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just-a-bookish-reader · 2 years ago

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In These Hallowed Halls - Full Review

disclaimer: I did not post the full review on my instagram, only the ending overview

⭐⭐⭐

1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg ⭐⭐⭐

While finely and well told, I don't believe that this story was the right choice for the first story post the foreword by the editors. Early on I had certain expectations for the story to come full circle in a specific way, and when it didn't, I was left extremely disappointed. Mind you, I didn't need a specific ending, there were a couple different ways that the story could have been brought full circle but I won't list those here as there would be no way to avoid spoilers.

There's also the fact that this short story - as stated in the author's note at the end - acts as a prequel to The Truants by the same author. There are ways that one can write a short story that takes place within the same story or even with the same characters as a series - or as this one is, a prequel, without relying on the reader to know anything about the main story, but this short story does not do that well enough. I felt as though I was missing something so when I came across the author's note it made sense, but sadly didn't clear anything up about the story itself.

Pythia by Olivie Blake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Out of all twelve of these stories, Blake's ranked among my absolute favorites. With a unique and honestly terrifying take on our future - whether near or far off - in regards to artificial intelligence and super computers, I enjoyed the easy back and forth snippets of unconventional dialogue and the main character's own recollection of events revolving around the sudden death of a girl, one suspiciously close to the disappearance of another.

So many wonderful yet unnerving ideas filled the 30+ pages - from cults around technology, a type of magic that links both technology and magic together, making technology mimic humans. A few lines of binary, a few softly muttered spells would then complete such tasks. But the most horrifying element of Olivie Blake's story is the idea of being able to - in a way - resurrect a person's soul, and insert it into AI, much less more than one someone's soul. Blake's writing style oddly reminds me of Veronica Roth's in the Chosen Ones, which only made this more enjoyable to read. To wrap it all up, there was an unsettling undertone throughout and I felt uneasy the rest of the work day.

Sabbatical by James Tate Hill ⭐

Sadly, this story was incredibly boring (I kept stating so to my coworkers while reading even), that I found myself trying to hurry through the story and honestly I don't think I retained much of anything from my reading of this story.

The Hare and The Hound by Kelly Andrews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was pleasantly surprised by the execution of this story, and how the writing kept my attention and hoping that the stories to come would be just as good if not even somehow better for the rest of the anthology. While most of my thoughts contain many spoilers and I try to not spoil ARCs, I will say that I was so happy that my own theories that I began to have quite quickly after Arlen was introduced weren't just revealed as correct, but merely implied, suggested that I had been right through my reading and analysis of the story.

I would love to see more to this story from Andrews in the future, maybe even in Arlen's point of view, and then picking up after the short story ended or even before. This story left me with so many questions and so many thoughts - and in the best way possible.

X House by JT Ellison ⭐⭐

This one was alright. I did find the idea of hazing so extreme that both a student and teacher ended up dead to be interesting though. I do wish that there had been more to this story than what almost felt like a "don't do drugs" PSA but for hazing.

The Ravages by Layne Fargo ⭐

So I genuinely remember nothing about this story.

Four Funerals by David Bell ⭐⭐

While the writing was fine, the topic didn't feel particularly dark academia. This is just something that can happen at any time, any school, for any reason, in any class. It happens frequently. If school shootings were more rare in the US then maybe I could consider the topic more dark academia. Otherwise it feels like it's just a dark real life topic. I also wasn't really a fan of the point of view it took, and there were too many things left unanswered and I really disliked our POV character.

The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang ⭐⭐

The writing was actually really good here but the story felt pointless. It didn't even feel specifically dark academia - though I suppose a mystery and an academic setting is really all that's needed for something to be considered. I think the only thing that really made this an interesting story was the main character's mental health and I wish there was actually more discussion about that, instead of the story ending the way it did.

Weekend at Berties by ML Rio ⭐

This is so distantly related to academia - with the murdered person being related to the characters academically, this was boring and odd.

The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant ⭐⭐⭐

Not really sure what to rate this one, as it did a particularly good job of scaring the living shit out of me and leaving me uneasy for the rest of the night - but in a different way than Pythia did. Though I'm not sure that is particularly a very strong compliment as I'm very easily scared and given nightmares, plus I still had Pythia's unease running through my veins at the time of reading. I will say the writing was excellent, but I also wish that the pacing had been different, not exactly faster or slower, just… different.

Phobos by Tori Bovalino ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of my other favorites in this anthology, I found Phobos to be excellently written and felt like a true dark academic story! I really liked the discussions of class and privilege had in this story as it related to the main character, and felt that they were only "quick" due to the nature of it being a short story and I would absolutely love to see a full length novel, or even just a novella diving into the whole story before and during and after.

I also really loved how she ended up committing her murder of a lower ranking student in the end, and god I could go on and on, and while I know most of these aren't linked to a bigger work I would just die for a full length novel or novella of this one, and I will repeat that until the day I die. (I also think this should have been swapped with Playing in order to close out the anthology)

Playing by Phoebe Wynne ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The plot twist of this one was great! And to be honest the plot twist is why I'm giving this story four stars. I really liked how the main character started to think about the funerals she played at, and even had moments that made it seem like she didn't know what she was doing (ha me trying super hard not to spoil), but in the end fully knew what she was doing, and someone else at the funerals seeming to catch on as well. A delightful story, though I feel like this should not have been the closer.

Overall

With an interesting premise, and many big name authors in the genre, In These Hallowed Halls promises much, but sadly doesn't deliver on about half of it. I found only about three stories that were five stars, with the majority of the stories being three or less, mostly less and less frequently three.

I really wish that they had been able to get the five star stories first, and then take them and go "we want the rest of the collection to match these vibes" even if it meant replacing some of the three and four star stories, because if I could get stories like Pythia, The Hare and The Hound, and Phobos for the entire anthology, I can sacrifice Playing and The Professor of Ontography. I will say that while this anthology was largely disappointing (I had extremely and possibly way too high of expectations for this collection) - I would love to see more anthologies in a similar vein.

Anthologies about other trends in literature right now, maybe light academia, cottagecore, fairycore, etc. Basically I would love lighter stories but I could also accept a second volume of dark academia inspired stories, if we got more authors.

While I loved that not a lot of these authors were well known, I would also love a second volume with other authors such as Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House), Mona Awad (Bunny), Dona Tartt (The Secret History, The Goldfinch), Antonia Angress (Sirens & Muses), even Daisy Alpert Florin (yes I did just write a review for her book My Last Innocent Year).

Generally, the concept and premise was spectacular, the execution - not as much, but also not as badly as it could have gone.

#book review #advanced reader copy #dark academia #a dark academia anthology #in these hallowed halls #olivie blake #kelly andrews #tori bovalino

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weaselandfriends · 1 year ago

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Fascinating series of takes on LitRPGs and progression fantasy, a "dark corner of the internet" I was somehow introduced to via fans of Fargo and Modern Cannibals.

I love these "dark corners," where insular groups of writers develop their own conventions completely divorced from mainstream narrative style. I was introduced to a Pokemon fanfic called The Most Evil Trainer due to someone finding similarities between it and my own idea for a Pokemon fic. I love the stickied post at the top of the story's thread:

How the author wants to treat their Self-Insert character is their own business. Some people like writing basically about an original character. Some prefer maximal realism from a person. Some audiences also find it easier to identify with a SI character than a blank slate character, and other stories treat the SI as a vicarious 'we' experience. This is not one of those stories. It is not necessary for the reader to know everything about a character's motivation. Sometimes things just need to remain in shadow until needed. Delay gratification; character development does not mean spoonfeeding the reader all that can be known about the character. Some things might even be assumed as a more realistic normal human reaction, that a SI is not by default someone who would be alienated from their old life in favor of new adventure. Do not try to force your own preferred motivations on someone else's character that is being written. Fanfiction is still a form of literature, and consciously or subconsciously, writers may be challenging common themes in their genre. Remember, there used to be isekai where people's motivation was clearly 'get me the hell out of here'. InuYasha, Magic Knights Rayearth, Spirited Away, even Digimon counts. So wanting to come home is not any insufficient motivation. So what is the actual problem here?

In short, the author has received flak from commentators because his isekai'd character's primary motivation is wanting to go home, rather than remain in the isekai world. As the post points out, of course, most older isekai had that as the main character's motivation; it's only a relatively recent trend where isekai is seen as a power fantasy and thus the isekai world is preferable to the real world. Yet audience expectations in this insular circuit of literature are primed to expect the protagonist to want to remain in the world, and chafes against a motivation that explicitly counteracts the power fantasy that is seen as core to the genre's appeal.

The original poster in the chain I reblogged smarmily dismisses this sector entirely, but I think small pockets with insular communities and rules is a good microcosm for how popular opinions on literature and film at a larger scale can be distorted by relatively transitory social mores.

For instance, I often see writer's advice that will tell authors to follow the Campbellian hero's journey, or the Pixar three-act model, or some other kind of structural formula that has been tried and tested and found true at a widespread societal level. While these models can indeed work, there is often a subtext to this advice that suggests these models are the only thing that can work, that there must be a beginning, rising action, denouement, et cetera. Even for Campbell, who proclaimed his Hero's Journey an integral part of the human collective subconscious via Jungian pseudoscience, such models are never all-encompassing.

I always recommend authors read literature from a wide variety of cultures and time periods. It's so easy to see works follow conventions that were, at that time and place, considered ironclad and mandatory for any good story, only to skip to another work from another era in another country who thoughtlessly ignores those conventions wholesale in pursuit of their own time's conventions. And, of course, there are works that eschew convention even within their own time and place, and remain timeless anyway.

One of the most startling experiences to my development as a writer was when I discovered anime, which did not happen when I was a teenager, but only after I graduated college, having spent my teen years as a cinephile who gobbled up all sorts of well-regarded (and not well-regarded) films, and having spent my college years delving deep into literary canon. Going from The Iliad and King Lear to Angel Beats and Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan (which I initially thought was Angel Beats with an alternate title translation) completely demolished many of my ideas about what was necessary for a "story" to function; Lucky Star in particular put many narrative ideas in my head that would eventually be integral to Cockatiel x Chameleon.

Anime of course has its own conventions, but those conventions are often incredibly alien to the conventions of mainstream western media, which is probably why so many people turn up their nose the instant anime is mentioned. I think you can learn a lot by escaping your own notions of what a story must be and examining narrative from a completely different angle, however.

As a final note, I'll take the time to once more recommend Worth the Candle, a LitRPG progression isekai that has absolutely none of the "fundamental flaws" of the genre described by the original poster in this chain.

so back in the day i read HPMOR, right? like many people. and as it went on (& yudkowsky kept talking about his writing process on tumblr) it became more and more clear that this was fiction approached from an angle i had never really considered before. i had been vaguely aware of places like the spacebattles forum or the dark lord potter forum, where apparently people wrote stories that were mostly just a long-form way to debate “would the USS Enterprise win against a star trek star destroyer”, or whatever. yudkowsky kept saying wild things like “the point of this scene is to vicariously enjoy somebody solving a problem” or “all characters should always do smart things so the reader doesn’t get frustrated with them” or “i wanted to add a short arc where this character doesn’t instantly solve all his problems but i was worried it would alienate the reader”. (see also.) just like, expressing this conceptualization that the point of fiction was to… write a character stomping through a little fake world going from victory to victory so that the reader could enjoy the vicarious glow of having a hard problem presented to them and then immediately resolved. how smart you are for following the line of thought of the main character, who did this smart thing!!

so that was very weird, but it was mostly a singular kind of weirdness. another weird, out-of-touch artifact from the rationalists, like roko’s basilisk but harry potter fanfiction instead.

anyway a while back i stumbled across “Mother of Learning”, and i think my initial response to it was ‘this is less a story with a plot and more a series of obstacles that are presented to the main character to be sequentially overcome’. there was a furry webcomic years ago that was a calvin & hobbes knockoff – small child, stuffed animal companion who became alive when they were alone, whimsy, etc – only where calvin & hobbes left the premise unstated, this comic, roughly 30 strips in, had a whole plot explaining: okay so these are a special kind of magical creature that bonds with children. in this metaphor susie’s mr. bun is also a magical creature. eventually they start going on adventures together. my overall thought was like, oh i guess i was assuming this was a narrative framing device structured around the themes of the work, but actually this was all meant to be fully diagetic and fully explained as part of the work’s “worldbuilding”.

anyway mother of learning is like that but for groundhog day. the time loop isn’t an unexplained device used to inspect a character through a lens, it’s a dragon ball-style training chamber. there are “plot developments” as more information is revealed, but all of that takes a back seat to extensively and exhaustively describing every ability and technique that the main character learns and how they use them to be more powerful. mother of learning is 800,000 words long. the time loop is because they’re actually duplicates of the ‘real people’, in a pocket universe constructed inside of an eldrich monstrosity that was designed to be used every x years by some kind of fated hero to keep it sealed. the main character has to escape partly to make sure some evil cultists don’t unseal some stuff, but mostly so he doesn’t lose all his experience gains.

anyway so reading that brought me to royal road. (i’ve always found the name very funny since my main familiarity with the term is the phrase “there is no royal road to geometry - euclid”, aka there is no shortcut to learning something; you always have to put in the hard struggle of comprehension. it’s actually named after… something from a light novel or something? it used to be a fan forum for a specific work before branching out into a publishing platform.) anyway it’s a place to post stuff, like fanfiction.net or fictionpress or whatever. there is a strong genre constraint: they mostly want to hear about their protagonists getting endlessly more and more powerful, and sometimes collecting a harem of sexy women. it’s for that kind of fiction. reading a few stories there was very illuminating, in that finally i could place HPMOR in a genre: that of the ‘progression fantasy’, a profoundly self-indulgent and formulaic genre that’s mostly just an action story with a lot of the bits stripped away so they can describe how much more powerful the protagonist is getting. a subgenre of this is the ‘litrpg’, which are stories with a diagetic video-game-mechanics layer. people are checking their stats and getting experience from killing monsters and leveling up and all that. a lot of them read like text LPs of videogames that don’t exist. where the author is, of course, executing a min-maxed run.

(there’s a lot of overlap here between progression fantasies and like, xianxia stories? cultivation stories are generally all progression fantasies, and so there’s a lot of overlap thematically.)

anyway so that was kind of a grim awareness of a dark corner of the literary world. this stuff is popular. royal road is pretty aggressively farmed by publishers wanting to license stuff so they can make ebooks or w/e; there are author patreons there that make like, thousands of dollars a month for writing chapter 1394 of “my character with a cool spear levels up more”. i’ve read a bunch of progression fantasies but i wouldn’t say i really enjoyed any of them, partly because a lot of them are really bad at like… constructing a narrative with any kind of stakes. it’s all gonna be jettisoned away in favor of talking more about level ups. it is actually almost exactly the experience of grinding for levels in an RPG: it’s not really fun, but it can be engaging in the moment, and also you get to see a number go up, so that’s like a reward.

(i started writing one of my own as a writing exercise b/c i wanted to try some short-paced serial work that wasn’t porn, and it shot up to uh #40 top-rated on the entire site. it was in the top 10 for a few days. i have some complicated feelings about that.)

recently, i’ve been reading a lot of, uh, gay incest teenage mutant ninja turtles fanfiction. a lot of it is incredibly overwrought. 200k words of characters pining guiltily over each other! soap opera antics with miscommunications and secrets! genre cliches piled up in a big heap and remixed! and like, fanfic as a genre can be real formulaic too, right? a lot of people who read&write fanfic don’t read much else, and there’s absolutely a ‘house style’ for most fanfic. but when i read fanfic i get the sense that the authors are, you know, aware of some literary conventions, of the various aspects that make up a story, and they’re struggling to convey concepts and themes. apparently i’m responsible for inspiring somebody to write what i think is the only sincere donkey/shrek porn fanfic in existence, and personally i think that porn fanfic has a million times the literary and artistic merit as chapter 1400 of randitly fucking ghosthound, because porn, overwrought incest soap opera dramas, is at least saying something about the nature of human desire, whereas most progression fantasy stuff is an utterly self-absorbed thesis on “writing somebody cool and powerful is escapism so i can feel cool & powerful”, stretched out to a million words.

like i guess 'i want to feel powerful’ is an expression of human desire but it’s a particularly flat one. i think a lot about that bit in dead zones of the imagination:

Violence’s capacity to allow arbitrary decisions, and thus to avoid the kind of debate, clarification, and renegotiation typical of more egalitarian social relations, is obviously what allows its victims to see procedures created on the basis of violence as stupid or unreasonable. One might say, those relying on the fear of force are not obliged to engage in a lot of interpretative labor, and thus, generally speaking, do not.

[…]

To be more precise: violence may well be the only form of human action by which it is possible to have relatively predictable effects on the actions of a person about whom you understand nothing. Pretty much any other way one might try to influence another’s actions, one at least has to have some idea who they think they are, who they think you are, what they might want out of the situation, and what their aversions and proclivities are. Hit them over the head hard enough and all of this becomes irrelevant.

a fantasy of having power is, i think, fundamentally a fantasy of never having to know anything you don’t want to, of never having to deal with the consequences of your actions. i feel it’s a particularly grim thing to enshrine into a millon-word epic.

anyway, hi, i’m back on tumblr, i guess. who can say if this will last. i’m still not happy about the porn ban! for reasons hopefully partially explained by the whole bit about porn above. also the increasing sidelining of custom layouts in favor of a uniform interface. sadly even with that it seems like tumblr is basically the only well-travelled social media site that’s not a total algorithmic nightmare, although the first thing i did when i remade this account was to go into the settings and turn off like a dozen algorithmic switches that were all defaulted to 'yes’.

i ended up moving cross-country during the peak of covid b/c my former housemate started having screaming panic attacks literally any time somebody stepped outside the house (literally literally, not emphatically literally). i would not recommend it. now i live somewhere where 'fire’ is a season, which is introducing new complications to my life. we’ll see how things go from here.

oh yeah, also my icon has more points now. i leveled up V:

#litrpg #web fiction #isekai #progression fantasy #writing

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purplelupins · 3 years ago

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Obedience

Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V

FARGO set in season 3

Pairing: V.M. Varga x reader

Warning: nsfw, swearing, mentions of sexual harassment, smut, Varga is so hot but gross and if you don’t want to read about it move along.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Working for Stussy Lots LTD. was supposed to be a stepping stone for y/n in her career as a business woman. Being a receptionist with the duties of an intern, however, barely filled her desires.

Getting coffee, making copies, while also answering the phone, greeting guests and aiding Emmit Stussy and Sy Feltz in their general work while also being office eye candy was not on her job description. But in sleepy St. Cloud, Minnesota, there weren’t a lot of options for a business grad student. So y/n sucked it up, and kept her head facing forward.

“Good morning Mr. Stussy. Here is your morning coffee, and you have two messages.” Y/n sat the coffee down on Emmit Stussy’s desk and handed him the two pieces of paper.

“Thank you.” He responded absentmindedly. Emmit took a sip of the coffee and immediately spat it out, “What the hell is this? Milk? I told you yesterday that I’m taking almond milk from now on. Stella’s orders. Do I have to do it myself?” He barked at her.

Y/n lost any pleasant expression her previously had. “My apologies, sir. I’ll make you a fresh cup-“

“Don’t bother. You’ll just mess it up. Go make copies of these documents and geez the phone is ringing, aren’t you going to answer that?” Emmit was an asshole. Y/n hated him.

“Right away sir.” She gave him a tight smile and took the documents before striking back to her desk at the front and picking up the phone, “Good morning, Stussy Lots LTD. How may I help you today?”

And that was how most days went.

The low hum of the copy machine almost put y/n to sleep. She watched as one after another after another paper popped out the side. Y/n was snapped out of her daze when her hairs stood on end suddenly.

“Ah good morning y/n. Looking lovely today.”

Sy Feltz. Y/n loathed him. A pig.

“Good morning Mr. Feltz. Thank you very much sir. “ She cringed. Then she felt his hand graze her bottom and she wanted to vomit.

“How could I not say something?” He have her a smirk under his thick moustache. Normally she didn’t mind facial hair but his reminded her of how his breath stank of alcohol during holiday parties and how he would always find a way to feel her up. Between him and Emmit she had an encyclopedia of violations of company policies and marriage boundaries.

Y/n gave him an uncomfortable laugh and grabbed her files as fast as she could and walked back to Emmit’s office to drop them off. Then. Ack to her desk to manage appointments and try not to break into a sob; her education feeling beyond wasted.

She didn’t remember how many times she tried to complain, but every time Mr. Stussy backed up Feltz and he said he didn’t know what she was talking about.

Just another day.

“Good afternoon, Stussy Lots LTD. My name is y/n, how may I help you?” Y/n stared at her computer as she set up another appointment for Sy and their lawyer. Seemed they were meeting a lot lately. Y/n placed the phone down and when she looked back up, she almost jumped out of her skin. Staring down at her was an exceedingly tall man with an eeri smile on his face. He was gaunt and tired, his teeth were crooked and needed a good brush. But he was a new face and that was welcome.

“I apologize sir. I didn’t see you there. Good afternoon! How may I help you?” Y/n gave him a nice smile. Before he could respond, Emmit came out from his office in a rush and plastered that shit-eating smile on his face that showed too many teeth.

“That’s alright, y/n I got it!” He waved her off, “What can I do for you friend?”

“Mr. Stussy. What a day. What a day!” The man responded, y/n liked his voice. It wasn’t harsh, and his accent was pleasant, “I was hoping to show the boys the new office.” He said.

New office?

Emmit looked lost and uncomfortable all of a sudden, “The-?”

“It’s this way I believe?” The man began walking past y/n down a hall before he quickly turned back and said, “Thank you my dear. Good afternoon to you too.” And with that he went down the hall to where there were indeed empty office space.

Emmit quickly leaned over y/n’s desk and whispered, “Call Sy.”

Y/n nodded and picked up the phone. Something was happening. And y/n could tell that no matter how much he pretended, Emmit didn’t know what was happening and he had zero control.

She smirked internally as she dialled the phone number for Sy. Karma is a bitch Mr. Stussy.

She could hear him down the hall trying to talk to the tall man and his associates, but to no avail.

“Hello Mr. Feltz, Mr. Stussy has requested you come to the office immediately.” She spoke calmly.

He stuttered on the other line and hung up quickly.

Y/n no sooner placed the phone down and the elevator doors opened again. Men with dolly’s of files and boxes wheeled in past her desk. Y/n stood slowly and looked at them. She could hear Emmit down the hall.

“Stop! We have rights!” He cried.

She stifled a laugh.

“Emmit, Emmit, you’re making a scene.” The tall man said.

Well said.

The boxes kept coming, man after man.

After 15 minutes of watching them, Sy finally came though the door, looking equally confused and uncomfortable.

“Mr. Feltz, I don’t know what’s going on…there was a man-“

“Oh good! They’re here.” He said. Y/n raised an eyebrow- what was he hiding?

“Remember when I told you we’re expanding our IT department?”

“No.” She said.

“Well we are…so…” he walked away nervously.

They were up to something.

Y/n could see the tall man in Emmit’s office, leaning against the windowsill like it was his office, not Emmit’s. He turned around, speaking to the two men now in the office; y/n had been staring at him for too long and he glanced at her, catching her. He smirked.

Y/n quickly fell into her seat and was suddenly very interested in going through the emails. Mostly condolences on Irv’s passing.

The door to Emmit’s office opened and the tall man began walking to the elevator infront of y/n. A blush rose to her cheeks, trying to not look at him.

“V.M. Varga.”

Y/n looked up slowly. He stood there, towering over her desk. He held his hand out; it was large and his veins poked out gently.

Y/n took it carefully. He wrapped his fingers around her hand and shook it.

“I’m V.M. Varga. I am an associate of Mr. Stussy’s.” His voice made her hair stand on end. It wasn’t creepy per se, but it was strange. Slow and calculated.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Varga. I’m Y/n L/n, but please call me y/n.” She gave him a grin.

“Pleasure.” He dipped his head to stare at her on her level and released her hand.

“Meemo and Yuri will be here to make sure our transition is smooth, but I won’t be here for a couple days. I trust you’ll be of service to them when you can?” He asked.

Y/n nodded her head, “Of course, Mr. Varga. Whatever you need.”

Varga was surprised by her compliance.

“You have a good day, my dear.” He went to the open elevator.

Y/n gave him a bitter smile, “I’ll try sir.”

The three men disappeared behind the sliding door, Varga watched the girl behind the desk until the door was shut.

“Keep an eye on her.” He murmured to the men at his sides. They nodded.

A few days had passed. Y/n had learned the names of the two men who had come with Varga that first day. Meemo and Yuri.

Y/n liked them. They were intimidating but pleasant. The day after they had all come in initially, Yuri had come to y/n’s desk, leaned across and simply said “We don’t have any problems here?”

Y/n had stared up at him, “No problems here as long as you don’t make any for me.”

He gave her a slow smirk. “Yuri,” Pointing to himself, “That’s Meemo.”

Y/n had nodded, “Y/n. Pleasure.”

They came and went constantly over the coming days, always holding a briefcase. She was curious, but it was above her pay grade to ask. She didn’t care as long as they didn’t ask her to get them coffee or try to feel her up.

They were quiet, but y/n wanted to know more about that V. M. Varga. There was more to him than just an associate. She could tell.

It was a few days later, and both Emmit and Sy were constantly on edge. They snapped at her even more, once even tugging her out of their office by force- she had a bruise for days. Emmit all but humiliated her over nothing in front of the entire office when she told him he should consider a different plot of land to purchase when going over some files; he only stopped when Yuri and Meemo all but interrogated him.

Y/n was grateful. Yuri had said that he was disrupting their work and making the office uncomfortable.

But what she didn’t know was that they informed a certain Englishman. And he was revolted. This was his office now, and he would not have misdemeanours happen under his rule.

Another day passed. Y/n sighed out of boredom. Stussy had been a mess- evidently his wife of 25 years when she found a sex tape of him. Nasty.

Y/n cringed as now he would be on the search for some pity harassment. Around midday, y/n settled into the break room, searching for a nice cup of tea. She searched every shelf, and it wasn’t until after a moment that she saw the box on the top shelf. A good foot away from her hand. She signed.

Y/n was just about to give up when she felt a chest pressed against her back, she jumped.

Stussy.

He was impossibly close and his face was desperately needy. Y/n’s heart thudded, not knowing if he would do something worse.

“Hey y/n. You’re sure lookin! Nice. New skirt? Sure shows off those legs-“

“Emmit?”

Y/n snapped her head to the door of the secluded room. Varga. Standing tall as if Stussy was trespassing.

He was.

“Emmit do you mind backing away from the poor girl.” He walked into the room and Emmit suddenly became all twitchy and started stuttering, “I-she-she, well, you see- I”

“Oh do save it.”Varga shook his head, “Now then, were you needing something up there, y/n?” He turned his direction to the girl who had stopped breathing. She stared up at him wide eyed, but thankful.

Emmit stormed out, embarrassed.

“Yes sir. I was trying to get the tea from the top there, see? I’m afraid it’s just a bit out of my reach…” she said quietly. Varga gave her a smile and nodded, coming next to her. Y/n didn’t move, letting him stand in her space. She almost gasped when he stood next to her and reached up with ease.

“There you are, my dear,” He placed the box in her hands gently and closed the cupboard, “Would it be dreadful if I asked you to make an extra cup?” He asked, a small smile on his lips.

Y/n gave him a smile, “You don’t have to ask sir. I was going to anyway.”

That small smile stretched out across his face. Y/n half wondered if he would bite her.

“Thank you.” With that he turned and went back to his office, leaving y/n alone to think.

What just happened?

Her mind ticked.

She barely registered that she boiled the kettle and made the tea. It wasn’t until she was walking to the once-empty wing of the office to deliver the tea that she snapped back to her body.

Tick.

Y/n tapped her knuckles on the closed door, not wanting to disturb them. Who knows what they were doing. After a moment, the door swung open- it was Meemo.

“It’s alright Meemo, it’s for me I believe.” The man stood aside to let Varga come to the door.

It was a wonder he didn’t hit his head on the frame.

“Here you are sir. Wasn’t sure if you took anything in it.” She handed it over nervously. She didn’t like how he made her so calm when everyone was so on edge around him. It was odd. He was odd.

Tick.

Y/n sat at her desk. Another few days went by and she was barely paying attention.

What she did know was that she was never bothered by anyone anymore. She could sit peacefully at her desk and she knew why.

Tick.

Varga would walk through the front of the office almost every day, being greeted with the same beautiful eyes and smile each time.

He craved that voice of hers saying “Good morning Mr. Varga!”

He relished in the blush that would form on her face when he would stop and say “Good morning y/n.”

She truly was wasted there. That had to change.

It was around 7:30 on Wednesday night. Y/n waited for the last few employees to go home before locking up. It was ridiculous how long they made her wait some nights. She rested her head in her hands and rubbed her eyes.

The ‘ding’ from the elevator made her look up, two of the last employees were leaving. Finally. Y/n stood and brushed her skirt. She never wore anything amazing. Just simple things that didn’t cost too much. No one noticed anyways.

She made her way down the isles of offices and cubicles, turning off all the lights, until she got to the once-empty wing. The light was on under the door.

Strange. She could have sworn they left.

Y/n knocked, “Mr. Varga? I’m just closing up for the night. Do you need any-“

The door opened, the man in question stood where her knuckles had just been.

“Evening, my dear. I do apologize. Had some loose ends to tie up I’m afraid.” He mused, walking back into his office to grab his coat and briefcase. Yuri was behind him.

“Yuri wait for me downstairs. Won’t be a moment.” Varga instructed the man. He nodded and walked past y/n. She heard the elevator door ding open and shut. Suddenly very aware of how alone they were. Varga shut and locked the door and y/n began walking back to her desk to grab her things.

Tick.

She decided to cross a line she had drawn for herself.

“Mr. Varga?” She asked slowly.

“Hmm?” He hummed, standing by her desk.

“You…” she took a deep breath, “You don’t work for anyone, do you? There is no Narwal.” Y/n didn’t know why, but she had to say something. She had seen the files and read the data. And V.M. Varga was no employee. He watched her.

“You’re behind everything.” She whispered.

That loan. She had a bad feeling about it when Emmit had said they didn’t ask for anything in return or as collateral. That wasn’t a loan. That was an investment. A virus.

Silence surrounded them. Varga stood there, thinking.

“Very good.” He said finally.

Y/n let out a breath.

“How long have you known?” Varga stood up straight as y/n shrugged on her coat and draped her purse across her shoulder.

“I knew something was wrong with that loan since I heard about it. No collateral? Come on. A moron could see that there would be something sinister behind it.” She smiled.

A laugh came from him, it was dry and tired, “You give them too much credit, my dear.”

Y/n nodded. She knew she did- she had to; they employed her. Varga stared at her for a few moments, thinking. Weighing his options.

“You’re wasted here.” He said. Startling her, “You have a business degree, yes?”

She nodded.

“And you’re being treated like a dog’s breakfast here.” He added, disgust in his face.

“Well I don’t have a lot of options here in St. Cloud…can’t afford to move so I’m stuck for now.” She nodded, hanging her head slightly.

“You ever consider working for someone else?” He pressed.

Tick.

Y/n could see he was going somewhere, “Of course. It’s not like I enjoy being felt up by unhappily married men. I’ve got a pretty face and that’s where most people stop. I’ve got more brains than this whole office put together I swear.” She ran her hand through her hair, the added, “Not including your wing of the office, sir.”

“I assumed.”

“I also have enough dirt of the both of them, Emmit and Sy, to put them into very uncomfortable situations.” She added.

He liked that.

There was a question hanging between them. Finally after what seemed to be hours, he asked.

“I could use someone like you on my side. Ever consider?” He slipped his hand into his pocket.

Y/n smiled up at him, “The side of the devil himself?”

“I suppose.”

“What’s in it for me?” She asked, curious.

“How does a $50 000 signing bonus and a hefty salary sound?” He said seriously- all jokes aside.

The air left y/n’s lungs.

Her mouth hung open.

“You’re joking.” She managed after a moment.

“Do I look like I’m joking my dear?” He wasn’t.

“No.” She whispered.

“So? I haven’t got all night.” He pressed the elevator call button.

Y/n stood there.

What about her work there?

Her references?

Her time and energy?

Her connections?

“If you have any doubts I’m sure we will be able to reach some sort of consensus.” Varga leaned against the wall, waiting.

Tick.

Y/n walked around the desk slowly and up to Varga. She held her hand out, which he took and shook.

“Welcome, Miss l/n.” He smirked and led her into the now open elevator.

“I look forward to working with you, sir.” She said, suddenly realizing that she invited the devil inside. More than she knew.

“Oh! Take this. Go buy yourself something nice. Can’t have you put to waste in such drab clothes.” He handed her a credit card. She wondered what the limit was on it.

She laughed. “I tried to dress as unappealing so they’d leave me alone.”

The elevator doors opened and Varga gestured for her to step out first. The lobby of the building was dead quiet. Y/n could see Yuri outside with a car.

Varga turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, she actually welcomed it.

“They ever touch you, you come to me. They ever breathe too close, you…?” He waited.

“I come to you sir.” She finished.

“Good girl.” He squeezed her arm, “Come to my office tomorrow morning. Don’t go to that old desk, it’s not yours anymore.”

Y/n nodded, butterflies in her stomach.

Tick.

It felt strange taking the elevator knowing that she wouldn’t have to sit infront of it ever again. Y/n had indeed bought herself a few nice things. The had also taken time to do her hair- slicking it back into a tight bun. That first morning, y/n made sure to be a little late. Just so Stussy and Feltz would be there to know that she no longer worked for them.

She had bought herself a pair of high, black trousers that fit her perfectly and cinched in her waist, a soft v-neck blouse that showed off her neck and sternum as she stood tall in her heels- the heel high enough that she could effectively stab someone. To top it off she wore a beautiful trench coat akin to Varga’s, though much newer.

The sound of her heels clicked in her ears as she exited the elevator. Front desk empty. She shrugged off her coat and placed it over one arm before making her way past the Stussy and Feltz offices.

Stussy came first. He look a few moments to register who she was, then coming out the door, “ y/n! Where the heck are you going? You and k are going to have a talk later about your lateness today.” He followed after her, y/n paid him no mind.

Fetlz was second and last. He saw Emmit, then y/n and his mouth hung open. Was it Christmas? He too popped out of his office. Both men followed her like puppies. Pathetic.

“Say y/n are we getting raises or something today? Seems like our lucky day! You look great!” Sy caught up her and grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop “I’m talking to y-“

Before the words even left his mouth his own hand was snatched off of y/n’s harshly.

“No you’re not. Not anymore.” Varga materialized out of nowhere and tossed Sy’s hand away in disgust. “You will never speak to miss l/n ever again unless spoken to first. And you will never touch her. Is that clear?”

He circled y/n, placing a protective arm around her. The men nodded slowly, looking terrified.

“We was just- y-you know. No hard feelings and all that? We never meant any-“ Emmit stuttered.

Y/n turned around and Varga followed suit. He strode next to her and leaned over to say, “Welcome to the truth, my dear.”

Y/n shivered.

What have I gotten into?

“Was it truly that easy?” Y/n stared out of the office window that was once Sy Feltz’s. She was in disbelief how easily manipulated Emmit was.

“If you know the pressure points of a human mind, anything is possible, my dear. For Emmit Stussy, however, I didn’t need to know anything profound…crumbled like a house of cards.” A dry laugh came from him. Y/n turned and stared at Varga sat with his feet up on the desk leaning back. He was watching her.

“Wish I could have been there.” Y/n walked to the front of the desk and stood tall. He had been right to recruit her.

“Shall I go back to typing up my blackmail diaries, sir?” That was what they called them. They were documents upon documents of misconduct in the office towards herself and what she had witnessed from others.

“Off your go then. Oh! Could you fill this cup with water please my dear?” He held out Sy’s old cup that his poor wife had given him. If only she knew.

“Not a problem, sir.” She smiled and took the cup. He stared and watched her.

He was up to something.

When y/n returned with the cup full, Meemo, Yuri and Sy all stood in the office. She tapped the glass and Varga waved her in. Sy almost jumped away from her, likely due to countless threats from Varga. Y/n smirked and handed the cup into the waiting hands of Varga.

“Thank you, y/n. I’ll find you later.” He gave her a crooked smile.

Y/n shivered. Not out of disgust, more out of anticipation.

“Yes sir.” And with that she exited the office and went to their private wing to continue her documentation.

The files were finished.

Y/n stood in the large office, leaning against the windowsill, arms crossed. It was very early on December 19th, snow fell outside, and there was a quiet hum in the office as not one else was there.

Y/n had just informed Varga of her finished work. He was pleased. The documents would come into play very soon.

It was been almost strange working for someone who didn’t corner her every 5 minutes for a feel-up or abuse her mentally and physically. It was especially odd as V.M. Varga was not a kind man. He was a business man in the billionaire business. No time for niceties. But he was pleasant to her. Very pleasant.

Y/n had squeezed her eyes shut as he left a room more than once to rid her brain of the terrible thoughts she had of him. He wasn’t a terribly handsome man. He was almost scary from his massive height to his unkept hair to his unkept teeth. But something about him make y/n ache.

He was a fairly open book. Not ashamed of anything. Y/n decided on that early morning that she would ask him why he never tried to touch her; convinced she was destined to be felt up her whole life.

“Mr. Varga, sir?” She asked.

“Yes?” He said.

“Why is it that you have never tried to touch or harass me? I’m not trying to say that it should be in your nature or anything…I’ve just gotten so used to it that I notice it greatly that I’m no longer uncomfortable.” She wrung her hands, trying to not insult him.

Varga observed her for a moment. He stood slowly and placed his hands in his pockets.

“As a business man, I believe it is most important to establish a working relationship between oneself and their…partners. Knowing the line and not crossing it I suppose. I may not be a man of many values but I do know when to behave. Mostly.” He laughed.

Y/n nodded, half understanding him.

“So you don’t find me attractive?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Did I say that?” He slowly stalked towards her. Taking in every move she made. He was a predator, there was no doubt of it.

Y/n began to blush and looked away from him. “N-No, sir, but-“

“You’re wondering what I think of you?” He slowly cocked his head to the side. His tall frame towering over her. He still wasn’t touching her, but y/n was dizzy on his proximity. It was demanding and intimidating and y/n couldn’t get enough.

She stood her ground, the windowsill digging into her thighs. “I am.” She looked back up at him.

“What would you like to hear, my dear.” He whispered, just a foot away now.

With every passing second her mind went fuzzier and fuzzier. She didn’t know what to say. When she had initially asked the question she didn’t think he would say much. Maybe laugh it off or tell her about a Russian saying. Not this though.

The air disappeared from her lungs.

“I-“

“Cat got your tongue?” He leaned down a couple inches, close to her ear. The hairs on her neck stood up and goosebumps spread across her arms and legs. She didn’t know what to say. She was dizzy, not able to look away. His breath fanned across her cheek.

“Perhaps I ought to show you, since words are alluding us tonight?” His breath tickled her neck. Y/n nodded obediently. Varga smiled and placed a kiss just under her ear.

Y/n gasped.

The kisss instantly sent shocks down to between her thighs. Varga seemed to enjoy the sound as he slipped his hand into the hair at the back of her head and pulled. She moaned in surprise.

“Are you quite sure my dear?” He murmured against her skin, licking her ear.

“Yes…” she whispered with baited breath.

Please please please please!

“Yes…?” He pulled again. She winced.

“Yes sir.” She corrected.

“That’s a good girl.”

Y/n grasped his tie and pulled, and Varga took the invitation. His lips descended on hers before she could register; they were dry and he tasted of mint, but y/n was drunk on it. She could feel his tongue lick her bottom lip. Y/n welcomed him inside, gasping as he smoothed his tongue across her’s. A low moan came from her throat, he liked that. Varga moved his hands to her thighs and pulled her up onto the ledge of the window; she wrapped her legs around his hips and gasped again when she felt his arousal hot and pressed against her.

Without even realizing, her hips began rubbing against him, desperate for friction.

She pulled away to look up at him, he smirked and showed those crooked teeth of his. He saw how blown her pupils were. She was so desperate for his touch. He reviled in it.

“Looking for something?” He teased.

“P-please. Sir. Please-“ she stuttered.

He stared at her like a wolf would it’s prey.

“Something like…” he growled. Varga slid a hand up her soft thigh, under her skirt, swiping one of his long fingers across her soaked panties. He touched her too gently, then pulled her hair again; almost saying that he can stop playing nicely at any moment.

She hadn’t dreamed in a million years that V.M. Varga would be trancing his thumb across the most sensitive part of her body and making her beg for more.

Y/n nodded her head vigorously at his question. He smirked and brought his lips down to hers again, tugged her panties aside and slipped two long fingers inside her; she moaned loudly. He pulled back to speak against her lips, his tongue flicking out against hers, “Good girl. Look at me. There it is.” She stared up into his eyes, mouth open in ecstasy. He was slowly pumping in and out of her, hooking his fingers in just the right way.

How the hell did he know…?

“Now tell me. Is there anyone else who touches you like this?” He whispered in her ear, that English accent was heavier now. It made y/n’s inner walls clench around his fingers, he noted.

“N-no sir.” She managed before another moan came from her throat.

“And will there ever be anyone else to touch you like this?” He was torturing her. And she couldn’t get enough.

“Fuck- no, no sir!” She gasped, her pussy was getting beyond sensitive, she knew she was close, he did too.

“How can I be so sure?” His voice lowered even more.

“B-be-because -ah! I-I only w-want you. Sir. Fuck! Please!” Tears pooled in her eyes.

“Please?” He asked innocently.

“Please! I need to- I’m going to- Ah!”

“Going to?” He stopped moving. She wined. He decided he liked that sound too. She was so dumb for him.

“I’m going to cum sir! Please!” She gripped his shoulders, pleading for him to help her finish.

“Ahh is that what you want?” He resumed his speed, feeling her grow tighter with every stroke of his fingers. He decided she would hear his voice as she came, “Listen to my voice. You’re going to cum on my fingers because you’re my obedient girl. Then once you’ve finished, I’m going to shove my cock inside you and fuck you until you can’t remember your name. Do you hear me?” And that was all it took.

“Y-yes! Ah!” She squeezed her eyes shut and she felt his devour her mouth as she came hard around his deft fingers. A rush of cum dripped out of her onto his hand. She slowly released her vice-like grip on his suit. When she opened her eyes, she saw him smirking wolfishly down at her. He wished he had a camera to take a photo of her like that. Lips swollen and eyes heavy, cheeks flushed. Panting.

For him.

Varga slipped his fingers from her and held them up to his mouth, licking them once, then turning them to her, “Open.” He commanded.

She obliged, and he stuck his fingers inside her mouth for her to taste herself. He watched her lick them clean.

“So obedient.” He murmured.

Y/n felt her heart beating in her ears, she needed more. He knew it.

Varga reached down and unbuckled his belt, opening his pants and tugging his boxers down to his knees. Y/n barely had time to register how large he was before he was rubbing the head of his cock against her. She closed her eyes again, but he pulled her hair again and said, “Eyes open.”

Y/n fluttered them open and stared up at him. As soon as she looked at him, he smiled that crooked smile and pushed his cock inside her. Her brows pitched up and her mouth opened in a gasp. He was longer than she had thought, and he stretched her so deliciously she almost came again right there.

Once all the way in, Varga began to pull out again in a painfully slow pace. Y/n regained that tight grip on his arms, needing something to hold onto.

He was surprisingly strong, his grip on her never failing. She wondered what else he was capable of. Y/n let out a cry when he quickly snapped his hips and pushed back inside her.

“Now then, I’m going to ask you one. More. time.” He growled out, thrusting inside her with each word, “Who do you answer to?”

“Y-you, Mr. Varga.” Y/n moaned.

“And who do you belong to?” He was close, as was she; her walls squeezed him tightly.

“Y-YOU! V.M. VARGA, SIR! I’M YOURS!”She screamed, her pussy clenched once again as she came. He growled and dipped his head to her neck, biting her and sucking at the skin, marking his territory.

“Mine.” With that, he came inside her, back going ridged. He groaned and hunched over her. Y/n wrapped her legs tightly around him.

After a moment, he straightened up and removed himself from her. Y/n went to hop down but before she could, Varga handed her a handkerchief; she took it slowly, watching him. He went to step away, but she gripped his tie and brought him back down for one more dizzying kiss. As she pulled away, she nipped at his lip. He smirked.

Y/n hopped down from the window ledge; her legs were weak and she stumbled into his arms. Varga pulled her up and inspected his work on her neck.

“Don’t try to cover that.” He gestured to the dark mark.

She nodded silently and smiled, “Now why would I hide your work, sir?” She called as she walked out of the office. His eyes followed her as she left.

He was right to hire her.

Such an obedient girl.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

@funandfancyfree

#v.m. Varga #Fargo #VM Varga #david thewlis #reader insert #Fargo reader insert #Fargo season 3 #V.M. Varga x reader

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saezurumurmurs · 3 years ago

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Seven Seas Licenses Lezhin Webtoons KILLING STALKING, LOVE IS AN ILLUSION!, and PULSE for Print Release

Seven Seas Entertainment is thrilled to announce the print license acquisition of three blockbuster webtoons from Korean webtoon platform Lezhin Comics: the Boys’ Love horror Killing Stalking by Koogi, the Boys’ Love omegaverse romance Love is an Illusion! by Fargo, and the Girls’ Love/yuri dramatic romance PULSE by Ratana Satis. Seven Seas will release new English-language print editions of all three Mature-rated comics in retailers across the world.

Killing Stalking: Yoon Bum, a scrawny and quiet man, has a crush on one of the most popular and handsome guys in his college: Sangwoo. After the two cross paths again during their military training, Yoon Bum’s feelings grow in intensity until they become an obsession–and he breaks into Sangwoo’s home. But what he sees inside is not the Sangwoo of his fantasies; his dreams of this alluring man abruptly turn into a nightmare. This wildly popular BL horror manhwa webtoon is the grand prize winner of the 2nd Lezhin Comics World Comic Contest, and has been published in numerous languages since its 2016 debut, winning critical praise across the globe. Now readers can own this full-color, deluxe paperback edition in English for the first time, with a special fold-out insert included in every volume!

Love is an Illusion!: Hye-sung spent his entire life believing he was an Alpha, the jackpot of the genetic lottery. But his world is flipped upside down when he finds out he isn’t a dominating Alpha, but a submissive Omega. His frustration is pushed to its limits when he constantly crosses paths with the handsome Dojin, a true Alpha. Dojin supposedly can’t stand Omegas, but his head-butting with Hye-sung results in explosive arguments and unexpected sex. Is this sizzling chemistry truly just their bodies reacting? Take a step into the omegaverse with this fiery Boys’ Love manhwa webtoon! This global digital hit is coming to print at last in deluxe English-language paperbacks, featuring the black-and-white comic with beautiful color inserts.

PULSE: Mel, a renowned heart surgeon, is well-known for being a stoic loner. She views her erotic flings with other women as a tool for pleasure rather than a show of affection. When she delivers bad news to patients’ families, her cold nature can make her seem heartless. Then she meets Lynn, a beautiful and spirited cardiac patient who needs a new heart, but refuses a transplant. The two women meet with minimal expectations but soon become enthralled in a relationship that changes everything for them both. This Girls’ Love comic–and first place winner of the 2nd Lezhin Comics World Comic Contest–is one of the most popular series by fan-favorite Thai creator Ratana Satis, also known for Soul Drifters and Lily Love. Now you can own this full-color yuri webtoon hit in a beautiful new paperback collection!

Seven Seas will publish the webtoon graphic novel Killing Stalking for the first time in English in print in deluxe and full-color oversized editions with fold-out inserts. Volume 1 will be released in June 2022 for $27.99 USA / $35.99 CAN.

Seven Seas will publish the webtoon graphic novel Love is an Illusion! for the first time in English in print in deluxe oversized editions. Volume 1 will be released in August 2022 for $19.99 USA / $24.99 CAN.

Seven Seas will publish the webtoon graphic novel PULSE in print in full-color oversized editions. Volume 1 will be released in July 2022 for $19.99 USA / $24.99 CAN.

This content was originally published here.

#love is an illusion #killing stalking #koogi killing stalking #koogi #fargo #print editions #park dojin #park hyesung #park byul

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mechanicalinertia · 3 years ago

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STMPD Anti-Recommends Bubblegum Crisis Fanfiction: Grab Bag!

That's right, I'm throwing my sanity to the window and reviewing a host of harmlessly bad BGC fanfics from Usenet, FF.Net, and elsewhere. These are fanfictions which are just stupid or boring or irredeemable, they aren't bad in an interesting or bile-rising way. But they exist, and so I will now poke fun at them.

And yes, this came about because I couldn't bear to read more of Bert Van Bilet's Bubblegum Zone, one of the most famous BGC fanfics out there, but terrible in my eyes. The problem with having to review things you remember as being bad is that you have to go back and double-check, you know? Anyway, links under the cut.

Silicon Valley 2033: A gloriously stupid fanfic that can't seem to decide if it's a comedy or not. Takes place in San Fran, where the Sabers have all gathered coincidentally for various reasons.

Zax Kirkbride, manly man with a super cool 'Darksuit', which isn't hard but has borderline magical powers, is a thing; he berates Leon constantly for being stupid and not being as hardcore badass as Real American Cops and constantly berates the Sabers for not speaking English. (One would have thought Leon was an American import himself. I've always liked the idea of him being the most Californian man in Megatokyo.) Also it turns out Fargo was a secret agent for the French this whole time, who are plotting something sinister and undefined. I dunno. Stuff happens, Zax is annoying in the way that the author thinks is supposed to be badass, Largo's in there somewhere, it's 15K words. It's not bland, but it's not fun either. It walks that razor line between based and cringe.

Eh, I'd say read it. It's almost funny. Almost.

Tales of the Red Knight Saber: So this one's from 1996, of all things. Weirdly enough, its followup The Esper Chronicles appears to have been written before it? Or this one was edited later on. It changes the name of the other Overpowered Male Borderline Self Insert from the Esper Chronicles to sound more like a Dragon Ball character (pretty sure he even put in an author’s note encouraging readers to imagine said character as looking that way), except then Mackie also has a hardsuit in Esper Chronicles, the one he gets here? Whatever. I’m past the point of caring at this point,

Anyway, this one takes other fanfiction as canon, namely the Bubblegum Zone (eh) and Tokyo Babylon (ew), so Bert is a thing, and Mackie is just coming into his own with his own mental powers the way Celia is. So of course he goes to high school, beats up a bully or two, builds his own hardsuit, and Celia refuses to let him do anything with it. So he just blasts open the garage door, caring little for his sister's wishes, kills some Boomers, and now he's on the team.

Celia comes off as the scold she does in Bubblegum Zone (ugh), Mackie's super cool by the standards of a writer who's obviously in high school, and then a fucking psychic shows up because of course he does. One yearns for it all to stop.

Good lord, and the spelling and grammar are atrocious, like borderline My Immortal atrocious. Like, pull-your-teeth-out atrocious. Alas, Robert Pool (whadda name!)'s prequel is even worse.

The Esper Chronicles: This one is borderline incoherent in its first few 'parts', I swear to fucking god. It seems to think it's a script fic, but then the author doesn't follow that format very well, then drops it entirely in the later parts. It also keeps cutting in with useless author notes with emoticons included trying to explain shit Pool really should have just put in the beginning of a given part.

Anyway, our new OPMBSIMC (I’m only going to use this acronym once again I promise) is Locke Sommerville, who is a, get ready for this, a psychic. Like, Akira levels of psychic power. He also has a perpetual smirk on his face, as so many of these Badass Male Protagonists must.

Anyway, he's Leon's partner, they go to see the chief and, uh... hold up. Here's a quote:

"she noticed that Leon was occupying his desk and looking like he was ready for death- although not as bad as that time after when Priss sexually abused him (see "a very speacial BGC fanfic for more info. I plan to make a follow up to that story called "leon and priss" in the future if its author doesn't mind). he was having a terrible day."

Dude. What the fuck.

It gets dumber. Turns out Locke's psychic powers (esper powers, whatever, I don't care) manifested when he was in high school with Sylia and Priss, so they're childhood friends... and so are Sylia and Priss. How, you ask? Well, the guy probably never saw Asu E Touchdown's music video where the two meeting was shown however briefly. So let's just throw that aside, gloss over the usual "manly man saves girly girl from rape-muggers who want to 'have some fun'" cliche... yes, let's just forget that ever happened. Far funnier is the fact that the resurrected Largo's Base Of Evil Operations is literally styled like a gothic castle on the inside, all red carpet and dark stone. I think that's incredibly, almost stupidly funny.

Crusade of Vengeance: This is one of those fics where the writing is good enough to not obstruct the stupidity of the plot and descriptions of things. This time, our OPMBSIMC (jesus that’s a mouthful) is one Matt Vidor, son of another scientist killed by GENOM. With him and his team of rogue black-ops commandos using M32 assault rifles - wait.

Hold on. Oh, they’re M16 mark two’s, the author says as much in parentheses. Because doubling the numbers doesn’t instead get you an already extant weapon, namely the Milkor MGL, the big blooper-y grenade launcher that video games love so much. Okay, for an ammosexual whose MacGuffin is a do-anything gunship that was supposed to be the next-generation of US Military murder machine, you aren’t very good at the appropriate wanking.

Anyway, they break into this one warehouse, and steal the Vidor gunship and its accompanying hardsuit, described as Boba Fett’s armor but double-sized. No. Literally. Parentheses again. And the gunship is described as larger than a Chinook, and that's about it. Supposedly between the two one could level Megatokyo... which I doubt. Only so much ammo on even a big gunship, you know?

So our boy (not using that acronym again, fuck that noise) gets his gear effortlessly, kills good ol' Kate Madigan (of all the roles she usually plays in fanfic, dying to establish our boy's badassery isn't one. color me surprised), and escapes. Then he and his mentor hang out at Hot Legs, grumble about GENOM, get ogled by Linna and Nene (even though our Gary Stuart is supposed to be 'barely out of his teenage years'), and that's it. It's three thousand words of nothing, but worth reading over the course of ten minutes just to laugh-cringe at.

================================================

There was no point to this. I'm so sorry.

#stmpd reviews bgc fanfic #fanfic anti rec #bubblegum crisis #fanfiction #bgc #cringe

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cromulentbookreview · 5 years ago

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Werewolves of Florida

I saw a werewolf with a parrilla menu in his hand /

Walking through the streets of Miami in the rain /

He was looking for a place called Novecento /

Gonna get a big dish of entraña /

Aaoooooo /

Werewolves of Florida /

Aaoooooo /

Sorry.

(I’m not sorry. Aaooooooo!)

And by that, I mean: Lobizona by Romina Garber!

Well, if you’d expect werewolves to show up in America, where else but Florida?

Ha. Florida. The butt of so many jokes. It’s easy to make fun of Florida (fun, too!), so as a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest...I’m going to continue making fun of Florida, a state I’ve never been to and will likely never visit as I have no intention of being eaten by a gator or a python or a python gator or whatever insane creatures live down there.

I kid, I’m sure there are places in Florida that are perfectly lovely. They just happen to coexist with the insanity that is the rest of Florida.

Anyway! Werewolves in Florida! It sounds possible. Seriously, could you imagine the headlines? “Florida werewolf brings drugs to a drug bust, gets himself busted”? “Florida werewolf charged with assault with deadly weapon after throwing alligator through Wendy’s drive-thru window”?

In this case, however, there aren’t just werewolves in Florida, but Brujas as well! Both sound like people you would find in Florida. “Florida Bruja drops pants, licks man, dances naked in Waffle House parking lot”?

Where was I? Oh. Yes. Lobizona by Romina Garber!

Seventeen-year-old Manuela Azul (she goes by Manu) and her mother, Soledad, have been living in Miami illegally for most of Manu’s life. Manu has a strange eye condition, in which her pupils and irises look like stars so she has to wear sunglasses 24/7 to avoid freaking other people out. Though I’m certain if she walked into an optometrist’s convention with eyes like those she’d immediately be the most popular girl in the whole room, but since she and her mom are in the country illegally, that sort of attention would be very, very bad.

Soledad had to flee Argentina because Manu’s father, Fierro, was supposedly high up with some bad people who disapproved with his relationship with Soledad. So much so that they killed him, sending Soledad into hiding. If they knew Soledad was alive, and that Manu even existed, Fierro’s people would kill them both.

And, as if hiding from Fierro’s people were bad enough, Manu and Soledad are on a constant lookout for ICE. If their apartment building is raided by ICE, they could be deported, back to Argentina where they’d be sitting ducks for Fierro’s murderous family and friends. So Manu has lived a sheltered life within a tiny apartment with her mom and their elderly friend Perla, who has sheltered them for years.

And! As if being an undocumented immigrant with freaky-eye syndrome forever anxious that the next car might be full of ICE agents while stuck in a tiny apartment was bad enough, Manu also - also! - suffers from horrible periods. Joy. Every month, her mom gives her a special pill that puts her to sleep for three straight days just so she sleep through the pain. That’s shit makes PCOS sound like a walk in the park. (Note: do not go for a walk in the park right now and if you do remain 6 feet away from everyone else at all times). Also, where can I get a hold of a drug that can let me sleep through my period? I like the sound of that.

So Manu has spent much of her life dreaming of escape and a life without fear. Currently, her only hope is the knowledge that her mom is doing her best to get them both legal status. Then one day, Manu notices some strange people hanging around her apartment building. Then Perla is attacked and hospitalized. In a panic, Manu rushes off to find her mom...only to find that Soledad has been lying to her for quite some time. Soledad isn’t a maid for some rich lady - she works at an underground Miami clinic. And she never intended to apply for legal status for her and Manu.

Just as she’s reeling from this revelation, ICE raids the underground clinic. From here, the story takes a weird left-turn. On the run, Manu leaps into the back of a truck, and, after a long ride that sounded way more comfortable than a long ride in the bed of a truck should sound (seriously, there’s no jostling, no being flung about, no wind burn...I get that Florida is pretty flat, but aren’t there potholes? Rocks? Also, isn’t it illegal for someone to ride in the bed of a truck? How did no one else not see her and call the cops?) she ends up deep within the Florida Everglades. After somehow hopping out of the guy’s truck without him noticing that she was ever in there (again, how??? I drive a truck and would absolutely notice if someone were hitching a ride back there. Hey, how come I’m fishtailing significantly less than I usually do? Oh, wait, there’s a human back there) Manu stumbles upon...

A secret school for brujas and werewolves. In the Florida Everglades. And she meets people her age who have eyes just like hers. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces start fitting together - her father must have been a part of this society, not some criminal organization. Manu is half magic. She’s living the ultimate Harry Potter dream! And, somehow, without paying tuition or applying, Manu is allowed to join the school. Finaly, Manu has somewhere that she belongs, and even begins to make friends. She even starts making eyes at a hunky werewolf named Tiago.

There’s just one problem, though. The society that Manu has found herself in has some pretty strict gender roles. Girls are brujas, guys are werewolves. Period, end of sentence. But, even though she definitely belongs among this magical society, Manu doesn’t really have the powers of a bruja. She’s something else.

And there is one thing her mom wasn’t lying about - Fierro’s people are still pissed. Brujas and werewolves are not supposed to have relationships with humans. It’s forbidden. Like, really forbidden. Ultra forbidden. If Manu is found to be half-human, she’ll be killed.

So Manu has traded living forever in fear being an undocumented immigrant in America...for living forever in fear being half-human in a world of magical creatures who think hybrids are evil.

Good luck with that, Manu! Also, there’s still the question of the whereabouts of her still missing father. Is he dead? Alive? And what is Manu, if she’s not a bruja?

(If you speak Spanish, the title is a dead giveaway. Let me give you a hint: Manu’s hair is perfect. Aaooooo!)

Despite a couple of hiccups in the beginning - the book starts pretty slow before taking that weird left-turn into the Everglades and Bruja Werewolf academy. And, as is typical in the first book of a series, much time is spent establishing everything, and less on giving us closure or answers to the big questions. Like, for example, the fate of Mimitos. See, Manu has one friend in the apartment complex, an adorable cat named Mimitos. Mimitos’s owner is a bit senile, so Manu takes care of him...only after Manu flees after Perla is attacked, Mimitos disappears and is promptly never mentioned again. What happened to Mimitos? Is he OK? Is someone feeding him or giving him water and pets and cuddles and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MIMITOS, ROMINA?!!?! I demand answers.

Maybe he went off to live in the Cat Kingdom from The Cat Returns? Maybe? Probably? Hopefully?

Ahem. Well, my ability to render a serious and well-thought out book review in the time of COVID-19 has gone to shit, so I’ll be brief. Lobizona is gorgeously written and a fascinating blend of YA contemporary and YA fantasy. I also love the warring gender dynamics within the magical society of brujas and werewolves - not everyone loves the strict binary, or the fact that they’re not allowed to hang out with humans. Ultimately, Lobizona is a brilliant story of a girl looking desperately for a place to belong within not just one, but two worlds that don’t want her - that have deemed her wrong. Illegal. And Manu is tired of that bullshit. If the human and magical worlds don’t want her, damn it, she’s going to go off and find a place that does.

Go forth and kick ass, Manu!

Another aspect of the book that I really liked (your mileage may vary, depending on how big of a language nerd you are) is how Garber discussed how there are many different dialects of Spanish. Argentinian Spanish apparently has a sing-song quality which makes me wonder if the English dialect equivalent of Argentinian Spanish would be Upper Midwest English, you know, like in Fargo. The Upper Midwest was settled heavily by Scandinavian immigrants and the Scandinavian languages do have a sing-song quality to them, then, well...

I'd love to know more about the different dialects of Spanish. If only I'd learned Spanish. I didn’t. I learned German, Schwachkopf that I am.

Which brings me to my rant, because I do love to rant. This does have something to do with Lobizona. Kind of. Anyway:

One of my biggest pet peeves in fiction is untranslated dialog. For some reason it really irks me, mostly because it reminds me of how dumb I am and how I should have learned more than just one other foreign language. I mean, seriously, I should have learned Spanish. I never did because I was that contrary moron who, upon seeing that everyone else was taking Spanish said, “screw you, I’ll take German!” Ultimately a bad idea, but, hey, Deutsch ist eine Wunderschöne Sprache. I don’t mind bits of untranslated stuff, so long as there are context clues as to what they might be saying.

I also find it annoying to have a sentence in a different language, and then have the sentence immediately after translate the preceding sentence. For readers that are fluent in both languages, you just made them read the same sentence twice, unless there’s a bilingual bonus in there. For readers out there who don’t speak that language, their eyes just glaze over and they skip the dialog entirely, in favor of the translation. Why not just say they were speaking in [insert foreign language here] then continue on?

I mean, I get wanting to show off your foreign language skills, or make the reader feel good about their language skills, or give a nod to fellow native speakers who also have had to master the cluster fuck of a language that is English (seriously, one of the best descriptions of the English language I’ve read is that English is basically three children in a trench coat pretending to be an adult, but as a language). Still, I find untranslated dialog super annoying. Because I dumb.

The worst example of this that I’ve ever encountered (and probably what soured me for any other instances of untranslated dialog ever in the future) was in this terrible translation of Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain that I read in college - you’d think an English translation of a German book would be entirely in English...yeah no, 3/4 of the way in, I found myself facing pages - multiple pages! - of untranslated....French.

French!

In a book that had already been translated from the German.

Damn it, translator, was there some sort of contract dispute in which you said, “well, they’re paying me to translate the book from German to English, so I’ll just leave these several pages of French conversation untranslated.”

Rrraaaage.

I was already frustrated with that book (it’s not great) but slogging through several pages of untranslated French with zero footnotes or even a translation provided in the afterward made me want to set the book on fire.

What does this have to do with Lobizona? Very little, except there are a few instances of untranslated dialog that, even if you speak zero Spanish, you’ll be able to figure out pretty quick. It just gave me awful Zauberberg flashbacks that brought back all that rrrrrage.

Fuck it, guys, we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and I promise cromulent reviews, not good ones.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone looking for an amazing blend of YA contemporary lit and fantasy that features kickass werewolves living in the Florida Everglades.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Bigots, assholes, people who use the word “illegals” to refer to other human beings, werewolves who hate brujas, brujas who hate werewolves, non YA fantasy fans, anyone who objects to YA fiction containing actual real world problems.

RATING:4/5

RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2020

WEREWOLF RATING:

HOW TERRIFIED I AM OF COVID-19 RIGHT NOW:

Ahahahahaha I’m scared you guys. I still have to commute via public transportation to work downtown in a major city.

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greysnav · 3 years ago

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Cardpresso set printerprint

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT UPDATE#

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT FULL#

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT LICENSE#

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT FULL#

Updated Zebra® ZXP Series 1 TM and ZXP Series 3 TM SDKįixed dual-side printing not working with Smart-30 and Smart-50 printersįixed encoder with non-standard names not being recognized in the print jobĪdded full support to new generation of HID® OMNIKEY® Readers (MIFARE ® Classic®, MIFARE ® DESFire ®, MIFARE Ultralight ® C, MIFARE Ultralight ® EV 1, 2wire, 3wire and I2C) Improved color printing with HID® Fargo® printersĪdded script error control for Zebra® printers Improved Entrust Datacard TM card printers printing speed Smart-51 printer plugin now supports high DPI values: 300圆00 and 300x1200 Smart-51 printer plugin now supports split ribbon feature, using only one group of panels for one front and back card (YMC for front, K for back).

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT UPDATE#

Improved DB connection default path should be the same as the card locationįixed "All records" and "Custom" printing optionįixed crash with Nisca PR-C101 after driver update Improved CP automatically cleans up the DB connection history when the database is disconnected.įixed "Keep database position" not working properlyįixed Microsoft ® Excel ® database connection on macOS ® (XM edition only) Improved Print Preview now showing all active layer’s items (including UV/Overlay)įixed several issues with database filterįixed Production Mode always in read-only mode when using a database connected through ODBC driversįixed date format not imported with the correct format and column name issues when using CSV format. Jpeg background images not being displayed on the Preview tab from the Production mode Improved performance when using multi-layoutsįixed Layouts tab gets empty when making an item link between two imagesįixed "Only when has valid data" print option behaviorįixed Image item property "Save with document - No" behaviorįixed behaviors when acquiring image through Photo Editorįixed drag and drop of clipart items from the Clipart dockbarĪdded old "Show photo columns" button in Table View Forcing user to always input database credentialsįixed issue with warning when printing with watermarkįixed auto-print's "Set Database Filter" parameter being ignored after the first "Continuous printing" refreshįixed issues with Print Command/Continuous Printingįixed issue with multi layouts image selection with databaseĪdded ethernet support on Zebra ZXP7, ZXP8, ZXP9 printersįixed issues on Zebra ZXP 7, 8, and 9, allowing use of the Inhibitor panelįixed issue hang in preparation to print with Fargo C50įixed issue with the "Generic Encoder" optionįixed "Prefix" and "Suffix" area not visible on Concatenation windowĪdded Advanced Print Operations tab to Print window Improved print dialog, customizable informative label to identify the current recordįixed refresh issue when adding new layoutįixed issue with behavior when changing layout manually Improved print dialog, image acquisition now correctly updated its preview thumbnail Updated Canon EOS SDK to version 13.11.10

#CARDPRESSO SET PRINTERPRINT LICENSE#

Updated Magicard plugin to SDK v1.09 and fixed small issuesįixed issue on IDP Smart-30, 31, 50, 51 related with ethernet printing and encodingĪdded new warning if license is lost during a print jobĬhanged “Format a Mifare Tag to support MAD" wizard scriptįixed issue on HID Omnikey 5127CK, wrongly listed as contact reader Production Mode view options now available since XSĬhanged font in encoding script view to “Consolas” fontįixed issue with database refresh Events during Printįixed issue with database record insertion and refreshĪdded support to GPrintec printers (K30, K60)Īdded support new ribbons in Zebra ZC (White, YMCKOK, KrO) Fixed issue with card model editing refreshįixed issue related with missing signature/fingerprint database field optionsįixed issue related with updating design items through encoding scriptįixed issue with text automatic size calculationĪdded new button to toggle logo visibility

#Cardpresso set printerprint

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enubus · 4 years ago

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FARGO, N.D.—The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which boasts 17,000 physician members, is calling on Sanford Medical Center Fargo to modernize its Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program by ending the use of live animals. Along with a letter from more than 250 physicians from across the country, the national nonprofit has installed billboards addressing the issue. The doctors hope that Sanford will make the switch ahead of its next course, scheduled for Oct. 18 and 19. Sanford’s ATLS program, which is conducted at North Dakota State University (NDSU), instructs trainees to make incisions and insert tubes and needles into an animal’s chest cavity, abdomen, throat, and the sac surrounding the heart. According to a recent survey, Sanford’s is the only accredited ATLS program in the U.S. and Canada using live animals. Programs elsewhere in the Dakotas—at Altru Health Systems, St. Alexius Medical Center, Avera McKennan Hospital, and courses run by the South Dakota ATLS Taskforce—use nonanimal methods alone. “It’s only a matter of time before Sanford updates to human-relevant and humane ATLS course training methods,” said John Pippin, MD, FACC, director of academic affairs at the Physicians Committee. “We are urging them to make this change a priority—as it should be—and to make the switch to modern, animal-free training ahead of their next course, which is currently planned for Oct. 18 and 19.” The billboards feature a clean design and the image of a pig looking at the reader. They read “Still using animals for medical training? Get in touch. We can help you stop. SwitchToSimulation.org.” The two ads are located on I-29, 2730 feet, and 2400 feet north of mile marker 64; both face south. The Physicians Committee’s letter points to other respected institutions that support nonanimal training methods for ATLS programs. The American College of Surgeons, which developed and accredits ATLS courses, has endorsed the replacement of animals with simulation for training since 2001, and the U.S. Department of Defense ended its use of live animals for ATLS training in 2015. To see the billboard artwork or the letter from physicians, or to speak with Dr. Pippin, please contact Reina Pohl at 202-527-7326 or [email protected]. Media Contact

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ao3feed-strangerthings · 6 years ago

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Give Me a Sign

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2JVvzv5

by teatimeready

Words: 1138, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Fargo (TV), Stranger Things (TV 2016)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, M/M, Multi

Characters: Mr. Wrench (Fargo), Mr. Numbers (Fargo), Lou Solverson, Molly Solverson, Jim "Chief" Hopper

Relationships: Mr. Wrench (Fargo)/Original Female Character(s), Mr. Numbers (Fargo)/Original Female Character(s), Mr. Numbers/Mr. Wrench (Fargo), Mr. Numbers/Mr. Wrench (Fargo)/Reader, Mr. Numbers & Mr. Wrench (Fargo), Jim "Chief" Hopper/Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Romance, Fluff, Fluff and Humor, Kissing, Rough Kissing, Falling In Love, Love Confessions, Confessions, Swearing, Getting Together, ex cons, No Longer Hitmen, Sign Language, American Sign Language, Deaf Character, Starting Over, Misunderstandings, Eventual Smut, Slow Burn, Reader-Insert, POV First Person, Threesome - F/M/M, Polyamory, One Big Happy Family, Foursome - F/M/M/M, First Time, My First Work in This Fandom

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2JVvzv5

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #fanfiction #stranger things

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comic-watch · 7 years ago

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It has been announced that Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways, Saga) is writing a standalone Silver Surfer movie for 20th Century Fox!

Fox executives say they are moving faster than ever with more Marvel projects moving forward than ever before. “We actually have way more in development and production in Marvel than at any point in the history of the studio,” says a Fox insider. “There’s been zero slow-down on that front given Disney.”

As many readers know, the “Disney” comment refers to one of the most talked about business deals in entertainment history, which we reported on here: Disney acquires Fox

The Hollywood Reporter states Fox’s plans for X-Men and Fantastic Four-related movies are not going to be affected by the Walt Disney Company’s coming acquisition of the studio and other Fox assets.

Fox will release two X-Men movies this year: Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool sequel on May 18 and X-Men: Dark Phoenix on Nov. 2. The studio also is planning three X-Men movies for 2019, with another three expected the following year.

Meanwhile, Channing Tatum’s long-in-development Gambit is still looking for a director. A new draft of the script is expected in March and it is greenlit, meaning that the studio has budgeted it. And the horror-themed New Mutants will undergo a round of additional photography this summer that will insert a new character into the thriller that is dated for Feb. 22, 2019.

X-Force, a Deadpool spinoff from Drew Goddard, is set to begin shooting in October, with Reynolds and Josh Brolin expected to star. The studio is still focusing on developing both the X-Men and Fantastic Four brands, including a Doctor Doom movie from Fargo and Legion showrunner Noah Hawley.

As for Marvel’s plans, deals for many of its key cast members are expected to expire with 2019’s untitled Avengers 4 — a movie Feige has indicated will shake up the status quo for his universe, though it seems unlikely that the already-in-production sequel will be used to sow the seeds for integrating the X-Men in there, even if the merger closes this year.

“They have to proceed as business as usual in case the merger doesn’t go through,” says one agent whose clients work on Fox’s Marvel movies. “It’s a unique position to be in.”

When Fox film execs hired Brian Michael Bendis on Feb. 12 to pen an X-Men project for Deadpool director Tim Miller, it signaled to the town that the studio is moving full steam ahead on its Marvel properties. “It does not affect this project in any way, shape or form is what I was told,” says Bendis of the pending merger. “At least at the moment, it’s certainly decisions over my pay-grade if it ends up doing so.”

Look for developments on this story right here at Comic Watch!

Subscribe to us on YouTube, Follow us on Twitter, and Like us on Facebook!

Join our Age of Social Media Network consisting of X-Men, Marvel, DC, Superhero and Action Movies, Anime, Indie Comics, and numerous fan pages. Interested in becoming a member? Join us by clicking here and pick your favorite group!

And Follow Me on Twitter and Facebook!

BREAKING NEWS: The SILVER SURFER MOVIE is COMING and MORE! Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways, Saga) is writing a standalone Silver Surfer movie for 20th Century Fox. It has been announced that Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways, Saga…

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christinesumpmg1 · 7 years ago

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The Sensitive Marketer’s Guide to Brand Authenticity

Consumers see up to 10,000 messages from brands every day. From mobile ads to social media posts to television commercials, no one can escape.

As a coping mechanism, people have learned to weed out the cheap from the authentic by listening to honest brands (those that are always transparent and trusted by consumers) and ignoring fake ones. Companies with authentic messages flourish, while marketers who attempt to mislead customers or participate in an unrelated conversation pay the consequences.

The Consequences of Inauthentic Messaging

Sometimes, the biggest brands make the biggest mistakes in the form of messages that lack authenticity and consumer trust.

When legendary “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher passed away last year, Cinnabon used the opportunity to promote its product in an ill-conceived ode to the actress. Cinnabon posted an outline of Princess Leia with a Cinnabon Classic Roll in place of her iconic hairstyle. Fans cried foul, forcing the company to retract the ad and issue an apology for a style that Fisher famously never liked much anyway.

Back in 2014, DiGiorno tried to insert itself into a conversation where it didn’t belong and faced severe backlash. Hopping on the trending #WhyIStayed hashtag, DiGiorno’s account posted “#WhyIStayed You had pizza.” Unfortunately, the hashtag was not about hanging out with friends but about domestic abuse victims and their struggles to escape bad environments. The blunder now serves as a reminder of why brands must always do their research before attaching themselves to popular topics.

When brands don’t practice what they preach, consumers notice. During the iPhone 6 release, customers were concerned about rumors the phones would bend and break if handled roughly. Attempting to capitalize on this fear, the LG France account posted about how LG phones didn’t bend—but sent the tweet from an iPhone. Consumers ridiculed the brand, pointing out that even LG employees didn’t use its products.

In all these situations, brands were dragged through the public square on social media for being inauthentic. Each one admitted the errors and issued apologies, but in the age of screenshots and Facebook Memories, their mistakes will live on forever.

Brands: Always, always do your research before attaching yourself to popular trends and topics. Click To Tweet Why Brands Should Admit Their Faults

Businesses cannot afford to become their own enemies online. According to Havas Media, consumers only trust about 22 percent of brands. Inauthentic messaging suggests to customers the company does not believe in its own missions, products, and services. If the company doesn’t believe in itself, why should anyone else?

Brands with inauthentic messaging distance themselves from their audiences and open the door for more down-to-earth competitors to steal their customers. People ally with brands because they see their own personalities and values reflected, but most people don’t want to describe themselves as insincere, foolish, or untrustworthy. When brands step outside their identities and try to latch on to unrelated trends, customers notice—and the results are rarely positive.

Consumers, especially millennials, want to do business with brands they believe in. Forbes and Elite Daily found that 43 percent of millennials rank authenticity as more important than content when consuming news. Audiences would rather hear something unflattering yet true than something positive yet questionable. They don’t expect brands to be perfect—all they require is a little honesty.

How to Stay Authentic

Maintaining an authentic brand message means telling the truth, even when the truth isn’t particularly flattering. It’s just like real life: People trust those who admit their faults but distrust those who claim to do no wrong.

By following these strategies, brands can prove their authenticity and maintain audience trust:

1. Be Transparent

Selective transparency is impossible to maintain. Someone inevitably forgets which secrets aren’t supposed to be public, and when something slips, consumers feel like they have been misled. To maintain an authentic image, be transparent about all issues within the company.

A recent consumer study found that 56 percent of those surveyed said additional product information—like where a brand sources its goods and how it makes its products—instills more brand trust. Further, close to 40 percent said they would switch brands if the new one promised complete transparency.

Bottom line: Let clients know about delays and potentially bad PR before they hear the same news from somewhere else. This helps the brand get ahead of issues before they spiral out of control. It also creates deeper bonds with customers who appreciate being kept in the loop.

2. Apologize for Mistakes

Companies make mistakes all the time. Brands that own their mistakes fare much better than those that try to cover them up.

In October, an NPR employee accidentally posted on the company Facebook account instead of a personal one. NPR quickly took down the post, which discussed Ramona and her affection for cats, and issued a brief apology. Because the company owned the mistake quickly—and because it was an innocent mistake to boot—readers reacted warmly to the mix-up.

3. Solve Problems

After apologizing for mistakes, don’t assume everything is back to normal. Provide the audience with a resolution—an action that shows how the company will fix the problem and prevent it from happening in the future.

Wells Fargo is still paying dearly for lost consumer trust after allowing employees to create millions of fake accounts in customers’ names. When it became immediately clear that an apology could never undo the damage, Wells Fargo began a campaign to “make things right,” communicating with customers about eliminating unattainable sales goals and providing settlement expenses. The company still has a long way to go, but in the case of major mistakes like this one, actions speak far louder than words.

Curating an authentic brand image doesn’t have to be so hard. By following these strategies, companies can engage in honest dialogues with their audiences and set a foundation of trust that will pay dividends for years to come.

http://ift.tt/2EVMAPD

#The Sensitive Marketer’s Guide to Brand Authenticity

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christinesumpmg · 7 years ago

Text

The Sensitive Marketer’s Guide to Brand Authenticity

Consumers see up to 10,000 messages from brands every day. From mobile ads to social media posts to television commercials, no one can escape.

The Consequences of Inauthentic Messaging

Sometimes, the biggest brands make the biggest mistakes in the form of messages that lack authenticity and consumer trust.

Brands: Always, always do your research before attaching yourself to popular trends and topics. Click To Tweet Why Brands Should Admit Their Faults

How to Stay Authentic

By following these strategies, brands can prove their authenticity and maintain audience trust:

1. Be Transparent

2. Apologize for Mistakes

Companies make mistakes all the time. Brands that own their mistakes fare much better than those that try to cover them up.

3. Solve Problems

http://ift.tt/2EVMAPD

#The Sensitive Marketer’s Guide to Brand Authenticity

0 notes