#yes i watched it just for tobias

[octernity-bitches]

My favourite four time Grammy loser 🥰

Ik he's sketchy and silly looking as shit but 'technically' I'm supposed to be revising for my GCSEs which is literally tomorrow so I just wanted to get it out of my head :3

Proud of how his face looks though, I think me doing all those Papa paintings has made me get his face down to semi decent. Don't ask why he looks so worried, he doesn't know either.

[skltart]

villian and violent, infant and innocent//baby, both arms cradle you now

[sincericida]

ANDREW GARFIELD and FLORENCE PUGH with their on-screen daughter GRACE DELANEY behind the scenes of ‘We Live In Time’

[source]

[misserabella]

two geniuses (addiction)

spencer reid x fem! reader

masterlist! (this is part 5 of the series, check out the rest!!)

summary; after your kidnapping, everything falls apart. spencer’s there to pick up the pieces.

cw; angst, hurt-comfort, fluff, hospitals, drug withdrawal, depression, feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, dirtiness, ptsd, mentions of guns and shots being fired, kissing (yippeeee!!!!), spencer being a sweetheart, pinning, gets a little suggestive but no +18, crying, cuddling…

everything was bright. too bright, and the beeping of the machines around you washed through you like the remains of a lullaby as your eyes slowly blinked open.

you were so hooked up on pain medication that you couldn’t fathom the trauma your body had gone through, but just as you came back into consciousness, all the memories came back. the torture, the sound and feeling of your bones giving up, the smell of your skin burning…

your eyes fell down at the sudden movement of someone else rising from the end of the bed you had been days glued to. spencer. spencer reid was there, puppy brown eyes slowly peeling open before he noticed you were awake, quickly scattering to stand straight with a bewildered expression.

“hey… how are you feeling?” but he was soft. so soft. it almost made you scream. ‘cause you had just gone through torture, someone had broken you, broken you to your core, and spencer was talking to you as if there was still something left that could suffer.

you didn’t answer him, your eyes falling to the nervous fidgeting of his hands, which were strangely all scribbled on.

“uh, right, sorry, it’s just that i was so worried about you not waking up that i couldn’t focus and memorize so i had to write it down and…” your heart skipped a beat, and it almost hurt. he didn’t knew you’d wake up. after four days of unconsciousness, spencer feared you had gone into a coma due to the shock and trauma.

“what are they?” you pointed at the words on his skin.

“they… uhm…, well, they’re ways to help you.”

“help me?”

“yes… with your trauma.” you stared at him in silence and his lips quivered. “torture can lead to permanent physical disabilities and psychologically scar victims, leaving them with profound and long-lasting mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as anxiety and depressive disorders. although many victims demonstrate extraordinary resilience, resourcefulness and agency, torture can profoundly impact all aspects of a person’s daily life. severe headaches, insomnia, suicidal ideation, being easily frightened, being in heightened emotional states, feeling suspicious, having flashbacks, and involuntary disassociation are some of the most frequently reported symptoms of torture trauma. this can make it extremely difficult for people to maintain social relations, work, carry out basic day-to-day tasks and to participate in rehabilitative programs or administrative and judicial procedures…” you listened to his rambling, his brown eyes everywhere but on you. “i did some research. i…i wanted to help.”

spencer looked at you, and swallowed, cause you looked so… empty. that’s how you felt as well. you didn’t feel sad for what had happened to you, or angry, you felt absolutely nothing.

your stable heartbeat beeped through the room.

your hand reached for his, looking for something, anything. anything that would make it erratic, that would make you feel something. were you still high? was tobias’ effect still lingering? but before you could get too close to him you retracted, fisting the bedding.

“sorry, reid, could we talk another time? i’m so tired…”

his eye shifted, his adam’s apple bobbed.

“sure.” he almost tripped as he stood up. “i’ll let you rest. the team is taking shifts so there’s always one of us around in case you need anything.” you nodded and he mimicked you. he was stiff as a stick, moving like a puppet in strings.

after that you watched as he made his way out of your room, leaving you alone, again. you felt chained to the bed, like you had been tied to that chair days back and it made you shiver, the brand on your chest hurting.

you shifted, bringing your knees to your chest, encapsulating yourself in hopes that no more pain would come, almost expecting it.

it didn’t. but you still hoped so. cause then you’d be distracted by the void on your chest, the brokenness of your soul and of the fact that you loved spencer reid.

your stable heart jumped a beat at the realization.

your skin was on fire, and your sheets were soaked. your whole body was engulfed in tremors and pain. they had offered you something for it but you’d declined.

“no more drugs. no more please.” you’d trembled.

it hurt. everything hurt.

“how can i help? how can i help you, y/n?” morgan insisted, pained by your suffering.

“reid.”

“reid?”

“i need spencer reid.” your teeth clicked. morgan was fast, it was mere luck that spencer —well— that he hadn’t left the hospital that day. —He never did.—

he rushed in, hair disheveled, chest heaving as if he had ran all the way to your room —what he did—. he called out your name and you swallowed as he stepped closer, hands in the air, not knowing if he should touch you, wishing he could. “what do i do? what can i do?”

“hold me. please.”

he was on you on an instant, arms softly surrounding you as he made space for himself on your hospital bed.

“breathe. breathe please, i’m here.” he shushed, one of his hands on your hair as your own clung to his vest.

if it were another person, spencer would have ran the other way due to the sweat and germs and the closeness, but this was you. you. needing him.

“it hurts.” you shakily breathed out, trying your best to pace your panting.

“i know. i know…” ‘cause what could he say? what more than holding you could he do?

but truth be told it’s just what you needed. this. him. holding you close exactly like this.

“i’m sorry.” surprisingly enough, that was you.

“sorry? for what?” he inquired.

“for everything.” you shook before losing consciousness again.

going back to work was something you shouldn’t be doing right now. but the minimum time hotch obliged you to take off was up and you needed to be back on working.

your wounds were healed up, the physical ones at least.

‘cause you still hadn’t come up to mourning that horrible day, or actually meddling with the emptiness and dirtiness you felt. you hadn’t even cried about it.

the first days were nothing easy, everything silently triggered you, and had you taking breaks to take deep breaths. you reminded yourself of what spencer had told you to do as he held you; breathe, i’m here.

and he was, until he wasn’t. until you pushed him away and stopped talking to him altogether after your withdrawal symptoms had fewered and you could actually handle the pain by yourself, after you could think once again and didn’t let your heart meddle with your actions.

there was silence on your end. static. it was messing with spencer’s head. no comments. no remarks. no snarky comments. nothing. he almost wished you could go back to hating him instead of… whatever this was.

and still, he couldn’t bring himself to ask you. to ask you if you had noticed that he didn’t hate you anymore. if you had noticed how his way of looking at you had changed. ‘cause the truth was that spencer had never been more afraid than the day he almost lost you. and almost losing you had made him realize that he in fact didn’t want to lose you, ‘cause he would be losing a part of himself.

spencer liked you. as more than coworkers or possible friends. he kind of had always known, deep down, it had always been you. you and your stupid intelligence, and pretty smile, and loud voice, and snarky remarks, and plush lips, and soft curves and…

and now you were gone.

you helped in cases, but you only talked when necessary, you never smiled anymore, you hummed at his words, and you hid yourself on large clothes and turtlenecks, as if you couldn’t stand the thought of the world actually acknowledging you. seeing you.

but spencer saw you. he always did. and still does. he saw the pain you so tried to hide, saw the fear every time you held up your gun, the tremble of your hands when shots are fired.

and he doesn’t know how to fix it. he doesn’t know how to take it all away.

but he knows something for sure. and that it is that’s he’s gonna try.

it’s not for another week that it happens. you’d just gotten home from your last case, exhausted, when someone knocks at your door.

your umbrella is still dripping by the entrance, a storm hitting D.C. just as soon as you had landed. you’d scoffed. it was as if the weather had matched the storm in your insides, the clouds in your heart and the unshed tears of your eyes.

hazel eyes meet yours when the door creaks open under the turning of the knob. and before your eyes, stood a soaking wet spencer, shivering under the rain, brown hair adhered to his face, cheeks and nose a pretty shade of red.

“reid? god how long have you been standing out there?” you inquired as you opened the door wider for him to come inside.

“sorry, i just-“ you made a beeline towards your bathroom, grabbing a towel for him to dry off. he didn’t. he was too distracted to feel cold. “i just didn’t know if i should’ve come.” i didn’t know if you would want to see me.

“so what, you just stayed there pondering under the rain?” he looked at you as if he’d been caught, wide eyes zeroing on you. “jesus, spencer.” you sighed. “you sometimes don’t live to the genius title, you know?” he just stared at you. “what?”

“nothing. i just missed you saying my name.” that shook you to your core. you two stood there. looking at each other before you looked away, incapable to keep eye contact anymore. it almost burned.

“what are you doing here, reid?”

“i don’t know.” he replied.

“you don’t know?”

“i just… i just needed to see you.” he sighed.

“you saw me an hour ago, reid.” he shook his head.

“no. really see you.”

“what are you talking about?”

“i see you, y/n. i’m here. why do you keep pushing me away?”

“spencer-“ he took a step forward, capturing your face with his cold hands, the towel falling with a thud to the floor.

“i held you when i found you. i held you when you were in agony in that hospital bed. i’ve held you through your worst, i’ve seen you, y/n. so why. why do you push me aside?”

“you don’t understand. he changed me. he killed me. he… he branded me.” you looked away, feeling tears coming to your eyes. “i’m not the same anymore. i’m flawed. i’m dirty.”

“look at me.” he whispered, and your glassy eyes found his. “never say that again. you’re not dirty. what happened to you was not your fault. and that scar doesn’t make you any less beautiful. cause that’s what you are, y/n. you’re beautiful.” he breathed against your lips. his eyes fell to the plush of them and your mouth opened in a murmur.

“don’t.” you looked to the side, but he brought you back with tender circles on your cheek. “you don’t wanna kiss me. you don’t wanna be with me. i’ll just make everything harder.”

“i don’t care if it’s hard.” he whispered, looking into your eyes with such love that it struck your bones. “i want it because it’s you. i want you, y/n.”

and then his lips were pushing against yours, softly. just a mere peck, but it was enough to break all the walls that you’ve put up around yourself.

he seemed to be the only person capable of doing it, he had always been.

finally, a tear spilled down your cheek, and a sob raked through your body.

“you’re beautiful.” he repeated as you fell into his arms in heavy sobs. he hushed you, holding you tenderly, one of his hands on the back of your head, pushing you against his chest. you could hide there forever. “i’m here. i’m here, okay?”

you pulled from him, lips pressing against his in a proper kiss, a desperate one, where tears were streaming down your face and little tremors raked through your body. he corresponded, matching your fervor, but still holding you carefully, as if you were made out of glass.

you pulled at his clothes, and he gasped against your lips, pushing away.

“y/n…”

“please. please spencer.” you begged, eyes teary, soul shaking, heart thumping. you trusted him. you trusted him with your life. and loved him with your entire existence. yet all you had to give was your body, your lips, your words. it didn’t seem enough. you hoped it would be.

“baby…, no. you don’t have to.” he shushed you, his eyes holding that promise.

“but…”

he silenced you with the softest kiss anyone had ever given you.

“i just wanna hold you. can i do that, angel?” he asked, and you nodded, being rewarded by his precious smile.

“but you’re not getting into my bed like that.” you pointed out.

“like what?”

“spencer, you look like a wet dog.” he opened his mouth in fake hurt.

“oh yeah?”

“yeah.” he hummed, and before you knew he was hugging you and shaking his head against yours so the droplets on his hair would hit you. you shrieked, before laughter spilled from your chest as you tried to push him away.

he smiled and stared at you. ‘cause finally, you were smiling. and spencer made a promise to himself; he’ll try everything on his power to keep you that way.

spencer spends the whole night in your bed, holding you, whispering nothings into your ear, caressing your face, fingers combing through your hair. he holds you when you cry, and kisses your tears away. and when you finally fall asleep he makes another promise; that no harm will ever found you again, not as long as he’s there to protect you from it.

🤍hope you guys like it.

[monsters00km]

I like to think Cassandra would have loved Vi.

Not like right away. But more than Tobias.

The main reason is that most of what we know about her is from Caitlyns' perspective. And honestly is makes sense that a 23 year old who still lives at home and has a mother that is powerful feels the way she does about her mom.

But I think about how Cassandra's protectiveness benefits Marcus. Marcus wanted to keep Caitlyn at arms length and Cassandra wanted Caitlyn safe. So I have always wondered if Marcus used this and kept Caitlyn away from more things and blamed it on Cassandra.

This is the big issue between Cassandra and Caitlyn. Her pursuit of her career. And Jayce makes the comment about it not being an esteemed career, and that's the issue. But this is never confirmed by Cassandra.

And what do we know for sure? Cassandra had Caitlyn removed from the force after her was hurt and almost killed. What if this is the actual reason? Regardless of your opinion on enforcers, their line of work would probably be some of the most dangerous in the city. And we are also told she had Caitlyn put on the tent during progress day. She wouldn't do that bc she thinks Caitlyn is above being an enforcer. Actually, they wouldn't make sense at all bc if she's embarrassed by Caitlyn being an enforcer, why make her watch your tent? Bc it wasn't about that. It was about watching Caitlyn and keeping her safe.

And I am not saying she doesn't want Caitlym to be a council member. I'm sure she does. But just bc she wants that doesn't mean she would actively push that. But it is very understandable to actively push for your kid to be safe.

But the 2 things I keep circling back to om why she would have loved Vi is respect and Caitlyn.

I think the reason Cassandra gives Caitlyn that head nod to go after Vi is bc of how Vi acted in the council chambers. Vi just stood in front of the council and basically yelled at them for not doing enough for Zaun.

And we find out in s2 Cassandra made the air clean for Zaun. This doesn't seem like known information. Which means Cassandra helped Zaun not for the praise or recognition, but bc she thought it was the right thing to do.

And Vi just stood in front of the council and showed no fear, and asked them to help Zaun. And yelled at them when they said no. I'm inclined to think Cassandra would have respected that. She may not have thought it was smart. But she would have respected it.

Then we have Caitlyn. Cassandra is never shown pushing relationships onto Caitlyn. Cassandra would know the struggle of being known as a kiramman and not just Cassandra. Vi wears her heart on her sleeve. Another thing that happens in that council meeting is Vi and Caitlyn looking at each other as if the other hung the moon.

I think Cassandra recognized very quickly that Caitlyn had fallen for Vi. And she could see those feelings were returned.

I think Caitlyn is way more like Cassnadra than Tobias. And i think Cassandra knew her daughter better than the audience gives her credit for. From what we have seen of Tobias. We know he wanted to punish Jayce for the explosion in s1 act 1. Not Cassandra. Cassandra sides with Caitlyn to help Jayce. And in s2 act1 he clearly doesn't like Vi. Or that she is there. And he doesn't support Caitlyn at all in s2. Yes. He is grieving. But Caitlyn is grieving and struggling with blaming herself and the weight of filling Cassandra's shoes. And he isn't there for her. And Vi is. And he doesn't seem to realize that Vi is not only helping to support his daughter. But that Caitlyn wants Vi there. It's all over her face.

And yes, we can address the "oh look a stray" comment. But Cassandra wasn't surprised Caitlyn brought a girl home through her window. The stary comment feels more directed at Caitlyn than Vi. Like it's a jab at how she snuck another girl in through the window. Which would imply that Caitlyn isn't serious about Vi.

Then we have Caitlyn and Cassandra's conversation. And how not only did Cassandra let Caitlyn and Vi believes alone in her bedroom afterwords (Yes they are adults but it is still Cassandra's house she could have demanded they can't be in there alone). But Cassandra did what Caitlyn thought Jayce would do. She helped her. She didn't tell her she was wrong. She didn't push back on her. She got her into the meeting with the council.

This got bigger than expected. But I just have a lot to say about it. I know they are small characters based on their screen time. But their impact on Caitlyn is so important and vital to the story. And the more i think about Cassandra, the more i think people really mischaracterize her. I think she loved Caitlyn and her biggest fault was trying to protect her.

[iwillbringyouruin]

Visions Magazine with Tobias Forge on the idea behind Rite Here Rite Now, the importance of soundtracks in general and how he distinguishes between himself and his characters (Visions Magazine issue nr. 377, 08/2024)

Full translation of the included interview by me below the cut - buckle up, this is a long post! There are no spoilers for RHRN in this.

Markus Hockenbrink: Tobias, have you ever watched the movie Metallica: Though The Never?

Tobias Forge: Yes, once, when it had just come out. The topic Metallica came up when we were taking care of the funding for [RHRN]. Every larger production company – and I have to emphasise here that this was before Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour and her extremely successful movie about it – voiced a lot of concern back then whether anybody would still be interested in concert movies. I had to explain time and again that my movie wouldn’t be a typical concert movie, to which I was asked several times: “Oh, so something like Through The Never?” I had to deny that again. We tell a story in our movie most of our fans are already familiar with. So it’s not an entirely new concept, which is already the first distinction from Through The Never. If you only consider that there is a concert part and a feature film part, then those two movies are probably similar. But that also applies to La La Land.

M. Hockenbrink: You describe your movie as a combination of Kiss’ Alive II, Ralph Bakshi cartoons and silent film horror. Is that a kind of childhood dream that comes true there?

T. Forge: Definitely. For as long as I’ve been interested in music, I’ve also been interested in film and television. Working in film could have also been a career option for me, but I always got the rather annoying impression that one would have to go to film school to really find a place in that field. School was never my strong suit, I see myself more as a autodidact in that regard. That I had the opportunity to work on/contribute to my own movie as a sorcerer’s apprentice of sorts is a real privilege. That is a dream come true but it is also something I can picture more of in the future. Next time maybe without the band.

M. Hockenbrink: Can you remember a specific moment in your life when you realised that you were especially drawn to topics that are slightly morbid and unsettling?

T. Forge: I think that due to my family I came in contact with vastly different kinds of pop culture from a very young age. In more traditional families with more conservative parents and siblings of similar ages, you only really start with your respective journey to find yourself in your teens. Then there are often restrictions that are meant to distract from those darker influences. My parents on the other hand are very liberal and my brother was 13 years older than me. There were never limits or censorship for me. My childhood didn’t go by without rules entirely, but I was always allowed to watch or listen to what my brother was also watching or listening to. That way I was exposed to all kinds of teenage culture from the beginning. Sure, I also liked Pippi Longstocking and He-Man. But that was always combined with the French arthouse films my mother liked to watch or the horror flicks my brother was into. I can’t recall a particularly striking horror film experience, but I still remember the first time it dawned on me that movies don’t just exist, they’re made.

M. Hockenbrink: How do you mean?

T. Forge: My father worked as a documentary maker in television. His job was to connect the video track and the sound track in a fitting way for different film production. I saw Jaws on television with him as a small child. It’s important to note that my father is not somebody who can just quietly enjoy films but somebody who likes to butt in. Thanks to him I already had a kind of epiphany during the introduction. He said: “Look closely! There is nothing to see in this underwater scenery except the algae. Technically completely harmless. But it only takes the ominous music to turn the whole scene into pure horror already!” And I thought: Wow! That’s true! Later in the movie you only have to hear that music and it immediately puts you on edge, even when there’s nobody in the water right now. They don’t even have to show the shark anymore. I found it fascinating that the [viewer’s] senses/perception could be manipulated like that. Ever since, I’ve been viewing films with different eyes. I can still allow myself to dive into the story but at the same time I see the practical aspect to film-making.

M. Hockenbrink: I had a similar feeling during the introduction of Shining: technically a cozy road trip in the mountains, but a pure nightmare with the music.

T. Forge: I’m with you on that. Shining is one of the best movies of all time. And funnily enough, only the intro sequence was actually shot in nature. All the other scenes, even if they were outside, were filmed in the studio. Exactly that kind of craftsmanship is what I find inspiring.

M. Hockenbrink: With that in mind, what makes a good soundtrack in your opinion?

T. Forge: We already talked about Jaws, but I can think of Eyes Wide Shut as another example. There is that short piano theme that comes up again and again, incredibly effective. A good soundtrack needs to deliver something that you don’t have to be able to see to perceive its existence. Sure, there are no monsters in Eyes Wide Shut, aside from the main character’s jealousy as an internal monster maybe. But just like the music in Jaws, the theme from Eyes Wide Shut symbolises something that doesn’t have to be shown. The sound is enough. That is also a commonly used effect in adventure and love movies. You just put in a short vignette to describe the love between two characters. In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker also has his own theme, that is used every time when things get emotional and you’re supposed to feel that hope. You’ve got to pay attention to that. Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th also has a personal theme to recognise him by. Every time you hear it you immediately know “Oh shit, he’s nearby!”

M. Hockenbrink: What about soundtracks that are made up of songs?

T. Forge: With that, I’m especially thinking of Silence of the Lambs. In the scene where Buffalo Bill dresses up as a woman and dances around his basement, a song called Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus is playing. I have no idea how the artist felt about that since the song is now so irrevocably connected to that awful scene, that you can’t listen to it anymore without thinking of it.

M. Hockenbrink: Do you feel like soundtrack work is more appreciated now than it used to be?

T. Forge: I think that it’s definitely gained importance over the last 40 years. The right song on the right soundtrack can be incredibly powerful. Just think of Stranger Things. Obviously, Metallica and Kate Bush already had successful careers before, but what happened with Master of Puppets and Running Up That Hill following the series was something else entirely. The songs were associated so strongly with the narrative, that way more people listened to them than before. Of course I’m a strong advocate for live music but I also realised that nothing is as strong as the connection of visuals and music. That is still the most powerful way to appeal to a deeper emotion through the association.

M. Hockenbrink: More or less a shortcut to the subconscious.

T. Forge: Exactly. But you can’t be cynical about that either. If I was an A&R person at a big label, I would probably also say: “You just have to find a spot for one of your songs on a popular soundtrack, then you’ll have made it!” That’s really how it is. But when you view it from an artistic perspective, when you want to reach people a certain way or bring across a certain message or a certain feeling, the combination of visuals and sound can’t be topped.

M. Hockenbrink: It especially lends itself to an immersive experience, as seems to be in the foreground of [RHRN]. An album by Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden ends at some point, then you’re gone from that metal world again. With Ghost, however, you get the feeling that the illusion just keeps on going, across several media. Did you plan the Ghost mythology like this from the start?

T. Forge: In part. When I started with the band, I only wanted to make a standalone album. The concept was supposed to be interesting and practical, but I wasn’t planning for Ghost to be a huge thing. The style I pictured has its own limits in my opinion. The band was supposed to function a certain way and appeal to a certain target audience. The concert was supposed to be a theatrical performance in the literal sense. Ghost were never supposed to perform in a normal rock club nor go on tour. I wanted more of a kind of Vaudeville show in a proper plushy theatre. The band was supposed to be as anonymous as the actors that stand on stage and play, say, Faust. The idea behind this was: Those who don’t know who the people are on stage are more ready to follow the story. Then we would perform three days back-to-back in select cities. Berlin, Amsterdam, London. Just like Diamanda Galás who can more likely be found at a culture festival than in a rock shack. But things turned out differently in the end, and I had to kiss my original ideas goodbye again, so to speak.

M. Hockenbrink: Why?

T. Forge: After the success of our debut album, it became clear to me that more conventional concerts were going to be demanded of us and that I could only really say yes or no. This problem became worse after our shift to a bigger label. It became clear that my vision of telling stories clashed with the live sector and requirements for success more and more. At a certain point anonymity doesn’t work anymore and I had to make peace with that in the end.  I originally didn’t even want to do interviews but that’s obviously tricky when you want to sell records. The question that I constantly ask myself since is how I can do those things best in the Ghost way without denying the original Vaudeville spirit.

M. Hockenbrink: In his autobiography Golf Monster, Alice Cooper talks about himself in third person a lot when he is talking about his character. Are you feeling similarly at this point?

T. Forge: At least I can definitely see where he’s coming from. There is a difference between the person Vincent Furnier and the character Alice Cooper. I believe that he was on the verge of completely transforming into Alice Cooper at one point – to the point where one has to decide where they want to live or die. In the end he decided to remain Vincent Furnier and only become Alice Cooper for work, on stage. So far I’ve been fortunate to combine the two pretty well, but had I started Ghost ten years earlier in my life, it would have probably affected me similarly to how Alice Cooper did with Vincent Furnier in his time. But with my humble experience as an actor I have to say: every character you play becomes a part of you to a certain extent. You have to find certain qualities – good or bad – within yourself to bring such a character to life. I think that most actors only play one or two roles throughout their life that they then end up being known for. The different characters that I’ve portrayed on stage are not only very similar but actually also a part of me. Fortunately a part of me that I don’t want to deal with all day long.

M. Hockenbrink: Too cynical and antisocial?

T. Forge: Cardinal Copia or Cardi, as I like to call him, is not an all-around cool person, but that makes him so fun to play for me. He is half Freddie Mercury and half Jacques Clouseau. Kind of clumsy, kind of silly, kind of stupid. The kind of guy who trips over his own feet but catches himself elegantly. That’s also me in a way, but not just. And I think that’s easier to embody than a daredevil hero character who can rival anyone and gets all the ladies. When somebody plays only those characters their whole life, it will probably really go to their head. Especially when there are drugs involved on top of that.

M. Hockenbrink: With all that fondness of doom that can be found with Ghost, that universe also has something humorous about it, benign even. It that an intentionally included contradiction?

T. Forge: Yes, and it is also very important to me that it comes across like that. For me that also has something to do with the evolution of metal. Originally it was mostly a phenomenon connected to the youth, nowadays the musicians and their fans are close to retiring. That brings a certain maturity. Even the Norwegian black metal musicians who were super pissed and extreme 30 years ago and were only made of hate and aggression are well-adjusted people now. Bearded fathers and grandfathers with a pleasant view on life that make others laugh. I see a certain duality there. Everything that has something to do with goth, with metal, with horror, appears dark, dismal and hostile at first. But in reality, that can all be extremely life-affirming and a source of great joy for many people. So pretty much the opposite.

M. Hockenbrink: Speaking of horror: could you imagine making a real feature film some day?

T. Forge: Yes, I would love that. I’m well aware that it’s not going to be easy to make what I’m picturing a reality, just because I’ve done directing once with [RHRN] now. The creative liberty I got to enjoy there also was due to the fact that I funded the movie myself. So nobody was meddling with it. That is likely completely different when you work on behalf of a big studio, because we are talking about different sums here. If I only go off my dreams, I would name two points of reference. One is Shining, the other Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Francis Ford Coppola. I would like to make a movie that’s only shot in a studio, with elaborate sets, matte painting and all that. No outside shots, no special effects, no green screen. And no actors who only gets to see what they were actually doing after the fact. Proper old-school. The way movies are actually meant to look.

[odessa-2]

Good morning dear,

I have to ask....what is your opinion.

THE SCREAMING IN THE DISABLED BATHROOM DONE BY SAM, HIS SECRET PLACE.

Good morning to you,

I have been seeing a few episodes since the last NYCCOMCON, I wandered as many of you about the disabled toilet Sam spoke about.

Waiting to see the other 2 events still not broadcast namely, PaleyFest media event and Josh's Happy, Sad, Confused to get more details.

Check at 50 mins.+ when Sam speaks about screaming after 11 years in the disabled bathroom being alone where there is still blood from season one.  And he never told Cait it seems. 11 years, retribution, forgiveness finally, end of it all.

He said he used that place when he needed to be alone.  We know season one was epic but can you watch episodes 15 and 16. I cannot and was reminded why there was fake blood in that disabled bathroom, and all the gorry scenes of blood that was shed and shown during episodes 15 and 16. No wonder Sam went there to be alone screaming after RDM had him do these scenes twice and I remember reading how the crew were in tears when doing these episodes.

How sadistic of RDM and even DG as she mentioned to Sophie in this year NYCCOMCON, she is Black Jack Randall, both DG and RDM sadistic in there exploitation of Sam if you ask me. Also how evil of RDM not giving the candidature of Sam that year for Emmy nomination that both Cait and Tobias got. We know the reason now, he was jealous of Sam, his good looks, his goodness and the fact Cait was in love of Sam.

No wonder Sam and Cait are so enamored, I'll say Art imitates Life, Sam suffering so much not being able to be the man he should be with this evil narrative, 2 husbands, 2 wedding rings for Cait, same DOB for Jamie/Sam and Claire/Cait almost. Same initials Claire Beauchamp, Caitriona Balfe, Sam change J in JAMMF for S. Too much, did the stars/STARZ really align, taking two novice individuals with all the evil behind not forgetting Josh reprising the WS/PC incident and all the disgrace done on Twitter on the fandom and personally to many women.

The only good outcome was the love endured by Sam and Cait who got married and now have a family, yes, seeing the dancing back to the stones in last episode of season 2 brings tears, how more to what these 2 individuals had to suffer for FAME and FORTUNE.

I am sure loads are taken off their backs now, praying, hoping their lives will OUTSHINE Outlander in all their endeavours.

Sincerely,

JClovely

Hello lovely. NYCC gifted us with more receipts and insights into SC's situation that we already suspected, but had it confirmed again. The special Disabled toilet comment from Sam surprised me a little as it did Cait it seems! Sam just let rip. The fact that he openly admitted to having and needing a secret hideout place where he could go and "scream" just confirms how much pressure Sam was under. The performing monkey 🐒, the emasculated puppet who was denied his God given freedoms. Denied his right to claim his family, forced into an ungodly narrative. A compromised man in many ways.

I agree that that RDM is a jealous piece of shit that used the rape scene to humiliate Sam. That slime bag had the major hots for Cait and I think everyone could see it, including Terri. Terri is batshit crazy but she had the air of a mistreated woman imo.

I still think we have a couple more years of narrative but somewhere deep down in my intuitive waters, I feel that SC will be free at some point. They will come out.

[namelessdumbass]

Rite Here Rite Now

It was amazing and funny. Copia girlies and boys fucking won!

I expected different outcome, tbh. Tobias managed to surprise me and also made me a tiny bit sad (reasons will be explained in the spoilers below).

The film consists of like 95% of concert footage and 5% of off stage/plot stuff. The quality of sound and editing is just 🤌 I expected the live of Twenties to be good and gosh Ghost delivered. And Mummy Dust...Tobias let Mary Goore out! But i honestly prefer Terzo's version (CaD) better. Sorry not sorry haha. Ghouls/Ghoulettes footage. Everyone who loves them will be very veeeery well fed!

Dance Macabre live...i was'nt wrong when i called it a satanic gay party 😁

The movie is worth watching and i do hope Ghost releases it as soon as possible for all those who were not able to go.

The spoiler free review ends here. Don't read further if you don't want to spoil it for yourself. And please, don't copy them and paste it everywhere for the sake of ruining other people's fun! Seriously, don't fucking do that!

If you accidently clicked here, don't worry! spoilers will be below and you still have a chance to avoid them :)

Alriiiiight:

Movie starts with Saltarian who tells fans to record for the first 2 minutes, to show how happy they are etc and posted a qr code for fans to upload those recordings. I guess it will be put up on RHRN website. We'll see. There were also photos of fans who attended LA ritual. I fucking loved the person who showed up in a giant Plushia suit. I LOLed! Then fans were asked to put down the phones and enjoy the movie. The beginning was narrated Star Wars kinda style (a little bit) with the small recap of the chapters and about Copia's worries that he might die. And yes, it literally began in space lol. The movie is basically is like what we saw in small snippets Ghost posted earlier. Plot mixed with a really good show.

And the plot: -Short footage of Copia and Ghouls arriving. ALmost the whole set was the same as any other concert from Re-Imperatour + a few awesome exceptions. -Dews does that annoying thing with guitar, Rain stops him, takes his pick and throws it into the crowd and Dew...he freaking showed him YouSuck sticker on the backside of his guitar. Peak Dew moment! -Copia asked the right question about the Clery. He also does not quite understand what it does, why and where it goes. I suppose Tobias decided to thicken the Ghost lore a bit and will have more clarity in the nearest future. -Remember when Copia jumped at the end of the Watcher in the Sky? He ended up in one of those stage boxes (for equipment or something) and is taken to the stage B. While he's carried to it by Kevin he has a chat with Nihil's ghost. Nihil says he recorded not 2, but 3 songs. That probably means that we'll hear a new one. (UPD: the new song we heard during the credits, "The Future is a Foreign Land" is Nihil's 3rd song! Confirmed by Tobias himself in a new interview). He also tells Copia to breath in deep and then farts. -On the Stage B Copia sings "If You Have Ghosts". 3 Ghoulettes played piano and violins and the 4th one did the haunting ghost-like opera vocals. It was beatiful. Copia kissed her hand. -He then wore boxing robe and went next to crowd. Almost the whole scene was shown in the trailer. -Btw, remember that silly moment when Nihil's eyes were crossing? Well, Kevin was also included in that staring contest. -Twenties live. The skeletons, the performance and one of those skeletons who crawled between Dew's legs...that's hot. -Nihil calls Copia "son". Copia calls Nihil "Dad". Cardi will insult him later, don't worry. -Nihil/Seestor cartoon during MOAC. Yes, that's when Sis hit him with the car. Basically it's what happens after "Kiss the Go Goat" mv. Sister leaves and Nihil runs after her. "I'll never let you go". They end up kissing in a coffin on a graveyard , later Nihil wakes up naked in a bed in a motel and we see Sister leave. -There was a moment in a movie when we see Ashley (stage crew) bring Copia a new pair of shoes and put the on on his feet. Tobias, goddammit what the hell was that? :D -Seestor was a in wheelchair all the time -She and Nihil encouraged Copia throughout the whole movie and gave him a piece of advice. -About the baloon from the poster. Copia flies on it after finishing the set...or he imagined that because a few moments later after Nihil/Seestor flashbacks he ends up on the floor and watches Seestor die. All of the Ghouls and Ghoulettes also stood right next to her. -Copia has a twin brother -Copia didn't die and became the head the Clergy (Father Imperator or something like this). He found out about his new position from a letter Seestor left for him. -New song during credits (credits show dictators, assassinations, wars and the use of nuclear war). Years 1984 and 2024 mentioned. The song is not heavy. -Ghouls/Ghoulettes real names mentioned in the credits -Funny post credit scene with Copia. He had no piant on and had a new cool drip (with black jacket and red and black cross). Seestor is also a Ghost now. Tobia's children cameo. They're also Ghosts. -Papa V is teased the same way Copia was teased in a chapter 1. They even used the same music (Pro Memoria). No face reveal. Either he will be revealed in new Chapters or at some point during the new tour???

-aaaand my biggest disappointment: no footage of Primo, Secondo and Terzo. Literally ZERO.

I mean, Nihil is a Ghost, Seestor also became a Ghost, even Tobias' children made a cameo as Ghosts, but nothing for previous Papas? Really?! The same could have been done for them, but i guess Tobias doesn't care about them anymore :( And it hurts. I know that's my fault that i had so many expectations and hopes, but holy shit :( As a newbie who never saw previous Papas, i'm so sad i'll never get a chance to see them and there won't be any new footage of them. Being Terzo widow is so hard. Guess that's why i'm a bit salty Copia lives (sorry, guys, i like him, but i also hate him haha)

And yes, as it turned out the twins theory from Square Hammer was true...but not for Terzo 😭

I enjoyed the movie nevertheless. It's fun and kinda gives you an opportunity to see the band "live" if you've never been to a ritual before. And yes, the movies was'nt just about Papa IV and his fate, i believe it was also Tobias' message for us to enjoy the life rite here rite now! As i said, Copia's girlies and boys truly fucking won. Congrats, lads, your Papa lives and will live! I bet that feels amazing. Thanks for reading! P.S. since you know the plot, don't spoil it for the others please.

[multifan2022]

Fearless 2

PART 1

It doesn't surprise you that Beatrice and Christina jump holding hands, it was clear they would be friends. Maybe that would help, if she had others her own age to model her behavior off of. As they tumbled and skid to a stop you heard the dark haired girl laughing, smiling to yourself remembering your first time. 

You and Four had held hands, being the only two 'gentle' transfers. Eric had made fun of both of you, only to tear up himself as his knees ripped open under the gravel. Four who then was Tobias had picked the gravel out of your cheek as you both laughed. Your friendship bloomed from there, too this day he was the only other person besides Tori you trusted 100%.

Christina will fit in with Dauntless thrill seekers, such as yourself. You're pulled from your thoughts by a scream, Rita standing on the ledge crying and screaming looking down. You knew without looking that her little sister hadn't made it, it broke your heart. You were thankful when Theo stepped up to hold her back from falling herself. 

You looked away from the transfers and looked up to the sky, willing the tears to go away before anyone sees them.  You can hear Theo trying to calm her down as others walked over looking over the ledge. You hoped that the transfers realize now, that not even Dauntless born are safe now. 

Closing your eyes briefly you open them the second you hear that annoying guys voice again. "Ooh. Scandalous! A Stiff's flashing some skin!" Your eyes land on Beatrice who has her sleeve pulled up, you can tell this one is going to cause problems too. Noting in your head to watch him and to alert Four. Just as you go to tell him where to shove his mouth Max speaks, pulling everyone attention besides your own. You keep your eyes on the Stiff, as if you can will her to listen too you. 

"Listen up! My name is Max! I am one of the leaders of your new faction! Several stories below us is the members' entrance to our compound. If you can't muster the will to jump off, you don't belong here. Our initiates have the privilege of going first."

"You want us to jump off a ledge?" asks an Erudite girl, her mouth hanging open. As a trainer your already taking notes as to who you think the weaker ones will be. Rolling your eyes and crossing your arms as you turn to look at Max, who's smiling at you clearly amused not only by the girl but by your reaction. 

Max always told you that you should've been born into Dauntless, he never understood how you were Amity. "Yes," Max says clearly holding in his laughter. 

"Is there water at the bottom or something?"

"Who knows?" He raises his eyebrows and waving over the ledge, you remember your own group again. You were the first jumper, having to literally pry your hand out of Tobias's who was the last jumper. The blood is pumping in your ears as the group parts waiting to see who has the balls to go first. 

You clench your jaw when she finally steps forward making her way to the ledge thankfully not looking at you as she passes. You can hear the Dauntless around you start to whisper and turn the look on your face shutting them up quickly. When she steps up you can see the doubt on her face, the fear clear as she pulls her over dress off. 

But the defiance steps in as she throws it directly at the annoying Candor boy. A chuckle breaks through the silence, it takes a second for you to realize it was yours. Steeling your face back up you watch as people start up again with the catcalls and laughter. 

She doesn't yell after her foot leaves the ledge, she doesn't scream on her way down and you're slightly impressed. You also know that it could be the choking fear keeping her quiet like it did Four. Max even looks a little impressed, and as you thought Christina was the next to step up. 

One by one each person jumps, some scream, some laugh but others mostly initiates stay silent in fear. They now know there has to be something at the bottom, but they still don't know what it is.  Soon they are all gone, leaving only those of you who are top tier members. 

"So Y/n, whats your first impression of the newbies?" Zeke asks, bringing everyone attention back to you. The one place where you really hate, is under everyone's scrutiny.

Uncrossing your arms and moving to lean against the ledge you pause acting like your thinking. Its of course fake, they all know that, they know you are quick to judge and your opinion is hard to change. 

But its one of the reasons you make an excellent trainer, that and that your normally right. You can find their weaknesses within the first few encounters. That's why you're partnered with Four, who then will push those weaknesses until they break. 

"Really I only have an opinion so far on four of them. The Stiff is either going to excel or completely fail, haven't decided yet. The short Candor girl will fit in here well once she learns to control her mouth. The tall Candor girl is fake. Shes gonna act tough, fight hard but she will ultimately fail. And last but not least that annoying ass Candor boy, I have a feeling Im going to have fun breaking him in. Hes pissed me off already and its only been an hour and a half since I met him." 

Max nods taking notes as you speak, hes a very efficient leader. You don't always agree with him, but it's one of the reasons you get along. You're one of the few people here that gives him an honest opinion. That's also the reason hes training you to take over for him, of course Four was his first choice. But he turned it down so hey, his loss right?  

Once you take over it wont matter. He will be your second whether he likes it or not, you'll kill Eric if you have too. 

After a few more moments of conversation the rest start jumping, until it's just you and Max. He gives you a questioning look, but you shake your head indicating that you don't want to talk. He knows how much you hate running into your brother, hes assuming thats the reason for your mood. You let him run with his assumptions, leaving you alone on the roof for a moment. 

You know you only have a moment, so you remind yourself of who you are. Just a moment to feel the weakness that having two more Divergents here brings. The crushing load of responsibility your promise to Tori lays on your shoulders.  

You are brave. 

You are fearless.

You are Dauntless. 

And with that final sentence you stand back to the darkness, and fall. The ride to the net is too short, the adrenaline that runs through your veins fading too quickly. You hear those who know you chanting your name as you roll yourself off, scoffing at your best friend who's standing right there. He smirks a little knowing you're pretending to be offended that he didn't help you. 

Once everyone leaves, besides you, Four and the initiates, the two of you lead them down a narrow tunnel. The tunnel is lit at long intervals, so in the dark space between each dim lamp. One that if you didn't know where you were going you could easily feel lost or disoriented. 

When we stop I turn and watch as the Stiff runs into someones back, holding back the sigh that wants to escape badly. "This is where you divide,The Dauntless-born initiates are free to go to your dorm. I assume you don't need a tour of the place."

They break away from the group and dissolve into the shadows. You watch the last heel pass out of the light and look at those who are left. Most of the initiates were from Dauntless, so only nine people remain. Of those, only one Abnegation transfer, and there are no Amity transfers. The rest are from Erudite and, surprisingly, Candor. 

You know Four likes to get the first word in, so you tuck your feminism away for the time being and wait for him. "Most of the time I work in the control room, but for the next few weeks, I am your instructor," he says. "My name is Four."

Christina asks, "Four? Like the number?" You somehow manage to hold in the chuckle that wants so badly to escape when you see his face. "Yes," Four says. "Is there a problem?"

"No."

"Good. We're about to go into the Pit, which you will someday learn to love. It—"

Christina snickers. "The Pit? Clever name."

Four walks up to Christina and leans his face close to hers. His eyes narrow, and for a second he just stares at her. "What's your name?" he asks quietly.

"Christina," she squeaks. "Well, Christina, if I wanted to put up with Candor smart-mouths, I would have joined their faction," he hisses. "The first lesson you will learn from me is to keep your mouth shut. Got that?"

She nods, and again your holding in your laughter. You cant wait to make fun of him for this later, cant wait to tell Tori about the bravely stupid girl. Four starts toward the shadow at the end of the tunnel. The crowd of initiates moves on in silence.

"What a jerk," she mumbles as she and Beatrice, now Tris, walk past you. "I guess he doesn't like to be laughed at," she replies and this time you do laugh. They both jumped, clearly forgetting you were still in the room. "He also doesn't like smart asses, He wont tolerate you talking behind his back either. So learn quickly or the next few weeks will be harder than they need to be." You say before jogging to catch up with Four, shoulder checking the kid you don't like on the way. 

He opens his mouth and starts to speak "Watch where you're going Bitch!" The second his voice rang through the corridor Four stopped, but when the word Bitch left the pour guys mouth all Fours muscles tensed. He knew you could handle yourself, but he had a hard time tucking his chivalry away when it came to you. "Excuse me?" He says going to step forward but your hand on his chest stops him. 

Your busy smiling at the dumb ass who just spoke, so you dont see Tris's eyes linger on your hand on Fours chest.  "Whats your name dumb ass?" You say still smiling but cocking your head to the side condescendingly.

"Peter.." He says threw his teeth as some of the guys cover their laughter with coughs. You nod, and without thinking drag your hand down Fours arm, squeezing his hand to let him know you're ok. It's an innocent movement, none of them know what happens behind closed doors. You feel him relax a fraction as you let go and take steps towards the group. 

"Im Y/n. I'm also one of your trainers, I am also one of Dauntless's leaders." You watch as Peters face pales, and chuckle bringing your hands up to effortlessly put your hair in a messy bun. "I will be taking over for Max when he retires, meaning I will be the one that chooses how your life here functions. And for me..." You draw on, turning back to start leading the group away noticing Fours eyes locked on Peter. 

"First impressions are everything." 

[juniperlovessapphic]

This is a little preview of the CaitJinx week family dinner idea I’ve got, because I need feedback.

Family dinner

Caitlyn stopped Jinx from continuing her stroll to the front door, she grabbed her girlfriend and started prodding at her dress. It was too wrinkled here, why is it folded upwards over here, and, these shoes don’t match your dress.

Jinx placed both of her hands on Caitlyn’s shoulders, before using one hand to pull Caitlyn’s hands to her hips.

“Relax..”

She whispered, her lips pursed ever so slightly in a way that showed both concern and confidence.

“They invited us.”

“They invited me..”

Caitlyn looked down embarrassed.

“I wasn’t supposed to bring you.”

Jinx froze for a moment, just a moment.

“Okay, okay, that’s okay. Look at me.”

Jinx hooked her finger under Caitlyn’s chin to pull her gaze from their shoes to Jinx’s eyes.

“It’ll be okay, I promise you.. I’ll be right by your side the entire time. Won’t I?”

Caitlyn nodded, pulling her hand from jinx’s waist and locking it with the hand under her chin.

“You will..”

“Okay, deep breath in, and out. Ready?”

After having breathed in deeply and slowly, she locked eyes with jinx and nodded.

They walked slowly up to the door, the path was winding and long like a lot of the rich people who lived far from the academy sector.

Caitlyn stood in front of the door for maybe 2 minutes before knocking.

. . .

“Oh Caitlyn, honey it’s so cold outside, come in-..”

Caitlyn’s father’s, Tobias, voice slowly lowered as he looked at jinx next to his daughter. His eyes then drifted down to the locked hands that were between them.

“Uh.. yes, come in. It’s cold.”

He opened the door wider to accommodate the plus one Caitlyn brought.

Caitlyn’s mom, Kassandra, was in the kitchen presumably. The smell, and the noise of cutlery clattering in the distance let that fact through.

“You.. ah.. two can go sit down by the lounge room if you want.. I’m gonna go speak with your mother.”

Tobias promptly walked away and Caitlyn sunk into Jinx’s arms. A bit of a whine in her voice as she spoke.

“He’s gonna tell her..”

“Well she was gonna find out when she walked out here anyways, unless you were planning to feed me under the table like a dog or something?”

Jinx meant to be humorous, to cheer her girlfriend up, but Caitlyn only shook her head and sat up.

“I wouldn’t”

“I know”

“Seriously.”

“Honey..”

Jinx laughed softly.

“I believe you.”

“I invited my daughter.”

Kassandra Kiramman walked into the lounge room, a hand towel in one hand as she wiped the other.

“Not whatever stray she’s got this week.”

She wasn’t looking at Caitlyn, so presumably she was speaking to Tobias or herself, but when she did turn Caitlyn she didn’t say anything, encouraging a response.

“I-.. I ah..”

Caitlyn felt a gentle palm on the side of her arm as she turned to fully look at her mother.

“This is my.. girlfriend.”

She left the word hand there for a second, watching for any subtle facial changes to her mother, or even her father.

“This is Jinx, my girlfriend.. and we’re going to be together for a while.. so she’ll be here.. with me more often.. I’m not going to negotiate this.”

Caitlyn and Kassandra stared at each other for a while, both with a stern face.

“If I find even a single bit of my plates or utensils or just anything missing. You won’t be invited back until you break up with her.”

“Deal.”

Caitlyn had little belief jinx would steal anything anyways, she was aware of Jinx’s childhood endeavors but she had aged.

After Kassandra had returned to the kitchen, announcing dinner would be done within half an hour, Tobias sat down in the love chair across from the couch. He watched as the couple drifted together and held their hands close.

After having been accepted by his wife, Tobias finally allowed himself to ask questions and dote on his daughter.

He asked where the met.

“The last drop”

“Bar”

How long they’ve been together.

“A month or so,”

“48 days.”

What do you do for a living.

“I repair machines mostly, but I’ll do whatever for money.”

“Within.. legalities”

Have you met her family?

“She’s seen Vi around I think..”

“Not personally no.”

Tobias asked a myriad of questions within those 30 minutes, but eventually their time ended and he began to stand up, reaching an arm out to pat his daughter’s shoulder slightly.

“It’ll be fine.”

He promised, before walking off towards the dining room.

“You’ve got way too many rooms.”

Caitlyn turned her head, locking eyes with Jinx as they awkwardly shuffled into the dining room.

“I mean, the dining room in my home was just like.. the kitchen as well.”

‘My home’ and not just home, is a fact Caitlyn would rather keep away from her mother. Jinx had moved in with Caitlyn in the apartment she lives in, in the academy sector. They had only been living together for 2 weeks, and for Caitlyn it felt magical, but real. She never quite deciphered if those two descriptors worked together the way they did in her head.

Jinx marveled at the array of food across the table, roasted duck in the center lathered in honey and spices. Potatoes and peppers mixed together in a big bowl, all cut up and sliced to be easily scooped, a few husks of corn next to a tub of butter and a butter knife, the rolls of warm bread, and countless other items she probably couldn’t name. If she were at Vander’s place, she would’ve already been scooping bits of food into her plate and scarfing it down before the family could even sit down. But she was with Caitlyn, and her mother. So Jinx politely sat down and held her hands to the bottom of her dress, another accommodation for Caitlyn’s sake, to stop her from grabbing at stuff.

“Well?”

Kassandra looked to her husband, and to Caitlyn.

“Eat up, I didn’t make it to be stared at.”

Caitlyn and Tobias grabbed their plate and started putting things on their plates, and when she was done Caitlyn grabbed jinx’s plate and did the same.

Jinx leaned in to ask for an extra bread piece, whispering to her girlfriend like she was some nervous girl.

“Alright, where did you two meet?”

Kassandra’s question seemed like it should’ve been granted more of an answer than Tobias’ rapid round

[jerzwriter]

Thank you to @icecoffee90 for this prompt sent to me 250 years ago! lol I had an idea while driving today, and I'm glad I had the time to write it down!

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Tobias x Casey Carrick (F!MC) Featuring: Jackie Varma, Samantha Carrick (F!OC), and Pietro, original cat. Rating: Teen Words: 1,076 Summary: Jackie stops by for a visit with a gift in tow, but Pietro has some opinions about it.

A/N: I didn't think this could fit a prompt for @choicesjanuary2025, but then I realized Winter Coat did it! :)

Jackie rushed up the steps to Tobias and Casey’s townhome, doing her best to juggle a bottle of Malbec under one arm and a gift bag under the other. A sinister grin came to her lips as she reached the landing, where she pressed the doorbell over and over again. Casey appeared in an instant, little Samantha on her hip.

"Seriously, Jackie!" She grimaced. "Ringing one time was sufficient; you didn’t need to do it a dozen times! What if Sammy had been sleeping?"

"Relax, MacTavish!"

"Carrick..." Casey corrected.

"Whatever..." Jackie dismissed, stepping into the vestibule, the cold of the Boston winter radiating off her body as she hung her coat in the foyer and turned back to her friend and mussing Sammy’s hair. "I called Tobias five minutes ago, so I knew Samantha was awake. I just wanted you to answer the door quickly so I wouldn't freeze to death out there! Besides, I thought it might ward off your demonic beast."

Tobias stepped into the small space as if on cue, furry little Pietro nuzzled in his arms. "Are you blaspheming my precious little boy again? Or are you referring to me?"

"Yes!" Jackie scowled, staring daggers at the at the little feline, but Pietro turned away, uninterested.

"I come bearing gifts," she said, raising the wine and gift bag over her head as she strutted into the living room.

Casey placed Sammy on the floor, delighted as she watched the toddler immediately crawl over to Pietro.

"A gift? What’s the occasion?” Casey asked.

“It’s Friday, and I’m blessing you with my presence. You’re welcome,” Jackie smirked, kicking off her boots. “You said you wanted to get more books for Samantha, and I found this at that used book store we go to in Cambridge.”

Tobias gave Jackie a bemused look as Casey pulled the book out of the bag. “The Complete Works of Edgar Alan Poe?” he laughed. “I mean, I like it, but you understand Sammy is one, right?”

“I’m aware, but I figured if you’re going to let this satanic furball run the place, you might as well lean into the vibe, and nothing says ‘gothic chaos’ like Poe.”

Pietro lept onto the couch gracefully, draping himself beside Jackie like an expensive throw. His blue eyes narrowed at her, who instinctively held up the wine bottle as if it were a shield.

“Relax, Lucifer,” she muttered. “I’m not here to dethrone you. I know my place!”

Casey shook her head with a laugh. “Jackie, you’re so dramatic. He’s literally doing nothing.”

“He’s plotting,” Jackie countered. “Look at him. He’s not a cat; he’s an evil genius!”

Tobias sat on the arm of the couch, lovingly stroking Pietro’s head. “You really have it out for this little guy, huh?”

“Uh, yeah,” Jackie said, rolling her eyes. “Last time I was here, he knocked my phone off the counter while maintaining direct eye contact with me. That’s not a pet. That’s a criminal mastermind!”

Casey chuckled. “Why don’t we pour the wine? Or did you bring that for some ritual intended to exorcize our beloved pet?”

“Well, now that you mention it,” Jackie smirked, picking a chip out of the wooden bowl on the coffee table and popping it into her mouth.

“So, what do you suggest we read to Sammy before bed tonight?” Casey asked. “The Raven? Or The Haunted Palace?”

“I don’t know; why don’t you whip out a Ouija board and have your furry beast decide?”

Pietro stood up and stretched before meandering over to inspect the book with the air of a curator evaluating an unworthy addition to his collection. Then, with one swift movement of his paw, he sent it tumbling to the floor.

Jackie gasped, pointing accusingly. “You see?! I told you! He’s the devil!”

Tobias burst out laughing as Casey picked up the book. “He’s not the devil,” Casey laughed. “He's just curious.”

Pietro rushed over to Jackie, landing on her lap with confidence.

“No. No, no, no," Jackie cried. "Get him off me! Get him off, now!"

“Oh, come on," Casey grinned, rubbing Peito’s head as she took a seat next to her friend. "He’s trying to bond with you.”

“This isn’t bonding. This is a power move. He’s trying to establish dominance.”

"That's not true," Tobias laughed, slinking into an armchair. "I know all about establishing dominance, and that's not how you do it. When Casey and I are..."

"TOBIAS!" Casey and Jackie yelled simultaneously, sending a frightened little Peitro scurrying away.

"TOO much information, babe!" Casey scolded, but Jackie’s eyes were full of relief.

"Whatever, if it got Beelzebub off my lap, I’ll endure your kinky sex talk. I hope you know that cat’s going to kill you in your sleep one day,” Jackie said, keeping an eye on him as he cautiously reentered the room. “They'll write a story about it. ‘The Fall of the House of Carrick,’ maybe... You know, I should try to get movie rights to that now."

"Mmh," Tobias nodded, putting down his glass of wine. "Smart financial move!"

Casey rolled her eyes. “You’re both insane.”

“Perhaps,” Jackie shrugged. “But you’re blind to the evil you’ve welcomed into your home. But don't worry, I’ll be here for the aftermath. I’ll take care of Sammy and all, you know, for the sake of the movie rights.”

"Much appreciated, Jackie," Tobias laughed. “We’ll be sure to leave you the cat in our will.”

“Don't you dare!”

The night went on with the usual revelry that occurred when Jackie visited. Eventually, she ended up on the floor playing with Samantha as Pietro stood watch nearby. When it was finally time to leave, she looked down at the cat, now lounging atop the book Jackie gave them.

“I see you, Satan," she glared. "You're reading the book to get ideas!"

Pietro meowed sharply, accepting the challenge.

“Enjoy the book,” Jackie called to Casey and Tobias as she headed for the door. “And maybe consider getting an exorcist while you’re at it.”

Tobias turned to Casey with a laugh as soon as the door shut. “So... do you want to tell her we're considering getting a second cat?”

Casey shrugged. "Nah, if we do, let's wait and surprise her. But one thing is for certain now."

"Oh, yeah," Tobias smiled, sitting next to Casey and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "What's that?"

"If we get another cat, we’re definitely naming it Poe!"

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfic

[slitheringghost]

Snape’s home life

These endless debates about the Blacks’ abuse (whether it existed or how severe it was) are interesting because you know which character we actually have no evidence of being abused by a parent, and especially not physically? Severus Snape.

(Which, for the record, I personally think he was, but I’m just trying to make A Point about fandom interpretations of abuse).

There was apparently a Pottermore article saying Tobias whipped Snape, but that’s completely extracanon, and iirc the article wasn’t even written by JKR. This is what is in actual canon:

Snape staggered; his wand flew upward, away from Harry — and suddenly Harry’s mind was teeming with memories that were not his — a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark-haired boy cried in a corner. . . . A greasy-haired teenager sat alone in a dark bedroom, pointing his wand at the ceiling, shooting down flies. . . . (OoTP)

This is his dad verbally abusing his mother while Eileen cowers, and Snape cries watching them.

“How are things at your house?” Lily asked. A little crease appeared between his eyes. “Fine,” he said. “They’re not arguing anymore?” “Oh yes, they’re arguing,” said Snape. He picked up a fistful of leaves and began tearing them apart, apparently unaware of what he was doing. “But it won’t be that long and I’ll be gone.” “Doesn’t your dad like magic?” “He doesn’t like anything, much,” said Snape. (DH)

Here again, the focus is on the conflict and fighting between his parents rather than Tobias’s treatment of Snape.

Snape’s response and agitation here certainly indicates a bad home life - but witnessing your father constantly scream at your mother is still extremely scary and traumatizing. And would lead to the child feeling unsafe in the household, regardless of if it was directed towards him. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are the only canonical allusions to Tobias's abuse that we have. (I suppose Snape's hatred of Muggles is another, but that could happen with far less severe abuse too - i.e. with Tom Riddle).

But there is no confirmation that Tobias’s abuse extended to Snape. (And we don’t even have evidence of Tobias physically abusing Eileen, much less Snape.) “He doesn’t like anything much” does indicate a bad relationship between Severus and Tobias too, but the actual severity of it is ambiguous. And it’s not always necessary that the abuse is inflicted on both spouse and child, and we have a very glaring example of this in canon - Barty Crouch Jr.

Crouch was abusive to and hated his son but deeply loved his wife. We have Barty Jr. saying “He loved her as he never loved me”, Crouch Sr. risking his job and reputation and even the possibility of being sent to Azkaban himself to give Mrs. Crouch her dying wish of freeing Barty Jr., Winky’s ability to guilt trip Crouch Sr. into letting his son attend the Quidditch match using his love for Mrs. Crouch, etc. We even have Mrs. Crouch crying as she witnesses her husband’s cruelty towards her son, just like Snape was crying while he witnessed Tobias abuse Eileen.

While Lily asks "doesn't your dad like magic?", Snape doesn't really confirm that as being true; magic clearly wasn’t banned in the house the way it was for Harry (due to the Dursleys’ hatred of it as much as the Statute), since Snape came into Hogwarts knowing a lot of magic, and it seems like Eileen had taught Snape a lot about the wizarding world as a child, and we see him use it to shoot down flies in his bedroom.

And “He doesn’t like anything much” is MUCH tamer and much less violent of a statement than “My mother had no heart, she kept herself alive out of pure spite”, “How she hated him, what a disappointment he was”, everything Walburga’s portrait says, the abuse getting to the point that Sirius ran away and then was blasted off the tapestry, Walburga blasting her brother off the tapestry for merely helping Sirius financially, Walburga being textually compared to Umbridge, Walburga’s portrait stretching clawed hands as though to tear at people’s faces (a clear allusion to physical violence), etc etc. We have MUCH more detail about the Blacks’ abuse than Snape’s.

So where exactly are y’all getting “Snape’s abuse was worse than Sirius’s/Tobias beat Severus/Tobias was physically abusive and Walburga and Orion weren’t/Walburga and Orion were better parents than Tobias, etc” from? Because it sure as hell isn’t canon!

As I said, I personally view Snape and Eileen as being physically abused by Tobias and think it’s implied in the text, but this shows the double standards for Snape vs. Sirius / view of the Black family as a whole.

(And this matches fandom's constant tendency to portray privilege and abuse as mutually exclusive, and framing severe domestic violence as Something Only Poor People Do And Aristocrats Would Never Because They're Above That. This is not the hot anti aristocracy take that y'all seem to think it is, lmao)

[ghelullu]

The negativity here is, once again, fucking incredible.

Exclusive first day streaming for new releases is regularly around 20$. Is that a lot of money? Yes. A LOT. Is it - unfortunately these days - normal? Yes. I've seen the same thing with my friend's K-Pop releases. Is it Tobias fucking with us? No. Absolutely not.

I see this as them doing this for those who could not see it in a theatre so they don't have to wait the months until a DVD release, they said something like that in an interview and also that there's some struggle with getting a streaming release out. (And no, "just stream it for free" is not an option. Do you have any idea how expensive it is to host HD streaming for THAT many people?)

You can just wait for the Bluray release (which is technically already confirmed, plus it's Tobias "Physical Media" Forge.) and not buy the streaming ticket. I, for example, won't either, I hate streaming and don't have a ton of money, so I'll just buy the Bluray and watch it 9000 times. Nobody is forcing you. Tobias is not standing here with a guitar ready to smash it in your face if you don't buy 2 tickets. Just saying.

Please, learn how to enjoy things without panicking and seeking negativity everywhere, I'm begging.

[bloodplague]

Ticci-Toby in relationships

Simply how I headcanon Toby in romantic and sexual relationships. ^^

Toby is… a walking red flag: Paranoid, murderer, possessive, obsessive, clingy, ADHD, bipolar, selfharming, antisocial aka sociopathy, obnoxious, manipulative, sassy, touchy, incompetent, abandonment issues, uncontrollable due to his bipolar disorder, emotional bursts, mental break downs, schizophrenia, depressed, eating disorder, no social life, no remorse and only rarely empathy, full of himself, selfish, forceful, bloodthirsty, shy in an insane way and way more.

After analyzing Toby for years, gathering canon facts, sheets and tracking down all possible information, I created a whole damn discord server just to write down all the things I analyzed & everything about him in general. So, I can say that this is pretty accurate:

I'll begin with possessive. Toby is incredibly possessive and jealous, trying to be around them as MUCH as possible. He will struggle with respecting boundaries, completely claiming his partner as his. He might even stalk his partner when he can't be around them or if they need space, fully focusing on them like an insane love-sick raccoon. Toby constantly has his hands on his partner, gives them hickeys or hugs/cuddles them in a possessive way. When it comes to kissing, his cheek won't really bother, it'll just make things a bit messy.

With possessiveness, the paranoia comes as well. He'd immediately assume his partner is about to leave him if they'd either dry text or are really dry with him in general, thinking he's doing something wrong. This will cause him to feel insecure as well as irritated (since he's temperamental). Abandonment is one of his biggest fears anyway, which is why this man needs a LOT of reassurance in a relationship. His schizophrenia and manic episodes make this whole thing worse.

The next 2 things are his unhealthy obsession with his partner & his pure clingyness. As soon as he loves someone, he'll grow so obsessed with them, being all touchy (which is another canon trait) and needy as he constantly craves their attention, to the point where he's being obnoxious.

He's uncaring about almost everything, though seems really interested in his partner. Sure he'd tease them a lot about literally anything, even during serious conversations, but he still listens. Even though he wouldn't admit that.

In arguments he can quickly become frustrated and blame the other person, thinking he did nothing wrong, unless he's going through an depressive episode. Then he tends to blame himself, terrified he's going to fuck up the relationship. This is mainly because of his ASPD (antisocial personality) and the tendency to blame others for things.

Due to his C.I.P.A, he can't feel pain, nor can he tell what might hurt and what won't. He might accidentally hurt his partner at times by holding their arm or hand too tightly, not aware that he's causing pain. Because of that, Toby is always trying to be as gentle as possible, unless he's all hyper and barely paying attention to anything.

Tobias has always been the weird one, always left out and never really recieving love from anyone other than his mother and sister. He's not used to affection, so he'll definitely try to be as affectionate as possible, almost in an overly needy way. He's trying to squish out comfort from his partner, the comfort & love he never received in the past.

Due to all the physical abuse he experienced including watching his own sister getting beaten to the ground, he's extremely protective of his partner, willing to go through a LOT just to make sure they aren't hurt. If they get hurt, he will most likely blame himself.

Yes, Toby has many disorders and a tragic past, but people tend to forget that it's canon that Toby forgot his past and doesn't question it. To him, it never happened, and he only gets flashbacks or remembers things when he see/hears/smells familiar things that remind him again. He might have flashbacks, but they will end and he'll forget about it eventually. After those flashbacks and episodes, it's best to not remind him at all and just appreciate the fact that he's doing alright again.

His ADHD causes a lot of hyperactivity and other severe symptoms, his bipolar disorder gives him split personalities and constantly makes him go through mania or depression- and his eating disorder causes him to starve himself at times. Alone that is way too much to handle for most people, which is why Toby is convinced he's unlovable and doesn't deserve love. The second he would actually receive love, he'd become paranoid to the point where he'd think they're just manipulating him, constantly overanalyzing everything.

Suffering under ASPD caused sociopathy: little remorse, lack of empathy, committing serious crimes, impulsive behavior, controlling, defensive, possessive, narcissistic behavior at times, not afraid to use people, a good lair, very manipulative, doing a lot to archive what he wants to archive… etc. It's a serious disorder and handling someone who suffers under this disorder can be exhausting at times, just like arguing with them. Yes, sociopaths are capable of loving and bounding, but it's not easy for them and often ends unhealthy, sadly. Even if Toby is a sociopath, he would definitely not be physically abusive. He might manipulate his partner for either his own pleasure (not sexual) or other reasons, but he's not some monster. It might be emotionally exhausting to deal with him, but he would never lay a hand on his partner.

Since Toby doesn't really care about other's feelings (as long as he's not fond of them), he will be pretty sassy. Same with his partner. Of course he will be a little more careful, but he might say sassy things that can quickly cross the line, without him properly realizing it.

At times, he might have heavy mental break downs or lets his rage get the best of him, just throwing his hatchets around and yelling, breaking stuff or even hurting himself. Usually it's just the hand-biting, but he can also find other ways to do self-harm. Those random burst of emotions don't happen a lot, but they are very intensive if they actually happen. That's when he needs his partner the most. At least afterwards. Because of all the rage, Toby distants himself, purposely staying away from his partner to not accidentally hurt them. Once he's just more relaxed again, he needs a lot of comfort and feels rather depressed, clinging onto his partner once again.

A big red-flag can be his amnesia. He might forget important things, dates or specific moments that had happened, which can be very irritating to most people. The lack of social interactions also do him no good…

Snuggling, cuddling and kissing are his favorite activities, his head usually buried in his partners neck when holding them. Tobxy loves planting little kisses all over his partner, praising them and complimenting them endlessly. He's not the best boyfriend to say the least, as he's visibly not easy to handle, but he's trying.

He will try to be 'the one in charge' in relationships, as Toby craves dominance and control.

There's a lot more to say as he's probably one of the most interesting and coolest characters ever, but that's it for now :]

[nonerrata-myarchives]

Since no one is going to do it...

---

Hear me out: Tobias Hawthorne, The Man, The Mystery, The Multi-Billionaire 🖤

Okay, but hear me out 👀 – Tobias Hawthorne. Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t he kinda… old?” But listen, sometimes it’s not about age; it’s about vibes. And let me tell you, Tobias Hawthorne’s got the vibes. He’s mysterious, powerful, the king of mind games, AND the guy left billions on a whim. 💸✨

Like, who needs communication when you can send cryptic puzzles from the grave just to mess with your family? Imagine the drama at family gatherings! Imagine the angst as I dramatically try to piece together his clues, running around a mansion while looking effortlessly distressed in a silk nightgown. 💃

Now picture this:

Rich – Do I even need to explain this? Private jets, secret compartments, an underground puzzle dungeon, and a whole mansion full of hidden notes and complex riddles. Literal billionaire daddy energy. 👑

The ultimate strategist – This man could have just told his grandkids he liked them, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, he forced them into a high-stakes survival game so they’d prove their worth. Classic romantic material, I know. Just thinking about the effort he'd go through to watch me panic and try to solve his riddles – swoon. 😍

Old money vibes – Not just new money; ancient family wealth. He probably has secret knowledge from the 1800s stashed in his study, which, let’s be honest, I’d snoop through in a heartbeat. Just imagine him telling me stories by the fire, drinking scotch and making me guess his tragic backstory. The drama potential is unmatched. 🔥

Morally gray billionaire – His will was basically like, “I love my family but not as much as I love puzzles,” and honestly, I can relate. Imagine if he left cryptic notes around for me to find. I'd be delighted to dedicate my life to deciphering his posthumous love letters. Forget red flags – red flags are just challenges. 🌹

So yes, I will gladly accept all my delusional CEO-billionaire-legacy-coded fantasies and channel them into Tobias Hawthorne, thank you very much. Some might call it concerning; I call it taste. 💅

[sis-goleona]

Cat's hate water...Don't they?

Title: Cat's hate water...Don't they?

Word Count: 256

Pairing: Cat King x Mermaid! gn! reader

----------------------------------------------------------------

The king sat idly at the edge of the port Townsend shore. The Lighthouse is towering in comparison to his smaller frame. In a fruitless attempt to keep himself entertained he threw a couple of smooth pebbles into the water; Hoping that one would skip the water a few times…on the last throw the rock skipped three times before smacking against another object. “Owwww” a voice shrieked, cutting through his meaningless thoughts. The rock had hit the one person he had been waiting all this time for. A pang of guilt hit his chest, he hoped that rock didn’t hurt their pretty head too much. Their head emerged from the darkness of the sea, the surface tension of the water breaking over their hair and running down their face until the neck and shoulders were exposed to the early morning sunlight. Their skin was iridescent in the light, shimmering with every move their body made. Thomas loved to watch their body move against the waves, they lapped ever so gently against their glowing skin. 

“Back again…Thomas?” they sang, adding a little more emphasis on Thomas. Yes, this was probably the twentieth time this week he had waltzed his way down to the beach just to see them. He absolutely HATED the water, it was cold and wet…it freaked him out if he couldn’t see what was under him/around him at all times. But for them…he would stand at the water's edge and risk his paws getting a little wet. Just to get a glimpse of them.

--------------------------------------------------------

This is not up to my usual par but I hope you enjoy none the less.

Maybe tmr...if you beg, I will write something a little longer for Charles. Tehe

"mwah mwah mwah" - Tobias Forge