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dean-winchester-is-a-warrior · 5 months

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Only the Strong Survive Ch. 6

Series Summary: Lexie Weston is in a terrible, abusive marriage. In her mind and soul, she feels like she has no way out that won't result in her death. But something changes in her life to make her take the risk. Can she rely on Sheriff Beau Arlen to protect her like he said he would, or will this risk lead to ruin?

Pairings: Beau Arlen x OFC (eventual)

Series Warnings/Explicit 18+: Smut, Angst, Fluff throughout. A pretty slow burn, TW: Abusive marriage, Domestic abuse will be talked about throughout. Chapter warnings will be more specific

Word Count: 3,348

Chapter Summary: Y/N is starting to realize some exciting and scary truths.

Chapter Warnings: Not many in this chapter. Brief mentions of abusive relationships, and hard times.

A/N: So, this next chapter took almost an entire year to get out to those of you who've been enjoying this series. I apologize profusely, and can only blame it on my cruel muses, who stalled this story in my brain. But I'm very grateful to those of you who said kind things about the story and said you were looking forward to the rest. It's encouraging to have people say they want to hear more. (In a friendly, kind way, of course.) So thank you, and I don't think the next chapter will take another whole year. (Like six months, tops. 😜 JK! JK!)

Hope you enjoy Ch. 6!

P.S. This song features in the chapter - To Make You Feel My Love and I've linked the version I was imagining here. (Minus the cheering crowd, and with a singer I love EVEN more than Garth Brooks.)

The beautiful divider at the bottom was created by @saradika

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Lexi stood in front of the full length mirror and shook her head at her reflection for the dozenth time that day. She felt ridiculous.

“Ooh, you look so cute!”

Cicely Travis was beaming as she came up behind Lexi to squeeze her shoulders. The young, tall, brash, and outspoken woman had become a good friend to Lexi in the months that she’d been staying at Haven House. She was a decade younger than Lexi, but seemed to have lived four lifetimes in her mere quarter century of life.

The women had shared some of their hardships with each other, but certainly not all, so Lexi only knew that Cicely had run away from home at thirteen to get away from her mom’s boyfriend, and that she’d spent some of the years since as a sex worker. It was one of the things she’d told Lexi right away.

“I was a hooker and a stripper.” Cicely had told her out of the blue on only their second meeting. When Lexi had just blinked at her for a moment, Cicely had explained. “I’m not any more, but I like to tell people that right off, so that there’s no misunderstandings or issues down the road. I did what I did, and I’m not ashamed, so, if that’s gonna stop you being a friend, then I wanna know that now. You know, save us both time.”

Lexi had just shaken her head and shrugged. “I don’t care.” She’d said honestly. “We all survive and exist the best we can. Sucks being a woman sometimes.”

Cicely had snorted. “Damn right, sister.”

Since then the women had bonded over some shared hardships and the general shittiness of most of the men they’d known. Cicely had also been there for her as Lexi had proceeded through four more court dates over the last two months.

She hadn’t been asked to speak again, thank god, but the judge insisted on all her written and recorded accounts being read into the record. So four times she’d had to sit in the courtroom and listen to Marsha read out her words describing the abuse, or else listen to her own timid voice coming through a tinny recording as she recounted years worth of trauma.

And every time, after getting a ride home from Beau complete with his encouragement that everything was going to work out, she went to Cicely’s room to commiserate about the day and to admit just how scared she was. She never wanted to admit her fears to Beau because she didn’t want to burden him more than she already had. But also, she didn't want him to think she was just this scared, trembling thing.

He’d called her a warrior, and she wanted him to keep believing that.

But Cicely would listen, and then trash Simon and the judge and Simon’s lawyer endlessly. It felt very therapeutic to Lexi, and Cicely often made her laugh with her slightly crude, but always hilarious sense of humor.

She was the perfect kind of friend for Lexi; someone non-judgmental, who was so brash and loud, and talkative, that it became impossible for Lexi to stay quiet and shy. Cicely just pulled her along in the conversation no matter what.

Now the younger woman smoothed down the back of the blue polyester robe that Lexi wore, before stepping in front of her to beam at her.

“This is so stupid.” Lexi said for the hundredth time that day. “I look like the world’s oldest high school graduate.” She rolled her eyes.

Cicely shook her head. “Nah, don’t be silly.” She pulled the graduation robe tight across Lexi’s baby bump. “You look more like a knocked up teenager.”

Lexi couldn’t help snorting out a laugh. She slapped Cicely’s hands away and let the gown fall back loose.

“Seriously,” Lexi continued, “I can’t believe they're putting on this whole thing. It feels like a bit much for passing a GED test.”

As she finished and before Cicely could respond she looked into the mirror and saw Beau and Jenny saunter into the tent.

“Oh my god!” Lexi cried as she spun around to face them. “What are you doing here?”

They both smiled and Jenny gave her a hug. “We’re here to celebrate you graduating, of course.” She answered as she stepped back beside Beau.

Lexi felt her cheeks go crimson. “Oh, for pete’s sake, I’m not graduating.” She shook her head. “I passed a test.”

“Lexi, this is a big deal. You should be proud of your accomplishments.” Beau argued while Jenny nodded.

Cicely gently bumped Lexi in the shoulder with her own. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her all day. We deserve to be celebrated!” She turned her head towards Lexi. “You listen to this beautiful man when he tells you things. He’s obviously very wise.”

Beau gave a mock bow. “Thank you, thank you.” He turned to Jenny and tapped a finger against his temple. “See, what have I been telling you? Wisdom.”

Jenny rolled her eyes and continued as though he hadn’t spoken. “Seriously, Lexi, this is definitely worth celebrating. And to that end, the station is hosting a little graduation party for everyone this evening. Six o’clock, at Beau’s trailer. The land is beautiful, and there will be a huge bonfire to ward off the chill, and amazing BBQ and drinks.” She smiled at Lexi. “And sparkling cider for those of us who can’t partake.”

Beau looked at Lexi, understanding in his gaze as he obviously caught the trepidation in her expression. “There will also be more than a dozen cops there, so you’ll all be very safe.”

Lexi was amazed sometimes how easily Beau understood her. He seemed to read her mind at times, and he always knew just what to say to make her feel better, or feel safe. It made her happy and nervous at the same time. She could feel the way her heart was responding to him, could feel the way her body responded to him too.

When he was close to her, she always wanted to lean in to him, always wanted his arms around her. She remembered the way it had felt to give him an innocent kiss on the cheek, and now when she looked at him, she was uncomfortably aware of his mouth and how she'd been mere inches away from feeling his lips under hers.

At one of her most recent doctor’s appointments, the doctor had informed her that many women notice an increased libido during the second trimester, and warned her to make sure if she had sex to use a condom as being pregnant didn’t stop her from getting an STI.

Lexi had blushed, but told the doctor there was no chance of that. But she was blaming the increased libido for why her heart raced, and butterflies flew wildly in her belly every time Beau was near.

She didn’t know very much about sex outside of her marriage. She’d slept with three guys before Simon, and none of them had been exactly earth shattering. Of course, sex with Simon had started out as nothing special and turned into a nightmare. Thankfully in the last few years of their marriage, he hadn’t been much interested in her, and he had very little ability to get it up, so she’d at least been granted that small mercy.

So, this was the first time she’d ever felt this kind of strong attraction to someone. It was slightly overwhelming, so she was definitely blaming it on the hormones racing through her blood while also trying desperately to ignore it altogether.

Jenny gave them final details about the after party and then she and Beau hugged Lexi and Cicely quickly before going to take their place in the high school gym that was hosting their small graduation ceremony.

After they were gone, Cicely whistled slowly. “Je-sus CHRIST, that man is fine!”

Lexi choked slightly on her laughter. “Cicely!”

The other woman gave her a look. “You telling me you don’t think so?”

Lexi shrugged. “That’s not the point. He’s our friend. He’s been very kind to me.”

Cicely frowned at her. “So? That makes him LESS attractive?”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “I just mean, I don’t wanna talk about him like that.”

Cicely snorted. “There’s nothing wrong with appreciating beauty where you see it. I’m telling you, if I thought I had a chance in hell of pulling him away, I would be all OVER that man.”

Lexi felt her heart plummet. “Pull him away? I thought…” She cleared her throat. “I thought he was divorced. I didn’t realize he was with someone.”

Cicely looked at her like she was nuts. “You can not possibly be that obtuse.”

Lexi frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Cicely rolled her eyes. “What am I…? Girl, that man is so far gone for you it’s almost pathetic.”

Lexi’s eyes grew huge. “What are you talking about? Are you crazy? He’s not interested in me like that. He’s just a kind person. He’s a friend.”

Cicely gave her a deadpan stare and Lexi waved at her dismissively. “You’re crazy.” She said again.

Her friend shook her head. “Lexi, seriously. Beau is kind and friendly to me. He’s kind and friendly to his co-workers, to Sarah, to the other women here. But it’s not the same. When he looks at you, his face gets all…gooey.”

Lexi snorted out a laugh. “Gooey? Beau Arlen is not gooey about me.”

Their conversation was interrupted when Sarah poked her head into the room. “Okay, ladies - showtime! Everyone out in the hall to line up.”

Lexi smoothed down her gown and moved towards the door, but Cicely held her back a moment. “Okay, just pay attention tonight, at the Barbeque. If you pay attention, I know you’ll see it. And I say when you see it, baby, jump on it.”

Lexi shook her head and followed Cicely out the door. Her friend was wrong, imagining things. She knew it. Beau didn’t think of her as anything but a friend and someone he was trying to keep safe.

That was all…right?

***

The women and their children were shuttled over from the high school to Beau’s in a rented school bus, and when they all arrived - the party started.

Beau’s land was very beautiful, Lexi thought. It was situated in a valley with a stunning view of the mountains all around. When they arrived around six o’clock, the mid-March sun was already sinking in the west, being swallowed up by the peaks in the distance. It was a perfect night, though, slightly warmer than usual, with no wind, and a huge bonfire to throw off plenty of heat.

The kids all immediately started a game of tag in the field, and left their moms to chat and mingle with each other, the deputies, and the Haven House staff in attendance. The atmosphere was jovial and celebratory, and despite herself, Lexi began to feel excited and proud.

Not long after her arrival, she met Beau at the grill. He was laughing and joking with everyone, proclaiming he was king of the grill. As she watched him tease Deputy Poppernak, she shook her head at Cicely. She was crazy, Beau was this way with everyone.

But then he spotted her standing in the crowd and his face did…change. She didn’t know that she’d call it gooey. But his eyes definitely lit up, and he left his precious grill to come up and give her a hug.

“Lexi, you looked so great up on that stage! Congratulations!”

She hugged him back, closing her eyes and trying to get Cicely’s words out of her head while also trying to ignore the way Beau’s strong arms felt locked around her. She inhaled his cologne and the butterflies were back. He pulled out of the embrace and she smiled at the ground.

“Thanks, it was a really nice ceremony.”

“Congratulations.” Said a voice from behind her and Lexi turned to see a teenage girl walking up to stand beside Beau. “How hot are those polyester robes? I want to dress accordingly when I graduate next year.”

Beau chuckled. “Lexi, this is my daughter, Emily. Em, this is Lexi Weston.”

Lexi shook her head as she took Emily’s outstretched hand. “It’s Howard again, actually.” She looked at Beau. “Marsha is helping me with the paperwork to change back to my maiden name.”

He nodded and smiled softly. “That’s great.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Howard.” Emily said politely.

“No, please, it’s really just Lexi. And it’s so nice to meet you too. You know your dad talks about you all the time.”

“Oh my god, how boring for you.” Emily said with a pained smile and an elbow to her dad’s ribs.

Lexi laughed lightly. “No, I like his Emily stories, he’s helping me prepare.” She explained with a hand on her baby bump. In the last couple of weeks it had become an honest to goodness bump, obvious unless she was wearing something flowy. The t-shirt she and leggings she wore now did nothing to conceal it.

“Oh, good.” Emily said with a grin. “I love when he tells baby stories about me. It’s not embarrassing at all.”

Lexi laughed, and Emily reached up to kiss her dad’s cheek. “I’m gonna go organize the kids into lines to make s’mores.” She looked back at Lexi. “Congrats again.”

She bounded away and started the kid round-up. Lexi smiled and moved to stand beside Beau and watch. “She’s really great. So smart and capable.” She said as she watched the young girl effortlessly get the kids in line, and enlist the deputies to haul the s'mores making ingredients over to the bonfire.

Beau’s smile was all pride. “Yeah, she’s pretty incredible.”

Their attention was wrenched back to the barbeque as Poppernak called to Beau. “Hey boss, as king of the grill, you might wanna come figure out where all this black smoke is coming from!”

***

A couple of hours later most of the people had gravitated to sit around the big bonfire where it was warmest. There were dozens of chairs set around it, and lots of blankets to share.

Cicely and Lexi were almost in each other’s laps, curled up on a big adirondack chair under a thick wool blanket. They were very toasty, and Lexi was loving the peace and contentment she felt as she just listened to the soft rise and fall of conversations around her, the laughter that would break out occasionally, the sleepy voices of little ones in their moms’ arms, and the sharp crackling of the sweet smelling wood as it burned.

A couple of seats away Beau was leaning towards Cassie and talking animatedly with his hands. She couldn’t make out his exact words, but she liked to watch his expressions; he was so animated she could almost guess at the conversation.

He said something to make Cassie laugh and then he looked up and caught Lexi’s eye. His smile turned soft and he winked at her. “Comfy over there?” He asked a bit louder.

Lexi nodded happily. “Very.”

“Good.” His smile lingered a moment before his attention was snagged by Emily.

Cicely pinched Lexi lightly and cleared her throat. “Goo-ey.” She whispered conspiratorially.

Lexi slapped her friend’s thigh under the blanket. “Stop it.”

Cicely hummed noncommittally. “Whatever.”

When Lexi looked back at Beau he was shaking his head at Emily who was trying to pass him a guitar. Other people around the fire seemed to notice at the same time and they quieted down to listen.

“No, god.” Beau was saying with an embarrassed laugh. “I’m not gonna subject these lovely people to my singing.”

His deputies all started egging him on too, but he was shaking his head, adamantly refusing to take the guitar from his daughter. Finally she pleaded with him.

“Please, you used to sing all the time.”

“Yeah, to make you go to sleep. Pretty sure you’d just pretend to make me stop.”

Emily pouted at him. “No, I loved listening to you. Come on.” She paused. “You haven’t picked up a guitar since…since before you left Dallas.”

A look shifted over Beau’s face that Lexi couldn’t interpret. He seemed sad, but also wary. He sighed. “Em -”

“Please!” She interrupted him.

With an even deeper sigh he finally took the guitar from her. His audience clapped and he shook his head, clearly embarrassed. “Oh god. What am I supposed to sing?” He asked his daughter, slightly desperate sounding.

“Sing that one you used to sing.”

Beau lifted his hand in exasperation. “What one I used to sing.”

“The ‘love’ one…the…make you feel the love.”

“Make you feel my love?” Cassie clarified and Emily nodded. “Ooh, I love that song!”

Beau was obviously still very reluctant, but he settled the guitar on his lap and strummed a few chords before adjusting the tuning pegs to his liking. Finally he cleared his throat and shook his head as he looked out at the now silent audience staring at him.

“Oh boy.” He said quietly and everyone chuckled. “Sorry.” He said with a shake of his head.

Then he began plucking at the strings and a warm melody surrounded them all. When Beau began singing there was a collective intake of breath, clear surprise on everyone’s faces. His voice was warm and full, melodic and emotive. In short, it was beautiful.

When the rain is blowing in your face And the whole world is on your case I would offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love

He watched Emily as he sang the words and Lexi knew he meant every word he sang to her. He looked around the circle with a slightly sheepish smile as he strummed out the melody between verses, but his eye caught Lexi’s again as he began the second verse, and it was as though something kept their gazes locked as he sang. Lexi couldn’t have looked away if her life depended on it.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear And there is no one to dry your tears I would hold you for a million years To make you feel my love

He strummed his way into the first bridge and then looked down at the ground before looking back at the rest of his audience as he began singing the bridge. Even though he wasn’t staring at her anymore, Lexi could feel every word he sang as though it was only the two of them there and he was singing it right to her.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet But I would never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we met There’s no doubt in my mind where you belong

Cause I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue And I'd go crawling down the avenue There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do To make you feel my love

The storms are raging on a rolling sea And down the highway of regret The winds of change are blowing wild and free Oh, but you ain't seen nothing like me yet

The last verse he sang slowly, plucking the strings gently, and there was no doubt that he’d cast a kind of enchantment over the whole group.

Cause there ain’t nothing that I wouldn't do Go to the ends of the Earth for you Make you happy, make your dreams come true To make you feel my love

The last note echoed into the evening air and there was a moment of peaceful quiet before everyone started clapping and talking at once. Several deputies got up to slap Beau on the back, and everyone was shouting disbelief and praise.

For his part, Beau turned very red, and thrust the guitar back into Emily’s hands before wrapping one arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side, and kissing the top of her head.

Beside her Cicely sighed deeply and repeated herself to Lexi. “Gooey.” She said, but her tone was definitely saying, “I told you so.”

@lyarr24 @deans-spinster-witch @impalaslytherin @maggiegirl17 @akshi8278 @candy-coated-misery0731 @deanswaywardgirl @slytherinlyn314 @globetrotter28 @jensensgirl @perpetualabsurdity @tristanrosspada-ackles @djs8891 @muhahaha303 @kayyay1219 @emily-winchester @recoveringpastaaddict @maximumkillshot @mimaria420 @sacriceria @envyaurora95 @lacilou @jc-winchester @spnwoman @mimi-luvzyu @jackles010378

3 - Any/All Fics (regardless of fandom/character.) @kazsrm67 @sexyvixen7 @alexxavicry @nancymcl @spalady26 @slut-for-evans-stan

4 - Everything (includes fan vid/DOOL edits as well) @unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men @maliburenee @supernatural4life2022 @spn730015 @kickingitwithkirk @waywardbaby @foxyjwls007 @deanwanddamons @deandreamernp @deanwithscissors @myloversgone @snowlovespie @leigh70 @all-alone-he-turns-to-stone @charred-angelwings @hopefuldreamers-world @jensensgotyoudean @thoughts-and-funnies @magssteenkamp @princessmisery666 @eevvvaa @mishkatelwarriorgoddess @waynes-multiverse @mrsjenniferwinchester @bernasaurus @jensenslady79 @courtn92 @avanatural @ellie-andthemachine @this-is-me19 @roseblue373 @katbratsupernaturalwhore @fanfic-n-tabulous @k-slla @stoneyggirl2

#beau arlen #beau arlen series #beau arlen fluff #beau arlen fan fic #beau arlen fic #only the strong survive

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mattjacksonsbrain · 27 days

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Sing - Roundtable Presentation (Animated)

Illumination's 2016 animated feature "Sing" follows a cast of lovable animals with dreams bigger than their fears. In a city much like our own, a dapper Koala named Buster Moon stages the world's greatest singing competition to save his crumbling theater. As the contest unfolds, each character discovers their true voice and confronts personal challenges, showcasing themes of perseverance, friendship, difference, and the transformative power of music. Backed by a star-studded cast (seen below), the musical numbers are fantastic and the emotional depth that is delivered by the characters' performance drives the narrative home. It is a heartwarming, feel-good, family film that ventures into greater themes of identity, belonging, and self-expression.

CAST

Rosita - Reese Witherspoon

Johnny - Taron Egerton

Ash - Scarlett Johansson

Miss Crawly - Garth Jennings

Buster Moon - Matthew McConaughey

Meena - Tori Kelly

Gunter - Nick Kroll

Norman - Nick Offerman

Nana Noodleman - Jennifer Hudson

A jukebox musical, the film elegantly weaves various popular music into the narrative progression, mirroring both the tone of the action depicted on-screen as well as the personalities and struggles of the characters. The various music numbers serve both as a window to their inner-struggles and distinctive voice as well as advances the plot forward. Each performance marks a pivotal point in the characters' journeys, whether it's overcoming stage fright, finding confidence, or reconciling with loved ones. A great example of this can be seen in a particular scene where Johnny, a gorilla trying to break free from his family's criminal background, sings "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John, symbolizing his resilience and desire to carve out a new path.

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Songs are chosen not just for their entertainment value but for lyrical relevance to the film's message. This thematic alignment further ensures that the music enriches both the individual character development as well as the overarching narrative.

There is a sense of cohesion amongst the various numbers, underlining the film's central themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and the transformative power of embracing one's true identity.

QUESTION TWO:

Cultural diversity certainly seems to be a central theme of the film. The film features a wide variety of characters, stemming from all different walks of life, each with their own backstory that is intimately connected to their musical performances. For instance, Rosita, an overworked mother pig, performs "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift, a song intended to be an anthem of liberation and self-expression, reflecting her desire to break free from her domestic constraints. The choice of song, coupled with her performance, speaks to the broader cultural narrative of empowerment and self-discovery.

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It's clear to see that, in the various musical numbers, the characters are not treating their performance as an act of escapism. They are wearing their identities on their sleeves and embracing a sense of authenticity to who they are. By carefully matching the songs to the characters' emotional journeys, the film ensures that each performance resonates with authenticity, allowing audiences from different cultural backgrounds to find something relatable, bridging cultural gaps and fostering a sense of universal connection.

QUESTION THREE:

The film strategically incorporates well-known songs and anthems, tapping into the audience's pre-existing emotional associations with these tracks. The choice of music is very intentional, serving almost as a shortcut to evoke specific feelings and memories, enriching the narrative with a deeper layer of emotional resonance. For example, the use of famous tracks like "Hallelujah" or "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" immediately sets a tone that resonates with the audience's prior experiences of these songs, enhancing the film's emotional impact.

There seems to be a notion of consistency among character themes as well. Each character in Sing is associated with specific musical styles that reflect their personalities and narratives, using these familiarized styles as thematic leitmotifs. This musical framing helps the audience to quickly grasp the essence of each character, facilitating a deeper emotional connection as their stories unfold. For instance, Johnny’s preference for rock and pop reflects his youthful rebellion and desire for self-expression, while Meena’s affinity for powerful ballads underscores her journey to overcome shyness and find her voice.

More than just linking the musical numbers to character sentiment, the film uses music to frame the narrative's pacing. Uptempo songs propel the story forward, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation during the competition's build-up. While, in juxtaposition, slower, more introspective tracks are used to highlight moments of uncertainty and general dismay. This trade off aligns with familiar Hollywood storytelling rhythms, guiding the audience through the narrative's highs and lows in a coherent and engaging manner.

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RELEVANCE TO ARMSTRONG:

It's worth mentioning that this practice of 'musical framing' is not always executed in a positive way. Robin Armstrong's article "Time to Face the Music: Musical Colonization and Appropriation in Disney's Moana" provides a critical perspective on how certain films (namely Moana) use music to present a culturally authentic narrative, which simultaneously falls into patterns of Western dominance and appropriation. In the article, Armstrong critiques Disney's approach to representing Polynesian culture, highlighting how, despite efforts to engage with Polynesian musicians and cultural experts, the musical score ultimately frames Polynesian sounds within a Western musical context. This 'framing' technique, where unfamiliar Polynesian music is enveloped by familiar Western musical traits, not only limits the audience's exposure to authentic Polynesian music but also subtly reinforces Western dominance over the depicted culture.

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As you can see, a similar technique of 'musical framing' that Sing employs has the potential to both enhance narrative direction and character sentiment while also posing a risk of steamrolling cultural influence, compounding it into a homogenous form, a reduction of it's original form.

I'm not sure I see a whole lot of this issue present in Sing. The film does not intend to focus on a single cultural or ethnic narrative.

@theuncannyprofessoro

#oxyfilmmusical #Youtube

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imbiowaresbitch · 6 months

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Make Me a Beast, ch. 2

Hello! Year of the OTP October, chapter 2!

Dean was standing in Charlie and Meg's living room, chatting with Garth and Bess. They'd dressed as that American Gothic painting, complete with pitchfork, only they'd upped the ante by both wearing dark goth makeup. It was a hilarious twist, and Dean couldn't stop grinning.

Garth looked around, then turned back to Dean.

"Where's your man? And who're you dressed as?" he asked, and Dean pouted.

Bess elbowed Garth, rolling her eyes.

"You've watched Tangled with Gertie how many times, and you don't recognise Flynn Rider when you see him?" she demanded, and Dean sent her a smouldering look and a wink.

Garth let out a braying laugh, and he raised his red Solo cup to Dean, who tapped his beer against it amicably. Garth could be forgiven. His cup was half-empty, which meant Garth was well on his way to being tanked, the lightweight. Dean sipped his beer and glanced around.

"He should be here somewhere. We got a bet going, and the dick wouldn't tell me what his costume was, kept it here."

Bess laughed. "Is it a sexy bet?" she teased, and he waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Damn right, and it's one I'm gonna win," he boasted.

"Is that so?"

Dean turned toward Cas' voice, and his mouth went dry.

Now he knew why Cas had let his hair grow down to his chin. It hung in waves against the high collar of his white shirt, a purplish tie neatly knotted at his throat (Meg had to have helped with that. Cas couldn't do a tie right to save his life), and a dark red vest under a navy suit. The suit was seriously old-fashioned, like Victorian, and Dean frowned as he tried to place the costume.

That he got to stare at Cas while he thought about it was a nice perk.

"Yeah, that's so," Dean asserted, giving his lover a cocky smile. "Not sayin' you don't look good, you do, but I'm not dragging you out the door and into the bushes any time soon."

Cas chuckled softly, stealing Dean's bottle and taking a long pull of his beer. He kept eye contact with Dean as he did so, and Dean's eyes were drawn to those lips wrapped around the bottle like –

"Love the costume, Castiel!" Garth said loudly, staggering closer and clapping Cas on the shoulder. "Gertie loves that movie!"

"Wait, you know who he's dressed as?" Dean demanded, almost offended.

Bess chimed in. "You don't?"

Read the rest of chapter 2 on AO3.

Read from the beginning here.

Many thanks to @nickelkeep and @aishitara the beta!

#destiel #castiel #dean winchester #redamber79writes #year of the otp

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blackrosesmatron · 5 months

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Prologue

Disclaimer: This is not my text. This is the prologue of the book Sabriel, by Garth Nix. I'm sharing it in the hope it can pick the interest of some people around here (this series deserve more love). All rights reserved to Garth Nix!

It was little more than three miles from the Wall into the Old Kingdom, but that was enough. Noonday sunshine could be seen on the other side of the Wall in Ancelstierre, and not a cloud in sight. Here, there was a clouded sunset, and a steady rain had just begun to fall, coming faster than the tents could be raised.

The midwife shrugged her cloak higher up against her neck and bent over the woman again, raindrops spilling from her nose onto the upturned face below. The midwife’s breath blew out in a cloud of white, but there was no answering billow of air from her patient.

The midwife sighed and slowly straightened up, that single movement telling the watchers everything they needed to know. The woman who had staggered into their forest camp was dead, only holding on to life long enough to pass it on to the baby at her side. But even as the midwife picked up the pathetically small form beside the dead woman, it shuddered within its wrappings, and was still.

“The child, too?” asked one of the watchers, a man who wore the mark of the Charter freshdrawn in wood ash upon his brow. “Then there shall be no need for baptism.”

His hand went up to brush the mark from his forehead, then suddenly stopped, as a pale white hand gripped his and forced it down in a single, swift motion.

“Peace!” said a calm voice. “I wish you no harm.”

The white hand released its grip and the speaker stepped into the ring of firelight.

The others watched him without welcome, and the hands that had half sketched Charter marks, or gone to bowstrings and hilts, did not relax.

The man strode towards the bodies and looked upon them. Then he turned to face the watchers, pushing his hood back to reveal the face of someone who had taken paths far from sunlight, for his skin was a deathly white.

“I am called Abhorsen,” he said, and his words sent ripples through the people about him, as if he had cast a large and weighty stone into a pool of stagnant water. “And there will be a baptism tonight.”

The Charter Mage looked down on the bundle in the midwife’s hands, and said: “The child is dead, Abhorsen. We are travelers, our life lived under the sky, and it is often harsh. We know death, lord.”

“Not as I do,” replied Abhorsen, smiling so his paper-white face crinkled at the corners and drew back from his equally white teeth. “And I say the child is not yet dead.”

The man tried to meet Abhorsen’s gaze, but faltered and looked away at his fellows. None moved, or made any sign, till a woman said, “So. It is easily done. Sign the child, Arrenil. We will make a new camp at Leovi’s Ford. Join us when you are finished here.”

The Charter Mage inclined his head in assent, and the others drifted away to pack up their halfmade camp, slow with the reluctance of having to move, but filled with a greater reluctance to remain near Abhorsen, for his name was one of secrets, and unspoken fears.

When the midwife went to lay the child down and leave, Abhorsen spoke: “Wait. You will be needed.”

The midwife looked down on the baby, and saw that it was a girl child and, save for its stillness, could be merely sleeping. She had heard of Abhorsen, and if the girl could live... warily she picked up the child again and held her out to the Charter Mage.

“If the Charter does not—” began the man, but Abhorsen held up a pallid hand and interrupted.

“Let us see what the Charter wills.”

The man looked at the child again and sighed.

Then he took a small bottle from his pouch and held it aloft, crying out a chant that was the beginning of a Charter; one that listed all things that lived or grew, or once lived, or would live again, and the bonds that held them all together. As he spoke, a light came to the bottle, pulsing with the rhythm of the chant. Then the chanter was silent. He touched the bottle to the earth, then to the sign of wood ash on his forehead, and then upended it over the child. A great flash lit the surrounding woods as the glowing liquid splashed over the child’s head, and the priest cried: “By the Charter that binds all things, we name thee—”

Normally, the parents of the child would then speak the name. Here, only Abhorsen spoke, and he said: “Sabriel.”

As he uttered the word, the wood ash disappeared from the priest’s forehead, and slowly formed on the child’s. The Charter had accepted the baptism.

“But... but she is dead!” exclaimed the Charter Mage, gingerly touching his forehead to make sure the ash was truly gone.

He got no answer, for the midwife was staring across the fire at Abhorsen, and Abhorsen was staring at—nothing. His eyes reflected the dancing flames, but did not see them.

Slowly, a chill mist began to rise from his body, spreading towards the man and midwife, who scuttled to the other side of the fire—wanting to get away, but now too afraid to run.

He could hear the child crying, which was good. If she had gone beyond the first gateway he could not bring her back without more stringent preparations, and a subsequent dilution of her spirit.

The current was strong, but he knew this branch of the river and waded past pools and eddies that hoped to drag him under. Already, he could feel the waters leaching his spirit, but his will was strong, so they took only the color, not the substance.

He paused to listen, and hearing the crying diminish, hastened forward. Perhaps she was already at the gateway, and about to pass.

The First Gate was a veil of mist, with a single dark opening, where the river poured into the silence beyond. Abhorsen hurried towards it, and then stopped. The baby had not yet passed through, but only because something had caught her and picked her up. Standing there, looming up out of the black waters, was a shadow darker than the gate.

It was several feet higher than Abhorsen, and there were pale marsh-lights burning where you would expect to see eyes, and the fetid stench of carrion rolled off it—a warm stench that relieved the chill of the river.

Abhorsen advanced on the thing slowly,watching the child it held loosely in the crook of a shadowed arm. The baby was asleep, but restless, and it squirmed towards the creature, seeking a mother’s breast, but it only held her away from itself, as if the child were hot, or caustic.

Slowly, Abhorsen drew a small, silver handbell from the bandolier of bells across his chest, and cocked his wrist to ring it. But the shadow-thing held the baby up and spoke in a dry, slithery voice, like a snake on gravel.

“Spirit of your spirit, Abhorsen. You can’t spell me while I hold her. And perhaps I shall take her beyond the gate, as her mother has already gone.”

Abhorsen frowned, in recognition, and replaced the bell. “You have a new shape, Kerrigor. And you are now this side of the First Gate. Who was foolish enough to assist you so far?”

Kerrigor smiled widely, and Abhorsen caught a glimpse of fires burning deep inside his mouth.

“One of the usual calling,” he croaked. “But unskilled. He didn’t realize it would be in the nature of an exchange. Alas, his life was not sufficient for me to pass the last portal. But now, you have come to help me.”

“I, who chained you beyond the Seventh Gate?”

“Yes,” whispered Kerrigor. “The irony does not, I think, escape you. But if you want the child...”

He made as if to throw the baby into the stream and, with that jerk, woke her. Immediately, she began to cry and her little fists reached out to gather up the shadow-stuff of Kerrigor like the folds of a robe. He cried out, tried to detach her, but the tiny hands held tightly and he was forced to overuse his strength, and threw her from him. She landed, squalling, and was instantly caught up in the flow of the river, but Abhorsen lunged forward, snatching her from both the river and Kerrigor’s grasping hands.

Stepping back, he drew the silver bell onehanded, and swung it so it sounded twice. The sound was curiously muffled, but true, and the clear chime hung in the air, fresh and cutting, alive. Kerrigor flinched at the sound, and fell backwards to the darkness that was the gate.

“Some fool will soon bring me back, and then...” he cried out, as the river took him under. The waters swirled and gurgled and then resumed their steady flow.

Abhorsen stared at the gate for a time, then sighed and, placing the bell back in his belt, looked at the baby held in his arm. She stared back at him, dark eyes matching his own.

Already, the color had been drained from her skin. Nervously, Abhorsen laid a hand across the brand on her forehead and felt the glow of her spirit within. The Charter mark had kept her life contained when the river should have drained it. It was her life-spirit that had so burned Kerrigor.

She smiled up at him and gurgled a little, and Abhorsen felt a smile tilting the corner of his own mouth. Still smiling, he turned, and began the long wade back up the river, to the gate that would return them both to their living flesh.

The baby wailed a scant second before Abhorsen opened his eyes, so that the midwife was already halfway around the dying fire, ready to pick her up. Frost crackled on the ground and icicles hung from Abhorsen’s nose. He wiped them off with a sleeve and leaned over the child, much as any anxious father does after a birth.

“How is the babe?” he asked, and the midwife stared at him wonderingly, for the dead child was now loudly alive and as deathly white as he.

“As you hear, lord,” she answered. “She is very well. It is perhaps a little cold for her—”

He gestured at the fire and spoke a word, and it roared into life, the frost melting at once, the raindrops sizzling into steam. “That will do till morning,” said Abhorsen.

“Then I shall take her to my house. I shall have need of a nurse.Will you come?” The midwife hesitated, and looked to the Charter Mage, who still lingered on the far side of the fire. He refused to meet her glance and she looked down once more at the little girl bawling in her arms.

“You are... you are...�� whispered the midwife.

“A necromancer?” said Abhorsen. “Only of a sort. I loved the woman who lies here. She would have lived if she had loved another, but she did not. Sabriel is our child. Can you not see the kinship?”

The midwife looked at him as he leant forward and took Sabriel from her, rocking her on his chest. The baby quietened and, in a few seconds, was asleep.

“Yes,” said the midwife. “I shall come with you, and look after Sabriel. But you must find a wet-nurse...”

“And I daresay much else besides,” mused Abhorsen. “But my house is not a place for—” The Charter Mage cleared his throat, and moved around the fire.

“If you seek a man who knows a little of the Charter,” he said hesitantly, “I should wish to serve, for I have seen its work in you, lord, though I am loath to leave my fellow wanderers.”

“Perhaps you will not have to,” replied Abhorsen, smiling at a sudden thought. “I wonder if your leader will object to two new members joining her band. For my work means I must travel, and there is no part of the Kingdom that has not felt the imprint of my feet.”

“Your work?” asked the man, shivering a little, though it was no longer cold.

“Yes,” said Abhorsen. “I am a necromancer, but not of the common kind. Where others of the art raise the dead, I lay them back to rest. And those that will not rest, I bind—or try to. I am Abhorsen...”

He looked at the baby again, and added, almost with a note of surprise, “Father of Sabriel.”

#others #you can tell I take inspiration for my HCs from this series...

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casadepalermo · 2 years

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Preacher Book 2 Ch 1 Came a Pale Rider by Garth Ennis & Steve Dillon. “What will you do when you get the Almighty by the balls?”

#preacher #garth ennis #jesse custer #comic #steve dillon

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mykaussie · 1 year

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youtube

"Talking CFL week 3 inc picks and AFL Rd 15, my dead set ringer on NY's @SportsGridTV." @mykaussie

"With hosts Gabe @sportsrage, @CamStewartLive and Dave @sportsbkConsig we're talking CFL Ticats at Bombers, Elks at Stamps, Argos at BC Lions, AFL Rd 15 picks, Garth Brooks in Edmonton, Tony Schiavone the wrestling commentator and some laughs on New York's @SportsGridTV, @SiriusXM Ch 159, etc." @MykAussie mykaussie.tv TotalCFL.com mykaussie.com

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the-firebird69 · 1 year

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Huge huge huge night they're going to try on facilities they have to they need the Intel everyone's crazy they're incensed they need the big ships they need theirs and they need it now it's going to be a huge attack and there's tons of them and Jason is above 4,500 cities it is a giant giant move for him and he is getting power he has some power from it and he's loving it. And we are moving out we need to do things and we are doing them now and we also need to do his plan and we're working on it and it's coming together there's several things happening too. Tonight John rebelord is vacating all of the gas and oil companies on Earth in totality and many others are too all the warlock completely and they're going to fight and they're going to lose and die and they are leaving to go do other things too but we're stopping them and don't want any of them to escape because we know their methods. It's been a hell for them because they lose pretty much every battle but they want us have to cuz they keep trying terrorist attacks when everywhere. We are also fighting a huge battle here every day every moment for our son's life because these people here out of control mostly the warlock and we hate them and we see what happens to Mac and others even Garth who doesn't like most of the morlock here because they treat him very badly. And they start having a pet peeve but they're going to be gone tonight here everybody's sick of them and they're going to be gone from America pretty soon. And it's going to happen shortly Jason will go on his voyage and it's during his kind of occupation a little over the cities it happens at the same time until he gets out of all sorts of stuff and she's sort of gets into it that way but he is above a part of New York State and he's going to be above New York and New Jersey and part of DC tomorrow and he's going to be trying for ships in Jersey starting tomorrow and he's going to start fighting them and it becomes like a war and he goes after all sorts of ships everything there because of it and because of his history in New Jersey and he devastates a huge bunch of it and they hate him in the mafia puts on him big hits. And it starts off a very very big cycle and it is one that a lot of people are starting to figure out no it is a huge huge effort against morlock after New Jersey but halfway through it the war of the world starts and that would be probably Friday or Saturday you think it's Friday tomorrow becomes massively and broiled huge numbers too and it is on in a serious way Spider-Man begins and John remillard will face his end shortly after he's the lizard man he goes directly to Tunis and that's the end he does go to the other places first but it does not take long and he goes to Guantanamo Bay first but this actually kicks it all off as well of the worlds. And what starts the whole process and we need to start was the Black widow Harley-Davidson dealer and that is exactly what will happen shortly to John remillard & company. We're pleased to announce that Jason has started his approach to New York City and New Jersey and part of Washington DC it's going on right now and it's because they started chatting him and challenging him and they're firing on them and it doesn't seem to do much in a moment they won't be able to and they can't right now and it's too late and the war below will begin and he'll have to dispatch his and the fight in New Jersey will begin now and it might be time tomorrow for War of the worlds to begin it is very true. There's a huge number of people wondering what we're seeing and well there's a lot of people getting hurt by these idiots and we have to fight them and right now. Jason and his are being exterminated already and his move right now and they were warning him all day and prepping is causing orders to go out to apprehend all of his to all the max other races are falling suit and they'll be gone within days

Thor Freya

We don't want to be gone within days you see our characters in movies that are months away from now

Jason

The characters are there and some of the people but most of the race is gone and have pockets of people you want to have autism and you won't have septillions and you might have millions and the top side it seems to be big but really it's not and by comparison it's very very small

Thor Freya

I sort of get something everybody's harassing him all the time and he's alone he's telling people what's going on and people are forcing me to happen I know he's having a decent time I'm going to try and straighten the side by taking over

Jason

We do understand that and we know what you're doing it and others are attacking below and the Tron facilities and fighting clones mostly but they are also attacking morlock because of your move and that was a side effect that you were told about and apparently you're still ignoring as yours are crying out to you to stop that s***

Thor Freya

So I hear you and it's true and there's a lot of it and they probably aren't making it so they have to do as an instructor or they won't and we need chips and we need them now

Jason

So we hear there's a whole bunch of people making fun of him it's not funny it is a little bit cuz we sort of understand the math and Jason sometimes doesn't

Thor Freya

Fair enough for people making fun of me but it's still funny but being in that fish was not I figured out that you figured out that those are my people and they're trying to see if it's a fish or a person and later I could see him thinking it's going to look like a person in a fish no matter what you do it would be a mermaid so he called mine but really that was awful I was making hand signals I don't think they were there but they saw the video okay oh I get that so I felt a little better and they came running down and who the hell do you think they are having me swallowed by a damn fish so you're trying to catch it and they want to catch you said you sure you you shouldn't trying to catch the fish using him no so why would they do that I think he's good as I don't know doesn't make sense so I find out that they thought I was harassing it but that's stupid it's a way of catching fish and they do it all the time and our friend knows about it it grows so we are having a good time but we advanced now and we're going to take over shortly

Jason

And her son said take over what New Jersey and he said I don't want to go to New Jersey and he said no not New Jersey so thank God but there's a bunch of other stuff happening and it is about reality a lot of these guys are delusional as hell and they really need to shut up it's just awful listening to some of them spew and spew and spew Garth is one of them he's horrendous he is a huge a****** he's getting his ass kicked now because of Jason and they are close and so forth and they see them trying to get stuff and they figured it out but boy they're getting their heads handed to them these warlock people want them gone they do not want Tommy f to have his ships up ever again and they're going after him very hard tonight and they're going to attack them all I can finish them off they can I'm ecstatic I can't stand these more like anymore

Thor Freya

You know they don't make any deals with anybody about anything for any reason it's funny because I'm manipulating my husband a little is right in the middle of not making a deal and I'm saying here's the money and you're making a deal it's like we don't really deals right now so I get that and it's going on pretty quick there are huge issues happening and it's going to be a big change today huge changes coming up and it won't be very nice for a lot of people they're not going to like what these warlocks have been doing and I'm saying it and risking things and it's too much now people going to learn you can't really sit there doing that no. And time's up on the stupid hallucination stuff too I don't think it's very fun and kids don't like it either it's annoying as hell and Jason is after that guy afford and is after stan and Stan doesn't even know it. He did check and doesn't see it says he won't let me in and I want to be there and these people need to leave people looking into it and it's harassing the s*** on them and it's a problem that John remillard is doing his fair share and we're firing him tonight he wants to publish cuz we put some pertinent stuff out

I agree wholeheartedly

Thor Freya

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