#remember that first glimpse trailer we got for this?

[yournowheregirl]

my mind’s been stuck on secret dolly parton fan southern!eddie and suddenly it sprouted 2k of fic so uhhh here ya go? more to follow! (unbeta’d btw) [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 6 + complete on ao3]

part 1: jolene

He might not look it, but deep down, hidden beneath the leather jackets and silver chains, Eddie Munson is a good old-fashioned southern boy. If you heard his uncle talk, you’d know he’s not from around Hawkins, but Eddie has mostly hidden his roots over the years. He had traded in his faded blue jeans for ripped black ones, his momma’s country vinyls were hidden away and replaced by heavy metal tapes and his drawl only comes out when he’s drunk out of his mind, calling everyone darlin’ and sweet pea. 

He misses Tennessee sometimes, though he doesn’t remember much. He misses the warmth of the people and the sunshine, he misses the cornbread his old neighbor Mrs. Carter used to make, but he mostly misses his mom. Misses her laugh and the way she tucked him into bed with a song every night, always with the same Dolly Parton song. 

Maybe that’s why he always reaches out to Dolly when he’s feeling down in the dumps. 

And all because of Steve motherfuckin’ Harrington.

He doesn’t really know when it started exactly. Maybe it was back in high school, when Steve just filled out those gym shorts way too nicely. Maybe it was that summer when Eddie kept wandering through Starcourt Mall, hoping to catch a glimpse of Steve in that damn sailor outfit. Maybe it was going through hell and back and somehow coming out alive, matching demobat scars and all. 

He doesn’t know when, all he knows he’s halfway in love with Steve and it’s frustrating to say the least.

Frustrating because he and Steve are somehow friends now and friends apparently talk each other’s ears off about their respective love lives. Including Steve’s endless supply of flirtations with girls at Family Video, just like today.

Steve’s been sweet talking some girl named Emily for the past twenty minutes now, really laying it on thick. Telling her how nice this shirt looks on her, how pretty her eyes look, how she really should find someone to watch Sixteen Candles with. Eddie turns away so that Steve won’t see the way his eyes roll at yet another one of Emily’s adorable little giggles. 

It’s not even justified, the nasty feeling in his stomach, the green snake of jealousy that slithers around his throat. It’s not like Steve is actually his. He’s just Eddie's friend. Eddie’s great, very straight, very much ladies’ man, friend. So Eddie keeps his mouth shut, grips his copy of The Thing a little tighter and pushes that feeling way deep down as the bell dings and Emily disappears through the door.

“Ha! Harrington’s back, baby!” Steve exclaims, pumping his fist in the air.

“What are we celebrating?” Eddie asks, even though he already knows the answer.

“Got a date this Friday.” Steve grins. He wiggles a piece of paper in between his fingers, probably with Emily’s phone number scribbled on it. 

“Nice.” Eddie says with a tight smile, hoping to God that Steve’s still too smitten to notice the way his body has gone all rigid. 

“Yeah, she’s pretty nice isn’t she?” Steve sighs happily. “Just hope she’s the one, y’know? I’m so tired of all those first dates, asking about each other’s siblings and favorite colors and I just… yeah, I just hope she’ll be the one.”

“Rooting for you, man.” Eddie says and oh my God, what kind of bro talk is that? Eddie wants to kick himself, but he just looks away instead, dropping the VHS on the counter.

“Thanks!” 

And he just looks so happy. His eyes glistening with hope, his lips (oh god his lips) turned into a victorious smile, his entire body just exuding confidence. Eddie really shouldn’t be mad at him, not when he looks like that.

Instead Eddie spends the entire drive back to the trailer park fuming and thinking of little miss ‘I-Hope-She’s-The-One’ Emily. Now, his momma raised him to be a gentleman but that vicious snake that made itself home in his stomach makes him want set fire to Emily’s stupidly perfect pleaded skirts. 

He’s so pissed off that he misses the exit that leads to Forest Hill, and instead he just keeps on driving. Past the luxurious villas, past the wide open fields, past the Leaving Hawkins sign. He doesn’t know where he’s going exactly, he just knows he has to leave. 

He only stops when it starts to turn dark outside and he spots a few warm lamps just on the side of the road. After closer inspection, it turns out to be a roadside bar, hidden away beneath some trees. Eddie’s stomach rumbles and he realizes that he hadn’t eaten since noon, so he parks the van and walks towards the bar, aptly named Off-Road.

Once Eddie steps inside, it’s like he’s suddenly back in Tennessee. He’s seeing men in flannel, shooting whiskey at the bar. Women in plaid dresses, dancing along to some honky-tonk song that’s playing on the radio. The wall decorated with all kinds of things that just scream Americana, old-faded photos of farms, a row of cowboy hats, an acoustic guitar on the wall.

He can’t believe what he's seeing, so he almost stumbles over his own feet as he makes his way to the bar.

“Hiya kid. What can I get ya?”

Eddie looks up to see a small, but buff woman standing behind the bar. Her silver hair is cropped short and pulled back by a red bandana and the tassels on her leather vest swivel as she cleans a glass with a dishrag.

“Uh, just a Coke, I guess?” Eddie says. “Do you also serve food?”

“Yeah, mac ’n cheese’s on the menu today.” The woman smiles, busying herself with finding a bottle of coke beneath the counter. “What’s your name kid? I’ve never seen you here before.”

“Eddie.”

“Nice to meet ya, Eddie. My name’s Pat.” Her voice is low and silky smooth, with the southern twang Eddie only hears when his uncle talks. “You from around here?”

“Hawkins.” Eddie nods. “But originally from Tennessee.”

Pat’s face lights up. “No way! Me too! Small world.”

“Yeah, it really is.” Eddie says. “Pat, can I ask… what is this place?”

“Oh this ol’ place?” Pat laughs. “This is just a lil’ home away from home. I’ve moved here for Tish, she’s the one in the green dress over there.” She waves towards the other side of the bar, where a woman with dark curls is scrubbing one of the tables. “But I’ve always missed home, y’know? So, we started this place a couple of years ago, 

“You and Tish are…” Eddie trails off, not sure if he’s put the right puzzle pieces together.

“Tish is my partner, yes.” Pat’s smile fades and gets replaced with a stern look. “You got a problem with that kid?”

“No!” Eddie says quickly, waving his hands in protest. “No, not at all. I’m… I’m also gay, y’know.”

“Tish!” Pat calls out, smiling when Tish looks up. “We got another one!”

“Stop adopting gay kids, Pat!” Tish calls back. “We’re running out of rooms!”

Eddie laughs. He’s gonna like it here.

-xxx-

After Pat’s absolutely heavenly mac ’n cheese, Eddie finds himself relax more and more and for the first time, he lets out his accent without any alcohol in his system. It’s not like anyone will make fun of him for it here, he thinks that Pat probably would encourage him to be as southern as he can be.

He chats with Pat and Tish and some of the other patrons as the time ticks by. Swapping stories about back down south, laughing at things the people here in Indiana just don’t understand, Eddie’s never felt more at home. 

Tish suddenly excuses herself as the bluegrass music on the speakers fades away. Eddie watches as she walks to the little podium in the far back of the bar and announces that the open mic night has begun and that anyone can join. An older man immediately jumps up and grabs the guitar off the wall and starts playing a song that Eddie vaguely remembers from back home.

“D’you play, kid?” Pat asks. “You look like you play.”

“Yeah, guitar.” Eddie replies. “Not like this though.”

“I figured.” Pat snorts. “You don’t really seem like the Willie Nelson type. But you’re welcome to step up and play us something.”

Eddie hesitates. Pat’s right, the music he normally plays doesn’t really fit in here. This is not the Hideout, this is not the place for screaming bloody murder about the injustices of the world and headbang while Gareth smashes the drums. 

Still, he’s feeling strangely drawn to the podium, especially when his mind provides him with a reminder why he drove away from Hawkins in the first place: Steve and perfect little Emily. And suddenly, he knows exactly what song to play. 

“Wish me luck.” Eddie grins at Pat as he stands up from his seat.

“Break a leg, Eddie.” Pat winks and shoots him an encouraging smile.

Eddie makes his way to the other side of the bar, patiently waiting until the older man finishes his song and whooping with excitement once he plays the final chord. The older man smiles at him, grateful, and hands the guitar over to him as Eddie sits down on the stool in front of the microphone.

“Uh, good evenin’ everyone.” Eddie says into the microphone. “It’s my first time here, actually and I, uh, I don’t even know if I can play this song, but let’s try, shall we?”

The room is eerily quiet as Eddie tries to remember the chords from so long ago, the chords his momma used to play on warm summer days in their backyard. 

“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene… I’m beggin’ of ya, please don’t take my man.” 

The words feel foreign and yet strangely familiar in his mouth. It’s been so long since he heard this song, but the words just flow out of him easily

“He talks about you in his sleep and there’s nothing I can do to keep from cryin’ when he calls your name, Jolene.” Eddie’s voice is soft, softer than it’s ever been as he tries so hard to push away the images of Steve and Emily, happily together. “And I can easily understand how you could easily take my man. But you don’t know what he means to me, Jolene.”

It feels good, cathartic even, to sing this song. Maybe even better than screaming along to Metallica’s latest album. Not that he’ll ever admit that to anyone, but it’s the truth. There’s no other song right now that understands exactly what he’s going through, that says the things that he wants to say but can’t, not out loud anyway. 

“Please don’t take him even though you can…”

Eddie plays a few more chords until he finally lets the song fade out and the bar burst out into the applause. It’s not the biggest applause he’s ever had (apparently murder charges does wonders for forming a crowd at the Hideout), but it’s definitely in the top three of best post-performance feelings of his life. Maybe because these people just get him, maybe because he can just sing about his feelings for Steve out in the open and no one will judge him or ask any questions about it.

“You got some real talent, kid.” Pat nods as Eddie slides back onto his bar stool.“You’re welcome to come back and sing a little Dolly for us anytime.”

Eddie’s certain that he will.

#steddie #steddie fic #steddie fanfiction #eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie ficlet #steve harrington x eddie munson #listen this is just my dolly loving brain projecting onto eddie #let my boy love country music okay??? #stranger things #alice's writing adventures

[lovelykhaleesiii]

A King to Fear...

PAIRING: King!Aegon ii Targaryen x Stark!fem!Reader

WORDS: 2,218.

SUMMARY: What you had intended to be a short, innocent trip to King's Landing, had turned into a bitter pleasure that would forever change the course of your life.

WARNINGS: thicc!aegon, infidelity [on Aegon's part], swearing, thigh riding, breeding kink, corruption kink, degradation kink, exhibitionism, p in v sexual intercourse, female receiving (fingering), brief mentions of cockwarming/creampie.

A/N - since the trailer dropped, the little glimpses we got of Aeg continue to haunt me and this is the product... I need this man to down me so bad, it's not funny anymore.

The chiming bells had rung a bellowing rhythm throughout the city. You felt as though the ancient, stone walls themselves shuddered from the distant echoes of the bells, shaking its very foundation, that Aegon, the Second of His Name, now roamed as the newly anointed King of the Seven Kingdoms.

His liege Kingsguard had rounded the spare subjects, yourself included, like shepherds tending to their frolicking herd. A part of you rooted inside, taunted at you for ever thinking it logical to leave Winterfell. Had Cregan received news of the scandalous outpour in the city, you were certain the wolves would be on the hunt... It was only a matter of when their arrival you had anticipated anxiously.

Hesitantly making your gradual way into the throne with the harrowing sound of scuttling feet, as you felt yourself confined in the centre of the bewildered crowd: every lord and lady by your side fearful of the King before them...

You had seen Aegon in passing before, during his days as a Targaryen Prince. You never found his looming presence to be threatening, nor intimidated by his appeal, often absent from royal events, or found drowning himself in his cups. Yet the young ladies of the court spoke often of his infidelity, that was all you could gather of the eldest Prince. Yet, in this precise moment, a different man sat atop the throne with might, and with his identical face.

Your gut viscously churned as your sole attention remained fixated on the young King. His hair had grown an inch longer, now resting atop his broad shoulders, his ruggedly handsome face looked fuller, as to match the sturdiness of his body. Mahaps, he grew to fit the heavy burden of the crown. He sat perfectly on the Iron Throne, as if the seat was made precisely in dedication to him. Those strange, alluring lilac eyes, remnants of the ancient ancestors of Old Valyria, remained visible as his stern eyes gazed upon his entering subjects. Rather than looking empty and sullen, as you had often remembered, there was a darker, more jeopardising tinge to their hidden intent.

"You stand before King Aegon, the Second of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men. You have all been led to swear and declare your loyalties to the true King and heir of the Seven Kingdoms. Honour your King, and be rewarded generously... Or suffer the consequences of your treachery."

The uproar from the familiar faced, Dornish knight, Ser Criston Cole, sent an immediate wave of chills across your body. The familiar and other strange faces surrounding you began to anxiously peer, stretching from one another, as you all questioned the ordeal.

One by one, Ser Criston has called upon the noble houses, and those that stood present to come forth, some needing to be harshly pulled apart from the crowd, to make known. And one by one, some would see to it that the reward be mercy itself, whilst others, had been dragged away, in support of their loyalties and ties to Rhaenyra Targaryen.

The horrific sight before you, the terrifying screeches and screams of husbands and wives being separated, engraved into your saddened memory. You had completely grown oblivious to Aegon's silent presence, as his henchmen carried out his work.

It was only when the dark, booming echo of his voice, uttering the word "stop" had halted the commotion, an uneasy stillness filled the room.

"What of the North?"

The unseeing mention of home, had captured your attention fervently. As you turned towards the voice that spoke of your livelihood, you were met with the unfaltering gaze belonging to the King himself, his attention had already been fixated onto you, before the eyes of the room followed.

"Th-The North, your Grace?"

"Speak up to your King, woman!" Ser Criston Cole's voice boomed, an aggressive passion seeping through his words.

"I-I have no control over the judgement of the North your Grace, nor their fealty to the throne... I am merely a woman of the North."

"You are not Cregan Stark's younger sister? The beloved she-wolf of the North, that as I have heard, every man has pined and fawned for? Every Northern man, boy and bastard born has sworn to protect with their lives... It is you that, am I to believe, has no indifference with the North?"

Your anxious breath hitched in your throat, struggling to compel the words from your stuttering lips, that would ultimately determine your fate. You felt the dire wish for Cregan and his pack of wolves to burst through the grand, oak doors, ready at arms to savour your life. Those sworn men that Aegon had mentioned, were absent and you felt petrified.

"Y-Your Grace, I-"

"Everyone, out! Except for the she-wolf of the North."

"Aegon-" The sternly still tone of his grandsire, the Hand, Otto Hightower, proclaimed from the foot of the steps. Witnessing the exchange of their grim stares, almost convinced they had exchanged heated words telepathically, did his Grandsire finally retreat defeatedly, disappearing into a door in some narrow corridor. His Kingsguard were the last to leave, Ser Criston in particular, as he took the responsibility to body search you for weapons at arms. Your elder brother had from time to time introduced you to such weapons, yet you felt no obligation to soak in the training, and with your racing mind and empty hands, you had no hope to fight your way out of this.

The sudden shudder of the doors creaking close, sent your body into a complete state of suspense, frosting up like frozen petals during the winter.

"So it is true, I see. That your beauty was captivating enough to lure men to seal their fate. A fate to protect your own greedy, little life... Where are these men now to save you from me?"

Your eyes darted from the stony, grey steps of the throne, back to the hefty King that sat atop the violent throne. You felt his lilac orbs swallowing you whole, as your stomach churned uneasily against his words, desperately holding your hands together ever so tightly to avoid the terrible habit of fidgeting.

"The whispers that reach your ear from the North, your Grace, can be skewered. As I said before, I hold no power over the council of men... Even in the North."

"Do not toy with me, woman... I am the King, the rightful heir by law, and by the Gods. I want to hear where you stand in judgement of my reign."

"My opinion is not credible, your Grace. I-I hold no value here-"

"Answer me- Or I will fuck the answer out of you."

A flustering heat waved over you, as the sudden outburst and intent of Aegon's carnal words sparked an interest in you, snatching your complete attention once more.

"I-I cannot say I extend the pledges taken by my ancestors to heart. I do not know you, my Grace, nor do I know of your kin... I-I take a more... liberal approach."

"Get up here-"

Instead and wrongfully so, you felt your feet shifting backwards, taking slow paces back, adding more distance between yourself and the man who calls himself King. The chill in his tone felt colder than the blizzards of the North.

"Now."

Your thoughts had swayed to their senses, as your body became intact with your mind once more. Rather than ignorantly disobeying, you adhered to Aegon's command, taking hesitant step by step paces up the stony steps until you were a step beneath his Grace. Admiring him this up close, in finer detail, you noticed the faded scars across his supple face: unlike his younger brother, Aegon was much fuller, less lean. He had a bulkier build, and a more threatening, uneasy appeal.

"Wrong answer.... It seems the she-wolf has met her match with the dragon."

Aegon subtly reached over, pulling you strongly in by the arm, closing the last remaining distance between, as you felt his touch beneath your sensitive skin. He remained seated, almost as if he had been forged to the Iron Throne, as his hungry eyes lurked over every inch and detail of your body, before meeting your gaze peering wearisomely down above.

"Is the she-wolf scared? Does the dragon frighten her so? She need not be... Dragons protect the ones they take a liking to-"

Immediately, without a second to spare, Aegon began to hike up her lush silk gown, guiding her body to turn around, as she looked onwards from his royal perspective.

"Y-Your Grace, y-you are married-"

"Stay quiet, or I'll have that smart mouth of yours stuffed shut with my cock, balls deep in your mouth. You speak when I fucking tell you to-"

Once more, your mind instinctively shut, body mindlessly obedient to his demands.

Guiding your bare ass and cunt to seat itself down atop of him, you felt the hard, tense bulge brewing beneath his pants, between your cheeks. With each adjusting motion, your body would grind against his sturdy lap, your flesh colliding with his, only to cause a natural urge to crave for more.

"Look at what the she-wolf has done to her King, look at the power your sheer presence has over me. You think you have no value in court, yet this is your doing..." Aegon's warm breath, cooing his words directly into your ear. His strong, fleshy arms wrapped around your shaking body, coiled firmly around your waist and arms, as if to avoid you from escaping his strong grasp.

"What if I have my way with you, and send you back to the North carrying my bastard seed... What will the North think of their precious she-wolf then, hmm? What will your brother think of you?"

In unison with your King's haste movements, Aegon stood himself as he swiftly undid his trousers, his rigid, thick cock plunging out with excitement. Guiding his cock with one hand between your folds, his fingers ever so lightly grazing between as he teased your opening, making certain he aligned himself perfectly to your sweet spot.

"Already soaking for me, sweet one? It seems I have my answer after all."

Without so much as a second to spare, Aegon thrusts himself deep inside, burying his stiff, throbbing mass as your walls clench over his cock, desperate to ease the stretching tension. One muscular arm remained snaked around your waist, his calloused hand managing to reach to your bosom, where he cheekily squeezed and firmly kneaded your tit by the handful. Keeping you positioned steady as you sloppily bounced on his wide lap. His other hand however, oblivious to your own incoherent mind, to the front of your cunt, his pudgy digits teasing at your clit, pursuing to edge you more, enhancing the pressure that pulsated from inside. Your swollen bud, he intently enjoyed flicking at, earning a grizzly snicker each time you moaned and squirmed in retaliation.

"A fucking mess for me already. If only your dear, stupid brother could see you. The whimpering whore that you are, moaning my name like that. Accepting me as your King."

"A-Aegon-"

"Seven Hells, you feel so fucking tight for me, precious girl. A cunt made just for her King, already so obedient, so frightened of her King, she'll let me fuck her senseless, huh?"

"Hmm, A-Aeg. I-I shouldn't-"

"B-But you want this, baby. I can smell your ooze dripping. So fucking wet. A she-wolf as my pet. Where is the North to save you now? You don't want to be saved, though, look at you!"

"Mhmm- Your G-Grace-"

His thick fingers delved deeper, pumping hastily as his thrusts grew more forceful. Your breathless moans, incoherent besides a few words and his name, you could only build the sheer strength to muster. Your skin felt as hot as the summer wind of the city, Aegon's lips found themselves latched to your mottled hair and sweat-beaded skin. Sucking your very scent in, your taste lingering in his mouth, as he lowly growls.

"No-No, say it- Introduce me as you would your King."

"Hmm- A-Aegon, the S-Second of his N-Name-"

"That's it, sweet girl. Say it all."

"K-King of the A-Andals, the R-Rhoynar a-and the F-First Men. L-Lord of the S-Seven Kingdoms- Ugh A-Aeg-"

"Keep going, baby-" His tone thick and heavy, breathless, his own stocky chest heaving intensely in sync with your own breaths.

"A-And P-Protector of th-the R-Realm."

"That's it, b-baby. Such a good-good job, princess."

With his tender, soft-spoken words, Aegon's warm seed spills into you feverishly, a crescendo of mindless moans escapes your soft, moist lips, as Aegon's wetly coated hand leaves your raw, aching cunt, guiding your head to turn towards him. Meeting your lips with his own, as he seals the ecstasy with a passionate kiss.

"Let me taste you-" His tongue hungrily laps up the remnants of your cum off his thick digits, his alluring eyes shut as he blissfully devours your taste.

"Fucking delicious, they don't make them like the North do... Stay on my cock, princess. Be the good, little whore you are for me. My she-wolf will obey me and stay. I want to make sure you swell with my dragon seed before I send you back to the North."

general taglist - @chompchompluke @fan-goddess @malfoytargaryen @bibli0thecary @m1ndbrand @connorsui @elegantsplendour @randomdragonfires @s-we-e-t-t-ea @sahvlren @watercolorskyy @hypnos-daughter-certified @urmomsgirlfriend1 @backyardfolklore @snowprincesa1 @aegonslawyer

Aegon ii taglist - @who-told-you-this-was-butter @f4ll-for-you @amiraisgoingthruit @jawline-of-steel @daughter-of-the-stars11

credit for dividers - @/itbmojojoejo

#aegon ii targaryen #tom glynn carney #aegon ii targaryen imagines #aegon ii targaryen imagine #aegon ii targaryen fanfic #aegon ii targaryen fanfiction #king aegon ii targaryen #aegon ii x fem!reader #aegon ii x y/n #aegon ii x stark!reader #hotd #house of the dragon #hotd imagines #hotd imagine #hotd fanfic #hotd fanfiction

[aangarchy]

So while rewatching the live action trailer a 50th time i kind of started thinking about something.

There's a few moments in atla that always seemed untouchable to me. Not only because they were well executed when it comes to storytelling, but also bc we never actually see the moments in question. Examples are: the attack on the air temples, Ozai burning Zuko, Katara's mother's death. We hear about these from other characters who happened to be there, or in case of the air temples: we hear the moment being retold as history. It's the latter i want to expand on.

The original cartoon never shows us even a glimpse of the attack on the air temples. You could say "well it's a kid's show they can't show a brutal genocide" but honestly, we're talking about a cartoon that showed a skeleton on screen in the third episode, showed the main character getting electrocuted and plummeting to his death, and showed a man being drowned by a spirit. The reason they didn't show it imo, is because it makes sense for the narrative. This attack was a century ago. Everyone that witnessed the attacks and was old enough to remember them is dead. Bumi is the only person we know of that was alive at the time and old enough to somewhat remember, but he wasn't present. It's comparable to world war one for us. There's nobody alive currently that properly remembers WW1. We're being told about it in history class, we get shown those weird black and white videos of smiling soldiers on their way to their death, pushing carts through the mud, them shooting a few canons, the trenches etc. But there's no first hand recollections. The creators really drove home the point of the airbender genocide being ancient history to the current inhabitants of this world by never showing us the attacks itself, and only having it be a known historical fact. It's just something that happened, it was long ago, nobody remembers it. All they know is there's no more airbenders, they're extinct, and nobody remembers jack shit about airnomad culture and philosophy except those that study it (aka professor zei) and even then, it's based off of destroyed architecture and hard to find historical texts that i'm sure the Fire Nation tried their best to erase. The viewers of the show only get information about air nomads through Aang, and whatever flashbacks from his own memory he provides. It leaves us wanting to know more, and it feels extra tragic knowing we'll only have Aang to rely on to tell us the tales of his people (for atla specifically, i know we now have more info due to the avatar novels).

Netflix however, literally opens their trailer with three shots of the attack. The comet, then the fireballs being shot, then the firebenders and airbenders facing off. I don't like this decision to show the battle that took place, because then the point of it being ancient gets a bit lost. We as the audience get more information than the main characters have, and idk but to me that kind of ruins the experience?

Same with Zuko getting his scar. Not only are they gonna show us that, they put it in the trailer. Why? This is a very important character moment in the show that we don't even get to see bc it's told from Iroh's perspective and he looked away the moment it happened. Before this we were given crumbs as to how Zuko got his scar. And Netflix is just tossing it our way like Peeta tossed bread at Katniss Everdeen.

I might feel differently abt this when the show airs (although not likely lol) but currently i'm just kind of mad at these creative decisions being made man

#avatar the last airbender #atla #avatar #netflix atla #atla netflix #netflix #atla live action

[cherrycoloredfaith]

Kiss Off

pt 1 | pt 4

Chapter 5: Five for My Lonely

cw: blood, alcohol

On mid-June early mornings, the sun touched everything in the brightest golden light. The light burned Steve’s corneas, nearly blinding him as he drove to work, but at least he was on time. 

He could admit he was looking forward to this week. The crew was getting a new project to build a gazebo in a local park; Steve was ready to learn more and have an easier time getting along with Eddie now that they had gotten to know each other a little better.

Once Steve was parked, he met up with the guys at the steps of the clubhouse; Eddie was towering above them, preparing to address the plans. He was laughing with Gareth at something Jeff had said. Steve opened his mouth to say hello, but stopped when Eddie’s eyes merely glanced over him.

“Okay, now that we’re all here, let’s get going. Everyone needs all their gear today, and I’ve got walkies for us in case we wander off.” He tosses one to Jeff, the other attached to his hip. He still wasn’t meeting Steve's eyes. “We’ll load the lumber onto the trailer first, it’s all in the shed. I’ve got the plans from Wayne, but he’ll drop by later to check up and make sure we’re not fucking it up.” He smiled at no one in particular. 

As they walked towards the shed, Steve jogged up to Eddie’s side. “G’Morning. Nice weather we’re having,” he joked. Steve still didn’t have any sunglasses, and he had to shield his eyes with his hand.

Eddie finally looked over after a beat, glancing from his eyes to his hair. “Hard hat, Harrington,” he reminded Steve.

“Oh, yeah, be right back.” He spun around towards the clubhouse. That wasn’t really the response he was looking for. But what was he really looking for? He thought at least they could be friendly after last Friday. Was he actually bothered by Steve’s intrusion that night? Why didn’t he say that at the time?

When they finished loading the lumber and tools they needed, the guys closed the overhead door to the shed. They turned towards the vehicles. “Gareth! You’re with me,” Eddie called. Steve stopped in his tracks while Gareth changed his course and started towards him without a word. 

Steve tried to shoot him a questioning look, but Eddie was already climbing into the driver’s seat. He had no choice but to join Jeff. 

They got to the park in under a half hour. First was set up, securing the area from passersby with signage, fencing, etc. Eddie instructed Steve and Jeff to handle this while he and Gareth mapped out the spots to dig for the columns. To the side sat what looked like an oversized podium made from scrap pieces of plywood and particle board holding the drawings; Steve caught a glimpse of them. It was a typical octagonal structure, vaulted roof and benches surrounding, steps leading up to the center. 

Once the locations were marked, they were all set to start digging. It was hard work; it was early morning, and everyone was already sweating and cursing. Every few minutes Eddie would look at Jeff or Gareth, make a small comment and laugh to each other. He didn’t address Steve in any manner other than to give orders. When 10:00 rolled around and it was time for their break, he sought refuge under a nearby tree, expecting someone to come along as it was the closest shade available. But the three of them leaned against one of the trucks, drinking their waters. Eddie said something to make the others laugh again, and Steve started to wonder what was so fucking funny. He shut his eyes and took a few deep breaths, telling himself the heat was getting to him and everything was fine. 

The rest of the day carried on like that. Wayne stopped by at lunch, checking measurements and going over procedures with Eddie as they stood at the drawing table. Steve sat and watched from his tree as Wayne clapped Eddie on the back with a clear smile of pride on his face. He guessed Eddie was doing things right and couldn’t help but feel jealous. Steve couldn’t remember the last time his own father gave him that look. 

Steve turned away to instead look out at the park from his perch on a hill, under his tree. He had a lunch sack packed by Max, he was told, and he was finishing his sandwich. He watched the people walking their dogs, the kids out of school, the couples hand-in-hand. When he heard feet approaching him, the dry grass crunching under heavy boots, he didn’t turn, but waited to be addressed.

“You picked a nice spot there, Harrington,” came Wayne’s comforting drawl. 

Steve took a swig of water that was slowly warming and looked up to Wayne’s face, squinting in the bright light of the sky. “I forgot sunscreen again, so I had to find shelter,” he joked. 

Wayne laughed, squatting down to be eye level with Steve. A prickle of worry formed in his chest, but he just smiled. “Eddie says you’re doing good work, learning fast.”

Steve blinked. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah, says you listen real good. Just wanted to come over and say keep up the good work. And by the way, don’t worry about finding out about Eddie staying at the office, but I’d keep that to myself. It’s no big deal to me, but I don’t think he likes everyone knowin’ his business. Max knows, but I don’t think the other boys do. He won’t hold it against ya.”

Steve begged to differ; as he opened his mouth to reply, Wayne clapped Steve on the back, just as he had seen him do to Eddie minutes before. Wayne finished, “Like I said, you’re doing good, we’re glad to have you on board. I knew you had it in you.” He stood to leave.

In his awe, Steve managed a “thank you,” Wayne nodded in response and headed back towards his truck. 

Despite the praise that passed from Eddie to Wayne to Steve, Eddie still refused to chat with him the rest of the day. As the afternoon sun hit its peak, their work hours came to an end. When they wrapped up, Gareth climbed back in the truck with Eddie, leaving Steve to ride with Jeff again. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Jeff. They even had a relaxed conversation about the project on the way back, laughing here and there about Gareth tripping into a hole he had just dug. But just what was it about Steve that caused Eddie to push him away? Did he just get special treatment, riding with the boss on his first day?

The next three work days went roughly the same. Eddie joking around with Gareth and Jeff, but Steve remained on the outskirts. Whenever he walked up to join in, Eddie found an excuse to walk away; he needed to go check the drawings, he forgot something in the truck, he had to call the surveyor. The heat didn’t yield, and each day got harder and harder to tolerate. Steve was no longer forgetting his sunscreen, but he had to admit, he was in a terrible mood. The heat only made it worse as the days went on. 

By Friday, Steve was on the verge of confronting Eddie. 

At this point, the foundation of the gazebo was ready. Wood columns of 6x6s rose up from the ground at eight points, and joists spanned the octagonal shape, awaiting the floorboards. Gareth and Jeff were the quickest with the nail guns, and the crew only owned two with limited power sources in the middle of a park. So there Steve sat, his boots slipping in the mud of the dirt under the foundation, a box of nails to his right as he hammered them one by one. Eddie stood a ways away, his red hard hat gleaming brightly in the sun. He was reviewing the next steps before he came back to pitch in on the effort of nailing the floorboards down. 

Gareth and Jeff faced away from Eddie, but Steve faced his back. In Eddie’s moment of distraction, Steve let his hands still and let his eyes roam over the man. He’d grown used to the fact that Eddie would always wear black t-shirts and dark jeans despite Steve not understanding why a fashion statement had to be made as a construction manager. Tattoos crawled up his forearms and biceps that Steve had never taken the time to commit to memory. His skin sheened with sweat and curls clung to his skin from the low bun at the nape of his neck. His hands rested on his hips where his tool belt hung low.  Then,  he took note of something different about him. A black bandana he’d never noticed before hung from a back pocket of Eddie’s dark jeans. Something itched at the back of Steve’s mind, something Robin had said that he couldn’t quite remember now–

Eddie began to turn, and Steve panicked.

BAM!–went Steve’s hammer, right on his thumb where he fumbled a nail from between his fingers. “Shit!” he cried out, dropping his tools and cradling his hand to himself. 

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at Steve, and he blushed. Looking down at the damage, he saw blood pool in his nail bed. When he raised his head, he saw Eddie rushing over, fresh water bottles and a first aid kit in tow. 

“Shit, Steve, what happened?” Eddie asked as he kneeled down on the steps and got to work, pouring the water over the wound to wash away the stubborn dirt. The red dripped down his hand onto the wood boards below. Steve stared. Eddie’s hat had fallen to the ground and lolled around like an upturned tortoise several feet away. His hair was positively wild and his eyes wilder, riddled with concern. Concern for Steve. 

“Steve, hey, you with me?” Eddie snapped, pulling Steve from his trance as he really started to register the throbbing pain in his thumb. 

“Yes, fuck, I don’t know, I just missed,” he hissed, watching as Eddie worked, sterilizing the broken skin and wrapping it in gauze. His touch was gentle.

“Is it too tight?” he asked, looking to his eyes for validation. Steve shook his head, staring at their joined hands in front of him. 

“Can you bend it?” asked Eddie, his eyes flicking between Steve’s and his thumb.

Steve tried tentatively, twitching it back and forth. It wasn’t broken. 

Eddie stood and sighed with relief–and exasperation. As if a lightswitch was flicked off, Eddie was back to himself as he had been all week; he glared down at Steve’s thumb  with a look of indifference–not meeting his eyes– and said, “Be more careful. Take five. We can’t afford any careless mistakes.” And walked off to view the project drawings again, first aid kit in tow.

Steve cradled his thumb in his other hand, stalking to the ice chest to take another bottle of water before retreating to his tree. He looked back at Gareth and Jeff to catch their looks of sympathy, then quickly turned back to their work. Steve just shook his head to himself, feeling tears sting behind his eyes. He leaned against the trunk, pinching the bridge of his nose with his good hand and blinking them away so they wouldn’t fall.

He watched from afar as Eddie took over Steve’s task, willing himself not to roll his eyes at how much more efficiently he wielded the hammer. It took him two hits to drive the nails home. It pissed Steve off. 

When Steve’s five minutes were up, he returned to his work, starting on another side of the gazebo as Eddie had taken over his previous spot. The next time someone spoke, it was Jeff easing the tension with Eddie and Gareth. Steve remained silent. 

With the late afternoon sun beating on their backs, Eddie finally called it a day. They gathered up their supplies, and headed back to the trucks. Steve was still riding with Jeff who had a grin pasted on his cheeks; he kept bringing up some game night he was going to tonight, but Steve wasn’t really listening. At least he had something to be excited about. Steve was free to go once the truck was in park, and he wasted no time rushing out. Once his things were put away in his locker, he took one little glance down the hallway at the closed door to Eddie’s room and stormed out of the clubhouse without a word. The jokes and laughter of the guys floated behind him from outside as he climbed into his car. He cranked the volume of the radio to drown out his thoughts as he sped home. 

---------------------------------------------------------

“I don’t know, Steve, it doesn’t seem like he overstepped any boundaries. Maybe he’s just not looking for any new friends,” Robin reasoned. She was trying on her fourth pair of earrings in a row as she readied herself for her date with Nancy-from-English-class.

“No, Rob, it was ridiculous. He’s totally lonely living out there, and I thought we got along great last week. I think he might even be, you know, cool,” defended Steve. 

Robin crinkled her eyebrows, looking at him through the reflection of the mirror. “Like you think he’s gay?”

“No! I don’t know, but he knew the bar we went to last week… And maybe hinted at liking Michael Fox? I don’t even know if I’m remembering that right. There’s something else I’m forgetting, too…”

“Maybe he thinks you’re a stalker, coming into his house at night and searching his things,” she said, assessing the small gold hoops.

“I didn’t know it was his house! Besides, if you wouldn’t have brought someone home, I wouldn’t have been there at all.”

“Hey, I didn’t tell you to go there! I didn’t ask you to leave at all,” she threw up her arms. “...But I did appreciate it.” She looked upwards as she blushed.

“No problem. Just go to Nancy’s tonight, okay?” Steve teased, giving up their argument. 

She just smiled in return as she bent to tie her boots’ laces. Steve watched absently with a pang in his heart. On one hand, he was so happy to see her able to freely pursue romances, but he hated to see her go. He was jealous as he knew he had no one else to spend time with. 

He had felt the tension of his anger ease the minute she got home but was disappointed to learn that she had a date tonight. Now, he was watching her walk out the door, bag in hand, waving bye and warning him not to get too wasted without her. So, here he was, alone on a Friday night again, feeling the tightness in his chest grow once more.

Moving over to the couch, he tried to watch some episodes of Golden Girls before his mind wandered. He kept replaying the work week over and over, wondering where he went wrong to end up on Eddie’ bad side again. He did absolutely everything he could. Even Wayne claimed Eddie was praising him. So what the hell? 

On the couch, Steve dozed off into a fitful sleep, exhausted from the day’s work. When he woke, the first thing he noticed was the smell, dirt and metal that wafted up from his skin and clothes. Steve suppressed a shudder as he moved to go take a shower now that Robin wasn’t occupying the bathroom. Despite his attempt to let the water heat, the water was fucking freezing, barely warming enough keep Steve from worrying about catching pneumonia. And maneuvering his body around without wetting his bandaged thumb was a nightmare. Once clean, Steve stared at himself in the mirror, trying to ignore the uneven farmer’s tan he was developing. He looked miserable, debated letting his hair dry naturally and going to bed wet. He sighed, gave in, and brushed the dripping strands back from his face. 

Should he go out? Or keep feeling sorry for himself? Steve no longer knew what to do to make himself feel better. He knew from the clock in the bathroom that it was only 8:30; Robin wouldn’t be back for hours if she’d be back at all tonight. He pushed down the annoyance he felt, pulling out the hair dryer to have something to focus on. 

Twenty minutes later, Steve had dry, styled hair with a stubborn flyaway, and a burn on his ear. It’s as if everything was meant to go wrong today. 

Pulling on a loose tee and jeans, he asked himself why should Eddie affect him so much. Why should he treat Steve differently from the others? It’s fucked. Wayne wanted him on the team, so he was there. He seemed to value Steve’s contribution, so why didn’t Eddie? What changed between them?

The questions itched in Steve's mind as he registered his pacing. He was walking from the window to the front door and back, over and over, ruminating on how to fix this. Should  he have pulled Eddie aside earlier? Is confronting him the answer? As he began to realize he’d have to complain to Eddie about Eddie, dread set in. He was angry now, what if he lost steam over the weekend and ended up not saying anything? He was prone to do that. Steve didn’t want another week like this one. Before he even realized he’d made a decision, Steve had grabbed his keys and was out the door. 

It was ridiculous, there was no guarantee he’d even be home right now. Steve missed his exit three times before he convinced himself to just go. It was nearing 9:30 by the time he arrived at the site, parking behind the two pickup trucks out of sight of the clubhouse. He noticed Gareth and Jeff’s cars were still there, along with a few others. It was dark and he watched as the men stepped out of the trailer, boisterously laughing as they filed in line down the steps. He could see Gareth wrapped in what could only be described as a some sort of cape to Steve’s knowledge. Three people Steve didn’t recognize followed suit, but Steve didn’t care. His eyes were on Eddie as he also stepped out. Even from where Steve was, he could tell he pretended to lock the door behind him, wandering down the steps. He waved to the cars and they left, and faked walking over to the parked van Steve had never seen move. He must be keeping up the ruse that he lived somewhere else; but what the hell were they all even doing here in the first place?

Steve stepped out of the shadows just as Eddie turned back towards his home, unaware of his presence behind him. It was then that Steve noticed his stumbling, unbalanced gait. He heard Eddie giggle to himself as he stepped back inside to the dark trailer, immediately turning the lights back on. 

Regaining his fire from before, Steve stormed up the steps, banging on the front door with the fist of his uninjured hand. “Eddie!” he yelled.

The door reopened, and Eddie looked down on Steve with a single step height difference between them. His eyes were glazed over, but a crinkle formed between his brows as he slowly registered who was in front of him. He stood in a clean pair of jeans, complete with rips at the knees, a white and black tee, and socks. He had showered, his hair was clean and haloed his head with its unruly frizz Steve itched to fix. 

“Oh, goddd,” Eddie groaned. Clearly, he was wasted. 

Eddie let go of the door and wandered to the kitchen where he poured himself a shot of… tequila? He knocked it back, blinked, then looked back to Steve. “You’re still there,” he narrowed his eyes as if he had expected him to disappear.

What the hell was this? He treated Steve like shit all week and excluded him on plans with the other guys? Steve took in the scene around him. Strange dice littered one of the tables in the kitchen along with a notebook and game board. Along with several cans of beer. Steve wasn’t sure he would have said yes to joining, but all rational thought was out the window. 

Stomping up to Eddie, Steve’s steps reverberated in the little trailer. He turned Eddie to face him and grabbed the front of his shirt, ready to demand answers. “What the hell, Eddie? What’s going on with you?”

“Dude, just chill, it’s just a little D&D. You’re not one of those psychos that think it’s devil worship, right?” Eddie slurred out, flicking Steve’s collar, then seemed to think about it. “No, no, couldn’t be,” he pointed his finger in Steve’s chest, “you went to a gay bar… therefore… not a religious bigot!” He made a sound like he was amazed at his own genius. 

“Not the game, dude, why do you fucking hate me all of the sudden? Alienating me at work, excluding me from… whatever this is. Avoiding me. What’s up with that?”

“Ooh, big word, Stevie, nice one,” Eddie smiled as if he couldn’t be bothered by Steve’s fist in his shirt. 

Steve stared. This man couldn’t be reasoned with right now, let alone argued with. He let go of his shirt, and Eddie immediately reached for the bottle again. Steve batted his hand away, “Nope, I think you’ve had enough.” He picked up the bottle to find a cabinet to hide it in. 

Eddie sighed, but didn’t argue. Then, Steve watched in horror as Eddie stuck his tongue into the shot glass he just used to lap up the last remaining drops of his previous shot. His lips nearly wrapped around the rim, his tongue diving further and further into the little glass. He met Steve’s eyes, and smiled around it. A laugh was pulled from Steve that he failed to hide. 

It was embarrassing, but Eddie just laughed along like he was happy to make Steve smile, eventually putting the glass down. 

“Why the hell did the guys leave you like this?” Steve asked in disbelief as he caught his breath. They would have thought Eddie was going to drive home. 

Once Eddie regained his slight composure, he met Steve’s eyes. “They’ve seen me a lot worse,” he admitted. Steve couldn’t see how that was possible in the state he was in. He wasn’t focusing on anything, and was swaying even as he gripped the countertop tightly. Steve realized what he needed to do. 

“Okay, Eddie, well, I’m gonna help you get to bed, alright?” Steve took on the voice he used to use when kids entered the video store back in Hawkins: sweet, light, and wary. He put the tequila in the first cabinet he saw and then moved to Eddie’s side to wrap his arm around his shoulders, leading him back to his bedroom. 

“Mmm, what, now you’re not gonna give me a piece of your mind?” he paused again. “‘Cause I woul’nt mind some.” Whatever Eddie meant caused him to giggle to himself. Leaning his head on Steve’s shoulder they made slow progress to the other side of the trailer. 

Steve didn’t understand what he was saying as his speech worsened (something about zombies?), but Eddie batted his thick eyelashes up at Steve which he chose to ignore. He could hardly handle his sober teasing.

Steve kicked the door open, revealing Eddie’s office/bedroom. With no real desk in sight, there was one twin mattress in the corner, a bookshelf against the wall, a tv on the ground. Steve was surprised to see curtains hung up, and books were strewn everywhere, making it tough to navigate his and Eddie's footwork towards the bed. Nearly tackling him down, Steve dropped Eddie’s weight onto the gray sheets. 

Eddie groaned once he was released, curling in on himself. “Spinnin’,” he said, voice muffled by the pillow in his face. 

Steve ignored him and left to get him water and something to eat. He dug through the cabinets until he found a sleeve of crackers and a glass. When he returned, Eddie was struggling to take off his jeans, one leg caught on his foot. Steve approached to assist. 

“I… don’t,” he huffed, “need your… help.” 

The thought of leaving crossed Steve’s mind, but he decided against it. Someone had to make sure this guy was okay. He waited for Eddie to remove the pants leg himself as Eddie relentlessly kicked, the one leg that was free wildly flailing. When Eddie remained unsuccessful, he turned his face away, pointing his leg to Steve as if the sight of himself asking for help was unbearable. Steve smiled to himself as he set down the water and crackers. 

Steve avoided the sight of Eddie in his boxers, only catching hints of black and red in his periphery. Instead, he felt in front of himself for Eddie's leg and came in contact with his skin as his fingers found his calf. Tiny electric shocks, from the strange, brief contact, then Steve’s hands traveled down to remove the pants leg from around Eddie’s ankle. The room fell quiet as the moment seemed to stretch. It finally sprang free.

Quickly, Steve took a step back, occupying himself by putting the jeans right side out and folding them while Eddie covers himself with a blanket. 

“Stevie,” called Eddie. 

Steve looked down at him, face heating at the nickname as if they were fond of each other, and Eddie reached for him. Taking a tentative step forward, Eddie took a hold of Steve’s thumb, still in the bandage he wrapped earlier that day.

“Y’ gotta change it, dipshit,” Eddie mumbled, followed by a deep exhale, as if speaking took a lot of effort. Gently, he fiddled with the edges coming up where it had gotten wet in the shower. 

“Hey, I’ll have to if you keep doing that,” Steve used his other hand to push Eddie’s off; the softness of Steve’s fingers brushed against his more calloused palms. He swallowed down his nerves of being so close to him and turned back to the nightstand. “Here, drink some water for me, okay?”

“You’re not my mom,” Eddie yawned as he turned over onto his stomach, plopping his face into his pillow. 

“Please?” he tried. 

Only faint “mmfph” in response. 

“Pretty please?”

Nothing.

“Eddie, come on, you’re a mess,” Steve chided.

Eddie’s head twisted around, freeing his mouth from the pillow, suddenly speaking very clearly. “Keep beggin’, Stevie, see what happens.” He barked a loud laugh and fell back on his face. 

Something snapped in him. Steve wasn’t having it. Propping a knee up on the edge of the mattress, he gently tugged on Eddie's hair, close to his scalp, to lift his head back up, guiding his chin gently with his free fingertips, and Steve brought the glass to his lips himself. “Drink,” Steve ordered this time.

After a beat, Eddie complied, finally drinking the water in big, greedy gulps. Hair fell in front of Steve’s face as he gazed downward while Eddie's eyes were turned up, fixated on each other. His eyes glowed in the gold lamp light, intense and defiant. Their eyes held as Eddie swallowed again and again until the glass was empty. Eddie’s curls brushed the thigh of Steve’s pants with the little movements. Steve was struck by a wave of desire and confidence, steeling himself as he boldly leaned down to his ear, lifting Eddie slightly higher as his hand still gripped his hair.

“Good boy,” whispered Steve as his lips gently brushed the curve of Eddie’s ear, quickly pulling back enough to watch the effect cascade over him. Eddie’s eyes closed, and he exhaled through his nose. His already flushed cheeks deepened their shade from pink to red.

Steve was surprised at this version of Eddie, listening to him, flustered by him. 

Blinking out of his haze, Steve let go of Eddie’s head before he could open his eyes again, and it fell right back down onto the pillow. He inhaled as the moment subsided, attempting to slow his heartbeat. Steve grabbed the cracker sleeve off the table and placed it in Eddie’s hands.

“Eat some, Eds,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” 

He murmured a high pitched muffled hum in response. 

Steve rushed to the kitchen to fill up his glass again, drinking some himself to cool down the heavy flush in his face. Where did that come from? 

Okay, maybe they were both attracted to each other. Or Eddie just thought he was cute because he was drunk and Steve picked up on it. But it definitely seemed like Eddie liked guys. And it definitely seemed like Steve liked Eddie based on his current situation downstairs. What did he come here for again? After splashing cold water on his face, he shook off like a dog, not trusting any rags lying around to be clean enough.

When he returned to the bedroom, Eddie laid there on his back, perfectly still, a single cracker clung to his lips, half eaten as his chest rose and fell at a slow, even pace. He had fallen asleep while attempting to eat. Steve was touched that he tried. 

He walked over to place the refilled glass back on the table, picking up the crumbs and cracker from the pillow. Turning Eddie over onto his side in case he got sick, Steve prepared to leave, setting him up with anything else he might need in the night.

Under the threshold of Eddie’s bedroom, Steve paused. His eyes were fixed on the softness of Eddie’s sleeping face. It was a little goofy, his mouth agape, drool already pooling in the corner. Somehow, Steve still blushed as he turned away and switched off the light. 

The man once again found himself walking out of Eddie’s home late at night. Locking the door behind him, Steve thought about how he came here to confront him and only left with–with what? A crush? Was Steve really starting to have feelings for this guy who doesn’t even like him? His boss?

God, could things be any worse?

#yes at 8 am #more is up on ao3 #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #steddie fic #kiss off fic #eep #stranger things

[ownedbythescribe]

Teyvat — Overture Teaser (Fontaine)

🌱 This is a bit late post, but I’m just really happy and quite overwhelmed to get a teaser from Hoyo for Fontaine! It is so surreal how last year, we just got Sumeru, and it possessed quality stories most particularly the Archon Quests. They improved with their writing considering that Inazuma was not expounded properly.

The side quests such as the Aranara, Golden Slumber, Dirge of Bilqis, and Khavarena of Good and Evil were also notable. Although not voiced, for lore enthusiasts, the stories enlightened missing portions of lore read only through books or articles scattered around the region. I particularly like the Aranara Quest despite its lengthy missions.

🌱 Moving on to Fontaine, we get a glimpse of the characters who will play major roles in the quest.

💧Freminet — Cryo Claymore — Automaton

Hoyo introduced this character first, and we see that he’s a diver of some sort based on his appearance. Lyney also mentioned that he is his older brother. Whether it would be by blood or not, we will know in the future.

💧 Lynette — Anemo Sword — Felis Alba

Next we see are the twins, Lyney and Lynette. Lynette appeared to be more robotic in a sense, and on the drip marketing, she was mentioned as Lyney’s assistant who seemed to prefer keeping to herself. She preferred Lyney to do the talking than anything else. For what reason? Still unknown to many.

It’s interesting really because Lyney seemed to care for his siblings a lot, and others may have already known but they were from the House of the Hearth headed by Arlecchino “The Knave”.

💧 Lyney — Pyro Bow — Felis Fuscus

As for Lyney, he was the narrator for the teaser, and he has been hinting about the current situation in Fontaine. I’m really excited to see how things will go from here on out especially since Sumeru was a blast!

Other notable characters we see in the trailer are:

💧Navia — Geo ???

💧 Charlotte — Cryo ???

💧 Sigewinne — ??? And Wriothesley — ???

By the way, they look so cute here! Wrio looks like he’s teasing her with choosing the tea instead of the other drink! It’s still unsure what their relationship is, but they look like siblings huhuhu

💧 Clorinde — Electro ???

As I’m looking at her, I’m also desperate for Hoyo to have a gun shooting character. Like a gun weapon type, but I’m not sure if they’ll ever introduce another weapon type because Mika has cross-bow, and not even a new type. A big sigh of disappointment leaves my lips.

She’s so cool though! Aaah! I’m so excited to see what’s her relationship or occupation in the Court of Fontaine!

🌱 Arlecchino — The Knave

Then we got Arlecchino looking so hot and ominous at the same time! The way she talked about Lyney and Lynette as well as the traits of a good actor makes me wonder if she’s treating the situation in Fontaine as nothing more but a trivial play.

🌱 Last but not the least, we get Furina and Neuvilette.

💧 Furina — ???

💧 Neuvillette — ???

If others may have remembered, we already heard of Neuvillette from Nahida’s drip marketing. He’s the Chief Justice in Fontaine and the one to head any cases in the court. He also mentioned once how he admired the Dendro Archon unlike his, but I think he has some sense of respect to his archon.

He also has some theories already speculated by the mass such as him being a Khaenri’ahn because of the eyes while others think he’s an oceanid in human form. Whatever he may be, we’ll know soon. I’m definitely pulling for this daddy man 😋

As for Furina, one thing that comes to mind is she’s definitely the Hydro Archon. This is not coming from leaks or whatsoever, but from pure reasoning alone. Nahida mentioned that the Hydro Archon loved to immerse herself in the feeling of the courtroom but not engaging in it. So it means that she’s usually seen just hanging around the court and never interacting with anyone. In the trailer, she’s seeking a surprise to finally come her way. This makes me think that maybe that surprise she’s looking for will involve the Fatui and Traveler. Whatever conflict it may be, Furina wanted to find delight in that.

🌱 Anyways, that’s all! I just really want to talk about it. I may not be making sense at some parts, but I try. One more patch, and we’re finally seeing our fifth region. I’m so excited!

#genshin impact #genshin #fontaine #lyney #lynette #freminet #clorinde #navia #neuvillette #furina #arlecchino #just one more patch before fontaine #please come home daddy neuvillette

[mickeys-malarkey]

I can't hold my Bendy theories in anymore!!

I've only got a few people to infodump to about Bendy IRL, I'm just so excited after watching the BATDR trailer and reading all the new theories that I can barely sleep or get any work done, and now that we have an official release date they can't chicken out if my theories are correct rofl. So, here I go!

Fair Warning: There's no way to avoid it, this is gonna have so many spoilers for all the current Bendy games and books (well, except BINR. But there's also not really a story in that one) that I'm just gonna have to assume that if you're still reading past this point, you've either already played/read the entire series (obviously minus BATDR) or you don't care about spoilers!

Pt. 1/3: Expanding (Mostly) On My TIOL Thoughts

As I said in my thought summaries here and on Twitter, I hate Nathan Arch. Dude literally sets off every single alarm bell I have, I don't understand why nobody else seems freaked the heck out by him… *shudders* I'm convinced that he's the answer to theMeatly's question.

To start off, I'd like to point out that… Nathan says his notes exist to “provide context for the contemporary reader,” which sounds like he's just gonna be stating general historical facts every reader would've known when the book was originally published but might not know when it was republished and are necessary to understanding what Joey's saying. But that's not what the notes are like at all? They actually consist of very personal information that readers at the time of original publication couldn't possibly have known and definitely aren't necessary to understanding what Joey's saying; and the vast majority seem to specifically be either 1: flip-flopping between singing Joey's praises and making remarks he really shouldn't be making if he were actually trying to dispel the negative rumors around the man as he claims, or 2: confirming or denying descriptions of himself?? 🚨

It feels like he's trying to manipulate us into seeing Joey as a genius and saint whose inventions we should accept with open arms whilst simultaneously positioning the guy as a scapegoat to take all blame in case we don't, and into seeing Nathan himself as an intelligent and kind man who definitely respected and admired Joey and, of course, would never, ever mistreat him, preemptively discrediting any rumors about him being an abusive friend that might crop up. Even when Joey makes comments that in no way cast him in a bad light— Joey be like “oh Nathan loved creative people and even though he would never understand us wanted to be us” and Nathan be like “actually no I like myself fine, and also no I dislike creatives in general, they're boring and too self-indulgent. It's specifically Joey that I admired, and therefore I admired his creativity specifically by extension. Isn't it just like Joey not to see the compliment—?” Um, no?? No, Nathan, that sounds absolutely nothing like Joey; he's literally been enraptured by every statement or action that could possibly be construed as complimenting him in this book. Did you just indirectly end your relationships with every other creative you've ever met so that nobody would believe anyone who claims that you looked down upon Joey? 🚨🚨

Let me get into some of the more unique notes from Nathan.

“The first time I read this [Elves and the Shoemaker] story it meant a great deal to me. Joey, as he said in his introduction, was never one to talk about his past. He never spoke about his parents. I certainly never met them. I don't even remember how I learned his father made shoes. So to get a glimpse back at this part of his life, for an old friend, it was very special. I remember telling Joey all this after I read the manuscript back in ‘41. He just smiled.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion of Living, pg. 23

With the way this note happens right before Joey practically spells out that he trusts nobody and denies everyone even the most innocuous information out of self-preservation in the very next story, it does not feel like Nathan's sharing a heartwarming moment between friends. It feels like he's bragging about his position and accomplishments in their predator-and-prey relationship; like he's proud of himself for slowly breaking Joey down and eventually getting him to divulge info he'd been denying him. If your parents lived nearby and were perfectly lovely people, why do you think that you would neither talk about them with nor introduce them to someone who was supposedly one of your closest friends? I'll get into why I think he finally gave the info up in a bit.

In the Lottie story, if Nathan had only said that he wasn't sure the letter exchange had actually happened, I would've been like “yeah sure, we all know Joey's a liar. 🤷🏻‍♀️” But no, he specifically eases us from confirmation of Eckhart and Donaldson's existences even though he claims to have only briefly met them, to claiming Joey was such a good storyteller he could make you think you personally met someone who never existed even if he'd literally just told you that they were imaginary, to casting doubt on the very existence of a girl he was described as having been known by name to outside of the letter exchange.

“I met Joey the following year at the lab and only briefly had the chance to meet [Private Donaldson and Private Eckhart]. They were every bit the characters Joey describes them to be.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion of Living, pg. 27

“When I first read this I forgot, despite Joey saying as much, that this was fiction, and spent far too much time racking my brain over who this James [who Joey says he told Lottie he met when he came by the lab to say hi to me] was. Joey is so good with his storytelling that even when he tells you it's not real, you can forget a moment later.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion of Living, pg. 37 (emphasis added)

“I have gone through every piece of correspondence Joey ever saved as part of my work preserving his memory and documenting his life, and I must confess I was looking forward to reading Lottie's letters in person, having been moved to tears reading this part of the manuscript thirty years ago. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find them. It is possible they were lost to time, and I do deep down hope that to be true. However, even if this story is revealed to be one of Joey's excellent fictions, I think it doesn't really matter. Joey would, of course, call it another example of his illusion. I think the message in the story is meaningful regardless whether it really happened or not. And regardless if Lottie actually herself existed or not, she is a fine embodiment of the brave women who served our country in war.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion of Living, pg. 41 (emphasis added)

I absolutely do not think this is a reality check, I think Nathan's trying to erase Lottie's existence – even gaslighting anyone who knew her in real life into thinking they'd imagined her – to throw us off the “Joey's Illusion of Living ‘philosophy’ is literally just the coping mechanism of an extremely traumatized man” scent; I wonder if Lottie actually fell victim to suicide shortly after writing to Joey that she was spiraling into a deep, dark depression, and Joey made up everything that happened after that specific letter in order to cope with the loss – pretend that “my dear friend isn't dead despite being sent somewhere there was no actual fighting where I thought she'd be safe; I saved her life and she's living a Happily Ever After overseas, married to a handsome young British soldier” – rather than just the goodbye letter to wrap her story up in a neat bow… Maybe Nathan even helped him pretend she was still alive in order to endear himself to this literal kid who was destroyed with grief?

Speaking of which, does nobody find the circumstances under which Nathan and Joey met… concerning? Nathan says “we knew each other since we were teenagers,” which sounds fine until you realize they met because Joey lied about his age and joined the army while still a minor, where he was bullied and pressured into things like underage drinking by grown-@$$ legal adults, multiple of which were also of higher rank. And not only was Nathan one of those grown-@$$ legal adults of higher rank and definitely bullying him just like the others (“I swear I definitely didn't join the other guys in giving him that Real Man™ complex of his like he says—” yeah, sure, Nathan, I totally believe you /s. 🙄), but clearly his horrifying apparent hobby that I'll explain next was already established at the time, seeing as Joey saw the photo of Ivan Newsome dying in agony with his own eyeballs when Nathan introduced him to Walter Richmond… 😬🚩

I'm convinced that Walter, Arthur, and Isabel were three of Nathan's previous victims, and they mirror the relationships he has with Joey, Allison, and Susie.

Walter looking at Nathan “as if asking permission to speak” before engaging Joey in conversation (Nathan nudges us towards believing they had no prior relationship by stating that he was flattered by Joey's observation that he had a way of introducing anyone so that it felt like they were his guest even if he'd just met them… but technically neither confirms nor denies anything 👀) has creepily similar vibes to how Joey “just smiled” in response to Nathan's gushing over the info on his parents; I feel like Joey gave up the info because he had to jump through hoops in order for Nathan to give him permission to publish his book— to be able to get the thing out the door without tripping any of Nathan's “Joey's disobeying and must be punished” alarms. Also, notice how Walter mysteriously had “a lot of people who knew him, but nobody who wanted to claim the title of ‘Walter's friend…’” and how the only people Joey's apparently still in contact with in BATIM are A: one of Nathan's (confirmed) employees, B: a janitor who didn't even realize Joey would remember him so definitely doesn't have enough of a relationship with Joey for Nathan to consider him a threat, and C: a shady veterinarian (wouldn't be surprised if he works for Nathan, as well). It's a classic abuser's tactic to isolate and villainize their victim so that they have no choice but to rely on the abuser; I'll get into more reasons I think that was happening in a bit.

I find it suspicious how Arthur not only personally delivers Ivan's effects to his sister Isabel, just tells her what happened which you'd expect someone with such fresh and debilitatingly severe PTSD to be very reluctant to do, and sticks around to befriend her, but also attends her art show showcasing Walter's war photos— it feels like someone was forcing Arthur to do all of this behind-the-scenes, and maybe the firecracker scene wasn't just about Isabel punishing the rich people for their morbid fascinations, but also Nathan punishing Arthur for being difficult about the situation behind-the-scenes. Meanwhile, Joey just happens to hire this random voice actress to replace Susie who we know just happens to be working for Nathan by the time BATIM happens, the memo that she had been hired specifically marked “don't deliver to Susie” just happens to make it into Susie's possession (seeing as she paraphrases it to Henry), Allison seems to know full well that Joey can't fire her when he tries to in DCTL, and then, by TLO, something has apparently happened to where Tom's been rehired which neither he nor Joey had any choice in and he doesn't wanna talk to anyone about (I doubt it was just all the deaths in DCTL, especially considering Joey went from his furious “I never want to see you again” attitude to begging Tom to come back. We've only heard him beg once before, which I'll get into later), and Tom and Allison have bizarrely switched opinions on the situation and machine (Allison changing from “your invention is amazing, Tom! Why are you stuck on the bad parts of the situation?” in DCTL to “I don't understand why you accepted this job back” in TLO, and Tom changing from “horrible things happened because of my machine, I wish I'd never been ensnared by this place” in DCTL to “why doesn't Ally understand? You don't just abandon a miracle” in TLO)—? It seems to me like Allison was never truly Joey's employee, she was Nathan's employee the whole time (which puts Joey's refusal to attend her and Tom's wedding in a whole new light), and Joey wasn't the only one punished for his failures and attempts to override the steel tycoon's authority.

To reiterate, since I saw some people being confused about the massive change: even with the memory loss issue, Allison's opinion in BATDR is just a natural progression from when the something happened between DCTL and TLO. 😛😬

Anyways, I get the distinct impression that creating situations like these to turn people into murder puppets without anyone being the wiser he was even involved is a hobby of Nathan's.

“…I am glad that he wrote [the murder mystery story] down this one time. It helps me to remember Joey at his most charming and sharp. Later years he became too fixated on things he might have gotten wrong, there was too much guilt and worry, too much fear. It didn't feel like the same man at the end, that's for sure.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion of Living, pg. 98

You can't tell me that doesn't sound like he gets off on seeing how absolutely ruthless he can make his victims whilst still having them believe they're in the right and he's bitter as heck that one of his favorite pet projects came to his senses and was haunted by his conscience later in life— he literally just admitted he preferred a Joey who admired a murderer and thought that allowing people to die and getting murdered himself must've been worth it for Walter because now he has the immortality of being in a fascinating story instead of having lived in mediocrity over a Joey who felt guilt.

On that note, I absolutely do not believe Nathan's note on Henry's story was him trying to get the truth out about Henry being a despicable person. This is actually the chapter that first clued me in on Nathan's creepiness when I did my ADHD “skim the whole book except reading all the way through anything that looks especially interesting before properly reading” thing I do.

“Joey has always been a professional person, far more so in many ways than me. That is why this section of the book is so forgiving of the man who abandoned the studio he helped create. Joey can't help but see the good in people. That being said, as a good friend of Joey's, I know that Henry's departure was a great upheaval for him and a great personal betrayal. Joey never truly forgave Henry, and I don't think he should have felt obligated to. The fact that Joey is so gracious in this part of the book is a reflection of his incredible generosity in allowing Henry Stein to be stainless in the eyes of history. I think, had he lived longer, Joey might have in later years called it his greatest illusion.” ~ Nathan Arch, The Illusion Of Living, pg. 155

At first I found his saltiness funny, but then I read Joey's actual descriptions and… he's very clearly trying and failing to put down an amazing person, not build up a horrible one. I wondered why Nathan would be claiming the opposite and I realized— it sounds like he's admitting to being Dead Sea Level salty that Joey got terminally ill specifically because he's certain that, if he hadn't, he would've eventually been able to fully convince Joey that Henry was the villain rather than himself and therefore Joey wouldn't have reached out to the animator towards the end of his life in BATIM. Which leads me to my next observation:

I think Joey's play, “The Angel and The Devil,” was about Henry and Nathan.

I don't care that the Shoulder Angel is played by Abby and the Shoulder Devil is played by Joey, lol; that doesn't matter when you look at the actual content. I want you to read this excerpt:

Angel: [Empathy] is a wonderful talent that also leads [humans] down dark paths. Devil: Thank goodness for dark paths, they lead all great artists to their greatest creations. Angel: Empathy is your provenance then? Devil: We share it— for you it leads men to reach out and help, build hospitals, begin charities… Angel: For you it allows men to achieve their greatness through manipulation and fear. Devil: Is it not wonderful?

Going back to the murder mystery story, Walter and Isabel's thought processes perfectly match what the Shoulder Devil in Joey's play is described as using empathy to inspire humanity to do:

Walter was inspired to let Ivan die so that his photo – his art – would have a more compelling story that tugs at the heartstrings.

Isabel was inspired to kill Walter for the crime of letting Ivan die, masterfully manipulating her confession so that it technically wasn't a confession, instilling fear of herself in everyone present with the fact that if she did do it then she was untouchable legally thanks to her money, and finally, she was fully convinced that she would also be untouchable socially— even be better off, because people would see her as a hero for delivering justice to a monster like Walter.

Going back to BATIM, Joey literally says this to our faces:

“The truth is, you were always so good at pushing, Henry… Pushing me to do the right thing. You should've pushed a little harder.” ~ Joey Drew, Bendy and the Ink Machine, ch. 5

Does that not sound like Henry was good at using empathy to inspire kindness/etc. the way the Shoulder Angel is described as doing (Joey's actually very right that empathy is a morally neutral phenomenon that can be used for good or evil! *Spoken with hyper-empathetic autistic/low-to-no-empathy autistic solidarity*)?

The Angel and Devil also say that whichever of them the man they were assigned to doesn't choose will have to leave. This tells me that the ending of Joey's play – where it's implied the man the angel and devil were assigned to chose the angel – was read rather than acted out (with the excuse that they for some reason couldn't pick a random person to play him out of the crowd like they did for the Hatcheck Girl) in order to symbolize how Joey wanted to choose his true friend and make the toxic one leave, but he had that choice taken away from him when Henry was driven away despite his best efforts. In other words, I think both his version of the friend breakup story and Henry's version have elements of truth and deception to them.

Anybody notice that it seems like Wally and Tom seemed to have been being pitted against and told lies about each other as well as having their work sabotaged by an unknown third party?

“So here's my beef with this whole Gent thing. I went to school, yeah that's right— me! Star Student at Brickmore High. I know my potatoes! So where's this ‘Mr. Connor’ fella get off telling me what to do? These college boys. They can tell ya what's wrong but if you try to fix it on ‘em. They're outta here!” ~ Wally Franks, Boris and the Dark Survival

“Not all of us are well connected, son. Not all of us have chances. Especially to get a job as an engineer when I ain't had no proper education and training.” ~ Thomas Connor, Dreams Come to Life, pg. 252

“If there's one loose bolt around here we're gonna have a whole mess of trouble. And wouldn't you know it, that Wally guy is one loose bolt! He keeps the floors clean he says, he didn't sign on for no science project. All I know is someone needs to keep these pipes maintained. And he can't be a slacker.” ~ Thomas Connor, Boris and the Dark Survival

Wally thinks he's being looked down upon for not having gone to college like Tom (who didn't go to college) and his efforts to help out are not just unappreciated but met with unreasonable emotional response. Meanwhile, Tom thinks Wally's being selfish and lazy and leaving all the work to be done by him. Sound familiar?

“…Henry left for his own reasons, and the correspondence between us became less and less. To be honest, it almost felt like a weight off when he left. He had grown more sensitive as the studio became more successful and giving him pep talks had become exhausting for me. All the good qualities he brought, the hard work and diligence, were being undermined by a restless need for something different. Something that wasn't Bendy. I'll never understand that drive. Bendy was and is perfection.” ~ Joey Drew, The Illusion of Living, pg. 176-177

“Only two weeks into this project and already it's gotten interesting. Joey is a man of ideas… And only ideas. When I agreed to start this whole thing with him I thought there would be a little more give and take. Instead I give, and he takes. I haven't seen Linda for days now. Still, someone has to make this happen. When in doubt, just keep drawing Henry. On the plus side, I've got a new character I think people are gonna love.” ~ Henry Stein, Bendy and the Ink Machine, ch. 3

Joey thinks that Henry was being unreasonably emotional and looking down upon Bendy as not good enough (when he obviously loved the character/cartoons), and that his efforts to help were unappreciated. Meanwhile, Henry thinks Joey was being a selfish, lazy leech and leaving all the work to be done by him.

Is it really a stretch at all to wonder if Henry and Joey were similarly being pitted against and told lies about each other as well as having their work sabotaged by an unknown third party? Maybe the exact same third party?

This makes me very suspicious about who was really behind the worrying newspaper in Joey's apartment; something tells me that Joey's Shoulder Devil successfully pushed his Shoulder Angel off that right shoulder. Twice. I can see Nathan thinking “fine, if you won't give up on this stupid animator, I'll use this opportunity to remove him from the picture permanently and poetically…”

Is Joey's being so touched by the memory of Isabel “angelically” helping Arthur during his war flashbacks an “I wish my Shoulder Angel would come save me?” And is his horror at the descriptions of Shell Shock (PTSD) as basically a time loop foreshadowing that he ends up trapped in a real time loop, himself, by Nathan's sadistic design? I think it's likely, especially after reading @dreamfisher-nux's posts speculating on Wilson's identity. If he's the Gent worker who stole Shaun's tool belt in BATDS and “somebody” who stole Tom's invention in Allison's BATIM Chapter 5 letter, and that invention was the seeing tool, so Wilson's the one that's been tampering with Henry's invisible messages, and he potentially murdered Henry and Joey when Henry returned at Joey's request… How much of this and how much more might he have been doing under Nathan's influence? Is he another one of Nathan's Murder Puppets? 👀

I think all the Henry stuff also explains why Joey claims that Sammy, Jack, and Norman were hired after Mr. Animator left despite the evidence in BATIM and DCTL that Sammy and Norman knew him personally. The only two versions of events he's being allowed to hear are “Henry leaving is your fault and your feelings about the situation are unreasonable” and “Henry was an awful person, you should be glad he's gone.” Nathan would never allow him to hear “it's Nathan's fault and your feelings about the situation are valid,” so he's gotta choose between believing two very painful other options; why wouldn't he try to discredit the most painful one?

While we're adding to the list of people who Nathan seems to have made disappear Mafia Boss-style, it sure seems awfully convenient that the two main Crack-Up Comics artists’ names “appear to have been lost to time” after they wrote a comic where Bendy (Joey) was literally sweating over how Boswell (Nathan) was the richest cat in the world and could crush him like a bug if he didn't perform his job to satisfaction…

…Sounds to me like Nathan did something to shut these two people up so that word of the true nature of his and Joey's relationship wouldn't get out.

Also, interesting how the disappearances of not only a reporter-in-training and the sister of two well-known entertainers but also the only son of the richest, most influential and most dangerous man in Atlantic City didn't get Mr. Joey “Bankrupt From Impulsive Spending Who Apparently Doesn't Even Have The Power To Fire His Own Employees (and ‘Employees’) Nor The Respect Of Enough People To Not Be Giggled At And Whispered About During His Own Speech At His Own Party” Drew and all of his employees arrested or worse… In fact, from the new teaser and archive images that came out, we now know the studio survived for almost two years afterwards before filing bankruptcy and closing forever…

…at which point Joey was mysteriously missing for a while. This is pretty much pure speculation, but I wonder if it could be that Joey's need for a wheelchair stems from an injury sustained in this time? Mr. Mafia Boss decided he needed his kneecaps busted or something?? At any rate, it sounds to me like Joey had someone richer, more influential, and more dangerous than Mr. Chambers “on his side…” until he failed too many times, and needed to be punished more severely? 👀

“Again I shook my head. Didn't [Constance] understand that this was not how it worked? She hadn't lived in my world. Any company that could afford such a machine, that could hide it, that had such dark huge secrets, they had to be protected by something huge as well.” ~ Bill Chambers, Bendy: The Lost Ones, pg. 191

Then, ink machine things continued at Gent… until the year Allison and Tom got married.

Sounds to me like Gent might've been condemned in order to punish Allison and Tom either for the very fact that they got married (making them more-difficult-to-control puppets) or because they failed to get Joey to come to their wedding where Nathan could access him in-person again…

This archive entry sounds as if Joey had to go into hiding, perhaps to escape Nathan and/or people like Bill's dad who were waiting for Nathan to rescind his protection? Also, as an animation history nerd, it sounds to me like the Bendy cartoons were picked up by other studios besides Archgate in attempt to reboot them after JDS kicked the bucket (as has happened to countless cartoons whose original studios kicked the bucket in real life, e.g., the Fleischer cartoons, the Hanna-Barbera cartoons, the Veggie Tales cartoons, etc.), and it wouldn't surprise me if these “minor attempts to rekindle the magic” were Joey's feeble attempts at keeping what was left of Bendy out of Nathan's claws. Remember, Nathan didn't say in Crack-Up Comics that he “inherited” the Bendy IP from Joey's estate, he said he bought it, as further confirmed in the final archive entry.

This means Joey did not leave Bendy to Nathan in his will. In fact, it sounds like he either didn't have a will at all or it was destroyed when he died… Anyone notice that Joey's secret BATDS recording, where he asks Nathan for money, is the only time we've heard him sound audibly nervous?

Strange how, in DCTL, Joey calls Bertrum “Bertrum” when introducing him to the most uncomfortable person at his party, who respects him as his boss; it's not until the people who hold financial power over him start whispering and giggling that he introduces him as “Bertie,” as if he wasn't specifically trying to slight Bertrum as the man in question assumed, but instead was trying to assert to all the hungry cats in the room that he was also a cat, rather than a tasty lil mouse for them to devour… Nathan is worse than them? He's able to break Joey's facade of confidence that this crowd of investors could only make him reinforce? What's worse, the investors he tries to persuade like he does everyone else, convince that they should give him money because everything's great… but Nathan, who's supposedly his friend, he begs for money, saying that the one-and-only reason he's asking this is because the situation is dire (implying he has no choice). That's… worrisome.

Funny how, across DCTL, TIOL, and TLO, Joey consistently pulls or feels the urge to pull his cruel pranks on people anytime a new person seems to be hiding things from him or trying to take advantage of him. Buddy after being caught stealing art supplies? Bill after being caught lying about not having knowledge of the ink machine? Sammy when he suspected his deadpan-&-monotone-ness was an act and that he didn't respect him? Almost seems like the pranks are actually the survival mechanism of someone who's had a whole lotta really bad experiences with betrayal, having things hidden from him, getting taken advantage of, etc. rather than just the product of a twisted sense of humor, hm…?

“…inside I was feeling a little angry now. I don't do well when people are disloyal, and this was something I'd expected to be kept between me and Abby. Then I stopped and controlled myself (I have excellent control over my emotions) and realized I had never actually told her there was anything secret about this. I'd have to be more careful in the future. Believe you me, I have been since. A contract is a fine thing to have between colleagues, even finer at times between friends.” ~ Joey Drew, The Illusion of Living, pg. 170-171

“[Sammy] leaned back on both elbows on the stone wall. Beneath him Fifth Avenue roared and certain death would come to anyone who toppled over the edge down onto it. The man definitely had confidence in that wall. I had a sudden urge to give him a shove. Not push him over, but just to see his reaction. This might sound strange, but I needed to see a human moment from him, I needed to see the man he was hiding from me. That's the trouble when you're interested in recreating the illusion of the world. You want to see the truth of it as much as possible.” ~ Joey Drew, The Illusion of Living, pg. 188-189 (emphasis added)

Also, it's weird that, when talking about reuniting with Nathan at the Sparkling Unicorn, Joey claims not to have known Nathan very well in the army but to always have liked his personality… after having claimed to be close enough friends with him that he helped him write fake letters from a fictional character to Lottie, just a few pages earlier. Either Joey's not nearly as good a liar as he's supposed to be… or this discrepancy was created on purpose in an attempt to tell us that Joey only liked Nathan's personality back when they were in the army because he didn't actually know him as well as he thought he did. 👀

This all together…

…really makes one wonder if Joey's little intro to TIOL wasn't him humble-bragging, but genuinely explaining that the reason he took so long to write it was because A: he's been being gaslit to heck and back for decades and genuinely doesn't know what reality is as a result, and B: refusing to write this book was one of the few ways he was able to assert real control over his own life for a very long time…

“Looking back is awkward. Looking back, you can trip yourself up. I've never been a fan of it. Which is why I never had a desire to tell my story. No matter how many book deals were offered, no matter how many dinners were thrown for me. I am a man who makes up my own mind. You can't buy me. No one buys Joey Drew.” ~ Joey Drew, The Illusion of Living, pg. 3

Speaking of the intro, interesting how, as much as Joey tries to claim that his surprise at Simmons remembering his “philosophy” is because Simmons isn't the brightest bulb in the factory, he still gets noticeably hung up on the fact that his words had stuck with someone; it's almost as if the vast majority of people he knew either openly viewed him as a talentless idiot or genuinely were trying to manipulate him as he was so seemingly paranoid about, and he was beyond desperate for any scrap of genuine praise anyone would give him, no…? *Stares at basically every audio log, literally every Nathan note, and every scene where Joey reacted unsubtly ecstatically to compliments and/or irate at any hint someone was looking down on him*

Anyone notice how, throughout his whole memoir, Joey sings the praises of anyone he clearly wants to be like and drags anyone who resembles what he's actually like through the mud? “Omigosh, Sammy is just so talented and powerful and automatically respected and praised by everyone! He's so awesome! 🤩” “Yuck, Detective Sinclair wears a persona to hide how useless and powerless he is and is just so desperate for validation! I hate him! 😤 Btw, this stuff is not what my philosophy is about, I'm actually changing reality here (whatever makes you feel better, Joey /hj).” I guess this leads me into the next section…

Continued in Part Two: Expanding (Mostly) On My DCTL & TLO Thoughts

#long post #spoiler warning #book analysis #game analysis #book theory #game theory #bendy and the ink machine #batim #dreams come to life #dctl #crack up comics #the illusion of living #tiol #tiol theory #bendy: the lost ones #bendy: tlo #bendy and the dark revival #batdr #batdr trailer #batdr theory #joey drew #henry stein #nathan arch #sammy lawrence #detective sinclair #tw: abuse #tw: suicide

[hellfirenacht]

Flight of Icarus Chapters 1-5

Disclaimer: I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not upset about learning about Eddie’s love life or feeling a sense of jealousy. However, I am going to keep this as neutral as possible. If you think that me having these feelings diminishes any thought I have about the book then you don’t need to read these. 

The first 4.5 chapters I read out loud to my friends, and we had a lovely time until I got drunk and passed out lol

Now, let’s get into it. 

Spoilers for chapters 1-5 under the cut. 

Chapter 1:

The story starts with Eddie killing off Gareths’ character in D&D, which I personally love. We get some insight of the current members, and we now have a name for the previously Unnamed Freak, Dougie. Gareth gets pissy and leaves but Eddie follows him out and says that Gareth is allowed to keep coming to Hellfire and will even help him create a new character. 

We are introduced to Ronnie, Eddie’s aromantic best friend. I like her, she seems cool so far. She’s the current drummer of Corroded Coffin and they have a very sibling-type dynamic. Eddie did try and kiss her when they were 13, but she dodged him. 

This chapter we get a little into Eddie’s relationship with his dad. Al Munson started dropping off the face of the earth on and off from the time Eddie was in third grade, leaving him alone for days at a time before Uncle Wayne realized what was going on and dragged Eddie to live with him during these times. That is where he met Ronnie who lives with her grandma at the trailer park. 

Eddie gives Ronnie a ride home, where she reveals that she got a full ride scholarship to NYU, causing Eddie to break and fishtail and pull over from shock. He wants to be happy for her. Then a cop car pulls up and Office Moore is a huge dick to Eddie for daring to have the last name Munson. This is a regular occurrence. 

The chapter ends with the cop leaving and Eddie taking Ronnie home. 

Things I Liked: 

-Having a name for the unnamed Freak, even if it’s not what I would have picked

-Seeing Eddie interact with Hellfire

-Gareth’s character getting killed off lol

-Ronnie

-Uncle Wayne, and learning more about Eddie’s family. 

Overall, inoffensive chapter. Not bad. 

Chapter 2

This is a very short chapter. We learn more about the Hideout, and the owner Bev. Eddie works there bussing tables four nights out of the week and in exchange Bev gives Corroded Coffin a stage to play on for probably about 30 minutes at 10. 

We get to see how Eddie feels when he’s playing, and how he is on stage. He’s still only 18, so he’s occasionally a little clunky when introducing songs but he’s doing his best. 

This is when we get the first glimpse of Paige. We have to remember that in this book, Eddie is an 18 year old boy who is used to being treated like shit. Paige is new in the bar, and she’s the only person who’s paying attention to them playing, and she winks at him. 

Eddie simps. 

But I’ll give him that if anyone was actually paying attention to me when I’m doing something I’m passionate about I’d probably simp too. 

Eddie blasts through the set, and convinces the band to play the original song they’ve been working on. Jeff and Dougie aren’t sure about it, but Ronnie sees Paige, knows EXACTLY what’s going on, laughs at Eddie and goes for it. 

Ronnie pulls a “you owe me” by letting him pack up her drums because of this. 

Things I like about this chapter:

-Ronnie is a girl's girl, and the best wing man. 

-Eddie talking about how it feels to be on stage and in the zone

-Eddie has a part time job

-Eddie singing and writing his own songs. 

Short chapter, inoffensive. 

Chapter 3

Another short chapter

Eddie talks to Paige and continues to simp. I do like that he keeps the conversation about music though, you can’t blame the guy for wanting to hear about how they sounded by the ONE person who has ever actually listened. 

Paige went to Hawkins High and graduated two years before, putting her at about 20 years old. She has a brother on the baseball team and she works as a junior talent scout for a record label and the only way to move or or get promoted is to find a band to sign, but her boss hates everything. She’s only in town because her hoarder grandma has died, and the Hideout is the only place within 20 miles of Hawkins that has live music. 

The chapter ends without them even exchanging phone numbers

Things I liked:

-Bev bullying Eddie to do his job 

-Croak-a-cola

-Eddie desperately wanting to talk about his music with someone

Things I didn’t like

-Eddie Simp-son

-Corroded Coffin got booed off the stage at the middle school talent show for playing Prowler by Judas Priest, I will be ignoring this canon in future fics. 

Not much to say about this chapter

Chapter 4

Things get interesting. 

Eddie comes home. Home in this case is not Wayne’s trailer but apparently an actual house that Al Munson owns that Eddie lives at alone most of the time. 

Not tonight though, there are two pairs of boots by the door. Al’s back from jail. Again. Al Munson is big and boisterous and is charming and I want to punch him in his smug little face. He’s been in jail and has the nerve to tease and joke at Wayne’s attempts to take care of Eddie. Eddie isn’t into it. 

Wayne leaves, but not before offering Eddie a place to stay at the trailer, saying there’s a room for him ready whenever he wants it. Eddie declines. Wayne leaves. You can tell Eddie doesn’t know how to talk to Al. 

Al is in trouble. He owes some people money, about $10k. He wants Eddie to join him in stealing some weed from an undercover truck. There’s probably a million dollars worth of weed, but Al swears they’d only steal enough to pay off the loan. Eddie doesn’t want anything to do with this. Eddie tells him to go to Hell, Al sleeps on the couch

What I like:

-The dynamic between Wayne, Eddie, and Al 

-Wayne bringing Eddie groceries every few weeks

-Wayne in general, he’s the best damn parental figure ever 

-Eddie telling his dad to go to hell

-The implication we’re gonna get Munson’s 11

Chapter 5

Eddie helps Gareth create a new character. Jeff was the one to actually make Gareths character before, and it’s nice to see Eddie being nice to his little sheep. 

Gareth leaves and Eddie chats with Ronnie for a bit before they hear a commotion. Gareth is getting bullied by Tommy H, Jason Carver, and a few other jocks. Chrissy Cunningham is also there trying to get Jason to leave. 

Gareth apparently owes them money, and a small scuffle gets broken up by Principal Higgens. Chrissy and Ronnie try and tell him that the jocks started it, but of course Eddie’s gonna get in trouble.

This is the chapter we get a cute little flashback of the time Eddie and Chrissy hung out at the talent show. It was actually pretty cute. Eddie and Chrissy were backstage looking at the audience, Eddie was looking for his no-show dad and Chrissy was looking for her mom who she wished didn’t show up. They each agree to cheer for each other, even if the other’s parents don’t. 

What I liked about the chapter

-Chrissy is a sweetheart 

-Gareth is still a little shit

What I didn’t like:

-Eddie calling Chrissy boring, basically. He basically said she was boring, but she did have personality once for the five minutes we talked four years ago. 

Fun chapter, inoffensive. I’m tired of writing now. 

#nacht post #flight of icarus #nacht of icarus

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

BLEACH: The Thousand Year Blood War Ep 15 Reactions and Thoughts

Overall reaction:

I'm late with my thoughts for this one, but I thought better to write them down now before the new episode comes out.

There's a lot to love in this one. We've got battles, we've got drama, and we've got a lot of heartbreak [if you're a Hitsugaya fan].

Highlights:

The Quincy meeting: of course, I thought of Aizen's meeting with the Espada, but this was still a good scene. I loved seeing the small glimpses of dynamics here, and Jugram's seiyu did a fantastic job in giving him presence charisma throughout the episode. Jushiro's scene: oh man, this is a sad one (when you have hindsight). I love the framing and colouring in this scene: Jugram confronts Shunsui and Nanao: damn, this scene was surprisingly atmospheric and tense! Loved this exchange, it really built up the tension for all the battles that were about to go down. Mayuri the Christmas tree: I had to squint whenever he came on. Good lord the animation team did a fantastic job with this one.

Omaeda and his sister, and Sui Feng vs BG9: yeah, I knew this one was going to hit me in the feels. I remember being shocked the first time I read this scene because I've never been a big Omaeda fan, and then these scenes happens and I feel for him and his sister. The sight with Sui Feng was great too, I loved the animation of her flash step and her actions all looked epic!

The additional Ichigo content: I'm loving this added content for Ichigo. It's also a chance to develope Ichbe too, because for all the hype Kubo made around Zero Division, it's leader didn't get much in before his confrontation with Yhwach. I'm looking forward to seeing where this all leads, but I have a theory which I'll bring up down below. Hitsugaya and Rangiku vs Bazz B: the highlight of all highlights this week! One of the fights I've been looking forward to seeing animated. So, so , so many great moments throughout, and just look at this amazing animation,it brought everything from the panels to life as I imagined it:

Of course, seeing Toshiro and Rangiku work together is the best part of this whole fight, and I am so happy with how it was adapted here. This is why I love this brotp: they have each other's backs, work together to strengthen each other, and can have a good balance of funny and serious moments. And oh my gosh, that little smile! For all of the sadness that's about to come for them, just seeing these two have a moment of victory together was heart warming.

And then...and then...When Bazz B cut through Toshiro the first time, oh man did my heart drop. I knew it was coming, of course, but it's still sad to see. I loved seeing that Toshiro sealed his wound with ice, it confirms a headcanon I've used in my fic for years! I mean, it was more or less shown in his fight against Grimmjow's fraccion, but it was so cool to see it being used here. Overall, this was a great adaption of this fight. Animation is amazing as always, the voice acting was top notch as always, and it's just great to see Toshiro and Rangiku work together.

On to the things I wanted to elaborate on. My main theory for Ichibe's 'training' is Ichigo will find out the history of the Soul King (ie how the being came to be what they are, the first war Shinigami vs Quincy war, etc) which would explain the blury flashback images we got in the trailer. Also, I can't help but wonder if Ichibe is preparing Ichigo to become the next Soul King, keeping in line with Shunsui's original plan B for Ichigo.

My only pit pick for this episode, and it's a personal preference, but I wasn't a fan of how they adapted Toshiro getting cut by Bazz B. In the manga, you see the shock Toshiro goes into and the way it's framed is super dramatic. Here, it's still sad for Hitsugaya fans, but it didn't have the same a gut punch as the manga version does. Maybe it's because I knew it was coming, but I don't know, I wish they'd stuck more to the manga for this moment in terms of framing and capturing the drama.

Also, I am NOT ready for next week. There's a good chance we're going to get to see Shinji (and Momo, COME ON!!) but also...Toshiro seeing Rangiku dying. It's gonna be a heartbreaker ;_;

#bleach #toshiro hitsugaya #rangiku matsumoto #brotp: I've got your back #jugram haschwalth #bazz b #marechiyo omaeda #sui feng #bleach episode reactions

[phantom-of-the-501st]

Episode 6 Thoughts

(Spoilers for TBB Season 2)

I loved this episode!!! A nice combination of fun and action with some emotional elements as well. I had a great time with it!

So of course, here are my bullet point thoughts.

Echo being put on babysitting duty and promptly losing Omega. She wanders off so often. 🤣

Love how Tech is insulted that they don't trust his forgery skills. How dare you question his ability to do illegal activities.

When I saw those droids electrocuting Gungi I was ready to throw hands. 😤

I love Gungi's character design. He's definitely grown up a bit and I love the pauldron and the wrap as a belt.

Tech automatically assuming that the blaster fire was caused by Omega. 🤣

He wasn't wrong though!

Is this the first time we've seen both Tech and Echo piloting the Marauder this season? It feels weird that we've gone so long without seeing those two in the cockpit.

Gungi looked so sad! I can't deal with this. 😭

HUNTER CAN SPEAK WOOKIE???

I wanna give Gungi a hug so bad. 🥺

Echo actually got some dialogue this episode. Love to see it. 🥰

Kashyyyk looks awesome!

I love how they lean into the fact that Gungi was really young when he went to the Jedi temple, so he isn't familiar with his home planet. He knows that these are his people, but he's still a little unsure.

Lots of webs!

Fun fact about me, I actually hate spider webs more than I hate actual spiders, so I would not be having a fun time. 😬

Weird spider things look very similar to the ice spiders! Nice bit of convergent evolution there. 😊 (And yes, my zoologist brain thinks about these things when watching TBB apparently...)

So. Much. Gungi. Looking. Sad. 😭

OUCH 😭

When I saw the wookie pelt on that trandoshan, I got so angry. 😤

Stop burning his home, you hissy bastards!

Character designs in this episode are great! ✨️

Soundtrack is also amazing, as always.

We only see brief glimpses of them, but I love how we get an insight into the traditions and beliefs of the wookies. I love that touch.

Laser sword

Echo's face the first time he was offered the soup. 🤣

Speaking to the trees!!!

When I heard the line "we'll take all the allies we can get" in the trailer, I did not think they would be talking about trees but here we are.

Weird giant monkey things are awesome!

I don't want to think about what those spider things did to Venomor. 😖

It was probably not fun.

WRECKER SPEAKING WOOKIE

Also, Echo's little cheers with the bowl was adorable. 🥰 Character development right there! 🤣

It's interesting that they talk about the fact that neither Omega nor Gungi can ever truly be children in a world like this. Especially since last episode was a chance for Omega to actually get to act like a kid for once. Last episode was very much a look into what her life should be, while this one is more of a look into what her life really is like.

Omega joining Gungi in listening to the trees. I adore her desire to understand people and their traditions, even if it is just child-like curiosity.

And I love seeing Gungi partaking in the tribe's tradition as well. He's unsure of what he's doing but he understands that it's his culture and he wants to be a part of it. 🥺

This episode is very interesting in the fact that it shows not only the repercussions of the rise of the Empire, but also how the lives of younglings was changed when they were subscribed to the Jedi.

They never really got a chance to grow up understanding their own personal culture and heritage, and that's not necessarily something we always think about.

To summarise this slight messy bullet list, I loved this episode!

Seeing not only the effect that Order 66 had on Gungi, but also his struggle to return to a place that he doesn't truly know because all he ever really remembers is life at the Jedi Temple. Seeing him fit back into the tribe is really sweet to see.

Hunter and Echo are once again the tired parents this episode. 🤣 But it was nice to see Echo being a little more vocal again, and Hunter putting his hand on Echo's shoulder as a supportive thing was nice. They don't alway see eye to eye, but at the end of the day, they are still brothers.

Actually, everyone felt like they had a place in the episode so I'm very happy about that. It's great to have an episode that feels like it's about the Batch again.

It was a solid episode and I really enjoyed it!

Even more exciting is that we get 2 episodes next week!!! 🥳 But it also means we'll be halfway through this season already. 🥲

#the bad batch season 2 spoilers #the bad batch spoilers #tbb spoilers #the bad batch #the bad batch season 2 #star wars #omega #echo #tech #wrecker #hunter #gungi

[servants-hall]

The Gilded Age Will Get a Lot More Operatic in Season 2

Full article copied below:

BY RICHARD LAWSON AUGUST 23, 2023

The second season of HBO’s The Gilded Age (premiering October 29) will amp up the stakes, along with the lavish production design. As we see in these first-look images and a new trailer, debuting exclusively on VF.com, the late-19th-century swells of the Upper East Side are back at it in extravagant fashion—while their maids and cooks and butlers scurry about the mansion basements attending to their own complicated intrigues.

“The whole thread of [season two] is wrapped around this story of dueling opera houses,” says executive producer David Crockett. Those houses are the Academy of Music, long the cultural destination of Manhattan’s most monied families, and the upstart Metropolitan Opera. (We, of course, know who won in the end.) “The opening nights of the 1883 season—and the first ever opening night of the Met—fell on the same night,” says Crockett. “So you have this very clear choice for all of New York society: Are you going to go the old money route, or the new money route? It’s a great engine for a classic clash.” 

Bertha Russell, the new-money industrialist’s wife played with flint and mettle by Carrie Coon, lays it plain in an early episode of season two: “The opera is where society puts itself on display, where the elite meet each other and their children court each other and where the wheels of society turn.” And so we will watch those wheels turn, and wrench. As dramatized by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age gives viewers the vicarious delight of swanning around opulent estates and fabulous Newport parties—as well as perhaps the slight queasiness of guilt. After all, should we really be fawning over such blithe plutocrats?

Executive producer Michael Engler, who also directs many episodes of the series, says that moral shading is a deliberate part of TheGilded Age picture, perhaps even more so in season two. “They have moral choices,” Engler says of the show’s many rich folks. “As you watch them make [those choices], that’s how you determine their moral character and value. It’s not, We love the rich and we love watching them, so we don’t really care how they act. You see what it takes and what it costs people to behave a certain way.” Season two will also expand on the first season’s glimpse of Black society in Brooklyn, the home turf of Denée Benton’s Peggy Scott, who works for a white family—among them the imperious and very old money Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her spinster sister, Ada (Cynthia Nixon)—while negotiating political and social matters across the river. Ada, meanwhile, may finally be getting a love interest. 

Benton, Baranski, and Nixon are but three of the many New York stage luminaries who make up the cast of The Gilded Age. That the show is essentially a who’s who of Broadway stars wasn’t exactly by design; it was more an unexpected, and quite happy, development, says Engler. He remembers famed New York casting director Bernard Telsey telling him that a variety of notable names were eager to be a part of the project. “It was amazing. It was like, Really? She would play a recurring character on our show?”  Those actors are natural interpreters of The Gilded Age’s tone and temperament. “Our theater people are so trained to do this kind of material—great language, complex period character work—that they just never get to do on film,” says Engler. “Even Christine Baranski. She said, ‘I’ve done period plays my whole life, but I’ve never acted in a period thing on film.’ She was just so excited about doing that. It became clear that those were the people best suited to it, and we got particularly lucky.” 

With its intricate environments—careful mixes of practical sets, real locations, and digital effects—and a sprawling cast of ornately costumed characters, The Gilded Age season two promises to deliver on the period grandeur so beloved by fans. “It’s much bigger than Downton,” says Engler, a veteran of that show. How could it not be, as The Gilded Age considers a whole city, teeming with stories, burgeoning along? It’s fitting, then, that so much of season two will center on something as sweeping—and expensive—as the opera. The curtain can’t raise soon enough.

#the gilded age #tga spoilers #tga s2 #tga trailers #bertha russell #george russell #marian brook #ada brook #agnes van rhijn #peggy scott #oscar van rhijn #gladys russell

[doodles-and-memes]

New thoughts about season 3 of The Cuphead Show:

How Cuphead will get to Hell, possible episode plots and more...

Please, bear with me people, I just can't keep it short ! Some of the things I wrote are probably obvious but I still needed to vent.

"Here goes nothing..."

I'll never get over that cliffhanger and the fact the season 2 trailer already showed us a short glimpse from next season (AND I SWEAR THERE HAS TO BE ONE). But thanks to that, we do know Cuphead will manage to summon the "Hellevator" and try to go save Mugman.

The question is: How ?

The most obvious answer would be to say thanks to the pitchfork. Judging by his sculpture of Mont Mugmore (Seriously, Mont Mugmore ?? Can we talk about it ? IT SENDS ME 💀This gesture was so sweet, random and funny at the same time 😭), Cuphead seems to be perfectly able to use it on his own after all. He is even great at it.

Unfortunately, we saw several times The Devil and Henchman could use the Hellevator without it, probably using some dark magic then. So it seems the pitchfork's powers are limited to flying, zapping, destroying and transforming, but not summoning things.

If not the pitchfork, then what ?

Now this is where I get frustrated: I perfectly remember someone shared an intriguing image here on Tumblr a few weeks ago, but I couldn't find it again. This image was a storyboard showing Cuphead drawing occult symbols on the floor with a chalk and the Hellevator appearing in front of him. If this comes from an official source, then it's very likely that Cuphead will perform a magic ritual to descend to Hell.

But who could teach him this ritual ?

As much as I'd like to see Elder Kettle getting involved in Mugman's rescuing mission in one way or another, it feels like Cuphead won't tell him anything. We all saw how the old guy was ready to fight in "Rats all folks" and several other occasions. I can't believe he wouldn't want to jump in the Hellevator with Cuphead to save his adoptive grandson and beat the Devil to a pulp ! Family just means everything to him. And yet, he doesn't appear in this short clip.

Two options: 1. He got kidnapped as well minutes after Mugman, which would then make Cup's nightmare premonitory.

2. Cuphead hides the truth from him, either to protect him or because he doesn't want to make him upset.

In any case, I really don't think the creators will introduce the peashooter weapon from the game in the series. Otherwise, with a power like this, Cuphead would look a lot more confident while entering the elevator, which is clearly not the case in the image above. With his sloppy shoulders and big worried eyes, he looks scared, unsure of himself, vulnerable and all alone.

What about Chalice ?

Maybe Chalice could be the one helping him set the ritual, but I'm not convinced at all. She's been the kind of person to "lay low" (her own words) when things go wrong. Even less than the police or an angry mob, she certainly wouldn't want to deal with the Devil. Unless she remembers how Mugman stood up for her and wants to do the same for him. ATM there's no confirmation she can take the form of the Legendary Chalice or if she has other mystical powers. If she follows Cuphead to hell, it seems she opted for her invisible ghost mode (not cool, Chalice !).

With Elder Kettle out of the big picture and Chalice being a bit unreliable, it's pretty safe to say there's only ONE character in the Inkwell Isles with enough wisdom and knowledge to help our poor boy reach Hell.

"A sage adviser, rumored to know all..."

Quadratus the great and wise !

I don't think there's a better time to ask for his advice than in such a desperate situation. Quadratus HAS to be the one teaching Cuphead the ritual to summon the elevator. He was the one giving the invisible yarn to Mugsy for him to knit the impenetrable sweater that would protect Cuphead from the Devil. The circle would be closed if Quadratus now helped Cuphead to save Mugman from Hell.

And here's the first difficulty Cuphead will face: just like Mugsy said, "[one] gotta make the water fizz so he'll appear."

The first time, the bros used Cuphead's sour fizzy jawbreaker. I'm pretty sure Mugsy then had some fizzy candies left in his pumpkin bucket, but OOPSIE- Cuphead ate them all in a moment of extreme temptation and never replaced what was stolen in the end 😀 (he is SO going to hate himself if it happens)

It can only mean one thing, my lil' buddies...

BACK TO SUGARLAND WITH A NEW EPISODE PLOT !!!

Consider this: Baroness von Bon Bon decides she'll forgive Cuphead for breaking her laws and allow him to take another fizzy jawbreaker ONLY if he delivers her from her ancient curse ! Remember she said it was "a story for another time". I never played the game, but Djimmy the Great could be involved with his wishes !

What if next season consists of Cuphead's quest to gather important artefacts for the ritual ? Forcing him to encounter more game bosses ? If the season goes like this, it will be an opportunity to develop Cuphead's character by making him realise how much more difficult everything is without his brother by his side and how much he took him for granted. Having no one to watch his back or help him will teach him to be more observant and careful, and how it can be hard and exhausting. Being worried for Mugsy will also make him understand better his brother's own feelings and protectiveness. After calling him "lame and boring" several times in season 2, something has to make him acknowledge how capable, awesome and brave his little bro has been and actually is, despite all his fears and worries. THEY NEED TO RELATE MORE !

Finally, I want to see Cuphead ask Quadratus how Mugman even heard about him in the first place. And I want Quadratus to reveal by some sort of flashbacks that his little brother was so worried about the whole "owing-the-Devil-his-soul" situation he couldn't find sleep and spent nights after nights searching in books to find a solution and protect him. So Cuphead will finally understand how much it affected Mugsy and how much he always cared for him.

We stan this precious little cautious bookworm here 🥺

Mugman has always been there for Cuphead when he needed it, and now it's Cuphead's turn to be there for him as well.

Last little idea: Remember the impenetrable sweater was effective thanks to Cups and Mugs brotherly love ? Well, you know what else has been crafted with love by Mugman ? The tandem bike ! Quadratus may have advised Cuphead to take the tandem bike with him to Hell because it will be useful for both brothers (helping them to reconcile ? To escape from hell through the big gate ?).

If you've read this far, thank you and congrats people ! I didn't think my nonsense could interest anybody. I don't know what to give you as a reward, so have this stupid song:

#the cuphead show #cuphead #mugman #I live for the cupbros being wholesome #and Cuphead appreciating his brother's worth #elder kettle #legendary chalice #baroness von bon bon #theory #I guess my brain basically only has two modes: OVERTHINK and MEMES #all aboard the angst train

[bookwyrm35]

My first ever glimpse of the amazing world of Lockwood and Co., like many others, was through the show. I don't remeber what I was doing, but when I stumbled upon the trailer it immediately captivated me. It was so odd though that, being as wary of horror as I am, something so explicitly revolving around ghosts would intrigue me. Yet I couldn't shake the thought of it. Finally, I recruited my family, settled in for the scares, and watched. And I will never be the same. That night we only watched four episodes, we all had responsibility the next day, but even then I knew I was in love. All that day I thought of it and I was practically bursting out if my skin in excitement when night once again rolled around and we continued our dive into Lockwood and Co. And then we hit that cliff hanger. Gosh, I love it but I hate it! I wanted to scream and shout and laugh and sing I loved the show so much. I still do, of course I still do. Even after all that's happened.

I devoured the books after that. How could I not when they held the answers, the origins of this show that had so captured my heart. I tore through them one after another, soaking in every masterfully written page of it. I cried when I finished them, for the beauty that they gave my life, for the wonder that they filled it with. These books taught me to live. They told to remember the little things and hold them fast. @jonathanstroud you don't know me, but you saved my life. These books taught me to not fear the dark. Yes, there are horrors and dangers untold lurking just beyond, but these books made me believe I have everything I need to defeat them. They taught me to trust my senses, ground myself when that fear comes creeping in, and to always rely on those I call my friends. I used to rush through the darkened hallways of my house when night fell, desperately avoiding the monsters I was convinced were there, but now? Now I walk. Calm and collected without an ounce of that old fear because I know. I know I don't have to be afraid.

Not of ghosts anyway.

I couldn't wait for the second season to be confirmed. I couldn't wait till it all came alive on screen, couldn't wait to soak it all in again and have it be new and yet still familiar. I waited with bated breath along with the fandom, praying everyday that this would be when we got the good news. But, as you all are so painfully aware, it never came.

It was still early on in the morning when I heard the news. I was just scrolling through Instagram, peaceful as you like, when I came upon Jonathan Stroud's post. I could give a thousand flowy words and a million essays on how the news of the cancelation made me feel but nothing portrays it better than saying that in that moment my heart shattered.

I cried then. Of course I did, how could I not when so many beautiful possibilities had been taken from the world. How could I not mourn for all the bit of stories, all the amazing chacters, every bit of heart and love that is in the later books because Netflix decided it wasn't good enough. It is good enough. I still don't understand how you're too blind to see it.

I've never been a part of anything like this before. Heck, I didn't even have this account until I was desperate for information on what to do with my grief. I've never really put my thoughts out there or tried to be a voice. Not until now. That's how much this show and these books mean to me. Yes, I know at the end of the day it's all fictional, yes I know it's just some books and just a show. And yet...it has become so much more to me. So much more to us.

I don't know if anyone will read this. It's pretty long and might not make a lick of sense to anyone else. But if you do happen to see this, please give this universe a try. You don't have to love it, but please see all the golden truths it has to teach. And if you can, please help us. Help us save the show. Help us save this part of our hearts.

"Do not go gentle into the good night. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light." 

#save lockwood and co #bring back lockwood and co #renew lockwood and co

[angry-geese]

Lost and Losing It

Eddie Munson x Reader

Warnings: none! Sfw. Angst with a happy ending, first kiss, friends to lovers, probably some secondhand embarrassment. Gn!reader

Word count: 1.8k

Synopsis:

"what the hell are you still doing in Hawkins?" Eddie asks.

"we were supposed to get out of here, remember?" You ask. "You and I were gonna go to California to make it big. But you're still in school and I'm still stuck working the same shitty warehouse job!"

He recalls how eerily similar your conversation sounds to an argument you had months back. That ended badly. You didn't talk to him for a week. Even after you made up, things weren't ever quite the same. You buried yourself in work. And Eddie...

Perhaps you've changed a lot. Perhaps Eddie hasn't changed at all.

When Eddie hears a car pulling up the gravel road to his uncle’s trailer, he writes it off as one of his neighbors. The microwave dings, signaling his Cup O Noodles is ready. The first time he hears a knock at the door, he ignores it. It must be Mrs. Morgan asking for salt again. Whoever it is at the door must be in a hurry, he thinks, because a moment later they knock again. This time it's far louder. 

Muttering a few choice expletives, he abandons his ramen for the door. He figures whichever door to door salesman it is, will go away the moment he answers. One of the last people he expects to see standing on his doorstep, is you.

You’re still dressed in your work uniform: black Carhartts, a long sleeve shirt under a red polo with the company name sewn into the sleeve. There's a book in your hands: Dungeon Masters Guide. You offer it to him sheepishly. Several yellow post-its stick out of the book. He catches a glimpse of your neat handwriting on one.

“I wasn't feeling well so Mr. Matthews let me leave work a bit early.” You say. “I came by to drop off your book.”

A pencil sticks out from behind his ear. His hair is tied back. He has a safety pin in the piercing you once did years ago. The top few buttons of his shirt have come undone, revealing a new tattoo. It's fresh. The skin around it is still red, and irritated.

“Do you want to come hang for a bit?” He asks. “It's just… it's been awhile since I last saw you.”

You wring your hands. “I'm sorry.” You say. “I've been so busy with work. And my dad—he's sick again. The doctors are saying it's pneumonia this time.”

You look tired, he notes. Really tired.

It's as if the span of a few months has aged you ten years. You're no longer the same person he saw at school all those years ago. You've changed. Perhaps he hasn't changed at all.

“I get it.” He says. “Sometimes I forget you’ve technically got bills and stuff now.”

You laugh. “Yeah. I guess I’m supposed to be a responsible adult now.”

“Want a beer?” He asks. Light floods the kitchen as he cracks the door to the fridge open.

“Sure.” You say. “I can't drink too much, though. I drove here and my dad will have my ass if he catches me coming home plastered again.”

The bottles clink together as he holds them both in one hand. Using a lighter, he pries the caps off. “How’s he doing?” Eddie asks. “Your dad, I mean.”

“I dunno,” you say. “He's not getting worse but… he keeps talking about some malaria medication they gave him before he left for the war. He's saying that's what made him sick,

“It's just… not like him,” you continue. “I don't think he's lying, but it sounds so absurd.”

“It's not like that's the first, or last time the US government has experimented on its citizens.” He says. “Just look at MK Ultra.”

“That's not comforting at all.” You say, laughing softly.

The cushion beside you dips as he sits. He frees the pencil from behind his ear, tossing it aside. Your eyes fall to the rack of mugs hung above the counter. Such a familiar place, and yet you feel like a stranger here. You can hardly count all the evenings you've spent here, playing dnd, and being a general terror to the neighborhood. The countless summers you’d swim in the quarry, drunk, half naked, and freezing to death come sunset.

The silence that settles over the room isn't one you can call comfortable. Eddie twists one of his rings between his forefinger and thumb. His knee bounces anxiously. You bring the beer to your lips and take a sip. It feels as if you have to swallow twice for it to finally go down.

“Rick’s back?” You ask. “Thought he was still in jail.”

“He's on parole right now.” Eddie says. “Why? You looking to buy something?”

“Not really,” you say. “Just bein’ nosy.”

Your weak attempt at small talk has fallen flat on its face. He seems to take a sudden interest in picking at his nails. The black polish on them is badly chipped. They look to have been bitten down to the nail beds. 

"What the hell are you still doing in Hawkins?" Eddie asks.

Something akin to anger flares up in your chest. You recall how eerily similar this conversation is to an argument you had months back. That ended badly. You didn't talk to him for a week. Even after you made up, things weren't ever quite the same. You buried yourself in work. And Eddie…

“We were supposed to get out of here, remember?” You ask. “You and I were gonna go to California to make it big. I'd be a published author and your band was supposed to be making it big out West. But you're still in school, and I'm still stuck working the same shitty warehouse job!”

Perhaps you’ve changed a lot. Perhaps Eddie hasn't changed at all.

“86 is gonna be my year.” He says.

“That's what you said last year.” You say. “You were supposed to walk with me at graduation. And we were supposed to flip Principal Higgins the bird as we walked on that stage!”

“You still flipped him off.” Eddie says. His face is close enough to yours that you can feel his breath against your skin. He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

“God you should have seen the look on his face,” you say. “What are they gonna do though, suspend me? I left that shithole behind,

“I do miss Hellfire, though. We should run another campaign this summer.”

Your dad always figured you were fine playing dnd. He thought you may run into some real weirdos while playing it, but he wasn't opposed to you doing so.

You suppose he wasn't entirely wrong about the weirdos part. Not that you mind. You find them to be plenty better company than most people.

“I don't care if I have to wait another year,” you say. “We’re getting out of here.”

“Trust me, I am army crawling my way to a passing grade in Econ.” He says.

Eddie Munson is not dumb. You always figured that if things were different—if even a little—that he would be out of there by now. He's bright. Christ—he reads more than you—more than most people you know. He’s a talented DM, and an even better storyteller. 

Sometimes you think things aren't made for people like him. Or you, for that matter.

The first year and a half of highschool went well. After spring break of sophomore year, everything went to shit. You're not certain why it did. Maybe people are right when they say Hawkins is cursed. But you’re not religious, nor are you superstitious. And all those stories about something being buried beneath this town are just that: stories.

Eddie was always there to remind you that things didn't have to suck. And when you were around him, they didn't. 

Eddie thinks he should pinch himself. He's dreaming. He must be dreaming. You… in his house… with his uncle at work. It's just too… perfect. 

Getting you alone was always difficult to do, especially as you got older. Hellfire wasn't the place for it. Class wasn't. And after you graduated, most of your free time was spent working. The few times he tried to stop by your house, he didn't get any further than talking with your father. Usually you were at work. When you weren't, the conversations you had were often brief, and one sided.

Eddie has thought long and hard about how this conversation would go. How he would apologize, or maybe you would. Maybe you were still mad at him. Or maybe time had simply pushed you two apart, creating a rift that would never truly heal.

Your hand presses against his knee to prevent it from bouncing. Eddie hadn't even realized he was doing it.

His heart leaps into his throat. Eddie’s hand wraps around yours, as if to move it, yet simply stops there.

“Sorry you were just… I was…” You stammer out a few more fragments of a sentence before finally saying: “wanna watch a movie?”

“Yeah,” he says, “sure, sure.” Although his head is turned away, you can see the redness that creeps up his cheeks.

You fumble for the remote, switching the TV on. Nightmare on Elm Street. The movie looks to be about halfway over.

“I missed hanging out with you.” He says quietly.

“I missed you too—hanging you with you, I mean.” You say. “God it's been so weird without you around. Even my dad has been asking where you were and he…”

“Can't stand me?”

“Nah,” you say. “I think you’ve grown on him.”

Eddie has finally noticed how close your faces have gotten. Your free hand has moved to cover his, and he prays you won't notice how badly his palms are sweating.

“Can I… do you want to…” You pause for a moment, seemingly collecting yourself. “Can I kiss you?”

“You can.” He says, with no hesitation. His pointer finger and thumb dig into the flesh of his arm, and he feels the sharp sting of it. He’s not dreaming…

Your lips press against his gently, but with a certain neediness behind them. You taste faintly like coffee, and his stubble scratches your skin. Something burns in his chest, and it's not from the alcohol. 

Eddie thinks that if he died now, he would die a happy man. 

Your lips part from his with a soft smack. His eyes don't open until your hands move to cup his cheeks, guiding him to look at you.

“Kiss me again,” you say. “Please.” 

You must not know how long he’s been waiting to hear those words.

This time, he leans in first. His hair tickles your neck as he nips at your bottom lip. You are expecting his hands to find your waist; you aren't expecting his tongue to enter your mouth.

The front door slides open and in steps Wayne Munson. He kicks the toe of his boot against the front step, knocking the dirt off them, before discarding his Georgia Loggers at the door.

“Mr. Munson,” you say, shuffling away from Eddie. “You’re home early!”

Wayne greets you with a nod, and a grunt, before settling into his recliner. He gets up once to grab the remote, switching to the nightly news. Within a matter of minutes, Eddie’s uncle goes from wide awake, to dozing off, occasionally waking himself up with his own snores.

“Why don't we go hang out in your room?” You ask.

“Sounds like a good idea.” He says.

#eddie munson x gender neutral reader #eddie munson x reader #eddie x reader #eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things season 4 #ehh im not really that active in this fandom so im not 100% sure how people tag thing #eddie stranger things #eddie st4 #OSHA compliant #fluff #stranger things fluff #probably not canon complint but oh well lol

[burningtacozombie]

today the French tv show festival Series Mania started but so far all we got is an 8 second glimpse of a Hotel Cocaine trailer.

the first two episodes are set to air in full on Thursday, March 21 at 8:30pm local time. Danny and some of his cast mates are expected to be on the red carpet (that's actually purple, lol) at around 8:00pm local.

also, I was thinking about where I had come across this intro before but then remembered that a year ago the script review for the pilot was released which had the lines Danny speaks in the clip above already in it, haha.

#danny pino #roman compte #hotel cocaine #eeks this is getting exciting #hopefully we'll get an air date too then #I can't wait to see it #series mania 2024

[dastardlydandelion]

a 2024 update

i keep circling back to the idea of deleting my tumblr. i’m not as active as I once was, my schedule changed (and workload intensified) in the time i began this blog to where i am now. the AI is really freaking me out but that’s not just a tumblr problem, (it’s everywhere 😱) so much less of a factor in my contemplation because i know i can't avoid it.

i’m also not the same as i was three years ago and euuugh, some of my early stuff makes me cringe so hard i want to delete just to distance myself from it!!! but like, evolution and change are just natural in the process of existing as a human being. in another three years, i’ll be even more different (albeit my pre-frontal cortex will remain fully developed so the changes will potentially be less pronounced). soo what am i gonna do, reset every three years like a robot getting a new computer chip??

this is going to get longer than i expected, so explanation continues under the cut:

nah. i may not be as active as i used to be and my opinions/interests may have shifted/evolved, but still, so many of my friends are here and there’s all this cool art, and gifsets, and what have you.

since this was and remains mainly a fandom blog, i’ll briefly summarize my major attitude shifts regarding fandom:

on the yellowjackets front, a significant decrease in hostility toward one travis martinez. like…okay I still don’t love that ben sent travis out alone hunting with nat after he pointed a gun! at her fucking face! and I still don’t love the portion of fandumb that straight up ignores that travis pointed a gun at natalie’s face, and yes it was kind of frustrating that the male characters in general got so much screen time in a show that’s supposed to be about female characters but like. none of that is travis the character’s fault— actually ykw, that’s one of my problems generally that i noticed, that i want to grow from— i keep letting fandumb (and content burnout) influence my perception of and response to characters/plot lines/ships rather than organically formulating my interpretations separate from that influence. i mean fandumb generally, not just YJ. blah blah blah, anyway, i apologize, travis martinez. you had to eat your baby brother. you sank your teeth into his freshly carved out raw heart. i want to both examine you from a more organic angle going forward and hug you now.

okay, okay, i was gonna break down my notable shifts in opinion by fandom, but going off of the aforementioned pattern that i have, maybe i should...no, no, let's keep going by fandom, i have that problem in *every* fandom, so.

ST! I FINALLY WATCHED IT. holy cannoli, okay, @lucdarling and @foxgirlontherun are buds that i remember telling for sure, but i know for sure i didn't tell all of my ST pals so i'll touch on that. watched it over the holidays with my grandma, who had been trying to get me to watch for some time and i finally caved.

1.) we get more glimpses of the demogorgon in the first season than i ever gave it credit for. myself of...however many years ago was just too damn impatient waiting to see the whole damn monster. we get a claw here, a growl there, a moving shadow, etc. its introduction was actually well done, so. years-ago me, you were WRONG. WRONG, I TELL YOU, WRONG.

2.) eleven does not have pyrokinesis. i knew she was telepathic (to a degree) and telekinetic, but for some reason, in the past i *also* believed she could set things on fire with her mind. i just thought she used that power less because fire is so destructive. well...now i know she doesn't have pyrokinesis at all!

3.) the byers do NOT live in a trailer. this i did actually learn before watching the show, i learned in 2022 when a bud sent me like, a pic of their lego byers house and i was like, oh. neat. that's not a trailer. 🙃 so that i did become aware before watching, but seeing it onscreen reminded me that i knew.

4.) billy has more canon depth than i had given him credit for, previously having just watched scenes for fic-reference out of context. i apologize, billiam (i don't attribute a shred of that depth to the duffballs, but that's a different rant). i think since i entered the fandom side of things long before watching, i got certain portions of fanon and canon confused. also-- much like with travis and some other examples i'm going to get into-- i let too much fandumb influence my response to him + impression of his role in canon.

5.) steve is nowhere nearly as irritating in canon as i thought he was. the things that i find irritating about steve are-- once again, see above examples --not really anything that has to do with the character himself! i'm sorry, steve!

on that note, sorry hairygrove friends!! i love you guys and it's been a gift getting to know each of you over the last few years, but i was pretty damn mean to steve sometimes! i should've been nicer to steve...and maybe bill, for that matter, but i mean, i'd written so much from his POV i think it goes without saying that i've always had affection for the latter, even if i probably should've given him more credit for canon characterization and been less presumptuous.

obviously having seen the show, i have more developed thoughts on ST overall, but i think those are just...the main differentiations between opinions formulated in the early days of this blog versus where i'm at now. friends of mine who watch ST, if you want to talk about it, i'm happy to! but please DM me personally and don't send asks about it. i don't want to answer asks because those get posted on the main blog. on the main blog the algorithm reads what's posted and sends you suggestions accordingly.

certain parts of ST S4VOL2 make me *extremely* uncomfortable. i scroll past gifs, art, edits, etc, of those parts on occasion already since i have so many ST friends and the algorithm suggests related content. and it's fine...but i don't want to give the algorithm more reasons to show me even more things that make me uncomfortable, you know what i mean?

guess that's it for ST.

so let's revisit the scream franchise!

might as well go ahead and get the biggest change out of the way: i no longer hate dewey riley!

good lord, for years i was just the stabbiest damn crab at that character. 🦀🔪 opinion officially evolved, evolved BIG time. i was once so irritated with dewey i straight up celebrated when he got killed off . the glee at his demise pushed the ghostface that killed him right up to the top of my ranking.

BOOOOOOOOO. BOOOOOOOOO ME.

...okay. i. i'm sorry, dewey.

once again, here goes me with this pattern that i need to stop. me raising up my hackles at fandumb and components of the character that are not *the* character. i don't like the hero cop trope. i don't. the copaganda of it all...but. a character's mere status of falling into a category of trope or cliche shouldn't discourage thorough examination of them, their personalities, role in the story, or other traits. that's a very small way to interact with fiction, isn't it? i've since moved on from that knee-jerk dismissal.

i also was also a huge flipping grinch when it came to romance for a long ass time (will touch on this later) and so much of dewey's story is about the romance between him and gale. which is...actually a pretty solid romantic storyline, i realize after multiple earnest re-watches of the franchises. dewey has a solid arc! gale has a solid arc! their romance has a solid arc! should not have complained about this nearly as much as i did. maybe it's because of the chemistry between the performers, but all their banter throughout the movies that i once rolled my eyes at...it...it works! okay, it works, they made it work.

i no longer rejoice that dewey is killed off (albeit the scene itself is still pretty freaking cool). amber definitely *isn't* my ghostfave. she's NOT at the bottom of my list but NOT at the top. actually-- wait, no, that can wait, i'm not done with dewey yet...or am i, do i have anything else to say about dewey?

okay, he's not my favorite character, but. he's a classic and he's lovable and i won't fight it anymore because of petty irritations or my personal issues with a trope that in no way makes up the whole of his character.

since we're on scream, whoa, GHOSTFACE RANKING HAS EVOLVED 11/10!

yes, oh, that is so much different than where it was when i started this blog! also very different after recency bias + initial script + the dewey kill scene undeservedly shot amber to the top of my ranking in early 2022.

i'm not going to detail my ranking in this post. that could easily be its own post with its own thorough dissections of which ghostface takes which slot and why. but i will bring up another scream character whose opinion of mine has greatly changed over time: richie kirsch.

i was so irritated by this guy before. couldn't stand him! and you guessed it, for the wrong reasons! i was put off by a lot of the outpouring of the horny focus on him in fandom. not shaming anybody for their preferences by the way! look, i have my own villain crushes (see beth, who is at the top of my ranking again although we'll save the details for another day). it's just...it was kind of frustrating back then to want to gush about the carpenter sisters and mostly find myself surrounded by risque white male centered content instead. i hope that's understandable. so i got burned out on richie content and dismissed the whole character. i was also VERY put off by radio silence's interpretation of their ghostface duo in 2022 but that's a different conversation and again, not richie the character's fault.

richie is funny! okay, he's funny, yes, the "boner pills" line is still irritating, but now...now when i re-watch 5cream i can appreciate him more and the humor of richie *mostly* lands for me! i also think scream VI made me appreciate richie more, because his family is so underdeveloped and wayne's actor made...choices with that performance. but again, that's something i would get into more if i were to detail the evolution of my ghostface ranking.

i think that's it for the major changes in my scream feelings...what other fandoms...

okay, cobra kai? how have my opinions evolved there?

ykw, that one might be mostly the same. the show got worse. it got so bad. it's so bad now, it just bums me out. the one thing i truly wanted from that show was for tory nichols to get the screentime she deserved and for the show to deliver on her hidden depths alluded to the first three seasons. my wish was granted in sheer monkey paw fashion, because they finally did that and pretty much the rest of the show went to shit, go figure. 💩

um...hmm...SHIPPING.

oh, okay, shipping. yeah, let's talk about that. not fandom specific, just um. okay, at the time i started this blog i was never what the kids call 'antis' in that i have some moral beef with fan content of fictional characters falling in love or doing sex things. no, no, that's pretty silly. BUT what i was, was a huge grinch!!! just the mention of romance made me scrunch my face. wouldn't read/write/engage with any shippy things beyond some extremely particular F/F content.

as someone who prefers F/F because it's what i relate to, i know at some point i was just burned out on everything fandom being so heavily M/M focused and everything canon being so heavily F/M focused. i also have feelings about the way M/F is portrayed in canon media due to misogynistic tropes and storylines. but even where F/F was concerned, i was so picky. picky as a damn porcupine.

i believe a combination of things has finally let me to loosen up when it comes to shipping and romance in general.

1.) limiting my engagement with it, allowing me to recover from the burnout.

2.) getting over personal romantic issues IRL that tainted my engagement in fictional romance.

3.) YELLOWJACKETS. i have many complaints with s2 but nevertheless, YJ has given us so many complex, rich female characters with interesting dynamics. and the exploration of those dynamics is abundant, varied, and so thoughtfully explored in YJ fandom that i am hooked! i feel more invested in expanding my F/F pool and i feel less overrun by the greater amount of M/M and M/F content because these fascinating characters and the earnest effort fandom puts into depicting multilayered relationships between them just...evens the playing field, i guess, if we're gonna make a soccer pun. ⚽️

4.) watching romances + romantic subplots with women behind the camera. turns out, the less misogyny involved, the more genuinely i can enjoy an M/F ship. go figure, huh.

anyway, i'm not such a stab crab about romance anymore. i know i have many fandom friends who *are* interested in shipping and i apologize if i was ever cramping your style or bringing you down when i would express my disgruntlement. i hope you can forgive me, i promise to be less of a grinch now. 💚

🦀🔪 fandom opinions that have not changed:

1.) THE BLACK PHONE. waited a year, paid $30 to watch ethan hawke put plates on the floor for an hour! NO! i want a refund!!! WASTED POTENTIAL. GONNA HOLD THIS GRUDGE FOREVER.

2.) the CAOS finale was absolutely disgusting! it was never a great show, sarah rees brennan who wrote the tie-in novels should've been in charge of the screenplay, imo. the novels did so much, so much better, but i digress...mediocre show or not, that fourth season took bad to a whole new level. 🤢

3.) ALEX SAXON CANNOT ACT. i appreciate nancy drew (2019) presenting to me F/M ships (namely fanson) i could actually get into because of the way the dynamics were written but the nace obsessions baffles me when the acting in MTV scream was oscar-worthy compared to this man's sheer lack of ability to emote.

...unless....unless the editors of the show hated alex saxon and only used edits they knew were bad in the finalized episodes in order to sabotage his career going forward. but i have no proof, it's just a possible conspiracy theory. 🤔

non-fandom relevant blog thoughts:

i love interacting with my friends, building connections, and admiring the creativity people put out into the world in various forms. i want to be more focused on that, online and offline, than negativity. i also don't want my apprehension surrounding AI to prevent me from engaging with the digital world and the wonderful human people i've gotten to know through it.

i want to think about nature more than the things that make me so angry, so beyond my control. i want to share animal facts and pictures of forests and funnily shaped rocks. i want to spend more time making people laugh than spiraling into personal insecurities...i don't think my blog was ever a *particularly* negative place, but oh boy, i could certainly be a crab with TWO knives...

there's plenty to be afraid of and be angry about with the expansion of AI and its grip on the digital world. i guess the whole purpose of this post was just to express 'these are the things that have changed and my priorities have also changed.' with that, i really want to focus more on creative things, fun things, funny things, and share more joy than anything else.

there's only so much time. i want to spend the bulk of it cherishing the connections we make, more than anything else.

#personal #blogging #fandom #media #AI #the shift from early 20s to late 20s is so real #i am making peace with the goals i've failed to accomplish and that acceptance has helped me mellow out A LOT #edit: setting new goals has also helped a lot #accpetance of past failures is not giving up on future achievments

[softsnzstuff]

Yes I want Eddie to come back. But do you know what I want more?

Still torn up from bay bites, Eddie somehow managed to crawl - fighting tooth and nail - back out of the gate. Clutching his side, he stumbles his way through the ruins of Hawkins, Indiana. Everything looks post-apocalyptic and he doesn’t know why. The town looks abandoned.

He lays eyes on the one familiar thing. The Munson trailer, or what was left of it. Half of it was torn apart and covered in thick vines resembling the Upside Down. But despite it all, there was a faint light coming from inside.

Eddie limps up to the opening torn in the side of the trailer.

“Uncle Wayne?” He asks hesitantly.

There’s some shuffling inside before the man appears. He looks defensive, brows furrowed. As soon as he takes in the sight, his face softens as he bursts into tears.

“Eddie!” He chokes out between sobs.

The guitarist all but falls into Wayne’s arms as they hugged for what felt like the first time in years. Wayne holds the boy at arms length and really looks him up and down.

“I thought I lost you!”

Eddie’s heart feels a pang of guilt as he catches a glimpse of red on his uncles neck. His old guitar pick.

“Where did you get that?” Eddie asks, feeling it’s absence on his own chest, not quite remembering.

Wayne undid the clasp in the back and removed it, putting it back on Eddie.

“From that boy. Dustin?”

Eddie’s eyes widen, “Henderson… is he??”

“He’s okay! They’re all okay. He said you saved them - you saved us.”

Eddie blinked in disbelief, still confused about the events that transpired.

“Where…is everyone?”

“They all had to evacuate. Hawkins wasn’t safe anymore. I uh… I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I still always felt like you might come home someday.”

Wayne looked at his feet, feeling embarrassed at how soft that sounded aloud. A silent tear rolled off his cheek and landed on his boot.

Eddie smiled for the first time, “I’m so glad you waited.”

Wayne’s face suddenly shifted as he seemed to remember something long forgotten. He felt around in his pants pockets before pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. He had been holding onto it for so long.

“Mr.Munson? I saw you talking to Dustin earlier. We um.. we were friends. Eddie and I. Im so sorry we couldn’t-” The brunette’s words trailed off as he started tearing up.

Steve Harrington pinched at his nose to try and stop himself from crying.

Wayne put a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder, meeting his teary eyes with his own, “Its silly but I still feel like he’s out there somewhere.”

Steve sniffled and nodded, “Can you just… if he ever comes back… could you just give me a call?”

He hands Wayne a folded up piece of paper with his first name and phone number scribbled on it. “There’s a lot of us who would really like to see him.” Steve explained, looking over his shoulder at Nancy and Robin.

“Absolutely.” Wayne wiped a tear with his shirt sleeve and put the paper in his pocket before turning to put up more MISSING signs.

He turns to the phone in the trailer, miraculously one of the few things that still worked in the damn place, and plugged in the number on the paper. It rang several times before a young girls voice answered.

“This is Steve Harrington’s phone, how may I assist you?”

Wayne could hear murmuring in the background: “Dammit Robin give me that!” Followed by some giggling.

“I’m so sorry about that, this is Steve. Who’s this?”

“This is uh, Wayne Munson.”

There was a pause. Steve had waved Robin back over to the phone.

“Hi Mr.Munson. Is everything okay?” His voice was shaky. He wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

“Can I swing by in a couple of hours? I’ve got someone here who would really like to see you guys.”

Wayne could hear the whispered “oh my god” on the other end of the line.

“I- I mean…what?!”

Robin yelled over Steve, “Dingus says yes!!”

“What do you mean?” Steve asked, afraid of the answer.

Eddie leaned over the receiver, “I’m back, big boy. And I think it’s finally my year….”

#OOPS MY HAND SLIPPED #sorry this is my coping mechanism #still bitter that we didn’t get a single Wayne and Eddie scene!!? #I’m crying #s/tranger t/hings #e/ddie m/unson #w/ayne m/unson #s/teve h/arrington #r/obin b/uckley #fruity four #kb writes