bruce now requires them both to empty their pockets and walk through a metal detector before entering the ballroom.

Tim uses his role as company heir to befriend everyone on his team and then introduce them to one another. He accidentally started a coup once.

Damian uses his puppy eyes to woo the guests into doing his bidding and avoid punishment.

He also sets fire to the curtains.

They are repeatedly caught giving death glares to each other from across the ballroom…but that’s normal. What’s not normal is the two giving death glares to a seemingly random guest at the same time. (She was only going to say hello to Maxine. Why does she feel like she’s in mortal danger?)

Tim spikes the punch with a hint of laxatives so everybody sticks to the bathrooms on Damian’s side.

Several games in, Damian finds a loophole in the rules. Even if the pieces can’t know they’re in a game, that doesn’t mean others can’t. He pays several catering staff to form a physical barrier between certain guests and places. Tim is livid and demands the loophole be written out.

Damian, after stealing a woman’s expensive watch: “Oh, I think I saw it at table seven! Here, let me take you there :)”

Tim makes a kid cry at table 20 so everyone will avoid that side of the room.

Tim: “To the left now, y’all! Left again! Right foot two stomps! Keep going left!”

Every other batfamily member has joined the game at least once, both as a piece AND as a player. On a particularly boring night, it was Tim v. Damian v. Steph v. Jason v. Duke. Every attendee was an unwilling participant. Including Bruce.

Damian is the reason death threats are no longer allowed for the game.

Tim: “Oh, you don’t want to talk to Nicole. Did you hear what she said about Leandra last night? The drama!”

Damian, tugging a guest’s arm: “Hey, is your blue Mercedes parked outside?” Guest: “Oh, hi sweetie :) Yes, why do you ask?” Damian: “It exploded.”

Damian studies the attendance sheet, makes a mental list of who eats what kind of dessert according to previous galas, then chooses all the guests who he knows like chocolate. Suddenly, there’s a surprise chocolate fountain on Tim’s side!

Tim studies the attendance sheet then figures out their addresses, hacks into their Facebook, stalks their Friends list, makes a chart of who is on good and bad terms, then chooses his team based on that.

Both of the above methods listed fail spectacularly

Damian: “So…I win.” Tim: “Damian, this is a hostage situation.” Damian: “But they’re lined up on your side. I win.” Tim: You know, I’m starting to think you set this up.”

He did.

During one particular night, a Wayne benefactor figures out what’s going on and tries to expose them so they team up, completely ruin his public reputation, and get him banned from all future galas to preserve the game.

No matter how hard he tries, Bruce cannot stop them from playing.

[myveryownfanfiction]

18+ MINORS AND THOSE WITHOUT AGE IN BIO DNI

tags: @illiana-mystery

warnings: swearing

AN: happy ghostbusters day!

I hummed happily when ray kissed my head. I rolled over and wrapped my arms around his neck. Ray chuckled before kissing me softly.

“I’m sorry I woke you.” He whispered. I ran my fingers through his hair and shook my head.

“Don’t be.” I mumbled, sleepily nuzzling into him. “I’m glad you’re home.” Ray hugged me tightly as he climbed into bed. “What was it anyway? Why didn’t you want me to go?”

“Gozer.” Ray said, waking me up.

“what?” I asked, sitting up. Ray nodded. “Gozer?!” He nodded again. “Please tell me that it’s finally taken care of.”

“yeah. Gone for good this time.” Ray confirmed.

“and the traveler?” I asked, fingers curling into his shirt. He didn’t say anything. “Raymond, tell me there wasn’t…”

“it was one time and i panicked and i thought it was going to be…not that bad.” Ray said. I rolled my eyes.

“not what I meant.” I said. “Was there a traveler?”

“not this time.” Ray said, kissing my forehead. I gave him a look. “I’m serious. There was no traveler this time.” I nodded and curled up against him.

“I’m glad you’re home. And safe.” I said, starting to drift off. Ray kissed my head again. The next morning, I got up and went to make coffee while ray slept in. He’d gotten in late and I didn’t want to force him up if I didn’t have to. I grabbed my cup and poured the coffee. I turned around to grab something from the fridge when I heard something behind me. I turned back to my cup and screamed. There was what looking like a miniature sized stay puft marshmallow man in my cup. It flipped over and waved at me before it started melting. I screamed again and scrambled back from the counter.

“what?” Ray asked as he came running into the room. “What’s wrong? Is it slimer again?” I shook my head and pointed at my cup, where a semi melted stay puft was still floating. “Oh.” Ray muttered, turning around to look at me with a sheepish look.

“Raymond!” I cried. “What the fuck is that? Why is there a tiny stay puft…” I noticed another one toddling along the windowsill. “Tiny stay pufts…” I stared at them wide eyed before looking at ray again. “Raymond Francis stantz!” I yelled. “For fucks sake! What did you do? I thought you said there wasn’t a traveler!”

“there wasn’t.” He shrugged. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. “There wasn’t. I don’t know what these are. They just kind of started happening.”

“But…it’s not…you can’t keep them ray!” I seethed. His face fell and I felt bad for a second.

“why not?” He asked, clearly upset. I ran a hand down my face.

“because we don’t know what they are or where they came from. Or what they can do.” I sighed. Ray turned back to the small group walking around our counter.

“right.” He perked up. “And we never will until I study them!”

“ray, no.” I said. “Sweetie no. You can’t…” ray stepped towards me and put his hands on my arms.

“just think…”

“no…”

“what it could mean…”

“It’s dangerous…”

“just a couple days…”

“you’re not egon.” I sighed. His face fell. “Ray I know you want to find the answer to everything. But you can’t. And that’s the beauty of our work. It’s ever changing and elusive. But this…” I waved a hand towards the marshmallows currently doing the Conga. “It’s dangerous ray.” I put my hands on his chest as he sighed. “Ray…wait a minute. What were you going to do with them after you finished your research?” I narrowed my eyes at him as ray tried to step back. I held onto his shirt and tugged him back. “Raymond.”

“well uh.” He started. I let my head fall against his shoulder.

“You were going to keep them as pets weren’t you?” I sighed. Ray stayed quiet above me. “Raymond.” I groaned. Ray wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. “For fucks sale ray!” I pulled back and ray grimaced.

“I mean they are pretty stupid.” He said, trying his best to look hopeful. “It’s not like they’re going to be much of a problem. We just have to make sure they can’t get into anything dangerous.”

“fine. Fine.” I gave in. “But you take care of them. You keep them out of my coffee. And you keep them out of the bedroom.” I poked rays chest and glared at him. He laughed at me and cupped my cheeks.

“deal.” He agreed before kissing me. The sound of the garbage disposal turning on made me pull away.

“RAY!”

[crimeronan]

Horrible thing to happen to (amnesia whammy’ed) Hunter: inner Hunter being basically destroyed because Luz as a concept is so central to his sense of self that without her it’s just. Not really there anymore?

The mental image in my mind is like. A mosaic of shards suspended in the air in the shape of a golden guard shell. Who doesn’t really know what’s going on but is So, So, scared, confused and disoriented. It’s like a ghost.

Anyway the memory retrieval gang(tm) has to go on the prerequisite memory retrieval trauma conga line(tm). But there is no guide there is no explanation for anything. At first. But as the mystery (the very obvious situation) of what’s happened unravels and some more recent surface level memories come up, the inner Hunter starts to get more and more Not Having A Good Time. And frantic. He doesn’t want them to See This. He doesn’t know what it is behind that next painting but he Knows that They Can’t Know.

I don’t have a good way to end this. The mental image of Hunter (re)experiencing his worst trauma greatest hits one after another in front of an audience and desperately still trying to protect Luz from his Horrors(tm) is captivating me.

also imagining luz getting darius and raine up to speed as quickly as possible because she probably has the best sense of the kind of things they might find.... both of them are horrified and have to rapidly suppress their own feelings about the situation.

on raine's end: i KNEW something was wrong. i should have been more insistent, i should have done something, i should have intervened sooner

on darius's end: he could have told me. he must have KNOWN he could have told me. did he not know that?? why The Fuck did he not tell me??

also i'm very very Very soft for luz doing her best to communicate with the inner hunter, even when he's at his most insubstantial. then as he gets more solid, he starts interacting more with the mindscape, which mainly means fighting them.

luz being like "i KNOW, but we're trying to HELP." and then eventually realizing that hunter isn't targeting darius or raine with Nearly the same persistence as her.

if she's in the worst of her guilt spiraling then it's Possible she'd go "oh, he saw me kill belos, he thinks i'm dangerous".... but i think she'd more likely put two and two together. because she realizes he's not trying to Hurt her, he's just trying to pin her where she is and keep her out of the memories

she's like "...you don't want me to look?" and he just. wraps his arms tighter around her. and she's like.

okay. i won't look. darius, raine, can you go on ahead?? come back and get me if you can't repair a memory yourselves. i'm gonna stay here with him.

[emilybeemartin]

Inktober Days 16-18

Day 16: Angel

The story goes that a Methodist minister visiting Zion in 1916 saw this soaring, narrow slice of a peak and remarked that only angels could land there. Nowadays Angel’s Landing sees millions of ordinary angels attempting to reach the summit every year, and the photos of crammed conga lines hiking up and down are famous even outside the NPS. For those in park management, it’s become a symbol of the delicate balance we’re tasked to maintain—our dual mandate to preserve these lands unimpaired for future generations while allowing open access for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Preservation and recreation. How to provide both? Sometimes it feels like a conundrum of Biblical proportions.

Day 17: Demon

Demons, devils, monsters, vermin—the wolves of North America have been given many labels in the centuries after European colonization. Trapped, hunted, and poisoned to near extinction in most places, they’ve been removed for so long that in many cases we don’t know what a healthy ecosystem is supposed to look like with them in it. The most famous example of wolf reintroduction is in Yellowstone, but in some parks, like North Cascades and Glacier, wolves weren’t reintroduced by humans. Because these parks are connected to larger tracts of wilderness, wolves merely slipped back in when our backs were turned, taking up the old niche they’d been filling for ten thousand years. Now we lucky few have a chance to spy one of these shy predators in the wild, see their tracks in the soil, or hear their mournful song.

Day 18: Saddle

Every Inktober, on my birthday, I draw myself in the prompt, usually as a witch. This year I’m back in the green and gray, and while I don’t actually patrol on horseback, this prompt gives a great nod to the Sermon on the Mount, a famous tidbit from Yellowstone’s history. Back when the park took a much different approach to wildlife management, one of the most popular things for visitors to do was attend a bear feeding program. Each night, rangers would dump the food waste from the hotel restaurants in an open garbage pit and the grizzly bears, which had learned what time to expect this each night, would swarm over the leftovers. The audience would sit in an amphitheater separated from the garbage pit by a protective ditch, and a ranger would sit astride a horse to tell the visitors all about the bears of Yellowstone. Hence, the “sermon on the mount.” The NPS has changed a lot since those days, and not just because feeding wildlife is now recognized as dangerous and damaging to man and beast. The attitude toward park programs has changed, as well. Interpreters now realize that it’s not enough to just spit facts at an audience. We’re charged with firing imaginations, provoking critical thinking, and stirring emotions to facilitate meaningful connections between the visitor and the resource. This role is what drives my love for this field. If I can inspire a visitor to explore more on their own, be curious about something new, or care more about a park's protection—that’s it. I’ve done something worthwhile.

[soosoosoup]

What’s your opinion on each of The Snack Pack? (And Creek)

Do you think they should own Branch an apology for how they treated Branch for many years? (Except Prince D and Tiny, of course because they weren’t there/born yet, and I know Creek probably won’t-)

The worse part was that they liked BroZone but have been treating Bitty B! (Poor Branch!😭)

I feel like Pop Village needs to own Branch an apology. How older generation did to Branch, the fact no one takes him in just because he’s grey! (And other reason I think) which is worse. I’m not sure about King Peppy.

The new generation just went along, following older generation.

They have been treating Branch in a bad way, not just Branch! Bitty B who was once part of BroZone Band.

I’m not sure if anyone ever thanked Branch what happened during the pot scene, only Poppy did thank him. He was singing! He did it to bring the hope back! He have done so much for Pop Trolls. Not just Branch, Bitty B did!

Don’t forget about Bridget, she said she thanked him sure, but she should not say “I guess” because without him. They would have been caught sooner!

How would Viva think about what they have done to Branch?

How would Bros especially John Dory, think about them? What would they do with that?

Now about DJ Suki

Do you think she would be back? I miss her but I’m not sure if she will be back. I wonder where she went…

I know TrollsTopia showed that but I don’t feel like it’s canon and because she wasn’t in TWT and those series are not canon so yeah

so so sorry for making you wait like a couple days, been pretty busy and didn't notice 😓.

Ah, the snack pack. I must confess that I don't really think much of them 😅eheh. At least when first watching the movies, they kind of just blended into the background as more character were introduced with the sequels. But!! I am quite a fan of how they're expanded through fan works!!

Yeah pop village can be quite harmful, toxic positivity was pretty ingrained into their society. probs bc it seemingly ‘works’ for all of them. The older folk can forget the pains of the past and the young can grow up happy. But for those it doesn't ‘work on’ (branch), it is very invalidating. But I also see the harm they do as unintentional mostly. They probs think that at this point Branch must not want to be happy. For the snack pack they’re probs like 'come on man this again? just lighten up and sing along' while like totally ignoring what is burdening him. Though I mostly see that as the failing of the older generation who at the very least needed one person to step up and work through the traumas that's being buried for Branch. Could have really helped him process and cope growing up.

While it would be nice for some apologies to be given, I doubt Branch would ask for it (it would be a conga line of ppl saying sorry, yeah branch would get tired of that real quick lol). Oh and thanks you’s would be great too, maybe theyre were some and we just didn’t get to see it. That’s how i hc it anyway :)

I’m sure the bros would be very unhappy to hear B grew up as an outcast, and viva would as well, but even more so I see her being disappointed by their disregard of the possible danger of bergens & their erasing of her and the putt putts.

Ahhh and Creek. He's always a joy to have, he makes things interesting lol. I think before the whole 'betraying your people to certain death' he was just a troll, a condescending troll who thought very highly of himself, but just a troll nonetheless. But yeah he’s def not a good person after all that was said and done. This guy would need to apologize for days!

DJ Suki's been missing!? how did i not notice that? Perhaps if the next movie had more snack pack suki could hopefully come back. Come back dj suki, i need to know more about you!

[theclaravoyant]

a bloody kiss + buddie pleeeeeeease

AN ~ (prompt meme) idk who should apologise more for the angst this unleashed, me or you.......... also , hope yall like parallels

buddie (you can decide if it's established before this or if they were just being their usual unhinged selves bc that's the beauty of them) + bonus athena, hen and chim tw: guns, gunshot, (mostly vague) references to a school shooting

read on AO3

-

“Give me a gun, Sergeant, I'm going in.”

Eddie snatches a bulletproof jacket off the resources for the police response team, and starts strapping himself in. There's a second shooter, and Buck's not responding. He's always been handy in a warzone.

“Eddie, don't do this,” Hen warns.

“Save it. If it was Karen in there you'd want to do the same thing.”

“And Bobby would stop me.”

“Well, Bobby's not here. And unlike you, I know what I'm doing with a gun.”

“Do you?” Athena raises an eyebrow. “How long's it been since you last fired one of these?”

“Athena!” Hen objects to no avail as Athena hands over a pistol. Of course, they all know Athena can't throw stones when it comes to level headed responses to loved ones in danger. That's probably why it was her that Eddie asked. Mehta would have probably had him cuffed to the back of the nearest engine to keep him out of trouble.

Eddie takes the pistol, aims at an abandoned can on a bench across the road and fires. It falls to the footpath below with a tiny smoking hole.

“Just like riding a bike.”

“Fine. But you stay behind with my guys, is that clear?” She waves over the tactical team that's gathering for a second round of responses. Mehta's on the radio calling Hen back to the paramedics. She grits her teeth.

“Eddie, if you survive this, I'm going to kill you.”

“Can't wait,” Eddie replies. Key word; if.

Reluctantly, Hen leaves. It's Athena that fixes him with a steely gaze this time.

“Behind. My guys.” She taps over his chest, like she knows that's where the St Christopher medallion rests. “Don't you forget it.”

He nods.

He nods, and falls into a vaguely familiar formation with the responding officers. Reminds himself to try not to get any of them killed if this goes the wrong way. He was really planning on rogue-manning it, but as painfully slow as it is, this is better. Athena's right; he hasn't done this for years, so he has to admit it's helpful to have three extra sets of eyes, sets of instincts to check himself against when every movement, every glinting light, feels like it could be the one to end it all.

“Where'd he say he was going, Diaz?”

“The, uh, the library,” he manages. His voice is thick, like it's trying to stop his heart jumping out of his throat at the same time. “North-west of here.”

“Okay.”

A handful of gestures and they're on the move again. Eddie's more jittery than he expected. Of course he is: there are kids here, and Buck, and maybe he should have thought longer and harder before haunting himself forever with whatever he's about to see. If that's the price of saving him then he can't regret it – but still, he's glad when they round the corner of the next block of classrooms and read across a courtyard; LIBRARY. Classic fairytale characters are painted along the side of the building like they're in a dance, some kind of fantastical conga line, and Eddie's trying really, really hard not to notice the splash of fresh paint across Red Riding Hood. It's paint, he tells himself. It's paint, it's paint, it's – oh god, he's made a mistake.

Then the door behind them opens and he turns and aims at the drop of a hat.

And it's Buck.

“Don't shoot.”

He staggers out of the room with a little girl in his arms. She's clinging to his neck for dear life, screaming up a storm. His hand cradles the back of her head, where her perfect little plaits are smeared with blood.

“Jesus,” Eddie hisses, and drops the gun and runs in to help.

“She's okay, she's okay,” Buck assures him. “Her name is Stephanie C. There was a second shooter, she hid in the bathroom. She's okay. It's not her blood, Eddie. It's not her...”

His knees shudder and he falls against a brick pillar, shoving his free shoulder against it with all his might so that he doesn't collapse onto Stephanie. Eddie's eyes fall to the dark stain on his abdomen and he feels the colour drain from his face. He hands Stephanie off to one of the officers and scoops himself under Buck's arm.

“Stay with me,” he pleads, as Buck's feet scrabble uselessly against the pavers, trying to help his way along. They fly back through the school this time, and every time they have to pause for the point officers to clear a corner Eddie feels Buck's life slipping out of his hands. “Stay with me, Buck,” he repeats. He chants. “Just got to get you back to the truck. Not long now. Stay with me.”

They stumble off the grounds at last and Hen and Chim are already waiting with a gurney. Eddie all but falls into the back of the ambulance with him. He can't let go. His hands are covered in Buck's blood; his face; his whole uniform is. But he can't let go.

“Looks like a through and through,” Hen states, ripping packages off bandages and packing the wound. Buck groans with the pain of it, but at least he's awake. “There he is. Stay with us, Buck. How many shots, did you see?”

Eddie shakes his head. “I don't know.”

“How long was it freely bleeding?” Chim asks.

“I don't know, I don't know,” Eddie repeats. “He didn't talk about it, he came out of this building carrying a kid and then he passed out.”

“Hey, Eddie?” Buck asks drowsily. “'s Christopher okay?”

Oh. Shit.

Eddie looks at Chimney and sees it too - Back in time. Back to Shannon. Ice runs through his veins.

He smiles, in case it's the last thing Buck ever sees, and pulls the medallion out from his shirt collar.

“Christopher is fine,” he promises, pressing it into Buck's hand. “He can't wait to see you. Come back to him, okay?”

Come back to me.

He presses a kiss to Buck's lips and it tastes like blood and sweat and tears.

The monitors start screaming.

“Oh, no you don't, Buckaroo,” Chimney demands. Eddie feels a hand on his shoulder pull him back. He moves numbly. There's nothing he can do but let them work.

And start to pray.

[battlekidx2]

Thanks to Them Thoughts

The first special of The Owl House’s third season recently dropped and I can say with full certainty that it hasn’t lost what made the second season so special.

I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say I was disappointed that the third season got shortened to three specials but I wanted to come in hopeful for what these specials could bring. The Owl House proved to me in its second season just how phenomenal it could be within a limited time frame with episodes like Eda’s Requiem, Knock Knock Knockin’ on Hooty’s Door, and Hollow Mind. I know that the situation is different but it’s proof just how much this show knows how to tap into the emotional core of its characters, stories, and relationships in 22 minutes.

This episode does the same thing by digging into the core of Camila, Luz, and Hunter. 

Camila is a character that had the fandom split and in my opinion received way too much hate. She was a single mother doing her best with a specific set of struggles due to the point she was in her life and the circumstances surrounding the start of the series. This episode understands that Camila loves her daughter and wants to do right by her but parenting rarely has a perfect answer. 

Camila’s choices are given more context and shown in a different light. I was already in the camp that believed Camila was a loving parent that made some mistakes because she’s only human, but this episode solidified it.

The nightmare Camila has about halfway through the episode is a poignant way to explore the concept of generational trauma and trying to break that cycle.

Luz found a community that will accept her the way she is and a place where her strengths can flourish. Once Camila has had time to grapple with the reality that Luz went to the demon realm by her own choice and she gets to see just how good this place has been for her she embraces it.

She even wants to go to the demon realm with Luz so she can be a part of that aspect of Luz’s life as well (and look out for her daughter in a very dangerous situation). It’s just a really touching portrayal of motherhood.

That’s actually the part I’m the most upset we missed out on due to the shortened season. Seeing Camila be a supportive mother to Luz and give Amity and Hunter their first real experience with a caring parent is something I would have loved to see considering how much their abusive/complicated home lives we’ve gotten to explore over the show. (I specify Amity and Hunter because we know that Gus and Willow have loving home lives. I would still love to see Camila be a parental figure to them too)

We still have some more time. I’m hoping we’ll get to see more of surrogate mother Camila over the next two specials.

Hunter especially needs that care because he cannot catch a break.

Season 2 and now season 3 has been one long trauma conga line for Hunter with so much of that trauma being born from his twisted relationship with Belos. 

Hunter being possessed by Belos is a very fascinating turn of events that foreshadows so many possibilities with Belos but there is one area I think could have been handled better. 

I want to touch on the scene where Hunter stood up to Belos first. This has been a long time coming. Hunter has submitted to Belos’ ideas for his future for most of his life and even after leaving the emperor’s coven he didn’t get the chance to have a confrontation with Belos where he was given the time to address this area of growth.

Hunter finally has the chance to choose his destiny which is something he stated he was jealous Luz could do back in Hunting Palismen. Due to his journey in the human realm he has the self worth and the security to stand up to Belos for the first time in his life and it was a powerful scene because of the build up.

Hunter has gained so much that he has lacked all his life due to his time away from Belos and in the human realm. It makes this moment and his sacrifice hit all the harder because of how far this episode shows he’s come.

He has a family

He likes who he sees in the mirror 

He has friends who value him for who he is and not what he can do

He can take part in his hobbies and indulge his interests 

He no longer needs Belos like Belos tried to make him believe. He can finally be the person he was always meant to be. 

Hunter is brave, caring, and kind. No matter what Belos did or said to him he never lost those qualities. He is willing to stand up to Belos and possibly sacrifice himself to protect everything he has come to love. He has people that will extend that same care and compassion towards him.

This brings us to one of the saddest moments in the episode: Flapjack’s sacrifice.

Hunter has gone through so much and Flapjack’s sacrifice hits especially hard because Flapjack was one of the first people Hunter could rely on and probably even call a friend. 

Flapjack was important for Hunter’s development in more ways than one. He provided him with a confidant when he didn’t have anyone else and it helped him question and re-evaluate Belos’ actions in regards to palismen and wild magic. He also met him because of his first real encounter with Luz.

It all comes full circle. He initially protected Flapjack from Belos because he knew Belos would use him as fuel/a life source but now Flapjack is willingly being exactly that for Hunter. He is now a part of Hunter. It’s a very bittersweet ending to their relationship that shows the growth and care that they each had for each other.

That moment where Hunter stops in front of the portal and holds his hand over his heart was a short but very effective moment at conveying his grief. 

This sacrifice was very well executed in my opinion.

All of this works emotionally within Hunter’s character arc. 

However, the battle didn’t quite reach its full potential. It had incredibly fluid animation and was amazing to watch, but it wasn’t as emotional on Amity, Gus, and Willow’s end as it could have been in certain ways. 

You could feel the conflict and pain from Luz’s end. It was made clear that she was purposefully not trying because she didn’t want to hurt Hunter and even hugged him to try and get through to him. She doesn’t want to hurt him because of how much she has come to care for him and this turmoil could be seen in every action Luz took and could be felt in her voice acting performance. 

She’s the only one you could understand the full grasp of her conflict over the fight with Hunter though. There wasn’t any of that same hesitation or desperation on anyone else’s end. You know that all of them are close to Hunter and care about him but you don’t feel the full depth until after the fight.

These connections are really important to Hunter’s character because of how Belos isolated him prior to season 2 and I loved all the moments that showcased how important Hunter is to the group and vice versa. That’s why I decided to point out the lack of hesitation on everyone else’s part. It doesn’t break the episode (in fact the episode is great) but I thought it could have been executed a bit differently.

Hunter is one of the strongest characters in the show and the way this episode handled him was great.

This brings me to Luz.

King’s Tide had real consequences for Luz. She feels like she couldn’t protect Eda or King and she couldn’t stop Belos or the Collector. She doesn’t know the fate of the family she left behind and she believes that everything that happened is her fault.

She’s understandably not handling it well.

Luz this episode and in a few episodes last season is used to explore grief and loss. This is explored in more ways than one through the loss of her father and her newfound family in the Boiling Isles.

Luz’s father was noticeably absent in her life at the start of the series but what happened to him wasn’t revealed until “Reaching Out” (In a fantastic scene by the way). We get even more expansion on it through Luz’s video diary entries. 

Luz was much more aware of what was happening with her family and father than she let on to her mother despite their best efforts to shield her. The way you can see the decline in her emotional state through her entries as her father’s health declines makes the process feel real. This wasn’t a quick but a slow process/struggle for the family over time until he unfortunately passed. It’s something that Camila and Luz are still struggling with. 

The process of healing isn’t linear for any of the characters. 

It also reveals that Manny introduced Luz to the Good Witch Azura. This is really bittersweet and touches on something that this episode emphasized and that is how media and stories can help us process, heal, and feel seen in aspects of life that people struggle with.

Hunter finds connection and healing through the Cosmic Frontier character O’Bailey. Luz finds that same connection and escape through Azura. It helped her during a really hard time in her life by helping her find a connection to her father after he was gone.

It makes everything in regards to her Good Witch Azura book and hyperfixation very bittersweet and puts so much in a new light. It’s a brief but powerful moment in the episode.

The exploration of Luz’s grief in the present day is handled just as well as that short segment. It shows the repercussions on her mental health and how it trickles out in unexpected ways like her rant in class. 

But most importantly it shows how her support system understands that she’s struggling and they are there for her no matter what. They might not all know how to best handle what she is dealing with but they all give it their best and make sure they let her know that they don’t think of her as a burden.

One of my favorite moments showcasing this in the episode is when Amity lets Luz know that Belos meeting the collector because of her help isn’t a failing on her part. It doesn't make her a mistake or the harbinger of doom she believes she is. She assures Luz it’s a testament to her good heart instead.

Luz’s support system doesn’t automatically make her better either. The Owl House understands there is no quick fix to depression and other mental health issues. There is no list of requirements to check off to “cure” it. It’s something that is dealt with on a daily basis.

Dealing with mental health isn’t linear just like dealing with grief isn’t linear.

I am really intrigued to see how they handle Luz’s struggles moving forward and believe that they were handled with a lot of tact in this premiere.

This show has really come into its own. Season one was fun and had a great world and characters that drew you in but lacked a strong vision of where it wanted to go with wonky power scaling, an inconsistent level of control and influence from Belos that changed to suit the episode, and parts of the story that clashed with its core themes. I loved the season but thought there was missed potential. 

Season two came around and reached the heights I thought it was capable of and it seems like season 3 plans to do the exact same. I can’t wait for the final two episodes. If this is any indication of their quality I bet they will be amazing.

Extra thoughts

I love when Camila lets Luz sleep with her after she’s awoken from her nightmare. It’s just a really sweet mother-daughter moment.

I really liked Hunter’s cosplay and how his attachment to the character of O’Bailey speaks to the importance of representation and how it can help you heal and feel seen.

Gus definitely knows that Hunter is a Grimwalker. He purposefully introduced Hunter to a character that he could connect to and even tried to imply that he knew before Hunter covered his ears to avoid spoilers. I really appreciate their dynamic in the smaller moments of this episode.

I said it in my Hollow Mind thoughts but I’m going to say it again here: I think that Evelyn was a Calwthorne. There’s just too many clues in the show for her not to be and the Owl House has a pretty good track record of paying off obvious hints.

The best thing about this episode is how it carries over the consequences of King’s Tide. There are a few times where the tension the characters should feel to get back to the Boiling Isles gets a bit lost. The most notable example was how solving the clue they found to get them back to the isles was framed more as a way to cheer Luz up than a way to return to their families and know if they are okay. 

Yeah, the characters are sad to be away from their families but there isn’t the desperation to know about their fates that would be expected considering what happened with the day of unity and the collector. I like how this plot point was used in regards to Hunter and Luz but thought it was a bit lacking in execution and development when it comes to Amity, Willow, and Gus.

Amity, Willow, and Gus are unfortunately the ones that suffer from this section of the season being shortened. They are fun and engaging supporting characters but they noticeably don’t get the emotional focus or development that Luz, Hunter, and Camila get. I don’t dislike the choice, in fact, I think it was a smart choice to narrow the scope of the episode because it would likely become bloated and lack the strong focus and emotional core that it has.

It’s just unfortunate because Willow and Gus are not as well explored as Amity, Luz, and Hunter. Gus at least has “Labyrinth Runners” as an episode focused on him and a few episode B plots but Willow doesn’t really have her own spotlight episode. Both of her episodes “Understanding Willow” and “Any Sport in a Storm” are actually Amity and Hunter episodes respectively.

I would just like to see a bit more of Willow explored.

This is the first time Hunter has really cried in the show. He’s teared up before but never allowed himself to fully cry. It’s telling that the moment that gets to him the most, that makes him drop those walls and breaks the dam, is when Luz calls him family. It’s not traumatic or violent. It’s quiet and tender. He’s never had a family (something he mentions in Hunting Palismen) and now he does. Earth really did allow Hunter to come into his own and gain so much that he lacked all his life. 

I absolutely adore all the end credits art. Most of it is just so wholesome with my favorites being Luz teaching Camila glyphs (Camila is really committed to learning from Luz) and Flapjack tucking in Hunter (this is just so bittersweet).

[skyland2703]

Character ask: Conner McKnight, Katherine Hillard, Carter Grayson, Rose Ortiz, Prince Phillip, and Aisha Campbell.

THANKS FOR THE ASK!!! Sorry it took me so long!! I was kinda stuck on the MMPRs heheh

Conner McKnight:

• favorite thing about them: I love his hair I literally love his hair I WANT his hair!

• least favorite thing about them: his characterisation of the “standard jock” is just… mehhh. Not a big fan, there. A lot of his personality traits come from that and I would just like to avoid him more often than not.

• favorite line: when he said Dr. O is batman *cackles*

• brOTP: Conner & Trent. Also Conner & Kira

• ОТР: CONNER/ETHAN!!!!!

• ПОТР: …none yet

• random headcanon: he knows he’s taking his life to shit but he just always goes :D because if someone finds out he doesn’t have everything under control, they’re gonna think of him being weak.

Also his parents are going through a divorce.

• unpopular opinion: he doesn’t feel very much like red ranger material + dr O’s presence overshadowed that for most of the season anyway.

• song i associate with them:

• favorite picture of them: loved him in the SPD team up, so this:

Kat Hilliard:

• favorite thing about them: she was a cat.

• least favorite thing about them: she was a cat.

• favorite line: “Oh no, they're forcing Bulk and Skull to dance the conga!”

• brOTP: Tommy & Kat (and a lot of the MMPRs in general)

• ОТР: none yet,,, I mean I know a lot of people ship her with Jason or Tommy but idk. I haven’t watched enough of MMPR to make a definite opinion of my own…? But I feel like I wouldn’t vibe with it, somehow.

• ПОТР: Kat/Kim (Sorry to those who ship it, but too much pink energy is dangerous)

• random headcanon: she’s a hopeless romantic and loves looking at the stars at night and walk barefoot on the grass and all those soft things, and hopes someday she’d get to do the same with her lover/partner. Extremely high expectations of romance, and an equally high level of optimism and hope to meet those expectations. (i hope its in character for her. like i said, my mmpr knowledge is limited..)

• unpopular opinion: she owns a licensed pistol and will not be messed with. She’s still got a little bit of… uh.. evil left in her. It’s for the better though.

• song i associate with them:

• favorite picture of them: she’s so pretty abdfnsndnnr

Carter Grayson:

• favorite thing about them: he can go fucking blast GUNS at a giant monster— i don’t think ANYTHING gets cooler than that. This man is not afraid to die and it shows.

• least favorite thing about them: I don’t like the Lightspeed rescue suits and his battilizer is another level of 😬😬😬

• favorite line: “I see you're still keeping bad company.” From the TF team up~

• brOTP: Carter & Kelsey

• ОТР: ….Very inclined to say Carter/Dana, but I don’t think they fall into the otp category.. per se?? Ship, yes, very much, but I am open to other pairings. Maybe Carter/Ryan????

• ПОТР: Carter/Chad

• random headcanon: He likes hot cocoa and marshmallows and has a sweet tooth in general. The aqua base is always STOCKED with sweet foods for him— be it gum or candies or chocolates— he NEEDS to have something sweet on his person when they’re going for battle. Half his decisions are taken on a sugar high~

• unpopular opinion: he’s reckless and might just end up paying for it. Yes it’s cool, yes it’s badass, but it’s also dangerous. *runs and hides in a corner to watch the fireworks go off*

• song i associate with them: this one. Just. So frickin FIIITSSS

• favorite picture of them: THERE WAS THIS ONE PIC WHERE HE LOOKED LIKE A LIL GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY BUT I CANT FIND IT

Rose Ortiz:

• favorite thing about them: HER ENTRY SCENE!! Her style in that moment the first time we see her THAT IS HOW YOU LEAVE AN IMPRESSION PEOPLE!!!!

• least favorite thing about them: how they went with a “I never had a regular childhood” but how there’s nothing “different” about her because of that, except maybe a superiority complex. They did it better with Dr K. Later on in RPM, and could’ve improved on Rose if they tried something similar.

• favorite line: “You’re rich. Buy an army” i love her sass so much

• brOTP: Rose & Dax. I just think it’s the perfect “he’s going to kill all my braincells” dynamic, because while she’s smart™️, he’s got absolutely nothing on the top floor.

• ОТР: N/A

• ПОТР: Rose/Tyzonn, Rose/Dax, Rose/any guy, actually.

• random headcanon: She has a collection of fridge magnets she buys from everywhere they visit for their missions. Like they keep na hour or two to visit the local markets because “rose wants magnets” and she just puts all of them on Hartford’s fridge, which is already crowded with so much shit as it is. Spencer is the only one who really appreciates her magnets 😔💖

• unpopular opinion: the entire overdrive team acts like they’re on drugs and Rose is no exception even though everyone considers her to be the smart/sensible one. She’s just as reckless/crazy if not more XD

• song i associate with them:

• favorite picture of them: I had such a crush on her asdfghjklhgds

Prince Phillip:

• favorite thing about them: I don’t think we have a lot of “existing royalty” characters in PR and I think this is an interesting concept DC played with, especially when he was trying to “buy” his good deeds and all that~ that entire episode was masterful!! And he really DID have a good heart!!!

• least favorite thing about them: they kept getting rid of him because he had to “run his kingdom”. Come on man— let him work at the Dino bite cafe a bit??!???? For just a couple episodes??

• favorite line: “Wait - aren't you the museum director?”

• brOTP: Philip/James Navarro. Both of them don’t show up a lot they can bond over that 😂 (ok honestly everyone who survived from S2E18 works ask brotp)

• ОТР: Prince Philip/Sir Ivan. I mean it’s basically a given at this point~

• ПОТР: Philip/Kendall

• random headcanon: he calls his pacha zord at times in Zandar and talks to him when he’s feeling lonely

• unpopular opinion:

• song i associate with them:

• favorite picture of them: love him when he’s all ruffled

Aisha Campbell:

• favorite thing about them: I love her especially in the comics!!

• least favorite thing about them: …nothing. At all. I love her!!

• favorite line: “it’s just the place where everyone thinks we’re idiots”

• brOTP: Aisha & Billy, Kim and Tommy

• ОТР: Adam/Rocky/Aisha

• ПОТР: none yet?

• random headcanon: she takes Adam and Rocky with her every time they go to get a haircut. The three of them, they do everything together. And she even makes Adam grow his hair out~

• unpopular opinion: I didn’t want her leaving the show 😭

• song i associate with them:

• favorite picture of them:

[garudabluffs]

Recorded Live: 9/23/1970 - Fillmore East - New York, NY, filmed for PBS. Personnel: Gregg Allman - organ, vocals Duane Allman - guitar, vocals Dickey Betts - guitar, vocals Berry Oakley - bass, vocals Butch Trucks - drums Jai Johanny Johanson - drums Tom Doucette - harp

“Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide”: Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legend of southern rock guitar Dickey Betts has died, aged 80

“I think the single greatest guitar solo I have ever witnessed was Dickey playing Blue Sky,” said [Derek]Trucks. “Y’know, I’ve been on stages with a lot of great players, and I think his solo was only time when someone finished when I thought, ‘What the f**k am I supposed to do now?!’ What do you possibly do after that? He just locked it in so hard and it was so profound and powerful, and beautiful, dangerous. It was a beautiful moment.”

The Rolling Stone reports that Betts’ died of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

READ MORE “Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide”: Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legend of southern rock guitar Dickey Betts has died, aged 80 | MusicRadar

The Allman Brothers Band - Blue Sky - 1/16/1982 - University Of Florida Bandshell (Official)

The Allman Brothers Band - Blue Sky (Eat A Peach, February 12,1972)

Dickey Betts wrote this about his Native American girlfriend, Sandy "Bluesky" Wabegijig. Walk along the river, sweet lullaby, it just keeps on flowing, It don't worry 'bout where it's going, no, no. Don't fly, mister blue bird, I'm just walking down the road, Early morning sunshine tell me all I need to know You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day. Lord, you know it makes me high when you turn your love my way, Turn your love my way, yeah. Good old sunday morning, bells are ringing everywhere. Goin to carolina, it won't be long and I'll be there You're my blue sky, you're my sunny day. Lord, you know it makes me high when you turn your love my way, Turn your love my way, yeah, yeah, yeah

Gregg Allman - organ, vocals, piano, electric piano, acoustic guitar Duane Allman - (Left Track) slide and lead guitars, acoustic guitar Dicky Betts - (Right Track) slide and lead guitars, vocals, Jai Johanny Johanson - drums, congas Berry Oakley - bass Butch Trucks - drums, percussion, tympani, gong, vibes, tambourine

3,686 Comments

Dickey Betts, Allman Brothers Band Singer-Guitarist, Dead at 80

The co-founder of the Southern rock institution was known for “Ramblin’ Man,” a countryfied guitar style all his own, and inspiring a character in Almost Famous

APRIL 18, 2024 READ MORE Allman Brothers Band's Dickey Betts Dead at 80 (rollingstone.com)

Dickey Betts: 15 Essential Allman Brothers Band Songs

From "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" to "Ramblin' Man," the guitarist, songwriter, and sometime singer's most memorable moments with the Southern-rock group

Dickey Betts: Best Songs With Allman Brothers Band (rollingstone.com)

The Heartbreaking TRAGEDY of Dickey Betts on Allman Brothers Band. Real Cause Of Death

Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, Dead At 80

194 Comments

We've Lost Dickey Betts

@otisgibbs@otisgibbs 3 hours ago

Here's the Dickey Betts/Bob Dylan video. https://youtu.be/W8KxCdESrCE

Here's Greg Martin sharing Dickey/Allman Brothers stories. https://youtu.be/5G9G_EsZxnM

Townes Van Zandt once jammed with the Allman Brothers. https://youtu.be/LgbUkejofaY

[tiredassmage]

can we hear more about in dreams, hopes to die... 👉👈 those lines are so tasty..

CHOMPING AT THE BIT, AYE AYE CAPTAIN!!!!

Would you believe me if I reveal that this snippet is from the same piece? It's obviously an overall not very good time kind of piece, so I felt a tiny bit bad about it for once and decided to throw Tyr a bone. Valkorian and Tyr's own conga line of bad times couldn't be the only thing in five years worth of dreams, I figured, lol.

Also, that very scene is where the banger In the dark, it’s easier to hide and easier to tell the truth came from, lol.

Don't get too excited though because that's... very short. And also it's mentally set to Eyelids by PVRIS, so uh. It still punches me in the face.

Eventually I'll hopefully throw him another bone and give him and Theron's time on Rishi or Yavin IV a little pass because I'd like to think Theron's at least a little right and something came up. And stars know Tyr needs a fuckin' break, good gods almighty anlkfdnafldsf. Says she who continues to put that man in Situation after Situation after Situa-

And it was very hard to stop at just the first line for that initial post because the three lines that follow it are the meat and potatoes of what is currently the opening sequence of what I hope will eventually be a coherent fic. Or at least kinda coherent. It's still a very nebulous piece and I kinda like that, so I might not really do much more setup because it seems fitting that there wouldn't be a lot of setup and transition in something like the carbonite dreams era.

And, perhaps unsurprisingly given the nature of the setup of that chapter, but a lot of these scenes flirt with the concept of death. Tyr's dangerous dedication to "finishing the job" isn't anything new to those of us who have been here a while, lol, but this is a good character study piece if you're newer to my favorite blorbo, though it's an undeniably heavy one and obviously a bit fucky and nebulous by nature.

Also, fair warning, yes I'm giving you lines, but also I am going to give you a ramble and a half about Tyr lore because this is the piece I'm stuffing some juicy tick-tock workings into because I realized it was good for that and I love my boy so much, he's so fucked up. I love him though.

Anyway, I teased, so the next three lines of that scene, as foretold beneath the cut:

At first, it’s a firing squad. Mud cakes their boots and the rain pelts heavy on worn, drawn faces.

Tyr pushes to his feet unsteadily. A flash of lighting breaks overhead, glancing off of leveled blasters and hollowed eyes.

It will end as it should: without a soul remembering his name. He’d prefer it that way.

Okay, so... this is also not necessarily a piece I intended to write, but I realized there is... almost no better place to do a deep dive into some of the things that tick inside of Tyr that maybe aren't best portrayed in dialogue alone. This also wasn't meant to be in present tense, but it didn't feel right in past, so I ended up caving and that's... been a theme of the week, I guess, lol.

This is also like. I always chuckle a bit in that scene from Visions in the Dark later where Valkorian threatens you to meet his challenge and grow stronger or die alone and unremembered because wouldn't that just be ideal for a former Cipher. Wasn't that how the story was supposed to end? He didn't ask for your bullshit, grandpa.

There's currently two other scenes I have - they're all relatively short as I try to keep with that sort of drifting feeling. But the other one that might [Large Eyes Emoji] be of... relevant interest...

What’s been done has already been done. It doesn’t matter what it was. Maybe it won’t matter to anyone else.

Because it’s going to end here and now. Such were the decrees of the Sith - of the Empire.

Absolutes.

It matters to him that he tried. This is one of the kinder ways this could go - quietly, without the fanfare of blood on his teeth and a fire in his eyes.

“For what it’s worth, sir?” Nine exhales long and slow as he closes his eyes. “I’ve always admired you… You did your best.”

Finally.

No.

More.

Running.

“But I’m not going back.” The old man’s one of the few he could ever hope to ask this final favor. “Finish this - what we started.”

The Minister of Intelligence pulls the trigger.

It’s over before Tyr feels the ground beneath him.

Also topical given the "are others concerned about their sleep schedule" tag post reblogged earlier today, lol, and the idea of chronic nightmares. That Tyr and I haven't talked about. To each other. Or the world. Possibly not with the people he cares about, either. I'm sure Theron knows nebulously that he can have some troubled sleep - you don't share a bed with someone and not notice how consistently they have trouble falling or staying asleep.

But I think the fuckiest part of the whole Castellan Restraints period for Tyr is how he doesn't want to let the old man down. The Minister is more a father figure in Tyr's eyes than his own father, quite honestly [Tyr has a... kind of non-existant relationship with his entire family, unfortunately - and it's not because he went into Intelligence], and there's absolutely a part of that dynamic that is mentor and protégé.

And it's important to me that he sees this scenario with the Minister and not Shara - at least in Chapter Two, where it first haunts his nightmares with some consistency. Because I made a conscious choice in Shara knowing as Keeper about his Restraints - not because that ever comes up in-game, but because it adds something very crunchy to their already doomed narrative. And the background to that decision is that I decided it's... the kind of silent acknowledgement that the Minister can afford to give of their more intimate relationship. It's damage control, mitigation. With a heavy heart I imagine he tells her this in private, off the record, because Nine was her Cipher. And both of them still hold him in high regard.

Nine's given a possibly unusually loose leash to pursue the SIS investigation because of the Minister and Keeper's word; Watcher Three mentions this in broad strokes when he questions you about the blackout in records.

Anyway, the point to me mentioning this is actually that Tyr makes a very conscious effort to not think about this in the midst of the Restraints causing problems. He's reluctant enough to cede that he should hold the Minister responsible for this gross violation of his privacy and trust, but he's even more reluctant to give that the woman he loves has any knowledge or hand in the process - unwittingly or, especially, wittingly. Ultimately, he stubbornly doesn't hold them responsible. It hurts less to place the blame elsewhere. And he never loses the inescapable nostalgic kick to go home in the sense of the old paradigm - him and Keeper and the Minister.

He gave them everything.

And there's something in here about his regret at not being able to say all of this respect in better words or more directly. There's that acknowledgement that there's one person he trusts to understand why this was his breaking point. And, ultimately, there's the acceptance of the likelihood that none of this is going to end well, that he's living on borrowed time stolen from fate or destiny, or hell, maybe the Force. Tyr doesn't give a whole lot to whatever higher powers might be out there - relying on them hasn't ever saved him and he doesn't expect it to.

It makes it very interesting to watch him knowingly and willingly lie about the Black Codex after he lets Ardun walk with it and promises to double for the SIS. In a way, he's committing the greatest failure and throwing away everything the Minister has fought so hard with him to maintain and keep, especially when both of them have spoken of ideals instead of goals, etc. But it's necessary. It's what's best for Tyr, mentally, at that point. And even one of the figures he loves and respects the most can't override that desperate intrinsic need to fight for himself. The old man is, after all, one of the largest advocates of it throughout his career as Nine.

And, I suppose speaking of the nostalgia for Intelligence, my favorite set of lines from the final scene so far:

She’s sobbing against his shoulder. Dust and blood stain an almost unfamiliar uniform - he hasn’t worn uniform on Dromund Kaas in months, maybe years…

Everything’s been such a blur since Intelligence was disbanded…

so YEAH. I uh. I have a lot of feelings and this is where I'm sniffling and sobbing and word vomiting them into one doc but in story format, I suppose, lol.

Also completely unrelated to this particular fic but I am. Still thinking so intently about Eight x Tyr thoughts. They're now living rent free in my head and all of this.... absolute devotion stuff... hrhrhghghghghghghghrhhg. Brain vibrates because this is obviously all related to it because of the few people who could ever possibly understand any part of this series of events and feelings, it'd be another Cipher.

Tyr really does mourn Intelligence like... ghhghg. I'm unwell about it. He gave everything to it and its success. He doesn't regret it. The SIS investigation and the following fall of Imperial Intelligence were some of the worst fucking years of his life and it's destroyed him, really. He's living in and with the ruins like a bombed out city. It destroyed his everything and he'd almost gladly let it finish the job and destroy him to finally get his retribution. And he'd just as gladly let love destroy it all and rebuild it from the rubble when he has the right person beside him. Something something doesn't realize that he doesn't want or need to continue that destruction, he just needs fucking... idk validation or something. Acceptance. Acknowledgement. And then they can work on what "okay" looks like in the aftermath. He needs to be just as responsible for someone else's "okay" to even begin figuring out what the hell it looks like for him. hOUgh anyway.

I'm fucking normal about Cipher Nine, obviously. Thanks for comin' to my TED Talk.

[dxsole]

i’m not a mechanism you can switch on and off. (Sakura)

🚦GOD, HE WISHED HE HAD AN OFF SWITCH🚦

Not Accepting.

He winced— she was upset with him. Rightfully so, but he still hoped to come out of this unscathed. The only defense he had was that he really, really didn't want to cancel on her. He never meant to but it was a matter of her safety as far as he was concerned.

Gideon was harmless. Tall and maybe intimidating to those that didn't know him very well, but he was certainly more afraid of you than you were of him. But Gyles, on the other hand...

Now, a small part of him was somewhat grateful for Gyles' presence, seeing as he was the only reason Gideon was still alive. Another, more pronounced part of Gideon just thinks it's a curse. He lives but what of the havoc Gyles causes when the night rolls in? Gideon had only gotten glimpses of himself as Gyles while the other man ran past store windows— he was massive. Impossibly strong too. And always, always hungry.

Gideon had terrible thoughts about what Gyles could do to a person, let alone someone he cared about.

During the day, he was fine. They could spend every daylight hour together. But the second the day wore on, made his lids start to close as the night rolled in, Gyles was just around the corner. He had tried drinking a gallon of coffee beforehand, eventually moving up to a neverending conga line of espresso shots to keep himself awake and that just ended with him being jittery all night and less than decent company. Or, even worse, it didn't even work and he ended up needing to bail halfway through the outing.

"I know you're not," Gideon murmurs, looking rather deflated and attempting to salvage what he could. "And it wasn't my intention to...to make it seem like I did— I don't want to keep leaving you... and I realize it looks like...selfishness on my part, but please understand I just..." He just wanted to protect her from what was inside of him.

Maybe it was selfishness, trying to keep her close when he harbored something so dangerous. "I just wish I could explain..." But who would believe him?

Oi, tha' the one you think I'm gonna eat?

It rings out from the back of his skull and Gideon seems to sink further down in his seat, eyes darting down to the ground by his feet. He doesn't even feel comfortable having him see her. "I'm...I'm very, very afraid of...of getting you hurt." He probably comes off as creepy now...maybe it's for the best she thinks that.

[sublimeobservationarcade]

America Chooses A Crook For President

A majority of Americans have chosen Donald Trump, a known liar and convicted criminal to be their president. In a two candidate race they have chosen a ridiculous scumbag over having a capable woman to lead their nation. Make no mistake, America chooses a crook for President. What this tells the world is that the laws of the land and morality do not matter to most Americans. In the wake of all the crap that Trump spews forth daily and its divisive consequences more Americans have chosen this rather than a fresh start. This is a warning to the world about where the United States is heading and fast.

Trump’s Character Failings Fail To Halt His Ascendancy

No matter the multitude of warnings by those in the know – America would not listen. Nearly everybody who worked with Donald Trump in his first administration told the American public he was unfit for office – they did not heed the advice. The complete lack of respect for political insiders is blatantly obvious. Throwing the baby out with the bath water is an old adage. America will now reap what they have sewn – they will get the Project 2025 regime promised by the Trump camp. Dumb folk who did not bother to comprehend how and why governments work the way they do will pay the price. America chose the crook over the prosecutor!

American Democracy Decides To Back A Dictator

What kind of country chooses a morally repugnant and criminally compromised president? Short memory my fellow! Trump’s shambolic handling of the global pandemic cost thousands of American lives. The daily posting of dumb statements deprived the office of its former gravitas. Drinking bleach and trying unproven quack remedies were dangerous tips coming from the highest office in the land. The economy was not better off under Trump, as he oversaw what led to the rampant global inflation. Americans are so stupid they don’t even understand the time lag involved in government policy decisions having an effect on the economy. The United States Selects Trump Over Harris America chooses a crook for President. A country of conservative pragmatists would rather go with a gasbag promising retribution than a fine upstanding woman. I have seen speculative reports about the country being not ready for a woman of colour in the top job. It is the 21C, when will Americans be ready to acknowledge a woman in power being the way to go at the national level? Trump has won twice, both times when up against women – this tells us something about American men and women. #UNGA President Donald J. Trump by National Archives and Records Administration is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0 Trump Evades Justice & Consequences For His Many Crimes Rich folk evade the law in America and Trump sends that message loud and clear for all to see. The multiple serious charges facing Donald Trump will melt away, according to what passes for US law. It is a joke; American justice is a bad joke. I used to think this years ago but having delved deeper into the shenanigans of Trump it is crystal clear. Law and order is a rigged game for ordinary folk who pay with their liberty for their transgressions but for the privileged it is a different kettle of fish. Trump delayed and delayed the wheels of justice via his lawyers until the corrupt US Supreme Court and Aileen Cannon could come to his rescue. The American people have just said this is fine by them, as long as you make us some money or at least make enough noise so that we can feel OK about our meagre lot in life. Men Valuing Money Over Morality The pundits report that Latino men played a big part in electing a crooked president to the White House. Corruption and screwing the poor would be no surprise to them in a political leader. BS macho attitudes toward the role of women would colour their vote too. Of course, Latino men just joined the conga line of American men more generally in backing Trump. Short termism views of the economy can make folk susceptible to lies and misinformation. “It became clear to Democrats that they were no longer the party with an ongoing advantage among minority voters and labor unions. And they will have to think about how to win over those constituencies and where they went wrong in messaging and ground game.” - (https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/06/politics/takeaways-election-day/index.html) Americans are exposed to more BS in the political space than most other Western democracies. The exaggerations and lies fly thick and fast. Biden did a power of economic policy initiatives to take America into the 21C, Trump and the country will benefit from this massive investment. Americans have collective amnesia about what has happened over the last 8 years. Listening to lies and not paying attention to what is going on will cost them, I predict. If you can’t tell fact from fiction you are in for a heap of misery coming your way. Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump. ©MidasWord Read the full article

[my-chaos-radio-80-list]

C'est la vie - Robbie Nevil

Call It Love - Poco

Cambodia - Kim Wilde

Caravan Of Love - The Housemartins

Careless Whisper - George Michael

Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean

Carrie - Europe

Cars And Girls - Prefab Sprout

Catch Me I’m Falling - Real Life

Catch The Fox - Den Harrow

Cause You Are Young - C.C. Catch

Celebrate The World - Womack & Womack

Chain Reaction - Diana Ross

Challenger - Babys Gang

Charlene - Roxanne

China In Your Hand - T'Pau

Christmas Time - Bryan Adams (Xmas)

Circle In The Sand - Belinda Carlisle

Come Back And Stay - Bad Boys Blue

Come Back And Stay - Paul Young

Comanchero - Raggio Di Luna (Moon Ray)

Coming Up - Paul McCartney

Comment te dire adieu - Jimmy Somerville, June Miles Kingston

Conga! - Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine

Crash - The Primitives

Crimson And Clover - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Crockett’s Theme - Jan Hammer

Cross My Broken Heart - Sinitta

Cruel Summer - Bananarama

Cry Wolf - a-ha

-

Dancing Into Danger - Inker & Hamilton

Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie

Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol

Dancing With Tears In My Eyes - Ultravox

Dangerous - Roxette

Dear Prudence - Siouxsie And The Banshees

Desire - Roni Griffith

Diggin Your Scene - The Blow Monkeys

Dinner With Gershwin - Donna Summer

Disco Band - Scotch

Do They Know It’s Christmas 84 - Band Aid (Xmas)

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club

Doctorin’ The Tardis - The Timelords

Dolce Vita - Ryan Paris

Domino Dancing - Pet Shop Boys

Dominoes - Robbie Nevil

Don’t Answer Me - Alan Parsons Project

Don’t Ask Me Why - Eurythmics

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark - The Robert Cray Band

Don’t Be So Shy - Moti Special

Don’t Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra

Don’t Cry Tonight - Savage

Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House

Don’t Forget To Dance - The Kinks

Don’t Give Up - Peter Gabriel feat. Kate Bush

Don’t Go - F.R. David

Don't Go - Pseudo Echo

Don’t Go - Yazoo

Don’t Leave Me This Way - The Communards, Sarah Jane Morris

Don’t Let Me Down - Boytronic

Don’t Look Back - Fine Young Cannibals

Don't Tell Me Lies - Breathe

Don’t You Want Me - Jody Watley

Don’t You Want Me - The Human League

Down Under - Men At Work

Downtown ‘88 - Petula Clark

Dragnet - The Art Of Noise

Dreamin’ - Cliff Richard

Dreamin’ - Status Quo

Dreamtime - Daryl Hall

Dress You Up - Madonna

Drive - The Cars

Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea (Xmas)

-

Each Time You Break My Heart - Nick Kamen

Easy Lady - Spagna

Ella, elle l'a - France Gall

Eloise - The Damned

Ever Fallen In Love - Fine Young Cannibals

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Every Day (I Love You More) - Jason Donovan

Everybody - Visions

Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears

Everything Counts - Depeche Mode

Everything’s Coming Up Roses - Black

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Express Yourself - Madonna

Eyes Without A Face - Billy Idol

[toy-pigeon]

If it’s not spoilers for the fic, what’s Claire’s thoughts on being revived (again)? Does she ever wonder/worry about this one, like last time, being temporary? She ever get nightmares about having to leave her boyfriend(s) again?

Also, the image of Claire, fresh out of mortal danger, immediately going “Oh I like this guy” and teaming up to fluster her/their boyfriend to death together is hilarious.

Also also I’m imagining what Claire (and also Randall’s) reactions would be to Hershel telling them about his adventures (What do you MEAN you also died?!)

she kind of figures out it’s permanent after the first two weeks - though she’s got bigger fish to fry than just the abandonment issues, since she’s also processing the fact that she ACTUALLY died this time.

last time she stepped into the time machine, stepped out in 1963, went “oh it worked!” and then discovered she had died. this time, she actually experienced death before being reborn… which is a lot to handle. on top of, you know, waking up kidnapped (graverobbed, technically) by targent. which kinda fucks up your ability to process that kind of thing.

besides, “what if i return to the past and leave hershel behind?” isn’t such a big deal - she processed that, before she died in UF. she was prepared to die. to be dead. to continue to be dead. and hershel’s grieved her twice now, is expecting her to be dead, understands that she is supposed to be dead. she is NOT prepared to be alive, so… that’s kind of the bigger problem for her. ofc grief/abandonment is an undercurrent of her fears and nightmares, but she’s also got, like, much bigger problems in the trauma conga line

[gaykarstaagforever]

The Summit (2011)

Today's Free Movie is The Summit, a documentary (with some iffy dramatic reconstructions) about the 2008 K2 Disaster, where a bunch of people spit in the face of God and he responded by throwing them off the top of a very high mountain.

People on this website know, and LOVE, my perpetual glee at making fun when bad things happen to people who were asking for it. This movie, which is good regardless, was like candy to me. A bunch of people with more swag than sense decide to form an international conga line up into airless snow-hell, an old South Korean guy is a giant dick to everyone else about everything, and a dozen people learn way too late what happens when you mix gravity and ice. Then when the survivors get back, they and the Media take turns calling each-other idiots and murderers, and the people who didn't lose all their toes to frostbite go right back to doing this nonsense again.

What a delightful romp! It is well made, aside from the recreations featuring the actual people who are decidedly not actors. The first guy who dies accidentally uses his butt as a sled down the face of the mountain, and even if I wasn't being an asshole about it, they filmed this in exactly the most laughably, sitcommy way possible. Like you could add cartoon sound effects to it and it wouldn't feel out-of-place.

As usual with this genre of media, you're supposed to admire the bravery of the people doing this unnecessary, dangerous thing, and feel sympathy for them and their families when it inevitably goes amazingly bad. I can't engage with either because of my smug, morbid fascination at watching self-important jerks get owned by Nature. But I appreciate the filmmaking talent of how this is put together. They also include cuts to an interview with one of the Italian guys who first scaled K2 back in the late 50s, so he can explain how it was also super-hard to climb back then. Because of course it was, because that wasn't that long ago and it's exactly the same mountain. But if you didn't know that, I guess...?

The standout is Pemba Gyalje Sherpa, who is one of the best in the world at climbing his home mountains, and is legitimately heroic in trying to get these idiot foreigners off this giant rock in one piece. Especially in the face of how badly the Sherpas are treated in general by these people, most notably by the South Korean team leader (per the interviews in this movie, at least).

I've ranted about it before, and I shall again: climbing the Himalayas, as an entitled world-tourist brat sporting thing, is gross. People are dying and being left as landmarks in an economically depressed region of the world, just so awful people can later brag at dinner parties about how they totally didn't just pay someone else to carry them up a mountain. It was an embarrassing flex of European colonialism when people started doing it, and it hasn't gotten any better now that people from all over the world are joining in. All this should be illegal, if only because of the high risk of death and the callous corpse and gear littering.

Also, in all of these stories, there are ALWAYS Scandinavians being cocky dickholes in broken English. Always. And I guess they know they're pretty enough that most people won't call them out on it.

We get it. You live in a serene Socialist paradise, and it gets so boring, you've decided to become the Ultimate Best at climbing real high. Well done. Unfortunately I'm not a goat, so I don't find that terribly impressive.

But it's funny to me if you fall. So keep it up and keep filming it, Bjorn. I'm sure not all of your surviving orphans will consider you a selfish fool forever.