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wrenhyperfixates · 3 years

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Perfect

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: After much research and seeking out advice from Tony, Loki asks you on a date. Warnings: dialogue heavy and an adorably awkward Loki A/N: Thank you for requesting @akhansen2800! I hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: Gif not mine

The common room was a mess, thanks to the trickster god. There was paper and books littered all over the floor. Not to mention bits and pieces from the computer he may or may not have smashed against the ground. It really was hardly his fault, though; it was the insipid machine that dared defy him.

“Woah, Reindeer Games,” Tony said, walking in, sidestepping the junk on the ground. “Did a tornado hit or something?”

“Oh, very funny, Stark. If you ask me, it is an improvement over this drab decor you have picked,” Loki quipped, eyes never leaving the page he was reading.

“No, how could you! My heart, it can’t take this,” Tony overdramatically gasped, flopping on top of the papers strewn on the couch. “Goodbye, cruel world.”

“Your theatrics never cease to amaze me,” Loki sighed, finally looking up at the man he’d come to call friend. “And that says a lot, coming from me.”

“You’re right, it’s high praise.” Tony picked up one of the papers he’d crinkled from laying on top of. “What is all this, anyway?”

Just because Loki considered Tony a friend, didn’t mean he necessarily wanted to say what he was doing. He was still a rather closed off person and, in all honesty, preferred to avoid any and all talks about his emotions. Which, of course, brings him right back to why he’s sitting in the middle of this mess, anyway. His emotions, which, despite his best efforts, he did still have.

Loki stood up and stretched his muscles, achy from being hunched over his reading material for so long. He snatched away the page Tony was perusing, only for him to grab another one to skim. Realizing any effort to keep confiscating the papers one at a time would be fruitless, Loki moved it all to his room with a snap of his fingers. Then he sat next to his companion and began wringing his hands in that awful nervous tic of his. Truth be told, he could use some advice, but that only brought him back to square one of having to talk about his feelings. Tony leaned back on the couch while patiently awaiting Loki’s answer.

“I was doing some research,” Loki finally admitted. “On some Midgardian things.”

“That’s cute, Reindeer, but you could just ask me. Or maybe Peter if it's a pop culture thing.”

“It is not.” Loki wondered how much he could beat around the bush before he either had to give up on the conversation or genuinely say what was wrong. “It is just something I am not entirely sure how to go about.”

“I’m great at giving advice.”

“No, you are not,” Loki rolled his eyes.

“Sure I am!” Tony exclaimed, feigning hurt. “How would you know, anyway? You’ve never actually asked me for any.”

“Maybe not, but I have seen the way you live your own life, Stark.”

“That’s entirely different,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Come on, give me a chance. Fire away, I’m ready.”

Loki merely rolled his eyes again, though he was actually considering it. He hated to admit it—he really hated to admit it—but Tony had become somewhat of a father figure to him. That was absolutely ridiculous, of course, considering how Loki was a thousand years older than the man. But after his childhood, he’d be silly to reject that kind of relationship. Loki supposed that if he had to go to anyone with this problem, Tony wasn’t a terrible option. Besides, he should probably let himself be emotionally vulnerable very once in a while, right? That was supposed to be good or something, he thought. So, he steeled himself, and told Tony his issue.

“There is this Midgardian that I know. They are very sweet and kind and perfect... I mean, they are as bearable as a Midgardian can be,” Loki covered up, blushing slightly from how much he had just revealed. “I would like to ask them to spend some time with me, but I am not sure how.”

“Awww, you have a crush,” Tony cooed. “How sweet. You want to ask them out.”

“No,” Loki protested, stubborn as ever. Tony just raised his eyebrows at him. “Ok, fine! Yes, I would like to take them on a date, but I am dreadfully lacking in knowledge on Midgardian dating etiquette.”

“You’ve come to the right place,” Tony grinned. “Oh and take notes.”

And so, Loki spent the next two and a half hours listening to Tony ramble on. Most of it was just him going on rather useless tangents about his own endeavors in love. The God of Mischief rolled his eyes so many times, he began to fear they might roll out of his head. His notes, at least, were pretty amusing. Ok, to call them notes may be a little generous. They were mainly silly doodles of Tony monologuing, with the few helpful things he said jotted in the margins. He got so invested in one of his little caricatures that he didn’t even notice Tony stopped speaking.

“Hey, that’s not what I look like,” Tony pouted, peering at the drawing.

“Well nothing you were saying was helping, Stark.” Loki put the note pad in one of his dimensional pockets. “I am not like you. I am not a flashy person when it comes to matters of the heart.”

“Oh, so you want to go the be yourself way. You know, the sappy speeches and flowers and chocolates direction.”

Loki perked up a bit. “Yes. Yes, that sounds splendid.”

Tony sighed and gave Loki a list of movies to watch. And told him to speak from the heart. That troubled Loki; no one ever really cared to listen to him speak before. But, he dutifully watched all the assigned movies, supplemented by some of the books he was still combing through.

After a week of preparation and many, many drafts of a speech to say to you, Loki was finally ready to ask you out. Donning his best Midgardian suit, he walked out of his room, greeted by a bright flash of light. Tony was standing there, camera in hand.

“Look, at my little boy,” he fake cried. “All grown up.”

“Stark, will your antics ever stop?” Loki looked at the camera out of the corner of his eye. “And delete that photo, I was not ready.”

“Nope. It’s payback for all those unflattering doodles. Now, go get ‘em, Reindeer. Remember: Just be yourself.”

Easier said than done, Loki thought as he called upon his seiðr, teleporting to your street. You were an employee at Stark Tower; that’s how the two of you met. Loki had been looking for his brother, his search taking him into the cafeteria, one of his least favorite places in the whole building. It was always too loud and populated for someone who liked his silence and solitude. The sheer number of people in the room was overwhelming to the god that day, but he needed to speak with Thor, and he’d searched just about every other place his brother could be. He could not spot him in the crowd, but his eyes landed on you, off near a corner at a table alone and reading a book. He cast one last nervous look around the room before heading towards where you were, his social anxiety kicking in.

“Hello,” he said after clearing his throat.

You looked up at him with a dreamy sort of gleam in your eye that revealed how enchanted you’d been with your book. It gave Loki a little boost of confidence to know that that happened to you, too. That you could get so lost in a story that the world around you disappeared. It calmed his racing heart a little.

“Oh uh, hi,” you greeted with a chipper smile. Then more nervously, added, “It’s Loki, right?”

“Yes, that is correct. Loki of Asgard, pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said, sweeping into a small bow. “And you are?”

You told him his name, extending your hand for a shake. “How can I help you?”

“I am looking for my brother, but I cannot find him. You have not seen him around, have you?”

“I actually did see him earlier, though I’m not sure- Wait!” you suddenly exclaimed, and Loki followed your gaze. “He’s over there.”

Loki gulped. Of course his brother was at the table in the center of the room, surrounded by people. He really needed to talk to him about a mission, but the thought of going over there was making his stomach feel queasy. He tried to take a step forward, but his feet were apparently glued to the floor.

“Hey, if you’re nervous about going over there, I get it. Crowds can be scary,” you said, picking up on his subtle fidgeting. “The room usually clears out significantly in about ten minutes from now. I, um, was going to that little cafe over in the corner and get some tea or coffee, if you want to come.” Loki stared at you for a moment, unused to being invited places, especially by mortals he did not know. You seemed to mistake his silence, though, and rushed to assure him he didn’t have to. “Sorry, that was probably stupid. You’re under no obligation to say yes, of course. I understand.”

“No! I mean, yes.” He sighed and mentally smacked himself. Ever since moving to Midgard, his silver tongue was not what it used to be around strangers. “I mean, no that is not stupid, and yes, I would like to go to that cafe with you.”

And go to that cafe you did, launching into an animated conversation about reading. Loki even made you laugh, which felt like a huge accomplishment to him. The both of you sat back down at your table with your warm drinks, still chatting. There were very few people Loki ever felt so relaxed with, especially so soon after meeting them. You didn’t talk about anything groundbreaking, but he enjoyed talking to a kindred spirit. Somehow you even got a smile tugging at his lips, getting wider by the minute.

True to what you’d said, the room noticeably emptied nearly ten minutes later. With only a few people left and after such an amazing conversation, Loki was sure he could go grab his brother out of the room. But that was the problem; the conversation was too amazing, and he didn’t want it to end. And it seemed you didn’t either.

“Hey, um, maybe this is weird, but do you maybe want to talk again sometime? Like if you ever need a friend or are bored or anything?” you ventured.

“I would love that,” he genuinely replied.

You quickly wrote down your number and, after double and triple checking it, handed it to him. He tucked it safely away in one of his inner pockets before getting up and you bidding you goodbye. Then, in a better mood than he’d been in in a long time, Loki waltzed over to Thor’s table and successfully extracted him from the few people still clinging to his every word. He glanced back at you one last time before exiting, and you gave him a small, somewhat shy wave. He returned it along with a smile.

Loki kept that all in his heart as he walked up to your door, finger hovering by the bell for a minute. Maybe this was silly. No, this was definitely ridiculous. But, if he stood here any longer, your neighbors would probably think he was some crazy person.

Really, he shouldn’t be so nervous. You talked all the time since that day of your first meeting, and you’d never seemed bothered by him before. Not even when he started bringing surprise morning coffees to your desk. Or when he started leaving you books he thought you might like. Or when he started giving you little hugs when you seemed down. In fact, you seemed touched by all that. But this was all so new to him, so different from anything he’d known before. What if he was reading it all wrong? Before he could talk himself out if it, he rang the bell.

He heard you shout that you were coming in response. He quickly adjusted his tie and then stood with the flowers hidden behind his back. He made sure to get a bouquet of your favorites. You opened the door and your mouth made an adorable little “o” of surprise before your lips formed a sweet smile.

“Loki!” you greeted, smoothing down your sweatshirt. “I wasn’t expecting you. Don’t get me wrong, though. It’s great to see you. Um, do you want to come in? The place is kind of a mess right now, but-”

Loki whipped out the flowers from behind him, making you cut out in surprise. He stared at his feet and nervously mumbled, “These are for you.”

“Loki, these are so beautiful. This is so sweet. Thank you.” You gave him one of those shy smiles that he loved so much. “I feel bad, I don’t have anything for you.”

“That is quite alright. I have come here to ask you something.”

“Oh! Ok. I’m all ears.”

Loki smiled at the Midgardian expression, calming him a little. “We have been friends for some time now, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute—nay, every second—I have spent with you. You are the most kindhearted being I have ever met, beautiful both inside and out. And thus, I find myself wanting something more than friendship, if you will allow it. My dear, sweet, darling little mortal, will you do me the honor of going on a date with me?”

“Oh, Loki,” you breathed. “That was beautiful. I would absolutely love to go on a date with you.”

He cheered on the inside, and you hugged him close. After you pulled away, the two of you stood there for a minute, smiling like dorks. It seemed to Loki that no matter how badly he wanted to say something else, the only thought occupying his brain was that you said yes. He could hardly believe you said yes.

“So, uh, what are we going to do on our date?” you sheepishly asked.

Loki’s face dropped. He couldn’t believe how foolish he was. “I do not know yet. I knew there was something I was forgetting. I am sorry, darling.”

“That’s ok, Loki,” you kindheartedly laughed. “Tell you what, there’s a bookstore with the most adorable little cafe in it, just a couple blocks from here. Why don’t we go there?”

“That sounds perfect,” he replied, his smile returning already. “How does tomorrow sound? I can come pick you up around noon?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

You stared at each for another minute, those same goofy grins that gave away how happy you were plastered on your faces. When Loki began to overthink how awkward he probably looked, he found it in himself to tear his eyes away from your beauty.

“So I shall see you tomorrow then,” he nervously said.

“Yup! See you then,” you replied, your nerves equaling his own.

After a quick hug and waving goodbye to each other, you parted ways. Soon, Loki was back home in the Tower, happily sprawled on the sofa, book in hand.

“Hey Reindeer Games,” Tony greeted. “So, how’d it go? Was I right, or was I right?”

“As much as it pains me to admit it, Stark, you were right.” Loki smiled to himself, already daydreaming about your date. “It was perfect.”

Loki found that after so much anxiety and uncertainness, there was finally one thing he knew; tomorrow was going to be perfect, too.

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i-watch-too-many-movies · 3 years

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5 Favorite First Viewings of July 2021

Quick note: Hi everyone, I'm back, things have honestly been getting better for me, and I'm glad to be on this site full of cinephiles, people that are too horny, and cinephiles that are too horny. I'll be more active on here. But anyway, let's talk about some movies.

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) (dir. Russ Meyer)

CW: Abortion mention

What a picture. What a gorgeous, sexy, horrifying slice of what Hollywood and star life can do to a bunch of bright-eyed young people looking for success. Also is a critique of how macho nature can ruin friendships and romantic relationships with total ease. I was obsessed with the scene transitions, like Pet pouring pancake mix onto a plate after the abortion scene, or Kelly singing after someone screams before their murder in the opening scene.

Great, campy flick with exceptional music too.

Deep Cover (1992) (dir. Bill Duke)

Laurence Fishburne plays Russell Stevens, a Cincinnati police officer who hopes to do well by the community, to make a difference. He’s traumatized by the death of his substance-abusing father, and wants to make sure that he can help the people of his own town. He goes undercover on assignment as a drug dealer, where his boss orders him to take down the kingpin. Stevens realizes the police’s own failings while on assignment. The racist abuse he takes from Agent Carver, and the realization that the police department is protecting drug kingpins like Gallegos and Barbossa. Giving drugs to Black kids and Latinx kids so there will be less of them. The cops are no different than the drug kingpins looking to make filthy amounts of money.

Fishburne’s performance is excellent, as Stevens feels he has to maintain a stone face so he doesn’t get caught by Jason or Barbossa or any of his cronies, but also he maintains a stone face to try and hide his emotion, his trauma. But when he gets pissed, Fishburne acts it beautifully, as is when he has to deliver a funny quip to counter Jason’s douchebaggery. And the production design, holy fuck, the sets and the lighting.

A perfect neo-noir for the HW Bush years, arguably one of the most timeless commentaries on the era, as well as the police as a whole.

Fast Five (2011) (dir. Justin Lin)

I was torn between including this or Furious 7, but I ultimately went with Fast Five because it felt like an important turning point in the series, it's a great heist film, and it reached the same chaotic highs and genuinely excellent filmmaking that I had been waiting for since 2 Fast and Tokyo Drift.

Fast Five opens where Fast & 4ious left off. Dom is hauled away to prison on a bus. Mia and Brian drive in their high-tech cars and knock the bus over, helping Dom escape. The title drops. Fast Five. It’s such an intense yet short action scene, and dropping the title immediately after it lets the viewer know that this movie is not fucking around. It’s arguably gonna be more intense and insane than the previous one.

And it is. The filmmakers made the decision to use a lot more practical stunt work for the film, and as a result, it leads to, so far, the best action in the entire series, since 2 Fast and Tokyo Drift. It’s not just how it’s shot or edited, it’s the geography of the locations, the rooftop chase echoes the rooftop chase of Jackie Chan’s masterwork Police Story, particularly the way each character bounces from top to top.

And of course, there’s the silliest moment in the movie, the one that matches the intensity and kineticism of a film like 2 Fast, which is driving the Reyes’ bank vault throughout the street, getting chased by corrupt cops.

I know we make fun of Vin Diesel for saying “family” all the time in these films, but there’s a reason we remember him saying all of these impassioned monologues. Because he’s unbelievably sincere, and has so much love in his heart for every single person in the room. Anytime he delivers a speech to any of them, it’s genuinely heartwarming.

This is the film that finally shows La Familia in their best environment, which is working together, in a movie genre that allows them to work together, which is a heist film. And a great one at that.

Last Days (2005) (dir. Gus Van Sant)

CW: Mention of suicide

Several films have been made about legendary rock artist Kurt Cobain, and for good reason. He is one of the most tragic figures in rock and roll. A tortured genius who has written and performed classic song after classic song with his band Nirvana. He was called the voice of a generation, and helped change the face of mainstream alternative rock music as we know it. But with that fame, and all of those expectations came a worsening depression and further drug abuse, and his eventual death. But most of the films about Kurt Cobain ask one question which gets under my skin way too much:

“Who REEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLY killed Kurt Cobain?”

It was him. He did. And it’s okay, I’m sad too. Thinking that Kurt Cobain was murdered is completely ignoring the depression that he faced. And despite Last Days being more inspired by the death of Cobain rather than actually about it, it feels much more honest than the conspiracy documentaries on his death, wanting to leech off of his dead body.

This is the last installment of Gus Van Sant’s “Death Trilogy”, the previous two installments being Gerry (2001), and Elephant (2003). While I have not seen Gerry, I have seen Elephant though, and love that film for its minimalist, raw nature, and its boldness for not romanticizing the school shooter or the lives they had taken. Last Days falls into that trap once, as I don’t agree with the shot of Blake’s soul climbing up a ladder, that always struck me as cheesy in a film that is anything but.

Last Days is similar to Elephant in terms of the way it is filmed. Its usage of long takes, and still shots of characters doing various things, such as Blake playing his guitar behind a drum set. The way these moments are shot is similar to a Chantal Akerman film, particularly Jeanne Dielman. Where the acts of the mundane are the stars of the film. Blake wanders around an empty house, and the viewer can feel the pain, not just through Michael Pitt’s acting, but from the house itself. Its decay, its paint peeling from the walls, from the soft glow of the lamp that lights his face.

I say this is the most honest film about Kurt Cobain, because, despite the characters technically being fictional (the main character who looks, walks, and acts like Cobain is named Blake), this film focuses on the mental state of a person before they eventually take their own life. They’re still working, still making music, still trying to talk to friends and bandmates, but the depression lingers on. Not once does this film try to make you believe that someone else killed him, because you can see the signs of his own suicide taking place just through the film’s excellent cinematography by Harris Savides, showing his mental state only growing worse through the production design.

And it’s empathetic with him. There’s no judgement for leaving rehab, there’s no finger-wagging at him or the people he was with, there’s just a silent prayer at the end of the film, hoping that he is in a better place than he was.

Sometimes you don’t need to show every event that led you to where you are, all you can show is the moment, which also makes this better than most biopics as well, as it never feels messy or muddled, just showing one moment of Blake/Kurt’s life.

I really loved this film, and I’ll be writing about it in full soon.

The Village (2004) (dir. M. Night Shyamalan)

The Cracked.com/Channel Awesome audience stuck in 2012 will tell you that this was the beginning of the end for Shyamalan. That this was when people stopped taking him seriously, that this was when he became more of a punchline because of his twist endings.

But why?

The Village was released in 2004, deep in the Bush administration, during the early stages of the Iraq War. The leaders of the time were talking about imaginary boogeymen, terrorists that would attack the civilians if they could. Because of 9/11, politicians could get away with these false ideas with the majority of Americans fully believing them. The boogeymen in The Village are “The People We Don’t Speak Of”, monsters attracted by the color red. Yet we find out that they are all costumes made by the Elders of the land, designed to prevent people from going outside the land. They rule by fear disguised as love. They’ve gone through their own traumas through the deaths of their family members, but they’ve decided to completely abandon the lives that they’ve had and have their children living lies.

9/11 impacted American life by teaching citizens to live primarily by fear, to not trust anyone but their own people. And yet, post-9/11, all that increased was not “coming together”, but hate crimes against South Asian people. The rage white Americans had felt led to conservative politicians pushing fear-mongering agendas, and said white Americans blindly accepted. The outside world was progressing, but too many people were fine with living with further conservative politics only regressing American life further and further back, all for the illusion of safety. Meanwhile, the only threats to them were not the brown citizens outside of America they were so afraid of, but the white elders, the white politicians.

The Village explores these fears so eloquently, all while having a terrifying atmosphere, an enchanting score, and brilliant sound design. I enjoyed this movie very much.

Other viewings I enjoyed:

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) (dir. Mike Judge) (re-watch)

Blow Out (1981) (dir. Brian de Palma) (re-watch)

Clueless (1995) (dir. Amy Heckerling) (re-watch)

Furious 7 (2015) (dir. James Wan)

The Long Goodbye (1973) (dir. Robert Altman)

Lupin III: The First (2019) (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)

Unbreakable (2000) (dir. M. Night Shyamalan) (re-watch)

Velvet Goldmine (1998) (dir. Todd Haynes)

The Visit (2015) (dir. M. Night Shyamalan)

#favorite first watches #these movies are (chef's kiss)#beyond the valley of the dolls #russ meyer #deep cover #bill duke #fast five #justin lin #last days #gus van sant #the village #m night shyamalan

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sepublic · 4 years

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Wing it like Witches!

Let me tell you- I was WORRIED this episode would make me sad and angsty, but instead it just made me happy and all warm inside! I know that sounds super-corny but like…

I LOVED this episode! I was worried from the promo pic that Boscha’s bullying would really get to Luz, Gus, and Willow, but… It didn’t! I mean, it still got to WILLOW hence the entire episode, but otherwise Luz and Gus were less “Wow I’m really being reminded of my insecurities from bullying” and more “I can’t believe she ACTUALLY did that. She wasted her entire school day doing that. This girl is NUTS, is she okay back home?”

(The more I see of Boscha, the more I have to wonder if she IS okay back home… Obviously not crippled with self-loathing to the extent that Amity is, but never mind.)

What’s really surprise to see though; LILITH IS A RED-HEAD!?!? I remember seeing that first pic of young Eda with two other classmates, one of whom was obscured and the other had glasses; And I thought, is THAT girl Lilith, could it be? Is the girl with the obscured face the one who stole Lilith’s lunch money, potentially that favorite character from Season 2 that Dana alluded to? My mind is racing, but either way young Eda and Lilith are utterly adorable! I do have to wonder if what Lilith had to say about Eda’s bad memory was just a jab, or something more… Given that the show has alluded to Eda possibly having amnesia with MORE than just her curse…!

Speaking of which; LILITH AND EDA GETTING ALONG! Well, sort of- I mean they’re technically adversarial by the end of this episode, but only technically. Lilith knows where the Owl House is, finally; And we get to see in this episode just how capable Hooty really IS as a security system, surprisingly enough! He even manages to capture LILITH; Though to be fair, she may not have been super-invested in the mission given this was her sister we’re talking about, but still! Coupled with Hooty mercilessly tearing apart those toys in Adventures in the Elements, and I have to wonder if he’s ever, like… KILLED people before, y’know?

…Maybe I don’t want that answer. Regardless, I love Luz’s little cheeky interference with Eda’s game, but Eda still manages to win by her last trick; Just pure, genuine skill and talent! That was a twist, I was expecting Eda to have another cheat or to be caught by Lilith, but as I said before… Eda isn’t humble, and for a GOOD reason! Lilith ain’t no slouch either, and I love that King willingly donned a cheerleader outfit just to offer support! I mean, maybe Eda MADE him, but otherwise he didn’t seem to have much of an issue so long as it was just at home!

And… I LOVE the little small moments between Eda and Lilith, where… Lilith KNOWS she has to turn her sister in, she’s getting desperate, but it’s also low-key breaking her heart to do this! And when she loses the match and just… FALLS on her knees in despair, questioning herself, and Eda picking her up? Giving her that signature ring, just to make Lilith look better? I… I LOVE these sisters, why can’t they make up?! Lilith isn’t even aiming to imprison Eda, she just wants her to join the Emperor’s Coven and continue doing stuff alongside her, like old times!

And Eda… Eda still needs her autonomy, but she knows that Lilith isn’t some cruel person. She knows that Lilith loves her sister and wants the best, that she’s in a terrible position; Eda knows how stifling the Coven System is, and while being beneath Belos provides a lot of power… It also provides a lot of PRESSURE as well! Sure, Lilith chose this… But Eda still believes that Lilith is deserving of kindness and compassion!

(Let me tell you, considering I don’t think we’ve seen any Eda clips past this episode, I was LEGIT afraid she’d get captured by the end… thank goodness!)

What’s also fascinating to note is that Emperor Belos was in charge since fiftyyears ago; Given the speculation that Eda isn’t as old as she looks, this indicates Belos is PRETTY old himself, by a large margin; Especially when one considers how long-lived Bump is! It’s a small moment telling us how he established the Coven Heads five decades ago, but I really appreciated it; And in general, this episode seems to be our final, light-hearted breather before we get into the REALLY heavy stuff… Keep in mind, our last two episodes were originally planned to air side-by-side, like a two-part season finale! On a lesser note, we see the Heximal System teacher giving a History lesson, confirming what I suspected earlier; That some subjects include students from all tracks, simply because the subject-matter applies across any and all covens, and History is one of them! Love the small world-building here!

Given how we don’t see anything else of Willow and Gus past that scene in Belos’ treasury, I have to wonder… What if those two get captured, and only Luz can escape? Amidst King –and possibly Eda- being taken as well, Luz might be looking at a one-man operation here! Which just makes her all the more impressive… Like looking at her now, even if she DOES lose against Lilith; She’d still have been going toe-to-toe with the Head of the Emperor’s Coven, even if only briefly! Luz has come a far way away from where she started as just a powerless human, and has amassed FOUR glyphs; Light, Ice, Plant, and Fire!

And BOY HOWDY is she good at them! Seriously, I bet she could’ve easily beaten Boscha in a Witch’s Duel if she wanted; Though it’s worth noting that according to Willow, Grudgby is apparently the only language she speaks… Given that shot of her room at the beginning, I have to wonder if that’s where her MAIN self-worth lies in! In the beginning Boscha acknowledges to herself that she’s hated, ‘so long as she is feared’; And her monologue low-key gives me, “Doesn’t know how to make friends so copes by putting herself above everybody else and overinflating her own self-importance under the impression that people are just secretly jealous!” vibes. (In some ways she’s like Grace from Infinity Train…)

That aside, I just get a sensation of pride from seeing how adept and adaptable Luz is, and the way she learned Fire from Boscha of all people –Which I called!- is both hilarious but goes to show what kind of a learner she is… I feel like Eda, like we’ve watched our kid grow and get stronger and I can’t WAIT to see what she pulls off next! Amidst her learning Magic and then defying the Coven System… you go Luz, YOU GO!

And, it seems I’m not the only person who shares this sentiment! Even after Boscha’s bullying, we don’t see anybody beyond her gang make fun of Luz and co.! When Willow gets trashed poured on her, some students are watching, but… They seem kind of disturbed by it all? They’re not outright vouching on her behalf like Luz, possibly because Boscha is watching; But still! It is SO cathartic to see Willow being beloved by the entire school like that, even if she’s keeping her friend-circle to a select few; People LIKE her, and it’s what she deserves! Like Luz, I’m SO proud…!

I’m still disappointed we didn’t get the names of Boscha’s other friends, but I really like their inclusion here! I liked how they all seemed rather uncomfortable with seeing Luz forfeit, only to be made Boscha’s target practice; And how Luz is so bright, bubbly, and infectiously-cheerful, spreading her good will to others! Like, this girl is TOO kind, and so loving… She has no bounds and I love how those other girls are even affected by Luz, genuinely enjoying her and wanting to be friends, alongside having Willow as a teammate! I have to wonder if they’ll ditch Boscha after this… Or at the very least, try to talk her down as friends of Boscha that she actually cares about and vice-versa (compared to Amity, who has always been cold towards Boscha, hence why her talking wouldn’t have made a difference)!

Speaking of Amity… C’mon, girl. Your CRUSH is showing, the way you’re getting flustered, imagining seeing Luz in a ‘cute’ uniform and everything… Gus being utterly confused, but you can tell that the gears in Willow’s head are turning and honestly; She’s all for it, likely! I think this is the first time Amity has had an ACTUAL crush on someone she can talk to, instead of some distant figure or a fictional character! It’s so heartwarming seeing her navigate it, getting to actually deal with feelings like a kid is supposed to be allowed to do! And Luz being clueless… That, or she thinks Amity is into WILLOW, which makes a lot of sense too!

(After all, Luz knows that her parents wouldn’t approve of her being Amity’s girlfriend… But Luz, you have NO idea how much she cares, she literally loves you more than she fears them! And Amity, knowing that her parents wouldn’t approve and struggling with this no doubt, but her love for Luz is really shining through over all of that!)

To put it simply; Luz is FRIEND-shaped, she’s lovable, there’s no escaping liking her! Maybe Boscha will always be a bully, and I know one might call it ‘cliché’… But honestly I’d love to see Boscha eventually warm up to Luz and HER infectious positivity as well! Also, I saw that twist with the Rusty Smidge coming from a mile away, and I love how Luz low-key gets into a genuine rant over it! Although the loss doesn’t matter, as Luz’s team was clearly more adept and Boscha’s friends don’t seem interested in forcing Luz and her friends to do all of that other stuff…

Anyhow, I love seeing Amity stand up for her friends, and when she says that her social life has improved because she’s with Luz, in spite of Boscha’s claims… I really CAN see her standing up to her parents, sometime later! I speculated a while back that depending on how her and Luz’s relationship in Enchanting Grom Fright goes, it’d really impact what Amity does later down the line, and I was right! But it IS worth noting that Amity may not yet know that Luz has to leave… King and Eda know, and the former mentioned this in front of Willow and Gus! It’s possible that Luz has laid out her plans to return every summer (and during winter break and whatnot), which would definitely lessen Amity’s angst by an infinite amount! And seeing as how she has instantaneous access to the Demon Realm, who’s to say she can’t pop in every day, after school! Sure she might not be actively living in the Owl House anymore, but otherwise…!

On another note with Amity, I love her and Luz getting to geek out over The Good Witch Azura, and it’s funny to see the show confirm what I wondered about earlier; About Amity secretly making Azura references in public, under the knowledge that nobody would recognize them and realize she’s a nerd… But LUZ does now, and the two can bond! Also, Amity getting to have fun with Luz and co. at the end, being CARRIED by Luz, fully accepted into the home… I know you also have the library as a safe space Amity, but you’ve also got the Owl House as well! And it seems Hooty bears no grudges, either!

Also, someone speculated recently that Amity has her goth-sense from Lilith… and given the implication that Lilith dyed her hair, I can REALLY SEE IT! I’m disappointed we didn’t get any interactions between the two… But the way it was set up, I feel like if Eda and Lilith were there they’d be too busy cheering on their kids respectively! Or not, we’ve seen them prioritize their feud in Covention… But back then Luz and Amity weren’t on the same team!

Back to Amity, it’s interesting that she used to be on the Grudgby team, and was good at it, even being CAPTAIN when Boscha wasn’t; But then explicitly quit when she accidentally hurt some of her ‘friends’ merely once. Even if she never cared for them in the past, even if this was before she met Luz and learned to be kind and open again… She was ALWAYS someone who was self-conscious of her actions! And sure, the issue is that Amity is a LITTLE too self-conscious, constantly berating herself, holding herself accountable for every mistake… But regardless, it says a lot how guilty she feels to have hurt her teammates, even if it was an accident and a one-time incident that resulted in victory!

I’ll probably do ANOTHER post about it later, but it says a lot; How Amity feels like she should step up as a Blight, and she DOES outshine the others… But because of that inherent guilt but also compassion, she actually quits Grudgby out of guilt! Which leads me to the idea that even if she tolerated Boscha and co., she wouldn’t have wanted to hurt them; Again, because she’s critical of herself, but also because Amity isn’t cruel and it may have reminded her of how she treated Willow! I have to respect and fear for Amity on quitting Grudgby after that…

Again, I think she has the issue of being too overtly-critical of herself, and that it’s honestly THE issue that defines her problems; But on the other hand, I feel like Amity’s parents would’ve been displeased to see their star child quit the team, just for hurting some ‘lesser’ witches? I’m scared for what may have happened to Amity, but it also says a lot that she made a potentially defiant move simply because she didn’t want to hurt yet another friend…

(That, or her parents wanted Amity to focus on Abominations and other studies, and coupled with Amity’s guilt, it was the perfect opportunity to get her off the team. Which would be sad, but not surprising.)

Anyhow, I just think it’s interesting that Boscha and co. don’t ever seem to have any resentment towards Amity until recently. It’s possible Boscha DID dislike Amity up until she stepped down… But it makes me wonder if Boscha, like, looked up to Amity and wanted her approval and attention? Given how she’s always framed as following Amity… Perhaps Amity stepping down led to Boscha taking the spotlight, and so Boscha feels indebted towards Amity for her fame (and potential source of self-worth)?

Last but DEFINITELY not least; Somebody else (I’m sorry I keep forgetting) alluded to how in Understanding Willow, there was the issue set up of Luz meaning the best for friends… But also sometimes invading their privacy, or overriding what they want, so she can live out her fantasies at the same time! And, like- A big part of her IS doing this for her friends, that much is clear… But Luz does have an issue sometimes with clearing fantasy from reality! It’s a more advanced lesson from the one she learned in Episode 2, continuing off of that, and I LOVE it!

Like, I really do LOVE how Luz recognizes in this episode that even if a part of her is motivated in helping Willow, she’s also using this as a chance to live out her underdog Azura fantasies, and how Willow points this out to her… and Luz realizes that she’s right! She actively MAKES a change to her behavior, and makes up for it by fixing Willow’s hairclip and even forfeiting on Willow’s behalf and taking all the punishment… All because she doesn’t want her friend to be uncomfortable! Man, Luz is SO ridiculously kind, I keep saying she’s my favorite but she REALLY IS! What a lovable dork, no wonder Boscha and her friends are falling for her!

(Also RIP Skara, you were the fourth one in a team of three. Although given how she helped carry Luz and Amity in the previous episode, amidst already having more screen time… I can see this as a way for the writers to give more of a spotlight to Boscha’s other friends, while subtly acknowledging that Skara likely has gotten over her bias towards Luz and the others. I wonder if Boscha also noticed and that’s why she was left out; That, or she’s the least-skilled? I dunno, but it was neat to see and I’ll overanalyze the moment regardless!)

On a lesser note; Willow’s last name is Park, which is a Korean surname! Coupled with her VA’s ethnicity and Willow/Tati Gabrielle being listed amongst other Asian rep characters and VAs, and I think it’s safe to say that she’s the Boiling Isles equivalent to Asian; Which let me tell you, is VERY nice to see!

Overall, this was an AMAZING episode! It was a heartwarming, feel-good episode that reaffirmed character relationships and love while still expanding on them, adding in more friends to the group… It was pretty much nothing but happy moments and revelations! Obviously things are setting up in the next two episodes to go REALLY crazy, especially with Luz potentially getting banned from Hexside for defying Lilith and Belos… But it’s clear to say that she’s left QUITE the good impression on the administration and students! And I can see some even vibing with Luz’s ideas even after she gets kicked out… Perhaps Luz will unknowingly start a rebellion of sorts?

#the owl house #owl house #the owl house willow #willow park #the owl house boscha #the owl house luz #luz noceda #the owl house eda #edalyn clawthorne #the owl house lilith #lilith clawthorne #the owl house amity #amity blight #analysis

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musashi · 3 years

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So I never got into Zelda games because of gatekeepy nonsense and negative acquaintance associations BUT your passion and hype makes me want to slowly try?!

I know nothing about the story other than what I've read on your blog, so far the only character that has made my brain go DING is Ghirahim. So tell me about Ghirahim, please?

it sucks that people soured it for you!!!! i hope you can learn to love it some day and i’m happy to help omg!!!

ok the spoiler free synopsis on ghirahim is that he’s the main villain of skyward sword, though he is very clear from the get go in establishing himself as someone who is working for a greater force. he introduces himself as a demon lord and u meet him basically as he is trying to find your best friend so he can straightup do ritual sacrifice on her to revive his master.

he’s got a really engaging personality that is hard to explain and for that reason i think people flanderize him a lot? he’s your typical queercoded villain in that he’s very dramatic and flambouyant, capes and sparkles, talks with his hands, monologues monologues monologues. Absolutely no personal space whatsoever, loves to get in Link's bubble while he does so. there’s this beautiful contradiction in ghirahim in that he’s an absolutely ruthless swordsman who seems to revel in bloodshed at a first glance--like he’ll tell link in detail every excruciating way he’s going to kill him--but when it comes down to the wire ghirahim views the actual act of using his full power on lower life forms unsportsmanlike and claims to go easy on link. no matter how frustrated he gets with link he can’t really move past this ‘well, that’s a human child. i’ll just scare him off it’d be rude to murder him with how much of an advantage i have.’ thing. which doesn’t work because link doesn’t run away from anything xD

it’s less so that ghirahim’s all bark and no bite he could absolutely pulverize link he just genuinely seems to be set in these morals despite claiming to be a character with no mercy. even though i’m not the biggest fan of him (kinnie reasons sfdgf) he is VERY fun to watch.

and then the spoilers:

ghirahim is what’s known in the zelda universe as a sword spirit. there’s only two of them at present but they are exactly as they sound: enchanted beings that dwell inside of powerful blades. they can do a number of things like teleport and speak telepathically to humans as well as read auras, track them, and detect emotion within them. ghirahim and link both have this ability to detect zeldas aura, and thus they’re often running into one another as they’re both chasing after her.

ghirahim in particular is the sword of Demise, the demon king and ultimate ancient evil that sets the entire legend of zelda as a whole into motion and persists, in spirit, to this day. probably the biggest twist of skyward sword is that since ghirahim takes a human form for the whole game, and you only know one other sword spirit, you never really guess that's what he is. It's only revealed at the very end that oh shit, you were only fighting the bad guy's sword this whole time.

#drowninginabactatank #wendy answers

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hopeful-despair-imagines · 4 years

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Byakuya, Nagito, Gundham, Kokichi, and Gonta reacting to their S/O getting picked on.

I shortened the title a bit, but here is the full prompt:

How would Byakuya, Nagito, Gundham, Kokichi, and Gonta react to an S/O who has autism, and makes animal noises when happy? And one day they're out in public and someone makes fun of them so much they start crying?

I had a lot of fun writing this, it was a super sweet request!

- Mod Ri

Byakuya:

He’d do anything in his power for you, it didn’t matter how big or how small the task was, Byakuya would do anything to make his dear S/O happy.

When you were happy, you make sweet little animal noises. In turn, this made Byakuya truly happy, since he knew when you were happy and got to hear your pristine voice.

If someone ever made fun of you, oh boy. Byakuya wasn’t one to start a verbal argument in public, but he didn’t hold back when it came to his famous ‘rich boy glare’™, and the aura he radiated was extremely formidable, yet you felt safer than ever stood behind him.

But it could all be too much sometimes, and the jeers and insults would get to you, causing you to break down and cry.

How dare someone make his S/O cry!

With one last glare, he’ll take you out of the situation and back to safety.

Once you get home, his cold façade drops almost immediately, as he holds you close and whispers sweet words to you.

It genuinely irks him when people make fun of you. Can’t they see just how perfect you are?

He’ll pamper you for the rest of the day, making sure to remind you just how wonderful you are.

“You shouldn’t listen to those people; they have no right to talk about you. I’ll always be here with you, so you have no need to worry.”

Nagito:

Where to even begin? Nagito adored you, every single detail about you. You were his shining hope and he’d defend you until the bitter end if he had to.

In his eyes, you were basically a goddess and he was ecstatic that someone like you would spend time with him, let alone be in a relationship with him.

He couldn’t comprehend why some people would make fun of you and he often found himself wondering if their minds were tainted with such powerful despair that blinded them to the obvious hope standing in front of them.

If someone where to ever make the mistake of making fun of you in front of Nagito, they’d better be prepared for one long and tedious conversation.

It was perfectly normal for Nagito to monologue about hope and not giving into despair by picking on his S/O. He’ll get lost in the moment and is normally pulled back to reality by someone getting physical with him or the person he was talking to just walking away.

Now, be prepared to be spoilt for the rest of the day. If you want to stay out, Nagito will take you anywhere you’d like and buy you everything that catches your eye.

He’ll keep your hand held tightly in his as you both walk around, but if you want to go home, he totally understood.

At home the white-haired boy will take you straight to your shared room and cuddle with you on the bed, all the while making a point of telling you how perfect you are.

In return this made you extremely happy and you’d let out a few small mewls, which made Nagito very glad.

“Ah, I love you so much S/O! You’re the light of my life!”

Gundham:

Gundham could be quite… odd at times, but all his talk about otherworldly beings didn’t stop him from loving you in the slightest.

He referred to you as the “feared demon queen”, which you loved. You knew he had somewhat of an obsession with the occult, so being equivalent to the demon queen in his eyes surely meant he cared about you to a great extent.

Whenever you were happy, you’d make a variety of animal noises, ranging from a small bark to a soft squeak. Sometimes the Devas would respond with their own exited squeaks, much to Gundham’s delight.

He was glad you could get along with his beloved Devas and was even happier that they’d communicate with you, it was just more proof that his S/O was the true demon queen!

All hell was bound to break loose if anyone dared speak ill about you. It was if Gundham had literally opened a gate to the underworld, his aura switched from sweet and gentle to fierce and intimidating in the blink of an eye.

One time, Gundham had left you for a few minutes to go and grab something from a nearby store, you agreed to wait for him since he told you it was a birthday surprise for you! What he didn’t expect was to find you in tears upon returning.

You’d explained everything that has happened in his short absence and obviously the demon lord himself was enraged, but for now, he had to focus his energy on cheering his precious S/O up.

He’d take you home and sit you down on the sofa, letting you hold the fluffy Devas for comfort.

A hot drink and many cuddles with Gundham (and the Devas!) later, and you’ll be back to your cheery demeanour in no time.

“S/O, my cherished Demon Queen! This was intended for your birthday, but I’d like to bestow it upon you in this moment if you’d allow it.”

He pulled out a glimmering silver box which contained a magnificent silver band for your wrist. Apparently, it would connect your souls to one another, to keep each other close, even when apart.

With a high-pitched squeak, you flung your arms around his neck.

He held on to you tightly as the Devas squeaked back in happiness, thinking that you were communicating with them.

Kokichi:

He found you super cute, like super high school level cute.

He’d fuss over you often, and people liked to joke about him being surgically attached to you. The reason he stayed so close to you, was that people had hurt you emotionally in the past, and there was no way Kokichi would allow that to happen whilst he was around.

You were walking hand in hand through the mall, just having a good time. Holding Kokichi’s hand made you super happy, so you would quietly mewl and squeak in delight every now and again.

One time when you did this, a random passer-by just happened to hear you mewling and smiling and Kokichi. Let’s just say that passer-by wasn’t a nice person and began to make fun of you, completely ignoring Kokichi’s presence – big mistake.

Kokichi’s way to get people to leave you alone was to threaten to ‘get dice to come after them’. However, nobody had the faintest idea what ‘dice’ was, so it was a pretty ineffective tactic.

The person being confronted by Kokichi would often just leave on their own accord, being unable to take the furious purple-haired boy seriously.

“S/O don’t cry. That’s lame, silly!”

When Kokichi realised that you were genuinely upset, he grabbed your hand and whirled you home.

Plan: ‘Make Happy’ was in full swing. He sat you down on the sofa and put on his favourite comedy for you to watch.

He sat down with you and pulled you closer to him, hoping you'd lay down and cuddle with him.

Truthfully, you needed a good cuddle, and who better to receive them from than the ultimate supreme leader himself?

He was glad to see your mood lift when you started quietly humming along to some of the songs featured throughout the show.

"Hey, S/O, wanna go prank Kiiboy?"

An excellent idea. You both got up and devised the perfect plan together.

This was going to be one fun day!

Gonta:

Gonta didn't fully understand the concept of autism, but he loved and treasured you nonetheless. You were extremely precious to him.

Truth be told, he found your way of expressing happiness to be absolutely adorable.

Whenever you were both together, people never seemed to pick on you. It was likely that they were intimidated by Gonta's large and muscular figure.

However, when Gonta wasn't around, people would normally pick on you if you were to express your happiness.

Tears streaming down your face, you'd run home to Gonta, collapsing into his loving embrace once you'd arrived.

He'd quickly take to comforting you. Caressing your hair, cuddling with you, or just sitting with you, Gonta would do anything if it meant you'd cheer up.

When you'd eventually cheer up, he'd offer to take you out for a picnic. You both lived together beside a beautiful forest, which was the perfect location for romantic picnics.

With a quick nod, you'd jump up and go prepare. You liked to help Gonta cut up little sandwiches, savouring every single second you spent together.

Upon arrival, you'd rather hastily plop down on the checkered blanket Gonta had brought, and began taking in the gorgeous surroundings.

Getting to spend time with Gonta was always the highlight of your day, and usually overshadowed anything bad that had happened previously in the day.

"S/O, look! A butterfly, it reminds Gonta of you!"

You watched happily as a petite Chalk Hill Blue butterfly danced through the air, until it decided to rest on a nearby flower.

A mewl of happiness escaped your lips as a few more flew past, their enchanting blue wings fluttering in the breeze.

Carefully, you moved closer to the insect and reached your hand out to it. It made its way onto your index finger, as another mewl of delight left your lips.

Then you slowly turned back around to show your beloved boyfriend, a wide grin present on your face.

"Gonta thinks S/O is the perfect partner!"

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sergeant-donny-donowitz · 4 years

Text

Sonata for a Basterd (Hugo Stiglitz x Fem!Reader)

@owba-chan @inglourious-imagines @war-obsessed

Let me know if you wanna be tagged in these! :)

You had one leg crossed over the other, your yellow dress draped just above your knees. The shine from the black buttons distracted you for a moment. Your head was lowered, your black felt hat tilted down. Your hands in short white gloves clasped together on the table in front of you, your cup of tea was a few inches away.

You watched the steam rise for longer than you cared to admit...

Eventually, your eyes wandered toward the window.

It was late. The sun had long dipped beyond the red horizon.

The train had stopped in a little town in the middle of nowhere, in nazi-occupied France.

Bougainvillea flowered around the posts by the benches outside, lit by a lone street lamp.

Very few people were boarding the train here.

You carelessly eyed the figures in the dark.

There were about ten of them, and that was as much as you cared to know at the moment...

It would turn out to be so much more important than you thought.

Thoughts.

Thoughts...they never left you in peace.

There was always so much to think about and so little time...

So much to fight for and so few ways.

The steam from your mug continued to float, the train drifted along the tracks, and the stars smiled on that night.

Your eyes happened to fall upon something unusual.

About ten people.

Ten men.

Soon to reveal themselves as ten basterds.

They were all standing around, looking to each other seemingly with signaling and speaking eyes, awkwardly holding uneaten croissants, and unsipped espresso.

You cocked your head, and followed their eyes.

You nodded once to yourself, understanding their glares "Ah...je vois..."

'Ah...I see...' You eyed the car full of high ranking nazi officers in first class, drinking and smoking up a storm.

One of the ten men held up his hand when he saw what you saw.

A woman and a child walking through the tram to get to another one.

You all saw it.

A toddler giggling just a few seats away.

A few college kids hanging around getting a bite to eat.

Families.

All innocent.

All possible victims of a lost bullet.

The man leading the other nine, Aldo Raine, eyed his team, and gave a signal. "Hold your fire..." All they needed was to see the look on his face.

They couldn't start anything.

Not there.

There were too many innocent people...

But...the basterds weren't the only ones to notice something.

The nazis had caught on to the lingering looks.

And you had caught on to everything.

You walked back to find your place on the train, just a car away...

Just as you heard the beginning of a rising suspicion and the prologue of a tragedy, you raised your bow.

The nazis, the basterds, and the innocent heard the enchanting notes of a soulful sonata, from your violin. The Devil’s Trill Sonata.

It was useful to everyone...A lullaby for the lagging toddlers, a pacifier for the nazis, and a saving grace for the basterds.

For you, it was practice.

You had a big concert coming up...

The Nazis knew it. It was being sponsored and held for them. They quickly forgot their suspicions as they heard the notes, and we're drawn to you, like a siren.

They congratulated you, your talent, and expressed their excitement for the concert.

You brazen through it, and forced a smile. You walked through their tram. Each nazi smiled and tipped their hats to you.

You stepped into the next train car.

Ten sets of eyes simultaneously looked up at you, then darted away.

Each analyzing you and your intentions.

The ten basterds had dispersed to avert the nazis' suspicions.

One of them was sniffing tobacco, while someone muttered a translationto him: Hugo Stiglitz was telling him what the nazis had told you.

They couldn't wait for the concert.

The rest of the basterds were scattered around, pretending to read newspapers in languages they didn't understand.

They held their ground, pretending to be civilians. They fooled literally everyone but you.

They knew something was going on with you.

But for the sake of the real civilians on board, they didn't confront you.

You, on the other hand, made your move.

You walked past them to get to your seat, and on the way, you slipped an envelope onto the table between the man with the German accent and ice in his eyes, and his leader.

They stopped speaking for a moment.

You kept walking, made no other contact with anyone else aboard except smile genuinely at a baby that babbled on a few seats ahead.

You made it to your compartment. You left the door open, planning on going to the bar later that night and calm your nerves.

You knew what you'd just incited.

It might be nice to have one last drink.

... You held up your compact mirror, and reapplied your matte red lipstick, the color of wine and blood.

You hardly looked up from the mirror when you responded to the somehow welcomed intruder "I don't suppose you're here to kill me, are you?"

The man froze, "N...no?"

You pressed your lips together to perfect the shading, shut your mirror, and placed in your pocket as you turned around to look at him.

Perhaps the most beautiful man you'd ever seen.

"You're a basterd, aren't you?"

Hugo wasn't much of a liar. "Ja..."

You nodded. "Well?"

"Well what?" Originally, Aldo was the one that was going to confront you, being the lieutenant and all...but Hugo refused.

Aldo didn't know why.

Frankly, neither did Hugo.

All Hugo knew was that he had to see you again, even if it was just for a moment.

You smileda little, noting his slight German accent. "You're Hugo Stiglitz, aren't you?"

He blinked, and though he was stunned with your deduction, he remained visibly stoic, "You know my name?"

You reached out, and he shifted slightly...still remembering his days in a nazi operated prison.

You didn't think much of his subtle flinch at the time. You gently closed the door to your compartment so you wouldn't raise suspicions.

"Look, mack..."

He noticed your french accent, and listened, desperately trying to find anything else to pick up on, " If I didn't spend every day of my life trying to piece things together about the only ones I know for certain are doing things right, well... I'd lose my mind."

As intrigued as he was, he still needed answers.

"Why did you give us tickets?"

You smiled a little as you sat with a little spring. "Don't you boys need a break?"

He noticed a slight cynical sway in your tone, and the shadow of a smirk on the edge of your smile.

As interested as he was...he still needed answers. He didn't have time for this.

He'd already spoken to you more in two minutes than he had to the basterds in a week.

"Why did you give us the tickets?"

You shrugged. "The train is full of innocent people. Real people. I know that, and you know that. But the concert is organized by and for the nazis. For the morale or whatever you want to call it. They'll parade in with their rags and patches. Do what you will with that, sergeant."

"And your friends?" He was wondering if the other musicians were not "real people" to you.

You sighed "My friends? They're at war."

Or hiding.

Or dead...

"The musicians." Hugo insisted.

"Sympathizers..." You didn't know that until about a month before.

Hugo sat across from you, "And you?"

He wondered if you were not a real person... maybe you were a dream. Maybe that was why he spoke to you so much...

Your response was short. And one hundred percent honest. "Ready."

It took him a second to process what you said. He wondered if there was something lost in translation, but then he saw the certainty on your face. "Ready?"

"Ready to fight or die. We're at war, after all."

Hugo raised his eyebrow.

It was at that moment, he felt something.

He felt something for the first time in a long time.

A combination of things, actually..

Confusion at first. Mostly rooted in the sorrow at your willingness to die, and admiration for your fearless demeanor.

He noticed you.

In that moment, he noticed everything about you. You were young. How young exactly, he couldn't tell, but you seemed to be just about Smitty's age... So young... And god help anyone who hurt someone that young while Hugo was around. He saw your eyes. The things you said weren't the product of an angry young person's bravado and false hope. You were perfectly competent. You were perfectly aware of what you were saying. There was no Smoky Mountain fire, and no Frankfurt winter fueling the light behind your eyes. Just awareness. You. He knew you in that instant. And he knew you were perfectly content with what you had just done... He wasn't. "Don't go." He spoke gruffly, the only way he knew to try and save you from a stray bullet in two night's time. You were a fighter, but not a soldier. You were a free spirit seeking to free France. Even if it cost you everything. You crossed your arms, "Don't tell me what to do, sergeant. I'm not one of your basterds.

Hugo Stiglitz commanded respect and fear from every single soldier he met, on either side of the war. He was stunned... No one had talked to him like that since before the war... He raised an eyebrow. Both at what you had just done and at his own internal monologue. He was worried...He was worried about you. He never worried about anything. This wasn't him... This never used to happen before.... You were right, and he knew it. You weren't his soldier, you were just a musician. A young French musician...nothing more, and nothing less. He really had no command over you... Just your dreams. That night, you arrived at your destination. You, the innocents, the basterds, and the nazis went your ways. You parted from the ten basterds, and shared a knowing glance with them as you turned away with your violin case under your arm. That night, in your room, you dreamed, for the first time in a long time. And you dreamed of Sergeant Hugo Stiglitz... You thought nothing of it all the next day...or...chose not to. It happened all over again the next night. The day of the concert, you smiled. You'd done your country a service...rather, you'd done Free France a service. But in what may have inevitably been the last fourty-eight hours of your life, you did yourself a disservice, and fell in love... Still, you didn't mind so much. That was what kept you smiling as you filed onto the stage in the concert hall, and looked over the opera boxes housing hordes of nazis.

It was a glorious way to die, being in love with a basterd.

Hugo didn't see it that way. He thought it was just a moment of weakness, back on the train. But he couldn't stop thinking, no...worrying about you. You... He didn't even know your name until he saw Omar fanning himself with a program. He grabbed it, looked under the violin section... Y/n L/n: First violin... He smiled.... It was a beautiful name...

He caught himself...He hated himself in that moment. He shook his head, and blinked once, centering himself. He was a basterd, and on a mission. He glanced around the seats, spotting each and every one of his fellow basterds seated, waiting for the signal.

The lights on distant chandeliers faded, and the stage was set. The conductor bowed. The nazis applauded. The basterds waited. Hugo listened... As much as he tried to focus, he couldn't. Every note reminded him of the sound of your voice, the sound of the train, the sound of the envelope sliding across the table. The light falling over you, your black dress draping over the stage, your hands holding the violin like a muse holding a lyre. As he watched you play with a soft, reverent, resigned smile on your face, he sighed...and smiled himself. For a moment, the only thing in his mind was the notes he was able to pick out that came from you. Time stood still. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was you. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He heard the signal. The beginning of Ride of the Valkyries. He looked over to spot the basterds beginning to take their places. "Scheisse."

He'd almost forgotten. He couldn't help but look at you in sorrow when he heard the first bullet. And he heard Donny's voice, "STIGLITZ, WATCH UTI." Hugo snapped back, and shot a nazi, saving the youngest basterd... He took his place with his team, and took down each and every nazi in their way. Among the basterdized chaos, Hugo caught glimpses of the stage. He saw the sympathizers running or hiding. He saw you rise, clentching the neck of your violin and your bow in your left hand. Your pearl necklace just off center. The curls in your hair just loosened, strands beginning to fall. Your arm was raised, one eye closed, head tilted to the side. You pulled a trigger. Hugo's eyes followed the path of your gun, to a nazi aiming a gun at him....Or who had been. That nazi now had a bullet in his forehead. Hugo looked back at you, and you looked at him. You winked, and gave a smug grin. Hugo smiled softly and slowly, something he wasn't used to until two nights before, when he met you. In that moment, among the chaos, in the middle of war and loss, Hugo found something.. It made him smile, genuinely.

It was the beginning of something. Something new.

Something more. Something beautiful... Something Hugo had never known before there was you.

#hugo stiglitz #inglourious basterds imagine #aldo raine #smithson utivich #Omar Ulmer #Donny Donowitz #Wilhelm Wicki #basterds #quentin tarantino

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strwbrymoonchild · 3 years

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How Residue Illuminates The Complexities of Survivor’s Guilt and Gentrification

Written and directed by Merawi Gerima, Residue tells the story of Jay, a screenwriter who returns from California to create a movie about his old neighborhood on Q street in Eckington, Washington, D.C. The film has a semi-autobiographical feel that offers an impressionist yet raw look at gentrification in Northeast D.C. 35mm shots of kids playing, and the unforgettable sounds of cicadas, windchimes, go-go music, and police sirens guide us through Jay’s childhood memories and provide a sense of nostalgia. Fireworks—which could easily be mistaken for gunshots in his neighborhood—stands out as a significant recurring motif. Flashbacks to the Fourth of July foreground themes of liberation or lack thereof, and the hypocrisy of celebrating Independence Day when Black people are still struggling for freedom. To highlight this, Gerima jarringly intersperses documentary-style footage of protests and police brutality in the neighborhood throughout the film.

Gerima’s unique take on survivor’s guilt shows us that you don’t have to be white to have a savior complex. In the opening scene we hear Jay’s inner monologue: “Did you really think a script would save us?” Art and storytelling are key parts of Black survival and liberation because they allow us to archive and spotlight our experiences, to amplify causes we care about, and to construct better worlds where freedom is possible. Nevertheless, this film offers honest and reflective commentary on the limits of storytelling. Yes, making art is part of the work. But so much of the work remains off the page. Poet and activist Nikki Giovanni said it best when she wrote For Saundra in 1968 after Nixon was elected: “it occurred to me/maybe i shouldn't write/at all/but clean my gun/and check my kerosene supply/perhaps these are not poetic/times/at all”

Jay’s savior complex is further exposed when he runs into an old neighbor named Delonte while in search of his childhood best friend Demetrius. Jay explains to Delonte that he wants to make this movie to give a “voice to the voiceless.” Offended, Delonte quickly pushes back asking, “nigga who’s voiceless?” Later Delonte retorts, “you only care about yourself and your motherfucking movie.” This perspective on what it looks like to have an old friend swoop back into your gentrified neighborhood to try to save the day after years away is imbued with not only raw honesty and resentment but also a sense of accountability and understandable distrust of Jay’s potential ulterior motives.

“Those experiencing survivor’s guilt are paying the very real price of upward mobility, which often means moving into isolating predominantly white spaces, adapting to the social norms of those spaces on a steep learning curve, losing connection with one's sense of self and culture, and struggling to maintain support networks of friends and family”

Does Jay only care about telling his community’s story to launch his filmmaking career? Is he exploiting the lived trauma of his friends or does he genuinely care about raising awareness of police brutality and gentrification? Perhaps both. At the same time, those experiencing survivor’s guilt are paying the very real price of upward mobility, which often means moving into isolating predominantly white spaces, adapting to the social norms of those spaces on a steep learning curve, losing connection with one's sense of self and culture, and struggling to maintain support networks of friends and family. This can be extremely taxing on one's mental health and self-esteem. Jay may be going through his struggles that remain unseen in the film, nevertheless, we can’t help but sympathize with Delonte for distrusting Jay’s intentions.

This theme of distrust towards law enforcement persists, during a subtle moment in the middle of a conversation between Delonte and Jay, sirens blare and the two stop talking to look around anxiously for cops in the area. The unsettlingly long silence between them is almost as loud as the sirens and it speaks to the constant fear Black people have of being surveilled and targeted at any moment. The scene escalates further when a Black police officer interrupts the conversation between Jay and Delonte to sniff around for intel on gunshots that have just gone off in the neighborhood. Delonte lies and says it wasn’t him and Jay refuses to dignify the officer with a response. Interestingly, the cop knew that Jay wouldn’t trust him and decided to leave him alone instead of pressing further, driving home the point that not all skin folk are kinfolk. Instead of producing tired Black copaganda like other socially conscious films such as Queen and Slim, Residue subtly yet intentionally reinforces the notion that all cops are bastards—even Black ones— and that any individual part of this system is not trustworthy because the system affords them the power to enact brutal violence on civilians and shrouds them in the privilege of turning a blind eye to such violence even if they don’t participate—which ultimately amounts to complicity in the corrupt policing system.

In addition to commenting on larger systemic issues, Gerima surgically zooms in on the microaggressions that litter everyday interactions in his rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. In one scene, a white girl walks her dog and it poops on Jay’s mother’s lawn. The dog-walker doesn’t see it as a big deal because she plans to pick it up, but Jay’s mother, Lavonne, insists that the droppings will “leave residue” a nod to the film’s title and an allusion to the literal filth that dog-walking D.C. gentrifiers leave in their wake. Jay is poised to put the white girl’s boyfriend in his place after he calls Lavonne a bitch, but his mother promptly reminds him that the system is just waiting for Jay to slip up and produce an excuse to lock him up. She coaxes him away saying, “Look you can’t fall for that shit! He’s a decoy, Jay, those are the decoys!” This poignant line illustrates the surreal video game/simulation-like nature of living through systemic racism as a Black person. Within this system, Black people are not seen as humans, but are instead sweepingly reduced to existential threats against whiteness and portrayed as supervillains or superpredators with “no conscience [and] no empathy.”

“It’s maddening to acknowledge that at almost every turn, many Black folks are just one small misstep away from poverty, or incarceration, or death. Watching all of these isolated incidents back to back leaves the viewer gasping for some sort of respite from racism.”

Throughout the film, Gerima continues to show that there are so many landmines Black people living in gentrified cities must tip-toe around: the cheap cash offers of predatory white real-estate investors; the righteous indignation towards white boys making a killing selling weed instead of serving prison sentences (like Jay’s friends)— you can’t even defend your own girlfriend against Black catcallers spewing misogynoir lest onlookers not only call the police but begin to cry, “Black on Black crime.” It’s maddening to acknowledge that at almost every turn, many Black folks are just one small misstep away from poverty, or incarceration, or death. Watching all of these isolated incidents back to back leaves the viewer gasping for some sort of respite from racism. Throughout all of these encounters, Gerima makes the conscious choice not to show the faces of white people committing microaggressions. In interviews, Gerima has shared that this was partly a logistical choice because he couldn’t find white actors for the film. But more than that, this visual effect makes white people seem less like people and more like the artificial decoys Lavonne described. Even the white person who tries to be neighborly to Jay does not get face time with the camera. If these people remain faceless, the viewer can’t normalize or humanize them as his neighbors or his friends. Instead, we’re visually forced to see them as faceless outsiders who are inserting themselves into the neighborhood. They behave as though they are passive, laidback fixtures in the landscape who are entitled to space when in reality they’re invasive gentrifiers choosing to displace Black people from their neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most spellbinding part of the film is the way Gerima weaves elements of magical realism into the story as both a sinister hex and a palliative balm. Jarring footage of blood running in the streets due to stop and frisk laws in D.C. transitions into the camera angle flipping upside down to reveal a shot of gentrifiers at brunch, oblivious to the bloodshed on the streets they’re occupying. This juxtaposition drives home that there are two Americas; and that this stark, depressing state of duality will only become more violent as the repercussions of redlining and housing discrimination in Washington D.C persist. The indifference and indulgence of these privileged brunch-goers enable Gerima to make the statement that these people have blood on their hands, and at their feet.

Later on, after years of ignoring his friend Dion’s letters, Jay works up the courage to visit him in prison. Rather than taking place within the prison walls, the majority of the conversation occurs in a sunny lush green forest that the two freedom-dream together. In this scene, magical realism is used as an enchanting portal into an imagined version of Black liberation. Dion and Jay trade sweet anecdotes and childhood memories. At the end of the visit, Jay apologizes profusely for failing to respond to Dion’s letters. Dion brushes off Jay’s contrition and says, “fuck them letters,” proving that it's never too late to reach out and that while we live under this oppressive racist system, the thing that keeps us human and sane is our connection to each other. This breathtaking scene asserts that Black people are not just residue to be wiped away through a social cleansing strategy of systematic displacement, purported public order maintenance, and violent erasure— but vibrant, resilient souls who will never stop caring for one another and will never stop telling our own stories to each other and the rest of the world.

Otito Greg-Obi is a poet and aspiring screenwriter based in Washington D.C. Her poetry appears in "small poems for the masses," a quarterly zine by Post Ghost Press. She is a former member of The Excelano Project, a poetry collective in Philadelphia. When she’s not writing you can find her slow-mo milly rocking in the pouring rain to MorMor, baking sourdough bread, over/underwatering succulents, or knitting something cozy. Her favorite color is mint green, and she’s obsessed with pop culture and with television (particularly dramedies and dystopian sci-fi). You can find her on Twitter at @otweetoh

#film #residue #filmmaker #netflix #merawi gerima #realism #magical #raw #gentrification #survivor's guilt #D.C.#washington #DMV #racism #systemic racism #mass incarceration #gun violence #police brutality #acab

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burialsocietyrpg · 4 years

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐈𝐃𝐄 —

HELENA HYSLOP • CIS WOMAN & SHE/HER • 25 • HALFBLOOD • BURIAL SOCIETY • LICENSED OBLIVIATOR • GRYFFINDOR ALUM

𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍, 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 —

having been raised with five older siblings, helena had grown up knowing how to easily gather secrets as well as how to make her voice heard above a loud room without the use of the sonorous charm. it had also made her have a penchant for innocent white lies, the kind of lies that really had no victim. things that made her seem special– and really, who could begrudge her five minutes of feeling like she was interesting and unique, after having had to sit through five siblings’ worth of ballet and violin recitals, quidditch games, chess tournaments, herbology competitions, and more? if each of her older siblings had a specialty, helena’s was probably finding herself smack dab in the middle of a tight spot and then being brave and convincing enough to lie her way out of it, no matter how outlandish the falsehood. her mother, a witch who’d been abandoned by her muggle husband once helena’s eldest sibling started showing signs of magic, had always called helena a talented storyteller. everyone else either avoided calling her a liar to her face, knowing her tendency to fiercely and hotheadedly defend herself, or actually believed her when she claimed to be a direct descendent of helga hufflepuff or that she was fluent in sanskrit. though some people found her charming, others found her grating. she knows when people don’t believe her, knows when people don’t like her, and knows that most of her fellow burial society members have very little patience for her tendency to spout off, filling up quiet rooms with fantastical works of fiction. helena also knows that her ability to talk just about anyone into giving up their deepest, darkest secrets makes her invaluable to euphemia and the rest of them. it’s one of the only things that makes her stay in that secret society, knowing just how much she got under some of the other members’ skins, and just how unwilling euphemia would be to let her go in spite of it.

𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃 —

LYSANDER ZABINI — childhood enemies — once lena has decided she will hold a grudge, you’ll be hard pressed to convince her to let it go. with lysander, this is decidedly a one sided thing and there are days where a more even tempered person might remind helena that “it was fourteen years ago, len, do you still remember what you were mad about?” in fact, she does. it was the day before her twelfth birthday, just a little first year gryffindor that was so excited to be squashed between her closest friends that she had made on her first day. it was a crystal heart enchanted to whisper i love you in her mother’s voice and it went from being on the table to smashing on the ground, all thanks to a rowdy group of boys who had started shaking the table and whooping at some news. in her blur of tears and righteous fury, all lena saw was lysander zabini and from that moment she had decided he would be an enemy for life. in reality, lena was in the middle of thanking one for spending their whole month’s allowance on a bottle of ink ( maybe it was dye ? regardless, it was in a glass vial and clearly fragile ) that she had absolutely been dying to have only to see it smashed into pieces on the ground. the reason for the change ? so many seem to not understand why she would still harbor resentment towards lysander for something apparently so insignificant. these are the people who do not know what it’s like to be pushed to the backburner of your own parent’s mind.

ODESSA BONES — deeper feelings — two storytellers sit down for a fine cup of tea and one writes herself as the narrator and the other as the main character. the pesky thing about being a lifelong liar was being unable to explain what you saw in other people without appearing as though this was just another one of your lies with a little more flare, some kind of additional spice instead of genuine insight and understanding. odessa bones was easier to read than others, not so much because her mind was any less complicated ( in fact, quite the opposite ) or her body language any more verbal, but lena knew what it was like to be a secondary figure in the eyes of her parents ( maybe even seventh if you counted all of her siblings and the cat ahead of her ). she also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that they were kindred spirits. to even potentially be accepted by someone for being herself was not an opportunity that helena was willing to let go of. lena has done her best to hitch her wagon to odessa’s, in whatever way she can, and to try to be someone solid to lean against while also trying to win some kind of affection that she’s craved from every person that she’s met. to earn it from odessa would be a story worth telling for the rest of her life.

ARABELLA CRABBE — unimpressed — whenever they were in the same room, which unfortunately for the pair of them happened quite often, lena could not help the internal monologue of critiques that ran through her head after arabella had fallen for a simple story and made such a fuss out of it. though she had the wherewithal to keep her mouth closed, lena has always had a particular problem in keeping her facial expressions neutral. not necessarily grated by arabella, helena has simply decided to not engage preferring to dismiss her entirely. it’s not often she turns up her nose at someone but, as far as lena is concerned, arabella crabbe has always had a particularly lackluster presence of self and thinks far too highly of herself and lena doesn’t envision a future where that changes any time soon.

𝐈'𝐌 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍, 𝐈 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 —

FACECLAIM: sarah jeffery ADDITIONAL NOTES: n/a UNFORTUNATELY, helena hyslop is TAKEN.

#hp rp #harry potter rpg #new rp #dark rp #lsrpg #helena bio #burial #taken #taken burial

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courtinginsanity · 5 years

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Warning: this is going to be long af. (Also, this was started weeks ago and then life happened, so apologies for the weird timing lol).

TL/DR: you’re all amazing and I love you.

Okay. So. First of all, I cannot express how grateful and humbled I am having been presented these awards in Granger Enchanted Survivors. I am so thankful to have such wonderful fandom friends and readers of my fics.

Let’s talk about ‘Necessary Evil’. It started as a random idea in 2013, and was originally published as ‘The Green Vase’. I did not plan anything, just wrote what came to my head. Chapters ranged from 1-2k. I had no alpha. No beta. I think I reached chapter 10 before getting bored and resigning myself to a life of reading Fanfiction rather than writing it.

When I decided to return to the story and rewrite it, I was in a much better place in my life. I was able to admit I needed help. So I started DFW, and I enlisted the help of a beta. I started with a long list of people, and then found the one I worked with best, littlered1992. She was tough but always kind and the story would not have been completed if it wasn’t for her messages asking where the hell the next chapter was 😂

On the 7th of May, 2018, a new reader went through the available chapters and left essay-length comments on EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. That was @mhcalamas, who is now one of my most dear friends and fellow writer. This is our fic. It’s the one that brought us together. Her encouragement and amazing comments kept me motivated and fed my muse. I couldn’t have done it without her belief in me and my ability to finish something.

As I gained confidence and learned to love critique, I found @ravenclaw-sass. Another one of my most dear fandom friends. This girl has an eye for everything and taught me the important skill of internal monologue. If I had a question or concern about characterisation, I knew who to turn to. I am a better writer because of this amazing human being.

Entering the Facebook world of Dramione fandom, I quickly found myself surrounded by inspiration from other writers and readers. I joined fests—too many fests—and continued to practice my craft. Each piece I’ve written, each person I’ve worked with... they made me better, stronger, more confident. I wouldn’t be where I am without any of them. In fact, it was a post in Strictly Dramione that led me to write ‘Taking Flight’!

So, I have some people to thank. In no particular order...

@lovesbitca8 - you make writing look effortless. I know it definitely isn’t, but gosh you do it with such grace. I really admire you and your style, and have subconsciously tried to emulate it.

@senlinyuwrites - I don’t think I can really put into words how much I respect you. In my mind you’re the super-cool chick everyone wants to be friends with but are in total awe of. Like think leather, aviators, and a motorbike lol.

@ladykenz347 - my puffiest puff friend! I live for our conversations. Your never-failing enthusiasm for all things Dramione. Your descriptions slay me and I am so jealous of your raw talent.

@indreamsink - another cool-vibing chick. Another one who makes it look effortless. What I wouldn’t give to crawl into your brain and explore it for just an hour (that sounded way less creepy before I wrote it down lol)

@mykesprit - you never fail to make me smile, and for that I am grateful. Your sense of humour has inspired me to attempt to purposefully write something funny which may have been the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done.

@ms-merlinblack - is it weird to tell you that you make me feel safe in this pocket of the universe? Like I feel like I can do anything if you’re involved. You and LadyKenz are now my parents.

@otterlyardent - we’ve only just started getting to know each other and I wish I lived closer so we could catch up for a drink and a hug! Your raw truth is inspiring to witness and I aim to be more like you.

@themourningmadam - we don’t talk much but you must know that I LIVE for conversations involving you. Your insight is always hilarious and perfect. And your writing... if I eat it, do you think I’ll absorb the genius?

@frumpologist and @frecklesandbroomsticks - I don’t know why but in my mind you two are the Puff Pair. And I adore each of you for very similar reasons. You’re so down to earth and relatable. You’re unfailingly supportive of all my ideas even when they’re bad. And you’re both amazing writers who I’m honoured to know!

@thelastlynx and @hysteracal - another Dynamic Duo! You guys constantly make me laugh and I hope that one day I can be half as intelligent as you both! Thank you for always being super honest and open with me, and teaching me that you don’t need to sell your soul to be a Fanfiction writer.

@disenchantedglow - You may be the embodiment of all things good in the world. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you utter a negative thing to say about anyone and you inspire me with the simple elegance with which you write!

@bionicallywriting - words cannot describe the joy I feel when you comment on my writing and tell me that it’s not complete and utter garbage lol. I highly value your opinion and am so grateful that you joined our little community!

@deweydecimateher - I wish I had your sense of humour. I’d never be sad or down or anything becasue I’d just be constantly laughing. Can you please move to Australia, or send a pocket version of yourself I can keep with me always?

@mrsren96 - I actually tear up thinking about how we became friends because clearly I am a giant sap. I still laugh when I remember how fangirly I got when I saw that ‘Mrs. Ren’ had commented on one of my fics and then I found out that it was you, someone I’d been talking to for a little while at that point. Inside my brain there’s a Buzz Lightyear going, “There seems to be no sign of intelligent life anywhere.” I could go on and on, but you know I love you, girl!

@rzzmg - when I wrote for you in the Dramione christmas fest I almost d i e d! I was so honoured and I loooooove your writing. I am a (mostly) silent fan but please know that I really admire and respect you!

@ravenslight - if I had a friend who was always ready to bail me out of jail, you would be that friend. I have taken for granted that you are always there waiting to beta for me but I really am grateful for all of your help! And (spoiler alert!) I’ll probably be sliding into your DMs again soon to beg for more assistance... and to continue my plan to steal you away from your fiance!

@party-lines - I am actually so proud to know you. The whole world collapses around your ears and you just keep on going like a freaking boss. And you’re a fellow Aussie which makes me even prouder! So much love and respect for you, girl!

@hginny25 - you have no idea the level of happiness I reached when you joined DFW! I love that this community brought us together and I’m excited to continue to get to know you!

@naarna - we’ve known each other for aaaages and I am so proud of how far you’ve come both in terms of writing and life in general. I feel privileged that I get to keep watching you go from strength to strength. You are an inspiration!

@kyonomiko - we don’t talk all that much but I really admire your creativity... and will admit I’m jealous of it lol. You bring such a grace to your writing and your interactions within the community I hope to one day emulate.

@perilous-circumstance - this one actually let me beta for her. ME. I’m still in awe because your story is just so unique and amazing and I genuinely love it so much! We make a good team (I think) and I hope we can work togeher forever!

@niffizzle - we’re basically bff’s now thanks to a mutual love of Panic! At the Disco and because you introduced me to Mariana’s Trench, for which I’ll forever be in your debt. You are a light in the community and I’m proud to count myself among the people who get to chat with you one on one!

@ruthy4vrsmoak-ed - some days I don’t know what I would have done without your never-wavering encouragement and support of not only my writing but of DFW, too! Thank you for being so lovely!

@felgia-starr - one of the DFW originals and a forward thinker! The group wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn’t for you and your support. Thank you for being my time zone buddy and someone I can rely on! Even though we don’t chat that often, I feel like if the world was falling you’d definitely help me and probably fix the entire situation in a sentence.

@mrbenzedrine89 - and all your crew for organising the awards! I can’t imagine that it was an easy feat, so kudos to all of you! Also, massive fan, hi *waves awkwardly*.

I feel like there’s a million people I haven’t thanked but should... I wish I could personally tag all of you but please know that I love you and I am so, so, so grateful for you! This community only works because you do, and I respect the shit out of each and every member of the Dramione fandom.

Much love and squishy kangaroo hugs...

CourtingInsanity xx

#granger enchanted survivors #awards #humbled #dramione #fanfiction #thankful

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samanthapagesof · 5 years

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Top 6 Women I Look Up To

For this wonderful Friday, I wanted to take the time to talk about my my personal idols. The women I look to for inspiration or hope to model my life after. I don’t particularly have rankings for them because each one has a different representations of how they impact me.

Jessica Lange

This woman is a major inspiration for me. I first encountered her in American Horror Story, first season Murder House, where we played the widowed Constance Langdon, mother of Tate, Adelaide, Beauregard, and Rose (the last of whom is unnamed and unseen until Apocalypse). She is a powerhouse of a character, every scene she was in she had my complete attention. Her monologues are enchanting. The passion and drive she personifies in each and every character she plays representations who she is as a person. From her, I look to her many characters as inspiration for the female leads in my stories. I hope to capture even a fracture of the emotion she creates for the characters I imagine. I also choose an image from her early years because, she still radiates the same beauty today as she did then. Thank you Jessica for being a strong female role model in my life.

Image Source: Top-Groovy History, Bottom: Vulture

Ariana Grande

You all know her as Ari, the bad bitch that wants you to break up with your girlfriend because she’s bored. She flaunts her success and creates world wild hits one right after the other. But to me, I first saw her on Victorious, an original nickelodeon show about a musical high school. She played a spunky, and ditsy student named Cat. She always exceeded the singing talents of the other on the show and later re created herself to she long hair goddess she is now. Ariana is a women that screams I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR. Her music’s usual theme is about the empowerment of women. She is all about her friends and her family. Her genuine pure soul is one that I needed at the dark parts of my life. Her music helped me in more ways than I can count and I hope to meet her someday.

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts has been in my life sense before she was a Scream Queen or one of her many characters on American Horror story, and to me she is more than Evan Peters on and off again Girlfriend. I’m talking Aquamarine, oh yeah all the way back to 2006. She usually plays she hard ass who refuses to let anyone in, who usually uses her attitude as her entire personality. I personally find her refreshing. She has the range to play any character and to a degree, I relate to her attitude. When I was younger I had an attitude that needed curbing and instead of raining in my journal about hating the world and everyone I’d watch Nancy Drew and drink hot chocolate and relax. Thank you Emma for being that outlet!

Lady Gaga

First off, QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN. I have loved her sense before the meat dress, Poker Face was an anthem rather than just a hit to me. Alejandro made me feel like a star of an Italian soap who’s entire life is a never ending dramatic tragedy. She is what the people needed when we needed a talking point and now she is one of the most famous women of her generation. Between hit songs and her rolls as an actress she is someone I look to for those times that I feel identity issues. She has never let the world change her, she grew into her true self and we all got to watch and learn from her choices. Plus, she was AMAZING as the Countess on American Horror Story Hotel. Thank you Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta for always reminding me to stay true to myself.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah is another gem I found on American Horror Story. She is easily one of the most talented actresses I have ever seen. She is able to take a unique angle on each character she plays. A particular character of hers stuck with me, The Twin girls she played in American Horror Story Carnival, Bette and Dot. Not only did she have to film EVERY scene twice she played two completely different personalities. Two different lifes. Her talent is undeniable and her activism is something I admire. She is NEVER afraid to talk about her beliefs and I hope to borrow some of that courage. I am not a IN-YOUR-FACE kind of person about my beliefs. Sarah is able to discuss problems with intelligence and grace. I will get there someday, especially with her to look up to.

Halsey

Firstly, I want to say that yes, I am aware of the many scandals with Halsey but we all have skeletons and the most of us don’t have out lives being followed every second. Unlike celebrities we as the general public have the benefit of only worrying about the government watching us. Besides that our lives are not interesting enough to warrant paparazzi. But Halsey is a realist. Her music is the way she puts her thoughts out into the world. She sings about more than just love, but mistakes she’s made and the world around her. Her rap/poem she did at the women’s right march a couple months back brought me to tears. She is the definition of real, she has no cares and lives her life the way she wants to. From her I was inspired to start to do that for myself, and I continue to live that way everyday. Thank you Ashley Nicolette Frangipane for being my guide.

I hope you all enjoyed.

Tell me about your women idols/role models, who and why they mean so much to you!

#Womens Rights #Women's National History Month #Women #Women Rights #Equality #Entertainment #Equal Rights #Gender Rights #Gender Idenity #Life #Halsey #Emma Roberts #Lady Gaga #Jessica Lange #Sarah Paulsin #Ariana Grande

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ingloriousbi · 5 years

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Classic thoughts so far:

Way too many people to make questing a genuinely fun experience since everything is always dead and theres no loot/experience sharing. but in between everything I’ve found questing to be the most fun and relaxing part of vanilla thus far. Its way more grindy than it is now, which has its downsides (boring… drop rate is frustrating…) but also kind of fun and really inspires grouping up with randoms, even if just for 10 minutes to share the kill credit on whatever quest.

Old orgrimmar is literally better than I remember it. I love it, it’s easier to navigate then new orgrimmar, thrall is awesome (i forgot how much i genuinely loved the hidden enemies quest line and the text for it which probably sounds weird but i have vivid memories about it), the city feels lived in and real, like a much more worthy parallel to Stormwind despite its smaller size. My first character was an undead, so taking the zeppelin from brill, arriving outside orgrimmar, walking through the gates – that whole experience was really nice to relive after over a decade considering the first time I did that is a special memory to me

Old undead char opening monologue is v good and the current writers on the retail team need it tattooed in their eyelids for what theyre doing to sylvanas. classic is one big reminder to the fuck you the lore has become, even if gameplay has arguably largely improved

I knew a lot of shit – arrows, no hunter pet till level 10, weapon skills, being too broke to buy your class spells etc. – were waiting for me but there’s always another “oh ja kennis” moment and its really fun to re-explore everything I loved about classes back in the day, even if mana management is a pain in my ass and two spells into casting my mage is oom. I especially love that I have to read the quests again and how much more immersive the game is when there’s no icons on your map or blue areas marked for you. I think I read more quests than the average person and try to turn off icons on maps etc but the difference was v noticeable in a good way.

Professions are relevant again – this is prolly largely due to low level influx of players since no one is 60 yet, but the fact that I can make dresses and have them be useful long term and have the stats be meaningful is really… pure. It’s a pure experience and I enjoy being tailoring/enchanting; it doesn’t feel like a requirement to grind out useless shit until I can sell bags; I am using the shit I make, and if I don’t use it I know others will have use for it. Two out of three in my party are clothies also so the usefulness is exponential and It feels nice

Conjuring water/food and not being able to get rank 2 but having the rank 1 shit be useless, and then finally getting rank 2, costs half my damn mana to conjure water and I ONLY GET 2 WATER… boooooyyyyyy fuck you.

I forgot resisting spells was a thing mobs do and let me tell you I do not care for that shit

A lot of quality of life shit I miss (e.g. reagents, or just having a quest list right on my screen, even just “talk to dick mcdickerson” would be useful) but there’s something really charming about the barebones necessity shit of a lot of gameplay and UI. It might just be novelty, we will see if it wears off over time

i am embarrassed by the amount of fucking initialism i remember as i see it pass in trade. teen me was a loser and should be made fun of with the utmost prejudice for crystallizing this knowledge so good my adult ass still knows

People jerk off too much in the general chat of whatever place. Its nice to see the community alive again but they wont shut the fuck up and its all circlejerking abt who has the most vanilla knowledge vs “the loosers” that started in wotlk or after, and theres too much back-patting themselves for “being social again” bc general and trade chat isn’t dead anymore. Look, barrens chat was nice, but there was a reason it’s a meme and I sure as fuck don’t want durotar, or teldrassil, or fucking tirisfal glades to be full of non-stop shit in general chat. Every so often there will be a period of time where its really nice and just people grouping up, asking for and then receiving help, its really nice and talking about how fun it is, and then after those 15 min the Men come back and its all a circlejerk again abt whatever they can think of. haha mankriks wife jokes. haha mounts at 40. haha weapons trainer in UC for daggers, cant do it in org... shut the fuck up. we all remember - or are re-remembering - all this shit as we go. i do not need some dude with a stick up his ass who reread vanilla vs retail differences lists to give live-commentary on my rediscovery of a beloved childhood videogame.

#personal #i just want this on record so i can compare to like a month from now or w/e #for myself

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theonceoverthinker · 6 years

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OUAT 2X07 - Child of the Moon

...Do I seriously have nothing better to do than just sit around writing long ass reviews for a show that already ended?

...Well then, I suppose ANITA LIFE!

Shut up, you love them. Now go under the cut for some actually semi-intelligent thoughts!

Press Release

Ruby’s fear about turning into a wolf during the first curse-free Storybrooke full moon is confirmed when one of the town’s residents is viciously murdered, and Ruby is the prime suspect; Decker - aka King George - threatens to expose David as a shepherd, not a prince, and not fit to run the town as sheriff; and Leroy stumbles upon some treasure in the Storybrooke mine that could help bring Mary Margaret and Emma back into our world. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, Red Riding Hood finds a kindred spirit in Anita (Annabeth Gish), a charismatic and mysterious leader of a pack of humans who, like Red, turn out to be wolves.

General Thoughts - Characters/Stories/Themes and Their Effectiveness

Past

Red’s journey in this episode is so well put together. The insecurities established in “Red-Handed” and then re-established here about her half-wolf identity acts as a great source of conflict. You can see how that sense of fear is decreased as Red spends more time with the wolfpack, and after establishing that bond, gets tested against an equally powerful bond with Snow. This is a great conflict because it’s entirely character based and expands on what we already know about Red.

Present

Not all segments need a message to work, but their needs to be some level of growth, and while it does happen to Ruby, it’s only through being given information and a pep talk that she’s able to reaffirm her control over her wolf form. While I genuinely liked this segment for it’s plot, characters, pacing, and the broader story, I feel like Ruby was somewhat sidelined in her own episode because what is reinforced is never gleamed through her own experiences or anything that she learns about herself. It’s David who investigates the mystery and he and Belle who never give up hope while Ruby largely defaults to regarding the situation as her fault until David gives her the evidence to contradict that. While I commend Ruby for being a realist and very mature about her situation, I wish that there had been a moment where she attempted for her own happiness (Think like a “Let It Go” moment) or if there was a moment that she noticed that called her murder into doubt.

Insights - Stream of Consciousness

-Those mine crystals look so bad! XD

-You better not be driving after drinking that beer, David! You’ve got a kid in the car!

-I’ll take those 38 lasagnas!

-Ruby is so amazingly mature. She understands her capabilities, but takes into account risks as to protect others.

-Snow is one hell of a fighter!

-Also, I can’t help but feel like that’s the first time Snow ever saw her wanted poster (This is before she met David). Look at that amazing frustration and sadness in her eyes as she’s seen how Regina has scarred her reputation. And that’s all before she and Red even converse about it moments later. Great acting, Ginny!

-I can’t get over how great Red’s costume is. It’s perfectly balanced between being something that gels with the classic fairytale while still looking like something a young adult would wear.

-Stranger stalking Red: You might want to get your eyes checked for jaundice! XD

-”Wh-wh-what are you doing here? Where’s David?” Damn, that hurt just watching it. I can’t even imagine how Regina must feel hearing Henry all but reject her comfort. :(

-”He got an emergency call this morning and asked me to look after you.” Good job, David! That was very good pushing aside your hatred of Regina for Henry’s sake!

-I just realized that Ruby is essentially Elsa in this episode! XD

-Ruby is fucking tough as nails! We’ve got to get her into a Street Fighter movie or something!

-I really want to know more about Quinn! The actor played him very well and he has this air to himself of both a vagabound and someone with something a bit deeper to him. Like, he’s an octave down from Killian on the drama-meter.

-”Is this some kind of trick?” Red, don’t follow the man into the scary basement until he answers that very important question! Didn’t Granny teach you stranger danger?!

-I want to live in an underground castle! Holy shit! I’d have all the space I want, stay cool, AND avoid other people! Hell to the fucking yeah!

-”I’m your mother.” My season 4 vibes and her later attitude are compelling me to say “I don’t care.”

-”It’s Billy’s truck.” “Who do you call to tow a tow truck.” It’s my personal headcanon that Billy’s truck is Mater from Cars. XD

-”I certainly never cared what would happen to them after they woke up...until now.” I love that look Henry gives Regina as she says this. It’s such a subtle Regal Believer moment.

-”Sometimes in sleep.” Why do I feel like that line was specifically put there for ass covering?

-”Once one controls something, one no longer need fear it.” Another instance of a villainous character (Though not in this episode!) giving the moral of the episode! That said, I wish it was said to Ruby herself, but I’m not peeved about that. Also, Rumple’s posture is incredibly comforting as he crouches to Henry’s level and gives him the necklace for free, giving some nice pre-confirmed Grandpa Gold feels.

-Charming! Good job calling out your cursed self for his shittiness!

-It may just be the result of my recent foray into the MCU, but I am getting some crazy Ego vibes odd of Anita.

-”That thing. That she-wolf.” George, you are the WORST.

-”Protecting your friend instead of everyone else.” He literally has her locked in a jail cell! It’s not like he’s forcing her to roam free!

-That was a great display of a Gopro camera on a wolf!

-I like how the montage was unclear about the exact amount of time it took between Red’s entrance into the castle and that latest transformation.

-George, you have the tiniest fucking group possible for this rebellion! How successful do you really think you’re going to be?

-I like the visual cue that the wolf gang sleeps like a pack.

-”Of course not.” I love how Snow clearly doesn’t believe that Red’s pack will hurt her, but still wants to be supportive of Red.

-”David see the good in you.” Ummm, what about you, Belle? Girl, you know I love you, but you already know all about Ruby’s goodness! She took you in!

-”I’m sort of an expert when it comes to rehabilitation.” Ummm, I’d say you’re getting there, but expert is a little too much.

-”I need to pay for all I’ve done.” Umm, Ruby. Your old village couldn’t kill you. What makes you this the D-List Storybrooke mob will do any better?

-I don’t know why, but I find it so funny that King George’s cursed name is “Spencer.” I think it just makes me think of iCarly.

-”May you always run free below the moon’s pale light.” This is a really well written line and I wish we could’ve heard it again outside of this episode.

-I like how in the D-List Storybrooke mob, only one person had the common sensibility to bring a fucking flashlight!

-Granny! You could’ve killed someone! That was a big Michael Bay-worthy explosion! I can only hope you sensed that that building was abandoned beforehand otherwise you’d have a body count!

-So someone in the D-List Storybrooke mob calls out “we’re not sheep,” and I’m just laughing because they followed George on a fucking dime!

-So I love how this is more or less David’s arc in “White Out” as well! XD

-George is so fucking confident about that hat, like there aren’t at least a couple of other magical items in this town! XD

-Also, how the hell did he get the hat?

-Red’s monologue in the final leg of the flashback has me thinking: What happened when Red and Granny reunited after the events of this flashback? There must’ve been some serious resentment on Red’s part and I wish we got to see how that resolved itself.

-Ruby, not that that run isn’t well earned, but you owe Belle on hell of an apology!

-Snow, your clothes are so clean right now! Did you find a laundromat in the Enchanted Forest?

Arcs - How are These Storylines Progressing?

Storybrooke getting Snow and Emma back - We gain one method of communicating with the EF and lose a way of getting there. I find that this arc is pretty good so far. The steps feel appropriately paced and I enjoy that the arc actually has a dead end. It makes for opportunities to use more characters (Ruby, King George, and Jefferson) and given them growth while allowing for the plot to feel more like a journey.

Rumple’s Redemption - I pointed this out in “Insights,” but Rumple’s more comforting attitude towards Henry, especially since neither knows they’re related yet, is a good follow-up step to the redemption that Rumple’s attempting for himself that was established in “Broken.”

Favorite Dynamic

Red and Snow - Red and Snow’s friendship has always been this nice delight, and in this episode, there’s a marvelous setup and payoff to it. Snow is beyond supportive to Red, understanding her and yet still fighting for a future where they can be happy and safe together. Like, she risks traveling by Regina’s bloodthirsty men for Red and is willing to give the wolfpack the benefit of the doubt for her! And even whe Red opts to stay with the wolfpack, Snow is nothing but understanding and gives a very in-character reason as to why! Honestly, I’m borderline shipping these two because they’re so good together!

Writer

Last season’s human home runs (Ian and Andrew) are at it again. The writing for this episode is largely great, using very rich dialogue and a good theme of taking control of your own life to deliver two well put together segments.

Rating

10/10. This is a legitimately great episode. It’s entertaining, and our mains are in fine form. The lore of the OUAT world is used well, as it contributes to the story in the past segment and not just the plot (An important distinction). While I take a small issue with a less impactful Ruby in the present, it simply doesn’t take away from the incredible storytelling that goes on elsewhere throughout both segments.

Flip My Ship - Home of All Things “Shippy Goodness”

Billy/Ruby - While I never thought much of them in “The Price of Gold,” their bit of flirting is absolutely heartwarming and Ruby’s grief following Billy’s death is so sad.

Red Beauty - These two! These fucking two! Belle and Ruby are just the two most supportive beans in the world! Also, “think of it as girl’s night.” Am I the only one thinking about how chains and whips can be quite exciting, especially when one’s hungry like the wolf?!

()()()()()()()()()

Sorry if this review was a little simplistic. Sometimes, there’s not a lot to say about an episode other than “this was good,” and I didn’t just want to say that a million times, but next time I’ll make like that episode’s title and see how “Into the Deep” I can go! For now, thank you for reading and to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales for putting this project together and giving my reviews a home on their page!

Season 2 Tally (67/220)

Writer Tally for Season 2:

Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis: (20/60)

Jane Espenson (17/50)

Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg (20/50)

David Goodman (10/30)

Robert Hull (10/30)

Christine Boylan (7/30)

Tags: ouat, once upon a time, watching fairytales, ouat episode code, ouat rewatch, jenna watches ouat, ships mentioned

Operation Rewatch Archives

#ouat #once upon a time #watching fairytales #ouat 2x07 #ouat rewatch #jenna watches ouat #basically every character in this episode is discussed #ships mentioned #red beauty #ruby/billy

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bat-besties · 6 years

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On Impossibility - 9

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

A popular!Logan and loser!Roman high school AU based on @2pointomg’s idea with eventual Prinxiety.

impossible

ɪmˈpɒsɪb(ə)l

adjective

· not able to occur, exist, or be done.

Eg. It is impossible to fund both the sports and drama programmes with the school’s limited budget.

· very difficult to deal with.

Eg. The situation which Logan Sanders, Student Body President, is in after he convinced the school board to cut the unsuccessful drama programmes is impossible.

· (of a person) very unreasonable.

Eg. Roman Prince.

To Roman, nothing is impossible. Not following his older brother Patton to acting college, not being a loser taking on the school’s popular Student Body President and definitely not writing and performing an epic school play with no money and six cast and crew members.

Edited by @alpacasarethegreenestanimal, who has an amazing fanfiction on AO3! If you like superheroes, sarcasm and Virgil angst then you’ll love this

@barclays-sides

@romanasanders

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@entitydark

@jughead-is-canonically-aroace

@immacrazyfangirl

@narniasfinestavengingsociopath

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@hexdream18243

It was a typical Tuesday lunchtime with everyone backstage. Talyn was gluing some sequins onto Valerie’s crown. Valerie was practicing her evil chant with Terrence. Terrence was stretching next to Dahlia. Dahlia was waiting for her wicker basket to be fixed by Virgil. Virgil was doing that while bantering with Roman. Roman was putting 40% of his effort into chatting with Virgil and 60% into being casual and not talking about feelings.

Kyle was on the balcony alone, alien in his black cloak and heavy makeup. He was in the middle of his ending monologue, repeating each sentence until it was perfect and then running over the entire thing. He kept stopping and starting with different emphasises each time.

‘And so I say…No, no, no…. And so, I say.’ He kicked the balcony. ‘Argh! Stupid line!’

There was a clang as a piece of pipe fell off the balcony. Roman stood up to yell in Kyle’s general direction, ‘Hey, Virgil built that!’

Another clang rang out and Roman huffed and jogged onto the stage. As he rounded the corner he was greeted by the sight of Kyle holding onto a swaying balcony white-knuckled, staring wide-eyed and making no noise at all. A huge, flickering shadow was thrown up behind him as if even now the stage wanted to amplify the impact of any action taking place on it. Kyle was slowly shifting his weight back to the centre of the balcony, but the tower tipped in that direction with him. Roman ran forward ‘Kyle! Kyle! Just hold-’

There was a screech as the top slid off, followed by a deafening crash as Roman instinctively ducked down and hid his head. He opened his eyes slowly. The others ran in, then froze. Where Kyle and the balcony had been was a pile of metal and a body thrown across the stage, its cloak making a dark pool. A sunbeam suddenly shifted, glinting off the extra supports in the mound of pipes and tangled vines. Six hearts raced each other. Roman couldn’t comprehend what had happened. He felt like if he didn’t move then maybe everything would zoom back into place like footage played backward, supports clicking into place and his friend standing on top of the balcony again.

Suddenly, Kyle gave a groan.

Everyone ran forward, and Terrence turned Kyle over. Roman began to shake. ‘OK, OK. Alright, uh… Kyle how are you feeling?’

Kyle sat up slowly. Clutching his head, he tried to stand before falling with a shout.

‘OK, OK, OK.’ Roman you can do this. ‘Valerie, call 911. Terrence, check for any bleeding and don’t let him pass out. Talyn, help Terrence. Dahlia calm down Virgil, I think he’s having a panic attack. I’ll go get a teacher.’

He sprinted up the gangway, breath already tight as he burst through the auditorium doors. He ricocheted off lockers and elbowed his way past ambling students, shouting incomprehensibly. The colours were too bright, the sounds too loud, but despite his desperation he was not impervious to the cutting stares or laughs at the wheeling of his arms as he ran up the stairs. He skidded around a corner and threw himself at the door of the nurse’s office, pounding on it. ‘Help! Help!’

The door was yanked open. ‘You’ll get detention if-’

Mr Macready softened on seeing Roman’s wide eyes. ‘What happened?’

‘It was Kyle and he broke his leg and banged his head and it was the balcony and he didn’t move and…’

Mr Macready placed a hand on Roman’s arm. ‘Roman, breathe. Did you call 911?’

‘Yeah.’ Roman nodded quickly.

‘Has he woken up?’

‘Yes.’

Mr Macready patted his arm twice, as if comforting a spooked horse. ‘OK, let’s go.’

Making his way through a crowded hallway was much easier when Roman was behind a barrel-chested nurse not worried about pushing over students who didn’t get out of his way. He saw everything in snapshots: Mr Macready checking Kyle’s head, Virgil tapping out rhythms in a corner, the yellow ambulance doors swinging open. The rest of the day was a blur until he collapsed into bed at home.

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

Backstage the next day and everything was shaken up. Kyle was out of school as he had suffered a concussion, but miraculously no permanent damage had been done to his head. However, his leg had indeed been broken. Roman stood up to address his friends, who were slumped over boxes and blocking. He had spent the previous night googling head injuries and broken legs and reading the stage directions on speakerphone to Patton. ‘Alright, so now we have to figure out what to do. Kyle will be fine, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to perform with crutches. Ombretto’s pretty dynamic in his movements.’

Tugging at the sleeve of his hoodie, Virgil stood up, his eyeshadow covering actual eyebags. ‘It was my fault the balcony collapsed. Malcom – the janitor dude – said it was rickety, and I tried to stabilise it, but I failed and-’

There was a muted chorus of disagreement from the group.

‘And basically, it’s my fault so I’ll help you. I’ll play Ombretto.’

Roman’s mouth fell open.

‘I mean, probably I’ll completely suck, I mean I’ll definitely suck-’

‘Virgil,’ Roman cut in, ‘I would love to have you play the part. But only if you want to, not if you’re doing it is as some form of punishment. Besides, do you know the lines at all?’

‘I don’t want to do it, if I’m honest.’ Virgil let go of his sleeve and looked up, ‘But I want to help you guys. I want this thing to, you know, work. I want you guys to get to act, and for people to see Talyn’s costumes and – also I want them to see my set. I do know the gist of what he’s saying in each line, I’ll need to learn them properly, though. I know the meeting scene since you did that half-a-billion times when we were in the English classroom.’

Valerie sat up. ‘Well, let’s just have you run through that with Roman, and if it really doesn’t work we can ask Raphael back.’

Roman smiled. ‘Alright, we’ll go from when I enter.’

‘Could I…could I have the cloak?’

‘Uh…sure. Whatever works for you!’ Roman threw the cloak in Virgil’s general direction. Since he didn’t aim that well and Virgil didn’t have great athletic abilities either it fell quite a bit short.

Virgil draped the cloak around his shoulders and climbed onto some blocks. Roman went behind a curtain to reappear as Rosso. He shaded his eyes to look up the ‘tower’ and bellowed. ‘Lo! Could that be a minion of the evil queen?’

Virgil swept his fringe over his face and bit his lip. He made his voice gravelly, ‘A voice? Who would dare disturb me in my tower?’

Roman had to…take a moment after that. The pause caused Virgil to put his head in his hands. ‘Argh, that was stupid. Could Terrence be him?’

‘Hey!’ Terrence interjected, ‘I am Bob. Bob is me. Virgil, just…try less teen-y love interest.’

‘But he is a teen-y love interest.’ Roman said from the side of his mouth.

‘Try to play it more low-key.’ advised Valerie

Virgil exhaled. ‘I’ll go from after Roman’s line.’

‘Hello? Do you work for the Evil Queen?’ proclaimed Roman.

Virgil found the next line a bit easier. He hunched forward and looked away from Roman. ‘Who are you to ask?’

Roman stood directly under Virgil and looked up at him. ‘Nobody. A friend.’

Oh, this bit Virgil could do. He raised his eyebrows and tilted his chin at Roman. ‘Nobody? Or a friend?’

Roman grinned and shook his head. ‘Depends.’

‘On what?’ Virgil leaned forward.

‘What are you doing in a tower in the middle of this forest?’

Alright, he could do this. ‘I am not human as you are. I am cursed - with magic. Only when I am here is the world safe from me. In return for my seclusion, I aid the Evil Queen. The dark is the only place I belong.’ He sounded genuinely bitter, and at the last line he improvised a little. ‘So, light one, what brings you to a place like this?’

Roman grinned recklessly and waved his sword for emphasis. ‘Adventure! I am Rosso, and I fear nothing!’

Virgil drew back a bit, ‘I’m sorry, Rosso.’

‘Why is that, enchanter?’

Ombretto’s fear won over his curiosity and he acted in accordance with the wishes of the Evil Queen rather than with his humanity. Rosso drew back in fear as the vines began to move like snakes and wrap around his arms. ‘I’m sorry, Rosso.’ repeated Ombretto, ‘because you are a fool. And because I must do this.’

‘You must do nothing! Your destiny is your own!’ Rosso cried out, hacking at the thorns. ‘Please, don’t do this to yourself.’

Ombretto laughed bitterly. ‘My destiny is negligible. It’s my life I’m worried about.’

Terrence jumped into the scene, and Ombretto started at the sound as the faery searched unsuccessfully for the source of the conversation he’d overheard. Quickly, the enchanter wove an invisibility charm to protect the knight, not questioning why he did so at the time.

Then the scene changed to one with the Evil Queen, but in reality the spell was broken by applause.

‘Virgil – you’re amazing!’ cried Roman.

‘So…does he get the part?’ asked Terrence. The others looked at Roman expectantly.

Should Virgil get the part? With Virgil as Ombretto the play would be perfect. Without any practice he was almost as good as Kyle was, he kind of knew the lines, he had great chemistry with Roman, he fit the character (Roman decided deliberating why Virgil fit the character he’d written so well was for later). It would be perfect. Roman could perform the play with the hot emo love interest played by his actual hot emo love interest and show everyone that he was deserving of that romance. Perhaps he could reintroduce the stage kiss? No, it was clear their first kiss would be private, which Roman would still like. Roman was an acting powerhouse and Virgil inhabited Ombretto as comfortably as his patchwork hoodie. Together they would be unstoppable.

Then there was Kyle. Kyle who had practiced every single day for that role. Kyle who had been running through his lines to fit Roman’s idea of perfection when he fell. Kyle who had been with Roman in every production since the kindergarten nativity (Sheep #2 and Cow #4). The likely event would be that Kyle would be able to perform his part. He just wouldn’t be able to walk so well.

Roman believed in his status as an artist. He told his story to himself over and over again: the bullies would beg for his autograph one day, he would talk in interviews about how he had to perform a play with no funding (from the school) and the tale about how he fell for Virgil was a love story for all time. Roman believed in drama and it certainly was dramatic to at the last minute choose passion over experience and sweep Virgil into twin stardom with himself.

Kyle was the safer choice.

If Roman took a chance on Virgil it could make the play.

No. Roman was not going to risk this play. He was going to make the sensible decision and be a good friend. If the tower would have to be a low platform or crutches were an anachronism, then so be it. Besides, the forest was imaginary. It was not possible for the play to be perfect, but he knew that Kyle would make it amazing.

He ‘Alright, here’s my decision, and it’s final. Virgil, that was amazing. But Kyle has to play Ombretto. I want Virgil to be the understudy. So, learn those lines inside-and-out.’

Virgil nodded, disappointment and embarrassment tinging his relief as he took off the cloak.

‘Roman?’ grinned Valerie, ‘are you going to say it?’

‘Yeah, go on, say it!’ cried Terrence.

Virgil face-palmed, sighing loudly. ‘Dear god, please don’t say it.’

Roman put a foot on a crate and threw out a hand. ‘The show…MUST GO ON!’

#logan sanders #roman sanders #sanders sides fic #sanders sides #virgil sanders #sanders sides fanfiction #I've already ended one with 'the show must go on'#but I don't care #look me in the goddamn eyes and tell me that Roman wouldn't say it

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carrotingreen · 3 years

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Degree of Happiness

Word count: 1.7k

Genre: Non-Fiction, Anecdote.

The sensation of reaching euphoria knows no bound. You’d feel so overwhelmed and emotional that it is understandable if a few droplets escape your eyes. I’ve felt something close to this before; laughing with my friends at absolute silliness, playing UNO cards with my cousins, feeling air run through my hair as I ride the pillion with my father on his scooter, or when you inhale petrichor all the while wrapped up in your velvet blanket. I guess one would call this feeling content. Now imagine this feeling multiplied by infinity. That’s euphoria. And that’s what I’m feeling now because this time I’m flying. I’m gliding in the sky. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Born into a family of nomads. We simply can’t sit still at home; we have to keep moving. Of course, each of us has different reasons for travelling. For instance, my mother needs an escape from the household chores and my family’s business. Whereas my father’s main motive is to discover new water bodies for him to experiment on with his reel and rods. As for me, I simply want to enrich my life with experiences (sorry to sound pretentious, but I do genuinely enjoy the little things in life). And in my sister’s case, she’ll do anything to escape from the clutches of studies. We’ve had the pleasure to be on various kinds of vacations: food trip, Adventure travel, staycations, overseas travelling, long drives, pilgrimages, beach trips, and I dare say, even luxury vacations. However, this voyage would fall under the category of unforgettable holidays. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “…a classic blend of peace and tranquility which makes it a haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts…” These words from a random tourism site are the reason why I wanted to visit Manali. Convincing mom was easy, but my penny-pinching dad was an impossible feat. But that’s why we have my sister, her puppy eyes would do the job. What follows next is the routine process of family discussion, planning, and some more discussion when my father realized it was going to cost more than he thought. The day arrived where I, along with my family, reached the infamous town nestled in the valleys of the Himalayas. Usually, people keep a bucket list, but I’d like to keep a Done List. That way I can see how far I have come in life rather than all that is yet to arrive. I’ve had my fair share of adventures. Parasailing, sea walking, trekking to name a few. Right now, the list is too short for my liking, but that’s okay, Manali will help me make it longer. On the first day, we embark on our trip to the next addition to my list. The notorious wild white water is an enchanting siren indeed. Despite how dangerous she looks, she’s calling my name and I willingly await to be devoured by her. Should I be scared? I probably should, but am I? Absolutely not. I am definitely river rafting today. My family joins, of course. “If you are going, then so are we. Might as well go down together” is what my father promised. The four of us and our newly acquainted rower are all settled on our inflatable raft. While my father makes small talk with our new friend, I was busy taking in this surreal moment. A moment when your gut tells you to embrace yourself because what happens next is definitely going to be extremely good or extremely dangerous. A weird combination of excitement and fear. All I can do now is hope I didn’t bring my family into danger for my selfish wants. “Here we go!” screamed my mom. And the wild white water devoured me. God knows how quickly I turned from an agnostic believer to a religious devotee when we all got out of the water and were able to inhale the cold air instead of the icy water. Nevertheless, the smile never left any of our faces, in fact, we were all laughing and screaming. A memory I never want to forget is now created. Teasing the waters as the boat dips its neck in and out of it, we all were living in the moment rather than just surviving it. Beyond any doubt, it was worth

every penny my father had reluctantly let go of. That evening was spent in the villages, gobbling the hot dumplings and sizzling orange jalebis from the old lady vendor near our accommodation. Before my eyelids retire for the day, I coaxed myself into believing I am not afraid. For what comes tomorrow is the final addition to the list for this destination. And far more dangerous. Because I have to do this alone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Icarus was gifted with wax wings by his father to escape the King’s prison. The only warning his father gave was to not fly close to the sun. Icarus soared into the blue sky. The wind running past his hair, his mind was captivated with his greed to go higher. And higher the Greek man flew. But Alas, before his father could stop him, it was too late. The wax from his wings melted and fell into the sea and so did he. As I stand on top of the descending slope, all I can wonder is if I too would fall like Icarus. Would my parents have to witness the fall of their child, like Icarus’s father once did? Though my sister and my mother are also going after me, the fact that I’ll be first bothers me a lot. Of course, I am glad it is me before my family, but it also doesn’t change that I will be the first one to fall. Knowing that my sister will be frightened if she sees me panicking, I pretended to be the brave girl everyone believed me to be. The suffocating safety gear and the terrifying view from here are giving me anxiety when I am not even claustrophobic or acrophobic. Paragliding is a recreational adventure sport. The pilot usually sits in a harness (the safety gear that is currently choking me) dangling below the paraglider’s fabric wing. I’ve heard all about paragliding from my uncle who does it as a hobby. I just wanted to experience it at least once, who knows I would live long enough to see it tomorrow. And this is the perfect opportunity. Fortunately, I am given an instructor since I’m only a mere beginner at this sport. So today I’ll fly with an instructor. Maybe in the future, I’ll fly on my own, but for now, I’ll have to share my special moment with my instructor so that I can come out of this alive. “Are you okay? Are you ready?” “Huh?” “Is the gear all tight and set? Are you ready to fly?” “Oh.” Good lord. Is he seriously asking me if I’m ready to die? I am afraid that I would have to disappoint him, but I’m not. Luckily for him, my body refuses to listen to my brain and muttered “Yes, the gear is tightly fitted. I am ready.”Ugh, my socially inept self simply can’t coordinate well. It’s too late to back out anyway. My father paid a good sum just to fulfill my wish. The instructor was all geared up while I was busy monologuing in my head and he hopped on the second harness behind me. “Get ready on count of three.” “Okay.“ “One. Two. Three!” . . . Wow. The possibility of dying is the least of my concern at the moment. All I can see is how small the world is from this view. And how gravity isn’t pulling me down and I’m floating in the sky. And how, unlike my previous worry of being suffocated by the safety gear, this moment right now feels so liberating. Screams and tears of content keep escaping me as ecstasy fills me up. A moment so ethereal and euphoric rarely comes together. I would really appreciate inspiring instrumental music in the background for this moment, but the melodic silence would have to suffice. The sensation of reaching euphoria knows no bound. You’d feel so overwhelmed and emotional that it is understandable if a few droplets escape your eyes. I’ve felt something close to this before; laughing with my friends at absolute silliness, playing UNO cards with my cousins, feeling air run through my hair as I ride the pillion with my father on his scooter, or when you inhale petrichor all the while wrapped up in your velvet blanket. I guess one would call this feeling content. Now imagine this feeling multiplied by infinity. That’s euphoria. And that’s what I’m feeling now because this time I’m

flying. I’m gliding in the sky. I won’t fall like Icarus. He didn’t have the safety gear. The fool should have just listened to his father just like I listened to my instructor. When he realized I have calmed down, he spiraled us in the air. The moment is much more magnificent. I should definitely thank him later. But for now, I need to focus on living this moment before it dies out and that’s exactly what I did. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My mom and sister thought it was a piece of cake after seeing how well it went for me. Unlike my case, the wind was not that favorable for them and their landing was a bit rough. Nevertheless, the experience was too good to be ruined by the landing for them. My father’s acrophobia increased seeing how high we were all up in the sky and begged us not to make him witness his family do such adventures again. And as the cliché goes, “all good things come to an end.” We were nearing the end of this memorable holiday. Even so, I am happy I got to extend my Done List with two more additions: River Rafting and Paragliding.

For many Manali was a destination worth visiting, for me Manali was a memory worth cherishing for days to come. ‘Where to go next?’ is a question that will always occupy my fantasy. I guess I’ll have to wait until one of my fantasies turns into my next story.

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