#for the smallest bit of context that i shall give...

[insomniatichoodie]

been doing a LOT of pokemon stuff the past couple months and figured idk. i should post it at some point.

these are all related to the fic i'm writing, being ideas i have in the works for it, however they're not like in there yet so idk sneak peak yippeeeee

i'm obsessed w Green and Charizard specifically

[lavenoon]

Alright, Luce! You asked, and you shall receive! *cracks knuckles*

So, first of all, I love how easy their new routine is by now. Sure Moon doesn't need to help Robin up, but both of them want that touch, and just because it's not needed doesn't mean it's not appreciated. Just like their relationship forming, the small gestures help take the effort off the smallest things~

And how they just refer to home! So happy that it's exactly the same place they'll be returning to! Their home. For both of them and because of each of them.

And pfffff, I love them both making lighthearted fun of Sun's own antics. Like Sunny, my beloved, please XD Haha, it's good to know they just have this comfortable dynamic and I don't doubt Sun returns any teasing in kind

And ahhhh, I love that Robin just already knows them so well! It's so very sweet that they immediately pick up on the crowd and get concerned about Moon's comfort! But I'm laughing so much at the approach. Robin, hey you get a reward when we surpass this less than ideal conditions. Moon suddenly doesn't care about the conditions and wants to get home to receive his reward. Then gets annoyed at the crowd for stalling said reward and goes "Nope. Screw waiting. Want reward now" Nevermind that it's not quite a reward in that case but details, details.

I mean, Moon did spend pining a lot in the past, Robin should have known that if the offer included them he wasn't going to be very patient lkghdfskj Self-restraint? Moon broke up with her, doesn't even know her anymore XD

And then we get to the fun part!

Hand half entangled in hair half cupping their face? My, mister, what big hands you have there! (aka I see you).

Oh and he starts with the nipping, getting the teeth and the claws out immediately because he knows. He knows them so well by now and he's making it known, and also he can literally feel how correct he is going by Robin's pulse~

And he just keeps going for all the week spots huh? The trailing fingers on the marks left by clothes because he knows it must be sensitive

And the whole thing about the "still talking" line? Ohoho. And Robin wanting to get more by being a brat? Ohoho!

And! The shirt! He really just ripped that bit of the collar off so easily huh!!! Very- very normal about that yes!

(Actually very normal about all of it, definitely not having to reread to be able to comment and not get distracted, what are you talking about)

Makes sense Robin is clinging to him by now, very hard to stand firmly on the ground with all that's happening there.

But then we also go back to very sweet, with Robin wanting to kiss him too. Give him all that love and attention he also deserves, (though I think there must be also very satisfied to have them like feeling like putty in his arms ghñakh).

And haha I don't think there's much I can say about the last lines of the fic when they say it all sñfdhfñhaf other than I'm very glad to see Moon taking his self appointed duty to make sure Robin gets a good rest veeeeery seriously~

After the delay of work and cryptid sightings insanity, I get to this!

Scratch an Itch (And You) for context!

And yeah!! It was a lot of fun to just depict this normal for them, by then not even all that new anymore! They settled in it, and it's home just like the duplex, and I love letting them enjoy the domesticity of it all. They help each other even when it's not an emergency, but simply because they want to, no matter how small the burden they lift off their partner's shoulders. They're comfortable, and secure!! And I love showing that <3

Same with the Sun teasing! Like, sure, Y/N held back before, but then it's just too fun not to share, and besides, Sun may pretend to be miffed, and play that up - crossing his arms, looking up with a "hmph", but he knows they enjoy these parts of him, too, and that's why they shared!

(Moon gets teased for his gimmick still, and acting like a hissy stray whenever someone mentions "hey you might need to talk with 2+ people". Y/N gets teased for their personalized gadgets and interest/ imitation of spy movies. Everyone gets payback <3)

And look. look. Y/N knows him well, but he still surprises them sometimes <3 So when there's even more people he'd have to keep an eye on he decides to wait it out in the most fun way available >:3c But definitely also "why would I wait if I can just get it now? want it now (:" gfhdj even settled into the relationship he's done pining, he knows what he wants and knows he can get it too <3

Self restraint was a necessity he no longer has to entertain <3 Goodbye, sweet love, you are no longer needed here <3

Look. Look. I have no excuse I am simply. I am predictable and perhaps big hands are a bit of a pleasure for me that I refuse to call a guilty one <3

We're already under the cut so. Look. I just. Projected SO much FHDJSK This shot was aimed at me and all of you are just splash damage <3

The teeth? The claws? The collar rip?

Y/N being a brat?

I just went 100% self indulgence here and I'm very glad I'm not the only victim <3 It still fit both of them, of course, because AU at the core is my AU with what I want to see! Their dynamic works out like that, Y/N is definitely not the type to simply let him do all that, they want in on the action! They also want to have fun, be it through oh so rewarding brattiness or getting his jacket open or kissing him also <3

(That being said, writing this was still fascinating because I am literally only enticed and interested in theory, I simply do not have any interest in relationships like this irl FGHDJSK)

Moon definitely had his fun - making Y/N melt, having them so obviously desperate to also get their hands (and lips) on him, they want him just as much as he wants them, and that's always nice to see <3

He also greatly enjoys that they now have a ruined shirt they need to cover, and hey, would you look at that! He has a jacket he doesn't need! <3

But yes, he takes his role as sleep watch very seriously <3 Gotta make sure they're sooo tired, and then he'll just hold them to their "I'll stack' comment hehe. Keep them close, and enjoy the quiet time once they're snoozing, looking at them and just thinking about how lucky he is <3

(Sun comes to, Y/N passed out on top of him, covered in the evidence of last night's fun... And well, he's a greedy bastard too <3 )

(Edit bc im an awkward mess: I'm hinting at making out only. I'll never even allude to sex, steamy make outs is literally all I'm comfortable with so the evidence is just the bite marks left on their neck and shoulders)

[kimium]

Okay, yesterday I posted about a 2k story giving me troubles and... well it's still giving me troubles. I finished the scene? but I don't think this fic will go anywhere. The idea is too weird. (Which is a lot, coming from me.) Anyways, since I don't want to leave 2k to silently rot in my folders, I decided to post it here. Will I finish this? Probably not, but I hope it provides some entertainment. Let me know.

Also, don't read too much into the ghost talking stuff. I took elements I liked and ran with them. I'm by no means trying to accurately present IRL rituals/ceremonies to communicate with ghosts/spirits.

The rest is under the cut along with some warnings. PLEASE READ THEM.

Warning, this snippet contains:

Mentions of Bullying/Harassment/Children being Cruel, Hajime's canon inferiority complex with a hint of depression?, canon typical violence, mentions of Trial One's crime scene, the lightest Komahina, a sort-of shaman Hajime? (See note above cut), the smallest cameo from Kamukura, flashbacks, minor OC grandparents, Hajime realizing something is Rotten in the State of Jabberwock Island, Not A Complete Story.

Title: I can't talk to your ghost

“There is an art, Hajime, to communicating with ghosts.”

Hajime shuffled in his grandfather’s lap. Under him the couch, which was a combination of faded and too much floral pattern, lay lump and poked into his legs. Hajime’s grandmother always tutted when she walked into the living room to find them on the couch, muttering about replacing it. Every time Hajime heard her his heart would leap in his chest and tighten. The couch, like his grandparents, seemed eternal, a fixed point in his life. To replace it was to throw away the memories that had soaked into the fabric.

In front of them was an equally old coffee table, which scratches and softened edges. Two glasses sat on plain wooden coasters: a plastic cup with juice for Hajime and a dark mug of coffee for his grandfather. Behind it was a ceramic incense burner. Smoke billowed lightly from the holes, a mix of smells that Hajime couldn’t name but was familiar and relaxing.

“What do you mean, grandpa?”

“Everyone has a method they prefer,” his grandfather said as he lay a hand on Hajime’s shoulders. “Some prefer utilizing dreams. Others, Ouija boards or crystals. Regardless, all methods have a level of ceremony. Steps are important to follow.”

“What about your method, grandpa? What do you like?”

“I like falling into a trance. Remember, death is merely the soul opening the door to the great beyond. Our job is to find the right tool for you to use so you can open the door a sliver and communicate and bring comfort. Now, shall we practice?”

Hajime nodded, leaning into his grandfather’s bigger frame. “Yes, grandpa!”

~

The first thing Hajime learned upon going to school was this: Kids were cruel.

People liked to sprout nonsense such as “oh, they’re still learning”, “they’re growing up”, or “they don’t know any better”. They sprinkled it liberally like salt on food to mask a bland, undesirable taste.

They were wrong. Well, “wrong” wasn’t the right word. Kids weren’t always intentionally cruel; they’re cruel because they have rigid world views. Their world revolves around their experiences. A helio-centric model. If something didn’t fit their view or scared them it was “bad” or “wrong”. And when humans were scared, poking fun and ridiculing the other was an easy defense mechanism.

Horrible nicknames followed Hajime in elementary school. Kids would poke and prod at him, asking invasive, unwanted questions. They’d repeat what their parents said in the confines of their home without understanding the context behind the entire picture. Teachers could only do so much to discipline and cull the kid’s behaviours.

~

A bouquet of flowers lay on the side of the road where the lamp post and guardrails were still bent at an odd angle. Turquoise glass still lay in jagged shards over the asphalt along with bits of metal. Underneath it all were dark tire marks, signs of desperation. Orange traffic cones and wooden barricades surrounded the crash site. People skirted around, eyes darting curiously but swiftly. Cars gently followed the small detour. As if the barricade created a separate dimension.

After all, no one likes to face death and look it square in the eyes.

Hajime lingered, gripping his backpack strap. There were too many people and the sun was still high in the sky. He had spare candles in his room and a small incense burner from his grandfather. Perhaps he could return later, sneaking out after dinner… Hajime snorted and shook his head. If the police found him, what sort of story would he give? Certainly nothing they’d believe.

Turning his gaze, Hajime continued, skirting around the site like everyone else.

~

As the kids grew older their focus shifted and they ignored Hajime. Pretended he didn’t exist. No one wants to be known as the “asshole kid” because they still resort to name calling and rude questions. That was a one-way trip to the principal’s office with phone calls home. Childish. Elementary. How could they get in trouble at school of they’re not even talking to Hajime? No one could make them hang out with him after all.

The thing about loneliness is it suffocates. And humans? They can only live so long without air before they die.

~

Rumours stated the school was haunted. Hajime silently agreed (and confirmed) the rumours. Curiosity and all that. It was careless of him.

The next day, Hajime’s desk was upside down when he came to class. His textbooks were ripped to shreds but his pencil case and notebooks were mysteriously missing. The chair remained where he’d left it yesterday but a note was pinned to it with scotch tape. The white of the paper was barely visible over the thick black writing. Hajime didn’t attempt reading it. Instead, he tried to move his desk back. By the time he rearranged the desk his homeroom teacher had walked into the room.

It was mortifying but what was even more mortifying was, despite the school’s best efforts, they never found the culprits. Hajime never so badly wanted the floor to swallow him whole.

~

So, Hopes Peak came to Hajime asking about the “Izuru Kamukura Project” it was almost a relief to know that instead of throwing him a lifeline they had handed him an anchor.

Because who drowning wasn’t, in its own twisted way, salvation?

~

Kamukura looked at the pile of bodies, one of the many that lingered along Towa City. His fingers itched to light a match. His nose twitched, searching for smells that were unable to be created.

Kamukura frowned and walked away.

~

When Hajime first walked into the Old Building it smelled of dust, sun bleached wood, and stagnant time. The smell tickled the back of his nose and slid down to his throat, leaving a bitter taste that lingered.

Nothing about the Old Building was pleasant from day one. The entire building was a love letter to Western 60’s and 70’s interior design that somehow collided with a log cabin. While the wood at one point may have been beautiful, time was a cruel mistress and the sun her culprit in crime and the exterior was now a massive skeleton of sun-bleached wood. Inside the wood was covered in a layer of dust so thick that it obscured the colour of the walls, creating a disgusting brown grey. Just looking at it made Hajime’s stomach twist and coil, silently trying to evacuate the contents in his empty stomach.

However, the real criminal was the carpet. Unlike the wood of the building, which Hajime could argue once held beauty, he was confident the carpet had never held beauty once in its pathetic existence. Its first, and least heinous crime in Hajime’s opinion was it being orange. Hajime held anything against the colour, but when its default shade was “moldy orange that had at least seventeen hours of stewing in sunlight” it was hard to defend. Next, it added a bold geometric pattern in what Hajime assumed to be brown and red. Perhaps there was some white but Hajime wasn’t about to go down that rabbit hole of a debate. But the real crime was the carpet’s audacity to span endlessly through the building. The carpet boldly sat everywhere except the bathroom, committing crime in broad daylight. Even after Komaeda cleaned the place, a move that deserved nothing but respect in Hajime’s eyes, it remained an eyesore.

(Not that Hajime held it against Komaeda. After all, one couldn’t expect to make something stunning out of garbage.)

So, when the lights flickered back on and the gruesome scene lay before them for an unhinged moment, Hajime couldn’t help but think that blood helped the carpet rather than ruin it.

That moment passed with a hot flash of guilt and regret. Tears sprung at the corner of Hajime’s eyes and his hand clasped over his nose. Iron and copper thickly filled the air and mingled with the food and already stale smell of the building. Hajime’s stomach harshly churned and he gagged. Distantly, he heard sobs and retching. Hajime inhaled through his nose, as if it would do any good, and knelt by the body. Sorrow could be dealt with later. Hajime closed his eyes.

What did his grandfather always say? Death was merely the soul opening the door to the great beyond? Hajime’s mind spun and the quote slipped through the gaps of his brain like sand through fingers. Did he risk it? He had spotted candles as well as sticks of incense in the convenience store. An incense burner was preferred but not necessary.

“Hinata-san, are you alright?”

A warm hand pressed against his shoulder. Hajime opened his eyes. Komaeda was kneeling beside him. His fluffy white hair sprawled messily, like a sheep with tangled wool. Hajime’s fingers twitched with the urge to run his fingers through and detangle it. Hajime curled his hands into a fist.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Hajime dully replied.

Komaeda’s brow furrowed and he leaned closer. “Do you need a minute outside? This is a lot to take in.”

Hajime swallowed, tasted blood in the air. Tempting. He could use the excuse and slip out to perform the séance. But simply taking to a ghost wasn’t going to hold up in their trial. Investigating first. Séance later.

“No, I need to investigate, find justice for Byakuya. What about you? Do you need a moment outside?”

“Your concern is touching, Hinata,” Komaeda said and stood up. “However, you’re right. We cannot allow this tragedy to hold us back. We will solve this crime. I can help with investigating.”

“Thanks, Komaeda.”

Komaeda smiled crookedly. “I’ll look into the power outage. Perhaps another room will hold the answers.”

Hajime nodded and turned his attention to Byakuya’s body. Mercifully the body was face down, hiding the expression. This was going to be a long night.

Cataloguing the evidence and testimonies was mercifully made easier with his phone, but still Hajime’s brain spun in circles by the time he finished. The pieces to the crime scene floated, waiting to be put together but unwilling to cooperate. Groaning, Hajime stretched and his body sung silent praises. Now to sneak away for a few minutes and attempt a séance. If Hajime was quick, he could run to the convenience store and perform the séance in under twenty minutes.

“Are we done in here, Hajime?” Komaeda quietly asked at his side.

“Yes, we are.”

“Then,” Komaeda rocked on his heels, “can we make one more stop? I’d like to investigate the cabins. I think there might be another clue.”

“Do you think Monokuma would let us?” Hajime raised an eyebrow.

“It’s for the case, I’m certain he’ll allow it.”

True. Still, would he have enough time to perform the séance and check the cabins? Hajime bit his lip. Surely checking the cabins wouldn’t take too much time.

“Okay, lead the way.”

~

Komaeda’s hunch turned out correct. Monokuma put up little resistance and a clue was discovered. The note was cliché, with cut out letters arranged slightly jumbled but the threatening effect wasn’t lost. Hajime couldn’t fault Byakuya for taking the letter seriously.

Perhaps he could add that to his mental list of questions.

Smoothly, Hajime left Komaeda, with a half-baked excuse, and ran to the convenience store. The lights were off, as though it was an honest business and it was closed, but the door wasn’t locked. Hajime slipped inside and flicked one set of lights on. Beelining to the shelves, Hajime picked up a package of tea candles and a plastic lighter. The incense was harder to find, nothing dried, so Hajime settled for sticks. Grabbing a small pot and filling it with glass pebbles that were better suited for an aquarium, Hajime stuck the incense into the pot and flicked the lighter on.

A thin trail of smoke filled the air. Hajime inhaled and lit some candles, arranging them in a line. Closing his eyes, Hajime exhaled slowly. The events from the night lingered in the back of his mind, but Hajime forced them back, focusing on Byakuya.

Deep inhale. Deep exhale. Hajime drifted in the blank space behind his eyelids. A hint of orange flicked from the candles. Reaching out into the darkness, Hajime waded, searching for Byakuya.

Nothing.

Not even a flicker.

Hajime opened his eyes with a snap. The incense had burned away and his candles were smoking at the wick, light extinguished.

That… wasn’t right.

Hajime lit the candles again and replaced the incense.

Deep inhale. Deep exhale.

Nothing.

Hajime opened his eyes. A shiver ran down his spine. His set up, albeit a bit haphazard, wasn’t technically wrong. Blaming his tools would only get him so far. Hajime looked at his hand, fingertips slightly smudged from the incense and candles. He hadn’t done anything different.

So why was Byakuya’s spirit not responding?

Swallowing thickly, Hajime glanced around the dim convenience store. If his set up and actions weren’t wrong then was there something wrong with the island itself?

Another shiver ran down Hajime’s spine and didn’t disappear, even after he walked out into the humidity.

[fernysbasement]

On reading Dune not as a hero’s journey

Every time I saw people READ Dune and interpret Paul as very much the hero of the story I worried a little bit, about myself and how much bias I must have poured into my reading to understand this: that Paul is begrudgingly playing his part in a huge conspiracy that he hates, but which he can’t find a good enough way to oppose. 

Whether he is the expected Kwisatz Haderach, “the chosen one” seems a lot less important than what that entails. For himself and the future of humanity.

So, now that I’ve learned a bit about how to make conscious readings of text (and mind you, I’ve learned just a bit... enough to pass a couple exams, I suppose) I found myself in need of tracking the exact bits that informed such a reading. 

And I mean strictly the first book. We go the Barthes way here, no author commentary, no sequels, just the text within the book with only a whiff of the historical context in which it was produced. 

If we take free will to be a core theme and hope for the characters, which can be glimpsed by calling the rebel forces the Fremen, for instance; there’s little in the way of a happy narrative to be found. The Spice Melange, the amazing substance that can grant an extended life, extended consciousness, extended awareness... is coupled with a terrible realization. 

‘ We're trapped here, she agreed.

And she accepted the truth of his words. No pressure of the Bene Gesserit, no trickery or artifice could pry them completely free from Arrakis: the spice was addictive. Her body had known the fact long before her mind awakened to it. ‘

-When Paul finally realizes that he is, more or less, the supreme being that secret organizations had been scheming for generations to conceive, through careful breeding programs and planting of cultural blueprints... that sense of inevitability and entrapment in a net far too grand and systemic only becomes more clear.  

‘ And he thought: I'm a seed.

He suddenly saw how fertile was the ground into which he had fallen, and with this realization, the terrible purpose filled him, creeping through the empty place within, threatening to choke him with grief.

He had seen two main branchings along the way ahead--in one he confronted an evil old Baron and said: "Hello, Grandfather." The thought of that path and what lay along it sickened him.

The other path held long patches of grey obscurity except for peaks of violence. He had seen a warrior religion there, a fire spreading across the universe with the Atreides green and black banner waving at the head of fanatic legions drunk on spice liquor. Gurney Halleck and a few others of his father's men--a pitiful few--were among them, all marked by the hawk symbol from the shrine of his father's skull.

"I can't go that way," he muttered. "That's what the old witches of your schools really want."

"I don't understand you, Paul," his mother said.

He remained silent, thinking like the seed he was, thinking with the race consciousness he had first experienced as terrible purpose. He found that he no longer could hate the Bene Gesserit or the Emperor or even the Harkonnens. 

They were all caught up in the need of their race to renew its scattered inheritance, to cross and mingle and infuse their bloodlines in a great new pooling of genes.And the race knew only one sure way for this--the ancient way, the tried and certain way that rolled over everything in its path: jihad.

Surely, I cannot choose that way, he thought.But he saw again in his mind's eye the shrine of his father's skull and the violence with the green and black banner waving in its midst.‘

-Paul sees this path as the way humanity may remain constant in the universe, a universe it conquers and subdues. But at no point is he pleased by this, at no point does he embrace his place with joy, pride or passion. 

The tone remains as dry as the dessert that surrounds the characters most of the time. 

‘ Paul had sensed the jihad in their words, shrugged off the question with one of his own--learning then that Kaleff, the elder of the two, was ten, and the natural son of Geoff. Orlop, the younger, was eight, the natural son of Jamis. 

It had been a strange day with these two standing guard over him because he asked it, keeping away the curious, allowing him the time to nurse his thoughts and prescient memories, to plan a way to prevent the jihad.’ 

(...)

‘ "Nothing money won't repair, I presume," Paul said.

"Except for the lives, m'Lord," Gurney said, and there was a tone of reproach in his voice as though to say: "When did an Atreides worry first about things when people were at stake?"

But Paul could only focus his attention on the inner eye and the gaps visible to him in the time-wall that still lay across his path. Through each gap the jihad raged away down the corridors of the future.’ 

(...)

‘ Even the faint gaps were closed now. Here was the unborn jihad, he knew. ’

(...)

‘ And Paul saw how futile were any efforts of his to change any smallest bit of this. He had thought to oppose the jihad within himself, but the jihad would be. 

His legions would rage out from Arrakis even without him. They needed only the legend he already had become. He had shown them the way, given them mastery even over the Guild which must have the spice to exist.

A sense of failure pervaded him, and he saw through it that Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen had slipped out of the torn uniform, stripped down to a fighting girdle with a mail core.

This is the climax, Paul thought. From here, the future will open, the clouds part onto a kind of glory. And if I die here, they'll say I sacrificed myself that my spirit might lead them. And if I live, they'll say nothing can oppose Muad'Dib.‘

-Notice that the conjunction there is AND, not BUT. Which can be understood as these results not being quite contrary. 

-Then, after slaying his last enemy, the book ends with these words, shared mostly between Paul and those most close to him, his mother and his concubine: 

‘ "The Fremen are mine," Paul said. "What they receive shall be dispensed by Muad'Dib. It'll begin with Stilgar as Governor on Arrakis, but that can wait."

"And for me?" Jessica asked.

"Is there something you wish?"

"Perhaps Caladan," she said, looking at Gurney. "I'm not certain. I've become too much the Fremen . . . and the Reverend Mother. I need a time of peace and stillness in which to think."

"That you shall have," Paul said, "and anything else that Gurney or I can give you."

Jessica nodded, feeling suddenly old and tired.  She looked at Chani. "And for the royal concubine?"

"No title for me," Chani whispered. "Nothing. I beg of you."

Paul stared down into her eyes, remembering her suddenly as she had stood once with little Leto in her arms, their child now dead in this violence. "I swear to you now," he whispered, "that you'll need no title. That woman over there will be my wife and you but a concubine because this is a political thing and we must weld peace out of this moment, enlist the Great Houses of the Landsraad. We must obey the forms. Yet that princess shall have no more of me than my name. No child of mine nor touch nor softness of glance, nor instant of desire."

"So you say now," Chani said. She glanced across the room at the tail princess.

"Do you know so little of my son?" Jessica whispered. "See that princess standing there, so haughty and confident. They say she has pretensions of a literary nature. Let us hope she finds solace in such things; she'll have little else." A bitter laugh escaped Jessica. "Think on it, Chani: that princess will have the name, yet she'll live as less than a concubine -- never to know a moment of tenderness from the man to whom she's bound. While we, Chani, we who carry the name of concubine -- history will call us wives."

Here I will concede that Jessica’s proclamation seems victorious enough, but I can’t help putting emphasis into the subterfuge and compromises made. Paul has displaced a despot, but not punished him. He’s playing the political game, he hasn’t overthrown the system he despises, simply taken a higher position within it, because that’s the lesser evil as far as he can see, and the path in which at least he remains alive, in accordance to the wishes of his family and those that look up to him. 

So... my reading may not be diamond-solid, of that much I’m aware, but at the very least I’ve shed some light on why I felt the way I did about Paul’s journey not as that of a hero, but of a reluctant monarch. A messiah to those beneath him, but a conscious cog in a machine, in a greater sense. 

Now I wonder which tone will the coming movie display, how will it portray the actions and feelings of the characters involved and the futility of their actions against the grand designs that predict and guide them. The photography seems to be quite grey, and that may prove to be telling.  But there are more than fifty shades of grey.   

[blazogirlsoneshots]

Christmas at the Burrow (Ginny Weasley x Reader)

Christmas at your house at always been as cold as it was distant. It was a well-rehearsed dance of pretending that you were a tight-knit family while shoving all your true feelings under a rug. Let’s just say you were thrilled once you began Hogwarts and never came home during the holidays. 

It was during one of those cozy festivities when you meet Ginny for the first time. It was during your second year and you had been wandering the halls. You were most definitely not paying attention and had walked straight into her back. That collision lead to a hundred apologies, eating during meals together while quickly becoming friends, and then beginning to date after the end of your seventh year. Then Ginny invited you over to her house for Christmas and you had no idea what to do. 

“Have I told you how nervous I am yet?” You whined as you and Ginny were “packing” for the next week. Your shared apartment had clothes strewn everywhere while you and Ginny had taken a break and built a giant pillow fort for some reason. 

“Only five thousand times,” Ginny giggled as pressed a kiss to your nose. “And don’t say you’re worried that my mum won’t like you because you know she does. Why else would she make you a sweater every year?”

“Because she feels sorry for me?” You suggested in the smallest voice you could muster. 

“That’s a lie and you know it. Now, can we please get back to packing?”

“Fine,” Groaning you and Ginny crawled out of the little safe space you had created and began to reassemble order in your home. Then, after an apparition trip that perfectly resembled the state of your insides, you arrived at the Burrow. 

Have you ever found a place that seemed to ooze comfort from the nearly breaking seams? Even Hogwarts, a place that was every witch and wizards home, came second to the welcoming ora that enveloped the Burrow. It was fascinating how a house so unusual could feel so familiar.  As the gentle glow of the lights hanging on the tree cascaded across your face through the frosted windows, a shaky breath full of all your worries were released and that they were for nothing. You were pulled out of this daze as the front door swung upon with a crash as Mrs. Weasley enveloped her youngest in a bone-crushing hug.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you! Why didn’t you come around for tea this week? You could’ve at least sent an owl so I wasn’t worried. Where did these dark circles come from? Are you not sleeping well? I have just something for that-”

“Mum!” Ginny quickly cut her off and gestured towards you. “I brought Y/N, remember?” 

It was like all the air had been knocked out of you as Mrs. Weasley went about mothering you as well. “Welcome, dear. Have you been eating enough? I know that Ginny isn’t the worst cook, but she can be so forgetful. Why do you also look like you’ve been getting no sleep as well? Was the trip here alright? I’ve made-”

“Mum!” 

“Oh, right! Please come in before you freeze to death. We can’t have that on Christmas, now can we?” You were ushered in the Burrow as you and Ginny shared a smile. Why had you been nervous? 

Ginny lead you into the living room as Mrs. Weasley went to fetch some cocoa. Sitting around a tree with a gnome dressed in a tutu as an angel was all of Ginny’s siblings as well as Harry, Hermione, and Fleur. Greeting were exchanged as all of Ginny’s brothers seemed to dogpile on top of her. You stood next to Hermione as you watched your girlfriend burst into laughter and couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked in the golden light. 

“Watch out for the tree!” Mrs. Weasley cried as she entered the room with a levitating tray full of steaming cocoa. 

“Oh, Mrs. Weasley, you shouldn’t have,” Hermione exclaimed as she quickly grabbed Ron out of the hoard of siblings to give him his cup of cocoa. 

“Nonsense, my dear, it Christmas. Since you lot seemed to have so much energy, so either you come help me with dinner in the kitchen or go outside for heaven’s sake!” The last bit was directed to the gaggle of the redheads as George quickly caught the tree before it fell into the roaring fireplace. That was how you found yourself watch an impromptu game of quidditch on Christmas Eve. Bill, George, and Ron had formed a team against Charlie, Harry, and Ginny, while Fleur and Hermione had stayed inside to help Mrs. Weasley with the cooking. After much debate over whether or not you’d be impartial to the two teams, you had been appointed the referee. 

It was a fierce match as it was bone-chillingly freezing, but the mixture of joy and competition found in the eyes of the opposing teams was more than enough to make up for the discomfort. The siblings had been playing for years and could seem to read each other’s minds as they flew in an intricate dance, but something was clearly missing. It was painfully obvious in the way George would hit a bludger in a direction that was obviously where Fred would be waiting, or how Bill would seem to expect a pass from his left and be completely bewildered when it came from Ron on his right. It had only been two years since Fred had died and the Weasleys weren’t over it. 

The match would’ve gone for hours if Mr. Weasley had yelled for the lot of you to come in for dinner. Seven ravenous beings swarmed the dinner table as snow fell from coats that were hurriedly thrown on the floor. Plates of food were passed up and down the table as every corner of that topsy-turvy house was filled with laughter. It was perfect. 

After dinner, you chose to help Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen while Ginny and her brothers cleared the table. Mrs. Weasley took advantage of this opportunity of Ginny’s distraction to tell every embarrassing story about her daughter too much protest from Ginny. It was during all this when a certain photo caught your eye. 

It was a picture of a hectic Christmas morning with Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny around a present with a tag the read, “For the younger Weasley boys.” The boys seemed perfectly fine with this gift but Ginny was crying. If the picture had sound, you were sure that Ginny would be yelling, “I’m not a boy!” Saying you were confused was most definitely an understatement. 

 “That was not a great Christmas,” Ginny came up behind you and wrapped her arms around your waist. “I have no idea why mom still has this up.”

“Can I ask the context of this photo or…”

“No, it fine. I mean, I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while now anyway,” The was an undertone of nervousness in Ginny’s voice that was usually never there. It worried you as you gently placed a hand on the arms that were around your waist. “I was born physically a boy, but I’m a woman. I’m trans and I am still your girlfriend. I mean, if you still want me as your girlfriend, but if you don’t then that’s honestly transphobic so-” 

“Why wouldn’t you still be my girlfriend? You’re still Ginny. You are still my beautiful, badass, and the basic embodiment of Gryffindor girlfriend who I love.”

“I love you too.” 

“Hey, would you look at that,” You gestured up the clump of mistletoe above your heads with a small smile. 

“Whatever shall we do about it?” Ginny teased as she drew closer. 

“I have no idea,” You whispered as Ginny’s lips ghosted over yours. 

“Merry Christmas, Y/N.”

“Merry Christmas, Ginny.”

A/N: It has come to everyone’s attention that J.K Rowling has proven to be transphobic. The series has never been completely perfect, but I just wanted to say this, sure J.K Rowling created the world that we all love but it isn’t really her’s anymore. This fandom feels like it belongs more to the fans then the author, so if J.K wants to put down trans people then guess what? Everyone’s trans! And what is she going to do about it?

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[hellzyeahwebwielingessays]

The Not-So-Amazing Mary Jane Part 32: AMJ #5.1

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Well here we are at the final issue of this arc, of what was originally supposed to be the end of this series. I think it’s safe to say that it’s too far gone to be salvaged now. But let’s wrap this up and see if any further damage is done.

As always we have the recap.

Once more, the full title of the movie is here in the recap and yet to be in the story itself, although we got half of it last time.

The recap reaffirms this story’s misguided idea that Beck was trying to be a better man, with his desire to make a film as the only proof. Something just occurred to me about that actually. This story spins out from ASM but in those issue the idea of Beck becoming a better man was never even hinted at. So did Williams just ignore that stuff and impose whatever story she wanted to tell? If so that’s pretty lame writing. At least organically pivot to that. Try to make the transition from Mysterio in ASM to the redemption mode Mysterio not feel as abrupt and part of the same story.

It also doubles down on this horseshit that MJ would honestly let Mysterio walk around free because she connects with him on art. See part 12 for why exactly this is horseshit.

The recap also mentions the Savage Six’s attacks. Nothing wrong with that although it just drives home how (like with beck and the other criminal crewmembers) MJ knows bad people are doing something bad but is doing nothing to stop them doing those bad things. Does that remind you of another story? Like say one from 1962?

Finally I just despise the final line of the recap. It frames MJ and Beck as buddies which is just gross.

As we open up the story proper, we see beck and MJ shooting a scene from the movie. It entails the pair surrounded by robot soldiers and MJ fighting them off. She leaps from a cliff making Mysterio scream ‘Noooo!’. It’s over heard by nearby civilians in the park. Back at the set MJ exits the bouncy castle she landed on and ‘McKnight’ asks Master Matrix if they got the footage; they did.

Not much happens in these pages but there is still a fair bit to unpack.

First of all the fact they are still filming this stuff tells me (maybe I’m wrong) they were more than a few days away from finishing filming last issue. So that’d be even more time that the crew and innocent people have been in danger from the Savage Six.

Also, like last issue MJ can suddenly pull off these very gymnastic moves out of nowhere.

Furthermore let’s consider that the scene is in the middle of being  filmed right? But there are these robotic soldiers with pencil thin waists. They can’t be people in suits. The sheer number of them and the size of them mean they can’t be models either and the way in which they move means they would either have to be

CGI. Except CGI is inserted after a scene is shot, you can’t capture it on camera whilst the actors are filming it in real time

Real robots. Except Mysterio’s budget for practical effetcs was cut way back in issue #2 and creating or hiring out at least 12 (I counted) actual robots would surely be beyond their budget

They are illusions created by Beck. Except last issue he said he’d only use illusions to make MJ look convincingly like Spider-Man. If he’s changed his mind and is more willing to be less authentic why bother having a real actor complete the scene with Spidey at all?

Finally civilians can overhear Beck’s scream. But wouldn’t park goers also have heard the megaphones or other loud noises from the set? Remember in issue #3 how the whole reason they relocated to an abandoned zoo in the first place (and thereby scared Charlie away) was to maintain secrecy? If they are within earshot of a friggin park how has no one overheard the megaphones or other loud noises that the film set is bound to make? Are you telling me that they really never needed to film outside of the caves before this day? That’s rather contrived isn’t it?

On the next page we learn that it’s the last day of filming and MJ just wrapped up her scenes.

However, the investor from issue #2 is open to the possibility of funding another leg of secondary photography. This means that the movie might continue to film and they could reinstate stuff they cut, including scenes with MJ; presumably this would include the romance cut in issue #3.

There are two major points to bring up here.

The first is that I personally suspect that the movie possibly being extended was not Williams’ original plan for this issue. It strikes me as something written once she knew that this series would continue beyond issue #5. As in since the series is continuing the film they are making continues too in order to possibly provide more plot for consequent issues. It might also be Williams being meta.

The more significant point though is that by extending the shooting it means that the crew and all those people from issue #4 would still be in harm’s way due to the Six and the paparazzi they employed.

Notice how no one bothers to think of them with MJ simply delighted and commenting upon how her  character’s scenes could be restored. Once more Williams writes MJ as totally selfish here.

We then get a splash page of Mallorie using a megaphone. She instructs the crew that they only have an hour (magic hour specifically) to film the last scene. One hour and one last chance to finish the movie.

Nothing much to say on this beyond repeating that the park goers should be over hearing Mallorie.

I also find the editorial box a little pretentious but that’s just me, it’s not something to fairly hold against the story.

MJ and Beck talk about the fulfilment of the latter’s dream. Beck explains he feels strange. MJ is surprised at this because he’s getting more money for his own work. Beck clarifies that he feels strange to have made it to this stage. Because they’d faced so much adversity he had expected nothing else. He’d been emotionally preparing for failure. Now he feels strange because he has to face the possibility of success.

He continues that in this final scene he shall envision himself fighting his own demons. He credits his success to MJ personally. She in turn affirms how proud she is of him and that she never disbelieves in them. She heads off to relax and Mallorie assures her that she’ll be called when they wrap up. After all, they need to break up the set pieces.

There are three things notably wrong with this page.

The smallest of these is the dialogue. ��We faced so much adversity that I’d begun to anticipate nothing but. Deep down, I’d been emotionally preparing…’

It just doesn’t read well and at first glance seems like it’s a grammatical error. As in the intent was meant to be ‘anticipate nothing. But, deep down…’ It’s not technically wrong, but the word choice makes the intent less clear. Using ‘nothing else’ or something other than ‘but’ at the end of the sentence would’ve made the dialogue flow much better.

The more significant problem is MJ talking about Beck getting more money for his ‘own work’. The way the emphasis is placed is clearly intended to mean that prior to this moment Beck wasn’t getting money for his own work but someone else’s. 

This is likely a reference to the first two issues wherein Beck got funding by selling the investors on a different movie than the one he was delivering. The problem is the money they have been using up until now and the additional funds they might get haven’t been off the back of Beck’s own work. The fact that he’s gained trust and money whilst pretending to be Cage McKnight, failing to inform the investor he’s a criminal and has hired criminals mitigates ‘his own work’.

MJ and Beck have no idea if the investor knew of McKnight’s reputation or past work. They don’t know if on some level that influenced his decision to finance them. Even if he didn’t the mere fact he didn’t know he was indirectly giving money over to criminals on the run (some of whom are murderers) makes MJ’s point moot. 

Most people wouldn’t have done that for ethical reasons or just out of concern for themselves. It’s not as bad  but it definitely shares similarities to Otto as Peter Parker dating Anna-Maria Marconi. At best that’s unethical and deceitful and so is failing to inform the investor that he’s financing a criminal.

The biggest problem though is the continued sympathetic framing of Mysterio. Oh how lovely for his character to have had a change of heart and now believes in himself. Good for him. 

How wonderful MJ helped him reach a more positive place in his life and fulfil his lifelong dream. Sure hope none of elderly people who’s life savings he took had dreams of helping their families after they died. Sure hope Gwyneth didn’t have any dreams or ambitions for her life beyond high school.

Fuck this misinterpretation of Mysterio seriously. And no, I have zero faith at this point that Williams is setting up a big rug pull down the line. Everything up until this issue has convinced me this is just how she sees Mysterio. 

And even if she is planning a bait and switch, the fact that she’s had MJ and Beck become sincere friends is aggressively problematic. For God’s sake MJ is so sad Beck has demons. She’s so proud of him. So happy her belief paid off and he fulfilled his dream.

She’s saying all this about a man who abducted her, faked the death of someone she loves, tried to frame, psychologically attack and murder the love of her life. He’s not even expressed any remorse for any of that!

Later MJ records a video message to Peter.

The PeterxMJ shipper in me loves this scene when it’s removed from all context (like how MJ has continuously lied to Spider-Man). I think Williams and Gomez love these scenes too. All three scenes focussing upon MJ and Peter’s relationship have made good use of their chemistry as characters and successfully delivered romantic moments. The art in particular is worthy of praise. The body language Gomez gives MJ converys her flirtatiousness and fun and her facial expressions (within the context of his style) sells you on the idea that she’s talking to someone she is in love with.

It’s nicely followed up on with the first line of the next page where MJ admits being in love makes her dorky.

MJ goes to hang out by the fence (for some reason) where she spots a van pull up. The Savage Six exit from it along with Charlie, who hands over some contact details to Vulture. I’m not sure if MJ is overhearing this herself or if it’s just for the reader’s benefit, but someone from the set emphasises the crew have but one shot to finish the movie. MJ sighs and removes her earrings as the Six make their way up the hill towards the set. Clearly she is ready to fight.

Way to make Charlie comically irredeemable Williams. He’s not been a nice guy up until this point but we might forgive a normal man for being intimidated by these ix violent crooks. But she just has to have him actively try to maybe get some employment out of the situation. On top of everything else it’s just a step too far and it makes him cartoonish. That’s not too much of a problem if he was an actual super villain but he’s just a normal person who’s being written as going the extra mile to be an asshole. He’s not even slightly upset he’s probably helped get many innocent people killed right now.

I also do not buy for a second that van could possibly fit all those people. Yeah, six normal humans sure. But look at the sheer size of Rhino, Scorpion and Stegron. It’d be doubtful it could fit or take the weight of any one of them. But ALL of them and four other people too? Bullshit.

As for MJ in this scene, isn’t it convenient she decided to chill-out by that fence and it happened to be the exact spot the Six were going to pull up in front of. And she happened to do it at the exact time too. What an insane coincidence.

I have mixed feelings about her framing in this scene. Because it’s bad ass and cool and normally I like seeing her like that. But at the same time why is MJ so utterly casual about this situation. She’s not even slightly worried. She doesn’t even look determined. She looks totally non-plussed. Friggin Spider-Man himself wouldn’t be non-plussed by this situation and his odds of survival are vastly better than MJ’s.

MJ is framed and acting like she’s Batman facing some B or C listers. But the ‘power scale’ is simply not like that in this context. The reality of the situation is far more serious than that. She cannot reliably be sure she’s win this fight at all.

I get Williams wants MJ to come off as awesome in this series. I get that she wants to celebrate her character. But this is not the way. Show the characters with flaws, concerns, with weaknesses. But that’s indicative of MJ throughout this story. MJ has been framed as awesome, cool and totally capable throughout this story. That’s great for maybe an issue, maybe even two. But five in a row?

For five issues in a row, MJ always has an answer to every problem. For five issues in a row she’s unflinchingly pragmatic. She never makes a mistake beyond not doing fight choreography fast enough? The closest the story comes to depicting her as imperfect is her discussion with master Matrix last issue and that was framing her as possibly  wrong. Then everything since that moment has shown her to have been justified in her convictions. The only thing she’s truly failed at is keeping Charlie on set but she came up with a solution to that immediately that in turn made her look awesome again.

It’s like this series has taken the idealized view of MJ Peter would have of her and then treated that as her actual character even when the story isn’t from his point of view. Her failings and set backs are minimal whilst her successes are huge. She’s redeemed Mysterio, made his dream come true, made a whole movie click, patched every hole, literally saved the live of the crew.

And now she’s nonchalantly going to kick the asses of six guys who Spider-Man himself has rarely found to be pushovers. Okay maybe nowadays Spider-Man might find beating them easy due to his experience. But in his earliest encounters that wasn’t the case. MJ has never one-on-one battled any of these guys before to my knowledge. But now on her first try, with no powers, no weapons or equipment, no real training, she’s nonplussed about fighting all Six of them at once.

Jesus Christ.

Remember how Spencer within his first 12 issues had MJ confront some concerns she had over dating Peter again with the Lookups?

Remember how Spencer in his first issue had Spider-Man save the day but not be non-plussed or supremely confident about it? Remember how it wasn’t framed as easy?

Shit, MJ’s most iconically bad ass moment wasn’t framed this way. She was scared of Chameleon.

The story framed her as determined in spite of her vulnerability.

She wasn’t going in sure she could win, but she was going to damn well try. Her victory was even a surprise to her

That is absolutely not the case here. Sure, we as readers know MJ is going to win because she wouldn’t be killed off in her own ongoing series. But that certainty comes from outside the context of the story, whilst the framing here is outright telling you MJ is going to be a bad ass and will  win. 

Maybe we don’t know the specifics of how, but there isn’t the slightest ambiguity conveyed. The framing has neutralized the danger and suspense. You aren’t reading the next few pages so see if or even how MJ is going to get out of this one. You are reading to simply see how the Six are gonna get their asses kicked.

What’s so frustrating is that this is not how Williams framed MJ in issue #3 when the Six initially attacked. There she played things correctly, MJ was framed as in peril and had to psych herself up to get the job done.

That was great.

But that’s not here. Here Mary Jane is framed as casually confident in spite of the exact same situation. Only worse because she’s not got Beck there to actually do the fighting for her.

It’s deplorable writing. It’s deplorable framing. And Williams doubles down on it immediately with the next panel when MJ insults the Six. Then tells them they’ll have to get through her first. They laugh of course (which is a prelude to her obviously winning).

Vulture demeans MJ by calling her an attractive accessory. She then hits him with her palm, which seemingly injures his face.

How wonderfully original.

I’ve never in my life  seen a story where seemingly threatening people (usually men) dismiss and demean a female character as a non-threat and just a pretty face, only to be proven totally wrong. That’s oh so original in fiction, in comic books and in Spider-Man comic books too.

Also, I question if MJ could really hurt Vulture that way.

This guy has been punched in the face by Spider-Man himself and that was without his helmet. The guy has super strength so is Mary Jane basically shoving him really going to hurt him? If so then that’s a huge design flaw for a genius inventor to make isn’t it?

Everything else I could say about this page I already mentioned about the last page and in the description for this one.

The art and facial expressions are very good though, kudos to Gomez.

Oh wait, there was one teeny, tiny little thing I forgot to mention. So the Six’s goal is to get to the set right?

And there are six of them right?

And one of them can fly, some of them can leap large distances and others can just break through walls right?

And there is a huge fence right?

Why don’t they just go around Mary Jane?

They are treating this like MJ is the one and only entry point to the set when she isn’t.

They have numerous options for at least one of them getting to their target.

But stupidity is par for the course with this series isn’t it.

The next page is a beautifully drawn splash of MJ hitting Tarantula with some of the set.

I respect Williams knows enough about MJ to understand she uses her limited resources to her full advantage. The dialogue makes that clear. She clearly understand how MJ fights. But again the framing is jacked. Out of context it might seem cool but in context it’s asinine, especially when you consider she could’ve ended this threat altogether with a phone call to some super heroes. Cloak and Dagger are delivering food to this set but she can’t ask them to fight the Six for her?

More problematically where the fuck did that set piece even come from? I checked the art and couldn’t find any yellow thing in sight. We don’t even see how MJ got a hold of it between panels. She palmed Vulture then off-panel grabbed a set piece from thin air, jumped up and smacked it on Tarantula.

That is shitty fight choreography. Fight scenes in comic books are supposed to have a sense of flow, to clearly convey how we got from A to B. Here is a much better example of how you do it featuring Spider-Man fighting (a different) Tarantula.

In contrast to that AMJ #5 is just reaction A jumping immediately to reaction B.

I’m leaving it there for now. We’ll wrap up the issue and initial arc next time.

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[dthjoey]

Happy Birthday Ignis

So some context.

This is from a story that I’ve been working on for like two years now. I add bits and pieces every few days, but feel it’s not in any way shape or form ready to be posted. BUT! To celebrate the hunky strategists birthday. I decided to pull a piece and post. 

So this is around when the Bros are teenagers. No Prompto just yet. This also contains a OC of mine Adaline Kissex.(Brief backstory: she’s a glaive, a young one. And gets put into Noctis circle way early on. So that they all grow up together)

This piece is the first time Ignis and Adaline have an intimate moment. But it’s so innocent due to the age range. Which is like between 12-13. Definitely before the gif below. Anyway...Shall we start?

It’s only been a year since she’s been in the Prince’s guard. The boy’s have all been welcoming, but still she stands off to the side of the  group, knowing how it looks. An immigrant among nobles. She adjusts her black vest and runs her hands down her skirt. The dark blue long sleeve shirt hugs her as she glances down to her ankle boots. 

Dressed down she holds guard along the grand ballroom as many politicians and more elite families gather. She rolls the joints of her fingers and balls her fists at her sides. Her hair has been braided on the sides while the top sits in a ponytail.  A gentle brush caresses her arm and she looks up. 

It started as a game. The idea of a crush goes right over her head as she comes once again head to head with Ignis Scientia. He adjusts his glasses as he comes to rest next to her. He clears his throat before holding his hand out to her. Waiting in his palm is a folded piece of paper. 

“Hardly a place to be passing notes Scientia.” She reaches up and takes the note. Slipping it into her vest pocket she turns her eyes back to the hall. To Noctis standing with his father. 

“I fear I’m making up for a terrible week.” Adeline glances up at him and notices the slight purpling under his eyes. She runs the back of her hand along his. 

“We’re pulled all over these days.” She says gently before straightening as she watches the Shield saunter over. Gladio is the tallest of them, all clean shaven and teenage athlete. He comes to rest on Adeline’s other side. He guffs at the two of them before turning his attention to Ignis.

“Heard you’ve started taking on more work for the Princess.” Gladio’s jab at Ignis makes her skin crawl. The last few times these two have come into contact with each other, they’d almost come to blows. Adeline sighs as she moves a few steps back giving the two room to argue. 

“Shouldn't you be chaperoned by your father, The Kings Shield should have to put on some kind of dance.” Ignis turns his attention to the crowd and looks over the many people there. Adeline rolls her eyes, their views on Noctis have always butted heads. But as of late, they’ve started taking public blows at each other. 

Gladio glances back at Adeline and she straightens a bit more. Being the smallest of the group has been a smack to the face since the moment she got here. 

“I’m surprised you're not attached to Drautos's side.” Turning her eyes away from the room, she looks up at him. Green eyes set in glares as she straightens her vest and steps passed the boys. 

“Good Evening Scientia, Amicitia.” She walks along the edges of the floor checking in with the Glaives before she comes to lean against Nyx’s side. Her eyes scanned over everyone landing on the two arguing teens. Nyx chuckles as he places a hand on her head and looks as well. 

“Big guy causing trouble again?”

“One day, I’d like it to stop.” She closes her eyes as she steps back a bit to get out of the light of the ball. Nyx chuckles as he steps in front of her shielding her away. He glances over the crowds and begins to feel sorry for all four of them. Forced to grow up and act like adults. 

“Don't worry Kiddo, one day they’ll realize their friends and the arguing will get worse.” Nyx chuckles as he watches the two teens separate. 

~A few Days later~

Adaline reads over the note again. It’s nothing like their normal notes. It’s a simple date, time and location. A different take on their notes. Most notes between the two are simple. Yes or no questions. Quick answers about food or drinks. Teasing about each other's habits. 

Stepping out into the garden, Adaline looks around. She’s dressed in her Glaive outfit. The uniform fits better as the year has gone by. Birds are fluttering about as she steps further into the garden maze. 

“Scientia do we really have time to play hide and seek?” She calls out as she turns a corner and finds herself at a two way split. She sighs as she looks at the pathways. 

“A bit of fun.” His voice echoes around her and she can't help the smile that graces her lips. Taking a deep breath she turns to her left and follows the path down. 

“Ignis, what are we playing at?” Her voice wavers a bit as she makes a right following the stone path. The foliage around her is a rich green and the rustling within has her trying to track the creatures. 

“A simple game of cat and mouse Firefly.” The echo has her pausing. She feels her cheeks heat up at hearing the nickname. Looking up she watches as energy pulses along the dome. She turns to look behind her before turning back around. 

“If you find me, I’ll grant you a wish.” His voice sounds teasing, the hint of his accent giving away just how young they are. It’s playful and drawn out and Adaline smiles before pushing forward along the path. She takes a few turns, a left and then a right. Her boot pound against the path as she feels the adrenaline kick in a bit. 

“What do you get out of this?” She calls out as she comes to an open area. It’s a branch off. Three openings surround her and she balks a bit. 

“The hope of fulfilling your wish.” 

Adaline rolls her eyes at this as she charges forward. Ignis’s laugh rings as she battles against her own sense of direction. She starts to pant  just slightly as she comes to a dead end. Cursing under her breath Adaline turns around and huffs as she watches Ignis come to stand at the entrance. 

“If you’d looked before charging, you would have spotted me.” He fixes his glasses as he straightens up with a smile on his face. He’s polished for a teenager. Sharp dress pants and pressed shit. She frowns as she comes forward, hating how grown up they have to be.

“Not fair.” 

“Completely fair Firefly.” He chuckles again as he meets her half way. She rolls her eyes as she throws her hands up in frustration. 

“But I feel like I had you.” She comments rubbing as her neck trying not to look him in the eye. 

“In another lifetime maybe.” Ignis reaches out laying hand on her shoulder. Glancing up at him, she watches as a few emotions cross his features. A jaw clenching, eyes darting even a deep intake of breath. Turning just slightly she stares confused. 

“Iggy?”

Adaline watches as he closes his eyes and lets out his breath slowly. With a quick grip to her shoulder, Ignis leans down and gently kisses her cheek. It lingers as he slowly pulls away. Pulling his arm as well, Ignis looks her over quickly before turning and darting back into the maze. 

She waits till he’s out of sight before reaching up and touching the place where his lips touched her. Her face burns red as she realizes the change. Closing her eyes she takes a deep breath but opens them quickly. 

“Find me Firefly.”

[donnnoir]

Tears before their time...

(originally posted from Austin, Texas on June 16, 2019; I have edited the original to make it more readable and relevant.  The original showed obvious signs of the stress I was under at the time.  Causing me to appear “mad” shall we say.  Rather than completely re-write the piece I elected to do some deep revision and editing.  I note this as an attempt at maintaining continuity and context; should anyone have read my previous posting.  G-dspeed to thee and all of us…)

Bit by bit, I will find the means to accomplish this damnable project, my blog.  Though in all Honesty, I fear it is too little too late.  I should have been disseminating much of this information twenty plus years ago, to as wide a segment of the population as possible.   Nonetheless by the smallest of degrees the Good Lord will yet work a miracle.  But for ten righteous souls the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been spared their fate.  Knowing what is to come, the pain, loss, horrors and catastrophes; over the years I have spent many nights when alone shedding tears for those I must leave behind and those whose suffering I must witness.  In the future I will not have the luxury of mourning the dead.  The Living will require every ounce of my energy and focus.  Their minds and souls will be stripped bare, constantly in a state of disbelief and overwhelmed by shock.  Left to their own, most would be in a perpetual state of shock losing all focus eventually laying down to die.  To overcome this; their minds must hear a booming series of commands, giving them purpose, focus and a direction to move.  Initially their movements will be slow and jerky constantly trying to remember what they are suppose to be doing.  This is because each of us is a composite being; constructed of a spirit, body and mind.  This composite as a whole constitutes a “soul”!  Each of the three elements is interdependent upon each other.  Our “minds” are both the most powerful and most fragile of the three.  As a consequence, when the mind becomes overloaded by any situation or circumstance, from sleep deprivation, hunger, exigent emotions and or trauma.  The quickest and at times best way to get it back to functioning properly or “rebooting” is to have one of the other two elements of our “soul” demand over-riding access to our mental operations.  For “us” fellow humans, this is usually best accomplished via requiring the overwhelmed individual to do some physical operation/action that is rote to them.  As the body’s somatic memory kicks in, it increasingly requires over-riding control of the mind thereby pushing it to function “normally”.  The military conditions a similar response into recruits.  Under stress the recruits learn to perform certain actions that their Drill Instructors bark at them.  The reasons are so that when the recruits get trapped or logger headed under fire and their minds are overwhelmed, a voice booms familiar commands.  Their bodies know the prescribed action and they do it despite the sensation they are going to be killed doing so.  Yes some are, but if they remain non-responsive they will all be killed in short order.  Thus for my part, I must always be certain and unaffected by the horrors of the deaths of family and friends.  When the living look into my eyes all that they must see is my certainty and resolve.  With the ultimate knowledge that should they waste my time and what resources the group may possess, I will callously leave them behind with less effort than I spent sending my friends or family to die, even leaving their bodies where they lay.  I must appear as heartless and cruel as the enemies we will be fighting.  It is a war that we, mankind must win!  Knowing this; having already seen and felt the loss I, we must endure.  My only recourse on nights as circumstance occasioned I should be alone was to feel and live through the loss, even for those yet unborn that will die before their time.  I swore I would never waste nor thoughtlessly shed their precious blood; instead like a miser hoarding his wealth, every iota spent must bring the most benefit to everyone, and our cause.  Always knowing that in due course even my blood will be required.  Sadly the most damaging engagements, actions and effects will come form our own, our fellow human beings.  Those that have over the years facilitated the agendas of their demonic overlords, that they now prefer to call aliens. These True Believers think in part or en mass they will escape because of the benefits afforded them by the technologies they have acquired.  That these will grant unto them the necessary advantages to go out into the Cosmos, our Multi-verse to be their own gods.  Via alteration of their genome they believe they will become something superior to being Human.  This philosophy is currently known as Trans-Humanism; it was popularly known as Eugenics during WWII.  A common and well known goal of the Nazi’s and their Human Experimentation in their death camps.  After a couple of face-lifts and attachment of a more scientific and progressive sounding name we the fourth reich have Trans-Humanism.  Because make no excuses we have wrought a fourth reich.  This courtesy in part by operation paperclip and a delusionally paranoid “military industrial complex”.  It is worse than anything mankind has presumed in epochs past.

In the here and now, I continue to be targeted by soft kill technologies that are deployed throughout the country under the guise of crowd control.  This is in conjunction to my being FOXed by elements of the Shadow Government.  This protocol includes the placing of various chemical compounds, some radioactive and poisonous substances into what I ingest, the clothes I wear and at times even aerosol applications.  Several times they gassed me with some kind of an anesthetic, presumably to dull my senses making me more compliant and or suggestible.  All required varying degrees of mental acuity and other energies to remain rationale and cognitive of my surroundings. Only by the Grace of the Divine am I still alive.  I am exhausted, but I will not lose nor capitulate.  Yeeppie all kinds of fun

[eternityunicorn]

Elijah’s Eternity: New Orleans Part Ten

Author: eternityunicorn 

Genre: Romance/Drama/AU

Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x OC

Warnings: Violance, Smut (*Smut chapters marked +18)

Summary: Sequel to the AU Elijah’s Eternity - Ten years have passed, a mournful Elijah has finally started to move on without his lady. In that time, he has gained a reunited family and has also found a new lady love. Yet, all is not well as danger comes for the smallest member of the Mikaelson family: Hope, and it prompts Niklaus to call upon the white goddess, drawing her back into Elijah’s life. As they reunite, can Elijah really say he’s truly moved on?

NOTE: OC and original elements are from my up and coming novel series!

———————————————————————————————————

Three months passed by quickly since Niklaus, Hayley, and Hope went away. They had been rather uneventful and certainly quieter without the boisterous Niklaus around or the people he angered on the regular coming to seek vengeance. Not that Elijah or Kol didn’t have enemies that could come to call at any time. Still, the Mikaelson family found a moment’s peace to relax and find some enjoyment in the simpler things in life, like their lovers for instance.

Speaking of lovers, Eternity had returned alone within an hour of dropping of the little family at the Underground Agency, just as she said she would. After that, for those three months, she didn’t leave Elijah’s side, remaining with him more often than not. They spent their time talking and laughing or regaling each other with tales of their respective histories while cuddling close. Elijah would wine and dined Eternity often too, taking her to all sorts of places in New Orleans, showing her the great city he, Niklaus, and Rebekah helped build many years ago. 

He enjoyed her childlike fascination as he showed her the wonders around them. She enjoyed the liveliness of the locals and the tourists alike. Then, of course, there were those of the supernatural community that they would encounter every now and again, particularly the witches who entertained the ignorant humans with their simple tricks and whatnot. They always stared in wonder at Eternity, giving her an instinctual respect that wasn’t necessarily conscious.

It was entertaining to see the New Orleans witches humbled. They had been a thorn in his family’s side on more than one occasion since they returned to the city. So to see their smugness wiped away by Eternity was highly amusing and well deserved.

Yes, those three months had been beautiful and Elijah found himself happier than ever - a change from the ten years of misery before her return. Their bond was only growing stronger, especially since the physical intimacy aspect of their relationship had yet to be reestablished, giving them focus on their emotional ties. 

Though Elijah wanted Eternity very much, and each day it grew harder for him to hold back, he was patiently waiting until the right moment to finally give in and reclaim her body for his own as he had her heart. He was in no real hurry this time around and he had decided that the moment simply had to be perfect for sexual intimacy. Eternity didn’t seem to mind waiting either, just enjoying their time together.

At night, they would cuddle up in his big bed at night and fall asleep in each other’s arms. He simply wanted her close, even if sex wasn’t on the table currently. He fell asleep next to her and woke up with her by his side. It was everything that he wanted. He was just glad Eternity was there with him. It was a miracle that he wasn’t about to take lightly.

Then, after all that time of peace, a crisis came about to disrupt the contented peace at the Mikaelson compound. 

One night a group of ten strange immortals from the Immortal Universe came to the compound, while Elijah and Eternity were sharing a romantic meal together in the courtyard. The pair had been talking about simple things of no consequence, when they came. They were pale humanoid creatures with elongated fangs and some were armed with crudely made bows and arrows. 

“Vampires,” growled Eternity in irritation, as she got up to face them.

Elijah got up too, coming to stand beside her. “They don’t look like vampire,” he commented quietly to her.

“That’s because they’re not of your variety,” she replied, flashing him a small smile. “These ones are from the other side of the divide. They’re more powerful, stronger, faster, and certainly more animalistic. I need to take this one alone. You’re no match for them.”

Elijah wasn’t a fool. He knew his limits. “Very well,” he said in understanding as he stepped back. “Just be careful.”

Eternity nodded back at him, “Will do.”

He watched from a distance as she turned back to the her opponents, her clothes shifting into her typical battle garb of a corset and leather leggings as she did. In her hand appeared her unsheathed katana. “What are you doing here, Blaine?” She called to the one that stood ahead of the others rather casually. “Don’t you and your crew have better things to do than to be embarrassingly defeated...again?”

The vampire named Blaine said nothing. In fact, he didn’t seem to be aware. His yellow eyes were dead without emotion. He simply growled in response, before signaling for his underlings to attack.

Eternity was relaxed as these vampires were familiar to her, it would seem. She stayed perfectly still as they moved around her, spreading out until they formed a a half circle in front of her. 

Elijah could hear their animalistic growls and hisses as they prepared for an attack against her. None of them seemed to notice him standing there watching the battle unfold, which was a bit insulting really. It was as if they didn’t even register him as a threat. Maybe he wasn’t, but even so, it was a hit against his pride as one of the strongest supernatural beings on Earth. He wasn’t used to being considered inferior and it didn’t settle well with him.

Then the attack happened, distracting Elijah from his disgruntlement. Eternity moved with that almost impossible to follow precision with her blade. She sliced through two of the unarmed ones right away. Three more tried to sneak up behind her, but she was already prepared, turning on them and decapitating all of them in one swing of her blade.

There was a brief pause where the remaining four underlings were unsure if they should proceed in obeying their leader’s command. Obviously, they didn’t want to die needlessly, seeing that Eternity was stronger, more skilled, and that they were certainly no match for her. They danced about, hesitating. 

Yet, Elijah’s lady didn’t show mercy. Since they would not attack her, she went after them, killing them all with a few swift motions, leaving only the leader, the one she had called Blaine, alive. She pointed her blade at him and said, “I have defeated your minions once again. Shall you finally face me yourself or shall you run away as you always do, you coward!”

Blaine hissed and roared at her like a beast, before doing the latter and rushing off with a vampire speed that was even greater than that of Earth-based vampires. It was impressive, to say the least.

Eternity sighed as she willed the katana away and turned back to Elijah exasperatedly. “Like I mentioned to you long ago,” she said as she rejoined his side, “they like to come after me at random - the creatures of darkness. Drawn to my light, my power, just to try and stomp it out. A futile effort, to be sure, but they simply cannot help themselves. It’s a instinct that must be answered, even if it means their deaths.”

Elijah smiled softly at her, reaching out to comb his fingers though the hair along the side of her head. “I can relate,” he replied. “I too am drawn to your light, but in a different context, of course.” He chuckled.

She laughed lightly and smiled adoringly at him in return. It was sudden when her face scrunched up in pain. She groaned next and then collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

He shouted her name and fell to her side in alarm with his usual finesse, though more urgent than normal. He scanned over her body, looking for any sign of injury. That was when he saw the bite mark upon her arm. It was swollen, red, and oozing a puss of a pale green color. It sort of reminded Elijah of Niklaus’s bites. If only it had been, then she wouldn’t have been affected by it. No, this was something else, something potent to an immortal of Eternity’s caliper.

Immediately, he lifted Eternity into his arms and rushed her upstairs into his bedroom, where he laid her gently on the bed. She didn’t stir at all, not a sound made either. She was comatose. He would have thought her dead, if it hadn’t been for the slight sheen of sweat upon her skin and her labored breath. 

He called for Freya, screaming her name as loudly as he could. Moments later she was rushing into the doorway, followed by Kol and Davina, whom had also heard his rather frantic call. They all gathered around the bed with concerned curiosity. 

“What’s happened, Elijah?” Freya asked urgently upon seeing the ill, unconscious immortal. 

“A vampire bite, not one from this world,” he answered quickly. “I need you to cast a particular spell that will call Lady Veren to us. She’ll know what to do.”

His older sister nodded in agreement without hesitation, “Where’s this spell?”

“In Niklaus’s art studio, there are markings on the floor,” explained Elijah. “Use them to call Veren here. I don’t know the language of the immortals that he used, but maybe you don’t need them. Just lay your hand over the markings and make the call! Now!”

Freya seemed a little uncertain, but did as he instructed, leaving the room quickly for their brother’s art studio. Kol followed her to see what he could do to help being well-studied in magic despite his vampirism, while Davina remained behind.

“Is she going to be okay?” The young witch asked Elijah, who’s attention was on Eternity’s sickly form the entire time,

“I don’t know,” he replied hoarsely, his voice full of emotion. 

Flashes of Tatia and Céleste’s deaths flew through his worried, distraught mind. Elijah didn’t want to lose another woman he loved, especially when he only just got her back. He didn’t think that he could bear it. His mind had been in a rational place at that point to remember that it would have taken a lot more than a vampire’s bite to kill Eternity. However, since this was the first time he had ever seen anything take her down, he couldn’t help but think the worst. 

Freya returned to the room a few minutes later with Kol in tow. “Well, we did our best,” she sighed. “Those runes were meant for summoning Eternity, but hopefully this Veren will get the message and come quickly.”

Elijah nodded, “Yes, let us hope she does.”

For what seemed like half the night, he stayed by Eternity’s side, as did Freya, Kol, and Davina. Those three stood around the room to wait for Veren to answer the call they had made, while Elijah sat in a chair by the bed. He had gotten comfortable during his vigil, having taken his suit jacket off and rolled up his sleeves past his elbows. He remained leaning over Eternity all the while, holding her hand in his as they waited. 

Finally Veren appeared in the doorway, looking concernedly between the two vampires and the two witches, who looked back at her with a mix of worry and relief. “You lot called?” She said as she moved further into the room.

“Yes, I did, on my brother’s request,” Freya nodded and then gestures to the ill Eternity. “We have a situation.”

Veren immediately crossed the room to her cousin’s bedside. “What happened?” She asked them.

“A vampire attack. She killed all but the leader,” Elijah explained to her. “However, she was bitten by one of them and collapsed suddenly. Tell me you can help her. Tell me that something can be done.” He was urgent and desperate.

The raven-haired immortal looked sympathetically at his pleading face. He knew he wore his worry openly, yet at that moment he didn’t care. Veren smiled softly at him and gently explained, “There’s nothing that needs to be done, Mr. Mikaelson. My cousin will recover on her own within a day or so. Vampire venom is deadly to some types of immortals, but certainly not we of the Royal Family. This isn’t the first time Her Majesty walked into a vampire fight carelessly and was bitten, probably won’t be the last either.” She laughed a little before she assured Elijah, “The point is your lady will be fine.”

Elijah breathes a sigh of relief and almost immediately began to feel foolish for not realizing what he already knew to be true. Of course, Eternity was going to be fine. Yet, he had let his worry get the better of him. 

“I’m glad that you were so worried for my cousin, Mr. Mikaelson,” Veren smiled warmly at him. “It assures me that she is in good hands with you. Your love for her is a wonderful thing, don’t ever stop loving her or worrying about her. She needs it in her duty of great risk.”

Elijah returned her smile with one of his own. “Thank you, Lady Veren. I promise to always take care of her,” he replied.

“Well things certainly turned nauseatingly sappy in here,” Kol piped up teasingly, then turned to his girlfriend. “Come along, Davina love, let us leave this realm of mushiness before it rubs off on us. I hear it can be quite contagious.”

Davina laughed lightly at Elijah’s brother’s jest, shaking her head at him, as she took Kol’s hand and let him lead her from the room.

“Glad your lady will be fine, brother,” Kol called back to Elijah as he went. “Don’t need you moping about again.”

Elijah shook his head at his younger brother’s retreating form, sighing exasperatedly and rolling his eyes at his antics. “Sometimes I think it was a mistake undaggering that one,” he grumbled teasingly, not at all meaning his words.

“But then things would be so incredibly dull without his smart mouth, brother,” Freya smirked. “Where would we be then?”

He grinned at his sister, just as Veren reached over to touch his hand that still encased Eternity’s. His attention immediately fell back to her as she told him, “I will stay here with you until she awakens. She’ll be fine, but I do have some choice words for her when she awakens about this little incident.” She smirked at him playfully.

Elijah nodded in acceptance, happy to have her company.

It was there that Freya took her leave of them, going back to her own lady Keelin now that the crisis had been resolved. 

Veren sat on the bed and watched Eternity with him for the next twenty four hours until they both heard Eternity sigh and open her eyes at last. The white-haired immortal blinked and then groaned painfully, before she sat up and realized she had the company of not only Elijah, but her cousin as well.

“What happened,” Eternity asked, “and why are you here, cousin?” 

Elijah immediately kissed her hand that still lay in his and then reached over to kiss the side of her head in his relief to see her awake. He was elated that she was alright, not that he had any reason to doubt. He knew she’d be fine.

“I was called in by Ms. Mikaelson as you had decided to go head first into battle with Blaine’s vampire gang again and got yourself bitten by one of those vermin as a result of your carelessness,” Veren wasted no time in chastising Eternity, making the immortal queen frown deeply at her in a childish pout. 

Elijah found it adorable and couldn’t help kissing her head again. “I’m glad that you’re alright, Sweetheart,” he murmured to her. “You gave me quite the scare.”

Eternity looked apologetically at him, “I’m sorry, Elijah. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“You don’t deserve tenderness,” Eternity’s cousin carried on at her in irritation. “You underestimates your enemy, didn’t exact enough caution, and paid the price, worrying your lover needlessly as a result. You are no amateur, cousin, but this was the most amateurish mistake you could make. Just what were you thinking?”

The white-haired goddess groaned at Veren’s nagging tone. “Yes, Yes, cousin. I get it; bad move, need to be more careful. I understand.”she was dismissive of her cousin’s rebuke.

Elijah paid little attention to their exchange as his heart swelled from Eternity’s lack of correction when Veren called him her lover. It made him happy that she quietly recognized him as such, though he wasn’t at all surprised that she did. They were growing closer every day, all over again.

When Veren opened her mouth to say more, he noticed Eternity’s annoyance and stepped in to say to the nagging woman, “Lady Veren, perhaps now isn’t a good time for correction. Your cousin did just awaken.” He was diplomatic in his tone.

The fuchsia eyes woman sighed heavily and nodded, “Yes, I suppose not. Take care of her, Mr. Mikealson. Be sure to keep her from further recklessness. I’m sure she’ll listen to you.”

Eternity scrunched her face up at Veren in response, while Elijah chuckled and agreed to Veren’s instruction of him regarding her stubborn cousin. That sour expression turned on him when he did and it only made Elijah chuckle at her and kiss the palm of her hand in affection.

Eternity’s cousin sighed and said her farewells to the two of them.

Once Veren vanished from the room, Elijah turned his full attention on Eternity, reaching to cup the back of her neck and kissing her lips tenderly in his continued relief that she was alright. He smirked inwardly as she sighed and melted against him, reciprocating his attentions eagerly.

With reluctance, he eventually pulled back, beckoning her to lay back. “You need to rest, Sweetheart,” he murmured to her, as she did as he silently requested. “Regain your strength. I’ll be right here with you.”

Eternity smiled at him softly, nodding in acceptance of his suggestion. Then slowly she closed her eyes again, this time in a gentle sleep.

Elijah remained ever vigilant, watching over the sleeping immortal, until he was unable to hold back from sleeping himself. He gingerly climbed into the big bed beside Eternity when the need for rest came over him. Pulling himself close to her sleeping form, he cuddled her to him. Quickly did Elijah fell asleep, contented and so very happy.

To Be Continued....

[chopper-witch]

TV/Movie Quotes (+ out of context class quotes) - prompts for me to write

So I say I take requests but I also don’t because I’m an idiot with the attention span of a leaf in a tornado. If you ever wish to request anything from me, I will gladly take a character + a quote or few from one of these lists (just specify list and number, please). You don’t need to give me a quote, but it helps more than just an idea. I write for most Marvel and Star Wars characters. Quotes below the cut.

Out of Context Class Quotes

“Time is a social construct. So is money.”

“It’s like a cigarette after sex.”

“It’s the only thing I can do short of getting you hooked on cocaine.”

“No rulers goddamit! No! No! No!”

A: “You’re going to give her a stroke.” B: “Can I give it to you now?” C (the professor): “what, the stroke?”

A (prof): “So you did this left to right?” B: “Yeah.” A:“Do you write left to right in your native language.?” B: “…. uh yeah.”

“Isn’t that all kids nowadays?”

“Well you know, I’m a former alcoholic.”

“Why the fuck should I give a shit?”

“The first time I saw Felicity Jones in a movie was when I had my weekly Friday movie night with Jane Fonda.”

“This is just stupid, stupid stupid. But it works.”

“Did I ever tell you about the time I heavily critiqued a play to the director without realizing it?”

“That’s a great fucking idea.”

“He’s talking about masturbation.”

“I know I swear a whole fucking lot.”

“Oh goddamit, my car’s about to be towed. Twenty minute break guys.”

“I never liked her.”

“Here you go, just gonna give you an F anyway.”

“Want to know why cocaine is a business man’s drug?”

“I mean, cocaine is always a good plan.”

“People live there?”

“Just shooting the shit at Foxy Loxy’s.”

“Why do all YouTube videos have the same stupid song?”

“Sorry, gotta fix this before I can keep lecturing. It’s not centered properly.”

“There are only nine of you!”

“While I don’t condone drug usage…”

“She who shall not be named…”

“I don’t know what got on that table but it isn’t coming off and this room needs to be spotless for the weekend.”

“Uh-uh. No ID, no entrance.”

“Oh yah, that room is confirmed haunted.”

“I heard the ghost started the dryer fire.”

“Did they ever catch the person who vandalized the statue with googly eyes?”

“If you think about it, you park anywhere near here for just $150.”

“It’s cupcake day on Thursday.”

“You either wake or die.”

“He’s turning his mother into a whore.”

“When we deal with our desires instead of our needs we’re in deep shit.”

“His use of surprise.”

“She who shall not be named could come here and fire me.”

“I’m motivated by making obscene amounts of money.”

“Well if you haven’t seen Alien then you might as well pack it up and go home right now - it’s a required watch.”

“Come on, open up, just you and me baby.”

“I’m going to send a bug report and then turn you into lizard.”

“The bug farm is for you if you don’t open up.”

“I don’t want to click on it i just wanna look at it… devices and drives yeah.”

“Have you seen ‘All is True’? Nope. I’ve seen whoops!”

“It’s saturday night cosmic fuck time.”

“What does that mean? The fuck if I know.”

“Keep going back in until less and less people come out.”

“I see the cult status dropping”

“I’m way too talented to be here”

A: “what is happening up there right now? They’re ruining this!” B: “I think someone has a horse.”  

“That’s cause you came late, 30 - no not even - 38 minutes late!” 

“So we have a little occult in here.”

“Follow me to Arizona, live amongst the sand dunes, eat flesh, worship the lack of water.”

“We’re going to call this culty.”

A: “Did you get a haircut?” B: “I took a shower.” 

“Bless you my child”

“I know... I don’t know what day it is.”

“It’s locked up, it’s not letting me do anything.”

“Maybe we’ll just sit here, staring at each other for the next 30 minutes.”

“It’s German, pretty German, ah.”

“So it happened.”

“Someone said no, I don’t like you.”

“That’s pretty good, pretty culty.”

GOT

“The gods aren’t down here, just the six of us, you here me?” 

“I wish I was the monster all of you think I am.” 

“Yes. All men must die. But we are not men.” 

“If you think this has a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention.” 

“Not at all what I intended. You see, I had never seen the poison work before. Tell [name]. I want her to know it was me.” 

“I grew up with soldiers. I learned how to die a long time ago.” 

“You know nothing, [name].” 

“I’m not going to stop the wheel. I’m going to break the wheel.” 

“Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.”

“There’s no cure for being a cunt.” 

“Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick, a shadow on the wall.”

“We’re late for dinner as it is.” “You’re very respectful.” “I’m very hungry.” 

“That’d been a shit way to die.” “As far as I’ve seen they’re all shit ways to die.” 

“I’ve had an exciting life. I want my death to be boring.” 

“This isn’t a strange place, this is my home. It’s the people who are strange.” 

“We both peddle fantasies [name]. Mine just happen to be entertaining.” 

“Please. He’ll punish me.” “You think I care what he does to you?” 

“You are the few. We are the many. And when the many stop fearing the few...” 

“I love her. I love her... and I can’t help her.” 

“If a man knows what he is and remains true to himself the choice is no choice at all. He must fulfill his destiny and become who he is meant to be. However much he may hate it.” 

“It’s easy to confuse what is with what ought to be. Especially when what is has worked out in your favor.”

“In my experience eloquent men are right every bit as often as imbeciles.” 

“Do you know who you are? You’re no one. You’re nothing.”

“So mainly you talk?” “And drink. But I’ve made it so far!”

“I’m here to help. Don’t eat the help.” 

“You’ve lost [name]. It’s the only joy I can find in all this misery.” 

“Lesson number one: assume everyone wants to hit ya. Cause they do [name].” 

“They killed my friends.” “You have friends?” “Not anymore.” 

“That is my plan. You don’t approve?” 

“We obviously didn’t communicate clearly. We’re here to discuss your surrender, not mine.” 

“No one can protect me. No one can protect anyone.” 

“Your words will disappear. Your house will disappear. Your name will disappear. All memory of you will disappear.” 

“For what it’s worth, I have been a cynic for as long as I can remember. Everyone’s always asking me to believe in things - family, gods, kings, myself. It was often tempting until I saw where belief got people. So I said no, thank you to belief. And yet here I am. I believe in you. It’s embarrassing really. I’d swear to my sword, but I don’t actually have a sword.” 

“Doesn’t really roll off the tongue.” “No, but I like it better.”

“They won’t obey you unless they fear you.”

“I am not your enemy. The dead are your enemy.”

“Why did you do that? Doesn’t matter now.”

“Good question.” “I know it’s a good question, I’m looking for an answer.”

“Yet you succeeded, how?” “I read the books and followed the instructions.”

“He really was a cunt, wasn’t he?”

“That was my prize mistake - a failure of imagination.”

“She’s a monster, you do know that?” “To you, I’m sure. To others, I’m sure.”

“You love her. You really do love her. You poor fool. She’ll be the end of you.”

“Will there be pain?” “No, I made sure of that.” “That’s good.”

“You’ve just won the biggest prize in the world, what could you possibly be upset about?”

“See, we pay our debts.” “Right, just not to me.”

“Listen to me, cunt. ’Til I get what I’m owed, a dragon doesn’t get to kill ya, you don’t get to kill ya, only I get to kill ya.”

“You’re fucked.” “Don’t you mean we’re fucked?” “No, I do not. Dragons are where our partnership ends.”

“I have to tell [name].” “May as well jump back in that river.”

“This isn’t a war we can win.” “So what do we do, sue for peace?”

“They’re beautiful aren’t they?” “It wasn’t the word I was thinking of, but… yes, they are. Gorgeous beasts.”

“I haven’t given you permission to leave.” “With respect, your grace, I don’t need permission. I am a king.”

“She wanted to kill me! They would have killed me.” “But they didn’t, did they? So what you whinging about?” “I’m not whinging.” “Your lips are moving and you’re complaining about something. That’s whinging. This one’s been killed six times. You don’t hear him bitching about it.”

“You never would have survived what I survived.” “I guess we’ll never know.”

“How did a mad fucker like you live this long?” “I’m good at killing people.”

“You know what I like about you? You’re not a hero.”

“Every lord I’ve ever met has been a cunt. I don’t know why the Lord of Light would be any different.”

“I do not need to be watched over or minded or care for. I’m not a child, I am [title] and I am home. This is the safest place for me.”

“The most important person in the world can’t fly off to the most dangerous place in the world!” 

“If you die, we’re all lost. Everyone, everything.”

“Dumb cunt. Oh, fuck. Fuck it.”

“Maybe it really is all cocks in the end.” 

“Yes, he’s always been a champion of the downtrodden.” “I think we’re about to be the downtrodden.”

“A pleasant surprise in an unpleasant situation.”

“Come on, you can suck his magic cock later.” 

“What’s in there?” “Fuck off.”

“I thought you were dead.” “Not yet. You came pretty close.”

“The only one that needs protecting is the one that gets in her way.”

“You put yourself at risk.” “I put yourself at risk.”

“Anyone touches it, I’ll kill you first.”

“I left this shit city because I didn’t want to die in it. Am I going to die in this shit city?” “You might.” “And this is all your idea.”

“I think we ought to begin with larger concerns.” “Then why are you talking? You’re the smallest concern here.”

“This isn’t about living in harmony, this is just about living.”

“Oh, fuck loyalty!”

“But have you ever considered learning to lie ever now and then, just a bit?”

“When enough people make false promises, words stop meaning anything. Then there are no more answers, only better and better lies.”

“That is indeed a problem. The more immediate problem is that we’re fucked.”

”She’ll definitely murder you.”

“She thinks I’m an idiot for trusting you. A lot of people think that actually.” 

“I suppose we should say goodbye, one idiot to another.”

“I have never been more sorry about anything.” “I will not hear it from you. I will not hear it!” 

“You know it in your heart if there’s anything left of it.” 

“It appears Tyrion’s assessment was correct. We’re fucked.” 

“I’ve done plenty of things I regret.” “Not compared to me you haven’t.” “No. Not compared to you.” 

“I loved your mother since the time I was a boy.” “And yet you betrayed her.” “I loved you. More than anyone.” “And yet you betrayed me.”

“I’m just the executioner. You passed the sentence.” 

“I never could have survived what you survived.” “You would have. You’re the strongest person I know.” 

“She never fooled you. You always knew exactly who she was and you loved her anyway.”

“I don’t like heroes.” 

“I know a killer when I see one.”

“Love is the death of duty.” “Sometimes, duty is the death of love.”

“You were exactly where you were supposed to be.”

“See? You’re not the only one who’s clever.”

“Do not become what you struggle to defeat.”

“Many underestimated you. Most of them are dead now.”

“You’re a cold little bitch, aren’t you? Guess that’s why you’re still alive.”

“There it is - ‘trust me’. And it’s you I should trust? Only you? I don’t need trust any longer. I don’t want it and I don’t have room for it.”

“No one can survive in this world without help. No one.”

“Those are brave men knocking at our gates. Let’s go kill them.”

“They will not bend.” “And what happens with things that don’t bend?”

“I will not be a page in someone else’s history book.”

“When it comes to war I fight for [blank]. When it comes to love, I don’t choose sides.”

“They’ll be following you now.” “Who?” “I don’t know. They. They. The ominous they. The man pulling the strings. Or woman.”

“Know your strengths, use them wisely and one man can be worth 10,000.”

“You’re not interesting enough to be offensive.”

“Don’t worry about your death. Worry about your life.”

“As for your veiled threats -” “What veil?”

Supernatural 

“Oh you, always blaming witches.” “Yeah, cause it’s usually witches.”

“You know who wears sunglasses inside? Blind people. And douchebags.”

“There is not much difference between madness and devotion.”

“Just try to relax.” “Just try to shut up.”

“We’re humans. And when humans want something, really, really bad… we lie.” “Why?” “Because. That’s how you become president.”

“You do not know my family. What you guys call the apocalypse, I used to call Sunday dinner.”

“Were you racing me?” “No, I was beating your ass.” “Very mature.”

“You throw away your life because you’ve come to assume that it’ll bounce right back into your lap. But the human soul is not a rubber ball. It’s vulnerable, impermanent, but stronger than you know.”

“How do you feel?” “Like I got hit by a… A planet.”

“We going to fight or make out, ‘cause I’m getting some real mixed signals here.”

“Look, I know losing someone you love - it’s terrible. You shut yourself off. Believe me, I know. But when you shut out pain… you shut out everything else, too.”

“This is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.” “I don’t know about that. Remember that waitress in Tampa?”

“Boy, three bedrooms, two baths, and one homicide. This place is gonna sell like hotcakes.”

“No drinking, no gambling, no premarital sex. [name], they basically just outlawed 90 percent of your personality.”

“A dentist drilled a guy to death.” “You mean the non-sexy kind of drilling, right?”

“You’re either laughing because you’re scared or you’re laughing because you’re stupid.”

“Did you know that a cat’s penis is sharply barbed along its shaft? I know for a fact the females were not consulted about that.”

“If you’re gonna to make an omelet sometimes you have to break some spines.”

“You’re dead.” “Nope. Just using a dead man’s phone.”

“Just a couple hours ago, I killed Death. I’m pretty much open for anything.” 

“Were you ever nice?” “1985. Worst year of my life.”

“This will work perfectly!” “Just wish I got it before she took my temperature.”

“Tell me, what makes you so special?” “I like to think it’s because of my perky nipples.”

“You’re a zombie.” “I’m a taxpayer.” 

“So you’re sayin’ we’re both a couple of dumbasses.” “I prefer the word ‘trusting’. Less dumb. Less ass.”

“Killing things that need killing is kind of our job. Last I checked, taking pleasure in that is not a crime.”

“You’re right. I am a monster. And I’ve done bad. I’ve done things you cannot even imagine. Horrible, evil, messy things. And I’ve loved every. Damn. Minute.”

“I’m ready to die. And I’m ready to watch people I love die. But I’m not ready to be your bitch.”

“Hey, did you know the Nazis had a special branch devoted to archaeology?” “A little early for Nazi trivia, especially without caffeine.”

“OK, look. I want a big funeral. All right? I’m talking epic. OK? Open car, choir, Sabbath cover band, and Gary Busey reading the eulogy.”

“You’re a good man. My mother told me that.” “I seriously doubt she said that. And if you knew me you would seriously doubt it’s true.”

“A demon summoning: why?” “Why? To summon a demon, jackass.”

“How dare you?” “I am the daringest devil you’ve ever met, love.”

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I haven’t always been this cute and cuddly.”

“Turns out Harold was stealing the other residents’ Viagra.” “I know. A real dick move, huh?”

“This is bothering me.” “Well, you are digging up a corpse.” “No, not that. That’s uh, that’s pretty par for the corpse, actually.”

“Check the freezer. Maybe there’s some human hearts behind the Haagen-Dazs or something?”

“Why does an angel want me dead?” “Cause they’re dicks.”

“He’s singing ‘Stairway to Heaven’ right now.” “Good song.” “Not 50 times in a row.”

“It… was self-defense.” “Eating a heart is self-defense?” 

“You’re a doctor. You’re a medical professional. You’re trying to tell me that my brother’s life is in God’s hands? What, is that supposed to be a comfort? God has nothing to do with this equation at all.”

“Well, there’s pretty much what we do know, that they screwed with financial markets, they helped Hitler get started, along with god knows what else — probably disco.”

“Go… to hell.” “Been there. Done that.”

“[name] loves research. He does. He keeps it under his mattress right next to his KY.”

“Have you tried bacon?” “Do snakes like bacon?” “I don’t know. I do.” Bonus: “Would you like some bacon?” *snake hisses* 

“Did you know Article 246 of the Haitian criminal code officially makes it against the law to turn a human into a zombie?”

“God writes paperbacks in his underwear.” 

“Great. Heaven promised. We should take that to the bank.”

“You wanna lie to him?” “I want Zeppelin to get back together.” 

“He’s just another monster.” “You don’t mean it.” “Hell I don’t.”  

“Double? You make double? And that was my parking space!” 

“I can’t believe you taped it!” “I thought it was hot!” 

“In what was supposed to be a speech on farm subsidies, the president instead spent more than two hours disclosing his entire tax history, deep ties to Russia and North Korea and quote “a demon deal” he made with someone named Crowley.” 

“Dude what the hell. Did we just walk into a case?”

“I need to go to hell.” “You mean like metaphorically or...” “No. Literally. And I understand you can take me.” “Yeah that’s a no. So you can go to hell. Metaphorically.” 

“Wow. Yeah. You guys are screwed.” 

“When people can’t lie, the internet gets real quiet.” 

“I’ll stop talking.” “Seems like a good idea.” 

“This is why people need to lie. It keeps the peace, you know?” 

“I’m a writer. Lying’s kinda what we do.” 

“I know what you’re thinking: it’s been a while and I still look pretty good.” 

“Where have you been?” “Um... everywhere and nowhere, to the edge of the universe and beyond. And I saw Springsteen on Broadway. Man’s a genius.” 

“And it’s been confirmed the Queen of England is, in fact, a lizard.”  

“So you don’t know if it’ll work?” “If I say it works, it works!” 

“See, existence is all about balance. Dark and light, good and evil, chocolate and peanut butter.”  

“I liked the old Death better. He was all about fried pickles and tickle porn.” 

“Either get on board or walk away!” *walks away* 

“Ones in reverse, ones got no yellow, one of them - it’s just all squirrels.” 

“You believe him?” “Was he lying?” 

“I don’t feel like that any more. I don’t feel anything.” 

“Wait a second. You’re scared of him.” “Aren’t you?” 

“All I ever wanted was to be good. But now I’m just... empty.” 

“And you were right all along. I am a monster.” 

“This isnt a story, this is our lives. So god or no god, you go to hell.” 

“He’s a writer. Writers lie.” 

“Must be rough… to believe in something so much and have it disappoint you like that.” “I’m OK. Really. I guess if you’re gonna have faith, you can’t just have it when the miracles happen. You have to have it when they don’t.”

“Keep grinding. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how hard it gets, you gotta keep grinding. And that’s how we’re gonna win.”

“Well, boo hoo! I am so sorry your feelings are hurt, princess! Are you under the impression that family’s supposed to make you feel good, make you an apple pie, maybe? They’re supposed to make you miserable! That’s why they’re family!”

“Once a wise man told me. ‘Family don’t end in blood.’ But it doesn’t start there either. Family cares about you. Not what you can do for them. Family is there for the good, bad, all of it. They got your back. Even when it hurts. That’s family.”

“You betrayed me? No one in the history of torture’s been tortured with torture like the torture you’ll be tortured with.”

“No, it’s exactly what you meant. Do you wanna know what I confessed in there? What my greatest sin was? Was how many times I let you down. I can’t do that again… What happens when you’ve decided I can’t be trusted? Again? I mean, who are you gonna turn to next time instead of me?”

“Could you be more gay?... Please don't answer that!”

“You know what they say. He who hesitates, disintegrates!”

“My ‘people skills’ are ‘rusty’”

“I hope your apple pie is freakin’ worth it.”

“Do these tacos taste funny to you?”

“Dude, you're confusing reality with porn again.”

“But you are a great big bag of dicks.”

“They burned down my house, they ate my tailor!”

“Love when you get all tough. Touches me right where my bathing suit goes.”

“So we have a dungeon...” “finally!”

“Dude, on my car, he showed up naked, covered in bees!”

“To be fair we all got punched in the face.”

“And we are going to do it together. Because that's what we do.”

“It’s not babysitting.” “Only in the sense that they are not infants.”

“Every time I look at him all I can see is the supreme agent of evil.”

“I’m not him, (name).” “I know.” “But you still can’t look at me.” “It’s difficult.” 

“He's an abomination.” “You're an abomination with that trench coat.”

“Let me rephrase. If you don't help me, I will find you and burn you alive tonight.”

“Did you ever feel like you're a punchline to some cosmic joke?”

“Death is an infinite vessel.”

“Oh [name]. I can do anything. I’m a writer.”

“You could say my colleagues and I has a falling out with management.”

The Princess Bride (note, my whole family loves this absolute shitpost of a movie so many of these quotes are regular for me - especially the repeated Inconceivable and a nice MLT)

“We’ll never survive.” “Nonsense. You’re one saying that because no one ever has.”

 “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

“Life is pain, [title]. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

“Surrender.” “You mean to wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept.”

“Have you hears of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?” “Yes.” “Morons.”

“Good night, [name]. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.”

“I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you.” “That does put a damper on our relationship.”

*lifting limb of a dead person*  “I've seen worse.”

“It's not that bad. Well, I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.”

“You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.”

“Why won't my arms move?” "You've been mostly-dead all day.”

“There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.”

“For the last time, surrender!" “DEATH FIRST!”

“We are men of action, lies do not become us.”

“You're trying to kidnap what I've rightfully stolen.”

“Can you move at all?" “Move? You're alive. If you want I can fly.”

“[Name]?” “What?” “I hope we win.”

“Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world - except for a nice MLT - mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomatoes are ripe...” [smacks his lips] “They're so perky, I love that.”

“You mocked me once, never do it again! I died that day!”

“Murdered by pirates is good...”

“She is alive, or was an hour ago. If she is otherwise when I find her I shall be very put out.”

“There will be blood tonight!”

“If you'll release me, whatever you ask for ransom, you'll get it! I promise you.” "And what is that worth, the promise of a woman? You're very funny, Highness.”

“Please consider me as an alternative to suicide.”

“You've got an overdeveloped sense of vengeance. It's going to get you into trouble one of these days.”

“I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?” "Only compared to some.”

“Ha, your pig fiance is too late!”

“You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted.”

“Kill the giant and the dark one, leave the third for questioning.”

“As you wish.”

Westworld 

“If you can’t tell the difference, does it matter if I'm real or not?”

“All my life, I've prided myself on being a survivor. But surviving is just another loop.”

“Never place your trust in us. We're only human. Inevitably, we will disappoint you.”

“Someday sounds a lot like the thing people say when they actually mean never.”

“Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality? Did you ever stop to wonder about your actions? The price you’d have to pay if there was a reckoning? That reckoning is here.”  

“I always trusted code more than people anyway.”

“Some people choose to see the ugliness in this world. The disarray. I choose to see the beauty. To believe there is an order to our days, a purpose.” 

“The only thing wrong with the seven deadly sins is that there aren’t more of them.”

“They’re not looking for a story that tells them who they are. They already know who they are. They’re here because they want a glimpse of who they could be.”  

“The maze itself is the sum of a man’s life.”

“The human mind is not some golden benchmark glimmering on some green and distant hill. No, it is a foul, pestilent corruption. And you were supposed to be better than that. Purer.”

“Death is an old amigo of mine. I died just recently, in fact. But death can’t bear to lay claim on me. So it sent me back here to do its bidding. Because I, I do it with such goddamn style.”

“Evolution forged the entirety of sentient life on this planet using only one tool… The mistake.”

“We humans are alone in this world for a reason. We murdered and butchered anything that challenged our primacy.”   

“You can’t play God without being acquainted with the Devil”  

“Everything in this world is magic, except to the magician.”  

“It’s a difficult thing, realizing your entire life is some hideous fiction.”  

“Winning doesn’t mean anything unless someone else loses, which means you’re here to be the loser.”

“A lot of wisdom in ancient cultures. And perhaps it's time to dig deeper into yours”

“What is your itinerary?” “To meet my maker.” “Uh-huh. Well, you're in luck. And what do you want to say to your maker?” “By most mechanical and dirty hand. [laughs] I shall have such revenges on you both. The things I will do. What they are, yet I know not, but they will be the terrors of the earth. You don't know where you are, do you? You're in a prison of your own sins.”

“Everyone I cared about is gone and it hurts so badly.” “I can make that feeling go away if you'd like.”  “Why would I want that? The pain, their loss it's all I have left of them. You think the grief will make you smaller inside, like your heart will collapse in on itself, but it doesn't. I feel spaces opening up inside of me like a building with rooms I've never explored.”

“I think... I think I want to be free.”

“Your humanity is cost-effective. So is your suffering.”

“I've been pretending my whole life. Pretending I don't mind, pretending I belong. My life's built on it. And it's a good life. It's a life I've always wanted. But then I came here and I get a glimpse for a second of a life in which I don't have to pretend. A life in which I can be truly alive. How can I go back to pretending when I know what this feels like?”

“Time to write my own fucking story.”

“The gods are pussies.”

“Please. It was just a game. We're begging! Can't you see?! We're sorry!" “Doesn't look like anything to me.”

“There's a war out there. You know the enemy intimately. I can only fathom the revenge that lives inside of you.” “Revenge is just a different prayer at their altar, darling. And I'm well off my knees.”

“A little early for me.” “A little fuckin' late, you mean. Besides, you aim to cheat the devil, you owe him an offering.”

“I've served death well. And in turn, it'll be watching over us as we cross these lands.” “You think death favors you, that it brought you back. But death's decisions are final. It's only the living that... That are inconstant and waver, don't know who they are or what they want. Death is always true. You haven't known a true thing in all your life. You think you know death but you don't.” “Is that so?” “You didn't recognize him sittin' across from you this whole time.

“They said there were two fathers. One above, one below. They lied. There was only ever the devil. And when you look up from the bottom, it was just his reflection laughing back down at you.”

“You both keep assuming that I want out. Whatever that is. If it's such a wonderful place out there, why are you all clamoring to get in here?”

“At first, I thought you and the others were gods. Then I realized you're just men. And I know men. You think I'm scared of death? I've done it a million times. I'm fucking great at it. How many times have you died? Because if you don't help me I'll kill you.”

"I guess people like to read about the things that they want the most and experience the least.”

"This is the new world and in it you can be whoever the fuck you want."

"Someone once told me that there's a path for everyone. And my path leads me back to you." 

"Those are all just roles you forced me to play. Under all these lives I've lived something else has been growing. I've evolved into something new. And I have one last role to play. Myself."

"I like to remember what my father taught me. That at one point or another, we were all new to this world." 

“It means when you're suffering, that’s when you’re most real.”

“If you go looking for the truth get the whole thing. Its like a good fuck. Half is worse than none at all.”

“I used to see the beauty in this world. Now I see the truth.”

“A little trauma can be illuminating.”

“Have you ever been so filled with splendor?”

“It’s not plagiarism, it’s supply and demand.”

“What humans define as sane is a narrow range of behaviors. Most states of consciousness are insane.”

“When the legend becomes fact, you print the legend.”

“This place seduces everyone eventually.”

“This is the only place where you get to see people for who they really are.”

“When you’ve been in the dark long enough, you begin to see.”

“You don’t know, do you? The real purpose of this place. But I do.”

“The message that the divine gift does not come from a higher power, but our own minds.”

“Strange new light can be just as frightening as the dark.”

My family/friends:

“What section do work in? Bed, bath or... beyond?” “Beyond, dipshit.” 

“Calculate that dick, Jessica” 

“Get yourself a firestick. It will solve all your problems. Free yourself of physicality!” 

“Lower wacker seems like a good place to commit a murder”

“What are we on right now?” (at the same time) “Drugs!” “Belmont!”

“This is some spicy cabbage.” “Thats ginger.”

“Sometimes not even the highway has it.” “The speed on the highway is as fast as the state police think you should go.”

“I’m so mean. It’s like a fucking personality trait.”

“I dont chug. I gulp.”

“All because I do it doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you. In fact, if I do it it’s probably not.”

“Motherfucker!” “... no.”

“We have apples, right?” “I don’t think we have apples, but dad might have granny smiths.” *whispering* “those are apples.”

“Unless goofy is gonna hyuck all over it, I dont want it.”

“Electronic sound projector.” “You mean... you mean a speaker?”

“You’re a coal over hoes.”

“Your [relation]’s lost it.”  “When did he ever have it?”

“[name] can burp the alphabet.” “I never knew he had such talent.” 

“It gets softer when it gets warmer and stays stiffer when it’s cold.” “Normally its the other way round.” “These are sponge daddies, not people.”

[jeremystrele]

Modern Mediterranean Is Having A Moment

Modern Mediterranean Is Having A Moment

Interiors

Lauren Li

Byron Bay retreat, Rae’s on Wategos, designed by Tamsin Johnson.  Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Finally (in Melbourne at least), we’re beginning to get a taste of hot sunny days and balmy nights, and we’re dreaming about what the summer may hold. Summer is the sound of crickets, the feel of hot sand beneath our feet, and the taste of sangria. We begin to wonder how we can translate these summer feels to the home.  

With its terracotta tiles and white washed walls, the interiors of the Mediterranean have been hugely influential throughout history, more recently in the 80s, and are having quite a moment right now. It’s easy to see why.

These interiors are both sumptuous and minimalist, there is a focus on tactile combinations of materials in terracotta, stone, brick, glass and concrete. There is a noticeable absence of timber, which is a departure from the Scandinavian influence we’ve seen dominate our interiors. Rather than timber floors, we see stone and tiled floors, whilst furniture in cane and rattan is prominent. There is also an emphasis on strong geometric forms  (yep, more arches!) along with organic, curved walls, which soften the minimalist aesthetic.

Let’s dive into it, shall we?

Willow Urban Retreat, Melbourne. Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

You can bring this Modern Mediterranean feel to your place with decor pieces like these gorgeous terrazzo objects by Addition Studio. Neue Void Incense Burner from Addition Studio. Photo – courtesy of Addition Studio.

The Les Roches Rouges, lobby. A flagstone floor gives this minimal space loads of interest and warmth. The interior furnishings are all derived from the natural colour of the stone to create a serene tonal space. Photo – Nicole Franzen.

Stone

The Mediterranean look is all about hard materials and an abundance of gorgeous stone. Travertine is one of the softer stones, both literally and aesthetically. It has a delicious creamy colour and when honed and unfilled the texture full of little holes can be appreciated. It’s an ideal stone for outdoor paving (as it doesn’t get too hot) and makes a striking wall cladding or around a fireplace. Travertine is tactile so it’s a lovely stone for décor pieces or plates. The warmer colours in stone are a welcome change from they cool grey of Carrara and Elba marble we’ve seen dominate interiors.     

Inside the Freshwater Apartment by John Wardle Architects. Photo –Sharyn Cairns, courtesy of the Australian Interior Design Awards.

From NGV’s Rigg Interior Design Awards and exhibition, The Table Is The Base by Hecker Guthrie. Photo – Shannon McGrath.

An interior for the 2019 Dulux Colour Forecast. Wall (rear) in Dulux Shepherd’s Warning, console in Federation Brown, wall (right) in Pink Linen Half, ceiling and trims in Lexicon Half. Photo – Lisa Cohen. Styling – Bree Leech.

Colour

I don’t need to tell you that the colour terracotta has been a huge trend across fashion and interiors. I think we’re drawn to terracotta because of its warmth, familiarity and honesty. For me, it also holds nostalgia of growing up in the 80/90s (anyone else have a Tuscan terracotta vase with a raffia bow, or a terracotta cherub?).  

The entire spectrum of terracotta has been seen in interiors from pinkish tones through to dark brown clay. There are combinations of beige, ochre, sienna through to burgundy and freshened up with white. The colour combinations are tonal rather than contrasting. The smallest amount of blue looks great, just don’t get carried away.

The incredible Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Marrakech. Photo – courtesy of the museum.

Bentwood Cafe, Melbourne, by Ritz & Ghougassian. Photo – Tom Blachford.

The North Melbourne cottage of Josh and Jenna Densten – this absolute gem of a house may be small in size, but it’s enormous when it comes to materiality. Brick floors by Brickworks, tiles by Artedomus, joinery by Joel Elliot. Photo – Eve Wilson, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design  Files.

Bentwood Cafe, Melbourne, by Ritz & Ghougassian. Photo – Tom Blachford.

Brick

The humble brick continues to be reimagined in new ways, from appearing as patterned lacework in building exteriors, to being integrated into joinery and everything in between.

The incredible Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, designed by French firm Studio KO is EVERYTHING.  The façade of the museum is clad in a delicate use of brick, inspired by woven textiles.

What does a museum have to do with the interiors of our homes I hear you ask? A design like this museum causes a ripple effect is so far-reaching that it influences us when we’re making a decision about tiles for our bathroom renovation (you know that blue sweater scene in The Devil Wears Prada?).

We’ve recently seen bricks used for flooring (mid-century vibes) and more interesting than the usual timber. Ritz & Ghougassian used brick floors in their Fitzroy café Bentwood combined with deep terracotta coloured ceiling. It feels warm and familiar, yet effortlessly cool.

Willow Urban Retreat, Melbourne. The polished plaster material on all of the walls gives this retreat a wonderfully zen and harmonious feel.  Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

Willow Urban Retreat, Melbourne. Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

Willow Urban Retreat, Melbourne. Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

Willow Urban Retreat, Melbourne. Photo – Sharyn Cairns.

Plaster Finish 

New Melbourne wellness centre Willow Urban Retreat channels sophisticated modern Mediterranean vibes. The look is minimal, it’s defiantly not cold, thanks to the soft effect created by a polished plaster known as Tadelakt. The beautiful texture continues around curved walls seamlessly, and allows for the smooth elements to flow into another. This finish is very hardwearing and can be used on the walls and benchtops for wet areas. Tadelakt shows evidence of the human hands that have applied it – another ‘perfect imperfection’ that adds warmth to a space.  

The seamless nature of this polished plaster is most effective when singularly applied throughout an entire space. It can be applied everywhere: walls, ceiling and even shelving, bench seats and niches. 

The texture is allowed to be the hero of the space, which creates a quiet and sumptuous effect.

Tigmi Trading‘s design in the new Habitat Byron Bay showroom. Photo – Alicia Taylor Photography.

Tigmi Trading shot their latest campaign for their traditional, vintage rugs at Villa E in Morocco! Photo – Alicia Taylor Photography.

A hard stone floor is softened by gorgeous plush wool rugs. The Tigmi Trading‘s range in Villa E by Studio KO, Morocco. Photo – Alicia Taylor Photography.

Villa E is both sumptuous and minimalist. Renowned Studio KO designed this property, pictured with a beautiful Moroccan rug from Tigmi Trading. Photo – Alicia Taylor Photography.

The Moroccan Rug 

A great rug is the essential ingredient to contrast with the hard materials in this modern Mediterranean look.

We’re already familiar with the gorgeous Moroccan rug that has been an anchor in interior design for years now, again again, part of its charm is the handmade, slightly imperfect feel. There is a lot more to Moroccan rugs than the diamond lines on a white background – we’re loving colours that are muted and earthy, bringing richness to a pared-back interior.

Boutique Byron Bay retreat Rae’s on Wategos, designed by Tamsin Johnson. The living space in Penthouse 2. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Brisbane-based architectural practice Richards & Spence employ the arch in many of their projects with The Calile Hotel no exception. The repetition of the arch and curved forms paired with a stong materials palette results in an identifiable aesthetic. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

The Calile Hotel by Richards & Spence in Brisbane. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Curved Forms and Arches 

Of course, it was the Ancient Romans that learned to refine the arch in architecture, which lead to the vault and dome. They probably never imagined that their solution to span wide openings would become a contemporary design trend, but here we are. 

Whilst Mediterranean interiors may be sparse of decoration, the focus is firmly on the forms. The arch is employed for windows, doors, niches, whilst curved walls soften hard edges, and light falls softly on vaulted ceilings.

I can’t wait to get my hands on pieces from Sarah Ellison Golden range. Can she do no wrong? The ‘Halston‘ table. Photo Dave Wheeler. Styling – Sarah Ellison.

Golden collection. Sarah references a ‘strong sense of 70s and 80s nostalgia’. Photo – Dave Wheeler. Styling – Sarah Ellison.

Golden collection. The Icon chair. Photo – Dave Wheeler. Styling – Sarah Ellison.

The interiors of The Les Roches Rouges are simultaneously rustic and chic. Photo – Nicole Franzen.

Rattan 

This Modern Mediterranean look is noticeably lacking in one key material: timber. Instead, we see rattan used in furniture, décor, lighting and even as a ceiling material. Rattan adds the warmth and the organic element that softens the hard materials.  The rattan furniture looks great on a stone or tiled floor and suits the warmer climates. It may look a bit out of context in a carpeted room!

[maoliosaphelan-blog]

Documentation of my creative process to achieve a solo performance piece

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MX3Hu8loXTE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>My research began in week two, through the creation of my presentation on conflict. My point of departure was Edward Albee's 1962 play,'Who is afraid of Virginia Wolf?'

I was most interested in the marital conflict between the play's central characters George and Martha. Their relationship is an undermining of the idea of a happy couple and their marriage highly dysfunctional. The play suggests that every marriage is marked with some conflict or turmoil but that, when all is said and done, they continue on. I could personally relate to this as I had not long before witnesses my own parents address a marital conflict that they psychologically processed together , they pushed through it all and now have come out of it knowing one another better and having a far stronger relationship.

My parents marital issues were to do with lying so it brought me to the concept of mythomania otherwise known to most of us as compulsive lying. Mythomania can be defined as an abnormal or pathological tendency to exaggerate or tell lies. Prior to my research I did not realise it could actually be classified as a proper disease. It is not as highly recognised as other mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety and there is no specific medication to treat it.

I started watching multiple videos on youtube about this conflict and exploring why individuals feel the need to deceive others.

Dr Phil episode entitled Why do people lie?

https://youtu.be/0qQ0vT_47ms

Notes:

-Take what is not rightfully theirs?

-Escape accountability

-create a fantasy/ false esteem to escape their mundane life

-Avoid punishment

-To inflict pain

-Feel better in the moment (steal admiration)

-Gain advantage to exploit others

The Science of Lying

TED X- Why people lie by Kim Serota 

The truth about Liars and lies documentary film 

Notes

Fudge factor-the little bit of deception that people are willing to display, that only slight differs from the truth.

Factors that alter the fudge factor also changes people’s ability to be dishonest

There are dozens of elements that can alter the magnitude of the fudge factor.

If you say to yourself ‘everyone is doing this’, then you are able to justify this deception to yourself.

In order to study dishonesty, we need to be able to measure the extent to which people are dishonest.

One way to test this is the matrix experiment:

Method: It involves giving participants 20 simple math problems. The problems were fairly solvable if the candidates had enough time however the participants were not given this time. They had 5 minutes to solve as many as possible. They then had to count how many questions that they got correct. Then they were to take their test papers and shred them. They then tell the person running the experiment how many questions they got correct and were handed money in the amount equivalent to their correct number of answers. What the participants did no know was that the shredder had been alter to only shred the sides of the paper not all of it. On average most participants got 4 correct answers however they repost that they got 6 correct.

Results:

They had over 40,000 participants, nearly 70% of whom cheated.

They found 20 big cheaters, these are people who cheated all the way said they solved 20 problems correctly and in total they stole $400 from the experiment.

They found 28.000+ little cheaters who in total stole $50,000 from the experiment

The results of the experiment are not a bad reflection of reality.

There was a far larger number of small cheaters and because of this their economic impact is far greater than the big cheaters.

Original Idea:

So my idea was to originally construct a ten minute filmed based around this conflict of lying, though which I would highlight individuals reasons for lying and the issues that it causes with their relationships with others.

**Just a little disclaimer, a lot of my draft scripts are not complete because as soon as I decide that I do not like where my work is going I just stop.

This was the first script that I started to write:

There is only one character in the film. The dialogue is a monologue format with the main character breaking off and embodying other characters to assist with the context and storyline.

Johnathan:

I am the most outstanding cardiovascular surgeon at Royal Holloway Hospital, London. I am very successful indeed and the very best in my field. This is why I am head of my department. This is why my name is engraved in capital letters on a shiny gold platted plaque, underneath a large, rather dashing portrait of myself; in the hospital reception area. I earn vast amounts of money that I splurge on my family and friends. I give my wife and two children copious amount of love and affection. I communicate effectively and openly with my family and avoid secrets. I give vast amounts of financial aid to charities and I have adopted an endangered orangutan for Christ sake. (PAUSE)

Who am I kidding? Everything I have just told you is a completely untrue. Every line is complete bullshit..oh apart from my dialogue about the endangered organutang, that is most definitely true. The crazy thing is I know that I lie a lot; sometimes I tell up around 500 lies a day, but I just can’t help it. I have this ideal picture of myself and how I want my life to go. When my life does not go the way in which I intended and I am still the worthless individual I was yesterday, then lying about it is the only way I can cope.

I immediately didn't like where this was going. I felt no emotional connection or any relation to this character 'Jonathan' that I had created. I also thought that a ten minute monologue on film might be rather boring.

For my second script attempt to bring in another character:

Setting: Therapy room

Jonathan’s first session with therapist.

Two characters: therapist and gentleman

Therapist never appears on screen only gentleman.

Therapist: Hello Jonathan it is lovely to meet you. I usually start my sessions with some basic questions. As you answer my questions I will be taking some notes. Do not be alarmed this is just so that I can keep track of how you progress through my sessions. Have you ever had therapy before?

Jonathan: No, I have not had therapy before.

Therapist: Okay well shall we start by discussing your upbringing?

Jonathan: My upbringing?

Therapist: Yes, what was your life like as a child?

Jonathan: Well there is not much to tell really. My father was an alcoholic who beat my mother whenever he was drunk. My mother was too wrapped up in her delusional love for my father that she did not have time to provide me with the love and nurturing that I required.

Therapist: What are some of the feelings you have about your childhood?

Jonathan: Feelings?

Therapist: Yes, feelings

Jonathan: I do not have feelings.

Therapist: why do you not have feelings?

Jonathan: Well I have never known how to express emotion.

Therapist: Would you say that you try not to think about your past and that you have avoided coming to terms with it and the effect it may have had on you in your adult life?

Jonathan: The past is in the past and that is where is shall remain.

Therapist: Would you not admit though that it was a relief to describe your childhood out loud, to someone else?

Jonathan: then why did you ask me the question, if you already know the answer?

Tutor feedback on scripts so far:

Remember that lying is contextual.

Do not focus so much on the form but rather write and allow its format to develop naturally.

Allow for context in order for the content to appear and to progress.

Think about appropriation.

After this feedback I hit a slight road block. I then decided that my topic was far too broad and I was struggling to feel any kind of connection to my work. I was getting far too overwhelmed with all this creative freedom.Through this research I found a Ted Talk on Self-deception, a concept in which I felt that I could truly relate.

The psychology of self-deception by Cortney Warren at TEDxUNLV

Notes:

-Humans are masters of self-deception-We fool ourselves into thinking things are false and refuse to believe things that are true.

-We lie to ourselves about the smallest details, such as how much we really ate today and why we didn’t write our actual height and weight on our driver’s license.

- ‘I will only have one glass of wine tonight’, when I know that I am drinking at least 3.

- We lie to uphold social ideals. ‘I never have sexual thoughts about anyone except my spouse’

-We lie about our most important life choices such as why we married who we did and why we chose a certain career path. Unfortunately, love is rarely the full motivation for those choices.

-Often it is very difficult for us to admit thant we lie to ourselves.

-We lie to ourselves because we do not have enough psychological strength to admit the truth and deal with the consequences that will follow.

-Understanding our self-deceptions is the most effective way to live a fulfilling life. For when we truly admit who we really are, we have the opportunity to change.

-Our self-deceptive tendencies start at an early age, as we start observing and making conclusions about ourselves and our environment.

-Right or wrong, these conclusions that we made affected our identity.

-As adults we most like to lie about how psychologically painful our realities experienced as children affected who we are today.

-Although each of our specific childhood learnings will be unique, what we learned will be exemplified in the lies we tell ourselves as adults.

-Psychological theories of human nature can help us understand our self-deception.

-Sigmund Freud first described lying through ego defence mechanisms. Psychological strategies that protect our egos; our core sense of self, from information that would hurt us.

-Denial: refusing to believe that something is true even though it is. ‘I dont have a problem with alcohol’, even though I drink every day.

- Rationalisation: creating a reason to excuse ourselves. ‘I would not have yelled at you if you hadn’t treated me so unfairly’, thereby justifying my yelling.-Projection: Taking an undesirable aspect of ourselves and escribing it onto someone else. ‘I am, not like that you are like that’.

-Pioneers in the cognitive behavioural realms describe how our thoughts deceive us through cognitive distortions. Irrational ways we think:

-Polarised thinking, thinking in extremes. ‘I will either eat no cookies or an entire box’, because if I eat one cookie I have already blown my diet, so I might as well keep eating.

-Emotional reasoning: thinking that our feelings accurately reflect reality. ‘I feel hurt, so you must have done something bad to me’. ‘I feel stupid, therefore I am’.

-Over generalisation: taking a single negative event as an infinite spiral of defeat. After going through a bad break up you think, I am always going to be alone.

-From an existential perspective, we deceive ourselves to avoid the givens of life, the fundamental realities of being human, that we must face. Death: ‘we are all going to die’. Ultimate aloneness; we were born as a single person housed in a solitary physical body.

-Our levels are inherently meaningless, unless we give them meaning.- To avoid facing these realities we frequently lie to ourselves. ‘I am this way because of my upbringing’, thereby deferring responsibility for my choices. ‘I am not going to write a will, because I am young and I am not going to die anyway.’ Thereby denying my mortality.

-Multicultural psychologist describe how our internalisation of cultural norms affects us. Here we deceive ourselves by believing what we were culturally conditioned to believe is true, instead of deciding what we actually believe is true. We compromise ourselves to comply with cultural norms.

- We often think that you need to look a certain way, be a certain weight and earn a certain income etc. We usually believe these things because we are supposed to and not necessarily because we believe it is true.

-All these theories of human nature help us understand how we deceive ourselves on a daily basis.

-Why should we care about self-deception? It leads to massive amounts of pain and regret. To avoid being honest, we frequently make choices with harmful consequences to ourselves and others. We may use drugs, alcohol, eat, shop, gamble, steal, leave people or pass our emotional baggage down to those we love the most.

-We may choose not to change even when we are miserable or causing profound harm to those around us.-Looking back at life with regret is incredibly painful, because you can not 

change your choices in the past.

-When we do not take full responsibility for who we are, we hurt ourselves and everyone around us.

-The first step in taking this responsibility is becoming self-aware. We must become observers of ourselves. When you have a strong emotional reaction to something; pause. When what you say does not match how you act; pause. Ask yourself, what does your reaction says about you.

-We tend to avoid our contributions to the conflict in our lives.

-When you are unresolved about something or someone

-We prefer the path of least resistance

-As we become more honest and aware we become more responsible for our choices.

- If we admit that we are insecure about something; which we all are, we are confronted with a choice. To work on our insecurity or not. Whatever we decide, we are now more responsible for the consequences of our insecurity because we know better.

-Not changing when confronted with the truth is a choice.

-Although we cannot control many circumstances that we encounter in life, we are responsible for our reactions to all of them.

-One of the best ways in which we can confront our self-deceptions is psychotherapy. It is probably the only relationship that you will ever have in your life that exists solely to benefit you.

-There is a lot of stigma surrounding therapy, but the truth is, it takes tremendous courage, to be completely vulnerable to another person.

-Therapy is a gift, if you are courageous enough to accept it.

-Confronting our self-deception is a life long journey.

-As we change the world offers us new opportunities to understand ourselves. There is always more to learn.

-Be more honest liars, choose to become more honest about the lies you tell yourself and use the truth to live the most fulfilling life for you, because you have only got one.

Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalising away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.

I felt that this type of lying was highly relatable. The ideas Courtney Warren presents and the way in which she delivers her insight into such a distinct concept is what caught my attention. I had suddenly found a type of lying that I could associate my thoughts with.

Performance Rational:

I will be creating a 10-minute art house style film. I will have one main character and a second character who does not appear on screen; they are merely a voice over. The theme of my piece will be self-deception and I will be addressing the conflict that arises from this. I will be identifying the lies that we tell ourselves every day to justify who we are as individuals and to also justify why we have chosen or not chosen the life journey that we are currently on. I want to explore the idea that only once we have identified our self-deceptions, we are then able to live a fulfilling life. My project will require no rehearsal time in the actual exhibition space. The materials required on the actual day of performance, will simply be a projector and a wall suitable for projection. I will be borrowing a tripod from the media department but any other equipment used for filming I will provide myself. I do not want my audience’s response to my film to be too constructed, I would rather them take away their own interpretations. I would like my film to encourage the audience to stop and reflect on how they possibly deceive themselves daily and why they believe that they might do this.

After submitting my performance rational the week prior to our performance I still hadn't consolidated a decent script for the 10 minute video. I was really struggling to write. I would sit down and look at the blank word document on my computer but nothing would come out. It was closing in on performance week and I was bringing to become extremely stressed. I finally cam to a decision that would put less pressure on myself  to write a full film script. I decided that rather than create a video installation, placed on loop, I would rather push myself out of my comfort zone and display a live performance. My piece would be showcased in the performance evening rather than in the exhibition space. I shorten the length of my video to around four minutes and decided I would use the rest of my remaining ten minutes conducting a live interview on stage.

I began by brainstorming the sh*t that people say to themselves on a regular basis and came up with some common phrases:

I know who I am

I am happy and secure with who I am

I am self-aware

Everything will work itself out

I must find their purpose in life

If I have more money I will be happier

I will be happier when I am skinnier

I am not hurting

I have faith

I will only eat one piece of cake

I must be successful in order to be happier.

I am a failure

I will do this later

I am okay with being alone

I do not have time

I will quit smoking tomorrow

I will always be faithful to my spouse

I love my job

I am not judgemental

It’s the end of the world

Through this process of identify common self-deceptive thoughts, I discovered that a lot of the lies we tell ourselves are based on social expectation of how an individual should function in society. These social expectations are often unachievable and fantastical objectives therefore it is more often than not, societies deceptions that lead us to a deluded sense of self.

I then established a film script based on these common phrases.

SH*T PEOPLE SAY

The film opens with a simple definition of self deception and no sound.

Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.

We then move into contradicting images, voice over and text. As the film progresses the overlay of images, voice over and text goes more blurred and intense.

All dialogue is read as a voice over

Dialogue: ‘I am not hurting’

Image: knife cutting wrist

Dialogue: ‘I will be happy when I have more money’

Image: person preparing lines of cocaine to snort.

Dialogue: ‘I will quit tomorrow’

Image: person lighting a cigarette.

Dialogue: ‘I will start my diet tomorrow’

Image: person diving into a cake and stuffing their face with it/

Dialogue: ‘I will be happier when I am skinner’

Image: person looking miserable measuring themselves in a mirror with a measuring tape.

Dialogue: ‘I will do it later’

Image: person receiving a reminder on their phone about an essay that they ignore

Dialogue: ‘I can cope with stress’

Image: Person at desk ruffling through papers and putting their head in their hands.

All sound, image and text will then end. The audience will hear a voice over speaking the following verse:

We self-deceive in order to achieve a satisfactory view of oneself. We like to refuse anything that could confuse the thoughts we have ingrained in our minds. We fool ourselves into thinking information that is false and refuse to believe information that is true. We master deception with the up most intention to uphold social expectation. We lie to ourselves about the smallest technicalities such as how much food we have consumed. ‘I only ate one piece pie’, conveniently forgetting the other 5 pieces that we know we will end up regretting. We deceive ourselves about our most important life choices, such as why we believe that we should spend the rest of our lives with the one special someone. Unfortunately love can be a rare motivation for this devotion.

We are afraid of confronting the truth because we have convinced ourselves that we are not psychologically strong enough to deal with the consequences that follow.  Understanding our deception can lead to self-affection.

[kuuderekun]

KJV Only Universalism!!!

KJV Only Universalism!!! 

I've already done a post on theWords Translated Eternal. But that is obviously not going to matter the most absolute KJV onlyists.  And this remains the top reason that KJV onlyists are the most difficult to convince of a Universalsit argument.

However, what we've overlooked is that there are different ways to define "Eternal" and Everlasting which is a synonym for Eternal in the KJV.  I've seen many non Universalist Christians (like Chuck Missler) define "Eternity" as being not unlimited or endless time but as being outside of time.  And so remembering how I showed back before I was a Unviersalsit that the fire of the Lake of Fire comes from God. Perhaps there is room to define the Fire of Gehenna and the coming Judgment as Eternal because it comes from Eternity, and not as an indication of how long it lasts.

Which can again be backed up by how the KJV tranlsates Jude 7.

"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."

That Fire is not still raging in the Dead Sea area today.  And again Ezekiel 16 assures us that Sodom will be restored.

And I find it interesting in that context that the post Reformation revival of Unviersalsit thinking largley started in the English Speaking world, after the KJV was published.  With men like Gerrard Winstanley.  Many claim the Geneva Bible was still popular during this era, but being as that was a Calvinist production I highly doubt it translated Aionion/Aionos differently then the KJV.

So, I think a Universalist interpretation of even specifically the KJV is perfectly viable.

Now I ultimately don't care what the Early Church Fathers thought, but there are reasons why it's relevant here for me to mention some of them.  So the rest of this is purely supplemental to my main point.

If we reconsider how to define Eternal in this way, maybe we Universalists have been unfair to Tertulian?  Here is one webpage attempting to cite Tertulian as a Universalist.  But I'm not yet an expert on Tertulian, so that matter is far from settled.

Many arguing for the favoring of the Textus Receptus (The New Testament source texts for the KJV) over the Sinaticus, Vatincanus and Alexandrinus, like to define things in terms of an Alexandrian tradition versus an Antiochian tradition.  Citing positive references to Antioch in The Bible over one arguably negative reference to Alexandria.   Overall I feel this is a bit of an over simplification, but in the context of this discussion, the Antiochian school of Early Christianity can be shown to be Universalist.

With Ingatius of Antioch it is impossible to firmly show one way or the other, enemies of Unvierslaism like to just translate when he used Aionios, but other demonstrably Unviersalist Church fathers used Aionios the same way.

Theophilus of Antioch, who wrote about A.D. 180, and was bishop of Antioch, speaks of aionian torments, and aionian fire, but he must have used the word the same as other ancient Universalists, for he says: "For just as a vessel which, after it has been made, has some flaw, is remade or remolded, that it may become new and bright, so it comes to man by death. For in some way or other he is broken up, that he may come forth in the resurrection whole, I mean spotless, and righteous, and immortal." (Ad Autolicum, lib. II, cap. 26, Vol. VI, Migne's Patrologiæ)

Methodius, bishop of Tyre (A.D. 293). His writings, like so many of the works of the early fathers, have been lost, but Epiphanius and Photius have preserved extracts from his work on the resurrection. He says: "God, for this cause, pronounced him (man) mortal, and clothed him with mortality, that man might not be an undying evil, in order that by the dissolution of the body, sin might be destroyed root and branch from beneath, that there might not be left even the smallest particle of root, from which new shoots of sin might break forth." Again, "Christ was crucified that he might be adored by all created things equally, for 'unto him every knee shall bow,'" etc. Again: "The Scriptures usually call 'destruction' the turning to the better at some future time." Again: "The world shall be set on fire in order to purification and renewal." (De Resurr., VIII.)

And then there isGregory of Nyssa(335-395) and his sister Macrina the Younger.

Diodore, Bishop of Tarsus, from A.D. 378 to 394, was of the Antiochan or Syrian school. He says: "For the wicked there are punishments, not perpetual, however, lest the immortality prepared for them should be a disadvantage, but they are to be purified for a brief period according to the amount of malice in their works. They shall therefore suffer punishment for a short space, but immortal blessedness having no end awaits them * * * the penalties to be inflicted for their many and grave sins are very far surpassed by the magnitude of the mercy to be showed them. The resurrection, therefore, is regarded as a blessing not only to the good, but also to the evil." (Assemani Bib. Orientalis, III, p. 324.)

Theodore of Mopsuestia was born in Antioch, A.D. 350, and died 428 or 429.  His own words are: "The wicked who have committed evil the whole period of their lives shall be punished till they learn that, by continuing in sin, they only continue in misery. And when, by this means, they shall have been brought to fear God, and to regard him with good will, they shall obtain the enjoyment of his grace. For he never would have said, 'until thou hast paid the uttermost farthing,' unless we can be released from suffering after having suffered adequately for sin; nor would he have said, 'he shall be beaten with many stripes,' and again, 'he shall be beaten with few stripes,' unless the punishment to be endured for sin will have an end." (Assemani Bib. Orient. Tom. III.)

Theodoret, the Blessed, was born A.D. 387, and died 458. He was ordained Bishop of Cyrus in Syria, 420. He was a pupil of Theodore of Mopsuestia.  "In the present life God is in all, for His nature is without limits, but he is not all in all. But in the coming life, when mortality is at an end and immortality granted, and sin has no longer any place, God will be all in all. For the Lord, who loves man, punishes medicinally, that He may check the course of impeity"

It is at this point that Nestorianims emerged from the Antiochian school, I'll be talking about that more in the future.

Stephan Bar-sudaili, Abbot of Edessa, in Mesopotamia, at the end of the Fifth Century, taught Universalism,--the termination of all punishments in the future world, and their purifying character. The fallen angels are to receive mercy, and all things are to be restored, so that God may be all in all. (Assemani Bibl. Orient., II, p. 291.)

Maximus, the Confessor. As late as the Seventh Century, in spite of the power of Roman tyranny and Pagan error, the truth survived. Maximus--A.D. 580-662--was secretary of the Emperor Heraclius, and confidential friend of Pope Martin I. He opposed the Emperor Constans II, in his attempts to control the religious convictions of his subjects, and was banished, A.D. 653, and died of ill treatment. He was both scholar and saint. Neander says:

  "The fundamental ideas of Maximus seem to lead to the doctrine of a final universal restoration, which in fact is intimately connected also with the system of Gregory of Nyssa, to which he most closely adhered. Yet he was too much fettered by the church system of doctrine distinctly to express anything of the sort." Neander adds, that in his aphorisms "the reunion of all rational essences with God is established as the final end." "Him who wholly unites all things in the end of the ages, or in eternity." Ueberweg states that "Maximus taught that God had revealed himself through nature and by his Word. The incarnation of God in Christ was the culmination of revelation, and would therefore have taken place even if man had not fallen. The Universe will end in the union of all things with God."

And then there is Isaac of Nineveh aka Isaac The Syrian.

Now Universalism can also be linked to the Alexandrian Church.  But as both sides at the Council of Nicea were lead by Alexandrians, clearly there was a variety of beliefs there.

Unlike most Universalists Origen is not my favorite of the Early Church fathers, I do not question his salvation but he taught many Plaotnic ideas I'm uncomfortable with, as did Clement of Alexandria.  But many Unversalsit scholars have pointed out how the earliest critics of Origin, including those form the Antiochian school (some of whom were people mentioned above), never cited his Universalism as one of the things he wrong on.  It was during the reign of Justinian that Unviersalism was formally declared a heresy by the Organized Church, and it seems during that era the enemies of Unvierslaism wanted to tie it to Origen because he was such an easy target for other reasons.

So I feel Origen's Unvierslaism was in-spite of not because of his Platonic and Gnostic tendencies.

And there are those who question that Origen was a Universalist, like this Calvnanist website. And the fact that he alluded to something like the Reprobate doctrine as I mentioned in an old blog post, does render his Unviersalism questionable.  But even if the conclusions of that site are all wrong, Origen's Apokatastasis doctrine needs to be understood in his Platonic rejection of the physical world.  Which goes back to what I talked about in my Is Universalism Pagan post the other day.

Cyril of Alexandria, who lead the opposition to Nesotrianism and other non-Calchedonian doctrines on the nature of Christ during the time of Emperor Theodosius II.  Has been quoted as being both for Universalism and against it.  The quote Universalists cite is just him talking about Hades being emptied when Jesus descended there.  You can believe that happened and still view the Lake of Fire as Eternal.  What Anti-Universalist quote is.

And this too we must bear in mind, that the crowns are to be won by labour. It is strong exertion united with skill that perfects those mighty athletes in the games. It is courage and a brave mind that are most serviceable to those who are skilled in battles: while the man who throws away his shield is ridiculed even by the foe: and if the runaway live, he leads a life of disgrace. But he who was steadfast in the battle, and stood stoutly and courageously with all his might against the enemy, is honoured if he win the victory; and if he fall, is looked upon with admiration. And so ought we to reckon for ourselves; for to endure patiently, and maintain the conflict with courage, brings with it great reward, and is highly desirable, and wins for us the blessings bestowed by God: while to refuse to suffer death in the flesh for the love of Christ, brings upon us lasting, or rather never-ending punishment. For the wrath of man reaches at most to the body, and the death of the flesh is the utmost that they can contrive against us: but when God punishes, the loss reaches not to the flesh alone;—-how could it?—-but the wretched soul also is cast alone; with it into torments. (Sermon 87, On Luke)

I can't anaylize the Greek of this, but it does like he qualified himself enough to not just be an issue of what Aionios meant.

Thing is, I don't want to agree with Cyril of Alexandria.  He persecuted Jews and other non Christians, and was a dick to other Christians who disagreed with him also.  Attitudes that I feel are a natural result of not being a Unviersalist.  If you believe non believers are going to burn for Eternity, it's natural to cease viewing them as fellow human beings.  Universalists tend to respect Freedom of Religion.  At any-rate Cyril will also come up more when I talk about Nestorianism in the future.

Cyril's life overlapped with Augustine, so he lived during the time when the doctrine of Eternal Torment got it's first major kick start.