#I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it beyond the fact that it’s blorbo time

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

Finished Narcos!

#payton watches tv #payton watches: narcos #I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it beyond the fact that it’s blorbo time #I will be starting Narcos: Mexico soon probably tomorrow #gotta switch out the Star Wars men y’know? keep them in rotation #I want to climb him like a tree so bad. not that I climbed many trees in my youth but I think instinct would kick in #I would’ve finished last week had I not been so busy

[fire-lizard-ro]

Could I request Jing Yuan slowly falling in love with a baker reader who manages to win his heart through the power of delicious baked treats?

Oml thank you so much anon I can finally write a request for my beloved malewife JY. <333

Reader gender: gender neutral

It starts out on a peaceful afternoon. I imagine that no matter how busy the Arbiter-General of the Luofu is, he likes to occasionally take breaks from the Seat of Divine Foresight to take a stroll or visit places on the ship to see how things are going. Despite his fame, I like to think that people have enough respect for their dear general that when he's out on these outings, they'll allow him his privacy.

On these walks, he likes to find something to eat if the timing is right. Seeing as it's just past lunch and he's yet to eat, Jing Yuan supposed it would be good to find somewhere to grab a bite while he was out.

It's then that Jing Yuan stumbles across your bakery. Initially he merely listed it as an option in the back of his mind, filing it away as a new bakery he'd have to try out later or maybe now if none of the other places suited his fancy that day. But then as he began to pass... The smell that wafted out from the door as a smiling customer left the building convinced him to go inside. He was pleased to find that while it did have Xianzhou specialties, it also had foods from beyond the fleet's norm.

Another thing that he was pleasantly surprised with was you, the owner of the bakery. Even with the unspoken rule of allowing the general his leisure time in peace, many would at least gawp at him for a bit before poorly hiding their awe and shock at seeing him in their shop. But you merely waved at him just as you did the customer who'd entered before him. The feeling of being treated just as a normal person was... Very nice. Jing Yuan's ever present smile widened a tad as he nodded to you before going back to perusing the options behind the glass of the counters.

He decided to get a wife cake (sweetheart cake) to enjoy on his way back to his office. The exchange between you two was easy and pleasant. You did your job and nothing more. Though- it was done with a smile and in such a way that he felt quite comfortable.

When he left, he glanced at you again. You were seeing other customers, not sparing him another glance.

Taking a bite of the wife cake, he found that it was better than any he remembered having before and the flavor brought back memories of times gone by. How lovely. Perhaps he'd have to visit your bakery again.

And he certainly did. Over time, the two of you built up a rapport. You were his favorite baker, and he, your loyal customer. Something about your baking made him feel warm inside. When he asked what you did to make them taste so good, you would respond that you baked them in the hopes of each good you sold bringing just a little more joy to the lives of those who ate them. He chuckled and said that it was surprisingly believable.

At some point, he became aware of the fact that the two of you were becomming... quite close. Concerningly so.

I like to think that with the life he's lead and with the personality he has, Jing Yuan is the type of person to give his affections freely. But his trust is hard won. Sitting in the seat of an Arbiter-General, not only has he had to lead troops to victory, but he's had to manuever on the political battlefield as well. After holding his title for longer than most of his peers and having to be the one so plan behind the scenes... Always planning ten steps ahead of everyone else... It would be hard to put his trust in others. Especially when you add on what happened to his old friends. Sometimes, no matter how good he is at what he does, fate will take matters into its own hands.

So when he notices this predicament... he's a bit... afraid, honestly. Huh- The Divine Foresight himself, afraid? It was the truth. He was still mortal and still had his fears and flaws.

Even so, he had no real reason to avoid you. Especially because he thought it would be best to continue as normal so as to not alarm you. You two did have a solid friendship after all this time... As much as you could when he held you at arms length.

Yet there was still tension there. In the brush of fingers when Jing Yuan handed over his payments and when you'd give him what he'd bought. The smiles the two of you would exchange. The heartfelt words that you gave Jing Yuan even when he was trying to keep a firm distance between the two of you. It made him feel a bit guilty for keeping a wall up when you were none the wiser... And perhaps the kicker was the way his heart felt full of warmth when eating the pasteries and other snacks you'd prepared for him specifically that morning, knowing he'd be in. The simple pleasure of always knowing you'd have food he'd more than enjoy ready for him. Knowing that you made it for him. Knowing you cared enough to do so. Knowing how much care and love you put into everything he ate.

And it was a moment like that in which he realized he was already too far gone.

He had been enjoying one of his favorites of yours while sitting in your shop, having enough time that afternoon to do so. He was brought back to memories of his old friends and comrads... And this time. Warm, fond memories of you. That was... new. It was then that he heard your laughter, causing the man to look up as you patted the hand of a woman who was smiling widely at you. She had been thanking you profusely for your help in making her anniversary with her boyfriend so wonderful. They had both loved the pastries and said that it seemed to make their hearts even more filled that day.

Oh.

Oh no.

His eyes crinkled as he felt a smile stretch across his face, unbidden.

He was in love with you.

From that point on, he subtly did what he could to become even closer to you. Let down his walls and allow you in. Just you. He did things to subtly court you, as well. Little gifts here and there that show his sincerety and that he remembered the things you said to him. Sometimes this would include ingredients you needed for the bakery. Eventually, he even gifts you a hairpin (even if you don't have long hair, this is mostly for the symbolism).

It was that gift that made you realize his intentions. It was a quiet morning, even before you opened shop that he stood in the back with you, under the artificial light of the shop and in casual wear due to a day off he took for this. Quietly and softly he told you that he had a gift for you and took your hand gently in his to place the elegant hairpin. He softly closed your hand around it with the hand that had previously been holding the hairpin, your hand and said hairpin held tenderly between his two larger, calloused and scarred hands. When you looked up into his eyes, searching, you saw how they had narrowed and clinkled at the edges with his warm smile. This was not a side of him you'd ever seen before in more than the barest of glimpses.

With a slow grin that he matched when he saw it, you leaned up to wrap your arms around his neck to pull him down into a kiss.

It seemed that not only your food could warm his heart.

Thank you again for the request! Feel free to send in another one~ Especially if it's for JY I love him so so much ijogee I could talk about him for daayyyysssss.

#Roro writes #asks answered #gn reader #hsr x reader #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x gn reader #honkai star rail x gn reader #jing yuan x reader #jing yuan x gn reader #MY WIIIIIIFFFEEEEE- #he's my bbgrl my wife my EVERYTHING I LOVE HIM #a-yuan you're so cute ily-

[non-man049]

After finally getting around to watching Kill The Moon I was very much surprised, pleasantly in fact.

While the abortion metaphor is 100% a valid reading you can make of the story, I don't buy it being the true conflict and message of the episode. Knowing that apparently Peter Harness didn't intend this to be an abortion metaphor, I can let it pass as what is probably a writer's political views subconsciously leaking into the script.

Judging the story literally and not metaphorically. It's about choosing if it's right/worth to kill an innocent being to save the lives of many.

This is literally the trolley problem.

Then you remember that this episode works as a sort of prelude for Mummy On The Orient Express and the true intentions of this episode come to light.

This is a story about having no "good choices", about taking risks when you aren't sure what's going to happen.

Clara is put way more in a bad light than what most people say. Clara is left speechless and with no counter arguments to what Lundwik argues and concedes to letting earth decide. When she finally pushes the button it was clearly a sudden and irrational move.

Clara outright says she didn't know what was going to happen, that she wasn't planning to press the button. Clara didn't make this choice because of knowing what was for the best, she did it because she couldn't bear the weight of intentionally killing an innocent being. She gambled, she took a leap of faith and it paid off.

Beyond the choice itself. Another big aspect of the episode is why The Doctor put Clara in this situation.

The Doctor is lonely. Everybody knows that. But even when companions are close to him, he still feels alone because there's nobody in the universe like him.

He can relate to some, but there's always a thing or two getting in the way (for example Time Lords being dead). So he craves, he strongly craves for someone like him. When The Doctor is asked why he wants to rehabilitate Missy a big reason he gives is the fact she is the only person somewhat similar to him.

The Doctor desires someone he can relate to so badly it makes him want to redeem the person who destroyed 1/4 of the universe.

And now in an adventure with her he finds a situation in which they have to decide if they are willing to stop the birth of a living being to save the lives of many? That sounds familiar.

Just like Nine brought Rose to the future so she could also experience what it's like seeing your planet explode and be the last member of your species, Twelve put Clara in this situation so she could experience what it's like to be the one who makes the big choices.

The Doctor all the time makes decisions that affect the lives of many. Decisions that most of the time he isn't sure if they will work. He risks it all every day. It brings him a lot of pain but he feels forced to do it because he thinks no one else can. He always has to save humanity because he thinks none of them could do what he does.

This... Sadly brings out the uncomfortable truth. Which is that The Doctor does look down upon humans. Don't get me wrong, he adores them, he would give it all to be like them. But he is aware that he considers himself superior to humanity, which is a side of him he (usually) tries to keep in check.

Humanity is for The Doctor what animals are for humanity. We love animals, we admire what they can do and even envy them in some areas, but we still don't consider them as capable, as intelligent as us.

This side of The Doctor can be seen as far back as the first episode of the revival. Calling humans stupid apes, and describing them as a species on it's first baby steps. Because of it, he wants them to be better, he knows how amazing they can and will be and wants them to achieve their potential.

What I'm getting at is that he feels like he is the only one who has to make the big choices, he feels alone taking that burden. But at the same time, he likes it, he enjoys taking these decisions, and he would be more than pleased to have someone right by his side taking them as well.

This is about nurturing Clara into becoming something greater. In his eyes, this means stop being a little human and grow to be the tiniest little bit similar to him.

All of this makes me remember that one moment in The End Of Time Part 2.

The Doctor said humans look like giants, he never said they look bigger than him.

#ramblings #doctor who #nuwho #12th doctor #the twelfth doctor #clara oswald #whouffaldi #whouffle #twelveclara #kill the moon

[cummin-n-cryin]

How do yput hink yandere malleus/vil and azul reacting with a afab reader topping them? 🤔

Im sorry im such a sucker for sub character :(((

~Thank you for your request!

Put Them In Their Place

MINORS/BLANK BLOGS DO NOT INTERACT

Malleus + Vil + Azul x afab!reader

Tw: Yandere, afab reader, Nsfw, kidnapping, obsession, lemme know if I missed any!

Wordcount: 286 + 320 + 292

Side Note: I love your request thx you~♡ Sry for taking so long! This is a bit short but I hope this was okay!

~Malleus Draconia~

Malleus doesn't mind.

In fact, he is glad that you're so willing to copulate with him. He was worried that you'd never return his affections. You seemed quite stressed after he took you from Ramshackle and whisked you away to your new home with him, so it is quite the relief to see you feeling better.

Either way, he's yours just as much as you are his. So yes, you may top him.

Depending on what type of top you are he'll have varying reactions.

If you're on the softer side his heart will warm at any compliments you give to him, to be praised by someone he loves so dearly makes him beyond happy. He also enjoys a slower pace, it gives him enough time to really commit this moment to memory.

If you're on the rougher side, he'll definitely be a bit surprised but he's a powerful fae. He doesn't really worry about you hurting him too much, mostly because you can't. Though, do keep in mind he's not the biggest fan of degrading.

Whether you're wanting to ride him till the sun sets or you want to rail him with a strap-on, it should be noted that he's most definitely never been with anyone before you. All of this is very new to him.

His reaction to sex toys is very amusing though. He looks at such objects in both awe and confusion. Humans are very... Inventive?

Of course, we can't forget the fact that he has such a gorgeous pair of horns. I mean, they're just sitting right there waiting for you to reach up and grab them.

Be wary though, he may get a bit crazy if you do grab them.

~Vil Schoenheit~

You want to top him?

Vil is pleasantly surprised when you try to bed him. He's glad that you've finally learned to accept him as your romantic partner. He's clearly the best match for you so it's nice that you have finally realized that.

Well, he certainly doesn't mind but first you'll have to catch him when he's in the mood for it. Vil is typically very busy so he doesn't usually have much time to indulge in more carnal desires. But at the end of the day, after he's finished everything, he might entertain your desires.

If you're a softer top, Vil enjoys the more relaxed pace. The slow pace really helps him wind down from a long day of work. He enjoys the sensual touching and your worship of his body as well as the praise, but the praise doesn't affect him that much. He gets told how attractive and amazing he is all the time, though hearing the words come from you does make it a bit more special.

If you're more on the rougher side he'll be a little surprised but nonetheless interested. However, if you're going to be so rough, you better make sure to put your all into it. He doesn't tolerate people who are lazy.

Any form of degradation is also a bit surprising. Mostly because not many have the courage to degrade or insult him, so it's definitely a surprise to hear you say such things. The only thing he really won't like is any bruises or marks being left behind. (so make sure to ruin his pretty skin as much as you can!)

Whether you're rough or soft as a top, Vil doesn't mind. He's very adaptable and he will thoroughly enjoy teaching you all the ways on how to please him while also making sure you don't hurt yourself. He doesn't need you hurting yourself or damaging your beautiful body.

~Azul Ashengrotto~

Of course, Azul is more than willing to let you top him.

Azul will do just about anything he can to keep you with him. Lie, cheat, steal, kill, you name it, he's probably done it. All to keep you forever trapped with him.

The fact that you're willing to have sex with him makes him both extremely happy but also very worried. He's afraid that once you look at his nude body you'll change your mind or perhaps you'll think his abilities in bed are lackluster in comparison to others. (If you've been with other people before him...)

Whether you're a soft or rough top he'll have different reactions.

If you're on the softer side, Azul will almost cry at any praise you give him. You mean so much to him and hearing your praise makes him feel like your relationship with him is almost normal. It makes it seem like you actually love him back.

If you're more on the rougher side, Azul will try his best to please you. Degrade him, bruise him, do whatever you want! He deserves it after taking away the life you had with those contacts of his.

At the end of the day he'll still worship you, even as tears stream down his face. He's so obsessed with you, so if doing this for you makes you happy then so be it.

Whether you are more soft or rough as a top, Azul will try his best to please you either way. He's just so desperate to keep you with him, so desperate to be good enough for you.

If the only way you'll love him is in bed then then he'll make sure he's the only one who can satisfy your every desire.

#yandere twst x reader #yandere twst #yandere twisted wonderland #malleus draconia #vil schoenheit #azul ashengrotto #tw yandere #tw afab

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Sky Full of Stars - Chapter Two.

Ahhh, fuck it. Why not another chapter to get the ball rolling? You guys are so good to me with your lovely comments, so in turn, you get more story!

Previous chapters - One

Tag list - In the comments

Words - 4,312

Warnings - 18+ content throughout. Minors DNI!

“Hey Jade, I’ll give you some privacy,” Marv, their driver spoke with his usual wide smile upon seeing her climb onto the bus with a guy he recognised but couldn’t immediately place why. “Need to go find me some food anyway.”  

“Alright, Marv. The food truck has just about everything tonight. No more bad burgers!” she chuckled, moving through the narrow gangway. The bus wasn’t what he’d expected it would look like, a small lounge area at the front, two rows of sleeping bunks towards the centre, a tiny kitchen area and even smaller bathroom (complete with an amusing handwritten sign that advised if anyone took a crap, their head got flushed along with it) and finally, another lounge area right at the back.  

The seating section surrounded a small table, the space perhaps the least claustrophobic on the bus. It certainly looked a lot larger on the outside than it did within. How she coped being cooped up in it while travelling, he didn’t know.  

“Do you want a drink? I’ve got wine somewhere, do you like Merlot?” she asked, beginning to root around in the overhead cupboards. “No, it’s in the kitchenette. Hang on.” 

“Yeah, that’d be great, thanks.” Sitting down, he had mere moments to take stock of what an interesting day it had been so far. It had started out not so great, jammed against a barrier with a crush of a permanently apoplectic mosh pit behind him, the early evening bringing with it something much more comfortable and sedate. He was joined again quickly by the woman who only continued to captivate him further with every passing moment, passing him a solo cup half filled with red wine. 

“Sorry for the uncouth receptacle. We don’t keep breakables on the bus beyond coffee mugs, save things getting smashed to hell,” she explained, taking a seat. “So, tell me more about you. You’ve fascinated me so far. I want to know what lurks beneath the extremely attractive exterior.”  

Yes, she certainly was very naturally charming, Adrien feeling his stomach flutter pleasantly. She hadn’t asked him about his acting, or which industry people he knew, what he’d be working on next, oh no. Him. She wanted to know about him. It made for a refreshing change, although eventually she did inquire into his profession, one she was slowly making waves in herself. Lamentably, although she’d been in quite a high number of projects over the past eight years, he hadn’t actually seen her in anything. Or so he thought.  

“I mean, it was only a small, independent movie, but I’m really proud of it, playing an icon like Janis. She was such a huge influence,” she spoke, watching his eyes widen. 

“Shit, I have seen you in something. I saw you in that! Sorry, it’s just, you look very different to how you did playing her, obviously.”  

“What did you think?” she asked, sipping her wine. “No need to flatter me either. Be honest.” 

“Honestly?” He paused a moment, scratching his chin and pulling his cigarettes out, lighting up and knocking the pack across the table to her, Jade sliding the ashtray closer. “I think you did the best with what you had to work with. You played a very convincing Janis Joplin from what I know of her, but the direction of it wasn’t great. They could have done a lot more. From what I remember, you really put your heart into it, green to playing a lead role as you were - and that did show – but your performance what made it.”  

His words surprised her. Not because he hadn’t enjoyed the direction of the biopic, but the fact he’d been completely honest with her. “Thank you. See, so many people have been phony about it, blown smoke right up my ass, but what you said was exactly how I felt. I put my all into it, although I ultimately felt like I was only as good as what I was given. They skipped over so much of her life that would have made it even more interesting, only to go for the sensationalist element. Bloody pissed me right off.” 

He loved the way her speech was a mishmash of Britishisms and Americanisms, a slight New York lilt coming through on every sixth or so word.  

“You’ll learn the further you get into it, be more selective over what you give your time to.” She asked him if he minded giving her a little more advice there, Adrien only happy to, liking very much how completely unpretentious she was.  

In her world, she was a big deal, huge, in fact, but in acting she was still a relatively small fish in an extremely large pond. As for Jade, she considered herself extremely lucky, getting to listen to the wisdom a man who since winning an Oscar seven years before had only gone from strength to strength. 

“I know it comes with the job, speaking to press, but I always feel somewhat antsy about it,” he began a time later, as they spoke of the pitfalls of their respective careers, chewing the corner of his lip. “It isn’t even an editing thing; your words just tend to get filtered through the gaze of so many other people and it ends up as a rendition of you rather than the definitive portrait. And preconceived notions can be tough to shake.”  

Oh, the affinity. His words definitely struck a chord. “This is why I’m very interview shy. I’m too much of a juxtapose, and people don’t know how to take me. Yes, I’m quite quiet and introverted to a degree, but also, when it comes to my work, I don’t take any shit, and I will call people out on it. This leads to me being labelled as difficult, all because I tire of the same bullshit questions that my male counterparts don’t get asked, for example.  

“So, I set certain terms, dictate which are allowed and unallowed questions, and that apparently makes me an obstreperous bitch. Journalists go in there and instead of focusing on what I actually say when they meet me, they’ve already made up their minds. Then the filtering you speak of happens, and it gets even fucking worse.” She paused then, tightening her mouth a little. “Just say if I talk too much. I tend to jabber on when I feel comfortable with somebody.”  

He reached for her, sweeping the apple of her cheek with his thumb. “You’re fine. I like hearing your thoughts.” In turn, she liked sharing them, too. There was something about him she felt inexplicably drawn to, like she could trust him with anything, and not receive a drop of judgement; just a very good ear.  

“So, why Seventh Gate?” he asked a while later, watching as she played with the flame on a candle she’d brought in to illuminate the space the darker it got. She detested false light as much as he did. “Is it from the urban legend?” 

“Yes!” she enthused, utterly delighted at his accuracy. Surprisingly, not many people guessed right away. So the aforementioned legend stated, if anybody passed through all seven specific gates dotted around in a woodland area within Hellam Township in Pennsylvania, they descended directly to hell.  

“A few buddies and I went and did the trail one time, drove down there with the location details of all the gates, but completely chickened out of crossing all of them. It was dumb, because it’s a complete myth, but nope, we were way too pussy to do it,” he laughed, watching as she giggled with mirth. 

“We shot a music video there, got wasted drunk and ended up running through all of them. We did the last one bare assed naked, me with Jen on my back while chugging a bottle of vodka and screaming ‘take me Satan!’ at two in the morning, with the entire production crew crying laughing.” 

“You’re fucking insane,” he laughed, that laughter loudening considerably as he pictured it. 

“Yeah, we’re a little mental when the mood takes us.” 

He could well believe it. “I sense there’s a lot more you could reveal that’d probably make my hair stand on end.” 

Hmmm. To divulge her years as an absolute hellion to the nice guy sitting adjacent to her, or keep quiet? “C’mon, spill.”  

Well, he asked for it.  

“We got arrested for inciting a riot outside Tower Records in downtown Oklahoma, about five years ago. Huge police presence, fans jumping on cars, us thriving in the middle of it with our security team going crazy. It was fun. We got let out shortly after thanks to the negotiation skills of our manager, played the show that night, and then caused about ten grand’s worth of damage at the club the afterparty was held in. 

“Still though, through all of that madness, I think I was just playing a part, getting the hedonism out of the way. I found fame so early, signed at seventeen, an album recorded in the same year and thrown out onto one tour after another for sixteen months without a real break. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I still like to party, but not to those kinds of extremes.”  

“Not so wild any longer, huh?” 

Oh, the grin that spread across her perfect, pillowy pout. It made him twitch quite sharply in a place he wasn’t sure he should quite so soon after meeting her. “Only in two places. On stage and in bed.” 

He arched an eyebrow, eyes sweeping her a few times. “Being a tease again, hmm?”  

“Depends.” The look she fixed him with amped his pulse instantly, Adrien not able to remember the last time he’d had such efficiently potent sexual magic cast upon him. 

“On?” 

Taking a big gulp of her wine, she licked a drop from her lip, staring into the blazing green of his eyes. “Whether if I came over there and straddled your lap, you’d let me kiss you or not.”  

He had to admire her nerve. She had way more game than he did. His eyes fell to his thighs, then back at her with a smirk. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”  

She moved the three feet separating them slowly, her glide all feline, much more cheetah than tame house cat, her eyes glinting like blue shards through the dim light. Moving carefully astride him, it burned slow like napalm, her hands resting to his chest, stroking down as he clasped her narrow waist, their foreheads touching.  

“Mmm, wow, Mr. B,” she purred, her heart thundering through an inferno within her chest. “Aren’t you absolutely divine close up?” Her lips had caught his before he could even think of replying, their kiss deepening to a slow dance of tongues within a second. It was lazy, yet scorching, their hands roaming one another as the burn gained heat.  

A soft moan echoed her throat, her hands moving to rake her nails down the dark stubbly beard flecking his cheeks and neck, the sound darting right to his cock. His entire being hummed with it, the desire to slowly peel off her clothes, but he wouldn’t be that guy. He never had been, and oh, how his body hated him for it, feeling her pressed right up against him, aching in his gut to take it further.  

“Oh wow,” she murmured, her mouth moving to his neck to lay delicate little kisses, swirls of her tongue tasting his flesh, the salt of sweat mixed with whatever cologne he wore faintly lingering there against his gorgeous skin. “The way you kiss gives me serious cunt flutters.”  

He snorted, laughing softly at her so alluringly delivered crudeness. “Yeah?”  

“Mmhmm.” That little hum preceded her mouth landing upon his again, and god, how she could have ripped all of his clothes off and ridden him to the edges of heaven right there and then, she was so torridly aroused by the man beneath her. She wouldn’t, though. Gone were the days of quick sex with a hot guy simply to sate her desire. With him, she knew she wanted more. “Okay, if I don’t control myself now I never will, but please know you make that very difficult.”  

He shook his head, arms tightening around her. “Sorry. I’m not about to let you go.” More kisses followed, a little calmer, gentler passions exchanged, the contented murmurs he made causing her heart to skip happily. At thirty-one years old, it had been a long, long time since a man had made her feel like she was a young woman in first flushes of becoming utterly besotted with somebody, and even though she was more than used to it, it pained her that she’d have to let him go in a few hours. 

That feeling? It was entirely mutual.  

Eventually, they settled to resting beside one another, two sets of long legs propped up on the table, Jade lying with her head against his chest as they talked, and talked, and talked.  

“So, why’s it complicated?” 

“Well, I suppose it isn’t really, but some would see it that way. We’re just a mixed bunch of nomads,” she began, before launching into the story of how she came to be. “So, my mum is the daughter of Italian immigrants. My grandmother was originally from Staten Island, brought there as a baby in arms after her parents moved from Sicily, but then relocated to the UK when my great-grandfather got work over in London for way more pay. They used their entire savings to take the ship voyage over and lived penniless in the Walthamstow slums until his wages came in. 

“She grew up poor, but eventually prospered, met another son of Italians and married him, had my mum, but their marriage ended when she was eleven, so my grandmother moved her back to Staten Island for a fresh start. She wanted to be with a man who actually had time for her away from his career. My grandfather worked his way up from washing dishes to head chef, eventually restauranteur, and he always put work before his family, so my gran bailed and went back home. 

“Then after four years, very sadly and quickly, she learned she had breast cancer and passed away, so my mum and uncles crossed the ocean again to return to London and live with my grandfather and his new wife. Are you keeping up so far?” 

“I am,” he confirmed, making a side-to-side motion with his hand. “There’s a lot of back and forth between Staten Island and London, but I’m with you. Carry on.” 

“See what I mean, though? Nomads! So then, mum starts dating this guy at eighteen and unexpectedly falls pregnant. She had no idea what to do, of course coming from a very devout Catholic background she felt guilty as hell over the idea of abortion, but knowing she’d only be nineteen when she gave birth was scary, too. To make it scarier, the guy she was with told her he wasn’t ready to become a father and vanished into thin air, leaving my poor mum alone with an impossible decision to make. 

“Well, that was until she met my dad. They fell in love very quickly, and he told her it didn’t matter that she was carrying another man’s baby, he wanted to stand by her and raise me as his own. He always says, “We are not bonded by biology, but god sent you to me as my baby. You are my first born, always.” His name is on my birth certificate, and he adopted me right away. I mean, it’s obvious I’m not his biologically because he’s black, but he’s the only dad I know. You might have seen him earlier, actually. He was the guy who looks a little like Morgan Freeman who was probably looking at me with a mixture of mild despair and a lot of pride. He’s out here for work currently, so swung by to watch us.” 

“Why despair?” he laughed, trying to remember if he’d seen such a man in the chaos of that afternoon. 

“He says I’m entirely too noisy with a microphone in my hand.” 

His mouth twitched into a lopsided grin, kissing the top of her head. “He’s got that right.” 

“How are your eardrums now?” she asked, looking up at him with a grin that had him in soft fits. 

“Better,” he confirmed, tightening his arm around her. “Continue.” 

“Right, so yeah, dad is originally from Harlem, but he got a scholarship place at a university in London based on his academic excellence. And believe me, my dad is so, so smart. He’s a cardiothoracic surgeon. So, years later, after he’d fully qualified as a doctor and done five years of residency, he was offered a job at New York Presbyterian, we moved back to Harlem, lived in an apartment for a while and then they bought a beautiful brownstone that they still live in to this day.” 

“Why did he choose London?” he asked, curious when there were so many amazing colleges in the US. 

“He said he wanted to see a little more of the world before he locked himself into being a surgeon, so applied further afield. When he was still studying, him and my mum used to save all their cash and take little backpacking holidays in Europe when I was a baby. There’s a great picture he keeps in his wallet, holding me at the top of the Eifel Tower when I was one, screaming my lungs out!” 

Something she had made a very good career out of, he thought. “Do they just have you, or have you any siblings?” 

“A brother and a sister four years younger than me, twins, too. Rachel and Marco, named after my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother. I got named after my mum’s favourite gemstone. She’s really into Oriental artefacts, it’s what she studied at uni around looking after me, Asian art. She works as a curator now at the Guggenheim, specialising in antiquities from Asia.” She then paused, looking up at him sheepishly. “I’m talking too much. Again.” 

“Shut up,” he scolded softly, “I could listen to you tell me about your life for days.” 

That made her smile, always thinking she went on entirely too much when she spoke of her life and loves. “Tell me more about yours. About your parents and siblings,” she requested, idly stroking his abs through the dark fabric of his t shirt. 

“No siblings, mom said I was too much trouble to think about having more,” he joked, smiling at he thought about her. “She’s a painter and photographer, and my dad is a professor, he lectures in social science at NYU. He likes to paint, too, it’s what bonded them. He met her at an art class they were both taking while they were at university, and he said he has never, ever seen paint used in the haphazard way my mother creates her art. That’s what first attracted him to her, seeing this woman with her hair all pinned up with paint brushes, paint smudges all over her face, staring at her canvas with the kind of focus that made her look constipated, apparently. 

“When I was a baby, she used to put my hands and feet in these huge tubs of paint and let me crawl around on giant canvases, and I’d thrive, covering myself in as many colours as I could, rolling around and making a huge mess. My grandmother used to shake her head, baffled at it all, but my mom was just like, “He’s expressing himself, I’m starting him early!” I love to paint for hours, days even when I’m not working. My overall creative drive definitely comes from them. Well, her mostly. The Lois Brody method.”  

Her head shot up, eyes rounding. “Your mum is Lois Brody? Oh my god, she’s a legend! I love her photographs!” she cried, Adrien smiling with pride. 

“Yeah, she’s amazingly talented. Has this way of capturing something completely minute that others wouldn’t notice and making it the focal point of the entire photograph. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s incredible at seeing what others miss,” he revealed, still smiling widely. He was very proud of his mother, and it showed.  

“I had no idea you were her son, but then I don’t know who anybody is. It’s actually embarrassing, how it sails over my head, or how I get people confused. I met Katy Perry and thought she was Zooey Deschanel recently. I told her I recognised her from the TV show Weeds, and she’s just like, ‘eh?’ at me. I’m such a twat,” she confessed, hiding her face behind her hand as he laughed.  

“Don’t feel bad, I’m not clued up on pop culture either,” he reassured her, Jade suddenly snorting. 

“That isn’t even my worst one. Jen and I went on holiday to Nepal a few years back, and I saw a guy dressed in orange riding a bike and thought he was the Dalai Lama! The tour guide was in hysterics.”  

As was Adrien, laughing so hard, he had tears in his eyes. “His holiness on a bicycle. That’s amazing!” 

“He might like to cycle! You don’t know that he doesn’t!” she cried in a cutely comic voice, her laughter escalating as she sat up, the gorgeous man who embraced her unable to stop himself from completely falling apart.  

“Stop it,” he hissed, one arm still around her, the other hugging his stomach, which was starting to hurt. “You’re so damned funny, oh my god.” He composed himself for all of three seconds before falling to pieces again, Jade softly slapping his chest. “I can’t breathe!” 

“It isn’t that funny,” she protested, laughing now purely at him continuing to crack up. 

“Yes, it is!”  

He wouldn't forget that in a hurry, or the night he was sharing with her either, looking at his watch and becoming painfully aware he likely didn’t have long left with her as ten o’clock loomed, asking the question he’d been putting off for the last few hours. “How long do I have you for, then?”  

“Until midnight. Then I turn back into a pumpkin.”  

He raised an eyebrow. “What?” 

“You know, like Cinderella.” 

Oh, god. He couldn’t handle so much laughter. “Cinderella doesn’t turn into a pumpkin, her coach does!” 

Cringing, she hid her face, shaking with laughter. “Oh, yeah that’s right.”  

“You’re incredible,” he laughed, holding her close again. “I don’t know how the hell I’m gonna let you go in two hours, you know. This idea doesn’t sit well.”  

“No,” she sighed wistfully, stroking his chest, placing a kiss against his collar bone. “Not with me either. God knows when I’ll get to see you again, because I really want to. I’m locked into touring until December, though.”  

“Yeah, I have two weeks off as of today and then I’m going to Hawaii to shoot Predators. I’ll be there for a month for all the outdoor filming, then back for a month and a half in LA to finish the rest, then I have three weeks of press stuff booked more or less solidly until mid-December.” 

“Boo hiss,” she pouted, hand moving to stroke his face, hating that it would likely be around three months until she got to spend time with the lovely man whose arms she lay in again. “It’s what we signed up for with our careers, but it doesn’t stop it from being disappointing when things like this happen. When you meet someone you really find a connection to, and then can’t spend any further time with them.” 

He looked sad, kissing her head, the cogs in his brain beginning to turn as he entered a few moments of contemplation. “What if I didn’t have to leave you just yet?” Met by a face of curiosity, he continued. “How do you feel about tour bus stowaways coming along on tour with you for a week, should said prospective stowaway be able to make that happen?” 

Her eyes lit up, pushing herself to sit straighter. “Really? You could do that?”  

“Maybe. Gimme ten minutes to go and check.” Kissing her, he stood up, lighting a cigarette and pulling his phone out, heading back down to the front of the bus to make a phone call, the night air cooler than the heat of the day he’d felt himself baking under. While he made a call to his manager, Jade sat and fiddled with her jewellery, nervously awaiting his return. What if he couldn’t? But, oh. The joy if he could.  

She could scarcely believe it, that the man actually wanted to blow off his commitments in order to spend a week on a bus with her while she and her band travelled around California to continue to west coast dates of their tour. Seven days with him, although of course it wouldn’t be all of the time, having her own interviews to be present for along the way, visits to radio stations as well, a webcast she was also taking part in too around their live performances. Some of the time would be better than nothing at all, though. 

When he walked back in, her heart catapulted into her mouth, his face expressionless before slowly, he began to beam. “Looks like you have me for another week.” 

He was deafened for the second time that day, this time by the pitch of the excited shriek she let out, scrambling from her seat and bouncing up into his arms, raining kisses all over his face as he laughed softly, holding her tight.  

Seven days. Seven days that would change everything for them both.  

#adrien brody fanfiction #adrien brody #adrien brody smut #adrien brody x ofc #adrien brody fanfic #adrien brody fic #sky full of stars #adrien and jade

[scribz-ag24]

do you have any favorite fanfics involving grovyle, dusknoir, & celebi, either shipping or platonic? 🥺

In fact, I have some! Perhaps if I hadn't found them I'd be a bit more sane now, alas... So the next three are all from the same author and are my favourites from PMD (although I havent looked for Grovyle/Celebi or Dusknoir/Celebi alone, idk if someone has some recommendations for those). Still, tho, here is what I've read.

One more adventure https://archiveofourown.org/works/48325621

Platonic future trio (tho the author has stated that they can see the shipping happening lol). I like this one especially bc of the Celebi appreciation, she's the POV and has added lore abour her crucial role in keeping the dark future stable and helping to fix it. Also great dusknoir and grovyle characterization, but that's a given with this author.

The next three are actaeon (Dusknoir/Grovyle), so Celebi barely appears or has relevance. It's a shame, but they're still some of my fav fics.

Stars that shine https://archiveofourown.org/works/33070633

ABSOLUTE FAV. IVE REREAD IT LIKE 20 TIMES. ONE OF THE MOMENTS TOWARDS THE END LIVES IN MY HEAD RENT FREE. Btw you can ignore the tags, its not as grim as it sounds lol. No spoilers but this fic is the fic ever. Also Dusknoir is so in love in this one it hurts lmao. I sketched some fanart for this fic i need to clean it and post it.......this fic deserves it.....

Together we'll be heroes https://archiveofourown.org/works/37172176/chapters/92737780

This one is also actaeon, but theres also focus on Hero/Partner. It's a retelling of EoS through snippets of Hero, Partner, Grovyle and Dusknoir's PoV, and is really well narrated. While i was put off at first by the idea of a retelling of the game, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining the story and characters are! ts unfinished, and unfortunately ends before the story progresses much beyond the plot of the game, however the part of the story that is set in post game is precious. and it also has my favourite thing ever, that is, future trio not knowing what the hell to do with their lives now that theyre not dead.

It's not unfounded https://archiveofourown.org/works/28630209

This one is not from the same author, but it's also short and sweet, and it even inspired one of my posta about future trio (the one with grovyle's "tail" wagging xd). Maybe it can get a bit too "fanfic-y" at times, but I still enjoyed it a lot. Its basically actaeon hurt/comfort and discussing what their future is gonna be now the the world is back on track and on its way to healing.

So yeah those are the ones I've read and enjoyed lmao. If you've looked for pmd fics before you might have already read them, since there arent a lot of fics and these are all well tagged and all.

#scribz answer asks in 30 words or less challenge #oh well now yall can see what goes on my brain 😔😔😔 #ask #okay can you tell that i had the dusknoir/grovyle brainrot and celebi came afterwards #i think ive compensated it tho lmao #BUT FOR REAL STARS THAT SHINE IS SO PERFECT IT HITS ME EVERY TIME AND THERES STH ABOUR DUSKNOIR FEELING PUPPY LOVE THAT IS SO MESSED UP BUT #ALSO SO SO SO GRAHHHH #so yeah i liked it #also 'together we'll be heroes' is also so fun and the dusknoir and grovyle moments are peak #theres one part after grovyle's capture in crystal lake where dusknoir goes 'you know. if the people of treasure town knew the truth they #would side with me' #and thats the kind of bs dusknoir would do like yesss bullshit your way through a conversation with your greatest enemyyyy

[jamiebamberdaily]

TV Times Interview - Issue 12 [18-24 March 2023]

Tap/click ‘Keep Reading’ to view the transcript.

Jamie Bamber is no stranger to crime dramas, having played detectives in gritty ITV1 series Law & Order: UK, Marcella and DI Ray. But for his current role in BBC1’s sun-dappled whodunnit show Beyond Paradise, the actor is enjoying a rather different beat as dashing vineyard owner Archie Hughes, who is far more interested in sampling fine wines that solving complex cases! As the Death In Paradise spin-off continues this week, Archie and his business partner - and ex-fiancée! - Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton) welcome a food critic into their cafe, hoping it could boost the fledging enterprise’s fortunes. All the while, it’s clear that Archie is harbouring feelings for his former flame, who is now happily engaged to DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall). Here, in an exclusive interview, Jamie, 49, tells TV Times why he’s relishing causing a stir in the (fictional) Devon town of Shipton Abbott...

The fourth episode feels like a turning point for Archie and Martha’s business, but he seems very distracted by his feelings for her, doesn’t he?

Yes, Archie is someone who’s living with regret. Martha is the one that got away, and it has taken him a fair few years to realise that that was the opportunity of his life. He’s a very successful guy with a lot of options; he’s been privileged from birth and he’s made the most of that. But I think the one thing he feels he maybe didn’t appreciate when he had it was Martha. And lo and behold, there she is!

When Archie originally offered to invest in Martha’s new cafe, was he genuinely trying to help or was there an ulterior motive?

A lot of times in life, we’re not entirely clear what our motivations are for different things that we do - they don't necessarily have to be one thing or the other. I think Archie enjoys the fact that she’s come back to Shipton Abbot, and he likes her and is attracted to her, he he likes Humphrey, too. When he met Humphrey, he was pleasantly surprised! Archie wants to be part of Martha’s new life, but whether he's planning to somehow come between the two of them, I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as that.

Are you worried about how viewers might react if Archie does cause probelms for much-loved couple Martha and Humphrey?

Obviously, the character is treading a fine line, but I am very secure in the knowledge that Beyond Paradise is an extremely well-put-together, accomplished piece of television writing. It’s still a ‘will they, won’t they?’ story in some regards, and Archie is a part of that dynamic. It depends on who you side with as to who you root for!

We hear there’s a big storyline for Archie in next week’s penultimate episode. Can you share any teasers with us?

It’s really fun! Like most of these multi-arc TV formats, each episode stands alone but there are various intrigues that last the series, so the nearer you get to the end, the more there is at stake. Episode five is great, because Archie is involved in the case of the week - and he is a suspect...’

Intriguing! Did you enjoy working with the other cast members on the series?

Yes, it was an absolute pleasure. And Sally and I got on very well from the first moment we met, which is important. Barbara Flynn [who plays Martha’s mum, Anne Lloyd] is a legend - she’s cheeky and has a glint in her eye that’s great fun to bounce off! It’s the same with Sally and Kris, too. They’re all accomplished comedic actors, and that was a real boon for me.

The show was filmed on location in Devon and Cornwall. Were you able to fit in any sightseeing?

Yes, I fell in love with Looe, in Cornwall, in particular,which is the main stand-in for Shipton Abbot; I thought it was beguiling in every way. My wife [Bad Girls star Kerry Norton] happened to e shooting a thing on the north coast of Cornwall, so she came down to Looe and we were able to do some walks along the coast and go out for meals. I played quite a bit of golf, too, because I was put up in the lovely [village of] St Merryn, which has some great courses!

Talking of filming in beautiful places... Would you like to see Archie pop up in Caribbean-set sister series Death In Paradise for a crossover one day?

That would be fantastic! I’m not overly familiar with Death In Paradise, having lived abroad for the bulk of it’s run, but I’ve seen enough to know that it’s a global success, and it’s super-fun to be part of its little baby sister show here. I couldn’t be prouder to be involved, and if that involvement continued in any way, I would be delighted for a crossover. And on a ‘Jamie and family’ level, a trip to Guadeloupe [Where Death in Paradise is filmed] would be great!

Last year, you played DCI Martyn Hunter in police procedural DI Ray, and before that Sam Wright in ITV1’s 2021 drama Innocent - both characters who seemed lovely but were later found to be harbouring dark secrets. Do you like taking on roles that shock viewers?

I really enjoyed both of those shows, and, yes, I spotted the same pattern - and it goes back even further to Marcella [Jamie played DI Tim Williamson in the first two seasons of the drama, from 2016 to 2018]. There’s clearly a thing going on with me and telly! I don’t know how much of that is move systemic in terms of casting and tropes, but any time you get to play ambiguity and wrong-foot an audience is always fun! But I’m not going to give anything away about where Archie ends up...

What are your next projects?

I’ve got two things that haven’t come out yet. One is Netflix thriller Who Is Erin Carter?, which I’m really excited about, and the other is Cannes Confidential, a kind of screwball cop show in the mould of [1970s action comedy] The Persuaders! That’s coming out on Acorn TV, and on French TV. It’s English-language, but we’re currently dubbing it into French, so that’s what I’m doing most weekends - getting on a train to Paris and putting my performance from English into French. I’m a pretty fluent French speaker, but it’s still a real challenge!

#Jamie Bamber #Beyond Paradise #Interview #Interview Updates #Magazine #TV Times #TV Times Magazine

[livelaughwhump]

Hi! I just started reading ur series and I’m absolutely hooked! If you haven’t already could you possibly make something like Elliot going to the movies before and after his kidnapping? (Also sorry if this isn’t how it’s done I made this acc awhile ago forgot about it and just started using is again)

Masterlist

Of course! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!😊

-

Pre-captivity

Elliot was practically beaming when he stepped out of the car. It wasn't often that the team got to do something out of the house, especially not since Christian was kicked out, and Elliot was ecstatic. Even if all they were doing was going to see a movie, which is usually what they'd do at home anyway, it was still exciting not to be cooped up in their tiny safehouse for once.

Lyra stepped out after Elliot and the rest of the team quickly followed. Lyra chuckled. "You seem particularly eager."

"Yeah, we haven't left the safehouse in weeks, except to go on missions," Elliot pointed out. "Why wouldn't I be excited?"

"Do you even know what movie we're seeing?" Landon playfully asked as the team began their short trek to the theater.

"No, and I don't really care. Getting out of the house is all I care about. Do you know what movie we're seeing, Landon?"

Landon smirked and nudged Elliot with his elbow. Elliot strained to look up at Landon. He was so much larger than anyone else on the team, and it was hard to look at him without getting blinded by the sun. Elliot had to squint to try to see his face.

Landon laughed. "What's wrong, little guy? Having trouble seeing from down there?"

Elliot playfully slapped Landon and laughed along with him.

Lyra smiled as they watched the two joke around with each other. They were beyond relieved that Elliot and Landon got along, especially after how things had ended either the team's previous gunslinger. They'd been worried that Elliot would be too afraid of Landon, especially after seeing how large and imposing he was. So, they were pleasantly surprised that the two had so quickly become friends.

Karine walked alongside Lyra and said, "I feel like we should separate those two once we get into the theater. Otherwise, they'll be talking through the whole movie."

"They're not kids, Karine," Lyra said. "I'm sure they know how to behave in a theater."

Karine chuckled. "I don't know, Lye. You haven't known Landon as long as I have. That man doesn't have a mature bone in his body."

"I heard that!" Landon shouted from ahead.

Lyra and Karine giggled. Yvonne and Broderick brought up the rear, laughing at the conversations their teammates were having. The two had grown close over the years, closer than their other teammates. In fact, one could argue that the only stronger bond than theirs was that of Elliot and Lyra.

Once inside the theater, Lyra opted to sit next to Elliot and Karine beside them, so as to separate Landon and Elliot. Landon groaned and pouted like a toddler as he plopped into his seat, with Karine and Broderick on either side of him.

Elliot was practically bouncing in his seat. He loved hanging out with all of his teammates, especially now that he actually felt comfortable around them.

Lyra placed a hand in Elliot's bouncing leg and said, "Relax, sunshine." They giggled.

Elliot smacked their hand away. "I can't help it! When was the last time we all went out to do something together?"

Lyra grinned and shrugged. "Probably the last time you went outside." They lightly pinched his cheek. "How long has it been since you got any sun? You're starting to look white." They laughed.

Elliot pushed their hand away again. "Ugh, how dare you," he joked.

As the lights in the theater began to dim, so did the voices of everone present. Elliot quieted and stared up at the large screen in front of him. He couldn't remember the name of the movie they were seeing, nor what it was supposed to be about, but he didn't care. His reason for being there had nothing to do with what they were seeing.

* * *

Post-captivity

Elliot was terrified. The day was overcast and rainy, and there was supposed to be a storm later. Elliot was practically shaking as he stepped out of the car. All of his friends were waiting for him patiently and Lyra held out a hand for him to hold.

"It'll be all right, sunshine. We're just seeing a movie," Lyra tried to reassure him as they gently guided him out of the car.

Elliot squinted. It was a lot brighter outside than he had remembered, and his friends were all staring at him. Elliot squeaked and shrunk beneath their gazes. Why were they looking at him like that? Were they scared he was going to embarrass them? Were they planning to humiliate him the minute they were in public? Were they angry that he was with them in the first place? Elliot couldn't tell.

"Sunshine?" Lyra said, leaning down so they could look him in the eye. "It's gonna be okay. I promise. I know you're probably nervous about being out in public, but we're all here to protect you. Everything is going to be fine."

Elliot held tightly onto their hand and hid behind them as the group began to walk to the theater. He felt pathetic and exposed. It was hard enough spending time around his team members. He didn't think he could stand to be in a room full of hundreds of strangers. He didn't want to be there, but his other option was to stay at the safehouse by himself. Lyra had offered to stay back with him, but he felt too guilty.

"L-Lyra?" Elliot's small voice said.

Lyra looked down at him with a soft smile on their face. "Yeah, sunshine?"

"Wh-What do I d-do if-if I get s-scared and-and start having a b-breakdown? I'll embarrass the t-team."

Lyra's smile faded. "Elliot, if you get too scared or overwhelmed or upset, we will leave. Okay? I'm not going to put you through that, and I promise, you would not embarrass us."

Elliot's lower lip started wobbling. "B-But then everyone will be m-mad at me for m-making them l-leave."

"No one would be mad at you, sunshine. I promise."

Elliot wanted to believe them, but he just couldn't bring himself to.

Stepping into the dark theater did little to quell Elliot's anxiety. Since his captivity, Elliot couldn't handle darkness well. Even though it wasn't pitch black, it was still too dark for his liking.

He scanned the rows of people as the team looked for their seats. He wondered if Master or any of Master's friends were there. The thought sent a chill scurrying down his spine and he couldn't help the frightened noise that escaped his throat.

Lyra looked down at the terrified boy clinging to her hand. "You okay, sunshine?"

Elliot didn't answer. His breathing grew ragged and his heart was pounding in his chest. What if Master's friends recognized him? What would they do? What would happen to him?

Lyra looked over to their fellow teammates in order to say, "I'm going to take Elliot outside."

Karine looked concerned. "Is everything all right?"

Lyra didn't know what to say. "I'm not sure. He's freaking out. We'll be back in a bit. Save our seats." Lyra gently tugged on Elliot's hand and guided him out of the theater and into the bright hallway. They led him to a bench and gently sat him down. He was still panicking. "It's okay, sunshine. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."

Elliot couldn't hear them. His mind was overcome by potential worst-case scenarios. He couldn't breathe, he could hardly think. Tears were streaming down his face.

Lyra gave both of his hands a reassuring squeeze. "Sunshine, I need you to follow my breathing, okay? In for four seconds, hold for seven, out for eight. Just do what I do."

Elliot watched them through the distorted lens of his tears, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. He tried to focus on the feeling of their soft hands grasping his and the chilly theater air. He tried to focus on the smell of popcorn and the sounds of footsteps all around him. It took a few minutes, but it helped to ground him enough to hear what Lyra was saying.

"Just take a deep breath, Elliot. You're gonna be fine. Remember how we deal with panic attacks. Deep breaths."

Elliot did as he was told until he started to calm down. His tears subsided and his trembling slowed, but the anxiety in his chest didn't leave.

Lyra smiled at him. "Are you with me, sunshine?"

Elliot suddenly felt humiliated. He peered past Lyra's head and found a small crowd of people standing there, watching him with concern and sympathy. Elliot's face turned bright red.

Lyra brushed her thumb across his cheek to wipe away his tears. "Elliot? You okay?"

Elliot nodded, but he couldn't bring himself to speak; not after the huge emotional scene he made.

"Would you like something to drink? I can grab you a water really quick." Elliot shook his head. "Then, are you okay to go back into the theater? Or we can just go home. It's up to you. Whatever you're comfortable with."

Elliot didn't answer. Instead, he just sniffled and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Lyra shook their head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, sunshine. I had a feeling something like this might happen, and I won't leave your side. Would you like to go back in?" Elliot shook his head. "Would you like to go home?" Elliot nodded. "Okay, that's okay." Lyra tucked a strand of hair behind Elliot's ear. "I'll just go get the keys from Karine, and the others can order a ride home. Don't worry, I'll be right back."

Elliot nodded as Lyra stood up to go fetch the car keys from Karine. The crowd of people had dispersed, but a few passersby still looked at Elliot in concern and confusion. Elliot tried to ignore them, but it was as if their stares were burning holes into him. He felt so exposed and vulnerable.

Lyra wasn't gone for long, but Elliot was shaking again by the time they got back. They rested a hand on his shoulder and said, "Are you okay?" Elliot nodded. "I got the keys. Are you ready to go?" He nodded again and stood up from the bench.

Elliot held Lyra's hand throughout the whole walk to the car. He was quiet and stared at the ground the whole way. He didn't speak until they were both in the car.

Elliot stared at his lap. "I'm sorry, L-Lyra. I-I should've tried h-harder."

Lyra shook her head as she began to drive. "You didn't do anything wrong. You did your best, but it was just too much, right?" He nodded. "There's nothing wrong with that, sunshine. Just means you and I will have more time to ourselves." They giggled, but Elliot didn't return the sound, nor did it seem like they expected him to.

Elliot breathed a heavy sigh in order to expel the last of his anxiety, but the guilt still remained.

-

Sorry this took so long! I really hope you enjoyed this though! I'm so happy you guys seem to be enjoying the before and after drabbles! They're really interesting to write, and I always end up having a lot of fun with them, even if they do end up taking longer than other drabbles.

If anyone else has any drabble requests, suggestions, or questions for me or my characters, please feel free to send them to me!

Taglist:

@l-antre-des-merveilles @pigeonwhumps @nicolepascaline @burningkittypoet @whumpinggrounds @suffering-and-misery @make-them-scream @honeycollectswhump @rabass @whumpdreamz @clairelsonao3 @rosewriteswhump @cepheusgalaxy @pinkraindropsfell @mj-or-say10 @considerablecolors @whatamidoingherehelpme

If anyone wants to be added to or removed from the taglist, please let me know!😊

Or if you only want to be tagged in main chapters

#ask #worthless ask #whump blog #whump #whumpee #whump writing #writing #whump community #whumpblr #caretaker #request #drabble request #drabble #whump drabble #non canon drabble #original story #original characters #original writing #Elliot Córdova #Lyra Beckett #Worthless #livelaughwhump

[heckinconfusedparade]

Hey, a while ago, I asked about the sonics reaction to dad sonic(boom, modern and x) and said I'd like a follow-up with the Amy's and tails of these sonics too eventually and I'll be honest out of all of the Amy's while boom would be the most calm I'd also think she'd be the first to faint with dad sonic and boom tails freaking out a little about it the others I'm not sure.

I remember that!!

I’m trying to stay away from shipping as much as I can on my page. Not that I don’t ship anyone, or don’t like it, but I want everyone to be able to enjoy my content without being bombarded with a ship they don’t really like.

That being said, from now on, if I do happen to outright mention a ship, or heavily reference one in a post, I will put a warning like the one below in RED writing.

WARNING WARNING ALERT- SONAMY MENTIONS AHEAD ALERT-

Modern

Amy feels pleasantly surprised. The thought of marrying Sonic is a wonderful dream, and she’s stoked but also sad to see another her living that dream. She herself personally, she still very much loves Sonic, but she’s accepted that the chances of anything romantic happening between them is slim. Tails being their son in another universe is what shocks her. She doesn’t see Tails as her son, and she’s was under the impression that Sonic probably doesn’t want kids in his future. Amy doesn’t mind the other universe tho! As long as Tails is happy, safe, and has someone taking care of him, she’s happy.

Tails has some thoughts. First off, he’s shocked that somewhere somehow Amy actually managed to put a ring on Sonic. He’s not even completely sure himself about his Sonic’s romantic feelings for anyone, or if he even has any romantic feelings for anyone, because he never talks about it. He’s happy for them, though! He’s also happy that he can tease his Sonic about it later. Hearing that Sonic and Amy are his parents in that universe doesn’t get any reaction from him other than a “huh.” Amy isn’t really a mother figure to him, he sees her more as a big sister. Sonic being his dad actually makes sense to him! Even if he doesn’t see Sonic as a fatherly figure, Sonic did raise him. In fact, Sonic is Tails’ entire family unit. So this is cool! Ultimately he’s grateful that Sonic and Amy took him in in that universe.

Boom:

Amy’s calm. Collected. Ok, Sonic is her husband, and Tails is her son. Ok. Yea that’s great! Super! Then she goes home and freaks out cause HOLY SHIT SHE AND SONIC ARE MARRIED SOMEWHERE AND HAVE A WHOLE CHILD. Sure she and Sonic go out together sometimes, but MAN. AND THE DAD SONIC HAS MET HER SONIC AND TOLD HIM THAT HE AND HIS AMY ARE SPOUSES AND OOH SHIT OH FUCK- she’s happy. And Tails? Her son? Yknow what, sometimes she does see him like a son. She’s the mom friend, it’s only natural.

Tails laughs. Sonic actually did it. Granted, not his Sonic, but THE FUCKER ACTUALLY DID IT! He’s gonna bother his Sonic about this for sure. Sonic and Amy being his parents is actually something he thinks about quite often. They take care of him, sooooo mama y papa!

X

Amy’s soul has left her body and has ascended beyond this mortal realm. Fucking FINALLY!!! She is so excited she could explode. The others, especially Sonic, are giving Dad!Sonic a look of “what have you done?” Dad!Sonic realizes his fault when Amy practically throws herself on her Sonic, hugging him, kissing him, all while he’s not looking very thrilled about it, and while he isn’t saying anything, he’s still uncomfortable and trying to move away. Amy proposes to him on the spot and he’s like “marriage?? No way!” And now she’s sad. She didn’t even hear the part about Tails being her son, but if she did, she’d think it’s weird.

Tails is concerned. He asks this new Sonic if he’s ok, and is perplexed when he insists he is. Tails isn’t a fan of how Amy treats Sonic here, so the thought of them actually getting married somewhere and having a healthy fulfilling relationship is so foreign and weird to him. Hearing that other him got adopted by Sonic and Amy gets a nervous chuckle out of him. They’re just his friends! Sonic is a brother at most.

#dadnic #dad!sonic #sonic the hedgehog #miles tails prower #amy rose #sonic x #sonic boom

[violettduchess]

Hello! Well I'm here just because I wanted to share my unpopular (i think?) opinion on Gilbert's route, or better, character. I think I'm one of the few people who actually liked his canon personality, and yes, i acknowledge the fact that he has many red flags, he's abusive and a bit a lot like a yandere... But it's because of these same reasons that i like him. Surprisingly, all my fav characters have at least one red flag, yes abusive relationships are my guilty pleasure. So you could say that i was pleasantly surprised when Gilbert did what he did....if you know you know. Of course i know that people like him are toxic and dangerous and should be kept away in real life, but since this is fiction I don't care about that.

What i find interesting though is the fact that most people had too high standards for him?? I guess?? I mean, he is the main villain of this story, and i kinda knew from the beginning that he would be the worst among the suitors, i was sure about that. So it's interesting how much people idealized him? Idk, it's just strange for me.

I know that most people don't have my tastes, fortunately, and that probably they found Gilbert's actions if not disturbing, at least cringe or whatever. I personally didn't find any of it disturbing or repulsive etc, i was actually ready for more toxicity but he came out better than I thought he would ahah. Anyway, that's all, just so you know I'm not here to fight, i just wanted to share my opinion because i thought it would be nice to see the perspective of someone who actually liked his canon personality. Sorry for my English, it's not my mother tongue, and have a nice day!

I appreciate you taking the time to speak your mind and offer an alternative to those readers who have trouble with elements of his route.

There are clearly plenty of Gilbert fans who agree with you, who have no issue with his possessiveness, his way of treating Emma, his manipulation. And that's ok! I wouldn't begrudge anyone their right to enjoy something I don't.

I am still struggling, personally, with facets of his personality and behavior that go far beyond things I imagined or have written about. But that's my issue to deal with and I've only openly talked about it because I saw others going "Wait a second..... what?" and wanted them to know that they weren't alone in their uncertainty.

#gilbert von obsidian

[ridiasfangirlings]

munashiro post-rok. Every year for Adolf's birthday, Reisi goes above and beyond in terms of gifts, planning a birthday party and just generally making sure Adolf has the best day ever. This year, Adolf decides to return the favour by planning a whole day for Reisi. It doesnt go exactly as Adolf planned but he include lots of things that he knows Reisi likes and tries hard to make the day amazing. Reisi doesnt care that it doesnt go perfectly, he just revel in how much he love Adolf.

Shiro finally understands why Munakata enjoys party planning so much. I can definitely see Munakata as the type to plan elaborate parties for his significant other, he wants their birthday to be a day full of enjoyment. Shiro is pleasantly surprised by this, because he probably didn’t celebrate his birthday much at all for a long time and now suddenly he has Munakata taking him on a whole whirlwind day of fun and science in order to celebrate. As their relationship gets more serious imagine Shiro deciding maybe he should reciprocate, like Munakata already enjoys these parties so much and wouldn’t he enjoy it more if I took him somewhere just for him. Imagine him reaching out to Awashima and Fushimi to ask what kinds of things they think Munakata would enjoy, which sends Fushimi on an annoyed rant about Munakata doing puzzles instead of work and trying to hire Douhan just to watch her go in and out of walls for a couple hours.

On the day of Munakata’s birthday imagine Shiro then invites him to a secret location, telling him this is a date but it’s going to be a surprise. He has Fushimi drop off a blindfolded Munakata who is very excited to visit the Puzzle Emporium, a place he can locate even blindfolded. Shiro’s a little crestfallen that his surprise didn’t quite work but then again this is Munakata and what did he expect. They spend an hour or two letting Munakata pick out some puzzles while regaling Shiro with various fascinating puzzle facts, Munakata even ends up ordering a custom puzzle with Shiro’s sleeping face (Shiro is just like ‘…okay maybe my boyfriend is a little creepy’).

After that Shiro has another surprise and they go to the amusement park, which is having a special ninja show. It turns out to be mostly acrobatics and Shiro is worried that Munakata might be disappointed, the flier made it sound more interesting and daring. That’s when the show requests a member for an audience participation part and Munakata is randomly chosen (he’s not a King anymore but he still has the luck after all).  Munakata gets to grapple up the side of a building and throw a real ninja star and he is just giddy like a school kid. Maybe they even give him a throwing star as a souvenir and Munakata is so excited, Shiro laughs because it turns out this was a good birthday idea after all. Munakata says indeed, it’s everything he could have asked for — not just the events and the gifts, but because he was able to enjoy these things with Shiro beside him.

#Munashiro #Talking K #Munakata will enjoy any fun experience #that's the good part about Munakata even if it goes wrong he will still be amused #Shiro realizes that he did make a good plan after all

[sunnybiscuit]

Reading “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”

So I decided to bite the bullet and start reading more classic literature. I can securely lay the blame for this on Defunctland revealing to me how influential Jules Verne’s work was in the Disney parks and beyond (I’m still pissed about what they did to EuroDisney’s Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon and I’ve never even BEEN to Europe) and thought, “Hey, maybe something so universally influential, which has spurred the creation of many things I take interest in, could be something I plainly enjoy as well.”

So I went and found the book on gutenberg.org and started reading. Mind, this began on my lunch break at work today, so I haven’t had much time to read it today; as of writing this, I am in the middle of Chapter 10, where we are formally introduced to Captain Nemo himself. (Another spur towards reading this and more of Verne’s work was the age-old discussion of Nemo’s character, as he has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation given the mystery surrounding his true origins. I wanted to see what the fuss was about.)

I was pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly Verne’s prose reads - or at least, its translation read easily. It is thankfully lacking in the flowery descriptions I had dreaded. Intrigue is found immediately in setting the stage, as the sailing world is in an uproar over what appears to be some kind of strange, gigantic creature. No one can get a good enough look at it, with size estimates ranging between two hundred feet to three miles in length. More distressing is its apparent speed, as it seems to begin near Australia, winds its way around Africa and up through the Atlantic, and finally in the middle of the Pacific. This would have been fine if it hadn’t started brushing up against ships and started sinking them. (Given I know it to be the Nautilus from the outset, I am inclined to wonder if these were the result of malice or just bad driving.)  This leads people to two conclusions:  either this is a monster, or it’s being piloted by one.

In the middle of all this, a French biologist named Pierre Aronnax has just arrived in New York City, coming off what I think was an archaeological dig with armfuls of samples ready to go back to the French museum. Being a scientist with any authority on undersea life, having written more than a paper on the subject, he is of course asked to comment on it.

He says it’s a narwhal.

Granted, he is working under the assumption that narwhals usually reach 60 feet in length, which...no, they do not. From there, he simply posits that it’s a specimen of exceptional deep sea gigantism.  One, part of this is bullshit because that’s not how narwhals work. Two, part of this is bullshit because he’s mostly saying it’s a creature because affirming it to be some kind of submarine would suggest some military agency was creating a powerful new submarine without anyone noticing (and no mere gentleman of exceptional wealth could possibly do such a thing). Three, part of this is bullshit because he doesn’t actually want to give out an opinion on the subject and would rather just go home to France.

But as luck would have it, some Americans (because Verne would usually depict Americans in this way) had assembled a fine whaling ship to go after this beast and asked the professor to accompany them, on the grounds that his theory could be correct. And for some reason, Professor Aronnax agrees, and he and his manservant Conceil get on the Abraham Lincoln a mere hour before it departs for the Pacific.

And for the next several months, nothing happens, but the professor does meet a Canadian harpooner named Ned Land, which is exciting to him because at the time, Canada was still mostly Montreal, and that meant he spoke French. There’s no one the French like more than other people who speak French (and there’s no one more proud of being French than French Canadians).

And then in November, everything goes wrong. They find the beast, and then learn the fact that this thing GLOWS AND IS APPARENTLY ELECTRICAL. For the next several days, they pursue their narwhal, but in the chaos, the professor is knocked overboard, Conceil jumping in after him. They later swim across Ned, who helps them up onto this strange floating island made of metal...which starts moving.

Just as it starts sinking back down, they cause enough of a racket to bring the ship to a halt and have someone poke their head out the door...before yelping and promptly closing it again before sending out some beefy guards to bring them in.

They’re fed some unidentifiable-but-delicious food and approached by two figures who only speak to one another in an unknown language. The three survivors try to relay their story, first in French, then English, German, and then Latin, to no response. The two leave and the three are left to sleep it off.

Much later, in walks the Captain himself, who does not introduce himself...at first. He gives them a choice:  to stay and be free from the prison of society on the Nautilus, or to learn how long it takes a human body to tire out from swimming in the middle of the Pacific. Despite heavy protests from Ned, Aronnax agrees for the lot of them, and the Captain gives his name:  Nemo.

Well...that’s not really his name. All he says on the matter is, “To you, I am Captain Nemo.” “Nemo” means “Nobody” in Latin, which is the first hint as to our captain’s philosophy and the first question we are prompted with.

Who is Captain Nemo?

#20000 leagues under the sea #reading #steampunk #jules verne #i read the book #twenty thousand leagues under the sea #captain nemo #french canada

[beefmastersblog]

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

I typically am not someone who enjoys any kind of fighting anime or the cyberpunk genre. In fact, until this piece, I had no idea that cyberpunk was a genre. But I have heard of this piece before this class, but never had any interest in watching it. In fact, I was pretty disappointed when it was selected as our class choice. But I was pleasantly surprised by this anime, I actually ended up watching the whole thing (because I am sick and have nothing else to do) and I ended up enjoying it.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a story about a society that is so messed up that it fails basically everyone in it: everything is heavily dictated by money, you cannot trust anyone, and the only way to escape it is to go to another celestial body (which also requires money). It follows David Martinez, a street boy who attends a preppy school but doesn't fit in, and his adventures after he acquires a military grade piece of cyberwear.

One theme that I want to touch on that is very noticeable within the first few episodes is the idea of money, and a society so overrun by it, that it no longer cares about it's citizens. David's mother slaves away at her job to make sure that he is able to attend the best school possible, because she fears that if he doesn't, he is just going to end up like her, not having enough money to run their washing machine. However, we see that he doesn't fit in at this school, and he is an outsider because he is poor and doesn't have the same posh, stuck up attitude as all of the other kids. This comes in on a later theme. But, the whole slaving away to pay for his schooling is sad enough, but when they get into the car accident, as he is crying for help for them, the medical team walks up, scans them, sees that they are not a member of their specific insurance plan, and then leaves them there to die. And when a rinky-dink hospital takes them in and his mother ends up dying, instead of condolences, David, now an orphan, is bombarded with funeral packages, listing the different costs of funeral services. I think this is a sad commentary on the prioritization that money has in our world today.

Another major thing I wanted to talk about was David being constantly outcasted by his peers. I think that the constant bullying and the fact that he was treated as lesser than, really developed his personality into one that fights hard to be not just equal but "built different". I think that his body did have an unusual ability to support the cyber wear, but he went way too far beyond his limits, even after his friends told him it was too much, and after watching Maine die because of it. But I think that ties into this idea of knowing and acknowledging your own limits. The same thing could have been said for Maine. If either of them were simply willing to recognize when they reached their capacity, and either removed the cyber wear or stopped using it like their friends advised them to, then they could have likely remained alive. I think that having the ability to recognize your own limits and weaknesses is actually a very important strength, and it was very sad to see David losing it in his last moments.

Those were the two main things that I wanted to talk about, but I also thought the idea of going to the moon to escape how horrible reality on Earth is, is very reminiscent of another anime we watched in this class (a place further than the universe). I thought it was very interesting as well, because we see that the cyberpunk universe is also completely dictated by money, with those having money being the people in power and those without always getting the short end of the stick. Lucy's dream reminded me a lot of that idea of emancipation from capitalism.

But yeah, I liked this anime. I will admit, I enjoyed the first 4 episodes significantly more than I enjoyed the last 6, only because it started to feel a little too basic for my tastes, and I enjoyed the deeper storyline of the first few episodes of this show. It actually reminded me a lot of Dorohedoro, another anime on Netflix, but I will admit, I thought that one was executed better from start to finish. But I thought the characters were pretty cool and I really enjoyed the piece overall. It was a very interesting watch and although by no means would I rate it a masterpiece, it was pretty good and I'm glad I have finally watched it so I can engage in the exchange of cultural capital with it now.

[rocksrntpeople]

Rewatching Iron Man

I hadn’t read or seen much comic book stuff when I was invited to watch Iron Man with my friends at the movie theater back in 2008. I’d seen and enjoyed the DC cartoons as a kid and of course I knew of Iron Man, but I didn’t know anything about him except that he looked like a rubber chicken version of Dr. Doom.

All this to say, Iron Man launched me into the world of comic books and superheroes. I was hooked from then on and I still love comics today. This movie quite literally changed my life, even if the change wasn’t as profound as most life changes.

Obviously, I’m biased.

But then something genuinely surprising happened.

Somewhere along the line I’ve forgotten how to put down my critical analysis of media and not only was I pleasantly surprised at the great writing still hitting the mark, but I was able to notice the superb cinematography, something I’d missed through no less than 3 rewatches. I mean, of course there’s the surface-level awesomeness like the entire opening sequence with its fluid transitions or the perfectly tense scene where Pepper is collecting data from Obadiah’s files, but even beyond this facade lies near perfection.

That moment when the missile lands next to Tony in the desert, the camera does a short, quick zoom with a zshooom sound and it’s just so reminiscent of comics and the idea of being hyper-aware in a high-stress moment.

When Obadiah has Tony paralyzed and is giving his evil monologue, everything is perfect. The angled shot, the lighting, RDJ’s violet veins, Bridge’s cartoon-villain dress and demeanor. It all comes together in this scene and despite the minimal camera work, the room seems to be spinning as the monologue goes on.

These are still pretty surface level things, but throughout the film there’s just a masterful execution of every element — lighting, costume & makeup, camera angles — just everything is absolutely seamless for 99% of the movie. It’s kind of insane to think about a blockbuster superhero movie being so technically well-executed!

One thing in particular that caught my attention and stayed pretty true throughout the movie is the fact that this movie doesn’t follow Tony Stark. In almost every scene with Tony, the camera is following another character. This does two things: it lets the audience know things that Tony doesn’t, which helps build tension, yadda, yadda; and it makes a distinction between Tony Stark and Iron Man. Because when Tony Stark is in his suit, then the camera begins to follow him. Even the final shot of the movie plays to this, finally — finally — focusing on Tony Stark and Tony Stark alone, as he declares he is Iron Man.

Fucking chef’s kiss. Are you kidding me?! This movie was so fucking good; that’s why it’s one of my favorite MCU movies of all time, despite being the first. (We don’t talk about Hulk in this household.)

Robert Downey Jr. is the perfect Tony Stark. I found it a bit funny that at times the makeup crew tries to harken Downey back to his teen acting days with the extremely glossy eyelashes, but other than that it holds up overall and I would even go as far as to say that we probably haven’t had a stand alone superhero movie that was as good as Iron Man since Iron Man. 

It’s just so damn unique; I can see exactly how it gripped the world with its melding of humor and action and reality and just everything we were all feeling at that moment, without shoving it down our throats that this is what we needed. Like, god, can’t one of these rich guys turn good instead of evil for once? Can’t someone get fed up and save us already? Are we finally getting a superhero movie as good as what’s on WB Kids??

And then Iron Man swoops in, dripping in sarcasm and long-lost teen lust, acting as though it’s the most natural thing in the world for him to be a rich guy in a mech suit, and ultimately delivering us unto a new age of entertainment.

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The elephant in the room

Okay, yes, let’s talk about Rhodey. I remember when he was replaced; I was so upset. I felt that Terrence Howard was the absolute best choice for Rhodey and that he did an impeccable job opposite RDJ. Rewatching the film…god damn it, it’s still very true! Why’d you have to do it, Terrence? Why?! You were beautiful as you soared so high…

Listen, I like Don Cheadle as much as the next person, and did back in 2009 too. But he is not a good Rhodey. I feel like there are many other black actors who would have done the role better and I half-remember people throwing around Denzel Washington’s name as a “better” suggestion. Personally, I’d have gone with someone closer to Howard’s look, like maybe Jamie Foxx or someone.

The fact of the matter is that while the character is a military guy, one of the main reasons he’s friends with Stark is because he’s a progressive, more laid-back and approachable kind of military guy; he’d almost have to be for his work as a liaison with civilian organizations. Both Cheadle and Washington have such stern looks…it just doesn’t fit. (To be clear, I think Cheadle has done a good job with the role; I just think Howard would’ve done it perfectly. God it hurt to hear him say, “Next time, baby.”)

I mean, this is just my opinion and I know that Cheadle has millions of fans for his role, but I just don’t see it and never have. Terrence Howard is part of what makes the first Iron Man so great. But, c’est la vie.

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So, Iron Man — Great Success! 

I guess I should rate these but I’m afraid there’s going to be a trend…

10/10 for Iron Man!!!

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Next week, I’ll see The Incredible Hulk, which I am only watching out of respect for the timeline.

But actually, I liked this movie well enough and thought Edward Norton was a great casting choice. We’ll see if it holds up because it’s been probably a decade since I last saw it.

#iron man 1 #Iron Man #marvel rewatch #mcu #marvel #terrence howard #rhodey #pepper potts #obadiah stane #robert downey jr #rdj #superheroes #movies

[scripted-downfall]

Do you have any guilty pleasure television shows and/or movies?

Hello, and thanks for the ask! I'm trying to both write this well and do it hastily before heading to bed because my insomniac problematic-ness is already going to wreak havoc on my work tomorrow, much less if I stay up even later! I didn't want it to seem like I was ignoring the ask, though, because I very much appreciate it, so thank you!

Anyway... Yes. Very much so.

Short explanation: Technically, any show I watch is a guilty pleasure. I was raised with the consistent message that most modern media --- especially modern television shows --- was trash. Thus, 90% of the stuff I talk about/fixate on is a guilty pleasure to some degree, including, but not limited to: Once Upon a Time, Good Omens, Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Doctor Who, etc. The facts that I've seen Lucifer, Stranger Things, and Our Flag Means Death aren't common knowledge, and only about four people know. When I talk about any of these, the inclination to say, "they may not be the highest art ever, but I like them anyway" is always present, no matter how much I love them.

Long explanation: If I'm actually going to elaborate beyond "yes, everything I watch is a guilty pleasure to some degree", the answer is still yes; I just have different examples. Deep Blue Sea, Devour, My Bloody Valentine (Jackles version), and similar are definitely films that are a bit not-great in general, and yet I enjoy them anyway. Google defines "guilty pleasure" as media "one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard," so I guess that applies to Thirteen Ghosts and Ghost Ship, too, since I very rarely find anyone who knows them, much less people who like them. (I was pleasantly surprised to find so anons here who did, ngl.) I might add Boondock Saints here, except idk how its cult-classic status affects the "held in low regard" part of the definition... I'll list it anyway.

I hope that's a decent answer to the question! Thank you again!

#answered asks #scripted downfall asks answered #i'm off to bed for the night #any asks sent in the next few hours are not being ignored i swear

[spaceorphanssecondbreakfastclub]

SO's US Book Tour : Arkansas

True Grit

By Charles Portis

I have never read a Western.  I haven’t ever wanted to read a Western.  But when flipping through the list of books for Arkansas - I tripped over True Grit and thought, why not, I’m branching out.  After struggling to get through The Monkey Wrench Gang, I worried that I was going to find it difficult to get through.  Turns out that was not the case! I was pleasantly surprised at the ease in which I got through this one.  It is a good story.  It’s not my favorite, nor will I probably ever pick up another Western, but I enjoyed it much more than I thought I’d might.  

This might be the simplest book I’ve read so far, which is fine.  A book doesn’t need to be overly complicated to be enjoyable, and I think it works in the book’s favor to be a straightforward adventure-slash-revenge story.  

Written in the late 1960s but set in the 1870s, the narrative is that of an older Mattie Ross recalling about how when she was 14-years-old her father was murdered by a hired hand - Tom Chaney - and how she set about bringing him to justice by hiring a US Marshall by the name of Rooster Cogburn.  And that’s really it - the book, like the narrator, is pretty focused on that plot.  

Honestly, when I first started reading, I was a little skeptical of a grown man writing from the perspective of a fourteen year old girl.  And, admittedly, Mattie Ross doesn’t really sound like a girl her age - 19th century or otherwise.  But I think it actually works in the novel’s favor.  I really appreciated Mattie’s focused drive and her shrewd observations.  She isn’t one to mess around.  She isn’t one to get caught up in overly emotional sentimentality.  Her world is harsh - but she still tells it like it is.  Sometimes, it is to comic effect - having deadpan reflection of rather obscene human nature is pretty funny at times.  But the ‘true grit’ the novel’s title refers to is really Mattie - and her unwavering pursuit to bring justice to her father’s murderer.  

It’s funny - all through the novel, Mattie tells everyone she meets that her one goal is to take down Tom Chaney for the murder of her father.  It becomes a mantra, and becomes strikingly similar to Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride, who repeats his revenge mantra to anyone he meets.  In fact, the characters are similar in design when you bring them down to a base level.  

Anyway -- while I doubt it’s that realistic that a fourteen year old during the 1870s would get away with as much as Mattie does, I like her as a character -- much more than I thought I’d might. 

The other major character is Rooster Cogburn, a washed out, gritty old US Marshal - who has a lot of baggage carried around from his colorful past.  Part of the charm of the novel comes from the unlikely pairing between Cogburn and Mattie, which never really dissolves into a found father/daughter trope, which again, is a nice change of pace.  Cogburn, begrudgingly, ends up respecting Mattie in the end, and they bond in the way people on adventure do, but it always is billed as a temporary alliance -- one that Mattie appreciates from the lens of an adult, but never grows beyond the mission they set out to accomplish.  

The first half of the book details Mattie searching out Cogburn.  I never really thought of Arkansas as being a part of the old west, but the backdrop works really well -- Arkansas being on the edge of the frontier.  It kind of reminded me (due to my limited engagement with the time period and location) of those frontier towns you start in at the beginning of the old computer game Oregon Trail - where you get your goods and stuff before setting out across the west to get to the Pacific coast.  The second half of the book details going out into ‘Indian Territory’ - the unclaimed wilderness on the Arkansas/Oklahoma border - where, really, there are no laws and anything can happen.  

They’re joined by a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, who is out to get Chaney for killing a Texas senator.  Of course, LaBoeuf and Cogborn don’t get along - and LaBoeuf isn’t really thrilled that Mattie is tagging along to bring Chaney down.  But he becomes instrumental in tracking down the gang of thieves Chaney is hanging out with.  

Tom Chaney, himself, isn’t really in the novel that much - and to be honest, he’s kind of flatly dumb and villianous.  There are much livelier characters even within the gang of ‘bad guys’ that Chaney is hanging around, that the confrontation seems, well, a little anticlimactic if I’m being honest.  But the purpose of the novel is less about the destination and more about the journey into the wilderness, and the resolve of Mattie, Cogburn, and LaBoeuf at bringing the outlaw in.  

One of the aspects of the novel that I did find fascinating is the detail of the worldbuilding.  The novel makes reference to the American Civil War, and to the politics of the 1870s.  There are references to how life is different in Arkansas, to Texas, to the East Coast.  I don’t know much about Charles Portis - but I have to believe he’s fairly knowledgeable about the time period he’s writing about.  Not only is he able to drop these references to the time authentically, the novel itself feels like it was written back in the 19th century.  In some ways - it reminds me of all those classic stories we had to read in school that documented and showcased life during a specific era.  

I believe this is one of those novels that is considered a modern classic - and I can see why.  I liked it well enough for what it was (though I doubt I’ll ever feel like going back to this world) and can understand its popularity - especially to those who enjoy stories set during this time period.  While it may not be for everyone, it very clearly is a Western, I’d definitely recommend it - and am glad I picked it up. 

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