#The Warrior Women of Apartment 3-C | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cielrouge · 3 years

Photo

YA SFF Books by Black Authors

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow: About the strength of black sisterhood set in Portland, OR, best friends Tavi and Effie discover their true supernatural identity when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical siren voice during a police stop.

A Chorus Rises (A Song Below Water #2) by Bethany C. Morrow: Teen influencer Naema Bradshaw is an Eloko, a person who’s gifted with a song that woos anyone who hears it. Everyone loves her — well, until she's cast as the awful person who exposed Tavia’s secret siren powers. When a new, flourishing segment of Naema’s online supporters start targeting black girls, however, Naema must discover the true purpose of her magical voice.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown: Inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess, Karina, and a desperate refugee, Malik, find themselves on a collision course to murder each other, despite their growing attraction.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: Sunny Nwazue, an American-born albino child of Nigerian parents, moves with her family back to Nigeria, where she learns that she has latent magical powers which she and three similarly gifted friends use to catch a serial killer.

Akata Warrior (Akata Witch #2) by Nnedi Okorafor: Now stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny Nwazue, along with her friends from the the Leopard Society, travel through worlds, both visible and invisible, to the mysterious town of Osisi, where they fight in a climactic battle to save humanity.

Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis: For fans of Us and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comes a witchy story full of black girl magic as one girl’s dark ability to summon the dead offers her a chance at a new life, while revealing to her an even darker future.

Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi: After he eats the sin of a royal, Taj, a talented aki, or sin-eater who consumes the guilt of others whose transgressions are exorcised from them by powerful but corrupt Mages, is drawn into a plot to destroy the city, and he must fight to save the princess he loves and his own life.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray: Two Black teenagers, talented Beastkeeper Koffi and warrior-in-training Ekon, must trek into a magical jungle to take down an ancient creature menacing the city of Lkossa, before they become the hunted.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton: In the opulent world of Orléans, where Beauty is a commodity only a few control, Belle Camellia Beauregard will learn the dark secrets behind her powers, and rise up to change the world.

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney: A whimsical and butt-kicking Alice in Wonderland retelling featuring a black teen heroine who battles Nightmares in the dark and terrifying dream realm known as Wonderland.

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves: 16-year-old Hanna reunites with her estranged mother in an East Texas town that is haunted with doors to dimensions of the dead and protected by demon hunters called Mortmaine.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury: Set in near-future Toronto in which, after failing to come into her powers, 16-year-old Black witch Voya Thomas must choose between losing her family’s magic forever or murdering her first love.

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley: Set in Victorian England, African tightrope walker Iris cannot die; but soon gets drafted in the fight-to-the-death tournament of freaks where she learns the terrible truth of who and what she really is.

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris: A gripping, evocative novel about Black teen Alex Rufus, who has the power to see into the future, and whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother’s imminent death.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: 17-year-old Zélie and companions journey to a mythic island seeking a chance to bring back magic to the land of Orïsha, in a fantasy world infused with the textures of West Africa.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2) by Tomi Adeyemi: After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But with civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds herself at a breaking point: she must discover a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron: 16-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia flees, hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all.

Crown of Thunder (Beasts Made of Night #2) by Tochi Onyebuchi: Taj has escaped Kos, but Queen Karima will go to any means necessary--including using the most deadly magic--to track him down.

A Crown So Cursed (Nightmare Verse #3) by L.L. McKinney: Alice is ready to jump into battle when she learns that someone is building an army of Nightmares to attack the mortal world, before she learns of a personal connection to Wonderland.

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron: In Jim Crow South, black teen Evalene Deschamps finds her place among a family of women gifted with magical abilities, known as jubilation - a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland: The Civil War is over, but mostly because the dead rose at Gettysburg—and then started rising everywhere else. Fighting the undead is a breeze for Jane McKenne, an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. But the fight for freedom? That’s a different story.

Deathless Divide (Dread Nation #2) by Justina Ireland: After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene hoped her life would get simpler. But nothing is easy when you’re a girl trained in putting down the restless dead, and a devastating loss on the road to Nicodermus has Jane questioning everything she thought she knew about surviving in 1880’s America.

A Dream So Dark (Nightmare Verse #2) by L.L. McKinney: Still reeling from her recent battle (and grounded until she graduates) Alice must cross the Veil to rescue her friends and stop the Black Knight once and for all in Wonderland.

Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds: Jamal’s best friend Q is brought back to life after a freak accident … but they only have a short time together before he will die again. How can Jamal fix his friendship without the truth?

Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley: Before they can save the world from the monstrous phantoms, four girls who have the power to control the classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water must first try to figure out how to work together.

For All Time by Shanna Miles: Tamar and Fayard, two Black teens, are fated to repeat their love story across hundreds of lifetimes, from 14th-century Mali to the distant future, as they struggle to break the cycle.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna: Inspired by the culture of West Africa, a feminist fantasy debut traces the experiences of 16-year-old Deka, who is invited to leave her discriminatory village to join the emperor’s army of near-immortal women warriors.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis: The country of Arketta calls them Good Luck Girls--they know their luck is anything but. Sold to a "welcome house" as children and branded with cursed markings. When Clementine accidentally kills a man, the girls risk a dangerous escape to find freedom, justice, and revenge.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron: Set in a West African-inspired fantasy kingdom, Arrah comes from a long line of powerful witchdoctors, yet fails at magic. When Arrah trade years off her life for magic to stop the Demon King from destroying the world—that is if it doesn’t kill her first.

Legacy of Light (The Effgies #3) by Sarah Raughley: After Saul’s strike on Oslo—one seemingly led by Maia herself—the Effigies’ reputation is in shambles. Belle has gone rogue, Chae Rin and Lake have disappeared, and the Sect is being dismantled and replaced by a terrifying new world order helmed by Blackwell. If the Effigies can’t put the pieces together soon, there may not be much left of the world they’ve fought so desperately to save.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn: In this King Arthur retelling, Black teen Bree Matthews infiltrates a secret society of powerful magic wielders to find out the truth behind her mother’s untimely death.

Mem by Bethany C. Morrow: In alternate reality Montreal (1925), a young woman’s personality is the result of a startling experimental procedure, leaving her to struggle with the question of who she really is.

Miles Morales, Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds: But Miles Morales accidentally discovers a villainous teacher's plan to turn good kids bad, he will need to come to terms with his own destiny as the new Spider-man.

Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard: Half-mortal teenager Helen Thomas goes to live with her father—who is Zeus, masquerading as a university professor—and must do her best to keep the family secret intact.

The Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds: After falling for Kate, her unexpected death sends Jack back in time to the moment they first met, but he soon learns that his actions have consequences when someone else close to him dies.

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith: Set in a futuristic, hostile Orleans landscape, Fen de la Guerre must deliver her tribe leader's baby over the Wall into the Outer States before her blood becomes tainted with Delta Fever.

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney & Robyn Smith: When Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all—her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class—to become the hero society tells her she isn’t.

A Phoenix First Must Burn: 16 Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope edited by Patrice Caldwell: Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels.

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron: In this contemporary fantasy inspired by The Secret Garden, Black teen Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants with a single touch. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family, when a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir.

A Psalm of Storm and Silence (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin #2) by Roseanne A. Brown: As the fabric holding Sonande together begins to tear, Malik and Karina once again find themselves torn between their duties and their desires.

A Queen of Gilded Horns (A River of Royal Blood #2) by Amanda Joy: After learning the truth of her heritage, Eva is on the run with her sister Isa as her captive, but with the Queendom of Myre on the brink of revolution, Eva and Isa must make peace with each other to save their kingdom.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko: In a West African-inspired empire, Tarisai is raised by The Lady and sent to kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko: For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar's throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer.

The Ravens by Danielle Page & Kass Morgan: The sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches. For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.

Rebel Sisters (War Girls #2) by Tochi Onyebuchi: Though they are working toward common goals of helping those who suffered, Ify and Uzo are worlds apart. But when a mysterious virus breaks out among the children in the Space Colonies, their paths collide.

Reaper of Souls (Kingdom of Souls #2) by Rena Barron: After so many years yearning for the gift of magic, Arrah has the one thing she’s always wanted—at a terrible price. But the Demon King’s shadow looms closer than she thinks. And as Arrah struggles to unravel her connection to him, defeating him begins to seem more and more impossible.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy: A North African-inspired feminist fantasy in which two sisters, Eva and Isa must compete in a magical duel to the death for the right to inherit the queendom of Myre.

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves: In Portero, Texas, teens Kit and Fancy Cordelle, daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, bring two boys with similar tendencies to a world of endless possibilities they have discovered behind a mysterious door.

Siege of Shadows (The Effigies #2) by Sarah Raughley: After Saul reappears with an army of soldiers with Effigy-like abilities, threatening to unleash the monstrous Phantoms, e-year-old Maia and the other Effigies hope to defeat him by discovering the source of their power over the four classical elements, but they are betrayed by the Sect and bogged down by questions about the previous Fire Effigy's murder.

The Sisters of Reckoning (The Good Luck Girls #2) by Charlotte Nicole Davis: The blockbuster sequel to an alternate Old West-set commercial fantasy adventure.

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow: Set in the near-future, in which a captive teen human and a young alien leader—bonded by their love of forbidden books and music—embark on a desperate road trip as they attempt to overturn alien rule and save humankind.

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi: Set in a futuristic, Black Panther-inspired Nigeria, sisters Onyii and Ify, separated by a devastating civil war, must fight their way back to each other against all odds.

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst: When the goddess Bayla fails to take over Liyana's body, Liyana's people abandon her in the desert to find a more worthy vessel, but she soon meets Korbyn, who says the souls of seven deities have been stolen and he needs Liyana's help to find them.

The Weight of Stars by K. Ancrum: After a horrific accident brings loners Ryann and Alexandria together, Ryann learns that Alexandria's mother is an astronaut who volunteered for a one-way trip to the edge of the solar system.

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson: Black teen Marigold and her blended family move into a newly renovated, picture-perfect home in a dilapidated Midwestern city, and are haunted by what she thinks are ghosts, but might be far worse.

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle: Black teen Rue, from a poor neighborhood who, after learning she is half-human, half-goddess, must embrace both sides of her heritage to unlock her magic and destroy the racist gods poisoning her neighborhood with violence, drugs, and crime.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Thomas: In this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut, two witches from enemy castes—one seeking power, and one seeking revenge—will stop at nothing to overthrow the witch queen, even if it means forming an alliance with each other and unleashing chaos on their island nation.

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood: An Ethiopian-inspired Jane Eyre retelling in which an unlicensed debtera, or exorcist, Andromeda, is hired to rid a castle of its dangerous curses, only to fall in love with Magnus Rochester, a boy whose life hangs in the balance.

Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson: Black teen Andre Cobb undergoes a liver transplant and as a side effect winds up slipping through time from present-day Boston to 1969 NYC on the eve of the Stonewall riots, delivering a story that is part romance, part gay history, and part time-travel drama, exploring how far we have and haven't come.

#yalit #black authors #ya sff #black ya sff #booklr #book recs #book recommendations

1K notes · View notes

booklindworm · 3 years

Text

A rant against Karen Traviss' understanding of history and her FAQ answers

Did you base the Mandalorians on the Spartans?

<cite> No. I didn't. </cite> Fair enough.

<cite> I really wish history was taught properly - okay, taught at all - in schools these days, because history is the big storehouse that I plunder for fiction. It breaks my heart to hear from young readers who have no concept even of recent history - the last fifty years - and so can't see the parallels in my books. You don't have to be a historian to read my novels, but you'll get a lot more out of them if you explore history just a little more. Watch a history channel. Read a few books. Visit some museums. Because history is not "then" - it's "now." Everything we experience today is the product of what's happened before. </cite> Yeah, I do to. Please, Ms Traviss, go on, read some books. Might do you some good. And don't just trust the history channels. Their ideas about fact-checking differ wildly.

<cite> But back to Mandos. Not every military society is based on Sparta, strange as that may seem. In fact, the Mandos don't have much in common with the real Spartans at all. </cite> You mean apart from the absolute obsession with the military ["Agoge" by Stephen Hodkinson], fearsome reputation ["A Historical Commentary on Thucydides" by David Cartwright], their general-king ["Sparta" by Marcus Niebuhr Tod], the fact that they practically acted as mercenaries (like Clearch/Κλέαρχος), or the hyper-confidence ("the city is well-fortified that has a wall of men instead of brick" [Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus])...

<cite> A slightly anarchic, non-centralized, fightin' people? Sounded pretty Celtic to me. Since I went down that path, I've learned more about the Celts (especially the Picts), and the more I learn, the more I realise what a dead ringer for Mandos they are. But more of how that happened later... </cite>

The Celtic people are more than one people, more than one culture. Celtic is a language-family! In the last millennium BC nearly every European ethnic group was in some ways Celtic, and they were not one. Later, after the Germanic tribes (also not one people, or a singular group) moved westwards, the Celtic cultures were still counted in the hundreds. Not only Scotland was Celtic! Nearly all of Western Europe was (apart from the Greek and Phoenician settlers on the Mediterranean coasts). The word “Celts” was written down for the first time by Greek authors who later also used the word “Galatians”. The Romans called these people “Gauls”, and this word was used to describe a specific area, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Cévennes and the Rhine: “Gaul”. So the Celts, the Galatians and the Gauls were all part of the same Celtic civilisation. "Celts, a name applied by ancient writers to a population group occupying lands mainly north of the Mediterranean region from Galicia in the west to Galatia in the east [] Their unity is recognizable by common speech and common artistic traditions" [Waldman & Mason 2006] Mirobrigenses qui Celtici cognominantur. Pliny the Elder, The Natural History; example: C(AIUS) PORCIUS SEVERUS MIROBRIGEN(SIS) CELT(ICUS) -> not just one culture "Their tribes and groups eventually ranged from the British Isles and northern Spain to as far east as Transylvania, the Black Sea coasts, and Galatia in Anatolia and were in part absorbed into the Roman Empire as Britons, Gauls, Boii, Galatians, and Celtiberians. Linguistically they survive in the modern Celtic speakers of Ireland, Highland Scotland, the Isle of Man, Wales, and Brittany." [Celtic Culture: a historical encyclopedia. by John Koch] "[] the individual CELTIC COUNTRIES and their languages, []" James, Simon (1999). The Atlantic Celts – Ancient People Or Modern Invention. University of Wisconsin Press. "All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae live, another in which the Aquitani live, and the third are those who in their own tongue are called Celtae, in our language Galli." [Julius Caesar, De Bello Gallico] <= I had to translate that in school. It's tedious political propaganda. Read also the Comentarii and maybe the paper "Caesar's perception of Gallic social structures" that can be found in "Celtic Chiefdom, Celtic State," Cambridge University Press. The Celtic tribes and nations were diverse. They were pretty organized, with an academic system, roads, trade, and laws. They were not anarchic in any way. They were not warriors - they were mostly farmers. The Celts were first and foremost farmers and livestock breeders

The basic economy of the Celts was mixed farming, and, except in times of unrest, single farmsteads were usual. Owing to the wide variations in terrain and climate, cattle raising was more important than cereal cultivation in some regions.

Suetonius addressing his legionaries said "They are not soldiers—they're not even properly equipped. We've beaten them before." [not entirely sure, but I think that was in Tacitus' Annals]

Regarding the Picts, in particular, which part of their history is "anarchic"? Dál Riata? the Kingdom of Alba? Or are you referring to the warriors that inspired the Hadrian's Wall? Because no one really knows in our days who the fuck they were. The Picts’ name first appears in 297 AD. That is later. <cite> Celts are a good fit with the kind of indomitable, you-can't-kill-'em-off vibe of the Mandos. Reviled by Rome as ignorant savages with no culture or science, and only fit for slaughter or conquest, the Celts were in fact much more civilized than Rome even by modern standards. </cite> That's how the Romans looked at pretty much every culture that wasn't Greek, Roman, Phoenician, Egyptian, or from Mesopotamia (read, if you want, anything Roman or Greek about the Skyths, the Huns, Vandals, Garamantes...).

<cite> They also kicked Roman arse on the battlefield, and were very hard to keep in line, so Rome did what all lying, greedy superpowers do when challenged: they demonized and dehumanized the enemy. (They still used them in their army, of course, but that's only to be expected.) </cite> They were hard to keep in line, but they most definitely did not kick Roman arse on the battlefield. Roman arse was kicked along the borders of the Roman Empire, such as the Rhine, the Danube, the Atlas mountains, etc. And mostly by actually badly organized, slightly anarchic groups, such as the Goths or the Huns (BTW the Huns were not a Germanic people, even though early 20th century British propaganda likes to say so). Though they were also decisively stopped by the Parthians. Who were very organized. Ah well. <cite> While Rome was still leaving its unwanted babies to die on rubbish dumps - a perfectly acceptable form of family planning to this "civilisation" - and keeping women as chattels devoid of rights, the barbarian Celts had a long-standing legal system that not only gave women what we would think of as equal rights, but also protected the rights of the elderly, children, and the disabled. They had a road network across Europe and worldwide trade long before the Romans ever got their act together. And their science - well, their astronomical calculations were so sophisticated that it takes computers to do the same stuff today. </cite> See? You even say yourself that they weren't actually anarchic. Also you're not completely right: 1. women (of most Celtic cultures, with one notable exception being the Irish) were not allowed to become druids, e.g. scientists, physicians, priests, or any other kind of academics, so they did not have equal rights. Also, as in other Indo-European systems, the family was patriarchal. 2. the roads they had were more like paths, and did not span the entirety of Europe; the old roads that are still in use are nearly all of them Roman. Had the Celtic inhabitants of Gallia or Britannia built comparable roads, why would the Romans have invested in building a new system on top? 3. world-wide? Yeah, right. They traded with those who traded with others and so were able to trade with most of southern Eurasia and northern Africa, as well as few northern parts (Balticum, Rus), but that's (surprise) not the whole world. 4. most people use computers for those calculations you mention because its easier. It's not necessary. I can do those calculations - give me some time to study astronomy (I'm a math major, not physics) and some pencils and paper. 5. and - I nearly forgot - the kids didn't die. That was a polite fiction. The harsh truth is that most Roman slaves were Romans... <cite> So - not barbarians. Just a threat to the empire, a culture that wouldn't let the Pax Romana roll over it without a fight. (Except the French tribes, who did roll over, and were regarded by the Germanic Celts [...]) </cite> WTF Germanic Celts? What are you smoking, woman? Isn't it enough that you put every culture speaking a language from the Celtic family in one pot and act as if they were one people, now you have to mix in a different language-family as well? Shall we continue that trend? What about the Mongolian Celts, are they, too, proof that the Celts were badass warriors? I think at this point I just lost all leftover trust in your so-called knowledge. <cite> [...] as being as bad as the Romans. Suck on that, Asterix... </cite> Asterix was definitely a Celt, and unlike the British Celts, he was not a citizen of the Roman Empire.

<cite> Broad brush-stroke time; Celts were not a centralized society but more a network of townships and tribes, a loose alliance of clans who had their own internal spats, but when faced with some uppity outsider would come together to drive off the common threat. </cite> They might have tried, but they didn't. The first and only time a Celtic people really managed to drive off some uppity outsider would be 1922 following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921*. The fact that France, Spain, Portugal speak Romance languages and the British (or Irish) Isles nearly uniformly speak English should be proof enough.

*Unless you count Asterix. <cite> You couldn't defeat them by cutting off the head. There was no head to cut off. </cite> You mean unlike Boudica and Vercingetorix. Oh wait. Tacitus, in his Annals, said that Boudica's last fight cost 80,000 Britons and 400 Romans their lives. He was probably exaggerating. But it definitely stopped much of the British resistance in its tracks. <cite> To the centralized, formal, rather bureaucratic Romans, for whom the city of Rome was the focus of the whole empire, this was a big does-not-compute. The Celts were everything they didn't understand. And we fear what we don't understand, and we kill what we fear. </cite> While that is totally true, it's also completely off the mark. The Romans demonized the druids, not every Celt, and they were afraid of what was basically an academic network. That had nothing to do with war. <cite> Anyway, Mandos....once I took a single concept - in this case, the idea of clans that operated on a loose alliance system, like the Celts - the rest grew organically. I didn't plan it out in detail from the start. </cite> That's really obvious. Maybe looking at some numbers and remembering that you weren't planning a small, local, rural, medieval community would have helped, too. I mean lets have a look at, say, Scotland (since you specifically mentioned the Picts): they still have less than 6 mio. people all together, and that's today. Mandalore is a sector. A sector of Outer Space with at least 2000 inhabited planets. How do you think that translates? It doesn't. <cite> I just asked myself what a culture of nomadic warriors would value, how they would need to operate to survive, and it all grew inexorably by logical steps. The fact that Mandos ended up as very much like the Celts is proof that the technique of evolving a character or species - find the niche, then work out what fits it - works every time. It creates something very realistic, because that's how real people and real societies develop. </cite> Celtic people were usually not nomadic! And, once again, non of them were predominantly warriors! It's really hard to be a nomadic farmer. I believe the biggest mistake you made, Ms Traviss, is mixing up the Iron Age (and earlier) tribes that did indeed sack Rome and parts of Greece, and that one day would become the people the Romans conquered. And apart from the Picts they really were conquered. <cite> So all I can say about Mandos and Spartans is that the average Mando would probably tell a Spartan to go and put some clothes on, and stop looking like such a big jessie. </cite>

I'd really like to see a Mando – or anyone – wearing full plate without modern or Star Wars technology in Greece. Happy heatstroke. There is a reason they didn't wear a lot (look up the Battle of Hattîn, where crusaders who didn't wear full helmets and wore chainmail* still suffered badly from heat exhaustion). [Nicolle, David (1993), Hattin 1187: Saladin's Greatest Victory] *chainmail apparently can work like a heatsink CONCLUSION You're wrong. And I felt offended by your FAQ answers. QUESTION You're English. You're from England. A group - a nation - that was historically so warlike and so successful that by now we all speak English. A nation that definitely kicked arse against any Celtic nation trying to go against them (until 1921, and they really tried anyway). A nation that had arguably the largest Empire in history. A nation that still is barbaric and warlike enough that a lost football game has people honestly fearing for their lives.

Also, a Germanic group, since you seem to have trouble keeping language-families and cultures apart. If we were to talk about the family, we could add on the current most aggressively attacking nation (USA) plus the former most aggressively attacking nations (the second and third German Reich), also the people who killed off the Roman Empire for good (the Goths and Visigoth), the original berserkers (the Vikings) and claim at the very least the start of BOTH WORLD WARS. Why did you look further?

Some other sources:

Histoire de la vie privée by Georges Duby and Philippe Ariès, the first book (about the antiquity) I read it translated, my French is ... bad to non-existent

The Day of the Barbarians: The Battle That Led to the Fall of the Roman Empire (about the Huns) by Alessandro Barbero

If you speak Dutch or German, you might try

Helmut Birkhan: Kelten. Versuch einer Gesamtdarstellung ihrer Kultur, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien

Janssens, Ugo, De Oude Belgen. Geschiedenis, leefgewoontes, mythe en werkelijkheid van de Keltische stammen. Uitgeverij The House of Books

DISCLAIMER

I’m angry and I wrote this down in one session and thus probably made some mistakes. I’m sorry. Or maybe I’m not sorry. I’m still angry. She can’t know who reads her FAQ and at least two of her answers (on her professional website) were offensive to the reader.

#history #england #scotland #ancient celts #roman empire #mandalorians #sparta #proud warrior race #shitty research #rant #me ranting #fuck this #karen traviss

81 notes · View notes

dramapic · 4 years

Text

MASTERLIST

I update this list everytime I watch and review a show.

Disclaimer: These reviews are subjective and only reflect my opinions. There are no drama on that list that I’ve turned off and all are worthy of a watch.

Recs welcome!

#1 Crash landing on you

(사랑의 불시착)

Grade: A++

Genre: Modern, Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Son Ye-jin (who plays Yoon Se-ri) and Hyun Bin (Ri Jeong-hyeok) have amazing chemistry and every episode plays out like the chapters of an excellent fanfiction. Classic romantic tropes, humour, angst, action, CLOY has it all. Moreover, if you’ve never watched a Kdrama in your life, CLOY is a great starting point—not only will it introduce you to Korean culture but also to popular tropes and codes of the genre.

#2 Rookie historian Goo Hae-ryung

(신입사관 구해령)

Grade: A++

Genre: Historical, Age gap

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Delightful from end to end, with lots of humour and an engaging story. The romance between Goo Hae-ryung and himbo-prince Dowon will make your heart go soft, especially if you’re into reverse gender dynamics (she’s older and kisses him first *le gasp*)

#3 Memories of the Alhambra

(알함브라 궁전의 추억)

Grade: B+

Genre: Modern; Sci-fi; Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Intriguing premise, great cast and tons of special effects but the romance between Jin-woo (Hyun Bin) and Hee-joo (Park Shin-hye) won't go down in history. On top of that, the ending is a bit wishy-washy in that annoying “maybe there’s more to come” kind of way. Give us a clear cut ending, damnit!

#4 Good doctor

(굿 닥터)

Grade: B-

Genre: Modern, Medical drama

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Good heart but the writing is really clumsy at times and the hospital politics don’t make an awful lot of sense. On the bright side, Joo Won is great in the role of Park Si-on.

Note: I haven’t watched the American remake so can’t compare.

#5 My love from the star/ You from the stars

(별에서 온 그대)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Sci-fi, fantasy, Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 21

Happy Ending: Yes-ish

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Jun Ji-hyun is absolutely stellar in the role of Cheon Seong-yi, a ditzy Hallyu* star whose career is going south while Kim Soo-hyun plays the emotionally closed-off alien to perfection. Lots of pinning, a dose of angst mixed with a pinch of wacky humor.

*Hallyu means “Korean wave” in Chinese and refers to the popularity and spreading of Korean pop-culture outside of Korea.

#6 Hwarang The Poet Warrior Youth

(화랑)

Grade: B

Genre: Historical, Coming of age, fake siblings who catch feels

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Cute boys and interesting lore rooted in true facts (the bone rank system and the real Hwarang, the “Flowering Knights” of the Silla kingdom) but the story drags. I guess I expected more bromance and frolicking and less angst. Lastly, the main girl starts off quirky and fun but they quickly transform her into a sobbing mess which becomes real annoying real fast.

#7 Love in the Moonlight / Moonlight Drawn by Clouds (구르미 그린 달빛)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Romance, Coming of age, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 18

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

A classic tale of a girl raised as a boy who ends up in a situation where she needs to do her best to not blow her cover while catching feels (As someone raised on Versailles no bara and Ribbon no Kishi, it remains one of my favourite tropes)

Sweet romance and good characters. The fact that Crown prince Lee Yeong doesn't turn emo when he starts developing feelings for Eunuch Ra-on before discovering she's a girl is the cherry on top of the cake.

#8 Something in the rain

(밥 잘 사주는 예쁜 누나)

Grade: C

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes, but it still doesn't make you happy

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Wasted potential!

Great start but the characterization falls apart quickly and you end up wondering why the main characters keep sabotaging their lives. By the end, despite their reunion, you're left with the impression they've learned nothing and that their relationship is doomed to fall apart.

On top of it all, watching Jin-ah fight sexism in the workplace and gaining nothing is depressing af (I don’t need realism in my escapism, thank you very much).

Too bad because Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in look really good together and the acting is top-notch. My advice is to watch the first 8 episodes then make up your own ending in your head.

#9 Moon embracing the sun

(해를 품은 달)

Grade: B+

Genre: Historical,Star-Crossed lovers

Episodes: 22

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

A traditional historical drama with all the tropes that go with the genre + a hint of esoterism.

If you love ill-fated relationships, tragic love triangle, evil queens, and amnesia, this is the show for you. Beware, the interrogation/torture scenes are rather brutal.

#10 My sassy girl

(엽기적인 그녀)

Grade: B-

Genre: Historical, Rom-Com

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Cute and lighthearted but easily forgettable. Still worth a watch thanks to Joo Won & Oh Yeon-seo's chemistry.

#11 Coffee Prince

(커피프린스 1호점)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Solid story, great cast but be ready for a lot of bickering.

Yoon Eun-hye is a precious bean who manages to sell the story of Eun-chan, a struggling androgynous working-class girl who mistakenly gets hired by a rich guy to play his boyfriend, then becomes his employee, then falls for him while not correcting his assumptions about her gender. Opposite her, Gong Yoo (from Train to Busan fame) is 🥰🥰🥰

Sidenote: Despite Han-kyul's struggle to accept his feelings for Eun-chan, homosexuality isn't treated as a joke or a shameful thing. The one time he goes seek “medical help”, the doctor is depicted as an old, clueless idiot. And honestly, the story would work too if Eun-chan was a guy.

#12 My girlfriend is a Gumiho/My girlfriend is a Nine-tailed fox

(내 여자친구는 구미호)

Grade: B+

Genre: Modern; Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki - Available on Netflix (FR) too

Campy and goofy. It does look a bit dated (it’s from 2010) and the story is a little predictable but Lee Seung-gi as Cha Dae-woong, an aspiring action film actor and Shin Min-ah as “Gu Mi-ho” the nine-tailed fox looking for a mate are super cute. The show is also a good introduction to Korean folklore.

#13 Goblin / Guardian: The Lonely and Great God / The Lonely and Great God – Goblin

(쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비)

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Historical, Fantasy, bromance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes-ish

Watched on: Viki

Unpopular opinion but since I’m not into older guys, I wasn’t invested in the romance between Bride and Goblin until late in the series. I loved everything else though. The show has such a unique tone and atmosphere. It goes from super serious to goofy in no time. The cinematography is gorgeous (especially the historical sets) and you'll cry your eyes out.

#14 Healer

(힐러)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

If you're into toll broody guys and fearless smoll girls, you’ll love Healer. The story is great, the characters are great and the way Jung-hu (played by Ji Chang-wook) and Ji-an (Park Min-young) are horny for each other is peak drama! *chef kiss*

#15 Kangchi the beginning/Gu family book

(구가의 서)

Grade: B-

Genre: Historical, Fantasy

Episodes:

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Engaging coming of age story of a half-human half-gumiho looking for his place in this world. If it wasn't for the wishy-washy ending it could have been the perfect mix of action fantasy and romance.

Special mention for Dam Yeo-wool (played by Suzie Bae) who is a female character who's allowed to be a bit of everything at the same time (strong, kick-ass, funny, cute, romantic)

#16 Queen for seven days

(7일의 왕비)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Romance, Villainous crush

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

With that title don’t expect a HEA but there are plenty of sweet moments along the way to make you appreciate the journey.

Chae-kyung loves the Prince and the Prince loves Chae-kyung but the King wants to kill the Prince and Chae-kyung is loyal to the King but the King is a tyrant and everyone wants the Prince to take his throne. On top of that the King wants Chae-kyung. Big mess. Lots of feels.

The story is (very) loosely based on real-life Queen Dangyeong, which makes it even more poignant. I cried my eyes out at the end because I’m a big softy.

#17 Korean Odyssey

(화유기)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Kinda

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The show (very loosely based on Journey to the West) has its faults including the wishy-washy ending and the fact that Jin Seon-mi/Sam-jang starts off as a doormat but I ended up liking the relationship developing between the assholish Monkey god and the naive human girl more than I expected.

The side characters are compelling, and the banter and bickering between the deities work really well. If you grew up with Dragon ball, you’ll have a blast trying to match-up the Japanese and Korean names of everyone without looking up Wikipedia.

Lastly, not something I imagined saying after seeing him in Gumiho and Gu family book but Lee Seung-gi as Son Oh-gong = BDE *fans herself* 🥵

#18 Strong Girl Bong-soon

(힘쎈여자 도봉순)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Super-Heroine

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning: Graphic depiction of violence against women

A++ super-heroine story, bad side characters

First, every girl should aspire to find a Min-hyuk in their life. Someone who'll love them because of their strength, and support them unconditionally. Someone who won't ask them to change or pretend to be somebody else.

Second, western media should learn that a super-heroine can HAVE IT ALL—the superpowers AND the love AND the family.

My only complaint with the show (and that's why I gave A- instead of A++) is the inclusion of many cringy side characters/situations that spoiled my overall enjoyment (see the caricatural flamboyant gay co-worker, Bong-soon’s mom hitting her dad, the mobsters...)

#19 The K2

(더 케이투)

Grade: B-

Genre: Modern, Political

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The romance is bad and the political story far-fetched but Ji Chang-wook is 🔥🔥PEAK HOTTIE🔥🔥

That being said, I didn’t completely dislike the political intrigue and it was interesting to see the good guy working for the villains (sort of).

#20 Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok-joo

(역도요정 김복주)

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Coming of age

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Uplifting coming of age story and super sweet romance. Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) & Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) are precious children on top of being cutie-patooties. Bok-joo’s insecurities hit hard, especially if you’ve ever been outside the norm of beauty standards.

I liked how the show normalizes therapy and taking care of your mental health.

In one word…

SWAG!

#21 The scholar who walks the night

(밤을 걷는 선비)

Grade: B

Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Vampire, posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Guilty pleasure.

Don’t ask me about the details of the main storyline, I’ve already forgotten most of it. Sometimes all you need is a show where a hundred-something years old good vampire with a sad backstory and the main girl who is thirsty for the good vampire are fighting a sexy evil vampire.

PS: Did I mention the sexy evil vampire?

#22 Romance is a bonus book

(로맨스는 별책부록)

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Friends to lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Imagine reading a relaxing book under a cozy blanket while sipping hot cocoa. That’s how that series made me feel.

Everything is sweet and soft from the characters' fluffy jumpers to the soft palette of color used for the sets. People make books and love books. There’s a mystery but no unnecessary angst. If you need a break from everything, jump in that ship.

#23 Hotel Del Luna

(호텔 델루나)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Sorta

Watched on: Viki - Available on Netflix (FR) too

Interesting world-building and a good cast of side characters but the romance lacks a bit of oomph.

On the + side, the hotel sets are gorgeous and Man-wol's wardrobe is to kill for.

#24 Suspicious Partner

(수상한 파트너)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Star-crossed lovers in an office

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Toll serious who hates criminal falls for smoll weirdo falsely accused of murder. A must watch for anyone in search of a quirky romance.

#25 Touch your heart

(진심이 닿다)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Tooth rotting sweetness. The series is just a pretext to watch two good looking people (Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na) being nice and awkward around each other. What do you need more? 0

Note: If you watched Goblin you can also pretend it's a spin-off series about the reincarnations of Grim Reaper and Sunny. 💡

#26 Because this is my first life

(이번 생은 처음이라)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Fake marriage

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

The Fake Marriage AU you’re looking for, mixed with slices of modern, messy, complicated life.

The main storyline revolves around Ji-ho an assistant drama screenwriter who struggles to find her place within the patriarchal structure of Korean society, and Se-hee, a socially incompetent computer designer who only cares for his cat and his mortgage. The way they end up in a fake marriage as well as the development of their relationship feels organic and doesn’t rely too heavily on comedy like it’s often the case with that trope.

The show also follows the stories of Ji-ho’s friends, Su-ji and Ho-rang who have different aspirations in life—Su-ji’s goal is to become CEO while Ho-rang only cares about becoming a housewife. I loved that the show makes a point to not pit women against each other and advocate living your life the way YOU want rather than trying to follow societal expectations of what love, work and marriage should look like.

Also they have the cutest cat.

#27 What's wrong with Secretary Kim?

(김비서가 왜 그럴까 )

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

I wish Secretary Kim had more agency in certain situations but the romance develops well and the horny moments are caliente 🥵🔥

#28 Where your eyes linger

(너의 시선이 머무는 곳에)

Grade: A++

Genre: Modern, BL, Coming of age, Friends to lovers

Episodes: 8

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Bite-size BL gem to devour in one sitting.

Stellar acting from the two leads and the balance between fluff and angst is just right. There's no graphic violence that sometimes plagues yaoi and BL and the story is believable. I got emo remembering my first love.

#29 Live up to your name

(명불허전)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Historical, Time travel, Star-crossed lovers

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning for graphic depiction of violence

Big surprise. I was looking for a cheesy comedy but it was actually a thoughtful story about humanism. I even teared up a little.

Trigger warning for needles. They do some pretty impressive procedures with those acupuncture needles.

#30 W - Two Worlds Apart

(더블유)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Imaginary men > Real men, especially when they're played by Lee Jong-suk. Nuf’ said.

Imaginary men > Real men, especially when they're played by Lee Jong-suk.

The silly premise hides a solid story that keeps you on your toes and I was suprised by the rollercoaster of emotions I went through.

“Option 3″

“That’s 4 fingers”

#31 Life

(라이프)

Grade: C

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Kinda

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Unless you want to learn how fucked up the private health sector is becoming in Korea, there's not much to gain watching this show.

The story starts off well though. The problem is that by the middle of the series the writers have dropped the main mystery (the circumstances surrounding the death of the director) to deliver an exposé on the political machinations of big corporations, and then shoehorn an explanation at the last minute (“it was all but a misunderstanding”). Very underwhelming.

The relationship between the two brothers played by Lee Dong-wook and Lee Kyu-hyung is the only bright spot.

#32 Pinocchio

(피노키오)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Fake family members who catch feels

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

On paper, the story sounds a little crazy but it all comes together nicely.

Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye have great chemistry and deliver a stellar performance as “uncle” and “niece” (not related by blood) who can’t fight the romantic feelings they harbor for one another. The main storyline has enough twists to keep you entertained and surprised.

My only complaint is that it drags a little. 16 episodes would have been enough.

#33 My Holo Love

(나 홀로 그대)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Sci-fi

Episodes: 12

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Fake men > Real men

Imagine a Black Mirror episode about a love triangle between a woman suffering from face blindness, an emotionally supportive AI boyfriend and the disenchanted creator of said AI, minus the nihilism. *chef kiss*

#34 Legend of the blue sea

(푸른 바다의 전설)

Grade: B++

Genre: Modern, Fantasy, Fairy tale, Star-crossed lovers

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Park Ji-eu (the writer) read the little mermaid and decided to give her a happy ending. Great chemistry between Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun but the spark is missing for me.

The antics of modern-day mermaid Shim Cheong are a little predictable and Joon-jae needs to be less of a control freak at times but the story remains enjoyable. I was pleasantly surprised to see Shim Cheong’s character grow, making the power imbalance between the clueless mermaid and the con-artist less pronounced by the end of the series.

The side characters are interesting but underused, and I wish Tae-oh was more developed. On the other hand, the Joseon area sets and costumes are absolutely gorgeous (Don’t tell anyone but Joseon!Lee Min-ho is hotter than Modern!Lee Min-ho 🥵)

#35 Tale of Arang / Arang and the Magistrate

(아랑사또전)

Grade: B

Genre: Historical, Fantasy,

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

One word: Campy.

Interesting lore but the pacing is a little off—there’s a lot of back and forth between the characters and the locations and the love triangle doesn't add much.

#36 My ID is Gangnam Beauty / Gangnam Beauty

(내 아이디는 강남미인)

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Coming of age

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

If you’ve ever been bullied for your looks, you’re gonna bawl your eyes out.

The show does a great job of calling out the unhealthy beauty standards imposed on Korean women but the topic is universal enough for the story to resonate with everyone. I love that you never see Mi-rae’s old face because it’s not our perception of her lack of beauty that matters but the fact she suffers greatly. Don’t you hate in western shows when they take a beautiful actress, give her a pair of glasses or a fat suit and call her ugly, making sure the audience feels shittier about themselves? Here, the writers concentrate on Mi-rae’s transformation and her coping with the consequences of her decision to do plastic surgery.

It’s also not a revenge fantasy where the ugly duckling suddenly becomes the most popular girl at school. Being a “Gangnam beauty” leads to a new form of suffering.

Romance-wise, it’s the slowest burn of slow burns because Mi-rae and Do Kyung-seok are the most socially awkward beans on the planet. I love them, Your Honor.

#37 Tale of Nokdu

(조선로코-녹두전)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 32 x 30mns

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki - Now available on Netflix (FR)

Fun and lighthearted all the way through.

The story of a guy who puts on a dress to investigate a village of widows could have gone very wrong but it was well handled. It’s refreshing to see the classic trope of posing as the opposite sex reversed and Jang Dong-yoon is never cringy when he’s pretending to be Lady Kim Nok-soon.

#38 Bride of Habaek / Bride of the Water God

(하백의 신부 2017)

Grade: B

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Content warning: Crime against fashion

Promising premise and lore (I'm interested in reading the original comics now) but the writing fails to deliver an epic romance and a cathartic ending. Moreover, the sets lack imagination (or money?) and in the end I failed to ever feel immersed in a fantasy world.

The unfortunate consequence of the clumsy writing is that the male characters who are meant to be arrogant/confident Gods (Habaek and By-ryeom) sound like they're negging their love interests more than wooing them, and the relationship between Mu-ra and By-ryeom particularly irked me.

#39 Strangers from Hell / Hell is other people

(타인은 지옥이다)

Grade: A+

Genre: Modern, Psychological Thriller

Episodes: 10

Happy Ending: Spoiler

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Content warning: Violence

What a departure from everything else in that list! Absolutely worth a watch if you enjoy thrillers and shows like Hannibal. If psychological horror isn’t your cup of tea though, you might give it a pass.

The storyline and the characters are a little cliché (it goes with the genre) but the cinematography and photography are fantastic. You can notice how the pension becomes more and more sinister throughout the series via the use of dark greens and browns and pale yellows, as opposed to the mundanity and coldness of the city (greys, and cold blues).

Last but not least, the acting is top-tiers. Im Siwan does a great job at portraying Jong-woo, an aspiring crime novelist who slowly loses his marbles but the true revelation for me is Lee Dong-wook. After seeing him so many times in roles where he plays awkward yet charming men who can barely express emotions, I was intrigued to see him take on the role of a serial killer, and holy cow, he's the perfect mix of sinister and alluring. Towards the end of the series, his character Moon-jo acts like a black-hole whenever he appears in a scene—a towering, dark presence who sucks the light out of the room (If he carries any of that darkness in the upcoming Tale of Gumiho, it’s gonna be *chef kiss*).

#40 Empress Ki

(기황후)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, posing as the opposite sex

Episodes: 51

Happy Ending: From a certain point of view

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning for violence against women (not graphic but implied)

51 episodes.

Fifty.One.Episodes.

That's a lot of episodes considering the story starts with the ending.

Did I enjoy this show? Yes, very much so. Do I think it's for everyone? Nope.

You'll enjoy Empress Ki if you're into old-school historical sagas or you wished Game of thrones had no gratuitous nudity and violence. If you’re looking for an historically accurate biography of the real empress Ki though, then look away because Empress Ki is basically a lengthy fanfiction trying to justify how the Goryeo native Seung-nyang married the wimpy Emperor of the Yuan dynasty whilst trying to portray her as loyal to her motherland and to her first love, the Crown Prince of Goryeo.

Personally, I didn’t care for the love triangle formed by Seung-nyang (Ha Ji-won), Wang-yoo (Joo Jin-mo) and Toghon Temür (Ji Chang-wook) but I liked the politics and the backstabbing. Also, contrary to GoT, the bad guys get their comeuppance at the end so it makes watching the side characters die less painful.

#41 Meow, the secret boy / Welcome

(어서와)

Grade: B-

Genre: Modern, Modern fantasy

Episodes: 24 x 35mns

Happy Ending: I guess

Watched on: Viki

How do I put it? It's not *terribad* but it's not *good* either.

I was super on board with the concept—if Lee Seung-gi can bang a nine-tailed fox in My girlfriend is a gumiho, I have zero issues with Sol ah, our heroine, falling in love with Hong-jo the cat-person after being dumped for no reason by Jae-sun her boyfriend—but it didn’t exactly develop that way, and as soon as they explained why Jae-sun had broken up with Sol-ah, the writers lost me because I like when things happen for a reason.

#42 Clean with a passion for now

(일단 뜨겁게 청소하라!!)

Grade: A-

Genre: Modern, Rom-Com

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Super zany and tropey but that’s why it works so well. The only reason I’m giving it a minus is because it’s trying to be woke but in the end there’s still a lot of unsolicited grabbing and some iffy remarks/pick-up lines said by every male characters (IRL that’s the kind of story that ends up with a restraining order and a lawsuit for sexual harassment).

#43 Mystic pop-up bar

(쌍갑포차)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Fantasy

Episodes: 12

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Trigger warning: Heavy themes (miscarriage, pregnancy, loss of a child, death of loved ones)

You know how the meme goes... Sometimes a family is a hot-tempered bar owner, a cursed kid and an ex-Afterlife-Police officer with a secret past.

It took me a few episodes to get into it, but once the characters were established it became really enjoyable.

The tone of the series leans toward wacky but the core of the story is actually pretty dark if you look into it. Every grudge they solve for their “clients” gives a clue about Wol-joo’s personal story and by the last episode I was crying my eyes out.

Last but not least, Wol-joo’s collection of modernized hanboks is *chef kiss*

#44 My secret Terrius

(내 뒤에 테리우스)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern, Action, Comedy, Bromance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

An enjoyable action drama to watch with your family or your significant other.

Koreans prove that you can write a story about a black ops agent on the run who becomes a childminder without reeking of toxic masculinity. Contrary to American comedies where the manly-man-hero working undercover is incompetent and believes that working with children is a woman’s job and a waste of his manly-man talents until he has an epiphany of some sorts, Kim Bon (played by So Ji-sub) never once expresses discomfort to the idea of looking after two kids. In spite of his sober demeanor, he’s a caring and attentive person from the start and watching him gradually becoming a part of this spunky family while investigating a national security threat made my heart go awww.

Opposite him, fearless and resourceful mom Go Ae-rin (played Jung In-sun) brings a lot of energy, and the twins are absolutely adorable.

#45 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

(달의 연인 - 보보경심 려)

Grade: A--

Genre: Historical

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: No

Watched on: Random streaming site

Don’t get attached—Moon Lovers is the missing link between Empress Ki and Boys over flowers, but with a sad ending.

I did binge watch the series but there are some frustrating aspects to it that prevented me from giving a perfect score, notably the fact that Wang So remains possessive and demanding with Hae Soo throughout the years—for instance “You’re my person” is a romantic statement until it evolves into “You can never leave me.”

The other problem of the series is that Lee Ji-eun (UI) does cute and goofy really well, but she doesn’t have the emotional range needed to portray a character who goes through many heartbreaks and betrayals. As a result, Hae Soo appears a little fickle in her infatuations with the princes.

That being said if you’re a sucker for tragic romance and you believe that power corrupts even the purest of love, you’ll have a blast.

#46 Forest

(포레스트)

Grade: B++

Genre: Modern, Romance

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

UST in the woods (Dat first kiss 🥵🥵🥵)

The characters and the story are a little cliché but who doesn’t love a story where the protagonists are clearly attracted to each other but can’t act on their desires because their moral values are opposite?

*slams fist*

San Hyeok is your typical heartless businessman who refuses to confront his childhood trauma, and Yeong Jae is a surgeon who suffers from panic attacks and cares too much about other people. They’re both good looking and fate brings them to a remote village in the middle of the forest where they have to share a house. Really, I wonder what’s gonna happen?

#47 100 Days My Prince / Hundred days husband

(백일의 낭군님)

Grade: B+

Genre: Historical

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Trigger warning: Important character death.

Cute and charming but also very annoying at times. Obviously, the story is tropey af (fake marriage doubled with amnesia, you can’t really beat that) but it also includes elements I’ve never seen in any other dramas like the fact that the Crown Princess is pregnant with another man’s child (le gasp!). The things that annoy me the most were the unnecessary flip-flopping of the heroine towards the end of the show for the sake of creating artificial drama (just let them be together FFS!) and the fact that the male characters take a lot of decisions for Yeon Hong-shim.

Romance wise, Do Kyung-soo and Nam Ji-hyun are really cute together but in the end I found myself more interested in the political intrigue and the side characters than the main romance because slow burn has its limit. In essence, it’s the perfect drama to watch with your conservative family because whilst the main couple is living under the same roof and is technically married they don’t get frisky.

#48 I Am Not A Robot (로봇이 아니야)

Grade: A++

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Angsty with a good pay-off.

With a premise like that, things could have gone wrong really quickly but the writers managed to write a story that isn’t a man wanting to fuck a robot because real women are scary so big kudos for them. Seeing Min-kyu celebrating his Roomba’s birthday because he has no other friends will instantly melt your heart and from that point on you’ll cheer for his recovery. The show has the right amount of angst without becoming a mess and they handle the big reveal very well, making sure to show how hurt both Min-kyu and Ji-ah are by the situation, without making you doubt that they can find each other again. The other strong point of the show is that it’s not just about romance, it’s also about friendship and learning to let other people in your life.

The acting is incredible to the point that by the end I wondered if Yoo Seung-ho and Chae Soo-bin were making out in front of my salad or if I was still watching the characters Min-kyu and Ji-ah being lovey dovey.

#49 Sungkyunkwan Scandal (성균관 스캔들)

Grade: A

Genre: Historical, Posing as the opposite gender

Episodes: 20

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Viki

Hana zakari no kimi tachi he with gats.

This show checks so many boxes when it comes to my favourite tropes story-wise and character-wise that I instantly fell in love with it. It might feel a little dated for a younger audience and it definitely suffers from the second male lead syndrome (who wants unseasoned boiled chicken when there are not just one but two juicy rotisserie chickens on the table next to you?!) but it’s still very much enjoyable. Also, they don’t shy away from using the word “homosexuality” and having one of the second lead confessing to having romantic feelings for his friend (I’ll take any scrap of bi-representation, okay?)

#50 It’s Okay to not be okay (사이코지만 괜찮아)

Grade: A

Genre: Modern

Episodes: 16

Happy Ending: Yes

Watched on: Netflix (FR)

Found family.

In spite of one ridiculous plot twist (that I was aware of when I started the show) this show has made me feel all the feelz. The three main actors all did a phenomenal job portraying their characters in all their complexity and fragility and I ended up crying so many cathartic tears in the second to last & the last episodes.The relationship between Sang-tae and Gang-tae is one of the best sibling relationships I’ve seen on-screen in a long time while the romance between Moon-yeong and Gang-tae blends perfectly elements of comedy and melodrama. Mental illness isn’t treated as something to be ashamed of, whilst showing that you can grow and recover from trauma and finding your own happiness.

PSA from my boyfriend, who dropped the show before the end:

The plot twist is so stupid that it takes away from the rest of the series. In my opinion it negated the positive portrayal of mental illness built up until then. They completely lost me.

^ We discussed a lot about it which is why I wanted to share his POV to balance my own review.

#51 coming soon

#k-drama #kdrama

142 notes · View notes

brooklynmuseum · 4 years

Photo

Join us as we take you on a tour of African Arts—Global Conversations. Curated by Kristen Windmuller-Luna and presented by Bank of America.

African Arts—Global Conversations puts African arts where they rightfully belong: within the global art historical canon. This exhibition pairs diverse African works with objects from around the world in groupings throughout the Museum.

These groupings explore how shared themes such as portraiture, faith, modernism, and origins developed independently in different parts of the globe and fill in the blanks of decades of art history teaching.

Beginning in our introductory gallery, two idealized portraits of African rulers made centuries apart greet visitors.

These portraits respect cultural norms about how a ruler is expected to look, often combining distinctive individual features with visual concepts such as divinity or rulership.

Kuba artist (Bushoong clan). Ndop figure depicting Nyim Mbó Mbóosh (reigned circa 1650), Nyim Mishé miShyááng máMbúl (reigned circa 1710), or Nyim Kot áNée (reigned circa 1740), circa 1760–80. Mushenge (Nsheng), Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wood, tukula, 19 1/2 x 7 5/8 x 8 5/8 in. (49.5 x 19.4 x 21.9 cm). Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, Mrs. Donald M. Oenslager, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Blum, and the Mrs. Florence A. Blum Fund, 61.33.

Kuba ndop (commissioned royal portraits) represent the concept of leadership and contain a ruler’s life essence.The hand on this drum identifies this ruler as one of three Kuba nyim (kings): Mbó Mbóosh, Mishé miShyááng máMbúl, and Kot áNée.

Other royal indicators include his long-brimmed headdress, cowrie belt and armbands, and calm expression.

Egyptian artist. Ptolemaic Prince, 51–30 B.C.E. Egypt. Quartzite, 12 1/2 x 5 5/16 x 3 3/8 in. (31.8 x 13.5 x 8.5 cm). Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 54.117.

Ancient Egyptian sculptures use hieroglyphic text to identify subjects by name, but a blank back pillar suggests this sculpture is unfinished.

Although this figure is unidentified, his youth, crown, and Hellenistic hair and face suggest that he is Caesarion, son of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar.

Warriors hold a valued place in many societies across time and place. Warriors’ memorials reflect what societies think these figures “should” look like, often representing ideals rather than individuals.

Huastec artist. Warrior Figure, circa 1440–1521. Xico Viejo, Veracruz, Mexico. Sandstone, 65 3/16 x 14 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (165.6 x 37.5 x 19.1 cm). Frank L. Babbott Fund, 39.371.

Wooden stelae (left/middle) memorializing powerful Konso warriors in Ethiopia were grouped with additional sculptures of weapons, slain animals, and defeated foes. The stelae memorialize specific male Konso ancestors, emphasizing his individual deeds as well as his connection to shared experiences and values.

The stone Huastec warrior figure (right) from Mexico is adorned with fearsome symbols of death such as the human skulls on his skirt and bead-and-human-heart necklace. Huastec viewers who saw these elements knew he was likely Micoatl-Camaxtle, the god of hunting and warfare.

Nestled amongst our European paintings and sculpture collection are three Ethiopian processional crosses.

Beginning in the medieval period, the Christian Ethiopian Kingdom and numerous Italian states enjoyed a lively relationship that included travel and exchange of religious art and ideas between the two regions.

Ethiopian Orthodox priests carried these copper alloy crosses atop staffs (right).

just as their Italian Catholic counterparts carried wooden ones like this (left).

Amhara artist. Processional Cross (qäqwami mäsqäl), late 15th or early 16th century. Possibly Lalibela, Ethiopia. Copper alloy, 11 1/2 x 7 3/16 in. (29.0 x 18.3 cm). Gift of George V. Corinaldi, Jr., 81.163.2.

An Ethiopian artist incised Mary holding the Christ child, archangels, and saints on this fifteenth- or sixteenth century cross.

Master of Monte del Lago (Italian, School of Umbria, second quarter of the 14th century). Double-Sided Processional Cross, second quarter of the 14th century. Umbria, Italy. Tempera and gold on panel, 39 1/16 x 16 9/16 x 4 5/8 in. (99.2 x 42.1 x 11.7 cm). Gift of Mary Babbott Ladd, Lydia Babbott Stokes, and Frank L. Babbott, Jr., in memory of their father, Frank L. Babbott, 34.845.

While the Master of Monte del Lago painted Crucifixion scenes on this fourteenth-century gilded Italian cross.

A trio of ceramics made by living artists born in Kenya, Korea, and Nigeria shows the ways that modern ceramicists can choose to draw inspiration from their own regional heritage, or not.

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo DBE (British, born 1950, Kenya). Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece, 1990. Farnham, Surrey, England. Terracotta, 16 x 10 x 10 in. (40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm). Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Clyman and the Frank L. Babbott Fund, 1991.26. © Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo

Dame Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo fires her dramatic pots multiple times to create glossy, iridescent surfaces.

Born in Kenya, she learned ceramics in Britain (where she lives today), citing pottery traditions from multiple other countries as her primary influences, drawing ideas from Nigerian Gwari ceramics, Native American Pueblo pottery, European Modernism, and even ancient Cycladic art.

Kang Suk Young (Korean, born 1949). Untitled, 1992. Korea. Unglazed porcelain, 24 13/16 x 6 x 6 in. (63 x 15.3 x 15.3 cm). Purchased with funds given by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dickes, 2006.20. © Kang Suk Young

Kang Suk Young uses porcelain, a medium that is traditional in his home country of Korea, but he creates forms using slip casting, a method he learned in France. He pulls the porcelain from its mold when it is still somewhat soft and twists and bends it to create something that is lively and anthropomorphic.

Ranti Bam (Nigerian, born 1982). Antafi, 2019. London, England. Terracotta, 15 3/8 × 8 1/4 × 8 1/4 in. (39 × 21 × 21 cm). Gift of Anne Goldrach in honor of Anne Pasternak, 2019.25. © Ranti Bam

Ranti Bam has created a very complex object, contrasting a heavy clay slab with delicate painting, and a rough surface with areas of shiny glaze.

The painted surface references woodgrain, but in an unlikely color of dark pink that gives the vessel its name, Antafi, a word that the artist derived from the Greek word for “rose” (triantafyllo).

Although these artists participate in the multinational field of contemporary ceramics, their work has until now been categorized by the museum according to their place of birth.

Grouping these ceramics highlights how museums (including Brooklyn!) tend to leave artists born outside of Europe and the U.S. out of conversations about contemporary art.

Kongo (Yombe subgroup) artist. Power Figure (nkisi): Woman and Child, 19th century. Lower Congo Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wood, glass, upholstery studs, metal, metal and glass buttons, resin, 11 x 5 x 4 1/2 in. (27.9 x 12.7 x 11.4 cm). Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1138.

This sculpture is linked to a Kongo fertility-focused women’s cult that flourished during the height of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. During this period, women both raised children and took on customarily male agricultural roles. Made into an nkisi (power figure), it underscores how Kongo women supported future generations during a time of widespread social upheaval and trauma.

Louis Rémy Mignot (American, 1831-1870). Niagara, 1866. Oil on canvas, 61 1/2 × 104 1/4 × 4 1/2 in. (156.2 × 264.8 × 11.4 cm). Gift of Arthur S. Fairchild, 1993.118.

Displayed in a gallery devoted to Civil War and Reconstruction-era (1861–1877) American art, this sculpture provides a poignant Central African perspective on the widespread repercussions of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

On the fifth floor, you’ll find a pairing of two great leaders: Wóót and George Washington. Artist-made images created before the invention of photography, they show how two artists represented their society’s founding fathers.

Kuba artist. Mask (Mwaash aMbooy), late 19th or early 20th century. Kasaï Province (former Kasaï-Occidental Province), Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rawhide, paint, plant fibers, textile, cowrie shells, glass, wood, monkey pelt, and feathers, 22 x 20 x 18 in. (55.9 x 50.8 x 45.7 cm). Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1582.

The Mwaash aMbooy mask personifies Wóót, mythical ancestor of the D.R. Congo’s Kuba peoples. Kings performed this mask during initiations and funerals. One performance tells the story of Wóót’s role in the Kuba kingdom's founding and his ties to its first ruler.

Gilbert Stuart (American, 1755–1828). George Washington, 1796. Oil on canvas, 96 1/4 x 60 1/4 in. (244.5 x 153 cm). Dick S. Ramsay Fund and Museum Purchase Fund, 45.179.

Gilbert Stuart’s larger-than-lifesize portrait of George Washington reminds a young republic of the soldier who led them to victory and the statesman who stepped down from power for the country to flourish for some.

Both works rely on extensive symbolism and create enduring images of “founding fathers.”

While Stuart’s portrait turned an individual into an icon, the Kuba artist’s Wóót mask connected a current ruler to his dynastic past.

Beauford Delaney began including African artworks in a series of compositions from the 1940s as he deepened his engagement with the African American cultural movement called the Harlem Renaissance.

Beauford Delaney (American, 1901-1979). Untitled (Fang Sculpture, Crow and Fruit), 1945. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in. (63.5 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Fund for African American Art in honor of Arnold Lehman, A. Augustus Healy Fund and Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, 2014.73. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2014.73_PS9.jpg)

In this dynamic and brightly colored still life, a bird of spirit figure hovers over a bowl of lemons, presenting them as an offering to Fang ancestors represented by the reliquary sculpture seen at right.

An Ntem River Valley Master. Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri), mid-18th to mid-19th century. Wood, iron, 23 × 5 3/4 × 5 in. (58.4 × 14.6 × 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 51.3. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 51.3_overall_PS9.jpg)

By showing this painting alongside its specific source and acknowledging the contributions of Fang master artists, this grouping brings to life a transatlantic cultural dialogue and exchange.

This is just a small glimpse of the works on view in this groundbreaking exhibition. Come see for yourself as soon as we reopen our galleries!

Thank you for joining us on our tour of African Arts—Global Conversations. Join us next Sunday for another tour of our galleries!

Installation views of African Arts—Global Conversations by Jonathon Dorado.

#Virtual tour #virtual #virtual programming #Brooklyn #Brooklyn Museum #arthistory #bkmafricanarts #global conversations #african art

83 notes · View notes

shanie-the-toyaddict · 4 years

Photo

Shanie’s Action Figure Update

1/13/2021

Well, time for another edition of Shanie’s Action Figure Update! Pictures:

First Row: Sami Zayn Elite 40 (NXT) and Elite 51 Second Row: Stephanie McMahon “Milk-O-Mania" Elite and Elite 50 Third Row: Marvel Legends Toys R Us 2-Pack Scarlet Witch (without Vision), Thor Ragnarok 2-Pack Hela (without Skurge), and Thor Ragnarok 2-Pack Valkyrie (without Thor).

So, some exciting news for you folks today! These are all figures I have gotten within the last 3 weeks or so, with the Scarlet Witch just arriving yesterday. The NXT Sami came the day before that and the rest showed up at the end of December. All in all, a decent showing, if you ask me.

So, about the figures!

All these figures came loose in technically “Used” condition. I am very poor and, whenever possible, will take the cheapest option available on a figure to save a buck. (More on that later) This means frequently buying loose and sometimes getting figures with a bit of wear. Out of this batch, despite all the figures being listed as Used, the only ones that really show wear are the NXT Sami, who has some paint rub on his eyebrows, and Hela, who has some annoying marks on her face. Neither one were dealbreakers for me, especially considering the deals which I got on the figures. If anything, I’m really just grateful I could get the NXT Sami for so cheap WITH his belt! Now I can display him as both NXT and IC champion, although there is still no word on when or if they will release an updated Sami Zayn figure in green.

Oh, and why did I buy two additional Sami Zayn Elites when I already had one? Well, see, I’ve sorta got this thing for him and I’ve decided I need all his elites now. I have one left to get, and once I get my hands on that one, I’ll be good on Sami figures till they release an updated one.

As for the Stephanies... these are both figures which I am aware I bought in the past. However, that Milk-O-Mania Alliance Steph is the only way to get an Attitude Era (ish) Steph, so I bought her to make a WrestleMania X-Seven Stephanie figure. And the Elite 50, while I know I have one around here somewhere, my apartment ate the one I bought with my very first Ringside Collectibles order years back, so I bought a new one. Both are in great condition, despite being used.

Finally, the Marvel Legends figures. These I decided to bite the bullet on because frankly, they weren't getting any cheaper. For the record, all three of these figures come from 2-pack, but they were all bought individually, without their box-mates.For Valkyrie, I know you would think I’d want “Triumphant Warrior” Valkyrie over this one, but I honestly like the aesthetic look of the 2-pack one better. White is not usually a color I’m fond of with my figures, due to the black color of my shelf. The Hela came with zero accessories but was pretty cheap which made me happy because ML Hela figures are pretty pricey. I was fine just getting the base figure and I really just wanted the horned headsculpt on her anyway. Finally, Scarlet Witch... ok, she was the most expensive out of any of these, but someone had listed one for an ok price and that plus my eBay bucks meant I got her for practically a steal, considering how much she goes for and the fact she was mint-loose. So these three I’m glad to finally add to my collection. Now my ML women’s figures collecting isn’t just pegwarmers (outside Agent Carter).

All in all, some great additions. However, I have some unfortunate news as well.

I had mentioned earlier my plans to make Hardcore Champion Shane McMahon as a custom for his birthday this year. Back before Christmas, I had ordered a loose suited Shane to use as a base figure. Then, with the holidays, I didn’t pay much attention to it, figuring that it would get to me in plenty of time.

It didn’t and it won’t. The seller turned out to be horribly unreliable (serves me right for ordering from someone with 7 feedback) and didn’t even ship the figure until the 8th of this month, and that was only after I got mad demanding to know where my figure was. It’s currently stuck in the system and is listed as “Arriving Late”. I highly doubt it will get here in time. I’m pissed, but again, it serves me right for A. Not buying from a trusted seller, B. Being so cheap, C. Not paying attention to the auction after I paid and D. Not speaking up immediately when I did notice the figure hadn’t shipped. I know this is his fault, but there were steps I could have taken to possibly helped the situation. Regardless, I’m likely not going to be able to make the figure I intended for the 15th, which has me seriously pissed off. Fucknuggets.

So, that concludes another edition of Shanie’s Action Figure Update. Stay tuned for some time (who knows when) later this month when I hopefully get that custom figure done and post photos to share with all of you.

#Action Figures #wwe action figures #marvel legends #Shanie's Action Figure Update #Shanie's Action Figures #Action Figure Update

1 note · View note

controloffandoms · 5 years

Text

Princess of Themyscira (D.W.)

Prompt: Just something on my mind. This is only PART 1. Another part will follow.

Pairing: Older!Damian Wayne x reader (Eventually), Diana Prince x Sister!reader

Words: 4364

Warnings: Violence, cursing, foreign inhabitant, emotional reader

Notes: Damian is 25 in this story and is a fill in Batman as Bruce is unavailable. Kaldur is Aquaman. Dick is Nightwing. Clark is still Superman.

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Themyscira 20 years past

The ocean’s tide continued to bash the beach. The queen watched expectantly. She had a feeling that something was going to happen. She had felt a need to be close to the ocean all day long. The storm had only started an hour prior. On the horizon, she could barely make out a vessel. Her instincts told her to gather her warriors in case this was an attack, but another feeling had her pause and wait.

As the vessel got closer, she could see it straining under the storm before a giant storm surge tore the boat apart. As soon as the storm started, it stopped and the debris started to wash ashore. She traveled down to the beach from her perch on the cliff. As she looked at the debris, she saw a white bundle.

The queen approached slowly as a wail pierced the air. She carefully picked up the bundle and smiled at the child. She waited to see if the parents would wash ashore, but a sinking feeling in her gut told her that they did not make it through the storm. She gently bounced the child as she made her way back up to her people. She would raise this child the best way she knew how; by making her a warrior of Themyscira.

Themyscira 14 years past

Diana laughed as the (y/h/c) haired girl attached herself to the Princess. “Young (Y/N), I do have work to attend to.”

“Diana,” the young girl whined, “I am bored. I have no one to spend time with but you!”

“If you would let me do my work, we can do whatever you would like after I am done,” Diana offered.

She chuckled at the ‘thinking face’ the young Princess put on. A smile appeared on the young girl’s face, “I guess that is a good deal. Will you find me when you are done?”

“Most definitely young one,” Diana smiled. The young girl took off at the confirmation.

Most of the Themyscirans laughed as the young girl ran through the village. She was a ball of light that the women didn’t know they had needed. They happily brought her in when the queen had introduced her as an infant washed ashore. “(Y/N), you need to be more careful,” Queen Hippolyta called as she conversed with one of her advisors.

“Yes, Mother.”

Themyscira Present Day

You huffed a breath as your sword was blocked yet again and thrown to the side. “Again,” Agatha stated.

“Agatha, we have been at this for hours, could we not take a small break,” you asked, already knowing the answer.

“You will do as you are told. Again.” You picked up your sword and got into your battle stance. You made the first move, striking out with the sword as a distraction in order to land a blow with your foot to her chest. She retaliated with a combination move of her own that sent you flying to the ground with her sword at your throat. “Again.”

This continued until the sun was in the middle of the sky. By the end of the session, you had finally almost pinned Agatha. “We have made good progress. I will see you tomorrow as the sun rises.”

“As you wish, Agatha,” you stated and took your leave before she could change her mind and bring you back into training.

You weren’t like most Themyscirans. You weren’t as strong as them or as graceful. You knew it was because you were fully human, from the man’s world, not Themyscira. You were an accident, but that didn’t stop Queen Hippolyta from taking you in and treating you as any other Themysciran.

You straighten your back as you watched your mother, the Queen approach. You bowed your head, right arm crossing your chest. “I take it that your lesson with Agatha is over,” she asked as you straightened back up, arm dropping to your side.

“Yes, my Queen. I was planning on going to the meadow with Stream,” you held the reigns of your horse.

“Do not be long, dearest (Y/N). Diana will be returning today,” she smiled as your face lightened at the fact.

“Diana is coming back? It has been ages since I have seen her,” you exclaimed. Diana had left to help the man’s world ten years prior.

“She has business to attend to here and will be bringing guests. You may speak with her after she and I have talked. I am putting you in charge of watching the outsiders. If they are to try anything, you have full permission to stop them.”

You nodded at your mother’s orders. “I will not fail you, my Queen.” With her dismissal, you mounted your horse and rode to the meadow. You were excited to be able to see Diana again and excited to meet her friends. You didn’t think she’d bring anyone that would hurt her people, this was Diana you were talking about. She wouldn’t bring anyone that she didn’t trust to her home.

You looked up to the sky as you heard a jet. You backed your horse up as you realized the jet would be landing in the clearing. Once the jet stopped moving, you got off Stream and had her wait for you near the trees.

The back of the jet lowered and you cautiously walked around to it. The second you saw Diana, you ran to her, wrapping your arms around her, “Diana! You are back!”

She returned your hug, laughing. “Sister, you have grown.”

“That tends to happen over ten years time. You do not write or visit, how am I to know that you are alright? I have been worried sick,” you exclaim, backing up and looking her over to make sure she was alright.

“I am fine, (Y/N). Where is Mother?”

“I am to take you to her and entertain your guests while you two talk.” You finally looked to her companions. Your shoulders tensed. Men.

Sensing your hesitation, Diana put a hand on your shoulder. “I would like to introduce you to my friends and colleagues. (Y/N), this is Batman, Nightwing, Superman, and Aquaman. Guys, this is my little sister, (Y/N).”

You looked at the four men before taking a couple of steps forward, squaring your shoulders. You held out a hand to Batman first, “give me a reason to distrust any of you and I will kick your ass.”

You could see the tiniest of smirks on the young man’s face. “I highly doubt that you would be able to kick our asses, but your threat is noted.”

Your eyes narrowed at him before you turned to Nightwing, and shook his hand. “Don’t worry about him, he’ll behave.”

You continued onto Superman who smiled at you. “Nice to meet you.”

“Same to you.” You shook the last man’s hand and gave him a small smile. “I will show the four of you around after we drop Diana off. If you will all follow me,” you stated as you walked towards Steam and grabbed her reigns.

Diana walked beside you as the other walked behind you both. “How have you been,” she asked.

“I am up before the sun rises, training with Agatha. I have yet to have the winning title with her. Mother seems more stressed, always looking at battle plans and talking with her advisors. She has not brought me in yet, but I can tell there is something wrong. The others are all tense and constantly pushing me to train harder, be faster. I understand my need to train, but I would like to be able to enjoy the little things every now and again. How are you, Sister?”

Diana wrapped an arm around your shoulders as you walked. “I have been well. I helped to start a team of heroes to go against threats to the world. We have saved the world multiple times now. We have even started a team of younger heroes. I enjoy training with them all. I learn new things about the world each day I am out there. I would like to show you around some time.”

“Out there? With all of the corrupted men? Sister I do not think that a good idea.”

Hearing a loud laugh from behind you, you turned around. The confusion on your face caused the Superman to laugh again. “I do not see what is funny,” you stated.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t meaning to listen in on your conversation, but I do have super hearing. Not all men are corrupted, Miss (Y/N).”

You studied him as you responded, “Princess, not Miss. You can just call me (Y/N).” You turned and started walking again. You led the group into the Palace. When you got to the guards at the door to your Mother’s advising area, they moved to the side, opening the doors for you. You knelt to the ground, right arm crossing your chest, and bowed your head. “My Queen, Princess Diana, Superman, Batman, Aquaman, and Nightwing have arrived.” Those mentioned entered the room as you stood up to your full height.

“Thank you, (Y/N). Welcome Superman, Batman, Aquaman, and Nightwing. Welcome home, Diana. We have much to discuss. (Y/N), if you would take the four men and show them around,” she trailed off.

“If I may, Queen Hippolyta. What you will be discussing with Diana also concerns us. I would appreciate one of us staying to go over the plans as well as Diana,” Superman smiled at the end of his declaration.

“I understand Superman, but Diana will fill you in on the details after we discuss them.”

As you saw Batman about to respond, you shook your head, raising a hand to silence him. You didn’t want them to upset your Mother. There was a hierarchy to follow and as guests, they had to understand that they didn’t get to call the shots like they did outside of Themyscira. You ushered the four out of the room and began walking back towards the entrance of the palace with them. “I understand your concern, Superman, but do not overstep. You are here as guests,” you stated.

“There is an imminent threat, we should be in there making battle plans with Diana and your Queen,” Batman huffed.

You stopped walking and turned to him. “It is a blessing that Mother let you on Themyscira at all. Do not push your limits, you will get burned in the end. There are loads of Amazonians here that hate the simple fact that you four are here, if you start complaining about the Queen, things will get hairy.” You turned back around and walked out of the palace. “Amelia, would you grab four horses from the coralle?”

You mounted Stream and waited. “I’m very sorry if we offended you. We didn’t mean to,” Nightwing spoke.

You looked at him and gave him a smile. “I am not offended. Everyone deserves a second chance. You are guests, you do not know our ways. I expected for you to make mistakes. You must learn and move on from them.”

“That is a very mature way to think of things, (Y/N),” Aquaman stated.

You smirked and chuckled. “I have been told that multiple times.”

As the four mount the horses, you tuned in your hearing to the meeting Diana was having with the Queen. “She is not ready for this, Diana. She does not know of everything that transpired after she arrived here.”

“Ready to go,” Superman asked.

You barely flinched at his voice. It was like he was screaming with how tuned up your hearing was, but you’d had practice in not showing how startled or disoriented you were. You had to in order to get away with it. “I am. Let us go.”

4 hours later

“Princess (Y/N), the Queen would like for your to take the guests back to the palace,” Hathila called as she pulled her horse to a stop next to you. “She says to be quick.”

“Thank you, Hathila. Follow me,” you called to the four already mounting the horses again. You galloped off to the palace, the four men not far behind you.

You let Amelia take your horses as you walked back into the palace. As before, the doors were opened for you and you knelt down, right arm over your chest, head bowed, “is there anything else you need, My Queen?”

“That would be all. You are dismissed (Y/N).” Without looking back, you exited the room and left the palace. You went back to the meadow and laid in the grass. It had been awhile since you’d been able to just lay and relax under the sun.

You don’t know how long you’d been laying there before you decided to head back into the village. “(Y/N), where have you been? Jocylin has been looking for you. She is angry.”

“What could she be angry about? I have not seen her all day,” you stated.

“Did you not think I would not find out,” Jocylin shouted as she walked down the path.

“Find out what?”

“You know exactly what I am talking about, (Y/N),” she snarled.

You shook your head. “I do not. What is this about, Jocylin.”

“You were with four men on Themysciran soil. That is against what we stand for. I see you follow in Diana’s footsteps.”

You raised an eyebrow at her outburst. “They are guests of Diana’s. The Queen approved of them being here.”

“Excuses. They should not have left the palace if they were guests,” she threw a sword to you.

“You are not serious. We are not going to fight in the middle of the village,” you sighed.

“I challenge you as heir to the throne. You are not of Amazonian blood. You should not be the heir. You have further proven to not know of proper Amazonian law.” So that was what this was about. Your impure blood.

“You have been waiting for an opportunity to challenge me, have you not,” you asked as you kept the sword lowered. “Since we were children you have thought yourself better than me because I was not of pure Amazonian blood. If you wanted to challenge me because of my impurity, why have you not done it sooner?”

A crowd had gathered by this time, including the Queen, Diana, and the four guests. Once a challenge was called for, there was no intervention from the queen, it had to be seen through. “Do you accept the challenge,” she sneered.

“There is no other worthy choice. Conditions. We stop when the other has the kill shot and there is no other move that can be made by the one down. No powers used. Clean and fair fight,” you stated.

“I accept your conditions.”

You placed your blade in front of you, watching Jocylin as she got into her stance. You both stared at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. “Are you just going to look at me? You wanted a challenge,” you sighed.

She jumped forward and your swords clashed as you deflected. You slammed her sword outward and forcefully kicked her chest, making her stumble back and gasp for breath. You advanced, taking her feet out from under her and moving to place your sword at her throat. You realized your mistake too late when her sword made contact with your leg, cutting it pretty deeply.

The moment of distraction you gave to the cut was enough for Jocylin to get the upper hand. You sword clattered to the ground as she broke your wrist. You glared at her as you put space between the both of you. She picked up your sword, pointing them both at you. “Nothing else you can do, Princess,” she sneered.

“You underestimate me,” you stated calmly as you charged at her. You faked her out and ducked under her right arm, getting away with a small scratch along your back before you land a hard blow to her back, knocking her off balance. You grabbed her left arm, twisting it until she released your blade. You used her momentum forward to slam her to the ground, your sword pressed against the back of her neck. With her arm still twisted behind her back. “Toss your blade. This battle is over.”

She struggled and you held her firmer. “Toss your blade Jocylin,” you growled. After a couple of seconds, she tossed it out. You got off of her and stabbed the blade into the ground beside her. “Challenge resolved. Good effort, Jocylin.” You offered her your hand, but she slapped it away, getting up by herself.

You both regarded each other before you turned to walk away. “I do not think we are done. An Impure will not best me,” she yelled as the ground began to lock your feet into place.

“Jocylin, this is not the way of our people. Your challenge is over. Release Princess (Y/N),” your mother called.

“You call allowing an impure mutt to be the next ruler, the way of our people? I respectfully disagree, Queen Hippolyta.”

“I can not get through the shielding, My Queen,” another Amazonian called.

“I call a new Challenge. Conditions: Powers are allowed. We stop once the other is dead. Use any means necessary.” She stopped in front of you and smirked. “I’m glad you agree to the terms of the challenge,” she laughed before you could respond.

“I do not agree with your conditions,” you gritted out.

“Too bad, you have already agreed.” She placed the sword to your cheek and cut across it. You didn’t flinch.

“I find it repulsing that you would harm an unarmed woman. Do you think that if you kill me like this anyone will take your challenge victory seriously?” She trailed the sword down your neck before sighing and walking out of your vision.

You tensed at not being able to see her. Then she was back in your sights, handing you a sword. “I guess since you have no powers, it is only fair that you have a sword to defend yourself. After all, I will be seen as a fair ruler.”

You laughed at that, “so after this you’re going to challenge our Queen? That is laughable. You would not make it two seconds against her.”

You blocked the sword that swung towards you, but was unable to avoid the piece of earth that sent you flying backwards and into the shield she’d put around your arena. As you went to run towards her, the ground once again swallowed your feet. “Are you finding it hard to move,” she asked innocently.

You smirked at her, “no, I decided to take a little rest.” You could hear some of your fellow Amazonians laugh at that even though they were still worried about you. You sent up a prayer to any of the gods listening, hoping for their help over Jocylin’s powers. You blocked her next attack and tried to dodge the rocks thrown at you, but with limited mobility, it was pretty difficult. “You are enjoying this too much,” you sighed.

Before she could respond, the sky darkened and thunder rumbled. Lightning streaked across the sky. You felt your senses heighten as a lightning bolt struck between you and Jocylin. The electrical current flowed into your sword and across your body, breaking the rocks holding you in place. You rose to your full height, your body starting to float above the ground. You could feel the electricity flowing through you easily.

I have waited a long time for you to call on me, Child, a deep voice rattled in your head. I sense your confusion. I am Zeus. You are the only way I am allowed to come into contact with the human world. You are a vessel, if you will.

You didn’t have time to question him as you were brought back to the problem at hand, Jocylin. Do not worry, I will finish her. “I do not wish to kill her,” you stated out loud. Very well.

The battle didn’t last long as Zeus used his lightning to knock Jocylin out. With her out of commission, the barrier dropped and the Queen along with Diana and the four superheroes approached. “My Queen,” you stated, bowing your head before straightening again. “I do not know what is happening to me.”

“There is a lot we need to discuss, my child.”

Indeed we do, Zeus stated. Aqualad slightly flinched at the voice while the others eyes widened slightly.

“I am not the only one that hears him,” you asked.

At this point in time, no. I am speaking to all of you.

You stood completely still. This couldn’t be happening. You didn’t have a god inhabiting your body. Inhabiting sounds like I am a parasite. I merely live alongside you. I grant you the ability to wield lightning, to fly, to have enhanced senses and strength. In return, I keep from perishing like the other gods.

The Queen ushered you and the others into her war room. There were so many questions you had. You couldn’t believe that this was actually happening to you. You kept thinking that you would wake up and this all be a dream. I can confirm that this is not a dream. You are not going crazy. This is actually happening. Yes I know all of your thoughts. No, if I were to leave, I would cease to exist. Yes I had something to do with how you ended up on Themyscira. Yes I do need food. You need food to live therefore I live.

“Okay, just-can you be silent for a minute so I can gather my thoughts,” you exclaimed quietly, rubbing your fingers against your pounding skull.

“I wanted to tell you sooner,” your mother started as she watched you. “I had brief contact with Zeus a couple of days before you arrived on Themyscira. He told me of a human he found to be compatible with his being. You have to understand that if all of the Greek Gods go extinct, we cease to exist. Zeus was the last. He made a connection with you as a baby, but could not fully connect with you at that age.”

As your mother paused, you spoke. “So you raised me as a conduit for a god and never thought to tell me? I am to be stuck with another being inside me, sharing my mind, and you never once thought to bring it up,” your voice shook with the anger you were feeling.

“I will do what I have to do to keep my people safe. (Y/N)-”

“I think I understand now,” your expression was blank, your voice having calmed. “The whole time you were raising me, telling me that I would be the one to take your place one day, it was all lies. You just wanted me around to be a god’s bitch. Thank you very much for the warning, Mother.” You turned and pushed past Diana and her friends.

“(Y/N), you do not have permission to leave,” your mother called.

“I think we are way past pleasantries and permission, Mother. I did not give permission to be used as a conduit, yet I am.” You walked out of the room and out of the palace. You took your horse and ran until you were sure your mother wouldn’t find you any time soon.

You should not be mad at your mother. I am the one who asked her to keep this from you until you were ready. She was planning to tell you soon. “Kindly keep your thoughts to yourself.” I never planned to use you. I will not take over your mind and make you do something you do not want to do. I plan to keep you safe, enhance your strengths. I plan to coexist with you so that your people continue to live on.

“My people? I do not belong here. As for you, I still never gave consent to be your conduit. I had no choice in the matter. It was taken from me.”

You can sulk all you want, it does not change the fact that we are bound.

Before you can reply, the leaves rustle behind you. “It is just me, (Y/N),” Diana called. “I remember that this was your favorite place to come if you were upset when you were little.”

“Were you in on it?”

Diana sat next to you. You shook her hand off as soon as she tried to put her arm around you. She looked at you and sighed. “I did not know until today when Mother and I were talking about the battle plans.”

“So she plans to use me in a battle as well? This day keeps getting better,” you ground out.

You and Diana sit in silence. You watch the ocean crash on the rocks below with your arms wrapped around your knees. “I do not want to be the only thing keeping Themyscira from ceasing to exist,” you whispered after a while. “It has to be a mistake,” you added.

Diana successfully pulled you to her. “I understand the pressure you feel. It was not right that you were not given a choice. But it was no mistake,” she stated. You turned your head to look at her. “You are one of the strongest women I have ever met. You are strong willed and capable of handling the most stressful events. You take responsibility seriously but still know how to have fun. You are capable of turning what you see as a curse into something great. Something useful.”

You both went back into an easy silence as you thought over what Diana had said. You stand as the sky begins to darken and Diana does the same. “I want to be a part of the battle plans you were talking about. I refuse to be sidelined. I could help.”

3 Weeks Later

Slowly your sisters started to act normally around you again. After Zeus had bound to you, your sisters walked on eggshells around you. You finally felt normal again when Darkseid’s forces made their appearance. You stood from your perch on the palace steps and watched as the parademons descended. You turned to your communicator and waited for Diana’s face to pop up. “Parademons in Themyscira. I hope you are ready for battle,” you stated before looking back at your communicator.

“Diana is already on her way. We will be following shortly,” Batman affirmed.

“We will hold them off until then,” you replied.

The battle cry went up and you started the battle of your lives. You had never seen a creature like them before. They were able to manipulate energy, take over a person’s body and create a new parademon, fly, adapt to their environment, breathe fire, and self destruct. You watched many of your sisters fall to the army before Diana was in front of you, letting you know she and the cavalry were here.

More parademons kept flying in. There was no end to them. Cuts and bruises littered your body as you finished off yet another group of parademons. “Now, (Y/N),” Diana called.

Are we obliterating all of the parademons at once now?

“Yes,” you replied as the electricity circled your body and flowed through it. Your eyes turned a bright blue as the energy built up. You paid no mind to the parademons around you as the energy kept them away. “For Themyscira,” you shouted as the energy was released.

Your feet touched the ground as you looked around at the warriors slowly getting up. That seemed too easy, Zeus sighed.

“It did,” you responded. At Diana and Batman’s confused glances you relayed Zeus’ thoughts.

“That’s because it’s not over yet,” Superman pointed to the portal in the sky as more parademons came out along with their creator, Darkseid.

“What does he want,” you asked.

“Total world domination, to make everyone a slave and reshape the universe,” Flash stated.

“I do not think that wise,” you responded. “This is going past what we have planned for.”

“Improvise,” Nightwing shrugged.

“Yes, because all great battles are won with improvisation, Bird,” you rolled your eyes as you felt Zeus pulling the energy from the air to make the lightning. “I have a god on my side, I will take Darkseid,” you sighed.

Before you could fly off, Batman grabbed your wrist. “He is stronger than anyone you have ever fought. It would be suicide to go against him alone,” he growled.

You smirked slightly, “I am just improvising as your colleague suggested.” You released your arm from his hold and shot towards Darkseid, bypassing most of the parademons. You pushed yourself faster and willed the electricity to build up in your hands that were pointed in front of you. You were hoping that your momentum and the electricity that would be released upon impact would at least knock the giant down for a minute.

You avoided his arms and hands and made contact with his chest, center mass. As you had hoped, he did fall but he almost immediately got back up and threw you into the ground. “I must admit, you took me by surprise.” You moved out of the way as an energy blast came towards you.

“What do you want,” you asked. You hovered in front of his face, arms crossed.

“To enslave your people and use them in my plans to rule the universe. You also have an artifact that would ensure I take the planet easily with minimal loss to myself.”

“Do you tell all your enemies your plans?”

“Only because I know you will never be able to stop me.”

“I think you underestimate us,” you replied with a bored tone. “We will take you down.” You moved out of the way as Superman hit Darkseid center mass, sending him flying.

“Nice distraction tactic,” he stated as he floated next to you.

“I improvised,” you responded, sending lightning raining on Darkseid who just stood up as if nothing was attacking him. “Though I am not liking the looks of this. I have to find the artifact he wants before he does.”

Before Superman could reply, you’d flown off in search of your Mother. You found her with Diana and a couple other Leaguers, fighting off Parademons. You used Zeus’ lightning to give them all breathing room as you landed. “He is looking for an artifact that will ensure he takes the planet easily. Mother, do you know where it is.”

“There is no way he could obtain it,” she responded.

You clench your fist and jaw. “Even with a god on my side, Darkseid seems impossible to beat. I have no doubt he will find what he is looking for. If I could get it before he does-”

“If you bring it out, he will retrieve it,” she cut you off. “He will not get it where it is now.”

You let your anger out on the parademons that had approached again, keeping up an electrical barrier as you talked with your mother. “You will tell me where it is and I will retrieve it. I would feel better if it was protected by us instead of off somewhere with no protection. He is already scouring the island for it.” As she started to shake her head, you growled. You grabbed the front of her dress, bringing her closer to you. “I do not have time for your games, Mother. I had no choice in binding with a god but I will choose to protect the artifact with my life so that Darkseid may not use it against us. He wants to enslave our people for his own gain. With the artifact, it will make it easier for him. Tell me where it is.”

“I agree with (Y/N). I could run her to it,” Flash stated.

“It would be better protected with her and Zeus, Mother,” Diana added.

“It is in the cave. Zeus will know the artifact in which you seek,” your mother finally sighed out. She told Flash where the cave was located and he picked you up.

“We’ll be back in a flash,” he stated before rushing off with you.

As he walked into the cave, he set you down. “Watch the entrance,” you called over your shoulder. “Zeus, where is it?”

I am trying to locate it. Walk further in. You did as you were told. Should be just up ahead. Yes, there it is. The ring and the lightning bolt. Those are what you need. I would also spring for Fragarach sword, no armor should be able to withstand it. We could use it on Darkseid.

You grabbed the sword and sheathed it. As you picked up the lightning bolt, you jumped as it absorbed into your body, making a tattoo on the inside of your right arm. It is my lightning bolt. I thought it had long since been destroyed after Hercules ‘borrowed’ it. It will intensify our lightning and attacks.

You nodded at the information before slipping the ring on your finger. This will help me to grow stronger. The ring and lightning bolt both hold parts of myself. The stronger I get, the easier it will be to defeat our enemies.

“Should I be worried about you taking over my mind,” you asked.

No, I have already told you that I would not make you do anything you did not want to.

“(Y/N), we need to get out of here,” Flash called. You arrived back at the mouth of the cave and he picked you up to run you back to the others.

He placed you down between your mother and Diana. “You could have told me he wanted Zeus’ power. Probably would have been good to know,” you shouted over the battle.

“We will have a long talk about subordination when this battle is finished.” You unsheathed your new sword and cut through all of the parademons easily. “You took more than you should have.”

“It was Zeus’ idea,” you replied as you finished off the wave of parademons before sheathing the sword again. “He is quite happy to be growing stronger.” She took your right arm in her hand, running her fingers over the lightning bolt as the heroes and warriors began to gather to prepare for the next assault. You jerked your arm from her hold, “is this not what you wanted? For me to embrace the god so that your people could continue to exist? The relics help me to embrace. Now I guess I am just a weapon at your disposal,” you sneered.

You used your anger to wipe out the next wave of parademons. With a wave of your hand, lightning struck them all down. “Could you have this conversation after we defeat Darkseid? I think he’s noticed your upgrade in power,” Red Robin called.

“(Y/N), Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Superboy, take Darkseid down hard. The rest of us will deal with the remaining parademons and then join you,” Batman ordered.

You unsheathed your sword and looked at the heroes around you. “I say we do this hard and fast. Superman and Superboy aim for his shoulders, Diana and GL aim for his legs, I’ll take center mass.” As they nodded in agreement, you all rushed forth. You avoided the parademons as you approached Darkseid. You all also had to avoid his energy beams which proved to be slightly harder. You clench your jaw as the beam grazed your arm.

You all hit at the same time, bringing Darkseid to the ground. “I suggest letting go unless you want to be electrocuted,” you called out, charging your sword with lightning and quickly bringing it down onto Darkseid’s armor. It barely cut into his armor, but it had the desired effect. “Zeus, now would be a good time for that war ending lightning you have boasted about.”

I will try.

With you as a conduit, the lightning flowed through you, into the sword and spread rapidly across Darkseid. He jolted with the energy and you kept it up as long as you could before you started to feel weak. You jerked your sword from his chest and flew back, stumbling as you hit the ground. Diana was there to catch you.

The other superheroes approached and watched Darkseid to see if he had been finished. The parademons had stopped their attack and swarmed their master. Slowly, Darkseid began to get up. “There’s no way,” Kid Flash muttered.

“With the amount of lightning that pulsed through his body for that long, he should be dead,” Superman whispered.

“I do not understand,” you added.

Darkseid laughed. “I, indeed, underestimated you child. You were even able to pierce my armor, none have ever been able to do that. Do not take my retreat as defeat. I will be back.” Then he was gone.

You sheathed your sword and ran a hand down your face. “He is indestructible,” you sighed.

“No, you were able to crack his armor and he looked like that electricity you sent through his body hurt him. You just have to do that again,” Nightwing’s perky attitude was beginning to grind on your nerves.

“Yes, I will just take him on by myself, eventually get my sword to cut away at his armor slowly all the while maintaining an electrical charge like that. Simple,” you growled.

Even at full power I can not manage that, Zeus informed the group.

“Why do your Kryptonians not find a way to stop Darkseid instead of leaving the whole thing to me,” you snapped. “I am not a thing to be used at your convenience.”

“We aren’t saying you are, (Y/N). He did not mean it that way. So far none of our attacks have worked. Superman hasn’t been able to crack his armor, but you did. If you could put more openings in his armor, maybe Superman and the other’s attacks will have an effect and we can help you to take him down,” Batman placed a hand on your shoulder, squeezing it slightly. “I would not expect you to take him on by yourself.”

9 Months Later

“Thunderer, B-30,” the zeta tube announced as you stepped into Mount Justice. You had been asked to join the team by Robin, who you had learned had been Batman during the battle at Themyscira, eight months ago. Needing a change of scene, you had agreed and you didn’t regret it. “Wonder Woman 03, Batman 02, Black Canary 13.”

You approached your team members and gave them a small smile. I wonder if they will let us out of here today. I would appreciate time to stretch my abilities. It has been months since we have.

“Shut up,” you mumbled to the god. Robin side eyed you and you shook your head.

I am going crazy not being allowed to use my abilities. We can not use them on the others in case we were to go overboard. We can not use them on regular villains in case we kill them. I am getting tired of their rules. You rubbed your head as you felt a headache start to grow. We should go out and do a solo, spread our wings mission. It would be fun. We could even look for Darkseid. We have not seen him in months. You know-

“I am trying to listen to the briefing. Will you shut your trap,” you growled, pausing as everyone turned to you. You could feel your cheeks start to turn red. “I am sorry for the interruption. Continue.”

It was futile to try and listen to the briefing as Zeus kept talking to you. It caught you off guard when suddenly everyone was looking at you again. You had no idea what had been said. We can do that. We would be happy to, Zeus responded for you. You saw some of the members of the team flinch back at his voice. They still weren’t use to his responses.

As the team dismissed, you followed Robin. As quietly as possible, you asked him about the mission. “Rob, I-uh. He would not shut up throughout the briefing, can you give me the overview?”

Rob motioned for you to follow him as he got ready for the mission. “We will be doing recon on the Venom drug warehouse. Cobra is said to make an appearance. We need to tag his vehicle to track him to his next stop where we will get more intel on what he and the other kingpins are planning. If things go sideways, you are our cover fire to get those of us at the warehouse out. You will not engage unless provoked or the team is in unknown danger. If things go smoothly, you should not be needed as cover fire. Batman made it clear that he does not want us to engage unless absolutely necessary.”

You mean we can not even fire just one lightning bolt if we are not provoked, Zeus’ voice was quickly getting on your nerves.

“No, if they do not need it, we will not fire a lightning bolt. Calm down, you can let loose later on a training dummy,” you growled.

“Tough day with your brain mate,” Robin asked.

“Every day is a tough day with him. He has not been allowed to completely let loose since Darkseid attacked Themyscira. He is getting, as you say, antsy. Therefore, I get the headache while he complains all day. I am just really tired of it, Damian,” you sigh.

You had known Damian’s secret identity since he had asked you to join the team. He stopped in his preparations and rested a hand on your shoulder, squeezing it gently. “You can do this. You can get through this and you can put up barriers. You’re getting better at ignoring him. I have no doubt you’ll eventually be able to control the communication lines between you two.”

“At this point, I would rather lock him in a box and lose the key. As he has grown stronger, so has his thoughts, wants, and needs. It is like living with a toddler, as I am told.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to focus enough tonight with him in your head?”

“He does not listen to me. I tell him to keep quiet so I can focus, but he never stops. I will be fine tonight. I will pay extra close attention to the warehouse. Zeus should calm down with the prospect of possibly using his powers if things go wrong.”

You watched as he packed more weapons into extra bags. “Is there a reason that only the bats and I are on the team tonight? Should we not have Superboy in case they use the Venom drug?”

He chuckled as he finished packing the bags. “We are the best at recon and staying hidden. With the amount of pressure on the information we need, we thought it best to use just ‘the bats’ as you so graciously called us. And if they use the venom drug, you’re our heavy hitter.”

3 Hours Later

You crouched in the overgrowth surrounding the warehouse. You were about fifteen feet from the main entrance. The others (Tim, Dick, Jason, Damian, and Barbara) were surrounding the warehouse, still in the trees. “What can you tell is going on in there, Thunder,” Dick whispered through the com.

You tuned your hearing in. You heard what you assumed to be shipments, being moved around. Breathing, clattering of a clipboard. Tapping. “-sure thing. It is all ready to go when you get here. Three minutes? Yes, Mr. Cobra.”

You dialed back your hearing and responded. “Lots of product being shifted around. Machines whirling. At least a dozen people on the inside. Cobra should be arriving in three minutes according to the phone call I listened in on.”

“Hood, Red, and Bat Girl move in. Robin, wait until Cobra is inside the building and put a tracker on the car. Once the tacker is in place, join us on the inside. Thunderer, watch our backs.”

“Affirmative, Nightwing.” You responded. Why do we not just take them all out in one place? It will get rid of the drug and the one selling it. As your hand started to turn blue your breath picked up. “That’s not the plan Z, leave it alone,” you hissed.

“Do we have a problem,” Nightwing asked quietly.

“No,” you responded quickly as Cobra’s vehicle pulled up. “Cobra is here.”

Young Justicers

@lettucewayne

DC Loves

@marvelite1998 @jadedhillon

Forever Tags

@miraclesoflove

#Older!damian Wayne x reader #Older!damian Wayne #Older!Robin x reader #Older!Robin #Batman!Damian Wayne #Batman!Damian Wayne x reader #Robin x reader #Damian Wayne x reader #Control of fandoms #Controloffandoms #Diana Prince x Sister!reader #Wonder Woman x Sister!Reader #Young Justice #Justice league #DC Comics #Princess of Themyscira

296 notes · View notes

carryonmywaywardwriters · 5 years

Text

Love How You Hate Me - Sam x Reader

A/N: I guess the drabble didn’t post? I’ll have to fix that later. For now, have this. I’m going to have a busy end of the week. So, we’ll see when I post the next bit. But, hopefully this holds y’all over. As usual, feedback is always incredible. If you want tagged, please send an ask or message so I for sure see it. And, I hope you all enjoy <3

PSA: I am NOT a minor friendly blog. If you are below 18, please come back when you’re older. I don’t want to lose my blog because you were too eager to grow up. If I discover you, I WILL block.

Series Masterlist

Warnings: Show level violence. Injured Reader. Makeout session.

Word Count: Roughly 3,700

The shadowed being was doubled over. Breathing raggedly as she held her middle. Too absorbed in the bombardment of her new senses to hear you approach until it was too late. A single hiss left her as she poised to attack. Finally zeroing in on the thump of your heart. Bloodthirsty, as most were.

Without a moment of hesitation, your arm lifted. Sending the red hair rolling across the room with a single, heavy blow. Blood splattered over your the skin of your face. Warm and sticky. Letting the smell of iron drift up to your nostrils.

You stood there for a moment. Simply basking in the strength that seemed to settle into your bones. It didn't matter who she'd been. Only who she'd become. A danger. One that wouldn't be free to slaughter anyone else.

Straightening your shoulders, you prepared to go to work. More at home in your skin than you'd been just a moment before. Letting the adrenaline take away all the lingering negativity that danced in your mind.

One by one, the other five vampires fell under your watch. Almost too easily. No loud cries. Only a few scratches lined your arms. Their arrogance being their ultimate downfall. The craving for a decent fight danced in your veins. You were desperate for the sense of control that came with the hunt.

As the last body on your wing collapsed at your feet, you stood quietly. Listening for anything more. Short of your own whispered breathing, nothing stirred the air.

With a heavy sigh, you wiped your blade on the shirt of the corpse on your feet. Moving out to the doorway to meet the brothers. Believing that all would be needed was destroying the evidence.

Your footsteps weren't nearly as light on the way back. Daring something in the building to find you. To give you a real challenge.

Half of you wondered if it'd goad Sam into lighting into you. The thought made your lips curl to one side. At least he could be counted on for that.

Just as you got close to the entrance, a loud scream echoed through the halls. Your head jerked up to the noise. Attempting to decipher where the sound had originated from. Tightening your grip on the machete, you were on the move.

Sam blinked awake. Everything blurred together as he tried to focus. To remember what he could. A single tap against an empty can had opened the eyes of the vamp he'd been about to hack up. Another must have been behind him. After that, everything went dark.

Female voices talked over another as he made sense of where he was. Rope bound his arms behind him in the morgue. Being watched by hungry, tired, pissed off women with jagged points emerging from their lips. When he turned his head, he found Dean awake. Trying to undo the knots, quietly.

Twisting his fingers, Sam glanced around. Trying to see where you were. When he realized you weren't there? That the surviving members of the nest only mentioned them? He couldn't help the relief that swept through his body.

He might not have been your biggest fan, but being turned was a fate worse than death. Beyond the endless hunger, and inability to be human in the ways most strove for, it was sentence to Purgatory. He wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not after seeing it himself. Not after hearing what Dean and Cas had endured in the pit of it.

Everything stopped as a slam sounded out in the hall. A low, heavy thud sounded. Too familiar to be missed. Someone's body had fallen. Sam's chest rose and fell rapidly as he waited to see you being carried in. Sure that you'd fallen.

Instead, when the door opened? It was you standing on the other side. Wearing that damned smug grin on your lips. Blood speckled across the exposed skin. It pooled on the floor from what was carried in your hand. The dark hair blocked the face, but did nothing to hide the fact you held a decapitated head. Is she insane?

Dean's eyes were wide, but nowhere near as frantic as Sam felt. Certain that you'd just signed a death warrant in blood. That you didn't stand a chance against the nest. Knowing Dean would witness it made his gut twist further.

He didn't know how they'd take it. But, that didn't seem to matter to you. You didn't even look their way as the vampires straightened up to take in their new prey.

“I believe this belongs to you.” The head rolled towards the blonde woman in the middle. Assuming she was the head of the nest. “You really need to invest in better guards.” All tease and no bite. There didn't appear to be any tension in your body.

Doesn't she realize she's in danger? Sam was going to have a stroke. He was sure of it as he watched your calm demeanor.

“Someone like you?” Blonde haired and bloodshot eyes, she stood tall. Eyeing you up as if you were a prize to be held rather than a meal. Sam's heart kicked up as he imagined the fate you'd set yourself up for. “All guts and glory...you'd fit right in.”

“Yeah... I don't know about that.” It was only a second. But, he hadn't imagined it. Your E/C gaze flicked over to him. “I'm not really into the whole blood drinkin' business. I'm kinky. Just not that kinky.” Sam almost laughed at the jab. Knowing it was meant for him. Just as bratty as ever.

You scanned the room as you moved in deeper. Exposing yourself to the vampires as your hand reached down into your pocket. If they didn't kill you, Sam decided he would. Giving you the death you clearly wished for.

It all happened in a blur. The rush of an impatient, overly cocky vampire your way. Flesh slammed into flesh. Knocking you backwards from the strength of the attack. Sam forgot to breathe as he was forced to witness it.

A scream filled the air as a body fell backwards. Huffs of air left both the brothers when the needle was spotted. Deadman's blood. Curling up, the vamp wailed in agony. Lowering the number you were up against effectively by one. Your eyes remained planted on the other threats around you while you fixed your balance.

“You're fast. Strong...but you could be so much better.” The leader purred your way. Only seeing a warrior for her cause. Someone to replace those she'd already lost. “You'd never fall victim to a man, again.”

“Again?” It was said, flippantly. As if you didn't really care. “You know my life story?” But something flickered in your eyes that Sam didn't like.

“Downside to being female, honey: we all fall victim to a man at some point or another.” Came the scoff. Dismissing the idea that it had never happened in your life.

“You know,” Your bloody blade spun in your fingers as you played with it. Standing taller than Sam had ever seen you. “I'm all for women wanting to feel empowered.” There was a 'but' hidden in your tone. Sure enough, it was just a breath away. “But, you take it to the extreme.” Your chin lifted as you took her in. “I prefer a nice, happy medium. I'd tell you to try it sometime...But, I don't think that's going to happen.”

“You're making a mistake.” She promised. Fangs slipping down as she prepared to strike. Furious at someone challenging the authority she'd worked so hard to gain.

“Nothing new.” What you lost in strength due to being one handed, you made up for in momentum and the sharpness of your blade. The body closest to you hit the floor with a sickening plop as your other blade came out to sink into the throat of another.

Sam dug his rope against the sharp point sticking out on the pole, struggling harder to get free. Needing to assist. Give you a chance. Dean struggled to find something to tear his own rope apart.

You were fast, but not fast enough. The four newer vampires struck at once. Grabbing onto your arms and weapons. Disarming you in a sweep.

“Don't touch her.” The command sounded as a set of teeth scraped against your jugular. Prepared to rip it out. Your chest rose and fell rapidly as you stared defiantly at the leader.

“So, what?” You bit out, jerking your body forward in an attempt to escape. A pointless, but instinctive reaction. “You can't convert me, so you kill me?” Your chin was still lifted as you were forced upwards. A bloodied heretic willing to die for her cause, Sam thought. “Classic.”

Sam lunged forward as if he could stop what was happening. Ignoring the way his wrists strained at the same time Dean finally called out, “You're really going to kill her? Someone that strong? She just took out two of you in a single sweep.”

His way of trying to give you a chance. To come up with something. Anything.

“Enlighten me,” You fought the hold on you even more as the leader moved towards Dean and Sam instead. Your eyes growing wild. “How does someone so attached to males benefit me?” He didn't have an answer. A short, bark of a laugh left her. Then, she lunged.

Dean's shoulder popped audibly as he rushed forward. Roaring your name as the pained cry filled the air. Sam jerked his head away. Refusing to watch the end of you. So certain he'd been right all along. Hunting would kill you.

Another, higher scream filled the air. He looked up to see you'd pulled another blade from somewhere on your body. It lodged into the head of the nest's throat. Separating the spinal chord from the skull. Another needle was lodged into the one in the back's leg.

Your body dropped from the leader's grip as the corpse fell. The weapons that had been pulled away were rearmed. As you stood, you slashed out at the legs of the women standing by you. Giving them no chance to hold themselves up. Whimpers filled the air. But, it did no good. Their heads rolled unforgivingly.

Not a word left you as you took care of the final two. Cutting the misery of deadman's blood short. Blood rolled down along your throat. Yet, you didn't once reach up to check how bad it was.

Instead, you moved over to Dean, “You alright?”

“You're asking me?” Came the pained chuckle. “I'm fine...thanks.”

“Any time,” A ghost of a smile played on your face as the rope fell away from his arms. He stretched the muscles. Wincing at the pain in his shoulder as he got to his face.

“Told you,” You dropped down behind Sam. Not quite smug. Simply matter of fact. “I refuse to be a victim.” He didn't say a word as the tightness around his wrist faded.

Your small blade was pulled from the leader's throat. Cleaned, and placed away inside a small wrap underneath the back of your shirt. It was thin enough that he hadn't noticed it, but enough to keep the blade away from your skin. You loaded up your machetes. With that, you walked out of the morgue. Not another word leaving your lips.

“What the hell just happened?” Sam asked his brother. Still in shock as he looked around the room.

“I'll take care of this. Set this place up to burn. You go check on her.” Dean rubbed at his wrists, looking at the carnage. It wasn't a question. It was an order. A way to avoid answering the question.

With a sigh, Sam listened. Turning to follow after you. He didn't bother to try and catch up. Instead, he stayed back as you practically ran back to the car. Stewing over every detail of what had happened.

“You're something else, you know that?” The sudden fury surprised Sam more than it had you when he finally caught up.

You kept your attention on what you were doing. He found you sitting beside the Impala. One leg out, the other curled up to your chest as you cleaned your weapons. The wound on your neck was raw and bloody from the bite. Not appearing to be deep enough to kill you. Still oozing slowly from the recent trauma.

“You say it like it's a bad thing.” You didn't look up at him. Focused in on what you were doing. As though you didn't have a care in the world. “I saved your ass.”

“We would have gotten-”

“You two are the best.” You looked up to him, finally. That damned cool mask on your face. “Don't give me that look, Sam.” The dry tone made the surprise turn back to anger. “You've survived against some of the biggest, baddest, things to run in this world.” You turned back to your blade as it didn't matter. “But, you got caught in a bind. And needed help. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

“You think that's what my problem is?” An easy shrug was your answer. “I expected you to die in a hunt. Maybe even this one.” He blurted out. Trying to get a little bit of something out of you. To get that mischievous glint back into your eyes. To work you up as much as he was.

“Boy, you were wrong.” You threw out, making your brows raise his way. As if asking him if he had a point.

“I figured you were going to be another one on the list.”

“The list?” That made you set down the blades, and look at the younger Winchester. You pulled up your other leg and rested your arms across your knees. “What are you talking about, Sam?”

“The list of the people Dean's lost.” Sam looked down, pushing away the sadness before letting his eyes meet yours. Dean was a weak spot for you. He expected you to get more riled. To give him more of the fight he craved.

“Dean's not the only one who lost people, Sam.” You leaned your head back against the metal. A knowing look in your eyes as you looked up at him carefully. You'd caught onto his game, and refused to play by his rules. After all, you got your fight in already. You were too drained to give him more. “You were there, too. You've lost just as much. If not more.”

“More?” He didn't like how easily you shifted the conversation. Zeroing in on his own insecurities.

“Dean knew your mom. You never did. He was old enough to remember at least a little of the normal life. Your earliest memories are of being raised by your brother as you bounced around the country. You were in Hell for a considerably longer period of time. Trapped with Lucifer himself.” You let out a small laugh, “Sam, you're so blind to yourself, it's unreal.”

“Oh, and you know me so well?” His voice hardened as he looked down at you. Forgetting that it was supposed to be you worked up. That it was you who should've been on the defensive over the way you'd thrown yourself to the vampires.

“Let's just say that I have a unique perspective.” It wasn't said with malice. Simply that easy, blown off kinda way that got under his skin. Almost immediately, you shifted away from it. “Dean burning the place down?”

“Yep.” He relaxed considerably. A deep, steadying breath left him. Until he realized he'd been played, again. You'd turned him every direction you could, until he'd forgotten why he was mad in the first place. Thoughtfully, he watched how carefully you handled your weapons. “I'll give it you, you're good-”

“Not interested in your approval, Sam.” You got to your feet, almost angrily. Something finally digging underneath that empty exterior. “In fact, I really just want to be alone.”

“No can do.” He leaned against the closest tree. Comfortable with the newest shift. “Dean wanted me with you.”

“Since when did that matter?” You turned back to the car, opening the door roughly. Growing angrier by the second. “He's wanted us to be a big happy family from the beginning. It didn't work, Sam.”

“Because I didn't give it a chance-”

“Not going to argue there.” You shot back, reaching inside bag you'd stored there. “But, somehow I don't see you in the brotherly light. So, there's really no point in trying now, is there?” You pulled out a new batch of clothes and a first aid kit.

“Never said I wanted to see you as a sister, Y/N.” Sam had no control over the way his voice lowered. In fact, that's the last thing I want. His eyes slid over your form. Taking in the way the jeans outlined your ass.

Slowly, you turned to him. Forgetting what you'd been about to do. Catching the way the deep hazel raked across your body.

The blood still dried to your skin should have been a turn off. Instead, it drew him closer. It was proof that you were everything he'd never expected.

You weren't weak. You could handle anything he could throw at you. He was sure of it in that moment.

“You are the single most frustrating human being I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.” You turned away, shaking your head. Refusing to give into the urge to lean in.

His hand came out, gripping your upper arm. Forcing you to turn his way. Your hands came out, pushing against his chest. Keeping some distance between your bodies. Eyes filled with heat. He didn't know if it was anger. Or desire. But, it was something he couldn't resist.

“I could say the same thing.” Was his quiet, rough response. His hand came up to your head, pulling you in to press his lips against yours. If Sam had thought about what he was doing, it never would have happened. He just wanted- needed- to taste the stubborn lines of your mouth.

The lack of response made him still. Forcing him to realize the colossal mistake he'd made. Immediately, his hands left you. Backing away, he acted as though he'd been seared.

He didn't get far before your hand came up, wrapping itself in his hair. Your body pressed flush into his as you yanked him back down. Molding those once stiff lips against his greedily. The other hand dug into the meat of his shoulder. Not letting him run like he'd intended.

Sam didn't hesitate once he had his opening. One hand held your hip as close to him as he could get it. The other pressed deep into the middle of your back. His teeth tugged at your bottom lip. Demanding entrance. As soon as he got it, he deepened the kiss. His tongue stroking lightly against yours.

You'd imagined a lot of things. But, nothing could have prepared you for the actual feel and taste of Sam Winchester. The heat of him. The way his long fingers held you so firmly.

Everything about the man was overwhelming. It let him get, and stay, in control of the situation. Leaving you content to follow his lead. To just give for once instead of fighting. Instead of being cold, you were just as heated as him.

It only got better when you were lifted, and pressed against the muscle car. His mouth devouring you. One of those too large hands dug into the meat of your thigh to hold you in place. The narrow hips pinned you to the metal. The other hand slid roughly up the side of your body; pulling your shirt with it. Eager to feel skin instead of cloth.

Your own hands moved between you two; trusting him to support you, instead of clinging to him. His skin felt impossibly warm as your touch slowly moved upwards. Sam sucked in a breath before his mouth jumped to your neck- opposite of the forgotten wound.

A small moan left your lips as he bit lightly at the tender skin at your throat. Primal growls left him at the contact before he pressed an open mouthed kiss against the tender skin to soothe it. You continued to explore his body. Appreciating the bunching muscles as he repeated the process in another spot.

“It's done!” Dean's voice broke past the passion. You pushed Sam away from your throat immediately. He practically dropped you in his hurry to escape once he realized what- who- was coming.

“Good!” You yelled back, fixing your shirt. Searching to ensure your best friend hadn't witnessed your downfall. In the distance, his shadow moved through the brush. You were safe. “Hurry up, and let's go before someone comes to check out the smoke!” The puffs of black danced up into the air. Signaling the end of the hospital.

“We're not done.” Sam promised, drawing your attention back to your most damning problem. You should have been more apprehensive at his words than you felt. Not feeling a thrill shooting through your body as you watched him reach down to fix the tent forming in his jeans.

“We'll see, Samuel.” With that, you climbed into the backseat of the Impala. Shutting the door behind you roughly. Using it as a shield between you and him.

You couldn't deny you'd enjoyed it. Wanted it to happen again. But, the glaring truth stared you back in the eyes. You'd given Sam Winchester a well honed- toned- weapon to use against you. Himself.

Part Eight

Tag: @burningmusicmachine @missmarrinette @sherlockedtash88 @rathersuspiciousbumblebee @sasbb23 @nothinbuttrouble2 @baby-bunker-pie @neii3n

Forever: @dean-winchesters-bacon @supernaturalginger

#supernatural #spn #supernatural fanfiction #spn fanfiction #supernatural reader insert #spn reader insert #sam #sam winchester #sam winchester fanfiction #sam fanfiction #Sam Winchester reader insert #sam reader insert #sam winchester x reader #sam x reader #sam winchester x you #sam x you #sam winchester x y/n #sam x y/n

189 notes · View notes

meimei-song · 4 years

Photo

Mei Song Biography

G E O M E T R I C S

↬ Full name ↫

Mei Fan Song

↬ Nickname ↫

Mei Mei

↬ Birthday ↫

February 13th

↬ Birthplace ↫

Northern Wei

↬ Zodiac ↫

Aquarius

↬ Height ↫

5′3″

↬ Orientation ↫

Pansexual

↬ Social Class ↫

Like upper middle class

↬ Wealth ↫

Her family lives very comfortable but don’t consider themselves rich

A P P E A R A N C E

↬ Tattoos ↫

She has the Chinese symbols for warrior behind her ear

↬ Piercing ↫

Just her ears!

↬ Outfits ↫

Mei is often wearing athleisure since she’s usually working out or playing tourney

↬ Accessories ↫

Nothing fancy, perhaps a purse and sunnies?

P E R S O N A L I T Y

↬ Normal mood ↫

Mei is a happy person who loves to smile. She likes everyone basically, and doesn’t care if they don’t like her, she’ll still try to be their friend.

↬ Temper ↫

Mei is extremely patient unless she’s being treated unfairly on the tourney team.

↬ Discipline ↫

Being the daughter of Mulan and Li Shang, her discipline is incomparable.

↬ Strengths ↫

Mei is kind, a team player, athletic, and overall loving person.

↬ Weaknesses ↫

Her weaknesses are that she can be a little naive sometimes but her heart is always in the right place.

↬ Drive/dreams ↫

Mei wants a love like her parents, but without the whole having to go to war and pretend to be a boy thing.

↬ Fears ↫

I’d say Mei is pretty fearless. She was taught to be by her parents. Maybe she’s afraid of like clowns.

↬ Likes ↫

Authentic, homemade Chinese food, Sam, playing tourney, blowing bubbles

↬ Dislikes ↫

sexism, misogyny, racism, u get it

↬ Soft spot ↫

She is soft everywhere, she is a soft person. Her whole body is a soft spot.

↬ Depression ↫

Unnecessary cruelty

↬ Inspiration ↫

Mei wants to make her parents proud and make a change in the world like they did

↬ Role model ↫

Definitely her parents!

↬ Mental disorder ↫

N/A

↬ Habits ↫

Not so much a habit but a pregame ritual for her is that she has to step onto the field with her right foot.

R A T I N G S

(5 Stars means very high strength, 1 star means very low strength aka weak)

↬ Psychological strength ↫

⭑⭑⭑ - She’s soft, so soft, she can be tricked.

↬ Physical strength ↫

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ - not to brag but mei can tell you that she’s going to beat your ass in four different languages and in a million different ways

↬ Leadership ↫

⭑⭑⭑⭑ - she’s learned leadership from her parents but can get intimated when it comes to taking the lead

↬ Wisdom ↫

⭑⭑⭑⭑ - she has to be wise look at her family history

↬ Intelligence ↫

⭑⭑⭑⭑ - She’s booksmart but like I said, naive

↬ Confidence ↫

⭑⭑⭑ - she’s a shy girl

↬ Endurance ↫

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ - I feel like she’s really good in hardships

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

↬ Father ↫

Li Shang

↬ Mother ↫

Mulan

↬ Siblings ↫

Only child

↬ Other relatives ↫

N/A

↬ Enemies ↫

She doesn’t have any direct enemies

↬ Rivals ↫

The guys on the tourney team except for Ben, Nolan, and Sam

↬ Friends ↫,

Sam, Ben, Nolan, Kai, Henry, and Jack

↬ Best friend ↫

Sam Westgate

↬ Love interest ↫

Also Sam Westgate

↬ Marital status ↫

Dating!

↬ Children ↫

N/A

↬ Pets ↫

N/A

P A S S - T I M E

↬ Hobbies ↫

reads, hangs out with sam, trains and works out

↬ Talents ↫

she is trained in different martial arts and sword fighting

↬ Sports ↫

only female tourney player BABY

↬ Classes ↫

Womens Studies major

↬ Occupation ↫

Right now she’s just a student

H O M E L I F E

↬ Location ↫

Mei currently lives with her parents in Auradon City instead of in Northern Wei .

↬ House size ↫

It’s of decent size, not a mansion but big enough where the basement is her own studio apartment.

↬ House type ↫

It’s a traditional Chinese home that Mulan and Shang had specifically built for them so they could share their culture.

↬ Level of luxury ↫

it’s a normal home but it’s luxurious compared to the isle.

↬ Outdoor description ↫

There’s a beautiful yard with a tree house and koi fish pond.

↬ Indoor description ↫

It’s a four bedroom if you include the basement, and it really looks like it’s been transported from Northern Wei to Auradon City with how spot on it is.

↬ Bedroom description ↫

Mei’s bedroom is her entire “studio apartment” so it’s clean with a yoga mat and some weights. She does like to indulge in some twinkle lights and cute decor.

L I F E S T O R Y

↬ Age 0-12 ↫

Mei was born and raised in Northern Wei. Both her parents were guards for the Emperor, and they even lived in the Imperial Palace because of it. While she was there, she studied different martial arts like karate, jujitsu, kung fu, and krav maga under her parents as well as learned traditional battle sword fighting. They wanted to each her at a young age so she would learn it faster.

↬ Age 13-18 ↫

At the age of 13, Mei transferred to Auradon Prep, and her parents came with her to Auradon so she wouldn’t have to deal with the move on her own. There, she learned more about her family’s influence on history as well as magic. She found the sport of tourney and immediately fell in love but she only played it recreationally

↬ Age 19-30 (or 25) ↫

Once getting to college, she decided to try out for the tourney team instead of only playing rec. She got a lot of push back from the guys on the team, but lucky enough she had Prince Ben on her side. Mei learned that she loves to beat chauvinistic pigs at things that “girls can’t do” and loves her Women’s Studies major because if there’s anything that her mom taught her-- it’s that girls can do anything.

↬ Darkest secret ↫

Mei doesn’t currently have one she is a good egg.

2 notes · View notes

strictlyfortheculture · 5 years

Text

MY TAKE: 1,300 WORDS ON JAY ELECTRONICA’s ‘A WRITTEN TESTIMONY’

After 11 years of anticipation, Jay Electronica finally released an official study album, A Written Testimony featuring Jay-Z who was playing the role Ghostface Killah did for Raekwon on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.

Jay-Z was the co-star; the Scottie Pippen to Michael Jordan; the one who complimented the headliner, assisting him in a win, and this album most certainly was a win.

Now I make the point of listing Jay-Z as a co-pilot in this audio journey because many in the Internet realm want to say Jay-Z "lyrically murdered" Electronica on his own shit. Ironically, something Nas claimed happened to Jay Z on the Renegade song years ago.

That didn't happen. Jay-Z did what he was supposed to do, he collaborated with an emcee who captured his ear and mind back in 2010.

This was not Watch The Throne, Part II. To say such a thing is to disrespect what Jay-Z and Kanye West created in 2011. A Written Testimony was the overdue, formal introduction to the rap world Hip-hop's resident Willy Wonka - Jay Elect - the man who creates endless wonders while staying aloof. Jay Electronica is a real-life James Bond, a man who shook the Hip Hop world when he released the game-changing "Exhibit C", dated and fathered a child with Erykah Badu, sparked a bidding war between Puff Daddy and Sean Carter based on the strength of a couple singles, the man who disappeared for years, and was romantically linked to an heiress from the Rothschild family.

YEAH, this man is a legend.

But those exploits coupled with several loose singles and two mixtapes were not enough to satisfy the appetite of hungry Hip Hop listeners, eager to devour the sounds of a man from New Orleans, Louisiana who is, lyrically, more like Rakim Allah than Soulja Slim ... and still, Jay Elect pay homage to his NO influences throughout the album (see "Ghost of Soulja Slim", in particular). How can a Southern emcee come on the scene without having a stereotypical sound of a New Orleans rapper? He doesn't sound like Master P nor does he follow the path of Lil Wayne. No. Jay Elect made his trail unique; distancing himself from the pack.

After 10 years of waiting, Jay Electronica announced his album WOULD be released in Match 2020. Now a lot has changed since 2010 when the original album was meant to come, and during that time tastes change and even the most loyal fans lost faith that it would happen.

Was this real? Was Jay Electronica gonna drop or was this another instance where an artist over-promised and under-delivered?

Finally, Friday the 13th, March 2020 A Written Testimony was released and the internet was flooded with the full gamut of emotions ranging from exhilaration to disappointed (can't please the internet critics or Joe Budden) to a renewed faith in the man of legendary reputation.

Yes, people were pleased to hear that Jay-Z is still one of the best in the game, today, but for me, I was delighted to hear Jay Electronica slay the sound-waves. This 10 track album not only reinforced my appreciation for Jay Electronica; it made me want to study his lyrics; dissect these testaments to its very root.

The introductions to (1) The Overwhelming Event and (2) Ghost oF Soulja Slim featuring sound bytes of Louis Farrakhan speaking to the masses about the Black people in America being real children of Israel; the recipients of God's promise to bless the descendants of Abraham caused dissent from Hip Hop critics and listeners alike who felt the Nation of Islam leader's alleged anti-Semitic comments have no place in a rap album. Those people forget that Jay Electronica is a member of the Nation of Islam.

WRITER'S NOTE: All of those critics are silent when rappers say of Nigga or calling Black women "bitch" and "ho". Where are they during those moments of controversy? Hmmm. This is a conversation for another time.

Controversy aside, the lyrical wordplay on display should have silenced any nonbeliever.

(2) Ghost of Souljah Slim starts off the album right with both men trading verses, and more importantly Electronica showing that he can hold his own with Sean Carter.

(3)The Blinding has Jay Electronica talking about the hesitancy to release his music to an audience that will undoubtedly pick apart his work rather than enjoy it for what it is. (4) Neverending Story is where Jay Elect laces an Alchemist beat with the tale of his come-up from humble beginnings and hostile surrounding to still being chosen by God; bestowed with divine greatness.

(5) Shiny Suit Theory showcases Elect rhymes over a self-produced song proclaiming his forthcoming rise in the world of rap.

(6) Universal Soldier has both men share tales of their rise from hardship and criminal lifestyle to gaining knowledge of self and ultimately overcoming the hurdles placed before them

(7) Flux Capacitor has Jay Elect speaking on a preordained calling upon him to bring superior lyricism and teachings to the world while representing New Orleans.

(8) Fruits Of The Spirits is a song detailing the long wait for this debut album, Electronica lets the listener know that it was all part of his master plan for just like Thanos (from the Marvel Comics), he can defeat any competition with the snap of his fingers.

(9) Ezekiel's Wheel ties into the Biblical story of Ezekiel, the warrior who was placed by God to be the prophet over Israel, Jay Electronica declares himself to be a prophet to the children of Israel, whom Farrakhan, in the album intro stated were the Black people in America.

(10) A.P.I.D.T.A. (All Praise Is Due To Allah) is my personal favourite is a song dealing with the loss of loved ones. According to reports, this song was written on the same night Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash in February 2020. Wow.

On this sombre track, Jay Electronica offers lamentations over the loss of his beloved Mother, speaking of how her departure from this physical form has cut him to his soul, rendering his spirit wounded.

Eyes fiery, cry tears to my diary Sometimes a Xanny bar can't help you fight back the anxiety I go to my Lord quietly, teardrops on our faces Teardrops on my face, it's like teardrops become waterfalls by the time they reach my laces My eyelids is like levees but my tear ducts is like glaciers As I contemplate creation, the salt that heals my wounds pour out my eyes just like libations I can't stop my mind from racing, I got numbers on my phone Pictures on my phone The day my mama died, I scrolled her texts all day long The physical returns but the connection still stay strong

Jay Elect later rhymes,

Sleep well The last time that I kissed you, you felt cold but you looked peaceful I read our message thread when I get low and need a refill

All controversy and delay aside, Jay Electronica delivered a debut album that rivals that of your favourite MCs. FUCK Joe Budden and anybody who disagrees. I'm still waiting on Joe to release one record as meaningful as Elect's worst. Anyway, I digress.

In an era where the word Classic has lost its meaning thanks to the overuse of fans and critics alike, I won't give it that distinction, at this time. I do, however, feel this album will go down as one of the more significant releases of the last 10 years. This is evidence of substance over style. No commercials tracks. No filler. Just two talented men delivering lyrical food to a hungry audience in need of manna from heaven rather than the pursuit of bread ($$$).

And man cannot live on bread alone. Peace God. Holler at me

2 notes · View notes

alitheamateur · 5 years

Text

The Grind-Chapter 9

Warnings: Mentions of violence.

Colton had offered to retrieve my car and park it on the top level of the parking garage, so the herd of relentless paparazzi outside wouldn’t catch a shot of me leaving the hotel in clothes from the night before, at 10 a.m the following day. The 16-minute drive back to my apartment had soothed me deeper into a sleepy trance, along with the settling smorgasbord from breakfast. A dizzy nausea was attacking me too, as the nerves for Colton’s fight in only a handful of hours kept growing, and growing. He liked to be the overly-confident big mouth when it came to the topic, but I knew there had to be a sliver of anxious stress somewhere in him. I knew because I’d heard him go on & on about how “important this was to his career,” and he “hated to admit it, but he really needed to prove himself across the world of MMA.”

I gulped a swig of Pepto Bismol from the bathroom medicine cabinet, and stripped my clothes for a much needed power nap in my bed which suddenly felt like rocky ground after sleeping on the expensive pillowtop at the hotel last night.

Warmer days were more & more frequent in the city now, so I was able to wear a suede peep-toe bootie that night. I followed instruction and sported my leather jacket per Colton’s request, along with a loose-fitting black shift dress that rubbed at my mid-thigh. My makeup a bit more dramatic courtesy of the cobalt blue trace of eyeliner I added, and my hair left down, tousled with loose waves. I never usually let it get much passed shoulder length as it held more tangles in doing so. But, the man in my life had quite the attraction to my now very lengthy, ombre blonde strands. Any time he’d escort me to the shower, I was required to turn my back to him for a brief moment so he could observe the water cascading through my hair, causing it to paint slickly down to the bra line of my back. He combed his digits through the ends, tracing the flow of warm water down to the noticeable dimples indented in the small of my back. So, not quite ready to let go of that particular little habit he had developed, I indulged him with a longer style for now. Wrestling with myself after awaking from my nap, I texted him.

L: Thanks again for last night <3 I’ll be sure to pack my first aid kit in case you need some extra TLC tonight!

Fully expecting just to be left on “read” without a reply, I was all the more pleasantly surprised when I heard his designated text tone chime across the bedroom.

C: No. Thank YOU for last night. And if those medical supplies you’re talkin’ about include a tight fittin’ little nurse outfit then YES PLEASE!!!!! I love you, Livvy Caroline.

After arriving at the Palumbo Center, I decided to park my Honda in the covered complex rather than on the street, figuring I’d probably be loaded up into the black Suburban that Colt had rented so he & the team could all ride together this weekend, to paint the town after his victory. I tucked my arm through the chained strap of my crossbody purse & adjusted the “L” pendant necklace that was nestled between my cleavage. I felt sexy; important even. No one else in the arena knew that I was the girlfriend of the lethal animal that would be headlining tonight, but I certainly did. And it made me high.

I strolled boldly into the side entrance, greeting one of the guards I had become familiar with throughout the countless other events I had covered at the Palombo. Emmett, a towering steel wall of unyielding strength.

“Pretty as ever, Ms. Liv. How you doin’?” he said with the polite tipping of his worn tan Ascot hat.

“Doing fantastic, Emmett! You ready for this one?” We always exchanged predictive play-by-plays of whatever particular event of the night was, and I appreciated the fact that he didn’t chuckle or mock when a woman such as myself chimed an opinion in regard to athletics. Something rare, but regretfully present at at least two hockey games I attended for work when I first moved here. One being from a coach I approached for a question post-game, stating that he was “sure I could give him pointers on how to improve the teams’ uniforms if he needed them, but otherwise he didn’t have time to speak with me.” That was the first instance I questioned whether the big city of Pittsburgh would ever be the place for me.

“Oooooooooh girl, you know this gonna be a brawl.”

Chuckling lightly to his animated response, I shook my head with a pat to his arm and moved passed to head to the main room and locate my seat. Since I had entered from the private entrance, I had to navigate through the hallways and locker rooms to reach the arena floor. Smiling blankly at by passers, I reached into the side pocket of my bag for the nude lipstick I planned to apply at my pitstop to the restroom. My pace slowed a bit in struggle to locate it, eyes looking down in search. When I finally grasped it tucked away under a wad of crinkled receipts, my gaze lifted again to push open the door of the ladies’ room. However, I couldn’t seem to muster the very minimal effort it would’ve taken to open it, due to the hooded man marching down the wide hallway.

Mac was leading the pack, and Colton tailed the end of the line with his hands settled into the front pocket of a sweatshirt, headphones adorning his neck. His thinned, focused eyes instantly found mine, rendering me unable to even blink. Just as he was strolling right past me, those very same eyes sank to the now heavy rise & fall of my chest, then traced down the span of my glowy, toned legs. Last on the list of body parts for him to make love to with his eyes, he locked his penetrating sights onto my sex, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth. He need not use words, because I knew unmistakably what those black pupils were envisioning. I watched his head turn then to face forward as he was escorted into what I assumed was his locker room. Now that my underwear were sopping for the evening, that was that.

The profuse adrenaline spreading like a smoky vapor throughout the arena almost had me stimulated like a wave of lust. Not near as much as the very rated PG-13 encounter I had just had with Colton backstage, but stimulated, nonetheless. Black folding chairs lined the room, neon lights showing the stains of gum, spilled soda and ketchup splatters that covered the concrete floors. My seat was two rows behind the announcers table, and I was pleased with the exceptional view I would have for the fight. The jumbotron hanging from the rafters displayed a countdown clock reading 37 minutes until the match would be underway. I settled in, tucking my purse into my lap after removing my cell phone for some leisure social media catch up to aid in passing the time.

The crowd steadily poured into the empty seats, along with the television broadcasters at the booth in front of me. Luckily, I was able to eaves drop on the preshow now underway, hearing one of the suited men state that “Danny Mendez was in for a true contest with Colton Ritter.” An ounce of relief came over me that there were people other than myself and members of Colt’s camp who sincerely believed he had a very likely shot of stealing the belt tonight, but not enough relief to still the tapping of my toe, or erase the clamming of my twiddling hands. Suddenly the bulbs of the LED gym lights began clicking off row by row, and rap music began to thump from the mega speakers. 15 minutes running down the clock now. Short clips of Danny’s past battles flashed on the theater size screen, along with a few clips from Colton at the gym. Before I knew it, total darkness for a moment, followed by circling blue spotlights all around the cage.

Realizing it was indeed showtime now, whistles, claps and sporadic shouting ensued under the arena rooftop. Everyone began standing when the chords of “Let’s Go” by Run The Jewels struck up and a single white light aimed towards the tunnel entrance. Colton had left me with the daunting responsibility of selecting his song of introduction, so I knew any moment he would emerge into sight when I heard the tune begin.

Colton came trudging into view wearing the same sweatshirt he’d been sporting earlier, only now changed into his red fighting trunks. Mac’s logo, along with several other local business names were stamped as sponsors down the sides of his shorts. I was shocked at how many fans of his were revealed by the off-beat chants of his name, and of course the army of female admirers hooting like retrievers in heat. He didn’t waste any time making his way to the waiting referee, offering no high fives or fist bumps to hecklers swatting over the steel barricades of the aisle. He stripped the sweat absorbed shirt handing it to Mac, raised his arms to be patted from top to feet, then pulled back his lips to reveal he was wearing his required mouthguard. I always loved the way the chunky plastic made his lips fatten out when clenched between his teeth.

Next, the black latex gloves of the official smeared a thin layer of petroleum jelly onto each cheek bone, along the bridge of his nose, then across his perspiring forehead, and granted him entry into the cage door. Colton took one of the three steps entering and proceeded to jog two laps around the perilous steel playpen, rolling and stretching his bulging neck and trap muscles. He continued familiarizing himself with every square inch of the octagon mat taking in deep gulps of air through his nostrils, then exhaling gradually out his mouth. From what I could see, he gave the impression of a man prepared, focused and dangerously hungry for blood. The boom of Danny’s theme song didn’t seem to faulter Colton’s bluish eyes. Clear eyes, just like I had told him.

The second fighter followed his own pattern of flashy introductions kissing the cheeks of two women and a baby along his journey in, then aiming a single middle finger towards Colt during his examination from the same ref. When the door was latched behind him, both warriors stalked their opponent.

The suited announcer took his mark in the center, microphone in hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome! The following match up is for the Professional Fighter’s Federation Middleweight Championship. Introducing first in the left corner your challenger weighing in at 184 pounds in his PFF debut, Colton Ritterrrrrr.”

“And in your right corner, the current undisputed Middleweight champion with a weight of 181 pounds Danny “The Matador” Mendez.”

I wanted to join the thundering “boo” at the mention of his name too, but refrained professionally. Mendez had fans, but many of them boastful douchebags such as himself.

I felt as if I needed to bury both hands over my heart to trap it inside my chest, and I can only imagine the feelings that were swarming Colton’s body. Tyson O’Brien, the preferred ring official across the circuit was passed the mic and motioned Mendez and Colton to step to him.

“Alright fellas, we’ve been over the rules. Protect yourself at all times, and you will follow my instructions. We’re gonna have a clean fight tonight. Touch gloves.”

Neither seething man extended a hand, instead retreated to their labeled corners with no interest other than drawing blood.

Tyson addressed Colton, “you ready?” Receiving one single nod in answer. After the same reply from his opponent, he dropped a hand to begin the time. The clock began ticking on potentially the most sickeningly vexing 25 minutes on my sheltered life.

Round One

Twenty-five seconds in, and a fist had yet to be thrown. The two danced gracefully barefoot around each other, faces hid partially behind gloved fists. I could tell by the unsteady breaths from his nostrils that Colt was holding back a brutal eruption. Mac coached him to pace himself, because Mendez had a reputation of exhausting an opponent to the point of break, then he would unleash. So slow and steady would most likely win this race.

Colton would be the first to stretch forth in assault, however only connecting with Mendez’s thrown block. I swear I could hear a wisp of power cut through the air. The instant combo of left-right-right he threw next though, tagged his opponent just below the right eye. Danny smiled at the pain, now extremely ready to get things started indeed. Colton seemed to have a bit of an advantage with a reach much longer than Mendez, resulting in explosive strikes to the reddening body of the predicted victor. His head movements strategically executed to clear any blows to the face in the first 2.5 minutes, but the leg kicks from the current champ were connecting painfully to his thighs. The handsome combatant carried a slight limp on his left leg for a moment, babying it from the strike. One leg lift however played in his favor when he was able to grab Danny’s calf and manage a powerful takedown that sent his back crashing to the ground.

Before he was pinned under Colt’s powerful legs, he managed to turn on all fours on his elbows. The attempt to escape was lost nevertheless when my red shorted fighter wrapped one arm around his torso, crushing with the force of a vice grip. He had evidently done his homework for this match up. His hands pounded like concrete blocks against the cauliflower ear and exposed temple of Danny, one blow he connected on the corner of his brow even resulted in the first blood secretion on the mat. He was like a great white in the open water inhaling the sent of a wounded seal. His right-hand imposed fist after fist, and Mendez was visibly shook. 37 seconds remained on the timer.

Shortly thereafter the time keeper smacked together his wooden blocks to notify now only 30 seconds left in the round. Dan wormed his way out of the hold to stand to his feet, placing ample space between the two of them for a brief instant before charging Colton with a swift roundhouse kick, thankfully missing. A blow horn shrieked, and the men retreated to corners joined by training staff members. I thought I may need medical attention next when I released a breath of momentary relaxation and noticed the half moons of nail marks I had pushed into the inside of my thigh. This round undoubtably belonged to Colton.

I was suffocating the urge to dart straight to the concession stand for a generous dose of nerve settling liquor. Was I cut out to be the girlfriend of a fighter? Could I really stomach watching him suffer blow after blow to the head, or have to spend the weeks after a match nursing a concussion? Driving him around the city in search of an oral surgeon to repair the teeth that had been forcibly removed from his gums? Was I thick-skinned enough to tarry that journey? The answer is no. The idea of it all made me want to projectile vomit the lavish breakfast I had with him that morning. The daunting apprehension that even every day mundane tasks like choosing where to get gas, or what facial cleanser wouldn’t cause a rash literally sent my brain into unnerving override. I didn’t have the thickened skin for it. I wasn’t designed for dramatic unraveling’s. But, he was like a computer technician rewiring a hard drive from the inside out when it came to my old habits. Colton Ritter was reviving me, rebuilding me into the daring, strong and ultimately better version of myself, and I would forever be grateful. I could feel myself developing the depth of not only headstrong, flourishing journalist, but loyal, passionate life partner as well. So, if nursing contusions or taping broken fingers was necessary to my repertoire, then so be it.

I dialed in on the announcers again in effort to gather expert opinion on predictions now that the first round was in the books.

“I’m gonna be real honest with you, man. This is not at all how I saw this going. Ritter came out explosive! The kid ain’t the slouch that most of the locker room had expected. Matter of fact, Jake, a few guys for Danny’s camp have been callin’ him a ‘pretty boy’.”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard that little nickname floating around too, Brett. But it seems to me that so-called pretty boy is doin’ some serious punishing in that cage right now. Solid fist round for the newcomer.”

Pretty boy? Colt would roll over if he heard these guys refer to him that way on the radio. It absolutely suited him on the outward appearance, 98% of the heterosexual female population would agree. Still, it lacked the desired malevolent intimidation factor for the nickname of a mixed martial artist.

How can you spin this, Eliiot? Make it work…hmmm… Pittsburgh Pretty Boy? Ew no, too WWE. Pretty boy.. pretty boy. Pretty Boy Punisher? Oooooh, that’s got a ring to it. The Pretty Boy Punisher.

I would definitely add that to my article. Anything to deter the entire world of cage fighting from calling him a pretty boy, and taking him for a joke.

The coaches scurried suddenly to the outer walls of the cage, clearing out water bottles and folding black stools before the next round began, and inhuman beasts attacked each other once more.

TAGS: @torialeysha @eap1935

#Tom Hardy #tomhardy #tommy conlon #tom hardy fanfiction #tomhardyfanfic #tommy riordan #elizabeth olsen

19 notes · View notes

thedcdunce · 6 years

Text

Grifter

“Now I've got another suspect. Fuck it... I'll just kill 'em both.” - Grifter

Real Name: Cole Cash

Aliases:

Deadeye

Gender: Male

Height: 6′ 3″

Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Blonde

Powers:

Gen-Factor

Abilities:

Peak Human Condition

Indomitable Will

Deception

Espionage

Master Tactician

Survival

Military Protocol

Driving

Master Marksman

Master Combatant

Weaponry

Multilingualism

Weaknesses:

The Rush

Weak Healing Factor

Equipment:

Tunic

Trench Coat

VAD PP30

Little Magnum

Various High-Tech Munitions

Universe: Wildstorm Universe

Citizenship: American

Base of Operations:

The Carrier

Halo Building, New York City

Marital Status: Single

Occupation:

Soldier

Mercenary

Intelligence Agent

VP of Halo Corporation

First Appearance: WildC.A.T.s #1 (August, 1992)

Powers

Gen-Factor: Exposure to the Gen-Factor had gifted as well as cursed Cash with several supernatural abilities both Mental and Physical at the same time, these powers have fluctuated in potency over the coarse of his life. Eventually burning out over the years and going into dormancy thanks to his Coda training. While it's mostly diminished the psychic abilities bestowed by his Gen-Factor retains some effectiveness in it's destructive ability, Cole can utilize his psionics by consciously reordering part of his psyche to turn them on and off again. But can normally only ever have access without the debilitating side effects while in range of another Team 7 Member. Since the universal reset where Cole had been revived, he could now utilize his full abilities without any assistance or harmful effects.

Psionics

Telepathy

Sensory Scrying

Mind Control

Mind Scans

Illusion Casting

Telepathic Assault

Telekinesis

Force Field

Energy Projection

Flight

Regeneration: Cole also has access to a helpful yet extremely unstable ability to heal and recover damaged bodily tissue structure at phenomenal rates. But it's not very reliable despite it's potency, the effectiveness of which varies wildly between uses. Able to heal broken neck almost instantly after receiving it, to waiting months on end for healing two shattered legs, albeit without so much as a scratch or any scar tissue afterward.

Longevity: Cole has lived for three decades yet still maintains the appearance as well as vitality of a young man still in his prime.

Abilities

Peak Human Condition

Peak Human Strength

Peak Human Speed

Peak Human Agility

Peak Human Stamina

Peak Human Coordination

Peak Human Reflexes

Peak Human Durability

Peak Human Balance

Indomitable Will

Deception

Thievery

Surveillance

Acting

Espionage

Stealth

Disguise

Master Tactician

Survival

Military Protocol

Driving

Vehicle Combat

Master Marksman

Throwing

Master Combatant

Weaponry

Swordsmanship

Demolitions

Multilingualism: Shown to be fluent in Vietnamese.

Weaknesses

The Rush: The side effects of using this power however are terrible to say the least. It was nicknamed The Rush due to the effect that the use of it is likened unto a drug. Raw, telekinetic, energy twisting and wielding power that if left unchecked can ravage the mind and body of the wielder, driving him to insanity.

Uncontrolled Psionics: The downside to these powers was that they were nearly impossible to control, sometimes being largely unreliable when needed most.

Physical Strain: Using the powers also put a terrible strain on Cash; trying to keep them under control would often cause blood vessels to rupture and he would weaken.

Affect Mind: Prolonged use would threaten his sanity and outside forces. But his Coda training under former matriarch of which, Zealot; helped him repress this aspect greatly.

Weak Healing Factor: Cole's healing ability tends to fluctuate often despite it's impressive capacity. The more severe the damage done to him, the longer it takes for him to recover, more expediently lethal injury increases the likelihood of fatality.

Equipment

Tunic: Grifter's face wear was specially designed by S.H.I.E.L.D. tech specialists using their state of the art engineering. On top of being made of a Kevlar fiber linen, it's also doubles as a gas mask which filtrates airborne toxins. The featureless lenses serve duel purposes of octagonal telescopic/microscopic visual receptor and analyzer coupled with infrared night vision locator.

Trench Coat: Cole's trademark long jacket comprises of the same artillery resistant material as his face mask. Serving him well both in a fashionable and practical sense, beyond it's natural application. It also withholds a great many pocket stores and holding straps with which to house and withhold a great many munitions on his person. Armaments such as explosive charges, throwing knives, stilettos, acupressure needles and small firearms.

VAD PP30: Grifter uses a VAD PP30, a semi-automatic particle pulse handgun custom made by Vulcan Arms Division for his use only. It fires 44mm explosive pulse packs, and by adjusting the Catalytic Particle Converter, Grifter can change the range of the firepower so it may be a simple stun, or an armor-piercing blast.

Little Magnum: Hidden micro blaster concealed within his glove, single shots pack enough kick behind the chamber to blast holes though an full grown humanoid target.

Various High-Tech Munitions: In his time as a special forces operative as well as one of Jacob Marlowe's covert operatives. Grifter has stocked up on and/or engineered a great many kinds of lethal ordinance for use while in the field. Often carrying around high-caliber fusil's, combustibles and hidden utilities which are a mix of Kherubim and Earth based xenotechnological engineering.

Origins

There are various accounts of Cole's early youth: his father died while he was still young and Cole and his brother Max were raised by their mother and stepfather, with his mother dying when Cole was already an adult. However, his mother died while he was still young and he and his brother were raised by their father. It is certain though, that Cole left his family while still a teenager and turned to crime to survive. Despite being a criminal, Cole had his own code of honor and stopped one of his partners in crime from shooting at the police. Cole was arrested and offered a second chance. He was enlisted by International Operations and turned out to be a gifted marksman and an excellent soldier.

Team-7

Cole Cash's natural talent for combat landed him in black ops, taking the dirtiest jobs as part of a squad known as Team 7. Cash's codename during these operations was Deadeye. The group was deliberately exposed to an experimental chemical called the Gen Factor, which activated a variety of psi powers in them, but which also detrimentally affected their sense of morality and mental health. After the experiment the survivors were classified as Gen 12. Some of their teammates went mad or committed suicide. Cole suspects that in fact their own superiors, I.O., were behind the experiment, while their superiors claimed that it was an unknown chemical weapon. One of the many missions Team 7 performed was destroying the dictatorship of a small African country. Andrew Johnson, one of the members, goes mad and glories in his ability to make people commit suicide. Disgusted, Cole kills Johnson. Cole grew more and more disgruntled with I.O.'s manipulations and secrecy and rebelled against team-leader John Lynch. Cash took charge and united the team's mental powers against a nuclear weapon that I.O. team-leader Miles Craven fired at Team 7 as a test. Team 7 went into hiding, but was eventually forced to return to I.O.

Coda

When the powers of many of Team 7's members started to wane, Craven became interested in their children, the Gen 13, who should have inherited their fathers' powers. Most of the team went into hiding again, while others stayed with I.O. The team finally fell apart and Cole came to work as an assassin for I.O., but he soon became disenchanted with them too. He went freelance, and it was during this period of his life he encountered the ancient Kherubim warrior Zealot. They fell in love, and she took the unprecedented measure of teaching him, a male, the ways of the Coda, the warrior order she had once belonged to. Her Coda-teachings stabilized Cole's sanity and locked away what remained of his psionic powers.

WildC.A.T.s

Some time later Cole and Zealot broke up; for Zealot it was just another relationship, but Cole had become devoted to her, being eternally grateful to her for restoring his sanity. However they remained on good terms, and both were recruited to become part of Lord Emp's Daemonite hunting team, the WildC.A.T.s. Grifter would later quit the team when they had to ally with Hightower, a Daemonite who had killed Grifter's friend Lonely. He rejoined when the team came back from Khera, even being the team's leader for some time. During this time Max Cash, his younger brother, was killed, came back as a zombie and was killed again by Grifter himself. He left the team again after Zealot's apparent death. At this point most of his teammates left as well and the WildC.A.T.s were disbanded.

Wildcats

Months later, Cole joined the Wildcats, a small group that included Lord Emp, Spartan and the French weapons dealer known as Noir. After Emp's ascension, Grifter sank into a depression; he began drinking and having one-night stands with women who reminded him of Zealot. Finally Zealot herself returned, but at the time Grifter was too drunk to recognize her. After a night of sex, Zealot left him before Grifter realized who she was. He caught up with her again while she was fighting the Coda. Zealot told him that the Coda had betrayed her teachings and she had sworn to wipe them all out. She added that she would spare Grifter, despite being Coda-trained, because of their history. After this meeting, Grifter straightened out his life and joined Jack Marlowe's Halo Corporation.

During this time Cole was mind-controlled by the villain Tao into shooting his former teammate and current I.O. director, John Lynch, leaving him in a coma. Tao then erased Cole's memories of these events.

Halo Corporation

During a mission for Jack Marlowe, Cole's legs were shattered by Agent Orange. Therefore he could no longer operate as Marlowe's field agent. He trained accountant Edwin Dolby to take his place. Dolby turned out to be unsuitable for the violent life that Grifter planned for him and resigned from Halo. After Marlowe apologized to him, he rejoined, but strictly as an accountant. Grifter remodeled the robotic body of former teammate Ladytron as a remote-controlled body for himself.

Several months later, Grifter's legs were healed, a side-effect of the dormant Gen-factor according to I.O. scientists. John Lynch, who had woken from his coma, restored Cole's memory. Cole was sent to take down Tao and working together with double-agent Holden Carver, Tao's organization was completely dismantled and Tao was imprisoned.

Since then he has joined a make-shift team of former Wildcats to take down the assassin Nemesis.

Worldstorm

When Jack Marlowe died Cole has taken control of Halo Corporation and all its assets. Being depress of Spartan's death, Cole has been in South America fighting Daemonites for a month.

He later arrived back in New York just in time to witness Captain Atom's arrival and subsequent battle with Majestic. Cash recognized an energy signature in Captain Atom that he'd previously only seen in his deceased teammates Void and Spartan. After consulting with Jeremy Stone, Cole was acknowledged that the Void's energy splinted into both of Captain Atom and Nikola Hanssen.

Cole later regrouped the former Wildcats to capture Captain Atom while he face a fearful Nikola. Cole tried to convince Nikola to accept who she is as a metahuman as she, like any other normal people, was deeply afraid of metahumans. When Captain Atom defeated the Wildcats in Washington, D.C., both Cole and Nikola arrive at the scene in which Cole convinced Nikola to use the Void's power of teleportation. From there Cole was about to combat Atom but witness him being teleported away by the Authority via a shift-door.

While regrouped with the Wildcats, they were confronted by Mister Majestic who then gravelly informed them that killing Captain Atom would caused the destruction of their universe leaving Cole all the more frustrated of the situation and focus more on Nikola's power of the Void. Cole eventually helped Captain Atom in fending off the Authority from killing the misplaced hero, who they believe that killing Atom would save their universe, and was subsequently killed by Apollo and Midnighter: Midnighter buried two throwing stars in Cash's spine, then Apollo incinerated his head.

After Nikola harnessed her powers and remade the universe, Cole and along of many past deceased people such as Deathblow came back, but with no memories of the events with Nikola, Captain Atom, and the reboot of the universe.

Post-Worldstorm

In the wake of the reboot, Cole is shown to be a man who has attempted to change himself, but keeps getting sucked back in to the hero lifestyle. He appears to be an employee of Hadrian as a core member of the new WildCats team that he is assembling.

Cole Cash briefly worked as an assassin for the US government, targeting Islamist terror networks. His latest assignment went awry when his target turned out to be an alien shape-shifter who was being hunted by others of the same race. Zee, as he/she calls itself, has now drawn Grifter and Midnighter into an interstellar conflict involving weaponized giant worms.

World's End

Grifter returned to the Wildcats after Armageddon, helping survivors in Los Angeles. He was later summoned by John Lynch and regrouped with Team-7 where he and his teammates learned of Tao's nihilistic threat. After the Halo Building in Los Angeles was destroyed, Grifter had himself and the Wildcats teamed up with Team-7 in stopping Tao. Ultimately their battle ended with Grifter shooting Tao in the head at pointblank, thus relinquishing his powers from Void, Max Faraday, and Providence.

Grifter was among the many heroes that were notified of the Authority's Carrier's leaving, in which Grifter was among the few heroes to leave Earth when he was ordering the panic refugees who were boarding the shift-ship. Grifter and along with his old comrade Deathblow officially joined the "new" Authority and together helped in establishing order among the Carrier's influx of refugees. During the journey Cole entered into a sexual relationship with Stormwatch member, Flint.

Cole's journey with the Authority led them to discovering a genocidal alien race known as the Karibna and helped in destroying them, and thereafter returning to Earth.

Fun Facts

Grifter's real name, Cole Cash, bears resemblance to the phrase "Cold Hard Cash". Cash is associated with a 'grifter'-defined as a swindler, dishonest gambler, or the like.

Cole Cash has called Michael Cray his best friend.

Grifter admitted he was agnostic when he went back in time to Rome and was thrown with the Christians to be attacked by lions in the Coliseum.

Grifter's original mask is not only used to conceal his identity but also has the ability to filter out any noxious gases he may come in contact with.

#grifter #cole cash #deadeye #The Authority #wildc.a.t.s #wildcats #team-7 #team 7 #team7 #international operations #dc #dc comics #thedcdunce

33 notes · View notes

castellankurze · 5 years

Note

FSF - I would like it if you wrote a story about a Legion IX Astartes that was the last survivor of an engagement. Victory or defeat is not important, but they're the last one standing.

The exchange of weapons fire was fast and brutal, and in the halls of the battle barge there was scant cover to be found, save the bodies of the fallen. There was no quarter to be given; none had in return. Both sides were composed of men whose lives had been shaped, had been dedicated to one sole purpose: war.

At another time, another place, they might have stood shoulder to shoulder and turned their blades upon the enemy without. That was the truly horrifying part of it, in truth. There was no xenos foe to be found here, no eldritch or unclean touch of the Warp. Instead, men and women in the armor of Astartes hurled themselves into the fray against one another lives claimed and traded with unrelenting fury by the warriors of the Emperor.

The Mater Lachrymarum shook with the force of its guns as it fired a tremendous broadside, the quaking of the decks felt all the way to the core of the ship where blades clashed and bolter rounds popped with explosive force as they pattered against armor and decking. Energy crackled as a conversion beamer powered up to full strength and discharged, throwing one of the bronze-armored attackers backwards as the coruscating violet energy caught him in the shoulder.

“MINOTAURS!” a voice roared. "BLEED THEM DRY!“

“For those we cherish,” a whispered voice crackled over the Lamenters’ vox. "Stand firm.”

Techmarine Levistus stepped back, allowing one of his fellows to trade places with him as the c-beamer began recharging, just in time for the Minotaurs’ charge to hit the assembled squads with bone-crushing force. Twenty marines of the Lamenters had gathered in the access corridor to the Mater Lachrymarum’s central processing - the nerve center of the ship’s network of cogitators and consoles. If the Minotaurs were to take the great chamber, it mattered not if the bridge or the engines held - the battle barge would be as good as theirs.

A small wonder, then, that no less than four of the Lamenters’ techmarines had joined the effort, amongst them Forgemaster Pahaliah herself, her great axe hewing ceramite and flesh and bone even as her mechandrites flailed and snapped and spewed blurts of flame. Nevertheless the Minotaurs came on undeterred, seemingly ignorant to the costs of wounded and dead that their repeated charges paid by both sides, as if by dint of fury the last of them would swim to the processing units atop an ocean of blood if they had to.

Vehuel, a man Levistas had known for near a century, crumpled as a Minotaur battered him with an unrelenting series of blows from a chainsword. Eleleth fell in tandem with another of the bronze-armored attackers, a krak grenade ensuring she did not leave Emperor’s service alone. Ipos, a marine so young his armor still seemed to gleam with the forge’s touch, put his bolt pistol to the mouth grille of his attacker and pulled the trigger, staggering back from the spear that had been put through his side. They were all falling - men and women alongside whom he had stood his entire life, an increasingly doomed last stand to deny the Minotaurs their prize. There was nowhere to fall back to, nowhere but the processors themselves.

A bronze-clad warrior was striking sparks from Pahaliah’s axe, dueling the experienced techmarine with a speed and ferocity that could only be appreciated by the transhuman Astartes, the defenders of humanity. With the great rune ‘3’ emblazoned on one kneepad the Minotaur could be naught less than the captain of the attackers, a fact Pahaliah clearly recognized as she focused her attention upon the man, sweeping a servo-arm topped by a wicked claw towards him, only for the Minotaur to drop back and strike with his chainsword, cutting the weapon from its housing so that the heavy claw rang against the deck.

Pahaliah stepped back to redress with her axe and, in so doing, inadvertently gave Levistas the opening he needed. Leveling his c-beamer, the techmarine fired on the Minotaur captain’s unguarded chest. The beam struck him at the joint of his breastplate where it met the armored stomach of his Mark 8 armor, just below the double-headed eagle worked across his chest. He flew backwards from the hit, sword tumbling from his hand as he folded all but in half.

“CAPTAIN PYLOS!” an outraged voice rang out from the ranks of the Minotaurs, and a moment later there came a roar as one of them hefted his chainsword and charged the techmarine, bellowing furiously. Levistas began to raise his beamer, waiting for the tone that signified a full charge, knowing it would not come in time.

Then a bomb detonated in his ears. Levistas froze along with every other space marine present, some clutching at their heads as a deafening howl rang over the vox. Even the Minotaur that had moments ago been charging towards him with single-minded determination screeched to a halt, a hand clamped to the left side of his head.

Levistas had never heard such a high-level override command.

“CEASE FIRE!” a voice hollered even as the Lyman Ear struggled to dampen the piercing howl. "CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!“

——————

In the end, the Minotaurs’ gambit had paid off - their attack upon the Lamenters’ fortress-monastery had forced the other chapter to react or else forfeit their very home, and already reduced in numbers by the war, against the full strength of the Minotaurs there was scant chance of regaining the upper hand.

A surrender was forced, a knee armored in ceramite striking the deck at the feet of Asterion Moloc.

And the Lamenters’ role in the Badab War was ended.

——————

And in the hall outside the central processing of the Mater Lachrymarum, the apothecaries and their serfs rushed to the fallen as the two differently-colored Astartes chapters stood but a few feet apart and traded hostile glares. Levistas’ own attention was drawn to the fallen form of Ipos and the man bent over him, only to see the Sanguinary Priest to shake his head and begin the grim work of pulling the fallen marine’s gene-seed from his corpse.

Levistas closed his eyes for a long moment. Domonos, Samigina, Vehuel, Eleleth…and now, Ipos. They had all fallen. Young and old alike. For those they cherished. They had died in…glory. Yes.

As he was opening his eyes his attention was drawn by movement nearby, one of the Minotaurs shouldering several of his brethren out of the way as he came to stand less than an arms’ length from Levistas. The techmarine recognized the brute that had roared when his captain fell, and turned to face the man, looking up the half a head’s distance between them.

The man’s nostrils flared as he struggled to breathe evenly, and Levistas could not help but be put in mind of a maddened bull. "If my captain should perish,” he growled, “because of a coward’s blow like-”

Levistas was not to be cowed. "If your captain should perish,“ he said, his voice soft and even, "I have four squadmates who go unavenged.” He shrugged one shoulder. "If not, then I yet have five.“

Shouting erupted across both groups of Astartes as the Minotaur was dragged back by the arms of several squadmates, and for a moment it seemed as if the war might resume, then and there. Several of the Lamenters pushed Levistas back, and a mechanical augment put the final point on the matter as Forgemaster Pahaliah pinned him to the nearest wall. "I grieve with you,” she said, her voice cold. "But you will restrain yourself. The Great Angel would not smile upon this conduct.“

"I apologize,” he said without bothering to hide the scorn in his voice, though he lowered his gaze so that he need not give flagrant insubordination to her face. "I am not feeling very angelic at the moment.“

#40k #Lamenters #Minotaurs #female space marines #asked and answered #fanservice friday #kurze writes #ivorytowerblr #Levistas

22 notes · View notes

maxdbrackin · 6 years

Text

Week 1 Responses

1. I came to Tel Aviv because I felt a calling to return here following Taglit. It didn’t occur to me how much I was missing out on as a result of the hard work and determination of my ancestors. I also felt an urge to learn Hebrew; a beautiful, biblical, archaic language with wisdom seeping through every line like scrolls in the Western Wall. Since coming here, I have heard of – for the first time – the opportunities presented through Aliyah and have begun to consider it as my next step following the completion of my undergraduate studies.

2. Tel Aviv is beautiful, spontaneous, and full of life, fervor, corruption, prosperity, and progressive ideas. The people here are much more straightforward and friendly than people in America. There is warmth. Additionally, traffic is much more manageable here, and I am fairly confident that this is not dependent on the population. People here just understand how to weave through traffic. Whether it be on a motorcycle, bike, or on foot, they understand how to seamlessly maneuver through a crowded crosswalk. In America, we have a tendency to start walking into the other person’s path, instead of away from it. It becomes obvious when walking in Tel Aviv with my American compatriots.

3. My favorite place in Tel Aviv is our balcony in the apartment. The view is tremendous, we get to watch a high-rise luxury apartment building get built from its foundation up, the warm spring air forces me to take my shirt off and catch some sweet Vitamin C, and it is a peaceful, inspirational place to read and work on my music, of which inspiration and new ideas have come in abundance since traveling here.

4. Honestly, the worst part of the whole trip is living with my roommates. Not that they are bad people, but their living habits are disgusting. When one of them shaves his sweet potatoes, shavings abound across the kitchen floor. Dirty dishes and food left in the sink are commonplace. After a get-together at our place, wounded warriors ooze from their battle wounds, dust and dirt scours the floor from the boots of foot soldiers, and crumbs litter the room like empty rounds.

5. The 10 shekel piece is easily the best. It makes me feel like a school boy running to get candy after class gets out. My friend Ryan and I go to a nearby falafel stand almost every night where the shopkeeper Moty greets us without fail. He serves up delectable falafel and chips for only 15 shekel, for which two 10 shekel pieces will suffice, and with the change I can run like a school boy once more.

6. “Idfc” by Blackbear. I have only dated one girl for a long, wonderful relationship that ended after two years because we knew long distance was not something we wanted. It wasn’t a bad breakup, but the sadness hit us both hard. She showed me numerous songs that she liked – as did I – and even wore me down with country songs to the point that I began to actually enjoy them. Back then, this was just another one of those songs, but once we split, it turned into my theme song for emotional release when I felt nostalgic. I also recently had a fling with this Israeli girl who hurt me somewhat, so I found solace once again in the sad, heartbroken melody.

7. My biggest goal is to increase my fluency in Hebrew by the time I leave. I came in with no previous knowledge (other than Shalom) but am very antsy to build on the small foundation of vocabulary I have amassed thus far. I am also working hard on my music because it seems that the rap scene here is lacking, if not desolate, in terms of talent and MC skills. It needs a face. Knowing Hebrew would also help with this, and I hope to build some connections here to flow off of each other and make a splash. I recently linked up with a producer through a club promoter, so once I send him some recordings, we will see how it goes.

Hey Dad,

The waves here are crashing in so slowly. I think you’d find peace here. The deep blue rolls turn to a calm white as they collide with the sand that warm your feet when you shovel them beneath the surface. It even makes you forget about the beautiful women for a moment. Just a moment though. And then you’ll see her there with you. See her long brown hair blowing ever-so-gently in the breeze, the sun reflecting off of her caramel-coated curls, giving her a glow even brighter than her soul already gives off. The way her tan skin looks so soft in a blue, flower-coated two piece bikini that would give you chills even on the warmest of days. If you can muster up the strength to look past her, you’d see a city on the verge of being a metropolis.

Every building looks like a hotel, the entirety of the boardwalk being the resort. Imagine Colorado, even Denver, but with the beach only a leisurely stroll away from Coors Field. The sky matches the waves in their turquoise stage and the clouds look as if God took a puff from his pipe and let the smoke seep out from his lips. In the distance, a crane lurks over a soon-to-be high-rise that reminds you of how lucky you are to be here in a time where housing prices still cower to the likes of those in San Francisco, New York and Seattle. I want to tell you to picture what New York would have been like some 80 odd years ago, but even that wouldn’t do it justice, because it’s still not as crowded, though it keeps its big city vibes. Indeed, the city looks crowded, but trees can be seen everywhere and stick out like taxis on Wall Street. There’s only so many people here on this beach as to not let you feel alone, but far from enough to make you feel crowded. You could play five versus five with a football and not disturb a single sunbather’s midday snooze. Around the bend, the buildings begin to huddle closer together, and your brow crinkles slightly as you think of all those sad saps working a 9-5 just to put a savings in their IRA’s thinking “it’s tax free!” only to lose so much of it when it’s finally needed. But it’s always the weekend here. The only currency here is a sand dollar and your only contingency plan is being buried in sand to let the tides wash it away. In a word: paradise.

Your son always,

--Max

1 note · View note

kvcatnip · 6 years

Text

Howling Embers, Ch. 1

I was hesitant to write this character chronologically, but she beckoned me in. This is Eirika Trevelyan, my new OC. I’m starting with waking up through fighting the Pride Demon, because her interactions with the characters show a lot of her personality. So bear with me, as this chapter is longer than I usually write!

Also, shoutout to @veridium-bye and @blarghlearghle for listening to me talk about this problem child for the last week! <3 <3 <3

Her head was pulsing. Headache, yes, but something past that… it felt like magic?

Had she been smited? Eirikia hadn’t ever been smited, but from what she understood it was like putting a wall up between a mage and their magic, emptying them out. This seemed opposite. It felt like her magic was overwhelming her, pushing her insides to make room for itself.

Taking a difficult breath, she realized the rest of her body was only in slightly better shape. With the iron discipline that she had developed after a life spent in the Circle, she slowly opened her eyes. Careful to move her head or body too much, she observed the room around her. It was mostly dark, save a few torches. That didn’t bode well. Squinting, she could make out what seemed to be storage crates. That also didn’t bode well. A small flare of anxiety made itself known in her stomach.

Eirikia heard a crack and saw a flash of green, and then her hand was on fire. She was a moment too slow in realizing the former had come from her hand and that was causing the fire sensation. She steeled herself, taking a deep breath. She was not the type to freak out as others did. She was careful, calculated, clever. She took sharp breathes and observed whatever was on her.

Observation #1 - it hurt like hell Observation #2 - she was in shackles Observation #3 - it seemed to actually be some form of a magical… slice? Observation #4 - it felt powerful. Besides the power causing the pain, her magic was touching it, trying to feel it. I felt….old.

At that moment, the door opened. Two women stormed in, one coming close to her and drawing a sword. “Tell me why we shouldn’t kill you now?!” She looked blankly at the end of the sword, and then to the other woman who was watching from the side. The woman continued, “The Conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you.”

The Conclave! She hadn’t thought about it since she awoke. “What do you mean everyone is dead? How is that possible?”

The woman rushed forward, grabbing her wrist. “Explain this!”

She flicked her eyes to her hand, and then back to the woman. “Actually, I was hoping you could do that for me.”

Her accuser makes something of a snarl in her throat and moves to strike her. The second woman appears suddenly, grabbing the arm of her companion. “We need her, Cassandra!”

Eirikia uses that diversion to speak. “I honestly don’t know what this is, but I would like to find out as well. As for the Conclave,” she pauses to swallow. This still seems unreal, too implausible to imagine. “I wish I could remember what happened. I would tell you honestly if I did. Whomever or whatever caused this is a threat that needs to be dealt with.”

The other woman frowns at this, and Eirika could see the pain she was trying to cover. Cassandra takes a breath before saying, “Is there nothing at all that you remember? Anything would help us.”

She takes a moment to think. Images come to her, flashes of something, but she isn’t able to discern what exactly that something is. “I remember running, trying to escape, and… a woman? I realize that isn’t much to go on.”

Cassandra turns slightly to address the other woman. “Go to the forward camp, Leliana. I will take her to the rift.” Leliana opens her mouth like she wishes to say something, but stops herself before turning to leave. Turning back to her, Cassandra helps her to her feet. Eirika asks, “Is there anything you know that you can tell me? I feel as confused about all of this as you seem to be.”

“It would be easier to show you. Then I will try to tell you what we know, though it is not much.”

Cassandra leads her outside. The brightness stings, but she adjusts quickly. She lets out a small gasp as she looks up at the sky. There is a massive cyclone of green magic in the air, hovering inside a mass of storm clouds. There are flares and meteors shooting out of the Breach, and even from this distance she can see the explosions they cause in their wake.

“We call it The Breach. It’s a massive rift into the world of demons —“

Eirikia cuts her off quickly, asking, “Are you saying the Breach is a hole in the Veil?”

Cassandra’s mouth is in a tight line as she nods in response. “There are more than one, but this is the largest. It was caused by the explosion at the Conclave.”

Eirikia makes a noise in her throat, then says, “That was more than a simple explosion.”

Her mark flares, bringing her to her knees. Cassandra kneels in front of her and says, “As the Breach expands, your mark grows. We.. we think it’s killing you.”

She raises her eyes from her hand to meet the other woman’s. “What do you mean it’s killing me?” Cassandra’s face is unreadable. “We don’t know where it came from, but the foreign magic is leeching your life. We think it might be the key to stopping the Breach, but we won’t know for sure until we test it.”

“Well then,” she says, rising to her feet, “I suppose we should get going.”

Cassandra releases a tight breath before saying, “Thank you… for being so reasonable despite all this. Truly, amidst this disaster it is a relief.”

Placing a hand carefully on her arm, Cassandra guides her toward their destination. As they pass through the throng of people gathered, it becomes clear they know who Eirikia is. Cassandra notices as well. “They mourn Divine Justinia. They had hoped when she brought their leaders together that there was a chance to have peace. Instead we lost everything.”

Coming to the gate of the town, Cassandra removes her shackles. Eirika nods in thanks, rubbing her wrists. She looks around them to see the dead already being wrapped, soldiers with fear on their face, and a Chantry brother trying to comfort the group. Swallowing hard, she turns her head to the path ahead of her. This wasn’t the time to fall apart.

Once outside the gates, the true chaos becomes visible. Barricades have been erected, soldiers stand ready for a fight that may not come. The Breach is roaring, cracking, and spiting. Truly, it is a terrifying sight. It causes another burst of pain that brings her to her knees. Cassandra helps her stand, as Eirikia clenches her jaw and continues moving forward.

Cassandra steals a glance out of the corner of her eye. Finally she says, “They are saying that you dropped out of a rift and then fell unconscious. They also believe they saw a woman behind you, though no one knows who it was.”

Eirikia knots her brows, thinking. Finally she says, “I.. remember a woman, but not anything about her. It does concern me, however, that they’re saying I fell out of a rift, as that implies I was once inside it.”

“You don’t remember anything about being inside?”

“There was something chasing me, and then the woman. I remember running, but everything turned black. I would assume that is when I fell out of the rift and into unconsciousness.”

Cassandra nods in response, wrapped in her own thoughts. After a moment she says, “Everything else in the valley was destroyed. Including the Temple. You’ll see soon enough, but I thought I should prepare you for what you’ll see.”

Everything else was destroyed. Except for me.

She wasn’t allowed much time to dwell on this, as a projectile from the Breach crashed into the bridge ahead of them. It crumpled onto the frozen river, taking them both down with it. They had barely stood up before a demon begins rising out of the ground. Eirikia is quick to throw a barrier over them both, while Cassandra draws her sword and rushes ahead. Another demon rises out of the ground in front of Eirikia. Her mouth slides into smirk as she raises her hand. A flame manifests in her palm as the demon shrieks into the air. She tosses it into the demon’s face, while her foot moves to create a glyph on the ground before her. The demon panics, clawing at itself to put out the flame. It surges towards her, touching the edge of glyph only to be thrown back several feet. Slowly walking towards it, she readies another ball of flame in her hand. The demon shakes off its confusion, turning its head to shriek at her again. She throws the fireball at its feet, then closes her hand making the flames roar to life, engulfing the demon. It shrieks as it burns. She smiles, watching it char and collapse. She looks up to see Cassandra pludge her sword into the chest of the other demon. It too falls away, as she turns on the mage.

She grits her teeth, pointing her sword at her chest. “You’re a mage?”

Eirikia shrugs. Brushing away the hair that had fallen in her face, she simply says, “I’m surprised you didn’t notice before now.”

Clenching her jaw, the warrior says, “We suspected magic was involved, but we didn’t know you were a mage.”

Eirikia levels her gaze on the other woman before replying. “Magic was involved, yes.” She holds up her hand which flares to life. “Whatever this was supposed to be, I can’t say. I can tell you that the magic is very old and powerful. The fact that is causes me pain should tell you it was not meant to be in my body, and therefore is not mine.”

Cassandra sighs, sheathing her sword. “I suppose you are right. You have been nothing but reasonable and helpful, despite the situation you are in. You agreed to come willingly, and that speaks to your character.”

The mage nods. “Thank you. May we keep going?”

In the end, the distance truly isn’t that far, but the demons continually appearing doubles the time it would normally take them. Cassandra finds Eirikia a staff, making the fighting much easier, though she wishes she had her own.

They finally approach a hill where Cassandra says, “You can hear the fighting. We’re close. Get ready.” Eirikia throws a preemptive barrier over them both, and they race up the path to the hilltop. There are more demons and a small group of what she assumes is their soldiers fighting them. A green, glowing crystal hovers in the sky above the group that causes her mark to react. Cassandra runs forward to join the fighting while Eirikia throws fire from a distance. There’s another mage in the group with demons surrounding him. She focuses on him, raising a wall of fire in front of him, causing him to look around in confusion. Seeing her in the distance, he nods in gratitude, and uses that opportunity to put distance between himself and the throng of demons.

One or two go down when she erects the wall of flames, and the rest she and her fellow mage dispatch quickly. He then runs over to her, grabs her wrist to thrust it into the air. “Close it quickly before more come through!” There’s an intense pulling sensation in her arm, but then the rift seals, snapping the air back into place. She pulls her arm out of his grasp, rubbing it.

“Care to explain what my hand just did to that rift?”

He smirks at her. “The magic that caused the Breach also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized that perhaps it would also allow you to have some control over the rifts left in the Breach’s wake. It would seem I was correct.”

Cassandra speaks up from behind her. “Then it might also be able to close the Breach itself.”

Nodding, he says, “It is possible. It would seem you hold the key to our salvation.”

Eirikia narrows her eyes at him. “You seem to know a great deal about all this.” Cassandra steps up beside her, taking her hand to investigate it for herself. “Solas is an apostate, and knows much about the Fade.” Satisfied with what she sees, she puts Eirikia’s hand down.

He bristles at this. “Technically all mages are now apostates, but yes. My experience has allowed me to learn a great deal more than any Circle mage.”

From her side, she hears, “Whatever he knows, it kept you alive while you were out cold. Apostate or not, he’s useful.”

A dwarf with a rather large crossbow walks up. Slinging it onto his back, he reaches out a hand for her to shake. “Varric Tethras. Rogue. Story teller. Occasionally unwelcome tag along.” He winks at Cassandra, who scowls at him. Amused, Eirikia responds with, “Pleased to meet you, Varric. Would you happen to be the same Varric Tethras that writes the novels?”

The dwarf lights up at this. “You’ve heard of me?”

She smiles brightly at him and says, “Oh yes. Swords and Shields was vastly popular among the girls in the Circle.”

He seems taken aback and stammers out, “Oh well, those are my worst, but I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The mage speaks up. “If we’re having introductions, my name is Solas.”

She glances at him for a moment before turning to face him. “Solas, it would appear I owe you my thanks. My name is Eirika Trevelyan.”

Cassandra takes in a sharp breath. “You’re a Trevelyan?”

She smiles sweetly at the woman. “I am indeed. I apologize. We did not have a chance to speak about this before.”

Varric laughs and says, “I was going to call you Red, but now I can call you Lady Red and that’s just so much better.”

Solas raises an eyebrow at the trio, and Varric fills him in on her nobility. He also seems surprised, but for different reasons. Turning to Cassandra, he says, “She may be a mage. A noble mage at that, but I doubt any mage was capable of what happened here. I doubt she is the one responsible.”

“I had expected as much, but thank you for confirming it for me. Lady, I apologize for our poor treatment of you.”

Eirikia waves her hand in dismissal. “I would have done the same in your place, Cassandra. I am hardly offended. But let us press on to see about fixing this mess.”

More demons and more fighting find them before long, but having the others with them allows these fights to be quicker. They were finishing what seemed to be the last of the demons for the time being, when Varric asks, “So you’re a Free Marcher. I’m from Kirkwall, myself.”

“I’ve heard stories about the Mage Uprising in Kirkwall. Tell me, was it really as bad as everyone makes it sound?”

“Probably worse.”

“I suppose I should be grateful for having been in a neutral tower. Ostwick’s tower didn’t vote for either side.”

Cassandra asks, “And what is your opinion? Are you partial to a side?”

“I am partial to the side that doesn’t treat mages as less than. Other than that, however, I don’t really care either way.”

At this Solas asks, “So you don’t care if mages are locked away in a tower like prisoners?”

She levels him with her gaze before answering. “As an apostate, I would presume that you have never actually been inside a Circle tower. There are many that consider it a prison, yes. They crave freedom or rebellion, but for most of us it is a haven of knowledge and learning from the outside world.” She waves her hand, gesturing around them. “Out here, we are seen as monsters, forced to shrink or hide away in order to protect ourselves. In the Circle, however, you are free to simply be what you were made to be. Depending on the Circle, often mages that prove to be above reproach are allowed to leave the tower when they wish. But always they return, because there they are safer.”

Turning to look at him, she can see that he has been listening with intent. The clench in his jaw tells her that the opinion he was given was not one he had previously thought possible. Good. Let him chew on that.

Varric, however, asked, “But what about the templars? Most mages I know hate them.”

Eirikia didn’t respond immediately. Templars were a difficult subject, as most of them proved to be mere animals. Finally she said, “Occasionally they are the right tool for the task at hand. More often than not, they stand stoically in rooms and simply watch you. As for the rest..” she pauses, wanting to let this truly set in. “What happens is what always happens when you teach a group they have power, and the other group is merely weak.”

This seems to give them pause. They walk in silence until the mark flares again. Cassandra says, “Another rift! We must close it!”

Flung into action again, the group charges at the demons. It isn’t long before the rift is closed, and a hesitant man opens the gate ahead of them. “Thank the Maker! They just kept coming!” He ushers them through quickly before closing the gate shut behind them.

Up ahead, Leliana is in what looks to be a very heated discussion with a man from the Chantry. She shakes her head in aggravation, and sees the group approaching. Gesturing to them she says, “Grand Chancellor, this is —“ “I’m aware of who she is, Sister Leliana, and as Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I order you —“

Cassandra looks ready to rip the man’s throat out when she speaks. “Order me? You have no authority to order me, Chancellor.”

“As we have no Divine to give orders, *someone* must.”

Erikia watches them spat with her arms crossed. Rolling her eyes, she untangles her arms, and steps up to the table. “I would think closing the Breach should be our primary goal here, Chancellor. Lives are lost with inaction.”

He nearly spits as he says, “You *caused* the Breach in the first place!”

Cassandra moves in front of her, protectively, as she says, “I do not believe that, and right now she is our best hope at stopping this.”

The Chancellor shakes his head, sighing. “Your soldiers will die before you can get into the valley, Seeker.”

“Our forces can cause a distraction while we take the path up the mountain. It’s not as direct, but it would feasibly be safer, “Leliana adds.

Eirikia shakes her head. “I will not allow good men and women to die covering me. If we go with soldiers directly into the valley, at least I can help them fight.”

Unable to argue this, the group heads into the valley.

It’s worse this close to the Breach. Bodies are everywhere, charred and black. Groups of soldiers stand ready to attack demons as they appear. There’s another rift near the Temple, and they jump into the fight. Eirika is quick to make sure the soldiers have barriers placed on them. She uses electricity to paralyze the monsters, better allowing the soldiers to go in for the kill. They cheer as the last demon goes down, only for the rift to burst open, steaming onto the ground. “Another wave is coming!” Solas yells to the group. Eirika repeats the process as before, and is pleased to see that none of the soldiers had died on her watch. Solas reminds her to use the mark, shoving her closer to the rift. Holding an unsure hand to the sky, she feels it attach and pull before snapping.

She’s looking at her hand in awe when Solas and Varric join her. “You seem to becoming quite proficient at this,” Solas observes. She scoffs at him. “I hardly do anything other than raise my hand to the sky. That doesn’t require much proficiency.”

Varric laughs and says, “Well, let’s hope your lack of proficiency works on the big one then.”

She’s smiling at him when she hears, “Lady Cassandra! Thank the Maker you were able to close that rift! It’s been difficult on our soldiers to maintain.”

“Do not thank me, Commander, this was her doing.”

Eirikia turned when she was mentioned, smiling at the man. He was tall, broad shouldered, and definitely a templar. He looks uncertainly at her as he says, “Is that true? I hope this means they were right about you. A lot of people have died.”

Internally, she flinches at that. Externally she shows her sorrow, saying, “I hope they’re right too.” The templar seems surprised at this. “Yes well…” Turning back to Cassandra, he adds, “The way ahead is clear. Leliana is joining you there. Maker watch over you all.”

Cassandra turns to Eirikia. “The Temple of Sacred Ashes is up ahead. What’s left of it, anyway.”

As they approach the remains of the Temple, it takes all of her willpower to remain noticeably unaffected. Perhaps later, she could let herself fall apart, but this wasn’t the moment for that. Emotions seemed to something they had an overabundance of, while rational thought seemed in short supply. If they needed her to be made of steel, she would be that.

So for now she glances at the charred bodies crowded outside the Temple. She smells the putridness of it, tucking it away to mourn over when she’s alone. With her head held high, she follows Cassandra into the Temple and sees the Breach up close for the first time. The magic in her hand flares and flicks, responding to the call from the rift. She stands quietly, observing and watching, noting how the mark reacts. She’s deep in thought when Cassandra walks up beside her, “This is your chance. Our chance to try and end this.”

Looking away from the rift to the woman, she says, “I’ll do my best, Cassandra.”

From her other side, Solas speaks. “This rift was the first. If you can close it, it may close the Breach as well.”

She nods. Cassandra turns to give orders to the soldiers and scouts present. As their smaller group makes their way to ground level, a voice echoes around them. “Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice.”

Cassandra stiffens and asks, “What are we hearing?”

Eirikia speaks up. “One would presume that is the voice of the person responsible for this mess.” Solas seems surprised, but nods his agreement.

As they approach the stairs leading to the main section of the rubble, giant red protrusions become visible. They’re glowing and giving off a subtle heat. Varric seems anxious and says, “That’s… that’s red lyrium.”

Eirikia whips her head to look at him before looking back at the material. “Varric, isn’t red lyrium what cause Knight-Commander Meredith to go mad?”

Even in Ostwick, they had heard the tales. Notices had been sent across the Free Marches’s Circles to destroy the stuff should it appear. If it was here along with the Breach… she didn’t think this was a coincidence. The Breach might have been the cause and lyrium the effect, at the very least, but definitely not accidental.

His face changes, showing that of a person who had seen too much to not react. “Yeah, it was. Why is it here?”

Solas says, “Magic could have drawn on lyrium beneath the temple, corrupted it…”

Varric interrupts him. “It’s evil. Don’t touch it. Or breathe it. Or really even get near it.”

The voice booms around them again. “Keep the sacrifice still.”

Another voice erupts, “Someone! Help me!” Cassandra gasps, “That’s Divine Justina!” Then Eirika hears her own voice answering, “What’s going on here?”

Cassandra and Eirikia look at each other in surprise. Cassandra says, “That was your voice… she.. she called out to you.”

A vision appears in front of them. The Divine is being held in place by swirls of red energy, matching the glow of the looming being that’s speaking. A vision of herself walks in, asking the question they had heard previously.

The looming figure speaks. “We have an intruder. Kill her.” The Divine looks pleadingly at Eirikia and yells, “Run while you can! Warn them!” There’s a flash and the scene disappears. Cassandra turns on her, “What is this? What did we just see?”

Eirikia is too stunned to say anything. Instead, Solas speaks, “Echoes of what happened here. The Fade bleeds into this place.”

She looks at him, soaking in his words. She was there when the Divine was killed. This implicates her, surely, but she can’t remember anything. Had she been involved in the Divine’s murder, unknowingly? Surely she acted to save the Most Holy. What had happened?

She’s lost in her thoughts. It’s getting more difficult to push it down, waiting until later to deal with. She’s strong, made of steel and fire and angel’s wings, but today she has seen too much. Steel bends, fire wanes, wings burn.

Solas speaks, dragging her out of her self contained misery. “This rift isn’t fully open. We will need to open it completely, and then seal it shut using the mark. This will draw attention from the other side.”

Eirikia breathes out, “Demons. Good. I could use a fight right now.” Cassandra makes a noise of agreement, shouting at the soldiers to ready themselves.

At Cassandra’s signal, Eirika thrusts her hand into the sky. The rift expands, and a massive form appears in front of them.

Pride demon.

She throws a barrier around everyone nearest the beast, and feels Solas throw one around them. He looks at her and says, “If you get a clear opening, use the mark again. It will weaken it’s defenses, making it easier to kill.” She nods. Looking at the demon, she throws a fireball at it’s face as Solas freezes it’s legs. This allows the warriors to get in a few good hits. She fade steps to the opposite side, using the mark to pull at the rift. The demon falls onto a knee. The archers hit it shoulder, head, eyes. More demons come through, but Cassandra appears beside her, and they dispatch them quickly.

And they repeat. Finally the demon stays down, and Eirika throws fire at its feet, pulling to create a full flame while Cassandra goes in for the kill shot in between it’s eyes.

Solas yells, “Now! Close it!” She reaches up, feeling the current wanting to pull her in, and then a thunderous noise sounds around them.

She feels herself falling, hears people cheering, and then… darkness.

#dragon age fanfiction #Eirikia Trevelyan #my ocs #Solas #cassandra pentaghast #Seeker Cassandra #varric tethras #dragon age inquisition #Howling Embers

15 notes · View notes