#ah nostalgia bias.)

[sunflowerabyss]

Charms of Fate: Chapter 12

Paring: Remus Lupin x Fem!Professor!Reader

Series Masterlist

Plot: Amidst the echoes of a bygone era, you return to Hogwarts years after parting ways with Hogwarts. What begins as a journey fueled by nostalgia transforms into an unexpected reunion with Remus Lupin, now a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. As the past intertwines with the present, the two former classmates navigate the complexities of grief, the resurgence of friendship, and the unwritten chapters of their shared history in this tale of rediscovery and the magic that binds them together.

Warnings: slight angst (mention of Buckbeak's execution)

________________________________________________

You've been savoring the moments spent with Remus, the connection growing stronger since your heartfelt confessions. However, a shadow of unease crept in as Remus started offering vague excuses for missing nights together, even when it wasn't the full moon. The mysterious disappearances left you with an eerie feeling, and despite your smitten state, a subtle concern lingered in the background.

You decided you were going to visit Hagrid, both as a distraction from Remus' odd behavior and to pay your respects to the hippogriff before he was...well...

You make your way to Hagrid's hut, a heaviness in your heart knowing about Buckbeak's grim fate. As you approached, the familiar sounds of magical creatures and the comfort of Hagrid's hospitality welcomed you despite the dire situation. The door creaks open, and Hagrid looks up from his table, a mixture of sadness and resignation in his eyes.

Knocking on the door while walking inside, you called out, "Hagrid, it's me."

The door creaked open, revealing the half-giant with a sad smile. "Ah, come in, come in. Yer here to talk about Buckbeak, ain't ya?" he grumbles, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation.

You nod, taking a seat and expressing your concern for the gentle creature. Hagrid sighs, sharing his frustration about the unfairness of the situation.

"It's a travesty, it is. Draco provoked Buckbeak, anyone with eyes could see that. But the Ministry, they won't listen. It's a bunch of codswallop," Hagrid mutters, his massive hands fumbling with a teacup.

You couldn't stand that blond little weasel.

Frustration bubbled within you; you can't help but express your disdain for Draco Malfoy's actions. "Honestly, Hagrid, that Malfoy kid is nothing short of a sorry sod. Reminds me of his crybaby father, always whining and running to daddy for help. It's unfair that Buckbeak has to pay the price for his petty grudges."

Hagrid snort, but nods solemnly, his eyes reflecting your sentiments. "Yer right, it ain't fair at all. But the Ministry's got their minds set, and there's not much we can do about it."

You continue to vent your frustration, sharing stories of Draco's past misdeeds and the apparent bias against certain students. Hagrid listens, occasionally grunting or muttering in agreement.

You slightly jumped, startled, at the door to Hagrid's hut flies open. You find Ron, Harry, and Hermione standing outside, looking concerned. "We heard about Buckbeak. Is Hagrid okay?" Ron asks, his voice filled with worry.

Hagrid, gruff but welcoming, gestures for the trio to come inside of his home. They talk amongst themselves before Hagrid gestures toward a jar where he's placed Scabbers, Ron's rat. "Keep an eye on your pets, Ron."

The sudden crash of a breaking pot startles everyone, and you watch as Hermione discreetly picks up a small rock. Another rock is thrown, hitting the back of Harry's head. He quickly turns, trying to find the source of the disturbance. You follow his gaze and see Dumbledore, Fudge, and the executioner approaching Hagrid's hut.

Hagrid, sensing trouble, mutters, "It's getting late. You lot should leave out the back door so you don't get caught."

Harry nods, "Right, let's go," he pauses, turning to Hagrid "It'll be okay, I promise." Hagrid just nods, tears in his eyes as he waves them off.

You get up from your seat before the trio slips out the back door. You walk after them. "I'll come with you. Just in case we need to explain ourselves," you offer.

Hagrid gives you a grateful nod, "Take care, all of ya."

Quickly and quietly, the four of you stealthily slipped out of the back door and took cover behind a massive pile of pumpkins. You waited in tense silence, vigilant for any sign of danger. Just as you believed the coast was clear, a twig snapped behind you, causing both Hermione and you to swiftly turn around. Finding nothing, you all continued toward the castle, wary and on edge.

As you reached the top of the slope, the executioner's axe swung down, marking the end of Buckbeak's life. Hermione couldn't hold back her tears, clutching onto Ron, who wore a somber expression. Harry, empathetic, wrapped an arm around Hermione, sharing in the collective grief. You stood there in silent shock, tears streaming down your face; you gently brushed them away, offering silent support.

Suddenly, the focus of Buckbeak's death shifted as Ron yelped in pain as Scabbers, his rat, bit him and darted off toward the Whomping Willow.

"Scabbers!" Ron yelled, taking off after his pet. "Scabbers, come back!"

"Ron!" Hermione shouted as the rest of you took off after Ron.

You, Harry, and Hermione halted, watching as Ron finally caught up with Scabbers. However, the atmosphere shifted when Ron warned them about the Grim standing behind them. Confused, you turned around, only to see a menacing black dog growling. In a swift motion, the dog leaped over you, targeting Ron. It took him by the ankle and dragged him under the Whomping Willow.

Amidst the chaos, Harry, Hermione, and you panicked, unable to reach Ron as the Whomping Willow swung its branches at you. Tossed around for what felt like ages, you finally found yourselves thrown into the hole where Ron had disappeared. As you groaned on the ground, you muttered, "I do not get paid enough for this."

The three of you exchanged worried glances, taking in your surroundings. The eerie silence was broken by you, who, with a wry smile, quipped, "Well, this is quite the unexpected adventure, isn't it?"

Harry, trying to lighten the mood, responded, "At least we're not being chased by giant spiders this time."

Hermione, ever practical, interjected, "Let's focus on finding Ron and getting out of here."

You, Harry, and Hermione cautiously entered the dilapidated building, the eerie creaks of the abandoned house echoing in the air. We're in the Shrieking Shack. The cracked stairs groaned under your weight as you ascended to the top floor. The air grew colder, and the atmosphere more foreboding.

Reaching a room that seemed frozen in time, you found Ron huddled on the floor with Scabbers, fear etched across his face. The room held an otherworldly stillness, broken only by Ron's urgent warning. He whispered to Harry, cautioning that it was a trap, and the man in the corner was the dog—an Animagus.

Your eyes followed Ron's gaze to the shadowy figure standing in the corner behind the broken door. The man's prison clothes clung to his emaciated frame, his hair disheveled, teeth askew. The room held its breath as recognition dawned. It was Sirius Black, the man believed to be after Harry.

"If you want to kill Harry, then you'll have to kill us too," Hermione says, placing herself in front of the boy-who-lived.

"No," Sirius says, stalking towards them, "only one will die tonight."

"Then it'll be you!" Harry shouts, throwing himself towards Sirius. They both fall to the ground, Harry pulling his wand out. Sirius laughs maniacally.

"Are you going to kill me Harry?" Sirius asks.

"Harry!" You shout, grabbing the boy by the shirt and getting him off of your former friend. Pulling out your own wand, it seems as if Sirius has finally noticed you.

"(Y/N), my dear, it has been an awful long time," Sirius says.

"You're looking worse for wear, Padfoot," you comment, pushing your wand closer to him. "Those days in Azkaban did you dirty." Sirius only laughed at you. I really hope it wasn't you. "I won't let you kill the boy, Sirius," you whispered, your wand at his neck.

Suddenly, the door is thrown open and you quickly turn around. You see Remus, your heart growing large. However, before you have time to process anything, he points his wand at you.

"Expelliarmus!" he shouts, your wand flinging out of your hand.

[tianshiisdead]

How would you characterize modern day Japan’s relationship with China and Korea? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Ps. Love your art

hello anon i see you have it out for me <3

KFLDHGF JK JK... this is quite a question though 💦 Honestly fairly rocky I'd imagine, but they do hang out. I think there's a contrast between Korchu complaining about Japan and the three of them going to karaoke and drinking together. Inevitably they're going to have a decent level of closeness I feel given how intertwined East Asian modernity is, but that doesn't lessen the antagonism all that much. Korchu harass him on twitter*, and totally justifiably as well LOL Japan is NOT owning up to anything and this is all the reparations they're going to get in the foreseeable future...

On Japan's part, I don't think he's particularly apologetic so much as irritated by them bringing old scars up because 'it was in the past, why are you lingering on old history instead of looking into the future' with maybe an added 'this is why you haven't developed properly like I have' towards China - although he probably can't do that anymore I guess! Sad! I also do think he lowkey looks down on them, and that he has some weird complexes about them as well but that's another conversation. Japan has some sort of 'closer to the west' sense of pride that gets in the way of relations with his neighbors as well, he's really annoying about that, and he has (more than) a bit of nostalgia towards eras Korchu are Not Happy About. He also has a bad tendency of blaming them for his domestic problems which they also aren't very happy about.

This is where I'm going to reveal my bias: I'm definitely less knowledgeable and therefore less confident on Korea-Japan compared to China-Japan, but to focus on China-Japan for a second: I think Japan's actually fairly irritated at China. Like, in general Korchu anger towards Japan far outweigh Japan anger towards Korchu for obvious reasons, but in this case Japan has a thought process like 'I helped you so much in the 80s and now you're stabbing me in the back!!', which China thinks is bullshit of course 👍

Also, lest I make it seem too much like Korchu vs Japan, I'd imagine Korpan complain about China together quite often as well and Nichu commit racism towards Korea separately but they catch each other's gaze across the internet and have a moment of understanding. Japan and Korea play nice when America's looking but fight a lot when America's not looking. They're caught up on each other's latest media and resent that fact. Easia's such a funny region 😨

*China has a twitter through a vpn like all those Chinese gov officials/international correspondents who spend their time dropping twitter roasts all day

**korchupan are not related they're not even slightly related they're not brothers they aren't family no one 'raised' anyone and they view each other as Potential Sexual Partners ok thank u. i see most 'easia Blood Family' takes as being anywhere from a little ignorant to incredibly racist

Ah and thank you so much!! I am so glad u like my art means a lot <33

[leighlew3]

For some reason I couldn’t send the link of this post but I could download the picture and send it (hopefully)

This is what I was references in that ask to you lol

Ah. And... yeah. A painful and unnecessary creative choice.

Look, overall I'm loving Picard, despite quite a few issues with some creative choices and contradictions, because this nostalgia is incredible and so appreciated and being able to witness these characters in action again has been WONDERFUL.

That being said... well, I'm about to launch into a ramble.

Buckle up, and keep reading if you'd like...

Picard had an ICONIC legacy female character in an interracial wlw relationship with a dynamic new Black female character -- both women over the age of 50 no less, an amazing thing to explore on screen -- and it worked. And so many fans loved it and felt represented and thrilled to kingdom come. And it fit with the Star Trek brand of inclusion and acceptance in a modern society. It also made Voyager fans of 25 years feel vindicated and seen, having Seven not only confirmed as sapphic, but actually exploring it on screen and finding love, even if a "happy ending" for Seven was never in the cards for many reasons, they could have explored why instead of just sweeping it under the rug off screen and reducing it to one awkward glance between them, a joke from Worf, and that was it. Seven and Raffi deserved better. Queer fans deserved better.

Alas, they tossed it in the trash for no valid reason at all, and at the worst possible time in our current social and political landscape of an outdated and frighteningly dangerous resurgence of homophobia, transphobia, etc. Life imitates art, and art imitates life. And thus, now we see conservative-run media companies catering again to the vocal, hateful little groups and extremist far right fear mongers. There is a very obvious bias of late again against LGBTQ content (especially wlw due to the frightening rise in misogyny yet again lately) across nearly every channel and streamer and studio.

For that matter, even beyond LGBTQ stories, there's also a significant reduction in the exploration of ANY sexuality on screen across the board lately, even for cishet couples. We somehow went from Hollywood being absurdly and unfairly exploitive towards women and putting actors in uncomfortable and unnecessary situations, to some sort of bizarre, puritanical, utterly sexless exploration of romance on screen. And even a reduction of romance entirely in many cases, for that matter. We went from one extreme to the other, and it's absolutely nuts.

Anyway, back on the topic of Picard, the two actresses who previously were captains of the ship and ALL about the pairing have since seemingly now had to backtrack, make excuses for this bizarre decision, or just not speak on it at all. And that's beyond sad.

And again, it makes me concerned that if Seven does get her own spin-off or is a part of a new spin-off again, they'd likely not include Raffi nor explore Seven being with women further. Which would just be LITERALLY going backwards in time to the days of Voyager where many (not all) straight male fans tried to claim her as theirs and theirs alone while reducing her to just "the hot Borg in a cat suit" even though everyone else knew she was three dimensional as hell, one of the best written and acted characters in franchise history, and inherently representative of the LGBTQ community.

Anyway, I really really hope they prove me wrong and Saffi get a satisfying ending in this show, and if nothing else, even if they don't have a future together in other series, any other shows at least continue to embrace Seven's pansexuality. It's important.

Alas right now my trust in creatives in the TV space who are under the pressures of conservative-run media conglomerates... is limited. Even once seeming allies are showing sides to themselves lately that are... concerning, to say the least. People who previously would tell incels to F' off, and weren't afraid to stand up to and block phobes on Twitter are now blocking queer fans for just asking "WTF?" about queer favorites being sidelined or ships being tossed in the trash. People who previously seemed to truly see and value queer fans are now bordering on just using them for clicks and stringing them along on likely hopeless efforts regarding show survival. And people who actually do mean well and usually stand up loud and strong for LGBTQ audiences are suddenly growing very, very quiet if not even in some cases TURNING on their queer fans entirely as TPTB remove more and more wlw content from airwaves and streamer services.

It's all very disheartening. As a writer who has had this conversation so often with producers and executives, I GET IT. The fight is NOT an easy one. And most the time inclusion efforts are flat out shot down. But it feels like so few people are walking the talk anymore. People who capitalized heavily on LGBTQ characters and ships and fans for a few years when it was hot are now turning their backs when the going has gotten rough. And that's frustrating for us all.

But, the good news: these things are often cyclical. So if everybody can hang in there, stay strong, and fight the good fight online and IRL, rock the VOTE, etc and drown out the hateful voices that want the LGBTQ community silenced or worse, then I believe we can set (or force, in many cases) the misguided, fearful, extremist-rightwing-catering media companies back to the proper side of history.

[wormlizarding]

Planet Earth 3: Ocean

Ah the ocean episode, the one I looked forward to the most. Did it live up to my expectations? Absolutely I'm an easily pleased person.

Again spoiler for the episode sorta???

The primary purpose of a nature documentary is to introduce the audience to wildlife and natural world they're unfamiliar with, and this episode gave us flying fish laying eggs, orcas hunting mobula rays, pearl octopus nursery and moments that only bbc can manage to capture(honestly how are they doing this???) The efforts and techniques of the film crew must be recognised here, many of the segments of this episode take place in open ocean, and are about behaviors that only last for perhaps a couple of minutes. The ocean episode brings us wonder and spectacles(and also reminded me a lot of blue planet 2 so I guess this review has a heavy nostalgia bias).

But besides the wonderment, what else did the episode give the audience? Perhaps hope so the audience can build a connection to these wilderness? Compared to the coast episode, this one is relatively weak in this part, humans for the most part are present as the polluters and exploiters of the ocean. Which makes it hard not to leave with a sense of misanthropy.

Another critique, this one more of a nick-pick. Reusing shots is common and very much acceptable in nature documentaries, but there are a couple of reused shots from other documentaries in this episode that last too long and don't connect very well.

But all in all, this is still amazing I love every second of it.

9/10, my boy glass squid made it to the big screen.

[yukarishoodie]

OH btw i know i just sent you something for the vocaloid ask game but i was also curious since you're a Yukari Enjoyer who seems to have been around for a long while, what do you think about the song I Died To Someone's Song/誰かの歌で僕が死ぬ by 36g (for some reason tumblr isn't letting me type a question mark here AHH)

it's my favorite yukari song, partially because of childhood bias/nostalgia but i still really like it in all of its roughness and earlier vocaloid charm

Ah yes, the song that kept popping up on my recommended years ago despite already listening to it a bunch (show me something new!). I also thought it was an early vocaloid thing at first, but after digging a bit into the producer I think the roughness might be intentional on their part, considering their alt rock/shoegaze leanings. Leveraging the vocaloid roughness and all that. I feel like this kind of style has fallen out of favor in the popular vocaloid scene these days, but that doesn't mean they no longer exist.

[tea-with-evan-and-me]

What's your favorite Evan role?

Mine is Colin character wise and Kai acting wise, of course Colin was good acting too, he got an Emmy for it after all, but Kai was IMO one of his bests. At some moments I forgot Evan's actually not a cult leader 🤣

this is definitely hard, because it depends on how you look at it! colin is definitely my ''favorite'' as far as characters go, as well. he's just lovable and evan-esque..

but tate langdon is special because that's the role that made me a real fan of evan, then i can say kai took him to a different stratosphere as far as the sheer talent it took to play such a role being displayed.. same thing goes for dahmer. i'm rewatching AHS earlier seasons now and i think i definitely have bias for nostalgia lol

[placeinjune]

Pagi ( 04:00 ) rawan nostalgia ya wkwkwk, hari ini fyp gw penuh dengan game mobile legend.

-

Gw main game itu dari smp kelas tiga lanjut sampe akhir 2020. Non-stop, gaada hari tanpa mole, ada sih paling pas ujian tapi kadang juga tetep maksa main WKWKWKWKKW karena memang gw anaknya entah kenapa cinta banget main sama temen-temen gw.

Sebelum kenal Valorant, mole udah kaya setengah hidup gw sih, gw udah sering banget ngebayangin diri gw sama temen-temen gw jadi pro player dan buat agensi sendiri :D

Gw yang dulu ga toxic di perkataan pun akhirnya jadi plus-plus dah ketoxic-annya hehehehe, tapi tenang bukan ke temen kok, lebih ke emang ngata-ngatain game bodoh tapi gw sayang itu aja.

Itu bener-bener awal dari gw yang anak introvert akhirnya keluar dri safe zone gw buat ngobrol ke anak cowo-cowo yang main mole juga dan bro itu adalah satu keputusan terbaik yang pernah gw ambil. Sampe sekarang mereka masih menjadi temen-temen deket gw walaupun gw sendiri udah jarang main mole.

Bahkan masih ada yang setia sama itu game dan ngelanjutin kemampuan dia disana. Anaknya definisi gas beracun berjalan sih, kalo ngomong kaga ada filternya bos tapi tenang, tetep disayang kok sama circle gw gara-gara otaknya mines tapi seru abis anaknya.

Kita ada buat squad sendiri, namanya SCR dan gw masih tinggal dengan nama itu sampe sekarang. Kalo bisa gw mau nama itu terus ada misalkan gw bakal buat squad di game lain.

Ah iya, akun gw ada dua, tapi gw lebih aktif di pertama yang namanya sampe sekarang ke paku banget di hidup per game-an gw, yaitu NjvX inget N nya gede X nya gede.

Kenapa NjvX? Karena nama depan dan nama belakang gw itu N dan J, kenapa V jadi huruf ketiga? Karena bias gw 5 tahun yang lalu itu V dari Bangtan WKWKWKWKWK alay banget maaf, terus kenapa X jadi penutup? Gatau sih karena keren aja :3

Hhghh kangen banget sumpah, bener-bener kangen. Tapi mereka udah punya kesibukan masing-masing sih, walaupun masi main mole sampe sekarang...jujur sayang banget sama semua temen-temen gw, seluruh berkat dan doa buat kalian semua!

- 🥀

[raynnawrites]

Stuck

Warnings: +18

Synopsis: Getting stuck between royals is fun. Until actual feelings get involved.

The fresh, warm Wakandan breeze blew softly against your face, giving you flashes of nostalgia. The tribes hadn’t changed much over the last few years. The only changes were the technological advances their genius Princess Shuri offered almost monthly.

Smiling, you made your way down to the halls where you would find the Queen Mother Ramonda, who embraced you with a gentle and sweet smile.

“We have missed you terribly, Bianca. It is truly good to have you back with us.” She spoke, holding your hands and keeping her smile.

“Thank you, Queen Mother… I missed this place. More than I should’ve.” You replied.

Now walking slowly towards the dining rooms, Ramonda interlocked arms with you, keeping the same pace and enjoying the calm of the morning. The sun was still soft, the grass was still humid from the night’s chill and birds could be heard along the halls. Staff members would walk around and tidying up anything possibly out of sorts to keep the palace looking clean and neat.

The lights would turn off as the vibranium glass allowed a good amount of natural light to come in and give the best lighting. The skies were clear and clouds were nowhere in sight.

Nearing the dining room, the doors were opened by the Wakandan Royal Guard and closed again. Taking your seat next to Ramonda, who sat next to the head of the table, coffee was brought out.

“Now that we have some time to ourselves, keep telling me about your life in America! Yesterday I could hardly speak without one of the “boys” interfering and taking you away,” Ramonda began as she took a sip from her coffee. You smiled.

“I was just saying I almost got a job at the animating studio I liked. But it fell through,” you spoke softly as Ramonda widened her eyes.

“But you said they were short staffed! How can that be? You are wonderful at what you do!” Ramonda stated, outraged. You couldn’t help but to stifle a smile.

“It’s okay, sh- things like that happen all the time. But I did get into another studio a block from the first one. It’s actually a lil’ better too,” you replied, easing Ramonda’s outrage. Her smile returned and relief washed over you.

“Ah, glory to Bast, dearest! I am happy you found a good opportunity. I hope to get the honor of seeing some of your works as well… they say they are truly remarkable.”

“I showed you one before.”

“Yes, but that was almost three years ago!” Ramonda replied, taking another drink.

“Good morning, Mother! Good morning, Bianca!” Shuri suddenly spoke as she entered the dining room and took her seat next to where Erik would sit.

“Hey, Shuri! Did you get the instructions I sent you?” You spoke as the Princess nodded with pride.

“I must say, I am impressed! And that never happens, not even when my brother got crowned.” Shuri replied as she grabbed the fresh orange juice pitcher from the center of the table, pouring it into her cup.

“So you are making inventor moves now?” Ramonda asked, surprised. “Yes she does, Mother!” Shuri spoke with pride once more.

“Good morning, my family! How have your mornings been?” T’Challa spoke happily as he entered the dining room and took his seat at the head of the table.

“Calm, which is unusual,” Ramonda replied as the food was beginning to be brought. Warm and fresh smells filled the room as the chefs placed the plates at the center of the table.

The breakfast was all fresh, steam still coming off of the food.

“How about you, Bia?” T’Challa asked, seeing you unusually quiet. “Calm. I was with your mother walking through the halls,” you replied as your friend hummed.

Time went on and so did the jokes and conversations, as well as the food. You were already on your second plate, as well as Shuri.

“My son, where is N’Jadaka? He is usually here at this time” Ramonda asked T’Challa, seeing him wipe his mouth.

“He has what Americans call a “hangover”, Mother. He will arrive shortly. He tends to get up at this time.” The King replied as he continued his meal. Ramonda could only shake her head and keep eating.

The doors suddenly opened.

“Good morning, N’Jadaka. How nice of you to join us.” Ramonda commented as Erik sat next to the head of the table and Shuri. He had slight red eyes. He began to take food into his plate.

“Sorry, Auntie. I got caught up in the fun…” Erik smirked as he winked at you. You shook your head and kept eating.

Time went by yet again and the food was almost all gone.

“So, what’s for today?” Erik asked, taking a big bite. You actually feared he would choke.

T’Challa sighed, “well, the usual morning reports, the check-ups on the barrier, maintenance on the vibranium train and… I am guessing the usual discussions. There is not much going on today and I thank Bast and Sekhmet for that,” he spoke as he took a last sip of his coffee.

Erik laid back on his chair and hissed “yes!”.

“Well then, I enjoyed the breakfast, but I am afraid it is now time for me to attend my first meeting of the day. Bia, you are free to join us if you like,” T’Challa spoke as he stood from his chair.

“Really? I can join?” You asked as Erik and Ramonda stood.

“Hell yeah, babygirl. You can sit next to me,” Erik teased as he winked at you again. Shuri rolled her eyes in disgust as she left the dining room.

Now walking towards the throne room, Erik placed an arm around your shoulders and got a glare from T’Challa. The doors were once again opened for them.

“Bia, you sit next to me,” T’Challa spoke as he sat on his throne. Erik raised a brow.

“What? You don’t deem me worthy of having her next to me?” Erik asked, feigning offense, “that’s racist.”

T’Challa rolled his eyes and smirked, “no, never that. I forgot you got dramatic and emotional after hangovers.” You laughed at T’Challa’s response and sat next to him.

The meeting ended sooner than you thought, leaving you more time to go down to the city.

“So, where you goin’ babygirl?” Erik asked you as he caught up to you.

“Down to the city. I wanna buy some things there,” you replied, continuing your walk out the palace. You heard Erik snickering.

“What?”, you asked, brow arched. “Nothin’… you just gon’ waste yo’ time down there.”

“Why? You don’t know what I’mma buy.”

“You sure ‘bout that, babe?”

Erik then reached behind and under his Oakland hoodie and pulled out a bag. You squinted.

“It’s legit, I promise! It ain’t a prank.” He smirked, trying his best to not smile. With hesitant moves, you closed up on him and reached the bag, grabbing it and opening it.

Your eyes widened as you revealed the gift. They were coloring pencils and a brand new canvas, as well as watercolor inks and brushes. Erik hid his hands inside his hoodie’s pocket and watched with satisfaction as your features lit up with joy.

“Where did you get these?! They were out of stock yesterday!” You asked as you smiled brightly in amazement.

“I got my ways. I’m a High Prince here, remember?” He shrugged. You could only hug him and thank him. Erik hugged back and even lifted you, spinning you around.

“I swear I’ll get you something too.”

“What? No, you don’t gotta do that.”

“Yes I do. I feel awkward if I don’t.”

Walking back to your apartment with Erik, you noticed he stopped half way. “What?”

“My apartment got a better view… you can paint on the balcony.” Erik replied with a low voice. “I got drinks, food… weed.”

You scoffed and laughed at his antics. “Fine, but you better have Qumbe.”

Following the Prince to his apartment, you were received by a warm wood scent. It was a soft, easy scent, mixed with what you thought was his cologne. Taking you over to the balcony you were left speechless.

The balcony’s view of the city was ideal, getting the mountains, lakes and city in one.

“Told ya’.”

You began to paint and draw the scenery before you as Erik began to roll his joints.

Erik watched you with careful eyes as you drew and painted, looking between your face and your hands as you created art. His heart pumped faster and harder than before, but he quickly shook his thoughts away and took a drag from his first joint.

You set aside your canvas to let it dry and noticed how quick the day went.

“So… a lil’ birdie told me you was gonna stay here and live here again.” Erik suddenly spoke as you sat back on his chair. Chuckling, you turned to face him.

“Maybe. I still don’t know. T’Challa’s happy so… I might.”

Erik felt his heart skip a beat.

“So my happiness don’t matter?”

“Erik, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t start.”

He scoffed.

“You gonna start? Tell me so I can go.” You told him as sternly and seriously as you could.

Erik shook his head and sighed “I’m sorry. A’ight? Just always talkin’ about T’Challa. T’Challa this, T’Challa that… And I feel left out, like I didn’t care to you.”

It was your turn to feel guilty.

“What? No, Erik… you’re just as important to me, believe it or not, but T’Challa’s serious about his life. He doesn't take life as a joke and he doesn’t start shit on the third day.” You replied, now sitting up to the edge of the chair, facing him.

“I’m serious ‘bout my life too. I’m just not a busy ass king. I got all day free, unless there’s a mission. But I changed, Bia. For the better, trust. You’re used to the old me. And I don't start shit on the third day, I just voice my feelings.” He spoke as he placed his joint on the tray.

“I missed the fuck out my best friend and all she talks about is the other one.” Erik growled, standing and walking inside to his kitchen. You widened your eyes and followed him.

“Erik Stevens is the jealous type! You’re just jealous I talk to T’Challa more!” You laughed as he scoffed and poured himself a drink.

You kept laughing and giggling.

“I ain’t the jealous type, Bia. I just don’t like you talkin’ about T’Challa so much.” Erik replied, looking down at you. You smirked.

“You don’t like me talking about T’Challa?”

“Nah.”

“What about kissin’ him? Hmm? A lil’ peck.”

Erik put his drink down and gasped.

“Bianca Hayes, I’mma pound the shit out yo’ short-ass!” Erik growled, seeing you smirk.

“You gon’ pound me? Is that what you want, Erik?” You smirked again as you closed in and placed your hands over his chest. Erik tried to hide the surprise, but you could see the smallest bits of his dark cheeks getting darker over the blush.

“Wanna pound me, Erik? I’m right here…” you whispered, standing on your tiptoes and inching closer to his lips. His eyes got darker and lower.

“Don’t test me, Bia. It’s not gon’ end well.”

“Maybe I want to.”

Erik’s hands wrapped themselves around your waist, holding you tightly and closely to him. With a laugh threatening to burst, Erik closed the small gap between you in a bruising kiss.

Your hand slithered up from his chest to behind his head, deepening the kiss. Hearing a groan, you felt his hands press you even closer. Erik proceeded to lay you on the counter and kept kissing you as deeply as he could.

His hands traveled your body and hooked your legs around his torso, making his dick rub against your clothed pussy.

Erik’s lips traveled from your lips to your neck. Leaving a trail of wet kisses from your pulse to your collarbone, Erik groaned once more.

“Fuck,” he swore under his breath. You grabbed his face and kissed his lips again. It was your turn to leave a trail of kisses from his pulse to collarbone. You had him a groaning, cursing mess above you. Not so soon after you could feel a hardness between your legs.

“You want me, Erik? Do you want me?” You asked, parting from the deep kiss. Erik opened his eyes. His brown eyes were clouded and darkened as he felt your hands travel his back.

He nodded and rasped out a breathy “yes.”

You allowed him to keep kissing you. Only this time, you began to grind against him, moving your hips at a soft pace. Erik’s gasp provided the space for your tongue to slide inside his mouth and taste him.

Whiskey and the faint taste of the weed he’d smoked earlier was still in his mouth. Erik quickly gave in. No fight for dominance.

“I’ve always… fuck…” he almost moaned, your hand having found his waistband and slithering inside.

“I want you so bad, Bia… stop playin’ with me,” he whispered in your ear. You smirked and kissed him once more. You retrieved your hand from his jeans and placed it on his chest.

“I have a meeting with T’Challa, he said he wanted to discuss the barriers update.” You spoke as you stopped the kisses, calmly unhooked your legs from Erik’s torso and got down from the counter.

Erik breathless and uncomfortably hard, stared in shock, still catching his breath from the hot makeout session. Gathering your things, you walked in front of him, but stopped.

“Are you coming to lunch or…?” You asked with a smile.

“Y-Yeah… I’mma be there.” He replied, staring at you.

“See you there! And thank you so much for the gift! I left you a lil’ one on your table in return.” You replied, patting his chest and pointing to the balcony. Leaving his apartment, Erik stared at the door and licked his lips.

Your smell and touch still on him like the best perfume in the world. He could only take deep breaths and zone out.

Erik was left with kiss-swollen lips, low eyelids, and ruffled dreadlocks, as well as a surprise he couldn’t get off his chest. You won this round.

Taglist:

@chaneajoyyy

@amorestevens

@cecereads209

@readinginsilence100

@raysunshine78

@woahitslucyylu

@idont-know-shit

@kkrown

@msreshel

@ladymac82

@luvwitoutlimit1

@jessiebean00

@richonne4life

@xsweetdellzx

@btitannaaa

@koriiii

@bugngiz

@harleycativy

@soufcakmistress

A/N: I plan on making this a mini-series, about 5 chapters. Who might Bianca choose?

[vivithefolle]

I get so protective over Ron that sometimes I worry I'm too intense about it

Nah you’re not too intense. If anything we’re not intense enough. TURN UP THE HEAT FIGHT THE POWER SLAY THE HATERS -

I kind of hate how as a big Ron fan I just can't like Molly as much as the rest of the fandom does. I don't hate her, but the way that Ron is very obviously her least favourite child for NO REASON WHATSOEVER is super annoying to me. 

I honestly don’t mind Molly, I understand that being a mother is super taxing (my own mother had problems with us, and there’s only three of us). She just couldn’t pay as much attention to Ron as he needed her to, because she had the hellion twins to reel in.

The issue is also with the way she seems to believe in “tough love”, for a definition of tough love anyway. For some kids, tough love works (as in, “yeah ok since you insist on trying to do that mildly dangerous thing go on, do it. Ah, you fell and got an ouchie? Yep, turns out I knew what I was talking about, next time you’ll know that when I’m trying to stop you from doing a thing it’s usually for a good reason.”, not “YEAH I WILL ABUSE YOU AND HURT YOU AND HURL INSULTS AT YOU BUT IT’S TOUGH LOVE YOU WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND GET OFF MAH PROPERTY”), but other kids need a more gentle approach.

Ron is one of those kids who needs things told to him. He needs verbal affirmation, verbal validation, and that means a bit more attention. But Molly is often spread very thin between her kids and tending to the house... and maybe unconsciously, she has a bias against Ron, maybe resented him a bit at times, because no mother can be an infinite well of patience and love, and Ron would be good enough with emotions to pick up on such a moment of resentment and spiral into overthinking about it.

Molly did her best and I like her. I like her more than Harry or Hermione frankly. I like her more than Fred and George too, whom I mainly like because of nostalgia, because it’s true they made me laugh a lot when I was little and I liked that very much. But growing up, I realize they were awful big brothers to Ron - and awful brothers to Percy too - and it just hurts. It’s like that for pretty much everyone who isn’t Ron, or Luna/Neville/Percy: I want to like them, because Ron likes them, but the way they treat Ron at times leaves a taste in my mouth that’s too bitter to be entirely washed off.

[neonun-au]

Ult Group Game!

Tagged by @d-nghy-ck for this round

tagging a bunch of people who i’m sure have also already done this, but this one is so much fun so idc idc do it again or ignore it, your prerogative. @suhdude @jungwooisms @lebrookestore @pastelsicheng @yvesaccharine @byutafy @sehunniepot @naptaemed @hyuck-obsessed @moonbeamsung @moondustaeil @127-mile @peachjaem00 @fuckjoong @christ-h0le

Rules: answer the following questions for your ult group!

EXO for this round, but I’m also tempted by Red Velvet...hmmm (wow very sm biased...but i always have been i guess)

Who was your first bias?

Xiumin was my first, first bias from watching them on Happy Camp like...waaaay back in the day cause my head was so stuck in EXO-M specifically. At the time I was really living for Chen’s vocals and just found them so interesting 

Who is your bias now?

Chanyeol ‘cause I’m a giant goober or something

What was the first MV you watched by them?

I was on EXO from the jump. What Is Love is, I think, chronologically their first MV so that was the first. 

What’s your favorite MV?

Ah, good question. My heart wants to say MAMA ‘cause it’s hilarious but...hmm. Actually maybe Obsession? Love Me Right? Yeah, it’s Love Me Right. The football and aesthetics don’t make any sense, but I love it anyway. It’s all vibes. OH ALSO GROWL THOUGH CAUSE ITS COOL

If you could listen to one of their songs for the rest of your life, which would it be?

All of them?? Literally all of them, how do I answer this? What Is Love for nostalgia and love’s sake, Ya Ya Ya cause it’s just so smooth and really just gets me in the right way. Been Through because it’s so beautiful and I will never tire of it. Gravity, Artificial Love, My Lady, Heaven, 24/7....ah :’) 

Who would you want to see them collab with?

Me (jk if i have to give a real answer...? Kyle Lux? Also Bjork cause I want a Bjork collab with everyone. Chen should collab with Iron Maiden and kill those vocals) 

What MV concept do you want to see them do?

I would like to see them continue the trend of doing more narratively interesting MV’s like Obsession rather than just a hodge podge of aesthetics but also like...I’m also chill with just random aesthetics. Just remake MAMA for the new age maybe lol

Have you ever had a dream with any of the members in it?

Honestly, probably but I cannot for the life of me remember. I have a lot of dreams. 

If you could spend the day with one member, who would it be and what would you do?

Chanyeol, cause he’s just fun. Like he just seems like a fun time. We could just do nothing and laugh for five hours, I’d be great with that. 

Which member do you think you’d get along with the best?

I am never good at answering this question because I generally get along well with most people haha Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Chen, Xiumin...?? IDK throw a dart and hit one

Which member do you think you would argue with?

S U H O

If you had to let one member scroll through your tumblr, who would it be?

Not to rehash my previous answer, but whichever one knows the least English 

thank you for reading and i love you lol

[seokmatthewz]

exo for the ask game :D

ah yes the first bg i ever stanned :')

my bias + bias wrecker: jongdae nd jongin!! wrecker would probably be minseok but i dont really have one these days

first time i heard of them: during overdose era!!

when i became a fan: for some reason ik the exact date JKFJDKLS february 18th 2015!!

favorite title track: either overdose or lucky one!!

favorite b-side: exo btracks r so iconic omg like so many i'd say my top 6 would be black pearl, trouble, jekyll, white noise, artificial love, and hurt!!

favorite mv: wolf monster!! iconic...

favorite album: exodus!!! shes so flawless...close 2nd would be obsession!!

a concept i wished they’d try: i think theyve done most concepts?? but again more! summer! concepts!

what i like most about them: i'm not suuuuper into them these days but i've always loved their music!!! and i have a lot of nostalgia related to them bc they were the group tht made me really spiral into kpoppie hell JFKDSLJKDF

send me a kpop group!!

[ohoshi]

This just turned into a hoshi love post but we love to see that <3 he deserves all the love you’re giving and more !

Ooo what was the last kpop cover you did?

For me, it’s an everyday fight for a bias. DUDE NO GDA HOSHI WILL TRULY REMAIN SUPERIOR. THE POWER HE HOLDS IS IMMACULATE!!! LIKE SIR PLEASE STOP COMING FOR ME

He is annoying but he’s best that way. I won’t like hoshi if he isn’t pain in the ass. He really is something else. Whenever he dances it’s so magical like it isn’t humanly possible to be this perfect!

Hoshi is definitely an all rounder. His singing voice is beautiful and he’s gotten soooo amazing (he already was so good by ykwim)

what you said about kpop sleeping on svt, I totally agree with that cause svt truly has best vocalists and choreographer which other artists look up too. I feel sometimes seventeens talent is not appreciated enough.

junhao and seok are such good choices. # 1 hoshi, it really do be like that sometimes.

Al1 does of one of the best promos pledis ever did! The aesthetics were so soft and nice and the songs *chefs kiss*

DWC wasn’t the song that brought in so many carats just like that. It’s a queen .

L&l always gives me such nostalgia

my favourite album has to be either an ode / ymmdawn / henggarae. Those always are just wow . They hit the spot. It’s there for every mood. soft? Kidult, hug. Hoe? Good to me, shhh, getting closer. Hurt? Fear. Upbeat? Snapshoot, let me hear you say

OKAY I CAN GO ON ABOUT BSIDES ALOT. I CANT CHOOSE TOP 3 SO ILL JUST NAME A FEW OF MY FAVES: flower, campfire, I don’t know, heavens cloud, getting closer, pinwheel, kidult, together, hug, my my, snapshoot, lmhys, ah love , all my love , fearless, fast pace , holiday, space.

I like the tracks A LOT. It’s such a fresh style for title track. And heavens cloud my beloved <3 I love all 3 concepts of photoshoots for the album. Not really fond of the way they designed everything. Like, the track list and all could be so pretty but no.

Ahh!! I love making gifs and gfx! Gfx can be really tiring but I love the outcome so I’m satisfied. Well, for biases these days jihoon, dino, and coups are really just on top !

I got into svt during fear era cause my best friend is a carat too!!

What was your favourite svt concept ? WHATS YOUR FAV JAPANESE TRACK? What other groups do you stan?

-cloud anon ☁️

I KNOOOW ANON AND I AM SO SORRY KAGAKSGAK I HAVE A HARD TIME CONTROLLING MYSELF when you ask me to talk about him 😔 sorry ksgsjsg i have so much love and admiration for him!!

the last kpop cover i did was chungha's bicycle (which was a while ago lol), i wanted to do spider but i don't have the props so :/ i gave up lmao

IKR!!!! THE WHOLE GDA PERFORMANCE !!!!!! it has a tight grip on me i think it's one of the best performances they've had so far

yeah, exactly shagaj it just kinda bothers me that kpop stans will really talk about 3rd gen main vocalists and not mention svt? or they would really (which i advocate is the most stupid thing btw) rank main dancers and not include hoshi ????? or dino ???? OR MINGHAO !!!! minghao would have a main dancer position in your average kpop boy group lol also they have the audacity to be surprised  that svt has a big loyal fandom jsgaakag it's so stupid and annoying sigh

AWWWW LOVE YOUR CHOICES!!! honestly yeah ymmdawn, henggarae and obvs al1 are my top 3 mini albums from svt!! really like you said they have it all, so i guess you prefer some darker concepts???

JSGSSLAGAKGAAKGAA FELT!!! THE WAY YOU LISTED HALF OF THEIR DISCOGRAPHY OH MY GOD SJAGAJA they really know what they're doing huh making the best music in the industry<3

ohh yeah they did design the track list for your choice misersbly skshsj but i liked the albums?? i actually love the packaging and all that i think it's beautiful and i can't stop staring, probably my favorite album physical wise so far

WHAT A COMBO DINO WOOZI COUPS SJSGSKSGSK DEADLY!!!!! love how you have a member for each subunit sjgssjg why do you like them? yk how i wrote a whole ass essay about hoshi? your turn!!

WOW!!!! YOUR BEST FRIEND IS A CARAT my best friend is not even into kpop 🥲 THAT'S FUN I AM JEALOUS OF YOU!! so i assume your best friend introduced svt to you??

my favorite seventeen concept hmm wow this is really hard ksgaajg i liked all of them but hmm for the sake of it i'll say thanks? because of the sentimental value, i like how they incorporated their creative process into a title track and also showed their gratitude?? thanks is probably in my top 3 choreos from svt too lol BUT I REALLY LIKED EVERYTHING SO FAR LOL; honorable mention: fear because dark concepts are rare for them and it was their first hoe concept for a tt so hehehe

OK LOOK I KNOW THIS IS CLICHE BUT nothing beats queen falling flower. i don't think the elaboration is needed here sjgshs

i am a casual kpop stan i like to keep up with everything that goes on in kpop hagsajga however i only call myself a 'carat' it feels wrong to call myself any other fandom name except maybe shawol, shinee was my first group so they're my first and big love<3 i used to be a diehard shawol jagajsg (now i'm a diehard carat) do we see a pattern here, shinee introduced the importance of dance and invented dance practice videos, svt took it on another level other than that i can't call myself a stan of any other group BUT I LIKE A LOT OF THEM CASUALLY AJGSSJGS also i'm more of a bg stan than gg stan, i mean i love ggs but not as much as i used to? seungkwan and i have the same taste for ggs sjsvwjg he's the kpop bestie i want<3 sooo yeah!! wbu??? are you a multi kpoppie too 🤪

have you ever been to their concert? in person

[radramblog]

Pokemon Legendary Themes Ranked

I saw a video of a youtuber I like doing this tier list so I thought I’d get my own opinions in first so I’m not biased by theirs. This list is a little incomplete- there’s a few things I know are missing, most pointedly side game stuff, but I suppose they can’t win em all. Thus, here are my objectively factual opinions, no nostalgia bias here surely. Here’s a link to the list in case you want to do the same.

(Tiers are sorted in increasing quality right to left)

D Tier

Mewtwo (FRLG): Y’all know Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres also use this, right? It’s just a marginally more dramatic version of the regular wilds music, so it gets the fail from me.

Mew (Emerald): This is the same as the last one! Except it gets the edge because it is slightly higher pitched, and because it’s in a game where it’s not a remix of a song you’ve just heard dozens of times.

Mewtwo (XY): I just really dislike the soundfont XY uses for most of its themes. This sounds like a shitty youtube remix from the late 00s with like 300 views, and most of them are the same person who really likes the song for some reason. Am I just biased against the kanto wilds theme? Maybe.

Regis (Crown Tundra): Narrowly dodges being the worst Regis theme since the Platinum one exists (It’s not on this list though). I think a lot of the more recent versions of older themes suffer since they were designed with the lesser hardware in mind. It is a shame because I do really like some of the additions to the theme.

C Tier

Dynamax Legend (Crown Tundra): Mewtwo is already back for his last appearance on the list. It’s just a remix of the max raid theme, which I don’t really care for- especially after hearing it over and over and over again grinding Lairs for shinies.

Calyrex (Crown Tundra): This song being dramatic makes no sense in universe- the player knows this is the big legendary, but the character sure doesn’t- but it ultimately feels hollow. This is deliberate, since it’s actually just one half of another song.

Steeds (Crown Tundra): h o n s e theme is the other half of that song, and it’s the better half, but its still incomplete.

Aura Trio (X/Y) and Solgaleo/Lunala (S/M): These two get lumped together because I always get them conflated, which signifies to me that neither has made a strong impact. Listening to both again, I think I like the latter more, but it’s narrow.

Regis (ORAS): It’s just not the same without the horns. My gen 6 bias is showing, but I don’t really like the soundfont.

Deoxys (ORAS): similar to the Regis, this is held back by the soundfont (why the fuck is there an organ in this??) but also by the fact that at this point, the Deoxys theme just isn’t special anymore. And that’s kinda sad.

Calyrex 2 (Crown Tundra): The full version of this theme is much better, obviously, sounding suitably regal for the king of the tundra, but it overall lands at a meh. The percussion sounds like it’s trying to rip off the Weather Trio’s, which is a big no-no.

B Tier

Eternatus 1 (SwSh): We are now entering the songs I like zone. Eternatus 1 goes in a lot of different directions, and despite how 13-year-old me would balk at it I actually enjoy the dubsteppy bits of it. Sorry to disappoint you, you edgy fuck.

Ultra Beasts (SMUSUM): I don’t know why these are separated, they’re the same theme. I really like the UB theme, but the thing is it isn’t really a legendary theme- it had to be a bit less bombastic seeing as you can just encounter a bunch of these bad bois. And while it sounds suitably alien, I still think it doesn’t belong on this list.

Weather Trio (ORAS): Why is this listed as this, its just for Rayquaza. Extremely dramatic, but a retread of one of my S-tier picks (spoilers oops) and not different enough for the remaster to make it worth it.

Primals (ORAS): the same as the previous, but I do like this much better, what with the song “reverting” to the original every so often. This should probably be higher, but I don’t want to separate it from the “full” version.

Eternatus 2: It’s kind of a shame how little time you get to hear this, because it’s a big ol “you’re fucked” and that’s pretty great. There are bits of this that sound like they’re sampling Kirby Super Star, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Galar Birds (Crown Tundra): While I know everyone used to adore this one, I think the honeymoon phase is over for me at this point. I still like it, but at the end of the day it’s still a Kanto Wild remix.

Legendary (BWB2W2): This is really good! The way the tempo shifts around the song is a really nice touch, and that build section is excellent. Just a solid overall theme.

Tao Trio (BW): Reshiram and Zekrom’s themes are slightly different, but even Game Freak forgot that one. Kyurem’s is the same but where they have different SFX it just has dead air, which while fitting is a bit less good. I adore the beat this one has running, almost a throbbing bit going on there.  Edit: Ok on relisten I’ve heard Kyurem’s a bit closer, and it’s a little different with some record skips, but they’re pretty unecessary imo.

Zacian/Zamazenta (SwSh): This is one I kinda wish was less dramatic, considering it’s not as oh shit as the situations their other themes have. I kinda hate the opening to this, but the rest of it makes up for it I suppose.

Eternatus 3: Yeah this is a Z/Z theme not an Eternatus theme let’s be real. A suitably triumphant third act to the climax of SwSh’s (lackluster) story. This is kinda just a banger, very much appropriate for the beatdown it accompanies.

Dialga/Palkia (DPPt): Closing the tier with a song that I actually love, but it’s occurred to me that it’s a little odd sitting next to some of these other ones. I mean, it’s mostly built around this very pretty little piano line, which makes it feel less weighty than the competition. It’s a classic, and hasn’t aged poorly or anything, but it’s less of a climax than I would expect. With that in mind, I shudder to think of what would happen to this in a potential remake.

 A Tier

Mysterious Being (SwSh): This is getting carried here by that bass alone. The rest of it is ok I guess.

Arceus (DPPt): Ah, the track no one ever got to hear. I really love how sparse this is, being basically only percussion most of the way through. I think the Arceus event is something we should have actually gotten to experience, I’m pretty sure it would have blown little me’s mind.

Lugia (HGSS): HGSS, the games where every legendary got its own theme. Bring this back please, I’m begging here. I understand the reason this sounds the way it does is because it’s based on the Shadow Lugia theme from XD, but I haven’t played that one, so I can’t comment. I’m sure not complaining, though- considering Lugia’s other main appearance (in the movie, of course) I wasn’t expecting such a menacing theme.

Legendary (DPPt): For a “generic” theme (fucking Rotom gets this btw) this has a lot going for it. The animation that plays when you start a fight with this music is burned into my brain. It’s fast, it’s tense, and it sounds great.

Lake Trio (DPPt): Unlike Mysterious Being, while the bass slays here, it’s not alone carrying the song. This track was always my favourite out of Diamond and Pearl, and those games have a fucking great soundtrack, so.

Black/White Kyurem (B2W2): I really love that this is a remix of the (also very menacing) theme you hear when you boot the game up- you’ve heard a version of this while staring at the fucker, now here’s the real version for when you have to fight it. The references to the regular Tao Trio theme are well placed, but this more bombastic version sounds like Kyurem is here to fucking kill you, which to be fair, it kinda is.

Legendary Beasts (Crystal/HGSS): I’m lumping these together since, although HGSS gave each their own remix, they’re basically the same theme. This was the first Legendary music ever written for the series, and it still holds up really well. As for the HGSS remixes, I don’t think Entei’s slower rockier version works as well, but I really like the punchy percussion on Raikou’s version.

Regis (RSE): Hella bass and Hoenn Horns? What’s not to love? I do think the original version of this theme is by far the best one, being an ample payoff for the puzzle that was getting to it in the first place, and it makes hurling balls at the golem’s much more tolerable. I literally never caught Registeel as a kid so I could go back and listen to this whenever I wanted.

Tapus (SMUSUM): Again, why are these separated. Considering this game has literal aliens in it, the Tapu theme in SM is somehow the most messed up sounding one, but it works extremely well. The surprise vocalisations work really well with the… I’m hesitant to say tribal, but I don’t have another word for that vibe to be honest. It does feel like you’re doing a transgression with this song, which you are (why the fuck are you allowed to catch these things in universe lmao).

Ultra Necrozma (USUM): Probably the most climactic song in the entire franchise, and it makes sense- this isn’t just the climax of those games, but the finisher to the entire 3DS era of the series. The church organs, therefore, are pretty justified. This song sounds like a Big Deal, and the organ getting pretty jazzy when it gets to some of the less intense bits is a really nice little touch. And then the percussion picks up again and oh fuck here we goooooo. A fitting track for arguably one of the hardest fights in the entire franchise.

 S Tier

Dusk Mane/Dawn Wings Necrozma (USUM): Haha oops I like this one more than Ultra. I think it’s just the unstoppable percussion that opens this that does it. I don’t think anyone who went in blind saw this moment in the games coming, and the intensity reflects this- its like a prelude to Ultra but it doesn’t have as much of a low point, with the onslaught of noise fitting the sheer OH FUCK that is seeing everyone’s favourite bag-dodger getting bodyjacked out of nowhere.

Weather Trio (RSE): Anyone who understands my bias is gonna understand this one. It’s almost entirely carried by nostalgia, but I just love this fucking song. Compared to some of the other things on this list, it feels nearly minimalistic, seeing as it’s pretty much just the drums, horns, and that bell, but that’s all it needs. It’s the first song in the series for a proper legendary, and it suits that fact.

Deoxys (FRLG/E): By contrast, the Deoxys theme is pushing that GBA soundfont to its absolute limit. You can hear some of the best of both the FRLG and RSE soundtracks in this song, with the Kanto percussion and the Hoenn horns both doing their part, but whatever instruments the rest of this is going for are absolutely not slouching either. It’s somewhat telling that the best soundtracks for FRLG romhacks (e.g. Clover) sound more like this than like the other themes in the game.

Ho-Oh (HGSS): Oh fuck is that a koto I love kotos. By contrast with Lugia, Ho-oh is a more relaxed track that takes a lot from traditional Japanese instruments, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dramatic- far from it. The groove in this makes it sound like it comes from another series entirely, being so incredibly different from anything else the series had to offer at that point. That main riff is so fucking perfect, man.

Giratina (Platinum): I remember having my mind blown when I first heard this. Giratina went from the generic DP legendary music (which is obviously still good) to this chaotic energetic power play, and I was sold on Platinum immediately (like everything before XY, Platinum came out in Japan some months before in other countries, so I heard this well before the game dropped). This song has so many different lines, so many different builds, and yet none of them feel out of place. I almost feel like this song is what started me down the path that would lead to me being a prog fan. After the haunting ambience of the Distortion World, this sheer energy is such a shock to the system, and the climax of the song hits harder than any individual moment on any other song in the series. It’s my number 1 pick, and I love it to bits.

 Thus, the full list is as follows. If you end up doing your own, link me up, I’d love to see how wrong you are your opinions.

[skeletubbiestime]

Well since I missed posting yesterday and I loved this show even more than the Nancy Drew one, here is another hotly demanded* review (* review may not have been hotly demanded except by the writer of the review)

Synopsis:

Much like the Nancy Drew series of the same era, this story starts with Frank Hardy hitting a man with his car (apparently this was a real blight for young detectives in 1995). After finding a key on the man the boys are drawn to a car with fake gold in it. Mysterious women, dodgy men, and more trouble than they were expecting, can the boys find the real gold before Frank loses his job and the pair get arrested?

A Quotation to Whet Your Appetite:

Frank: [It was] stolen from the tomb of Imhotep in the late 19th century AD.

Joe: From the valley of kings in Egypt to a parking garage in Bayport. Yeah, I think there’s a metaphor in there somewhere.

Frank: How about, “all that glitters is not gold”?

Joe: Ah, mon frère, that is not a metaphor, that is an adage.

TL;DR Review:

My review is watch this show! Am I biased by nostalgia? Yes, horrifically. Objectively do I know there are bad parts of this show? Also, yes. But is it legitimately some of the best characterizations of the brothers I have ever seen? An emphatic YES! In fact, it IS the best version of Joe I’ve seen. If you love Joe I think you’ll love this show. On the Retro Rerun channel they have all the episodes on YouTube. Here is a link to the first episode, even though it says episode 2 since they uploaded them out of order.

Even more bias and spoilers below the cut!

Keep reading

[concussions-and-clues]

Well since I missed posting yesterday and I loved this show even more than the Nancy Drew one, here is another hotly demanded* review (* review may not have been hotly demanded except by the writer of the review)

Synopsis:

Much like the Nancy Drew series of the same era, this story starts with Frank Hardy hitting a man with his car (apparently this was a real blight for young detectives in 1995). After finding a key on the man the boys are drawn to a car with fake gold in it. Mysterious women, dodgy men, and more trouble than they were expecting, can the boys find the real gold before Frank loses his job and the pair get arrested?

A Quotation to Whet Your Appetite:

Frank: [It was] stolen from the tomb of Imhotep in the late 19th century AD.

Joe: From the valley of kings in Egypt to a parking garage in Bayport. Yeah, I think there's a metaphor in there somewhere.

Frank: How about, "all that glitters is not gold"?

Joe: Ah, mon frère, that is not a metaphor, that is an adage.

TL;DR Review:

My review is watch this show! Am I biased by nostalgia? Yes, horrifically. Objectively do I know there are bad parts of this show? Also, yes. But is it legitimately some of the best characterizations of the brothers I have ever seen? An emphatic YES! In fact, it IS the best version of Joe I’ve seen. If you love Joe I think you’ll love this show. On the Retro Rerun channel they have all the episodes on YouTube. Here is a link to the first episode, even though it says episode 2 since they uploaded them out of order.

Even more bias and spoilers below the cut!

Review:

Okay full disclosure, I love this show and will defend it almost to the hilt. The brother’s dynamic is so good. Is this episode a little cringy? Yes. But are the characters perfect? Also yes. This is the first place where I ever saw Frank Hardy portrayed as super uptight. This is the characterization of Frank I saw as a five year old girl in 1995 and said, “Yes, this is the closest approximation to me I have ever seen on television.” And the scary thing is, it still is 25 years later. I have this show on DVD and watch it regularly still. I L.O.V.E. this show!

Joe is really the star of this show and while this episode plays the brothers up equally later episodes leant more into the comedy of Joe with Frank being the sarcastic straight man and boy does the dynamic work. I wish they hadn’t have been cancelled because Paul Popowich and Colin Gray were getting a good rhythm going as the brothers just as it got cancelled.

It is low budget and made in the nineties, so don’t go in expecting amazing visuals but I find the writing is funny, the acting is great, and mysteries are compelling even though they are limited to 22 minutes. You can tell that the writers loved the source material and it really shows. So many of the adaptations are ashamed as of their past as children’s books but they lean into it. The restaurant they are eating at in the very first scene is called the Dixon after Franklin W. Dixon the “writer” (yes, I know it is a collective name for a lot of writers) of the books!

Oh an P.S. the intro is like the most quintessentially garish nineties thing and it is amazing. I take no criticisms!