#episode: Cloud Shapes Drawing CHALLENGE

[episodes-without-incident]

2/8/2024:

8 episodes since Drawfee last referenced Cats (2019)

6 episodes since Drawfee last referenced Everytime We Touch (2005)

[drawfee-quot3s]

i see.. england

i see...

france!

i see jacob's underpantS!!

where?

inside myy overpants

- julia, karina, jacob, + nathan

[narrycherries]

we’ll be alright

Harry battles an exhausting mental disorder and the only thing that helps him is you, but even sometimes you aren’t enough..

masterlist // join the tag list

word count: 2.9k

warnings: harry x reader, mention of mental disorder, bipolar depression, mature situation, fluff, smut implied, needy h

The weather was gloomy again. A heavy thunderstorm was falling from the sky. The dark clouds were thick and the lightning was bright as it snapped every few seconds. A weighted sigh slipped out of your mouth as you closed the curtain, not wanting to be reminded of it. You hated this sort of weather because it was just another thing for him to be sad about. As a remedy, you always would take him for walks under the sunshine, and force him to make shapes out of the fluffy white clouds. He would pick any small wildflowers he came across and give them to you, knowing that you loved flowers. The sun made him happy, just enough to be noticeable at least. But there hasn’t been any sunshine in four days. It’s been overcast and storming non stop.

Your heart skipped a beat when you shut the bedroom door and turned to look in his direction. He was sitting in the chair that he moved to face the window. You didn’t want him watching the rain, but it was too late to stop him. There was no telling how long he was like that.

He breathed out heavily as you came behind him, gentle hands resting on his shoulders. Harry suffered with bipolar disorder, the true manic and depressive stages. It was heartbreaking every time he had to face this. You wished you could force it away.

Despite the struggles he had, he never once neglected you or made you feel guilty. If anything, he was the one who was guilty. He hated that you waited on him, and that you took such good care of him. Of course he’s grateful, he’ll never under appreciate you. But it’s a challenge, he should be taking care of you.

You smiled softly when he reached up and grabbed your wrist. He gave you a tug, silently wanting you to move in front of him. So you do, with no hesitation. He tilts his head back, dull eyes looking into yours. You could easily see the depressive episode in his eyes.

“I missed you.” He mumbled as he grabbed your waist.

“I missed you..” You whispered back, hand pressing against his warm cheek.

He guided you onto his lap, wanting to have you all to himself. He needed to be close to you, needed to feel you. You chuckled faintly as he wrapped his arms around your body and pushed the side of his face against your chest - squeezing you tight. You were like medicine to him, it only worked for a while..

“How are we feeling?” You asked in a voice that was barely audible.

He groaned. “Shitty.”

A smile spread over your lips as you thought about how to fix it. You put your hand on his nape, holding his face against you, and let the other one run through his hair. He hummed as your nails scratched his scalp. He was having a bad headache, and he liked the release of pressure.

“Do you want me to draw up a warm bath, honey?”

He nodded, strong arms gently moving you from side to side. “Wan’ you to get in.”

“I will.” You assured him, lips pressing a few kisses to his hairline.

“M’sorry.”

You were unsure as to why he said that, and when you tugged on his hair to pull his face out of your chest, you immediately matched his frown. “For what, baby?”

He squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting you to see the sadness. “Cus.. m’always.. ruinin’ everythin’.. you should’ve went with your friend.”

You huffed. “Harry.. I’d much rather be here with you, my love.”

“Baby.” His eyes slowly peeled open, and your heart dropped as you watched a few tears come down his cheeks.

“Harry, please don’t get upset.” You pressed a hand to his cheek and used your thumb to rub the tears away.

“I h-have t-to be upset.” He stammered, eyes shifting to stare at your neck. He was too embarrassed to look you in the eye. “You’re al-always.. havin’ to take care of me.. like a fuckin’ child.”

“I take care of you because you get better when I do.” You wrapped your fingers around his hair, not pulling too hard just in case he had a headache like usual. “And you feel better when I’m with you, don’t you? Why would I want to leave and make you feel worse?”

“You always make me feel better..” He mumbled, eyes closing again.

“No, no. Look at me, honey.”

He frowned, shaking his head against your wishes.

“Harry, look at me.. now.”

He never wanted to upset you, so he quickly moved his eyes back to you. “Baby.. m’sorry.”

A sigh came from you, it was heavier than you thought it would be. “Stop apologizing. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“But-“

“Shhh.” Your thumb finger pressed against his lips, keeping them closed. “I’ll go get the bath ready.. wan’ bubbles?” He nodded lightly, making you smile a tad. “Stay here.. I’ll be back.”

You kissed his forehead a few soft times before pinching his warm cheek and hopping off his lap. He wanted you to stay on him and never leave, but he knew the bath would be relaxing for you both.

It pained you to leave him all alone. Despite how he can be at times, he hated being alone. No matter how difficult the depression became, he never wanted to be all alone. He needed you, and wanted you at all times. Even though he hated to feel like a burden, he always wanted you with him. It was easier to walk away this time because the end result would be better. You will be with him, and everything will be fine.

You made sure to cut on the hot water, knowing how much he liked a flaming bath. You poured the bubble bath soap into the water and watched quietly as the bubbles formed on the water's surface. It smelt like strawberries, and added a soft pink tint to the water. He never reminded the color of the water or the scent of the soap - as long as you were with him, nothing else mattered.

Once the tub was filled to the desired amount, you cut off the water and draped the washcloth over the edge. You placed two towels on the rack before walking back to the bedroom. Harry hadn’t moved at all, which didn’t shock you. He looked over when he heard your feet shuffle on the carpet. You smiled and held your hand out. He stood up and gladly closed the distance between you. His big hand engulfed yours and he pulled you close, his arm sliding around you.

“Thank you.” He muttered quietly.

You pecked the corner of his mouth, the tip of your toes digging into the carpet to push you up. “Don’t thank me, baby.”

The smile slowly growing on his pink lips made your heart melt, a nice warmth filled your body. “Can I.. undress you?”

“Of course.. you don’t have to ask.” You gave him a wink and he chuckled. The sound truly made you smile, maybe he was reaching the end of this very long depressive episode. Despite the joy of the assumption, you feared what would come next. “C’mon.”

You drug him to the bathroom and close to the hamper, hoping the clothes you were both dressed in would end up there - though, that was doubtful.

“You look comfy.. What did you do while I was sleeping?” Harry asked as he messed with the hem of the big tshirt. You liked to wear loose things while at home. “Didn’t work yourself t’death.. did you?”

You smirked at his words. “No.. I cleaned the kitchen.. and I worked on that puzzle we started last week.. didn’t get far.. Mom called me.. we talked for a while.”

“I promise..” Harry slid his hand under your shirt and on to your waist, his brows furrowed as he spoke. “.. that I’ll do all the cleaning.. as soon as I can.. you won’t have to lift a little finger, angel.”

You licked your lips and put your hands on either side of his neck. “You’re the sweetest, you know.”

He lifted the right corner of his mouth higher than the left, displaying the cute dimple in his cheek. “You’re the sweetest thing on this earth.” Your eyes rolled and he grinned a bit bigger, leaning down to kiss the corner of your eye. “You’re my sweet, beautiful, incredible, stunning girl.”

You rubbed the end of your nose against his and let your lips gently brush his chin as you moved your head. “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“I dunno about that.” You bit your lip in attempt to push down your laugh but it slipped out anyways.

He hummed as your fingers worked to untie the strings of his sweatpants. You hadn’t seen him completely naked in a handful of days and you were dying to touch his warm skin. Sometimes he forgot to take off his clothes when he slept, especially during the bad days.

“M’sorry I’ve been distant.. I know you hate it.” He swallowed harshly as you gave the pants a gentle tug. They pooled around his ankles and he stepped out of them.

“You have your reasons.. and I don’t hate it.”

He softly grabbed your chin between two fingers and lifted your head up. “You mean absolutely everything to me.. I love you more than anyone could love anyone else.. I’m nothing without you.. I love you, okay? Please.. don’t ever forget that.”

You smiled sweetly and wrapped your arms around his torso. “I won’t. And I love you. You’re my favorite thing.”

He faintly smiled back, but you noticed it was indeed faint. He had always struggled with accepting the idea that he was enough for you. He constantly insisted that you deserved better, despite knowing he’d crumble away and die if you ever left his side.

“I miss you.. miss seeing you..” He mumbled while pulling your shirt up your body. You hold your arms up and let him take it all the way off. “You’re so perfect.”

His big hands grabbed your waist and guided you close. You decided to carry on, so you grabbed his shirt and he chuckled as he helped you take it off. As soon as his stomach was bare, you began to rub your hands down his abdomen. He smirked as he watched your lustful eyes stare at his skin.

“I missed you more.”

Harry gently touched your jaw, letting his thumb rub over your skin. “I shouldn’t neglect you.. should be worshipping your body every night.. every morning..”

You blushed hard and gave him a soft laugh. “Worship is a little intense, yeah?”

“No..” he kissed your forehead. “You deserve the praise.”

A breath hitched in your throat as his hands slid behind you to unclasp your bra. “The water’s gonna get cold.”

He smirked softly and dropped your bra to the floor. “We’re almost done.”

Despite how cheeky he was being with you, the sad demeanor didn’t go away. You could see it in his eyes, in the shape his lips made when he relaxed them, and even in his posture. You gave him a warm smile before removing your underwear. You wanted to speed up the process. He followed your actions, a little disappointed that he couldn’t do it for you.

“Do you want me in front or behind?” You asked with one foot submerged into the warm water.

He thought for a quick moment. “Behind.”

You nodded softly, glad that he chose that. It was always something you loved to do - holding him and making him feel safe. The comfort always made him relax, and you wanted nothing more than for him to feel better.

Harry didn’t say anything else as he watched you sink into the bath. He got in once you were situated and he sighed heavily as he leaned against your welcoming body. Your arms gladly slid around his torso, hands on his chest and stomach. His muscles were aching, and he was tense in places. You rubbed small circles into his skin as you waited patiently and quietly for him to say or do something. Sometimes you talked about your day because he was curious, other times you didn’t talk to each other at all. You always let him decide.

“S’nice.” He mumbled while picking up your hand.

You felt a warmth grow inside of your chest as he slotted his fingers with yours. “Mhm.. really warm.”

He let his body move in the water until his head laid against your shoulder and collar bone. Your back was pressed into the tub, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Harry sighed in relief as you brought your unoccupied hand up to his head to rub his scalp.

“Are the days getting better or worse?” You kept your voice soft.

He shrugged. “Hard to tell when.. when one day ends and another starts.”

You gulped quietly, hating that he constantly has to feel this way. “I’m sorry.. I wish I could help you.”

“You do help.” He huffed.

Even though he couldn’t see it, you rolled your eyes. “I wish I could change it.. I would change it and fix everything if I could.”

“Well you can’t.”

“Harry-“

“You help me more than you’ll ever know, baby.” Harry never once let you think you were useless. He’s never allowed you to take any blame. “M’not.. fixable. Every little thing you do for me helps.”

Your nails scratched at his scalp, but no words came from your mouth. A feeling of guilt was bubbling in your stomach. You would do anything to make him better, absolutely anything. He was aware of that, of course. He knew how much you loved him and how bad you desired to help him get better - but there was simply no getting better.. nothing could change.

“I don’t wan’ you t’ever think.. that i don’t love and appreciate everything you do, baby.” His voice wasn’t very loud as he spoke, but the tight grip he had on your hand assured you that he was being serious. “You make life worth living.. without you I have no reason to be alive.. no reason to be anything.”

“I love you, Harry.” You kissed his temple, your lips lingering on his skin. “I love you.”

He squeezed your hand. “I love you.”

A soft smile came to your lips as he shifted his head to press his mouth on yours. The kiss was soft and pure, nothing sloppy. You adored it, so you gave him another. He smiled back, and you felt complete. All you wanted was for him to smile.

“M’so glad I married you.” He said in a whisper as he ran his finger over the diamonds on your ring.

You chuckled lightly. “I’m glad you married me, too.”

He smiled. You absolutely loved his pretty smile.

•••

“You’re warm.” He muttered as you pulled the covers up to your shoulders.

“Someone’s being a cuddly bunny.” You chuckled as he nuzzled his face in your chest and wrapped his arms around your hips.

“Miss you.. love you.. so much.”

You ran your fingers through his slightly damp hair. “I love you, too, honey.”

“You’re m’ baby.”

“Always.” You smiled, wishing you could peck his pretty lips.

“Baby doll.. can I tell you some’?”

You hummed back, eyes closing as you began to feel very sleepy. His voice kept you alert though. He cleared his throat and gently kissed your covered breast. A heat rose to your skin as he stuffed his face further into your chest.

“‘Member we talked about babies?... I wanna have a baby..”

Your heart fluttered at the mention of a baby - a topic you’ve talked about a lot. You gulped quietly and moved your hand down to his cheek. You rubbed the corner of his mouth as you processed his words.

“A baby?.. You said you.. weren’t ready before..”

“M’ready now.. M’not gonna get any better.. so there’s no point in waiting for me to.. besides..” he lifted his head up, eyes finding yours in the dim bedroom light. “..I wanna have a family with you.”

“If that’s what you want, babe, then.. okay.” You smiled brightly as he suddenly flipped you over onto your back and got above you.

“I love you.” He quickly kissed your lips. “I want to have a baby with you.. and another.. and another.”

You giggled softly as his hair tickled your face, his lips sucking on your neck. “I assume you want to start now?”

He smirked against your warm skin. “If that’s okay.”

“That’s perfectly okay.”

His hand squeezed as much of your hip as he could as his lips pecked up your jaw. He reached your lips and plopped a few kisses down. “I love you.”

“Will you.. be able to? Sometimes you.. you can’t-“

He sighed. “I can now. I want you.. need you so bad.”

[conretewings]

DEMON SLAYER: THE BEACH EPISODE

(From: The husband who steals the phone to make a half baked post)

Tanjiro was assigned to find and kill a demon on the eastern shore. He was not phased on going solo due to the location.

Zen would spend time chasing women or hiding in sand ditches. And Inoskue...well he would be attacking umbrellas and kicking over sand forts.

"Well Nezuko, once when we get you back into a human form, I will take you here first thing!" The pure bean said to his sister. He could not see a way to have her outside here, it's mostly sun and only shade from the umbrellas. Some storm clouds of foreshadowing coming from the horizon. It would also seem tough for a demon to be there normally.

Sure enough, when he arrived, the beach was surprisingly not crowded. He learned from an old man shouting exposition, that people found this cursed after some disappearances. In his view, there were some families and couples, but it was not swarming with folks.

The Demon was...easily seen. There was a fort of umbrellas in a dome shape. The Japanese Kanji for "Menacing" was all over the place. So Tanjiro boldly went over to the fort and opened to see...no one. It may be here, maybe under the sand. But if so, it would be a tough challenge.

The Pure Bean decided to ask around on the dissapearences. He learned that they all had one thing in common. All were winners of a surfing competition. He could guess they were lured and then killed. "Why didn't they shut down the competition?" He asked out loud.

But he knew why, small towns must have a tourist attraction. Money flows and community grows. So there was only one thing to do. TRAINING MONTAGE! Multiple and detailed scenes played of Tanjiro learning to surf, and how to dress for the gig. Nezuko was not with him on these, rather in her box safely surrounded by towels and under an umbrella. With heart's drawn in the sand around her.

The day would come for the competition. This would be tough, as many folks were joining in for this. They knew the risk, but the game and money was worth it. Soon, the race started. Tanjiro, swimming to a high tide. His sword was left with his sister. He dared to not cheat. He was too pure for that.

A surfing montage later, and he win first place! It was so amazing you would have to see it. Words could possibly explain the thrill this competition had! If the writer wasn't lazy. The crowd cheered and confetti was thrown! Women in scantily clad kimonos carried him off to receive his prize! When it was all done, he grabbed his things and waited. Sure enough someone was standing in the shadow fort. Beckoning him over.

The demon was about 5'10 tall. A slim but slightly muscular figure. They seemed vary androgynous is looks. Whatever this demon used to be, was hard to tell. They had dark red lips, and matching eye makeup. They wore a short amount of beachware. Good to entice anyone. (Just incase folks wanted to draw the demon because people thirst for a nice demon)

"Congrats on winning! That was so amazing! Why don't you come on over and I can write about you! I've been doing a book on the culture here and the winners!"

Tanjiro was on his guard, he knew this is a trap for their victims. But he had to do this! So he went over, as soon as he got close, the wholesome smile of the demon twisted into a maniacal grin.

"Fool! You have no idea what you've done! I could sense that you were a demon slayer. But you came here anyway! You want to know why I targeted those surfers? Well too bad! I don't owe you anything! But I'll take everything from youuuu."

Tanjiro was shocked! But he could sense the string to kill. So he charged in. His blade glo6ing blue as he was about to speak his attack. This demon seemed overly confident, which could be its downfall.

The Demon howled as they swung their arms back, about to attack with their unique demon abilities that only that have!

Suddenly strong winds came from afar as storm clouds arrived! Blowing the umbrellas in full force! The ends of these, came with such force from the winds. That it impalled the Demon through their arms and neck! Not many knew how deadly umbrellas can truly be with the power of wind. (Seriously)

The Demon, pinned down, was in shock! But no matter. They can certainly get out of this and get back to killing the demon slayer! All they have to do is---

Tanjiro, shocked by the turn of events, started to whistle as he took down the surrounding umbrellas in the fort. Letting in beams of the remaining sunlight, pierce through, and slowly burning the flesh and blood of the Demon. They screamed in agony! Ohhhh the pain! But no one would hear.

The beach crowd long left when they saw the oncoming clouds. Many left right after the competition was over. Only Tanjiro was there to see the Demon losing life to the beams of the sun. Tanjiro then promptly cut off their head, before removing the umbrellas that were impaling it.

The Demon, on its last bit of life, remembered their past! They were once a young--- Tanjiro threw the head in the sky towards the sun. Having it burn upward. He did shed a tear, as his did for almost every demon.

When nothing was left, he picked up an umbrella, and walked back to headquarters, to tell everyone the full details.

This filler episode is sponsored by Crunchyroll.

[imagine-loki]

Atlas: Space, Neptune

TITLE: Atlas: Space

CHAPTER NO./ONE-SHOT: 10/12

AUTHOR: fanfictrashdump

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine narrating episodes of Loki’s life with the Avengers based on the songs from Sleeping At Last’s “Atlas: Space” album. 

RATING: T-M

NOTES/WARNINGS: Welcome to my Sleeping At Last’s Atlas: Space challenge, aka Another writing project I do not have time for, but my brain insisted on doing.

This series will be less like a multichapter fic and more of a one-shot compendium, but that they all interconnect in one way or another. It will revolve around Loki and Becca’s relationship (Taking Turns, Glow, Helmet Heists–don’t worry, more Loki-Charlie stuff will be along) and I will use those one-shots as reference to the timeline. Each chapter will be one song, used as inspiration for the story.

Chapter 10: Neptune

Summary: Loki and Becca have decided to discuss the last decade of their lives without each other. Loki finds that his absence has done much more harm than he intended, but he vows to make amends. (Immediately after Glow.)

Warnings include: Language, mentions of suicide, disease, cancer, implied smut, angst but ends well?

=

Pitch black, pale blue It was a stained glass Variation of the truth And I felt empty handed

They were meant to be taking turns, telling each other what had happened in that stretch of years since they had last met. He truly wanted to tell Rebecca of every detail she had missed due to his self-imposed exile, but the second the coffee, eggs, and toast hit the table, they both felt eerily silent. Loki stared at the black liquid swirling in his mug, tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. Despite the growing discomfort, his eyes inevitably pulled to her. Even after all this time, the very sight of her, as different as it was now, made his heart stutter. It immediately morphed into a constricting pain in his chest, forcing him to clear his throat awkwardly.

You let me set sail With cheap wood So I patched up Every leak that I could ’til the blame grew too heavy

Could he tell her the truth?

Sure, she deserved it. More than anything–the jewels and vast empires he wanted to gift her–she deserved the truth. Could he tell her that he had run just because he was afraid? What kind of monster would that make him? Especially now that he knew how much she had hurt in his absence. It felt like such an empty excuse now–perhaps it always was. Through the dip in her v-neck long-sleeve shirt, he could spy a glossy scar, perfectly round, beneath her collarbone. He felt a momentary compulsion to brush his fingers against the shiny skin, but he closed his hands around his mug.

Stitch by stitch, I tear apart If brokenness is a form of art I must be a poster child prodigy Thread by thread, I come apart If brokenness is a work of art Surely this must be my masterpiece

“Stop looking at me like that, for fuck’s sake,” she breathed out, teeth grit painfully tight. Loki blinked forcefully, and he almost asked what she meant before she interrupted. “Like you’re wondering whether or not I’m broken. I think you know I am.”

“No! I–” He stopped when she gave him a withering look for lying. “I’m sorry. It’s taking longer than I thought to reconcile seeing you…so different. It–”

Her face hardened, an expression that he was so unfamiliar with that it startled him. His own softened in response. “I did what I could with what I had. With who I had because I did not have the luxury to go off on some stupid space adventure–”

“I’m sorry. I will beg you on my knees until my dying breath for you to forgive me, but I can’t change any of that, Becca.” He growled at himself, taking a deep breath and staring upwards to get the prickling tears in his eyes under control. “Please, just eat your breakfast.”

“I’m not very hungry,” she replied, pushing her plate away.

“Rebecca,” he warned gently and she scoffed.

“You don’t get to do that, Loki.” She curled up in her seat, drawing her knees to her chest, protecting herself. “Coming back doesn’t give you an automatic pass. It doesn’t put us right back to where we left off.” Outside, the weather had taken its cues from her mood, and the window darkened with storm clouds.

I’m only honest when it rains If I time it right, the thunder breaks When I open my mouth I want to tell you, but I don’t know how

“I know. I am sorry. I am trying. I swear to you I am trying to figure out how to tell you that I am a shit individual and that I wish I could take back every single second that I wasn’t here. This wasn’t what I wanted for you. This was never–”

The tears finally won over, coming down his cheeks, unhindered, as he silently willed her to take a bite of toast, of eggs, anything. He clenched his eyes shut, head hanging low. His eyes had spied more shiny bits of skin, but these made his blood run cold.

“What are those scars?”

The way he asked the question left out any doubt of him knowing exactly what they were. He didn’t even need to watch her to know she had shifted her arms inwards.

I’m only honest when it rains An open book with a torn out page And my ink’s run out I want to love you, but I don’t know how

I don’t know how No, I don’t know how I don’t know how I want to love you, but I don’t know how

I want to love you…

“Desperation,” she answered after a long, long silence. “I didn’t have a Bifrost handy.”

She offered him a tight-lipped smile when his eyes shot up. It wasn’t like he didn’t already know, but the confirmation hurt all the same. He had been honest with her about his inner turmoil after he discovered he was adopted. It wasn’t a secret that he had let go of his adoptive father’s spear without a second thought. Becca had been so angry to learn that he felt like there was nothing else to do but fall into the abyss. He now understood that rage.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

Becca snorted. “It’s kind of a one-person job, Lo.”

“That’s not funny!” He roared, landing his fist on the table hard enough to make the flatware rattle.

“You’re right. You’re right. It would’ve been a joke if I had said I needed a better supervisor to finish the job,” she riposted, deadpan.

His hand clenched around his coffee mug, almost debating if it was worth it to throw it against the wall so that it would relieve some of his tension, but deciding against it. He hurriedly swallowed a sip that scalded all the way to his stomach.

“I don’t know why you’re upset. You wanted to know what happened. That’s what happened. I worked, alone. I mourned your death. I got sick. I got carved up like a roast. I was sick while still being sick. I didn’t want to do it, anymore. I did something about it. I failed. Now you’re here. And I am glad, but loving you doesn’t make anything else any less real and it doesn’t make me any less angry.”

Her words felt like a weight upon his chest, threatening to crack it open.

“How can you still love me?” Loki’s voice was small and shaky.

That was the real question, wasn’t it? How could she even harbor indifference for him after his abandonment. He didn’t deserve her light, her kindness, her well-placed rage.

“I don’t know.”

Pitch black, pale blue These wild oceans Shake what’s left of me loose Just to hear me cry mercy

A strong wind at my back So I lift up the only sail that I have This tired white flag

The dam broke. A sob wrenched her chest and she lowered her head to her hands, fingers pulling at the short tresses in what had to be a painful way. “I don’t know,” she repeated. “None of this makes sense, but we never made sense, did we?”

Loki finally moved out of his seat, taking a knee in front of her and tracing shapes on her knees over her plaid pajama bottoms. “That’s not quite true, is it? You and I always clicked rather well, despite how much of a bad idea that was.”

“There’s not much left of me, nowadays, to click to anything.”

“I’ll give you every piece you need to be whole, again,” he assured. “Every molecule of me is already on borrowed time and I will give every instant to you if it’ll make you smile–”

Becca covered his mouth with her hand, which she dropped once he nodded in agreement of his silence. “I can’t live with promises, anymore. Don’t promise me a thing–”

“But–”

“Loki. A promise is worth nothing if you don’t follow through.”

“I swore to you that I would stay until you demand I leave.” He swallowed thickly and breathed deep. “I know I said that before, but I was an idiot, too scared to lose you, too scared of his own demons to love you as you deserved.” He settled back on his haunches, giving her space to breathe. “I am here for you, body, heart and soul. I surrender to you and only you. This is the only place I want to be, Becca.”

With a sniffle, she joined him on the floor, slipping into his arms to hug his middle. She shuddered at the familiarity of his touch, slightly cool, and smelling like pine and cinnamon.

Loki tentatively lowered his lips to hers, tasting the few sips of bitter coffee on her tongue. His body knew how to navigate far before his mind had even caught up to what was occurring. He sought to comfort her frantic nerves, hanging by the barest threads, soothe her mind and ease her burden. Lips trailed down her jaw until they reached her neck, where they settled against her pulse and nipped. When his fingers itched at the hem of her shirt, she stopped him with a hand around his wrist.

“I apologize. I moved too fast,” he panted, moving a fraction back to look at her face. A flash of lightning illuminated her face in an eerie glow.

I don’t know how, know how, know how I want to love you, but I don’t know how

I want to love you…

A dark shadow crossed her expression. “No, it’s not that.” He prompted her to continue with a nod. “I’m not the same.” He opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head as a deterrent. “It’s not the weight, it's…”

He frowned, catching the hem of her shirt. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking for permission. Becca simply looked away, clenching her eyes shut. Loki slowly hitched her t-shirt up, ignoring the sight of her ribs, sticking out awkwardly, knowing he could remedy that easily enough, and soared past until reaching two large scars on her chest just below her now mutilated breasts.

“Who did this to you?”

Becca clenched her eyes tighter. This was clearly one of those things she did not want to talk about, but he wanted–needed–to know. “I got sick again,” she repeated for what she felt was the millionth time that day. “They had to…”

“Cancer?” He asked, breathlessly, his fingers tracing over her scars with a featherlight touch. He was familiar with the Midgardian disease, though he had not met anyone to suffer it, firsthand. She nodded her assent, jerkily. “Again? What do you mean, again?” Holding her breath, she leaned back, pulling her bottoms down just enough to show him the scar between her hips. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when–”

“You were dead,” she said as way of excuse.

“I still heard your pain,” he admitted, swathing her skin with his hands. She only looked half surprised. “I was meant for Valhalla and through the darkness I heard you, and all I wanted was to reach you.” He pressed his forehead against hers.

“You did.”

“Much too late, dove.” He cursed under his breath, for what felt like the millionth time. “I should have stayed. I could have helped, anything.” When he couldn’t bare the what ifs any longer, he kissed her again, pulling her body into his. “I intend to make amends,” he husked, attacking her neck with renewed fervor, forcing a groan from Becca’s mouth. Her brief hesitation was short-lived as she wrapped her legs around his waist and he lowered them both to the floor.

“Thank you,” she murmured as the lay naked and panting on the floor some time later. “For not freaking out.”

“Why would I? I get to discover every inch of you all over again,” he replied, smiling contentedly, fingers idly brushing the scar over her womb in a way that made her shiver.

“Same.” She tapped a scar over his chest with her index. “What happened there?”

“That’s a long story,” he sighed, resting his head on her chest to listen to the steady thumping of her heart.

“We have time.”

“That we do.” He smiled, realized the implication of the phrase. He was to stay. “Well, it started with my oaf of a brother…”

[these-are-the-first-steps]

JUST SEEN THE TRAILER- TIME TO BREAK IT DOWN!!

So my brain refused to pay attention to both audio and visual at once with this, so my break-down is first with the dialogue we hear (which is the first thing that kept drawing my attention), and then with what we actually see.

DIALOGUE:

-Ok, who the fuck is that talking at the front end?? I *think* it might be Poe? Because it matches the pitch and tone of Oscar’s voice when he’s talking to 3PO, HOWEVER--- -”Good people will fight if we lead them!” jesus fuck that sounds like Adam??? It sounds like Adam. His voice DOES pitch up quite a bit in passionate moments- see TFA’s forest fight. It sounds like his same voice there here.

-”People keep telling me they know me. No one does.” SAME, GIRL, SAME. “But I do,” a very SOAKED Kylo Ren says as he emerges from the wave to confront this off-the-rails prodigal! GO GET HER, BBY!!!

-”And now, your coming together....is your undoing.” You know what’s fuckin weird here? Palpy doesn’t even really sound happy about it?? Like he’s almost...sad??? What even??? What is going on here???

-heart-string pulling like from 3PO was UNCALLED FOR, JJ. )X

-”Confronting fear...it’s the destiny of a Jedi!” says the guy who came from a LONG LINE of Jedi who ran away lmfao. Ok, Luke, ok....

-Carrie’s voice as the last voice in the trailer? Yes, thank you, I have been fed.

VISUAL:

-Rey tossing down Luke’s old training visor- so, we’re training. Rey’s working hard, but her training transitions right into what she’s done her entire life- scaling derelict ships for parts. Why do all new things always lead back to the old, I’m sure she wonders? The look on her face reads exasperation. She’s DONE this before- wasn’t that old life supposed to stop?

-Lando seems to become a rallying point for the fractured and beaten resistance. <3

-The kids (Finn, Poe, and Rose) go on adventures, through jungles and deserts! The old sand yacht seems to make a reappearance- do we go back to Tatooine? The fuckin...shitty epicenter of the whole skywalker lineage? What are they there to look for, I wonder, if so?

-Rey looks....downright angry on the downed death star (are we agreeing that’s what it is?) when Kylo appears, and Kylo, as the last trailer snippet showed us, really seems to have his head on straighter this time- he’s serious, but he looks VERY collected- he knows what his business with Rey is, and he is (deathly) calm about fulfilling it- whatever that might be!

-The iceberg island looks like something out of Farscape’s “Unrealized Realities” episode. In that episode, the iceberg was an ephemeral construct created by dimension-jumping beings to steady and sustain the show’s hero to figure out just *why* he wanted to go home so bad- and why he wanted to use something that could easily be turned into a galaxy-destroying super weapon to do it. So that iceberg, which was a stepping stone not just through TIME but DIMENSIONS (unrealized realities- the what-could-have-beens in every single instance of every being’s existence) is giving me serious “Unrealized Realities” vibes, which....well, it might fit into the theme of all this. If you want some crazy science-philosophy downloaded into your brain, please check out that episode.

-that’s the fucking game of thrones throne- JJ whyyyyyyyyy

-that imperial star destroyer looks like it is LITERALLY coming out of the ice- has it been hiding all this time?!!!

-The falcon clearly has plenty of friends- I think the resistance is probably OK.

-Kylo and Rey’s clash in the splash looks more passioned than deadly. It’s like when you’re really REALLY upset and you smack a pillow a bunch- are you really out to damage your fluff or are you just hitting it because you don’t know what else to do? That’s what those sword swipes look like to me.

-ALSO ALL THOSE STRIKES ARE ON REY- THAT’S KYLO ON THE DEFENSIVE, HE’S NOT ATTACKING HE’S BLOCKING HER STRIKES.

-At least the resistance friends look to be on a First Order ship as they shoot down troopers and not some haunted imperial one.

-Carrie, I cry.

-I....is that a pod racing homage? I’m even more convinced it’s tatooine.

-Who is flying that...A-wing? Is that like a resistance A-wing?

-I don’t get the horses. Stop trying to put horses in star wars ok. At least make them slime aliens or something.

-The room where Palpy and Luke and Vader had their infamous showdown and our two children are just standing in it *staring at each other*  I really really cANNOT.

-Finn is suddenly at the clash ‘n splash now, too? Looks like he’s yelling “REY!” like when Kylo carried her off in TFA? In fact that whole scene looks like an echo of that. I wonder what Rey’s reaction will be to it this time- she knows both men much, much better now, and I get the feeling that Finn’s not gonna be the type to understand aggressive courtships.

-Rey and Kylo are destroying things together. This is good. But it almost looks like they’re in some weird Cloud City?? I slowed down the trailer to stop on that frame and the thing they’re destroying looks almost like some sort of decoy puppet- it’s got a head and the shape of a body under a cloak. Could it just be some avatar of Palpy or something? Or actually him himself? Would that be too much to give away in a trailer? lol. What kind of Jedi/Sith tech can we find that might fit the description of an animated avatar to work on one’s behalf at a safe distance? I’m super into this idea now. Also, Rey is holding a knife now- a new weapon!! It doesn’t seem like destroying that thing was much of a challenge for them either, and Kylo still has his mask on, so perhaps this is at an early part of the movie before he loosens up a bit more?

-fuuuuuuckin star destroyer o’clock!! D:

-Something’s reflecting off of Kylo’s face here. Is some sort of old holovid playing? What is he watching? What is he being shown?? He looks almost...hurt. Caught off guard by whatever it is he sees!! :O

-This bit with Rey almost looks like the item in the top left corner could be Vader’s mask, but I think it’s just that fuckin discount iron throne palpy bought at the wrap auction. Because standing in front of it in a black cloak is probably whatever husk of the former Emperor is left...

-Rey looks emotional in this closeup. Is this where she sees her darksider self? She seems sadly accepting of whatever it is she’s looking at, and that would fit the bill- “Nobody really knows me” and here she is confronted with the Dark truth she’s never actually vocalized. Niiiiice. This is why Kylo knows you, baby!! <3

-The last three shots of this trailer are of Kylo and Rey, and AT LEAST TWICE this was edited to show Kylo and Rey pointed towards each other shot-wise. None of it was aggressive, all of it was weepy begrudging. And I, personally, can work with that.

God speed, Space Babies!!!! I am SO ready for December!!!!

[jessahmewren]

“Just The Way You Are” / The X-Files / Fan Fiction

A response to @xfilesfanficexchange​ The X-Files Fan Fic Episode Challenge.  I had The War of the Coprophages for @admiralty-xfd​ who wanted a little bit of Scully’s thoughts post ep on Bambi, Mulder and the whole deal.  I hope I delivered for you dear. 

Also on Ao3 and tagging @today-in-fic

-0-0-0-

Scully stood bemused as Dr. Berenbaum and Dr. Ivanov retreated into the rainy afternoon, happily chatting about their combined interests.  If only Bambi had found him sooner, Scully found herself thinking.

It wasn’t that she was bitter that her partner had spent the better part of a week working with a smart, beautiful woman.  She was just wet and cold and covered in dung.

That’s what she told herself, at least, as Scully and Mulder made their way to the car.

Scully sat in the front seat as Mulder drove, the combined stink of the two of them almost comical in its overwhelming cloud.  As if reading her mind, Mulder hit the switch to roll down both of their windows.

They said very little on the drive back to the hotel, and Scully’s mind slowly turned over thoughts of a hot shower, bionic cockroaches, and big-breasted, doe-eyed etymologists.

Her cheeks dusted pink, a tight flutter in her chest.

Mulder had spent days with Bambi, working side by side, bouncing ideas off each other.  They’d gotten a lot of work done, it seemed.

Scully chewed on that as Mulder pulled up to the hotel.  “I call dibs,” Mulder called over his shoulder.  He had checked out the day before, so this was her room.

She rolled her eyes, following him inside the small room.  “Be quick,” she said.

It was chill inside, with that stale wet cold common to all motel rooms.  She absently picked through her things, setting aside her hairbrush and clothes on one of the double beds.  She heard the shower start up, and a puff of steam snaking out from a crack in the door.

After a few minutes Mulder came out, hair spiked in places and sticking to his head in others, his tan skin pinked at the collar of his t-shirt.  Scully swallowed, feeling the color rise in her cheeks.

“Leave any hot water for me?”

His mouth quirked up.  “Maybe a little.  Should’ve showered together, Scully.  Save the planet and all that.”

She cocked her head, eying him hard as her heart hammered in her chest.  When she slid past him on her way to the bathroom, the warmth and clean soap smell of him pressed into her, and it was all she could do not to lean into it.

She quickly scrubbed off, washing her hair and her body, her skin just a touch oversensitive.  She chalked it up to nerves, to tiredness.  After a few minutes, Scully staggered out of the shower and stood in front of the mirror, appraising herself.  Small breasts, few curves.  Her mouth turned down in a small frown.  While she knew Mulder wasn’t interested in her like that, she couldn’t help but compare herself to Bambi, a woman Mulder had been obviously interested in.

Scully turned away, toweling off and dressing in one of her college t-shirts and a pair of sweats.  It would do for tonight; they would be sharing a room, after all, the hotel being completely booked and their flight out not being until in the morning.  Inwardly, she was glad the hotel had given her the double.

She padded into the hotel room in sock feet, finding Mulder propped up against the headboard on her bed watching television.

She put her hands on her hips, her head cocked toward him.  “That’s my bed, you know.”

He worked his mouth.  “Your stuff was on the other one,” he reasoned.  “Come on, Scully.  Full House is on.”

She sighed, flopping down on the pristine coverlet of the other bed.  She propped some pillows behind her, eyes vacant as she stared in the direction of the television.

“Who do you think is more likely to believe in aliens, Uncle Jesse, Joey, or Danny?”  Mulder drawled out between laughing.  He was chewing on the end of a pen he’d found on the bedside table, one leg casually bent where he lounged against the pillows.

“Joey,” Scully replied flatly.  He seems most gullible, she wanted to say, but bit her tongue.

Mulder seemed pleased, happily chewing the end of his pen.  “Ok, then who do you think is most like to be an alien?”  His eyes sparkled in the light of the TV.  He loved it when they got into, and she could see his excitement tensing his whole body.

She rolled her eyes, deciding to play along.  “IF they existed, I would say Danny.  He is very neat.  A being like that IF they existed would probably go to great lengths to replicate what is quote normal behavior for a species and not draw attention to itself.”

Mulder was beaming.  He tossed the pen on the bed beside him, a broad smile on his face.  “So, Dr. Scully, by answering that question you’re admitting to the mere possibility of an alien species are you not?”  He was very animated now, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Scully just smiled.  “No I am not.  It’s merely conjecture.”

Mulder frowned, but still seemingly satisfied.  Then he looked at her shrewdly.  “You know what else I think is conjecture?  That you’re still upset about something.”

He looked at her meaningfully, stood from the bed and crossed to hers to sit next to her.  He could feel the heat from her body, warm from the shower as his shoulder pressed against hers and the smell of her strawberry shampoo.  No hotel-issue stuff for his Scully.  “Wanna tell me what it is?”

Scully looked up at him, the light from the TV casting lurid shapes onto the gentle slope of her cheek.  “Dr. Berenbaum,” she whispered.

Mulder pursed his lips, mind ticking quickly.  “What about her?”

Scully’s liquid blue eyes flashed up at him.  “Did you like working with her?”

Mulder answered without a thought.  “Of course.  She’s very good at what she does.”

Scully sank a little.  “Oh. Yes of course,” she answered a little thinly.

They sat like that a little longer, Mulder pressed up against, feeling Scully breathe and the bed creak under them.  His hand went up, touching under her chin.

“Is there something else?”

Scully swallowed.  She couldn’t get the insecurities out of her mind, nor could she stop the burning desire to just blurt out question after question about the woman and Mulder’s time with her.

“Did you um…did you like her?”

Mulder blinked.  “Yeah Scully, I did.  She was nice.”

It wasn’t enough, and she hated herself for it.  “Let’s just watch some more TV ok?”

Mulder nodded, still concerned, and returned to his bed.  The next sitcom came on, but she couldn’t focus.  “What’s wrong,” Mulder finally said, eyes turning away from the TV.  “You’re too quiet.  Usually you make fun of this.”

Her mouth quirked into a tight smile.  She turned on her side, finally giving in.

“I think I’m just tired,” She said finally.  “I’m going to bed early.”

Mulder grunted, content to leave her for the moment.  Scully reached for the small lamp by the bed and switched it off.

She closed her eyes, trying to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come.  She heard Mulder flipping through the channels, felt the strobing light from the TV bleeding through her eyelids.  She turned over again, the covers twisting at her feet.

Mulder exhaled, his eyes darting to Scully’s restless form for the umpteenth time.  He worked his mouth.  “Talk to me, Scully.”

She sighed.  “We already talked, Mulder.  I just need to sleep.”

“You want me to turn the TV off?”

“No.”

“We haven’t really talked,” Mulder said.

Scully said nothing, she just lay in the dark, listening to Mulder wait for her response.  The silence was deafening, despite the noise from the television.

“Is this about Bambi?” Mulder prodded.

Scully squeezed her eyes shut, burying her head in the pillow.

“No,” she lied.

Mulder exhaled through his nose.  “She was just a colleague, Scully.  Just—“

“I know,” Scully said, tears straining her voice.  “I know that.”

They said nothing for a while, the tension hanging thick in the room.  Scully willed herself to sleep, anything to quell her racing thoughts.

“Then what is it?” Mulder asked quietly.

Scully closed her eyes.  She was facing the door, her body curled into itself.  “Is that what you want,” Scully inquired softly.

Scully could almost hear the wheels turning and then click into place.  “What do you mean ‘what I want,’” and Scully could tell he truly didn’t understand and wasn’t just avoiding the question.

She swallowed, not really wanting to explain herself but feeling strangely compelled to.  “Like Bambi,” she said quietly, still looking at the door.  “You know, the way she looks.”

“Forget it,” Scully said quickly, squeezing her eyes shut so fast, wishing she was anywhere else, anywhere but with him in that room, in that town, wishing that the whole week had never –

She felt the bed dip, felt his long limbs fold and arrange themselves on the space beside her.  Her heart flipped as his hand brushed the back of her head.

“Scully, look a me.”

She exhaled, hands gripping the sheets up around her chin, and remained stubbornly stuck where she was.

Another stroke to her hair, his knuckles brushing the now-wavy strands, silky-soft against the pillow.

“Come on, Scully.”  More insistent now, Mulder’s voice dropping low and rough.  She didn’t have to turn around to know he was worrying his bottom lip.

But she did.  She slowly rolled onto her back, meeting his thoughtful gaze.

When Scully turned over, he could see the silver tracks of her tears in the low light, and he instinctively wiped them with his thumb.  She closed her eyes against his touch, her face turning slightly as if she could hide the fact that she had been crying.  He sighed softly, his brow furrowed.

“Do you wish I looked like that,” she said quickly, instantly feeling relieved…feeling unburdened as ridiculous as it made her feel.  She was glad it was out in the open, finally blinking in the light of day.

Mulder inhaled slowly, his face impassive.  His hand slipped down to cup her cheek, a thumb sweeping over the soft flesh.  “Why would you think that?”

Scully pulled her plump lower lip between her teeth.  “Because you and Bambi got on so well.  And she is...,” she struggled with her words for a second…”You know, she looks the way she does.”  Scully swallowed hard, averting her eyes.

Mulder pursed his lips, shaking his head softly.  “That has nothing to do with our partnership, Scully.”  He tutted softly, stroking her cheek.  “I didn’t see Dr. Berenbaum that way at all.  She helped me on a case.  That’s all.”

Scully should have felt relieved, but she just felt miserable.  Embarrassed and miserable.  “I know,” she whispered.  “I didn’t think anything else.”

Mulder just pressed his lips together.  Scully eased into his touch, his presence beside her soothing her anxiety somewhat.  “Is there something else going on Scully?”

She shook her head.  “Everything’s fine Mulder.  She reached up to stroke his shoulder, letting her hand rest along his bicep.  “Why don’t you get some rest, hmm?  We’ve got a long journey tomorrow.”

Mulder worried the inside of his jaw, still looking at her.  His mouth quirked, and then he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead.  “Get some sleep, Scully.”

She sighed as his weight lifted from the mattress and the TV flicked off.  She listened in as he busied himself in the bathroom, the tingle of his touch still burning on her cheek.  Finally, he lay down in his bed and turned off his lamp.

Just as she was nodding off to sleep, she heard him turn over.

“Scully?”

“Yeah Mulder?”

“For the record, there’s not one thing I would change about you.  Not one freckle, not one lock of red hair, not one thing.  You’re perfect just the way you are.  Do you understand, Scully?”

She lay in the dark, breathlessly still.  “Yes,” she said.

He smiled, even if she couldn’t see it.  “Good.  Don’t ever forget it.”

She wouldn’t, she thought as she listened to his breathing even out and a light snore fill their small hotel room.  She would never forget it again.

-0-0-0-

[tribeworldarchive]

Interview with the Creators of The Tribe - Raymond Thompson and Harry Duffin!

Where did the idea for the Tribe come from? Why does the Tribe have Zoot, Amber, Bray and the other characters? Where is the Tribe set? The Interviews section is where you will find the answers to these questions and many more from interviews with the cast and behind the scenes members of the Cloud 9 team who make the Tribe. We have received loads of emails and letters with questions about the Tribe both on-screen and off-screen - and there are more questions posted each day on Tribe Talk. Many of the answers to these questions will be given by the people featured in the Interviews section. In this interview, we are pleased to put forward 20 questions to the creators and devisors of the Tribe, Raymond Thompson (who is also the Executive Producer) and Harry Duffin (who is also the Script Consultant for the series). The answers to the questions are given below as RT for Raymond Thompson, and HD for Harry Duffin. You will also be able to find some other interviews with Raymond Thompson about his role as Executive Producer of the Tribe, and with Harry Duffin in his role as Script Consultant, by clicking on the READ OTHER INTERVIEWS link at the top of this page. There will be more interviews with members of cast - and other behind the scenes members of the Cloud 9 team - in the near future. We would like to thank Raymond Thompson and Harry Duffin for their time as they are extremely busy working on Tribe Series 2. THE INTERVIEW 1. What are your names? Raymond Thompson (RT) and Harry Duffin (HD) 2. Where did the idea for The Tribe come from? RT: I have always been intrigued with the notion of a new world order which probably emanates from coming of age in the 60`s where young people were tremendously affected by the cultural explosion of music, fashion and political climate at the time. Over the years, and with each generation, there has been an element of the rebellious, a feeling that the adults have somehow “screwed up” and that the new generation can build a better world. So the tribe has been simmering for several years in my mind in abstract terms and is a great vehicle to portray the theme of the young inheriting the earth and rebuilding society in their own image (the prime theme of the series is examination of whatever that image might be). HD: A magical moment for Ray Thompson. One of those gifts a writer sometimes gets, if he/she listens hard enough. Never question where a great idea comes from, just say `thanks` and use it. 3. From the idea and concept for the series that became The Tribe, what was the process involved in turning it from an idea - into a series? How was the idea expanded and developed into a series? RT: As a writer with a reasonable track record I have been approached on several occasions to develop new products which tends to be derivative of past successes. I enjoyed enormous acclaim working on Howard`s Way and for a time was approached to develop further soaps which was not really of any interest to me. When I was approached by Nick Wilson of Channel 5 to develop a soap for the millennium targeting a child/adolescent market I was attracted by the notion of structuring a normal framework for human interplay within an abnormal backdrop. I have often described The Tribe as Mad Max meets Neighbours or The Terminator meets Home And Away and was particularly encouraged by Nick`s supportive attitude to really push the boundaries and let my imagination go to develop a series with attitude which could be edgy and as unique as I want it (limited only by the imagination) as long as the issues remain truthful and reflected the world children and young people inhabit. I had worked with Harry Duffin on several occasions and admired his skill as a writer but, above all, his interest in producing quality television which we both believe can only be achieved with conviction and integrity and I thought that Harry would be an ideal collaborator. Harry also shares a love of writers and the creative process. After we exchanged thoughts and ideas we wrote an initial treatment (which basically is a series synopsis and character breakdown) we recruited a team of writers and began discussing the premise. This process is a fulfilling and rewarding one whereby each member of the writing team contributed to the creative discussion and within the brief and before long the tribe started to take shape. HD: how long have I got? Basically, Ray and I tossed around potential characters, and I chatted with a fellow writer, Mike Kenny, who works closely with the age-group, about teenagers attitudes today, because my two daughters are grown up, so I`m not as in touch with teenage life as regularly as I used to be [sadly]. From there we produced a basic premise, only a page or two, character outlines, and an outline for episode one [which changed in the development process, as they always do]. Then I got together a team of writers, [about ten initially] and we developed the story format.

5. Was there anything you were particularly looking to include in how The Tribe evolved? RT: I was personally very keen to develop a series that would challenge and stimulate an audience rather than rely on lowest common denominator storylines and I think the tribe certainly poses some interesting questions about the world we all inhabit. Interwoven with this I was very keen to portray an attitude and look so that the characters, as well as the world they inhabit, remained creditable. Young people, for example, through the ages have always used fashion to express themselves and I think the look of The Tribe represents young people of the future and says a lot about their attitudes and aspirations. HD: Problems for our characters to solve in their new world. Problems of technology, how to get clean water, some form of power, and also problems of morality. If there`s no one around to tell you how to behave how do you behave? Weıd all have different answers, like Zoot`s attitude versus Amber`s. 6. What were you not looking to include in the evolution of The Tribe? RT: Again, I was very keen to push the boundaries and ensure that we did not trivialise the subject matter of The Tribe. With a series of this genre it would be quite easy to become cliché and negative and to side step some of the hard hitting issues that we intended to explore. And overall, I am very proud that we remained truthful to the original ideal in developing The Tribe and confronted every element rather than run from them to take creative refuge and perhaps ignore the issues we set out to explore. Those issues I believe have been tackled in a multi-dimensional way and I hope are provocative to allow an audience to draw their own conclusions of what is right or wrong in the realisation that the very root of morality is often grey and we have tried to portray that (ie. that issues are not only black and white and often grey). HD: First and foremost, we didn`t want to glorify violence. In the anarchic world of `The Tribe`, [like our own world, sadly] some form of violence is inevitable. But there`s quite enough in the commercial cinema, and we wanted to show there are different things to aspire to. 7. Why are there so many main characters? RT: It is essential to fuel storylines via the character interplay. HD: For a `soap` there aren`t that many characters. Most UK soaps have over twenty and counting. As The Tribe develops, no doubt we`ll introduce new characters and increase the number too. But like any story with a vast canvas, [as we hope ours has], you need a number of main characters to fuel the storylines. Think of most of Dickens novels, or `Vanity Fair` or any number of great stories. 8. What audience age group were you looking to aim at when developing The Tribe? RT: The Tribe is targeted primarily at an audience age of 8 to 18 but we believe that the series can be enjoyed by all outside that age group who are interested in soaps with the subject matter. HD: From eight to eighty. Iıve always believed that a great story for kids, should be able to be enjoyed by adults. Go to any classic Disney film in the cinema and watch the adults gazing spellbound. Have you seen `Toy Story`?. A great script. Beats the newest `Star Wars` effort hands down for story and character. 9. Why are there no adults in the series? RT: All the adults have died within our storylines but some adults might appear at some point… HD: Haven`t you been paying attention? Theyıve all been wiped out by the virus! Or have they…? Wait and see… 10. How long did The Tribe take to create and develop - over what period of time? RT: In actual real time approximately two years to bring the first series to fruition (ie from the time I discussed the project with Nick Wilson at Channel 5 to the time the first series was broadcast) but, as previously mentioned, I have wanted to do this series for several years as it houses radical issues which are both profound and dramatic - and I know that Harry Duffin has also wanted to explore these as well for a very long time. HD: About ninety years - which is how long Ray and I have been fascinated by stories and story-telling. Oh, you mean actually? Ray threw the idea at me in November [`97] and we produced our first block of four scripts by July `98.

11. Why are the main Tribe characters based in a shopping mall? RT: We needed a base where the Tribe could interact as a group for both logistical reasons and creative. Within the shopping mall there is also intriguing shops for the characters themselves to inhabit so that privately and collectively the writers have a unique framework to explore the character development and interplay. HD: Mazlo`s hierarchy of needs states that one of womankind`s basic priorities is safe shelter [and mankind`s, for that matter.] The mall is defendable, [to a degree], itıs got separate places for our guys to make their own, and more importantly, it keeps all our main characters together, which for us writers is essential. Otherwise youı`d have a lot of scenes with people talking to themselves. Very boring. 12. Is The Tribe meant to be set anywhere in particular? RT: The Tribe is set anywhere in the world. HD: Mo. It`s supposed to be universal, really. In the universe, but who knows where? Is it on earth? Maybe. Only time, and the muse, will reveal all… 13. How did you decide upon the issues that would feature in the storylines - such as environmental messages, teenage pregnancy or bulimia? RT: I think young people have always been very much in tune spiritually and tend to be more elemental than material and this is always an interesting area to explore which usually manifests in themes of idealism. As far as other issues in rebuilding a new world we are able to focus on technology and the environment and science and all that that entails which provides fuel for good storylines. We have also tried to examine issues that young people live everyday of their life from bullying to bulimia and all of this has been interwoven with the emotional interplay which always drives the best drama (ie the examination of inner conflict and the loves, fears, betrayals and ambitions within a group of people). HD: Look around you, buddy. What`s out there is what we use. We don`t want to preach, but we do want to reflect life as it really is. Bulimia is a tragedy that often affects teenage girls a very close friend of mine suffered from it, and it`s her experience that drove our story for Salene. It`s the same with every issue we include. Whatıs more important than the environment, the world we rely on for our very life? [except maybe our latestboy/girlfriend, rave, movie idol?] I joke. Our main aim is to entertain and engage an audience, but if the series gets some people thinking, who wouldn`t otherwise have thought about things, then that`s great. 14. Are there any ideas that were considered in the development of The Tribe - but that were not used? RT: The creative process is a painful and arduous one and ideas are forever being dropped or changed. And so approximately 10% of ideas discussed end up being scripted and even then end up evolving right up until the material is shot and committed. Its organic. The strength for any good series lies in the writing. That is the sole creative area. All other areas are interpretive (although that process itself requires a creative expertise) in the sense that someone has interpreted something that a writer has created. HD: Tons. For every ten ideas thrown up in development, maybe only a couple would be used. It`s an experiment. What works, what doesn`t work? And thatıs only a matter of opinion, of taste, instinct. Some names, like Zoot [dreamed up by our lead writer, Dave Fox] come ready made. Others you have to work at, like choosing a name for a baby. What works for PaulaYates might not be right for you or me. Secret: Bob, the dog, was originally called Sherbert, but the dog responded better to it`s real name, and the youngsters in the cast had made friends with the real dog and kept calling it `Bob` during the takes. After about take twenty was ruined, it was decided to give up and let the dog win.

15. What messages does The Tribe say to its audience? RT: I hope the message is a positive one. The notion of what happens in a series is totally different to what a series is about. Everyone knows what happens in The Tribe but that is not necessarily what the series is about and I would hope that the Mall Rats tribe and their aspirations and triumphs through their various encounters and adversities is a shining testament which will inspire a viewer to realise that human grasp can, and does, extend beyond reach and that there is always hope whereby good triumphs in the end. The prime underlying thematic is young people rebuilding a new world and in that context the theme is a profound one about conscientiousness determining existence or existence determining conscientiousness. This question and theme has challenged humanity since time began and it is doubtful whether there is an answer to that question. The soul of that question has inspired some of the greatest political minds of our time and although Marxist dogma might fall on the side that existance determines conscientiousness - I hope that the Tribe portrays that conscientiousness, in the end determines existence. Within our character interplay we have structured various voices to represent all kinds of theories (ie. Tai-San is mystical, Bray the elemental, Jack the practical, et cetera) but within the human condition overall I believe that the emotions of all the characters in the Tribe lies within us all. Some aspects are dormant, others lie sleeping and just need to awaken, others run rampant. But overall I think the storylines will entertain on one level, but on another level I sincerely hope that that are provocative enough for an audience to question whom why, what, where. HD: I think I`ve answeres some of that earlier. We`re not trying to `educate`, but we are trying to provoke a response. And yes, out main `hero` characters do have a positive attitude to life. I know Zoot is very popular (some of you guys are very weird!) but would you really like him as your own best mate? Boyfriend? You could argue that he is being positive in his own way, I guess, the only way he knows how in a dangerous world, but putting the world back together again isn`t just about looking after number one, is it? 16. What do you feel is the best thing about the Tribe - and why? RT: I think the best thing about The Tribe is its vision and scope and the fact that it is a landmark series ­ and a brave one for all concerned to embark upon. HD: Everything. I love it. It`s a crazy world and guess what? It`s set to get crazier yet! 17. What advice would you give to anybody reading this who might have their own idea for a series - how should they go about progressing it? RT: Writing is like everything else in life and if a person believes in something then they must vigorously pursue it no matter what anyone else thinks if they believe in their heart that what they are seeking is right. No-one has a monopoly on what is good or bad in writing - it is purely subjective and it has been my experience that the key to success as a writer - like anything else in life - is patience and persistance. Nothing succeeds like persistance - but it can take some time and this requires patience. HD: The most common problem about series ideas is that though they may be exciting initially, they often don`t have what we call `legs` in our business. That means the premise wonıt hold or develop over a period of time. So my best advice is, don`t write episode one, write episode ten, or a hundred and ten. If it`s still exciting then, you may have a winner. 18. Is The Tribe a one-off series or an on-going series? RT: Harry Duffin and I, and indeed all members of the Cloud 9 team, believe that The Tribe can run forever. But the ultimate deciding factor is the audience. As long as the fans want to view the series and then every member of the team will be happy to produce it. HD: Ray and I think it can last forever. But that`s for you guys to decide. It`ll last as long as you watch it. 19. When is the tribe set - how long after the adults disappeared? RT: Notionally we think in terms of 9 months after the adults disappear. HD: We figured about six to nine months. 20. What about series 2 of the tribe - what aspects do the back-story elements look at? RT: With the series of the tribe we have a definitive story structure about the world our characters inhabit. The characters themselves also have their own history and in series 2 we explore an interesting back story and will continue to show elements of what happened before which I think will interest viewers when they are witnessing what happens now and second guessing what will happen in the future. HD: There`s a great back-storyline about how Bray, Ebony, Trudy and Zoot were before the virus. If you ever wanted to know how Zoot became the Zoot we all love to hate, all will be revealed in series two.

[bigherosixfeels]

Mr. Sparkles Loses His Sparkle REVIEW

SPOILERS BELOW

Mochi deserved to go viral I'm so proud of him. 

The episode starts in the nerd lab where Hiro has made a functional ping-pong bot. Gogo is up against it, ready to beat the bot, but Fred storms in with alarming news. He shows the gang there's a factory on fire and they need to stop it from spreading any further. Their gear is apparently at Fred's, so they head over there, but the suits are not in their designated spot. Honey Lemon then remembers they left them at her and Gogo's apartment so they go there and suit up. By the time they arrive on scene, the fire department has showed up and the fire is out. Hiro realizes they need to figure out a better way to suit up. 

The next morning in the cafe, Cass wants everyone to see Mochi's latest trick. Honey Lemon is ready to film this and Mochi slow claps. It's indeed adorable and Honey posts it online. Fred remembers that he has an extra ticket to Maximum Insane Obstacle Challenge. It's the number one online game show where contestants have to compete in, you guessed it, obstacle challenges that are insane to the max. Hiro is too busy working on their issue with suiting up to go. Wasabi claims he'll be busy organizing his organizer. Gogo makes it clear that there is nothing anyone can say that will make her want to go. Honey would go, but she's throwing another sticker party. Gogo, remembering the last sticker party (in which stickers are put literally everywhere in their apartment), Gogo agrees to go with Fred. She can't do another sticker party. 

Later in the day, they're at the studio where the game show is held. Fred has on a raincoat poncho because their seats are in the 'maximum insane gross zone'. He only brought one poncho. The game show begins and the host is none other than Mr. Sparkles! I admit, he's good at his job. The sound of a chicken clucking goes off which means it's time to find out who the first contestant will be. An egg rolls its way to Mr. Sparkles and when he cracks it, he calls out the seat number revealed inside. The man in that seat is beyond excited to play the first challenge which is called Sushi Limbo. He has to dress as a piece of sushi and jump through huge chopsticks. If he gets caught by them, they'll dip him into soy sauce. The man starts out doing really well, but what looks to be the last pair of chopsticks gets a hold of him and he falls right into the sauce. Some sauce gets on Fred and Gogo, but don't worry; it's low sodium. 

Next, a crying baby sound effect goes off and it's time to Feed The Baby! The goal is to squirt a bunch of milk into a hungry baby, but the baby is also not feeling well apparently. The next egg is cracked and Gogo's seat is the lucky number! She's not fond of the idea of feeding the baby or having to dress like a baby (that's the insane part). She doesn't want to look like an idiot in front of everyone, but Fred says not to worry about what others think and he came prepared to be humiliated. He's wearing nothing, but a diaper under that poncho. Gogo passes on being a contestant. 

Meanwhile, Hiro has Baymax, Honey Lemon and Wasabi in an open field. Hiro wants to demo the long-ranged capabilities of their new suit delivery system. Currently, the suits are at Fred's, which is on the other side of the city. With a press of a button on his phone, Hiro has their super suits fly themselves across town. They arrive well, however, the suits place themselves on the wrong person. Hiro is wearing Wasabi's, Honey is wearing Baymax's, Baymax is wearing Hiro's and Wasabi is wearing Honey's. It's quite the sight to see. Hiro isn't sure why there was an error, but Honey assures it's just a fluke. 

Back at their apartment, Honey is thrilled to announce to Gogo that the video she got of Mochi slow clapping has gone viral. He's an internet star! 

Meanwhile at Mr. Sparkles' studio, people are taking photos of him. His phone buzzes, and he now sees that Mochi's viral video is gaining more popularity. His game show video is currently the most viewed video of all time and he wants to make sure he stays on top. He jumps on a trampoline in a cowboy outfit and then sticks a landing on a...horse body with a wiener face? It's not impressive to his slowly fading audience and he begins noticing that his merchandise is being replaced by Mochi (aka 'Slow Clap Cat') merch. Mochi's video hits number one and Mr. Sparkles is more determined than ever to get his spot back. He hits fragile objects with a huge fish while rollerskating and dresses up like a doll, but to no avail. Mochi's video is trending incredible well and Mr. Sparkles video has plummeted significantly. 

In his dressing room, he's giving himself a pep talk when one of his employees comes in to announce that Yaki Taco will no longer be sponsoring him. Yaki Taco now presents Mochi. This angers him further, saying that no one can take away his sparkle. 

Later on in the night, Hiro is presenting the next version of the suit delivery system to Baymax and Wasabi. The suits arrive in a large circular container, but the suits were supposed to pop out upon their arrival. Hiro is now frustrated that it won't work and Wasabi decides to leave, but the container starts rolling downhill and it's headed for Wasabi. Wasabi does well out-running it as Hiro chases after it (with Baymax slowly following behind). Wasabi jumps between two trees. The container hits these trees which activates the machine to shoot out the suits. 

Now caught up to him, Baymax notes Wasabi has a minor abrasion on his elbow and Hiro apologizes for this. He doesn't understand why his brain isn't coming up with the proper solution and it hasn't been working out for him lately. Wasabi suggests that Hiro is experiencing what all scientist fear...inventors block. Hiro is shocked by this and one of Baymax's rocket fists hits Hiro in the face. Hiro says it's a seven before Baymax can even finish asking his usual "how would you rate your pain" question. 

The next day, Hiro is continuing to draw a blank on a new idea. He flops on his bed admitting that he does have inventors block. Baymax scans him and states that his condition may be psychological. He suggests therapy and Baymax attempts an exercise with Hiro. He asks him what his childhood was like, but Hiro doesn't understand what that has to do with inventors block. He explains that self improvement is a life-long process, but Hiro needs faster results. 

Later on, Mr. Sparkles tries to enter his own studio, but the guard (Felony Carl) says they're at full capacity. He's upset by this, but despite explaining who he is, he's still not getting inside. Anyway, Cass is riding a bike next to the building with Mochi in a front basket. Everyone outside is excited to see Slow Clap Cat (Mochi loves the attention too), but Mr. Sparkles continues to grow angry at becoming a nobody to everyone around him. He ominously backs away, saying "we'll see who has the last clap". 

In the nerd lab, Wasabi is working on something and Hiro still hasn't thought of anything new. He worries about never getting over his inventors block. Wasabi asks when he last took a break, but Hiro doesn't do breaks. Wasabi explains that he's had his best ideas when he wasn't trying and "breaks can lead to breakthroughs" which is really good advice. He then persuades Hiro to meditate with him. During the meditation, Hiro imagines he's floating on a fluffy, white cloud and one of the clouds next to him shapes into a laptop. Wasabi's face appears in another cloud, displeased with Hiro brainstorming during meditation. Hiro makes Wasabi's face cloud disappear, but in real life, he's actually slapping Wasabi's face. 

On the news, Bluff Dunder has Cass and Mochi on to talk about Mochi's video. Cass admits it's exciting about how his video is the most viewed ever. Going on commercial break, Cass thanks Bluff for having her on the show. He offers to give her an autograph and even though she turns it down, he still gives her one anyway. Meanwhile, Mochi gets distracted by a wind up mouse and goes after it. Let the fun begin. 

Later on, Fred comes into the cafe to show a video of Mr. Sparkles. He's announcing his brand new show called Totally Lethal Unfair Obstacle Challenge. The camera zooms in on Mochi inside a rocket. Mr. Sparkles is challenging everyone to beat his obstacle within the next hour. If someone succeeds, Mochi goes free. If not, he'll launch Mochi will go into space. The countdown begins! The gang is determined to save him within the hour. Hiro's latest idea for getting their suits delivered is using a voice command on his phone. He instructs to have the suits delivered to the Lucky Cat Cafe, but the voice command mishears him terribly (twice) and sends the suits to the middle of the ocean. They don't have backup suits either. Cass shows up at the cafe and says she needs to hang up fliers. Hiro tells Baymax to go with her and to make sure she doesn't find out that Mr. Sparkles has him. The rest of the team will start "searching". Hiro tells his friends to buy him some time at the studio. Hiro now knows what to do and how to do it. 

The gang manages to sneak into the studio (since it's boobytrapped). The only way to save Mochi is to complete the obstacle. Twenty minutes are remaining. The challenge they all have to try to beat is called Scream Of Broccoli. They have to wear a broccoli suit, clear a pot of fon-doom (there are ropes to hold onto). Then they have to run on a conveyor belt and avoid getting hit by swinging broccoli. Fred is all in for this challenge and goes first. He makes a run for the ropes, but he doesn't grab on and falls right into the melted cheese. Hiro is currently working on another new design, gaining inspiration from his ping-pong bot. With Mochi on a computer screen (and 15:30 left on the timer), he tells him to hang on. 

Wasabi is up next for the challenge and successfully gets through the first part of the obstacle. He manages to dodge a few swinging broccoli pieces, but one does knock him flat on his face. He's still going, but huge carrots come rolling his way and another broccoli knocks him into a tomato pit. A robotic hand picks him up and dumps him into ranch dressing. He gave it some good effort. 

Cass is putting up fliers for Mochi, confessing she'd fall to pieces if something happened to him. Baymax blocks her view of seeing Mochi on TV and gives her a warm hug. During this hug he lifts her up and gets her away from seeing what's really going on. 

Honey Lemon is now going against the obstacles. She gracefully gets through the first part and hops on rolling barrels as if she does so everyday. Mr. Sparkles then shows off an unfair part. He makes part of the belt disconnect and Honey goes flying. She gets dunked in the ranch too. There's only five minutes left and time for one last contestant. Gogo isn't fond of looking like an idiot, but she is wearing the broccoli suit and passes through the fon-doom challenge with ease. Mr. Sparkles strikes her down with some of the cheese, but she grabs a carrot and swings herself back on the belt. She dodges a heavy blast of ranch and slides onto another belt. She grabs onto a carrot and smacks everything that comes in her way. She's close to winning, but there's one major obstacle left and it's the most dangerous one Mr. Sparkles has ever designed. 

It's a giant blender and the blades actually work. Luckily there are rings for Gogo to swing across. Only one minute to go now. She's getting across well despite losing a shoe, but Mr. Sparkles adds a watermelon canon into the mix. Pineapples fall from the ceiling too and some of the juice gets onto Gogo's last ring. She slips, but his holding onto the edge of the blender. Gogo struggles, but successfully pulls herself up, makes a run for it and hits the button with a second to spare! 

Gogo demands to have Mochi, but Mr. Sparkles goes against his word and launches Mochi anyway. Mr. Sparkles exits the studio on a giant rocket shaped chicken because why not. The gang is upset thinking that Mochi will be gone forever, but Hiro shows up with his newest idea. Pressing a button on his phone, his own rocket flies on in and chases after the rocket Mochi is in. Hiro increases speed on his rocket and with a few more presses, hands appear from the bot, take the window off and carefully gets a hold of Mochi. The bot comes back and makes a smooth landing. Everyone is happy to have Mochi back safe and sound and Hiro is excited that his bot worked. Mochi slow claps for Hiro and everyone else joins in on the clapping. 

The next day at the cafe, Fred comes in with exciting news that 'Slow Clap Cat Reunites with Owner' has become the most viewed video ever. Wasabi asks Hiro how he got over his inventors block. He figures seeing Mochi in trouble made him forget he was blocked in the first place. The idea he came up with led him to something else. He re-purposed the bot (who is now known as Skymax) to be their new suit delivery system. Skymax shows up with the suits and Fred asks if he can also clean them since his is starting to stink, but Skymax shakes his head. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Sparkles is thrilled to see that his latest game show hit ten million views. He thinks everyone wants his sparkle, but in reality, he's wanted for what he did. 

This episode was pretty interesting! 

I really liked that the show had an episode where it shows that it's not easy to suit up right away. They can easily forget where they last had their suits and I think Hiro trying to figure out a better way to have their suits brought to them was such a good idea. I'm really hoping to see Skymax being used for this in future episodes. 

I'm glad we also got an episode where Mochi gets some spotlight. Cat videos definitely go viral and it was great to see that his slow clap became the most viewed video. He deserves all the merch he can get! Where can I get a Slow Clap Cat t-shirt? 

Mr. Sparkles is pretty cool. I like that the creators turned a scrapped villain from the movie into one of many villains for the show. He's definitely more of a humorous villain than dangerous. I mean yeah, his obstacle to get to Mochi was indeed lethal (Gogo could have slipped and died if she had fallen in the blender, not cool man). I think it makes sense that he's more on the comical side. He's good being a game show host, but he likes the spotlight being on him. Still, I would love to see him again. 

Gogo did spectacular in this episode. She didn't want to be a contestant on the show, but with Mochi's life being on the line, she took action and she did amazing! Actually, it was really awesome to see the whole gang do their best on trying to save Mochi. It's really sweet that the gang loves him as much as the Hamada family does. 

Seeing Hiro work through inventors block was cool. It did feel like a similar theme to Failure Mode, but instead of Hiro deciding to give up, he was able to figure something out and not only did it save Mochi, but it is now the answer to their super suit problem. 

I'll admit, when Baymax asks Hiro what his childhood was like, I was so ready for it, but I'm not disappointed that he didn't get into it. Due to how the episode played out, I think him discussing his childhood would have been out of place, but maybe we'll get into it another time when the time is right. 

On a scale of one to ten...I'd rate Mr. Sparkles Loses His Sparkle an 8.2!

[italicwatches]

I Couldn’t Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job - Episode 03

Alright, I have actual time today, so let’s get to it. It’s I Couldn’t Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job, episode 03! Here we GO!

-We begin with Fino’s clock reaching seven AM, and trying to wake her up. Which also gives us a good view of her shiny new apartment, which is…I mean, look, the kid’s had it for like a week, tops. It’s a futon, a table, and a couple boxes of crap she presumably managed to haul out of the old castle, and that’s about it. Her alarm clock’s not even on a table, it’s just kind of sitting by her. It’s also loud and Fino’s a deep sleeper, forcing Raul to come in and wake her up.

-A deep, naked sleeper.

-So the blushing comes. And then Fino has to try and find her clothes and is all squirmy and naked and Raul finally just throws one of his old t-shirts at her. And that’s all she’s wearing and well it’s the whole “wearing your boyfriend’s big t-shirt and nothing else” look and Raul’s brain just kinda cracks like an egg. He’s trying, guys, really.

-Opening!

-Episode 03: We Should be Careful When Handling Weird Products Sent to Us by Corporate.

-Raul and Fino are out and about, and Raul is kind of grumbly about that alarm clock. How the hell did you not wake up from it. It woke him up and he’s an entire apartment away. Also Fino has, instead of getting actual clothes that fit her, chosen to just tie off Raul’s t-shirt under her cleavage. It’s equal parts adorable and absurd and it even still smells a little like Raul. Shit, I think that means you’re engaged.

-To work! Where Seara tries to get them both to perk up despite Raul trying to complain about the whole “Fino is a terrible neighbor” situation, and Fino trying to steal herself a snack from the bowl of treats. Also Seara and Viser have to go off to the corporate offices for a meeting. Again.

-Hard cut to Fino working on an ad for the new washer they just got in. …Fino has, instead of drawing an actual ad, chosen to draw a horrifying warscape full of undead and dying and blood and just kind of put a washer in there. It’s like if you made Suzu from Comic Girls do ad copy. They are not putting that up on the wall, Fino. Just, no.

-Also there’s a customer who needs help. Seems she’s got an old, beat-up fan she’s hoping they could look at…And Raul can see it’s pretty old and battered. Might just be time to get a new one…But Fino sees the disappointment in the woman’s face, how even this small thing has so much sentiment tied up into it, and she wants to try and fix it! If there’s anything at all they can do…! Alright, into the back. No guarantees, but it’s not like they can make the situation worse, right?

-A blue haired woman disagrees. Meet Lore, the delivery and maintenance woman. She takes two seconds to look over the fan, sees the problem, and she can fix it. Come over here and she’ll get the paperwork ready. And of course the woman is ever so thankful, not just to Lore for being so confident she can fix the problem, but to Raul and Fino for being willing to take on the challenge at all instead of just trying to sell her something…

-And oh, dear sweet Fino, she’s so excited at the idea of being appreciated by someone. You’ve got a good heart, kid.

-Then over to corporate, where Seara is basically having to deal with the reality that her customer satisfaction ratings are amazing, but her sales are shit. And she pretty much stonewalls her boss, as she always does, to keep the stress of this from ever hitting her floor-staff…Sooo the orders come down hard. In short, they’re going to start carrying more budget items and do a big promo about all the new deals, and get people in the fucking door.

-Lunch break! Raul brought Fino over to the convenience store, and we get the name Elza for the busty woman who works the counter. Also, Lam-chan continues to try and be serious. It’s not working. Even as she…

-Well, I was going to say “sees Fino as a rival”, but considering the overwrought name, I can’t help but wonder if Lam-chan is also a refugee from the Demon Lord’s kingdom…

-So, lunch, then back to the shop, where it’s the kind of quiet part of the day. Sweep the floors, fix broken goods, and just kind of kill some time.

-And then All A walks in. And to be fair, that was a nickname. Now that she’s not in the heroing game, it’s just Airi. So what brings her in? Here to gloat over him? She’s out shopping, is all. Uh huh. …So where’d you end up, Airi? If you’re out shopping, that means you have real money. The kind you get from a job, not the petty cash their old classmates scrounge for.

-Well she’s all blushy so I suspect she’s lying when she says she ended up working security, but Raul is impressed. That’s good work, the kind that really puts her skills to use…Also out comes some long lingering hatred of demons. Don’t let Fino hear that kind of talk, Airi. She’ll get mad.

-Cue Fino. This is the worst possible time of all times. Also, Fino can only deduce that, seeing as Airi isn’t at the counter with anything to buy, but instead is acting all confrontational, that trouble is afoot! Fear not, Raul, she’ll save you from this would-be complainer! The most ferocious enemy of all corporate life! Stay behind her, Raul! She’ll take this foe down with her greatest demon magic!

-Please be quiet, Fino. And finally they manage to get her to walk off and start browsing…Aaaaand she’s totally watching how Raul interacts with Fino. I’m going to assume Raul was never that loose and casual with anyone back in the hero academy. (plus ultra)

-Cut to when some of the stuff from corporate arrives! Including a shiny new air purifier! They’ve never even carried air purifiers here, and Fino is all impressed! She wants to see it working! You, are not, going to be the one to turn it on. They’ll wait for the manager to get back, and that’s th—

-Cue Elza. Who’s gotten off work and come over to hang out. She wants to see the shiny new stuff! What’s this brand? Domos? She’s never heard of it…

-Must be small. And/or new. Well, corporate’s making them carry it, so, time to see if it—

-Click.

-It’s not doing anything.

-Did they get a DOA? Fino is so very disappointed that she tries turning it off and on again, wait dammit FINO NO—

-Shit.

-…Shit shit shit SHIT

-So let me paint you a word picture.

-The air purifier gets all sparky like the last thing Fino touched and overloaded with magic. But instead of just running into overdrive and burning itself out, the air purifier kicks out belches of black smoke, and from those emerge phantasmal claws! Claws that steal Elza into the air!

-Fino is still impressed. THAT IS NOT WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO DO YOU STUPID GIRL. Also it steals Nova too. …Wellllll shit.

-Okay they’ve got to turn it off! One problem, the countless grasping hands are trying to keep them from the actual air purifier! Fino manages to get behind the counter, while Raul grabs the mop and starts clearing some space…But fresh hands leap out of the clouds! They need an actual plan here…

-Which is when Airi sees what’s going on, and jumps straight in! And not just her, but Lore, who identifies this whole mess as witch’s arm. It’s one of the natural shapes magical build-up can take when it’s not properly gathered, shaped and stored, and can happen when the entire syntax of a magical item is damaged and cannot be shaped. And then she gets snatched up because she’s not a fighter.

-But fixing the problem is, if not easy, at least simple. The problem is that the purifier is drawing in magic relentlessly and spitting it out unshaped. You stop that by turning off the purifier. You get to the purifier by getting through the witch’s arms. That’s the rub.

-So Airi steals the mop, pours an enchantment in, and goes through with her THOUSAND BLAST! One strike propagates through the field, clearing out the witch’s arms for a split second! The girls are dropped, spilled away from the core of the purifier… If you can’t fight, get running, NOW!

-So that was the good news. The bad news is mops aren’t designed to have magic woven into them, and the thing just melted under the push Airi put on it. And then she gets caught by the next wave of arms, and is all fully tentacle-grasped! Oh dear. Oh DEAR. That, uh, I think that goes past ecchi.

-Raul needs options and methods, and now. He tries to think, to figure out his plan….When Fino races in to try and save Airi, only to get swarmed! Yet she won’t give up, because THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST! You’re taking your job too seriously, Fino.

-But that gets Raul to realize what he’s got to do, as he runs into the back…Pulls aside all the mops and brooms…And finds that which he buried here, to never be reminded of it. His sword.

-BOOT! A single charge of magic pours through the blade, and he cuts Fino free, before raising the charge! And then he’s in at full force, cutting Airi free in a flash! He didn’t even know if he still could do this, but it worked…And that’s when Fino really realizes, that was demon-killing magic.

-But Raul is too busy dealing with the aftershock, trying to focus. All he did was get them free. He’s out of shape, rusty. But the job’s not over—And then Airi gets caught again when she knocks Raul out of the way of the grasping hands. That’s…Not…Great.

-And Fino can’t actually do much. Her demonic powers haven’t awoken…

-Airi has a good view of the purifier, though, and she can see. It’s almost all coming from the front, where the purified air should be. If you strike from the back, it might just work! Okay. OKAY! They can do this! Fino races out in front to be a big distraction, trying to gather this natural force to come at her, while Raul pours everything he has in. BOOT! FIVE THOUSAND AMPERES! He pours it all into a single shot of raw magical force, blasting through in a flash down the aisle! The witch’s arms are torn to shreds, the entire core shattered, and Fino sprints in before it can reform, hitting the off switch in a flash! YES! THEY WI—

-Oh god it turned to white sticky goo. Oh god she’s covered in sticky white gooooooooo.

-While Raul is busy really parsing what he managed to do there…Until a goo-coated Fino latches onto him! They did it! That was so COOL, Raul! And then Airi’s words hit him, as he realizes that the very task of being a hero would mean one day having to strike this girl down…This kindhearted, ditzy, over-enthusiastic, sticky girl. Wait, sticky? Q-Quit clinging to him while you’re like that!

-And when it’s all over, Fino properly introduces herself to Airi. And Raul has to desperate keep Airi from realizing that Fino isn’t a demon. Fino is not listening in the slightest and he can only despair. I’m sorry, Raul.

-Credits! Full of KNIGHTLY FANTASY.

-Aftercredits! Raul has dragged Fino to the public bath to clean up, and she’s like a tiny child there. But after they leave…Fino really, really realizes the idea that her very nature is something humanity would suspect and hate…

Well that main episode was…Absurd. And then bam, they just slam in the feels and hard questions right after the credits just to make sure you can’t call the whole thing meaningless fluff. You’re sneaky, anime. But I’ve got my eye on you. We’ll see if they pull that trick again next time, in episode FOUR of I Couldn’t … Job! Wait for it!

[believe-that-you-can-my-friend]

Under (the) Cover

(Okay, I have a ton of one-sentence prompts to fill, a gazillion prompt requests and two of these prompts lurking half-finished in my documents folder but YET the Bughead pic for tomorrow’s episode got releashed and Betty’s wandering hand got my mind in dark imaginative places. I thought I was the only thirsty one but I guess there are a lot of us out there so you asked and I happily deliver. This is SIN, this is something I don’t know where it came from. Nevertheless, I hope you all enjoy! )

“Well, never thought I would be stood up by Jughead Jones but I guess there’s a first time for everything.” Veronica mused around the stripped straw of her milkshake, lopsided smirk intact and chocolate eyes shining in teasing, feeling Archie’s chest vibrate from light laughter besides her, the back of her arm brushing casually his pec.

Betty rolled her pretty eyes from across them, the happy grin that she was sporting all day turning even more delighted. “He’s on his way.” She let them now, abandoning her phone in the space next to her on the leather seat, its screen still illuminated by the private chat with Juggie <3 on top, the kissy emojis she had sent him last depicting her playful and bubbly mood. “They had a lot to talk with his dad now that everything’s over.” She sighed in content, still trying to settle down after the emotional roller-coaster of the previous days, the two other teens on the table nodding in understanding before all three of them engaged themselves in an easy-going chat about tonight’s successful jubilee.

As per queue, the characteristic chime that indicated the arrival of new customers echoed in the small diner and Betty whiped her head around, golden locks dancing graciously around her beautiful face, only for her perpetual grin to turn into a full, dashing smile, along with rosy cheeks and all, at the sight of her boyfriend, smiling charmingly back at her and making his way to their now personal booth in his typical lazy strides.

“The prodigal friend returns.” Archie exclaimed around a chuckle, relishing in the feeling that all was good once again with his best friend. Jughead offered him something between a snort and a scoff, baby blues rolling at his awful attempt for a pun, while climbing over the booth to land next to Betty with a squeaky plop and an arm over her shoulders.

His girlfriend’s fingers immediately laced with his against her collarbone, personal space never an option for either of them. “Wow… Biblical references and fancy words… You know, I used to be friends with that jock that spelled “different” with one f up until tenth grade, Archie Andrews, do you happen to know him?” Jughead offered in full sarcasm and a smirk that screamed mischief, leaning closer to the table and bringing along a glued to his side Betty who snorted a giggle at his theatricals in coordination with Veronica’s scoff of appreciation at the snarky comment.

Archie just narrowed his eyes in fake threatening, goofy smirk still plastered on his lips, before a polite employee interrupted them to take Jughead’s order which weirdly consisted of only a strawberry milkshake.

“Hey you…” he whispered sweetly to the girl in his arms, settling back more comfortably on his seat and giving her the boyish smile she always loved.

“Hey you back, stranger.” She giggled with a scrunched nose, making him lean in and brush against it with the tip of his own, unable to resist her adorable side and the happy feeling in his heart that he could wrap her once again in his embrace. Betty smiled at his sweet gesture, eyelids fluttering and shooting a shy glance towards his lips, tracing his cute little dimple next to them with the pads of her fingers in simple affection. “How did it go with your dad?” her eyebrows knitted for a second in concern.

“Great.” he nodded once, biting the inside of his cheek not to let the biggest smile in the history of smiles form on his lips. “It’s real this time, Betts. My dad cares about me, loves me.” He huffed in relief, whispering the last part like the most sacred statement in the world, like he was still in disbelief that his father’s love was unconditional.

“Of course he does.” Betty spoke in a heartbeat, determination evident in her tone and the green shade of her pretty eyes. “Only a tad more than I do.” She smirked cheekily, feeling her cheeks get warmer to match his own blushing ones, her declaration of love another thing Jughead still felt incredulous about. She had said it to him the next day after Clifford Blossom’s reveal to be the killer, when he was pacing up and down at the Blue & Gold, angrily ranting to her about how much of a dick Keller was and how unfair the rehabilitation system of America was proving to be, her finally calming him with the promise that they would get his father out before she uttered those three little words that changed the course of his whole universe forever.

He smirked back at her, pushing some curls behind her ear and getting lost in the sea of green in her eyes as he mouthed a silent ‘I love you’, away from the prying eyes of their friends and the world, before settling back on his seat and brining his leg to rest between them, Betty’s arm curling around his thigh and resting casually on his lap.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to watch you deliver the opening speech at the jubilee. I know it means a lot that mayor McCoy chose you.” He sighed in regret really wishing he had been able to see her shine.

“It’s fine.” Betty shushed him immediately with a shake of her head; being there for his father was way more important than a stupid speech in her books. “You’re here now and that’s all that matters.” She assured him with a lovesick smile and he awarded her with an identical one back, feeling her small hand patting the inside of his thigh in affection.

“So, Arthur Conan Doyle” Veronica interrupted any interaction between the couple who turned to face her at the mention of her new found nickname for Jughead “now that the case is closed, what are your plans about Riverdale’s very own Death On The Nile?”

Jughead laughed lightly, the fingers of his free hand drumming over the table in excitement. He started talking about his novel then, how he intended for it to end, all the aspects he wanted to show, how he was now considering the idea of starting a series of books this time, murder mysteries again, but set on the mysterious background of their town’s Southside. Betty was left there watching him, watching his eyes shine with excitement, his lips eloquently expressing his views and opinions, his Adam’s apple bop with every gulp and every breath he took, that single raven wave in its best behavior against his forehead, peaking from the inside of his slightly misplaced beanie. He looked so damn handsome in that moment, even more so than usual, and Betty caught herself licking her lips slowly while admiring her boyfriend.

The waiter came with Jughead’s milkshake and slid it over the table, the boy catching it with ease and offering a polite thank you, before snatching the cherry from the top and popping it in his mouth, Betty’s eyes flickering a little disorientated at the action that caused a tingling feeling low in her stomach.

“Stop staring. It’s creepy.” Jughead’s voice came out of nowhere in a hushed whisper next to her ear, words rolling over the mushed now cheery and lips forming a cheeky little teasing smile, while he kept his eyes trained on the chatting duo across them, faking attendance in their conversation.

“Wha- I… I didn’t.” Betty stumbled around her words, feeling her cheeks now turning redder than the booth they were sitting on.

“I know they say male species lack any peripheral vision but I can assure you that I saw the way you were looking at me.” He replied cockily and with a pleased smirk that reached his challenging eyes, the girl next to him internally cursing herself for getting caught and wanting with every fiber in her body to wipe that annoying smirk off his stupidly handsome face.

Jughead dropped back against his seat and winked at her, Betty narrowing her eyes at him and scoffing in fake offence, before settling back on her own seat with a pout. She could see him return his attention back to the people at the other side of the table, Archie’s voice being just a background noise at this point, and then she felt her boyfriend nudge closer to her side, his body heat radiating through the delicious grey sweater and black jacket he had chosen to wear, as well as his male scent mingled with his choice of soap doing all kinds of stuff to her overly sensitive hormones. The thought of him coming out of the shower in a cloud of steam with just a towel low on his hips and hair dripping down his already soaked board shoulders suddenly invaded Betty’s mind and she bit her lip, involuntarily shifting on her leather seat and crossing her legs, feeling the heat of her cheeks now spread all over her body.

Her fingers started drawing abstract shapes over the hard material of his dark jeans against his calf on their own accord, Jughead resting his head back on the red leather and casting a small smile down at her at what he thought was an action of affection. Betty returned the smile, a little foxier since she knew his easy-going behavior would not last for long, and she started altering her ministrations from innocent drumming against the same spot on his calf to feathery caresses of her fingers from the inside of his ankle up to the inside of his knee and back down.

“The song was a hit, Juggie! Everyone was having such a great time and the fact that Josie decided to sing with me means the world to me right now.” Archie’s voice reached Betty’s ears as she made herself focus on the ongoing chatting around the table, almost bouncing on her seat in excitement at what was about to come, or, more correctly, who.

“Well, thank you, Veronica, I’ll forever be grateful to you and I swear to dedicate my life to your complete and utter mercy.” The brunette girl next to him recited dramatically like another Bronte heroine and all of them laughed, Betty taking Jughead’s relaxed posture as a sign to continue with her naughty little plan. Feeling bold, she let her hand roam over his knee and then drop down to land on the inside of his thigh in a swift, sudden movement. To any onlooker, that would look like a random sign of affection or just her changing the position of her numbing hand. But it wasn’t. And something told her that Jughead was starting to notice it too by the way he jumped lightly at the weight of her small hand on that particular spot on his body.

“The duet was amazing. I can totally see it making it on YouTube and killing it.” Betty contributed to the conversation, letting her hand be still for a moment, solemnly because he could feel Jughead looking at her and raising an eyebrow, clearly not sure what to believe of her actions. “Happy songs suit you, Arch.” She continued their private ongoing joke about Archie’s depressed muse and the redhead rolled his eyes in exasperation, gaining a supportive pat on the chest by Veronica. “Isn’t that right, Juggie?” Abruptly, Betty turned to him, as well as the other two pairs of eyes, and Jughead would be fine with the attention if it wasn’t for the blonde’s hand that delivered a rather firm squeeze against the inside of his thigh.

“Yeah, um, yeah, sure…” He replied with difficulty, clearing his throat and dropping his eyes to his lap to avoid her piercing stare, only to come across that petite hand of hers dangerously close to the place he didn’t quite know it functioned before her and their heated make out sessions in her room. He cleared his throat again, louder, as if in warning, and shook his head to push away the images of her under him mewling and gasping as his lips worked wonders on her neck, strongly believing that right now was not the ideal time for him to sport a boner.

“Who would have thought four months ago that we would experience such odd situations? I mean, it’s Riverdale, everything was pretty much standard.” Archie wondered out loud, surprised how everything had completely changed for them and their small town. A conversation that Jughead would gladly want to elaborate in if it wasn’t for that damn hand against his thigh that was starting to make him sweat all the way through his woolen sweater and fleece jacket.

“Hasn’t it all changed for the better though?” Veronica nodded in thought. “I mean not the murder part but, you know, us? I would still be a stuck up suburban bitch, you would still be pining over a pointless football career and those two would forever be in denial.” The girl waved a manicured finger over the couple across her, smiling lovingly when they both casted lovesick glances at each other.

Betty was not in the mood for romance tonight though. So she squeezed Jughead’s thigh again and then let her nails scratch lightly down its back, only for his eyes to widen in shock and his Adam’s apple to bop violently as he gulped in uneasiness, his expression of pure love turning into one of pure sexual frustration in just a heartbeat, making Betty flash him her most pleased with herself smile.

“Jug, seriously, breathe, we all know you are both practically head over hills with each other at this point.” Veronica giggled in a girly manner, misconstruing his panicky expression as a sign of uneasiness in regards of his feelings for Betty being put at the spotlight.

“Yeah, that, exactly.” Jughead offered in anything but eloquence once again, his mind a mess of teenage urges and his throat dry and threating to betray him and his male condition with a choke or, worse, a pathetic cry out and he straightened up his back, untangling his arm from Betty’s shoulder and dropping his foot on the ground to regain some control. Something that never happened since now her hand was comfortably settled exactly between his thighs and exactly a few torturing inches away from the place that his blood was gathering to in lightning speed.

He hated his body. And he hated the smirking blonde by his side for playing such dirty tricks with his pathetic teenage self.

“At least we still have each other through it all.” Archie mused with his wholesome smile, trying to be sentimental and all, not that Jughead noticed or cared right now because his whole attention was to calm his breathing and freaking stop that irrational member between his legs that always jolted up happily at any mention of sweet and innocent Betty Cooper. Sweet and innocent my ass, the raven haired boy thought in frustration upon glancing at her profile, the blonde angel sending cute smiles at their friends while rubbing deliciously and sensually slow the spot on his thigh.

“Having each other’s back was the only thing that got us going, right Juggie?” Betty turned to face him again, biting the inside of her cheek not to burst out laughing at the look of despair and total plea for mercy her boyfriend sent her way. She ignored it all together, in the mood to make him break and break fast, and brought her hand further up his thigh, her warm palm caressing the denim against his inflamed skin, and he instantly grabbed her wrist, sending her a side glance in warning. Betty just offered him her most innocent look under her eyelashes, wiggling her wrist free from his grip and lowered her hand only a few inches, though enough for the boy to audibly exhale in relief. His jeans were starting to get impossibly tight by the minute, his cheeks felt like he had a deadly fever and he was trying desperately to control his breathing, not wanting to alarm Archie and Veronica with his heavy pants of pumped up sexual tension.

“Seriously, in this Hitchcock crazy town I wouldn’t have done it without you.” The brunette city girl voiced upon seeing Jughead not responding and Betty nodded happily at her friend, before sending another innocent glance to her boyfriend and leaning down to capture the straw of her vanilla milkshake inside her glossy lips, totally wrecking his self-control at that very moment.

Her volumous lips closed lasciviously around the stripped plastic roll.  

Then they let it go with a sexy, smack sound.

Her tongue darted out to lick the excess of vanilla milkshake from the tip of the straw. 

Her tongue disappeared in her sinful mouth with a delicious curl upward.

His own thirsty lips opened in a low male gasp. Holly fucking shit.

“Jug, are you okay?” Archie’s voice echoed at the back of his mind but he couldn’t find the words to reply or the will to snap his eyes away from the bubbly blonde that was toying him like a Kama Sutra guru, now twirling innocently the straw between the fingers of the hand that wasn’t torturing him.

“Yeah, Jug, are you okay?” Betty’s lips dragged the question teasingly and she dig her nails on his thigh to wake him up from his hormonal reverie, the boy blinking rapidly to regain his sanity and remember how to talk, think and generally function like a normal human being. With no blood left on his brain though that was a lost battle to begin with.

“I’m” choke “I’m fine.” He snapped in a high pitched tone of voice that surprised him and the others around the table. “Just feeling a tad hot, isn’t it hot in here?” he worked to drop his voice to its normal level and tried to appear aloof with his usual knitted eyebrows expression but failed miserably, letting a cooing sigh and grabbing the hem of his jacket, swinging it desperately back and forth to offer some much needed air to his minutes before exploding self.

“Drink your milkshake. That will cool you down.” His menace of a girlfriend suggested with the sweetest smile and Jughead offered her a threatening glare that she just brushed off with a cute nudge of her shoulder against his. He was at the verge of screaming, frustrated that she appeared so pure and loving to the world while she was being the literal definition of the devil under the plastic white table, grabbing his cold drink with both hands and practically chugging half of it in one go, physically enjoying the cold sensation it spread on the inside of his burning skin. Betty Cooper, though, was relentless tonight.

He didn’t even have the chance to shallow his mouthful when her hand travelled back up his thigh, lavender nails roaming a little under the seam of his jeans on the inside, and her fingers finally came in contact with the place he needed her the most, for only a brief second, before her wandering hand rested on his flexing adnominal muscles. He choked around his milkshake, hips jerking upwards on reflex and without any shame, turning immediately to Betty and widening his eyes in full horror. She just patted his abdomen in reassurance, laying on his side and resting her head on his shoulder, like any other couple in a normal PG movie, despite the fact that Jughead’s chest was now rising and falling in full force, just by the simple promise her naughty hand had left on the embarrassing bulge at the front of his jeans. She toyed with the hem of his sweater, fingers lightly creeping under it to dance over the small patch of raven hair and a low, male groan vibrated though his chest, making Betty silently giggled while licking her lips, proud and turned on by his body reactions to her and only her.

“Aw, you guys are adorable!” Veronica cooed in a sugary voice that made Jughead roll his eyes. If only she knew, he thought, dropping his arm around Betty’s slender figure and squeezing her bare shoulder, sighing again and thinking that maybe his torture was over. “Let’s take a picture; it’s time we start creating memories.” She clapped her hands in excitement.

He tried to object, he really did. First of all, he wasn’t a fan of his face being in front of the camera and second of all he was mentally and physically exhausted to indulge in some juvenile notion regarding capturing random moments for eternity. But it was three against one and he finally caved, earning a kiss on the cheek, an open-mouthed and dangerously low on his jawline one to be exact, that made him unable to think straight once again. And when Betty thought it would be cute to climb on her boyfriend’s lap for the round of selfies that followed, that’s when Jughead felt the most helpless for the first time in his life.

She was in a mini skirt and he hated it. The skirt was nice, baby blue and flowy, and it was definitely something very Betty Cooper appropriate. But he, even though he found her beautiful in everything, hated that piece of clothing with every fiber in his tortured body. Because it barely reached the middle of her thighs and he was hard. Unbelievably and dangerously hard.  

“Oh dear Lord, kill me now.” Jughead murmured with a groan against the back of her shoulder, eyes snapping shut and chest heaving once she was settled on top of him, her perfect, firm butt directly on top of his now painful erection. The shameful times he had lately thought of Betty late at night when lying in bed or during his morning shower, he would always picture her being all shy and flustered upon seeing or feeling him for the first time. That reaction was something he had never imagined even in his most intimate and wild fantasies.

“I didn’t quite catch that, Juggie.” She offered back in all her good-girl polite manner, pretending as if she didn’t know what she was doing to him. But with her back against his chest, he could clearly feel her heart pounding and matching his own running one. She grounded herself more against his lap, like she was just adjusting herself or getting more comfortable inside her boyfriend’s embrace, but Jughead knew better, he knew that this was provocative enough to tease him even more and sent him spiraling to a place of pleasure he didn’t even know it existed before her.

“Why are you doing this to me?” his lips ghosted next to her ear and his desperate question was accompanied by a gasp, as he felt her ever so subtly deliver a firm circle of her ass against his stiff erection, Jughead turning his face to bury it in her neck in order to hide his small, painted grunt.

“Then maybe I should get back to my seat.” A great amount of selfies had been taken by now, not that Jughead noticed, and the other couple on the booth was too preoccupied by checking them out while giggling at the occasional bad angle or funny grimace. Betty was thankful that their attention was held by Veronica’s phone, feeling her own will slipping any time now and her cheeks flaming red at this point. Not to even mention about the mess his muscular body and thick member had caused inside her periwinkle panties.

“Don’t you dare.” He practically growled, hands going to grip her hips for dear life, the action making her glorious behind slide up his lap, the hem of her skirt getting stuck against his belt, leaving now only the soaking lace rubbing against the hard denim. He bit the inside of his cheek not to groan and she held her lips tightly close to prevent her high-pitch gasp from spilling off them. As if they had a mind of their own her hips wriggled against him and his grip on her hipbones became bruising, Jughead not knowing if he wanted to hold her in place or urge her to move but being one hundred percent sure that both options would offer him an immediate death.

Sensing the desperate state she had put him in and feeling her whole body tremble from the naughtiness of the situation, Betty let her hips continue their small circling movements, sensual but still subtle enough not to raise any attention from around them but wanting to bring him to the final stage of utter pleasure right here, helplessly under her. She rolled her hips against him again, this time clasping the tiny muscles of her center while sliding over the length of him and she felt his teeth attempting to bite the sensitive skin at the back of her neck but ultimately just grazing it in an uncalculated movement due the intensity of it all, his hot breath causing goosebumps to appear on her porcelain skin and run donwn her spine, fueling her own desire between her legs. A rush of wetness drenched her lacey panties and Betty knew he felt it by the way his hips bucked up towards her heat, violently seeking to get lost inside her world of sin.

“Don’t think. Do it.” she turned around to face him, curling an arm over his shoulders as if she was sweetly cuddling with him and changing the angle of her hips to ground heavier on his lap and grind directly up and down his iron hard member, as if there was not a single barrier of clothes between them.

“What?!” Jughead whisper-screamed at the absurd thought of Betty urging him to come undone right at that moment, inside Pop’s while their friends were a few feet away babbling happily about photos and Instagram posts. She just pecked the corner of his lips, messy and wet, and bounced her head back to look him straight in the eyes, challenging him to hold back if he could. Turning her back at the two teens across them and keeping a steady, slow rhythm over his lap, she brought two of her fingers to brush over the whipped cream of his now melting milkshake and then moved them to her lips, the white sweet substance disappearing into the abyss of her mouth. She sucked sensually, without breaking eye contact, letting a sexy mewl at the taste and the pitch black of his dark orbs, seeing the erotic image that was playing at the dephts of his mind and groaning around her fingers at how turned on she was too at this point. And right before his bewildered eyes, the innocent damsel of all his mystery stories, whined filthily and twirled her tongue around her fingers, just like he had shamefully imagined doing around the part that was now pulsing under the soaking lace of her panties, and that’s what ruined him, turning his body into stone and his limps into an unuseful mess of bones, his chapped lips opening in a silent gasp as he came, eyes wide and glued to those luscious lips wrapped deliciously around her slim fingers.

“Hey, earth to Bughead.” Veronica’s voice popped their amorous bubble violently, both of them jumping at the force back to reality, Jughead letting a groan of irritation and hypersensitivity as Betty bounced involuntarily on his still twitching member, the aftershocks of his orgasm running violently down his spine, the boy trying desperately to glue his spasming hips on his seat and control his raging breath. “If you want to stare lovingly into each other’s eyes, get a room okay?” the girl teased them, oblivious to the sultry interaction she had just interrupted.

Betty climbed off Jughead’s lap, her boyfriend assisting her in settling back beside him before taking off his jacket to cover the mess of him and her at the front of his jeans. He circled his arms around her waist, bringing her back flat against his chest, and left a sensually slow kiss against her neck, still intoxicated from his sudden and intense high.

“I hope you haven’t planned anything for the rest of the night.” His lips trailed up her neck to whisper in her ear, fingers playing with the hem of her skirt and itching to get buried under the soft material, to feel her tiny muscles this time spasming vigorously because of his teasing. “My dad gave me the truck and right now the only thing I desperately want is to return the favor.” He told her naughtily, boyish smirk intact, and Betty bit her lip in anticipation, thinking that sometimes being a bad girl was fun after all.

[keepingupwithfundies]

Counting On Season 5 Episode 4: A New Baby

Henry arrives and in true Duggar style there is a lot to get through before he arrives! It’s a two hour long episode, y’all.  This week’s polls is about the guys! VOTE HERE! And see week 2 results here! 

-Admin T 

We open at Jessa and Ben’s house, and Jill and Jana are feeding Spurgeon and he does a little dance after every bite. Jessa is on the couch, and says they will be listening to their babies heartbeats of their babies. Jill is in her first trimester, Israel doesn’t really get it yet. Jill is struggling with morning sickness and food aversions. Jana struggles to find the babies heartbeat because the baby is small but they find the heartbeat and Jill is relieved just to hear the heartbeat. There is an old wives tale that higher heartbeat means girl, which is what they find but clearly that was wrong. Jessa lies down and since she is further along they find her baby’s heartbeat quickly. She says its getting cramped in there and she is nervous about labor. Jessa says it’s crazy that she is already getting ready for their second baby when they've only been married for two years. Flashbacks to their wedding day; Jessa says her vows were her favorite part. Ben says learning to cook for two people was an adjustment, and that Jessa ate fast because you had to in her house to get second. Four months into marriage they found out they were expecting Spurgeon. Ben says that Jill and Derick were before them in a lot of things and they gave lots of advice. Now, they will be able to give THEM advice. I appreciate sassy Ben.

Austin and Joy and Austin’s dad Terry are working on the infamous fifth house. They’re laying tile. Austin reminds us they are courting and they love being together. Joy reminds us of the five houses challenge before marriage. Producers ask if she is helping to move the fifth house along because of that, she says that might be a part of it but she loves working with him. This whole scene Joy and Austin look like they want to kiss so badly. Josiah says he likes Austin but the girls are all getting married and beating the boys. They have to adjust the tiles. Austin says he has learned a lot about Joy (he calls her a diligent worker, gross). Joy says she learned he cannot do two things at once and that he cannot talk and work. Austin says plumbing, trim work, carpets, hanging doors, and touching up paint is what’s left. Jessa says she thinks it won’t be very long before they’re engaged. The older Duggars make wild guesses about when the proposal will occur; They agree it will be sooner rather than later.

Jill and Izzy pick up Jessa and Spurge to go see a new house Jim Bob bought. Both families are looking for a house. Jill wants a US home base. Jessa and Ben need a little more room with only 1,000 sq ft. Jessa loves the small house, but its not practical; they need a couple more bedrooms. They arrive at the house and it’s in rough shape. There is a large whole in the ground, Jill and Jessa think it’s creepy. The front door lets in green light. There is a giant indoor pool that the house is built around. There are massive spiders in the pool. The house is falling apart a little and I am surprised they brought toddlers here. This house is a big project, and neither girl thinks they will take it on.

The sisters are going to video chat with Jinger. They connect and ask about life in Laredo-Jinger says this is their first video chat. Jinger asks about her sister’s pregnancies. Jinger says she misses staying up late with her sisters. She greets Izzy and Spurge, and Izzy keeps saying Hola! to her, which is sweet. Jinger says she has adjusted to Laredo, she’s got her bearings but she misses her sisters. Jinger says her house is so quiet, and Jessa says that is exactly how it was for her in the beginning. She thinks that Jinger will realize as she moves out of the honeymoon stage and begin to be more homesick. The sisters (sans Jessa) ask if she’s pregnant. Jessa says you should let them tell you if they have news (hear, hear). Joy says she thinks there will be an announcement soon. (I hope they aren't priming us for us for an announcement).

Jana is at Jessa’s and they are getting her newborn stuff and birth supplies out of her shed. Jessa says it is feeling close. Jessa says she is not ready for labor and delivery but she is ready to meet the baby. They set up a swing as Spurgeon fusses; Jana says she thinks he will struggle when the new baby comes because he is used to being the center of attention. Joy says that is always hard for each sibling. Jessa says she is trying to teach Spurgeon to be gentle, it isn’t going super well. Jessa says that they are trying to come up with a baby name but they don’t have one in mind. Jana says she thinks it’ll take a while to name the baby. The older siblings. Jessa and Ben say no letter theme; Derick says right now they have a country theme and jokingly suggests Turkey or Nepal or Everest. Then Jana and Jessa start assembling the birth pack. They list items on the birth pack, they’re back like cloth pads and a bulb. Ben suggests that you need more snacks than you think for the birth. Jessa is more worried this time around for labor. Jessa labored with Spurgeon for 48 hours, but got more intense leading up the birth. Jessa says that was the most demanding thing they’ve walked through, Ben says he respected her after she went through all that. Jessa talked about losing too much blood last time, getting a transfusion at the hospital. Everyone says they are concerned after last time.

Sierra arrives at the house for the baby shower with a cookie cake. The shower will have 100-130 people. The theme is “showers” so they will make a sign with clouds. Jessa says when everyone wanted to do another shower she didn’t want more gifts, instead there will be donations. Jana skirts around mentioning the pro-life shelter but Jessa comes out and says it’s name. For some reason, the party will serve fruit & veggie plates, meat & cheese plates, and lemon orzo soup. Desert is the cookie can and cupcakes in a jar.  The siblings all help with decorations. Sierra and Joy snack and Sierra teases her about Austin. Sierra decides at the last minute to make brownies. Jana and wedding coordinator Laura assemble the cloud decoration. Sierra arranges flowers, Joy does the meat and cheese tray. In the big kitchen

In the big industrial kitchen, the kitchen is full of smoke. It’s Sierra's brownies are dripping into the open. Jana just says it is baking off the drippings and it’s not a big deal, just open up the windows. Sierra switches to the opens in the pretty kitchen. Sierra ices the cake, Jana is finishing up the decorations. The soup is finished, people start arriving and Sierra put the first guests to work. Jessa peaks in to the house and greets the guests. She thinks the decorations and cake are so cute. The moms chat about pregnancies. Sierra has people eat, then they assemble gift bags for the pregnancy center.  The girls talk about how grateful they are for the donations. The party ends with a prayer led by Grandma Duggar, which asks for a quick and easy pregnancy.  Sierra declares the party a success.

At the main Duggar compound, the family is planning a gender reveal for once Jessa gives birth. They are gonna do a balloon drop instead of having Jordyn do it like last time because she was a part of Jessa’s buddy team. They put together one drop of pink balloons and one with blue. Jill shared her first gender ultrasound with her buddy team. With Spurgeon, Jessa and Ben found out but didn’t tell anyone. Jessa and Ben kept it a secret with this baby except Joy and Jana who know the gender already but are keeping the secret. Joy told Austin and Ben has slipped up twice. Hardcore teasing about Jana seeing someone because she told someone as well but doesn't say who. They string up the balloon drop and they are ready for Jessa to deliver.

It’s a few days from Jessa’s due date and she FaceTimes Jinger. Spurgeon is so happy so she her which is sweet. Jinger says she misses being close to Jessa. Jinger says she is busy with the ministry and they are trying to get geared up for their Spanish ministry. Jinger says living in Laredo she really needs to learn Spanish. Jessa says she is feeling good and having a lot of Braxton contractions. Jinger says unlike Jill she won’t really video call during the labor and delivery. They talk about a visit after the baby is born.

The fifth house is just about done and it does look nice. Small, but nice. He says it is about to go on the market.  Jim Bob arrives and Austin shows him around. He says he has been wanting to talk to him about something. He reminds us of the fifth house commitment and asks for Joy’s hand in marriage. Jim Bob does his traditional hemming and hawing, and Derick and Ben totally give him a hard time about how he draws out these conversations (finally!). Jim Bob eventually gives him his blessing and Austin is almost crying in a conversation with the producer about how happy he is which is so sweet gosh darn it Austin I LIKE YOU AND I DO NOT WANT TO. Austin puts the house on the market and says he won’t ask until it sells.

At Jessa and Ben’s house, they are preparing to go to Tacos 4 Life. It’s lightly snowing as they walk in the restaurant. It was easier to go out with smaller Spurgeon but now he is very active. He is bigger and starting to talk. Ben says it is hard to see her in pain and feel helpless during the birth but this time he knows what to expect and he is gonna try to really help her get through it which is nice. She hopes this labor wont be so long, she thinks that may have caused her blood loss. She says they will start labor at home, but if it looks like it will be drawn out she will go to the hospital. This seems like a good plan. Jessa says that their first date as a family of three was at Tacos 4 Life.  They had a busy first year with Spurgeon.

It’s night, and we are at the Duggar home. Jessa’s water broke and so Joe is getting ice and running some errands for her.  Ben says that while she was in the bathroom she called and told him her water broke and things got intense. That was about 4 hours ago. Jana and Michelle head to her house, Jill is there. Contractions are two minutes apart and progressing regularly.

We are 4 1/2 hours into the birth and it’s progressing rather quickly. Jana and Michelle arrive during her transition. Jessa says the contractions were the same and they were awful. She has bad back labor. She says she’s not the person for this job, someone else should do it, which is a joke. Jill says Jessa was amazing in labor.  She is told it’s time to push and she is excited. Henry arrives and is immediately put on her chest and cries. Jessa and Ben both cry when the baby is in her arms. Ben holds the baby while Jessa delivers the placenta and he is nervous about blood loss again. Ben is queasy after the birth.  Everyone is happy that the birth went so well. Spurgeon has slept through the whole ordeal.

Back at the main house, the little Duggars rise and everyone goes down for the balloon drop. Justin finds out the gender. Everyone gets a sticker and stands under the balloons of their chosen color. Most choose boy. Justin gets the call, teases them for a minute and pulls the balloons- the drops doesn’t really work, they all fall in the large plastic bag that was holding them up. Joy declares the gender reveal an epic fail but they all enjoyed it. The littles immediately pull down the pink one as well and being popping the balloons.  Jennifer says she is excited in the least excited voice i’ve ever heard. Spurgeon is brought in to meet the baby and looks pretty confused. Spurgeon tries to take the baby from Jessa and he really doesn’t know what’s going on. He begins to fuss and cry. Jessa hopes her sons will have a similar relationship to hers and Jinger which is so sweet.  They keep showing the baby but Spurgeon doesn’t really have a concept of gentle so they don’t let him grab him which makes him fuss.  Ben says that this will be a hard transition. Izzy is sweet with the baby and shows where Mommy’s baby is in her belly and also calls it a basketball which is hilariously cute. Jill hopes her birth will go as smoothly as Jessa's did this time. He is 8 pounds 11 oz and came after 5 1/2 hours of labor. Recovery has been different with him, as well.

The Duggars are going to Jessa’s to meet the baby. Spurgeon is happy to see them. The younger kids pass the baby around. Grandma Duggar holds him as well. He is the first of the family to be born in February.  This time it took them 3 days to pick out a name: Henry Wilberforce. Jessa says he won’t go by Hank and scolds Ben (who didn’t realize that was a nickname for Henry) for using it.  They say this has been a period of much change, tease Josiah maybe courting, before concluding the episode.

[onwardintolight]

Leia Organa, INFP

Recently I read a fantastic post by @bestmixtapeintherecorder about how Han and Leia are so often misjudged as an introvert and an extravert, respectively, when it’s really vice versa. This is something I’ve also been thinking about for a long time, particularly with Leia. In MBTI terms, Leia is almost always typed as either an ESTJ or an ENTJ, and that’s never sat right with me. Both of those seem more like typings based on a pop culture idea of who Leia is rather than on the Leia we actually see in the movies and books. While I realize that as a fictional character, the minutia of her personality is somewhat open to interpretation, I think I have ample reason to argue that she’s an INFP instead.

Disclaimer: I myself am an INFP. Maybe this makes me biased. Maybe this means I have unique insight into how an INFP would act when thrown into Leia’s situation. Maybe both! Either way, I think there’s plenty of evidence to back up my opinion. BUT: one of the joys of fictional characters is that we get to project ourselves onto them, and consequently they shape our perception of our own journeys and who we are. So if you prefer an ESTJ Leia or some other type entirely, more power to you. Feel free to ignore this (or argue away to your heart’s content). I’m writing this for everyone else who isn’t satisfied with that typing.

I’m going to be drawing evidence from not only the movies, but also from parts of the new Disney canon like Bloodline and the Aftermath Trilogy, as well as what I see as generally accepted fanon (particularly among fanfic writers). If you’re not into Disney canon, don’t worry — there should still be enough without it to back up my argument.

You may be asking, why INFP? Aren’t INFPs more of a quiet, soft and gentle type compared to Leia, who takes charge and will not hesitate to put you in your place? Truth is, INFPs often get stereotyped as the most cinnamon roll type of all the cinnamon rolls, but this is, quite frankly, wrong. They certainly can act like cinnamon rolls at times (when they’re at their least stressed), often being very kind, tolerant, sensitive and compassionate. But cross their deeply-held values, or get them stressed, and they will wipe the floor with you. In reality, INFPs are the type that looks like a cinnamon roll but will kill you.

I’m going to argue that most of the time we see Leia in the movies (especially in ANH and ESB), she is really stressed. Consequently, we see a lot more of her inferior function, Te, than we would otherwise. This is why people often mistakenly type her as a Te-dom (ESTJ or ENTJ). In doing so, they’re failing to account for the fact that Leia has had/is having a whole lot of super freaking stressful and traumatic things happen to her, which is naturally going to shape how her personality appears to us.

First let’s take a look at each of the INFP cognitive functions and how Leia exhibits them, and then I’ll do some further expounding and comparison with ESTJ/ENTJ.

Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Leia’s core motivation for everything she does is her values — this is what drives her. Very idealistic, she throws her entire life into championing her cause and fighting for justice, freedom, and everything she believes is right. In the SW Rebels episode A Princess on Lothal, she tells Ezra, “I feel like because I can fight, I have to, for those who cannot.” (Te-doms, on the other hand, while having Fi as their inferior function, are driven more by a need to direct, organize and problem-solve.) While she may be a lot more open-minded on lesser matters, she will rigidly defend her values when they are challenged and can be somewhat black and white when it comes to them.

She doesn’t feel the need to conform. She is strong-willed and stubborn, and can be a bit rebellious, willing even to defy her superiors in order to do what she feels is right. We can see this in the Princess Leia comic when she disobeys General Dodonna’s orders in order to gather and protect the galaxy’s remaining Alderaanians, in Aftermath: Life Debt when she defies Mon Mothma and runs off to rescue Han and help liberate Kashyyyk, in Bloodline when she engages in some questionably legal behavior because she feels her investigation is so important, and of course, in her position as a rebel to begin with.

Additionally, growing up, she sometimes struggled with conforming to what was expected of her as a princess or learning certain things (such as her aunts’ etiquette lessons and politics) if she didn’t think they were meaningful, true to her values and/or herself. Eventually, after talks such as the one she remembers having with her father in the Princess Leia comic (#2), her eyes were opened to the meaning and potential in politics, how it could be used to champion a cause, and she decided to follow in Bail’s footsteps.

At the beginning of Bloodline, Leia is disillusioned by the state of the Senate and wants to quit her role as senator.  She tells Han, “Every debate on the Senate floor turns into an endless argument over ‘tone’ or ‘form’ and never about issues of substance.” When she takes action later, she feels much more like herself again, because she feels like she’s doing something meaningful. This shows she’s less concerned about the organization of the New Republic than about defending the values and causes that are close to her heart.

Leia is incredibly passionate. Like all Fi-doms, she has a rich inner world of emotion, though it is sometimes not apparent to others due to her natural guardedness. She can appear cold, but underneath the surface she is anything but. She may be able to analyze her own feelings but have trouble opening up about them to others, except in the occasional outburst. She struggles with admitting her feelings for Han aloud, instead talking about him in the context of her values/the cause (e.g. in the corridors of Hoth — Han is directly asking her to admit her feelings for him and all she can allow herself to say is “You’re a great help to us. You’re a natural leader….”). Later, when confronted by Luke about the truth of her family in RotJ, as @bestmixtapeintherecorder has already said, she shuts down emotionally. She is extremely distressed but unable to open up to Han about everything just yet (she needs more time to process it all inside, first). And yet, throughout the movies, I get the sense that even though she doesn’t always express it, just underneath the surface is a well of deep passion and feeling (which Han can sometimes be pretty good at provoking). I think it is clear that she has a deep emotional fire that both fuels and assails her, and helps drive her in her fight for justice.

Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)

Leia chose to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a senator. I doubt she would have done this if she was utterly lacking in Ne, a function that balances the strength of her Fi by helping her to engage empathetically with people and see many possibilities. She is skilled in diplomacy — we see this firsthand in her interaction with the Ewoks in RotJ, whom she is able to befriend and consequently rally to her cause, and throughout the expanded universe (both Disney Canon and old EU). Caring and open-minded, she is able to see and understand multiple points of view (though she may still oppose them rigidly if they run up against the values of her Fi). Her comment to Luke about Han in ANH, “He’s got to follow his own path, no one can choose it for him,” illustrates this. Also, in Bloodline, she is able to acknowledge the perspectives of both Populists and Centrists to some extent, and while she firmly rejects certain Centrist viewpoints, she is willing to seek a compromise for the sake of the bigger picture (her value of protecting the New Republic) when most of her fellow Populists aren’t. She does not dogmatically take a side and stay there unquestioningly. Instead, using her Ne in combination with her Fi, she evaluates all sides of an issue and determines what fits with her values.

She is a good listener, and others may find themselves confiding in her, as Luke does on the way to Yavin, or as Casterfo ends up doing in Bloodline.

Ne also helps her adapt to a situation and be resourceful. We see this in her finding a way out of the detention block through the garbage chute in ANH, her use of the chain that bound her to Jabba to strangle him, and countless other ways.

Fanon usually describes Leia as a broadly intelligent person with wide academic interests and an appreciation for the arts and sciences. While we don’t have a chance to see this side of her in the movies simply because it’s wartime, Ne would make her curious and eager to learn and understand (at least whatever her Fi tells her to be interested in). It would also give her a measure of creativity and a way to healthily channel her emotions, something which she has no opportunity to do while at war, to her own detriment. An INFP’s Ne can also give them a particular skill with words and language, which we see in Leia’s ability (bolstered by the Force) to compose inspiring and persuading speeches.

Finally, her Ne may be a factor in making her particularly adept at certain Force skills. Leia seems to have a profound intuitive connection with her environment, magnified through the Force. She is very sensitive to the ambience of a place, to feelings, and impressions. We see this in her nervousness at Cloud City because something doesn’t feel right, and her sense of having “always known” during her talk with Luke in RotJ. There’s a beautiful passage in the RotJ novel where, as she’s led by Wicket to the Ewok’s village, she has a sudden awareness of the trees and the world around her that fills her with wonder, and a sense of being caught up in the grandness of the universe and the life-force. This not only fits with her Force abilities, but also with Ne.

Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)

Si places a lot of weight on personal experiences/memories, lessons learned in the past. It is nostalgic and takes comfort in routine, tradition and familiarity (providing some balance with her Ne, which is more open to new experiences and adventure).

Leia has a good memory; she remembers “images” of her real mother (possibly from a dream). She is also committed to continuing her father’s work and upholding the ideals of Alderaan and the Republic. When she is struggling, she often turns to routine for comfort, losing herself in her work and in her efforts for the cause.


In the Aftermath trilogy, she has trouble adjusting to both her new life post-fighting and the New Republic. She is so used to being able to act when she sees something wrong, but now it seems like there are a million political hoops to jump through that weren’t there before. When faced with a breach in her Fi’s values, she falls back on tradition and, in a sense, never stops being a rebel. Later, she will found the Resistance — once again, it’s a familiar way of doing things for her, coupled with her Fi’s quest for meaning and defense of values.

Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

Leia has been thrust into leadership positions throughout her whole life. As @bestmixtapeintherecorder said, this doesn’t mean that she’d choose it for herself, all things being equal. In fact, in RotJ, we see her taking more of a backseat, and in Bloodline, she only accepts her nomination for First Senator with extreme reluctance. However, when put into a leadership position, she shows herself to be effective and able. Her Te also couples with her Fi to lead her to jump into a debate or fight if she feels her values are challenged.

Like I said earlier, Te is where I think everyone gets hung up when typing Leia. She so clearly exhibits Te that most people assume it’s her dominant function (hence ESTJ and ENTJ). However, throughout much of the movies, Leia is incredibly stressed. Under extreme stress, the inferior function tends to take the lead, though it often comes out in negative ways or as somewhat of a caricature of dominant Te. This is exactly what we often see in Leia, particularly in ANH and ESB. Throughout those movies, she’s lost her home and family, she’s been through torture and trauma, she’s fighting on the front lines in a war, and on top of all that, she’s struggling with her frustration at and feelings for Han. Consequently, she is frequently “in the grip” of her Te. When this happens, she lashes out at others, unleashing sarcasm and biting remarks, becoming more rigid, judgmental, intolerant and even insensitive. Everything becomes even more black and white as the tempering nature of her Ne is gone. She will often seek to gain control of a situation (and thus control of herself, too).

A good example of this is in Aftermath: Life Debt when her stress over Han’s disappearance and her frustration over what she feels are heartless political processes cause her to explode during a meeting with Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar, and others. We also see this at the beginning of Bloodline — when faced with Casterfo’s collection of Imperial paraphernalia (which challenges her values and likely also triggers her PTSD), she eventually loses control of her anger, forgets any semblance of tolerance she had previously tried to summon, and lets loose on Casterfo, arguing viciously with him before coldly leaving the room. And of course, we see this throughout the movies in her sarcasm and insults as she takes charge of her rescue in ANH, and in her constant fighting with Han in ESB.

Sometimes, when in the grip of her Te, she may make questionable decisions in the heat of the moment, saying things she’ll later regret or trying to “fix” a situation in a way that won’t fix it at all (for example, kissing Luke in ESB to prove a point to Han that isn’t even true).

By the second half of RotJ, while she is still in a stressful wartime situation, I’d argue that she’s much more relaxed, having Han back and feeling a new sense of determination and purpose. Consequently, we don’t see as much of her sharp tongue, angry outbursts, or need for control.

If Leia were an ESTJ or an ENTJ, her behavior would be somewhat different when stressed. An ExTJ in the grip of inferior Fi is less able to think logically or stay organized and efficient, and they will tend to be overcome by the feeling that they aren’t appreciated for what they do. I don’t think we see this in Leia at all during her most stressful moments. On the contrary, she becomes more logical, rigid, and efficient, and doesn’t seem to wallow in self-pity (though she may be very critical of both herself and others).

I also think that if Leia were an ESTJ or ENTJ, she wouldn’t be quite as idealistic as we see her throughout the books and the movies. Leia is so clearly driven by her values, by her fight for the cause, and she will and often does push back against what she sees as cold, sterile rules and bureaucracy when it hinders her fight for what she believes is right. An ESTJ or ENTJ would be more likely to see the necessity of those rules and bureaucracy.

Overall, INFPs are passionate, idealistic, caring, empathetic, stubborn, defensive, deeply emotional but closed off, sometimes tolerant and sometimes intolerant, imaginative, resourceful, sensitive, artistic, intelligent, intuitive, critical, nostalgic, intense dreamers who seek truth, justice and authenticity and are driven to make the world a better place. We see many of these qualities in Leia, and the few that aren’t as readily apparent can be easily explained due to the fact that we’re seeing her in wartime/during a time of stress, where those qualities would naturally be missing. This combined with the fact that Leia’s character and actions fit very well with the INFP functional stack, as I’ve already argued, makes me conclude that Leia is best characterized as an INFP.

[otdderamin]

Transcript Ep5 0:1:50 Character Backstories

All of this transcription was done by Critical Role Transcripts. I've merely reformatted it from closed captions to paragraphs, and added the timestamps and links. The longer Critical Role has run, and characters have developed, the clearer it is that the telling of their backstories shows some very core personality traits, beyond the mere history they tell. I hope this serves as a useful reference document for further analysis. Note: Pike's video wasn't introduced until Ep5, making it the first episode to have all of them.

 If you like this transcript, especially this transcript, please consider donating to Critical Role Transcripts, @CRTranscript, to help them provide closed captioning to Critical Role. We'd like to share this wonderful show with as many people as possible, regardless of hearing ability or English language skills.

 Transcript method notes: http://otdderamin.tumblr.com/post/153539301510/a-note-on-my-transcription-method

 Scenes:

Full episode: http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-episode-5/

Full set runs: 0:1:50 to 0:15:12 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=110

 1. Pike - 0:1:50 to 0:03:52 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=110

2. Grog - 0:03:53 to 0:05:40 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=233

3. Keyleth - 0:05:41 to 0:07:43 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=341

4. Percy - 0:07:45 to 0:08:58 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=465

5. Scanlan - 0:08:59 to 0:10:20 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=539

6. Tiberius - 0:10:20 to 0:12:18 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=620

7. Vax - 0:12:20 to 0:13:48 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=740

8. Vex - 0:13:49 to 0:15:12 https://youtu.be/u6QpXDL7E8Y?t=829

9. Trinket - The Saga of Trinket - The surprising first meeting between Vex and her companion

 1. Pike

0:1:50 Ashley: "Pike grew up in the outskirts of town, near the Bramblewood. Her ancestors were a family of deep gnomes with quite an unfavorable reputation. Thievery, destruction, and trickery left them with the curse of the last name Trickfoot. Sarenrae, the goddess of healing and redemption, had other plans for Pike's great-great-grandfather, Wilhand, who left his family at a young age after a dream; a dream that changed the course of the Trickfoot family. Wilhand devoted his life to Sarenrae and pledged from then on that him and his family would live a life of service and devotion.

0:02:27 Ashley: "As a child, Pike seemed to have an affinity to heal. Whether it was animals, people, or even flowers, she felt she had a purpose in making things whole that had once been broken. She studied and learned the ways to heal though divine magic.

0:02:43 Ashley: "She lived a peaceful life, quiet and simple, until one day, Wilhand was captured, and almost killed, by a group of goliath barbarians. One of the goliaths took a stand against the murder of the innocent gnome, and he himself was beaten, bloodied, and left for dead, abandoned by his herd. Wilhand went to Pike for help. She prayed and healed this barbarian as best she could, bringing him back to life. When he awoke, she discovered his name was Grog Strongjaw. After that, they were best of friends, a rather unlikely pair. Little did she know that in a few years' time, Grog would soon return the favor and bring her back from the clutches of death.

0:03:31 Ashley: "After being killed in battle, Pike felt angry. She wanted to be stronger so that it would never happen again. She spent four months at sea training with the men and women aboard a ship called the Broken Howl. Gripping her holy symbol in one hand, and her morningstar in the other, this time, Pike is ready."

0:03:52

 2. Grog

0:03:53 Travis: "Right, Listen up! If you have ale, then you have a friend in Grog Strongjaw! A goliath of towering height and size, this barbarian has an appetite for the two great loves in his life: combat, women, and ale!" Chuckle, "Wait. Easily the brains of the group, Grog is often consulted for his vast knowledge of shapes, colors, and," chuckle, "shiny things! ...Also, ale.

0:04:27 Travis: "In his early years, armed with his two-handed great axe, Grog often enjoyed proving his might amongst the ranks of his family's wandering herd. But after coming upon an unsuspecting elderly gnome in the woods, he objected to the killing such an innocent life. A creature of impulse, Grog felt only pity for this... well, this terrified little thing, and his disobedience cost him dearly. Beaten bloody, and banished by the herd leader, his uncle Kevdak, Grog was abandoned and left to die.

0:05:05 Travis: "Exiled from his herd, it was then that the relative of the very gnome he fought to save, saved him. It was the kindness of a gnome cleric named Pike, that healed Grog, bringing him back from death's edge. And they have remained close friends ever since.

0:5:26 Travis: "Most nights, Grog can be found challenging entire taverns to wrestling matches! Ha! ...or accompanying Scanlan to the nearest house, where you pay for... lady favors. Also, ale!"

0:05:40

 3. Keyleth

0:05:41 Marisha: "A first Impression of Keyleth would leave you with little information on the half-elven druid. You might even think that her social awkwardness due to her sheltered upbringing is kind of sweet." Chuckle, "Of course, it would be unwise underestimate her based on first impressions. Under that unintimidating, petite frame is a vicious beast waiting to be unleashed, whose natural powers have made even the fiercest of champions pee their pants, literally!" Soft chuckle.

0:06:10 Marisha: "Born to the Air Tribe of the Ashari people, Keyleth was raised with a deep love of nature and the elemental magics. It is her people’s inherent duty to protect the delicate areas in Tal'Dorei where the four elemental planes begin to bleed with this realm. Since she was a little girl, she had quite a knack for air manipulation and beast shaping abilities. Well, if you consider Kittens and flying squirrels to be little beasts. Which, I do, "clears throat.

0:06:39 Marisha: "Anyways, it wasn't long before the headmaster of the tribe, her father, Kohren, realized her true prodigious abilities and she was inveterated to succeed him as the next headmaster. Just like that, her jovial childhood was stripped and replaced with endless spell memorization, teachings from ancient traditions, and exceedingly high expectations.

0:07:00 Marisha: "Every druid leader-to-be must embark on journey to seek out the sister tribes, in order to introduce and establish respect amongst the fellow headmasters. They call this the Aramente, or Noble Odyssey. When her father felt she was ready, he set her on the path to truly discovering herself. Not knowing when, or if she will ever return. As she hiked down the mountain towards Stillben, she meditated on the task ahead. Part of the Aramente is proving yourself a strong warrior, a valiant protector, and a wise and compassionate leader. With this knowledge, one thought plays in repeat in her mind: Is she even worthy?"

0:07:43

 4. Percy

0:07:45 Taliesin: "Percy was the third child of 7 children, born to a noble family who lived far to the north in the ancient castle of Whitestone. With so many siblings to share the burdens of lordship, Percy turned his attentions to the sciences, engineering, and naturalism.

0:08:01 Taliesin: "One day, a mysterious couple, named Lord and Lady Briarwood, came to court. During a feast held in their honour, the Briarwoods violently took control of the castle, killing or imprisoning everyone who would stand in their way. Percy awoke chained in the dungeon, only to be freed by his younger sister. Together they fled, chased by the Briarwoods’ men. As they ran, Percy’s sister took several arrows to the chest and fell. Percy kept running, eventually jumping into a freezing river and floating unconscious to freedom.

0:08:34 Taliesin: "He did not remember waking up on a fishing boat. He barely remembered the next two years, as he slowly made his way as far south as possible. Then one night, Percy had a dream. A roaring cloud of smoke offered him vengeance against those who destroyed his family. When he awoke, Percy began to design his first gun."

0:08:58

 5. Scanlan

0:08:59 Sam: "Oh, you haven’t heard of Scanlan Shorthalt? Well, gird your loins, ladies, because he has his eye on you. A talented musician, master of disguise, and dashingly handsome in his own mind, Scanlan sings songs almost as much as he sings his own praises.

0:09:15 Sam: "Born a poor Gnome, Scanlan used his endless charm and soaring tenor voice to croon for coin and support his single mother. One day he was discovered by a half-orc promoter, and joined Dr. Dranzel’s Spectacular Traveling Troupe where he learned the ways of the world, and honed his skills as a bard extraordinaire.

0:09:35 Sam: "A loner much of his life, Scanlan has never quite come to terms with the violent death of his mother at the hands of a Goblin invasion. While his years on the road provided many, shall we say, educational experiences with the opposite sex, deep down Scanlan yearns for the one thing he’s never known: the true love of a fellow Gnome.

0:09:57 Sam: " Still, Scanlan considers himself a lover first, performer second, and fighter distant third. On the battlefield, he’ll support his allies, but rarely draws blood unless it’s to protect fellow Gnome, Pike. Count on Scanlan for a hearty laugh, a rollicking song, and a twinkle in his eye that melts hearts and makes the females swoon.

0:10:20

 6. Tiberius

0:10:20 Orion: "Greetings and salutations. I am Tiberius Stormwind. I hail from a town called Ty'rex, located in the heart of Draconia, born from a politically respected family. At the age of 15, I succeeded in passing the Sorcerer’s Rite, showing prodigy-like control of my magic. The judges and the Draconian high council were amazed at how powerful my spells were for how long I had been training. At 20 years-old, I was the youngest appointed member of the magic guild in Draconian history.

0:10:49 Orion: "For the next few years, I almost went mad from the malaise of being a guild member, as it’s rather boring. However, one day I happened upon a chamber, unused for quite some time. In the room were stacks of books and maps of the surrounding cities and areas around the known world. For months, I would frequent the chamber, and learned of artifacts from legend. After a long period of research, I made a list of artifacts that caught my eye. I brought these findings to the high council and was told that all of the information in the chamber I had stumbled upon was either believed to be fiction or unsolvable mysteries, and hence were lost forever. I found those answers to be unacceptable.

0:11:28 Orion: "A year later I devised a ruse and managed to convince the city council to lend support in me leaving Draconia on a mission of peace and diplomacy for the surrounding kingdoms. Going from town to town and making friends and allies, in and for the name of Draconia. Being a red dragonborn, I had quite the task on my hands in that respect, but it was exactly what I needed so I could explore the world and find these artifacts, as I felt the truth was out there.

0:11:54 Orion: "Some may describe me as buffoonish, but I say poppycock to all that. I am much sharper than most give me credit for. I just don’t pay attention to things sometimes. I’ve also been known to be rather cunning, loyal, happy-go-lucky, and well, dangerous. I can’t help but show my true scales every now and then. But overall, I think I’m quite friendly for a Dragonborn."

0:12:18

 7. Vax

0:12:20 Liam: "Never entirely welcome in the company of elves or men, Vax'ildan learned at a young age to skip past formality, preferring instead to invite himself in your door. Along with twin sister Vex'ahlia, Vax was born by a chance encounter between elven royalty and human peasantry. Raised by their mother in their early years, the twins were eventually sent off to their father in the Elven capital of Singorn. But their cool reception among the Elves there never warmed, and their time in the capital didn’t last.

0:12:50 Liam: "The siblings stole away one autumn night and set out on the open road. After a few years of wandering, they eventually decided to return to their mother, and journeyed back to the lands of their youth. But instead of finding their childhood home, they returned to a pile of rubble. Their mother was gone, their home burned to ash. Pressing the townspeople for answers, they learned of the day the dragon came. With their ties all severed, Vax'ildan and his sister set out to find their fortune together in Tal'Dorei.

0:13:28 Liam: "An outsider since birth, Vax quickly learned to solve life’s challenges in his own particular way, often by sidestepping them entirely. And when his knack for circumventing adversity isn’t enough, the way of blades the elves schooled him in more than makes up the difference."

0:13:48

 8. Vex

0:13:49 Laura: "Like so many Half-Elves, Vex'ahlia has spent most of her life suffering the cool reception of a people who don’t fully accept her. Born of a human mother, and an elven father who only later in life took an interest in their existence, Vex'ahlia and her twin brother Vax'ildan quickly realized the only people they could truly rely on in this world were each other.

0:14:14 Laura: "It was at the age of 10 when the two were taken from their mother, and brought to live in Singorn, the isolated Elven city for which their father was an ambassador. He quietly took them in, but always kept an icy distance, and after too many years of disdainful looks, the pair decided to leave his indifference behind, and set out on their own.

0:14:36 Laura: "Vax took to the cities, stealing small trinkets and learning the ways of the thief, while Vex kept to the woods. She preferred the isolation. Always the keen observer, she learned to hunt and to track, to spy and to shoot. And through a series of fateful events, earned herself a companion in the form of a bear - her own stolen Trinket - to fight alongside her and protect her fiercely. Also, he is adorable, and gives expert massages.

0:15:12

 9. Trinket

The Saga of Trinket - The surprising first meeting between Vex and her companion

http://geekandsundry.com/the-saga-of-trinket-the-surprising-first-meeting-between-vex-and-her-companion/

[aion-rsa]

Got Wood: 15 Plant-Based Comic Book Characters

In the regular world, plants don’t amount to much to us. They decorate our houses and gardens, clean the air, grow food, and occasionally get chopped up to make our furniture. They certainly don’t fight crime or try to take over the world. That’s where comic books come in.

RELATED: Men of Steel: 15 Superheroes That Are Metal AF

In the comic world, plants can become powerful weapons or even superhuman beings, fighting for heroes and villains. From Marvel to DC to independent comics, the plant world is one of danger and mystery. With the adorable Baby Groot set to return in 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” it’s time for CBR to review 15 plant-based characters in the world of superheroes. We won’t be talking about characters who have power over plants, but ones who actually have plants in them or are made of plants.

TUMBLEWEED

The superhero Tumbleweed first appeared in 2008’s “Number of the Beast” #1, written by Scott Beatty and penciled by Chris Sprouse. Edward Dane was caught in the detonation of the Trinity atomic bomb test in the New Mexico desert, turning him into a collection of desert plants in the shape of a human being. Tumbleweed is made of desert fauna (mostly tumbleweeds and cactus) and has the power to control the flowers and branches inside him. He can adjust his shape by changing the way the plants are arranged, and also grow new ones inside himself.

With his new powers, Dane became Tumbleweed, a member of the World War II-era superhero group, the Paladins. Along with the other Paladins, he was kept inside a virtual reality simulation to keep him under control, but escaped in modern days. After the apocalyptic events of “Number of the Beast,” Tumbleweed used his powers to make an oasis in the Nevada desert in the post-apocalyptic world.

GOLDENROD

In 1984’s “Firestorm” #19 (written by Gerry Conway and Carla Conway, and penciled by Gene Colan), a broke lawyer named Frederick Delmar agreed to become a test subject for an experimental antihistamine drug called Nuvafed. The drug was just supposed to be harmless, but it caused a violent reaction in Delmar that killed him. Not wanting to admit the drug was a failure, Delmar’s body was dumped in a deserted field, where the body combined with the plants around him, bringing him back to life as a monster nicknamed Goldenrod.

Goldenrod went on a rampage to try to track down the people responsible for his transformation, but went up against the nuclear man himself, Firestorm. Goldenrod was made of plants and had the power to shoot concentrated pollen at his enemies, triggering fatal allergic reactions, and could also pollinate the area around him to grow plants that he could control. When he got out of control, Goldenrod realized he had gone too far and killed himself by dissolving into a cloud of pollen. A supervillain who kills with hay fever? Only in the comics.

BLACKBRIAR THORN

Created by Len Wein and Joe Kubert in 1984’s “DC Comics Presents” #66, Blackbriar Thorn was a Druid high priest whose sect was attacked by Roman soldiers. In order to escape, Thorn used his power to turn himself into wood so that he could hide in the forest. He intended to revert to normal upon being exposed to moonlight, but an earthquake buried him underground before that could happen. Thousands of years later, an archaeologist dug him up and put him on display in a Gotham City museum, where the moon’s light brought him back to life.

As a druid, Thorn has mystical power over the elements, able to cause wind and storms, even indoors. He also has power over plants, causing them to grow and move however he wanted, including the growth and shape of his own wooden body. Since his inception, Thorn has been a part of the DC Universe as one of the most powerful members of the magic community, often fighting heroes like the Justice League Dark, but also helping to stop the “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

LADY WEEDS

2013’s “Swamp Thing Annual” #2 by Charles Soule and Jesus Saiz introduced the cruel and sadistic Lady Weeds. In the Victorian Era, Lady Weeds was an avatar of the Green, another dimension where all plant life is connected. It’s also the source of Swamp Thing’s power. Lady Weeds abused her power, though, deliberately causing the Great Potato Famine in Ireland that led to the deaths of millions, in order to convince the members of the Parliament of Trees (the Parliament helped other Green avatars like Swamp Thing) never to challenge her claim as an avatar of the Green.

Lady Weeds had all the power of Swamp Thing with none of the conscience. She could manipulate and control plants both within and outside of herself, was basically immortal as long as plants existed in the world, and could draw upon power from the Green to make herself superhumanly strong. She ended up becoming expelled from the Green and paralyzed, but reborn as an avatar of the Metal.

EL SEED

In 1992, the animated TV show “The Tick” aired “The Tick vs. El Seed,” written by Ben Edlund and Richard Liebmann-Smith with storyboards by Christopher McCulloch and Stuart Yellin. In the episode, the superhero Tick faced a humanoid flower turned revolutionary named El Seed. No one knows where El Seed came from before he went to school for agriculture, but in the process he developed a chemical “vitilizer” to make plants grow arms and legs, and rise up against humans.

El Seed wanted to raise an army of plant soldiers to overthrow humanity and have plants take over the world, and his chemical concoctions almost let him do it. He tended to avoid fighting himself, but had two female insectoids called the Bee Twins to do his dirty work for him. Fortunately, the Tick and Arthur managed to get the drop on him by infiltrating the plant army as “kernels.” El Seed should have branched out to helping people instead of overthrowing them.

TIMBERIUS

Timberius first appeared in “Incredible Hulk Annual” #1 in 1968, written by Gary Friedrich and penciled by Marie Severin. A member of the Inhumans, Black Bolt found him guilty of treason and banished Timberius to another dimension along with other rebels. When the Hulk was transported to their dimension, Timberius worked with Maximus the Mad to escape. They also tried to take over the Inhuman city of Attilan. As a member of Maximus’ guard, Timberius continued to wreak havoc as part of the leader’s mad schemes.

Like all Inhumans, Timberius was exposed to the Terrigen Mists, but the combination of plant DNA gave him a wooden appearance and control over plants. He can grow plant life and make it move, much like the other entries on this list, although he’s much more ambitious. Over the years, he’s fought the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, but keeps on going.

FLORONIC MAN

Written by Gardner Fox and pencilers Gil Kane, 1962’s “Atom” #1 introduced Jason Woodrue as the Plant Master, who used inter-dimensional technology to grow plants in order to take over the world. However, an experimental formula later turned him into a plant humanoid and he changed his name to the Floronic Man. He later became a villain of Swamp Thing, and at one point, the Floronic Man even became a hero when he joined the Global Guardians who formed after the events of the “Millennium” storyline. However, he since went back to the side of evil.

Even as Woodrue, he was dangerous because of his knowledge of plants, but as the Floronic Man, Woodrue gained the ability to control and combine his body with plant life. His powers increased when he ate parts of Swamp Thing and connected with the Green, making him able to control plants all over the world. In the New 52 reboot, Woodrue became the Seeder, fighting Swamp Thing for the right to be the avatar of the Green.

POISON IVY

“Batman” #181 (1966), created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, introduced the supervillain Poison Ivy to the DC universe. Poison Ivy was a botanist injected with experimental poisons by Woodrue that transformed her into a toxic woman who could control plants. Obsessed with plant life over human beings, Poison Ivy became an eco-terrorist who fought, robbed and even killed in order to fund her attempts at destroying humanity and saving the natural world. That’s made her one of Batman’s deadliest enemies.

Poison Ivy can control plants, making them grow and move wherever and however she likes. She can also connect to plants with her mind, communicate with them over long distances and is immune to all forms of poisons and toxins. Poison Ivy herself is riddled with poisons, able to kill someone with a kiss alone, and can also produce pheromones to control people’s minds (particularly men). She tends to fall on the side of evil, but isn’t above working with Batman on the side of the heroes every now and then.

BUSHROOT

In the 1990s Disney superhero TV series “Darkwing Duck,” Darkwing fought a lot of weird villains, but one of the strangest was Reginald Bushroot. In the 1991 episode “Beauty and the Beet” (created by John Behnke, Rob Humphrey and Jim Peterson), we met the mild-mannered scientist named Reginald Bushroot who experimented on himself and became a half-duck, half-plant hybrid.

In his new form, Bushroot could control all plants around him, making them steal and fight for him. He’s also still a genius and uses his knowledge to breed new plants for different purposes. Though Bushroot has a lot of power, he’s not really a bad guy. He just wants to help the world and find love, even going so far as to try to create a female plant for companionship. He can also regrow parts of his body that are injured, making him immortal. He’s always a thorn in Darkwing Duck’s side.

KRAKOA

Written by Len Wein and penciled by Dave Cockrum, 1975’s “Giant Size X-Men” #1 introduced a new team of X-Men assembled from mutants around the world. Cyclops explained that they needed to find the original team of X-Men, who had gone missing on a remote island named Krakoa while looking for a powerful mutant. When they arrived on Krakoa, the new X-Men discovered that the island itself was the mutant they had been looking for.

When an atomic bomb had detonated near the island of Krakoa, the radiation caused the entire island to mutate into a single conscious entity. All the trees, flowers and plants on the island could work together to fight the X-Men and drain their life energy for Krakoa’s purposes. Though the story was later retconned to say Krakoa was just a hallucination caused by Xavier, it was one of the X-Men’s most bizarre adventures, fighting piles of rocks and tree branches trying to kill them.

SEQUOIA

Sequoia first appeared in “Fantastic Four” #325 (1988), written by Steve Englehart and penciled by Rich Buckler, as the result of years of plotting and development for the character Mantis. Created by Steve Englehart and Don Heck in “The Avengers” #112 (1973), Mantis is a half-Vietnamese martial artist who was raised by a sect of the alien Kree. She joined the Avengers, and began a journey to become the Celestial Madonna, a legendary woman prophesied to give birth to the most important being in the universe.

She finally mated with a Cotati tree in human form and gave birth to Sequoia, who has the power to absorb and control energy, using it to create energy beams and heal himself. Sequoia (who also goes by Quoi) also gained incredible psychic powers on the level of Thanos and can survive without food or air, thanks to his plant-based biology. He’s become one of the most powerful beings in the universe, which is pretty impressive for a tree.

PLANTMAN

Making his debut in “Strange Tales” #113 (1951, written by Stan Lee and Joe Carter with pencils by Dick Ayers), Samuel Smithers was an orphaned British botanist who become convinced that he could give intelligence to and communicate with plants. He invented a gun designed to bring plants to life called the “vege-ray,” and used it to become the supervillain Plantman. Over time, Plantman developed plant-based versions of himself called “simuloids,” which he used to do his bidding. Some of them have been programmed with his mental pattern to the point that they are essentially Plantman. Over time, his body mutated from exposure to the vege-ray energy, and allowed him to merge with the Earth’s biosphere.

Plantman can animate and control any form of plant life. In his simuloid form, Plantman has superhuman strength and resistance, as well as the ability to control and change form. He’s living proof that plants are out to get us.

MAN-THING

“Whatever knows fear burns at the touch of the Man-Thing.” That’s the slogan of one of the most powerful monsters in the Marvel Universe, who first appeared in 1971’s “Savage Tales” #1, created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Gray Morrow. Dr. Ted Sallis was a scientist working on a variation of Captain America’s super-soldier serum when he was attacked by thugs trying to get his formula. Sallis was hurt and injected himself with the serum in order to try to save himself, but instead mutated into a monster made from the swamp.

The Man-Thing is a terrifying creature, made even more fearsome by his powers. Man-Thing is superhumanly strong and fast, thanks to his huge plant-based body, and can heal and regenerate from any injury, but also has empathic powers that let him sense fear and evil intentions. Those emotions make him seek out the source, excrete an acidic compound, and burn whatever causes it. So if you see Man-Thing lumbering towards you in the middle of the night, try not to be scared…if that’s possible.

SWAMP THING

A scientist working in a swamp on a secret formula gets attacked and his own formula mutates him to become a plant-based monster. No, this isn’t a repeat of the last entry. This is Swamp Thing, created for DC in “House of Secrets” #92 (1971) and later rebooted in “Swamp Thing” #1 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. Whether Swamp Thing was developed independently of Man-Thing is a matter of debate, but the two characters diverged wildly after their origin.

Unlike Man-Thing, Swamp Thing retained his intelligence and identity as Alec Holland, living as an exile in the swamps of Louisiana. He has incredible strength and power in his vegetable form, and can grow himself into different shapes. He can also disassemble himself and create new bodies from any plant matter, allowing him to go anywhere and live forever, as well as control other plants that aren’t part of him.

Alan Moore’s run in the 1980s made him a more monstrous and philosophical character, questioning his existence and identity. It would later be revealed that he wasn’t actually Alec Holland turned into a swamp creature, but rather that he was the swamp itself transformed into thinking he was the scientist.

GROOT

Groot first appeared in 1960’s “Tales to Astonish” #13 by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers as an alien plant monster who wanted to try to conquer the world. He’s obviously changed a lot since then, beginning in 2006 as a captive and later a member of Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos. From there, Groot joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and became a true hero.

Groot is made of a wood-like structure that allows him to change shape, growing and shrinking all or parts of his body at will. He can also change his body to become covered in thorns, perfectly smooth or any other texture in between. Whenever he’s damaged, he can grow himself back from any individual part, even able to survive being almost completely destroyed and growing back from just a twig to full sized, which he’s done several times. Though it seems like he’s a simpleton who can only say “I am Groot,” he’s actually very smart. He’s also extremely loyal, especially to his best buddy, Rocket Raccoon.

Which is your favorite plant-based character? Let us know in the comments!

The post Got Wood: 15 Plant-Based Comic Book Characters appeared first on CBR.com.

http://ift.tt/2jSodb1

[topfygad]

Hike to the top of Bartolome Island in the Galapagos

When you are traveling around the world you quickly realize that many attractions require the need for climbing of some sort (see the Bucket List of 15 Things to Climb in the World for exhausting examples). When I heard that it was 374 steps uphill to the peak of Bartolome Island in the Galapagos, I began having flashbacks of the 463 steps to the top of Florence’s Duomo.

Climbing that wasn’t pretty. It was where I learned that a 78-year-old great grandmother was in better physical shape than me. Painful. On so many levels.

But, the peak of Bartolome Island was known to have the most perfect view of the famous Pinnacle Rock. There was no way that the avid bucket lister in me would miss scaling this volcanic cone to see a unique perspective of one of the most photographed natural structures in the Galapagos Islands.

So the journey began to the land where the human population is ZERO…

We took a panga from our home on the water, Ecoventura’s Letty yacht, and disembarked on the dock of Bartolome Island where a sea lion basking in the sun greeted us. The islet, located in Sullivan Bay to the east of Santiago Island, was barren besides two small groups of visitors and a few lazy lava lizards.

The gang that I was with eagerly started to ascend the 600 meter trail, a planked walkway which protects the lunar-like landscape from human erosion.

The beginning of the hike had the slightest incline, which allowed me to enjoy the mostly brown land that looked like it was straight from an episode of Star Trek.

A variety of volcanic formations lined the trail: spatter cones, lava tubes and lava bombs.

We even made a pit stop in order to hold a large lava rock, which looked as if it would be incredibly heavy, but really weighed mere ounces.

This was looking like something straight out of a cartoon.

Continuing on, the path steepened. The smooth walkway turned into stairs and my gasping for breath increased. I knew this was coming.

I stopped to “take photos”, a disguise for getting a moment to catch my breath.

After about a half hour we reached the top. The summit not only rewarded us with a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock, but also Daphne Major, Daphne Mindor and the rest of Santiago Island.

As always when climbing things while traveling, the view from the 114 meter summit was worth every step.It turned out to be a great addition to my list of the top things to do before you die.

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Location/Facts:

Situated in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago that lie 620 miles from the South American mainland. A province of Ecuador, it consists of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles. It is a remote destination that is a melting pot of unique wildlife, which inspired Charles Darwin’s landmark theory of evolution following his visit in 1835. Have been called a “living museum and showcase of wildlife” it is home to wildlife species that are found nowhere else on Earth; the giant tortoise, Galapagos sea lions, Flightless Cormorant, the Waved Albatross and, of course the boobies.

Getting There:

Galapagos is reached through the country of Ecuador by flying into either the capital city of Quito or the countries largest city of Guayaquil. If you don’t plan on spending any time on the mainland, fly into Guayaquil, since it is closer to the islands and most flights from Quito to the Galapagos stop there. If you plan on doing some exploring in Ecuador prior or after your trip, go to Quito. Its famous old town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colonial charm, bustling markets and architectural buildings. Whichever city you choose, will most likely require an overnight stay.

The Galapagos Islands has two airports, one on San Cristóbal and the other on Isla Baltra, just north of Santa Cruz. Which airport you choose will depend on how you have decided to explore the islands. The flight from Guayaquil to the islands is approximately an hour and forty-five minutes (about 40 minutes from Quito to Guayaquil). Domestic flights can be booked through TAME, Avianca or LAN.

Language(s):

Spanish is the official language in Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands, though English is widely spoken on tours, plus in the restaurants and hotels.

Currency:

The US Dollar

Electricity:

Plug Type A/B, 110v. The voltage and socket is the same as the U.S., so there is not need for an adapter or converter.

When to Go:

Every month in the Galapagos has its highlights and the weather makes any time of the year a good time to visit, so when you go greatly depends on the type of experience you are looking to have. For example, in March on San Cristobal and Genovesa you can catch a glimpse of the frigatebirds inflated red throat pouches, in May your chances increase for witnessing the blue-footed booby mating dance on North Seymour and in August you can catch the newly born sea lion pups. There is always something incredible to see on the Galapagos. For a complete list of wildlife activity check out the monthly calendar at Ecuador Travel Site.

The peak tourism months are June, July and August, as well as mid-December through mid-January. You should book your trip well in advance during these times, as the number of visitors allowed on the islands is limited. Be aware that the prices are also often higher during this time. December through May is when the sea tends to be the calmest. In these months the weather is hotter and slightly rainy with temperatures typically in the 80s. On most days the sun will still make an appearance after the rainfall. June through November brings cooler temperatures (in the 70s) and colder water. Experienced divers prefer this time of year, as the currents bringing nutrients into the water draws more amazing marine life.

How to Visit/Planning:

One of the biggest decisions to make when planning your travel to Galapagos is how you will choose to explore the islands. You can either take a cruise on a live-aboard boat or stay onshore using a hotel as your base. If you select the latter, it is possible to book day trips to some of the popular islands from Santa Cruz or San Cristobal. Though this may be a more economical option, getting around independently can be challenging, as exploring most of the islands requires being accompanied by a licensed guide. Plus, you will have limitations to the islands you can reach due to the distance. The advantage to a multi-day live-aboard cruise is that they leverage the night hours by using them to travel between islands, so your days are not wasted. The small group yachts, under 20 passengers, are the best way to explore the islands and see more of the wildlife in a personalized environment. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of licensed vessels with a variety of stops and routes to choose from. Ecoventura is the sustainable travel company who took me through the islands, and is ideal for those wanting a small group experience with educated naturalists. If you opt for day trips from the main islands, Sharksky offers good options. The best solution may be to take a 4-day cruise then spend a couple days on your own on a populated island, like Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in Cristóbal. 

Getting Around:

Navigating between the islands will require a plane or boat. Though for getting around on the populated islands you can rent a bike for about $15 per day or catch a taxi for a couple of bucks to most destinations. 

Where to Stay:

If you are staying overnight in Guayaquil, try Hotel Oro Verde (from $124), which offers shuttle service from the airport or for a more peaceful stay in a quiet residential area, Nazu House Bed & Breakfast (from $86). In Quito, splurge at Hotel Patio Andaluz (from $210) centrally located in the historic district or hideaway at Las Terrazas de Dana (from $109), a modern ecolodge in the cloud forest of Mindo. In the Galapagos, stay in the lap of luxury at Finch Bay Eco Hotel (from $325) on Santa Cruz Island or the family run Galapagos Suites (from $134). On San Cristóbal, try the simple Galapagos Eco Friendly (from $89) that has all you need.

Where to Eat:

While in Quito, get your ceviche fix at Zazu (www.zazuquito.com) or indulge in traditional Ecuadorian dishes and pasta at Fried Bananas Café (www.newfriedbananas.com), make sure to order the fried banana dessert made with vodka. In Guayaquil, try local foods with a trendy twist at La Pizarra (https://ift.tt/1Nj7Qfu) or opt for Noe (www.noesushibar.com), known as the place to go for great sushi. On the island of Santa Cruz have a casual dinner at Calle de los Kioscos, an open-air market with plenty of cheap local food choices. For outdoor dining, head over to La Garrapata (+593 5-252-6264) for the fresh tuna in a sesame and pepper sauce. For a local experience on San Cristóbal, get burgers at Cri’s (https://ift.tt/2VT17Vm) and eat on the tiny stools out front.

Bucket List Must-Dos:

Plan your trip around the month of May to get a better chance of witnessing the Blue Footed Booby mating dance, the courtship ritual of these popular birds.

Take the steep climb to the top of the volcanic cone of Bartolomé and get a peak at the most photographed natural structure in the Galapagos, Pinnacle Rock.

Do as the sailors did in the 19th century and send a post card at Post Office Bay on Floreana Island. Leave one and sift through the others to pick one close to home to hand deliver.

Take a closer look at the giant tortoises at the Darwin Research Station (https://ift.tt/Kyq8rp) in Puerto Ayora where scientists and volunteers are involved in conservation.

Snorkel through the network of lava tunnels known as Los Tuneles on isle Isabela. The unique formations above and below the water include a series of arcs and tunnels that are a sanctuary of marine life.

Essential Information:

It is a requirement to have a naturalist with you when exploring the protected islands; you cannot just venture off on your own.

Though you may be able to hop onto a last-minute cruise when you reach the islands, it’s best to book well in advance, at least 3-4 months during non-peak times and 6 months to a year during high tourist months.

When arriving to either of the two Galapagos airports, travelers must pay a $100 per person ($50 for children under 12) Galapagos National Park entrance fee at immigration.

A visa is not required to enter Ecuador, though make sure your passport does not expire within 6 months of arrival.

It is strictly prohibited to touch or otherwise disturb the nature or wildlife of the Galapagos. Do not feed the animals (not even a drop of water) or leave behind any sort of litter.

Packing Tips:

Exploring the Galapagos typically means being on a boat, so make sure that you load up on motion sickness medication. Some days can get pretty choppy and seasickness can even affect those not prone to it. Try the sea-band wristband or Dramamine’s less drowsy formula.

Be kind to the ecosystem by bringing biodegradable sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner and lotions. (Alba Botanica makes a highly rated sunscreen and Campsuds makes a multi-purpose cleaner that can be used as a shampoo, body wash or even dish cleaner.)

A small pair of binoculars can go a long way when trying to spot wildlife from the boat. (Bushnell Falcon makes some nice ones for under $30)

Limit plastic waste by bringing a reusable water bottle. (The Vapor Element Bottle is perfect for travel since it folds up into a tiny neat package when empty)

Bring the right pair of shoes. Light hiking shoes are necessary for some of the islands and water shoes are needed for the wet landings when the panga can’t bring you all the way to the shore or dock. A dual-purpose Keen style active shoe would work well. Also, bring a comfortable pair of deck shoes to wear while just hanging out on the boat.

Don’t forget an underwater camera to capture the incredible marine life. I use a GoPro, but if you want a cheaper option just get an underwater case for your phone.

Most tours will provide snorkeling gear (masks, tube, fins and wet suit), but consider at least bringing your own mask. A properly fitted one can enhance your snorkel experience and lessen the chances of missing marine-life because of having to fiddle with your gear.

You can leave the makeup and blow dryers at home since you will most likely be in and out of the water several times per day.

Bring a small daypack to take along on the hikes.

Pack a dry bag to store all your electronics. It can get tricky moving from the small panga to shore while carrying your camera equipment and you want to make sure it is protected.

If you are taking a cruise, there will be some down time and very limited Internet. Bring a book or download movies to your laptop prior to leaving home.

It gets hot in the Galapagos and a long-sleeved UPF shirt to protect you from the sun while hiking or snorkeling can save your shoulders from a brutal burn.

 Helpful Websites:

Galapagos Conservancy www.galapagos.org

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source http://cheaprtravels.com/hike-to-the-top-of-bartolome-island-in-the-galapagos/