#strange fascination mini series

[xcherryerim]

Strange Fascination

Part two: The Shadow Under the Bed

part one

Stalker Mike x gn!reader

“And your dreams, Won't you say that in there I'm yours and keep you safe? Say you're mine. I'll always be there.” — Monster Under the Bed by Emily Mei

Warning: obsession/ stalking | mentions of over-usage (with sleeping pills but yk) | Breaking in readers house | masturbation | light toy usage | under the influence sex | penetration | unprotected sex | Mike praising reader and being a possessive fuck | soft!dom Mike | stealing readers underwear | No specific readers genitalia

Notes: I would recommend reading the first part, as it explains Mike’s obsession and stalking behavior, but in summary, After not seeing you to pick up your brother he panics and goes around the area where you live to see the reason of your absence. At night, he decides to break into your place.

Also idk if it’s obvious but Mike is too high and sleepy that he thinks he’s having a sex/wet dream but he isn’t. If you wanna skip to the smut part look for the “❥”

"Not feeling like going to school today, bud?" You asked gently, settling onto Gregory's bed. Placing your hand on his forehead, you winced at the heat radiating from his skin. Sickness was a rarity in your family, making it all the more frightening when it struck.

He shook his head weakly, a small cough escaping him. His pale face was marred with beads of sweat, his eyes brimming with pain, looking like a Victorian man on his deathbed.

…

Despite your brother's reluctance to eat, you managed to coax him into trying a few bites of his favorite meal - mac and cheese. The comforting aroma filled the room, mingling with the laughter from the TV as you played his favorite show, South Park.

You chose the most lighthearted episodes, hoping to distract him from his discomfort. The colorful animation flickered across the screen, punctuated by the show's signature humor. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"Can we get pizza later?" Gregory pleaded, those puppy dog eyes working their magic. You rolled your eyes. Sometimes, it was impossible not to cave in.

"You're pushing it," you responded, but even as you spoke, you knew you were losing the battle. His eyes held a pleading look, a silent promise that maybe, just maybe, he would start feeling better soon.

"Please," he begged, and there it was - that hint of vulnerability that got you every time. You exhale, relenting.

"Fine, for dinner, we can get pizza."

Gregory's face broke into a grin, the first genuine smile you'd seen today. Relief washed over you, knowing that you'd made him happy, even in this small way.

As you sat next to your brother, watching him slowly pick at his food, you couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. You remembered how it felt to be sick, how even the simplest tasks seemed impossible. But you also remembered how comforting it was to have someone there for you, offering support and understanding.

So, you continued to sit with him, occasionally laughing at the absurdity unfolding on the screen. And as the hours passed, you hoped that your presence, along with the familiarity of his favorite things, would help him feel just a little bit better.

….

After tucking Gregory in, you wished him a good night, feeling a sense of happiness wash over you.

❥ Despite everything, tonight had been a relatively normal evening. Yet, as you settled into bed, your exhaustion refused to cooperate. Sleep evaded you, a cruel tease dancing just beyond reach.

Frustrated, you stood up, making your way to the medicine cabinet. Melatonin pills, their potential untapped. With a sigh, you popped a few, waiting impatiently for the promised drowsiness, To no avail.

Instead, you found yourself pouring a generous portion of liquid sleeping aid down your throat, mimicking the carefree college days of the past.

“This is ridiculous,” you thought, tossing and turning under your covers.

However, the combination of pills and syrup began to take effect, lulling you into slumber. But as the night wore on, you found yourself awake once more. Tired of fighting, you clicked on the lamp beside your bed, casting a warm glow across the room.

Walking to the window, you gazed upon the waning crescent moon hanging low in the sky. Something was comforting about its steady presence, a constant among the chaos of life. A yawn escaped you, and with it, a realization. Perhaps your sleeplessness stemmed from worry. Worrying about Gregory, about the future, about everything in between.

With a deep breath, you decided to address the root of your restlessness. Stepping out of your room, you headed towards the kitchen, determined to make yourself a calming cup of tea.

Once you returned, clutching the steaming cup of tea, you paused near the window. In your haste, the cup tilted slightly, spilling hot liquid onto your leg. A sharp yelp, almost a full-on scream escaped your lips, but you stifled it immediately, not wanting to disturb Gregory.

At the sudden scream, Mike’s panic gnawed at his insides, threatening to consume him whole. He had pushed his luck too far, he thought. Invading personal space without consideration. Now, he waited, trembling and exposed, anticipating the inevitable confrontation.

Hot tendrils of pain radiated from the spot, but you forced yourself to focus on your breath. Slow, deep inhales and exhales carried you through the discomfort, easing the sting. Soon enough, the heat subsided, leaving behind a dull ache.

When you achieved a semblance of peace, you pulled out your sage green journal. Flipping to a blank page. Chronicles of your day poured onto the paper, each sentence capturing the highs and lows of your day. It was therapeutic, a way to process the chaos of life.

And then, there it was - mention of Mike. Your words were casual, almost carefree. “I didn't get to see Mike today though, hopefully, I can tomorrow.” You mumbled just two sentences, but they carried weight. You remembered his name, and you wanted to see him again.

Underneath the bed, Mike's body stiffened. How had you retained his name after such brief encounters? The thought filled him with equal parts pride and embarrassment. You, who knew him so little, desired more interaction. This revelation shook him to his core, Was he just a stranger in your eyes, or did you hold a place for him in your heart?

"Mike, Mike, Mike." Your voice was soft, laced with a mix of exhaustion and longing. As you reached for the nightstand, your hands quivered with anticipation. Mike watched from his hiding place, his heart pounding in his chest.

The moment you pulled out your toy, his eyes widened in shock. This was not what he had expected but, as you began to use it, your body writhing with delight, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction.

The combination of drowsiness from the pills and syrup, along with the physical release, created a heady mixture of sensations. You moaned softly, your voice ringing through the room. Each sound was like a siren's call, drawing him closer to the edge of his sanity.

His adrenaline surged, his body tense with anticipation. As you repeated his name, his heart swelled with an emotion he couldn't quite name. It was a strange mix of pride, longing, and something else entirely - something dangerous.

He felt himself leaking precum, the mere sound of your voice driving him to the brink. Disbelief washed over him; you were thinking of him during your moments of intimacy. He was grateful - no, relieved - that he wasn't alone in this longing.

Without another thought, Mike unzipped his pants, lowering both trousers and boxers just enough to free his aching erection. Semi-naked to the cool night air, his need pulsed with every beat of his heart. Every whimper you uttered drew him closer, matching the rhythm with feverish intensity.

As if entranced, he stroked himself with fervor, mirroring your satisfaction. The air was thick with appetite, heavy with the scent of forbidden lust and connection. Your cries grew louder, almost like you were urging him on, and he responded in kind, matching your pace with increasing fervor.

The boundary between fantasy and reality danced a tantalizing waltz within him, as though the sleeping pills had crafted a mesmerizing dreamscape. His frenzied strokes built the tension to a fever pitch, and as his name echoed through the night, Mike emerged from his hiding spot. A predatory grin graced his lips, and ragged gasps betrayed the satisfaction coursing through him.

"Mike?!" you stammered, your eyes locked onto the object of your fantasies. The man standing before you proudly displayed his erection, taunting yet gratifying.

"My sweet, sweet angel," he murmured, his voice thick with desire as he closed the distance between you. "I knew you wanted me."

His fingertips danced delicately across your features, like an artist carefully sculpting his next piece. "You've been thinking of me, haven't you?" The question hung in the air, a declaration that shattered the façade of secrecy. No longer was he a stranger observing you; instead, you were two souls entangled in a passionate embrace.

"I've waited so long for this moment," Mike confessed, his breath warm against your skin. "To have you all to myself... to hear you call my name like that." Hunger glinted in his eyes, a testament to his craving.

With a sudden, possessive hold, Mike clutched your chin, demanding eye contact. "But now that I have it... I'll never let you go." His words carried a weighted promise, a tether connecting you both in a web of his obsession and yearning.

“Mike what are you—“ you began, but before you could utter another word, Mike silenced you with a gentle kiss, his lips firm yet tender. His tongue slipped past your parted lips, igniting a firestorm of sensations within you.

"Shh," he whispered, breaking away from the kiss just enough to speak. "No more questions. Tonight, we belong to each other, and nothing else matters."

His skilled hands traced every curve and contour of your body, exploring with a purposeful tenderness that left you breathless. "Tell me... do you know how long I've dreamed of this?" he asked, "To have you, all to myself, like this..."

Mike claimed his position above you, his throbbing length pressing insistently against your outer thigh. The mere touch sent ripples of desire coursing through him, and he started to slightly hump.

"You've consumed my every waking thought," Mike’s breath hitched, the weight of his obsession finally surfacing. As months of longing and secrecy culminated in this single moment, Mike's need became palpable. His breath hitched with each ragged exhale, proof of his pent-up desperation.

“I've waited for this, dreamt of this," he added, his voice low and husky.

For a moment, the outside world ceased to exist. You and Mike were entwined in a dance of eagerness and confusion, lost in the euphoria of the moment. The distinction between reality and fantasy didn't matter; it was irrelevant in the face of your connection.

Fixating on the silhouette of your body, he noticed your hand wrapped around the toy. Acting on instinct, Mike adjusted the device gently, synchronizing its rhythm with yours. His arousal surged at the sight, causing a low, guttural groan to escape him.

"You look so good like this, darling," Mike whispered, his warm breath dancing across your skin. "I've wanted this for so long... to touch you, to be with you..."

With delicate precision, Mike brushed your most sensitive spot with his thumb, earning a sharp gasp from you. "I know you feel it too..." he whispered, his words laced with raw truth.

The coolness from his hand traced up your thigh, causing your body to shiver involuntarily.

"Let me pleasure you, the way you deserve," Mike whispered, his fingers moving with slow, calculated strokes. He increased the pressure, his thumb tracing the throbbing between your legs. Drawing closer still, he left a trail of scorching kisses along your jawline, nipping gently at the delicate skin of your neck. His other hand explored your curves, mapping them with meticulous care.

"You're perfect... I want to worship every inch of you," he murmured, his breath hitching as your responses to his touch grew more pronounced.

"Tell me what you need," he urged, his gaze locked firmly on yours. "I'll give you anything you want, just say the word."

"Fuck me, please," you whined, the vibrating toy making it difficult to talk.

Mike's eyes flashed with raw hunger at your impassioned plea. Leaning in, his warm breath hit your skin, and a low, rumbling growl escaped his chest. "As you wish."

In a deliberate movement, he removed the toy from your trembling body. "I'll give you everything you crave."

With a grace born of fervor, Mike positioned himself between your quivering thighs. He gently lifted your legs, granting access to your awaiting entrance. The head of his cock pressed insistently against you, demanding entry.

Savoring the exquisite tension, Mike paused for a fleeting moment before burying himself deeply into you. A rough groan escaped him. The sensation was indescribable – a potent mix of pain and pleasure that stole your breath. His pace was both fierce and controlled, striking a delicate balance between his untamed passion and your comfort.

"I'm going to make you scream my name," he warned. A promise hung heavy in the air, fueling the flames of passion between you both.

Gripping your hips, his fingers bit into your skin as his pace quickened. In a display of brutal possession, he claimed your lips in a bruising kiss, swallowing your cries of ecstasy.

"You're mine," he proclaimed, the words laden with ownership. His eyes bore into yours, leaving no doubt about his claim.

you clutched his shirt desperately, searching for something solid amidst the tempest of sensations. "All yours," you whimpered, your body responding to his rhythm, yearning for more.

"All mine..." Mike answered possessively, digging his fingertips into your hips.

Driven by your need and his unquenchable thirst, he sinks into you with unbridled intensity. The sensation was a revelation - an exquisite fit, an intimate conquest. Your bodies merged, creating a symphony of gratification.

"You feel so good around me like you were fucking made just for me," Short of breath, his hips snapping forward in relentless pursuit of bliss. Each stroke brought him closer to the pinnacle, fueled by your mutual hunger.

"Oh god..." you cried out, clutching at him even tighter as the pleasure built within you.

Panting heavily, Mike's voice transformed into a guttural growl as he neared the precipice. "I'm going to fill you up, mark you as mine," he promised menacingly. Bending his head, he grazed your neck with his teeth in a primal claim of possession.

His grip on your hips tightened further, his fingers digging into your flesh as he thrust deeper inside you. "Take all of me, baby. Let me claim every part of you," he commanded, his eyes locked onto yours.

With each powerful thrust, both edging closer to orgasm, the tension coiling ever tighter. It was as though no other concerns existed – no consequences, no worries, only the two of them, entangled in a web of unrelenting carnal nature.

You cried, your nails raking down his back, clawing at his slick skin for stability. Your bodies moved as one, driven by an irresistible force that defied logic and reason. The scent of vigor filled the air, mingling with the sound of their labored breaths.

As the final moments stretched out before them, Mike's drive grew frantic, his eyes locked on yours in a hypnotic dance. Your cries grew louder, each one a plea for release, for the sweet relief that lay just beyond reach. And then, with a sudden jolt, you peaked, your body convulsing around him, a triumphant cry escaping your lips.

Mike's eyes widened as he felt your body twitch, his name echoing through the room. Unable to resist any longer, he followed suit, burying himself deep within you as he found his release. His world narrowed to the feel of you surrounding him, the sweet embrace of your warmth.

Yet, his need for you remained insatiable. Collapsing on top of you, he embraced you possessively, your bodies sliding against each other, chasing every tremor of your shared climax.

His movements were ragged and sloppy. "Mine... you're mine!" he whined and groaned your name against your lips, capturing you in a deep, fiery kiss. Overstimulation faded into the background, swallowed by the heady rush of their union.

This was a dream, wasn't it? A dream world where you belonged to him and him alone.

Huffing and puffing, Mike whispered, "I love you," his voice laced with genuine emotion. Nuzzling against your neck, he claimed your lips once more in a searing kiss, his words a confession born of obsession and desire. All those hours spent observing you, planning this moment... they were finally rewarded.

His heart beat wildly against your chest, matching the rhythm of yours. You both lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in the afterglow of devoting love and possession.

…..

Mike woke up to the warm glow of sunlight filtering through an unfamiliar window. Confusion furrowed his brow as he shifted his body to the side, revealing your sleeping form next to him.

Panic welled up inside him, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of last night. Had everything that transpired between you truly happened, or was it all a dream fueled by his overuse of sleeping pills? Deciding there was no time to waste, He carefully extracted himself from the bed, moving with the silence of a thief. Gathering his belongings, he paused to steal one last, longing glance at your peaceful face.

In a sudden burst of impulse, he approached your dresser, quietly opening a drawer and snatching a pair of your underwear. A gleam lit his eyes as he slipped them into his pocket. Then, without another word, he climbed out the window and melted into the morning shadows.

As he disappeared from view, doubt lingered in the air. Was it real or merely a product of his overactive imagination? Regardless, the daylight served as a harsh reminder of the risk he had taken, the line he had crossed.

Your eyes fluttered open at the sound of the window closing. A coy smile spread across your lips as you watched Mike's retreating form, amusement twinkling in your eyes.

"So predictable, my dear Mike..." you murmured to yourself.

You knew full well that he was oblivious to the security camera discreetly positioned just outside. The unlocked window - an open invitation he simply couldn't resist - had been your doing. And, as expected, he had fallen right into your trap.

Shifting onto your side, you let your fingers trail across the rumpled sheets, still warm from his embrace. A contented sigh escaped you as you nestled back into the pillows. You reveled in the knowledge that Mike was utterly ensnared in your web. And with a devious glint in your eye, you vowed to keep him there, anticipating your next encounter with eager delight.

After all, you had no intention of letting him go.

Thank you so much for reading! should I make a part 3?

Originally it was going to be two parts but if you guys liked it I can make another part (mainly smut). If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask them since i know the story might be confusing.

If you guys like the story and want to be added to the possible part 3 let me know so I can add you to my taglist!

taglist 🍒: @lile6969 @fatinhadesiners06 @jhutchismyl0verb0y @lefteagleblizzard @freak-accident419 @joshhutchersonsgf @valreanakuroo @jhutch-bf @cassiecasluciluce

#mike schmidt smut #strange fascination mini series #strange fascination #mike schmidt stalker #mike schmidt #mike schmidt angst #mike schmidt x you #mike schmidt fanfic #mike schmidt headcanons #mike fnaf #mike schmidt x reader #mike schmidt fnaf #mike schimdt x reader #mike schimdt smut #mike schimdt x you #mike schmidt x y/n #mike schmidt x gn!reader #stalker mike schmidt

[malemusktf]

The B.O. Bros (mini series)

Part 1

Jack had always been the odd one out among his group of friends. He was the skinny, ginger-haired guy who didn't possess the signature 'manly' features like his friends did. This fact often left him feeling insecure and out of place. But one night, everything changed for him.

It was a typical Friday evening and Jack had decided to go to the local bar to have a drink and unwind after a long week at work. As he sat at the bar, nursing his beer, he noticed two tall and muscular guys walk in. Their presence demanded attention and Jack couldn't help but feel envious of their toned bodies and chiseled faces.

The two men, Nathan and Chris, immediately caught Jack's eye and he couldn't help but stare at them from across the bar. He could hear them boasting about their gains and discussing their intense workouts at the gym. Jack was almost hypnotized by their talk of muscles and pumps. He wanted to be like them, to be desired, and not just blend into the background anymore.

Feeling intrigued, Jack mustered up the courage to approach them and engage in conversation. To his surprise, they welcomed him with open arms and soon the three of them were chatting like old friends. Jack felt a strange attraction to the two men, as if they exuded some kind of magnetic energy that drew him towards them.

As the night went on and the drinks flowed, Nathan and Chris invited Jack to their shared apartment. In his slightly tipsy state, Jack agreed without hesitation, eager to spend more time with the two men who had captivated him with their charming personalities and manly features.

As they arrived at the apartment, Jack was hit by a strong musky smell that immediately made his head spin. The room was small and messy, with empty beer bottles scattered around and an overpowering smell of sweat and manly stink.

Ignoring the warning bells in his head, Jack followed Nathan and Chris inside, almost in a trance-like state. Chris could sense Jack's fascination and took the opportunity to show off his muscular body, flexing his biceps and revealing a monstrous amount of chest hair. The smell of musk filled the air, making Jack feel lightheaded.

Just as Jack was about to comment on Chris' impressive physique, he was grabbed from behind by Nathan. Jack let out a scream of fear as Nathan's large arms wrapped around him and lifted him off the ground. Before he could react, Chris stepped towards him, revealing his own huge muscles and a cocky smile on his face.

It was at that moment that Jack realized something was not right. He tried to struggle and break free from Nathan's grip, but he was too weak compared to the two overpowering men. Suddenly, he felt something like a snake wrap around his head and neck, pulling him closer to Nathan's massive, musky pecs.

The smell of manly sweat and musk engulfed Jack as he found himself completely trapped in the embrace of the two men. He could feel his body changing, growing larger and more muscular with each passing second. His ginger hair turned blonde and his skin became tanned. He felt a strange sensation as his body began to produce more hair, making him almost as hairy as Nathan and Chris.

Amid the chaos, Jack couldn't help but notice the cocky attitude of the two men as they spoke about how they had the power to turn anyone they wanted into a 'jock' like themselves. Jack realized with horror that he was slowly becoming one of them, forever bound to their friendship, and possibly more.

As the transformation came to an end, Jack found himself standing alongside Nathan and Chris, now a muscular, manly man himself. He felt proud of his new body and aura as he joined in their confident and cocky banter. He knew that he was now part of the 'two bros forever' and was ready to continue their hunt for new victims, capturing and transforming them just like they did to him.

#male tf #musk #sweat #gay jock

[iamheadcanontrash-deactivated]

AZ FIC IDEA

Okay so I typed up an idea for a series I am thinking of writing and I would like some opinions. SPOILERS?! Under the cut. Half-satire, but could actually be a good read? Pls let me know.

Okay, so the IC has realized that The Prison was where the Dusk Court was. They are searching high and low for anything to give them clues about this, and where the High Lord and potential Lady Dusk could've gone. A soul from Dusk court has found herself on another planet, and would tie in with Rhys' fascination with the universe. Az finds a way on earth with nothing but vibes to find his potential mate, and he goes through emotional turmoil as he realizes he's the High Lord heir of a destroyed, non-existent court.

He finds her. She's in a Barnes and Noble bookstore, as Az was looking for something to read to pass the time. He's been fully enveloped into this strange world, (black iPhone 15, has money somehow bc he's a HL, idk don't ask, it helps the plot.) He's learned to drive, he doesn't have wings in this world, but he still has his shadows. The bonus chapter says he can match Rhys in power and strength, which makes sense if he were to be a HL). He builds up the courage to ask for her number. She stares at him but gives him her number and they meet for coffee the next morning.

They "date" over the course of 3 months. He falls IN LOVE with her, and announces that he has to leave for "business" (going back to NC to report to Rhys), and will not be able to call her, and labels their relationship before he leaves.

Over the course of time, there may be a little angst, a little spice, and a little "merging of worlds". She is taken to Prythian, and back to her world, she has a lot of questions, and he shows how patient he can be. He's waited over 500 years for this, after all.

They take a while to figure out how to turn her fae, as it would be tough to get all of the HL to agree again after they figured out how Feyre acquired everyone's powers. There will be her meeting Azriel's mother, there may be the rebuilding of a buried court. Please tell me your thoughts, anything else you'd like me to add within this mini fic idea of mine, and I may be posting it within the next few months!!

#acotar #azriel x reader #azriel

[warmaidensrevenge]

Always seen you.

Pairing: Eddie x insecure Fem!plus size reader

If you want to read my other work you can find it HERE

A/N: This just came to me. Just a mini series. I just smashed through all the Rocky movies and I was inspired. So just a warning I used a couple scenes. I was thinking about how badly I wish Eddie Munson was real. So here goes nothing. Thanks for reading. As always feedback is greatly appreciated. Kay love ya bye.

Warnings: language, body insecurities, secret pining, angst, slow burn, eventually smut in later parts. Not proof read and no word count.

Summary: The boy of your dreams is always just out of reach. If only you could get over yourself to see that he sees you too.

Part 1

💚🖤

There were so many words to describe Eddie Munson. Strange, creepy, zany, peculiar, dramatic, outspoken, eccentric, unusual...freak. But to you, the word that described him best was fascinating. He is captivating in every sense of the word. Beautiful with a capital B.

The liking you had for Eddie was something just short of love. But you never spoke to him or even tried for that matter. Worshiping him from afar was all you really did.

Sure you had some classes together when you were younger. But that was as close to Eddie Munson you've ever gotten.

Eddie was 19 going on 20 repeating his senior year for the third time. You just turned 18 and skipped a couple of grades throughout the years. That's how you caught up to him.

Eddie and you ran in complete opposite circles. Him, being the king of the freaks. You, a shy nerdy girl apart of the school's top academic crew. You were in the National Honor Society. So naturally you were in the debate club, physics club, and math club (So a big nerd)

In high school the shared classes were not a thing anymore. All the classes you attended were AP. So all hope to see Eddie in one of your classes was gone.

This year was your senior year. Wanting one class to just be something other than hard work, you signed up for theater. You loved the idea of it on your college applications. That was the only reason your parents approved of it.

Your parents were overbearing, controlling, and incredibly strict. You hated it. They controlled everything in your life. Everything from what classes you took down to what you wore and what you ate.

See you were a very plump girl. You kind of always were. Years of meal prepping and calorie counting didn't change a thing. Your parents even suggested you get surgery for it. But your older brother always fought for you. Saying you were perfect the way you were. So after a while your parents stopped suggesting it. But still made sly comments now and again. Saying how hard it was finding clothes that fit you. Or saying no one would ever want to marry a large girl like you.

You would be lying if you said you didn't think about all those things too. Every day you said hurtful things to yourself.

People at school didn't help with it either. The only difference between them and your folks was that you thought your parents were just looking out for you. Even with the hurtful things they said. They still loved you. Right?

You were bullied constantly about it. Though you tried to ignore it, it still hurt you.

So why on earth would Eddie Munson, the most handsome guy in all of Hawkins even look your way? You had never seen him with anyone. But you never missed the way he looked at the cheerleaders. Parading around in those short skirts and tight sweaters.

You had honestly cried a lot wishing so badly for him to look at you like that. But he never did. Not once had he noticed you or said a word. That was until the very first day of school.

You went to your classes as usual. Getting arms full of work already. You looked forward to the class after lunch. Theater. Needing the class to just relax.

You were running late because you forgot to put your books up. Imagine your surprise when you walked in as soon as the bell rang and saw only one empty seat in the back. All the blood drained out of your face and it felt like you couldn't breath.

Eddie.

You stood there in utter shock. The only seat available was the one right next to Eddie Munson. Of course it was open. No one wanted to sit next to the leader of a cult. Which you knew that was just stupid.

You didn't know he took theater. Of course he would. He was always so theatrical. Obviously he would put it to good use.

Mrs. Adler cleared her throat and looked at you over her readers. You swallowed and started for the seat.

You were almost there when someone pushed their book bag in front of you. Cause you to trip. You landed hard and completely wrong. You were sure your ankle was twisted and you sprained your wrist. You really didn't have time to process what actually happened. All you really heard was laughing. But all of a sudden someone was helping you up.

"Shit! Are you okay?"

That voice that always sounded like music whenever you heard it. Was now filled with concern.

You couldn't look at him. You knew if you did, you might just pass out from the sheer closeness.

A small yes that was barely audible came from you. Now fully aware of where exactly his hands were you started to sweat.

A strong hand on your thick bicep and the other holding your hand. You quickly pulled yourself away and sat down. You couldn't focus at all. You could hear Mrs Adler trying to calm the class. But everything else was a blur.

Once the adrenaline wore off, you started to feel the pain. Which now was accompanied by anxiety. You could feel Eddie staring at you. You wanted to tell him to stop. But then again he never looked at you before. Let alone touch you.

The whole class was so awkward. You kept feeling Eddie looking at you. And you couldn't write anything down. Your wrist hurt like hell.

You kept massaging it and tried to stretch. But nothing helped. In the middle of class Eddie slid a note on your desk.

Your eyes bugged out. You glanced at him and he looked so worried. You looked back down at the note. Your heart was racing and you felt so hot.

You held your breath and opened the note. It was almost illegible.

' I think you should go to the infirmary.'

You didn't look back at him. Afraid to catch those big brown hues that made you melt. Instead you raised your hand and asked to go.

When you tried to stand up and go you almost fell again. Yup you landed really bad.

In the blink of an eye Eddie had you in his arms.

" Uhh Mrs. Adler. I don't think she can walk there on her own."

You were gonna protest. But Mrs. Adler smiled and waved for you guys to go. Eddie tossed your backpack over his shoulder. Never letting you go.

The walk to the nurse's office was quiet besides your little whimpers that escaped with every step. The only thing going through your mind was how Eddie held you. Like...he cared. It was weird. You felt like if he could, he would have carried you.

He was holding you so close that he practically was. His grip on you was solid. He was solid. His long arm wrapped around your waist. Thick long fingers dug into your side rolls. You wished that the fat would magically disappear. But there was no such thing as magic was there.

Once in the nursing office Eddie helped you sit on the table and sat in a chair across from you. Putting your backpack on the ground. You still couldn't bring yourself to look at him.

" Umm thank you." You said just above a whisper.

"Anytime."

That's when you made the mistake by looking at him. He had this sweet smile that made all his laugh lines show. You pressed your lips and looked away. You felt the blush creep up to your cheeks and your heart decided to go insane. You could feel the beating in your throat.

You hated this. The effect he had on you. You could cry at all the emotions you were feeling. You actually felt the prickle of tears coming.

Eddie cleared his throat and was about to say something but the nurse walked in.

" Mr Munson. Umm you can go back to class. I'll take it from here. "

" Uhh yeah...okay." He stood up and went to the door. " Take care of her doc....Later y/n."

Your heart stopped and you just died.

Eddie Munson knows my name.

...

"See if you weren't so damn heavy it wouldn't have been so bad!" Your dad scolded you.

" I don't care how much it hurts. You are still going to school tomorrow." Your mother barked

You had just left the doctor's office when your parents started to berate you.

Happy that nothing was broken. You really weren't paying attention to the continuous put downs they were spouting. You just looked out of the car's window. Thinking about all that transpired with Eddie. His warm touch, his muscles flexing while he held you, his deep seductive voice saying your name.

Man you had it bad for the poor guy.

Too bad I'm not someone he would want.

You felt tears again. Quickly wiping them away as a few fell so your parents wouldn't see it. Not giving them another thing to scold you about.

That night you started on your homework. Your hand was hurting pretty bad. You took Tylenol and quickly got to work. Again your thoughts were bombarded with Eddie. Honestly it was silly. You didn't want to think about that beautiful boy. Or his stupid smile, or his stupid big dumb brown eyes, or his stupid but very kissable neck.

The phone ringing brought you back down to earth. You quickly answered it. Happy that your parents allowed you to have your own line.

" Hello?" You said looking at the time.

It was almost nine. Who would be calling so late?

" H-Hey....umm is this y/n l/n residence?"

"Yes it is. This is her. May I ask who's calling?"

" Uhh. It's Eddie...Eddie Munson."

And just like that. All the air in your lungs was gone. Your heart dropped to your butt and stomach started doing somersaults.

" Y/n?"

Finding air again you spoke " Y-yes...umm sorry. How-"

" Yeah sorry. I asked around for your number."

WHAT?!

" O-oh."

" I uhh hope that's okay?"

" Y-yeah...is there umm something you need?"

" Well not really. I kinda just wanted to check and see how you're doing."

Why?

" I'm fine thank you. I erm really appreciate your help today."

Eddie chuckled. " No problem. I was happy to help."

You smiled but then it was silent for a while. It went on too long. You didn't know what to say. Eddie freaking Munson was on the phone. Talking to you! This was the most you've ever said to each other in like ever.

" Y/n?"

" Hmm"

" Sorry. I thought you hung up."

On you? Never.

" Oh no. I'm here....was there something else?"

" Uhh yeah sorry. Umm Mrs Adler paired us to do a scene together on Friday. She's calling it our audition for characters in the yearly play."

"Oh-okay...Did you want to switch partners or something?"

"No. Why would you say that?"

" I... I just thought...oh.. never mind."

"Hey. If you want to switch partners I can understand that. I know I'm the towns freak-"

"No!" You practically shouted. " I'm sorry. I mean no. I don't want to switch. And I...I don't think you're a freak."

You threw your head back shaking it.

Why did you say that?

" Oh so you think about me huh?"

You could almost hear his smirk.

" I-I. Well umm we do go to school together. So...yes I think about you....I mean not like a lot or anything...and-and not like at all...I mean... I-I think about you the appropriate amount of time."

SON OF A-

Eddie laughed. " Thanks sweetheart. It's nice hearing that coming from you."

" From me?"

" Yeah you know. The girl who is most likely to succeed. Hawkins pride and joy." He teased.

" Well I don't know about that."

"Oh really? Aren't you like the next Nikola Tesla?"

" You mean dying in a hotel broke and alone?"

" Uhh no....I mean like the next big inventor. Remember that clock you powered with a potato?"

You giggled. " Munson that was hardly an original invention. And that was in 5th grade"

He chuckled. " Well whatever. It was super cool."

You blushed. You couldn't believe he remembered that.

This time the silence was less awkward. Almost comforting.

" So uhh. I know we can go over this in class. But what do you think about doing a scene from a movie?" He asked.

You sat down on your bed and started twirling the cord around your finger.

" Sure. What do you have in mind?"

You heard Eddie humming. "Hmmm. How about something from The Shining or The Evil dead?"

" I haven't seen those."

"WHAT?!"

" umm Yeah."

" What about Fright Night or Gremlins, oh how about Friday the 13th?"

"No...sorry."

" Oh man. You need to be educated...a movie-cation if you will." Eddie said

" I umm okay." You said nervously.

" We'll plan for that later. So what movies do you watch?"

Though it was an innocent question you couldn't help but think about 'We'll plan for that later'

"Well you know. The usual chick flicks. Family movies. Melodramas and some action."

" Hmm okay. That doesn't help."

"S-Sorry."

" Oh no. Don't be sorry. It's just I don't watch those kinds of movies."

"So..."

" okay I have an idea. What was the last movie you watched?"

" Rocky."

" You like Rocky?"

" Yeah. It's a good underdog story."

" Yeah it is... So how about we pick a scene from that one."

" Y-yeah okay."

"Cool. Cool."

You smiled again. If Eddie kept this up you were sure to die from happiness. It was quiet again. But this time it was definitely comfortable. At least for you it was. So much so that you laid down and got under the blankets.

You guys talked about which scene would be best. You didn't want to talk a lot, so you guys decided to do the skating part. Somehow the conversation went from school work to music and movies. Eddie went on and on about all things Eddie. Half of which you kind of already knew. Being the stocker you were.

You could have stayed up all night listening to him. He was so easy to talk to. You knew he was always funny. But now he was like a comedian. You swore you never laughed so much. He started talking about his hobbies and how he was in a band. Which you knew that too. He was really something.

It was around one in the morning and you started to yawn.

" Sorry sweetheart. I've been talking your ear off."

"No that's ok Eddie. You get excited. I get it."

You heard him laugh through his nose. "Well I'll let you get some sleep. I'll see you in a little bit."

" Okay." You yawned again.

" Goodnight y/n."

" Good night Eddie.

You hung up the phone with a big ass smile. You just had the best phone call with Eddie Munson.

God I love you.

...

@salenorona23 @b-irock

#fanfic #eddie munson #eddie munson x female original character #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x plus size reader #eddie x reader #stranger things #eddie my beloved #eddie x fem!reader #eddie x y/n #eddie x plus size reader #eddie stranger things #eddie x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x original character #plus size reader

[the-rewatch-rewind]

Yes, I've watched this full miniseries 37 times.

Script below the break

Hello and welcome back to The Rewatch Rewind! My name is Jane, and this is the podcast where I count down my top 40 most frequently rewatched movies in a 20-year period. Today I will be talking about number two on my list: BBC and A&E’s 1995 mini-series Pride and Prejudice, directed by Simon Langton, written by Andrew Davies, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (Benjamin Whitrow and Alison Steadman) have five daughters: beautiful and kind Jane (Susannah Harker), witty and strong-willed Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle), homely and puritanical Mary (Lucy Briers), well-meaning but naïve Kitty (Polly Maberly), and frivolous and spoiled Lydia (Julia Sawalha). Because there are no Bennet sons, Mr. Bennet’s estate is entailed upon his cousin Mr. Collins (David Bamber), and the daughters are aware that at least one of them must marry well to provide for the rest of the family after their father’s death. When wealthy and friendly Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) moves into the neighborhood, he and Jane quickly hit it off, and the Bennets’ problems seem to be over. However, Mr. Bingley’s sisters, Caroline (Anna Chancellor) and Louisa (Lucy Robinson), along with his unpleasant, proud friend Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) have strong objections to the Bennet family, who strike them as undignified gold-diggers, even though Mr. Darcy unwillingly finds himself strangely drawn to Elizabeth.

Okay so yes, this is technically a TV show rather than a movie, but even though it’s over five hours long, I still tend to watch it as a movie, and it felt right to count it as such, although when I first wrote it down in my movie notebook, I never anticipated that it would become my second most-frequently-rewatched. I remember that my parents were really into it, and at some point when it was on TV after we finally got a VCR, they had taped it. I tried to watch it with them a few times when I was younger, but I found the flowery language difficult to understand, and I typically fell asleep in the middle without knowing what was going on. The first time I watched it and actually paid attention was in 2005, and the main thing I remember was that my dad assumed I knew the story by then and kept making spoilery comments. I don’t think I fully appreciated it at that point, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I was going to. I ended up watching it twice in that year and then five times in 2006, which is when it became one of my favorite stories. I read the book and watched a few other adaptations that year. In 2007 I only watched this series once, but that was also the year that my family ended up getting two male puppies, and after much deliberation about what to name them, we determined that Bingley and Darcy were the best names that went together and represented something we all enjoyed. After that, I watched it three times in 2008, once in 2009, twice in 2010, four times in 2011, twice in 2012, twice in 2013, four times in 2014, once in 2015, once in 2016, twice in 2017, once in 2018, three times in 2020, once in 2021, and twice in 2022. I don’t remember exactly when, but somehow between my siblings, my parents, and I, we ended up with three copies of this on DVD in addition to the taped one. I should also mention that I only counted it when I watched the whole thing from start to finish within a few days, so I’ve watched it like that 37 times, but I’ve definitely seen pieces of it way more than that. I keep waiting to get tired of watching it, but every time I put it on, it remains delightfully enjoyable.

I know that Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the most beloved stories in the English-speaking world, and probably beyond – although the number of people confused by my dogs’ names taught me that not everyone is particularly familiar with it – and that it has been adapted and retold dozens of times, and that fans of the story have very strong opinions about which is the “best” adaptation. The loudest debate is between this version and the 2005 film directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. The first time I watched that version was in 2006, in the midst of my mania for the 1995 version, and I thought it was terrible. I knew it had to be shorter for the feature film format, but they cut out so many of my favorite parts! It wasn’t until I rewatched the 2005 version in 2016 that I understood that the people who prefer that version love this story for very different reasons from me. If you’re mostly invested in the Elizabeth/Darcy romance, that’s the version for you. It’s all about the tension and chemistry between those two characters, and everyone else is kind of stuck in as an afterthought. But even though the Bennet daughters’ need to get married is central to the plot, I had never considered the main appeal of this story to be its romance. To 2023 me and you the listener, who know that I’m aromantic, that isn’t very surprising, but at the time it kind of blew my mind to learn that so many fans of the story are there for that slow burn. Even in 2012 to 2013, when The Lizzie Bennet Diaries was coming out, I figured the reason people were so obsessed with Darcy was because not seeing him until episode 60 added to his mystique. At the end of that show, I was way more concerned about Lydia’s story than Lizzie’s, and while I enjoyed seeing Lizzie and Darcy finally get together, it was more of a “yay, things are happy now” relief than squeeing over the adorable romance. Anyway, while I used to be one of those obnoxiously pretentious fans who maintained that the 1995 adaptation was way better than the 2005 one, now I’m more of the opinion that they’re both good, just different, and just because I prefer one over the other doesn’t actually make it better. So if you’re listening to this and are a huge fan of the 2005 version, or any other adaptation, know that I’m not trying to tell you you’re wrong. Ultimately, Pride and Prejudice is a great story with many layers, and I think it’s awesome that there have been so many different versions that emphasize different aspects.

Despite the fact that this version is quite long (although not nearly as long as the Lizzie Bennet Diaries), I personally love the pacing. The events of the story take place over about a year, and these six 55-minute episodes take their time bringing us through that year with the characters. Watching it now, I don’t understand how I ever fell asleep with it on as a child, because I am thoroughly engaged the whole way through. Sometimes I intend to only watch an episode or two at a time, but I end up sitting through the whole thing because I cannot tear myself away. These characters are just so fascinating, and the cast brings them to life so convincingly. In general, I try to separate actors from characters, but I will always associate this cast with this show. Part of that is because of how many times I’ve watched this, and another part is because most of these actors haven’t been in very many American films – with the major exception, of course, of Colin Firth, whose Hollywood career skyrocketed after the success of this series – so I haven’t seen them in many other things. But the main reason is because they all embody their characters so perfectly in this series that it’s hard to see them as actors. Every cast member fully committed to their character in a way that somehow makes them feel simultaneously larger than life and grounded in reality. Alison Steadman’s Mrs. Bennet in particular is over the top and ridiculous but manages to just barely remain believable. While the five Bennet sisters on the surface can be summarized by archetypes, they’re much deeper than they first appear, and I love the ways that both the writing and the performances gradually bring that out. Crispin Bonham-Carter perfectly embodies the puppy-dog friendliness and gullibility of Bingley, and Colin Firth nails Darcy’s transformation after Elizabeth calls him out. Benjamin Whitrow makes Mr. Bennet so likable that it took me a while to understand that part of the family’s plight is his fault. That kind of complexity is one of the major things that makes this movie so rewatchable. There are so many layers to every storyline and every character that you can’t possibly uncover them all in just a few views. There’s also a lot going on in the background – like, Mary doesn’t get very many lines, but I love watching her light up whenever Mr. Collins is around. The show is edited in such a way that the audience can see what every relevant character is thinking at all times, so that even when it’s difficult to understand the fancy dialogue, we still get what’s happening based on the characters’ reactions.

This adaptation receives a lot of praise for its faithfulness to the novel, but while it does follow the book quite closely, I don’t think it gets enough credit for the changes and additions it made that were still in the spirit of the original story. There is some dialogue that was taken word for word from the book, but Jane Austen tended to summarize conversations rather than transcribing them, so quite a bit of new dialogue needed to be added, and I personally find it difficult to tell where Jane Austen ends and Andrew Davies takes over. Austen didn’t write scenes that only featured male characters, claiming that she had no way of knowing how men spoke or behaved when there were no women present, but this show opens with a scene between Bingley and Darcy and focuses a bit more on their friendship than the book does. The change in this version that gets the most attention is when Darcy unexpectedly happens upon Elizabeth after having taken a swim in a lake on his property at Pemberley. I always just saw this as a silly way to add to the awkwardness of the situation, with Darcy trying to remain dignified in soaking, casual clothes, and it surprised me to learn that a lot of people love that scene because Colin Firth apparently looks very sexy in his wet shirt. The change that I personally find most interesting is in the letter that Darcy writes explaining himself to Elizabeth after she turns down his first proposal. In the book, he starts with the allegations about breaking up Jane and Bingley and then moves on to the more serious stuff about how Wickham (played by Adrian Lukis, who told Elizabeth that Darcy ruined his life) had tried to seduce Darcy’s younger sister. In this version, the letter starts with the Wickham stuff and ends with the Bingley stuff because we’re initially watching Darcy and flashbacks of his memories, and then halfway through revealing the letter to the audience, we see Darcy give it to Elizabeth, and then we see her reactions to reading his thoughts about her sister and the rest of her family, along with flashbacks of her memories. Darcy is rather arrogant when he talks about separating Bingley from Jane, so I feel like it makes a little more sense for him to start with that when he’s upset by Elizabeth’s rejection and then move on to the darker Wickham drama, but I really like the way this version shows their reactions to the part of the letter that’s most painful to each of them. And before he writes the letter, we see Darcy dwelling on Elizabeth’s words, and he reacts to what she said about Wickham by saying aloud to himself, “At least in that I may defend myself,” implying that the Wickham story is what prompted him to write the letter in the first place, explaining why he starts with that this time. So it’s true to the original without being constrained by the original, and I think that’s what makes it work so well as an adaptation.

As I said before, many people think of Pride and Prejudice as primarily a romantic story, and like, they’re not wrong, but there’s so much more to it than that. There’s a lot of focus on familial relationships, especially between the two eldest daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, which I’ve always appreciated for its similarities to my relationship with my sister. It’s also worth noting that in this society, women in the Bennets’ station could not get a job, so they basically had two options: marry well, or depend on a male relative. Marriage was essentially a business arrangement, not necessarily a romantic one. In the first episode, Jane and Elizabeth have a conversation about their situation in which Elizabeth says that because Jane is the prettiest and sweetest of the sisters, she will need to be the one to marry very well, and Jane responds with, “But Lizzy, I would wish… I should so much like… to marry for love.” And then she makes this amazing face like she can hardly believe how unreasonable she’s being. Elizabeth assures her, “And so you shall, I’m sure. Only take care you fall in love with a man of good fortune.” But when Jane asks Elizabeth how she feels about marriage, she asserts, “I am determined that nothing but the very deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So, I shall end an old maid and teach your ten children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill!” And they laugh. But Elizabeth is completely serious, at least about the first part, as she demonstrates when she turns down two very lucrative marriage proposals that most sensible women in her position would have eagerly accepted. Both men – Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy – think they are doing her a great favor in offering their hand and are shocked by her refusal. Mr. Collins is a bit of a doofus, but he is also going to inherit her father’s house, and it would therefore be the honorable thing for him to marry one of the Bennet daughters so they could at least continue to live there after Mr. Bennet’s death. But Elizabeth knew he would make her miserable and was unwilling to put up with him merely for security. One could say she slapped amatonormativity in the face, and we love to see it. But interestingly, when Mr. Collins does get married, it’s to the very aro-coded Charlotte Lucas (played by Lucy Scott). Her good friend Elizabeth is utterly shocked that anyone, let alone someone she cares about, would agree to marry Mr. Collins. But Charlotte literally tells Lizzy, “I’m not romantic, you know. I never was.” Aromantic queen. And when Elizabeth vents to Jane about this, Jane has the great line, “You do not make allowances for differences of situation and temper.” Jane is the ally we all need. Later, when Elizabeth visits the Collinses, Charlotte makes it clear that she kind of just does her own thing and barely sees her husband, and Elizabeth feels bad for her friend, but honestly, Charlotte’s life doesn’t sound so bad to me. She has security, and her husband mostly leaves her alone. Things didn’t get much better for an introverted aroace woman in that society. Although part of me does still wish that Mary had ended up with Collins, since she also seems like an introvert on the aroace spectrum, but she actually likes him.

Elizabeth is the opposite of aroace, but the way she refuses to listen when society tells her she’s supposed to marry for money feels kind of similar to modern aroace people refusing to listen when society tells us we’re supposed to fall in romantic, sexual love. One of the things I appreciate most about this story is how it demonstrates that everyone and every relationship is different. Jane and Bingley immediately fall for each other and are perfectly compatible, but because they place so much trust in the people around them, it takes a while for them to officially get together. And I don’t just mean the way Bingley’s sisters and Darcy pulled him away – Elizabeth kept reassuring Jane that it was obvious how she felt about Bingley because it was obvious to her, and neither of them realized that a stranger would just see Jane’s kindness to Bingley as treating him like she treats everyone else. Elizabeth and Darcy are just as well suited for each other as Jane and Bingley are, but they both have some major growing to do – they need to overcome their pride and prejudice, if you will – before they can be together. And then there’s Lydia and Wickham, whose relationship is based mainly on lust. Neither of them seems to have learned anything between the beginning and end of their story, and it’s hard to imagine them being happy together. I used to think of Lydia as a spoiled brat who got what she deserved, but now I feel really bad for her. She was a 15-year-old child who was preyed upon by a grown man, and the best-case scenario was for her to marry him. Her plight demonstrates just how awful the societal rules regarding sex were for women, although the story barely seems aware of it. Her elopement is used as a plot device for Darcy to redeem himself, and the focus is all on how her sisters’ chances of good marriages have been damaged. It’s kind of odd that so many social norms are condemned in this story, and yet Lydia is portrayed as deserving of life-long punishment for daring to break one rule. Jane Austen was progressive, but not that progressive. So that’s the one part of this that bothers me. If you too want justice for Lydia, I highly recommend The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube, which does an excellent job of humanizing and redeeming her.

Anyway, back to this version, I love that it includes another couple that many adaptations leave out – Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Mrs. Hurst is Mr. Bingley’s sister Louisa, who, along with their sister Caroline, loves to make fun of and criticize the Bennets. Caroline is partly motivated in her criticism by jealousy, since she has her eye on Darcy and can tell that he’s interested in Elizabeth. But Louisa seems to be motivated by pure snobbery. Which is kind of hilarious because her husband is basically a loser. He doesn’t seem to have an estate or anything, since they’re always staying with her brother, and all he does is drink, hunt, play cards, and sleep. It’s just like, girl, you have no room to criticize anyone’s situation or decisions when you’re stuck with that guy. This just further helps demonstrate that nobody fits society’s ideal, so maybe we should all just live and let live. The characters who remain proud and prejudiced at the end of the story are mostly bitter and unhappy, while those who have learned to look at things from other people’s perspectives are the happiest. And I really like that message.

And aside from the fascinating social commentary, this series is a delightfully fun watch, full of great moments that I will never tire of revisiting. I love, or at least am intrigued by, all the characters, from the leads to the most obscure side characters. She’s barely in it, but one of my favorites is Mrs. Bennet’s sister, Mrs. Phillips, played by Lynn Farleigh. Between her interactions with Mr. Collins, who accidentally insults her and then frustrates her as a whist partner, and the way she consoles Mrs. Bennet after Lydia runs off with Wickham, her lines are some of my favorites to quote. And of course, there’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Collins’s benefactor and Mr. Darcy’s aunt, played by Barbara Leigh-Hunt, who is so impressed with herself that she can’t tell that she’s almost as ridiculous as Mrs. Bennet. I love Sir William Lucas’s “Capital, capital!” and Maria Lucas’s commitment to making haste. Even the characters I don’t like as people are interesting to watch. Wickham is the worst, but I’m almost impressed by his gall. Like, the fact that he can face the Bennets after seducing Lydia as if he’s done nothing wrong is astounding. That man truly has no shame.

While I enjoy pretty much every moment of this series, I have to say that my favorite episode is the fifth one. It really doesn’t seem like it should be, since that’s when the whole Wickham/Lydia stuff is going on and everybody is super stressed, but it has so many of my favorite moments. Like when Elizabeth is playing the pianoforte at Pemberley and a random servant feels the need to stand right in front of her, bow to no one in particular, and then walk offscreen. I don’t know who that bowing servant is or why he does that but I love him. And then there’s the part when Elizabeth returns home with her aunt and uncle, and her cousins are so excited to see their parents again that one of them tries to do a cartwheel and ends up just falling over. And in another wonderful deviation from the novel, Mr. Collins decides to visit the Bennets, ostensibly to console them, but really to gloat that their problems aren’t his problems because he didn’t marry one of them. In the book, he does this by writing a letter, but it’s way funnier to have him visit them, and get to see Mary be impressed with him again. But the best part of that scene is that when Kitty sees his carriage coming, she declares, “I’m not going to sit with him for anyone!” and runs off to hide in the yard. Later, when he’s talking to the other sisters, we can see Kitty peering through the window to see if he’s still there, and it makes me laugh every time.

This show is so good that I would still love watching and quoting it anyway, but I do think my enjoyment has been at least somewhat enhanced by having dogs named after two of the characters. The names really suited them, too – dog Darcy was standoffish toward strangers, but with the people he liked he could be very cuddly, whereas Bingley would pretty much follow anyone around to see what they were up to. Bingley absolutely loved to play fetch, while Darcy would just stare at him like, “What is wrong with you?” in the perfect dog version of how their namesakes felt about dancing. Sadly, Darcy got cancer and died in 2020. Bingley is still hanging in there, although at 16 years old he’s definitely declining, and his fetching days are long behind him. There are a lot of differences between me and Jane Bennet, as she is clearly not aroace, but since we share the same first name and are both the eldest sibling, I’ve always felt a kinship to her, and it makes me happy that presumably we each got to watch our own Mr. Bingley grow old. I think after he inevitably passes, watching this series will probably feel bittersweet for a while, although I don’t think that will make me love it any less. I anticipate continuing to watch it at least once a year on the 26th of November, in honor of the Netherfield Ball, while fondly reminiscing about fetching with Bingley and snuggling with Darcy.

I could go on and on about this movie for hours, but ultimately, what it all boils down to is I love the 1995 Pride and Prejudice because it is an excellent story told extraordinarily well, about characters who are exactly as ridiculous and flawed as real people. So if you’ve thought about watching this version but have been turned off by the length, I highly recommend giving it a chance anyway. Yes it’s almost six hours long, but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend almost six hours. I was suffering from depression when I first got into this series, and it was one of the few things that made me feel good about life. And if I had not already been in love with this version, I probably wouldn’t have watched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and therefore might never have gotten into Shipwrecked Comedy, and that would be very sad. So I have a lot to thank this miniseries for.

Thank you for listening to me discuss another of my most frequently rewatched movies. It’s a little hard for even me to believe that I’ve rewatched Pride and Prejudice more than any other movie besides one in the last 20 years, but I think it really is my second favorite movie, so it’s fitting that it ended up here. Now I only have one movie left, and it’s number one by a lot, with 51 views compared to P&P’s 37. So stay tuned for what is clearly my favorite film. And now, for the last time, as always, I will leave you with a quote from that next movie: “My, she was yare.”

#pride and prejudice #pride and prejudice 1995 #the rewatch rewind

[shiningqueen]

part ?? / silvertongue, hawk eyes.

Right-o, a tldr of this fic: I've spent the past 2 months writing little pieces of an OC with Mihawk. This is just one of many, which I could honestly build a whole mini fanfiction with how much I've written..

Tossing it out here just to see if people enjoy it too.

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

rating: e for everyone / sfw

word count: 854

featuring: afab/female oc x dracule mihawk

summary: mihawk has allowed fay, an aspiring novelist, to stay on kuraigana for a time. he finds her doing strange things sometimes..

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

There are a few things that Fay could appreciate about being allowed to stay on Kuraigana, even if just for a brief tenure of a few months. It had been a little uncomfortable at first sharing a mutual space with Hawkeye but she'd quickly pegged him as a relatively docile if taciturn introvert. Which meant he was best left alone except for the rare moments they happened to converse, and Fay is perfectly capable of entertaining herself while affording him the space he preferred. She could appreciate the peace and quiet, the relative freedom she was permitted to wander with and the expansive collection of books Mihawk kept in his library.

It came as absolutely no surprise that he'd carry multiple encyclopedias on old world and current age sword forms, the way the ancient art had both changed but somehow stayed constant was fascinating. Perusing its contents had been inspiring, since she'd planned on writing a dueling sequence in her novel that now required a full rewrite since losing all of her previous work. 

Fay had spent the first week here exploring every inch of the huge castle, memorizing its layout and rooms, secret passageways that opened with the touch of a certain stone or pulling a candelabra. She knew what rooms were empty and unfurnished, covered in dust and cobwebs because Hawkeye hadnt bothered to convert them into anything yet. She wasnt sure if he planned to and hadn't asked either. Trying to determine just how much conversation the man could tolerate was still a work in progress. Either way, Fay took to the hallways and slipped into one of the western rooms with a series of open windows to let the ruddy sunlight in.

With a book in hand and sufficiently alone, she unclasped her knife from its holster and decided it would have to do for practice. The process was very slow and fumbling at first - checking the illustrations to adjust her stance and grip, then flowing from one stance to the next. Bit by bit, often having to correct herself and start from the beginning. Each stance was typically for guard, neutral or in preparation to attack. So that meant the motions between each position ought to allow her to return to start again. At least that is what the book detailed anyway.

Dust swirled around her feet as she improvised movements, cutting her knife through the air in slow motion and imagining she was fighting an invisible opponent. The cold stone room fell away as she slipped into a reverie: 

She was a Knight dueling a rival for the privilege of earning rank. The clang and clash of blades striking was enough to send shivers down her spine, the flurry of blows shedding sparks as they danced around each other. In her hand, the book became a shield to deflect and push away her opponent. Focused, determined to emerge victorious as swords met and parted and met again. Fay huffed as she ducked the swing of her unseen challenger, thinking all at once how this could be converted into words for her novel and also immersing herself in the daydream.

"What are you doing?"

Fay startled with a yelp and dropped the book with a thunk, yet held onto her knife as she turned heel to face her host standing in the doorway. The ensuing silence is deafeningly tense as she flusters for an answer, "Killing time." Her nose tickled and she flinched to cover a sneeze in the crook of her arm, "Whew, s'cuse me."

Mihawk stared at her with what looked like curiosity and something near annoyance; or she could be mistaken, he was a difficult person to read even for her. "Do you even know how to use that knife?" His monotone tenor is just as inscrutable.

"As a tool, yes." She hooked it back onto her belt and bent down to scoop up the dropped book, "Is scaring the wits out of me going to be a regular thing with you?" Fay sighed, hoping to divert the subject away from what she'd been doing. As if she needed the swordsman to criticize her nonsense

He scoffed at her, "You should be more aware of your surroundings."

Fay huffs and sets her hands on her hips, "I chose this room for a reason, I wasnt expecting to be interrupted." It's a lot easier now to hold his piercing stare, though sometimes his glare still made her skin prickle uncomfortably.

"I'm not keeping you from continuing to 'kill time'." Hawkeye drawled, as if implying he wanted to watch her play pretend. "Though perhaps you'd be better suited holding something closer to a real sword."

The brunette can't help but laugh a little, "I definitely do not need you watching me make a fool out of myself, thanks." She walks forward to pass by him, "I was only trying to visualize a scene to write, which is what I'll go do now." Fay neatly steps around Mihawk and ventures down the hallway. She'd find somewhere else, away from the castle perhaps, to take up her rehearsals.

#one piece #dracule mihawk #mihawk #mihawk one piece #mihawk x oc #mihawk x afaboc #|lumi's tidbits| #fanfiction #op fanfiction #one piece fanfiction #writings #shiningqueen's #hope these are enough tags #please be gentle #this is my first thing to share

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

A priest with a gun sets the scene in TV’s newest ‘whydunit’

Jay Ryan, Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote star in Scrublands. Credit: Stan

The story starts with a bang. A priest in his white and purple robes strides out of a country-town church with a rifle – yes, a priest with a rifle – and starts shooting parishioners, leaving five of them dead. Father Byron Swift is then himself shot dead in self-defence by the local copper. Thus begins the saga of Scrublands, a new mini-series set in regional Australia – and obviously there’s no mystery about whodunit.

Jay Ryan stars as the gun-toting Father Byron Swift in Scrublands. Credit: Stan

In fact, at first there’s no mystery about anything at all. The priest had recently been accused of paedophilia, and the official explanation is that he got himself killed rather than face up to the crime. But then, a year later, burnt-out Sydney Morning Herald journalist Martin Scarsden arrives in town to write a perfunctory story about how the town is faring 12 months on, and starts to smell a rat.

Based on former journalist Chris Hammer’s best-selling novel of the same name, Scrublands is a thriller set in a remote country town, Riversend, which has been battered by years of drought, fire and flood, is reeling from a terrible act of violence, and harbours a profound distrust of outsiders generally, and anyone in the media specifically.

Producer David Redman, whose credits include Charlie & Boots and Strange Bedfellows, says distilling the novel, a whydunit rather than a whodunit, into a four-part series is no mean feat. “It’s amazing how much story you can tell in four episodes,” he says. “It’s pacy. No one’s going to fall asleep in this one, particularly not after the opening scene. It’s such an iconic and unusual way to start, as far as making sure you have an engaged, attentive audience.”

Writer Felicity Packard (Underbelly, Janet King) agrees. “The opening scene is pretty much what takes place in the novel. That’s a really powerful way to start. You’re not hiding your light under a bushel, it’s right up there in episode one, scene one.”

Luke Arnold plays burnt-out Sydney Morning Herald journalist Martin Scarsden in Scrublands. Credit: Sarah Enticknap/Stan

Director Greg McLean has form when it comes to filming Australian crime drama. His CV includes the legendary outback horror flick Wolf Creek. Packard enthuses about his vision. “He has such a strong idea of what he’s doing. He’s already got the edit in his head, so he know what he’s shooting for. He doesn’t just shoot the shit out of things, he knows what he wants.”

The story revolves around two men, the charismatic and dedicated but mysterious priest Byron, played by Jay Ryan (The Creamerie, Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake) and the jaded, frustrated journalist Martin, played by Luke Arnold (Michael Hutchence in INXS biopic Never Tear Us Apart). Linking the two is Mandy Bond, played by Bella Heathcote (The Man in the High Castle, Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows), the beguiling owner of the local bookstore-cafe who has a few secrets of her own.

Bella Heathcote in Scrublands. Credit: Narelle Portanier

It was McLean who introduced Heathcote to the project. “I’d worked with him on Bloom [with Bryan Brown and Jacki Weaver] a couple of years ago and he and I were going to do another project together and that didn’t happen sadly, and he said, ‘I’ve got this other great project.’ He sent me the first two episodes, and I was hooked, I wanted to know what happened next.”

Heathcote’s character, who had studied at uni in Melbourne before returning to look after her dying mother, fascinated the actor. “Mandy just seems so tough and cool. No bullshit, the way she carries herself through life, the way she interacts with people in the town. I just really admired her. So often she has those quips I wish I had in any given situation!”

Instinctively playing her cards close to her chest, Mandy has to decide if she can trust the journalist who’s just shown up in town. Martin, meanwhile, is reassessing his commitment to unearthing the truth after an investigative story that spun horribly out of control.

“Martin is someone who was jet setting around the world righting wrongs, bringing justice to the world,” Arnold says. “This truth is so important that you know, if I’m going to hurt a few people along the way, it’s worth it if the story gets out.”

“There’s been the tragedy of a massacre happening here and the media stomping around, and is Martin going to contribute to that, or through setting the story straight can he help give this town a new future?”

The other main character in the story is the fictional town of Riversend. Film crews worked on location around Maldon, near Bendigo, and at the more remote Nyah West, up in the Mallee. “The advantage we have over the book is we can show things,” says Redman. “So visually, I don’t know if it’s literally a thousand words per image but we are definitely able to express the sense of isolation very quickly through what we show.”

The town author Chris Hammer created is inherently cinematic, Arnold says. “The idea of the kind of isolated town that was really wrecked by the event, picking up the pieces, so lent itself to screen”, Arnold says. “These key moments, these key locations, the bookstore-cafe being the centrepiece for a bit of romance.

“This was a beautiful country town, there was the chance for a flourishing community, but what happens when a town gets tarred with this, all people now think of when they hear Riversend is this awful massacre. If you’re a business owner, if you’re a local, if your family has grown up here what does this do to yourself, your future, your investment in your community and your family?”

There’s always the temptation, Redman says, to make films in studios, citing his movies Charlie and Boots and Strange Bedfellows, both starring Paul Hogan, as examples that benefited hugely from breaking out and working on location. On this production, recent floods gave them plenty of detail to work with. “In Baringhup [near Maldon] there was a caravan park we were using for some of the scenes. In October last year it was 2 metres under water so all the caravans were ruined, these were people’s houses. We could’ve created that visually on a backlot somewhere, but you wouldn’t have got the same feeling that these are people’s homes.”

Also, filming on location can produce moments of visual serendipity. Packard recalls a scene where Martin is talking to the sympathetic local cop Robbie (played by Adam Zwar). “At the end of the scene Robbie’s left sitting on a park bench. Greg McLean didn’t call ‘cut’ straight away, just waited to see what the actors might do. The actors didn’t do anything, but a flock of 200 corellas came swooping down and circled around him and then took off. The whole crew just gasped.”

With its dramatic scenery and the increasingly murky activities of the townsfolk, the series has all the hallmarks of an Australian thriller, but still, the heroes, villains and victims of this tale are not the usual suspects. “There’s an awful lot of stories about young women being killed,” says Packard. ”Not that it’s great to see five men being shot dead, but we’re doing something quite different there, it’s a different sort of crime.”

Scrublands premieres on Stan on November 16.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

#black sails #luke arnold #john silver #jay ryan #bella heathcote #stan australia #scrublands #chris hammer

[ilovejoyjessie]

the “Hidden Figures” series

+ Photographed by @skyclad.studio (ig) // website

Back in the before times, in 2019, I took a trip to Minneapolis for a concert on New Year’s Eve. With literally 30 hours in the city, I landed on the 31st at 9am, headed to the concert at around 9pm - had a transcendent time - then back to the hotel afterwards. The next day, I had about 5 hours to kill before having to head at the airport to return home. I asked the front desk for a late checkout - they obliged - and at noon I left my room with 3 hours still until I had to hit the road.

.

When I can squeeze it into a trip to a new place, I try to make a visit to an art museum or botanical attraction in the area. I looked to see what was nearby and fatefully, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden - home of the Spoonbridge & Cherry and the notable Hahn/Cock - was a short drive from the hotel. I hailed a ride and hopped in, made lively banter with my driver, then soon enough stepped out of the car and down a set of steps onto the snowy park grounds.

.

As I walked among the pieces, several of them spoke to me: the fracturedness of Judith Shea’s “Without Words”, the pensive and mysterious “Walking Man” by George Segal, the playful “Empire” by Eva Rothschild, the eerie holiness of Theaster Gates’ “Black Vessel for a Saint”... Some of them spoke to different feelings I had inside me at the time; others depicted stories I felt I could relate to and wanted to watch unfold before my eyes. I found myself wanting to interact with so many of them - wanting to fit myself into their sculpted moments, entwine my stories and feelings between their crevices and curves. But with only a few hours left in the city, I couldn’t squeeze in the chance to link with a fellow artist to help me capture the visions I had. So I tucked the concept away in my mind and continued moseying through the winding pathways of the park.

.

Back to Seattle, the sculpture garden’s marks on me remained. As I embarked on other projects, processing other emotions through other pieces, I also started scouting places I could take my Midwest vision and execute it in the Pacific Northwest. Sure, there's plenty sculptures and statues in the city of Seattle - but getting to and interacting with them the way I wanted to (see my recent mini-post on nudity as vulnerability and power) would prove to be a little difficult...

.

A fellow artist mentioned the Olympic Sculpture Park and I thought back to what I remembered seeing there. It’d been a minute since I had last walked through so I visited it again and the pieces that I saw touched me differently from the last time I saw them. Then, I was new to the area - everything shined brightly, glowing with a promise of what was to come for me here: “Which pieces would be the ones that I would grow to understand - which ones would I grow to love seeing in the distance?” But walking through it in 2022, the sculptures spoke to me differently than they did the first time; and in turn, they also spoke to a different me...

.

I was seeing the sculptures with more worn eyes. And as I mentally noted which sculptures I could see myself fitting into like I had in Minneapolis, I started to realize that the pieces were reflecting a deeper feeling back at me: The pieces on the Olympic park grounds that spoke to me before were no longer the fascinating landmarks welcoming me to my new home - the pieces that spoke to me were the monuments that emphasized the outsider feelings I had that were settling in.

.

In a place I thought I’d fit into, that I thought I had....I was sticking out. The boxes I thought I’d fit into I was pouring out of. The doors I thought were wide open were really just windows ajar just wide enough for me to stick an arm’s length into. The language of the land I thought I knew and understood were now sounding strange. Though I’d been here for 4 years, I felt like a stranger who didn’t belong - an antigen the host was beginning to respond to and filter out, an intrusive thought in someone else’s dream.

.

I slowly realized that this concept was bigger for me than just speaking to my original thought of art begetting art as I combined my feelings and stories with the ones depicted on the park grounds. The feelings I had looking over the park pieces stirred the idea to speak to and represent the way I felt about being here now, with this iconic Seattle landscape as the backdrop. “Hidden Figures” then became my next cathartic art exercise - a visual representation of the struggle I felt trying to find my place in the city’s spaces I thought were made for me, the dichotomy of how standing out can be a strength and a hinderance here, and the lonesomeness that can come with being a transplant in the city - baring and presenting all those feelings in the heart of the city itself.

#sculpture park #minneapolis sculpture garden #walker art center #olympic sculpture park #seattle artists #conceptual photography #conceptual art #black artists #black and white photography #seattle art #portrait photography #sculpture #creative process #art shit

[grimjrfangirl7w7]

Today is the 19th anniversary of the Webcomic: Grim Tales from Down Below, on December 20, 2004, and to this day the comic is still valid.

The second crossover Webcomic from Vinson Ngo a.k.a Bleedman (the first being Powerpuff Girls Doujinshi), created in late 2004 (roughly a year after PPGD was started). Grim Tales from Down Below is a fan-comic based on fanfics, focusing on two characters created by E.R.M Griffin (Dead Doll00), the children of Grim and a now adult Mandy, from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, who in this Alternate Continuity are the king and queen of the underworld: Grim Jr. (a.k.a. Junior) and his patchwork sister Minnie (short for Mini-Mandy), while incorporating an origin fanfic for the two which was written by SonicRose.

In manga style, it includes some characters from Cartoon Network animated series, mainly 'The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy' -original creator Maxwell Atoms- and with other characters from series such as Spawn, the strange world of Jack, Samurai Jack, Danny Phantom, and even Time. Adventure to mention a few of many series.

The story begins on Grim Jr. and MiniMandy's first visit to Halloween City 3 days ago, and the suspicion and envy that exists between the brothers is revealed, mainly due to the fact that MiniMandy has special powers. In the confrontation with Oogie Boogie, MiniMandy is killed and gives her powers to Jr., however she cannot control them, creating a monster that devours souls, endangering the citizens. In an attempt to rescue him, Grim (Pure Bones) along with Clockwork (Clock) enter the interior of the monster, meeting Nergal and the true story about the origin of the children and their powers is revealed. In the second adventure Junior meets Mimi Her and of course There is always someone jealous, but this time the jealous one is MiniMandy.

And my personal opinion is that it is one of the best Webcomics I have ever seen... it is very ingenious, it fascinates me a lot and the design of the story and characters is very good, mainly the development of the characters. Minimandy is my favorite character along with Grim Junior. and so far it is already very advanced, it seems to me that chapter 12 has specials and a special of sketches that are very good.

The important thing is that you should read it because it is entertaining. If you have nothing to do or want to see something different from Webtoon Comics, I invite you to visit the Snafu Comics Website ♡(ᴖ◡ᴖ)

#grimtales #grimtalesfromdownbelow #grimtalesafterbirth #mandy #grimtales #bleedman #bleedmanstyle #snafucomics #thegrimadventuresofbillyandmandy #thegrimadventuresofbillyandmandyfanart #grimreaper#Nostalgia #Memories #2000s #grimtalesfromdownbelow #grimreaper #grimtales #grimjr #grimjunior #Minimandy #minniemandy #Bleedman #Halloween #anime #edit #halloweenedit #creepy #MiniMonster #demon #Nergal #zombie #nostalgia #deviantart #mimiher #ragdoll #childhood #90s #nightmarebeforechristmas

[xcherryerim]

Strange Fascination

Part One: A Mocha With A side Of Your Sight

pt.two

Stalker!Mike x gn!reader

“Every morning, in front of you at last, I stand again, as if I'm enchanted. I'm still half-awake, the haziness guiding me towards you.” — Iced Coffee by Red velvet

This story will lead to smut (not this part but the second) If you’re not up for that, do not read this!

Warning: obsession/ stalking | mentions of over-usage (with sleeping pills but yk) | Breaking in readers house

Notes: This part is meant to describe Mike’s fascination on reader and how he ends up breaking into reader’s house so, this part mainly focuses on Mike along side Abby. Part two will focus mainly on reader. (also this was revised like 3 times so, yk not that perfect)

Summary: After not seeing you at school to pick up your brother, his mind is flooded with worry. In an excuse to hangout with his sister, Mike drove near your place, observing your every move through the cafe window.

Mike tends to obsess easily. Whether it's with re-living the events of his lost brother, collecting nostalgic artifacts, or reading a stack load of psychology books. It’s an innocent hobby and it’s not harming anyone, but lately, he started to be captivated by a new subject.

Four months have passed since Abby began attending middle school, but Mike can still vividly recall the very first moment he laid eyes on you. That fateful day remains etched in his memory, as though it happened just yesterday.

Despite the mounting stress surrounding his impending court case against his Aunt, Mike attempted to maintain a composed demeanor for Abby's sake. She was embarking on a significant transition, moving from her familiar surroundings to a larger and more complex educational environment.

As he patiently awaited Abby’s emergence from the classroom, his nerves were further tested when a stranger appeared and positioned themselves near him, close enough for the musky Vanilla scent to reach his nose.

Under normal circumstances, Mike would shy away from making eye contact with strangers, unless he had a specific reason to engage with them. However, on this particular day, he found himself inexplicably drawn to look up, and there you are, standing before him. In his eyes, you appeared as a divine being, an angel who had descended from the heavens, sent to watch over him and him alone.

Your presence sent a shiver down his spine, heightening his nervous energy while simultaneously eliciting a sense of comfort and security.

Though Mike remained silent, his eyes meticulously took in every detail of your visage, committing your likeness to memory. His behavior was not intended to be unsettling; rather, it stemmed from an innate need to capture your image in his mind.

Suddenly, you broke the silence with a timid "Hi," which caught him off guard. Taken aback, Mike responded with a soft, "Hello, you."

While seeing you for mere moments each weekday may seem like a fleeting encounter, Mike's keen observation skills allowed him to make the most of these brief instances. He meticulously studied your routine, scrutinizing the subtle variations in the timing of your arrival to collect your brother.

On Mondays and Thursdays, you could be found arriving precisely at 3:20, while Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays offered slightly longer windows, ranging from 3:30 to 3:46.

Through diligent study and careful attention, Mike managed to piece together a comprehensive understanding of your schedule, ensuring that he wouldn't miss a single opportunity to catch a glimpse of you.

In addition to monitoring your schedule, Mike began to decode the nuances of your moods based on your daily attire. Although you generally stuck to the same color scheme, he discerned subtle differences that hinted at your emotional state.

For instance, a particular long-sleeve shirt signaled haste, while an oversized graphic tee indicated fatigue. Even minor alterations to your hairstyle served as clues to your mental landscape. Over time, Mike committed countless details to memory, even going so far as to surreptitiously follow your vehicle to ascertain your home address.

However, despite these extensive efforts at understanding and learning about you, the interactions remained limited to brief greetings - a tantalizing taste of connection amidst the vast sea of unspoken longing.

On this particular Wednesday, chaos reigned as students spilled from the classroom, jostling one another in their rush to leave. Amidst the pandemonium, Abby found herself standing beside Mike, sensing the turmoil in his gaze.

Intrigued, she queried, "Why are we still here?" Her question snapped him back to the present, and he stammered, struggling to formulate a coherent thought.

Remembering the purpose of their wait, he asked, "Um, Abbs, did your classmate... was it Gregory? Did he come to school today?"

Abby couldn't help but furrow her brow, wondering if Mike's preoccupation was related to you. "No," she replied briefly before leading the way, prompting him to follow reluctantly.

Attempting to shift gears, he inquired about the solar system project Mike helped her with.

"So, how did your presentation go? Did you score a hundred?"

Abby sighed, clarifying, "The science teacher never gives hundreds, but I managed to snag a ninety-seven."

“That’s still pretty good, Abbs. Don’t worry.” He smiled.

Mike struggled to suppress his desire to visit your residence, the concern for your well-being clouding his judgment. His anxiety threatened to derail his focus on the road, nearly resulting in a collision and earning him seven irate honks from fellow drivers.

Abby wondered if her mental prayers on the road helped them get home safely. She was now standing in front of the kitchen table, as his brother, still with his anxious look served her spaghetti. As she polished off her meal, she observed Mike's restless hands continuously picking at his uneaten food.

Unsure whether to approach him about his obvious distress, she hesitated, suspecting that he might dismiss her concerns. Enveloped by the deafening silence, she contemplated retreating to her room or remaining to offer support. Ultimately, it was Mike who broke the quiet standoff, tentatively proposing, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

This unexpected invitation perplexed her; sibling bonds between the two had predominantly revolved around shared chores, academic assistance from Mike, and marathon sessions of cheesy films.

However, the unfamiliarity of a walk piqued Abby’s interest. Sensing hidden intentions, she inquired, "Why?"

Mike attempted to deflect his sister's probing gaze, replying casually, "Just feel like getting some fresh air."

With that, he grabbed his keys and confidently declared, "I know a great spot."

Mike navigated his vehicle to a parking spot near the park, consciously avoiding your location to not seem suspicious. As they walked, Mike maintained a brisk pace, pushing Abby to her limits as she struggled to keep up.

After a few exhausting minutes, the excuse he needed to invite Abby to the coffee shop on your street appeared.

"Oh, you're tired?" he feigned innocence, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. "I think I recall seeing a coffee shop nearby."

Upon reaching the coffee shop, the once-unfamiliar street suddenly held an uncanny familiarity for Abby. Though she couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind this sensation, she was relieved to see a genuine grin spread across Mike's face. While appreciative of his newfound composure, the peculiar nature of his smile continued to nag at her subconscious. Little did she know, her apprehension foreshadowed the depth of his new fixation.

Mike's gaze roamed the coffee shop, absorbing the ambiance - the warm lighting, the rich scent of coffee beans, and the soothing fragrance of lavender. His imagination ran wild, conjuring visions of an intimate date with you in this very locale.

He envisioned himself sitting across from you at a cozy café. As you brought the mug to your lips, he reached out gently, wiping away a stray dollop from your mouth. Your eyes met his, filled with warmth and understanding.

In this fantasy, he leaned in, lips meeting softly in a tender kiss. His fingers traced the softness of your cheek, feeling the warmth beneath his touch. The taste of espresso mingled with the sweetness of your lips, a unique blend that only you could create. In this dream reality, there was no fear, no anxiety, just two people finding comfort in each other's presence.

“What would you like to order?” The Barista on the register repeated.

Startled from his reverie, Mike hastily blurted out his order, "A latte and a mocha, both small!"

Aware of his volume, he flushed with embarrassment, but his impassioned state rendered him indifferent to etiquette. Paying for the drinks without delay, he claimed a seat by the window facing your house, his heart pounding with anticipation.

Despite the glaring sunlight and the parade of cars obscuring his view, Mike strained his eyes to catch sight of you through the window. Your shadowy outline offered solace, indicating that you were safe and sound. In contrast, your brother Gregory appeared increasingly agitated, doodling with shaky hands.

Concerned, you checked on him intermittently, hoping to ease his discomfort.

Your house consumed Mike's attention, leaving him oblivious to the arrival of the drinks. Abby stepped in to retrieve their coffees, presenting Mike with a gentle nudge back to reality.

"How's yours?" she inquired, attempting to break his trance. Snapped out of his daydream, Mike took a sip and confirmed, "Yeah, it's good." Almost immediately, his gaze returned to the reflection of your house in the mirror.

Fixated on your home, Mike caught a glimpse of you speaking on the phone, setting off a barrage of questions in his mind. Who were you speaking to? Was there someone else in your life? Dismissing the thought of a secret partner, he rationalized that he would have detected indicators of such-jewelry, perhaps a ring. Unless…

"You seem to like that house," Abby observed, taking a sip of her latte.

“I like the design. You know I wanted to be a—“

"Contractor," Abby concluded, and Mike nodded vigorously. His fascination with architecture was well-known, but the true extent of his infatuation remained shrouded in mystery.

"Hopefully, you'll get to live in a beautiful home someday, Abby," Mike responded earnestly, his stare fixed on the distant house. While not prone to overt displays of emotion, his wishes for her happiness emanated sincerely. He genuinely cherishes his sister.

"I hope you do too," Abby whispered, her tone laced with warmth. Pondering whether this excursion sprang from simple brotherly camaraderie rather than anything sinister, she allowed herself a flicker of optimism.

Though his gaze remained trained on your place, the tenderness in Abby's voice elicited a faint smile from Mike.

"Let's get a better look," she proposed, rising from her seat.

Inside, Mike wrestled with uncertainty, questioning the wisdom of their actions. Nonetheless, the need to observe you closely trumped his reservations, justifying this intrusion into your privacy.

“I like how you think.” He replied, following his sister out of the coffee shop.

Fortuitously, the absence of traffic allowed Mike to traverse the street without incident, his impulsive stride mirroring a moth drawn to a flickering flame. Unaware of the potential danger, he followed you with unwavering determination, guided by an insatiable curiosity.

While Abby visualized herself residing in such a picturesque abode, lost in dreams of interior decor, Mike scrutinized the property, seeking vulnerabilities. Numerous avenues of entry loomed ominously, igniting a protective instinct within him. The last thing Mike wanted was for a total stranger to be near your house.

Fixated on identifying threats, Mike scanned the landscape from left to right. His focus alighted upon a window, likely your room, taunting him with easy access. Steeling himself against temptation, he decided to not to cross that line- at least, for now.

The sudden noise of crunchy leaves being stomped upon immediately made Mike walk away from the property as he forced Abby out of there, yet his eyes analyzed the new stranger, walking cluelessly at your house with a box of Pizza at hand.

Relief washed over Mike as his insecurities dissolved, only to be supplanted by irritation at the presumed flirtatiousness of the pizza delivery boy. Perhaps he was overreacting, yet his protective instincts screamed for confrontation, longing to rain down retribution upon the perceived transgressor.

Yet, Mike resisted allowing his fury to dictate his actions. With a renewed sense of purpose, he hastily departed from the scene. Your safety brought him solace, but your home's vulnerability haunted him.

As the clock struck 10:30 pm, Mike found himself unable to sleep, despite having ingested more than the recommended dose of his sleeping pills. Typically, these medications ensured a swift descent into slumber, but tonight, they failed to deliver their usual sedative effect.

Despite the meticulously arranged bedding, the soft hum of nature sounds, and the impeccably positioned Nebraska poster, Mike's restlessness persisted. Could it be that thoughts of you encroached upon his subconscious? Unsure of how to quell his turbulent emotions, he lay awake, grappling with his feelings.

At 11:16 am, the silence of the night echoed through. In this deserted hour, as others slumbered, Mike contemplated a surreptitious visit. Perhaps, under the cloak of darkness, he could safeguard your sanctuary from unseen threats.

Wrapping himself in a mantle of darkness, Mike donned a black cap, hoodie, and athletic bottoms - attire atypical for him. Mike did this to devise an alibi. if someone sees him making sure you're safe (which he knows in the sight of strangers it might look weird) he can just say he was exercising. Perfect solution.

Mike walked on his tippy toes, making sure to make no noise, as he grabbed his keys and made sure the house was locked tightly. Locks secure, keys in hand, he commenced the engine.

Despite the pill-induced haze clouding his senses, his concentration sharpened as he navigated deserted streets, only semi-trailers punctuating his journey. Finally arriving at your residence, he prepared to watch over you from the shadows.

The closer Mike got to you, the more his heart raced, pumping blood like a freight train against his ribcage. Every step he took brought forth a flurry of emotions - excitement mingled with anxiety, fear intertwined with anticipation. The fine line between obsession and love blurred in his mind, and it fueled him further into the unknown.

He stopped mere feet away from the window of your room. Peering through the glass pane, he could see the faint silhouette of you under the covers, sleeping peacefully. A wave of relief washed over him, replacing the earlier dread with a strange sense of satisfaction.

He watched you breathe rhythmically, your chest rising and falling gently with each breath. Despite the late hour, there was something comforting about seeing you safe and sound.

His fingers traced the cold surface of the glass, feeling its smooth texture against his palm. A mix of longing and protectiveness swelled within him, making his chest tighten. He wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed next to you, hold you close, and keep you safe from all harm. Yet, he knew better than to disturb your slumber. This was as close as he dared get.

Mike's heart pounded in his chest as the lights flickered on inside the house. His instincts kicked in, propelling him into the nearest hiding spot - a cluster of dense bushes. He pressed himself against the cool ground, hoping to remain unseen.

What could have caused you to switch on the lights so suddenly? Were you disturbed by something? Or did you have a nightmare?

In the glow of the moonlight, he could see you standing by the window, looking out into the night. Your posture seemed tense and your hoodie confirmed it.

There was an unmistakable air of distress around you, which resonated deeply with Mike's own experiences. Could it be possible that you were going through something similar?

A wave of empathy surged through Mike. He wanted nothing more than to comfort you, to offer you a shoulder to lean on, a warm embrace to banish your fears away. But he knew better than to intrude on your privacy. Instead, he stayed hidden, watching over you from the darkness, praying silently for your well-being.

As you emerged from the room, Mike hesitated briefly. His instincts screamed at him to hide, to disappear into the shadows before being discovered. But something within him rebelled, urging him forward. Before he could think twice, he was lifting the window sash, the squeaky hinge echoing in the silence of the night.

Once inside, he hurriedly shut the window, heart pounding wildly in his chest. He knew this was reckless, yet it felt necessary. As he scanned the slightly messy room, his eyes fell upon the forgotten spot beneath the bed - a haven of security amidst uncertainty. Without giving it a second thought, he squeezed himself underneath, his body brushing against discarded clothes and half-filled notebooks.

In this cramped space, he listened closely for any signs of detection. Sweat trickled down his forehead, mingling with the grit and dust from the floor. He felt exposed yet strangely protected, like a child playing hide and seek.

"Sorry," he whispered under his breath, hoping you would understand his intentions.

Mike was already anxious, the adrenaline of being in your room and the effects of the dosage made him a panicked mess.

The sound of you entering the room sent a ripple of dread through Mike. His heart pounded against his ribcage, beating out an erratic rhythm that threatened to give him away. Sweat dripped from his brow, pooling in the dimly lit corner where he lay concealed. His breath hitched in his throat, each gasp amplified in the quiet space.

When you moved closer to the bed, Mike held his breath, bracing for impact. But instead of anger or fear, a scream echoed through the room. Startled, he scrambled back, knocking into a pile of books that had somehow ended up under the bed. Papers rustled and pages fluttered, creating a symphony of noise that seemed deafening in the silent bedroom.

"I'm fucked," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

To be continued…

Thank you so much for reading. Hope you will support this mini series! xoxo (if you want to be tagged on the next part let me know!)

#Strange Fascination #mike schmidt #mike schmidt x you #mike schmidt fanfic #mike schmidt x reader #mike schmidt angst #mike schmidt headcanons #Strange Fascination mini series #mike fnaf #mike schmidt fnaf #mike schmidt smut #josh hutcherson #jhutch #jhutch1992 #mike schmidt x y/n #Mike Schmidt x gn!reader #Mike schmidt x gn!reader smut #Stalker Mike Schmidt #Mike Schmidt Stalker

[lexiklecksi]

Fun media tag game

I decided to do this fun media tag game again and invite some of my new followers to tag along. I’ll tag some of you here who said they like tag games; no pressure, though! If you like to be tagged in future tag games, just comment on this post or in your post. :-)

@lockejhaven @cafe-and-diner @happystarfishnightmare @bookish-galaxy @mjjune @dontjudgemeimawriter

Last watched (series):

The last series I watched alone, which is the funny and scary Ginny & Georgia. The flashbacks were brilliantly used to unfold a crime story and I love how morally ambiguous all characters are. Can’t wait for season 2!

The last series I’ve watched with my fiancé, which was Marvel’s She-Hulk. I don’t get why it’s so difficult for Marvel to write strong female lead roles who are relatable and likeable. To be fair, I don’t hate Jennifer Walters but she could use some deeper character development and her storyline was funny but mostly boring. And why did the conflict come so late in the last episodes; why not in the middle of the season? It felt rushed to spin a superhero story where there never was one to begin with. Also the CGI seemed to be a bit on a budget and the show making self-conscious jokes about it and the unfitting ending didn’t make it better.

Currently watching (series):

I’ve started watching season 6 of Rick and Morty with my fiancé. So far, there were only two episodes I really enjoyed watching; one was the exceptionally creative and funny episode about the fortune cookie manufactory. But I dislike the whole incest plot, that’s just weird and disgusting.

For once, I trusted the Netflix algorithm and watched a recommendation: The ya drama series Al-Rawabi School for Girls. I watched it in original with German subtitles and realised how beautiful Arabic sounds. I can’t say much about the plot because that would spoil it, but I was very surprised by both humour and violence portrayed in this mini-series. After the cliffhanger I can’t wait for season 2!

Last read (book):

The perfect book for the Halloween season! How the story is told using real vintage photos is very peculiar (pun intended) but it works so well! I’ve already watched the movie but reading the book made me realise they change so much in the adaptation. Why did they change the girlfriend from Emma to Olive? Anyway, I might read the whole series at some point because I really like the characters.

Currently reading (book):

I’m taking two typography classes this semester, so this book is the perfect read to learn even more about typography. It’s fascinating and fun to read about the stories behind popular type fonts. I can recommend this book for everyone because we are surrounded by type fonts in our everyday lives and it’s interesting to learn more about them. Or just distinguish and perceive type faces in a different way.

#media tag game #tag game #recommended series #recommended books

[beautifulbizarremagazine]

2022 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize ICANVAS DIGITAL ART AWARD FINALIST: Mini people - "Dos Hermanos" [Digital Collage]

“Born and raised in Poland, Dawid Planeta was always surrounded by art – his father is a photographer and his mother an art teacher. He studied industrial design but found it less than inspirational. His passions lay instead with art and photography but also psychology, mythology, symbolism and the mysterious world of the subconscious. Planeta deploys digital techniques to create moody, introspective works that are simultaneously strangely familiar and disturbingly fascinating. ‘Art is about going to the edge of consciousness’, he says, ‘where the basic layer of reality starts fading away to reveal an entirely different world beneath.’ Planeta’s best-known works come from the series of greyscale images entitled Mini People. They explore the artist’s personal experience with depression, visualising the mental journey through dark times.”

The 2022 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize is proudly sponsored by:

GOLD SPONSORS: Raymar Art, INPRNT, iCanvas, Yasha Young Projects, ArtStation SILVER SPONSORS: SmArt School PoetsArtists, @Digitalprintmaker, Static Medium Print & Photo, Rosemary & Co Artists Brushes See all 25 Digital Art Award Finalists at https://buff.ly/2F2oww9 [link in our profile]

...

#beautifulbizarre #beautifulbizarreartprize #internationalartprize #artprize #digitalart #digitalartist #digitalartwork #minipeople #digitaldrawing #digitalpainting #alternativeart #artwork #style #contemporaryart #newcontemporary #art #artist  #visualart

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

rambling about Sonic Frontiers

Yeah so a couple days ago I 100% completed Sonic Frontiers, woo. And this post is just gonna be some rambling thoughts I have on the game as a whole and stuff. Spoiler warning obviously, though this’ll be text only so don’t worry about like visual spoilers. For some prerequisite information that probably doesn’t matter much, I played the physical version of the game on Nintendo Switch, I played it on hard mode, I was going completionist mode and trying to do literally everything, and I was able to do that all in just under 22 hours total. Also I had basically every control slider turned up to max except camera stuffs, turning speeds, and starting speed. I think that’s everything worth mentioning? So just gonna get into it I suppose. Fully embracing that this is gonna probably be incoherent, but hey.

First of all more than anything I think Frontiers already feels like a difficult game to talk about lol. For quite a couple of reasons, really. It’s the first mainline Sonic game in 5 years and it’s the first attempt at a formula as different as this, so already the playing field is a lot different. And that formula also invites lots of specific discussion – it’s both a point of comparison with other series attempting similar titles (Breath of the Wild being everyone’s most immediate comparison) while also being strange in that. I kinda don’t know how to word this but, Sonic Team have been quite vocal that this is the style they want to take Sonic in over the next decade or whatever, that the reception to Frontiers will be really important. In that regard I think it feels really easy to slip into talking about Frontiers as a stepping stone, for lack of a better description. “For the next title they should improve on this element” types of discussion. That’s kind of a conversation I don’t want to have – Frontiers is a full price game release and deserves to be spoken about as it stands by itself, but I’m invariably gonna talk about it as a stepping stone anyway I imagine. But hey.

Following up on comparisons I feel like talking about the core gameplay loop in Frontiers is a good starting point. Breath of the Wild comparisons invite themselves just on the basis of that game’s sheer influence and critical reception, and hey Sonic’s boost metre is just the BotW stamina wheel lol. Though I actually think Frontiers is probably closer to something like Mario Odyssey in terms of gameplay loop. Miniature (actually they’re pretty big in Frontiers tbf) “open world” environments that aren’t interconnected at all but get to be fun sandboxes for you to run around in, loaded with tons of miniature objectives that you can probably complete in under a minute for a small reward. Get enough of said small rewards to move on. It’s a pretty fun gameplay loop really – if you like gathering trinkets then it’s simple dopamine, and I think they did a good job at finding miniature in-engine gameplay things that take advantage of Sonic’s moveset. Stuff like homing attacking an orb into hoops, sidestepping onto lit up tiles, running to some spot before a timer runs out. Decently satisfying fun little progress check. Unfortunately, not all of these challenges are built equal though. I’m open minded about doing things that aren’t just “Sonic things”, but dealing a certain amount of damage within the time limit, running in place for x seconds, or the worst offender – parrying projectiles – some of these are so simple that actually doing them becomes a complete chore that you’re just doing to get the completion. All of these tasks are too easy with insanely generous timers even on hard mode by the way, but the ones that have fun gameplay make up for it by being fun. So the bad ones stick out a lot more. Definitely if they’re gonna stick to this gameplay format going forward they really need to make the mini-objectives around the map stand out a lot more and provide more interesting challenges.

Cyberspace levels were fascinating. I think it’s easy to feel cynical about them, certainly there’s lots of reason to – all those statements about taking Sonic in a bold new direction being contrasted with them just having standard boost gameplay return. Featuring the same 3 environments that’ve been used in like every Sonic game over the past decade + generic city. And featuring old level designs in addition to that. If you want to move past the boost formula then move past it, and I kinda don’t even need to comment on the reused environments either. But idk they’re also quite fun tbf? Micro length enough to where if you don’t manage all objectives at once (though tbf these are also super easy to 100% in one go so…) then it doesn’t feel like a chore to replay them at all. Short length also makes optimising your completion time quite a bit easier than other Sonic games too which works out well for their diet-sized length and position in the gameplay loop. I also didn’t mind some of the reused level designs? Namely anything from the Adventure games – level designs taken from boost games are kind of a straight downgrade from their original incarnations but with adventure games it’s a different enough context and different enough controls to actually be quite fun. Sky Rail in particular feels refreshingly open and easy to get lost in in a good way. Really in spite of their weaknesses I still found cyberstage spaces largely fun and a nice simple change of place. Helps that their music fucked a lot too.

Combat was interesting. I quite like that it just gets to happen in the regular engine – Sonic’s open world boosting gameplay and being able to engage in combat with enemies don’t conflict with one another as separate styles a la Unleashed as the obvious comparison. Cyloop also means you can just run around weaker enemies to take them out really quickly too if you don’t want to engage in combat which is awesome. Enemies don’t even have loads of health anyway so my worries that it would just be very repetitive and button mashy didn’t really come true. Ends up feeling somewhat akin to Heroes combat if anything, but flashier and with somewhat more puzzle solving elements going on. I also enjoyed a good amount of the overworld bosses – thoughhhhhhhh some of them could take a little too long to fight which was a bit annoying oops. But they’re cool still, I love their designs. Quite enjoyed Super Sonic’s boss fights as well – basically just the combat, but flashier. Giganto was really fucking challenging bc I went in without much upgrades and only had 100 rings so holy shit dealing that much damage in that little time was great fun. I was kinda disappointed in the other Super Sonic fights being comparatively easy as fuck but I think that’s just bc I was upgraded by then and had plenty of rings. On a replay I might attempt them without any upgrades and with a smaller amount of rings. Would’ve been nice if you could refight the bosses because they’re a very fun spectacle. The fact that they just are the base game’s combat but on steroids also puts them above most Super Sonic final bosses in the rest of the series, and we get fucking 4 of them! That’s awesome.

Though naturally I do have to. Talk about the true final boss now. Only accessible on hard mode is The End – a schmup encounter against the moon. It’s… hmmm. Technically it is an evolution of an earlier concept since hey the bullet hell stuff appeared like two or three times earlier in the game, and this is just more of that. But it feels so… out of left field anyway? None of the other random outside-usual-engine minigames like pinball (obligatory fuck the pinball btw) get evolved in that sense, so why have the bullet hell keep going, let alone for the true final boss? How is that building on an open world combative Sonic? The bullet hell formations (or danmaku if you want) aren’t even that special either lol. Idk it just leaves the whole thing feeling somewhat anticlimactic. But if you do it on normal mode it cuts it out in a really awkward way and like cuts to black loading screens like 5 times? There’s no way to have a good true final boss experience in this game huh.

Tbh the latter part of the game has already received quite a mixed reception for feeling more “rushed” than the main 3 islands. And it’s easy to see why – game’s definitely most outright fun for the first 2 islands. Traversal is pretty annoyingly difficult on the 3rd island and it has a bit too many 2D segments to lock you into in this open world game. But the 4th island is just a short story sequence set on the 1st island’s actual map lol, just pretending it’s different so the box can say it has 5 islands. Tbf actually I fucked hard with the story sequence in question and the gameplay of climbing the towers is some of the most challenging and fun platforming in the game. I enjoy the 5th island more than I think some others do but it’s pretty hmm that Sage has the same memory tokens as Amy, and it’d certainly be nice if the environment was more distinctive considering it’s another green plains and forests area like island 1. Also this is purely a like misc thought but Frontiers is one of those games where if you beat the final boss you just go back to the save before it. So while you can “100% complete” the final island you’re gonna have 5 Chaos Emeralds instead of all 7 and just permanently have the “go do the thing” final objective. I don’t really like this trope in any game but it especially annoys me in this for some reason. Just let me beat the game forever dude! Then just throw some postgame shit everywhere idk.

I went to shit between writing that paragraph and this one. I think I was probably gonna talk about the story now? And this is like, the best characterisation for Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy we’ve had in years in terms of the game. They’re just very true to the best traits these characters have, all super well realised and giving them lots of room to grow as well. This is just the most earnestly they’ve been able to be actual characters and interact with one another that we’ve seen in years – as opposed to just templates for jokes. It’s awesome. I think the cutscene choreography could be a bit better, there are lots of cutscenes that are just characters standing around and talking, but god am I glad to be able to enjoy what they’re saying. I’m not as into Eggman for whom the attempts to like, humanise him and make him sympathetic just aren’t really what I like out of my Eggmen, where’s the callous narcissistic manchild bastard gone off to? Sage is a nice new character, I like her, very cute, arc is very simplistic but we’re cool with that. Just the core story as well of finding the Chaos Emeralds on these seemingly new islands but then some alternate reality rips everyone into it and Sonic has to save the day, it’s quite simple as a premise but they get some good mileage out of it and also like. This is where we get to the part which probably blows my mind the most. We’ve not really had a Sonic game add new lore to the series in like, over a decade. It’s kind of a status quo series anyway but everything from like 3&K through to like Shadow maybe was actually doing lots for the worldbuilding of this series in the background. And then it kinda just stopped. Frontiers changes that! It adds things! The Chaos Emeralds were brought to Earth by an ancient race resembling Chaos, the God of Destruction! Those guys were on the run from a being called The End! Which we don’t even beat at the end of the game anyway! New recurring antagonist? Hey I’m conceptually up for it! I don’t know how to feel about the new lore because I’ve literally never in my adult life had to digest the mere fucking idea of new Sonic lore but here we are! That’s still cool actually! I’m hype.

I don’t know if I have any other specific thoughts as it stands. The funky thing about Frontiers is that nitpicks, strange design decisions, full on criticisms – I can throw it all at the game but also. The core experience of playing Frontiers is actually just really fun lol. Like, genuinely just simply enjoyable being Sonic and running around in these environments and gathering trinkets and doing neat minigames and listening to the music and fishing and it’s. Like I just like it a lot dude! My thoughts are super preliminary – I’ve played the game once, I’ve not really been consuming other people’s opinions much, the game’s been out for less than a week. Like, there’s a lot of things that I’m sure will change about how I and the general public and Sonic fans will feel about this game. But as it stands my one playthrough just felt like a really fun time to actually sit down and do. Idk game’s just good lol.

Incoherent post, yeah. I have no ending for it either.

#sonic #14.11.22 #sonic frontiers #sonic frontiers spoilers #idkkkkk

[hauntedpearl]

<3 hi sorry its been like five days

I had a rather tumultuous weekend. I attended a birthday party on Saturday and some things happened. Sunday was a chill stay at home day, but I was still a bit rattled from Saturday. Work has been exhausting this week! I totally feel you on the working full time and not having energy to create thing. I don't have a housemate or anything so I also have to do all the household chores.

What did you do over the weekend?

The avakai really does look like chili. Probably on account of the chili powder. I was surprised to see no vinegar because we typically pickle with vinegar, but you use spices. Cool! I've gone down a pickling rabbit hole and there are so many things that are pickled that I didn't know about! Which makes sense because pickling preserves the shelf life of foods.

hello, my sweet <333

I'm sorry your weekend was weird! I hope you're doing better now!

I've also had a bit of an entangling with The Big Sad this week and it's been so stupid. sometimes I'm like. why is brain stupid. but then i look at ~c i r c u m s t a n c e s ~ and suddenly it makes some kind of sense ajgdjdkdld

my weekend was supposed to be filled with working on a few fics I've had in my WiPs for a while now, but i just spent the time fully resting instead. and it's almost the weekend again and I'm STILL TIRED! LIKE!!! WHEN DOES THIS END!!

and ikr!! pickles are so strange and fascinating to me!! have you even tried kimchi?? it looks so good when i see it online/on tv but there's no good reliable Korean place in my town so I've never had it! IM SO CURIOUS. I also just love a lot of the East Asian food i see, but I'm vegetarian and live in a semi-rural place so it's hard to find authentic cuisine cooked to my preferences here. Or the right groceries to do it myself (we sometimes have trouble finding, like, pasta and stuff even. boooo!!!!). but i have this big bucket list of cuisines i wanna sample! I'll probably dislike a lot of them bc I'm a super picky eater but I STILL WANNA TRY!!

ough sorry this response a little all over the place but I'm still in my feels about nothing right now. Here's hoping you're having a better week than I!

Have a nice day, beloved!! <33333

PS: if you're into thrillers and haven't yet, you should totally check out this new show called The Patient, it's a mini-series and it's INCREDIBLE!!!

#doe's inbox #gold(ish)🏅

[joshfmpyeartwo]

Liminal space - Detective game

To start my research I began to add pins to a new Pinterest board with my mind map in mind to get an idea for what I wanted for my game. Towards the bottom, you can see I started with more stylized, Japanese style artwork, but I started trying to push into more into a space setting. Moving up, I started looking more towards space and colourful stylized cityscapes. As I tried to link the images closer to a false reality and space, themes, it moved more into blade runner territory towards the middle until I finally got to a vibe I was happy with. I’ve gotten to a lot of retro futurism artwork and an aesthetic I dubbed, space greenhouse which feels like an extremely interesting theme to work on. I’d also been looking into some detective games and how effective they can be at masking certain story aspects in a way that makes a game for fun and mysterious. So the first Idea I've landed on is a detective game set in a abandoned botanical space station, light years away from the earth, as you have to uncover the mystery of the passengers disappearance. I've chosen this because I have always held a fondness of space and a massive love of any botanical setting. Although I haven’t played many detective games, I used to love the sherlock Holmes series and generally love solving puzzles.

Just for the art style of this game I would love to start exploring retro futurism as a genre. I also started looking a lot into the space botany themes I mentioned before. A subcategory of retro futurism based on more of the colonization of space.

This mind map gives a little look into what I was thinking when trying to create a moodboard and this idea. Off of the base game idea, I have: Retro, Mechanics, Criminology and Space as the key themes. At face value, they may seem like strange themes to take from the mindmap but I’ve done it because I think this is what my idea boils down to.

I’ve chosen space because I’ve always been fascinated with it in concept and as a setting, along with the freedom it carries from a developmental standpoint. I’ve taken, Liminality, Setting and time off of this. Time is a common theme that comes up with space in a Science fiction setting. It opens up a lot of possibilities in the detective aspect of the game. I could essentially have some deduction or evidential mechanics similar to that of the Obra Dinn, utilising flashbacks to find clues and piece them together. This could also be useful for a game that spans multiple time periods in it’s exploration mechanics. I then wrote in the the links to 70’s detective media.

I put setting because that is what space is going to be for my game (the setting) and I wanted to explore what I could do with it. Another aspect of my life I wanted to look at introducing to this idea was botany. A lot of my house is dominated by plants and a lot of my family are obsessed with gardening. This lead to me writing down the space greenhouse setting to get to botany, plants and Mechanisms against nature. The contrast between the artificial and Natural was a big theme for my FMP last year which would mean I am quite familiar with creating that vibe.

Liminality is going to be a given with an idea due to the setting being so far away from any life, but it still helps having some knowledge on the topic of liminality and how to achieve it effectively. I put it on my mind map because I am already pretty well acquainted with it from my last topic.

Both my Criminology and Mechanics themes were both to do with the detective aspects of the game, and I used them to flesh out what type of gameplay I wanted. I landed on using mini games like the cross referencing one from the Spiderman game to gather and link evidence. Throughout the game, I am going to give the player the option to make an accusation as to what happened to the passengers of the spaceship at any point, but the more evidence they have gathered, the more accurate it’s going to be, similar to the game Paradise Killer. There would also be the option for interplanetary travel by flying a life ship. Expanding the possibilities for different settings, making the game more scalable.

Off of retro I had all of my art styles and inspiration. Although cel shading like that in The Wolf Among us, I think trying to achieve the retro futuristic would be more effective. 

Shadow of a doubt

Fall out new Vegas

Paradise killer

Passenger

Blade runner

[alln64games]

Pilotwings 64

JP release: 23rd June 1996

NA release: 29th September 1996

PAL release: 1st March 1997

Developer: Nintendo, Paradigm

Publisher: Nintendo

N64 Magazine Score: 89%

Part of what made me want to play through all the Nintendo 64 games was growing up with Future Publishing’s N64 magazine. I only had a small number of games myself, but read about so many more. Pilotwings is one I remember getting mentioned a lot in the magazine throughout the years, and it always sounded fascinating. The image of a cannon and Mount Rushmore (with Mario’s face) was one I distinctly remember seeing a lot.

Pilotwings is an arcade-style flight sim game, although still requires a lot of skill to perfect, especially landings. There are three main vehicles, each of which have a series of challenges to complete, which then unlock additional modes.

The glider is first up and is definitely the weakest of the three main types. I can appreciate how it must have felt brand new, using a standard controller to control a game like this instead of a flight stick, not to mention the 3D worlds, which have lots of nice little details.

The challenges start out simple, and get more complex and difficult. There’s a nice variety such as quickly going through a string of rings, finding more widespread rings and finding certain objects to take photos of. You’re scored based on your speed and accuracy, and it all hangs on your landing, which is difficult but does feel like you’re in control.

The Rocket Belt (aka a jet pack) is immensely fun to fly. You have a strong thrust and a weaker thrust and will need to get across the map quickly, burst balloons, fly through a cave and land on platforms. Trying to avoid hitting the ground is difficult, even though the game tries to help by having a bar show up when you’re close to the ground.

I think the weakest aspect of Pilotwings was the camera, which was a challenge in early 3D games. This one is a bit strange as it pans the camera away from you rather than around your character, and reverts back when you stop pressing the c-button. Despite this, the jet pack is just extremely enjoyable.

The gyrocopyer is the third main one, and is equipped with rockets to blast targets with. This is much faster than the previous vehicles, so tend to use the whole islands, which are all really nicely designed with lots of little things to look at. I especially love “Little States”, a mini mainland USA with lots of details representing a few important locations. It would be lovely to see updated versions of these islands.

With the gyrocopter, you’ll have some ring challenges that feel like intense races and you get to battle a giant mech as it terrorises a city. The gyrocopter is a lot of fun, and is probably the easiest to land, although being accurate for a best score is still difficult.

As you complete the challenges, you’ll unlock bonus games. The first of which is a complete blast: human cannonball. You get three attempts at each target, with your best score out of the three being counted. This means that you have a few attempts to adjust your aim and power to account for the wind speed.

While it stars off simple, like the rest of Pilotwings, it gets really difficult, with some targets you can only see on the radar as they’re behind a mountain or below the cannon. It doesn’t stop the mode being enjoyable, though.

The second extra mode is skydiving. It starts with a rather wonky formation challenge above the clouds, but feels amazing when you get past and get full control of skydiving on the island. I wasn’t very good at the actual scoring, but the skydiving itself is really fun.

The last one I couldn’t get the hang of. They’re a kind of bouncing boot, but the controls just feel strange and I kept bouncing in directions I didn’t want to go and just fell over a lot.

My favourite mode of the game is locked behind getting a silver medal on all of these challenges, although you can temporarily try it out by finding hidden stars in the jetpack mode.

The Birdman mode is a free flight mode. You don’t have to worry about fuel and staying in the air is easy. There’s no challenges to complete, it’s all about enjoying the sights. It’s just nice and relaxing. The main mistake is how many people playing the game may never actually get to try it due to the game’s difficulty and needing so much to unlock it (I have to admit, I ended up using cheats).

Pilotwings 64 is a very interesting game and I really think it deserves another go. It did get a game on 3DS, but that just used Wuhu Island from Wii Sports Resort, which already had a plane more. I’d love a sequel that brought us the islands from this game in more detail, some new ones, plus all these modes and some new stuff. I’d also love just being able to choose free flight for any of the vehicles – having the challenges dotted across the maps would also be a great touch. A new Pilotwings could be a ton of fun.

It may not look exciting, but – damn it – it plays like a dream.

- Tim Weaver, N64 Magazine #1

Remake or Remaster?

A remake that’s also a sequel would be perfect for Pilotwings. Have the islands and activities from this with lots of new stuff.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no way to buy a new copy of Pilotwings 64, the only official way to play is to rent it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak.

Re-releases

2022: Nintendo Switch Online (subscription only)

#pilotwings #nintendo #n64 #retro games #flight simulator #nintendo 64 #nintendo games #n64 games