#she's famously never wrong. ever in her life

[mojaves]

THE COBRAS // QUICK, EFFICIENT, AND JUST A LITTLE DEADLY [X]

a [somewhat underground] gang formed in the early 2070s, located within night city - doing odd jobs on the streets, and in the shadows, to keep the regular folks safe, out of the unrelenting grasp of the corporations that rule the city and everyone in it.

sebastian vidal / amanda chen elza taylor / rafael taylor kieran doaghue / delaney foster

[expectiations]

The Doctor does NOT and has NEVER loved River Song (And If You Think Otherwise, You Must Be Watching a Different Show)

Listen, folks. It’s time to face the facts. The Doctor has NEVER loved River Song. Not even a little bit. And I have 17 rock-solid, completely canonical, absolutely not contradictory reasons to prove it:

He only took her to Calderon Beta to show her the starriest night in the universe on her first night in space jail, which was also their honeymoon night. A night that is literally impossible to replicate with anyone else ever again. But no, not romantic. At. All. Just two people who happen to be married, spending a totally meaningless night under the stars.

He only stuck around for the mystery of her and once it was solved, he… checks notes …continued planning elaborate dates, risked his life for her, wrote her poetry, spent centuries in her company, and doing domestics with her. But yeah. Definitely just a phase.

He kept an entire diary to track their time together. But that’s normal, right? Just an intergalactic, timey-wimey version of a Google Calendar for the woman he definitely does not feel any sort of romance for.

He was willing to let all of time and space collapse just so they could have a linear married life. You know, because that’s what you do for a woman you have no strong romantic feelings for whatsoever.

He planned intricate dates just for her, dressed up for the occasion despite usually looking like a sentient pile of laundry, and bought her custom-tailored outfits so they could match. You know, just friendly little outings. Buddies. Chums. Mates.

Whenever she calls, he comes. No matter the situation, no matter how much danger he’s in, he drops everything and rushes to her side. He’s probably just really into checking his voicemail.

He wrote her love poetry. But, like, strictly in a platonic way. Just some totally neutral iambic pentameter for the fun of it.

Despite being universally known for his terrible time management, he is always perfectly on time for her. Which, of course, doesn’t mean anything. He just suddenly became a scheduling genius when she was around.

He keeps asking her to travel with him. Like, repeatedly. Like, he can’t take the hint that she has a life outside of running around in space. Almost like he wants her there. But that would be ridiculous.

The entire universe knows that the easiest way to lure the Doctor into a trap is to put River in danger. Because he will always come for her. But that’s not love. That’s just… reflexes.

He “only” took her to Darillium because he was lonely. And then, in an act of sheer, meaningless, absolutely not-love-driven desperation, he spent 24 years (and more) being domestic with her. Just hanging out. Not a big deal.

He built a whole planet just so they could have a little more time together. You know, because nothing says "total indifference" like terraforming an entire celestial body.

An entire archipelago, famously known as "The Lovers Dreaming Island", exists where the islands literally form the shape of their intertwined bodies. That’s just standard planet-building, really. All geography is accidental.

He physically defied the laws of the universe to hold onto her data ghost. The whole "ghosts can’t be touched" thing? He literally said, "Mmm, no thanks" then proceeded to french kiss her goodbye. But that’s really just the kind of farewell you give to someone you were forced to be with.

He keeps a spare TARDIS key inside a book called The Time Traveler’s Wife. No significance whatsoever. Probably just the only book lying around.

Her words gave him hope when nothing else could. Her voice became his mantra. But no, not love. Just, you know, some lady saying things.

But yeah, sure, he never loved her. The universe must be wrong. The Doctor must be wrong. The literal geography of an archipelago must be wrong. The foundations of time itself must be wrong. Or… maybe the Doctor is just the most emotionally repressed idiot in the cosmos, and we’ve all spent years watching a romantic tragedy disguised as sci-fi nonsense.

Final Conclusion: The Doctor absolutely, 100%, definitively does not love River Song. And if you believe that, I have a prime piece of real estate in the Medusa Cascade to sell you.

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

not sure if anyone else has pointed it out yet but that random person who tagged you then proceeded to post an image of a woman with large breasts and then go "um actually it's cwazy that people would assume im reblogging a big booby woman for sex purposes. some people just look like that uwu" without a shred of irony. and yes, they actually spelled it "cwazy"

I'm really trying so hard not to dwell on cepn (very hard to lose the love of your life, really thought we would have a june wedding, etc) but yeah reblogging pics of Charli XCX with her whole ass out and sincerely believing that's like. morally superior to a joke about someone sealed in latex is???

like don't get me wrong, obviously there's a difference between a suggestive photoshoot and explicit pornography; I know this. but taking the hardline stance that all porn is bad forever and no one should ever watch any of it because any of it might have been made under exploitative conditions, and then cheerfully consuming images of scantily-clad women working in music, an industry FAMOUSLY demanding and misogynistic, and not having ANY cognitive dissonance about that? I don't know, man, how do you know for 100% sure that Charli wanted to be portrayed like that? how do you know that she wasn't pressured into being so undressed? maybe she also felt vulnerable and predated on in that photoshoot; you'll never be able to know with complete certainty. get your head out of your ass.

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Frances Dee (Becky Sharpe, Little Women)—no propaganda submitted

Ingrid Bergman (Gaslight, Casablanca, Notorious)—Where do I even begin with Ingrid Bergman? I fell in love with her with her astounding performance in the 1956 version of Anastasia -- the best Anastasia movie in large part due to her wonderful and touching performance. She's got this amazing, fascinating intensity to her in whatever role she's in. She commits 100%, and she's got this light in whatever she's in that's stunning. She's utterly convincing no matter what she plays, from an amnesiac possible lost princess, from a nun, from a woman taking her revenge on the town that wronged her, to light romantic comedy. She's never missed in any role I've seen her in! Also she became quite the MILF.

This is round 1 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Frances Dee:

Ingrid Bergman:

God, she's fantastic. She's both beautiful and a compelling actor who's more than capable of putting the whole movie on her shoulders if necessary. It's worth noting that while her beauty is conventional, she was seen as refreshingly "natural" with more eyebrows and less makeup than many other leading ladies of the time. She's well known for her role in Casablanca, but in Notorious, Spellbound, (both available on archive.org ) and Gaslight (1944) she shows how immensely capable she is. [editor's note: I've seen all of these movies and I think they're fine, but it's been a minute, so I can't thoroughly tag for trigger warnings or officially "recommend"—as always, go forth with caution when a movie is mentioned in a propaganda submission, and don't take a mention as an official recommendation of this blog.]

I mean...she's Ingrid Bergman. I feel like that should be enough, you know? She's physically beautiful (her eyes!) but watching her is like a transcendent experience. Her voice, her expressions... beautiful woman, beautiful actor.

I'm a gay man but even I understand her appeal. I'll watch any movie she shows up in. Gorgeous woman.

Just try and watch her movies without sighing wistfully, then get back to me!

Choosing 1-3 movies where Bergman was at her hottest was agony because, of course, she was always at her hottest. Not just because she was beautiful but because she was absolutely willing to go up against the bs women in Hollywood were constantly dealing with. When exiled from Hollywood for having an affair with Roberto Rossellini, not only did she refuse to apologize at any point, but she went on to say that Hollywood's films had grown stagnant and boring to her. Though she said she appreciated her time working there, she wanted to try new, different techniques (hence starring in Italian neorealist films, working on stage, and acting under directors like Ingmar Bergman). She was not afraid to chase after her artistic ideals and go outside the box regardless of what society had to say about it. From her first movie to her last she killed it. There's so much more to say about Bergman's career and life, but I've already written five million words so I'll stop at that.

One of the most incredible actors I've ever seen on film. Her facial expressions are so intricate and poignant that I cannot look away. I'm either ace or straight, but damn she made me question that.

SEVEN TIME OSCAR NOMINEE QUEEN. Girl also PULLED, having affairs with famously hot men Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck IN ADDITION to her three marriages...sexy

She has a very natural beauty to her, and she's from Sweden!

She left Hollywood and only became more beautiful. You could drown in her eyes. She can look innocent AND like she's seen it all. She is effortlessly elegant. She's played Joan of Arc (automatically hot) AND was in the movie that coined gaslight as a term. And where would we be without that!

She was known for being a breath of fresh air on the movie scene at the time with her windswept hair, dreamy smile and soulful eyes. I have loved her in every movie I have seen her in - she was just magnetic!

Where do I even start. There's a neighborly quality to this beautiful, talented actress that makes her hotness one of a kind and her looks impossible to forget

With a career spanning five decades, Bergman is often regarded as one of the most influential screen figures in cinematic history. Known for her naturally luminous beauty, Bergman spoke five languages – Swedish, English, German, Italian and French – and acted in each.

She's hot, don't get me wrong, but I've always found her very approachable, like she could easily be a member of my friend group

A lot of the time hotness in a movie is just about words and framing. "You're the most beautiful person here" [vaseline lens] well I sure hope so because that's who you cast. But when, in Casablanca, they call Ingrid Bergman the most beautiful woman in the world... they were not fucking lying. And such a dynamite actor too!! I'd only seen Casablanca up until last year, and there she's confined to love interest. But in Gaslight she was maybe one of the most incredible actors I've ever seen!!!! Goddddd shes so fucking hot and cool.

[backinotomehell]

Lot of Pretty Boys, Lot of Funny Business

Synopsis: Parties weren’t particularly your thing and neither were self proclaimed gentlemen… or were they?

Pairing: Clavis x GN!Reader (minor mention of Emma x Chevalier)

Warnings: swearing and suggestive themes

Word Count: 1.9k

Could mother not have made things easier? She could���ve just chosen someone for you to marry like all the other nobles in Rhodolite do but noooooo… She’s a modern woman who wants to drag you out of your clothing business to attend a match making tea party that is being hosted by one of her friends. ‘You deserve the right to pick your person!’ she had told you while ignoring any protest of you deserving the right to be single in peace.  

The tea party you had to admit was quite gorgeous, as if it was a painting burst into real life. Classic Rhodolite roses in various shades of pink and white were everywhere carefully decorating the large Willow trees in spirals and dried petals lay on the ground as if individually placed. Soft lighting provided by lanterns and the sun taking its time to sleep as it fights to stay up like it's trying to listen to the music provided by the pianist for a little longer. The scene may have been even better if it were not for all the people. 

Observing from the back you could tell there were a lot more people than usual, this had to be the influence of the recent engagement between Lady Emma and King Chevalier. A love as if it was straight out of a romance book. A commoner melting the heart of a cold prince and overcoming trials and tribulations for their happily ever after. It’s got everyone thinking they now have a shot at finding the one, especially with the other famously single princes including Prince Luke. If you have to hear another one of the princes’ names from your team though you may just fire them all (you would never do that, they’re too good and you need them they don’t need you).

“Hmm? Now why would such a lovely looking person be all by themselves in a romantic event?” A playful airy voice graces your ears, standing in front of you was a man with violet hair and golden eyes. His sharp features were focused on you playfully as if you were prey. Studying him and his clothing carefully you note the small leopard badge decorating the violet scarf.

If you have this correct from your teams inability to work sometimes, this would be Prince Clavis. Rumour in the store says that although he’s handsome and claims to be a gentleman, don’t fall for him unless you wish to be traumatised by one of his pranks.

And now he’s approached you. Perfect.

“Has my beauty left you speechless?” He tilted his head to the side and wow, they weren’t wrong about him being handsome.

“Oh! Ah no! Just wondering why someone would approach me, I’m sure there are others who would be interested in you. I’m only here for potential clients,” It’s bullshit and you knew it. But were you really gonna tell a prince of all things that your mother dragged you?

“Well consider me a potential client, I am Prince Clavis,” Client? Where’s the red flags? This man wants to spend money? And with the money potential you introduce yourself back. 

But wait a minute didn’t one of the brothers design and make the clothes for the royal family? Ah Shit.

“I do not think you would need my services, after all I’m a designer and I hear one of your brothers already takes care of that role for the royal family.” Expecting disappointment you instead note the look from playful to down right mischief in his eyes . “Yes, my baby brother Yves is very talented but alas he is not here tonight and a fine gentleman such as myself needs a partner in crime with a talented hand and 15 minutes. Nor would he condone the fun we will have together if you stay longer.”

Fifteen minutes of fun with the help of your talented hands? Is he asking what you think he’s asking? No matter how handsome someone is you wouldn’t give your body away like that!

“Fifteen minutes? I’m sure you'll finish in two!”

Despite the initial shock and remark from you, this doesn’t stop the third prince as he loops his arm into yours and quickly takes off with you away from the party and further into the woods, “Haha! Well that’ll still give me thirteen to focus on you! I’m sure you’ll be smiling by the end of tonight!”

Oh he’s a giver. Well I guess two minutes won’t be bad for the thirteen you receive in return.

~+~+~+~

Were you a pervert?

Did you need to get laid by the end of tonight like mother thought you at least needed?

Maybe leaving the store more and chatting to people and not clothing might need to become part of your new routine. Prince Clavis has you making alterations to his trap. He wasn’t lying when he said he was a potential client. Thoughts of being the madman run around in your head as you quickly set to work sewing a pearlescent coloured and very busty corset onto a cover for the manhole Prince Clavis is working on, giggling as he digs deep and concerningly deeper until you nearly couldn’t see him.

Where was this trauma your team talked about? On the walk over he explained his plan once you were out of earshot of everyone, when you got to the location he laid down his coat for you to sit on as he went to work so your clothes wouldn’t get dirty and his conversational skills were fun. He could keep up with you. No, he matched your energy perfectly.

“So Prince Clavis, what’s your thoughts on King Chevalier and Lady Emma? I must say my staff have been overjoyed with the news and to be honest, I’m getting a little tired of hearing it.”

“Haha! The castle staff have not stopped gushing about him either, I’m going to kill him!”  The next dig with his shovel sounded a little louder contradicting with his cheerful tone, "and please, call me Clavis."

Scratch that, he out matched your energy.

Finishing up the stitch and taking the moment look around to notice there’s a shoe here, a stocking over there and is that a pair of panties? It’s as if you’re trying to catch an actual pervert. Or as Prince Clavis -sorry- Clavis has told you, Prince Jin, the first born is who you're pranking. You can’t lie, maybe King Chevalier was the best pick out of all the brothers to rule the kingdom.

“Wow! Well look at your talented self! This is perfect! Not too obvious and not heavy enough it’ll drag the cover down,” being too lost in thought and taken by surprise, Prince Clavis crouched down and leaned in close to you to inspect your work. His body heat from shovelling warms up your cold body from sitting down and sewing.

Not because you got complimented by a pretty man and definitely not because of the gentle touch of his gloved hands on yours as he takes the cover from you and places it over the manhole. He uses rocks, dirt, leaves and whatever he could find to make the cover less suspicious.

You were in a trance as you watched him work his ways, as ridiculous as this whole situation was, it was cute and although it may not end like anyone thinks it would. It would be a fun story to tell at least once life went back to normal for you; and him back to his princely duties, or whatever this was. Spending time with him was fun though and it felt like years since you hadn’t thought about the business or responsibilities. In a matter of a short time, he brought out the playful side to you, hopefully when reality crashes back you can find someone just like him.

“Are you falling for me? Although I am a gentleman please be aware I am also a villain. Many have tried to capture my heart but they all ran away,”

“Ah yes, I’m sure they all really fell in love with you while you asked them to help create near death traps for your brothers,” they didn’t but lord knows you were. As you push yourself to stand, picking up his coat as well and dusting off what you can before passing it back to Clavis as you continue, “Unfortunately for you Clavis my job is done now though and alas I must run away as we-OAH! MMPH!”

In an action all too smoothly, Clavis had used his coat to pull you in and maneuver both your bodies to behind a tree close by . His body pressed against the back of yours trapping you between him and the tree, a gloved hand around your mouth and another pressed around your waist just above the hip.

A quiet “shh” behind your ear has you thinking maybe you’ll be the one to finish in two minutes. Taking his hand off your mouth and down to your jaw he guides your head to spot a tall figure in the distance. As much as you would like to care, the position Clavis has you in makes you prepared to be a parent.

“Our victim is here, just in time,” another whisper into your ear sent goosebumps along your arms. Trying to focus as you watch how Prince Jin shatters any resemblance of the prince role you had in your mind. Although it's dark now, cogs in his head can be seen turning as he first makes his way to the shoe, then the stocking, excitedly making his way to the pair of panties and shoving them into his pocket.

Wait what.

The first prince shoved a pair of panties… into his pocket? 

Clavis could feel your draw drop and made it his task to keep it closed, a gentleman wouldn’t want you to eat a fly afterall. 

You watched in near horror as Jin looked as if he was the luckiest man in the world as he spotted and started making his way to the corset. Time had started to slow down as he took that first step onto the cover.

His hands immediately flew into the air as he fell forward, his face dropping letting out a shout and tanned skin turning pure white, “CLAVIS! YOU HELLCAT!”

You were gone, as soon as Prince Jin took the first step into the trap you burst into a fit of hysterics. Clavis joined soon after, holding you close to him as you both felt pure bliss in partnered villainary.

Inside the trap Jin acted mad but in truth he just wanted to be a wingman to his younger brother and there was also a bottle of fancy wine with his name on it once he returned to the castle.

~+~+~+~

It had been a couple of months after the matchmaking tea party and although you started to go to more parties, much to your mothers joy and fathers dismay, you had not been able to run into Clavis again nor anyone like him. The same routine of work started to feel boring as you continued to steer the business into the right direction which should’ve been more exciting. Did you let the one get away? Work returned as your one true love and you stayed single to now your mothers dismay and fathers joy.

Well that’s until you receive a letter from the Kingdom of Lelouch. To both parents dismay.

~~~~ a/n: omg omg look ma i posted something! was honestly considering Jin or Nokto for this one it was honestly such a tough call phew.

[utilitycaster]

To expand that point about queerphobia (also, to an extent, gender equality) from the tags on someone else's post and sort of tying it back to my post yesterday about wanting to see characters work through similar experiences: I think it makes a lot of sense in the case of Exandria and Hale to build a world that does not have queerphobia and to allow people to choose to insert it if that is something their table wishes to explore. It's very much a case of wanting to build a diverse but non-utopian world that is welcoming to a wide variety of players.

I think it's a very understandable urge to want to see characters deal with the same challenges we face, and I think there are TTRPG settings that have done a good job depicting homophobia or transphobia; it's present though not common in Fantasy High, and The Unsleeping City is very close to the modern-day real world and has, well, period-typical attitudes.

The reason I get frustrated when it comes up in discussion of Exandria, and now Hale is that it's almost always used for one of two reasons: explaining why people (either specifically or generally) don't like a character; or even more frequently, explaining hesitancy between two characters in a ship. It's a convenient way to say "this person is oppressed or afraid for reasons that are objectively in no way their fault and which make the people who dislike them objectively bigoted and wrong". The problem is, while that's a valid story to tell it's often really not the story the cast is telling with these characters. Even more frustratingly, it often is used to steamroll other stories that may place those characters in just as innocent a position.

Some good examples in which this has happened in the fandom are Jester and Dorian. Jester lives on the Menagerie Coast, which is referred to a pretty wide variety of materials as being a place that is especially trans friendly (in a world where trans and nb characters already frequently occupy prominent positions and are not depicted as experiencing pushback). Her mother, a courtesan, indicates that she takes clients of varying genders. The biggest influences on her life are her mother and an otherworldly fey entity who famously can shapeshift. There is absolutely no canonical evidence that Jester would be unaware of the broad range of genders and sexualities in the world nor that she would feel obligated to embrace one that she is not; in fact there is quite strong evidence to the contrary. But if you claim that she's experiencing compulsive heterosexuality, it excuses you from having to consider that Jester is genuinely not interested in Beau, or at the very least is genuinely interested in Fjord.

Similarly, it was, at least prior to the reveals of early Campaign 3, common to headcanon that Dorian had run away from his parents because he was trans and they were transphobic. A trans reading of Dorian is still obviously entirely valid, but he left because his parents were suffocating and overbearing and often pit him against his brother. Dorian is still absolutely the victim in this! It's a valuable thing to relate to for people who have experienced parental abuse and impossible expectations. But it does still force you to think about Dorian's parents as complex people who came to this conclusion of childrearing (even if they are still in the wrong) and not just mindless bigots to be disregarded. And I think the former is nearly always a better story than the latter.

What also frustrates me is that this rarely works through the ramifications. The systemic queerphobia that would be required to put compulsory heterosexuality in place still exists once someone overcomes that and comes out; but that never comes into play when people are talking about the ship, because it's only ever used to explain why the ship hasn't happened yet, never as a significant part of the world that would affect the characters throughout their entire lives.

These are only two examples; there are countless others, some particularly egregious (*cough* Essek comes from a society that explicitly believes in reincarnation across bodies of varying genders and the queen for eternal life is in a lesbian relationship, I promise you his fraught relationships with his parents are way more complicated than simple homophobia or transphobia) but all of which seek to incorporate bigotry not as the destructive and deadly phenomenon it is, to be explored in the safe space of fiction, but as an incredibly lazy shortcut to be discarded as a continuity error once it's served its purpose.

[kimbappykidding]

At first you only did it to tease Bahiyyih.

Don't get the wrong idea, you did think Kai was good-looking and liked him but seeing Bahiyyih's face while you flirted with him was so funny you had to keep doing it.

You and Bahiyyih were famously a Tom and Jerry of Kep1er. You loved Bahiyyih a lot but were very different. She was a lot more composed, quiet and thoughtful...you were none of those things. You got told the reason you'd debuted was because of your personality and took that as a compliment. You were loud, charming and confident. So it was always a clashing of worlds when you and Bahiyyih came together and you loved nothing more than to tease her or push her buttons and one day a new idea of how to do that came to you.

You were at a party and loving it! The idol life was still new to you so every party was like an insane VIP event you'd snook into and Yujin was constantly having to remind you that this was your life now but the excitement still hadn't left you yet. TxT were also here and they'd always been so kind and supportive to you from the start because of Bahiyyih's brother. You knew him the most out of the boys but hadn't really spoken to him or the guys one-on-one ever. So when you joined the line for the bar and Yeonjun waved you to them near the front you were pleasantly surprised.

They asked what you wanted and then added it to their order. "Don't worry I can get my own" you said feeling bad but all the guys brushed that comment away. "It's okay Kai's paying for it" Beomgyu explained and your eyes widened "I can't make you do that!" you cried but Kai just smiled at you "don't be silly of course you can. I'd act like this if I saw any of my sister's friends". "Really?" you asked smiling "you're a real modern-day gentleman?" challenging him slightly. "I like to think so" Kai replied and Yeonjun nodded "yeah he is pretty nice, that's why all our female staff loved him so much". "Isn't that just because he's cute?" you asked and then paused because that came across as way flirtier than you meant. Beomgyu and Taehyun burst out laughing and Kai blushed. Yeonjun and Soobin looked very proud and you laughed too. "Sorry I didn't mean for that to come across so forward" you told Kai who shook his head "don't apologise, it's not like it's a bad thing to hear a pretty girl thinks you're cute". You smirked "are you sure you're Bahiyyih's brother?" which made Kai laugh and you happened to glance back to see Bahiyyih staring at you.

That's when the idea came to you and you turned back to Kai who seemed very pleased by your comment. "Kai is full of surprises!" Beomgyu told you and you smiled sipping on the drink he'd just gotten you "I'm starting to see that, thanks for the drink Kai. I'll get the next one and totally not as an excuse to talk to you again" and with a wink walked away.

When you got back to your table the girls could tell something had happened...the TxT guys clapping Kai on the back and staring after you with huge smiles was probably a bit of a giveaway.

"What was going on over there?" Xiaoting asked and you smiled "oh nothing just chatting to Kai and his friends". "Looked a little more than that" Bahiyyih said and you smiled "hey I can't help it if your brother's hot" and Bahiyyih paused "I'm sorry he's what?". "He's hot!" you cried "everyone knows it, right girls?" you asked looking for backup but even Dayeon didn't dare to agree. So you were on your own but didn't mind that. "Well they won't admit it but Bahiyyih your brother's hot and I think I've got a shot with him". "Got a shot?" she asked "so are you trying to...wait never mind. I don't want to know what you want with him". You smirked "I'll keep you in suspense" and caught Kai's eye across the room. He blushed and shot you a small smile which you returned. You caught Bahiyyih watching and gave her a big smile. This was going to be so much fun.

Bahiyyih watched Kai with you the rest of the night and could tell he was into you. The two of you spoke a few more times and Kai's eyes were glued to you each time. He laughed at everything you said and you'd definitely taken an interest in him which he loved. Out of all her members, Bahiyyih supposed you were pretty much Kai's perfect type so she shouldn't be surprised...but it still took her back when Kai came to her about you a week later.

They'd met up for breakfast to discuss their sister's birthday and what they were going to get her. Once that was done Kai shot her a look "so Y/n" Kai said and it took everything for Bahiyyih not to react. "Yeah?" she asked trying to act calm and Kai looked down shyly "is she seeing anyone?" he asked coyly. Bahiyyih hesitated "why? Are you into her?". Kai blushed and Bahiyyih gasped "omg you are! You fancy my member!". "I wouldn't say fancy just she's really pretty and we got talking the other night. I like her confidence and don't remember you saying anything bad about her". "Because there's nothing bad to say" Bahiyyih admitted "she's cute, funny and talented. Sure she can be a little loud and reckless but I've never found her to be too much" she said begrudgingly. Kai smiled "do you think she might be into me?". Bahiyyih nodded "yes" but didn't elaborate and then feeling the obligation to be the good sister she added "I'll send you her number".

Kai had texted you before Bahiyyih had even got home from their dinner. She came to warn you and found you already in a string of texts with him. "I'm so touched" you told her as she went to leave your room and she froze. "Why?" she asked and you smiled "because you could've forbidden him from texting me but you actually gave him my number. You must think I'm such a great person to set me up with your brother" you said grinning at her and Bahiyyih rolled her eyes. "Sure if you want to see it that way go for it" she said "can I just ask you one thing?" and you nodded "sure!". "Just don't hurt him" she said and you paused "what? What makes you think I would?". "I don't know at first I couldn't tell if this was all to get a rise out of me but if it is please stop. Kai may seem strong and hides it well but he's vulnerable and soft. A girl like you could destroy him". "A girl like me?" you asked and Bahiyyih nodded "confident, cool, sexy. Someone who has her pick of guys" she sighed "don't break his heart please?". "I won't" you promised "I have no intention to hurt him...atleast in a bad way" you said with a wink and Bahiyyih groaned but your joke did its job, it lightened the mood.

You and Kai texted for a week before you suggested meeting up. It wasn't anything deep, you just asked if he wanted to grab a coffee when you had a longer lunch break and he agreed to help you pass the time. Plus you were still getting a kick from being friends with a member's brother and Bahiyyih's reaction when you announced you were leaving to see Kai made you smile all the way to the Hybe building. Kai offered to come to you but you fancied a walk and a nosy around Hybe. Kai had given your name to the man at the front desk and you were let straight through. You took the elevator up to the correct floor and ping, you were here.

The doors opened and there you were! Kai's heart did a little leap because he'd been nervous about this since you planned it and now here you were! You shot him a big happy smile and walked confidently over to him. "Hey, thanks for having me over!" and Kai smiled "oh it's not problem, if you ever need to waste some time just let me know". You nodded "but spending time with you is never wasting time" and walked into the cafe without any hesitation. Kai followed just a second behind you and watched as you took everything in. "It's a pretty nice cafe and not too busy so we can sit anywhere" Kai explained, feeling like he was stating the obvious but you nodded. "How about by the window?" you asked and Kai followed you nodding his head.

You both went up to order and you ordered first and moved to the other side of the till to get your drink. Kai was waiting to pay for his drink when your presence became known.

"Who let you in?" Kai heard someone ask aggressively and worried some security person had thought you'd snook in. He turned around panicked, but saw it was Enhypen or specifically Jay, Jake and Sunghoon. They were all around you but you had a smile on your face so seemed fine. Regardless Kai quickly paid and rushed over to find you were explaining the situation.

You saw Kai and smiled "see, here he is!" and the guys turned to look at Kai. "Did you really invite her in here or is she lying like she always does?" Jay asked and Kai felt himself bristle. "Yes I invited her here and she's never lied to me". Jay paused but you and the others laughed. "See! You're clearly the problem" you said pushing your way to Kai's side "now you owe me an apology!" you said to Jay. "I'm sorry" he said smiling sweetly "I just figured you were here to see me".

Kai's eyes widened slightly at the flirting but you just snorted "please you'd be the last person I'd be here to see" and you turned to Kai "we're all in that 2002 group chat right? I know them from there". Kai nodded as if he hadn't stopped checking that chat a few weeks after being added to it. "Jake and Sunghoon are good friends" you said smiling at the two boys and purposefully leaving Jay out. When he started to protest such treatment you simply said you and Kai had to go and steered a very relieved Kai away from the group.

Things got better once you sat down and actually started talking. Kai's heartbeat returned to a normal level and he realised how much he liked having your attention on him when someone else stole it.

Fromis_9 spotted you when they came in for a coffee and they all rushed to greet you. Apparently, you knew more Hybe members than Kai and they all gushed over you and demanded you come visit them too. "Yeah why does Kai get a visit from you and we don't?" Jiwon asked and Kai blushed at the question but you just smiled. "Because Kai's special" and gave him a small wink. Kai was on cloud nine and even waved as all the girls walked away.

"Wow you know everyone!" he remarked when his brain started functioning again and you laughed. "Yeah I can't even deny it! The girls claim I'm a natural social butterfly and I think they're right. I just love people and start conversations with everyone around me. That's how I become friends with so many people". Kai nodded "wow I can't even imagine that, I'm not the most outgoing person". "Nonsense! You were so friendly when I met you at the bar!" you said and Kai shrugged "yeah but I had the guys with me. I can be quiet on my own". "Well good things you'll always have people with you huh?" you asked and Kai hoped you were insinuating you'd be around him more. "Plus it's nice to be a little introverted, I can be like that too. When I get home I just like to hide in my room for a few hours and be alone. You can't always be on the go and it's nice to do nothing sometimes". Kai was so relieved you said that and nodded along enthusiastically "I couldn't agree more".

Your lunch break just flew by and before you knew it, you had to head back to work. "You know, you're a very nice person to be around" you said as Kai walked you to your building and he blinked "I am?". You nodded "you're simultaneously chill and warm. As in you're very calming but also nice. It's a nice mix". Kai smiled "nobody's ever told me that before but I'm glad you feel that way". "So would you like to meet again?" you asked "maybe spend more time together on a date or something?". Kai's eyes widened and he nodded vigorously as his mouth seemed unable to catch up with his brain. "Yes I'd love that!" he finally said and you laughed "great! Text me?" and Kai nodded "definitely". With a cute laugh, you waved to him and disappeared into your building. Kai let out a large cheer and then covered his mouth, worried you might've heard him. You did but thought it was funny.

When you got back to work you walked inside with a bounce in your step and Bahiyyih looked at you. "You're in a good mood" Dayeon said and you smiled "I had a good break" and that was all you said about your cafe date but it was enough. Bahiyyih heard you had an official date with Kai the next week and was nervous all over again. She just had to hope you'd keep your promise.

Kai was very surprised when you said you wanted to go to a museum for your first official date. From your personality he expected you'd want to go to some bar or loud party but you explained they'd added a few new exhibits since you'd last been and that you liked the environment. So pleasantly surprised, Kai met you outside on a crisp autumn morning. He spotted you coming as soon as you came around the corner but pretended to be on his phone so as to not seem too eager (even though he was). You called his name and came right over to him confidently. "Hey it's good to see you" you smiled going in for a hug and Kai hugged you back. "You too! I always loved museums but haven't been to this one so in excited". You smiled "then let's not keep you in suspense any longer!" and led him inside.

Kai remembered Yeonjun saying ages ago that with social events, it's not where you go but who you go with that makes it enjoyable and Kai had thought he was wrong...until you proved him otherwise. You made going to a museum such an exciting enjoyable thing and Kai wasn't even sure how! You were just so funny and charismatic. You knew exactly when to crack and joke and also when to be quieter and he loved it. You laughed a lot and Kai liked that. You weren't too serious and seemed to just go with the flow. He could see how you'd got chosen for the group and everyone who came into contact with you seemed charmed by you. He felt lucky to be out on a date with you and whenever you smiled at him his stomach did backflips.

You went to dinner together afterwards and Kai got to ask you more about your life and he found you fascinating. You'd done so much and seemed to throw yourself into any situation with determination and optimism. You'd become a kpop idol by chance. You auditioned for the group purely because your friend dared you to and you actually got called back to the next stage! You hadn't prepared any song and just sang your favourite one. When they asked why you wanted to become an idol you were honest and said you hadn't planned to come today but it looked fun. Kai had personally planned for ages for his audition and loved the idea of you just showing up randomly and killing it. He found your confidence so attractive and honestly thought everything about you was hot. You stayed talking for 2 hours before Kai had to leave to go to a fitting and he must've been very obvious in not wanting to leave because you asked him out for a second date right there and then. Kai of course said yes.

Bahiyyih of course remembered the day of your date and when you came into work the next day she was eyeing you trying to work out how it had been. Finally, Hikaru asked how everyone's day off had been and Bahiyyih leaned in expectantly. "It was good" you smiled "I had my date with Kai and I won't talk about it too much Bahiyyih don't worry but it went well". The girls all began to cheer but didn't get much out of you which was typical. The one-time Bahiyyih wanted you to talk about her brother you didn't. You did say you had a second date next week though so she knew it had gotten off to a good start.

2 weeks later TxT were at an event. Kai was calmly watching the different idols file into the party when Beomgyu hit him. "Hey Kai it's your girlfriend" Beomgyu cried and Kai's hand reached out and slapped him. "Shhhh we've only been on 2 dates!" he cried and Beomgyu gasped "I was joking she's not even here". "Oh that's okay then" Kai said and Beomgyu glared "for you!" massaging his arm. "You did provoke him" Yeonjun said and Taehyun nodded.

You actually did enter the party a few minutes later and Kai's breath caught but you didn't spot him straightaway. You were chatting with a few guys from Ateez and his expression must've given away his thoughts because Yeonjun laughed. "Don't worry she's just friends with Wooyoung and Jongho". Kai smiled and tried to laugh it off "what? Who is? Oh you mean Y/n?" before realising it wasn't working. "You think?" he asked and Yeonjun nodded "yeah Wooyoung's mentioned her before, plus she's friends with tons of guys so no reason to think she's interested in them in particular!". Yeonjun realised that might not have helped the situation when he saw Kai's face. "What Yeonjun means is she's just a social person, hanging out with someone doesn't have to mean anything" Taehyun explained. "Then does she just think I'm another friend?" Kai asked feeling like an idiot.

The guys all rushed to assure him that wasn't the case but Beomgyu (still feeling a bit pouty about his sore arm) figured the best way to get rid of Kai's doubts was to get you in front of him. As you came nearer their group he turned and called "oh hey Y/n!" loudly making you look over at them. Kai went pink as you looked at him and smiled. You said something to Ateez and they nodded as you left them and came over.

"Hey Beomgyu! Any reason you shouted my name out like that?" you called out. "I'm just so happy to see you!" he said and you smiled "hmmm so It was because you were trying to make Kai blush or anything right? Because that's not nice and I'm sure you wouldn't like it if someone did it to you". "Nobody can make me blush sweetie" Beomgyu replied and you smiled "really?" and stepped closer. "What are you doing?" Beomgyu asked but you cut him off, putting your arms around his neck. "Wow you're really good looking Beomgyu. You're the perfect balance between beauty and masculinity. You've got a great body and your arms look amazing. Your skin is just flawless, your eyes sparkle so much and your lips...." you trailed off looking at them and biting your own before smiling "they just look delicious, can I have a taste?". Beomgyu went bright red and began stuttering while the guys busied themselves laughing except for Kai who was stunned, turned on and a little jealous all at once. Luckily though you turned away from Beomgyu quickly and looked at Kai "Hey, want to get a drink?". He nodded "sure!" and you led him away linking your arm through his.

You stayed together for the rest of the night and Kai was really pleased you wanted to spend time with him so publically. You weren't joined at the hip, both his members, yours and a bunch of idols you knew fluttered in but you never went far from him and carried on chatting to him all night. He liked being around you and although he was growing more and more comfortable with you that excited feeling never went away which made him happy.

You asked Kai if he wanted to grab some air with you about 3 hours in and he happily stepped outside with you. The two of you found a bench and sat down together. "I can't believe haven't told you this but you look really beautiful" Kai said and you smiled "thanks I like outfits like this" you said looking down at your beautiful trousers "they make me feel powerful without worrying about my ass hanging out like I do with stage outfits". Kai paused "yeah I would definitely hate for that to happen to me on stage" and you laughed. "You look really nice tonight too" you said "but now I can get the image of you in a miniskirt out of my head". "Hey I'd pull it off! I have nice legs" Kai said and he went to move his leg onto the bench when you stopped him with a hand on his arm. You smiled "I believe you, you don't have to prove it. You seem to have nice everything" and you gave him a once over "nice eyes, nice smile, nice hair" you said "nice lips". You looked up at him as you said that and Kai got your meaning and leaned down to kiss you.

The second you kissed him back Kai knew for sure you did like him and he was on top of the world! This beautiful girl wanted him and he sure wanted you. It was of course your first kiss as a couple and Kai loved how natural it felt. Thinking back, he couldn't believe he'd been the one to move first. Sure you'd pretty much set it up for him to follow but he was still impressed he had that confidence. It was pretty simple though, he kissed you because he wanted to and there had been nothing else on his mind at that moment.

It was a good kiss too. Kai had figured with you he might be a little out of his depth but he wasn't. You seemed more experienced than him but he kept up well, fuelled by his feelings for you and when you both pulled back he wasn't the only one flushed.

"That was nice...really nice" you smiled and Kai agreed. He wanted to keep kissing you but you rested your head against his shoulder and he really just wanted to make you happy so wrapped an arm around you and relaxed. It was the best night of his life!

The guys could all tell something had happened because Kai was beaming and in an excellent mood the rest of the night. He laughed at all of Beomgyu's jokes and was singing softly to himself in the car on the way home. "What did Y/n say to make you so lovesick?" Taehyun finally asked and Kai blushed "she didn't say anything we just kissed". "You kissed!" Yeonjun yelled nearly giving Soobin a heart attack. "Yeah we had our first kiss...no big deal" Kai said but the huge grin on his face showed it was. All the guys were thrilled because Kai had never dated before and he seemed really happy! His smile was so genuine and joyous that the guys decided then and there that they liked you. Anyone who made their maknae smile this much had to be good news.

After your kiss, you knew you and Kai were something and figured you should update Bahiyyih. You were sure Kai wouldn't tell her about the kiss but didn't want it to come up randomly and blindsight her. So you explained you'd kissed Kai and were seeing him again next week. Bahiyyih nodded "I figured when he came back inside looking like it was the Christmas he got a piano, so do you like him?". You nodded "of course! I wouldn't kiss him if I didn't". Bahiyyih nodded "and so what are you? Are you dating or just casual". "Just casual at the moment" you shrugged "it's so new, we haven't really discussed it". "Are you seeing any other guys?" Bahiyyih asked and you laughed "what is this 21 questions?". Bahiyyih sighed "I don't mean to be nosey but if you are seeing other guys just make that clear to Kai". You frowned "I think you're underestimating your brother. He's not a child". Bahiyyih nodded "I know he's not but I just don't think there should be any miscommunication. You can't do anything wrong if you were honest". "Well I'm not planning on sleeping with any guys between now and next week" you replied back feeling a little annoyed at Bahiyyih acting like you were guilty of something. She took in your cold tone and nodded leaving the room. Suddenly teasing Bahiyyih was becoming the least fun thing about this.

If it was obvious Kai liked you before the kiss, after the kiss he was just downright embarrassing. He'd literally stop walking when he saw you and even did this on stage. He couldn't resist smiling when he spotted you and Soobin had to keep nudging his foot with his own to stop him. Kai could talk about you for ages and Taehyun had to ask him to stop many times so he could go to sleep. So seeing as Kai was falling headfirst the guys decided they should meet you properly, just to make sure you were into Kai too and he wasn't being taken advantage of. Kai was THRILLED with the idea of inviting you around for dinner and you agreed happily. You liked being around people and TxT seemed so fun so you were so up for it. Plus you were craving time with Kai more and more so it was a win-win.

Kai drove over to yours despite you telling him you could drive yourself. He said he wanted to make sure you got here okay but really he just wanted to get some time with you before the boys steamrolled everything and he warned you a little bit about that. "So Yeonjun will be all over you but not physically" Kai said, blushing slightly "just Yeonjun loves people and they love him so you'll find him really easy to talk to. Beomgyu is an ambivert but he seems to really like you so he'll probably flirt with you and want your attention" Kai said "Soobin is introverted but the leader so he'll be all welcoming and make sure you're okay, you have enough drinks stuff like that. Then there's Taehyun who seems quiet but is actually extroverted and you really see that around us so I think you'll see a different side that you're used to".

You nodded "wow this is all so useful thank you! You know your members super well huh?". Kai nodded "yeah, we've been together a while and I tend to be the observer so I notice things". You smiled "that's true but I have seen some videos where you go chaotic Kai" you said "I love when you tease your hyungs". Kai paused "wait you watched some of our videos?". You smiled "of course! I mean I'd seen all your music videos but I also wanted to see what idol Kai was like and you're very funny" you said shooting him a glance. Kai's cheeks went full pink and he laughed a goofy happy laugh before blushing. "I also love your dolphin scream" you said and Kai burst out laughing making you laugh too. "I don't do it on purpose!" he cried and you smiled "I know that's what makes it so good! You're effortlessly great Kai" and he grinned. A compliment from you always made him smile.

Everything went down exactly as Kai said it would. Soobin greeted you at the door and was playing the role of attentive hostess when Yeonjun appeared and barreled over him. Yeonjun was charismatic and quickly established a connection with you based on mutual interests. Taehyun and Beomgyu entered next and while Taehyun gave you a polite nod and smile Beomgyu came right over to you and started flirting. As the night continued, you spoke to Taehyun more and discovered he was really cool! He also had a big presence despite being the smallest and you instinctively liked him too.

You were talking to Yeonjun and Soobin and smiled as Soobin asked if you wanted anything from the kitchen and Yeonjun complimented your shoes. "What?" Yeonjun asked and you shook your head "nothing just before I got here Kai gave me a rundown on how you'd all act and he was totally right. Everything you guys have done is exactly what he said". Yeonjun laughed "wait what did he say?" and you explained. "I am great with people" Yeonjun smiled and Soobin nodded "I am a good host" and you smiled at their happy expressions.

"It's just so sweet Kai notices this about everyone. He's so sweet and kind" you said watching him across the room with Taehyun, making Soobin and Yeonjun smile. "Yeah he is" Soobin nodded "and you've definitely caught his attention which for a person who observes everything is impressive". "It is?" you asked and Yeonjun nodded "totally! Like you said Kai notices everything so the fact he's into you shows he's only seen good things which means you're either a wonderful person or a cunning mastermind" he said frowning as he sized you up. You hit his arm "obviously it's the first one" and Yeonjun smiled "yeah of course...it's just you think he's sweet for noticing us. You should see how sweet he is around you". "Really?" you asked and Yeonjun went to jump into it when Soobin elbowed him and shook his head. Yeonjun did big eyes and some mental conversation between them was had. You got the gist Yeonjun could speak but not say too much so he turned to you. "We don't want to give anything away but he's basically a puppy in adoration with you" Yeonjun said and Soobin hit him "dude!" but it was okay. You found it sweet and were very very pleased. You had noticed some things in how Kai acted around you in particular but weren't sure how much you were reading into things, so to hear his members confirm things was reassuring of Kai's feelings.

You hadn't meant to find a sweet boyfriend going into this but life had thrown you some good luck...so it was only just that there was some bad luck on the horizon too.

I hope you had a nice relaxing Christmas!

This will be a two-part series and part two is out now!

[lokisprettygirl]

With the passion some people are in favor of cheating (because hey bi, gay rights am I right?) I worry about their spouses/partners (considering they have any). They should perhaps keep looking over their shoulders because their partners can cheat anytime and then blame it on them somehow. Their excuse being but hey Daemon is away and he didn't send her ravens :( - so that justifies cheating? As a wife shouldn't you be worried why Daemon is not answering any Ravens from the place that's famously haunted and cursed?

Imagine your partner is away and instead of trying to soothe the situation your best course of action is just smooching your advisor 😂 Choking is wrong and so is cheating or two wrongs somehow makes it right in the woke culture? Why is sex always used as a tool to empower women on screen? I know people enjoy such scenes because it feeds into their fantasy, they want to fuck the characters and actors and it's their way of fueling their imagination but since when sex, infidelity and having multiple partners has become the scale for measuring empowerment and liberty? How do any of it contribute to women's rights? I'm asking because I have literally seen people saying such bullshit.

Rhaenyra has never loved Daemon, she wanted to be who Daemon was and kissing the woman he used to fuck once is a pathetic, sad attempt on her behalf to excude that masculinity. "I don't need Daemon" but woman you literally begged him to marry you, the reason being that you needed him and his strength.

The only person who has ever loved or perhaps love is a bit strong of a word, the only person who has ever cared for Daemon is undoubtedly Viserys and Viserys is the person Daemon has truly admired and loved in his life, he's the only one who kept Daemon's humanity alive or he'd have become what Aemond is right now.

Daemon has been a lot of things but if it was Daemon who was the hand to Viserys, none of this would have happened, he always had his brother's interest at his heart and he never would have betrayed him. He still felt guilty that he had wronged Viserys and wasn't by his side when he needed him, so much so that it reduced him to near madness and he broke down in tears which is rare.

And please don't respond with "Daemon wanted to be a girl so he could marry Viserys". Keep your sick fantasies to yourself, because that's just disgusting, daemon would have despised being a girl in that day and age. I don't want to be a girl sometimes in the 21st century when my gender is the reason I'm not able to do what I want. Perhaps some of you don't have siblings but it's the type of bond that can never be replaced by anyone and even in a show filled with incestuous marriage I do believe daemon loved his brother like a sibling would and should.

[poeticexhalations]

I Was the Favorite Child

I was the favorite child, and it wasn’t as nice as you would think.

I grew up hearing the following phrases: 

“We don’t have to worry about you.”

“You’ve got this.”

“Can you do that on your own?”

It wasn’t independence. It was isolation. I was the favorite child who could do no wrong, which means that my parents never looked in my direction. I’d scale the large tree in my mother’s front yard, scrape my palms on the rough bark as I climbed to the very top to read my books, and she wouldn’t notice I was gone. The peace was nice, but lonely.

I learned very early on in my life that if I were going to survive and be happy, I’d have to do it independently. Because my childhood was a test of independence.

My brother was diagnosed with autism at a very young age (three?). He didn’t talk for years. This terrified my father; he believed his son to be “inferior”, and didn’t take the news well. Allegedly, my father tried to kill himself twice because of my brother’s diagnosis.

What a wimp.

My mother took the news hard too, but she was my brother’s mother. She would love him unconditionally regardless of his diagnosis. My brother and my mother always had a special bond that couldn’t be replicated. Even though I desperately craved that closeness to my mother, it was my brother she truly fawned over. He was her universe; he was her mirror. They had the same smile, the same hair, the same nimble hands that loved to play guitar, the same artistic skills. He learned these things at the cost of me learning them, so I taught myself many skills during my childhood.

I was a tree-climbing expert.

I consumed books like they were oxygen.

I grew an unhealthy obsession with vampires and horses.

I learned how to make my own noodles.

I learned what corners of the backyard my father never sought me out, and the only reason he ever would seek me out is to have me do something for my brother.

My brother was my mother’s universe, and he became mine, too.

He was the black hole in which my life moved around.

We shared a birthday, and my brother got to pick out the cake. The location. The theme.

We shared a room, and my brother got to pick out the wall color. The shows we watched on our brick of a television. The carpet.

We shared a school, and my father famously told me that they’d double-up on our conferences because we were twins. Each child was allotted twenty minutes. My teacher and my parents would spend five minutes discussing me, and thirty-five minutes discussing my brother. 

We shared family vacations, and my brother got to pick the rides at the theme parks, the food we ate, the pools we swam at. I had to give up my water-raft for his scrambler. I gave up horse-back riding for his Lego experience. I had to give up my pepperoni pizza so he could have cheese (and no, my brother would not pick it off).

As I got older, I was told that only one of us could go to therapy; my parents couldn’t afford therapy for us both. It had to be my brother. And not only did it have to be my brother, but I had to take him. And be patient. And kind. I wasn’t allowed to be angry that my weeknights were filled with waiting rooms while I watched him play on the slides with his therapists. I snuck onto a slide once around the back, and hid in the ball pit, just so I could play, too. 

I got a good spanking that night and learned one lesson: My brother played. I watched.

Even when I ran the scissors across my wrists, I couldn’t go to therapy. I’d be told to “stop being dramatic” and would be demanded to use the car to drive my brother downtown for his next appointment.

My brother was both my poison and my antidote.

Because even though he dictated my childhood, he was–is–my closest friend. I resented my parents, never him. It was never his fault that I had the childhood that I did. 

Autism, and the challenges that accompany autism, are never the fault of the individual.

My brother is a beautiful person; he is light and music and harmony in one person. He is joy and love and purpose. If the universe had a soul, I have a feeling it would be my brother. My brother could sit and watch the rocks for hours, and find beauty in the way that water crests over them and changes their hues from black to brown to gray. my brother could listen to a song one time and memorize it, then play it perfectly on the guitar. My brother picks up injured animals on the side of the road and they never cower from him. We learned an entire fiction language on our own just to communicate when the moon was high in the sky without our parents learning, or pass notes in class without being caught. my brother would sneak me his Pokemon cards that he knew were my favorites under the table, my brother would eat my broccoli at dinner so I didn’t have to when our father was turned away, my brother would hug me far longer than either of my parents ever did.

The things my brother taught me… I don’t know where to begin.

Having a twin brother with autism taught me to put myself in other peoples’ shoes.

He taught me that rage isn’t usually the answer.

He taught me that fantasy is superior to reality, especially if it has elves in it.

He taught me that caring for someone else in many ways is also caring for yourself.

He taught me to make friends with people for who they were, not what they looked or sounded like.

He taught me that sometimes, it's worth pausing and looking at a rock. Or a tree. Or a leaf. Or the moon. Life moves fast, and my brother slows down to appreciate it.

He taught me to be a better person, because I was forced to always put someone before myself. I was forced to be patient. I was forced to be educated. I was forced to understand different perspectives.

I was my parent’s favorite child, and it was isolation. But I was my brother’s universe, and he was mine.

[theerurishipper]

A few more things because I am not done talking about this finale.

I know a lot of people think that this issue of Gabriel being seen as a hero and Marinette keeping the fact that Adrien is a sentimonster and that his father is Monarch is going to come back as a major plot point, or that Gabriel isn't really redeemed and that this isn't the end. And I'm not saying I have evidence that it's not going to turn out that way, but like... this is Miraculous we're talking about.

The show which famously tries to offer sympathy to bad people because of their tragic backstory by:

Trying to half-assedly "redeem" Natalie into some kind of super mother figure for Adrien, even though she enabled and participated in his abuse for years and never showed remorse for it, or even took accountability for it. Her callously killing Sentibug is never brought up again either. And she still does not give Adrien the Amok that helps him choose for himself or tell him he is a sentimonster, and yet is framed as a good parental figure for him.

Trying to redeem Andre Bourgeois and frame him as some kind of great person by having him adopt Zoe and send Chloe to live with her abuser by disowning her, even though it's his shitty parenting that let her get to this point. And letting him get off scot-free for all the times he abused his power as Mayor.

Trying to redeem Felix by glossing over such crimes as him giving all the Miraculous to Gabe, him committing genocide, him trying to ruin his cousin's life, him victim blaming Adrien, him returning Adrien's Amok to Gabe, and many such things. All because he had a tragic backstory and cared for sentimonster rights (even though he killed two on-screen with only regret for one of them) so that clearly means that he did nothing wrong and does not need to be held accountable for those things, even though he showed no remorse for it or desire to do better.

And the show which also famously ignores major plot points and leaves them behind with little to no resolution in favor of dropping new bombs on the audience, such as:

Choosing to ignore the Ladynoir conflict in Season 4 by having Chat Noir just push aside his legitimate grievances with Ladybug's bad decisions to continue being her emotional support partner. This conflict was not addressed ever again, even in Season 5, and was left without any resolution.

Neglecting any exploration of Chat Blanc beyond some obligatory mentions now and again to remind the audience of why the show needs more seasons.

The whole plot with the alternate love interests Luka and Kagami, which was built up across a whole season and dismissed within two episodes of the next season so that the writers could focus on the new Love Square drama they came up with for Season 4.

Luka's conflict about knowing Chat Noir and Ladybug's identities, which was written out in one episode, only for it to have been ultimately pointless in favor of having Kagami know it anyway.

These are great examples of how the show neglects to build up and conclude previously established plot points and conflicts in favor of substituting them with other ones and/or does the absolute minimum to somehow write them out in order to move the story forward and focus on other new plot points that they came up with for the new season.

From these, we can understand that:

Trauma is a valid excuse for everything, and a tragic backstory frees you from accountability unless you're Chloe.

And:

Previously established conflicts are not brought up or explored in any meaningful capacity in order to make way for new ones.

Knowing this, I think it's highly unlikely that the show will ever explore this idea of Gabriel not having truly become a martyr and a hero, and that even if it is the case, it will be neglected as a plot point in order to push this Lila thing to the front. At most, we will get a moment where Adrien learns the truth and instantly forgives Marinette for doing what his abuser asked because she did it out of love, and no one will question the implications of this in any meaningful way. This is because Adrien is not allowed to have feelings that inconvenience Marinette in any way, be it his hurt at her keeping secrets from him, or now her siding with his father and outright lying to him, because his role in the story is now that of Marinette's love interest and emotional support partner, and that's all he's good for. And as for Adrien acknowledging that Gabriel was a bad father again, combining the redemption that simply having trauma gives him and the fact that Thomas "Chloe is not an abused child" Astruc doesn't seem to understand the severity of such things, I doubt we will ever see him outright reject his father ever again.

For all these reasons, I really do believe that it is wishful thinking to expect this to be addressed in any way that matters. If it is not forgotten, it will be relegated to a single moment and forgotten after. That is, if it was ever meant to be explored. The writers of this show are... not the best at dealing with this sort of thing, after all. After all I've seen, it is not surprising to me at all that Gabriel was redeemed. There is a clear trend of characters with any motivation that could be construed as sympathetic or with a tragic backstory portrayed as being justified in their actions, having their actions erased and ignored or at the very least severely downplayed for the sake of making them out to be better than they are. Gabriel has been consistently given sympathetic scenes throughout the season, which culminated in this finale which absolves him of every wrongdoing.

And I know people feel like this is clearly not the end, but that's how a lot of people felt about the Ladynoir conflict in Season 4, and look how that turned out. This show has always been bad at dealing with nuance. An abused child is portrayed as irredeemable and evil, and her enabling father is portrayed as a good person for giving up on her (I don't even like her, but damn). There is a trend of demonizing those characters who really should not be, and offering sympathy to characters who haven't earned it. I have no trouble at all in believing that Gabriel is supposed to sympathized with and redeemed by the end. He gets his happy ending, he gets what he wanted, and his actions make the world a better place.

I've seen the idea that Gabriel actually lost floating around, but did he? He already knew he was dying, and he had, to some degree, come to terms with it. And in the end, he was clearly very happy with just dying if it meant being able to make his wish. His end is clearly portrayed as him making the ultimate sacrifice to wish for a better world, as one last good thing he does for his son. It's portrayed as him asking Marinette to hide all this from him to protect him. Of course, anyone with common sense can see that this is still really controlling and manipulative, but the show pretty clearly frames it as a selfless act. The line "all the times I tried to be a good father," isn't framed as the delusional statement it is. He's smiling in that scene, surrounded by light, and that's not the framing for someone who's supposed to be read as manipulative and evil at that point. The writers seem to genuinely believe that the man was a good father at some points. I've also seen others say that clearly Gabriel was not redeemed by the end because he refused Marinette's hand, but that's not really true. He did paralyze her, but then he freed her and returned all the Miraculous, and Marinette ends the season by fulfilling his dying wishes and letting the world know he was a hero. He paralyzed her, but then he also clearly listened to her. He was also genuinely emotional. Her words did reach him and it is framed as him making a "selfless choice" even though it clearly is not.

I've also seen people say Adrien's reaction isn't necessarily acceptance of Gabriel's heroism since he might be trying to cope with his loss by convincing himself Gabriel was a hero, or that abused children often cannot recognize that their parent is not a good person. And I agree, but that is clearly not what is happening here. Adrien has already expressed disgust for who his father is, and it is possible for him to fall back onto old thoughts and feelings regarding him, but that isn't what's going on here. This here, is Adrien being fed a lie that his father was a good man and a hero by people he trusts. This is Adrien being told what to think and feel, because there are statues of Gabriel being erected and Ladybug spreading the word that he is a hero. This is Gabriel's abuse being erased to portray him as good. And Adrien, after spending the whole season working up to calling Gabriel out, ends the season with hoping to be like him.

And I've seen arguments about how episodes like Chat Blanc and Ephemeral were there to show us that Adrien facing his father isn't a good idea because his reaction makes him vulnerable, but then... why would you write that! Why would you set the protagonist up with this plot point only to write reasons to leave him out of his own plot and character arcs? What about that is good writing? It only makes this finale more deserving of critique! It is not the defense it's trying to be. It just shows they couldn't care less about their own narrative.

I get that this could lead to a potential arc about trust and honesty and all that, but... we've done that before. How many times will Marinette learn the same lesson? How many times will Adrien forgive her for it? How can you even forgive something like this? And even if it all comes to light, what purpose does this serve in anyone's arc? Gabriel is dead, so there's no consequences for him. Marinette has been "learning" the same lesson for two seasons now, and not even losing all the Miraculous made her stop keeping secrets. And what more does it contribute to Adrien's arc to have him learn the truth later rather than now? How does it add to his story to know that everyone he trusts lied to him? Nothing, if you think about it. It really takes away from his story, because he can no longer confront the man who did this to him, he can no longer get that closure, because Gabriel is gone! Sure, it'll be dramatic and all, but that's all it is! But that is how Miraculous operates: shock value and dramatic scenes over consistency and character arcs. Which is why characters like Marinette aren't allowed to retain the lessons they should have learnt ages ago, and characters like Adrien are actively pushed away from their arcs to make way for some other drama.

And this is me saying this while believing they aren't going to bring it up anyway. How many times have we seen this kind of thing happen? For a conflict to be set up only to be ended unceremoniously with no proper conclusion? What reasons are there to believe that the show will actually follow through with this plot? Other than speculation, I mean. I don't see any. The ending did not indicate that there was anything wrong with what happened. The seasons prior set up the conflicts for the next season in the finale episodes. In Season 3, we had Gabe fixing the Peacock and Marinette becoming the guardian. In Season 4, we saw Monarch rise and Marinette lose all the Miraculous. In Season 5, we see Lila get the Butterfly Miraculous and that light that scared her or whatever it was. But we never see any set up for this being a plot point. There is no point in which we are supposed to think this is wrong. A set up, for example, would be something like Marinette looking to the Gabriel statue with a frown, or Adrien feeling unsettled somehow. But there's nothing like that. For all intents and purposes, Gabriel is done and there are new threats to move on to. And removing all that stuff with Lila, it just seems like it could be a solid series finale. The conflict is over, all the characters are back and together and happy, the main couple kisses as the theme music plays in the back in a scene that's clearly the sort of scene used in the ending of a show, and no one even hints at anything being wrong. It's all audience interpretation, and quite frankly there's no real reason to believe it's setting up something. Something was already set up and it wasn't the thought that this ending is in any way flawed. It's a charming, idyllic ending where all the characters are clearly happy and content, basking in the end of Monarch.

And what he did is not clear at all. Did he not actually rewrite the world? It seems like he just traded his life for Natalie's (and Emilie's???? Is that her?), because Hawkmoth still existed here, the Alliance rings still exist, which means everything happened exactly how it did, and the only thing that's changed is that Natalie has recovered. But this just makes the "clearly something isn't right" argument less valid. This isn't Gabriel's "ideal world," which needs to be fixed, this is just the normal world, where there is a statue of Gabriel only because Ladybug told everyone he was a hero. The things that are being done are completely against everything Gabriel ever believed in, so clearly the world is not based on his ideals, and it hasn't been rewritten. So, the only one really responsible for Gabriel being seen as a hero is Marinette (this is not a criticism of Marinette btw, just the writing). This is just the normal world, and the only thing that needs to be "fixed" is that Marinette should tell the truth. But the writers clearly think that Gabriel is fully redeemed, so there isn't anything that needs to be fixed. So why would they address this plot point again? They have no reason to.

And if he did rewrite the world, then the writers just made Gabe rewrite everything and everyone's memories so that he didn't have to be held accountable by anyone, especially the son he abused. That's going to be even harder to fix.

Any resolution to something I don't believe will be resolved anyway will undoubtedly a side story or a minor plot point. Remember, this is the show which is notorious for setting up plot points only to do nothing with them in the end. Everyone was so hyped about the resolution to Luka discovering both Mari and Adrien's identities only for the writers to decide Kagami fit that role better and shittily write Luka out in one episode. Everyone was talking about how Luka keeping secrets would undoubtedly have massive repercussions only for no one to give a shit about it and simply write Luka out for a few episodes and have him come back with no consequence in the finale. And this is a pattern for this show.

All this to say that no, we're probably not going to address this. It hasn't happened before, and I doubt it will happen this time. I've tried to give this show chance after chance, but it never delivered, and I don't trust it to do so anymore. I'll take all this back gladly if it does deal with this conflict well, but as of right now, I feel very confident in putting this post up.

[foxes-that-run]

HARRY STYLES’ NEW DIRECTION

Rolling Stone

“It's the most amazing unspoken dialogue ever.”

Cameron Crowe details a year in the life of the One Direction star as he leaves behind his boy-band past, heads to Jamaica and comes of age. By CAMERON CROWE APRIL 18, 2017

[…]

If Styles hadn’t yet adapted to global social-media attention, he was tested in 2012, when he met Taylor Swift at an awards show. Their second date, a walk in Central Park, was caught by paparazzi. Suddenly the couple were global news. They broke up the next month, reportedly after a rocky Caribbean vacation; the romance was said to have ended with at least one broken heart.

The relationship is a subject he’s famously avoided discussing. “I gotta pee first. This might be a long one,” he says. He rises to head to the bathroom, then adds, “Actually, you can say, ‘He went for a pee and never came back.’ ”

He returns a couple of minutes later. “Thought I’d let you stew for a while,” he says, laughing, then takes a gulp of green juice. He was surprised, he says, when photos from Central Park rocketed around the world. “When I see photos from that day,” he says, “I think: Relationships are hard, at any age. And adding in that you don’t really understand exactly how it works when you’re 18, trying to navigate all that stuff didn’t make it easier. I mean, you’re a little bit awkward to begin with. You’re on a date with someone you really like. It should be that simple, right? It was a learning experience for sure. But at the heart of it – I just wanted it to be a normal date.”

He’s well aware that at least two of Swift’s songs – “Out of the Woods” and “Style” – are considered to be about their romance. (“You’ve got that long hair slicked back, white T-shirt,” she sang in “Style.”) “I mean, I don’t know if they’re about me or not …” he says, attempting gallant discretion, “but the issue is, she’s so good, they’re bloody everywhere.” He smiles. “I write from my experiences; everyone does that. I’m lucky if everything [we went through] helped create those songs. That’s what hits your heart. That’s the stuff that’s hardest to say, and it’s the stuff I talk least about. That’s the part that’s about the two people. I’m never going to tell anybody everything.” (Fans wondered whether “Perfect,” a song Styles co-wrote for One Direction, might have been about Swift: “And if you like cameras flashing every time we go out/And if you’re looking for someone to write your breakup songs about/Baby, I’m perfect.”

Was he able to tell her that he admired the songs? “Yes and no,” he says after a long pause. “She doesn’t need me to tell her they’re great. They’re great songs … It’s the most amazing unspoken dialogue ever.”

Is there anything he’d want to say to Swift today? “Maybe this is where you write down that I left!” He laughs, and looks off. “I don’t know,” he finally says. “Certain things don’t work out. There’s a lot of things that can be right, and it’s still wrong. In writing songs about stuff like that, I like tipping a hat to the time together. You’re celebrating the fact it was powerful and made you feel something, rather than ‘this didn’t work out, and that’s bad.’ And if you run into that person, maybe it’s awkward, maybe you have to get drunk … but you shared something. Meeting someone new, sharing those experiences, it’s the best shit ever. So thank you.”

He notes a more recent relationship, possibly over now, but significant for the past few years. (Styles has often been spotted with Kendall Jenner, but he won’t confirm that’s who he’s talking about.) “She’s a huge part of the album,” says Styles. “Sometimes you want to tip the hat, and sometimes you just want to give them the whole cap …  and hope they know it’s just for them.”

[…]

[alle-x-ao3]

IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS Pt. 2 - Exploring Chapter 6

Dual Timelines

There’s just something about a dual timeline that makes sense for a fan fic.

I think fan fiction is the perfect avenue to try new things as a writer; it’s an opportunity to be creative. Because the truth is, readers don’t really care about the risks you take, the craziness you write about – all the shippers care about is the couple getting together.

And that’s why I get away with writing insane AU scenarios – readers just want the couple together. It would be much harder to write original works and make these big swings, I think.

I’ve done a few dual timelines – famously, the best fic I’ve ever written is called “Leven in Kleur” and it incorporates several different timelines, perspectives, storytelling techniques. In that story, it was a device to showcase the lapse of time and the expanse of the world that was built. It was needed because it’s being written as a biography.

In this story, I used the dual timeline to switch perspectives (something I almost always incorporate in my fics) and to keep things interesting in terms of storytelling.

In Your Wildest Dreams is a straightforward story – meet, fall in love, something gets in the way, break-up and then ultimately get back together. When you’re writing something that everyone already knows will have a happy ending, you need to keep things interesting. You need to still capture an audience despite the fact that there are no twists or turns. Love stories are straightforward, but the way we tell them shouldn’t have to be.

In using a dual timeline, we know that a break-up will happen, but we don’t know why. And switching between past and present builds a little bit of mystery to keep readers interested, despite knowing how it’s gonna end.

Hopefully, I managed to achieved that with the story so far.

The Past Timeline

The reason why I chose to focus this rant and review post on chapter 6 is because it is the most pivotal chapter in the relationship between our two leads thus far. There’s a new layer to their relationship – there’s a new level of intimacy that’s been reached. It was important for me to expand upon a few things that happen in this chapter.

First, the relationship between Christen and Tobin has now turned physical in that they kiss, they spend time alone together, they’re getting to know each other and it’s crossed a line from being a working relationship. They are now in each other’s worlds, they’ve acted on the feelings they’ve both had a while now.

And I think it’s at this point where I have to state that I do not support adultery – even though I have written cheating before and have no problem incorporating it into my works. Do I romanticise cheating? Maybe. Do I care? No.

I think Christen cheats on Elijah because she doesn’t really love him. She doesn’t want him. She doesn’t want to marry him. In her perfect world she’d have never even been with him. She does owe him some loyalty, but for the first time in her life she’s doing something for her. She’s found something that feels right – someone she can be herself with. Even if she doesn’t yet fully know what that self is.

Tobin feels like she’s not doing anything wrong by spending time with this engaged woman, because she knows that Christen doesn’t love Elijah. I think she’d have more moral scruples if she thought that Christen did love him.

So, are they cheaters? Technically yes; but they’re also soulmates so it balances out in the end.

I do think the reveal at the end that Tobin’s been in a similar situation before is an interesting one. At this point we know that she’d fallen someone who ended up choosing a man over her, so it does bring up some questions.

If Tobin’s been burned before, why would she go through this again with Christen? I personally think the reason is that she loves her enough to trust that it won’t end the same way. I think Tobin feels their connection and experiences it as something much deeper than she’s experienced before. I also think she’s a hopeless romantic who believes in a fairytale ending. And she truly believes she can have that with Christen – that’s why it’s so heartbreaking that when we get to the present timeline, we realise that she’s ended up hurt again.

Getting the chance to build up this whirlwind romance in the past against the backdrop if this gorgeous and peaceful place, whilst crashing down to reality with the present timeline of a heartbroken, emotionally raw Tobin feeling the after-effects of what was presumably a horrible break-up. I think it gives the story more stakes, more heart, my heft.

We get a glimpse of them together—and I think what makes it interesting is that Christen still has a lot of admiration for Tobin, despite them making the move to a more physical, more romantic relationship. I didn’t want them to lose their admiration and reverence for each other even though they’re more than colleagues now.

Relationships that have that foundation of respect and friendship are usually the ones that stand the test of time. And in terms of this story, we never get Tobin’s POV in Monaco, so we don’t know what her internal monologue is as it pertains to Christen and how physically attracted she is to her. All we get is what she tells Christen – and her focus has always been on ‘wow, we have insane chemistry together’ or ‘you’re a fantastic actor, don’t doubt yourself’.

I wanted chapter 6 to encapsulate all of those little parts of their relationship, because those are the parts that are really romantic to me, as someone who doesn’t really pay attention the physical aspects of the person I’m with or the sexual chemistry there is. I’m much more in tune with that cerebral connection, and I write characters who are similar.

So, I enjoyed writing the more tender moments between them. I liked that we got more of Christen’s past and her reservations with coming out or even just accepting herself. She’s seen it wrong, and she doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to live a lie. I think a lot of queer people have that experience. And I think it was so important for Tobin to say ‘you’re family shouldn’t wanna lose you’, because it reinforces Tobin’s admiration for Christen and shows us how Tobin sees her. She sees her as someone worth knowing, worth having in her life. And I think that’s the most romantic thing she could’ve said.

We also get a little bit of Tobin’s life and love story. Although, I think the second half of the chapter is where we really delve into her backstory and why it’s so hard for her to get over this heartbreak.

The Present Timeline

When I was planning out this story, I knew I wanted the past timeline in Tobin’s POV because I thought it was important that we get her version of events, too. I like using the double POV – for two reasons.

My readers are Preath stans, so the logical thing to do would be to incorporate both of them into a story. Even as these completely different characters, you still want your little fix, so I also make sure there’s a decent amount of attention for both, love for both, thirst for both…

POV switches bring more nuance to a story. Imagine if ‘More Issues Than’ was told entirely from Christen’s perspective? We wouldn’t have had Tobin’s internal struggle of having to choose her position at the magazine over Christen. We also wouldn’t have known that she had feelings for Christen before the big makeover. So, when it got to that part of the story – Tobin would have seemed like the shallow person who is only interested in Christen now that she’s changed. And all of that would have had to be explained through dialogue or info-dumping.

POV switches eliminates the need for needless conversations. However, in this story, it was used as a way to build up anticipation and drama.

We first catch up with Tobin in chapter 3 where she’s about to see Christen again for the first time since Monaco. And immediately it’s evident that something��s happened that’s altered their relationship. Tobin is still heartbroken and upset at the way things ended between them.

Seeing Christen again is hard for her, but she has to fulfil her duties and do the press run. And so begins that biggest acting role of her life; having to sing the praises of a woman who messed her up emotionally, having to pretend like they’re the best of friends even though she wants nothing more to do with Christen.

I used this chapter to set up the drama – effectively writing the fall out from a break-up whose relationship hasn’t even happened yet. And I think that’s pretty cool – even if I have to say so myself. You know they’re gonna fall in love, break up and get back together, so why not tell the story out of order and build some suspense?

 Chapter 3 was also kept purposefully short because I wanted it to be as impactful as possible. The first conversation Tobin and Christen have is harsh, it’s filled with anger and regret – but it still manages to give some of the puzzle pieces for later, and I think that pulls readers in and you start to wonder what happens next. Even though you know what’s gonna happen – complete with happy ending because someone always asks that and I have to keep answering (unfortunately).

In the second half of chapter 6 we’re back to the present timeline and Tobin is still having to endure the press run and spending time with Christen. She’s still upset, but this time we get more insight into why this was so heartbreaking for her.

Writing this part of the chapter was really fun for me because I got to torture the readers by giving them the reasons why Tobin is so upset by the events that transpired in Monaco without explicitly telling them what those events were.

Tobin had clearly fallen in love with Christen – fallen hard and fast – but the relationship had ended in heartbreak. And she’s not over it, even after ten months. She compares it to a previous relationship, but it feels worse this time because she felt more for Christen. And that sucks for her – which means it sucks for the readers… Which means I’m doing my job.

Thamks for reading x

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Chelo Alonso (Sign of Rome Morgan the Pirate La ragazza sotto il lenzuolo)— She was an international star, and she was so hot she had to turn down marrying a prince, and became so famous for being hot that Fidel Castro sent Che Guevara to beg her to go back to Cuba. She was also called the Cuban H-Bomb. She makes me light-headed.

Ingrid Bergman (Gaslight, Casablanca, Notorious)—Where do I even begin with Ingrid Bergman? I fell in love with her with her astounding performance in the 1956 version of Anastasia -- the best Anastasia movie in large part due to her wonderful and touching performance. She's got this amazing, fascinating intensity to her in whatever role she's in. She commits 100%, and she's got this light in whatever she's in that's stunning. She's utterly convincing no matter what she plays, from an amnesiac possible lost princess, from a nun, from a woman taking her revenge on the town that wronged her, to light romantic comedy. She's never missed in any role I've seen her in! Also she became quite the MILF.

This is round 4 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Chelo Alonso:

"forgive me sending in more pictures of her but i CANNOT be normal about here asdhgkljhahgjkhgkajshgajghshgjl"

Ingrid Bergman:

God, she's fantastic. She's both beautiful and a compelling actor who's more than capable of putting the whole movie on her shoulders if necessary. It's worth noting that while her beauty is conventional, she was seen as refreshingly "natural" with more eyebrows and less makeup than many other leading ladies of the time. She's well known for her role in Casablanca, but in Notorious, Spellbound, (both available on archive.org ) and Gaslight (1944) she shows how immensely capable she is.

I mean...she's Ingrid Bergman. I feel like that should be enough, you know? She's physically beautiful (her eyes!) but watching her is like a transcendent experience. Her voice, her expressions... beautiful woman, beautiful actor.

I'm a gay man but even I understand her appeal. I'll watch any movie she shows up in. Gorgeous woman.

Just try and watch her movies without sighing wistfully, then get back to me!

Choosing 1-3 movies where Bergman was at her hottest was agony because, of course, she was always at her hottest. Not just because she was beautiful but because she was absolutely willing to go up against the bs women in Hollywood were constantly dealing with. When exiled from Hollywood for having an affair with Roberto Rossellini, not only did she refuse to apologize at any point, but she went on to say that Hollywood's films had grown stagnant and boring to her. Though she said she appreciated her time working there, she wanted to try new, different techniques (hence starring in Italian neorealist films, working on stage, and acting under directors like Ingmar Bergman). She was not afraid to chase after her artistic ideals and go outside the box regardless of what society had to say about it. From her first movie to her last she killed it. There's so much more to say about Bergman's career and life, but I've already written five million words so I'll stop at that.

ion words so I'll stop at that.

One of the most incredible actors I've ever seen on film. Her facial expressions are so intricate and poignant that I cannot look away. I'm either ace or straight, but damn she made me question that.

SEVEN TIME OSCAR NOMINEE QUEEN. Girl also PULLED, having affairs with famously hot men Gary Cooper and Gregory Peck IN ADDITION to her three marriages...sexy

She has a very natural beauty to her, and she's from Sweden!

She left Hollywood and only became more beautiful. You could drown in her eyes. She can look innocent AND like she's seen it all. She is effortlessly elegant. She's played Joan of Arc (automatically hot) AND was in the movie that coined gaslight as a term. And where would we be without that!

She was known for being a breath of fresh air on the movie scene at the time with her windswept hair, dreamy smile and soulful eyes. I have loved her in every movie I have seen her in - she was just magnetic!

Where do I even start. There's a neighborly quality to this beautiful, talented actress that makes her hotness one of a kind and her looks impossible to forget

With a career spanning five decades, Bergman is often regarded as one of the most influential screen figures in cinematic history. Known for her naturally luminous beauty, Bergman spoke five languages – Swedish, English, German, Italian and French – and acted in each.

She's hot, don't get me wrong, but I've always found her very approachable, like she could easily be a member of my friend group

A lot of the time hotness in a movie is just about words and framing. "You're the most beautiful person here" [vaseline lens] well I sure hope so because that's who you cast. But when, in Casablanca, they call Ingrid Bergman the most beautiful woman in the world... they were not fucking lying. And such a dynamite actor too!! I'd only seen Casablanca up until last year, and there she's confined to love interest. But in Gaslight she was maybe one of the most incredible actors I've ever seen!!!! Goddddd shes so fucking hot and cool.

[boomturkey]

Get to know your OC

I was tagged by the incredibly good looking @amellderiva - thank you very much for gifting me opportunities to continue waxing poetic about my Rook

I choose you @loominousfish and @scriberated

GENERAL

Name: <Redacted> “Rook” Ingellvar

Alias: Rook, Little Rook, Little bird

Gender: Female

Age: 33

Spoken languages: Trade, Nevarran, can read/write in an ancient language she studied that died out around the time of the Chantry founding - Rook forgets about this last one often

Sexual orientation: Pansexual, every body is for admiring, including the one time she developed a massive crush on a spirit of Joy.

Occupation: Would describe her job currently as the temporary leader of a band of misfits until Varric is better. Previously Mourn Watch Knight, elevated to Deputy Commander of her own squad.

FAVORITE

Color: Blue and Gold

Pastime: Solving problems. Helping others. Helping others solve problems. Finding solutions? Oh you mean to relax? Does maintaining armor and weapons to insure they are battle ready count? What if it relaxes her though? Uh, what about exploring crypts and caves for mysteries?

Food: Despite growing up in the watch, Rook is a meat fiend. She loves a good potato and roast chicken especially. Can’t go wrong with potatoes, onions and maybe some olives coated in chicken fat.

Drink: Tea with milk. Also comically large steins of ale. The beer can be shit, it’s more about the aesthetic enjoyment of large beer in social situations.

Books: History books and anatomy textbooks. She’ll read fiction and enjoy it, but true pleasure comes from reading about bones and sometimes how they got there.

HAVE THEY…?

Graduated from university: Graduated from mandated Mourn Watcher education. She knows so much about bones and bodies and pituitary glands. Also familiarity with dead languages. Her graduation thesis was on muscle atrophy from long term medical wing stays between races. It has been implied that this topic makes her some kind of jock, and not an academic. Rook also believes this to be true.

Had sex: Oui.

Had sex in public: Had sex in a bush? Absolutely not, she’s not an animal. Had sex in a forgotten crypt barely 6 meters away from where her squad is camped? Chyeah.

Gotten tattoos: Many. Tree on her back. Left shoulder features grave motifs. Some waves on her right shoulder. Octopus on her left thigh. Rook fancied herself a future career as a sailor once upon a time.

Gotten piercings: Desperately wanted earrings as a child, until she saw a whole bunch of them get ripped out of someone’s ear during training. As an adult she still has no piercings.

Gotten scarred: Dozens and dozens of scars. Famously one on her nose from the time a cat swatted her across the face. And one on her upper abdomen, where a tomb raider tried to gut her once.

Had a broken heart: Yes, though she would never admit this out loud. Unless you want to talk about the day she learned Hawke died/disappeared helping the inquisition.

Been in love: Yes. She falls in love fast, and falls out of it faster.

ARE THEY…?

A cuddler: No thanks. She will allow cuddles, grow restless and need out of the cuddle after what feels to her like a torment nexus of continuous touching, unmoving (3-5 minutes). She will affectionately wrastle though. If a cuddle could be mobile, then she’d be more into it. Too restless otherwise.

Scared easily: On the inside? Oh yes. And does she let anyone ever see it? Nay.

Jealous easily: Not anymore. There was a time as a child where everyone thought the mysterious elven crypt baby, beloved by spirits, raised by Defiance, would be a once in a generation Necromancer. Then she never developed magic and Rook has spent years working on her feelings of jealousy about mages and magic. But romantically? Hahaha, no.

Trustworthy: She is a loyal dog who can’t lie to save her life.

FAMILY

Siblings: Mysterious crypt baby was raised alone. Though she adopted herself some siblings from the Nevarra City alienage in her teens (Kallian and Theo)

Parents: The Greater Spirit of Defiance residing deep within the Grand Necropolis raised her.

Children: No thanks. Has a niece she would burn the world for though.

Pets: No, though she wants one so bad. There was this one time she tried to lure a crypt grim (very large mastiff) into following her home and living in her cell with her during her initiate years. It didn’t pan out. She has many thoughts about bonding with one of Assan’s siblings if given the chance.

[lazyveran]

omg i just read the Ty Lee Azula Katara situationship. Well now of course you need to elaborate on Mai. What's her relationship with Azula and Katara like? does Ty Lee have a similar thing with Zuko and Mai, as her other besties? What is wrong with Mai, bc i get the feeling you've tossed her in a salad spinner as well?

thank you so much. mai is also being whirled around in the salad spinner. miserably, might i add.

mai for me is someone is who is clinging very VERY tightly to the past, and absolutely refuses to deviate from it. ty lee, azula and zuko are her childhood friends? thats IT. thats all the friends she wants or needs. in her mind any change from that past is bad, wrong, and must be reversed back to safe, normal comfort. this is in part because she was happy and innocent and free right up until tom-tom was born - then she was the spare, seen not heard, not understood by her mother, choked into silence, captivity and an intense depressive state. tom-tom's arrival into her life is so bad that mai goes "ah yes, new people? or My People changing into something i didnt expirence before the age of 12? BAD. KILL WITH HAMMERS." and even though she does love her baby brother, she despises the circumstance he brought her. (she's far more like azula than either of them want to admit. they keep seeing glimpses of themselves in the other, like a shattered reflection of what they could have become - silent and meek, or unloved and monsterous. they never talk about it.)

the fire squad is her one and only support network, and she becomes uncomfortably co-dependant. no one else will do. no one else understands. they're comfortable, normal, the shining happy past that she wants to claw back to. she's loved by them, and understood implicity bc of their shared past. thats all she wants. so she's very, very intensely devoted to them, and especially to zuko. her and azula aren't emotional supports to each other, but they are indeed best friends. they both apprieciate each other's loyalty and stability. mai is comfortable with any change that happens around azula - or Her People - because azula is this steadfast, unmoving pillar in her life. azula values mai highly for her skill, intelligence and general disposition. they're the bitchest besties ever who murder for fun.

SO. if she literally cant handle ty lee, azula or zuko changing into something else. at all. then you can imagine her reaction to katara barrelling in and changing up the vibe of their foursome. mai is outright hostile to katara. she's irritable, grouchy, and does her utmost to pretend katara doesnt exist at all. in her mind, katara is forcing their group to change, taking azula away from their terrible little co-dependency circle. change? bad. threaten the new woman with knives. and quickly. make sure azula is apart from that new woman and back in the safe co-dependency circle. if anything changes - if azula changes - she'll turn into dust.

and on ty lee! she DOES. zuko and mai dating isnt too big a deal for her because they still pay attention to her, and the afformentioned co-dependant stability thing overrides her annoyance that they're not looking and seeing her. but if someone flirts with zuko, or mai? its over. shes throwing a tantrum, getting the person to flirt with HER instead, or flirting with zuko/mai. bc WHY is no one looking at her? helloooo???

mai and ty lee get along famously because mai hates change and people, and ty lee gets to hoard mai greedily to herself. its the perfect arrangement, she can farm all the attention she wants from mai and is guaranteed to it. and mai doesnt care about ty lee wandering off to other friendgroups because she always comes back. and it's funny, ty lee makes things not boring.

[is-it-offwithyourhead]

Is it OWMH for pranking my vice housewarden? I (17M), might have a bit of a crush on my housewarden (also 17M). This isn’t something that hinders my day-to-day life, I’m able to go about my time at my dorm just fine, and I do consider him a friend (tho I’ve never been close w the vice (also 17M), in fact he actively dislikes me and I can’t say I’m too fond of him.) two or three days ago, my vice housewarden was cooking dinner, as he tends to, and i was in the lounge talking with my housewarden and a few other sophomores from our dorm. Now my vice knows well of my predicament by now; he overheard me tell my friend abt it a long time ago. (My friend is in a diff dorm so she didn’t snitch I was just talking far too loudly). Anyway, I happened to be sitting next to the housewarden during this talk which, again involves multiple people, and I hear the vice call my name. I’m also pretty competent in the kitchen myself, so I assumed he just needed help with something, but to my surprise, dinner was basically done. He pulled me aside and sternly told me to stop trying things with the housewarden as it could get all three of us in major trouble, to which I very clearly state I was not trying anything. He denies this claim and continues to threaten me with a kitchen spoon, so I dejectedly left to eat my soup in my room.

Now, my vice famously has a massive phobia of insects and arachnids, and I, famously, have a pet tarantula. Her name is Willow. Vice started getting noticeably pissy every time I would talk to Housewarden, even if it was a simple 5-second interaction. A few hours ago, I was reading in the lounge while vice was doing homework on his laptop. Housewarden came in to give me something that I had left in the classroom (we share a class), and quickly leaves, to which vice gets all annoyed at me again. So i excused myself to my room and started setting up my scheme. I took a few of the bulbs out of my light and put the cover back on, then I took Willow out. I called the vice in saying that my light wasn’t turning on, and he reluctantly came in to investigate, forgetting I’m the one with the spider.

As he was fiddling with the light switch, I put Willow on my desk which he was standing near. He looked over to tell me something and saw her, and the look on his face was golden. I felt like I was getting compensation for every time he’s ever wronged me before. And he screamed, and it was hilarious. He ran out of the room and slammed the door and I was dying laughing.

Just a few minutes ago, housewarden made a general comment to some other people (I may have been eavesdropping) about how upset the vice was and how shaken up he’d gotten. I don’t feel bad, but housewarden does, so I guess I feel slightly bad. Should I be beheaded?