#i feel like a carnival barker: come one come all!!!!!

[elusivecagedmockingbird]

Come As You Are

[contortionist!jimin x reader; taehyung x reader] [2k+ smut, yandere, ‼️ strong language and dark themes]

Enter if you dare, but beware of the man who bends over backward to blur the line between his delusion and reality.

A/N: This will be a two-part fic. I was listening to FACE all day, and when Face-off played, this idea just popped up, and well, here we are. Happy reading!

-

You enter the carnival, giggling and vibrating with excitement beside Taehyung. Despite the faded and worn-out tents propped on the field, you're still welcomed with warm bright lights and cheery chatters. The dry summer air was masked with the aroma of savory butter popcorn and sweet cotton candies. You pull at your friend's arm toward the hypnotizing swirling pastels.

"You want one?"

You excitedly nod at him and he laughs. "Get me the Strawberry one, please." Your hands still clung to his arm, stealing all the warmth as the evening approached with its cooler air.

You glance around the area, and your heart swells. It's been a while since you've visited a carnival. All around, you see pastel-painted rides spin and hear fortune tellers yell with promises of glimpses into the future and barkers inviting everyone to enter their booth.

Looking around the merriment, you get pulled and transfixed to a tent decored with big, bold letters, the word "Come As You Are" spelled out in neon yellow lights. Unlike the other tents, there seemed to be fewer people in line. With an inexplicable curiosity, you feel drawn to the tent—your senses zone in on the dark entrance. Your right foot steps forward and your hands detach from your friend's arms.

"Here." A bright pink bear-shaped cotton candy is thrust in front of you, breaking you out of what seems to be a trance. Landing back to your senses, you grin at Taehyung, followed by a kiss on his cheek as thanks.

"Hey, we should check what's in there," your finger points to where the neon light glimmers.

Taehyung hums, neck craning to look at the shabby tent. "Doesn't look much fun," he pouts. "Let's get on all the rides first, then come back to it before heading home."

With your mouth busy with the soft treat, you only nod in reply. Oblivious to the eyes following you as you walk further away from him with another man.

-

You and Taehyung arrive at your floor, and with a harsh push, the exit door opens. A loud bang resonates in the dim hallway and you break out in laughter with the man carrying you. You will definitely get another warning from the front desk for being too noisy. But fuck it. You're happy.

With his broad hands spread on the back of your thighs, Taehyung still carries you on his back as he walks toward your door. A playful grin on his face and an even more playful banter spilled from his mouth.

"Okay, you can put me down here," you giggle and untangle your legs from his waist. You rummage through your bag for your keys, fingers anxiously fumbling through the mess of coins and tissues over time.

"Shit," you grunt in frustration, followed by another curse. "Did I drop my keys? Tae, could you check the stairs, please." You crouch and pour out the contents of your bag. Still, no keys were in sight.

"What would you do without me?" You look up at a nonchalant Taehyung leaning on your door, a copy of your key in his hand. Your mouth parts in shock.

"You couldn't have told me you kept a copy of my key before I made a mess here!" You playfully glare at the man above you as he opens your door. You aggressively pick up your stuff on the smelly carpeted floor with huffs and your fingers make contact with a textured paper with concentric circles. Thinking nothing of it, you shove the paper back inside your bag along with receipts.

Finally entering the comforts of your home, you remember how full your heart has been since tonight. You gaze at the man standing in the middle of your kitchen. If you weren't too smitten with him, you would have beaten his ass for eating all of your snacks, just like old times.

Oh, the old times.

"Why are you just standing there?" Taehyung asks, keeping you from reminiscing what once was.

You sneer at him before plopping to the couch. Your mind wanders to the carnival, suddenly remembering you missed stopping by the tent you saw earlier. A sliver of relief fought its way inside you, and you couldn't understand why. Puzzled by your sudden emotion, you decide not to ponder on it and rather focus on the playing scene on the screen. Leave it to your friend to choose a film to wrap up the night. Of course, he would play a horror film.

Taehyung sits beside you a minute later, and you bask in his presence—using each jump scare and booming sound as a reason to move closer to Taehyung's arms, allowing his arms to engulf you.

A graphic sex scene pops up on the screen, and you straighten up. You weren't a prude, but having Taehyung beside you as the scene gets more lewd each second—slapping skins and pornographic moans play on the speaker, the tension in the room thickens. Your bodies are now centimeters apart on the couch, the gap filled with unspoken desires that hang heavy in the air.

From your peripheral view, you see Taehyung move uncomfortably. Following his movements, you catch his hand move to his crotch and adjust himself.

Oh, god.

Did he just? Is he?

Your thoughts run wild, wandering to the forbidden locked ideas you keep buried in your mind. Suddenly, you feel hot, and the room feels hotter. Kicking off the draped blanket over your legs, you belatedly realize you were wearing a skimpy skirt.

Taehyung's eyes follow the movement and snort. Without letting a full minute pass, his hands land on your thigh, caressing upwards to cup your cunt. "Tae," you warn, and yet the word comes out in a sultry tone as if encouraging him to do more.

Because truth be told, you do want more.

He closes the space between you with a searing kiss, tongue pushing past your closed lips. The movie playing on the screen is long forgotten, as his finger on your cunt demands your full attention.

With every shared breath and tender peck at your lips is Taehyung's whispered confession; each dainty finger he gently pushes past your folds is his unspoken desire.

And all you can do is respond in the same language.

You pull at Taehyung's waistband to shove your other hand and grab his cock. Taking his grunt as a response, your hands go lower to fondle his balls. "Wanna taste you," you drool, and your mouth remains open, already ready and anticipating to swallow your friend's dick.

But Taehyung shakes his head, his thumb smudging the lipstick that remained on your lips. "Not today," he breathes. "Today, you give me your pussy." He pulls you by the waist and mounts you on his lap. You lift your skirt higher and unbutton your blouse, freeing your tits. "Fucking hello." His hands were quick to abandon your hips to cup your breasts.

Taking control, you stroke Taehyung to get him fully erect before eagerly sinking down on him. His hands pause from playing with your tits to throw his head back and thrust his cock, bottoming out.

You both let a minute pass—just feeling each other. Eyes glisten with unsaid words that will never leave your mouth. Instead, Taehyung thrusts upwards as you meet him halfway. The intense slamming of your thighs harmonizes with the pornographic noise you and Taehyung make.

While anyone would say you're both exaggerating or perhaps putting on a show for the other, that wasn't the case. You would gladly confess how Taehyung's cock splits your pussy open in the most toe-curling, gratifying, pleasurable way. And Taehyung would say the same about your tight cunt. Or perhaps, it's the longing and deep love you have that intensifies the sex.

Either way, you always managed to fulfill each other, bringing the other to a euphoric bliss and always sealing it with a sloppy kiss.

Your bodies remain tangled under the blankets; you soon feel the exhaustion catch up to you, and with Taehyung's comforting scent circling you, your eyes flutter. Your beauty sleep beckons you to give in.

Yet, in the hazy transition between staying awake and dreaming, the fine line where you are rendered susceptible, a sudden thought creeps into your consciousness, insisting to be acted upon.

"We should go back to the carnival tomorrow," you murmur. Your friend beside you remains tranquil. Even Taehyung himself isn't immune to the oncoming sleep. And so, he only hums in agreement, his chest vibrating through your cheek.

"He's waiting for me," you mumble.

No one but the night air hearing you.

As you both fall deeper into slumber and the movie credits roll, you remain unaware of the man loitering outside your building—waiting and hating every second that ticked by without you in his arms.

"I'll see you soon, love," he whispers back into the night.

-

Your weekdays pass in a blur. It was like you were puppeteered with how clueless you were on how your week went by. You only feel grounded and yourself again when you receive a text from Taehyung confirming tonight's plan to head to the carnival.

Giddy like a school girl seeing her crush, you rushed to leave your office as the clock hit five. The fair opened at 7pm, which meant you had, at most, an hour to freshen up. You briefly questioned yourself on the sudden need to doll up, not knowing where this feeling came from. Sure, you were attracted to Taehyung, but you never felt the need to do something other than be yourself.

Holding yourself back from overthinking. You ready for the night ahead. You wouldn't normally wear white on a night out to the fair, being that it was impractical with all the mess you could bump into, but your hands mindlessly pulled out a blouse as white as a wedding veil from your closet.

-

"We're going to the booth you wanted to go in first," Taehyung shows you the ticket in his hands as he leads you both toward the entrance. The bright "Come As You Are" flickers, and you shudder as you feel a chill run down your spine.

"Are you cold?" Not waiting for a reply, Taehyung sheds his jacket and hangs it around your shoulders. You enter the tent, and the chill doubles, and yet there is a welcoming aura that seems to greet you. You properly wear Taehyung's jacket and zip it up and the owner of the clothing smugly smiles at you.

You're holding hands as you make your way to your chairs. And as soon as you're seated, the show immediately starts, as if it only waited for you to settle.

The curtains part to reveal a stage illuminated with a spotlight. You look around the audience and a sinister vibe washes over you. Everyone was still and hushed. Something felt off. Your nerves tingle in unease, and your gut tells you to leave. Moving closer to Taehyung to whisper in his ear, a fanfare booms in the speakers, startling you both.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our very own Mr Fantastic, Jimin!

The contortionist emerged, his lithe form moving nimbly across the platform, each movement an eerie dance of his contorted body. But you weren’t drawn to his impressive acrobatics like everyone was. Instead, your eyes were locked with his—dark and piercing. It was like you were both in a chilling embrace in your own way. His gaze dares you to look away, but he knows you can't.

Eyes on me, love.

As Jimin bends and twists his body into impossible shapes, his purple suit stretches beautifully around his limbs, and his gaze remains fixated on you. Unwavering and intense. You were hypnotized. It felt like Jimin was reaching out to you with his own language. 

Focus on me.

Soon enough, the audience breaks into loud applause that echoes through the tent. You break free of his gaze and look at Taehyung. Your friend holds amusement and awe in his eyes, clapping earnestly along with the audience. Amidst the cheers, you hear a hushed voice,

“Come to me now.”

You flinch at the sound. It was so soft and so near, it felt like the person next to you whispered in your ear. You look around, and when you turn towards the stage, you see Jimin already staring at you. Smirking.

-

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#bts #taehyung x reader #jimin x reader #bts fic #bangtanwritershq #kim taehyung #taehyung smut #taehyung fic #park jimin #jimin fic #jimin filter #jimin smut #bangtan smut #tw yandere #dark fic #bangtan #taehyung #jimin #jungkook #namjoon #yoongi #hoseok #jin #vmin #vmin fanfic #bts vmin

[cathalbravecog]

more work on my carnival/circus + casino cogs!! they're very sillay and self indulgent because if you don't know by now i love designs with suit symbol themes + cards game themes in general (which is why hr was such a bit hit w/ me) (IM LITERALLY CALLED GUZMA SPADES if i shorten my name PLEASEEEEE)

i've been struggling with jack of all trades for months now - and finally sitting down and designing the cast of cogs that's supposed to come with them really motivated me. feels good to sit down and just do a design without stressing over it. JOAT will still take a while to finalize, as will everyone else - but i am very happy what i've got so far! carnival barker needs work though, i don't like him very much yet but i suppose that was my rushed attempt to make his head design not be an obvious a furry artstyle.

at least currently, they do not belong to any particular departments. they're sort of supposed to be their own thing. my idea for them that they'd function as contractors - one day settling in toontown with their circus hoping to get new attention on their show (seeing as hr's show was a hit, and they're very familiar with who they are. this follows my headcanon and story that high roller is not non-canon and sticks around as a separate being from dave and buck obviously)

perhaps getting toons to visit their carnival and circus is just the right thing! but, of course, that doesn't mean they're not shady - it is very much so a cog carnival, still.

perhaps they don't ever work or contract for cogs inc ever, but they still mutually agree to let their carnival happen there. and so they don't have official departments? since to me those mainly exist within cogs inc and not the whole cog society. i still gotta figure it out! but i'll do that once their designs are more set-in-place and they have deeper dynamics between each other. especially JOAT who feels disconnected from the other 3 to me.

#guz art #doodles #character design concept #cog carnival #i will be calling things with them this for now! when i get a proper name for this group i will change the tags accordingly #oc art #long post #toontown corporate clash

[lilac-hecox]

Shaymien at a fair/carnival? I just think it’d be cute to read about them going around playing carnival games, going on the rides and eating the classic fair foods together. It could just be them going as friends at first and then it sort of turns into a date? Up to you!

Shayne/Ian - Carnival

--

"Point out which one you want," Shayne says, flexing his muscles in an overexaggerated way, "and I'll win it for you." He waggles his eyebrows at Ian.

Ian snorts out a laugh, he has a small fond smile playing at the corners of his mouth. His clear blue eyes scan the row of dumb, cheap, stuffed animal prizes strung across the top of the tent. He nods towards a weird looking elephant with huge floppy ears and a crooked trunk.

"That guy," Ian says.

Shayne smiles, slaps down a five dollar bill on the counter, and waits for the carnie to hand him three baseballs, the leather worn around his fingers from other people's countless attempts at the game.

"One elephant coming right up!" Shayne says, lining himself up with the metal bottles stacked in a triangular formation. Shayne knows these types of games are usually rigged, usually unwinnable, but he's also seen those videos that show you tips on beating the 'unbeatable' games.

Shayne lobs the first baseball and it is too far off to the right, missing the bottles entirely. Ian is quiet next to him, but Shayne can tell he wants to make a joke, that the only reason he isn't is to spare Shayne's feelings and the fact, that, you know, the two of them are on a date right now or whatever, and Ian Hecox has the tact to know not to rag on his date.

Shayne throws the second ball, right for the lower corner, that's the trick the pros all say, aim there and not the middle. The ball collides with the bottles and they fall away from each other as Shayne successfully topples the triangular formation.

He glances at Ian with a satisfied grin and Ian raises his eyebrows, smiles in amusement.

"Consider me impressed," Ian says.

The carnie is less than thrilled when he comes to ask Shayne what he wants for his prize. Shayne points to the weird little elephant toy.

"We want the elephant."

The carnie is back seconds later with the floppy eared, trunk too big, elephant that Ian had pointed out. He hands it off to Shayne, and Shayne holds it in the air triumphantly as he and Ian walk away from the tent and down the row of bright and noisy games, the barkers calling out from their own tents, beckoning them to try their games of chance.

Shayne stops a moment later, under the glow of the yellow hazy tent lights and offers up the elephant.

"Your elephant, sir," Shayne says.

Ian laughs. He isn't really the sentimental type, he has no real use for this dumb and ugly stuffed elephant, but he still takes it from Shayne, tucking it safely under his arm.

"Thanks Shayne, you're my hero or whatever," Ian says with a smirk, but his eyes seem to sparkle under the lights from the tent.

This date had been Shayne's idea. The LA carnival was not exactly Ian's ideal date, but Shayne had asked and by some miracle Ian had agreed and here they were. This was their third date. The first one had been something of a group date with other Smosh members, something where the lines had blurred between friendship and flirtation, something that led to the two of them staying in the restaurant long after everyone else had left and talking for what felt like hours, realizing that something was there between the two of them.

The second date was a long drive in one of Ian's fancy ass rich guy cars and then a picnic just off of a secluded hiking trail that Ian liked. Now this, the carnival on a Thursday night, Ian with his stuffed elephant and Shayne desperate to do anything to see Ian smile.

It was getting later, the sky a thick purple that would soon fade to black. They probably wouldn't stay too much longer, but there is one more thing Shayne would love to do with Ian, if Ian will oblige him.

Shayne reaches out and takes Ian's hand, causes Ian to look into his eyes.

"Can we ride the Ferris wheel together?" Shayne asks.

"God," Ian says with a laugh, "Alright, alright. I guess it isn't an authentic carnival experience without the Ferris wheel."

Shayne feels himself fall a little more, every day, like it is the easiest thing in the world for him now. Maybe all along he's always loved Ian and that love is shifting into something powerful, something strong.

The two of them walk to the Ferris wheel. Considering it is a Thursday night the line isn't too long. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder. There are couples in front and behind them, all waiting to ride the Ferris wheel.

"This was really nice," Ian says, "I'm having a good time with you."

The words from Ian mean a lot because he isn't one to be overly mushy, Shayne has learned this, has learned to read between the lines with Ian.

Shayne reaches between them and takes Ian's hand, squeezes it softly.

"I'm having the best time with you."

"And our son." Ian says, holding up the elephant.

"Wow, third date and we're already raising a kid together," Shayne jokes.

Before more can be said it is their turn, the carnies lining up their empty carriage. They sit together, pressed warmly next to each other. Shayne puts his arm around Ian's shoulder.

The wheel turns and begins leading them upwards, lifting them into the night sky. The two of them can see the lit neon carnival grounds, the bustle of people walking around, the light row of tents where Shayne had won the elephant.

Shadows and glittering lights cling to Ian, reflect in his glasses, making him look ethereal, a vision. Shayne's heart clenches in his chest. The hand on his shoulder brushes the back of Ian's neck, and Ian turns to look at him as they reach the peak of the Ferris wheel, stopped at the very top.

"Would it be cliche to kiss you right now?" Shayne whispers, as if speaking too loudly would break the moment.

Ian's eyes are soft, "Yeah, but do it anyway."

Shayne nods, leans in, and presses his lips to Ian's. Their first kiss. Ian tastes like overpriced lemonade and the sugary sweetness of a funnel cake. Ian's hand spreads open along Shayne's jaw as their lips move together softly.

--

Weeks later, when Shayne is coming over to Ian's for dinner and to watch some weird ass movie that Ian will not stop talking about, Shayne walks into the living room and spots it. The weirdo elephant that Shayne won for Ian that night at the carnival is tucked on to a shelf next to some books and other odds and ends. Shayne had expected Ian to toss it off the top of the Ferris wheel after their kiss, to give it away at the office, the last thing he expected was for Ian to designate a home for the weird little guy amongst his possessions.

The thought of it being there, of Ian wanting it there, it makes Shayne smile.

#shian #shayan #shayian #shayne/ian #my writing #prompts #shaynes bday #smosh fic #smosh fics #carnival #fluff #fan fiction #fan fic #first kiss #asks

[pangolinheart]

FFXIVWrite 2023 DAY 9 - FAIR

In which Z'rhiki encounters an unlikely ally at a local street festival!

**Update: now edited for typos!**

Rating: General Genre: Fluff Characters: Urianger Augurelt, Z'rhiki Irhi (Warrior of Light) Word Count: 1,154 Content Warnings: None

Alright, this time for sure! The last one was so close! I can do this! Angle my wrist like this… keep my hand steady… AND-

“Doth mine eyes deceive? Z’rhiki?”

The sound of her own name startled Rhiki, disrupting her carefully positioned throw. The wooden ring, painted to look like a dancer’s tathlum, clattered down between the empty wine bottles, nowhere near finding a home around any of their necks. “Urianger?” She spared a frown at the carnival game before turning to see the familiar elezen.

“Indeed. Pray accept mine apology for the intrusion.”

Of all the places she might have expected to run into Urianger, this had to be towards the bottom of the list. It was a far cry from the solitude of the Waking Sands’ library, or even the whimsical, flower-strewn fields of Il Mheg. The street around them bustled with people. The air was alive with talking and laughter, punctuated by the shouting of barkers hoping to entice passers-by with their games or wares, and it carried on it the pleasant scents of all manners of food. Dusk had faded into night, and the streets were lit with brightly colored lanterns and twinkling strings of light, adding to the festive atmosphere. Though most might dismiss him as just another, ordinary fairgoer, to Rhiki he seemed out of place in such a crowded, lively venue.

“Don’t worry about it!” she said, raising her voice to be heard over the music and chatter. “What are you doing here?”

Urianger’s lips curved into a small smile. “The same as thee. Partaking of the myriad delights of the fair.”

“Really? Why?” The incredulous words escaped her mouth before she could stop them, and she hoped they didn’t come across as rude. Urianger’s smile faded, though not in a way that indicated he had taken offense. Instead, his expression looked… almost melancholy. Perhaps it was just the dim lighting.

“Thou seest through me like the thinnest of gossamer,” He mused. “Indeed, it was not mine intent to join in the revelries. However, upon the fall of twilight I found myself idle and could not help but to hear the jocundity of the carnival. My mind was grasped by a most singular thought – that such an affair was the sort that… Moenbryda might have enjoyed. Thus, did I resolve to wile away the evening with merrymaking, as she might have.”

“Oh,” Z’rhiki said, casting her gaze downward. She felt badly for asking, but also somewhat heartened by his truthful and open response. “Well, um, did you come by yourself?”

He nodded. “Thou art correct in thine assessment. However, mayhap I might pose the same to thee? ‘Tis passing strange to see thee in solely thine own company,”

She suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Was it that strange for her to be at the fair by herself? “I’m not alone! Fripon came with me!”

Urianger looked down to see the small white unicolt at his feet. Rhiki’s constant companion.

“A worthy escort.” He noted. He made no further comment, but she felt the urge to elaborate regardless.

“Usually, I would have asked Alisaie and Alphinaud to come,” she explained, “but they’re visiting home in Sharlayan this week. I asked Tataru if she wanted to go, but she wasn’t feeling well. And I have no idea where Thancred’s gotten off to. It seemed like a shame to miss out on the fun, though, so I thought I would just… come by myself!”

Urianger nodded. “I see,” There was an awkward pause, during which both struggled to decide whether or not to let the interaction draw to a conclusion. Any bad blood from his previous deceptions had long since cooled, but the two had never had much in common, and for a long time Rhiki had struggled to even understand his formal, archaic manner of speech. There were still times she found his musings oblique or downright nonsensical.

To her surprise, it was Urianger who broke the stalemate. “Mayhap…” He ventured “Thou wouldst like company? I am led to believe that such merriment is improved by the presence of friends.”

“Oh,” she was simultaneously caught off guard and flattered, not just by the offer, but by the fact that Urianger referred to her as a friend. She shouldn’t have been shocked, she supposed – the Scions were all, at least by technical definition, her friends. But it was still strange to hear Urianger use the word in reference to her alone.

She had almost certainly taken too long to respond, and Urianger shifted uneasily, perhaps thinking he had overstepped. He looked like he was about to open his mouth, probably to offer her an easy avenue of declining his invitation, but before he could she made a split-second decision and blurted out:

“Yeah, that sounds nice! Let’s walk around together. We never hang out!”

Urianger looked as shocked as she had felt, his eyes widening slightly. He recovered quickly, however, and smiled warmly. The expression suited him, she thought to herself.

“As thou pleases,”

At their feet, Fripon had begun snuffling around the hem of Urianger’s robes, apparently sensing the discomfort dissipate. He had always been very perceptive, and often mirrored Rhiki’s feelings towards people – even those she tried to hide, or didn’t recognize herself. He had never known quite what to make of Urianger. Maybe because she’d never known quite what to make of Urianger. Tonight, though, he seemed emboldened.

The tall man either didn’t notice the unicolt or made no comment. Instead, he had turned his head to look at the ring-toss game Rhiki had been attempting when he had first called out to her. “Once again, mine apologies for disrupting thine efforts. Hast thou been yet successful?”

Rhiki laughed sheepishly. “Not yet. It’s more difficult than it looks! I was trying to win that Major General plushie, but so far no luck.”

“Indeed,” Urianger’s eyes wandered the game stall, and he tilted his head from side to side, thinking. He lifted one hand to stroke his chin as he contemplated. “The angle and height at which one must toss is quite precise, as is the amount of force one must apply. It is clear to me that such a design is intended to minimize the odds of success.”

“Uh-huh.” Rhiki couldn’t tell if he was discovering this fact for the first time himself, or if he had intended to enlighten her. “That is kind of how festival games work.”

“However,” He removed his hand from his face and held a single finger up in the air. “I do believe it is possible to achieve, if one is only able to calculate the trajectory with sufficient accuracy.”

“Wait, really?” She looked at him askance. “Do you think you can do that?” He had to be bluffing.

He smiled again, exuding a quiet confidence, and nodded. “Mayhap! Would thou allow me to take the next turn in thine stead?”

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite 2023 #final fantasy xiv #ffxiv #urianger augurelt #urianger #a realm reborn spoilers #auggie writes #rhiki tag #this one hasn't been edited at all i'm so sorry #but i thought this would be a really fun interaction #(urianger is so much fun to write) #i might continue it for today's extra credit prompt #if you enjoyed it stay tuned!

[blackjackkent]

South of Felogyr's is a run-down looking building with a buncho f people hanging out next to it complaining about how bad it stinks of rot. Seems promising for something to stick our noses into.

There's a fairly obvious hidden door on the lower side of the building which seems like a good place to start.

Narrator: Set into the mansion's faded exterior, you see the faintest outline of a door. An entrance designed to provide the utmost discretion. The door pulses with a heavy, melancholic magic. Whatever lies behind it concerns the living and the dead. You sense it waits for the right words - it requires permission to open.

Aha - this is where Mystic Carrion is, because the passcode we found earlier is one of the dialogue options.

"Secreta mortuorum."

Narrator: The door shudders. It has no choice but to let you inside.

The wall slides open, and a barely audible voice whispers, "Mystic Carrion awaits..."

Very creepy. :P In we go!

The area is officially labeled "Philgrave's Mansion", and this basement entry area is quite nice actually.

Wandering into the next room, though, things immediately get weird.

Hello there.

"You do not have an appointment! What possible reason could you have to enter the presence of Mystic Carrion?"

Interesting. He is clearly dead, like some of the strange beggars we've seen wandering around, or the facepaint-selling mummy at the circus, or indeed Withers, who he distinctly resembles on some level. He lacks Withers' composure, though; he tries to speak with a similar sort of gravitas but comes across more like a carnival barker.

(A/N: One of our available dialogue options here indicates something that we aren't yet supposed to know about another sidequest; we'll skip that for now and come back when we've done the quest in the right order. Yay sequence-breaking bugs. XD )

"What kind of appointments do you offer?" Hector asks politely, trying not to look as bewildered as he feels.

"That depends on what torments you!" the creature says. "Love. Vengeance. Regret. The dead can be put to all sorts of purposes, in the hands of one adept at their manipulation. I am a spirit medium, one who wanders the hazy boundaries of mortality bearing the intentions of the living and the knowledge of the dead." He leans forward, squints at Hector intently. "You do not possess the aptitude to attempt such a journey - nor are you the caliber of client I would usually offer to escort."

Bit rude, that. "What kind of clients *do* you accept?"

"Only a very select few," Mystic Carrion purrs. "Taken from the highest reaches of society. I find them to be far more appreciative of my services than the average mourner. And far more generous in paying for them."

"And what do these services involve?" Hector asks warily.

"Whatever the customer desires! Or at least, whatever they can afford. Each brings their own desperation. Some crave a word of solace, some wish to see, to summon, to torment. I provide for them all, according to their merit. You are not deserving of such a gift. Unless you've some other purpose here, our consultation is at an end."

Hector thinks he has this creature's measure now. It's a bottom-feeder, a parasite, using its connection with spirits beyond the veil to prey on mourners desiring a last look at a lost love or a last attack on a lost enemy. And Hector's pretty sure he doesn't like it much.

He does sell some useful stuff, however, including the ever-valuable cloud giant fingers and a set of armor that is particularly good for Jaheira. So not a total loss, I suppose.

He also has a potential job for us - seeking out some zombies (including their leader, named Thrumbo) who ran away from his employ. I think these are the weird zombie beggars we've run into previously, like the one who let us pay to hit him in the face. He'll pay us to bring them back; I'm not sure Hector feels super good about it, though. He doesn't like this guy much.

Told him we'd think about it but I don't think Hector's going to think very hard. We might ask the zombers about the situation if we see them again though.

#bjk plays baldur's gate 3 #hector carlisle

[alex-toldastory]

TD circus AU

I thought of this as I was doodling heather on my homework.

Ringmaster- Chris

Trapeze- Heather and Alejandro

Or

Tightrope walker- Heather

Lion tamer- Alejandro

Knife throwing- Duncan and Gwen

Human cannonball- Tyler

Face paint- Lindsey, Sadie, Katie, and Beth

Magician- Harold

StrongWoman- Eva

Acrobat- DJ

Contortion- Brigette

Hand to hand balancing- Brigette and Geoff

Cowboy acts- Trent and Justin

Stilts- Cody

Fortune telling- LeShawna

Clowns- Owen and Izzy

Consession stand- Sadie and Kadie

Aerials- Courtney

Hula hoopers- Beth and Lindsey

Fire acts- Sierra and Gwen

Animal keeper- Ezekiel

Carnival Barker- Noah

Tech- Chef

I think imma do a collection of drawings for this AU.

I feel like Sadie, Katie, Lindsey, and Beth would switch roles all the time because they can't decide which one is more fun.

Gwen Definitely didn't enjoy being partnered Sierra but likes it now. Her and Duncan do a knife throwing skit/act

[More to come]

#total drama #alternate universe #total drama characters #circuscore

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

I was hoping you could rec some circus sterek fics similar to The Circus at the End of the World by mikkimouse & Holding Your Own Weight by zjofierose. It makes me wish there was a cape 2011 au I like the tight knit community, how the new member(s) becomes enveloped into the fold, how moving around helps them evade the hunters. If that's too specific I'd be happy with any great circus aus. Thank you for all that you do

Hi anon! Let's see.

Holding Your Own Weight by zjofierose

(7/7 I 59,753 I Explicit I Sterek)

Stiles Stilinski is the best trapeze artist west of the Mississippi, but that doesn't do him much good without a catcher. Enter one quiet roughneck who calls himself Derek and knows maybe a little too much about circus arts for someone who was hired to schlep tents. But Derek has his secrets, and so does the new girl, Allison. Who's being hunted and who's being haunted, and will Stiles ever be able to convince Derek to help him fly again?

The Circus at the End of the World by mikkimouse

(25/25 I 91,049 I Explicit I Sterek)

Three hundred years ago, the world ended not with a bang or a whimper, but with magic.

Since then, magic has been outlawed, and the world has clawed its way back to some kind of stability, with people and shifters alike divided between living within the walled safety of the Havens, or the small, less protected outposts dotting the frontier.

Derek Hale and his sisters, Laura and Cora, are the proprietors of Hale's Circus of Magic, Monsters, and Mystical Wonders, known colloquially as the Circus at the End of the World. They and their ragtag pack ride the rails between the outposts and the Havens, performing for those who can pay (and some who can't). Their circus is a small haven in and of itself, a place of safety for those who have nowhere else to go.

It's a quiet life...until Stiles Stilinski joins the crew.

The circus has something Stiles needs—a ticket into the Haven of Santa Francesca. His father has been abducted, and Stiles is determined to get him back no matter what he has to do.

But Stiles has another secret, one that puts him and every member of the circus in danger. And if he's not careful, it could get them all killed.

***

Aller by Elpie (Horribibble)

(1/1 I 400 I General I Sterek)

There is no feeling quite like flying: The catch and release of a strong, open palm—of being swung high, into a spinning arch.

-

Stiles and Derek have been partners for long enough to master the art of catch and release. But mistakes can always be made.

Sometimes you need nets, and sometimes you don't.

Send in the Clowns by antpower

(1/1 I 697 I General I Sterek)

Derek is a clown. He's not very good at it.

Everything You Ever Need by StaciNadia

(1/1 I 1,666 I General I Sterek)

After losing Derek and their two girls, Stiles goes to apologize and win them back.

Marvelous Miss and the Magnificent Mischief by twothumbsandnostakeincanon (somanyofthekids)

(1/1 I 3,346 I Teen I Steter)

“Marvelous Miss and the Magnificent Mischief!” the carnival barker shouted just outside the corridor with all the food tents. “Come see Miss Paige do amazing tricks with her talking raven! He not only speaks, but he jokes! He teases! He philosophizes!”

(4/? I 4,028 I General I Scira)

Derek and Peter travel the country making a living as cage fighters, after his family are killed in a fire. After a serious injury and a chance encounter with Scott McCall and his circus, Derek thinks he's escaped his violent and sociopathic uncle. Peter still has leverage over the only other thing in the world that he loves more than his new life: his sister.

Step Right Up, You'll Be Shocked and Amazed by Cousin Shelley (CousinShelley)

(1/1 I 28,942 I Mature I Sterek)

Stiles convinces Scott to go see the circus that's in town, and they discover that nothing's quite what it seems under the Cirque d'Argent big top.

Timent Magicae by Melpomene49

(6/? I 29,052 I Teen I Sterek)

The pack has lost hope of finding Stiles, gone missing without a trace two years ago. However, in a trip to San Francisco to the world's most famous circus things change when they find their friend where they least expected. As they try to figure out what happened, the pack realizes there might be something wrong keeping Stiles inside that circus. A circus that hides more than performers capable of doing the impossible.

Cirque Du Freak d’Argent by DutchNDorky, Teddybears

(27/27 I 194,000 I Explicit I Sterek)

Surviving the fire was perhaps the worst thing that happened to Peter and Derek Hale. Captured and taken to a godforsaken place, where their worst nightmares had become their reality. Treated like savage animals they were to perform at a travelling circus owned by the Argents.

What if the one thing keeping Derek and his pack captive was designed and produced by Stiles, his mate.

#teen wolf #sterek #steter #stiles stilinski #peter hale #derek hale #circus au #submission #scira #kira yukimura #scott mccall

[celcey]

When The Sun Comes Out...

... the guns come out, and not the lethal kind.

Or: Gotham's having a carnival, and the Bats are out in full force to enjoy the summer fun investigate. If Tim and Jason happen to meet up, well that's just fine. Tim knows his crush is doomed, but it sure would help if he could stop walking into walls because Jason is too beautiful to exist.

For JayTim Week Day 2: Sun’s Out Guns Out | Carnival/Fair | Monsoon/Summer Storm

Read it on AO3 here.

Some general info that will be useful to know: the Neon Knights is a program Tim created as part of WE’s charity outreach that keeps teens and young adults out of gangs. Panda Red is a comic book tiktoker. He’s the guy with the mohawk who makes Batman skits.

Thank you very much to KNarisse for the beta!

Tim has a love/hate relationship with Jason’s wardrobe. On the one hand, Jason’s cut off tank top shows off his arms  beautifully. On the other hand, Tim has nearly walked into a wall because he couldn’t stop staring at said arms. Twice.

He’s long since accepted that his doomed crush on Jason isn’t really going anywhere. It’s a part of life. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Tim Drake has a crush on Jason Todd. But he really needs to stop staring before Jason notices.

Some moron had the brilliant idea to bring a carnival to Gotham. It’s practically asking for a Joker attack, despite the extra security they’ve placed around his cell for the week of the fair. So the Bats have come out in force, ostensibly to investigate, but also to enjoy the fair. Tim has already gone through the financials with a fine tooth comb, and surprisingly there had been no connection to the Joker. He hadn’t found anything about the council member who suggested the carnival either. He’d even stopped by Robinson Park to ask Harley if she knew of any connections, and it had all turned up clean. So while technically they were there to investigate, Dick had declared it a family bonding experience.

They’d split off into various groups throughout the day, coming together and apart as they went about the fair. Tim had just gotten off the teacups ride, which Steph had flat out refused to ride again. She said all the spinning was “vomit inducing,” as if that wasn’t the entire point. Jason is walking by, so Tim falls into step beside him.

“Find anything?” Jason asks.

“Nothing in the manager’s office,” Tim reports. He had broken into it earlier with Dick. “It looks like this place might actually be legit.”

Jason lets out a low whistle. “That’d be a first for Gotham.”

“Tell me about it,” Tim says. “Where are you headed?”

“Nowhere in particular. I rode the coaster with Dickiebird and did the squirt guns with the demon brat, so I’m flexible.”

Tim is about to suggest they head to the bumper cars when one of the game barkers calls out “You, young gentleman with the white streak! You seem like a strong young fella! Care to test yourself in a true battle of strength?”

Jason turns to see a man dressed as a stereotypical carnie, down to the twirly mustache, calling him from a high striker game.

“Step right up, step right up! If you hit the bell, you win a prize!” The carnie calls.

Jason glances at Tim, who shrugs, and then steps up to the game.

“Only three dollars to play! If you make it past tough guy you win a prize! The higher the puck goes, the bigger the prize.”

Tim pulls out his wallet to pay before Jason can. There are benefits to being a multimillionaire.

The carnie takes the cash and hands Jason the mallet. “Win something nice for your fella,” he says with a wink.

“Oh, he’s not my–“ Tim starts to say.

“I definitely will,” Jason interrupts, smirking at him. Tim feels himself blush, and curses his pale skin.

Jason gives the mallet a few test swings to get a feel for it. Tim can’t help but notice how Jason’s muscles flex as he slams the hammer down onto the lever. The puck shoots up past wimpy man, through tough guy, and finally rings the bell up top.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have got a gen-u-ine strong man over here!” The barker crows, holding up Jason’s hand up in the air. A few people stop to look. Jason grins and flexes, showing off for the crowd.

Tim should avert his eyes. Jason wouldn’t want Tim staring at him like this. But… guh,  muscles . Jason’s got guns, and they are his most lethal weapons.

“Pick out your prize!” The carnie says. “And make it good for your fella.”

“Oh I will,” Jason says, grinning smugly at Tim. He picks out a ginormous cherry red stuffed panda and hands it to him. Tim rolls his eyes, but he’s fighting back a smile. Jason throws an arm around his shoulders.

“You guys are so cute!” A teenage girl calls. Jason grins at her and Tim ducks his head, embarrassed. Jason leaves his arm there all the way to the bumper cars. Tim takes a two seater so his panda can ride with him.

It’s a warm, sunny day, so after bashing each other thoroughly on the bumper cars Tim buys them snow cones. Grape for Tim, strawberry for Jason. Jason tries to take his wallet out, but Tim beats him to it.

“You won me a panda, it’s the least I can do.”

“Technically you paid for the panda,” Jason points out.

“Yeah, but I probably couldn’t have won it on my own. You’re freakishly strong.”

Oh, great going Tim. Call the boy you like a freak, real smooth. But Jason just grins and flexes with the arm not holding the snow cone. They take a seat on a shady bench as they eat, chatting. It’s nice. Tim doesn’t often get to sit and talk to Jason like this. Usually when they’re together it’s purely about the mission.

When the snow cones are finished Jason gets up and throws them out, then returns to their seat. He stretches out, putting his arm around the back of the bench. It’s almost like he’s putting his arm around Tim.

“So, there anything else you wanna do?” He asks.

“No, I think I’ve seen pretty much everything. It’s not a huge carnival,” Tim replies.

“It’d be pretty nice if Gotham was able to have this without it turning into a fucking nightmare,” Jason comments idly. He’s started playing Tim’s hair. Tim tries to remember how to breathe.

“It would be nice,” he agrees. “Bruce came up with the security measures for Arkham himself, and Commissioner Gordon’s overseeing the implementation personally, so I think we’ve got a real shot.”

“It’s crazy how different things are. You know the last time Two Face broke out he couldn’t get his plans in motion because he couldn’t find enough men?”

“No kidding, really?” Tim had been in San Francisco during that particular breakout, so he hadn’t been involved.

“Yeah. No recent Blackgate breakouts, so all the old faces are in jail. And the Neon Knights are pretty damn effective at keeping people out of the lifestyle. It’s some damn good work you’re doing.” Tim lights up at the praise. Jason knows the best out of any of them what a program like Neon Knights needs to be, so to hear him praise it means a lot.

“I’ve actually been wondering if you’d look over a few proposals for me,” Tim asks. He had been wondering, but there had never been a right time to bring it up. Now is the perfect opportunity.

“Me? Why?” Jason sounds surprised.

“Because I haven’t been in their shoes. I was never a low income kid who turned to gangs for lack of better options. You were. That plus your night work gives you a really unique perspective that our other workers don’t have,” Tim explains.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess you’re right. Sure, I’ll take a look if you think it’ll help.” Jason seems pleased that Tim wants his expertise. He’s blushing slightly, and Tim can’t help the smile that breaks out across his face. Bashful is a good look on him. To be fair, everything is a good look on him, but Tim’s the one who put that look there.

“Is there anything you still want to do?” Tim asks Jason. “The only thing I haven’t done is the tunnel of love.”

“Oh, well we can’t have that. How can you have the true carnival experience if you haven’t gone through the tunnel of love?” Jason says.

“Well it’s not really the sort of thing you ride alone,” Tim snarks.

“Good thing you’re not alone then. You’ve got me and Panda Red over there.” Tim rolls his eyes, but obediently picks up his panda and follows Jason to the ride. Tim clambers on first, and Jason climbs in next to him. It’s a wide seat, but Jason sits close enough that their knees are knocking together, and he puts his arm around the back of the seat again.

Tim is not always the best at noticing relational cues, not when it comes to himself. But he’s a detective. He can pick up what Jason’s putting down. Or what he thinks Jason’s putting down. He decides to test his theory. He scoots closer to Jason, so that there’s no space between them, and tentatively rests his head on Jason’s shoulder. Jason wraps his arm more firmly around him, and Tim relaxes.

Okay, so they’re going there. This is a thing that is happening. Tim’s lifelong crush is maybe (probably?) reciprocated, and he can feel the firm weight of Jason’s muscle through the thin fabric of his t-shirt. His heart spends up and his palms are sweating, but he keeps his body relaxed. He doesn’t want to scare Jason off.

Jason’s hand moves from Tim’s shoulder to his hair, playing with the silky strands. It feels really nice, and he releases tension he didn’t realize he was holding, going boneless in Jason’s arms.

When they get off the ride, Jason keeps his arm around Tim. He keeps his arm around Tim when they run into Steph and Cass, both of whom are well aware of Tim’s crush on Jason and are having frantic but silent conversations about it with only their eyes and facial expressions. He keeps his arm around Tim when they split off from the girls to go order corndogs. He keeps his arm around Tim as they sit down and eat.

They’re walking aimlessly around the fair when Tim can’t take it any more. He pulls away, turning to face Jason properly.

“Jason. Is this… is this a thing? Between us?” He asks nervously.

“Depends. Do you want it to be?” Jason asks, faux casually.

The ball is in Tim’s court. He could lie and say he doesn’t care, say that he could go either way, put it on Jason to make things clear. Tim can lie to Batman, he can certainly handle not telling Jason the full truth. But that wouldn’t be fair to Jason, and it wouldn’t get him what he wants.

“Yeah,” he says. “I want it to be.”

“Good.” Jason grins, stretching his arms above his head. “It’s about time you caught on. I’ve been flexing all day, my arms are gonna be so sore tomorrow.”

“You’ve been doing that on purpose?!” Tim says indignantly.

“Since the first time I noticed you staring,” Jason grins, holding his arm up and flexing again. Tim is momentarily distracted by the display of strength, which only makes Jason more smug.

“I nearly walked into a wall because of you,” Tim grouses, but he’s fighting a smile.

“I noticed. But I wasn’t sure if you wanted more or if you just thought I was hot,” Jason shrugs, and Tim can see the insecurity he’s trying to hide.

“And you’re happy I want more? You’re interested in that?” Tim asks, because he has to be sure. Tim doesn’t usually get the things he wants, not like this.

“Yeah baby bird, I’m happy you want more. I want to give you more. I want this to be a thing.” Tim breaks into a thousand watt smile. He can’t help it. Jason Todd wants to date him. Actually for real date him. The boy he’s been half in love with for nearly half his life wants to date him. Tim’s not sure who’s smiling down on him today, but he’s sure it’s someone.

“I know you’re probably used to something fancier, but there’s a great chili dog cart on fifth that I really like. It’s not far from Robinson Park, there’s a really nice place to sit not too far away,” Jason offers.

“That’s by the good ice cream store, right? They do neapolitan there.” Tim says thoughtfully.

“You know my favorite ice cream flavor?” Jason asks, surprised.

“I… uh, yeah.” Tim says, bashful at being caught in his slightly stalkerish tendencies. “I pay attention, when it’s you.”

Jason breaks out into a grin. “Good to know. Guess I’ll have to catch up.”

“So it’s a date?” Tim asks.

“It’s a date.”

Tim is sure his cheeks are going to hurt from smiling later, but he doesn’t care. He takes Jason’s hand in his own, blushing slightly. Jason grins back at him, and together, they walk off into the sunset.

                                                  End Notes

Thanks so much for reading! Please do leave a reply in the notes telling me what you think, I’d love to hear from you.

#Celcey Writes #JayTim #TimJay #JayTim Week #JayTim Week 2022 #Tim Drake #Red Robin #Jason Todd #Red Hood #JayTimWeek2022 #JayTimWeek

[tygerbug]

Jordan Peele's NOPE (2022) is a tense, worrying, anxiety-inducing and thought-provoking horror film which deserves to be seen in its full scope on the big screen. I have no particular love for the bleak desert locations of Agua Dulce, California, but as shot on 65mm film and screened in digital IMAX the bleached desert visuals lend scale and spectacle to a film which questions the role of visual spectacle in our lives. Jordan Peele became famous for his television sketch comedy with Keegan-Michael Key, on MADtv and Key & Peele. This work often had pointed social commentary in it, which continues to be a hallmark of Peele's work. It is possible to imagine the ideas explored in Peele's horror features also being explored in his earlier sketch comedy. There is, oddly, a haunting monologue in NOPE in which one character describes a nonexistent Saturday Night Live comedy sketch starring Chris Kattan- who does not appear in this film.

Jordan Peele has quickly gained a reputation as probably the best horror director working today, and it's because his movies are not just scary and full of haunting ideas which stick with you, but also because they feel deeply personal. In his sketch comedy days, he once played President Barack Obama with Keegan Michael-Key as his "anger translator," saying the things that an average person might say if confronted with the level of bullshit that the President dealt with during his term. This was, probably, just a fantasy, presenting Obama as more relatable than he was. In these films, Peele seems to serve as his own "anger translator," populating these already terrifying situations with his own frustrations and unease with the state of the union today. All the evidence would suggest that Peele has deep misgivings and trauma from existing as a black creator in Hollywood, and this comes out in his work.

In 2017's Get Out, British actor Daniel Kaluuya played Chris Washington, who visits his white girlfriend's liberal family at their plantation-style home, and gradually realizes that he's walked into a trap. Though there's nods toward a science-fiction premise, the real horror here is how American society has traditionally treated black bodies as disposable. That their lives might not "matter." There is something universally haunting and terrifying about the scenes in which Chris's autonomy as a person is taken from him, and he is sent to the "sunken place"- where his screams will go unheard. The satirical social commentary is impossible to miss, and it's also a well-constructed horror film in which the sense of dread and danger is rising and palpable throughout. In 2019's Us a family on vacation (led by Winston Duke and Lupita Nyong'o) are terrorized by doppelgangers of themselves, who have lived a funhouse mirror life in the darkness, deprived of every advantage that this family had in the light.

In NOPE the filmmaker takes on Hollywood itself, and the idea that our lives are now lived on camera. This is just the background radiation of the film- a Hollywood which is unequal by default, and racist in a casual, unthinking way that the film doesn't dwell on. The Haywood family, who run Haywood's Hollywood Horses on a ranch in Agua Dulce, have been trying to get ahead in a small niche of the movie business for as long as OJ (Otis Jr) and Emerald Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) have been alive. They are already traumatized and broken by the time we first meet Emerald, late for work and doing her energetic hard-sell pitch on the set of a commercial. Steven Yeun, as former child actor and rival horse rancher Ricky "Jupe" Park, is traumatized too, but has learned to wear a smile like a mask and play the part of the carnival-barker showman. He has turned his ranch into a tourist destination, "Jupiter's Claim," selling plush toys of aliens that he would never admit are straight from his own nightmares.

Daniel Kaluuya is again an appealingly languid presence as OJ Haywood. He is not as outwardly energetic and assertive as his sister, but the film is always very much on his side, allowing you to get in his headspace throughout. He underplays it as someone who has seen too much for his young age. The film is equally sympathetic to Keke Palmer's Emerald, even as it uses her to show how destructive it is, to a person, to constantly have to hustle and prove yourself to the media powers that be, or even to be believed. Neither of them are especially good as proving themselves worthy in a rigged system, and eventually it makes them both equally reckless. It's not hard to compare this to the reckless behavior of Jupe, whose childhood trauma is explained in one of the film's scarier scenes. Like many child actors he had big dreams and was trying to prove himself, but when it mattered there was no one there to protect him, or anyone around him. And somewhere out there, there be monsters. Or maybe just animals doing what animals do.

There will be a lot of pages written about what this movie means, exactly. In some ways the film is overt about its themes but exactly what we're supposed to take away from that is up to the viewer. This is the kind of movie that film students love. It's certainly not the pointed statement that Get Out was, but it has something to say about how Americans would relate to an event like this, which makes it a fresh and unique twist on what could seem like well-trodden subject matter. Does it "mean" as much as Get Out? Not really, but it establishes its own vibe and tone which is well worth the time. There is also a level of visual spectacle to the film, which a real-life family like the Haywoods would not have the budget to fake, or to reach a mass audience in the way that this film will. This is a movie about people lower on the Hollywood totem pole, who don't have the platform of a big superhero movie, or a relatively big-budget summer movie like this.

First and foremost it's also a tense and well-crafted thriller, that goes to some genuinely unpleasant places. I heard that in some screenings the film was treated as a comedy. That was not my experience. It certainly has satirical themes which could (and should) seem flippant (one key moment involves the intervention of a "journalist" believed to be from TMZ). I read another reaction in which a large-scale event midway through the movie, as depicted, made one viewer sick for a week. It's not an especially gory sequence- the viewer is left to fill in the blanks from fragments- but there are disturbing ideas in the film which could stick with you and get under your skin. There is also a constant sense of danger. The small audience I saw the film with laughed when it finally occurred to Kaluuya's OJ to lock the car door. I don't know that it actually will stick with viewers in the same way, but there is a level of craft on display here, in a mass-appeal film, that we'd normally attribute to the likes of Carpenter or Spielberg in the 80s. And it's clever.

The iconic Keith David plays the father of the family. Brandon Perea plays Angel Torres, a UFO-obsessed clerk at this movie's version of the UFO-themed Fry's Electronics in Burbank, which closed down permanently in February 2021. Michael Wincott plays filmmaker Antlers Holst, looking weathered and tanned by the Hollywood sun, and using outdated film equipment in 2022.

At one point, OJ, Emerald and Angel have left the ranch, and another movie might have rolled the credits here. When they went to Angel's apartment instead, followed by VR gaming, vaping and shrimp sandwiches, it was clear that we weren't remotely done yet. There's a lot happening here, including enough believable CGI effects to take up a good chunk of the $68 million budget.

There are two brief shots at the very end which change the outcome of the film, and which would have been easy to fake in post or with one pickup. There's also, at least in my opinion, no hint of this outcome in the previous shot's performance, which seemed to be setting up a different kind of arrival if you cut to black there. But that might just be saving it as a surprise, and then wanting to get it over with quickly. It does feel like something Peele would have shot, but maybe an afterthought, or to give himself options. I suspect it was tested with and without those shots anyway. Get Out also had an unused alternate ending which was a bit darker, at the end of an already very dark film, and I'm sure the same discussions were had here. It doesn't make the movie better or worse, but it does leave you on a different note.

The audio was generally well-mixed. I had trouble understanding some of the dialogue, though not to a degree that it affected comprehension. On Twitter, Jordan Peele released an opening sequence for the sitcom "Gordy's Home," with a faux VHS filter over it. Footage from the ALF-like sitcom is vaguely glimpsed in the background of Jupe's scenes but is not directly shown. It easily could have been, although it might have felt too comedic. It does show how much thought was put into the backstory of these characters, and the media that surrounds and shapes them. Early in the film, Emerald misses one word in her sales pitch on the commercial set, and a VHS tape later tells us why.

There's some very subtle stuff going on, and other stuff which is about as subtle as a thousand gallons of blood dumped overhead. I think that's a good mix for a movie to have, and it shows why Jordan Peele is one of the most interesting filmmakers working today.

[gloriabomfim]

Certainly! Here are the first nine montages with actions and dialogues for Part 2, featuring Acanda in happy places while feeling angry:

Montage 1 - A Carnival

Acanda stands in the midst of the bustling carnival, arms crossed and scowling.

Carnival Barker: "Come join the fun! It's all smiles here!"

Acanda (angrily): "I hate crowds and noise!"

Montage 2 - A Birthday Party

Acanda reluctantly attends a colorful birthday party, looking irritated.

Friend: "Why do you look so grumpy, Acanda?"

Acanda (angrily): "These parties are always so chaotic!"

Montage 3 - A Comedy Club

Acanda sits at a comedy club, visibly annoyed by the audience's laughter.

Comedian (jokingly): "Looks like we've got a grumpy one in the audience!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't find this funny at all!"

Montage 4 - A Picnic

Acanda scowls while sitting at a picnic table amidst a cheerful family gathering.

Child: "Why are you so mad, Mr. Acanda?"

Acanda (angrily): "I hate bugs and picnics!"

Montage 5 - A Romantic Date

Acanda sits at a restaurant table, looking annoyed as couples around him share romantic moments.

Waiter: "Can I get you something, sir?"

Acanda (angrily): "Just bring me the check."

Montage 6 - A Wedding

Acanda attends a wedding ceremony, his expression one of frustration.

Wedding Guest: "Weddings are all about love and happiness!"

Acanda (angrily): "I can't stand these cheesy traditions!"

Montage 7 - An Amusement Park

Acanda stands near a roller coaster, clearly irritated by the screams of excitement.

Roller Coaster Operator: "Get ready for the thrill!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't do rides."

Montage 8 - A Comedy Movie Theater

Acanda watches a comedy film but remains unamused, scowling.

Moviegoer: "This movie is hilarious!"

Acanda (angrily): "I've seen better."

Montage 9 - A Dance Club

Acanda reluctantly enters a dance club, his face showing his annoyance.

DJ: "Let's party, everyone!"

Acanda (angrily): "This music is too loud!"

In these montages, Acanda's anger contrasts with the joyful settings, and he expresses his frustration and annoyance, making the situations more challenging for him and those around him.

Certainly! Here are the next ten montages with actions and dialogues for Part 2, featuring Acanda in happy places while feeling angry:

Montage 10 - A Beach Party

Acanda stands on the beach, irritated by the noisy beachgoers.

Beachgoer: "Why don't you join the party, man?"

Acanda (angrily): "I hate sand, and I hate parties!"

Montage 11 - A Music Festival

Acanda attends a music festival, visibly annoyed by the loud music and dancing crowd.

Festivalgoer: "Isn't the music amazing?"

Acanda (angrily): "It's too loud, and I hate the crowd!"

Montage 12 - A Petting Zoo

Acanda reluctantly visits a petting zoo, clearly agitated by the animals.

Child: "Come pet the animals!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't want to touch them!"

Montage 13 - A Roller Coaster Park

Acanda watches people enjoying roller coasters, his arms crossed in frustration.

Roller Coaster Operator: "Get ready for the thrill!"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm not getting on that death trap!"

Montage 14 - A Laughter Yoga Class

Acanda reluctantly joins a laughter yoga class, scowling throughout.

Yoga Instructor: "Ho, ho, ha, ha, ha!"

Acanda (angrily): "This is ridiculous!"

Montage 15 - A Kids' Playdate

Acanda observes children playing at a playground, visibly irritated.

Parent: "Why don't you play with them?"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm not a kid, and I don't like playdates!"

Montage 16 - A Joyful Parade

Acanda stands on the sidewalk as a colorful parade passes by, showing his displeasure.

Parade Attendee: "Parades are so much fun!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't see what's so fun about it!"

Montage 17 - A Comedy Improv Show

Acanda watches an improv show, his expression one of annoyance.

Improv Actor: "Give us a word for the scene!"

Acanda (angrily): "I'd rather not."

Montage 18 - A Funfair

Acanda stands near carnival games, clearly irritated by the noise and lights.

Ride Operator: "Come on, give it a shot!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't want to play games!"

Montage 19 - A Sunny Picnic in the Park

Acanda reluctantly joins a picnic, his face displaying his irritation.

Picnicker: "Come on, grab some food!"

Acanda (angrily): "I'll just eat and go."

In these montages, Acanda's anger continues to contrast with the joyful settings, and he expresses his frustration, making it challenging for him to enjoy the surroundings or engage in the activities.

Certainly! Here are the final ten montages with actions and dialogues for Part 2, featuring Acanda in happy places while feeling angry:

Montage 20 - A Local Park

Acanda scowls while walking through a local park filled with people enjoying a sunny day.

Parkgoer: "Relax and enjoy the fresh air!"

Acanda (angrily): "I hate when people tell me to relax!"

Montage 21 - A Dance Competition

Acanda stands near a dance competition, visibly irritated by the music and dancers.

Dance Enthusiast: "Feel the rhythm, man!"

Acanda (angrily): "The only thing I'm feeling is annoyance!"

Montage 22 - A Comedy Open Mic Night

Acanda attends an open mic night, scowling as comedians perform.

Comedian: "Why so grumpy, buddy?"

Acanda (angrily): "I just don't find any of this funny!"

Montage 23 - A Carnival Midway

Acanda reluctantly joins friends at a carnival midway, showing his displeasure.

Carnival Barker: "Try your luck, big guy!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't have time for games."

Montage 24 - A Cheerful Café

Acanda sits at a café with people chatting and smiling, clearly annoyed.

Café Patron: "Why the sour face in a place like this?"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm not in the mood for small talk."

Montage 25 - A School Playground

Acanda observes children playing on the playground, his expression one of irritation.

Teacher: "Why don't you join them, Mr. Grumpy?"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm too old for this."

Montage 26 - A Laughter Therapy Group

Acanda reluctantly attends a laughter therapy group, scowling throughout.

Therapist: "Let's find your inner joy, even if you're grumpy!"

Acanda (angrily): "Good luck with that."

Montage 27 - A Summer BBQ

Acanda sits at a barbecue, visibly irritated by the lively atmosphere.

Friend: "Why so angry, Acanda?"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm just not feeling it."

Montage 28 - A Colorful Art Exhibition

Acanda explores an art exhibition with vibrant paintings, but his face remains one of frustration.

Art Enthusiast: "Art can soothe the soul, my friend!"

Acanda (angrily): "I don't think it's working."

Montage 29 - A Wedding Reception

Acanda attends a wedding reception, scowling at the festivities.

Wedding Guest: "Why aren't you dancing?"

Acanda (angrily): "I'm not much of a dancer."

Montage 30 - A Happy Family Picnic

Acanda reluctantly joins a family picnic, his face showing irritation.

Family Member: "Come on, lighten up!"

Acanda (angrily): "I'll try, but don't expect miracles."

In these final montages, Acanda's anger remains a constant presence in happy settings, and he expresses his frustration, making it challenging for him to engage with the joyful surroundings and activities.

#acanda

[realhankmccoy]

I get why the Trump 5 do what they do. To pick an extreme example, flash back to American slavery in a southern state. They'd likewise be ignoring blacks, acting like that's just shapeless, unimportant nobodies down below em -- and coming up with Amerikkkan ways to pathologize anybody who says that white straight dude with a whip is bad.

It's just racism, sexism and homophobia, folks -- but they will not rest until they can get their message across of 'forget about it, lib... it's all in your head... I cream for Nordic Chad memes out of mental health and you don't out of craziness and programming.... I am bland and submissive while talking tough just like a Texan does -- so at least be a bland housewife who 'kinda likes the patriarchy' as Grimes put it... or 'isn't programmed to hate white people' like I am... or 'isn't programmed to hate men' like I am... at least submit to the same lack of freedom I as a bland purple bureaucrat sitting and blathering in the middle have'...

They don't like that you have dreams or creative impulses. Their agenda is destroying 'identity politics' and even their tedious attempts at art reflect it.

They don't get that they're so fucking stupid they don't even realise you like, love and respect millions of straight men already. they're so fucking stupid they don't realise you like, love and respect millions of white men already.

you just don't respect the bad ones, of which there are many -- and oh how this makes them howl! How can you not submit like they do! How can you not think the problem is blacks and queers like they do!

How can you not cuck yourself, predictably, to painting gays on the left in worse light and straights on the right in better light like they do?

How dare you not cuck yourself, predictably, to painting women on the left in worse light and men on the right in better light like they do?

Don't you know who the Real Victim is like they do? Don't you know who the Real Victim is like Trump knows? Don't you know who really has the real neurosis and hatred and intolerance like Trump knows?

In other words, they have a pretty simple message, kids. It sounds like this:

TrumpTrumpTrumpTrumpTrumpTrumpTrump

All they know is that they're stupid and feel like they need to undo the lives of minorities so that minorties can be made more bland and put more back in the closet

Just because they're more in the closet

Because they've never had the maturity or courage to get away from their parents

Also cuz they're cucks of Trump and never shut up with trying to pretend they work all day like Trump did.

Flapping your gums all day mindlessly isn't work... some real life experience could cure you of this notion, as there are many people without jobs who prattle on as incorrectly, hypocritically and stupidly as Trump does all day, too. Camille Paglia was really stupid to refer to Trump as a 'workaholic' just because he sat in that office and yapped a lot over the phone.

It's hard to forgive these people for wanting to unravel those with more courage than themselves -- just one trip to a gay bar or opening up an app on my phone tells me they don't stand a snowball's chance -- most people are just way more social than them and way less repressed, sexually, way less in need of a daddy.

But it's also just... man, what a boring bunch of bureaucratic grey dullness these people churn out. It's as tiresome as listening to Trump yap from his office or give a campaign speech.

To Trump, his campaign speeches are this very fun, rollicking carnival barker stuff with music and the Big Top...

That's how his cucks see themselves, too. But I think to anyone who's not tightly compressed and restricted by conservatism

It's more a case of 'shut the fuq up already, damn, these campaign stops and speeches go on fucking forever and it's always the same message of 'let's work on American's need to respect the straight white guy more'.

That's all these people have to offer -- the backwards-learning need for a daddy, because they're bitter they've always needed one and think they can make up for it by righteously punishing the world for not seeing the gay-disdainin' white man properly.

Just fucking ridiculous, the dearth of creativity and human acceptance in America. If these people didn't have a gay man to wage war on, they wouldn't even have a reason to flap their gums.

These are not people who have known hardship, ever. They've known comfort, and comfort is what keeps them trying to move gays to the political right

... when there are any one of thousands of real problems an adult who's known hardship would be trying to solve instead

also, jesus christ, what's with the endless self-promo learned from Trump? these people haven't yet even learned how to bake a cake, but in the American mode they sure have learned how to talk about what they think they are and why they think they matter and why they think people should care about what they do, tho nobody does.

it's like that Hunter S. Thompson quote about a nation of a million used car salesmen

and they're all trying to sell you a total lemon

that the wheels are gonna fall off of

and they as a salesman hate you, so there's no way in hell you'd ever get involved with them but they never shut up with a bullhorn hoping somebody can be conned

quality usually doesn't need to advertise itself much or at all they're not quality, and they've realised it on some level so they went into advertising and do a lot of advertising which still doesn't work but hey they're trying even if they can't conceptualise any existence for themselves or purpose to what they're doing or meaning to what they're doing without predicating it on 'fuck you gay, you're fucked up and i'll show you'

yeah you'll show me you can do things predicated by a hatred of me and desire to reprimand me and move me further to the right so that i live the same trap of nuclear family tightly-restricted words that the Trump 5 all chose... you think you're the first to predicate me as a reason to keep chugging? there's a lot before ya and will be more after ya.

one day you'll maybe look back and think about how you just sat in the chair at yr dad's house trying to stop me and trying to act better than me while I was out running around living a life

bad way to throw your life away

but Trump's xenomorph absolutely instructs you to do this and you're too weak to fend it off so it's totally predictable seeing asses glued into chairs for him

#mommie dearest #trump #identity politics #stupid americans always think identity politics are crazy #even identity politics are too smart for trump's cucks to think of as anything more than crazy #einstein was into identity politics #almost 100 years ago

[asestos]

"The first time you ever used magic... what was it like?" Information does not come free in this city, that much it didn't take long to learn, but naught other than a harmless genuine curiosity burns in Bethany's eyes. A desire to learn more about a new friend who at least outwardly seems to have had far less trouble embracing his 'gift' compared to her own inward turmoil. How gratifying it must be to feel such freedom. "Wait, let me guess... did you make flowers then too? No — sparks. Set anyone on fire?" A small grin, hiding her own internal contemplations and comparisons. "Am I close?" @hopewrought

She's teasing him, and he takes the jibes with a shake of his head and a good-natured smile. He ducks his head to hide the way the tip of his tongue runs along his teeth as he lets her finish clowning on him. "Not anything as flashy as all that," he admits honestly, his eyes finally meeting hers now that he's regained a small modicum of dignity. "It's not the magic that's flashy. Really, it's all in the application of it. And as I have the spirit of a carnival barker at a two bit funfair, it just ends up being as entertaining as it is." He shrugs. "What can I say?"

The initial question, however, is not one that he easily shrugs off. Even in the ensuing momentary silence, it's all he can think about. Mostly because no one's ever asked him about it before. He's contemplative, brow purling lightly as his pale eyes get a faraway look about them, reaching back to the expanse of too many memories to find that first recollection of what it meant to be a mage.

"Magic was an ability that was taught to me," he answers slowly, abstractedly. As if he were being careful with his words for the first time in too long. "But I can't quite recall if magic was always something I had within me, or whether I learned it so young that it just feels like it was always with me. It felt strange, the first time I conjured a little lopsided dog so I didn't feel so alone."

"But wasn't the magic I remember, though," he goes on. "I mean, I remember the way something felt different under my skin, like some current I was suddenly aware of was suddenly inexorable. That it flowed within me, and without of me, and that I could do ... almost whatever I want with it. What I remember is this comprehension of possibility. Of what magic could open up. And I liked that world, that was full of possibility. I think differently of it now that I've lived a little too much. But I still kind of hope

He blushes, realizing how much he'd spoken. It wasn't like him to do so. Often times, it was his him asking the questions, giving the other the opportunity to talk about themselves, while he was afforded the opportunity to learn about others. Who he was and how he saw himself were philosophies kept close to the vest, not for just anyone to know. But Beth wasn't just anyone. Not when she was one of the only people he could remember to ever ask any questions back. Like she cared, or something. So maybe ... sharing a little might not kill him. This time, at least.

His grin turns effulgent again, as he looks at her sidelong. "What about you? Force mage. Tell me what that was like. Did you spill your brother's drink in his lap when he hid your dolls? Smashed his toys in revenge?" He leaned in, scrutinizing her. "Or were you a good girl?"

#hopewrought #i could fucking kiss you for this ask #because what do i love? #CHARACTER EXPLORATION #anyways you're a fucking delight and I can't wait for Beth to throw him around like a clown

[rafaelblackbird15]

Teen Wolf Fic Recs Part 2: Steter

It took me quite awhile to gather all these together, so please enjoy discovering more parts to the incredible world of Teen Wolf, provided to you by the wonderful writers of our fandom.

Leave comments and kudos for these writers if you can, they really deserve it, they're wonderful. And it's my honour to try and share their creations with tumblr.

These are Steter, Stiles Stilinski/Peter Hale fanfictions. Read them at your will. Check the tags on the actual fics for warnings and such.

I have included links to authors that write a lot of Steter as well, and some of their fics for examples. I'm sorry this post got so long, haha, but enjoy the stories, they're worth it.

If any of the links don't work, just comment and I'll fix it.

Check out my other Sterek fic recs [Part 3] and [Part 4] and Steter fic recs [Part 1]

*********

Broken Bones and Broken Bonds by twothumbsandnostakeincanon(somanyofthekids) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 20148

Chapters: 4/?

Summary:

Stiles kind of wished that he’d at least tried weed before this. 

Or something, you know? Maybe taken up a graffiti hobby, or even just skateboarded in front of City Hall often enough to get a citation. 

He wished he’d done something to be deserving of the looks people gave him now, rather than just being the recipient of his dead father’s unused power. 

**********

Stigmata by twothumbsandnostakeincanon (somanyofthekids) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 1661

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

He feels so hollow that he almost wonders if he's been turned inside out. This emptiness he feels; is it the vastness of the entire world?

How do you fill a world? With people, he supposes. But his people no longer want him.

He needs people.

*********

Beefcake Mountain by twothumbsandnostakeincanon(somanyofthekids) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 14565

Chapters: 7/7

Summary:

Shortly after moving back to Beacon Hills, the left hand of the Hale Pack opened a text from a mysterious number.

"Is there a mirror in your pants? Because I can see myself in them."

What the f—

**********

Steter Week 2019 by twothumbsandnostakeincanon(somanyofthekids)

Works: 4

Complete: No

Summary:

There isn't a summary listed so I've included the first fic underneath:

Marvelous Miss and Magnificent Mischief by twothumbsandnostakeincanon(somanyofthekids)

Words: 3346

Chapters: 1/1

also Part 1 of the Magnificent Mischief series

Summary:

“Marvelous Miss and the Magnificent Mischief!” the carnival barker shouted just outside the corridor with all the food tents. “Come see Miss Paige do amazing tricks with her talking raven! He not only speaks, but he jokes! He teases! He philosophizes!”

********

Author: twothumbsandnostakeincanon(somanyofthekids)

This author has a lot of wonderful Steter fics, and their writing of the pairing is really worth having a good look through.

*******

Blood Runs Cold by Smalls2233 on Archive of Our Own

Words: 111408

Chapters: 22/22

Summary:

“So then why are we letting Scott and Derek search for it if you know it's useless?”

Peter looked down at Stiles and cocked his head with a grin. “Because I think seeing my nephew and your best friend run around like headless chickens while I think up a plan is hysterical.”

“And the plan is…?”

----

Trusting Peter Hale is something that Stiles had repeatedly told himself to never do. He had seen first hand the results of Peter's plans and schemes, but when a shadow began tormenting Beacon Hills, he found that sometimes he'd have to to play along with Peter's games.

This story does include a dose of Chris&Stiles interaction about midway and carries on throughout, and then Chris/Peter towards the midend, which also carries on. And it kind of dissolves into Chris/Peter/Stiles. If that's not your taste, that's fine, because the majority of the story is Stiles/Peter, and that majority is really really good Steter.

**********

No One Listening Tonight by Smalls2233

Words: 6985

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

That left… well it left Peter and only Peter. Relying on Peter for help was only slightly better than stabbing himself through the eye with a hot poker. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

Of course, there was always the option of packing up and letting whatever was trying to destroy the town succeed this time. Stiles snorted under his breath as he thought about how that would probably leave him with fewer injuries than dealing with Peter would. But unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. Stiles knew he needed to head downtown to Peter’s apartment and pray the man was willing to work with him.

----

Stiles stumbles into a magical trap forged by a wannabe warlock.

*********

Author: Smalls2233

*********

Blue by Wynnebat on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3179

Chapters: 2/2

Summary:

Derek brings both Scott and Stiles to the hospital to prove a point about hunters, but Stiles isn’t sure the point he’s getting is the point Derek’s trying to make. Especially when his black and white world explodes into color the moment he looks into Peter Hale’s eyes.

*********

The Long Way Around by Wynnebat on Archive of Our Own

Words: 15569

Chapters: 3/3

Summary:

When Peter leaves Beacon Hills for good, he expects that to be it for the broken bonds of the last remaining members of the Hale pack. Fate and Stiles Stilinski aren’t of the same opinion.

**********

Prowl by Wynnebat on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3454

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Laura's body is never found, but instead of continuing with his murder spree, Peter gets distracted by the scent of his mate. Stiles gets very distracted by the huge wolf that starts showing up at his house all the time.

**********

Author: Wynnebat

This author writes some really interesting, deep stories about Steter that are really beautiful.

**********

your last white lie (everything is not alright) by snowdarkred on Archive of Our Own

Words: 4023

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Stiles says yes, and things go downhill from there.

**********

reflect by snowdarkred on Archive of Our Own

Words: 569

Chapters: 1/1

Part 1 of the dig your teeth in and tear until you taste (peter/stiles oneshots) series

Summary:

(previously posted to tumblr)

When he dreams, he can sometimes still hear his mother’s voice, explaining it to him: Reflections are the price we pay for what we are.

*********

sentire by snowdarkred on Archive of Our Own

Words: 1027

Chapters: 1/1

Part 2 of the dig your teeth in and tear until you taste (peter/stiles oneshots) series

Summary:

[to feel]

Stiles hears the whisper of death before it strikes.

**********

Author:

snowdarkred

This author writes some really intense, interesting stories about Peter and Stiles. Not as long as some fics are, but they're really good adaptions of Steter with a lot of feeling.

**********

The Striking Complication by aurevell on Archive of Our Own

Words: 27235

Chapters: 4/15

Summary:

The smile slips off Stiles’s face. “Hey, um. Why am I here?” he asks, voice unsteady. “I’m—I have this weird feeling like I shouldn’t leave you. I’ve felt all day like...” He can’t finish the thought.

Peter looks as surprised as Stiles feels. A strange expression passes over his face, there and gone before Stiles can decipher it.

Stiles snaps awake each morning with the sense that he’s missing something. Weirder still, he can’t wrap his head around his sudden, inexplicable trust in Peter Hale, who seems to know way more than he’s letting on. Nor can he guess why a half-remembered nightmare seems to haunt his every move.

Rinse and repeat. Because time loops suck, apparently.

*******

Author: aurevell

This author has 11 Teen Wolf fics under their belt. 5 Sterek and 6 Steter. Happy rummaging!

**********

the teeth right down to the blood by sazzafraz on Archive of Our Own

Words: 2133

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

‘We’re pretty fucked right now.’ Scott says. Stiles doesn’t speak but there’s something singing in his bones that says Scott got the message anyway. (In which both are bit and things are gruesome.)

This has a sprinkling of Scott/Stiles, Scott/Stiles/Peter, and Scott/Allison as well as Steter, but it's worth the read, a good story with an interesting concept.

*********

Author: sazzafraz

This author doesn't have that many Steter stories, although they do have a few. Although they do have some pretty lengthy Teen Wolf fics about other characters of the show.

***********

Everything goes (wow) by midmorning_bomb on Archive of Our Own

Words: 8215

Chapters: 5/5

Part 1 of the Aranea & Babewolf series

Summary:

It was supposed to go like this:

1. Peter summons demon to the circle.

2. Demon remains in said circle until Peter outlines their contract.

3. Demon agrees to elegantly crafted contract, becoming loyally bound to Peter and Peter alone.

Instead, the creature steps casually out of the circle, tosses its things onto the leather sofa, and starts immediately meddling in Peter’s immaculate space, touching all of Peter’s very expensive things.

*********

It's only by midmorning_bomb on Archive of Our Own

Words: 2905

Chapters: 3/5

Part 2 of the Aranea & Babewolf series

Summary:

“Darling, please don’t pout.”

“You’re pouting.” Stiles pouts, from the upper corner of the library, everything from his hip bones down an angry mass of hissing fangs and venomous chelicerae. “Why would we ever go back to that garbage town? Everyone there is the worst, the only good thing is the very rad and awesome curse I laid.”

*********

You are a memory by midmorning_bomb on Archive of Our Own

Words: 900

Chapters: 1/1

Part 2 of the Little glimpse series

Summary:

If he has to bleed to breathe warmth back into Peter’s icy body, he will.

Because Peter’s done the same for him.

********

Author: midmorning_bomb

This author has 16 Steter fics. A little unfriendly to some of the other characters, but it's only kind of obvious because it's not subtle about it, and not exactly underserved. Has some really interesting ideas as well as some kind, well developed Steter. Definitely have a read through.

***********

#steter fic rec #steter #stiles x peter #peter x stiles #peter and stiles #stiles and peter #teen wolf #fanfiction #fic rec #fic recs #teen wolf fic rec #stiles/peter #peter/stiles #ian bohen #dylan o'brien #teen wolf fandom #fandom #fanfic #the hales #peter hale #peter hale and stiles stilinski #stiles stilinski #stiles pairing #stiles ship

[synnthamonsugar]

for the ask game: drifter?

Pick a character I am likely to have Feelings/Opinions about and I will give and explain the top five ideas/concepts/etc that I believe are essential to accurately depicting them.

Oh! Thank you for asking about Drifter, I was hoping I'd get a Drifter ask because I feel like I have so much to say. He's one of my faves but I have such particular tastes about how he's portrayed.

1. Showmanship. I don't want to say Drifter is a natural-born leader because I don't think that's necessarily true, but I think he has a set of traits that make him good at organizing people and events. He's charismatic, he's good at taking charge of situations, and a social engineer, not necessarily in the conman sense of the term, but not not in that sense either. (Gambit can be both an earnest social experiment and a scam.)

And he's well-aware of all these things, and knows how to play them up, turning what would otherwise be a run-of-the-mill underground fight club into an Experience™. He's carefully curated its branding, the snakes and danger and illegality of it (never mind the Vanguard know and allow it), and his persona — less a ring-leader at this point, and more a circus ringmaster, managing both the performers (guardians, combatants) and exotic animals (primevals). But at the end of the day, I don't think he's much like his carnival barker-esque persona, even if it's based in a kernel of authenticity.

2. Physicality. I think he enjoys sensory experiences, eating and drinking and illicit substances (even if he's sworn to stop putting vex milk in his coffee...), and listening to music and going new places and seeing new things, and, uh, you know, people, kissing 'n stuff. (blush emoji.) But he's smart and indulges in moderation, and doesn't let his appetites get in the way of his work ever.

3. Surprisingly careful with himself. Radiolaria cappuccinos aside, I think he's careful with his body in a way that's unusual for guardians, who are accustomed to physical destruction and re-creation to the point of triviality. I think he very much has a mortal's perspective of himself, born of fearfulness and trust issues and being old enough to have seen the myriad ways that lightbearers can get permanently hurt or killed. He's scared of dying, temporarily or permanently, and tries to avoid that when he can. Having nearly died Lightless, and having a Ghost who's kind of fucked up (in a good way, he thinks, but he's never sure) doesn't exactly help his anxiety here.

Because of this, he's far more conflict-adverse than you'd expect. Just walk out, real winners quit and all that. Open violent confrontation is always a last resort measure. Like The Emissary said,

He hates violence. He hates it so much that he'll murder anyone who tries to inflict it on him.

4. Not too emotionally invested. He might like people, he might love people, he might make friends, but at the end of the day, they come and go so there isn't much point to getting attached when they're going to be gone someday. His relationships are in-the-moment with no expectation of permanence. He doesn't like opening up too much, or vice-versa, and that's fine and comfortable for him. He's respectful about it and seeks out mutually-minded people.

However, I'd like to think there are exceptions to the rule. Orin, who he clings to a single, frayed thread of hope of one day reuniting with. The Guardian, who he's managed to open up to, and who's the reason he hasn't ditched Sol yet. He might've offered to take them with him when he bugs out, but he knows they'd never take him up on it and so he'll stay until he can't.

All that being said, he's not uncaring about people at large. Back in the dark ages, he chose to protect villagers from rampaging warlords (even if it didn't work out). He's trying to help us prepare for the second collapse (even if he seems skeptical his efforts will pay off). He helped Eris with her collect calls to The Darkness, and stepped in when eliksni were being threatened in the Last City. He has a sense of justice, and doesn't like bad things happening to innocent people.

5. Uncomfortable with the unknown. He deals with powers beyond comprehension (The Nine, Taken, Darkness...), yes, but his relationship with them feels very adversarial, suspicious, like he wants to leverage it, but he would never give himself to it in the way we've seen other folks do. At the end of the day Drifter likes being Drifter and doesn't need intermediaries telling him what to do, be it the Light or Darkness (or any of their respective representatives).

#destiny #the drifter #asks

[shepherds-of-haven]

Hope you had a fun week !! I was curious how would a trip to the amusement park go for the shepherds?

Thank you so much, it was literally one of the best trips I've ever gone on! :) And ooh, great question! Can you imagine all of the Shepherds going to an amusement park together?? The chaos... 🎠🎡

Blade: amusement parks are probably a bit too loud, crowded, and chaotic for him to be really gung-ho about, but he'd go! He probably wouldn't say too much but would patiently and long-sufferingly go on every ride everyone else wanted to go on... but he's not easily impressed, so you'd go on an intense rollercoaster and glance back and his face would be like 😐 gfldgjfdlg but then once night fell and you got him into one of those haunted houses, he'd get really tense and probably end up punching some poor carnival worker through the mirror maze!

Trouble: amusement parks are HIS JAM, I think he'd go to one on a first date if he could! He'd want to hit up all the most thrilling and intense roller coasters, eat all of the most indulgent, greasiest food, and play all of the carnival games! He 100% would love to show off his skills at those shooting games and win everyone fat prizes. By the time it was time to head back, he'd probably pass tf out in the backseat or on the train home from all of the sugar he inhaled, but he'd be having a grand old time all day!

Tallys: she's Not About that amusement park life, but she'd go along just to please everyone else! I think she'd mostly just be chilling in the under the umbrella of a shaded table in her sunglasses, reading a book or watching everyone else go on the coasters or taking pictures for them (totally of her own accord)! If she's in a more festive mood, I think she'd go for the calmer, chiller rides, like the "It's a Small World"-style boat rides or perhaps renting a tandem bike, something like that!

Shery: she'd be the person who brought a big backpack full of snacks and water and first-aid stuff for everyone else, because she knows Blade is going to need sunscreen but won't bring it on his person himself, and Trouble is going to need water after he almost throws up from the inevitable funnel-cake eating contest with Ayla and Red, and etc.! She'd wear a big sun hat and look very cute, and would be drawn to all the cute stuff at the amusement park, like taking a selfie with the big mascots and the princesses and etc.! She would definitely not want to go on any coasters or intense rides, but she'd be happy to watch on the sidelines with Tallys!

idk why i put that particular gif glfjgldfjgfd i just remembered amagi brilliant park and it made me laugh

Riel: he thinks amusement parks are unsanitary cesspits for howling ape children and plebs, so it would take a LOT of convincing for anyone to get him to go in lieu of just, like, staying home and working. If he were persuaded to go, he would come wearing shades, gloves, and most likely a dramatic scarf or hat, would refuse to touch anything without sanitizing it first, wouldn't sit unless he could perch on his handkerchief, and definitely wouldn't go on any rides, citing horrific accident and injury statistics anytime Trouble called him a baby for not going on the Steel Vengeance: Devil's Thunder 365 ride. He might nibble on some food or annoy some psychics or those carnival barker people who guess your weight or something, though!

Chase: oh boy, if you think his normal energy is high, wait until you see his Amusement Park Energy! He's all over the place, serving as the group's enthusiastic tour guide except he has no idea where he's going and is just picking sights and locations at random, easily distracted by any loud color, sight, or sound that passes his way. He is having a GRAND old time! You have to keep a close eye on him, though, because he might be slipping stray treats off of stalls and turning up with a whole smorgasbord in his hands, conning surly stall workers out of their stuffed animals and passing them to kids on the sly, pretending that his seatbelt isn't working on the worst ride possible just to freak the other passengers out, or pretending to lean and go "whoaaaaa!" against the Ferris Wheel cart just to aggravate Riel's vertigo and Red's panic instinct. He is also definitely the one playing 'matchmaker' and pairing people off to go through the haunted house together, ostensibly also to troll and maximize the memories/drama. It's chaotic but he's the life of the party and everyone is having a great time!

Halek: he's content to just chill and let everyone else have a raucous time. He is particularly interested in the amusement park food and can be found slouched on various benches around the park eating an ice cream cone or slowly chewing a soft pretzel while keeping one hand up to keep the sun out of his eyes. Comically, he has also been found with his overly-tall body slumped over one of the horses on the carousel and crammed into a tiny kid's roller coaster, which is just a scream for everyone else. No explanation for why he felt compelled to ride the Dumbo ride, he just wanted to feel the breeze in his hair!

Red: he is just vibing, looking forward to having a corndog, maybe some shaved ice or cotton candy: basically the normal amusement park experience! He's the type of person to actively collect all of the park brochures and maps, plan out the most efficient route, have an exact itinerary with the best ride times and accounting for lines and rushes... but for the benefit of the group, he could take or leave really any of the rides! He's most interested in the visual displays, like shows, plays, parades, exhibits, and fireworks displays!

Ayla: she's an adrenaline junkie, so she's racing Trouble to get to all of the most extreme rides and screaming her lungs out on the steepest drops and scariest roller coasters. She doesn't have time for any of the sissy stuff, she wants THRILLS! She's the type to be really impatient and want to either cut in line or complain loudly when other people either cut or dawdle. She can get so focused on the next ride that she'll barrel through a mascot, bowl over a princess, or even run through a pack of unsuspecting children!

Briony: she's extremely memory and experience-based, so her number #1 priority is that everyone is having a good time and laughing and making lots of joyous memories. To that end, she wants to do everything and is anxious to cram it all into one day! (This is where Red is very helpful.) She can come off as mother hen-y or bossy by the way she herds everyone to the next destination, but she actually brings order to the chaos and ensures they actually get to do stuff and stay together instead of just scattering to the four winds. She has a very romanticized idea of amusement parks in her head, so she really wants to do things like win a prize at the stalls, sit in the Ferris Wheel and see the fireworks, share an ice cream cone with someone, that sort of thing, and she either gets obsessive (prizes) or disappointed if it doesn't turn out the way she thought (the ice cream splats on the ground, the fireworks are blocked by trees, etc.)!

Lavinet: she's the group photographer and is the one taking pictures of everything, whether or not she's in the actual photos herself. Food and group candid shots feature prominently in her work, which are posted to social media accordingly. She is dressed entirely too posh for the occasion and refuses to go on coasters that could whip her hair around; she also decided to wear high heels, for some reason. She likes doing the fun, kitschy stuff like getting her fortune drawn at the psychic stall or shopping. If the amusement park is attached to a hotel, she is also very interested in spending some time at the spa or pampering herself there!

Caine: it's far more likely that he's at the amusement park with friends of his own age rather than traipsing around with the adults, and he'd be just a little rocket zooming around to all of the rides with a sticky, half-melted stick of cotton candy clutched in his hand and a wad of huge stuffed animals slung over his shoulder!

#i liberally applied carnival tropes into the amusement park setting and i'm not sorry #are we at the county fair or disneyland #who knows #amusement park #theme park #carnival #fair #AU #modern AU #all characters

[wanderinginksplot]

Clone Trooper Rambles

Invisible clone troopers, sarcastic comments, and an incredibly mundane life. What more could you ask for?

Haunted House

“Okay, remember: this is a place meant to be frightening and overwhelming,” I said, repeating the warning for the fourth time by this point. “If it’s too much, you’re free to leave. If you think it would be too much for any of your men, warn them however you think is appropriate.”

“You realize we regularly deal with actual combat, right?” Boss asked, sounding distinctly unimpressed.

“You realize you probably have post-traumatic stress disorder from dealing with actual combat, right?” I fired back.

“We can probably handle a haunted house,” Hunter reassured me. Cody and Fox nodded while Wolffe just rolled his eyes. Rex was fairly quiet beside me. He had heard the stories from other people who had come to this particular business. He was probably the most prepared out of anyone.

“Well, I trust you,” I told them. “That’s why I invited you guys along. If you think your men can handle it without any bad effects, they’re more than welcome to come join us. Let’s go through the first house and then you can make your choices.”

As expected, though, everyone made it through the first house without any problems.

“That was a lot of shouting,” Fox commented, sounding dispassionate.

“Yeah, that one was,” I agreed. “Sometimes, they don’t have the space to set up a story for creep factor, so they just fill the house with jump scares instead. That was definitely one of the jump scare houses, but I have my eye on another one that’s supposed to be more creepy. We’ll go through that later.”

Wolffe chuckled behind me and I frowned. The stoic commander laughing was more frightening than anything that had been in that last house. He caught my look and cleared his throat. “Sorry, Travis got scared by that man in a pig mask.”

“Oh, yeah,” I agreed, watching said man in a pig mask circle Travis as another worker dressed as a carnival barker snuck up behind the pair to help. “They wander around out here, scaring anyone who walks past. Travis is really jumpy, so he’s an easy target.”

A moment later, a worker dressed as a doctor with questionable stains spread across her scrubs was standing way too close to me. She peered into my face, narrowing her eyes over her medical mask as she pretended to scribble something on the clipboard she held. “The surgeon will be here in a moment.”

I nodded gravely. “Thank goodness.”

She nodded back and turned on her heel to move away through the crowd.

“Do you have any fun at places like this?” Cody asked.

“I do, honestly!” I told him. “I love places like this, but I’m not any good at them.”

“How exactly can you be good at haunted houses?” Rex wanted to know, chuckling a bit at his own question.

I shrugged. “It’s hard to explain, but I’m not fun for the workers. I don’t scream, I don’t run, and when they do scare me, I just kinda jump. I feel bad that they’re putting effort into scaring me when I don’t react to it. But I love it anyway. The houses and costumes are great, and I have a good time watching people get scared.”

Boss gave a thoughtful hum at that, but all he said was, “I’m going to tell Delta they can come here if they want.”

The other commanders and Rex agreed, stepping slightly away as they made calls to their men. Hunter stayed by my side and I glanced up at him. “You don’t think the Bad Batch would have fun?”

“Oh, I called them as soon as we left that first house,” Hunter admitted. “I think they’ll be fine. If they disagree, I trust them to make their own choices.”

I nodded. “I can appreciate that. How are you doing? I know it can be a little much.”

Hunter glanced around and I did the same, trying to see the scene with fresh eyes. The music was loud, the beat pulsing through the air and the ground in equal measure. People were everywhere, a mixture of screams and nervous laughter snaking through the crowd. Smoke from an army of fog machines lowered long-distance visibility while colored lights made everything feel eerie and alienating. Cool night air bit at my cheeks and neck, the light breeze carrying the sound of a chainsaw growling in the distance.

I was worried, frankly, that it would be too much for Hunter. As a trooper with enhanced senses, he had been more sensitive to sensory overload in the past. I got migraines on a regular basis, but Hunter wasn't far behind me. The last thing I wanted to do was trigger sensitivity in a situation where he had limited options for a quiet place to decompress.

When I looked back at Hunter, he was smiling. His eyes were bright - brighter than I had ever seen them, in fact. “It is a lot, but… can you feel it? There’s energy in the air. Every breath is..” he trailed off, inhaling deeply as his features sharpened. “It’s like a hit of adrenaline.”

“Okay... “ I trailed off, glancing around the area. “Glad to hear it.”

Hunter didn’t bother answering that, spending his time watching the crowd. When the other troopers came back, reporting that interested men were on their way, I was almost relieved. I had always seen Hunter in his capacity as a sergeant, the leader of the Bad Batch. It had been a little shocking to see him acting so different. For the first time, I realized that Hunter wasn’t just a name he had earned because of his abilities - it was something he was. He was unavoidable. If he were to hunt you, he would find you, no exceptions.

“Ready for the next house?” Elena asked.

“Of course!” I agreed instantly, trying to shake off the revelations of the past few minutes. Hunter was on our side. For right now, that was enough.

---

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A/N - this was supposed to be out yesterday, but I, uh... hadn't written it yet. Writer's block, hitting hard!

I really don't have anything against Hunter, but I've been thinking a lot about how strange the Bad Batch's mutations could probably make them.

Like, realistically, it would be a nightmare trying to lie to Hunter since he would literally be able to hear your heartbeat. Tech would be one of those people who would remember everything you ever told him. Crosshair would never miss a dilation of your pupils and would probably be able to narrow down the cause of it. If Wrecker ever got carried away, things could get very bad very quickly for obvious reasons. Echo - while more normal than the rest - would still have all of the enhanced reflexes and abilities of the clone troopers, which would be extremely intimidating.

Anyway, that's where my mind has been.

#Clone Trooper Rambles #clone trooper rambles #clonetrooperrambles #star wars the clone wars #star wars the bad batch #star wars republic commando #captain rex #commander wolffe #commander fox #commander cody #sergeant boss #sergeant hunter #rex #wolffe #fox #cody #boss #hunter #haunted house #sw tcw #not crazy just creative #more to come