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understandablyirrelevant · 2 years

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A Day in the Field

Written for Fictober 2022 prompt No. 17: “Are you serious?”

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence and death. Casual treatment of both by the characters

October 17th, 2173 CE

“Are you serious?” Jasper stares at Leng with a serious frown, creasing thin blonde brows around disbelieving stony eyes.

“Come on, Shepard. When have I ever been wrong?” Leng smirks at him, dark eyes brimming with confidence, raven brows rising smugly.

They are crouching near the edge of a clearing containing a small Blue Suns encampment. The two were out to scout the area, and neither was expecting the dozen or so mercs in the area.

“So let me see if I get this right, Leng. You want us, just the two of us, to squat in a merc camp, without backup, and ‘handle it ourselves.’ Why?” Jasper doesn’t understand Leng almost any given day of the week, but he’s never known the man to be suicidal. Leng sneers, his eyes full of wounded pride.

“Yes, Shepard. That is exactly what I said two minutes ago, keep up.” Leng creeps fluidly through the shadows, into the camp proper, and Jasper groans under his breath as he follows.

He’s not indulging Leng, he tells himself. He’s just a poor innocent 2nd lieutenant making sure his gunnery chief doesn’t get his head blown off while in the line of duty. The captain would’ve sent them with a small fire team to do this anyways, he thinks.

They each pick a tent on opposite sides of the camp. The plan is for Jasper to use his technical abilities to drop any shields or barriers the mercs might possess while picking his famous headshots with his Phalanx.

Leng, in the meantime, will use his biotics and his favorite Katana to pepper the mercs from afar, or simply blow them apart up close, all while employing his acrobatics to evade and drive them to distraction.

They wait in position for an hour before the first merc comes back, a heavily armoured fellow. Leng throws a warp at the man, shredding his helmet, and Jasper neatly pops his head clean off with a single shot. He doesn’t even have time to scream. The two soldiers smile conspiratorially.

The next mercs number in the half dozen. That takes a few minutes. Jasper overloads the leader, a fellow engineer’s shield, and pops his head a moment later. Leng throws his headless carcass at the other mercs, who scream in horror. Jasper feels a pang of guilt, they look too young to be anything but fresh blood. But when they choose to shoot instead of surrender, he soldiers on with the endeavor.

The group fights like rookies, in the end. They only drop Leng’s barrier by fifteen percent, and Jasper’s shield by twenty. Leng crows at the difference, and Jasper neatly says it’s only because he doesn’t get to do practice laps back on the Tannenberg.

Leng merely rolls his eyes. “Just admit it, Shepard. You’re too slow.”

Leng sing-songs the last three words in an impression of his favorite game mascot that is equal parts annoying and irritatingly amusing. Jasper scowls good naturedly, trying not to chuckle at how ridiculous the other man sounds.

The next mercs to arrive are a trio of snipers. Jasper and Leng have no issues with them. Jasper dashes around to stay out of their sights, their weapons less effective at close range. Leng is a near blur, as usual. Together, they manage to get the mercs herded into a tight back-to-back position. Jasper throws an overload, Leng a warp, then in unison, they strike. Jasper pops the head of one while running past them in a circle. Leng rolls forward, and blows out the opposite facing one’s ribcage, then levels his Katana. It rings out in perfect sync with Jasper’s Phalanx, and the merc is bereft of their heart and brain before either can further process the grief or horror of their terrible situation.

The final two mercs are no challenge at all. A pair of soldiers with Mattocks. Their weapons might be powerful, but they simply spray and pray. Against two very mobile targets, a death sentence. Leng tosses one about like a ragdoll, while Jasper wreaks havoc on the other one’s equipment. They both take this opportunity to test new power combinations, seeing as they have adequate numbers without risk of another combatant surprising them. The encounter, and their experiments end in moments, but the experience is rewarding, despite the small window of time.

With the encampment clear of hostiles, Jasper comms the Tannenberg to give her the all clear. Leng nudges one of the dead mercs with a foot before lifting his carcass up and slamming it down as hard as he can, splattering both he and Jasper with gore.

Jasper sputters, glaring through the crimson mask he’s been oh so graciously gifted, before glaring at Leng harshly. “Are you serious?”

Leng shrugs.

#fictober22 #graphic depictions of violence #death #fanfiction #mass effect #kai leng #mshep #cross posted on ao3 #cross posted on ffn

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cozytwilight · 3 years

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evermore / twilight saga correlations 🌲✨

willow: Alice & Jasper because she “saw him” before he knew her. The lyric, “life was a willow and it bent right to your wind, head on the pillow, I could feel you sneaking in” made me think that this type of feeling was Alice’s pov. Also, “I come back stronger than a 90′s trend” is SUCH Alice attitude. Also relatable to Edward/Bella in that he is “wrecking her plans” being human and she is begging him to “take her hand” in changing her to be with him forever but whatever

champagne problems: about Jacob from Bella’s pov when he receives her and Edward’s wedding invite. Champagne problems means insignificant problems in the grand scheme of things, yet feels big to the person/people dealing with the problem. These problems could be those such as the problems brought upon Jacob and his family by Bella being with Edward/the Cullens. Lyrics like “your Midas touch on the Chevy door” goes back to early moments such as Bella’s first time seeing Jacob since they were young as Charlie is showing her the Chevy he bought her from Billy as well as moments in New Moon when they would drive in the Chevy together.

gold rush: I immediately thought of the rush/euphoria/drama of Edward and the Cullens and the way they are perceived at school for being “gorgeous”. Bella’s first interaction with Edward and getting to know him. Also thought of Rosalie’s beauty and how stunning she is depicted to be.

‘tis the damn season: New Moon!!!! Specific lyrics like, “I won’t ask you to wait if you don’t ask me to stay” and “there’s an ache in you, put there by the ache in me” (Bella’s pov) “the only soul who can tell which smiles I’m faking” and “Time flies, messy as the mud on your truck tires” (Jacob’s pov)

tolerate it: This one could be Edward’s pov @ Bella or Bella’s pov @ Edward. In Edward’s pov, he feels constant guilt in having Bella involved with him. I thought of the pregnancy bath scene when Bella takes off her robe and Edward watches her from behind, feeling completely disgusted with himself and what he’s done. In Bella’s pov, she feels she is putting his family in danger for her life, constantly feeling like a burden because of her clumsiness and weakness as a human.

TW // r*pe | no body, no crime: Honestly, I thought of Rosalie killing Royce and her r*pists right away with this one.

happiness: New Moon; Bella dealing with the depression and nightmares from Edward leaving her. Specifically the lyrics, “Past the blood and bruise, past the curses and cries. Beyond the terror in the nightfall haunted by the look in my eyes that would've loved you for a lifetime”.

dorothea: I thought of Carlisle and Esme. They are the most wholesome couple of the series in my opinion and I picture parts of this song depicting Carlisle’s pov of their relationship when they first met. Lyrics like, “when we were younger down in the park, honey, making a lark of the misery” make me think of the resentment they felt early on toward their immortal life, but making the best of it together.

coney island: Matt Berninger’s verse is Edward’s pov after leaving Bella. “What's a lifetime of achievement if I pushed you to the edge? But you were too polite to leave me.” and “Will you forgive my soul when you're too wise to trust me and too old to care?” This goes back to the constant guilt Edward is feeling for his involvement in Bella’s life.

ivy: I thought of Bella no longer wanting to be a human with the lyric, “the old widow goes to the stone every day but I don't, I just sit here and wait grieving for the living” and “my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand” referring to her feelings toward Edward.

cowboy like me: Literally just thought of Jasper. Also Charlie Swan and Billy Black...in this house 🏠 we stan the dads. long story short: New Moon! Bella subconsciously falling in love with Jacob during their blossoming friendship; fixing motorcycles in his garage and spending time together, he gets her mind off losing Edward and helps pull her out of her depression. I literally picture this song on the soundtrack like WHILE Bella and Jacob are in the garage together.

marjorie: Bella’s dream seeing her grandmother in the mirror, but it was really herself grown elderly and grey.

closure: I immediately thought of Leah and Sam with this one; specifically Leah’s pov. The hurt she felt when Sam left her for Emily and is forced to be in closeness with him through the pack. Leah is one of the best characters and I’m sad she never got a brighter ending :(

evermore: Bella’s pov in New Moon while spending her days depressed and hopeless, as the song goes through a “grey November” and December. She grasps onto any memories of Edward and acts recklessly to hear his voice and confirm he was real, lyrics like, “I thought of you in the cracks of light. I dreamed of you, it was real enough to get me through”. Bon Iver’s verse is Edward’s pov, last verse transitions into Edward’s return and into Eclipse “I had a feeling so peculiar this pain wouldn't be for evermore”

I also posted this on my twitter account, you can see here - and I included some photos! :)

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neodemon591 · 4 years

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Da 5 Bloods Review

Da 5 Bloods is directed by Spike Lee who also co-wrote the script with Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo, and Kevin Willmott. The film stars Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isaiah Whitlock Jr., Melanie Thierry, Paul Walter Hauser, Jasper Paakkonen, Jean Reno, and Chadwick Boseman. The film follows four Black American vets (Lindo, Peters, Lewis, Whitlock Jr.) who travel back to Vietnam in search for their fallen comrades' (Boseman) remains along with the gold he left buried in the land. On their adventure back into Vietnam, these vets fight through nature and man all the while confronting and coming to terms with their past demons and the experiences they’ve endured as black men fighting in an unjust war. Da 5 Bloods is a powerful and impactful war film from Spike Lee that couldn’t have come at a better time.

The film making behind this film is exceptional with the different aspect ratios shown throughout. At different points in the film the screen changes from 4.3, 16.9, and 21.9 to illustrate certain and key points in the story of the film. Aspect ratio is not something I usually highlight upon in a film, but here I think it’s a key part about the story that Spike is telling with this film. The editing of this film could come off a bit jarring to some as this film uses archival footage of history at certain points, but in my mind it doesn’t as it’s one of the best parts about this film. Props to editor Adam Gough for incorporating archival footage and the various aspect ratio transitions in a seamless way that only enhances the film. Like any film set in this era the soundtrack and score are wonderful, Terence Blanchard delivers another enjoyable soulful score that feels of the time and fits within the context of the story and characters.

The acting in this film is excellent and the chemistry these characters share on screen is infectious. From the moment we first meet the characters I felt the camaraderie they have for one another and the bond they share as brothers in arms. Delroy Lindo gives an Oscar worthy performance in this film and it’s the best he’s ever been. His character Paul suffers from PTSD and guilt over his fallen comrade and throughout the film you see that manifest in various different ways. It's breathtaking and heart wrenching watching the performance that Lindo gives and it may be one of the most true to life depictions of PTSD that I’ve seen on screen. I always appreciate when a filmmaker tackles the subject of PTSD with former vets in film and TV, but to show it from the perspective of a Black American is brilliant and powerful that adds more layers to the film.

There’s not much if any flaws that I have with this film. This film spoke to me on a level that I didn’t think it would and left me wonderfully surprised with the themes shown in the story. There are a fair amount of Vietnam War films that I’ve seen, all of which are great for various different reasons. Da 5 Bloods feels like something else entirely that adds a new feel and perspective to Vietnam War films that have come before it. I’m happy that a film like this exists in the current times we’re living in and like other past Spike Lee films Da 5 Bloods can be used to educate and teach someone something new about life.

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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How WandaVision is Rewriting Our Understanding of Wanda Maximoff’s Story

https://ift.tt/3sg2ZWM

This article contains WANDAVISION spoilers.

Despite its many still-lingering questions, WandaVision has made one thing crystal clear: Wanda Maximoff is truly the most powerful Avenger. Not just the woman who destroyed an Infinity Stone and almost single-handedly defeated Thanos, she’s also managed to somehow power an entire town built on false realities and resurrect her dead boyfriend at the same time.

But even as the show reaffirms the scope of her power, it also acknowledges one other truth that is too often swept under the rug: Wanda Maximoff is also incredibly depressed.

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This shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone, given how much Wanda’s both suffered and lost. And yet, WandaVision marks the first time that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has really tackled the idea that the things its heroes experience leave them with lasting damage in ways that aren’t always physical.

Given the constraints of theatrical runtimes, the MCU films generally haven’t shown a tremendous interest in the intricate mental states of their various heroes. Iron Man 3 touched on Tony Stark’s complicated PTSD issues, but his condition never really registered in any other film (and he sure did rebuild all those suits awfully fast). It’s pretty obvious that Bucky Barnes needs a boatload of therapy, but Captain America: Civil War chose to make him the literally tortured silent type rather than grapple with the century’s worth of guilt and shame he carries (fingers crossed for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to change all that).

Therefore, it’s hard to overstate the importance of WandaVision’s decision to face Wanda’s depression head-on. Sure, the show doesn’t ever call what she’s experiencing by its clinical name, but it’s hard to look at her decision to stay in a flannel bathrobe all day because reality suddenly just got too much for her and see anything else. From her struggle to keep control over the illusion in Westview to her inability to do simple things like get out of bed, these are all signs that are easy to recognize. And they all indicate that Wanda is quietly falling apart.

It’s not an accident that the series’ seventh installment, “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” is the first WandaVision episode in which Wanda is left predominantly on her own, or allowed to address the audience directly. And though she repeatedly insists that she’s completely fine and that all her problems can be explained away by typically neat sitcom solutions like “a case of the Mondays,” it’s never been more heartbreakingly apparent that neither of those things is true. After all, she’s in an idyllic world that’s been specifically designed to give her everything she’s ever wanted, and it’s still not enough to keep her depression at bay. In fact, as the series goes on, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that it’s actually getting worse.

Yes, it’s true that the anti-depressant commercial for a product called Nexus is as much about tying WandaVision in to the upcoming film Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness as it is about honestly confronting the emotional problems Wanda’s facing. But it’s still the first time that the MCU – and in large part, Marvel comics, generally – has attempted to really reckon with Wanda’s previously nebulously defined “mental instability” in a serious way – one that centers her own agency and healing rather than simply uses her mental health as a prop in someone else’s story.

Marvel’s WandaVision Episode 7: MCU Easter Eggs and Reference Guide

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WandaVision Episode 7 Post Credits Scene Asks More Questions Than it Answers

By Mike Cecchini

It’s very possible that Wanda is truly losing control here, especially if the concerning glitches that keep happening throughout Westview are anything to go by. But it’s happening for very specific reasons, and WandaVision has gone out of its way to lay the groundwork for this shift, consciously tying everything back to Wanda’s own grief and trauma.

Far too often, powerful women in superhero comics are treated as though they exist in a binary state: They’re either eternally struggling under the weight of their awesome abilities or going mad from the mere fact of possessing them. Occasionally, they also suddenly become evil in the process, as though mental struggles automatically make someone more emotionally susceptible to the proverbial dark side. Either way, they’re written off as crazy, and little effort is made to truly explore or understand how mental health problems manifest in people’s lives.

Though Wanda is hardly the only character affected by this unfortunate trend – X-Men’s Jean Grey is another incredibly powerful female character that comics seem all too eager to label crazy rather than complex – she’s one of its most frequent victims. The Scarlet Witch is generally presented as unstable, weak, or otherwise hysterical, often easily led by her emotions and incapable of making her own choices.

People either want to use her pain for their own ends or help her mask it, often in ways that rob her of agency and/or control over her own life. While her male Avengers compatriots are allowed to seek things like vengeance and retribution, she is condemned for desiring the same, encouraged to hide her emotions away and deemed dangerous if she does not.

Sadly, the MCU films are often no better in this regard. Captain America: Civil War throws Wanda into house arrest for a tragic, but well-meaning mistake, while Clint Barton – strangely enough also grieving a personal loss – starts straight murdering people in Avengers: Endgame and gets immediately welcomed back into the fold. Suffice it to say a reckoning for the way that this universe has treated Wanda in the past is long overdue.

And, thankfully, WandaVision seems to realize that, finally depicting the scope of Wanda’s mental struggles without judging her for the choices she’s made as a result of her feelings. Instead, the show actually attempts to understand her, in a way that appearances in four feature films and countless comics issues have not. She’s depressed, grieving, and suffering from a lifetime’s worth of trauma, all things that can and should impact the lens through which we see and evaluate her actions.

WandaVision doesn’t ask us to ignore the bad choices that Wanda’s made or seek to blame them on something outside of her control – and no matter how sympathetic her reasons for doing so, or how kind she’s tried to be about it, she’s still mind-controlling an entire town’s worth of human beings and robbing them of their free will. But the context behind Wanda’s choices is what makes all the difference – and what has, up until this point, often been sorely lacking in her story.

The post How WandaVision is Rewriting Our Understanding of Wanda Maximoff’s Story appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2OQETDm

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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tentabulgeenvy · 7 years

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Idk how to draw 🙈🙈 but @clionedeviltchi tagged me in the 10 faves character meme so :3c here we goooo, in no particular order

1- Lady Une - Gundam Wing (she was my first fav character ever I LOVE HER SO MUCH SHE WAS TOUGH AND HAD DOUBLE PERSONALITY AND PILOTED A GUNDAM SKDNSKD)

2- Jasper - Steven Universe (SHES BUFF AND STRONG AND I LOVE HER VOICE AND SHE HAS A TRAGIC PAST I only want her to be redeemed and be happy forever with Lapis fjskfjsj i wanna hug her u3u )

3- Baek Seju - WDTFS (because she's toxic and crazy and i have a weakness for destructive relationships and characters, she knows well how to manipulate Sumin but at the same time doesn't realize that Sumin has also power over her 🔍👀)

4- Kiryuin Ragyo - Kill la Kill (she's the perfect villain, do I really need to say more? My fav villain of all time )

5- Aoyagi Seimei- Loveless (He's obsessed with his little brother, he doesn't have empathy for others, he's cruel and cold and only wants to see the world burn)

6- Catherine Earnshaw - Wuthering Heights (another toxic and intense character in a novel about toxicity and damned relationships ah uwu)

7- Cynthia - Pokemon (BECAUSE SHES THE GODDAMN CHAMPION AND SHES MY DAUGHTER AND I LOVE HER TOO MUCH OTL )

8- Chariot Du Nord/Ursula Callistis - Little Witch Academia (In all honesty I think she was depicted as a very simple character as Chariot, but with more essence as Ursula; anyway I didn't like her at first but then i really liked the fact she had a very simple dream that could never make reality because of her mistakes when she was younger AND THE GUILT SHE HAS AS AN ADULT ALFJSKFJD AND HOW SHE CARES ABOUT AKKO AND CROIX I love her ;3; )

9 - Croix Meridies - Little Witch Academia (She's depicted as a more complicated character than Chariot in several aspects on the series, I feel so bad for her because she's someone that had good intentions but let the pain and jealousy take control of her actions I wanna cry Y__Y my daughter )

10- IDK??? I can only think about the characters mentioned above D: but once I think about one more I will put it here xD

:3c mutuals can do this if u want !!!

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