#MISDIRECTION SWEEP

[fisheito]

He's a magician

[harmonysanreads]

In Reca's ideal film, you'd be nothing more than a toy forced to spin at the twirls of a clockwork key ; a spectacle suspended in motion, complete allegiance to his direction, again and again in the palm of his hand. In that perfect shot, you would not rebel, fist against the surface of the screen in a plea to be leg go, no, you'd be easy to control.

“Do not be absurd, my dear! Has a bug chipped away at the film in your head? You would not survive a day away from my camera.”

The friction of his glove as it clasps onto the sinews of your arms clashes against the ricocheting waves of his voice in your ears. Cut! Cut! Cut! You need not return his stare to hear the panic reverberating through his head, just as he needs not respect a fraction of your personal space.

“My thoughts are perfectly lucid, director. I no longer wish to act under your guidance.” you push him back with a finger to his chest and he allows you to, his arms falling to his sides before rising with all the melodrama of a seasoned lunatic.

“What a way to say you wish me dead!” with a sweep, he's beside your stead.

“Have you forgotten your dream, my brightest star?” a brush of his breath against your ear, a firm grasp onto your wrist as it unfolds your hand towards the phantom of your wish, “What happened to that light that brought you to me?”

His presence, annoyingly, is as engulfing as it was the first moment you had the misfortune of meeting his acquaintance. A dwindling candle in a shadowed room, its flicker is too miniscule in comparison to the tenebrous monstrosity extending its talons towards the candle's light.

Contempt is the sole benefactor that keeps it alight, burning for a moment longer. A fruitless effort — rebelling is nothing more than running closer and closer to the dead end.

“It got snuffed out.” you tilt your head towards his pointed stare, in time to bear witness to the contractions of emotions vacillating in his eyes — building up up up before bursting forth in a supernova of laughter. Your feet nearly tangle amongst themselves as you try to move away from the disturbing sight, attempt thwarted by his insistent hand.

Reca's crackles slither to a burdened sigh, ruby eyes peek from between the crevices of the fingers of his free hand, “And, you allowed it.”

It should be incriminating for a sentence that calm to fizzle your nerves that quickly, “Non.. nonsense! It was you who clearly—”

Your heart jumps as the axis of your vision goes askance, red bleeds and paints the corners of your mind. “I did what?” the sting of his nails sinking into the flesh of your cheeks wakes you, “Come on, you can do it, love. Think. What did I do to you, clearly?”

“You... you made me into who I am today and, I can never even think of standing in front of the camera without your direction.” you heave.

“Brilliant! Just like this! If you continue performing this well, it won't be long before we can step up from these boring scenes and move onto shooting the truly heart-touching moments.” it is debatable whether your legs surrendered on their own or were forced to as the Memokeeper catches you, dragging along your limp form towards his vision.

“And when every scene has been shot, organized and edited to perfection, I'll keep it secure from everyone's grabby hands — for, this film is to be viewed by us alone.”

Hatred is the frailty of the weak, their last act of defiance before they embrace destruction. In Reca's hands, it is nothing more than a misdirection to achieve the most perfect shot, malleable to his whimsies.

[naffeclipse]

Inspection

Reader x Casino!Sun & Moon

Commission Info

The lovely @skylar-content requested a very fun setting involving the boys trying to stall an inspector Y/N who has to go over the casino and see if anything is wanting. I had so much fun writing this and I hope you enjoy the shengains! <3

———

The casino before you is glittering and bright, like a star nestled against the black buildings flanking it. You scan the face of it, the decorations of celestial bodies in detailed and curving styles, swirling about the front of the establishment like a solar system supported by card games, gambling, and drinking. 

It’s not the first business you’ve come upon that looks gorgeous and glossy on the outside, only to run rusted and ruined internally. That’s why you’re here. To inspect and determine how well the casino is actually doing since opening itself for business. Of course, there were the typical background checks to see if permits are up to date and the numbers of employees, animatronics, and customers, and other factors that bore you slightly.

No, you’re here to see for yourself. If there is one misdirection, if there is one protocol not being followed to the letter, you will uncover it and put it on full display, like unearthing a rock to reveal the insects below.

The owners of the establishment would do well to see that there are no bugs scurrying underneath your feet. Ahead of schedule, you push in the door and enter the lobby in the brightness of day. The interior is low and smoky, already dimming into a shadowy, dark refuge for those who creep through the night. 

A little surprise is well to-do for your line of work. It’s not unlike flipping on a light in the kitchen to find how many cockroaches scatter. For the sake of those who have stakes in this venue, there will be no cockroaches.

A greeter, a human woman, dressed in a sleek and dark dress, gapes for a moment before recovering herself. Your reputation precedes you. She quickly invites you inside, hiding the shock of your untimely arrival as best as she can behind a charming, bright white smile.

“I can escort you directly to the executives—”

You silence her with a look. She visibly swallows. 

“I will look over the floor,” you decide, trailing your gaze from the entrance to the empty room full of card tables and a private bar to one end. Two animatronics both straighten when your eyes graze past them, noting the lighting is acceptable but there are a few less emergency exit signs than you would prefer—not against code, but a factor that suggests the establishment may try to scrap by doing the bare minimum. At least upon face value.

“Then I will send for them to meet you right away,” she says, much less confident this time.

You dismiss her with a wave of your hand, and she scurries off, rushing to an elevator. The poor thing is shaking. Perhaps she’ll find her bosses before you make a determination on the place.

Sweeping forward, you observe the cleanliness of the carpets and the polished tabletops. The animatronic you noted earlier are quickly striding towards you. A brush of urgency paints their stylized face plates, one taking after the moon in its crescent phase, and the other with the full roundness of the sun. 

Your eyes eat up their attire. They are dressed in sleek, seamless slacks and button ups. Their legs are long and quickly meet you in the center of the casino. The lunar inspired one wears a crisp deep blue vest and the other is dressed with sleek sleeve garters on his impeccable yellow shirt. Their optics glow, a flash of unease before one clasp his hands behind his back and the other clasp them in front of him in a show of eagerness.

“Welcome, inspector! We weren’t expecting you so soon,” the sunny one exudes cheerfully, careful to keep a steady fluctuation of his voice. Mentally, you note the general warmth of the animatronic, a seemingly advanced one of that, employed at the casino. You hope they are up to standard. 

“I’m aware.” You look towards the card tables then back to the bar. 

The animatronic quickly steps into your view, regaining your attention with a very deliberate obstruction of your view. You level a steely look at him. His fingers clench slightly tighter in his clasped hands. 

“Allow me to introduce myself and my coworker. I am Sun and this is Moon.” He holds out a hand to himself, then gestures to the lunar animatronic. Fitting. You hold the other’s gaze, Moon’s, and he returns it with unabashed focus. 

“May I take your coat?” Sun offers his hand. “One such as yourself wouldn’t want to grow too hot, even if the temperature of the venue is regularly constant and with appropriate changes depending on the season and the weather.”

“No, thank you,” you fix your suit jacket slightly and continue to glance around Sun. Though the animatronics are striking and attentive, you’re certain they are here to serve as a distraction from your real business, perhaps buying time until their higher ups can descend and offer slick smiles and greasy reassurances that all is well and up to code. “I will continue surveying the floor. Where are you stationed?”

Moon shares the briefest glimpse with Sun. 

“My, my, determined, aren’t you?” Sun laughs but there’s a slight strain. You arch an eyebrow before he quickly holds out an arm and directs you forward. “But of course, your survey wouldn’t be complete without seeing the situation at the bar. A pretty thing like you must be in need of refreshment.”

Unable to find a way around the animatronic, you concede to his insistence and allow him to escort you to the counter. His counterpart is silent, quietly observing with his hands still clasped behind his back as he follows like a silent escort—imposing but well within reach such a customer requires assistance or service. Good.

Sun slides behind the bar. “Of course, it is all on the house.”

Of course. You don’t bat an eye at the generous offer.

“What is your poison?” Sun leans slightly down, putting his elbow on the bar while he surveys you, peering deeply into your expression. You will admit, he is charismatic and connects well, a trait that would serve any bartender. “Might I take a guess?”

“No,” you say, and Sun blinks. Off to the side, Moon utters a snicker before silencing himself.

“We do have sodas, club, sprite, coke—and a whole array of non-alcoholic beverages.” he asks, taking a glass and carefully flipping it in his hand. He sets it down, just waiting for your word.

“Are you calibrated to measure and mix alcohol correctly?” You study his hands, his attention never slipping from you, almost as if he’s afraid to look away from a viper striking. “A coke, please.”

Sun effortlessly finds a bottle and opens it, and pours only a shot-worth into the glass. You do not touch it, studying the amount and careful grace of his silver, metallic hands. Effective and swift. 

“Your eyes are sharp,” Sun begins, and you lift your gaze to pierce him with it. He fumbles slightly. “They must serve you well in your line of work.”

“Indeed, they do.” You continue to watch him. Flattering does not charge your batteries but the attempt is endearing, non the less. If an executive were perhaps making such remarks, you would be much more severe, but the animatronic seems almost desperate to have you take a drink.

So you do. Plucking the glass, you sip on the coke, the bubbles tingling over your tongue before you swallow. His eyes seem to linger on your throat before you promptly rise from the stool. You leave the coke.

“Show me your game table,” you speak to Moon, and he inclines his head. He spares a glance to Sun, who seems to flail slightly behind the bar but is helpless to stop you from walking over with Moon. The lunar animatronic takes out your seat and you sink down. This more private section of the floor is lit well and the table is polished and clean. 

Moon stands across from you, and reaches underneath for a deck of cards. He places the fresh stack on the table, the black covers as sleek and yellow-speckled as the night sky. 

In your mental examination of his sleek movements and his cool demeanor, only a slight twitch of his digit gives way to nervousness, or perhaps a glitch that needs addressing? You stare critically before Moon takes the deck and shuffles it. The edges slip against each other sharply and a crisp snap of the cards brings them all back together.

“How long do you deal at a table?” you hold his gaze while he presents a whole fan of the cards before you. The faces of kings and queens stare up, unblinking.

“An hour, then I am given a 20 minute break, broken up into intervals over my shift,” Moon answers smoothly. The mandatory requirement. There is no indication that this is a lie, and you’re inclined to believe his truth.

He taps the fanned out deck. “Pick a card.”

You briefly glance down. To humor him, you tap the first one you see—a two of hearts. 

A test of the dealer’s abilities, an animatronic one at that, you ask him another question while studying how smoothly he takes back the deck and shuffles it, leaving your two of hearts out. You then pick it up, and silently, at his outstretched hand, set it on top of the deck. In rapid fashion, he shuffles the cards with grace and ease, answering your questions without a stammer.

Occasionally, he flickers his optics back to the bar, looking for assistance but the solar co-worker remains out of reach. You tilt your head, almost finding it adorable, before Moon sets the deck down.

“Draw the top card.” 

You do, and it’s a queen of diamonds. Moon, however, draws the second card, and presents to you between two silver digits.

“Is this your card?”

The two of hearts stare back at you.

“Well done,” you give dryly. Moon smoothly takes it back and takes back your queen of diamonds, stuffing them seamlessly back into the deck. 

“What game would you like to play? I can set up anything and everything,” he gestures a sweeping arm over the table. 

You arch an eyebrow. Deadpan, you utter, “Slap jack.”

Moon laughs once, raspy and low, and quite endearing in the face of your joke: most don’t realize that you are joking. He quickly dolls out piles between the two of you. You take your stack, and survey the animatronic. A test of strength and control is needed. 

You two quickly flip cards, the sounds subtle, while you watch for a jack. Moon is calm, at ease, his red optics flashing away minutely to his counterpart before continuing the game. 

You play a jack. You slap your hand down, and the animatronic’s lands on top of yours, cool and non-crushing. 

Moon immediately lifts his hand away, as if he did something inexplicable, his fingers curling while he avoids your gaze for a moment.

“That’s all I need to see,” you declare. Getting up, you leave the game table. Moon watches you go, stunned for a brief moment.

“Wait,” Sun lifts his voice. 

You do not slow as he quickly flanks you. Moon quickly reaches your other side, and they both gently take hold of your elbows. 

“Wait, inspector, just one moment!” Sun laughs anxiously, “Are you sure I can’t give you a proper drink?”

“We can play blackjack,” Moon offers, his voice lower but intense.

You stop, observing their careful placement of their hands and the gentleness of which they stop you. The higher ups do not deserve such dedicated staff members, but you’ll go over that with the higher ups in a moment.

“I am finished here,” you say, but just then, across the floor, you spy the woman from earlier following three men in expensive suits and flapping ties, hustling to reach you for damage control.

Sun’s and Moon’s expressions share equal mounting concern, and for the briefest moment, you grow soft at the sight of their apprehension.

“I’m pleased thus far,” you tell them both, before turning away, slipping out of their hands to meet the executives. 

Sun and Moon share another glance of relief, that softly melts into adoration as they watch you go, but you do not witness it.

[mariacallous]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The FBI on Friday arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, escalating a clash between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the Republican president’s sweeping immigration crackdown.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, who he said “intentionally misdirected” federal agents away from a man they were trying to take into custody at her courthouse.

“Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public,” Patel wrote.

Dugan appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15.

“Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety,” her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance.

The arrest comes amid a growing feud between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the White House’s immigration enforcement policies. The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials who thwart federal immigration efforts.

[steveyockey]

Some would rebut that “Oppenheimer,” being a Hollywood blockbuster with serious global reach (whether it will play Japanese theaters remains uncertain), will be many audiences’ only exposure to the events in question and thus might “create a limit on public consciousness and concern,” as the poet, writer and professor Brandon Shimoda told The Times. A corollary of this argument: The crimes committed against the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were so unspeakable, so outsized in their impact, that Oppenheimer’s perspective does and should dwindle into insignificance by comparison. For Nolan to focus so exclusively on an American physicist’s story, some insist, ultimately diminishes history and humanity, even as it reinforces the Hollywood hegemony of the great-man biopic and of white men’s narratives in general.

I get those complaints. I also think they betray an inherent disrespect for the audience’s intelligence and curiosity, as well as a fundamental misunderstanding of how movies operate. It’s telling that few of these criticisms of perspective were leveled at “American Prometheus” when it was published in 2005, that no one begrudged Bird and Sherwin for offering a meticulously researched, morally ambivalent portrait of their subject’s life and consigning the destruction of two Japanese cities to a few pages. That’s because books are books, the argument goes, and movies are movies — and this perceived difference, it must be said, reveals a pernicious double standard.

Because they seldom achieve the narrative penetration and richness of detail of, say, a 700-page biography, movies, especially those about history, often are hailed as achievements of breadth over depth, emotion over intellect. They are assumed to be fundamentally shallow experiences, distillations of real life rather than sharply angled explorations of it, propelled by broad brushstrokes and easy expository shortcuts, and beholden to the audience’s presumably voracious appetite for thrilling, traumatizing spectacle. And because movies offer a visual immediacy and narrative immersion that books don’t, they are expected to be sweeping if not omniscient in their narrative scope, to reach for a comprehensive, even definitive vantage.

Movies that attempt something different, that recognize that less can indeed be more, are thus easily taken to task. “It’s so subjective!” and “It omits a crucial P.O.V.!” are assumed to be substantive criticisms rather than essentially value-neutral statements. We are sometimes told, in matters of art and storytelling, that depiction is not endorsement; we are not reminded nearly as often that omission is not erasure. But because viewers of course cannot be trusted to know any history or muster any empathy on their own — and if anything unites those who criticize “Oppenheimer” on representational grounds, it’s their reflexive assumption of the audience’s stupidity — anything that isn’t explicitly shown onscreen is denigrated as a dodge or an oversight, rather than a carefully considered decision.

A film like “Oppenheimer” offers a welcome challenge to these assumptions. Like nearly all Nolan’s movies, from “Memento” to “Dunkirk,” it’s a crafty exercise in radical subjectivity and narrative misdirection, in which the most significant subjects — lost memories, lost time, lost loves — often are invisible and all the more powerful for it. We can certainly imagine a version of “Oppenheimer” that tossed in a few startling but desultory minutes of Japanese destruction footage. Such a version might have flirted with kitsch, but it might well have satisfied the representational completists in the audience. It also would have reduced Hiroshima and Nagasaki to a piddling afterthought; Nolan treats them instead as a profound absence, an indictment by silence.

That’s true even in one of the movie’s most powerful and contested sequences. Not long after news of Hiroshima’s destruction arrives, Oppenheimer gives a would-be-triumphant speech to a euphoric Los Alamos crowd, only for his words to turn to dust in his mouth. For a moment, Nolan abandons realism altogether — but not, crucially, Oppenheimer’s perspective — to embrace a hallucinatory horror-movie expressionism. A piercing scream erupts in the crowd; a woman’s face crumples and flutters, like a paper mask about to disintegrate. The crowd is there and then suddenly, with much sonic rumbling, image blurring and an obliterating flash of white light, it is not.

For “Oppenheimer’s” detractors, this sequence constitutes its most grievous act of erasure: Even in the movie’s one evocation of nuclear disaster, the true victims have been obscured and whitewashed. The absence of Japanese faces and bodies in these visions is indeed striking. It’s also consistent with Nolan’s strict representational parameters, and it produces a tension, even a contradiction, that the movie wants us to recognize and wrestle with. Is Oppenheimer trying (and failing) to imagine the hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians murdered by the weapon he devised? Or is he envisioning some hypothetical doomsday scenario still to come?

I think the answer is a blur of both, and also something more: In this moment, one of the movie’s most abstract, Nolan advances a longer view of his protagonist’s history and his future. Oppenheimer’s blindness to Japanese victims and survivors foreshadows his own stubborn inability to confront the consequences of his actions in years to come. He will speak out against nuclear weaponry, but he will never apologize for the atomic bombings of Japan — not even when he visits Tokyo and Osaka in 1960 and is questioned by a reporter about his perspective now. “I do not think coming to Japan changed my sense of anguish about my part in this whole piece of history,” he will respond. “Nor has it fully made me regret my responsibility for the technical success of the enterprise.”

Talk about compartmentalization. That episode, by the way, doesn’t find its way into “Oppenheimer,” which knows better than to offer itself up as the last word on anything. To the end, Nolan trusts us to seek out and think about history for ourselves. If we elect not to, that’s on us.

[blackkatmagic]

Oh god, the inherent mayhem of granta's daddy issues vs alpha-17... Any chance we can get an early peek at that wip?

The man snorts, a dismissive glance taking in all the tangles of limbs, the twisting bodies, with the same sort of disinterest Granta was feeling just a moment ago. “You're Granta Omega,” he says, and when that gaze settles back on Granta, it’s as sharp as knives.

Granta smiles, light, and takes a deliberate sip of his drink. “That depends entirely on who’s asking,” he says. “I can be him, if that’s what you'd like. Though on my own merits, I'd like to think I'm interesting enough.”

Entirely unimpressed, the man tips his head. “I have a business deal for you,” he says, ignoring the misdirection outright.

A business deal so pressing that he sought Granta out in the middle of one of Zeltron’s famous orgies? Granta raises a brow, interested despite himself. He hasn’t precisely been keeping his presence on Zeltron quiet, but it’s second nature to use different names, different faces, to slip in and out unnoticed as he sets things up for what’s coming. To have someone find him here regardless is interesting all on its own.

“Business? Here?” he asks, feigning disbelief. “I think it’s clear that I'm otherwise occupied right now.”

“It’s not,” the man counters, and jerks his head towards the tumble of curtains blocking off the rear entrance. “Move it. It stinks in here.”

“I think it smells delightful,” Granta counters lightly, and when the man gives him a narrow look, clearly considering something inadvisable, he smiles lazily. “If you try to grab me, I'm afraid you might end up without a hand. Surely that’s not a risk you want to take in the middle of a party.”

For a moment, it almost looks like the man is going to do it regardless. Then, with a disgusted grunt, he says, “I’ll kriffing buy you dinner if you move your shebs. Come on.”

Mandalorian, then. That makes sense, given his build; he’s clearly used to full armor, and able to move in it well, if those muscles mean anything. They're not meant for show, but something far more practical, and Granta has always appreciated that particular sort of build more than the shiny body-builders who try to catch the eye. Cocking his head, he hums, sweeps a gaze up and down the man’s body, and smiles.

“What if I tell you to get on your knees and suck my cock instead of buying me dinner?” he asks mildly. “I did come here to have fun, after all.”

That scarred face darkens slightly, and the man takes one limping step forward, reaches. Granta doesn’t move, even as one big hand grips his jaw tight, almost bruising.

“I don’t follow anyone’s orders,” the man says, low and dangerous enough to make a shiver slide down Granta's spine. “If you want a blowjob in return for a meeting, you’d better get on the floor and open your mouth right now. I'm on a schedule.”

[cantheykillmacbeth]

((Hey, so. To address what happened today so I'm not just sweeping everything under the rug like some asshole: I was a dick to somebody who Did Not Deserve It At All and now after having reflected on that for a while I've deleted the post where I snapped at them.

I've evidently had a lot of built-up insecurity about how people see this blog and the way that I run it, and that all came out in a completely uncalled-for rant the second that someone pointed out a little detail. Thanks for calling me out on that, I evidently really needed the wake-up call.

Regardless of why it happened, I shouldn't have said that stuff; it was misdirected and frankly really immature of me. Sorry to everybody who had to see that, and especially to the person I blew up at (I've sent them an apology via an ask on their blog as well). Y'all are definitely right that I was being a bit of a dick there.

I deleted the post because, as this is the internet, there was a chance that some random person could have seen that tirade and said "Hey yeah this is 100% correct and justified with no flaws whatsoever! I'm gonna go harass this random person for disagreeing* with this gimmick blog!" and if that happened I think I would implode.

*saying that they "disagreed" with me is very much an overstatement btw, they pointed out a fun fact and I got pissy at them for no good reason

TL;DR: I snapped at somebody who didn't deserve it. I've deleted the post and sent them an apology because I don't want anybody harassing them over it. Sorry to everybody who saw that.

-Mod Anthem))

[ayeforscotland]

You talk often about how changes that are being made are bad but I rarely see you offering what you consider to be viable alternatives. The internet safety bill won't protect kids in your pinion, so what's the alternative? We can't vote for Labour, the only real opposing party to the Tories in a FPTP system, so what's the alternative? It's fear mongering and finger pointing like this that divides people and gives room to the tories and bigots to push their agendas through. People already feel helpless and you have a platform here that you could use to better inform people, instead of just shaming.

When I criticise the online safety bill - a policy being proposed as a misdirected reaction to a trans girl being murdered - and say political parties should be condemning transphobia within their ranks and in the public sphere, I don’t know how I can be clearer.

We don’t need spyware on children’s phones. We need our politicians to show some social responsibility and stop inflaming the debates with increasing polarising rhetoric. Stop giving the right wing everything they desire.

I challenge the idea that Labour are an opposition to the Tories. They are the same party with a different colour scheme. Calling Labour out for what they are is me using my relatively small platform to get people to engage and think critically about the policies of another party. I’m not issuing instructions, I’m trying to get people to arrive at their own conclusions, and sometimes that’s pointing out that a choice is actually bad. That’s not fear-mongering.

I don’t know how many times I and others have had to clarify that England and the UK in general is not a two party system, even with First Past the Post. I’d rather encourage people to organise with their local Green/LibDem branch and fight an election hard rather than choose to vote labour and change the colour of the curtains.

Because in 5-10 years whenever labour fucks up and the Tories regain political advantage, voters will just wave them back in. Handing this election to labour without making them fight for it gives them carte blanche to do all manners of corrupt shit that they’ve just pulled with the Gaza ceasefire vote.

So I completely reject that calling Labour, who from a policy perspective are lock-step with the Tories, a shit party that people shouldn’t vote for is fear-mongering. It’s calling a spade a spade.

And look if you’ve been here for a while and noticed a change in tone then I get it. You might not like me being more combative, but as I’ve said previously, I’m angrier than I’ve ever been in my political life, and I’m tired of people pretending that Labour will sweep in and reverse 10 years of Tory rule. They will simply choose to continue it.

[zeke-fanfucs]

15/17 more of my own family. Ezekai, his kids, Kael and Rowen, and Colt being adopted!

East Ridge – Training Field, Late Afternoon

Dust blew across the makeshift sparring ring—little more than scorched dirt and faded footprints, but to the Varn family, it might as well have been a coliseum.

Colt cracked his neck with a groan, tail swaying low and loose behind him.

“You sure about this, old man?”

Ezekai adjusted his duster slowly, long shadowy fingers curling and uncurling like coiled smoke. His golden eyes burned under the brim of his hat, unreadable as ever.

“I’m still faster than you, boy.”

“You’re made of dust and drama,” Colt shot back. “Try not to break a hip.”

From the fence line, Kael sat cross-legged with a thick notebook open, quill tapping the page. He mumbled to himself:

“Observation: Ezekai opens with pressure—waits for the opponent to overcommit. Colt favors feints, tailwork, and momentum…”

Meanwhile, Rowan was jumping in place, clapping.

“Kick his ass, Dad! Hit him in the ego!”

Colt raised a brow. “You taught her that?”

Ezekai didn’t answer. He moved.

The shadow-lash Veilwhip snapped from his side with fluid grace, striking at Colt’s feet, forcing the younger man to leap back with a hiss.

Colt drew both daggers with a flick of his wrists, grin breaking loose. “Alright then. No mercy.”

They clashed.

⸻

Ezekai was a ghost, all measured steps and misdirection, his body shifting between shadow and shape. Colt fought like a storm—fast, brutal, and loud, his tail darting like a spear, mechanical edge flashing.

They moved in arcs and circles, neither landing clean, but neither yielding.

Colt slid low, aiming to sweep Ezekai’s leg.

Ezekai vanished mid-motion—phased—and reappeared behind him, boot thudding into Colt’s back and sending him face-first into the dirt.

“Goddammit!” Colt wheezed, coughing up dust.

Kael scribbled. “Tactic: spatial phasing counter to over-aggression. Potential application in ambush scenarios…”

Rowan hollered, “WOO! That’s my dad! Colt, you suck!”

Colt sat up slowly, coughing, then flipped Rowan off without looking.

“She learned that from you,” he told Ezekai, dragging himself upright.

Ezekai shrugged. “She’s perceptive.”

They squared off again.

⸻

Thirty Minutes Later

Colt was sprawled on the ground, shirt torn, chest heaving. Ezekai stood over him, one boot on Colt’s chest like some smug cowboy war god, sipping from a water canteen with the air of a man who hadn’t just been in a hellbrawl.

Rowan dangled from the fence upside-down, grinning ear to ear.

“Do it again! Kick him again!”

Kael flipped a page in his book. “Recommendation: Colt should train with a weight handicap to balance Ezekai’s dimensional advantage. Or just stop being a cocky bastard.”

Colt groaned. “I liked you more before you could write.”

Ezekai finally offered a hand. Colt took it.

“Not bad,” the older man said. “You’ve improved.”

Colt cracked a crooked grin, blood on his lip and pride half-dead. “Guess you’re not completely obsolete.”

Ezekai smirked faintly.

“That’s my boy.”

[andorshitdaily]

I suppose someone should also say something about Syril, so… that would be me. Look. I absolutely understand why people don’t like him. I understand that portions of his arc are not written in an endearing way, to put it mildly, and certain of his actions are indefensible. I understand that it’s funny to watch him mope, whine, fail to deliver a motivational speech, and munch on cereal as a 35-year-old man living with his mother. But on the whole, I personally see him as a smartly written irregularity in the Star Wars universe, played by a skilled actor who comprehends every facet of the role. Syril goes from the “unlikely hero” of his personal story to a disastrous fall from grace in his first three episodes; that’s an arc that would take most characters a complete season, and for many antagonists crafted by lesser writers, it would’ve ended in his death and the story would have moved on. Instead we, as viewers, are forced to sit with him. We’re put in the position of having to watch the defeated villain try to sweep the shattered, sharp shards of his life back together. How often do we see what happens after the bad guy is vanquished? How often do we see the bad guy’s mom slap him, pour him bowls of cereal, and poke, prod at, and demean him for days on end? How often do we see the bad guy cry as he stares out at the feeble sliver of sunlight he’s able to glimpse through his window? The awkward, obsessive, uncomfortable writing of him is as spectacular as it is unique. This is to say nothing of his moral code, which does exist… but it’s misdirected. The things he believes in - justice, security, right and wrong - aren’t bad in and of themselves, and even the rebels would likely agree they’re important. The problem for Syril is that he believes the Empire is capable of delivering those things to the galaxy in a fair or balanced way, when won’t. It never will. Whether or not he‘s forced to acknowledge that in Season 2 remains to be seen (I wonder if the Ghorman massacre might rattle his Imperial worldview, and if it doesn’t, nothing ever will). The sadness of Syril, I think, is that there’s so much misplaced devotion in him. There’s so much emotion, so much faith, so much dedication, but it’s all poured into and twisted by the wrong governing system, the wrong woman (he can risk his life to save her, but Dedra Meero will never love him back), and the wrong side of the fight. Is he right to support the cause that he does? No. The Empire might kill him in the end just as the rebellion, in a way, killed Cassian, but at least Cassian’s sacrifice for his cause is noble, voluntary, and full of meaning. If Syril dies for the Empire, it will remain indifferent to him. He won’t even be an asterisk in its footnotes. Syril repeatedly gives everything to get nothing in return, and that, in my opinion, is the tragedy of him. Had his past been different, he could have been a great rebel. Instead he is, as of the end of Season 1, a middling and probably doomed Imperial. His high collar is destined to choke the life out of him.

This is all so true. A character I never knew I, or Star Wars, needed. Much appreciation for him and Kyle Soller!!

[danika-redgrave124]

Umbra Witch Yuu Weapons Side Characters Plus Grim

Gemstone Blaze

Appearance: The Gemstone Blaze pistols are sleek, with barrels that emit an intense blue flame. The gemstones embedded in the pistols are similar to the one around Grim’s neck, glowing with an otherworldly light. The grips are wrapped in elegant black and white ribbons, adding a touch of sophistication to the deadly weapons.

Combat Style

Long-Range Firepower and Flame Manipulation: Gemstone Blaze allows Yuu to dominate the battlefield with a combination of precise gunplay and powerful flame-based attacks.

Blazing Roar: This special ability unleashes bursts of blue flame projectiles that explode on impact, dealing significant area-of-effect damage. The explosive nature of the flames makes it effective against groups of enemies, allowing Yuu to control the battlefield and keep foes at a distance.

Wave of Blue Flames: The pistols can also generate a sweeping wave of blue flames that rolls across the ground, engulfing enemies in its path. This wave enhances Yuu's fire-based attacks, making them more potent and giving them an edge in combat against enemies weak to fire.

Pyrotechnic Precision: With Gemstone Blaze, Yuu's combat style would emphasize precision and flair. They can fire off rapid bursts of flame projectiles, chaining them together to create explosive combos. The blue flames add a dramatic visual element to their attacks, making their movements even more stylish and impactful.

Enhanced Fire-Based Attacks: The flames from Gemstone Blaze don’t just damage enemies; they also empower Yuu's other fire-based abilities. As the blue flames surround them, they can temporarily increase the power and range of their fiery attacks, allowing her to unleash devastating assaults that leave her enemies scorched and overwhelmed.

Finishing Moves

Inferno Climax: When performing a Climax attack with Gemstone Blaze, Yuu channels the full power of the pistols, creating a massive pillar of blue flame that engulfs all enemies in its radius. The flames burn with intense heat, reducing foes to ash as Yuu emerges unscathed from the inferno, their power amplified by the searing energy.

Smile Tails

Appearance: Smile Tails consists of two elegantly curved blades, each adorned with the iconic purple and pink stripes reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat. The blades shimmer with an eerie, otherworldly glow, and the handles are designed with playful, yet sinister, feline motifs. When wielded, the blades seem to shimmer in and out of existence, much like the Cheshire Cat’s infamous grin.

Combat Style

Whimsical and Unpredictable Strikes: Smile Tails allows Yuu to attack with a combination of speed, precision, and misdirection. The curved blades are perfect for sweeping strikes and rapid combos that keep enemies on their toes.

Grinning Apparition: This special ability unleashes a flurry of strikes that create illusionary copies of the blades. These spectral copies mimic Yuu's movements, attacking enemies from multiple directions simultaneously. The disorienting nature of these illusions confuses opponents, making it difficult for them to predict where the real attack will come from.

Mischievous Vanish: As the illusionary blades land their blows, they vanish with a mischievous smile, adding an unsettling psychological element to the fight. Enemies are left vulnerable and off-balance, as they struggle to keep up with the elusive and deceptive attacks.

Feline Agility and Grace: Smile Tails would enhance Yuu's agility, allowing them to dart around the battlefield with feline-like grace. The dual blades are light and responsive, perfect for acrobatic maneuvers and quick, fluid strikes that can seamlessly transition between offense and defense.

Tactical Deception: The illusionary copies created by Grinning Apparition aren’t just for show—they serve as a tactical advantage, enabling Yuu to strike from unexpected angles or set up devastating follow-up attacks. The confusion sown by these illusions allows her to manipulate the flow of battle, controlling the pace and overwhelming her foes with unpredictability.

Finishing Moves

Cheshire Cat's Gambit: When performing a Climax attack with Smile Tails, Yuu summons a massive, grinning Cheshire Cat apparition that engulfs the battlefield in darkness. The only visible elements are the floating, grinning blades that strike relentlessly at enemies. The attack concludes with the Cheshire Cat’s iconic grin lingering in the air as the enemies are torn apart by the spectral blades.

Judgement Cross

Appearance: Judgement Cross is a foreboding scythe with a long, dark handle adorned with intricate gothic designs and religious symbols. The blade is razor-sharp, etched with fiery motifs that seem to glow with a smoldering intensity. The scythe's hilt is encrusted with dark gemstones, and the overall design exudes a sense of judgment and punishment.

Combat Style

Heavy and Devastating Strikes: Judgement Cross would emphasize powerful, sweeping strikes that can cleave through multiple enemies at once. The scythe’s wide arc allows Yuu to control the battlefield, keeping enemies at bay while delivering devastating blows.

Hellfire Verdict: This special ability unleashes a wave of hellfire with each swing, engulfing enemies in flames. The fiery slashes not only cause immediate damage but also leave enemies burning, dealing continuous damage over time. The intense flames create an aura of condemnation, as if the enemies are being judged and punished by the scythe’s righteous fury.

Aura of Condemnation: When wielding Judgement Cross, Yuu radiates an intimidating presence, as if passing judgment on her foes. The scythe’s strikes are imbued with an aura of condemnation, making enemies more susceptible to stagger and increasing the psychological pressure they feel in battle.

Enhanced Attack Power: Hellfire Verdict doesn’t just damage enemies—it also temporarily increases Yuu's attack power, allowing her to deal even more punishing blows. As they swings the scythe, the flames intensify, imbuing each strike with the destructive force of hellfire.

Tactical Area Control: The wide, sweeping attacks of Judgement Cross are ideal for controlling large groups of enemies. Yuu can use the scythe to carve out space on the battlefield, creating zones of fiery condemnation where enemies are reluctant to tread. This allows them to dictate the flow of combat, forcing enemies into positions where they are vulnerable to their other abilities.

Finishing Moves

Infernal Judgement: When performing a Climax attack with Judgement Cross, Yuu swings the scythe in a grand, sweeping motion, summoning a massive pillar of hellfire that erupts from the ground, consuming all enemies in its path. The attack culminates in a final, decisive strike that sends out shockwaves of fire, leaving the battlefield scorched and her enemies reduced to ashes.

Deceptive Canes

Appearance: The Deceptive Canes are a pair of elegant, sleek canes adorned with fox motifs that symbolize cunning and slyness. The canes are intricately designed with swirling patterns and ornate handles, giving them a sophisticated yet deceptive appearance. Hidden within each cane are extendable blades that reveal their true lethality during combat.

Combat Style

Deceptive and Precise Strikes: Deceptive Canes would emphasize quick, precise strikes that catch enemies off guard. Yuu would use the canes to feint, mislead, and outmaneuver their foes, striking with the hidden blades at unexpected moments.

Cunning Charade: This special ability unleashes a flurry of deceptive strikes that create illusions, confusing and disorienting enemies. As Bayonetta strikes, the canes extend their hidden blades, making the attacks appear harmless until the last second when the true danger is revealed. This ability also temporarily increases Bayonetta’s critical hit rate, allowing her to land more devastating blows.

Enhanced Evasiveness: Wielding the Deceptive Canes allows Yuu to move with increased agility and finesse. The canes can be used to vault, flip, and weave through enemy attacks, making them harder to hit. The Cunning Charade ability further enhances their evasiveness, allowing them to dodge and counterattack with lethal precision.

Illusory Feints: Yuu can use the canes to create illusory feints, causing enemies to misjudge their movements. They might appear to strike with one cane, only to swiftly switch to the other, keeping her foes off-balance. This tactic makes it difficult for enemies to predict her next move, giving her the upper hand in battle.

Tactical Deception

Disorienting Combos: The Deceptive Canes allow Yuu to chain together combos that bewilder and overwhelm their opponents. The hidden blades can extend mid-combo, turning what seems like a harmless strike into a lethal blow. The rapid shifts between deceptive movements and deadly strikes keep enemies on edge, unable to anticipate her next move.

Confusion and Misdirection: The fox motifs on the canes serve as a reminder of their deceptive nature. Yuu can use the canes to create illusions or distortions in the battlefield, making it appear as if there are multiple copies of her or that she’s attacking from different angles. This tactic sows confusion among her enemies, leaving them vulnerable to their true attacks.

Finishing Moves

Fox's Gambit: When performing a Climax attack with the Deceptive Canes, Yuu engages in a rapid series of feints and strikes, creating afterimages that leave her enemies guessing which one is real. They finishes the move by extending the hidden blades fully, delivering a series of critical hits that devastate their foes, leaving them disoriented and defeated.

Clownish Mallets

Appearance: The Clownish Mallets are dual mallets with a playful, exaggerated design. Each mallet is adorned with bright, garish colors and whimsical patterns, reminiscent of a circus or carnival. They feature a spring-loaded mechanism hidden within the heads, adding an element of unpredictability to their strikes. The handles are large and decorated with clownish motifs, making them look both amusing and menacing.

Combat Style

Chaotic and Powerful Strikes: The Clownish Mallets would emphasize heavy, unpredictable attacks that combine strength with a touch of whimsy. Yuu would use the mallets to deliver powerful, erratic blows that can disrupt and stagger enemies.

Blundering Bash: This special ability involves performing a series of heavy, unpredictable strikes. The spring-loaded mechanism adds an extra punch to each blow, causing significant knockback and stunning enemies. The erratic nature of the attacks keeps opponents guessing and unable to effectively counter their moves. Additionally, Blundering Bash temporarily boosts Bayonetta’s strength and resilience, allowing her to endure more damage and deal devastating hits.

Unpredictable Impact: The Clownish Mallets’ spring-loaded mechanism creates a sense of unpredictability in combat. Each strike can vary in force and trajectory, making it difficult for enemies to anticipate Yuu's next move. The mallets might bounce or spin unpredictably, adding a chaotic element to her attacks.

Area Control: Yuu can use the mallets to create a wide area of impact. The powerful, unpredictable strikes can knock multiple enemies back and create space for them to maneuver. This makes the Clownish Mallets ideal for dealing with groups of enemies and disrupting their formations.

Tactical Disruption

Stunning Combos: The mallets can be used to chain together combos that stun and disorient enemies. Yuu might perform a series of erratic swings, with each blow causing enemies to stagger or fall back, setting them up for follow-up attacks or giving them the chance to reposition.

Whimsical Chaos: The whimsical design of the Clownish Mallets can create a chaotic battlefield environment. Yuu's strikes might cause environmental hazards or trigger unexpected effects, such as bouncing enemies into traps or causing explosions. The unpredictability of the mallets adds an element of surprise to her combat strategy.

Finishing Moves

Carnival Frenzy: When performing a Climax attack with the Clownish Mallets, Yuu unleashes a wild series of swings and bounces. The mallets spin and expand their range of impact, creating a frenzy of chaotic energy. Enemies caught in the attack are thrown around and stunned, ending with a powerful, unpredictable final blow that deals massive damage.

[dr-futbol-blog]

Critical Mass, Pt. 4

As mentioned, this is a "Whudunnit" episode and the audience is supposed to suspect everyone. Because the Goa'uld can hide in and take over anyone, everyone is a suspect. It is obvious that the only person who even genuinely entertains McKay as the culprit is Kavanagh, who has his own reasons to do that, but McKay is acting somewhat oddly throughout the episode. Here, we see him punch in the code using his right hand and while he is ambidextrous, the fact that we are shown him doing this in close up may be an attempt at misdirection. When McKay and Cadman had shared a body, Cadman used his right hand and McKay favoured his left.

McKay: Disconnecting ZPM power… now.

Also, because the city itself is kind of like a symbolic representation of Sheppard and the irregular beating of Charrin's heart is mentioned, we may note here that McKay has the keys to Sheppard's heart -- in fact, he may well be the only one that does -- but he is also capable of disconnecting it, of making Sheppard try to protect himself by cutting off his emotions, which we have seen him do before and will see again following the dramatic events of the next episode. This disconnection and subsequent reconnection of the ZPM may contain some foreshadowing of that.

After McKay has disconnected the ZPM, darkness has fallen and we find him on the control platform with Cadman. While it is obvious from his tone that he is not comfortable with this arrangement, he is trying to be at least somewhat cordial, even engaging her in conversation. And we may note that although Cadman is very likely fucking with him for old times' sake, she is being flirty while wearing her hair down and smiling cheekily at him. And this is enough to entirely hide Sheppard's motivation for putting them together. This is an iteration of what we saw Sheppard do during The Siege (S01E20) when we found him sweeping the city near where McKay was working and McKay had mysteriously been given a P-90 for personal protection by someone. Sheppard is sweeping the city here too, and Cadman herself essentially is now the P-90, only she is much more effective in this particular situation in protecting him.

McKay: Explosives expert, huh? Cadman: High temperature and energetic materials technology. McKay: Hmm. Cadman: And I can tap dance, too.

While her response is cute, McKay seems exasperated by her answer albeit he keeps his thoughts to himself. But we may note that the fact that McKay did not know this about Cadman even though Cadman had spent two days in his head means that they never had access to each other's thoughts and memories. This also shows us that McKay is entirely clueless when it comes to beautiful women flirting with him and even if she was not involved with his best friend, he would not know what to do with this even if it was something that he wanted. Which it is not. He is only entertaining this because Sheppard told him to. And although McKay does not understand why Sheppard insists he should entertain Cadman, he is willing to do it just on his say so.

Weir: Colonel Sheppard, how's it going? Sheppard: Checking the east pier power distribution centres. Still nothing. We're headed to the west pier now. Weir: Ronon? How about you? Dex: Checking the grounding stations. Also nothing. Sheppard: We've got eight other teams out there. It's a big city -- it's gonna take a while. Weir: Understood. Be advised: we got a second message relayed to us--

Sheppard sweeping the city with a team and a flashlight is reminiscent of the beginning of Before I Sleep (S01E15) where he was in contact with McKay on the control platform via radio, the two of them chatting because apparently they wanted to be in contact even when they had to be apart. And we may note that Sheppard calls Atlantis a "big city" here, confirming that what ever he had been calling "not that big" back then had not been the city itself. But now it is Weir that is the go-between, the intermediary between them and this too we have seen before (e.g., in The Intruder, S02E02), facilitating a connection between them when they cannot be in contact. Also, let us underscore the fact that Cadman really should have been out there with them sweeping the city. She should have been doing what Ronon is currently doing but in this case, Sheppard clearly thought that she is going to be able to protect McKay better than Ronon can, which is Ronon's regular job.

Chuck: Uh, DHD. McKay: It's dialling itself. That's Earth's address! Weir: I thought it couldn't dial Earth without the ZPM. McKay: Well, it can't!

The DHD suddenly starts dialing itself, prompting McKay to get up to look at it. He seems absolutely baffled as, having just disconnected the ZPM personally, it should not be able to do this. It goes against everything he knows about the nature of reality. We can hear his utter bewilderment in his voice that goes up an octave, and it is rare to hear him so freaked out. This seems to be something that Sheppard can hear even through Weir's radio.

Sheppard: Did I just hear right, the gate dialled by itself? Weir: Yes, it tried to dial Earth. McKay: Whoever planted the bomb must have devised a programme to upload itself and automatically dial the gate as backup in case the first dialling was halted. Weir: A very good thing you pulled the ZPM.

Having been able to hear McKay's distress Sheppard does not just want to know what is going on right now, he also seems to have picked up his pace suddenly and very likely started making his way toward the control tower. McKay's relief is palpable and can be seen in his smile. But note that just as soon as he hears Sheppard's voice -- and it is clear that he does -- McKay blinks, has a physical reaction to it. This tells us that Sheppard had immediately switched to a channel where he could be in direct contact with McKay. Although Weir is the one who responds, Sheppard was asking the question from McKay. And McKay's reaction to hearing Sheppard is interesting. It is not relief, the relief quickly washes over his face. Again, like he had on the Daedalus in The Hive (S02E11), he looks awestruck, almost dazed. He can barely control his face when Sheppard is involved.

Cadman: Rodney? McKay: What? Cadman: The transmitter. McKay: Oh, no! Weir: What is this? McKay: We just started broadcasting a distress beacon. The gate dialled itself in order to draw our attention away from the transmitter! Sheppard: Turn it off!

McKay manages to take only a short moment to feel good about having done something that pleases the people he is trying to impress and earn the approval of, getting actual praise from Weir for his actions. Cadman points out that they are swiftly veering from the frying pan into the fire when the emergency beacon switches on. Sheppard's urgent "Turn it off!" tells us two things: he had opened a channel to include McKay and he was talking specifically to him. When there is clearly a crisis brewing, he does not want intermediaries between himself and McKay if he can help it. He also does not need to tell McKay twice (or at all, as they again seem to be thinking as one), he is already on it.

McKay: I am. It's too late! The damage is already done. The two wraith cruisers I was monitoring, they've-they've-they've-they've picked up the beacon, they've altered their course, they're headed straight for Atlantis!

McKay manages to shut it off quickly but it is still too late. The two phallic objects in the sky that he has been keeping an eye on start advancing on them, and there might be a metaphor here for how little incentive it takes to discover something when it is being sought after. When we are looking for it, it is easy to pick up the signal no matter how briefly it is sounded, how minutely shown. When it is important, you pay attention. Also, let us just note that Weir already seems utterly adrift here. This is precisely the kind of situation where she should defer to Sheppard, to give the command over to him. She would have spared herself a lot of agony if she had. But neither of them wants to do that, she does not want to give up the command and he does not want to take it on. Just like during Letters from Pegasus (S01E17), the fact that Kavanagh is dislikeable does not mean that he is wrong in his assessment of the leadership of this expedition.

Continued in Pt. 5

[idw-sonic-fan-blog]

Lanolin is a high ranking officer of Restoration’s offensive division and is the leader of the Restoration’s only military/security division. From what characterization we’ve seen, she is cautious and very task oriented. She is rigid and very much favors a military chain of command as she calls Amy ‘Commander Rose.’ Her team at the moment is comprised of Tangle, Whisper, Duo/Mimic, Surge, and Kit.

It says something that Tangle is her most cooperative and cohesive teammate.

Whisper is quiet and prefers to work alone and while she does agree to play along with the team, she still carries those lone wolf traits such as she chose to act alone and outside of the team and collaborate with Silver to expose Mimic’s game instead of relaying that info to both Lanolin and Tangole beforehand. Because she didn’t trust her own team and kept quiet when she witnessed Duo!Mimic try to kill Silver and then iced out the other two, Mimic was successful in keeping his act up.

Duo/Mimic is obviously a plant to sabotage the team and subsequently the Restoration, and while Surge and Kit initially were, they seemed to have taken to the Hero praise and want to try for real yet even when Surge actually wants to be a good guy the right way, she still doesn’t bother to tell Lanolin that Sonic is the Phantom Rider because why would she.

Tangle doesn’t bother to tell her because, and this totally on Stanley, for some reason, the character is missing her spine anytime she is around Lanolin. Even the most charitable reading I can give this is that Tangle has been so browbeaten by Lanolin that she is too scared to speak up to her for fear of mildly annoying her. This is the problem with Lanolin but more on that later.

And Jewel does not communicate her suspicions about Clean Sweep to Lanolin or anybody really and as Lanolin’s supervisor and superior officer, Jewel is well in her right to not to. But because she is not divulging information that she is suspecting Clutch of foul play, Lanolin is looking stupid trying to arrest Sonic, a hedgehog who has besieged entire armies and battalions by himself, because she thinks Sonic has gone rogue. I mean Tails and Amy have no reason to say anything because the whole plot hinges on Sonic and company using misdirection and being discrete. That’s why Sonic agreed to be the Phantom Rider in the first place.

Here is what Lanolin knew prior to the reveal that Sonic is the Phantom Rider.

• The Phantom Rider interfered in a Restoration backed event and it’s her job to regulate said event.

• The Phantom Rider eluded their capture twice and both times caused a lot of destruction. Once was her fault.

• The Phantom Rider accosted her teammate and caused wanton destruction.

Given the information that she is privy to, yeah, you can’t blame her for being angry with both Whisper and Tangle for not divulging to her that they knew who the Phantom Rider was. And her foolishly thinking that she can arrest Sonic is not the problem. That’s her job. Sonic allegedly according to her and engaging in acts of wanton endangerment for seemingly no reason. Whether she can stop her or not is irrelevant. And Lanolin operates completely different than the rest of Sonic’s crew as she respects structure so she is not quite at the acceptance of granting Sonic the benefit of doubt without explanation. Tangle is because she has worked with Sonic multiple times. Whisper is because she has worked with Sonic many times as well. Lanolin has only been around Sonic through coincidences and only worked with him once. Each time, she was under duress or experiencing some crisis. Point is that whether or not she can or should try arrest to Sonic is irrelevant. Her antagonism is a personality clash without the romantic tension or genuine enmity. She is the type of person who would walk up to Shadow the Hedgehog and ask him to stop if he was causing a disturbance with no fear or thought about self-preservation.

I mentioned how Lanolin is task oriented. What’s her current task? Expanding the Diamond Hunters. This is why she is so protective of Duo. This is why she is willing to accept Surge and Kit in spite of knowing who they are. If Commander Rose vouched for them, then that’s fine with her.

You aren’t mad about the character and her personality. You are mad that she is essentially dog walking Whisper and Tangle. As mentioned earlier, Tangle is letting Lanolin walk all over her. And while it’s meant to be seen as establishing dynamics within the team, it feels like Tangle and Whisper are letting stuff slide at best, or allowing the least experienced person in their trio to dog walk them and that is grating.

[warbyparker]

Warby Parker (Shops at Farmington Valley) Sweepstakes

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In addition, you acknowledge and agree that Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any potential Winner at any time, in its sole discretion, on the basis of anything contained in, or learned or obtained as a result of, the submitted Release or any other forms requested by Sponsor that, in Sponsor’s sole opinion, would constitute a breach of these Official Rules or any such forms, inclusive of any proof of permission that Sponsor may request in its sole discretion.

7. PRIZES: Winner will receive one (1) Warby Parker gift card in the amount of $145 and four (4) ski lift passes to Ski Sundown Resort (“Prize”). Prize is non-transferable; no substitutions allowed, except at the discretion of Sponsor. All details of Prize shall be determined solely by Sponsor. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of Prize, pending winner verification. Approximate retail value (ARV) of Prize is $545.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Neither Sponsor nor any of its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, nor any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, agents, and employees, nor Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or any Internet access providers (collectively “Releasees”) are responsible for: incorrect or inaccurate entry of Entry information; human error; technical malfunction; lost/delayed data transmission; omission; interruption; deletion; defect; failure of any telephone, computer, or other network or of any computer equipment, software, or any combination thereof; inability to access Instagram; late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrect or incomplete Entries; or any other problems or errors related to the Sweepstakes. Entries that do not comply with these Official Rules, as determined by Sponsor, will be subject to disqualification from the Sweepstakes.

9. LICENSING OF ENTRY:  By entering this Sweepstakes, and to the extent allowed by law, you grant Sponsor and each of its affiliates, licensees, promotional partners, advertising and promotion agencies, and third party marketing entities a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, sub-licensable, unconditional, fully paid-up, and transferable license to use, edit, modify, cut, rearrange, add to, delete from, copy, reproduce, translate, adapt, publish, exploit, and use the content of and elements embodied in the Entry in commerce and in any and all media worldwide, without limitation or compensation to you, as well as the absolute right and permission to use your name, Instagram username, biographical data, photograph or other likeness (including your Instagram profile photograph), and prize information. You waive and release Sponsor and Releasees from any and all claims that you may now or hereafter have in any jurisdiction based on “moral rights” or “droit moral” or unfair competition with respect to Sponsor’s exploitation of the Entry without further notification or compensation to you of any kind, and agree not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against Sponsor and Releasees, on the grounds that any use of the Entry, or any derivative works thereof, infringes, or violates any of your rights therein.

You hereby acknowledge and agree that the relationship between you and Sponsor is not a confidential, fiduciary, or other special relationship, and that your decision to provide the Entry to Sponsor for purposes of the Sweepstakes does not place Sponsor in a position that is any different from the position held by members of the general public with regard to elements of the Entry, other than as set forth in these Official Rules. By submitting an Entry, you understand and acknowledge that Sponsor has wide access to ideas, photographs, designs, and other literary materials, and that new ideas are constantly being submitted to it or being developed by its own employees. You also acknowledge that many ideas may be competitive with, similar to, or identical to the Entry and/or each other in theme, idea, format, or other respects. You acknowledge and agree that you will not be entitled to any compensation as a result of Sponsor’s use of any such similar or identical material that has or may come to Sponsor from other sources. You acknowledge and agree that Sponsor does not now and shall not have in the future any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory, or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of your copyright in and to the submission.

10. ADDITIONAL TERMS: Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual found tampering with the entry process or entry materials. If, in Sponsor’s opinion, there is any suspected or actual evidence of electronic or non-electronic tampering with any portion of the Sweepstakes, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right to void suspect Entries and/or terminate the Sweepstakes and award the Prize from among all Eligible Entries received as of the termination date or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. Should the Sweepstakes be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsor will endeavor to post notice of termination on blog.warbyparker.com. YOU ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES, AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE DECISIONS OF THE SPONSOR, WARRANT THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES AND RELEASE RELEASEES FROM AND AGAINST ALL CLAIMS AND DAMAGES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION AND/OR ENTRY IN THE SWEEPSTAKES AND/OR AWARDING OR USE OF ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR MOBILE APPLICATION OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR AND ITS DESIGNEES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that permits you to automatically enter is prohibited. In the event of a dispute as to who submitted an Entry, the Entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the Instagram Account that submitted the Entry the time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the person assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the email address in question. Any Entry information collected from the Sweepstakes shall be used only in a manner consistent with the consent given by entrants at the time of Entry, with these Official Rules, and with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy which can be found at http://www.warbyparker.com/privacy-policy. Normal internet access and mobile device usage charges from your carrier will apply.

11) DISPUTES/CHOICE OF LAW: The laws of the United States govern the Sweepstakes. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of you and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

You agree that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) if the parties are unable to resolve their dispute amicably, such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration; (c) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event and under no circumstances will you be permitted to obtain awards for attorneys’ fees; and (d) you hereby waive all rights to claim punitive, incidental, and consequential damages, and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased.

12. WHO WON? Winner’s name and Instagram username may be posted, at Sponsor’s discretion, on one or more of the following websites: Sponsor’s Instagramaccount (instagram.com/warbyparker); Sponsor’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/warbyparker); Sponsor’s Twitter page (http://www.twitter.com/warbyparker); an Sponsor’s blog (blog.warbyparker.com).

13. SPONSOR: Warby Parker Inc., 233 Spring Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10013.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by or in association with Ski Sundown Resort

[distractionactivated]

Results are IN!

So what's up with my flat?

Well, I made it deliberately hard for you - all of those features were real features that I have really encountered in a terraced house of this type.

A) 🍳🚿50% of you voted for the kitchen shower! We viewed a flat with this glaring flaw two days before viewing our current place and were astonished to discover that we actually had standards

B) 🔥only 2.8% of you voted possibly-working fireplace with chimney. A house I lived in some years ago had this - we never used it (it would've needed a sweep, and who knows where to find a chimney sweep in 2019?) - but we did have to shove a cushion in a plastic bag up there to stop the constant draught.

D) 🚪30.6% of you voted for the secret passage! This was actually in the same house as the fireplace, in which me and my housemate shared a closet. Insert jokes here.

Which means that the correct answer is C - 🪜🕸️ the basement! Well done to the 16.7% of you who got it.

This thing is Not Good.

At the top, there's a pile of junk, including an abandoned pair of boots and some cryptic numbers scrawled on the inner door. The air stinks of mould, and that cardboard box is clearly more mould than box. There's a couple of modern recycling bags at the bottom, as though someone chucked them in without realising it was stairs and then went 'fuck going and retrieving them.'

The business, meanwhile, as 45.5% of you correctly intuited, was a pet shop. So we assume that there are budgie ghosts down there, as well as what my friend intended to say would be a hamster colony but was autocorrected to colonel. So the hamster colonel is there now.

However...

I was going to do a poll about this one but folks I've genuinely run out of ways to misdirect you, so I'm gonna tell you straight up: there is also an attic. This is in some ways not surprising, since we have one of those blank hatches on the landing that can be seen from below, but I expected it to be either sealed, or like most attics: a dark, cobwebby, maybe mouldy mess of bare beams and insulations.

No. It looks, from the little I can see (I am not tall enough to even get my phone properly up there from the only chair we have that can hold my weight), like a full loft conversion that was only abandoned prior to putting in the access. There is a small amount of mould on one wall (dealable with), a double-glazed skylight, and only a very small amount of builder's debris.

Needless to say, we intend to acquire a ladder.

[erisedsssdesire]

Shifting storytime

Signs from the universe are always here, especially when we do not want to see them.

Alright, I will start this little storytime with a bunch of negativity, since I attempted to shift and it didn’t ‘work’. I have been starting my journey with the Law of Attraction since two to three weeks ago.

However, it is exam season and I have been very stressed, which unfortunately meddled with my shifting journey, only because I let it.

Today was one of those days where I was very misdirected and did not know how to channel all of that nervous and restless energy into something productive or calming. My last resort was to try to shift.

At one point of my day, after I went to get coffee with my mom, came back home and studied, attempted to snap a good picture for my portfolio and failed, I sat down on my couch and thought ‘Well, I don’t wanna be here. So why should I?’. I felt an instant pull, like I was starting to shift. But, my negativity got the best of me so I wasn’t aware of my desired reality at all. The only logical thing to do and soothe my disappointment was to sleep.

I woke up, two hours ago and it is currently late evening. I made myself a meal which reminded me of my childhood because I haven’t eaten it in a long time. I sat down, watched God knows what, distracting myself with Youtube (which I haven’t done in a long time).

This video attracted my attention at last. The title sounded like a very short description of Draco.

The first two minutes of the video the woman spoke of a dark divine masculine. And I said out loud “Oh my, this is so about Draco Malfoy.” And I kid you not, a minute and half later:

She said his full name. My dog is my witness. I swear to the universe, I said it out loud before it happened. Talk about Law of Attraction……….

NOTES ABOUT THE DARK MASCULINE

The dark masculine in question is described as aloof, grumpy, doesn’t talk to everybody but is really sweet to you. Mind you, I scripted that he is cold to everyone but me.

Rude guy

Magnetic to the point of girls throwing themselves at him (a valid reaction to Draco Malfoy)

He is so used to getting women so easily

“He is only going to focus on you” (might as well….I’m quite a catch)

“However this is going to happen will be so smooth” (He is going to sweep me off my feet, in direct translation)

Either he is a celebrity or he is getting treated like a celebrity—popular but does not try to be popular

Loyal, high standards, does not believe in the hookup culture or one night stands, devoted, waits for the right girl

“I know that you also believe in waiting.” Good Lord, let me just throw my phone against the wall and scream it out!

Theo James and Cillian Murphy as examples of the allure of the dark masculine

Striking very masculine features but there is some sort of perfection (Ya’ll this is literally HIM)

Now, this is where it gets good.

She mentioned Theo James and Cillian Murphy as two handsome celebrities with the same kind of attractiveness that were married young and always talk about their wives. This is important because I have scripted that Draco and I will get married young. Not only this, but our work will be very social.

NOTES ABOUT THE VIEWER

Image from angels—Brown cottage which explains the viewer’s character: whimsical for themselves. This describes me in a nutshell because I like to be expressive with myself, rather than for the people surrounding me. This has always been my character, even more so when I was a child.

Rich imagination: before falling asleep you dream about fake scenarios (This is a part of everyone’s shifting journey, I fear)

You get attached to fictional characters (I almost screamed)

If this dark masculine is coming to you, you will see a picture of a cottage. Does it count that I was watching ‘fancy vlogs by gab’ before this video? SHE HAS A COTTAGE VIBE. Have you ever seen her door? Cottage.

You’re going to be very tongue-tied when you see him (I am a woman of many words, but I absolutely believe this.)

A type of person who doesn’t like to catch feelings—Oh, absolutely. I am feral when I do and it is too complicated because I am very emotionally intense. Thank you to my CR man for handling me <3

NOTES ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH THE DARK MASCULINE

She said ‘Wattpad’ ‘Fictional’ ‘Movie’.

The only flaw he has is that he doesn’t like to talk to or give his time to everyone

He doesn’t like the extra attention he has been getting since he was eighteen—Okay well, this is a huuuuge part of my script. Rita Skeeter level of rumours. Wow

Dominant authoritative vibe

Do watch the video for what she says next, but it is scarily accurate. It gets to a certain point…

He might have tattoos

All of this, despite not yet knowing, makes me feel like he might be a Scorpio Rising, maybe even Venus, because this is literally the embodiment of those placements. I always imagined Draco as a Scorpio Rising because of his intense eyes, wide smile and that magnetic heavy energy. Just a side note.

This is someone who matches your wavelength and frequency—Ugh, this is so nice to hear during your shifting journey, because it is all about frequency and wavelength.

You always watched this type of man in movie or books

“He seems unreal but trust me he exists just for you.”

The video lasts way longer than what I’m saying here but I hope you are catching the the vibe. I have never felt so deeply understood, seen by the universe and I feel sort of exposed to my DR now. In a positive way of course, but vulnerable as well. The signs are there when you the least expect them to be. They show up in unconvenctional ways, and at the right time.

Have a good rest of your day/evening and good luck with shifting!