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hotchnisslvr · 1 month

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“Power Struggle”

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner/Reader

Rating: M

Category: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 7.2k

Summary: For months, you and SSA Aaron Hotchner have been toeing the boundary between romance and your careers. When the unsub that's been killing women in Michigan by way of replicating Zeus' punishments from Greek mythology takes you as his next victim, it's up to Hotch and the rest of the BAU team to find you before it's too late. Hurt/comfort and angst with happy ending.

Tags: graphic depictions of violence, reader kidnapped by unsub, blood, implied SA, nudity, electrocution, scarring, hospitals

“You’re telling me someone is out here killing people to recreate, what? Greek legends?” Sheriff McCullen’s brow pinches as he shakes his head.

“Legends are stories often loosely based on a real person or event to teach us a lesson. Mythology is based on supernatural or sacred lore and explains why things came to be. It’s a common mistake.” Reid speaks quickly and methodically, as if reciting from a textbook. “It’s straight out of the mythos,” he explains, his voice tinged with something akin to excitement as he approaches the whiteboard where photos of the victims had been pinned up for review. Using a ballpoint pen as a pointer, he taps the first image of the first victim. “Regina Manford, she was found tied to a boulder in Craig Lake State Park with her liver removed. Animal predation showed birds had pecked at her while she was still alive. In Greek mythology, Zeus did this to Prometheus to exact revenge on him after he stole fire to give to man.”

Reid moves on to the next victim, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he did so. “Sarah Walters was found bound to an old water wheel that had been set on fire. Greek Mythology suggests this is a copy of Zeus’ punishment for Ixion.”

“And what did he do to deserve that?” asks the sheriff.

Reid’s lips form a tight line. “He was invited into Zeus’ home on Olympus. After attempting to seduce his wife, Hera, Zeus punished him by binding him to a wheel of fire cursed to spin forever toward the underworld. She might’ve smiled or even looked at him, and in his delusion believed she was a seductress deserving of punishment.”

“So, what? This guy sees himself as some sort of god?”

“We believe that is his delusion, yes,” answers Emily. “Each victim also bore signs of sexual trauma, this is something Zeus is also renowned for in the mythology. Our unsub thinks he’s infallible and that these women’s lives and deciding when and how these women live and die is his divine right.”

“Do we know if there will be more victims?” asks one of the detectives.

You step forward from your place between Morgan and Hotchner. “Given the number of victims Zeus punished within the mythology, we can assume he is not finished. These kills are two weeks apart. It’s been twelve days since the last body was found. We can only assume he’s currently hunting for his next victim. And when he finds one, he convinces her to go to a second location. It's once they leave the primary location that he attacks. In each case, the victim suffered a blow to the head, leaving a uniquely shaped gash in her forehead. This suggests that he strikes them with a distinct blunt object or even a ring that’s on his hand.”

“We need every man out on the streets,” Hotch states, his eyes hard as he scans the group of law enforcement gathered to receive the profile. “He stalks his victims in the city, often on the weekends when night life is busiest. He’s charming. He has no problem approaching women because he views himself as a deity and carries himself with the arrogance and confidence of one. He’s white, in his early to mid 30s, good looking, charming, and likely has a career that would’ve provided him with medical training.”

A female detective with short blonde hair sticks her pencil in the air. “How do we know that?”

“The incisions made on Regina’s body were clean, precise, and showed no signs of hesitation,” explains Rossi. “The M.E. also informed us that the hepatic artery was clamped off, meaning,” Rossi hesitates before continuing on, “meaning Regina Mansford was alive as her liver was being cut from her body.”

An uncomfortable murmuring breaks out. Hotch raises a hand, silencing them. Your mouth goes dry and you swallow, hoping your team doesn’t notice the way your eyes dilate when you look at him and the silent way in which he can command a room.

“This is why we need every available officer on the streets. Increase units in the downtown area. Have plain clothes officers on the streets. That’s where we’ll be. Thank you.” Hotch tucks his head and sweeps out of the bullpen, the rest of the team trailing after him into the conference room.

“Where do you want us?” asks Morgan as you shut the door to the conference room.

“Reid, I want you here working the geographical profile. See if there’s anything we missed that could bring us closer to a precise location where he’s kidnapping his victims. Rossi and JJ, I want you to go back to Sarah’s apartment and see if we missed anything that tells us where she was exactly on the night she was kidnapped. Derek and Emily take the north side of downtown.” He inclines his head toward you. “You and I will take the south side.”

His eyes linger on yours a moment longer than they ought to have. You dip your head and swiftly exit the room, jacket in hand as you prepare to brave not only the frigid Michigan cold but working one one-on-one with Hotch. This had been going on for months; subtle looks, brief touches where his fingers would slide over yours while passing off a case file…yet a part of you still wasn’t sure if it would ever go any further than that. You spend so much of your time with the team, it would be so easy to mistake one gesture for something that it wasn’t. Yet you knew that wasn’t true. You know behavior. You’re trained to recognize the subtlest of shifts in demeanor and body language and you know exactly what is going on.

You jump as someone pushes through the front door of the precinct. Emily’s gentle laugh disrupts your rumination. “Sorry,” she says, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She moves to stand closer to you as she zips her jacket. “The guys went to grab the cars.”

You nod and shove your hands in your pockets.

Emily arches a perfectly manicured brow. “What’s up?”

You school your expression and feign nonchalance. “Nothing, I just want to catch this guy before he hurts anyone else.”

Emily’s brow furrows and then straightens, a glimmer of knowing in her eye. “Something tells me there’s a different guy on your mind.”

Your heart skips a beat and you nearly choke on the crisp winter air. “What? I don’t—“ Your words falter as Derek and Hotch arrive, the SUVs humming to a gentle stop at the curb.

Emily eyes you, a sly smile curving one side of her red lips. “We’ll talk later.” She winks and steps forward to open the passenger side door, sliding inside and disappearing into the dark interior.

As you turn to move toward the SUV, Hotch is there, opening the door for you. The gesture surprises you, but it shouldn’t. He’d been doing little things like this for weeks now. You nod your head in thanks and as you turn your body to slide past him, his hand catches your hip. Your breath hitches in your throat as his fingers glide against the small of your back, guiding your movement into the vehicle.

His hard eyes meet yours as he shuts the door and you’re grateful for the shadows inside the car as you feel your face flush bright red. Hotch slides into the driver’s seat with ease. He shifts the car into gear and pulls onto the road, heading in the direction of downtown.

After a few minutes, you open your mouth to disrupt the silence, but his cell rings. Hotch answers and places it on speaker as JJ’s voice floats through the receiver, “Hotch, we think we’ve got something at Sarah Walters apartment.”

“What’s that?” you ask.

“There’s a sticky note in her trash can,” a garbled sound echoes through the speaker as she shifts the phone. The sound of paper crinkles as she reads, “Tony’s at 9, does that mean anything? Has Garcia come across a Tony in any of her research into the victims’ lives? Maybe an Anthony?”

An image of a neon sign flashes across your mind’s eye. “It’s a bar,” you say matter-of-factly.

“A bar?”

“I remember seeing the sign on our drive-in. It’s a bar on the south side of downtown. That could be where he’s meeting these women.”

“We’re only a few blocks away, we’ll head there now. Thank you, JJ.” He hangs up and slips the phone into his jacket pocket.

“How do you want to play this?” you ask.

“We go in, make observations, see if we can identify anyone that matches the profile.”

You smirk and a small laugh escapes your lips.

“Something funny?” Hotch asks, his voice low in his throat.

You purse your lips, pausing before you proceed. “If we go in looking like feds, we’ll scare this guy away.” You tilt your head, considering. “Well, one of us anyway.”

A slight twitch in his brow is the only indication your words have just barely gotten under his skin. “Touched a nerve, sir?”

As the traffic light ahead blinks red, he eases the car to a stop. He breathes out slowly, the amber glow of the stoplight reflecting in his eyes. In less than two heartbeats, he thrusts the car into park and with both hands clasps your face, drawing you in to kiss you with such fervor white spots dot your vision. It takes a moment to process the heat of his mouth on yours and the way his tongue slides between your lips, and before you can truly reciprocate the light turns green and he pulls back, his breathing ragged against your mouth as his forehead touches yours. “Be careful when and how you choose to call me sir.”

Before you can exhale, his eyes are on the road again and you’re driving deeper into downtown.

“Understood,” and then you add, almost imperceptibly, “sir.”

A small smile quirks at the corner of his lips, but he says nothing more as you approach your destination.

It's nearing 9:30pm when you pull up on the street parallel to Tony’s. People trickle in and out of the bar in groups of twos and threes; most are young, in their mid to late twenties.

“Right,” you say as you unbuckle your seatbelt and turn to exit the vehicle. “Stay here.”

“Excuse me?” Hotch asks, reaching over your lap and grabbing your wrist to stay your hand from popping the door open. Your breathing stills and he just barely turns his face toward yours. “Since when do you give me orders?”

Unsure where the confidence to challenge him comes from, you lean in near his ear. You swallow once before speaking. “I think you like taking them.” Feeling incredibly brazen, you nip at his ear once and as the unexpected gesture disarms him; flick your wrist out of his grasp and pop the door open. You slide out of the car and are immediately greeted by the frigid January air eliciting goosebumps up and down your arms. Extending an arm overhead to hang on to the frame of the SUV; you lean down into the cab of the vehicle. “I’ve got you right here,” you say as you tap the hidden earpiece. “Let me know if you see anyone from the outside that fits the profile.”

Hotch eyes you and there’s a fierceness in his gaze. You wonder if he’s thinking of how he’ll ultimately retaliate for your little role reversal now that he’s gone and upped the ante in this little game of cat and mouse. “See you soon,” you wink and slam the door shut.

As you approach the bar, you make sure your coat is buttoned in a way that hides your sidearm and credentials from sight. The bouncer doesn’t even pretend to ask for an ID as you approach and move through the front door with ease. As you cross through the threshold, your senses are assaulted by the smell of beer on tap, the sharp tang of liquor, grease, and an amalgamation of perfumes and colognes.

Immediately you begin scanning the room. You note the layout of the bar: three exits for patrons, the one you just came in through, one near the bathrooms for cigarette smokers, and an emergency exit on the far right wall near to the kitchen. There are three pool tables all of which are occupied as well as three dart boards along the far wall. Groups of friends engage one another and dates carry on without a hitch. You approach the bar, which is centered along the far wall. Stools line the high countertop and behind the bar, two women work to fulfill the never-ending drink orders. You approach the bar and slide into one of the empty seats, relaxing your shoulders as you do so, and order a rum and coke that you don’t plan on drinking.

After a moment the bartender drops a cocktail napkin in front of you and places the drink on top. You thank her and stir the contents of the drink with the swizzle stick popped inside.

“Is this seat taken?” an unfamiliar voice causes the hair on the back of your neck to prickle and you know immediately that it’s him.

Painting on a saccharine sweet smile, you turn toward the voice. A white man, standing at about 6’2”, is smiling down at you. The neon lights behind the bar reflect in his blue-gray eyes and his honey blonde hair falls in soft waves to his shoulders. “Please,” you say demurely and gesture toward the seat. You tell him your name and continue smiling.

“Ronan Carlson,” he introduces himself as he slides in beside you and adjusts the lapels on his leather jacket, a fake Rolex peeking out from his sleeve. He’s preening, you think to yourself. The bartender approaches from behind the bar and he smiles, the curve of his lips the opening act of his charming performance. “I’ll have what she’s having, thank you.” He pulls a roll of cash from the inner pocket of his jacket, flips through several bills, and pulls a $100 bill free before sliding it across the counter to her.

The bartender’s eyes widen in surprise and he winks at her. She nods her thanks and turns to make his drink.

“That was very kind of you,” I say, stirring my drink for the thirteenth time.

He shrugs and tips the baseball cap he’s wearing down over his eyes and you know it’s to obstruct the view the cameras have of him. “It’s only money, and I think I may have made her night.” He inclines his head toward the bartender whose head is bent close to the other woman’s. She’s smiling wide and shows her the $100 bill.

Internally, you roll your eyes hard, but externally you smile and look at him from beneath your lashes. “You must have a great job, what do you do for work?”

His hand flexes as he sets his drink down on the counter and you note the two chunky platinum rings he wears on his right hand. There are symbols etched into them offset by different colored stones, but you don’t want him to catch you staring as he answers, “I’m in business for myself these days,” he says with no further explanation. “Though I used to be in the military.”

You feign surprise, though you were hopeful he’d continue to divulge information. “The military, wow. Let me guess,” you pause and allow your eyes to slowly scan him from head to toe. You remember the profile. “Army…medic.”

“Reign it in,” you hear Hotchner’s voice through the earpiece. “Be mindful of how much you reveal to him. Don’t let him know you know more about him than he’s letting on.”

You watch him assess you and your read into him. One blonde brow creeps up toward his hairline and that wicked smile curves his lips again. “Excellent guess, how do you figure?”

Leaning on to your forearms, you push your drink aside and slide your hand over his and you don’t miss the way his fingers tense at your touch.

“It’s the hands,” you say coyly. “You look like you know how to handle yourself.” He relaxes under your touch and a heat ignites in his eyes that makes your stomach churn, but you don’t let it show on your face. “You look like you know how to handle a lot of things.”

He licks his lips and turns the ring on his finger. “Tell you what,” he says as he picks up his drink. He places the glass to his lips and downs its contents. “Why don’t we get out of here?” He looks down at you from beneath dark lashes. “And I’ll show you just how much I can handle.”

You stand up and flash him a grin. “Let me quickly freshen up and I’ll meet you out front.”

His lips quirk into a smirk, “I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

You smile as you slip away toward the bathroom. As you push through the crowd you inform Hotch that the unsub is on his way out.

“There’s a line growing out the door,” he answers over the earpiece. “Does the description match the profile?”

“To a T,” you answer as you push past a couple with their tongues in each other's mouths. The amount of patrons has increased dramatically over the last hour. The volume of the music makes it hard to hear through the earpiece. You push your way into the restroom and are surprised to find it empty. Fortunately, the outside noise is muffled. You begin to describe Ronan’s appearance and note the jacket and hat he’s wearing. “He’s wearing two oddly shaped rings,” you add. “I think it’s what’s caused the unusual injury to the victims’ faces.”

“I’ve got him. He’s cutting through the line toward the parking lot.” You hear the car door open and slam.

“Got it, I’ll be right there.”

“Good work,” Hotch says over the open line.

You smile to yourself as you unbutton your jacket, glad to be on the receiving end of his praise. For a split second you wonder what else you could be on the receiving end of if you continue to play this game with him. After the case, you remind yourself. Priorities. Priority number one is getting this sick bastard off the street, and he’s right here within your grasp. You shoulder the door as you reach for your gun, positioning your thumb over the rotating hood to dislodge your weapon from its holster.

Over the speakers, an employee is calling to celebrate someone’s birthday. The crowd is distracted and pushing toward the source of celebration. The bar erupts into an off key rendition of Happy Birthday but you don’t hear it as 30,000 volts of electricity course through your veins. Your muscles spasm and lock up as you fall forward. Pain radiates from your abdomen in waves that crash over you again and again. You try to tell your body what to do as strong arms catch you and pull you into a chest that smells like cigarette smoke, but your limbs don’t cooperate. You feel his nose root into your hair as his lips find your ear. “How’s that for capable?”

As he shoulders your weight and steers you out through the emergency exit you hear Hotch’s voice in your ear. “It’s not him!” There’s an edge of panic in his voice as he says your name. “Do you copy? It’s not him. He gave another man $500 to wear his hat and jacket into the parking lot. It’s not him. Do you have eyes on him?”

Dark spots the edges of your vision as he drags your dead body weight. You try to focus all of your ability on getting out any words that can signal to Hotchner what’s happening, any at all but your mouth feels like it’s filled with cotton.”

You hear the tinkling of keys and a door slide open. Pain rattles through your skull as he throws you into the back of whatever vehicle he’s operating. Pain slices through your wrists as zip ties slice through the skin there. Through tunnel vision you see him leering at you. He’s backlit by the streetlights.

As his fist flies toward you, you finally manage one word.

“Aaron.”

•

When you come to, the first thing you feel before the splitting pain in your head threatens to cleave your mind in two, is cold.

Your mouth is dry, but as you move to lick your lips you realize you can’t because there’s a gag in your mouth. You try to move your hands, but they’re bound too. Zip ties cut into each wrist, securing them at your sides on the legs of a wooden chair. When you try to shift the chair, you learn that it’s bolted to the floor and your legs are spread open; zip ties at your knees and ankles keep them apart. Except for your bra and underwear, you’re naked. He undressed you. You feel the wound from the stun gun before you glance down at your stomach and see the two bloody pinpricks in your abdomen. You feel your heart rate increase as panic begins to set in. Do not panic , you tell yourself as you take a steadying breath. The minute you start to panic, you’re dead. You close your eyes and piece together the last dredges of your memory.

Tony’s. Sitting at the bar. The unsub. Ronan. Hotch was in pursuit. And then there was just pain.

Hotch.

The pain in your skull is overwhelming and you’re not sure if you can feel the earpiece anymore.

“Hotch,” you attempt to say through the gag. “Hotch, do you read me?”

You close your eyes as hot tears brim along your lash line when there’s no response. The signal is out of range or the unsub found the earpiece and removed it.

A door creaks open on squeaky hinges and your eyes dart toward the source of the sound. Ronan walks through the door with a sick smile on his face. As he saunters toward you, he rolls the sleeves of his flannel up to his elbows. Without looking away from you, his arm drops to his side and he scoops a folding metal chair with one hand, carrying it with him as he edges closer to you.

You flinch as he cracks the chair down in front of you, forcing it open. He chuckles as he takes a seat. His eyes skirt the length of your body and you wish any limb were free to deliver a blow to his smug face.

He reaches into his back pocket and withdraws your badge. He flips it open and holds it up to your face, the way his eyes flit between you and your credentials makes your lip curl.

“An FBI agent,” he says slowly. He slaps your credentials shut against his denim-clad thighs. “Hot damn!” he shouts and whoops. He throws your badge to the wayside and it clatters against the cement floor. “I’m going to take my time with you.”

It could’ve been hours. It could’ve been minutes. The torture is unrelenting and the pain is unending. Your chest heaves as you brace yourself for the next surge of electricity. Ronan, if that’s even his real name, twists the knob on the amplifier and taps the jumper cable clamps in his hands together. He smiles when he hears the buzz of electricity between them. As he presses them into your thighs, you cry out in pain as the shockwaves paralyze your body and mind and the pain overwhelms you.

“YES!” he roars as he pulls them away from you. He’d taken his flannel off, but now he peels off his t-shirt, balls it up, and uses it to wipe the sweat off of his face.

With the voltage no longer coursing through your veins, you slump forward, chest heaving as your scrambled brain fights to stay alert.

He drops the cables and clasps your face in his hand, forcing your chin up to meet his wild eyes. “You just don’t quit, do you? You're special.” He strokes your cheeks with his thumbs as if he cherishes what he’s doing to you. “You are worthy of a god.”

When you come to Ronan is watching you. He’s leaning forward, elbows on his knees, chin resting on his clasped hands.

“She wakes,” he muses.

You glare at him and his brow pinches. He purses his lips together like he’s been stung, but his eyes are alight with amusement.

“You,” he says, gesturing up and down your body, “look beautiful.”

You don’t need to look down to know the number of bloodied burn wounds spanning the lengths of your legs. If you couldn’t keep track of any other thought, the count was all that kept you grounded. There were ten. Five on each leg. Your wrists and ankles bled from the way you’d pulled against them with every shock he delivered.

He reaches forward and this time you don’t flinch. He hooks two fingers into the gag and pulls it down over your chin, his fingers trailing your lips as he does so.

“Here,” he says, bringing a bottle of water to your lips. “Drink.”

You clamp your lips shut and turn your face away. He laughs and shakes his head. “Come on now, don’t refuse me. That’s not how you show gratitude when a god shows you mercy.”

You muster as much hatred into your stare as you focus your attention back on him. “Mercy?” you hiss, and your voice is hoarse from screaming against the gag. It hurts to speak. You pull against your restraints. “This is what you call mercy?”

“I’m only testing you to see if you’re worthy,” he says by way of explanation. "You've lasted longer than the others."

“Worthy of what?” you ask, but you already know the answer.

“To be my Hera.”

“How is what you’re doing to me, what you did to those other women, going to help you find her?”

“They weren’t worthy,” he answered. “They couldn’t take my power like you could, my lightning. They were false. They needed to be punished.”

He leans in, his lips close enough to yours that you can feel his smoky breath on your skin. “But you, you deserve to be rewarded.” Your skin bristles at his words. His lips find your jawline and you grimace as he drags them up the side of your face. When he pulls away, dried blood flakes onto his skin.

“Don’t be afraid,” he soothes as he smoothes your sweat-drenched hair away from your face. “You’ll enjoy it.”

Unable to suffer any more of his poisonous bullshit, you rear your head back and slam it forward. Pain explodes behind your forehead, but it’s worth it to hear the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking. He roars in pain and clutches his bleeding nose. White light blinds you as he backhands you and curses your name. His ring splits the skin of your cheek open. The force of the blow causes you to bite your lip and you feel your teeth cut into the chapped skin there. You spit blood at him, angering him further.

“You are false!” he screams, spittle flying from his mouth as he shoves the gag back into your mouth. “You are not her!” He moves to pick up the jumper cables, twisting the knob of the amplifier all the way up causing the bulbs overhead to flicker. You know this is it. If he touches you with those, it will kill you.

Bracing yourself for the killing blow, you go to the grave knowing you did not give in to this bastard.

It never lands.

Instead, three shots ring out and he’s falling to the floor dead at your feet. As the unsub’s body falls, Hotchner’s frame comes into view and a choked sob escapes your lips. He holsters his weapon and runs to you. Emily and Morgan are right behind him. Morgan passes Hotch a Swiss Army knife from his pocket and he makes quick work of the zip ties binding you to the chair. From the corner of your eye, you see Emily turn off the amplifier and check Ronan’s pulse.

Unable to hold yourself up, you fall forward into his ready arms, letting yours fall over his shoulders. Hotch drops to his knee to support your weight. “You’re okay,” he says as he pulls the gag free from your mouth and you sob into his chest. He smooths your hair back from your face, his eyes assessing the damage done to you. Blood stains his shirt, your blood.

“Morgan, your jacket.” Hotch orders.

Without hesitation, Morgan unfastens his bulletproof vest and unzips his jacket. He passes it to Hotch who drapes it around your shoulders in an attempt to preserve some of your modesty.

“I need a medic!” he shouts before directing his attention back to you.

Your eyes waver as you try to keep them open. You lock in on the depths of his warm brown eyes. “You’re going to be fine,” he says but his voice sounds far away.

“He wanted someone to be his Hera,” you say weakly.

“Don’t worry about that right now,” Hotch soothes.

You swallow and it hurts your throat to do so. Your lips crack open, “You found me.”

Hotch cradles your head against his chest. “Of course I did.”

You wince as the sound of a gurney crashes into the room, the metal wheels squealing as it draws near. Your head swims as you’re swept into the air and laid out on its cushiony bed. A light shines in your eyes and voices are overlapping. Blindly, you use what strength you have left to drop your hand off the side. Unable to focus your attention on where he is, you know he’ll hear you. “Don’t leave me.”

And as you lose consciousness, you feel his hand slip into yours.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

•

A steady beeping fills your ears as you slowly come to. Your eyes feel bruised and you don’t think you have it in you to open them, but you feel something around your wrists and bolt upright. Pain crashes over you in a wave. It was a dream. You’re still bound in that basement. The beeping increases, growing louder and faster. Someone says your name and you feel hands on your shoulders. You try to swing your fist and are surprised when your arm follows through and makes contact with flesh. Did you break through the zip ties? You hear your name again, clearer this time. A man. He’s asking you to stop, to relax.

“It’s me,” he repeats and says your name again. “You’re safe. You’re in the hospital.” He says your name again. “It’s me, it’s Aaron.”

You stop fighting and blink hard. Hotchner’s stern face comes into view, except there’s concern wavering in the depths of his brown eyes. His brow softens as you relax. A small smile turns the corners of his lips. “Hey there,” he says. A nurse rushes into the room and he raises a hand, “We’re fine, here. Thank you.”

The nurse looks at you and you nod. She looks unsure about leaving but ultimately relents. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake.”

Aaron cups the back of your head in one of his hands and gently begins to lower you back down onto the pillows behind you. You allow him to guide you and feel the tension ease from your muscles as your back sinks into the surprisingly plush hospital pillow.

As the adrenaline wears off, you’re finally able to take stock of your injuries as the pain quickly makes itself known. You feel your pulse beating in your skull, pounding at your temples, eyebrow, and cheekbone. With shaky fingers, you touch the places where you remember the unsub striking you. You feel a thick bandage taped over your right eyebrow and steri-strips over your cheek. Your lip is swollen from where you bit it.

Bandages encircle your wrists and there’s an IV stuck in your hand. You’ve been dressed in a hospital gown and the sheets are drawn up to your waist covering the burn wounds. You don't have to see them to know how bad they look. The pain is telling enough.

“Is he dead?” you ask, lowering your hand back down to the bed.

Hotch’s lips form a tight line. “Yes.”

You blink back tears as that information sinks in. “Good,” you whisper in a choked voice. You blink and allow your head to loll to the side. A colorful bouquet of roses and carnations dotted with plastic ladybugs and butterflies sits in a clear vase on the side table.

You smile, “Garcia?”

Hotch smiles in turn. “It was tough to convince her to go home and get some sleep, but I promised her I wouldn’t leave you alone. Even then, it was still a hard-fought battle.”

You chuckle and wince as the movement irritates your injuries.

Hotch telegraphs his next move, and you know it’s to avoid startling you. He cups his hand over your uninjured cheek and strokes the skin there with his thumb.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he says, and his voice sounds tired and pained. “I should’ve gone inside with you.”

“Hotch, don’t.” You reach up and wrap your fingers around his wrist. “Don’t do that to yourself. He didn’t know I was with the FBI until after he took me. If you’d been there, he might’ve pegged us as law enforcement and taken off. He might still be out there and we’d be finding another dead woman in a matter of days. You know I’m right.”

Hotch closes his eyes and heaves a heavy sigh. “I could hear you.”

“What?” you whisper. You try to sit up and wince as the movement stings the wounds in your legs and abdomen. Hotch stands and helps adjust the pillows behind your back before sitting back down in the chair at your bedside.

“Not for very long. He drove out of range, but I heard him speaking to you. I heard the blows land. I heard your head smack against the floor when he threw you in the van.” He stops and shakes his head. “I felt so helpless. I was afraid. I couldn’t get to you, just like,” his voice catches in his throat. “just like I couldn’t get to Haley.”

Your heart breaks for him as he speaks. You reach for his hand and take it, squeezing it. “Aaron, you did get to me. You saved my life.”

He clears his throat and swallows. “Yes, but we were almost too late.”

“But you weren’t,” you state, your tone firm. “Aaron, look at me.”

He hesitates and inhales deeply before lifting his gaze to yours. The corners of his eyes soften as he meets yours and you smile. You gently tug his hand, “Come here.”

Hotch glances toward the door and then back at you, “The doctor—“

“Isn’t going to do shit,” you finish. “I’m the one that endured hours of torture. Pretty sure I’m allowed some close comfort.”

He lets out a shallow laugh. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Standing, he shrugs out of his suit jacket and drapes it over the back of the chair. With one hand he loosens his tie until he’s able to pull it up and over his head. He tosses it onto the chair and circumnavigates the bed, assessing the best way to join you on the small mattress.

You groan as you slide over. Hotch reaches out to stop you but you silence him with a pointed look. “Mind the IV,” you say as you pat the space beside you.

Hotch acquiesces, using the tips of his fingers to raise the IV drip enough for him to slide into bed beside you. He slips an arm around you and drops the feed. It falls across his torso. The feel of his arm around you is comforting, like a security blanket, like safety. You relax into him, and rest your head on his chest. His lips brush against your bandaged brow.

“Not quite how I imagined we’d first be sharing a bed,” you joke softly as you nuzzle in deeper against the wide plane of his chest.

You feel him smile against your hair. “Only you could joke at a time like this.”

“If I can’t laugh at what’s happened, I’ll never be able to close my eyes at night.”

“Well, if that’s the case.” He rubs the bare skin of your arm in small circles. “I’ll be there until you can.”

You turn your head to look at him then, your heart full. This is happening. His eyes are on yours and you push yourself toward him ever so slightly. He closes the small gap between you and presses his lips to yours. It wasn’t hungry and primal like the kiss in the car. There would be plenty of time for that later. This kiss was light, tender…healing.

“Sir, I’m sorry. I tried to go home, I really did but as soon as I got there I—” Garcia’s voice abruptly cuts off. You look up and her initial look of surprise turns to one of abject joy.

You feel your cheeks flush as Emily and Morgan appear in the doorway behind her. Morgan’s eyes widen and Emily’s brow arches as a smile curves her lips.

“I, uh, brought backup.” Penelope giggles. She remembers she’s holding something. “And cookies! I couldn’t sleep, so I baked. I figured I could bribe you into going home and getting some sleep.” Her words leave her mouth at a mile a minute. “I thought you’d fight me on it, so I brought some muscle.” She gestures with a tilt of her head. “They’re the muscle.”

Morgan exhales and points a finger at you and Hotch. “Can someone explain to me what’s going on here?”

Emily elbows him and he drops his arm. She takes the tray from Garcia and walks it over to the side table where she places it next to the flowers. She winks at you as she turns back to Garcia and Morgan. “It’s about time,” she says.

Penelope laughs as she hooks her arm in Emily’s. “What's it been? Two, three months?”

Morgan guffaws. “Months?”

Penelope pats his face with a ring-adorned hand. “My sweet oblivious profiler. Come on, hot stuff.” She takes him by the hand and leads him from the room. Emily shakes her head and laughs. “Men.”

“Safe to say the team knows.”

Hotch releases a breathy laugh and kisses your forehead again. “I know what will be the first thing on the agenda at tomorrow’s debriefing.”

•

6 weeks. It had been 6 weeks since you’d pressed the elevator button that would bring you back to the office. The weight of your gun feels right where it sits upon your hip, your gait more familiar to you now than when it wasn’t holstered to your side. You nervously adjust the grip on your go bag. You’d packed and repacked it the night before.

This morning as you were getting out of the shower, you stared at yourself in the mirror. Your cheek had healed nicely though the skin on your brow that had been split by the unsub’s ring had scarred, severing the tail end of your eyebrow from the rest of it. The ligature marks around your wrists and ankles had healed and the skin was smooth once more. The stun gun had scarred your abdomen, but all that remained were two purple pinpricks of scar tissue no bigger than the size of an infant’s thumbnail.

Your legs are a different story. The front of your thighs are an array of mottled scar tissue. One burn had gone so deep that they’d needed to graft skin from your calf to salvage it. The wounds no longer hurt physically, but you’d woken up from nightmares on more than one occasion.

You were never alone though. Garcia worked remotely on secure laptops with VPNs as often as she was able. Rossi brought you home-cooked Italian at least twice a week and talked with you over numerous glasses of red wine. Reid brought black-and-white foreign existentialist films that you didn’t understand, but his enthusiasm as he watched made you happy all the same. Emily and Morgan brought coffee and donuts as often as they could and Hotch…if he wasn’t at the office or visiting Jack, he was with you. On several occasions, he brought Jack. Jack would sit on the bed beside you, playing with his toys, narrating the adventures of his action figures as Aaron stood in the doorway, smiling. At night, when you had woken in a cold sweat, Aaron was there with a washcloth to wipe it away. When the bandages had stuck to your burn wounds and it felt like your skin was being peeled apart, he got your pain medicine and helped change the dressings, holding you until the pain had passed.

You blink as the elevator dings, signaling you’ve reached your destination. You take a deep breath and smooth down the front of your blouse as the door opens wide. Everything looks the same, yet everything feels like it's changed as you approach the desk you occupy perpendicular to Emily’s. A smile crosses your lips as you see the Welcome Bac k card on your desk. Two vases of flowers sit behind the card. One is almost exactly like the one from the hospital so you know it’s from Garcia. The other, a bouquet of purple tulips, has a note attached to it. You open the note and read it.

Glad to have you back. Things haven’t been the same around here without you. -AH

Hotch. You should’ve known. You smile and tuck the note into your purse.

“Hey, hey, look who’s finally decided to get her ass back to work.” Morgan’s charming laugh is followed by Emily chastising him.

“Ignore him,” she says as she places a steaming mug of coffee on your desk.

“You’re a godsend,” you say by way of thanks and take a long drink. Two sugars, no milk, just the way you like. “Wow, Emily, that’s perfect. I needed this.”

“How come you don’t remember how I take my coffee?” Morgan asks pointedly.

She shrugs, “Chicks before dicks, Derek.”

You sputter and choke on your coffee.

“Look,” he says as he pats you on the back. “Her first day back and you’re gonna kill her.”

At that moment JJ passes by with a file in hand. She raises it in the air and gestures to the conference room. “We got a case.” She smiles at you warmly. “It’s good to have you back.”

Together, you, Morgan, and Emily enter the conference room where Reid, Hotch, and Rossi have already gathered. Once you’re all sat, JJ begins presenting the case. You review current victims and why the Sacramento Police Department has invited you onto the case

“Sacramento PD is expecting us this afternoon. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us. Wheels up in thirty, understood?”

A chorus of ‘yes sirs’ echo throughout the room. As the team gathers their belongings and moves to leave, you wait for Hotch to catch your eye. You wink at him before mouthing, “Yes, sir.”

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sharpened--edges · 1 year

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[A]s a system of insecurity and deprivation, housing manages our lives in such a way as to disaggregate our common experiences, individualize our challenges, and pit us in competitive, hostile fights with one another—for security, for an apartment or home loan, for control of a block or a neighborhood. This individualization of experience cuts us off from one another, casting us into the privatized realm of domestic space and its exclusions.

One indicator of this alienation is the incredible distance almost all of us who are housed feel from “the homeless.” This is a deeply felt distance that contradicts the intimate, proximate spaces we often share with people living without shelter: we cross paths, with averted eyes or baleful stares, on public transportation, on sidewalks, in doorways, in ATM vestibules, at public libraries, on church steps, in parks. The affective illusion of separateness is made tenable by endless popular, media, and academic accounts that render people living without shelter denizens of a secret and shadowy underworld. But housing deprivation is not a hidden problem that must be “brought into the light.” It is housed populations who are hiding. We shudder and shirk, we turn away.

Craig Willse, The Value of Homelessness: Managing Surplus Life in the United States (University of Minnesota Press, 2015), pp. 9–10.

#craig willse

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tomchar · 1 year

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oc sheets for the hells reincarnate AU!

what is the hells reincarnate AU? : hells reincarnate is a south park AU based off hell park by extraballs. (except it isnt run by a creep) it focuses on three main characters. damien, kenny, and tempt. tempt is a demon, the adopted brother of damien.

as for storyline, there isnt a consistent one yet. though, youth pastor craig may be in it. maybe he would discove an underworld of imps, you’ll just have to wait and see. ;)

#southpark

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whatsonmedia · 2 years

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Thursday Thrill: Thrilling events of the Week!

WhatsOn editor, Nicole Newman has come up again with fantastic events for the week. The events are going on and before it gets over get your shoes for having some fun this week. Here are some of the great events for the week. Defected Croatia 4 - 9 Aug For six days and seven nights in August the biggest growing family of Defected fans, house heads of all generations, and over 80- world-class DJs and musicians gathering for the continental Defected Croatian festivals of your dreams. This is the most talked about EDM festival of the season on the annual festival seasons calendar. This year Defected Croatia includes one of the biggest European destinations of a smorgasbord line ups of global first-class DJs including Defected’s boss Simon Dunmore, and a line up of Defected royalty including Eats Everything, The Shapeshifters, Gorgan City, Low Steppa, Bob Sinclar, Honey Dijon, Dave Lee ZR, Melvo Baptiste, Roger Sanchez, Dimitri from Paris plus many more fabulous people Get ready to get Defected! For more info & Tickets defected.com We Are FSTVL 6 – 7 Aug The awarding-winning dance music festival We Are FSTVL is ready for its August Essex takeover! Bringing in some of the hottest dance music labels to the mammoth stages of this two-day, weekend danceathon extravaganza. Returning to its location at Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster. Upping its anti-the no 1 Essex festival and a firm favourite for the Londoners, going to this non-camping dance music event are in for a treat of their lives. The promoters leave no stone unturned to ensure this is the most golden ticket event taking place in outer London. We Are FSTVL, delivers on the mega festival experience with attention to detail on stage production with the utmost consideration on booking out No 1 DJs on demand from around the globe. With 30,000 electronic music-loving fans putting on their finest attire for one of the best-dressed festivals to be at. This year’s stellar lineup features Mabel, Camelphat, Andy C, Carl Cox, Loco Dice, Sonny Fodera Craig David, KSI, Tyga, Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping, and Rudimental, Deborah De Luca, Armand Van Helden, Shy FX, and so many more fabulous DJs. Essex is time to get your shuffle on! For more info & Tickets wearefstvl.com Wilderness Festival 4 – 7 Aug August is upon us already and midway through the festival calendar. This year’s festival season has only got better and better as we headed on, through the summer of 22. The road trip destination for this weekend is taking festivalgoers to Cornbury Park in the heart of Oxfordshire. The Wilderness four-day festival bonanza is one of the most beautiful UK boutique festivals of the year. It’s a weekend for letting loose and getting your best rave on. The multi-facet awarding winning festival encompasses the bigger picture of a full-on festival experience combining live music, arts, plenty of getting one with nature which will embrace your well-being, like taking a dip in the lakeside spa furthermore there is an array of theatre productions, artisanship, and top of the agenda are the late-night parties featuring a host of the dance music finest DJs and musicians to boot. This is one of those standout festivals that are sure to soothe your soul. The artist lineup includes Underworld, Eats Everything, David Morales, Derrick Carter, Yousef, Jungle, Years & Years, Peggy Gou, Róisín Murphy, Craig Charles, and so many more. Don’t forget your bathers! For more info & Tickets wildernessfestival.com Read the full article

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rad-ishy · 2 years

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Got bored and decided that it was the perfect time to start my South Park Camp Half-Blood AU

(I’m going to conveniently forget that all children of Athena have blonde hair and grey eyes for this!) Stan Marsh; Son of Aphrodite

I was originally stuck between Apollo, Hecate, and Aphrodite for him, but ended up settling of Aphrodite, because idk he just seems like a romantic to me, he always cared about his relationship with Wendy, and it just made sense to me idk

(Aphrodite is the goddess of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation)

Kyle Broflovski; Son of Athena

This one is easier to explain, Kyle is shown time and time again to be the smartest and most logical of the main four boys, so it was only right for him to be a son of the goddess of wisdom

(Athena is the goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare)

Kenny McCormick; Son of Hades

“Oh my God, they killed Kenny!” is probably what Hades says every time he has to bring his son back to life. Hades is the god of the underworld, Kenny dies a lot, perfect father son relationship

(Hades is the god of the dead and the underworld. King of the Underworld)

Eric Cartman; Son of Ares

Eric is an asshole, he’s probably even seen as an asshole among the other Ares kids. I bet you he’s Ares’ favorite tho

(Ares is the god of courage and war)

Leopold “Butters” Stotch; Son of Persephone

I just thought it would be cute tbh, plus I think it matches his personality

(Persephone is the goddess of spring, life, death, grain, and destruction. She is also the Queen of the Underworld)

Craig Tucker; Son of Hecate

Space makes me think of magic and Craig is a space nerd, plus I think he just totally wouldn’t give a fuck that he has such a badass mom

(Hecate is the goddess of boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft, and ghosts)

Tweek Tweak; Son of Demeter

Tweek sitting in a wheat field cause yes. Also I like to think that Demeter has a rather calm personality and Tweek is just the opposite of that lol

(Demeter is the goddess of harvest, agriculture, fertility, an sacred law)

Clyde Donovan; Son of Hermes

I couldn’t really come up with one for Clyde, but Hermes covers so much stuff that I just felt that it fit. Also Clyde definitely takes after the Stolls

(Hermes is the god of boundaries, roads, travelers, thieves, athletes, shepherds, commerce, speed, cunning, wit, and sleep)

Token Black; Son of Pontus

I wanna see Token controlling water like a badass, but I didn’t wanna give him Poseidon cause it felt too basic

(Pontus is the primordial god of the sea)

Jimmy Valmer; Son of Agon

This is purely because of the episode where he uses steroids for the special olympics, mans is wild

(Agon is the spirit of conflict, struggle, or contest)

Scott Malkinson; Son of Philotes

Cause the way he acted towards Sophie in Basic Cable gave me that vibe

(Philotes is the goddess of affection, friendship, and sex)

Bebe Stevens; Daughter of Aphrodite

She’s pretty and perfect, also she’d have to be Stan’s half sister lol

(Aphrodite is the goddess of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation)

Wendy Testaburger; Daughter of Athena

She’s just that smart, plus she’d be Kyle’s half sister lmao

(Athena is the goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare)

Sophie Grey; Daughter of Nike

I really don’t have an explanation for this one, I’m sorry

(Nike is the goddess of victory)

Red McArthur; Daughter of Enyo

Red just seems confrontational, but I didn’t wanna give her Ares

(Enyo is the goddess of war)

Heidi Turner; Daughter of Eleos

Heidi must’ve had some heart of pure fucking gold to put up with Cartman

(Eleos is the spirit of pity, mercy, clemency, and compassion)

Nichole Daniels; Daughter of Hebe

I just felt like it fit cause Nichole is beautiful

(Hebe is the goddess of youth)

(can you tell I ship Bunny by who I gave Butters and Kenny???)

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fly-pow-bye · 3 years

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What’s Airing On Cartoon Network? (July 2021)

While we’re in a rather empty spot for the network, Cartoon Network decided to add another show that was made for HBO Max to its television lineup: Looney Tunes Cartoons! Also, The Fungies continue their airing on television, and there’s new episodes of Total Dramarama and DC Super Hero Girls. More after the break.

Craig of the Creek

For completion’s sake, I’ll list the Craig of the Creek episodes here too.

June 28th:

Capture the Flag Part 1: The Candy - When mysterious circumstances cause issues at the Trading Tree, Craig tries to save the day! (10:00 AM)

June 29th:

Capture the Flag Part 2: The King - The Creek gets help from an unlikely friend. (10:00 AM)

June 30th:

Capture the Flag Part 3: The Legend - Craig goes in search of answers, and finds a legend. (10:00 AM)

July 1st:

Capture the Flag Part 4: The Plan - Craig puts a plan into motion to save the Creek. (10:00 AM)

July 2nd:

Capture the Flag Part 5: The Game - It all comes down to this, the fate of the Creek is at stake! (10:00 AM)

DC Super Hero Girls

July 4th:

#AngerManagement - When Jess coerces Kara into addressing her anger management issues, Supergirl's superhero abilities become seriously compromised! (8:00 AM)

#HappyBirthdayZee - Zatanna makes a birthday wish that forces her to confront the dark side of her magic. (8:15 AM)

July 11th:

#TheGreenRoom - When Jessica is faced with a Green Lantern Corps disciplinary hearing, Hal appoints himself to be her Peer Advocate. (8:00 AM)

#EnterNightSting - Karen is given a mission to prevent the apocalypse by DeathSting, a super-cool future version of herself. (8:15 AM)

July 18th:

#WorldsFinest - When PR whiz Max Lord tells Batgirl and Supergirl he can improve their image by doing publicity stunts, the two friends forget what being a hero is really about. (8:00 AM)

#WorkingStiff - After Babs hooks Karen up with a job at the Burrito Bucket, the two heroes encounter a new villain, the scourge of the fast-food underworld, the Condiment King! (8:15 AM)

July 25th:

#MultipliciZee - Zee magically duplicates herself so she can shirk work and watch TV. Things get out of hand when her copies start to make copies of themselves! (8:00 AM)

#TheMinus - Diana receives her first ever A-minus and becomes convinced that she needs to work harder, however, in order to do so, she resorts to rather drastic measures. (8:15 AM)

The Fungies

July 9th:

Sir Tree's Boy - Seth agrees to take care of Sir Tree's wooden boy, Boy Joy, but quickly pawns him off on Mertha. When Seth discovers that Sir Tree needs his boy back in order to survive, he must stage a heist to steal Boy Joy back before it's too late! (8:00 AM)

Commander Beefy - Seth, eager to explore the stars and find a fellow explorer, sends a signal to space. But the explorer who receives the message, Commander Beefy, has his own shady plans for Earth... (8:15 AM)

July 16th:

The Fanciest Fungie - Seth, frustrated that the Fancies are too caught up in the Fanciest Fancy pageant to listen to his warning about a fungus-eating bacteria, enters the pageant to get his message out. But when he gets sucked into the pageant, he'll have to face the consequences of getting distracted. (8:00 AM)

Snake It to the Limit - When Seth agrees to let an athletic snake replace his arm so he can finally be good at volleyball, he learns he doesn't need a fancy snake arm to make his teammates happy; he just needs to try. (8:15 AM)

July 23th:

Nevin's Cocoon - After a beautiful statue makes Nevin self-conscious about his own looks, Seth helps seal Nevin in a cocoon so that he may turn into a beautiful butterfly. (8:00 AM)

Cool Kids - When Pascal becomes obsessed with a group of cool kids, Seth promises to use his science skills to help Pascal become cool. But is coolness as cool as it seems? (8:15 AM)

July 30th:

Mermove Out - Seth is having a hard time sharing a room with messy Pascal and needs a change. But instead of being honest about the situation, Seth makes Pascal a mermaid tail so that his brother can finally move out-into the ocean! (8:00 AM)

Happy Birthday Nancy - Seth wants his mom to have the best birthday ever, so he creates his own currency in order to buy her an expensive gift. But he learns a little too late that counterfeiting is a crime, putting Nancy's birthday at risk of being ruined. (8:15 AM)

Looney Tunes Cartoons

July 5th:

Curse of the Monkeybird/Marvin Flag Gag: Deflating Planet/Harm Wrestling - Daffy Duck and Porky Pig search for hidden treasure. No one messes with arm-wrestling champ Yosemite Sam - until Bugs Bunny comes along. (9:00 AM)

Big League Beast/Hole Gag: Mini Elmer/Firehouse Frenzy -When Bugs overstays his welcome, an evil scientist unleashes Gossamer to get rid of him. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig make lousy firefighters. (9:15 AM)

July 6th:

Boo! Appetweet/Hole Gag: Plunger/Bubble Dum - Sweet victory turns into a nightmare when Sylvester fears he's haunted by Tweety's ghost. Daffy Duck faces off with a pesky piece of gum. (9:00 AM)

Pain in the Ice/Tunnel Vision/Pool Bunny - A hungry Sylvester sets his sights on Tweety, the ice skater. On a scorching hot day, Bugs Bunny makes himself at home in Elmer Fudd's pool. (9:15 AM)

July 7th:

Pest Coaster/Rhino Ya Don't - Bugs tries to ride a roller coaster, but Yosemite Sam is determined to stop him. At the zoo, Sylvester's lunch plans are foiled by a rhino. (9:00 AM)

Buzzard School/Marvin Flag Gag: Giant Alien Mouth/Wet Cement - Bugs Bunny enrolls Beaky Buzzard in Rabbit Hunting 101. Daffy wreaks havoc on Porky's wet cement. (9:15 AM)

July 8th:

Siberian Sam/Hole Gag: Fishing Pole/Fleece and Desist/Marvin Flag Gag: Mirror/Split Screen Marvin - In need of a new hat, Siberian Sam feasts his eyes on Bugs Bunny. Sam Sheepdog protects his herd from a hungry Ralph Wolf. (9:00 AM)

Grilled Rabbit/Cactus if You Can/Shower Shuffle - Elmer Fudd interrogates Bugs about a theft. Wile E. Coyote's plan to catch the Road Runner gets prickly. Daffy and Porky have shower troubles. (9:15 AM)

July 9th:

Overdue Duck/Hole Gag: Bees/Vincent Van Fudd - At the library, Porky Pig tries to silence a troublemaking Daffy Duck. Bugs Bunny interrupts Elmer Fudd's attempt to be a great artist. (9:00 AM)

Hare Restoration/TNT Trouble/Plumbers Quack - A self-interested Bugs gives Elmer Fudd dating advice. Wile E. Coyote runs into some dynamite problems. Elmer's leaky sink is no match for Daffy. (9:15 AM)

July 12th:

Daffuccino/Hole Gag: Moving Hole/Kitty Livin - Before his new coffee shop goes from grand opening to grand closing, Porky must impress an influential customer. Sylvester may have swallowed more than he can chew when he manages to trap Tweety... inside his stomach! (9:00 AM)

Chain Gangster/Telephone Pole Gag: Sylvester Car Jack Lift/Falling for It - Two bank robbers need Bugs' help to break out of jail. Daffy convinces Porky to go skydiving but forgets one important little thing... (9:15 AM)

July 13th:

Taziator/Marvin Flag Gag: Little Martian/Climate Control - Bugs faces off against Taz in a Roman coliseum. Wile E. Coyote orders a weather control kit, but his chances of catching the Road Runner remain cloudy. (9:00 AM)

Lepre-conned/Flag Won't Stay Straight/Brave New Home - Bugs is looking for Hawaii but finds Ireland and an angry leprechaun instead. Porky's new home has all the modern amenities anyone could hope for, including a computerized assistant - but the voice recognition software could use an update. (9:15 AM)

July 14th:

The Case of Porky's Pants/Fully Vetted - Detective Daffy takes on the case of Porky's missing pants. Tweety's trip to the veterinarian's office gives Sylvester the perfect opportunity for a lunchtime treat. (9:00 AM)

E-Rabbitcator/ Planet Split in 2/The Sales Duck - Bugs must outsmart a new technological foe. Elmer is ready for bed, but persistent salesman Daffy stands in the way of a good night's rest. (9:15 AM)

July 15th:

Pitcher Porky/Cherry Picker/Duck Duck Boom - Benchwarmer Porky finally gets his chance to shine on the pitching mound. With the game on the line, he needs all the help he can get - even if it's from Daffy. Elmer sets his sights on Daffy, but who's hunting whom? (9:00 AM)

Postal Geist/Anvil/Fudds Bunny - Porky and Daffy deliver packages to a haunted manor. Elmer's plan to disguise himself as a bunny to lure Bugs out of his hole doesn't quite go as planned. (9:15 AM)

July 16th:

Shoe Shine-nanigans/Multiply and Conquer/Parky Pig - Elmer visits Daffy for a quick shoeshine. Porky is running late for movie night but finding a parking spot is easier said than done. (9:00 AM)

Shell Shocked/Daffy Dentist - Bugs races against Cecil Turtle for the "fastest thing in New York City" title. The only thing more painful than Porky's sore tooth is a visit to dentist Daffy. (9:15 AM)

Total Dramarama

July 5th:

Breaking Bite - Beth becomes the big dog on campus after she bites Duncan, but being the big dog is a dangerous thing, especially when you didn't actually bite anybody! (5:00 PM)

July 6th:

I Dream of Meanie - When Cody keeps screaming in his sleep Gwen and Duncan take a trip into Cody's dreams to see what is scaring him. (5:00 PM)

July 7th:

Squirrels Squirrels Squirrels - Courtney's attempt to make Chef a better teacher fails when a squirrel gets his hands on her mind-control device. (5:00 PM)

July 8th:

Say Hello to my Little Friends - After telling the kids he will not miss them over the long weekend Chef locks himself into the school and finds out he was very, very wrong. (5:00 PM)

July 12th:

WaterHose-Five - The hottest day of the year and a broke air conditioner leads to a water battle of epic proportions to determine who controls the garden hose. (5:00 PM)

July 13th:

Cody the Barbarian - Cody is set to inherit a video game empire from his long-lost uncle, but only if he and his friends have what it takes to conquer a fantastical live-action video game. (5:00 PM)

July 14th:

TP2: Judgement Bidet - When the city experiences a toilet paper shortage Beth and Harold investigate and discover it's their old rival Sewer Mike who is the mastermind behind it all. (5:00 PM)

July 15th:

Dial B for Birder - Harold uncovers a secret plot that Chef's new parrot is hatching and tries to save his teacher only to discover that Sugar figured it out before him. Or did she? (5:00 PM)

July 19th:

A Hole Lot of Trouble - When rain derails an outside game of catch someone suggests they play it inside. This prompts Izzy to lead the group through her wildly imaginative worst-case scenario. It's an adventure so scary that the kids many never play again. (5:00 PM)

July 20th:

A Tell Tale - After Owen's BBF, Noah, goes through a growth spurt, Owen fears losing his friend and takes drastic action. (5:00 PM)

July 21st:

Chews Wisely - When the floor ends up covered in gum on the day of a big bubble blowing contest, Sugar decides she might help herself win by helping her friends get stuck to the floor. (5:00 PM)

July 22nd:

A Dingo Ate My Duncan - When all their classmates are replaced with well-behaved Australian doppelgangers in a school exchange program, Lightning and Cody start getting suspicious. (5:00 PM)

#fpb news #dc super hero girls #the fungies #looney tunes #looney tunes cartoons #cartoon network #total dramarama

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schnowydays · 4 years

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The “Herne and the Red Kite” Analysis Nobody Asked For

WARNING: This is probably a very long and unnecessary post.

Wah, so at first I was quite nervous on posting this at all because this is just so embarrassingly long and it is really overly thought out. Plus no one even asked for it and there does not seem to be a need for this since the song is kind of straightforward. But, I still put work into this so I’m going to post it anyways cuz it would feel like a waste if I didn’t. Plus, I’m immensely busy with school right now, so why not just let this fester while I’m away? So,,, here we go:::

Okay, so this was spun out by this post and I just became so interested in what the heck this song was about. I’ve always loved listening to it but I had no idea what the heck was going on - who is Herne? A red kite?? Does this relate to Hadley and Rosalie???

Plus, I love reading analysis on stuff so, here I am, attempting to make my own.

Anyways, to give a quick overview, I am going to be analyzing both the words and the instruments used in the song, going strictly by the studio recording. Everything here will be MY OPINION ALONE so it could be possible that I am horribly wrong on certain things. This research was INCREDIBLY LIGHT so there are probably a lot of details that I missed. Plus, I don’t really have strong music or literature knowledge, nothing beyond what you’re taught in high school. I’ll try to clear up the blocks of text with pictures or videos of things I think are helpful.

I’m basically going to be the English Teacher who finds meaning in everything meme. You know, the:

So, without further ado...

Background

The Song Itself

As we all know, “Herne and the Red Kite” was written by Hadley Fraser and was released on his EP Just Let Go. Although it was released in 2014, I’m not entirely sure when this song was written, so it could have been really any time before then. Just to get it out there, based on what others have already said (from that post, yes), this song is most likely to be about Hadley and Rosalie Craig. Here is the song itself if you’ve (somehow) never heard it before. You can also listen along and read at the same time :D

youtube

Characters in the Song

Herne

Based on only a Google search, “Herne the Hunter”, an English folklore ghost, is really the only thing that shows up. He is mentioned by Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor in which he is described as “the ghost of a former Windsor Forest keeper who haunts a particular oak tree at midnight in the winter time” (Wikipedia). He is associated with the Windsor Forest and the Great Park in Berkshire. He basically does a lot of not cool stuff, like making cows produce blood instead of milk and making trees die. Another version states that he was made so that parents can scare their children into being more obedient. Herne is also the surname of a bunch of people. Because Herne is such an interesting name to use for a song like this (why didn’t he pick literally anything else??), then there is probably some intention behind the use of this name and probably the connotations that come with it.

Red Kite

So, apparently, the Red Kite isn’t actually a kite but is actually a kind of English bird. Fun fact, during Shakespeare’s time, it was considered to be an insult to be called a kite because this bird, back then, was regarded as quite a lowly bird since it was literally associated with trash. It was related this way because it eats dead things haha... However, it was hunted intensely until it became basically extinct except for a few in Wales. Over time, as the population began to thrive again, the Red Kite became a celebrated symbol of Wales (probably) (source).

According to a lot of different sites, apparently Red Kites also have some meaning to them. I think the most consistent and most important one is how they are a connection between the living and the underworld. This mystical connection binds well with Herne being a folklore ghost who, of course being a ghost, is probably dead. So, already, they are a pretty good match.

A good thing to note as well, birds, in general, are usually used to symbolize freedom. Also, as far as I can tell, there are really no previous stories or songs or works or whatever about Herne and Red Kites together.

Hadley and Rosalie’s Relationship

I got this information from here (brought up by @peonybooks in a chat, thank you!!)

So, depending on where you look, in 2008 or 2009, Hadley and Rosalie met on the set of A Christmas Carol production in Birmingham, although at the time, they were both dating other people. A piece of the set had fallen on Rosalie during that time and basically destroyed her arm. However, she was determined to swiftly come back to the stage because she was afraid that if she hadn’t, she’ll never be able to come back at all. That, and “because [she] had fallen in love with [Hadley]” (my feelings waaa).

Once the production was over, Hadley shipped it back to LA while Rosalie stayed in London. Hadley returned a year later and called up Rosalie for a drink. It was then discovered that they had actually liked each other this entire time!! They just never told each other. They lived together in Crystal Palace after that and married in 2014. This makes it around the time that this EP was released.

Hadley and Rosalie as Herne and the Red Kite

Something interesting I noticed was the relation of their names to these characters. H is for Hadley and Herne. R is for Rosalie and the Red Kite.

Of course, this little fun fact breaks a bit if Hadley is using his real first name, Robert, haha. The “Red” in “Red Kite” can also be a relation to how Rosalie has red hair (thanks @alittlepawblog hehe).

Also, something worth noting is how Rosalie sings all the lines that are in Herne’s perspective, and Hadley sings all the lines about the Red Kite’s perspective. That trade-off is quite neat, actually. They are both narrators together in this story, but they are swapping who talks about who. It makes the whole song feel like they are speaking for each other together.

Lyrics and Instruments

I think for this part, I am going to break it up by when each person sings. So basically, whenever there is a new singer or if they start singing together, that will be a new section. Italics are lyrics, regular print is the analysis.

Instrumental

The story is introduced by an accordion. To be honest, it sounds quite static, or maybe even stoic. There is not a lot of feeling in it, maybe to demonstrate how Herne and the Red Kite’s lives were like before meeting each other.

The sprinkles of hi-hats spring the beginning of the song, which consists of a guitar melody, bass and a violin. The violin has a recurring melody that is highlighted every time there is an instrumental break. It could perhaps represent Herne as both Herne (and subsequently Hadley) is mentioned throughout the song consistently, while the Red kite is only mentioned after the introduction.

Rosalie

Herne lived alone, lived alone in a wood Staring at swallows, wishing he could Join their migration from flower to flower Finally deciding to rest on some bower

Herne is introduced right off the bat, making him kind of the main character. That, and the fact that he has the most lines in the song directly about him. Makes sense if Herne is supposed to stand in for Hadley, since Hadley wrote this song. The fact that he lives in the woods also fits nicely with how he is supposed to be a ghost associated with the Windsor Forest and the Great Park.

The lyrics state he is lonely and stares at swallows, wishing he could join them and fly far away visiting beautiful things (“flower to flower”). Swallows are typically symbols for very very good things, like happiness, protection, connection, conflict resolution, etc. The words “finally deciding to rest” kind of makes it like he has been on this long trek for happiness for a while. He’s been doing this search for so long that he just has to rest, finally. And, in case you didn’t know like me, a bower is “a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood” (thanks Google).

So, just to recap Herne is a lonely ghost who doesn’t want to be this way. He wants to be happy, have a connection with something, but being isolated in the wood just doesn’t let him do that. This may indicate how lonely or just duller things seemed to be for Hadley before he met Rosalie. He didn’t feel a true connection or see true beauty, something he desperately wanted to experience, until her.

BOTH

With another With another

Albeit being very short, these can potentially have meaning behind them. “With another” - another what? They also start singing together here for the first time. Perhaps the “another” is each other, Hadley and Rosalie, or a foreshadow that Herne will be joined by another person or being soon, a sort of set up for the Red Kite, who is introduced in the next line.

Hadley

Herne lifts his head and the Red Kite goes drifting by Suddenly in love with something that caught her eye

Hadley now sings but from the perspective of the Red Kite. Notice before that Rosalie sang the last verse, but all about Herne. They kind of mirror each other in this way.

youtube

With the video above, you can see how, while they drift, the Red Kites move their head a lot. Maybe this is a normal bird movement and I’m just too dumb to know, but they seem to be actively searching below them. I think this derives from how they are scavenger birds. However, instead of spotting food, she spots Herne and is “suddenly in love”. This could parallel into real life, where Rosalie might have seen Hadley in passing on the production and experienced love at first sight. These lines indicate that Herne (Hadley) has clearly seen the Red Kite (Rosalie) as well, probably having the same love at first sight moment, something that can be inferred once the song progresses into the next Rosalie verse.

In this verse, the accordion returns as well, possibly indicating some remnants of the past sadness still lingering. There is uncertainty. However, a new instrument is also introduced simultaneously: the mandolin. To me, it kind of sounds very happy and bright and hopeful, especially in the plucky way it was used. This new instrument, as well as the potentially cheesy representation (rip me), can indicate that something new and exciting is going to begin.

BOTH

Something that's shining so bright in the sunlight Let's hope we never...

If we’re sticking with the definition of bowers being shady, then should it not be very unlikely that the Red Kite or Herne have spotted each other at all? Perhaps through this line, they are saying how unlikely their relationship was to have occurred, but when it ultimately did, it was glorious. In the following line, they say “Let’s hope we never lose that thing that shines in the sunlight ever again”. Maybe it was just so unbelievably good, so amazing, that they were afraid that they would lose it because it just feels so unimaginable. Besides, this flips well into reality since they never told each other they liked each other and kept it secret for a whole year!! PLUS, they were dating others when they first met!! Very unlikely relationship indeed.

...then again, this could just be them saying the other is really great haha.

The accordion is fazed out as if the longer Herne and the Red Kite gaze at each other, the past sadness and loneliness are slowly melting away. The violin returns, swelling into the next line.

BOTH - HADLEY MELODY, ROSALIE HARMONY

...lose that thing that shines in the sunlight ever again

Them singing together makes it like they are in total agreement with each other. It’s like Hadley is making this statement in the melody, and Rosalie supports wholeheartedly with her harmony. From Hadley to Rosalie, and Rosalie to Hadley, they feel like the other outcompetes the sun (the sun!).

Instrumental

The violin melody from the beginning returns, as does the guitar melody. However, after the violin does its melody once, the trumpet now copies it! If the violin represents Herne because of how both he and the violin are introduced at around the same time, then the trumpet could represent the Red Kite, bringing new a much more vibrant, bold and triumphant vibe to Herne’s life. Plus, the fact that the trumpet copies the violin’s melody probably means there is a connection between the two. This would make it somewhat like an instrumental duet or could also possibly foreshadow that something very good is about to happen.

Rosalie

Only one Herne and not enough wood Climbed up the bower and atop it he stood Called down the Red Kite from high up above Come land down here and be my love

Herne feels so attracted to the Red kite that he feels a physical pull to her, so much so that he climbs up on top of the bower. With not enough wood, he’s too far away from the Red Kite, and with only one Herne, it feels like nothing is there to support him in what he is trying to do. So he calls down the Red Kite to be with him instead, kind of like how Hadley called Rosalie for a drink all those years ago. It was him that reached out at the end that called her to him. “Be my love”, they will soon declare to each other during/after that fateful meeting.

This also begins the hunter-bird relationship, if we are going to take this a little more literally. Hunter and bird relationships are very mutualistic. They help each other, with the birds guiding the hunters to their targets and the hunters paying them back in some way, usually through food or other means.

BOTH

Forever Forever

Singing together, they both want to be together forever (haha, pretty obvious?)

Hadley

Red Kite flies down (he's waited his life for this) Whispers to Herne something, whispers, and then a kiss

As the Red Kite flies down towards Herne (as Rosalie gets closer to Hadley, or comes to meet him), Herne (Hadley) thinks that “he’s waited his life for this”. This goes back to the beginning where we know that Herne really wanted to go beyond the wood to see new beautiful things. Now someone beautiful has come to him instead, making his once isolating and lonely world so much more dazzling and loving.

They also whisper, which is a pretty intimate choice of word. And they kiss! Literally spelling out a loving relationship. The happiness, love, protection, connection that Herne (Hadley) yearned for, for such a long time, is finally here.

The mandolin also returns, the hope has its pay off! It continues to play throughout the rest of the song until after a few “Herne and the Red Kite” repeats at the very end of the song.

BOTH

Something that's shining so bright in the sunlight Let's hope we never...

BOTH - HADLEY MELODY, ROSALIE HARMONY

...lose that thing that shines in the sunlight ever again

Once again, they repeat these words, as if to reaffirm this message that they are the best thing to have happened to each other. This is also at the end of the song, you can interpret as the end of this segment of the story, but the start of something beautiful. As time goes on, this magnificent idea they hold of each other never changes, despite anything that happens.

Instrumental

This instrumental segment sounds like a slightly altered version of the instrumental breaks we’ve heard before. It is a lot more energetic, with the first threeish notes being kept from the original, but now tacked on with something extra. Overall, it just sounds so much happier than the instrumental breaks we’ve been getting before.

BOTH

Herne and the Red Kite (repeat)...

This line is repeated 12 times (yes, I counted). The overall feel just sounds so triumphant and happy, like we’re celebrating. The joyous melody has the mandolin fade out, and if you really listen, the trumpet and violin seem to be having a very animated conversation with one another, calling and responding to each other and at times responding really quickly. The same guitar melody that we hear during the instrumental breaks is back as well.

Instrumental

All the instruments fade away, with the violin’s recurring melody closing the celebration off until there is only the guitar left. With only the violin standing out at the very end, it's nice that the original solo melody is now surrounded by all these other exciting things, making it kind of say that Herne is still Herne, but now he is surrounded by so many wonders now that the Red Kite is here. With the guitar having its ending solo, It makes it sounds like this is a tale gone by, and now we talk about it as if it were a folktale or a legend. It kind of feels like we’re just talking about this story around a campfire instead. Herne and the Red Kite grew old and grew old together, closing off the song like a musical “happily ever after”.

Extra Stuff

Interesting Notes

The way it is written sort of sounds like a children’s poem, describing a simple but cute story

The song, overall, personally has a folklore vibe to it haha

There are a few pairs that can be picked out

Herne and the Red kite

Hadley and Rosalie

Male and Female voice (duet)

Violin and Trumpet

Accordion and Mandolin (Accordion is replaced by the Mandolin)

Any time the two sing together, it kind of just reinforces the narrator aspect of things, how they seem to be telling us the story of how they met and ultimately fell in love from a long time ago

Unanswered Questions

Why use Herne of all figures? Herne is supposed to be a very scary ghost. If it truly is supposed to represent Hadley, does this mean he identifies with the ghost in some way? Or did he derive some meaning from Herne’s presence in the works he shows up in?

Conclusion

Waa ok, that’s all I have for now about Herne and the Red Kite. If you made it to the end, thank you so much!! Truly appreciative that you read all the ramblings <3

Here is the super general story: Herne was yearning for something more and was feeling lonely. Then he saw the Red Kite drift by, and for both of them, it was love at first sight. He desperately wanted to be with her, so he called out to her despite the odds or the distance, and as she descended to him, he felt excited that his loneliness was finally going to end. From then on, they shared a happy and joyous relationship until the end of time. The end~

The writing of this post took much longer than the actual light research and speculation part of it. Again, I might be completely wrong because this is just what I think is going on, and I might also just be looking waaaayyy too deep into things. If this is truly a proper, or at least somewhat proper, reflection of Hadley and Rosalie’s relationship, then I feel incredibly soft :’)

If you have any other ideas, or if you agree/disagree with my analysis, please let me know!! I’m really excited to see what others have to say. :D

Until next time, I guess haha

#hadley fraser #rosalie craig #herne and the red kite #personal analysis #personal insight

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underworld-park-offical · 2 months

Text

GREGORY: It seems I’ve forgotten about our other bestie.

GREGORY: I know everyone is just dying to hear his story that’s totally not boring at all!

ESTELLA: Don’t be rude! Tweek was so knowledgeable when you first met him, was he not?

GREGORY: In some ways, I suppose so. But I should probably start from the beginning.

GREGORY: One day I was taking a stroll, with my pansy shoes, and I ran into the creature. GREGORY: Honestly, he put me off at first. His opening lines were… loco.

TWEEK: Are you one of them?

GREGORY: What?

TWEEK: The prophecy said the blasphemous hellion traitors would return. The end is coming.

GREGORY: ¿Tú hablas ingles, pendejo?

^ (TRANSLATION FROM MOD NOAH: "Do you speak English, asshole?", please correct me if I am wrong Spanish isn't my first language!)

TWEEK: We are all doomed. The world will be engulfed in its heinousness, the last light fading.

GREGORY: Okay, is there anyone here that isn’t a batshit cross-eyed freak?

MRS. TWEAK: Aw, what a small and insignificant creature!

MR. TWEAK: He looks positively horrified! This is great!

MRS. TWEAK: Hello you ugly infected little pinky toe!

MR. TWEAK: Hello little sneeze swaggler!

GREGORY: Kill me.

TWEEK: I pray for freedom of death everyday.

MR. TWEAK: Don’t listen to our son, we were just about to send him off to the funny farm!

MRS. TWEAK: Where all the children sing and play.

TWEEK: Please don’t let them send me to conversion therapy. I can’t go back. THE WAR–!

MR. TWEAK: Ah ah ah! Shut up or you get the stinky shoe ☝️🤓

MRS. TWEAK: Don’t worry, Tweek is just our silly little disappointment!!

TWEEK: Help. Please.

MRS. TWEEK: Shut the fuck up you failed fucking abortion

TWEEK: I hope the robots consume your sinned soul first, Helen.

GREGORY: It went something like that, I believe.

ESTELLA: Very informative, Gregory!

GREGORY: I only give the people what they want. Or what they didn’t ask for.

(Written and Edited by @pissblanket and @imlivinginyourtrashcan)

#craigfluencer #craig tucker #south park #hellpark #southpark #sp #south park edits #underworld park pip #underworld park clyde #underworld park #underworld park craig #underworld park estella #underworld park tweek #underworld park thomas

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knightmaring · 4 years

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temp graphics while we wait for a path name.

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after you arrive to UNDERTOWN and the rest of the demigods follow suit, you begin to wind down for the night. something inside of you feels different. there's a strength that grows that you only dimly knew was there before. you feel stronger, faster, more attuned to your senses and your own inner power. if you ever doubted that you might have divine blood in your veins before, now, more than ever, you feel it. you drift to sleep, exhausted from the events that have lead up to this point. at some point you "awake". you're not in the tent, though, or maybe you are. when you awake, you're in a place that seems familiar to you. describe this place? what does it look like, sound like, smell like?

It's dark and the air is hot and insufferably humid, heavy with the scent of freshly fallen rain and the spiced pine-like scent of wet creosote bushes. The only source of light is a flickering pink neon sign that read: Ten's Showclub. Its pink glow flickers off the wet asphalt of the parking lot and off the edges of the cars occupying its spaces. There's a few people mingling about by the club's entrance, waiting impatiently, murmuring to one another. There's a rush far behind him, the sound of traffic passing by or a river raging from the torrential rains this monsoon season had blessed them with, it was hard to tell. It could even be both, Tucson never did have the best infrastructure and it wasn't the first time the streets turned into rivers of death and destruction.

Hudson flexes his fist, wondering what had triggered this surge in power. Did it have something to do with Gideon or perhaps the sword and dagger he had found in that chest? Or was it something else? Why was he here? How was he here? He was in the underworld one moment, and now he was in the worst damn city in the southwest had to offer.

standing before the club's entrance, drenched in sweat from the humidity, you look around wondering how you got here. it feels strange to you. when you look around, things shift into focus, as if you're piecing the area back together piece by piece. then, out of the corner of your eye, you see a familiar figure. for a second, your heart stops and you move to get closer to them, move to see them. as you approach, your vision begins to clear up and you can make out the finer details of what the figure looks like. what do you see? is it a person, an animal? what do they look like and how do they make you feel?

Fear shoots through Hudson when he spots the spikes of blond hair out from the corner of his eye. He whips around, shoulders and jaw muscles tensing as it approaches. The figure is just as towering and imposing as he remembered as a child. The goatee, the square jaw, and thick eyes brows were exactly the same, but the eyes-- they were different. One was a black abyss, a whole Hudson had left when he emptied the barrel of his the man's gun at him. The other eye was no longer an eerie pale blue, but red, with gold specks at the center. Black scales were forming along his neck as he moved in closer, coming and going and once he was close enough, he could see the pink light reflecting off two tall, arching horns that framed his head. But there was no mistaking him, it was Craig. Just as he remembered him the night he killed him. The same Black Sabbath shirt, the same dirty blue jeans, the same ugly biker boots. This must be a trick by some creature in the underworld. Some kind of punishment. Letting him meet the man who abused him and his family. The man who tortured and tormented them for years. Hudson's fists clench, the fear finding a poor of anger, settling and mixing in like old friends.

the demonic visage of your old abuser takes root, standing tall before you, uninterested and undisturbed by your presence. one black eye and one red eye stare at you as if you mean nothing to him. he opens his mouth to speak and you can hear the words coming out, but they're muffled. it's as if he's in a cylinder, cut off from you, with his own words barely making it to your ears, like he's speaking under water and all you hear are the bubbles of conversation never popping to give you what you think you need to hear. then, as you strain to listen more intently, the voice becomes crystal clear. what does it sound like? does it actually belong to craig? is it male, female, or animalistic? what physical responses do you have to hearing him speak? how does it make you feel?

Hudson squints, confusion etching its way across his face as the demon attempts to speak. A shiver runs down his spine as the voice clears up. It's male, deep and unearthly. It feels ancient and powerful, like something that belongs to creatures that lurked in mausoleums or ancient temples. The sound reverberates inside his head, feeling as if it is everywhere and nowhere at once, inescapable and ever present, demanding of respect and obedience, a sound that has Hudson seizing in place. It is not Craig's voice. A mistake, for if it wanted to render Hudson to his knees, he shouldn't have gone for someone who inspired so much wrath and defiance in the demigod. "Who the fuck are you," HUDSON snarls, hands reaching back for his swords.

there's a snarl of a smile that slices along the demonic visage's face. craig licks his lips and watches the hostility that brews in your veins. "am i answering the question or you going to attempt to kill me?" the voice booms with power. you hear it in your mind as well as in your ears, seeping into your bones, down to the marrow. "because we can do either or both if you wish, son of fear."

As if he couldn't get any creepier or more deserving of a few punches and stab wounds, he went and did that thing with his tongue. "Keep wearing that ugly mug and acting like a little shit, I might just go with the latter." Hudson pulls out his swords, just in case the creature does anything funny. Given his last encounter, the way it went, and the disheartening way his fellow demigods had reacted towards him in the end, the son of Demios was less inclined to be as trusting as he typically was. "What are you, who are you and why are you wearing that asshole's face?"

craig laughs, it's a broken, discordant sound that echoes and echoes until they both sit in silence. both mixmatched eyes stare at you as he stands there, arms folded defiantly over his chest, not scared of you.

"i'm an echo of your father's power, dormant until now." craig waves a hand to his face, gesturing toward it. "you tell me, kid. you're the one who sees me like this. it's your mind, not mine." another laugh and he shifts, the scales on his neck shimmer like obsidian, as if they're growing before they rest again.

The laughter causes shivers to run up and down his spine, settling into his chest like a battery of violent panic waiting to be expelled. There's confusion at first. Father? Craig may have been his step-father, legally, but he was never a father to him. And then, he realizes, the creature meant Deimos. Understanding dawns on the demigod's face, then pain. Craig was the first real monster he ever encountered. He was the monster. The one that still occasionally plagued him in his dreams, the reason why he was so broken and useless, a creature so foul that even in death he still manages to hurt him and his family, still haunting them, striking them when they least expect it. His abilities made him feel monstrous. They made him feel like Craig. It made sense, why this thing before him would appear as his abuser if he was his father's power. An echo of it or not. "He was a monster," Hudson murmurs, lowering his weapons. "Sometimes, when I use my abilities, people look at me the way my family and I looked at him."

there's a flicker of amusement on craig's face as he licks his lips, tongue trailing over sharp teeth. "people view fear as a monster." he says to you, standing as still as stone as he watches realization dawn on you.

"are you a monster, son of deimos? or are you something more?" he asks you, head lilting to the side as one of his eyes—the red and gold flecked one—illuminates as if to see if you're lying to him or yourself.

Shoulders square up, jaw tensing at the question. There's an urge to run the moment that eye is on him, but Hudson manages to squash it, taking a step back. "I'm a monster," Hudson admits, shame creeping its way into him. "What else would you call someone who enjoys terrifying others?" He knew what fear did to people, how it could ruin them, how it can break them and yet at times he found himself relishing in their fright. And it wasn't just with people who deserved it, but with others, ones who obviously didn't, like Dane and Yves. And while it wasn't something he did often, the mere fact that he could do it and that he's had to fight against his instincts to keep himself from doing was proof enough that there was something terrible inside of him.

"But, I want to be something more," he admits, his gaze meeting the creature's. "My da-- uh, Floyd, my step-dad, he says that sometimes what the world needs is a monster." The bar door swings open, and people begin to stumble out, a small group lingering by a car near the entrance, as if they were waiting for something. Hudson's eyes flicker over to them, briefly, only long enough to settle on a tattoo of a swastika on one of the man's arms. "Like, Stalin." He says, straightening up. "He's been dead for seventy somethin years but, he still scares the shit out of people." Hudson smiles, a memory of Floyd educating him on the Soviet leader coming to surface. "He was a hero, but westerners think he's a monster, especially his enemies. But his people? His people love him. Because he was their protector, their leader--- their champion. He made life better for them and he kept the real monsters away."

craig shifts in the streetlights, in the gleaming neon sign of the bar. the scales almost glimmer with the light before the smile is back on his face, a hum that sounds like a sleeping dragon slowly parting his lips, breaking through the cage of his teeth.

"but do you think you have it in you to be that monster? to be that hero they need? what if being the monster causes you to lose the ones you love?" it's a bombardment of questions, one after the other, eyes never leaving yours. "because you may enjoy the fear, that hunger for it, but afterward, are you okay with yourself?"

"Yes," Hudson thinks to the Neo-nazis nearby, the way he nearly killed a few of them. He told himself, the cops, and the club owner that it was because they were waiting outside to harass a dancer, but he knew, he just wanted to ruin a few lives that night and he took gleeful delight in doing just that to other monsters. "Besides, I don't have a choice. I have to." He pauses, thumbing the hilt of his shortswords. "I feel... useless in battle. Most of the time, I feel like I'm not even needed." He had to figure his place on the battlefield, but how was he supposed to do that when he couldn't be himself in his entirety. "I... I have to accept myself, even if I don't like what I might become."

He stares at the face of the man he blames for Denver's death, the person who actually killed her through the pain he caused. He supposed, he had to be like him in a way. He had to stop trying so hard to get people to like him, to be what others hoped and expected of him. "I've already lost someone because I couldn't become one fast enough... as a kid." His eyes fall to the ground. "If I don't do it now, then I'm gonna lose the rest of them." His eyes snap to the neo-nazis, frowning as the puffed away at their cigarettes. "I have to be okay with myself, because if I don't..." A breath. "I know I'll feel even worse if someone dies all because I didn't like how it made me feel in the end."

craig looks at you and notices how your attention constantly flickers away from him to the passersby of the club, to the men that you've already dealt with. he shakes a finger, wagging it from side to side.

"this is not your past, kid. we're not here to relive it." the scene shifts, the club is still there, the bright neon sign still buzzes over head, still flashes every now and then like it might go out. but the streets are empty, the line is gone, there is no one around but the two of you. "all this talk about being okay with becoming a monster, with needing to be one to save people, feeling useless." he steps around you and you can still feel his gaze lingering on you, a heavy stare that burns you to your marrow. "so what if you are? what if that's all you'll ever be." he stands behind you, whispers into your ear. "if you want to be a monster all you have to do is let it out." a breath, a pause. "so do it."

Useless is all he has ever been. He could never protect his mother and sisters from Craig, instead of saving them, he condemned them to a life of suffering, pain and abuse far apart from each other. Making friends was always hard as foster kid, but even harder when you're placed in a community of solely whites who despised you simply because of your skin color and your culture was different than theirs. And when other children of color finally began to attend the same school, he failed to protect them from bullying. There was nothing worse than having hope that you wouldn't be alone anymore only to come to school one day and find that your new friend had transferred out all because you couldn't do enough to protect them from the bullies.

A wave of goosebumps course over him as it stops and whispers, drawing a silent snarl out of the demigod. The voices in the back of his mind grow in a panicked frenzy, bickering with one another as to what he ought to do. Fight him. Run away. Kill him. Hide. Black wisps begin to circle them, threatening to drown them both in a bubble of darkness. A sharp ringing in his hear drowns them out, the same ringing he heard night he shot Craig. He could remember the rush he felt pulling the trigger, emptying the clip of the gun to the man. He felt powerful, in control, and above all else, he felt relief. This darkness inside of him wasn't something he inherited from Deimos, it was from Craig, and it has twisted and tainted every part of him and morphed him into something ugly-- a reflection of his abuser. All of his life he's been fighting so hard to prove to himself that he wasn't like him, but he was tired, so tired of constantly monitoring himself.

Maybe he should let it out. It felt good killing Craig. It felt good stabbing those bullies. It felt fantastic beating neo-nazi's to a pulp. It was useful in juvie, and in prison. But was violence and fear the solution to everything? Was it what all of them really needed? The kids, it wasn't their fault they were that way. Maybe it wasn't any of their faults, but... the kids, at least, they could have been saved. Bullying and racism were learned behaviors. They were young enough to be saved the state had investigated and done their jobs right. The gods deemed Lamia a monster, and he helped her free herself from their prison. Could he do that again if he simply let the darkness take over? The darkness had a way of twisting thoughts, would it even cross his mind if it were to happen again? Could a monster save a monster? "Don't tell me what to fuckin' do!" Hudson hisses, whipping around to strike at the false Craig with both shortswords. "That face doesn't get to bark orders at me anymore."

CRAIG begins to snicker viciously in your ear, almost like he can read your thoughts. each wicked thought that flutters through your mind is something that he almost relishes in, wants to provoke.

"i'm not telling you to do anything. think of it as a forceful suggestion." as you whirl around, shortswords in hand to slash at him, the demonic cisage of your childhood abuser isn't there. there's nothing there except a fading form that looks like one of the many people you've let down. "boo." craig's voice whispers again, omnipresent and consuming, as a large claw pushes forth from the shadows that flicker around you. he misses, the dark talon like fingers whizzing passed your bicep as he laughs maniacally. "you never did listen. you always do what you want." he shakes his head, one bottomless eye focusing on you intently. "why do you think you're always alone in the end? what is it about you that makes people so afraid to get close?"

A forceful suggestion. If he wasn't wearing the face of an asshole, Hudson might have found that funny. The ghostly vision of Denver causes Hudson to stall, his heart stammering against the his chest. How?! Denver! Where did he go? A memory? It's a trick! Look around, you idiot! A ghost? No, it's not her--- Pay attention! Behind you. Turn around! He's behind you! Focus! Watch out! Never have the voices ever banded together in such a way, their panic and urgency to turn causes Hudson to actually listen for once and spin around-- barely dodging the attack. The dark wisps of his paranoia swarm around him to fully form the dark bubble of he typically loathed to use. His pulse quieting, letting his paranoia blanket him in the security of his darkness, feeling shielded from that terrible gaze. There have been so many hours--- possibly years worth--- of time the demigod had waste trying to figure that out. Why was did he always end up alone, why were people so afraid. It was racism. It was because he was so fucking tall. It was because people could sense he was damaged, mentally unwell and beyond repair. Or they could sense he was a killer-- that he was prone to violence. It was because he was too emotional, too trusting, too volatile. Then he found Olympus and he thought he finally figured it out--- he'd be unconsciously using his abilities and his lack of control cause all the fear. When Gideon never came home, he thought maybe he's cursed. But now? Maybe he wasn't meant to be with anyone. Maybe some creatures are meant to be alone. It would make sense, now that he thought about it, if that were the case. Monsters like Craig can't help but inflict terror and pain on those around him. Consumed by emotions, unable to control himself. It sounded an awful lot like himself. Maybe the universe was doing him a kindness, keeping him from fully realizing his worst nightmare. "How would I fuckin' know?" Hudson snarls, attempting to aim another strike at the demon again.

the fear that settles inside of you is enough to satiate the hunger that this creature seems to crave. the dark scales around his neck almost glisten, shimmering different shades of red to black as the dark wisps of energy pulse from you in waves. the pain rockets through him, pushing out an unhinged laugh that echoes in your mind like a gong.

he side steps the swing of your sword easily and makes his own attack again. the dark claws pulse as they scratch against your neck, a thin line that instantly starts to trickle blood.

with that cut, it's as if other things begin to pour forth. you see the way GIDEON used to look at you, how he held your hands and told you that you're not a monster, how he sat with you when you were falling apart when you would think about what these abilities of yours did to your friends, how he promised that he would never look at you like a monster. you see your sister's who looked at you the same way. you see the friends you've slowly begun to make looking at you like perhaps there's something wrong, but maybe they know they can trust you if the time called for it. you see yourself, somehow, standing where CRAIG once stood, claws of darkness dripping with your own blood before CRAIG'S face is staring at you again. maybe CRAIG isn't the thing you fear the most. maybe you've been fearing yourself all this time.

This wasn't working, it was clearly getting off on this. Which only served to infuriate and frustrate Hudson even more. He had to think of something else, of some way else to beat him. That feeling of uselessness creeping up on him again. At least, this time, he was alone. No one to protect, no one to disappoint but himself.

The burn of its claws against his neck draws a frown from Hudson, and for a moment he half expects the attack to come with bone deep excruciating pain but the sight of his loved ones and allies is so much worse. He wants so badly to be better for them, so badly to be what they expect him to be. But with it comes hesitation, comes uncertainty, a constant need of approval.

The sight of himself in Craig's place was unsurprising. It's how he felt he appeared after taking Credence out in the games, and after killing those goblins. He was a nightmare to them. He could feel the wave of fear shifting from to a fear of him. The guilt that came after was heavy. Why did they have to look at him like that? To feel like that? He was nothing like Stalin, a mere mortal who inspired such hope in his people and fear in his enemies, one would think he wasn't human in some way. The first time his allies looked at him in terror, Hudson knew, there was no chance he could do both.

Hudson knew what he could become. He's heard it over and over again. The abused grow up to become the abusers.

Of course he's been fearing himself.

He's caught himself in moments empathizing with his abuser. How could he not fear himself? "Is that all you've got?" Hudson snarls, trying to recompose himself. "You just gonna scratch me and make me feel bad?" He wipes away at the blood on his neck with a forearm, then lets a wave of dread pour out of him towards the creature. "I've fucked people who've done a better job at that than you-- you know, as a fun sexy time game." Well, maybe not so fun.

"tsk, tsk, tsk." CRAIG'S face is in rfont of yours now and his body grows even larger. the room area of outside of the club begins to shift once more, as if pieces of a mirror are breaking away, piece by piece the road is gone and the club is gone and the two of you are standing some place new, some place else.

where is this place? what does it look like? does it bring good or bad memories to you?

the energy shoves off you and slams against CRAIG and he winces a little at the contact but it doesn't grab hold of him. he smirks, licking his lips and you notice his tongue is forked—a truly demonic visage.

the visage of your guardian laughs, head throwing back as waves of darkness begin to form around him into sharp blades. they lash out and latch onto the sides of your face, digging into your temples before his eyes close and he attempts to latch a third one onto you. he misses, but two is enough.

there's a quiet pulse of something that silences everything around you and your eyes blow wide. "tell me what would kill you to lose. tell me what you fear the most."

he looms over your and locks eyes with you, but you shrug the feeling off, the sense of dread that can be all consuming and paralyzing, the same feeling you've felt before, over and over again and again.

Despite the creature having stated they were in his mind, and having managed to clear out the entire parking lot with little effort, Hudson hadn't quite believed it until now. The parking lot and club shatter away, and in its place was a gaudy pink and maroon dining room with teal accents obscured by the mountain of Beanie Babies and Furbies lining the walls and china cabinets. Hudson could recognize this hellscape anywhere. He may have no been invited to many homes as a child, but he was absolutely certain no one other than Mr. and Mrs. Young own so many terrible toys.

Hudson's gaze, however, wasn't trained on the ugly piles of cheap 90s obsessions. It was focused solely on the twelve unconscious familiar faces bound to the Chippendale dining chairs surrounding the table. The demigod doesn't have time to react to the change, the creature's attacks piercing him and pulling a scream out him. For a moment, he thinks about getting away, so that the table was between himself and false-Craig but then the people he loved would be in danger, the very danger he wanted to shield them from. "Fuck you," Hudson bites out, desperately trying not to look towards the faces of his sisters, his mom, of Floyd, or Gideon or Lamia and the kids.

This was a nightmare. One that plagued him almost nightly now. A terrible mish mash of memories thrown together, mutated and merged into something far more horrifying than reality, all of it combined with his fear of things to come. Hopefully, this thing was as needy to be the center of his enemy's attention as he was. He was certain he wouldn't able to fight off all three monsters. Was he feeding the creature with his abilities? The bubble of darkness drops, and Hudson hopes, that maybe just maybe this thing has fears of it own. Black pulses through his veins and into his swords and he takes another swing at the creature. "I'm not going to lose anyone else! I'm not going to let things like you, or any other supernatural thing take them from!" He was going to keep what he had left, even if it meant dying for it.

with a wave of his hand, the weapons in your hands disintegrate, falling away like ash. the scene changes again and this time, you're back in your room on olympus. it's just as messy as you've left it, piles of guns in the corner, piles of things on the bed, a spot on the floor where you curl up to sleep. some of gideon's clothes that you've been using as a pillow still liter the floor.

"i think i've begun to understand you, but i don't think you quite understand yourself." the red eye lined with gold and the abyssal black eye focus on you, the scales seem to move, growing with each breath and falling away with the exhales.

"you wish to be a shield for the monster's of the world at the expense of turning into one yourself." craig shifts and he's behind you once more, you can feel his presence and it changes. there's not necessarily fear but an understanding, a sense of protection that fills you.

"i am not your enemy, hudson boyd, son of deimos. i am an echo of his power that lives within you, taking the shape of what you will me to be." craig sighs, "but i believe there is things you need more than fighting me, because fighting me is fighting yourself and i do not think you can win."

Eyes widen as the weapons vanish before him, his heart plummeting as his room comes into focus. This whole time in the Underworld, he's been rushing to get home, to run out and find Gideon. But now that he was back, even if it was only in his mind, it hurt to be home. It felt wrong, emptier, and so much darker knowing that Gideon wasn't here-- in this realm. He for one of the discarded shirts, holding it carefully as if it too could disintegrate like his swords had. He rubs the fabric between his fingers, shutting his eyes as he presses it against his face, breathing it in.

Hudson watches the creature out from the corner of his eyes, frowning at this words. No, he supposed he didn't. He's been trying so hard to be accepted by others, to be seen as worthy of love and affection to the point of changing himself that he may have lost himself in the process. His shoulders relax as the aura around the demon changes. "What things?" He asks, shutting his eyes and trying as instructed, willing the echo to change into Gideon. He knew nothing good would come of it, but he missed him so much it hurt to breath, all he wanted was to see him again.

does the voice change to gideon's as well?

yes.

as you turn you're met with a familiar sight and it makes your heart hurt just a little. gideon's mahagony eyes stare at you as he watches you inhale the scent of him, watches memories pass through.

but you know, on some level, that this isn't gideon. even if it looks and sounds like him.

"you need to understand that you aren't a monster and that wanting to do whatever it takes to defend those you love doesn't make you one." gideon pauses, shifting in the light of the room. "it makes you relentless, unyielding, but not a monster." he walks closer to you, picking up idle pieces of clothes and folding them, placing them somewhere neater—something gideon would do when you were sleeping or lounging about in your room.

"embrace the darkness but don't let it consume you to the point it changes who you are. you're more than fear, hudson. you're more than darkness."

gideon moves and rests a hand on your cheek and it's almost like you feel the familiar warmth of his palm.

"it will be hard to do, but will you try? let the darkness in, let it out, but know when to pull back. you are not the monster's that you've faced before. break the wheel, break the cycle."

Hudson's mouth goes dry at the sight. For a moment, he finds himself questioning his sanity, if any of this was real or if he was simply having another breakdown. He watches and listens to Gideon, his sight blurring as tears begin to well up. It's not him, he knows this, but he feels and sounds so real. His face screws up, unable to hold back the waterworks any longer, and reaches out for the man, arms wrapping around him, clinging to him as if that would keep him there, as if it would bring him back. He lets out a sob, but nods at his guardian's request. "Y-yes, I can try," he chokes out, arms tightening around the muscular body.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." His body quakes with another sob, an overwhelming guilt weighing down on him. The apologies aren't toward his guardian, rather to the image of Gideon--- as if speaking to him could some how find its way back to the actual demigod. "I should have been there with you." No one deserved to die alone, without the company of a loved one near by to ease them into the afterlife. "You deserved better."

the guardian is still when your arms wrap around him but, slowly, he wraps them around you in an embrace and holds you while you fall to pieces. the sobs rattle your body and wet the front of his shirt—the same one you were smelling only moments before—but there's no real wetness to it.

he pulls you away from him as you finish and looks at you in your eyes.

"with my help, if you accept it, you will never have to apologize again."

he wipes wayward tears from your eyes with the pad of his thumb.

"are you ready to accept your birth right, son of deimos?"

It hurts, but Hudson nods. "Yes," he straightens himself out, sniffing back snot as tries to stand tall. "I am." A brief pause, and then shyly, just above a whisper, he says "thank you." For letting him get that out, for accepting it, and him.

"we'll see each other again." gideon says and turns to walk out of the room.

you wake up back in the makeshift camp that the demigods have made in the underworld and you can feel your face stained by warm, wet tears. he wipe them away quickly as you lay down, looking up at the tent you've acquired.

it takes you a while, but you go back to sleep with a buzzing under your skin. you find that you don't have a nightmare for the first time since you can remember. there's a shard of something else, though that blooms in your chest.

there's fear. but there's something else there, too. something fear can't live without.

hope.

when you wake up, you feel more rested than you have since before you can remember. but more importantly, you feel strong.

in more ways than one.

end.

#hb #path #was gonna put something more serious as a graphic but #i decided it needed some cute to balance out the sad

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recentanimenews · 4 years

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Netflix Reveals Upcoming Slate of Anime Titles for 2021

Additional reporting by Daryl Harding

During the Netflix Anime Festival 2020, the streaming company announced 16 anime titles coming to the service. Hosted by Hisanori Yoshida with special guest Rio Uchida, the two walked through the company’s upcoming anime from previously announced series to upcoming features. The announcements below are in alphabetical order.

Baki Hanma

The story of the strongest parent-child fight in history comes to its climax in the 3rd part of the Baki Hanma series, subtitled ‘Son of Orge,’ premiering on Netflix in 2021. Manga creator Keisuke Itagaki drew a special illustration of Baki for the announcement.

The most dysfunctional father-son relationship of all time reaches its climax when Baki Hanma faces off against the Ogre himself in next year’s season of Keisuke Itagaki’s brutal fight series! pic.twitter.com/Y0mEC8PmS8

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

B the Beginning Succession

The second season of the popular B the Beginning anime series was announced during the presentation, entitled B the Beginning Succession. Netflix showcased the first images from the series as well as the new staff members.

They might have solved their last case, but Keith and Koku aren’t finished yet. Here’s your first glimpse at B: The Beginning Succession’s story of detectives and killers in a high-tech world, arriving next year. @ProductionIGinc pic.twitter.com/spcWDOFUh7

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Ichiro Kawasaki takes over from Kazuto Nakazawa as the director of B the Beginning Succession at Production I.G. with Nakazawa returning in a supervisory role and the rest of the staff and cast returning for the second season that is scheduled to stream in 2021.

Eden

Netflix released a brand new trailer and visual for the four-episode original series Eden, directed by Yasuhiro Irie with animation production by Qubic Pictures, coming in May 2021.

Sometimes a family is a human girl, a robot, and another robot. EDEN follows Sarah and her mechanical adoptive parents as she confronts a strange, beautiful world, arriving May 2021. pic.twitter.com/1foOcAT8Eh

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Godzilla: Singular Point

During the presentation, the first visual and teaser trailer for the upcoming Godzilla: Singular Point anime series from Studio Orange and Bones roared its way through the presentation hall.

When danger comes up from the depths, only young geniuses Mei, Yun, and their team can face the threat in Godzilla Singular Point! Take a first look at next year’s new series featuring the classic monster. @CG_Orange_eng @TOHO_GODZILLA pic.twitter.com/B7VWyGb3ZZ

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

The series will feature character designs by Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist) and a new Godzilla design by Ghibli animator Eiji Yamamori. The series is currently scheduled to broadcast in April 2021.

High Rise Invasion

Netflix will release an anime adaptation of High Rise Invasion, based on the manga series by Takahiro Oba and Tsuina Miura (Ajin), in February 2021. The first two visuals of the series was released as well as the staff and cast. Directed by Masahiro Takata, with animation production by Zero-G.

As Yuri finds herself in a bizarre world of endless buildings and masked killers, she’ll do whatever it takes to find her brother and escape. Next year, discover the secret of the skyscrapers in action horror series High-Rise Invasion. pic.twitter.com/ShFLIYsKHL

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Yoichi Ueda does the character designs, while Toko Machida works on the series composition, with music from tatsuo and Yoichi Sakai. Haruka Shiraishi, Shiki Aoki, Akira Sekine, Junya Enoki, and Yuichiro Umehara all lend their voices to the anime series.

Pacific Rim: The Black

After being announced in 2018, the first animated visuals and images of Pacific Rim: The Black anime series, based on the cult film series from Legendary Pictures, was released. The presentation showed off the opening title sequence of the 2021 series from Polygon Pictures and co-showrunners Craig Kyle and Greg Johnson.

Long ago, humanity defeated the Kaiju. Now, they’re evacuating Australia. In 2021 join a pair of siblings and their battered, long-abandoned Jaegar as they battle across a continent of danger in Pacific Rim: The Black. @Legendary @POLYGONPICTURES pic.twitter.com/P5ZHZYv9OQ

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness

Announced in September, TMS Entertainment and Quebico (the same studio behind Resident Evil: Vendetta) will be producing a brand new original series based on the Resident Evil franchise, featuring Resident Evil main characters Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield.

When biohazards run wild, only a pair of veteran zombie slayers can get the job done. Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness is a new original series set in the canon of @CapcomUSA_’s classic survival horror franchise @RE_Games, coming next year. pic.twitter.com/nuBKVgXuzp

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Rilakkuma's Theme Park Adventure

A continuation of the Netflix anime series, directed by Masahito Kobayashi with animation production by dwarf studios and San-X Co., Ltd.

Grab your tickets and get in line for a new series of stop-motion adventures with Rilakkuma and Kaoru! Join Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Kaoru as they explore an amusement park in its closing hours when Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure arrives next year. pic.twitter.com/qU2qzSl7pH

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Spriggan

After originally being announced on October 5, Netflix released the first trailer and visual for the newest adaptation of Spriggan. Based on the 1980s to 1990s manga series written by Hiroshi Takashige and drawn by Ryoji Minagawa, the new adaptation will be released on the platform in 2021.

As the armies of man battle over ancient relics, one organization will do all it can to seal them away. Here’s a first look at 2021’s anime series adaptation of legendary action manga Spriggan in action! @DPInc_official pic.twitter.com/ukTzI0nlMS

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Spriggan is directed by Hiroshi Kobayashi (Kiznaiver), with character designs from Shuhei Handa (Little Witch Academia) and series composition from Hiroshi Seko (Mob Psycho 100), and will be produced at david productions.

The Way of the House Husband

Based on the award-winning manga by Kousuke Oono, J.C.Staff will head the production of The Way of the House Husband. The series will be directed by Chiaki Kon, with Kenjiro Tsuda playing the main character Tatsu.

Japan’s most evil yakuza makes its cutest househusband! Follow Tatsu’s journey from underworld legend to domestic bliss when the anime adaptation of Kousuke Oono’s hit comedy manga The Way of the Househusband premieres in 2021. pic.twitter.com/V7tdVIaYVc

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Thermae Romae Novae

A new season of the award-winning Thermae Romae series was announced during the presentation, entitled Thermae Romae Novae (novae means new!). A visual for the upcoming series was released. Mari Yamazaki will be drawing new episodes for the series. Production by NAZ.

When Roman Empire bath designer Lucius ends up in modern Japan, he’ll find the two cultures aren’t so different after all. The anime adaptation of Mari Yamazaki’s bathhouse comedy Thermae Romae Novae hits the screen in 2021! pic.twitter.com/SeS1ZMS83W

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan

All four episodes of the OVA anime series for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure spin-off Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan will be coming to Netflix in 2021.

To truly capture the ways of the world, this manga artist will scour the globe for inspiration! All four episodes of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure spin-off Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan make their Netflix debut 2021. pic.twitter.com/cONOzo0d3B

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Transformers: War For Cybertron Trilogy

Netflix announced during the live stream that the second chapter of Rooster Teeth's Transformers: War For Cybertron will be coming soon.

With the Allspark lost and Decepticons trapped on a dying Cybertron, Optimus Prime pushes the Autobots to the limit in the depths of space. EARTHRISE, the second chapter of the Transformers: War for Cybertron trilogy, is coming soon. @RoosterTeeth @Hasbro pic.twitter.com/up6g4Qt3QB

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

TRESE

New anime series based in Manila, TRESE, was announced. The stream noted that because the series is being created in the Philippines, the creators will have a different perspective of Manila than someone not from the city.

Aswangs of Manila, beware: Alexandra Trese is coming for you. Enjoy this very first look at TRESE, coming soon on Netflix. ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/BpiRc6WhjQ

— Netflix Philippines (@Netflix_PH) October 27, 2020

Vampire in the Garden

Vampire in the Garden, a new original anime series from WIT STUDIO, was announced by Netflix. The vampire series, which is being directed by Ryotaro Makihara (The Empire of Corpses), with character designs and animation direction Tetsuya Nishio (Naruto) and art direction from Shunichiro Yoshihara (Attack on Titan), will be out on the platform in 2021.

Once, vampires and humans lived in harmony. Now, a young girl and a vampire queen will search for that Paradise once again. Here’s your first look at Vampire in the Garden, an original story from @WIT_STUDIO premiering next year. pic.twitter.com/9Z55Cn3ijV

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Yasuke

Yasuke, headed by MAPPA and directed by LeSean Thomas, released the first character sheets of the Black samurai Yasuke as well as the legendary Oda Nobunaga, both drawn by character designer Takeshi Koike.

A village in danger, a mysterious child, warring daimyo, and the greatest ronin never known all clash in a Japan of magic and mechs. Learn the story of the first African samurai when LeSean Thomas’s Yasuke, voiced by Lakeith Stanfield, arrives next year. pic.twitter.com/jCabzutMIv

— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

Lakeith Stanfield will voice Yasuke, with animation produced at MAPPA and music produced by Flying Lotus. Yasuke is scheduled for 2021 on the platform.

Netflix also discussed the current state of anime on the platform, saying that over 100 million households in nearly 100 countries around the world watch anime on the platform – which has one of the widest reaches of all streaming services –. In Japan, “almost 1 out of 2” households watch at least five hours of anime on the service every month, equal to at least one season of a 12 episode show.

Kyle Cardine is an Editor for Crunchyroll. You can find his Twitter here.

By: [email protected]

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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