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dreaminginthedeepsouth · 8 months ago

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Jack Ohman, Sacramento Bee

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LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

March 26, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

MAR 27, 2024

At about 1:30 this morning, local time, the Dali, a 985-foot (300 m) container ship operating under a Singapore flag, struck the steel Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, that spans the lower Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor. The bridge immediately collapsed.

Eight maintenance workers were on the bridge repairing potholes when the ship hit. Two were rescued from the water, but the other six remain missing. Search and rescue operations were complicated by twisted metal and debris from the collapsed bridge. This evening, the Coast Guard called off its search. Tomorrow morning, divers will begin recovery efforts.

It is possible there were motorists on the bridge, too, but fewer than there might otherwise have been. Crew members issued a “Mayday” call—an internationally recognized word meaning distress—that Maryland police heard. At 1:27, police radio recorded an officer saying a ship had lost control of its steering as it approached the bridge, and to stop traffic and evacuate the area. There were cars submerged in the water, but they may have belonged to the construction workers.

The loss of the bridge will tangle traffic and disrupt supply chains. Named for the Maryland lawyer who in 1814 wrote the poem that became the national anthem, the Francis Scott Key bridge carries I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, and is used by about 30,000 people a day.

The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs, especially for both imports and exports of cars and light trucks. About 850,000 vehicles go through that port every year. So does more than 20% of the nation’s coal exports. In 2023 the port moved a record-breaking $80 billion worth of foreign cargo. Now the shipping lane is closed and must be cleared of debris.

“There is no question this will be a major and protracted impact on supply chains,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said from Baltimore today.

Perhaps learning from the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, when the government response was fast but quiet and thus opened a window for right-wing complaints they weren’t doing enough, the administration was out front today. Buttigieg rushed to the scene from a trip out West, and Maryland governor Wes Moore told reporters Buttigieg had called him at 3:30 am, just two hours after the crash.

By around 6:00 am, the National Transportation Safety Board already had a team of 24 people on the scene to launch an investigation into the cause of the collision.

Speaking today, President Joe Biden said: “I’ve directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as…humanly possible. And we’re going to work hand in hand…to support Maryland, whatever they ask for. And we’re going to work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs. It’s my intention that federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect…the Congress to support my effort.”

Former member of President Obama’s 2012 campaign Jason Karsh noted Biden’s speech and said on social media: “[B]ecause Biden got infrastructure spending done for the first time in over a generation, and because [Pennsylvania] was able to rebuild that bridge that collapsed in record time, Dem[ocrat]s have the credibility to say things like this. Competence in government matters.”

It remains far too soon for any solid understanding of what caused the deadly crash.

Despite the impossibility of solid information in the hours immediately after the collision—or perhaps because of it—verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) began spreading conspiracy theories. They posted that the accident was linked to terrorism, Jewish people, or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. “Did anti-white business practices cause this disaster?” one posted. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones wrote that the collision was “deliberate” and that “WW3 has already started.”

Technology reporter Taylor Lorenz, who studies social media patterns, explained in the Washington Post that many of these accounts are “engagement farming.” This is the practice of posting extremist comments to generate attention, which can then be monetized by, for example, getting a cut of advertising that appears near those comments. Comments with heavy engagement can receive thousands of dollars.

For a long time now, America’s political right has riled people up with wild political rhetoric to get them to buy stuff. Just today, Trump began to hawk Bibles for $59.99, plus shipping and handling, with a video message saying “Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country, and I truly believe we need to bring them back…. That’s why our country’s going haywire—we’ve lost religion in our country.”

That system appeared to be in play as Trump supporters apparently flocked to today’s public offering of the Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind the Truth Social app, sending the stock upward 16%. That surge would value the company at more than $7 billion, although in the first nine months of last year it had only about $3 million in sales and lost nearly $50 million. Julian Klymochko, founder and CEO of Accelerate Financial Technologies, told NPR’s Rafael Nam that the $7 billion valuation “is completely detached from any sort of fundamentals.”

Buying stock in the company is “more of a political movement or just a speculative meme stock [a stock driven by social media] that’s completely detached or unrelated to the underlying business fundamentals of Truth Social,” Klymochko said.

As well as convincing supporters to buy products, extremist rhetoric can push them toward violence. Yesterday, John Keller, the head of a Department of Justice task force set up to protect election workers, told reporters Trump’s lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen has put the U.S. in a “new era” in which election workers are “scapegoated, targeted, and attacked.”

Today, on his social media network, Trump attacked individuals related to his upcoming election interference case. He lashed out at one of the prosecutors on Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s staff who previously worked for the Justice Department; Judge Juan Merchan, the judge in his upcoming criminal case for election interference; and the judge’s daughter. Of the judge and his daughter, Trump told his angry followers: “These COUNTRY DESTROYING SCOUNDRELS & THUGS HAVE NO CASE AGAINST ME. WITCH HUNT!”

Legal analyst Joyce White Vance of Civil Discourse called out Trump’s “rank effort at intimidating the judge by threatening his family,” which she said “merits a gag order but also serious pushback from [Republican] leadership—which we know won't come.”

Republican leadership indeed stayed quiet, but the judge noted Trump’s pattern of using “threatening, inflammatory, [and] denigrating” statements against individuals in his legal cases and placed a gag order on him. Merchan noted that in the past, Trump’s statements had intimidated the individual targeted and required them to hire protection.

Trump can still talk about Merchan or Bragg, but he cannot comment on any attorney, court staff member, or family member of prosecutors or lawyers. He can’t make statements about any potential or actual juror.

Other news today suggests that Americans outside the MAGA bubble are turning against the poisonous politics that appeals to fear and hatred so its perpetrators can gain money or power.

The outrage over NBC’s hiring of former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel was so strong that today the chair of NBC News, Cesar Conde, emailed staff to tell them he had “decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.” McDaniel had trafficked in lies to support Trump and had worked with him to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

When the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine today, observers thought the justices seemed inclined to back away from the decision of extremist antiabortion judge Matthew Kacsmaryk taking the abortion drug mifepristone off the market. Antiabortion activists have long sought to ban abortion nationwide, but a strong majority of Americans support reproductive rights and have made their wishes known at the ballot box.

Voters’ frustration with the extremists who have captured the Republican Party appeared to be behind the results in today’s special election for a seat in the Alabama legislature. There, voters in a swing district elected a Democrat, who ran on protecting abortion access, to replace a Republican. In 2022 that Democrat, Marilyn Lands, won about 45% of the vote. Today she won almost 65% of it.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

#letters from an american #Heather Cox Richardson #infrastructure #the courts #corrupt SCOTUS #Ronna McDaniel #GOP extremism #Baltimore Bridge

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awriterofdivinedreams · 2 years ago

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Name Meanings/Etymologies of Devil May Cry Characters

Classic Devil May Cry Canon A: Agnus - lamb Alice - noble, of nobility Alex Lowell - to defend, to protect | young wolf Alyssa Martin - rational, noble | warlike, of Mars, warrior Amanda - worthy to be loved Angelina Hagel - messenger of god | farm Arius - warlike, devoted to Ares Arkham - happy

B: Beryl - colour of the sea Bobby - bright fame, shining glory Butler - servant in charge of the wine cellar

C: Carlo - man, free man Cindy - light Chen the Cannibal - dawn, morning, great, tremendous Christopher Lowell - bearer of Christ | young wolf Claude - lame, disabled Credo - I believe

D: Dante - enduring, steadfast, lasting Ducas - leader, to guide, general

E: Elena Huston - bright, shining light | hugh's town, settlement on the hill Elise - oath of God, God is satisfaction Ernest - serious, determined Enzo Ferino - home ruler | iron Eva - life, living one

F: Fredi - peaceful ruler

G: Gloria - glory Grue - shiver, shudder

I: Isaac - he will laugh

J: J.D. Morrison - son of the dark-skinned Jeffrey Turner - pledge of peace, district, traveler | lathe worker Jessica - to see before, god beholds, to behold Joe - he will add Julio - youthful, youth, downy bearded

K: Kalina Ann - viburnum tree, to make red-hot | grace, mercy, favour Kerry Marcus - dark, dark-haired | warlike, dedicated to Mars Kyle - narrow, strait, channel Kyrie - lord

L: Lady - noble, bread kneader Lucia - light Lynn Marcus - lake | warlike, dedicated to Mars

M: "Mad Dog" Denvers - crazy, insane | canine | green valley Margaret - pearl Mary - bitter, beloved, drop of the sea Matier - friend, friendly Michel - who is like God Mike Hagel - who is like God | farm

N: Nell Goldstein - bright, shining light, weaver, merciful, god is my light | gold stone, touchstone Nero - black, strong, powerful Nesty - place to sit down, pure, chaste Nicoletta “Nico” Goldstein - victory of the people | gold stone, touchstone Nina Lowell - little girl | young wolf

P: Patty Lowell - noble, patrician | young wolf Patty Lowell (heiress) - noble, patrician | young wolf Paul - small, little, humble

R: Rock Goldstein - crag | gold stone, touchstone Roy Martin - king, red, redhead | warlike, of Mars, warrior

S: Sally - princess, noblewoman Santa Claus - saint, holy | victory of the people Sanctus - holy Simon - he has heard, flat-nosed Soldier “Crew Cut” - mercenary | short-length haircut Solemnis - annual, ceremonial, religiously fixed Sparda - sword, simple, frugal

T: Tiki - hope, waterfall, image Tim - to honour

V: V “Vitale” - Roman numeral for five | life giving, lively Vergil - flourishing Vincent - to conquer

X: χ (Chi) - christ, Greek numeral for six hundred

BOSSES and/or DEMONS

A: Abigail - father's joy Argosax - bright, shining Agni - fire, flame Artemis - butcher, safe

B: Bael - lord, master Balrog - demon of might Baul - snail, slow like a snail Beastheads - wild animal | top of body, leader, ruler Belphagor - lord of the gap, lord of the opening Beowulf - bee wolf, war wolf, bear Berial - worthless Bolverk - evildoer, worker of evil Bradley - broad meadow Brian Lowell - noble, high, hill, strong | young wolf

C: Cavaliere Angelo - knight, horseman, rider | messenger of god Cerberus - hound of the earth, black wolfhound, death-darkness

D: Dagon - grain, fish Demon of Capulet City - spirit | hat | citizen Demon of Morris Island - spirit | dark-skinned | watery land Director - to guide Doppelganger - double-goer, double-walker

E: Echidna - snake, viper Elder Geryon Knight - old | earth | boy, youth, servant

F: Freki - greedy, ravenous Frost - to freeze Furiataurus - fury of the bull, furious bull

G: Geri - rules with a spear, greedy Geryon - earth Gigapede - giant foot Gilgamesh - the ancestor is a hero Gilver - [ERROR 404: meaning of word not found]

Gilbert - bright pledge

Goliath - to uncover, reveal, running, destroyer Griffon - curved, bent

H: Hell Vanguard - to cover, conceal | before guard

I: Infested Chopper - to attack, hostile | helicopter Infested Tank - to attack, hostile | reservoir of water

J: Jester - reciter of romances, minstrel Jokatgulm - [ERROR 404: meaning of word not found]

K: King Cerberus - ruler | hound of the earth, black wolfhound, death-darkness

L: Leviathan - to twist, coiled

M: Machiavelli - bad little nail Mad Hatter - crazy, insane | maker of hoods, maker of cowls Malphas - mischief Modeus [Asmodeus] - wrathful spirit, demon of wrath Mundus - world

N: Nefascapitis - head of sin, head of violation of divine law Nefasturris - tower of sin, tower of violation of divine law Nefasvermis - worm of sin, worm of violation of divine law Nelo Angelo - black, strong, powerful | messenger of god Nevan - little saint, little holy one Nidhogg - malice striker Nightmare - a female demon suffocates sleepers Nina Lowell (demon) - little girl | young wolf Noctpteran - night wing

O: Orangguerra - war orangutan

P: Phantom - an apparition, specter Plesio - near, close Plutonian - relating to wealth, relating to riches Pride - brave, pomp, valiant Priest - one who leads cattle

Q: Qliphoth - husks, empty shells

R: Red Eye - airplane flight that deprives travelers of sleep, raw and inferior whiskey Rudra - howler, roarer, to cry

S: Sara - princess, noblewoman Secretary - one entrusted with secrets Sid - wide Sloth - indolence, slowness, laziness

T: Tartarussian - relating to a deep pit Tateobesu - vertical, length, height | fat, stout, plump The Savior - the one who saves others Trismagia - three magicians

U: Urizen - your reason, to limit

W: White Rabbit - bright, shine | young rabbit

Ninja Theory's DmC: Devil May Cry Canon

A: Assiel - created by god

B: Bob Barbas - bright fame, shining glory | beard, uncle, stammering

D: Dante (DmC) - enduring, steadfast, lasting

E: Eva (DmC) - life, living one

H: Hollow Dante - empty place | enduring, steadfast, lasting Hollow Kat - empty place | pure, clear Hollow Vergil - empty place | flourishing Hunter - one who chases wild animals

K: Kat - pure, clear

L: Lilith - spirit of the night

M: Mundus (DmC) - world Mundus's Spawn - world | to spread out, expand

P: Phineas - mouth of brass, dark skinned, serpent's mouth

S: Sparda (DmC) - sword, simple, frugal Succubus - to lie beneath

V: Vergil (DmC) - flourishing

#Devil May Cry #Dante Sparda #Vergil Sparda #Nero Sparda #Eva Sparda #Sparda #Patty Lowell #Lady DMC #Trish Sparda #Too lazy to add more character tags #The written word #Tis mine #Helpful tips #I make lists when I'm bored #Name Meanings #Word Etymologies #Writer’s Random Research #nicoletta goldstein

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40sandfabulousaf · 1 month ago

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大家好! Mrs T was looking forward to our catch up with MS because I was introducing them to the restaurant that serves 1 of the best meepok (flat egg noodles) in the country. I've brought several friends here already and they agree it's absolutely delicious. The silky smooth strands have a good bite and are best enjoyed on their own. Mrs T tried some with sambal chilli and their house chilli sauce and declared that this tastes best plain. Both of them also agreed this is the best meepok they've tasted. They adored the char siew, which was crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside, as well as the crab omelette and green beans with hae bee (dried shrimp) and chopped garlic. This is, without a doubt, local comfort food at its finest. Mrs T said she'll bring her friends and family here. Yes it's that good.

The little Korean diner selling salmon bibimbap which I introduced my parents to is a hit with Pa. Since then, he's returned several times for healthy meals. We headed there again because I had a craving for their bibimbap. This time, Pa ordered hotplate saba (mackerel) and chicken with rice. This hotplate version of bibimbap made the rice crispy at the bottom, quite similar to our local claypot rice. It was delicious! My parents and I prefer it without gochujang; it just tastes better when the natural fragrance of fresh vegetables, fish, egg and rice are not overwhelmed by spices and sauce.

MI and I returned to the cai fan (mixed dishes and rice) stall which serves salted egg yolk prawns. It was available that day, so I ordered some, stirfried green beans and cabbage with carrots. The quality of the prawns seems to be consistent - very fresh and firm flesh coated in gooey salted egg yolk sauce. YUM! Besides the prawns, this stall seems to do vegetable dishes very well. The green beans, cabbage and carrot retained some crunch, weren't too salty and were fragrant, thanks to lots of garlic. As locals will say when something is very good, SOLID LAH!

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The sushi craving hit me, although thankfully, it's less intense now that I eat it more often. At the local supermarket cum food hall, there were some interesting new combos. Hotate (raw scallop) is 1 of my favourites. The tender flesh is subtly sweet and pairs extremely well with vinegary rice. So when I saw the supermarket had a hotate sushi pack, I grabbed it. Inside were 2 plain hotate nigiri sushi, 2 hotate sushi topped with mentaiko and ikura, futomaki with hotate, cucumber, crabstick and tamago and coated in bonito flakes as well as sesame seeds and hotate and ikura topped california roll. My favourite was the last - so yummy, but really, all of them were really delicious!

During my weekly catch up with Grace and Douglas, we discussed the possibility of a full blown war in the Middle East. Whilst we don't want this to happen because of the potential loss of innocent lives, we accept that to be free from colonialism, there're sacrifices to be made. At times, it will be violent and bloody; many will die for their cause. But if they achieve their objectives, the road ahead is sovereignty and independence. No sane person would want their country to be subjugated by another. So yes we understand and wish them well. May you achieve the very freedom that you seek. 下次见!

#Youtube

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ulkaralakbarova · 4 months ago

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When architect-turned-recluse Bernadette Fox goes missing prior to a family trip to Antarctica, her 15-year-old daughter Bee goes on a quest with Bernadette’s husband to find her. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Bernadette: Cate Blanchett Elgie: Billy Crudup Audrey: Kristen Wiig Dr. Kurtz: Judy Greer Paul Jellinek: Laurence Fishburne Bee: Emma Nelson Soo-Lin: Zoë Chao Agent Marcus Strang: James Urbaniak Becky: Troian Bellisario Floyd the Pharmacist: Richard Robichaux Ellen Idelson: Kate Burton David Walker: Steve Zahn Judy Toll: Megan Mullally Jay Ross: David Paymer Tom the Blackberry Guy: Patrick Sebes USC Student: Lee Harrington Game Show Host: Patrick Jordan Pablo: Shaun Cameron Hall Tamara the Pharmacy Employee: Kathryn Feeney Lisa Prospective Parent: Amy Rayko Lori Prospective Parent: Nancy McNulty Julie Prospective Parent: Daina Griffith Tammy Prospective Parent: Kate Easton Mr. Hayes: Stephen Donnelly Kennedy: Thalia Torio Architectural Expert: Mark Philip Stevenson News Reporter: Cherie McClain Crew Member Allegra: Maureen d’Armand Captain J. Rouverol: Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson Iris: Claudia Doumit Vivian: Katelyn Statton Snappy Tourist Lady: Jennifer Tober Mike the State Senator: Joe Coyle Construction Worker (uncredited): Alan Lee Baker Stu Reardon (Microsoft Executive) (uncredited): Richard Barlow Airport Traveler / Taxi Passenger (uncredited): Heidi Barrientes Pharmacy Patron (uncredited): Tom Bonello Parent (uncredited): Brian “Wolfman Black” Bowman Audience Member (uncredited): Chris Breen Caterer (uncredited): Gregory Bromfield Kyle’s Friend (uncredited): Zachary Davis Brown Kyle (uncredited): Owen Buckenmaier Passenger (uncredited): Isaac J. Conner Baggage Handler (uncredited): Erik J. Cornelius Restaurant Patron (uncredited): Kelli Culbertson Nigel Mills-Murray (uncredited): Bruce Curtis Passenger (uncredited): Kelley Davis Restaurant Patron (uncredited): Chris Drexel Restaurant Patron (uncredited): Grant Eastey Flight Attendant (uncredited): Amy Lyn Elliott Gary Oppenheimer (uncredited): Russell Bradley Fenton Galer Street School Parent (uncredited): Joe Fishel Restaurant Patron (uncredited): Simone Bruyère Fraser Pedestrian (uncredited): Emir García Tech Enthusiast / Party Goer (uncredited): Peter Georgo School Child (uncredited): Elijah Goulet TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): Ben Guenther Airport Traveler (uncredited): Juliane Hagn Traveler (uncredited): Rene Hamlet Jellinek’s Student (uncredited): Joely Haregsin Coffee Shop Patron (uncredited): Mike D Harris Tourist in Boat (uncredited): Andrew Harvey Parent (uncredited): Adam Hicks Student (uncredited): Jagger Hicks Traveler (uncredited): Liz Higgins Beeber Construction Worker (uncredited): Anthony Holland Airport Patron (uncredited): Tara O. Horvath Pedestrian (uncredited): Wesley Jansen Restaurant Patron / TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): Nagy Jay Space Needle Restaurant Patron (uncredited): Morgen Johnson TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): William Kania Naturalist (uncredited): Brett Kennedy TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): Trudi Kennedy Airline Passenger (uncredited): Micah Knapp Airline Passenger (uncredited): Tiahna Kovarik TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): Mike Kuse Construction Worker (uncredited): Daniel Lamont Cruise Ship Passenger (uncredited): Susan Lang Crossing Guard (uncredited): James Lloyd Cruise Passenger (uncredited): Scott Lockhart Parent (uncredited): Chelsea Long Game Show Contestant (uncredited): Theresa Mangus Airport Traveler (uncredited): Tiffany Sander McKenzie Airplane Passenger (uncredited): F. Robert McMurray Joann Airline Stewardess (uncredited): Kelly L. Moran TED Talk Attendee (uncredited): Sue Danna Myer Microsoft Worker (uncredited): Adam Nakanishi T-Shirt Mom (uncredited): Amy Nelson Airline Passenger (uncredited): Vanessa N. Nelson TED Talk Attendee / Party Patron (uncredited): Ted Opalinski Parent (uncredited): Martin A. Palma Construction Worker (uncredited): Michael Paradise Bus Passenger (uncredited): Edward Pfeifer Airline Employee (uncredited): Jacob Phelps Port Lockroy Tourist (uncredited)...

#agoraphobia #antarctica #based on novel or book #depression #missing person #seattle #Top Rated Movies #Washington

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dxsturbia · 7 months ago

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Demetria

You released three different versions of the same 19 track record within three days of one another you didn’t even try

If you’re gonna reissue give it six months

And you know what you did it all for one track

All three of the performances are on YouTube for the doc

What the fuck just add a 20 and call it good

Why are you doing this to me now are you mad at me because I wasn’t expecting to do that I wouldn’t of done it under normal circumstances

Oh no we’re hanging out with Paris again now and we are remembering that we hate me

Paris who is now irrelevant no offense to paris

The social lite era of Hollywood died with Taylor Swift

She is the new Hollywood old money

The worker bees are the ones on the top why do you think she now knows you exist the moment you got on top again

And she can be seen with you in public -cough-

At roc nation

Isn’t she like a celebrity DJ in the vein of Joe Jonas now

#love notes to imaginary friends #demi lovato #Spotify

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abductionradiation · 2 years ago

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Bay Area artist Salami Rose Joe Louis (the project of Lindsay Olsen) will be releasing her new album Akousmatikous on May 19 via Brainfeeder. She shared newest single “Dimcola Reprise” last week - a snazzy track that spans just under 3 minutes long. It’s hard to assign just one genre to it as it’s more like a meld of various genres - from the soft electronic textures to the soulful vocals. “Dimcola Reprise” has a gentleness to it that feels like a coaxing, going hand in hand with Olsen’s message. There’s a hypnotizing calm to the song that puts listeners into a deep trance but with the lyrics, it’s really society (and capitalism) casting a spell on us to minimize our emotions and thoughts - to keep on chugging along and become little worker bees.

Akousmatikous by salami rose joe louis

On the track, Olsen shares: “In the game of capitalism, the ability to ‘roll with the punches,’ be resilient, suppress emotions, and bounce back quickly are championed. I was reflecting on the sort of internal monologue we give ourselves to get through tricky moments and work through feelings. On the dystopian planet of this story, I imagined this internal motivator voice, was some kind of pre-programmed pep talk robot voice that was activated every time an earthling was having a negative emotion. This robot voice was manipulated by Zeeanori [the album’s protagonist] on his mission to keep the earthlings locked in a complacent state.”

Connect with Salami Rose Joe Louis:

Facebook | Instagram

#salami rose joe louis #brainfeeder #bay area #Akousmatikous #electronic #funk #pop #soul

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euesworld · 2 years ago

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"They call me butterfly cause I feel so fluttery, I'm so sweet that at any minute though, I could burst into a cloud of honey bees.."

Butterflies kissing honey bees in my chest, why? Cause I have a crush on you for being the best.. just ask worker bee Joe, he knows, haha - eUë

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clarklovescarole · 2 years ago

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June 1937: Mourning Jean Harlow

June 1, 1937 – Princeton Daily Clarion

Carole Lombard cooking dinner on servants night out for Clark Gable, Fieldsie and Warner Lang…

June 2, 1937 – Deseret News

Bob Cobb introduced his cowboy “find” to Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Sally Eilers and Harry Joe Brown at a café the other night and the good-looking kid was so embarrassed he could hardly talk…

June 2, 1937 – Fresno Bee

Garbo Changes Her Mind! May Be Cast with Clark Gable in Idiot’s Delight!

By Louella Parsons

LOS ANGELES, June 2 – Garbo, who was dead set against playing the Lynn Fontanne role in Idiot’s Delight when it was purchased for her by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is changing her mind. She wants to do a comedy and realizes now that Miss Fontanne was not caricaturing her but merely giving her own conception of the cockney girl who pretends to be a Russian. I can think of another “accented” actress whom Author Robert Sherwood more than likely had in mind when he wrote his play – but our interest is in MGM’s motion picture. There has been talk that Carole Lombard would co-star with Clark Gable but Missy Carole’s price, we hear, is prohibitive to the studio which has Garbo, Shearer, Loy, Howard and Crawford under contract. So don’t be surprised if announcement is made shortly that Garbo and Gable will be the co-starring sensation of 1937. They haven’t played together since Susan Lenox.

June 3, 1937 – The Birmingham News

CLARK GABLE showed up at the Pastor-Nestell heavyweight battle in Los Angeles recently with two attractive actresses as companions. With him were CAROLE LOMBARD (left) and SALLY EILERS (right). Miss Lombard is frequently seen with the screen Romeo.

June 3, 1937 - Courier Journal

Hollywood, June 2 – At the bike race: Jean Harlow, accompanied by Publisher Don Friede… In a box for a few minutes before they go to the famous Door… Clark Gable and Carole Lombard in a front box… Gable puts up a hundred for a sprint…

June 4, 1937 – San Francisco Examiner

Clark Gable and Carole Lombard at “Idiot’s Delight,” missing the preview, but they had their seats long before the “Parnell” date was announced.

June 7, 1937 – Arizona Republic

In “Saratoga,” Jean Harlow departs somewhat from her usual role of loud-talking, gum chewing gamin. She is more of a lady. An occasional and interested spectator to the scenes between Ms. Harlow and Clark Gable in the picture is Carole Lombard, who goes with Gable…

June 8, 1937 – The Journal Times

No disrespect is intended but this thought comes – even in death there is a display of the tangles and cross-currents caused in Hollywood life by the whirling loom of quick romance and even quicker divorce. Clark Gable, a friend and co-worker of Miss Harlow, is shocked at the news. He turns for comfort to Carole Lombard, reputedly the latest object of his affections, following estrangement from his own wife… And Miss Lombard is the divorced wife of the grief-stricken William Powell, who had been planning to become the fourth husband of Miss Harlow!

June 8, 1937 – Fresno Bee

Gable Pays Tribute

Only last week Clark told some of us at a dinner party at Carole Lombard’s house that Jean was so pleasant to work with, and that she always respected the other players, and was never temperamental or difficult even when she was sick.

June 9, 1937 – Alton Evening Telegraph

Movieland Bids Last Goodbyes at Jean Harlow’s Bier

William Powell Proclaims His Love for Her After Death

GLENDALE, Calif., June 9 (AP) – Beneath gray skies with darkening clouds, those who knew jean Harlow best gathered sadly today for the funeral of the screen’s platinum blonde star.

Through the misty dawn the bronze coffin inlaid with silver, holding the actress’ body, was brought the 10 miles from Los Angeles to Memorial Park here, escorted by police motorcycles.

In the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather Chapel the coffin rested in breathtaking banks of flowers.

It was blanketed with 1500 lilies of the valley and 500 gardenias, which the mother, Mrs. Marino Bello, and Miss Harlow’s sweetheart, William Powell, provided.

A silver plate on the casket bore an engraving of the signature of the 26-year-old glamor girl of the films, cut down at the very height of her career by uremic poisoning.

One of the first to appear in the little chapel of farewells was Warren Baxter. Soon after him came Carole Lombard, then Clark Gable, leading man in her unfinished picture.

Next was Nelson Eddy, whose tribute in the simple services was the singing of “Ah Sweet Mystery of Life,” with Eddy was his companion Jeanette Macdonald, in sad but rich voice saying her farewell in Jean Harlow’s favorite song,” Indian Love Call.”

Soon the 250 intimate friends had passed through the gate. That was all the police permitted within the Memorial Park. Brief was the Christian Science service read by Mrs. Genevieve Smith, for seven years confidante of the actress.

The pallbearers escorting the casket to the mausoleum were those with whom Miss Harlow had worked – Clark Gable, Edward J. Mannix, MGM executive; Hunt Stromberg, producer; Jack Conway and WS Van Dype, directors and Ray June, cameraman.

Interest centered on William Powell, scree actor who made public declaration of his love just after Miss Harlow’s death – “Why did this have to be? I loved her. I loved her.”

June 10, 1937 – New York Daily News

FELLOW PLAYERS

Clark Gable, who co-starred with Jean in last picture, leaves chapel with Carole Lombard, ex-wife of Powell.

June 10, 1937 – Pensacola News Journal

Brief, Simple Rites Are Held for Jean Harlow

(snippet)

Clark Gable, who was both an usher and pallbearer, came with Carole Lombard.

June 12, 1937 – The Emporia Gazette

Carole Lombard Says She Will Not Be a “Type” in the Movies

By Carole Lombard (Guest Columnist for Robbin Coons)

Hollywood – “From now on, she’s going to be funny.” Somebody wrote that line about me and if I ever catch him I’m going to break his neck. The inspiration came to him just after I’d finished “My Man Godfrey” in which I was hoydenish.

Actually, something did happen during the making of that picture. I found that I was able to break away from Lombard and be the person I was supposed to be on the screen. I dropped the last vestige of my self-consciousness.

But I did not plan just to be funny from that time on. I think I showed that pretty clearly when I stepped into “Swing High, Swing Low.” I was a comic character in that one. But more than that, I hope. There was considerable footage fo tragic stuff. After all, you can’t be very funny when you’re playing a girl in love with someone, and when that someone is a bum, and walking out of your life on top of that.

Refuses to be a “type”

My new picture is “True Confession.” It’ll have humor and plenty of it. But I’m certainly not going to run riot on one single shade of emotion when there are so many more in the book. I’m going to sample quite a few of them. The script isn’t being written “to make the lines sound as if Lombard would say them.” It’s being written for a character I’m going to play.

Why? Because I’m not going to type myself. Typing means standing still. The public says, “There’s no use seeing her again, I’ve seen her last three pictures and they’re all alike.” And when you’re standing still you’re going backward, because Hollywood is fast and people are going to the right and left of you, passing you and getting ahead.

Aims for “surprises”

The idea, in Hollywood, is always to be new and slightly different. I’ll be all right as long as the public says, “She’s full of surprises.” When I don’t surprise them, you can count me out. That’s why I got sore when somebody wrote “From now on, she’s going to be funny.” It might just as well have been, “She’s going to be the same forever.” That’s practically libel, in this business.

Understand, I know my limitations. I don’t care for the “prestige” pictures. I don’t want to do a film which is supposed to be epic, colossal, or terrific. I can’t imagine myself a Duse or a Bernhardt. I’ll leave that ot the other little girls. But you can depend on this: as long as there’s breath in my body, I’ll try to make people say: “Have you seen the latest edition of Lombard?”

June 17, 1937 – Rogersville Review

CLARK GABLE’S IDEAL WIFE

Clark Gable, the screen’s great lover, who has had some of Hollywood’s loveliest as cinema wives, made a list of the things wives should have.

Gable whose first two marriages went the way of all flesh says: “First of all a wife must be a pal. She should enjoy the things you do. She must have a sense of humor. She must not bother about ashes on the floor or clothing not hung up. She must smile at unexpected guests for dinner. She should never sulk when he has financial setbacks. She must dress as her husband wants her to look.”

Memo to Carole Lombard. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to cut the above out and keep it for reference and future use.

June 17, 1937 – Los Angeles Times

… Carole Lombard and Clark Gable window shopping along Hollywood Boulevard…

June 19, 1937 – The Californian

(snippet of a longer article)

First, we have to eliminate Clark Gable. If you don’t make the mistake of including him among the ranks of Hollywood’s best catches, others will. Fifty million women have assume that at last they have what they’ve always wanted – a chance with Gable.

But don’t rush him. Although he’s separated from Mrs. Gable, he’s still a married man. When, and if, Mrs. Gable ever does get a divorce, Clark isn’t apt to rush into headlong into another halter. According to his own statements, he’s too fond of doing as he likes, and of going hunting and fishing with the boys whenever he feels like it.

At the moment, Carole Lombard is his palsy-walsy and they have a barrel of fun together. But with Carole another marriage is a question too. “I suppose I would,” she says, “if the right man came along.” But whether or not Mr. Gable is the right man, Carole doesn’t say.

In the meantime, she’s a million dollar bachelor girl herself, with an income of $300,000 a year from Paramount, and there’s a clause in her contract which permits her to make a picture off the lot for which she may ask her own price.

However, not many women have much sympathy for Carole. To have had William Powell for a husband, and Clark Gable for a beau, all in one lifetime – t’aint fair!

June 25, 1937- Miami News

Carole Lombard, who is co-starred with her ex-husband William Powell in “My Man Godfrey,” which is now showing at the Rosetta theater, receives $150,000 a film on her Paramount home lot, and double that amount when loaned to another studio. She will not act in a film unless she feels reasonably sure of its success. She held up production on “My Man Godfrey” six months while the story was rewritten five times. Miss Lombard’s current gentleman friend is Clark Gable, but she is not over-anxious to remarry, as she believes it is a whole-time job, and she enjoys her film work too much to give it up for any man.

June 29, 1937 - San Francisco Examiner

CHATTER IN HOLLYWOOD:

How do you think Carole Lombard leaves the studio every evening? In a limousine with liveried chauffeur? No, indeed. Clark Gable, who is working at MGM only a block away from the Selznick Studios, calls for her usually in a station wagon with guns, tents, and other camping paraphernalia hanging out the back. But Carole doesn’t mind. Life to her is a lot of laughs, anyway. She and Freddie March spend all their free time on the “Nothing Sacred” set practicing with BB guns, so it’s almost worth your life to visit that set.

#clark gable #jean harlow #1937 #carole lombard #old hollywood

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funnywiccanwritingcorner · 2 years ago

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Le Joyau le plus precieux - Candyfloss

Chapter V

-One two three, one two three... Come on, girls, rhythm!- Madame Louise urged her dancers to properly dance the new choreography, while Luke strummed on the piano and Cheyenne helped Amélie with her homework at a table in the hall of the Moulin Rouge. The little girl herself, at one point, exclaimed: -Ah, mommy! Do you remember my friend Billy, the boy who sells candy?- -Yes, I remember, my darling. Why?- -Later, shall we go to his shop? I know where it is!- She waved the business card under the nose of her mother. -The sooner you finish maths, the sooner we'll go, okay?- -Can I come too? I'd like to buy some chocolates for Joe- Luke inserted himself. -What is this, cousin, some kind of a month-iversary?- -I don't need an excuse to give my man a little present.- -Good point!- chirped Madame.

Mixing the ingredients of the toffee on a special machine, Billy went back and forth like a worker bee, humming a tune with his mouth closed. He didn't understand why, but he he had woken up very well that Monday. The door bell rang, and a little girl's voice called to him from upstairs: -Billy! Where are you?- Looking out of the trapdoor, the boy answered: -Who's looking for me?- Amélie went behind the counter and smiled: -Hello!- -Hey! What's up?- Cheyenne and Luke reached the little girl; Billy recognised the latter: -Hello!- He stepped out of the trapdoor and immediately looked around: -There's no Detective Dalton, is there?- -Oh no, don't worry; he's at the station at the moment.- -That's just as well; that man terrifies me...- He turned to the girl: -And she's your mother?- -Cheyenne Strokes- she introduced herself, -And we're here to get our fill of sweets; it's not only Amelie who has a sweet tooth, I confess!-

At that moment a short ringing alerted the boy that he had received a message on his mobile phone: -Ah, sorry, I always forget to put it on silent lately...- He checked the sender, taking the device from his jacket pocket. It was Jesse. Looking over the blond man's shoulder, Luke interjected: -Oh, so it's true!- -What?- -A certain Miss Jane told Joe that you had started dating Jesse James, or so he thought from the description she gave him.- Billy tilted his head in puzzlement: -We're not "dating", we're just hanging out together, and it just happened this Saturday.- -Billy has a boyfriend!- exclaimed Amélie all happy, placing some candies on the counter. -He's not my boyfriend!- huffed the boy blushing and crossing his arms, -We're... almost friends, that is.- -Well, answer him, it's not nice to keep friends waiting- said Cheyenne, -Me and Amélie meanwhile let's decide how to fill the shopping bag!- -And I'm looking for some dark chocolates with lemon for Joe, they're his favourite- Luke added. -Gift box?- -Would be nice.- -That top shelf. Get as many as you want and bring them to the counter, it'll take me five minutes to wrap them up.- Meanwhile, he opened the message: "Good morning to you, how are you today? I was planning to go to the cinema this Wednesday, and I would love it if you wanted to join me." This was followed by a smiley face. "He wrote me a poem!" chuckled Billy, typing back, "Morning, daddy! All good, and you? I'm in, just tell me at what time!" -Daddy?- Cheyenne, like her cousin, had taken to peering at the mobile phone screen. -Hey! That's private stuff!- On the other end, the actor winced slightly after reading the message: still that nickname. -Jesse, let's start with the rehearsal- a colleague called him, who moved a couple of chairs to prepare the scene. -One second.- He sent his reply and grabbed his script.

The weather proved to be decidedly unreliable that Wednesday. Clear weather was forecast for the whole week, but that very day it had been raining since lunchtime, and it didn't even seem to slow down. Without losing heart, however, Jesse had managed to arrive at the cinema that evening sheltered by a large black umbrella; he walked through the front door and looked around, but of Billy no trace. "How strange... Yet I'm right on time."

His mobile phone rang; when he saw the name on the screen he immediately answered: -Billy!- -Hey, Jesse, um... Look, I'm sorry, but... Are you at the cinema already?- -Yeah, but where are you?- -I had a little accident and I'm stuck. I don't know if I can get there in time.- -Accident? Are you okay?- -Yeah, it's nothing, just... Don't ask me how, but my umbrella broke, and I'm stuck under a porch.- -Wait there, I'll come to you.- -But no, it's pouring; I'll manage by myself...- -Tell me the exact spot.- He got out and opened the umbrella again. -Somewhere halfway to my house from the cinema...- The traffic on the street was very slow, and the pavements crowded despite the hour and the weather, so that Jesse had to jostle several times for space. He continued talking to the boy on the phone: -Are you in some alley?- -Yes, but I told you I'll manage...- -Don't move; I think... I see you!- Billy was actually standing under a small porch, soaked from head to toe and clutched in his arms. -Goodness; did you fall in a puddle?- -No...- The blond man sulked: -I told you, the umbrella broke...- He pointed with a nod of his head at the object abandoned in the corner. It was overturned, old and worn, and some of the sticks had broken. -We have to find a place for you to dry off, or you'll get sick.... That’s it, I'll take you home.- -And the cinema?- -It will be for another time.- He held out his hand and smiled: -Let's go. The umbrella is big enough for both of us.- Billy hesitated for a moment, but finally took the other's hand and joined him in the shelter. -We’ll be more comfortable like this.- The actor took him by the arm and pulled him close. The boy blushed, looking away, too cold, however, to say anything. -Get ready, there will be a fight to reach your residence.- -Okay...-

Returning to the main street, the two had to face the crowds going against the current until they reached the apartment building in three times as much time as when the path was clear. -Thanks, daddy.- Letting him go, the boy ran to open the door. -Can I come upstairs to dry my clothes, too?- That statement paralysed Billy: -No!- -No?- -I will not let you into my house! Who do you take me for?- The truth was that he didn't want Jesse to see all his mess, but he threw in a plausible but weak excuse: -Besides you're less wet than I am; you can go back to your place without any problems!- -Really?- With an indecipherable smile, the actor took a few steps to the right, where a broken gutter was making the rain flow with a roar, and leaving aside his umbrella Jesse with one last stride stepped right under the stream of water. Billy stood still and watched what the other was up to until he saw him make that senseless gesture, ran to grab him by the arm and pull him out from under the spout: -What the hell are you doing?!?- -I have weighed your words. Now I am so soaked with water that I am in danger of falling ill before be able to return to my house. Am I then worthy to climb into your nest now?- -Subtle bugger...- He let him go: -Okay, okay, you win. Come.-

Beyond the doorway stood a worn grey marble staircase with an iron railing with peeling white paint here and there. The footsteps of the two echoed with a noise like that of a sponge being wrung out. -Shall we take the lift?- Jesse asked. -It's broken. I'm on the first floor anyway.- The metal cabin actually had pinned a sheet of paper on the closed doors that had a faded inscription in French; it was hard to tell how long it had been there, but Jesse was sure the word in red marker was "out of order". Rummaging through his pockets, Billy reached for the keys to the door of the third flat on the floor: -Hey, for the record... I never get visitors. There's some stuff scattered around...- -All right.-

The boy slowly opened the door and switched on the light. Jesse took a general look: the flat consisted of one large room with a plain white door that he assumed led to the bathroom. A one and a half bed rested with its headboard against the ochre-yellow wall. There was no kitchen, and the only other visible furniture was a small white wooden cupboard and a small table of the same material with a surface filled with pizza boxes, fast-food paper cups and other packaging. An antiquated dark grey cubic TV set was abandoned in one corner, and here and there many clothes lay dishevelled, both on the floor and elsewhere.

-Well, there's my den...- mumbled Billy. -I'll be honest: it looks a lot like a dressing room at the end of a show; the chaos is at the same level.- The actor took off his scarf and coat: -I'd say I find it cozy.- -Ah... Well...- Inside, the blond felt relieved; he feared the other would be disgusted. A rumble of thunder resounded in the flat, and the light flickered for a few seconds before resetting. -When it rains the light comes and goes, I'm used to it by now- Billy hastened to explain, frantically gathering up some clothes, -Go to the bathroom, I'll... I'm looking for something for you that at least doesn't tight.- -All right.- Behind the white door was a bathroom with a floor of yellowish, cracked tiles in many places, covering the surface up to half of the walls. A narrow tub surmounted by a curtainless pipe made it a little difficult to reach the washbasin, while the toilet was given much more space. There were no hanging mirrors, only one of those round ones mounted on a revolving base revolving base resting in the corner of the basin. All in all it was a clean place; one could see that Billy cared. The latter knocked on the door: -I found you some stuff, I hope it's fine.- He opened the door a little and held out his clothes: -It's a T-shirt and sweatpants that have always been loose on me...- -They'll be more than fine, thank you.- -And some towels. I have to buy a new hairdryer, it's broken.-

Picking up the bundle of clothing, Jesse thanked him again before Billy suddenly closed the door. Unrolling the T-shirt, the actor froze for a moment: apart from the colour, an embarrassing candy pink, there was a print of an adorable Japanese-style hamburger with the words in "Eat me" underneath in English. Paired with the bright red cotton trousers, then, it could be called just what his costume designer called a "fashion disaster". "Oh, well... Nobody has to see me, after all." He removed the wet clothes, spreading them out neatly on the missing curtain tube, ran a towel over himself and his hair and changed, however hesitant about the shirt, which turned out to be a little short in relation to his torso, so that his navel remained in view. He pulled his trousers up as far as he could to compensate, but the elastic did not hold. He sighed and returned to the main room: Billy had his back to him; he had changed into a red shirt and a pair of olive-green track trousers, and was intent on munching something as he drying his hair. The empty food packets on the coffee table had mysteriously disappeared. -Are you hungry, daddy? I have some chips and popcorn left, as well as water; I must decide to do some some groceries...- -I have no appetite at the moment, and we've had enough water I'd say.- The boy chuckled, then turned to look at him and was stunned. -Uhm... Any problems?- The answer was an uncontrollable laugh.

Snuggled up on the sofa at Cheyenne's house, the storm raging outside, Joe and Luke were watching an adventure movie, enjoying the chocolates the former thief had bought from Billy. -I have to admit, the brat makes really good sweets!- said Dalton at one point. -Amélie almost had candy indigestion!- replied the landlady from the kitchen. answered the hostess from the kitchen. -He seems like a nice guy after all, Joe. Did you really lock him up all night?- -Yes... Maybe it was too much.- -I've seen you do worse.- -It was a time of great stress.- -And why?- The detective sneered: -I was chasing an elusive criminal.- Luke returned the expression: -Oh, so it's my fault you went after the poor guy.- Joe pulled himself up, coming face to face with his partner: -I was kind of taking my anger out on everyone, actually.- -I remember...- They exchanged a soft kiss; at that moment Cheyenne appeared from the kitchen, holding a bowl full of vegetables, and turning to the two of them, she commented both amused and touched: -Should I go eat my salad with the neighbours, so I'll leave you two alone?-

Since the TV was not working, Billy and Jesse played cards late into the night, munching on chips, each sitting at one end of the bed. The boy was angry: he hadn't won a hand since the beginning of the game, when the actor showed he had more points with his cards, winning another round, Billy became exasperated: -That's not fair! How do you do it?!?- A rumble of thunder underlined his outburst. -I don't know. I've always been told that I'm quite talented with cards; if I hadn't chosen a career as an actor I could have tread the boards as a magician.- -By the way: earlier, some papers with strange, hand-written phrases fell from your coat. They looked like lines. I left them to dry in that corner over there because the heating pipe runs there.- -Oh, yes. Thank you, those are actually notes for the next performance.- -What are you doing?- -A play, an original work by an up-and-coming young director. It's called "Wedding Parade".- -Curious.- -It takes place during the wedding reception of the main characters. With all the family members reunited, unresolved conflicts and old quarrels resurface.- -That sounds nice! What do you do?- -The father of the bride.- -I'd love to see you act, Jesse!- -Rehearsal's open, you can...- -No, I mean now. Would you like to?- -Uh... Okay. Just a second, I haven't quite memorised the lines yet.- He went to pick up the papers, still damp with rain, and tried to put them back in order. Billy, throwing the playing cards in the air, threw himself on his stomach on the bed, resting his elbows on the mattress and his face on his hands, looking at the actor. -Can I start with the monologue that opens the play?- -Go ahead, daddy!-

Clearing his throat, holding the page in one hand, Jesse started to recite a few words, but he froze and pulled the paper closer to his face, narrowing his eyes. -Are you okay?- -The text was slurred...- -How is that possible?- Billy stapled on his arms. -I usually use a stylographic pen to write notes. I'm afraid water and ink don't go very well together.- -And now?- -It's not serious. Every word is taken directly from the script; I won't have to do anything but copy them again.- He put the paper down on the low table. -Well... What about your dear Shakespeare? You know it by heart!- -Are you sure?- -Of course!- -Good. Any particular request?- -Nah, do as you wish.-

-Uhm...- Jesse put his fingertips together at mouth level, assuming a concentrated expression. After a few seconds, he began to recite: -"Oh, she teaches the torches how to shine. She seems to hang on the face of the night like a rich gem on the ear of an Ethiopian. But it is beauty of an immense value that none shall ever have, too precious for earth. Like a white dove in a long row of crows seems the maiden among her companions".-

Billy gradually widened his eyes, more and more enraptured by the other’s voice and interpretation.

-"I want to see her after this dance; how happy I would be if my rough hand brushed hers. Did my heart ever love before? Deny it, eyes: before this night I have never seen beauty.”- When the actor returned to look at the boy, he was pleasantly surprised at his enchanted expression: -Romeo and Juliet, act one, scene five. Well?- -Wow... Mind-blowing stuff...- -I'll take that as a compliment.-

A louder thunder rattled the window panes, followed by a flash of lightning, and interrupted the magic, quick as a mouse Billy hid under the covers of his bed in fright. Even Jesse jumped up: -A nasty storm, no doubt about it...- -I hate bad weather...- replied the other from his hiding place, -It's too messy and I can't sleep.- -Are you afraid?- -No. I told you, I'm a light sleeper.- He peeped out from under the covers: -It's a real nuisance.- -How do you usually get over it?- -I don't get over it. I just don't sleep.- -But... How do you do for work?- -Lots of coffee.- -You know that's unhealthy, right?- -I can take care of myself.- The light flickered conspicuously, but he managed to resist the new rumble of thunder that forced Billy to hide again. -Are you sure you are not afraid?- -Yes!!!- From the blond's hysterical tone, however, Jesse guessed that he was lying. So he walked over and went to sit on the bed: -Do you want me to... stay next to you until sleep prevails?- -Don't talk rubbish. I haven't shared a bed with anyone since I was two.- -How do you know?- -I just know.- He curled up, pulling the covers over him. -But of course you can stay.- -I should point out, however, that this is the only bed available, and that the two of us can't fit, unless I go down there with you in a more comfortable position.- Billy stuck his head out again, frowning: -What you tryin' for?- -I mean to sleep.- -...- The boy pulled back one flap of the blankets: -As long as you don't put your hand on my bottom, okay.- -I'm a gentleman, I wouldn't dare.- Jesse pulled up his legs and stepped in, extending a hand towards the other: -For tonight I'll be the pillow for your head.-

Turning red in the face for the umpteenth time, Billy looked at him evidently agitated. After an interminable handful of seconds, he decided to lie down in his turn, his head resting on the chest of the other, and clung on with one arm so as not to fall down even though the actor was holding him close. He prayed that the other did not feel how his heart was dancing the samba in his chest. -Billy?- -Uhm? -Maybe this isn't the right time, but... Remember when you mentioned you'd had some problems in the past?- -What do you mean?- -About your family.- The blond hid his face in the fabric of his shirt: -Why do you want to know?- -Because you looked so sad talking about it. And even when it comes to affection more generally you become gloomy or evasive all of a sudden; I'd just like to understand why.- -...I only ask you one thing.- -Of course.- -Don't look at me with pity. I hate that. Everyone I've ever met who knew always did it.- -Promise.-

Inhaling deeply, the boy began: -My parents and I lived in the east of Provence. I lost my father when I was about six years old, and for another two my mother did the impossible to raise me alone. We were very close. It was from her that I learnt to cook. Then one day my stepfather came along; he was smart and kind-hearted, he always treated me as if I were his own son. When I was fourteen, I lost them both in an accident. When I was left alone, I was put in the care of social services, and for four I went from one family to another, from one school to another... When I turned eighteen and graduated, I decided to come here to Paris to set up a business and support myself. That's how I met Madame Jane. She took me on as a helper and allowed me to stay there in the shop when I had not yet found a flat. I got down to business and earned enough in a short time to buy the cart. And the rest... here it is.- Jesse stood in religious silence listening. After a while Billy raised his head and saw him with a thoughtful expression on his face; he was probably processing the information. "Here comes pity, I can feel it..." -I can't even imagine the amount of courage and willpower you had to gather to face such adversity. Those who looked at you pityingly didn't understand anything.- -What?- -They were not dealing with a fragile lamb, but with a lion ready to fight.- He smiled turned to the other: -That's admirable. Anyone in your place would have chosen the wrong path. Be proud of you.- Billy's eyes grew moist. No one had ever said anything like that to him. Jesse saw the boy's sky-blue irises becoming more and more blurry as the tears increased. Billy threw himself down on the actor's chest with deep uncontrolled sobs, and the other merely sympathetically lay a hand on his head.

The next morning Billy woke up with a strange but pleasant smell in his nose. It was like one of those expensive colognes he smelled when he drove his cart past some perfumery. He opened slowly opened his eyes: the sun was pouring in through the windows; Jesse was snoring blissfully without making a noise beside him. The blond let himself go with a spontaneous smile as he recalled their chat, and murmured: -You're not bad at all, daddy...- It was when he heard his neighbour's alarm clock ring, dull as a bell, nine irritating times, that he woke up completely and sprang out of bed, running over the poor actor: -Damn damn damn!!! It's so late!!! I should already be at the shop!!!- -What time is it?- muttered the other, pulling himself up. -Nine o'clock, at least according to old Mules!- Billy took the uniform from the wardrobe, then darted into the small bathroom. After five seconds he came back out and threw Jesse his clothes left hanging to dry: -Change, I can't wait for you!- The actor, accustomed to changes between scenes in the theatre, took very little time to change back into his shoes, and so did the boy, who, tipping his hat on his head, exclaimed: -Come and help me, I must get the cart from the garage!- Rushing down the stairs, the two reached the outside; next to the main building was a garage shared with other apartment blocks where they could park their bicycles. -Let's take it out.- Together they put the vehicle on the street, and straddling the bike Billy was about to run: -Well, thanks and bye!- -Wait!- Jesse grabbed the handlebars to stop him. -I have to run to the shop!- -I know, but please listen to me, just for a moment. Last night you collapsed after we talked, and I didn't get a chance to...- -You've already said something important, as far as I'm concerned. And I admit, I'm impressed: you don't know how tired I was of hearing all the "poor thing" and "how sad". I think you are the first to have changed his tune.- He tried to free himself with a pedal stroke, but Jesse quickly grabbed him again grabbing him by the hips: -Let me finish, at least!- It was then that the boy unexpectedly turned his head, snapping a full kiss on the mouth of the other, who let him go in surprise; pushing himself up on tiptoe while keeping his balance on the bike he then exclaimed: -Let's talk about it some other time, daddy, I'm super late! Miss Jane will choke me if I don't bring her biscuits!- Jesse stood there and watched him run away. Instinctively he brought his fingertips to his lips and murmured: -Yes... Next time...- Billy, pedalling along at a good pace, watching out for the crossroads, couldn't wipe a huge grin from his face.

#lucky luke #joyau #joe dalton #modern au #fanfiction #spin off #candyfloss #billy the kid #jesse james #morris

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agarafile · 2 years ago

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A Candle In The Sun (Empires SMP)

Summary: Princesses make candles together

Read on AO3

—

Dawn’s working hours were always the same, starting at six in the morning and finishing at six in the afternoon, not a minute more or less. Even the tavern workers abided by this, the lanterns being blown out as the sunsets. Gem, after her unusual ascension to the throne, knew this better than everyone: there was just no shop, person or bee on the streets during late nights, and she made sure to keep that tradition alive.

And that’s why Katherine is at her village house’s doorstep, still on her monster hunter attire.

“I can’t believe you are forcing me to do this.” Katherine says in the middle of a yawn. Her battle axe is loosely being held in her fist, her other hand on the straps of the bundle that she put on her back.

“I’m not forcing you to do anything, Katherine.” Gem rolled her eyes, giggling as Katherine pinched the bridge of her nose “If I am not mistaken, you offered to help with the candle-making today.”

“Yeah, but… this early?”

“It’s the best time to start getting productive!” Gem nodded, starting the path to Dawn’s candle shop “Once we enter the first hour or so, we’ll be on a roll, you’ll see!”

“I am not even used to waking up before the terce.” Katherine remarked, following her “Just so you know.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Gem smirked “With your monster hunting and all…”

“I can hear your smile from here, Gem!” Katherine laughed, “My monster hunting business is better than ever, if my board is any indication.”

“Didn’t someone put Pirate Joe in there?” Gem pushed open the door, waiting for Katherine to pass through before closing it behind them “Did that ever get sorted out?”

“Oh, I wish. I’m convinced he put the request there himself to make sure I am thinking about him” Katherine settled the bundle on one of the counters, as Gem laughed,

“Would he even try to that extent?”

“He’s been trying so hard that I don’t doubt it.”

Gem hummed, starting the fire in the stone stove and taking the bee wax pots from the cabinets, starting the melting process.

“You are lucky GlimmerGrove had so many spiders yesterday.” Katherine continued, taking the string out of the bundle “I would have gathered some from the spawner, but it was a nice way to make sure we could have some extra.”

“Really?” Gem looked over her shoulder to see Katherine nod. She turned back to the task at hand and opened the barrel of water nearby, filling the bottom one of the heating pots with water and taking the wax to fill the rest of it. “That busy of a night?”

“Oh, not at all, actually!” Gem could hear shears periodically, probably from Katherine cutting the string “Besides the spiders, there were just some zombies. Very slow night, really.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, Gem stirring the wax and Katherine preparing the string. In quiet hours like this, Gem let her mind wander. Dawn is lively and busy already, the sound of villagers running around outside. If she tried hard enough, she could maybe hear the vendors selling their products, the faint and distant music of the tavern and, even, the buzzing of the bees. And yet, right now, she prefers to stay nowhere else but here.

Which was unusual, to say the least. Since her coronation, Gem has been running around from all corners of Dawn, trying to make sure the citizens are being heard and the kingdom is flourishing. She has no previous experience on how a royal should act or look, but winging it seems to be doing the job for now. And she loves Dawn. Loves the people that she’s seen ever since she was a little girl, the small traditions, the simple yet full of live streets, even the usual bee stings had its charm to her.

But, being here with Katherine was new. Thrilling, even. Katherine is the only other ruler who is also a princess, and although she was intimidated by the other long royal lineage, Katherine was nothing but nice and kind. Their first meeting was unusual, and Gem can’t really say she was awake enough to remember exactly how it went. But she surely remembers Katherine in a leather short dress, battle axe held high in the air, laughing as she cut through zombies and creepers. In her opinion, Katherine looked radiant, her brightness at the moment rivaling the one of the sun.

And, now, here they are: working together, Katherine’s not-so-secretive-secret show openly in the shop.

This partnership was Gem’s idea, really. Even if after Sausage’s ball the two of them promised to keep in touch, Gem grew anxious. Katherine was a princess since birth, she surely had other royal contacts, who certainly were more dignified than peasant-turned-princess Gem, who had no clue about what she was doing. The alliance was a quick idea, Katherine could provide the string and Gem would provide the wax, both could share the profits. And their contact would remain.

Gem looked down at her wax, thinking the plain wax wasn’t really fitting today. She turned to Katherine, lowering the fire a bit as to not burn the mixture, and-

Oh.

Katherine was looking down at the counter, untangling some of the string who, somehow, became a jumbled mess. Her hair was full of dust and dirt from the rough night she had, the bandit mask was pulled down to her neck, hanging loosely and making the frown on her face visible. None of this was really new to Gem, she was aware of how messy hunting could get and that Katherine was easily frustrated with small but bothersome tasks.

Yet, as the sun streamed in through the window, enhancing Katherine's form, Gem thought she had never seen no one as beautiful her whole life.

She inhaled sharply, suddenly feeling out of breath. Katherine turned to her, frown still in her face, and tilted her head.

“Gem? Is everything alright?”

Gem blinked, nodding.

“Yeah, yeah, uh…” she looked around at the mixture and then faced Katherine again “I was just going to ask you to get some dye from the cabinet for me”

“Oh! Sure, of course!” Katherine smiled, immediately turning to be cabinet “Any preferences? I know you really like the yellow and orange candles.”

Gem blushed, opening the chest that held the candles for sale.

“I’m not really looking for Dawn’s candles today.” she rummaged for a bit “Maybe some pink? These are pretty low on our stock.”

“Ooh, yes!” Katherine brought the dyes over to Gem “These are gonna look so pretty!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Gem laughed, still a bit embarrassed. “We do make some pretty great candles, if I do say so myself.”

Katherine laughed as well, handing Gem the dyes. Gem went to take them, but Katherine didn’t let go of them.

“Uh… Katherine?”

“Gem.” Katherine said, eyes fixed on her hands “How long have I been in my monster hunter attire?”

Gem blinked, and thought for a second. She looked out of the window, noticing the sun was still reaching the second hour.

“I’d say an hour or so.”

“Gem!” Katherine said, a panicked tone behind her voice “I’ve been transformed since I got here?!”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Gem had to stifle her laughter at the face Katherine made, eyes wide and mouth on a thin line.

Katherine almost threw the dyes onto Gem, and as soon as she made sure Gem caught them, she went to the other side of the room to detransform. At this, Gem couldn’t help but laugh, the situation so casual to her.

Dawn’s working hours are always the same, but Gem when the sun shines through the windows as she laughs, she thinks that traditions can be blessings.

#empires smp #geminitay #Katherine Elizabeth #Sheep Writes #do they even have a ship name

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lostinthewiind · 3 years ago

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Hi!!! I just wanted to say that I freaking love your cherry X Joe X Reader poly series! And its actually got me into the anime!!! I was actually wondering if you want to, write one where the female! Reader is being stalked and harassed by a co-worker at her job and she didn't want to tell Joe and cherry because she doesn't want them to worry about her too much because they already have so much on their plates. But one day, the two of them decide to pick up the her up to surprise her, flowers and everything. And they see the co-worker harassing their lover and it's up to you to determine how they would react? Can also plz make were the three of them are engaged?

Polyamorous Relationship w/ Joe & Cherry: Your Problems, My Problems, Our Problems

A/N: first of all, I'm so honoured to hear that I got you into anime :) Secondly, I can already feel that this request is going to be fun to write! I'll make sure to add an engagement fic to the series soon as well because I've been meaning to anyway. So happy that so many people seem to really like this series as much as I do.

Rating: PG13

Warnings: stalking, predatory behaviour, slightly angsty, profanity, someone who does NOT drink their 'respect women' juice

"Awh, come on, Sweetheart." Your coworker slipped into the elevator with you at the last second despite your desperate attempt to escape him at the end of the day. "Just one drink and then I'll never ask again."

You clenched your fist by your side on the opposite side of him so he wouldn't see. Mustering all of your strength, you forced a fake smile. "Sorry, I can't tonight. I've got plans with my boyfriend."

You had been dropping these not-so-subtle hints that you absolutely were not interested for months on end by now, but your coworker was either completely blinded by his persistence or was willingly ignoring them in favour of achieving his goal.

At first, when you had transferred to his floor at the company building, he had come across as nothing more than a kind mentor offering to show you the ropes. But then, bit by bit, he got pushier. 'Get to know your coworkers' dinners soon turned to just the two of you alone at a bar, which quickly turned into a situation that you found uncomfortable and ever since then, you had turned down all of his advances.

In the beginning, you had tried to make your excuses believable and turn him down nicely since he was above you in the company, but as the weeks passed and he still didn't seem to get the message, your responses got shorter and less believable. Now he was asking you out pretty much every day, multiple times a day. Sometimes he would even follow you to your car to make sure you were going home just like you said you were.

You weren't sure when it had happened, exactly, but things had gone from annoying to anxiety-inducing seemingly overnight and you had no idea what to do about it.

"You always mention this 'boyfriend' of yours," he used air quotes to make it clear that he didn't believe you, "but I've never seen him. Sure you aren't lying just to get me to go away?"

You chuckled nervously, hoping to come up with a quick answer to satisfy him for the night so that he wouldn't feel the need to tail you to your car. "No, of course not. He just has a busy work schedule as well. You know how it is."

He eyed you sternly, his gaze almost piercing. "Hmm," he hummed, contemplating. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight."

As soon as the elevator doors slid open on the main floor of the building, he gave a wave and exited before you and headed for the front doors. Slowly, you followed him out, and as soon as you saw him disappear into the darkness of the night, you exhaled shakily and took a moment to regain your composure.

You honestly didn't know how you managed to seem so calm and collected around him on the daily considering your heart always pounded ruthlessly against your rib cage whenever you saw him.

Once you were fully composed again, you made your way to your car as fast as possible and drove back home, knowing that seeing Joe and Cherry would immediately make you feel better; not that they knew their presence was something you relied on at the end of the day because you refused to tell them.

At first, you kept it to yourself because it seemed harmless and you didn't want them to overreact and blow up at nothing, but then, as it got worse, it just seemed like the time to tell them had passed. And the last thing you wanted to do was worry them when they both already had exhausting work lives as well.

You simply didn't want to be a burden. You were sure they dealt with annoying coworkers as well and they didn't feel the need to bother you with those stupid little problems, so you wouldn't either.

Walking through the front door of your shared apartment, you felt a weight lift from your shoulders at the sight of Cherry at his desk and Joe sitting on the couch with the television playing some show on low volume.

“I’m home,” you announced with a weary, but genuine, smile on your face. Before either of your boyfriends could utter a response, you had kicked off your shoes, made your way over to the couch, and curled up next to Joe with your face buried in his neck. His hair was wet, indicating he had just gotten out of the shower, and the smell of his shampoo and body wash calmed you instantly.

“Hey.” Joe wrapped an arm around you as he shared a quizzical look with Cherry. Usually, you would get changed, shower, and eat something before even thinking about relaxing for the night. “Everything okay?”

Realizing that you had basically announced that everything was not, in fact, okay with your unusual actions, you froze for a second. You contemplated just coming clean about everything right then and there, but before you could make a decision, the words “I’m fine” were spilling from your mouth.

“Just a long and exhausting day at work,” you followed up your lie with some details, not they they were technically false as it had been a long and exhausting day . . . just not for the reasons they thought. “I’ve been thinking about coming home to you two ever since my alarm went off this morning. Just one of those days.”

The sweet smiles that dawned Joe’s and Cherry’s faces proved that they believed you. “You hungry?” Joe pressed a kiss to your temple. “I brought home some leftovers from work again.”

Your eyes lit up and Joe chuckled. “Really?” You found yourself forgetting about your troubles in the blink of an eye.

“Really really.” Joe nodded. “I can heat some up for you if you want to shower and get changed.”

Pulling a dramatically emotional face, you faked a sniffle. “You’re the best, you know that?” You planted a big kiss to his lips before heading for the bedroom and stopping in the doorway. “You’re the best too, Kaoru,” you added for good measure so your other boyfriend didn’t feel left out before vanishing into the bedroom.

You heard Cherry scoff amusingly in the background, but by then you were in too good of a mood to throw something snarky back at him and were determined to enjoy the moment because you knew that this good feeling would disappear as soon as you started work again in the morning.

But for now, you could enjoy the comforts of your home and the two people you loved most in the world.

━━━━━━━━

As you finished your work for the day and got ready to head home, overjoyed that it was the last night you would have to work overtime for a while, you were surprised that you had managed to get through the day with little interaction or pestering from your coworker.

You didn’t want to jinx yourself or anything, but for a brief moment the thought that he had finally given up crossed your mind. Out of the corner of your eye, you scanned the office for him but he was nowhere to be seen. Sighing in relief, you gathered your things and made a bee-line for the elevator.

For once, you had managed to get through an entire day without being cornered and asked out for the millionth time.

As the elevator doors opened and you stepped out into the lobby, you spotted two familiar faces waiting for you at the front doors and you felt your heart swell with excitement. You had expected both your boyfriends to be busy tonight with work, the same as you were, so seeing them both standing there, waiting for you with flowers in hand, was a welcomed surprised.

Thinking that today was actually a good day for once, you rose your hand to wave with a grin on your face, a feeling of freedom and joy spreading through you . . . that was until you felt a hand clasp down on your shoulder. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Immediately, your good mood had vanished.

Slowly, you lowered your hand—your smile fading in the process—and turned around to face your coworker.

“Thought you could get away without me noticing?” His grin was wide and toothy, like a predator showing off its fangs to prove how powerful it was. He didn’t pay any mind to Joe or Cherry, which meant that he either didn’t know they were there for you or didn’t care.

“I’m actually in a bit of a hurry.” You gestured over to your boyfriends, hoping that the realization that your significant other was real would finally be enough to scare him off. “I’ve got plans.”

He glanced Joe and Cherry’s way briefly, but it did nothing to deter him. “Oh, so you do actually have a boyfriend. Which one is he?”

You swallowed hard. Usually, explaining the whole polyamory thing was too time-consuming so you told people you had a boyfriend and left it at that. “It’s, well . . . um . . .”

Before you were forced to answer, Joe and Cherry had noticed your discomfort from across the lobby and started making their way over. The look in Joe’s eyes gave away that he was none too pleased that your male coworker still had his hand on your shoulder.

“This must be one of your coworkers,” Cherry was the first to speak, extending his hand politely to your coworker. “Nice to meet you.”

Your coworker used his free hand to shake Cherry’s while Joe just grunted in disapproval. In a desperate attempt to escape the situation without causing a scene, you tried to shift closer to Joe but were stopped by your coworker’s hand clamping down harder on your shoulder.

“We’re the boyfriends.” Joe’s grip tightened around the bouquet of flowers he was holding as he reached out, wrapped an arm around your waist, and pulled you away from your coworker and toward him.

“Boyfriends? As in plural?” Your coworker tilted his head at you quizzically. “You never told me you had two boyfriends.”

“I never-” you started, but you were quickly cut off.

“I’m a little surprised you’re real,” your coworker said, somehow seemingly completely unfazed. “I was seriously beginning to believe she was making you up to avoid going out with me.”

You shook your head and chuckled nervously, something you found yourself doing around him a lot in order to keep the mood light. “I would never lie to you. It’s just busy schedules is all, like I said yesterday.”

“Going out with you?” Cherry cocked a brow and crossed his arms over his chest. “The woman tells you she has a boyfriend and you still insist on asking her out?”

Your coworker just laughed. “Well we used to go out all the time when she first switched departments. I thought she was just playing hard to get but I guess not.”

Both Joe and Cherry turned to you, glimmers of confusion in their eyes. “You used to go out?” Joe asked, concerned that they had just found out you had been cheating on them.

“No!” you blurted out. “Well, I mean, yes, but it was as a group of coworkers. Never just the two of us.”

“Never?” your coworker repeated. “What about those times at the bar? Did you seriously forget? That hurts my feelings, you know.”

You felt your cheeks flush red and your heart begin to pound. Suddenly, you had been backed into a corner by your past self’s naive kindness. “I didn’t know it was going to be just the two of us until I showed up,” you stated quietly. “You lied to me to get me to go.”

“Is that true?” Joe placed a finger under your chin and lifted your head to get you to look him in the eyes. You could tell he wasn’t accusing you of anything, only looking for answers.

You nodded, finally feeling brave enough to tell the truth with your boyfriends by your side. “Once I realized he was after something more, I started turning down his propositions. Then he started asking me every day . . . then he started following me to my car,” you whispered the last part, worried about what might happen if your coworker heard you say that part. “Can we please leave now?”

Noticing that your hands were shaking and your bottom lip was quivering, Joe instantly knew that you were telling the truth; no one would ever be so terrified to tell a lie like this. “Yes, of course, we can leave now.” He held you closer. “Whatever you want.”

“So you’re gonna lie and make me look like the bad guy here?” your coworker huffed, truly playing the victim card to the fullest. “I’m the asshole because I wanted to buy you a few drinks and get to know you better?”

“No, you’re the asshole for continuing to pursue her when she clearly told you no,” Cherry snapped, now just as angry as Joe was, maybe even more. “She’s kind and, because of that, probably turned you down nicely—too nicely—and you took advantage of that . . . you fucking prick.”

Your eyes widened with disbelief. Usually, Cherry was the one to remain calm in stressful or aggravating situations, but apparently not this time. You rarely heard him curse or snap, let alone at someone he met for the first time five minutes ago.

Reaching out, you grabbed hold of Cherry’s hand and squeezed lightly to catch his attention. “I really think we should leave now,” you told him.

Drawing in a deep breath and collecting himself, Cherry agreed. “Yes, you’re right, we should. We have dinner plans and it would be a waste to miss them on account of this asshole.”

“Fine, have it your way.” Your coworker finally seemed to give in, but not without hurling a few insults your way first, of course. “I shouldn’t have wasted my time on someone like you anyway. What, two boyfriends is perfectly fine but three is crossing a line? Give me a fucking break. Slut.”

You saw the rage bubbling up in both Joe and Cherry, but before they had the chance to do anything about it, your coworker had turned his nose up at the three of you, pushed his way past, and exited the building.

As soon as he was completely out of sight, they both turned to you and you felt the tears begin to well in your eyes; not necessarily because you were sad or angry, but because you were so relieved that the truth had finally come out and your coworker had finally been dealt with.

“I’m so sorry,” you spoke through gentle sobs, trying to calm down all the while. “I should have told you two about him when it all first started but I just didn’t want to burden you two with an issue that seemed so . . . so stupid.”

“Stupid?” Joe pulled you in for an almost bone-crushing hug. “You said he was following you to your car. That’s not stupid. You must have been so scared.”

“You should have told us,” Cherry agreed. “Now that I know you were dealing with that all by yourself for months, it makes me feel like a bad boyfriend. I should have picked up on the signs, like when you came home completely drained last night. I wish we could have helped you sooner.”

Wiping away your tears, you drew in a deep breath. “Thank you for coming tonight and for telling him off. I just hope he doesn’t pull anything at work tomorrow . . . he is technically my superior.”

“If he tries anything, and I mean anything, you tell us right away. Okay?” Joe insisted. “From now on, no more secrets because you want to protect us or don’t want to burden us. Your problems are our problems.”

You nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank us. It’s our job to keep you safe and be there for you.” Cherry kissed your cheek softly. “Now, I’m starving so let’s go eat, yeah?”

Suddenly, you remembered just how hungry you were. “Yes, dinner sounds lovely.”

“Speaking of lovely, these are for you.” Joe handed you the bouquet of flowers—now with slightly smushed stems from his previous anger—that he had brought.

“They are beautiful.” You took them happily and gave them a smell, the floral scent bringing your nerves down a little. “You two seriously are the best, you know that?”

“We know.”

#sk8 the infinity #lostinthewiind #sk8 joe #sk8 cherry blossom #sakurayashiki karou #nanjo kojiro #reader imagine #x reader #reader insert #fanfiction #slight angst #sk8 #polyamorous relationship with cherry and joe #polyamorous #polyamory

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jimclassicstoycollection · 2 years ago

Text

Final Faction

This set of figures was an unusual find at The Dollar Tree, so naturally each toy only cost a dollar.

Alpha Team 1 (our heroes...I think)

Our heroes are Alpha Team 1, and for the first set that I got was made of up Sgt. Steel, Spc. Shift, and A.C.R.M. drone-bot.

Each one of these figures are P5, and various degrees of paint applications. I’ll briefly cover each one.

I also really like that each figure come with a brief on the back of their respective cards. Growing up in the 80′s 90′s that was a pretty common practice for toys, but it’s mostly not done anymore, so that was refreshing.

Steel:

Steel is our flight guy. He’s got shades, a flight suit with sculpted straps, he’s got kind of a Sam Wilson (from Marvel) vibe going on, and that’s just fine.

He might have the most paint detail on him ranging from dry brushing on the suit, to forgetting to paint the back of his head. Whoops.

But over for a dollar it doesn’t too bad.

Pictured below is Steel holding two large guns from a weapons pack which was sold separately. One thing that I have to praise the toy makers is the attention to detail. For a lot of the old 5P toys the hands were mostly simple molded curved, open hands with a small thumb to hold the accessories but that was it.

These Alpha Team figures have a separate trigger fingers to better hold the guns. WOW. I know that doesn’t sound like much for 2022, but remember, this is from the Dollar Tree.

Shift:

Shift is out ninja, I suppose. Her outfit and colors are more simple than Steel’s but it looks good.

She does suffer from a slight stability issue, you have to position the arms just right to get her to stand, but I got it to work.

She’s armed with two specialist kitanas and can be stored on her back. It works.

A.C.R.M.:

ACRM is supposed to be a remote-controlled drone piloted by a 15 year old kid.

Again it’s only got 5 points of articulation, but this toy is the most solid out of the three. It’s cast in gray plastic with blue and silver paint, and it stands well.

It also has several 3mm ports for additional accessories which I got separately from another weapons pack.

It looks very Gundam with those wings and arm guns.

Kharn (our villians...I think)

Moving onto out villains, the Kharn. At the time of this post the Kharn are made up as three army building monsters, the Brute, the Synthoid, and the Drone.

Brute:

The Brute appears to be the elite berserker. They looks very alien, and is cast in some kind of off-purple plastic.

The facial sculpting is muddy though I do like the face horns, though the arms and legs have sharper sculpting details. Regardless the Brute looks muscular, and fierce.

Synthoid:

The Synthoid is a looks very alien.

The arms and legs looks similar to the Brute, but the main body looks like some kind of anime abomination, with a crab-like shell, and vacuum fan mouth, sic eyes; it’s a nightmare.

It stand well, the arms can be removed (for weapons upgrades, and it even has some ports on it back (also for upgrades). All-in-all, it’s not back.

Additional enemies, and accessory sets:

You can but additional weapons for both your Kharns and your Alpha Team 1 figures, and they’re all only a dollar...well, a $1.25 now...

Drone:

The Drones are the infantry of the Kharn. The worker bees. The expendables.

And they’re fine; they looks like scrawny brutes, and that might be the idea.

As you can see here you can outfit the Synthoids with additional weapons and different arms.

Weapons packs (Alpha Team 1):

Guns, guns, and more guns.

I have to say these weapons are nicely detailed, and give you a lot of play options.

The hoverboad, and drone are really cool!

One of the weapons packs even gives Steel a flight helmet. It’s a nice touch.

And if you really want to you can give these guns away to your GI Joes, and other 3.75in toys. They don’t fit AS well, but they sort of do.

Final Thoughts on Final Faction:

For a collection of Dollar Tree action figures I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Yes these toys are little on the cheap side, but they’re not garbage quality either.

I’m sure kids would love them and you can army build them too, especially the Kharn. You can insert them among your 3.75in G.I. Joes; have them sit in the vehicles, man a battle station, or whatever. You cannot beat the price,

Sure these figure lack articulation, but they’re full of fun value.

#toys #action figures #final faction #dollar tree #amy figures #aliens #synthoid #brute #mutants #sci-fi #gi joe

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