#Capture d&039;images | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dndeed · 4 years

Text

Critical Role Miniature Rollout: C2E98

With Andrew Harshman

An archive and review of the minis used on Critical Role.

Quite the consequential and gripping episode. D&D often catches flack for having long, drawn-out combats. This was indeed long and drawn-out, but it was also very engaging. Two hour combats are not always so, even when you’re playing. Well done Critical Role.

Don’t get too attached to your spell component diamonds or your green party members, it’s time for Critical Role Miniature Rollout Campaign 2 Episode 98!

The List

Dungeons and Dragons Condition Markers by thelukec

Arcknight Spell Effects

Mats by Mars: Dark Caribbean Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat

@Minileed Custom Ship

Legendary Realms Bed (out of print)

Legendary Realms Bed, Double (out of print)

Legendary Realms Crate and Barrel (out of print)

Mantic Games TerrainCrate Dungeon Debris Crates

Treasure Items Accessory Set Chest

Rusty Dragon Inn Dressing: Table

Steamforged Games Critical Role Miniatures

Axe N Shield Single Flyer Risers - Clear Mithril

D&D Spell Effects: Arcane Fury & Divine Might

Custom Lollipop Spiritual Weapon

D&D Spell Effects: Halaster's Tumultuous Templates

TerrainCrate Campsite Bedrolls

Dwarven Forge Furnishings Pack Chairs and Beds

Tiny Furniture Carved Chest of Drawers

WizKids Deep Cuts Unpainted Miniatures: Cannons

Steamforged Orly Miniature

Steamforged Games Veth Brenatto Miniature

Tomb of Annihilation #024 Yuan-Ti Broodguard

Monster Menagerie 3 #012 Tridrone / Kraken Priest

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #039 Lord Victoro

Storm King's Thunder #015 Bandit

Waterdeep Dragon Heist #019 Renaer Neverember

Classic Creatures Sahuagin Mystic

Classic Creatures Sahuagin

Monster Menagerie 3 #023 Sea Spawn

Maze of Death #018 Urdefhan Necromancer

Valor Maps ship deck paper maps on cardboard

The Characters

Orly Steamforged Orly Miniature Alternate paint photo sourced from the Steamforged blog

Hey Orly, sweet baby blue Fullmetal Alchemist military uniform! This fine figure is part of the Steamforged Critical Role resin series. I picked up an Orly model kit at ECCC 2019. Tortles are still pretty rare to encounter in-game, so I’m not in a huge rush to construct and paint it. My home campaign is not really in need of extra tortle figures. Let alone one with a nautical theme and body mod bagpipes.

The core concept of a turtle tortoise person is rather goofy, but this sculpt looks far from ridiculous. This is a very cool take on a humanoid turtle. Orly looks capable and impressive.

Veth Steamforged Games Veth Brenatto Miniature

I’ve been unable to find any decent photos of Sam’s new mini. Not much to say at this point, aside from I assume this is as nice a model as the other Steamforges. At a distance, her headband and ears line up in such a way that they look like WoW elf eyebrows. But hey, that’s very anime, very on-brand for CR.

The Terrain

Lucidian Ocean Mats by Mars: Dark Caribbean Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat, @Minileed Custom Ship, Valor Maps ship deck paper maps on cardboard, assorted terrain accessories (see The List).

A brutally brilliant map setup! A spectacular naval display the likes of which streaming has never seen. The Ball Eater model by @Minileed returns! This map layout is a great way to track action across multiple multiple decks. The lower levels of the ship are paper maps attached to cardboard and the furniture contents are from Dwarven Forge, TerrainCrate, Hirst Arts, Wizkids, Tiny Terrain, and others.

Many of these models have been featured on past maps. The Tiny Furniture chest of drawers is new, it looks very stylish, very post-d20 Modern. The Wizkids cannons are also new. They look slick, the paint work is precise and clean. The fact that these are from an official D&D lines is good news for fantasy setting firearm enthusiasts. Guns and those to sling them have been in Critical Role from the start and it’s nice to see wider D&D setting acceptance of such tech.

The Spell Effects

Area Effects D&D Spell Effects: Halaster's Tumultuous Templates and Arcknight Spell Effects

At first, I scoffed at the Halaster’s Tumultuous Templates $59.99 MSRP. But now that I’ve seen them modeled by Matthew Mercer, I’m more liable to purchase them. These templates look splendid both on the battlemat and on the DM Matt.

The Villains and Monsters

Uk’otoa Acolytes Classic Creatures Sahuagin Mystic and Classic Creatures Sahuagin Image sourced from minisgallery.com

The two Sahuagin minis that appear in this episode are from the D&D Icons of the Realms Classic Creatures set. A boxed set including 9 classic monster minis designed to look like the original Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual art. Good idea, bad execution.

The sculpt fidelity and paint quality throughout is rough. These miniatures needed to be larger scale with higher sculpt resolution to properly capture the art style and creature design of the old school art. Quite a bummer. For comparison, here are some D&D Miniatures Game sahuagin and a Pathfinder Battles sea devil:

What a difference. Sure the above models are bulkier, but they have so much more character and detail. Shockingly, the rightmost figure (Skull & Shackles #008 Sea Devil Champion) and the Classic Creatures miniatures are both manufactured by Wizkids. What gives, did they forget how to make aquatic monster humanoids over the span of several years?

Sea Spawn Monster Menagerie 3 #023 Sea Spawn

Not a huge improvement over the Sahuagin, but the detail is a tad better. The face is distinct and the paint work is passable. This is a serviceable minion.

Uk’otoa Acolyte Maze of Death #018 Urdefhan Necromancer

I’m conflicted about this figure. I like the character design, pose, and paint. However, the level of detail in the casting is disappointing. This is most apparent in the arms and hands. They hardly look like limbs and digits, more like pool noodles really. This doesn't sink the model for me though. On the whole Urdefhan Necromancer is a quality villain miniature.

Closing Thoughts

Not the best episode for monster models. But the good news is that the party has two clerics with two diamonds and we are unlikely to see the worst of this episode’s minis again. Uk’otoa needs to find some more stylin’ acolytes.

Pedantic monster model complaints aside, this combat presentation was glorious. And even the uglier miniatures looked reasonably good on camera among the high quality terrain and professional lighting conditions.

Episode 99 will presumably involve the diplomatic ship meeting. If the peace talks are disrupted, the resulting encounter map is sure to be incredible.

#criticalroleminiaturerollout

#criticalroleminiaturerollout #critrole #crspoilers #criticalrole #cr

43 notes · View notes

technicalinfohub · 5 years

Text

Download Samsung Galaxy J6+ (2018) Firmware

This post includes the official flash file for Samsung Galaxy J6+ (2018) which you can download it for free {Download Samsung Galaxy J6+ (2018) Firmware}. The installation guide is also included Please do follow the instruction of installation for the best result. Thanks for Visiting TechnicalinfoHUB.

Note: Firmware File Coming Very Soon!Installation…

View On WordPress

0 notes

divinityblink-blog · 7 years

Text

｢Containment Breach｣

Word Count: 5126 A/N: This is my first drabble in a loooong time. So, I hope I do pretty okay for it. I just wanted to hammer in some of Aster’s backstory and motivations for this blog and him as a muse, this isn’t necessarily a required read! PLEASE, reference [here] for several of the characters’ essentials and information. But, if you do decide to read it, enjoy yourself!

“Aster--! You’re silly!”

The female’s voice rang out, a man’s laughing behind her. Three sat at the lunch table, garbed in white scrubs and sneakers. They nearly blended into the scenery around them, the facility a striking and strange white. The only color there were the armed guards, dawned in black combat gear for any occasion. However, based on the trio enjoying their lunch, one wouldn’t even pass the thought of an uprising.

A younger man was sat across from a woman and older man duo, both his seniors. His short sleeves allowed for the exposure of a bold ink, marked ‘S#032.’ His teal gaze was still blank, looking at the bland food before him. He couldn’t understand why the other two were laughing at him. The woman held her gloved hand out, being the only one with a full body uniform. She grabbed the plastic utensil and stabbed the prongs into the cooked green beans, holding them out before his mouth. His eyes looked up at the woman, her soft, beige complexion settling upon his blank stare. Teal hues refused to leave the woman’s face as she then mimicked a mother to a child, “Aster, say ‘ahh!’” His mouth opened but no sound came from his lips. The food was placed in and he began to chew, the man across from him giving a small chuckle, “Gosh, Jae. If he wasn’t so brain dead, it’d be like you were a cute couple sharing a meal-- Except it took all the mush!” “Dex, sometimes your mouth is just too big for that tiny head of yours!”

The two continued to bicker as Aster chewed, swallowing the mouthful of food once it was thoroughly ground up. He blinked his eyes, the two others turning their gaze back to him. The man lifted his head with a half cocked smile on his face, “Hey, Aster, what’s my name?” “D... Dexter,” The young man replied, his gaze slowly turning to the older, bulkier man. Dexter then pointed to the woman that had her hand pressed against his face, his own fist pressed down against the top of her head, “... And her?” “Jae-eun,” Aster replied, slow and zombie like. His gaze slowly shifted to meet her, and she simply smiled at him. The response ignited one within himself as well, the barely alive man’s lips curled at their corners to create an expression of delight. Jae-eun and Dexter smiled alike, dropping their hands from each other. Dexter then folded his arms, “Looks like our boy is becoming more and more human, huh?” “He’s always been human, Dex. Don’t tease him like that.” “Tease him? I’m just saying, wait until he can hold conversation! It’ll be nice to be able to talk to somebody besides you--!” “Hey, nobody’s asking you to talk to me!”

Their laughter echoed from the table, enriching their imprisoned lives. For what it was, it held peace. Years passed as they grew closer, the three experiments forming an unbreakable bond.

“Dex, from the right!” “Don’t leave our left flank open, Aster!” The two men were training together, running a lane for a combat simulation. A target popped up from the left, where Dexter had called it. Aster’s body encased itself in a blue glow as he thinned down to a blue beam of movement, only to reappear into the air as he had made destination. He extended his left arm, to reveal a black, metallic pistol. The trigger was pulled and the shot rang out, the lead round tearing through the air with the intention of pain and destruction. It tore through the target, the figure collapsing onto its back with a successful buzzer beep. His body encased itself once more, suddenly appearing next to Dex. The taller man was looking up at the large time posted from a neon clock, Aster’s eyes following him.

“17 seconds?! We were slower!?” “I told you, Aster! You’re slower than I am, you need to focus on what we know is there. I can handle the rest,” He constructed, turning his gaze to meet Aster. The man gazed up with a nod, the both of them then bumping their forearms together, “There’s always next time.” The two were then released from the lane, the door leading to a long hall that branched off in many directions. Jae-eun was waiting for them, a large smile on her face as they came walking together. Her hands clapped together, “About time they let you out! I was about to go eat without you!” “You probably would have eaten our meals, too,” Dex said, Aster following up with a laugh himself. “I’m feeding for two!” She retorted. “T-Two!?” The duo exclaim, looking at one another as if they had the suspicion that the other was at fault for this. “Myself and I!” She answered, with a look of accomplishment to wring out such a response from them. Aster’s cheeks flushed red and he turned his gaze away while Dex threw his head back with a groan, “Come on, then, Sea Sponge. Let’s go catch dinner.”

The three were walking together, making conversation about the day’s happenings. Aster’s gaze turned from Dexter and Jae-eun, meeting a woman’s figure at the end of the hall. She stood, arms tucked in and downwards, a bold ‘S#037′ placed on her left bicep. The teal hues raised from her arm to her lean face, examining her genetic perfections. His lips curled with a hint of a smile, giving a small wave, “Hey, Aella.” The woman was kind enough to return the smile and nod at him, “Enjoying yourself, Aster?” “Of course, Aella. Dex is always a blast to be around!” “Isn’t he?” She replied, her gaze shifting to the taller man. The two held a silence before he stepped out from in between Aster and Jae-eun, giving them a quick glance back, “I’ll catch up, you two. Don’t wait up-- Just keep the food hot.” He gave them a smile, ushering them along.

Aster paid no mind to it, turning to his companion to continue casual conversation-- Only to catch her glancing back at the two. He then turned back to see the two exchanging words, Dexter glancing up at them only to turn his figure away from them. As if he were blinding himself of their presence, to shun them away from this side of who Dexter was. Every time he spoke with Aella, he closed himself to the lot of them. To Jae-eun. To Aster.

His brows burrowed upwards with a line of concern, Jae-eun’s hand placing itself onto the younger man’s shoulder and turning his gaze away from that image of self torment and questioning. His breath was unsteady without even his own realization, the rolls of mucus being the only indicator to Aster. two.

The two had stepped out into the cafeteria, only to see a bulky and tall man, a gaze hard on the duo. The man’s number was bold across his larger bicep, a printed ‘S#039.’ Aster’s brows furrowed at just the sight of the other, “It’s Owain.” “I know,” Jae-eun replied in more of a whisper, to attempt to dissuade any sort of suspicion that Owain might have held. However, despite her attempt, the man’s figure moved towards them. His lips were in a natural frown, his brows generally pushed forward to that of annoyance or anger. He stepped in front of Aster, Jae-eun attempting to put herself in between the them. Owain didn’t push to her advances, his silver eyes glaring down the shorter Aster, “’32, don’t you listen to that boy’s lies now.” “Wh-What are you talking abo--!?” “They need you, ‘32. And, when the time comes, walk between their given paths.” “What’s your deal, Owain!?” Yet, before an answer could be given, a loud buzzer sounded across the facility. Everyone present knew the meaning, a long buzz to signify that it was time for them to sleep the night away. It drew Aster and Jae-eun’s attention away from the man, his movements shifting as he stepped passed and began his way to his own containment cell. Aster turned about, spotting the man’s back as the words seemed to rattle his brain.

“... Who are they?”

Aster had given his final bits of the night to Jae-eun before he made his way to his own cell. His shoes tapped against the tiles of the hall’s flooring as he walked alone. A hand raised to the back of his neck, brushing the loose locks and fuzz that it managed to capture upon its clasp. There were armed men by the door, ushering for his entry as he approached. Like clockwork, he went through a body search before entering the cell and making his way over to his bunk. He practically collapsed in the cushion of the bed, his eyes staring at the starch white wall, “... Why is everyone acting so weird?”

Teal hues shut from exhaustion.

His eyes suddenly opened, a heat of sleep deprivation stinging at the exposed bits of the organ. He turned in the darkness of his cell, hearing commotion from beyond the door.

Struggles.

Screams.

Then, silence.

There was more movement, and the thick steel suddenly shifted. Light peeked through, Aster’s grip on the blanket pulling towards himself. His brow arched forward, the image of the heretic blackened from the light that beamed passed. Aster’s arm raised above his brow, eyes squinting with the sudden visual intake. The figure stood before it turned itself away, stepping out from the doorway. Aster could hear the foot steps fade, until there was silence. It was like his stomach was anchored to the floor.

He tossed his blanket to the side, slipping from the edge of the mattress. He stumbled with his first few steps, knees weak. His stomach seemed to twist with each step closer to the door, his eyes focused with the light now. He could see the fresh crimson water splatter across the white tiles of the hall. His fingers latched onto the metallic frame as his head perched out. His gaze shifted up and down the hall before he took a step out, his chest shaky as he took a deep breath. His hands curled into tight fists, brows furrowed with a held determination.

He ran down the hall, teal hues spotting a group of rushing guards. He attempted to stop and duck for concealment, only to slide on his padded shoes. He quickly backtracked against the wall, his head gently tapping the clean tiles as he let their grouped sound fade somewhat. He rushed passed the branched off entry, rushing over to the cell labeled with a bold, black ink ‘S#033.’

Aster’s hands grabbed onto the steel door, not questioning the lack of guards around. He used his weight to pull the handle, then pushed inwards to allow light to break into the darkened room. A figure rummaged from under the covers, only to lift up in a daze of tired. She rubbed her right eye, grogginess in her voice, “... Aster? Why are you here? The morning alarm--” “We’re getting out of here, Jae!” “... What?” Aster stepped into the room to help her up, reaching forward only to stop and pull his arm back. The exposing light flashed across her body, showing her in a white tank top. His cheeks flushed red as he looked away, clearing his throat. He had never seen Jae-eun in this kind of light, and he hadn’t realized how attractive she really was. It hugged her body, giving her a much more shapely figure despite being rationally average with her measurements. He awkwardly cleared his throat, Jae-eun’s eyes drifting downward as she smiled a much more devious notion. She shook her head, kicking her legs to the side and using the motion of sliding off the mattress to gain footing. She took a deep breath, “Aster, let’s get you back before we both get in trouble--” “Jae-eun, someone killed the guards and opened my door! Jae, we can--!!” “What!? Aster, this isn’t good! They’re going to kill you for this!” “No, Jae! We’re going to get out of here! You, me, and Dex! C’mon!” Her tired eyes simply looked at the other, brows arched forward a bit. Her wake was slowly catching up with her, her mind grasping what Aster was planning. Her lip tucked itself between her teeth with a gentle bite before she nodded her head, “If we do this, we’ll never be able to come back, Aster. This life of peace... This is something we’ll never have again. Are you sure you want that?” “This is hardly a life of peace, Jae... But, as long as I’m with Dex and you, nothing will stop me from fighting until we get that peace.” Jae-eun replied with a simple smile, the both of them taking the ever dwindling time to race out of the room. Dexter’s cell was branched off another hallway, the two wasting no time to locate the painted letters of his serial, ‘S#038.’ However, as they arrived, the two quickly backed out of view of the hall. Guards in riot gear were posted all about the hallway, heavily guarding the designated door. Aster grit his teeth, “They’ve got guys all over his cell!” “Then we make do, Aster! I’ll distract them, you get Dex!”

The moment suddenly hit. Jae-eun had run into the open hall, calling for attention. She then ran back, rushing passed Aster. The man took a few steps back before ducking into a corner. The men rushed passed, chasing after the rather agile woman. Once the last set of boots turned away from his line of sight, Aster slowly stood to his feet. He rushed down the hallway, one of the two guards left behind turning his sights to the man, “Hey, you’re not supposed to--!?” Aster’s body suddenly engulfed in a blue aura, his body ripping across the space. When he reappeared, his fist was extended outwards and thrust into the man’s facial mask. He was thrown back into the other, both now spread across the white, glossy floor. Aster turned to the door, grabbing the steel hand and pulling it open. He then placed his shoulder against the door, pushing into it as he slowly opened. The light of the hall crept passed his figure, illuminating the dark room. Aster’s eyes scanned around as he took a step inside, “Dext-- Huh...?”

It remained empty.

The bed was made, and it seemed to have been untouched for sometime. He stood in the doorway, his bros pushed together, nearly touching from the intensity. He turned back without a second thought, following the path that Jae-eun had ran. He headed down the hallway, the white suddenly stained with a fresh, bright crimson. It ran along the wall, splotches remained on the floor. The smear of the blood gave the impression that whoever was bleeding was in a rush down the hallway. He paced himself, fear causing hesitation in the man.

He appeared in the entryway of the cafeteria. He froze up, the sight of the chaos having caught his gaze. The tables were flipped, several guards had their weapons drawn. Jae-eun was collapsed, the trail of crimson leading towards her. His eyes continued to gaze around, aware that the attention of the room was now suddenly shifting to him. Jae-eun’s gaze turned up, and she pushed herself forward, “No! Aster! Ru-- Agh!!” One of the men cut her off early, ramming the buttstock of his rifle into the side of her head. She collapsed again, obviously hitting her hard as she struggled for consciousness. Aster took a step forward, only for a man’s voice to shout at him to stop. He recognized the voice, and at its presence he had turned around.

Brows burrowed forward as the bulky, tall man walked into view. His hair was short, but long enough to be wiry and messy. Eyes were a deep blue, hard to look at if one couldn’t recognize him. His face was a permanent frown, almost etched into him so naturally. The man looked down, unfolding his arms to expose the bold ‘S#039′ print on his left arm, “Stand down, ‘32. You’re not part of this mission.” “Wh... What do you mean ‘mission’!?” Aster shouted back, his hands balling into fists, “You mean... You’re just going to attack Jae-eun!? She’s one of us! You’re going to just turn against her like this!?” “You need to understand!” His brows arched forward, glaring down at Aster, “We don’t have friends-- We don’t have family. We’re weapons and nothing more! We were stripped of our names, our lives! We are dead to the world, ‘32,” Owain’s deep voice rattled through Aster’s chest, widening the teal hues. The man then stepped passed him, his body slowly coating itself with a shiny, metallic cover, “My mission is to exterminate Subject Number zero-three-three. You’re being decommissioned, as for you--” He stopped walking, his feet stopping with the sound of scrapping metal. He looked over his shoulder again, “You are to be recaptured and detained. You are too valuable to the company, ‘32.” Jae-eun slowly pulled herself up, her eye now swollen over. Owain continued towards her, holding his hand out and pointing it downwards towards her. She looked up with her dark eyes, irises red from the held back tears of pain, “Please, Owain...” “You know what our purpose is. I only sympathize with you for being on the other end.” “Then... Let me say goodbye to Aster...” Owain turned his gaze over to the man, still paralyzed before the sights before him. His hands were tightened, knuckles white, teeth bared, and eyes lost in the white tiles of the floor. Jae-eun called his name, his teal hues drifting over to her defeated image, “Aster... Don’t be sad... I’ll be with you, alright?” Tears began to swell up in her eyes, a woeful smile on her face, “And together, we’ll walk through the Garden of Eden.”

Owain suddenly shifted. His brows arched forward, turning from her to Aster’s image now. His eyes hardened suddenly, his body straightening upwards. Owain threw his hand forward, “Fire! Fire now, you idiots!” Jae-eun took the moment to scurry to one of the corners.

The men raised their rifles, suddenly firing the automatic gunfire. Suddenly, his body disappeared with a blue aura coating his body. The blur ripped across the air. He’d appeared in one location, only for the coating to engulf his body and move him to another spot of the room, waiting for the men to pause their firing. Once the last round fired, a fraction of a second passed before he reappeared. The man held out a closed hand, turning it towards the floor and opening. From his hands, discharged rounds were dropped to the nearly flawless tiles. The men stood for a moment, Owain’s lip quivering, “... Shit.” One of the men shifted, only for Aster’s body to phase over. He suddenly thrust his left hand upwards, diverting the fire of the rifle. With his arm extended upwards, he used the down motion to hook the back of the guard’s head. He pulled it down to meet with an upwards knee, cracking the visor of the other’s face mask. He then turned on the heel of his still planted foot, turning and extending the bent leg outwards with some impromptu sideways kick. His foot hit the side of the man’s helmet, knocking him to the floor. He shifted again, his body forming in the air with his leg already upwards. He brought it down like a hammer, thrusting the other down towards the floor with a stumble. He then reappeared on the ground, quickly bending down to grab the ankle of his black boot. With a surprising amount of strength, he twisted himself about to toss the man across the room. The guard screamed before he hit the wall, cracking the tiles and falling limp to the ground. The next moment, he was on the third guard. Before he could fire, Aster threw a left hook into his side. The force caused him to drop the rifle from his arm. Aster’s free arm crossed across his body to snag it, only to push the barrel up on the other’s exposed neck from the handguard. Without any sort of negotiation, he brought his left hand to the trigger and pulled with ease. The man’s neck exploded into a bloody mess, the sound of sudden gurgles and chocking filling the air-- Muffled only by the ring from the muzzle blast. Aster turned to see Owain’s movement towards him. The metallic man swiped his arm horizontally, Aster ducking. The arm ripped through the rifle like butter, causing the upper half to spin about in the air from the force. He grabbed it, taking the barrel and pushing it between Owain’s lips. The man’s metallic coated eyes looked down, only for the assassin to swing the buttstock like a bat against the other half. There was the sound of grinding metal, shortly followed by the sound of Owain choking and gagging. The metallic man was leaned forward, coughing. He felt a hand place itself on his neck, lifting him up. He was met with the image of Aster’s gaze. The teal hues like a burning flame, his discolored brows arched forward with intense line. Aster cocked his head back, only to thrust it forward against his. Owain stumbled back, his hands held against his forehead now. His vision blurred in and out, looking down at the other.

Blood ran from Aster’s forehead, only for the open wound to seal itself shut in a matter of seconds. The larger man shook his head, raising his fists, “No more playing around, ‘32... I will cut you down if I have to!” Aster tilted his head to the side, giving a scowl.

The two met, Owain throwing the first punch. He threw a right hook, only for the other to lean back and have the initial attack miss. He threw a straight, Aster shifting his body so his fist ran alongside his head. He used the momentum, swiping his leg beneath Owain’s to throw him off balance-- Cutting up his own leg rather badly. Owain’s body fell with a slam, cracking the tiled floor beneath them. He grunted as he looked up towards Aster, the assassin staring down at the metallic man. His breathing was heavy huffing, “You can’t... Kill me, Aster... Not even ‘37 was able to best me in spars. What makes you think you’ll be able to--!?” Aster bent down and gripped Owain’s forehead. He pulled him up, only to use his full force and slam the back of his head back down into the tiles. Raising Owain’s head once again, he kept slamming him into the ground. Metallic clunks echoed through the round as he let out grunt after grunt, Owain’s hand pressed against Aster’s face-- Cutting him up like a thousand razors waltzing across the ivory skin. His blood began to run down the underside of Owain’s arm, only for the heated feeling in his face to meet another warmth. Owain had suffered from head trauma, the metallic coating on his body growing spotty and exposing some of his flesh. His fingers attempted to curl, “As-Aster, don’t...” Aster tilted his head away from Owain’s hand, pulling his hand back from the other’s face. He then stood, his body slowly beginning to heal itself as he approached one of the tossed aside rifles. He picked it up, grabbing the pistol grip and holding it by his side. By the time he had come back to Owain’s body, his wounds were healing scabs. Aster stood over the main, bringing the rifle upwards towards the exposed rift across Owain’s chest. The man looked up at him, his brows arched up. His exposed hand reached up towards him, “No please... I-I don’t want to die, Aster...!”

No remorse was held as he pulled the trigger, Owain’s crimson spilled across the imperfect tiles.

Teal hues suddenly widened as reality built itself around Aster now. His hand began to shake, dropping the rifle suddenly. It rattled and bounced as it hit the floor, Aster taking a few steps back from the scene. His gaze looked around, spotting Jae-eun in the corner. Her eyes were wide, tears streaming down her puffy cheeks with no facial reaction. Aster took several steps towards her before stumbling a bit and falling to one of his knees. She crawled towards him, the man struggling to get back up before he simply let himself fall to his knees. He wanted to hold her, he wanted to feel the comfort of her presence but he knew of the consequences. They both just knelt near one another, Aster’s cheeks dry despite the knot in his throat. He felt a piercing pain in his chest, a push of a blade that went deeper and deeper with each beat of his heart. It felt as though his neck was going to swell shut, a constant swallow as a reminder that he could still breath. He didn’t want to look-- He couldn’t look. He knew what he had done, he could feel Owain’s weight.

How could he ever be a good guy like this?

Jae-eun got to her feet at the sound of the clunking boots, “A-Aster, c’mon! We have to go!” He turned his gaze to Owain’s body, laying so freshly lifeless. He continued to nod his head as she gripped his shirt to help him get to his feet, holding her side as they made their way to a now unguarded exit. Jae-eun had known about this back exit for some time. When she was younger, Dexter and she used to sneak out into the garden. It wasn’t gated off, which always lead to them being lectured by Owain for reckless behavior. She pressed her weight against the door to reveal gray clouds and falling water, the colors of a darkened and gray nature but still all the while more vibrant. It was like opening a door to a dream that he hadn’t even known he had forgotten. He stared up at the sky, wincing a bit at the clouds as the rain drizzled down upon them. She guided him along a line of bushes in bloom, allowing now time to admire their color. All his life, Aster had seen only the colors of the facility and labs. He hadn’t known such color existed in the world-- Not in all sorts of coexistence. Their feet suddenly met with hard soil, dried from the usual heat. And yet, on such an unusual day rain had decided to grace the land with its rare presence. The facility grew smaller and smaller as they continued towards where Jae-eun could only hope the road was. She had her hand still gripped on the chest of Aster’s shirt, only for her to suddenly jerk back as he stumbled again. She turned around, seeing the man once again on his knees. The rain felt warm against his skin, humid and clammy. It felt discomforting, like he couldn’t be washed away. His teal hues looked up at her, several strands of water running down his soaking face. And yet, even through all that, she knew that he was no longer holding himself back. She bent down, placing her knees on the wet ground, her hands reaching out towards him. They placed themselves on his shoulders, “Aster... You were stronger than anyone I had ever seen before. That’s why I know you’ll survive, you’ll get through this.”

Jae-eun leaned forward, her lips pursed gently to meet his. The man’s eyes widened a bit before they softened, pushing back into the kiss. He knew of the consequences, before for the first time in his life he felt the comfort he had always wanted. The kiss was brief, but felt as though he was experiencing it for a lifetime. Their lips parted, and Jae-eun’s gaze met with Aster’s. He could feel his body begin to tense up, and he struggled to fight the poison. He looked up at her, watching her stand from his body, “I’m sorry, Aster... But, I know what I have to do. I’m not ready for you... Not yet. I hope you can forgive me.” She began to take a few steps back as pushed himself to attempt and follow, only to lean forward and meet his face with the dirt. However hard it was, he continued to struggle against the toxins. His face ground against the wet, hard earth just to get a glimpse of her back. He struggled to reach up, his arm tense as it extended in small movements. His jaw dropped, shifting up and down as he struggled to call her name.

Maybe if she heard him, she’d stay.

Maybe if she knew he loved her, she’d stay.

Yet, her image continued to shrink. Fading from his sight. Fading from him.

A bell rang, a diner’s usual customers having their morning chatter. A young girl had been running late to work, no doubt a waitress. Her hair was in a mess, clothes ruffled. The small business was too busy to afford a lecture right now, and she was pointed by one of the older women to help with a gentleman’s order. She gave a nod and a thousand apologies, heading over to the man’s booth. “My name’s Lindsey today, might I get you somethin’ to drink, hun?” “Just a coffee, thank you.” The man looked over at her, a smile on his face. An ivory fair skin, white locks that wilted to a black-- Probably the work of a very good hairdresser. He was well dressed, a blue blouse, tie, suspenders, all complimented with his black slacks. As she wrote down on her pad, the bell rang again. She looked up to see some thugs, roughed up with gaudy suits and egos to overcompensate. One had a cigarette hanging from his lips, despite the prohibiting sign in the door. They looked around the place, immediately silencing it, one of the men spoke up, “Hey! We’re looking for Lindsey! She ran out on our date last night and owes me some of that ass!” Naturally, the waitress stepped back. One of the men tapped the other, pointing her out. They smirked, walking over with swagger, “Lindsey, you thought you could--” The man suddenly stood from his both, the thug bumping into his shoulder. He wasn’t phased, instead he stared down the annoyances to the diner, “Hey, who the hell do you think you are!?” His teal hues were set on the obvious ringleader, “My name’s Aster Brooks.”

#Drabble!;;#tw: gore #tw: sexualization

6 notes · View notes

molly-thorne · 5 years

Text

Refrences

Vintage Magnifying glass lies on an ancient world map in 1565, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://dissolve.com/video/Vintage-still-life-Vintage-magnifying-glass-lies-ancient-royalty-free-stock-video-footage/001-D1001-16-039>Barker, C 2007, ‘Issues of subjectivity and identity’, in Cultural studies: theory and practice, 3rd edn, Sage Publications, London

Brooks, P 2001, Troubling confessions: speaking guilt in law and literature, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

Dawson, T 2003, ‘Dorian Gray as Symbolic as Symbolic Representation of Wilde’s Personality’, The Victorian Web, weblog post, 16 October, viewed 27 March 2019, <http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/wilde/dawson16.html>

Fantasy Writing Course 2012, ‘J.K. Rowling’s Literary Influences’, Fantasy Writing Course, weblog post, n.d., viewed 28 March 2019, <http://www.fantasywritingcourse.com/a-bookish-child>

Faraci, D 2012, ‘How SKYFALL Clears Up Bond’s Biggest Continuity Question’, Birth. Movies. Death., weblog post, 11 November, viewed 25 March 2019, <https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2012/11/11/how-skyfall-clears-up-bonds-biggest-continuity-question>

Hall, S, Held, D, Hubert, D, Thompson, K 1996, Modernity: an introduction to modern societies, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford.

Lee, H 2006, To Kill a Mockingbird, Arrow Books, London

Mansfield, N 2000, ‘Freud and the split subject’, in Subjectivity: theories of the self from Freud to Haraway, New York University Press, New York

Nobokov, V 2007, Mary, trans. M Glenny, Penguin Books, London, UK

Taylor, G 2007, ‘Influence and Originality’, National Art Education Association, vol. 60, no. 4, pp. 4-5, viewed 28 March 2019, <http://www.jstor.org/stable/27696220>

Wilde, O 1962, The Letters of Oscar Wilde, ed. R. Hart-Davis, London, UK

IMAGES

1984 cover, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://i.pinimg.com/originals/77/34/5a/77345acd7a227e89cd5d1e441542603e.jpg>

Chantal PhotoPix 2011, Leaf Covered Pathway In a Golden Forest, image, pixels, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://pixels.com/featured/leaf-covered-pathway-in-a-golden-forest-chantal-photopix.html>

Interview with the Vampire cover, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1380631642l/43763.jpg>

James Bond Artwork, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/jamesbond/images/d/d0/Best-movie-logo-designs-3-1024x512.png/revision/latest?cb=20160102083941>

Screen Capture from The Magicians, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://media.comicbook.com/2016/02/the-magicians---the-wolrd-in-the-walls-168873.jpeg>

The Picture of Dorian Gray cover, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://is4-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Publication2/v4/4b/3d/57/4b3d5751-3a98-af4c-f5a0-07aee956d8c4/source/1200x630bb.jpg>

Thorne, J 2019, Movement, image

To Kill a Mockingbird cover, image, viewed 28 March 2019, < https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71FxgtFKcQL.jpg>

0 notes

newssplashy · 6 years

Text

Sex & Relationships: 'I used to love getting naked — And then I got pregnant'

These were the words of encouragement (okay, commands) I gave to my significant partner before our first time having sex in the three months since I'd given birth to our daughter.

“Don’t touch me too much. And don’t go too fast,” I said. “And don’t be mad if I don’t look like I’m having that much fun.”

These were the words of encouragement (okay, commands) I gave to my significant partner before our first time having sex in the three months since I'd given birth to our daughter. Talk about a pre-sex buzzkill, right?

In response, my ever-supportive partner remained calm. “It feels the same,” he said as soon as he was inside me.

He’s right, I thought. Then, No he’s not!!! He can’t be!!!

Physically, my doctor had reassured me that I was fit for sex, but psychologically I was a wreck. I was terrified that things would be permanently different ~down there~ or that I wouldn't be able to experience pleasure like before.

Most of all, I was extremely aware of the extra pounds I was still carrying on my hips, thighs, and butt. I didn't want anyone, even my loving, sweet partner, to accidentally graze my mushy tummy or my engorged breasts.

The brutal truth: Twelve weeks after pushing a tiny human out of my vagina, I still didn't feel quite like myself.

'I thought I'd love being pregnant. I was wrong.'

When I first found out that I was pregnant, I assumed I’d be one of those women who lovesbeing pregnant. I imagined pulling a Demi Moore and posing naked for my partner every few weeks or so, clutching my belly with one arm and hugging my breasts with the other so he could capture every glorious stage of my natural transformation.

After all, I had always been super confident about my body. Sure, I had my insecurities like any other human woman, but for the most part I was comfortable and happy with my willowy figure. In my twenties, I had been the person who'd take their clothes off first during hookups, or would be the one to suggest late night skinny-dipping.

But as soon as I started to gain weight during the first trimester, every uptick in the number on the scale unnerved me. Rather than celebrating the “miracle of life,” I found myself lamenting every bit of bulge that appeared on my butt, breasts, and belly. Even my upper arms seemed thicker. I felt wider everywhere-from ankles to neck-maybe because I was imagining it, or maybe because I was retaining that much water. My naked body looked foreign and unfamiliar.

'I couldn't see myself the same way others did.'

Throughout, my partner was reassuring. “Do you realize how hot you are?” he’d say whenever he caught me naked. He looked at me longingly like he always had, and seemed genuinely turned on by my expanding form (especially my plumped-up chest and ass). Strangers were kind as well, often going out of their way to note how I “carried well,” or appeared to be “glowing.”

Still, I couldn’t see myself the way they did. By the second trimester, I dreaded getting dressed each morning because nothing seemed to fit. I sometimes recoiled from my S.O.'s touch. I avoided mirrors. Try as I might, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d lost something-that I was no longer as attractive because of how my body had changed.

'I wasn't used to hating how I looked-and I didn't like that feeling.'

Obviously, weight gain is normal (and necessary) during pregnancy. But I couldn't get my brain to accept that. I obsessively looked up info online about the dangers of gestational weight gain to a mother's and a baby's health-hypertension, gestational diabetes, delivery complications. Even after testing negative for gestational diabetes, I worried about every additional pound.

I’d be lying if I said I was mainly concerned about health risks. Mostly, I just hated the way I looked-and I wasn’t used to feeling that way about my body.

I tried to figure out what "normal" was, and sent frantic texts to friends asking them how much weight they’d gained during pregnancy. But the responses didn't help me much in my panic. One friend reported gaining 40 pounds during her first pregnancy, but only 17 during her second. Another friend gained 32 pounds by week 24, but barely gained in the weeks thereafter. Yet another gained 65 pounds, but lost it all somehow within two months postpartum.

The information I gathered confirmed one thing: That every body, and every pregnancy, is different.

'Do something about your f*cked up attitude.'

One morning, 30 weeks into my pregnancy, I found myself standing in front of a full-length mirror, scrutinizing every inch of my third trimester figure. The reflection I saw in the mirror looked nothing like that person I was, the person who used to be so eager to get naked.

In that moment, what I loathed even more than the sight of my body was the self-conscious woman staring back at me. You are about to be the mother of a daughter, I reminded myself. If you want her to have a healthy body image, you’re going to have to do something about your own f*cked-up attitude. You’re going to have to rewire your brain, because thinness should not equal confidence.

That morning, I pledged to be kinder to myself. I wanted to be a mom who accepted herself at any weight. Who felt good about herself for reasons that had nothing to do with her appearance. Who would not be a hypocrite when she told her daughter to love herself for her heart, her mind, and her character.

I hid the household scale in the back of a closet and forced myself to compliment my own reflection. “You are smart,” I told myself. “Stop being so hard on yourself.” During sex, I tried my best to shelve every toxic thought that popped into my head. Slowly but surely, I re-learned how to enjoy myself in bed.

And slowly but surely, it helped. By the time my due date arrived, I was sending my partner hilarious nude selfies so we could marvel together at my metamorphosis. I had to admit: The female body is truly capable of magnificent things.

'I want to be an example for my daughter.'

Of course, developing an authentic sense of body confidence is an ongoing process. After giving birth, I faced a new set of hurdles that impacted my sense of self. I became preoccupied by how long it would take to shed the baby weight, and how weird sex would feel after the vaginal trauma that is pushing a pumpkin-sized baby out of a canal more suited to cucumbers.

It's a process-and it's something I'm still dealing with (in case you couldn't tell by the first-time post-baby sex story). The difference is that now my daughter is here with me, in the outside world. Every time I hold her in my arms, I’m reminded of just how important it is to lead by example.

If I want my daughter to be comfortable in her skin, I have to keep working toward being comfortable in mine. I have to keep being kind to myself, reminding myself that I am more than my weight or my body shape. I have to learn to feel like myself, no matter what the scale says.

I'm doing it for both of us.

Mélanie Berliet is the Chief Editorial Director of Thought Catalog and Quote Catalog. You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook.

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/05/sex-relationships-i-used-to-love_13.html

#News

0 notes