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#top 10 character essence
clairelsonao3 · 11 months
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Top 10 Character Essence
It's tag game time again!
@tabswrites and @hollyannewrites challenged (and I do mean challenged) me to name my top ten characters "decided by their essence or meaning to you."
  A challenge to give your Top 10 favourite characters, based on their ESSENCE. They have to be favourite characters that also have a deeper literary value, where you enjoy their specific role in the story, and this means that the list also should exclude characters that would normally count as favourites if for purely nostalgic reasons. They can be from film, tv, or written media, anything.
Thank you! I hope I fulfilled the challenge the way it was meant to be fulfilled!
Although TBH, I can't believe I'm even attempting to tackle this. I have to choose only 10? I think it goes without saying this list is not exhaustive, nor does it represent all of my favorite books/movies/media. I really did try to capture the question by focusing on "essence and meaning" (including how they've influenced my own writing and not just "random characters I like." I also have to attempt not to write an essay for each because we don't want to be here all night.
Charlotte Doyle (The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi) Rich girl in the early 1800s gets on a ship with a mutinous crew and an evil captain, joins the crew, defeats the captain using only her wits, miraculously makes it home, AND THEN DECIDES TO GO BACK TO SEA AND BECOME A SAILOR. I read this all in one sitting one night when I was about 15 (after avoiding it because I thought it looked boring) and then literally decided to reshape my entire life based on it (I'm not kidding). Yes, I actually took up sailing. Also, there's a hot sailor that she obviously has chemistry with but it's left unresolved, and no one has ever written a future fic about it to my knowledge, and that's a CRIME. So yeah, step right up.
John Bender (The Breakfast Club) He's not just the original '80s bad boy with a Dark and Troubled Past, but what most people forget about him is that he's also hilarious. It's a rare combination. Honorary mention to his love interest, Claire, and not just because of her name.
Fantine (Les Miserables by Victor Hugo) - Mostly the book version of her, though she obviously has a showstopping number in the musical as well. She was the sad, angsty character I needed during the most sad, angsty period of my life. She was a poor, lonely urchin who found fleeting love and happiness in the spring, got abandoned and pregnant in the winter -- and it only got worse from there. Also, apropos of nothing, at one point, I wrote a short story featuring a dog by the same name -- who, um, died.
The Artful Dodger/Dodger (Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens/Oliver & Company) - I'm including both the human version and the dog version of this character because I love them both (though I actually prefer the Disney movie, lol). They're both thieves with devil-may-care attitudes, with soft spots for those more vulnerable than themselves. Plus, the dog version is Billy Joel, wears sunglasses, and plays piano with his tail, which -- I don't care what anyone says -- will never not be cool.
Satine (Moulin Rouge) - She was the beautiful, sparkling, singing, dancing tragic sex goddess I so badly wanted to be. So much so that as recently as five years ago when I reluctantly dressed up for a Halloween party, I chose her silver-dress-and-top-hat ensemble.
Rick Blaine (Casablanca) The most endlessly quotable character from one of the most endlessly quotable and romantic movies of all time. He sticks his neck out for no one. Except, oops, wait, he does. The OG Hollywood antihero with a Dark and Troubled -- whatever, you know the drill. Plus, he's also my dad's favorite character in his favorite movie (and I discovered it because of him), and so this pick has sentimental meaning for me.
Leah Price (The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver) - When we read this book in high school, she was the least popular character, probably due to her unwavering love and support for her dad, even though he was a singular-focused religious zealot who destroyed his entire family by dragging them into the African jungle in an ill-thought-out missionary trip. And then she married a guy with some of the same qualities (but he was better, thankfully). But for whatever weird reason, I related to her most. Anyway, for class, I wrote and tried to perform a monologue where I played her but forgot 90 percent of my lines. Oh well.
Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden by France Hodgson Burnett, I found the movie version fairly meh) There were a lot of spunky, iconic childhood book heroines to choose from, but she was Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, and so I choose her. (I got told to "smile" a lot as a kid). Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, I was a Mary/Dickon shipper before I even knew what shipping meant.
Neal Caffrey (White Collar) - Does anyone remember this show? I have no attention span for TV, and this is probably the last scripted show I remember watching every episode of during its original run, which is saying something. Everything I know about being a con artist (in fiction, lol) I learned from this charming, charismatic art-forger-turned-FBI-consultant. I think he also has the honor of being the subject of the first actual fanfic I ever wrote.
Iris Chase Griffin (The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood) I also had to pick one character of my favorite author, so Iris gets the crown. She starts off the story as an old lady looking back to when she was forced to marry some rich asshole instead of the science fiction writer (with a past that was -- wait for it -- Dark and Troubled) who BOTH she and her sister loved, and meanwhile, her sister became a writer and when she died it was discovered that -- oh, just read the goddamn book, I won't spoil it for you here.
Honorable mentions, in no particular order:
Violet Westing (The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin)
Jack Kelly (Newsies the movie, NOT the stage musical)
Turonga Leela (Futurama)
Vicky Austin (The Austins by Madeleine L'Engle)
Jack Dawson and Rose Dewitt-Bukater (Titanic) I can't decide between them, so they're getting an HM.
Palaestrio and Milphidippa (Miles Gloriosus by Plautus) Same as above.
Michael Furey (The Dead by James Joyce) Who is, in fact, dead throughout the story -- but being alive wasn't one of the requirements.
I wish I could include a Star Wars character, but could never decide, so let's say, oh, all of them, except that one you hate.
In case the following people want to do what I did and spend several WEEKS on this fascinating but life-ruining (in a good way) tag game: @mysticstarlightduck @enne-uni @kixngiggles @obviousknife + OPEN TAG because you don't even have to be a writer for this one, so I'd be interested in hearing from anybody who wants to chime in!
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author-a-holmes · 1 year
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Top 10 Favourite Character Essences
@faelanvance
Faelan heard about my "Favourite Characters" post that went out last night, and after reading it.. well. It's a little repetative, if you know me at all. Some familiar characters on there, so she challenged me to answer it a bit differently.
She challenged me to give my Top 10 favourite characters, based on their ESSENCE.
They have to be favourite characters that also have a deeper literary value, where you enjoy their specific role in the story, and this means that the list also has to exclude characters that would normally go on the list for purely nostalgic reasons.
They can be from Film, TV, or Written media, and this was surprisingly difficult so I've decided to share and also challenge a few other people, because my list of characters based on their essence is so entiely different from my normal "list of favourite characters" that I thought it would be an interesting exercise.
Let's just say I've learnt a LOT about my favourite character roles in fiction by putting together this list for Fae!
Tagging Forward, with no pressure, to: @minamoroz @night-market-if @arigalefantasynovels @sleepyowlwrites @world-of-fire-and-flight-admin @acertainmoshke @falesiacatwrites @ashen-crest and anyone else who wants to hop on the bandwagon <3
Top 10 Characters You Love The Essence Of
1. Niklaus Mikaelson From 'The Originals' and 'Vampire Diaries', TV Series.
Peak Morally Grey Character Energy. I want to find more books with characters like this, honestly. I love everything about this character. He's unapologetically who he is, and soft for exactly one person.
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2. Patrick Jane From 'The Mentalist', TV Series.
He's such an intelligent, but inherently damaged, character and I love him. With a backstory that includes a wife and child murdered by a serial killer, Patrick is terrified of anybody getting close to hum and uses his sharp intelligence to deflect constantly. While also being on a path of vengence , the show d oesn't shy away from letting him complete that journey at any cost.
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3. Althalus From 'The Redemption of Althalus' by David & Leigh Eddings, Book
This isn't the best of their books, it's quite hard reading, but my love for Althalus, the bastard thief, makes it worthwhile in my humble opinion. Althalus is an unrepentant liar and thief who gets blackmailed into doing good deeds by a Goddess in the form of a cat who adopts him (as cats are wont to do)
I really love him, and there's a lot of vibes that, on reflection, I feel have influenced my character, Reilly Mosswolf.
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4. Deucalion From 'Teen Wolf', TV Series
To be fair I think a good 30% of my love for this character is that he's played by Gideon Emery because his voice makes the sheer SASS of Deucalion ratchet up by at least 1000 points.
Deucalion is an alpha of a wolf pack made up entirely of alpha's, and when he sets his sights on the show's main character he casually walks in and kills, threatens or injures about half a dozen people to make a point about how strong he is before casually waltzing out again.
He's fucking epic. Have a Youtube Clip to do that voice justice.
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5. Tony Stark / Iron Man The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Films
He's an unapologetic asshole with too much money. Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist, who is so intelligent that his rate of sheer thinking is beyond most people's ability to follow.
It makes him difficult to relate to, and even more difficult for characters to trust, but it's the same things I love about his character.
Despite the perception and assholeryness he presents, he's usually doing what he's doing for good reasons, even if no on but he understands those reasons. And really most characters don't look past the fact that he's an asshole to consider that, most of the time, he's right.
He''s an interesting character with a lot of duality that I enjoy.
Bonus; He also has a little bit of Klaus Energy in that there is only a handful of people he truly cares about, and will go out of his way to be kind to.
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6. Spike From 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', TV Series
The essence of this character that I love is that he's really not a good 7. guy. At all.
For the entire show he's the vampire bad guy until he's implanted with a microchip in his brain that makes it impossible for him to attack humans. Like, that's the only reason he starts working with the "good guys".
And yes, in the final episode he saves the world, but when your entire nature and natural inclination to be evil is being curtailed, is that really a huge sacrifice on your part?
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7. Dream From 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman, Graphic Novel Although, More Specifically, Netflix TV Series
Dream would probably be higher up my list, but I'm very new to the material and have only seen the Netflix show so far, but an eternal creature so far removed from humanity that the moral rules not only don't apply but are foreign to him is so fucking fascinating.
Like, at one point, he hears a man bragging how he's never going to die, so to see just how long this man would take before he begged for death, Dream has his sister, Death, make him immune. She never collects his soul, on the agreement that this man and Dream meet every 100 years so that he can tell Dream all the things he's experianced, and for Dream to see if he's ready to die yet.
Fascinating character 10/10.
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8. Eric Draven From 'The Crow', Film
Eric is a man who is murdered and comes back to hand out vengence against the people who killed, not only him, but his wife/fiance as well.
He has one night. He is relentless. Merciless. Violent. And I adore him. You cannot go wrong with a man who'll come back from the dead for the woman he loves.
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9. Heathcliff From 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte, Book
A complete mess of a man. Often described as a morally grey character, but Heathcliff is more of an anti-hero, in my opinion.
It's been a while since I read the book, so some of my details may be off, but the gist is that when the woman he loves determines that his station is too far below her's to marry, he sets out to ruin the life of her new husband, and ultimately her daughter, in an attempt to get her to regret her choice.
Instead, she dies and he spends the rest of the book bitter but stuck to his path of retribution against her ghost.
Wuthering Heights is a tragedy, and yet I freaking adore it, but the chaotic MESS of an energy that Heathcliff brings to the whole narrative really makes it for me.
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And Finally...
10. Arya Stark (The Book Version) From 'A Song of Ice and Fire' Series by GRR Martin, Books
Arya almost didn't make my list because I didn't like what they did to her character in the final seasons of the show, but Book Arya is fantastic.
She refuses to fit a mould and she refuses to be saved. She refuses to conform to what's expected of her by society, even when she's trying to join the faceless ones and her father privately supports her by getting her sword fighting lessons.
She carves her own path, and I love that about her.
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twentyninth · 5 months
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☆ ❝ 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞? ❞ ⋆ hsr x reader
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synopsis. whenever he wants to taste you so bad ...
warnings. cervix eating, afab!gn!reader, face sitting, dom!character, they/them pronouns are used on reader, squirting (done by reader), overstimulation, fingering
author's note. just finished a documentary on a serial killer then wrote an essay with my own free will
pairings. dan heng, blade, luocha, jing yuan, sampo, welt, caelus x afab!gn!reader / fem!reader (take this however you like because i still use they/them on reader but they're afab :p)
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dan heng is just messy asf, like probably his first time too, never really has had gotten the chance to ever eat anyone out. kind of was too busy to do that. but when you offered, he couldn't help but think of how you'd be straddled atop his chest, and his tongue just went deeper and deeper into your sensitive hole, and honestly would slurp your aftermath all up after with no shame. the loud sounds of him licking up all your cum didn't help the embarassment. but he pushed his thoughts away and finally got you straddled onto his face, and pleasure was all that was on his mind. the taste of your sweet honey just made him wanna indulge so much deeper inside you. your velvety walls clenching around his snake-like tongue was a good enough sign he'd get to taste such sweet bliss again.
type of guy to overstimulate the hell outta you just for all that essence. he has never tasted anything better. probably would finger you while you sit on the motel bed you rented for a few measly 10 thousand credits. becomes so greedy when his mouth is finally latched onto your hole just begging for you to come. after a while of eating you out, he'll just know where your g-spot is, would go so far to even say his tongue memorized it, and the taste. and he just can't get enough of it. and after everyday as your trailblazing mission is ongoing, whether you'd be away from him at the moment or just right beside him, he already misses you and your pussy so much :(
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caelus is def a big sweetheart about it. even though you think he wouldn't be the one to ask, he would. "hey i've been a little stressed lately, can you.. sit on my face and let me treat you right?", and can't help but be a little messy with it, when you finally are on top of him. your hole is right there, wet and ready for him. he's still so blushy, shy and nervous about it. but as soon as he gets a taste of such bliss, he can't help but get more, and more, and more. as soon as he felt your cum on his tongue he couldn't help but want more! he doesn't mean to overstimulate you :(( he just wants more of that tasty sweetness!
does it after trailblazing missions specifically, his thoughts do lowkey get to him while on the job, probably jerked off to the idea of eating you out, or you giving him a blowjob, but that's another story, for another day, not tomorrow, not the day after, some day. anyways, he definitely likes the idea of doing it publicly, the adrenaline of someone catching you in the bathroom with your boyfriend's mouth filled with lust and hunger, he'd keep going if that ever happened, literally just wants everything we can harvest out of you. at first he does like to tease with a bit of fingering and kitty licks while you're blindfolded. your thighs slowly choking him is such a relieving feeling to him, he can't wait to feel that exotic bliss on his tongue.
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cw: public-ish sex
sampo will not hesitate to tease the living hell out of you, does it everyday, and any day. and is not shameful at all, will ask you to sit on his face with confidence. after all the teasing is over though he will be messy with it. lowkey wants you to fuck his face with your pussy slowly because it feels that good. his nose literally covered in your wetness because of how deep his tongue is in, or how your forcing his face to get closer, as you're ab to cum!! also the kind of guy to finger you while he eats you out.
loves doing it in an alleyway in belobog especially. just indulging the hell outta your pussy while others just watch as he marks what's clearly his. his gloved finger so deep inside you, so deep inside your pussy and he just had to have such long and slender fingers, as he kept licking your blushing clit, and he couldn't help but moan into your pussy too <33 the vibrations just sent all the more pleasure into you. after that, he'll forcibly grab your thighs and put them atop his shoulders as he also sat you down on 2 small boxes stack on each other and eats you out even more. not afraid at all to overstim your poor hole. but how can he resist such ethereal tasting bliss of yours? it tasted so good he just couldn't get enough!
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welt is very straightforward. only word that comes to mind, no shame, maybe a bit, but will ask you himself with pleasure to ask you to sit ontop of his face, or at least just let him eat you out. he's been so stressed after that trailblazing mission.. he's just gotta eat somethingg.... and you can't deny him forever so one thing led to another, he's ravaging in the taste of your hole, god.. why was it just so fucking addicting? the sticky taste of the sweet little honey you produced made him wanna cum, he is indeed stroking his cock as he eats you out, he's just that kind of guy!!
more into doing it in private, prefers that only he hears how good his tongue makes you feel. so long, and it just felt so good, his nose getting covered in the sticky essence, he didn't care anymore, he just wanted more and more. but would probably ask you if he can overstimulate you more LOL. if himeko like ever just comes in without knocking, he'll literally growl, and she'll be out in a jiffy, just.. can't get the image of a hungry welt eating his s/o's pussy like a homeless man who hasn't ate in days... is just certainly shocked, calm, collected, and cool; welt yang, was so easily undone and broken by his s/o('s taste yum yum yum)..
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jing yuan has no mercy at all, and will ask you so nonchalantly, "hey, can you sit on my face i'm kinda stressed ;(" is the first text you see when opening your phone. is this really the dozing general of luofu.. asks you so many times actually, like when he's bored and lazing around he'll just ask you to sit on his desk while he eats you out. but dear fucking god— whenever you just came all over his tongue, why the hell did that taste so damn good?? so good he would literally eat you out everyday if he could just to have that 'snack'. and he wouldn't want anyone else's, yours was special, that's what he said. and honestly i see him to be the type that his eyes glow when he gets closer to his climax, and he is another one of the cock stroking while eating you out gang!!
whatever anyway, he'll pound the hell out of your pussy after anyway, don't worry! it's just 'till you can't move a damn muscle in your legs, kind of guy to just want to hold you down by your hips, or the plush of your thighs, he just wants you to hold still while he drinks the devil's wine. if he isn't stroking his cock while he eats you out, his hard cock will just be out in the open while he fingers and eats you out too <3. eats you out like a snack literally sometimes, because he acts like he didn't just eat you out half the time. like after getting you cleaned up and everything, he literally would just start asking "you want anything for dinner?", "huh? it's 1pm in the afternoon jing yuan—"
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blade is really rough when eating you out. messy and rough. type of guy to softly bite on your clit/really rub his tongue against that spot tbh HLP.. overall is confident, "hey babe can i eat you out rq im aboutta go out" "huh??". has your legs on his shoulders and roughly brings your hole to his mouth, all that juice on his tongue is really what makes him distracted from anything else, like even if anyone were to walk in on you both, he wouldn't care, your sultry moans and you cumming all over his face is all that mattered. will finger you and eat you out because he likes it when you squirt your cum out, is in love with the idea. and right after probably would put you into a mating press and insert his dick so smoothly inside there <3
the type to say i'll wash you up after eating you out but ends up having sex in the shower and literally pounds the shit out of your hole.. again.. in the bed this time.. he gives the first impression of high sex drive, breeding kink blade, what can i say? anyways, will just be so glad to slurp all your cum up after, in love with the scent, smell, taste, anything about you, and he'd gladly say it out loud. just keep cumming all over his face when he eats you out and little bladies will be running everywhere :0
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luocha, even if he is a doctor of some sort, he is either so vanilla with it, just a few kitty licks and fingering you, or rough as fuck and messy, no in between because it's either he's gonna make you cum all over his face or cream on his face, doesn't want anything in between. will be glad to finger you if he feels like he wants your cum to just squirt everywhere, mmm just sit on his face and let him do the rest. doesn't care if his hair gets messy, doesn't care if he's supposed to be somewhere right now, he just wants more of this.. essence. whatever it is, he wants more. and won't be pleased if he hasn't milked you of all of it.
doesn't care if anyone decides to walk in on you both either, but that doesn't mean he prefers public sex. just prefers these moments to just him and you. probably also has a breeding kink. while he fingers you, right before he indulges himself in you, and gets too lost and drunk on the taste, he's already daydreaming of mini versions of him and you. loves the idea sm<33 and is glad you are pleased by the idea too!! so he hopes you don't mind his rock hard cock will pound you after a few 7 rounds of eating you out! just for you <3
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can't take the word pussy seriously had to replace it with hole for that and because i want this to be for everyone/every reader!!
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sweet-as-an-angel · 10 months
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Miguel’s Reaction to You Taking Him to Watch The Barbie Movie
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Warnings: Mainly Just Miguel Being Defensive, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Miguel Secretly Being a Barbie Girl, No Pronouns Used for Reader Except ‘You’.
Miguel loves you. So, so much. And he would move Heaven and Earth to ensure even an ounce of your happiness.
However, he is 100% convinced that this excursion, this ‘girls’ day out’, will be anything more than a mind-numbing jaunt to the cinema.
At first.
He can’t deny that his heart sank and all enthusiasm he held for your date drained from his body the second you said the words ‘Barbie’ and ‘Movie’ in the same sentence.
But alas, he swallowed his dismay and took you out, plastering on a thin smile while he thought of a million and one things you could both be doing besides watching this masterclass in colour theory.
Sat beside you, packed in on either side by yourself and the many other attendees, waiting for the film to begin, Miguel can feel his patience trying to escape, trying to convince him to run, to get out while you still can!
Because of his heightened senses, he can hear every single word passing between the crowd. And with every mention of “Pink”, “Ryan Gosling,” and “Margot Robbie!” he can feel his mind numb.
The film starts. And for you, sending a watery smile your way, while your eyes sparkle with nostalgic wonder, he endures.
Five minutes in, Miguel is assaulted by pink. The very essence of the colour and all its vibrancy sends hot pink pain through his skull, his senses raw.
Quietly, he slips his sunglasses on.
This is going to be a long movie.
And, for the first quarter of the film, Miguel held that notion. Near and dear as if it were the antidote to the current situation.
Then, halfway in, the story started to intrigue him.
The colour scheme is…tolerable now. Even pleasing to the eye in some scenes.
And, dare he say, Miguel found the music to be catchy.
Two thirds in and he’s sat forward in his seat, hands clasped and his lips resting atop them. Not that you can see, but his eyes are blown wide, his mind arace with possible outcomes.
By the end of the film, Miguel’s holding your hand, forehead pressed to your shoulder, a single, silent tear illustrating his cheek.
“Miggy?” you say, leaning over to try and see his face. You recognised the singular jutting of his shoulders immediately. And, with a smile teetering on the edges of your lips, you try to console him.
“Mig–”
“S’nothing. M’fine,” His cut-off is blunt and non-negotiable. You drop the subject and escort him from the screening by his arm, the music bright as the credits roll. The dimness of the room gives way to light, gradually, slowly. The streak of Miguel’s tear glistens.
Miguel’s visceral reaction to Barbie’s movie doesn’t stop when you get home, by the way.
It actually gets worse.
If you’re lucky, you can catch Miguel reading articles on his phone, an unmistakably pink banner and the title of ‘Top 10 Things You Missed in The Barbie Movie!’ leaving little to the imagination.
Confronting him about it will lead you nowhere. Miguel will sooner shove his phone up his ass and pretend it never existed than admit that he is indeed curious as to what happened to that one background character who fell off a cliff in that one scene. Is she okay? Does anybody know where she is? Does her family know?
The fact that you find his curiosity (empathy) endearing, ‘Aww’ing at him and pinching his cheeks, makes him ever the more secretive.
Just about secretive enough to keep his volume to a minimum when he’s singing; tunes which you know are from the soundtrack.
“I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world~”
“Babe, what was th–”
“Nothing.” He’s blunt, but there is haste to his tone. Shame, even.
Occasionally, you’ll see him eyeing up Barbie-themed merch when you’re out shopping. But he never makes a move to purchase any. Not for himself, anyway.
He’ll buy you said merch – anything that catches your eye, your fancy. Even if it is a shirt ten sizes too big.
“Babe,” you say, pinching the shirt up at your shoulders, the fabric in enough excess to cause the neck to expose most of your chest. “I may be wrong here, but I’m fairly certain only you would be able to fit in this shirt.”
“Oh, well, guess I’ll just have to take it off your hands, then,” he says, his elation barely concealed behind his faux-disappointment. As if him doing so is a chore – that he’s doing you the favour by taking the garment whose shoulders could only fit his insane proportions.
Please just buy him the merch. Any shame he may feel upon initially receiving it will fade when he realises – when you reinforce – how his liking of Barbie is “Adorable, yes. But uplifting; it’s so relieving to see that you’ve found something you actually like that isn’t to do with the Spiderverse!”
“It’s actually called the–”
“Yeah, I don’t care, Babe.”
His favourite present you ever got him was a brightly-coloured exercise suit Barbie and Ken wore in the movie. He had to turn away, the fabric neon in his periphery, tears filling his eyes and balling in his throat when he saw that you’d bought a matching one.
“So we can fight crime in style!”
Miguel’s watery smile twitched, faltered. His Brow furrowed.
“Wait, what’s that supposed to mean?” he said. “You don’t think my suit’s fashionable?”
The way your face drained was enough to spark laughter in Miguel’s chest. His only line of defence against the tears that pricked his throat, played him like an instrument, with you as the orchestra’s master.
While he can’t wear the suit out on superhero duty, he does keep the headband on beneath the suit.
A reminder of you when he’s throwing himself at every threat, every monster, every evil, the band a halo hugged to his skin; a slim substitute for your warm touch, your scent, but a reminder all the same.
Reblog for more content like this! It helps creators like myself tremendously and it is greatly appreciated :-)
Masterlist Masterpost
Yandere Masterlist Juicy Original Content <3
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rntoshi · 1 year
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🔊yo hiori (n): visitation days with your boyfriend.
/ • drabble, fem!reader, vaginal sex, all characters are adults.
͏ ͏͏ ͏​ ͏similar: quickies, sneaky links.
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there were plenty of dorm rooms in the blue lock facility, but no one could ever anticipate the way sweet little (name) rides her pretty eyed boyfriend into his own blissful oblivion behind the closed doors. standing next to each other, the couple seemed as cute as can be mild mannered, friendly and innocent. even so when hiori introduced her as his girlfriend to the others, it was clear that they found her to be rather endearing. there was just an air to her that made it hard for them to not feel a cute aggression. that, or maybe it had been quite some time since they've all had a real interaction with a girl. the essence of dainty feminine energy feels like such a magic when introduced into a state of raging testosterone.
hiori's pretty, pale and slender hands always seem to start on her thighs, massaging her skin with firm squeezes as she bounces up and down on his fat cock tirelessly. his hands slide upwards and cyan orbs zone in on how her tits jump, defying gravity every time she was met with his pelvis.
“i’ve missed you so much—” (name) struggles to get out as her hands rest on his chest. she balances herself out and her hips rolling down onto his own, the burn in her thighs feels like she’s just gotten finished with a workout.
hiori stays silent, but it’s because she feels like.. a piece of living and breathing art. he doesn’t know where to touch her because he wants to feel everything inch of her. and as he looks up at her through his lashes and he wishes— no prays, that he can savor this moment for as long as he possibly could. he misses her, everything about her. her touch, scent, taste, voice— everything.
naturally, he’s grown much more sensitive since he's been enrolled into the program. the lack of her soft touch and the inviting warmth that is her cunt seems like a distant memory on most days and no number of times he wraps his hand around the thickness of his cock will ever replicate what he has right now. he wonders if soccer is even worth it, and the funny thing is that he knows it’s not.
hiori desperately want her to see herself from his point of view. lying underneath her while she worked and gave him the upmost pleasure, little things like the way the fat on her thighs was so pliable to his grasp or how he can practically see the hearts and stars in her eyes as she looks down at him. she's in love and he's obsessed with how well he can see it in her.
the way her cunt is contracting around him lets him know all he needs to know: she's close. when she's on top, she had a tendency to take a little bit more control, she didn't hesitate to grab hiori's wrists and place his palms on the roundness that is her tits. her moans become breathless and higher pitch and she's soon creaming on his shaft. she continuously says "baby" as if it's a mantra leaving her lips and the mere helplessness in her voice in what makes hiori pump her full of his cum, or well he would have if it wasn't the thin rubber barrier protecting her fertile womb.
she collapses on his chest and they're both breathless, basking in the afterglow of their high.
and as if on cue,
"visitation hours end in 10 minutes." the intercom announces.
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© rntoshi 2023. do not modify or repost.
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wangxianficrecs · 1 month
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Proud Author Spotlight
~*~
Hello. I wanted to share my MDZS Star Trek AU "To Boldly Go." I started writing it in 2021 only to not touch it for three years, so I'm just proud of myself for finally completing it! It's specific to the Star Trek shows TNG, DS9, and VOY, and though it includes a lot of direct references to Star Trek, I think non-Star Trek fans could still understand and enjoy it. It is a crossover and later includes characters from TGCF, but they are not the focus.
There are a lot of foreshadowed elements and characters who haunt the narrative. And hopefully, I captured the essence of Star Trek, too.
Thank you!!
🔒 To Boldly Go
by excludedfromchickencutletnight (@excludedfromchickencutletnight)
T, 55k, Wangxian
Summary: As one of the top-ranked cadets at Starfleet Academy, Wei Wuxian has a bright future with Starfleet in store for him. His dream is to someday command his own ship with Lan Wangji by his side as his Chief Science Officer. As a double major in both Command and Engineering, his thesis project is quite ambitious: he’s going to prove the theory of Warp 10, and he doesn’t care how improbable or dangerous it may be. He just needs to prove his theory, pass his thesis, graduate from the Academy, and then he’ll finally tell Lan Wangji how he feels. Maybe. Unfortunately, the stars have other plans for him, and his destiny changes. Years later, Lan Wangji encounters a wormhole in deep space. What lies on the other side of it has been his destiny all along.
~*~
(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)
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grottylittlefox · 10 months
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How could I ever forget you? Chapter 13
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Sebastian Sallow/Professor Sallow × f!MC / reader
Slow burn/fluff/angst, aged up characters 18-mid 20s
Somehow it had taken until your final day at Hogwarts to finally show Sebastian how you felt, and by then it was too late. Years pass and your distance grows stronger, despite your many efforts for him. A surprise encounter at a new job could change things forever. Finding each other once again at the very place you first met, Hogwarts.
Chapter 1: "I guess this is it"
Chapter 2: "Oh how I missed you"
Chapter 3: "Goodbye, Sebastian"
Chapter 4: " think it's time you move on"
Chapter 5: "Professor Sallow?"
Chapter 6: "Welcome Home"
Chapter 7: "You're my good luck charm"
Chapter 8: "I'm more of a butterfly person"
Chapter 9: “What have you become?”
Chapter 10: “I have something for you”
Chapter 11: “Curious”
Chapter 12: “I can never stay away from you”
Chapter 13: “Meet me in the undercroft”
'Meet me in the undercroft'
You scratched onto the parchment. He couldn't avoid you anymore, not now. You knew too much.
It had been only sleepless nights since you stood at the top of the astronomy tower, battling the elements and pleading for an answer from Sebastian. You'd hoped perhaps that knowing the truth would make things easier, but nothing kept you up more than knowing Sebastian was dancing with death, and there was nothing you could do to stop him.
A silhouette appeared in the doorway, you knew he'd come.
"Sebastian-" you sighed.
"I never thought I'd be back down here, with you," he approached with a smile.
"Well, I'd have hoped it would have been under different circumstances-" you began, before being cut off by that charming demeanour.
"And what circumstances would that be?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Sebastian-" a serious tone swept your voice. "If you don't find this... thing, you will.. d-"
"I was hoping this visit would be a nice distraction from that." He teased.
"I want to help you find it. No, I have to help you."
Sebastian took a breath, his eyebrows in a scrunch. There was so much going on in that pretty head of his, so much weight on his shoulders. You couldn't live with yourself if you didn't step in. To watch him continue to destroy himself for the sake of Anne was brutal, and this time there was truly no going back. He had gone too far, and may not even come out alive. 
He stepped forward, gently taking your hand in his. Interlacing your fingers so lightly.
"I... I can't put you in danger, not again. I tried so hard to protect you, from all of this,"
Towering over you, he pressed his forehead to yours. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath, inhaling the very essence of you. His thumb gently caressing the bottom of your chin. You felt yourself falling into him, getting sucked right back into that alluring charm that weakened you down to your core.
"Sebastian," you said pulling away, taking all of the strength inside of you. "I won't take no for an answer. I can't ever lose you again." Your eyes met his, pleading for answers. "Tell me what you know."
His gaze altered within seconds, from that charming warmth to stern sincerity.
"MC, I've tried everything. Anne she... she could have saved her own fate if she never destroyed that spell book."
"I, I don't understand," you stuttered "If what you needed to find is the book... why would you take the vow?"
"It's not the book, it's something more specific that I'm after. I figured the book might have clues but... it's too late for that now," his voice trembled. "I've said too much. I'm sorry MC," he turned away, headed for the door.
"Sebastian, please-"
"I need to keep you safe, I- .. I need to...go."
~~~
I need to keep him safe, you thought to yourself, once again spiralling instead of sleeping. Why would he deny your help like this? He knows you can protect yourself, after everything you've been through together?
He can't die, he can't.
You jolted out of bed, pacing around the room in a panic. Starlings bright eyes following you back and forth.
If he won't accept your help, you'll find this mysterious item yourself.
~~~
"Out of bed again are we, MC?" Professor Figs voice echoed down the hallway.
"Sorry Professor, I'm heading to the library."
"At this hour, whatever for?" He queried.
"There's something I need to research, something I just can't get off of my mind, it's keeping me up you see."
"Care to elaborate?"
You hesitated. What harm would it be to ask a portrait for help?
"I'm interested in something, something hidden in castle. Something that once belonged to Salazar Slytherin," you whispered.
"Hmm, I see," he murmured, his hand to his chin. "Any particular reason for this interest?"
"Healing purposes, of course." It was actually rather helpful that you could pass off the intrigue as being down to your work, you were technically a healer after all.
"Of course," he said, almost giving away that he certainly knew there was a little more to this than you were letting on. "I suppose the library would be a good place to start, books on healing perhaps?"
"That was the plan," you smiled. "I'll be off then."
"Oh, one more thing MC," he stopped you in your tracks. "May I suggest, asking around about these things. Certain Professors may have the answers you're looking for."
"What do you mean?"
"The Headmaster for example, has always had a particular interest in the maker of this something. And who knows the school better than the Headmaster?"
"Professor Black would never give me the time of day, even if I tried." You replied, defeated.
"He has always been difficult," Fig agreed. "However, his closest associates are not. What harm would it be, to wiggle your way in there, so to speak? You'd be surprised what a Deputy may know." He spoke with a certain implication.
"Professor Weasley?"
"I should be off, I have another portrait to visit," he stated, turning around and disappearing into the paint.
"Professor?" You called to the empty frame before you,  unfortunately just moments too late.
~~~
The sun was ridiculously bright on such a stuffy cold morning. The grass surrounding the castle had an icy crunch with every step, as you dragged yourself towards the gate.
Standing there awaiting you, wrapped up in a Gryffindor scarf and a hat to match, was Garreth. A smile across his chilly face with a red nose from the cold.
"You still look like a student in that," you laughed.
"I'll never forget my house pride," he beamed. "Not sure I can say the same for you though." His eyes drifting to the green and grey scarf around your neck.
"Oh, it's-"
"Sebastian's, I know."
You flashed an awkward smile before staring at your feet, was it all that odd you still wore it?
"You two were joint at the hip back then!" He laughed. "It's sweet, no wonder you're a Hufflepuff, loyalty and all that."
His comments always made you blush, it seemed so effortless how he always knew what to say. Kindness just came naturally to him, it was as if he didn't have a single bad bone in his body. It was truly a contrast to the person you were so deeply infatuated with. Garreth was almost, too safe.
"I guess you could say that," your cheeks tingling.
"Well, you're certainly loyal to me," his sweet smile tempting you.
What did he even mean by that?
Garreth offered out a hand. "Care to join me?"
Of course you couldn't resist, he was a true gentleman after all.
As you walked and laughed to Hogsmeade, one thought lingered in the back of your mind, his Aunt. What could she possibly know that would lead to saving Sebastian? Why did Professor Fig act so... strange?  You didn't suspect that Garreth knew a thing, however. The two had never been particularly close.
~~~
After yet another cheerful afternoon in the Three Broomsticks, you had to bite the bullet.
"Garreth, how well do your know your Aunt?" You casually slipped in.
"Odd question, not as well as a could do, I suppose? Why do you ask? Has she said something about me again?" He asked, appearing quite nervous that she'd revealed yet another embarrassing secret.
"No, don't you worry," you smiled, pushing your hair from your face, trying to come up with an excuse on the spot.
What could you say? Some elaborate lie about a birthday gift? Perhaps a even falling out?
"I'd... just like to get to know her better." You paused. "I've become a frequent guest in her classes, you see."
Was that really the best thing you could come up with? Thankfully however, it worked.
"How about I organise some sort of get together? Professionally, of course. Like a dinner party, at Hogwarts?" Garreth eagerly suggested. "I think she'd appreciate a nice gesture like that, coming from me."
"That's a great idea Garreth, I'd really like that," you smiled, a pit in your stomach.
A shadow of guilt lurked over you. Garreth was so incredibly kind to you, the best, even. Were you about to use that kindness in order to get to Professor Weasley? Was that what you had become?
Were you becoming... like Sebastian? Were you about to commit to the very thing he did to Ostara?
You snapped out of it. Of course not.
You and Garreth were friends, nothing more. As long as things stay that way, everything is fine.
~~~
The two of you returned to the castle, still discussing those dinner party plans Garreth was so eager about.
"Speak of the devil," he said pointing ahead. "There she is, Auntie Tilly!"
You peered over to see the Professor smiling at you, beside her stood another teacher. Professor Sallow, bags in hand.
He really was leaving?
"I have to get going," you insisted. "Thank you Garreth, I'm looking forward to the dinner."
"No, thank you," he turned to you, smiling. "I should grab my Aunt, to let her know the plans. But first.."
Garreth moved in closer, gently tugging your waist towards him. You could barely muster up a thought before his lips were on yours. It was gentle, sweet... and nice. Just, nice.
He pulled away and headed off towards Professor Weasley, who was now grinning to herself at the sight. Garreth gave you a wave as you turned away, leaving you bright red from embarrassment.
Getting kissed like that in front of everyone? Humiliating.
Getting kissed like that in front of Sebastian? Horrifying.
And yet, you couldn't stop yourself. You needed to gain Professor Weasleys ultimate trust. All at the cost of Sebastian, all for Sebastian.
You finally understood how he felt, why he did what he did. Perhaps you were just as crazy as each other? Just as evil, just as immoral. Perhaps you really would truly play with peoples feelings, peoples love. Anything for him. Anything to save him.
Suddenly a thud bashed past your shoulder, it was Sebastian. He stormed ahead, not turning back, not even acknowledging you.
"Sebastian! I'm sorry you had to see that, it's not what it looks like-" You called out. "..Sebastian, you're really going?"
"Temporarily-," he huffed, before finally stopping and turning to you, a disappointed look upon his face.
"-I have a fiancé to win back, do I not?"
Chapter 14
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parodyofnature · 11 months
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OM Characters As Things My Friends and Family Have Said
Lucifer- "Why are you getting plastered? IT'S FUCKING WEDNESDAY"
Mammon- "You have to stop calling me shawty in public spaces"
Leviathan- "Ben 10 is sacred"
Satan- "I was thinking about how Victor Frankenstein purposefully made his monster hot just now and the sentence I said to myself, in essence, was, 'he crafted himself a spicy new fleshsona out of body parts he stole from the poor'"
Asmodeus- "They're very phallic. You sure you don't want two?"
Beelzebub- "Who is stopping me from eating plastic? My digestive system? I have nothing to lose but my chains"
Belphegor- "'She's warming up to us!' Frankly, Phil, I dislike you more than ever but I see no reason why you should be privy to that."
Diavolo- "This humongous, big, stupid boy looks like he belongs in Metalocalypse… and I wanna top him"
Barbatos- "The human mind, generally speaking, is a slut for a good carb"
Simeon- "ARE YOU TRYING TO WITNESS JEHOVAH?"
Solomon- "You guys wanna go splash around in the leech water?"
Luke- "Protestant cringe compilation"
Raphael- "If I'm not autistic, God has some fucking explaining to do"
Mephistopheles- "Get thee to some bitches"
Thirteen- "Lord, you're lugging around a garbage pail full of your own meat self"
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fromyanderewithlove · 7 months
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TOP 10 FAMOUS YANDERE IN ANIME
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When we watch anime, we encounter a rich tapestry of characters, each one embodying a specific archetype, a trait, or a stereotype. However, few character types have captured the imagination and morbid fascination of fans quite like the yandere. At first glance, they might seem like the ideal partner – loving, attentive, and utterly devoted. But, hidden beneath that veneer of affection lies a dark undercurrent of obsession, madness, and sometimes, violence. As we journey into the world of the yandere, tread lightly, for love here isn't just blind—it's often dangerous. Join us as we delve deeper into the psyche of some of anime's most iconic yandere characters, exploring the twisted love stories and the fine line between passion and possession.
1 Yuno Gasai from "Mirai Nikki" (Future Diary): Yuno's extreme love and obsession for Yukiteru Amano are central to the story.
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2 Kotonoha Katsura from "School Days": Kotonoha's descent into madness due to her love for Makoto Ito is one of the most memorable aspects of the series.
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3 Shion Sonozaki from "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" (When They Cry): Driven to madness by her love for Satoshi Houjou.
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4 Rena Ryuuguu from "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni" (When They Cry): While not a traditional yandere, her intense behavior, especially in certain arcs, qualifies her for the list.
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5 Satou Matsuzaka from "Happy Sugar Life": Her obsession with Shio Kobe, a young girl she believes to be her one true love, defines her character.
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6 Kurumi Tokisaki from "Date A Live": Her yandere tendencies are especially evident when she's around the protagonist, Shido Itsuka.
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7 Ayase Aragaki from "Oreimo" (My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute): While more of a yangire (a character who snaps suddenly out of jealousy or irritation), her obsessive tendencies can't be ignored.
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8 Kaede Fuyou from "Shuffle!": Once the truth about her past surfaces, her yandere nature becomes clear.
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9 Misa Amane from "Death Note": Her obsessive love for Light Yagami and willingness to do anything for his sake place her in the yandere category.
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10 Sekai Saionji from "School Days": Her actions, particularly towards the end of the series, reveal her yandere nature.
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As we conclude our journey into the captivating realm of yanderes, it's evident that these characters are more than mere vessels of madness and obsession. They embody the age-old debate of how far one might go for love and at what cost. Their stories serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the thin line between affection and fixation, devotion and domination. While the yandere archetype may be a product of fictional storytelling, their essence resonates with many, leaving an indelible mark on the anime community. We may not always agree with their methods or their motives, but the yandere's complex blend of love, fear, and fervor will continue to intrigue and haunt us long after the screen fades to black.
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best-underrated-anime · 3 months
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Best Underrated Anime Group J Round 2: #J7 vs #J3
#J7: Lecherous young man gets engaged to an alien princess
#J3: Cat demon stuck in cat form, gets adopted as a pet.
Details and poll under the cut!
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#J7: Urusei Yatsura (2022)
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Summary:
When aliens known as the Oni threaten to invade the Earth, they promise to leave under one condition—a randomly-chosen human must win a one-on-one game of tag against Lum, the beautiful daughter of the Oni leader. The “lucky” person selected happens to be the lustful and unlucky high-schooler Ataru Moroboshi. Given 10 days to attempt to grab Lum’s horns, Ataru realizes how impossible the challenge is as he is faced with Lum’s extraterrestrial powers.
Motivated by a promise of marriage from his childhood friend Shinobu Miyake, Ataru manages to catch Lum off guard. He mistakenly grabs hold of her bikini top first, but he eventually achieves his true goal. Although the game is over, Lum misunderstands that she is the one whom Ataru wants to marry, and she decides to move in with him. The poor student constantly tries to shake off the clingy Lum while doing his best to reconcile with his desired fiancée. After Ataru's heroic feat results in such a disastrous outcome, it is questionable whether luck will ever be on his side.
Propaganda:
This anime is actually a reboot; the original came out in the 80s. It honestly does the manga justice compared to the 80s anime. I absolutely love the animation, it really does stick to Rumiko Takahashi’s art style. Though the pacing is a bit different, overall it stays true to its manga counterpart. (It’s honestly too bad the series isn’t very popular in the west, it’s a great comedy/harem type show. And the thing is, it’s not your traditional harem where “the basic guy gets all the girls” which makes the show so much more enjoyable.) Everything about this show really captures the essence of the series. It’s able to be funny while still having its more serious moments. I just really love Urusei Yatsura, it’s so good.
Trigger Warnings: The art style is very colorful and could cause eyestrain
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#J3: Legend of Luo XiaoHei (series) (Luo XiaoHei Zhan Ji)
Summary:
XiaoHei is a young cat demon training to be an Executor, someone who maintains the balance between humans and demons. His first mission as a trainee was to steal the Sky Pearl. He succeeded, but he also got injured enough to be unable to revert to his human form. Stuck in his cat form, he gets adopted by the human girl XiaoBai as a pet. The story then follows XiaoHei’s adventures as a pet cat in a human home while also evading the pursuit of his enemy, Diting.
Propaganda:
Legend of Luo Xiaohei, at first glance, is a fun kiddy series with cute art. But the more you learn of the story, the more you realize how much thought is put into every little detail. The creator’s worldbuilding is so intricate. It’s like Adventure Time in that you think it’s all fun and games, but there’s actually so much more to it. There’s even a manhua for the side characters featuring their lives from thousands of years ago!
A lot of information will be slowly unfolded, but not once does it feel overwhelming to the viewer. Following XiaoHei’s point of view, we get to see glimpses of the wider lore, piquing our curiosity. 
In the world of LXH, demons and cultivators/immortals exist, but they don’t usually cross paths with ordinary humans because they keep their existence/powers a secret. XiaoHei himself has had little interactions with humans aside from his master. It isn’t until XiaoHei meets XiaoBai that he actually learns more about them and their way of life. Slowly, he gets drawn to the human life and also learns to have fun just like the human kids his age.
Season 1 presents to us XiaoHei’s daily life with his friends, so it’s more slice-of-life with the supernatural simply peppered around. It never gets boring, though, because there’s this ever-present tension of XiaoHei having to keep his identity a secret. We also get to meet a lot of intriguing characters, like XiaoBai’s “brother,” who helps XiaoHei fight against Diting. 
Season 2, on the other hand, is more action-packed. The plot for s2 is the Executors guild seeking humans with talent in cultivation. They screen them through a virtual reality game where they can emulate the use of powers. XiaoHei’s final test as Executor also takes place here.
I personally think the best aspect of this show is its hype fight scenes, but that’s just me craving stimulation. At its core, LXH is really a heartwarming story about a young demon learning that there is more to life than powers and fighting. Sure, the supernatural stuff is interesting, but beyond that, it’s a story of love—It’s about XiaoHei making friends and discovering what it is he really wants to do without fear of losing what he calls his home, for home will always be with him. 
Overall, Legend of Luo Xiaohei is a nice, warm show that you can binge on a slow day without missing out on the excitement a story with an overarching plot brings. Do give it a try.
P.S.: This series takes place about three years after the events in the movie (which has the same title in Chinese, but is more known as simply “Legend of Hei” in English). The series aired first before the movie, though, so it doesn’t matter. 
Trigger Warnings:
Child death in s2 (it’s fake, but the characters’ reactions feel so real)
Not really a trigger, but just in case: Teens/adults bullying children. XiaoHei is a great fighter, and the people that can match with him are only those older than him.
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When reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.
If you want to criticize one of the shows above to give the one you’re rooting for an advantage, then do so constructively. I do not tolerate groundless hate or slander on this blog. If I catch you doing such a thing in the notes, be it in the tags or reblogs, I will block you.
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Know one of the shows above and not satisfied with how it’s presented in this tournament? Just fill up this form, where you can submit revisions for taglines, propaganda, trigger warnings, and/or video.
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adridoesstuff · 1 year
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Rating/roasting Death costumes from Elisabeth das musical
So, this, ladies and gentlemen, is somewhat of my small magnum opus. I'm rating the costumes based on how well I think they're constructed, how much I think the design fits Death as a character and personal preference. What entitles me to undertake this task is me being a student of costume design at uni and being a crazy fan of this show
Disclaimer: I'm only rating costumes from the European productions of Elisabeth das musical, because this post would be way too long if I were to get into all the Japanese and Korean productions costumes.
Original (Vienna, 1992-1996)
Love the iridecsence and shimmer the fabric has, love how flowy it is, altough I wish I could see more contrast between the separate fabrics. The right amount of androgyny with the jacket skirt and the super fluffy hair to set the bar really high for future productions. But, it could have been tailored a bit more in some parts and the execution could have been a teensy bit better. A believable unearthly being. 9/10
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German productions (2001-2008)
Not totally on board with making the entire costume black, since it can look a tad too plain in pictures, but that shimmery velvet is so pretty. Not sure if I like all of the seams finished by bias tape, leaning more towards no, since it's giving the costume more of a pyjama appearance rather than some luxurious fantastical coat. I love the cut they gave the jacket, because long jackets with trains are awesome, but with the amount of stories of Deaths tripping on it, I don't think a train is a wise choice for this role. The idea was there, but it wasn't thought through too well. 7/10
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Budapest production (1996-2005, 2007-)
I love how goddamn shimmery this Death is! Like, it's balancing the line between being too much and just enough, but I love all the glitter going on. This Death looks like some otherworldly alien and for the most part, I am digging it. I love the decoration going on on the top part of the jacket, but I'm not sure if I like how baggy the coat's silhouette is. And I think the trousers could have benefited from some decorations, because they look like they belong to some other costume. Also, some Deaths wear a waistcoat with this costume and for that piece, I feel like the waistcoats are a bit too long. 8/10
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1st revival (Vienna, 2003-2005)
Kept the basic essence of the original design, but upgraded it with a cleaner execution and super sharp tailoring. It could have used some decoration, but I am not too upset about that. We lost a fair bit of the androgyny, but I like their decision to go for an empire style cut for the jacket. And the color contrasts between the black and that bright saturated ultramarine are so good. This design is simple, but hits hard and it's iconic for a good reason. 9/10
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Finnish production (Turku, 2005-2006)
This feels very similar to the German tour design to me with the long coat, but with more decorations. I like the choice of the braided cording (perhaps as a nod to Elisabeth's love of Hungary by including elements similar to a hussar uniform). And I like the poofy shirt he seems to have underneath along with the fingerless gloves. But I'm not sure if gold was exactly the best color to use for the deco for Death (I think silver would have looked much better). So, poins off for that and for the trip hazard of the coat. 7.5/10
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Flemish production (Antwerp, 2009)
An omen of the bland designs to come. Completely destroyed the color storytelling and made Der Tod look plain as heck. At least the tailoring seems decently good. The only saving factor other than that was the glitter on the black costume. 3/10
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2nd revival (Vienna, 2012-)
No. Just... no. This is literally the most plain, most boring costume they could have given him. I get that they wanted to go for a more "masculine" look for Der Tod, but even if I was a fan of this approach, the execution is so boring. Like, the tailoring is good, but it's just bland overall as a costume (and you know you've got a bland costume at hand when the most interesting detail on it are two patches of quilted/couched pleather). It's missing everything that makes a Der Tod costume good in my book. This Tod isn't an otherworldly being, he's just... a dude in pleather. If I were Elisabeth, I would in no way be enchanted with this man and his untucked shirt. 2/10
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Kecskemet production (Kecskemet, 2021-2022)
A bit unusual, I'm unsure if I like or dislike it. Like, he is very nicely dressed, which I like, the tailoring looks good, but he kinda looks like a pimp (I do like the cane, tho). With skunk hair, which I don't know if I'm a fan of. Also, I'm not really fond Death being in white through the whole show. And those white contact lenses this Death wears are kinda scary. 5/10
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Czech production (Plzeň, 2019-2023)
I didn't think I'd like this costume this much, but this is like what the 2nd revival designers wanted to do with Der Tod, but were too afraid to do. In my opinion, this is how you do a Death costume out of pleather. Despite the material, the coat is flowy and has just the right amount of length to not be a hazard. All the little details you notice once you take a good look at this costume, despite it looking very simple at first glance, are so great! This is a Death, who doesn't quite understand the concept of how a human dresses and all those little details hint at that. I like the choice of making this Death styled after a crow/raven, down to that epic feather shoulderpiece. And thumbs up for them not being afraid to really go in with the makeup. 8/10
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Bruxellons production (Brussels, 2022)
This Death costume is so simple, but I commend the designer for going for something new and fresh. The tailoring is crisp, I love the shade of blue they gave Death and the choice of a mesh shirt isn't something I would think I'd like, but I do like it. And I like that this Death has some accessories to complement the simplicity of the base costume. And I love the matching painted nails! It's very much something outside of the box of how we usually see Death designed and it's refreshing. 8/10
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thatblondeperson · 1 year
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Do you have your own ranking of Tim and Stephanie's suits?
Sure, I'll give 'em scores out of 10.
Starting with Tim:
The Classic: 10/10. Who doesn't love the original? It was a brand new take on Robin and it stood out and still does to this day given that it's the one most seen on merchandise. This suit became the default in a way, and for good reason. It's simple, functional, and timeless. Great suit.
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The "my best friend is dead" Robin suit: 7/10. I don't hate it, it's just not as good as the original. The more simplistic and darker color scheme is indicative of not just Tim's meaning for the colors, but the decline in a lot of his optimism. This was the start of his downward spiral and he never really came back from this era. It's a good suit, I wouldn't call it great. She's basic (affectionate).
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Red Robin (the 2009 run): 9/10. I would put this at a perfect 10 if he didn't have the stupid cowl. I hate that thing, and the only saving grace for it is the fact that it could have been there to cover his burn scars. Swap that for the Unternet mask and it would be my fav.
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See?
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(^Original art by Marcus To, recolored and posted on Reddit)
Unternet Red Robin: 10/10. Ok this one is so cute because it shows just how much Tim still looks up to Dick. This is basically a rebranded Nightwing suit, complete with finger stripes, and it's adorable. This is what Tim envisioned himself as in the Unternet and is that not just precious? And I love this dorky mask. It's got a giant bird beak and it's so stupid that it's endearing as hell.
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Swan Queen Red Robin: 2/10. Not sorry, I hate this suit. I don't know what it's trying to be but it's a mess. There's too much going on and it needs to be simplified. I hate the tiny logo on his chest.
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This stupid shit: 0/10. What the fuck is this?
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The Rebirth Robin suit: 10/10. This suit is spectacular. Plays on the original but modernizes it in a way that still feels like Tim. I love this suit, it is exactly the kind of look I would want for Tim in this day and age as Robin.
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Drake: 0/10. Burn it. I don't think anything needs to be said. We all agree, yes? Good.
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Not going to speak on the video game suits but just know that I hate all of those too.
Moving on to Steph:
The Classic: 10/10. It's campy, it's colorful, I love it. She made this herself and I think that makes it even better. It's such a classic look for the time and I think it's wonderful. Look at that giant shoulder strap. What is that for? No one knows. It went through a few variations over the years. The shoulder strap got smaller but so dud the outward facing underwear and they gave her basically a thong. Not cool, DC.
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Stephanie's homemade Robin suit: 2/10. This is just pure over sexualization and I hate it. Why does it have to be a loose crop top? Why is it so tight?
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Stephie the Hedgehog: 9/10. This one is also way too boob heavy but I like the overall look better. The skirt is still debatable as far as movability goes, but the hair is so great that I'm just going to ignore the flaws, silently dock it a point and move on.
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Spoiler 2.0: 8/10. It's a good suit. This is the one I based my cosplay off of. It's simplistic but it still has the essence of the original with those ridiculous boots and gloves. I still love this, I just like the original better.
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Katavi: ?/10. I don't know how to comment on this design. I love that Stephanie just wanted to help and took up a new persona in a new place to do so. I think the design is lovely but I can't speak on whether it's as appropriate worn by a white character. I think character wise, it makers sense for Stephanie, but I don't know what to say about it past that.
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Batgirl (the 2009 run): 10/10. I'm skipping past the borrowed suit since this suit is specifically Steph's, and it's perfection. It's classic but with the touch of purple to make it hers. It's simple, but it's great. I'd love to have this suit someday.
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Nightwing: 10/10. This is a great suit that we were robbed of. I would love this look more with Stephanie's short bob that she had for a while, but this look is so great.
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The New52 suit: 10/10. This may come as a shock considering my distaste for the Ew52, but I actually really love this Spoiler suit. It's a great mix of some of the elements of her classic Spoiler suit, heavily mixed with her Batgirl 2009 look, and modernized in a way that feels very Steph. It's scrappy looking, idk. I just like it. I really love the half mask on it too.
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Future's End: 6/10. I feel like it's missing a lot. It's drab.
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Future State: 0/10. This is Rose Wilson.
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The Batgirls suit: 7/10. This is just the Rebirth look with a purple bat slapped on. Lazy. I still like the look, but I wish they did something new.
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There we go! Best I can do on this anon, I hope you enjoyed!
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nothing-but-paisley · 13 days
Text
20 Questions for Fic Writers! ✨
tagged by @monstersinthecosmos and @hekateinhell thank you! 🖤
1. How many works do you have on A03? 28, all public
2. What’s your total A03 word count? 70,744
3. What fandoms do you write for? Vampire Chronicles & AMC IWTV. I also write Hannibal fic and dabble in Star Trek (need to get into some ds9 fic one of these days.) I also have a twitter account (@murdertherapy) where I give advice as Hannibal Lecter, but I've back burnered it for the time being due to The Horrors. Might make a tumblr for it one day.
4. What are your top five fics by kudos? Touching and Touched, Only a Name, That Essence Rare, Amnesiac, By Any Other Name
5. Do you respond to comments? Absolutely, they make me so happy! But I get a little self-conscious about how to respond to them since I don't know how to take compliments, so I'm always just like, thanks 🙂
But I really do cherish all of them 😭
6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Gotta be Gethsemane, the fic where I did what Anne maybe ultimately wished she did and killed Daniel. This is one of my favorite pieces I've written in fandom or otherwise and it really helped me process some things.
7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? I'm sure it's my spirk fic Touching and Touched, they are so fuckin sappy I love them.
8. Do you get hate on fics? I've been pretty lucky in that I've never gotten a mean comment on ao3 or any shade about any of my fics (that I've seen lol).
9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Listen, I think that horniness is the engine of all drama. All fiction is inherently erotic. What is a Greek tragedy but a super drawn out communal orgasm?
But yes, I write smut almost exclusively lol. People are (usually) at their most vulnerable and raw during sex, and this is an incredibly powerful way to explore character dynamics as well as their inner lives, traumas, and hidden drives. I'm especially drawn to BDSM/kink in general.
10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? Yes! I just wrote a VC/X-Files crossover called Amanuensis in which Mulder and Scully investigate the Night Island that was tons of fun, but it's not something I make a habit of for whatever reason.
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I know of.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Nope.
13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? No, but it's something I would definitely be open to!
14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Devil's Minion, Hannigram, Garashir, Spirk, Mulder/Scully. They all make me insane in unique ways! I'm also partial to Armand/Marius/Daniel--any Armand ship really! Super normal about him :)
15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I WANT to finish my Knight of Swords series one day, but I'll try keep plugging away at it.
16. What are your writing strengths? Dialogue, 100%. I want everything to be a screenplay lmao. I have written multiple fics that are just text conversations, transcripts, etc.
17. What are your writing weaknesses? I can be impatient when it comes to writing descriptions/actions, so a lot of that stuff is as bare bones as possible. I would like to become better at creating a sense of depth and scale and grandeur rather than just sketching things out (and writing longer fics instead of just oneshots all the time).
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? Neutral, I think it can work when used sparingly (but then I've dropped a few caro mios in my time).
19. First fandom you wrote for? Doctor Who in the ancient pre-ao3 times.
20. Favourite fic you’ve written? Apart from Gethsemane, I was really happy with how By Any Other Name turned out (the fic where Armand roleplays that Daniel is Marius without his knowledge). Basically anything that's a combination of heavy angst and smut with an optional lil sliver of comfort--that's the good stuff.
tagging: @fofoqueirah and @butchybats and @desertfangs (feel free to ignore if you've done this already lol)
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fishyyyyy99 · 4 months
Note
Hello! Do you have a top 5 moments for benvi?
Hi! This is a difficult question, and I'm not sure I have an unchanging answer. But I'll try to answer based on what I currently think. Also, I'm sorry - I've chosen 7 moments instead of 5 (narrowing it down that much was hard enough).
1. I have two moments that are tied for first position. These are also probably my two favourite Never Have I Ever moments, not just my two favourite Benvi moments:
1. 3 x 10
When Ben finally tells Devi how much he'll miss her, and Devi is surprised by how she suddenly feels knots in her stomach - it's a chef's kiss moment. It made me incredibly emotional. There was something so triumphant (it's an important character development moment for Devi plus my Benvi shipping heart was happy) , yet subtle and real about that moment. The song that plays during that scene - Car Keys by Jaguar Sun will forever represent to me, the quiet realisation that someone is your person.
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4 x 04
I love, love how Devi finds Ben near the lockers, and rescues him by giving him her shirt. First of all, it's Devi doing something super meaningful for Ben after so long. I also like that despite not being on talking terms, she still understands him really well and cares for him. I also like that the trope of the girl wearing the guy's shirt gets reversed, and she gives him the shirt that she's wearing, instead. Their eye contact is SO intense, and I really like how he shakes his head as if to clear it because just looking at her puts him under a spell. And then, there's their banter, and his tiny smile even though they're not friends at that point. I also like how she understands what he wants to say before he says it out loud, and accepts it. I just love their repressed longing in this scene!
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2. 4 x 05
It was so beautiful to see Ben and Devi act so maturely in this scene and know exactly how to comfort each other. I also liked that their conflict got resolved without much drama in this scene, and that they went back to being best friends. I loved Devi's smile - she was so happy that she had helped Ben feel "oddly inspired".
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3. 3 x 02
I actually really like the scene in which Aneesa sees Ben and Devi just having fun, because to me, it captures the essence of Benvi - they're best friends first, and lovers next. It shows just how much they enjoy spending time together. I also really like the scene in which Ben is texting Devi during Aneesa's game, their scenes in 1 x 05 and 1 x 06, their scenes in 3 x 05, and the scene in 3 x 09 after Devi apologises to him. TBH, Benvi as a whole is an enemies to lovers arc, but in season 3 specifically, it was a best friends to lovers arc, in my opinion. And this scene in 3 x 02 shows very clearly from an outsider's perspective just how they seem to have a world of their own. TBH, I think all of their other friendship moments together, form rank number 3 on this list (I think they're the reason the scene in 3 x 10 was so meaningful to me). But I'm choosing 3 x 02 to represent their friendship, because it shows someone within the show recognising how Ben and Devi have fun together.
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4. There are three scenes here at position number 5.
1 x 10
Devi realises that Ben waited for her, and then she kisses him. I love how he kisses her back, then pulls back to see if this is really happening before leaning in for a much deeper and longer kiss. This is undoubtedly my favourite kissing scene on the show. What a perfect end to a great first season.
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3 x 10
Devi deciding to have sex on her own terms, and not out of peer pressure is also a great character development moment for her. I really liked how she surprised herself like Dr. Ryan said she might. And this was such a satisfying and triumphant end to season 3. The use of the "boink card" was such a cute way to execute this.
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4 x 10
The very, very last Benvi moment during which we see them hanging out together at Princeton. This moment just felt so very real to me. I'd say it was the realest moment in the series for me. Something about it felt so natural, and they looked like a real couple. I almost forgot that I was watching a TV show.
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twistedtummies2 · 9 months
Text
Ranking Twisted Wonderland - Part 2
This is the second half of my 3rd Year Anniversary Special! To commemorate me being here on Tumblr, spreading (often kinky) weirdness about Disney’s Twisted Wonderland, I am counting down all 22 members of the Main Cast, from my least favorite to my most favorite. (Meaning no Grim, Staff Members, or Supporting Roles - just the main 22 from NRC). Yesterday, I covered the bottom eleven, from 22 - 12. If you want to see who made up the lower half of the board, you can turn here. NOW...it’s time to look at the Top 12. Like I said in the first half, I genuinely and truthfully love ALL of these lads, and some of these rankings were so ridiculously close, they honestly could have been ties. I didn’t want any ties, though, so take some of these rankings with a grain of salt. Also, keep in mind the game is constantly evolving, so - as time goes on - my love for characters could wax or wane as more about them is unveiled. And for those who follow me for the aforementioned “kinky stuff,” keep in mind that this is NOT a countdown of my favorite kink crushes, but my favorite characters...although, with that said, the two terms are not entirely mutually exclusive. One can certainly influence the other. With all that said, here we go! These are My Top 12 Characters from Twisted Wonderland!
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11. Deuce Spade.
Deuce won the duel between himself and Ace, but it was a very close call. At first, I was actually primed to name Ace as the higher-ranking option. After much consideration, however…I realized that, for as much fun as Ace can be, I think Deuce is generally the better, more complex figure of the duo. His backstory is that he used to be a delinquent. He was a member of a street gang, and was more than happy to beat people up and commit all sorts of misdemeanors just for a lark. However, when Deuce heard his mother lamenting and crying over his misdeeds, he vowed to turn over a new leaf. This is easier said than done: Deuce is still somebody with violent impulses and a tendency to think with his fists more often than his mind. But he tries so hard to follow the rules and use his brain, you can’t help but love him. That’s really what makes Deuce such a fun character: there’s a certain dichotomy to him, with him trying so hard to be good, but always having these rough edges. He can be genuinely scary when he decides to throw down, but he can also be sweet, funny, and even downright adorable (especially when his mother gets involved with things).
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10. Riddle Rosehearts.
If you know me well, then the character based on the Queen of Hearts making it into my Top 10 should be no surprise. Riddle is yet another character I’ve come to like even more over time than I did initially. I always was fond of this character, largely just because of his inspirational source. But as time has gone on, I’ve become increasingly attached to him. Part of this, I confess, is because his Cards are among the best in my deck in-game, so I rely on him quite a bit in battle; that’s bound to make you feel more attached to a character, by default. But there is much more to admire. In essence, this guy is a control freak, who obsessively demands order and organization. He is intensely focused on his studies, and proficient in his magical abilities, making him one of the highest-ranking students at the school, power-wise. This is despite the fact that he is one of the smallest characters in the game, his height being one of his most sensitive points. Like the Queen, Riddle is a temperamental character, who can go from prim and proper and even rather mild-natured to throwing wild and furious tantrums at the drop of a Mad Hatter’s hat. At times he is childish beyond belief, yet he is at other times a bizarre voice of reason and real authority. His backstory, in my opinion, is one of the most tragic, as his compulsion to follow and enforce the rules and succeed in his tasks is born from a perfectionist streak enforced by an EXTREMELY controlling family life. He never really had time for friends or frivolity when he was growing up, which has resulted in his prideful and mercurial personality. He’s a character I feel so sorry for, and find so amusing and intriguing, and I only come to enjoy him the more I see of him. I still can’t say he’s TOO high in the ranks, simply because I don’t USE him very often, but he’s still more than worthy of a slot in my Top 10.
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9. Jack Howl.
This lycanthrope is one of the few characters in the game who seems to be totally original. He dwells in the Lion-King-themed dorm of Savanaclaw, but he has no obvious inspiration from those movies, given that he is a silver-furred wolfman. I would say perhaps he’s based on the Big Bad Wolf, but neither his design nor his personality and dialogue give any indication of that. I’ve seen one or two sources postulate he could be inspired by “Kimba the White Lion” - an old anime that was one of the inspirations for “The Lion King” - but I honestly see even less evidence of that. Wherever the idea of Jack came from, he’s a fun character. Jack is the very definition of what I believe is termed a “tsundere”: these are characters who pretend to be big and tough and unattached, but can never fully hide they have their soft sides. While many characters in the game could arguably fit this mold, none fit it so well as Jack: despite his aggressive, rugged, growly exterior, Jack is really just a little puppy dog at heart. He tries so hard to seem tough and vicious, and to pretend he doesn’t care about anyone, but he can’t hide the way he blushes or wags his tail at certain stimuli. And, infamously, to paraphrase the Bard, “the lupine doth protest too much, methinks.” He’s one of the least nefarious characters in the game, but he always tries so hard to seem more ferocious than he honestly is. It’s adorable, really. Ten-out-of-ten, would adopt this puppy. Ha Ha.
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8. Jade Leech.
Just like Ace & Deuce, Jade is one half of a two-part package. In his case, he is one of the Leech Twins: identical twin brothers who are eel-men in disguise, hailing from Atlantica itself. They are based on Flotsam & Jetsam (Jade is the latter of the duo), and act as the henchmen of Azul Ashengrotto, the Ursula character in the game. I’m just going to come right out and say it immediately: THESE. TWO. ARE. FREAKING. TERRIFYING. Forget all of the other characters I’ve talked about so far and will talk about later on, by far the scariest characters in the game are the Leech Twins. Not only is it implied that their father is a literal mob boss, and not only is it more than implied they eat people (to be fair, they aren’t alone in that), but they are both utter sadists who seem to get unspeakable pleasure out of hurting other people just for the sheer sake of it. Of the two, Jade at first SEEMS like the least dangerous, because he puts on a facade of false gentility. He is reserved, intellectual, effortlessly and endlessly polite, and always seems to keep his cool under pressure. Beneath his debonair and dapper demeanor, however, Jade is just as much of a potential pyschopath as his brother. He’s just much better at hiding it. While both Leech Twins have their own funny and soft sides to their characters, it’s how unnerving they are that I admire and enjoy most. It’s hard to say which is scarier, really, but between the two, I think I like Jade SLIGHTLY less, in terms of writing.
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7. Floyd Leech.
While Jade hides his monster under a well-polished surface, Floyd (based on Flotsam) is the polar opposite. He is a living paradox, in that he both lives in the moment and lives on the surface, yet you’re not always sure of his motives or reasons for anything he does or says. He both holds no secrets, yet is completely cryptic. Floyd is the very definition of “mercurial”: his moods shift at total random, with no obvious rhyme or reason, making him highly unpredictable. It’s difficult to tell what makes him tick, and where one stands with him. That unpredictability is what makes him fun, because he can be silly and even downright sweet when he chooses to be. However, it’s also what makes him scary: with Jade, you know there’s always something else going on behind those mismatched eyes. With Floyd, you’re never sure what he’s going to do or say next: if he’s going to be playful and childish, or if he’s going to turn into bitter ice and threaten to crush you in his bare arms. Whenever he says he wants to give someone a “squeeze,” you’re not always sure if he’s just going to hug them, or if he’s going to shatter their spine in a constricting grip. I don’t even think HE knows, half the time: he is the proverbial dog chasing cars. The moods are not totally separate, either; he’ll gleefully declare he’ll strangle you even while he’s dancing merrily. It’s the constant back and forth and the freewheeling nature of Floyd that I love most, since trying to puzzle him out is just as fun as being scared to death by him or laughing at his antics.
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6. Ruggie Bucchi.
Ruggie is based on the hyenas from the Lion King. (I suspect he’s specifically based on Shenzi, since it’s her face that we see in silhouette, I believe, in his character crest. Take that however you will.) He is the (usually) loyal henchman of Leona, the Scar character, and another multifaceted figure. Much like Ace, Ruggie is a consummate trickster…but he’s almost inarguably much more dangerous than Ace ever could be. Both are pranksters and can be wily in their own ways, but Ruggie’s background is different. For a start, he came from an impoverished background, having to quite literally scavenge for food and scrape by the best he could. He knows how hard the world can be, and while he’s doing better now, he’s still not used to having money or any degree of great status. As a result, Ruggie is both greedy and gluttonous, always thinking with either his wallet or his stomach (quite frequently both at once). While not a brilliant manipulator or chessmaster, he’s a scheming scoundrel in his own right. At times, Ruggie can be friendly, and even downright adorable, given his appearances and his enthusiastic and mischievous nature…but he’s yet another case where appearances can deceive. Ruggie is a predator, through and through, and he makes no secret of it: when he says he’ll eat anything, he also means he’ll eat anyone, and considering he can quite literally eat bones…yeah. Underestimating this hyena boy may be the last thing you ever do.
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5. Kalim Al-Asim.
So far, all of the characters we’ve talked about so far have multiple layers to them. They are complex in how they blend darkness in light. Some of them have been generally good souls with a dark side, while many have been dark souls (keep your video game jokes to yourself) with a light side. Kalim is one of the few exceptions to that rule. He is one of only two characters at Night Raven College (the other being Silver) who isn’t based on a Disney Villain. Instead, Kalim is based on the kindly and ever-befuddled Sultan from “Aladdin.” In fact, he’s also one of the few characters who is a direct descendant of his inspirational source, since it’s revealed his family are distant descendants of the Sultan’s own family. (Which I suppose means he’s presumably related to Aladdin & Jasmine, as well. Take that however you please.) Unlike everybody else at Night Raven College, there is absolutely no dark side to Kalim whatsoever. He is the very embodiment of “too pure for this world.” There is not a mean bone in this boy’s over-privileged body; his only sin or crime is that he was raised on a silver spoon, and has no real idea just how lucky he has it! In the Japanese original, Kalim’s canon nickname from Floyd was “Baby Otter,” and I think that tells you everything you need to know about him. Kalim is far from the most complicated character in the story, but that’s exactly why I love him so much: he’s a breath of fresh air, this wholesome and fluffy sweetheart who just wants to make friends and see everybody smile, and has no idea just how bad some of the people around him really are. You just wanna hug him and protect him and then join him at a party. Because Kalim LOVES to party. I love writing for him, and he always brings a smile to my face when I meet him in the game.
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4. Jamil Viper.
If Kalim is a purehearted teddy bear of a young nobleman, then Jamil - based on Jafar - is another example of a polar opposite to the precedent. More than perhaps any other character in the game, Jamil is two-faced, through and through. He has lived his life in the shadow of other people, and this has left him with a decided divide in his personality. I like to say Jamil is someone who has a public side and a private side. In public, Jamil is calm, practical, reasonable, humble, and frank. All of this is a sham. In private, Jamil is a half-crazed, power-mad manipulator for whom enough is never enough. All of this is probably making you think, “Well, that’s exactly how Jafar was, so what’s so impressive there?” Well, at least one important thing: Jafar, let’s be honest, was never very good at pretending to be other than what he was. Any facade he put up was really just skin deep; everything from his voice to his design made it clear he was a lying schemer, and the cracks in the armor were numerous. Without his hypnotic snake staff, and the total idiocy of his employer, he probably wouldn’t have gotten very far. Jamil is different: even WITHOUT his hypnosis, he is an EXTREMELY good plotter and is VERY good at lying. With Jafar, the only person who was ever fooled was the Sultan; with Jamil, he can almost fool the Player, and that’s with us knowing what’s really going on because…well…presumably, we know how his source operates. I love how Jamil takes the qualities of Jafar and humanizes them, becoming a more sympathetic character, but also becoming, in some ways, an even more dangerous character. I also have to say, I love how it’s very clear the sprite animation and design work for Jamil really, REALLY took a lot of cues from Jafar; some of his expressions and gestures feel so close to Jafar, it’s kind of hilarious, but in the best possible way.
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3. Azul Ashengrotto.
Combine Ursula with Mephistopheles and an old-fashioned mafioso - plus a dash of Ebenezer Scrooge - and you’ll have Azul Ashengrotto in a nutshell. Azul is practically greed incarnate; essentially everything he does is for money, power, and pleasure, usually in that exact order of preference. He’s a miser and a manipulator, who always has some sort of scheme in mind, and makes Faustian pacts that may benefit you if you’re lucky, but will always benefit him even more. There is a sad side to Azul, because his whole personality and demeanor is born out of self-loathing; he grew up bullied and neglected by most around him, taunted and tormented or his weight, his clumsiness, and his crybaby ways. As a result, he has essentially rebuilt his entire life and persona: he tries to present himself as a gentleman of business, always in control of the situation. He is mindful of his weight, trying hard to stay in trim and look more traditionally appealing to the eye. And he does his best to compose himself with debonair and dapper grace and a suave, sophisticated demeanor. Underneath all these practiced constructs, however, he is still the same plump little octo-boy-in-disguise he used to be. In a way, he is a combination of his own henchmen, the Leech Twins: one half of him is Jade, an eloquent sophisticate who likes to be in charge. The other half is Floyd, as he is easily flustered and shows a highly emotional side when things do not go his way. I love how Azul is able to switch tonal gears from being one of the most shadowy and menacing characters in the game, to one of the most sympathetic and sad, to probably one of the most amusing with the combination of his greed and occasional bouts of conflusterification. (Is that a word? It should be.) Plus, I guess I’m just a sucker for his sense of style. (pauses) “Sucker.” With an octo-man. I didn’t even intend that one. ‘XD
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2. Malleus Draconia.
Well, when you’re based on my favorite Disney Villain, you’re almost guaranteed to rank highly in my books. Malleus is almost a mascot for this game, much as Maleficent is a mascot for the Disney Villains franchise. He’s another great example of a character with two different sides, but in his case, it’s a little different: it’s less about Malleus presenting one face to the world over another, and more about how other people PERCEIVE Malleus. This half-draconic Dark Prince of the Fae is the single most powerful student at Night Raven. In fact, he’s the most powerful PERSON at NRC, since he is one of the top five most powerful magical beings in the entire world, in this universe. He has a Gothic sense of style and interests: he likes to wander through graveyards, empty old mansions, abandoned castles and cathedrals, and so on. He is a descendant of Maleficent herself, and - according to the Japanese release - seems to emit a strange, dark aura wherever he goes. With very few exceptions, he inspires either mind-numbing terror or reverent awe in anyone he comes across. Malleus knows all this, and he certainly doesn’t mind it - being feared, respected, and known as highly powerful are all good things, and he knows how to use them - but he’s also…well…rather lonely, to be blunt. Part of Malleus’ whole story is that he’s had so few people in his life ho care about him JUST because they care about HIM. He wants people to see him not as a Prince of Darkness, nor as Maleficent’s heir, but simply as MALLEUS. Beneath his grim and at times frightening exterior, he just wants friendship and companionship. He wants to be invited to social gatherings, wants to feel accepted and needed, not just worshiped or horror-striking. In short, he’s frankly the most adorable Master of Darkness you could ever come across. Of course, he IS still a man-eating, superhumanly strong, fire-breathing dragon-fairy hybrid who can literally change the weather just through the sheer power of his emotions and summon forests of thorns with a simple gesture of his hand, so…sweet as he may often be, whatever you do, NEVER PISS HIM OFF.
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1. Leona Kingscholar.
If you know me and my relationship with this game well, you knew this was coming. If you don’t/didn’t, then this is probably going to be a surprising first place. While I’ve always liked Scar, he’s actually not one of my highest-ranking Disney Villains; he’s in my Top 15, but not my Top 10, let alone Top 5, which is where most people seem to place him. In a way, Leona Kingscholar - the Scar-based character of “Twisted Wonderland” - ranking at number one can really be seen as a testament to the strength of these characters on their own terms. I don’t like Leona because I like Scar (although that certainly does help): I like, no, LOVE Leona, and it’s simply because I love Leona. Having said that, it’s difficult to explain WHY I love him, since…well…to be perfectly honest, Leona is sort of a jerk. A SCARY jerk, at that: his unique power allows him to turn anything he touches into dust, he’s canonically stated to be a sadist, and - like Malleus, Ruggie, the Leech Twins, and even a couple other characters I failed to mention - he freaking EATS PEOPLE. Not exactly a glowing resume. Yet, something about him just…draws me to him. I think it’s because, for all his nasty qualities, Leona is a character with many interesting layers and soft spots. True, this goes for many other characters in the game, but I think it’s the specifics of how they work that attracts and intrigues me so. First of all, there’s Leona’s intellect: Leona is a certified genius, and probably the second most powerful student at the school after Malleus. The only reason he IS second place, it’s implied, is because he’s also abominably lazy, and despite his incredible power, refuses to put in the effort to really bear fruit, so to speak. He’s also the single most brilliant schemer in the entire school: while Jamil and Azul are crafty plotters, Leona is a chess master, both literally and figuratively. He always has not only a Plan B, but a Plan C and sometimes even a Plan D already worked out for every strategy. His motives are also interesting in how they fluctuate; you can never be entirely sure if Leona is doing something out of the goodness of his heart, or for his own selfish ends. Even if he CLAIMS it to be one or the other, there’s always doubt in either direction. While he is annoyed by and holds resentment towards certain members of his family, he actually DOES love his brother, his nephew, and so on; he’s just not always the best at showing it. Every time you think there’s something he can’t do or can’t feel, he proves you wrong. It is difficult to describe the reasons why I love him in any succinct manner, but regardless, I have no hesitation or question in my mind when I say that Leona Kingscholar is My Favorite Twisted Wonderland Character.
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adhd-merlin · 9 months
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Merlin S1 rewatch: episode 4 🌼
4 episodes in, and our boys are already tripping all over themselves to die for each other. Insane.
I don't have many funny comments to make about this one. It's a solid episode.
Arthur is an incredibly brave and chivalrous knight, Merlin is an extremely powerful sorcerer, and Uther is an utter bastard. Characters effectively distilled to their essence.
random thoughts & comments
• For all that it's a silly family show, the sets and locations are so beautiful. Look at this!
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• Nimueh is so gorgeous in her blue turban. I can't blame Merlin for the flirting.
• Her fake name is Cara (!). But spelled with a C. Caras/Karas are not to be trusted, I guess
• They were really going all in with the red & blue juxtaposition
• I love Arthur red studded jacket. Why did they deprive him of his fun little outfits in later seasons! He's even wearing jewellery!! Wtf is this necklace, btw
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• Stupid question but how did Nimueh know Arthur would end up with the poisoned chalice?? She just put it in the box
• Well done Gaius for identifying the poison in 0.5 seconds. That's got to be some kind of record. Does he train for that? Does Camelot hold an annual speed poison-identification contest?
• Luckily Gaius’s book contains all the information needed to retrieve the flower required for the antidote – what it looks like, where to find it, what to expect when you get there. Top 10 restaurants in the area. It's all in there.
• I've missed Uther! He's a great character/antagonist. "I can't stand by and watch [Merlin] die." / "Then don't look." (!) Banger of a line. And Anthony is an amazing actor.
• After having watched the entire series, I feel like S1 Arthur comes across as more of a noble and good guy than in later seasons? I can't put my finger on why, exactly. Perhaps the way he stands up to Uther with no hesitation. I don’t know.
• I like that Arthur gets to defeat the Cockatrice all by himself. So often in the series it's just Merlin (literally) working his magic behind the scenes and Arthur taking all the credit, but in this episode he very much deserves to be called a hero.
• Speaking of which, the way Arthur just defeats that Cockatrice and then carries on like it was no big deal is kind of funny. (Like... he just threw a sword at it? And it died? Alright.)
• Nimueh is so bad at acting like an innocent damsel in distress. Definitely nothing at all sus about her situation. "Please help me, good sir! Why, yes, I do know where to find the flower you're after. Just follow me into this dark cave. No need to take your sword." Arthur are you dumb (don't answer that)
• Nimueh is like "it's not your destiny to die at my hand!" Mmkay if you know who's going to kill him what's this all for then 👀
• I LOVE Merlin guiding Arthur to safety with his magic. I've said it before but (ironically) there isn't enough magic in this series. I think this is perhaps the coolest act of magic we ever see Merlin perform. And even if the CGI is at times hilariously bad, this globe of light looks pretty cool. Quite powerful, both visually and symbolically (and also literally. Merlin’s not even conscious).
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• Uther has done some truly fucked up things (both on screen and implied) but crushing the flower needed for the antidote is just so needlessly cruel that I still think of it as one of the worst things he's done.
• Gwen to the rescue <3 I know everyone goes on about how sweet and kind she is, but she can also be shrewd when the situation calls for it. She's good at thinking on her feet under pressure, and it's a trait that shows in other episodes.
• Arthur and Gwen cooperating to save Merlin – love to see it. (Arthur, that's your future wife! Look at him. He doesn't even know. He doesn’t know he'll turn into a complete simp for this woman.)
• Interesting that Gwen's first reaction to Gaius's "We might need to use magic to prepare the antidote" is "but we can't! it's forbidden!!" GIRL, THE BOY YOU FANCY YOURSELF IN LOVE WITH IS DYING. MAYBE CHILL. But I guess it says a lot about Uther's reign of terror that this was so unthinkable to her.
• If I remember right (and I might not), Gaius uses magic only 3 or 4 times in the entire series and always to save Merlin's life (or to save Alice, once). It's a fairly consistent trait throughout the series that he's actually quite reluctant to use magic (whether because he's vowed not to, or because it brings up unwanted memories. Or both). It's always a last resort. I know no one cares, I just find it interesting.
• GWEN AND MERLIN'S KISS! I wonder how Arthur would have reacted at finding out that Merlin kissed Gwen first. WE WERE DEPRIVED WE WERE ROBBED
• Why didn't Uther question the fact that Merlin survived?? First he's s all intent on letting him die to teach Arthur a lesson, then he goes "haha, well done son, you were right to defy me" (??) Did he find out about Gwen and Arthur’s subterfuge to get the flower to Gaius? He must have, I suppose, but he's remarkably chill about it (I'm surprised he didn't accuse Gaius of using sorcery to save Merlin)
• Something tells me we haven't seen the last of Nimueh yet. I don't know what. Just a feeling.
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