#also i just love characters who have obviously gone through death. that has to change a person! tell me how it changed you!

[thaliagrayce]

y'know what we don't talk about enough? Hazel died. We talk about how she grew up in the 30's and 40's and we talk about how out of place she feels in the modern world, but! She died! She was dead! She has spent more time dead than alive, and not by a close margin!

How does that effect a person??? We got some of it in the flashbacks, but once those caught up with her present timeline and she shared them, they just kind of... disappeared. And she was a regular girl with some weird past experiences. That's one way of doing it, sure!

I think it would have been a lot cooler if she was just a touch creepier. If she felt a little bit Wrong. Yeah, in general she's more approachable than her brother, she's more sociable and less closed off, but. If you actually spend any time with her, it can be difficult to tell which child of the underworld is actually more unsettling.

Hazel is bright of personality and has a dazzling smile, but sometimes she'll just... shut down. She'll go completely blank for like half an hour and nobody knows what to do with it. Sometimes she forgets she's alive. Sometimes she'll spout the grimmest shit you've ever heard like it's nothing, she won't even notice it's weird until the room goes quiet. She spent decades in Asphodel, which is designed to make people forget about themselves and wander around for eternity, only she didn't have the luxury of forgetting! Wild! After she comes back to life, sometimes she forgets that she's allowed to Do Stuff now. She can spend so long sitting and staring at nothing. Sometimes she'll start crying on cloudless days because it hits her again that she can actually feel the warmth of the sun on her skin and she can hear birdsong. Every little mundane experience is a blessing and she will make you remember that in the most foreboding way possible.

#hazel levesque #hoo #mj talks #like. i am fascinated with characters who die and come back different and it JUST hit me that there was so much potential for hazel there #the idea of how death lingers was not explored At All in heroes of olympus #of course there's the obvious part in that there were what. 3 named character deaths total? 4 if you count leo #which i very much don't because it didn't stick! there were no consequences to this gigantic war! #the first series did well with that because we had plenty of named characters who died #even though some of them were introduced only to die like six chapters later. we still knew them on some level #and more importantly percy knew them. he felt their loss in a way that made consequences seem real #heroes of olympus didn't have any of that. hazel could have been a great way to talk about it a little more! #also i just love characters who have obviously gone through death. that has to change a person! tell me how it changed you! #anyway. i think i'll make hazel creepier from now on in my writing #she deserves it <3 #nico is creepy in an obvious way. he's got power over death and that clings to him like a second skin. he can't hide it #and he's learned that he doesn't have to. there is power in being othered #hazel seems lovely when you first meet her! none of the death power all of the glitter and gold and riches #and then she'll look you dead in the eye and say 'you really don't know how lucky you are to be able to breathe until you can't anymore' #and move on like it's nothing! what! #underworld siblings

[rhysdarbinizedarby]

‘Our Flag Means Death’ Star Rhys Darby on Stede’s Transformations & Hopes for Season 3

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Episode 8 “Mermen.”]

Our Flag Means Death saw Gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) transform from a fish-out-of-water swashbuckler into the romantic hero he was always destined to be in the latest season of Max‘s original comedy.

After realizing the error of his ways at the end of Season 1, Stede sought redemption in the eyes of the infamous Blackbeard, a.k.a. Ed (Taika Waititi), after recognizing he was in love with the pirate. While the path wasn’t a direct one, they eventually found their way back to one another with the help of a fantastical mermaid sequence, some much-needed apologies, and ultimately a better string of communication.

Reflecting on his journey, star Rhys Darby is opening up about Stede’s various transformations in Season 2, including the excitement surrounding that mermaid tail, as well as about where he thinks the pirate lovebirds might end up next should the series return for Season 3.

Congrats on Season 2! Now that we can finally talk about it, what has it been like getting to see fan reactions, especially during the SAG-AFTRA strike?

Rhys Darby: Yeah, it was like a pressure cooker that needed to burst, for us and for the fans. When it finally came out, the burst happened and there was so much love for us, [but we] couldn’t talk about it. We were still stuck in this bottle and the cork wouldn’t come off, and that was difficult, but it was really lovely to see all the love and the surprise from everyone. Obviously, as you know, the fan artwork, it’s what we would say in New Zealand is pretty full on. So yeah, it was super cool.

And not that anyone gives out numbers, but I think I heard on the ethos that people [are] watching it, and it’s rating really high and at a time when we need this kind of beautiful love fest of comedy with a whole bunch of silliness to take us away from the disasters that are happening in the world. It’s been lovely. I just wish it was longer. I know people watch and rewatch and they’re so fanatical, but it’s just a comedy show, so to have any effect means so much to us.

In Season 2, Stede’s gone through a few transformations, one of which is that he’s a real pirate now, at least comparatively to Season 1. What helped you get into that new version of him? Was it the writing, costumes, or a combination of the two?

Yeah, the costumes are the first thing that comes to mind because once he starts wearing different gear, he looks at himself and goes, “Oh my God, I’m a different man.” And he really is turning from a man who is wearing these beautiful gowns with high heels and things inappropriate for a pirate ship to becoming an Errol Flynn-type hero straight away. That’s what they wanted to do with the character. So he’s lost a lot of that beautiful pageantry and is becoming a more practical guy who has to survive. He returns to this nightmare of a world because he wants to fight for love, and for want of a better term, “man up,” whatever the modern-day version of that is, “person up?” To become the guy that he dreamt of being in the first season.

He didn’t dream that he was going to fall in love with someone. He dreamt he was going to be this amazing pirate and that just was not going to happen. But then when he found this love, I think he went away from that [dream] going, “I don’t deserve this.” And then when he realized upon returning home that he does deserve it, he had to fight for it. And so the only way to fight for it was to drop the battle armor of the gowns and actually become the pirate he imagined being. So it was great to become that and to fight for that love and to thank god that [Blackbeard] didn’t die. He would’ve actually lost it, I think, because it would’ve been like, “Well, what am I fighting for now?”

I think it was just so fun to see that character change, but also within that change, see a bit of the old self come through, especially when he found that cursed red suit. And all of a sudden it was like, “Oh my God, the old me again, look how good I look!” So it was lovely that they had those elements… I was missing a little bit of the old Stede myself. So it was great to find that again. And then again near the end with the British invasion scenario where I got to do the big coat and everything, which of course looked awesome. You can see that moment where I put it on and did that slow turnaround. It was way more filmic shots of me wearing that kind of stuff. And I think that gave Stede's strength as well. So much of Stede's embodiment comes from the things he’s wearing.

Speaking of costumes, the big one of the season had to be Stede’s mermaid look. How did you wrap your head around getting ready for such a fantastical, and ultimately, beautiful scene?

That was the highlight of the whole season for me. As a kid, I used to swim around like a little merkid. I would put my legs together and I’d swim under the water. I’ve always been into mermaids and things because I’m into cryptozoology. So when I got to be a mermaid or a merman, I really took to it. It was pretty easy, to be honest with you. I didn’t have any training to swim like that. So the only training I did was some breath work beforehand to help me hold my breath longer. But that was kind of almost superfluous. Once I got that [tail] on, I just became a mermaid. It’s hard for me to describe how I suddenly become these things, but I think I just got under the water. I could swim really easily with it.

And I had weights on. So one of the things was we had to make sure I was the right weight so that I wouldn’t just float. That thing was sort of buoyant. So once we sorted that out, I could actually swim really well, and then just sort of hover underneath the water for a long time while [Taika]’s looking at me, I’m looking at him. To see it on the day, on the screen when I knew they’d got [the shot], there were just so many cheers, and I think they even played the music to see how the scene would work out. It’s one of those life moments where you go, “Oh my God, I’m becoming a cryptid again. I’m never going to forget this.”

This season really does focus even more on Stede and Blackbeard’s romance. How did you and Taika prepare for that? Especially since Stede’s more transparent about his feelings this time around.

It was good, and it was time. And because I was the new strong Stede, it felt really natural for me. I think it just worked really well with the writing because of the aggression that I was going through. When I was fighting that really bad guy [Ned Low (Bronson Pinchot) and] threw a violin at him because he ruined Calypso’s birthday, that was a good moment because it is not just about Ed, it’s about the crew, Stede’s family, and they were going through this amazing moment there, and all of a sudden this guy turns up and next thing we’re getting tortured. And I’m like, “How dare you?”

I think that progression of strength helped [Stede] break into the moment of, “I’m just going to take my lover as well now, and do something with him.” He probably had no idea what he was doing because it’s Stede, but it worked out and it was the right time in the show. Taika and I are really good mates, so it’s really easy to do emotional scenes together. As soon as we put our gear on, we’re just looking at that character, and we admire each other.

You and Taika have been known to improv on the show. Was there any improv moment from Season 2 you were particularly proud to see onscreen?

Yeah. Well, one, I noticed that some people are talking about that they thought was scripted, which wasn’t — most of the [scenes where] I’m with Taika are improvised in those emotional close moments — is on the deck of the boat where we’d do the thumb thing. That was all improvised on the day. So that was fun that we got that kind of stuff in. And there were some more little bits and pieces, but that’s one that comes to mind. That worked really well.

By the end of Season 2, Stede and Blackbeard have settled in to open their own inn. Do you think the peace and quiet will last in a possible third season, or will they get bored and want to rejoin the excitement?

Well, obviously as it stands now, it’s very lovely and it’s a nice positive ending, which is lovely for Season 2. But in reality, if you think about the characters, even in the fictional world, they’re both outlaws, they’re pirates, and the British back then… they never gave up. They did track down all the pirates and either hang them or get rid of them. There was only a couple that got away, and it certainly wasn’t those two. So I think what they’re thinking is, yes, this is bliss, but both those characters must be thinking, this is not going to last because you’ve got to sleep with one eye open.

Even though they’re in the middle of nowhere, they’re still in an area where everyone knows what they are, so they’re going to be tracked down. So I think if it was me, [they’d] end up back in action one way or another, especially if their inn is popular, which it probably would be. Word would get around. I mean, in those days, had you heard the Blackbeard and Stede had opened up an inn, [you’d have] to check that one out. It’ll be like Planet Hollywood.

There would be a wait-list, for sure.

Yeah, absolutely. Basically, they’re too famous now that Stede’s killed Ned and everything. He’s a famous pirate. So death is going to come to their door at some point. They’ll have to deal with it.

Do you think this version of Stede and Blackbeard’s story could avoid the fate of the real-life pirates?

Yeah, no, I think you’re dreaming if you think they’re going to live happily ever after.

Our Flag Means Death, Seasons 1-2, Streaming now, Max

Source: TV Insider

#ofmd #our flag means death #ofmd s2 spoilers #behind the scenes #rhys darby #taika waititi #interview #tv insider

[trippingontheescalator]

Curious about the direction the HP fandom has gone

Okay, so as an old HP fan from way back when the books were first coming out, and then getting hit with the nostalgia and decided to return after years and years of not interacting with the fandom at all, the changes are truly mindboggling and I'd love to get to the bottom of some things.

Like, the disappearance of Blaise Zabini. Blaise was a fan favorite way back when we only knew his name but now I barely hear a whisper of his name. Now, the obvious answer is racism, which I think is the #1 reason why Blaise-pairings have dropped of significantly. Back then we all thought Blaise was a hot Italian girl, and then we found out he's a black man and suddenly people stop writing about him? Hm, yeah, seems the obvious answer (especially considering the popularity of other characters who are just a name on a page *cough*regulusblack*cough*).

Or the rise in Snape-hate. Like, Snape used to be the fan favorite. Everyone loved Snape. The meaner he was, the more we liked him. Being mean to children was a plus, not a negative lol. And this was back when we all thought he was a pureblood who came from a wealthy family like the Malfoys. Now by the time the 7th book came out I had pretty much moved on and so I didn't really see the fallout of readers discovering his actual background, so I don't know if his drop in popularity is classism and learning that he isn't a palette-swapped Lucius Malfoy or not, but honestly I would figure his impoverished background would be a plus in these times. Like Snape is obviously one of JKR's least favorite characters, and considering how she-who-must-not-be-named has destroyed her reputation with her increasing radicalization you'd figure the poor, abused, author-hating character would become more beloved instead of the rich, white, heteronormative bullies who barely even show up in the books. Like with our increasing knowledge of social injustice, I just don't understand why the fandom would want to latch onto the Marauders? And I just can't believe Snape's handful of snippets with Lily is the cause of his downfall (like what's there is barely enough to fill up a few pages, and there are certainly more toxic relationships in the series that are still beloved), or the fact that he was a Death Eater or that he inadvertently caused the deaths of the Potters (we already knew that in GoF and HPB respectively and he was still beloved, and this was when we assumed he didn't give a shit about the Potters or if they died when he went snitching). Draco is still popular. DRACO who doesn't give two shits about slinging around the word "mudblood," as opposed to Snape who actually changed for the better.

Am I just too old to understand? Is this like 90s fashion coming back in style (no, I won't do it again, I don't care if it's cringy I'm sticking with my millennial styles, I did the platforms and the slip dresses and the cargo pants in high school and I'm not putting myself through that again lol you gen z's can pry my comfortable mom jeans from my cold, dead fingers, I don't care if it makes me look old, that's the point, I AM old). Like, in addition to 90s fashion, has the 90s obsession with luxury athletic fashion like Lacoste come back in style? All those fashion ads of rich white people on yachts with popped collar polos? Are people starting to obsess over the Marauders because nouveau riche conspicuous consumption is coming back in style? It can't all just be young kids who have only read AtYD and have never actually opened one of the books, can it?

There also seems to be a trend of treating characters as if they're real people. I mean, we've always done it (Snape Wives, I'm looking at you), but now it almost feels as if the crimes characters commit are treated as if they're real crimes and that liking them is somehow a moral failing on the reader's fault. If you were to say "I don't like Snape, his douchy actions anger me, I'd rather skip all the parts he shows up in" I'd say, cool, I get that. That's normal. But "Snape is an abuser, a racist, and an incel and if you like him you're probably those things too" is fucking weird. Like, Harry and Hermione are not real children. Snape is not a real person. The things that happen in this book have as much influence on the real world as me imagining ninjas breaking into my workplace on a slow day. And that "media does not exist in a vacuum" pisses me off because it's blatantly misused. The pieces of media that have had serious consequences? Jaws, The Birth of a Nation. One resulted in the culling of sharks, the other helped restart the KKK. Do you know what those two pieces of media have in common? They're not about fucking wizards and magic schools. They instead paint a target on real groups. After twenty years nobody has ever tried to hurt a marginalized group of people because of a harry potter book (except for JKR herself).

Anyway, these are just some random thoughts, feel free to chime in with your own.

#pro snape #severus snape #pro severus snape #snapedom #mostly snape some blaise #would love to hear form some marauders fans but im not touching that tag with a ten foot pole #yikes

[kyriearashi-blog]

Why making Aziraphale and Crowley mortal would be more cruel than ending their story with S2

Ever since Michael Sheen replied to a tweet regarding them turning mortal, I’ve seen an uptick in people talking about the theory that that is how their story ends. Perhaps it’s because I just had a death in the family, but the idea of it made me horribly emotional. I managed to outline the reasons why, and wanted to share my thoughts.

1. It undermines Crowley not wanting to become an angel for Aziraphale

It was a huge character growth moment for Crowley, who has been treating Aziraphale gently their entire lives on Earth, to refuse to become an angel to stay with him. To go from refusing to change for him, to changing to a mortal so they can be together, negates this powerful decision. It also feeds into Aziraphale’s idea that they can’t be together as an angel and a demon, which means it would negate any character growth he needs to go through to be able to earn Crowley’s love.

2. Gabriel and Beelzebub were able to be together as an angel and a demon

While Gabriel was willing to change to be with Beelzebub in Hell, at the end they didn’t need to. They could go off together as they were. Why do our heroes, who have experienced so much, need to be humans to be together?

3. They would never be able to go to Alpha Centauri together

While they could technically go before changing, it wouldn’t have the same impact, knowing they could never go again. They met in the stars that Crowley made. To say they can never see them as anything other than fancy wallpaper, for the rest of their mortal lives, simply hurts.

4. They would barely have time together

If they became mortal as we know them, they would have maybe 30 years together. In which time, one would have to watch the other whither and die and be left alone. Then what happens? Do they return to Heaven and Hell? Are they simply dead and gone? Are they reincarnated and meet each other over and over for eternity?

While the latter may seem romantic, it’s simply just as tragic as the other options. They wouldn’t be them. They wouldn’t know the depth of their love, and their story would still end in death, every time. It would be Romeo and Juliet: a tragic and painful romance, that always ends in tragedy and pain.

5. Aziraphale would lose a part of Crowley he loves

Perhaps this isn’t such a big deal, but Aziraphale loves Crowley’s eyes. The color, the expressiveness… he constantly loses himself in them. Obviously, these would be gone, should they become mortal. This may seem like a positive, since Crowley would no longer have to hide behind his sunglasses, but it is yet again a case of changing who he is to be with Aziraphale.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course, but I had to get these thoughts out of my mind, which is already dealing with mourning family. If season 3 aired today, and ended with them being mortal, I don’t think I could handle it. Mortality is too tragic to be thrust upon these beautiful characters.

#good omens #good omens thoughts #neil gaiman #ineffable husbands #good omens theories

[northoftheroad]

Ten-ish panels to sum up Dick Grayson

@roma107 challenged me some time back: “10 Nightwing Panels That Perfectly Sum Up His Character. Your turn. Go.” It’s been hard to even get close, and in the end I couldn't quite keep it to ten panels... But, enjoy disagreeing with me all the same. 😉

1. Robin vol 2 # 13 (1995)

Dick has issues with Bruce – they have had occasional problems with communication since the early 1940s – but he is loyal to a fault.

2. Teen Titans vol 3 # 6 (2004)

Just about every one of DC’s heroes respects, trusts and is prepared to listen to Dick. Obviously, that's not because he's a nice guy – which he is, don't get me wrong – or because he puts in the work with relationships – which he does. That may make people like you, but it's not enough to get them to follow you into battle...

No, that's because he's smart, professional and competent. As you see here, he can also be intense and knows how to make a dramatic entrance...

3. World's Finest Comics vol 1 # 200 (1971)

Dick is (often, but not always) ready with a smile and a joke. He loved being Robin as a kid, he wanted to do it forever (see, for instance, Nightwing vol 2 # 75). As Batman after Final Crisis, he smiled enough to convince Two-Face it wasn't the old Batman.

To what extent Dick jokes because he's in a good mood, he’s trying to keep his spirits up or he wants to annoy criminals enough to gaude them into sloppy mistakes – it varies between creators and Dick’s mood at the time😉

However, there have certainly been periods when Dick has not put on his best behaviour. He snaps at Alfred, he's unpleasant to close friends in the Titans, etc. I'd argue this is a sign he's not in a good place, mentally. Most of the panels of short fuse/asshole Dick Grayson you will find floating around are either from when he was leading The Outsiders (vol 3), and was struggling after the death of Donna Troy. Or from the almost five years' worth of New Teen Titans comics where his behaviour is influenced by being tortured and brainwashed by Brother Blood (New Teen Titans vol 1 # 22, August 1982, to New Teen Titans # 31, May 1987).

Alternate panel: Teen Titans vol 2 # 12 (1997)

4. Battle for the Cowl # 3 (2009)

Dick is prepared to change. Whether it's about a new mantle, getting a new job to pay the bills, or moving to a new city.

5. The New Teen Titans vol 2 # 6 (1985)

Dick might drop everything when somebody asks for help, and he is open to asking for help and working with teams better than Batman. But he does have his own set of control issues. He wants to have a job instead of living on Bruce’s money; he wants to know how to cook etc so he can take care of himself. You could argue it's a response to being orphaned and losing his home at a young age, and then having several episodes when he doesn't feel secure about his place with Bruce Wayne (see, for instance Robin Year One, Batman plays a lone hand in Batman vol 1 # 13, Partner to Batman in Batman vol 1 # 65)

6. Action comics weekly # 613 (1988)

Dick is uncomfortable with casual relationships/sex. When he had a fling with Huntress (Nightwing/Huntress, 1988–1989), he tried to start a relationship. It took him a long time to accept that he could live with Kory after she had gone through with a marriage of state on her home planet, and he felt strange living with her because they weren't married (see NTT vol 2 #48).

7. Detective Comics vol 1 # 881 (2011)

Dick is a nice guy who chooses to be kind, optimistic and to give people the benefit of a doubt – but he's still sneaky and definitely not stupid.

8. Titans vol 1 # 3 (1999)

Yes, Dick jokes a lot, and he enjoys hanging out with his friends. But he's also a workaholic and holds himself to a very high standard.

Alternate panel: New Teen Titans vol 1 # 29 (1983)

9. Nightwing vol 4 # 41 (2018)

He has a tendency to self-blame - and he is also very stubborn! Presumably, the tendency to feel guilty over things outside his control is partly survivor's guilt, but also related to the very high standards he holds himself to, and the very high expectations others have on him. And, I would argue, this tendency is a reason he sometimes lets friends an family punish him without fighting back.

Bonus panel: sometimes, he can admit he has a problem with self-blame. The New Titans vol 1 # 57 (1989)

10. Nightwing vol 3 # 29 (2014)

He wants to be a safety net for everyone. That's a good summary of Nightwing as a character, in my opinion.

And... Nightwing vol 4 # 43 (2018)

Bonus. This one-shot is a good Nightwing story, but very unfair on Roy Harper/Arsenal. It touches on several things – how Dick is always ready to help, that he does not want to be like Batman, his tendency to blame himself...

#dick grayson #nightwing #robin #batman #batman and robin

[fuckyeahizzyhands]

COLLIDER: I'm so glad that we finally got the chance to touch base about the show.

CON O’NEILL: Yeah. It's been really uncomfortable not being able to talk about it.

COLLIDER: Izzy, as a character, really goes on a beautiful, poignant journey this season. In the beginning, Ed is Blackbeard and back to the old lifestyle of raiding and pillaging ships, but it feels like something's off. Izzy has what he wanted back, but at what cost? What was your take on that — reverting to the way that things used to be, but, obviously, there's been a shift, and things aren't quite the same?

O’NEILL: It goes back to how it used to be, but Ed’s broken, and that's the difference. Before Stede appeared, Izzy and Blackbeard worked as a unit really, really well because they were both on the same page. When Stede breaks Blackbeard's heart, Izzy and Blackbeard aren't on the same page. Basically, Izzy’s looking at a man that he loves falling apart, and all the joy is gone — not just from Blackbeard, but from piracy. He can see Ed's decline, he can see the decline in his crew, which is fundamentally really, really the most important thing to him. He can feel his own heart breaking, because he's seeing the devastating impact of his actions. So, it's a pretty bleak start to a season, but we do have fabulous make-up.

COLLIDER: It does feel bleak, especially for Izzy at times, who goes through the amputation and has to adjust to a new normal of not being able to get around the way that he used to. But it's also an opportunity to see the changing dynamic with the crew. I was really touched by the moment when they built [Izzy] a new leg. It's moving on an emotional level, but it's also proof of how far this group has come. Was it nicer to be able to play those moments of camaraderie instead of being at odds all the time?

O’NEILL: What's interesting, though, is the love for Izzy to his crew and the crew to Izzy, it's always been there. It's just not being presented in this way. The giving of the leg, I believe, is the first time in his life where he's actually had an emotional connection that he wasn't able to control. That act of kindness overwhelms it. But he's still a pirate, and the leg ultimately allows him to be a pirate again. He does change his attitude towards his crew after the new leg and after the unicorn statement, but it's also about how to navigate the new crew as the first mate. And that's the beauty of what David's written. It's not suddenly he's this new guy. He's still a bit of a dick, but he's their dick, as Vico says.

It's a beautiful human version of the story that could have been really sentimental, and I don't think we go there. He doesn't suddenly become everyone's mate. That was never going to happen. That would have been dishonest. But he just has a need for them more because he's not as physically able as he used to be, and with that comes an understanding of them. The way he deals with Lucius is very specific in that he can't give Lucius love and understanding without calling him a twat — because that's who Izzy is, but he does give him love and understanding — and that's down to David and David's choices. Remember, this is a comedy. He's done all this in a comedy. That's really profound that we're going on these routes of human stories in what is essentially a comedy.

COLLIDER: One that really stuck out to me was Izzy singing in the “Calypso's Birthday” episode, especially because it plays as a backdrop to some pretty significant moments. I wanted to ask you about the preparation process behind performing that song. Did you have to record it and also do it live on-set?

O’NEILL: I got an email from David a third of the way through the shoot asking me if I knew “La vie en rose,” which, of course, I knew, but only as I'd heard it. I was actually in Wellington filming a different show because I did a different show for a week, and I just got this message. We were just gonna sing the English version because we didn't have the rights to the French version, and I don't speak any French at all. Nothing. Zilch. And then I got the phone call. Would I be able to learn it in French? So I did. I called a lot of people, and a lot of people who say they speak French don't. But my partner does, and I have a friend who just played Piaf. So, between the two of them, they gave me an understanding of the French.

We recorded both versions, and I lip-synced to the English version first before the scene with Ned. I thought we were just gonna do a little bit of the French version for the end of the episode. I had no understanding that it was gonna play out the episode. I’m thrilled that it does, but it was terrifying. Every minute of that, from the recording of it to the lip-syncing it to the filming it, was terrifying. I haven't sung in public for 20 years. But it felt right, and it felt like the absolute right choice of song. It felt like the absolute right choice of language. I didn't want him to be too French, I just wanted him to be able to because Izzy speaks bits of every language, as most pirates would. I thought it was audacious. I thought it was moving. I thought, again, it shied away from sentimental. And I’m just in awe of how David's brain works. If you would have asked me prior to doing it which song Izzy would sing, I'd never have thought “La vie en rose,” and now I can't think of a song that's more appropriate for Izzy.

COLLIDER: I talked to David, as well, about the scene of Izzy talking about piracy in the finale, and he said it's kind of like Izzy giving his own eulogy, in a way, before what happens next. That scene where Taika is holding you feels significant for the show — not just in terms of the weight and impact, but because so much of the cast is there, and it really feels like a moment of family getting to be together. Even if it's mostly an exchange between Izzy and Ed, everyone's there to send him off. I would love to hear about the experience of filming that on the day.

O’NEILL: David sent me the scene a few weeks prior, and the date was set to film it, which was gonna be in the last week of filming. It was early on in the last week, and then it was in the middle of the last week, and then it was scheduled for the morning of the last day. Then, suddenly, it became the last thing we were gonna ever film in Season 2.

Those things aren't easy. They're quite difficult because no matter how you think about it in your head, it's not gonna play that way. We were on a set, we were on the ship, there were hundreds of crew, there was the whole cast, they were setting up the shot. It was busy. David, bless him, played a playlist to help us all get in the mood, but it's just a cacophony of noise and busyness, and we’re getting towards the end of the day.

Suddenly, it was just me and Taika. Suddenly, all the noise disappeared, and suddenly, all the process of filming a scene disappeared, and it was just me and him. And Taika is a wonderful actor. Everyone talks about his writing and his directing, and this and that. Taika is a beautiful actor to play opposite. And in that moment, we just got to say goodbye to a character that we both loved. You never get a death scene that's going to get all those boxes, but for me, it was never about what Izzy said. It was about Izzy being vulnerable enough and brave enough to say, “Sit with me.” It was about Izzy being allowed to be held in the last moments of his life. That's all I remember about the day. I’m very proud of it.

COLLIDER: I just want to say thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about the show. It's been great to finally get to reconnect with the cast and to really get to talk about Season 2.

O’NEILL: Oh, it’s my pleasure. It’s my pleasure.

COLLIDER: I’ve enjoyed your performance so much these last two seasons, and who knows? Maybe we'll see Izzy's ghost pop up in Season 3.

O’NEILL: Who knows?

COLLIDER: You can't predict anything with this show.

O’NEILL: No, none of us can, and none of us know. Literally, we are all in the dark, all of us, David included. None of us knows what's gonna happen. David always wanted three seasons, and I think this story should be allowed to run its course. I would say that because I'm involved, but even if Izzy isn't involved in Season 3, I would be heartbroken for the show if it didn’t get to conclude, because it's an important show.

#our flag means death spoilers #our flag means death #ofmd #con o'neill #izzy #izzy hands #con interview #interview #2ep8 #ofmd spoilers #season 3

[worldseer]

Who are your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from JJK? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks.....

I admit, most of my favorite characters from JJK I somewhat thirst over but I'll try to keep those thoughts out of why I love them (because I do have some genuine reason besides thirst for liking them). 1. Toji Fushiguro

First and foremost, I like his calm attitude yet snarky way of talking. Also he's just a badass. We all all saw him kick ass any time he came on screen. His physique and strength is something to envy ngl (which I had big muscles too). And yes, not the best dad but I KNOW this man was the best fucking husband he could be. 2. Kento Nanami

HE DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER! It's obvious he cares a lot about people, especially young sorcerers. I like to believe that while he hates how Jujutsu Society operates, he tries to make the small changes necessary to make it better (aka not having child soldiers die and get traumatized like he did). Plus I fully agree that both aspects of life (living as a sorcerer or working a normal job) sucks too.

3. Ryomen Sukuna

HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON BEFORE YOU ALL STAB ME TO DEATH CEASAR STYLE- He's genuinely an interesting antagonist to me. He has layers, I think that's apparent. He's cocky, but for good reason. And there have been moments where I near shat my pants watching him (we all saw that Jogo vs. Sukuna fight and those jumpscares he did. Also both VAs did amazing cackles). His true form from the Heian Era is also so cool to look at as well, and I think may inspire me to be more creative with my own character designs in the future.

4. Suguru Geto

HOLD ON, HOLD ON- Once again, I love a layered antagonist and HOLY SHIT HE HAS LAYERS! Like- ok- I get what his goal is. I get what he wants. And frankly, if my lover best friend died, came back to life, and close friend I was meant to protect died as well, yeah I'd be kinda fucked up so see people celebrating and not batting an eye. Yes, running a cult and committing literal genocide are. . . choices. But in the end, his goal is to protect sorcerers (a group constantly being used and controlled by the majority of non-sorcerers) and that makes some sense.

5. Toge Inumaki

I personally think he's a bit underrated, and underutilized. Sure, I know he's not loaded with Cursed Energy but like- that technique he has can be overpowered as hell. Also, I like how he insists on using ingredient names to convey how he feels when he could just- avoid commands? Like he can obviously use nouns. As long as there's a proper subject, then verbs won't use the cursed speech technique (Don't flame me if I'm wrong, I haven't read through too much of the manga). He's cute, I love his vibes, and he is my son. As for moments in the series, they're more small than most expect: 1. Whenever Mahito gets his ass beat - Self explanatory. Yes I'm still fucking mad about what happened to Nobara and Nanami.

2. When Yuji met Toge in the streets of Shibuya - SALMON! But fr, I love the small moments that show friendship between sorcerers that otherwise don't meet up much. And Toge just being there, chilling with a megaphone to help people is funny to me.

3. The last conversation between Megumi and Toji - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! PAIN! BUT ALSO YOU CAN SEE HOW HAPPY TOJI IS FOR HIS SON! I'M GONE. DEAD.

4. THAT Nanami scene - MAPPA served us good as did Kenjiro Tsuda. "The number and locations of your allies," anything for you, love. Let's go to Malaysia and sit on a beach. I giggle every time.

5. The phone conversation Suguru and Satoru have - The expressions and conversation kill me everytime. They're 'close friends' your honor.

#jjk #jjk fluff #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen #inumaki toge #jjk inumaki #jujutsu kaisen inumaki #geto suguru #jjk suguru #jujutsu kaisen suguru #fushiguro toji #toji fushiguro #jjk toji #ryomen sukuna #sukuna #sukuna ryomen #jjk nanami #kento nanami #nanami kento #jjk manga #jjk memes #worldseer rambles

[achaotichuman]

It went right over my head when I read it before but it’s wild to think you were an IC fan before 🤯

Some of the awful years.

Y’all will flip at this, but here were my thoughts on the Acotar cast when I was fresh in the fandom.

Rhysand- Liked him, didn’t feel as bad for him as others did but I knocked that down to me just straight up not being attracted to him. I started hating him in Acosf tho. I hadn’t read Acosaf because I thought it a waste of time. But if I had seen those scenes before Silver flames then I would’ve probably hated him sooner.

Feyre- I thought she was really fucking annoying. Especially in her scenes with Nesta. Not much can be said for her because Feyre was more of a device to see through. But I would be the last to advocate for her. Obviously that has changed drastically.

Morrigan- Liar. First thing that comes to mind. She seemed like a white girl who peaked in highschool so I just didn’t like her.

Amren- She was my favourite character second to Nesta. Solely for the reason we now had a morally grey character that actually acted like an unapologetically bad person when she wanted to. This has severely changed. Also literally two lines into her introduction I was screaming Valg King. Amren is a Valg King no one can change my mind. That part hasn’t changed.

Cassian- I was a die hard Cassian fan. I loved this man. I swear to God I would have gone to war for him. I was also die hard nessian. Obviously that has also changed, for the better in my opinion.

Azriel- I cannot physically express how much I hated Azriel. He was quite literally my least favourite character, I wanted him dead. I was hoping every single page that he would be killed off. He was there for vibes and vibes only. Since Azris I am a changed man, but sometimes I just can’t stand him.

Nesta- My Queen. My Lady. My wife. My mirror. She made me feel seen and heard. I love this woman and I always will.

Elain- No opinions on her. I figured pretty quickly she would be a bigger factor later on but I had no opinions on her. I am very pro Elain now, but in canon I just don’t really trust SJM with her. Which is also why my only solid ship with her is Gywnlain. I am very anti Elriel, always was.

Lucien- My heart and soul. I was obsessed with this man. I wanted to wrap him up and hold him close. Still do.

Eris- I didn’t understand the hype in Acowar but come silver flames and I was diving deep into this man. Trying to undo every cryptic word. I developed a very deep love for him. One that has only grown.

Tamlin- Felt sorry for him, but overall I had no strong opinions. I really wanted Acotar back. In the first book I would have probably given up a kidney for him, then it went down slowly. In Acowar however I was defending this man left and right. By Acosf I wanted more Tamlin.

Then I started to deep dive into the characters and their arcs. This was before I joined Tumblr. And the more I read the more convinced I was that in the next book the IC was going to have a falling out because their dynamics made no sense to me. They looked like they were slowly breaking, and Rhysand was very shortly put on my anti list.

But I never made a big fuss about my thoughts because if I did I got attacked really fuckin quickly.

Then I joined Tumblr and found a great community where I could hate and be supported.

Love you guys to death. Thanks to all of you I get to be in my Pro Tamlin, anti IC world and I am so glad I get to be here.

Edit- I was also extremely closeted when I first read Acotar and that definitely had its affect on my opinions on some of the characters.

#anti ic #anti rhysand #pro tamlin #pro nesta archeron #acotar #critical feyre archeron #anti rhys

[badgerhuan]

Just watched Dead Reckoning and had a blast, but one thing that I noticed is that Ethan's character seems more gentle as the series progressed.

If we compare this current Ethan with his younger counterpart, it seems that he is softer around the edges, calmer, and even somewhat tired.

I mean, I don't need proof Tom is one hell of an actor, but delivered so much in this movie. I loved him with Hayley and how much his character seems to have changed

anon Ethan is SO tired he just wants to rest!! he's been tired since mi3, honestly, and he's been wanting out since mi1

I do think mi1 and mi2, now armed with our powers of hindsight and ability to view the series and Ethan's character as a whole, aren't the best reflection of how Ethan is. in mi1 he is freshly traumatized, grappling with the death of his entire team that he obviously was very close with. in the few minutes that we saw of him before the mission, he is also very soft with his teammates, but he has an energy about him that I can only describe as...unbroken. someone who still hadn't gone through major losses. (this is partly why I don't vibe a lot with his retconned past in DR1, where he supposedly had experienced great loss prior to joining the IMF. personally, it doesn't quite fit with my interpretation of him in mi1, but I think given time I'll be able to reconcile with it and make them both work).

in mi2, he's in his self-destructive, angry at the system that trapped him, leaning into his worse tendencies while still not having recovered from the trauma of mi1 phase. he's rough and defiant and antagonistic towards the IMF on purpose. he wants out, but he didn't get to leave, so he's being very very difficult about it. it's not until the end of mi2 that he finds the world worth saving again, and by the time we get to mi3, I think that's the closest we see of him being like early mi1, just with the added weight of the trauma he's hopefully had time to parse through or completely compartmentalize, could be either or.

but yes I have a lot of feelings about Ethan Hunt and his character progression throughout the series, but in the end I think the core of him has never really changed. and I love that about him so much.

#mission: impossible #ethan hunt #roch answers #roch metas

[itsclydebitches]

While I wish the show focused on RWBY and get side/secondary characters tf out of the spotlight, I can't help but personally find Jaune more interesting atm. It probably won't happen, but it'd be so interesting to see Jaune return home as he is and face his family. How would his dynamics change with his sisters now that he's the oldest? Is he now older than his own parents? How would they grieve not being able to witness even parts of his life? Would they be proud to know he's "lived up" to the line of warriors, and his parents don't have to wait to see him at his "best?" With the show having tone issues and putting comedy in objectively horrific circumstances, would Jaune jokingly flaunt his new maturity over his sisters? This is idea has so much potential that of course won't get developed or resolved satisfactory, as nothing in this show does. It's not even being done well with the immediately available characters.

Honestly... yeah. While I completely get why many fans dislike Jaune due to his meta problems (and why they might simply dislike him as a character, period) for me the result of giving him so much that should have gone to Ruby means that he's a more well-rounded character and, thus, more interesting to some viewers. Jaune has conflict to engage with. Just off the top of my head:

He's a classic underdog whereas Ruby's prodigy status means she's never really had to improve across the series. Even her one new skill, Silver Eyes, is mastered in a single fight.

Instead, Ruby's problem is that she's younger than her peers which has an impact for... three episodes? Especially since Weiss' issues with Ruby being leader seem to stem entirely from the fact that she wants to be leader, not because she's two years younger.

So Ruby gets a short arc about figuring out how to lead... which is what Jaune goes through too because he's also a leader.

Alongside this, Jaune gets a whole bullying arc that helps develop his character (even if it's pretty simplistic development).

Jaune is the love interest of Pyrrha who spends a ton of time with her whereas Ruby is just the kinda-friend whose relationship exists almost entirely off screen. Seriously, I know we all like to talk about how traumatizing seeing her die was for Ruby (and undoubtedly it was), but her "PYRRHA!" at the Vytal festival is the one friend-y moment I can think of off the top of my head.

Jaune accompanies Ruby on her Cinder quest, ensuring he's there to experience and grapple with everything our protagonist is experiencing and grappling with too.

He gets the armor upgrade and later new gadgets, despite Ruby supposedly being a weapons nerd.

As fans have pointed out in regards to the "Who is responsible for their failed plan?" debate, Jaune gets to come up with a lot of ideas across the series (good and bad) that Ruby then agrees to follow. Ruby was GREAT at coming up with cool combat strategies and plans at the start of the show and now that's all but disappeared.

Jaune has the extreme reaction to learning about Ozpin's secrets. I mean, I hate it, but I can't deny that it's more engaging than Ruby's reassurances that are immediately undermined by Qrow.

Jaune, Ren, and Yang are off LITERALLY FIGHTING SALEM AND NOT SAVING OSCAR'S LIFE while Ruby sits in a mansion drinking tea.

He's the one to kill Penny. Ruby might also have a grief arc this Volume, but that's lessened by the fact that it should have occurred six Volumes go and she only heard about this second-hand. That's a COMPLETELY different scenario from not just seeing the death, but causing it.

Jaune winds up in Ever After and immediately finds the contrived plot device that makes his life - as you've laid out, anon, - that much more interesting.

Ruby has a breakdown about how bad things are and so does Jaune... but to my mind he's got a lot more to complain about with a lot less responsibility too, so it resonates with me more. I mean, I don't really want to compare trauma - Ruby obviously has a LOT to be upset over - but I struggle to hone in on her "I hate having to cheer everyone up!" meltdown when Jaune is there having a "I've been alone for decades and now my village is dead!" meltdown.

And yeah, we can throw in a lot of Ruby specific things too. Sort of. She has Silver Eyes! ... which haven't been very important in the narrative and, you know, Jaune is the descendant of some great huntsmen family with hints that he'll be even more by the series' end. Ruby was targeted for kidnapping! ... once, while Jaune was there helping to defend her, and it's not something she ever reflects on. Ruby is the simple soul destined to save Remnant! ... and Jaune is now the Rusted Knight, a literal fairy tale hero who, as we've been reminded over and over this Volume, everyone in Remnant simply adores.

None of these are new complaints. Jaune gets too much screen time. He gets too much development compared to the girls. He's too perfect despite supposedly being a fuck-up at the start. No one who came to RWBY for the woman-led team focus is happy about this (or about Ozpin-Oscar being at the center of this fight). But the inevitable result of all that - if you can get past your frustration - is that Jaune is simply more interesting in a whole lot of ways. He's developed more across the series and now continues to have more engaging, logical conflicts. Jaune has lived a lifetime in a fairy tale and faces the possibility of returning to Remnant with an insane amount of baggage to overcome, to say nothing of how this would change how everyone interacts with him for the rest of the series. He still has a personal beef against the villains for Pyrrha's death whereas we haven't confirmed that Salem killed Summer, or that Ruby wants to hunt her down for that. Jaune is now falling apart for very legitimate, understandable reasons that none of us really need to nitpick because yeah, who wouldn't have a meltdown about spending decades in this place and then loosing a whole family? Meanwhile, Ruby is... sad about a death that already happened once and also that she "has" to be leader after demanding to be leader. One of these arcs is not like the other!! The fact that Ruby does have interesting things for the story to engage with - the mysterious death of her mother, the potential for her Silver Eyes to be the only thing that could hurt Salem, etc. - doesn't matter because the story isn't writing that. So yeah, hard agree, anon. The story is supposed to be about Ruby, I want it to be about Ruby, but the show continually goes, "Look at this more interesting, more developed, more conflict-laden character over here." Even if RWBY fails to do something good with all that - which inevitably it will - the potential is still more engaging than 99% of what Ruby has had going on since Volume 5.

#rwde #rwby #mymetas

[ohmotherwhereartthou-if]

Your writing is amazing!!! I’m so sorry to ask but I must, How would the RO’s or other characters react to the MC sacrificing themselves to protect them?

Hello,

Thank you for your kind words. 💙😊

Ooh, a rare ask with other characters besides the Ro's. I mean which is fair, since a lot of the other characters haven't really been thoroughly introduced yet.

Also, since it wasn't specified; I am assuming relationship stage with the RO's?

Cassandra: Would have survivors guilt and feel as if she should have been the one to die. She would not do anything stupid and live a more careful life because while she would like to be reunited with MC in death, she would never want their sacrifice to have been for nothing. Would close herself off from love for a very long time, would only maybe find love again in her old age with another person who also knows the pain of losing a lover when they were young.

Valeria: Would obviously be distraught, she would ask God a lot "why did MC have to die?". She would spend a lot of time in church and honestly, I could either see her becoming a sort of nun figure or meeting someone new at church years later and falling in love. She would name her first child after MC and never forget them.

Tomás: Ouch. Just ouch. He would never love again, he would grow old and bitter, towards everyone and everything. He would dwell on the memory of MC and wish he had died instead, I see him going through 'A Man Called Otto' type of journey. (Great movie btw, I highly recommend it.) He would want to end himself to be reunited by MC and while he is so mean to everyone around him, he constantly thinks back to all his time spent with MC. From the most mundane moments from the sweetest memories, he remembers everything and keeps all of MC's things. Would never remarry or even consider thinking about anyone romantically ever again.

-

Ludovica: Uh.... I feel so bad that I only see one outcome for my sweet baby. UNLESS you guys had a kid, Vica is following after MC very soon after they pass. She would only go on living if you guys had a kid because they would give her a reason to live, she couldn't leave them behind and knows they need her now more than ever. But she would almost never smile, all light is gone from her and while she loves her child with all her heart; very little happiness could ever reach her now.

Aurelio: Would mourn and become rather reclusive for a few years. He wouldn't be the playful flirtatious fool anymore, he has matured and grown rather melancholic. He would keep on, living on for MC's sake but he would be forever changed. No more parties, no more crazy stupid antics. He will become regular old gentleman and maybe marry again some day but he knows deep down in his heart that the love he had for MC will always be stronger than what he could possible ever feel for anybody else.

Elio: I said this in a previous ask but... MC's death would definitely start his villain arc. He finally feels so strongly towards someone and they go and die on him? Screw humanity, everything can burn for all he cares.

Bonus!

Mother: Guilt would eat her up inside, she was supposed to protect MC; they were supposed to be safe when they were with her. That's what she promised them all those years ago, how could she let then down this way? Her poor, sweet little one; she is so sorry. So, so very sorry.

(Traveler's is sort of written in her pov)

Traveler: Damn it. Damn it! This wasn't supposed to happen, I guess this is what happens when you take a chance and try to help out a inexperienced kid. You end up getting them killed. You should have known, known better. This is your fault. You are the reason they are dead, this poor kids blood is forever on your hands. I hope they haunt me for the rest on my life... they can join the party and at least never feel lonely.

#omwat #OMWAT #ask #ludovica #cassandra #elio #aurelio #valeria #tomas #mother #the traveler

[undervaluedagent]

Charged and Uncharged Yellow Guy: The core traits and similarities.

Desire to learn

One of Yellow's core traits, in my opinion, is his drive to learn. In the very first episode, Creativity, he's the most active and enthusiastic participant. This is a trend that continues often throughout the series. Uncharged Yellow rarely protests against a lesson unless he feels he or his friends are in danger. The rest of the time, he's perfectly happy to learn. Even in Episode 4 of the original series, Yellow says "I'd like to be as smart as a computer," showing his desire to learn and have knowledge.

(Sure, in Transport Yellow is reluctant to try out transport on their own, but think about what happens when the gang tries to learn more on their own. Let's use Time as an example, when Yellow and the gang asked questions, they were interrupted and then punished severely. It's only reasonable that Yellow would be afraid to try learning any more, even if he might want to.)

Charged Yellow Guy has a drive to learn too, this is the driving force for him through the episode. But now he has the brain power to realize that the teachers teach misinformation, so he's no longer an enthusiastic participant in the lessons. His entire journey is searching for something greater that he can learn, and accurately.

Compassion

Compassion is a staple of Yellow Guy's character as well. In Episode 3, Love, Yellow Guy is distraught by the killing of a butterfly, showing his compassion and empathy for other life forms (which the other two tend to lack). Yellow Guy will also affirm it when Duck says things like saying he's the best one, perhaps in an attempt to make Duck feel good about himself. And in situations like the Family episode, Yellow is the one to remember and be concerned for the other ones when they disappear.

Yellow can be mean sometimes, but that's typically in special circumstances, like in Death with Stain Edwards acting as Duck's replacement, or with Warren, who nobody likes (who he even allows into his brain friends group without protest until he ruins it all).

Charged Yellow might be seen as less compassionate or empathetic, but I don't believe this. He may seem less emotional on the surface, and less able to empathize with others, but he still is compassionate. When he notices Electracey in distress, he notes that her blood sugar might be low and she might need a snack, showing concern for her in that way. Most notably, Yellow reacts with upset when the Bigger Boys torture their creature, finding it cruel and useless (obviously). But one lesser-noticed thing I like to point to is how Yellow reacts prior to going up the first flight of stairs. When he hesitates for a second, and says "see you later then." I've said this before in another post, but it's as if he wants the others to come with him, but he knows it won't work, because they're upset by his presence, so he leaves it be. In fact, I believe part of the reason he left in the first place and wanted to stay with Lesley was so he wouldn't upset his friends more than he already had with his presence. Of course, at the end, he changed his mind and brought the book down to them, but still.

You might see his conversation with himself in the mirror as a sign that Charged Yellow is less compassionate towards the others, but I don't believe that Yellow perhaps coming to an incorrect conclusion about why they're upset (which both Yellows did) negates his worry for them. He may have just been reassuring both of them that they in fact had not gone wrong, and it was the other two who were acting wrong (which it kind of was).

#dhmis yellow guy #yellow guy #charged yellow guy #dhmis #dhmis analysis #dhmis spoilers #undervalued files #my bs analysis #don't hug me i'm scared

[humbuginmybones]

Here is the prologue to my new novel:

𝓐 𝓓𝓲𝓹 𝓘𝓷 𝓜𝔂 𝓓𝓪𝔂𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶𝓼...

Description: "𝕷𝖎𝖕𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕲𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖝𝖞'𝖘 𝕰𝖉𝖌𝖊..."

Alex Turner's heart has been broken. Now he's caught in a spot between lust and love... Or a lust for love. Playing through shows, falling in and out of bad situations, and getting really close to the album that'll make the band most popular...

And the common thread? The consistent spark? And the inspiration, the muse, the art piece?

*You.*

Alex Turner X AFAB Reader (AMAB version will be made available soon.)

(She/they pronouns used, reader is nuerodivergent and queer, but otherwise unspecified, this is for the conversation's sake.)

Disclaimer: None of the songs and lyrics are owned by me, and this does not represent the real people here! Obviously, I tried to write them as accurately as possible, but none of the events in this story actually happened. This story is also a bit different than other X Readers, and if that's not your thing, that's okay. Slow-burn romance, smut, strangers to lovers, open relationships, MLM, WLW, and a mix.

I hope you enjoy this, it's something I really wanted to put together, and was happy to write!

Have fun!

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓾𝓮:

January 2012

The excitement could practically be tasted in the air. The winter air whipped around you, taking your hair carefully in its invisible hands. You stood in the long queue for the show that you had spent over half a year excited for - You were going to see your favorite band tonight.

Arctic Monkeys.

You had their fourth album on repeat lately, Suck It And See. It was an album that illustrated a tale of deep love, lost love, and love slipping away... Naturally, Alex Turner was an amazing songwriter, and those songs were poetry, despite the line in the titular track "I poured my aching heart into a pop song; I never did get the hang of poetry." Well, that was a bald-faced lie... Yet one couldn't help but wonder if Alex Turner had actually wrote those songs based off of his true feelings - The lovely song Cornerstone wasn't based on a true story - Yet the headlines as of late, had been blasting Alex Turner's personal life, and all it's juicy details... Suck It And See didn't seem so fictional after news of his breakup...

Yet you were the type who didn't really give a shit about what made the music, you just cared about the art. It often felt like Alex Turner soundtracked your life, why would you need to picture those songs being about someone else when you could relate to them? It's the same thing with many other celebrities, like Taylor Swift (Who was releasing a new album this year, and you couldn't be more excited!)... You had been lost in thought the entire time that you were in the queue, daydreaming about this day to finally see your favorite band.

It was slightly nerve-wracking, you were a little scared that the line wouldn't move fast enough for you to get inside on time, and the sun went down, so it was cold in dark - But that's a normal anxious feeling, and it was soon quelled as the groups in front of you went quickly. The queue stretched around the venue, and the fans were so excited... They held signs with lyrics, or asking the band members to marry them, and tons were wearing leather jackets, or had gelled their hair, after Alex Turner's latest look change. He had been known for being a 'cute boy' for years, his hair getting fluffier and fluffier as the years went on - Until at the end of 2011, when he made a drastic change in his style... Gone was the haircut you had dubbed 'Mushroom Head', and now came this biker wannabe, a biker who was acting like he just walked out of the 1950s, as if he would fit in with the characters from a film like The Outsiders. Yet it was an exciting change... You felt like this era was only getting better and better - From interesting music videos that focused on the drummer Matt Helders, to a fake band for B-sides known as 'The Death Ramps', who also did collaborations with Richard Hawley and Miles Kane... And the band just felt more mature and in-tune than ever.

Your hand delicately handed the ticket to the scanner, the greeter outside of the venue. She smiled at you, and wished you a good time. You responded that you knew you would have a great time. And how could this night not be great? You had grabbed an amazing dinner and pint from a downtown pub, were dressed to kill with the coolest, most unique style on this side of town... Makeup that would make anyone jealous of your skills, and beauty that you were aware of, just never flaunted. You were so beautiful, but you never needed someone to validate that for you. But they still did. You complimented several people on the way to your seat, and they all responded sweetly, saying that you looked stunning! That validation was sweet - It was like life was falling into place - Like you could love yourself, and people could love you too, but you didn't *need* it. You were a beautiful person worthy and everything was enough for you.

Like tonight.

You didn't need to grab a drink or food, you were already full, and you really didn't want an emergency bathroom trip to ruin your concert experience or make you miss anything!

Settling into your seat wasn't hard - You had snagged a seat that wasn't exactly the pit, but wasn't the nosebleeds. You had a great view of the stage. The anticipation was killing you, you hadn't even looked up the setlist - You pondered what the opener would be, the finale... You played with the items in your bag, coming to a concert wasn't always the safest, and England wasn't always the safest, but you knew that you lived in a safer area, and you were prepared for anything... The security guards were fine with everything in your clear bag, and you scrolled through your phone, through Tumblr, mindlessly scrolling in anxiety yet excitement.

The opening band, The Vaccines walked onto stage, and they played a great opening show.

Fidget, fidget, fidget.

You kept fidgetting, way too excited for the band you were finally going to see, after months and months of hoping, and wondering how this was gonna play out.

5 minutes. 15 minutes. 30 minutes after The Vaccines had walked off... Until, the band finally walked on... The crowd lost their shit. Matt played the first few beats of 'Library Pictures', and the crowd wouldn't stop cheering for the next hour or two. You couldn't help but smile for the whole fucking show, singing along with so much passion, you knew every single lyric, and you were dancing, feeling the music through your body. The people around you smiled and complimented you on your looks and dancing, and none of them minded that you were having a great time - They all wanted to share that experience.

A little over an hour into the show, the band played 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalala'... The most ridiculous title of a song for such a bop - Alex Turner was acting all cute, interacting with the audience, forming hearts with his hands and arms, blowing kisses into the audience, singing with passion - His muscular arms practically bulging out of the black T-shirt he had picked for the night, and sweat gracefully dripped off his body. His hands and fingers masterfully playing the guitar and his cheeky smiles shined through as he sung the lyrics he put his whole heart into writing - He was truly trying to hide the heartbroken man he truly was deep down. His eyes kept scanning the crowd, and his eyes fell on you... You were a bit far away, his eyesight had to slightly strain, but your distinct style and wondrous dancing made him smile. Mentally, he dedicated the bridge and the last chorus of 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalala', to you - You definitely seemed the type to be a hellcat - His heartbroken mind and soul slightly hyper-fixated on you. It's not like he was trying to be weird or random - It was a slight obsession that just fell into his mind because a beautiful person had just crossed his periphery.

"And in a hellcat spangled cavern

When your judgment's on the road

And you're acting like a stranger

'Cause you thought it looked like fun

And did you ever get the feeling

That these are things she's said before?

Her steady hands may well have done the devil's pedicure

What you waiting for? Sing another fucking

Shalalala, shalalala

Shalalala, shalalala"

The crowd sang along with much glee, but you noticed that the crowd wasn't as into it as the other songs... Reminded you of all the middling reviews you had read about Suck It And See... That it was indistinct and there was nothing special - That was a moment were the critical were looking for something bad, not good about it - Suck It And See was kinda the perfect combination of Humbug and the Submarine soundtrack that preceded it... Alex Turner was only getting better at songwriting - But it didn't seem the crowds were clicking with the new album as much either - You could see it from the stage that Jamie's smile faltered, as he played his riff. He quickly regained it and his charisma, as he turned to smile at the audience again. It just seemed the crowds didn't care for Suck It And See... Which was a shame, it seemed the boys had put their hearts into that record... It was an attempt to sound poppier and groovier, and well... Perhaps the next album, if there was one, would expand on that. For a moment, Alex would play his new songs to diminishing returns, and stare at the pretty girl whom had caught his fancy.

Snapping back to it, snapping back to his music, his art, he finished the show with a bang. And you had no idea that the simple bit of eye contact made you occupy his mind - You were realistic - You were a supporter of the band, and you didn't entirely expect the band to hear your individual cheers and gratitude. Which wasn't a bad idea. Alex didn't even know your name, yet you vexxed him.

It was a great night, you went out to the pub from earlier, posting on Tumblr and Reddit your experience and photos from the concert - It was a wonderful night. You ate some greasy chips, sipping another pint of ale, talking with others in the pub about how amazing the concert was - you ate the chips, ordering a dessert - Tonight was all about treating yourself... It was amazing. This night would be a highlight for years to come.

And Alex had a great night. He slumped into his hotel bed in the dim light, and after a few moments, his mind wouldn't allow him the sleep he desperately needed. He got up from the bed and grabbed a pad of paper and a pen... He started throwing together words on those papers in his hotel room, lines about Lone Rangers, Electricity, kisses, time-travel, and the old Valentine's phrase of 'R U Mine?'... Lightning cracked outside, and he separated the paper. One song would be known as 'R U Mine?' the other would be known as 'Electricity'.

And they were both about you.

(Song of the chapter: The Hellcat Spangled Shalala)

#alex turner #arctic monkeys #alex turner x reader #alex turner x y/n #taylor swift #am era #alex turner x you #arctic monkeys x reader #matt helders x you #matt helders x y/n #matt helders x reader #matt helders #nick o'malley x y/n #nick o'malley x you #nick o'malley x reader #nick o'malley #andy nicholson #miles kane x y/n #miles kane x you #miles kane x reader #fanfiction #fanfic #music #concerts #slow burn #slow #romance #prologue #part 1 #new story

[levelofyoureye]

since beating jedi survivor, i haven’t stopped thinking about kata: her relationship to the mantis crew, the effect that the ending will have on her, and the role she might play in the third game…

(jedi survivor spoilers ahead)

i don’t think there’s any doubt that she’s going to have a big role. but at the same time, i also don’t know what exactly it’s going to be yet. my initial thought was that in the next installment, cal takes her on as an apprentice and decides to train her in the ways of the force. i mean, kata is likely force sensitive—it makes sense, right? and we’ve seen how well games that have an older mentor/younger child dynamic (i.e. god of war, the last of us) do.

but the more i thought about it, the more that i start to suspect that isn’t going to be the case.

something i’m realizing the more i reflect on his character is that cal is probably hesitant to take kata on for multiple reasons. at the end of the game, bode gives his life doing what he’s convinced will be best for kata. though we as an audience obviously know that this isn’t likely what’s actually best, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s convinced of this and dies for it. before cal kills him, he even asks: “when the empire comes, will you be able to protect my little girl?” bode betraying cal doesn’t mean that cal didn’t see him as the brother he never had. he only kills bode when he refuses to stand down, and to an extent he probably understands that bode is driven by the desire to protect the people he loves. i think that now that bode is gone, cal is going to feel the need to be kata's protector. and we all saw the vision he had in fallen order of what would happen to the force sensitive children he took under his wing—dead at the hands of the empire, and he was unable to protect them. it's a risk that he probably won't want to take with kata, just like he didn't want to take it with all of those children.

another factor that i think will make cal hesitant to teach her is that he's fighting his own internal battle. he first taps into the dark side on nova garon, and though merrin is able to break through to him then, he doesn't stop using it throughout the rest of the game. he almost loses himself completely to the darkness, which he even admits in the final scene. and merrin tells him that he'll never be alone, that he has his chosen family to guide him back to the light. but even then, there's a reason that jedi ban attachments. who's to say that he won't eventually turn to the darkness because he wants to protect his family? it's what ended up happening to bode, and obviously what happened to anakin (though cal doesn't know this). throughout cal's journey, we see him fight several fallen jedi—trilla suduri, taron malicos, masana tide, bode akuna, and dagan gera. he knows how easily a jedi can turn, how easily they can use their gifts and abilities for the worse. and the thought that it could happen to him, that it did almost happen to him, frightens him. his struggle with the dark side isn't going to end with this game, and he'll probably battle with it for a while. in what world would he ever be fit to be a mentor when he's still struggling not to lose himself? cere tells cal at the end of the game to guide kata through the darkness—but how could he possibly do this when he isn't even able to guide himself?

kata is still a young child, not even ten years old yet. her father is gone, and the memories that he'll leave behind for her are likely complicated. i mean, in his own rage and in his effort to protect her in the final fight against cal, he ends up hurting her. she's grown up with her father constantly being on missions and leaving her by herself, distancing her from him in the process. at the same time, she also acknowledges that the death of her mother changed him for the worse. and she doesn't know the full extent of bode's horrible actions. she begs him to back down in the final fight not because she sees him as evil, but because she knows that if he doesn't, she's going to lose her father too. this leaves me to wonder—how is she going to remember him? and how will it affect her relationship with cal? kids who lose their parents often want to remember them in a good light. not always, but it isn't a rare occurrence. and i wouldn't doubt it if that's what kata chooses to do going forward. though she befriends the mantis crew afterwards and doesn't explicitly hold a grudge against them for killing her father, i think that the underlying pain and grief of losing a parent is still there. cal and merrin kill her father right in front of her. that isn't something that anyone could ever expect to fully recover from. and that isn't something that just goes away, especially with kata being so young and having to process it as she grows up.

i'm not saying that kata is going to be the main villain of the next game, or that she's going to grow up to despise the mantis crew. but i think it's very likely that her relationship with them is going to be somewhat strained as she tries to make sense of who her father was and the decisions he made for her. maybe she's angry with cal for never telling her the full extent of what her father did, or maybe she's angry with herself for being the catalyst of his betrayal. either way, i do not see her just simply being okay and completely moving on from everything that's happened to her the same way that i do not see cal just simply being okay and moving on from his battle against the darkness. they're both going to struggle in the next game, and i think it's going to affect their relationship to each other drastically.

#i am not ready for the third game at all #i will be in so much pain the entire time #cal kestis #bode akuna #jedi survivor spoilers #jedi survivor #merrin #nightsister merrin #bd 1 #greez dritus #jedi fallen order #star wars #ea star wars #respawn #kata akuna

[modernchillthings]

Another HotD rant

I hate going on tiktok and seeing ppl complain about Emma and Matt's chemistry. Their dynamic has changed so therefore their interaction would feel different and new.

Idk why people expect Rhaenyra to be the same fiery teen she was back then when it's literally been 10 years. Older Rhae has gone through so much over the years like, she witnessed a death at her own wedding, shes a mother now and just recently lost her lover of 10 years, everyone in King's landing probably talk shit behind her back especially about her children. Plus Emma even said that Rhaenyra tried to conform to what society wants from her which is why she appears more subdued the past two eps until the end of ep 7 where she finds her fire again with Daemon by her side.

Basically, their interaction this ep wasn't meant to be passionate and full of lust but more mature even a bit hesitant because they haven't seen each other in so long along w the fact that they both lost someone they cared about. Additionally, you can see their fire spark again during their wedding scene and hopefully in the episodes to come.

Like I get it, when I first watched it, I wasnt feeling it either. But it was mostly cuz I couldn't see shit. However, after rewatching where I could actually see their facial expressions, I could feel their emotions.

I also have to add that, according to the behind the scenes thingy, ep 7 was the first ep they ever shot of the show so therefore the actors aren't used to each other, they haven't had time to be their characters yet. Plus, Milly and Matt's Daemyra had 5 episode of build-up whereas this is Emma and Matt's first time together.

Also, idk if it's a hot take or not, but while I do love Milly and Matt's chemistry and the whole reason why I like Daemyra in the first place, it just feels weird seeing her who looks so young with someone who is obviously older. Maybe people are more gravitated towards that but it just doesn't sit right with me that ppl would rather see an younger actress be paired up with a 40 year old-man. Like Emma is still 10 years younger than Matt and their characters would still have that age gap but it just wouldnt be physically visible. I like that their characters now don't seem to have the same power imbalance. They're both more mature, toxic as hell, but seemingly more equal now.

I do place the blame mostly on the director cuz those night scenes were ass. There are so many innovative ways to make night scenes where it's obviously night time but it isn't dark as hell. Of course ppl wont feel their chemistry bc no one can see anything!! Facial expressions are so important to an actor. It's such a disservice to both Matt and Emma's performances.

Next two eps will be directed by women so if I notice the difference then I know what the problem was for sure! I really do hope we get to see more of Daemyra next ep and their changed dynamic. I know we'll have another time skip (which is another thing!!!) so I'm kind of worried but looking forward to it nonetheless.

#sorry for the long ass rant #media literacy is both a blessing and a curse #basically I see a lot of ppl talk shit about Emma and I will not stand for that #I've been looking forward to their performance since the start and they haven't disappointed #defending Emma D'arcy online isnt enough I need a dragon #house of the dragon #hotd spoilers #hotd #daemon targaryen #rhaenyra targaryen #daemyra #long rant

[stxsis]

COMMANDER SHEPARD’S SQUAD RELATIONSHIPS RANKED #1-5/20

1. THANE KRIOS. Shepard straight up marries him. There's really no option for this in the game, but that makes no sense given end of life procedures. In order to have power of attorney and to make funeral arrangements and help Kolyat, Shepard's smartest move would have been to just marry Thane, not to mention he's the love of her life. I think the reason Thane goes right to Shepard's core is his philosophy of violence (the concept of being a living weapon) and his religious devotion (and this is a theme that will repeat throughout this list, Shepard is fairly religious and tends towards religious characters even if their religion is nothing like her own). Shepard and Thane have no secrets; he is her closest confidante and most preferred companion.

2. LIARA T'SONI. Shepard's relationship with Liara is deeply complicated. Before her death, Shepard was in love with Liara and trusted her implicitly. She found Liara to be an innocent whose moral compass always pointed due north, and the ruthless change in her personality is very jarring for Shepard because for her there's no transition from pre-death Liara to post-death Liara so it doesn't feel like the person she knows and loves, but moreover the changes in Liara's personality are clearly influenced by Shepard's own methodologies and while this might not have bothered Shepard to see in anyone else, she feels partly responsible for Liara's loss of innocence and how quickly she shifted into someone more like herself. It's also definitely a mirror of some of Shepard's more controversial traits and it's not always comfortable for her to see them in Liara. Most importantly, Shepard resents the hell out of being brought back to life. She didn't want to come back, and the fact that Liara didn't put her remains to rest and instead gave them to fucking Cerberus who she HATES is, to Shepard, a major betrayal that she never fully forgives. She understands that Liara loved her and maybe couldn't let her go. She understands that in a broader sense, Liara did what might have been necessary even. But that was her love, and her love betrayed her, even if it was for understandable reasons. Liara ranks #2 on this list because she would have been #1 before Shepard's death, and despite Shepard's complex trust issues when it comes to Liara, she's still more forthcoming with her than she would be with maybe any other companion aside from Thane. Liara knows her best, and there are parts of Shepard that still hold love for Liara, but things could never go back to the way they were before her death. As an additional caveat, Shepard mistakenly believes that Liara is romantically with Feron after the events of Shadow Broker, and even if this belief is dispelled, I'm not sure it would change anything.

3. ASHLEY WILLIAMS. Any disagreement Shepard has ever had with Ashley has been one in which Shepard 100% agrees with where Ashley is coming from. Suspicious of Benezia's daughter? Same. Suspicious of Cerberus? Same. Suspicious that Shepard has been somehow miraculously raised from the dead like some kind of Space Lazarus? GIRL SAME. Shepard is close with Ashley from the beginning of the series timeline. They share a religious devotion, a love of poetry, a less than desirable reputation that precedes them in an organization that they're both completely devoted to. Ashley and Shepard both bleed Alliance blue, and they've gone through some traumatic shit together that has bonded them for life. Ashley is Shepard's girl through and through. When she's gone for the events of ME2, Shepard is notably adrift in terms of people she's close to and trusts until she meets Thane. The only reason she ranks after Thane and Liara is because Shepard was not involved romantically with Ashley, and because after Shepard's death things obviously become really strained between them until they are reunited in the third game, when Ashley rejoins the crew.

4. JAMES VEGA. James is Shepard's bro. He is her absolute favorite work out buddy, shooting buddy, drinking buddy. The circumstances that they met under were extremely unusual and stressful, but despite the full weight of the Alliance bearing down on Shepard, Vega never once lost faith in her, and his story about a bar brawl on Omega with a gang of Batarians was probably specifically designed to make the two of them fast friends. Anderson's faith in and choice of Vega in such dire circumstances also carries a lot of weight with Shepard, given that he's the closest thing she has to a family since Mindoir. Despite the fact that he's one of the newer additions to her squad, Shepard trusts Vega considerably and not just in combat. She finds him to be a man of honor and integrity who isn't afraid to do what's necessary. He's a rare kind of person, and although she may not hold him in quite the esteem that she holds Ashley, Vega's a close second.

5. SAMARA. While I wouldn't say that Shepard and Samara have a besties dynamic, I would say that their relationship is something very deep and special. Shepard really enjoys Samara's general vibe and likes spending time with her, even if all they do is sit in silence, although they're just as likely to talk about anything and everything. Their conversations are surprisingly honest and pull no punches, and despite how formal they are with one another, they don't stand on ceremony when it comes to what's important. Shepard herself is the sort of person who very strictly adheres to a personal moral code and answers to no one but God and her own conscience (and sometimes the Alliance Systems Navy), and this holds true even when she feels abandoned by her faith and wavering in her conscience. Shepard cleaves to these structures even when she's unsure of them herself because loyalty and identity are the same for her, which is very similar to the oaths Samara takes as a justicar. There would never be a moment she would ask Samara to do something to violate her code, and Morinth never had a shot in hell of convincing Shepard to let her live. I think Shepard sees Samara's way of life as deeply relatable and honorable, but also perhaps lonely. --------------- Note: Shepard prevents Samara's suicide on Lesuss.

#HC / only mostly dead