#{i chose true alien forms for the rest}

[themadvigilantist]

Mun v. Muse

piccrew: here and here

tagged by: @jimbo-spacehawk

tagging: whoever wants to

in order left to right: evangeline, v, mariana, the scientist, the mun, the vigilante ( @thebadtimewolf ), hae ( @drbabygirl ), penny ( @pennybraddock ), and izzy ( @egyptroyal )

[mindmelter]

New Soldier Skin

Nick found it weird that the doctor was calling him again for a check up, he had done one early that month and they normally don't do twice a month. But he had no choice in the matter, he was just a soldier.

"I'm feeling perfectly fine doctor, there's no need for another check up, also I'm out of duty tomorrow"

"Nonsense, It's very important that we keep track of the health of our soldiers, now stand on the scale over there please. We just want to make sure that you are ready to return to your family, I bet you must be really excited right?"

"Yes I am, Doctor, It's been a long time, can't wait to see my wife and kids back at home" He said getting on the scale.

The doctor's friendly expression changed drastically once Nick was standing on the scale with his back to him, now the doctor had a blank and emotionless expression. The doctor walked to his laptop on his table and pressed a key.

"My wife can't wait to see me back at home, and the kids are really...huh?" The soldier looked down at his feet confused, he could feel the scale vibrating beneath his feet, he tried to take his feet off the scale but he couldn't, his feet were stuck to the scale like a magnetic force was pulling them down "That's weird, I can't pull my feet off the scale, doctor?"

"Thank you for your service, Nick" It was all the Doctor said before pressing another key on the laptop.

"What? What is..." Before Nick could finish, he felt a strong electric shock run up from his feet and spread to the rest of his body, he could feel every cell in his body being hit by the eletrical charge. His body became rigid and he grunted for a few seconds, but then the humming of the scale stopped and he fell to the floor completely hollowed out. His hollow head on the floor with smoke coming out of his orifices.

The Doctor looked unfrazed at the lifeless bodysuit on the floor, actually, he looked even bored with the whole event.

"You can come out now, your new skin is ready" The doctor said and then the door opened and a humanoid alien entered the room. The white humanoid alien was wearing a visibly worn out and torn open human skin, it was very damaged with holes and scratches, and was also missing half the face, under the skin it displayed the alien true form, a white gelatinous goo.

"It was a shame that your last human skin was damaged in battle, you're always so careless with your skins. The General was furious." Said the Doctor.

"I know, I will be more carefull this time" The Alien said looking at the skinsuit lying on the floor, suddenly his true white form started to melt, hollowing out his current damaged skin, his gelatinous form crawled on the floor in the direction of Nick's skin and started to enter through the holes in his head, mouth, eyes, nose, ears, soon the hollow body of Nick started to inflate and gain life, Nick's flat muscles started to get bigger to their full power. The alien was filling every part of Nick with It's slimy form, filling it like a balloon.

After a few seconds he stood up in his new human body, Nick's eyes were completely white with the gelatin alien body underneath, but they quickly started to turn into normal human eyes, now identical to Nick's eyes.

"Do you have any new assignments for me Doctor?"

"No, actually this was his last week of service before his break, you're going back to his family tomorrow"

"Are you serious? It's so boring to pretend to be a husband and a dad, You know I like the action, I want to go into combat!"

"Sorry, but I'm just following orders from the General." The Doctor said grabbing the deteriorated human skin from the floor and looking at it with a disgusted expression. "This was your fourth skin only this year" The doctor then threw the human suit inside a garbage chut on the wall, then he closed it "That's why we chose Nick to be your next skin. The General thinks it's better for you to spend some time out of combat. I know It's not fun to have to pretend to be our skins, but I guess it will be good for you to relax a little, besides you don't have to act exactly like Nick, you just have to not act too much out of character"

"Is being fucked by men too out of character for this hunky skin?" The soldier asked with a devious smile, looking at the doctor with hungry eyes.

"As long as his wife doesn't find out..." The doctor said dropping his pants to the floor, exposing the jockstrap he was wearing.

They both started to make out as Nick groped and squeezed the doctor's big package. Nick dropped to his knees and lowered the Doctor's jockstrap and was in awe to what he saw.

"Wow, your skin is so freaking hung!"

"He used this thing on a lot of women, but I didin't used it in a long time"

"Fill it up, I want to see how big it when completely filled"

The doctor member started to inflate like a modelling balloon in a fraction of seconds.

Nick then started to suck it while he jerked his own hard member. A few minutes later Nick was lying on the doctor's table with his burly legs up being roughly fucked by the doctor's thick cock.

"How is my health, doctor?" Asked Nick with a grin while having his hole stretched by the doctor's big member.

"You're fine... really fine. You are free to go to your new family. Just don't forget to smile and say sentimental words when you see them, like how much you missed them"

______________________

Monthly Report:

Doctor, I'm having a blast in Nick's skin, you were right, I needed a break from all the action, I can have as much action in here with a body like this, I lost count of how many guys fucked me already. Apart acting like a gay slut in the shadows, his wife and kids don't even suspect their beloved husband and daddy is just a skin now. I guess I'm doing a good job as Nick.

End of report.

[faeriekit]

sorry I need to lose my mind for a couple paragraphs:

THIS old man is WHITEPASSING.

So, if you're wondering how the hell this dude is Whitepassing, please note that this is restricted to a single comics run rather than All Alfreds in the Known Multiverse™. Anyway, I was reading the Dark Knights of Steel vol 2 of my own accord (and against the better judgement of friends) because I apparently enjoy suffering when I got the to the "Alfred has secretly been J'onn J'onezz the whole time" schtick and my brain turned clean off.

Because. Implications.

To start, when they draw J'onn as himself as opposed to his "Alfred" disguise:

J'onn is still drawn with what look like typically "Black" features, albeit with a few Martian overtones: high cheekbones, a broad face, a flat, wide nose. His "Alfred" form is distinctly differently structured with a narrow face, sharp nose, etc etc. Couple that with a backstory explicitly referencing escaping from a war and attempted enslavement, this is a pretty strong attempt at an allegorical Black alien, even if, uh, you know. It's also Alfred. (And yes this is all ignoring that J'onn is usually portrayed as Black; I just wanted to see if his allegorical Blackness still held up in this particular comic run.)

And there's a lot to be said here about the long and storied history of having black caregivers raise privileged white children and the racism embedded therein but that's not what's happening!! As far as I've gotten (and this is as far as reading vol 2 of the dark knights of steel compendium, and only vol 2), Alfred did stay beside Bruce ever since Bruce's parents kicked the bucket, but.

No one else knew "Alfred" was a nonhuman.

Not Bruce. Not his friends (if he has any). Not his fellows in the army, nor anyone else in the entire world— because due to the inherent prejudice of the setting, everyone he knew would quite possibly turn their back on him or turn him in if his true history was revealed. The world at large was prejudiced against him and non-humans like him, and the solution was to hide or otherwise obscure both history and origin so that he could move freely without repercussions. Even Bruce in this run, the only guy "Alfred" is with at all times, is shown to be prejudiced against non-humans and explicitly hostile. Hiding is shown to be not just necessary, but the only surefire way to survive the Plot™.

So, uh. Just to make sure everyone is on the same page, do y'all know what Whitepassing is...? Ever since White people started bringing slavery to the shores of the new world in the 1600s, people were pretty quick to discover that as long as you were born light enough, people would no longer harass you for doing dangerous and scary things like wanting to own property or to stop being held captive and forced to do hard labor or wanting to keep your own kids. It was easy to do! Provided, of course, that you could 1) escape your circumstances in some manner, 2) give up every person you ever knew, including all friends, family, and references to thereof, and 3) pretend you're someone else for the rest of your life without ever breaking your own cover.

You may be thinking, wow, this sounds horrible and traumatizing! Sure does, and that's because it is! But it's a pretty well-known part of the Black community even today, because if you could pass, you had an infinitely better chance at making enough money to live. You could feed your kids. You could save up to own your own home. You could get a career that didn't physically break you down or disable you.

Passing is giving yourself as good a chance to live as anyone else could ever get, and all it costs is everyone and everything you've ever known. Of course people chose to pass. Of course people choose to pass even here and now.

And you know what? As soon as J'onn reveals his nature, someone close to the throne takes advantage of the knowledge to immediately kill him. Fucked up. It's notable that, in some way or form, J'onn J'onzz, Martian man from outer space, is always human-passing, but the sheer implications of being explicitly depicted as Whitepassing, even if only accidentally, blew my brain clean open.

Imagine passing in a world completely foreign to you. You don't know their customs. You don't know their language at first. You have to learn to adapt. You can't say your true name or show your true face, or everyone will know who you are— what you are. Eventually, you learn to let people close to the mask you've made, but you can never relax with them; you can say your wife is dead, but they cannot hear her name, or they will Know. You can tell them your child died in your arm, but you can't tell them where, or when, or why.

You raise a child to adulthood. They do not know your true form, and you pray they never will.

You tell them the name appropriate for their society, and that is what they call you.

Anyway. This old man is Whitepassing. I feel so bad for him.

(It's important to note that while this part of the storyline doesn't seem to go anywhere that wasn't plot relevant, that somehow didn't stop it from manifesting in the middle of this medieval aliens comic. Which. Wow. What a move.)

[mangle-my-mind]

hey could you explain who jack fairy is im stupid and cant figure out why hes such a big character in the fandom

Omg yes absolutely! Thanks for the ask Anon!

Jack Fairy is the fictional originator of glam rock in the VG universe. He's the one who discovers Oscar Wilde's pin (aka the gay alien sex brooch) as a child. The pin is meant to represent an "instinctive need to camp it up", or owning queerness authentically. As an adult, Jack is considered a "true original", the one who inspires the rest of the glam scene.

Jack Fairy is technically a minor character in the film in terms of screentime, but he's very important to the narrative itself. He's at the Sombrero club when Brian and Mandy meet, and where Brian steals the emerald pin from him. While Brian has a meteoric rise, partially on the strength of stealing from/being inspired by Jack, it's implied that Jack never sees that same level of fame. Later, he's living in Berlin and finds Curt there after Curt and Brian break up. The two of them make an album together a la Bowie and Iggy. At the end of the film, Jack performs at the Death of Glitter concert, closing the chapter on the scene which he originated. That's also the pivotal show where Mandy and Curt have a moment, Brian shows up and leaves, and Arthur and Curt get it on on the roof.

I can't speak on behalf of all of fandom, but some of the reasons Jack Fairy is so beloved to me are:

He's one of the most authentic characters in the film. MUCH more authentic than Brian ever is. We see Jack making art out of his pain from childhood. We recognize his constant struggle and need to express himself truly.

He doesn't get the flowers he deserves, which is typical to first movers in pretty much any art form. He's the one who paved the way for glam to flourish, and others stand on his shoulders and claim the accolades.

He falls victim to Brian's ruthless theft multiple times over. (Sorry not sorry, I'm a Brian hater). The pin, the Sombrero club, Mandy, the glitter entourage, his music (I have a headcanon that "2HB" is a Jack Fairy song that Brian covers), etc. I wrote a fic about this concept specifically if you're interested!

He basically helps Curt get over Brian. This is more of a personal headcanon, but at this point I am in too deep to think otherwise. The fact that Curt meets Jack and then they make an album and put on a concert together is an incredible story in and of itself (and as a matter of fact I wrote that too!)

I think in general, smaller characters with a lot of space for exploration are the most fun ones to latch onto in fandom. Jack's storyline has so much potential for further analysis/art/etc. But more specifically to Jack, he is someone deeply rooted in their authenticity who doesn't get to reap the rewards of being himself, compared to those who reap the rewards of putting on an elaborate image (cough cough Brian). It's a tragic arc, which is always fun to fawn over.

Todd Haynes obviously has some great things to say about Jack Fairy, and I made a post last year pulling that together:

I'd also love to tag in Number One Jack Fairy Fan @silverfactory - maybe you have anything you'd like to add?

Sorry that this is so long-winded! I got overly excited :p

[thepenultimateword]

Halloween is over but you can write monster shipping prompts anyday. Just saying

Good point. I wasn't sure if you meant monster x monster or monster x human ships, so I did both.

Monster Ship Prompt List

Satyr is the owner of a popular cozy tea shop. However, when they begin receiving mysterious threats, their world is turned upside down. More unfortunate, the detective assigned to their case is a lycanthrope something neither their human or goat instincts trust.

Human gets a nice job at an expensive shop. It's such a nice shop that the owner managed to get a golem to guard it. As Human makes small talk with the golem every day, they' become more and more drawn to them. They wish they could ask them out on a date, but they know the golem physically cannot leave their post.

The gorgon has gotten used to isolation. Even when they can hide what they are, they have to be careful not to cause any accidents. But then they meet the golem who is already stone.

A human is cursed with a monster shape and outcast from the city to the creature infested wilderness outside. They’re pretty sure they’re going to die until another monster takes them in.

A vampire aristocrat arranges their own marriage to a lower class vampire in order to escape the stifling walls of the court. The lower vampire accepts for sake of the financial benefits, but they’re stressed about how to handle their new spouse and are confused why they even chose them in the first place.

An orphaned werewolf is adopted into a vampire family as a child and spends their life set apart from the rest of the community. If they aren’t being tortured by their peers, they’re being over protected by their family, so when they meet a vampire who is as outcast as them, they can’t help but be drawn to them.

A merperson and a selkie meet on land in human form. They find a lot in common with the mutual love for the sea, but scared they’ll freak the other out they each hide their true form.

One day, a fancy goblin strolls into eleven land and shocks everyone by proposing to eleven royalty. They’re even more shocked when the elf accepts.

The giant found the human in their neighbor’s garden trap and decided to take them in as a pet rather than see them squashed. But the human is unlike any animal they’ve ever encountered, actually capable of learning giantic language! Part of them thinks they should let the human go, but they also don’t want to lose their new companion.

Alien came to earth to study humans, but they met Vampire first. Vampire is surprised to find someone so accepting of them, and Alien now think all humans drink blood and can’t stand being out in the sunlight.

[tortadecereji]

So, me and my friend @megamispe rewatched Monters vs Alians lately. My first thought? Why not make a komaeda centred au based on that lol. My computer broke, so I haven't drawn all the characters, but here's some doodles.

I'm having lots of fun with this au, so ill probably post more of it later. (Feel free to ask me about it if you'd like!)

Also, check Mega's twitter account, she gave me a lot of ideas for this au!!

The story would follow the same line as the movie, except that I added some stuff, so here's about the characters for now if you'd like to know:

Nagito Komaeda: Pretty much the same thing that happens to Susan in the movie, except... he's Komaeda...

Nagito was supposed to marry Byakuya the day a large meteor hit him. Said meteor contained a large amount of radiation that Komaeda ended up absorbing at the impact. Of course, he survived the incident due to his luck.

However, the radiation began affecting his body during the ceremony, which caused his previously light brown hair to turn white and his height to increase unbelievably huge. With that the wedding has been ruined, the guests were scared for their lives, Byakuya was grossed out by him now, and a monster containment organization has been called to capture him. The only ones who did worry about Nagito were Sonia and Gundham, but they could do nothing to stop him from being captured. Komaeda blames himself and his luck for ruining what should be the happiest day of his life and convinced himself that no matter what he tried, his chances of having the loving family he always longed for would always be taken away from him.

Byakuya Togami: He's the heir of the Togami corporation—just like in canon— and was about to marry Komaeda more for status and money than love. Nagito's family was loaded and had control over many interesting businesses for Togami, that's why he chose to marry Nagito, who was the only person left in his family. But once the radiation took over Komaeda, Byakuya gave up on the idea instantly. He did not want to deal with a giant-sized Komaeda, thinking that would ruin his image and career. It's not like Nagito has his family's assets now that he's a monster, so he's not interesting to Byakuya anymore. (Togami is a fucking asshole in this au, I'm sorry, Togami fans)

Sonia Nevermind + Gundham Tanaka: They're Nagito's best friends. Since Nagito's parents are dead, they're the ones who always help him out, including at his wedding. They were the only ones who were more for Komaeda himself after the meteor episode. Gundham even tried to stop some of the soldiers from the organization, but that was in vain, he and Sonia were pulled out of the area as well as the rest of the guests.

Eventually, when the monsters get Mukuro's permission to leave the containment base, Komeada goes directly to Gundham and Sonia's house so they know he's okay. Both Sonia and Gundham don't mind his new form, they're just happy to have their best friend back safe and sound.

Bonus: Gundham says that Nagito has reached his true form and that he knew from the start that Nagito wasn't entirely human. Komaeda shrugged it off as he knows it's just Gundham's dramatic way of speaking.

Mukuro Ikusaba: She takes the role of R. Monger.

Mukuro is a very talented soldier who got promoted to be in charge of area fifty-something(yes, the same as the movie. I'm not creative), where the monsters are being kept. She's cold looking and very straight to the point, but she also has a soft spot for the monsters she takes care of. That being said, she goes on her way to make sure they're comfortable in their new forever home, even if they can't escape to the outside world due to how humans would react.

After some months after Nagito's containment, Mukuro received the information that a huge alien robot bear had arrived on earth and proved to be a threat as it was killing innocent people and causing despair all over the place. Mukuro convinced the government to use the monsters to fight the robot since not even the armed force could, and in exchange, the monsters could finally be free.

Needless to say that Mukuro cared a lot for them, so she was very nervous about this decision as they could get hurt or even die.

Chiaki Nanami: Chiaki is a werebat. She has been in area fifty-something since she was 15. She's now 23.

Nanami has been found by the monster containment organization with one of her wings broken, so it was easier for them to capture her. It was a scary experience, she hated it there, but things improved when she met the Ultimate Hope, who she only calls Hajime(or Izuru if he's in control), they got attached very quickly as they noticed they were both very lonely and had problems socializing with the others monsters in the facility.

When she was 18, Mukuro got her promotion. Chiaki was cautious about her at first, but that soon changed as Ikusaba showed the monsters genuine care. Mukuro even gifted Chiaki a portable game console, which led to Nanami hyperfixation on games.

Nanami got interested in Nagito almost instantly, when he got into the facility, because of her curiosity. She surely hadn't planned that, but after some months, she and Hajime had developed a very strong bond with the white-haired man.

Hajime/Izuru(Ultimate Hope): The Ultimate Hope was born from a failed experiment a mad scientist performed on his son—Hajime Hinata— when the boy was 5 years old to try and stuff all talents known in the child's brain. That resulted in the creation of Izuru, however, the scientist hadn't expected Hajime's memories and soul to still be alive after the experiment. The Ultimate Hope was captured by the monster containment organization right after said experiment when they ended up killing their father in a post-trauma rage assessment.

Hajime and Izuru, despite showing different personalities, are the same person. They have the same feelings, same memories, same body... if, somehow, they were to be split apart, it'd be similar to cutting off a body member.

Hajime and Izuru intercalate who's in control of their body depending on the situation, Hajime being more in control during social and support situations, and Izuru during situations that require a bit more logic. Usually, Hajime's the one in control and izuru appears as his shadow. The same happens when Izuru takes control, but Hajime's the one being his shadow.

As previously mentioned, they take interest in Nagito and decide to approach him alongside Chiaki.

Akane Owari: She's a werewolf. Surprisingly the most difficult one to capture.

Akane has been found in a small village scaring some villagers away so she could steal their food and bring them to her younger siblings.

The monster containment organization tried to capture her more than once, but she always escaped using her inhuman speed. She also put up a fight leaving many soldiers harmed, but never killed them. She has only been captured one day when she came back to her cave and couldn't find her siblings anywhere. She lost the will to fight and let herself be captured.

She still don't know where they are, and that worries her very much, but she allowed herself to enjoy her new life since she not only got free food in the facility, but also got along pretty well with the other monsters.

King Monokuma: It is a gigantic alien robot that Junko sent to earth, in Japan to be precise, to torment the humans and bring them despair. However, King Monokuma is merely a distraction from her actual takeover plan.

She knew that the robot bear would get the world's attention, having most of the countries send resources that they believed would help take it down, as King Monokuma was believed to be a menace not only to Japan, but to the rest of the world too.

Still, even with how strong the robot was, it was defeated by the monsters strangely easily.

Junko Enoshima: Junko is an alien that destroyed her own planet. She's completely in love with despair and wants every living being to feel it.

It's always the same plan, she sends one of her Monokumas to scare the inhabitants of the planet she chose, and kills a bunch of people, only sparing a few that she thought that'd make wonderful remnants of despair and make them destroy their home planet themselves...

She'd watch the chaos and also plan more despairing things to do with the planet's inhabitants, like different types of killing games, until she gets bored and went to the next planet.

But earth is a little special for her, as it would not be the first time she'd be there. This time, she's eager to see a certain soldier again, but not only that, she wants the amount of power that had been contained within Komaeda(of course she doesn't knows that he's the one who has been hit by that meteor...yet).

Bonus thingy: Hajime/Izuru and Chiaki teach Nagito how to feel love. The trio + Mukuro and Akane become a founding family!!!

[positivelybeastly]

Would you consider Xavier partially responsible for what Hank's become?

"The man is the foremost telepathic talent on the planet. If there's anything I've done that he takes umbrage with, he knows where to find me, and he knows exactly why I did it."

Partially responsible is absolutely what I'd call it, yeah. For starters, Charles snatched Hank up at the age of 17-19, wiped his parents and girlfriend's minds of his existence, and cut them all out of his life for his safety. If he wants to claim he isn't responsible for what Hank ended up doing, he can explain why he decided he was going to supplant Edna and Norton as his sole parental figure.

Now, Hank decides to go with Xavier here, because he does want to contribute, he does want to make a change in the world, because ultimately he believes in the Professor's dream.

But.

It's a fractious relationship.

Like, this is going to have a psychological effect on a teenager. This is going to give him trust issues, this is going to make him feel uncertain and alienated and under pressure. It's also worth noting that Hank, unlike almost all of the rest of the O5 (you could argue the point with Bobby and Warren, but it's certainly true of Scott and Jean, especially in the Krakoan era) never really broke away from the Professor's politics.

He never had a moment where he was able to really walk away from the Professor, denounce him or give him what for, and you could reasonably make the case that it's because the Professor kinda traumatised him here, or at the very least, made Hank dependent on him. He's constantly seeking his validation, his approval, and it colours his teacher's pet tendencies in a very different light.

And while Hank continues to have a fruitful relationship with his actual parents over the years - honestly, he has maybe the healthiest and most loving mom and dad in the Marvel Universe - there's still a degree to which he never, quite, walks away from Xavier. Where he never quite became his own man.

Oddly enough, one of the best examples of this comes during Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men run, during the Danger arc. There's a kind of rule that you should be aware of, whenever Hank is in a comic, and it's this: if Hank McCoy is not speaking, then there is a reason that he is not speaking.

Go back and read the issues where they're first talking about the mutant cure. Scott, Emma, Kitty, Logan, they're all talking up a storm, and Hank is just dead fucking silent. No-one notices, no-one brings it up, you just get these panels of him staring out the window. Logan maybe seems to notice? But he leaves it, until Emma tells him what Hank's thinking the next day. He doesn't engage.

Emma just brought up murder, and Hank isn't even paying attention. Because he's emotionally compromised, and he doesn't care about the conversation, he is in his own head, and he does not have anything to contribute. And no-one notices. Even though Hank normally can't shut the fuck up, they just. Don't notice. But this isn't an isolated incident.

The Professor just admitted to oppressing and weaponising a new form of artificial life, a mutant, and everyone has something to say, except Hank. He just looks forlorn. He looks lost. He looks emotionally compromised, because he is dependent on the Professor, and he cannot bring himself to throw scorn upon him.

He's not wired that way. Maybe on some level he's afraid, maybe on another level he's just hurt and unable to articulate it, maybe he just wants to sort it all out in his head, but this is legitimately one of those moments where who doesn't talk is as important as who does. And you see it again during the Utopia era.

Hank is the only one who stands by Xavier's side.

Because that is the way he's wired. There's almost an argument to be made that Scott and Hank are Xavier's favourite sons - the man he chose to lead and steer his dream, and the man who he moulded most in his own image, whether he realised it or not.

The revolutionary and the assimilationist.

Two brothers who used to be so incredibly close, and then it all fell apart - and to be clear, Hank has so many reasons to start hating Scott during this era (no matter what you think of how right Scott's actions may have been, guess what, you can be making all the right tactical calls and still be a fucking monster), but I would absolutely say that the way Scott treated their 'father' is up there and in the mix.

In a more competent version of All-New X-Men, this dynamic, and the fact that 'Scott' killed the Professor, would have been more key to Hank and Scott's destroyed friendship, but instead, it's - all sort of vague, because Bendis' version of Hank is ill sketched out and emotionally inconsistent. But we do get shades of it in Hickman's New Avengers.

This is one of those things that really annoys me about especially the X-Men Reddit - is that they love to point out Hank taking part in this version of the Illuminati, running around being 'amoral super scientists' (they aren't, actually, they spend SO much time agonising over every little decision), even though it isn't even his choice, really. He got drafted, just like he did into the X-Men, and yes, he technically had a choice to leave, but he's in a place where he doesn't feel as though he truly can.

Because of the Professor.

Again.

And eventually, he does start realising just how much the Professor has hurt him, has broken him, has ruined his life, in ways.

There is so much that Hank could have been. He had so much potential, to be anything he wanted. But the Professor chose him. Plucked him from the crowd, and told him, you're going to be this.

In some ways, Hank welcomed it. In other ways, it frightened him, and I don't think it's a coincidence that he's the first X-Man to leave, both temporarily (after he gets nearly beaten to death by a mob in Uncanny X-Men #8), and permanently, when he leaves to work for the Brand Corporation. He's almost always leaving, because he doesn't want to be there. It doesn't suit him. It hurts him.

It poisons him.

And when we come to Krakoa, well . . .

There's a more interesting version of X-Force that more thoroughly investigates why Beast goes the way he does, and it would require talking about Scott and about the Professor, and of course Logan, and the fact that, through their actions, they've taught Beast several things.

That violence works.

That if people disagree with you, by all means try other methods, but change their minds if you must.

That no-one will ever give you what you want, no-one will ever free you or leave you alone, unless you make them.

But instead, it's all off-panel. Xavier just keeps covering for Beast. We don't even see them talk. Beast kills an entire country. Beast's space prison. Every awful little crime against humanity, and Charles has to know. How could he not? People keep telling him, and even if they don't, he's the premiere mutant telepathic talent on the planet.

How could he not know?

The answer is, he does.

And so.

What's the final word, Charles?

Mhm-hmm.

Maybe he's aware just how much he's responsible for this.

Maybe he's just protecting one of his favourite sons. His best pupil.

But no matter how you cut it, he IS responsible.

Just as a lot of the Quiet Council are, frankly, but let's be real here, Xavier is the leader. He is the head of state. Ultimately, it's on him.

And I do want to clarify that this isn't an attempt by me to shift blame away from Beast, because his whackadoodle bullshit garbage characterisation is still canon, as much as I despise it, and while I personally read it as a completely insane break from reality, that's not what's been put on page. He ultimately is responsible for his crimes.

But.

He did not act alone.

[simplylove101]

2024 Horror Challenge: [86/?]

↳“The solution for a claustrophobic astronaut is to give him more space.” Alien: Romulus (2024) dir. Fede Álvarez

Plot: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn & Aileen Wu

Okay, I fell asleep as usual before I could type up my reviews for the movies I chose for my Halloween marathon. I settled on three (and then it turned out I had to trade one out because the first option was quickly turning into a dud watch & I just couldn't deal with that on Halloween of all nights They gotta be at least solid. lol) and this was one of them. My co-worker had warned me beforehand that it was just okay in his opinion, which doesn't necessarily mean anything cuz sometimes his taste is basic, but I will admit I don't think he was too far-off by saying that. I think it definitely got stronger in the second half with all the action-packed sequences but it took me a little while to really get invested at all. This isn't even because of bias of the superior Alien/Aliens movies (I appreciate Prometheus for what it is as well) but it doesn't really do enough to make the characters feel real and have their own personalities beyond serving the plot, besides the sister-foster brother/android relationship between Rain & Andy. The acting with them felt like a major highlight (Priscilla/Civil War fans will recognize the talented Cailee Spaeny & David Jonsson was in the very underrated Rye Lane last year) along with Isabela Merced showing her skills as a promising scream queen (I mean that quite literally btw by giving one of the best screams in horror imo) I knew she wouldn't be but spoiler alert, she should have been a final girl. welp lol Anyway, the rest of the cast is good with what they had to work with but as I said the script only gave them so much. The effects were really good tho and I appreciate Fede was trying to make sure he stayed as true as he could to the original movie since this takes place after it. I'm one of the people split on the usage of Ian Holm's likeness since Fede has been very open about the fact that he did it for the sake of the story but then Idk if that transparency makes it any better tbh since it's still a form of AI, is it not? And the man is dead. :/ Either way, there was too much of his character anyway so that doesn't help. It did feel like it relied a little too much on typical Alien tropes but then that's the trouble with some sequels/prequels sometimes. Not every trick is gonna hit every time since it'll feel repetitive. That said, I say this as someone who hasn't seen every Alien movie so I won't pretend to speak on true mega fans' behalf. Anyway, as I said, it took a minute to get me on board, but at least the finale was strong enough to be entertaining. Still, gotta say out of the three major Fede Álvarez movies, this was probably my least fave (but then I really like both Evil Dead & Don't Breathe which I own so lol) I am curious if I would have preferred this in the theater tho, because I feel like I might have with how epic they were trying to go with it. Crazy they were gonna just dump this on Hulu as if it wouldn't make a ton of money (spoiler alert: It made a lot) So, yeah, wanted to like it more but it wasn't all bad. Which is all I went in expecting so it was fine.

[the-starry-seas]

I made a bunch of Mandos

This is a Mandalorian clan living on a forested Outer Rim planet. They were one of many clans that went underground during yet another anti-Mando purge, and decided to largely settle into the life they had, instead of rejoining the galaxy at large. They work as bounty hunters, bodyguards, mercenaries, and transport to support themselves, their ottaburas, and their increasing number of foundlings.

About ten years after they settle in, it's a massive surprise to them when a clan of clones settle on the planet nearby. They're not entirely sure what to think about that but eventually they reach out to the clones to see what they're doing there. An alliance ends up forming, to the benefit of both groups. After establishing a good working relationship, the Mandalorians gift the clones some ottaburas and teach them how to care for them.

From there, there is, shall we say, intermingling. Marriages happen, kids happen, and half of them forget that they weren't always one big dramatic mostly-happy family.

Aelia, Nautolan, mid-twenties, 5'9", she/her. She's fourth-generation Mandalorian and rather proud of it. She doesn't wear a helmet as she finds it too difficult to make it work with her head shape, and instead uses a personal force field-type shield. She's the head of security for her clan. She also prefers melee weapons to blasters. She's a tattooist and artist who knows everything there is to know about the flora and fauna of the local forests.

Azur, OC aquatic alien species, sixteen, 18'4", it/its. It was found by its clan as a baby, who chose their planet to settle on because it had deep lakes with plenty of room for it to grow. It rarely leaves the lakes near the clan's home, but is the first line of defence when a stranger shows up. Nobody expects the lake creature. As the only known one of its kind, the many identical clones fascinate it endlessly.

Coberra, half Zabrak half human, late thirties, 5'6", she/her. She inherited her mother's Nightsister potential, and when she was a child, her parents returned to Dathomir so she could be taught to harness that power. She decided to leave Dathomir shortly after her twentieth birthday to test her knowledge and fighting prowess against the rest of the galaxy. The first Mandalorian she met adopted her on sight, and she's been with Droma since.

Droma, human, sixty-eight, 5'10", he/him. He was born and raised on Concord Dawn. In his mid-twenties he started a bount-hunting team with his brother Nīkora and lifelong best friend Trace. They regularly returned to Concord Dawn until his parents died and Trace's moved to Ryloth. After that, his visits became more infrequent, until his new home became his permanent one. When the loose group of Mandos started talking about becoming a clan, they made him their leader.

Flea, human, twenty-two, 5'34", she/her. A street thief at the young age of seven, she tried to pickpocket a Mandalorian just to prove she could, and promptly got adopted when they realised what she was up to. She's hyperactive, a bit socially unaware, and simply can't be made to stop biting. She loves her new family - they're the only ones she's ever had - and takes the Resol'nare and other Mando traditions very seriously. Being called mandokarla is her primary goal in life.

Fleck, OC alien species, early twenties, 6'8", she/her. Despite all her skill in mercenary work, her true passion is flowers. It's not unusual to find her wearing a flower crown or boutonniere, or even occasionally carrying around a pot with some rare bloom that she's coaxing to grow. Her helmet is specially fitted around her horns. Its visor also has a special overlay to chart the locations of all local electrical fields, which are uniquely damaging to her species' physiology.

Hiwa, human, mid thirties, 5'6", she/her. Another Concord Dawn native, she was passing through and immediately paused her plans when she heard a familiar accent. What was originally intended as a temporary stay turned into joining the clan. Lately most of her time has been dedicated to courting that pretty little seamstress that just started working at a local dress shop.

John, anthro wolf, late forties, 6'2", he/him. He's a simple guy who likes to bite things and eat spicy foods, and honestly that makes him little different from any other Mando. As long as he keeps cleaning his fur out of the showers, everything's good. (But dude, seriously, how do you shed so much?) He's the de facto youngling guardian, as they can't get enough of his sleight of hand skills, and he's a total pushover who's always willing to learn their newest games and tricks.

Ming, human, nineteen, 5'1", she/her. She's half Chinese, has vitiligo, and trains the clan's massiffs (used for guarding, search and rescue scent work, and occasionally as extra help on bounty hunts). Due to her health impairments, her mother likes her to stay close to home, and is doing her best to not be too worried when Ming wanders off into the woods for hours to listen to the birds. She's able to mostly mitigate her thyoid disease and psoriasis symptoms with medication, but the anxiety is harder to deal with.

Nīkora, human, sixty-three, 5'9", he/him. Even at this stage in his life, it's his sworn duty to annoy the shit out of Droma whenever possible. He's also a grandfather to every kid he sees, even if they're not even vaguely related to him. He experiments in the kitchen a lot and he is fortunately much better than he was at twenty. He fishes for his own food but has never really gotten the hang of foraging. All the plants that look just like edible ones but are actually poisonous, worry him.

Paloma, human, early thirties, 5'5", she/her. She's a cheerful prank queen and fashionista who's also a gifted painter. She paints on all her jackets and colour-coordinates her outfits and hijabs. She also spends a lot of time in the garden with Fleck, as she finds it to be the most peaceful place on the planet. The butterflies there are one of her favourite things.

Rahua, OC alien species, early thirties, 5'9", she/they. Considered an ice queen by most strangers who meet her, though her clan sees a very different side of her. She's socially awkward a lot of the time but she loves them dearly, albeit clumsily at times. Her hearing and night vision are second to none, and she takes the night watch when that's needed. She also spends a lot of time at the lake with Azur and has become a very good diver. She/her to clan, they/them to outsiders.

Splendid, human, twenty-eight, 5'9", she/her. She likes bright colours and soft music, and borrowing plants from Fleck for a couple days at a time to brighten up her quarters (without having to actually keep the plant alive longterm). She's the most headstrong person in the clan. All her opinions are fiercely held and will be fiercely debated if anyone questions them. It can make her abrasive sometimes but she's pretty good at reining herself in when someone says she's going too far.

Storm, human, fifty-four, 5'8", he/him. The stars on his face are tattoos, each one representing a lost friend. He feels things deeply and is a very quiet individual by nature. He doesn't say much, but when he does, everyone listens to him. Life has taught him a lot, much of it unkind. Cruelty is familiar to him, and undesirable. Much more gentle than outsiders expect from a Mandalorian, but he doesn't regret it even when it turns out to cause problems for him.

Thiziri, human, thirty-six, 5'6", she/her. Breaking her back as a teen changed her life drastically, and it took a while for her to figure out how to move forward. The support of her clan was invaluable to her in moving forward and switching paths to become a mechanic and metal sculptor. Most large-scale repairs are carried out by people she oversees, but she manages to do a lot in her workshop. Along the way she also learned to crochet, and spends some of her downtime expanding her collection of button-eyed plushies.

Trace, Twi'lek, sixty-two, 5'8", she/her. She likes both her jobs and her cocktails to be quick and dirty. She also reads extensively, has an AO3 account that absolutely nobody is allowed to know about, and is an exceptional astronomer. Her ability to cause trobule is unparalleled but she never starts shit with the clan younglings. They're all hers as far as she's concerned, and she will cut a bitch for looking at them wrong.

Trick, ???, ???, 8'0", they/them. Their powers are vast and varied, and the rules about using them are unclear - or they just don't care to help sometimes because they find it more fun to fuck around (and not find out). When they want to help, there's no better ally, but their inconsistent willingness to use that power has resulted in everyone wanting to throttle them at some point. They're a trickster first and foremost, and enjoy messing with the things that should most be left alone. Although they aren't Mandalorian, as they haven't sworn the Creed and don't wear armour, they refer to their clan as family, and vice versa; nobody would consider getting rid of them because they are a valued member of the clan... and because it's impossible to do so. They're a semiaquatic species and spend a lot of time in the lake or the local cave system's subterranean river system.

Twig, OC alien species, twenty-six, 4'8", ze/zir. A polite young person that nobody thought would make a good Mando, until ze showed a surprising disposition toward aggressiveness when angered, and the clan decided they better teach the kid how to control that. Ze still has anger issues but has also made a lot of progress in controling zirself when necessary. (Though ze doesn't always agree with their definition of 'necessary'.)

Vanni, Zeltron, thirty-five, 5'10", she/her. There's nobody better at bullshitting or seducing her way into (or out of) trouble. While her clan has a rule that she doesn't use her pheromones on them, outsiders are fair game. Everything in life is simply entertainment to her, and there's very little that she takes seriously, apart from work. She loves freely and often, and has no time for those who try to pin her down. She's adopted three kids but has no intention of having any biologically.

Zhihao, human, thirty-eight, 5'2", she/her. When she got pregnant at nineteen, her parents disowned her, and she tried to find some way to survive on her own. The Mandalorians took her in, even though she wasn't much of a warrior at the time, and supported her in the way a family should. She stayed with them, trained with them, and swore the Creed at twenty-four. She's partially deaf and wears hearing aids. She's also Ming's mother!

[jacquelinemerritt]

Dragon Ball Z: Abridged Episode 26 Review

Originally posted December 3rd, 2015

Hashtag three act structure.

So, there’s this relatively important idea to storytelling in Western culture called the three act structure (inciting incident, rising action, climax), and you’re probably familiar with it, but you might not be familiar with the idea prevalent among writers that every good story is composed of three act structures nested within one another down to the moment.1 The idea that it’s necessary for a story to be good is, of course, bullshit (and hella Euro-centric), but it’s a useful method for constructing a story.

I bring all this up because the fight against Freeza can be relatively easily divided into a three act structure, and nested within the first act of the fight (which is centered around his transformations) is a solid three act structure, with his arrival in his first form being the inciting incident, his second and third forms serving as the rising action, and the final form giving the first act its climax.

That’s important to “Alien vs. Piccolo,” as Team Four Star chose to speed through Freeza’s second and third forms and begin the third act of the fight in this episode. We get to see Piccolo kick the second form’s ass, get his ass kicked by the third form, and Freeza move past that to the final form all in the span of nine minutes, and despite this, it never feels particularly rushed.

I suspect that that is due to the fact that on its own, this is a pretty boring second act. Freeza’s transformation signifies that he has more power and therefore presents more of a challenge to their characters, but the slow and drawn out nature of his transformations means that they very quickly become uninteresting, as they basically are serving to stall until the real fight can begin. “Alien” gives us both “stalling” transformations at once though, and so we get to end on the high note of Freeza being in his final form, presenting the true nature of his challenge to the heroes.

The other reason this works so well is that Team Four Star wisely strays away from the actual fight against Freeza for the majority of the episode, opting to show us only key moments of Piccolo’s confrontation with Freeza. The rest of the time is spent on Vegeta’s escape attempt and subsequent plan for self-immolation, and we get some fantastic interactions between him, Krillin, and Dende as a result.

At the end, when Team Four Star focuses back in on Freeza for the last time, it’s to give us the perfect reminder of how threatening he is, regardless of power level, as he mercilessly murders Dende, our one and only white mage.

Rating: 4/5

If you liked this review, please consider supporting me on Patreon.

Stray Observations

1So, according to this theory, every shot in a film would individually contain an inciting incident, rising action, and climax, while also serving in a set of shots as one of those things, and that set of shots serves as one of those things in a scene, which serves as one of those in a sequence, which serves as one of those within an act of the film, and then the acts come together to make the film.

Vegeta: “Power levels are bulls***!”

“I can see the future! Gohan is the strongest in the universe but still doesn’t do crap!”

Piccolo: “Actually that looks more like a pla-TEAU!”

Krillin Owned: 26, because he cracked his own neck.

I love that the reason Piccolo stands there while Freeza transforms is because Nail is distracting him.

Dende: “That’s right. I’m your white mage. And nobody f***s with the white mage.”

[bleuberries-and-video-games]

The fun part about that form of nihilism is that, well, it does in fact show what people's true colors are. But really it only shows what one person's true colors are, everyone else it doesn't.

If anyone you know, in any meaningful capacity, uses this as a means to justify any sort of position, what they are telling you is that they prefer to have power in a situation, whether that be the mundane power of the situation in that scenario, or total power over everybody. You do not conclude that people show their true colors in their situations so often that it becomes routine, and you have to rationalize it, or you put people in that kind of a situation for the purpose of asserting power. If you're in the former, your traumatized, get therapy, you need it.

It is not normal to believe that people show their true colors in dire circumstance, dire circumstance should not be so normal that you come up with a rationalized framework to understand it's dynamics. Dire and terrible circumstance should be rare, and such trauma shouldn't be so present that it informs a worldview. You shouldn't feel like you're constantly obligated to justify why you're so sad and so scared, and for that somebody should help you, and apologize to you in place of whom isn't apologizing to you or who is causing that to you. The world is not so cruel and should not be so cruel that you are constantly obligated to face dire circumstance. You should feel safe and secure and happy at least sometimes, to recoup, and enough to where you feel rested and secure. The fact that it is infrequent and the fact that more people have these perspectives indicates that there is a deep-seated problem that nihilism itself cannot solve and that this form of nihilism cannot solve, and is most likely the direct result of people with the latter mindset I described.

The other kind of people are the majority of the reason why the world sucks, they are the majority of the reason why things feel like you are powerless, and why such a conclusion seems rational, despite the fact that it is not rational. Capitalism, and systems like it that intersect with it, or are empowered/compounded by it, incentivizes people to think in terms of power and taking power. This is one of the manifestations of Terror that alienation causes.

If you do not feel connected to the people around you, you do not value them, if you do not value them, you rise quickly through the ranks, however possible, and ascertain power. This crystallizes into fascism as capitalism dies, and as these groups of people are obligated to stop existing or faced with the reality of relinquishing power, insert rapidly rise or assert power as quickly as possible.

Such power grabs should not be defied or glorified, we should not be fetishistic or glorifying of power, we should be horrified by it and scared to exist around it. There is no reason for it to exist, and there is no reason for it to continue existing. Power should not be utilized to conquer, it should be used to comfort.

People do not show their true colors when faced with dire circumstances, dire circumstances, and the people who orchestrate them, are the best illustrations of who values what and why.

The gun pointed at someone's head did not make them a monster simply because they chose to live when threatened with a gun, the monster is the person pointing the gun at somebody's head and obligating them to choose between two absurd and not morally Justified circumstances.

Dire circumstance do not display true colors in victims, it displays true colors in who orchestrates or benefits from them.

"people show their true colours in life threatening situations" no, they show you what they act like when they're mortally terrified, an emotion notorious for literally turning your entire brain off to the point where people who go into those situations as a profession need to be literally trained on how to not have that happen

[march-harrigan]

DK Scarecrow crush got hit with fear toxin but instead of being scared it made her … oddly affectionate. Hugs him, rubs her head on his neck and has a goofy smile.

Hey! Sorry this one took so long! I wanted to make up a hopefully fun reason that the toxin would affect the reader differently. I ultimately settled on reader being an alien. Something akin to John Carpenter's "The Thing" but... You know, friendlier.

Hope you like it!

Extraterrestrial physiology was a strange thing. Some weren't all too different from humans, or even some of Earth's other creatures. Some rested in between. Similar in some ways, but unique from Earthly lifeforms in others(Superman would make for the perfect example of this). And then there were those that were just something else entirely.

Jonathan Crane was aware of this fact, although he'd done no research into the subject himself. Despite the fact that he'd been dating one for the last year now. You, to be specific. Or maybe it was because the only alien he had access to was the one he loved. He was willing to bank on you being the 'something else' variety given your true form. An odd mass of a creature that could perfectly imitate the form of any other lifeform you chose(although for the sake of your life on Earth, you typically stuck to your human disguise). Jon wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't curious what effects his fear toxin might have on such a creature. But he never tested it. Not on you. Never on you.

But accidents were bound to happen from time to time. And whether he liked it or not, your proximity to him would eventually put you at risk.

He hadn't expected you that night when something went wrong with the bunsen burner. The flame turned up higher than it should have, and before he could put it out, the glass he had been working with overheated. Fortunately, Jon always took the proper safety measures when working in the lab. When creating a gas that attacked your psyche with your deepest fears, wearing a gas mask was just common sense. He was safe. But you weren't.

You'd been approaching from behind when the glass shattered, the overheated toxin having already evaporated into its gaseous form inside the beaker. As soon as it was unleashed, you got an unintentional whiff of the stuff, and with a loud squeak, you now stood stiff behind Jonathan. He turned, eyes wide as horror dawned at him at the realization of what had just occurred. You had inhaled his toxin, and now he was going to see its effects on your unique physiology whether he liked it or not. Not knowing what else to do, he took your hands in his and lead you a safe distance from the worktable. He couldn't undo what had been done, but he could prevent you from taking an even higher dose.

Removing his mask, he whispered your name. "Please… Say something. Tell me you're okay." Concern laced his tone as he gently took your face into both hands. For once, he was the one who was terrified. He had no idea what effect his toxin would have on you. And if it all went wrong, if it went downhill too quickly, he had no way of fixing it. No way of saving you.

And then you laughed.

Horror turned to surprise as your lips met his. A quick light kiss followed by a stunned blink from him. He repeated your name, this time like it was a question. And before he knew it, you were hugging him. Not just hugging, but embracing, tighter than you ever had before with a big, silly grin on your face. He breathed out before questioning you again. "You're… Are you okay, angel? You had me worried!"

"Oh Jonny, I've never felt better," you giggled, keeping your arms firmly laced around him. He couldn't help but feel that you were being excessively affectionate. Even for you. And when you peppered his face with several more kisses, it confirmed his suspicions. His toxin, designed to instill terror had instead left you utterly enamoured. This was a concern in and of itself, but he supposed that of all the possibilities, this was far from the worst case scenario. At the very least, you were alive and safely with him.

"Let's get you to the couch," he sighed, lifting you up. He may not have looked it, but he was at least strong enough to carry you that distance. As he walked you over, he couldn't help but chuckle as you nuzzled your head into the crook of his neck and hummed contentedly. Batting your eyelashes at him, you smiled and asked, "Will you stay and snuggle with me, Crow?"

"I suppose there's no harm in it." Setting you down on the couch, he sat next to you. If all you wanted was to cuddle, then that was fine. He'd hold your hand and let you hug and nuzzle to your heart's content, until you were relaxed enough to drift off. With luck, you'd sleep it off. If not, he was sure he could create an antidote. For your sake, he'd get you back to your still lovable, but not quite as love drunk self.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

first ever request so I'm not sure if I'm being specific enough but

could I request something with the main iswm crew and maybe Mack finding out that the planet the colonists are being transported to is actually alien!readers home planet? (with reader's kind welcoming the colonists and crew with open arms) ((if that's too many characters, you can just pick which ones you want to do))

Slerapy anon

Mark

At first he’s stunned that you were an alien this whole time. You did a very good job masquerading as a human.

But does it change his opinion of you as a captain and friend who never gave up on him? Absolutely not.

He’s so excited to meet the rest of your species! And eager for the colonists to rest on the shores of your home planet.

Prior to disembarking you sent a simple request to your people: Never, under any circumstances, are they allowed to call the human named “Mark Iplier” ugly. That word was banned.

You've heard that one too many times from other rude aliens, and your species isn't gonna make the same mistake. No sir.

When Mark finds out about the extra step you took to make him feel more welcomed, he smiles.

And he beams with such pride as one of your planet’s leaders gives him a medal..and then you a medal..and then him a medal..and then you a medal..and that one female crew member a medal.

There’s no one he adored more than you, his alien captain.

Mack (Head Engineer)

On the other hand..

"I KNEW it!! You were an alien all along!!”

Of course, why wouldn’t you know how to reroute power or other troubleshooting measures on your own ship? ‘Only an alien disguised as a human captain wouldn’t!’ He thinks. That’s why he insisted on taking over and treated you so harshly when you refused. He was paranoid.

Now that the truth’s fully out, he plots a revolt against you for “espionage”. 

Yet...nobody takes his side. They don’t really care and are just happy to reach their destination in one piece.

You lowkey get offended when Mack assumes you wanna enslave the colonists, so you explain that your people were hosting a festival to celebrate their arrival--and that the two species have been communicating long before this trip. It’s why you orchestrated this trip at all.

When he finally meets them, he remains hostile but soon sees how genuinely kind they are and realizes how wrong he was.

Then he stumbles into your cabin in tears, begging for forgiveness.

Celci

Ngl she was a bit surprised.

She thought the planet you chose was uninhabited and simply had all the suitable conditions for human life.

But the scouting crew discovered an alien civilization and that’s when you reveal your true form to her, smiling as you explain it’s your home and all of them are welcomed.

“We’re a kind species, CC. We’ve been in contact with humanity for a while about establishing a society together. I just..didn’t wanna scare you guys so I stayed quiet.”

Although a bit miffed you kept this hidden she forgives you, still proud to call you her Captain.

“You kept them all safe, and that’s what matters. I’m eager to meet your friends and family, Cap.”

Gunther

“Aliens??? Hm.....do they have high-tech explosive weaponry we can trade?”

Barely bats an eye at the big reveal that his captain’s an alien.

You find it suspicious, especially when you remember the timeline he betrayed you for that exact reason.

When you catch him alone you ask him what he genuinely thinks of you.

“I was shocked, yeah but..shit, you led us well, Captain. Probably better than any other human could’ve. As long as your kind doesn’t try to uh..probe us, it’s all good.”

Burt

You’re a bit nervous about what he’ll think, but he just smiles lightly and reiterates his little poem (from the end of part 2).

“Alien or human or..anywhere in between, you are still a child of the universe. So beautiful to behold. I look forward to the exchanging of our cultures with your species.”

And he just walks away and resumes his duties.

What a guy.

Wug (bc I love him he deserves a spot here)

"You??? Alien???? Alien like Wug????? :DD" 

He's so happy when you’re comfortable enough to reveal your true form to him.

But at the same time feels bad for assuming you were human when you first met him.

You let him come onto your transport as you arrive on the planet's surface, showing him around.

"WOAH!!!! Wug find planet pretty..but not as pretty/handsome as [y/n]!”

He’ll use his translator to talk with your species, and after seeing how benevolent they are he might coordinate a meeting with other Wugs.

[infinity2020corner]

Some personal feelings about Thomas Barrow in DA2

Warning for spoilers

Before the DA2 trailer dropped, I had been really looking forward to seeing Thomas Barrow again. It would have been a complete delight, had it not been for what I was presented with. Even prepared as I was, watching most of it was rather painful.

As we likely all know by now, Julian Fellowes chose to retcon canon yet again (e.g. Carson's health, retconning canon seems to be the rule now, more than the odd occurrence); he went ahead and erased the hopeful ending of DA1 by recycling an abandoned plotline that was spoiled 3 years ago, a plotline that in my humble opinion makes very little sense in the wake of how Richard Ellis was eventually portrayed in DA1.

(Nice. Very nice and not embarrassing and lazy at all. Moving on.)

Early in the film there is a scene between Thomas and Mrs Hughes where we learn that Richard is getting married, Thomas is visibly heartbroken, and this understandable emotional mindset is a constant shadow throughout the film. What got to me even more, though, was how Mrs Hughes acted towards Thomas. She felt nowhere near as warm an affectionate as any of the previous times she comforted him in the series; she looked, if not outright cold, rather aloof and almost disinterested, in spite of her claiming the opposite. This personality shift is so random, so obvious, that to me it seems very deliberate she was written as such.

For what reason would they do something like that? Perhaps it has to do with the sense of forced alienation which I perceived around Thomas; it is so jarring that it feels completely artificial, instead of a natural development. Among other things, personally I was in utter disbelief at witnessing Denker, of all characters, being more involved in downstairs antics than Thomas was. It felt like some sort of upside-down world, to be honest.

It is true that DA1, too, rather lacked in terms of more meaningful interactions between the downstairs characters, but it was clear the atmosphere was one of general harmony, Thomas included, and they all formed a united front in the face of the RV. Even the professional, yet relaxed attitude Thomas conveyed as a butler in DA1 was abruptly changed for no apparent reason; I recall a couple of times in DA2 where Thomas acts more like Carson would then himself, and it's so OOC it's just plain awful.

Overall, Thomas looks generally upset or sad, almost lifeless, for at least half the time he's on screen; for the rest of it, he either wears his polite servant mask or looks confused/uncomfortable, barely cracking a smile or two until the end. Most of the aforementioned issues could be attributed to the loss of his relationship with Richard, yet even that does not explain everything that feels so off in DA2.

At this point, I'm starting to believe the break-up, the deliberate isolation and all their consequences were nothing more than plot devices, aiming to ensure that few viewers would be inclined to question Thomas and the extremely rash life decisions he makes in the film; in the light of this theory, it is quite telling they felt the need to retcon multiple characters and storylines.

Then, once he gives his notice, he simply disappears, with no hint of goodbye from Phyllis and the others, and not even one tiny snippet of how he's doing after the time skip, nothing.

What a disappointment, on so many levels.

[fuckzachariah]

Ryan watched Alex with fondness; the poised, alert way in which she held herself, the tip of her chin and the fleeting nature of her gaze, all so alien to the world they lived in. Too many big personalities and bold gestures and loud, loud, loud. He was a perpetrator himself, but even he could admit the intensity was wont to grow tiresome. He had thrived in their quiet chaos the past few weeks. He had missed his best friend, he’d missed making music with his most inspiring creative partner, and he’d missed the feeling of true excitement for something unknown. And now, watching Alex's delicate hands meddle with controls she couldn’t put a name to, he realized just how much he had missed her, too. Their old lives needed to be put to rest, and he was glad they had, but there were elements he quietly yearned for. He might’ve been wise to be warier; it was clear as day Zach did not feel strictly platonic toward her. He evolved the moment she entered into any room; spine straighter, eyes keener, every nerve ending alight. But he was so much better than he used to be - didn’t he, didn’t they all, owe it to Zach to give him a chance?

Perhaps Ryan was kidding himself. Or perhaps he, too, craved a little excitement. He liked watching them flirt while pretending they weren’t flirting; it gave him a small thrill. Ale turned to him, complaining she couldn’t partake in his joke, that bastardizing a thing as beautiful as Zach’s voice wasn’t in her nature. He sang on, and Ryan adjusted the controls to bring him back to naturality, allowing the velveteen vocals to swathe the dimly lit room. He regretted how soon he knew he’d have to leave. Zach, on the other hand, threw his hands up as Alex’s voice melted over the intercom, eyes creasing with laughter as it dawned on him what Ryan had done. He held a finger up to the window, ignorant to the conversation taking place outside. Ryan picked up Alex’s delicate, small hand rather carelessly, pushing her ring finger up from the underside to inspect the oversized jewel. “Hmm,” he offered, eyes darting to Zach as he prepared to re-enter the room. He let her hand go. “If you want the long answer, text me later. If you want the short one, it’s a little weird, yeah. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s good, but then it’s like Zach remembers all over again, and he makes it weird with those ‘I want to throttle you’ vibes-”

The woody, musky scent of the lone burning candle swaddled the room in a dense energy as Zach re-entered. His anticipation to be around Alex sent gooseflesh shooting up his exposed arms, hairs standing on end when their eyes met, and his joke caught in his throat as he recognized the familiar signs of having interrupted something. He stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing as he leaned a shoulder up against the doorframe of the sound booth. “What?” he asked pointedly. Ryan beamed, shrugging. “Just making you sound beautiful out here.” He looked at Alex. “Oh, and talking shit about your completely whack vibes.” Zach found himself teetering between taking him seriously and letting it go, and inhaling deeply, he chose the latter, breaking into a toothy smile and wandering over to the couch. “I’m open to feedback,” he drawled, lackadaisical and over-confident. He landed on the cushions in a sprawl, knees spread. His gaze cut sharply to meet Alex’s. “Have at it.” Ryan’s mouth formed an upturned-U shape in surprise, eyebrows jumping. “Well, number one, why did you never experiment with growing your beard out in rehab? It was the perfect opp-”

The door swung open again, Drew permeating the space with a sharpness. Zach, occasionally relenting to familiarity with the man with time and emotional repression, found himself back at square one with the two of them in the same room: incapable of relaxing. He came forward from his lazy stance, balancing his elbows on his knees and resting his chin in his fist as Drew began to apologize to Alex. “I’m sorry, Ale, something’s come up with Angelo.” He seemed to cringe, painfully aware of his own recent absence in their relationship. Zach watched silently. With two of his biggest artists in full swing, he’d barely stepped foot in New York since the VMAs. Zach recalled, with a start, that they were planning on finding a permanent spot in LA for that very reason - perhaps that was the reason for Alex’s visit.

“I have a feeling it’s about to take up the rest of my day, I don’t even know if I'll be able to make dinner.” He collected her from her seat and began talking quietly so Zach couldn’t hear, right at the exact moment Ryan found it appropriate to run back an earlier take of a different song to drown out the sound of their conversation. Zach wasn’t sure if he was irritated by the intrusion or relieved for it. Ryan stalked across the room and leaned on the arm of the sofa. “I gotta bounce, too. Is this gonna be a whole thing?” he asked, hushed. Zach eyed him coarsely. “Meaning?” Ryan rolled his eyes and leaned in further. “Like, is it about to get complicated if you’re left alone together?” Zach held his eyes sternly for a few moments, then a conservative smile flickered across his face. “I got it.” Ryan patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t fuck up.” And Zach gave a sarcastic thumbs-up as Drew turned to say his goodbyes to them.

Alex’s gaze shifted towards the couch, her lips pressing together in a valiant effort to suppress her laughter. Zach, lounging comfortably, had claimed his spot directly atop Ryan, who retaliated by flailing his arms in protest. The resounding thud of skin meeting skin left little doubt that Ryan’s attempts were not in vain. It struck Alex as both amusing and incredulous that Andrew would leave her in the care of such characters. They seemed more like mischievous schoolboys engaged in a playful skirmish than responsible adults entrusted with her well-being. She found herself intrigued by the stark differences in their backgrounds and upbringing. Andrew, now in his late thirties, had been nurtured in the embrace of two adoring parents who had lavished upon him the world’s riches. His educational journey had been one of privilege, from his days at the prestigious Horace Mann School to the rigorous four years spent at Columbia University, earning in a bachelor’s degree in business administration. His demeanor reflected the polished refinement of his upbringing, a contrast to the carefree attitudes of Zach and Ryan. Even his idea of being laid back seemed leagues apart from their own. Their interactions were often devilish and occasionally flirtatious, a dynamic that Alex found both entertaining and perplexing. It was difficult for her to envision Andrew partaking in their spirited banter, yet he seemed unfazed by their antics. As she escorted him to the door, she blew him an air kiss, to which he feigned catching it with a playful grin, all the while engrossed in conversation on his phone.

Zach and Ryan couldn’t resist putting on a theatrical display, assuring Alex of her safety as they waved her fiancé off down the hallway. As the door sealed shut behind him, she leaned back against its nearly soundproof surface, feeling a sense of confinement in the company of the two goons. Her gaze drifted down to Zach’s flattened palm, and a faint smile tugged at her lips as she noticed the callouses, undoubtedly earned from his return to playing music once more. Her gaze flickered up at him, a single brow arching in response to his shamelessly suggestive remark. “Mm,” she murmured softly, opting not to match his forwardness with her own. Memories flooded her mind, every inch of her body bearing the imprint of his touch. Lavender-colored bruises adorned the curve of her neck and encircled her wrists, a testament to their intimate encounters. His hands had explored every contour, delving between her thighs to grant her unparalleled pleasure. Now, those hands belonged to Kylie, and she resisted the impulse to inquire whether his girlfriend would appreciate his willingness to share his talents with another woman. Alex noticed how quickly he seemed to forget about her existence whenever she was near. Ryan sauntered over to her, casually draping an arm around her shoulders as he guided her toward the mixing console. At Ryan’s direction, she settled into the plush, oversized leather chair, her gaze drifting over the array of controls and knobs before her.

With a commanding tone, Ryan instructed Zach to return to the booth, a request that Zach surprisingly obeyed without protest. As the door clicked shut behind him, Zach positioned himself in front of the microphone, launching into a rendition of a classic song from a bygone era. Ale rolled her eyes in amusement, recognizing the deliberate choice of song. Ryan leaned over her, his body arching as he guided her small hands to the array of buttons and controls. His warmth enveloped her as he spoke softly into her ear, eliciting a laugh with its familiar rasp. With gentle insistence, he directed her to manipulate Zach’s voice, pressing buttons and adjusting settings. However, as Zach’s voice grew increasingly off-key and pitchy, the dissonance caused her to grimace, her delicate nose crinkling in discomfort as she glanced over at him. Alex recoiled slightly, lifting her hands from the panel as if it had shocked her, then turning slightly in the chair to face Ryan, a plea evident in her expression. “He might be a dick, but his voice is too beautiful to sound like that,” she lamented. “I think I’d rather listen to you and Eden for an hour than another second of whatever that is.” Ryan’s eyebrows wiggled, his lips curling into a nefarious grin. Alex immediately regretted her suggestion, knowing all too well how he would respond. “That can easily be arranged,” he replied, his tone dripping with perversity. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.”

Ryan deftly adjusted the controls, resetting them to restore Zach’s natural timbre. Alex, satisfied, narrowed her eyes in search of the intercom button and pressed it, clearing her throat softly before speaking into the microphone. “You can come out now. Mission accomplished. My ears are officially bleeding,” she quipped, releasing the control to mute them once more. Ryan let out a dramatic sigh, rising to the tips of his toes and stretching his arms above his head. “We’ve only been at it for like six hours straight. No big deal,” he remarked casually. She glanced up at Ryan, wrestling with the decision of whether to broach the subject of Andrew. If anyone could assess Zach’s true feelings, it was Ryan. “And it's not weird…” she asserted, her tone more of a declaration than a question. Perhaps she hoped that by stating it with conviction, she could make it true. Ryan chuckled, his painted nails tracing along the edge of his jaw. “Oh, I see. You want to know if Zach and your shiny new fiancé are getting along?” he questioned, the word fiancé rolling off his tongue with a hint of distaste, like a piece of sour candy that just didn’t sit right. “That’s fucking weird. Fiancé,” he repeated, theatrically gesturing with his hands as he emphasized each syllable. “Ew.”

[breakonthru]

Hi! Hope you're having a good day/night!

Could I request a p!11th doctor with a reader who likes platonic affection? Like hugs and platonic handholding? (Also clinging to the arm)

Like the reader's clinging onto his arm, telling jokes and someone askes if they're dating so the doctor jokingly says yes and the reader playfully pushes him away and tells the truth?

A/N: i changed the ending to what i thought would fit elevens character more!! it’s still platonic, though, so enjoy! also im in an ancient mediterranean civilizations class and was at a loss at who eleven would want to see so ….. i chose amenhotep iii, but his son is arguably one of my favorite pharaohs !

your relationship with the doctor was… unique.

well, both of you could be described the same way- there must’ve been something in the way you made your coffee, or maybe your aloof decision-making and carefree attitude that drew him to you, now you and the doctor stuck together like glue.

but this? this, amy noticed, was weird. in all of her years traveling, dreaming- she had never once seen the doctor invite physical touch. a true marvel, really.

here he was, an alien order and wiser than what she imagined to be all of time and space (“amy, i’m not that old! i’m only 1,200.” the doctor would whine in return.) reaching his arms to wrap themselves around your shoulders, and you- amy didn’t have a word to describe you yet. you’re brave, witty (albeit sometimes sardonic) and smart. there you were receiving the hug, a wide smile resting on your lips amy had only seen before on the doctor- though he had been looking at something much more marvelous than a hug. some newborn star, maybe.

“rory.” amy whispered, dragging him into the corridors of the tardis. the doctor had always warned her not to stray too far and for too long there. “she has a way of losing companions, the old girl.” he always said. the thought of being lost always caused a shiver to fall down her spine.

“what?” rory replied, shaken by the harshness of his wife.

“do you think they’re…”

“they’re…?”

“snogging!” amy cried, as if it had been the most obvious thing in the world.

“s-“ he began, before pausing to glance over the side of the corridor into the console room. you two stand chattering idly, arm in arm. “snogging? what? no. they’re friends.”

“they’re more affectionate than we are!” she noted.

“i-“ rory opened his mouth to reply, before-

“ponds!” a new voice called from just beyond the doorway. the two peeked over, the doctor’s form bounding over snapping them out of their conspiratorial huddle.

“doctor!” amy clapped her hands nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow. “done with your partner, over there?” she asked, smirking as if she knew she’d won.

“my-“ the doctor stammered. “my what?” his (nonexistent) eyebrows flew to his hairline, mouth opening and shutting like a fish. unsurprisingly, he was at a loss for words.

“what he meant to say was,” you began, turning the corner to bump your hip against the doctors, which had quite frankly been bony enough to jab you right back. “we’re not partners. he’s not my boyfriend.” you smiled, disregarding the interlocked hands that lie in between you and your lankier friend. who cares if you held your friends hand once in awhile?

“w-“ amy begun to ask, before pausing. “whatever.” she shrugged, as of now disinterested with the topic.

“well- now that that’s done!” the doctor shouted. “who wants to see amenhotep iii and his commemorative scarabs?!”

“me!” you and amy exclaimed, leaving rory to stand alone in the now empty corridor of the tardis.

“here we go, again.” he let out an exasperated sigh, jogging to catch up with you three.