#riz reached 100

[fantasykiri5]

Sorry but I’m just not going to pay attention to some of the bad kids’ canon heights. Some of them are listed as too damn tall (and Gorgug has 100 percent grown since freshman year) so have 80 million headcanons

Like you’re telling me Riz is supposed to be 4’4”?? That’s a tall ass goblin! That’s too big to be reasonably carted around on the others’ shoulders, no no, I’m making the executive decision to draw him as 3’9” - 3’11” from now on and you can’t stop me. I’d give him another inch or two by college and that’s it.

Kristen being 5’11”? NAH She’s 5’6”. BIG 5’6” energy right there.

Adaine and Fig didn’t have their heights listed on the wiki but I’m thinking Adaine is 5’10” and Fig is 5’4”. Or Fig is also 5’10” ish and takes after Gorthalax idk but I’m leaning towards short Fig.

Fabian can actually stay same as canon at 6’1”. Maybe grow an inch or two since freshman year but honestly his still works. He’s a year older than the others, prolly grew a little earlier and plateaued early-mid sophomore year, half-elf youth look and all that. I think he lied in introductions freshman year and was about 5’11” - 6’0” and grew over the year before the others could notice the discrepancy.

And Gorgug. Gorgug. You’re telling me he reached 6’4” in freshman year and didn’t keep growing?? Mother fucker he has to have hit at LEAST one growth spurt since, puberty does not hit that early in boys that he was done growing at 14/15. I’m thinking 6’8” or so by Junior Year so far, maybe another couple inches before graduating, maybe not.

#kiri rambles #fhjy #I’m trying to keep track of their birthdays too #Fabian’s is in prolly mid/late august I would guess? end of summer #he got held back a year because he was out adventureing but his birthdays also like a month or two before most deadlines so he’s- #-technically behind two years #most folks turn 18 DURING senior year and the cutoff is usually end of September? I think? #Riz and Gorgug are both October I think they said- or late September- so right around the cutoff #but I’m gonna say early October for ease of ‘they were technically born after the cutoff but are some of the older students in their grade’ #not sure if we have canon birthdays for the girls yet but my guesses are: #Adaine gives me January/early February vibes #Kristen makes me think march or April- maybe early may #and i feel like June or July for Fig #so she’s the youngest and would turn 17 a little after they let out for summer before senior year #d20 #d20 fantasy high #d20 fhjy #gorgug thistlespring #riz gukgak #adaine abernant #kristen applebees #fabian aramais seacaster #fabian seacaster #fig faeth #figeroth faeth

[alliepretends]

been thinking about your post on aromanticism and fandom with riz, and before i say anything else, i want you to know that I 100% agree with you. my primary interaction with fandom is through ao3 and fanfiction, and the heavy focus on shipping and romance has shaped what fandoms i choose to actively read fanfiction for: because I do not want to read romance heavy stories, I'll interact with fandoms/fanfic on a much higher level for fandoms that contain a large amount of gen works, regardless of how much i enjoy the source content in comparison.

within d20 fanfic, out of the 1167 fics with the Riz Gukgak character tag, only 89 of those fics have the aromantic asexual Riz Gukgak tag, and within the 95 fics total that have the aroace Riz tag (apparently there are fics with the aroace riz tag without tagging him as a character?), 18 of those 95 fics are tagged with Riz/Fabian, but only 12 are tagged Riz Gukgak-centric. In d20 fic overall, Riz/Fabian currently comes in as the most written relationship, with 365 fics. The highest written platonic relationship is Adaine & Aelwyn, who are sisters. As someone who personally, also does not like fabriz, queerplatonic or otherwise, and primarily enjoys reading about platonic relationships, this is, not gonna lie, disappointing to me.

However, like you said, it IS incredibly important for the aroace people who DO want to have/see qprs represented to get that! I want them to have it, and im incredibly happy for them that they do! yes, it's not something that i would enjoy, (it just doesn't align with my interpretations of either character) but like you said, a lot of aroace people find qprs to be an integral part of their experience, and seeing stuff get represented is so, so important!

this brings me to my actual point: you talk about how fandom falling in with your (and mine, i agree. you've encapsulated how i feel about riz.) point of view, this would end up alienating other aroace people who don't share the same view, or experience in their identities, and I don't want that either! The thing is, to me at least, that's just not how fandom works! Yes, in canon, if they confirm riz to be aroace (please please please please please) they will end up giving him one singular experience. it's impossible for him to represent all the wide and varied and wonderful ways for him to be aroace in canon, but that's what's beautiful about fandom for me! The metaphor you used for fandom was fighting over a bone, and while I definitely understand why you feel that way, to me, I cannot see it the same way at ALL. For every single individual person who watches fantasy high, there will be a completely different interpretation of each and every character, and all of them will be true. The thing is, when we're talking about Riz as an aroace character, well, there are not a lot of aroace people just in general, and fewer of those aroace people are going to have the same point of view, and there will be less fan-created content centered around this part of his identity as a result.

The solution, because there is one! is not to fight over the bone, or give up the bone, or keep the bone for ourselves, because there is no one bone. The beautiful thing about fandom, when the character passes from the creators hands into ours, is that there are infinite ways to interpret the character, all of them true, and when you don't see enough representation of the interpretation you have, the solution is to take YOUR interpretation and share it with the world. Write fics! Write massive text posts! Encourage and lift up the people who create things you DO relate to! Share what this character is to you and what you want him to be, and while it may not be a large percentage of people, you will find people who feel/have felt the same way you have. You're already doing it. You did, after all, reach me. I guess my point is, be the change you want to see in the world?

I understand that your whole point was about how fandom is so heavily romance focused and how that's frustrating, and maybe this isn't what you want to hear, maybe you just wanted to have a nice little complain (complaining and sharing your frustrations is good for the soul) and that's totally okay. I'm simply an optimist, and you seemed kind of doomy about it, so I just wanted to let you know that there is hope, and community, and people who feel the same way that you do, and hey, maybe if we work together we can create small pockets of fandom that can give you and everyone who feels the same way the aro rep they want to see in the world.

(I am so sorry for how long this got. um. sorry. thank you for putting up with me, I hope you have a wonderful day!)

It's lovely that you have such an optimistic perspective on this. And I hear you about wanting fandom to be a place that has space for a multitude of interpretations, but I think you're kind of missing my point. This goes beyond what you're saying, but it's something I get frustrated about in every fandom I've been in. There's a tendency for fans to want to ignore that fandom is a culture. That fan behaviors are shaped as much by cultural trends within fandom as by the desires of individual fans. Those cultural trends can be really harmful. But because fans often tend to treat fandom as a space outside of culture, and tend to act as if each individual character/ship/fandom is only made up of people having a personal engagement with the text, it becomes very difficult to address the problems that are deeply rooted within fandom culture. And those problems in fandom culture are reflective of the broader cultures of which fandom is a subculture, but they are also built, exchanged, and cultivated in a unique way within the subculture. That's how oppression works, relatively few people are actively trying to hurt others, but people all want to see their actions as independent from a larger cultural context so they don't have to worry about how they might be contributing to a culture that hurts people. It's why fandom, a space historically made up primarily of women, spent a very long time shielding itself from any accusations of sexism (which ran and continues to run rampant in fandom - as seen in everything from how female characters are treated to how m/m ships are forced into heteronormative tropes) by pointing to the failures of the source material. Despite the same problems occurring across the majority of fandoms regardless of the source material. And despite the justification not really holding up when one examined how many one-dimensional male characters fandom was happy to flesh out. I'm not a POC and I don't want to speak for POC but I've read enough critiques of fandom by people of color to know that racism (of all kinds) is an equally rampant problem in fandom.

And this issue of fandom as culture was what I'm talking about with Riz. The discourse over Riz's aromanticism frequently gets heated on this website. And I wanted to make a post exploring why that is. Because while discourse about any aspect of fandom can get heated (we're all emotionally invested here), I felt a particular weight of baggage in this discourse that I thought was worth attempting to bring to the forefront. There is a culture of romance-centrism in fandom. There is a culture of devaluing friendship (found family is great, but in my opinion, it has also become a way of talking around the devaluation of friendship in fandom spaces). There is a culture of characters only getting fic or analysis written about them if it fits into the context of romance or into a romance-dependant context of family. And so the baggage that I was trying to draw attention to with my post is that cultural baggage. Someone shipping fabriz may feel unfairly attacked by the desire of many people to keep romance away from Riz ("it's just a ship," "it's just me projecting on to the character," "it's just fandom, we're all supposed to have fun here.") And I wanted to point out the cultural hostility toward aromanticism in fandom spaces that makes viewing Fabriz that way impossible for someone whose spent any time observing and struggling with the broader culture of fandom. My metaphor about being thrown a bone was more an acknowledgment that being aromantic in fandom is always hard and that our options are limited trying to address this cultural problem by just talking about one character does leave a lot of people out. But this is the problem we have and the character we've got.

You're right that I was kind of doomy and gloomy about it. I'm not a person who likes to put myself out there in fandom. I'm fundamentally a lurker. This blog originally existed as a practice in positivity and contributing my own ideas. But after I left the fandom I started it for, I didn't come back to it. And it took me feeling mad about something for me to be motivated enough to post again. I already kind of regret it. But my intention wasn't just to have a good complain. My intention was to make the case that this particular discourse has a deeper cultural weight within the subculture of fandom. One that, if not considered properly, can easily allow people to shrug off their own role in building that culture. And it's a culture that is actively harmful for people who live romance-free lives (whether they are aromantic or not). I don't need there to be less romance in fandom. I just need there to be more space for characters like Riz to be allowed not to engage in it at all and still be considered worthy of fan attention.

Anyway, this is preachier than I like to be. I do appreciate that you are trying to bring optimism and empathy to fandom. But I also hate to be misunderstood. So I hope this clears up my point for you.

#riz gukgak #dimension 20 #long post #discourse #aromanticism #fandom culture #i feel like i shouldn't post this #but also i can't stand feeling like people missed my point #so sorry to everyone who sees it

[amendehonorable]

* ◟ : 〔   riz ahmed  ,  non binary + any pronouns 〕  TAJ KHAN ,  some say you’re a  FORTY YEAR OLD  lost soul among the neon lights.  known for being both  HEADSTRONG  and  OVERZEALOUS,  one can’t help but think of DUMBEST GIRL ALIVE  by  100 GECS  when you walk by. are you still THE LOCUST at NEON PARIAHS, even with your reputation as the WRETCH? i think we’ll be seeing more of you and old books on meditation, dog eared and coffee stained; buzzed hair bleached blond with peroxide; a foreboding cheshire grin, blood sneaking from their gums, although we can’t help but think of CHIP (68 kill), MIA (talk to me), BRIGITTE FITZGERALD (ginger snaps) whenever we see you down these rainy streets. TW: allusions to alcoholism

taj khan plays the part of THE LOCUST. a biblical plague, a sign of pestilence, bringer of famine and unrest. it begins its life as a solitary creature—the grasshopper. orphaned at age twelve, taj had grown all too familiar with that concept. their adolescence blurs together into a shapeless mass that can only be described as cold, rugged survival; characterized by sleepless nights warmed only by the bottle and run-ins with bad men hardened by the world around them. the grasshopper had to grow up quickly to come to terms with one simple fact: there was nothing left for them there. all that remained was homes abandoned and frozen in time, wildlife reclaiming all signs of human resilience, a wide expanse of land like a scar in the shape of what the world used to be. what taj had spent their entire life aching for.

the grasshopper molts five times, shedding old skin weekly until one day, wings emerge. flight extends the creature’s reach across miles of land, across seas, across cityscapes, but it cannot do this without undergoing a specific and unique chemical change. this change began when taj stepped into new york city for the first time. bustling and bright, big but at the same time, so small. they knew nobody, hell, they were nobody. they walked around the crowds with the energy of a man with a target painted on their back. to make a living and support themself in this new world they found themselves in, they forged information that would convince the city’s government that they were local. taj took up dozens of different odd jobs, everything from digging graves to cleaning apartments, just to afford housing and a bite to eat. housing that they were once able to build, food they were once able to hunt. this neon city that they once imagined to be salvation turned into something more akin to damnation. the grasshopper slowly became resentful, not of their fellow citizens, but of the pigs that exist at the top of the totem pole. while they knew they hadn’t been the only one to find flaws in the nation's dogma, outwardly admitting to their allegiances (and lack thereof) was a risky act. but there was something funny about folks from behind the walls—they had a bad habit of bumping into each other.

it was among this group of outsiders that this grasshopper underwent their final transformation into that big, dark, swarming thing we call a locust when the other wastelanders took them under their wing. they informed taj of the ghouls in the business of replacing flesh and blood with wires and silicone, of the bloodsuckers that make those pretty little pills, of the gangs that infest the streets with crime and bloodshed. it lit a fire inside of them that refused to be extinguished. the life they knew before coming to the city wasn’t perfect either; the world they were raised in was completely lawless, access to medicine was severely limited, and disease and famine ravaged what remains of once thriving communities. despite this, humanity continued to persist. little enclaves of survivors gave evidence to the theory that survival was a numbers game. these groups nursed their sick and nurtured their young, life was simple and bloody but god was it beautiful. the grasshopper the locust believes that maybe, with the right amount of elbow grease, new york will free itself from the false notion of rugged individualism. the sun will rise above neon signs and ever growing superstructures and cradle us in its hands once more but before the night is over, ichor from this modern pantheon of false gods demands to be spilled. it wouldn’t be the first time taj would curl their fingers around the handle of a knife. the leader of the neon pariahs demands patience in execution, a slow and silent death. yet, as time passes and the economic divide continues to expand exponentially, they can’t help but feel that lack of action will one day be the group’s downfall. they bite their tongue, they stay in their place, but every second spent not preparing for all out war is another life lost to overwork, to experimentation, to innovation at the cost of everything that makes us human. the locust is hungry for battle and despite how hard it may try, it cannot strip cities bare by its lonesome—it takes an army to turn the world onto its head.

#lawlessintro #* TAJ K / intro ! #alcoholism tw #ur favorite neighborhood commie. hes gonna quote marx at you

[askthebadkidz]

Sup! So we all know about Riz's memento tattoos, but what other tattoos would you all want to get?

I've got a million ideas in my head, but I figured it would be better to hear it straight from the source!

Thanks a million!!

Damn. Just had to go and remind me of that, huh? -Riz

Oh! Can we tattoo horns? Oh, probably not, it’s like bone- I’d get wings tattooed on my back, like Riz did except with no words, and they’re more phoenix like. -Fig

I have a sleeve tattoo of a metal flower :) -Gorgug

I refuse to get a tattoo, I would need to know 100% that I would never regret what I got. -Adaine

69 -Kristen

Claw marks, to make me look cooler than I already am. -Fabian

note: Fabian wants claw marks because Riz keeps accidentally clawing him when climbing on him to reach things and he thinks it looks cool for some reason. -Adaine

#unreality #roleplay #ask blog #d20 #dimension 20 #fantasy high #the bad kids

[royallyprincesslilly]

Title: HALO: A MasterChief Collection: Conceal {9}

Master Chief Pablo x Sergeant Reader

Warning: Cursing, Angst, Plot, Blood, Violence

Words: 3.9k

Summary: You are part of the mighty SPARTANS as sergeant and a pretty badass addition to the team at that. Everything is different. You’re different. Master chief is different. But the two of you are the only ones who know this. That means this secret must be hidden. Can you both do it?

Note: Guess who needs more fics? Master Chief!!! I’ve decided to make a Master Chief collection of standalone one-shots. They all can be read separately to understand but can also be read in sequence. I will put a number on them so anyone who is interested in reading in sequence can, but again not necessary. This might be an acquired taste, but it’s Pablo as Master Chief forever and always around these parts.  Thank you for reading! Enjoy!

Note II: Tapping into some Elsa vibes with the title. I had to be restrained from making the title: Conceal, Don’t Feel. Like seriously restrained. LMAOOO. Also, I am not 100% sure the ranking but I think I got it right, if not excuse the mistake and overlook it. Just know Seargent Y/N is ranked under master chief but just above the other Spartans. 

 If you enjoyed this please LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG!!!

 ***NOT Edited/Proofread***

Previous: On Your Six*** | Feel Something | A Night Off | Apex Predators | Truth Be Told | Confess | Unto Dawn*** | Learn Me, Learn You*** | 

~~~~~~~~~

Brrr, Brrr, Brrr, Brrr. Brrr, Brrr, Brrr, Brrr.

 The blaring alarms could be clearly heard. You jumped up reached for your weapon while rolling out of the bed, ready for anything. Scanning the dark room, you found no threat, only John across the room on the opposite side of the bed in the same crouching position you were in with his weapon raised. The light shining through the windows in a circular motion showed you his face in sporadic fashion.

 “That’s the alarm for a breach,” John voiced.

 Both of you stood at the same time. It was him looking over your body that made you remember you were naked—as was he. Both of your communicators went off and in the same breath both of you went into motion hurrying out of the bedroom to where your clothes was bundled. As you read the alert you groaned.

 “All Spartans are bring called in. No word on if it’s a breach,” you announced hurrying back to your bedroom.

 You quickly grabbed some clothes then pulled them on. You’d learned long ago how to get dressed in under two minutes. Now wasn’t any different. You dropped onto the bed and pulled on your boots then rushed out. John was just rising from a chair fully ready.

 “Did I beat you.”

 “Not this time.”

 A half smile was spread across his lips. The two of you walked to the door but John pulled you back and pressed you into the wall and his body against yours. Your eyes widened in shock.

 “Wha---.”

 Your words were cut off by his lips for a tentative kiss, a kiss you returned. While every kiss between you over the last near forty-eight hours had been passionate, desperate and wild this one was slow almost hesitant, sweet and so tender. By now, you’d lost count of how many times he’s stolen your breath. When he pulled away you both sighed a sort of relieved sigh.

 “What was that?”

 John brushed your cheek with his thumb, “It felt right.”

 You smiled and kissed him once more. “We don’t have time for this.”

 “I know. I just had to--.”

 You nodded fully understanding what he meant.

 “Wait, it’s smart for us to go separately. We can’t let Halsey know that your pellet is gone.”

 John’s jaw ticked and he slowly nodded.

 “We can’t let her know a lot of things,” he added.

 Your eyes met and the conversation continued, no words were necessary. Far too soon, John moved from you and walked through the door. Half of you wished he would look back, but the other half knew he wouldn’t. He was once again Master chief Petty Officer John-117 and you, his subordinate. It was almost painful—painfully poetic.

  ~~~~~~~~

 “Spartans, fall in!”

 You rushed in and fell in line along with Vannak, Riz, Kai and Master Chef, ready for instructions.

 “All right Spartans, we have intel that says we have another artifact on Eridanus Two and thanks to Master Chief we can confirm that as accurate. Our plan is of course to get it before anyone else since we know we are not the only ones after it,” Captain Keyes briefed.

 “I don’t think I have to stress how important it is for us to be the ones to get this artifact before the covenant,” Dr. Halsey said stressing her words for emphasis. “Do I make myself clear Spartans?”

 “Affirmative, ma’am!”

 “We’re tails up in ten, move out,” Captain Keyes finished.

 You and the other Spartans made your way over to your suits in controlled fashion and proceeded to change and suit up. The entire time you undressed, you tried to keep your head in the game and on mission rather than where you’d been not even thirty minutes ago. Peeling off your leggings, you reached for the one impact proof one piece you wore under your suit. You glanced across the way to find John’s eyes on you and the intensity you saw in them made you fumble the garment. Your eyes locked and you knew what he was thinking. The moment seemed to last for eternity. His eyes bore into you and stripped you of the remaining clothes you wore. The look in his eyes said if you were alone he’d slam you against the metal of the lockers and fuck you hard and raw. Your belly quivered. You wanted it.

 “Master chief.”

 John snapped his head away to give his attention to Miranda who’d somehow kept up beside him. You looked back into your locker and grabbed the garment you’d long dropped and proceeded to stuff your legs inside.

 “Seargeant (your chosen nickname).”

 You looked over your shoulder into Kai’s face and instantly came back to yourself. You were Seargeant Second Class Y/N-144. You were a solider—a weapon made by the UNSC to get the most complex and impossible missions completed. You were not a woman. Not a woman with thoughts of her own. Not a woman who could feel, desire or want. Not a woman who knew what a kiss felt like. Not a woman who knew what it was like to have master chief’s hands on your body or have him inside of you. You were a weapon. A lethal weapon with one objective—the mission.

 “Kai,” you replied keeping your voice even and free of any emotion.

 She studied you but didn’t say anything else. You tried not to think about what she was searching for.

 “Nothing,” she said before she turned back to her own locker.

 Pushing the encounter to the back of your mind, you continued to suit up reciting the objective in your mind. Once outfitted you walked over to the weapons rack and caught John walking off with Dr. Halsey. Curiosity picked at you. What could she be saying to him? Was she giving him different orders or was she trying to dig her hooks deeper into him? Whatever she was doing John’s face, and posture gave nothing away. He just nodded his head like the obedient solider he'd always been. It hit you then this would be his first mission completely free of the pellet, completely at the mercy of his human thoughts and emotions.

 You remembered your first mission and said a silent prayer he had an easier time than you had.

 “Seargeant Second Class 144.”

 You stood at attention as Miranda approached.

 “Dr. Keyes.”

 “At ease.”

 You eased your stance but kept your eyes forward and off of her. She leaned closer just a touch and spoke.

 “Head in the game?”

 “Affirmative.”

 “The full force of the UNSC will be accompanying you to Eridanus Two. Be sure to remain compliant.”

 She was reminding you the best she could that eyes would be everywhere and neither you nor John could fuck up and give anyone reason to suspect anything was off. You nodded.

 “Yes Dr. Keyes.”

 She nodded then walked off. If you hadn’t been anxious before, you sure as hell were now.

 “Conceal, Y/N, conceal,” you whispered to yourself.

 ~~~~~~~

 The ride through slip space was a quiet one. Sometimes you and the others would goad each other about your skills and who was better but now none of that happened. Everyone sat in their seats, backs straight, heads high and eyes forward awaiting deployment. Across from you, John sat the same as all of you were—disciplined. With his helmet on, you had no idea where he was looking but you didn’t doubt he was focused. There was something about putting on the full suit that did something to one’s focus. Somehow no matter how distracted you were, putting on the helmet always brough things to a point.

 “Entering Eridanus Two outer space now. Prepare to exit slip space,” the voice informed through the ship.

 You gritted your teeth and allowed the feeling in your belly to course through you. It was similar to doing a free fall with no gravity to catch you only intensified twofold. It only lasted a few seconds though. Kai and the others were lucky. You were certain they didn’t feel it because you hadn’t felt it before your pellet was removed. Now you felt it every journey in and out of slip space. A few minutes later, the ship was on the surface and soldiers and Spartans disembarked.

 Halsey walked off with John behind her scanning their surroundings. They were headed to look into the location of the artifact.

 “Spartans maintain a perimeter, keep your eyes open and weapons ready,” John ordered through coms.

 “Yes, master chief,” you all replied in unison.

 For the next thirty or so minutes, you walked the surface checking areas where enemy combatants could be lying in wait and even those any inhabitants of the planet could be buried. Eridanus Two was practically a wasteland, one of the harshest planets to survive on but you didn’t doubt that some poor souls called it home. Not many came here. It was the perfect place for an artifact to be. It would have remained unbothered for centuries.

 By the time your boredom set in, you realized it had been nearly three hours. Three hours and nothing had happened. Three hours and the artifact had not been acquired. You wondered what was happening. Was John all right? Suddenly, a massive energy pulse went through you and as far as you could see and sent you flying and down for the count as the loudest pulsing and screeching sound went off around you. It didn’t hurt though—it felt like it was talking to you and what it said crippled you.

  ~~~~~~

 -John-

He shouldn’t have touched it but there was no way he couldn’t have not. Like being in slip space, he saw memories of himself he didn’t recognize. He felt feelings he remembered feeling somewhere in him. It all seemed so similar, so real. He knew they were real. This hadn’t been the first time he’d experienced memories. He traced this back to the first time he touched the artifact in Madrigal. He knew these were his memories. This latest set pulled it all together. Halsey had been lying—about everything. She’d taken him from his home and turned him into this.

 His gut bubbled with bile and rage. As he stood, he saw red, and his only wish was to see blood. His eyes fell back to the artifact he’d just touched, the artifact that had given him these answers, that had pieced everything together for him. He felt connected to it, and he knew for sure he had something to do with it. They were connected.

 “John?”

 He spun on his heels and glared at her. Through his helmet he knew she couldn’t see the anger in his eyes but he knew in seconds she would feel it. He took a step to her, she took one back.

 “John,” she cautioned sensing the predatory instincts coursing through him.

 “You’ve been lying to me.”

 Halsey’s eyes widened but it wasn’t with confusion it was with shock and fear. That was all the answer he needed. Ther was no mistake. She was the villain in this story—his story.

 “John,” she cautioned again.

 He ignored her and stepped closer.

 “Why have you been lying to me?”

 “I—I--,” she stuttered before gulping. You need to listen to me. I know you have a lot of questions.”

 “I will get the answers!”

 He leapt to her, but she slipped to the side before slapping something onto the back of his head sending him into darkness.

 When his eyes opened, he had two thoughts, you then Halsey. Getting to his feet he began stalking from the cave but once he stepped out, he felt it—the incoming threat of carnage. Someone—or someone was coming. Seconds later, there was a large explosion. Several others echoed after and fire and shouts came next. He felt torn. His training said the mission was paramount, but everything else in him said you came above it all.

 “Spartans on me!”

 He heard the response of Riz, Kai, and Vannak but he didn’t hear you. He began to call your name but stopped himself. Balling his fists he tried again.

 “144 come in!”

 Silence.

 “144 come in, now!”

 Still nothing. He gritted his teeth and continued to usher the soldiers into motion.

 “Riz, Kai, Vannak, do you have eyes on (your chosen nickname)?”

 “No, master chief,” they replied together.

 Worry set in, then he heard another reply come in.

 “144 was securing the west quadrant perimeter. That is where her location is paused,” Riz answered.

He dodged a bomb, dove to the right then opened up his map and sure as day your dot was stilled.

 “144 come in. Do you need assistance?”

 Nothing.

 “Goddamn it!”

 “Master chief your orders are to get the artifact to Dr. Keyes’s ship,” Captain Keyes informed.

 Again he gritted his teeth. This was the first time he wanted to ignore an order. The first time he had the free will and desire to say no.

 “144 is mission, Captain Keyes.”

 “Understood but the artifact is what we came here for. It is the mission not 144.”

 “Fuck!”

 An enemy combatant ran to him completely unaware that he was an uncaged animal right now. Lifting his foot, he sent it into their chest sending them flying. He pulled his secondary weapon out and released three shots dropping the fighter. He jumped onto the speeding vehicle that held the artifact, shooting down an incoming raider whose intent was to overtake it.

 “Not today. Spartans, get in!”

 In seconds Riz, Kai and Vannak barreled to him and leapt into the vehicle. With Riz on the machine turret, she took over shooting any and everything that did not look human. As he drove, he kept an eye on the map on his forearm at your dot that still wasn’t moving. Damn it, he thought. Something was wrong. You wouldn’t go silent, not in combat and not after last night. He heard more persistent orders telling him to get the artifact to the ship and he wished for the first time to be anyone else. Anyone who could get to you.

 “Goddamn it 144, reply now!”

 He heard a chough and a long groan. It was a familiar one.

 “144?”

 “Uuugh, fuck, what—what--.”

 “144 come in!”

 “I’m here.”

 He sighed out as he swerved missing a newly dropped bomb. The vehicle did a donut bringing up a thick cloud of dust.

 “Twelve o’clock, three o’clock and above,” Riz shouted.

 Each of them went into action on the location at the same time. Vannak went for the three o’clock, Kai the twelve and he aimed his weapon up and fired round after round.

 “Clear!”

 “What’s happening? The covenant?”

 “Get your ass to my location 144.”

 You groaned again and he worried you were hurt. When he was about to ask you spoke.

 “Yes, master chief.”

 He looked at the map on his forearm again and saw your dot moving. Slight relief washed over him, and he found he could focus on the mission again thought the nagging need to see you himself still picked at him. He doubted he would be fully focused until you were on his six. He drove and swerved around obstacles and focused on the road and not the screaming soldiers around him. There was so much carnage, so much destruction. He was numb to it before but now—he saw this war up close and way too personal.

 “Coming to you, master chief,” you said.

 He saw you from the side but also saw a hover rover coming for you.

 “On your nine, 144!”

 You leapt but it was too late, it collided with you and shot you through the air and several feet. He watched your body fall beam over the cliff and right in the middle of where the battle was the bloodiest. All he heard was the sound of his own heart nothing else registered. You remained down for too long.

 “144.”

 No response. As he drove further and further away, he thought of his options. He knew what he should do but what he was about to do was not it.

 “Stay on mission, John!”

 Halsey’s orders were loud and clear, but something else spoke to him much clearer and much louder.

 “Vannak take the wheel. I won’t let her die.”

 Before anyone else could get a word in he leapt out of the vehicle and ran to the edge of the cliff. He saw quickly approaching enemy mid-range ship and he jumped for it landing on its hull. Pulling his side piece, he shot into it knowing he’d made impact. Soon, the ship began declining. He rode the steam down then jumped off right before it collided with a much larger ship. A massive explosion erupted for a few moments all was silent.

 When he stood, he saw a legion of covenant fighters armored up, and armed across the field that was set ablaze. He counted at least ten with one large ugly son of a bitch in the center.

“Great.”

 Right in front of the legion there you were crumpled still barely moving.

 “I’m coming, Y/N. Tuck and hang on.”

 You didn’t reply and he prayed he wasn’t too late. The legion screamed a battle cry then took off for him. Releasing his own battle cry, he followed. He was ready to show them the demon they swore he was. He bent grabbed a discarded weapon and shot until the chamber emptied. He then shouted in frustration and threw it lodging it in the skull of one of the fighters. He tumbled, grabbed another and off-loaded sending bullets into most of the fray. Still the large one remained. He grabbed two weapons and went into close combat rotating in a circling taking them out one at a time. When the weapons failed, he relied on his fists.

 To anyone looking in the outcome probably looked grim, but he didn’t care. To him he wouldn’t stop until he got to you. The large one grabbed him and threw him across the field. He should have said thanks because he was now closer to you. You were now on your back. Not dead. He stood fighting through the pain and ran for the only one standing. He took a foot to the head then dropped to his knee. Sensing this fighter’s next move, he waited. When the punch came, he grabbed onto its arm hooking himself on then climbed up lodging himself on its back. With the last weapon he had, he released shots into its back then attached an explosive. Before he could leap off, it hooked him. It must have sensed its demise and wanted to take him along. The explosive went off and he went flying.

 Again, silence was all he heard. Silence with a high-pitched ringing. Groaning he flipped onto his back and tried to catch his breath. On his back he saw a ship break off form the hovering one that he guessed was where whoever was in charge was waiting. The breakaway ship began its descent and he cursed.

 “Goddamn it!”

 Across the field by you he saw the artifact. You were maybe ten or so feet apart. It was now a choice he had to make. He could grab one, but he doubted he could do both. He could hear a staticky command, but he couldn’t make it completely. What he did get was artifact. He knew it was an order to secure it. He saw you make a move to your knees, but you dropped back down. Your eye shield was broken, and it gave him a slight look at one of your eyes. It was bloodshot and locked on his.

 “The artifact, John. Not me.”

 He gritted his teeth. The largest combatant he’d seen dropped from the sky and landed in a cloud of dust. In hand was a massive clobber axe that looked ready for action. Another curse escaped him before he took off running toward the fight. As the creature lifted its weapon to swing, he slid intending to go through its legs, but he was met with an oncoming attack. In the nick of time, he opened his shield bit it was too late. It sent him right back to where he’d begun. With the upper hand the combatant ran to him with weapon held high. It slammed it down, but he rolled to the side avoiding the weapon completely.

 Looking into the face of his opponent, he almost gulped. He was the ugliest son of a bitch he’d ever seen. He clocked a weapon a few feet away then ran to it. The creature made a move for the artifact instead. It registered too late; you were standing by the artifact with your foot on it. You looked half dead but still defiant as all hell. You opened fire with the two weapons in hand shouting the entire time like the badass you were. He might have smiled and felt pride at the sight in a different situation but seeing how the gargantuan figure still ran to you he felt something else. Fear.

Without thinking, he grabbed the mine explosion laying on the ground that he knew must have fell out of one of their ships. He ran like his life depended on it toward the creature because he felt it did. When one of your weapons went out, you grabbed your secondary and opened fire again. Just before the other went out he jumped, soared through the air and landed on its back ramming the device into its flesh. It screeched out and reached for him, but he propelled off of its back soaring to you. You didn’t stop firing even with one weapon. As he glided past you, he grabbed it and aimed for the device. It exploded and he grabbed you, while you grabbed the artifact. The explosion sent you across the field.

 He gasped long and sprung up to a sitting position. He frantically looked around for you then saw you lying there a few feet away. He scurried to you and realized you clutched the artifact to your chest.

 “Y/N!”

 You gasped then coughed. He pulled off his helmet then yours and looked into your battered and bloodied face. Through the damage he saw your eyes were open. He sighed in relief.

 “Artifact---secure,” you grunted then smiled.

 He scoffed. You were a badass all right. A badass with a death wish. Suddenly, a beam of blue light came down, enclosing you in its perimeter. Your eyes widened as you began to levitate off the ground.

 “No, Y/N!”

 “John!”

 Your panic was evident but you didn’t release the artifact.

 “They want the artifact. Let it go!”

 “No!”

 “Y/N, let it go. That’s an order!”

 You didn’t and soon got out of reach of him.

 “Let it go!”

 Your eyes locked and that fear from earlier returned.

 “John!”

 “Let it go Y/N, I can’t lose you. I can’t!”

 You released it but you still beamed up to the ship. Seconds later, your body dropped while the artifact went up. Sliding just in time, he caught you before you collided with the ground. The covenant ship zipped through the air taking off. He should have cared that the artifact was gone and the mission a failure, but he didn’t. He held you tighter. What he cared about was that he had you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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#halo a masterchief collection #master chief #master chief fanfiction #halo tv series fanfiction #halo fanfiction #master chief x reader #master chief x you #master chief x black reader #black fanfiction #pablo schreiber fanfiction #angst fanfic #slow burn fanfic #sunshine x grumpy #conceal one shot

[shina913]

Ristretto 1 | KNJ

Pairing: KNJ x reader

Genre: cafe!AU; meet-cute; strangers to ?; fluff; drabble

Rating: PG-15

Word count: 1.9K words

Warnings: Just pure fluff; light cussing; strangers to ?; Joon's dimples (I mean--who are we kidding? They need warnings on their own, TBH)

Summary: A random café work day leads to something more?

A/N: This drabble was loosely inspired by an anecdote from actor, Riz Ahmed and how he met his wife in the cutest, most non-celebrity of circumstances. You can Google or YouTube his interview from the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, if you are so inclined.

Dedicated to my fellow Joon-loving friend, @deepseavibez

❤️, comment, reblog, or send me an ask 📩 to let me know what you think!

Your Mac will sleep soon unless plugged into a power outlet.

“Shit–” you muttered under your breath after taking a bite out of your almond croissant then started digging into your backpack for your AC adapter.

About two hours ago, you rushed out from the train station and parked yourself at your favorite coffee shop to finish a mockup that you promised to a client at 11…it is now 10:30 and you have a few more adjustments to make on the layout.

When you finally dig your power cord out, you quickly fight to untangle it to plug it into the outlet less than a foot away from you. You briefly hit CMD+S to save your work in case your laptop shuts off before you get a chance to plug it in.

Once your application indicates that your work was 100% saved, you take your adapter’s plug in your hand and rise from your seat to reach over your laptop screen to connect it to the outlet when your head bumps into another.

“Ow,” you said grabbing your forehead.

You hear a low groan across from you.

When you finally look up, you find a tall, male figure massaging the middle of his forehead.

“Sorry—did I hurt you?” He had a low, gentle tone to his voice despite his size.

“No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking.”

“I guess neither of us were,” he says while he looks up at you and smiles.

Your breath hitched at the sight of the dimple on his left cheek.

“Do you want to plug yours in first?”

You are shaken out of your daydream. “Uh—yeah. Sure.”

You proceeded to plug in your power cord shortly followed by him.

You promptly sit back down while he does the same. You quickly wiggle your wireless mouse to wake up your screen and breathe a sigh of relief to find your application still open.

“Lose anything,” the man asked casually.

“No, no. I managed to save my work before my computer went to sleep.”

“Oh, good for you! Somehow, I always have terrible luck with that,” he chuckles while you smile back at him. It’s a situation you’ve run into one too many times as well.

“I’m sorry to hear that–I’ve had those, too. Like, I would literally be working on an untitled document for four hours straight before my program crashes,” you relayed.

“I would panic,” he says with a chuckle.

“Oh, I have pulled a few hairs out, trust me!”

Your watch chimes alerting you to a message and you sigh in frustration.

“Sorry if I’m distracting you. I’ll leave you be,” he says with a small smile and continues to type away on his keyboard.

You felt bad that Mr. Dimple (yes, you’re calling him that) has cut your conversation short but your email alerts have been going off with your client asking whether your mockup was still on track for the deadline that you set.

You puff up your cheeks and blow out a breath then continue to move a couple more elements, blend a few more colors, and resize a few shapes on your digital artboard.

As you both worked, each of your screens were angled towards each other–yours was a couple inches larger than his because you preferred a wider surface area for work. You were hunched over your laptop while he sat up in perfect posture as he stared at his screen. Your shoes, almost touching underneath the long cafe table.

He was tall enough to subtly steal glances at you over your huge screen while you contorted your face in various expressions. When you were in the zone, alternately scrunching and stretching your face seemed to help ideas flow freely–it was the weirdest thing.

As he sipped on his iced coffee, he stifled a laugh when he caught sight of you in the middle of one of your facial gymnastics.

You stopped to look up over your screen and found that he was staring at you.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” he apologized, fearing that he embarrassed you.

“Oh–no worries! I’m aware that I do this weird thing with my face while I work.” You let it roll off you. You frequented this cafe and have seen loads of people do the oddest things when they thought nobody was looking. Everybody just minded their own business.

“Do you come here a lot,” he asked.

“Yeah. I work as a freelance designer. I mostly work from home but spend some time here for a change of scenery.”

“Ah.” He nodded.

You worked out of the café on days whenever you got stuck with a project. You liked to people-watch and made up random background stories about them. It was a way to jump-start your creative juices.

You took a sip of your macchiato. “A-and you?” It was only polite to ask.

Students, professionals, and homebodies alike frequented this neighborhood café. It was nice, cozy, and they served great coffee with superb, homemade pastries.

You’ve been coming to this place for almost three years at varying hours of the day so you would have at least seen him once.

“I haven’t seen you here before.”

“First time. I moved here a few days ago. I live close by and uhh–what do you know, my internet hasn’t been installed yet,” he said wryly.

“Oh no! That blows,” you said sympathetically.

“Yeah. I got tired of tethering my phone so I thought I’d come down to a café instead.”

You tried to guess if he was a student or some yuppie. But you couldn’t tell because he came dressed in a dark hoodie, sweats, and an oversized coat. He also hid his hair under a beanie, making his facial features more prominent—especially that dimple—which made him look years younger than when you first laid eyes on him after you bumped heads.

You hummed, taking another sip of your coffee. “So…you’re new to the area?”

“Uh huh.” He smiled again–that dimple making you weak in the knees.

“Are you here for work or–”

“Yeah. I have a few more days to settle before I have to check into the office.”

You nodded and absentmindedly hit CMD+S on your computer again.

“Do you have any recommendations on any places in the area that I need to check out?”

“Uhm–well…that depends on what you’re in to.”

He held your gaze while he leaned backwards from his screen to get a better look at you. “Why don’t you tell me what you like to do for fun? I’m pretty open.”

You suddenly feel flustered and catch a glimpse of the clock on your computer. You had 15 minutes left… But surely, you can possibly run through a couple of recommendations in 5 minutes and spend the last 10 exporting your file and sending it out?

You took in a sharp breath. “Well…I like to go into old book stores. There’s one tucked in this specific neighborhood. They have lots of vintage books with a quiet reading nook.”

That’s the best you can do?

His brows quirk up. “Huh.”

Quick! Think of something more exciting!

“Uhmm…There’s also a nice botanical garden on the opposite side of the city that’s really cool if you want to go somewhere quiet and just enjoy nature. Sure, it’s not—like a bar or a club but you can also have a picnic there on a nice day—”

He paused for a moment, a blank expression on his face.

Nice going. You are officially the most boring person in the world.

Just when you start to sink back into your chair, a smile slowly creeps through his lips. “That all sounds really amazing to me. Do you think that—“

“Oh, crap!” You gasped and started scrambling as you suddenly saw your computer clock showing the time as 10:55.

Mr. Dimple is left hanging while you rush to export your file and in the background, start composing an email to send the attachment with.

You curse and mutter under your breath for allowing yourself to be distracted by this café hottie in front of you. You forgot to include a couple minor elements but at this point, this file will have to do. Maybe you’ll make up an excuse to the client and resend another email later saying that you missed it. You just needed something for them to react to.

As if things weren’t stressful enough, your program freezes. You start to break a sweat…you have about 90 seconds left before your deadline.

Then suddenly, a ping comes in.

Hey YN,

Sorry for the last-minute switch. We literally just got a few more requests from the project director. We didn’t think it was fair for you to rush these changes today. Can you implement them by the end of the week?

A reprieve!

You type up a quick response agreeing to your new deadline extension. After you hit ‘send’ you run your fingers through your hair and breathe a sigh of relief.

You look up to see Mr. Dimple still staring at you, brows furrowed.

“Sorry—just had a major project breakthrough,” you smiled, slightly embarrassed.

He then starts to gesture at his face. “Uh—you’ve got a little…uhm…”

“Huh?” You grabbed a napkin and dab away aimlessly in case you had a coffee stain or some errant pastry crumbs around your mouth.

You freeze when he suddenly reaches over by your cheek and into your hair to gently pluck something out.

He shows you a couple of almond slivers. They must have been stuck somewhere on your palms until you touched your hair and they got caught in it.

You giggled, embarrassed. “As you can see, I’m kind of a mess.”

“You look fine to me,” he remarked, still smiling at you.

Your cheeks start to heat up under his gaze.

“Anyway, what I was trying to say earlier was whether you can tell me the names of these places and I can look them up,” he asked.

“Oh, sure. Hang on, let me write them down for you.”

You grab a napkin off the table dispenser and a pen from your bag to write down the names of the locations that you just rattled off earlier. You handed the napkin to him and he took it and put it on his laptop, typing and glancing up at his screen. You assumed that he started looking up the places on his search engine.

“Could I borrow your pen for a sec?”

“Yeah, sure.” You handed him your pen while he scribbled something down.

“This place here—I’m having some trouble reading it.”

Damn you and your chicken scratch handwriting.

“Can I see?”

He holds the napkin to show you. “This one right here,” he pointed at a specific line.

When you glance at the spot that he pointed to, you are amazed to find a few new things written down.

The way he held the napkin, he had written an arrow pointing to him and next to it was his name, 'Namjoon'. Underneath that was an arrow pointing in your direction followed by 'You' with a question mark.

You looked up at him for a bit, slightly taken by surprise.

Worried that you were about to run out the door screaming, he quickly adds, “You don’t have to tell me if you’re not comfortable. But I promise I’m not a creeper!”

You slowly grinned at him thinking how much more adorable he got.

“Hi, Namjoon. I’m YN.” You reach your hand over your screen and he shakes it.

“I’m not very smooth,” he says apologetically.

“I beg to differ,” you smiled at him.

“So uh—would you prefer a bookstore or a botanical garden date?”

You blushed as you agreed to him taking you out.

“Oh, before I forget…are these places accessible by bike? I don’t really drive and–”

”I like bike rides,” you softly interrupted

“Alright then,” he nodded. “It’s a date!” He beamed, two dimples now on full display.

You shook your head and thought…those things should be illegal.

Part 2◥

#bts #bts fan fiction #kim namjoon #namjoon #RM #rap monster #BTS RM #BTS kim namjoon #namjoon x reader #kim namjoon x reader #kim namjoon fanfic #KNJ x reader #bts fluff #kim namjoon fic #kim namjoon fluff #KNJ fluff #RM fan fiction #kim namjoon fan fiction #kim namjoon drabble #ristretto x knj #ristretto knj

[forfoxessake]

2020 is over. The year in review.

 I watched 140 movies in 2019 of my usual 100 goal. This past year, we all got stuck at home due to humanity fucking up the world. So I reached the impressive number of 190 movies. 

I started the year with  Christopher Robin and ended with Free Solo, in between, there were many rewatches, many movies that I had put off watching for the longest time, many great films, and just as many bad ones. 

Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

A Ghost Story  - one of the last films I saw in 2020, quiet, delicate, and beautiful. The art of cinema at it’s best. 

Dogtooth - crazy, insane, unimaginable film where parents just take away their children’s liberty until they can’t possibly survive in the real world. 

God’s Own Country  - a film about love, just love understanding. 

 Holidate  - that perfect Christmas movie where is not really about Christmas but truly about adulthood and it’s fuck ups. 

Sound of Metal  - Riz Ahmed’s future Oscar win. This movie is so loud it hurts, so silent that is peaceful and so touching that you can’t help but understand. 

Little Monsters  -  I don’t know how to explain this movie, is this a kids movies? A romantic comedy? A zombie horror movie? Lupita is singing a Taylor Swift song while looking gorgeous in yellow and gore. 

Parasite -  2020 started so great with Parasite absolutely destroying the Oscar’s and it’s the end of the year and I don’t think anything that was released after is as good as this. 

 1917  -  I have seen very few films in cinemas this year and this was the one that I loved the most. I’m glad I got to see it and have the experience that is demanded. 

 Wild Rose  -   My favorite musical that is not really a musical. Jessie Buckley is bound to shy, as an actress, or as a singer, preferably both! 

 Apollo 11  -  I always wondered how it was possible for the USA to have reached the moon with the technology that they had at the time and after watching this I understand even less. INCREDIBLE. 

Lawrence of Arabia  -  a classic that took me far too long to see. I have seen a lot of war movies but none that actually gives us a glimpse of the economical reasons for so much death. And a fabulous Peter O’Toole in the role of a lifetime. 

The Godfather - yet another classic that now I don’t really understand why I had not seen a thousand times before. I find it impossible now to not stop and watch it whenever I come across it on tv. 

 Portrait de la jeune fille en feu - the art of cinema is an amazing thing, a movie put together so perfectly that every second has something to say, transcending words. 

Little Women - I have seen this twice and loved both times equally as much. Greta Gerwig turned a novel that I sort of enjoyed into a feminist manifest a la Jane Austen. 

 Jojo Rabbit - Taika Waititi is Hitler and there’s a little Nazi kid who we love, why? Because adults are shit and children should always be protected. 

 The Tale   - I have seen many movies on the subject this year but this one with Laura Dern hurts the most. Pedophilia needs to be talked about, if we don’t our children will forever be vulnerable. 

 Morte a Venezia  - I didn’t really like reading this Thomas Mann novel, it just didn’t click with me, the movie, on the other hand, is absolutely sublime. 

 Hotel Mumbai - I thought I was watching a white-savior movie but it turned out to be a movie about a real tragedy with real heroes that does a wonderful job not criminalizing religion or personal beliefs. 

 Romeo and Juliet  -  I was shocked to finally have read this play and realize it’s nothing like popular culture had me believe. Sure, it’s two very young people thinking that they found the love of their lives, and other teenagers going on with a fight that they really don’t understand. The tragedy of youth. 

 Dracula   - Francis Ford Coppola can also be fun and irreverent while at the same time delivering amazing shots and insane use of shadows and references. 

 Amadeus  - I thought this was bad at first and Mozart annoying with that loud laugh of his, but then his genius shine, and you can’t help but feel the touch of God. 

I have read 95 books this past year of my usual goal of 70. In 2019 I read 76 novels, short stories, and graphic novels. 

I started the year with  Warleggan (The Poldark Saga #4) by Winston Graham and ended with  Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster.  Read many series, audiobooks, audioplays, plays, short stories, graphic novels, and bad historical romances. 

Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

Excalibur (The Warlord Chronicles #3) by Bernard Cornwell    -  this entire trilogy is amazing but the ending surpassed all my expectations. 

Ayoade on Top by Richard Ayoade -   I adore audiobooks read by the authors and this one had me in fits of laughter. Richard is great, even greater when he dedicates an entire book to a terrible movie.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare - 2020 was the year I finally started to read Shakespeare’s plays, almost one every moment and it has been a delight, Hamlet tops the list because I don’t think it’s possible to write something better than this. 

The Child in Time by Ian McEwan - a book about time travel, not in the usual sense, here a child is lost, never found, remaining frozen in time in their parent’s memories, unable to get past such unimaginable loss. 

Collected Short Stories: Volume 1 by W. Somerset Maugham -  here’s an author that I love that I rarely see anyone mention, not all of his books are great, but I was surprised by the first volume of his collected short stories, I loved most of the stories and that’s very rare.

Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively -  this was the answer to my book club of only two people quest to read a book that had won the Man Booker Prize. I was not reading to read such a beautiful tale of love, loss, and war.  Claudia Hampton writes the biography of the world, her world, that is so closely connected to what was happening to humanity. 

Circe by Madeline Miller  - another book club read, this time we choose a fantasy novel, that turned out to be a feminist greek re-taleWhat a joy!

The Story of a New Name (L'amica geniale #2) by Elena Ferrante - out of the three Elena Ferrante novels I read this year, this last one has got to be my favorite so far. An author I recommended over and over again, I genuinely was gifted 5 of her books this year, that writes beautifully and deeply about life and not knowing what to do with it. 

I don’t know what is in store for 2021. I will continue with my 100 movies and 70 books goals, will do my best to reach those numbers at my own pace. I’m just not too sure if I want to keep sharing my reviews, or how I would do so from now on. Thanks to everyone who liked and commented my posts on this wild journey. 

#books #list #end of the year favorites #book list #film list #2020 #is over #Elena Ferrante #Madeline Miller #Penelope Lively #W. Somerset Maugham #Ian McEwan #William Shakespeare #Richard Ayoade #Bernard Cornwell #A Ghost Story #Dogtooth #God’s Own Country #Holidate #Sound of Metal #Little Monsters #Parasite #1917 #Wild Rose #Apollo 11 #Lawrence of Arabia #The Godfather #Portrait de la jeune fille en feu #Little Women #Jojo Rabbit

[itcameuponamidnightqueer]

the bad kids as disney princesses:

adaine, mulan: family expectations are too heavy and impossible to reach, violence is not the best way to solve a problem but it’s also not out of the question

fig, ariel: she thinks she’s meg but ariel’s the one who got super serious super fast in her first relationship. and: daddy issues, check (gortholax is triton, gilear is sebastian)

kristen, moana: would rather restore a god than fight the villain someone else made them out to be, also is 100% the annoying friend on long sea voyages

fabian, jasmine: i don’t think i really have to justify this one

gorgug, cinderella: grew up around people significantly smaller than he is, would absolutely be identifiable by his footwear

riz: not a princess, is actually all three of merida’s bear brothers

#fantasy high #dimension 20 #the bad kids #disney #don't ask me where this came from; i just had to put it out there

[letmehavethisok]

Trans Bad Kids

Fabian- He came out when he was really young and immediately his father was on board, super supportive, maybe overly supportive? He loves his son to bits, but in the pursuit of validating his gender accidentally instills some of that toxic masculinity and hetero-normative attitude we all know our boy has. Doesn’t think he can like guys at first because he (falsely, of course) thinks it would invalidate him as a man.

Adaine- Also came out when she was very young! Her parents ‘allowed’ her to transition under the circumstances that they’d never talk about it. The old WASP tradition of if you don’t acknowledge it its not happening, her old baby photos were destroyed, old toys and clothes replaced immediately. Its a ‘family secret’ and they subtly hold letting her transition over her head. She ends up with a lot of self hatred/shame she doesn’t understand because, she was allowed to transition right? How could she still be unhappy? How dare she feel bad when so many others have it worse??? The bad kids help teach her Pride and self love.

Riz- Didn’t come out until he started puberty! Freshman year was his fist school year presenting as male. Super excited to go to a new school that didn’t know his ‘old alias’. He actually wears his dads old work clothes, partly because his mom couldn’t afford a lot of new clothes, and he thinks they’re super cool so it’s whatever.

Gorgug- Gender is whatever, the Thistlesprings raised him very gender-neutrally and have made their support for him in any eventuality very clear. Honestly he hadn’t given it much thought until he made his friends. Most people assume he’s a dude and he’s fine with he/him, but will 100% rock a skirt or a dress if offered and is equally fine with she/her. If pushed he’d land on gender neutral or maybe agender, Unthinkingly outs all his friends to his parents one night and, after a long talk about why it wasn’t ok, her parents spread their unconditional support/ resources to all the bad kids.

Fig- Genderfluid! It actually takes longer than you think for them to figure it out. Transitioning into a teifling was a lot, ok? It isn’t easy to sort through your body issues and figure out what stems from what, especially when you don’t fit the binary. In the end they decide to just be Hot (tm) and use magic to alter themselves to just what feels the most right in the moment. Gorgug matches them most days (because its fun to match ok? not because Fig is nervous about other peoples opinions. shut up!) All their parents support Fig because they all love her ok? They’re not perfect but they love her.

Kristen- Figuring out they liked girls was a shock to their system, then through Tracker and the Bad Kids, learning about the complexities of gender blows their mind and it takes a while to sort through. Eventually comes out as non-binary and is loving their life. Their parents never really understand, but after a few years of radio silence Mr. and Mrs. Applebees reach out- all dinners are very awkward and still kind of shitty, but an effort is made. Their little brothers are much chiller about things, one even comes to live with her for a bit while figuring himself out.

#it started as just fabian and then it got long #im trans so im allowed to project here ok? #dimension 20 #fantasy high #kristen applebees #fabian seacaster #fig faeth #adaine abernant #gorgug thistlespring #riz gukgak #ch dropout

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 12

Fig And Ayda Sitting in a Spiky Infernal Nightmare Tree

Welcome back to Fantasy High, where Brennan and Emily are giving the gays everything they want but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, the Bad Kids have just arrived in Arborly which is this ancient, twisty, mysterious forest town with buildings kind of built into the trees in such a way that makes it hard to tell it’s a town at first glance. Anyway, they get to Hollyhill--the family home of Fig’s gnome business-friend--Grover Tillythatch--which is basically this very dope hollowed out tree. At the edge of the forest (maybe a 30 min walk away), there is a place where the trees grow and twist together into an 80 foot high wall, barbed with razor sharp briars and super ominous looking. Très Sleeping Beauty.  

They unlock the gate but then realize they have to do something with the Hangvan. Gorgug thinks there’s a way to, with his Artificer skills, give the Van the availability to shrink, but that’ll be a whole project for later. What we have to deal with now though is the fact that Gilear is caught up in the wheel well of the Van, apple stuck in his mouth like a roast pig. Through a series of insane and very Gilear events (not a teleportation mishap like I initially thought), he ended up stuck there and has been since they woke up. He fully missed Hilariel and this is the first anyone noticed he was missing.The kids help Gilear out and give him a little makeover, courtesy of Adaine’s jacket--very needed because he 100% pissed his pants while jammed up (and way too soon after getting stuck).

Kristen knows that the temple she read about is extremely close to where they are. Adaine does a quick Locate Creature and can tell the elf from her Scry isn’t within the 1000 foot range. Plus, the forest they’re in just looks different.  

Anyway, once they’re in Ragh starts grabbing food. Sandra-Lynn gives Gilear a massage because that dude needs some TLC. Tracker is sticking with Kristen and in a weird headspace over the Galakaya info. And, turns out Ayda didn’t just stay in Leviathan. She teleported with them to see them off so she’s around too. The gang does a little investigation of the house where Riz finds out Grover is abusing his company expense account and Adaine pings a crazy amount of infernal energy from the spooky briar wall. Adaine also senses a strong but old (300 year-ish) aura of druidic magic in Arborly--from the reclamation efforts that took Arborly back from being behind the wall that separates Sylvere from the outside. It’s really the only progress that’s been made and it seems like it took a lot out of whoever did it. One more thing: There is a real gnomish energy around town (similar to the vibe at Gorgug’s place), even though Arborly is supposed to be very wood elf heavy.

Throughout all I’ve been describing, there have been rumblings of maybe throwing a party and Fig invites Ayda who enthusiastically accepts. The adults go to bed in the Van for safety (Sandra-Lynn puts the Hangman in charge while they’re gone) and the teens do what teens do when they have no adult supervision: They wild out. But not in a Golden Gardens “Let’s get tattoos and do drugs” kinda way. In a real, teenager kind of way. In an “I’m making crab nachos because my parents never let me,” kind of way. But that “they” doesn’t include Fig because she is doing the other thing teens do when they have no adult supervision: Sneaking out. Specifically to look at the briar wall. She can hear these faint whispers coming from the wall and Emily manages to get jump scared in a D&D game by Ayda who is suddenly standing next to Fig, having followed her because the party got overwhelming. 

They have a talk which I can and will describe but that needs to be seen in full to really appreciate the intimacy and tenderness but also fumbling awkwardness that’s happening. So while the rest of the Bad Kids are drinking and doing crab-stands and pretending to be shrimp (go with it) Fig tells Ayda that she sometimes does stuff like pretend to be other people and indulge in loud nonsense to cover up negative thoughts, like the ones that come from your dad being shoved in a gem and then getting kidnapped. Ayda can’t understand the disguising as a coping mechanism: “If I were you I wouldn’t want to be anyone else because you are very exceptional.” She then offers to give Fig a better look at the wall and, when Fig accepts, she turns them both invisible and flies them to it. 

Fig, upon watching Ayda do that very dope thing says that there’s no reason for Ayda to think she’s special when she can do cool stuff like that. Ayda, as we already know, thinks Fig is super dope too, both in abilities and personality. Ayda analyzes the briar wall and finds out mostly stuff we already knew--it keeps people from getting in or out, including through magical means like Dimension Door and it’s keyed to powerful devils. When she reaches for the thorns, they grow out to stab her and she flinches back before they can. When Fig does the same, the thorns don’t grow out. And, when she does a less intense Burning Hands, a charred handprint is left behind and the heat and energy travels somewhere else. The aura the wall is giving out doesn’t seem to bother her as much as it probably would someone else. Ayda finds it very cool, as she’s found everything Fig has done. They dip back into heart to heart mode and Ayda reveals something that we already knew from Brennan on the Discord: Ayda is technically about 150 years old due to her Phoenix cycling and she’s been working on building the Compass Points Library across her lifetimes, aided by notes left to herself by her previous incarnations. Fig asks why she would do that instead of just reinventing herself and Ayda says she doesn’t have a lot of self confidence and doesn’t want to make mistakes. Fig throws up in anticipation of saying something sincere, says she thinks Ayda is perfect the way she is, and then--as she is wont to do--skateboards away (successfully and 80 feet down the briar wall with a 22 acrobatics check).

Ayda flies down, compliments her on the sick trick then asks her to sign a binding contract that says she has info that she will give Fig but Fig can’t make any assumptions based on it or judge her. (The cast at this point is losing their minds and has been for the past couple of minutes.) Fig signs it and then Ayda gives her the information which is as follows: “At any waking moment outside of combat that you and I have been together, if you had tried to kiss me on the mouth, it would have been received favorably.” Fig drafts a contract (as a lawyer I’m using that term extremely loosely) that says that if Ayda makes fun of her, Fig will give her a wet willy. Ayda says that it’s more of a threat than a contract and Fig abruptly kisses her and then skateboards away and hides. Ayda doesn’t really have a good frame of reference for how this is supposed to go and Fig is throwing out all sorts of mixed signals but Fig comes out from hiding and apologizes and says that she’s having trouble being vulnerable since she hasn’t really done this as herself before. Ayda asks if they can go again because she thinks she can do better. Ally and Lou howl and cheer and bless the Union. Murph is clapping. Siobhan and Zac are full gone. Fig says that she only wanted to have a party so Ayda would stay longer. Ayda says she only stayed to hang out with Fig. Ayda says this is the best moment of her current life. Fig says she’s going for best, period--past incarnations included. They make out some more until Ayda has to go. Ayda says she needs to go so she can research the Planeshift spell for Fig (for free!). She doesn’t even care about shrinking down the library. Before she leaves, Ayda pulls out one of her feathers and says that if Fig holds it up and says her name, she’ll hear it and be able to come and help. Fig does the same with one of her ear-cuffs but it’s more of a gesture than an actual magical effect (though the cuff is bloody and mark my words, this is exactly the kind of goof that becomes plot relevant later). Fig comes back to the insanity the house has dissolved to and goes to use the hot tub.     

No comment. 

They all eventually go outside to sleep on a mattress, by the Van to get the protection of the Hallow spell. It’s a little glossed over but we learn when Fabian gives Riz Bardic Inspiration to remember to sleep outside that he’s taken a level of bard! In the morning (by which I mean afternoon), they all wake up to see Sandra-Lynn and Gilear speaking to, like, 40 wood-elf rangers. They’re mainly talking to an intense lady who seems to have a pretty high rank and this older looking fox. Fig steps up to speak for the group since they’re there on her invite and the elven woman is instantly wary of her horns, plus the Hangman is right there. She clearly doesn’t trust the infernal. With Guidance from Kristen, she gets a 27 Persuasion which tells her this lady (whose name we learn is Mira) will never like her BUT that’s OK because she’s not in charge. The fox actually outranks her. 

Fig shakes hands with the fox whose name is Nuathra and who is very charmed. The Bad Kids follow suit with the politeness and Nuathra is won over. He fends off Mira’s suspicions and is so chill that Fig decides (after consulting with Adaine) to just tell him they’re going into the nightmare forest. That gets bows pulled on them and Adaine steps in and identifies herself as the elven Oracle and says that they have to do it for prophecy reasons. The elves start whispering and Nuathra, who believes she is who she says she is, asks if she knows about any other high elves who look like her slinking around. Adaine says that yeah, she does, but she’s not working with them. Kristen tries to cut in and it makes Mira super aggro--seems like she doesn’t like beings that are devil adjacent or humans either. She also makes a dismissive comment aimed at high elves in response to Adaine’s statement about morality being complex.

Nuathra tells her to cool her jets and says that things are kinda tense because for the past few months, a high elven woman (Adaine’s mom) showed up, took a room at the Owl and Harp (a gnomish tavern), and hired a local wood elf drunkard named Killian. She kept to herself mostly but did do some business at the local gnomish Tinkerer’s Hall (possibly for spell components). Two nights ago, another high (extremely gassy) elven woman showed up and then they vanished (figuratively) with Killian.

When Tinkerer’s Hall is mentioned, Gorgug cuts in to get more info on that. Nuathra says that there is a gnomish population in Arborly because the Druid who gave their life to reclaim Arborly (Crafty Rootdrinker) was a gnome so now gnomes kind of have protected status. Nuathra starts tearing up a little and we later find out (via Gorgug’s intuition) that Nuathra was their Awakened animal companion (Awakened means you give a plant or animal average human intelligence and the ability to speak a language). Nuathra asks why they want to go into the forest and Gorgug says it’s because the Nightmare King might be coming back. After being horrified to learn that the NK’s crown wasn’t in magical Fort Knox and instead was just in some dude’s desk, Nuathra says that all the town’s resources are at their disposal. He points out the three obvious places to check out: (1) the tavern, (2) the tinkerer’s hall, and (3) a shrine which is a possible entrance to the forest of the NK (the Shrine of Thorns which is just on the edge of the forest--mostly still in the forest--and dedicated to a mysterious goddess).

Adaine asks about the dude in her vision and realizes quickly it’s not Killian. Then, following a comment Fig makes about honesty being the right move and spurred by their out of character knowledge, start poking at Fig for an answer to what’s different about her today. Riz rolls a 28 Investigate and Fig burns 2 luck points and a guidance to beat it with like a 31. Wild. Then they split up like this:

Gorgug, Ragh, and Fabian (with the Hangman) go to the tinkerer’s hall.

Adaine and Riz go to the tavern.

Kristen, Tracker and Fig go to the shrine (ferried by Sandra-Lynn who wants to then scout around on Baxter).       

Gilear makes lunch.              

But before they leave, Adaine Scrys on her mom and sees her, Aelwen, and Killian with a gem embedded in his open and bloody chest (clearly a puppet after the ritual that almost claimed RIz) traveling through a forest so twisted it looks like it’s underground. Adaine clocks some curse scarring on her mom and on a 15 arcana check wonders if the curse her mom got broken by Garthy was actually the Crown’s curse or maybe something the Falinel put on it for security (which could mean that the Curse on the crown is actually the goddess’s sanctum mentioned last ep). Almost immediately, Aelwen dispels the Scry and it ends. Adaine on a 25 Insight realizes that Aelwen didn’t actually sense the Scry. It was like someone told her it was happening and then she reacted to that. Adaine thinks Kalina might be around.         

On a nat 20 Perception check, Kristen sees Kalina’s eyes in the shadows. Riz--and the rest of the group--can’t see her, but she steps out of the shadows. Kalina starts slinging death threats--at the group and Tracker specifically--and Kristen does her classic Kristen thing of staring down a life or death situation with an insane casualness. Kalina says the only reason the gang is still alive is because they haven’t gotten directly in the way of her and what she wants yet. What does she want? Kristen asks. For them to stay out of the f-ing forest. Kalina vanishes. Kristen immediately loses all bravado and makes her friends dog pile her for comfort which they happily do.               

Kristen gives an arguably Inspiring Speech to give everyone 16 temp HP. Riz on a 28 Investigation roll notices that the grass where Kalina was standing isn’t bent. (The background music goes *BWANG* like Brennan planned it). Riz thinks Kalina wasn’t physically there. In fact, she might not have ever been physically there. He remembers that, in the photo, Pok’s sleeve isn’t bent where Kalina is touching him and people who can’t see Kalina don’t see the wrinkled sleeve they way they would if she was just invisible. And she’s not holding a glass in the photo. She’s holding up her hand and pretending she’s holding one. She might not exist physically at all. He thinks that the thing Aelwen and Arianwyn are doing is to give her corporeal form. They also put together than even if Kalina is somehow in their heads, she can’t really by *in* their heads because she keeps asking questions she would know the answers to already if she could read their minds. Kristen wants to chain up Tracker in the Van to keep her safe from Kalina but Tracker puts the kibosh on that with a quickness (revealing things we kinda already knew about their sex life in the process).

Anyway, let’s split up!

Tinkerer’s Hall

The Owlbear group and the Hangman kinda freak out the gnomes who think they’re being mugged or something but Gorgug wins them over with his gnomish last name and cool Solesian gadgets. They find out Killian needed wax to make candles and some basic spell components.

Tavern

The two Bad Kids possibly least equipped to go to the bar go there and try to get access to Adaine’s mom’s room. They pay Arianwyn’s tab (she left abruptly without paying) and bribe the bartender with an amount of money that will for sure get them put on a watchlist, sweating bullets the entire time, but eventually make it up there to the top suite.

The room is blood spattered, full of candle wax and arcane symbols, and there’s an image Adaine knows her mom drew of a robed, skeletal figure, wearing a crown, etched into the wall. Yikes. 

Shrine

Sandra-Lynn drops off the girls. Tracker casts a light spell and then has to step out. It’s like a vampire at the doorway of a church thing. Kristen sees a religious symbol on the wall and an ancient depiction of a woman in a dark robe and cape, holding a book and a broomstick, next to a small dwelling, black cat on her shoulder. 

Fig sees a charred handprint on the briars in the shrine and recognizes it as her own. She casts Burning Hands on her handprint that’s here for some reason and the fire catches and spreads. Brennan has a lot of fun making fire sound effects. A fiery doorway opens and a woman in armor, with horns and skeletal wings (plus flayed skin under the armor from what they can see--except for her face which is intact and beautiful) walks out and asks for Fig. When Fig identifies herself, the woman says she’s Vraz the Mean from the Nine Hells and Fig has been served. As in legally. As in a subpoena. 

Wild. 

Detention

Fig for Using up Two Luck Points Pre-Excursion Into a Doom Forest to Conceal a Crush 

I adore both Fig generally and Fig in this episode specifically but, truly, what a waste of Luck points at the cusp what possibly could be such a dire moment. And she won’t get those back before a long rest. This storyline is going so slowly. I’ve written (as I’m writing this sentence) 48k words worth of Report Cards and it’s been like what? A week? Less than that? She might not get those back for a while.

Now do I wish she’d made a different decision? Absolutely not. Emily, as always, is ride or die for the roleplay and I both love and respect it. 

But I can high-key see this biting her in the ass.  

Honor Roll

Kristen for Holding her Own Against Kalina

I think this marks K-girl’s first appearance on the Honor Roll and in my opinion (mine being the only one that matters I guess since I have no oversight and am Czar of this arbitrary award) she really earned it. First that clutch perception nat 20 to spot her and then having to hold the entire conversation by herself with no backup because she was the only one who could see her. I think this was actually a really good time for her to use her wild downplaying attitude and she was able to keep Kalina occupied for long enough for Riz to gather some of the most interesting pieces of info about Kalina yet. Very clutch.    

Random Thoughts

For a closer look into character/location descriptions from this episode, you can check out @jamiebluewind‘s posts here and here.

“Has your girl ever not delivered?”/”Yes.”/”Multiple times.”/”I mean, it’s always entertaining when you don’t.”

Lou and Siobhan Re the Hangan: “Can it turn into a Gundam?”/”Is it a transformer?”

Shoutout to Brennan for heading off flying Van shenanigans at the pass. That would have been an Immediate Problem. 

“I have never touched my Dad’s butt, nor do I want to.”

Brennan breaking himself during his first Gilear line of the ep. I wonder if he goes into any Gilear sentence knowing where he’s going, or if it’s all freeform improvisational jazz.

I think it’s really interesting that Fig fully loves Gilear but also still calls him Gilear and not Dad. Not deep meta point or anything. I just think it’s an interesting quirk of the character.   

Fig fully intending to eat an obvious death mushroom and every other party member at the same time slapping it out of her hands. 

I think I’ve mentioned on several occasions that I’m not really a shipper. Which isn’t to say I don’t enjoy romantic relationships in media. It’s just that it’s usually pretty clear which relationship the narrative is setting up so I really don’t get the point in basically campaigning for something that’s clearly going to happen (in which case, just enjoy the progression) or campaigning for something that’s clearly not going to happen and then being disappointed. But I gotta say, this Fig and Ayda has been a ride, I think largely because there was really no way to see this was coming when Ayda was introduced. Like, Tracker for instance was clearly introduced with Kristen in mind, down to being the Moon Cleric to her former Sun Cleric. Not only was Ayda not set up as a romanceable NPC, she very easily could have been skipped as even an option for befriending at all. She didn’t really make herself super available for it and it wasn’t even Fig who struck up a friendship with her initially. It was Adaine. And then Adaine got kidnapped which pushed the two resident Adaine stans together and, what do you know? Sparks (and not just from Ayda’s hair). The organic-ness of the relationship really added something that makes it really interesting and special. 

Also, lol that Fig finally found an age appropriate relationship but she’s also technically 150.

“I’m not gonna mend your piss pants.” 

For Adaine, the peak of luxury is access to fluffy robes which, mood.

OK, just to explicitly state my current pet theory that I alluded to last week, it seems pretty darn likely that Kalina is the familiar of the Mystery goddess. I said that cats are the most iconic witch’s familiar and, this ep, we saw the goddess depicted with a black cat. Plus, Brennan casually but very specifically noted that Kalina isn’t a big-cat. She’s like the tabaxi version of a house cat. And we learned that Kalina seems to be intangible which takes away one thing that was a little off for me--it seemed more like she was spreading a virus but the fact that she is intangible and just visible to people who are “infected” makes it seem more like she herself is the virus. AND, we were introduced to the concept of an Awakened, Sentient animal companion this episode which would be a great thing to do if you’re setting up the fact that this witch goddess turned her cat into a full sentient being and then a tabaxi and then a virus.  

Lol at Tracker giving Sandra-Lynn a Shovel Talk re: Jawbone. 

Riz, upon being questioned by Kristen where he got the photo of her for the “Casual” conspiracy wall he’s making: Look, you take pictures you hang them.

I want the Bad Kids to keep the motto of, “Spring Break!” year round. I want them to use it forever. I want them to be in their 30s--well out of school--and run into a deadly situation in the middle of Winter yelling, “I believe in you! Spring Break!” while very, very confused bystanders watch them. That’s really what friendship is about. Confusing the hell out of strangers with your in-jokes. 

Between last week of Fantasy High and this week of CritRole, I think a lot of people just learned what the Hallow spell is. 

“Just by being here we’re stealing. I’m like Robin Hood.”

Hangman: No rules!/Adaine: Some rules!

Guys I was SO concerned that Fig was gonna pull a Fabian and do something Concerning without any party support. So happy she decided to just get her kisses in instead. And then at the end of the ep when the two most chaotic party members were given a hell door that it 1000% seemed like they were gonna jump through but were ust handed legal paperwork instead.  

Figs comment about one of the best parts of friendship being getting to be a “chorus of nonsense” together without regard for what’s being said is so real.

I love the D&D gag of the party members who are not at an intense moment interjecting with whatever nonsense they’re doing. 

Everyone holding their collective breaths and then breaking as Emily succumbs to the urge to Touch a Thing. “You simply must.”

Ayda thinks “Choke on grapes, bitch,” is an excellent threat, and I agree.

Who cares for Ayda when she’s a newborn? Or is she reborn old enough to take care of herself? Also, update: Aguefort even worse dad than initially thought. 

Fig skateboarding away and dropping invisibility so Ayda can see and then later kissing her and Ayda going full visible are such cinematic moments. Well, the second one is at least. The first is just extremely funny. 

“I’m not gonna kiss the shrimp, Kristen. It’s dead, and we killed it.”

“I desperately and only want you to stay. And the only thing I want to do more than stay is do something for you” Why does Brennan keep dropping these raw ass lines casually in his high school D&D game?

“Can I get a help action from the jets of the hot tub?”

One little moment I loved from this ep was Mira being confused by the concept of a rock star and Adaine translating that she’s a bard/troubadour. I also just love the word troubadour. We shouldn’t have ever stopped using it. 

“That makes me nervous. Everything makes me nervous. Sure, why not.” Mood.

Mira also makes a comment about how diverse the group is that did *not* sound like a positive or even neutral statement and, listen, I’m getting Daybreak vibes my dudes.

Very funny every time we’re reminded that the reason the Bad Kids are doing this is because it’s a school project. 

Interesting character detail that Adaine started off talking about Aelwen and Arianwyn with distancing language but eventually slipped back into just calling them her mom and sister. 

A note in case it’s relevant later: Nuathra said that Crafty--his druid companion--was not a fan of cleric stuff, thought it was nonsense, and tried to avoid it at all costs. 

Fabian re Nuathra: What did the fox say?

Kristen asks Kalina’s name and she says, “You can call me Kalina,” which is subtly different than, “My name is Kalina,” which is probably just a turn of phrase and not plot relevant but I’ve been reading a lot of Fae stuff recently and a hyper-aware of weasel-out wording right now. 

“You good?”/”Now that I’m being pressed into the grass by all my friends? Yes.”

Adaine to Riz’s earlier encounter with Kalina: That was all you? You did all that damage to yourself?

I love Fig’s outrage at Adaine joking that she uses Detect Thoughts. The idea of, “We kill people and break into places and Catfish adult men but we DO NOT Detect Thoughts on each other that is the LINE.”

Kristen giving herself a sexy roleplay promotions from Officer up to Colonel was killing me. That whole thing was such a good bit and Ally and Brennan were on the same page immediately.  

Can’t wait to see the demonic (or is that devilish?) legal system so I can tell y’all how accurate it is and use something I learned in law school for once in my life. (Note: I am a lawyer, but you’d be surprised how unhelpful law school is to actually being a lawyer). 

Wonder what that subpoena was for. Maybe something involving Gorthalax or the wall? I’m trying to think of what they’d have jurisdiction over. She said the dude she works under is on the Sloth level of hell. 

Siobhan mentioned she has good Portent rolls right now which is comforting to hear. Lol, imagine if she had also decided to go full teenager this episode and use them to ferret out Fig’s crush.   

I need you to know that, in this same week (all within 48 hours of each other), between CritRole, Naddpod, The Good Place finale, I was really just drowning in content and emotions. 

The only crit of the ep is a nat 20 from Kristen. 

#fantasy high #dimension 20 #fantasy high live #fantasy high spoilers #dimension 20 spoilers

[soranihimawari]

Hi Scores & Taiyaki

Hi Scores & Taiyaki

Welcome back to part 3 of the Kuroo x 1st person fic. This will be the last installment for now unless I decide to use Social Dummy again to continue the character’s relationship. But first things first, thanks for reading this and major shoutouts to @vbcshenaningansnwritings​ for reblogging my stories & @kaidasen​ for encouraging me to post these drabbles/drafts/fics. ::hugs to you::

Taglist: still open

The weeklong camp had come to an end before it had begun. I had a lot of fun hanging out with the girls during the end of camp barbecue. There were a few instances where I had to chase after Bokuto to remind him to not steal so much food from the different grills, but he just laughed it off before running away with a plate full of food for Akaashi. Kuroo on the other hand, was busy keeping track of his protoges, Kenma and Tsukishima (another tall middle blocker from Karasuno) by also doing the same thing. There was a moment before the visiting teams started to pack their belongings where Kenma tugged on my sleeve to pull me aside causing my conversation with the female managers to be cut short. (We had already traded contact info during the many nights we stayed up exchanging stories of their teams antics, so we all decided to text each other later).

“Everything ok Kenma?” I asked when we stopped walking. There was a safe distance between the side of the building where we stood and the other members of the teams.

“Kuroo seems to really like you,” he said in a low tone. I nodded as I kicked the invisible pile of dust on the concrete floor. His console was tucked away in his track jacket pocket, but he continued to play a different game on his phone.

“I have a feeling that I already know,” I replied with a smirk.

“Good. Because I couldn’t get him to shut up about you after you helped Lev out the other day.”

A chortle escaped my lips, “I see. Well, if that’s all you wanted to tell me, then I guess we could head back. C’mon, Karasuno is about to leave now too. Let’s say bye to Shoyo & Tsukki.”

It seemed as though everyone had begun saying their farewells by the time we returned.

***

Summer vacation quickly ended for me as soon as it had begun. Classes were starting again the following day, so naturally by the time I had arrived back home, I greeted my parents before calling my close friend, Riza.

“Kenma confirmed to me that Kuroo does like me and we may or may not have spent more time alone after lights out,” I explained collapsing on my mattress.

“Oh ho ho,” Riza chuckled on her end of the line. “So, the tom cat finally came around to liking you? That’s terrific. All of his fans are going to be heart broken when you guys go out on your date next Saturday.”

“I know. I am not looking forward to receiving those glares from his exes though.”

“Meh, you’ll be fine. They were the ones who let him go with the exception of Angela though. Those two always fought, but I am glad you two never really fought. Well, maybe except in trig when you both arrived at different limit answers, haha.”

“Of course you’d remember how well he took being wrong, Riz.”

“Mmhm. I gotta back my friend up whenever he assumes he is the smartest in the room. Anyways, I’m gonna go prepare for bed. See you in class tomorrow.”

“Okidokie. Meet at the convenience store at seven?”

“I’ll be there. Later Kat.”

***

The days seemed to have blurred together, but with both Kuroo and I heavily invested in our separate clubs outside of school hours, we barely had any time to discuss finalizing our plans for our arcade date. On Friday night before our date, I received a call from him. He seemed a bit stressed out, more so than usual, but that was to be expected since the team had a qualifying match scheduled in a few days time.

“Coach is making us have an extra practice on Wednesday and that’s when this chem lab is due. There’s also this make up test I have to do for history and I’m falling behind in trig since I can’t really find the time for homework. Kat, I don’t know what to do.” 

I was seated at my desk in front of my computer screen in the middle of typing an essay for English class. It was a three to five page paper discussing the themes of Westernized fairy tales which I stopped writing because clearly, Kuroo needed someone to snap him back into focus.

“Take a deep breath first,” I heard him inhale and upon his exhale, I continued. “Good. Now, listen to me carefully Tetsuro: meet me in the library after class on Monday. Bring all your materials for the classes you fell behind on. I’ll make copy of my notes and bring a pen to correct your mistakes on the trig quizzes since you got an 80% last time.”

“Our second date is a study date, huh?”

I chuckled. “It can be. Let’s survive the first one, yeah? The forecast called for rain tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully we won’t get caught in it on the way back.”

***

I arrived first to the arcade around 17:50. I was dressed in the best casual attire I could think of: navy wide leg pants, a white dress shirt paired underneath with a lemon yellow camisole. My shoes were black rain boots and my hair was left down. Kuroo came a few minutes later dressed in an all black street ensemble attire that made me think I was a bit out of his league (more so than before).

“You did not have to come here looking like an idol star,” I teased when he reached out to hold my hand.

“And you didn’t have to either,” he said with a smile. “Let’s go inside to play Street Fighter II again, yeah?” I nodded.

A few hours passed us by as we kept reloading the game cards playing different arcade games ranging from fighting games, TETRIS, and music games (like JuBEAT FESTO). Kuroo’s cat like smile made me more competitive when he failed the last song of JuBeat.

“Move aside, lemme see if I can beat your score sir,” I mused. I swiped my card and selected my first song and the speed. The tiles began to glow with the first few notes coming from the machine. There were a lot of encouraging words coming through the screen: “Combo!” “Perfect” “100 note streak!”

“By the time my round ended, the title card illuminated with a new hi-score slot waiting for my initials to be put in.

“If I wanted to date Kenma, I would have just taken him here,” Kuroo muttered under his breath. “Well, you win. I bow down to you, Kat-chan. Queen of JuBEAT FESTO.”

“You don’t have to, but maybe we should go? It’s almost 20:30 and I don’t want to stay out too late. Let’s go grab a bite to eat, yeah?”

There were a few food cart vendors located down the street from the arcade. Their carts were lined up against the entrance way of an old park where there once was a sunflower field. Years of urbanization caused the flowers to no longer be planted, but in their stead, a field of peonies were grown. I took a seat on one of the benches facing the flowers. A warm smile graced my lips as I leaned down to pluck one off the field. 

“Such a pretty flower for a pretty date,” Kuroo’s voice made me yelp in surprise. He cackled as he extended one of the taiyaki he bought toward me. “Here, I got you a taiyaki.” I took one of the fish shaped pastries an thanked him. We raised our fishes to each other and began to munch on them; we sat there for about half an hour making the time pass by playing a question game with each other. 

“Your turn,” I reminded Kuroo with a nudge of my elbow. “Ask me anything you like.”

“Alright,” Kuroo replied. “Hmm...I got it! Kat, how many dates do we have to go on before I ask you to be my girlfriend?”

I leaned forward and folded my arms over my thighs, a hum drawn out into the air. I made direct eye contact with the peonies, the one I plucked remained on the bench. He had a puzzled emotion worn on his face.

“As many as it takes for me to believe you actually like me. Kuroo,” I swallowed thickly. “You’re someone who would break up with a girl over the fact that they bore you or that they didn’t understand your commitment to your team as captain. It’s going to take some time for me to believe your emotions toward me are genuine. Sure, we had fun at training camp, but I need you think this through. Are you sure you want to be with me?”

At this point, Kuroo stood up and immediately crouched down in front of me. The summer breeze made his hair dance in the wind along with the blooms behind him. 

“I’m sure,” he replied. A hand of his combed a few pieces of my hair behind my ear; he grabbed the plucked peony blossom and placed it behind my exposed ear. “See? You do look more glamorous with it in your hair. C’mon, I suppose it’s time for me to walk you home.”

He pulled me up off the bench and placed a light kiss atop the crown of my head. 

We arrived at the fork in the sidewalk where we would have originally had split up before, but instead Kuroo escorted me to the front courtyard of my apartment complex building. He held my hand the entire walk over, telling me more stories of his childhood with Kenma up until the time Kenma turned twelve and they  climbed a tree to rescue a kitten. 

“And that’s how Kenma had his first pet,” Kuroo said, a triumphant smile over his face.

“So it seems,” I replied, a shortened giggle fell out of my mouth. He raised my hand to his lips, thanking me for a wonderful outing. His thumb traced over my knuckles lightly. I removed the flower from behind my ear before offering it to him. He pushed it back toward me before he tilted my chin up to meet his gaze.

“Keep it, sweetheart,” his voice told me. He leaned down again and kissed me, slowly to quiet my irrational fears of not being wanted by him. One kiss was all it took for both of us to come to terms with our outlook on each other. My eyes fluttered open, my hand still wrapped around the peony’s stem. He kissed my cheek when I wasn’t looking directly at him.

“Go on upstairs. I’ll leave after you go,” he told me in an hazy tone. He squeezed my hand gently. 

“Thank you for today,” I began as I turned around to open the door of the lobby. “See ya at school next week.”

***

About a month and half after our first date, Kuroo and I found ourselves curled up on the couch in his living room with a Ghibli film playing in the background. His arm was resting comfortably against my waist, drawing small circles on my skin. I turned my eyes away from the tv to look up at him before I decided I was done watching the film. I committed the minute details of his face to memory. 

He cocked his head to the side with a curious brow lifted toward me right up until the moment I initiated a kiss. Kuroo did not object to this sign of affection pouring from me. His hand moved away from my waist to my back, then I felt his arms loop behind me to pull me over his lap. I found myself wrapping my legs around his waist as my hands made their way on to the fabric of his shirt prior to me holding on to it for balance as he began to work on deepening our kiss. I found myself smiling into every kiss he gave me, stealing every ounce of air he had inside his lungs. He rested his head against the crook of my neck, his breathing uneven. 

“Three years of wondering what it would feel like to have you alone like this,” his voice reverberated gently against my skin causing a blush to dance across my face. Slowly, I felt his lips imprint open mouthed kisses up the side of my neck. He was gentle with me at first, much like the first person to kiss me like this. My breath was caught in my throat and it seemed he didn’t care as a whimper escaped my lips in anticipation not knowing where his lips were headed to next. Damn this boy, my inner thoughts cursed at him.

Each kiss gained momentum the closer his lips grazed against my own. In the past couple of dates that we had had, I mentioned off hand to Kuroo that if he were to kiss my neck, even playfully, I’d crumble beneath his touch. Smooth ass mother fucker, I thought. 

“Shh...” I hushed him within a few seconds when I felt his one of his hands disappear under the back of my shirt and the other stabilized the back of my neck. I’d like to think he counted how many layers of clothing there was between us, but his coarse hands roamed my body curious to know how soft my skin was.  

He pushed me forward, causing me to crash on to his demanding lips again; his hands were wrapped around my waist and mine laced lightly around the back of his neck, giving me more support to push myself into him more. His mouth was compressed against mine, yet this kiss remained as light as we had intended it to be. We sat like this for a few moments before our lips began to move rhythmically over the other, the pace being set by him.

I exhaled through my nose, not wanting to let go of him. There was an overwhelming feeling of mutual relief toward each other finally seeing what we could be. Relief raced out of hearts for a moment only to be replaced with this sense of combined eccentric panic, and lust. More, I thought. I need more of this kind of physical affection.

Kuroo’s hand on the small of my back travelled higher in an attempt to pull my shirt over my head, to which I shook my head in agreement.

“It’s too hot,” I said, lifting the fabric over my head and tossing it to the side. Kuroo’s eyed my exposed top half through running his hands up my sides. My chest rose and fell with every touch his grazed my skin.

“I concur,” he said. I shrugged before I leaned down, hands pressing his shoulders back on to the back of the couch. From there, I began my barrage of open mouthed kisses down his neck, leaving bite marks behind his ear. Hearing him hiss an exasperated sigh when he pulled me toward him causing me to stop.

My hair hung over my shoulders as Kuroo tilted his head up again to press his forehead against mine. He and I exchanged a few words making sure the other was doing ok; most of our replies were done in a hummed tone of the “yes,” variety.

Our heart rates needed to return to a normal pace prior to us continuing where we had left off. Kuroo’s playful shine in his eyes and smirk told me everything I wanted to know. I caressed his cheek when I pulled away, the inside of my palm warm from his flushed face. 

“Kat,” he breathed my name so effortlessly it caused me to stop stroking the side of his face.

“Hmm?” my vocal chords vibrates at the sound of my name. “What is it?”

Suddenly, I took note of how Kuroo’s eyes were trying to refocus themselves on my face; pupils dilated meaning he felt the rush of serotonin enter his system. He shifted his weight underneath me and whispered something along the lines of “you’re staying over tonight,” in my ear to which I nodded. I didn’t have time to wait since I felt him stand up with his hands under my thighs.

“W-woah!” I said, stifling a laugh when I moved my arms around his neck for balance. “Where are you taking me?” As if I didn’t already know the answer. I arched my eyebrow up at him with a teasing expression.

“My room,” Kuroo answered, his eyes crinkled with a smile. “To continue where we left off kitten.”

#haikyu!! fiction #kuroo x 1st person pov #part 3 of 3 #another miniseries is done!

[utterlyhopeful-fics]

The Bet~ Part II

@kscarlett1 was 100% my motivation for this chapter! I think there might be more to this story and an SOA crossover and I’m geekin y’all. Enjoy! 

The Bet~ Part I

***************************************************************

Me llamo Obispo. Yo soy el presidente. Welcome amiga nuevo: My name is Bishop. I’m the president. Welcome new friend. 

Me nombre es Y/N. Mucho gusto: My name is Y/N. Nice to meet you.

Igualmente: Likewise

Days idled in to two aching weeks of radio silence and it was quickly beginning to chip away at Bishop leaving him restless, jumpy, and downright miserable. The checkered tile felt cool beneath his bare feet as sat by his lonesome in their kitchen twisting the label off the presently empty beer bottle. 

His sigh echoed deafeningly noisy almost like all the peacefulness had left when Y/N did. All of her belongings still remained in their rightful home as he wondered just how long this charade could last.

Bishop sluggishly walked to the fridge, grabbing another beer before reaching for the half empty tequila bottle, he kept stashed underneath the sink. Emergency purposes only, how properly fitting. He staggered back to his chair before collapsing into his original spot, the spot he intended to waste the day in while hopefully drowning his many sorrows.

His lids closed as his brain traveled back to the fateful day that would eventually fuck up everything.

*Flashback- One Year Ago*

Riz dealt another hand of Poker as Coco, Angel, and Bishop rallied up to the table all intent on winning. After the not so pleasant meeting with Miguel earlier in the afternoon, all members were tittering on the edge, silenced into submission after their latest threat. Miguel fucking Galindo would guarantee the death of their club, but most certainly to their integrity or at least what was left of it.

Everyone glanced at the cards displayed to its designated owner before Angel spoke up; “This only applies to one moron at this table, and yes, I’m talkin bout you Coco; no fucking card counting you prick.”

Coco counter smirked unwilling to confirm nor deny his brother’s suspicions.

“Whatever you say, amigo.”

The game continued smoothly for the next hour before Riz finally braved the sentence no one was willing to speak.

“How the fuck we gonna get out of this one, Pres?”  

Bishop exhaled; unsure of how to comfort his brothers and pep their spirits, but the words never found him.

“No more talk of work for the rest of the evening. Got it?”

All nodded in agreement going forth with the festivities surrounding them. Bishop skimmed the crowded room. The bass of the music pulsated around him, the sound of women’s laughter filled the air as the party started to get into full swing.

Until he noticed the stunning figure sitting by her lonesome at the disheveled bar; her body swaying to the current beat, her emerald eyes closed with a blissful smile painted upon her lips. She looked like heaven; beautiful to admire and way out of his league, but he loved a challenge.

“Say boys…does anybody know the broad sitting at the bar?”

All eyes guided towards the stranger’s direction admiring the beauty thankfully clueless to their gawking. Suddenly Coco’s cleared his voice, his attention focused on the current cards in his hand; “Her name’s Y/N. She used to be an Old Lady for the Sons.”

“That doesn’t explain why she’s here tonight in Mayans territory now does it?” Bishop’s tolerance began to flounder, his impatience clearly nearing the finish line.

“She’s works at Santo Padre Hospital as the newest Chief of Cardio…or so I’ve heard.”

Angel’s eyebrow raised slightly staring at Coco quizzically; “How the fuck do you know all this shit? You stalking this girl, bro?”

Coco leaned closer lowering his tone trapping the curious men beside him.

“Get this. She just so happens to be Vicki’s niece hence why she is here tonight.”

“Jesus, she’s one fine piece of ass.”

Bishop coldly stared at Angel’s now frightened expression; “If I’ve taught you one thing in all the years of being graced with my company, it is always to treat a lady with respect. Chicks dig the gentlemen, I’m tellin you.”

Angel was alit with drunken charm as the next sentence tumbled from his lips; “Said the man who got laid last when…?”

“I’d be real careful if I were your squirt. Tonight, is not the night to be checky with me, do I make myself clear?”

Luckily Angel had the brain power to know when to halt his shenanigans and silently complied with his president’s request.

Enough with this shit. Bishop threw his remaining cards down overwhelmed and abruptly out of breath.

“I’m going outside for some fresh air. Deal me out, I’m done boys.”

As Bishop made his way towards the exit, he braved a glance over his shoulder towards Y/N surprisingly locking eyes before she looked back at the woman now occupying the empty seat beside her.

Bishop reached the porch in no time, scurrying for his pack of lights only to be disappointed to find empty pockets and quarters. His head tilted back, eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he tiredly groaned, rubbing his hands over his face in defeat.

Before his pity became all-consuming, Bishop’s neck hair stood on edge alerting him of someone else’s presence as he heard a quiet ‘Hey’. He turned to follow the melodic voice, she was even more gorgeous up close.

“I think I can be of assistance.” Y/N combed her blonde hair behind her ears revealing a cigarette tucked away and handed it to the handsome man sitting alone.

“You don’t strike me as a smoker but today has definitely not been my day.”

“I’m not. It was kinda forced upon her, hence the hiding spot.” She chuckled at her own joke accidentally releasing a snort. She reached to cover her mouth embarrassed at the sound her body created, but Bishop Losa lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Me llamo Obispo. Yo soy el presidente. Welcome amiga nuevo.”

“Me nombre es Y/N. Mucho gusto.”

“Igualmente. What brings you to this part of town, bonita?”

“Ah, already with the names. I thought you would be different…less unpredictable.”

“Lo siento mucho. I must admit it was even a little sleazy for me too. I guarantee you it won’t happen again, maybe.”

“All is forgiven. Um, long story short. My marriage was in shambles, my home didn’t feel like home any longer, and this was a badass job opportunity. I’m a doctor, heart doctor to be exact.”

“How did I get so lucky to be in the company of a genius, especially one as interesting as yourself.”

“Some people are just blessed, ya know?” He had never seen a smile as lovely as Y/N’s but he knew it could make a rainy day entertaining.

Bishop took a long drag of his almost finished cigarette embracing the finality of the ticklish burn in his throat. Y/N was too busy gazing at the stars momentarily distracting her. Bishop decided to break their bubble of peace; “I better be heading back inside. Gotta keep these guys in line.”  

“You have a rowdy crew on your hands but a loyal bunch. Lucky you.”

“It was really nice meeting you. Hopefully, I’ll see you around?”

“Who knows what the future has in store? The odds might be switching in your favor.”

She extended her hand to shake his just as lightening simmered between them slowly before becoming electrifying. Simultaneously, they both pulled away finding each other’s eyes. Bishop broke eye contact first and began the minor trek back inside, his nerves tingling as he shook his fingers. What the hell just happened?

“Hasta luego.”

“Ciao.”

He dragged his feet back to his chair greeting the guys once more. Smoke engulfed the room as the alcohol resumed to flow.

Riz pipped up; “Change of heart, boss?”

“Shut the hell up and deal the damn cards.”

Coco interjected, snickering; “Someone’s feathers seem to be ruffled.”

“How bout we make things a little more stimulating.”

Bishop gave into his whims, “What did you have in mind, ya idiot?”

“While you were absent, we were discussing and came up with a great idea. A bet.”

“I’ll give in. Explain.”

Angel perked up resting his elbows on the table reveling in temporary power. “Well you did say to get our minds off of work and what better way than to initiate the new girl.”

Riz butted his way into the conversation; “Since you my dear friend seems the most in need of female interaction, your name easily came up. Seduce Y/N, reel her in. Hook, line, and sinker.”

She seemed like a sweet enough girl and he was obviously lacking female companionship at the moment, so he blindly accepted.

“Easy, what’s my timeline?”

“Three months max.” All men shook their heads in agreement.

“Winner gets forty-eight hours of uninterrupted ‘vacation’.”

Any time away from the club was always a blessing in disguise and he was in dire need of a break from his twisted reality.

“You assholes are going down.”

Bish dared one more glimpse at the mysterious woman who enraptured his attention. Concocting his plan would take time since she wasn’t like one of the usual girls that hung around. She was a goddamn surgeon! Y/N felt a pair of eyes watching her as she glanced at her newly found friend, a faint smirk alighting her features.

Her belly tightened with renewed butterflies as she looked away from Mr. President himself not quite ready to admit the blush tinging her cheeks was all due to the inexplicably fascinating man, she had the pleasure of stumbling upon. Y/N exhaled; finally, optimistic of her new journey in Santo Padre and away from her past life.

 ----------

Requests open! 

#mayans mc #mayans #mayans mc x reader #my writing #the bet #bishop x reader #bishop losa x reader #mayans mc imagine #mayans mc fx

[acsversace-news]

LOS ANGELES — "The Assassination of Gianni Versace" star Darren Criss, who is of Filipino descent, could become the second Asian-American actor to claim an acting award at the 70th Emmy Awards on September 17, after Riz Ahmed's win last year for "The Night After," a notable back-to-back outcome if it happens.

Criss earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for starring as serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the second installment of Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianna Versace” in 2018.

Criss will be up against Antonio Banderas (“Genius: Picasso”); Benedict Cumberbatch (“Patrick Melrose”); Jeff Daniels (“The Looming Tower”); John Legend (“Jesus Christ Superstar”); and Jesse Plemons (“Black Mirror: USS Callister”) for the award.

Born to a Cebuana mother and a father of English, Irish, and German descent, Criss was raised in California. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.

The 31-year-old is best known for portraying Blaine Anderson in the hit musical comedy series “Glee.” His cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” became “Glee’s” fastest-selling single that reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified “gold” in America. Likewise, he was nominated for an Emmy in 2015 for composing the song “This Time” for “Glee’s” finale.

Apart from being a TV actor and singer, Criss co-owns the musical theater company StarKid Productions, for which he famously portrayed Harry Potter in the musical “A Very Potter Musical.” In 2012, he made a Broadway debut when he replaced Daniel Radcliffe in the play “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

In 2015, Darren’s duet with Filipino Tony Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga of the Disney classic “A Whole New World,” which Salonga recorded for the animated movie “Aladdin,” went viral on social media.

Darren is engaged to his girlfriend of more than seven years, Mia Swier.

Apart from him, Sandra Oh has the chance to become the first performer of Asian descent to win a lead drama actress trophy at the 2018 Emmys — a victory that would coincide nicely with the landmark box-office success of "Crazy Rich Asians." The Korean-Canadian is nominated for the spy thriller "Killing Eve" after receiving five supporting actress nods for "Grey's Anatomy."

#acs versace #philstar #darren criss #emmys 2018 #article #september 2018