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queerchoicesblog · 5 years

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A Promise Kept (OH/WT Crossover, Harper Emery & Ellen Thompson, Friendship)

As anticipated, my very first (official) crossover fanfic for the entry Friendship of the @choicesjulychallenge hosted by @kinda-iconic ❤️

As I was playing Wishful Thinking I had this crazy idea: I started picturing an Ellen Thompson & Harper Emery friendship. They’re about the same age, they’re both devoted and esteemed professionals (dealing with scumbags like Ellen’s boss and Declan Nash *cough cough*)...long story short a friend-ship canon started shaping. And that’s the result: hope you like it!

Disclaimer: The fic contains a reference to this previous work as well as a personal background and FC (Gugu Mbatha-Raw is not the perfect FC but I get Harper vibes) for Dr. Emery

Prompt: Friendship

Word Count: 1988

Perma Tag: @brightpinkpeppercorn @melodyofgraves @bhavf @begging-for-kamilah @abunchofbadchoices @silverhawkenzie @kennaxval @strangerofbraidwood @crazypeanat @desiree-0816 @universallypizzataco

Harper Emery Tag: @bubblygothzombie @emeryharper @korrasamixfan @delphinusbae

If you like this, please consider a like, comment, and/or reblog.

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"Holy crap! How come I missed this?"

Aurora froze gaping at the box placed on her aunt's new desk. She stopped by to return her set of keys before starting her shift and found Harper unpacking her stuff in her new, well previous smaller yet comfortable office as "Head of Neurosurgery, Edenbrook Hospital". She had never been there before: she had only seen it during video calls but it was the first time she actually set foot there. There were a couple of boxes around filled with the little decor the place needed: her aunt's degrees, a few framed photos (graduation picture with beaming Dad, Grandpa and Nana; a rare shot of Harper and her mentor, Dr. Rabinovits, posing for the cameras and was that Alexander Evans, that former patient she heard of? Well, probably a family photo of the Evans wearing Santa hats), a small ebony sculpture, a painting of a Caribbean landscape and a set of wrist and hand stretchers. Books had already been organized over the shelves.

But that one...that was unexpected.

"What, Rory?" Harper asked, checking her bookcase.

Aurora's fingers grazed a frame before picking her up in her hands.

"You have been interviewed by Ellen Thompson? The Ellen Thompson?" she asked, showing the newspaper article that caught her attention.

Harper slowly diverted her eyes from her previous chore and let them linger a moment over the old article before moving closer and gently taking it from Rory's hands. A tiny smile filled with nostalgia formed on her lips: her younger self flashing an enigmatic smile to the camera casually sit on her desk was still in the dark of the tough challenges her career had in store for her. She was just happy, proud of herself; she was just forgetting for a moment the harsh reality of "that cruel science called neurosurgery", as Dr. Rabinovits put it. But the memory of that day was pleasant, comforting in a way.

"Yes, it was her last article she wrote before being promoted daytime anchor. I thought you knew? I'm pretty sure Nana has a copy of this, Marcus too probably..."

"Yeah probably...I must have missed it. I was too busy with college and my dissertation at the time probably..." Aurora considered. "But how?! I mean, I'm not trying to belittle your achievement, it's just...Ellen!"

"I know, I was surprised too at the time" Harper laughed softly.

"I bet!"

"I didn't think she would accept it. Because of bias, you know? She confessed that it had been quite a tough call for her, she's an incredibly talented professional and being accused of being biased is a capital sin in her field..."

"Biased? How could she be biased?" Aurora furrowed her brows, confused.

Harper took a pause and gave her an amused look.

"Because we're friends, Rory! Don't you remember?"

"You're friends??" Aurora gaped, plopping down on the sofa. "I really slept on this for years?"

"Well, we don't see each other as often as we once did now but we never truly drifted apart. And oh, you were probably too young to remember but she attended my graduation. Nana probably has pictures of that day...there was a small group of friends celebrating with us: you surely remember Bethany - she visited a few months ago, Nate, her college boyfriend, Ricardo, Alison, Elliott-"

"Oh I do remember Elliott! Your college sweetheart, dressed up to the nines and all googly eyes" the young Emery giggled.

"Glad you remember" Harper made a scene of rolling her eyes, smiling. "...and the most elegant of all was Ellen. That Ellen"

Aurora took a moment to reminisce the few memories she had of that day. Yes, probably...no surely! That girl in a gorgeous pink dress clinging her glass and chatting with Nana was Ellen. And...oh gosh, her younger self had even been so nosy to ask Ellen, that Ellen where she bought that dress because she wanted one just like hers. Luckily, Harper spoke again, saving Rory from the embarrassment of that moment.

"As I said we had somehow kept in touch over the years, against all odds. We were both so busy...her internships, her field jobs, my residency. But we managed to check on each other every now and then. Small things, even just a message in the voicemail or a quick call"

She smiled - a quick soft smile- and handed the framed article back to Aurora.

"When I became 'the youngest Head of Neurosurgery in the history of Massachusetts' she showed up at my door" she said, nodding behind her. "And announced that she was gonna interview me. It wasn't even up for debate, she would have signed that article"

"The hell with the friendship bias?" the niece asked, more and more involved in the story featuring two of her personal role model.

Harper smiled again, but it was a weaker one this time.

"Apparently so. She claimed that there were very good reasons to write it, even ethical reasons if you wish. She said that it was a story worth being told, that I could have inspired people out there, little girls in schools, things like that."

She sighed, shooking her head.

"Not sure I lived up to that inspirational role, but I tried, right?".

Aurora diverted her eyes: she knew what her aunt was referring to. She remembered the conversation they had the night before the hearing, their argument during the break of that hearing...and frowned.

The weight of the last few words lead to a brief silence, interrupted only by the sounds of steps along the corridor.

"Oh this must be Tanaka with Dr. Yannick. I asked them to stop by to sign those papers...excuse me, it won't be long"

That said, she hurried to meet the colleagues, leaving Aurora alone in her office.

The Emery girl absentmindedly eavesdropped the three of them discussing a surgical oncology procedure but she got lost in the surgical medicalese the doctors spoke. So her eyes fell on the article in her hands again. She started reading:

“A Promise Kept: Why You Should Know The Story Behind Edenbrook Hospital New Shining Star"

As some of you probably know, this will be my last article. Before you start getting sentimental about it, I do not regret it: I've spent so many years of my life typing behind a laptop and as much as they will always be an important, essential maybe, part of my life, I'm ready and eager for what comes next. You are going to hear my voice and see my face on your screen, brace yourself, dear readers.

I must confess that I was full of doubts about writing this article because I value ethics and professionalism. But I soon realized that ethics and professionalism are the main topics of this piece I'm writing and well, the very reason why this article should see the light of day.

So, for one last time, let me tell you a story.

More than a decade ago, I was a college student, an ambitious hard-working journalism major struggling over a research project. My professor asked the class to think outside the box and choose an issue we were not familiar with so that we were forced to document, do some real fact-checking and so on just like real reporters do. I spent hours in the library trying to find the perfect issue for a project I wanted to be A+, but nothing came. I was losing all hope when I noticed the notes of the girl sitting in front of me. They were complex anatomy schemes: she was a med student. Frustrated by my current situation, I did what I rarely do: ask for help. So I tapped her shoulder and asked her about controversial issues in the medical sphere she would like to see debated or brought in the spotlight. Just one, it was for a journalism project. The girl took her time to think about it then handed me a piece of paper with her answer:

Less than 19% of surgeons in this country are women and the percentage drops considerably if we consider specific specialties and women of color. It is a truth universally acknowledged yet publicly denied that women are still overlooked for surgical positions: the fair sex is emotional, tends to get to involved in the medical cases, not to mention potentially hysterical and suffering of that dangerous 'lack of refrain' so well known (?) to their male colleagues. They make better nurses than doctors and better GP than surgeons.

That was a promising start. I thanked the girl and wished her good luck with her upcoming exam. Actually, I saw that girl a few days later: she passed her exam with flying colors and was now standing by my side at a rally. We became friends and one night, the first night of our senior years we made a pinky promise: a solemn silly pinky promise not to give up no matter what obstacles we will have to face later in our careers. A solemn silly pinky promise to be one day the best journalist and best doctor we could ever be. For ourselves and the others out there.

Well, I'm glad and proud to announce that about fifteen years later, that mystery girl has become the youngest Head of Neurosurgeon in the history of Massachusetts. Daughter of an archeology professor and another legend in the surgical field, Eloise Emery, the Haitian born cardio surgeon who successfully performed the first domino heart transplant on pediatric patients at Mount Sinai Hospital, NY, in 1989, Harper Emery is already exceeding any reasonable expectation. Colleagues describe her as 'headstrong, devoted and passionate, a doctor who would go above and beyond for her patients' while prestigious medical magazines crowned her 'the most brilliant neurosurgeon of her generation”.

At first, I thought that I accepted to write this article because I know Harper Emery and I value and respect her dearly both as a friend and a professional. But that is not completely true.

I accepted to write this article because I know Harper Emery and I know that she will always keep her promise. She already did.

Good luck, Dr. Emery!

Author: Ellen Thompson

Aurora swallowed down the lump threatening to form in her throat: that was the aunt she knew and looked up to basically her whole life. An aunt she thought irremediably lost...but maybe she was wrong, after all. As that realization crossed her mind, her phone beeped. It was a message from...Dr. Trihn? It was a selfie of her new flatmates waiting for her at the cafeteria. They had already bought her a cappuccino and a saved her half donut. Oh right, 'roomies breakfast', she had almost forgotten. She cautiously placed the framed article on her aunt's desk and was about to exit the room when she almost bumped into Harper coming back to her office.

"Gotta roll?" she asked.

"Hm yeah. The new roomies want to grab a coffee together at the cafeteria...I suspect, no I'm afraid that is some kind of a 'shining happy people' ritual" Aurora sighed, hanging her head.

Her aunt chuckled at her reaction to a friendly gesture.

"I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds." she teased then smiled. "Have fun, Rory!"

The Emery girl nodded, even though she wasn't fully convinced, and picked a set of keys out of her pocket.

"Oh here's the keys and...Aunt Harper? You should hang that article to the wall"

Dr. Emery threw her a quizzical look then joked:

"Because it was written by Ellen? It would certainly give me celebrity points to impress the poor souls visit-"

"No, Auntie, you got it all wrong. Hang it to inspire yourself"

Aurora flashed her a quick confident smile and left the room headed to the cafeteria as Harper met once again the fierce joyful gaze of her younger self smiling back at her behind the framed glass.

#choices july challenge #open heart #wishful thinking #harper emery #ellen thompson #playchoices #choices fanfic

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reyintherain · 7 years

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The Last Jedi: Vanity Fair covers reaction and breakdown

Because I’m too hyped not to let it out!

Waking up today to this felt like Christmas! (for the lack of better analogy of waking up to gifts and surprises.) I just went to check if a new episode of the Scavenger’s Hoard was up yet, and what I got was a double bonus of the new episode AND the coveted Vanity Fair spread!

I love that they made 4 different covers instead of just one with either a bunch of characters thrown in together (like the TFA poster which I don’t like much for that very reason tbh) or a select image of, probably, Rey and Luke on the Ireland location. That could be cool too, but would be a) too reminiscent of the teaser poster and b) would not feature other, no less important and wonderful characters. So here it goes, the four covers broken down one by one.

(I tried to keep it short, but it never happens.)

The Force

Luke looks more and more like a god figure, and not a happy one. Whatever he’s been through changed him and left him a pained old man.

I love the burlap sack draped over Mark dramatically. Skywalker drama queen, indeed! (I say that lovingly)

Regarding Rey, honestly, I don’t have much to say, other than they’re playing it safe, and keeping the news on her character to the minimum (yet). She’s got her staff, but not the saber (would it be reading in too much to say she hasn’t let go of Jakku and still waiting for her family to come back at that point in the film?)

I like that random strain of her hair, making a loop in the wind. It’s kinda cute

Colour palette for Rey’s and Luke’s costumes is earthly, brown-grayish, with fabrics that look low-tech and reminiscent of traditionally woven materials. Compare and contrast with the First Order cover with Hux’s luxury silk shirt, Phasma’s ultra tech armor, and layers of dark and 3D printed belt buckle on Kylo.

The weather isn’t up for sunbathing and sipping a margarita on Ahch-To. Could be a coincidence as that was simply the weather on the day of the photoshoot, but I like to see this as a reflection of what’s going on on the island, as clouds gather in the sky.

On a side now, is this a composite image? Because Mark looks taller and larger than Daisy, in ways that suggest these are two separate photos of them combined together. I read somewhere that Annie Leibovitz is fond of stitching photos together (which is totally fine). It’s just that Mark’s seemingly huge hand and head and the way Daisy and Mark look like (or rather do not look like) standing next to each other kind of bother me, but, of course, that’s a minor thing, unimportant for the story and the characters.

The Dark Side

The Dark side? Not the First Order? Interesting choice. Whether one should look too much into this is a question, and the answer is probably not too look too much into that. It’s probably that ‘The Dark Side’ sounds cooler and more ominous than ‘The First Order’. (Still, Tarkin and Krennic weren’t referred to as the faces of The Dark side). Anyways, let’s move on to more exciting parts of this cover!

Phasma looks like she is about to kill someone, and I love it! I love seeing Gwendoline Christie being able to act with her face. Hopefully, that means we’ll get to see a more substantial story for her character this time, because to waste Gwendoline’s talent would be a bummer.

Also, they kept her blonde hair (probably, to avoid complicating things too much. It’s not even guaranteed we see Phasma unmasked in the film.) Anyways, I’m excited to see Phasma unmasked (masks do have an effect of making perceive someone less human), and as a fan of Gwendoline in Game of Thrones, hope we’ll see more of her in TLJ!

Hux. That silky, smooth shirt. I don’t know, I just love it haha! No really, I’m excited to see Hux as part of the promo, and while I’m not the biggest Hux fan out there, his dynamic with Kylo and Domhnall Gleeson’s acting, and emperor!Hux and kylux fanart/tags made me somewhat fond of the character, at least the fandom one.

Kylo Ren. Oh. My. God. Adam Driver is so good at modelling.

Those legs, that pose, the hair, cape over one shoulder -> I’m dead

“Kylo Ren’s wounds go much deeper than the fearsome new scar on his face.” -> I’m dead

It’s so coded for mental health, I just can’t (deep down all I want for Kylo is to find some peace and to see and be in the light again, even for a small part of his being)

Kylo’s ruffled hair actually gives him a slightly mad look, obsessed and passionately disheveled. Compare and contrast with Hux’s new sleek look, down to the shirt and hair. Heck, even their tops reflect each other: Hux’s silk shirt (with no buttons or anything else on it) and Kylo’s textured top

It’s been pointed out many times already that Kylo’s being unmasked for the TLJ promotion could mean and actually supports the idea that TLJ will explore humanity of the character, as per Adam Driver. What’s a more human way than to ditch masks and show emotions on one’s face? Plus as a bonus, we’ll get more of Adam’s performance aside from what he already amazingly conveys though body language and use of the costume

I cannot stop unseeing Eric Maell’s reylo artwork from last year’s Celebration. That rock star pose (hello and thank you, Star Wars Connection)

All in all, the First Order Trio looks ready to kick some ass in The Last Jedi

Leather boots, armor, belts, silk, space denim. I’m loving that aesthetic.

The Resistance

Precious freedom fighters in one photo! They actually look like a fam, and I love it <3 (unlike the First Order trio that’s biz only where Hux is sneering down at everyone and Kylo in particular, Phasma’s just up for the company with her colleagues, and Kylo pursuing his own thing within the Order)

Poe looking fine! No surprise here if you have Oscar Isaac playing the character! Hopefully, this charming poster boy will also get some challenges and more substance to his character this time around

Rose! I’m excited to see Kelly Marie Tran in character! We now know her full name now too - Rose Tico, and that of the new characters, she’ll have the most screen time. What I also find exciting is that Rose is a mechanic, meaning she’s employed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, for those who don’t know). Needless to say that we need more women represented in those fields on the big screen.

Finn/John Boyega. Looking gorgeous, determined, and more mature. No really, I love this! John Boyega’s got a great charisma, and it’s great to see him channeling that for Finn. Can’t wait to see more him in TLJ now that he’s a big deal in the Resistance.

Sadly, looks like we might not see much of Finn and Rey together in TLJ (based on these images and other info we know about them). Regardless of that, I’m glad for Finn finding a family, identity, and embarking on a journey of his own.

I wonder if Rey gets a new costume later in the film, will Finn get something of his own too? Recycling is great (perhaps, the Resistance is a bit short on cash too to make custom costumes for everyone), but I would love to see Finn wearing something that reflects him as his own person. He has a name and an identity. Why not give him a signature look too?

Overall, I really like the retro vibe of their looks. Kinda reminds of old movies, with movie stars rocking leather jackets, riding bikes or flying planes in WWII.

The Legacy

Carrie. Standing strong and beautiful. A true freedom fighter, a leader, a royalty. I really love how this image conveys all of that and more what Leia is, and doesn’t shy away from femininity and glamour the character always had.

This is a gorgeous touching tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, and, as many fans, I welcome it, and wholeheartedly celebrate Carrie’s legacy.

I want to say thank you to whoever put Leia’s looks in TLJ together for honouring the character through the costume, the leader and the princess that Leia has always been.

I want to talk more about the way the way Carrie carries herself in the image, that lip pout, and yet slight sadness in her eyes. Carrie does it so well. You can really see all the years and things she’s been through. She is probably mourning Han Solo (no, definitely mourning!), and perhaps Kylo’s fate is still tied to the First Order and Snoke, and whether she and Luke reunite is still up in the air, and it’s still a war after all these years in the Rebellion and now Resistance. She’s been part of the war, one or another, all her life. Darth Vader is her father. Her brother, more of a myth than a man now. Her son, her parents, Alderaan. That cannot not leave an imprint, and I’m glad to see that coming through.

I’m not embarrassed to admit that I actually started tearing up when I first saw this image. It’s so beautiful! Carrie looks simply stunning. To realize that this is her last role, and that she is the legacy of the 40 years history of Star Wars, and that she’s been Leia for 40 freaking years, since she was a teen to her last days, and been through so much in her life, yet fought and forged a path of her own, helping spread the word about mental health and making the world a little better place, having no shame in being herself despite the stigma and celebrity status, bashing haters with incredible wit and humour (hey, George Lucas got some too! So did the baboon hair she wore in TFA. I’m still not over her roasting the gas station attendant look xD), all of that and more is the inspiring tale of Carrie Frances Fisher.

While costumes are great, and great costumes are freaking fantastic, I really hope Leia has more than 2 minutes of screen time in The Last Jedi. Because that would be a crime to devote more time to robots and space ships than to the heart of Star Wars that characters and their stories are. What Leia Organa and her legacy are.

#the last jedi #vanity fair #tlj #star wars #annie leibovitz #ep VIII #my post #*#photoshoot #the force the dark side the resistance the legacy #pre ep VIII #episode 8 #carrie fisher #carrie fisher tribute

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shadowednavi · 7 years

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So I have a really bad habit of starting projects, getting about halfway (or more) through them, deciding after a month or so “you know what, I’m finished with this and probably will never pick it up again”, and deleting the original .psd file.

(Tricia of the Past is an asshole and needs to be stopped.)

As I was going through my sketch folder, I came across these art dumps, WIP collages I must have put on DA to show that I was, at one point, working on something. Most of these are from 2010-2011, though there are some in the top image that are from as late as 2013.

1) Late 2012 - When morphE the webcomic was still in its infancy, I had very little experience in drawing backgrounds or landscape imagery in general. This was a “speedpaint” based on one of Craig’s photos. Probably the most complete picture of the bunch.

2) 2011? - Inspired by West Side Story and Jonathan Coulton’s “Dance Soterios Johnson Dance”, two RP characters Millie and Lucian tear up the dance floor. Millie is a costume designer specializing in superhero wear, and Lucian is a robotics genius. What started as a crack pair turned into a pair of fluffy adorable minds being fluffy and happy :D this definitely predates morphE, as the only reason this wasn’t finished is because I had no experience doing backgrounds. a shitty reason to stop, but I’m glad some of it got saved.

3) December 31st, 2011 - Alexis and Chelsea used to do these livestreams where they would eat unusual foods. For some reason, Craig and I (with bonus Ryan) got roped into it, and we held the stream at our apartment. I ducked out of the challenge early and used the time to draw instead of throwing up XD Thus, fancy Charlotte happened. Same thing as the previous picture though - I didn’t “know how” to draw backgrounds, so I just gave up and left it as is. ffs tricia of the past

4 and 5) Closeups of Millie and Lucian. This must have been some kind of AU because in canon they’re both like 50 years old, and they DEFINITELY ARE NOT 50 HERE XD I remember being very proud of both their hair.

6) March 2012 - Charlotte’s mom, Gianina Gray. I like drawing wedding dresses. this one has a stupid design though. probably why I stopped working on it.

7) September 2012 - RUSH. I think this was one of the last pictures I worked on in Photoshop. I don’t know for sure though. But you see those drums? Yeah no. I had enough trouble with the guitars. Man it would have been cool to finish it though....

8) November 2012 - One of the first things I drew in Paint Tool SAI, and one of the only images here that actually did get finished in the end! Since it was my first jaunt with SAI, I was still learning a lot of things and experimenting a bunch. By the time I found a rhythm with the program, I realized I would have to go back and redraw everything, and that was too much work. And as more time passed, my skills outgrew my interest in redrawing the whole thing. I can’t remember what changed my mind, but it’s about the only thing Tricia of the Past did right.

From here, I honestly couldn’t tell you the dates on these, only that the artdump itself is dated from 2011.

9) Elizabeth and Minato. what can I say? they boldly accepted. I kinda wish I finished it, kinda glad I didn’t. Minato stressed me out, that’s all I remember XD

10) So this one is super weird and hilarious in retrospect - here we have a Lodgeworld villain Matthew Sanders, for some reason paired up with morphE Asia. Neither have any reason to be together for this image, but I was apparently committed to the idea. Fast forward to 2016, and in our stupid high school AU, they’re currently in a relationship. A super toxic and not great one, but it’s “canon” now lol. So canon in fact, I’m seriously considering redrawing it, because damn that was a good pose too.

11) Okay, so. For Valentine’s Day in 2005, Craig and I cast our Lodgeworld characters in Wicked, and I did a giant picture for him as a gift:

(fun fact: I didn’t get a tablet until Christmas 2007, so this was 100% done with a mouse. I never want to do that again.)

In 2010, our regularly used characters had changed significantly, so we recast the show and I drew a new set of images. ....or I should say I started a set, and then never finished it lol. This was one of the unfinished ones. “I” played Madam Morrible, so I think that’s actually still “me” in the above picture, but the flying monkey and the professor were definitely recast as Ken and Asia. (By the way, Asia sitting on Ken’s shoulders is the cutest thing and I need to draw it more frequently)

12) This was a single part of a larger illustration, recreating the iconic “romeo and juliet” image. I remember this being a Lodgeworld scenario, because obviously you have Navi up there. And I remember the “romeo” was a guy named Isaac Romane, who had pulled up on a motorcycle, both of which are cropped out because GUESS WHAT TRICIA DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO DRAW MOTORCYCLES SO SHE FUCKING QUIT AHAHAHAHA. But as for context? I have no idea. I don’t even know where Navi is sitting, let alone why she’s up there.

So that was a fun little trip down memory lane. Getting to revisit a bunch of old sketches was super awesome. I used to do a lot of derpy sketches. I should really do that more often. Giant illustrations are fun to work on, and I feel so satisfied after ACTUALLY finishing things, but for every illustration, there could be a dozen derpy RP sketches. And Craig could always use more derpy RP sketches, especially with our ever expanding lodgeworld cast. <3

#work in progress #wip #paint tool sai #photoshop #unfinished art #oh god it's my art #lodgeworld

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decimusquartus · 7 years

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Thanos the Rad Titan - Can someone hotspot me?

Chapter 1 or ( Part One ) Chapter 2 or (Part Two) Chapter 3 or (Part Three) Chapter 4 or (Part Four)

Chapter 5 or here

That’s me (and also here)

Here we go: Chapter 6 and it's down to making space-surfboards and personalising them. Also there's a sitcom idea about Thanos and Thanos but they're not there yet. Help a Titan out! With internet or superpowers. Everything's acceptable

Chapter Six

I’ll tell you something: I know the basics of physics, and other than the 101s of engineering on combustion engines, I have nothing. But Thanos’s room of “Toys for playful and horrid death” (his title, I swear) has the stuff.

It’s big enough to rent it out as as a spaceship graveyard. And there actually are two shuttles, ripped apart, deconstructed to various points. This room is so big, there is enough space for an army to dress up and go around doing drills. This room is so big… it’s so big… hell, it’s so big it makes Thanos look small.

‘So, are we goin’ to be makin’ the hover-skate-surfboards here?’

‘Yes, but let’s start with you backing up for a second. It would be a shame to dismembered and die, before you had that wish of yours,’ he muses with grim cheeriness.

My jaw drops loud enough to make a sound in space. ‘You mean you can actually express something else than contempt, malice and scathing bile on everything that crawls? Colour me impressed.’

Thanos growls past me with a look of controlled exhaustion. ‘Follow me.’

We proceed by cutting the boards to our size. I must tell you, if it weren’t for my telekinetic precision, I’d definitely chopped something off.

‘So, the way you described it, we are going to need a complex fusion of stabilising technology and sufficient thruster engines,’ Thanos rants keeping his faraway eyes in the deep end of the room.

‘Yeah sure. What you said. How are we gonna do this?’

‘I shall send the drones to get the majority of the components and pieces necessary so we can assemble that joyride vehicles of yours.’

‘Well, good luck with that,’ I say, whipping out my phone. ‘You know if I can get any reception here? You have wi-fi? Data? Can you hotspot me?’

‘Are you not going to be the one to construct your own board?’ His body shits enigmatically in a small turn.

‘No. Of course not. I mean I can try, but chances are I’ll blow up a big hole somewhere in up here.’

He breathes out heavy and condescending. ‘How do you bear the name of Thanos and not excel in the sciences of your world and the cosmos?’

‘It ain’t that hard really. I’m more of a literature kind of guy. You know. Read. Ponder. Contemplate. Discover the nothing that is being in life, through the greatest works of the most inspiring minds of the world,’ I say overenthusiastically and sit on something that looks like a chair.

This time his eyes are prickling my skin, like he’s skewering me with them. Like he is trying to unravel what I’m thinking under there. Strangely there’s no hostility or malignance there. Only deep-rooted curiosity.

‘So, you believe in nothing and hold no hope for the meaning of life or existence?’ He chooses his words carefully and precisely. He has stopped tweaking and fiddling around.

‘Word. My friends and I from the university go around readin’, analysin’ and debatin’. Grouch please, I wanna snap a selfie.’ I take the picture with Thanos looking evil enough to shake the Green Goblin back to sanity.

‘And so far, I’ve decided that pretty much nothin’ matters, other than the nihilism that pervades everything.’

I keep taking photos and I'm telling you, I think I took one where Thanos is kinda smiling and I just can’t not consider this a win.

‘What’s the name of that institute of knowledge and how can I support it?’ Thanos growls as he turns his attention once more to my board.

‘I study the humanities. And I plan… No, kept plannin’ to continue my studies there. The funniest thing is how such a field takes away the will to live.’

Thanos keeps me busy talking and using my telekinesis passing him. To be candid it’s strangely fulfilling. Using my brain, my hands, my power all at the same time. Even though this all is such a novel experience, Thanos is apparently a master on physics, engineering and all these stuff, so he puts the intricate design together in no time.

Despite the momentary satisfaction, this task still poses some kind of a challenge in the whole. So, testing the capabilities, the limits and the survivability of the boards does take some time.

‘This is simply wasteful. Why would you be interested in this hobby anyway?’ He spits out the word thick with condescendence.

‘It’s a decent workout,’ I say, playing pilot in a dilapidated cockpit. I’m even making the laser-cannon sounds. Which technically shouldn’t be there. But you can’t take this away from me. ‘It’s also helped a lot gettin’ around the finer, less obvious applications of my powers.’

I cannot shake this energised vibe I am getting. By now, I’m more than well in terms with the fact that there’s no getting out. I can’t pilot and have no idea how to contact the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy or even order some inter-galactic junk food which I must have, as a food-lover.

So, I’m going to try and be more open to whatever’s happening. I mean sure I might die in some hours, days or whatever but damnit I’m in space and about to go thrashin’ and surfin’ around with Thanos. I'm feelin' it the charnel viewpoint that's broadening my perspective of life. Really gets the bantering going. But I'm still making the laser-cannon sounds.

‘Skateboardin’ is a mess of a skill. And if you’re a slacker like me, you’ll be wantin’ to be done with it, the easiest way possible.’ I shrug, feeling the old memories brushing all over me.

‘I used to get down 'cause it helped me get a grip on my powers. Keepin’ me on board, propellin’ me forward, doin’ all the flips and every now and then, maybe throw on of the jerks over their board, ‘cause they were pushin’ everyone out of the skatepark.’ I grin, recalling the very first days.

‘Ah, so it was some tenuous learning. Taxing but it paid out,’ Thanos suggests grandiosely.

‘What? Dude, no. I was doing it to be accepted. And I told you, it was a solid workout for body and mind.’

‘You truly are Thanos the Lesser Titan,’ he replied instantly.

‘God, I hope you never have children. They’ll end up hatin’ you for sure,’ I mumble under my breath, but Thanos’s sideways stabbing glance is a fair warning.

‘Try your board, whelp,’ he says hostilely, presenting me with the hovering piece of metal. It makes the humming sound of a vacuum cleaner and its motor and turbines are shooting off violet flames.

I step on it and keep my balance with some telekinetic support. Then I squint and one mental push later I’m slowly flying around, feeling out the weight. Which is non-existent. It’s like there is a stable cloud, right under my feet.

Or should I say nebula, to be in context?

I wink at Thanos, who proceeds with activating his own board. Still, there’s some heaviness marking his face.

‘Go on. Step on it,’ I encourage him, bringing my board right next to his. He doesn't move. His frown deepens and there is constant shifting of his weight.

‘Alright. I’m not sayin’ you’re afraid or whatever. But the sooner you try it, the sooner you’ll kill me.’ I wrap my argument with a cheeky smile. It brings out all the exasperation he has for me. And it might be the weirdest thought occurring in the universe right now, but Thanos and Thanos would make a perfect duo for a sitcom.

‘Maybe we can get Medusa and Thor as recurring characters. Oh, and together we can take shots at Black Bolt and M.O.D.O.K.’

When I realise I’m talking out loud, I stop because Thanos falls off his board and lands gracelessly.

‘Boy, you’ll do anythin’ for this to be over and kill me, huh?’

‘Well I need some real satisfaction, don’t I?’ he shoots back with a killer’s smile.

‘Look, just step on it and I’ll provide the balance telekinetically. Worked for me. So, I'm sure I help a Titan out.’

I step in and keep him on the board but it’s one dreary task, even with my powers. But couple of hours later, he is crossing the workshop’s space like the purple light beam of death and getting-there-sass he is.

‘Maybe this vehicle has some recreational properties,’ he admits amused, as he tinkers with the engine.

‘Word. Maybe Thanos the Lesser is the real deal, huh?’

‘Not really,’ he shoots me down. ‘Let us get all the gear you need to survive out there and get one with the surfing and skating.’

Thanos takes me to chamber where he hands me a tiny box with incandescent lights. He straps it on me, instructing me how to turn it on. It’s going to encase me in a survival film, which will provide me with oxygen and keep my vitals stable. It’s also a gravity adjustor. I strap it on my pocket.

‘Are ready to go now?’ Thanos squabbles, looking out to the stretching and rolling space.

‘Look, Mauve Mayhem. I’ve got mad respect for you. You’re a stand-up guy. Even when you’re sitting. What? No laughter?’ I expect that the more I keep talking the more his line will keep getting deeper.

‘But I want you to let me add my personal touch to all this.’

‘Which is?’ Thanos asks wearily, with careful interest painting his eyes.

‘Well, first of all, appropriate threads,’ I start listing things. ‘Some speakers for the air-bubbles, on our boards.’

‘This is space, whelp. No one will be able to hear us, even if we play music,’ Thanos replies, dragging out the words extensively.

‘Still. Music is important. We need to get the full-rollin’ experience. Also, I need a fresh haircut. Can we meet in an hour? Two, tops? I need a way to get to my Spotify.’

His face grows more oblivious and confused by the words. It ends up expressionless, like the cosmos itself.

‘What is it with you and earthly music?’ Thanos grinds his teeth, giving an idea of the sound of dying patience.

I guess everything must be dying when it comes to Big T.

‘Look, just lemme do this and I’ll make Purple Rain your main theme.’ I have to bite my tongue to hold back.

There’s some approval ebbing down his face and he takes me to a room full of speakers and other stuff.

‘One hour, whelp. Ask anyone of my stuff for whatever paraphernalia you will be requiring.’ Before he goes out he gives me a glance over his shoulder. ‘After I’ve seen what you’re wearing, I might consider putting on something… of matching fashion.’

Alright, hearing this makes me smile brighter than any cheap, witty shot I’ve taken at him all day.

Still, how am I gonna get internet up in here?

#thanos #Thanos the mad titan #marvel #marvel fanfiction #marvel fandom #the mad titan #the rad titan

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