#best budget action camera

[crazydiscostu]

iZeeker IA100 4K Action Camera

The iA100 4K Action Camera is the latest in our series of Travel Gadgets. This 4k HD Action Cam promises to offer a myriad of features, designed to capture life’s most exhilarating moments with unrivalled clarity and detail. Today we’ll delve into the products capabilities, examining its specifications, performance, and how it stacks up in the competitive action camera market. Product supplied…

[zeroloop]

Apexcam x70 Pro

Apexcam 4K 30FPS 20MP Action Cam Doppia Schermo Touch Screen 40m Impermeabile Sport Cam WiFi Fotocamera 170° Grandangolare 2.4G Telecomando Con 2x1350mAh Batterie e Accessori Kits Questo e un kit action camera con tanti accessori, tra cui la custodia, il telecomando, i supporti e il caricabatterie e due batterie il tutto viene fornito all’interno di una custodia rigida. La camera è la Apexcam…

[your-nanas-house]

Just acting... right?

◇ Pairing: Neil Lewis X Best Friend fem!Reader

◇ Warnings: filming, shitty acting skills, dry humping, Neil cumming in his pants, Y/n director, bit of shaming

◇ Summary: Neil needs some help for the sensual scene they need to record.

◇ Note: Sorry for the mistakes and the English. This isn't proof read.. like most of my works but 🤫 I'm tired. This is based on this BEAUTIFUL moodboard made by @darlingsfandom.

"Stop, Stop... Cut!" Y/n's disappointed voice interrupted Neil in the middle of his acting for a clip of the short movie they were recording to promote an event at Gumshoe Video.

That time the nerdy man had asked a little help from his best friend in hope to improve and give a kind of upgrade to the usual stuff.

The scene on the script, which was written by Neil himself, should have been a passionate and sensual one where the main character was having an intimate moment with a lover of his.

Due to the low budget there wasn't actually a second person there, not that they really needed it since that scene had the cameras all pointed at Neil's face, taking in his expression and the movements of his body.

So yeah... it should have been a sensual and sexy act that should have aroused and not disgusted or made the viewer worry of the main character conditions. "Dude... what was that? Are you okay?... it looked like you were having some kind of attack or about to throw up. Geez" the young woman confronted her best friend while staring at him with concern before rolling her eyes as soon as he went on the defensive

"Shush, no arguing with the director. You can't act this kind of scenes on your own, it's the forty-first try we make... I can't suffer this thing again. Sensual, sexy, you're having an orgasm... not dying by a bullet or due to poison" her harsh words slapped Neil right across his face, making him shut his mouth and follow her orders.

His best friend moved closer, fixing the camera again before meeting his gaze still lost in her thoughts.

They needed to find a solution to finally finish that short film.

"Okay... nerdy thing. Let's... Let's simply pretend shall we?" Y/n murmured with less confidence as she climbed on his lap and fixed the background which were the sheets of the bed and the pillows... there were also some rose petals because Neil had insisted.

Her eyes met carefully Neil's piercing light blue ones and she had to swallow the lump, that had formed in her throat, without stopping to fix the set to try for the forty-first attempt "And... action!" Y/n exclaimed as she focused the filming on her friend's freckled face, her hips casually grinding against his clothed crotch.

As the minutes passed and Neil said his lines, his expression started to become more genuine and real— expecially when his hips started to thrust up in seek of more friction. His slender fingers grabbed her hips, forcing her to grind harder on him while getting to the exact position the two characters should have been in the script.

A long whiny moan and his beautiful eyes were rolling back, his back arching softly and his swollen lips parting, as soon as his climax hit him like a train.

The scene was perfect, they didn't need to film it again, so Neil had all the time to change his cummed pants and underwear before recording the final parts of the script.

They were just acting, right?, Y/n asked herself as she glanced back at her best friend, still feeling the tension and butterflies in her stomach.

[triviallytrue]

For me the disillusionment with voting is less "Trump and Biden are equally bad" and more "If Biden is the absolute best candidate the Dems can come up with and 'But he's better than the other guy!' is the absolute most convincing rhetoric the Dems can muster, then we are experiencing a complete failure state of the USA's two-party system and I'd rather burn the whole thing down and take my chances with whatever we can dredge from the ashes"

This seems like a relatively common sentiment but I don't really understand what anyone is talking about when they say they'd rather "burn the whole thing down" - I mean, what exactly do you think is going to happen if Biden loses?

We've had long periods where the Democrats have been out of power (1980-1992 for ex) and the result isn't some kind of broad collapse or creative destruction, it's just the system proceeding as usual, except everything gets more conservative for a while. It doesn't look like dramatic collapse, it looks like a slow slide where everything gets shittier.

If Trump is different from Reagan etc, it's mostly that he is less restrained and more concentrated in his shittiness.

So clearly we aren't talking about electoral effects - are we talking about protest? Direct action? Revolution? Well, in 2020 the US had the most broad-based, vigorous domestic unrest in decades, and what did it accomplish? Some more body cameras, some police budgets shrunk by 5%, I think one state put qualified immunity on the chopping block? All worthwhile goals, but the idea of direct action being an effective driver of political change in this country seems like a fantasy.

To be clear here, I'm not asking you to like any of this. You're correct to hate Biden and the Democrats. From the impression I get of your politics from this ask, they aren't your allies.

All I ask is that we be clear-sighted and honest about the situation the US is in. Which paths can this country take, in the coming decade? Which path is it likely to take? Given the realm of possibility, what do you want?

I am not on here to be a Biden shill - if you answer these questions and find that you don't want to support Biden or the Democrats, fair enough. I do want people to ask the right questions, though.

[itoendme]

golden kamuy is so weird because its one of my favorite manga but whenever i try to talk to people about it all that comes out is 'unhinged pathetic men', 'the art is a little wonky' and 'the anime has low budget bad cgi' but i wanted to take an opportunity to collect my thoughts and put them into words so this will be a very self-indulgent rant.

*warning: spoilers ahead*

i feel like, outside of japan, no one really talks about gk. i currently go to school in japan, and ever since moving here i was really surprised at how popular gk is. obviously there's the live-action movie coming out in less than two weeks but there are gk pop up stores, collab events, and i've even found gk merch in bic camera (generic electronic store that just has a bunch of miscellaneous stuff) but i think the reason for that is that its hark to really understand gk without some historical and cultural background. its about war and brutality and minority culture erasure and materialism and ptsd and abandonment trauma and manipulation and coming to terms with your own identity. it's historical, but its relevant. sure, it's filled with dick jokes and toilet humor and noda-sensei taking any excuse to draw naked men, but man, it gets dark, it gets deep, and it hits hard when it wants to. but that's not to say that the humor takes away from it. it's not a lighthearted manga/anime, but i think the humor ties into it perfectly and im still not quite sure how noda-sensei does it.

and the symbolism!!! gk sure does love symbolism and i am here for it all the way. understanding where the title comes from gave me chills. theres sugimoto and the dried persimmons as a representation of himself and his life before he went to war, and there is also so much symbolism surrounding ogata (especially with the eyes; as someone whose sense of identity and self-worth hinges pretty much entirely on his ability to shoot a gun, having him kill himself by shooting out his remaining eye was *a choice*)

i also think that asirpa is one of the best female characters in anime. she's not a naive little girl, as much as some of the other characters might treat her like one. she's someone who was forced to grow up too fast, who sees her purpose and knows she can't run from it. she carries the biggest burden out of everyone. and i love her friendship with sugimoto they are the most codependent besties and i love them to death.

not to mention the amount of research that clearly went into everything goddamn.

anyway it makes me sad that outside of japan, it's not that well known, when i think its a very well thought out and impactful story

[shirecorn]

What’s your favourite mlp species? Have you got any thoughts on kirins/niriks?

Request ponies, species, etc I havent done here

I am both a creature and character designer, so I have a lot of thoughts about MLP world!

Paradoxically, the non-pony species interest me less than the actual ponies, because they are all really solid and well done designs. There's not a lot I would reinterpret tbh, and drawing them would just be taking what they have and making them realistic.

The non-pony creatures tend to be more detailed because they are generally cameos and don't need to be animated doing nearly as much as ponies do.

Compilations by AndoAnimalia on deviantart

The kirins are really lovely designs! I love the ankle tufts, and how the stripes on the horns glow when using magic. Really nice creature design here.

The Nirik part was a little boring, and the plot/conflict was not sophisticated enough for my tastes. But it is a show for young children, not biology majors. Lots of room for worldbuilding and headcannoning lore to flesh it out, but I prefer something I can completely rewrite. The kirin lore was fine and I'm fine leaving it as-is.

Another good one is breezies.

I love them they look so stupid. Their wings are over the top but perfectly designed to sell the "piece of lint in the wind" delicateness they have.

as for my favorite creature?

Bug momma

I really love changelings and love how edgy they are.

The reformed changelings are decent but I would have designed them differently. I may take a crack at them later on if I feel the need. I feel like they should either be pony-adjacent (with manes at the very least) or further removed from ponies. this middle ground is kind of like having a bug monster alien that just happens to be bipedal, with humanoid shoulders, arms, and hands for no evolutionary reason (the reason is practical effects and putting a dude in a costume but shhh)

all this is about creatures though, and its very important to talk about character design whenever we discuss creatures. A character's personality should be the quickest read about them, rather than their biology. If something is too complex, the personality gets lost because you have to spend your details adding ankle tufts and articulated fingers.

The mane six, and basically all other ponies, use the same base puppet, and each unique part needs its own turnaround. Every prop and hairdo and eye shape needs to be understood from every possible angle because these are main characters and they need to be be able to turn, spin, and do karate without the animators having to make up the back of applejack's hat every time she faces away from the camera.

Having the same body means animators know how to draw both rarity and rainbow dash from a back 3/4 view with one hoof raised. So from a technical standpoint, simple is best.

Even in big budget productions, where every character has a different body with different close and face shapes, main characters are simplified so that the audience can quickly read pose and expression without getting lost in complex clothing designs or face makeup. Reading poses and expressions quickly is very important to understand and empathize with the character before they've moved to the next pose. You need to understand the emotion the character is feeling and the action they are doing in a split second.

you start to get more complicated and an entity becomes less of a character and more of scenery because it has so much detail its harder to read the emotions from one frame to the next.

There's a reason he doesn't wear his funny hat for the duration of the movie! It's much easier to read his emotions without it. Adding lots of detail and weird props is something designers do a lot when introducing a character if they want to make that character feel mysterious or "other" because its harder to relate when your brain is stuck on the details. also masks just do that by nature of being masks.

where was I going with this

My little pony g4 has great creature and character design.

If it were high budget, major studio with All The Money, there might be more variety in character proportions, and more distinction between the different pony species. But its a puppet animated show that was always meant to make marketable designs to be turned into toys. We just get lucky when there's a good story to tell along the way

[total-drama-brainrot]

Saw this somewhere and wanted to throw it your way, sorry if you’ve been asked this before but what do you think of the concept of Noah always having been an assistant (even before the first season)/never playing as a contestant would look like?

The thing about Noah as a contestant is that he's, for all intents and purposes, kind of useless. And by that I mean Noah as a character isn't important to the plot at all in the grand scheme of things. He's barely important from an episodic point of view either; Noah does very little throughout Total Drama in terms of story relevance, and just in general. (Lazy king 👑.)

So taking him out of the equation wouldn't really affect too much in the grand scheme of things, save for probably preventing his friendship with Owen and, from a fanon standpoint, the rest of team E-scope. He'd be pretty much the same person, just behind the camera instead of on it.

But that's kind of a boring answer, and not at all what you were looking for, right?

So, let's say that Noah lands himself a job working as the personal assistant for some hot-shot A-list celebrity through one of his many siblings' various contacts; is it nepotism? Probably. But who's Noah to look a gift horse in the mouth? A fairly easy job following some pretentious asshole around all day and grabbing him the occasional coffee sounds like a pretty sweet gig, especially with the salary and various benefits that come with the job description. So Noah takes the job without question.

And that's how he finds himself stuck in the middle of nowhere, Muskoka, on an undisclosed island owned by said A-lister whilst he films the first season of his new Reality TV show, Total Drama Island.

Being Chris' personal assistant was supposed to be an easy pay check. "Supposed to be" being the point of interest there; Noah didn't anticipate Chris being as sadistic or as childishly needy as he was. If he wasn't running around like a headless chicken trying to accommodate for Chris' oftentimes outlandish whims and fancies, he was stuck answering to the producers in the host's stead- and the producers were pissed with Chris more often than not for his frivolous use of the show's budget. Something about having a genius level IQ and enough snark to make grown men cry apparently made him qualified enough to deal with the industry big-wigs. Noah was far too overworked to question it.

So much for an easy pay check.

Noah's not bad at his job by any means. In his professional opinion, the whole show and Chris' career would be in the dumps without his personal input keeping everything afloat. That doesn't mean he doesn't loathe his job with every sleep-deprived inch of his being.

And, inevitably, Noah ends up spending a lot of time around the campers themselves. Mostly as a consequence of always having to remain "on set" so to speak, since Noah's pretty much contractually obligated to linger around Chris' vicinity and wait for his boss to assign him some menial task to do. Most of the campers are just as egocentric and insufferable as he'd first assumed- and honestly, what else would he expect from people who singed up for a Reality TV show?- but a select few turn out to be decent company; namely Owen and Eva (and Izzy, but Noah refuses to admit that the "Psycho Hose Beast" is actually bearable to be around).

He'd even go so far as to claim they were friends good acquaintances.

Of course, his job takes precedent over frivolous things like relationships, platonic or otherwise, so Noah doesn't exactly have the free time to hang out with them. Which is probably for the best considering if he did spend a lot of time around his friends acquaintances, the other contestants would have a solid enough foundation for accusations of foul play in the competition, and that's a headache Noah really doesn't want to deal with.

Consequently, Noah floats through the filming of Island, and later on Action, maintaining cordiality with his little group and cold indifference towards pretty much the rest of the cast. Not that he doesn't keep close tabs on the campers; of course he does, not only is Noah incredibly observant by nature, but he's also the one in charge of accommodating for these weirdos... plus, Chris is oddly invested in his "prize cast of ratings jewels", whatever that means. So Noah knows these people, probably more than some of them know themselves, thanks to a combined sixteen-ish weeks of observation and forced proximity.

In turn, the competitors know of Noah, though for the most part he's regarded as little more than a spectre on set- Chris' elusive personal assistant who the cast will occasionally see the barest glimpse of, usually hidden behind an impassive pair of mirrored sunglasses and, more often than not, rushing off to do whatever it is a PA does. Chris does get a little lazy in Action and on a few occasions does get Noah to make a "guest appearances" on screen- mostly just to deliver him a coffee and a gluten free muffin during the downtime of that day's challenge- but he's still practically non-existent to he majority of the cast.

Which is fine by him.

What isn't fine by him is the surprise addition of two people he knows nothing about, come the third season.

One of those contestants happens to know a lot about the cast, and a concerning amount of information about him. It's uncanny, just how much Sierra seems to know about everyone around her, even more so because of the way she practically worships the ground they walk on. Sure, Noah's encountered the odd super fan here and there- not fans of himself, of course, but in this time as Chris' assistant he's had to chase off more than enough rabid fans from trying to sneak their way onto the set of whatever show Chris was working on (or more accurately sic the on-scene security on them)- but Sierra's brand of crazy takes it to a whole new level. Noah doesn't like her on principle and is both incredibly vindicated and incredibly concerned when her stalkerish behaviour rears its ugly head. Not that he's allowed to do anything about it; the producers are adamant that Sierra's outlandish behaviour is entertaining enough for the audience to ignore the immorality, and given how much Chris has been allowed tog et away with in the past Noah's inclined to begrudgingly agree.

And the other new contestant? The one who qualified for the apparently non-existent Total Drama Dirtbags (and Noah totally isn't salty about that show being an elaborate ruse that he spent countless sleepless nights working on)? Noah's just as concerned about his friends acquaintances ignorance to Alejandro's inherent sliminess as he is about Sierra's blatant disregard for others' privacy, but again it's not like he can do anything about it. He's not even supposed to be on the show, so any sort of interference would be a big no-no.

Oh, what's that? They want him on the show?

Fuck.

Turns out, Noah's brief appearances during Action (characterised by his usual level of sass and snide comments) really resonated with their audience; they like him for some inexplicable reason, and want to see more of "Noah, Chris McLean's mysterious personal assistant".

So he's pretty much forced into acting as a co-host of sorts, much like Chef had done for the first two seasons, all whilst carrying out his usual tasks. Is he happy about this? Not a chance in hell, and he lets the producers know exactly how he feels about the sudden change in his contract. Not that it changes anything.

And the best part? World Tour is a musical themed season. If they expect him to sing, they've got another thing coming.

But, as a small part of him chimes in, spending more time on camera would give Noah plenty of opportunities to spend time with his friends acquaintances. There's a non-zero chance that he could have fun, even if it's at the expense of his valued privacy.

His new status as part of the show does allow Noah some opportunities to skew the competition in the favour of his friends acquaint- no, screw it, his friends. That's one silver lining of the whole situation.

Better yet, he can tilt things out of Alejandro's favour, since the former Dirtbag seems to have a knack for manipulating the competition anyway- Noah might as well make things more challenging for him, as it seems this game is too easy for him thus far.

[fuckyeahisawthat]

Hey ho, have you seen The Creator (2023) yet? Unsubtly about US imperialism, but also really moving, aesthetically stunning (Greig Fraser as DP, oh yeah) and John David Washington killing it in the main role. I was surprised by how much there was to love. xoxo

I fucking LOVED The Creator and kept trying to write something about it here but never managed to collect my thoughts. But yeah what a fucking movie, oh my god. I feel like it kind of got buried by lack of publicity but tbh I am not that surprised because it's one of those movies with politics that make you think how the fuck did they get away with making this.

Gareth Edwards, like Villeneuve, is a director I've been paying attention to for a while now, ever since his 2010 movie Monsters, which was a really impressive low-budget sci-fi with effects that just looked seamless and interesting things to say about borders and the human cost of militarized responses to disastrous events.

And then he did Rogue One and pulled off something very impressive, which is to take one of the most famous sci-fi weapons of our era--the Death Star, a metaphor for nuclear weapons so iconic it has become a symbol in itself--and made it actually fucking scary for the first time in the history of the franchise. And he did it by turning the camera around.

Because the thing is that before this point, we had only ever seen the Death Star from the point of view of the people firing it. The idea of a planet-destroying weapon is intellectually horrifying but we didn't really ever feel it. Because for that we need to see the weapon from the point of view of its victims. It's such a simple but radical shift in perspective, and I feel like Gareth Edwards took that idea from Rogue One and then made it into a whole movie with The Creator.

The Creator, for those unfamiliar with the premise, is about a near-future counterinsurgency war in which the US military is hunting down various forms of AI/android/robot beings. It also features a space-based super-weapon that is eerily beautiful but goddamn fucking terrifying. It was mostly shot in southeast Asia and heavily evokes Vietnam War imagery (as the ending of Rogue One did as well); it is probably about as close to "Vietnam War movie but you're rooting for the Vietnamese" as it is possible to make in the American studio system. The protagonist is still an American soldier (who defects and "goes native" fairly early in the movie) but making him a Black disabled veteran was certainly a Choice. And yes it's John David Washington and he's great in it.

It feels facetious to say The Creator is Reverse Terminator, because it's much richer than that, but it's also kind of fucking true. For the entire movie, the characters are just running for their lives from the implacable and overwhelming destructive force of the US military which is just crushing everything in its path.

The movie does a lot of things that you simply do not see in most American war movies, but the one that stands out to me the most is that in every scene of war violence there are civilians, including children, fucking everywhere. It really threw into relief for me how often American war-action movies create these empty video game environments for soldiers to run around in, where any actual people who might live in the place where the war is happening are at best props and at worst completely absent. (Alex Garland's Civil War, in addition to being terrible in every other conceivable way, is a particularly bad offender at this.) The Creator does what really should be the bare minimum of taking time to showing that these are people whose homes and lives are being destroyed and it is shocking how novel it seems. (There's a line that plays in my head all the time where one of the AI characters says something to the effect of, "Do you know what will happen to the humans when we win this war? Nothing. We simply want to live.") I will also say that this made it a very intense watch in late October 2023 in particular, but it is fiction so we get a very satisfying and cathartic ending. And yes it is an absolutely gorgeous movie, the VFX are mind-blowing, and I found it quite moving.

[crazydiscostu]

Campark V30 4K Action Camera

Is it GoPro clone? Is it feature packed and affordable?

In this review, we delve into the intricacies of the Campark V30 4K Action Camera, examining its performance, specifications, and overall value proposition. An affordable option for action cam enthusiasts or just another GoPro clone? Product supplied for review purposes Campark Campark has quickly solidified its position as a prominent player in the budget action camera market. With a focus on…

[stray-cat-21]

I Would Kill For You (Full Fic)

I had an awful cold most of November paired with writers block but here’s a full fic based on my blurb I Would Kill For You.

Warnings: murder, obsessive Eddie, manipulative Eddie, asshole Steve

The idea came from some low budget horror movie that had been chosen for the group's movie night. The fake blood was too red and the camera was far too shaky, but the couple is what caught Eddie’s attention and held it the whole night. Throughout the movie the guy protects the girl and by then end of the movie their sharing their first kiss after surviving the killings. Sure it wasn’t your typical romance story, there were no flowers or meet-cutes but deadly situations and several murdered teens. All that Eddie saw was her love filled eyes towards the man.

Nancy insisted it was a trauma bond and nothing more but to Eddie it looked like so much more. When the girl wrapped her arms around the guy her grip was vice grip tight fisting his shirt in her hands. There was a desperation to it like she absolutely needed to be with him to be safe. Whatever it was Eddie wanted it, and he wanted it terribly. In fact, he wanted it with a girl who was also participating in the movie night squeezed into a seat under Steve’s arm.

(Y/n), his best friend since childhood and Steve Harrington’s girlfriend for seven months. It wasn’t exactly Steve's fault, he had no clue that Eddie had been in love with (Y/n) for years. Even still Eddie couldn’t get rid of that nagging thought that Steve stole her from him. Despite the fact that (y/n) was Steve’s girlfriend Eddie wanted her to look at him just like the female character looked at the love interest. To need him like the movie showed for them to be that close even if it was because of some silly trauma bond.

“I’m glad you’re not one of those helpless girls that needs to be saved all the time.” Steve teases in reference to the final girl. “I don’t know I don’t think it’s about needing to be saved, but it’s romantic to think about someone willing to put their lives on the line like that, to do anything to protect someone.” (Y/n) shrugs. ‘I’d put my life on the line for you sweetheart any time.’ Is what Eddie wants to say especially seeing the disappointment on her face towards her boyfriend’s dismissive comment. Great so all he had to do was hope their small sleepy town would get a serial killer that he could save her from. What are the chances of that?

The only thing Eddie had ever had the chance to protect her from was a common house spider. He really loved that memory and thought back to it often when he was feeling down. It was during one of their sleepovers that Steve wasn’t too fond of.

Eddie had been practicing guitar in his bedroom while she was grabbing a quick shower. He was in the middle of Master of Puppets when he heard her shriek and rushed in. “Eds there’s a big gross spider!” She practically shrieked pointing to the shower. The huge monstrous spider in question was maybe the size of a dime sat on the hot water nob. Eddie unsuccessfully hides a smirk.

“This little guy?” He asks. “Little, He’s huge and hairy and blocking the shower!” (Y/n) whined hiding behind Eddie. “Well he had dibs on it sweetheart, you gotta wait your turn.” Eddie teases. Even though he pokes fun at her about it that spider could have been ten times tinier and Eddie gladly would have taken care of it for her. “Please Eddie get rid of it! Kill it! Move it! Get it out of here! Please, Eddie please!” (Y/n) pleads.

She desperately clings to his arm like it’s her lifeline, and he secretly loves it. Loves her tight grip on his bicep. Loves how she cowers behind him like she knows no matter what he’d keep her safe. “Okay calm down princess, your knight is here.” He promises jumping into action. Eddie grabs a spare cup scooping the spider up and bringing it outside.

The second he’s back inside (Y/n) throws her arms around his neck hugging him tightly nearly knocking him over in the process. “Thank you, Eddie, you’re my hero!” She cheers pressing a kiss to his cheek. He’s not used to such high praise. Freak, creep, weirdo, loser, freak show, and even on rare occasion monster but never hero. The word strikes a cord in him and he decides it's definitely something he wants to hear again.

If anything the whole damn town saw him as a villain. Especially when he was wrongfully framed for a murder he had nothing to do with the entire town had a man hunt for him. He was downright simply hated. Eddie decided that feeling like a hero is definitely a feeling that he could get used to.

After the movie night the thought of being her hero again rolls around in his mind becoming increasingly nagging. Dreams of the two of them replacing the movie couple, fantasies of her kissing him and calling him her hero. It all gets to be too much for Eddie, so he devised a plan to hopefully bring it all to a reality. When he comes up with the plan it’s supposed to be just making her think she has a stalker. He spends a week creeping around her window and sneaking around.

At first, it backfired since she began calling Steve over more and keeping him around for safety. It made sense of course a girl would call her boyfriend for protection especially when that boyfriend happens to be Steve Harrington. However, there was a night in particular where Eddie's plan began to finally work for him. Where there was finally a crack in their seemingly perfect relationship.

Eddie had been stalking around (Y/n)’s yard on an especially dark night. Panicked she once again called over Steve who came running over. Eddie kept out of sight perched in a large oak tree right near (Y/n)’s window, so he could see inside but still remain hidden. Steve hadn’t done his usual observation of the yard checking for any sign of the mysterious stalker instead just marching right up to (Y/n)’s room with her in tow, he was scowling and his arms crossed. The window is cracked open still from where (y/n) has opened it trying to catch a glimpse of the prowler, so Eddie can hear their conversation fairly clearly.

“(Y/n) seriously this is getting ridiculous.”

“I swear Steve I really saw someone!”

“You really saw someone last time too. And the time before that. And the time before that.”

“I did there’s someone watching me I know it!”

“Yet every time I come to check it out I don’t find anything. I didn't realize you had an invisible stalker.”

“I’m not crazy please you have to believe me!”

“You can understand why this is getting hard to believe (Y/n).”

Steve sighed pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. From Eddie’s spot even he could see the tears brimming in (Y/n)’s eyes. He hated when she cried, even worse he hated when he couldn’t do anything about it. Right now he couldn’t come to the rescue he needed to let this play out. So he remained sat watching intently.

“Look I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I’m tired of rushing over here every time you hear a strange noise, we survived the upside down and you’re getting freaked out by what I’m sure is just a racoon or something.” Steve sighs. (Y/n) nods swallowing keeping her stare on the ground her arms hugging herself. “Yeah you’re right I’m sorry.” She responds quietly. You can physically hear the guilt and disappointment dripping from her words. “You’re just being paranoid trust me you���re safe I promise, now I have to go I promised Nancy I’d drive her to this thing soon.” Steve explained.

That was a pleasant development for Eddie’s sake. (Y/n) looked up in surprise. “What why what’s wrong with Nancy’s car?” She asks. “Nothing serious just a blown tire she should have it back by Monday, are you gonna be okay here?” Steve questioned. (Y/n) nods looking away from her boyfriend unable to look him in the eye.

Steve nods with a breath of frustration leaning down to kiss (Y/n). She turns her face allowing him to press a hasty kiss to her cheek. It was an ice-cold move basically a literal cold shoulder. “See you later.” Steve sighed leaving (y/n) stood alone in her bedroom. Her sleeve covered hands reached up to wipe away tears from under her eyes. Once the headlights from Steve’s car were completely out of view Eddie hopped down from the tree running back around to the front door.

He makes sure to give it a couple of minutes taking a few deep breaths before knocking on the door. There’s a long pause as (Y/n) makes her way downstairs and to the front door. From where he stands Eddie can see her peaking through the side window to see who’s at the door. He doesn’t miss the way she seems to light up a little seeing him even if she is a bit confused. Not long after the door swings open.

“Hey Eds what’re you doing here?” She questions with a small head tilt. “What a warm welcome.” He teases with a smirk. (Y/n) smiles a bit shaking her head. “You know what I mean.” She said gesturing for him to come in. Eddie steps into the house, and he’s honestly a little impressed with how casual he manages to be for once. He takes a seat on the couch while (Y/n) remained standing only moving closer to the couch.

“Just hadn’t seen you all week thought I’d drop by, got all the way here before I realized you probably have plans with Steve or something sorry I didn’t call.”

“Don’t apologize I’m glad you’re here actually. And you know you’re welcome anytime no matter what.”

“Glad to hear it sweetheart.”

“Where’s the van?”

“Parked it down the road. Wasn’t sure if your parents would be cool with me stopping by so late, but then I remembered it’s the second Saturday of the month, so they’re having dinner and drinks with the Peterson's.”

“You remembered correctly Munson.”

He doesn’t miss the way her eyes stay trained on the window still keeping an eye out for the nonexistent intruder. “Sweetheart what’s going on?” Eddie questioned. Her eyes shift from the window back to Eddie. “It’s nothing I’m just being dumb.” She sighed looking down at her feet. Eddie decided to be bold gently grabbing her hand and carefully pulling her to the couch next to him.

“Clearly it’s not, talk to me.” He insisted gently. “It’s really not a big deal Eds definitely not something you need to worry about.” She tries to insist one last time. This is working out even better than he hoped Steve has made her doubtful about everything. “If it’s bugging my best friend it worries me so talk.” Eddie pressed. (Y/n) took a breath leaning her head fall against Eddie’s shoulder.

“Do you ever feel like you’re losing your mind?”

“Uh only on a daily basis.”

“Eds be serious please.”

(Y/n)’s tone is amused as she lightly shoves Eddie’s arm. She seems lighter by the second like Eddie relaxes her with his very presence. “Alright what’s got you feelin so crazy then?” He asked grabbing her hand in his own. “It's just that- well I think there’s someone watching me like stalking me or something.” (Y/n) finally explains. Eddie furrows his brow turning his head to look at her more.

“Sweetheart you serious? How long has this been going on?”

“I don’t know a week or so?”

“And you’ve just been dealing with this alone?”

“Well I told Steve, and he was being so great coming over and checking things out, but I just got on his nerves. I mean I get it poor guy was getting dragged over here like every other night. I’d think I was crazy too.”

“You were scared you had a right to call him. I mean I know I don't have a lot of experience but isn’t that part of the whole boyfriend deal?”

“I guess I don't know I just think he got tired of rushing over here so much.”

“So was this creep here tonight? Did Harrington find anything?”

“He’s never found any sign of the guy he didn’t bother to look this time.”

“So for all we know there's someone still sneaking around your yard? I mean Steve didn’t bother to look around at all?”

“No he came over again, and we had this huge fight. He was still pretty frustrated when he left.”

Eddie let out a small annoyed exhale. “Sweetheart you shoulda come to me, I would’ve come over and scared this fucker off.” Eddie insisted. “Yeah so I could be a burden to my boyfriend and my best friend, god I’m pathetic.” (Y/n) groaned burying her face in her hands. Eddie got up from the couch and moved so he was kneeling in front of her. He carefully grabbed her hands pulling them away from her face and gently holding them in his own.

“Hey none of that you could never be a burden to me ever understand? Second of all if there’s someone bothering you I want to know. We’ve been best friends for a long time right?”

“Yeah Eds we have.”

“And we take care of each other right?”

“Yeah of course.”

“Like when you broke Tommy’s nose for dumping his lunch on me?”

“He had that coming for a while.”

“Yeah he did. Or how about before I moved in with Wayne and my old man would come home drunk who would patch me up?”

“Me Eds me didn’t deserve all that shit.”

“My point is that you have my back, and I've got yours. If there’s some creep freaking you out I want to know, so I can take care of it.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble Eds especially not to you.”

“Taking care of you is never trouble. Not to me ‘kay?”

A look of relief washes over (Y/n) as she looks down at Eddie. “Thanks Eddie.” She smiles wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “No problem princess. Why don’t you stay put I'm gonna have a look around outside just in case.” Eddie instructs forcing himself from (Y/n)’s arms. She shoots up grabbing onto Eddie’s arm.

“You really don’t have to do that you can just act like I didn't say anything it's not a big deal!” (Y/n) tries to reason. Eddie shakes his head making his brown waves bounce. “No can do Sweetheart what kind of a best friend, nay what kind of man would I be if I let some prowler sneak around your yard? Fear not Eddie the banished will save the day.” Eddie says in one of his dnd voices. (Y/n) smiles again sliding her hand down to his own.

“You get comfortable I’ll take a look around and be right back.” Eddie promised kissing her forehead quickly. “Thanks Eddie!” (Y/n) smiled releasing his hand. Eddie snagged a flashlight from the garage before taking off outside. He made sure to take his time wondering around the yard shining the light around as if actually looking for something. Once he had done two laps around both yards he made his way back inside.

(Y/n) had changed into her pajamas consisting of a pair of flannel pajama pants and a familiar Dio shirt. She nervously chewed on her thumbnail waiting for news. Eddie dropped the flashlight onto the table. “Well?” She asked stepping closer to Eddie. He took a deep breath looking between her and the window. “There was some footprints around the tree by your window they looked recent.” He explained.

(Y/n)’s eyes widened but she let out a somewhat relieved breath. “I knew it.” She sighed. “Look I didn’t see anyone but I should probably hang around at least till your parents get back.” Eddie offered. (Y/n) brightened at the suggestion standing up straighter. “You really wouldn’t mind?” She asked hopefully.

“No ‘course not I don’t want to leave you here alone especially if there’s some creep lurking around.” Eddie added. “You should stay the night then Eds, we can have a sleepover!” She cheered grabbing his hand again. This night had turned out to work way better in Eddie’s favor than he thought. “You sure about that sweetheart? I know Harrington doesn’t like our sleepovers.” He asked.

“Yes please stay over I miss you. It would honestly just make me feel so much safer knowing you’re here.” (Y/n) pleaded. “Oh yeah?” Eddie grinned ducking his head to hide his bashfulness. “Yeah nothing bad could happen when I have my Eddie bear here.” (Y/n) smiled. “Alright alright I'll stay for my girl.” Eddie agreed.

Despite the fact that he managed to play it so cool he was dying on the inside. Not only had he managed to help but now she felt safer with him even around. (Y/n) cheered throwing her arms around Eddie in a tight hug. “My hero!” (Y/n) beamed. “Alright princess lead the way.” Eddie chuckled.

In the passing week phone calls between him and (Y/n) have become much more frequent especially at night. Not only had she been calling more but wanting to hang out a lot more. Between the increased sleepovers and rides home Eddie was loving how well this was all working. Steve and (Y/n)’s time together had begun to dwindle more and include much more frequent arguments. . Unfortunately though even with the added stress (Y/n) didn’t seem to be ending things, she needed one last push.

Eddie’s driving home late one night during a thunderstorm when the real plan comes into play. He happens to pass by Heather from school who’s angrily stomping home clutching her raincoat to her chest. Clearly she’s broken up with her boyfriend again and heading back to her own place at the trailer park. He rolls down his window going to offer her a ride home or at least somewhere to wait out the storm but she literally laughs the second she spots his van. “As if I’d ever get in your van keep driving creep.” She scoffs.

Eddie tries to let it go and just drive away he really does. However then he remembers every time this girl has made fun of him or his friends especially (Y/n). It doesn't help that was already having an incredibly bad day considering Steve had insisted on joining in on his plans with (Y/n) this was just the final nail in the coffin. After all she was the same age as (Y/n), if women around her age began to come up dead it would be the shove into Eddie’s arms he was waiting for.

Eddie spots the large pocket knife he brings to sketchy deals resting in the cup holder. It was once a Christmas gift from Uncle Wayne before the two had bonded and gift ideas were still hard to come up with. His eyes flick from the brown carved handle back to the girl sulking down the road. With a deep breath he hops out of the van. The hard rain is so loud heather doesn’t hear his footsteps till it’s far too late.

“I said fuck off freak go-” Eddie doesn’t even let her finish the insult before he’s slicing the blade across her throat. Blood spits across his face splattering his cheek. Heather’s mouth gapes her eyes blown wide. Her hand reaches up to the open wound gaping in her neck. Eddie watches as her eyes roll back and her body collapses to the tar road. Leaving her body where it lay on the dirt road he gets back in his van, they’re off the beaten path hidden away from any prying eyes that could have fallen witness.

A week and a half later four more girls around (Y/n)’s age follow suit. Now Eddie still had a heart so these were mean girls, ones who bullied, tormented, or hurt other people. Ones that people would act like they missed but in reality they didn’t. When he murders the rest of the girls he wears a devil costume made of a dark red hoodie and black jeans paired with a plastic devil mask he had worn last Halloween. Something easy but that will still conceal his identity.

The police are searching, a curfew is set, and the whole town is on edge. “Another murder has shocked the small town of Hawkins last night. Casey Becker nineteen years old was found murdered in her family home, more details coming up.” The reporter explains. The members Corroded Coffin and (Y/n) were piled around Gareth’s living room on break from band practice. Eddie and (y/n) took the loveseat together his arm stretched around the back of the chair despite wanting to wrap it around her.

“Fuck, Casey was in my English class.” Jeff sighs. “This is getting scary that makes five people have been killed.” (Y/n) frowns. “I know who woulda thought Hawkins would have a serial killer.” Gareth responded. Eddie peaks over to inspect (Y/n)’s face, she wears a worried frown eyebrows knit together. The rest of the group gets engaged in theorizing as to who it could be so Eddie nudges (Y/n) with his arm.

“Hey.”

“Oh hey Eds.”

“You got nothin to worry about you know.”

“Yeah I’m sure you're right.”

“What’s got you so freaked about all this? That creep that’s messing with you isn’t back is he?”

“No I don't think so, it’s just scary someone’s going around killing people.”

“I’m sure this will blow over soon. Plus you’ve got your parents, and King Steve to protect you.”

“That would be more comforting if I thought he'd actually show up.”

“Really still? I mean we found proof this guy was in your yard and he still doesn’t care?”

“Doesn’t really matter I’m sure he’d be too busy with Nancy to be worried about me anyways.”

Oh yes Nancy the cause of many of the happy couple’s recent fights, especially since recently Nancy was having all kinds of mysterious car trouble all of a sudden. “Well you’ve got me then sweetheart I won’t let anything happen to you I swear.” He promises. (Y/n) smiles genuinely and Eddie can’t help the pride he feels. “My knight in shining armor huh?” She teases. “Probably more like your dork in tinfoil.” Eddie snorts.

(Y/n) rolls her eyes sliding closer so Eddie moves his arm around her shoulders. She reaches up to press a kiss to his cheek letting her lips linger for a moment against his cheekbone. “Thank you Eddie that makes me feel a lot safer honestly.” (Y/n) admits letting her head rest against Eddie’s chest. “Anytime, I won’t let anything happen to you promise. I couldn’t live without my girl.” He assured her.

Five days later (Y/n) is home alone while her parents are at work. She’s sat at the vanity in her room doing her makeup while a corroded coffin tape plays in the background. It’s Saturday night which means she’s getting ready for a date with Steve. He’s twenty minutes late and she’s already redone her her lipgloss five times. Somewhere in the middle of Eddie’s guitar solo she catches the sound of something downstairs.

(Y/n) puts down her lip gloss listening harder. She listens out for whatever could have made the sound. Whatever it was doesn’t repeat so she goes back to work. The peace only lasts for another minute before the loud creak of a loose floor board in her living room can be heard. This time she shuts off the music.

“Mom? Dad?” She calls out loudly. No response follows.Maybe it wasn’t the best idea but she decides to investigate. (Y/n) gets out of her seat and heads out to the hallway.

“Hello?” She asks out into the supposedly empty house. More deadly silence. (Y/n) sneaks down the stairs anxiously practically tiptoeing. “Steve is that you?” (Y/n) questions peaking her head around the corner. To her surprise instead of her boyfriend she sees the man in the devil costume creeping around the kitchen counter.

Her scream is barely concealed by her palm as she quickly retreats back around the wall. Despite the fear taking over her body (y/n) manages to sneak into her parents bedroom across from hers. There’s unfortunately no lock on the door but there is a phone. Her fingers are trembling as she punches in 911.

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“There’s someone in my house please you have to help me!”

“Okay miss calm down and tell me what’s going on.”

“The killer! The killer is in my house you have to help me please hurry!”

“What’s the address?”

“1019 Elm street.”

“And is there anyone there with you?”

“No I’m home alone and he’s in my kitchen! Please help!”

“I’ve got an officer on the way about seven minutes out. Can you stay on the line?”

(Y/n)’s about to answer when she hears footsteps drawing closer in the hallway. She leaves the phone off the hook but quickly jumps under the bed. The door opens with a quiet groan from the old brown wood.The tears are escaping her eyes now, her breathing jagged even hiding beneath her palm to conceal the sounds. She can see his black shoes stepping closer and closer.

Her mind is racing a million miles an hour her heart pounding just as fast. The man moves past the bed to the closet opening the door in search for where (Y/n) is hiding. All too suddenly the figure is bent over peering back at her from the end of the bed. (Y/n) screams scrambling out from under the bed running out of the room letting the door slam against the wall. The closest exit to the bedroom is the side exit of the house.

Unfortunately when (Y/n) gets there it’s locked. She fumbles with the latch attempting to get it open but unfortunately it’s old and kinda rusty so it’s tricky. Hearing the man moving down the hall she rushes back towards her room. This time she’s able to lock the door on one hand blocking the killer but on the other hand tripping her. She debates hiding in the closet but she has nothing to attack the killer with if he does find her.

She considers going out the window Steve and Eddie have climbed in and out dozens of times surely it isn’t too hard. (Y/n) rushes to the window gliding it open. The old oak tree suddenly feels so tall. Before she can figure out climbing down she hears a yell of her name. The a commotion on the other side of the door heavy footsteps and a loud slam like someone hit the ground hard.

“(Y/n) sweetheart you here!? Answer me (Y/n) please!” Someone calls out from the hallway. It’s Eddie’s panicked voice and even though he’s worried it almost immediately calms her. Eddie could win an Oscar what with the fake scuffle outside the door and the worried calling out for her. “Eddie?!” She calls scrambling back to the door flinging it open.

Eddie meets her at the door quickly throwing his arms around her. “Eddie he’s here the killer is here!” (Y/n) cries hiding her face against his chest. The smell of old leather and cigarettes fills her nose and strangely makes her feel better. “I know I saw him, I came to see you and the door was open so I came in and he was standing in the hallway trying to get in your room. I was so worried when I saw he was here and you weren’t.” Eddie breathed tightening his hold on her pulling her body closer.

He was truly laying it on thick with teary eyes and a fear filled voice. Staying in his arms (y/n) pulled away enough to meet his eye. “Eddie the killer! He’s out there! We gotta hide or something!” (Y/n) panics.

“No he’s gone I fought him off and he ran off outside.” Eddie explains. (Y/n) lets out a huge breath of relief before her eyes catch sight of a bloody gash on Eddie’s forearm. She lets out a gasp holding his arm. “Did he do this?” She asks. “He got me with his knife a little in the scuffle no biggie.” Eddie shrugs.

In reality he cut it on a piece of glass breaking the panel to be able to reach in and open the door. (Y/n)’s eyes are watering and she clings her body to Eddie’s again his shirt balled up in her fists. Right now in her mind Eddie is her hero. He’s Superman, he fought a serial killer for her, he took a knife for her. That was definitely a very big deal. 

“Woah hey it’s okay I'm alright I promise.” Eddie tried to reassure her. This time (Y/n) doesn’t respond she just clings to him tighter. There’s not even an inch of space between them and Eddie woildn’t have it any other way. The sound of sirens pulling out into the driveway catches their attention. “C’mon let’s go downstairs alright I’ll stay by your side promise.” Eddie promised kissing the crown of her head.

The cops enter and lead them out to the front yard where there’s an ambulance and a cop car waiting. Unfortunately they have to give their stories to different officers. The cop Eddie talks to basically interrogates him even though he’s sitting on the back of the ambulance getting his arm wrapped up by the emt. “It’s awfully convenient you got here so fast.” comes out of the officer’s mouth. Eddie just rolls his eyes keeping his stare focused in (Y/n)’s direction.

(Y/n) happens to overhear the cops accusation and practically stomps over. “Eddie did not do this okay he is not the serial killer! He’s a freaking hero in fact! And FYI he can’t be the killer, the killer had on black boots Eddie’s sneakers are white!” (Y/n) snaps at the officer. Eddie looks up finally flashing a cocky smirk towards the cop. 

She’s mad, horrified even. How dare they insinuate that Eddie had done this when he saved her! Eddie of course just sat there knowing damn well his stuff along with the shoes were stashed in a bag hidden in a closet upstairs. The cop mumbled a half assed apology going back to his associate with his notes. The emt finishes allowing Eddie to get up. 

“Ugh I can’t believe him! You’re like a freakin super hero or something and he has the nerve to accuse you!” (Y/n) spits glaring in the direction of the cops. “It’s okay sweetheart really I’m used to it. Are you sure you’re okay? He didn’t hurt you?” Eddie questions. He takes her hands in his own observing her arms for any sign of bruise or wound even if he knows they’re not there.

This makes (Y/n)’s heart ache even more. Eddie’s the one who fought off a murderer and he was checking on her? Again she wraps her arms around him hugging him tightly. He’s never seen her give Steve a hug like this, one so tight and desperate. It makes pride resonate through him. 

“(Y/n) sweetie!?” A panicked woman’s voice calls. Her parents come pushing their way past the small crowd of neighbors that has gathered. Eddie and (y/n) pull apart but she keeps her hand latched onto his. Both her parents wrap her in tight hugs. “What happened?” Her mom frets.

“They’re saying that serial killer was here?” Her father adds. (Y/n) explains detailing the highlights of Eddie’s heroic save. To Eddie's delight the way she recalls the encounter is much more comic book then horror movie. Not for a moment for the entire story does her hand leave his. It’s like it grounds her, makes her feel protected. Like even if the killer came back right this second she knew he would protect her.

Once the story is done her mother hugs Eddie thanking him profusely a bit teary eyed while her father shakes his free hand. “Maybe we shouldn’t go on this trip tomorrow dear.” Her mother sighs. That’s right at six am the next morning her parents would be leaving on a trip to visit a sick relative. “No mom the tickets are non refundable and what if you won’t get the chance again?” (Y/n) frowns. “We can’t leave you here alone honey not now.” Her father responds.

Eddie can’t believe his dumb luck for once everything is falling right into his lap.“She could come stay with us.” he pops in. Both parents light up and even (Y/n) smiles too. “Your uncle wouldn’t mind?” Her mother questions. “No way Wayne loves having her over, she lights up the whole trailer park.” Eddie grins looking down at (Y/n). 

She looks right back up at him with a warm smile. “I for one would feel a lot better knowing you’re safe with Eddie and Wayne.” (Y/n)’s father adds. “There’s no where I’d feel safer.” (Y/n) beams. Eddie’s grin widens even more hearing that phrase leave her mouth. It meant a victory in his book. 

“(Y/n) baby?” Steve shouts running up his face filled with worry. (Y/n) rolls her eyes staring at the ground. “We’ll give you guys some space.” (Y/n)’s mom explains before leading her husband over to one of the cops. Steve eyes Eddie and (Y/n) lingering on their linked hands. “Can we have a minute here Munson?” Steve asks bitterly. 

Eddie is ready to give them some space while lingering close enough to hear but (Y/n)’s grip tightens on his hand. “Eddie stays.” She insists. Eddie just barely resists the urge to flash a cocky smirk Harrington’s way. Steve sighs crossing his arms. “What happened?” he huffs.

“Well while you were busy being late for our diner the killer decided to break in. Thankfully Eddie came by.”

“Where is he did they catch him?”

“Eddie scared him off after getting slashed.”

Steve’s eyes focused suspiciously on Eddie moving from his face to his arm. “How convenient for Eddie.” Steve draws. Eddie meanwhile just narrows his eyes. “Where the hell were you Steve?” (Y/n)’s tone is accusatory. She knows the answer even before he speaks it.

“Look I know it’s no excuse and I’m really sorry but I just fell asleep, I was on the phone with Nance last night and she saw someone in their yard so I came over to check it out I was just tired from being up so late.” He explains. “Of course Nancy calls and you come running, I do it an I’m a burden.” (Y/n) scoffs shaking her head. “Well clearly you didn’t need me you had Eddie here to keep you company.” Steve spits sarcastically. “At least someone’s lookin out for her.” Eddie retorts this time. Eddie and Steve are staring each other down, glaring at each other with a harsh intensity.

“Oh and lucky you that you get to step in and save the day.” Steve breates him. (Y/n) huffs letting out a not so amused laugh. “No Steve lucky me. Lucky me that Eddie showed up. Lucky me that Eddie wasn’t too busy with another girl, lucky me that he actually cares!” She snaps.

Steve is taken back by her outburst. Of course he cares about her wasn’t that obvious? “Baby that’s not- I-” he stutters. (Y/n) cuts him off before he can finish “No you were too busy with Nancy again. Eddie showed up and he saved me while you were busy comforting Nancy.” (Y/n) points out.

“I’m sorry I didn’t-”Steve didn’t even get to finish the apology (Y/n) cuts him off again. “You know what I know on the phone last night I said I wanted to give us time to work things out but it’s clearly not working. Whatever this was is over Steve.” (Y/n) insists firmly.

Eddie and Steve both look at her surprised. “(Y/n) I care so much about you just can we talk alone please?” Steve begs. 

“I don’t want to be alone with you right now Steve, I think you should go.” (Y/n) stands firm not backing down. “Baby please let’s talk just you and me I promise we can work through this.” Steve attempts again. This time he reaches out to try and grab her hand. Before their hands could connect Eddie was stepping in front of (y/n). Practically the minute their hands disconnected she was grabbing onto his leather jacket to keep some form of connection.

“I think you should go now Harrington.” Eddie insisted. Steve looked between Eddie and (Y/n). He opened his mouth to speak focusing his glare on Eddie. Before he can get the words out (Y/n)’s parents interrupt. “(Y/n) Why don’t you and Eddie go up and grab your things I’d like to have some time to talk to Wayne before he leaves for work.” (Y/n)’s father speaks. 

Eddie turned around to face (Y/n) again. “C’mon sweetheart let’s go upstairs and grab your stuff yeah?” He whispered. (Y/n) nodded pulling her eyes away from Steve. “Yeah Eds let’s go.” She whispered. Eddie wrapped his arm around (Y/n)’s shoulders leading her back towards the house leaving Steve stood dumbfounded and angry.

Later that night (Y/n) and Eddie sit on his bed listening to a cassette. They’re halfway through a Metallica song Eddie going on a tangent obsessing over the guitar. (Y/n)’s watching him and listening intently a thoughtful look on her face. Eddie stops mid sentence smiling.

“What’s up sweetheart?” He asks. “You saved my life today Eddie.” She explains. “Just in the right place at the right time, ‘s not like I did anything too crazy.” He looks down even adding a simple shrug like it was the easiest thing in the world. (Y/n) grabs his left hand holding it and playing with the rings that adorn his fingers.

“It is a big deal Eddie you took on a serial killer for me. Give yourself some credit for once.”

“You’re my best friend of course I did.”

“This isn’t a ride home or helping me move you have a huge gash on your arm and could have died!”

“You could have died sweetheart, you have no idea how scared I was when I saw the door open and the glass busted. I thought he got you, that he took you from me. I don’t know what I would have done if I was too late. I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t make it with you.”

“Eds I’m alright, I’m alive thanks to you.”

Their eyes meet and the way she’s looking at him burns right through his skin penetrating all the way to his heart. “So really Eddie you’re my hero and that is a huge deal.” (Y/n) whispers leaning in kissing his cheek only a lot slower this time. Her lips linger there and after another second she gives him another kiss. When (y/n)’s lips move they don’t pull away rather moving a bit closer to his lips giving him another kiss on the cheek. Eddie’s heart is beating so loud he can hear it pounding in his ears.

He just knows his face is as red as it feels. This time a kiss lands right at the corner of his mouth. That one makes him attempt to swallow the lump in his throat and he hates how audible it is. “Sweetheart what are you doing?” He’s whispering even though he’s not sure why. “Can I ask you something?” She completely avoids the question.

“Um sure yeah.”

“What were you doing at my place earlier?”

“What?”

For a minute he worries that she’s onto him. That she’s figured it out and he’s busted. It would all be for nothing if she saw him as a villain. How would he explain that it was all for her? That he wasn’t a monster just a man in love. 

“You knew I had that date with Steve why did you come over?”

“I don’t know, wanted to see you. I didn’t like the thought of you home alone with everything going on. And well I guess I had something to tell you.”

“You’re always looking out for me.”

“You mean a lot to me of course I do.”

“What did you have to tell me?”

“It doesn’t matter now after what happened.”

“It matters to me.”

“Sweetheart trust me it can wait after everything you went through today.”

“I don’t want it to wait.”

Eddie takes a deep breath peeking at her through his bangs. They’re still so close and she’s looking at him with such concern and care. Sure she looked at all her friends with care but this was different. This was clearly a look reserved for someone very special.

“Tuth is princess I have feelings for you, have for a long time. I was trying to let it go and move on but all I’ve thought about with this killer around is you. You’ve been on my mind twenty four seven worrying about if you’re okay or not. And seeing Steve just not take it seriously bugged me. I just couldn’t get over the fact that he wasn’t trying to keep you safe.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Steve asked you out and you seemed so happy. All I wanted was for my girl to be happy even if if wasn’t with me.”

“Eds don’t you remember when you were helping me get ready for that first date I kept giving you an out. I was trying to convince you to ask me to stay. I would have stayed, I wanted to stay for you.”

Thinking back Eddie wanted to smack himself. She did ask a lot if he thought she should go and then tried to even back out by saying she was sick. Eddie was the one who talked her into going thinking she was just nervous. “Well there’s evidence I’m an idiot just ask Mrs. O'Donnell.” Eddie whispered. This time (y/n) doesn’t respond instead moving her lips to his own.

The kiss is slow maybe a little sloppy but a couple second they get the hang of it. One of her hands cups his face while his stay frozen. Part of him can’t believe this is happening. When they pull apart it takes both a minute to open their eyes. She’s smiling genuinely smiling and Eddie has to physically resist the urge to jump and down and cheer about his victory.

“You don’t owe me you know? I mean I saved you because I care about you not because I wanted something in return.” He promises. Sure that was the whole point of this but he also disn’t want her to just see him as an obligation. “I know Eds I didn’t kiss you because I felt like I owed you.” She assures him. “Then why did you kiss me?” He questions.

“I really, really wanted to Eddie promise. I’ve had feelings for you for a long time too. I thought I was okay just being your best friend but recently with everything you’ve done with how safe you've made me feel it just made me realize I wanted more than that. I want to be loved the way I know only you can.”

“You have no fucking clue how happy I am to hear that sweetheart. Can I kiss you again?”

(Y/n) barely finishes nodding before he’s pressing their lips together again. Things go a lot smoother this time both of them a lot more in sync. When they pull apart Eddie keeps his hand cupping her face and his forehead rested against hers. “That was definitely worth the wait.” Eddie whispered. “You absolutely were Eds but I’m really glad it's finally happening.” She answered. 

Two nights later (Y/n) and Eddie are relaxing just finishing a movie. She was dressed in one of his shirts and a pair of boxers. His arm lazily draped around her. Eddie thinks this is perfect, exactly how it’s meant to be. The credits are rolling and she’s kissing him intently her hands in his hair while his move against her skin under his shirt. 

It’s going great until there’s a rustling outside. Subtle enough to be a raccoon or stray cat but enough that it could be a person. It’s loud enough to pull them apart. (Y/n)’s eyes flick worriedly to the window for a moment.

“I’m sure it’s just a raccoon sweetheart.”

“Yeah yeah you’re probably right.”

“Still just in case I better go out there and check it out.”

“Eddie no you don’t have to I’ll be fine.”

“No can do gotta protect my girl. Why don’t you grab us a snack I’ll go investigate.”

“You’re too good to me Eds you know that?”

“Not possible but get used to it.”

(Y/n) smiles kissing him again slowly, allowing her tongue to push against his own. There’s a knock at the door and they pull apart again with a loud dramatic groan from Eddie. “I’ll be waiting pretty boy.” (Y/n) teases. Eddie grins bounding over to the door while (Y/n) heads off to the kitchen. 

Shockingly enough Steve is standing outside arms crossed mad look on his face. “Harrington.” Eddie sighs crossing his own arms. “Is she here?” Steve spits. There’s an obvious hint of alcohol on his breath, scotch from what Eddie can tell. He had to drink to prepare himself for this fight.

“You’re gonna have to be more specific.”

“(Y/n), my girlfriend is she here?”

“Last I checked she dumped you but she might be around.”

“I want to talk to her.”

“Real shame.”

“Munson seriously let me talk to her.”

“Oh I didn’t realize it was serious let me think about it. Hm um no.”

“This is bullshit how was I supposed to know the killer would show up the one time I was late.”

“It wasn’t the first time but I guess you’re just lucky one of us showed up for her.”

“Lucky you after all these years you finally got to swoop in and save the day. I mean Christ you’ve been in love with her so long I’m surprised it took you this long to manipulate your way in.”

“I didn’t manipulate shit.”

“How convenient you just happen to show up and the killer vanishes.”

“And what does that mean Harrington?”

“It means that it’s really strange that no one but you saw the killer and there’s no trace of him since.”

“It’s only been two days I’m sure he’s just laying low.”

“Or it means you’ve finally snapped. Your stupid world of make believe has seeped out into the real world and you think you can use it to get to (Y/n).” 

“I didn’t use anything to get her. It’s not my fault she didn’t want to be with you anymore.” 

“Oh please like you didn’t jump at the chance to get between us. You’re obsessed with her creep.”

“Excuse me?”

Eddie knows that (y/n) can hear them and that she’s more than likely listening in. “You heard me freak.” Steve punctuated his insult with a harsh shove to Eddie’s shoulder. The push was hard enough to knock Eddie back a step. “Steve you should really go home man.” Eddie says calmly despite wanting to hit him. “She’s just gonna leave you too Munson.” Steve spits words full of venom. 

Eddie narrows his eyes at Steve ready to bite back but Steve speaks first. “That is if you don’t hurt her first, wouldn’t want another Chrissy situation would you?” He bit. “Steve enough!” (Y/n) yelled stomping out of the trailer. Steve’s angry face seems to fall. “(Y/n) listen I just-”

“You were just calling Eddie a freak and shoving him, that sounds an awful lot like shit you’d pull in high school.” She snaps. “He’s bad news (y/n). I mean come on you don’t find this whole thing the slightest bit suspicious?” Steve attempts to justify. “What that Eddie actually gives a shit? That he actually showed up and managed to save me from a serial killer while you were off playing super hero for Nancy?” (Y/n) huffs.

“How was I supposed to know that the killer would show up this isn’t fair (Y/n)!”

“We finished this conversation already Steve this is over in fact we’ve both moved on. I want you to leave!”

“You can’t seriously be picking this freak show over me? I don’t trust him (y/n) I just want you to be safe.”

“Well I am Steve and I am perfectly safe.” 

“(Y/n) please just listen! There’s something not right with him! He’ll hurt you just like he hurt those girls please!”

Steve grabs (Y/n)’s arm attempting to reason with her but Eddie steps forward pushing her gently behind him. “That’s enough Harrington, go home.” Eddie says sternly. Steve again attempts to push past Eddie nearly knocking (Y/n) to the ground. Eddie shoves him back enough to get some space. He turns around leaning down to whisper to (Y/n).

“Sweetheart go back inside and wait in my room please.” Eddie asks even though it's more of an instruction. (Y/n) looks between them but nods. “Okay just be careful please Eds.” She whispers. Eddie nods kissing the crown of her head before she disappears into the trailer Eddie turns back around glaring down Steve.

“You’re going to leave her alone.”

“I’m not the one she should be afraid of.”

“I would never hurt her, you already have.”

“I know it’s you Munson you killed all those people. I don’t know why you did it other than that you’re seriously deranged. But I know you did it.”

Eddie let out a cold dry laugh stepping closer. “Doesn’t really matter what you think.” Eddie smiled. “She’s gonna find out what a freak you are sooner or later.” Steve insists. “Oh but to her I’m not a freak I’m her hero even, all thanks to you big boy.”Eddie boats. Steve’s face falls seeing that he was truly right.

“Now if you’ll excuse me gotta get back to my girl. She made brownies as a thank you for her big hero.” Eddie says sending Steve a wink turning on his heel heading back into his trailer. Steve stands feeling completely lost. He had pretty much gotten a full confession from Eddie and there wasn’t a thing he could do. Defeated he just slumped back to his car and left.

When Eddie got inside the trailer he let himself fall onto the couch burrying his face in his hands. Even if Steve was right about Eddie killing those people the thought of (Y/n) being afraid of him hurting her struck him like a knife to the chest. (Y/n) came slowly walking out of his bedroom. She was quickly sitting on his lap wrapping her arms around his body. Eddie took a deep breath looking up to meet her gaze while resting one hand on her hip and the other cupping her face.

“You okay?”

“I’m alright Eds, are you?”

“Yeah sweetheart i’m alright It’s just- you know I'd never hurt you right?”

“Oh honey of course I know that! You make feel so safe and protected.”

“I know what people say about me that I’m the evil freak who killed all those people despite the case being thrown out. That I can’t get off without hurting whoever I’m with. That I’m the monster moms warn their kids about. But I would never hurt you ever. I care about you so much and I don’t want you to think of me like that.”

“I care about you too Eddie, nothing anyone says is going to change that I promise.”

Eddie let's out a shaky breath letting his calloused thumb slide against (Y/n)’s cheek. His big brown eyes stare right into her own. (Y/n) smiles warmly at him leaning into give him a slow kiss. He spends a couple minutes relishing in her touch in the feeling of her kiss. After all he’s earned it after everything he did to get here.

“I can’t watch what happened with Chrissy happened to you I can’t .”

“Steve had no right to say that. That wasn’t your fault. And Vecna is long gone thanks to you. I don't care what any of those people say. In my book Eddie Munson is the nicest person in the world. You would never ever hurt me. I know that without a shadow of doubt.”

“Just wanna keep my girl safe that’s all.”

“You do my big strong dork in tonfoil.”

Eddie smiles wide pulling her into another kiss. He peppsrs her face in repeated kisses on her lips, cheeks, forehead and chin. (Y/n) laughs at his attention fighting her grip around his shoulders. “Alright pretty boy let's go get you a brownie okay?” (Y/n) suggested. Eddie nodded excitedly standing up from the couch with her still in his arms. 

[rarableeds]

hi. so I designed two hemera funkids: camera kid my version & jaymera kid. and here is also pon - boa's girlfriend

I was afraid to create for a long time, but I think nothing bad happened after I created and drew them. I hope in the future I can draw a lot of art with them and reveal their lore

A little about them under cut

Sophia is another sister of Chloe who she thinks is cool, and Sophie likes to babysit Chloe in breaks from her cool things (she likes to remix and produce electronic songs, DJ, watch action movies and write stories and scripts with a lot of action, although its a little mediocre, she also loves dark glasses and being cool)

Besides Chloe, Sophia has a good relationship with Norma and they respect each other's sense of style. They communicate little with Blair, but their interests simply do not intersect.

Boa is a fan of kneetube (trying to be an influencer), various (especially spicy) food, and mukbang. tries to establish good relationships with all their siblings and nearsiblings, but they do not always succeed, they are often avoided and they do not understand why (however, there is a reason: they do not understand the personal space of other people and constantly talk about their cringe interests. Boa spends money to business trainings and talk with motivational quotes, and also always walk around with a phone, filming everyone for their kneetube vlog forgetting to ask permission to film...)

Although the other siblings are just as annoyed with them as they are with their bro and best friend Levi, these two sincerely praise each other for impossible business ideas, Levi admires Boa for their intention to create a restaurant chain with a budget of 50 dollars and Boa is believes Levi about the prospects of crypto

Pon is an extremely sweet pastry chef & cute clothes lover who met Boa through their nearsibling... but it’s a long story, the main thing is that she and Boa form a wonderful sweet-spicy team BoaPon. Pon is the best at listening to Boa's strange business ideas and they are not reluctant to participate in the daily filming of their vlog

[jacscorner]

The Reboot of Sharkboy & Lavagirl

So, who here remembers The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl?

...Yeah, I figured there'd be a lot of people. This movie came on almost every other week on Disney Channel some moons ago.

I loved the movie as a kid. While it hasn't aged the best, it still holds a very special place in my cold heart. One thing always lingered in the back of my mind: why isn't this a cartoon? Biased on my half, but I feel animation is better for trying to show an alien world, completely unlike anything we have on Earth. Because live action movies like this, as impressive as they may, will always be limited by budget and the effects of today - or, in this case, yesteryear. And if they're bad, they can really ruin the immersion. SB&LG are no different from this; as impressive as they were for the time, it was purely for the innate spectacle and not necessarily because they were good.

But, this movie still has a place in my heart, so let's push those critical thoughts aside. Cause i really wanna get into my thoughts on a Sharkboy and Lavagirl reboot.

SB & LG Designs

Since these are supposed to be characters dreamed up by a kid, I intentionally made their designs simplified. Cause while I can draw their suits NOW, I certainly couldn't when I was a kid watching that movie. Which, like, I hate how superheroes when made in live action have the most over the top and complicated uniforms to draw. It's such a high bar for fanart and it makes them un-fun to draw. If Japanese shows can make cool heroes that are manageable to draw, then so should we in the west!

For Sharkboy, I gave a wet suit and some clothes on top, to sort of give a pulp-y feel to his suit. I also gave him a pair of oxygen tanks; since Sharkboy apparently can't breathe underwater, but hold his breath for a long time, I thought it'd make sense for him to have something for those deep DEEP dives, or maybe he could give them to someone drowning who'd need it more.

Meanwhile, I wanted Lavagirl to look more like a classic superhero in terms of design. I do regret a little bit not making her suit more pink and instead red, but I don't hate it. I never like it when elemental heroes have suits that's just their element slapped onto them. Makes me feel it's just their body, and that's a strange school of thought to have.

How The Reboot Would Work

I'd imagine this show would be the 22-24 minute format. The show would begin with a segment of Max in the real world. We'd have a short scene that shows Max in live action and something, good or bad, happen to him. Then, the camera would fall onto Max's dream journal, with the book flipping open and pages furling. We then transition to Planet Drool, with the episode title flashing on screen and the cartoon segment takes over.

I think this would better show the distinction between the real world, Max's world, and the dream world - specifically, Planet Drool. Since Max is basically the God of this world, his emotional state and feelings effect Planet Drool. When he's sad, it's cloud and gloomy. When happy, the birds are singing and flowers are blooming.

Naturally, the various friends and allies Sharkboy & Lavagirl run into on Planet Drool are inspired by the people Max meets. Bullies and jerks in the real world play the role of villains on Planet Drool and their punishments in the real world and comeuppance in the dream world correlate. On the reverse, Max's friends are allies for Sharkboy & Lavagirl, and brief flashes of Max maintaining or straining their friendship will reflect on SB & LG and their relationships.

For example: an episode could start with Max in bed; he's got a Summer Cold and is sick. His mother brought him a bowl of sick and told him to stay in bed and rest, and to remember to take his medicine. She then leaves the room as Max just lies down in bed. 

And then the dream journal flips open and the pages furl and we zoom in on Planet Zoom and it's a frozen wasteland. Blizzards are blowing, the waters are freezing. Even Lavagirl is shivering as she sits on the beach, waiting for Sharkboy, who breaks out of the ice. It's too cold for even his shark friends to come out and they think they need to do something to warm the planet before another ice age hits them.

Probably needs a few drafts, but you get the point.

Sharkboy - Deep Sea Mystery

Sharkboy, real name Finn Mako (cause this is Sharkboy and Lavagirl, subtlety does not exist) was found in a small cave along the coast of Sharktooth Bay. He was found at around age 5 by Dr. Marlon Mako; clearly human, but obviously mutated, with shark-like teeth, sharpened claws, pointed ears, and superhuman senses - not to mention that he saw the boy talking to the Sharks that inhabited the cave. Dr. Mako adopted the boy and built his lab in that cave, where he studies marine life and also builds various technologies for the benefits of Planet Drool. Sharkboy grew up with his new adopted father, never too far from his shark friends. Dr. Mako still doesn't fully understand why Sharkboy mutated like this and is searching for the origin of his odd superhuman abilities and where he came from. Sharkboy does not care; he's happy to have his father, and his Shark Friends.

Sharkboy mostly has all the same abilities he had in the original movie; enhanced physical capabilities, underwater adaptability - for the most part, shark-like teeth, and a super capable swimmer. Sharkboy is also super smart and supplies the team with the various tech and gadgets they use throughout the show - all usually shark themed, cause of course they are. Of course, just because he's smart doesn't mean he's passive or a thinker. His first solution is still primarily to smash it - he's a cocky hothead. It was his father's idea for him to carry that oxygen tank in case of emergencies and if not for the fact he loves his dad and doesn't want him to worry, he'd never bring it with him.

And just like in the movie, Sharkboy can be overstimulated and go into a frenzy where he's stronger, faster, but more feral and less cognitive. This can be good AND bad since he's rarely in control of himself. Sharkboy also has a strong distaste for most human food - whether he can or can't eat it, I don't know, but but he at the very least won't eat most sweets willingly.

Lavagirl - Princess of Heat

Lavagirl, real name Pyrrha Redsword is the daughter of the Lava Lord, Ignis Redsword. Lavagirl hails from the largest volcano on Planet Drool, found at the equator of the planet: Mt. Habanero. We'll get into it later, but yes, Lavagirl is the youngest daughter of this Lave Lord, who controls the thermal heating of Planet Drool. A sheltered princess most her life, Lavagirl grew up listening to stories of Planet Drool's heroes. But that many of them were gone now, apparently having been lost after a 'Great War' - which, in the real world, would be Max losing his grandfather, who would be introduced into the story and would have been the one helping him build Tobor (wink wink).

Inspired by these stories, Lavagirl would make her own suit and decide to become a superhero and would leave her volcano home in search of adventure. She's eager to be a superhero and tries to do things 'by the book' and try to do her best to help people. She holds the majority of the team's emotional intelligence, being more socially capable than Sharkboy - though sometimes, a bit too formal. And at times, maybe a little too naive, as her eagerness to help and her lack of experience with people leads to her being taken advantage of.

Like Sharkboy, Lavagirl's powers are the same as they were in the movie. She can manipulate lava and magma, spew it from her hands, and her hair can light up in flames. She can also melt into lava and reform at will. These are all natural abilities of the inhabitants of her volcano home; in this reboot, Lavagirl knows exactly what she is: a Geofolk, or Geoperson. They all can live in extreme heat and have naturally hot to the touch bodies, as well as hair that can light up with fire as a tie to her emotions. They can eat lava rocks, but they can also eat normal food without issue. Lavagirl has older siblings in this reboot; two older sisters and an older brother, though they're not important right now...

Planet Drool

Planet Drool is a reflection of Earth through the warped and twisted lens of a child - one who has a love of superheroes, robots, and escapes to his fantasies while his planets are having marriage problems and he has to deal with homework, bullies, and the world being big and scary. The two planets, Drool and Earth, have no relation to each other outside of Max; SB & LG do not know of Max's existence, though Max is referenced in a religious sense, as a 'Dreamer'; someone with the power to make thoughts into matter, who can create anything, but also destroy it in an instant. Anyone on Earth can be a Dreamer - in fact, maybe we'll explore the 'Dreams' of others, as they may influence Planet Drool.

For now, though, let's focus.

The natural world of Planet Drool is ruled by a respective Elemental Lord - a King, Queen, or something. Lavagirl's father is the Lava Lord and control's the planet's natural heating. The Ice Princess - yes, she is in this reboot - controls the cooling of the planet and is acting in palce of her missing father, the Ice King. Mr. Electric is the (former) planetary electrician, so on and so forth.

Planet Drool once had lots of heroes acting as its guardian, but after The Great War, many of them had either perished or retired. One of them, the Mighty Tobor, is left as a rusting giant robot in the Dream Graveyard, where all of Max's discarded dreams end up - in context of Planet Drool, it's a massive junkyard of broken machines or magical artifacts that don't work. There, Tobor lies, still technically functional, but seemingly beyond repair, a relic of the Era of Heroes that protected Planet Drool and acts as SB & LG's mentor.

As a planet made up of the dreams of a kid, Planet Drool has various locations that don't make sense. The Land of Milk & Cookies, where deserts are made to appease giants, swamps where the sun never seem to shine and is home to frog-like dragons, desert landscapes where the sand is like water and you need to sail it by ship; the planet's landscape is in constant flux. It twists and turns at the discretion of the planet's Dreamer (AKA, Max and his slowly growing collection of friends). The most important thing about Planet Drool is that it's a mismatch of different ideas that might not really work or go together, but that's kind of the point. Cause it's a dream and dreams don't always make sense.

[mrmallard]

I've made a post about this before, but Guilty Gear Xrd's reveal might genuinely be the hypest gaming moment in my entire life.

Though most of my fandom was predicated on the back of the GBA port of Guilty Gear X, the trash-ass Wii port of vanilla Accent Core (played great, but it had next to no singleplayer content) and listening to the music on YouTube, I was HEAVILY invested in Guilty Gear. I knew there was some weird legal snafu with Sega, there was a palpable vibe that Blazblue was basically Arc System Works doing a second original IP to keep making fighting games after losing the rights to most of the Guilty Gear IP, and I feel like people had either made their peace with Blazblue or were sticking it out for a new Guilty Gear - even as the years rolled on and the prospects of a new game were looking more and more bleak. Like, these were the years where alongside Blazblue titles, ArcSys was pumping out budget shovelware for the WiiWare service. It was a bleak fucking time to be a Guilty Gear fanboy.

Before the Xrd trailer dropped, the last game of note was a weird 3D action game with two returning characters. It had a killer version of Holy Orders on the soundtrack, but the vibe was definitely off - and it didn't help that it was described as a sequel to the original Guilty Gear, as opposed to the X games kind of being their own subseries, and therefore being perceived as a new way forward for the series. People loved Guilty Gear for the expressive art, the high-octane soundtrack and the hard as nails 2D combat - Guilty Gear Overture tried its best to offer a satisfying replacement, but it couldn't really match up. And in the fanbase's minds, it was either Overture or a new fighting game that'd be in-name-only with a brand new roster of characters, Sol and Ky aside.

Then, one day, this happened.

This trailer wasn't just a triumphant return to form for the Guilty Gear series. This trailer was genuinely groundbreaking for the fighting game genre - and you need to look at this trailer through the freshest eyes possible to know why.

First of all - after Overture was this hard pivot into 3D action combat gameplay, Guilty Gear is a 2D fighter again. The second you see Sol and Ky facing each other after forty seconds of build-up, you know they're announcing a return to form. So that's one item off the bucket list.

Secondly, as a diehard Guilty Gear/ArcSys fan of the era, you know that Arc System Works makes sprite-based 2D fighting games. From the first Guilty Gear through to the most recent Blazblue game, core ArcSys games were all about those sprites. And this trailer intentionally plays on that; Sol and Ky look like remarkably high-definition sprites, even to the point of being animated in a more rigid frame-by-frame manner when you see them move. And even when they start fighting, it's these two great-looking sprites animating frame-to-frame, right?

But that shot where their swords cross, and the camera ROTATES AROUND THEM? That was GAME-CHANGING.

2.5D fighters were already very popular at the time. Mortal Kombat 9 had helped to breathe new life into this style of fighting game, and while MvC3 had a rocky launch, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 went on to have a huge, ravenous fan following. 2.5D fighters were on the rise, but everything developed in 3D explicitly looked 3D, even with cel-shading like in UMvC3 - and every game stuck fairly rigidly to the 2D plane. NOTHING was doing what Guilty Gear Xrd was doing.

The team deliberately played up the old style, making the player models look as close to the style of the true-blue ArcSys 2D sprite-based fighter as they possibly could. They deliberately set up that fade-in with Sol and Ky, they even animated Sol hopping away seamlessly to look like Xrd was a new sprite-based 2D fighter.

And then that sword-clash kind of signalled the direction of fighting games for the next ten years.

There are shots in this trailer where the swords are animated with smear frames, like they're a 2D sprite. That's because the team animated the 3D models LIKE THEY WERE 2D SPRITES. The models squash and stretch frame by frame, with each frame being modelled by hand, rather than the models animating smoothly based on an animation rig or anything like that. And NOBODY had thought to do that before. Animations before and after each round are clearly animated in a more conventional way, but the presentation during the fights is achieved by approaching the 3D style with 2D production sensibilities. It was borderline unthinkable at the time.

Then there's the stage background.

When the trailer first fades in, can you tell that the background has 3D elements? The chain is a bit conspicuous, but the house on the right and the ruined Statue of Liberty - can you tell they're modelled in 3D right off the bat? The team did a great job translating the lush, busy backgrounds of the former games into this new composite artstyle, and you only realise the scope of what the team set out to accomplish when the camera angle changes and you see background elements shift as seamlessly as the character models.

Then there's the music.

Guilty Gear has fucking VOCAL TRACKS now.

Unless I'm mistaken, the closest that Guilty Gear had gotten to vocals in the music were in Overture's version of Holy Orders (Be Just or Be Dead). But even that was relegated to vaguely religious-sounding chanting throughout the track, not having someone screaming a lead vocal over the song.

Here's the new Guilty Gear trailer. It's a 2D sprite-based fighter. Sol and Ky are there on a beautifully painted background CG, just like the old days.

Sol and Ky clash swords, and the CAMERA ROTATES AROUND THEM. These dudes are rendered in fucking 3D. Then this huge wall of rock music kicks in at full volume, punctuated by this huge metal screech, and some dude starts fucking SINGING.

Then one of them gets knocked into the air, and the PERSPECTIVE CHANGES - and the perspective of the BACKGROUND changes too! All the while, the vocalist is all like BACK TO BACK, DEATH COMES A-RIDIN' ON A MIDNIGHT TRAIN

And it's EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED FROM A NEW GUILTY GEAR, AND MORE.

And for the fans who've been writing off the prospect of a new fighting game for years due to the legal snafu between ArcSys and Sega over who owns what? The trailer ends with a tease for both Millia Rage and Zero-1, officially ending the embargo.

This is probably the closest I'm going to get to having a moment where I go from Street Fighter II being the only fighting game I ever imagined existing, only to one day discover Tekken. This trailer delivered on so many things I didn't even know were possible at the time, and it blew the competition out of the water. Again, that was mostly Mortal Kombat and Marvel vs. Capcom - Skullgirls is its own special case, but those devs went all-in on sprites; I think that game has the most frame-by-frame animation in any fighting game ever produced. This game had all the charm and flair of old-school presentation, married with cutting-edge production via Unreal Engine 4.

It was a 2.5D game that was borderline indistinguishable from a 2D fighter until the game shifted perspective and made sure you knew that the characters and environments were 3D. And somehow, the stylised 2D aesthetic managed to carry over nigh-seamlessly.

People were huge on Dragon Ball FighterZ, and rightfully so - that's a gorgeous game that's a total blast to play. It preserves the aesthetic and feeling of being in a Dragon Ball Z episode in its sound design, its visuals and through its overt references to the show - kicking dudes into mountains that are miles in the background, as well as actually being able to enact instakill moves that replicate iconic moments from the franchise. That game might be one of the best licensed video games of all time.

Dragon Ball FighterZ would not exist - at least not in the iconic form it exists in today - without the ground that Guilty Gear Xrd covered first. When a great work is acknowledged to have taken prime inspiration from a foundational earlier work, it can be said that even with its success, that work is standing on the shoulders of giants. DBFZ is a giant unto itself, with its shoulders providing a solid bedrock for future fighting games to stand on - but it's a giant standing on the shoulders of TITANS.

I would argue that Guilty Gear Xrd was one of the first games to show that you could capture the spirit of a 2D property in a 3D art style without having to reinvent the wheel beforehand to shoot for realism. Maybe SF4 made that successful transition years earlier, but Xrd just went NUTS with it, with zero compromises. I also think that this game's success, and the success that later games had in faithfully recreating the appeal and aesthetic of a heavily stylised property like this, makes the janky 3D outliers like Jump Force and Marvel vs Capcom Infinite stand out even more.

It's unquestionable to me that Guilty Gear Xrd was the perfect game reveal at the perfect time. This trailer fucking slaps, especially given the context behind it. I was there the day it dropped, and ten years later it still rings as such a power move to marry modern game development via rendering the characters in 3D with the iconic, stylised 2D presentation that the fanbase loved to death after fifteen years of Guilty Gear. And just knowing that they went the extra mile and animated the characters by hand to look like they jumped straight out of a 2D game - smear frames and all - and were the first developers to even think to attempt that in Unreal Engine 4? Iconic. Unmatched.

This game trailer means everything to me. It'll only age as time goes on and the things that made it special become commonplace - again, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a far more popular refinement of what Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- started - but having been there at the time? Seeing the Guilty Gear drought getting broken in such a genuinely groundbreaking and innovative new way, stepping out of the Guilty Gear hiatus on the best foot possible? Nothing compares to how incredible that was.

They could announce a brand new Jak and Daxter game tomorrow, and I'd probably still be too burned after The Lost Frontier sucked and multiple attempts to get a new Jak game off the ground have fallen by the wayside and let me down. Guilty Gear Xrd upped the ante more than any other game reveal I've ever seen, and it did it perfectly.

Compared to what came before this trailer dropped, I honestly think Guilty Gear Xrd might be my pick for the perfect announcement trailer.

[lcatala]

My top 6 movies discovered in 2023

I watched 52 new-to-me movies in 2023. Not nearly enough , as I could only find 6 movies that stood out sufficiently to be worthy of a personal top, in what was otherwise a pretty meh year — yes I'm a picky watcher — and yeah The Boy and The Heron didn't make the top, you can read the long rambling I wrote about it if you want to know why; I haven't watched Barbie, Oppenheimer or the Super Mario Bros. Movie, and haven't watched any Marvel-related movie since 2015.

6: Nimona (2023)

I didn't really expect to like the animated adaptation of N. D. Stevenson's comic, and I went in reluctantly, only because a lot of people who seemed trustworthy recommended it. Despite having some of the flaws I've come to expect in modern 3D animation, this was a very good surprise. You can read my detailed review here.

5: Suzume (2022)

The plot of Suzume stays very much within the bounds of the "modern artsy anime film", with a rather predictable 3+1 acts structure and an exploration of themes and human interactions which has some subtlety and nuance but overall stays very safe and on-the-surface. Nothing offensive, but nothing truly groundbreaking either.

But.

Suzume had, by far, the best animation of any movie I've seen this year. This movie is an absoluteely beautiful, every-frame-a-painting kind of deal. If I was to rank every animated I've ever seen solely by the quality of their animation, Suzume would easily be in the top 10.

4: Cape Fear (1962)

American cinema achieved maturity during the New Hollywood era that started in the late 1960s, marking a shift toward more naturalistic and more adult filmmaking and themes. But there were a few notable precursors before that.

The most famous of those is of course Psycho (altho tellingly, it was from a British director). But Cape Fear followed close behind, and is another example of an early 60s movie which you don't expect to be this dark and this raw, starring an absolutely get-under-your-skin-terrifying Robert Mitchum — if you thought he was creepy in The Night of the Hunter, you haven't seen nothing yet…

3: The Outwaters (2022)

This was the biggest surprise of the year, watched the same day it was recommended to me, having heard absolutely nothing about it before that (I didn't even know this movie existed). I got treated to a no-budget yet beautifully-shot found-footage horror movie — in fact the best found-footage movie I have ever seen, with a lot of attention put toward making the gimmick plausible, making the characters realistic and likeable, making this look like the kind of actual footage you'd find on a personal camera — while also having amazingly beautiful cinematography — all while slowly building up the tension.

Because that's just the first half.

Oh yeah, it's one of these horror movies in which you think you know where the story is going, and then second half just explodes in your face and becomes completely, utterly batshit insane. This is on par with Men (2022) for how weird and fucked up the climax is. Don't expect any kind of explanation or closure here, the second half of this movie turns into one of the most fucked up and bizzare horror movies you'll ever see.

2: Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Yeah so this one was a surprise late-year hit for everyone, not just me. First live-action Japanese Godzilla film in 7 years, with rather tempered expectations — we all knew that Shin Godzilla was an odd one out, that the average Japanese Godzilla movie is not like that, that we shouldn't expect this kind of quality on a regular basis.

Well we played ourselves.

This was incredibly well made as a blockbuster — Japanese cinema has completely caught up on American cinema, for a fraction of the budgets — one of the best Godzilla movies ever made from an action and visuals point of view, and a reminder that Godzilla, as a character, can also be scary, a terrifying incarnation of destruction and disaster.

But somehow this also managed to be a powerful and well filmed drama — no lazy endless shot/reverse shot dialogues here, a lot effort is put into framing choices, blocking… — a movie that actually touches on difficult questions and goes against the message of many other war or action blockbusters.

When so many stories glorify the idea of sacrifying your life for a greater cause, here's one movie that says "hey maybe expecting people to sacrifice their life for your cause is actually pretty fucked up, and maybe it's actually better to choose to live for the sake of your loved ones than to die for the sake of your own pride". Yeah a Japanese movie is saying that, a Godzilla movie is saying that.

1: Skinamarink (2022)

So, speaking of low-budget independent horror, back in 2022 I had foolishly overlooked Skinamarink. I had vaguely heard that it was good, but no particular detail was mentioned that would have picked my interest, and the poster looked fairly generic, so I skipped it, even tho I should have been more intrigued — 2022 was already shaping up to be a really good year for horror films…

Skinamarink was a tough proposition from the get go, in the "experimental" kind of tough: an entire film made in the analog horror genre — usually short videos made to ressemble old media from the 80s and 90s, advertisements, warning messages, weather channels, documentaries and informercials, with a disturbing twist; a format usually made of short segments. Trying to tell a film-length story in that fashion is an entirely different exercise, but that's fine, I've sat thru Begotten (1989), I can do this.

Right away, this is not framed like a movie: it's more as if someone had negligently left an old camera on the floor — but this is not even found-footage, there is no camera in-story, we just happen to be seeing this world thru stolen, furtive points of view. The image is grainy, the sound is bad quality (subtitles are provided), the frames are often askew, you never even see the actors' faces. We get no narration, no exposition, just a succession of disjointed scenes that slowly form a story.

This shouldn't work. And for many people, this will not work. Most will turn this off not even 5 minutes in. But if you're among the exceptions, then howdy does it work. The format is not a gimmick at all — it's completely in service of the story. The grainy image, the low quality sound prey on your pattern recognition, never quite certain if something is there or not; the framing by a "forgotten" camera contributes to make the atmosphere hyper-real in its intimacy, yet alienating and uncanny.

The director of Skinamarink deals with one very specific topic: nightmares. Not the idea of nightmares, not the heightened nightmares of fiction, but the literal nightmares that real people have; he started by making short videos representing common nightmares that people would tell him about. When it came time to make a full-length feature film, he kept the same approach. Skinamarink doesn't really use any of the classic themes or structures of horror movies; it largely ignores that folklore and instead focuses on deep childhood fears, the kind of stuff your mind used to conjure up long ago and that you have forgotten but not erased from your brain.

If you manage to enter into this very peculiar format, this very unusual and seemingly disjointed way to tell a story, and if you identify with the kind of fear material the movie is drawing on, this is a truly scary experience. Not really in a jump scare or suspense way, more like a deeply haunting and unsettling atmosphere, a strong ambient uncanniness where things are almost normal but just broken enough to give you a constant feeling of unpleasantness, of wanting to run the hell out of here while being trapped, a sense of horrible lurking threat while having nothing concrete to fight against or protect yourself from.

Of course, this isn't exactly a fun experience. This is very, very intense, I'm talking Antichrist-levels of playing with your nerves, and the story, as simple as it is, is tragically harrowing and cruel — you're essentially watching two young children getting psychologically (and eventually physically) tortured by a sadistic, unseen entity for a hundred minutes.

It's hard to recommend, and yet recommendations is how this movie ended up grossing 2 millions on a 15k budget — promotion included ! Most people actually didn't like the movie, but those who liked it liked it so much they can't shut up about it (case in point!) It's one of those horror movies that completely break the boundaries of the genre and do something truly new and unique. It's what horror should be for: imagination gone wild, format-breaking fantasy, and realism thrown out of the window.

[ikemenomegas]

Hey!! (animeomegas here <3) I don't know anything about jjk, but I love actor AUs and I was wondering if you have any fun ideas for Naruto, the arcana or Mystic messenger? For some reason I've been imagining how a Mystic Messenger TV show would work and sketching out poster ideas for it 😫 This isn't really intended as a request, I just want to hear your stream of thought haha. Hope you've been having a wonderful day! <33

Hi @animeomegas I actually had a really long day but it was nice! I got a lot of things done. I hope you also had a good day ^^. So, okay okay okay you know I love casual stream of thought... and talking ahaha, and I also love behind the camera drama (I am also avoiding any wip work because 9+ hours at work fried the thesaurus bit of my brain)

Naruto

Naruto is such a specifically anime show. The budget for a complete 1:1 live action remake would probably make people so mad, there would have to be so much CGI for the final battle.

I feel like it could work for actors au as either:

1. Make Naruto a movie series. It's probably got a cult following like Star Wars and started off as some kind of original idea in the 70s and then got acquisitioned by a huge conglomerate in the 90s-2000s era, and had enough films (like the fast and furious franchises XD, so... eight at least) that it was able to cover all the material up until our time lol.

I actually went and reviewed the arcs because I love procrastination through research oop, but if you cut out/combine the filler arcs/turn them into serialized shows for streaming, you're left with enough material for about 3 movies from genin-days (when the actors Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura age from 11-14) and 5 movies from the shippuden era (there the main trio actors age from 16-24)

Playing off that nostalgia factor, Jiraiya's actor either played Minato or Naruto in the 70s film. He's since become a very famous actor/producer/director. Kakashi's father also played Kakashi's character in the original 70s film, so having him return as Sakumo for the Pein arc was a little Easter egg. There's a couple of instances of this throughout the series. For example, Madara is actually played by the same actor who played Sasuke in the og series, and the makeup used to age him in the flashback arcs gets high praise. Hashirama is played by the same kid who played Rock Lee in the first films too. Tsunade was played by the same girl who was either Ino in the original, etc.

Kind of like marvel, there's a ton of actors who are only sort of or not very famous when the films start, and the kids are certainly no-name actors (kind of [Sakura reads to me like a former disney-channel kid lol]), and then as the films get wildly popular, the franchise gains the Midas touch and even all of the recurrent minor characters get arcs/spinoffs/or see further success in their careers.

And as with marvel, it truly becomes like... everyone famous in a certain generation was in the Naruto franchise.

Sasuke had some actual industry connections prior to casting, but that was only because his brother was a young up-and-coming model. They sort of spring-boarded one anothers' careers. Playing the franchise characters traumatized them oop, and irl they're very close. There's a noticeable uptick in viewership for compilation videos of the Uchiha brothers being best siblings after about movie 6 when Sasuke finally kills Itachi and movie 7's fight with Kabuto is one of the most watched clips ever.

Also marvel-esque, I think people have mixed opinions about the ending lol (just like they do the anime) because on one hand, explosions! amazing visual effects! the whole ensemble ready to assemble! stacked nostalgia value! answers to some of the most asked fandom questions! amazing physical feats (Naruto and by extension Sasuke mostly insist on doing their own stunts)! and on the other... you have some of the thousand story threads being lost in the sauce, lackluster characterization for a some of the ladies, leaning perhaps too much on nostalgia value, complete obliteration of power scaling, suddenly there's almost too much content, and you have to have watched all three spinoff series to understand some of the in-world references, also fighting between the original concept creator and head writer and the production teams :p (yes this is Io being too literal haha)

2nd option: The Naruto characters all belong to the same representative entertainment company (think SM or YG /pulls face because cabal culture disturbs me/). I think this is more like an idols AU, and the relationships are significantly more catty and have more drama, but they're all actors/other entertainment related career lol so it's also kind of actors au?

The company probably tried for a ninjas/powers theme during recruitment and promotion so that's where you get Kakashi associated with dogs and lightning, Sasuke associated with snakes and later hawks and fire, Naruto associated with frogs and wind, Sakura associated with slugs and healing, Itachi associated with crows and dreams, Haku associated with ice and mirrors, Sai associated with tigers and ink, Tenzo/Yamato associated with trees, Gaara associated with tanuki and sand etc.

Itachi and Sasuke have an infamous rivalry that never really "resolves" so much as disappears because Itachi retires for a few years to deal with physical and mental health issues. It would be during this time he goes public with a relationship and he gets married before making a comeback. Even after the brothers reconcile and do projects together, people still bring up their Fighting Era and it pisses Sasuke off because the public doesn't really know what happened and he hates the speculation. Part of the controversy is that Sasuke left the company only a few years after signing on, joined a small rival company that was later embroiled in scandal, and then returned to the same company as his brother right around the time Itachi took a break.

Kakashi is the oldest of the "new generation" that's promoted during that time, but he's a very successful child actor turned model and adult actor. He did a bunch of shows that have great repeat value though so he basically lives off residuals and picks his projects and is very obvious but rather quiet about the ways he critiques the current entertainment industry. He's very good friends with Tenzo, stagename Yamato

Haku is a musician first and an actor second. He made his debut as part of a short lived idol group before going solo and starting musical stages. He's an up and coming favorite for historical dramas.

Gaara and Naruto are child actors who have been best friends for ages and help one another work through the inevitable industry challenges. They separately become really popular role models for kids from their hometowns. Kankuro is Gaara's personal rock in the working world, even though Kankuro's bad-boy image and slightly freaky aesthetic don't surface level seem to match with Gaara's more reserved and authentic method of dealing with the constant press.

Shikamaru and Nagato both separately give me musician/model vibes, but in different genres. Shikamaru quits the music thing very quickly to become a producer lol because more math and less fighting with fickle public opinion.

Mystic Messenger

If you sketch the the poster idea you haaaave to post it, please pretty please Amy?? Because you're so right, the whole plot is absolutely like a thriller/romcom kdrama. (Because the characters are well fleshed out it could also work with preserving the character backstories but have them all have entered acting later on.)

I looked up some Kdrama posters and the one where the leads for "because this is my first life" are standing in a stylized apartment balcony reminded me somewhat of thee game, mostly because the MC is stuck in the apartment for a good portion of the seven days lol.

If the whole Mystic Messenger plot were a drama...

MC is probably a rookie actor with one or two well done but not widely distributed productions under their belt.

Yoosung was maybe a child-actor which makes the whole ingenue thing kind of funny for his fans. Like yes, this is his first "adult role" (his baby face means he otherwise plays a lot of high schoolers) but it's this odd mixture of experience meaning he plays the role perfectly, but lack of experience with normal people resulting in a lot of blushing and stammering and totally tunnel vision flirting during the press tour haha.

I'd love for Jumin to come from a similar but less severe situation as game-Jumin. Like maybe his father has remarried a bunch of times, but he actually gets along with the stepmother who's been his mother for most of his life and he takes her to premiers with him. He grew up poor so he finds playing a lot of wealthy heirs type characters because of his looks to be a very strange turn of events, but he overall doesn't talk about his past much in public.

Hmmm, Jaehee seems the type to play a lot of severe characters in her usual roles because of her appearance, but like game-Jaehee she's got a very cute and adorable side that's coupled with a very genuine personalty. The interviewers probably make her do a lot of aegyo T.T poor Jaehee. She probably also worked her way through a prestigious drama school, either in-country or abroad, so she loves to read.

Zen always offers to do the aegyo with Jaehee so she doesn't have to suffer alone haha. He on the other hand never went to drama school, he's been acting since he was about 17 so all his training was in-company, although his company helped to put him through college where he did an advertising and media degree. He didn't have the exposure Jaehee did to classical media and arts, so they are irl very good friends who bond over their interest in business and Zen's interest in gaining a deeper understanding of acting and theater.

I see 707 as the person who was probably an idol musician before he started acting and mostly left group music behind. I've never played his route through, but he seems like the kind of person who is sometimes frustratingly talented lol. He is a natural at almost everything he tries which sometimes stresses him out because he wonders if there's something else he should be doing besides acting.

V seems like the kind of person however who was maybe a model first, and then turned to acting? I hate to say this, but it's the kind of situation where his incredible looks and sweet irl personality have garnered him a very devoted following but his parts in dramas tend to be second-string or somewhat minor or... kind of weird lol, and when he is the lead the show is usually only "okay" because the writing will be strange 😅 which is technically not his fault, but to be honest most of his income comes from promotional deals.

You like Saeran, right? so I won't leave him out! He's got this doe-eyed look that makes me think of a new debut actor! This is also one of his first major roles so he and MC lean on each other a lot and have to work hard to make sure their relationship off-screen is comfortable because they have so many scary intense scenes later on. He and 707 are either irl siblings, or just because so close during filming that they're truly like brothers now and 707 is always seen supporting Saeran, especially when Saeran decides to venture into the music scene and his vocal style and color means he explodes into popularity almost right away.

The Arcana

Somehow I can see this becoming an HBO drama? or maybe an Akuzon special because it's very good about placing lgbtq themes in-world (which was sort of groundbreaking when the game debuted). This one is so hard because each route gradually ended up diverging so much and in such different ways and expanding on the world in such a rewarding diversity of directions that you could truly have a beautiful, successful show no matter what route was filmed.

You could potentially have a Witcher-type situation where you really do have multiple routes and timeline splitting. If someone who's got a really good editing team working with a really tight writing team I think they could do it.

But otherwise, this is another situation where the main cast has had friend configurations for a While and doing this project brought them all closer together!

Ilya and Asra have known one another probably the longest industry-wise. They did a smaller well received indie film once about five years before Arcana with the vaguest of nods to brokeback mountain (I've never seen it, sorry) but a much happier road trip lovers plot, so having to play disillusioned, one-sided pining ex-lovers who had a very toxic last year to their relationship is... something XD.

Asra and Muriel have been personal friends since their days as students - they went to the same camps and programs to study acting and in their interviews, they have a fun time talking about some personal anecdotes (like the fact they did indeed frequently camp at a lakeside together as children) which made it into their own characters' backstories.

Nadia and Lucio are very Nikolaj/Gwendoline during their press and off-screen interactions. They find their characters' personas to be sort of hilariously poorly matched.

Portia is a famously hard working actress who clawed her way through the world of cinema and still managed to stay a decent, well grounded person. She's not actually related to Ilya irl but they got along really well from the beginning so there's lots of videos of them acting like siblings off screen.

Because the on-site shoots for Arcana required so much travel, the cast got to spend a lot of bonding time together, and saw a ton of unique places. The cast always has stories of swimming and hiking or trying new food or pictures of each other at famous sites during their days off. Muriel is actually the one who plans the outdoor adventures the best, he was an athlete and had military training before becoming an actor and he loves being outside so he'll lead these kinds of outings. People adore his social media because he's got that outdoors guy vibe but he's very sweet and he smiles a lot more irl than his roles usually do.

Portia and Julian are the most likely to get lost in any place, but they're also super fun to travel with because they always find interesting people and places that are off the beaten path.

Nadia and Asra have the most normal but also most aesthetic social media feeds. They always seem able to catch the golden hour light somehow...

After Arcana, they each often end up cast in or around the same movies/franchises/series as well, because they do work very well together. The show also helped them break out of some type casting, to their delight.

Lucio trends towards action and romcom films, he does often get typecast as some kind of villain, but his redemption arc in Arcana actually helped him break into more of the antihero type roles. He can be adorably goofy at times.

Nadia used to play the femme fatale quite frequently but since Arcana she's been able to take on softer roles, still often playing a woman in power, but she's been able to mix and cross genres. She also has been working on a screenplay and wants to try directing.

Portia was famous before Arcana but the show helped enter her into some of the more mainstream conversation and she has her first action-type role soon after Arcana ends.

Asra has a delicate physique and had some trouble in the past with being passed over roles that required more "force of presence" in the past. However, since showing his side as the secretive, enigmatic, manipulative magician, he's been able to try on the hats of villains, return to some roles on the true stage (his first love), and play the lead in a more serious political thriller.

Muriel had the opposite problem with his large build often precluding him from anything but action films. Since Arcana he's been able to try a few romantic lead parts, and has embraced his popularity by searching out meaningful mid-budget films where he can broaden his talents.

Julian is very tall, so he used to play quite a few more domineering, dastardly types in the films he did before Arcana. The show also brought him into the spotlight. He still does well as the sneering, dangerous, tall and dark type, but he's found that he can and is willing to push for playing something softer, someone who follows instead of leads in the on-screen dynamics. You and Ilya end up in a bodyguard type of drama at some point where he spends a lot of time on his knees swearing his devotion and playing a lot of subtext lol.

MC in this seems like they would have been a more experienced actor before taking on the linchpin role for Arcana, but the show granted you the experience to step into other roles both in front of and behind the camera and we'll probably see an MC directed and produced short film or indie film within the next few years!