#oof! this one is my favorite so far but I am very biased

[softbean]

Veth Brenatto as one continuous line

#critical role #critical role fanart #mighty nein #veth brenatto #nott the brave #oof! this one is my favorite so far but I am very biased #was fun and took 20 minutes #everyone should try this exercise #I’m gonna do fjord next…!!!!

[nattikay]

So I saw this post while browsing toa tags the other day. While I don’t think being obsessed with the school mascot automatically makes Toby a furry (though it is funny to joke about lol) since “being a furry” actually just means “being a fan of anthropomorphic animals” and doesn’t necessarily require any form of costuming or interest in such, it did get me thinking, hmmm...if he was a furry, what would his fursona be? 🤔 And from there I started wondering what Jim’s and Claire’s would be as well because y not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

BUT WAIT, I hear you say--haven’t you already drawn the trio as werewolves and wolfwalkers etc.? Wouldn’t those be their fursonas??

Well yes....but actually no.

I guess it’s a little hard to explain, but there’s a nuance between “[person] but as an animal” and a proper “fursona”. While a fursona is an animal character used to represent its person, it doesn’t have to physically resemble them at all as you would expect [person]-but-as-[animal] to. For example, if you were to design me but as a cat, you’d probably give it light brown fur and green eyes like I have irl. But my fursona, unlike my human self, actually has blue fur and purple eyes. You can give your fursona matching physical traits to your own if you want to, and some people do, but most use only a pinch of their irl appearance, if any at all.

The choices people make when designing their fursonas vary wildly from “it looks like me irl” to “it looks like who I want to be”  to “I just really like this color scheme” to “this particular color/marking holds deep personal meaning to me” to “this particular pattern represents a particular defining moment in my life” to “idk it looks cool and i vibe with it” etc. etc. etc. Everyone has different reasons of varying depth for the decisions they make in designing their fursona.

Therefore, to design a fursona for Toby etc., it’s less a question of “what would this character look like as [insert species here]?” and more of “how would this character choose to present himself with his own [animal] character?”

And that’s a much trickier game than just transferring a character aesthetic to a new species. ^^; We have to kinda dive into the characters and makes some guesses about how they, if given infinite creative freedom to design an animal avatar with no rules or limits, would choose to present themselves.

So all that said, here’s what I came up with:

Starting with Toby because he’s the one who inspired the post. I think Toby might choose a wolfdog fursona. A lot of people who choose wolves as fursonas consider themselves to be overwhelmingly loyal to their friends, a trait that fits Toby very well. However, while Toby likes to be “cool”, I don’t think he really thinks of himself as much of an “alpha” type--he’s more of a sidekick, and he knows that, and he’s ok with that. He’s the wingman. So what better way to incorporate that than to add dog into the mix? Man’s best friend=Jim’s best friend. Sociable, humorous, and unwaveringly loyal. Wolfdog it is!

With the species decided, we can move on to the design itself.

I can’t imagine any form of Toby in anything other than warm colors. This is extra emphasized by the flamelike patterns on his legs and tail, which both speaks to his desire to be totally awesome-sauce as well as acts as an allusion to his flaming warhammer. It’s fairly common (not universal, but common) for people to give their fursonas a more “ideal” physique than the person actually has as a sort of way to live by proxy physical goals or fantasies they’ve been unable to attain irl for whatever reason. Given that we’ve seen Toby struggle with fitness from time to time, it wouldn’t shock me to see him take this route. His wolfdog self is still relatively short and stocky, but it’s all muscle, babey. 

This fursona is strong, fun, boisterous, and generally just kicks butt. Concentrated awesomesauce flows through his veins. Just don't mess with his friends, or you’ll feel the flames!

.

Moving on to Jim. Jim was the hardest to nail down, and most definitely the hardest to keep my personal biases out of oof. Which I may have failed to do anways because yes, ok, I made my favorite character a blue feline, sue me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  But hear me out first!

For Jim I ultimately settling on a cheetah/lion hybrid.

Cheetahs, in a way, are sort of the underdogs (er...cats?) of the feline world--at least, in their local ecosystems. They are built wholly for speed, not strength--and as such, just about every other large predator in their environment has them beat when it comes to raw strength. Remind you of a certain Trollhunter? plus the long lanky legs. don’t forget those lol

However, because of this disadvantage, cheetahs...usually surrender. They know it’s not worth it to defend their kill from larger, stronger opponents, so they’ll give it up and just catch something else. This aspect doesn’t quite fit our protective, selfless protagonist all too eager to risk everything to save his loved ones--so a pure cheetah may not be the right choice.

So what animal is brave and protective? That’s where the lion part comes in, of course!

Why not just make him a pure lion? Well, a little similar to making Toby a wolfdog instead of a pure wolf. A straight-up lion feels a little too “chad” for our sweet Jimbo. Too much of a jock. 

Jim has the humble underdog nature of a cheetah as well as the bravery and fierce protective drive of a lion. Cheelion? Leetah? idk, but let’s design it!

Like Toby and warm colors, I don’t think I can possibly associate Jim with any color but blue. While it’s never directly stated, given that we’ve never really seen him wear any other color (with the exception of the Eclipse armor), I think it’s pretty safe to assume that that’s his favorite. Blue sweater, blue jeans, blue shoes, even his backpack and bedsheets are blue. So naturally, his fursona would be predominantly blue as well! Plus some yellowish accents to (somewhat) match the natural colors of his chosen species(s).

I imagine he originally designed the character without horns, but then added them after becoming the Trollhunter, since it became such a major and impactful aspect of his life.

His lion’s mane also continues down his back in imitation of the “mantle” found on baby cheetahs. This youthful feature could subtly represent the fact that he’s been forced to grow up too fast and take on so much responsibility so young--so his fursona can still be young and carefree as long as he likes even while his real self struggles with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

This fursona is relaxed, calm, and confident. He’s not just cool--he’s crispy!

.

Lastly but not leastly, we have Claire. Out of the three, I think Claire was actually the easiest to choose--or at least, I had the clearest idea of what I thought she might go for.

Claire is a bit of an interesting duck, because while she’s shown to be fairly popular at school, she’s definitely far from the stereotype of The Popular Girl™. Yes she’s smart and pretty, but she’s also a little spunky or even a bit quirky--she’s a theatre kid, she’s a huge fan of hard rock band Papa Skull, and while I wouldn’t quite call her “rebellious” per se, she’s certainly willing to bend some rules if she feels the situation calls for it (not telling her parents that she was going to the concert with Steve, literally sneaking into Jim’s basement to try to find out what was up with him, etc).

That said, I think Claire might go for a hyena fursona--something a little out of the box, but not totally out of left field. (she also shows a slight Gurl Power™ streak here and there “the staff was not meant to be wielded by man--” “I am not a man!!!”) and if you know anything about hyenas...well, yeah lol)

I think Claire would lean into her punk-rock “rebellious” side with her fursona design. This character is completely free of the pressure of being the councilwoman’s daughter and having to maintain her mother’s public reputation, and thus allows Claire to express a less restrained side of herself. She has a bold semi-edgy color scheme with bright accents (and some earrings to match her person’s hair clips) while still remaining feminine and (her own brand of) fashionable. 

This fursona is spunky and sassy; she’s spicy and sweet all rolled up into one. She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to chase it down. She lives her own life and she’s dang proud of it.

.

....sooooo yeah there’s my take on what Toby’s, Jim’s, and Claire’s fursonas could hypothetically be. And I guess since this post was inspired by a joke about Toby’s infatuation with the school mascot, here’s just some quick thoughts on how they might approach fursuiting to end us off:

Jim I don’t see as much of a suiter. He might try it once or twice if given the opportunity, but at the end of the day it’s not really his cup of tea--he’d rather act as the “handler” for his friends, if anything.

Toby and Claire, on the other hand, I could definitely see as suiters. In fact, with her interest in acting, Claire would probably particularly enjoy it--she’d be one of those suiters who really gets into character, absolutely refuses to break the magic publicly (outside of any actual medical emergency), and popular at cons because she just performs so well. 

Toby, meanwhile, would be the more chill type--uses his normal voice in-suit, isn’t really too stressed about “breaking the magic”, just kinda hanging around like he would normally except “look I’m a talking dog, cool right?”. 

also while I was typing this it occurred to be that since Eli is canonically a cosplayer then he could be a fursuiter as well; in his case i imagine he actually made his own suit it’s a protogen and it’s full of little LEDs and other electric gadgets, it’s not the prettiest thing ever as sewing is not his forte but boy did he try!! good for him. good for him

#so anyways I put way too much thought into this...enjoy I guess? #trollhunters #tales of arcadia #toby domzalski #jim lake jr #claire nuñez #furry #my art

[tennessoui]

Hi there! Your Obi-Wan/Anakin fics, especially your sith Obi-Wan and Pretty Bird, are some of my favorite fics for that ship ever for some of the reasons that were mentioned over the past couple days. Namely I find it refreshing for Obi-Wan to be the one mostly doing the perusing and doing what it takes to be with Anakin. You mentioned you have read some good fics with a similar dynamic that were AU and Cannon. I’m wondering if you have any fic recs??? Even if they are outside of that dynamic I’d love recs but since you mentioned you read a few good ones I thought I would ask 🙂

Hey!!! I am about ten days late, but I'm finally getting around to really answering this. These are fics I can remember off the top of my head where Obi-Wan pursues Anakin/does what it takes to be with Anakin.

There's only 8 here which I'm bitter about because I know I'm forgetting so many good ones I've read and genuinely enjoyed but my AO3 history is literally 640 pages so. So. If anyone has any good recs that fall under this category, please send them in!!

Also if you haven't already read these stories and you like them, remember to leave kudos and comments!!

1. Open Circle (rated M) by Calyss. Oh god, this fic? I absolutely love it and it's on my To Rerereread List immediiately. It features a Sith!Obi-Wan who will stop at nothing to have Anakin by his side again. I love Anakin's POV in this as well, because he swings so believably from wanting to be with Obi-Wan to feeling guilty because clearly everything Obi-Wan is dong is because of the Dark Side and he should try to save him. A scene that still makes me laugh is the scene where Obi-Wan is massaging Anakin's shoulders and Anakin to himself is like, 'wow the Dark Side is getting very inventive/really taking this seduction thing seriously'. Also I do like what the author does with the Jedi Council and Padmé's character, because the main narrators are Obi-Wan and Anakin here, and both are biased to extreme ends which very, very comes through at different parts of the fic. I would say it's not a kind story to the Jedi, the Republic, or Padmé, but it is a great story for obikin if you like reading them just absolutely obsessed with each other.

2. The World Undone (rated M) by lilyconrad. Also on my Rerereread List and has been for weeks now. I am low-key obsessed with this story. It's a Sith!Obi-Wan (again), who pursues and eventually wins over a Jedi Anakin. There's so much intricate plot weaving and world building here that I don't actually want to say anything else in case you haven't read it? But you should. You. Should. Everything about it just pulled me in, and I love Obi-Wan's genuine love and affection for Anakin in this fic. It's also. Not super kind to the Jedi, but it has Ahsoka in it!!! And I love Ahsoka. So.

3. Burning Down The House (rated M) by goretier. This is only about 13k, but I absolutely love what they have so far. If we're talking Canon AUs, I think I love Senator!Obi-Wan almost as much as Sith!Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan here is much more confident in his sexuality (ok he's a bit of a whore) and Anakin is at turns blushing and lustful.

4. Speak Easy (rated E) by @unpheenix. Okay, I am so excited for this fic that I'm including it now. It's got 2 chapters and you better enjoy the hell out of them because they're absolutely amazing. It's a possessive!Obi-Wan, set in a modern AU but historical modern? They're not aliens, they're bootleggers, basically. Anyway. Please. It's great.

5. Negotiation (rated E) by Glare. I am not going to pretend this fic is for everyone, it's definitely not so please decide for yourself because this is definitely dark stuff. It's a modern AU, where Obi-Wan is a serial killer who is obsessed with Anakin and kidnaps him to a cabin in the woods. There's absolutely no rape/non-con, but there's definitely a lot of stockholm syndrome going on, so I really advise looking at the tags and the summary and maybe even scrolling down a bit to see if that's something you're comfy with!

6. Parrots, Parkour, Pirates, Punk, and Perfect Strangers (rated T) by Ghost_Owl. This is a one-shot that's very light-hearted and cute, which means I loved it! I'm not sure how well it fits the theme of this list, except that Obi-Wan decides Anakin is cute enough to try and impress with some casual parkour. Super cute modern AU!

7. My Anankē (rated E) by @intermundia. OOF. I'm including this here because I think it kind of fits, as Obi-Wan in this is very much interested in keeping Anakin with him (in a healthy way, which is a first for this list maybe?). I absolutely love everything in this story and would wait on more with my dying breath of course, but every chapter is pretty stand-alone. It's a modern!AU, with Obi-Wan as a professor and Anakin as a student--but they wait to get together until the very last moment, which is just torture to the audience (me) to read because the author does so well building up the tension and anticipation.

8. to touch the light, darkest (rated E) by @treescape. This series is so new and absolutely amazing and dirty and great. Highly recommended. Definitely mostly porn. Obi-Wan fucks Vader back to the light. Yeah. Yeah. It's great. I think it falls under this category because Obi-Wan is pretty possessive here, even though he is technically Vader's captive. It's just. Damn!!

#asks #i honestly wanted to get 10 or 15 #but im liike maybe a few drinks in #and it's late now #but im always down for fic recs

[birdkujapropaganda]

my completely biased and official rating of every keyblade ever:

Kingdom Key: absolute classic. excellent design for the like, mascot keyblade. very simple, vaguely key shaped. i hate the mouse head though it's so stupid and makes no sense. and i hate mickey. 9/10 minus a point for the weird mickey keychain

Oathkeeper: wonderful. amazing. never boring. excellent design love the heart and wings and all the significance. and that the keychain is kairi's charm? terrific. 10/10

Oblivion: brilliant. awesome. phenomenal. again excellent design the wings and chains and purple crystal are absolutely perfect. love the crown keychain. 10/10

Ultima Weapon 1: literally just a sword with some filigree on it. nice. too much yellow and i don't like the weird cyan gradient on the guard. 7/10

Kingdom Key D: d for disgusting. i don't have any other comments i just hate it. 2/10

Keyblade of Hearts: yeah that sure is an anti-keyblade. love the simplicity and the heart in the negative space of the teeth. and that it doesn't have a keychain, that fueled a lot of theories for 12yo me 8/10

Lady Luck: i think i don't like this one bc to get it u need to use a white trinity but you can't do that until near the end and i have way cooler blades to use. the design is pretty ok, don't really get the card keychain tho. 5/10

Olympia: oh the sight of this one makes me irritated because the kh1 strategy guide uses this in one of the pictures for the fight against possessed riku. it did not help me win. and i hate short keyblades. love the clouds and columns though 7/10

Jungle King: kinda ugly but i appreciate that it looks kinda handmade. also like the butterfly keychain bc it doesn't look like it fits but it Does. also the first good alternate blade u get in the game so. 8/10

Three Wishes: not bad but it doesn't stick out to me either. also doesn't scream agrabah to me but also it does? 6/10

Pumpkinhead: NICE. very long and very cool. the teeth looks like bat wings and a pumpkin so very epic. 9/10

Wishing Star: so pointless i already have pumpkinhead. also short. cute design though i like the gears. 5/10

Crab Claw: i never used this one because it stuck out so ugly in Halloween Town </3 i love blue and crabs though so 8/10

Fairy Harp: I HATE YOU DIE. short and stupid. does NOT remind me of neverland at all. 1/10

Divine Rose: pretty nice but short and lategame. always thought its existence was kinda weird?? like thanks belle but why. i have oblivion. 7/10

Spellbinder: for some reason i really don't like it. i like blue and the circles are neat. the handle looks really painful though. 4/10

Metal Chocobo: kinda ugly lol. love the holes and chocobo keychain. 8/10

Lionheart: oh i am so biased by recoded. absolutely excellent keyblade. design's kind of weird tho where are those lions going. 9/10

Diamond Dust: so i was really confused because i thought this was khux-only or maybe bbs keyblade but apparently it's kh1 final mix only. you know what i got as a reward for fighting the ice titan? sephiroth. you know what i got for fighting sephiroth? NOTHING. it was my favorite khux blade though so grrrr 7/10

One-Winged Angel: grr bark bark final mix again fuck you. kinda weird design though like what is the teeth? a meteor? should've been a wing. nice guard though there's not enough hand room. excellent keychain obviously. 8/10

Ultima Weapon 2: very similar to the first but blue and symmetrical. very good learn from your mistakes. 9/10

Way to Dawn: YEAAAHHHHHHH BOY HERE IT IS PERFECT EXCELLENT GREAT DESIGN WONDERFUL LORE. HAS WINGS. THE EVOLUTION FROM SOUL EATER. THE LACK OF THORNS ON THE HEART. 10/10

Destiny's Embrace: very cute!! my favorite part is the name. i wish it wasn't so like. stereotypically girly though. like you look at the destiny trio's keyblades and can immediately pick out which one is The Girl's. 9/10

Star Seeker: i wanna hate it because it's mickey's/yen sid's but honestly it's so nice. the stars and moons and comets and gradients and colors... wonderful 9/10

Rumbling Rose: oof. weird and ugly and gross. keychain looks like a ladybug from far away. 3/10

Hero's Crest: bring the clouds back. i don't really get the design but i like columns. 5/10

Monochrome: super cute!! i don't like Timeless River but this fits it so well and has cute hit effect. 8/10

Mysterious Abyss: i always get this one way late in the game so it's always pretty pointless oops lol. also the design doesn't really say atlantica?? 3/10

Follow the Wind: another weird miss but i like this one more. nice wheel shaped guard, and that the keychain is a cursed coin. 6/10

Wishing Lamp: now THIS is the agrabah keyblade. very nice and elegant. looks like the palace! 7/10

Decisive Pumpkin: THIS ONE 😭😭 it's so ugly but it's so strong so i have to use it but it's so ugly. it does look like jack's idea of christmas so points i guess 😭 4/10

Circle of Life: also pretty ugly. and short. sorry simba. 3/10

Sweet Memories: shrek voice it doesn't even have attack. i don't like winnie the pooh so that's definitely influencing me. makes cute noises iirc and looks pretty cute. 4/10

Photon Debugger: this one should look pretty cool but my brain is saying it's bad. i think the giant red ball by the teeth are throwing me off. love the neon blue tho 5/10

Gull Wing: why the weird space in the name. anyway. i really want to love this keyblade bc i love X2 but it's really bad. i'm so sorry YRP kh did you so wrong. excellent keychain choice though. 2/10

Guardian's Soul: MUCH better thank you. auron my beloved <3 the lines are very appealing and i like how simple it appears. also looks like auron's swords. 8/10

Sleeping Lion: wayyy better than lionheart. looks kinda like a gunblade! again though what are those lions doing. 8/10

Fenrir: my car key got in a fight. 1/10

Bond of Flame: looks like a bad first draft of axel's keyblade. either the teeth or the guard should look like a chakram, pick one. love it though. 7/10

Two Become One: MY BELOVED <3 excellent design, so so so roxas i think he should use it. very excellent i love the little twist at the top. checkered handle is a little weird. 10/10

Fatal Crest: lol i was so mad when i first saw this because it looked like one of my oc's keyblades. i like it now though, it's a dragon!! pretty neat bro 8/10

Winner's Proof: oh this one is so cute. if it wasn't a reward it would be really weird and bad. surprisingly elegant! and there's even 13 mushrooms on it! 9/10

(shoutout to portadorx on deviantart for the 358 keyblade refs)

Missing Ache: YOU. interesting design, though it says roxas more than ventus to me. great first alt keyblade. 7/10

Ominous Blight: very edgy names in this game <3 looks like guardian's soul, which is interesting. i don't like yellow but it works bc blight 6/10

Abaddon Plasma: what a cool fucking name. so many yellow keyblades. but very cool looking i love roxas' aesthetic 8/10

Pain of Solitude: this is just pink missing ache. 8/10

Sign of Innocence: SO COOL. idk what's going on in most of these blades but i love it. 9/10

Crown of Guilt: come on. it doesn't look like a crown. big disappointment. very cool though 6/10

Abyssal Tide: so cool!! i love blue and fighting in midair <3 the teeth kinda looks like waves 8/10

Leviathan: weirdly furry looking. very cool guard 6/10

True Light's Flight: looks like two become one if it was only one. the top kinda looks like the nobody sigil 9/10

Rejection of Fate: SPEAR. epic name too, but i think it should swap names with true light's flight. very cool but i don't remember seeing it in name. kinda awkward bc it looks like it should be a spear 7/10

Midnight Roar: sooo cool. the orange handle pops without looking wrong... nice. also the teeth kinda look like a bat. 9/10

Glimpse of Darkness: ugly. weirdly bulky and hollow. short. 3/10

Total Eclipse: weirdly bumpy sword. i like how the orange looks like it glows. 5/10

Silent Dirge: GoD but purple. 2/10

Lunar Eclipse: TE but purple. 4/10

Darker than Dark: Hello 😳TLF but purple 10/10

Astral Blast: Abyssal Tide but yellow. interesting choice, but kinda clashes with the blue accents 7/10

Maverick Flare: Ominous Blight but red... excellent. very nice. 8/10

Twilight Blaze: Abaddon Plasma but red... also excellent. very epic. 9/10

Omega Weapon: props for not looking like any of the ultima weapons. very interesting and spiky but i kinda don't like it. 6/10

Aubade: kinda weird. "draws forth its wielder's personality"... ok. looks light elemented. 7/10

Wooden Stick: lol 10/10

Umbrella: not what i would've chosen but lol 10/10

Zero/One: WONDERFUL, EXCELLENT, AMAZING. i can't really explain why i love this one so much it's just very good. 10/10

Earthshaker: very solid design. not much to say it's just nice. love the colored guard. 7/10

Ends of the Earth: love that it is so clearly an earthshake upgrade. makes u realize how incomplete the first one is. 9/10

Dreadgnaw: kinda silly looking lol those are teeth. love the red bit in the center. looks very similar to earthshaker in a good way. 8/10

Chaos Ripper: looks like EotE but in a bad way. i don't like the weird teeth. it's also almost impractically long but i'm here for that. ALSO THE EYE. NICE. 7/10

Rainfell: oooo i love this it's so simple but so nice. very elegant 9/10

Stormfall: less nice. looks like a rainfell upgrade though. also kinda looks like master's defender which makes sense but i don't like it. 6/10

Brightcrest: GORGEOUS. PERFECT AND WONDERFUL. SO PRETTY. i wish it was kairi's. kinda looks to ornamental for aqua? but good for her. 10/10

Wayward Wind: none of ventus' blades look very ventusy to me. this one looks like an extra training one they had sitting around. cool shape though 5/10

Frolic Flame: NICE. looks like lea's frisbees! i like fire and fire designs so but it's a little awkward looking 8/10

Lost Memory: ok so first off WINGS. EXCELLENT. love that the only color is the heart. very cool and epic but i don't understand why it doesn't have a reverse grip handle. or the pointy bit at the tip. but still 10/10

Void Gear: hiii vanitas :) so anyway in my totally unbiased opinion this is the best keyblade ever obviously. love the gears and red accents and it's just super cool. the eyes and chains... vanitas character development keyblade when <3 10/10

Void Gear (White?): still very cool, love the simple contrast going on. 10/10

No Name: i didn't know this one was also called no name which is kinda lame. but i love the keyblade it's very cool. super glowy and i love the time design. 9/10

Crown Unlimit: I almost really like this one. very neat design, love the crowns and twists and glow. 7/10

Master's Defender: literally so plain and boring. i don't care if that's the point give it some frills. nice design though :/ 7/10

Broken Xblade: love the broken bits and the weird rust color. wish one of the kingdom keys was more broken and i think the top bit should be broken too. 7/10

Wooden Keyblade: sobbing and crying and tears. this is literally so cute and good and i love that it looks like Ends of the earth. or the kingdom key i guess. 10/10

Treasure Trove: i never expect to like this one but it's actually pretty nice :) wish the gems looked like they were spilling from the top and not leaking from the bottom. 8/10

Stroke of Midnight: also surprisingly nice! the guard kinda looks like a pumpkin which is cute. just a very cute design. 8/10

Fairy Stars: rad as hell. absolutely love this design very appealing. like how point the stars are. 9/10

Victory Line: i hate this one. maybe bc i don't like the world. kinda ugly and the teeth look awkward. 3/10

Mark of a Hero: ok we brought the clouds back but the weirdly buff trophy arm fucks this up. the blade is also just kind of a column, nothing going on there. 4/10

Hyperdrive: super cute!! love how the blade looks like laser fire and engine streams. the teeth are weird again though, and the handle looks like a bee 8/10

Pixie Petal: SO much better than fairy harp. this one is very cute and these teeth actually fit with the rest of the design. kinda short though >:/ 7/10

Sweetstack: oh this is so cute. a bunch of ice cream scoops!! why are the teeth oranges and what are some of those flavors. why are cones on the guard soft serve. 8/10

Ultima Weapon bbs: NICE. A SWORD WITH SOME FILIGREE BUT ALL IN BLUE. LOVE the wayfinders on it, very good for them. wish it wasn't just blue since it seems so aqua-centric but it looks nice soo 10/10

Skull Noise: LITERALLY SO PERFECT. THAT'S SO TWEWY. INCREDIBLE. the headphones and mr mew keychain... wonderful. only thing is that the name is kinda weird. like it makes sense but sounds weird. 10/10

Guardian Bell: i like it more than i think i would. elegant looking, and i love the gargoyles on it. hate the sentient gargoyles tho. 8/10

Dual Disk: VERY cool! looks like it has a reverse grip. the teeth are really cool and i love the bright blue. 9/10

Ferris Gear: eh. pretty cute but i think my pinocchio bias is acting up. the gears are nice, reminds me of wishing star. 5/10

Knockout Punch: SO COOL. really love the spikiness and colors and that the guard looks like the monkey. unfortunately for it, i don't like monkey. 8/10

All for One: the design's nice and it matches the world... but eh. 5/10

Counterpoint: so fun!! the violin guard is great, and the blade looks so cool. the teeth are a little awkward looking, it goes up too much. 9/10

Divewing: RAD!. just a sword with a heart on it and i love it. just so fucking cool. and the guard looks like a wing so 10/10

Sweet Dreams: so cute :) in love with the meow wow on top, but the teeth go up too much again. and i think there should be some komory wings on it. 7/10

Ultima Weapon DDD: NICE. almost identical to the kh1 blade, but blue and BETTER. the wings above the guard and the crown coming out of dream eater sigil... brilliant. 10/10

Unbound: not a hit 💔 just kinda weird and unfinished looking? and the lime green bit is off-putting. the hear at the top is nice. 2/10

End of Pain: ok mood shift hello. looks like it should be one of terra's evil blades. at first i was thrown off but looking closer it's so cool. the wings and eye at the top... the horns above the guard... the butterfly and gazing eye (buttereye) keychain... magnificent. the blade reminds me of x2 dark knight paine's sword. 10/10

Ocean Rage: looks pretty cool at first but the monstro mouth guard is literally horrifying i don't want to look at it anymore 1/10

YMX's keyblade: apparently has no name and is different than the one in bbs. nothing new really to say since it looks pretty similar but the goat head on top is super interesting. how much did No Name (luxu) influence young xehanort... 9/10

Mirage Split: absolutely perfect. i can't think of anything that isn't positive to say. the stained glass, the heart by the teeth, the thin lines, the gradient, wings, pointy, the keychain, literally all perfect. 10/10

Nightmare's End: also utterly perfect. i don't like yellow but it works here and looks great. the cyan gradient is startling but matches MS so i love it. all the colors in the stained glass are wonderful. 10/10

Starlight+: a little guady. but i love how the stars look like comets. the twisted blade looks neat too, but what's the point of the pointy bit on top. 7/10

Treasure Trove+: love that it looks golden and gem encrusted. very rich looking, but the cart is still leaking gems. 8/10

Lady Luck+: NOW the card thing makes more sense, i love how its incorporated throughout the design. more more interesting than the original. 9/10

Three Wishes+: looks like fire?? which is way cooler but why??? i like it more but where's the agrabah. 8/10

Olympia+: CLOUDS. like that zeus is in the clouds, but they took my columns. and the cyan handles are really weird. 7/10

Divine Rose+: excellent. what it should've been all along. the iridescenty guard is suuuper pretty and all the leaves and vines are great. 10/10

Moogle o' Glory: a lot happening here but i love smacking shit with a moogle head. there's so much happening and i don't really get it. 7/10

Fairy Stars+: i didn't know it could get better, the teeth is super cool looking but i wish the twisty blade was more visible. 9/10

Sleeping Lion+: love that it turns that metallic light blue color, very pretty. and the handle looks more like the gunblade! very nice looking and i used it a lot but the top is very weird. 9/10

Counterpoint+: let's take all the fun and exciting bits from the original and crANK IT UP TO ELEVEN. wait. stop. go back it's too much. very pretty still i love colors. 8/10

Fenrir+: my car key recovered from that fight. looks wayyy cooler and looks like ff7. hate the cyan glow though it feels weird. 6/10

Darkgnaw+: took me forever to find an image bc i keep calling it dreadgnaw. much cooler than the original, it looks like it's gonna bite you. the purple is also very nice. 9/10

Missing Ache+: POINTY. super cool but how does ventus twirl it around without poking himself. the colors are fun and it looks rad. 10/10

Diamond Dust+: i used this one the most <3 very pretty i love shades of blue and purple :) looks kinda icy but the top is weirdly flat. 9/10

Bad Guy Breaker: there's so much happening calm down 😭kinda nice but there's a lot to look at. also this world irritated me. 4/10

Gula's Keyblade: #leopardus4ever. as you can see, this keyblade is perfection. fun and spiky and lightningy. i think the whole blade should be lightning tho. 10/10

Aced's Keyblade: do any of these have names. anyway what a dreadgnaw ripoff 🙄 it suits him but guess what. i don't like him. 5/10

Ira's Keyblade: i don't like ira either but his blade is fucking great. love the teeth so much, and the colors. very pretty and cool 8/10

Invi's Keyblade: absolutely gorgeous. i love the flowing lines and little vines. love the colors and also it's super long. 9/10

Ava's Keyblade: girl this hurts to look at on a white background. very pretty though, i love how wispy and cloud-like it is. looks delicate which is great considering she'll kick anyone's ass. 8/10

No Name: unfortunately, this is absolutely wicked. look at it. it's wonderful. the goat head looks so much cooler than the other animal heads somehow, and i love the hollow center of the blade. and the teeth look like a claw, a little. just so fucking cool but i hate everyone who uses this. 10/10

Shooting Star: super pretty, i love how this one flows. i wish the blade went down to wrap around the guard though, instead of cutting off. 8/10

Hero's Origin: they took away my clouds again. i like that half of it is just. zeus. the lightning bolts are cool, but the handle and guard don't really match. 6/10

Favorite Deputy: you are not my favorite deputy fuck you. i don't like toy story but i do like cactuses. 3/10

Ever After: this one's nice :) the guard is super pretty, but i wish there was more going on with the blade. 7/10

Happy Gear: this one's kinda ugly but i like it soo. the energy canister guard is cute. 7/10

Crystal Snow: i hate it so much. it's boring and the keychain is olaf and i don't like frozen. 1/10

Hunny Spout: pretty cute :) the honey jars remind me of sweetstack. i like the wooden handle. 7/10

Wheel of Fate: cool as hell that's my boat. love that the blade looks like a mast that's so cool. wish it wasn't so gray though. 8/10

Nano Gear: ah, here's the color. i like everything except how the nanobots look at the top. it's just kinda gross. 7/10

Grand Chef: oh this is so cute. but why is remy the teeth. poor rat :( but it looks very nice i like how the Tower goes into the guard 8/10

Classic Tone: fuckyoufuckyoufuc. i hate this one. pretty ugly and i don't like it. 2/10

Starlight: SO GOOD. very simple but i like that. looks mysteriously similar to the kingdom key? i love it but it needs a little more going on. 9/10

Ultima Weapon 3: LOOK AT IT. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE THEY CAN'T MAKE A BETTER ULTIMA WEAPON. the silver and red look so good and it's spiky and cool. and the red is glittery!!! why? i don't care it's phenomenal. the spiky heart teeth. that it looks like it's moving. i wish i could break my rating scale. 10/10

Braveheart: riku kingdomhearts stole my fucking car key. we've all heard the complaints i'm not repeating them 1/10

Star Cluster: it's really nice >:( mickey switch with riku pleaase. the star theme is really cute and the colors are nice but why does it look so similar to the kingdom key. 8/10

Flame Liberator: i don't like the name but ok i guess. the keyblade is so fucking cool though. it's what bond of flame wanted to be. i love fire and it looks like it moves so hell yeah. 9/10

Xblade: still can't decide if i like this or not. How do you hold it comfortably. Love the glistening spiky bits. 8/10

#that's all of them holy shit #you are required to read this #might make another list with all of them in order if i feel insane enough #kingdom hearts #pere's bullshit #kh #keyblades

[finding-fallen-stars]

YGO Questionnaire Part 2 Electric Boogaloo

So, my gf/bf @howaboutalittlehelpneos tagged me to do this again a... good long while ago, and I had wanted to wait until I'd finished my GX rewatch before trying this again. But ouch oof I accidentally also got through all of 5Ds again before getting to this lol

But the 5Ds rewatch definitely reshaped a lot of my thoughts, so... cracks knuckles. This won't be spoiler free, fair warning~

Favorite Series: ugh the formatting killed my original essay on this but okay GX and 5Ds are pretty tied in my book, now-- I love them equally, but in different ways! GX fulfills my love for subversive coming-of-age stories with a heartwarming, humorous, and also soulcrushing touch, and I love how each season brings a new story and new characters-- it's like reading installments of a novel series, and I think the formatting works wonders for it as a whole. It has some absolutely phenomenal character writing, too-- even the characters I dislike are ones I can appreciate for what they introduce to the story! And honestly, not enough people give the first two seasons of GX the credit it deserves: they're half the charm, really. How are you going to feel the full impact of the heartbreaking content in seasons 3 and 4 if you aren't properly attached to the characters?

But on 5Ds's side of things... it fulfills my love for stories with time loops, found family, human nature, and of course, love and death and how they intertwine. I love how the leading characters are just a bunch of broken kids from broken circumstances who all find a home with each other, and of course, how it highlights class disparity and how fucked up the prison/"justice" systems are. Yea, sure, maybe it underwent executive meddling and all, but I genuinely love it for what it is and I wish more people appreciated it... my only problem with 5Ds is the untwist with Z-ONE and then the ending s m h I adore it overall and I could go off for a long while on it. Overall, these are my two instinctive recommendations for anyone getting into Yugioh!

(look at these boys they're so important) Favorite Protagonist: Oh, believe me, absolutely nothing has changed here-- Yusei Fudo is and always will be my favorite protagonist, and my rewatch only solidified that.

I just... love him so much? He's seen so much hell in his life and carries so much guilt on his shoulders, but he still has room in his heart to believe in others and to believe that anyone can defy fate and find hope even at rock bottom. I love that he's initially introduced as this quiet, brooding figure when he really just turns out to be a huge softie who wears his heart on his sleeve half the time and wants to bring about change for Satellite and its people. Plus I just really love that his greatest flaw is something that would ordinarily be a positive trait-- he's Overly self-sacrificial, to the point where he's basically setting himself on fire to keep others warm, and that's not really framed as something Heroic

Just... he makes me so happy. I have two Yusei charms that I ordinarily keep on my keys (one was a gift from Zenzen) and they're a constant source of serotonin for me. He's Peak comfort character for me. Best protag in my book Favorite Rival: Same deal here-- still Manjoume!

look at him he's so important

While he spends a lot of the anime getting the good old damsel in distress treatment (getting suckered into a cult, getting knocked into a coma, becoming a zombie, getting fucking Killed, etc), I still think his character arc is really well-written overall and I only appreciated it even more when I watched GX again. I love the fact that he's got a soft heart he buries beneath the edgy facade, and that he's simultaneously really sharp and also kind of dense lol. He's just a fun character and watching how he evolves from episode one to episode one hundred eighty is such a satisfying journey.

Plus, props to him for being such a versatile duelist-- 50 wins in a row is HARD as is, let alone with a deck full of cards he just found laying around in the Arctic. Three ace monsters, three different archetypes... he's a really good duelist and I'm proud of him for it

Oh, but honestly, I don't really dislike any of the rivals-- I'm neutral towards Revolver and Reiji, but the remaining four (Kaiba, Manjoume, Jack, and Shark) compel me. yes I accidentally wound up liking Jack Atlas shhh Favorite BFF: Honestly, I really like most of the characters who fit this archetype-- Joey, Crow, Gongenzaka, Soulburner... I still lean a little bit more towards Joey, but I really appreciate all four of them. I'm gonna say Joey again, just because I find his evolution as a character the most compelling, but I appreciate the other three a lot. Soulburner has the best design though Favorite GFF: Oh absolutely still Aki, but I honestly... really love most female Yugioh characters? I'm assuming this is lead girls only, but like. I'm dumb and gay and I love Girls so this is naturally the most difficult one for me to answer lol

Aki just resonates with me the most because she's the prime example of how trauma doesn't always manifest in palatable ways-- when we first meet her, she's angry and lashes out at anyone and anything just because she wants the world to suffer in the same ways she's suffered, and then... we get to watch her grow from that, once she's free from Divine and able to heal the way she needs to heal. I know the second half of 5Ds didn't give her character the attention it deserved, but I'm still proud of her for winding up on the path she did-- seeing her channel her power and energy into wanting to heal and help others was just so good and was one of the few things I really Loved about the 5Ds ending.

oh, but like. Asuka Tenjoin and Aoi Zaizen are very close seconds for me!!! Aki just has a vice grip on my heart Favorite Villain: Okay, it's still technically Vector-- I think he's the most entertaining, well-written, and effective villain out of all of the ones we've seen so far, but... I also want to add Takuma Saiou and then all of Yliaster as honorable mentions?

As someone fond of tarot myself, I was naturally pretty intrigued by Saiou the first time I watched GX, but my attachment to him only grew the second time around where I actually got the chance to understand his character better. Plus, like... the visuals with him are fucking astounding and he's always so interesting to watch.

As for Yliaster, I just... really love how the big bad of 5Ds turned out to just essentially be a broken man desperate to save anyone and anything and three robotic reconstructions of the friends he'd lost. I still think the untwist with Z-ONE was stupid and I much prefer the idea of him and Yusei being the same person, but I'm still compelled by the other three-- well. Paradox less so, because we don't get a lot of Paradox lore, but. Aporia and Antinomy for sure.

ugh Yugioh has some damn good villains

Favorite Card: now that I actually play the TCG game...

Stardust is always going to be my favorite of all cards because it checks every box for me (my favorite YGO character's ace monster, space theme, what more could I want), but Aromaseraphy Rosemary has really become one of my aces in my best TCG deck! I'm still mastering irl plays, but I'm happy with my progress and I love my plant gang...

Favorite Episode: alright, here's where there's actually been a Lot of change, so...

Season 0: Episode 16: "Turnabout by a Hair's Breadth - The White-Robed Crisis" -- The more I think about this one, the more I love it; there's a... lot of corruption in the medical industry, and I've seen a lot of it firsthand, so just. Seeing a corrupt doctor get what he deserved at the end was cathartic, in a way? Plus, a Jounouchi-centric episode is always a good time.

Duel Monsters: Episodes 96-97: "Darkness vs. Darkness/One Turn Kill" -- this hasn't changed, I still love seeing Marik and Bakura bitch at each other for two whole episodes LMAO

GX: Episode 152: "Activate Super-Fusion! Rainbow Neos" -- This one hasn't changed and it likely never will-- I take so much pride in seeing Judai push forward, past the fear and guilt he's carrying, all to save Johan... it's cathartic and I never get sick of watching it.

5Ds: sweats. still all of Crash Town, but also episodes 137-147-- the Ark Cradle is one of my favorite parts of 5Ds and one of my favorite YGO arcs period, and even though each duel is a fucking gut punch, I love the emotional intensity and weight in each episode... It hurts but in a mostly good way

Zexal: Episode 143: "The Aloof Duelist 'Nasch': The Destined Final Duel" -- this one hasn't changed! Still hurts, still love it, I still weep over Ryouga Shark Kamishiro on a daily basis

Arc-V: Episodes 81-82: "Our Respective Battlefields/The Ultimate Falcon VS The Black-Feathered Thunder" -- Okay, honestly, this was hard because I... genuinely. really don't like Arc-V very much at all lol (it's just not my cup of tea, but more power to those who do like it!), but I thought this duel was a lot of fun! Shun is my absolute favorite from Arc-V and I really like the friendship he struck up with Crow a lot, so here we are

VRAINS (so far): Episode 25-26: "Virus Deck Operation/Three Draws Leading to Hope" -- honestly I am so biased because I just really love Blue Angel and I loved seeing her get a well-deserved victory like this lol. I'm not done with VRAINS, so this is probably gonna change, but anytime Blue Angel or Soulburner are on screen, I'm happy

Favorite Decks to Use: Aromages will always have my heart, but I adore Cyber Angels too! I'm building my Trickstar deck, my Synchron/Stardust deck (just waiting on Dawn of Majesty...), and my Magician Girls deck, too! Fusion, Ritual, Synchro, XYZ, Pendulum, or Link?: Synchros my beloved... but also Ritual Years in fandom: I've been here for just a little over one year now! and I wuv it... I'm never looking back Who am I tagging: no one I'm too shy

#yugioh #ygo tag meme

[seoultraveller]

Ughhh I can only imagine how frustrating🙄 students realllyyyy don’t care (coming from experience lol) but yes!!! Cheers to us for catching up on all of the new content🥂🥂 I’ve added so many videos to my to watch playlist on YouTube so I’m gonna sit and binge watch them some day😅 Awh re-watching ateez content is so damn nice !! Which are your favorites to watch??

Damn right, as you should🥳 Stanning ateez is really a ride because every member be coming for you at every direction while you try to stay loyal to your bias/biases lmao💀 (atiny are all cheaters🤣😭). Yesss so true !!! He’s only getting better and better at what he’s doing and I’m so glad that he seems more confident this comeback but also since inception🥺 Yeosang is just so great🥰 YES that change in his gaze like WOW. Mhm same here, I cant wait until the dance practice !! They really are so talented wow

So true, it is important to know when to take a break🥺 So far ive been pretty good this week but I’m anxious for the coming three-ish weeks because I have soooooo many tests up ahead... My teachers all decided to prop our schedule with so much examinations :(( Though I hope your weekend was good even if you spent Friday cranky ahh :( I really like online classes because I can relax more but getting work done is really hard, so being in person is easier for work and maintaining routines- but it makes me exhausted and my mental health spirals so I don’t really know😞 But I do think I would need to adjust some to in-person school again

Ah I’m glad The Leaders grew on you, I find it so catchy !!🤩 it truly is a bit different which I really enjoy and it just made me feel like ateez has yet again raised their own bar😂 but great to hear on your part!! Though the whole album is just so damn good

Uhmmm my hair has a lot of mixed curl patterns, but ever since I cut it it’s gotten more curly at the back. But I have like mostly 3b, but also 3a and the heaviest parts are 2c :)) some parts are tight but other parts not😂 it’s not thaaatt thick but I have a lot of hair so it feel thicker than what it is y’know. Agh 4c must be a lot to handle😮 I’m sure it’s beautiful though !! Ooohhh that’s nice you’re probably very pretty in both hairstyles🥰🥰

Maybe you’ve noticed my likes on your Sonny posts🤣 I’m showing my support lollll😌

So, how’s your week so far?? Any plans for the weekend or the rest of the week?🥳

Ah! You know... I’ve never done that. I just make a list, written out by hand, on which videos I need to catch up on 😂 🤡 I am going to add some videos to my “to watch” playlist on YouTube now. Thanks for that. ☺️ I actually really enjoy re-watching their most recent Studio Choom video, the relay dances for THANXX, WAVE, ILLUSION, and Pirate King, ANEWZ (because I’m a sucker for Yunho and his humor 🥺), and although I don’t regularly watch ASMR I love the MARS ASMR episode where he is dressed as a prince and is eating sweet pastries with a green horse called (?) Maltese (?) (that’s such a random name). I watch it because it has me dying of laughter Every. Single. Time. 😂😂😂 What about you? What are your favorites to watch/re-watch?

“ATINY are all cheaters 🤣😭” OOF- felt this one in my core

[hoshigomi]

Kurenai-ing! a (not) review~

This is NOT a review, but it IS all my thoughts on Kurenai Yuzuru’s first concert as an OG, Kurenai-ing!! in chronological order as they happened in the show. These thoughts are:

Biased

All over the place

Unfiltered

Honest

Every single one of them is loving and positive

Without further ado!

To start off, from the day this was announced, there was absolutely No Way In Hell I was going to miss this show. They found a way to cast all my favorite OGs, somehow including Uzuki Hayate who wasn’t even ever IN Hoshigumi, (save for Airi and Kai, F, but I see Kai like every day). Today was emotionally weird and I felt off heading to the theatre but honestly, before the lights even went down, when BENIKO began her preshow speech over the intercom? Any bad thing that’s ever been in my life just MELTED away.

The evening started off with “紅 in Male Role” which was just her as you’re used her her in otokoyaku mode. The whole cast got introduced. My love, Ichijou Azusa was the first onstage which rocked. Everyone did Killer Rouge. There was something REALLY sweet about seeing like a bunch of people who Were in Killer Rouge vs. a bunch of people who Weren’t In Killer Rouge all slaying it. Watching Toshi do this number made me daydream about a universe where she was in Hoshigumi and also a universe where I’m married to her. This daydream repeated itself multiple times throughout the evening so I’m gonna denote those moments with a (**). Whenever you see (**) know I was thinking about being probably married to Uzuki Hayate. This was the only point in the show in which I was skeptical of the men being there. I don’t LIKE men, period, but I especially don’t need them in my Takarazuka- adjacent material. (They quickly changed my mind in the next bit of the show.) After the men and Beni all dipped offstage, our Lovely Flawless Incredible OGs (Ichijou Azusa, Kisaragi Ren, Uzuki Hayate, Toa Reiya, Katori Reira, and Umesaki Eve, sang Sayonara Minasama (yeah like... the song they play when people retire or when QR is closing or when they need you to Get Out Of The Theatre.) No one could hear it because everyone was busy laughing. Renta was, as expected, completely unhinged, Shiiran was fake crying, it was a disaster because honestly, I don’t know who looked at these women and was like ‘yeah let’s give them free reign of the stage what’s the worst that could happen?’ It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, and then, the curtain just straight up went down as if the show ended.

Of course it DIDN’T. NEXT UP?

BENIKO! She’s back in all her long haired leopard print glory, strutting through the audience through the stage- this time waiting for her? two pieces of mancandy (Kominami Ryuhei and Tagoku Tsubasa) at her beck and call in the ??? PALACE OF VERSAILLES, I GUESS? This was, as all Beniko bits, an improv standup show with a more than a touch of drag sensibility. There was some booty shaking, some fake muscle suits on the slender men, and a lot of laughter. I had tears in my eyes and I have NEVER heard a Japanese audience make this much noise. One of the guys made Beni break when he laughed in the middle of his line, causing Beni to buckle over and snort into her water, it was just.. a treat. These men were NOT equipped to handle Beniko- but then, without practice, who is?

When this all ended, there was a BURST of flame on the screen and standing, sihouetted in backlight, was Toshi(**), looking like (**) I dunno like the worlds hottest woman rockstar (**) and if that wasn’t enough (**) then she STARTED SINGING AND YOU GUYS?

WHAT THE FUCK?

I feel like a lot of things that have happened in Takarazuka are unjust, including several Top Star Careers That Never Were, but as of tonight, the TOP OF THAT LIST is that Toshi never MADE IT. Also that like I never made it to her ochakai. There is another world out there where Toshi has been My Person since day one and I am still in her fanclub to this day. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t like  searching her name on Twitter as we speak trying to find out what Her OG club deal right now is, not that I need to be in ANOTHER OG club, (long story,), but GOD. Holy hell. Her voice is absolutely TOP notch and she was (**) BELTING out this introductory piece and I don’t think I breathed during the whole thing. It was HARD ROCK (**) you guys. (**) (**) (***********************************************************************************************)

From there we had a Takarazuka Medley (labeled in the program as “紅 in neutral”- sense a theme here?)

The medley featured bits from:

Lucky Star!

Gemini (Beni’s infamous girl/boy number from Etoile)

Bouquet de Takarazuka

Stuck Together from Catch Me If You Can, (featuring Renta as Kai’s part, which, oof, I can not wait for Kai to get to see.)

Estrellas

The theme song from Kamatari

Another World (just the first bars of this backing music got laughs)

Om Shanti Om

the God of Stars prologue (and you guys? I would have NEVER expected it but both me and the lady next to me just started CRYING once Beni kicked in with the 今！始まる！素敵な冒険！ bit. We shared a look and like laughed at ourselves. I did NOT see that coming but... more thoughts on Benigumi later. Just know that Dear Reader, I cried.)

Eclair Brillant

Bolero

A Piece of Courage

A song that the program cites as Quimbara which I actually didn’t recognize but (NSFW BELOW, DON’T LOOK IF YOU’RE UNDERAGE, DON’T LOOK IF YOU’RE HANKYU, DON’T LOOK IF YOU’RE GONNA SLIDE INTO MY DMS ABOUT ME NEEDING TO HONOR THE SUMIRE CODE OR WHATEVER because shut UP we all have DESIRES, MA’AM,) I spent the whole time with my eyes fucking transfixed on Shiiran out of everyone in the cast because between her time on the ground and her time idk standing and flirting and making bedroom eyes and like touching people with the tips of her fingers she was just in general doing some NASTY shit with her mouth and pulling girls around and I don’t know if she was playing aggressor or hard to get (or BOTH???? AT THE SAME TIME????) but she sure was grinding on Umesaki Eve and I guess what I’m trying to say is I could physically not breathe. I could say more about what she was getting up to but for like, frankly, my own dignity in this Starbucks I’m gonna leave that memory where it belongs.... in the confessional booth at church.

The medley ended with Beni doing a song from Mozart (but like, not the Mozart that Hoshigumi just did.)

I can not make this up but the program calls the next section of the show “紅 in the Flashy.”

This is where one of Tokyo’s special guests, Miya Rurika, pops up in the same rockstar style as Toshi(**) and I admit I actually thought she was Renta until the audience lost their shit. Guys, Miya looks BEAUTIFUL right now. Her and Beni both seem to be growing their hair out but right now Miya especially has this gorgeous blonde like wavy thing going on and really? Feminine makeup and honestly I was kind of transfixed by her. She sang her song and then was around forrrrrrr

All the Kurenai 5 material! Kurenai 5 (or 4, minus Tenju Mitsuki who is very much currently Acting In A Takarauka show) took over the next bit of the show was and it was every bit as precious as you’d hope. First of all, the way they play off each other is SURREAL and like nothing has changed between them. While I’m sure stuff HAS CHANGED, the love and the fun they have for and with each other has not. They encored some of their old songs, and you’ll be pleased to know that Tenju Mitsuki was present in cardboard cutout form, pushed around on a tiny wheeled platform by Katori Reira (who may I just add, along with Umesaki Eve, made every song they were in sound like there was a whole troupe worth of musumeyaku onstage. Girl can SING.) Beni turned to sneeze at one point and sneezed directly into Miya’s mic on accident.�� They also played a video message from Mikkii. It still took a while for the cardboard cutout to stop being funny. My favorite part of this segment was when Beni cracked Renta up and kept giving her shit until she was on the floor laughing and unable to say what she had been trying to say and then Shiiran straight up took the mic out of Renta’s hands and spoke for her. さすが、Shiiran. 

The show was winding down at this point, but Beniko made a reappearance (”BENIKO in DELUSION”, according to the program). We transitioned out of that ad lib with a number for the ladies, Reira and Eve. It was boppy and jazzy and idolly and I got the idea into my head somewhere in here that Katori Reira HAS to play either Velma or Roxie in Chicago before either of us die and if I have to personally fund that happening, well, help me find my wallet because I’m off to the bank.

During this Beni changed into... not her otokoyaku clothes again but not BENIKO, just, herself, but girly. (Program calls this: 紅 in Feminine).  She does a speech about herself and what she wants out of the future and whether she wants to be called a 女優 (explicitly FEMALE actress) or not post-TKZ, and somewhere in here she had a talk with Utahiroba Jun, another man who is completely and utterly obsessed with her, and rightfully so. He was a guest but didn’t actually perform aside from with EVERYONE in one song.) Beni rounds out the concert in a beautiful dress singing her heart out and I’m truly really touched by how far she’s come and how beautifully she performs.

There were, as there tend to be, like 83746958 encores(**) and people running on and off stage. 

This was without a doubt one of the best nights of my life. I laughed until I cried, I straight up Normal Cried, I couldn’t Breathe for my like, unsumire thoughts, I was touched, and I was so so happy. Beni is my all-time favorite top star and probably always will be, and more than a singer or actress or dancer or comedian, Beni I think embodies the title of “entertainer” better than anyone I’ve ever personally had the pleasure to watch onstage or off. Watching her has made ME want to take more risks in performance and in life and to just do my best with everything life throws at me. Tonight she was so much of the Beni we all got to know and love in Takarazuka, but like, unleashed and able to be her truest, funniest, biggest, most loving self. Her ability to talk to the audience and everyone onstage and keep character and keep her humor and balance without missing a beat is unparalleled.  I really, truly love this woman, and I am so so so happy I got to see this incredible kickoff of her OG career. 

If I think of more, I’ll add it, but for now, as Beni hersef finished off the night by saying: Go your own way!!

#takarazuka #kurenai yuzuru #kurenaiing!! #ichijou azusa #kisaragi ren #uzuki hayate

[veliseraptor]

INFINITY WAR/ENDGAME LOKI LIVES FIX IT FIC (TAKE TWO)

Part one is here, and was written quite a long time ago, so...now with updates of fics I’ve read since then. These fics are variously canon compliant with Infinity War, Endgame, or both; I’ve left off fics that ignore the events of Infinity War entirely for the sake of this recs list. “Ignore it entirely” is a different genre than “fix it” (though I love them both).

Anyway, intro aside, on with the recs. Under a read more because this got long.

thinking makes it so by sneck

The Avengers travel back in time to plant a small seed that grows into a major change. This is a really cool take on time travel, imo, and a really cool take on a fix-it plot.

to your own blood, and empty spaces in the throat by vellaphoria

The first chapter is just...absolute grief/mourning pain. The fixing comes in the second chapter. It’s worth the pain to get there.

The Air Between Two Stars by charlottelennox

Thor brings Loki back to life. This doesn’t solve all their problems. We all know I like a ‘post resurrection trauma’ fic, which this absolutely is. The author’s notes mention that this is a fic about ‘the little moments Thor and Loki share when they get a second chance’ more than the actual mechanics of how it happens, but sometimes that’s the most important part of a fix-it for me - what it looks like afterward.

the only soul I’ve ever saved by valkyrisms 

I didn’t know I wanted “Loki falls out of space into New York and is rescued by Spider Man” as a plot, but apparently I did? 

on earth, peace by 100indecisions

Everything fixed, more or less, and it’s a holiday party, and it’s still a little melancholy but in a good way. Short and sweet.

When I Fall to Rise by lc2l

This fic goes in a really interesting direction that I did not expect at all, and I don’t want to say more than that because spoilers. Thor dies on the Statesman. And then.

there are entrances to Hell in every major city by malfaisant

Takes the ‘what if Loki survived the attack on the Statesman instead of Thor’ idea, and it’s ouch and I love it. Seriously, hurts real bad. But ultimately in a good way? 

Shadows of Those Who Came Before by Tandirra

I don’t read a lot of kid!Loki fics in the MCU, but this was...I think I was sold by the author, whose work I’d read before, and it was really worth it. It feels very much inspired by Journey Into Mystery, but not nearly as tragic - featuring a young Loki who has been resurrected as a child but is dealing with the shadow of his former self, taking a jaunt into space with the Guardians on a Quest. 

the very best of us string ourselves up for love by halcyonidae

Loki and Hela in Valhalla. Yes, it is a fix-it.

At the End of the Day by scioscribe

Loki goes back in time and rewrites his own past. That’s...basically it as far as the premise, but it’s really well done, and Loki confronting himself and his family is...oof. Honestly, those conversations, more than the fix-it itself, are what makes this fic a recommendation for me.

A Route Obscure and Lonely by Nightwing_Hunter

This is a post-resurrection fic, which I decided to include because they feel like they’re in the spirit of the thing even if they don’t specifically include or explain what happened to do the fixing. And features insomnia and Loki being fucked up by the experience of dying, and I am always a sucker for Loki fucked up by the experience of dying in particular. I may be biased also because this one was written for me, but o well.

Walked In These Quiet Hazes by ratsats 

I love a fic that’s basically “dealing with the aftermath of trauma” and this is both that and has a plot!! There’s a lot of ‘feelings and pain’ and then also ‘fixing a lot of things from canon,’ and I really approve of both. And now I want to go and reread this fic all in one go rather than chapter by chapter as I read it the first time. So much good angst. Just - *kisses fingers* - good shit.

There’s a Land That I Heard Of by TheOtherOdinson

This one is...I love it because it’s a little trippy, and definitely weird, and very different from anything else I’ve read in this genre. I love the slow build as it becomes clear what’s going on, a little at a time, and I’m always here for anything that plays with the Infinity Stones in interesting ways.

A Different Word for Bad Luck by iguessyouregonnamissthepantyraid

Similar to ‘I didn’t know I wanted strangulated!Loki ending up in New York rescued by Spider Man,’ I didn’t know I wanted strangulated!Loki ending up in New York rescued by Claire Temple (and company)’, but...yeah, guess I did.

WIPS - THE SUBSECTION

the nine in the tree by bereft_of_frogs (series)

So calling this one an Infinity War/Endgame fix-it feels a little weird because it’s very much following its own divergent path, but there’s enough commonalities that it feels like it works. And it’s just a really good series with a lot of great characterization and also hurt/comfort, and this is probably one of my favorite current serieses in progress.

Snake Around My Heart by gaslightgallows 

The one where Loki comes back from the dead thanks to Hela and shit’s fucked. I’m really excited to see where this one goes.

the breath and the dirt and the fires are burned by neverwherever 

Thor travels with the Guardians, Gamora is trying to find herself, and Loki might not be as dead as he seems. I really love where this fic has gone so far, and I’m psyched to see it continue.

burnt sage and a forest of bygones by fragileanimals

This is one of those “really embracing lore” fics, featuring also a journey to the underworld (always a good trope!). Thor roadtrips through the land of the dead with the help of a volva to get Loki out.

Memento Mori by GwendolynStacy

I love the summary of this one as basically ‘tfw you’ve completed your redemption arc but no one else knows it.’ Loki traveling back in time to try to fix everything before it gets off the ground, but nobody else actually knows what he’s doing, and it’s not like he’s going to explain himself. Heaven forfend.

Stormbreaker by ladylapispazuli

I am always a sucker for time-travel stories, and I’m especially a sucker right now for time-travel AUs diverging from the Infinity War/Endgame storyline that feature Thor or Loki traveling back in time to an earlier point. This one is one of my favorites so far. It’s Thor/Loki, if that’s a deterrent (or at least, tagged as such - it hasn’t gotten there yet and remains at the level of ‘one-sided pining of a teenage Loki after a Thor he doesn’t know is his brother’). It’s very good, has a nice traumatized Thor trying to deal with that on top of the weirdness of being around his family, his (dead in his own timeline) brother, and his past self, who he doesn’t always like very much. 

Space-Time Heist by patientalien

Okay, so technically the fix-it hasn’t happened yet, but I really enjoyed the first fic and the series is incomplete, so...the setup is there, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes if/when it continues. The promise of fix-it is there.

Withering Away by GalaxyThreads

The one where instead of getting the Space Stone from New York in 2012, Thor insists on getting it from the Statesman in 2018. Along with Loki.

Have Tesseract, Will Travel by WinterDusk (series)

This is a series where 2012!Loki jumps universes and ends up with 2024!Thor and the Guardians, and I did not expect to love it as much as I do. (I’m very attached to 2018!Loki. I miss that one in particular.) This fic has a gloriously traumatized Thor who is a particular highlight - the dynamic of a comparatively functional Loki trying to look after a very less-than-functional Thor is a really interesting one I’m enjoying seeing explored here.

The Thanos Problem by Ranowa

This is a really excellent series with a lot of feelings in it. Like, a lot of feelings. The series is marked as incomplete, but you can easily read the first three installments on their own and get a full arc with a fix-it just fine.

#fic rec #loki's a goddamn mess #only like SEVEN MONTHS LATER jesus #anyway finally finishing one of my ten recs lists in progress #they take a long time to write okay

[mccoys-killer-queen]

This Week’s Playlist (2/14)

Not sure how I got hooked on this idea- but this week I’ll be focusing entirely on 70s songs (and next week I’ll do 80s). Disclaimer: I’m not saying these are my favorite songs of the 70s (believe me that would be WAYYY too hard to narrow down), I’m just filling this week’s list strictly with songs released in the 70s.

I’ve also created a spotify playlist made up of all the songs I’ve used on playlists! I’ll update it every week (before I even post the playlist, so if you check at the right time the songs will be there!)

1.) London Calling- The Clash (1979) I like to define this song as the song that started my descent into classic rock. When I was in 7th grade I had this music teacher who would always play pop music of the late 20th century for class. This song was one of the first songs she showed us, and it became a trademark of the class. We used to get this song played at dances and stuff- so there’s a lot of middle school memory there. Guess we all wanted to be punks- and this is a great boppy song just for that.

2.) All Right Now- Free (1970) Am I being typical for picking this song...? Perhaps (because honestly, at least where I’m from, this is the only Free song anyone knows... yikes. It’s overused in media sometimes imo). But that doesn’t meant it’s not great! It’s got everything! An epic guitar riff that frames the lyrics, a sick beat, funny rhymes, a killer musical interlude with bangin piano and a guitar solo- all while being undeniably CHILL. This one of those chill summer songs to me; the kind you listen to on a hot, quiet, and sunny car ride through the country with the windows down while wearing sunglasses. That’s just the aesthetic I’ve always associated with this song.

3.) Rock’n Me- Steve Miller Band (1976) Just try not to bop. I dare you. This is a real dance-a-little-in-your-seat song with a GREAT, smooth flow to it. Killer rhymes and a fast, subtle beat you can’t avoid even if you try. Steve Miller Band is one of my favorite groups of the 70s and I wish they got more appreciation in general. I could’ve picked so many of their songs already for these playlists, but this one stood out to me this week because I feel like it’s very recognizable (I always heard this song as a kid and I feel like maybe some people on here did too). It’s so damn catchy that it’ll just stick with you, so listen and get ready for an earworm. Also a great road trip song.

4.) Once Bitten, Twice Shy- Ian Hunter (1975) No, this isn’t Great White!! This is the song we all know and love but this one’s the original! I feel like I need to educate anyone who’ll listen about this! *scoff* god, now I can see why Joe Elliott’s always shoving Ian Hunter in everyone’s faces- because he’s worth it! Maybe I’m a little biased, but I personally prefer this version over Great White’s for a bunch of different reasons. For one thing, I think this version focuses more on telling the story rather than trying to make the music over the top. The instrumentals of this one ROCK, but the way it’s constructed with the lyrics makes the story more understandable- essentially, it’s just more raw, and I like the raw sound to it, but that’s just me. You all probably know how the song goes at this point, but after listening to this version you’ll see just how much of it Great White changed. You take it upon yourself to decipher the meaning of the lyrics ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) I think we all know what “rock and roll” means at this point...

5.) Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’- Journey (1979) I don’t like to acknowledge Valentine’s Day, nor was I going to mention it in any way on this playlist- but let me tell you a story: last year on VD, I was driving home from school, and this song came on the radio. Then it hit me- I had completely forgotten about ANTI-Valentine’s Day songs! This is a PERFECT example of one. It tells of an unfaithful someone who gets bitten in the ass by someone else’s unfaithfulness. Talk about a SICK burn! This has gotta be my favorite Journey song as well. It’s like a flash-fiction song; telling a huge story while barely saying anything at all. My favorite part of this song by far is how each instrument has a crystal clear part, and you can very easily pick out each one. The intro of this song is just excellent. You can clearly hear the bass, drums, guitars, and piano all introduced in different ways. It’s just a gorgeous song through and through, and those 189 “na”s at the end just tie it all together (and yes, I counted). You’ll have all the words down before you know it.

6.) You’re All I’ve Got Tonight- The Cars (1978) Like I said last week, The Cars are one of the perfect combos of rock and pop. If you think about it, this one can be another anti-Valentine’s Day song. The lyrics have a sloppy and desperate feel to them- kinda like the speaker is drunk and throwing themselves at someone because they’re that desperate. “I don’t care if you hurt me some more, I don’t care if you even the score”- like oof man, you just sound desperate. This song is a banger in every way and let’s face it- the keyboard at the chorus is just the absolute best part. Strong points for these guys are always keyboards and guitars. It’s got this rock hard chill 80s vibe to it (despite it being a 70s song- new wave, you know), you’ll feel that you need to be doing something cool while listening to it.

7.) Rock and Roll- Led Zeppelin (1971) It’s so cliche of me to use this I know I know I KNOW- but can you blame me? On Sunday in a record booth at the market I found an original Zeppelin IV and I feel like this song has been following me all week because of it. This is unarguably one the most recognizable and famous rock songs of all time- because it was so expertly crafted in every way imaginable- just like everything else Zeppelin’s ever done. It’s ALWAYS the drums that do it for me in this song. l That filler at the end is- without question- the best part of the whole song. Bonzo just KILLS it. Overall, it’s a short-ish song that uses its time extremely well; it’s like all four of them went “let’s maximize every single element that goes into a bop, and make a song like that”. In some ways, this song is objectively perfect. If you want pure rock and roll in all its glory- what better song to choose than Rock and Roll itself?

8.) Keep Yourself Alive- Queen (1973) Another objectively perfect rock and roll song with a killer drum solo. I’m super biased towards Queen- but I cannot believe I never heard of this song until I was prepping my brain to see Bohemian Rhapsody! Honestly, who thinks it’s okay to keep this hidden? It’s the leading song off of their very first album- so this is almost like the song that INVENTED Queen fans! It’s a Brian May baby- and hell yeah does it show. I think everyone needs to know this song for artistic and historical reasons. It’s pure, power rock Queen through and through- despite being one of the earliest of their songs.

9.) Cum On Feel the Noize- Slade (1973) NO, it’s not Quiet Riot!! This is the song we all know and love but this one’s the original!! Again, I feel like I need to educate anyone who’ll listen about this! I get so angry sometimes that Quiet Riot gets all the credit for songs like this one and Mama Weer All Crazee now. Slade was super popular in England in the 70s- ahead of their time for sure but definitely one with the glam rock movement- but not as big in America. I never knew these guys existed until about five years ago and damn I felt like I had to be blind before learning that. Just listen to this song and then I think the sound of it’ll make a lot more sense, like “oh yeah- Quiet Riot’s version kinda DOES sound like it could be a glam rock song from the early 70s!” Just goes to show what geniuses these guys were, because their songs can be both glam rock AND heavy metal and work either way. Once you hear this version, though, I believe there’s no going back.

10.) Roll With the Changes- REO Speedwagon (1978) This was my favorite song for a few months when I was 16- it’s absolutely EPIC. The speaker is bursting at the seams with accepting a new found moral understanding of how they feel about trying to please or win over an apparent lover. They come to the conclusion that the other person just needs to keep on “rolling with the changes” and that they’ll be there for them whenever they decide to accept that perspective. The KEYBOARD is to D I E  F O R GUYS. Neal Doughty is a motherfucking SAINT- and SO IS GARY RICHRATH. This song sounds like it’s the finale of a musical or something! Possibly the biggest bop REO has ever created. It’s a groovy, extremely poetic, fast, theatrical, very slightly operatic rock and roll song and I’d highly recommend this to any person on the planet I love it that much. It’s lovable in every possible way.

#the clash #free #steve miller band #ian hunter #journey #the cars #led zeppelin #queen #slade #reo speedwagon #weekly playlists #raydio gaga

[softly-savage-mint-yoongi]

Now that I have far too many children/boyfriends/husbands to count with the addition of 6 chaotic children- I figured it was a good time to update about my biases in groups and why they are my biases! Enjoy and feel free to discuss with me! :D I’ve got two biases per group and 1 wrecker (sans EXO), so leggo! ((None of these images belong to me- I take 0 credit)) Let’s start with my ult.

(BTS) It’s funny because at first I was totally smitten with Yoongi (and still am)- but then after like a year of being into BTS I was monologuing to my best friend like every day about him in every way till she was finally like, ‘you know you’re in love with him, right?’ and so, here we are. I love you, Namjoon.

(BTS) Yoongi!!!!!!!! My first bias ever in a kpop group (not counting that one stint with T.O.P back in Fantastic Baby era before I was a kpop stan). His voice and his demeanor and how calm he is. I really have this thing where I notice the ones that aren’t in the center all of the time. Then I heard his voice. I have a thing for voices okay- you’ll see what I mean by the time we’re done here. My BTS bias wrecker is the maknae, one Jeon Jungkook.

(Monsta X) Jooheon, my sweet honey. First of all, I miss you and I hope you’re starting to feel better. I love and respect you so much. I find most of the groups I stan because their MVs show up on my youtube mix. Alligator was playing and while yeah they’re all super wow in that MV- Jooheon’s cheeky smile and his rap and his eyes in it were just. oof. He had me at, “Hello, I’m an alli-alligator!”

(Monsta X) I’m whipped for ‘94 line, okay?!! Hyungwon. H.one. The king of memes and sarcasm and I love everything about this bean. He seems so cold and stoic but if you give him enough attention you can tell how loving and warm he actually is and I just want to squish him and love him and maybe our MTBI’s are some of the strongest compatability and I can’t stop thinking about how easy I would get along with him because our attitude and humor is the same. Monsta X bias wrecker: Main Vocal, dragon king Yoo Kihyun. o o f.

(TXT) My first child- our precious bread loving baby bunny leader, Soobinie. I immediately was attracted to the way he speaks? Like the way his mouth moves is very adorable! His voice is also very soothing and his singing is easy to listen to and I want to pat his head (lol right raz he is so tol) and wrap him in blankets and tell him he’s cute every second of every day. My favorite of the ones I consider my children- don’t tell the others.

(TXT) Yeonjun! I love his laugh so much and his cute smile and he is another one with feline eyes like Jooheon which I am easily drawn to. I also really enjoy his personality and his interactions with his members as their hyung and I think we would get along swimmingly as friends or siblings. A whole talented cutie. Bias wrecker in TXT has to be their maknae, too. Huening Kai. Wahh so baby.

(EXO) Park. Chan. Yeol. What a man. I can’t explain. I truly, honestly believe he is one of the people I would mesh the best with in this world. His voice and this fucking L O O K in tempo immediately caught my attention- once again in the MV as it came up on my youtube mix. Then I caught myself up to speed on him and his group and his other work and I fell really fast really hard for him and I grow more in love with him every day. (sobs).

(EXO) LOOK AT THIS SMILE. In case it wasn’t already suffocatingly obvious- I love Kim Junmyeon. EXO’s leader and guardian, Suho. Again- he grew on me much like Namjoon did. He takes such good care of his members and just wants to be happy and I genuinely think he is one of the nicest people even when the camera is off and I really admire that about him. I also see a lot of his pain and it hurts and I just want to love him unconditionally for all of eternity. Bias wrecker for EXO is really every other member but more often than the others is Baekhyunnie or Sehunnie.

(Astro) See, I told you I have a thing for deep-voiced rappers. It’s always them that catch my attention first and foremost. Much the same as the others, Blue Flame came up on my YouTube mix and here we are down the rabbit hole surrounded by six more children I didn’t ask for, but Jinjin is such a good hyung and leader and total cutie pie. I’m totally smitten.

(Astro) Once more- look at this precious smile I am so soft??? Moonbin is their center typically and I tried to resist him for a long time but he just seems really mature (I feel like jinjin, cha eunwoo and moonbin are the most mature)? The main dancers of groups aren’t usually the ones I am drawn to- but just as with Hyungwon, I am fascinated with the way he moves. Very etheral, goodest boy. Also that visual??? Bias wrecker has to be the dreamy Cha Eunwoo himself. sorrynotsorry.

#Ultimate Bias #bias #multi stan #kpop stan #bts #monsta x #txt #exo #astro

[benscursedkid]

Okay, for the questions!!! 8, 16, 21, and 37? :>

thanks mori! hope they don’t put you to sleep! 🤙💙

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“I don’t really see you around the building too much,” You start, examining the nutrition labels of your items with suspicious interest. “Is this where you always run off to?”

Ben shakes his head, going a little slower on ringing up your –groceries?– things. “Ah, not all the time. Most of my time is actually spent at the library, I hardly do anything but study these days.”

“Oh, you attend college here?”

“Yeah,” He’s still a little unnerved, but he’s significantly pleased with how easy conversation flows with you. “I knew going for a double major was a bad idea…”

The exert above is from my first fic on this blog, Must Have Been The Wind. Now, this fic is very special to me for multiple reasons, one of which being that it’s probably one of my only fics that I am truly and genuinely proud of. The reason I chose these particular lines of dialogue is because I tried to build the characters of modern!Ben and Reader through them. I personally feel that, if done right, dialogue is a really good way to “show not tell” and establish characters and their key/common traits without feeling like you’re just shoving the information down the audience’s throats.

From this specific passage, we learn that Ben attends the local college, he often spends most of his free time studying at the library instead of their apartment complex, and that he’s a struggling double major student all while being introduced to a new story setting that before has only been mentioned in passing. It’s also the first real conversation he’s had with the reader, the other main character of the fic. I also tried my best to make the conversation flow and show that Ben’s interested without hindering his shy and anxious tendencies and characteristics. Normally, I would never “toot my own horn” so to speak, as I feel there is still a lot for me to learn and room for me to improve, but again, I’m just really very happy with how this fic turned out in the end.

16. If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?

Okay, so this really depends but I will try to cut to the chase for this question.

In General: x Reader fics— I feel that the possibilities for these pairs are truly endless, but technically that’s not a specific pairing.

In HPHM Fandom: Ben x Reader— Okay so I’m definitely biased on this one, but Ben is truly a very dynamic and unfortunately very under appreciated character and I feel like you can really do a lot with him.

Outside HPHM: Caroline Forbes x Klaus Mikaelson from TVD (Klaroline) –or– Barry Allen x Caitlin Snow from The Flash (Snowbarry)— I started TVD when it was in season 3 and immediately feel in love with these two. I waited approximately six years for them to be endgame only to be bamboozled when he died in the end. Snowbarry, on the other hand, is a completely different ship with a vibe so opposite from Klaroline it’s insane. They are my new Klaroline. I’ve since stopped watching the show since I can hardly stand a key character who is always upfront and the plot lines are getting weaker and more absurd, but I’m still pulling for them. Unfortunately though, the likelihood of these two pulling a fast one on me and getting together seems to be more bleak than Klaroline’s was. *Heavy dramatic sigh*

21. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

Only about once or twice depending on the fic. I’m a perfectionist, so I will at least always go through it once when I think it’s all done to catch mistakes, discrepancies, or other things I might like to fix, add, or reword. But once I do that, I tend not to waste any more time before posting it.

37. Talk about your current wips.

oof mori you sneaky sNakE–

So, I’ve been turning over two of the holiday prompts for about two or three weeks now. I’ve honestly entirely rewritten one of them three times already and am still only in the beginning stages and nowhere near completion. However, I think I’m going to go with something much shorter than originally planned and see how that works. Fourth time’s the charm, right? 😅 Also, there’s not really much I can say considering the requester asked to be surprised so... yeah?

So so terribly sorry, but I haven’t even gotten to your Badeea x Reader holiday prompt yet but I swear it will see it’s day before Christmas!

My Top Secret-Secret Santa fic. It’s coming along pretty well, I just need to make time to finish it. Also not a lot I can disclose at the moment, in case of prying ears but I quite like how it’s turned out thus far!

A Ben x Reader fic set during the second Wizarding War where Ben has to go into hiding from the ministry because of the whole ‘hunting muggle-borns thing’ and Reader can’t let him do it alone so they accompany him... no house or gender specific reader like always, still in planning stages though.

More recently, a Talbott x Reader fic set after graduating Hogwarts. With both of them having very different ideas for what their future might look like, they end up breaking things off the save themselves from more pain in the long run. Talbott goes and becomes an auror while the MC runs off to sort themselves out, traveling the world alone to try and find their answers. They weren’t sure if they’d ever see each other again but it seems fate was rather decided on the matter. Alternatively Titled: Four Times You Said Goodbye and One Time You Didn’t

#ask #answered #writers asks #ask game #writers ask game #darling mutual✨ #mori 💙

[cursed-ice-spirits]

Rebecca’s First Year: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Anger.

Prev: Chapter 2

First: Chapter 1

Next: Chapter 4

Rebecca can deal with a lot of things but at this point, she was convinced that the universe hates her.

Okay, she can deal with the ability to interact and sense spirits — that is at least useful when it doesn’t make her suffer or look crazy, but it was a little more than cruel by making her beg for answers from a mother who refuses to see her more than a fucking child before she went insane from Ja — her brother’s disappearance.

Giving her an ice curse that will go after her ass regardless of how she feels on the matter? Bit much but she did get over it and now she’s ready for her inevitable death (sort of anyway).

But having the audacity, the gall, of having everyone putting her in the same category as a Dark Witch when all she’s done is walk in the Great Hall, all because of her blood, her family, her brother with his stupid stunt with the Cursed Vaults, and her surname? That was just rude.

Ugh.

It’s barely been a day and she hates it here already.

One thing’s for sure, the sorting hat is a big fat liar and she wants to burn it because how dare it mislead her like that.

Her dormmates are okay. The blonde, Penny, is nice enough but maybe a bit too gossipy for her taste. The silver-haired girl, Chiara, is slightly more tolerable but we’ll see as time goes on. The pink haired girl, Tonks as she preferred to be called, was a little more uh…

Excitable.

So while Tonks is nice, her loud personality is a bit too much for Rebecca.

Now the last girl.

Oh the last girl.

Lilith Meadows. Runs her mouth way too much for her own good. Not to mention, rude. Constantly hounding her about her brother, whether or not the rumors that her brother is actually a death eater, Voldemort’s henchmen, is true, then asking about why her brother went after the Cursed Vaults and gone mad because wouldn’t your parents be disappointed?

Rebecca remembered snapping. She didn’t remember what she said but she snapped and went on a rant, ripping through each question and then declaring that if this is how Hogwarts is going to be like, then I don’t need friends, I can do as a loner.

In hindsight, that wasn’t the brightest idea she had.

“Oof!” Rebecca grunted as she was suddenly shoved to the ground.

“See ya later, Loner Lordy!!”

A group of bullies laughed as they walked away, leaving her behind.

Meadows gave her the nickname Loner Lordy as reference to how she called herself a loner. The name passed through the ears of the rest of the house, then the other three house, and the next thing she knew, her housemates and yearmates are whispering that name the next day, along with I hear she’s just as mad as her brother, and I can’t believe they let her in here after her mental brother got expelled in low and mean voices.

She hates it. Hates that she’s despised at home and at Hogwarts and can’t seem to get a break now.

Suddenly, she regrets not being in Slytherin because even though her reputation might be even worse (she doesn’t give a shit), they’ll at least accept she wants to be a loner.

Maybe.

All she wants is to be left alone to search for her damn brother.

Her selfish, stupid and clumsy brother who got himself expelled in the first place and left her, her, pick up his mess.

If she finds him, she will—

Rebecca takes a deep breath, then scoffed and got up, brushing herself down, then went to pick up her fallen books.

What did they think they’ll achieve by shoving her like that? Tears? Ugh... they’ll have to try harder than that to get a reaction out of her.

Despite that, she grits her teeth and feels tears burn her eyes as she runs to Charms.

Dammit dammit dammit.

—

“Lumos!”

A bright light shone from her wand, nearly blinding her, but it doesn’t stop her from staring in awe at the light.

“Well done, Miss Lord!” Flitwick looked extremely pleased. “That is the best execution of Lumos I’ve seen from a first year in some time! 10 points to Hufflepuff!”

Rebecca’s lips twitched into a smile at the praise, but it faded immediately when she hears a whisper from Samuel Lockwood, one of her bullies (and what do you know, he’s in the first class of the day, brilliant).

“Best execution of Lumos from a first year? That must be sad coming from Loner Lordy.”

Rebecca’s face was blank, but she was seething inside.

Like he can do better. Ugh

“Class dismissed! Miss Lord, can I speak to you after class?”

Oh great.

She spots Lockwood snickering and whispering Look at that, Loner Lordy’s already in trouble to his deskmate. Rebecca scowled, but stood patiently as the rest of her classmates exited, Lockwood giving her a little shove as he passed by.

She can feel frustration boiling up to the surface, but she shoves it down and straightened her shoulders as she turns to face Flitwick, waiting for him to acknowledge her.

“Am I in trouble, Professor?”

“Heavens no, I’ve just been wanting to speak with you before class started but since you were late, I didn’t get a chance to,” he said as he put away some papers.

Rebecca glanced away. “I was preoccupied.”

“Well, I hope that doesn’t happen again.”

Rebecca bit back the retort of It’s not like I had a choice. Instead, she says, “It won’t. I look forward to Charms for the rest of the 7 years here.”

Flitwick let out a laugh. “If you’re anything like your brother, you’ll do just fine. He was one of my most skilled students, as well as one of my most rebellious.”

Rebecca’s face turned cold. There it fucking is. It seems Flitwick isn’t any better. Assuming I’ll break the rules because my damn brother did. Can they please stop assuming they know me and how my brain works because of FUCKING JACOB—

“I am only here to learn what I can, track down my brother, and punch him in the face. That is all. I am not here to cause unnecessary drama just because I can. If all you want to talk about is my brother, his stupidity, and to condone me for my brother’s sins, I’ll be leaving now.”

And before he can say anything, she stormed out of the classroom.

--

Okay, that was a bit of a dickish move from her but in her defense, it’s barely been a day and she’s already getting shoved around because of the mess her brother left.

Honestly, her brother made his bed. He should had laid in it when he got expelled. Instead, he ran off to god who knows where and left her all alone.

Selfish, he is.

Then again, it was all her fault that he searched for the Cursed Vaults in the first place, so the blame can’t be all on him.

Rebecca let out a long sigh as she made her way to Potions. Charms was okay but from the whispers of the old in her mind, warning her to keep her guard up. Potions won’t be any easier, especially since she’s not so good at Potions, which she hopes to fix that by her graduation.

After all, she’s going to need it for her back up plan if being a world traveler doesn’t work out and that’s whether or not she chooses to go with world traveler first.

Regardless, that is not important now. Because Rebecca spots a purple-eyed Slytherin girl up ahead, trying to bully a Ravenclaw into calling her ‘The greatest witch at Hogwarts’ or whatever. Rebecca blinked once, glanced at the reflective cover of her book and adjusted it, seeing Lockwood approaching, his wand aimed at her, then back at the Slytherin girl.

No doubt Lockwood is aiming for her. But his aim is terrible. So if she moves even the tiniest bit out of the way…

Rebecca lets a rather mischievous smirk spread over her face, then sways to the side to let the steam of water shot past her and hit the Slytherin girl straight on, startling the Ravenclaw, before she snaps out of it and runs off at the distraction.

Straightening up and whizzing past them to go to Potions, Rebecca delights in hearing the shrill, high-pitched drag of Lockwood’s name and his attempts to defend himself before he’s forced to make a run for it. Now she won’t be late for Potions AND Lockwood will get in trouble for drenching a Slytherin in water and for being late.

All in good, and petty revenge.

—

Unfortunately, her little stunt didn’t earn her any favors from Snape. He quickly proved to be a biased and completely unfair teacher.

He insulted her to her face, insulted her brother (although a petty part of her took delight in it), and insulted her skills.

Needless to say, by the end of the class, he was out at the very top of her Least Favorite Professor list.

Overgrown, old bat, why doesn’t he stick his head far up his—

The only good thing about the class is the Slytherin girl (Merula, she believed) sabotaging Lockwood’s cauldron and causing it to blow up in his face. Snape took 10 points — it was great.

—

After classes, Rebecca headed back to the Common Room to get a look at her father’s present. Although her birthday was terrible, maybe she can get a nice thing for once since her brother vanished.

After carefully opening the box, she frowned slightly and looked at the note.

I found this and it reminded me of you. There’s a hidden knife in the tail and won’t fall out unless you want it to. Pulling it out will make it large enough to fully use as a weapon. Holding it to the sheath will shrink it and allow you to put it back. Be careful, the blade is sharp.

I haven’t found Jacob yet, but…

I’m sorry. I really am.

Rebecca slowly lowered the note and looked at the gift. It was an intricately designed dragon curling around a sapphire, its tail swinging below freely. Rebecca noted that it looked like an Antipodean Opaleye.

Curiously, she pulled out the tail, seeing a brief glance of a very sharp blade, before the whole thing grew large enough to fit in her hand. Hurriedly, she held it to the sheath and put it back.

Funny. Her father, who willingly left her alone when he knew how much they’re going through, sending her a gift, when she barely heard any word from her brother.

How disappointing.

She pursed her lips and ripped her locket from her neck and snapped it open.

“...”

Her vision blurred and she sighed as she rubbed at her eyes.

“....dammit…”

She glared down at the locket and took out the picture.

Fine, she’ll keep the dragon necklace.

The locket dropped to the ground and she crushed it under her foot.

But…

She placed her fingers on the top, hands shaking.

The locket has to go.

RIPPPP.

#hogwarts mystery #hphm #rebecca lord #hphm mc #jacob's sibling #hphm fanfic #samuel lockwood #merula synde #hphm fic #first year #year 1

[hufflepuff-ish]

The Skam 11 questions tag (don’t quote me on this, I just wanted to give this a title lol)

rules:

always repost the rules

answer the questions given to you by the one who tagged you!

give 11 questions

tag 11 people

Thank you @hufflepuffsh for tagging me babe x (lowkey would love to know your answers to my questions but don’t want you to be tagged twice lol)

1. Which remake/og sqaud do you think you would personally fit into the most? 

This is such a difficult question, oof. So I’m shy, but I’m also a good listener, and I try to be supportive of my friends, sometimes I’m more with myself between my own shell but I also like loosening up and having fun. I think because of that my answer is Skam NL’s squad (honesly maybe it’s just because I’m biased lol). They’re so accepting and loving, and I feel like their general energy is similar enough to mine (but way cooler), so I think they’d just accept me as I am and they would be easy for me to get along with.

2. What is your favourite remake and why? 

Skam NL. S2 was definitely a journey and I didn’t like all of its aspects, but I just love the dynamics between the characters, the aesthetics, the music choices, the cinematography, and the characters are probably the closest to my heart out of all the remakes.

3. What is objectively the best remake and why?

Probably Druck. They have great actors, they make changes but still keep the main issues of every season, their have great music choices, their social media team is great and that’s just what comes into mind.

4. Opinions on each of the girl squads? 

SKAM NL - where do I even start??? I love each one of them soooooooo much. I love them all together even more. I don't even need anything, just give me scenes of then together and I'll be thrilled. (GIVE US A THIRD SEASON). Each girl is really her own character and they definitely stand out to me when compared to the other remakes.

SKAM ITALIA - I have a complicated relationship the squad. I love them but it feels like I’m watching a group of college girl. Silvia isn't a character that I like too much, though the actress is cute. I like Eleonora, but that's pretty much it. My favorites are probably Eva and Federica (I relate a lot to Fede because of her looks). They have a good dynamic, though not as much as the Italian boy squad. They maybe feel a bit less close in my opinion. Also, the writers always make me feel like Federica is only there to give them information on stuff and make a joke here and there, so if they would have put more thought and effort into her character maybe it’d feel like the squad is more,,, real if you will.

DRUCK - hi, I'm controversial on main. I... don't really care for them as a squad?? They're cute but I don't feel much of a connection to them (as a squad), or to their friendships. No idea why. I do find them interesting as individual characters, though and seeing them happy at the end of s3 was great. I'm definitely excited for s4.

SKAM FRANCE - s4 ruined them for me. I liked Emma in s1, Manon was always nice in my opinion, Daphne was getting on my good side in s3, Alexia has always been one of my favorites in this remake, and Imane is absolutely great. Then their friendship got ruined. But, if I'll ignore s4, they were a squad that I enjoyed watching and I really felt like each girl had her own thing, and that they were more of a group of random girls brought together than the og squad.

SKAM AUSTIN - I honestly love them more than I realize. Their friendship has a lot of growing to do, but I loved the scene when Grace confessed to them about Daniel's brother. Within the squad I probably like Jo's relationships the most, partly because she's my fave and partly because she just has a really loving heart. The other girls aren’t may favorites out of all the remakes but they have a warm corner in my heart.

SKAM ESPANA - They’re my Spanish babies. I love them and they just seem like this cute and cool girl squad. They’re not perfect and there are definitely things to come, no matter who’ll be the main of s3, but they love each other a lot and I think that they’ll grow together as individuals. 

WTFOCK - I'm not the best person to talk about this remake because I missed like half of s1, but whatever. They remind me a bit more of the og squad, and I love the friendships between Hanna and Zoë, and Zoë and Yasmina. I don't really like Luka, I can't really explain why but she doesn't really feel as part of the squad to me, and Amber is just okay. 

5. Favourite hairstyle out of all the remakes? (this includes any hijab styles of the Sanas)

I love Cris with her hair in a low ponytail, and I love the half up hairstyle that Skam NL uses a lot. When it comes to hijabs, so far my favorite was Sana’ s in the og’s s4 when it was a bit loose under her chin because it really fit her well.

6. Who do you think from og/remakes would have a youtube channel and what would they post about? (not including hei briskeby or lucas rubio’s yt channel)

Liv could totally have a music youtube channel because I feel like that’s realistic to starting musicians these days.

I can see the Italian boy squad having a youtube channel where they post vlogs and pranks lmao.

Sam could totally have a beauty channel where she does hauls and stuff.

Basile would have a youtube channel for pranks and magic tricks (idk why but I can really imagine him doing magic tricks????? lmao)

7. Pick someone you think is underappreciated from og/remakes and explain why you think they should be appreciated more.

Hmmmmmm another difficult question. I’m going to ignore the fact that I’m only supposed to mention one character.

The balloon squad - they’re honestly the most refreshing Muslim representation that I’ve come across because they’re just this bunch of dudes who run a hilarious youtube channel and love to have a good time. I love them SO MUCH and I wish we got an Elias season so we could get to know them better. Highkey my favorite boys from og Skam.

Federica - I probably talked about it enough times but she’s so underappreciated. The actress (Martina) is gorgeous and Federica is a ray of sunshine that the fandom tends to ignore. Also, I want to know how she knows so much about almost everything that’s happening in their school.

Shay - She’s definitely the most underrates Isak. Hopefully s3 will happen and she’ll be the main, so she’ll be more appreciated. Personally, I’m on the fence about how I feel about Shay, but I would watch the hell out of her season and getting more music from her, Marlon and Tyler would be amazing!

8. Favourite outfit/clothing item?

Isa’s green scarf, and honestly, any scarf/coat that the og girl squad wore because they always seemed fluffy, warm, comfortable and had pretty pastel colors.

9. Which character do you think is most similar to you?

Physically, it’s definitley Federica in terms of height and her and Hanna in terms of body size. Aside from that, the characters that I feel I'm most like are Hanna, Martino and s1 og Eva. The three of them are pretty simple, dare I say “””boring”””, and that’s how I see myself, lol. Also, Martino has this keeping things to himself things that he does and I relate to the hell out of that. Hanna has a really soft and nice vibe, which I think can be said about me haha.

10. Do you like the Eva season (season 1)?

Yes! The more remakes I started watching, the more I realized that I actually really like s1 because we get to see the girls becoming friends, and there are a lot of iconic scenes in s1 (Noora dragging William, the girl squad fighting with Chris’ girlfriend) and I learned to appreciate Eva’s journey to becoming her own person.

11. (Insert your own question that you’d like to answer!) Which representation do you think Skam should show other than the existing ones?

I don’t remember if I ever posted about this, but I would LOVE to see a Jewish character in one of the remakes. I think this idea can have so much potential (and I’m part Jewish so I’m biased) because there are really interesting things that could be discussed and shown - anti-Semitism from what I know is becoming more popular again and I’m always waiting to see if one of the remakes (especially Skam France, Skam Austin and Druck) will discuss it, and a Jewish character could have a really interesting relationships with the Sana character and they could have great conversations about the expectation from them and that judgement they get from people inside and outside of their religion.

My 11 questions:

If you could create an ultimate girl squad, who out of the skam universe would be in it and why?

If you could change one thing in each remake, what would it be?

What is one plotline that you wish to see in a remake of your choice? (go wild lol)

Which side character would you want to have their own season?

What do you wish the fandom would appreciate more in each remake? (could be a season, a character, a scene, anything)

If you could create a crossover between the og/one of the remakes and a movie/tv series/book, what would it be?

A crack ship that you wish would happen?

Is there a character that is very different from you/you never thought you would like, but you ended up loving?

What is your favorite friendship? 

Do you read any og/remakes fanfiction and if so, do you have any favorite fanfictions?

Would you have preferred if Skam worked a bit more like Skins did, in terms of every character gets a full episode from their pov instead of an entire season?

I’m tagging: @lonelyfridays , @matteohnah, @feelinsorad, @amystylezz, @eliottlallemant, @xxviii-xi-mcmxcviii, @lil-milkovich, @spockhasfeelingstoo, @miaundalex, @pampammmxum, @vnesshudgens, @promisethestraz but of course only if you want to and if anyone who’s not tagged wants to answer these consider yourself tagged!

#skam #tag #personal #it's honestly the best tag I've come across cause original questions are super interesting

[shutterbug-12]

Succession S2E2 Thoughts

Overall: 

Much better than the terrible agony that was the first episode. 

I still want to wrap Kendall up in a hug and transmit some life into him by osmosis. Shiv...I’m sorry, but I know a lot of you really love her, but I...really don’t. I have some sympathy for her, because she is the person made by a very hostile father and a very hostile world. And there is an element of me being biased towards Tom (although I will admit--will list--all his horrible qualities; I’m just glad he has a decent handful of redeeming ones), but Shiv is a pretty cold person (and yes, I would say that about Logan as well, and Roman--them especially--so I’m not calling her cold simply because she is a strategic, smart woman. But I feel like she has the capacity to be a decent person, with a decent heart, but she will never allow herself to be that kind of person. And that’s the tragedy of her for me. 

Her and Tom’s relationship is, in my view, incredibly unhealthy and fucked up. It’s a one-way street, and they could really be so much better, but...I don’t think they ever will be, unless Tom somehow...takes over, but *snort*. Talk about a clown running the circus. Whew. But yeah, as long as Shiv has so much power skewed in her direction and she doesn’t hesitate to use it and hold it over him, theirs will not be a relationship composed of equals, but Tom will continue to think, in his demented brain, that somehow they mostly are? King and Queen? No, no, Tom. Nice try. But you’re not on that level. It’s true that I see very small, slivers of moments when they need each other, but I...have seen...honestly, I can’t remember seeing one moment where it was clear that Shiv really loved him, just that she needed him. And those are very different things, at least for me. My dream scenario is that Tom can work up the nerve to leave her and be with someone who actually deserves him, but...that’s a different show, certainly not this one. So I suppose I’ll have to sit back and watch this trainwreck. 

Actually, I find it interesting to see the relationship between Logan and Kendall, and Shiv and Tom. They are very parallel in some big ways. Logan and Shiv are both very dominant, both dictate the terms of the relationship, both steer it, manipulate the other person at will, are both strong-willed and strategic but can be cruel, and both place their own interests above everyone else’s. They’re the controllers. Kendall and Tom, at least in this season so far (Tom has always been), are the submissive ones, the yes-men, acting at the behest of their counterparts, both very insecure about their relationships with those counterparts, although, granted, Kendall has passed over into dead-eye territory, where Tom has some life left. I can see how being in their position might be at times comforting, not having pressure on them, kind of enjoying the freedom that being submissive and simply obeying offers. And, really, in the dynamics of both relationships, I really feel for Tom and Kendall. Shiv is, of all the children, most like her father, and was from the beginning, but I think she’s leaning more and more that way, which...is a bad way to lean if you want to cling to some part of your soul. So I...am a bit worried about both Kendall and Tom, but I know something’s going to give at some point. In some way. So I’m...interested. 

One last thing: what made this episode so much better than the first one, for me, is the attention paid to the absurdity of the characters and their lives. That is the glory of the show for me. When it tries to get me to truly sympathize too hard with characters who, by and large, are not very sympathetic, I...am very turned off. Because we’re talking about uber-rich douche-bags who only care about themselves and their power. The only sympathetic characters (and even the moments when sympathetic characters have sympathetic moments and aspects) are ones who show motivations other than power grabs and greed. BUT, when the show highlights the absurd nature of...this entire palace drama? It’s at its height. Its at its best. This episode had a ton of that, and I was very grateful for it. The Vaulter dude was always a great vehicle to highlight some absurdity, and he came through here. Greg, of course, highlights the absurd aspects of Tom and the Roys in general. Connor himself. Amazing. The absurdity bouncing around in this episode made it so, so much better than the first one. 

Overall, B+ episode. 

As I watched: 

Oh, yay, the theme park! Been looking forward to seeing these parts. 

Beavis and Crackhead. Nice.

Aww, MM, you’re getting gray and it’s so...weirdly cute. Damn it. Also I can watch you try to get popcorn out from between your teeth with your tongue all. day. long.

Hmm, Logan listening to Shiv. Roman sees what’s happening. He’s not as stupid as he seems. Which we knew, but it’s nice to see. 

Mondale! And the Mondale voice is back! Tom & Mondale might be my favorite friendship on the show. 

The amount of time Shiv spends looking at her phone instead of talking to and listening to her husband is...pretty fucking sad. She LITERALLY walks away from him when he’s talking. Cool. 

“It’s not really a thing.” UM. WUT. No it’s a huge thing. One partner wanting to fuck other people, while the other one clearly doesn’t really want to is...a huge thing. And not talking about it is going to make everything worse, but sure, okay, continue thinking it’s not really a thing. 

Oh god, it’s kind of painful, how hard he’s trying to...rationalize that he’s okay with everything about their relationship. And trying to like...show he’s ready all the time, always down to fuck, just in case she was wondering. Heh. You can see the insecurity just coming off him in waves. 

Ha. I’m sorry, writers, but...an American wouldn’t say “cheeky” like that. Someone needs to check the British-isms. But it’s nice to see even a show like this mess up. ;) 

I mean, yes, this is a drool-worthy penthouse, but settle down Tom, or I’m worried you’re literally going to start fucking the sofa.

One of these days, Tom is going to actually...not roll over like a submissive dog. Maybe. 

*sings* Tom and Greg, together again, wheee! Tom and his punching bag. Tom, you better watch out, because at some point the bag is going to punch back. 

Um. Tom. I’d go easy on the creepy sexual metaphors. You can’t quite speak with the...disgustingness of Roman. Please stop trying.

LOL Name me one principle. Although, god, this is the ugliest side of Tom. How willing he is to compromise himself for advancement. He’s honestly...kind of a whore sometimes. And it’s his least appealing aspect of his character (his most appealing, of course, being his handsome, handsome cute face). 

By the way, non-Americans, real Americans don’t throw around this many “fucks.” And we don’t constantly speak in sexual metaphors. Granted, I’ve never been among these kinds of...terrible people, but still. 

OMG, her name is actually CYD PEACH?! Wow. No wonder you’re a badass bitch. With a name like that, who wouldn’t be? 

I kind of like this news lady, talking to Tom like the moronic asshole he is. Her sarcasm is just oozing out of her and I love it. This was such a great scene. 

Rough first day, Tom. But, hot damn, is he actually motivated to do...real work? Color me interested to see how this goes. 

Gerry, you’re amazing. You might be one of my favorite characters. 

IPAs that looks like run-off at the car wash. Ahahahahahha. Great line. 

OF COURSE CONNOR HAS AN EMAIL BULLETIN. Actually, Connor might be one of my favorites, too. He represents the most what I like about the show. The absurdity of it. It’s when the show strays too far away from pointing out absurdity that it gets...not nearly as enjoyable. 

Another great example of the absurdity: The conversation between Roman and Connor about the president. 

Ha, yes, Roman invited you to dinner because he’s learning your game, Shiv. He’s learning, against all odds, how to 

You did a thing. Mazel Tov. Another great scene with Roman and Tabitha. 

Oh, Tom, baby, you’re so nervous to...talk to your wife. Heh. That’s kind of sad. And ahahahhaah, you still think you’ve even in the uh, line of succession (too on point?) for CEO. Oh, Tom. You idiot. And, Shiv, you are...you don’t think Tom should get the big job, please. Come on. I wish she’d...be truthful about how much she wants it, at least with Tom, JFC. But honestly isn’t really in her vocabulary, so... ALSO, RAWR. Let me say how SHOCKED I AM that Shiv gets turned on when she thinks about herself being powerful. She gets off when she literally has Tom by the balls. Shocker. Shocker. 

AHAHAHAH, GREG’S APARTMENT SHOPPING. YES. LOL. THIS IS GREAT. Greg is the best. AWW, DID KENDALL JUST GIVE GREG AN APARTMENT? AWWWW, KENDALL! Aww, that awkward hug was probably the most physical affection Kendall’s had in...a long time. LOL. OMG KENDALL WANTS TO BE BUDDIES WITH GREG. YES. 

Oh boy. The most awkward dinner in history. Tabitha is so chill. OH NO, TOM AND TABITHA ALONE IN A ROOM. YOU SHOULD TRY SWALLOWING SOMETHING. OMG JKFDL;AJFKLAFJKSA;KJFDL. AHAHAHAHA. YEEEESSSSS. I like when the relatively powerless characters make a cutting power move. 

NOTHING IS WRONG WITH HIS BODY. DON’T YOU, EVEN. 

Okay, seriously, y’all stop making fun of Tom so hard. Jfc. My heart is going out to him here, honestly. Tom can be a dick sometimes, but this is cruel stuff. 

OMG OMG OMIG OGMD OSALJFSAL;FJSK TOM I’M SO PROUD OF YOU. I’M SO, SO PROUD OF YOU. FOR TELLING SHIV TO FUCK OFF. YES. I’M SO DAMN PROUD OF YOU. DKFLS;FJDKSAOMGGGGGGG. It’s nice to see the tiniest hint of backbone. 

Oof, this is what Tom and Shiv call “talking”? Meh, yeah, Shiv, you need him. You need a stable presence. You need a loyal sounding board. You need a yes man. Their relationship is so fucked up. Yiiiiiikes. They’re pretty much the WORST at open, real communication. 

Oh, boy, oh, boy. Poor Greg. Kendall, you dick. Making this your drug party. Ugh. I’m so fucking disappointed in you. (I’m still pulling for you, though.)

Guh, yeah, the scene in the car with Shiv and Gil...these kinds of scenes really show Shiv’s ugly side. (And Gil’s for that matter.) People needing the upper hand. People shitting all over each other. People needing to be right. 

Logaaaaaan, you’re such a dickheeeaaaad. A manipulative, awful dickheeeaaaad. Although, what a great line: make yourself at home. In...daddy’s office. 

Jesus, Kendall, you need a real car, man. 

AAAAH, IT LOOKS LIKE THE HUNTING EPISODE IS NEXT. AWESOME. 

#succession #succession hbo #tom wambsgans #greg hirsch #shiv roy #roman roy #kendall roy #logan roy

[yougotcrit]

You Got Crit - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) Review

Before I begin, I want to make it known that I’m a big Harry Potter fan. Like, super big. I read all the books. I know all the Horcruxes. The Diary, the Cup, the Ring, the Lamp, the Tesseract, the Heart of the Ocean, and the Universal Remote. I know where Hogwarts is: Britain. So it’s particularly difficult for me to say this, but, you’re making it very hard for me to like you, Fantastic Beasts.

And I’m not at all sure where the blame lies for that. Despite the occasional charm, wonder and Harry Potter references contained in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), the film is burdened with a dozen new characters and loosely connected subplots which become a proverbial act of spinning plates, each one barely balanced before they all topple to the ground and transform into a big jumbled, broken and convoluted mess. Do I blame the writer, J.K. Rowling, whose books have proven what a master she is at character development, crafting intricate story-archs, and world building? Or do I blame the director, who took those wonderful books and wasted our time with that dance sequence between Harry and Hermione in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010). Let’s give the benefit of the doubt to Ms. Rowling and congratulate David Yates on another job unexceptionally done.

I’m very uncomfortable admitting that The Crimes of Grindelwald was merely average, maybe even below average. I’m super biased towards the Wizarding World franchise and I’d like nothing better than for every film to succeed and blow our little Muggle minds.  The Crimes of Grindelwald goes several steps further than the last film did with connecting the Harry Potter canon with that of Fantastic Beasts (2016), with more references and appearances than you can shake a wand at. The film’s got Dumbledore. It’s got Nagini. It’s got Lestranges. It’s got Hogwarts. And it’s all a big clustered mess. It’s as though the film had several cool concepts or ideas for the film, and in the end, they decided to go with all of them. The result is multiple characters we know little or nothing about with separate histories, agendas and motives that are meaningless and unclear, until they inevitably collide at once with revelations that are more confusing than enlightening.

Oof, that was harsh, let’s balance this with some positive criticism. Oddly, the one thing that worried me the most about The Grimes of Crindelwald was Johnny Depp as the titular villain. Generally, I like Johnny Depp, but he has his moments and he can sometimes take a character too far (*cough* Willy Wonka *cough*). But it turns out my fears were unfounded, as Johnny Depp was remarkably reserved as he portrayed this methodical wizard bent on Wizarding dominance. But the real crime of Grindelwald is the lack of crimes we see him committing. Despite a good performance by Depp we never really get to see, hear or appreciate the magnitude of his supposed crimes. It’s a waste of Johnny Depp and a misleading movie title when his most menacing accomplishment in the film is an opening prison escape sequence and a handful of homicides. Magneto would call that a typical Tuesday.

But we do get to enjoy some time with our four heroes from the last film, even if it’s them frantically running around chasing after one another. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander, the wizard zoologist who hunches almost as much as he avoids eye contact with everyone. Tina, Queenie, and fan favorite Jacob Kowalski manage to find their way into the narrative along with a young Albus Dumbledore (for the fans) played by Jude Law (for the ladies). Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But I came to this movie to see another story revolve around the mopey less-interesting character from the last one!” Don’t worry, the film anticipated your desire and adjusts the multiple subplots to focus on Credence Barebone, the character whose abilities and significance are explained as well as his survival from the last movie. Warner Bros. just giving the people what they want!

Despite my love and bias towards the franchise, I am having difficulty defending or justifying The Rhymes of Grindelwaldo, other than it’s the second film in the series so it’s worth seeing if you plan on watching them all. I hope the following sequels provide a more cohesive story and aren’t bogged down by inconsequential dead ends.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,

You Got Crit

#the crimes of grindelwald #you got crit #fantastic beasts #Harry Potter #grindelwald #albus dumbledore #jk rowling #newt scamander #johnny depp #eddie redmayne #wizarding world

[tricks-up-my-sleeve]

((okay so spoilers for s8 ep 18 aka on the road to friendship under the cut w/ a bunch of spoiler tags just in case))

So uhhh this episode was everything I wanted? A lot of it’s subtle things, but, I’m ghkjlhgfd I’m not crying you are. I don’t do horse analysis or reviews or anything like that I grew tired of those types of things ages ago bc it personally gets to a point where it sucks out the fun for me but I’m just gonna make bullet points of all of my thoughts. Mainly involving Trixie and how this episode ties into my portrayal of her. Probably others too, though.

The little magic show at the beginning? Wonderful. I love these two performing together.. and together in general. Twi & Caddy even agree on how they’re such a good duo.

Speaking of which, Twi complimenting Trixie with a huge smile? HERE. FOR. IT.

Flurry Heart watching the show was adorable. Also the inclusion of Granny Smith was of course great.

“Doing a show with you is almost as much fun as counseling students at Twilight’s school.” Almost? I’m disappointed. It’s not the first time I’ll be disappointed in Glim this episode, but we’ll get there. She’s still loved.. but it gets rough.

Loved how Hoo’far called Trixie “Miss Powerful” and her reaction to it. Just cute and silly.

TRIXIE’S. LOVE. FOR. HER. WAGON. I didn’t expect this to be a big plot point in the ep or really ever brought up, but I was so thrilled because that’s always been a small part of my Trixie. She loves her wagon. It may be small and cramped (and also, it apparently has a pretty fucked up doorknob) but it has sentimental value. It means a lot to her. I loved this so much. Not once did she stop and consider trading it for something that a lot would look at and assume was superior.

Moonwalking Trixie.

Trixie bringing up how traveling gets pretty lonely a few times in this ep. Pretty much something that’s easy to guess or assume, but that’s also something my Trixie hasn’t been too shy of admitting, either.

Trixie!!! Levitating!!! Herself!!! She obviously learned that from Starlight. Although we didn’t see it much, I’m so fucking thrilled that we see that Trixie’s been improving her magic. An issue I had with To Change A Changeling (which is just a nitpick) is that they really don’t bring that up. Personally, ever since All Bottled Up, I’ve definitely been convinced that Trixie actually has strong potential for magic, given the right teacher. Glim Glam succeeds there. I could go more into detail to why I think this is but I’ll spare you.

Trixie on the couch in Starlight’s office. I don’t even have to say anything. Just perfect.

I love how Trixie painstakingly made room for the both of them in the wagon. To it’s credit, looking at it paused, it at least isn’t as small on the inside as it is the outside. It has an entire cannon in there. It seemed like she set up two beds for them? Perhaps at least one of them was makeshift? It’s hard to tell, since Star brought stuff and then she set up hammocks. It did look slightly cozier in there before the extra luggage, though. What I guess I’m getting at, is that although it’s a tight squeeze, it’s good to see that it can at least fit two ponies, although it’s not entirely ideal. 

Seeing the inside of the wagon’s been a thing I’ve wanted for ages. I could sit and look at every little thing in there and just smile for a while. Super cute.

Trixie really is sweet and considerate, you know. Seriously. Asking if Starlight is sure she doesn’t want to ride instead of walking with her, and giving her more than one chance to back out on the trip if she wants to.

THE SONG. Tell me I’m biased, I don’t care. This is my favorite horse song. I’ve waited patiently for pony Trix to sing... and it’s just.. all so fucking cute. Too much to take in.

More of Trixie’s magic shown in her shielding Starlight. Love it.

“For untold seasons yet to come, our friendship will be here!” “For nine, at least.” FUCKING. WOW. That’s clever but it also hurt my heart. Especially since my favorite friendship duo has only known each other for three of those seasons thus far, and ultimately it’ll only be four. Too soon, Glimmy.

Trixie talking about how she learned the hard way about life on the road and saving bits and all that. I like that. It shows her more mature side, and that she’s a little street smart from experience. Usually she’s kinda shown as less mature than Starlight, and this episode shows the flip side, which I really like.

I love how she’s adamant on buying hay cakes (Haycakes? They’ve used the word pancake before, though. What’s the difference?) from her preferred stand. Like.. me too, Trix. Clearly there’s a higher quality in the line that’s actually got ponies in it.

This is where Trixie and Starlight really start to argue like a married couple. Here I thought Applejack and Rainbow Dash took the prize for that. This is so domestic tho.

The first argument, at least, is short lived. I really liked that. Trixie sighs, presumably not wanting to push farther to where she hurts Starlight’s feelings. Love how she says “No, of course not.” and continues to apologize for getting snippy. She’s really improved on being.. to put it lightly, less bitchy. It’s what I love about watching her, and while To Change A Changeling was hilarious, that was my other nitpick. She had an attitude almost the entire time.. but it was funny, and I wouldn’t go as far as to call it OOC, so I wasn’t mad. The reason Trixie appeals to me so much is that she’s definitely a much nicer pony, but she’s still her. She hasn’t seemingly changed overnight from the first time we saw her, but she’s definitely made an effort. She’s quite the sweetheart when she wants to be.

I love how Trixie states that it’s taken her years to collect all of her magical items. I just think it’s neat. Also, rightfully getting offended when her stuff is called junk.

Coward Trixie returns. This is definitely me looking too deep into it but personally I’d like to think that yeah, after the Ursa event, I’d be scared of animals outside, too.

Starlight snoring and Trixie outright performing in her sleep. Lmfao. I’ve said this like fifteen times already about other things but I love it.

I relate to these tired and grumpy girls, but even I would have made sure to save some food / juice for my pal. Well.. maybe the juice was definitely out of spite. Wish I could scold her, but I would’ve done the same thing.

The grouchy magic show hurt me to watch. It was still funny though. Again, definitely arguing like a married couple. Two tired, angry friends trying to work together is just never gonna turn out right.

I love their voices in the “Practice makes perfect.” “Not today it didn’t.” exchange. So sassy. So higher pitched. Those faces, too. Lol.

Starlight throwing all of Trixie’s shit out followed by Trix yelling “You can HAVE IT ALL!” Oof. Almost like I’m watching a breakup right before my very eyes. Also the way she runs off. These poor hopeless gays.

STARLIGHT GLIMMER CONFIRMED WORST GIRLFRIEND. I’mjustkidding. Naturally I saw this coming from a mile away, but still. Wow. Ouch. I do like though how it seems to be consistent that she can be defensive of her bad decisions. Not really realizing that what she’s doing is wrong.

TRIXIE FREAKING OUT, THEN BEING BROUGHT TO TEARS BECAUSE STARLIGHT TRADED HER WAGON. This hurt me more than you could imagine, but what hurt me even more is that Starlight didn’t even flinch, and was completely insensitive about it for a while. Yikes. I already went into how much I love Trixie’s attachment to her wagon, but this killed me.

Also, pretty sure that selling or trading somebody else’s stuff is illegal, Star. Trixie shouldn’t have beef with Hoo’far. She should just be planning a lawsuit against Glimmer instead.

Am I just crazy or stupid? When Trixie tells Starlight that at least the wagon wouldn’t have traded her away, I was like, yEAH, you’re valid. Tell her. It made total sense to me. Then Starlight just responds with “That’s ridiculous.” Like?? It wasn’t to me? I sound silly now bc I get the joke, it’s an inanimate object, but what I’m trying to get at is that Trixie was pretty much trying to say that if Starlight really was her best friend she wouldn’t have done that.

I love how Trixie doesn’t accept the flattery from Hoo’far like she normally would bc she’s real pissed. To be fair, though, it’s really not his fault. I mean.. okay, a little, considering he should have known that it didn’t belong to Starlight, and that the trade needed to be given the okay by Trixie. He’s not a bad guy, though.

TRIXIE LYING IN FRONT OF THE CART FOR HOURS BC NO WAY IN HELL IS SHE LETTING THIS GUY TAKE IT. AMAZING. Give it up for his patience, too.

Starlight finds out that you win some and you lose some with the bigger caravan. Also, I love how she didn’t realize how fucked up stuff was when she was with Trixie and having a good time. Her regret sinking in seems about right. You can see her start to miss her.

“Sometimes travelling together is hard.” “But you reminded us that you can also make it fun!” Definite lesson that these two needed. Obviously Starlight was breaking before hearing that, but those big sad eyes she gets after. Regret.

“What are you two doing?” “Taking a stand! By lying down!” Lmao. Never change, Trixie.

“Best friends who share a deep bond but weren’t prepared for the emotional challenges of traveling.” Oh, definitely. Really feel like their first trip should have been a short one. Possibly with more planning ahead of time.

Best. Friendship. Chant.

“Only true friends would be willing to act so ridiculous for one another.” Aww. True.

“At a certain point, I don’t even like travelling with myself.” Line I really liked. Also Starlight saying that it’s harder than she thought.

Despite their exchange about knowing not to do it again, eh, still not wanting to completely rule out the thought of them travelling together in the future. Like I said, with more precautions taken, pretty sure they could’ve been just fine. Mainly reserving a room at an inn, since the big issue really just seemed to be them getting crabby sleeping in the wagon. Would’ve preferred it if it kinda gave that lesson and had Trixie say that they’ll know how to handle it next time, with both of them saying yeah, but let’s not make that anytime soon.

Trixie and Starlight almost killed an old man.

That’s it, if anyone even read through all of that. Can’t really say much more. This may or may not be my favorite Trixie episode. I’ll have to give it some time, but I loved almost everything about it. (No Second Prances is my current favorite I suppose, due to it also validating a lot of how I viewed Trixie at the time, and still do.)

Like I said.. it’s just really refreshing to see her take on a more mature stance than Starlight for the most part, since other episodes usually show the exact opposite. Not that Starlight is incredibly mature in her own right, but she does usually take that role when it comes to her dynamic with Trixie. I love any chance we get to see Trixie, but in episodes like To Change A Changeling, sometimes I worry that they don’t give her enough credit. She’s not a complete incompetent bitch, and to be fair, I don’t think she ever really has been. I won’t go into how I personally view her flaws, though. Guess that could be another post.

Until next time. Hopefully there is another next time. Starlight’s line in the song about nine seasons still has me all fucked up and I need help. Maybe one day I could go back and do these for past Trix episodes.

#mlp spoilers #s8 spoilers #mlp s8 spoilers #spoilers #mlp s8 e18 #on the road to friendship #🎆 || out of peanut butter crackers. { ooc } #🎆 || a good magician never reveals her secrets. { musings } #🎆 || unbeknownst to the public. { headcanons } #wasn't sure what to tag this as but i felt at least one of them fit