#blair was seven when he found alli

[anradalikesfish]

wanna rifht smthn abt

but i SUCK at writing

ps their names are blair, allium, akita and chester, respectively

[thelonelywiz]

MY WRITING.

you are my only friend. i am undone without you.

Table for Two (2019)

Summary: Alex Winfrey, an anxious and selectively mute 16 year old boy, lives in Titusville, FL and works at his uncle’s diner called the Hotspot Diner as a busboy. After making friends with Jackson “Jax” Abrams, local jock and overachiever, the two boys grow closer and after some digging, Alex gets closer to finding out where his absent mother is and eventually runs away to NYC to find her, bringing his new friend along with him.

Format: novel

Genre: young adult, contemporary, coming of age

Themes: friendship, love, family

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, turning it into a live action tv show :)

The Poet Virgil (2022)

Summary: In a world where monsters and humans coexist, anything can happen. Especially in the brownstones of Brooklyn, New York City. 

The famous vampire poet, Virgil, lives with his roommate, Bea, a werewolf and former rock star drummer of BLUDHOUNDS turned grade school teacher. With his very last chapbook in the works and an award ceremony to attend, Virgil has a speech to write. But when his literary agent and best friend (and Bea’s on and off girlfriend), Calypso is found dead, he and Bea are spun into the world of murder mysteries and conspiracy. The threat of succumbing to their monstrosity increases as tensions and risks run higher, and Virgil and Bea must learn to face their grief together despite their differences. With the help of Bea’s brother, Seven; a fairy from the Bronx, Juno; an unlikely ally, and an eager human barista, a team of monsters (and Aaron) is just what the five boroughs need to defeat The Hunters once and for all. 

In this romantic comedy turned murder mystery, The Poet Virgil tells a story of death, love, and what it means to be seen as a monster.

Format: screenplay

Genre: urban fantasy

Themes: grief, justice, friendship, family, generational trauma, love, hope

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: COMPLETED, available to read, turning it into an animated tv show :)

What Her Name Wasn’t (2022)

Summary: A college student who can see ghosts befriends a ghost girl from the 50s after renting an apartment off campus, and they team up to figure out who killed her and her family (and she helps them get with their crush, wing woman style).

Format: novella in five parts

Genre: new adult, contemporary, mystery

Themes: friendship, death

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: COMPLETED, available to read

Drastic Times (2022)

Summary: Set in the late 90s that’s split into three perspectives. One story is of a pair of twins running from the law and their past, another is a housewife making the best of a bad situation, and the last is a “rookie” detective trying to get his friend back.

Detective KASPER MONTE makes a mad dash out of Los Angeles after pulling his sister out of the muck. Again. BLAIR MONTE, an infamous criminal, unfortunately can’t talk her way out of this one. The twins must drive across the country to a safe haven in the American Southwest, confront the dynamic they share, face their own identities, and find their place in the world.

States away in a holy rolling town in Missouri, DELIA WRIGHT struggles to break out of her shell and make the hardest decision of her life: run away for her and her daughter’s safety and threaten her tense relationship with God, or appease her abusive husband and keep up her good Christian lifestyle for everyone’s sake. 

Right on Kasper’s trail, Detective REX slowly unravels the twists and turns that is his friend’s past. Along the way, Rex encounters an orphan girl who’s seen more than she should, and as she tags along he must figure out what it means to have a family of his own, and if his mission is really worth it.

In this nonlinear NEO-NOIR film, one must either live with the consequences or learn to take some drastic measures.

Format: screenplay

Genre: neo-noir, crime drama

Themes: identity, family, morality, the cycle of violence, love, hope

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: COMPLETED, available to read (though i still need to edit it)

Into the Dead of Night (2023)

Summary: It’s the summer of 1877, the ending years of the American Frontier, and three lives are changed forever. A former slave turned poor cowpoke struggles to reconcile with his past mistakes, an immigrant with the voice of an angel finds love atop a horse and comradery among cowboys, and a seasoned cowgirl from an endangered tribe ventures out to take back what belongs to her. With manifest destiny on the rise and the string of murders leading back to the man who started it all, Bellamy has a choice to make: keep running or stop the trail of bodies in his wake.

Format: podcast

Genre: western, historical fiction, audio drama

Themes: magical realism, hope, family, love, friendship, identity, community, justice

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, written the first few episodes of season one

Deadwood (2023)

Summary: Eldritch horrors, ghosts, immortal entities, losing the ones you love, and the inherent humanity in survival.

Format: podcast

Genre: horror anthology

Themes: grief, hope, survival, death, love

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, written the first seven episodes of season one (1 story out of 9)

Let’s Live Anyway (2023)

Summary: After going to the surface to their war-torn world on their 18th birthday and experiencing the side effects of radiation poisoning, Claudia and Lex seriously contemplate taking their lives and grapple with what lead them into their suicide pact

Format: graphic novel

Genre: coming of age

Themes: hope, friendship, grief

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, brainstorming

Eve, Undone (2023)

Summary: *coming soon*

Format: novella trilogy

Genre: high fantasy

Themes: corruption, environmentalism, freedom, friendship, love, family, grief, hope, war

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, outlining + worldbuilding

The End of All Things (2023)

Summary: On the last day of senior year before summer vacation, the world ends. But that doesn’t matter because Veronica is in love with her best friend Ace, and no space meteors are gonna stop her from telling her how she feels

Format: short film

Genre: young adult, contemporary, apocalypse 

Themes: friendship

Inspo: playlist & pinterest board

Status: WIP, brainstorming

[frccdomfell]

So, this is only a little over 1600 words... I have a lot of people to thank.  I’ve had Stevie boy here for five months, but I’ve been around Tumblr rp for a long time and thought I’d take this opportunity to thank those of you that have been such lights this year. This year has been extremely hard for me for a number of reasons I won’t get into in this happy post! So, this is for those who were there for me this year:

My Main Peeps:

@liftingxrocks : firstly, i have to thank my incredible fiance. you were here every step of the way this year and it has made all the difference. i couldn’t have gotten through it without you and i’m so goddamn lucky i get to call you mine. proposing to you was easily the best thing i’ve ever done and when you said yes was the single best moment of my life. we met through rp and I love every character you try your hand at. thanks for being such a light in my life, babygirl. i love you.

@bytheanchor : b! you total fucking nerd. god, you’re the best! i’m so glad to call you my friend and you’re definitely one of my best online friends. you never fail to be positive and brighten my day. you’re so kind and encouraging. we talk practically every day. those two weeks you went away were SO BORING! i love all your characters so much, you know that. writing with you is easily one of my favourite past times. you are always just as excited and willing to write stuff as i am and i love it. thank you for being such an amazing friend.

@spitefulandspectacular : i mean you never check your tumblr notifications, but i don’t care. you were so important this year so you get a spot on the list. man, you were such a great roommate. we each had our things, but honestly i’m so happy my first real roommate was such a quality person. i miss ya like hell and can’t wait to see you real soon hopefully. thanks for being such a great friend and taking care of our boy. you’re a gem.

@mangohub : monroe, what can i even say? you’re such an incredible friend and i’m so thankful for you. anytime i’m dealing with anything you’re right there for me, ready to listen. i don’t think i’ve met a better writer in my entire life, no joke. i love your alec more than life itself and writing with you is always such a fulfilling experience. even jut plotting with you is so much goddamn fun. you’re such a bright and loving person. thanks for being one of the good things about my 2019.

@warricrsbcw : my mollee. hey hun. i just want to thank you for being such a stand up friend since we reconnected. you’ve been there for me every single time i’ve needed it and i hope i’ve been able to do the same. you’re such a sweet person and you deserve all the nice things. not to mention that i love your alec to hell and back! magnus would go to the ends of the earth for that boy.

@lcdgerbled : hayley, you are so awesome! I’m so lucky that when i left my magnus blog i was able to take you with me in a way. you’re such an insanely talented writer and an even better friend. you’ve been so great and always there if i need anyone to talk to about my ED. your natasha is perfect! steve adores her with his entire heart and wants to buy a place in a new york and have ten kids with her lol. thanks so much for making this year a little more bearable.

New Friends:

@divabarnes : so, you were actually the reason i remade my steve into a blog. he was just available on discord but you reignited my love for him. your bucky sparked my steve back to life and i can’t thank you enough. i love him so much. your writing is so in character and makes my jaw drop every time. i love writing with you (even though im slow and trash). thanks for everything you didn’t even know you did.

@ivorysatin : i know we haven’t known each other a super long time but i absolutely adore you! you’ve been so kind and friendly and you’re writing is PHENOMENAL! your magnus, anna and blair! i’m so in love with all your threads and verses. every time i see your blair i’m so tempted to remake my charles so you need to STOP! but, seriously, you’re such a friendly bean, thanks!

@semiistable : hello friend! so i know we literally just met like four days ago, but in that time i have totally fallen in love with your writing and you so freaking nice and chill. my steve is head over heels for your bucky, and writing with you never fails to make me smile. i hope we continue to be friends for a long time.

@mischieftomake : bonjour jas! so i’ve been dying to write a loki/steve pairing for so long but could never find anyone that clicked with my steve. and, i’m so lucky that the one who did also has such a phenomenal mun! you’re so much fun to plot with and to play around with what we want to do. i’m loving our soulmate verses so much! i hope we continue to become close in the new year!

@tcnystcrrk : thank you thank you thank you! i’m so happy we met and i feel so lucky to get to write with you. my steve just gravitates to your tony. you’re actually the only tony i’m properly active with. i just love plotting and writing with you. you’ve been so kind and excited and it’s made me so happy. i hope to write loads with you both ic and ooc in the new year. stay frosty.

@heyqxeens : beep boop. we don’t write a lot, and that’s mostly because i’ve been hella busy and whatnot. but, i love your peter. even without writing with you i’ve been heavily enjoying reading your other threads. honestly just the fact that you're on my dash makes a huge difference in my tumblr experience. also, we still need to do that thread where they both work at the bugle lol. hope your new year is full of fun.

@hcpefell : nyxie. again, i’ve been bad at keeping up bc life is super hectic right now but thank you so much for being part of the harder part of this year. the second half really took a lot out of me and meeting and writing with you really helped! i love how you write gwen and steve adores her. thank you so much!

Honorable Mentions: (a.k.a. those i stalk)

@stolenparticles : so hi! i’ve been following you since even before i had steve i believe. even when i never thought we’d write together (bc of the vastly different fandoms) i still needed to follow you. cassie is such an interesting and complex character and i love to see someone taking her and just running with it. i love to read all your threads on the dash, it’s always such a good time.

@stormweathered : we’ve chatted here and there, but i low key am IN LOVE with your characterization. your thor is so beautiful and on point! i read all of your answered memes when they show up because your writing is just so impressive. one day i’ll stop being a potato and actually get to work on saying a proper hello.

@kendolled : SOOOOO... i lowkey stalk your blog daily! you’re right up there with @ivorysatin making me want to remake charles. every single time i read your replies alli can see is mr. archibald. i swear, you encompass him so well. ive been rewatching gossip girl for the past seven months or so (bc im slow and easily distracted) and trust me when i say your nate is spot on! i read literally almost everything you post because it’s so perfect!

@spidaeyaunt : so i lowkey adore you. all the love and devotion you put into may is inspiring. i love reading your headcanons and i adore your threads with tonys and peters. but i think the big reason i follow you is your personality. i love seeing your ooc posts on the dash and your tags always make me laugh! keep it up, you cool cat.

@exposestruth & @smallvxlle : i grouped you together because i found you through each other. smallville was such a huge and important part of me growing up. it will forever be one of my top three shows. having both of you bring these characters to life has meant everything. makes me totally miss my ollie every time i read your individual threads. plus all the smallville gifsets on my dash make me SO HAPPY! 

@moqul : omg! your cat is FLAWLESS! i love reading your headcanons and your tags are always so freaking hilarious! i laugh so much whenever you’re on  the dash and it’s something i value so much. i love supergirl so much, i played kara for a while and i still play barry (since hes a cw super) and your cat is just perfect. i don’t think anyone else could do her the kind of justice you do.

@hakune : OH MY GOD!! your steve *holds chest* I just love him so much. you write so well and your passion for our boy comes through so clearly. i love reading your threads and just watching you interact on the dash is a blast. keep up the good work, fellow steve.

@madebythejungle : you are so fucking talented, wtf? to take such a cool and interesting character and just explode him into life is so impressive. i love reading your stuff whenever i come across it on the dash. one day i’ll get up the courage to actually come say hi, but until then have this little thank you. thank you for making my dash that much better.

[mspowerverse]

Power Rider Phantom

(Logo by Markolios and @riceyhot)

In a small city there is a cemetery filled to its capacity. In this cemetery in a house built to look like a mausoleum lives a young man named Terry. Orphaned at a young age Terry was raised by relatives. Terry is the caretaker of this cemetery and keeps all the tombstones clean, the weeds cut, chases off vandals and even helps people find ancestors or help with historical projects. His respect for the deceased earned him the friendship of a drifter he jokingly dubbed “Grim” who helps him maintain the cemetery. All is peaceful until the day the Graven rise. Grim explains that the Grim are restless spirits who cross back to the world of the living and take physical forms by possessing objects that had great value to them in life. Most of the Graven are the spirits of criminals or cruel people, however some are peaceful only seeking to finish their business before they can rest. Grim reveals himself as an aspect of death, the Grim Reaper himself. He gives Terry the task of defending the living from the undead by using the power of the dead. To do this he bestows him with a belt and an object he calls a Soul Sphere. Within this sphere he explains is the soul of a Hero forgotten by history. He also grants him a Sphere with the Soul of the Stallion to ride into battle. Thus Terry becomes Power Rider Phantom!

Name: Terry Hollows Age: 21 Personality/Bio: Terry is seen as a cheery guy, helpful to most, his family maintained the cemetery in the city for years, and he’s helped maintain it. Terry was orphaned at a young age, and has been cared for by family members. His respect for the departed earned him the respect of the reaper itself. Face Claim: Joel Courtney When Terry calls on the Soul of the Hero he gains their speed, strength, and power. Furthermore he gains the ability to float as well as become incorporeal for short periods of time. In battle he can charge his attacks with spectral energy. During his battles with the Graven Terry finds a way to call upon more Soul Spheres, by calling upon souls of the fallen he can gain further power. During an early case he meets Clarissa (Pauley Perrette), a self proclaimed expert of the occult and paranormal, the two connect quickly and on their first date Terry is forced to transform to deal with a Graven. After that she becomes a means of support and research. Transformation Device: Soul Belt Transformation Call: I Call on the Soul of the Hero! Let’s Ride! “Let’s Go Hero! PHANTOM!” Transformation: Ghostly energy engulfs him forming the armor as the Soul of the Hero forms and joins with him Finishing Moves: Rider Soul Kick/Punch/Slash/Blast- Attacks charged with the power of the Hero Weapon: Phantom Sword- Sword with multiple forms Vehicle: Ghoul Cycle- By activating the Stallion Soul Sphere Terry summons a ghostly horse. When he gives the horse the Sphere it transforms into the Ghoul Cycle

The first Soul Sphere Terry summons is that of the Samurai. This form grants him incredible skill with the sword. Transformation Call: “Draw your blade! SAMURAI!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Slash

By calling on the soul of the Inventor Terry is able to charge his attacks with the power of electricity. Transformation Call: “Brilliant idea! INVENTOR!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Blast

When Terry calls on the soul of the Archer he gains their skill with the bow as well as the ability to temporarily split himself into an army of clones for a massive wave of arrows. Transformation Call: “Shoot the arrow! ARCHER!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Arrow

The soul of the Scientist grants Terry increased intellect as well as control over gravity. Transformation Call: “Make the discovery! SCIENTIST!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Crush

The Musicians soul gives Terry the ability to compose music to attack his enemies. Transformation Call: “Compose the masterpiece! MUSICIAN!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Melody

When calling upon the soul of the Outlaw Terry gains his skill with the gun. Transformation Call: “Yeehaw! OUTLAW!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Blast

The peaceful soul of the Monk grants Terry incredible fortitude and might as well as an array of weapons to call upon. Transformation Call: “Peaceful fighter! MONK!” Finishing Move: Rider Soul Smash

As the battle against the Graven grows more intense Grim gives Terry a special Soul Sphere containing the soul of a great Warrior. This power increases his strength speed and stamina immensely. This form also charges his attacks with ghostly flame.

Transformation Call: “Ignite the flames of War! WARRIOR!” Finishing Moves: Rider Warrior Kick/punch/slash/blast- Attacks charged with ghostly flame Weapon: Warrior GunBlade

Calling on the soul of the Kabuki grants Terry the power of illusions. Terry prefers to use this Sphere alongside the Warrior power. Transformation Call: “Perform on stage! KABUKI!” Finishing Move: Rider Warrior Blade

The soul of the Rebel bestows Terry with their skill in battle and their proficiency with firearms. Transformation Call: “Rise up! REBEL!” Finishing Move: Rider Warrior Pistol

Terry gains mystic power when he calls on the soul of the Shaman and his attacks are charged with this power too. Transformation Call: “Mystic might! SHAMAN!” Finishing Move: Rider Warrior Spell

Even with the power of the Warrior the battle against the Graven continues to intensify. Grim reveals that there is a way to combine the power of the Soul Spheres but it is not easy to do so. All of the Souls (including the Spheres the other riders possess) must be in unison otherwise the power is lost. Terry manages to unite them and gain the power of the Reaper. This form allows Terry to summon the souls to fight by his side. Transformation Call: “Unite the souls! REAPER!” Finishing Moves: Rider Reaper Kick/punch/slash/blast- Attacks charged by the souls.

During a near death experience after a particular brutal battle Terry meets the souls of his parents. They reveal that he has been ignoring his own soul thus far. They cause him to realize that every soul from every person has incredible and infinite power within it. Returning to the battlefield Terry calls on this power and unlocks his strongest form, Phantasm. Transformation Call: I call on the infinite power of the human soul! “The light of paradise! PHANTASM!” Finishing Moves: Rider Phantasm Kick/punch/slash/arrow/blast/smash- Attacks charged with the infinite power of the human soul

Name: Marcus Warren Age: 22 Personality/Bio: Marcus is a paranormal detective, searching for the ghost of his brother. He often ends up revealing the phenomena as hoaxes or misunderstandings. When the Graven began to attack he stepped up as Power Rider Spirit to defend the living. He is angered that the Graven are able to return, having lived their lives full of greed and cruelty, while his brother, who lived his life full of kindness and willingness to help others, cannot. Marcus, originally antagonistic toward Terry, has formed a best friendship, almost sibling-like, bond with Terry. Face Claim: Dabier

Transformation Device: Soul Belt Transformation Call: I call on the Soul of Truth! Let’s Ride! “Let’s Go Hero! SPIRIT!” Transformation: Ghostly energy engulfs him forming the armor as the Soul of Truth unites with him Finishing Moves: Rider Spirit Kick/punch/slash/blast- Attacks charged by ghostly energy Weapon: Spirit Staff- A staff with multiple forms Vehicle- Poltergeist Cycle, summoned using the Soul of Speed

Like Terry Marcus is able to summon more Soul Spheres, such as the soul of the Warlord. In battle this soul grants Marcus incredible strategy and firepower. Transformation Call: “Command the troops! WARLORD!“ Finishing Move: Rider Spirit Barrage

By calling on the soul of the Pharaoh Marcus gains its ancient power. Transformation Call: “Chosen by the sun! PHARAOH!“ Finishing Move: Rider Spirit Exile

The illusive soul of the Magician allows Marcus to use illusions and magic tricks to defeat his foes. Transformation Call: “Abracadabra! MAGICIAN!” Finishing Move: Rider Spirit Trick

When Marcus is finally able to contact his brothers spirit and make peace with his death he unlocks a new Soul Sphere. The power of the Medium grants Marcus incredible ghostly power. Transformation Call: “Seek the truth! MEDIUM!” Finishing Moves: Rider Medium Kick/punch/slash/blast- attacks charged with even greater ghostly power Weapon: Medium GunBlade

During a raid on a Graven temple Marcus discovers a talisman charged with seven spiritual elements. Taking it he is able to transform into Spectral! Transformation Call: “I call on the elements of the spirit!” “Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, Wood, Metal! SPECTRAL!” Finishing Moves: Rider Spectral Kick/Punch/Slash/Blast- Attacks charged with the spiritual elements Weapon: Spectral BlasterRod

Name: Allan Blaire Age: 30 Personality/Bio: Allan is terminally ill. In order for more time spent among the living, the Graven gave him the ability to become Power Rider Lich in exchange for the defeat of the Power Riders. However, Allan failed time and time again, and so, the Graven betrayed him. After the Graven’s betrayal, Allan was left to ally himself with the Riders. Knowing he didn’t have much time left, Allan redeemed himself and atoned for his sins. Not long after atoning, he passed away, but before passing, he passed his Lich powers to a young woman, Alice, a friend of the Riders. Face Claim: Thomas Dekker

Name: Alice Briars Age: 25 Personality/Bio: A young woman Alice is confident in who she is. As a trans woman, Alice has fought for everything she has, and won’t back down from a challenge. She found out about Terry’s secret when she was attacked by a Graven, and soon after Allan’s death, became Lich. Face Claim: Gigi Lazzarato As Lich Alice has the same powers as Allan did however his own soul empowers her now. Transformation Device: Soul Gauntlet Transformation Call: I call on the souls of the dead! Let’s Ride! “Rise the dead! LICH!” Transformation: Allan- ghostly energy engulfs him forming the armor as the souls of the dead unite with him. Alice- Ghostly energy engulfs her forming the armor as Allan’s soul unites with her. Finishing Moves: Rider Lich Kick/Punch/Slash/Blast- Attacks charged by spectral energy Weapon: Lich Staff (Alice only)- A staff with multiple forms

Like the other Riders Allan/Alice are able to call on the power of Soul Spheres. In this case the power of the Author grants them increased range in battle by using the pens on their shoulders as tendrils. Transformation Call: “Write the classics! AUTHOR!“ Finishing Move: Rider Lich Strike

The soul of the Pilgrim gives Allan/Alice increased spiritual power in battle and can call on three familiars to aid in combat. Transformation Call: “Follow the path of peace! PILGRIM!” Finishing Move: Rider Lich Slice

During an intense battle Alice calls upon as many souls as she can and they unite to form a new Soul Sphere containing the power of the Wraith giving her even greater power. Transformation Call: “Many souls as one! WRAITH!” Finishing Move: Wraith Wrath! Power Rider Racer/Phantom: A ghost claiming to be the true inventor of the Evoloids appears and begins attacking demanding rightful credit. It’s up to Karen, Terry and the other Riders to find out if this ghost is truly the inventor or if they’re lying. (Bios by @dream-chef-flavors and @rosegrl18) Previous   Powerverse   Next

[riseandshinelittleblossom]

Cordonian Nights Ch 3

Next installment of the Cordonian Nights AU.

Summary: Ember finally reveals her history with Maxwell.

WARNING: mention of miscarriage which may be an emotional trigger for some.

Disclaimer: I dont own the characters, except my ocs. Credit to PB

Tagging: @fullbeaumonty @blackwidow2721 @cocomaxley @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @bobasheebaby @leelee10898 @brightpinkpeppercorn @speedyoperarascalparty @ao719 @katurrade @hopefulmoonobject @ritachacha @stopforamoment @choiceslife @gibbles82 @dancetothestoriesinyoursoul

         “Em, hold that thought.” Whitney said flagging down the waitress. “We're gonna need another round of mimosas.” She said.

     “Make it two more. Things are about to get heavy, I think.” Blair piped up, rubbing Ember's back.

     “ Okay. Before I start I think it goes without saying I expect there to be no grudge holding against Maxwell. Deal? We all have to see him and work with him, so I've not said anything before now to keep everyone professional at the sins.”

“I make no promises.” Sky commented, sipping her drink. Whitney and Blair both glared at her.

“What? Bitches, I can hold a grudge. I’m just sayin.”

Ember could feel their eyes like lasers burning holes through her in anticipation.

“Whenever you’re ready, Em.” Allison told her.

Ember took a deep breath, gathering her ginger locks and pulling them over her shoulder.

“Ok, so about ten months ago I found out I was pregnant. I told Maxwell, and he seemed really excited. I think it made him feel obligated to propose though, because about two weeks later he did.”

“Wait, what do you mean ‘were pregnant?’ What happened?” Whitney questioned, shaking her head in confusion.

“Well...I lost the baby.” Ember’s hands fell to her lap, and she stared into them feeling as though she’d been hit in the stomach.

       A sympathetic chorus of “I'm sorries” whirled around her head making her dizzy. She closed her eyes to steady herself before taking a long pull of her mimosa.

“How did we miss that, guys?” Allison asked slumping back in her chair. “We should’ve known something was up with you, Ember.”

“Well do you guys remember when I had that really bad stomach flu? Maxwell told me you all stopped by to check on me. Really I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. Especially after the D&C. I was devastated.”

“Em, I don’t know what to say.” Blair stated, her face awash with a mixture of sympathy and betrayal.

Ember looked at her, silently pleading with her to not be angry. This was the first thing she’d ever kept from Blair in their entire twenty-year friendship.

“Oh, sweetheart. You did this all alone?” Sky piped up gripping the redhead’s hand.

“Why didn't you tell us? We could’ve helped.” Allison’s voice, dripping with sympathy.

“I wasn’t alone. I had Max, and he never left my side. He fed me, held me..hell he even bathed me.” Ember shook her head, embarrassed. “But I didn't want him. I didn't want anyone. So I pushed him. I pushed him as far away as possible. Yelled at him. Called him unspeakable things...it wasn’t my finest hour.”

Whitney cocked her head slightly. “What do you mean you pushed him?”

“I told him that I needed some space; that we needed to take a break. Told him it wouldn't be forever, I just needed to fix my head.”

Allison spun her engagement ring on her finger, lost in thought. “Makes sense. What did he say?”

“He said he would give me everything. Whatever I needed. But also that he didn’t understand why it had to be us taking a break. At least I thought it was only a break.”

“And Maxwell didn’t?” Sky asked, scowling.

“He just went buck wild. You all have seen him. That’s when all the partying started. All the booze and the women he’s had…” Ember’s voice trailed off, cracking at the end.

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Maxwell!” Sky huffed crossing her arms over her chest with an eye roll.

“Em, have you tried talking to him? Explaining how you feel?” Whitney pressed, passing a napkin towards Ember.  She accepted it, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She took a deep breath and fanned her face. ‘Enough with the water works.’ she thought.

“Well, no.”

“I’m gonna kill him.” Sky seethed

“I’ll help.” Blair declared

“The fuck you guys will! There won’t be anything left of him when I’m finished with him.” Allison snarled.

“Simmer down, guys. His behavior is not okay, but he was grieving too. ” Whitney said.

“I thought that may have been the case too, but then it dawned on me...what if...whatif i never meant as much to him as he means to me?”

“I don’t think that’s possible,Ember.” Whitney told her.

“I’m sure it's not, I mean we all saw they way he looked at you, the way you still look at him. You guys were together for seven years,hun.” Blair said.

“He just seemed to be over me so easily. I mean, I broke things off but clearly he’s made his choice.”

“Wait,” Sky waved her arms, making a “T” with her hands. “You guys haven't hooked up again have you?”

Allison elbowed Sky, giving her a stern look.

“No, Sky, we haven’t.”

“Good. Stupid fucker.”

“Yeah, he doesn't deserve you.” Blair agreed.

“If you still want a relationship with him, you’ve got to tell him that. His behavior isn't necessarily his feelings.” Whitney explained as Sky rolled her eyes again.

“Bullshit Whit! Just be mad with us. She needed him and he just bailed. Even if she told him to go, Max should’ve known better.”

      Ember drained her second mimosa, reaching for her third. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Its awkward when we’re alone. And I’m not sure I’m ready to hear him tell me that it's over for him, ya know?”

     “But what if it's not over for him? And even if it is, would you rather sit here and watch him continue to throw himself at everything in a skirt? Wouldn't you like closure?” Whitney asked.

   “And still get to sit here and watch him throw himself at everything in a skirt?” Ember rolled her eyes, lip quivering.

   “I hate that Whitney's always right, but she is.” Blair quipped, opting against the second mimosa since she was driving.

    “I know. I promise I will talk to him eventually.”

    “And when that time comes, honey, please know that we're all here for you.” Sky said, giving Allison a side eye.

   “Yeah, Em. You never have to walk alone again.” Allison reassured.

********************

         The sun was just starting to set as the ladies parted ways; Sky was meeting Liam for dinner and Ember was heading to Blair's for some extra cheering up.

    Allison grabbed Whitney pulling her aside.

    “I need a favor outta you.”

    “Anything, Allie. What's up?”

    “It's just you've always been the level-headed one and I need you to make sure I don't completely lose grip.”

   Allison motioned toward her car and they both got in.

   “Where are we going, Al?” Whitney quirked a suspicious brow.

**************

       Maxwell laid across his couch, staring at the ceiling. Sunday nights were always the hardest for him. With the Sins being closed, he didn't have to work which left him ample time to think, always about his Emmy.

     He sat up and grabbed his glass, the few fingers of scotch he'd poured almost gone. He refilled it, taking a sip just as he heard the knock.

     “Open up, Maxwell. I know you're home.” He heard Allison's voice.

    He crossed the living room and opened the door to find Allie and Whitney.

   “Hey guys. Wanna come in?” he asked stepping aside. Allison marched in purposefully, Whitney pausing to give Maxwell a quick hug as she entered.

    “Are you fucking stupid, Max?!” Allison began spinning on her heels to face him.

    Maxwell looked puzzled, cocking his head to the side as he closed the door.

   “It's nice to see you too, Allie.” He said.

        Whitney stared hard at Maxwell. He wasn't wearing a shirt, which was rare, but something caught her eye. There was a  shiny smudge on his left ribcage, and she stepped closer, reading the words “All the days of our lives, til I'm ninety-nine” in small, delicate script. Just below it were the letters “E.N.M.”

        “Ember Nicole Madden.” She muttered. “Max, is this new?”

      Whitney reached out, her fingers grazing the slightly raised skin.

    “Hey! That tickles.” He chuckled, batting her hand away.

    “Til I'm ninety-nine. Wasn't that you and Ember's song? ‘Til I'm ninety-nine’ by Nathan Angelo? I remember because Em always played it on the jukebox at the Sins. Drake would always poke fun and ask her 'whatif you both live to be one hundred?’”

    “Yeah. That's our song.” He gave her a  half smile.

    “Eyes on me, Max. I'm not done with you! How could you be so stupid? Parading around with other women, drinking, acting like a moron? Did you not take Em's feelings into consideration?” Allison shouted, starting to pace.

   Maxwell blinked, unable to comprehend why the woman before him was so angry.

     “What are you talking about? Em's feelings? She broke up with me remember? This is what she wanted.”

     Suddenly he felt very defensive. He could feel a rage bubbling within him, just below the surface.

    “Yeah, because she was hurting. She lost a child Maxwell. Your child. You really are a clueless idiot aren't you?” The woman scoffed. Whitney shot her a warning glance and she took a deep breath.

  “Wait, what are you…? Did you just find out about this?” He asked, finally finding some clarity. If he was honest with himself he was surprised that this conversation hadn't happened sooner.

     “She told us about what happened.  She ended things to clear her head and you got into the pants of the first easy bimbo you laid eyes on. And then every time you parade one around, you break her heart even more. Get your head out of your ass Maxwell!”

     “Yeah. She lost a baby, Allie. But I lost a baby and her. Did that ever occur to you? Did it ever occur to her? Em just needed an out. You didn't hear the things she said to me...she wanted out of that relationship. She asked for space, so I gave it to her. Even though it killed me to walk away...and besides who I sleep with is none of your business or hers.” Now Maxwell was shouting, Allison taking a step back, unprepared for it. Maxwell always rolled with the punches, was always down for anything, but he rarely raised his voice.

   A part of him was glad that he and Ember had surrounded themselves with people that cared for them so much, but another part was pissed off that she had clearly only told the ladies half of the story.

   “Now I have to live with that everyday. Somehow I couldn't be what she needed.”

   “But that's the thing Maxwell, you walked away too easily. You were both hurting, I get that, but you made her feel like you never cared at all. And it may not be my business who you sleep with, but if you want her back, it's damn sure hers. She loves you, Dumbass.”

    Allison threw her hands up in frustration, Whitney placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

   Maxwell raked his hands through his hair before he continued. “Loved. You mean she loved me right?”

    The words were sorrowful, barely audible as they fell from his lips. He could feel tears stinging his eyes, allowing a few to roll down his cheek because he was so exhausted from holding them back all these months.

    “I walked away because she asked me to, Allison. I would've moved heaven and Earth to take away her pain, but she didn't want that. She didn't want me anymore. So yes, maybe I walked away too easily, but I never meant to hurt her. I'd die first. I'm just trying to deal with things the only way I know how: forget. I thought she's been forgetting about me too…” he choked out.

     “I should smack you upside your head. No Maxwell, she still loves you. You'd see that if you'd open your damn eyes and stay sober for five minutes.”

     “Then why are you here and not her?” He spat. He knew her intentions were good, still he really wanted to slap her.

     “Because, A. She is stubborn and she thinks you've moved on and B... she doesnt know I'm here... so don't tell her or I will kick your ass.” Allison sighed, poking his bare chest at the finish.

    “I... I wish she would have told me. I mean look around you, everything is exactly like she left it. This is her living room. Its still her home. I haven't moved on, I'm surviving.”

    Whitney's eyes darted around the room, then met Allison's who did the same. The couches had been Ember's in college.

    Allison remembered going with Ember to pick out the chandelier which hung over the small dining table.

   Whitney nodded towards the framed photo collage hanging above the mantle.

   There was a picture of Em and Max playing beer pong. One of them waving wildly at the camera, smiles smeared across their faces. The two of them kissing at Drake and Whitney's wedding reception after she'd caught the bouquet.

    Maxwell looked over at the frame, wiping a hand down his face.

    “Look, Allie, I...I uh.. appreciate you caring enough about Emmy to come here like this, but if you're done reminding me how much I screwed up the only good thing about my life I'd um...I wanna be alone if that's okay.”

   Allison's heart sank. She had been so busy being angry with him, the thought that Max may be hurting just as much had never crossed her mind. She could see now that he was, and she crossed the floor pulling him into a tight hug.

   “Max, I'm sorry. we all love you. This whole thing with you guys...it broke our hearts too. We just want to fix it. So fix it, Max.” She told him as she and Whitney headed for the door.

*************

      Leo was staring at a stack of spreadsheets. Liam had always been the business side of the business, but now that he and Allison were engaged Leo was trying to take a more active role in his finances. Which, if he was understanding correctly, didn't look good.

    The Seven Deadly Sins was drowning, floundering thanks to Enigma; and he had no back up plan. The Sins was the plan. If it went under….well he didn't wanna think about that.

    He shuffled the papers, making a mental note to meet with Liam and Blair in the next few days. Checking his phone he saw a text from Allison. She and Whitney had gone to run an errand but she'd be home soon.

   He smiled to himself just thinking about her. All that he wanted was to be able to take care of her. Glancing back at the spreadsheets he sighed lacing his fingers together and laying them on his head.

     He wondered for the hundredth time if he should ask Allison to push back the wedding. Her parents were paying for the ceremony, sure, but what about afterward? Could he really stand before all of their family and friends and vow to honor her and care for her knowing that he didn't have a way to do that if things didn't work out with this bar?

********************

    *6 years ago-Drake and Whitney's Party*

     After a few drinks, Allison's attitude had softened towards Leo considerably. They found themselves  in the VIP booth with Maxwell and Ember.

    “I've got to say, I'm a bit surprised that we haven't met before now. I mean Max here follows Liam like a puppy, and Ember is always with Max. Are you guys not close with each other?” Leo asked, desperate to learn more about her.

    Allison threw her arm around Ember's neck. “Me and Em and Whitney and Max all had Cordonian history together sophomore year.” she beamed.

   “Yeah. We had a study group. Drake and Max were close and so were Blair and I so we'd all meet up after school. Sometimes Liam would come.” Ember shrugged.

    “Yeah, Mr private school, Liam.” Allison giggled.

   “You remember how bad you crushed on him?” Maxwell asked with a laugh and Allison blushed.

   “That was a loooooong time ago, Max. Liam is too stuffy for my taste. We’re just friends.”

  Leo felt an inexplicable tinge of jealousy hearing that Allison had once been attracted to his little brother.

   The way her chocolate locks framed her face is the low club lighting captivated Leo. He was beyond intrigued by her, and he couldn't wait to learn more.

    “So Leo. What do you do? Who's Leo in the daylight?”  Allison asked, leaning her face on her hand, propped on the table.

   “In the daylight? Leo sleeps. I live the night life.” He chuckled gesturing around the room.

  “Right now I'm a bartender by trade, but I have big dreams.”

   “Yeah, Leo and Liam want to move to Ramsford to open their own bar.” Ember stated, laying her head on Max's shoulder with a yawn.

   “An entrepreneur?” Allison asked. “You know that's risky. Most small businesses fold up within the first five years.”

   “Not my bar. I'm telling you...you laugh, but it's gonna be great. I'm gonna ride that wave to retirement.” He quipped while Allison giggled.

  “Yeah? You sound confident. I'll make you a deal. If your bar is still open after a year, I'll come work for you. Any position you choose.”

   Leo quirked an eyebrow. “I am confident, but I'm also right, so I'll take your deal, Allison Morgan. I look forward to working with you.”

*******************************

       Ember and Blair stood in the middle of Blair and Ollie's living room, almost too drunk to accomplish even that. They were giggling when Ollie opened the door, music blaring from the TV as karaoke style lyrics displayed across the screen.

    “Go on now go! Walk out the door! Just turn around now cuz you're not welcome anymore! Weren't you the one who tried to break me with goodbye? Think I'd crumble? Think I'd lay down and die? Oh no not I. I will survive!” They both belted loudly and out of key into hairbrushes.

    Ollie laughed. “What's all this?”

   “Ollie!” Blair shouted, clumsily making her way to throw her arms around his neck. His hands roamed over her curvaceous body, settling on her hips as he planted a chaste kiss on her lips.

     Slowly the smile melted from Ember's lips. “Hey Big Ben.” She said. “I...uh I think it's time for me to go.”

She gathered her phone from the table.

   “Aw Em, you can stay.” Ollie said.

   She shook her head. “You guys have been apart all day. It's your turn to enjoy Blair's company. I'll just call a cab.”

   “No. C'mon Em. At least let me drive you since I ruined your party.”

      They approached a red light and Ember bit her lip. “Just keep straight here, Ol.” She said and Ollie gave her a side glance.

    “Your flat is that way.” He hurled a thumb to his left.

   “I don't wanna go to 'my flat.’ Can you please take me to Maxwell's?”

   Ember thanked Ollie, exiting the car and promising to call him and Blair in the morning. She faced the building swaying a bit from the alcohol as she fiddled with her keys.

   She reached Maxwell's apartment, sliding the key in the door. She was shocked when the door unlocked and she let herself into his darkened living room.

   She crept toward his bedroom, the path there memorized long ago. She pushed open the door and stood in the doorway, listening to the sound of his bathroom faucet running.

    Maxwell, obviously hearing the loud creak of the door opening, exited the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and his eyes went wide as he held up one finger. He stepped back into the bathroom to spit and rinse and he reappeared patting his mouth on a towel.

    “H-hey, Emmy. What are you doing here?”

    She slapped her hand with the house key, her eyes roaming around his bedroom- their bedroom- exactly as it had been when she left.

   “You didn't change your locks.”

    “Why would I? You're always welcomed here.” He scoffed shaking his head. “We're still friends, right?”

    Ember parted her lips as if to respond, but instead she said nothing, her hazel eyes meeting his across the distance between them. She stared at him for a long time, both of the silent. Her eyes wandered the smooth plains of his muscular chest- lingering on his brand new ink for just a moment- down his defined torso and lower the familiar bulge in his boxers briefs causing her to involuntarily lick her lips.

    “I'm up here, Emmy.” He laughed motioning upward with his hand.

    She shook her head and walked over to him, her steps slightly wobbly. Without warning she shoved him against the bathroom door, her lips crashing against his feverishly.

   He deepened the kiss almost immediately, his tongue sliding over her lips to find hers. She tasted like orange juice and champagne and Maxwell couldn't get enough as he spun her, pinning her to the door with his body, cupping her face in his hands.

    After a moment he pulled away, resting his forehead on hers. Her eyes were still closed as he whispered. “Emmy, what are you..?”

    She placed a finger over his lips to quiet him finally peering into his questioning eyes. “I've missed you, Max.” She said stepping out of her heels, now dwarfed by the man before her. She kicked them aside and grabbed his wrists pulling him towards the bed. “I want to show you. Make love to me, Max.”

    He reached up and twisted the skin of his pectoral, wincing audibly and Ember cocked her head to the side.

   “Yep, not dreaming.” He commented, his hand tangling in her hair as his lips claimed hers once more.

    He breathed her in deeply as they tumbled onto the bed, bodies tangled with one another. He hesitated.

    He'd been waiting for so long to hear her say those words to him again, but it didn't feel right.

    “Emmy, we can't do this.” He rolled to her side as she sat up, her face scrunched in confusion.

   “You'll fuck any bimbo with a pulse except me, is that it?” She hissed, sitting up and flipping her hair over her shoulder.

     Maxwell's face fell. He gently took her hand and placed a kiss on her inner wrist, rubbing his face against her fingers.

    “Sunshine, I would love to do this, don't get me wrong, but...I don't want you to regret it. Clearly you're…”

   “I'm what, Maxwell? What am I?” She shouted as her face flushed.

   “Drunk, Emmy. You're drunk. Look, I'd give my left arm to feel you like that again, but not tonight. Not like this.” He shook his head, rising from the bed.

   Ember averted her eyes, ashamed of herself. “I'm sorry. You must think…”

     “I think it's definitely time we had this discussion so,” he began turning down the blankets on what used to be her side of the bed. “ I want you to stay. I'll take the couch. We can talk over coffee.”

[gambithq]

the spy

name: Nightjar gender, pronouns: trans man, he/him race: half elf alignment: chaotic neutral age: 68 faceclaim: Blair Redford

STR (10)    DEX (15)    CON (11)   INT (12)   WIS (08)   CHA (13)

for a long time, the High Lord of Urnundr’s court was home the way no other place had ever been for Nightjar. even his name had been gifted by the lord. to leave a life he had grown to accept was not an easy thing. but to follow orders to assassinate the lord’s son, the one person Nightjar had truly cared for in the orcs’ court, was impossible. no promise of life could convince the other to leave his home, though, and fear of death kept Nightjar from staying. he was skilled enough, after all, to escape without notice, to seamlessly integrate himself into the mismatch group of travelers, to build a new life, build new trust. and for a little more than a year, it worked. until he noticed the shadow that followed him. for a time, he thought he could continue to outrun them, but it became clear quickly that Imsh’s assassin was just as skilled as him. so he planned to leave the Gambit in the dead of night, knowing his life put the rest of the others at risk, but he hesitated; gave himself the mercy of the goodbye he had not gotten at Imsh’s court. the assassin struck silently before the goodbye could leave his lips.

that was where Nightjar’s story should have ended, but it continued. seven years later, locked in conflict with surrounding cities with no allies left, no heir, Imsh changed his mind. and so he tore his favorite spy from death, from rot. from peace. because wherever it was he had ended up, it was bliss. no pain, no fear, no doubt. a comfort beyond any found in life. and it hurt to be taken from it, greater pain than death even, to be pulled from paradise. it changed him at his core. to open his eyes again and see the face of the one who ordered his death, who asked him to kill his own son, leering over him, pleased to have his perfect spy back, it broke something. the will to defy had vanished, all of the beauty of the Fade felt dull and bleak after having experienced such perfect bliss.

perhaps worse, he had not come back the perfect spy he once was. the necromancer was unpracticed, the spell imperfect, a blight settling in as life came back. the disease seemed to feed off of any living magic left in his body, any living magic he came in contact with, his veins turning blacker with each passing day as the magic was taken from him. when it became clear he was no longer as strong as he had been before, no longer able to perform the magic that had put him above the other spies, broken by the resurrection, Imsh commanded him to find a cure as quickly as possible, and then return to him, picking up what information he could while he searched. as Nightjar searched, though, he realized that the disease would do more than take his talent, it would take his well being, slowly turning him into the true undead. while he no longer fears death, he prays to any god that will listen that the next time, he might remain dead. and he plans to destroy Imsh’s rule from the inside out, just as the disease threatens to do to him, before he does.

played by Roman (they/them)

[berniesrevolution]

Seven years after the popular uprising against Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and the NATO intervention that removed him from power, Libya is extremely fractured and a source of regional instability. But while Congress has heavily scrutinized the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi a year after Gaddafi’s overthrow and death, there has been no U.S. investigation into the broader question of what led the U.S. and its allies to intervene so disastrously in Libya.

However, a corruption investigation into former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is opening a new window into little-known motivations in the NATO alliance that may have accelerated the rush to oust the Libyan dictator.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is welcomed by Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi at his Bab al-Azizia compound during an official visit to Tripoli, Libya, on July 25, 2007

Last month, French police detained and questioned Sarkozy about illicit payments Gaddafi is said to have made to Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential election campaign. A few days after Sarkozy was released from detention, he was ordered to stand trial for corruption and influence-peddling in a related case, in which he had sought information on the Gaddafi inquiry from an appeals court judge. The scandal has highlighted a little-appreciated bind that Sarkozy faced in the run-up to the Libyan intervention: The French president, who took the lead among Europeans in the military campaign against Gaddafi, was eager to compensate for diplomatic blunders in Tunisia and Egypt and most likely angry about an arms deal with Gaddafi that went awry. Sarkozy, it now appears, was eager to shift the narrative to put himself at the forefront of a pro-democracy, anti-Gaddafi intervention.

Libya today is divided between three rival governments and a myriad of armed groups backed by external powers like the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Security gaps have allowed terrorist groups to step up operations there and permitted a flow of weapons across the Sahara, contributing to destabilizing the Sahel region of northern Africa. The lack of political authority in Tripoli has also opened the door for the migrant crisis in Europe, with Libya serving as a gateway for migrants to escape Africa via the Mediterranean Sea. Although far fewer people have died in the Libyan conflict than in Iraq or Syria, the problems Libya faces seven years after NATO’s fateful intervention are no less complex, and often have more direct impact on Europe than what’s happening in Syria and Iraq.

A History of Corruption

The story of Sarkozy’s strange relationship with Gaddafi begins in 2003, when the United Nations lifted harsh sanctions against Libya that were imposed in the wake of the Lockerbie bombing.

After the sanctions were gone, Gaddafi looked to foster a cleaner, more legitimate image in Western circles. He found particularly eager suitors in British oil and gas companies, as well as Tony Blair, then the British prime minister, who saw lucrative business possibilities in the country. Libyan spy agencies also closely collaborated with MI6, their British counterpart, under the broad umbrella of counterterrorism.

France was also developing a close business and intelligence relationship with Libya. In 2006, Gaddafi bought a surveillance system from a French company, i2e, which boasted about its close ties with Sarkozy, who at the time was France’s interior minister. In 2007, after he was elected president, Sarkozy received Gaddafi for a five-day state visit, Gaddafi’s first trip to France in over 30 years.

(Continue Reading)

[plusorminuscongress]

New story in Politics from Time: House Impeachment Managers Gird for Uphill Battle In Senate Trial

Over the long weekend, House impeachment managers huddled in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office in the heart of the Capitol, hammering out the strategy to make their case against President Donald Trump on the Senate floor on Wednesday. They honed and filed documents arguing why their colleagues in Congress must vote to remove Trump from office, and took turns standing at the lectern on the Senate floor where they would make their historic case.

Handpicked by Pelosi to argue the House Democrats’ case in Trump’s impeachment trial, the group of seven impeachment managers—Reps. Jason Crow, Val Demings, Sylvia Garcia, Hakeem Jeffries, Zoe Lofgren, Jerry Nadler and Adam Schiff—include experienced litigators, prosecutors, and judges. Between them, they’ve been in public office for decades, taken part in at least three previous impeachment trials and logged time at the country’s top corporate law firms.

But in their jobs this week, they are in uncharted territory. As they begin their allotted 24 hours of opening arguments, they will try to convince lawmakers—and the public tuning in to the proceedings—that Trump’s actions are such a danger to American democracy that he must no longer serve as President. They are arguing that he not only abused the power of his office to withhold aid to a foreign ally in exchange for a political investigation into a rival, but that he upset the balance of power laid out by the founding fathers by refusing to cooperate in the House’s impeachment inquiry.

In an era of intense political polarization, that is no small task. To succeed, they must persuade at least 20 Republican Senators to take the difficult vote of convicting and removing a President from office who remains exceedingly popular with his base.

Politically, few in Washington are under the illusion that the seasoned group of lawyers and politicians can pull it off, regardless of how strong their legal arguments may be. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been saying for months that he does not foresee a scenario where his majority splits to give the managers the votes they need need to convict Trump. This challenge was on display Tuesday, during 12 hours of debate about the rules that will govern the trial. Since Senators are prohibited from speaking on the floor when the trial is in session, it fell on the impeachment managers to advocate for the 11 amendments offered by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer seeking to include witnesses and documents in the trial. Every vote failed along party lines.

“They know the subject matter, they have anticipated the opponents and they’ve been hitting all the right answers, but obviously [McConnell] has a grip on his caucus,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, during a break in the debate. “”We’ve known from the start they have an uphill battle.”

Their case is complicated further by the fact that a Senate trial is not a typical courtroom. “For most matters tried in civil proceedings you have pages of case law and thousands of instances where the law is applied,” said Philip Bobbit, a law professor at Columbia University. “We don’t have that in impeachment.”

Instead, the managers and Trump’s defense team will follow trial procedures passed on Tuesday by the Republican-led Senate. Those rules stipulate that lawmakers will only vote on whether or not to allow new evidence in the trial after opening arguments from both sides and a period during which Senators can submit written questions to Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial. Democrats have said they want to hear from at least four witnesses who evaded the House’s inquiry: former National Security Adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and White House officials Michael Duffey and Robert Blair. (Bolton has said he will testify in the Senate pursuant to a subpoena).

In order to allow more witnesses to testify, the 47 Democratic Senators —assuming they stay united—need to peel off at least four Republican Senators to join them in voting first to allow new evidence, and again to allow for witnesses.

“This is part and parcel of an effort to cover up the President’s misconduct,” Schiff, the lead impeachment manager, told reporters on Tuesday. “If McConnell makes this the first impeachment trial in history without witnesses or documents, it will not prove the President innocent. It will merely prove the Senate guilty of working with the President to obstruct the truth from coming out.”

Advocating for new witnesses carries its own risks. Under the new trial rules, if Democrats are successful in calling witnesses, Republicans will be able to issue subpoenas for people they want to hear from as well. Some Trump allies have said they want Hunter Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, to testify about his role on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, Burisma as a potential example of the corruption Trump asked about during a July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The managers are already pushing back on this possibility. “It would not be appropriate for the President to seek to call witnesses merely to try to perpetuate the same smear campaign that was foiled when his plot was discovered,” Schiff said Tuesday morning on CBS News. “Hunter Biden, for example can’t tell us anything about whether the President withheld military aid, whether he withheld that aid to coerce Ukraine to conduct political investigations, or why he wouldn’t meet with the President of Ukraine.”

Ultimately, the managers, operating in a Republican controlled-Senate, have little control over the witnesses that get called. But they’ve made clear that they will use the leverage they have to make their case.

By Alana Abramson on January 22, 2020 at 04:23AM

[blockheadbrands]

Mental Health and Cannabis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Andrew Ward of High Times Reports:

How effective is cannabis in treating PTSD?

Scores of people use cannabis to treat their mental health conditions, whether using a state-approved ID or by self-medicating on the illicit market. A lack of conclusive data remains due to federal restrictions, limiting understanding the plant’s true efficacy. People in need aren’t waiting for that day to come. Instead, they are going off anecdotal evidence and the available scientific data to justify their self-medicated treatment plans.

We’ve come to find out that many of these cannabis-based regimens have alleviated symptoms in several health conditions. However, in some, cannabis could prove to be either ineffective and even detrimental to the person’s well-being.

For this series, I spoke with medical professionals and those suffering from mental health conditions to better understand how cannabis plays a part in people’s treatment. While this won’t provide the conclusive data the market needs, it will hopefully shine a more focused light on how cannabis affects people and their conditions.

In this edition, I explore Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

The Science

The public has noticed PTSD more in recent years thanks to an increased awareness by returning veterans and trauma survivors. Today, we are more knowledgeable of the condition that has common symptoms such as flashbacks, hyper-alertness, avoiding people and places, negative thoughts and a heightened flight or fight response. 

Col. Dr. Philip Blair is a family physician. He is also a consultant in disease management as well as the medical director of Pro Health Advisor and the CBD brand Elixinol. Dr. Blair is also a graduate of West Point’s 1972 class. He noted that with PTSD, scientific evidence shows that there is an imbalance in cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This includes a 2013 New York University study that discovered a connection between cannabinoid quantities and PTSD.

While the first study to examine the clinical benefits of CBD for PTSD patients began in May 2019, many doctors warmed to cannabis as a treatment option years ago. That includes Col. Dr. Blair. 

For the past five years, Blair has helped patients with PTSD using organic hemp-derived CBD. “I’ve seen some stunning results,” he said. “I’ve conducted pre-clinical trials with veterans with PTSD with cannabidiol, and in many cases, within a week of including CBD oil as part of a daily routine, participants reported sleeping through the night, reduced anxiety, and feeling calm and peaceful.”

Dr. Mandeep Singh is a psychiatrist at the Apollo Cannabis Clinics in Toronto. He has over a decade of experience treating veterans, first responders, and civilians. He elaborated on the condition. “PTSD involves changes in the pathophysiology of the brain as well as dysregulation of neurotransmitters which the endocannabinoid system can play a role in,” he explained in an email. He also noted how medical cannabis can stimulate this system, alleviating many of the symptoms of PTSD.

For the past three years, Dr. Singh has utilized cannabis as a treatment option. “I have seen great results in terms of controlling PTSD symptoms when regular pharmaceutical medications were not improving their symptoms and were causing negative side effects,” said Dr. Singh.

With PTSD patients, Dr. Singh says medical cannabis use is encouraged when traditional treatment options like when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics and sedative medications, for example, do not work. Even when these medications work, they can have significant side effects.       

“In the veteran population specifically, some of these patients may have tried 10 or more medications and be on a combination of pharmaceuticals. With medical cannabis, I see veterans reducing their pharmaceuticals, sometimes even able to eliminate them, because of their medical cannabis use,” noted Dr. Singh. He added that cannabis can also help PTSD patients connect with their emotions, which can help the therapeutic process.

The First-Hand Accounts

The effects of PTSD are hellish on its patients, often depriving them of sleep, the ability to work, manage pain, or live a life without anxiety. In many cases, it has driven people to take their own lives. With people seeking solutions, cannabis has become one of the preferred treatment options. 

The Veteran Farmer is an organization that grows and consults in Canada’s medical cannabis space. Founder Lloyd Farmer compiled answers from several veterans who gave their permission to share their experiences for this story. Each set of answers appeared to mirror the other. Combat and several deployments led to the previously mentioned pains that come from PTSD. Each veteran opted to use cannabis to address their pain. 

One unnamed person detailed how cannabis changed their life. “I went from six or seven pills a day [multiple doses] to no pills,” they wrote. Another anonymous veteran wrote, “I will never go back to pharmaceutical meds again.” 

The group appeared to show no regret in their cannabis use. When asked if they had the option, would a veteran choose marijuana as a treatment option again? One person wrote: “I wouldn’t wait as long before trying it.” 

In the United States, former Green Beret Adam Smith has taken up a similar mission to help Veterans and first responders. The 17-year veteran has never been officially diagnosed with PTSD but wrote via email he experiences all the symptoms. Smith used cannabis to self-medicate. This includes during a 2015 bicycle ride he was doing with a friend and fellow PTSD patient to raise awareness for the condition. 

“During that trip, it was the first time that my counterpart and I were completely disconnected from the military and were in a state where we could try cannabis to treat symptoms,” described Smith. “We went to a dispensary and bought cannabis legally. The effects were absolutely astounding.” He reported experiencing a pleasant sleep, no anxiety and the ability to process information slowly.

Smith found himself in a state with no cannabis allowance after his ride completed. He stopped using marijuana and was without any medication. Smith turned to alcohol to sleep, and in order not to feel. He couldn’t find work and attempted to take his own life. This was the lowest point, Smith recalled. 

Eventually, he turned a corner and began to feel better. “Once I had a new mission brought forward, a way to provide for my family, and serve a purpose, I began to find light. Once CBD became legal, I immediately began using it. It increased my clarity 10x and ability to speed my recovery.”

Today, Smith works as an advisor to the R&D company Allied Corp., which focuses on creating cannabis health solutions for veterans with PTSD.

Zoey Bullock, also known as Betty Chronix, experienced PTSD at a young age after being raped when she was 12. She explained the ordeal of having to locate her attackers with police and the impact of having a parent with alcoholism. 

She turned to cannabis for treatment at a young age. “Not long after going through trauma, my friends from the neighborhood introduced me to cannabis,” she explained. “The doctors had me on a number of medications that made me even more depressed to the point where I would cry my eyes out unbearably. Cannabis was the only thing that gave me relief to be able to cope with my symptoms.” 

The following years would be a combination of psychiatrist visits and multiple antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, which she said did not work. At 14, she attempted to take her own life. By the time she graduated high school, she was working two jobs, living on her own, putting herself through college, graduating with an MBA and a 3.97 GPA. She also quit her medications cold turkey. 

Today, the 26-year-old mother of two is a global cannabis strategist and has a medical recommendation she uses to manage anxiety and other symptoms. “[Cannabis] will almost immediately help to calm down my panic attacks and flashbacks,” she added.

What to Keep in Mind About Cannabis and PTSD

Cannabis can prove itself to be part of a viable treatment option for PTSD sufferers in some cases. Dr. Singh pointed out how it can serve as an adjunct treatment option in addition to pharmaceuticals as well as psychotherapy and social support. He reiterated how it can be a good option for those who failed pharmaceutical therapy for a number of reasons. That said, each case is different. “All factors that have to be considered as the goal is improving the quality of life with this disabling condition.”

Today, scores of trauma sufferers have turned to, or are considering, cannabis. While medical professionals recommend medication remain in treatment plans, some patients have made the choice to cut them out altogether. Whether this choice is effective or not may come down to the feedback the patient provides. 

“I wish I had the choice when I was a young teenager for cannabis to be a medical treatment option,” explained Bullock. “It really has been the only thing to give me hope for healing from PTSD.”

TO READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE ON HIGH TIMES, CLICK HERE

https://hightimes.com/health/mental-health-cannabis-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

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Legal Eagles

When UNISON won its employment tribunal fees case in the Supreme Court last year, the landmark victory thrust the union’s in-house legal team into the limelight. U met two of them, head of legal services Adam Creme and his colleague Shantha David, the legal officer who ran the five-year case against the government.

Shantha David

It was two days after the biggest legal case in her life, the judicial review in which UNISON defeated the government in one of the most important decisions in the history of employment law. After a string of media interviews talking about the victory, Shantha David was finally sitting alone, at home. And she burst into tears.

“I was so overcome,” she recalls. “It was all the feeling of four and a half years of work – the grafting, the slog, the legal arguments, witness statements, the last-minute dashes to court. As solicitor teams go, ours was small – it was just me and my secretary Kate Osborne. And the bundles [legal papers] we prepared ran to thousands of pages for each hearing.

“You’re so consumed by all of it. And you’re so tired. Winning or losing, it’s always a strange anti-climax. You’ve spent all this energy fighting for something, and then it’s over.” She laughs. “It’s like the end of a season of Game of Thrones.”

She admits that on that August morning the “magnitude” of the result still hadn’t sank in. Though, yes, there was satisfaction amid the tears. “There was definitely a sense of relief that we’d won, and elation.”

Shantha is one of UNISON’s small, in-house legal team, which comprises four employment lawyers and one personal injury lawyer in London, an employment lawyer in Scotland, two paralegals (unqualified lawyers) and two non-legal staff, all led by head of legal Adam Creme.

While the outside solicitor firm Thompsons handles most of the personal injury and employment claims for individual members (winning millions of pounds in compensation each year), the in-house team handles all appeals in the higher courts, as well as strategic employment law cases, often far-reaching actions that involve issues such as TUPE, equal pay and the national minimum wage.

They’ve had some significant victories, but perhaps none more so than The Queen (on the application of UNISON) v the Lord Chancellor, the formal title of the legal challenge to the employment tribunal fees introduced in 2013 by former Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling.

UNISON immediately saw that the fees would destroy members’ right to seek justice in the employment courts. The union’s single-handed battle to reverse that decision spanned six unsuccessful hearings – three in the High Court and three in the Court of Appeal – before the seven judges of the Supreme Court unanimously found in the union’s favour.

Our case was about access to justice. It’s really odd, but you can’t use words like that in the lower courts, you can’t talk about Magna Carta or they’ll kick you out

When Shantha recounts the torturous mechanics of the case, it’s evident that the shenanigans of legal TV shows like Ally McBeal and The Good Wife are not so far from the truth – whether, for her, it was endless government gamesmanship or one, early and unsympathetic judge who told a government barrister in a public hearing: “I don’t understand what you’re saying, but I’m on your side”.

At the same time, when she explains why UNISON was counting on the highest court in the land to do the right thing, it’s an evocative reminder of why the law, at its most idealistic, can be so captivating.

“Our case was about access to justice. It’s really odd, but you can’t use words like that in the lower courts, you can’t talk about Magna Carta or they’ll kick you out. But the Supreme Court is the law-making forum and the judges can do what they like, frankly. They can talk about Magna Carta, they are willing to discuss basic principles, the things you learn about in law school, justice, that you get all ‘ooh, ahh’ about.

“Their judgment is not just important for workers in Britain, but also for access to justice in other parts of the law, where the government is trying to raise costs for ordinary people – in civil courts, where legal aid has pretty much gone, in immigration tribunals. People are now looking at ways of targeting those areas using the UNISON judgement. That’s our legacy, which is brilliant.”

Her parents are Sri Lankan, her father a former diplomat and Sri Lankan ambassador, which meant that childhood was on the road – including Malaysia, where she was born, Paris, Egypt, India and London, where she took her A-Levels and then remained, studying history at university, then a conversion course to law.

She was drawn to the law partly by the “higher thinking behind it, the philosophy, the jurisprudence. I was interested in why people do what they do. How do you deviate from the path, how do you become a criminal?”

But she was also considering a career in international relations. Around that time she spent a memorable three months as an intern at the United Nations in New York, just as Tony Blair gave his first speech to the General Assembly, followed by Nelson Mandela (“I was, ‘Oh my god, this is awesome’”) and Princess Diana’s landmines bill was being passed. She also worked on the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

These are all people who need support: who don’t know what’s around the corner for them, who live in a heightened state of anxiety

The fact that she qualified as a solicitor while temping for UNISON (having earlier qualified as a barrister) may seem like fate. “I was working on some amazing cases for the union, and it all seemed to make sense – employment law made sense, the union made sense. It was the right fit.”

That was 15 years ago. Looking back, she thinks that her childhood, during which she experienced conflict situations first-hand, may have sewn some of the seeds of her future career.

She was just 10 at the outset of the Sri Lankan civil war in 1983, when hundreds of Tamils were being killed and her family, Tamils themselves, briefly had to go into hiding. “There were cars and houses burning everywhere. It was quite a scary experience.” Just a year later they were in New Delhi when Indira Gandhi was assassinated, after which thousands of Sikhs were killed in retaliatory violence.

There is a strong emotional connection, for Shantha, between those people she encountered as a child, caught in civil wars and other violent conflicts, and UNISON members struggling in their jobs, whether it’s because of pressures of funding and under-funding, low pay or zero-hours contracts.

“These are all people who need support: who don’t know what’s around the corner for them, who live in a heightened state of anxiety, which is the same whether you’re facing violence, or uncertainty at work. And it’s very unhealthy.”

Shantha has to contend with a different problem – trying to balance a secure, but highly demanding job with family life and two children, nine-year-old Ella and seven-year-old James.

Somehow she finds the time – for work, family, to be a school governor and a Law Society committee member, and to indulge her life-long love of singing: a serious soloist as a child, she still performs at weddings and the like (as it happens, she was listening to the soundtrack of the musical Moulin Rouge during that tearful moment in August).

“Family life can be tough. My husband – without whose support I couldn’t have run this case – and I both work full-time. I work flexibly, which means I get to pick up the kids, but also have to work when they go to sleep. But I’d rather that, than not get involved in the work we’ve been doing at UNISON.”

And despite making a little piece of history, that work continues. She’s currently fighting a case in the South West, involving three local authorities who have banded together in a company and are trying to cut the terms and conditions of their care workers.

“The legal process is very slow. This case has been going for over a year, but things are hotting up now. So yeah, onto the next one. Reality bites.

Adam Creme

In June 1993 Adam Creme was a young lawyer, establishing himself in what was then a comparatively new strand of his profession – employment law – when he saw an advertisement in the London Evening Standard.

“The ad said, ‘UNISON has just been born and we need a locum solicitor for six weeks’. It was about a month into the formation of the union. I thought it would be an interesting and fun thing to do for a few weeks, so I came for an interview.” He smiles. “And that was more than 24 years ago.”

At first the legal departments of the three founder unions were joined together, then a few years later that department was split in two. All the while, Adam’s contract “was extended, then extended, then extended” and by the time the two parts became one again, he was put in charge.

“It’s fate, isn’t it? I never intended to work for a trade union. But where better to do employment law and labour law and industrial relations – all thrown together – than a trade union?”

Tools of the trade for a trade unionist – talking. Tools of the trade for a lawyer – talking. Put the two together….

UNISON’s head of legal was born into a family of Russian and Polish immigrants in Manchester. His father, like his father before him, sold shirts. “He was a brilliant salesman,” Adam recalls proudly. Yet he remembers that, even as a youngster,  “I always had an inkling that I wanted to be a lawyer.

“I think I had quite strong feelings about social justice from a really early age,” he adds. “I was born in 1960, so grew up through some interesting times – a Labour government for a long time, and then in the Seventies lots of industrial action and other problems.  And I was always aware of it. I think I was always vaguely political. I don’t know where that came from, my parents are not like that.” He laughs. “I think I’m probably a bit arsy.”

As for many left-leaning young people, the Eighties proved formative. “It was the time of Thatcher, it was a time of strife. And it was an interesting time to be a student. I studied history at Manchester, which was a hotbed of politics. I was heavily involved in student politics, and my feelings about social justice bloomed even more as a result of that.”

He recalls a lot of CND activity, and also the infamous visit of Home Secretary Leon Brittan to the university during the miners’ strike, when some of his friends were among those beaten by police and arrested.

He followed history with a post-graduate course in industrial relations – again at an opportune moment, as it coincided with the Tory government’s attempts to restrict trade union activity, including what became known as Tebbit’s Law.

“They started the ball rolling and we’re still living with the effects of it,” he observes. By the time he’d finished the course, he knew what he wanted to do, namely employment law. And because at that time there were very few firms that had the specialism, and they were all in London, the Mancunian moved South.

He’d qualified, and worked in private practice for a few years – which meant representing mostly employers – when UNISON entered his life. “I do this because I believe in it,” he says. “I believe that we’re doing something really useful here, on behalf of other people. And that’s why I’ve stayed so long.”

We had a lot of people contacting us, including employment law judges and people from big practices, who wanted to say that what we were doing was great and that strongly supported us

Adam is virtually never to be seen in a suit and tie, his casual image light years away from the power-suited portrayal of lawyers on television – wealthy, coiffed men and women who appear more concerned with their position in the firm than their clients.

But Adam says that image doesn’t tell the whole story. “I was in private practice for nearly six years before I started at UNISON, so I know what it’s like. What you see on TV is an exaggeration. It definitely exists – if you went into a large or even medium size legal firm you’d find [office] politics going on and people battling to become partner, and then senior partner, and to make more and more money. What they don’t show is the grind.

“At UNISON we grind too, we work long hours. But for those people in private practice it’s a regular thing. And you can’t continue to look 20 and glossy in Armani suits when you’re doing 15-hour days, seven days a week.

“My partner is a lawyer and was a partner in private practice, so she experienced that,” he adds. “And she doesn’t any more. She wanted to have a life.” The couple have twin daughters, 13 years old. “I have a good perspective about work generally because of my other half’s experience. And I have a good perspective on life generally because of my children.”

Given his experience on both sides of the divide, he has a particularly relevant take on his area of the profession. “Most employment lawyers are lefties, even if they work for massive commercial firms who act for employers almost exclusively. They are not usually Tories, they have liberal or left wing values. And an awful lot of them believe in access to justice.

“That’s been one of the very interesting things about UNISON’s employment tribunal fees case. We had a lot of people contacting us, including employment law judges and people from big practices, who wanted to say that what we were doing was great and that they strongly supported us.”

He describes the judge’s verdict in the Supreme Court as, “like that moment in The Italian Job, where Michael Caine says ‘You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.’ When we started doing this case I just wanted to get rid of ET fees. I could not have predicted it would become this enormous constitutional thing, which will touch many, many areas of UK law.”

That wide-ranging significance is no doubt why his team have already scooped three awards for their work on the case. First they were voted The Lawyer Magazine’s ‘best employment team’ in 2014, merely on the back of bringing the claim against the government; then in 2016 another employment team gong, from The Solicitor’s Journal – despite at that time getting “slaughtered” in the courts; and finally after the victory, when Adam was named lawyer of the year by Liberty, which he also sees as an award for the team.

His daughters were at that last ceremony. “For five minutes they thought dad was way cool, then five minutes later they weren’t bothered,” he smiles. He says that they were taken aback at how he turned four bullet points into a 10-minute speech. “Tools of the trade for a trade unionist – talking. Tools of the trade for a lawyer – talking. Put the two together….”

Both Adam and Shantha have high praise for Dave Prentis and the UNISON leadership who, with Adam, decided at the outset to contest the tribunal fees and supported the team throughout, not least when the case was at its rockiest.

And of the woman he charged to do the “heavy lifting”, Adam says: “I decided that Shantha would be a good fit. And what a good choice that proved to be. She’s a terrier, she gets her teeth into something and doesn’t let go. She has a very strong attention to detail, and an extremely strong work ethic.

“But I’m lucky. I’ve got a bunch of people in my team, all younger than me, who really know what they are doing and are committed. I would say this, but we are by some distance the best trade union legal team that’s ever been.”

Images: Ralph Hodgson

          The article Legal Eagles first appeared on the UNISON National site.

from UNISON National https://www.unison.org.uk/news/magazine/2018/03/legal-eagles/ via IFTTT

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↪ b a s i c s ;

N A M E: Blair Sebastian Lafleur-Blackwood A G E: 29 P L A C E   O F   O R I G I N: Calabasas, California G R O U P: Saddle Ridge Elementary O C C U P A T I O N: Trader F C: Aaron Tveit

❝ We party in my living room ‘cause father is gone and he left me this empire that runs on its own, so all I got to do is whatever the fuck I want. All we ever do is whatever the fuck we want. ❞

↪ p e r s o n a l i t y ;

P O S I T I V E   T R A I T S: eloquent ; insouciant N E G A T I V E   T R A I T S: hedonistic ; disrespectful

↪ b i o g r a p h y ;

L I F E   B E F O R E   T H E   O U T B R E A K:

Born with a silver spoon isn’t the right descriptor. A Blackwood child was born with the whole damn cutlery drawer. Firstborn and the only son of a business mogul and a fashion model, both his parents were the textbook definition of WASPs. They passed their lavish tastes and high expectations onto their heir. Blair grew up riding horses in Jackson Hole, took private tennis lesson at the courts of Wimbledon, and skied in the Tetons. He lost his first tooth and learned how to swim in Capri while staying at the Blackwood’s family home there.

By the time he was thirteen, his younger sister Ivy was born, and his parent’s marriage was dead. The couple officially stayed in the same house and didn’t divorce though. The waves it could cause in the elite circles was too much (public image was everything) but each started seeing their own lovers.

Everyday was a bid to see how much excess and waste one family could produce. Every member contributed in their own way.

James, Blair’s father, hosted near weekly parties. They featured never-ending parades of lingerie models that he paid off with morning after pills and rolls of twenties, his Fortune 500 exec buddies that did lines with him at startling speeds, and political allies he plied with exclusive vintages of alcohol, all set against the backdrop of his veritable castle in Florida.

Adalicia, his wife, retreated for weeks at a time to her childhood home in France- sometimes bringing Ivy (her real life doll to try and style as she pleased) with her, sometimes not- but not really caring either way. Then she would emerge like a rare butterfly at whatever fashion show or ball that pled for her attendance, check in on her children and pat herself on the back for being a ‘good’ parent all while stringing along lovers not much older than her son.

Meanwhile, Ivy didn’t actively try to participate in the extravagance but she just did, simply by existing, and became an idol for young girls in her own way.

Yet Blair’s was the one that caught the public’s eye, starting at age 16. Blair was nightly attending parties where he took drugs off of model’s chests. Parties where thousands of bottles of champagne were consumed, dumped into pools, or used to anoint gold watches and flashy sports cars. Parties where money was burned in bonfires without batting an eye. These parties were to escape the fact he was pitied by his father for not being like him and loathed by his mother for being too much like his father, to forget the pressures of the illustrious and sordid Blackwood name resting solely on his shoulders.

His escapades made him only more appealing to the media, exposing him to further attention that pushed him deeper into his drug habits. OxyContin, MDMA, Xanax, Valium, Ambien, and eventually — heroin. There were loud headlines of underage binges and teenage sex parties that pushed his parents further away as they turned a blind eye to him. Eventually the negative attention, and the heavy weight of an entire private world entrusted to him, tipped Blair over the edge.

He ran away from his responsibilities when he was 18, dropping off the map except for withdrawals from his bank account that his parents filled to keep him off their minds. Blair sometimes stopped in residences that his parents owned but more often lived in a series of hotels and flophouses. He had overdosed shortly after his mother’s birthday, and his family didn’t even hear of it.

Yet the overdose on the day after his father’s birthday was different. Blair was rushed to St. David’s Hospital from a flophouse in Austin, and his heart stopped on the emergency room floor for an endless three minutes. This began an even more endless year long cycle of detox, rehab and relapses.

It finally ended when he went back to the ‘children’s home’ of the Blackwood properties in Calabasas, California. There he saw Ivy, back with their mother for the summer before Adalicia left. Ivy was about to start her fifth grade year in California. She had not seeing Blair for five years, and could barely remember him.

Ivy thought he was another one of Adalicia’s model boyfriends until he called her by her childhood nickname. The reunion certainly wasn’t tearful, and Blair realized how much the drugs had affected his life if his own sister couldn’t remember him and treated him with the caution afforded to strangers.

Blair committed himself to cleaning up his act, settling down in Calabasas to finally be the older brother Ivy deserved- taking care of her more than his parents ever did for either of them. Ivy made up for the lost time quickly, as she was always affectionate, and they were happy as they could have possibly been for being Blackwoods. Blair even got his three year clean coin, carrying it around in his pocket to remind him of how far he had come.

L I F E   D U R I N G   T H E   O U T B R E A K:

The night had been like any other, Blair had fallen asleep reading a book and was awoken by Ivy’s frantic shakings. She switched on the t.v. and they watched, shocked as L.A. imploded on itself just down the hills from them. At first they thought a wildfire from the hills had come down and was consuming the city at first.

But the scared reporters were talking about people dying and not really dying, becoming cannibals after they were burned out by a fever. By the time the siblings had gotten over their initial shock and went to secure the house, the home’s staff had all but fled save their closest friend who was a bodyguard hired for Ivy when she was seven.

The trio barricaded the house, staying there through the the death throes of Los Angeles. They had enough food and were secure enough to last through the winter, so they hunkered down and waited out for what they hoped would be help from the United States government.

They realized what was needed to kill the stumbling corpses and concluded that all of them needed to be trained in order to defend themselves against this new threat. That winter was devoted to training themselves to aim for the brainstem. New Year’s passed and no help came, and Blair figured out nothing was going to be the same.

Eventually the trio realized they couldn’t stay near the wasteland of Los Angeles anymore. They left Calabasas and traveled, trying to find a safer place to stay. They settled in Placerville, a small town outside of Sacramento. It was springtime when they left their second home, after deciding that despite how he treated them, they should find James Blackwood. Blair, however, was weary of finding his father and the most reluctant to leave.

L I F E   A F T E R   T H E   O U T B R E A K:

Blair felt like his reluctance was proved correct when they reached Albuquerque. There they were attacked by a group of raiders and Blair was taken. He was able to keep his mind off the hell of being their captive for the first week by worrying about his sister and their companion — but once they didn’t turn up tied and blindfolded next to him, he had no escape for his mind to retreat into.

He thought for a while that they were waiting until they grew too hungry to keep him alive. It never happened — as they were a ring of kidnappers, holding hostages for ransoms of food and supplies — but the torture they put him through lasted for nearly nine months until they reached Cheyenne.

They stopped in the rail yard of the town, and the first thing Blair saw in nine months, aside from the inside of a windowless room, was the clock tower of the train depot — a stark visual against the grey sky that made him want to close his eyes from how vast the sky seemed.

This was the first time he saw some of the faces of those who had kept him for so long, the first time he didn’t have to tell who was who by differences in size of hands and fists. And then they made him kneel and forced his left arm down onto a freezing cold track, a boot shoved into his back to stop his struggling. In a life changing instant, his arm was cut off at the elbow.

His body didn’t give him any mercy, didn’t take away his awareness of his body and how much it hurt. He was awake through through the the laughter at his pained screams. Awake to hear the message spoken in his ear while he stared at the dead arm, the curl of his separated fingers lying in the dirt. ‘When you find one of those cute camps around here, tell them we’re coming for them.’ He was awake through them pulling him upright and facing him toward the hospital of the city.

Blair never quite made it to the hospital, but instead was intercepted by the people who lived in a theatre. He told them the message, of the promise of violence, but they saved him anyways. Blair learned how to stand with what felt like half of him missing. He coped by filling that missing space with pain relievers. Once he was strong enough to walk alone, he stole a bottle of pills to last him until he could find more, and went to find his sister and their guard. His hope was that they hadn’t died or thought him dead and long gone.

His hope was thankfully fulfilled. He found them again in Mobile, Alabama and hid the last of his pills in his sock, ashamed to fall back on something he thought he had overcome while his three year coin burned a hole in his pocket. They hugged him like he had done no wrong, like he wasn’t high when he kissed Ivy’s forehead and cried on them in relief of not being alone anymore. They said there was nothing for him to be sorry for and he popped another pill that night even if his arm had stopped aching so bad on the other side of Dallas.

He knew he was failing them, but they were so close to his father’s home in Florida that he kept the fact he had well and truly relapsed secret, because he didn’t want to hold them back anymore. They made it, and found James Blackwood as Blair thought he would be — a ruler of his own personal kingdom, a compound on an island. James refused to acknowledge them.

He didn’t see Blair as his heir anymore, whether because he could see the drugs pushing his old son’s dead corpse along to fit over the new body or the missing arm that marred the perfection he had constructed. He didn’t even notice Ivy because she was taller than his hip now. He called the person who kept them safe across the width of a country their ‘attack dog’ like they kept them on a leash.

James let them stay a night and his parting gift to his heir, instead of a fortune or an empire, was a baggie of pills pressed into Blair’s hand in a darkened entryway of the main bungalow while his sister and their guard were outside preparing the boat they had come in on. Blair started crushing his pills, the time release being too long for his mind to be thinking and wished he had a needle.

His sister noticed it first, she saw his shaking hand when they walked. She was the one who stood outside the bathroom door of a suburban house in Wichita, talking him down from behind the barrier of a locked door, where he begged her too not tell or take the drugs away from him.

Instead she told. It was there in that suburban house, with the help of a nurse who agreed to guide Blair through his withdrawal in exchange for the pills he had, that he went through the most painful detox since the first one. Blair almost died, the second time in his life, from fever on a bed that wasn’t his own — but he made it through.

Blair struggled, counted each hour he didn’t have a high rushing through his bloodstream as a victory. He pressed his three year coin into his palm until it made half moon imprints, until it cut, whenever he felt the need to escape the world and his body and his memories but it worked. He stayed clean.

They had planned to go to Washington, and while Blair wanted to avoid Cheyenne, he knew they had to go through it. They didn’t want to approach the city by the main highway, so they took the 80, but had to stop for the night in a house.

The next day they walked outside only to run into a patrol from the nearby Saddle Ridge Elementary School. Blair was surprised, he would have thought the system of camps would have collapsed long before, if not from the raiders who kept him captive, then by some other force.

But, as someone from the camp told him, the old camps had. The Atlas, where he had recovered for a short while, was gone — burned to the ground. The hospital his captors had directed him towards had collapsed shortly before they had come into town.

There was a new system, and Saddle Ridge was part of it. They needed some extra hands and minds to help and extended a place to stay at the camp to the trio. After some short deliberation, they decided that Cheyenne would be their new home.

[amateurfan227]

Shitlist Reviews - Hellboy - 2004

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m Amateur Fan 2.27 and welcome to the Shitlist, where bad movies burn and welcome to the second review of 2017’s Super Origins Month; through the years Superheroes are either from other planets, born with abilities as well as being trained into becoming who they are, but in this hero, it’s entirely a different story or from Hell.

Hellboy was created by Mike Mignola in 1993 with publisher Dark Horse Comics, the story with Hellboy is that he was summoned from Hell to Earth as an infant during the end of 1944 by Nazi occultists, though he was found by Allied Forces including Professor Trevor Bruttenholm who forms the Bureau or Paranormal Research and Defence.

A movie adaptation of the character was brought to life in 2004 by Guillermo Del Toro which followed one of the original stories (which I now possess) Seed of Destruction which would depict his arrival and his abilities to process his powers through the comics; Production history is pretty scarce to find when it comes to searching it aside from its box office returns as well as it’s critical reception.

The movie only had a $66 million dollar budget but received over $99 million dollars back, as well with the film receiving very good reviews with 81% positive from Rotten Tomatoes and 72% from Metacritic.

But seeing that technically it is based on a Horror comic (the series was going through a series of horror stories relating to the occult as well as demonology) this movie was changed drastically to remove the horror themes that made it a success.

So let’s dive into the movie and see whether or not that it should be sent back to where Hellboy came from, this is Hellboy.

 The movie begins with a quote from a fictional story by Lovecraft (yeah this movie’s gonna be good) based on the Seven Gods of Chaos known as the Ogdru Jahad which will break free from their prisons to reclaim Earth, following that is an opening narration by the late great John Hurt (whom you will recognise by playing Joseph Merrick in the Elephant Man) stating that the origin of Hellboy began in 1944 a few miles away from the coast of Scotland.

I have to admit that for this part, they’ve got the opening right so far aside from the few mistakes such as the date being wrong as it’s October and not December; The mission was to stop a secret Nazi movement as they were about to combine black magic with technology to summon the Seven Gods of Chaos which is lead by Grigori Rasputin.

You see the Nazi’s placed their experiment on a destroyed church as it holds lay-lines to alternative dimensions which lead them to create a portal; the British army along with Professor Trevor Bruttenholm are seeing over the operation in hope that it brings negative results. As the Nazi’s prepare their assault, we are introduced to our main villains (aside from Rasputin), Ilsa von Haupstein as well as Obersturmbannfuhrer Karl Ruprecht Kroenan, Hitler’s top Assassin.

Before the Experiment begins, Grigori bless Ilsa with everlasting life before opening the portal to awaken the Seven Gods, It does work but it comes at a price as the Allied forces throw grenades to destroy some of the equipment the Nazi’s were using leading an attack against them both, also causing Rasputin to be sucked through the portal, killing him.

Though the experiment is over and the Nazi’s defeated, Kroenan escapes with Ilsa leading Bruttenholm to recover from an injury in a tomb only to realize that the portal has been opened for too long leading him to believe that something may have crawled through. They do discover has come through, a young child, an infant that is covered with red skin as well as a tail and a stoned right hand.

Quick thought, if it did crawl out of the portal, how come no-one saw him first hand?

Bruttenholm manages to take the child and hosts him as a father leading a parental relationship, leading him to give the name ‘Hellboy’ to the infant. Which leads to the main credits, the following scene is in Moldavia present day as we see Ilsa and Kroenan killing a guide towards a tomb leading Rasputin to be resurrected. .

The next scene we see Trevor at a hospital in New York only to discover that his body is riddled with brain cancer, yeesh dude that’s a downer why don’t they detain him for more testing or at least attempt to surgically remove it? Anyway as he’s assigned leader of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD for short), he watches a live show on a store television leaving the hospital starring FBI Director Tom Manning (played by Jeffrey Tambor) to announce that Hellboy doesn’t exist.

At the Bureau however an FBI recruit is sent over by Broom’s request leading him to arrive late, as well as arriving on a freaking moped.... amateur... the recruit, John Myers is introduced to the Bureau very quickly as he arrives at section 51 meeting the first attraction to the Bureau. John arrives in a Library and sees a large glass tank full of water only to be shocked that its home to an amphibious humanoid named Abe Sapien, which is true to the original material... kudos.

Broom introduces himself and gives a brief back story to Abe as well as assigning him to his job role also indicating that Hitler’s death wasn’t expected for another year; He’s quickly introduced to another agent of the Bureau, Clay who works very closely with Hellboy with also gives another indication towards his natural activities.

We are introduced to Hellboy (whom is played by Ron Perlman) who is not so easily happy to see Myers as he notices his horns. You see in the comics, Hellboy is forced to trim his horns down to give him more of human appearance, even by the Bureau, in this however; he does it to fit in which is pretty much the same answer.

So as Hellboy is known in this universe (aside from the comics anyway) to being reckless, he does have to follow the rules meaning that he’s watched 24/7 as well as having an escort for company, Hellboy does manage to avoid getting into trouble when an alarm is called stating that a monster has been sighted a Library.

Hellboy and Abe arrive at the Library with the bureau in a garbage truck (stealthy?) and prepare to fight only for Hellboy to talk about Liz, the third BRPD member who has the ability to control pyrokinetic abilities, after the discussion, Hellboy prepares to enter the Library were the monster was last seen and gets ready for a fight.

Guards lay dead before him as he walks through only for Abe to provide him information about the creature which is called Sammael, the Hellhound of Resurrection; though when it comes to killing it, Hellboy is more than surprised, Sammael brings more of a fight towards HB giving it the advantage to throwing him out of the Library to the alley below with the BRPD to follow pursuit.

HB manages to recover shortly only to meet the person who summoned to begin with, though this would come to a problem as Sammael returns to finish HB off only to latch a leech onto his arm, infecting him with its offspring. Myers interrupts the fight leading the Hellhound to leave in HB’s dismay (nice one kid, first day on the job and you release a monster from hell, it’s like Peck from Ghostbusters all over again).

Though Sammael does manage to evade Hellboy through the streets, HB manages to save John from evasive drivers and tracks the creature to the underground train system, leading a fight which would end the fearsome beast, showing us another ability that Hellboy possesses, heat resistance. HB leaves the Bureau to meet up with a former Bureau member, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Sherman who possesses the ability of pyro-kinesis.

Though at the Library however Abe is going over some evidence that was damaged during the fight only for Manning to arrive to berate Broom on HB’s actions, which causes Abe to find something interesting, a mysterious sword that was left behind by one of the assailants, leading it to be Ilsa and Kroenan who invaded the Library along with the newly resurrected Rasputin in order to release a Hellhound as a guardian.

He also mentions that he placed a curse on Sammael which if it’s killed two more would take its place, which explains the orbs that we saw coming from its carcass; though Abe sees something else in Broom when he starts to fall stating that he’s very sick on a rapid level. Though shortly HB is seen talking with Elizabeth at a mental hospital where she resides in order to control her abilities which raises the question how seeing that they stated they were uncontrollable.

Though Liz (played incredibly by Selma Blair) has severe doubts on returning to the BRPD through her usage of her powers, HB doesn’t take this as lightly as the Bureau has found them leading HB to collapse due to the amount of blood loss from the fight, leading John to get a vain interest in Liz’s background.

At the Bureau however, Abe manages to retract several eggs from HB’s wound leading him to believe that the Hellhounds resemble Amphibians when it comes to habitats, this would also resemble the fact that HB managed to kill one of them on the underground train tracks leading Broom to send a team of Agents (including Clay) to assist them.

At the Underground, HB, Abe and the Agents manage to find a passage way leading to the Hellhound’s nest which is quite a lot actually, seeing it raises the question that it needs a blooded host for the eggs to hatch... HB manages to find a manhole leading to a large water chamber were the majority of the eggs are hidden leading Abe to volunteer to find and destroy them.

During this Hellboy manages to find Kroenan who was using a maintenance area as a hideout leading him to fight another Hellhound leading him to fight it on an underground station full of pedestrians leading him to both reveal himself in the public eye as well as saving the humans from the beast. Abe however is having no luck at all as the Hellhounds attack him wounding him badly, leading for the other agents to get killed off by the Hellhounds as well as Clay whose killed off by Kroenan.

At the Bureau.... hold on, how the hell did HB get Abe out of the Water? Did he deal with the Hellhounds first? What about Kroenan, how did he get him out of there? Questions aside, Abe is in a recovery booth leading for Manning to literally scold HB even though he knows it’s a bad idea, John on the other hand has managed to talk to Liz into rejoining the Bureau which makes HB jealous when Liz mentions that John is taking her out for coffee.... shortly after HB throws a heavy container at Manning through a window.

HB manages to spy on John and Liz through the streets of New Jersey as Broom starts to perform an autopsy on Kroenan leading a discovery that Kroenan is now a man built around clockwork parts and black magic, creepy which is true but physically impossible seeing that bones and blood cells erode on a rapid level after death.

After the Autopsy, Broom comes face to face with Rasputin who somehow managed to get his way into the Bureau (even I’m confused about it) leading for him to tell Broom his plan with Hellboy, you see Rasputin originally brought Hellboy through as a messenger to bring the 7 gods of Chaos through his stone right arm which will be used as a portal. after informing Broom on what is going to happen, Rasputin gives the order to Kroenan (who somehow managed to piece himself back together) to kill the old man.

HB however manages to be greeted by a young lad who he quickly be friends only to find some bad news as the Bureau have found John and Liz, leading to an funeral of Broom, granted this is emotional and all but wouldn’t Hellboy be breaking down most of all seeing that he and Broom had a father and son like relationship?

After the Funeral, Hellboy manages to find a note which Broom was researching last which leads to an Russian informant  who worked closely with Rasputin, leading HB to have a brief talk with Liz about how he’s feeling, leading the Bureau and Manning to go for a decrepit cemetery in Moscow.

Getting there is no problem but getting in the hideout is going to be a challenge as they are struggling to find a crypt or an entrance, Hellboy has the idea of resurrecting one of the informants that was one the note leading to a pretty bleak but somehow funny voice over from a marionette carcass.

They manage to find the entrance leading to the group to be separated shortly through a trap, John and Liz in one with Manning and Hellboy with the other, Manning and HB manage to have a brief argument due to their authority which raises HB an advantage as they’ve fallen quickly into a trap, HB manages to save Manning (whom still distrusts him, even after saving his life).

The two of them manage to run into Kroenan leading HB to suffer another curse when it comes to falling into a spike trap only to be saved by Manning which gives HB in an advantage in killing Kroenan by throwing him on some spikes with a touch of overkill by throwing a large clockwork gear on him (irony much?).

John and Liz however have a ball as they are surrounded by Hellhounds leading them to lose their only weapon, a belt full of high explosives but it does give John the advantage in assaulting Liz to trigger her pyrokinetic abilities to save them both, only for Hellboy to get in the mix leading the 3 of them to be held unconscious as well as captive.

HB wakes up first to Rasputin speaking his real name to Hellboy and his purpose, the stone hand mainly which is vital to his plan in calling the Seven gods of Chaos, he also informs HB that if he doesn’t do his demands, he would take Liz’s soul. Briefly after realising his nature, HB transforms himself to the full demon form that he was summoned for as well as opening the portal to the other world bringing the Seven Gods of Chaos towards him.

John manages to break free from Ilsa’s restraints and knocks her out cold forcing Hellboy in the right direction, in the way his father raised him which causes Hellboy to snap out of it which causes him to break his Horns, breaking the portal and killing the gods at the same time, he fatally stabs Rasputin whom informs him that one of the Gods of Chaos has already emerged on Earth in human form which granted him his power.

Hellboy refuses this and leaves with Liz and John, though Liz is still unconscious, Hellboy informs John to keep an eye on her as he will return to finish off them monster, only for the Monster to grab him via tentacle and pull him towards it, fortunately Hellboy manages to grab the grenades from earlier and uses them when he’s being digested by the creature, blowing it up from the inside, which would kill him too in the process, but meh it’s a comic movie.

So Happy ending, Hellboy returns to the Bureau with Liz, John thinks of a different occupation as he’s with the Bureau and Manning is contemplating his allies with the bureau.

And that was Hellboy.

And it’s not as good as I originally imagined, granted it had a lot of story towards the mythology of the character as well as the BRPD which is pretty interesting towards the film’s logic as well as the comic-book lore but does it count as an adaptation, well that’s a major question as it raises a lot of questions to one graphic novel.

The answer to that is a mix between yes and no, I’ll get with the negatives first as there are a lot of, through the story of Seed of Destruction, the Hellhounds were more Amphibians which gave their unique advancement of attacking others when it’s towards water, but when it’s towards the movie, they appear more of dogs rather than amphibians.

Another negative is that characters mainly Hellboy, as he’s more respectful towards his job as well with the Bureau agents, mostly with Broom as he shows the most concern for, especially when it comes towards the fact that he raised him when he first arrived. His relationship with Liz was strictly professional as well as Abe but his characteristics towards Abe were the most accurate towards the source material.

The story behind Rasputin wasn’t well laid as it missed most of the story on what happened after the war eventually finished, it’s briefly explained that he went into solitude for a good while only to heal from his injuries aside progressing his abilities. Kroenan and Ilsa are hardly mentioned after the war sequence only for it to be in the air whether or not they were found by Nazi Hunters or by the Bureau.

The outlook of the investigation is sent to an abandoned house which is set by a woman who worked closely with Rasputin but it turns out that she was more of a relic as it was her spirit who spoke to others not her body. And the story with Rasputin has changed as well as he wanted to unleash the magic of the other universe rather than to exploit.

The positives is that they’ve got Hellboy pretty close when it comes to demonstrating his abilities to fight as he does show a brutal outlook on his attacks as well as his knowledge of the paranormal and unknown. The Bureau is done pretty close the comics as they care too much towards the activities towards the paranormal, supernatural and the unknown.

The visual effects are pretty stunning for a 2004 film but when it comes towards adapting the creatures on screen, I think it’s pretty useless as it’s more on tone towards the old generation, hell I see better work on Photoshop than this, the Practical effects however are really well made, closely resembling what the characters intend to look like in the comics.

The acting however can be summed as such, it’s basically more of a draft rather than an adaptation, for the people who need to study Hellboy, they made it well for new comers but for old-school readers it’s more obsolete which makes the effort withdrawn, I think they should at-least edit the script in some scenes mainly towards Hellboy and Liz as they appear more of teenage lovers from a high school movie rather than professional monster hunters.

The film though as direction is different, though the effects are both good and bad aside from the script work which is basically the same answer, I would give the direction it’s due as it brought more life to the comic than DC did with Vertigo’s Hellblazer. At least with this movie, they stuck close to the origin on Hellboy rather than having Keanu Reeves play a Liverpudlian.

For the movie however, I’m kinda stuck between Hitlist and Shitlist, though the score is pretty forgettable but through the practical effects, this movie is still sublime towards special effects artists, this movie is on the Hitlist... for now.

Now I know this review is a bit late but seeing how it’s late as well as Super Origins Month, I’m expanding it through April which means that the next reviews with based on 2 Marvel hits from the 60’s, as the next movie will begin a key-chain to what separated our genetic code from simple animals, Mutation.

I’m Amateur Fan 2.27 and I’ll see you guys in the next review.