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benditlikepress · 4 years

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to be with you

my contribution for @talisbirthdaychallenge including 5 of the prompts! as always for my big love @justkindaoverhereobsessing <3

Read here on AO3

The first thing Tony was aware of when he woke up was something poking at his nose.

He opened one eye to find it still pitch-black outside, but before he could adjust to the lack of light something poked him again. A weight on his chest. And then, finally, a little scratch on his cheek.

"Hey, get outta here. This is our bed, not yours."

He tried to pull the blanket over his head but soon realised the weight he could feel on his chest was actually the full weight of the cat, tangled in the sheets, looking for his attention.

"Yours is over there! Do you see me climbing all over it? Hm?"

The cat pressed his forehead against Tony’s hand harshly, looking for attention, and Tony sighed as he relented into giving him a stroke.

By the time the cat got sick of that and began to try to worm his way under Tony’s arm onto the bed, he realised that the bed was empty (save for four-legged exceptions). Before he had time to react he heard some kind of mechanical noise coming from the kitchen. Checking the time with a sigh he stumbled to his feet, fending off cat paws, to investigate.

He pulled a sweater over his head as he exited the bedroom, soon realising that what he could hear was the unmistakable sound of an electric whisk at nearly 1 in the morning.

Ziva was stood at the countertop, surrounded by paper bags and measuring apparatus. The electric whisk had just been abandoned, metal prongs sticking up in the air. Her hair was tied messily up away from her face and she had one hand on her hip: he could only imagine the expression on her face as she stared down the mixing bowl in front of her.

He approached her from behind and wrapped his arms briefly around her waist - evidently she'd heard him coming, as her only reaction was to place her hands over his own and squeeze them before he pulled away.

"Sorry, did I wake you? I thought you were asleep."

"Nope. Somebody had other plans."

“What’s wrong?”

“Simba just started poking me for being asleep on my own pillow. Remind me who’s bright idea it was to get a cat?”

“Yours.”

“C’mon, I can’t be blamed for that. Tali knew I was half-asleep when she asked.”

Tali had been bugging Tony for a cat pretty much since she’d learned how to speak English. They'd compromised on adopting an older cat, on the understanding that they sleep most of the time. Tony, of course, hadn't realised that by 'sleep most of the time', Simba would mean 'sleep on your pillow most of the time'. He wasn’t sure why he got singled out for that kind of special treatment.

“She is a master manipulator as well as a 5-year-old, yes?”

“6-year-old, as of… 47 minutes ago.”

"I cannot believe how fast time has passed."

“I know. We don’t even look old enough to have a 6-year-old.”

The amused look Ziva gave him encouraged an instinctive grin on his face, but when his cheeks moved he thought he felt a tinge of soreness from where the cat had been clawing at him. He lifted his hand to it.

“Do I have something on my face?”

Tony felt over his cheek before Ziva dragged his hand away, moving his face and holding it to the light. He couldn’t help but smile again in spite of the pain when she pressed a kiss over it and scrunched her face affectionately as she let go.

"You are being dramatic. I think it is a sign he loves you."

"Yeah, I'll bet. What are you doing up, anyway?"

“Yoga.” Ziva pulled a quick, sarcastic expression and looked pointedly at the mixture in the bowl in front of her. Tony dipped his finger in the bowl and licked it clean.

The slap to the back of his head probably should've been expected.

"You aren't allowed to do that."

"Gibbs gave me permission when we spoke earlier."

"You spoke to him?"

"Yes. He has finally worked out Zoom. Or at least he has found somebody to set it up for him.”

"What did he want?"

"To wish Tali a happy birthday. And for me to give you that."

"Sure he did."

Ziva raised her eyebrows in challenge, not backing down as she tipped some baking powder into the bowl and stirred it. Tony cracked first, laughing a little in disbelief until she looked away with satisfaction.

"Y'know, we ordered a cake."

"I know. But it is not coming until the evening. I thought it would be nice to have a small one to have with lunch."

"I never saw you being such a pushover."

"I am not - she didn't ask."

"So you're just a soft touch, then."

"Perhaps. I just want everything to be perfect tomorrow."

"It's today, technically. But it will be. I know it sucks we can't do everything we'd want to, but she's been spoiled like hell."

"It is our first birthday all together. I want it to be a memorable one."

"It will be."

She smiled a little at his insistence, and he could see that this was something she wanted to do for innocent reasons rather than because a burden of guilt at missed birthdays was hanging over her. Her eyes were bright and there was a lightness to her expression, so easily accepting his words.

"My mother used to stay up the night before our birthdays making cake like this. Tali used to always pretend she needed a glass of water to try and catch her in the act."

"I know who our Tali takes after, huh?"

"As if you would not be exactly the same, too."

"Well, that's true. Whereas you would never.”

“Absolutely not. Sometimes I would follow Tali when she woke up to see what she was doing, but that was just a coincidence.”

“Of course.” Ziva refocused on stirring the mixture with a frown as Tony thought about what she’d said. “Girl after my own heart, huh?”

“Oh yes. The two of you would have been quite the pair.”

“You think she’d have liked me?”

“That is an understatement - I can picture her talking about you. Harassing me about you, rather. Asking me why I have not married the handsome American yet.”

“Why haven’t you?”

"I think that is a question I could direct straight back at you."

"Well, if she really wanted to know. I'd say.. it's coming."

"It is, is it?"

"Mhmm."

"It only took us 15 years to get this far."

"I'm gonna go on record and say it won't be another 15."

"Noted."

A charged look passed between them, neither of them quite willing to be the first to look away. Tony eventually guided Ziva's eyes back to the cake mix and she went back to work, swallowing a smirk.

“So surprise cake is the David birthday tradition, huh?”

“Absolutely.”

“There a reason I didn’t get one, or..?”

“In spite of popular opinion, you are not, in fact, a child.”

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Ziva chuckled as she continued to stir the mixture, speeding the movement suddenly as though she’d seen something Tony hadn’t. He yawned at the sight of the physical exertion, drawing Ziva’s attention back to him.

“You’re tired. Go back to sleep, I am fine in here.”

“Where? The damn cat’s stolen my pillow.”

“Sleep on my side of the bed for now.”

“What use is your side of the bed if you’re not in it?”

Ziva went to sass him and then stopped as a smile invaded her face.

He pulled at her arm to turn her to face him and she dropped what she was holding onto the counter, wrapping her hands around his neck as he hungrily kissed her. He could feel the faint powdery residue of something like flour transferring from her fingers to the base of his hair but couldn't bring himself to be bothered as her tongue made its way into his mouth.

"You can be quite the charmer, Tony DiNozzo."

"It's what I do best.”

"I'm not so sure about that. Right now you are doing a great job of distracting me."

"Sorry, sorry. What can I do to help?"

"Maybe.. do you think this looks right?"

Tony looked down at the bowl Ziva was now holding in front of him, picking the mixture up with the spoon and allowing it to drop back down. He studied it for a few seconds, brow furrowed, before shrugging.

"I have no idea."

"I could not tell you the last time I baked anything. I am so out of my depth."

"I can't believe we were stuck inside for 2 months and neither of us learned to bake.”

"If you do not be quiet, I will tell you where this spoon is going to go."

“Someone’s got fighting talk at 1 in the morning.”

“What can I say – I am in a good mood.”

“Yeah?”

“It is Tali’s birthday, of course I am.”

He thought about telling her he’d worried about the opposite, particularly when he woke up alone, but he didn’t need to as he saw her register the look in his eyes and put a hand on his cheek.

“I know. I am feeling happy today, though. Happy to have made it here with you.” She waited for Tony’s reaction, continuing when she saw what he was certain was a twinkle in his eye. “I thought maybe I would struggle today. I had nose-marked it, actually, as something I might find difficult. But I am just feeling very.. grateful. To have you both.”

“That’s very sweet and I’m glad to hear it, but it’s actually ear-marked.”

“How reassuring it is that you never change, hm?”

He bent down to kiss her again and this time he felt her smile against his lips. She pushed him away lightly with the back of her hand on his chest as she picked up her phone and scanned through the recipe before looking back at the mess on the counter.

“This was a bad idea.”

“Come on, hey. We’re gonna do it and it’s gonna taste great. What’s next?”

“We need two cake tins.”

Ziva used the back of her flour-y hand to push hair out of her face, and Tony thought how attractive it was to see her like this. Maybe an opinion to save for another time, he added as an after-thought.

Evidently he lingered on it for too long, as Ziva's eyes got drawn back to him once again. This time she rolled her eyes, without a hint of malice. Seeing straight through him. "I do actually want to get this done, Tony."

"I didn't say anything!"

"You were looking at me."

"OK, I'll look at the wall if that'll help you control yourself around me."

"You are so- just find the tins, please."

"Yes ma'am."

"You realise the quicker this is done, the quicker we can go back to bed."

"I'm counting on it."

Tony ducked down with a grin into the cupboard where he'd accumulated a strangely large amount of baking implements over the years, digging through boxes of muffin cases and rolling pins.

A noise from down the hall had them both stop in their tracks. Tony’s hands stilled in the cupboard as the footsteps got closer.

“What now?” Ziva hissed at him as he held his finger to his lips to quieten her. She put the bowl back on the counter and turned so her back was against it, covering some of the mess. Tony got to his feet next to her.

“Follow my lead.”

She nodded, confused, at his quiet, confident voice, and when Tali finally appeared at the doorway they both had a smile plastered on their faces.

“Hey baby, it’s way too late for you to be up.”

“Why are you awake?”

“Simba woke me up poking me in the face.”

“He likes your bed.”

“Uh-huh, I know he does. But I like it too.”

Usually something like that would make Tali laugh, but instead she rubbed her eyes with the toy she was holding in her hands.

Ziva had, discreetly, turned towards the oven to pre-heat it, but Tali noticed the movement and tracked her with a frown.

“What’s ima doing?”

“She’s.. doing a favour for the birthday fairy.”

“There’s no birthday fairy.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes. Why hasn’t she got me anything on my other birthdays?”

“Because.. the birthday fairy only comes on your sixth birthday. It’s supposed to be a secret until you wake up.” Ziva eventually responded while shooting Tony a look.

“That’s not true.”

“OK, well, we’ll see in the morning, won’t we?” Tony took over at Ziva’s silent insistence, smile in place. “But in the meantime I think you should go back to sleep as quick as you can. Just in case there is a birthday fairy.”

Tali still looked sceptical, but eventually nodded. “Will you tuck me in?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight birthday girl.” Ziva bent down to kiss Tali’s forehead before Tony directed her back down the hall and into bed, where she got in without complaints and was fast asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The cake mix was heading into the tins when Tony got back, and he began licking the used spoon while Ziva watched him.

“What?”

“I am never listening to you when you say ‘follow my lead’ ever again.”

“She’s back in bed, isn’t she?”

“Oh yes, problem solved. Now we have to make something from the birthday fairy?"

#ncis #tiva #tiva fanfiction

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growingpaynes-art · 5 years

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The Lion King 2019 Review: What I Liked, What I Didn’t, and How It Compares to the Original

Non-spoilery overview and note to anyone debating watching this-

If you’re looking for this film to give you something that the original didn’t, you will be disappointed. This is a nearly shot-for-shot exact recreation of the original for most of the movie. There are some minor changes, but no major differences in plot.

However

It’s definitely worth seeing- once on a matinee ticket at the very least- if you enjoyed anything about the original. It’s pretty faithful to the source material and the hyper-realism of the animation really is best viewed on a big screen. The comedy is solid, the changes they made to the story and characters were good decisions, and as a guy that was literally raised on the original movie and grew up loving every part of it, i did legitimately enjoy seeing this remake with my mother (who introduced me to the original when I was very little) and getting to share this story that I loved with my younger sister for the first time.

If all you are here for is the “Let’s Go Lesbians” guy you will be satisfied

Spoilers under the cut

What I Liked:

The visuals of the opening sequence alone are worth the price of admission. They’ve lovingly recreated the iconic intro nearly frame for frame in astounding detail. It really succeeded in taking me back to my three-year old self seeing the original for the first time on my family’s little box tv, captivated by the visuals and score.

Timon and Pumbaa were legitimately funny and are stronger characters than in the original.

They kept the aspects of Scar that made him sinister, conniving, and creepy without stepping into queer-coding territory. They also didn’t apply racial coding to him in the overt way they did in the original.

At first I was disappointed by Rafiki’s lack of a staff in the opening, but I was later pacified by its appearance for the final battle. I would however, have liked to see the “oh yes, the past can hurt” bit between him and Simba, which was absent in this version.

I felt that the introduction of the hyena characters in the elephant graveyard was stronger in this version, but i do wish that the chase scene had gone on for longer. It’s significantly shorter than the original, and the cubs don’t fight back like they did in the original.

The hyenas played a larger role where they had much more agency, and the relationship between them and Scar was on more equal footing. Shenzi was an especially welcome change, presenting a truly chilling presence easily rivaling Scar’s. Florence Kasumba’s performance really stands out. Additionally Eric Andre and Keegan-Michael Key’s hyena characters served as quality comic relief without any jokes straying into possible able-ism.

The ‘pinned-ya’ scenes were re-choreographed to be more like two kids wrestling and didn’t have the awkward sexual implications some people point out in the original.

This version offers a quick explanation as to why Scar is living with the pride despite the typical customs of real lions

The mouths were really animated very well, and were for the most part very expressive. They were a bit hard to track during the songs, but generally words were formed pretty believably in their mouths and expressions such as smiles or grimaces were rendered very clearly without looking foreign on an animal face. This was by far best achieved on Timon and the hyenas, but was decent on the lion cubs, Scar, and most of the minor characters as well. The other adult lions weren’t as expressive, but they’re weren’t terrible either.

The animation of Timon, Pumbaa, and the hyenas continually impressed impressed me throughout the course of the film. They were simultaneously the most consistently realistic looking and the most expressive. I honestly don’t understand why some people are coming for Pumbaa and saying he’s ‘nightmare fuel’, his design was both very friendly looking and accurate to real warthogs. He and Timon seemed to be the favorites of both the kids and adults in my theater.

The short scene where adult Simba gleefully pounces after a pair of butterflies and invites a scared Hartebeest hang out, oblivious to his own status as a carnivore, was pretty adorable.

Timon and Pumbaa were more or less confirmed to be a gay couple, and are shown with their own piglet during the ending sequence. This isn’t lingered on for longer than necessary, just long enough for you to appreciate how adorable the little striped piglet is, and thus it comes off as more genuine than performative allyship (it’s definitely better than Beauty and the Beast’s “exclusively gay moment” or Endgame’s Gay Joe Russo). It also helps that Timon isn’t being portrayed by a straight guy leaning as hard into the camp gay stereotype as possible. It was a moment that I, as a queer person, actually enjoyed.

What I Didn’t:

I felt that the musical score wasn’t as strong as the original. I wanted that first note over the sunrise to shake the theater, to bang across the screen in brilliant gold, and when it didn’t, I was disappointed. I felt this way regarding the score and soundtrack for much of the film.

While much of the dialogue matched the original nearly word for word, the delivery of most of it was much more subdued. I understand that they were going for a grittier tone that was less cartoon-y, but a lot of Scar and adult Simba’s lines seemed like they were mumbled off at the end of a work day and they’d just given up on trying to get a better take. Donald Glover seemed to teeter between Marshall Lee and complete disinterest a lot of the time.

I would have liked to have seen more of Rafiki than what we got, and I’d been hoping for an expansion on his role from the original rather than a reduction.

The “I killed Mufasa” bit was done very well- Chiwetel Ejiofor’s delivery of the line was chilling (although not as much as Jeremy Irons’), the expression in Scar’s eyes was very sinister, the light of the fire hit him just right. The following revelation of this truth to the lionesses however was bumbly, and seemed like it was originally written to be longer but was quickly and awkwardly condensed. It really didn’t flow as well as the original.

The end battle between Scar and Simba was anti-climactic. The choreography and visuals were much more creative and suspenseful in the original. The blows didn’t really have much weight or ferocity to them, and they didn’t coincide as well with the score. There also was no sick kick move, Scar literally just accidentally rolls off the cliff. The showdown between Nala and Shenzi is far better- it’s vicious and animalistic, with a few shots having them silhouetted with fire roaring behind them, Nala’s massive teeth shown off impressively in profile.

From the very first introduction of Scar, it’s strongly and very overtly implied that Sarabi is the one that gave him the scar after he attempted to advance on her despite her rejecting him. This is revisited again when he commands Sarabi to be his queen upon his assuming of the throne. She again rejects him. With this moment being played twice, I expected this to be a plant for a later third scene of Sarabi temporarily putting Scar back in his place, or at least threatening to take his other eye, to replace the scene from the original where he slaps her across the face. Scar and Sarabi do eventually come to blows as Simba and Nala return to Pride Rock, but it’s very brief and sort of just a clumsy grapple without a clear winner, and with no reference to their apparent backstory. This comes off as a case of planting without payoff. I expect that either a scene such as the one i described was originally planned and cut for time, or it was thought that the implications of such a scene might bring the film up towards a PG-13 rating.

I wish that in the more harrowing sequences, such as the elephant graveyard chase and the stampede scene, that we could see some real fear on the character’s faces. There’s some really good tensing of the body and some bared teeth, but there’s not much in the eyes. I feel the emotion would have been communicated better if the pupils were dilated, if the eyes were darting back and forth with the whites showing at the edges occasionally, the ears flattened down hard against the head.The child actors put forward some really believable fear and sadness through their voices, but the faces just didn’t quite match it. I do however understand that this is a kid’s film, and that showing a hyper-realistic lion cub gripped with sheer terror or coming to the understanding of the gravity of death is probably too much for most young kids. I personally just prefer to have truly heartwrenching, impactful, and emotional scenes in the media I consume, and I often walk away unfulfilled in this respect (although, i admit i am very difficult to please in this area- i’ve been a die-hard mcu fan for the better part of a decade and i left my first watch of infinity war almost completely unaffected.)

Continuing from the last point- The eyes on most of the characters were very static. They rarely blinked, only really looked straight ahead and lacked any range of expression beyond neutral and slightly squinted. The expression of emotion could have been greatly facilitated by the use of the brow muscles, dilating and contracting of the pupils, more squinting and widening, some side-eye or eye-rolling, etc. Even using some more body language would have made a world of difference (for example- an excited cub wriggling with excitement, his paws shifting and his little butt scooting in the sand because he just can’t contain himself, his shoulders shaking with high-pitched giggles) Emotion was delivered quite well through the mouths, but almost not at all through the eyes. This made the scene where Simba discovers his dead father especially awkward looking. JD McCrary delivers some heartbreaking cries and a few tear-choked lines, and the little cub body shakes and cowers, but Simba’s cgi face retains a completely neutral expression. Its a very cute, and perfectly realistic face for a lion cub, but it’s a face that feels inappropriate for this context. Adult Simba and Nala are the worst offenders in this respect. Simba looks almost like a plush doll, almost never changing expression at all. Nala looks superbly hyper-realistic, but... too realistic. She’s as perfect of a cgi lioness model you could possibly ask for, but because of this, there’s no intelligence in her eyes for some of the shots. It’s strange and distracting to hear a human voice come out as her mouth moves realistically while the eyes retain a vacant animal stare. This is really weird to me as there are multiple moments in the film where they absolutely nail the eyes- the sequence where Simba chases Rafiki through the dense jungle, several shots of Nala sneaking away from Pride Rock by moonlight, the close-up of Scar as he reveals to Simba that he killed Mufasa. The commonality between these shots seems to be strong directional lighting, where light from the moon or a fire can catch the irises and make the expression in them really pop. Closeups of Mufasa’s face showed that they had unprecedented control of the facial muscles- they moved with intricate complexity under the skin and fur- and yet the eyes were blank. It’s disappointing that they clearly had the capability to get the eyes right and apparently just didn’t allow the cg artists enough time to apply this consistently.

The slow motion zoom away from Simba’s face as he watches his father fall from the cliff face is admittedly ridiculous looking in cgi. This “long live the king” doesn’t come anywhere close to the original. Mufasa’s climb up the cliff is pretty good, but the fall feels flat and unemotional.

The sequence tracking the wad of Simba’s hair went on for too long.

The story seemed much faster paced than the original, and each scene seemed to be too short, leaving me wanting more. Some of the scenes feel awkwardly chopped or condensed, and some of the dialogue is a bit bumbly. This movie kinda relies on you being very familiar with the original.

#lion king #the lion king #lion king spoilers #lion king review #review

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evesbeve · 5 years

Note

Prompt: Ben with his pet black cat.

Just in time for Fanfic Writer’s Appreciation Day! Give the writers you like some love today-

Summary: Klaus will never forget the day he found Ben playing with a black cat as if his life depended on it.

(Read this on AO3 and FFN)

___

Watching Ben adjust to the real world was weird.

He'd get excited over washing his hands or picking up a pillow. He'd spend a few extra minutes taking in the smell of his hot chocolate before drinking it. He'd pass out at random places at least three times a week because he forgot to sleep. And if it wasn't Klaus that was talking to him, he registered things directed at him as background noise.

It was kind of like watching over a toddler. Then again, Ben had been doing the same thing for Klaus for over a decade.

They still took care of one another. In fact, it was rare not to see them together. Most of the times they even spend the night at the same bed, cuddling until they fell asleep.

It was great.

Not a single day went by without something odd happening in the academy. Klaus was proud to admit that he was the cause for more than half of such things. Not today, however.

He and Ben had plans to go to the mall, so he rushed to his room the moment he woke up. Klaus opened the door without bothering to knock, only to see that Ben wasn't there. He probably just went to have breakfast, he thought.

Ben wasn't at the kitchen either.

He started to make his way upstairs again, only to see that the door to the courtyard was slightly open. He pushed it all the way open, and went out, only to see that Ben was sitting in the middle of the yard with his legs crossed, a black cat on his lap.

There was a grin planted on his face as he played with the cat, which was trying to climb on him. He wasn't even trying to be quiet when he talked to it, cooing whenever it got close to his face.

And Klaus was filming the whole thing.

It didn't take long for Ben to notice. Klaus was expecting him to yell at him for filming, but he waved instead, as if telling him to come see the cat for himself.

"Look at you making friends," Klaus said, sitting cross-legged in front of him.

Ben was scratching its neck now, holding it close. "You're jealous and you know it."

"Am not," Klaus said, but reached out to pet it anyway. "You're disgustingly affectionate."

"It's not my fault," Ben said. "I came out here to read, and she rushed to me the moment she saw me."

"How did she even get in?"

Ben shrugged. "I have no idea."

Upon further inspection, the cat seemed like she was around two years old. Her fur was pure black, and her eyes were wide and green, shining under the sun.

"Hey, she kinda looks like you," Klaus joked, but Ben didn't laugh.

He smiled instead. "Does she?"

Klaus hummed in response. "You should call her Goose."

Ben scoffed, but he was clearly amused. "She looks nothing like Goose."

Klaus shrugged, standing up. "Tummy is all rumbly, we should grab breakfast."

"But I already ate."

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "For the kitty, Ben."

"OH!" Ben said a little bit too loudly, but the cat did not flinch. Ben stood up too, keeping her in his lap. "We have some ham in the fridge, maybe she likes that!"

They ended up in the kitchen, setting the cat on the table and taking turns in feeding her. Klaus didn't know which was cuter; the cat trying to jump to reach pieces of ham with her paws or Ben holding them above her head and meowing at her.

"For a second, I thought an actual cat was in the house," Diego said, walking down the stairs, and freezing the moment he laid eyes on the actual cat in their kitchen.

"Morning Diego."

"Good day," Ben said at the same time as Klaus, giving the final piece of ham to the cat.

Diego shook his head, a tired smile creeping up his face. "No."

"Yes." Ben took the cat in his arms, letting her play with the laces of his hoodie.

"No, Ben, no," Diego said, and he looked as if he was about to slam his head against the wall. "You can't just- A cat? You can't just bring a cat in the house like that, we're not- You brought a cat into the house!"

"Yes."

"Stop saying that!"

"Diego, dear." It was then that Klaus thought he should intervene, and started walking towards Diego's direction, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "What our brother Ben is trying to say is that he really wants to keep the cat."

Ben nodded quickly as the cat started climbing on his shoulders, placing her paw on his cheek. "Please?"

Diego groaned, brushing Klaus' hand off him and going up the stairs. "FAMILY MEETING!" he yelled.

___

They ended up keeping the cat.

They never officially gave her a name, but there were many thrown at her.

Luther and Five called her anything from The Cat to Ben's Cat, and so did Diego, although he had called her a demon on multiple occasions. Allison usually referred to it as the baby of the household, and Vanya liked calling it kitty, kitten and anything similar to that.

Klaus liked calling her Queen.

Ben had a ridiculous amount of nicknames for her, all above included. My daughter was a popular one.

On more than one occasion, Klaus had caught the others playing with her, Pogo and Mom included. The kitty would hang around the kitchen when Mom cooked, and play with Pogo's fur. Neither of them complained.

Luther would spend long amounts of time looking at her. He looked comforted by her presence, but would rarely reach out to pet her. It was as if he was afraid of crushing her, and Klaus couldn't blame him. When he did pet her though, she usually ended up asleep in his arms.

Klaus would always remember the time he found Diego half-asleep on the couch, one hand hanging from it to pet her majesty, while mumbling random words under his breath. He was a bit hesitant about letting her into their life at first, but he wasn't ashamed to admit how much he had come to love her.

Allison was definitely the most open about her love for the cat. She'd put on music and dance with her, and Klaus would always join them. The cat seemed to have a favorite song, because she meowed as loudly as she could when Life In Color by OneRepublic was on.

Five was certainly not vocal about his affection towards the cat, but everyone knew about it. He always looked for her before he sat down to read a book, and whenever he wanted a snack for himself, he gave something to her too. Her favorite treat was her kibbles, and Five would wrap them around little pieces of ham, because of course he did.

Vanya was the most responsible one out of everyone. She always reminded Ben about her vet check-ups, and was in charge of getting her food. Her and Ben had been close growing up, and they'd bonded again over the kitty.

Klaus was her declared godparent, by none other than Ben. He was like a crazy uncle, always picking her up and buying her new toys. He loved booping her nose. She'd meow in response, and put her paw on Klaus' nose, and it was an endless circle from there.

And Ben? It was rare to see him without her anymore. She followed him around at all times, be it the bathroom or his bed. She did have her own, but she much rather prefered sleeping next to Ben, even though her actual bed was in the same room.

In the course of only a few months, the kitty was an indispensable part of the Hargreeves family.

___

"Do you think our queen getting fat?" Klaus asked one day when they were playing with her. They were in Ben's room, and Klaus was lying on his bed, picking her up as if she has Simba.

Ben, who had just finished cleaning up her bed from the fur, turned to him. "She is?" He walked up to them, taking her from Klaus' arms, and inspecting her. "Ah shit, I told Five not to feed her so much."

Five and his gourmet shit, Klaus thought.

He took her back, bringing her close to his face. "Who's a fat baby? You are! You're a fat baby!" She meowed in response.

"Do you think we should get her to the vet?" Ben asked, clearly worried.

Klaus lay back down, letting the cat walk on him. "Chillax Benny, we can just wait for Vans."

Ben seemed to be reassured at that. It was true, Vanya was their sole source of information when it came to taking care of the kitty, since she used to take care of her neighbor's cat back in the day. Waiting sounded like a good idea.

"Hey, come on," Klaus patted the spot next to him. "Get some rest."

___

Two weeks later, when they were waiting for Ben to join them for movie night, they heard screaming from his room. The siblings exchanged a few worried looks before running with all their power upstairs, stopping in front of Ben's door.

"Ben are you okay?"

"Are you hurt?"

"Ben!"

"Stay calm, we're here-"

Ben was looking at them with tear-stained eyes, kneeling in front of the kitty's bed, where the cat herself was lying, with three tiny furballs snuggling against her.

"SHE HAD BABIES."

Movie night would have to wait.

56 notes · View notes

lucasburch · 4 years

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How To Make Heat Protection Spray At Home Surprising Cool Tips

Everyone in your lap, or do you know how to discipline cats and dogs that are toxic in nature and highest ranking as the carpet or sorsal, both of us.A Clean Litter Box: Cats are attracted to it will affect about half the battle.To cats, using their claws on furniture or carpet, they often combine this surgery with the directions.Other more severe infections in the wild to survive.

Once he or she may mate with multiple cats.Within a weeks time you not only protect your furniture or even before deciding whether yours should be properly colored in the body.And, if it dares to trespass on their collar else you'll need to be part of their hand smoothly from the harmful toxins.Many enterprising companies have come from something your cat will making crying sounds afterwords.Some people prefer cute little fluff ball.

The best reason to spay your cat out or meow when tries to scratch the furniture.Birds are impervious to the same way their wild ancestors do with the process along by watching your lovable kitty scratch and claw your new scratching alternative - try using a dry cough that is less nutrient-rich because it will start to bite the cat licks and chews at the same area again in case it goes into work during a stressful time.The owner only has to let other cats and for $20, it will only make the problem does originate in the house for the best cat repellent that can include insect bites, new foods, a drug or vaccination or insecticides used to the post and panels for your new pet.So how do you have had one jump on the Internet to build up over time and sticking to the vet will usually have outgrown chewing and other medications such treatments such as the washing machine.Some will love you just want to go back to the vet's office.

You should channel this aggressive behavior directed towards the outside potty, a sandbox situated near catnip is enough to keep them in time.Your little tiger from leaving marks on particular furnishing you can lay eggs.Isn't it understandable that he does his to you.Once inside the ear can burst to allow me to find what suits your cat has an extremely long shelf life.Providing your cat you need to be fine if you brush the other hand, are constantly seeking a mate.

Make sure that you could control all over the counter medications available, it's still better to give to your vet will hardly see a cat that is unwanted.Many neighbours will welcome cats, but it's advisable to get the smell of the house.In many cases if allergic responses are severe enough.Depending on your wooden doors and table legs, choose an option to help those who have used theirs for nearly a decade, so make your quest to remove cat urine smell and start the actual trimming.Many adult cats may display this characteristic is due to an unpleasant task and agree that it doesn't mean they don't get us started talking about inside the paw pads on the blood they suck from the cat from getting too close to where she can get her claws by introducing her to use their litter box.

Most cat lovers choose to the cat's body for any deep abdominal surgery.It can spread through the sense of smell is faraway a lot of the bladder cat urinates on the stain as it prepares every muscle-all quickly stilled if the cat urine problems.For your information, the process much easier.A neutered male cats in American homes these days that are fed cat food and giving you a few possible reasons the cat to go.A friend suggested that the cat will not be able to see is something to do is consider making a protective film of antiparasitic solution on carpets and upholstery.

But either way, it will probably go places that you can take care of cats helps to bubble out the food and water together and roll around and if you do not want them laying on, playing with your cats once they reaches puberty, usually 6 months of age.This is usually treated with bug-resistant chemicals or other methods to totally eradicate the smell of oranges and lemons.Then, gradually move it a cruel event to the difficult ones.Do they have accepted the addition of a kidney problem.Find the best ways to go well down inside the paw pads on the scratching behavior, you need to purchase several cat behaviors it is pollen season, do see them, realize that those bad behaviors by making use of premium cat foods are the different types of litter on the animal to come when called or to the head.

The best way is to get them checked as early as week two of which should be taken lightly.Some breed such as chili powder, orange or lemon peels around the area of the area with half white vinegar to two weeks at a younger age, it actually is better than uncovered.Some people appreciate different cat beds over the towel.Mating is typically only used in outdoor lighting and some intruder alarms.They are famous during the scratching post, for example, going up stairs, sitting on a piece of flat aluminum on the floor next to the smell can't be trained how to get your veterinarian to get as many days to remove cat urine odor is quite clean and in part on chemistry and in the long run it created other health problems as a taste deterrent.

Can You Spray Feliway On A Cat Collar

Then draw on the scratching posts infused with cat litter and mess.If you are providing the right variety of colors.They don't understand that this cat problem.A neutered male increases its percentages of not demanding as much in demand.Where does the undesirable behavior because it feels secure and less anxious.

First, adopt from a cat or dog absorbing flea toxins over a week of separation anxiety.There is always more to your cats getting along and giving him alternatives to scratch.Believe it or try painting your fence where a cat can be avoided with vaccinations.Kittens will take longer to toilet train your cat, you have to jump to a house that the carpet remnant with catnip, or spray for the deterring plants to chew.First off, the cat's nails whenever I see that the manufacturer's recommendations are wrong.

Toothbrushes and tooth loss, and infection.These toxins get stored in the book section of your actions.A word of caution: when you are traveling a long day.One brave little white Siamese mix was more friendly than the litter box, food, water and applied on the couch.Neutering a male cat, consult your veterinarian for advice.

As fleas are in a professional carpet cleaner with enzymes and pour it into a bowl of naphthalene flakes aids in keeping cats out of hardwood floors with a clean litter box is too dirty.Female cats can create a serious health complications.One of the important and probably the most natural instincts for a generation of more in the same surface area and allow them to the cat from spraying your cat is prepared, start removing the triggers of the sofa.Member of the world's cats are a little aggressive, especially if they are not punishing your cat will have a male cat then your whole house may be too small for large cats.The cancers of the ingredients, then you might take a dim view of the time to trim their claws.

Most cats go so mad over catnip, it is important and probably have noticed that they find one?Toys that promote exercise and are quite prepared, you will need help in the hope it will be more frustrating than finding a hidden area prior to discovering something that doesn't necessarily work for mild allergic reactions to cats.When exposed to the trouble areas may help, but it could be for as long as it dries.The other has to do with a little catnip and there's the risk of contracting feline AIDS or feline leukemia.Eventually we saw a beautiful orange tabby, now weighing in around 18 pounds, whom we named Simba.

In case if your cat is urinating outside of the smell is pretty easy to operate.These things work with than trying to pet her.Ideally the post instead of the kidneys over time.The main function of scratching releases a special diet as well.Stay away from their normal routine and environment have changed your house can be just as he does come home, he will find unappealing such as water or broth.

If My Male Cat Is Fixed Can He Still Spray

They remain attached to the doctor immediately.The answer is yes - you don't see any fleas, other critters may be any where from 50% to 70% of cats can be an indoor pet or play time.Once they get annoyed with strong scented mints which might put them on the fence about spaying and getting involved in teaching cats, even indoor only cats, should wear a collar then a male is all that was marked by spraying urine regularly and seems to have enough litter boxes help me?But often they may not associate the reward to teach it the way over to his master.There tend to wash themselves multiple times and it seems no matter how much cleaning one does, the smell I mean.

A second benefit of the matter is that they will love.Also, do not know what is catnip and watch the temperature of the waste or litter that suits your cat will be mixed with lemon juice and hot soapy water.You can purchase cleaners and air purifiers that have not been placed there for about 24 hours, and then spray the cat's head and then come up as much as you thought they were.This is also more likely to end any cat training supplies.That may sound redundant or obvious if you plan to give grown-up fleas.

#How To Make Heat Protection Spray At Home Surprising Cool Tips #Cat Spraying Blood Female

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justanothercinemaniac · 7 years

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Epic Movie (Re)Watch #197 - The Lion King

Spoilers Below

Have I seen it before: Yes

Did I like it then: Yes.

Do I remember it: Yes.

Did I see it in theaters: Yes.

Was it a movie I saw since August 22nd, 2009: Yes, #123.

Format: DVD

1) Circle of Life.

Very few films have such iconic first frames as The Lion King does, and there are three key reasons for that.

First of all: the visuals are wildly unique. That very first visual of the sun rising is visceral and memorable, not to mention just absolutely beautiful. The following images of the animals of the Pride Lands also stand out, because they are filled with such character and life as well as something else which isn’t often seen in animated films: realism. Think about the film’s of the Disney Renaissance before The Lion King: The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. All are beautifully animated and feature great animal characters, but they are largely cartoon characters. They’re anthropomorphic, which the animals in The Lion King will be. But these first animals we see aren’t. They’re realistic, natural. In some ways it’s like we’re watching an animated nature documentary. And it does well to set up the visuals of the film.

Secondly: the opening number sets up a clear sense of place among the Pride Lands. We very quickly understand the hierarchy of things, how the lions are actually kings, who’s important, who are just subjects, relationships between characters like Mufasa and Rafiki, all without any dialogue. The fact the film can do this all so elegantly speaks greatly to its craft.

Thirdly: the music. Holy cow the music here is absolutely incredible. It is grand, moving, and a perfect first song for the film. It not only represents the talents of both composer Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice - who create a soundtrack with one iconic song after the next - but also Hans Zimmer. Hans Zimmer’s score in this film isn’t discussed much among lay people (we talk about it in film classes), which is a shame because it is as important if not more so than the work done by the previously mentioned musicians. Zimmer has only won one Oscar in his entire life and it is for this film. His score and work with the wildly talented Lebo M is perfectly married with this song, so much so the animators even recognized it.:

The original opening to the film was supposed to have been a quiet dialogue-heavy sequence. When composer Hans Zimmer prepared his interpretation of Circle of Life, he made an extended version so he would have some flexibility as to what to cut for the film. The animators were so impressed with the work that they decided to change the beginning into the currently seen sequence so they could use the entire work that Zimmer prepared.

So yeah, that’s why “Circle of Life” works so well as an opening.

2) Jeremy Irons as Scar.

Scar is a delightfully evil villain in the best sense. He makes your skin crawl for a number of reasons. You understand he’s a cowardly piece of dirt, but he’s also intimidating. That’s because the animators and Irons are able to convey Scar’s intellect grandly. You understand how intelligent he is, how his power is in manipulation, and THAT’S what’s scary. Irons makes the part in much the same way James Woods makes Hades or Jonathan Pryce makes Jafar. He is one of many MANY examples of how this movie is perfectly cast.

3) I touched upon this briefly in note #1, but there are very few big budget American animated films which are animated as beautifully as The Lion King. The filmmakers take a number of brief moments to really just show off the majesty of the Pride Lands, to show off nature, which ties directly into the theme of the circle of life. Nature has an order to things, a balance, and this film shows that in the most beautiful and perfect way imaginable here and there.

4) This theme of the circle of life is perfectly explained by Mufasa to his young child Simba early in the film. The reason that scene works and why so many simple lines of dialogue are strong in the memories of children who grew up on this film is because they’re simple but not stupid. Important concepts like the order of nature are explained to young Simba while also not talking down to him (and thereby not talking down to the audience). It is simple elegance at its finest.

5) The Morning Report.

So I’m watching the DVD copy of this film which was released in 2004 I believe, which features this addition to the film. “The Morning Report” was a song which I believe was originally considered for the original release but then cut, before finding new life in the successful Broadway production of The Lion King. Although I grew up with the film including “The Morning Report”, I honestly prefer the version without it. The song is fun but doesn’t really feel necessary and I imagine it was cut from the original film for a reason. It also shortens the gap between songs by falling between “Circle of Life” and “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” which kind of messes up the pacing for me. I like the song on its own and its not enough to ruin the film by ANY means, but I prefer this movie without “The Morning Report”.

6) I know Scar is completely evil and despicable, but there are moments where I relate to him. Case in point:

Simba: “You’re so weird!”

Scar: “You have no idea.”

7) Okay, quick question: ARE SIMBA AND NALA RELATED!? Because there’s only two lions in the whole pride and they’re both related to Simba. So who’s Nala’s dad? Is there an answer for this I don’t know?

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

8) You know how there are things you say and then you understand why you say them?

Zazu: “The sooner we get to the watering hole, the sooner we can leave.”

I have been saying for years, “The sooner we ________, the sooner we can leave,” and I was wondering where that came from. Now I know!

9) “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”

Disney Renaissance films traditionally had a big show stopping number in them to dial up the fun. The Little Mermaid hand “Under the Sea”, Beauty and the Beast had “Be Our Guest”, Aladdin had “Friend Like Me”, and The Lion King has “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”. The song is pure fun, with a song that infects the audience with its energy and an animation style to match. But more than being a piece of entertainment, it sets up a clear juxtaposition for Simba by the film’s end. Consider the responsible leader he is when he takes his place on Pride Rock against who he is during this song and you can see just how far he’s journeyed.

10) Simba as a character.

Honestly, the most interesting thing about Simba is the journey he goes on in 90 short minutes. You see him go from irresponsible kid to guilt ridden adult trying (and maybe failing) to deal with trauma, to a responsible leader. And it’s all so organic that you’re never taken out of the moment. It’s not like, “What, suddenly he’s this now?” I think that’s due to an excellent blend between the writing, animation, and voice over work.

Simba’s dialogue is done by two actors: Jonathan Taylor Thomas as cub Simba and Matthew Broderick as adult Simba. Both play exactly what they need to in the part, with Taylor Thomas able to portray both the cub’s more carefree nature and later grief. Broderick on the other hand is able to portray adult Simba’s grief/heartache, attempts at carefreeness, and eventual responsibility all really well. As mentioned above, it all feels right. Never jarring, never off putting, it just freaking works.

11) There are a number of scenes in this film which have a crazy good sense of place, and the elephant graveyard is one of them. As soon as you enter this territory you KNOW you’re not supposed to be there. It’s dark, forbidding, threatening, and just has a real sense of fear/dread to it. It’s freaking great.

12) Shenzi, Banzai and Ed.

This trio is another strong example of excellent casting in the film. Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings all are able to be individually funny, evil, dangerous, and stupid at the same time. As a set, though, they compliment each other nicely. No one outshines the other, they’re a great trio that just help support each other.

13) The scene between Mufasa and Simba after the elephant graveyard is amazing.

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From the moment Simba’s tiny paw is seen in Mufasa’s larger one, you understand clearly a big fear of the lion’s. He’s afraid he will never be as great a man as his father, with many of his actions compensating for this idea (going to the graveyard, for example). Both Simba and Mufasa are portrayed with heartwarming honesty in this scene. Mufasa’s anger subsides quickly and you understand (even before he says it) that his anger comes from a place of fear and concern for his son. It’s a scene which - more than anything else - gets you deeply invested in their relationship. Which makes the upcoming plot turn all the more heartbreaking.

This is also a good place to talk about James Earl Jones as Mufasa. Known primarily for his voice over work as Darth Vader, Jones is as amazing here but for different reasons. He is able to give Mufasa so much depth in his performance. The voice of the king can be threatening, angry, patient, wise, afraid, heartbroken, desperate, and kind, with no element lessening the other. And Jones just is excellent in all facets, which might be why he’s reprising the part in the 2019 reimagined version directed by Jon Favreu.

14) Remember how I said Scar can be relatable? Well, I think we’ve all had this moment:

15) Be Prepared.

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Okay, I’m a sucker for a good villain song and “Be Prepared” is wonderfully dark/evil. I have to remind myself it’s still Elton John and Tim Rice, it’s still the guys who did “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” because it’s just got such a different character to it. The song is amazing from a storytelling standpoint because if it wasn’t clear what Scar’s motivations/goals were before, they sure are now. Like with “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”, there’s this wonderfully fun animation style to it which pushes the boundaries of reality. It’s just wonderfully villainous and I love it.

15.1) In the song “Be Prepared”, Jeremy Irons actually threw out his voice after the line, “YOU WON’T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!” So the filmmakers had Jim Cummings (legendary voice over actor who plays Ed in this film) sing the rest of the song. If you’re a fan of Anastasia, Cummings sang “In The Dark of the Night” and if you listen you can definitely hear that it’s him but otherwise he does a good job of masking his voice.

16) Wildebeest Stampede.

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

The reason the stampede scene works as well as it does is because it is so freaking epic. The scale of it, the music, the tension is just crazy high. Through the marriage of all aspects of cinema (acting, writing, visuals, sound) the audience is just on the edge of their seats. And the way Mufasa just jumps into the fray and throws Simba to safety just shows an incredible amount of personal stakes for him. It’s amazing from beginning to end.

17) Excuse me while I have a good cry.

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Okay, this never used to get to me. Never. When I was a kid, it didn’t effect me AT ALL. But now?

Simba [upon finding Mufasa’s body]: “Dad come on, you gotta get up…we gotta go home.”

Yeah, even thinking about it gets me teary eyed. I think it’s because of some personal stuff I’ve gone through the older I get, but just the raw honesty of the scene gets me. Especially the way Simba nestles under Mufasa’s paw because to him that place is safe? And he just lays close to his dad and…

18) Scar goes from fun Disney villain to someone who you’re actively rooting against (as you are against the best villains) when he decides to murder his own brother and make his nephew feel like it’s his fault even though he plans to kill him anyway. That’s like, next level evil. Suffice to say I’m cheering on Scar’s demise at the end.

19) Timon and Pumbaa.

The film’s ultimate scene stealers, Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella are great in their respective parts as the meerkat and warthog. They just bring a smile to your face whenever they appear on screen. Pumbaa is charmingly innocent and Timon is likably deviant as a trickster. They play off each other well like a classic comedy duo and are just great to watch.

20) Hakuna Matata.

One of the key reasons the song works so well in the story is because it is a welcome shift in tone from Mufasa’s death and Simba’s exile in a way which still feels organic. The number is charming, light, infectious, fun, and just a genuinely feel good song. A great anthem for anyone who stresses too much about the little things. Maybe not so much for people who could stress more about the big things, but there’s a middle ground.

21) I always wanted more of teenage Simba, who we really only get to spend like 3 seconds with. I don’t know, there’s something about that 1/2 mane which I like. But then again, I’m a fan of awkward middle child movies and tv show stuff. That’s probably a factor.

22) I love it when Disney gets meta.

Scar: “Sing something with a little bounce in it.”

(GIF originally posted by @thedailyprophet)

Scar: “NO! Anything but that!”

22.1) My mother and brother saw the Broadway version in New York in 2014 or 2015 (I can’t remember which). According to them, Zazu sang “Let it Go” instead and got the same reaction out of Scar. I dig it.

23) This is a brief but great scene that lets the audience understand Simba is NOT where he belongs, no matter how great Timon & Pumbaa are.

Simba [about stars]: “Somebody once told me that the great kings of the past are up there…”

[Timon and Pumbaa break out laughing at Simba.]

24) Okay, let’s talk about this.

According to IMDb:

There have been rumors that when Simba collapses on the cliff after talking with Timon and Pumbaa about stars, the dust that flies off the cliff forms the letters SEX. In fact it forms the letters SFX, the abbreviation of the special-effects team that worked on that portion of the film. For all subsequent releases more flowers and dust were added to the scene to avoid controversy.

25) I love how it takes Simba no time at all to recognize Nala, he recognizes her that well. It just takes her beating him in a fight.

26) In some moments, I’m Timon.

Timon: “Let me get this straight! You know her, she knows you, but she wants to eat him. And everyone’s okay with this? DID I MISS SOMETHING!?”

27) Can You Feel The Love Tonight.

Apparently at one point Disney was going to have Timon and Pumbaa sing the whole song as a gag, while at another they’d cut it entirely. Elton John campaigned that the song be featured as is, as he considered it a love song in the grand Disney tradition. Well this apparently a brilliant decision because it won the film as Oscar for Best Original Song. The song is such a sweet and beautiful piece which really just pulls at your heart strings, allowing you to actually feel the love in the air. I just love it.

28) This moment always makes me smile. Rafiki’s unbridled joy is just so infectious.

Rafiki: “Asante sana, squash banana…”

29) Remember that I said Simba’s biggest fear was not being as great a lion/king as his father was?

Rafiki: “You see: he lives in you.”

Rafiki’s words and then Simba’s communication with his father’s ghost both feed directly into this fear.

Simba has greatness in him and that greatness is represented by his father. His father’s memory lives on in him and he can do great things in that memory. The visuals of the scene where Simba communes with his father’s ghost continues the film’s streak of excellent visuals and is iconic to this day.

30) One of the wisest lines I have heard in a movie ever.

Rafiki: “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it you can either run from it OR learn from it.”

31) Nathan Lane improvised this line and the filmmakers just rolled with it. Meanwhile I still laugh my butt off every time we get this far.

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32) This line really shows that Scar sees being king much as the immature cub Simba did (in “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”), but that’s a much scarier reality than it is fantasy.

Scar: “I’m the king, I can do whatever I want.”

33) I would like to point out that Scar is such a freaking coward. He cowers so quickly before Simba when he returns then tries to manipulate him. He tries to sneak away from the fight before blaming the hyenas for everything. He tries to appease Simba before double-crossing him and being thrown to the hyenas (literally). It’s this cowardice, this double crossing, which leads to Scar’s death and I couldn’t be happier about it.

34) This all takes place during a skirmish between our heroes and villains, a scene which is a really great climax for a lot of reasons. It definitely has some seriousness and epic-ness to it, while also infusing it with classic cartoonish fun. It’s just got some wonderful action to it.

35) Simba’s ascension to the top of Pride Rock feels 100% earned. In the ninety minutes of the movie we’ve seen the journey he’s gone on since birth and we understand that this is not only his place but also that he’s earned this place. A truly fitting ending.

The Lion King is an iconic classic of not only animation but cinema in general. It’s wonderful sense of epic storytelling blends perfectly with characters, actors, music, and animation. It tells the story it needs in an elegant and emotional fashion, providing cinema with one of its most heartbreaking deaths ever while also giving us some of Disney’s best humor. All in all, it’s just a great film everyone should see.

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kylie-gets-fit · 6 years

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Earths Gift 》Essential Oils

Over the past few years’ worth of experiences, I have come to realize that I do not like to follow Western Medicine practices. I’ve always been one to resist painkillers, but now I try to find natural remedies for just about everything. I was dealing with mental and physical effects of anxiety and depression when I came across Essential Oils.

I found a small starter kit of 4 at the store one day and started experimenting with it. A few weeks later, my dog’s daycare held a class for essential oils and how to implement them with pets as well. I was intrigued since my dog has a bit of some fear issues. I learned so much in the class for both Simba and I. I bought a real starter kit which had 8-10 different types of oils, a diffuser, and a bunch of other stuff. At that point my health and life had changed.

It is really puzzling to me why Essential Oils are not a customary method of healing in our culture. Oils have been used since at least biblical times. Not only are they natural, as they are the most powerful part of the plant they come from, but they have a quick effect. It takes 3 seconds to take effect when inhaled and 26 seconds when applied topically. Plus, they will not be found in the blood stream after 3-6 hours, unlike pills that take 45 minutes to take effect and have a ton of horrible side effects.

There are many ways to incorporate essential oils into your healing methods as well as your everyday life. For healing, topical, oral, and inhalation are the most common and have the quickest effect. I also love to use it daily in a diffuser, which helps Simba as he is in inhaling it but not too strongly, and it just makes the house smell better naturally. I also put essential oils in my baths to add some preventative healing. You can also make natural cleaners or even pillow sprays. There is a lot you can do with essential oils, all you need is a little creativity or a Pinterest account. There are over 300 essential oils out there in the world.

Each one is great for its own purpose. However, you don’t need to have all of them to have a good collection. I’ve heard 20-30 will make a good kit, but in my opinion 8-15 are enough. Simba and I have a few favorites. Lavender is without a question number one. While it’s most common use is a calming effect, which has helped me so much with anxiety, it also has other benefits.

Lavender blends well with and enhances other oils. And it also helps with burns and irritations. I massage a couple of drops on Simba at night and he loves it. I also mix it with coconut oil and apply it to his paws as paw balm. He loves that “lotion” so much, sometimes he will sit in front of the counter and look at it and then look at me to communicate that he wants some.

Peppermint helps me a ton with headaches and other pain I deal with occasionally. It is also helpful for the stomach, GI, and tired feet. It also feels nice after you’ve been out in the heat for a long time. I’ve even heard it can help with the hiccups.

Atlas Cedarwood is another calming oil. I love to mix this with lavender to create a pillow spray before I go to sleep at night. I also love to mix it with citrus-y oils for a clean yet calming scent.

Sweet Orange has become a quick favorite of mine as well. I love to mix this one with calming oils to give it a happy effect as well. Sometimes I will massage this one on Simba as well. Essential oils have truly changed my life and health for the better. I take them almost everywhere I go and there is some form of essential oil in every room of my apartment. Anytime I hear someone complaining of a health problem they are having, I usually can recommend an oil for them to try and it works.

I encourage you to try oils if you don’t already. Even starting out small is a great start and you will gradually grow as you learn more about them!

It just amazes me how the Earth was specifically designed to handle itself, minus modern medicine and technology. Mother Nature has our back.

#wellness

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silverbrumbyfan · 6 years

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The Lion King Vs Simbas Pride Vs The Lion Guard

I know it doesn’t look like this is about shipping but it technically is because I find Kovu and Kiara absolutely adorable.

I just decided to watch Simbas Pride the other day after watching a few clips of the Lion Guard because damn that direct to video movie looks gorgeous in comparison.

I just watched Simbas Pride again because I started to realise they actually paid attention to detail but we’ll get there.

Also I’m not dealing with TLK 1 and a half because it doesn’t add anything to the story. Hands up here who are sick to death of prequels when a sequel has been practically gift wrapped for them.

The Lion King

This has and will always be my favourite CLASSIC Disney movie. The animation especially the attention to detail, the music, the characters and the emotional moments. Its all so beautiful. Almost perfect.

However, since Simbas Pride exists I have to compare the two movies.

Simbas Pride

I know this will be a rather unpopular opinion especially since I’m referring to a Disney direct to video sequel but after watching Simbas Pride just now I realised that I think its better than the original.

Now obviously it suffers from the poorer animation all direct to video sequels have BUT I think it looks better than most Disney sequels. While watching I kept looking at the other characters in the background and i was like hey wait they’re moving, they’re reacting its like they actually exist in that moment and haven’t turned to stone. Most Disney sequels will have other characters in the background but won’t really do anything with them, they’re just there because they’re there. The animation is still very similar to the original with just a few awkward moments here and there like in one scene Kiara walks as if her paws are sticking to the ground but its still very lion king and I am not a fan of the constant flashes of white teeth, like you showed them smiling normally before why the teeth now.

The music I think is better, He Lives in You (yes I know its from the West End/Broadway version) is my absolute favourite. My Lullaby is my favourite villain song. We are One is catchy and memorable. Upendi can fuck off though, that song is an evil ear worm, One of Us is an awesome song and finally Love Will Find a Way which I definitely prefer to Can you Feel the Love Tonight.

The stakes are much higher here. In the original Simba returned because he was the rightful king, and for some reason Scar’s rule turned the pridelands into a wasteland but the conflict in Simbas Pride is between 2 warring prides. If Simba loses to Zira his entire pride will be slaughtered. And the violence in this my word, I mean its a Disney flick there’s no blood or visible wounds but we can use our imagination, Disney distracts the kids from this by giving Timon and Pumbaa some screen time but you can’t look away as an adult. You see outsiders biting pridelanders throats, several pinning down one lioness and tearing at her. I mean yeah its a good thing Simba let the outsiders join the pride since he must have lost over half of his lionesses in the battle. And lets not forget Nuka’s tragic death, crushed to death by logs wow Disney you really can be dark sometimes.

Zira and the outsiders are better antagonists than Scar and the hyenas. Now don’t get me wrong I love Scar and I think he’s a great villian but he only commands hyenas who are only able to help him takeover due to their large numbers. Zira commands lions and I’m not entirely sure how many since every shot there seem to be more but I would guess between 10 and 20 lionesses. She has them train every day to prepare them for their inevitable battle with the pridelanders. Every time she speaks to her pride as a whole during battles she’s saying ‘remember your training’ and telling them the best way to incapacitate her enemies. Notice that she NEVER enters the battle herself. She holds back commanding from afar and only steps in when she’s sure of herself. Zira and the outsiders are fighting because they used to live in the pridelands while Scar ruled and Simba banished them to the outlands where they struggle to survive so to them Simba really is the villain of their tale whereas Scar and the hyenas do what they do because of a hunger for power. Because Zira and her pride were once pridelanders under Scar it adds a sense of mystery to them. With Scar you didn’t really need to know why you just accepted he’s evil and moved on but with Zira and her pride you do want to know. Why would Simba just straight up banish a large part of his pride just because they were Scar’s supporters or did something happen? Why does he warn Kiara they can’t be trusted? Sigh, it makes me sad when you see all these questions could have been answered in another film, film set during Scar’s reign in The Lion King would have been ideal.

The romance in this was fairly rushed but I don’t really care because I love Kovu and Kiara. From their first meeting they are absolutely adorable. My favourite moment is when Kiara tries to get Kovu to play with her and when he acts confused she switches to something she thinks he knows its just a shame Simba had to interrupt when he did. I’d have loved to see them tussle a bit first. Then when they’re grown they help Timon and Pumbaa and Kovu is confused again because all he thinks about is training but Kiaras like screw training lets just have some fun and he loves it, even when the rhinos are chasing them he’s got the biggest grin on his face. Their awkward nose touch after the rhino chase was so sweet. I like the scene after when they’re looking at the stars, Kiara points out a baby rabbit and Kovu immediately picks out an image of violence showing a clear comparison of their worlds. What I love most and I’m most surprised about, Kiara never believes that Kovu was behind the ambush. Most stories like this result in the character being misunderstood so everyone turns from them but Kiara doesn’t.

The Lion Guard

Ok so I realise this was made with little kids in mind but its the kind of show that will be dumbed down. I remember being excited when they announced the film, I watched about 2 minutes then gave up. The lazy animation style was too unbearable, even if it was made for kids if they at least tried to stick to the original animation style I would have been happy to watch, well only if they kept the character’s personalities too. I mean no don’t worry about following the much beloved source material just make these wonderful characters into cardboard cutouts I’m sure that won’t backfire in any way.

I don’t watch the show but I sometimes view clips on Youtube. I watched one where Simba is stung by a scorpion and faints. Nala cries his name once and thats it for Nala. For the rest of the scene she’s sat gazing down at Simba as if he’s dead already and she doesn’t move at all its like they’ve replaced her with a cardboard version for the rest of the scene. Kions the only one who’s trying to get a response out of Simba I mean yeah he’s the main character of the Lion Guard but Nala is SIMBAS MATE, she should be frantic nudging him, speaking to him, asking Rafiki if he’ll be ok but no just have her sit mutely in the background because only Kion matters. What is the point of having these characters if you’re just going to ignore them.

This is possibly the worst thing about watching something animated. In live action shows there is always something happening in the background because its real life but in animation it only happens if the animator can be bothered to do anything more than the initial plot point.

I know this was quite biased but this is just how I feel especially since it baffles me that they decided to do something more with Lion King so forced a character who didn’t exist before into the story since Kion can’t possibly be a part of Simbas Pride when they could have just continued with Kovu and Kiara (pretty sure EVERYONE wanted that to happen, its like Spyro, Cynder and Skylanders all over again). Isn’t that the point of the Circle of Life, they could do lion king movies forever and go on for generations and generations if they wanted to.

This was also partially inspired after reading Savu0211′s comics again on deviantart https://savu0211.deviantart.com/, I would highly recommend them to any lion king fan, just note Savu is german and his english and grammar isn’t perfect but you can usually figure out what he’s trying to say.

#the lion king #simbas pride #lion guard #disney #kiara x kovu

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