#Malcom Aria

[t4tcecilos]

the difference between elias bouchard and malcom aria is that mal is actually a good boss. and a decent person. and a mosquito

[kristsune]

To the surprise of literally no one, Malcom Aria is an instant favorite of mine. So I decided to make a little introduction to Mr. Aria from the first few episodes to .... create a picture of what he is like. I hope others enjoy him as much as I do.

[justanothertranscowboy]

Ben’s ability to act continuously impresses me.

Between tma, the secret of st kilda, Stella firma, and super suits there’s so many different flavors of ben 😂

[rosered2018]

Super Suits

I just finished listening to the fourth episode of Super Suits, and I have to say I love it.

Harper Hallow is a treasure and is to be protected at all costs.

Bonnie and Collette are the sassy ladies in the office we all wish we worked with, and were a great way to introduce the law firm without dropping Harper directly into the weirdness without giving them any kind of warning.

Aside from the vampirism, Malcom Aria seems to be the basic Ben Meredith character. He's tired, grumpy, and probably doesn't take care of himself, and is the one running the show.

They just introduced Malcom's brother, Phil, as played by Tim Meredith, and I absolutely adore the dynamic between the two of them. Mal and Phil do not get along to a point where Harper had to warned that they might have to bail Mal out of jail at some point.

I don't know how many of you guys have listened to Stellar Firma or the RQG specials where Tim Meredith guest-starred, but if you put the Meredith brothers together in the same room as a microphone, the results tend to be chaotic, and this is no exception.

They also let the narrator (whose name is not, surprisingly, a variation of John) and Malcom interact, and the two do not like each other. When Harper asks Malcom why he keeps glaring at the stenographer, Malcom simply replies, "He knows what he did." And, of course, the dislike is not only returned, but is passive-aggressive right up to the point when Malcom decked him.

At this point, I can't wait to see where this goes.

[supercantaloupe]

11, 22, 33, 44!

11. Allegro (mozart oboe quartet mvt 1. really vaguely titled on the track lol. but ferillo's is about the best version out there imo)

22. Beethoven, Oboe Trio in C Major, Op. 87: IV. Finale. Presto

33. Opening Up, Waitress

44. Handel, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 / Atto primo: No. 6 Aria Non disperar, chi sà? - Live

[ask meme]

[satansapostle6]

Characters I Write For

Please message me with any ideas/requests! I need ideas(short fics or series)

Mostly write for fem!readers. I can write fluff, angst, smut, etc. If I’m not comfortable with something I can let you know

Character/Actor List

Favorite Characters/Actors To Write For

Draco Malfoy, Weasley twins

Jesse Pinkman

Paul Dano characters

Josh Hutcherson characters

Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Castiel

Damon Salvatore, Silas, Klaus Mikaelson, Kol Mikaelson

Rodrick Heffley

Bellamy Blake

Ezra Fitz(should probably make it clear I don’t condone)

Ian Duncan(Community)

Charlie(It’s Always Sunny)

Luke Castellan, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase

Finnick Odair

Tommy Shelby

Killian Hook

Paul Dano

Klitz(The Girl Next Door)

Dwayne Hoover(Little Miss Sunshine)

Edward Nashton(The Batman)

Calvin Weir-Fields(Ruby Sparks)

Brian Wilcox(Fast Food Nation)

Joby Taylor(For Ellen)

Nick Flynn(Being Flynn)

Josh Hutcherson

Peeta Mellark(The Hunger Games)

Mike Schmidt(FNAF)

Josh Futturman(Future Man)

Devon Bostick

Rodrick Heffley(Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Jasper Jordan(The 100)

Cillian Murphy

Tommy Shelby(Peaky Blinders)

Dr. Jonathan Crane(The Dark Knight)

Neil(Watching the Detectives)

Christian Bale

Patrick Bateman(American Psycho)

Bruce Wayne(The Dark Knight)

Breaking Bad

Jesse Pinkman

Jane Margolis

Saul Goodman

Harry Potter(Golden Trio Era)

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Ginny Weasley

Luna Lovegood

Neville Longbottom

Draco Malfoy

Pansy Parkinson

Blaise Zabini

Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Adrian Pucey

Terence Higgs

Harry Potter(Marauders Era)

James Potter

Remus Lupin

Sirius Black

Lily Potter

Severus Snape

Regulus Black

Lucius Malfoy

Narcissa Malfoy

Bellatrix Lestrange

Arthur Weasley

Harry Potter(Fantastic Beasts Era)

Newt Scamander

Queenie Goldstein

Leta Lestrange

Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Luke Castellan

Thalia Grace

Jason Grace

+ Gods

Criminal Minds

Spencer Reid

Aaron Hotchner

Emily Prentiss

Derek Morgan

JJ

Penelope Garcia

David Rossi

Elle Greenaway

Cat Adams

Megan Kane

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Sam Winchester

John Winchester

Mary Winchester

Castiel

Charlie Bradbury

Rowena McLeod

Adam Milligan

Lucifer

Ruby

Jessica Moore

Gabriel

Benny Lafitte

Bela Talbot

Jo Harvelle

Ellen Harvelle

Gilmore Girls

Lorelai Gilmore

Christopher Hayden

Luke Danes

Logan Huntzberger

Jess Mariano

The Hunger Games

Peeta Mellark

Katniss Everdeen

Gale Hawthorn

Finnick Odair

Johanna Mason

Haymitch Abernathy

Pretty Little Liars

Aria Montgomery

Spencer Hastings

Emily Fields

Hannah Marin

Mona Vanderwaal

Alison Di Laurentis

Jason Di Laurentis

Ezra Fitz

Toby Cavanaugh

Jenna Marshall

Caleb Rivers

The Vampire Diaries

Damon Salvatore

Stefan Salvatore

Katherine Pierce

Elena Gilbert

Jeremy Gilbert

Bonnie Bennett

Caroline Forbes

The Originals

Klaus Mikaelson

Elijah Mikaelson

Kol Mikaelson

Rebekah Mikaelson

Freya Mikaelson

Hayley Marshall

Marcel Gerard

Davina Claire

Twilight

Edward Cullen

Bella Swan

Alice Cullen

Jasper Hale

Rosalie Hale

Emmett Cullen

Victoria

The 100

Bellamy Blake

Octavia Blake

Jasper Jordan

Shameless

Fiona Gallagher

Lip Gallagher

Carl Gallagher

Frank Gallagher

Mandy Milkovich

Kevin Ball

Veronica Fisher

The Bear

Carmy Berzatto

Sydney Adamu

Richie Jerimovich

Suicide Squad

Harley Quinn

Rick Flag

Blackguard

Once Upon A Time

Emma Swan

Regina Mills

Killian Jones

Rumplestiltskin

Robin Hood

Ruby

Hades

Community

Jeff Winger

Abed Nadir

Annie Edison

Troy Barnes

Ian Duncan

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Charlie Kelly

Dennis Reynolds

Dee Reynolds

Mac

Cricket

House MD

Greg House

Robert Chase

James Wilson

Lisa Cuddy

Parks and Recreation

Ben Wyatt

April Ludgate

Andy Dwyer

MCU, Marvel

Steve Rogers

Tony Stark

Natasha Romanoff

Bruce Banner

Wanda Maximoff

Loki Laufeyson

Peter Parker(Holland, Garfield, Maguire)

Gamora

Peter Quill

Scott Lang

Steven Strange

Jessica Jones

Wade Wilson

DC CW

Oliver Queen

Barry Allen

Felicity Smoak

Laurel Lance

Sara Lance

Malcom Merlyn

John Constantine

Leonard Snart

Ray Palmer

Caitlyn Snow

Julian Albert

Rip Hunter

10 Things I Hate About You

Patrick Verona

Cameron James

New Girl

Jess Day

Nick Miller

Schmidt

Other Characters

Charlie Kelmeckis(Perks Of Being A Wallflower)

Jesse Eisenberg Characters

Dr. Who(10th Doctor)

Will Probably Add More

[eddieheart]

LITTLE ONE

(Part 1)

Fandom: Prodigal Son

Pairings: past Malcolm x OC

Words: 1294

Description: Malcolm fell in love with an amazing woman, they had a child and everything was perfect. That was until she died, Malcolm has to tell the team about the secret he’s been keeping. (Slight angst, fluff)

The day started as always, Malcolm nightmares waking him and Aria. She wasn't bothered by his night terrors, all her life she'd known about them. Both Malcolm, Ainsley and their mother had been teaching her from a young age that when daddy got 'sleep sick' she wasn't to touch or try to wake him. They also taught her not to be scared of them. She reminded him of Sarah, her mother, in that way.

Sarah was an incredibly kind woman, she was Malcolm's first real love. Always supportive of him, always a shoulder to cry one when he needed it. He'd been absolutely terrified when Sarah had said she might be pregnant, but as soon as he saw his daughters face it had all slipped away.

As tiny as a handful of oranges, baby Aria was a gift. Sarah and Malcolm had been closer than ever, he'd even thought that maybe this would be his life. Maybe he could be happy, have a family, a normal life.

It had all changed when Sarah died, a drunk driver, an accident. At first he couldn't even look at Aria, she was just a reminder of how much he'd lost. Depression swallowed him whole, his best friend, his confidant was dead.

One morning though, things changed. Aria had woken him up in the middle of the night, as he laid in bed intent on ignoring her an apparition had appeared. Sarah, clad in a white dress, sitting on the edge of his bed. She'd held his face in her hand as she whispered into his ear.

'Take care of our baby.'

In less than a blink she was gone, Malcolm stood and walked into Aria's nursery. Ever since then she had been his beacon of hope, instead of a reminder of everything he lost, she was a reminder of all he had gained and the short but beautiful time he'd spent with her mother.

The tiny girl sat on the stall barstool sitting in front of the kitchen island. She looked up with a toothy smile, Malcolm walked up behind her and gave her a kiss on the head.

"Morning Ari, good morning sunshine." He said, smiling into her hair.

"'Mumorning daddy, mumorning shunshine." Her light childish voice rung out into the apartment.

He sighed happily and looted himself a glass of water, like usual Aria had a glass of strawberry milk. Malcom sat beside his daughter popping open his pill bottles and taking his pills, the young girl did the same with her vitamins. Aria liked to copy her dad, it was quite funny to outsiders.

"Do you want to pick the card today?" He asked the young girl. She immediately perked up and reached for the small deck pulling out the first card.

"You ar-are Lo-ved just for wah-ho you are, just for exit- exiting." She sounded out the words carefully, brows furrowed in confusion. When she looked up for confirmation Malcom read it aloud letting her copy him.

"You are loved just for who you are, just for existing." He followed the words with his finger, sounding them out for the young girl.

"You are loved just for who you are, just for exit-existin'." Aria finished with a bright smile that the older man returned.

Next came morning yoga, A soft female voice spoke through the speaker, instructing them on what to do. Aria watched her dad and copied his movements as best as she could. She brought up her leg and stood like a flamingo, with two arms raised above her head bent into a triangle.

The young girl warbled on her foot but steadied herself, the older man laughing at her enthusiasm.

"Okay now, we got everything?" Malcolm asked, knelt down to look into the young girls eyes.

"Yep! Everything." Aria used a jump to end her sentence, excitement coming off of her in waves.

"Okay! Say bye to sunshine, bye sunshine." He said the last part in a high pitched breathy voice.

"Bye sunshine!" The little girl called out over her shoulder, waving as she walked out the door.

Malcolm reached for his phone as it rang, keeping one hand tightly gripping Aria's. He put the phone to his ear as the pair walked.

"Malcolm dear, it's your mother. Slight change of plans I can't watch Aria today, I am otherwise engaged." He let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, phone still in hand.

"Alright I guess, I'll just have to take her into work with me. How 'bout that Ria? Wanna go to work with Daddy?" Malcolm smiled at the young girl happily.

"Yes I do, I do I do I do! Please daddy can we go!" He couldn't help but laugh at the small girl, some days he forgot just how much she was like him.

"Just don't let the poor girl see any bodies, alright dear?" Jessica asked through the phone.

"Of course mother, I'm not that bad." He chuckled and said a short goodbye.

Malcolm sighed in defeat, they'd have to find out sooner or later. He turned towards the small girl and braided her on the situation.

"Okay love bug, grandma can't watch you today so we're going to daddy's work. I need you on your best behaviour okay? You get to see GG and you'll get lollipops and you'll make some mew friends okay?" He smiled hopeful at the girl.

She seemed completely unfazed by the change, If anything she was more exited. It was a short walk to the police station, Malcolm took a deep breath to steady himself before entering the quiet precinct.

Gripping onto the little girls hand tightly, he led her into the briefing room. Gil was standing at the head of the table, Dani and JT were sitting off to the side. They were talking about their newest case, but all conversation stopped as they walked in.

Gil seemed surprised, his eyes widened, JT the same. Dani just looked confused, she tilted her head to the side.

"Hey Bright, who's this?" She asked cautiously, motioning to the small girl.

"I'm Aria Bright!" The small girl said forcefully, voice cheerful. "Hi GG!” She shouted as Gil came into view.

“Well hey peanut, what are you doing here?” He asked the young girl kindly, kneeling down to her level.

They chattered on for a bit as Malcolm slipped away to the other side of the room. Both Dani and TJ looked confused and maybe even slightly angered.

“Since when do you have a kid Bright?” TJ asked, voice biting in a whispered tone.

“Yeah what the hell? Why didn’t you tell us?” Dani asked equally annoyed in a whisper. Malcolm sighed before speaking.

“Well that, is my daughter, Aria. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to put her in danger and because I... I didn’t want you to... to judge me or anything.” Head facing the ground as he spoke nervously, Malcolm fiddled with his bracelet.

“Bright, we wouldn’t judge you for having a kid.” Dani let out in a sigh.

“Yeah, c’mon Bright. Speaking of which, where’s her mama today?” Malcolm’s face fell at JT’s question.

Even though he’d mourned Sarah and moved on, it was still hard to deal with sometimes.

“She... she’s not here anymore. It just me and Ria.” He spoke sadly, willing his eyes to stay dry.

They both nodded solemnly, JT winching slightly.

“So GG, huh?” The younger man asked Gil. Malcolm laughed to himself and held back a smirk.

“Grandpa Gil.” Dani and JT both laughed at his response, Gil smiling and waving them off.

Malcolm looked over to his daughter, maybe it wasn’t the life he expected, but it was pretty damn great.

@buggylad

Part Two: working

You are loved just for who you are, just for existing - Ram Dass

[wyvernscales]

Worldstate: Then Let it be Ruby

This worldstate is entirely about exploring the ways in which women in power come to be, and subverting tropes associated with women. Specifically the evil queen, the little old lady, the coming-of-age narrative, the girly girl, and the monstrous feminine specifically.

basic overview polycule? symbols

Warden

Queen Lucia Mairyn Evandra Cousland

Class: Dual Wield Warrior | Champion/Berserker/Guardian Favorite Weapon: Cousland Family Sword and Shield Orientation: bisexual, cis woman entj: the commander Alignment: Lawful Evil Romance: Leliana Birth Year: 9:09 (Blight 21, Mage Rebellion 28, Inquisition 31)

Nationality

Hairstyles

Nickname

Warden-Commander

Warden Marguerites “Rita” Hèloïse Caron

Class: Warrior/Mage | Arcane Warrior/Spirit Warrior Favorite Weapon: Orientation: lesbian, cis woman intp: the logician Alignment: Neutral Good Romance: Clarel de Chanson Birth Year: 8:82 (Blight 48, Mage Rebellion 55, Inquisition 58)

Rita and Loghain

Her ship

Early life

Hawke

Champion Adelaide Elspeth Hawke

Class: Mage | Force Mage/Spirit Healer Favorite Weapon: Malcom’s Honor Orientation: bisexual, cis woman esfp: the entertainer Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Romance: Isabela Personality: Aggressive/Humorous Birth Year:9:06 (Blight 24, Mage Rebellion 31, Inquisition 34)

Thoughts on her character

Inquisitor

Inquisitor Hissera “Tessa” Adaar

Class: Mage | Necromancer Favorite Weapon: Orientation: bi ace trans woman infj: the advocate Allignment: Neutral Good Romance: Joise <3 Birth Year: 9:11 (Blight 19, Mage Rebellion 26, Inquisition 29)

Short bio

On being the “Herald”

Thoughts on surface dwarves

Tessa and Vivienne

Mods

The nightmare’s taunt

DAI OC

Ser Aria (Adralla) Aurelia Trevelyan

S+S Warrior | specialization: Templar Favorite Weapon: templar sword and shield Orientation: straight esfj: the consul Allignment: Neutral Good Romance: n/a Birth Year: 9:18 (Blight 12, Mage Rebellion 19, Inquisition 22)

scar origin

family members

behind the name

DA4:

Marzia ?

Background

[alldancersaretalented]

Westside Regionals Results 2023

24/7 San Diego

Teen Solos:

8th: Piper Ruff (Prism)

10th: Annabel Kohn (Final Endings)

Non- Stop Dancer Runner-ups:

Senior: Tegan Chou

Scholarships:

Piper Ruff (High Five in Ballroom)

24/7 Anaheim:

Junior Solos:

2nd: Kiera Sun (Black and White)

Teen Solos:

1st: Izzy Howard (Outro)

2nd: Alyssa Park (Aura)

3rd: Annabel Kohn (Frozen Tears)

3rd: Piper Ruff (Interlude)

4th: Ashley Guo (Verge)

5th: Lyla Briggs (Poem Of Light)

5th: Malcom Takumi (Solaris)

5th: Evee Lee (Trapped)

7th: Charlotte Huang (Mirrored Reservoir)

8th: Elle Sanders (Aria)

10th: Lauren Lee (Anthesis)

Teen Groups

Titan: 1st in Groups, 2nd in Contemporary

"Consider When You Can": 3rd in Lines, 3rd in Contemporary

Senior Solos:

4th: Tegan Chou

7th: Ashley Lorber

Senior Groups:

Beast of Burden: 1st in Extended Lines, 1st in Specialty

Special Awards:

Titan - 11 O'Clock (Teen)

Beast of Burden - 11 O'Clock (Senior)

Non-Stop Dancer Winners:

Junior: Kiera Sun

Teen: Izzy Howard, Evee Lee, Alyssa Park

Non-Stop Dancer Runner-ups:

Teen: Lyla Briggs, Campbell Castner, Ashley Guo, Annabel Kohn, Piper Ruff

Senior: Tegan Chou

Scholarships:

Malcom Takumi (High Five in Jazz)

Charlotte Huang (High Five in Ballet)

Lauren Lee (High Five in Ballet)

Maya Panahi (High Five in Ballet)

24/7 Glendale

Senior Solos:

1st: Tegan Chou (Everest)

Non-Stop Dancer Winners:

Senior: Tegan Chou

24/7 Bellevue

Teen Solos:

4th: Piper Ruff (Interlude)

Non-Stop Dancer Runner-ups:

Teen: Piper Ruff

JUMP Las Vegas

JUMP VIP Winners:

Teen: Izzy Howard

JUMP Anaheim

Junior Solos:

3rd: Kiera Sun (Lumina)

Teen Solos:

1st: Izzy Howard (This Bitter Earth)

3rd: Alyssa Park (I Remember Everything)

3rd: Evee Lee (Underneath Your Shadow)

5th: Lyla Briggs (Poem Of Light)

6th: Annabel Kohn (Frozen Tears)

6th: Charlotte Huang (Mirrored Reservoir)

7th: Piper Ruff (Interlude)

7th: Ashley Guo (Verge)

Senior Solos:

6th: Tegan Chou (Everest)

Senior Duo/Trio:

1st: Le Corsaire Pas De Deux

Senior Groups:

Titan: 1st in Groups, 1st in Contemporary, Best of JUMP (Senior)

Consider When You Can: 3rd In Lines, 3rd in Contemporary

Beast of Burden: Best Of JUMP (Teen)

JUMP VIP Winners:

Teen: Ashley Guo, Alyssa Park, Malcom Takumi

Senior: Tegan Chou

JUMP VIP Runner-ups:

Junior: Kiera Sun

Teen: Lyla Briggs, Charlotte Huang, Annabel Kohn, Lauren Lee, Evee Lee, Piper Ruff, Elle Sanders

Scholarships:

Ashley Lorber (Ballet Class)

Maya Panahi (Ballet Class)

JUMP Honolulu

Senior Solos:

1st: Tegan Chou (Everest)

Nuvo Meadowlands

Senior Solos:

2nd: Tegan Chou (Born Of Regret)

BreakOut Artist

Senior: Tegan Chou

Nuvo Anaheim

Junior Solos:

1st: Kiera Sun (Black and White)

Teen Solos:

1st: Izzy Howard (This Bitte Earth)

2nd: Alyssa Park (Aura)

2nd: Evee Lee (Trapped)

4th: Ashley Guo (Verge)

7th: Annabel Kohn (Final Endings)

9th: Elle Sanders (Aria)

10th: Piper Ruff (Hinterland)

Teen Groups:

Titan: 2nd in Groups, 3rd in Contemporary, Best NU Group (Teen)

Consider When You Can: 2nd in Line

Senior Solos:

4th: Tegan Chou (Born Of Regret)

5th: Ashley Lorber (Maps)

Senior Groups:

Beast of Burden: 1st in Extended Line, 2nd in Specialty, Best NU Group (Senior)

BreakOut Artists:

Junior: Kiera Sun

Teen: Izzy Howard, Evee Lee

BreakOut Artists Runner-ups:

Teen: Lyla Briggs, Kaylyn Chen, Ashley Guo, Annabel Kohn, Alyssa Park, Piper Ruff, Malcom Takumi

Scholarships:

Charlotte Huang (Standout in Jazz and Contemporary)

Ashley Lorber (Standout in Jazz and Contemporary)

Radix:

Teen Solos:

6th: Lyla Briggs (Efude (paintbrush))

Protégé:

Teen: Lyla Briggs

NYCDA Las Vegas

Junior Solos:

1st: Kiera Sun (Black and White)

Teen Solos:

2nd: Izzy Howard (This Bitter Earth)

3rd: Evee Lee (Trapped)

4th: Malcom Takumi (Solaris)

5th: Annabel Kohn (Frozen Tears)

7th: Charlotte Huang (Mirrored Reservoir)

8th: Lyla Briggs (Poem Of Light)

14th: Piper Ruff (Interlude)

17th: Ashley Guo (Verge)

24th: Elle Sanders (Aria)

Teen Groups:

Consider When You Can: 1st in Lines, 1st in Contemporary, 1st Overall, Critics Choice Winner

Titan: 1st in Groups, 2nd in Contemporary

Triple Shift: 5th in Contemporary

Senior Solos:

1st: Tegan Chou (Everest)

Senior Groups:

Beast of Burden: 1st in Line, 1st in Specialty, 1st Overall, Critics Choice Winner

Outstanding Dancers:

Junior: Kiera Sun

Teen: Malcom Takumi

Outstanding Dancers Runner-ups:

Teen: Annabel Kohn, Ashley Guo, Campbell Castner, Charlotte Huang, Izzy Howard, Lauren Lee

Senior: Ashley Lorber

Scholarships:

Izzy Howard (Ballet Scholarship)

Elle Sanders (Intensive Standout Award)

Izzy Howard (Winter Contemporary Intensive Award)

Kiera Sun (Rising Star Award)

[hopefulobjectmiracle]

What is your least favorite PLL storyline?

oooh, good question...I'd say it's a tie between the whole situation w/ malcom & maggie and the aria-ezra-nicole storyline in s7.

PLL had a lot of...subpar storylines, but most of those storylines either fell into the category of "so bad they're good" or were flat-out hilarious if you don't take them too seriously (like pretty much everything about spencer's british twin).

but....these two were was so bad that they didn't fall into either of the above categories. obviously I hate ezria so almost every storyline w/ them is terrible to me but these two take the cake for most drawn-out and boring storylines in the show, especially since neither plot had any legitimate consequences and in retrospect they were completely unnecessary (especially since that kid wasn't even ezra's!! they just bullshitted us with that for months and it will never not make me angry).

[faustiannonsense]

New casting announcement plus our favorite comments so far. With thanks to @kamaya4252 , @bonnieaspenwall, and @legalvalkyrie on Twitter!

[vinylanswer]

I did some record cleaning yesterday, tidying up a few sweet 12” singles I got over the weekend for a pittance. I’m always trying different approaches, so this was how I rescued a 1984 promo copy of Malcom McLaren’s gorgeous hip-hop/new wave/new age reinterpretation of the aria from Madam Butterfly. On paper, the track is an idea that shouldn’t work, especially coming from an idiot provocateur like McLaren, but it is spectacular, so I really wanted to this record. First, a gentle but thorough brushing with a Hunt record brush—that’s l80% of the heavy lifting right there. Next, some GrooveWasher fluid sprayed on and spread around to loosen deeper dirt and dust. After that, it was time for a few spins through the HumminGuru ultrasonic record cleaner, which both rinsed off the fluid and blasted that dirt out of the grooves. The result was a clean, mean listening experience, and while that all sounds like a lot of work, the brush and fluid part was maybe two minutes and the machine did its thing unattended in about 10, so it was something that could be done while doing other stuff (like work).

[demonfox38]

Okay. Made it through the last season of Netflix's "Castlevania" interpretation. Thoughts are below the cut.

I've often thought of this series as the exploitation version of "Castlevania," and hiring Malcom McDowell confirms that.

Although, I find it hilarious that both Malcolm McDowell and Patrick Stewart have ended up voicing the same character. I'm sure there's a "Star Trek Generations" joke to be made in there, but I'm not Mike Stoklasa.

Also, I was cracking up a bit when Varney's plot twist happened. Mostly, because it came off a bit Skeletor-esque in vocal performance.

Also, also—laughing that the final boss went the "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence" route despite barely touching on that game's plot.

Animation had its ups and downs with this season. It seemed like there were some frame issues (not enough inbetweening.) I do appreciate how they incorporated more of Alucard's SOTN animations into his fights, however.

Additionally, some of the fight scenes' pacing seemed to have issues, particularly regarding weapon recovery.

The whole bit with St. Germain was off. Like, he's a weird asshole in "Castlevania: Curse of Darkness", but he's more of a weird asshole there in the same way that casually encountering "Doctor Who"'s Doctor would also be strange. Not a straight up villainous boob. Kinda makes sense thematically to have another character who is willing to do horrible shit for their lost loved one, but the series honestly did not do a good job establishing her. Like, did she even have a voice actor? Or a name? All I'm saying is it was much easier for outsiders to get the Lisa revenge thing Dracula had going.

Also, how dare you joke about not being deaf and then have a villainous monologue, TV show.

Greta's a good girl. Well, outside of being an occasional homewrecker. Point is, she's competent and trying her best to save people in a bad situation, and anyone having issues with her is not to be trusted in the same way that you don't trust people who don't like Rochelle from "Left 4 Dead 2."

Look at me. Do not trust people who do not like Rochelle from "Left 4 Dead 2." Yes, her writing could have been better, but she's still a viable character. Let people Thunder Child their ships on the rocks of your better self. Got me?

Also, y'all really need to embrace more polyamory. Or understand the fact that Alucard's not going to love just one person in his life. Dude lives to be at least 600 in the game's timeline. For a dude who loves humans, constricting him to just one who may live to be 100 at best is cruel.

There are some interesting philosophical dialogues going on here, but I can see where some people may lose their patience for them. Considering one of Castlevania's most popular memes is a philosophy debate, you're just gonna have to suck that up. My personal favorites included the topic of acting versus reacting, as well as having agency in one's story.

Striga's battle theme was cool, but otherwise, the music was forgettable. Yes, that is a sin. Punishable by Death? In this series, maybe!

The gore's still over the top. Which, okay, fine. There's a bit of that in game. It's just generally a bit more reserved with it or uses it in crucial boss fights.

RIP doggie.

The Targoviste plot's a bit of a wash, but it doesn't feel as useless as Trevor and Sypha's previous plot predicament. It's just nothing of a surprise, considering how many times the writing has played the "authority figures are useless" and "dark secret surprise" tropes in this series. Like, Greta being reliable is actually more surprising than anything with this plot.

I cannot emphasize enough how boring I found Carmilla's interpretation and plot arc. You guys could have had a giant, naked lesbian riding a skull and spewing magic at people while her cat-eared girlfriend jumped them for extra damage. But no. Vanilla lady with a scarlet sword for you. So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Good night.  

Gotta say, as much of a deviation from his source character as he is, Isaac really turned out well in this series. He's definitely evidence that you don't always need to stick to source material.

His Abel is fucking sick, dude. Way to go, king.

Also, I was expecting more violence from Hector this season. Oh, well. At least he got a teeny bit of a spine.

Look. I'm not an alchemist by any means. I'm just a bit baffled by this season's emphasis of obtaining a Rebis. Like, any time the game series has talked about the Magnum Opus of Alchemy, it's more been in pursuit of making a Philosopher's Stone (or at the very least, a Crimson Stone, as seen in "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.") Pulling a Rebis out of the aether is…well. Could have been more interesting than it was. I mean, it was a bit nightmarish, but it really didn't do much.

Sypha's really never getting back to her family, is she?

Love the idea that the cross subweapon is basically a fancy chakram.

GERGOTH. BUDDY. FRIENDO.

Really appreciating the monster variety in these last two seasons. I mean, that's a big selling point of the "Castlevania" games. Not so much vampires standing around and bickering in dick-waving contests.

Breaking out of the bullet points to hit on the big subject of this season—that is, the ending being surprisingly happy.

There's been a lot of shit that's happened over the last few years. Obviously, a pandemic. Konami's run by pricks. Then, there's the situation with the allegations of sexual coercion with Warren Ellis. Additionally, the terrible ending of "Game of Thrones" likely impacted how this season was developed, considering it seemed to be chasing its progression in construction. (I mean, look at Carmilla and Daenerys.) I don't know how many people were happy with the last season of "Castlevania," but from my POV, it double-tapped itself in the foot with the way it pushed simultaneous sex and violence in its last two episodes. My point is, there was little taste for additional darkness, considering everything that has been happening. Society is drained.

A happy ending was what people really wanted. And man, did this pull through, in that regard. But, there's a conversation to be had in if this swerved too far or if it violates some artistic integrity to give people what they want. So, let's have it.

Look. Man. Have you seen a "Castlevania" ending? When you do it right, it's crumbled castles and rainbow-colored skies. If you do it really right, it results in a pretty girl holding the main character's hand. There is happiness in these games. Hope. Forgiveness and redemption. If this is supposed to be any bit an accurate interpretation of these games, it absolutely should end in such a joyful fashion. (Okay, maybe giving Dracula and Lisa a second honeymoon at the end was a bit much, but I get where people would want that.)

Did some items need to be addressed more? Absolutely. Alucard staking people and Hector getting sexually coerced into servitude are some pretty big topics to just wave away. (Oh, shit. That second part is even worse now with what Ellis was allegedly doing, isn't it?) I suppose I'm just glad the series didn't go full Sephiroth with Alucard. And at least Hector finally took some stand in his situation, even if it wasn't the bombastic, hateful revenge I'm used to seeing from this character in other stories.

I think the creators of this series were trying to save this show from the fate of "Game of Thrones." (To some extent, perhaps the "Voltron" re-interpretation as well.) There's so much media out there anymore that if a production team doesn't nail the ending, their creation gets wiped out of the collective consciousness. To that extent, I think the creators were successful in saving their series. Did it do damage to itself in yanking out of its construction and themes? A bit. But, in doing so, it pivoted back to being more like a proper "Castlevania" product. (And of course, by proper, I mean anything ignoring "Lords of Shadows." God, people need to stop chasing other products when developing "Castlevania" stuff and just let the series be as it is.)

I am very curious as to how much of this season was part of an original draft and how much was revised in backlash to everything that has happened. It doesn't seem like Trevor was intended to survive, but to some extent, Sypha had to. (I mean, until she has a kid, anyway. See "Lords of Shadows" series for dickery regarding that.) I'm also wondering if there was more intended for the Carmilla subplot, as much as the series was banging on about her invading locations. I'm not even sure St. Germain was intended to be a villain all along. Getting into a bitchfight with Death? Sure. Doing what he did here? That's a weird arc, dude.

If you come away from my POV with anything, it should be this: GO PLAY THE GAMES.

Do it. Do it, you ghouls. Go to the Steam store and download the "Castlevania Anniversary Collection." Boot up your PS3 or 4 or 18 or whatever and get "Symphony of the Night." Throttle Nintendo's stores until "Aria of Sorrow" or "Dawn of Sorrow" or "Harmony of Dissonance" or whatever rattles out of their moldy pockets. Find a ROM. Find an ISO. Just play a game. Especially, one of the ones made before 2010.

"Castlevania" as a game series isn't about hordes of vampires dick-waving at each other or edgy swearing or being grim and dark. Some of that stuff's there, sure. But, at its core, it's what game developers created when they looked at Universal Monster Movie creations and went "That's cool. Let's fight that!" It's a series about pushing technology in MMC chips to make rich, vibrant music. It's about flourishing artwork and layers of sprites dripping particles and gore onto players. It's sober and goofy and very pro curry.

The thing is, "Castlevania" players have their own unique connection to the series. We're the weirdos you see clapping their hands when a mutilated dinosaur shows up on screen. It's not because the monster alone is cool. It's that we've fought and struggled and bodied that thing through several floors like a goddamn "X-Men: Children of the Atom" stage. It's kicked our asses. We've kicked its ass. We've got a connection to it that you just don't get from passively watching it barf lasers through a computer monitor or TV screen. Like, you know how people go, "Well, the movie wasn't as good as the book?" It's obnoxious, sure. But, those who read the source materials have to go to the effort of constructing their own sets and people to understand what's happening. In a similar fashion, game players build up their own skill set to reach that next rung.

Maybe you don't always get a payout when you invest your resources into something. But, there is a sense of accomplishment, seeing what you can do.

There's a reason this series got an adaptation. I mean, outside of Konami's head executives wanting easy money. "Castlevania" is a fantastic video game series. Has it got a few problems? Oh yeah. Especially after outsourcing and pachislot machines became all the rage. But, there's a reason Simon and Richter Belmont are playable in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate." There's a reason I spent a significant amount of time playing these games and writing or drawing fanworks for it. These games are wonderful. Beautiful. Difficult, but inspiring. Reasons I will still bang on about them decades years down the road.

When I get exasperated by layers of angst and edge lord content this Netflix series generated, I want you to know why. The roots of this show are good games held captive under poor management. Some people on staff know this. I wish they had more scenario and writing control. But mostly, I don't want to shit on them or their work. (Well, other than perhaps the obvious target.) I just want you to see what I love in these games.

And also to watch Crashervania. Because that's legit.

[year2000electronics]

sinclair, marius, duncan, liberality, asma, beez, levi, belphy, luci, mona, archangel gabriel, sol, scarabus, darwin, fantine, constance, mayhem, tori, bridgette, enoch, fritz, frank, bernard, nina, hel, dean dastardly, lolly, creed, jacques, r, irving, zuzu, parzival, nimbus, carol, steven, franny, vito, gadrielle, stevil, henshin, gula, id, ego, elmyra, daiki, dimitri, demetrius, lawrence, yuki, roxine, eris, entropy, harvix, count cium, flint, ersatz, morgan, lillium, vega, aria, terra, queenie, dr tox, vindell, valor, damien, dexter, mike, germ, truman, cooper, ryuga, reizo, kazuki, pietro, piangi, zenjiro, taiyo, nissho, genzo, mineko, genesis, isadora, poe, fumiko, gabriel, mia, shiro, akira, fern, shuri, reina, g, tul, flores, neo, spork, malcom

[illusivesoul]

Elfroot :: What is a small, mundane thing that brings your character great comfort? Arbor Blessing :: What is the happiest ending you can think of for your character? Vandal Aria :: How well can your character bounce back from personal tragedies? - For all 3 of your da characters if you want! Otherwise just go with who makes your heart happy.

Thank you for asking :)

I'll put the answers under the cut.

.

Dragon Age OC ask

Elfroot :: What is a small, mundane thing that brings your character great comfort?

Serena Brosca: The smell of Leliana's perfumes, Everytime she senses her scent, she unconsciously smiles, and feels safe.

Irene Hawke: The barking of her mabari, Tyrdda.

Inra Cadash: Holding hands with Blackwall.

Arbor Blessing :: What is the happiest ending you can think of for your character?

Serena Brosca: Living with Leliana in Orzammar, retired from politics and responsabilities, with many nugs and perhaps a child and a retirement house in Antiva.

Irene Hawke: Living with Merrill and Isabela in her rebuilt and modernized Kirkwall, and with 3 mabaris.

Inra Cadash: Living anywhere in Thedas, just so long at she's at peace and with Blackwall.

Vandal Aria :: How well can your character bounce back from personal tragedies?

Serena Brosca: Not well. She never really recovered from having to kill Leske. She just bottles things up and lets them fester. inside her. Leliana was the only person who got her to open up about her feelings, and help her to deal with her survivor's guilt, but as the years passed she once found herself having no one to rely on but herself, and she kept everything locked inside her once again.

Irene Hawke: One of Irene's defining characteristics is her sense of responsibility. She felt responsible for her men when she was in the Fereldan army, even more responsible for her family after Malcom's death, and for the people of Kirkwall after she became Viscountess. So the deaths of her soldiers at Ostagar, the death of Leandra and Carver and the death of the people of Kirkwall during the mage templar war hit her extremely hard. She wasn't used to failure, and only the support from her friends and her wives, Merrill and Isabela, helped keep her afloat.

Inra Cadash: Inra has a grown a very, very thick skin over the years, and her way to avoid tragedies is to avoid getting too attached to things. She cared about her companions in the Carta, and she cared about her family, but she always kept present that death or worse may come for them at anytime. So she hasn't really had to suffer big tragedies in her life. Yet.

[officalroyalsofpierreland]

Opening of the C&A

Their Imperial Majesties invited the Duke of Rothsey to the opening of the Charles and Marie Aurelia Opera House, which has been affectionately nicknamed by His Imperial Majesty, the C&A. Opera and the arts were a shared passion between the Late Emperor Charles and his wife the recently departed Dowager Empress. Their first offical date was actually to an opera, The Marriage of Figaro, and was often heard playing at Arden Palace, the home of the Dowager Empress. HIM Marie Aurelia even laid the cornerstone for the C&A and remarked that, “it will be a glorious place, devoted to the celebration of what makes the soul churn and the heart feel. It will show the Empire’s best.”

His Imperial Majesty arrived to the grand opening wearing a traditional white tie court suit along with the traditional sash of the Order of the Lion. While Her Imperial Majesty was once more wearing a beautiful dress from Sir Malcom Hall in royal blue along with the Pierreland Blues parure. 

Her Imperial Highness, the Princess Imperial, is also wearing a beautiful dress from Sir Malcom Hall but this time in Imperial purple while HRH the Duke of Rothsey is wearing a traditional court suit with the red sash of the Scot Order of Highlands, KoS’s highest order. HRH is also a big supporter of the arts, often using his passion for photography to photography Scot artists at their crafts, as well as bringing the creatives of KoS together.

Their Imperial Majesties also caught up with one of the Dowager Empress’s favorite opera singers, Mr Claude Monet, who hails from the Isle of Paradisio.

Their Majesties and Highnesses are watched Mr. Monet’s performance from the Imperial box, which included one of His Imperial Majesty’s favorite arias, Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot . Which was first introduced to him when he first accompanied his mother to the Opera at age 10.