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ahmedmootaz · 3 months

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[SPOILERS FOR THE ENDINGS OF LIBRARY OF RUINA]

Read your answer to the question of "What if Angela and X raised the Bookhunter?", and I raise you some more questions on what if the consequences wasn't as fluffy or cracky as an AIP version.

If Ayin and X ended up showing up in Angela's Bad Ending instead of the Good Ending of Library of Ruina, what would have happened?

How would the three of them react to each other if the Angela bad ending came to pass?

Angela never moved past her grudge Ayin and also booked the Librarians plus took over the Southern portion of the City and kept the light for herself to turn human. Ayin probably has to deal with losing everyone again and has to deal with Angela being angry enough to kill him and powerful enough to kill him over and over again if she wanted. X's attempt to make Ayin and Angela fix their relationships like in AIP probably won't work here, and he probably feels conflicted over what to do.

All in all, it's kind of a mess.

So again I ask, what do you think would happen? Or at least what do you think is the most interesting that could happen in this scenario?

Dear Anonymous,

Whoo, you certainly put forward an interesting proposition, don't you? Such a scenario is very, very interesting precisely due to how unfluffy and uncracky it is...

Honestly, it all really depends on when the meeting takes place, since Angela immediately after achieving her goals would be at her weakest, emotionally speaking, and so she would immediately lash out at Ayin and X and book them like she did with the Librarians if not outright kill them in order to justify her misdeeds and journey; a physical victory over Ayin would convince her that all of the horrors, all of the injustice, all of the deaths were worth it. In such a scenario, Ayin and X would simply be subjected to a slow and painful death for Angela to feel vindicated.

Although, as you mention Angela's Bad Ending, I do believe you're implying what would happen if Ayin showed up before Angela hired to book hunters and eventually feels disillusioned with life as a whole, and the answer, I think, is much more tragic: Nothing.

Now, allow me to explain, but if we're basing this scenario on AiP, then Ayin would've been in the Library to see Angela fall down the path of self-destruction she undertakes in the Bad Ending from the start until she finally stumbles upon him and X. Now, keep in mind that Ayin is already a shattered man who hasn't even smelled the faintest hint of hope in around ten years by the time LoR begins. Now, thirteen years after the Bad End, he's been forced to watch the daughter he abandoned go down a road that was somehow even worse than the one he took, his beloved Carmen become a monster no different to the ones she hated in the past, and his friends and pseudo-family (in Tiphy) all get killed and booked for thirteen long years. That's twenty-six years without respite, around a quarter of a century of misery and depression. Perhaps without X's presence he would've been more than tempted to end it all, and although X would likely wish to believe that he's giving Ayin hope, I think a more realistic answer knowing what type of man Ayin is would be that he wouldn't kill himself purely out of a desire to punish himself for being a leading cause for Angela's devolution into a Star of the City.

So what happens when Angela stumbles upon him all of a sudden? She doesn't know. Neither does he. Ironically, during those 13 years, I would assume she repressed the human emotions she strived so desperately to obtain in the first place, if her attitude during her ending is anything to go by, so I assume that she won't be as hot-headed as she would be directly after killing Roland, but instead I think part of what she will feel, besides the anger and hatred, is hope, funnily enough.

Hope that she will finally feel something after so long. That there's something she can feel, someone she can harm or main or hate or feel anything towards. I doubt she would've had much of that after killing the Patron Librarians and Roland.

And, tragically, I don't think Ayin has that in him anymore. He's been tormented for twenty-six long years, I think he'd have long gone through the stages of grief and pain, only able to feel a muted, dull stinging in his heart. No longer could he passionately cry out in rage or despair, he'd just be...muffled. A true husk of a the husk he had already been.

X would still be fighting; he hasn't had too many hopes and dreams for them to crush him under their weight. He just wants of be out of his imprisonment and free. I think, seeing the state Ayin was in, he might've used the Light (or made Ayin use the Light) to repair his cloning degradation to make sure Ayin wasn't alone at least, since if that happened...well, it was almost certain he wasn't going to survive for too long... So X, when Angela stumbled upon him as well, would definitely be more lively, but I don't think he'd evoke emotions in her that are as strong as the ones Ayin does, if any; love is a complex and fickle subject. If you are unable to feel sadness, anger, and rage which are much more primal, how will you recognise love?

To that extent, I think Angela would at first mock and gloat over Ayin before realising the extent to which she broke him, and then she would snap. All of her hard work, all of her suffering, all of the suffering she inflicted, and in the end, he doesn't even care. He doesn't have any more tears to shed. He doesn't have any passion left to yell at her or feel upset with her decisions. The only remaining energy he has is spent on quietly hating himself for everything he caused and praying for an end to the torment.

Maybe she'd resort of physically assaulting him to provoke a response, or mock his and Carmen's dream, or remind him of the failures his hopes and dreams amounted to, or the fate of his friends, hoping to extract even a sliver of anger from him, and in the end...I think she'd cry. She'd be so overwhelmed with emotions and sentiments that she suppressed to maintain her Librarian of Death image that she wouldn't know what to do with herself after realising that the single man she dedicated her life to destroying couldn't feel anything about anything she did anymore.

Maybe she'd even cling to him as she cries, hoping he'd muster the energy to push her off or yell at her, only crying more when he doesn't even sigh in dismay. In the end, Angela's actions were simply trying to get Ayin's attention in a way, and now that she has his attention, she doesn't know what to do anymore now that she's not just blindly seeking his torment. Maybe she wants his love, or his rage, or his despair, just anything, anything other than the husk in front of her. She just wants someone who makes her feel anything again.

Beyond that, well...It's difficult to say. Either she kills him in a fit of despair and takes her own life as well, realising how futile her actions were, or...perhaps we can see a tale of redemption of epic proportions; after all, X is still there, and while he definitely can't ask for reconciliation like in the AiP-verse, he can distinctly see that both of them need the other as motivation to stay alive, and although that's a very low bar to set, keeping the two around each other to prevent them from taking their own lives will definitely lead to some form of understanding. A true redemption from the darkest cavern...if you'd like to explore the idea, that is.

But this was a super, super fun idea! Thank you for the great thought exercise, Anon, and until next time, be well, take care, and see ya'!

#lobotomy corporation #library of ruina #my writing #ayin #ask #manager x #angela #library of ruina spoilers

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69misato69 · 2 years

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Konda's Hero (Itto x Gorou) ✦ 3k, smut

AU where the Arataki Gang actively patrols Konda Village and therefore everyone wants to fuck Itto. Gorou being a sneaky little tease, sort of a plot twist at the end, Itto is vile and feral. I imagine Ittorou soft and sweet but this was requested by a friend.

Top Arataki Itto x Bottom Gorou

content warnings: anal sex, anal fingering, masturbation, overstimulation, verbal degradation, washing, tail grooming, buttplug, breeding kink, consensual but non-safe gay sex

writer's note: explicit +18 content, please view at your own risk. thank you, have fun !

“Alright ladies, single file please.” Shinobu gestured to the women from Konda Village with his hand to the center of the camp. Giggles and enthusiastic “whoo”s resonated among the crowd as the ladies fixed their hair and ruffled their elegant fans in front of their faces.

Arataki Itto entered the campsite with his swag on, per usual, the gang greeting him with goofy salutes and pats on the back. Titles and the chain of command in the Arataki gang existed solely for practical reasons.

These were his friends, his chosen family. The people that accepted him as their own when no one would, and placed immense trust in him to call the shots. And the lack of this power struggle would always reflect in how joyous the site always remained.

Itto revered in front of the line-up with a kind smile, making the women swoosh on spot. The gang had done many great deeds in the past to Konda Village, ridding them of Kobuchis and Treasure Hoarders, and to this day troops would patrol the village daily to make sure none were returning.

Consequently, the women of the village were always eager to meet and, to put it in in the nicest term possible, sexually advance the head of the gang, the mighty Crimson Oni, Mr. Arataki Itto. This semi-formal hike up the hill to the campsite monthly allowed them to offer themselves, hoping to be chosen by him.

Contrary to popular belief, Itto rarely had sex with the women he chose from the crowds, and would mostly sit them down for a grand, delicious meal prepared by Shinobu to keep up the delightful conversation deep into the night.

His guests wouldn’t ever leave unsatisfied though, since his loud laughs, goofy jokes and hilarious take on life would leave them stunned, even if it wasn’t what they originally came here for.

Though, it is worth mentioning that when they returned to Konda Village they would all tell an entirely different story, as expected.

Itto chuckled at the sight, “Ladies, looking beautiful as always. You have no idea how much it means to me that you took the time to-” he stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed a tail of brown, full fur towards the end of the line. “Uh…My apologies, just a second. Shinobu, could you come in here for a second?”

Shinobu stepped up with a smirk, knowing damn well what Itto was about to say. “Hey bro. Is that…Um—a dog?” The gang couldn’t help but giggle. “Yeah no, we asked. It’s a human with…you know…human body parts. It’s just the tail and ears.” Itto scratched his head. “You sure he is here willingly? A guy?”

“Yes boss, we made sure no one forced him or anything. He just said he wanted to come so we just let him.” Shinobu elaborated, then proceeded to whisper something in the oni’s ear.

Itto hummed and turned to the crowd. “Once again, I apologize for the interruption ladies, but it seems like I have an urgent matter to attend to. What do you say, would a feast tomorrow night make up for it?”

The women giggled, positive replies to the invitation raised from the line-up as the gang members escorted them to the exit. Itto gestured to Akira, “Hey man. Keep the puppy and take him to the bath, will you? I’ll be there shortly.” Akira nodded and ran after the crowd to discreetly separate the boy from the rest.

The bath was enormous, built for comfort with wooden seats and sealed marbles all along the walls and floors to trap in the heat. The pleasant smell of lavender soap mixed with the heavy water vapor in the air as Itto entered the bath in nothing but a tight pair of shorts, exposing his red and black markings along with his neatly sculpted abs.

He curiously approached the individual sitting shyly at the center of the pool, soaked to his waist with a pair of similar shorts provided by the gang, Itto didn’t know they had a size as small for the tiny boy.

“Hey there!” he greeted joyfully, dipping in the pool. A pair of beautiful turquoise eyes turned to Itto, “Good afternoon, sir.” Itto couldn’t help but chuckle at the formality, “And you are?”.

“My name is Gorou, sir.” his gaze fixed on the ground again. “Gorou…A beautiful name indeed. I’m Arataki Itto.”, he couldn’t help but notice how the boy blushed instantly upon hearing his name spill from Itto’s lips.

“Yes sir, I know. It is an honor to meet you.” Gorou found the confidence to look up again, his mind going blank instantly with Itto’s gentle gaze. “The honor is all mine. Though, I find it hard to believe that you are here at your own accord.” Itto asked with a hint of concern.

“No, I am. I apologize for appearing reserved…It’s just that I wanted to meet you for so long but, I never had the courage to join the group. I mean…I didn’t think you would ever pick me, the ladies that come are always so…enchanting after all.” Gorou struggled to find the words but he was gaining confidence.

“So why did you come up, then?” Itto asked. Gorou took a deep breath, moving his legs under the water. “I finally decided that it’s okay not to be chosen. But coming here meant that I could at least see you with my own eyes.” Itto hummed, “I see. So you came to meet me.”

“I…came to offer myself to you, sir.” Lust was beginning to hint at Gorou’s previously shy gaze. Itto was pleased with the answer. He studied the boy, paying attention to how he gripped onto the shorts to disguise the tremble.

“May I touch you?” Gorou nodded, getting up without hesitation to sit on Itto’s wide thigh with his back turned to him.

Itto suddenly noticed how small the boy truly was. His palm was enough to cover Gorou’s face and his feet didn’t even touch the ground on Itto’s lap. Gorou’s lean muscles were contrasted by his frail wrists and tiny waist, and the fluffy tail tickling the oni’s chest.

Itto scraped his claws lightly on Gorou’s shoulders and back, grabbing his waist with the other hand and occasionally squeezing his thighs firmly. The boy shuddered at the sensation, slowly becoming unable to keep his ears and tail from moving, which didn’t go unnoticed of course.

The oni grabbed the tail gently, petting along the length and eyeing Gorou’s ears from the back as they twitched. “Are you okay with me washing you?” Itto asked. Gorou turned to him, cheeks flushed from heat and arousal. “Uh…I cleaned up thoroughly sir, you don’t have to worry.” he answered, still breathing shakily.

“Not that you’re dirty, but you must enjoy getting your tail groomed, no?” Itto smirked and pulled Gorou even closer to his chest, hugging his waist tightly, breathing down on his neck.

The boy let out an involuntary high-pitched gasp. “I—you really don’t have to…do that for my enjoyment.” Itto left a kiss on Gorou’s shoulder, making his entire upper body twitch. “Who says I won’t enjoy it too?”

Gorou nodded, afraid that whatever he says will come out extremely needy. Itto hummed and reached back for a glass bottle of lavender shampoo. He poured some on the boy’s tail and brushed the golden brown fur.

The tail began to wag, moving harshly from left to right in excitement. Itto let out a loud laugh, Gorou was taking in short, fast-paced breaths, it was obvious he was fighting the urge to rock back and forth. He turned back to notice the shampoo smearing all over Itto’s chest while the oni began to scratch his lower back, driving him even crazier.

“Hngh—I am s—so sorry, I can’t…control-” Gorou made an unsuccessful attempt to apologize for his excitement. Though, Itto was amused by it. He began to scrub the boy’s ears, delicately grooming the fur. “It’s okay, dear.”

Itto rinsed Gorou’s body with warm water while he did his best to hold back the twitches and whimpers. As enjoyable and satisfying as it was, his patience was beginning to wane. The oni carried him to a seat nearby, reaching out for a towel to dry them both.

Itto patted his thighs as Gorou settled back on his lap, this time facing him. “Do you feel better? I figured you must be tired.” he asked sweetly, running his claws up and down the boy’s thighs.

“Yes sir, thank you.” he replied, gaze fixed on Itto’s abs, almost mesmerized. The oni chuckled, “You can call me Arataki.” Gorou pondered for a moment, still unable to take his eyes off of Itto’s upper body, “Arataki…” he spoke out softly. “May I…touch?” the boy asked, his hand lingered in the air touching Itto’s skin.

“Of course.” the oni replied, his hands still fondling Gorou’s thighs. The boy hesitantly reached out, his fingertips made contact with Itto’s glistening skin, tracing his markings all the way down to his groin.

Gorou was stunned, he gained confidence with Itto’s encouraging touches, pressing his palms on the oni’s firm muscles and lightly scraping his fingernails on his sides. Itto still seemed very calm and collected, unlike Gorou. The young boy’s mind was spiraling, overwhelmed with the reality of finally touching the man he worshiped.

Itto held Gorou’s chin gently and leaned in for a kiss. He waited for Gorou to get over the initial shock before beginning to suck on his bottom lip. The boy obediently opened his mouth, allowing Itto’s tongue to roam freely, pulling him in deeper and deeper.

Gorou was fighting for his life trying to keep a steady breathing rhythm between the kisses. He could feel his erection almost ripping through the tight fabric, smushed between their bodies. Itto’s touch was sending shockwaves to his body, strong yet loving hands all over his back, ass and thighs.

Itto could feel the boy’s leg and hip muscles contract shakily in an attempt to hold still. He pulled away, cupping Gorou’s cheek and connecting their foreheads. “Don’t hold back. Let me see how much you need me.” he hissed into the younger’s face.

Gorou was on the verge of tears already, face burning up, desperate to touch Itto and be touched by him. He got down on his knees, rubbing his face on the oni’s groin and thighs and taking in the scent, carving it to his memory and getting engulfed in it fully.

He quickly rid Itto of his shorts, eyes widening at the mouth-watering sight. Itto was used to people getting surprised by his length, but what he saw in Gorou’s eyes was unmatched by anything he ever came across.

It was far from worry and intimidation, but rather pure hunger. Absolutely feral, true greed. “You don’t seem very off-put.” Gorou looked up, peeling his eyes away from Itto’s groin. “Why would I be? I wanted this for so long.” he batted his eyelashes slowly, commencing to place his mouth over Itto’s dick without breaking eye contact.

He licked around the tip sensually, then began to lick along the shaft, taking his time, breathing hot air onto the length and salivating all over it. Itto was shocked by the change of energy.

The shy and held-back boy was completely gone, leaving his place to this absolute animal, licking every inch, ready to devour him. Itto couldn’t hold back his moans, gripping onto the fur on Gorou’s head as the younger went on enthusiastically, finally swallowing it whole up to his throat.

“Fuck.” Itto hissed and threw his head back, sinking deeper into his seat while he scratched Gorou’s ears. His tail was wagging in all directions, hips rocking into the oni’s legs involuntarily.

He eventually pulled back, physically unable to continue without taking a breath. Itto’s dick left his mouth with a loud popping sound while he pumped up and down gently with his hand. “You’re amazing.” Itto breathed out and leaned back to wipe the tears running down the young boy’s cheeks.

Gorou rested his cheek on Itto’s palm and closed his eyes. He felt so euphoric, out of this world, even felt close to cumming moments before just from sucking Itto off. The oni’s strong hands petting his ears gently, his beautiful lips crying out his name, praising and teasing him, this was Gorou’s heaven.

Itto gestured him to get up, Gorou stood between his legs, knees scraped from the harsh marble. The oni slowly pulled down the tiny shorts, placing kisses all over Gorou’s tummy, tickling him like tiny butterflies.

His large hand wrapped around the boy’s rock hard cock, pumping up and down and massaging the tip gently. Gorou held onto Itto’s wide shoulders, forehead resting on top of the oni’s head. Itto’s other hand wandered around his ass, claws dragging along two plump cheeks.

Gorou placed his hand on top of the oni’s, attempting to guide his fingers towards his hole but facing opposition instead. Itto looked up at the boy, standing with a confused look on his face and pulled him to his lap.

“I want you to stretch yourself, these things are pretty sharp.” he gestured at the claws. “I don’t mind getting hurt.” Gorou wrapped his arms around the oni’s neck, back arched and eyes half-lidded, noticing that he was succeeding in hurrying Itto up.

“Oh I’ll hurt you plenty, but not like this. I won’t repeat myself, Gorou.” he grabbed the back of his hair, tugging and making the boy gasp lightly. “As you wish.” Gorou sucked on his own fingers, circling around the digits with his tongue and feeling Itto study every move closely with his eyes.

Gorou’s hand reached back as he adjusted his legs even further apart and gently pushed one finger inside, not wasting any time before adding the second one and starting to wander around. He felt Itto’s hands frame his upper body from the back and melted into his arms.

“Add another.” the oni ordered and Gorou obeyed without hesitation. His pupils rolled to the back of his head. “Faster.” He obeyed. Precum was coating Itto’s stomach. “Go deeper, stop avoiding it.” Gorou’s moans were echoing off the walls, body rocking back and forth with the impact.

“D-do I have to?” he asked with slight confusion. “What was that?” Itto smirked. “I…nothing.” Gorou took a deep breath and reached back to brush against his prostate, stimulating it carefully to keep himself from orgasming.

His head fell on Itto’s shoulder as the oni soothingly pet his head, other hand still grabbing his waist to keep him in place. Gorou’s wet breath and incoherent moans were hitting Itto’s shoulder, legs trembling and eyes shut tightly to hold himself.

He turned his face to speak right into the boy’s ear. “Are you okay, dear?” Gorou snapped back to reality with the tickle from Itto’s breath. “I really…mmh…really need you to fuck me…please, I can’t—ngh—hold out anymore.” he breathed out.

Itto smirked, “If you cum, I’ll make sure you regret it deeply.” Gorou looked up in tears, realizing this was a test of will. He regained composure, not hiding away anymore but instead facing the oni. He twisted his fingers far up inside, moaning into Itto’s mouth and grinding onto his dick.

Gorou stared into Itto’s eyes, challenging him in return. The oni was in fact adoring the view but struggling to keep himself from slamming into the boy with full force. He was a whimpering mess, so submissive yet demanding, sweet but cheeky. A breath of fresh air from the people who came to him as mindless turned-on slaves.

“I know you want—ah—me too, Arataki.” Gorou whimpered as if he was reading Itto’s mind, his hand ran through the beautiful, long white locks of hair. “Don’t you wanna ruin me?” he scraped his teeth against his neck. “Fuck me?” he ran his tongue along the sensitive spot. “Breed me?” he bit down, nibbling at the skin.

“Oh now you’ve fucking done it.” Itto grabbed Gorou by the throat, swiftly reversing their places to lay him down on the seat. He reached over to grab a bottle of body gel, sloppily smearing it over his dick and lining himself up with the young boy’s puffy hole.

A smug, devilish smirk extended to Gorou’s cheeks, content with the feeling of victory. “You’re full of shit, you know?” Itto pushed in harshly without a warning, making the boy screech. “All this shy virgin act? How you came all this way to please me ?” Gorou tried to adjust to the stretch as Itto kept mercilessly thrusting in and out. “You’re here to please yourself, am I wrong, General Gorou of the Resistance?”

Gorou froze for a moment, eyes wide and his smirk ripped off of his face. “You…you knew?” Itto chuckled, “Of course I knew. Never heard of a puppy roaming around before.”

Gorou was trying to stop his moans to talk more about it, but Itto seemed like he had no intention of slowing down. He grabbed the general’s thighs, spreading them even further to hit his prostate with every thrust. “Why did you—hmph—why did you pla—ay along then?” Gorou asked.

“Whatever gets you hot is fine by me, now bend over since you wanna be a filthy dog so badly.” Gorou was stunned, the fact that Itto seemed so naive about it all along, waited for him to feel like he had the upper hand and then stole the win from right under him.

It was humiliating, embarrassing to be caught in a lie, and it was turning him on so badly. What if people found out? He never thought his personal reputation would spread outside of Watatsumi, the Resistance wasn’t even fully functional yet.

The oni had pulled out but Gorou was too stunned to move or speak. Itto grabbed his torso to flip him over as the general finally caught up to stand on his hands and knees.

“Tsk. Such a mess, you must think you’re a great liar.” Itto huffed and pushed inside again, slower and more sensual this time, carefully exploring and abusing Gorou’s insides while he whimpered and moaned uncontrollably.

Itto held onto his narrow hips, guiding them with circular motions one way whilst moving his own the other to reach every nook and cranny. Gorou wasn’t so much standing on all fours anymore, his chest was melting onto the ground with his ass still high up.

Itto leaned forward to press his chest against Gorou’s back, hitting it from an angle that made the general’s toes curl and heart drop. He reached from under the general’s arms to play with his hardened nipples while leaving sloppy kisses along his back.

The boy was writhing and moaning under the weight, cross-eyed and fazed out, unable to even notice or stop himself from cumming when he released suddenly on his own stomach.

“Not so witty anymore huh?” Itto chuckled. Gorou tried to gather his thoughts, fireworks were going off in his brain from overstimulation. “Fuck…I’m sorry for lying. I’m all yours, Arataki. I—hnghh—I’ll be good, promise.”

Itto let out a satisfied hum, practically scraping Gorou off the floor and onto his lap. The fur on his ears blended into the chestnut hair, cheeks coated with tears, sweat and saliva, eyes hardly focusing on the oni.

Itto was admiring the view for a brief moment when the boy started grinding onto his dick, “More…please. I want more.” Itto’s eyes widened, Gorou looked hazy, almost completely spaced out, yet was asking for more.

Itto lifted his hips to skilfully slip inside again, rocking the frail boy up and down while his other hand wandered on his lower back, waist, chest and neck, calming and reassuring. “I’m…getting close again.” he muttered.

“Would you like me to cap you?” The general’s eyes lit up, “Yes! Oh my god, yes please.” Itto got up with Gorou wrapped around his waist and took out a blue buttplug, pushing the young boy’s back onto the wall.

The final thrusts, harsh and sloppy, sent lightning bolts to Gorou’s body as the oni’s breathing grew heavier. The general completely relaxed into the strong arms, releasing a second time between their bodies as Itto also reached his climax with a low grunt and tight grip on the boy’s delicious milky thighs.

“Take a deep breath for me.” Gorou’s compliance was followed by Itto pulling out and inserting the buttplug swiftly with only a few drops of semen fleeing to the floor. The oni patted him on the head lovingly as Gorou clinged onto him, sobbing and riding out the high.

“You did great, pup.” Itto rubbed his shoulders with reassurance. He carried the general under the water again, cleaning his face and body with warm water while he slowly returned to his senses and shook off with a satisfied smirk.

“Too much? Itto chuckled. Gorou swiftly hopped onto his lap again. “Not quite enough, actually.”

#genshin impact #genshin smut #mlm #mlm smut #alternative universe #arataki itto #itto x gorou #gorou smut #gorou #ittorou #gorou genshin impact #top arataki itto #bottom gorou

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harrylee94 · 3 years

Text

In Worse Arms - Chapter 2

You can find this on AO3!

Summary: “Cobb?”

The man paused mid-step.

“Do I know you?”

Notes: Ah, so many Americanisms in this chapter...

TW: Mentions of animal cruelty and (technically) non-consensual sex. Please skip the paragraph beginning with "Cobb hummed, then he started to laugh." if you are uncomfortable with either of these!

Chapter 1

——————————————————————

Where's My Car?

The client's ideas for their project had been a little less complicated than Din had anticipated. He’d been sent the designs of course, and all the technical drawings and plans, plus the lists of materials they intended on using, and he’d fully expected to get there and have to start ordering them himself. However, it seemed that the architect that his client had hired also had some experience working with builders and contractors before, and had already had all the order forms filled out and ready to go. They’d just been waiting on him to arrive and look over everything before sending them off, so Din had more time on his hands to discuss detailing and finishings for the timbers that might be exposed beams on the lower floors.

That early discussion had meant that he had a closer, friendlier relationship with them than he would have otherwise, and it made things run much smoother. The expected weeks on the job were cut down by a few days, and the clients had paid him more than his standard rate, so he was feeling good about himself.

It was over now though, and he was heading home. Well, more accurately, his part of the job was fulfilled, and he was headed towards the small town he’d passed through on the way to his job.

He’d thought of Cobb a few times since he’d left, of his smile and that tight fitting shirt, and he kept thinking about how desperate he’d seemed. It wasn’t unusual for a ghost to become agitated over their body, but what this one had said before he’d disappeared had stumped Din a bit. Usually spirits were just impatient from the very start, but this one had been calm, at least at the beginning, and had been convinced that there was some sort of deadline, or a consequence for delaying.

Whatever it was that caused Cobb to act this way, Din was sure he’d find out soon as the sign for the town he’d seen before in his mirror came up on the right. It was the early afternoon this time, so it was still light out and there were a few more people wandering the road, but Din was sure he would find Cobb where he had before, and he continued on through.

That was, until he spotted the silver haired figure walking down the sidewalk.

He quickly pulled over, setting his truck in park as he watched the man walk closer. There was something about the way he walked that just seemed… off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Whatever it was, he would have to figure it out later, because the man wasn’t looking at him and he needed to get his attention.

He looked up and down the street, double checking to see if there was anyone nearby, and stepped out of the car.

The first thing he noticed when he stepped in front of Cobb was that the man was taller than him by about an inch, the next was that when he looked up and their eyes met, there was no recognition in his gaze. He simply looked at him, looked away soon after, and then started to walk around him.

“Cobb?”

The man paused mid-step.

“Do I know you?” Cobb asked with the same voice and Southern twang as the night they’d met.

Perhaps this ghost was unable to remember much after a certain point. It wasn’t all that uncommon. “We met the other night. On the road outside of town?”

The man shook his head with a confused smile. “I think I’d remember something like that,” he said. “I haven’t been out of town in… whoo, must be a few months now.”

“I was wondering if you still needed help,” Din said, deciding to push on ahead anyway. “You said you wanted me to help you find… something.”

Cobb’s eyes narrowed. “Oh did I?”

Din felt like he’d somehow crossed some sort of line, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. If he’d forgotten, then he wouldn’t be acting like this, but if he remembered then there would have been some sort of recognition before. “Do you remember?”

“I don’t think I do, stranger,” Cobb said, his voice hard as his nose and mouth wrinkled in a sneer. “Help me find something? I don't know what you're trying to pull, but you'd better leave. We don't welcome your sort round these parts.”

As he was speaking, he’d raised his finger up to point in Din’s face, but when he’d said ‘your sort’ he’d jabbed Din in the chest, and he’d felt it. It had shocked him so much that he’d taken a step back, unable to do more than stare as Cobb had walked around him in a huff of anger.

It was then that Din realised what had been so off about him; the scarf and shirt were different. Ghosts only ever wore the clothes they’d died in, stuck in the perpetual state of their end, but this was a living, breathing human being. He could even hear his footsteps, which meant he was interacting with the world around him. His hair was moving in the breeze, for heaven’s sake!

This was no ghost.

Then what had happened the night he’d met Cobb? Had it been a dream? No, it couldn’t be; this man had reacted to the name, so he had to have heard it somewhere. But if Cobb wasn’t a ghost, then how had he vanished from his truck when he’d crossed the border? It didn’t make any sense!

Stumbling back to his truck, he kept an eye on Cobb’s retreating form for a few moments before heading off again, continuing on his route out of town.

Maybe he really had imagined things. Maybe he’d seen a news story about him somewhere and not realised it. He had been pretty tired that night, so perhaps it had all been a figment of his imagination. Maybe…

Maybe…

Maybe there was more to this than he thought and the figure he could see, holding his thumb out on the other side of the road, really was a ghost.

Cobb Vanth, wearing the clothes he’d been wearing the day Din had met him, met his eyes as he pulled over, and his face split into a relieved smile as he ran across the road to meet him.

“You came back!”

Din said nothing, getting out of his truck before promptly sticking his hand through Cobb’s chest. He shivered at the sudden cold, pulling his hand back and staring at it for a few moments before looking up at Cobb, who was rubbing at the spot his arm had gone through, looking at him in concern.

“Din?”

“You…” he began, then looked back towards the town. “You’re a ghost.”

“Yes,” Cobb said slowly. “We established this last time. Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?”

“I just saw you,” Din said instead, turning back to him. “It… It was you, but… Are you a twin? Is your brother here?”

Cobb stared at him for a few moments, eyes wide, before finally saying; “You saw it.”

“Saw it?” Din repeated. “Saw what? I saw… I saw you ! It was you but you were alive. How is that…?”

“That’s my body,” Cobb replied quietly. “That… It’s the thing that pushed me out. I don’t know why or how exactly, but that’s me! Or it’s supposed to be me. That thing just came in and pushed me out, and now it’s using my body like some fucking puppet while I’m stuck out here where no one can see me!”

Din couldn’t comprehend this. He’d never come across a ghost like this before, never even considered that a ghost could exist while their body still lived, and yet here Cobb was before him. Almost every detail about his face was the same, from his eye colour to the mole next to his eye, even the scar in his hairline was present. The only difference between them had been the clothes, and even that was easy to overlook.

“I’ve never heard of anything like this before,” he admitted, and he felt his guilt rise as Cobb's face fell.

“You haven’t?”

Din shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to fix this.”

Cobb stepped back, crestfallen. “You don’t?”

“No.”

The ghost nodded, turning away and gripping at the back of his neck.

“I’m sorry,” Din said quietly.

Cobb hummed, then he started to laugh. “This is… This is just great, isn’t it?” he said as he turned around. “The one person who had any experience with any of this, and they have no idea what to do!” He waved back towards the town. “Do you know what it’s like, watching your own body do things you can’t? The sex was what got to me at first, but after I hadn’t eaten for a few weeks, watching it eat was just torture! And I know it knows when I’m there; it knows I’m watching. God, it killed a neighbour’s dog while I was watching. It even threatened to kill a person with my hands!”

Din could see why Cobb would have been so desperate to get his body back now, and he cursed his past self for not listening.

“Cobb, I might not know how to fix this,” he said, pulling the ghost’s attention back to him, “but I’m not going to leave you to face this alone.”

The ghost stared at him. “You’re not?”

“No, I’m going to help you.”

Cobb blinked at him in shock before giving him one of the widest grins. “Thank you. Thank you .”

Din nodded and opened his door. “Get in.”

The silver haired man quickly slid to the passenger seat before Din got behind the wheel, turning the car around to head back into town.

“I saw hi-… it on the main road,” Din explained, heading in the direction he’d come from.

Cobb nodded. “Work doesn’t start until six. It was probably just killing time. I doubt it’s there anymore.”

“Where would it be then?”

“It feels like it’s around my house. Take the next left here.”

Din followed his instructions, taking some twists and turns to an area he never would have gone to on his own. It was definitely off the beaten track, though the roads were wide and clear. There were a few fallen leaves on the tarmac, but it was mostly just an idyllic neighbourhood. It wasn’t where he’d expected this thing to hide, but then it seemed to have been going to work every day on top of killing innocent pets, so what did he know?

“Where’s my car?”

Din pulled to a stop as Cobb stared at the space in one of the driveways.

“This is your place?” he asked.

Cobb answered with a quick nod before slipping through the car door, going to stand in the space. Din followed quickly after, looking up at the white, slat covered house with his hands on his hips.

“It took my car,” Cobb said, then looked towards the end of town with a frown. “It’s… It’s leaving town!”

“Shit, I must have tipped it off,” Din said as he headed back to the car. “Get in, we’ll see if we can catch it.”

“No offense, but I don’t think your pickup’s going to catch up with my car,” Cobb said, even as he slid back inside.

“It’s what I’ve got,” Din replied and pulled away from the curb.

He sped through town as fast as he could without risking the safety of others -- he didn’t intend on making any other ghosts thank you very much -- but he could see that Cobb was impatient, so as soon as they passed the last building before the open road, he put his foot down. They sped down the road, no other vehicles in sight but Cobb insisted that this was where his body had gone.

The sun had begun to set since Din had arrived, and as he flicked the lights on they caught the flash of a sign.

For a moment all he knew was that this was important somehow, but it wasn’t until he had flown past it that he remembered. He pressed his foot hard to the break, his wheels screeching as they slid across the road and to a sudden stop, but it was too late; he’d crossed the border.

“Why’d you stop? It’s getting away!”

Din’s head turned so fast to his passenger seat he felt a muscle in his neck twinge.

Cobb was still there, sitting, staring at him in growing frustration.

“You’re here.”

Cobb’s nose wrinkled in confusion. “Did you hit your head or something? Get going!”

“But we crossed the border!”

“We-?” Cobb started, then looked back to where the sign was, innocently welcoming people into the small town. “We crossed the border…” Din watched in growing concern as a number of emotions crossed his face. “I made it out.”

Tears prickled at the edges of the ghost’s eyes, and as he laughed in relief they spilled down his cheeks. In that moment, Din had never hated a being more; that thing that had done this to Cobb needed to be stopped.

——————————————————————

That ending felt a bit rushed, but also perfect at the same time? *shrugs*

Chapter 3

#writing #fic #fanfic #fanfiction #mandalorian fanfic #the mandalorian #din djarin #cobb vanth #dincobb #supernatural elements #ghost!cobb #hitchhiker ghost!cobb #modern au

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fishingforyolos · 4 years

Text

That Awkward Moment When...

What if Dean got Castiel back from the Empty, and DIDN’T confess his love right away? What if instead, Dean and Cas just...didn’t know how to bring it up to one another, and forced Sam to endure the most intense third-wheel moment that he’s ever experienced, while these two emotionally constipated dumbasses sat in awkward silence?

This is here to answer that question.

________________________________________

Ahem.

It was the fourth time within two minutes that Dean had cleared his throat, and pretended to look out the window.

Sam was counting, now, in a desperate bid to distract from the incredible, palpable awkward silence emanating from the front seat of the car.

He had given Cas the front as a KIND gesture. He was being nice! It was only FAIR that the guy who had just escaped from super mega turbohell got to have a free pass at riding shotgun.

Or, so he thought. When he sidled into the backseat an hour ago, he did not anticipate the absolutely lethal levels of weird that Cas and Dean would be radiating—all pretending not to look at each other, conspicuous rubbing of the back of their necks, and god DAMN it Dean was fake-looking out the window AGAIN! There was nothing out there but corn, Dean!! Corn for miles!!!

Sam sat back and groaned. This was one of the most intolerable hours that he had ever witnessed in this godforsaken car, and that was saying something.

He allowed himself to drift off into his thoughts, letting his analytical side take over. Whatever it was, it probably happened in the bunker, right before Cas was taken by the Empty. Dean had been very...vague, about that situation, which only made Sam all the more curious. What could they have SAID to each other? Sam was no stranger to having a tense relationship with Castiel, but...if they were mad at each other, they’d be doing that stupid stony-faced silent treatment. But no, they both seemed too full of nervous energy. Cas was currently rifling through the glovebox, of all goddamn things, and Dean was toggling the blinker back and forth on a two-lane highway.

Click, click. Click, click. Click, click.

“Are these...salted?” asked Castiel, holding up a box of bullets as if they were a sale item at Costco.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” said Dean taking a quick glance, “We bought those for the uh...for the ghosts.”

“I see,” said Castiel, nodding for just a bit too long.

Click, click. Click, click. Click, click.

Sam scrubbed his face with his hands. He had been to hell before, but listening to bad small talk was its own special kind of hell. What happened in that bunker room that would make them behave like-

Like-

Sam’s mouth fell open.

Like the awkward morning after.

“Oh, my God,” Sam blurted, before he could stop himself, “Did-did you two have a one-night stand?”

Castiel dropped the box of bullets.

Dean choked on nothing.

“Sam, what the HELL?!” he coughed.

“Well, SORRY,” Sam said, in a way that he hoped conveyed how NOT sorry he was, “But you guys are acting, uhhh, really weird, and I thought maybe, I dunno-”

He shrugged, and held his hands up in defense against Dean’s murderous glare, “I thought maybe you hooked up! Y’know, last night on earth style!”

“Wha-no. No, no, no,” Dean said again, gesturing forcefully with one hand before pointing directly at Sam, “That’s-that’s not what happened in there.”

“Indeed,” Castiel murmured lowly, throwing a glance to the backseat, “I can assure you, it was worse.”

Dean nearly swerved off the road.

Sam’s jaw fell open again, eyes flicking from Dean to Cas. “W-WORSE?!”

“Oh my FUCKING god,” Dean whispered into the steering wheel.

“What I mean is, it was more...personally humiliating. To me,” Castiel clarified.

Sam blinked several times, trying to process this new bit of information.

“But I thought...you said, that the Empty's deal was about you experiencing happiness,” Sam said, shifting back into analytical mode, “Does it make an...exception, for humiliation?”

He sat back and grimaced, as he weighed the horrible possibility in his mind. “Is it into that??”

“W-well,” stuttered Castiel, his gravelly voice betraying his discomfort, “Regardless of the...preferences, sexual or otherwise, of the Empty-”

Dean suddenly slammed the steering wheel with his palm.

“Can you two PLEASE, shut up?!” he roared, “And let me fucking DRIVE in PEACE?!”

Sam and Cas fell silent, the atmosphere of the Impala even more tense than before.

Sam put his head in his hands. God, he should have just kept his mouth shut. Or maybe, he should have just taken shotgun in the first place, and stuck Cas in the back. Would've saved everyone all this trouble, maybe.

“I’m sorry, Dean,” Castiel said, finally breaking the silence.

Sam pursed his lips in annoyance. He could already tell, simply by the look on Cas’ face, that this was going to be another heart-to-heart where they completely forgot he existed.

Dean, meanwhile, didn’t react.

“I…” Castiel sighed, “I don’t...mean to make things awkward, it’s just that I didn’t-I never expected to SEE you again.”

“Really, Cas?” Dean exploded, “Really? After all we’ve been through, after all the times we’ve dragged each other out of the clutches of-of Hell, Heaven, you name it, you didn’t-you didn’t even consider the POSSIBILITY that we’d get you out?”

“Of course I considered it,” Castiel said quietly, “It was my most desperate desire."

He sat back, and turned to direct his gaze out the window.

“But there is a sort of...freedom, in confessing directly before death,” Castiel said, speaking a fog onto the window with each word, “All the vulnerability...none of the consequences.”

Sam’s eyes flew wide open as it all finally clicked.

No way. No way. NO WAY.

He shot up straight, incredulity plastered across his face that the other two were too preoccupied to notice.

DId Castiel...confess his feelings in that bunker? Make a move? Shoot his shot? And then DIE?!

What the fuck, Cas?

Sam sat back, reeling, running his fingers through his hair as Dean and Cas continued to stare out separate windows. He quite literally didn’t think he would LIVE to see the day that they acknowledged their...thing, and now they were doing it right in front of his eyes.

“I...I meant what I said, Dean,” Castiel said, fixing Dean’s profile with a longing stare, “Every single word. And I still do.”

Sam turned back toward Dean, hunched defensively over the wheel of the Impala. He still wouldn’t look at Cas.

Please, Sam prayed silently, Don’t fuck this up.

“But, I’m acutely aware that it made things different between us,” Castiel sighed, “And I’m sorry for that. I can’t take it back. However-”

“I love you.”

If he wasn’t literally watching Dean’s mouth move as he said it, Sam wouldn’t have believed his ears. Holy shit.

He whipped his head back to Castiel, who was stopped in his tracks like a deer in headlights.

Even the rain, beating against the windshield at 70 miles an hour, didn’t dare interrupt the moment at hand.

Dean was still staring out at the road, hands gripping the wheel like he was clinging to sanity itself.

“You didn’t let me say it back,” Dean said through gritted teeth, “In the bunker, you just-you dropped that on me, and then you were GONE, and you didn’t even let me say it back.”

Sam’s mouth was agape once again, eyes flicking back and forth between his brother and the equally speechless angel. The air between them was charged, and ready for a lightning strike.

“W-when you say that,” Castiel said, after a solid ten seconds of trying to find his voice, “Do you-do you mean it-”

Dean DID swerve off the road this time, sending Sam sprawling across the backseat as he skidded to a stop on the shoulder.

“Ow! Dean, what the-”

“Yeah, Castiel,” Dean said, finally taking his eyes off the road to fix him with a wild look, “I mean it. Same way you did. When you said that-that the one thing you wanted, you couldn’t have, it-it didn’t make any sense, because I always thought that I was the one wanting what I couldn’t-who I couldn't-”

He sniffled.

“Fuck, I didn’t want to do this in the CAR,” Dean said, wiping his eyes, “Not in front of Sammy.”

“Honestly? I prefer this over the past miserable hour,” Sam said, leaning back, “Do what you gotta do, man. Just...pretend I’m not here.”

Dean actually chuckled at that, but turned his attention back to Cas, who was still blinking in shock.

“Cas, you...you gotta understand,” Dean said carefully, reaching across the seat and cupping Cas’ cheek in a hand, “Come hell or high water, you have me.”

He swallowed hard. “You don’t have to...to want, I-I’m yours, a-already in the bag. Got it?”

Tears tracked down Castiel’s face as he nodded.

“Yeah,” he said, trying unsuccessfully to stop a wide, tearful smile from spreading across his face.

Dean visibly softened, and brought Castiel’s face in, kissing him right on the mouth.

Sam hoped he wouldn't come to regret the "do what you gotta do" comment, but they broke apart just a moment later to touch foreheads like a couple of saps.

“...Yaaay, congratulations!” Sam said, waving celebratory arms in the air as widely as he could in the cramped backseat. He searched around him and found some crumpled receipts, which he tossed into the front seat. “Whoo! Confetti!”

“Sam…” Dean said, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

“I appreciate your jubilation, Sam,” Castiel said, dead seriously, looking back at him with just his eyes, “Your approval means a lot to me.”

"Hey,” Sam said, clapping Castiel on the shoulder, “This changes nothing. You're still like a brother to me, man. You’re still family."

Cas smiled at him. “Thank you, Sam.”

“Aww, look at that smile, Sammy,” Dean said, tapping Cas on the cheek, “Look at it! How could anybody resist that smile?”

“I dunno, Dean, it’s pretty easy when you’re not in love with him,” Sam smiled.

“Welp,” shrugged Dean casually, as he shifted the car back into drive, “Guess I wouldn’t know, then.”

Sam was taken aback by the...ease, with which all that just rolled off of Dean’s tongue.

“God,” Sam groaned, “You’re going to be an INSUFFERABLE couple.”

Dean just laughed, light and loud, as he merged back onto the highway, offering out his right hand.

"I'm sorry, Sam," Castiel said, taking the offered hand with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, "But as you can see, I cannot resist his charm."

Sam rolled his eyes at that, but he couldn’t keep the grin off his face. It was insufferable, yes, and Sam was going to have to have a LONG talk with Dean later, but...for now, he just laughed, as the tension bled out of the car, and Dean FINALLY turned on the stereo, letting the soothing sound of Led Zeppelin carry them into a lighter mood.

Sam took a deep breath, and let it out slow. Maybe sometimes, good things do happen.

#supernatural #destiel #15x19 compliant #i havent been invested in SPN since about 2013 but i dug deep into my recollections to summon these guys' voices one more time #i didnt put this on a main blog bc i didnt want people to expect SPN from me #i just had this mental image in my head of sam having to endure this moment #and i laughed so hard that i had to see it through #godspeed spn people and good luck on thursday #honk honk honk thats my clown nose when i started writing this 'as a joke'

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embracethecringeside · 4 years

Note

OK, here's one: do you think that there's any genuine good in Rick? I can't make up my mind about that one. I don't think he's evil or a sociopath (a lot of fans called him that in the early days, that term is so misused), but his intense self-hatred seems to be the only redeeming thing about him. He must have some sense of morality because he knows he's done horrible things, but he makes zero effort to stop doing horrible things unless it benefits him somehow.

My short answer is yes, Rick has genuine good wrapped up in there but my full answer is a bunch of examples from the show that I would like to call Soft Sanchez moments, where Rick either does something good/says something real and genuine/or his goodness is talked about in some fashion.

Meeseeks and Destroy

Morty: Look, I want to leave now. You win the bet, okay? (Searches Rick's lab coat for the portal gun) Just give me the portal gun and let's go, please!

(Rick sees the badly beaten Mr. Jelly Bean walk out of the bathroom and pieces together what happened)

Morty: Please, I just want to... go h-home. (Tears up and holds onto Rick)

Rick: Okay. Listen, Morty. I just won a bunch of shmeckels. Why don't we use 25 of them to pay slippery stair here for a ride back to the village, and then we'll give the rest of the shmeckels to the villagers, huh?

Morty: Really?

Rick: Sure, Morty. Yeah. You know, a good adventure needs a good ending.

Rick: Good job, Morty. Looks like you won the bet.

Morty: Thanks, Rick, but I don't know if I should. You know, you were right about the universe. It's a crazy and chaotic place.

Rick: Well, you know, maybe that's why it could use a little cleaning up every now and then, you know. This one's wrapped up neat and clean because we did it Morty style.

(They portal away, but Rick makes another portal back and sticks an energy pistol through it and shoots Mr. Jelly Bean, splattering him all over the screaming villagers)

A Rickle In Time

(Puts his own collar on Morty, who disappears)

Rick: I'm okay with this. Be good Morty. Be better than me. Holy shit, the other collar! I'm not okay with this! I am not okay with this! Oh, sweet Jesus please let me live. Oh, my God I—I've gotta fix this thing, please God in Heaven, please, God, oh Lord, hear my prayers. Yes! Fuck you God! Not today, bitch.

Mortynight Run

Rick: Screw this. I’m out.

(Rick forms a portal and leaves through it. Morty tries to start the car as a Gromflomite approaches, but it stalls.)

Morty: Oooh…! Come on, come on!

Gromflomite: Get out of the vehicle made of garbage or we will open fire!

Morty: *still trying to start the car* Oh no no no!

Gromflomite: Open fire!

(A portal appears directly above the guards and water pours out of it, flooding the room. Another portal appears on the floor, and the water and Gromflomites are sucked into it. A third portal then appears and Rick emerges through it, walking up to the car.)

Rick: Stupid-ass fart-saving carpet-store motherfucker! *shoves Morty out of the driver’s seat and takes the wheel* Move!

Auto Erotic Assimilation

Rick: You got that right. But... baby, listen. Y-you're talking about taking over planets and galaxies, you gotta... you gotta just... remember to let go sometimes, you know.

Unity (Administrator): I can let go! Hey, look! You see that town across the river? Watch this.

(Planes fly past and bomb the town, blowing it all up)

Rick: Whoa!

Unity (Administrator): Ha ha! Woot!

Rick: Whoa! That's not what I meant!

Unity (Administrator): [laughing] It's okay! It's okay, I evacuated! I evacuated the town, look!

Unity (Townspeople): Hey! Right here! We’re fine!

Rick: (laughing) Oh, that was awesome! My grandkids weren't in that town, right? A-are my grandkids alive? ... H-hey, my drink is empty

Get Swifty

Rick: Take it from me, Ice. *burp* You can’t just *burp* float around space not caring about stuff forever.

Morty: Tammy… gross. Birdperson, you always stick up for Rick, but he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He doesn’t think about the consequences of anything he does.

Birdperson: And as a result, he has the power to save or destroy entire worlds. And he is the reason you and I know each other. And the reason I’m alive at all.

Look Who’s Purging Now

Arthrisha: Wait, stop! Please, don't kill me! I-I never intended to harm you, I swear. I am trying to end the festival. W-w-what do you mean? I was going to use your ship to destroy the rich assholes that run our society and save my people from the horrors of this yearly festival.

Rick: I'm not here to judge. I'm just a guy from another planet. But this girl is one of your poor people, and I guess you guys felt like it was okay to subject her to inhuman conditions because there was no chance of it ever hurting you. It's sort of the socio-political equivalent of, say, a suit of power armor around you. But now things are evened out, so, Arthrisha?

Morty: I can't help but feel ashamed about what I did back there, Rick. I guess you were right. I've got a lot of repressed stuff. I need to deal with.

Rick: Don't worry about it, Morty.Remember those candy bars earlier that we got in the first act?

Morty: Yeah, what about them?

Rick: Turns out they have a chemical in them called purgenol that amplifies all your violent tendencies.

Morty: Oh, boy. Whew! Thank goodness for that, huh? That's a relief.

Rick: Yep. Don't even sweat. You're still the same old Morty. Your character's totally protected. (camera pans out to reveal the label on the chocolate bars reads “now purgenol-free”)

The Wedding Squanchers

BirdPerson: The guest list at this wedding includes 17 of the federation's most wanted. We have committed numerous atrocities in the name of freedom.

Rick: But... but... Here's the thing. Birdperson is my best friend, and if he loves Tammy, well, then I love Tammy, too. (Cheers and applause) To friendship, to love, and to my greatest adventure yet... opening myself up to others.

The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy

Rick: And you know what? I’ll cop to it. I put a lot of strain on your marriage. It wasn’t fair. I’m sorry.

Jerry: What?!

Rick: I didn’t respect your marriage. I certainly didn’t do it any favors. And for what it’s worth, I’ll apologize to Beth for it when we get home. Whoo! Whirly Dirly! Yeah!

Pickle Rick

I’m trying to let the scripts show all the ways Rick is good before I jumped in but since this is really weird without just watching the episode I’ll just explain that Rick doesn’t kill Jaguar after he finds out he has a daughter and then they work together to escape.

The Old Man and The Seat

Tony: Can I look at a photo of my wife while you kill me?

Rick: Sure, but I'm doing her a favor. She either has terrible taste, or she's trapped in a marriage to a toilet thief.

Tony: She's dead. And I don't mind joining her. Life has been hollow since I lost her. Using your toilet was nice, though. I'm a bit of a shy pooper. I'm ready when you are.

Rick: Stay there. (goes through a portal, comes back with another Tony) Tell him what you told me.

Other Tony: What is this? What's happening?

Rick: Tell him what you told me.

Other Tony: My wife's still alive. Sh... sh... she went into remission 10 years ago.

Rick: And what did you do today?

Other Tony: Oh, I, uh, pooped on a really awesome toilet I found... Oh, ow, ow, ow, ow, oh! (Rick shoves him back through the portal)

Rick”: Don't use your dead wife as an excuse. You ( Bleep ) on my toilet because you don't know your place, and your place is nothing. So next time you stumble onto a toilet that feels too good for your ass, trust me, it is.

Tony: You're not gonna kill me?

Rick: Don’t tell me what to do!

Tony: You can make a perfectly-realized, toilet-filled simulation of heaven, but you can't share a toilet?

Rick: Don't insult my craft. The chemical is Globaflyn. It connects the whatever-you-want section of your brain to the whatever-you-have section. If your heaven is toilets, that's on you.

Tony: All of these people...

Rick: Are living their wildest, meaningless dreams and leaving me out of them.

Tony: People you refuse to kill and refuse to let into your life.

Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerry

(Rick reveals he has saved what he could of PhoenixPerson)

Okay and on to the big one where I am actually going to talk instead of just letting the script go off Rest and Ricklaxation. We see two sides of Rick, Healthy Rick and Toxic Rick. After Healthy Morty slaps Healthy Rick, and he slaps him back, he discovers the machine doesn’t actually know the difference between what is truly healthy and whats actually toxic, it goes by each person’s individual definition. Shortly after we as the audience learn that Healthy Rick? Is actually apathetic. He doesn’t care about others. All the caring and emotions are wrapped up in Toxic Rick. Everything Healthy Rick did and said is all stuff he believes are good, he apologies, he takes responsibility for his actions, he’s polite, he’s trusting, and he doesn’t try to control others, but he is doing all of this simply because he thinks he should. So it is completely selfless when he makes the bargain so Toxic Rick will merge with him, because, and he even says it, he hates having what he considers his toxins inside of him, but it’s the right thing to do.

Then of course Healthy Rick calls Toxic Rick out, knowing that he is the one with all his, “irrational attachments” as he puts it, and as much as Toxic Rick no longer wishes to be a part of Healthy Rick, he merges with him under the pretence that he will then be able to save Toxic Morty. Both act selflessly for different reasons, Healthy Rick believing it is the right thing to do, while Toxic Rick does it for Morty.

So do I believe that there is good in Rick?? Heck yes!! Good is stored in the garbage grandpa!

#rick sanchez #rick and morty #this took forever im sorry #ellie answers #long post #rnm #ram #rick sanchez has morals and a heart y'all #ellie's answers #love my awful grandpa

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mnemehoshiko · 4 years

Text

STAR WARS INTO DARKNESS

A (Salt) Review of Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker.

Warning 1: All opinions are mine and no one (sadly) paid me for them.

Warning 2: I’m going to strive to be charitable as possible. Keyword, STRIVE.

It finally came. The conclusion to the Skywalker Saga, a nine film series starting with Shmi Skywalker and her lineage.

When we left the The Last Jedi; Finn was tenderly checking up on Rose who endangered her life to save him. Steadily finding his place in the Resistance and deciding that it was a cause worth fighting for. Ben Solo, also known to the galaxy as Kylo Ren, has just killed his life long abuser but failed to relinquish himself from the ties of the past. Rey was dealing with detaching herself from the idea that she needed to Be Someone in Order to Do Something only to realise that she, a nobody, was good enough. As Leia Organa said, we have all we need.

Cool right?

Yeah, just forget that movie. Actually, just forget like any development that occurred over the last two movies. Furthermore, turn your brain off. No, really please remove any kind of higher cognitive function and any knowledge of Star Wars beyond “pew, pew, pew” and “wOOO”. That’s literally the only way to truly enjoy this film.

This movie is a quest. A long big-budget multi-step fetch quest. Fetch quests are a common part of RPGs and can be enjoyable! Add to the narrative! Interactive. A movie that is nothing but fetch quest after fetch quest to the point that honestly, the first two thirds of the movie could have been dropped because it was so distressingly nonsensical.

Loose summary;

Ben Solo is on a planet. Being very very lorge and murking people left and right. Why? Because reasons. That this planet happens to be Mustafar and that he’s killing Vader Cultists evidently is not considered relevant. Even though Ben Solo introduction in TFA, which JJ wrote (with the assistance of Kasdan and Arndt), is basically as Vader’s #1 fanboy. But who cares about narrative information when you have sweet sweet red lighting and like a flight scene.

Anyway, Ben heads to Exegol because evidently that’s where the fancy schmancy totally Not A Holocron is directing him towards. In which he approaches some goth-esque temple with vats of Snokes. Yes, You Heard Correctly, Vats of Snokes. And Palpatine. Who’s just hanging on a crane. Just chillin’ and gleefully tells Ben Solo that he’s been every voice in his head since birth. So learning your abuser is still alive is totally dope. But hey, PALPATINE IS BACK! REMEMBER PALPATINE? ISN’T THAT COOL, yells JJ Terrio desperately trying to like Hype You Up And Remind You Of The Star Wars of Their Childhood.

Finn and Poe “I Have Literally No Purpose To Any of This Narrative and JJ Terrio is About to Fuck Over My Backstory” Dameron are getting data from a contact. For some reason a glorified dick-shaped Alien is there. Consequently, this is the same alien that replaced Rose Tico on merchandise. A reasonable person with minimal brain function would assume it’s because he plays a critical role in the plot. Remember what I said about thinking? Stop it. Klaud is there primarily for you to admire that JJ’s tentacle kink is Alive and Well and Thus Everything Is True (tm) Star Wars Again.

Rey is floating surrounded by rocks because That’s What Cool Jedi Do. Then she does a training course because after two films we have absolutely no proof that she has any fight training, according to Reddit and like JJ Terrio is trying to get Reddit to go to the Star Wars Prom with them. So, we need a training montage and Rey going to robo-Leia and saying that she will “earn [Leia’s] brother’s saber”. Why would she want to earn a grumpy curmudgeon who fucked over his only nephew and hid from his twin sister for years? Well, JJ Terrio dreamed of earning Luke’s saber and like what is the purpose of writing other than Wish Fulfillment.

Palpatine is back! Why? We don’t know and we don’t even know what he said because evidently it was decided that it belonged in Fortnite...instead of the film. Why? Here’s a lollipop and a pew pew to stop thinking sweetie. Either way he’s on Exegol and Rey saw notes scribbled in the margins that you need a Sith Holocro-- I mean ~Sith Wayfinder~ --because JJ has never seen Star Wars since he saw it in the theaters in 1983-- to get there. Which is on Pasaana.

WHICH IS HAVING SPACE BURNING MAN RIGHT NOW! (which happens every forty two years. Which is how long ago Star Wars Episode 4 Premiered. Remember fans! Isn’t that a Cool Thing To Drop? says JJ Terrio deftly skimming Reddit in order to gain fanbros love and affection and nostalgia boners.) LOOK AT ALL THE ALIENS DOING THE SPACE MACARENA! Because WOO DON’T YOU LOVE PARTY SCENES?

The force bond shows up and you can some how transfer stuff between the bond? Which like in the hands of another writer would be fascinating and engaging. Sadly, this is a JJ Terrio production and nuanced storytelling and dialogue is Fake and Not Star Wars.

Either way, Ben knows that they’re there and they are running from stormtroopers RIGHT INTO LANDO CALRISSIAN,-- remember him? goes JJ Terrio. You remember Lando right?. I do, I go. I’ve seen the movies and you’ve given no reason why Finn and Rey would know who the fuck he is seeing how he’s evidently been living as a hermit In The Same Outfit for over a decade. (BUT REMEMBER HIM, whines J.J. Terrio. Yes, I do. I SAW THE FUCKING OT JJ).

Anyway, more exposition occurs because JJ Terrio has no understanding how visual language works and it detracts from Real Star Wars Things Like - Space Chases - Pew Pew - Witty quips! because Witty quips! Are Important for A Star Wars, says JJ Terrio.

Nevermind that stormtroopers could fly since the Clone Wars and there’s literally no reason as to why Finn would not know this but like that would require you to give him

- a character arc - character growth - dialogue beyond “WOOOOO” and “REYYYYYY” (also side notes; it was depressing as fuck seeing Finn’s growth in TLJ to going beyond being Rey-centric to only spend the entire movie yelling a White Lady’s Name. I GO TO THE THEATRE TO NOT SEE REALITY, JJ.)

JJ Terrio: BUT HE’S FORCE SENSITIVE?? me, who’s been on the Finn is Force Sensitive Train since TFA: AND YOU DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WITH IT AND IMPLIED THAT IT WAS ONLY REASON HE WAS ABLE TO FIGHT THE STORMTROOPER PROGRAMMING??? (i.e. this is really fucking gross eugenics shit pls stop JJ Terrio and like just stop)

*deep breath*

ANYWAY, where was I? Oh yeah, Star Wars Into Darkness.

Either way, they find the Subtle Knife a Sith dagger? Along with force healing foreshadowing. But they have a dagger! Which They Can’t Read! But Threepio can! But He Can’t Say It Out Loud Because His Programming Forbids It.

And then the KoR, the galatic boy band, and Ben show up because of course. And they capture Chewie and put him on a transport.

Rey, of course, reaches out to Stop The Transport.

Ben, tries to stop her.

They to a back and forth that is similar to TLJ without any of the emotional build up of TLJ but that’s because JJ Terrio believes Emotions Are Not Star Wars.

And she lets loose LIGHTNING and makes the transport blow up and she believes Chewie is dead. Problem: Chewie isn’t dead. Which means she would be able to sense him in the Force. “But Mneme”, you say, “the Force isn’t like a GPS where you just Sense People.” That’s fair! Except....then...she does...when she’s on the Snow Planet. So like???

Either way, we have a Dagger that We Need to Read That Threepio Can’t Say Out Loud.

A Solution That Uses Braincells: well we know that the Millenium Falcon has three droid brains! So like we could just hook up Threepio to like the Falcon and transmit the codes and get some really great Easter eggs re: the Falcon and like the setup of the ship!

....

JJ Terrio: OR WE COULD GO TO THIS SNOW PLANET me: wha-- JJ Terrio: SNOW PLANET WHERE POE DAMERON RAN SPICE me: did you just make....your Only Latino Character Into A---Drug Runner JJ Terrio: REMEMBER HAN SOLO?? HE’S JUST LIKE HIM!!! me: pls stawp pls, I’m begging you stawp JJ Terrio: ALSO LOOK AT HIM FLIRTING WITH A GIRL SO HE’S LIKE OBVIOUSLY STRAIGHT me: bi....people.....exist...like...that is...a thing JJ TERRIO: ALSO WE’LL SHOW U HER EYES TO SHOW THAT SHE’S HUMAN AND NOT A WEIRD ALIEN BECAUSE POE DAMERON IS A RED BLOODED AMERICAN LIKE REDDIT me: pls....stop...why....

anyway, he needs a memory wipe in order for it. Which is a really touching scene....or would have been if it wasn’t immediately retconned because like R2 has backups. So like whoo.

So that’s like *two* instances of fakeout death because like Nothing Is Of Consequence Because Star Wars.

Except Leia dying because fuck moms, say JJ Terrio. Moms are Not Star Wars. The Reddit bros have now started to return their text messages.

More busy stuff happens. Hux dies. I wasn’t able to thoroughly enjoy it because by this point I had A Headache from all the Pew Pew and Wooooo~~.

Ben tells Rey that like ~her power is Palpatines power because like How Else Can Rey Be Powerful.” Does this make any sense? Not at all but like Don’t Think Too Hard.

He also finally takes off his stupid helmet that was glued together by ~Sith Alchemy~ that they bought from Space!Michaels.

Rey is vaguely disraught but like She Finally Has A Purpose and the Reddit Bros are Appeased.

More shit happens. Does it matter? Not really.

They meet Jannah! She’s cool and has the exact same backstory as Finn. Because in Star Wars There Are Only (2) Backstories for black characters. They line up the dagger that is old as fuck with the death star wreckage. Which lines up exactly. Evidently erosion is Not A Thing.

Finn and Jannah and basically go, Wow Isn’t It Rad That Because We Have The Force We [Finn, Jannah and her crew] Were Able To Reject Brainwashing and Bounce Because We Have The Force.

Rey runs off and Finn yells “REY!!” at some point but at least he knows his best angles while he does it.

Rey meets Dark!Rey who’s a vision....for five seconds. Because Remember if Girls Go Dark They Have Sinned In The Eyes of The Force. Ben shows up and crushes the Holocron because I refuse to call it that stupid-ass name-- dear fucking lord his hand is big--and WELP I GUESS I HAVE THE ONLY ONE.

They fight because We Need A Light Saber Fight Except This One is So Lackluster.

Then Leia reaches out to do something that will use up all her strength says Maz. How does Maz know this? Idk but she’s played by Lupita N’yongo so at least it sounds Deep And Wise because That’s Why You Cast Black People...to sound deep and wise. =_= **deeper breathe**

Anyway, she reaches out to her son! Her son hears her? I think? Either way it distracts him which lets Rey impale him. Except then she heals him?? And is like, I wanted to take your hand, Ben’s hand. which like I’d be fine with if like the movie had like worked for it. But like That Would Involve Actual Conversations Between Characters and We Are Going At 34243242432 pps (parsecs per second) and thus DO NOT HAVE TIme For That.

Ben then has a rehash of the scene from TFA because JJ Terrio is a fucking hack and is unable to create original material and this would have been meaningful if like Any of the Emotions Had Been Earn in The Fucking Film. But hey, I felt .75 of an emotion when Han Solo cradled his cheek so I will accept this. Then he yeets his saber into the ocean. Because. Yeet. Sadly, this movie is Not Over and My Suffering Will Not End

Poe and Finn head back to base with Jannah because I guess that’s what we’re doing? They find out that Leia is dead etc etc etc. The Resistance has a Circle Planning Session for the Final Battle that JJ Terrio lifted straight from ROTJ and the Reddit Bros brought them a corsage for Fanbro Prom. I am reminded that ROTJ was better than this garbage that I Paid Actual Money To Watch. Rey heads to Fish Nun island and decides to pull a Luke Skywalker move even we learned from the Last Movie (TLJ) why that was a Bad Idea but you know WE GET TO SEE LUKE AGAIN IS A GARBAGE WIG BECAUSE REDDIT BROS AMIRITE? We get the most hamfisted performance out of Mark Hamill and I’m just like damn The Last Jedi as a fucking gift and a _Jedi’s weapon is important_ platitude like his dad wasn’t yeeting his saber left and right. But Who Cares About Canon When We Have Pew Pew Pew Pew.

Luke tells her that Yes He And Leia Always Knew She Was A Palpatine which like means - Leia literally did not learn from the Last Time She Obscured Someone’s Parentage and the Fall Out - Actively lied to Rey - Luke actively lied to Rey - jfc this poor girl has been aggressively lied by most of the authority adults in her life??? - HER PARENTS SOLD HER TO PROTECT HER which is such a fucking damning think along with the fact that her parents are idiots and like didn’t think to take her to the new republic and like THERE ARE 23432432 things wrong with this set up but that is a Whole ‘Nother Rant

Also evidently? Leia ended her Jedi Journey (which abbreviated as JJ, coincidence? I THINK NOT.) because she saw her sons demised but evidently....couldn’t sense her son being groomed by Snoke, creation of Palpatine and like this entire movie makes Leia look like an ineffectual idiot?? Like I was really hoping that Leia was going to be able to escape the “Fuck Mom’s” curse of Star Wars BUT I GUESS THAT BECAUSE THAT’S NOT ~true star wars~

Anyway, evidently Leia gave him her saber which I guess she made but no one decided to show that but instead some freakish CGI (that they swore they wouldn’t do) fight scene because like Leia Obviously Isn’t A Real Force User Unless You Use A Lightsaber. The Reddit Bros Nod Sagely. So Rey decides to go to Exegol.....using the Luke’s X-Wing. The Reddit Bros are weeping tears of joy at this point. The Resistance starts their FINAL ASSAULT! THEY HAVE SPACE HORSES RIDING ON A SHIP BECAUSE DOESN’T THAT LOOK COOL! FINN KIND OF USES THE FORCE. THEY DECIDE TO BLOW UP THE STAR DESTROYERS BECAUSE FUCK CHILD SOLDIERS AMIRITE (rip Finn’s Stormtrooper backstory that JJ constructed that He Couldn’t Even Be Arse To Complete or like Think Of Because Like That Would Be Nuanced Shit but like He Gets to - Jump Over Things! - Run! - Know His Angles - Yell desperately After A White Lady because ahahahahha fuck WOC when there’s white p*ssy on the line AMIRITE?)

Either way they’re in trouble and Poe is dismayed and is like yo i’m sorry we’re doomed. Because...that’s.....what generals do. Give The Fuck Up. BUT DON’T WORRY LANDO IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY BECAUSE EVIDENTLY WHILE THE GALAXY IGNORED LEIA ORGANA’S PLEAS, THEY LISTENED TO LANDO

(Crack theory: He hit up all his exes.)

Rey flies to Exegol to confront Grandpalps. Who never wanted her dead but to become Empress after spending 2.5 movies wanting her dead via puppet!Snoke. Also kudos to JJ Terrio to making a Sith Temple be so fucking boring and lackluster. That Took Skill.\

ANYWAY SHE SEES HER FRIENDS IN TROUBLE MUCH LIKE IN TLJ and in ROTJ but JJ Terrio really really loves his nostalgia and ROTJ was very very very formative evidently. She’s about to Strike Him Down In Anger And Absorb Grandpapa’s essence in order to save her friends but WAIT WHO IS THIS IDIOT RUNNING IN WITH NO FUCKING PLAN Yes, it is Ben Solo channeling his father. As carrying the blaster that Lando gifted to him in Aftermath but like we can only suppose that because who Needs Convos When You Have Pew Pew Pew~ His former Knights show up (who have also never spoken because hahahahah dialogue? Sounds fake. Also moment of Silence of Rian who kept them alive and used Praetorian guards in TLJ instead because he assumed that JJ made them for a meaningful reason because he was Unaware That JJ Was A Fucking Hack)

Anyway, Rey senses him! They do a super cool force bond moment that actually Pays Off and Rey hands off her saber to Ben. Through the force. It’s dope.

#BenSoloChallenge happens.

[In spite of like No Speaking At All, Adam Driver successfully channels the aura of Han Solo in spite of JJ Terrio desperately Insisting That Poe Dameron is Obviously Han Look He Even Ran Spice!!! Look!!]

Eventually they both stand before Palpatine Ready To Throw Down except in stand Palps leeches the lifeforce from them and then yeets Ben into a pit and Rey collapses.

THEN ALL THE JEDI FROM THE MOVIES AND CLONE WARS INCLUDE AHSOKA WHICH MAKES NO SENSE GIVEN CLONE WARS BUT WHAT EVER DON’T YOU FEEL VALIDATED!!! FANS!!! SCREAMS JJ TERRIO

me: no.

Rey pulls a Wonder Woman move because all you need to do to redirect Force Lightning is cross your light sabers. Anyway, that effort kills her (or like maybe not? Says Terrio in multiple interviews because men from Harvard Literally Never Shut Up.)

Ben somehow?? Climbs?? Out of the pit?? Under his own power because The Jedi Still Haven’t Forgiven the Skywalker Line for Anakin. Even though Anakin also reached out to Rey? I’m just assuming the soul of St. Maul of the Pit was yelling angry motivational speeches to get him out of the pit while St. Ventress adding sarcasm commentary comparing Ben and his namesake.

EITHER WAY HE’S OUT OF THE PIT! And is like in agony because Rey is uh in limp ragdoll mode so probably dead? We’re gonna go with dead.

He limps over to her because uh evidently getting yeeted into a pit is Not Good For Ones Health or Limbs.

Ben cradles her in his arms and at that moment I had to Apologize For Everyone I Dragged for Size Kink because Adam Driver is Fucking Large and His Hand is Fucking Huge and I, Mneme, Was Wrong You Are Valid.

*cough* where was I? Ah yes, he’s cradling her in his arms realizing she’s dead and I guess? Channeling the force to heal her. Which it does.

He’s happy! She’s happy!

She says “Ben” breathlessly.

AND THEN SHE SNOGS HIM LIKE THE AWKWARD VIRGINS THAT THEY ARE.

The Force realizes that a Male Skywalker is Getting A Boner and Goes Nope. And he just collapses and fades away at the same time that Leia fades away because ~symmetry~. Was a war going on? Uh maybe but like LETS NOT WORRY ABOUT LOGISTICS BUT INSTEAD CUT TO EWOKS!! WE ALL LOVE EWOKS RIGHT!! Rey flies back to Ajan Kloss. Poe, Finn, and Rey hug because this movie is almost over and they can stop trying to sell a non-existent trio created because JJ didn’t have the balls to let Poe stay dead in TFA.

Commander D’Arcy kisses her wife in the background but no one really notices and it was cut in Singapore but like JJ Terrio are Woke AF Y’ALL but not too woke because else they’ll get dumped by Reddit Bros.

No, we are Sadly Not Done.

LETS GO TO A SAND PLANET. No, it’s not Jakku it’s Tatooine~ DON’T YOU GUYS REMEMBER TATOOINE!! go JJ Terrio.

You mean the planet where Anakin Skywalker was a slave, Luke Skywalker desperately wanted to leave, and Leia Organa was put into that humiliated outfit? Yes. I remember.

REY’S HERE TO BURY LUKE AND LEIA’S SABERS HERE!! At the Lars homestead that is somehow intact....in spite of Jawas.

What wha-- why??, you may ask.

Well Luke never got to show Leia his home planet, goes JJ Terrio. Literally anyone who saw ROTJ.....they were on it in then?? JJ Terrio: i can’t see mariah carey dot gif

Rey also shows off her new lightsaber that was evidently crafted from her staff but we were not shown that on screen because like It Was Considered To Emotional for this Film.

Then finally some old woman passes by and is like Who are you? Rey: Rey Old Nosy Lady: Rey who? *Rey stares at the Force Ghosts of Luke and Leia looking like her parents* Rey: Rey Skywalker JJ TERRIO: SEEEEE WE DID REY SKYWALKER!!! AREN’T WE COOL me: she took the name of a grumpy old man who rejected her and whom she bounced off with his shit because he was being a dick....OKAY JAN

(ffs they could have let her take the name Organa but like Fuck Women amirite? *DRINKS*)

and yeah that’s it. Kid that was brainwashed as a child was reduced to going WHOOOOO every 5 seconds with no thought regarding his fellow stormtroopers who are still brainwashed.

Kid that was abandoned under the guise of ~love~ and sold to an abusive guardian and struggled and starved for years returns to a planet of sand and yes I know that she is probably going else where but that was a choice they made to have the last shot of her Alone with a Droid staring at the twin suns because JJ Terrio have been doing nothing but spraying nostalgia in my face for just under 2 and a half hours.

Kid who was actively groomed since childhood and only just now released from said clutches but lol can’t atone because he dead now.

Kid who lost her sister to the machine of war is pushed aside because she dared to exist.

and Poe.

The End of the Skywalker Saga y’all.

Bonus: “Uh, Mneme what about Rose?” She got exactly a 76 seconds that she acted her heart out in but evidently seeing a non-submissive Asian woman in Star Wars was too much for people last film so that uh Essentially Cut Her Out. Don’t worry they made sure to give her a quarter of a page in the visual dictionary and the Merry the Hobbit two page spread. So like Don’t Worry The Asian Girl Will Not Hurt You. “Mneme, what as the point of Poe?” Fuck, if I fucking know.

“Uh Mneme, the Only Reason Finn Didn’t Have An Arc Is Because of KYLE RON!!!!”

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

trust me, it really wasn’t.

#tros spoilers #mneme watches: TROS #Star Wars Into Darkness

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onetrainscifi · 3 years

Note

Whoo. That pilot was--a lot to unpack. Parts of it were definitely 😬 *cringe* but I also find myself grateful that the network recognized its potential and liked the heart of it enough to bring on a new creative team.

Like, reading all the slides with Cleo I realized what I'd been missing in Zarah-this pilot really stressed the loving relationships of the murdered man's family and actually let Cleo react to his death while our Zarah told Layton a grand total of ONCE that Sean Wise was 'someone she loved' but then never mentioned/mourned him (or her other partners who just? disappeared?? They were led away in handcuffs, were they ever released? Were they drawered? Did they blame Zarah and therefore just never return to the home they'd shared? What side did they take in the rebellion? Like, what happened to these people?!) again. And from that moment on her character seemed so untethered--so unattached to the rest of what was taking place because she had no emotional center. This great, traumatic event that should have been both her character motivation and kept her tethered to the action/investigation was just kinda--swept to the side. Like, if we had gotten a Zarah who was more like Cleo, who pestered Layton, regardless of their thorny past, for updates on the investigation and had to be the rock for her mourning family and who stood solidly with Miss Audrey in righteous anger for the blue-eyed firstie who did this horrible thing--I would've enjoyed her so much more! And Ugh! Jinju and Till being supportive and cute From The Start(!) was 😍. Just--the fact that the focus on healthy love and affection happened to be centered on a polyamorous family and a lesbian couple was great.

But there were other things in the Pilot that seemed so-tonally different and just questionable. Like maayyybe making Layton a chronole 'stoner' was an indicator that parts of his character were drawn not just from the hero Curtis in the movie but also Namgoog, the security specialist. And mayyybe they weren't trying to be completely blind to the fact that their black protagonist deserves as much heart and conviction as his white counterpart in the movie, but. Yikes. Making him addicted to chronole and so...morose/spaced out all the time robs him of that drive and conviction that would make me believe any of the Tailies would rally behind him. Our Layton is a go-getter, a man of action and this guy in the pilot was...not. So...props to Graeme for making our Layton so much better!

But also--WHY would they choose to stress to us that Osweiller is a footballer JUST to freeze his foot off? In both the show and film the limb removal scenes really hammered home how cruel the HUMANS on the train chose to be to each other. And the freezing of the cattle car itself should've been enough to remind us the world outside is treacherous and inhospitable--they didn't have to try so hard to show us that any act of kindness or altruism on the train is futile. Like after seeing THAT, what the hell could possibly help move Till in the direction of choosing compassion and justice for the Tail?!

But I digress-I think the areas I'm most grateful for change were in regards to our season 1 powerhouses, Layton and Melanie. And some of it was so subtle but made SUCH a difference, like pilot Melanie's quirk was tapping her acrylic nails against her teeth--a sign that 1) she's perfectly happy reaping the benefits of 1st class life and 2) she's always thinking/conniving/SCHEMING. But OUR Melanie has a habit of rubbing her neck when she's stressed--as if THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD/HUMANITY IS ON HER SHOULDERS. Pilot Melanie is also uppity and shows up early to catch people off-guard. Our Melanie is quiet and studious when we first meet her-gauging the situation, letting Layton and others reveal their hand first-and she shows up late/after the main players are already gathered BECAUSE SHE HAS TO BE EVERYWHERE. But honestly I think the change I am absolutely most grateful for (aside from pretty much everything, lol. Like, I canNOT IMAGINE Alison Wright as Lilah instead of Ruth. And letting Miles actively seek the engineer apprenticeship to help the rebellion instead of having Layton(?) who is neither this child's father nor his active mentor (literally all they do is wrangle rats together in the pilot) make that choice for him WITHOUT his actual mother's consent was clearly a stroke of genius. As was just...not focusing so much on cow 18. Like. We get it. They're like animals crammed together in a cattle car. There is no reason to make so many Holocaust references in the first five pages of the script. There are other, far less jarring ways to convey human suffering and misery on this fictional show about a manmade Armageddon. -_-) is the ommission of the shady magistrate as part of the leadership/inner circle/cult.

Having him and that other guy making the decisions/embodying the ACTION of those decisions moving forward if this pilot had been their opener would've really detracted from the heft of Melanie's secret--like in the finished product, we have Melanie behind the curtain, an engineer by trade who clung to this cruel/unfair system all for the sake of keeping the train, the thing she built and the hope it represents, ALIVE and moving. It was a choice that didn't feel like a choice. A necessity. And yet she was changed by it. The mask of Wilford is harsh and she has to become harsh. She wears all these hats and leans on others when she has to (like Ben, Jinju, etc) or when a situation is truly dire, but there is no room for doubt that it is HER decision at the end of the day. She's the one who saves the train over and over when mechanics fail. And she's the one who decides to commute LJ's sentence. The Wilford mask/veil has allowed her the freedom to make these absolute decisions without oversight-so SHE alone bears the brunt of the consequences. There's no one else to blame, which made for some of the most delicious drama on the show when that secret was brought to light. How Melanie related to individuals (like Ruth, Layton, etc.) and how she related to the passengers as a whole was suddenly, VIOLENTLY, upended and allowed for really tense character moments.

And we wouldn't have gotten that if they had kept the shady magistrate stepping in to try to strong arm Jinju and others into doing the cult's will.

Like, maybe it could've panned out in a satisfying way but I will never forget how excited I was when we got the "I have the train" exchange in the first episode that revealed it was a WOMAN at the helm. A smart, cunning, hard to read but delightful to watch woman who'd been hiding in plain sight, in a uniform that screams 'subservient' and 'service' but had been popping up continually in places and spaces that seemed better suited to the men running the investigation and security/murder squad-this woman is shown to be in charge of it. ALL of it. The good (the beautiful aquarium, life in perfect balance, etc.) AND the bad (the Tail and it's horrors). THAT moment was really the one where I thought "I'm hooked. I wanna see where this goes." And so I'm so glad they cut the magistrate - and cult, honestly - out.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble! Thanks for sharing that pilot stuff! It has given me much to think about! :)

Breaking this down into parts again here we go!

1. Yes!! Exactly!! Cleo was given so much depth and room to grieve and have that actually be part of her storyline unlike Zarah. So I did really like that.

2. They made Layton SO much better good god. Like. Thankfully they improved his character.

3. I don't honestly know?? Like maybe to show what it does to humans?? No idea.

4. Y e a h exactly. We all love an unhinged woman but pilot Melanie was...yikes. Like...she genuinely seemed so happy to be in 1st class and have this power to be Wilford's chosen hospitality worker and scare people. And Alison Wright as Lilah would be so cute though, I wanna see it akdjsksi

5. YEAH THE MAGISTRATE GUY IS JUST REALLY NOT IT. He is not who we want he's just?? Seemingly one of the second in commands in Melanie's cult, which is odd but oh well.

#snowpiercer #snowpiercer tnt #asks #snowpiercer pilot

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strangeandforlornbooks · 4 years

Text

best books with morally ambiguous narrators!

all y’all’s problematic faves and villains! :) also included are third person narrators but in books with morally ambiguous leads/themes

Sci-fi

Scythe by Neal Shusterman: in a future free from pain, disease, and war, people can live forever. ‘scythes’ are given the power to decide who lives and who dies to preserve the balance. sad and kinda gives of hunger games vibes, if you like that.

Neuromancer by William Gibson: basically invented the cyberpunk genre. strange and removed protagonists. (a team of computer hackers have to face off against an evil AI). you kind of dislike everyone and suddenly you’re crying over them. one of those trippy sci-fi classics.

The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut: very beautiful and very very sad (same author as slaughterhouse five). the richest man in america has to face a martian invasion. more about free will and bad people doing good things than a plot that makes any kind of sense.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick: set in an alternate universe where the germans and japanese won world war two. not really like the tv show at all- it’s not an action story, and there’s not really the hope to somehow fix the world that drives a lot of dystopia stories. instead its about how people survive and connect to one another in a hopeless society.

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow: a supercomputer convinces the leaders of the world to keep the peace for hundreds of years by taking their children hostage and obliterating any city that disobeys. what happens to the hostage protagonists when war seems inevitable? lots of morally fraught decisions and characters slowly losing their identity. (plus a fun lesbian romance)

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson: a brilliant mathematician and a dedicated marine fight to keep the ultra secret in world war two. fifty years later, a tech company discovers what remains of their story. one of the most memorable sequences in the book is a japanese soldier slowly becoming disillusioned with his nation and horrified by the war even as he continues to fight.

Blade Runner by Philip K. Dick: another one of those sci-fi classics that’s not at all like the movie. there is a bounty hunter for robots, though, as well as a weird religion that probably is referencing catholicism and a decaying society with a shortage of pets. kind of a trip.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power: girls trapped in a boarding school on an isolated island must face a creeping rot that affects the animals and plants on the island as well as their own bodies. the protagonists will do anything to survive and keep each other safe. very tense (and bonus lesbian romance whoo)

The Fifth Season by N K Jemisin: three women are gifted with the ability to control the earth’s energy in a world where those who can do so are forced into hiding or slavery. some veryyyy dark choices here but lots of strong female characters.

Historical Fiction

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: two victorian lesbians fall in love as they plot to betray each other in horrific ways. lots of plot twists, plucky thieves, gothic settings, and a great romance.

Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiwicz: a powerful roman soldier in the time of Nero plots to kidnap a young woman after he falls in love with her, only to learn more about the mysterious christian religion she follows. very melodramatic but some terrific prose.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: a blind girl in France and a brilliant German boy recruited by the military struggle through the chaos of the second world war. ends with a bang (iykyk.) very sad, reads like poetry.

Boxers by Gene Luen Yang: graphic novel reveals the story of a young boy fighting in the boxer rebellion in early twentieth century china. the sequel, saints, is also excellent. beautifully and sympathetically shows the protagonist’s descent into evil- the reader really understands each step along the way.

Fantasy

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: three triplets separated at birth, each with their own magical powers, have to fight to the death to gain the throne. lots of fun honestly

Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo: everyone in these books is highly problematic but you love them all anyway. a ragtag game of criminals plan a heist on a magical fortress. some terrific tragic back stories, repressed feelings, and revenge schemes.

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King: idk how to describe these frankly but if you can put up with King’s appalling writing of female characters they’re pretty interesting. fantasy epic about saving the world/universe, sort of. cowboys and prophecies and overlapping dimensions and drug addicts galore.

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud: lots of fun! a twelve year old decides to summon a demon for his cute lil revenge scheme. sarcastic demon narrator. lighthearted until s*** gets real suddenly.

Elegy and Swansong by Vale Aida: fantasy epic with machiavellian lesbians and enemies to lovers to enemies to ??? to lovers. charming and exciting and lovely characters.

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen: an orphan boy must compete with a few others for the chance to impersonate a dead prince. really dark but very tense and exciting and good twists.

The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu: fantasy epic. heroes overthrow an evil empire and then struggle as the revolution dissolves into warring factions. interesting world building and three dimensional characters, even if they only have a small part.

Circe by Madeline Miller: the story behind the witch who turns men into pigs in the odyssey. madeline miller really said, i just used my classics degree to write a beautiful gay love story and now im going to write a powerful feminist retelling because i can. queen. an amazing and satisfying book that kills me a lil bit because of the two lines referencing the song of achilles.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer: the tragic backstory for the queen of hearts in alice in wonderland. a little predictable but very fun with a compelling protagonist

A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) by George RR Martin: ok I know we all hate GRRM and rightfully so but admittedly these books do have some great characters and great scenes. they deserve better than GRRM though. also he will probably never finish the books anyway....

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket: not really fantasy but not really anything else either. plucky, intelligent, and kind children fight off evil plots for thirteen books until suddenly you realize the world is not nearly as black and white as you thought.

Classics

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: gothic romance!! a new wife is curious about the mysterious death of her predecessor in a creepy old house in the British countryside...good twists and lovely prose.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles: not really morally ambiguous but one awful decision suddenly has awful consequences and certain people are haunted by guilt forever.... really really really beautiful and really really really sad. boys in a boarding school grow up together under the shadow of world war two.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: while imperial russia slowly decays a beautiful young woman begins a destructive affair. a long book. very russian. the ending is incredibly tense and well written.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding: I think you know the plot to this one. the prose is better than you remember and the last scene is always exciting.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: one by one, the guests on an island are slowly picked off. one of Christie’s darkest mysteries- no happy ending here! very tense and great twists.

Contemporary

The Secret History by Donna Tartt: inspired the whole dark academia aesthetic. college students get a little too into ancient greece and it does not end very well. lovely prose but I found the characters unlikable.

Honorable Mentions

The Dublin Saga by Edward Rutherford: has literally a billion protagonists, but some of them are morally ambiguous ig? follows a few families stories’ from the 400s ad to irish independence in the 20s. beautifully captures the weight and movement of irish history.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer: how morally ambiguous can you be if you’re, like, eleven? a lot if you’re a criminal genius who wants to kidnap a fairy for your evil-ish plan apparently!

Redemption by Leon Uris: literally my favorite novel ever. the sequel to Trinity but can stand alone. various irish families struggle through the horrors of world war one. the hero isn’t really morally ambiguous, but the main theme of the novel is extremely bad people suddenly questioning their choices and eventually redeeming themselves. sweeping themes of love, screwed up families, redemption, and patriotism.

The Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo by Dorothy Dunnett: heroes redeem themselves/try to get rich/try to save their country in early renaissance Europe. if I actually knew what happened in these books I'm sure it would be morally ambiguous but its too confusing for me. in each book you spend at least a third convinced the protagonist is evil, though. lots of exciting sword fights, tragic romances, plot twists, and kicking english butt.

Bonus: Protagonist is less morally ambiguous and more very screwed up and sad all the time

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: you know this one bc its quoted in all those quote compilations. basically the story of how one horrible event traumatizes a young man and how he develops a connection to a painting. really really really good.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro: hard to describe but strange... not an action novel or a dystopia really but sort of along those lines. very hopeless.

#book recs #morally ambiguous protagonists #dark academia #book recommendations #mine

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certainglitterhologram · 4 years

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Lysander Scamander and Lily Potter II

I have a feeling that growing up, Lily and Lysander were best friends. Lorcan was super, super, SUPER close friends with Lily, and obviously Lysander, since they are twins, (trust me on this,), but Lily and Lysander just shared a bond the tiniest bit stronger.

Lily being an adventure seeking, adrenaline junky, while was Lysander, also adventure loving, but with limits. He knew his boundries and where to draw the line, but struggled to show that line to Lily, who would just jumped into every tree, every river, wanting to ride the hippogriff that she found in the woods behind the Scamander’s house.

Lysander putting his head into his hands each time, saying “Lily. It’s dangerous. It could bite you, you could fall off, it could have rabies, fleas or something even worse. “

Lily rolling her eyes and attempting to do it anyway, running up to the hippogriff and almost getting trampled to death. Like Scorpius’ dad, but actually life threatening.

After getting her out of there, Lysander smirked at her and said, “Don’t really wanna say I told you so, but....... *Pause* Oh who am I kidding, of course I do. Never tell me I’m wrong Lily, and expect to succeed in whatever dumb thing you’re doing. Lily just scoffing and said “I’m Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley’s daughter. The only reason I almost got trampled was obviously because the hippogriff sensed you behind that tree.”

Lysander, used to these egotistical comments, says “Oh yes, how could I be so stupid. It’s not like I’m the great-grandson of Newt Scamander, or anything. And the situation we are talking about involves a damn hippogriff. “

On the Hogwarts Express, Lily, Hugo, Lysander and Lorcan in the same compartment and a tall, lanky dark haired boy comes in. He introduced himself as Matthew Corner, and Lysander, being the best with people, gets up and politely introduces himself, and introduced the others.

Matt is immediately liked by everyone in the compartment, and they form their own little quintet, bonding over candy and pranks in the compartment.

When Albus and James come in to check on Lily, she just giggles and waves, before redirecting her attention to Lorcan, who had eaten one of those cool sweets that make you grow features of an animal, that Hugo had brought on the train.

The Sorting Ceremony went as expected, really.

Matthew, was one of the first, and had barely sat on the stool, before the hat shouted “RAVENCLAW”

Hugo went next. He was on the stool for a long time with that hat on his head. Not enough to be a hat stall, but just enough to be notably long, before the hat yelled “HU-GRYFFINDOR!”

When Lily was called, she sashayed up to the stool, with an overwhelming amount of confidence, and James yelled “YES, LILS! WHOO!”. The hat suprisingly sat there for a while, debating between Slytherin and Gryffindor, before ultimately deciding on Gryffindor.

Lysander had a feeling of dread at that moment. He did have seperation anxiety from Lorcan, just a mild case, but enough to make him dread the thought of them being in different houses. He hadn’t thought of it until that moment, becuase Lorcan and him were so alike. He ruled out that thought, and focused on relaxing himself

Lorcan jumped on the stool and only had a couple seconds of deliberation, before “HUFFLEPUFF!”

Lysander knew even before going up there, that there was no way he would be in Hufflepuff. He wasn’t exactly the definition of hardworking. Not that he wasn’t, no, he just had a tendency to quit things that no longer interested him, rather than working throught it.

When his name was called, he was immediately sorted into Ravenclaw. He knew he should feel proud, as he was taking after his mother, and had one of his closest friends with him, Matthew, but being away from his twin, best friend and other close friend, was paining him. But Lysander was known to almost always be happy, so shut these feelings down, sucked it up and got used to it. Eventually, he found that it wasn’t that bad, and that Lily and him were still best friends, and Lorcan was still his right hand man. And vice versa.

In their second year, Lily tried out for the Gryffindor quidditch team, and made it, as their Seeker. A few weeks into the season, it was Lily’s third match, Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff and literal miliseconds after Lily caught the snitch and secured the win for Gryffindor, in a rage, one of the Hufflepuff beaters bat a bludger straight at the back of her head, knocking her out.

Lysander, Lorcan, Hugo and Matt sprinted down the stands, running over towards her. She was crumpled on the grass and being levitated onto a stretcher by Headmistress McGonagall.

The culprit of the injury had jumped on his broom and flew towards the castle, and Lysander was trembling with rage. He snapped at the other boys (Hugo, Matt and Lorcan,) to follow him to see if they could find the boy. They found him trying to run into the castle without being seen, but Lysander jumped on him, and pinned him down, so he couldn’t get away, while Lorcan and Hugo sent red sparks to the teachers, letting them know the found him.

Then, of course, Lysander did the unexpected. Just when the teacher and the student were coming into view, he let go of the boy and punch him straight in the nose, breaking it, as soon as the first met the boy’s face. A single punch before Lysander pulled him close and whispered in a deadly calm tone

“Never. NEVER touch my Lily, EVER again.” Dropping the boy on the ground, before walking over to a shocked twin and Matthew. Leaning against the wall behind them and wiping the blood from the boy’s broken nose in the white-blond hair, not even caring at the streak of red in his hair.

Consequently, he recived three weeks of detention. Could have been worse, I suppose, was his attitude. For the next month, he recived fist bumps from James in the hallways and tiny smirks from Albus, telling him, they were proud.

Three years later, in fifth year, Lysander was noticing that he was catching feelings for Lily, but then, Matt had shyly asked her out, and she replied with “Why not?”.

Everytime they held hands, hugged, kissed or did anything of the sort, Lysander felt a rage build up inside of him. But for Lily’s sake, he tried to be happy. For Lily.

Lorcan noticed immediately, and after teasing that Albus owed him 12 Galleons, comforted him and said that he was sure that Lily felt the same way, but just hadn’t noticed it yet, and told Ly to just play along and calm down.

Hugo noticed it in History of Magic, his first class after breakfast, where after seeing Lily and Matthew snog right in front of him, Lysander had crushed a goblet with his hands. After giving him some kind of twin telepathic look that Hugo couldn’t interpret, Lorcan sighed and muttered “Reparo”.

Hugo thought it was weird, but thought not much of it until he realized in the middle of HOM. (He is Ron Weasley’s kid. Ofc he wouldn’t fucking notice.)

Hugo sent a note to the table where Ly and Matt were sitting, across the room, in a oragami swan (^-^) that read on the outside

Matt, if you’re reading this, just give it straight to Ly. Nothing really that interesting here,

In it, read

Lysander, mate...I realized you like Lily. Or Matt. I’m not sure, mate, i’m not going to make any assumptions. If it is Matt though, good for you. If it’s Lily, It was kinda obvious, so maybe, don’t crush a goblet next time they snog... just trying to help, but just know, that if Lily doesn’t choose you or doesn’t feel the same way, (Which she does.) the whole Potter-Weasley-Granger-Johnson-Delacour clan is on your side.

If you need anyone to talk to, I’m always here, mate. Just say the word.

-Hugo

and Hugo got a paper dragon back, saying

Well, I shouldn’t really suprised, but it’s Lily. I’m not fucking gay. But thanks for being supportive. Love you, bro.

~Ly

Lysander walked out of that class feeling a lot better, while Hugo felt smug. Hugo ran up to Fred II saying how he was about to have won his little bet with Rose. But they walked into the middle of the hallway to see Lily and Matthew, both looking solemn, (which was a first for Lily, who was almost always happy.)

They were speaking in hushed tones, Matt nodded and hugged Lily in an almost friendly manner, before walking away, with a smile on his face.

“What happened?” Lysander asked Lily, plainly curious.

“Oh, Matt and I both agreed that this relationship wasn’t working. We did like eachother.. but we agreed that being friends was more benefical for both of us.

Lysander tried very hard not to break out into a grin, while saying “Aw.. You two were cute together. “

Lily snorted and just walked into the Transfiguration classroom and plopped down in her chair.

During the passing period after the next class, Lysander quickly told Lorcan the news, who encouraged him to ask her out at dinner. And Lysander agreed

Lysander worked up his courage to ask her out and was about to walk over to the Gryffindor table, went she walked into the Great Hall, smirking.

“YOU!” she yelled, pointing at Lysander. The hall went silent.

“ME!” Lysander yelled back, sticking his toungue out at her.

“GO ON A DATE WITH ME ON THE NEXT HOGSMEADE TRIP?” Lily shouted, across the hall and out of nowhere.

“ANYTHING FOR YOU LILS!” The sentence slipped out of Lysander’s mouth before he could stop it, but he was glad he did.

Lily ran over to them, while Lorcan and Matt nudged Lysander, but Lily ignored them, pulling Lysander into a kiss that lasted a good forty five seconds.

The Great Hall cheered, and Lily whispered “I saw you crush that goblet at breakfast today, Ly. I didn’t even remember it until an hour ago. I knew you felt the same as me, so I did something so you wouldn’t have to ask me out. Carriages to Hogsmeade at 10 sound good?”

Lysander couldn’t say anything, so he nodded.

“Perfect! “ And Lysander watched Lily walk to her awed girl friends and a particularly smug Hugo.

Let’s just say a lot of money was exchanged that day.

#Hp #harry potter #harry potter next generation #hp next gen #hp next gen headcanon #Love #first kiss #harry potter oc #Lily Luna Potter #Lysander scamander

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nights-lament · 4 years

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My various thoughts and opinions on Chapter 2 of RWBY Volume 8, “Refuge”

SPOILERS BELOW:

Oh damn, hitting us with them Clover feels already? That’s cold.

Not gonna lie, I was worried for a minute that Robyn was talking to Qrow there for a second, which was probably the idea, but still, effect achieved.

Wow, a despicable rich man who got into politics is playing the victim card because he has to face the consequences of his actions? No, my mind’s not painting him orange at the moment, what are you talking about?

I was honestly hoping for some more banter between these guys and Watts before they took him away, but I am more than ok with what little we got.

Woah, woah WOAH, Qrow. You’re talking about killing Ironwood? I mean, can’t say I don’t get it, but sheesh, this feels like it’s coming from a really dark place.

Ok, I get reporters need to be professional and all, but this guy really doesn’t feel like he’s really feeling the weight of the situation. He sounds like he’s reporting on a highly disappointing sports event.

Good on Joanna for showing him how it’s done.

Ah, the scene we got from RTX. And thus, Team JOYR got their name.

Ok, Yang, I get trying to keep people calm, but you have to give it to them a little straighter than that. Perhaps “It’s as safe as we can get right now” would be more appropriate.

Of course there’s a racist grandmother spoiling the mood. Never complete without the apologetic daughter cringing behind her.

Hmm, Ren’s not even having a good time keeping his semblance up. This man needs a therapist, ASAP I mean, they all need therapists, but still

When Oscar said he didn’t want to become one with Ozpin, I was really hoping Oz’s response would be “Neither did any of us.” Still a great moment, though. Our boy is already getting some solid development this volume.

Hmm, Snowshoe Shipping. For some reason, I really like that name. Makes it feel like theirs a story behind it.

Ruby comforting Penny is giving me some serious V2 flashbacks. Also, good on her for calling Ironwood out on his deflective bullshit.

Aww, May’s little twirl. I’m really liking her so far.

Let’s face it, Weiss, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have seen that one coming. Good to know that among all of this, we still have time to have Nora still being Nora.

I like that we’re getting scenes like this, the Happy Huntresses interacting with each other on their own, rather then just when the heroes are around. Really fleshes them out.

Aww, the mole man from last episode is Fiona’s uncle? AND HE’S VOICED BY GUS SOROLA!? THAT IS AWESOME!!!

I really like seeing the teamwork happening with these different team ups. It really enforces that even though they’re on different “teams”, these people have been fighting side by side for quite a while.

Damn, seeing Grimm turn tail and run from something is quite unnerving

I kind of like how they wait for a minute to show the Grimm properly. It really builds the suspense and threat of it.

Ok, first off, a Grimm that can shapeshift? That’s awesome. Second off, the actual process of it going from hound to full of werewolf is just disturbing. The way it’s skin turns to ooze, watching it pop the joints into place, all of it is just so creepy!

Anybody else getting Bendy and the Ink Machine vibes from this thing? Every time I look at this thing, all I think of is Bendy, especially with the way it’s arms move.

A Grimm using strategy and intelligence is just creepy. Almost as creepy as a GRIMM F***ING TALKING!!! WHAT THE F***!?!?!

Small detail I noticed, before it responded to Ren, you could hear a small popping similar to it’s shapeshifting sound, almost as if it was adjusting it’s body to give itself vocal cords. Just thought that was a neat detail.

Ordinarily I’d berate characters just standing around while the bad guy gets away, but in that case I get it. As scary as that thing was, I would’ve been frozen in place too.

It did not escape my notice that the Hound’s wings are the same as Salem’s in the intro.

Wow. We knew Oscar was going to get kidnapped this season, but two episodes in? That’s just nuts.

Oh my god, Jason Liebrecht voiced the Hound? That’s awesome.

Whoo, what a ride that was. When they teased the Hound in the trailers, I didn’t think it would be this frikkin’ interesting. It almost feels like we just got introduced to this season’s final boss. I can not wait to see more of it!

#rwby #rwby volume 8 #rwby spoilers #rwby thoughts and opinions #rooster teeth animation

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voltrontranscript · 3 years

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VForce E1: New School Defenders

Episode 1: New School Defenders

Transcript by @dragonofyang

Summary: We meet Daniel, a young Voltron fan after the Voltron Force is decommissioned, as he recounts the glory of Voltron and joins the Galaxy Alliance flight school, where he meets former pilots Lance, Pidge, and Hunk. But the Voltron Force doesn’t simply toe the line drawn by Sky Marshal Wade, and with Daniel and Vince’s help, they retrieve their lion keys.

[Google Doc]

Boy: Come on, Daniel, I dare you to do it.

Girl: Double dare you!

Boy: Do it!

Daniel: When are you guys gonna learn? It’s not a dare if I wanna do it.

[Cut between Daniel and Voltron as they chase the robeast, then return to Daniel.]

Daniel: You guys missed it! The lions just formed Voltron! Someday, that’s gonna be me. I’m gonna pilot the Black Lion.

Boy: Huh. You wish.

[Transition to Daniel’s bedroom, where Daniel narrates to the audience.]

Daniel: Yeah, I do wish. Unfortunately, it looks like that’s all it’ll ever be, now. Just a wish.

[Transition to a flashback of Planet Doom.]

Daniel: Not long after the Voltron Force wrecked shop on that robeast, they defeated Lotor and his Drule army. It was epic!

Lotor: What?

[Cut to a flash forward, where the Voltron Force celebrates their victory with the city.]

Daniel: I even got to go to the galaxy victory celebration. It was the greatest day of my life! Until… It was a disaster, but no one was hurt. That’s why I couldn’t believe how quickly everyone forgot all the good Voltron had done, as if they’d been brainwashed. The Defender of the Universe was declared a hazardous threat and decommissioned without even attempting to fix it. How shady is that? My dreams, gone. Now the only thing that excites me is going fast, really fast. So, I enrolled in the Galaxy Alliance flight academy, where things have turned out to be slow. Really slow. When’s life gonna pick up some speed? Of course, if all that wasn’t about to change, I wouldn’t be here telling you this story.

[Transition to opening sequence, with an electric guitar playing under the following lyrics.]

Woo!

One, two, three four!

Voltron’s here, kicking down your door!

Five, six, get with it.

We blaze ‘em with the sword and they can’t get away.

Seven, eight.

We’re bringing down the hurt so we’re here to stay.

Nine, ten, we here to win.

Voltron’s here, let the games begin!

Oh! (Let’s Voltron!)

Form up, let’s go!

All night! Let’s go!

Alright, we gonna rock (rock!) and roll (roll!)

Now to rock (rock!) and roll (roll!)

Oh!

[Transition to Daniel in class at the flight academy.]

Professor: ...and so the Galaxy Alliance Fractal Fighter has been Earth’s primary strike and defense weapon since… which battle, cadet Daniel?

Daniel: Huh? Um, the battle at Gemini Four?

Computer: Correct.

Professor: Commander Lance. To what do we owe the honor of a visit from the youngest head flight instructor in academy history?

Lance: I realized it was nearly the end of the first term, and I have yet to greet our first-year cadets. I wanted to get a look at the faces I’ll be seeing when they get into the cockpit in their third year.

Daniel: Ugh, third year.

Lance: So, do any of you potential pilots have any questions for me? Yes, cadet?

Daniel: Sir, with all due respect, why are you here teaching instead of defending the universe? What really happened with Voltron?

Professor: Daniel! You know mention of Voltron is forbidden by Sky Marshal Wade! There are severe consequences for violating this order. Commander Lance, I’m so sorry for--

Lance: It’s alright. I’ll speak of this once and only once. Yes, I used to be the pilot of the red Voltron lion, but after the incident, that’s something I’ve put in the past. Myself, along with tech sergeants Hunk and Pidge--formerly the yellow and green lions--are now loyal soldiers in the service of the Galaxy Alliance military. And Princess Allura, the former blue lion, is ruling on her home planet of Arus.

Daniel: What about the leader of Voltron? The black lion pilot, Commander Keith?

Lance: Ex-commander Keith is a wanted fugitive, and nobody knows his whereabouts.

[Scene change to Keith wearing shades on a beach.]

Manset: So, Commander Keith, I hear you are interested in the location of Wade’s secret base.

Keith: Your hearing is good.

Manset: Why are you seeking this base? Are you looking for trouble?

Keith: I’m looking for something Wade has that doesn’t belong to him, which may lead to trouble, but that doesn’t concern you. I paid you good money for that location, so--

Manset: Yes, well, unfortunately, some people are willing to pay more for your location. Please, do not make a big scene.

Keith: The size of the scene is up to you.

[Cut back to Daniel’s classroom.]

Daniel: How could you and the rest of the team just turn your backs on Commander Keith and Voltron?

Lance: Defending the universe is our top priority, and that’s exactly what the Galaxy Alliance is doing! Voltron was just a vehicle.

Daniel: Just a vehicle?

Lance: That’s enough. You, up. You’re coming with me. You, too.

Vince: Me? W-what’d I do?

Lance: Guilt by association.

[Cut back to Keith on the beach.]

Keith: So, this is how it’s gonna be.

Manset: At least I returned your money. You can count it. It’s all there.

Keith: Yeah, I’ll get right on that.

Masked Guard 1: Ah!

Masked Guard 2: Whoa.

Manset: A sword? Really?

Keith: It’s a weapon of honor. You wouldn’t understand.

[Cut to Lance, Vince, and Daniel entering an office.]

Wade: I assure you all, this supposed rising Drule threat is nothing but rumors to stir the masses.

Coran: But, Sky Marshal Wade, our sources have intercepted increased chatter about this mysterious commander Kala, specifically mentioning Lotor.

Wade: Lotor is dead! Furthermore, Ambassador Coran, if your sources happen to be “The Den”, you’d better think twice before quoting their intelligence to me considering they’re viewed as rebels against the Galaxy Alliance. You continually test my patience, honorable gentleman from Arus. Tread lightly. Good day. Commander Lance, these must be the cadets you called me about?

Lance: Yes, sir.

Wade: Normally I don’t like to concern myself with petty academy matters, but I take my “no Voltron” policy very seriously.

Daniel: Sir, I take full responsibility. He doesn’t belong here. I hardly know him, and he--

Wade: Do not speak, cadet, and don’t play that sickening nobility card, either. It’s a liability in combat. I need an army of obedient, ruthless, fighting machines, not some saps who are going to hesitate to consult their moral compass! Of course, this won’t be a problem for you if you violate my policy again, because a second offense would mean expulsion. However, this being your first, you are receiving the automatic sentence: latrine duty for the rest of the first term, and all of the second term, as well. I hope this teaches you to scrub Voltron from your lives completely.

Lance: I’m sure this experience will give them an entirely different perspective on Voltron, sir.

Daniel: It already has.

[Scene change to the latrines.]

Daniel: Man, I am so sorry I got you into this… mess.

Vince: Hey, you just said what I was thinking. I’m more of the non-confrontational type.

Daniel: Yeah, speaking of “type”, I’ve been meaning to thank you for helping me in class. How did you do, uh, that?

Vince: A tech-gician never reveals his tricks.

Daniel: Huh, you’re an interesting guy, um… I don’t even know your--

Vince: It’s Vince. Should I pretend I don’t know your name’s Daniel to make this less awkward for you?

Daniel: Probably. Well, I definitely owe you one, Vince.

Vince: Ah, don’t worry about it. You can just save my life sometime.

Daniel: So, Vince, what do you think of this place so far?

Vince: You mean, besides the life sentence of latrine duty, and the fact that one of our heroes turned out to be a total snart?

Daniel: Yeah, and then there’s this. I came here to fly jets, and all first-years do are stupid simulators.

Vince: Actually, I like the simulators. All the fun of flying, with none of the death.

Daniel: Unlocked?

Vince: You wanna…

Daniel: Totally.

Vince: Wait, I thought you didn’t like the simulators.

Daniel: I don’t, at least not when we’re supposed to be in them. But now, we’re like Commander Keith, rebel outlaws, operating in the shadows.

[Cut to space, where a single fighter cruises across the screen.]

Keith: I can’t believe Manset was a traitor. He was thoroughly vetted by the Den. And why’d he return my money? It just doesn’t make sense… Says the guy talking to a space mouse. Huh? The coordinates to Wade’s base? “It’s all there.” This is Stalker calling the Den. The watering hole has been located. I’m going hunting. Set course for the Tarvos moon of Saturn.

[Cut to the flight simulators in the Galaxy Alliance academy.]

Daniel: See? These simulators are way too easy. I’m ready to try this stuff pulling twelve G’s.

Vince: Alright, Whiny McGee. You want me to make this interesting for you?

Daniel: Whoa! I thought you were non-confrontational!

Vince: I am, in real life. Well, would you look here? It seems the simulator wants to feel more hurt.

Daniel: Easy pickings.

Lance: What? Can’t you boys keep up?

Daniel: Commander Lance?

Lance: You just want to get expelled, don’t you? Considering this is most likely your last act as GA cadets, let’s see what you’re made of. Hope your straps are on tight.

Daniel: Why? It’s not like these simulators are going to rocket off--woah! Whoo-hoo! Yeah!

Lance: You might want to pull your emergency brake right… now.

Vince: Y-your simulator almost killed me!

Lance: Huh, and Voltron contraband to boot. Wade would throw you in a secret holding cell to rot. Lucky for you, I’m not Wade. Boys, welcome to…

Pidge: The Den.

Lance: Cadets, I’d like you to meet--

Vince: You’re Pidge!

Daniel: The Green Lion pilot! That’s Hunk, the yellow lion!

Pidge: What are you doing? You’re not even welding anything.

Hunk: Yeah, but I wanted to make a cool entrance for these little dudes.

Lance: Mission accomplished.

Daniel: Is Keith here, too?

Lance: Always with the Keith.

[Transition to Keith breaking into a building, then back to the Den.]

Pidge: Why would you draw glasses on top of my glasses?

Daniel: Um, six eyes? I don’t know, I’m not an artist.

Hunk: Well, I’d better get back to duty, but I look forward to working with you clowns in the future.

Daniel: Huh?

Vince: Huh?

Lance: We need to keep up appearances. We’ve been pretending to be the epitome of a good soldier and loyal to Sky Marshal Wade so that he never suspects our underground activities. Pidge and Hunk have built this secret network that has access to Wade’s GA resources.

Pidge: It’s been quite useful in helping Keith on his secret mission.

Daniel: What kind of secret mission?

Lance: The kind that’s a secret.

Daniel: Okay, fine, but you still haven’t explained why we’re here. What does any of this have to do with us?

Lance: Let’s just say your talents have been noticed, and we’d like to cultivate them. In fact, how would you like to take a very cultivating course right now, taught by yours truly?

Vince: Totally! What’s the course?

Lance: Toilet Scrubbing 101. Oh, you’re right, you already have a bit of experience. We’ll call it 102.

[Cut to Keith continuing to infiltrate the building.]

Keith: Great.

Guard: All clear.

[Cut back to the Den.]

Daniel: Okay, we can tell there’s something cool going on here, but if it involves cleaning more toilets…

Lance: Look, I’m going to be asking you to do a lot of things in the future that won’t seem to make sense, but there will always be a reason. The question is, after what you’ve seen, do you trust me?

Daniel: I think so, but why won’t you just give us a straight answer about anything?

Lance: Partially because you aren’t ready to know, but mostly because it’s way more fun for me this way. So I’ll ask again: do you trust me? Because if you don’t, I can have Pidge erase this from your memory.

Daniel: Okay. We’re in.

Lance: Phew! That’s a huge relief, because we do not have a memory-erasing device. That’s science fiction.

[Cut to Keith walking through a corridor.]

Keith: What are you making, Wade?

Guard 1: Hey, you. Have you seen anyone suspicious?

Keith: Probably another false alarm set off by space mice or something.

Guard 2: Yeah, but we gotta run through the motions anyway.

Keith: Decrypt security code. Come on, come on. Shh. Shoo!

[Cut back to the Den.]

Lance: School is in session. How much do you know about Sky Marshal Wade?

Vince: He’s the head of the Galaxy Alliance’s military division.

Daniel: And a snart who hates Voltron.

Pidge: True, but it’s more complicated than that. Wade’s been wanting control of the alliance military for years, always claiming that Voltron was dangerous because the power within the lions is an ancient technology that isn’t fully understood.

Lance: Though we can’t prove it, we know he sabotaged Voltron to turn the public against it.

Daniel: I knew it!

Lance: Wade used this as an excuse to convince the Galaxy Alliance that Voltron’s power isn’t to be trusted. He got them to regulate the lions back to their storage chambers on Arus.

Pidge: However, I believe that Wade actually just wanted to study their technology.

Lance: While I believe it’s time to start your first class project. Wade is a well-decorated general, but he’s particularly proud of his four-stripe pin. Pidge has made a replica of this pin, and you boys are gonna swap this out.

Daniel: Your master revenge plan is switch out his favorite pin for a fake?

Lance: Yes. Remember our earlier conversation about trust?

Daniel: Remember you don’t have a mind-erasing device?

Lance: Touche. Let’s continue anyway, shall we? Latrine duty happens to be the only hole in Wade’s security. The toilet-cleaning cadets have pretty much unfettered access. And like all disciplined army men, Wade does everything on an air-tight schedule, and I mean everything. Now, we already know you have a talent for sneaking around, so when Wade’s coat is off for his “0600”, that’s your chance to make the swap. Should be a piece of cake.

[Transition to Daniel and Vince in Wade’s bathroom.]

Daniel: Nice.

Vince: Sweet.

Vince: I think this time he’s finished. Like us. How did you… What were you thinking?

Daniel: I didn’t think at all. Guess you’re lucky I’m impulsive.

Vince: Yeah, well, consider the “saving my life” debt paid. I was hoping to hold that over your head, but--

Wade: Look at this mess, you insufferable beast! I swear, if you chase one more mouse...

[Scene change to Keith, sneaking through the vents.]

Keith: Found you.

[Scene change back to Lance, Daniel, and Vince.]

Lance: Ah, there it is. Nice job, boys. Piece of cake, right?

Vince: More like piece of meat.

Lance: Well, you did such a good job, that I’ve decided to expel you from the academy, after all. Unless you’d rather stay and finish out your two terms of latrine. You are showing great promise in that field of study. Go on and pack your bags, boys. We’re taking a road trip.

[Scene change to space.]

Vince: This is all happening so fast.

Daniel: I often find fast is the best way.

Lance: So, I think you boys have earned the right to know a bit more about Wade’s pin. More like “pins”. And more like “keys” than “pins”.

Daniel: The keys to the lions!

Allura: Welcome to Arus, and welcome to the Castle of Lions.

Daniel: Whoa. Where’s the black key?

Lance: I assure you, it’s in good wrists.

End.

#voltron force #keith #lance #daniel #allura #manset #wade #vince #pidge #hunk #coran #transcript

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insomni-snacc · 4 years

Note

I keep finding fics in witch the reader is afraid of scary movies. So I'd like to request Beetlejuice x reader who absolutely loves horror movies.

Thank you! I personally hate scary movies so I'll have to...

*~Get into character~*

Ahem... Death. Gore. Jump scares. Blood and stuff. Super chill. Love that shit. Also I suppose it's safe to say TW for blood, gore, and horror mentions. The movie I'm using here is The Void. Watched it with some friends once cause I DO love FX makeup and practical effects.

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

"Y/N, you're scaring me. And trust me baby, that's saying something."

Your eyes were GLUED to the screen, your hand mindlessly tipping piece after piece of popcorn into your mouth. You leaned forward in anticipation.

The music had cut out completely, so you could only hear the faint shuffling and panicked breathing of the protagonist as they moved through the darkness. It was an overly obvious set up for a jump scare, sure, but you'd already binged most of your favorites this weekend - a cheap thrill was still a thrill. There was a pause, the protagonist turned the corner and--

"AAAAAAUUUUGHH!!!" Right on cue! They were drug away by one of the grotesque creatures of The Void. You couldn't help the slight jump (the trope had to earn its name somehow) you made before collapsing into a fit of giggles. "Whoo! Man, gotta love those practical effects. I wonder how they made it ooze like that..."

"Couldn't tell ya if I tried, doll." Beetlejuice said. And he couldn't, really. All your occult obsessions and love of horror aside, Beetlejuice had been haunting your home for over a month and you hadn't once been able to see or hear him. Not that he was trying all that hard; the incident with the Deetz's was still fresh in his mind. Befriending those damn breathers had left him with some... questionable morals, in that he now HAD morals, and he wasn't sure yet if fraternizing with the living was fair to them.

"Aah!" You yelped when the cultists finally caught up to the other heroes.

But damn, if your scream wasn't the cutest thing he'd ever heard. Maybe... just a little scare? Couldn't hurt, right? You clearly loved being scared. Just one teensy, tiny scare? He cracked his knuckles and got to work, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

The movie took a weird turn from there, something to do with a giant floating pyramid and then it cut to black. One of those 'ambiguous endings.' Still, not bad for an indie flick. You yawned and reached for the remote, ready to turn in for the night.

*fzzt!* the television cut to static. The image shifted and contorted, and you swore you could just make out words on the screen. You got up from the couch, inching closer to get a better look.

"Beetle. Juice?"

The words flashed again, faster and faster, almost excitedly. Admittedly a bit weirded out, your hand reached up to turn off the television. You gasped when you hand touched something scaly, recoiling just in time to avoid being bitten by the giant stiped snake now adorning your tv set. It's tail trailed down the screen, almost as if pointing to the words that were still erratically flashing there. You were certain now that you were recieving instructions, and you weren't terribly thrilled about the possible consequences... whether you obeyed, or not. You steadied yourself.

"Beetlejuice."

The snake slithered to the floor and slunk away behind the couch. You turned to chase after it, only to find yourself glued to your spot on the floor.

Beetlejuice was thrilled. Each time you said his name, he grew just a little more tethered to the world up top. You'd finally been able to see something he conjured up, it felt amazing! Now, to seal the deal. With a flick of his wrist, he made your television rattle and shake, the static growing ever louder. There was a new word on the screen now.

'Again'

You took a shaky breath. Movies were one thing, but this? You could turn off a movie. A movie couldn't leave the screen. A movie couldn't dim your lights and rattle your tv and bring giant snakes into your home. That's the sort of thing a spirit could do, but those didn't exist. They couldn't, could they?

Still, some sense of morbid curiosity pushed you to keep going. The final "Beetlejuice" almost felt like it was pulled from your throat.

Suddenly, the static cut out. Everything went pitch black, in fact. The air was unnaturally still. All you could sense was the ground beneath you and the ever-growing smell of damp earth and death. Fear coursed through you like never before. You could feel cold breath on the back of your neck. You squeezed your eyes shut, one last feeble attempt to shut everything out as a scream raked across your vocal chords. Then, silence.

"You sure you're not the ghost, here?" A gravely voice whispered through the darkness.

You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. The momentary confusion at such an odd question gave you just enough courage to squeak out, "w-what?"

The voice chuckled, "'Cause your smile has been HAUNTING me for weeks!"

Without warning, the lights flickered back on. The smell of death faded, leaving only the scent of popcorn, earth, and something you would have noticed smelled an awful lot like pot, had you been paying attention.

"Pretty good, huh babes?" You turned to the source of the sound to find a man in a striped suit lounging on your couch. "Better than any of those lame movies you've been watching all day, that's for damn sure."

You sat there, shocked beyond belief. In your crazed state, you did the very same thing that had carried you through even the most harrowing horror films, you laughed. You laughed away all the dread you were feeling until that sweet adrenaline high was completely untainted by any shread of fear.

The man's grin grew to inhuman proportions. "The name's BJ. I'm your local demon, bio exorcist, occasional interior decorator, sex god - you name it. I'm the ghost with the most, baby doll." He said with a wink and an outstretched hand, "pleased to finally make your acquaintance."

#beetlejuice the musical #beetlejuice the broadway musical #beetlejuice x reader #beetlejuice #beeeeeeeeeee #gone thot #fan fiction

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shadows-twilight · 4 years

Text

RWBY Volume 8 Chapter 2