#Inter Solar System Police

[fringefiction]

Cowboy Bebop #1 Comic Book Review

Plot Earth has become inhabitable in the future of 2071, and with a soaring crime rate, across the universe, the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP) deploy “a legalized contract system, in which registered bounty hunters [known as ‘Cowboys’] hunt and capture criminals for a cash reward.” On the spaceship Bebop are stationed three Cowboys — Spike Spiegal, Jet Black, and Faye Valentine. In the…

[encachette]

𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒘𝒃𝒐𝒚… ch. 1

3, 2, 1… 𝓁ℯ𝓉’𝓈 𝒿𝒶𝓂!

Ch. 2 here

❣ Dick Grayson x F!reader

❣ cowboy bebop au; neo-noir space western crackfic, loosely follows the plotline of the anime; animal(s) with human-engineered intelligence ❣ cw: angst, romantic and existential; begrudging friends to lovers; eventual smut; graphic depictions of (gun) violence ❣ MDNI ❣ Word Count: 6.4k ❣ Summary: The year is 2080. A ragtag team of bounty hunters traverse the galaxy aboard the Bebop, in search of their next few bands of Woolong (￦) and settling debts with their pasts.

❣ Author’s Note(s): 

Been on r/GWA lately and I kinda want a certain VA to translate Dick’s character into a GWA piece.  Sorry if you have never watched the anime, this is the only piece of fanfic I’ve ever written where I’ve actually cared to watch and/or read the source material. As always, feedback is appreciated.  I didn’t make Dick Grayson’s gun of choice the Jericho 941 (Spike Spiegel’s gun)  because it is Isr**li made (I’m a c*mm*nist from the American South, we like guns and hate g*n*cide).  You don’t have to watch the show to understand the story, hopefully. At least, I'm trying my best to make that the case. Anyway, enjoy.

Ch. 1: 3, 2, 1… 𝓁ℯ𝓉’𝓈 𝒿𝒶𝓂!

⋆｡°✩ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊✩₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ ✩°｡⋆

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．

｡･ﾟﾟ��　　         ･ﾟﾟ･｡

　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

　　　.   　　˚　　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　 　　 　　　　    ੈ✧̣̇˳·˖✶   ✦　　

In the glooming fog of dawn, two men in a spaceship adorned with the name “Bebop” whiz through the asteroid belt, hurtling away from the horizon of Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons colonized after Earth became virtually uninhabitable. Below, the metropolis surrounding Ganymede’s space station glowed neon, brilliant purples and eye-scorching blues fighting to get through the haze.

In one of those decrepit high rise apartments, a family of four, two mothers and two boys, sit around the TV, dinner trays upright and bathed by the schizophrenic glow of the television. One of the boys was flipping the channels, before his mother commands he pause on whatever program he landed on. “Eat your vegetables, bubba,” she encourages.

On the TV screen, a fuzzy duo appeared on the screen, exaggerated characters of a Western Cowboy from Earth and his milkmaid. A giant, flashing title card reads “Big Shot: For the Bounty Hunters,” while a raucous banjo screeches diegetically all throughout the man’s speech.

“On today’s bounty roster, the feds are kickin’  a whoppin’ ￦3,000,000 for the capture of Doctor Pamela Isley, operating under several botanical themed aliases.” 

The mothers’ ears perked up at the bounty reward and they tune into the rest of the program, doing their best to interpret the thick hyperbolic American southern accent emanating from the screen, foreign on the cowboy’s tongue.

“The Inter-Solar System Police believe Dr. Isley to be ridin’ toward Mars with a gang o’ goons from the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate.” A few cartoonish gun shots ring out. The insipid banjo, now accompanied by an off-tune harmonica, seems to be magnified by the sickly neon glow emitted from the TV, old enough to be floating out there with the space junk. 

The milkmaid, which upon further inspection was actually a rather curvy blonde, in Daisy Dukes and a plaid button up that put her breasts on display. She provides an exaggerated, pornish dimension to the program that often has the mothers clutching their pearls and covering their sons’ ears. But not today. Today, they wondered, What could be so bad about this fugitive that the ISSP would offer such a high reward?

“Oh, no!” the hussy wails, “Not Red Dragon!”

“Oh, yes!” the man responds with a slap on her ass, bleating like a goat, and turning around to put a bullet through a wooden Red Dragon prop. “Believed to be traveling under the alias Poison Ivy, Dr. Isley is wanted under suspicion of terrorist violence in Tijuana. Approach with caution. Wanted dead or alive by the ISSP.”

The crude cowboy lays another slap on the blonde’s ass, to which she yelps in a falsetto, “Oopsie daisy! The button on my shirt just— “

“Alright, that’s enough. Change the channel, honey,” one of the mothers drones out, snatching the remote control from the grubby little hands of her porcine child. 

Nobody bats an eye as the Bebop streaks through the cotton candy sky, horizon slowly becoming amenable to the neon metropolis as the view from the high rise window adjusts to the foreground. Jupiter loomed behind all the floating space junk and the silhouette of the skyline, stable and foreboding as the spacecraft disappeared into hyperspace.

.⋆⭒˚.⋆☾ .🪐˖☽⋆⭒˚.⋆

Alba City, Mars

It was cosmic, Dick Grayson swears it now.

The first time he sees you, you’re spending the last couple of bucks you have on some dog food for Haley, who was whining and nipping at the leather of your cowboy boots instead of standing guard like she was instructed. She acts as if I starve her, Dick huffs, shaking his head and stuffing his Beretta M9 into the gun holster underneath his leather jacket. As his towering figure approaches you, Dick is struck by how tiny you were compared to him, especially up close. A pretty girl, this random stranger, ripping open a small bag of kibble and pouring it into a makeshift bowl from the souvenir hat you swiped on your way out of the bodega. When you stand up straight and readjust the lengths of your hair so they stay put behind your ears, Dick gets a good look at you, unable to quell the interest. Flicking his cigarette butt into the trash and turning his head, Dick takes note of your lax smile, eyes glittering with affection for Haley. His eyes then land on his dog.

“Haley, girl,” he whistles, “there you are!” He starts to bend to the pitbull’s height, and opens his arms, “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for ya, Bitewing — come here!” The grey tail waves, white snout huffing the air and snorting with excitement when Haley figures out who dared to disturb her snacking. 

As owner and dog meet and rejoice at their reunion not two feet away from you, you take a second to appraise the companion of your new three-legged friend (who was adorably panting with joy, tongue floppin’), disapproving frown sprouting on your pretty face. What kind of dog owner would leave such a precious dog alone in these streets?, you thought to yourself.

“Leave my girl for one second and you’re beggin’ on the streets, huh Hales?” he says affectionately, scratching her behind ears before he addresses you, “Thanks for lookin’ after her.” 

When he hears no response he stops glances up to catch your disapproval transform into feigned friendliness.

“No worries,” you respond politely, taking stock of your surroundings and identifying the most efficient escape route.

“I saw that,” Dick says, turning on his usual boyish charm and nodding toward the proto-pet bowl. A quirk of his lips and a practiced smolder — reliable social shortcuts he liked to whip out whenever he wanted a woman to like him. 

“Dunno what you mean, chief,” you offer monotonously; emotionless, like you couldn’t be all that bothered to give him the time of day, but your heart starts hammering. Steady beat under your lungs, slight ring in your ear — you mentally get ready to reach for the gun sheathed inside your jacket. 

Dick frowns and straightens up, now looking down at you. Pretty eyes, if they weren’t shiftin’ all over the place, he thinks. He notices how silent your movements were despite the gravel on the concrete and what appeared to be hardy military-issued cowboy boots. You pull your Neo-esque sunglasses down to shield yourself.

“You okay?” his eyebrows knot in the middle. You notice a confident timber in his voice, cool and friendly, like he just wanted to help. Too earnest to be a cop, you think.

“No sweat,” you respond after a beat, finality ringing out with your voice as you turn and swiftly proceed toward your intended destination. Dick watches you walk down the block, black miniskirt waving along with your hair as you make a swift turn under a neon sign that glows in pink letters: “C’est La Vie.”

Dick scoops up his beloved dog, turning on his heel and bending down to lovingly chide, “We gotta have a chat about following orders, Hales.”

The dog just whines.

☄. *. ⋆

“Get anything?” Jason questions Dick when he boards the Bebop, Haley cradled in his arms as he kicks off his own leather boots. The older brother nods, tired and hankering for a snack. Haley settles on the rug in front of the clunky TV, salvaged from some horrid Earth tag sale over half a decade ago. 

“Spotted some Red Dragon goons patrolling around downtown.” Dick flexes his muscles and contorts himself into a stretches, groaning at the relief coursing through his aching body. “You got anything?” he asks before flopping down on the deformed excuse they referred to as a couch. 

From his seat in front of an array of computer monitors, Jason Todd, a handful of years younger than Dick, was in tunnel-vision mode as he read through case reports downloaded from ISSP’s poorly encrypted intelligence database. Each case bore the image of Poison Ivy, some criminal scum horticultural biochemist who had blown up several small towns in the Tijuana Asteroid Colony.

Jason takes a sip from his coffee mug before he debriefs Dick.

“Every bomb she set off was detonated at a Cherious Medical plant,” he reports, flipping through his file on her. “Chick’s probaby mad about the shit they dump into the atmosphere, I figure she’s gonna target the company headquarters here.” Dick mulls over the information. Something felt off.

“But why is she with the clan though?” he questions.

“Maybe she needed backup, who knows?” Jason shrugs. “Let’s just focus on nabbing her and calling it a day. Fridge is getting empty and I know Haley wants a can of wet food soon.” 

“Oh, the mutt already ate today,” Dick grumbles before turning his attention toward Haley, whose tail was now thumping rambunctiously on the couch, “Didn’t you, Hales? Didn’t you swindle some hot chick into feeding you? Yes you did! Good girl,” he coos, scratching his beloved baby under her chin. 

“Hot chick, huh?” Jason raises an eyebrow at his brother, knowing how Dick likes to spend his free time, how the sway of a woman’s hips could derail his attention. “No time for chicks. You saw how high the bounty is — this isn’t amateur hour, Richard. Focus.”

Dick just smiles wryly, carelessly flipping Jason the bird before moving to the next topic.

“Have you found out where the clan carries out operations here, now?” he asks his brother, “Saw nothin’ near their old haunts.”

 Jason usually takes care of OPSINT; it was easier to sit at a computer and do research, assembling a plan of attack. He couldn’t risk venturing outside without adorning his red mask, and he only really dared to leave the Bebop when necessary — like when a certain fugitive resurfaces. A certain fugitive who has massive bounties on her head because the ISSP couldn’t possibly marshal its infinite resources to fight crime if their asses depended on it. 

“Several of their usual hangouts have been shuttered, no reports of activity for a few weeks. But a few of our eyes and ears on the streets say they’re encroaching on all gambling territory throughout the city,” Jason answers, scrolling to pull up a map of Alba City and gesturing to Dick to come look at the screen. “All intel triangulates around this area.”

Dick wanders over, eyes widening in recognition when he reads the name of the location Jason highlights.

“Huh. Well I’ll be damned,” Dick mutters. Again, more to himself than anyone else.

“C’est La Vie? You familiar with it?” Jason asks. Dick’s usual playful disposition seems to deepen in intensity, sly grin plastered across his face as he states:

“Nope, but I’m sure I’ll see a familiar face.”

☄. *. ⋆

“Check, 1. 2. 3. Check, 1. 2. 3.” Jason’s voice comes through the comms piece in Dick’s ear, “Hello? Dick? Is this thing on? Check, 1. 2. 3.” The sound of Jason’s fidgeting with the buttons on his keyboard and readjusting his hardware. Somewhere in the background, Haley’s yips can be heard, faint and, as always, jovial.

“Alright, cut it out,” Dick hisses, “I can hear you fine.”

They had skipped lunch, both out of financial necessity and because taking the time to essentially kidnap and transport an eco-fascist terrorist required their full, undivided attention. Nevertheless, Dick was still in a grumpy mood, couldn’t help the inexplicable anticipation gurgling in his gut. He lights up an American Spirit, flicking the cap of his Zippo shut and inhaling the nicotine, delicious poison, getting closer and closer to the pink neon lights. C’est La Vie.

“Okay, I have the building blueprint in front of me. Just make sure nothing obscures the camera lens and I can direct you through the building,” Jason instructs. Dick just hums his understanding, blowing out a stream of smoke and looking down to ensure that there was nothing obfuscating the lens embedded in his jacket button, not even a piece of lint. Nifty little thing, he thinks.

“This is kinda cool,” Dick compliments, reasoning that small talk might calm his nerves, “Where do you find this shit?” Another drag, another exhale.

“Dad. Obviously. None of this stuff is on the market,” Jason says impatiently, “Now focus. This place is probably crawling with clan members.”

“Yeah, yeah. Quit nagging. I’m goin’ in,” Dick mutters, pushing through the revolving doors of C’est La Vie, an upscale pool hall with a swanky, circular bar platformed right in the center of the room. Toward the back, a jazz band lulled the patrons into a blissful reverie. Cheeks blushed and martini glasses clinked as men desperately tried to woo women with their pool skills. Two guys near the bar were laser focused on the one remaining black and white 8 ball in the center of the green, having placed a substantial amount of money on the game. Golden chandelier light ricocheted off at every angle, reflected in the floor to ceiling mirrors on every wall except the one behind the stage. Dick spots several obvious security cameras, lingering so Jason could see what he saw.

In an effort to blend in, Dick makes his way to one of the high stools, catching the eye of the bartender and giving him a nod. Gruff, if not a bit oafish, the bartender looks absolutely incongruent with his environment as he grunts his acknowledgement,

“What can I get you?” Dick just smiles, unaffected.

“Gin and tonic, please,” he says smoothly, naming the first drink that came to mind.

“What are you, an old Southern woman?” Jason’s voice crackles through comms, “Order a manlier beer next time.” Dick waits for the bartender to turn around before he spits out as quiet as possible, “Shut up. I’m going into the basement.”

He had spotted a trick door, down a hallway bathroom, hidden to most passersby, whose senses were too dulled by the cocktails and haze of lust permeating through the pool hall to actually notice the seven foot door camouflaged as part of the mirrored wall. He wasn’t too sure until a goon who resembled Bartender Oaf here, suspiciously looking over his own shoulder to make sure no one was watching, pushed the rectangular mirror-door and disappeared underground, head swallowed by the darkness.

“Not yet. Give a walkthrough of the room so I can make sure you’re not missing anything,” Jason directs.

“Roger.” Dick schools his face back into one of friendly, unprovocative politeness as he spots the bartender returning.

“Gin and tonic,” he grunts, unceremoniously placing the drink in front of Dick, no napkin to keep the clank of glass on the marble surface. “Cash or card?”

“Cash,” Dick responds, raising an eyebrow.

“Guy’s a little out of place, huh? Thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?” crackles through his earpiece. He waits for the bartender to make his rounds to the other end of the bar before he responds,

“Reckon he’s got a dragon tattoo on under all the ￦cDonald’s filet-o-fish sauce?” Jason gives a hearty chuckle, before inserting his own roast.

“Red Dragon’s lost its touch since I left, huh? These guys look like they wouldn’t last 2 seconds in hand-to-hand combat.” 

“Don’t need to know how to fight like a man if you got a gun on ya,” Dick whispers, throwing a couple thousand Woolong on the table for his drink.

“Please, that guy has no idea how to aim a gun. I’d bet money on it,” Jason jokes as he types a few things into the computer, “Now focus, Richard.” Clicking and clacking away before dictating his next set of instructions to Dick:

“I sent in a surveillance drone through the HVAC system fifteen minutes ago and it looks like there are four guys, probably armed, guarding a vault in the basement.” Some more clickety-clacking, before Jason’s voice takes a more concerned tone, “I don’t know where the vault entrance is though, it’s not in the official city blueprint for the building.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for the vault.” Dick picks up his glass, pretending to be immersed in the jazz musicians or the various games being played as he makes his way around the floor. Every once in a while he makes a show of sipping his drink before disappearing behind a corner to dump a few sips into a potted plant. Nothing out of the ordinary, Dick notes.

Pretty women and men in suits enjoying a night out in a city built on one of the wealthiest planets in the solar system. Dick had been born and raised on Mars, silver spoon thrust in between his little baby teeth after Bruce had rescued him from Haly’s Circus. His parents had apparently been performers, prostituted out as court jesters of the rich on Mars by a man only known as the Joker. Both had been murdered by a man named Slade Wilson in his feud with the Joker. 

He missed Mars, and cherished the missions that brought him back here. It was home.

“You can start making your way to the basement now,” Jason’s command breaks Dick out of his nostalgia. He clears his throat, pulling at the too-tight collar of his shirt before making his way toward the basement entrance. “One foot in front of the other, Grayson. Not too fast. Don’t look too eager.”

“Hey, Jason?”

“Yeah?”

“I know what I’m doin’,” Dick states matter-of-factly. 

“Right, I’ll shut up now.”

Usually, Jason was so aloof Dick had to pull his fuckin’ teeth out to get him talking. But today, the anxiety in his voice put Dick on edge, a feeling quite foreign to him. To soothe his kid brother, though they both were in their middling twenties, he attempts to inject a mood booster into the conversation,

“How hard can this be, huh? It’s just ￦3,000,000, no big deal,” he chuckles, albeit nervously. “Besides, we hold the record for the highest bounty won this decade. Relax, man.” He keeps walking toward the door, looking both ways before pushing through the mirror-door smoothly. No one batted an eyelash, even the supposed goons managing the floor.

“We hold the record for the highest bounty but it was ￦2,500,000 and we had to spend it all on Bebop repairs because SOMEONE wanted to play chicken with a fuckin’ MILITARY SPACECRAFT IN TIJUANA.”

Dick flinches at the volume, half a mind to rip the comms piece out of his ear.

“Geez, one time and I said I was sorry!” he whisper-yells, “Now shut up. I need to focus.” Jason just huffs in the mic, angrily clicking and typing but offering no response.

It was quiet. Too quiet. The piercing clear jazz became increasingly muffled the further Dick descended underground, punctuated by the creak of the wooden stairs. By the time the music was nothing more than a faint memory, Dick had made it down a dark hall, shivering even under his leather jacket, the smell of damp and mold assaulting his nose.

“Is something off to you?” Dick asks Jason, “I didn’t hallucinate that clan lookin’ dude come down here?” His voice rings out through the eerie quiet of the basement hall, lit every ten feet or so by a flickering sconce in desperate need of a new bulb.

“No, I saw him, too. It’s too quiet,” Dick can hear the scroll of his mouse as Jason zooms in on a screen. “Keep going, there’s another exit on the North wall. Leads to the back of the building and right out onto a side street.”

“Roger,” Dick affirms. “They have to be around here somewhere,” he muses quietly as he pulls out his Beretta, turning off the safety. No finger on the trigger, though. Not yet. A few rats behind him, feet clapping against the paved ground and forcing the hair on the back of Dick’s neck to stand up. Still, he keeps moving.

Up ahead, Dick could start to make out a few moans of pain, like a wounded animal. A feeble “help” rasped out in a breathless whisper. Dick followed the noise The closer he came to the source, the more clear the sound of a fist colliding with flesh, over and over and over again intermingled, then drowned out the cries for help.

Three men lay on the ground in front of a vault entrance, at least eight feet in height and wide fuckin’ open. The men on the ground right outside of the vault were either dead or about to be, sprayed with bullets from what looks like an automatic. Dick cocks his gun, alert and ready, taking care to step over the corpses before stepping inside the vault. Whoever was getting beaten to a pulp in there was holding on for dear life.

“Those are three of the four guys the drone caught on tape earlier. Fourth one has to be in there.”

Pointing his gun toward the entrance of the vault, Dick makes his way through a second door into a deeper chamber.

He almost drops his gun at the site in front of him. Almost.

☄. *. ⋆

In the middle of the fuckin’ room, which couldn’t have been bigger than a public bathroom, a big, burly man not like the oaf bartending upstairs was getting his ass handed to him by the pretty girl who had given Haley her lunch earlier today.

“Uh, Dick? What the fuck is going on?” Jason calls through the earpiece. Dick doesn’t answer, unable to tear his eyes away from the situation in front of him.

“One more time, babe,” you simper, “Maybe it’ll get through your thick fuckin’ skull.”

Dick watches you wind your fist back, admiring your form and recognizing your moves as ones honed by years of expert training. Military? ISSP?, he thinks to himself.

“WHERE,” Punch, “IS,” Punch, “SHE?!” Roundhouse kick. Dick almost cringes in on himself when he hears the crack of the guy’s jaw, your powerful kick coming out of nowhere and taking both men in the room by surprise.

You had ripped the guy’s jacket off, exposing his Red Dragon tattoo etched over his heart, adding color to the various smatterings of bruises you had littered across his face and torso. Poor guy is spitting out another tooth into a pool of blood at your feet, daring to challenge you.

“You’ll never get her,” he bares his teeth at you, simultaneously cowering and trying to crawl away from you. “Crazy bitch,” he pants out, attempting his damned hardest to heave his sack farther away as you pull out a 45mm, cocking it in his face. 

“You wanna say that again?” you taunt, venom thick on your tongue as your pistol whip the guy once more, enjoying the crunch of the magazine colliding with his cheekbone. The clan goon slumps to the ground, groaning and whimpering for his mother.

Now was probably a good time to intervene, Dick reasons.

“Oof, now that looks like it hurts,” he calls out, amused. “You got quite the punch on ya, don’t you darlin’?”

You whip around, gun now cocked and pointed at his chest. He noticed your finger on the trigger and your chest heavy. Out of shock, or panic, he couldn’t tell.

“Dick. What is going on? Who is this?” Jason’s starting to panic too. He could hear it.

“Oh, gonna shoot me already?” Dick feigns a heartbroken expression on his face, “I thought we could be friends, ya know.” You don’t lower your gun. “Since you were kind enough to feed my dog and everything,” he adds, a bit awkward.

You look down at your victim and back up at Dick so quickly he would’ve missed it had he been blinking. Dragon goon looks like he won’t be getting up any time soon, what with the broken appendages and swollen eye the color of puce. So you keep your pistol trained on this strange man in front of you, suspiciously eyeing him up and down. His combat boots were scuffed, leather jacket hiding a muscular, svelte build. You notice that his torso was too bulky for there not to be a gun holster under there and you kick yourself for not noticing this earlier when you were feeding that three-legged dog.

“Hello? Dick? What the fuck is goin’ on, man? You’re too far underground for the visual to transmit clearly.”

“Who are you? Why are you following me?” you demanded, no trace of fear or cowardice in your tone. Your frown deepens when he scoffs at your inquisition.

“Following you? Don’t flatter yourself, princess,” Dick smoothly rolls your tone off of his back, opting for a nonchalant smile. Dick prided himself in his ability to schmooze himself out of any sticky situation. “Now what’ve we got here?”

He makes a show of surrendering his weapon, situating his gun back into its holster, where he liked it best. Dick preferred hand-to-hand combat, rationalizing it as the most honorable way to engage in a one-to-one fight. Man to man. Or in this case, man to woman.

“Richard. Grayson. What the FUCK is going on? Did you just put away your weapon?” Dick could picture the vein popping out of Jason’s forehead with the effort it was taking him not to explode in fury.

Unfortunately for Dick, you only tighten your grip on your gun, snarling at him.

“I’m going to ask you one more time. Who are you?” you demanded quietly. Deadly.

“Just another bounty hunter,” Dick offers, voice all friendly and non-threatening, shrugging in your direction, “like you, I assume?” You don’t answer him, instead turning over all of your possible options in your head. He takes your silence as a concession. This lunkhead (albeit hunky, you concede that) was getting real close to meeting his grave, you thought.

“Not that I regularly come into contact with bounty hunters who are also pretty girls,” Dick muses aloud, eyes twinkling with mirth at the blush creeping across your face. Your eyebrows go up, but the frown remains. Ok, tough crowd, he thinks.

“This isn’t a joke, Grayson. What is going on? Can you find Poison Ivy or am I gonna have to come out there myself?” Dick decides now is the appropriate time to assuage his brother’s anxiety.

“I’m fine, Jason,” he says out loud, “Everything’s under control.” A huge sigh of relief crunches through Dick’s earpiece. 

“Then answer me next time, asshole.”

Your freaked-out shriek rings as Jason finishes his sentence.

“Who’s Jason? How many people are down here with you?” You start eyeing the vault entrance with panic, though never unsteady enough to let the gun in your waver from your intended target. 

“Relax, princess,” the stranger drones on, pointing to the comms piece in his ear. “It’s just my teammate,” he pulls at the wire to show you he was telling the truth. You look at it, relief flooding you. Still, you don’t lower your weapon.

“My name’s Dick. My partner’s name is Jason. We’re bounty hunters,” Dick makes sure to flash his million dollar smile, pearly whites with just the right, charming amount of crooked. You can’t help but think that he’s handsome. Pretty, even. You don’t answer. Your gun stays pointed at his chest.

“What’s your name?” he asks, after another awkward beat.

“My name doesn’t matter to you. You can leave, and we can forget this ever happened,” you retort, annoyed at the delay. You should’ve been hot on Poison Ivy’s tail by now, getting ready to take her into Bruce for your bounty reward. Your annoyance deepens by leaps and bounds at the next few words the handsome stranger throws at you.

“See, can’t do that now, can I, sweetheart?” He poses it like a question. Like a question he knew he wouldn’t get an answer to. “Seems like we might be lookin’ for the same thing, actually,” he suggests, leisurely approaching you while nodding at the couple of men you had to drop by the entrance to the vault.

“Back off,” you warn, seething at the thought of losing the bounty reward to this pretty boy over here, “She’s mine.”

“Yeah?” Dick looks amused, smugly so, “You and what army? Didn’t you know the bounty is in the millions?”

“So what?” you rebuke, indignant attitude and impatience lacing through with the usual venom of your tone.

“So what? So, princess,” he teases, “You’re gonna need a whole lot more than that little pistol if you’re gonna force a violent eco-terrorist all the way to ISSP Headquarters all by your lonesome. I wouldn’t bet money —” You cut him off with an ultimatum. 

“Okay, pretty boy, enough blabbering. Either get the fuck out or I paint these walls with your brains.” Your index is right on the trigger, thumb on the hammer of the pistol, and Dick nearly gulps when he sees it.

All of a sudden, in a flurry of shouting and sudden movements, Dick screams, “Watch out!” The goon by your feet had attempted to lunge at you when your attention was occupied by this interloper. A fools’ errand you thought, quickly recovering from the surprise,

“Bad move, bucko,” you declare with confidence before pulling the trigger of your gun, aimed at his last working appendage. The Red Dragon henchman doubles over at the bullet you put through his thigh, directly where his femoral is located.

In the seconds it takes for the altercation between you and your unfortunate opponent, it takes Dick even less time to get to you, pulling his own gun and taking advantage of the distraction created by the henchman to gain the upper hand. Henchman was going to die now anyway, so Dick trains his Beretta on you, no longer dumb enough to let your pretty face trick him into thinking you were just another harmless chick to ogle at.

You look up at Dick from your position on the ground, chest heaving from the adrenaline. Lips parted in panic as you scramble to train your gun back on him. Dick smirks, waggling an eyebrow to dare you to make the first move.

“You okay?” he asks quietly, attempting to keep the concern from seeping into his question.

“F-fine.” It was unconvincing, you knew that.

All of a sudden, both of you were taken by surprise as gunshots started firing upstairs, several shots a second. Bar patrons started screaming, mixing with the sounds of glass shattering and people scamering toward the exit, footsteps stomping on the ground above you and Dick in panic. You two look at each other, mirroring the panic you heard upstairs.

“We’ve got a situation up here. I have a live feed from the ground floor and it looks like some Red Dragon are down headed your way,” Jason’s voice crunched through the static once more, urgent and focused. “There’s too many of them, Dick. Locate that exit. Now.”

Dick tenses, uttering a terse “On it,” in acknowledgement to his brother. He turns his attention to you.

“Do you wanna make it outta here alive?” Dick asks you, solemn and impatient. No longer the easy-going flirt he was two minutes ago. Your eyebrows just scrunch in response, but your grip on the magazine loosens just the tiniest bit.

“Are you kidding me, Grayson!? We need to have a talk about you always thinkin’ with your dick when we’re on an active hunt.” Jason thinks about what he just said, adding “No pun intended.”

“What are you talking about?” you demand, “Who’s on their way here?” You raise your weapon, pointing it directly at Dick’s head.

“No time,” he responds, turning around and making his way out of the vault, so casual and with so much confidence in the belief that you wouldn’t pull the trigger . Dick stops at the door of the vault, not hearing the sounds of your footsteps following him. 

“You comin’?” He turns off the safety on his Beretta. You notice that his finger is on the trigger now, unlike when he had it pointed at you. 

It was a decisive moment that was so incongruent with your character; a choice that, to this day, you can’t explain. You followed a complete stranger, blindly pinning your hopes of avoiding gunfire on someone who was, by all accounts known to you, quite the negligent pet owner.

☄. *. ⋆

The two of you end up in front of the only other door in the basement.

“This has to be the exit, right?” Dick supposes. He pushes the handle, but the wood doesn’t give.

“How should I know?” you volley back, still unable to let go of your snark.

“How should I know?” Dick mocks your girlish voice, laying on the falsetto. He pivots — “Jason, what’s going on outside?” he says into his comms piece.

“No clue. Let me send the drone out,” Jason answers, pausing to add, “Alba City Police crafts are on their way though. You might wanna make yourself scarce in the next ten minutes and head back to the Bebop.” Dick pictures his little  brother at his computer with a map of active police vehicles in front of him, tracking the little red dots making their way across the screen. He takes a few more cracks at the door, ramming his large frame into the door.

You watch this sad display of chivalry for a few seconds before shoving him aside, surprisingly forceful for a girl your size.

“Get out of the way, Jesus Christ,” you huff, pulling your gun out. One, two, three clicks of the trigger and the lock stutters loose, destroyed beyond recognition.

“Are you crazy?! Way to give away our location!” Dick yells, about to lose his mind.

“Put your eyes back in their sockets, pretty boy,” you reply, sardonic and slightly annoyed that he wasn’t grateful, “Better than watching you shatter your little muscles, don’t you think?”

Dick just kind sputters at you, put out. Without a witty rebuke, he just mutters indignantly under his breath,

“They’re not little.” He looks down at his biceps, as if to confirm his assertion. You just giggle as you make your way out into the dark alleyway. As Dick follows you through the door, a few faint sirens form a chorus — probably less than two miles away now, he surmises by the volume. Overtaking you, Dick is quick on his feet as he leads the two of you down the alley way toward the only exit.

By the time you reach the street, a green car screeches to a halt in front of you, almost knocking you off of your feet.

“Watch where you’re going, moron!” you screech back, waving your fist at the driver, who just ignores you. The door of the backseat snaps open and a rather voluptuous woman emerges, ginger hair lit aflame by the setting sun. Her skin, tinged with chlorophyll and bespeckled with thorns, was weirdly beautiful, you thought to yourself. 

Immediately, both you and Dick had your guns trained on the woman, whom you recognize as Dr. Pamela Isley — the woman you’d been actively hunting for months now.

“Well, well, well,” Dr. Isley practically purrs, “We meet again, Dick Grayson.” She sends a flirty smile, imbued with bad intentions and toxicity, at the man standing next to you. You can’t help the look of disgust that crosses your face when you think about the two of them together.

“Dr. Isley,” Dick responds cordially, “Or is it Poison Ivy now? Impressive bounty on your head this time, huh?” His finger flexes on the trigger.

“Oh, you know how the media are,” she simpers, “Always looking for a snazzy name to keep the attention of you and your knitwit band of bounty hunters.” She’s unfazed as she takes a few steps toward you, clad head to toe in a green catsuit that does nothing to hide her curves. She looks you up and down, “Didn’t know you had a girlfriend, Dick.” The false smile she throws you is so sweet you feel your teeth wanting to rot out of their sockets.

“Don’t take another step,” you raise your gun, tightening your control of the weapon in your hand and readying your next shot, “Not if you don’t want a bullet in your brain.” That wipes the smile off of her face.

“Ugh, you’re no fun,” she grumbles toward you, stopping just a few feet in front of you and pulling two guns from behind her before pointing them each at you and Dick. Fuck, you start to panic. You sneak a glance over at Dick, who seems to be completely calm with a neutral expression on his face.

“Now,” the ginger takes a more assertive tone, “Lower your weapons, let me through, and no one gets hurt.” 

A few beats pass, though it feels like an eternity to you, before Dick slowly lowers his weapon. Great, an idiot who can’t call a bluff, you thought to yourself. 

“Good boy,” Dr. Isley says happily, then turns to you. “Your turn.”

“Put the gun down NOW and I blow a hole in your handsome boyfriend, here, honey,” she commands more authoritatively when you don’t make any move toward following her orders.

  “Listen to her,” Dick hisses at you, both of his palms up in surrender. You ignore them both, thinking through your possible routes of escape. Dr. Isley takes this time to address Dick, determined to grate on your nerves.

“Your girl here doesn’t seem to have working ears, Grayson,” she spits, now training both of her guns right at you.

Another few beats pass before Dr. Isley takes you both by surprise, screaming:

“NOW!”

Suddenly, a puff of what you assumed to be neon green glitter fills your vision and lungs when you exhale. A burning sensation starts scalding your head, your throat, your lungs. It was like your balance started to seep out of your body. That pulling in the deep pits of your stomach starts yanking, causing your knees to wobble and your vision to blur. Pretty streaks of green blur in front you and a faint shout of “No! Stay with me!” rings in your ears. You’re vaguely aware of a warm hand cradling your cheek as a black abyss overwhelms your senses, your grip on consciousness seeping out of you just like your balance. The last thing you’re cognizant of is your head about to hit the pavement, skull buffered by a large, warm hand before it could really hit the ground.

.⋆⭒˚.⋆☾ .🪐˖☽⋆⭒˚.⋆

[nanairoarts]

Excerpt from Cowboy Bebop: The Jazz Messenger - History (translation below)

HISTORY 西暦2022年、地球上空で開発中の位相差空間ゲートが大爆発を起こしたとき、すべては始まった。 爆発に巻き込まれた月の破片が地球に振りそそぎ、放射線汚染と環境の変化でもはや地表に人類は住めなくなってしまった。残された人類は地下シェルターでの生活を余儀なくされ、そこに入りきれない人々はほかの惑星へと移住せざるを得なくなった。幸い、研究段階にあったテラフォーミング技術が位相差空間ゲートにより実現のメドがたち、皮肉にも、人類はゲートにより地球から放り出され、ゲートによって地球以外の惑星で生活できるようになったのである。 国家は、なしくずし的になくなり、人種は入り乱れた。 西暦は終わり、宇宙暦が始まった。 時が経つにつれ、各惑星や衛星は独立国家へと姿を変え、 経済も徐々に復興し始める。スパイクたちの乗るような小型の宇宙船も、ぞくぞくと市場に出回ることになった(要免許) そのかたわらで経済格差も広が��ていき、スラム街も増え、犯罪は増加の一方をたどっていく(とくに宇宙暦初頭は法もロクに整備されておらず、犯罪組織が暗躍する時代でもあった)。 激増する犯罪に対抗するため、各惑星はついに太陽系刑事警察機構（I. S. S. P. = Inter Solar System Police）を設立、国家を超えた犯罪者に立ち向かうと同時に、賞金制度を設け、賞金稼ぎに対して超法規的措置（犯罪者をとらえるためなら多少の違法行為も帳消しにされる)をとることも決定した。 ゲート事故から50年、「ビバップ」はそんな混沌とした時代の物語である。

HISTORY

It all began in the year 2022, when a catastrophic explosion ripped apart a hyperspace gateway(*1) under construction in Earth's orbit.

Caught in the blast of the large explosion, pieces of the moon rain down onto the surface of the earth, rendering the planet uninhabitable due to widespread environmental destruction and radioactive contamination. What remained of humanity was forced to live underground in shelters. Those that could not find room in these shelters, were forced to migrate off-world. Luckily, the terraforming technology that was still in its research phase gained traction after the hyerspace gateway incident. Though it was the destruction of the gate that had forced humans from Earth, it was thanks to this very same technology that humans were able to establish a new life on planets beyond Earth.

Nations ceased to exist, and the races of old Earth began to mix.

And so ended use of the Western Gregorian calendar in favor of the Space calendar(*2).

Over time, each planet and satellite became its own independent nation and the economy began to recover. Smaller spaceships, like the one used by Spike and his crew, flood the market in droves (license required).

At the same time, economic inequality was rampant, there were more slums, and crime continued to rise (especially in the early years of the Space calendar when there were few laws in place and criminal organizations thrived).

In response to the surge in crime, the I.S.S.P (Inter Solar System Police) was established on every planetary body to fight against these interplanetary criminals. At the same time, a bounty system was implemented that granted bounty hunters extrajudicial power (which allowed the execution of any illegal acts committed in the process of apprehending criminals).

The story of Bebop takes place during this chaotic era, 50 years after the hyperspace gateway incident.

*1: I think a closer translation for the Japanese word for this gate, 位相差空間ゲート, would be phase shift gate, as that seems to be the scientific phenomenon referred to with the Japanese name, however, since your average viewer likely doesn't know what ‘phase shifting’ is, I understand why translators would go with a more localized term like ‘hyperspace’ or ‘astral gate’.

*2: I couldn’t find any references for how 宇宙歴 is translated in the English version. It’s possible the term was avoided altogether if it never showed up in dialogue.

[noblesixofhalo]

Fallout Bebop

Alright before I get started, I'm not trying to ruin anything or retcon Fallout or Cowboy Bebop for that matter, this is just something that I want to write about off an on as long as I am still committed to my playthrough of Fallout 4. (New Vegas requires a ton of space on my PC which I don't have right now sadly) It's not the greatest of writing but I'm not hear to write a masterpiece, just whatever comes to my mind. I will get the next chapter out by tomorrow maybe. I'm still trying to continue with where I left off on Saturday when I completed chapter. Anyway without further ado, let's get started. Btw the "tall skinny individual in the intro is not Spike lol, it's supposed to be me but as the main character in any Fallout game so it can be whoever. I don't spend much time making my character, I just play around with their appearance a bit and just give them a normal look to them. Anyway let's start.

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

Introduction

*Theme song of Cowboy Bebop "Tank!" plays before fading*

*Piano music plays in the background before a male singer begins*

When you attend a funeral It is sad to think that sooner or later Those you love will do the same for you And you may have thought it tragic Not to mention other adjectives To think of all the weeping they will do But don't you worry.

No more ashes, no more sackcloth And an armband made of black cloth Will some day never more adorn a sleeve For if the bomb that drops on you Gets your friends and neighbors too There'll be nobody left behind to grieve.

And we will all go together when we go Oh, what a comforting fact that is to know Universal bereavement, an inspiring achievement Yes, we all will go together when we go..... *fade to black*

*Narrator begins his monologue*

War. War never changes. Nearly 200 years ago after decades of conflict over Earth's last resources, the world was plunged into nuclear fire. The atomic conflagration between the world's nuclear powers ended in a span of only two hours but in those short few hours, the world was reduced to ruin and billions of lives snuffed out by atomic fire and by the aftermath of this nuclear holocaust. Though civilization as humanity knew it ceased to exist on Earth, the tale of humanity still preserved despite many challenges and trials ahead. Thanks to years of false alarms and the cry wolf effect, very few took the warnings seriously and those who were fortunate enough to make it to the safety to the underground Vaults, their fate was in the hands of the overseers who either delivered the survivors a new life from war and death or a life of hell at the hands of their new mad scientists. In the many decades since the Great War in 2077, societies that some how managed to escape the ravages of nuclear war and the societal collapse, have colonized much of the solar system thanks to the help of the Intersolar Brotherhood of Steel who have dedicated their lives and their mission to colonize other planets. Thanks to the technological advancements made by the IBOS, the very few humans left on Earth have managed to make space their home free from the horrors of the atomic wasteland and the constant struggles that plagued humanity since the bombs fell. Amid rising crime, the Intersolar Brotherhood of Steel have created a legalized contract system similar to prewar bounty hunting who are dedicated to capturing criminals not just on Earth but throughout the solar system. With the help of the Inter Solar System Police, the official police force of the Intersolar Brotherhood of Steel, bounty hunting has expanded beyond the atomic wasteland on Earth and into the stars above.

*Atomic Wasteland, unknown location in the former United States of America*

A taller somewhat skinny looking individual equipped with combat armor and old military fatigues and a trusty Pip-Boy 3000 courtesy of Robco Industries, was prepping for a long haul to a great unknown. Next to him was a skinny and lanky looking androgynous teenage girl with fiery red hair and a goofy looking grin that seemed constantly in one mode and that was happy, giggly and bubbly all the time. The strange man didn't mind and often was happy to see her with nothing but endless content regardless of the world that he and she are forced to grow up in. He met this strange child a few months ago after he found her wandering endlessly in nothing but open wilderness and the harsh atomic wasteland. One would have to wonder if this child was part ghoul or was naturally immune to radiation as no child would be sane enough to go out in the wasteland without proper protection.

"Rad X?

"Check, check, check!"

"Radaway?"

"Check, check, check, checky check!"

"Stimpaks?"

"Check, check!"

"Purified water, bandages, and extra food?"

"Oooooooh do you got nuki, nuki colas for Edward?"

"I'm afraid not kiddo and besides that stuff is bad for you, I don't know how prewar society could handle such a sugary concoction."

"120% the daily recommended sugars!"

The young girl proudly beamed proud of her statement of fact. The strange man smirked at her before continuing with the checklist.

He made sure that he was armed enough to go out in the wasteland. He was tasked on a secret mission by the Detachment, a paramilitary organization that provides extra security for anyone that has the caps for it. Truth be told, it was a pretty insignificant faction that had little to no name recognition other than the fact that they were well armed, and they provided security for any organization out there that wasn't just comprised of degenerate raiders. Originally the strange man was going to drop off Edward at the nearest settlement and not have to deal with her but overtime he grew protective of her and considered dumping her at the nearest settlement one of the last things he wished to do given the dangers of the wasteland. But he also argued that this child was capable of taking care of herself without adults but child or not, raiders would not care.

"Alright I got my gear ready, take the chem but only once we don't want any side affects causing problems for you. You're how old again Ed?"

"13, 13, 13!"

"Let's try one dose for now. It says on the bottle that it won't cause any addiction but I don't want to risk it."

"Hehe, you worry too much."

"I just...I just don't want you to get hurt".

"I'll be fine!"

She giggled as he gave her the one chem of Rad-X, sure enough after she took the dose, nothing happened. The man took his dose of Rad-X and off they were to the great unknown ready for anything. He debated whether or not he wanted to stay with the Detachment or if he wanted to just keep going his own way with this child. He had plenty of caps and was perfectly capable of plowing through the wastes though having a NBC suit on would be more ideal, he thought.

"Alright let's go kiddo."

"Right!"

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 6.13 (after 1970)

1971 – Vietnam War: The New York Times begins publication of the Pentagon Papers. 1973 – In a game versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey and Bill Russell play together as an infield for the first time, going on to set the Major League Baseball record of staying together for 8+1⁄2 years. 1977 – Convicted Martin Luther King Jr. assassin James Earl Ray is recaptured after escaping from prison three days before. 1981 – At the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London, a teenager, Marcus Sarjeant, fires six blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II. 1982 – Fahd becomes King of Saudi Arabia upon the death of his brother, Khalid. 1982 – Battles of Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge, during the Falklands War. 1983 – Pioneer 10 becomes the first man-made object to leave the central Solar System when it passes beyond the orbit of Neptune. 1990 – First day of the June 1990 Mineriad in Romania. At least 240 strikers and students are arrested or killed in the chaos ensuing from the first post-Ceaușescu elections. 1994 – A jury in Anchorage, Alaska, blames recklessness by Exxon and Captain Joseph Hazelwood for the Exxon Valdez disaster, allowing victims of the oil spill to seek $15 billion in damages. 1996 – The Montana Freemen surrender after an 81-day standoff with FBI agents. 1996 – Garuda Indonesia flight 865 crashes during takeoff from Fukuoka Airport, killing three people and injuring 170. 1997 – A jury sentences Timothy McVeigh to death for his part in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. 1997 – The Uphaar Cinema Fire took place at Green Park, Delhi, resulting in the deaths of 59 people and seriously injured 103 others. 1999 – BMW win 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2000 – President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea meets Kim Jong-il, leader of North Korea, for the beginning of the first ever inter-Korea summit, in the northern capital of Pyongyang. 2000 – Italy pardons Mehmet Ali Ağca, the Turkish gunman who tried to kill Pope John Paul II in 1981. 2002 – The United States withdraws from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. 2005 – The jury acquits pop singer Michael Jackson of his charges for allegedly sexually molesting a child in 1993. 2007 – The Al Askari Mosque is bombed for a second time. 2010 – A capsule of the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa, containing particles of the asteroid 25143 Itokawa, returns to Earth by landing in the Australian Outback. 2012 – A series of bombings across Iraq, including Baghdad, Hillah and Kirkuk, kills at least 93 people and wounds over 300 others. 2015 – A man opens fire at policemen outside the police headquarters in Dallas, Texas, while a bag containing a pipe bomb is also found. He was later shot dead by police. 2018 – Volkswagen is fined one billion euros over the emissions scandal. 2021 – A gas explosion in Zhangwan district of Shiyan city, in Hubei province of China kills at least 12 people and wounds over 138 others. 2023 – At least 100 people are killed when a wedding boat capsizes on the Niger River in Kwara State, Nigeria. 2023 – Three people are killed and another three injured in an early morning stabbing and van ramming attack in Nottingham, England.

[brookston]

Holidays 8.12

Holidays

Accordion Patent Day

Adam Cole Appreciation Day

Air Force Day (Russia)

Aloha Day

Awa Dance Festival begins (Tokushima, Japan)

Baseball Fans Day

Children’s Health Day

Didgoroba (Georgia)

812 Day

Father’s Day (Samoa; Tokelau)

The Glorious Twelfth (a.k.a. Grouse Day; UK)

Heroes’ Day (Zimbabwe)

International Drive Like a Dickhead Day

International Youth Day (UN)

Karen Martyrs’ Day (Myanmar)

Klondike Gold Rush Day

Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Code Lavender Day

National Librarian Day (India)

National Mackem Day (UK)

National Middle Child Day

National Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Police Service Day (Philippines)

National Remote Sensing Day (India)

National Sewing Machine Day

National Shout Out Day

National Thai Textile Day

Otter Day (French Republic)

PC Day (a.k.a. IBM-PC Day)

Penitentiary System Employee Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Queen Dowager’s Day (Thailand)

Scattering Day (Puck Fair, Day 3; Ireland)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico; also 4.29)

Truck Driver Day

Vinyl Record Day

War of the Worlds Day

World Elephant Day

World Hirola Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Milkman Day

Modern British Beer Day

National Gooey Butter Cake Day

National Julienne Fries Day

Oreo Day

Put Peanuts In Your Coca-Cola Day

Toasted Almond Bar Day

Independence & Related Days

India (Pre-Independence Celebrations; 1947)

2nd Monday in August

Carnival Monday (Grenada) [2nd Monday]

Eleanor Roosevelt Day [2nd Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Victory Day (Rhode Island) [2nd Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 12 (2nd Full Week of August)

Safe + Sound Week (thru 8.18)

U.S. Amateur Golf Week (thru 8.18)

Festivals Beginning August 12, 2024

Bay Fest (Igea Marina, Italy) [thru 8.14]

Cokato Corn Carnival (Cokato, Minnesota) [thru 8.14]

Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient (Lorient, France) [thru 8.18]

Ox Cart Days (Crookston, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Upper Peninsula State Fair (Escanaba, Michigan) [thru 8.18]

Feast Days

Amaranth and Quinoa Day (Pagan)

Ammonite Dream Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Anniversary of Snick-Snacker’s Left Foot (Shamanism)

Charles Blackman (Artology)

Clare (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Ernestine von Kirchsberg (Artology)

Euplius (a.k.a. Euplus; Christian; Martyr)

Eusebius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Prophet and His Bride (Thelema)

Festival for Venus Vitrix (Victorious Venus; Ancient Rone)

Festival of Intoxication (Ancient Egyptian feast celebrating Sekhmet nearly destroying mankind, but stopped by being tricked into drinking a river full of red beer)

Festival of the Tooth begins (Buddhism)

Flunky (Muppetism)

Francisco Franco Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ghost Festival (a.k.,a. Hungry Ghosts Festival) [15th Day of 7th Lunar Month]

Henry Reuterdahl (Artology)

Herculanus of Brescia (Christian; Saint)

Innocent XI, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Jacinto Benavente (Writerism)

Jænberht (Christian; Saint)

Jane Frances de Chantal (Christian; Saint)

Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

Light of Isis Feast (Ancient Egypt)

Lychnapsia (Festival of the Lights of Isis; Everyday Wicca)

Milton (Positivist; Saint)

Muiredach (a.k.a. Murtagh; Christian; Saint)

Old Lammas Day

Osirisian Mysteries (a.k.a. Feast of the Lights of Isis; Ancient Egypt)

Porcarius II and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Robert Southey (Writerism)

Sea Org Day (Scientology)

Tamás Lossonczy (Artology)

Thomas Bewick (Artology)

The Three Renewings of the World (A Woman’s Womb, a Cow’s Udder & a Smith’s Fire; Celtic Book of Days)

Vegetable Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

William Goldman (Writerism)

Zaraday (Discordian)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Tish’a B’Av (Commemoration of the Destruction of the 1st & 2nd Temples) [8-9 Av]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Hitler’s mother’s birthday.)

Premieres

The Aristocrats (Documentary Film; 2005)

The Asphalt Jungle, by W.R. Burnett (Novel; 1949)

Backstreet Boys, by the Backstreet Boys (Album; 1997)

Batman: Assault on Arkham (WB Animated Film; 2014)

The Black Album, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

Bosko the Musketeer (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Chances Are, by Johnny Mathis (Song; 1957)

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1972)

Chris Columbo (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Curse of the Pink Panther (Film; 1983)

Cycles (Virtual Reality Disney Cartoon; 2014)

Detroit Rock City (Film; 1999)

Dive Bomber (Film; 1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Film; 1941)

Emily the Criminal (Film; 2022)

Fall (Film; 2022)

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1960)

Hare-um Scare-um (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Hillbilly Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

Istanbul (Not Constantinople), recorded by The Four Lads (Song; 1953)

Jitterbug Knights (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1939)

Just Dogs (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1943)

The Last Temptation of Christ (Film; 1988)

Metallica, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Novel; 1948)

Old Ways, by Neil Young (Album; 1985)

The 158-Pound Marriage, by John Irving (Novel; 1974)

Paleface (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1933)

The Pool of Fire, by John Christopher (Novel; 1968) [Tripods #3]

Sausage Party (Film; 2016)

Senna (Documentary Film; 2011)

Sixteen Candles, by recorded The Crests (Song; 1958)

The Swimming Pool, by Mary Roberts Rinehart (Novel; 1952)

Tar with a Star (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1949)

Trouble Is My Business, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1939)

Wings (Film; 1927)

Young Guns (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Hilaria, Karl, Radegunde (Austria)

Anicet, Franciska, Hilarija, Ivana, Veselka (Croatia)

Klára (Czech Republic)

Clara (Denmark)

Klaara, Klaarika (Estonia)

Kiira, Klaara (Finland)

Clarisse (France)

Andreas, Innozenz, Radegunde (Germany)

Photis (Greece)

Klára (Hungary)

Chiara, Equizio, Ercolano, Onofrio (Italy)

Anisa, Klāra, Klarisa, Vizma (Latvia)

Aiškutė, Laima, Laimona, Laimonas (Lithuania)

Camilla, Klara (Norway)

Bądzisław, Hilaria, Klara, Lech, Leonida, Piotr (Poland)

Darina (Slovakia)

Hilaria, Juana (Spain)

Klara (Sweden)

Clair, Claire, Clara, Clarabel, Clare, Clarinda, Clarissa, Murdock (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 225 of 2024; 141 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 9 (Wu-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 8 Av 5784

Islamic: 6 Safar 1446

J Cal: 15 Purple; Oneday [15 of 30]

Julian: 30 July 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 28 Dante (8th Month) [Milton]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 54 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 22 of 31)

[translationandbetrayals]

Cowboy Bebop: Love and the Struggle of Time

The plot of Cowboy Bebop seems kind of simple at the beginning of the anime, a dystopian world from the future, where the main characters must grind working as bounty hunters, searching for wanted criminals to reclaim the reward like in the classic western stories. But since the first episode, one of the main topics of this anime appears, love. Spike and Jet went to an asteroid called Tijuana looking for Asimov Solensan, a fugitive criminal wanted for selling Red Eye, a drug that gives strength and fast reactions when consumed. Spike asks a native spiritual guide where Asimov and his partner (Katerina) is, so the native gives him the information, but also warns him, saying that he will find a woman, and that woman is going to get him killed, to which Spike replies that he was killed by a woman in the past. I think that it was not a reference to Katerine what Laughing Bull (the spiritual guide) said, it was a premonition of what happens during Spike's life. This is what I think the anime is about, the relation between love and the past from each character from the Bebop.

Spike Spiegel

Spike had a couple named Julia, but he abandoned her to assure her safety, due to the links he had with the criminal syndicate. That said, we can see that love wasn’t over, so it chains Spike to his past, living a monotonous life with no true destination. This happens until the end of the story, where Spike decides to face the syndicate by himself, because Julia was killed by that organization, so that way he would avenge her.

Jet Black

Jet’s story shows the embracing of past, even though he had a rough life with betrayals, both in love and at his past job, because he accepts that the relationship with Alyssa was over and his loved job at the Inter-Solar System Police (ISSP) was full of corruption. A symbol of this catharsis is that he throws away the broken watch that Alyssa gave him, meaning that he accepted his past, so he can go on with his future life.

Faye Valentine

The attachment to past that Faye has in the story is different to the other two crew members, because she wasn’t escaping from her past, she was trying to know about it since she was frozen and forgot everything of her memories. She tries to learn about her past by watching some VHS tapes of her childhood, just to realize that her past life, her friends and family, everything was already gone. That’s why she stayed with the Bebop crew, because she already made affection links with Spike, Jet, Ed, and Ein, embracing her long gone past and hoping to have a future with them.

-Aquiles Rojas

[ffcstore]

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(via “The Embrace ” Graphic T-Shirt for Sale by ffcstore)

Available now click the link 

[iliyad]

everything that has happened in 2020, in case you forgot

because it’s been a long year. counts up to december 20. i tried to get in as much as i could, but there will still be some things missing, because it's been a long year.

january (timeframes will be rough)

australian bush fires

persian gulf crisis

taal volcano eruption

impeachment trial of donald trump

covid-19 pandemic what else is there to say?

the united kingdom’s withdrawal from the european union

february

delhi riots

collapse of malaysia’s coalition government

stock market crash

luxembourg made public transport free

conditional peace agreement between the united states and the taliban

march

afghanistan war crimes inquiry authorised to proceed

tokyo summer olympics postponed to 2021

north macedonia joins nato

russia-saudi arabia oil price war

april

united states designates a white supremacist group as a terrorist group for the first time

opec and allies agree to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels a day

united states suspends funding to the world health organisation

nova scotia attacks

israeli politicians agree to form a unity government

iran deploys first military satellite

king salman declares people will not be executed for crimes committed as minors

the pentagon officially releases three ufo videos

colombia formalises its membership of the oecd

may

venezuelan dissidents and american private military attempt to infiltrate venezuela and remove president maduro from office

scientists discover parasitic microbe blocking mosquitos from carrying malaria

first black hole discovered in a star system visible to the naked eye

styrene gas leak in india

cross-border clash at the nantha lu crossing between chinese and indian soldiers

konarak vessel incident

fossil analysis indicates modern humans may have arrived in europe thousands of years earlier than thought

maternity hospital stormed by gunmen in afghanistan

discovery of millipede fossil as the world's oldest-known land animal dating c.425 million years

east africa floods

palestine terminates all agreements with israel and the united states after israel plans to annex the jordan valley

cyclone amphan

united states announces withdrawal from open skies treaty

mining company rio tinto destroys sacred aboriginal caves at juukan gorge in australia

george floyd is killed, beginning mass global protests against police racism and brutality

costa rica becomes first central american country to legalise same-sex marriage

chinese government votes for legislation granting powers to suppress democracy movement in hong kong

rwandan court sentences former mayor to life imprisonment for role in rwandan genocide

first crewed spacex flight is launched

june

state of emergency declared by russia after 20 thousand tons of oil leaks into ambarnaya river

libya’s government claims control of tripoli

turkish and iranian forces begin air and artillery strikes against kurdish forces in iraqi kurdistan

north korea demolishes kaesong’s inter-korean liaison office

solar eclipse

7.5 magnitude earthquake in oaxaca, mexico

historic three-party coalition government formed in ireland

china passes hong kong national security law

july

russian voters support constitutional amendment allowing vladimir putin to seek two further six-year terms

landslide at jade mine in myanmar

bulgarian protests against boyko borisov’s government

mass graves uncovered in burkina faso believed to be the result of extrajudicial executions by government forces

turkish president orders the hagia sophia in istanbul to be reverted from a museum to a mosque

china floods

twitter accounts of prominent politicians, ceos and celebrities hacked in bitcoin scam

flooding of the brahmaputra river

nasa launches mars 2020 rover mission

august

barakah nuclear power plant in the uae becomes first commercial nuclear power station in the arab states

beirut explosions

belarusian protests sparked by controversial presidential election

vladimir putin announces russia’s approval of world’s first covid-19 vaccine

israel and uae agree to normalise relations

stranded japanese ship breaks in mauritius and spills one thousand tonnes of oil into the ocean

coup d'état takes place in mali

africa is declared free of wild polio

amazon ceo jeff bezos becomes first person ever with a net worth exceeding us$200 billion

hurricane laura

japanese prime minister shinzo abe resigns after seven years

september

an agreement is signed to transition sudan into a secular state

largest find of mammoth skeletons at construction site for airport in mexico city

pope benedict xvi becomes longest-living pope

kosovo and serbia announce normalisation of economic relations

bahrain and israel agree to normalise relations

typhoon haishen

announcement of detection of phosphine in venus’ atmosphere

first discovery of perfectly preserved cave bear remains in siberia, believed to be 22 thousand - 39 thousand years old

venezuelan government is accused of crimes against humanity by human rights council

france, germany, and the united kingdom reject china’s claims to the south china sea

oldest known copy of any work by william shakespeare, a 1634 edition of the two noble kinsman, is found in spain

documents of the financial crimes enforcement network are released, detailing suspicious transations valued at over us$2 trillion

microsoft buys zenimax media in the biggest and most expensive takover in the video game industry

deadly clashes erupt between armenian and azerbaijani forces in nagorno-karabakh

october

the european union launches legal action against the united kingdom for overriding sections of the brexit withdrawal agreement

new caledonia votes against independence from france

mass protests break out in kyrgyzstan against controversial parliamentary election

thai protests

new zealand prime minister jacinda ardern's labour party wins second term in office by a landslide, gaining the first parliamentary majority since introduction of new voting system in the early 90s

nasa's osiris-rex spacecraft becomes their first probe to retrieve samples from an asteroid

geneva consensus declaration on women's health and strengthening families is signed by 34 countries

falkland islands declared free of land mines

israel and sudan agree to normalise relations

nasa confirms existence of molecular water on the moon

7.0 aegean sea earthquake

typhoon goni

november

amhara women, children and elderly killed in ethiopia

tumblr melts down over supernatural ship “destiel” (dean winchester and castiel), causing this site to crash several times

united states election concludes joe biden as president of the united states, STATES FLIP DATA

hurricane eta

united states exits the paris climate change accord

armenia and azerbaijan sign ceasefire agreement

hong kong pro-democracy lawmakers resign en masse

nasa and spacex launch to the international space station

hurricane iota

brereton report into australian war crimes during the war in afghanistan released

indian farmers’ protest

iranian nuclear scientist mohsen fakhrizadeh is assassinated

koshobe massacre

lunar eclipse

protein folding is solved

december

arecibo telescope collapses

the united kingdom approves covid-19 vaccine

three activists jailed in hong kong for part in democracy protests

united nations commission on narcotic drugs votes to remove cannabis from dangerous drugs list

united states announces withdrawal from somali civil war

russia begins mass vaccination against covid-19

venezuelan parliamentary election

the united kingdom begins mass vaccination against covid-19

report into the christchurch mosque shootings released

nepal and china officially agree on height of mount everest

israel and morocco normalise relations

end of nicolas sarkozy corruption trial in france

the european union agrees to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% over the next decade

bhutan and israel normalise relations

the international criminal court accuses the philippines of crimes against humanity in its war on drugs

the united states accuses switzerland and vietnam of currency manipulation

a new, highly-infectious strain of covid-19 begins to spread through the united kingdom and europe

[beardedmrbean]

On this date in history:

In 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died of fever in Babylon at age 33.

In 1910, former President Theodore Roosevelt cured a severe case of seasickness which overcame his daughter Ethel's dog, Bongo.

In 1944, the first German V-1 "buzz bomb" hit London.

In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Miranda vs. Arizona, ruled that police must inform all arrested people of their constitutional rights before questioning them.

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court. He became the first African American on the high court in August.

In 1971, The New York Times began publishing top secret, sensitive details and documents from 47 volumes that comprised the history of the U.S. decision making process on Vietnam policy, better known as the Pentagon Papers. Daniel Ellsberg, a former U.S. military analyst, leaked the documents to Times reporter Neil Sheehan.

In 1976, Arizona Republic investigative reporter Don Bolles died as a result of injuries suffered when a bomb blew up his car 11 days earlier. He had been working on an organized crime story at the time of his death.

In 1977, James Earl Ray, convicted assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., was captured in a Tennessee wilderness area after escaping from prison.

In 1983, the robot spacecraft Pioneer 10 became the first man-made object to leave the solar system. It did so 11 years after it was launched.

In 1993, Canada got its first female prime minister when the ruling Progressive Conservative Party elected Kim Campbell to head the party and thus the country.

In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of former football star O.J. Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found stabbed to death outside her condominium in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Simpson was charged with the murders and acquitted in a trial that became a media sensation. A civil court later found him liable in a wrongful-death lawsuit and, in an unrelated robbery case in Nevada, he was convicted in 2008 and sentenced to 33 years in prison.

In 1996, members of the Freeman militia surrendered, 10 days after the FBI cut off electricity to their Montana compound. The standoff lasted 81 days.

In 2000, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il meet for the first-ever inter-Korea summit in Pyongyang.

In 2005, pop superstar Michael Jackson was acquitted by a California jury on charges of child molestation.

In 2009, incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in a disputed Iranian presidential election, touching off widespread clashes between protesters and police.

In 2011, the complete Pentagon Papers, a secret history of the Vietnam War, were made public 40 years after the first leaks were published. The excerpts leaked by Daniel Ellsberg led to a battle with the Nixon administration and a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court expanding freedom of the press.

In 2012, ousted Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, in exile and tried in absentia, was sentenced to life imprisonment for ordering the shooting of protesters.

In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that human genes cannot be patented.

In 2020, Atlanta police chief Erika Shields resigned after the death of Rayshard Brooks, a Black man, at the hands of a police officer. The officer who shot Brooks, Garrett Rolfe, was fired, but reinstated in May 2021.

[chroniclesofalonewolf]

A SHOUT OUT TO MY FAVE ANIME GUYS - PART 1 (Because they also deserve it, you know....)

SPIKE SPIEGEL (Cowboy Bebop)

His Deal: Main protagonist of Cowboy Bebop. Bounty hunter born on Mars. A skilled martial artist that practices Jeet Kune Do. Well acquainted with guns. Owns a mono racer Swordfish.

His Criminal Past: Before teaming up with Jet Black aboard the Bebop, he was part of the Red Dragon Criminal Syndicate. But after being tangled up with his former colleague Vicious (and fell in love with Julia), he decided to leave the life of crime. Unfortunately, his past kept on creeping back to him during the course of the series.

RYUUJI TAKASU (Toradora!)

His Deal: Looks mean but he's actually a good guy. Can make a good house husband since he does all the work in their household. Takes good care of Taiga Aisaka, his eventual love interest.

The Tiger and the Dragon: Taiga and Ryuuji crossed paths on their second year of high school when the latter accidentally bumped into her. Thing got even more interesting when one night Taiga "attacked" Ryuuji in his home to retrieve the love letter intended for Ryuuji's friend Yusaku Kitamura. What's more, Taiga discovers that Ryuuji has a crush on her friend Minori Kushieda. The two then decided to help each other out with their respective crushes. And then chaos ensues... 😅

ALPHONSE ELRIC (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)

His Deal: Younger brother of Edward Elric. After performing human transmutation with his brother to revive their mother, he lost his physical body in the process. His soul is retrieved by Ed, though it is now enclosed in a suit of armor.

Polar Opposites: While his more famous elder brother is a bit stubborn, Al is kinder, more patient. Amidst battling his own insecurities, Al cares deeply to the people closest to him, even risking his own life in the process. Cases in point: Al protecting Xing princess May Chang and his ultimate sacrifice to save his brother Ed, both happened during the Promised Day arc of FMAB.

ASHITAKA (Princess Mononoke)

His Deal: Former Emishi prince. Have to leave his village to find the cure for the curse bestowed upon him by a demon he faced (in a shape of a wild boar). A skilled archer and sword fighter.

Caught in the Middle: While traveling far and wide in search for the cure, he was caught in the crossfire between to warring factions - the people of Irontown led by Lady Eboshi (one of the most complex antagonist in the Ghibli canon) and the forest creatures, spearheaded by San.

MAKI SEIJI (Bloom Into You)

His Deal: The Student Council's resident aromantic (though he admires people in love and even gives love advice). The one who first to discover what's going on with Touko Nanami and fellow freshman Yuu Koito.

Yuu's Lifeline: Maki has been a key figure in guiding through Yuu's journey especially regarding her relationship with Touko. His shining moment came in Episode 39 of the manga, during their day-off at the batting range. While Yuu admitted that she does not care about romance anymore, Maki made her realize that: 1) they are not the same (aromantic) as Yuu claimed to be; 2) she's been in love with Touko all this time (as Maki repeatedly telling her beforehand); and she's just running away for the fear of getting hurt. That moment became a turning point for Yuu, as it sets its stage for the fateful Episode 40.

TOMOMI MASAOKA (Psycho-Pass)

His Deal: Former Detective of the Public Safety Bureau then was demoted to Enforcer after his frustration on the Sibyl System. He was assigned at Division 1, working with the likes of Shinya Kogami and Nobuchika Ginoza. He also has a prosthetic left arm.

Daddy Issues: As he appears to be the father-figure of Division 1, he's actually the biological father of Inspector Ginoza. Although their relationship can be a little strained at times, they do care about each other, esp. when Ginoza seeks advice to her father. Tragedy struck when Masaoka fell into the hands of Shogo Makashima, in an attempt to save his son's life.

SHUN KAZAMA (From Up on Poppy Hill)

His Deal: Student at Konan Academy. A regular contributor to "The Latin Quarter Weekly", the school's newsletter. Have a bit complicated family backstory (I won't spoil it here for those who have not seen the movie!).

Jackass Moment: In one of the attempts in voicing out their disgust on the impending demolition of the Latin Quarter, the clubs made a bit of a scene during the school's lunch break. Shun - an active supporter to the cause - jumped from the Quarter's rooftop, hit a tree, then fell on a pool full of water. Umi Matsuzaki - the heroine of the movie - lended a hand to help Shun out.

DUTCH (Black Lagoon)

His Deal: Former US marine that fought in the Vietnam War then went into hiding and become a mercenary. He is the leader of the Lagoon Trading Company.

A Lover Not A Fighter: Dutch is more into negotiating to clients in a peaceful manner and giving orders to the rest of the crew. But he can be one dangerous fellow if the need arises (he's an ex-Marine after all!). But 'til then, he leaves all the dirty work to their resident trigger- happy colleague, Revy.

NAGISA "NAGI" AMANO (Weathering With You)

His Deal: Hina Amano's younger brother. And he's pretty much a scene stealer in the movie.

Ladies' Man: At a very young age (elementary school age?!?), Nagi has been pretty smooth with girls. This came in handy, when he seeked the help of her girl friends to escape on the foster care facility, and also save Hodaka as well.

JET BLACK (Cowboy Bebop)

His Deal: The captain of the Bebop. He can be one hell of a tough guy but he knows how to do house chores as well. On occasion, we may see him either cooking or tending his bonsai trees.

The Black Dog: In a series that deals about the past, Jet's backstory is no exception. Before living a life as a bounty hunter, he is a detective of the Inter Solar System Police (ISSP). But during his years as a cop, his girlfriend Alisa left him (as shown in a flashback on Session 10: Ganymede Elegy) and was betrayed by his former colleague Fad during a case against Udai Taxim (another flashback, this time on Session 16: Black Dog Serenade) that cost his left arm (hence why it is in prosthetic) and ended his career in law enforcement.

[msrosey]

Ok- What if Shadow was Good and Amy was anti. Would Amy be the one who makes first moves or is it still Shadow?

This spawned far too much world building, i apologize in advance 

- set during the Dark Arms invasion, with the usual anti-Amy behavior where she hates Sonic and has her trusty warhammer. Twisting her a little bit so she’s not as childish, but still as messed up. Reminder that anti-Amy goes as Rosy the Rascal!  

- there’s no official anti-Shadow, so let’s just say the canon divergence here was that Maria /didn’t/ die via GUN raid and instead lived a longer life that was ultimately cut short by her condition. Shadow then never gains his gloom and doom persona and instead is more of a caretaker to her, albeit one with a MAJOR guilt complex for his creation not being able to cure her, and went in suspended animation until the Black Comet returns. 

Now onto the show!

.

AO3, for those that prefer! 

.

 Of all the things Rosy thought would end the world, alien invasion had been worrying low on her list. Inter-dimensional police force with the proper permits to take them all in? Pfft, sure. That freak echnida deciding the best way to destroy the emeralds was to blow up the planet? Wouldn’t have bet money on it, but why not? Even the idea of one of Robotnik’s helper bots going postal was more likely then, well—this. 

From the flying headquarters, Rosy could see the plumes of smoke rising from patches of scorched city. Flying dark specters zoomed over the land below, all light cast in a bloody sheen from the planetary sized comet hanging in the sky. 

She pressed closer to the glass, smiling at the view. Red always was her favorite—

“Amy,” a voice snapped behind her, haughty and suffocatingly uptight. Like the little twerp it belonged to. Rosy rolled her eyes. Still, she turned and gave the fox her signature crooked smile.

“Tails,” Rosy crooned, leaning against her green war hammer. “I was just stopping to smell the sulphur flowers. Something up?"

The fox looked annoyed, but Rosy knew that was typical for the stuck-up brat. “You may address me as Miles. Have you been paying attention to the meeting at all?"

Rosy batted her lashes, fixing her gaze on him and ignoring the crowd of people around the conference room. “Of course, Tails. Alien invasion. Comet’s gonna destroy the planet. Yada-yada-yada, I’m not good enough to fix it myself!” At the last part she mimicked talking with her hand in the fox’s signature serious tone. 

Miles narrowed his eyes, but didn’t rise to the bait. Boring. “Yes, this endeavor will require all of our strengths in order to succeed. And you’re aware of your part in the mission?”

A tingle ran down her back at the reminder, putting every single spine on edge. Rosy's grin turned manic. “Yep! I’m gonna hurt Sonic! Mangle him, bash him, crush him up, up, up!”

“Quite,” Miles said, raising a brow. “Your portion is critical, since as long as Sonic is guarding the remaining Beryl for Black Death on Demon Island, our plan stands little chance of succeeding.”

Thoughts of brutally maiming the hedgehog of her nightmares spun around Rosy's head, making her feel flushed. The planet’s destruction was one thing, and a thing she didn’t care much about, but Sonic— Well, the end of the world just wouldn’t feel right if he wasn’t absolutely bloody destroyed. She would have just tried on her own, as she always did, but these Black Arms were quite the heavy customers...and who was she do decline an offer from Miles Prowler to step aboard his exclusive gunship? 

He gathered an interesting group as well. Her gaze trailed over to the museum curator, Rogue, whose poofy purple dress was splattered in the green blood of the aliens. Probably had a fun run in with them when they were going for the last stash of emeralds in the Central Museum. Besides her was Knuckles, whose drive to destroy all the emeralds would have made him a genuine threat…if he wasn’t such a total wimp. Vanilla though, Rose knew she’d have to keep an eye on. As if to prove it, the leather clad rabbit was already looking at her, permanent sneer fixed on her scarred face. 

Ugh, assassins. Always so eager to intimidate. Rose rolled her eyes as Miles. The rabbit had eyes on her for a while, which would account for why Rosy had been so on edge since setting foot on the ship…unless, of course her internal tracking was picking up—

From beside her, someone cleared his throat. 

“Um, excuse me, Sir Prowler?” Doctor Kintobor was already wringing his hands, voice trembling. “I understand that the Black Arms need to be defeated, but maybe we can just…move them to another planet? I do so hate causing any harm to a sentient…um, sentient species. They do deserve to live too...”

Miles looked about to cause harm, but also like he severely doubted that the doctor was sentient. “Their lives are not worth more than our own. And this Black Comet of theirs threatens that. Or do you have a better plan, Doctor, hmm? Maybe ask them nicely to commit genocide in the next solar system?”

Doctor Kintobor flushed at the laughter that filled the room. “Oh, um, I suppose.”

“Besides, we have it on good intel that the Dark Arms have planned this invasion for some time. They will not be easily dissuaded and we only have one real source on their behavior,” Miles continued, casting a dark eye around the room, “And on that note…” His eyes landed on hers. Rosy tensed. “Vanilla, restrain her."

Rosy barely had enough time to call out cowards before the floppy eared assassin tackled her down, breaking her connection with her hammer. Metal clasps rose from the floor and locked her in place, leaving her to thrash. Beryl enforced metal, cause he was a wimp. Stupid Tails and his stupid inventions! 

“Apologies for the rough treatment, but we all know you can handle it,” Miles continued, posture immaculate. “And we couldn’t take the risk of you attacking our next guest.”

Touching her. People were touching her! Rosy struggled against the rabbit holding her down, baring full fangs at the room. 

“Um, maybe we should be, a little nicer…?” Rosy heard Dr. Kintober say weakly. “We do need her to take out Sonic and help defeat the Black Arms.”

“Correction,” Miles said cooly, “We need her and our guest to do that. And she already has a proven violent predisposition towards those of his species. You can see how we'd rather not take the risk, Doctor.”

Species...

Rosy’s head swam as the pieces began to connect themselves. She knew she’d felt something, she knew, knew, knew, one of them was on this ship. A— 

The doors of the gunship conference room opened and a familiar silhouette filled the doorway. 

“Sonic!” Rosy roared, bucking the assassin off her with one sharp movement. Her hammer flew across the room and slammed into her chains, breaking them into so many fine pieces. Emeralds, Beryl, whatever you called them, always were weak against some solid willpower. Rosy launched herself over the table and towards the figure, weapon in hand. Her mind raced with thoughts of the extra special smash she’d been saving up for him.

Just as Rosy got close enough to really savor the impending violence, a bright purple light filled the air. And when it disappeared, so did the rest of the room.

She blinked her eyes, rubbing hard as she found herself…atop the gunship? Tail’s stupid Anticyclone. Wind buffeted her sideways and Rosy dig her hammer into the steel hull to keep balance. How did—

“Sorry to alarm you, but a fight inside would have crashed the gunship,” someone said behind her. Rosy spun, launching out with her hammer. The hedgehog - because it was a hedgehog, her instincts were always right - only moved, speeding away on…hover boots?

“Aw, did you get some new toys, Sonic?” Rosy cooed, crouching low to keep from sliding off the ship. Stupid Tails was starting evasive maneuvers. How cute. “You know how I love breaking your new toys.”

“I am not Sonic—“

“But you’re a hedgehog!”

She rushed forward at the next tilt of the ship, this time managing to surprise him enough to get close. Then another purple light and he was gone. Rosy pouted, turning to look around the surface of the ship. “No fun, disappearing all the time. Don’t you want to play?"

Something dark zipped by her, knocking her hammer from her hands. Rosy watched it sail over the edge of the gunship, disappearing in the grey smoke fumes below. “Hey!”

The blur came to a stop a few feet away, his form more clear. A black and red hedgehog, although with spines a little too raised to be her Sonic’s, even with another of his color switches. Rosy glared. “That wasn’t nice! I just wanted to hurt you!” 

The hedgehog looked at her with odd eyes, tilting his head. “Why?”

Rosy made a face. “Why, what?”

“Why do you want to hurt me? Is it because I resemble this Sonic of yours?” His voice was even, betraying none of his emotions. It put Rosy on edge. No one was that calm without a plan. He continued, “What has this Sonic done to inspire such vengeance? To drive you to violence? Is he worth it?”

“Worth…” Rosy wasn’t sure whether to laugh or attack him for those words. So she did both. “Who cares about worth!"

The dark hedgehog only dodged her punches, keeping that same face of unruffled intent. “So you attack for the sake of it? For…fun?”

Now he sounded like that wuss echnida. Pacifist was just another word for coward. Rosy snarled. “Stop running away! I hate it when you run away. Stand and fight me, already!”

“No,” he said simply, ducking another attack. “Because I’m not your enemy. Why is Sonic?” 

Why was—why was—Sonic? Now Rosy did laugh, this time pausing her assault to do so. Why was Sonic her enemy? Why? In this horrible dimension where everything went wrong, someone actually had the nerve to ask why? An odd empty feeling filled her gut. 

Why was a stupid question to ask about enemies. How was always the more enlightening. Memories began to trickle in, images of a burning forest and screaming hoglets. Memories she’d long ago forced herself to forget. Her fists clenched. The answer ripped itself from her throat—

“Because he’s Sonic!”

This time her attack took him by surprise, and he only barely managed to slide out of the way on his stupid cheat hover boots. Her fist left a distinct imprint on the hull of the ship and Rosy could faintly hear Miles cursing a blue streak from the pilot deck. Whoopsie, another toy smacked around by an uncaring hedgehog. 

She thought he’d be used to it by now.

The memories roused by the thought only fueled her rage. Not her normal simmer, no, this time it was tinged with that ugly empty desperation from so long ago. Rosy flew at the hedgehog again, screaming. “Because he never takes anything seriously!”

Another kick, this time sloppy enough that he had more than enough time to move out of the way. Rosy slipped in the empty space where he'd just been, falling a sharp ways down the hull until she managed to launch herself back up. The lack of contact with him was beginning to grate, remind her of the times when…

“Because he’d ruin everything and just keep running from it!” It was getting darker, her steps harder to place. Meanwhile the other hedgehog looked as if he could do this all day with his stupid cheating hover boots and weird emerald powers. He didn’t even look as if he’d broke a sweat. 

Just like—

Amy-Rosy-Rosy cried out as swung again, “Because he ruined everything and wouldn’t even take me seriously!”

That caused something to bloom on the other hedgehog’s face, but Rosy was past the niceties of taunting. And that had been quite enough stalling. She feinted for his legs - stupid, stupid hedgehog legs - and just as he leapt out of the way, she grinned. He caught it, frowning in response, just in time for her hammer to soar from the clouds below and catch him.

In the gut.

Rosy grinned. Always nice to get a little cheap shots in. That always managed to humble a hedgehog. He fell back, sliding against the entirety of the ship’s top hull. Her hammer still with him, only to return to her open hand. She smiled at the sight of him laid low. “Aw, was that too good an answer for you?”

He groaned. Rosy giggled a little, flush with pride. From here she could almost pretend it was Sonic, finally stopped. What a thought. She leaned against her hammer, still smiling. “Let me give you some advice, new hedgehog. People are basically awful and are always going to find a reason to hurt others. You might as well stop giving them chances."

The gunship swerved again, but Rosy moved with it, making an odd little dance towards the hedgehog. He was already rising, but that was fine. That just meant she could smash him some more. She readied her warhammer as she got close, humming a senseless tune, “And pop goes your—“

The world went sideways. Rosy had enough time to catch the brief sight of long ears flapping - how did all of them know how to fly with no wings! Cheats! - just as she was kicked off the edge of the gunship. She dug in her hammer on the side, metal screeching, but there wasn’t enough side left. Vanilla’s stern face looked down at her as she fell.

No fun, Rosy thought, I didn’t even get to break Sonic first.

Her ears popped at the pressure of air around her and Rosy felt her gaze track over to the giant comet in the sky, still glowing. What a lovely color. At least her last sight would be —

Red.

Red eyes staring right at her, an odd look in them that Rosy hadn’t seen for longer than she could remember. The hedgehog was just above her, so close she could see the sweat flying from his brow His spines were being blown astray and his hover boots were struggling to boost him forward but still, his face was determined. He had her hammer in one hand and the other hand, outstretched...towards her.

Rosy only stared. 

There was no—no reason—saving her? Her? No one had ever—

His fangs were bared in strain as he stretched his arm further. 

Just as they broke the cloud cover and the gunship was almost just a dot in the sky, Rosy found herself doing something she hadn’t done since she was a hoglet and watched her entire family burn because of a mad boy’s boredom. 

She reached out for help. 

His face seemed to turn more determined at that, lunging forward with another roar of flames from his hover boots. Hand trembling, her gloves barely brushed his before—

A bright purple light filled everything she could see and Rosy blinked to find herself back on the gunship, this time in the conference room. The near abandoned conference room. She watched Dr. Kintober duck behind a chair with a squeak. Normally she’d punish such overt wimpiness, but instead Rosy just stared at the hand still holding hers. 

“Here,” he offered, holding out her hammer, “Sorry I had to borrow your weapon, a jump like that required more chaos energy than I had.”

Rosy blinked as she accepted it. Giving her hammer back? The one she’d just used to crack several of his ribs. The question was on her lips before she even realized, “Why?” 

He seemed to realize her question was not quite about the hammer, judging by the light in his eyes. Rosy wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen that before, a gaze so…soft. Calm. As if it carried an infinite patience capable only of someone who truly—cared? 

An odd thrum set itself up in Rosy’s chest, like the beating of an organ that had long ago turned hard.  

“Because,” he said, “I made a promise a long time ago to give everyone a chance. And it looked like you needed one.”

Rosy opened her mouth to say something, not exactly sure what, only for the conference room door to slide open. More than several guns pointed out from the doorway. “Step away from Shadow the Hedgehog, Amy Rose! If you do not comply, we will be forced to shoot!”

The dark hedgehog in question scowled at this, turning towards the doorway. “I told you I had this handled! There’s no need for anyone to get hurt.”

“You got hurt,” Rosy pointed out. A strange feeling accompanied the words, an unfamiliar clench in her gut.

The hedgehog - Shadow? - didn’t even look away from the nozzles of the gun, still firmly planting himself between them and her as he answered, “I’m a living weapon. It doesn’t matter.”

Rosy furrowed her brow, something about his words hitting her weirdly. She didn’t…like them? She also didn’t like the guns, but somehow the fact that they were pointing at him was…bad? 

Well, only one way to fix that.

Huffing, Rosy shoved past him, moving to the front of the conference room. The guns followed her only to pause when she did, sitting herself into the chair originally marked for her. There was a short silence.

“Well? Don’t we got an alien invasion to stop?” Rosy called out, crossing her arms. She pouted at the clear sounds of disbelief from beyond the doorway, only stopped by Shadow clearing his throat. 

“Yes, there’s new intel we need to review. It’s rather time sensitive,” he said, folding his arms and managing to look like he'd hadn't just returned from an impromptu skydive. Rosy touched her own spines in a rush of insecurity, flattening the ones that stuck out the most. How did his already go back to normal? 

Rogue was the first to come out, tripping oddly over the first step. Rosy paused from her grooming to snort. Knuckles probably pushed her, the wuss. He got his comeuppance by being the next shoved through the doorway, courtesy of Miles. Who was still brandishing his gun. She raised a hand and wiggled her fingers at him. He sneered. Lovely kid.

Dr. Kintober slowly rose from under the desk, still shaking. He looked between her and Shadow quickly, something calculating in his gaze. Rosy shot him a sickly smile that sent him ducking back behind his chair to hide. Nice to see she still had it. 

As everyone began to filter in, with the obvious lack of Vanilla who likely knew better than to show her face so soon, Rosy slumped back in her seat and resolved to watch the proceedings. All were sending her strange looks she ignored, except for one. 

Shadow’s face was cast in an odd sheen from the sky outside and Rosy found herself holding her breath when his eyes passed over hers. The light made his eyes glow stronger, that same rare softness staring back at her. He gave her a small smile as the seconds stretched on and Rosy turned away sharply, blood pumping fast. 

Miles continued with his plan and Rosy ignored the odd suspicious glance at her, mind too busy picking apart the swarm of thoughts raging in her head. Red was always the color of destruction, of violence and rage and —

So why was the red of his eyes soothing?

[forbidden-sorcery]

Many people when confronted with the green anarchist approach reject it because they see it as implying massive numbers of deaths the world over. These people see our current inter-connected dependency on things such as modern agricultural, transportation and health care systems and they deduce that the collapse of Civilization would entail the imminent deaths of many millions of people as a result. These two examples, among others, have led me to reflect on death and Civilization, or conversely, on life and wildness. It has been said before many times that death is a natural part of life. The moment we are born, we all have an expiration date, even though we do not usually know when that is. Everything dies, be it plants or animals, solar systems or microscopic organisms, or people - young and old alike. People have died suddenly and unexpectedly both before and inside of Civilization. Yet despite this, the fear of death very often hangs over us, consciously or unconsciously. We really really do not want to die, and we are willing to do pretty much anything to avoid it.              I believe that our fear of death locks us into slavery and solidifies Civilization itself. Fear of starvation and lack of shelter keeps us supporting commodity culture and wage slavery. Fear of disease keeps us supporting the alienating industrial medical system. Fear of murder and assault keeps us supporting police, prisons and militaries. Fear of death in an uncertain future keeps us supporting educational institutions. Fear of death at the hands of the State keeps us from rising up in revolt. Fear of death is the only possible underlying explanation that I see for this. It can’t be the fear of suffering, for Civilization and Authority have unleashed a Hell-on-earth plethora of sufferings upon us already that we all experience regardless of our obedience. Death itself then stands as the mystery-shrouded bogeyman scaring us into compliance. And sadly enough, to our own credit, we have been so thoroughly indoctrinated, domesticated and blinded by fear that we often can not think of any other ways to survive even when we really want to!

(I)An-ok Ta Chai – A Matter of Life And Death

[animixplayis]

Cowboy Bebop

In the year 2071, humanity has colonized several of the planets and moons of the solar system leaving the now uninhabitable surface of planet Earth behind. The Inter Solar System Police attempts to keep peace in the galaxy, aided in part by outlaw bounty hunters, referred to as "Cowboys." The ragtag team aboard the spaceship Bebop are two such individuals. Mellow and carefree Spike Spiegel is balanced by his boisterous, pragmatic partner Jet Black as the pair makes a living chasing bounties and collecting rewards.

#animixplay #animixplayfree #animixplayonline

[astinginthetalealexandrailieva]

Cowboy Bebop

Japanese animated television series, movie and other media created by Shinichiro Watanabe. Set in 2071 and centered on the adventures of a gang of bounty hunters in space, the story delves into the unresolved issues of the protagonists' past, exploring concepts such as existentialism, boredom, loneliness, and the influence of the past.

Plot 

In 2022, the accidental explosion of an experimental gate device that allows for hyperspace travel seriously damages the Moon, causing a drift of a swarm of meteorites and asteroids to bombard the surface of the planet Earth, wiping out much of the population. The survivors then abandoned the now inhospitable planet to colonize new habitable systems: Mars, Venus, the asteroid belt, and Jupiter's satellites. By 2071, the technology of the Astral Gates had stabilized and developed thriving civilizations on many of these planets, most notably Mars, the new hub of human civilization.

Politics, society, and economics changed with the times. New generations grew up with no memories of the Earth, and ethnic groups and nations gave way to planetary allegiances. As these new communities flourished, the economy boomed (similar to the economic productivity nations encountered after World War II). However, this also widened the disparity between the rich and poor, and interplanetary crime syndicates began to exert influence over the planetary governments and the Inter-Solar System Police (ISSP). In order to control the criminal activity, a "bounty-reward scheme" was introduced similar to that of the Old West. These new bounty hunters of the solar system were therefore often called "cowboys" and had a disreputable or envious reputation depending on who one talked to.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.12

Holidays

Accordion Patent Day

Adam Cole Appreciation Day

Air Force Day (Russia)

Aloha Day

Awa Dance Festival begins (Tokushima, Japan)

Baseball Fans Day

Children’s Health Day

Didgoroba (Georgia)

812 Day

Father’s Day (Samoa; Tokelau)

The Glorious Twelfth (a.k.a. Grouse Day; UK)

Heroes’ Day (Zimbabwe)

International Drive Like a Dickhead Day

International Youth Day (UN)

Karen Martyrs’ Day (Myanmar)

Klondike Gold Rush Day

Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Code Lavender Day

National Librarian Day (India)

National Mackem Day (UK)

National Middle Child Day

National Mother’s Day (Thailand)

National Police Service Day (Philippines)

National Remote Sensing Day (India)

National Sewing Machine Day

National Shout Out Day

National Thai Textile Day

Otter Day (French Republic)

PC Day (a.k.a. IBM-PC Day)

Penitentiary System Employee Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Queen Dowager’s Day (Thailand)

Scattering Day (Puck Fair, Day 3; Ireland)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico; also 4.29)

Truck Driver Day

Vinyl Record Day

War of the Worlds Day

World Elephant Day

World Hirola Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Milkman Day

Modern British Beer Day

National Gooey Butter Cake Day

National Julienne Fries Day

Oreo Day

Put Peanuts In Your Coca-Cola Day

Toasted Almond Bar Day

Independence & Related Days

India (Pre-Independence Celebrations; 1947)

2nd Monday in August

Carnival Monday (Grenada) [2nd Monday]

Eleanor Roosevelt Day [2nd Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Victory Day (Rhode Island) [2nd Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 12 (2nd Full Week of August)

Safe + Sound Week (thru 8.18)

U.S. Amateur Golf Week (thru 8.18)

Festivals Beginning August 12, 2024

Bay Fest (Igea Marina, Italy) [thru 8.14]

Cokato Corn Carnival (Cokato, Minnesota) [thru 8.14]

Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient (Lorient, France) [thru 8.18]

Ox Cart Days (Crookston, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Upper Peninsula State Fair (Escanaba, Michigan) [thru 8.18]

Feast Days

Amaranth and Quinoa Day (Pagan)

Ammonite Dream Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Anniversary of Snick-Snacker’s Left Foot (Shamanism)

Charles Blackman (Artology)

Clare (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Ernestine von Kirchsberg (Artology)

Euplius (a.k.a. Euplus; Christian; Martyr)

Eusebius of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Prophet and His Bride (Thelema)

Festival for Venus Vitrix (Victorious Venus; Ancient Rone)

Festival of Intoxication (Ancient Egyptian feast celebrating Sekhmet nearly destroying mankind, but stopped by being tricked into drinking a river full of red beer)

Festival of the Tooth begins (Buddhism)

Flunky (Muppetism)

Francisco Franco Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Ghost Festival (a.k.,a. Hungry Ghosts Festival) [15th Day of 7th Lunar Month]

Henry Reuterdahl (Artology)

Herculanus of Brescia (Christian; Saint)

Innocent XI, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Jacinto Benavente (Writerism)

Jænberht (Christian; Saint)

Jane Frances de Chantal (Christian; Saint)

Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

Light of Isis Feast (Ancient Egypt)

Lychnapsia (Festival of the Lights of Isis; Everyday Wicca)

Milton (Positivist; Saint)

Muiredach (a.k.a. Murtagh; Christian; Saint)

Old Lammas Day

Osirisian Mysteries (a.k.a. Feast of the Lights of Isis; Ancient Egypt)

Porcarius II and His Companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Robert Southey (Writerism)

Sea Org Day (Scientology)

Tamás Lossonczy (Artology)

Thomas Bewick (Artology)

The Three Renewings of the World (A Woman’s Womb, a Cow’s Udder & a Smith’s Fire; Celtic Book of Days)

Vegetable Sauce Day (Pastafarian)

William Goldman (Writerism)

Zaraday (Discordian)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Tish’a B’Av (Commemoration of the Destruction of the 1st & 2nd Temples) [8-9 Av]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s Hitler’s mother’s birthday.)

Premieres

The Aristocrats (Documentary Film; 2005)

The Asphalt Jungle, by W.R. Burnett (Novel; 1949)

Backstreet Boys, by the Backstreet Boys (Album; 1997)

Batman: Assault on Arkham (WB Animated Film; 2014)

The Black Album, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

Bosko the Musketeer (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

Chances Are, by Johnny Mathis (Song; 1957)

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1972)

Chris Columbo (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Curse of the Pink Panther (Film; 1983)

Cycles (Virtual Reality Disney Cartoon; 2014)

Detroit Rock City (Film; 1999)

Dive Bomber (Film; 1941)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Film; 1941)

Emily the Criminal (Film; 2022)

Fall (Film; 2022)

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1960)

Hare-um Scare-um (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Hillbilly Hare (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Book; 1955)

Istanbul (Not Constantinople), recorded by The Four Lads (Song; 1953)

Jitterbug Knights (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1939)

Just Dogs (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

The Lady in the Lake, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1943)

The Last Temptation of Christ (Film; 1988)

Metallica, by Metallica (Album; 1991)

My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Novel; 1948)

Old Ways, by Neil Young (Album; 1985)

The 158-Pound Marriage, by John Irving (Novel; 1974)

Paleface (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1933)

The Pool of Fire, by John Christopher (Novel; 1968) [Tripods #3]

Sausage Party (Film; 2016)

Senna (Documentary Film; 2011)

Sixteen Candles, by recorded The Crests (Song; 1958)

The Swimming Pool, by Mary Roberts Rinehart (Novel; 1952)

Tar with a Star (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1949)

Trouble Is My Business, by Raymond Chandler (Novel; 1939)

Wings (Film; 1927)

Young Guns (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Hilaria, Karl, Radegunde (Austria)

Anicet, Franciska, Hilarija, Ivana, Veselka (Croatia)

Klára (Czech Republic)

Clara (Denmark)

Klaara, Klaarika (Estonia)

Kiira, Klaara (Finland)

Clarisse (France)

Andreas, Innozenz, Radegunde (Germany)

Photis (Greece)

Klára (Hungary)

Chiara, Equizio, Ercolano, Onofrio (Italy)

Anisa, Klāra, Klarisa, Vizma (Latvia)

Aiškutė, Laima, Laimona, Laimonas (Lithuania)

Camilla, Klara (Norway)

Bądzisław, Hilaria, Klara, Lech, Leonida, Piotr (Poland)

Darina (Slovakia)

Hilaria, Juana (Spain)

Klara (Sweden)

Clair, Claire, Clara, Clarabel, Clare, Clarinda, Clarissa, Murdock (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 225 of 2024; 141 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 9 (Wu-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 8 Av 5784

Islamic: 6 Safar 1446

J Cal: 15 Purple; Oneday [15 of 30]

Julian: 30 July 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 28 Dante (8th Month) [Milton]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 54 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 22 of 31)