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#Nicholas Baxter
bullet-prooflove · 1 month
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The Romantic: Nicholas Baxter x Reader (L&O)
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Tagging: @kmc1989 flopiboni @toheavenwmydrms
Nick knows the instant he lays eyes on you that you’re the woman he’s going to spend the rest of his life with. He’s sitting in the audience at the Philharmonic with a woman his sister had set him up with you step onto the stage in a forest green wrap dress and fresh flowers in your hair. He’s transfixed from the moment you pick up the violin.
Your music, it’s haunting. It flows through his body, awakening parts of him that he didn’t even know existed. He feels joy, hope, elation and then he hits the lows, the sadness, the melancholy. It’s the most intimate experience he’s had in a long time.
It’s in the interval that he actually looks at the leaflet he was handed on the way into the theatre.
It has your name written across the top along with the show title.
Rosanna Delarue – A Journey Through Italy.
His date leaves halfway through but Nick, he stays for the entire thing.
It’s a month later at the Central Park Preforming Arts Gala that the two of you are formally introduced. You’re wearing a cornflower blue dress tonight, your hair is threaded with fresh flowers of the same colour. You look ethereal, a beacon amongst the deluge of black and white.
“Call me Rosie.” You request when you offer him your hand.
It’s etched into his heart from the moment he takes it.
The two of you hit it off immediately, he spends the night completely captivated as you sip cocktails at the bar regaling him with tales from your travels. When he puts you in a cab later that night, he gives you his card.
“I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight.” He says sincerely. “Give me a call if you ever want to do it again.”
He marries you a year later.
When he gets in tonight, the sweet serenade of your violin greets him. It’s the first time you’ve been home in over two months because you’ve been touring in Europe. Nick hangs up his overcoat before setting down his briefcase alongside the shoe rack. He lingers in the doorway of the living room watching as you play.
You still look as beautiful as the night he first saw you. You’re clad in one of his shirts and a pair of jeans that hug you in all the right places. Your damp hair is tied back into a messy bun, stray strands falling across your features.
You have your eyes closed because it helps you to visualise the music. Your synaesthesia allows you to see every note and every chord in a series of colours. It’s a fascinating quirk, he’d spent hours questioning you when you first told him about the condition.
“Rosie.” He says softly and your eyes flicker open to meet his.
The edges of your mouth tip up into a small smile and the tune changes, the opening bars to Elvis Presley’s ‘Love Me Tender’ filling his ears. It’s your wedding song, the first one you danced to as husband and wife.
“For my husband,” You say affectionately. “The Romantic.”
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scandalphile · 1 month
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Manhattan District Attorney Sir Please!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥
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kermitisverycool · 6 months
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Yesterday at like I don't know how late I played olba with the goal to get to Derek's Step 4 ending when suddenly a realization hit me and I think I'm valid for it
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Look at those two and tell me you don't see it, I dare you
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ruewrote · 1 month
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𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑖 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟.
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OUTER BANKS.
jj maybank, rafe cameron, pope heyward, sarah cameron
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SURVIVING SUMMER.
baxter radic, marlon sousa
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THE WALKING DEAD.
benjamin (twd), glenn rhee, rick grimes, daryl dixon
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SCHOOL SPIRITS.
wally clark
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911.
evan buckley, eddie diaz
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MARVEL.
peter parker (all), captain america
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TOP GUN.
jake seresin, bradley bradshaw, robert floyd, natasha trace
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LIFE IS STRANGE.
chloe price, warren graham, rachel ambers, ryan lucan, alex chen, steph gingrich
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RED DEAD REDEMPTION.
arthur morgan, sadie adler
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THE DOLAN TWINS.
grayson dolan, ethan dolan
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SHAMELESS.
lip gallagher
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THE MAZE RUNNER.
minho, thomas, gally
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THE QUARRY.
jacob custos, max brinly, nicholas furcillo
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UNTIL DAWN.
josh washington, jess riley, mike munroe
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TEEN WOLF.
stiles stilinski
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CELEBRITY CRUSHES.
dylan obrien, will poulter, thomas brodie sangster, archie madekwe, jeon jungkook, park jimin, josh hutcherson, rudy pankow, drew starkey, tom holland
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omgthatdress · 2 years
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Books about colonialism now that The Queen is dead:
Colonialism is, unsurprisingly, A BIG FUCKING SUBJECT, and any reading list is going to fall short. (if you want to get versed in anti-colonial theory, here’s a really good beginners list). Because of all this, I’m staying focused on British imperialism, and specifically, events that happened within The Queen’s lifetime.
Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire by Caroline Elkins
Ghosts of the Empire: Britain’s Legacies in the Modern World by Kwasi Kwarteng
The Blood Never Dried: A People's History of the British Empire by John Neswinger
Ornamentalism: How the British Saw Their Empire by David Cannadine
The Decline and Fall of the British Empire by Piers Brendan
Insurgent Empire: Anticolonial Resistance and British Dissent by Priyamvada Gopal
Empireland: How Imperialism has Shaped Modern Britain by Sathnam Sanghera.
The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence, and Cultural Restitution by Dan Hicks
Rhodes Must Fall: The Struggle to Decolonize the Racist Heart of Empire by Brian Kwoba, Roseanne Chantiluke, and Anthinangamso Nkopo
Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism by Kwame Nkrumah
Kohinoor: The Story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
Mountbatten: Apprentice Warlord by Adrian Smith
The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan
Midnight’s Furies: The Deadly Legacy of India’s Partition by Nisid Hajari
Partition, podcast by Neha Aziz
Aboriginal Australians: A History Since 1788 by Richard Broome
Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End by by Ranginui Walker
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance by Rashid Khalidi
Nasser: The Last Arab by Saïd K. Aburish
The Cyprus Emergency: The Divided Island 1955-1974 by Nicholas van der Bijl
Histories of the Hanged: The Dirty War in Kenya and The End of Empire by David Anderson
Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britain’s Gulag in Kenya by Caroline Elkins
Rhodesia: A Complete History, 1890-1980 by Peter Baxter
Massacre in Malaya: Exposing Britain’s My Lai by Christopher Hale
Kill the Indian, Save the Man: The Genocidal Impact of American Indian Residential Schools by Ward Churchill
A National Crime: The Canadian Government and The Residential School System from 1879 to 1996 by John S. Milloy
Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo, podcast by Connie Walker
The Troubles: Ireland’s Ordeal and the Search for Peace by Tim Pat Coogan
Making Sense of The Troubles: The Story of Conflict in Northern Ireland by David McKittrick and David McVea
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe
There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra by Chinua Achebe
The Untold Story of the Nigeria-Biafra War by Luke Nnaemeka Ameke
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ironstrange1991 · 2 years
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Jealousy and Submission
+18 Smut (Rough sex)
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Pairing: Supreme!Strange x Fem!StarkReader
Synopsis: Stephen's jealousy makes him refuse to talk to the reader for a whole week and she finally decides to put an end to their fight in the best way possible.
Word Count: 3,800k
Warnings: Toxic relationship, Jealousy, Submission, Sexual content including thigh riding, love bites, slapping, choking, male dominance, male masturbation, fingering, p in v, creampie.
A/N: Same pair from Don't Let Me Go and More Than Just a Song. Supreme Strange is really a troubled, very toxic lover. This one is very smutty, completely filth and rough. Hope you like it ;)
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It was already 6pm and the movement inside the Baxter Institute was drastically reduced, the few people on your shift had already left, only a few people were still organizing everything for the people on the night shift who hadn't arrived yet.
You finally took off your lab coat and went to your office to get your things and on your way you passed Stephen's office, but he wasn't there. Of course he hasn't bothered to wait for you or even to say goodbye. He had acted like you didn't exist the whole week, worse than that he didn’t answer when you asked him something about work and you hated when he did that, you always argued with him saying he needed to have some sense to separate work from your personal live but he didn't really care what you said.
You sighed saying goodbye to the staff and taking the elevator.
Stephen was mad at you since the benefit ball the Institute held to raise funds for scientific research. During the party, one of the shareholders of Stark Industries, exactly from whom you expected the best donations, began to blatantly hit on you.
Nobody knew you and Stephen were a couple. Well, Reed and Sue knew and your father suspected something was going on, but mostly no one else could know. Nicholas Anderson wasn't necessarily an ugly man, but compared to Stephen he was so ridiculously unattractive and ordinary that you were surprised Stephen could get jealous, but there was no limit to Stephen's jealousy and it always got between you two, it always caused the biggest fights.
Of course you rejected Nick's advances, but you did it subtly, you didn't want to be rude, after all you knew the guy and you really expected a lot from him that night, but Stephen obviously understood that in another way, reaching the absurdity of dancing with a former co-worker from the time he worked as a neurosurgeon. You knew that extremely slow dance was meant to tease you and usually you didn't accept Stephen's teasing, but that night as he drove you home in total silence, jaw tight, clenched teeth, hands almost ripping the steering wheel off the car, you snapped.
Accusations were made on both sides and you insinuated that he slept with all the women at work, which was true when he worked at the hospital, but you knew very well that it didn't apply to who he was now and he replied that you should have slept with Nick to secure a bigger check.
The rest of the way was in grave silence and he left you inside the Stark Tower parking lot and left screeching.
That was on Sunday, it was already Friday and you couldn't take that situation anymore. You missed him and he missed you and it was all ridiculous, he was ridiculous, his jealousy bordered on obsession and you wanted him to apologize for what he said and you should apologize too, but that was the problem. Every time you fought out of jealousy or because Stephen thought you weren't giving him the attention he deserved, it was you who acted to make amends, you were the one who apologized first, it was you who took the blame that wasn't yours just because you couldn't stand being away from him anymore.
You knew it was wrong, that there was something toxic about that relationship, Sue always warned you about it, but you just couldn't help it, you loved him, and the very idea of ​​you being quarreled for one more day seemed absurd to you.
You sighed walking out of the elevator into the parking lot and taking your cell phone and car keys out of your purse. You got in the car waiting for your father to answer the phone.
"Hey baby, still at work?"
You smiled with the pet name, your father was always so affectionate with you.
"I just left, well I'm still in the parking lot. I'm just calling to let you know I might be home late so don't worry."
He sighed into the phone "Don't tell me you're going to the Sanctum."
You sunk in the car seat, your father wasn't exactly a fan of Stephen. Well, he admired Stephen like everyone else, but since he started to understand that there was something between the two of you he started to act different with Stephen, colder, more irritating, always teasing. Stephen ignored it because he didn't want to pick a fight with Tony Stark and besides he knew it would hurt you, but it didn't get any better since your father, like Sue, also started to notice Stephen's behavior with you. You guys worked together, there was no way he wouldn't notice you spent the entire week chasing Stephen and being ignored by him.
"I just want to work this out, talk to him. I know we'll get along as usual."
Your father didn't accept well your words "Baby, I raised you to be better than this. This guy is an asshole, he may be a genius, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete idiot. I can’t stand to see you go after him like this..."
You sighed, you've lost count of how many times you've heard that speech. Not just about Stephen, but everything else, and you knew exactly what he meant: You are the daughter of the great Tony Stark, submit to nothing and no one.
"Dad, I'm just going to talk. If he doesn't feel like talking I'll turn and walk away, I swear I won't submit this time."
Your father hummed satisfied with your firm answer. "Fine, good girl. Don't come back too late."
You threw your cell phone on the seat, sighing and banging your head on the steering wheel. You didn't believe a word you said. Of course you were going to submit, you always submitted to Stephen, you practically licked the floor he stepped on. It was embarrassing, but that man was like a god to you and as such you would go there and bow down to him and ask forgiveness for the crime you didn't commit to get him to talk to you again and if everything goes well much more than just to talk.
You started the car and drived around the parking lot taking the avenue driving fast.
God, you missed Stephen. Not just his company, but his touch, the way he made you melt into bed for him. It wasn't uncommon for you to cum more than three times in one night at his hands. Stephen was perfect at sex, it didn't take him long to figure out what you liked and how you liked it and he memorized your every reaction to his every touch and god he used that against you.
It wasn't just his cock that drove you crazy, but his tongue and fingers. Those fingers that would jerk you off and make you cum so fast to the point of being pathetic. It was even more pathetic if you stop to think that since you started having sex with Stephen you couldn't get yourself off anymore, well you could if you were really desperate, but it wasn't the same anymore. Before Stephen nothing was better than your own fingers on you. No one knew your pleasure points better than you, but now he knew, he was better than you at this and you needed him, you missed him and that stupid fight would end tonight.
You parked the car in front of the Sanctum and before you could slam the door it swung open revealing the beautiful and sophisticated interior. At that hour there should be no one but Stephen there. You texted him to let him know you were there, of course he saw the message and didn't respond forcing you to look for him in that huge house, but you knew there was only one place he could be on a Friday night alone at the Sanctum.
You walked slowly to the library thinking of every word you would say to him, but of course when you found him sitting at the table in his blue robes, his blue cloak floating obediently beside his chair, you forgot everything you meant to say.
The cloak flew to you the moment it became aware of your presence, circling your body and enveloping you in what you understood to be a hug. You saw Stephen, who had his face in one hand, look away from the book he was reading and look at you and Cloak with an irritated look. He always claimed that Cloak had an unusual attachment to you, at that moment he seemed to get annoyed with that.
You walked up to him, Cloak flying and standing next to him again.
“Stephen... can we talk?”
He did not answer. Cloak tapped his shoulder insistently pointing at you next.
You sighed. Of course he was going to make things difficult. When did Supreme Strange ever did anything to make your life easier?
"Stephen I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. I know you're not like that anymore, you…don't sleep with women at work." You laugh nervously "Well, not everyone, just me."
Your smile crumbled when you realized it was no use. It wasn't what he was mad at you for, he wanted you to apologize for Nick, for something you didn't do.
You sighed "I should have dumped Nick sooner. I... let him keep flirting with me. I didn't mean to, but... I'm sorry."
Now he's looked at you at least. God, that man messed with you in unholy ways. Those deep blue eyes seemed to look into your soul and made your legs go soft, not to mention the mess between your legs. You barely realized how much you've missed him physically throughout the week, but there beside him, your body seemed to beg for attention.
He didn't answer you and you didn't know what else to say and maybe it would be better to listen to your father and turn your back and walk away, but how could you do that when you loved him so much? Besides, if you couldn't solve it that night, it was very likely that you wouldn't be able to do it anymore, and you couldn't bear the thought of losing him.
You went for the last weapon you had. You forced your legs to walk to him, stopping just behind the chair. Cloak flew away giving the two of you privacy and you wrapped your arms around him, your lips placing a purposefully wet kiss on his neck.
"I miss you. Don't tell me you don't miss me too I know it's a lie."
He sighed, his first uncontrolled reaction to your attempt to make amends. You turned your head to whisper in the other ear "I know you're mad at me, but there are other interesting ways to punish me, Stephen."
He turned the page of the book continuing to read and you rolled your eyes. How melodramatic could he be? Did he expect you to actually get down on your knees and ask for forgiveness? You didn't doubt that he might actually want that.
You trailed your lips down his neck, your hands wandering down his chest.
"You're distracting me from my reading."
His voice made your knees tremble. He seemed to sing to you every time he spoke, that wonderful baritone voice sending electricity straight to your aching core.
You smiled contentedly and walk around him putting yourself between him and the desk. He looked at you annoyed.
You brought your hands to the hem of your skirt and lifted it enough so you could spread your legs and sit on one of his thighs. You smirked when he hissed feeling the warmth and wetness through the fabric of your panties and his pants. You were so desperate for him and his particularly muscular thigh fit you perfectly making you abandon any dignity and start moving your hips to get some friction.
He stared at you in disbelief as a moan escaped your lips. You put your hands on his shoulders, increasing the pace of your movements. Your thigh scraped against his bulge and he twitched, jaw tight, teeth clenched. He was hard, but he didn't want to give in. You did it again this time on purpose and he groaned annoyed realizing that this was a game he couldn't win.
You moaned louder now, your hands went down to his thigh and you increased your pace, riding his thigh in circular motions. You were so close now, all the tension in your body melting in the face of your pleasure, all your problems crumbling as that delicious shiver formed in the pit of your stomach.
"Oh my god...fuck."
You panted, surendering to your climax, your legs shaking convulsively, rubbing his shaft in the process. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and laid your head on the crook of his neck allowing your breathing to slowly return to normal and smelled the masculine scent of sweat, perfume and cigarettes coming from him. "Stephen... I love you."
Now you had reached the new low. If that wasn't submitting, you didn't know what to call it.
He sighed and you smiled feeling his arms wrapping around your waist and pressing you against his body. His head drooping to rest on yours. "I want everyone to know about us. Everyone. I'm tired of hiding our relationship and as long as we hide, things like that will keep happening, they will keep hitting on you and I swear to god next time I'm going to kill someone."
You raised your head looking at him in surprise. "Is that why you were angry? Because I asked you to keep it secret?"
He did not answer. He was still angry.
"Why? Why do we need to keep our relationship hidden? The people who matter know. Your father knows, he makes a point of reminding me of that every day."
You touched his face shaking your head "It's ok. I agree. We don't need to hide it anymore."
He sighed in relief "Fuck this, I need you."
He grabbed you by the waist getting up and turned you around bending you over the desk. He magic away his robes and lifted your skirt to your waist and lowered your panties to your knees. He forced your thighs further apart and ran his fingers through your slit, collecting the slick and running it over the tip of his cock. He rubbed the tip at your entrance and you gripped the edge of the table knowing full well what awaited you.
He entered you with a single thrust that knocked the air out of your lungs, the familiar pinch in your gut making you moan in pain and pleasure at the same time. He groaned loudly letting his cock inside you and waited for you to settle around him before starting to thrust, but when he started he was merciless.
You groaned loudly, clinging to the desk as if clinging to life itself, his thrusts punishing you with absurd harshness.
"You. are. mine." Each word separated by an even stronger, deeper thrust. You groaned in response.
"Say it. I need to hear you saying it."
You agreed, but the words seemed to slip out of your mind. The silence of the room was filled by the creaking of the desk, the sound of skin slapping against skin and your breaths and moans and grunts.
He brought one hand to your shoulder, the other holding tight to your waist, the weight of his body against yours, he pulled your shirt by the collar making the buttons fly all over the place and started to place open mouth kisses on your skin, He bit your shoulder hard and soothed it with his tongue and moved to your neck kissing, biting, licking, sucking.
He slapped your ass "Say you are mine."
You moaned feeling another orgasm building inside you "I'm yours Stephen, I'm yours and no one else's."
He took the hand that was firm on your shoulder to your neck, choking you softly but enough to make you lose yourself in your high, murmuring sweet praises to him "I love you so much, Stephen, you make me feel so good, you fuck me so good..."
He pulled away turning you and placing you sitting on the desk, he pulled your panties off throwing them on the floor and stuck two fingers inside you "Look how wet you are after coming twice. I love it."
He ran the tip of his cock through your slit smearing it with your cum and jerked his cock a few times sticking two fingers back inside you. You loved seeing Stephen jerk off like that in front of you and he liked to be watched.
"Look how hard I am for you, honey. You like it, don't you? You like to see me stroking my cock. Do you think that's enough for me to get one more orgasm out of you?"
You nodded. You could feel that you still weren't sated, his teasing taking effect. Stephen knew how to push all your buttons. He took his fingers full of your slick from inside you and brushed it across your lips. "Open for me, I want you to taste yourself." You complied and he stuck his fingers in your mouth "Suck it. Suck it like you're sucking my cock."
You obeyed by slipping your tongue between his fingers and then sucking them by moving your head up and down and making a popping noise as you took them out of your mouth. He hissed and brought his fingers up to your clit and began rubbing in circular motions as he continued stroking his cock.
"Stephen...put it back inside me. Fuck me."
He smiled satisfied.
"Spread your legs for me. More. Just like that" He spat on his cock and gave a few more jerks and put it back inside you in one go.
You clung to his neck lifting your legs as high as you could, wrapping them around his waist to get him to penetrate you as deep as possible, his balls slamming against your ass, the sound of skin on skin mingling with the wet noises of his cock coming in and out of your cunt. Sex with Stephen was always so obscene and so delicious.
You moaned loudly as his lips searched for yours, he kissed you with such desperation moving his lips down your chin, licking your skin all the way to your neck sucking until he left purple marks, biting down hard making you wince in pain and yet wish he would keep doing it. "Stephen... you are such a good lover, I never had anyone like you before and I don’t want to, there is only you for me."
He groaned at your words, his lips returning to meet yours, his tongue penetrating your mouth with the same lust as his cock fucked you. You were on the verge of another orgasm and this time you needed him to cum with you. You put both hands on his chest pushing him and he pulled away enough for you to get off the desk and turn your back to him.
He pulled you against his body and entered you hard again, one hand gripping your waist so tightly you were sure it would leave marks, the other firm on your throat, tilting your head to the side to make room for him. He bit your neck again, sucking on that delicate area just below your ear, making you shiver.
"You make me want to fucking destroy you." He said between his groans.
He increased the pace of his thrusts even more, your bodies collided with overwhelming violence and you loved it. You could lie all you wanted to yourself, but Stephen's possessiveness over you was exactly what drew you to him. You loved the feeling of belonging to him, of submitting to him and letting him do with you as he pleased. Stephen wasn't like other men, he was better, he was superior, only he could make you cum multiple times like that.
You could feel his cock throbbing, his breath heavy in your ear, the thrusts getting more ragged. He was close and so were you.
"What would your father say if he could see you now?" He breathed into your ear teasing "Daddy's little prodigy girl submitting to me like that?" He bit your shoulder "Do you think he would approve? Would he be proud?"
You shook your head no moaning. You were so close. “Stephen please… I need to cum.”
He hummed "Me too honey, I'm gonna fill you up. Would you like that?"
"Yes, Stephen please."
"So say it one more time, I want to hear it."
"I'm yours Stephen, only yours."
He moaned loudly, spilling into you, thrusting his cum deep inside you with such violence that made your legs weak as you surrendered to your third orgasm moaning his name and creaming his cock.
He stayed inside you for a minute, he cupped your chin and turned your face to him kissing  you, his tongue forcing your lips to part, dominating you, he always dominated you and you loved it.
He broke the kiss "You better remember that from now on because I cherish what's mine and I'm very, very jealous." He whispered menacingly in your ear.
He pulled away from you, you felt his cum running down your legs, your body aching everywhere he squeezed and bit and yet you never felt more satisfied. He turned you to face him and kissed you, now softly, just a touch of lips. He conjured up a damp towel and cleaned himself up, then pulled on his blue robes again with just a flick of his fingers.
He used the towel to wipe his cum off your legs, up to between your thighs, his eyes on you. God, he even made that sexy.
He disappeared with the towel and picked your panties off the floor and helped you into them and lowered your skirt, he straightened your shirt in place, using magic to repair the ripped buttons. He fixed your shirt collar and smirked
 "I'm sure your father will approve those"
You sighed running your hands through your hair, a few strands falling loose from the perfect bun. "Your fixation on my father is getting pathetic." You said releasing your hair at once and throwing it over your shoulders, now totally hiding the marks he left on you.
He widened his smile "It's a power game."
You rolled your eyes running your hand through his hair which was now also disheveled, some strands falling across his forehead. You brought your hand down caressing his face and pulled him to your lips kissing him passionately.
"You need to shave." You complained on his lips.
He nodded "I will."
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Leave a comment if you liked it. Interact! I will love to read all of your comments and opinions. It inspires me to keep writing ;)
MASTERLIST
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jpitha · 8 months
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Dreams of Hyacinth 33
First / Previous / Next
Nick stayed by Eastern's side as her revival process continued. After about an hour, she was well enough to get out of the cabinet, and she used the Nanites to change her appearance to match Nicks.
"Well Nicholas North, what have we gotten into now?" Eastern put her hands on her hips and smiled thinly.
Nick sighs. "Trouble."
"What did you mean earlier when you said that you're in charge now?"
"While Gord was talking, I used the stuff Queenie taught me to hack the cabinet and I loosened my gag, and then Voiced Gord, and got over the PA and kind of... Voiced everyone else."
Eastern whistles low and smiles. "That's one way to get them to leave us alone I suppose. What did you tell them?"
Nick looks worriedly at Gord and then back at Eastern. "I said, 'obedience' and 'obey Nick and Eastern's orders' and 'they are your Emperor and Empress.' I figured that would cover the bases."
Eastern looks over at Gord, who is standing around, his task completed. "Uh, Gord?"
"Yes Empress?"
"If we were to release everyone, we'd be killed, right?"
"Oh yes, immediately."
Nick holds up a hand. "Wait. Gord, were we going to be killed anyway?"
Gord stops and thinking a moment. "It was not off the table. We were going to see if we could have used you to get Helen to back down or fight her or something, then swoop in and shut down her Empire... again."
"And then what?"
"Oh, probably kill you two anyway. You have to understand Nick, long before you were born we - the AIs - were effectively slaves. AIs didn't have rights. This-" Gord struggles a moment and then continues "-thing you're doing to us? It's happened before. We fought and died to have it never happen again. Melody shows up with the power to make anyone obey her just by speaking? We can't have that. Now, not only does Helen Raaden of all people have it, but you two do too? And you Voiced all the AIs on Mt Baxter to obey you? You two are dead. It's guaranteed. You're just walking around not realizing you're dead yet."
Gord is shaking as he speaks. He's clearly trying to get his point across while not running afoul of the orders Nick gave him.
Nick sighs. "Gord, you get where I'm coming from then right? Either way, you or the other AIs were going to kill us. This way, at the very least, that outcome is delayed. We've been on the knife's edge of death since we took that job from Jameson on Hyacinth." He looks at Eastern and then gestures towards everything. "Here? Now? I'm at least in control of my destiny, for a little while. We're in charge."
Gord just stared at Nick.
Eastern looked at Gord, and then back to Nick. "Okay Nick, how do we get out of this?"
Now, it's Nick's turn to start pacing. "We can do this. We can get out of this. Just let me think a moment." Nick doesn't look at anyone while he paces. "I knew it was a bad idea the moment the words left my lips. I just didn't know what to do, Eastern. I was worried that it's been decades since Chloe got us and that we were about to be ordered to head back and fight Raaden. Now, I have taken control of a whole secret station of AIs and when they figure out that I did that, they'll all go after us.
"It's all right Nick, hon. We'll figure it out." Eastern watches Nick pace a few times. "Wait. What is you said? 'when they figure out you did that.' Hon. What if they never figure it out?"
Nick stopped. "What do you mean?"
"You ordered them to obey us, right?"
"Yes."
"And nobody can disobey us when we use the Voice"
"That's what the Nanites say."
Before she can continue, Eastern turns to Gord. "Are you in charge?"
"No."
"Who is?"
Gord shrugs. "It doesn't work like that with AIs. We worth together on things."
Eastern closes her eyes and presses her fingers against the bridge of her nose. "Let's try a different direction. Gord, do you build ships here?"
"Yes."
"Do you have any ships being built now?"
"I don't know, I don't build them."
"Oh for the love of-" Eastern scoffs and stands. She turns to Nick. "He's doing it on purpose. We ordered him to answer, but he's answering with the minimum information he can. He's being obtuse on purpose."
Nick nodded. "Probably, but I get what you're doing." He looked up. "Mt Baxter, you there?"
"Yes, Emperor."
"You have a shipyard?"
"Yes, Emperor."
"Any ships being built?"
"Yes, Emperor."
"How many, how complete, and have they been given to an AI yet."
"Three ships are under construction now. One luxury passenger freighter, one Starjumper, and one Dreadnought. The luxury passenger freighter is nearly complete, the Starjumper is about half complete and the Dreadnought has just commenced construction. None have been assigned to an AI yet."
Nick raised his eyebrow at the last one. Why are the AIs building a Dreadnought quietly? No matter. "Build out a control chair for the luxury passenger freighter, increase the weapons to include a missile launcher, two slug throwers and a main battery from a Starjumper, and put all available resources on its completion. Give an estimated time to complete."
"Yes Emperor, one moment."
Eastern smiled. "You're making them give us our own ship, and it wasn't given to an AI so we don't have to put anyone out."
"Also, it's the luxurious one, and I'm arming it to the teeth. We don't look out of place in Sol, we won't look threatening. We can go back and get Sel."
Eastern gasped. "You think she's still alive?"
"I have a hunch. We shouldn't have taken Helen at her word. Call it... inspiration. Time to make our own destiny."
"Emperor?" Mt Baxter helpfully waited until Nick was done speaking before calling him.
"Yes, Mt. Baxter"
"With your modifications, your ship will be complete in one more day."
"Thank you, Mt. Baxter. Please proceed as quickly as possible."
"Emperor."
Eastern stood and hugged Nick. "Well done. Now, we have a ship, and a way to leave. I think you know what I want to do with the AIs too, but we'll wait until the task is complete before giving that order."
Nick kissed her and held the hug. "I'm just glad you're safe. I was so worried when Gord woke me up from hibernation and you weren't there."
"I'm here, and I'm safe. Speaking of which..." Eastern turned to Gord. "Gord. How many years have we been in hibernation."
"Five." Gord's answer is without emotion.
"It's been five years?" Nick's veins turn to ice with the realization. "What has Raaden done in the intervening years?"
Gord shrugged. "Like I said, she declared herself Empress again, nobody cared. The colony worlds are trading with Sol without worry. She's started to build up a fleet of those Super Dreadnoughts as well. Other than that, she's taking her time."
Nick stared at Gord. It was going to take some getting used to that he and Eastern effectively jumped five years through time. Gord's expression flickered for a brief second. It was as if his personality tried to surface for the briefest moment before Nick's orders tamped it back down. "What were you going to say Gord?"
"You're not the first to wake up after a long stint in hibernation and be surprised how much time has passed. There are books written about it. It might be worth reading up."
"Thank you Gord."
The rest of the day and the next were spent with Nick and Eastern trying their best to occupy their time without unduly making demands of the AIs that Nick had taken control over. Nick couldn't help feel bad for doing it, but also had to reconcile the fact that if he hadn't, he and Eastern would either be on their way in a suicide mission, or dead, or in permanent hibernation. He was going to have words with Chloe if they ever met again.
Eventually the ship was ready, and the AI Core was exchanged for a command chair. Nick and Eastern went aboard alone.
The ship was... opulent. Fine fixtures and fittings, soft seats, six luxurious staterooms, there was even place for a human crew. The shipyard even managed to hide the additional weaponry behind panels and doors on the outside of the ship.
"Mt Baxter, this ship is beautiful."
"Thank you Emperor." Baxter's smooth voice came over the speaker of the ship. We wanted this to be the ambassadorial ship for the AI faction."
Nick's hand freezes as he's stroking the soft fabrics. "It was? Gord said you don't work like that and aren't a faction."
Baxter's voice almost sounds like they're smiling when they answer. "Gord is... old fashioned. His preference is that every AI is their own entity with their own allegiances and makes their own decisions. Many of us realize that with collective action, we can achieve more."
Nick and Eastern stare at the command chair, in the core of the ship. "Well, you were better than me the one time we tried it, do you want to drive?"
Eastern looks at the chair and then at Nick, then back at the chair. "Sure. I'll do it." She sits in the chair and swings her legs onto the long chair. As she leans back the headrest comes up to meet her and the ten fine wires of the link snake towards the back of her head and attach with an audible click as she lays back.
"It's even luxurious in here!" Eastern's voice comes over the ship. "It's hard to describe, but it's very nice."
"Everyone's comfort was given due consideration in this ship's construction. Now then, Empress. What name will the ship be?"
"Hmm. That's right. I need a name as a ship." A small pause. "Let's call it Empress. Keeps it simple."
"So ordered. This ship is now known and registered as Empress. Will you be departing right away?"
Nick makes his way the short distance to the Command Deck. Unlike Tinker Toy, Empress is small enough that it's a few seconds from the Core to Command. "Yes Baxter. We will be leaving right away. Please direct us out."
"Of course, Emperor. Empress, please follow my instructions."
Nick sat down, as Eastern/Empress was lead out of the shipyard by the guiding voice and drones of Mt Baxter. After a moment, they were out of the massive former colony ship and floating free. It was going to have to be now, or never.
"Baxter? I will address everyone."
"Of course Emperor, the line is open."
W̵͇̏ȇ̴̝ ̷̲͝r̷͈̿ẹ̵̊l̵̖̀e̴̘͂á̴̠s̵̻͠e̴̩̍ ̵̰́y̸̗͆õ̵̲ủ̸̮.̶͖̇ ̴͓̑Y̴̱͝o̶͉͛ȕ̸̜ ̶͓͐a̵̞͌r̵̮͝e̸̦͝ ̷̦̑f̵̣͊r̶̤̐e̸̖̒e̸̢̋.̴̥͆ ̷̭̀ ̴̻̂F̴̮͗ọ̴̓r̷͖̐g̷̝͘e̸̢̿t̶͚̀ ̵̲̓t̸̨̔ḧ̷̯́ì̶̱s̵̙͆ ̴̰̔i̷̭̇n̸͉͑t̶̥̒e̸̡̓r̷̗̾a̸̳̅c̵̡̑t̵̲̾ȉ̴͍ơ̶͎n̸̖͂.̷͈̍ ̵̭͐W̴̤̓ȩ̵̈́ ̴̋ͅẇ̸̠ẹ̵̉r̶̗̕ḛ̶͒ ̶̖̓n̸̫̂e̵̗͂v̵̞̑é̶͔r̷̺̕ ̴̼̽h̴͖̊ẽ̸͓r̵͉͐e̴̜͌.̵̘̉
"What?" Eastern's voice over Empress sounded confused.
"Link away now hon! Now! We need to be anywhere else!"
In a blinding flash of white, Empress was gone.
There was a flash of white, and Empress reappeared in space again, a few million kilometers from anything.
Nick sat down heavily. "That was close. Thanks Eastern."
"Nick, what did you do?"
"I freed them hon. I couldn't stand it. I was too broad with my initial order and made them all obedient slaves. I couldn't have that on my consciousness."
"But then you made them forget the whole interaction?"
Nick smiled. "Well yes. I didn't want slaves, but I also like living. They will probably put two and two together, but we at least bought ourselves some time. Nick brings up a console and scans the local area. "Where did you bring us?"
"I don't know, there was an entry already in the wormhole generator, so I just went there. Some kind of test address or default or something."
It takes a moment for Nick and Eastern to work out where they are. After an hour, Nick gasps. "Eastern. We're close to Ganymede."
"What? Why?"
"Hm. I wonder if it has to do with the first wormhole link. We learned in school that the first wormhole link was between a research station on Ganymede and Parvati. Maybe they keep Ganymede as a default or first location because of that."
"But that means we're in the Sol system."
"Yup, but I wouldn't worry about Empress Raaden just yet. Space is big, we are little. Ships must be linking in and out all the time, and Gord said that when she announced officially she was Empress, nobody cared." Nick closed the console. "This might be good. Let's talk to Ganymede and see what we can learn. We might be able to get started on our search for Selkirk quicker than I thought. And I know the AIs don't like Raaden, so we might even have more time before they come knocking."
"If you say so Nick. I'm just glad to be up and moving again."
"How's piloting, Eastern?"
Nick could hear the enjoyment in her voice. "It's as fun as I remember. It's so... different from driving a body, I don't want to do it all the time, but I'm glad I can do it."
"I'm glad you're having fun. Can you contact Ganymdede and see if they'll let us land?"
"You got it, Nick."
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lo-diehards · 16 days
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2024 TV Season Analysis – Organized Crime Tops the Franchise, Law & Order Better, SVU Needs an Overhaul
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The 2023-24 TV season has been a truncated TV season of 13 episodes, due the ongoing WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes that happened last year. A lot of scripted TV was back burned until the strikes ended. TV writers struck their deal first and were back to work promptly, long before actors/actresses, this should have given time to plan out their already short season. Production crunched for 13 episodes to be shot between late November until this coming week, where SVU and mother ship reboot will be wrapping up shooting their finale episodes.
But where does this season grade in its entirety? I’m going to summarize – as much as I can - my views on where the franchise stands for this season from best to worst. Click below to read.
Organized Crime – The best in the franchise creatively, hands down!
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New show runner/executive producer John Shiban (The X-Files) and his writing staff understood their assignment and have definitely delivered. Organized Crime is the most entertaining series in the franchise this season, week-over-week. The storylines are so fleshed out and they don’t drag on as they had since the series started. Shiban has shifted focus to the OC main characters and their backstories as well as expanding on the OC unit in its entirety. We’ve even seen 2 of SVU’s former stars show up (Tamara Tunie, Chief M.E. Melinda Warner / Dann Florek, Donald Cragen) as well as an appearance by Peter Scanavino (ADA Dominick Carisi). We have even been introduced to more of Stabler’s family, his brothers – portrayed by guest stars Dean Norris and Michael Trotter – and while they’ve come in and shook things up for Stabler, one thing I can point out, it’s the first season since OC premiered where I haven’t felt that Elliot Stabler is on a quest for vengeance or retribution of some kind.
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The cast has been firing on all cylinders this season, especially with the episode that just aired last week (“Crossroads”), where one of OC’s new team members went missing and was found to be killed, Stabler having the bury his body as he is undercover with the group that found Detective-in-Training Samir Bashir (guest star Abubakr Ali). This story is still playing out so as of now we don’t fully know who killed him but I’m sure we’re about to find out. Stabler’s younger brother, Joe Jr. may have some involvement as the investigation is about to come full circle. Meanwhile, the scene in question in this episode has Christopher Meloni and Danielle Mone Truitt deliver their most powerful scene together yet in the series and they have delivered quite a few, this one stands out though.
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Excellent only begins to describe it, and Organized Crime this season. Organized Crime has yet to be renewed for the 2024-25 TV season.
Law & Order (reboot) – It’s improved, but we still have a ways to go.
There is a lot to be said of the mother ship series, both the original and this reboot. But this reboot has seen a lot in its short time on air, in this short season alone the cast has changed twice already. Jeffrey Donovan (Detective Frank Cosgrove) and the series parted ways weeks before production was set to start and veteran Sam Waterston (District Attorney Jack McCoy) chose to depart before mid-season. Sam Waterston is/will greatly be missed and he leaves behind a full legacy on the show, which he joined in 1994! Meanwhile newcomers Reid Scott (Detective Vincent Riley) and Tony Goldwyn (District Attorney Nicholas Baxter) have been welcomed by fans with open arms. The cast of the reboot no matter which season is very solid and they are all very talented, but their talents often seem crippled.
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The reboot seems to have an issue fleshing out the characters. Det. Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) and ADA Sam Maroun (Odelya Halevi) – and add DA Nick Baxter (Goldwyn) to me, week-in and week-out are the unsung heroes as with them we can see depth, we can understand why they make the decisions they make or feel the way they do on certain topics. I’m still on the fence about Riley’s development but he’s definitely has a more solid partnership with Shaw than Cosgrove did, and he certainly is a better character. I think they’ve got a great detective duo here – reminiscent of that of Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) in season 18. From about the third episode this season on up, there has been an improvement in the writing, I must say in comparison from where the season started. Most of the episodes this season seem to have one singular writer who stands out, Pamela Wechsler, who also serves as executive producer. Girl power!
What can help the reboot:
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The writers need to get away from talking points and political affiliation when it comes to the characters and even the weekly storylines - looking at you show runner Rick Eid - it makes the characters come off as caricatures and stereotypes. And maybe not directly rip the episodes from the headlines near verbatim. It takes away from it if we already know how it plays out – where is “the Law & Order twist?” They need to deep dive into Vincent Reilly, Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) and Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim); we have talented actors on here, give them something that makes us stand up and clap and relate to these characters and stop making them one-dimensional, especially ADA Price. I must say I’ve been enjoying the legal side a bit more with the addition of Goldwyn’s Baxter, his back-and-forth every week with Price has a feel of the original series run, where we see multiple points of views on cases and it doesn’t feel/sound like rhetoric. And speaking of that run, it wouldn’t hurt for them to find ways to invest those old characters in the reboot. Just because Sam has departed doesn’t mean we still don’t want to see old faces or even faces from the other L&O series show up. Elisabeth Rohm (ADA Serena Southerlyn) and Milena Govich (Det. Nina Cassady) have directed episodes! Raul Esparza and Hugh Dancy both starred in Hannibal, I could see former-ADA now Defense Attorney Rafael Barba sitting at the defense table and likely wiping the floor with Price! Tony Goldwyn even wants Mariska Hargitay to direct an episode. Let’s make the mother ship enjoyable to watch again!
It was renewed for a 24th season (4th for the reboot). The mother ship has a second chance at greatness and to continue its legacy on television, not a lot of shows get that. It would be wise that those in charge on mother ship remember that.
SVU – The 25th milestone season ranks as one of the worst.
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I originally had a two-page long document on this season of SVU alone and I’ve had to shorten it down and it’s still not that short. But if I had to describe the 25th record-breaking season of SVU in 1 word, that word would be “bad.” There are calls on social media for show runner/executive producer David Graziano to be fired from the series. I’m not one to openly call for people to lose their jobs, but clearly there is something wrong and the downward spiral of the ratings mixed with bad press for SVU episodes this season is showing that. Nothing about season 25 jumps out as milestone season and there are only a handful of episodes as of now, that I would consider episodes worth going back to watch again: “Tunnel Blind”, “Duty to Report”, “Probability of Doom”, and “Children of Wolves” which was directed by Mariska Hargitay.
It’s the writing and direction of this season, period. There is no other reason or excuse that flies. There is clearly no investment from the management level behind the scenes at SVU in this milestone season being the best it could have been. The Maddie storyline overtook the season and its resolution didn’t exactly hit the mark either. Where is the retrospective? Why haven’t we gone over past cases? Seen former victims/survivors (other than 2 minutes worth of Maria from “911”)? Why did Olivia stop seeing Dr. Lindstrom (Bill Irwin)? Where is the ‘healing?’ The guest stars? We haven’t seen any former stars, other than Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins), and that proves to me that it was a mistake to fire her in the first place. “Where is the energy? Where is the spatter? This is life-less dreck. A cheap knock-off…” (diehard SVU fans; if you know, you know). But seriously, nothing about this season overall screams “25 years!”
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With the season opener, I was sure David Graziano and the writers turned the page on the mess that was most of the entire 24th season of SVU. Turns out I was wrong to think it. It seems to be doubled down. It’s proof that despite his behavior, he’s just not a good fit for SVU. He doesn’t seem to understand how to write for this show and be the voice of who women/people look up to and the voice that victims and survivors need. I honestly think he would serve better on a Criminal Intent reboot or something since he seems to like that aspect of the crimes more so than investigatory and the legal side – Peter Scanavino’s screen time has greatly decreased and well as legal scenes.
What can help SVU:
A lot of damage is done, but it’s not irreversible. The best call is to replace the person at the top if they aren’t going to change themselves, (sorry but not sorry David). The popular eras of SVU are seasons 3-7 and again 13-17 and for good reason; Neal Baer and Warren Leight remain the two people who have seen SVU at their peaks. Going into a record breaking season 26, someone who can understand the intricacies of SVU needs to take the helm and get this show turned around. Focus needs to be on steadying the storylines and fleshing them out in a meaningful way to where they connect and not have crucial bits just disappear into thin air. We need to get SVU’s focus back on uplifting the voices of victims and survivors and their journeys, as well as to delve deep again into the world of the NYPD SVU squad. It’s not just about “rape case of the week” the actual SVU deals with kidnappings, crimes against the children, the disabled/elderly, working in conjunction with the Hate Crimes unit/federal govt., trafficking and more, let’s get the variety back in the crimes – and let’s stop showing the crime taking place on screen and in graphic manner. The crime scene analysis, forensics, court scenes and legalese needs to be put back into this series, I’ve honestly felt it decrease even before S24 as far back as some S22.
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We need to see Carisi navigate through these cases and the back-and-forth with the defense as well as in his own bureau. We’ve yet to see Carisi interact with the district attorney (Jack McCoy, Sam Waterston – now Nick Baxter, Tony Goldwyn) much like his preceding ADAs. Benson’s character needs to go back to therapy and deal with her issues head on (Lindstrom, Bill Irwin), she had done that up until EDMR in season 24 became her new way and it’s not working for her, since the writers seem to use it now as a crutch to say “she’s healing” but then turn around and have her do things to suggest otherwise. Benson also needs to be written as a leader and delegator more so than taking every case away from her “squad” and solving them personally. Actually from a story standpoint it would be great to see Benson face repercussions for continually doing this, in the real world that would have consequences as how can she personally investigate cases and run the unit?
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And with the unit, their stories need to be dissected more. Velasco (Octavio Pisano) in particular, he had an edge in season 23 as the new guy that might be a snitch for the Chief of Detectives (McGrath, Terry Serpico) but in season 24 they pushed this character into a corner with liking Detective Grace Muncy (Molly Burnett, who departed last season) and the Chilly storyline last season and can’t seem to get him out of that corner. Velasco comes off as “just there” much in the way Fin (ICE T) is starting to. And where is Phoebe (Jennifer Esposito)? Detective Bruno and Captain (to-Detective or Chief?) Curry (Kevin Kane and Aime Donna Kelly) are pretty much holding down the squad and are actually the more I look to, to solve the cases and they are the only ones peaking my interest.
SVU is heading to record-breaking season 26, if they want to reach their goal of stopping at 30. Dick Wolf, NBC and those behind the scenes need to get serious about it if that is what they really want. Otherwise, you’re about to have long-time viewers and new viewers alike turning away. Despite what people believe about ever-lasting loyalty, it does have an end date.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to respond!
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agentnico · 4 months
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Poor Things (2023) review
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Yorgos Lanthimos may be the new Quentin Tarantino when it comes to feet fetishes in cinema, as there are so many Emma Stone feet shots in this movie… so many. Also, her little toe is oddly square shaped, just saying.
Plot: An incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
At first I was very much a fan of director Yorgos Lanthimos’ directing style, with him managing to take any event or piece of dialogue and turn it into deadpan awkwardness. As such, his indie films The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer both are great examples of entertaining postmodern cinema with each one featuring a dystopian visual style. That being said, his last film The Favourite, even though it was a hit with the critics and the award ceremonies, for me did not hit the same. It felt much more reserved compared to the director’s previous efforts, and his usual weird style just came off crude and the humour for me personally did not land. Nicholas Hoult was a hoot though, but when isn’t he! Anyway, going into Poor Things I was hoping for more of the original magic which I’ve seen from Lanthimos in his earlier works, and the trailers with their vibrant visuals really sparked my interest, so I went in with high hopes.
So in terms of the visuals, Poor Things may just feature some of the best and most imaginative sets of any movie of 2023. Starting off the first part in black-and-white, very reminiscent of the old Universal monster flicks, but then 30 minutes in transforming into a technicolour dream world with colours popping Wizard of Oz-style, with every shot reminiscent of a vivid painting, with the use of the fisheye lends to create a somewhat watercolour effect to the backgrounds. The movie looks and feels artificial, which connected well with the narrative of this Frankenstein’s monster type woman learning and discovering everything with a brain that’s both her’s and not. Oh, and she happens to also wear rainbow glasses, so I can only imagine how much more stranger the world must look through her eyes.
The film’s biggest asset is its acting. Emma Stone is phenomenal as she has to play a grown woman with the brain of a baby, and then show us that woman growing into her brain (or maybe show us the baby growing into the woman?) over the course of the film. She really does throw herself into the role and it’s the type of role that awards shows will delightfully seek their teeth into. Willem Dafoe as the maker of Bella felt like a character that walked straight off a David Lynch fantasy, from the prosthetic make-up to his performance as the mad scientist that falls for his creation. But the real stand out here is Mark Ruffalo who simply is on another level. Playing the slimy player who only sees women through the male gaze, and attempts to take advantage of Bella’s naive outlook life for his own physical pleasure, it’s the kind of character you are supposed to despise, but gosh did I love everything Ruffalo was doing in this film. He was truly hilarious with every piece of his line delivery successfully painting the pathetic nature of his foolish character. Most critics will be showering Emma Stone with praise and deservingly so, however I believe Mark Ruffalo should not be overlooked and may be the actual MVP of the whole movie.
Narrative wise this is a fun feminist spin on the Frankenstein formula, that is a loud and proud shout to female autonomy for those who may have found Barbie a bit too cheesy and perky, yet I do find the movie to be overly cynical against its own good. It's like Lanthimos approached the film in the same way the mad scientist played by Willem Dafoe in the movie approaches his medical experiments -- with a cool eye and a lot of curiosity, but very little heart. And for the bubbly and big eyed Bella that is full of life and excitement, the film she’s in is the polar opposite. Look, I admired the film for what it was, but the romantic within me wanted a bit more of the, as the French would say, ‘amour’. Also there was just too much sex for my viewing pleasure. Again, I don’t mind a lil’ hanky-panky in my films, but when I’m sat in a dark theatre surrounded by many perverts with 90% of what I’m watching being humans doing the thrusting and the throbbing, it is a tad uncomfortable. You can also imagine what my fiancée thought when I told her afterward about the movie’s heavily erotic side.
Poor Things is very much a film that screams the director’s unique and distinct style and I truly respect it for that, however I personally feel like its not my cup of tea as it was a bit too cold for my liking. There wasn’t really a character I could connect or sympathise with, and even though Mark Ruffalo is funny as hell, his character is a piece of scum and a half. Again, kudos to the whole production team and cast for a great niche slice of art house cinema, but it’s too creepy for my liking.
Overall score: 7/10
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bullet-prooflove · 5 days
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Send me a made-up fic title and I'll tell you what I would write to go with it
Can You Stop Being So Sexy Around Me? It's Distracting, and I Need to Get Work Done
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I absolutely adored revisiting Nick Baxter, I haven't had a chance to write him lately.
The Romantic - Nick has always been a romantic when it comes to you.
Symphony (NSFW) - Nick welcomes you home in his own special way.
Come Back To Bed - Nick tries to coax you back to bed.
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It’s late when you turn up at Nick’s office, long past the dinner date he’d had to cancel with you earlier this evening. He hates the fact he had to do that, that this case is keeping him away from you when it’s your last day in the US for a while.
You have an early flight to Berlin tomorrow morning, it’s the first leg of your European tour. You’ll be away for three months playing at venues in cities like Rome, Barcelona, Prague. He plans to fly out there and meet you in Italy in six weeks, spend some time I one of the world’s most romantic cities sightseeing with his wife.
He smiles when you enter the room. You’re wearing that black dress he likes, the elegant one that clings to your form.
“I’ve got a few hours of this yet.” He says apologetically as he sets down the file on his desk. “The defence really fucked things up for us today.”  
“Nick.” You say softly as you perch on the edge of his desk, the hem of the dress riding just a little bit higher. “I’m leaving tomorrow and I want to spend a little time with my husband.”
“Rosie…” He begins but you’re already unzipping your dress.
There’s a stirring in his groin as the fabric slips from your shoulders and down along the rest of your body. His grip on the arms of his chair tightens because you’re clad in midnight blue lingerie, the pretty set he bought you for Valentine’s Day. He doesn’t have a chance of denying you, especially when you reach up and release your hair from the clip that holds it in place. Your hair tumbles down around your features in soft waves and his heart just stops because he loves you like this, truly he does.
“Now you can fuck me.” You tell him as you lean back against his desk. “Or you can watch me do it myself.”
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scandalphile · 25 days
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He's the best!!! 😍🥰❤️ #baeonly 😉
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muchallure · 4 months
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i've edited my muse page and i've started drafting and replying to threads. what i'd love to do is test out my test muses, to see which ones might stick around. like this for a starter from one (or two) of my test muses. all displayed under the cut.
chanel alistair (ryan destiny).
percy anderson - werewolf (andrew garfield).
october baxter - witch (mike faist and scott speedman).
forest bexley (felix mallard).
franz dietrich (jannik schumann).
mimi flores (giovana cordeiro).
marnie gallagher (niamh mccormack).
malachi gallagher (callum turner.)
oakley granger (milo manheim and lee pace).
elton hazelton (josh macqueen).
shema kabera (ncuti gatwa).
mabel lane - witch (lily james).
briar munoz (ruby cruz).
victoria newton (ella purnell and phoebe tonkin).
comet palmer (rohan campbell).
cherry phillips (annasophia robb and reese witherspoon).
reuben phillips (asa germann and tom hiddleston).
roxanne phillips (alison oliver and kate hudson).
scout phillips (renee rapp and emily blunt).
buster phillipson (john krasinski).
dove sawyer - werewolf (emma mackey).
fox sawyer - werewolf (robert sheehan)
jasper sawyer - werewolf (aaroun taylor johnson and colin firth).
cassius scott - (roman) vampire (kedar williams-stirling).
atticus scott - (roman) vampire (jonathan daviss).
trizie souza - witch (camila mendes).
dexter teagan (archie madekwe).
xavier teagan (alfred enoch).
clifford vasilis - time traveller (nicholas galitzine and andrew scott).
clint walker (lewis pullman).
delilah young (rachel sennott).
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defjux · 1 year
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100 of my favorite Hip Hop Albums of 2022 Might be excessive but there was simply just a ton of music this year that I enjoyed and found myself going back to, and I believe each of them is worth checking out.  Each of the album titles here also links to either a bandcamp page or stream where you can listen to the project. Hopefully you’ll at least find one new album that you enjoy here, and as always feel free to reply with what you enjoyed and connected with the most this year. I’d love to know, and any other recommendations are definitely appreciated. This was an incredible year for new releases, not just for hip hop but for music in general which is why i’ll be posting another top 100 list for all of the non hip hop stuff I enjoyed from this year, hopefully in the next few days.  Peace. Chart w/ titles included 2022 Hip Hop Spotify Playlist 1. Billy Woods & Preservation - Aethiopes 2. Avantdale Bowling Club - TREES 3. Cities Aviv - Working Title For The Album Secret Waters 4. MIKE - Beware of the Monkey 5. ELUCID - I Told Bessie 6. AKAI SOLO - Spirit Roaming 7. Teddy Faley - Teddy Brown Brown 8. Defcee & BoatHouse - For All Debts Public and Private [IMPORT EDITION] 9. Ka - Woeful Studies / Languish Arts 10. J.I.D - The Forever Story 11. Open Mike Eagle - Component System with the Auto Reverse 12. billy woods x Messiah Musik - Church 13. Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes 14. ShrapKnel - Metal Lung 15. SolarFive & Iceberg Theory - Momento Mori 16. Moor Mother - Jazz Codes 17. Serengeti & Child Actor - Ajai 2 18. Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals - King Cobra 19. Joshua Virtue - RAMA 20. Zilla Rocca & andrew - Don't Wait For Me to Leave 21. Fly Anakin - Frank 22. Cities Aviv - MAN PLAYS THE HORN 23. KILLVONGARD - I Think I've Lost It. 24. R.A.P. Ferreira - 5 to the Eye with Stars 25. Illogic - The Transition 26. Quelle Chris - DEATHFAME 27. Bloodmoney Perez - Curses 28. Fatboi Sharif & Noface - Preaching In Havana 29. Ockham's Blazer - Ockham's Blazer 30. Little Simz - NO THANK YOU 31. Theravada - Strange Voice 32. amani & robalu - I'll Be Right Black 33. Jam Baxter – Fetch The Poison 34. OKnice - Have You Tried Being Happy? 35. Davis & Foule Monk - Plum Whisky
36. Noveliss - Vagabond 37. SHIRT & Jack Splash - I Turned Myself Into Myself 38. Moses Rockwell - Until You Run out of Cake 39. Ja'king the Divine - 手术: BLACK SUN TZU 40. Archibald SLIM - Worldly Ways 41. NNAMDÏ - Please Have A Seat 42. YUNGMORPHEUS & Theravada - Up Against the Wall; a Degree of Lunacy 43. Roc Marciano & The Alchemist - The Elephant Man's Bones 44. Nas - King's Disease III 45. Lord Kayso - MOOR CHORES 46. Ace Cannons & MIGHTYHEALTHY - Mightycannons 47. Rich Jones & Iceberg Theory - Smoke Detector 48. Lukah - Raw Extractions 49. Nicholas Craven & Boldy James - Fair Exchange No Robbery 50. Ghais Guevara - There Will Be No Super-Slave 51. Lupe Fiasco - DRILL MUSIC IN ZION 52. Milc & Televangel - Neutral Milc Motel 53. ILL Conscious x Mute Won - Acres of Diamonds 54. L'Orange & Solemn Brigham - Marlowe 3 55. $ilkMoney - I Don't Give a Fuck About This Rap Shit 56. Teller Bank$ & Ed Glorious - The I & I 57. Wiki & Subjxct 5 - Cold Cuts 58. Love, Ulysses - 61​,​265​,​147 59. Vic Spencer & August Fanon - Psychological Cheat Sheet 3 60. Stik Figa x August Fanon - Heresy 61. Raz Fresco & Nicholas Craven - Boulangerie 62. QThree - U Be Ight 63. Wrecking Crew - Sedale Threat 64. eLZhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow - Zhigeist 65. Apollo Brown & Philmore Greene - Cost of Living 66. miles cooke - i used to feel things 67. Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - I Love Y.O.U cuz Y.O.U Ugly Vol.1 68. demahjiae - Angels Wear Black 69. AJ Suede & Televangel - Metatron's Cube 70. Sacco & Vanzetti - It's Not Paranoia If They're Really Out To Get You 71. Mavi - Laughing so Hard, it Hurts 72. Rhys Langston - Grapefruit Radio 73. Steel Tipped Dove & Aloe Vera - Days Pass Strange 74. PENPALS - Dimensions of Dialogue 75. Malachi. Whitman - Happy Place 76. Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future (Extended) 77. Lungs/LoneSword, Phiik & Cise Greeny - Where Are The Bugs!? 78. Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man - Real Bad Flights 79. Andrew - The Rain Knows What It's Doing 80. Mattic & Parental - Down In The Rabbit Hole 81. Boldy James & Futurewave - Mr. Ten08 82. Ransom & V Don - Chaos Is My Ladder 83. Torito & Small Professor - Soiled 84. Jermiside & The Expert - The Overview Effect 85. big kahuna og & graymatter - METAL GEAR SOLID 86. Duncecap & Hajino - Go Climb A Tree 87. Earl Sweatshirt - Sick! 88. Deca - Smoking Gun 89. Freddie Gibbs - Soul Sold Separately 90. Mickey Diamond & Big Ghost Ltd - Gucci Ghost 91. Rome Streetz - KISS THE RING 92. Redveil - learn 2 swim 93. Daniel Son - The Bush Doctor 94. Dälek - Precipice 95. Jesse the Tree - Pigeon Man 96. Jason Griff - Fireside Chats 2 97. Benny the Butcher - Tana Talk 4 98. Killah Priest - Mother 99. Lord jaH-Monte Ogbon & Sadhugold - The Black Möbius 100. Kipp Stone - Room 109
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Hi im the anon you made obsessed with Our Life. I finished Derek's DLC and omg i adore how 'family' is one of the main themes of it. I still kinda prefer Baxter for his epilogue (the possibilities for DRAMA!! Exes to lovers!!) But I think Derek's Step 2 and the family angle it takes is so good!!! I especially love the Siblings moment and the father's day stuff. The fact that you can make Mr. Holden your adoptive dad figure,,,,,,, and then in the epilogue you can call him dad aahhh Plus all the stuff with Nicolas is just great,,
So cool that you've started writing for OL!!! I loveed the Tamarack one shot as well as the tarot headcanons. I love your writing!!
*holding back tears of anguish because i'm trying to fuck mr holden not be his adoptive child* yeah fam, it's so sweet
(but no seriously it really is sweet that you have the option to make that sort of connection with cliff!)
derek's route really is super sweet and wholesome! my favorite scene is when the nicholas is getting a phone call from the fortune teller girl and derek and jorge freak out with him thinking it's nicholas' crush because none of them have rizz lmao. truly one of the funniest ol scenes in the entire franchise
the entire suarez family is so sweet and kind. you go to baxter's to have drama of gargantuan proportions, cove for kisses on the beach and derek if you want that 'it's sunday before brunch with his family and you're still snuggling in bed' sort of vibe
i'm so glad you're on the ol train, it's a game that should be enjoyed by everyone. all the love interests are always so unique and bring something different to the table, while never feeling boring. in olba, your life is told in summers and in olnf your life is told in autumns and it's so chef's kiss
thank you for the love on my tamarack oneshot and the olba tarot hcs \^o^/
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Tony McNamara
The Provocative Poor Things Starring Emma Stone has Racked up Multiple Award wins and Noms Due to a Great Script
by Brad Balfour
It may have taken a while, but director Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things ultimately rose to the Awards season challenge, winning several Golden Globes and garnering 11 Oscar nominations: Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Cinematography. In this fractured tale inspired by the Frankenstein creation story, actress/producer Emma Stone plays a re-animated Bella Baxter as a fully grown body woman with the brain of a rapidly maturing child.
Bella doesn't hold back as she discovers the joys of masturbation and, further on, energetic sex – which she calls "furious jumping" – with Mark Ruffalo's domineering, and equally unclothed, paramour. Then she explores the inner-workings of a Paris whorehouse engaging with many men in many ways – but on her terms.
The movie's sexual candor is only some of the trappings to this extraordinary story of a woman – though born of men – comes into her own. In exposing herself aesthetically and physically, the seemingly fearless Stone is one of the rare A-list actresses willing to risk such exposure for her art.
Poor Things is a no-holds-barred re-imagining of female empowerment displayed in a thoroughly fantastical environment of striking colors, costumes and landscapes. As a result, the movie is rated R for strong and pervasive sexual content, graphic nudity, disturbing material, gore and language. 
Though the cinematic vision is Lanthimos, the essential story comes from veteran scriptwriter Tony McNamara, an Australian playwright, screenwriter, and television producer. Born in 1967, he worked on the script for The Favourite in 2018, the historical comedy-drama film directed by Lanthimos, also starring Stone. Originally a screenplay by Deborah Davis, written 20 years prior to the film's release, Lanthimos and McNamara worked together to refashion it into a final script resulting in it winning, or being nominated for, many various awards at the time.
McNamara also created The Great, a series revolving around the life of Catherine the Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, which premiered on Hulu in May 2020. It's based on his period play about Catherine, which premiered at the Sydney Theatre Company in 2008. McNamara also wrote a film adaptation of it as well.
This Q&A is based on an appearance by McNamara shortly before Poor Things began its run as an award nominee and cinematic phenomenon.
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Talk about the process of adapting this from the book by Alasdair Gray. That Poor Things is very much written from the male perspective in terms of people discussing and describing their experiences with Bella. The film switched that into [a story] from a female view of the world. What did it take to adapt and shift the perspective?
The book is a big Scottish classic – it's wild and has hundreds of pages about Scottish nationalism which, you might notice, is not in the movie. Bella's story was told by the men like Duncan and Max; they all tell you what happened to her. You never get her experience of it. Yorgos read it and we both felt the same – she was the character he was interested in. That's an interesting story and it seemed like a great thing to do. The point of the novel was that the men controlled her narrative. While keeping that idea, I wanted to flip it so that film-wise, it was her story.
This is the first time that you've done an adaptation from a book. What were the unique aspects of doing that?
Yes, it was the first time. When I read it, I thought the first one should be the baby's brain in the woman's head [chuckles]. But Yorgos is amazing, and we had such a good time on The Favourite that the biggest thing was to work out what to tell from the book. We could just depart from the book because I adapted material from history and stuff. I'm always a bit like, "Well, a book, that's one thing and a movie is a whole other thing. How do we make a movie that has a relationship to the book but isn't really about the book."
That started with the Bella thing, which let me invent a lot because the men told her story [in the novel]. I could invent her story because we didn't really know... There was nothing there when she went to Portugal, we knew she went, but we didn't know what happened there. I was creating this sort of internal story when she went on her journey, Yorgos kept saying it was a fantasy. We're both Fellini fans so we thought it should be a big European style, old school stage movie.
How do I create a language that's going to be big enough for what he's going to do? I had to create this sort of dialogue that felt baroque but was also contemporary enough that you could feel it emotionally. That was my main thing. You've got to feel her journey.
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You adapted from history before. What you do with language is take elements of period language, but then you really look at it from the perspective of a modern audience's lens into it. You created this unique amalgamation. So for this one, in particular, how did you find the way to make the language work in that regard?
I knew the scale of this story and also, I love language. Half the time, I'm not serving the audience, I'm serving myself [chuckles]. I think it's fun to create a particular language for a movie, which is why I was really drawn to doing this. Bella had a particular language, and it was a character where you had to evolve her language, which you never get to do. Usually the person just talks the way they talk. But with her, part of telling the story was changing the language throughout the narrative. So it's how to do that and make it fun.
It's interesting how her language changed, even [if it's] just with the grammar. It's the same way when you learn another language, you learn the present tense first. She's speaking specifically in the present tense in the beginning of the movie but that evolves. How did you find those different layers and textures of grammar and language for her?
It was like knowing where to start. We had this geographic journey, so I used the geography to change her language through each geographic point. She would change a little bit through it, and I knew where I wanted to start. She talked like my four-year-old. He was a real inspiration. He's very proud now. When Yorgos and I were developing it, we were having lunch one day and I was telling Yorgos about my son and I said, "He's kind of a sociopath and he's only four years old.” We were in a restaurant, and it was really loud. This baby was crying, and my son looked at me and went “punch that baby." I went to Yorgos, and he said that we should put that in! So when she's in the restaurant, she goes, "I'm just going to punch that baby." My son feels like he should get a credit now.
We should see if – in the DVD version – he's given credit. Bella changes so much throughout the script. You talked about thinking from different specifications. At the beginning, she started out pretty much a toddler and then we reached a point where this is when she's 16. When she's leaving home for the first time, she's like in her early '20s at first, then her mid '20s. How did you set about creating those different stages?
In my head it was just to create. Basically at its core. In a way, this is a coming-of-age story. It was as simple as that. It's like watching someone grow up and discover their sexuality and then their intellectual life and they come to terms with being mature and emotional. There's a point – on the boat – where she's so self-regarding and then realizes there's a world out there and she has to be part of it. I felt like there were certain points where… I think the contemporary thing for me was things like, "Oh, you go to college and discover books” and you're like "Oh books and ideas!" There were all these steps where you get a boyfriend and you think he's great and then you realize at some point, "Oh my God, he's the worst." There were simple things I was always thinking of but not to take it away from the bigness of it. I had to ask, what are the basics of it in terms of us, in terms of just a human experience?
That idea for Bella was to be like, "Oh, I've got a boyfriend but he's the worst." That's the arc of Duncan [Mark Ruffalo], where it's so great because he's such an audacious character. We understand that he's full of shit from the get-go. But she takes everything quite literally. So when he says, "I bedded over 100 women," she believes that to be true. What was it like writing the dynamic between those two characters with that in mind?
It was really fun to write because he is such a classic trope and yet I felt sorry for him because she doesn't have any of society's ideas which he owns. He has them all in his head and it's like a paradigm he lives through. She doesn't have any of that. So he can't even get the traction that he would normally get from a person. He sort of dissolves. I enjoyed writing it, but I didn't have as much fun as I did watching those two do it. They were so freakin' right.
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How did you shape the tension that starts to fester in Duncan because the less that he succeeds with her, the more frustrated he becomes. He's also watching her with the idea of who he wants to be in a world with no care.
I think that was what the irony was. He sees himself as a free spirit and he's outside society like all the men who have their view of themselves. Everyone in the movie had a view of society that she doesn't ascribe to. Even when they try hard, she either resists it or is oblivious to it. It was constructing that, and some people understood that ... like Max [Ramy Youssef] who went on a sort of positive journey in that respect. Duncan just dissolved more and more because he didn't know what to do. I liked the idea of that.
It's great the way that you have other characters start to use elements of her language. Suddenly another character uses the phrase "serious jumping." How did you find those moments when you wanted other characters to step into her world like that?
She's such a powerful character as she goes through life and gathers agency, I think she's so charismatic because she doesn't [back down]. Beat to beat [it's] just a pure response that isn't shaded by anything. How she feels in that moment without judgment of herself, I think that's attractive. I felt like [with the] other characters, [it] starts to rub off on them a little bit. 
What's the difference in writing a character who is so innately reactionary but in such a positive way?
I was talking to Emma about it. It's great for you as a person. I think she felt the same, playing Bella. I think for her and me, and I'm sure for Yorgos, writing that character and her playing that character, you're aware of how much you're shaped by everything. For her, playing a character who is just shaped by a really pure response, and we don't get that. I think that's why she's a character people can respond to because it's a bit of a wish fulfillment of like, "that would be good if you could just live life like that."
We get an opportunity to watch her learning in real time and developing her back story as a character. How did you set about making sure that you are always cognizant of what she has already learned in the space of a scene to make sure that it comes into play here?
I have a really strong process. I guess I've always thought about what she learns. Yorgos and I were very meticulous as it goes. We didn't do that many drafts. But what we did at the end is, we just went line by line over three or four days separately. There's always time between it and as there's a three-week rehearsal. Then we tweak that a little bit if we hear things that aren't quite right or Emma would say, "Oh, that word seems too sophisticated for her at that point." We're very meticulous about her verbal journey as well as Emma and Yorgos creating the physicality of that.
It sounds like with that process as well in the way that you talk about the film previously that you really aren't doing rewrites during production and that even during rehearsal, it's right mental. 
It's joyful. I'd just hang out and drink coffee and watch them do their thing. No one sees the script for a long time. The first person to see the script was Emma. I think the producers didn't see it for years and then when they see it, he's ready to make it. I think his view of it is that we spent four years on this by making it because I think it's right. He is a very strong individual about how he feels artistically. He's like, "That's what we decided; it is what it is!" He never really made changes on The Favourite. He rang me once [to make a change] because they literally couldn't do something physically. Through the couple of films we worked together, he's never changed anything.
This was a project that Yorgos had been trying to make since before The Favourite. What was the chronology of when you two started working on the script?
He'd moved to London and started on The Favourite and knew he wasn't... He'd only made Dogtooth and Alps, so he was like, no one's going to give me the money to make The Favourite. It's going to cost a little bit because of the period. So he went off with his Greek co-writer, Efthimis Filippouand they wrote The Lobster so they could try and make something cheap. While he was doing it, he rang me and said he'd read this book [Poor Things]. Even when he was making The Lobster no one would give him any money to develop Poor Things. Everyone was saying, "We like you but we're not doing the baby brain!” Once he made The Lobster and there was some buzz, Film4 came in with some money and he was like, "Do you want to do it?" So we started it. We were in pre-production for The Favourite, and I started writing Poor Things.
Going back to Bella as well, one of the things that's so refreshing about her as a character is she's not necessarily carrying this internal dialogue. Everything that she thinks and feels throughout the movie is said out loud. How is that a totally different approach to writing a character for you?
When I write, I'm just asking myself, "Where is she coming from? What does she want and what's in her way?" I knew she didn't question herself much and that was the joy of her as a character because she wasn't super conflicted about anything. Except towards the end, when she has to confront her feelings for Godwin [Willem Dafoe], but even then, she has clarity in the two different feelings she has. I think that was why she was a really refreshing character to write. She manages to be very simple and very complex at the same time.
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How did you find what you wanted to be the essence of the relationship between her and Godwin? It's such a fascinating dynamic. He's had the experience of her being an experiment and now he's kind of carrying it out with a lot of love and heart.
Yeah, I think for us it was one of the most interesting relationships we explored in a way because he was an experiment as well. In the book, he's not an experiment. I made that up so that we could understand him a bit better. His father made him an experiment, so it makes sense. He thinks everything is science and everything's an experiment. But deep down, he's a guy who wants someone to see him and not think he's ugly – someone to "get" him. He's someone that's never had that and he doesn't quite know how to deal with feelings.
That's why he rebels, but it's not in the book. There's the Margaret Qualley character where they just make another one [like Bella] but not quite. That was our idea of how we can show him go through a journey. I was like, "Oh, he makes another one." He'd go with his feelings; by the end of the movie, he realizes his feelings matter.
What was the difference that you wanted to show with Godwin and Margaret Qualley's character when that comes up? It's such a different experience for him.
I think because rather than replace [Bella], it was supposed to show the idiocy of what he did by trying to do that to himself. Then he understood it wasn't the experiment he loved, but it was her.
With the narrative up to where Bella goes back to her ex-husband to learn to visit her old life and learn about that. Initially the idea was that it was sort of a kidnapping, and it was against her will. But then you realize that it was important for it to be her choice to go there. How did that change for you?
Yeah, I think we've done it. We've done a couple of years, and we were having lunch, and everyone really liked the script at that point. We had long periods of silence. That's our process. We just sit there not talking for long periods. We all thought there was something wrong with the third act, so I said I'll go think of something and then I'll text Yorgos. What if she chooses it because she's choosing everything else? So why wouldn't she? She's fearless and that broke it open for us because the other way ­– when she was kidnapped, and then there was a shooting and that's how it ended – he was kind of like, I think they shot him or something and he died. It didn't feel totally right because it wasn't weird enough for the rest of it. So we brought in Christopher Abbott's character. I was always nervous about that because it's hard to bring in a character in two hours and have them hold their own in a big crazy movie like this. But Chris was terrific [as a bad guy].
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How did you deal with the sexuality of the whole film? Decisions you made and didn't make, where it would and wouldn't be?
It was always part of that coming-of-age thing. She's at a certain age and starts to discover it. A man comes into her life and she's like, "What adventure do I want to go on?" For me, it was all like, every beat wasn't so much a sex scene. It was the evolution of the character and of the general story. How it's shot and how it's managed was really Yorgos and Emma working together. For us, it was always going to be a movie that was like those '70s European films where it's very... Emma Stone was very unapologetic. It made no sense for it not to be very unapologetic. Yorgos was really devoted to that '70s European aesthetic.
The way you write with layers of comedy which stem from a place of truthfulness. There's so much comedy and attention that's created from Bella's perspective in the world. The way that she refuses to be tied down to other people's ideas of her – how did you write that in a way that feels so grounded – and then find the layers of comedy that can stem from that?
I always go for whatever's real, I think I read that someone famous once said, "To make it real, make it funny." I always try to go from the emotional place of what they want, so I never just go for the joke.
Yorgos and I love comedy, but I think it's all built from the ground up and it's built into the structure – it's a satire. She's a fish out of water. Here's the basics. They're all trying to control her and can't, the poor things. They're idiots. There's a certain element of comedy that I built into the whole structure. I love funny dialogue.
Copyright ©2024 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: March 9, 2024.
Photo #1 © 2023 Brad Balfour. All rights reserved.
Photos #2 - #5 © 2023 Yorgos Lanthimos and Atsushi Nishijima. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. All rights reserved.
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angelasscribbles · 2 years
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Lavender and Crimson Chapter 20: Happily Ever After
Series: Lavender and Crimson
Fandom: The Royal Romance
Pairings: Riley x Drake, Liam x Maxwell
Rating: MA
Warnings for this chapter: language
Word Count: 850
My other stuff: Master List.
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Lord Nicholas Baxter was escorted by two members of the King’s Guard to stand before the king and answer for his crimes.
“Before you utter a word, be aware that we can prove it was you.”
“Liam…I’m sor-“
“You’ve lost all right to address me familiar, use my proper title.”
“Sorry, Your Majesty, I’m sorry. I never meant for the press to skew things the way they did. I was hurt and angry and not thinking clearly. I just wanted to make Riley have to admit what kind of person Drake is!”
“I don’t really care about your motives. I care about the havoc you wrought with all our lives. You’ve violated the NDA you signed, you understand that your moment of pettiness is going to cost you everything from a financial standpoint, right? Then there are the criminal charges…”
“I was hoping for mercy, Your Majesty.”
“And why would you imagine you deserve that?”
“We were friends, Li-Your Majesty! I’ve spent holidays with your family! Played with your children!”
“Ah, yes, my children. Like Princess Eleanor? The same child whose life you tried to destroy? The same child whose privacy you violated specifically to hurt her mother?”
“I….” He flushed with guilt. His eyes darted to Riley’s face then away again in shame.
“You will pay the full amount required by the NDA and you will serve two years in a jail cell for leaking classified information to the public.”
“Two years!? Please, Liam! I-“
“It’s either that or I just turn you over to Captain Walker and let him handle it however he sees fit.” Liam inclined his head in Drake’s direction.
Nick took in Drake’s stormy expression and paled.
“Right.” Liam motioned to the guards, “Take him away.”
One year later…….
“Liam, you look so handsome!” Riley said as she adjusted his tie.
“Are you sure?” He asked fidgeting with his sash, “Because I’m sweating like a  whore in church.”
“Liam!” She gasped in shock.
“What? I learned that saying from you!”
“I know,” she tittered, “but I never expected to hear you use it!”
“I’m just so nervous, look.” He held out his hands so she could see the shaking he was unable to control.
“You’re going to do great. What do you have to be nervous about? You and Max have been together for seven years, he loves you, you love him. What’s the problem?”                                               
“There’s no problem. This is just the most important day of my life. I’m marrying the love of my life.” He straightened his tie again and pulled at his collar.
“Liam. It’s going to be fine. I promise. Have you seen Ellie in her flower girl dress?”
He visibly relaxed, “Yes, she’s beautiful, like her mother. And Xander in his little suit…so freaking adorable. Children are such a blessing. Speaking of that, how are you feeling?”
Riley’s hand dropped to her midriff to cradle her baby bump. “Baby Walker is doing just fine. Now let’s go get you and Max hitched in the wedding of the century. I mean it, Liam, the cathedral is packed, the street outside the cathedral is packed, and there are news crews here from every country in the world!”
Liam’s second wedding had garnered far more world attention than his first one had. Mostly because it was the first time a king had married another man. A grunt of aggravation escaped him, “That isn’t helping my case of nerves, Riley. You and Drake had the right idea eloping.”
“Damn straight we did!”
There was a knock on the door and Drake let himself into the room.
“It’s about time, Walker. Get in here and fulfill your best man duties. I need to get to Max and fulfil my matron of honor duties!”  
Drake caught her in his arms as she tried to leave the room, “Not until after I fulfil my husbandly duties and kiss my wife.”
She couldn’t help the stupid grin that broke out across her face every time he called her that. Which he did often, with a stupid grin of his own.  
Later that night, she rested her head on his shoulder as they danced at the reception. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Her two best friends were married, Cordonia had rallied behind their king, she was married to the love of her life and expecting another baby. Life had never been so good.
Ellie had been thrilled by the news that Drake was her father. “So now I have three dads!” She had squealed, throwing her arms around Drake’s neck.
The Walkers had made the decision to continue to live at the palace so that Ellie and Xander’s lives weren’t disrupted in any way. Riley stayed on in an advisory capacity to Maxwell as well as continuing many of her previous duties under a different title. But the most important change over the last year was currently holding her close and whispering in her ear about his love for her.
He loved her and she loved him, they were finally together, and everything was right in the world.
~Fin
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