#The Devil's Own|Brian and Beth | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

squidproquoclarice · 4 years ago

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For the @rdr-secret-santa exchange this year, I got to write for @tiredcowpoke. The request I wrote was “Molly/Mary-Beth, possibly a post-game au thing related to their writing?” Happy Holidays, Cowpoke, and I hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~

December 1919

St. Denis, Lemoyne

It had been a solemn few years for a poetess, for the world looked upon things with a grim eye, and who could blame them? Between the war and the Spanish flu, that was bad enough. Even a bloody flood of molasses of all things taking lives in a strange and even absurd way. She needed a change from Boston, feeling that urge come over her.

Just as she’d needed a change so long ago and left Dublin for Cousin Brian’s horse farm in California. Back in another life, back when she’d then left Cousin Brian’s horse farm after a few months based on the dark good looks and smooth charms of Mister Aiden O’Malley, or so he’d called himself. Back when she’d been such a fool and become an outlaw’s woman--outlaw’s whore--, something within her liked to hiss still. That part was the one that had been raised to love and fear her father, God the Father, and Father O’Connell alike, a paternal trinity that seemed to have no room for any woman once she wasn’t a virgin.

Some parts of Molly O’Shea clung beneath the skin of Margaret McCarthy nonetheless, and she’d long since had to accept that. Though she listened to them less and less as the years rolled on in their relentless pace. Early on had been difficult. She couldn’t go back to Cousin Brian, couldn’t go back to her father by any means, couldn’t bear to face their condemnation of her shame. So she had gone to Boston, after leaving Dutch and his band of grubby fools behind, a place she had never belonged with a man who used and discarded women. For a woman raised to be an ornament to a man, a true lady, it had been a struggle. But she found eventually that her pen was enough to keep her, rather than the need of a man for it. Forged on into a strange new world where she alone was mistress of her fate, and found it to her liking.

Now here she was in St. Denis for the first time in twenty years, and certainly she was older and wiser and a trifle stouter than the lass of twenty-six who’d never genuinely seen these streets, drinking as much as she had for the heartbreak of it all. It pleased her in some ways to truly experience the city for the first time, finding the old, cultured, European feel of it much to her liking, as opposed to the brashness of Boston that had never quite fit her, no matter how many Irish lived there.

No sooner had she arrived, not even fully unpacking her trunks at the opulent Castille House hotel, built seven years before, than an invitation came from the Krewe of Minerva, whom she was given to understand, had something to do with the Carnival season of Mardi Gras here in St. Denis, and the misspelling of “crew” was quite deliberate, but mostly that it consisted of some of the most prominent women in St. Denis, the wives and daughters and sisters of the powerful, and a handful of independent women as well.

The invitation, printed on heavy card stock, gilt decoration and with neat, flowing copperplate script, asked her to attend an evening celebrating St. Denis’ most prominent female literary luminaries. Oh, the glory of it, to be among people who appreciated such little social niceties as a proper invitation. She thought she understood what they were about--another woman writer had arrived in their midst, and they wished to draw her into their circle. Something in her was giddy about it, even at her age, so delighted to be included, welcomed, in such a way. It hadn’t always been the case.

It was no hardship to attend either given that the reception was in the ballroom of the Castille. So here she was, dressed in a flattering green gown that highlighted her eyes, here to meet the best and brightest lights of St. Denis’ women. Hearing snippets of their chatter as she passed, introducing herself or being introduced one by one, recognizing a few of them from their prominence in the papers.

Henrietta Wicklow, the journalist and ardent suffragette who’d marched for the vote right alongside her deceased mother Dorothy, “Next year we ladies shall all be voting for president--”

A loud voice from a group of ladies clearly enjoying their champagne, a young woman declaring with a glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other, “Enjoy it now, gals, we’ve only a month until this government foolishness of abolishing liquor begins--”

Philomena Castille, wife of Claude Castille, owner of the very hotel they were now in, “--think that the Mardi Gras ball should reflect the theme of a new dawn for a new decade after the frightful few years we’ve had”, and Mrs. Castille then took charge of her to make further introductions with the brisk efficiency of a talented hostess.

Mary Barrett, wife of one of the men involved in St. Denis’ most prominent bookstore, and apparently also the local literary critic Martin Gillis, hiding behind a man’s name. Something about the woman, small, dark, and neat, with a striking small beauty spot on her right cheek, looked oddly familiar. But Margaret couldn’t quite place her. Perhaps they’d met at some literary event before? “Very pleased to meet you, Miss McCarthy, your book of poems is quite memorable.” From her, it somehow didn’t sound like a platitude.

Now another person approached, and Mrs. Castile said, “Oh, and here’s another of our ladies with a talented pen. We call her by her real name in the bosom of friends here, so here’s Miss Mary-Beth Landry. Though,” she winked one sapphire-blue eye, “you would know her better by her nom de plume, Leslie Dupont. Miss Landry, this is Margaret McCarthy, the poetess. She’s moving down from Boston to grace our city.”

She’d heard of Leslie Dupont, a semi-scandalous writer of semi-scandalous books. She had read several and rather enjoyed them, though some part of her blushed to admit it. But there was the part of her that would always adore romance and adventure. Though she hadn’t touched a great deal of Leslie Dupont’s books, including her most popular novel, “Sunset Over The Red Sage”, because those ones were about outlaws, highwaymen, bandits, and pirates. If there was one thing she had no wish to read in this life, it was a romance involving that sort of man. She’d been hurt enough by her own fantasies of that life without needing to read another woman’s ignorant rose-tinted version of it.

Oh, but she wasn’t so ignorant at all, because as Mary-Beth Landry turned, it had been twenty years, but Margaret still recognized her. Not Landry at all, oh no, but Gaskill. Those tumbledown golden brown curls, the soft blue-grey eyes, the liberal sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks and nose that all still gave her something of an appealing girlishness even though she must have passed forty herself, and the lines beside her eyes and mouth said it as much as the ones Margaret saw in the mirror.

Her first instinct was the desire to turn and run before Mary-Beth could say her name, her old name, and expose Margaret in front of all these people as every bit as much an imposter as her. The second was a flare of anger because even all these years later, she could remember being forced to endure watching Dutch sniffing around her, flirting with her shamelessly, and thinking to herself with raging despairing humiliation, That cheap little tramp, what does she have that I don’t, aside from a few more years of youth? The third was to calm herself, because that was all old history and Dutch Van Der Linde wasn’t worth her concern, and frankly, she had drunk a glass of very fine whiskey eight years ago in pleasure at hearing the government’s Bureau of Investigation had finally caught up with him. Bastard. I hope the Devil himself has you as you deserve.

Mary-Beth’s eyes went wide and startled, and she blurted, “Molly!”

Margaret might have slapped her, but she held herself together. “My, it’s been so long since anybody called me that.”

“You two know each other?” Mrs. Castille said, looking at the two of them with surprise, but at least no suspicion.

“Oh, it was so very long ago,” Mary-Beth said, recovering rapidly. “I’m ashamed to say that I...I broke her cousin’s heart.”

“You’ve broken quite a few hearts, my dear,” Mrs. Castille said cheerfully. Yes, Margaret had heard about Leslie Dupont’s fast ways and string of romances never quite come to fruition. Was there such a thing as a rakess?

Mary-Beth’s gaze stayed on hers, and she gave Margaret a shy, apologetic smile. Surprisingly, she felt her pulse suddenly jump at the gesture, and it didn’t feel like alarm or anger. “I do hope you can forgive me, M--Margaret.”

“Oh, long since forgotten,” Margaret assured her, glad she’d jumped quickly to cover her gaffe, and happy to follow her lead with that story. “The fellow wasn’t worth the bother in the end, now was he? We both said good riddance to him.”

“I’ll let you two catch up,” Mrs. Castille said, gesturing towards the balcony. “The night air is quite fine.”

Given two weeks before she’d been in a miserable Boston winter, the weather here made for a pleasant change, she had to admit. Knowing there was no escaping it, she followed Mary-Beth onto the balcony, some part of her very reluctant to have this conversation, but another part strangely intrigued by what the woman had become. Curse her eternal romantic streak, but of course moving from dreamy guttersnipe and pickpocket to a successful authoress made for quite the tale.

Mary-Beth spoke first, keeping her voice low. “We all wondered what had happened to you. You just--vanished.”

“There was nothing to stay for,” she said, managing to keep the bitterness from her tone. “I was never quite one of you, now was I?” So she had simply not followed them when they cleared out from Shady Belle in an almighty hurry, saying the bank robbery had gone terribly wrong. She’d gone to St. Denis and drunk herself silly for nearly a month, and then she’d sobered enough to tell herself she would take the first train in the station, wherever it was bound, which brought her back to Valentine. Of course she would never stay there. The first train into the Valentine station was bound for Omaha. And she kept doing that until chance brought her to Boston.

“Oh, Molly--”

“Margaret,” she corrected with all the fierce, frosty bite of those Boston winters she’d left behind her. “Molly” was only for her intimate friends, and Mary-Beth Landry née Gaskill was and had been nothing of the sort. She relented somewhat, and asked, “What happened to them, if you know?” She might not have belonged to them, they had made that quite clear, but that didn’t mean she wished them ill, let alone shot to pieces by Pinkertons. She’d read about the big gunslingers of the gang dying in the papers over the years, of course, but all the little people like her, like Mary-Beth, had escaped notice.

“We got lucky. Nobody else died that year after Lenny and Hosea,” Mary-Beth answered. “I left a couple of weeks before the end of it all, Pearson and me together, but I’ve run into enough of them in the years since here and there.”

“Arthur died, though?” Margaret said in confusion. He clearly had been killed. The papers had blared it everywhere in triumph, the Pinkertons bagging one more significant quarry even if Dutch himself slipped through their fingers.

If there had been anyone else in the gang she probably should have let herself like and consider halfway to a friend, it might well have been Arthur. There was an awkward gentlemanliness and kindness towards her and all the women beneath that drawling uncouthness, as if he tried to keep the best of himself well hidden. Fetching her that mirror only because she mentioned wanting one? That was the sort of man Arthur Morgan had been, even if she’d been too much of a snob to see it at the time, far more swayed by Dutch’s smooth manners and darkly seductive charisma, the veneer of the proper gentleman of the sort she prized. She couldn’t say she had mourned Arthur at the time, but she had thought about him now and again since. He seemed like a better man than Dutch had let him be, and that felt like a shame.

Mary-Beth leaned closer, and she gave a knowing cat’s smile. “The reports of his death may have been exaggerated. The Pinkertons left him for dead, but it seems that wasn’t quite the case.”

“No!” Delicious gossip, that, even if she could never tell another soul. “Then--what? Who?”

“Sadie’s the one who got him out alive. They stayed together, ended up married, and they’re up in Canada with their children. We don’t write much, just the occasional Christmas card, but it sounds as though they’re well last I heard.”

Margaret had to shake her head, trying to not laugh. Arthur Morgan had married Sadie Adler? That brash, angry half-feral woman strolling around in her pants and swearing a blue streak and toting a rifle, who had made it clear she’d as soon kill a man if he looked at her wrong? But that was old Molly O’Shea talking, a posh lady looking down her nose at Sadie as a coarse farm wife who prided herself on being unnaturally mannish besides. Well, well. Hidden depths to her, I suppose. Or perhaps she changed herself to something finer when it was all said and done. She had done so herself. It seemed Mary-Beth had, at least in some ways.

“Some of the rest are up there in Canada as well. Charles, Karen, Abigail, and such. Pearson’s out in Rhodes, and the Reverend in New York, last I heard.” Abigail, still chasing the feckless boy-man father of her child when the boy was growing old enough to read. Karen, a loudmouthed, chubby creature who fancied herself a hellraiser, had even punched Margaret in the face once. Though I suppose deserved it, mocking her as I did. Saying Sean MacGuire was a brainless, reckless fool and I knew hundreds more Irishmen just like him. Certainly we both turned too much to the drink for the love of men who could never love us as we needed. Abigail never did that at least, though John wasn’t nearly worthy of her that I saw, but the heart wants what it wants. I made quite a solid proof of that lunacy. “Susan, Miss Grimshaw, she stayed around here for a bit, but she always was restless. She’s out in San Francisco now, moved there a year after the earthquake.” Margaret absorbed that, remembering the older woman and her need to feel relevant by bossing people around. The two of them had quite the mutual disdain, Dutch’s young lover versus his older former flame. Whereas back then she’d rolled her eyes at the jealous old biddy who clearly had it in for Dutch choosing another woman, now she was about the age Susan Grimshaw had been then. She could look on it with some sympathy--how much it had hurt to see Dutch already abandoning her, and Susan’s loyalty and love for Dutch had been there even so many years later. How hard must that have been? How hard must it have been to be an unmarried woman approaching fifty, who most men now didn’t value at all? Margaret had escaped that snare, but Dutch had kept Susan dependent on him all that time. Perhaps that was the softening of years, and wisdom, that she could see such things now.

Mary-Beth continued, “Tilly was actually here until earlier this year. She and her husband Henri headed north to Chicago. Better opportunities there for them there, though. I do miss her dreadfully. We used to try and meet every other Thursday at least, sometimes with the children. I’d spoil them with candy and books and toys, and Tilly would always just smile at it. Five children under twelve, quite the handful, but oh, how wonderful they all are. I wonder if baby Amelie will even remember me. She’s only two and a half now.” She wore a wistful, faded, sad little smile at recounting those memories.

Hearing Mary-Beth talk about all the women that had been with Dutch’s people then, it eased something in her to hear they all seemed to have done well and lived happy lives. She’d long since had to face the idea that her youthful dismissal of all of them as a pack of cheap, coarse unmannered creatures not worthy of her time, as different from her bearing and breeding as chalk and cheese, had been wrong. Learned that the line between being one of those women in the gutter and safely embroidering samplers in a graceful parlor was painfully razor thin. Then Mary-Beth shrugged in a sharp, almost dismissive way, and there was something striving too hard for chipper casualness in her tone when she said, “So now it’s only little old me left here in St. Denis.” “And me now, I suppose.” She said it before she could think better of it, laying claim to something she hadn’t cared about in so long, and hadn’t even felt a part of when she was in the thick of it. And yet.

She’d heard that loneliness in Mary-Beth’s voice, and recognized with a startle that she’d felt that same seemingly indefinable loneliness all too often, for all she hadn’t been around anyone else who ran with Dutch’s gang, let alone thought she’d wanted them there.

There was a part of her she couldn’t ever truly talk about, both from the shame of a foolish romance that would have labeled her as firmly ruined, and from the fear of being known as someone who’d been involved with all that unsavory outlaw business. To be with one person she didn’t have to fearfully conceal that behind an ironbound mask, and recognizing the sheer bloody effort it had been these past twenty years to do it, felt like an agonizing relief that she had never known she wanted. Like taking her corset off at the end of the day, laced stern and tight now against the ever-encroaching flesh of middle age, and breathing.

Mary-Beth looked at her, a gentle smile curving her lips. “And you now.” She hesitated, and then said almost shyly, “I did read ‘Odes to a Far Country’, you know. Though my favorite poem in it is ‘The Butterfly and the Phoenix’.”

“Oh!” She felt herself blushing, pleased but surprised. “That’s unusual. Nobody ever likes that one best.” One of her earliest published poems, and she looked back on it now as a somewhat mawkish, clumsy rumination from a woman facing an uncertain future, writing about metamorphosis, slumber, and fire from the ashes. The symbolism in it felt treacly and heavy-handed to her now. “It’s...very untidy.”

“Well, I like it.” Mary-Beth spread her hands and shrugged. “It’s honest. It’s a very messy thing to remake yourself, isn’t it?”

She thought she understood now, with a flash of insight. Mary-Beth had always seemed dreamy, even a bit dull at her insistence on painting everything in a romantic light, as if she simply couldn’t see the awful reality they lived in. How much of that was true then and how much was an act, Margaret couldn’t say, given she wouldn’t give herself much credit for being terribly perceptive in those days. But she had the suspicion Leslie Dupont now saw things clearer, and still chose to write those silly romances only because they brought some joy to the world. Perhaps she wrote about outlaws and pirates only to purge her own demons in some way.

She felt that flicker in her chest again, confessing, “I liked ‘Ribbons of Scarlet’ best.” That one was about a French noblewoman bound for the guillotine, and her love for the humble gardener who’d been her childhood friend. Who then, of course, helped break her out of the Bastille itself, and they fled together, escaped to freedom in America.

“Nobody ever likes that one best,” Mary-Beth said, imitating Margaret’s Dublin accent dreadfully, turning it into some God-forsaken stage Irish and a poor one at that, and Margaret found herself smiling helplessly at it. “People prefer their French Revolution stories with tragic and doomed endings, I’ve found.”

She sighed, looking out into the electric lamp-lit city at night, like a thousand fireflies glowing, fighting back the darkness. “I think we’ve had rather enough of tragic and doomed endings.”

They’d been young enough then, and foolish, and unable to see things clearly, let alone each other. She’d been twenty-six, and Mary-Beth, what, twenty-one perhaps? Now here they were, two middle-aged women brought together again in St. Denis by fate and literature both, and looking at the other woman, Margaret thought she felt something about Mary-Beth that just fit in some peculiar, easy way. “I think we have,” Mary-Beth answered softly. “I only wrote one. My first book. And I only implied it that way, and then, well, I undid it in the sequel anyhow when I thought better of it.” She turned to look at Margaret. “But here we are talking away and you’ve just gotten here to the gathering, and I’m keeping you all to myself.”

“I don’t mind, not at all,” she blurted, before she could help herself, and found herself blushing hotly again, and was surprised to see an answering blush in Mary-Beth’s cheeks. At their age, no less, blushing like two schoolgirls in braids! “But I probably should make the rounds, of course. See and be seen.”

“Of course.” Mary-Beth smiled at her. “Do you have plans for Christmas? I certainly don’t, not aside from the usual round of parties, but you know what I mean. Real plans for Christmas Day, not social ones. If not, you’d be welcome to come to my home, if you’d like.” She reached out to touch Margaret’s arm gently, and oh, how glad she was the fashion was no longer for elbow-length gloves along with an evening gown, because the touch of those fingers on her bare arm sent a frisson of longing through her like she hadn’t felt in years. She’d taken some to her bed discreetly when the mood struck, pleasant enough interludes, but there had never been anything of her heart in it. This, oh, this? This had destroyed her once and it could destroy her again, but how she suddenly wanted, something that wasn’t the overwhelming possession she had craved from Dutch, but something finer, brighter, something like kindred souls finding each other after so long.

She didn’t have a mean bone in her body then, and I very much doubt she does now. She’s not Dutch. Telling herself that, feeling her heart hesitantly peek open only a crack, it was enough for now. She looked up into Mary-Beth’s eyes, and smiled back. “I’d like that very much.”

A/N: Since it was a “Molly lives!” AU already, I decided to just go full “The gang members who died in Chapters 5 and 6 actually live!” AU, since neither Molly nor Susan are tough to spare their sad Beaver Hollow fates, Karen’s is ambiguous, and I’ve definitely explored the idea that there was a clear chance for Arthur if Sadie came back for him. Especially the chance for Molly to reflect a bit on Susan and Karen with greater age and wisdom and see the similarities felt too good to pass up.

#molly o'shea #mary beth gaskill #rdr2 #rdr secret santa 2020 #mollybeth #tiredcowpoke #getting to write two 40something bi literary women for the holidays was lovely #writing #holiday exchange

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eddycurrents · 6 years ago

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For the week of 27 May 2019

Quick Bits:

A Walk Through Hell #10 somehow gets even more disturbing as we’re shown some of McGregor’s past as he was abused and set up as a suicide. The horror that Garth Ennis, Goran Sudžuka, Ive Svorcina, and Rob Steen keep exploring in this series keeps getting more personal and seemingly has no limit to its depth.

| Published by AfterShock

Amazing Spider-Man #22 concludes (mostly) the “Hunted” arc as Kraven continues to try to convince Spider-Man that he’s a killer and to finally put Kraven out of his misery. It’s incredibly messed up logic, but Nick Spencer, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Edgar Delgado, Erick Arciniega, and Joe Caramagna make it interesting. You could consider this end anti-climactic, especially after how long this has been, but I get the feeling we’ll be dealing with the ramifications for a while to come.

| Published by Marvel

Amber Blake #3 takes an interesting turn as an undercover operation into a modelling agency reveals that Amber’s childhood friend Amanda is still alive. The level of intrigue and twists in this story just keeps escalating, matching the density of the layouts and art from Butch Guice, Mike Perkins, and Dan Brown.

| Published by IDW

Angel #1 is incredible. Possibly even better than the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series and that has set a ridiculously high bar. Bryan Edward Hill, Gleb Melnikov, Gabriel Cassata, and Ed Dukeshire embrace the darker, moodier feel of Angel consistent with the different atmosphere that was present in the television series, while diving deep into building up his dark past and conflicted future. There’s a lot that is new to this interpretation, which just makes it more intriguing. And the art from Melnikov and Cassata is gorgeous.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Ascender #2 advances the vamps’ plan to eradicate the remaining technology in the universe, as Andy is reunited with Bandit, and the vamps come to threaten him and his family. This remains an interesting new take on the Descender world from Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen, and Steve Wands as we see more of what’s happened since the end of that series.

| Published by Image

Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1 is an interesting debut from Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia, and Tom Napolitano. On its surface, it’s an “Old Man Bruce” story, as a previously comatose Bruce awakens in a dark and strange future. But this existence is weird and unreliable. Especially as Bruce awakens in a fiction at first, being told that he’s in Arkham and that all of his villains and time as Batman were fever dreams cooked up by a fractured mind. This may well be the best art ever from Capullo, Glapion, and Plascencia.

| Published by DC Comics / Black Label

Black Science #40 shows that the story still has some surprises in store as it rockets towards the end. Also some ridiculous jokes. Matteo Scalera and Moreno Dinisio continue to inventive as hell with the art.

| Published by Image / Giant Generator

Coda #12 is the explosive, brilliant conclusion to what has been on the best series of this year and last. Si Spurrier, Matías Bergara, Michael Doig, and Jim Campbell have delivered some stunning flights of imagination, tapping into some highly inventive nihilistic fantasy, presenting the final battle battle this issue, and, man, does it stick the landing. Phenomenal storytelling all around.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Daredevil #6 begins “No Devils, Only God” in a New York City without Daredevil. Lalit Kumar Sharma, Jay Leisten, and Java Tartaglia come on for art duties for this arc and it’s an interesting shift. Sharma’s style reminds me a bit of Klaus Janson’s, but without the heavy inks and shadows.

| Published by Marvel

Detective Comics Annual #2 heads into Year Two territory as we get a new Reaper from Peter J. Tomasi, Travis Moore, Max Raynor, Tamra Bonvillain, Nick Filardi, and Rob Leigh. This is a nice use of the annual format, giving us a satisfying single issue story setting up a possible future arc.

| Published by DC Comics

The Forgotten Queen #4 brings an end to this excellent series exploring the history of Vexana, War-Monger, from Tini Howard, Amilcar Pinna, Ulises Arreola, and Jeff Powell. Very interesting depth added to the character and interesting hints as to what more might be coming, hopefully.

| Published by Valiant

Hellboy vs. Lobster Johnson: Ring of Death elaborates further on Hellboy’s time in Mexico making wrestling movies in a pair of tales from Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson, Mike Norton, Paul Grist, Dave Stewart, Bill Crabtree, and Clem Robins. Seeing a presentation of the movie Hellboy starred in is a real treat.

| Published by Dark Horse

Immortal Hulk #18 leans hard into the body horror aspect of the series, debuting both Betty’s full form as this new Harpy and in the Abomination. Joe Bennett, Ruy José, and Paul Mounts just nail this perfectly.

| Published by Marvel

Killer Groove #1 is a great first issue from Ollie Masters, Eoin Marron, Jordie Bellaire, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. It’s a taut crime drama mixing a never-was musician with the potential of life as a hitman, as he lucks into a kill during a chance encounter. Great art from Marron and Bellaire.

| Published by AfterShock

The Magnificent Ms. Marvel #3 advances the alien plot, sending Kamala and her parents off to Saffa to supposedly fulfill the role of their Destined One, saving the planet again. Saladin Ahmed, Minkyu Jung, Juan Vlasco, Ian Herring, and Joe Caramagna are doing some interesting world-building here, and ensuring that nothing is quite what it seems.

| Published by Marvel

Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #5 is the beautiful conclusion to what has been a brilliant series from Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard, Mary Safro, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. It’s been a sequel, satire, criticism, and repudiation of Watchmen, but it’s also been an interesting mediation on “being better” while coming to terms with the nature of reality and learning to deal with the human element.

| Published by Dynamite

Queen of Bad Dreams #2 gets more into the grit of IJ Wei’s investigation into the escaped figment, delivering some great police procedural stuff. The artwork from Jordi Pérez and Dearbhla Kelly is wonderful. Reminding me a lot of some of the work from John Watkiss, particularly during a very impressive action sequence.

| Published by Vault

She Said Destroy #1 is an intriguing science fantasy debut from Joe Corallo, Liana Kangas, Rebecca Nalty, and Melanie Ujimori. It taps into Celtic mythology, presenting a war between Brigid and the Morrigan, but also appears to be telling a coming of age story with some members of the Morrigan’s flock as they try to combat Brigid’s oppression.

| Published by Vault

Star Wars #108 is essentially another one-shot in the 80th anniversary of Marvel celebration, with Matthew Rosenberg and a murderers’ row of new and old Star Wars artists delivering a tale set in the old Marvel continuity. While you’ll get more out of it if you’re familiar with the original series, with familiar faces like Valance Hunter, Domina Tagge, and Jaxxon, but it still works well on its own without having any foreknowledge of previous events.

| Published by Marvel

Stranger Things: Six #1 begins another prequel mini-series, this time introducing us to “Six” and looking into the experiments going on at the Hawkins Labs, from Jody Houser, Edgar Salazar, Keith Champagne, Marissa Louise, and Nate Piekos. I quite liked the first one that served as a view into the terror that Will went through during season one, but this one looks like it’ll be breaking some new ground. Very interested to see more of what happened earlier.

| Published by Dark Horse

Superman: Leviathan Rising Special #1 is a tease for Event Leviathan, the next turn in the Superman series, the forthcoming Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen minis, and the upcoming Supergirl arc once she returns to Earth, but it also manages to tell a fairly entertaining story in its own right as Talia al Ghul kidnaps Clark Kent.

| Published by DC Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #94 continues “City at War” as everything gets nastier and dirtier, and we still haven’t had a full-on incendiary spark yet to ignite even larger warfare. Dave Wachter and Ronda Pattison deliver some incredible artwork. Splinter is very chilling in this one.

| Published by IDW

Thor #13 will make you care about Cul Borson. At least, a little bit. Maybe. Jason Aaron, Mike del Mundo, Marco D’Alfonso, and Joe Sabino deliver on another single issue story broadening the bits and pieces of the War of the Realms.

| Published by Marvel

Transformers #6 takes a break from the ongoing narrative and gives us a look into the past friendship between Megatron and Orion Pax, from Brian Ruckley, Beth McGuire-Smith, and Tom B. Long. There are some interesting parallels between Megatron’s observations and the drifting apart of these two old friends.

| Published by IDW

Wolverine: The Long Night #5 concludes this adaptation of the podcast of the same name from Benjamin Percy, Marcio Takara, Matt Milla, and Joe Caramagna. This has been a mature, psychological thriller amidst all of the violence and darkness, with this final chapter delivering more twists even as it brings the answers.

| Published by Marvel

Other Highlights: Age of X-Man: X-Tremists #4, Bad Luck Chuck #3, Black Panther #12, Blossoms 666 #4, Catwoman Annual #1, Dark Red #3, Dead Kings #5, Delver #4, Dick Tracy Forever #2, Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor #8, Dog Days of Summer #1, Fantastic Four #10, Fight Club 3 #5, Four Sisters 2: Hortense, Grand Abyss Hotel, KINO #16, Life on the Moon, Lumberjanes: Somewhere Green #1, Major X #4, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #39, Princeless - Book 8: Princesses #3, Punk Mambo #2, Punks Not Dead: London Calling #4, Rick & Morty #50, Spawn #297, Star Trek: Year Five #2, Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #4, Superior Spider-Man #6, TMNT: Urban Legends #13, Thanos #2, Wailing Blade #1, War of the Realms: Giant-Man #2, War of the Realms: Spider-Man & The League of Realms #2, War of the Realms: War Scrolls #2, Wasted Space #10, X-23 #12, X-Men: Grand Design - X-Tinction #1

Recommended Collections: Death Orb - Volume 1, Dept. H Omnibus - Volume 1, The Goon: Bunch of Old Crap, Judge Dredd: Toxic, Punisher - Volume 2: War in Bagalia, Rick & Morty Presents - Volume 1, X-Force - Volume 1: Sins of the Past

For the week of 20 May 2019

Quick Bits:

Action Comics #1011 is the last stop before Event Leviathan starts in earnest and it raises more questions as to what’s going on. Brian Michael Bendis, Steve Epting, Brad Anderson, and Josh Reed have done a great job elevating tension through this lead-up and moving the pieces around the board.

| Published by DC Comics

Assassin Nation #3 is another brutal issue from Kyle Starks, Erica Henderson, and Deron Bennett. The body count remains high and we get more questions about who authorized the hit. There’s some hints that it may all just be misdirection.

| Published by Image / Skybound

Detective Comics #1004 gives us the life history of Astrid Arkham. It’s told largely in full page montages, really allowing Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy, and Nathan Fairbairn to cut loose on the visuals.

| Published by DC Comics

Faithless #2 sees Faith go to a party, and then it gets weird. This feels like that Griffin Dunne film of him wandering around New York, only with more magic and gorgeous art from Maria Llovet.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Ghost Tree #2 delivers well on the promise of the first issue, going further with Brandt’s conversations with the spirits around the ghost tree, and setting up the possibility of something horrible coming soon. More gorgeous artwork from Simon Gane, Ian Herring, and Becka Kinzie.

| Published by IDW

Incursion #4 is a fitting conclusion to this series bringing Gilad back to a regular status in the world of the living, with some interesting teases as to what might be further down the line, from Andy Diggle, Alex Paknadel, Doug Braithwaite, Diego Rodriguez, Leonardo Paciarotti, and Marshall Dillon.

| Published by Valiant

Justice League Dark #11 continues “Lords of Order” and keeps burning down the magical side of the DC Universe, while diving very deep into the back catalogue to build up the new. James Tynion IV is developing a very interesting structure for what might be coming.

| Published by DC Comics

Middlewest #7 shows the sheer devastation that Abel can unleash as his powers manifest, similar to the rage that his father has shown, and how his newfound “family” can also let him down horribly. Great work from Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos as the story seems to be headed for more dangerous waters.

| Published by Image

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Jabba the Hutt #1 is an entertaining little story of how Jabba manipulates others to accomplish his goals.

| Published by Marvel

Stone Star #3 gives us another surprise as Dail tries to save Kitzo from being eaten in the arena by Most-Maw. It’s very interesting how this series plays with elements of hero shooters and the designs for the characters and creatures by Max Dunbar are incredible.

| Published by Swords & Sassery

Other Highlights: A Shining Beacon, Age of X-Man: Amazing Nightcrawler #4, Animosity #21, Asgardians of the Galaxy #9, Avengers #19, Batgirl #35, Battlestar Galactica: Twilight Command #4, Bone Parish #9, Books of Magic #8, Clue: Candlestick #1, Cyber Force #10, Dial H for Hero #3, Doctor Strange #14, The Flash #71, Freedom Fighters #6, Gasolina #18, GI Joe: A Real American Hero #262, The Goon #2, Highwayman, Invader Zim #43, Invisible Kingdom #3, Martian Manhunter #5, Marvel Comics Presents #5, Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter #2, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #6, Monstress #22, Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur #43, Mr. & Mrs. X #11, Redneck #20, Riverdale Season 3 #3, Road of Bones #1, Rumble #12, Runaways #21, Shuri #8, The Silencer #17, Star Trek: Q Conflict #4, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #2, Tony Stark: Iron Man #11, The Unstoppable Wasp #8, Venom #14, War of the Realms: Journey into Mystery #3, War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #2, War of the Realms: The Punisher #2, War of the Realms: Strikeforce - The Land of Giants #1, War of the Realms: Uncanny X-Men #2, The Warning #7, Welcome to Wanderland #4. Wolverine: Infinity Watch #4, Wonder Woman #71, X-Force #8

Recommended Collections: Black Badge - Volume 1, Black Magick, Cover - Volume 1, Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Volume 1, East of West - Volume 9, Fantastic Four - Volume 2: Mr. & Mrs. Grimm, Friendo - Volume 1, James Bond: Blackbox, Middlewest - Book 1, Planet Terry Complete Collection, Redlands - Volume 2, Summit - Volume 3: Truth & Consequences, Wayward - Book 3

d. emerson eddy thinks there should be more hours in the day.

#This Week in Comics

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ariadneguzman-blog · 6 years ago

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Fingers drum nervously atop the table, causing little ripples to appear in the mug of coffee that sits there. She’s half tempted to rub the sleep from her eyes — she’s on duty today, and a late night combined with having to wake up an hour early for her own interrogation is taking a toll on her. “ Sorry, I guess I’m just not used to being on this side of things. ” A half baked joke sits on the tip of her tongue, are you sure I can’t interrogate myself, but dammit, Ariadne, she thinks, take this seriously. It is serious, after all. For someone bright and full of life, such drab occasions seek only to push her in further extremes: it’s clear now, with the sadness in her eyes and the deflation of normal exuberance. Somber, perhaps, is the right word. Like all the joy has been sucked out of the room, even though she still smiles politely.

“ I was out, actually. In one of the cars. On duty, I mean, not taking it for a joyride. ” A tight smile, and then the reminder in her head again to focus. “ Some concerned woman thought she saw teenagers stealing at the Piggly Wiggly, so I volunteered to go over. Stern talking to, learning the lesson that nosy neighbors are always watching. All that stuff. ” She falters, and fingers tap tap tap again as she gets closer to the event hanging over their heads. Over her and her interrogator ( coworker, though perhaps not in that capacity right now ), over the station as a whole, over the street and the block and all of Devil’s knot.

“ They weren’t stealing, by the way. Not that it matte — uh, so, I was pulling out of the parking lot when my radio clicked on, and they say that they want all units reporting. So I — I call in, and, ” It’s clear recollection is painful, and she’s tentative to speak, as if she doesn’t want to remember. “ They say that someone is reporting a missing child. And — and I hate it, because my first thought is just that someone’s kid lost track of time, or road their bike down the wrong street and didn’t come home in time. Because you see a lot of shitty — uh, bad, things as a cop, or ... you know they can happen? But ... something like that, it just never really feels real until you see proof of it. ”

But now isn’t the time for introspection, and her eyes are fixated on her hands, nervously scratching at cuticles. “ So I pulled back into the station and went inside and ... and ... it was real. It wasn’t some ... melodramatic suburban freakout. He’d — he’d been gone for hours at that point. They’d searched themselves, the Goodes had, I mean. And I guess, then, I knew. It ... was real. There was actually a missing kid. ” She switches nervous movements to her coffee mug instead, taking a long gulp of it. “ And that’s been the focus ever since. Trying to find Brian and bring him home. I mean, I don’t get how anyone can look at Linda and David and Beth and not feel sick to their stomach. Seeing something ... incomplete like that. A family without one of their kids. Like a puzzle piece, without, uh ... ” Gesturing is futile, and she places the cup down on the table, and it clinks so loudly she almost jumps. “ I see that, and I just have to fix it. ” A beat, then a correction. She is not a one woman vigilante. “ We do. ”

#chapter one — tasks.#dktask1:2 #task two.

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geneticandunattainable · 7 years ago

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There’s a clear bend toward electronic music late in this cluster, but the group overall spans multiple genres, including rock, R&B, and even a cinematic pop behemoth. Now that we’re in the top twenty songs of the entire year, we’re discussing tracks that I may have listened to more than two hundreds times apiece.

20. Middle Kids – “Your Love” These three musicians from Sydney are still getting their careers off the ground, as they’ve only released an EP at this point; given the strength of the song “Your Love,” we should get used to hearing from them for years to come. The song is practically filled with hooks, and makes for an entirely delightful listen. Singer Hannah Joy, backed by her husband/bassist Tim Fitz and drummer Harry Day, effortlessly blends genres with her captivating vocals. Many critics deemed them as the intersection between independent rock and alternative country, but I hear more rock here than anything else. “Your Love” certainly has some pop structure, though with more genuine bite than you’d typically hear on the radio, and the production is inventive, building and crashing over and over throughout the track. Ultimately, there’s something timeless about the song’s sound, and could easily be a lost gem from the ‘80s even though it was released last spring.

19. Sammy Brue – “I’m Not Your Man” Sure, the vocal sounds young - even strained. Sammy Brue is clearly still coming into his voice, but not as an artist...as an actual adult. Brue was only 15 when he wrote and recorded his debut album, and this track specifically is a total jam. His sound may not be for everyone, but one of the producers on this debut album was John Paul White - better known as half of the brilliant alt-country duo The Civil Wars. There’s no question that he has the pedigree behind him, and his razor-sharp songwriting skills are unquestionable. His lyrics feel contemporary, but the sound is ripped from decades past. Clearly Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan served as inspirations, but comparisons to Nirvana would be appropriate, too. Brue is only going to get stronger from here, and continues to hone his folk/rock sound as he works with more musicians, including Justin Townes Earle and Lucinda Williams, just like a true prodigy.

18. Alice Merton – “No Roots” Alice Merton moved 24 times in only twelve years, leading to a feeling of complete isolation after bouncing around between Canada, the UK, Germany, and the States. The longest that I’ve ever held one address is about five years, and my tally stands at just over two dozen moves in 33 years, so it should come as no surprise that I deeply relate to this song. Merton swears that she had no idea it would become as popular as it did, landing her at the top of the charts for alternative rock; she’s the first solo female artist to top said chart since Lorde in 2014. There’s an outstanding blend of genres here, with some funk percolating underneath the snarling bassline and the electronic-tinged breakdown in the latter third of the track. One of the best aspects of the song, though, is the message; most people have a distinct place to imagine when thinking of the concept of ‘home.’ What’s clear to listeners here is that Merton lacks that experience, and that her perception of home is abstract at best when most can easily conjure that image. For someone who shares that experience, I couldn’t be happier to sing along every time.

17. Carly Rae Jepsen – “Cut to the Feeling” There’s really no other way around it: Carly Rae Jepsen has quickly skyrocketed to the top of the list for pop stars who can consistently churn out high quality singles. Part of the reason for her success, besides her obsession with 80’s-style synths, is that she refuses to lean into the darker side of pop that we’ve witnessed in recent years. Jepsen isn’t concerned with mocking ex-boyfriends, frenemies, or rivals; her music centers around effervescent joie de vivre more than most of her contemporaries. Essentially, her main goal is the distill the concept of euphoria into three or four minutes of blissful melodies. The first thirty seconds of the track are unlike most on the radio right now, starting with synth that sounds bizarrely similar to the opening notes of Madonna’s “Lucky Star.” Any comparisons stop there, though, as the tightly measured handclap beat works perfectly with Jepsen’s syncopated vocals. Nearly every review comments on how it was cut from her last full album, E•MO•TION, because it felt too ‘cinematic;’ my only regret is that it was wasted on a film as forgettable as Ballerina/Leap!, an animated dance movie for children that had various names based on the country where it was released. This is a song that bottles sunshine, and should have been a juggernaut for Jepsen. Luckily for fans, her next studio album is due in early 2018.

16. George Taylor – “I Hear Your Song, Sweetness” UK-based singer/songwriter George Taylor came out of nowhere in 2017 with this ode for other undiscovered artists. For a guy who just released his debut album last year, he shows remarkably strong instincts on this track. He knows when to dial back the production and when to complicate things. Perhaps my favorite part of the song, though, is the lyrics; Taylor pierces through the aggressive initial production with his supportive, damn near inspirational theme for the up-and-coming musicians out there who feel like they aren’t even being heard. The 24 year old grew up in Leicester before relocating to London, and claims he’s been writing songs since he was 13. Clearly he has a natural talent, as the vacillation between isolated vocals on the verses and thundering, riotous choruses serves to make the song that much more dramatic. It’s only a matter of time before we start seeing this song crop up in films and television, as it seems almost tailor-made for soundtracks.

15. Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean and Migos – “Slide” If I’m being completely honest, I first discovered this song on an HBO commercial for season two of Insecure (a personal favorite). Regardless of one’s opinion on Calvin Harris, the main appeal for me was hearing Frank Ocean on such a radio-friendly single. Ocean and Harris deftly make an entry to the recent genre of nu-disco, slyly combining hip-hop and dance music with a piano-driven song that may surprise the audience purely off of the talent roster. Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, and rappers Quavo and Offset from hip-hop trio Migos all come together despite their own distinctive discographies. It’s expertly crafted, but let’s be honest here - the second that Ocean starts singing, he steals the track from everyone else involved. If you’re looking for breezy, SoCal hip hop, this is for you, but that description seems almost limiting considering what was achieved here. For those of us who are consistently looking for new Frank Ocean tracks, “Slide” is a pleasant surprise.

14. Electric Guest – “Oh Devil” LA-based duo Electric Guest - which becomes a full band on tour - had a relatively forgettable sophomore album last year. The major standout for me, though, was this playful track that utilizes its electronic production to toy with the arrangement constantly throughout its three and a half minute running time. Perhaps the most interesting fact about Electric Guest is that it’s forwarded by Asa Taccone, the younger brother of Jorma Taccone - famous for being a member of The Lonely Island, along with appearances on shows like Girls and Parks and Rec. Asa helped compose a lot of the music for The Lonely Island, which led to Jorma putting him in touch with Brian Burton (otherwise known to the world as Danger Mouse). Long story short, Taccone now works with Matthew Compton, who supplies drums for their work and met Taccone through Burton, to create songs under the name Electric Guest. “Oh Devil” merges pop, electronic dance, and R&B with some clear Caribbean influences, as well. There’s a lot to like here, and if all you’re looking for is an earworm that comes out of left field, then this song is the one for you.

13. SZA – “20 Something” Solána Rowe had an incredible 2017, and released one of the biggest debut albums of the entire year under her stage name SZA. Given the success of “All the Stars,” her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on the Black Panther soundtrack, it seems like 2018 is going to be a huge year, too. This success didn’t come overnight, though. Rowe has been working her way up for years, slowly gaining influences as diverse as Rihanna, Björk, Miles Davis, and Animal Collective. Her R&B has a stripped down quality, especially on album standout “20 Something;” there is a poignant simplicity on display that translates the anguish and anxiety of your 20s perfectly. It becomes clear quickly that Rowe expects a certain level of self-reflection and commitment to growth from her audience. As she notes in the lyrics, “Honesty hurts when you’re getting older.” Perhaps my favorite touch doesn’t even come from SZA herself, but her mother, who is heard at the end of the track giving advice to her daughter. Essentially, she says that one must commit to whatever feels true in life, because the alternative is a complete abyss. I couldn’t agree more.

12. Litany – “Bedroom” I may have noted the Caribbean influences on “Oh Devil,” but you can practically smell the jerk spices on this gorgeous electronic track from English duo Litany. Made up of Beth Cornell on vocals and Jake Nicolaides producing, the 23-year-olds from North Yorkshire have nailed the atmosphere on “Bedroom,” employing steel drums, synths, and a steady, consistent beat that buries itself inside your head for days to come. As the track progresses, Nicolaides plays with the beat and the production more and more, adding percussive texture and - dare I even say it? - crunch to the arrangement. Cornell’s vocals are ethereal, giving the song a hazy vibe, which add to the symbolic lyrics that seem to tie the titular bedroom to the paradise implied from the production. All of it combines to create an experience of escapism, fleeing the monotony of everyday life and conversations about the weather for the idyllic bedroom. For such young artists with only a handful of releases under their belts, the production on “Bedroom” is stunning in its professionalism.

11. Bayonne – “Fallss” I know, I know... another electronic song. Another track that effortlessly builds with synths, drum loops, and vocals, and captures your attention almost immediately. But with a song this strong, can you even blame me for including it? Austin-based artist Bayonne (legal name Roger Sellers) insists he’s not a DJ. He grew up obsessed with Eric Clapton and his guitar from the age of three on, and his first concert was Phil Collins at the ripe old age of nine. Clearly he learned guitar and drums from two of the best musicians of the last half century, but I doubt you’ll hear their influences on “Fallss.” Sellers isn’t a DJ, but he uses a lot of the same tools, including mixers, pedals, and keyboards, to create his massive pop tracks. The sounds he’s working with here rise and evolve and build throughout the song, as the layers of synth and other sonic strands slowly weave together, worming their way into your head. Sellers spoke to the lyrical meaning of the song, noting that it came from the huge life transition of being in his late-20s and starting to transition to music as a full time career. To quote him directly, “It's the bittersweet ride that comes with big changes in life.” We’ve all been through it the past few years, and the last six months alone have included, personally, a new job and moving across the country. Trust me, this song was keeping me company the entire time.

#Music #Best of 2017 #Best Songs of 2017 #Middle Kids #Sammy Brue #Alice Merton #Carly Rae Jepsen #George Taylor #Calvin Harris #Frank Ocean #Migos #Electric Guest #SZA #Litany #Bayonne

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devilsknotrp · 6 years ago

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Congratulations, Noel! You have been accepted for the role of Kevin Shah (FC: Avan Jogia). What an absolute delight reading your application was! You really grasped what makes Kevin Kevin. The Shah family dynamic is so intricate and interesting, and you really show an intriguing side of it. We can’t wait to have you on the dash! Please have a look at this page prior to sending in your account.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Name: Noel Age: 23 Pronouns: She/they Timezone: CDT Activity estimation: I’d estimate myself being on the dash every 2-3 days. Triggers: REDACTED

IN CHARACTER

Full name: Kevin Shah Age: 10/06/1978 Gender: Cis male Pronouns: He/him Sexuality: Bisexual Occupation: High school senior Connection to Victim: Kevin vaguely registered the Goode’s arrival in Devil’s Knot, a year or so ago— newcomers in a small town, who wouldn’t have— but that’s pretty much the limit of his interactions with the family. The most he’s seen of them have been through Beth and David, by virtue of being in the same grade at school. David he wrote off almost immediately, as soon as he showed signs of getting along with Kelly. When he went on to win the spot as their football quarterback, Kevin’s assumptions were reaffirmed. Beth had always seemed more interesting, especially with her brother for contrast. Still, Kevin can’t tell if she’s just a troublemaker or if there’s something more substantial to her, so she’s barely been on his radar all year. Now, after the incident, he doesn’t know how to feel about either of them. Alibi: “It’s not the most exciting answer, but I was home alone in my room, reading. What can I say– it’s a Saturday afternoon, Kelly’s out so the house is actually quiet, my best friend is too busy making an honest living to see me. I think I was finishing up Eugene Onegin. I try to get all my Russian lit reading done before winter, otherwise that shit can really fuck you up. …It probably would’ve been more interesting if I said it was In Cold Blood or something, huh?” Faceclaim: Avan Jogia

WRITING SAMPLE

In Michigan, no given point can ever be more than six miles from a lake. Kevin’s too scattered to remember where the piece of information comes from, but it’s as cemented and sure in his mind as his ABC’s, so he figures it must be true. There must be some calculation in there, about how likely you are to be touching a body of water at any given time. Some average of the surface area of the human body, at least at it’s ends, as compared to the square footage of all that cement, grass, forest. Or maybe: surface area of Devil’s Knot above the water, and surface area of all of Devil’s Knot that lies below it.

(He is not thinking of Brian Goode at the bottom of a lake.) Kevin knows something is wrong because his parents are home early. After breaking the news, they just look at him, expectant, waiting for some reaction. He doesn’t know what it’s supposed to be, but he knows he can’t be here, so without a word he turns and goes back to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him loud enough that he knows they hear.

Once a few minutes have passed, he slips the same door open, and soundlessly walks down the stairs and out the back door. Years of practice sneaking out means he has it down to an art, and no one notices him leave.Realistically, he knows he can’t go far. He guesses he can risk about half an hour outside, tops, before one of his parents checks on him. Kevin doesn’t like to give his family ammo, and getting caught sneaking out today of all days could be serious enough that his mother might actually talk to him about it, which would not be ideal. His family life greatly improved the day he learned to lower his expectations and avoid anything that might turn into an excuse for interaction.

Kevin speeds into a jog. The houses start to grow further apart, and pretty soon he’s running parallel to the forest. He knows the reputation that surrounds it, that poor man and his poor, mangled body (Pete Silverman’s dad, a small voice in his head says, but he quashes it, reduces the knowledge to bare-bones, scribbles of text on an old newspaper.) Still, he’s never found the forest as ominous as some of his classmates make it out to be. Something about the quiet of it, how the trees muffle all sounds. Even a few minutes walk into the woods, away from cul-de-sac civilization, can leave him feeling like the only person left in the world. At peace. All that outside chaos, lowered to a hum and then smothered completely. Tonight though, the woods don’t feel calm. They feel like they’re waiting.

Kevin slows his jog until he’s stopped completely, looking into the still trees. He wonders what monster might come out of them, and what he would do if it did.

ANYTHING ELSE?

— It’s like everyone says— the quickest way to get a kid interested in something is to forbid it, and nothing is more taboo in the Shah household than religion. Kevin’s interest in everything spiritual, otherworldly and arcane all stem from his mother’s discomfort with it, her absolute distaste for anything even vaguely mystical. His upbringing was a world of science, facts and reality, leaving him with a pragmatism that only feeds his fascination with anything unlikely. Life in Devil’s Knot can feel so small and alienating, and sometimes the existence of every odd little object and bit of information he’s hoarded away is a reminder of how much else is out there, how many different ways of thinking and seeing exist in the wider world. (But yeah, it definitely helps that his interest of choice pisses his mom off.)

— His interest in the arcane also functions as a way to make the boogeyman of his Devil’s Knot childhood— Satanism— into something controllable, something not frightening. A scientific fascination, rather than chanting monsters in the shadows. A pet project rather than something that could happen to him (or someone he knows.)

— He went through a period during sophomore year where he tried to learn everything he could about the history of Devil’s Knot. He tells himself this had nothing to do with the 10 year anniversary of the murder of Philip Silverman, and any creeping anxieties that may have been bubbling up in the town’s collective unconscious. Kevin decided he maybe knew enough about the town when he found himself in the dusty basement of the library, searching through a box for an article vaguely alluded to in one line of a separate newspaper microfiche, describing a summer in 1934 when there may or may not have been a three-headed lamb born on a farm that used to take up the majority of Elm street. He accidentally inhaled a spiderweb while sifting through files and in the ensuing coughing fit had the (rare) thought that maybe this particular obsession had gone too far.

— Kevin can read tarot cards really well. It’s not something he believes in, but it was a way to pass the time one weekend a few summers back. At the very least, the history of their iconography is really interesting. (His favorite card is the Hanged Man; he considers it widely misunderstood.)

— Kevin can’t deal with Kelly being cheer captain. It was bad enough that his twin sister would choose to sign up for a sport so tacky, so teen sitcom, so stereotypically status quo, but then to put in the time and energy to actually become captain? It’s unforgivable. He avoids her and her friends around school, and any opportunity to accidentally be associated with them. If a classmate asks him if they’re related, he lies.

— (TW: homophobia, racism) Growing up, Kevin’s appearance made him an anomaly. He’s (obviously) checked the statistics, and they’re pretty grim— by the time of the last census in 1990, Indians made up a mere 0.2% of the entire Michigan population. He doesn’t know where that 0.2% are hiding, but apparently it’s not in small, backwoods towns like Devil’s Knot, because he can count on one hand the residents he’s met who look anything like him, outside of his own family. Without going into unpleasant detail, this fact hasn’t been lost on the other residents of Devil’s Knot either, and it hasn’t always been easy. Sometimes it feels more like being born with a target on his back that says ’Total assholes, aim here’. Point being, he’s familiar enough with discrimination, and being judged over parts of himself he can’t control, that he doesn’t see the need to bring any unnecessary negative attention to himself by coming out as bisexual. Not that he’d want to change if he could, or anything like that— he’s always been pretty comfortable with his sexuality. And he’s definitely not afraid, because fuck that. But, barring any sudden fervors of love, it’s not a part of himself he sees the point of broadcasting around school.

— Kevin has a lot of questions about Max Acosta and his trial, but he hesitates to share them with anyone outside his close circle. One thing he that situation has taught him is how quickly the town can turn on those outside the status quo, how fast opinions can flip to the extreme. Learning about the holes in Acosta’s trial fundamentally changed how he saw Devil’s Knot. Kevin had always wondered how far people would go to regain a sense of normalcy in a small town like theirs. He guesses Max Acosta found that out the hard way.

#dkaccepted #accepted #kevin shah

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brooklynislandgirl · 6 months ago

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Advent Calendar || Day Six @therealgamble

"One day of coal versus three hundred sixty four days of fun, I'll go ahead and take my chances."

She can't help but chuckle. Not that she should be listening to him, they are, after all, sweeping for mines. That's her job. Listening in her way for the variations of energy from the magnetics in the metal. She's light enough after a little bit of judicious use of her powers not to detonate them and her ability to sense the common thread of quintessence in specific patterns, what she tells him is the life's blood of the universe. Brian lets her go on as she likes about these things and while she knows he understands all but the most obscure esoteric minutia, maybe even fantasises about having abilities too, he treats it as he would someone with extraordinary talent in marksmanship, someone who's an expert mechanic, someone who is a doctor. Sometimes he watches her when she's doing little things. Almost ordinary by her standards. But he's never come across as envious. And right now, she's glad for it. Just like she's glad that she's the canary in the mine so to speak. Command says they can lose her, or if she comes away with missing limbs, she can take care of it herself, given time. She doesn't want to take the risk with him. "Okay, but. If you did care, and you did believe? What would you ask for if you were on the Nice list?" His shrug warms her through. Then the smile and he gets on with wild fantasies. Room service in a five star hotel, a bevy of women ~she isn't jealous though she does make a face at him before she mops her brow despite the cold~ the food, the drink, the rest. He asks her the question in return and she shrugs and keeps planting flags for the EOD team that will follow after them. What he says sounds nice. The idea of lying on the golden sands of a beach somewhere with a giant fruity drink sounds good too. Maybe because regardless of the ever more fanciful details they add, she realises anywhere would be good so long as she's with him. A gruelling eighteen hours later, they both fall across their cots. For long moments neither one moves or even speak beyond a few well earned groans. She listens as his breath starts to deepen and she knows that he's on the edge of sleep. "Hey, Gamble," she manages. She's sure he's about to ignore her. "I got ya something. And no, it's not coal." He flips her the bird. She smiles. He'll find it in his boot in the morning.

#therealgamble #Meet the Monster|Brian Gamble #The Devil's Own|Brian and Beth #Blood Watch|Empowered au #Somewhere in the World...There's Us || Location Classified #It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like|Winter Advent 2024

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mbergen · 8 years ago

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Finally,….It has come…The time we have been planning for over 2 years for….DAY 1…..We left yesterday just in front of a cold front heading to Illinois. It still doesn’t seem real that after all this planning and last minute chaos, that were in the Motorhome with most of your everyday needs (and more)…I think we probably packed away much more that we should have. Probably should have weighted in at the elevator on the way out of town, but then we would know how overloaded we were. Ignorance is Bliss…..LOL….But first………Thanksgiving at Scott and Brandy………

Our Good Friend Pam

Staci with her back turned….

Kids playing Pool

The only pic of Brandy

Tammy Pam and Cameron

Brian, Matt and Daughter Asley

Not cooperating…

Aunt Beth….lol…

Mat and Ashley

Uncle John showing Austin the IPad

Telling secrets to Cassidy…

Tina Pam and Scott

All us Girls….

Our littlest one…Carly

Look Rich is smiling…

Charlie Pat and John

Good shot of Ed..

Tammy

He looks innocent doesn,t he…

We had our family Thanksgiving at Scott and Brandys this year. Our house sure did not need that much activity. They have a huge bar room down basement, complete with bar, pool table, fooz ball table, tv, and many other toys for adults….lol…Now he is building a small stage area, because he just ordered a karaoke machine. Everyone showed up this year. It was so nice. Tammy and the kids came to our house first …She made scalloped corn and went through some more stuff to take home. Then we all went to Scotts…Everybody came, Rich’s Sister Pat and Charlie, sister Connie and Brian and their daughter Ashley and Mat, and Rich’s brother John. Also their was Staci, Brandys daughter. She came home from college just to have dinner with all of us, and also Ed’s sister Beth. She has become a very special person in our lives as well as Tina and Eds. Aunt Beth is GREAT…… Also a very good friend Pam came to say goodbye. Pam, and her family have been in our life since we were newly married and with out kids. We met Pam and her brother Bobby, and her parents Carol and Bob, way back in the 70s when we first started camping. Bob was sheriff of the hill at the campground….lol….We took Pam and Bobby to Chicago just to have fun when they were just kids. Also Rich and I and Bob and Carol even did the Demo car Derby together. We all 4 had our own cars…..Later when Scott was born, Pam went with us to the hospital and watched Scott be born. Lessons in life to be learned…..haha….So it was so nice that she came by to see us. Carol was home sick. So sad Carol….Hope your feeling better by Thanksgiving.

All the Hot food….

Cakes Pies snacks Punch

Carving the Turkey

I think we had food for another 50 people after we were done. So so much food. We made ham and green bean cassorle, deviled eggs, pea salad, and jello. Scott and the guys deep fried a turkey. Connie brought some friend chicken. Pat brought a crock of little weinies. Everyone loves them. and that is only the beginning. Much more food. For drinks, we always have punch in the punch bowl. Its just sherbet and 7 UP. But so easy and the kids love it. Of course the Adults had something a little stronger. The bar is always stocked. We all left stuffed and with bowls of food to take home….Isn’t that they way it always is. So now our frig is packed with left overs….Actually, were going to have leftovers for breakfast this morning…..cake and deviled eggs….lol…We went home after the dinner and cleaned up the kitchen, knowing the Sunday was going to be a BIG Day…

We got up by 7 in the morning and started in. So much yet to do. Last minute clothes to put in. Fridge to clean out. Cabinets to take out last minute stuff. Bathroom to clean out. Just to name a few things…..lol….Well guess who showed up….Tina and Ed and the kids. Now those of you who know Tina, will understand. She is an organized work horse sometimes. She can give orders and expect to work right along side of you while ordering you around. And so it began. She would question me on what to take and she carried it. We would put it away in the RV and return again. The worst part was the carrying. Out the kitchen down 2 sets of steps, to the Motorhome and back up steps. Then here came Connie and Brian. Connie stepped right in and continued the packing and carrying. And so by Noon we were almost ready to go…. The guys loaded the scooter on the pick up, and did all the guy things. haha….And LAST OF ALL KITTY……He was not happy. He seen his bed get ripped apart. His bedspread disappear. then his sheets leave. And finally his pillows left the bed. Then I came for HIM…..lol….He sunk his claws into the mattress….HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP….He fought me all the way out.

Last things from the house…

The girl with all the faces

Yep…checking the generator..

Do you have a CDL?

So finally time to say GOODBYES…..Connie and Brian left to go to Breakfast…..You know it was almost 1 pm and he hadn’t had breakfast yet….OMG….and Tina and Ed and the kids stayed to lock up and take the LAST PICS…

Kitty settled in….Actually took a nap…

We left finally around 1;30….fully expecting to eat leftovers….Well we decided to eat at one of our favorite resturants…..BONANZA in Lincoln….love the Sirloin tips and salad bar….and of course we get Senior discout now….Being old does have its PERKS…..then headed down St. Louis….That’s were we have spent the nite. Kitty did well. He finally took a nap on the sofa and last nite slept in bed like normal. So going to have breakfast soon. Deviled eggs, cake and maybe a little pea salad. lol….and on down the road we go…..Soon no more rain…Maybe sunshine by tonite?

Thanksgiving and Finally…..DAY1…. We Are On the Road….Heading For Sunshine…. Finally,....It has come...The time we have been planning for over 2 years for....DAY 1.....We left yesterday just in front of a cold front heading to Illinois.

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brooklynislandgirl · 2 years ago

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Beth is anxious. She paces back and forth behind Brian as he sits in triage, part tiger part shark in an eerily tight lip silence. She would heal him herself except there’s shrapnel in the gory mess, a three inch deep, six inch long cut with jagged edges. The only reason they’re in the tent now is because even she has her weaknesses, and doesn’t have the equipment in the field to remove non organic material from the wound. Until the foreign bodies are gone, she can’t do a thing for him. This is not the way she wants him to find that out. And when it’s finally his turn? It looks like butchery to her. Digging into him with clamps and gauze and setting everything around the already painful wound on fire. She watches the blood pour down the ragged edges of his flesh. Her hands fist so tightly her own knuckles are white as he growls his requests. Then everything happens so fast she can’t process it all in real time and she can’t. Can’t let him go unanswered. She slides away from where she’d been smoothing his hair back, watching the medic like a half. Beth has never been the most intimidating figure to ever walk the earth but her back is straight, her shoulders squared. She is a silhouette of shadow in her dark fatigues when she stops beside the medic. Then she whispers something in the kid’s ear. Whatever she says makes the colour drain out of the medic’s complexion and his grip on the staple gun goes slack. A quick side-glance at her as she tilts her head and then the kid murmurs an apology to Gamble and moves on. Beth turns, and her face is utterly serene. “It’s okay, Brian. I’ll take care of the rest, now. But I am gonna have to take those out. Let me know when you’re up to it.” { @therealgamble }

✚ {wound cleaning}

"Jesus Christ - Beth! Please tell these guys to leave it alone. I keep trying to tell them you'll fix it but they're either deaf, stupid, or have a death wish." He growled the last bit right into the face of the medic who was trying to staple his wound closed while Brian fought against him.

When she did it it didn't hurt as much - it was something more like a tingling sensation or those pins and needles you get if you sleep on your hand wrong. And she didn't leave scars behind. Brian was plenty used to pain, but why take more then you had to? Plus, this dick looked way too excited to use his staple gun on Brian's leg.

"Just back off!" He growled again, grabbing the business end of the staple gun and holding it firm. "Beth! Make them stop it."

#therealgamble #Meet the Monster|Brian Gamble #The Devil's Own|Brian and Beth #Bloodwatch|Empowered AU #Somewhere Far from Home

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hypergremlinisation · 6 years ago

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201-300

201. Saving Private Ryan (Steven Spielberg, USA, 1998) - 9.25 202. Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (Todd Haynes, USA, 1987) - 7.75 203. Harlan County, USA (Barbara Kopple, USA, 1976) - 9.5 204. The Act Of Seeing With One’s Own Eyes (Stan Brakhage, USA, 1971) - 7.0 205. El Topo (Alejandro Jodorowsky, Mexico, 1970) - 9.25 206. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, USA, 1987) - 7.75 207. Blockers (Kay Cannon, USA, 2018) - 7.5 208. Aguirre, The Wrath Of God (Werner Herzog, West Germany, 1972) - 9.5 209. Bringing Up Baby (Howard Hawks, USA, 1938) - 7.75 210. Borat (Larry Charles, UK/USA, 2006) - 9.0

211. Brüno (Larry Charles, UK/USA, 2009) - 7.5 212. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (Jeff Tremaine, USA, 2013) - 7.5 213. Akira (Katsuhiro Otomo, Japan, 1988) - 10 214. Winter Light (Ingmar Bergman, Sweden, 1963) - 8.25 215. Pink Flamingos (John Waters, USA, 1972) - 8.25 216. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (David Lynch, France/USA, 1992) - 9.25 217. The Simpsons Movie (David Silverman, USA, 2007) - 6.75 218. Jackass: The Movie (Jeff Tremaine, USA, 2002) - 8.0 219. Jackass Number Two (Jeff Tremaine, USA, 2006) - 9.0 220. Jackass 3D (Jeff Tremaine, USA, 2010) - 7.5 221. Game Over, Man! (Kyle Newacheck, USA, 2018) - 3.0 222. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (Susan Johnson, USA, 2018) - 8.75 223. Upgrade (Leigh Whannell, Australia/USA, 2018) - 7.5 224. Blade Runner 2049 (Denis Villeneuve, USA, 2017) - 8.75 225. Blow-Up (Michelangelo Antonioini, UK/USA/Italy, 1966) - 8.0 226. Paranormal Activity (Oren Peli, USA, 2007) - 6.5 227. Devil’s Pass (Renny Harlin, UK/Russia, 2013) - 5.0 228. Unfriended (Levan Gabriadze, USA, 2014) - 7.0 229. Ebola Syndrome (Herman Yau, Hong Kong, 1996) - 8.25 230. House On Haunted Hill (William Castle, USA, 1959) - 9.25 231. Troll 2 (Claudio Fragasso, USA/Italy, 1990) - 8.5 232. City Of The Living Dead (Lucio Fulci, Italy, 1980) - 7.75 233. Hereditary (Ari Aster, USA, 2018) - 8.5 234. Hausu (Nobuhiko Obayashi, Japan, 1977) - 9.5 235. Last House On Dead End Street (Roger Watkins, USA, 1977) - 7.0 236. Sleepaway Camp (Robert Hiltzik, USA, 1983) - 8.5 237. Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, USA/France, 2001) - 10 238. Picnic At Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, Australia, 1975) - 6.25 239. Toad Road (Jason Banker, USA, 2012) - 8.5 240. Let’s Scare Jessica To Death (John D. Hancock, USA, 1971) - 9.25

241. Carrie (Brian De Palma, USA, 1976) - 7.5 242. Blue Ruin (Jeremy Saulnier, USA, 2013) - 8.75 243. The Vanishing (George Sluizer, Netherlands/France, 1988) - 8.5 244. Caché (Michael Haneke, France/Austria/Germany/Italy, 2005) - 9.0 245. Bloody Birthday (Ed Hunt, USA, 1981) - 8.25 246. Polteregeist III (Gary Sherman, USA, 1988) - 6.5 247. Child’s Play 2 (John Lafia, USA, 1990) - 7.75 248. Phantasm 2 (Don Coscarelli, USA, 1988) - 7.5 249. The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (Robert Wiene, Germany, 1920) - 7.25 250. The Fly II (Chris Walas, USA, 1989) - 7.75

251. Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers (Dwight H. Little, USA, 1988) -5.75 252. Train To Busan (Yeon Sang-Ho, South Korea, 2016) - 8.25 253. Who Can Kill A Child? (Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, Spain, 1976) - 8.25 254. Possession (Andrzej Żuławski, France/West Germany, 1981) - 10 255. The Haunting (Robert Wise, UK, 1963) - 8.0 256. Martyrs (Pascal Laugier, France, 2008) - 8.75 257. Eyes Without A Face (Georges Franju, France/Italy, 1960) - 9.25 258. Body Melt (Philip Brophy, Australia, 1993) - 6.25 259. Halloween (John Carpenter, USA, 1978) - 8.75 260. Halloween II (Rick Rosenthal, USA, 1981) - 7.0

261. Searching (Aneesh Chaganty, USA, 2018) - 9.0 262. Sorry To Bother You (Boots Riley, USA, 2018) - 8.75 263. Echo Park (Amanda Marsalis, USA, 2014) - 5.0 264. BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee, USA, 2018) - 9.25 265. The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (Goran Olsson, Sweden, 2011) - 8.0 266. Do The Right Thing (Spike Lee, USA, 1989) - 9.0 267. Malcolm X (Spike Lee, USA, 1992) - 8.0 268. In Echo Park (Nathaniel Lezra, USA, 2018) - 3.0 269. The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr, USA, 2018) - 9.0 270. Never Been Kissed (Raja Gosnell, USA, 1999) - 6.5

271. Eighth Grade (Bo Burnham, USA, 2018)- 8.0 272. Manila In The Claws Of Light (Lino Brocka, Philippines, 1975) - 8.5 273. Dawn Of The Dead (George A. Romero, USA, 1978) - 9.25 274. Dawn Of The Dead (Zack Snyder, USA, 2004) - 7.25 275. Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, USA, 1960) - 8.75 276. 78/52 (Alexandre O. Philippe, USA, 2017) - 7.5 277. Insiang (Lino Brocka, Philippines, 1976) - 9.25 278. The Power Of Nightmares (Adam Curtis, UK, 2004) - 8.25 279. Bitter Lake (Adam Curtis, UK, 2015) - 8.25 280. HyperNormalisation (Adam Curtis, UK, 2016) - 8.75 281. Nirvana: Live At The Paramount (Mark Racco, USA, 2011) - 8.75 282. Black Christmas (Bob Clark, Canada, 1974) - 8.0 283. Silent Night, Deadly Night (Charles E. Sellier, Jr, USA, 1984) - 7.75 284. Norte, The End Of History (Lav Diaz, Philippines, 2013) - 9.25 285. The Nun (Corin Hardy, USA, 2018) - 3.5 286. Live At Reading (Nirvana, USA, 2009) - 8.0 287. Bodied (Joseph Kahn, USA, 2017) - 7.25 288. Tangerine (Sean Baker, USA, 2015) - 9.5 289. The War Game (Peter Watkins, UK, 1965) - 8.5 290. The Song Remains The Same (Peter Clifton/John Massot, UK/USA, 1976) - 7.5 291. Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (Beth McCarthy-Miller, USA, 1994) - 9.75 292. Active Measures (Jack Bryan, USA, 2018) - 8/0 293. Inequality For All (Jacob Kornbluth, USA, 2013) - 7.0 294. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (Russ Meyer, USA. 1965) - 9.25 295. Motorpsycho (Russ Meyer, USA, 1965) - 8.25 296. Drug$ (Jonathan Marshall Thompson, USA/India/UK, 2018) - 7.5 297. Roma (Alfonso Cuarón, Mexico/USA, 2018) - 9.5 298. Celebration Day (Dick Carruthers, UK, 2012) - 7.5 299. Fahrenheit 11/9 (Michael Moore, USA, 2018) - 7.75 300. Die Hard (John McTiernan, USA, 1988) - 8.75

#lists #movies #film

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