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memryse · 3 years

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The magic of 3rd Life, or why such a simple hardcore miniseries works as well as it does

For a series which only lasted for eight sessions, 3rd Life has had a profound impact on the MCYT fandom. While it did go comparatively unnoticed on Twitter (as is consistent with YouTube-based Minecraft content as a whole, admittedly), Tumblr and other platforms have fallen in love with this series, and it’s become a vector for many fans to familiarise themselves with Hermitcraft and Empires SMP as well. But at its core, 3rd Life is a simple vanilla survival series with a gimmick. What about it resonates so much with so many people?

I would argue that its simplicity, its small cast, its vanilla gameplay “with a twist” is certainly part of it. It’s an easy series to consume, with many POVs totalling four hours or less, and it doesn’t require any prior knowledge of any of the members. Its mechanics are easy to understand. As a standalone, it functions perfectly – it’s immersive and can be followed easily by anyone, regardless of any prior knowledge they may or may not have. However, these factors alone don’t quite encompass what makes 3rd Life so special. Its true charm point lies in the format of the series, and how well it utilises improv.

[more below the cut; this is a fairly long post about 3rd/Last Life meta and my love of its improv. I'm mostly talking about 3rd Life here as it's a completed series, but this most definitely does apply to Last Life as well]

3rd Life is an entirely improv-based series. Whilst members may have a brief concept of the direction they’d like to take their series in – how heavily they want to roleplay, for example – the actual content of each session is fully improvised. Each episode is recorded in one three-hour block, and members are not allowed to play on the server outside of the allotted time other than specifically to finish builds. This time constraint prevents any planning from going into each episode, and interactions between players are completely spontaneous. Players simply run around the map looking for others to interact with (which is significantly easier with the limited world border) and chat about various events on the server, form alliances or deals, etc.

By definition, this almost completely negates the possibility of bad writing. Each player’s reaction to any server event is spontaneous, a legitimate reaction; they aren’t trying to play any specific roles or shoehorn in any specific events (with the exception of the Red King/Hand of the King roles, who were still completely improvising). Even the finale – a distinctly heart-wrenching and tragic scene – was improvised without Grian or Scar attempting to tell any specific story. According to Martyn, they weren’t roleplaying, they didn’t have any aims with that scene. It just happened to turn out in the way that it did, and they were legitimately sorry to one another. The server progressed in this natural way, and every person’s perspective tells a completely different story. It’s hard to identify any specific heroes or villains – fans of the Dream SMP can surely relate to this feeling, but I would argue that 3rd Life takes this one step further. 3rd Life is a tragedy from all perspectives, a tragedy which tells one cohesive story in its entirety before stopping as abruptly as it began.

3rd Life hinges entirely on its interactions between its members. Whilst solo content does exist – base building, for example – the majority of each session is spent interacting with others. 3rd Life is carried by its dialogue; nothing else drives the story, and yet many episodes are between 30 minutes and an hour long. It’s that dialogue-heavy. Members of the server have expressed trouble with even editing their videos because there is so much key dialogue that they don’t want to cut. People don’t watch 3rd Life for the actual gameplay, at all – there’s so little of it! They watch it for how each member interacts with the people around them. This is something not found in any other SMP I’ve encountered. SMPs livestreamed on Twitch have plenty of downtime, and people will happily watch streams on that SMP no matter what’s occurring on the server; people often watch them for their interest in specific members. Other currently popular YouTube SMPs, namely Hermitcraft and Empires, are well-balanced between solo content and interactions, and all server content hinges on the members’ various skills like building and redstone. 3rd Life is, to my knowledge, the only SMP which does not rely on building or redstone skills (what’s the point, when they’ll be dead the next week?), it doesn’t rely on the creator doing solo work talking to their chat, it doesn’t rely on planned roleplay. People legitimately just want to hear various members talking to each other. It’s a fascinatingly unique series in this regard. This dialogue-heavy aspect of 3rd Life ties back to my earlier point about 3rd Life feeling like a completely different series from all perspectives; with all of this dialogue being conveyed through proximity chat, so many events are entirely left out of other POVs, or presented in very different lights.

The pure improv format also helps significantly with worldbuilding, whilst also leaving plenty to the imagination. MCYT fandoms always require a significant amount of imagination to become invested in them, let alone make fan content of them, and 3rd Life is no exception to this. As discussed in this post, which was incidentally the inspiration for me to write this one, 3rdLife is full of lines which flesh out the series, which illustrate what happened better than can be shown in Minecraft. These lines are improvised on the spot, and are often complete throwaway lines in the creators’ eyes. In the fans’ eyes, they make 3rd Life feel alive, they provide plenty of material on which to base headcanons. Again, this isn’t necessarily unique to 3rd Life, it’s a common aspect of all Minecraft series, but I think this is where the rather angsty nature of 3rd Life comes into play. A dramatic survival game, entirely unscripted, with all events hinging entirely on your interpretation of them? It’s not hard to see why 3rd Life fans are so creative with character designs and fanfiction – hell, a lot of 3rd Life fics simply narrate canon in their own more dramatic light. Canon-compliant fics are significantly more common for 3rd Life than other fandoms I've encountered, because people hear these simple lines and want to dramatise them, put their own spins on them. I don't feel that this would be possible with any other series, not to the extent that 3rd Life fans do it. Other series' canon is either already dramatic, and so rehashing it can feel repetitive, or so lighthearted that people write AUs/new storylines. 3rd Life strikes a brand-new balance.

The development of its characters is also bolstered by improv. As no events on the server are pre-planned, members have to react completely spontaneously to anything that occurs. They don’t get time to think – only to react as though they genuinely were in that situation. As I said at the start, 3rd Life inherently lacks bad writing, because it’s not written. Ren, for instance, began 3rd Life as a kind and harmless person, with others often walking right over him. His reaction to his death by Grian and Scar’s trap spurs him to become the Red King; he raises an army and goes to war, and ends the series having taken countless lives, becoming hardened by war. He begins Last Life by isolating himself from others, seeming jaded and unwilling to form alliances, ready for another war to break out. Being improvised, it’s impossible to say how much of this was deliberate, or if Ren just started building his base without thinking about continuity from the previous season. This improv is what makes it feel so natural. It isn’t planned beforehand. This is Ren’s natural reaction to starting Last Life. It makes his character feel so much more real than it would if this was all scripted beforehand.

3rd Life is, overall, a testament to the power of improv. It manages to be compelling and dramatic without any acting feeling forced or wooden. Its characters’ arcs feel natural, because they are natural. Placing such a heavy emphasis on dialogue, with the gimmick of the server being a vehicle for interactions to happen rather than the sole appeal of the series, makes it truly feel as though we’re getting a glimpse into the characters’ lives, rather than watching a story which has been written beforehand. We get to watch everything unfold in real time. 3rd Life has a magic to it that, to my knowledge, no other SMP has been able to recreate.

#3rd life smp #last life smp #trafficblr #mae analyses #THIS IS REALLY META BUT I JUST <3 I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR HOW WELL 3RD LIFE DOES WHAT IT DOES #THERE'S A *REASON* IT'S SO COMPELLING #it has this different feel to it #one that i've never encountered before because there is NOTHING like 3rd life out there #ohh i love 3rd life a normal and reasonable amount

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gunkreads · 2 years

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Slept in til 9 this morning and decided to wake up by finishing Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. Despite not having read the third one yet, I’m a huge fan of his Divine Cities series, so last time when I went book shopping and found out he had a new series running, I snapped it up. Foundryside is fuckin good.

I’ll get the bad stuff out of the way first. Bennett has a pronouncedly unsubtle way of explaining things. He’ll grind the book to a complete halt to explain exactly how a thing works and what just happened. It serves to keep everything clear, but it does feel Sanderson-esque at times (and if you know me, you know the baggage that comparison carries). Bennett occasionally gets lost up his own ass on exposition, kind of demanding that you find the topic totally enthralling. It feels like he’s patting himself on the back for his own worldbuilding, though I do understand that I, personally, have a problem with interpreting explicit exposition as self-praise.

However! The payoff, for me, is always worth it. When Bennett pulls you aside and says “Look, kid, here’s the deal:” I’m always down to listen because it’s always worth my time. His worlds are fascinating and he should be proud of them. He has these wonderfully lofty ideas about colonialism and divinity, as well as how those can both be rooted in oppression. In both series so far, he has created pairs of fascinatingly contrasting characters: one who has been hurt as the victim of heinous deeds and one who has been hurt as the perpetrator of them.

He’s got this incredible sense for delicacy around the idea of “scarred by what you’ve done”. In Divine Cities, you have Turyin Mulagesh; in Founders, you have Gregor Dandolo. Both of these characters have done about the worst things you can do, both in military settings. Bennett does a staggeringly good job balancing the blame. These characters both walk a path where they know they shouldn’t be forgiven for what they’ve done, despite what their superiors tell them, and often believe they should have been killed for it. I just wanted to get that out there; I think he walks that wire very well.

Foundryside starts off pretty strong, with a one-woman heist, and pretty much continues to be that way throughout. There are like five heists throughout the book; it’s kind of fantastic. There’s a lot of planning, which does fall for the aforementioned exposition issue, but there’s even more action. Bennett is up there with the best when it comes to action, as far as I’m concerned. He doesn’t do the Brandon Sanderson blow-by-blow choreography thing, but he also doesn’t do the Robert Jordan “and then a bunch of scary shit happened, JUMP CUT” thing; he hits a sweet spot about three-quarters of the way toward the former.

If I had to compare it to something I knew well, I’d hold it up next to Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series. The action is very well-defined and fast-paced, never leaving me lost as to the position and velocity of any character, but it doesn’t go into the painstaking detail of some authors. Whether this is a deliberate acknowledgment of limitations by Bennett and his editors or just the style he writes in, it works well. It also helps that he seems to build his action sequences around his worldbuilding. If you go to a place, that place is a core component of the scene and can change the course of the plan. If you take a tool along, that tool has the same effect.

Unsurprisingly, this is where his tendency to overexposit gets annoying. He’s like a one-man Olympic volleyball team, the way he bumps and sets, but the spike is just... weird. It works--it scores--but something about it felt unsatisfying to watch.

Here’s the deal, metaphor-free: in the opening sequence, Sancia (the protagonist) uses something called a “sailing rig” to fly over some technomagic security barriers. Before she does, she has to attach a sort of beacon to a cart that’s going through the barrier, which acts as a target for the sailing rig when activated and will pull the rig through the air toward it, Sancia in tow. The rig is very well-described, physically. She activates it, a piece breaks partway through, and she barely manages to land safely.

This sequence is absolutely stellar. No wasted breath, perfectly clear what everything does. Awesome, love it. We’ve gotten a dig into some other stuff too by now, but the actual sailing rig and the plan are presented very smoothly and clearly.

Later on, Bennett does his Bad Habit Thing. In the middle of a fight against some dudes using weird new technology, Sancia figures out how to turn it against them. The scene stops and the entire technology is explained from the ground up. By the time it’s resumed, you’re like “well... duh? You already explained all that via the chase sequence”.

And this is where I need to outsource my opinion. To me, the logic of scriving, the series’ magic system, was pretty apparent from the get-go as far as narrative function was concerned. I worry that I’m being too harsh on Bennett’s exposition breaks because of how familiar I already am with artificing as explained in Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicle. The two arts are nearly identical on the surface: carve some shit into an object to make the object think it’s something else. The mechanics behind them are vastly different, but the parallels are strong enough that I had no issue understanding scriving. So take my criticism with a grain of salt.

To summarize my problem, Bennett gives a great and concise mid-action explanation of how something works, then stops a little while after you understand it to explain it all. This gets annoying sometimes.

But don’t let the sheer word count of the negative part of this review fool you. The book is fucking great. Again, the action pacing is fantastic (above examples excepted) and the characters are interesting. The world, more than anything, is worth the time.

As I said before, Bennett has great writing on colonialism, divinity, and oppression. Divine Cities, as the name implies, is about these things; Founders is as well. One theme he plays out really well is that when the oppressed get the upper hand, they can turn into the oppressors. This is a major theme throughout Divine Cities and is introduced right at the end of Foundryside with the revelation about “what’s in the box”.

I’d meant for this to be a review of Foundryside on its own, but it’s kind of hard to talk about what I do and don’t like about Bennett’s writing without comparing everything.

There’s also girls who kiss but that’s like. Lowest priority.

#robert jackson bennett #founders series #foundryside

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deans-haunted-baby · 4 years

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Curious. What do you mean by Dust till Dawn going against it's Characters? I know I have my own feelings, or confusion, with how they left Kate's story.

From Dusk Till Dawn effectively character assassinated every single character in the very last episode including Kate Fuller. No one is acting like themselves in that series finale it's like some deranged fanfic writer came aboard and hijacked the show while no one was looking. If you thought 15x18 & 15x19 of Supernatural were bad and believe me they really are; those episodes are minorly salvageable against the slaughterhouse that Dusk 3x10 was. It utterly contradicts and ignores everything the show put forward in all 3 seasons. I will never watch that episode again.

I'll first explain what that piece of shit did to the show's lead protagonists, the Gecko brothers. Regardless of how you or anyone else feels about Supernatural's series finale; that show was a saint to Sam and Dean's storyline beginning to end compared to how From Dusk Till Dawn definitively butchered Richie and Seth. I'm sad saying this because Zane Holtz and DJ Controna are outstanding as these characters. I freaking love their chemistry man, it's a great rival to J2! They're the badass dark clones of the Winchesters. Their arc starts out fascinatingly complex because they went from cold-blooded criminals/bad guys and meanwhile during their escape over the Mexican border with this hostage family the audience is told pretty quick by Professor Aiden Tanner that the Geckos are destined to become these foresworn warriors The Mayan Hero Twins in an ancient prophecy (based on real Mesoamerican lore) who battle the Underworld. So right away the show is telling us ahead where Seth and Richie are suppose to end up in their journey and when you introduce a storyline this big I expect a satisfying payoff.

At the end of season 1, Richie Gecko is *SPOILER ALERT* transformed into a culebra (snake-vampire) while Seth Gecko remains human symbolizing their night and day Hero Twin counterparts from the legend. And they're separated in the first half of season 2 where both try to navigate this new supernatural world they've stumbled on individually. What they find, no different than the Winchesters, is that neither can function properly without the other making their destiny all the more valid. That season is practically constructed like their swan song to the criminal lifestyle since the brothers are meant to become more than crooks; and since Richie's a vampire they can't ever go back to basics. Their adopted father aka uncle Eddie actually says the line "this is my swan song" in 2x07 to Seth and Richie in reference to their final heist together which is not a coincidence. That's the writers telling us that the Gecko Brothers' role in the show is going to shift from anti-heroes to heroes very soon. Eddie and Kate Fuller's fates in S2 act as the primary catalysts for this transition taking shape in the finale.

Going into season 3 it's business as usual for the boys until the prophecy of the twins officially rips a hole in the damn universe via demon queen Amaru. Who's now possessing Kate. Throughout that season Seth and Richie embark on a journey of heroism; find themselves battling monsters, actually saving civilians and dealing with their own personal demons (guilt and remorse over past sins). That year is presented as their redemption arc and final phase into their new role. No one ever tells them about their destiny (despite most of the other characters knowing) but we as the audience are already aware as we watch the brothers in action. The best episode is without a doubt 3x06 the crown jewel of From Dusk Till Dawn because it's about overcoming the darkness inside. And who best represents that than Richie; the show's most important central character whom began the series as a deadly clairvoyant criminal into the tortured vampire hero struggling with his own humanity. Now I won't spoil the whole episode for anyone who hasn't seen it or the show in general but it's an incredible moment of character development for both the Gecko brothers. Not only does it cement their powerful bond it's the episode that defines who these two are once and for all. The ones who lead the battle between good and evil; keep the balance of light and darkness. One day I plan to do an entire analysis of that episode because it's so fucking brilliant and shot so incredibly eerie at the same time 😁

You want to know what 3x10 does to these characters? It shits all over their entire storyline and pisses away THREE FUCKING SEASONS of character development. Just flushes it all down the toilet rendering everything they've ever done up to that point completely pointless! Their destiny which is the WHOLE POINT OF THE SHOW is suddenly dropped last minute and the Geckos hit reset on their former criminal escapades; dragging Kate along with them. I hate that finale with the fire of a thousand suns for what it does to Richie and Seth 😡

Moving on to Carlos Madrigal. He is the best villain character in the history of show villains hands down. I can actually say that without blinking. Wilmer Valderama is phenomenal, he steals the show as Carlos. He's is so freaking awesome, evil and badass! I just want to keep seeing this man tear things apart while being the sexy asshole he is 😈For all intents and purposes I don't want to spoil his whole storyline on the show for those following me in case they're interested. But what I will say is 3x10 destroys this character; so don't watch it if you want to keep the memory of who he was alive. I'm actually depressed over what was done to him as much as I feel sorry for Wilmer having to perform that shitty script. It's laughable in a very bad way. Gotta hand it to the writers and showrunners of FDTD they certainly knew how to humiliate their best characters in this series. Carlos basically goes from charismatic yet lethal Hannibal Lecter to a very captain obvious Gandolf caricature. Yah you heard that right, it's really fucking sad.

Next we have Freddie Gonzalez; the audience's avatar into the series. This character is connected to everyone on the show for a reason because of the crucial part he plays in this universe. The "Peacekeeper" destined to police the line between the supernatural world from the human world. In the beginning he's a Texas deputy on a quest to avenge the murder of his father figure/partner Earl McGraw via the Gecko Brothers. But once he steps in that territory of monsters there's no going back. And FDTD repeatedly tells him and the audience this in the first 2 seasons. But then 3x10 pulls the ultimate fuckery by giving him the most cliched, nonsensical hallmark ending effectively cancelling out his entire purpose in the series. He instantly forgets that he ever cared about Kate, watching her bleed out on the ground, then leaves the Geckos high and dry rushing his family (who isn't injured) to the hospital. And he stays there while the battle continues 😣

Kate and Scott Fuller OMG words cannot describe my anger over what was done to them so I'll make it fast. I'll begin with Kate the bright light and heart of the series. Her arc in the first two seasons is excellent. It's emotionally driven because she begins as an ordinary girl in broken yet seemingly-happy family to a young woman finding her way around the supernatural world maintaining her faith and moral compos while trying to help her brother after he's *SPOILER ALERT* been turned into a vampire; paralleling the Geckos's situation. Scott being only a 16 year old kid, like Richie, struggles immensely after his transformation; searching for meaning as a cursed individual and coping with his duality. He was already different to begin with so being a vampire adds some interesting layers to his character.

Btw Kate plays a vital role in Richie and Seth's lives, though in my opinion is more strongly connected to Richie. The show even goes as far as developing the early glimpses of a romantic arc between Kate and Richie (seeing as they kiss twice) with angst at the end of season 2 that is never resolved. You want to know why it wasn't? Not only does season 3 mute Kate's voice and agency but 3x10 ruins her character and demolishes her whole arc with Richie (who spent all of season 3 trying to save her) at the last second due to fan pressure of those who shipped her with Seth. They don't exchange one word nor barely look at one another it's like seasons 1&2 never happened. This is the biggest fuck you to fans of these characters I've ever witnessed in a series and they did my boys Adam and Michael so dirty in Supernatural. Poor Scott whom the show enjoyed kicking around all season barely gets a thing to do in that series finale either than listening to his sister and Seth gab about prom lol. Yah you heard me I'm not making this shit up I swear. Then he gets abandoned by Kate while she goes off to be a bank robber with the character assassinated versions of Seth and Richie. How extraordinary 😖

Santanico Pandemonium is really the only character in the series who manages to get out unscathed. HOWEVER her arc is handled very poorly beginning to end. They set up an arc between her and Seth that also goes absolutely nowhere. Give her zero closure with Richie whom she sired, dated and used in S2. And randomly throw her in a scene with Kate that makes no fucking sense after these two had nothing to do with one another all series. On top of that Santanico is barely in season 3 so by the time the show wraps her arc feels incomplete.

Other characters go missing that no one notices, the new bad guy whom they've set up at the end is just left hanging. And Richie Gecko, you know the show’s other lead, is horribly sidelined after 3x06 to make way for the Seth Gecko solo show. When I say FDTD series finale is bad I mean it's really fucking terrible and blasphemous.

#from dusk till dawn: the series #from dusk till dawn #richie gecko #seth gecko #kate fuller #carlos madrigal #fdtd #scott fuller #kichie #richiekate #seth x richie #freddie gonzalez #Santanico Pandemonium #anti fdtd 3x10 #the Gecko brothers

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frustratedpker · 4 years

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Some thoughts and analysis on Clarabelle and Horace

I wanted to write this for a long time!

Buckle up guys, this is gonna be long!

As you probably know if you ‘re following my blog, I am a big fan of the series Pippo Reporter (Goofy reporter) written by Teresa Radice and illustrated by Stefano Turconi.

For those who are not familiar with the saga, it’s a series of stories that take place in 1930′s America revolving around the life of Goofy who works as a reporter with the narrative building up and leading to his first meeting with Mickey.

The stories feature the usual cast of characters but what I find fascinating is that not all relationships are established in the beginning of the story. (e.x Goofy and Mickey haven’t met yet, the Phantom Blot hasn’t become the Phantom yet...). I could even dare call it a prequel of the ‘cannon’ events.

Here’s where Claire and Horace come in! I ‘ll attempt to present a chronicle of their relationship, along with some analysis and the reasoning of why I find their ship so well written in this particular saga.

Let’s start with the first story!

In the first story “Cronista per caso” both characters are introduced seperately.

Horace is in this series the introverted mayor of the city and Minnie’s boss as she’s his secretary at the town hall.

Claire is a fortune teller, a friend of Minnie whose advice she seeks in tricky situations. In the first story Minnie particularly seeks her advice for a matter concerning Horace and her job and Claire is happy to assist her.

Now, disney fans usually know that these characters are in most stories portrayed as engaged or in a relationship, so in this scene it’s established that in this narrative they don’t know each other (yet).

But for readers not so familiar with the disney canon (as I was when I first read the story) who don’t know that Claire and Horace are meant to be together, this scene still establishes them as two individuals associated with the main characters.

In both cases though, a link is made subconsciously between Claire and Horace, forming a base on which their relationship will be built.

As concerning the plot, this is the moment when Claire first hears about Horace who -as he’s the mayor- undoubtedly has heard of before (if not voted for) and she has her first glimpse in his private life through Minnie’s sayings. It’s a nice starting point in this episode for their subplot to begin.

In the second story, “Vasetto sospetto’‘, Claire and Horace don’t appear at all so I won’t bother examine this one.

In the third story though, “Crociera con ghiaccio”, we have the next clue.

“ [Mickey] won’t be able to attend [the cruise], he is very busy with his work! Claire, a friend of Minnie, will replace him (...). I could have taken Horace with me but he’s the mayor and mayors always have many things to do”

Once again Claire and Horace don’t interact and once again a link is made between them by reffering to them in such a way.

Here we are presented with a motif which is very important in “Pippo reporter”. The motif of ‘failed meeting’ as I call it. It has been established in previous stories that main characters (mainly Mickey and Goofy) had had many chances to meet all of which failed in the last moment.

Some other examples:

The reader, knowing by experience that those meetings are the most important plot points and meant to be epic (everybody knows that Goofy is Mickey’s best friend) now applies the same motif to Horace and Claire, even if they are not familiar with them.

Progress is also made in the fourth story, “Finale di campionato”

Here we learn Horace’s fascination with baseball and the whole plot revolves around him looking almost identical to his favourite baseball player, practically being his clone.

Horace ends up taking his idol’s place in the championship after the athlete’s mysterious disappearence.

Where has this player gone to?

At Claire’s aunt’s farm in the countryside trying to escape his overwhelming life as a sports celebrity!

“And he’s not at all ugly, isn’t he?” rushes to comment Claire upon first setting eyes on him.

That’s what I call forshadowing!

And her physical attraction to him persists on the entirety of the story. The first solid base is set for her later meeting with Horace and her -now undoubtful- falling for him. At this point, even for not disney connaisseurs, it becomes evident that Claire will be Horace’s love interest.

Their official meeting happens in the fifth story, “La perla del fiume”!

I think that all necessary setting up has been established from previous episodes and now we are finaly ready -and curious- to witness their meeting!

Goofy: Oh, I haven’t introduced you! Claire, this is...

Claire: Our first citizen, Horace Horse, so mysteriously intruguing!

Goofy: And she is...

Horace: Claire la Belle, fascinatingly charming woman and fortune teller!

The attraction is instant and evident! A “love at first sight” that is actually believable. Why that? Because proper setting up has preceeded. It’s not the sudden ‘‘love montage’‘ that we ‘d get form a disney movie (I’m not accusative, I actually love them).

I can’t actually find a scene from the saga that explains how Horace already had heard of her, but with some guessing and common logic, I can assume that either Minnie or Goofy (who by now are his close friends) would have surely mentioned Claire to him and her involvement in some of their previous adventures.

It’s really realistic how they came together, getting to know each other through mutual friends.

Hoarce: You have a lovely hand!

Claire: Yours isn’t quite bad either! Would you mind me reading it sooner or later?

Horace: I would also have you read me your phone number!

Claire: What a brilliant idea! I always loved giving numbers!

They’re meant to be! (poor Goofy third wheeling)

I love how from the first moment they can’t get their eyes from each other.

There’s no more to say! They are so cute!

And they soon, almost at once confess their feelings to their friends (tbh Horace does try but Goofy is kinda oblivious, Minnie on the other hand is much more in sync).

And there is obviously a ball which they attend together:

I really like how Turconi makes sure to make their love so evident throughout the story’s events, event at a paranoic degree, just to show how in love they are:

I ‘m sure someone’s getting their ears chopped off in that fight but they keep dancing serenely. And poor Goofy just ... exists there (I feel you fam)

Claire: They have stopped playing the music...

Horace: Does it matter? Your voice is music to my ears!

I don’t know the bodycount of that fight, but good for them!

Claire: May I have this last dance under the moonlight?

Also Claire: May I also have this last dance under the sunlight?

And that concludes the ball and starts their relationship (dating at this point to be precise)

I particularly find the story’s ending very touching:

Horace: *spotting the motorcycle* Would you mind ... ?

Claire: Are you kidding?

Claire: It’s so romantic!!!

At the very next story (”Un ombrello, un capello, un monello”) they’re already a couple:

The romance reaches its peak in “La piuma d’ oro” in which they get officially engaged and have their first (shown) kiss. This is actually the core of the whole episode and their relationship is for the first time, not a sideplot, but the actual plot.

[ you will excuse me but I sadly don’t have any pics from this story

have this little heart instead --> <3 ]

Their sideplot may have already concluded in “La piuma d’ oro”, but them being a couple now gains a plot forwarding role.

Claire: But what are you doing?

Horace: Making your dream come true my treasure!

In “Quel faro sui monti del lago” the characters find themselves entangled in another adventure only because Horace takes them on vacation in the place where Claire dreams to go (get you a rich mayor for fiance ladies)

And it’s time for their relationship to have its first test! While on vacation they meet this beautiful German (who **spoiler** turns out to be a spy)

Instant dislike! (I still prefer Silvia Ziche’s designs of displaying jealousy but Turconi gave us this fashionably annoyed Clarabelle so I can’t argue)

It was about time for them to endure jealousy. As in real relationships after some while not everything is seen through rose tinted glasses.

Still, everything turns out okay, leading to their last appearence together in the saga in the final story, “ Il rustico cavallerizzo”.

Minnie: The mayor has just arrived in the box of honour!

Lady: Let me see! Let me see! Is he in sweet company?

That’s how we leave them, together, officialy a couple and happy!

In conclusion, I really liked how this series treated them. Radice took time to first develop them as individuals, give them distinct personalities that also work apart. She made also sure to make them compatible and discretely foreshadow their romance, so when it comes it doesn’t feel forced or rushed but expected and natural. They also remain consistent as side characters who don’t disappear after their sideplot is concluded. They continue making appearences, both together and individually, that also forward the plot. The relationship between them evolves gradually, passing through different levels and situations to arrive at the point of ‘‘cannon’‘ events (by which I mean the disney lore outside of the saga).

I think that I said all I wanted to say, perhaps even more that needed to be said. But as I really like those characters and as I am a great fan of Radice and Turconi’s work I couldn’t pass up this chance to talk about them!

Thank you for reading and coping with my blabbering!

#this took two days to write #but I am mostly satisfied #if anyone has pics from ''la piuma d' oro'' it would be a real treat #analysis #pippo reporter #not duckverse #clarabelle #horace #stefano turconi #teresa radice

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joonsgalaxy · 6 years

Text

true care (m) |05

→ pairing: bodyguard!Jungkook x female reader

→ genre: fake dating au, fluff/romance, angst, smut

→ word count: 5,4k

• summary: your (endearingly) shy bodyguard—hired by your father—would do anything for you. even though you roll your eyes at his persistence and pretend there’s no need for him to follow you to every and any place you go, there might be many more hazards in your life than you let on. and you might end up needing him in more ways than you—or your father—would ever think.

! warnings: male masturbation, sub!kook; alcohol; mentions of toxic past relationship throughout the series

series masterlist

↠ chapter 5: for a moment i forgot gravity

a/n: woah here’s the first smutty scene in this series!! i hope you like it :> a big thanks to my precious @minimonojoon who makes brilliant dirty jokes and cheers me on!! ILY <3 for all those wondering: kook is a switch!

A part of the rest of the Friday night went according to your plan. After the quite unforgettable conversation between you and Jeongguk you went back into the hotel. Back to the hall, where the event was being held. Your father, as you had wished, saw you with your bodyguard’s suit jacket on your shoulders. You noticed him pursing his lips at the sight, plainly irritated. Having smiled at that, you made your exit.

Mere few words were exchanged between you and Jeongguk that night after the almost kiss. You gave him his jacket back, when it was time to climb into the car, and you wished him goodnight, when you got out of the car and went to your house. It wasn’t as awkward as it could’ve been, you guessed. You had lots of things on your mind so that little—considerably inappropriate—interaction didn’t seem as big of a problem as it could’ve seem to anyone else.

However, after saying goodbye to your bodyguard and your driver, when you were alone, thoughts of Jeongguk started flooding in. That part of the night didn’t go as planned. You wanted to fall asleep quickly and forget about everything, but it was nearly impossible, what with all the images of his lips and all the memories of his cologne clogging your mind. His sparkly eyes didn’t leave your enchanted thoughts. His little scar on the left cheek kept appearing behind your closed eyelids. You kept on remembering about the way you traced it with your fingertip. You kept on hearing Jeongguk say he would fight for you. You kept on hearing him say he wanted you to kiss him.

You managed to fall asleep only around 4 am.

The whole day on Saturday, up until 6 pm, was spent at the shelter. You cleaned the rooms, trained the dogs, fed them, played with cats, bathed one of them.

Jeoengguk helped you out with everything.

He was fascinatingly good with Sunny (as he had named her). She responded very well to him. There was a strong bond between them already.

You didn’t talk to him about the night before at all. Maybe it was a good thing. You had to force yourself to completely forget about it.

You decided to spend the evening at Mina’s, Jimin’s and Hoseok’s place. Hoseok was still out of the city, though.

‘Hi, cutie,’ Jimin greeted Jeongguk sweetly. ‘Yo!’ He greeted you in a lower voice. Typical Jimin.

The party there was quite good. At least at first…

You were talking to Namjoon about something insignificant, when you spotted the suspicious guy at the party. Yoongi as Jeongguk had told you. He was chatting with none other than Mina herself. She didn’t seem scared or annoyed. Nothing like that. On contrary, Mina looked to be having such a great time with him, smiling, flirting even. What was going on?

‘I thought you didn’t want to see Yoongi anymore.’ After seeing them making out on one of the sofas, you decided to talk to her alone in the kitchen.

She sighed, ‘I know I said that, but… he’s so cool! And such a good kisser.’

‘Mina—

‘He promised me he’s not interested in you!’ She strolled over to the fridge, evidently starting to get irritated by the conversation you were having.

‘That might be a lie,’ you warned her.

She gave you a perplexed look over her shoulder. ‘What?’

‘He’s friends with Kwangsun.’

‘So what?’ Mina turned to you with a beer bottle in her hand.

‘I think he’s here because of me.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘He’s…’ You lowered your voice, ‘following me.’ You almost couldn’t believe your own statement.

Mina scoffed. ‘That’s complete nonsense.’

‘Don’t you notice it? He keeps glancing at me all the time!’

Mina grimaced. ‘Don’t you think having a bodyguard got you a little paranoid?’

‘What? No—

‘Just listen to yourself!’ Mina vaguely gestured toward you. ‘Yoongi is following you? Don’t you think that sounds a little, hmm I don’t know, crazy?’ She was losing her patience.

‘I—I know it sounds weird, but—

‘You know what?’ She placed a hand on her hip. ‘The world doesn’t revolve around you. Maybe it does in your perfect house or that fancy university or wherever , but here? You’re not the only one guys are into. Wake up.’

You were rather shocked by her words. ‘I didn’t mean it like that—

You saw Mina’s gaze focusing behind you, at the entrance of the kitchen. You stopped mid-sentence and glanced at the same direction. It was Jeongguk. He was standing at the threshold, mildly guilty look on his face.

Mina sighed, walked past you and out of the kitchen.

Shit…

Did she mean what she said about you and your perfect world? Did she really think you just loved attention?

‘You alright?’ Jeongguk asked you.

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

An hour later you were pretty much wasted. You were angry at yourself and you were mad at Mina, too. Speaking of which, she was still with Yoongi, sitting across the table from you; he had an arm around her. That and the way Yoongi kept on glancing at you annoyed you to no end.

Jeongguk was sitting by your side. You guessed he was near you because he was concerned. What else was new? He was your babysitter for the night, and if you weren’t so occupied by the thoughts of Mina, you would’ve been significantly more exasperated because of him; now you were only mildly irritated.

‘Let’s remember old times and play truth or dare!’ You heard Mina say.

Somewhere in the back of your mind you heard alarm bells going off. Truth or dare. You had a secret no one except for you, Jeongguk and Mina knew. And you had a fight with her earlier that night. Could she be onto something?

‘Oh, that could be fun!’ Jimin chirped.

‘I go first! Mina said. ‘Jeongguk.’ Oh, of course. ‘Truth or dare?’ She had this look on her face… as if she was the wickedest person alive. This couldn’t end well.

You started chanting in your mind. Please pick dare. Please pick dare.

After contemplating for a while, Jeongguk said, ‘dare.’

Whew.

‘Kiss ____,’ Mina said.

Your eyes widened at that. Fuck. Suddenly, you felt completely sober.

‘Aw, it’s too easy,’ said Namjoon. ‘Of course, you’d give them something like that.’

‘They’re dating!’ Jimin shouted.

If only they knew the truth… Now you weren’t certain what was worse: picking the truth or such a dare. Clearly, Mina was intending to expose you. Why else she’d dare Jeongguk to kiss you? Good thing your friends didn’t suspect anything. They thought Mina chose to dare Jeongguk something easy because he was your—her best friend’s—boyfriend.

‘Have you ever seen them kiss, though?’ Mina asked slyly. ‘Maybe it’d be their first kiss!’

‘Pshh, yeah, right.’ Your friends protested. Mina simply shrugged, a smile on her face.

You glanced at Jeongguk. He seemed tense, lost. Was he regretting choosing dare?

‘Okay, whatever, just do it already,’ eventually your friends succumbed.

You looked at your bodyguard again. By the perplexed look on his face you could tell he wasn’t about to kiss you. Do you kiss him yourself? Technically, he gave you his consent the night before.

‘Do you want me to kiss you?’

Jeongguk gulped. ‘Yes,’ he whispered barely audibly.

You smiled. ‘What was that? I couldn‘t hear you.’

He inhaled and closed his eyes as if that would help with his embarrassment. ‘Yes, I do, miss ____.’

In your drunken state you stared at his lips while Mina urged you, ‘C’mon. Don’t be shy.’

The thing was, she was right about this kiss being the first one for you and Jeongguk. It definitely wasn’t the best situation to have it, but you knew exactly what to do to avoid more weird stares and suspicions. You lifted your hand, reached for Jeongguk’s chin, grabbed it and smashed your lips against his.

His lips were soft like a sip of milkshake. He tasted like a milkshake too. You lost the track of time because of that. Perhaps the kiss lasted a second, maybe 3 or 5. You couldn’t tell. Not when you wanted it to continue at least for 10 more. Would it be too much? Yes. Who were you kidding? He was your bodyguard. He was working for you. Pull away. And so you did.

Jeongguk’s eyes were wide and he was pink in the cheeks, however, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t respond to the kiss.

‘There you go,’ you smiled at Mina as if you just did something as easy as putting a dot on an “i”. She smiled, too, but you could discern how fake it actually was.

You hoped Jimin’s suggestion to spin the bottle instead of choosing a person by yourselves would be fortunate for you. And it kind of was; it was considerably better to eat a whole spoon of a mixture of various spices than expose you and Jeongguk. Mina or Yoongi didn’t get to ask you “truth or dare” anymore.

You got a little more sober during the game, but your mind was intoxicated by that kiss. You couldn’t stop thinking about it. To be completely honest, you wanted more. Much more. Shit. That was very very bad. For you. For Jeongguk.If you tried something else, if Jeongguk and you got sexually or romantically involved, he could get distracted. He could lose his job. You wouldn’t put him in such a situation.

However, you were still mad at Mina for everything that happened that night, so thoughts about your bodyguard were a good, welcomed distraction.

When it was time to go home, you did something that changed everything.

Your car was already waiting for you outside, when you stepped out of the house. Mr. Ri got out of the car to open the door for you.

‘Jeon Jeongguk,’ you called out for your bodyguard, ‘get in the back with me.’

He was confused. ‘Uh, why?’

‘Mr. Ri spilled his coffee on the front seat,’ you lied.

‘Wha— Oh, yes, I did. Get in the back, boy.’

You barely subdued the urge to hug your driver; you were thankful he cooperated with you.

It was a white lie, really; an inconspicuous situation. You simply wanted Jeongguk to keep you company in the back on the way home. Nothing special about it.

Jeongguk’s gaze glided sceptically from you to Mr. Ri, but he complied nonetheless. He got into the car behind the driver’s seat, on the opposite side from you. That would not work. There shouldn’t be a space between you two. A space between you seemed unacceptable to you. Once the car started moving you scooted over to be right beside Jeongguk. He glanced at you briefly, but didn’t say a thing. He looked neither uncomfortable nor too happy about it. He was rather… befuddled, a bit awkward. You totally understood him. It was the first time he was sitting in the back of the car with you, and you were the one to ask him to.

You were still feeling the effects of alcohol in your system, but surely if someone asked you to walk alongside a straight line you’d manage perfectly.

After some time during the trip you put your head upon Jeongguk’s shoulder. You didn’t exactly why you did it, but that kiss must have something to do with it.

You didn’t see his reaction from that position, but you knew one thing for sure—his shoulder was as comfortable as clouds seemed to be. Well, much firmer than a cloud, but definitely comfy enough to fall asleep easily. However, sleep was not on your mind that moment. Jeongguk’s cologne invaded your body and charmed every cell there. You were a goner.

You laid a hand onto his arm, lifted your head, looked him straight into his lovely eyes and uttered, ‘I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.’ Jeongguk gulped, briefly glanced at your lips. ‘What have you done to me, Jeon Jeongguk?’

‘I— uh—

‘Shh,’ you shut him up, for you knew there was no real answer to that question. You lowered your head again. ‘No need for words.’

There was music playing in the car from a USB that you’d given to the driver. He probably wasn’t able to hear you talk. Not that you cared much.

You decided to drop your hand down, skimming his arm, reaching his thigh. Your fingertips glided slowly across his thigh until they reached his knee. You placed your palm there, imitating his action on the day before at the event. Both times you weren’t alone; both times were extremely risky. And if you were being completely frank, this fact only turned you on even more.

‘I can’t stop thinking about your hands,’ you whispered, not certain if he was able to hear your confession.

His hands were now in his lap, he was fiddling with his fingers. Was he nervous? Uncomfortable? Was he feeling like he can’t say no to you? Or was he just as thrilled about the situation as you? Judging by his shyness he probably wouldn’t even say so even if he was. You had to find out in another way.

Keeping one hand on his knee, with another hand you took one of his and guided it toward your thigh, just above your knee and placed it there. His hand felt warm even through the material of your jeans. Jeongguk’s breathing deepened. That essentially was everything you needed to realize he was enjoying it.

You weren’t sure where it would lead, but it certainly was helpful to forget about Mina, Yoongi, Kwangsun and your dad.

Having his hand on your thigh made your heart accelerate. You felt a shot of desire.

Nonetheless, there was a little voice in the back of your mind telling you all this was wrong. It was a dangerous situation you got yourself into. Whatever you were trying to do with Jeongguk you had to immediately stop. After all, the boy was saving money for school; he was living in not the friendliest of parts of the city; he needed this job. He couldn’t get distracted under no circumstances.

However, he was sober; he had a clear mind and he could think clearly for himself. He was a big boy and he could choose for himself wisely. If he thought this was a distraction he could easily say a simple stop and you’d listen to him right away. By the way he was sitting still, keeping his palm on your thigh you concluded he wanted this as much as you did.

Keeping your head on his shoulder, you left his knee alone and skimmed your finger up and down across his thigh lightly, fairly innocently. Except every time your finger met his knee again, you’d go back higher and higher toward his crotch.

He kept his own hand on you with a light, careful touch, but since you were so deprived of that kind of touches, you were highly aroused.

He was, too, judging by something you noticed a bit later. When your fingertip eventually got very near his crotch, you saw that his jeans were getting tighter there. You smiled wickedly to yourself. Clearly, he was very much affected by your light touch. As much as you were by his. And he let you see it; he was sitting still, no movement, no attempts at concealing his erection. He wanted you to see it.

You almost couldn’t believe what you did next, but the alcohol in your system and the desire surging through your body let you forgot about any doubts you had before. You glided your finger closer and closer to where you wanted to touch him the most. Your fingertip traced Jeongguk’s zipper. There was a visible bulge. You saw Jeongguk inhale deeply. He squeezed your thigh.

‘Must be really uncomfortable,’ you said.

While you slowly touched the zipper up and down, he remained silent.

‘Mm?’ You encouraged him to answer.

‘Yes, miss, it is.’ Miss. That only made the fire in the pit of your belly increase in warmth. This was thrilling.

You pulled slightly away, looked at his side profile. He was gorgeous.

‘You know what to do then,’ you said, giddy.

Jeongguk’s brows pinched together. Would he do it? Would he free his cock of its tight confinements just because you asked him to?

If you were completely honest, you didn’t think he would. You were not some kind of drunk teenagers on a rollercoaster ride, exploring each other for the first time. It was a different situation. Much different. You were only connected by a professional relationship.

He finally looked at you, seemingly unsure. You lifted your brows at him and smiled as if asking “so? How’s it gonna be?” Jeongguk’s gaze jumped in front of him, toward Mr. Ri behind the wheel. Ah, yes, you weren’t alone.

‘Mr. Ri could you please turn the volume up? I love this song!’

‘Of course,’ the driver immediately answered. ‘I don’t really understand this kind of music, but as you wish.’

The music increased in volume; the bass mildly pulsated in your chest. That was close enough to being alone, right?

Your head was slightly spinning, but you chose to ignore it.

‘He won’t see a thing,’ you reassured Jeongguk. You, on the other hand, would have a full view of it, if he decided to pull his dick out for you.

Jeongguk started rubbing his thumb back and forth on your thigh. He bit his lip, glanced downward at his crotch. If you weren’t mistaken the bulge had grew by its size.

‘C’mon, Jeongguk, live a little,’ you challenged him, beginning to lose your patience.

Would he do it? Surely, the way his jeans were constricting his arousal was uncomfortable for him.

You held your palm on his thigh now, waiting. It felt firm. No wonder why your friends so easily believed he was a professional runner. Needless to say the desire running in your veins increased its speed.

Jeongguk briefly glanced at you, still uncertain, pink in the cheeks. You nodded, greedy.

The boy, casting his gaze downward, reached for the button of his jeans. This was it. He would actually do it.

His hand seemed a little shaky as he undid the button. He was sober, after all; his inhibitions hadn’t disappeared anywhere. You were about to reach for the zipper, offering your help, but you wanted him to do it himself, just to prove you he was 100% willing to do what you asked him to.

He pushed himself forward a little. Then, after swallowing hard, pulled the zipper down slowly, tentatively.

When the jeans got a little looser, he froze; he didn’t move at all for a moment. You knew you had to encourage him to do what he deep down craved the most in that particular moment. It seemed to be helping earlier, after all, so you decided to do it again.

The hand that you were resting upon his thigh, reached upward and landed onto his hard chest over the hoodie, just where his embarrassed heart was pounding all of the lust through his veins. You leaned closer, near his ear and whispered softly an encouragement, ‘Don’t be shy. Let yourself go, Jeongguk. Just for tonight.’ He listened attentively, shuddered when you spoke into his ear, then, having deeply inhaled, nodded.

He shifted carefully in the seat, and the time seemed to stop for you. Just a few seconds later, his cock was free of its confinements.

You weren’t sure whose sigh was deeper, yours or Jeongguk’s. You were pleasantly surprised at the view. He was hard, rock hard. Your doing.

He wrapped his fingers around the base of his cock. Immediately, your mouth started watering at the sight. Though, you wouldn’t take him in. You wanted to see just how horny he was even without much physical contact; the fact that his cock stood so hard already fed your ego and you craved to see what else he’d do for you, how else he’d react to soft touches and suggestive whispers. You wanted to see how much control you had over him.

The music was still playing; Mr. Ri couldn’t possibly know what was happening behind him in the car. And if truth be told, you didn’t really care in that moment. You completely forgot about the gravity of the situation. No thoughts about consequences. No thoughts of the future encounters you’ll have to experience. You didn’t care about a thing. The trip was long and you were lost in the eagerness of finding out how good Jeongguk could actually be for you.

You lowered your hand again, this time placing it under Jeongguk’s wrist. You pushed your fingertip against his warm skin, gently, very slowly guiding his hand upwards. ‘I’m sure you know how to do this.’ Jeongguk’s chest rose and fell, he was gazing at your hands where they were touching. ‘It must be difficult to be holding back.’ You applied more pressure, guiding his hand toward the head. ‘Don’t be,’ you said, letting your hand rest on his thigh again.

His own fingers finally reached the head of his erection. He squeezed tightly and sighed in bliss. What a sinful, wonderful sound it was.

‘That’s it,’ you praised him. ‘Be a good boy and show me how you do it when you’re alone.’

Jeongguk, biting his lip, nodded once again. His lips looked lovely and so kissable. Though, you had another plan in your mind. A kiss was too much for the night. He’d only get encouragements and praises in whispers. He’d only be touched very lightly, teasingly.

Jeongguk was stroking his cock in a slow movement at first, licking his lips, then the speed increased as he let himself go as you’d told him to.

Jeongguk’s breathing was deep. He closed his eyes. You were wondering if it was because of embarrassment or because he was imagining something. Perhaps, in his mind, he wasn’t even in the car, maybe he was picturing himself being in a bed, or fucking someone on a table.

‘Does it feel good?’ You asked softly, choosing to place your hand onto his stomach. Even though there was the material of his hoodie between your skin and his, you could feel how tense his muscles were.

Letting his tongue peek from between his lips, he nodded. That wouldn’t do, you wanted to hear him say it. You missed his voice and you craved hearing the pleasure lacing his tone.

‘Say it, Jeongguk. I wanna hear you say it to me.’

He exhaled, slowed the pace down on his dick so he could concentrate, and then breathed out a desperate yes. It was rather difficult to sit there right beside him and not help him with it, but you loved watching him getting off by himself, because it showed you how eager he was for his release.

As he was running his hand over his cock, you noticed a drop of pre-cum leak from the head. The boy gathered it with his fingers and spread it over his aching erection. Well, you could at least help him with that.

You shifted in the seat, leaning closer, hovering above Jeongguk’s thighs, which were, by the way, spread invitingly, they made it even harder to control yourself.

Sensing you changing your position in the back seat, Jeongguk opened his eyes. He looked at your face, his own pretty pink and starting to glisten with sweat. His eyes held the lust in them you’d never seen. That was extremely arousing. By that point you knew your panties were ruined.

You parted your lips, letting your spit stretch downward and onto the head of Jeongguk’s cock. Seeing that, he halted his movements, watched you closely.

‘Shit,’ he breathed when your saliva reached its destination. ‘Fucking hell.’

You smiled wickedly at him while your saliva trickled down his shaft and onto his fingers.

‘Why’d you stop?’ You asked slowly, not expecting real answer, knowing well that he wanted to relish in the moment. ‘You said it felt good,’ you teased him.

‘It did,’ Jeongguk hastily replied. ‘It does.’ You could see such adoration in his eyes; you felt cherished. His eyes scanned your face, stopped on your lips. ‘I—

He stopped himself, looked away to the side as if struggling to control himself.

‘What is it?’

He shook his head, and you let it slide.

You shifted in the seat again, taking the previous position.

Jeongguk took a deep breath, started moving his hand again. ‘Fuck,’ he murmured, slightly arching his back, leaning his head backward. He closed his eyes.

This time you couldn’t stop yourself from asking, ‘What do you see behind those eyelids, huh?’

He remained silent for a moment, breathing heavily.

‘Mm?’

‘You.’

‘Me?’ You asked a little surprised, but deeply flattered.

Jeongguk nodded, keeping the pace of his hand.

‘And how do I look? Am I wearing any clothes?’ You were intrigued about his fantasy.

‘Yeah,’ he answered, breathless.

‘Yeah?’ Frankly, that confused you a tad bit.

‘Just—

‘Just what, Jeongguk?’

He gulped, contemplating whether he should tell you about it or not. He finally said, ‘just underwear.’

‘Oh? Why don’t you undress me?’

‘I— shit—

‘You what?’ You really wanted to find out.

‘I don’t deserve it.’

Your heart stuttered at that. ‘You don’t deserve it?’

‘Yeah, seeing you… naked. I don’t deserve it. Ah, fuck!’

Clearly, the thought of you only in underwear and him being not worthy of seeing you bare before him turned him on very much. Honestly speaking, it was turning you on, too. Your core was throbbing.

The pace of his hand stroking his cock had significantly increased.

You decided to play along.

‘That’s right, Jeongguk. You haven’t proved me you’re a good boy yet.’

‘I— I will.’

‘Yeah? Good. Then tell me, have you imagined me like that before tonight?’ You had no idea whether he would answer or not. Perhaps it was too much, too personal. But maybe it was exactly what he was yearning for.

He seemed embarrassed for a moment, but evidently the desire had taken over, so he felt he could be honest with you. ‘Yes, miss, I have.’

The way he uttered his confession sent a shiver down your spine. ‘Do you ever take my clothes off?’

Lost in his pleasure, he shook his head, eyes still tightly shut. ‘No, miss, never.’ His voice was low, breathless, slightly raspy. His thigh muscles were very tense beneath your palm. He was still squeezing yours, sending tingles of delight through you.

There was an urge to feel his skin, with no material between your hands and his body, but you quickly subdued it. Tonight was about control.

Was Jeongguk lying about not taking your clothes off in his fantasies for the sake of the game, or was he telling you the genuine truth? Was he always picturing you with underwear, or was he simply too shy to tell you he imagined you naked? Did he like seeing you with some clothes on because he liked that kind of distance, that kind of teasing? So close to his touch yet so far at the same time?

‘What do I do when you imagine me, huh?’ You asked him as he continued to jerk himself off.

‘You— you tell me what to do.’

‘Like now?’

‘Yeah.’ He was panting by that point, but the music still overwhelmed the sound of him. No way the driver could’ve heard it. At least it seemed that way.

So Jeongguk enjoyed being told what to do when it came to sexual things. That was thrilling to know. You more than enjoyed giving orders. Seeing someone so desperate for you was a huge turn on. And when the boy was as hot as Jeongguk, the need in his voice sounded even more delightful.

‘Tell me, what do you do for me, Jeongguk?’

‘I, um, I kneel for you. I beg you... I want to touch you so bad, miss.’ He seemed to be completely drowned in the bliss; he wasn’t even thinking what he was saying, the words easily fell from his lips. ‘Then I kiss you.’

‘Where do you kiss me?’

‘Your thighs, mmm…’ His hand squeezed your thigh on its own accord.

‘But you don’t deserve it.’

‘I don’t. I don’t, but you’re so generous to me.’

‘Oh, am I?’

‘Mhm…’

‘You’re doing so well. Don’t stop.’ You could see he was close to his release; his legs were quivering from the extreme pleasure. Glancing through one of the windows, you noticed you were not far from your house. ‘Now be a good boy and come for me.’

Jeongguk nodded yet again, eager to please you.

You remembered you were in a car, where you shouldn’t leave any trace of this encounter. ‘Watch the leather, baby boy.’

‘Ah, fuck!’ He seemed to enjoy the pet name.

He lifted his hoodie; you could properly see his abs now. They were well defined and tense because of the bliss he was in.

Jeongguk, with a final sinful grunt and trembling legs, came and spilled his cum onto his stomach, where it trickled downward. Softly moaning, he continued stroking his cock while the last ropes of his release covered his hot, sweaty skin. What a truly good boy, there wouldn’t be any need to clean the car. No evidence of your indecency.

A content smile flickered on his flushed, beautiful face. Oh, how you wanted to brush your lips against it. Though, you had to repress that need, for kissing was always associated with romance and relationships. You wouldn’t want Jeongguk to see you in that way. It would only create more problems.

Eventually, panting, he let go off his softening cock, and his eyes fluttered open. Seemingly, after such an act he was too embarrassed to look at you or say anything. It looked like a million thoughts were rushing through his mind as he stared at the ceiling of the car, still holding the material of his hoodie up.

As his chest rose and fell you decided he needed a little reward for what he did. You knew he needed some kind of gesture so he wouldn’t feel as shy as he was. Using one finger, you traced a line on Jeongguk’s stomach, gathering his cum onto your own skin. He looked down, where you were touching him gently, his brows pinched together. ‘You’re such a good boy, Jeongguk.’

His gaze jumped upwards then, locked with your eyes. Admittedly, he looked adorable. Though, he still looked hot as hell, too, with his damp fringe and dark in colour, bitten lips.

Keeping your eyes on Jeongguk, you lifted your finger toward your mouth. Your tongue slipped past your lips; you licked the finger slowly. His eyes darkened while he was watching the movement closely. He gulped and licked his own lips. You inserted your finger into your mouth, tasting him, enjoying every single drop on your tongue. It was intimate. It was a reward he had deserved. Judging by the look in his eyes, he highly appreciated it.

The car stopped in front of your gates. You both nearly missed it. However, when Jeongguk noticed it, he broke out of his daze and quickly put his dick back into his pants and his hoodie down to his hips.

When it was time for you to get out of the car, he coughed delicately, gaze focusing on anything but you.

You felt a little awkward, too. Just the tiniest bit of it. Your bodyguard just came all over himself in your car with your driver present. Damn.

However, you were still high on his reactions to your words. He was into you. At least sexually. That was for sure. It was flattering. Not to mention the alcohol that was still in your system; you were feeling quite brave even if your cheeks were warm with that sprinkle of embarrassment.

‘Goodnight,’ you uttered, grabbing the door handle, attempting to stifle your grin. ‘Sweet dreams.’

#armiesnet #busanboysnet #kwriterskollection #jungkook x reader #jungkook smut #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst #bts x you #bts fanfiction #jungkook fanfic #jeon jeongguk #jungkook x you #jungkook fic #bts scenarios #bts bodyguard au #sub!jungkook #fake dating au

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secret-diary-of-an-fa · 5 years

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Hidden Gems of the Silver Screen (And, to a Lesser Extent, the Telly)

It can’t have escaped your notice that the majority of my more recent posts (and fuck knows I’m not posting regularly at the moment) are about movies and TV. The reason for that is pretty simple: 2019 has, surprisingly, yielded some great movies and TV... and also some really torrid shite. On the one hand, films like Ma, Brightburn and The Perfection continue to breathe new life into the horror genre. On the other hand, sci-fi as a cinematic and televised thing continues to ignore its actual audience in favour of sniffing its own farts in a sound-proof chamber designed specifically for next-level virtue-signalling. One thing I will say about the dreck of 2019 is that it’s interesting dreck, at least so far. Another Life, for example, isn’t just bad: it’s mind-bogglingly, fascinatingly bad, as though someone set out to make the worst TV series imaginable and accidentally created a portal to another dimension made entirely of crap.

With all the amazingly wonderful and transifxingly terrible visual media on offer lately, it’s easy to forget that there’s a rich repository of films and TV series from just a few years ago that you’ve probably never watched. You see if you, like me, are a snooty, card-carrying member of the elitist intelligentsia, you probably missed films and TV series that looked dumb as soup on the surface on the grounds that they weren’t worth your time. Luckily for you, I’ve dived nose-first into the detritus of our dying culture, so you don’t have to, and I’ve ferreted out the diamonds from the pig-swill. Without further ado, I’d therefore like to present my list Easily Overlooked Gems.

1. Mandy The phrase “Nicholas Cage stars in a sword-and-sorcery rape/revenge thriller” does not inspire confidence. It’s therefore easy to ignore Mandy and the promptly forget it ever existed. Which is a shame, because it’s kind of a work of genius. The plot is exactly what you’d expect: a cult kidnaps, rapes and kills Cage’s girlfriend, Mandy, and Cage sets out on a mission of revenge culminating in a blood-bath. The nature of the revenge quest is what puts a sting in the film’s tail- or tale, if you’re feeling puntastic. You see, a lot of the bad guys exist in a constant hallucinatory haze after taking a drug that sent them mad after one dose. In order to fight on their level, Cage has to take a dose too. As a result, the world around him slowly but surely transforms into a nightmare landscape that looks like a cross between a D&D illustration and the cover of a heavy metal album and his grubby, personal mission of fury takes on the unmistakable resonance of a Conan-esque hero’s quest. By the end of the film, you have to wonder if Cage has actually slipped into some sort of alternate dimension or if he’s just lost his game-pieces completely. In places, it’s nearly as painful to watch as Landmine Goes Click (crikey, there’s one for the history buffs) but it looks and feels like Beyond the Black Rainbow. Worth your attention just because of how weird it is. I give it a solid four-out-five decapitated rapists.

2. Baby Driver Nothing about Baby Driver suggested it would be a good film: the way it was advertised as a car-chase movie trying to be cute; the stupid title; the fact that it came and went through cinemas like a fart in the night. Which is a shame, because it’s secretly brilliant. It’s a highly stylised crime film populated with the archest archetypes money can buy (to the point where some of the dialogue has a weirdly beat-poetic feel to it). It’s saturated colour palette and off-beat affect actually have something of a full-colour Jim Jarmusch flick about them. The hook, of course, is that the lead character (only ever referred to as Baby, because he’s got a punchably youthful face) has tinnitus and therefore has to listen to music constantly to drown at the buzzing in his head. The practical upshot of this is that a) every single scene is overlayed with surprisingly great and situationally appropriate music and b) he goes through life like he’s always dancing, so his way of moving lends to the film’s easy-going sense of flow. It also explains where his preternatural driving skills come from (I mean, not really, but within the context of the plot): he’s used to sliding effortlessly into patterns and rhythms because of the music thing. All of this could make a terrible film, of course, but execution is everything and, to everyone’s surprise, especially mine, this flick was executed with an astonishing level of panache. I rate it ten out of ten grizzly motor way pile ups.

3. Nightflyers It’s not just films that get overlooked as the tide of culture washes back and forth, like a great big sea of effluent. TV series also vanish unduly into the dustbin of history. Case in point, the criminally underappreciated Nighrflyers: Netflix pre-Another Life sci-fi offering that was actually good. It’s a pretty classic set-up: a group of mismatched wing-nuts on a spaceship, all of whom have secrets that that will threaten to tear them apart while they try to make contact with an alien life-form. What elevates Nightflyers is just how fuck-uped the cast are. There’s an angry British psychic whose spent his whole life in captivity in case he goes full Scanners on somebody’s head, a guy who only ever appears as a hologram for reasons too twisted to explain here, his evil mother whose uploaded her mind to the ship’s computer and gone batshit crazy, a genetic superbeing and a hacker who can send her mind into computers via a dodgy implant and who may or may not be drifting out of touch with the human condition. It’s great. 6 and half billion out of 7 billion monkeys, boiling in the void.

4. Hardcore Henry No, I don’t know who thought that title was a good idea either, but the point is that Hardcore Henry has no motherfucking right to kick as much arse as it does. It was clearly made on a budget that would embarrass a Youtube shampoo commercial, but it just flat-out rocks. Shot entirely in first-person, it follows the adventures of a mute cyborg as he seeks revenge against the bastard psychic entrepreneur who first built him then tried to kill him. Along the way, his main ally is a dude who keeps dying and coming back to life in a series of identical bodies but with radically different personalities and haircuts (this is eventually explained, but I’m not going to spoil it for you). It’s premise is demented, it’s surprisingly well-choreographed and its soundtrack is an aphrodisiac for your ears. Also, Tim Roth is in it, so that’s just yer seal of quality right there. It came out to a lot of fanfare and many, many cinema trailers back in the day and was then promptly forgotten about as soon as it launched. So I’m dragging it kicking and screaming back into the limelight. It’s on Netflix right now, so go watch it. I rate it a solid 11 out of 15 creepy duplicates of Tim Roth.

5. Upgrade Another lesser-known film about a cyborg. Unlike Henry, however, this cyborg’s life doesn’t so much ‘rock’ as ‘suck balls’. He gets crippled and then ends up with a sentient computer chip in his head that allows him to remote-control his own body despite not having a working spine anymore. Naturally, his experimental tech attracts the attention of some unsavoury characters and he and his brain-chip have to work together to figure out what’s going on, often through a series of ultra-violent, gory fight-scenes that horrify the protagonist himself. Of course, all might be well, except that the head-chip is a homicidal little shit that clearly has its own agenda. I give it at least 0000 0111 out of 0000 1001 painstakingly restored vintage kill-bots.

6. The Tick The Tick isn’t as overlooked as everything else on this list, especially since there have been a couple of previous televised incarnations of the franchise to lay the groundwork. However, I still feel like the modern iteration doesn’t quite get the love it deserves, so I’m throwing it out here. Following the adventures a mad, amnesiac and possibly stupid superhero and his neurotic sidekick, The Tick explores a world where superheroes aren’t the paragons of good from classic comics, the corrupt psychotics of The Boys or Watchmen, or the eternally struggling, walking moral life-lessons of modern cinema. Instead, they’re just ordinary people operating at various levels of competence/incompetence and mental illness and working within a bureaucratic, wildly inefficient framework. That might not sound like a recipe for a successful TV series, but it really is. Drawing out the mundane, human side of heroes and villains against the backdrop of cataclysmic, civilisation-threatening events makes for infinitely compelling and very, very funny viewing. It’s kind of doing for the superhero genre what Futurama did for sci-fi a few years back. It’s also where the phrase and/or popular song ‘seven billion monkeys boiling in the void’ comes from. My rating is four out of five sapient, homosexual boats (which will make sense when you watch it).

7. The Void Amid the high-budget horror extravaganzas of recent years, it’s easy to forget about the void, which feels like the best story H.P. Lovecraft never wrote and looks like David Chronenberg tried to adapt a Heironimous Bosch painting... in the ‘80s. The actual plot concerns a group of people getting trapped in a hospital by murderous cultists and discovering dark secrets and, arguably, a whole other dimension in its basement. You’re not exactly there for the plot though: The Void is a mood-piece and an exercise in visual FX craftsmanship. You’re there to drink in the atmosphere and see what each new cosmic horror looks like. I am delighted to award it ten out of ten unspeakable whisperers in the darkness. That’s enough for two barbershop quartets, an emcee and a supporting act.

8. Happy Death Day It’s Groundhog Day but as a horror film starring a really annoying lass in her late teens has to keep dying horribly until she learns to stop being such a terrible person... and also kill her murderer with a little help from her newly-minted, non-cunty friend. There’s a sequel that I haven’t seen yet, but the original is a low-key, oft-overlooked delight. I give it 9 out of 11 suspiciously similar corpses.

#Secret Diary of a Fat Admirer #films #tv shows #movies #Mandy #Baby Driver #Nightflyers #The Tick #The Void #Tick #happy death day #Upgrade

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beneaththetangles · 5 years

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BtT Light Novel Club Chapter 13: My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong as I Expected (Oregairu) Vol. 1

As we enter the classroom to discuss the thirteenth book in our light novel club, I see a solitary girl sitting on the far side of the room. Chairs and desks are stacked behind her, forming a shadowy backdrop, but she sits in the most lighted portion of the room, next to a window overlooking the athletic club member participating in their activities. The window is slightly open, bringing in a gentle breeze that wafts in cherry blossoms and lightly sways her long, dark hair. She pays no attention to the three young men that entered, not because she’s lost in her book, but with an aire that says…you’re not even worthy of my attention.

Wait. What is Yukino Yukinoshita doing here? Did we enter the Service Club’s room by accident? Oh man, Hiratsuka-sensei is going to go kamehameha on us for this!

Welcome to the thirteenth meeting of our Beneath the Tangles Light Novel Club! This time around, we decided to take on one of the most popular light novels of recent years, My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong as I Expected, otherwise known as Oregairu. The series of novels is nearing an end, but we’re diving into volume one, released by Yen Press. Here’s a quick summary of the series from the Yen Press website for those unfamiliar:

Hachiman Hikigaya is a cynic. “Youth” is a crock, he believes–a sucker’s game, an illusion woven from failure and hypocrisy. But when he turns in an essay for a school assignment espousing this view, he’s sentenced to work in the Service Club, an organization dedicated to helping students with problems in their lives! How will Hachiman the Cynic cope with a job that requires–gasp!–optimism?

Our club prez, stardf29, led our group through a discussion of the volume as usual. Check out the questions below (expanded further in our comments) and please give your answers if you’ve read the volume, and then check our responses below that!

What do you think of the novel overall?

Jeskai Angel: I’m ambivalent. It was mildly entertaining, but never really drew me in like some light novels (cf. Abilities Average). I’m uncertain whether I should continue with the series.

Twwk: I should probably note right from the start here that I’m a superfan of the series, so of course, my overall thoughts are that it’s off the charts. The light novel series is well-regarded in Japan for good reason—it hits a lot of the right buttons for light novel / anime fans, while doing so in a really smart way. This is the third time I’ve read volume one, and I like it best this time, though I enjoyed it thoroughly the first time I read it as well.

stardf29: Overall, it was as enjoyable as I remember the anime being. There’s a great cast of characters and I liked how the story itself was a twist on the usual high-school rom-com, subverting some of the usual tropes but not going full-on deconstruction.

What is your opinion of Hachiman as a character/protagonist?

Jeskai Angel: Hikigundam was a fascinatingly unreliable narrator. The fact that he repeatedly felt a need to tell us, the readers, that he’s not lying raised a red flag. How many habitually honest people feel a need to go around insisting they don’t lie? “Hachiman tells no lies!” he says at one point. After the trick with the cookies, he insists, “I’d never said I was the one who made them, so I’d never lied.” And then he says “No, I didn’t know him. Nope. I was unacquainted with Yoshiteru Zaimokuza”—right before grudgingly conceding they are more than acquainted. Finally, there’s this transparently untrue declaration: “Though I am indeed a loner, it wasn’t like I was jealous of crowds who were friendly with one another. It wasn’t like I was praying for their misfortune… I’m not lying, okay? Really.” The protagonist doth protest too much, methinks. He caps it off, though, with the ironic admission, “Oh, I know. The only liars here are them and me.” I had flashbacks to Dr. Sheppard of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, a famously unreliable narrator (it’s not a spoiler if the book is 90 years old, right?).

But his unreliability didn’t just stop as the suspicion that he was being willfully dishonest! I also constantly wondered if he misinterpreted other characters. Hikigalaxy is constantly describing the tone of voice, facial expressions, and intentions of other characters, but he evinces so much envy, bitterness, and pride that I couldn’t help but suspect that at least some of the time, he was totally misreading them. I’d read each interaction wondering what Yukino or Yui or Hiratsuka-sensei REALLY meant, sans the cynicism-filter. At one point, he says “guys are depressingly simple,” yet his own characterization ironically proves how untrue that is.

Overall, then, Hikigoomba’s untrustworthiness as a narrator made the light novel an exceptionally dynamic and thought-provoking experience. I kept wondering “Why is he like this?” How did this character come to be this way? The anime never explained, and neither did this volume. Hikigoron spews a lot of pseudo-intellectual, vaguely postmodern jibber-jabber, but none of it tells me what he truly thinks. His various stories of bad memories from middle school all felt like excuses, never like the actual cause of his disaffection with life. If something could draw me to continue reading the series, it might be the hope that his character will be more fully explained.

As for Jeskai’s desire to know about what made Hiki this way, I personally don’t need to know. Or rather, I’m willing to buy that his home situation as he presents it, his middle school experiences, and just his chemical makeup, have led him to become the way he is. And thus even in volume one, I’m more interested in knowing who he will become—I can already accept the beginning point of the journey, and look forward to where he goes from here.

stardf29: I do like the point that he’s somewhat unreliable as a narrator, insisting he feels a particular way about things when his actual feelings may be different. It does make for an interesting experience, and combined with his wry commentary on the world makes him an amusing protagonist.

If you’ve seen the anime, how did reading the novel compare to your anime experience

Jeskai Angel: It seems, at least based on this volume, that the anime stuck extremely close to the light novels. One of the major points of difference is, as noted above, that I didn’t have to filter everything in the anime through the lens of an unreliable narrator. The other major difference is that reading Hikigondor’s inner monologues revealed him to be much more of a crude jerk than he came across as being in the anime.

Twwk: The series dies stick very closely to the novel, but what makes both worthwhile in my opinion are the differences. The Hiki in the book is funnier, while anime’s Hiki, voiced by Takuya Eguchi and his deep tones, comes across as more hard-edged. The characters as a whole, I think, are generally more enjoyable on the screen, especially Komachi, who is treated far more like a real sister (and is far more intelligent) in the anime. Additionally, season two, produced by Studio Feel, is absolutely gorgeous, while I would say Ponkan8’s illustrations are much prettier than season one’s shoddy animation . But the book series continues to be good material for a few extra scenes contained within and because it’s just easier to handle the MOUNDS of dialogue in this series in written form than on screen.

stardf29: I agree that the anime was overall very faithful and for the most part, reading the novel was basically like reliving the anime. I do appreciate the extra text to get even more insights into Hachiman’s thoughts, though.

What do you think of the light novel’s (well, the protagonist’s) take on youth?

Jeskai Angel: Hikigungan’s derisive view of youth naturally draws us to consider the common positive view of youth that he disdains. Based on anime, it seems the Japanese really idealize “youth,” and especially the high school years, even more so than we do in America, and Hikigengar’s cynicism is at least partly a reaction against that idealization. Personally, I suspect the human tendency to idolize youth and to cling to it desperately through exercise or makeup or surgery or whatever, is a result of the fall. Death entered the world because of sin. As God created the world, he didn’t intend for us to the die. That being true, I find it highly unlikely he intended for us to grow old and decrepit, either; aging is just pre-death decay of the body, after all. I suspect that somewhere in young adulthood (late teens / early twenties?) when we reach our “prime” is, in a strictly physical sense, the closest we come in this life to what God originally intended us to be (and what we will be in heaven). In later years, we can still mature spiritually, but our bodies have passed the zenith of their strength and beauty. Perhaps this is why so many old folks describe still feeling young on the inside despite their outward age. We experience a disjuncture between our spirit and our aging body precisely because those bodies weren’t meant to age. All this is speculative, of course, but it leads me to the conclusion youth is legitimately something to treasure, but not to idolize to the extent that we refuse to age gracefully. I suppose this might put me at odds with both Hikiguava and the culture he’s rejecting.

Twwk: I once wrote about this for Area of Effect magazine, but instead taking Harry Potter as an example of how many look back at their school days with the kind nostalgia which that book series induces. Because I’m one who loves nostalgia, I place a high value on the feeling of youth that Hiki hates (though it should of course be noted that he might feel differently if he had developed the relationships he once longed for), but there is danger in getting lost in such feelings, both through idolization, as Jeskai describes, and in being dishonest to oneself. Too much love of “youth” can result in an inability to move forward, something I feel I experienced a bit of in my young adult years, so the old man in me feels like he needs to advise, “Nostalgia it up, but do so with care.”

stardf29: Personally, I kind of share Hachiman’s disillusionment with youth; I never felt like my high school years were particularly amazing or anything, nor do I feel any desire to return back to those years. Though I do have fond memories of that time, but they are just that: memories. There is something to be said about the opportunities youths have to pursue a variety of opportunities they might not have as adults… except I think that’s where my issues with “youth” lie: the idea that once you grow up, your life suddenly becomes dull and meaningless. In that sense, I think there’s a greater need for stories that show adults making the most of life… but as for Oregairu, I think there’s something to be said that there’s no one particular way someone must spend their youth. Even if it’s lacking in romance or huge events or wild hangouts with friends, that doesn’t necessarily make someone’s youth “wrong.”

Why exactly do others think this light novel / anime is so amazing? What am I missing about its charms?

Jeskai Angel: I mean, I thought it was good, but not exceptional.

I feel like I’m missing something.

Twwk: You might not be missing anything. I’m the cheerleader for Oregairu on our blog and haven’t heard much else from our staff regarding the show. But it’s true that it’s well-loved in Japan, and I think that’s because of what I alluded to earlier: you get all the romcom stuff that we’re here to read, along with lovely girls and characters that fall right in line with the medium’s archetypes, but it’s done so 1) with a great character in Hikigaya and 2) in a way that’s unusually well-written. Hikigaya thinks a MILE a minute, so the light novel is so wordy, and yet everything translates so well into English. I can follow his line of thought, as much as there is, and it’s also so, wait for it…GENUINE. Hiki, and it’s the same with the rest, fall into these archetypes but also resist them. Hikigaya is smart, maybe really, really smart, but he does dumb things and thinks in ways that matches the experience of a teen loner. He messes up a lot, and that speaks to me. Yukino is an ice queen who is good at everything, apparently, but has deep flaws that she can’t overcome. And then there’s the latter volumes that take us into unexpected dramatic material that remains entertaining but shows us that we shouldn’t, we can’t stay in one place—even the most damaged of us must move somewhere, and if we have a community, a real community, that somewhere we move can be a really good place for us, no matter how challenging the change may be.

stardf29: Honestly, I’m not sure I’d call the novel “great” as of volume one. It’s definitely “different” with its sardonic protagonist, but otherwise all I can say for it is that it’s very entertaining, with Hachiman’s pessimistic views and how they clash with the more standard rom-com events happening around him. That said, it does hint towards what I think made the anime, at least, great: the characters show more nuance and become quite well-developed, and they have to actually face challenges to their worldviews and consider if they should be changed.

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Do you relate particularly well to any of the three main characters (and I’ll throw in a fourth who plays a larger role in later volumes) and their personal challenges—Yukino and the jealousy she stirs in others because of her talents and skill; Yui and her desire to fit in; Hiki and his social awkwardness; or Hayato and his obsession with keeping the peace and keeping relationships afloat?

Jeskai Angel: I strugle to relate to Hayato at all; no one’s ever accused me of being popular, attractive, and athletic. I do relate in varying degrees to the other three. For Yui, I’ve spent much of my life feeling like a weirdo and at times really wished I could fit in better. For Hiki, I’ve struggled greatly with interacting with other human beings. For the longest time, I harbored this suspicion that there was some kind of trick to socializing and making friends that everyone else knew, but I had somehow missed learning it and was now locked out of the loop. I’m often still anxious and less than adept in social settings. And while I’ve never had the confidence (or is it just bluster?) of Yukino, one part of my aforementioned sense of being weird is that I’m just smarter than most people. I didn’t actually know that when I was growing up, mind you—I spent years sincerely convinced I was stupid, ignoring all evidence to the contrary—but in hindsight I do believe some of the distance between my peers and me was that I was on a different level intellectually. (And yes, I realize that saying this makes me sound a lot like Yukino, LOL.)

Twwk: That does sound a lot like Yukino, but I won’t fault you for it! As for me, I’m probably a bit like all these characters, but I certainly feel Hikigaya very strongly because of that social awkwardness. At this point in life, I still consider myself an incredibly awkward person. I understand people well, but I find myself communicating with them in an impatient or frenzied manner quite often—and it was much worse when I was a Hiki’s age. Oh man, I’m embarrassed even thinking about it! While I didn’t berate myself up for it like Hiki does, I did often say strange things in public. For both him and I, our minds and mouth don’t match so well; that connection is a little askew. So I might declare that I wish others could just read my thoughts, but as with Hikigaya again, that would probably be even worse!

stardf29: As I mentioned, I most relate to Hachiman: his social awkwardness and how he doesn’t care much for “typical” youthfulness definitely resonates with me, even if I never got as extreme as he did.

Do you think the teacher, Ms. Hiratsuka, was justified in getting Hachiman involved with the Service Club?

Jeskai Angel: I….guess? Over the course of the novel, it becomes quite clear that he’s an embittered, troubled individual with a twisted worldview. He needs help. What’s less clear is the merit of Hiratsuka-sensei’s solution. Is making him join the Service Club really going to help him grow into a healthier perspective on life? As of the end of this volume, the jury’s still out on that one.

stardf29: Yeah, I don’t think there’s inherently anything wrong with her motive of wanting to help out a student, so the question is really more whether her method of helping is actually helping or not…

Twwk: I’m going to take a more pragmatic view of that question—the semirealism of Oregairu is basically only thrown off by Hitatsuka-sensei. She gets away with very non-teacher things, even physically punishing Hikigaya. But it plays into the show. She’s not only a wise mentor, but there’s a little magic there…things happen that maybe don’t entirely make sense and they started with her bringing Yukino and Hiki together. But in volume one, it hasn’t yet come together. It just seems like an unusual punishment to make Hiki join the club.

I should also not that I don’t think Hiki’s as troubled as Jeskai does! Or maybe he is and I’m just trying to go light on myself, because comparing 16-year-old Twwk to 16-year-old Hiki, the latter doesn’t come out so bad…I feel like we’re at least on equal footing!

Are you shipping Hachiman with anyone yet?

Twwk: I ship Hiki a bit with Yui in this volume, only because I think it’s cute that she seems to harbor a crush on him!

stardf29: I do think it’s cute that, for all that Yui comes from the “normie” group, she seems to be interested in Hachiman. While the reason for that isn’t fully revealed in this volume, it is hinted at, but otherwise I like how she’s something of a bridge between the loners of the Service Club and the “normies”, especially given how she doesn’t completely get along with them. That said, it’s very early in the game (so to speak) so who knows how things will change as the story develops. Of course, the true best ship of the volume is Hachiman x Saika… but let’s not get too serious about that.

Jeskai Angel: No, not especially. Yui and Yukino are both possibilities, but the series’ title is just cynical enough that I can’t help but suspect the entire series will end with Hiki still alone.

Twwk: That feels like an appropriate way to end a discussion on a book titled, My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong as I Expected!

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That’s it for us! Please let us know your answers to our questions in the comments below, or anything else regarding this volume of Oregairu. And stayed tuned as we give our next selection of the light novel club sometime over the next couple of weeks!

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Featured art by Hfp～Kubiao (reprinted w/permission)

#light novels #anime #my youth romantic comedy is wrong as i expected #my teen romantic comedy snafu #yahari ore no seishun love comedy wa machigatteiru.#yahari ore no seishun love come wa machigatteiru.#btt light novel club #articles #author: twwk #author: stardf29 #Author: Jeskai Angel

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genesiskrps-blog · 7 years

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KIWI MUSIC NEWS: IDOL PROFILE SERIES !

[+ 500, -15] Wow! Bang Daeul is my favorite vocal and dancer in IN2 ! [+ 243, - 5] WAR is lucky to have him, aren’t they?! [+ 225, - 9] I can’t wait to see more of them - fighting!!

PROFILE !

FACECLAIM: park jimin CHARACTER NAME: bang daeul STAGE NAME: - CHARACTER AGE: 21 COMPANY: IN2ITION POSITION: lead vocalist, main dancer TIME WITH COMPANY: eight years POSITIVE: exuberant, loyal, straightforward NEGATIVE: tactless, disorganized, blundering STRENGTHS: Daeul is an odd case, the kind of person with limited experience in singing or dancing prior to entering the company with which he now has debuted. While he was scouted at a dance performance, he himself wasn’t a dancer or participant, merely there supporting his friends. He auditioned with a song, and the sweetness of his voice (and probably the fact he was fairly attractive) earned him a spot with the company, which he debated over briefly before considering, essentially, why the fuck not? He’d pursued dance when he was younger but hadn’t kept up with it extensively over the years. After a dark bought of uncertainty in his trainee years, he trained into one of the lead dancers of the group, consistently performing exceptionally. His natural expressiveness translates well into dance and he soon developed a true passion for it, relentlessly practicing to get to a point where he feels more comfortable with his skill level. His long period of training did him a great service in this regard, but he still feels miles behind peers who have been dancing since they were young. WEAKNESSES: While his voice is pleasant, historically his live performances have been unstable. While he has largely overcome this due to the forceful practice of a packed schedule, the association remains both with the public and with himself, presenting a particular insecurity of his. His rap skills are virtually nonexistent, despite both his group and his appreciation for the genre, and on the whole while he thrives on variety programs with the host of his members, he does little more than react and laugh enthusiastically when pushed onto one alone. He enjoys fan outreach but does little past a consistent string of selcas and short instagram clips, betraying two things: his fear of public backlash and his knowledge of his own tactless and foolish personality. He’s terrified of inadvertently bringing a scandal down upon them and ruining everything his members have worked so hard for. He consistently practices to extremes, feeling as if he is one of the weaker links on the team, particularly after the contract difficulties and the rise of other members participating in the production of the music more fully. Daeul is very much a traditional idol who is not quite as interested or adept in production, lyricism, etc.

BIOGRAPHY !

- Born and raised in seaside Busan to devoted single mother, with the help of his three older sisters, Daeul has always been doted on.

- This shows in the purity of his spirit, the brightness of his smile, and in the overwhelming air of confidence he projects: something only the youngest and only son can manage.

- He had an exceptionally close relationship with his grandparents and his eldest sister, both of whom helped raise him when his mother was forced to work long hours at her company.

- He grows up to be far from materialistic, with a family full of hand me downs and group effort, anything to save a couple hundred won here or there.

- He wears the slightly-more-gender-neutral options of his sister’s hand me downs, learns to stand his own against barbs and bullying, shuts down people who would laugh at him for flowery scripts or the occasionally bubblegum pink top. It helps that he’s always been unbothered by the opinions of others, apparently content to thrive on the love of his family. His ideas of the prescriptive nature of the gender binary break down little by little, though he himself is a comfortable cis male.

- Daeul is athletic and enthusiastic, a bundle of energy and goodwill that bounces quietly but steadily around their neighborhood, picking up basketball and soccer and skateboarding and anything else he gets exposed too. He spends a good deal of time on the swim team in middle and high school, but doesn’t have the drive to be competitive.

- On the whole he spends his life doing passably in most things. He’s a pretty good friend, he’s pretty smart, he’s fairly well behaved, he’s moderately talkative. In most ways, Daeul is the picture perfect “boy next door” - there isn’t anything particularly notable about him, but on the whole the package is pleasant.

- Thus its a surprise when, in early high school, he’s hanging out at a dance event with some friends in a troupe, and he gets scouted by In2. He’s never even heard of the company at this point, they don’t have much of a name to them, btu apparently the scout saw something in enthusiastic half moon smiles and the ease with which he attempts to manipulate his body to follow the movements of his friends that speaks to potentials untapped.

- He goes to the audition time they set up for him, with a nervously prepared song. But it can’t be that bad, right, if he doesn’t get in, its not like this is his dream.

-But he does get in, and it becomes his dream. He starts off just heading up to Seoul on the weekends to train, but it quickly becomes apparent that not only does he have a lot of catching up to do compared to the others in the company, but he’s entirely in love with it. With dance, with singing, with performing. There’s a satisfaction in it and he’s addicted to the feeling of progress as he passes milestones rapidfire, learns to force his muscles to obey his commands, to make art.

- He trains relentlessly for years, towards a goal that seems distant and strange, a dream he’d never expected. Its fallen into his lap, but he feels like he might not deserve it - so many others try out and work towards this same goal and have wanted it since they were young, desperately and vehemently. He’s almost ashamed of how easily it came to him, this opportunity.

- Of course that ease doesn’t last long, he ends up slogging towards his goal, he debuts, but that isn’t the end. Now comes the pain of being a rookie idol in a company no one has ever heard of, and he’s continuously promoting, relentlessly.

- Sleep comes in quick naps in the car, an hour or two in a bed somewhere, if he’s lucky. Hotels are shared amongst all of them, too many boys cramped into tight quarters, rolling out of bed early in the morning, onto flights, to countries he’s never thought about going to before.

- His group becomes a family to him, people he depends on, relies on. But after years of a lackluster image and music that he can tell grates on some of the others, he finds it all falling apart. Daeul’s never been hugely invested in artistic integrity, but that isn’t true of everyone in the group. The two core members threaten to leave, taking with them the individuality of the group, the only thing they have to cling too in a competitive industry.

- Its hard for Daeul not to feel hurt by this. He knows its not an attack on him, but it still feels like a rejection, like two of his beloved hyungs just can’t stand the idea of following this path that they’re on together.

- They end up staying and Daeul has to admit, the new direction suits all of them more. Korea likes it more too, and strangely, fascinatingly, they begin to gain immense traction over seas.

- He’s still insecure in the way he stumbled into all of this, still hurt by the rejection of his friends, but Daeul has found his place in all this, he thinks, and is content to continue his relentless climb towards improvement.

#gs:app #gs:in2ition #gs:war #gs:chctshire

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