#because I've been watching more monkey documentaries

[wileys-russo]

KCC, “Will you carry me to bed?”, at home ❤️

couch nap II k.cooney-cross

"ky are you sure? you hate watching stuff like this." you chuckled as your girlfriend returned, dumping a bowl of popcorn in your lap with a block of chocolate held securely in hand.

"maybe, but i love you. and they make you happy and you had a shit day, and if you're happy i'm happy because i don't want you to have a shit day." kyra explained as you melted, leaning up to kiss her and melting into her side.

"but can we not watch one about the ocean please? i'd still like to go swimming when we go home without worrying about whats underneath me." your girlfriend quickly added on as you flicked through the documentaries.

"and here i was about to click into mysteries of the deep!" you teased, choosing one about africa and accepting the piece of chocolate offered to you from kyra's fingers. "i'm aware only 5% of the ocean has been discovered but i don't need to know anything about that 5%." your girlfriend shook her head stubbornly.

"oh elephants! mad." kyra perked up a little as the documentary started making you smile and kiss her cheek appreciatively. "see? they're not so bad." you promised, shoveling a handful of popcorn into your mouth.

"can we start narrating training like this? oo we could make vlogs for my close friends story!" kyra suggested excitedly around an hour later, the next episode starting.

"the allusive snakehipped wally lurks close to the corner of the pitch, watching with beaded eyes as the younger, better looking, wildly successful kyra cooney cross sprints across the midfield. is it pride in her eyes? or a bitter jealousy she's been surpassed by her protege." kyra mocked in her best david attenborough voice making you laugh.

"i'm so telling her you said that." you teased, moving the now empty popcorn bowl off your lap as your girlfriend stretched out, her head dropping onto your thighs instead.

"no don't! she promised to teach me how to rainbow flick on monday." kyra pouted up at you with a whine and her best puppy dog eyes. "shut up and watch the monkeys cooney-cross." you tutted, squishing her cheeks in your hands and nodding to the screen.

"ky, baby go to bed. i'll be up after this episode, your necks gonna get sore." you warned gently another couple of hours later and shaking her softly, your girlfriend now sprawled out in a strange curled up position in the corner of the sofa.

"no m'fine." kyra mumbled, forcing her eyes open again and shuffling around so she was sitting up a little more as you looked on amused. "ky, go to bed." you laugh, kicking her gently as she shook her head stubbornly, gesturing for you to watch the screen again.

you rolled your eyes knowing this was a bad idea but not bothered to fight her on it, glancing over a few minutes later to see she was once again dead asleep.

the episode finishing you left your girlfriend on the lounge as you washed up your bowls, flicking off all the lights and locking up before returning, chuckling at her very awkward position.

"hey, ky." you squatted down and shook her again, poking her cheeks as she groaned tiredly and swatted your hands away. "come on, time for bed." you smiled, tugging on her hoodie as she sighed deeply.

"will you carry me to bed?" the midfielder asked quietly, opening her arms as her eyes stayed shut. "babe you're like a foot taller than me." you laughed softly, shaking her again as she whined. "i've done it for you so many times, its your turn." kyra mumbled.

"fine, but you need to help me out here and sit up a little baby." you shook your head with a smile, grabbing her hands and tugging her into a sitting position. "okay." you nodded determined, wrapping her arms around you and grabbing under her thighs.

trying to lift her you grunted, your girlfriend purposefully rag dolling to make it harder for you as you finally picked her up but stumbled sending the two of you crashing back to the sofa.

"kyra!" you groaned, smacking her leg as her body vibrated with laughter. "you're making it harder on purpose." you huffed glaring down at her, cheeky grin plastered on her face despite the obvious exhaustion in her eyes.

"piggyback?" kyra tried again this time her smile more charming as you let out a deep and exaggerated groan. "get on then, but carefully!" you warned, standing to your feet and bracing as your girlfriend climbed onto your back.

"this is so romantic." kyra sighed, patting your chest as her chin rested on your shoulder, letting out a yell as you reached the bedroom and dumped her on the bed.

"don't get used to it, i'm the one who gets the princess treatment in this relationship cooney-cross."

#woso #woso x reader #woso fanfics #woso community #kyra cooney cross x reader #kyra cooney cross #woso imagine #woso blurbs

[technicolorfamiliar]

Technicolor Familiar Watches Too Many Conrad Veidt Movies Part 3 of ?

Part 1 // Part 2

Anders als die Andern (Different From the Others), 1919 Dir. Richard Oswald ⭐4/5 Watched Nov 15, Archive.org It really breaks my heart that so much of this film was lost and destroyed, and that the story is unfortunately still relevant 100+ years later. Maybe I don't have as much to say about this one because it's so chopped up, and because it's already been written and talked about so much. I am glad it seems to have found its proper place in literature/content about LGBTQ+ history, getting the acknowledgement it deserves. Despite already knowing so much about the movie from various books, podcasts, and documentaries, I was still very affected by the story and performances, especially towards the end. It really hit a nerve, surprisingly so. Connie's Paul is really lovely, tragic, and so sweet with Kurt.

Jew Süss, 1934 Dir. Lothar Mendes ⭐3.5/4 Watched Nov 26, Youtube There's something about the structure and the hazy, dreamy quality of the film itself that makes this seem like a fable. There are parts that are deeply upsetting and chilling despite the mediocre supporting cast. It's imperfect, but definitely did a lot more than other films to create complex and sympathetic Jewish characters in the 1930s (even if still playing on stereotypes). I'm a total sucker for 18th century opulence and fashion so I can’t complain much. And oh boy, does the 18th century suit Connie. He knows how to work the lace and silk to great affect. Some of the things he's doing as Josef are really fascinating and gut-wrenching. He's doing so much vocally, too. He's in an entirely other class compared to many actors of that era. P.S. The scenes with Josef and his mother and daughter were, uh, interesting. I have… mixed feelings.

Rome Express, 1932 Dir. Walter Forde ⭐3/5 Watched Nov 26, Youtube My expectations were pretty low for this one based on some things I'd read online, but it's a cute if slightly baffling train thriller with an ok-ish ensemble. I'm a little biased, my inner child fuckin loves trains so any train movie is at least going to be semi-enjoyable. I was so stressed the whole time about how everyone was handling that apparently very expensive painting. Connie is so extra, though. Why is Zurta eating a banana as soon as he jumps onto a moving train? Why does he hold a gun like ~that~? Why are his fingernails so long?? It's so funny seeing him next to all these tiny British actors. It may partly be how they dressed him for the role, but he makes everyone else look positively shrimpy.

All Through the Night, 1942 Dir. Vincent Sherman ⭐3/5 Watched Nov 27, Vudu Once I finally leaned into how silly this movie was, it was pretty entertaining. The dialogue alone is so stupid, but self aware of how stupid it is. And it features one of my favorite gags of all time: making up gibberish words for technical terms with complete confidence. There's a dog. (Question: Is the dog a nazi like the monkey in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Does the dog know it's complicit in war crimes??) Peter Lorre looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. Mrs. Danvers is there. Some of the visual comedy is actually pretty great -- the dog in the boat at the end when Connie is being totally deadpan serious? Hysterical. (DID THEY BLOW UP THAT DOG?) I think this was the first time I've heard Connie speak German, too.

The Spy in Black, 1939 Dir. Michael Powell ⭐3.5/5 Watched Nov 27, Youtube Interesting that the main character, the person carrying this British movie in the late 1930s, is a German U-boat captain. But wow. I'm obsessed. Hardt's entrance into the hotel? Baa-ing at the sheep? The delicious gluttony with food? Dragging the stupid motorbike up the stairs to his room? "It is evening. And I am grown up."?? We love a sexy, honor driven character like Captain Hardt. Therefore, Valerie Hobson going for the British officer seems totally unlikely and unbelievable. I think I like this movie marginally better than Dark Journey, as far as espionage films go. It's slightly more engaging (but that may be Connie and Valerie Hobson's chemistry) and the story is a little better.

#my writing #conrad veidt #anders als die andern #jew süss 1934 #rome express #all through the night #the spy in black

[bitch-butter]

not to be weird or anything but "three hour long montage of men talking about Important Things in rooms" is so you. Like, I was nodding along because it made so much sense haha

What's your fav movies you had seen so far this year, and why?

w o o f that's hard because i feel like this year has been so slow to start movie-wise! i'm really happy it's summer now, because this is typically when all the movies i'm really excited for start opening, but things won't get really crazy until fall so a lot of the movies i've actively sought out this year have been horror lol so for my own piece of mind i'll back it up to Exactly a year to highlight some movies that i really, really responded to so it doesn't seem like i Just consume darkness lol

being really annoying about movies under the cut

oppenheimer (2023) - see prev Showing Ass post

reality (2023) - a Very scary movie that if you live in america you should watch, because not only is it told impeccably but it's actually shocking how few people actually remember Reality Winner given the fact that this story is only a few years old. sydney sweeney is incredible in this.

skinamarink (2022) - a Divisive horror movie that truly did get so much shit but the way it scared the hell out of me remembering being a kid left alone in a house with just a TV cannot be described.

renfield (2023) - me and my gf dressed as vampires to go to this movie, it was a laugh riot from beginning to end and nic cage deserves 77 awards, best dracula since gary oldman.

nope (2022) - 100% more scared of monkeys than i am of aliens, jordan peele call me to talk to me about our national fixation on spectacle and also Westerns.

tár (2022) - what a f u c k i n g movie this was, i saw it with my best friend on a visit to Omaha and we screamed the entire time. i love a Complicated film that wants to explore the intersections of bad people making good art, the gender studies major that still lives within me was losing it watching this movie.

pamela, a love story (2023) - this is your typical Netflix documentary, meaning there isn't a whole lot of New information that they give, but any opportunity given to us to reexamine a woman that was unfairly maligned i think is a very, very good opportunity. and pamela is a great writer, and seems like a very lovely (again, complicated) person, so i enjoyed getting to see her overcome some bullshit.

women talking (2022) - i really think i cried the entire movie when i first saw it, and i watched it again recently and did the same thing so i think it holds up. really excellent performances, even if its a very talky movie it also has a really potent atmosphere and it So effectively builds horror into hope by the end.

AND nothing compares (2022) - this is timely, because we lost shuhada sadaqat aka sinéad o'connor yesterday, and i was just recently thinking about this documentary and how much i loved it and how i should rewatch it. it's so sensitive to her, and takes her thoughts and feelings Seriously, and that made me very emotional to see as someone who remembers her being made into a fucking joke my entire childhood. it isn't a Perfect doc, but i value it very much, especially now.

really really pumped for: Dune Part II, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Killers of the Flower Moon (funny story: this past weekend my best friend ran into lily gladstone at the grocery store and apparently she was So nice lol) and Barbie (seeing it this weekend for my birthday, very , very, very excited).

thank you for asking ~ 🖤

#butter! #ask #movies make me go feral they were my first real friends and remain my favorite thing in the world #2023 is starting slow but i think its going to be good

[daincrediblegg]

movie buff questions: any number with a 6 in it. <3

6. Favorite movie from the 90’s? Literally the first one I thought of was Hocus Pocus. So I'm going with that. It's goddamn incredible anyway.

16. Ever watched a movie just because you heard the effects were awesome? YES! Dawn of the Planet of The Apes. saw it in theaters like 10 times throughout the summer after graduating high school bc the theater was right down the block. shit is insane.

26. Best experience going to the movies Honestly the most recent was Everything Everywhere All At Once. My first viewing was on opening week and that was a PHENOMENAL audience to be a part of- especially recently. Also I will never forget the energy that was in the theater after The Grand Budapest Hotel. shit was awesome.

36. Movie quote you live by? lmao it's not from a movie but for years I had this quote up on my facebook page from Westworld "You can't play God without being aquainted with the Devil". Facts man. Thanks A-Hop.

46. Favorite cop film? Gonna go with Fargo on this one I think. Feels right.

56. Movie you completely nerd-out over every time it’s mentioned? Lord of the Rings. You will always get me with Lord of the Rings. No question. No doubt. I have so many lotr related facts and anecdotes and prop replicas.

60. Most visually stunning movie you’ve seen? God I can't choose. I really can't. so many movies are too beautiful I cannot pick just one. help me god.... OK 1917. that bitch has so much going for it.

61. A movie your parents introduced you to? lmao so many. kudos to them tho for taking me to Spirited Away at the ripe old age of baby.

62. Favorite genre? Gothic (clearly- and it's not the same as horror writ. large- there's a difference, even though many horror films overlap with gothic films as well and the whole horror genre literally owes everything to Gothic fiction but I digress)- also because there's lots of elements that go into gothic from other genres like romance and comedy that people tend to forget about- and I'll always take a good genre mix any day over just... one plain old thing? I like a Genre Ensemble if you will and Gothic covers that the best I think.

63. Least favorite genre? Hallmark Rom-coms. sitcoms in general. or reality tv shit or documentaries (lotta people say they're "unbiased" but the nature of perspective and subjectivity in film is bias. never as fully informative of facts as they purport to be and I can't stand the fuckin things. boring as sin).

64. Comedy movie that you didn’t find funny? First one I thought of was Bridesmaids. Deadass. I don't think a lot of mainstream comedies do humor very well anyway. Also fucking anything written by James Gunn that man literally only knows how to write one movie and it was guardians of the galaxy vol. 1 and literally everything he's done since has been copy-pasted from that script (and especially suicide squad. hate that move so much forever and always what a piece of shit).

65. Horror movie that didn’t scare you? Most don't??? not that bad anyway. Fucking M3gan was literally the most unscary shit I've ever seen recently tho. but then again I grew up on Child's Play like I'm immune to freaky doll shit.

66. Favorite remake of an old movie? ok but dicks out for the planet of the apes remakes. I'm so serious. Andy Serkis put his whole pussy into that monkey.

67. A movie that started a passion for you? um... this is kindof a hard question to answer because movies/shows made me want to persue writing/directing as a career. There have been a lot of them, and the more I see the more I want to do it, so the list is ongoing, but LOTR and Joker 2019 are the two biggest contributors that I can think of off the top of my head. LOTR bonus features are what I lived for and got me passionate about the actual filmmaking process and special effects and stuff, Joker is the one that solidified for me the career choice.

68. A movie that sparked an interesting conversation? in my household The Godfather will never not be the film that sparks interesting conversations- bc my dad worked with a guy that was up for the part of sollazzo, and he was on the books and getting payed and everything when Marlon Brando requested that a guy he knew play the part instead, so he got the boot. BUT!! since he was on the books there was a term in his contract that he get residuals anyway- and so he still does. he was at my parent's wedding and everything. crazy shit.

69. The main movie you remember from your childhood? my childhood was filled with them. Can't be specific about this one I'm afraid. Just trust me. Many.

MOVIE BUFF ASKS

#ask games #good talk team

[boxed-chardonay]

O just had a thought and an interesting one. So alot of us know the story of Adam and eve; some of us know the story where Adam had a previous lover by the name of lillath. This is important.

So in most biblical texts it never actually states that Adam and eve were the only humans. It states that they were the only humans allowed in the garden of eden. I've been watching animal documentaries and in one of them someone refrances the garden of eden. In Context: (animal species) haven't or has chose to stay in the garden of eden.

What if the garden was more of a "mental" state if you will. Wild animals lives consist of finding food, and avoiding predators etc. They don't go to work, make money, things most humans do.

What if God tested Adam and lillath to see if he put all humans in the garden of eden if they would stray out of this animal like State called "garden of eden" when lillath failed she would have been kicked out because she chose to leave the garden. It's not that she was forced to leave she chose to and could not get back because her mind was no longer "in the garden" Adam remained loyal to the garden and was rewarded with eve who strayed too far out of this mental wild animal like state and convinced Adam to do so as well... the garden is not a real place but more of a peace of mind. They didn't have to worry about food worry about poison plants plants that could be harmful to them . Until they left this state of mind.

As a result God did not nessarrly punish humans he made the earth more challenging, less forgiving. Because he made us in his own image but as a result we also had "devine" thought. The ability to be self aware, able to make and think to fix complex problems.

The garden of eden was a test. A test to see if he put humans in an animal like mental state would we find a way out? And the answer was yes.

There's real world examples of this too. Apes and monkeys are starting to do human activities we are influencing other primates to leave the garden too. To come out of this state of mind and be more aware.

[berlinini]

we made it (2021 version)

So this is longer than I intended and if you read the first sentence and ask yourself what the fuck is this, you can skip to the important part aka the end. TLDR: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for an incredible year in this fandom, 2021 would have sucked (even more) without you, Louis & Louies i love you so much ❤️

So I'm at the point in my NYE "celebrations" where I decided to listen to Fireproof in honor of that time in March-April 2021 when I would listen to that song obsessively because it just conveyed my mental state (there's something about blasting "I think I'm gonna lose my mind" at the beginning of the work day from your dining-room-turned-home-office). There were many songs that I would go and listen on repeat later on in a probably unhealthy manner, like Louis' cover of 7 for the whole month of September (somehow "I need another year lone" felt right to me 2 years into a pandemic), Zayn's entire and thankfully very long discography this summer, Sam Fender's Last to Make it Home this fall and more recently Arctic Monkey's One for the Road. My weird consumption of music apart, what these things have in common is that I associate them strongly with different periods of this year and they are all songs that I've discovered thanks to this fandom. Anyways, when there isn't much going on, at least we have music and nature.

It really isn't an understatement to say that this year has been completely changed for me when I discovered Louis' music and joined tumblr and this amazing amazing fandom. So many of my memories this year are linked to being here, with the things Louis did or the stuff that happened on louie tumblr, and the endless fun I've had with people I met here.

I'm not joking, if someone asked me the highlight of 2021, I would reply AFHF. I have such vivid memories of watching the festival on blurry streams on August 30, and all the emotions I felt in my living room, and doing the same a week later with an amazing documentary and an HD version of the concert. It was peak Serotonin Boost™️ for my pandemic brain. Thank you Louis!!! Thank you for being such an incredible person and artist, you make it so easy to be your fan! Now release new music. I will also remember 2021 for the fun Euro content it provided (and my first interaction with @shutterbug2012), how I was secretly hoping England wouldn't get eliminated, watching the finale in a bar during my vacations and being so torn about cheering for Italy.

I will remember the excitement every 28th of the month, the merch drops, the monthly check-in tweets, the awesome fandom projects we've had for Hallouween and to celebrate Louis' 30th birthday (s/o to @louisprojects), the tag games (s/o to @seasurfacefullofclouds1 and @venusrobots), the random horny asks (s/o to @silverfoxlou #flatfingers and to @crankydee's cursed images), the zouis breakdowns (no thanks for @louis-in-red @itsallaboutzayn and @icarusfallsforwalls), the louie love letters, the daily what's-Val's-breakdown-of-the-day (@bluelightsaber never stop ilysm) and the awesome GIFs and edits that never fail to amaze me (s/o to @longhairedlouist91 and @quetzal-28 moodboards, @fruitylouis mindblowing gifs and @stormyhale manifesting edits). Special mention to fan fic writers and rec blogs (@allwaswell16 and @quelsentiment) for the endless tabs I have open on my computer and that weird moment a coworker asked me what I was reading at the moment and couldn't exactly tell the truth. I even want to thank the unhinged anons in my inbox for making me laugh out loud a few times, and the 'normal' anons who allowed me to ~discourse~.

Thank you to everyone who is part of the fandom and who's here to support Louis as he's preparing to take over the world ❤️Thank you for welcoming me, thank you for sticking around and for making cookies out of crumbs. Thank you for being here, for interacting with me, for following me.

If you've made this far, I want to wish you a Happy New Year!!! 🎉

☀️2022 is the year of Louis Tomlinson and of Louies 🤞

✨ Faith in the Future ✨

#sorry 🙃 #louies i love you #happy new year #faith in the future ing for 2022 to be better and filled with loutent #anyways bye ✌️ #tumblr user berlinini

[selene-tempest]

Mud bath.

"Erm..." Selene blinked, not really knowing what to say.

"I know."

"It's just that..."

"I said I know!"

"There's just so much..."

"I get it!"

"That's gonna take some scrubbing."

"I'm aware of that fact," Kayo's curt reply held a definite tone of warning.

Selene couldn't blame her, not really. She was covered from head to toe in mud, the dirt clinging to her skin, soaked into her hair and Selene was pretty sure she'd heard the sound of squelching whenever the other woman moved.

"Do you need any he-"

"I've got it, thanks." Kayo turned her back, walking stiffly from the hangar to the adjoined showers, knowing that Grandma would pitch a fit if any of them traipsed mud up to the main house.

Dismissed, Selene gave up the battle, knowing that Kayo, more than anyone, had moments where she just wanted to be left alone.

-x-

"Anyone seen Kay?" Virgil asked later that night when they were all in the lounge, spread out across the sofas in what Jeff called Sloth mode. Nothing was moving them short of an emergency call, which they all desperately hoped wouldn't happen.

"Not since we got back," Gordon answered. "She said she was pretty tired, maybe she went straight to bed?"

"Without eating?" Selene's inbuilt need to care for those around her pinged into life.

"I'm sure she'll get something if she's hungry," Gordon shrugged, not taking his eyes off the show on the holoscreen.

"Don't be mean," Selene swiped at his shoulder. "How would you like it if you got back and no one fed you?"

"It happens all the time," he protested.

"Not while I'm here," she said firmly. "I'm going to go and check on her."

"Your funeral."

It took her very little time to rustle up some left over mac and cheese and she took it, along with a glass of milk, up to Kayo's room.

She knocked on the door but got no answer.

"Come on, open up, I've brought you some food."

"I'm not hungry," floated through the door.

"Don't give me that shit, you haven't eaten since breakfast."

Nothing.

"It's mac and cheese," she wheedled.

Selene heard a sigh of defeat, followed by shuffling footsteps coming closer to the door.

"I'm warning you now," Kayo said through gritted teeth, "you'd better not laugh."

Selene frowned. What was there to laugh about?

"Promise me."

"Erm... OK, I promise not to laugh."

The door opened slowly, just enough for Selene to squeeze through, slamming shut behind her the moment she was inside the room.

"Where shall I put this..." Selene trailed off, catching sight of Kayo for the first time. "Oh lawd."

"Don't. Laugh."

"I wasn't going to!" Selene slid the tray of food onto the bedside table and turned to get a closer look.

"Yeah, right. I know how it looks, I've looked in the mirror."

"I honestly wasn't going to," Selene assured her. And she hadn't been. Her poor friend didn't need teasing, she needed help. Badly.

Her hair, that beautiful, thick, naturally shiny hair that Selene secretly lusted after but couldn't get without a mountain of products, looked like shit. There, she said it, even if it was just in her own head. It was fluffed up beyond all recognition, a mass of tangles and frizz the likes of which Selene had never seen.

"I'm sorry, I gotta ask..."

Kayo folded her arms, tapping her foot, daring Selene to say something shitty.

"How the hell did that happen?"

"I don't know," Kayo huffed. "I know my ponytail got loose from my helmet, that's never good because it gets all tangled then. Then the band snapped and it was a lost cause."

Selene nodded, she'd had a similar experience with her hair coming out of the back of her jacket while riding on the back of her Dad's motorbike and it had taken her and her mum the best part of an evening and two washes to get it untangled again.

"I've washed it three times, blow dried it and broken a brush on it but it's just made it worse."

"What type of conditioner did you use?"

"The one I always do, the one in the locker room and then mine up here. That one that Grandma buys in bulk."

Selene's eyes widened in horror as her friend described the torment she had just admitted to putting her hair through.

"Generic conditioner? You used generic conditioner? The same shit that Alan uses? That conditioner? And then you tried to brush it out?"

Kayo shrugged.

"What are you, a savage?"

"What else would I do to get tangles out?"

"Oh my gods," Selene clasped her hands over her heart and swayed dramatically. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. How? How could you think that would be OK?"

"It's always been OK every other time."

"No! No don't you dare dismiss it and pretend that you didn't just commit a cardinal hair sin!"

Kayo shrugged again.

Selene pointed at Kayo then the tray of food. "You, you're going to eat that while I go and get some emergency supplies, and then we're going to fix this mess!"

Selene didn't give Kayo a chance to respond, she just swept out of the room, having delivered her orders which she expected to be obeyed. Kayo wanted to argue but knew it was a pointless waste of energy. Her hair felt like straw, she was grumpy and now that the enticing scent of cheesy pasta was permeating the room, she realised she was hungry too.

By the time Selene returned, arms ladened with so many bottles Kayo was sure she had just robbed a salon, she had eaten all of the food, drank half the milk and could admit that she actually felt a bit better.

"Right," Selene declared, dumping her load on the bed and sorting through it. "This is a moisturing shampoo, it's my favourite, the one that Scott keeps stealing. We're going to wash your hair with this and then we're going to slap on this deep conditioning mask and leave it for the full half hour before rinsing."

"Half an hour?" Selene had never heard Kayo sound so shocked.

"Yep, while wearing this." Selene produced something that looked like deflated balloon that had mated with a wedding bouquet.

"What the hell is that?"

"It's a swimming cap, ignore the flowers, it'll keep the conditioner in place and create warmth to help it soak in, we'll cover it with a towel, you won't see it."

It took some persuading, but soon Kayo was back with soaking wet hair. Selene helped her to smother her locks in an insane amount of the hair mask and wrestled it into the swimming cap then wrapped her whole head in a towel.

"I feel ridiculous."

"Ypu look it too, but beauty is pain and it'll be worth it in the end."

"I know at least six different ways to kill you without you making a sound, they will never find your body."

"But you wouldn't do that to me, would you? Because then you'd be combing that shit out on your own."

The witch spoke the truth.

"Urghhh," Kayo groaned, refusing to admit defeat but knowing she had to. "This is going to take forever."

"Nah, it won't, don't sweat it. We'll have a girly night. Look, I bought face masks and chocolate too, it'll be great."

There was protests, but Selene quickly bulldozed through them like she always did, going so far as to launch herself at the other woman and sit on her when she tried to escape to lock herself in the bathroom, holding her down while she scrubbed at her face with a cleansing wipe and then painted on the mask. Ignoring her outraged screeching as she flailed her arms in a defensive attack.

The door opened at one point, Gordon and Alan sticking their heads in to make sure everything was OK. In their house screaming was never ignored. They took one look at Selene straddling Kayo, holding a dripping brush between her teeth while Kayo tried to push her hands away, both girls faces smeared in bright green face mud, and backed right out again. Selene didn't blame them.

Kayo looked at Selene, her eyes narrowing as if she were about to shove her onto the floor, but then her lips curved in a smile and she started to laugh.

They both collapsed into manic giggling, unable to stop. The looks on the boys faces ahd been priceless, as had theirs when they had turned to look at the door, pausing in the middle of their fighting.

"Thats going to be all around the island in the next ten minutes," Kayo howled.

"Oh gods, yes. They're never going to let this be forgotten," Selene wheezed, easing up on her friend and rolling sideways to get off her.

By the time their hysterics had subsided Selene gave Kayo permission to wash out her hair.

Over the course of the next two hours Selene smothered Kayo's hair in detangler and painstakingly combed through the now thankfully not so tangled mass, working in tiny sections at a time, from the tip to the roots until she could run the comb smoothly through her hair.

As they worked, with Kayo sat on the floor in front of the bed and Selene perched on the edge behind her, they fell into an easy chatter, sharing the chocolate Selene had brought with her and catching up.

If anyone asked, Selene would say she was closest to the boys, and most definitely Scott, but she counted Kayo as a close friend just the same.

At first meeting the two women had decided that they had very little in common, although they had banded together, two girls in a sea of testosterone that was Tracy Island and had become close pretty quickly.

Selene was more of a girly girl, finding enjoyment in putting on makeup, dressing up in nice clothes and watching weepy movies. Whereas Kayo was a tougher nut. She didn't really like dresses and considered makeup to be a waste of time, but they had worked hard to find a common ground.

Kayo had been used to being the lone girl (apart from Grandma) on the island and Selene often wondered if her mother dying young and her moving to the island where she had had to hold her own with what amounted to a chattering pack of wild monkeys, had stopped her from exploring her feminine side a bit more.

Kayo was great for so many things, she and Selene often spent their workout time together and had found they both shared a curious fascination for real crime documentaries, especially those of a more historical nature like Ted Bundy, The Yorkshire Ripper and the Night Stalker, it was interesting to try to figure out how today's modern technologies could have helped with the cases.

They would be found by John, wide awake in the small hours of the morning, camped out in the lounge with blankets and unhealthy snacks that Kayo would never admit to actually eating, engaged in some debate or other, sharing theories on unsolved cases or giving their opinions on one's that had already been solved.

No, their Kayo could never be described as girly but she was awesome just the same.

As Selene worked Kayo regaled her was the story of the whole sorry rescue from start to finish, starting with the flooding and finishing with all of then wallowing around in knee high muck, slopping around, falling over and basically having a less than relaxing mud bath.

The boys had had it easy, they just needed a quick shower and change of clothes, but Kayo had not been so lucky.

But the time all the tangles were out of her hair and Selene had dried it with the hairdryer she'd borrowed from Virgil's room, both girls were laughing again and with each sweep of the brush through her friends hair Selene felt her tense shoulder relaxing, simply enjoying the feel of someone looking after her for once.

Kayo didn't like being looked after, where the boys were always happy to accept any and all attention, especially if it came in the form of food, hugs or tv buddies, Kayo was more reserved and less likely to seek out company when she felt tired or moody. Selene made a mental note to force her company on her friend more often.

"There, all done," Selene announced, running her fingers through it one more time just because it felt so soft and shiny now that it had had some TLC.

"It actually feels amazing," Kayo admitted, stroke a strand between finger and thumb.

"That's because your heathen head has finally been nourished with something decent."

Kayo ignored that dig as Selene started to gather up her products, leaving some on the bedside table for Kayo to keep.

"There, that wasn't too horrendous was it?"

"So you say," Kayo huffed, but there was just a tiny hint of a smile on her face.

"So you wouldn't want to make this a monthly thing then?"

Kayo rolled her eyes. "Obviously not."

Selene shrugged, turning to pick up her things.

"But, I consider you my friend so, you know, hanging out once a month wouldn't be that much of a chore, but only because you want to."

"Oh, of course," Selene agreed, trying not to laugh.

"So, what now?" Kayo asked, reluctant to admit that it had actually been quite a fun night that she wasn't really ready to end yet.

Selene thought about it for a moment or two. "Wash off this stuff," she pointed to the mask that had long since dried into a flaking, crusty mess, "and then shove the boys off the couch so we can watch the next episode of 'Crimes of Passion, the 80s years'?"

"Thought you'd never ask."

Big thanks to @myladykayo for the picture prompt. Not sure what this turned into but I went with it.

#kayo kyrano #selene tempest #thunderbirds 2015 #thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds fandom #thunderbirds fanfiction #witchy

[trans-xianxian]

are you talking abt like, homo sapiens and neanthertals n the like? i never rlly thought abt it tht way, i just mostly think that we all kind of blended out into one big human species? if tht makes sense? like, its rarer to be full homo sapiens than not, like some ppl have more neanthertal in them thn others. either way i like your thoughts! do u have more of them abt this?

okay anon I hope you are ready because you've unlocked one of my oldest and deepest hyperfixations and I'm going to make you listen to me talk about science just like I did to every adult at like age 4, except its a lot less cute and impressive now because I am 18 and I have learned a lot more words. I'm so sorry

I'm going to lay out all of the "facts", and then go into my Thoughts, but first I would like to preface with two things:

1. I am not a scientist. I'm just some guy who watches a lot of documentaries and has a lot of questions and a lot of feelings. I am, by no means, an expert on any of this. a lot of the scientific stuff I'm about to get into is from memory that I've fact checked the hell out of to make sure I'm not telling you blatant untruths, so there's probably stuff I'm missing! stuff I haven't heard about yet! again, I'm just some guy

2. anthropology and the discussion around human evolution and the hominid family tree is HIGHLY controversial within the scientific community (why I put quotations around the word 'facts')... there is so much we don't know and so much information is just. missing and so much we Can't know. ever. so so much of the science around this is honestly just guess work! highly informed guess work, but guess work nonetheless! almost Nothing about human evolution can me unanimously agreed upon (the "out of africa" theory isn't even 100% accepted by everyone, but that's a different conversation), Especially when it comes to other species of hominids and how we think about modern human beings and our behaviors (humans want to be super extra special so So bad and they want to use science to prove it). and, like everything, it is effected by bias. the modern viewpoint on things, which is so often also dominated by a western viewpoint on things, and racist and sexist practices and perspectives, have a huge impact on the discussions around human evolution and the hominid family

what I'm saying is, look at every single "fact" that I'm about to present you with, with a critical mindset. I will do my best to represent as many sides of the discussion as possible before I get into my own thoughts. and any time I say something is the first of it's kind or the first to do something add "that we currently know of" in your brain. I will try to do this in the most chronological order possible, but its a family tree, not a time line. there's a little bit of jumping around that has to happen

first I'll just lay out some basic info (both facts and common/likely theories) about everybody in the section of the family tree Before it starts to gets super complicated and controversial:

- chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, and our evolutionary family tree diverged from theirs about 7 million years ago

- ardipithecus ramidus is the oldest confirmed bipedal hominid species, who lived about 4.4 million years ago. they disprove the theory that walking upright happened when we left the trees to walk the plains, as they lived in forests and were adapted to both life in the trees and walking upright on the ground. they had more hand like feet resembling that of a monkey which were good for climbing and maneuvering in trees, but had hips and pelvis' suited for walking upright on the ground. it is believed that, unlike chimps and others in the family tree before them (them being ardipithecus ramidus), they could have been monogamous, having families similar to our own

- ardipithecus ramidus had a few split offs from their place in the family tree, but the most notable, and the only one to survive, was australopithecus afarensis, who lived 3.7 million years ago. this is where our ancestors fully left the trees and began to look a little bit more like us. they had feet more like ours, suited for large amounts of walking rather than climbing, and it is believed that they probably survived by traveling in groups of about a dozen

- australopithecus afarensis splits into two major groups; the genus homo (that's us!), and the genus paranthropus. the two major players here that lived along side each other, perhaps in direct competition with one another, were paranthropus boisei and homo habilis, who existed at the same time 2.4 million years ago for about 600 thousand years

- paranthropus boisei was stockier, where homo habilis had more slender bodies. evidence shows that homo habilis may have used very basic stone tools to strip meat from bone (that they likely scavenged, not hunted)

- homo erectus, living 1.8 million years ago, is where things start change into something that looks a lot more like modern humans (in more ways than one). they had much less body hair, and from their bones we can tell they were likely very good runners and, subsequently, skilled hunters. this is where we begin to use tools to hunt, meaning eating a lot of meat, meaning bigger brains. this is where the more social and compassionate parts of our evolution come in, where culture begins to form. evidence from a skull found with no teeth, but belonging to an individual who likely died of old age rather than starvation, suggests they were cared for beyond the point that they could care for themselves

- we know, for the most part, what happens next. homo erectus traveled to asia. some still in africa evolve into homo heidelbergensis, who end up in europe and evolve into neanderthals (about 200 thousand years ago). a little later, homo sapiens, or "modern humans", also evolve from homo erectus still in africa.

- modern humans met neanderthals in eurasia 100 thousand years ago, and lived along side them for about 10 thousand years. the first modern humans also appear in southeast asia about 100 thousand years ago

but this is where it starts to get more complicated and controversial, where my timeline family tree bullet points end, and where a little bit of jumping around has to happen

we know from dna evidence that homo sapiens directly interacted and interbred (not just lived in the same place at the same time) with two other species of hominids - the neanderthals and the denisovans (who probably diverged from us around 800 thousand years ago). we know that the dna from both of those groups is still present in many modern humans today. but the large controversy comes when the suggestion of other hominid species living along side modern humans is made

examples being the red deer cave people, who some suggest aren't even a separate species of their own, and homo floresiensis, or "the hobbit", both found in asia and considered to have been more "primitive" groups. both survived to as recently as 14 thousand years ago, FAR past when modern humans arrived in asia, and far past when it was initially believed that we were the only hominids left

another example, this time in africa, is homo naledi. their skeletons appear very primitive, and based on the way their morphology, it was first presumed that they fit into the family tree somewhere at least 2 million years ago. but that was wrong. very wrong. testing proved that they lived as recently as 300 to 200 Thousand years ago

and there's more! so much more! endless controversy about what makes something a separate species or how they behaved. things that contradict what has long been seen as specifically homo sapien behavior (making art, burying or honoring the dead, having sophisticated language). and of course there are so many questions and so much speculation about why we survived when none of the other groups did and what kind of relationships we may have had with them

and so now onto my thoughts, which is what you asked for in the first place but now you have all of this. I am so sorry. I don't even know where to BEGIN with all of this because there is just So Much

I guess firstly, though, is that all of the controversy makes me think about how humans have this deep seated belief that we are super extra mega special from everything that is and was on the planet. there are so many things we will Demand are uniquely human, and it stunts scientific progress and our understanding of the world! scientists are so reluctant to call things that non human animals do art or language or compassion or tool making because "those are human things". and all of this controversy around early hominids and our evolution shows us that those beliefs seep into how we think about and assess our way way back history. it took YEARS for the scientific community to recognize that neanderthals were more than just stupid brutish inferior creatures. they were smart like us! they lived in families and made clothing and art and tools and wore jewelry! a skull cup was found in red deer cave, and evidence showed that the remains of the red deer cave people had been burned and painted. these are behaviors thought to be "uniquely human", and the suggestion that they were even another species, and on top of that a species engaging in behavior thought to be special to modern humans, was SO absolutely controversial. some scientists even suggest that the red deer cave people didn't do that themselves, and that instead modern humans did those "modern human things" to the red deer cave peoples bones

and of course there is the question of how it would have turned out if some of those other species had survived too, and what it was like when they were here with us? how would it have compared to the ways other animals interact with the different species of themselves (the zoo I volunteer at has three different kinds of lemurs in one habitat. they all get along, share the same heated rocks, hang out on the same trees... can they communicate with each other? I imagine they must be able to, in some way, just a little bit. maybe they're even friends)? because so many talk about this like... modern humans already fight so much with each other so how could it have been any better with Other species. they discuss our living alongside other hominids like a competition. like a bloody fight for resources and land and power. the same documentary that suggests friendship between the red deer cave people and us also suggested that breeding between groups could have been like "trading of mates". like it was forceful or violent. like rape. at the same time that we glorify ourselves as the only species who can do all of these Special Human Behaviors, we demonize our ancestors and their other hominid neighbors as animalistic and violent and so obviously incapable of the "sophistication" we have now

but. at our core, at the very Center of humanity, we are story tellers and creators and nurturers... we are habitually, Illogicaly kind. we know where our ancestors lived and who they were because of the art that they left on the walls of caves and the things that they buried with their dead. always I am thinking about that quote about how the first sign of civilization is not a clay pot or a stone tool, but instead a human femur bone that had been broken and then healed. because if you break your leg in the wild, you die. so for the bone to heal, somebody had to take the injured person somewhere safe, had to stay with them and protect them and treat their injury and bring them food and water and take Care of them. THATS who humans are. those are our defining traits, whether we share them with other creatures living and dead, or not. it is not war or conquest or hatred that makes us, but LOVE and ART and CURIOSITY and STORY TELLING and KINDNESS (and if the lemurs at my local zoo can look each other in their similar little faces and see a friend, a tree branch buddy, then why couldn't we? in our infinite kindness and our infinite understanding? humans can be so awful to each other for our differences, in ways that shape the whole world, but mostly we are kind. our success as a species is defined by and thanks to our working together and our love for each other - we stand upright to hold our young while we walk or carry food to our families, we survive on the plains because we stay in groups, we become smarter because we hunt together, share with each other, cooperate. one of my favorite facts about human beings is that we are biologically hardwired to enjoy being caressed at a certain speed. we are designed to love and be loved. and mostly we are kind)

I wonder, for all of the ways that we love and care for each other, how did we love and care for the different reflections of ourselves? the lengths of time that these other species lived alongside modern humans just strikes me. because... that is such a long period of time to learn and to love and to grow together. 10 thousand years next to the neanderthals is SO long to develop with and from them. what knowledge did they share with us? what stories did they tell us? what did they give us that we don't even remember they gave? the suggestion that modern humans did those things to the red deer cave peoples bones makes me think too... one documentary I watched suggested that if that were true, perhaps it was an act of honor and love. maybe modern humans were close with them, maybe we loved them, maybe we mourned them when they died, painted their bones and buried them

and so I ask again, what do we remember that we don't know we remember? what did they teach us that we consider our own? and what did we lose when we lost them? so much is lost to time, always so much is lost to time. thats the eternal curse, that we have to relearn parts of ourselves that we have lost somewhere for some reason. it is what fuels the kind of research that brings us all of this information - the desire to know ourselves

and Speaking of loss, of things we are missing, I wonder if we missed our hominid friends when they were gone. how many generations did it take to forget them? what did we think happened? were we sad? and as for the ones we never met, who never met us, what was it like to dwindle, with nobody else around? were they lonely? were they scared? an individual that is the last of it's kind is called and "endling". it is already so lonely, but how must have it felt, to be the endling of a species with a big enough brain to grasp, even just a little bit, what was happening to you?

#THIS IS SO LONG I'M SO SORRY I JUST GOT EXCITED :( #ask #anon #not mdzs

[aijee]

i hope you don't mind asking me this, what made host/hostesses interest you, how you stumbled upon the documentary films about host/hostesses, is it recommended to you by someone? I'm really curious since i've read the price of mirrors and it's very well-written and detailed.

Honestly, it started from watching Ouran High School Host Club, which is an anime about, as you can probably tell, a host club in high school. It’s much more wholesome and cute than actual host club culture. I highly recommend watching it! And if you can stomach a particularly mature film, Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue is a tragically perfect commentary about the extremes of (Japanese) idol culture and is the inspiration for Black Swan people don’t talk enough about. 

After OHSHC, I started reading articles and watching videos about real host clubs (literally just by Googling and searching on Youtube), and have been fascinated ever since. More of my typical rambling under the cut.

(Disclaimer: I promise I’m not a psychopath nor a psychology major lol, I’m just really interested in how people operate)

I’ve always had a fascination with the manifestation (and portrayal) of human emotions, especially in darker, pressure cooker-like environments that often force raw, instinctual, perhaps even animalistic responses. And by “animalistic”, I don’t mean sexual primal instincts like the word might suggest. Perhaps I just can’t find the right description for it, but I mean the reflexive responses and emotions ingrained in mankind’s simple need to survive, live.

For example, Harlow’s famous study with monkeys suggested just how instinctually vital companionship, comfort, and touch can be, even foregoing feeding ourselves. Throughout human evolution, back when Neanderthals were still existent, socializing was necessary for hunting and gathering food. Love and, to be scientifically objective, sex were necessary for humans to survive. Nowadays, I'd say that sex isn’t as much of a big deal given that lifespans aren’t as threatened by hazardous environments as before. But companionship and love? Still so terribly important, for better or for worse.

With host culture, I was instantly fascinated by how our basest, most primal desires for love and companionship were not only fostered and turned into profit (clients), but also weaponized and suppressed (hosts). Both the giver and receiver are still very much human and flawed at the end of the day, so learning more about this dynamic was an interesting way of seeing how far people are willing to go to fulfill those aforementioned primal desires in a more contemporary setting. Who is more pitiful? The client who will do anything to get what they crave? Or the host who is slowly destroying that human part of themselves?

Growing up, I’ve personally always had a healthy relationship with celebrities and my one-sided, “for fun” crushes on them. K-Pop was no different. As I got older, however, and witnessed K-Pop fanbases grow exponentially and reach younger, English-speaking audiences (I obviously didn’t learn much from Kfans as a non-Korean speaker), I started seeing parallels between more passionate host/client and K-Pop idol/fan relationships:

Delusions of feeling like you “know” this person you “love”

A lacking distinction between reality and fantasy, with one side fanning the fantasy fuel (for profit and/or because they really believe in that fantasy they’re giving)

Claiming “ownership” over another person, especially when you feel like you have financial stake in that other person’s lifestyle and successes

This is not to say that one relationship is more morally correct than the other because they’re comprised of a spectrum of attachment types (and to different degrees). There are fans who respect boundaries, or are casual, or truly become better people because their favorite groups’ music pulled them out of dark times. Been there, done that. There are also clients who just visit hosts for fun without expecting more. There are clients who leave host clubs and come back better people, too. But both jobs are arguably fundamentally the same.

In a time period when companionship and love are becoming harder to come by because of restricted physical contact (again, relates back to the Harlow experiment), it felt relevant and poignant to write an analogy between hosting and idol culture. It was only a matter of time before love and companionship was monetized because we need it as much as food, water, shelter, etc. which we also pay for.

I’ve seen those photos of SVT hosting virtual fan meets, which don’t seem so intimate when the curtains are pulled back. You could draw a million conclusions for what those photos mean, and they could all be valid. I mentioned in a reply on “the price of mirrors” the incident with EXO’s Chen (baby, girlfriend, certain fans wanted him out because they thought he “betrayed” them and EXO) and BTS’s Jimin (ngl he’s my ult but he’s a chronic abuser of the “my fans are my girlfriends!!!” BS and I’m exhausted by it). As the Hallyu wave continues to grow, I honestly worry about how far these relationships will go, and how our sense of love and companionship in these cultures will change.

So where do we go from here? I honestly don’t know. I'm not as obsessed with K-Pop as I used to be, probably largely in part due to Adult Responsibilities that take up my time, and solid relationships I have in real life that keep me feeling loved and looked after. I still follow my faves, of course, but not to the microscope lens other people do. With fanfic, I’m mostly using up some pent-up creative energy and trying to empty out some thoughts that keep crawling around in my mind—one of which was hosts vs. idols, I guess!

#askaijee #shut up me

[thesoujishow]

S01E01 - Ken Sarukenka

[vaporwave lo-fi song]

Souji: Testing? Hello?

Ken: Yo? Sounds like it's working to me!

Souji: Ok. There we go.

[INTRO - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Hello, and welcome to the Souji Show. I'm Souji and this is a show where I talk about anything I want. 'Cause this is my show, and not yours.

Souji: This episode is sponsored by the peanut butter in Reese’s cups. They have the taste and the texture of a vitamin-enriched paste you squeeze from a tube directly into your mouth when you’ve been living in a bunker for 30 years because aliens invaded and it’s your birthday treat. Thank you Reese’s!

[MAIN - glitchy transition music]

Souji: For this very special, first-ever episode, we have a very special guest. You may know him as The Howler, or the other Ken, but to me, he's my monkey boy. Everyone, give it up for Ken Sarukenka!

Ken: Indeed, none other than the fantastical Ken Sarukenka.

Souji: Now Ken, tell everyone about yourself. Where are you from? What motivated you to go to Kyoranki? All that jazz.

Ken: I was born and raised in Kyoto and moved to Osaka around the start of middle school and been here ever since, my parents are Ippei and Meiko Sarukenka, better known as Great Ape and Statue, I am also a two time winner of middle school nationals in gymnastics, I was motivated to become a hero because all my life people around me have been heroes, my parents used to be, my brother is one and I choose this school because my brother graduated from here and it's reputation!

Souji: So, both your parents and brother are heroes. Was the decision to enrol at Kyoranki one you made on your own? Or was there added pressure from your family? How did they react when you got the acceptance letter?

Ken: Well, both my parents retired shortly I came into the world, I wouldn't say any of them pressured me but being overshadowed isn't very nice, yakno? I think it was mostly expected in a way, mostly because of my family really.

Souji: Speaking of being overshadowed, do you feel that you have the need to surpass your family in a way?

Ken: Yes, I feel that I have to surpass every single one of, my parents, my brothers I can't be remembered as the second or third best in my family, yakno? [dead serious tone]

Souji: O-ok. What was it like growing up with famous parents? Did people recognise you at all?

Ken: Well, growing up with famous people isn't anything special to me I get recognised every now and then, I met a bunch of other celebrities, I met a bunch of old guard heroes and a few newer once through my brother but it's not anything extreme I'd say. I'm more likely to get recognised now probably after I ended up on the news!

Souji: Speaking of being in the news, the Osaka Rising Star featured your fight at the provisional licence exams. Now I've heard from a little birdie that you didn't have the best time at the exams. Can you tell the listeners more about that? And what are your plans going forward?

Ken: Well... uh what can I say, I'll do the remedial courses and show the speaker that he was wrong to fail me right from the get go so he can go to sleep every night thinking that he almost stopped this world seeing the shining star of tomorrow! As for plans, train, complete remedial course and push forward the keys to everything in life.

Souji: Care to share on how you're planning to do that? What sets your apart from the rest of the Sarukenka heroes?

Ken: It's hard to say, are a bit different but if anything I'd say what sets me apart is the fact that I am none other than I and that I won't stop before I stand out even among them!

Souji: That's a very Ken answer. I respect that. [chuckle]

Ken: There is no other answers than the Ken answer, Souji. [little laugh]

Souji: Speaking of a shining star, let's shine the spotlight back towards the main focus of his podcast - me! Now, Ken, it's your turn to ask me questions. C'mon, don't be shy, ask anything you'd like.

[ASK SOUJI - glitchy transition music]

Ken: Well, I guess I'll throw the ball right back at you, why do you want to be a hero? Is it only because of Starlight or is there something more and how do you intend to stand out in this world filled with people like yours truly!

Souji: To catch the listeners up, I'm a big fan of Starlight. I guess I never considered a career in being a hero until I saw that special documentary episode of Speak with Starlight, what captivated me was his fans, there were a lot of them, each and everyone admired him and his heroic deeds and seeing the praise and attention that his fans are giving him, it sure was tempting. [laugh]

Ken: Inspiration is good, it helps you realise things doesn't it? Not everyone grows up in a family like mine where you are exposed to things the same way I was and I can surely see how it was tempting, I have been tempted by the shining lights that I have been surrounded with myself.

Souji: Inspiration can come from unexpected places, it's true that little things inspire us.

Ken: Indeed, I once felt inspired by watching a squirrel climb a tree! They always look like they are so free and have so much fun, so why shouldn't I do the same?

Souji: I'm great at climbing trees, we should really climb some one day.

Ken: I'd be down!

Souji: In all honesty, it was the fame and money that made me want to become a hero. It's a bit narcissistic, I know, but it is what it is. But during my time here, I saw what happened to the people around us. I want to be a helping hand in making a difference in people’s lives. Plain and simple. My family's poor so the money's still my number one motivator but it makes me happy knowing that I'll make the city a little bit better for everyone living in it.

Ken: I ain't gonna fault anyone's reasoning, being a hero is a profession after all just like being a policeman, fireman, doctor and so on, the only difference is the spotlight and the persona. Hopefully, you can throw your family a bone once you hit it off, eh?

Souji: Of course, I want to give back as much as I can. They might not be around as much, but I know they still want the best of me. Also, I want to travel. I've been stuck in Osaka for most of my life, and I love the city, don't get me wrong, but I just want to see what's out there.

Ken: Travelling is nice, but home is where the heart is wouldn't you agree?

Souji: Yeah, I wouldn't trade Osaka for anything. [pensive pause] Well, that got sentimental. Let's move on to our audience questions! These were submitted by our classmates in our group chat. Ready? Ok.

[Qs from the GC - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Fumi wants to know do you like bananas?

Ken: I like bananas in things but not really a huge fan if they are on, it's alright.

Souji: Kotoe wants to know your favourite genre of music.

Ken: My favourite genre of music is pop or rap, if it has a nice beat or a dramatic feeling I am usually down.

Souji: Kichiro asks, can you talk to monkeys?

Ken: No, I cant talk to monkeys believe it or not.

Souji: Taka inquires, does Ken-san take inspiration from Sun Wukong? That's some Chinese stuff, right?

Ken: Yeah my costume is mostly inspired by him, so his name hero name which means that one day soon I will be the Great Sage who rivals the Heavens!

Souji: Great Sage who Rivals the Heavens. [chuckles] Wow, that's quite the mouthful. We might have to workshop that Ken.

Ken: Yeah... A bit too long probably. [snicker]

Souji: I don't have any suggestions on the top of my head, but please don't pick a weird hero name like Monkey Boy, or worse - Monkey King! Plus, to be a sage, wouldn't you actually have to be, you know, wise?

Ken: In what world is that worse? I think you're going crazy over here and who says you need to be wise to be a sage? Not that it matters I am clearly the wisest person here!

Souji: Ken, that's literary its meaning, sage means wise. Well, it does sound very flashy, but maybe a bit too arrogant maybe? I mean, you can't even talk to monkeys, how can you call yourself the monkey king. You can still be Monkey Ken, though.

Ken: What do you think would be better then? I think Monkey King is a perfect fit if you ask me!

Souji: How about trying some alliteration?

Ken: Pfft, alliterations are overrated anyway.

Souji: I'm not sure if it's final but I was thinking my hero name to be the Neon Ninja. See, it's short, simple and easy to remember.

Ken: Neon Ninja? Sound like a flopped comic or video game, ain't ever gonna pack the punch you'd need it to!

Souji: Of course it sounds lame, that’s the point. You have to start from the ground up. Once people know your deeds as a hero, that’s where it becomes cool. Do you think Starlight’s name was cool when he just started out? No, man. Who name’s themselves Starlight? But, it became cool. I’ll make the Neon Ninja cool.

Ken: Starlight packs more punch than Neon Ninja though! His is like cool and mysterious, yours just sound like a old school retro game people forgot about, why'd you ever wan to sound lame?! Whatever you say, if you prove me wrong I'll eat my words but if you can't I'll be there laughing!

Souji: How about this. Why would anyone want to name a technology company Apple? It's not cool, or futuristic, it's lame. But with time, people liked their product and the name got cooler. See? It might seem lame now, but just give it some time. Like grapes and wine.

Ken: I don't know, maybe something about the apple of knowledge and all that jazz? Didn't really play attention in religion class, so I ain't too sure but either way I think something more high impact is better!

Souji: Let's just agree to disagree, monkey boy. Finally, Haruto wants to know if do you know da wae?

Ken: I know my way, perhaps its the right way for others as well just follow along for the ride and see!

[ENDING - glitchy transition music]

Souji: Well, we're nearing the end of our the show, Ken, is there anything you'd like to remind our audience, maybe plug whenever they can find you online?

Ken: Hmm, well I do guess I could plug some things I am on [X-Social Media platforms] with [X-User names] feel free to follow me!

Souji: You've been pretty cool to talk to, so before you leave, I have a special surprise just for you. I've embroidered it myself, and the shirt is from a downtown thrift store.

Ken: Ooooh. You really didn't need to do that, but I love it, it's adorable!

Souji: Thank you for being my first guest, Ken. It means a lot.

Ken: I don't know what else you'd expect, it's always cool talking to me isn't it?

Souji: To keep with the show follow me @thesoujishow, and to support my small clothing business, follow @glitchgear on all social media platforms. Once again, this has been Ken Sarukenka and Souji Yoshihiro, and you’ve been listening to the Souji Show! A show where I talk about anything I want. 'Cause this is my show, and not yours. Until next time. Insert catchphrase here.

[vaporwave lo-fi song]