#grasshopper boss (hopper)

[muses-of-the-memory]

Happy 26th Anniversary, A Bug's Life!

Happy 26th Anniversary to Disney Pixar's A Bug's Life.

It has now been 26 years since Flik the Ant had saved his colony from Hopper's tyranny.

He went to go get help, Heimlich, Dim, Slim, Francis, Tuck and Roll only to recruit a team of circus bugs.

Despite the odds, they, Flik, Princess Atta, the Circus Bugs, and Dot were able to scare away the Grasshoppers, and free the other ants from oppression.

I'm thinking of adding him and characters from this childhood movie into my muselist.

[scavengia]

Scavengia Part 11

(Scene: The city plaza. Drake and his friends arrive amidst a crowd of bugs curious at whatever's going on aboard Recluso's airship.)

Lux: Okay, I'll get reinforcements. You guys handle the crowd.

(Drake, Akari and Spud nod in agreement, and Lux heads off. Drake climbs up a ladder to a podium with a loudspeaker. A caterpillar with her butterfly mother takes notice.)

Caterpillar: Mom, look!

Drake: (into the loudspeaker) Everyone listen! My name is Drake Dean, and I came here to find the Memoria Star for my sister, who lost her memories because of me.

Grasshopper Boss: That human kid again?!

Drake: Hear me out. Something even bigger is happening here; Recluso has the Star, and he's planning something terrible! We need to band together to stop him once and for all, before he takes over our worlds!

Goliath Beetle: Get down from there, or we'll drag you down!

Cricket Musician: Hey, let the kid speak. He could be on to something.

Drake: We humans may seem dangerous to you bugs, but remember that your princess was just revealed to be human, too! Not all of us humans are bad. And if we can work together to defeat Recluso, we can-

Rhinoceros Beetle Cop: Outrageous lies! CHAAAARRRGE!!!

(The rhinoceros beetles charge the podium, but the crickets try to block them.)

Cricket: You squares are just as bad as Recluso, dudes! FREEDOOOM!!!

(They wrestle, and soon end up in a dogpile. The beetles, however, manage to successfully yank Drake down from the podium.)

Spud: HEY!

(He spills the rest of the sugar cubes from the suitcase onto the ground. Everyone stops, staring at the large amount of sugar.)

Spud: That's what I owe the Hopper Boys, and more. The rest's for helping Drake fly to that airship.

Grasshopper Punk#2: But humans can't fly!

(He gets smacked on the head by the gang boss.)

Akari: Not by themselves, no. That's why they built those big flying machines we see when we're visiting their world. So, who's up for a little hard work?

(Cut to the bugs and Drake at work together with some dragonflies. Using their magic, the bugs cobble together a dragonfly-shaped ornithopter out of various bric-a-brac, while Drake dons a pilot's cap in preparation for flight. Meanwhile, Bubuyog flies through the air, carrying Nibi, who is now wearing a yellow dress with black flats, while being followed closely by Miito. They board Recluso's airship, where they are greeted by his servants.)

Servant: Lady Bubuyog! I'm afraid that the Master is currently occupied-

Bubuyog: Whatever he's busy with, it can wait. We must speak to him immediately.

Servant: I'll, uh... I'll inform the Master.

(Back down below, the bugs roll out the completed ornithopter, with Drake in the cockpit and Akari and Spud in the passenger seats.)

Longhorn Beetle: You sure this will work, kid?

Drake: It has to.

Cicada: Prepare for takeoff!

(Drake moves the goggles over his eyes, and pulls a switch. The wings begin to flap.)

Cicada: Stand by!

(The bugs on the ground move back, watching as the ornithopter lifts off.)

Cicada: We have liftoff!

(Drake takes the controls, and pilots the ornithopter forwards. It takes off, flying through the city past several onlookers.)

Cicada: Go get 'im, kid!

(Aboard the airship, Recluso greets Bubuyog, Nibi and Miito.

Recluso: What a surprise to be seeing you once again, Your Majesty!

Bubuyog: Recluso, my daughter tells me you're planning something extreme.

Recluso: Oh dear. And what hidden agenda, pray tell, am I accused of harboring?

Bubuyog: Tell me, Recluso, is it true you're deliberately hiding the Memoria Star from us?

Recluso: Heavens, no! Why would I hoard your sacred heirloom to myself-?

(Nibi, having slipped behind him, peeks inside the room with the mirrors and lights before opening the doors wide, exposing the stolen Memoria Star.)

Bubuyog: Then explain that.

(There is a pause.)

Recluso: ...Very well.

(He suddenly unsheathes a sword cane, striking Bubuyog with it. She falls to the floor.)

Nibi: MAMA!

(Meanwhile, the ornithopter speeds along.)

Spud: You sure you know how to fly this thing?

Drake: I got a steampunk magazine back home, so I at least have a basic idea.

Spud: Gee, that's reassuring.

(The three look back ahead to see that they're headed for the dam.)

Akari: Pull up! PULL UP!

(Drake pulls back on the steering wheel, and the ornithopter flies straight up. The bugs on the ground observe, with a Hercules beetle watching through a telescope.)

Hercules Beetle: They made it!

(The crowd cheers. Back on the airship, Nibi holds the injured Bubuyog in her arms.)

Nibi: How could you do this to my mama?!

Recluso: Spoken as if she was your true mother.

Nibi: (defiantly) When the other bees get here, they're gonna kill you.

Recluso: I doubt that. He who holds the Memoria Star holds vast power. They wouldn't dare harm their new king... no, their emperor... for fear of retribution

Nibi: You seriously think we're gonna let you take over?!

(Recluso simply chuckles, moving closer to her.)

Recluso: Ah, you've got a fighting spirit, Princess. That's just what we need to begin our new kingdom. (backs her against the wall) We shall start anew, with you by my side as my queen. Someday, my dear... Someday you'll thank me.

(Nibi blanches.)

Nibi: EEEEEWWWWWW!!!

(She bolts, Miito following after her. Recluso is just about to pursue them, when there is the sound of an explosion.)

Servant: What's happening?!

(Cannons from the Toybox Circus launch fireworks into the sky, while the termites open fire on the airship with their crossbows and rubber band guns. Lux is leading this resistance. Recluso's armed guards on the ground confront them.)

Lux: Recluso is the true enemy! CHAAARRRGE!!!

(The resistance charges into battle. Lux spots Drake flying the ornithopter above.)

Lux: Drake...

(Inspired, he leaps into the fray. Recluso observes from the airship.)

Servant: What'll we do, Master?

Recluso: We musn't panic. This is the perfect opportunity to test out my toys.

(He moves to a lever.)

Recluso: Observe.

(He pulls the lever. Meanwhile, Nibi runs for her life from Recluso's mooks. Reaching a dark room, she and Miito hide in the shadows, waiting for them to leave. Suddenly, a light comes on, revealing rows of mechanical winged insects. The automatons begin droning to life, turning their sights on Nibi and Miito. With Miito following, she quickly runs out of the room, screaming, as they give chase. Meanwhile, Drake and his friends fly towards the airship. We cut back to Nibi and Miito as they hurry through the airship, pursued by the robot army. They stop as they're confronted by the mooks. Noticing a door to the side, Nibi dives for it, only to find out that it's an emergency exit hatch when she almost falls from the ship. Quickly, she climbs onto a ladder on the airship's side, up and away from her pursuers. Once on top, she tries to make a break for it, but she and Miito are suddenly ensnared by spidersilk; The mooks have followed them. Suspended by their webbing, Nibi and Miito are held before Recluso, in the ship's cockpit.)

Recluso: What a daring little thing you are, Princess. Sadly, this is as far as you'll get.

(Nibi glares at Recluso. Suddenly, the ornithopter flies by, severing the spidersilk and freeing Nibi and Miito. They begin to plummet, but the ornithopter makes another pass, Drake reaching out and grabbing Nibi by the wrist.)

Recluso: What?!

Nibi: Drake!

(Drake and the others pull Nibi and Miito aboard the ornithopter. Recluso activates the airship's intercom)

Recluso: Open fire!

(On his order, cannons extend from the ship.)

Drake: Hang on!

(The cannons fire exploding firecrackers at them, as Drake takes evasive action. Unnoticed in the chaos, Lux and the other toys fly a toy plane right into an open window on the airship. Lux jumps off onto Recluso.)

Lux: Payback, sucker!

(Recluso struggles to get the toy robot off of himself.)

Recluso: Oh, get off, you little-

(He unsheathes his sword cane...)

Drake: Lux!

(Too late. Recluso stabs his sword through Lux's body, drawing sparks. Lux gasps in shock and pain. Drake sees red, then.)

Drake: LUUUUX!!!

(He turns the ornithopter, flying head on into Recluso's airship. The others, knowing what's coming, brace themselves.)

Nibi: DRAAAAKE!!

(Recluso notices the incoming kamikaze attack.)

Recluso: (to the airship crew) Reverse! REVERSE-

(CRASH!!! The ornithopter pierces right into the airship, which halts its trajectory, leaving it drifting in midair.)

[abugeatbugworld]

Cold

LISTEN say what you want about it but I unironically love the movie Avatar (yes like the blue people one) and I once saw a crossover trailer that mashed audio from Avatar with scenes from A Bug's Life and well it got me thinking so

here you go tehe

Flik doesn’t remember life before the grasshoppers. All he knows is that Hopper took him under his wing when no one else saw value in a crippled ant, and since then he’s done everything he can to repay the captain for his kindness.

So when Hopper invites him on the gang’s yearly visit to Ant Island, Flik is thrilled to go. This time, Hopper has a special mission for him: he wants Flik to get to know the islanders, to learn more about their culture and gain their trust so he can persuade them to migrate from their home tree, which sits atop the largest known fluorescent mushroom mine in the bug world.

At first, blending in with the ants proves to be more difficult than Flik anticipated. However, as he gets to know the island — and its future queen, Atta — he finds himself beginning to feel more and more like a part of the colony. He also finds himself questioning his reason for being there, wondering if there’s more to life than profit and power…

…and who the enemy really is.

“Haven’t got lost in the woods yet, have you?”

Flik glanced up from the mug of hot nectar he’d just poured himself. Hopper’s face was twisted into a smug smile, his upper arms outstretched in a playful shrug as he strode towards his soldier. His lower arms were hidden behind his back.

Flik gave Hopper his best attempt at a grin in spite of the sinking in his gut. He’d been dreading this conversation all morning — all week, really — but he couldn’t put it off any longer. It wasn’t fair to his captain or to the rest of the gang for him to keep playing this game.

Hopper reached the table where Flik was sitting and stopped, scraping his claws along the bark’s gritty surface. Flik’s antennae twitched at the sound. He squinted, trying to remember the words he’d rehearsed alone in his room until almost three that morning.

“Look, Hopper…” he began, averting his gaze from the captain’s. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while now about…about the mission.”

Hopper cocked his head, his antennae suddenly rigid. “Oh?”

Flik nodded, daring to look up and lock eyes with his boss. No matter how many times he saw that scar, it never failed to unnerve him. Someone who could survive an attack as brutal as the one that had left that mark wasn’t someone whose bad side Flik wanted to find himself on.

“You see, I’ve been spending time with the ants. A lot of time. And…and I’ve really gotten to know them, and how their colony works, and because of that I’ve realized just how important Home Tree is to them. It’s more than a tree. It’s more than their home, even. It’s like…it connects them, somehow. All of them. I know, because…because I can feel it, too, now that I’m one of them, and—”

“One of them?” Hopper repeated, his voice sharp as the blade sheathed beneath his waist.

Flik gulped. “Yes, they consider me one of them. Well, they will, after my Mushroom Lighting ceremony tonight, which is the final step in the process of becoming part of the Colony, and—”

Hopper’s palm was a millimeter from his mouth. Flik shut up, the last part of his sentence fading from his tongue. And the first step toward marrying the princess.

“Kid,” Hopper sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

Immediately Flik felt like a child who’d shouted out the wrong answer to his teacher’s question in front of the class. He waited for the lecture he knew was coming, about how all the soldiers had signed a contract saying that they would maintain strict professional boundaries between themselves and the inhabitants of Ant Island. They were here for one thing and one thing only, and that thing was the fluorescent mushrooms lining the tunnels beneath Home Tree like thousands of glowing gems. That was why they needed the ants to move, and it was Flik’s job to convince them to do it without raising their weapons. And instead he was taking their side, which was a clear breach of contract.

Finally, the captain spoke.

“It’s great that you’ve been getting along so well with the ants,” he said. “Really. Clearly they trust you, which was the whole point of sending you to the island in the first place. So in my eyes, your mission has been fulfilled. In fact, I’m ready to send you back to the sombrero now, so you can finally get those legs of yours fixed while we move ahead with the operation. You’ve earned it.”

Flik felt his jaw drop before he could stop it. Hopper withdrew his hand and took a step backwards, smiling down at him like a proud father. Waiting for the ant to babble his thanks and accept his gracious offer.

Flik’s eyes found his legs, the ones that ended in dull blue stubs just below the kneecaps. He’d dreamed for years of being able to use those legs again. To dance to the mosquito’s terrible mariachi music back home. To go water skiing through the puddle outside the sombrero with Molt. To finally be able to keep up with the rest of the gang.

But his time exploring the island with the ants — with Atta — had stirred up a new dream, one that had nothing to do with him or any of the grasshoppers. One that was better than working legs.

Flik took a deep breath, then looked into that scarred eye again.

“I appreciate that more than I can express, sir, but I don’t want to go back. And I think we should leave Home Tree alone.”

The shift happened as soon as the words left his mouth. Hopper’s expression didn’t change, but it was as though the air around him had dropped ten degrees. He was a statue of ice, and Flik was terrified that any sudden movement would make him shatter.

But instead of shattering, it melted. There was a fire in the room he hadn’t even noticed.

Flik saw movement from the corner of his eye. He shifted his gaze to see Hopper’s lower arms emerge from behind his back, then felt his heart plummet.

Dangling from the captain’s left hand was a tiny purple ant, her eyes scrunched tight with fear.

“Dot,” Flik breathed.

Atta’s little sister was the first friend he’d made on the island, the only one who’d been kind to him when other ants wouldn’t even look his way. She’d show up at his workshop and sit for hours while he tinkered with his inventions, asking questions about where he came from and why he lived with grasshoppers instead of ants even though he was an ant and did he ever feel sad about his legs. She talked about how she couldn’t wait to fly someday and how if she could she would make wings so he could fly, too.

She was the one who’d convinced the Queen to finally let him inside the Anthill. She was the reason he’d fallen in love with the island. Falling in love with her older sister was an unexpected bonus, but Dot was the reason he’d decided to stay.

And somehow, Hopper knew. He may have only suspected it, but Flik’s expression had given him away as soon as the little ant entered the picture.

His captain had the upper hand now.

Hopper swung Dot upward so her toes nearly grazed Flik’s forehead. The princess whimpered, her lower lip wobbling and her hands kneading together the way they did when she was afraid.

“Did you forget what team you’re playing for?” Hopper asked. A threat posed as a question.

I didn’t forget. I just switched.

The words were on the tip of Flik’s tongue, the truth begging to be released. He didn’t want to pretend he supported the grasshoppers’ greed-driven mission any longer. He didn’t want to disclose any more of his research findings to Hopper, knowing that every sacred piece of information he shared about the ants was one more weapon for the gang to add to their arsenal.

I’m done was what he wanted to say.

But then his eyes flickered to Dot, his sweet and fragile friend whose wings were just starting to grow in. He saw how Hopper’s hand eclipsed the girl’s head, and he knew all it would take was the right amount of pressure on his part — and the wrong words on Flik’s — for the captain to do irreparable harm. Judging by the fear in Dot’s eyes, she understood this, too.

So instead Flik bowed his head and lowered his eyes, curling his hands around his mug. It was cold now.

“No, sir,” Flik whispered. “I only play for one team, and you’re the captain.”

Hopper’s sneer was audible when he spoke. “Glad to hear it, son.”

Atta’s trusting eyes flashed before Flik, her irises the color of the island sky at twilight. His gut twisted as he offered her a silent apology. Maybe knowing her little sister’s life was on the line would make her more sympathetic to his choice.

A loud plunk startled Flik from his thoughts. He looked up from his mug to see Dot sitting at Hopper’s feet, attempting to regain the breath knocked from her lungs by the fall.

Flik lunged forward and Dot scrambled into his arms, locking her arms around his neck like a tiny vise. He could feel every part of her trembling against him as he held her close, one hand cupping the back of her head and the other rubbing circles between her shoulder blades.

“It’s alright, Dot. You’re safe now,” he murmured into her antennae, knowing as he said it that even she knew it wasn’t true anymore.

Hopper clasped two of his hands together as though touched by the scene before him.

“How precious,” he said, reaching another hand towards them.

Flik flinched away, instinctively curving himself around the girl in his arms like he could protect her from the insect who was twice his size and had triple the amount of functioning limbs.

Hopper chuckled as he flexed his fingers in midair. “Relax,” he said, reaching down to pick up the mug of cold nectar. “I was just going to finish this for you.”

He tossed it back in one gulp, then slammed the mug down so hard it shattered. Flik jumped at the sound and felt Dot bury her face in the crook of his neck.

Hopper wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, then nodded towards Dot.

“You might want to get the princess home soon, soldier,” he said. “Her family is probably starting to worry.”

Then he turned and strolled from the room, whistling as he went.

[bluemoonbeam15]

Darker On the Inside Excerpt

Another excerpt of the spin-off novel I'm contemplating writing. I'm playing around with the idea a bit while I work on the cover of the book.

<><><><><><>

Ruthless thugs. Every last one of them. Clay sliced through the gang with little effort. His existence was just as toxic to them as it was to Hopper, but perhaps for different reasons.

Hopper scurried to keep up. The longer strides of his father did little to help his efforts, but it was an intimidation tactic. Clay's ultimate goal -- as Hopper saw it -- was to use negative reinforcement to push Hopper to his limits.

The other grasshoppers peered down at the nymph, unimpressed. That didn't faze him, though. It was a look he'd grown accustomed to. What made his steps falter was the reason for his visit. Normally, Clay would keep his disappointment of a son as far from the gang as possible.

Today was a test.

"Trout," Clay stopped and Hopper nearly ran into his legs.

Hopper peered around to see a nymph around his age. His antennae sensed the air, the smell was vaguely familiar. It wasn't until a grown male stepped out that he understood why. The nymph was Bramble's son -- the beta of the gang. Second in Command to Hopper's father.

Also known as Hopper's rival.

Not his choice. If Hopper had it his way the two of them would be friends. But his father had different plans.

Trout stood at attention and waited for his father to meet Clay. "You can always back out, boss. No need to embarrass the poor boy," Bramble sneered down at Hopper.

A huff from Clay made his answer clear. He stepped to the side and Hopper was in full view of the others. Trout narrowed his eyes. It seemed he was intent on winning this fight. Hopper wished he had that same desire.

Bramble nodded to his son and waved the spectators a good distance. Clay bent down as he walked past Hopper. "Win this fight. You know the consequences."

Hopper swallowed. Clay went to hang back with the crowd. That was why Molt wasn't allowed to come.

Trout twisted his neck to pop it, stretching his arms out and getting into a square stance. Hopper sighed through his nose and slowly copied the position. A whistle sounded and Trout was all too quick to kick out. Hopper narrowly misses the strike by bouncing back.

A punch swung out from Trout.

Hopper dodged.

Claws sliced through the air.

Hopper dodged.

Lunging to pin the opponent.

Hopper dodged.

A leg swung low.

Hopper dod--

"Stop screwing around and fight!"

Hopper was a second late to react and Trout managed to kick his legs out from under him. Trout quickly pinned Hopper down, knees pressing onto his stomach. "Just give up, runt," Trout growled, "we both know you're not cut out to lead this gang."

Movement in his peripheral caught his attention. Hopper watched his father pace the outside of the crowd, eyeing him with deadly implications.

Trout traced his gaze. Brows furrowed, he blinked down at Hopper. "Why are you really doing this?"

Hopper squeezed his eyes shut, "I'm sorry," he whispered. The pressure made it hard to breath. It was a surprise Trout hadn't cracked one of his ribs at this point.

"What?"

"I'm sorry...but I have to." Hopper reared his legs back and kicked Trout off of him. Trout quickly scrambled to regain his position, but Hopper swung a foot out to knock him back on the ground.

There were no rules to this fight.

It had been made clear from the start that this was to the death.

But if Hopper lost, then two would die today.

He made quick work to get his hands around Trout's neck. The nymph jerked under him, lifting his torso in an attempt to get his arms free. Hopper pressed his lower arms onto Trout's stomach to keep him down. Legs interlocking so he couldn't kick -- a strategy Trout had failed to incorporate.

"C'mon Trout! Fight back! You're stronger than that!"

"Don't relent, Hopper! You'll regret it!"

Trout whimpered, becoming frantic to get air. Hopper dug deep into his neck until blood came out. He looked away. "I'm sorry," he winced and twisted Trout's neck quickly. A snap made his antennae twitch back. The struggling stopped.

There was silence for barely a moment. Not nearly long enough for Hopper. Clay entered the circle. "Well, looks as if we've got our new heir to the gang." He hooded his eyes at the spectators. "Unless anyone else has a few termites that wanna challenge my son."

They exchanged looks. Nobody volunteered. Clay turned to Hopper, grinning crookedly. "Alright, let's leave them to the funeral."

Hopper finally opened his eyes. The blood dripped from his claws. Trout had died with wide eyes, mouth hanging open in a last effort for air. Hopper was afraid to move. Afraid that more damage would be done to the body if he so much as twitched. He didn't want to hurt him anymore. He didn't want to cause any more damage.

He didn't want to hurt Trout in the first place.

Something roughly pulled Hopper to his feet and Clay met his eyes. "We don't look back at our victims, boy," his father growled lowly, "you don't make friends here. You kill competitors. You protect what's yours."

Hopper was drug by the arm out of the crowd. He looked over at Bramble, unable to say an apology or...anything. What could he say after that? Bramble looked impassive. His eyes barely glanced to Hopper in the most distant manner.

The crowd was soon behind them. Clay saw fit to let Hopper walk on his own now. "Good boy," the phrase made Hopper's claws flex. It was like he was some pet. "Keep it up and you'll make a fine leader."

"Or a fine murderer," Hopper muttered.

He expected his father to swirl around quickly and slap him across the face. To growl at his indignance. Kick him. Punish him.

Hopper would've preferred that over what his father said.

"Now you're getting it."

[kriimhild]

Brother Thing (Hopper/Molt)

He had a lot to think about, that's for sure. The whole team knew about it, but no one dared to ask the boss. They would have lived until that moment...

It was a scorching hot summer day, the sun beating down on the familiar Mexican sand. The mirages rippled over the ground in treacherous waves that could fool inexperienced minds, but not grasshoppers. The cicadas chirped almost deafeningly, but it was a natural song for the local band.

It was still some time before dusk, but already you could feel the air cooling. At the foot of a lonely signboard, an old straw hat was spread out, from which a softer Spanish tune was emanating.

The grasshoppers were dancing briskly, some of them more relaxed than others, and another group was sitting at a counter made of old horseshoes. The conversation was not too loud, especially as it was about the boss. The local mosquito bartender pretended not to hear the conversation.

„I haven't seen him for a while. He usually comes down for a drink at least once during the day." Loco said.

„If you're so worried, go and check him out!" grinned the other grasshopper.

Molt didn't feel like laughing at the usual jokes, which consisted mostly of how grumpy their president was. He was getting seriously worried and was determined to check him out now. Molt often didn't really notice how childish his behavior was, and he especially didn't know when to keep his mouth shut. He was the only one Hopper allowed into his own area, however much, but usually even his brother was not welcome there. Not that he was welcome at other times.

Molt had never had an easy time fitting in, nor had he ever really managed to. The other grasshoppers mostly just took advantage of him. Hopper rarely raised his voice about it, if Molt was stupid enough not to notice them, he deserved it. But he himself did no such thing. Hopper either cared about things or he didn't. There was no happy medium, until now.

Molt politely broke away from his previous interlocutors, then took off with a loud whoomp and settled on the storey of the straw hat.

„Hiya, Hop!"

His brother leaned silently against the wall, waiting for the sun to set. He didn't say hello, didn't turn around. He just stood and thought.

„Hey, are you home? Earth to Hop!"

„Will you shut up?!" The larger grasshopper suddenly called out to him as he turned around.

Molt held his hands out protectively.

„I'm sorry. You just stand there as still as a cactus. Are you all right?"

„Why do you care?"

„Why shouldn't I care?"

The wider grasshopper glanced sideways at the cap with the same seeds and water droplets as last night.

„Didn't you eat anything?"

„I'm not hungry."

Indeed he was not, though his stomach had a decidedly different opinion on the matter. He reminded his master every minute that he needed the nourishment.

„Oooh, is this all because of that wasp?" Molt grinned.

Hopper rolled his eyes, not answering. He was starting to annoy his brother… but he was so lost in his previous thoughts that he forgot to hit Molt.

„You like her!"

„No, I don't like her."

„Oh, come on, a blind bug can see it in you!" his brother insisted.

„Molt?"

"Yeah, Hoppy?"

"If you don't shut up, I'll throw that bullet at you." Hopper pointed to the object without looking at it.

Molt snorted and said nothing. But then how would he talk to him? He couldn't really use sign language, so he risked speaking again.

„Listen, I know you'd rather..."

And then the next second, with a shriek, he bend out of the path of the flying bullet. The bullet flew across the room and landed somewhere where there were probably more grasshoppers. Molt watched the edge of the upper storey for a while.

„Wow, you really want some privacy."

„Glad you caught on."

His brother, however, didn't let it go. Molt's strength was not to stop talking.

„Hop, listen, you need to talk with someone."

This statement was followed only by silence.

„Why are you so closed off? I mean, more private than usual. It's pretty clear that you're so weird because of this girl."

Hopper turned around with a loud growl, his eyes sparkling of the anger as he began to approach his brother.

„What do you care? What business is it of yours? How dare you even come up here now? I clearly told you to leave me alone, but you're still here!"

„Of course I care what happens to you! You're not yourself! Seriously, you scare me!"

„Good! Finally, I have some success!"

Molt bit his lip, but his legs couldn't stop him, he started to back away involuntarily.

„Hop, please. I know you don't want company, but trust me, it helps if you talk about it."

„I don't want to talk about it!" The taller grasshopper snarled. „And you're not a quacksalver to know what I need."

„No, I don't know what you need. I can only guess what you might need." Molt said.

„You are an idiot." Hopper concluded.

„That's true. But I'm also your brother, and you're not going to hit me because of Ma."

Hopper frowned, but his hands were still clenched into fists. He was annoyed by his brother, and the mention of their mother only made him more upset. Still, somehow he couldn't swing his arm. With a great snort, he turned and went back to the brim of his hat.

„So... is that what you're so worried about?"

The older grasshopper gritted his teeth. He just won't stop, the fool! His eyes went back to the horizon… and then he reflected on the few months he had gone through. He'd met this wasp... Hopper had never opened up to anyone, except her.

They started talking about things that had been buried in Hopper's mind for years. He was strangely impressed by the female, and on second thought, perhaps it was the lack of her that pull him down the most now. But Hopper refused to believe that he missed her. He had lost his food supply on Ant Island, and that stupid wasp was trying to stop him from doing what he wanted to do to with that rebel. At the same time, she saved his life... for the umpteenth time. The bird situation was her last act, and she risked her own life to save him.

And she finally killed the bird.

Hopper remembered she was injured, but stayed tough. They glared and just stared at each other. The fear of death and anger was still working in Hopper at the time... and then he left without a word. He never thanked her, never spoke to her, never said anything to her. He wanted to feel that he had nothing to say to her because she had chosen the ants.

„I'm confused."

Molt looked up again. It was rare that he actually picked up on something about his brother, but this time he had the presence of mind to keep quiet. He sensed it was a sensitive subject.

„Why?"

Hopper remained silent again.

„Hop, I swear I won't tell anyone about this. I promise! It's a brother thing."

The taller grasshopper was still silent , and Molt was beginning to give up hope and was already moving to leave.

„Because of her." Hopper said quietly.

It had only just occurred to Molt that he didn't know what to ask. But he had to try.

„Aaah, so I guessed right. But... You've never been confused around other females. I think I'm right that you like her."

Hopper was getting nervous again, and turned to his brother in a rush. He didn't notice how unstable his behaviour was. He calmed down more easily, but he also got angry more easily. Their noses almost touched, and Molt winced at the familiar sound.

„Do you think you're right? Do you?! What makes you such an expert on partnerships?! What the hell do you know about females?!

Molt blinked for a moment, then raised one eyebrow.

„Why, what do you know about females?"

Hopper was so thrown off by the question that he stopped shouting. It was an amusing sight in its own way to see just a tiny sound filter out of his open mouth, and then he closed his mouth in confusion.

„Well... touché, I guess." he shrugged his shoulders.

The two grasshoppers just stood facing each other for an uncomfortably long time, both avoiding eye contact, and finally Hopper spoke with a tired roll of his eyes.

„Females like flowers, don't they?"

„Yyeaaah, well... I don't think it's quite that simple. You were with her, weren't you? I suppose you had a talk."

His brother became visibly irritated.

„Yes, and then she betrayed me."

„What do you mean?"

„You were there, you idiot! She took the side of the ants and then tried to get in my way!"

Molt squirmed uncomfortably as he recalled the moment in his head.

„She begged you to stop..."

„Begged, yes, but she must have known what was coming! She had just enough time to get used to the fact that I'm not in the habit of leaving unfinished business behind. And the begging didn't suit her anyway, she's a damn mercenary! She executed a finch, and now she's begging? Mercenaries don't beg, they do, what they have to do! She's just proving to me that she's as weak as the rest of them! If she'd been strong, she'd have left me at the nest, or better, killed me herself!"

The grasshopper gasped as he let out all his rage, and Molt listened with antennae down. It all explained things. Hopper was disappointed in the one he... liked, loved? Who knows.

„She killed the bird that was... tried to eat you?"

„Yes. And then she left behind unfinished business, because I'm still alive!"

„Hop, she saved your life! - Molt said a little louder. - I don't think she left you alive because she was weak. She just couldn't choose between the ants and... you."

Hopper snorted and turned around with his hands in the air.

„If you hate her so much, why are you so brooding because of her?" Molt asked.

„Because I didn't want it to be like this! Things turned out differently than I planned, and it's because of her!"

„Why? What did you plan? To get her into the gang?" Molt smiled a little at the idea, but his question was met with a mournful silence. „Oh my Bug, really?"

„She's incredibly strong, can fight, and she's got a natural weapon unlike the rest of us. She and Thumper would have made a good team."

„Really? You even want to take advantage of a girl you like?"

This question shook him inside for some reason, and he looked over his shoulder in bewilderment.

„What?"

„You're interested in her because you're looking for her benefits! Just like with the ants! I understood that situation, but she's not a slave!"

„Flees, I don't want to keep her as a slave! I wanted to give her a place, so she wouldn't be alone!"

„Why do you care so much what happens to her?!"

„Because I like her!" he shouted.

The two grasshoppers stared at each other in silence, startled. And after an embarrassingly long time, Hopper seemed to start looking for the source of the voice, because he was quite sure that he hadn't said it. But he had to admit that he couldn't be lying to himself.

„I mean… like any other gang member."

„Oh, please. You just said it!" Molt smiled. „You like her!"

Hopper felt a bitterness in his mouth, which slowly mingled with something sweet.

„I guess..."

Molt leaned against the wall, perplexed, and sighed before speaking.

„So... what now? Are you going to find her?"

„ I guess."

„You said that already."

„ I… guess…" Hopper's eyelids narrowed uncertainly as he heard himself and realised he was not on top of the situation. But Molt laughed very good-naturedly.

„Wow, that girl really got into your head."

„If you tell anyone, I swear...!"

„Easy, easy, my lips are sealed! Figure out what you want to do and we'll do it."

Hopper remained silent, his eyes unreadable. He felt a little gratitude, but it quickly faded. Instead, he just felt lighter now that he could release the tension to someone. He didn't care that Molt might talk to the others. If that happened, even a promise to their mother wouldn't protect him. And while his brother was right, Hopper would never admit it out loud.

„Sure."

Molt leaved without a word and flew downstairs with an indelible grin. It was probably the biggest success of his life, Hopper thought. The older grasshopper shook his head silently, then his eyes drifted to the food and water. His stomach immediately began to complain and Hopper looked down at it.

„Fine, roger that..."

This subplot is unrelated to my main story, I wrote it earlier just for fun. And sorry about my english, I'm really trying to learn, and this is one of the best ways.

[321spongebolt]

Kingdom Hearts: “A Bug’s Life” world idea (Ant Island)

In honor of the 20th anniversary of “Kingdom Hearts” coming in 2 months, let us now discuss my other world proposal for “Kingdom Hearts”, “A Bug’s Life”. This is another Disney Renaissance movie a lot of people forgot about, but I grew up with that movie. Following Chicken Little as a summon in “Kingdom Hearts 2”, the worlds of “Toy Story”, “Monsters Inc.”, and the Marvel Studios animated movie, “Big Hero 6” being featured worlds in “Kingdom Hearts 3”, and of course, the appearance of Wreck-it Ralph in “Kingdom Hearts 3” and “Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]”, “A Bug’s Life” can be another great Pixar film to use in a future “Kingdom Hearts” installment.

STORY ("ANT ISLAND")

FIRST VISIT

As day turns to night, once the circus closes, Sora arrives as an insect (I don’t know what bug form he should be to be honest) and bumps into Flik (Dave Foley). After introductions, Sora tags along with Flik to search for bigger bugs to fight Hopper and the grasshoppers, which was what the Ant Council allowed Flik to do. Flik tells Sora the details as they explore the city. When they make it to the bar where the Circus Bugs (Brad Garrett as Dim, Bonnie Hunt as Rosie, Jerome Ranft, filling in for his late brother, Joe Ranft as Heimlich, Jeff Bennett as Slim, Nick Jameson as Francis, Kath Soucie as Gypsy, Jim Cummings as Manny, and Ian McShane as Tuck and Roll) drown their sorrows after being fired by P.T. Flea (John Ratzenberger). The two flies show up with Thud, and the Circus Bugs perform their “Robin Hood” act. Sora later jumps in when Heartless appear, and fights them all while protecting the Circus Bugs.

When the Heartless have been defeated, Flik follows the can where it rolled to, and Flik is impressed by Sora’s act of heroism, and for protecting the Circus Bugs so they too could fight the Heartless. Flik immediately hires Sora as his first line of defense, and the Circus Bugs fly back to Ant Island with Flik riding on Dim’s back. The ants are afraid at first, but they slowly come out and cheer for Flik. Dot comes out to hug Flik, and Princess Atta (either Julia Louis-Dreyfus or Jodi Benson) sees Flik from far away, starting to worry that Flik shouldn’t have come back that fast.

The Queen (Tress MacNeille, filling in for the late great Phyllis Diller) welcomes Sora and the Circus Bugs to Ant Island, and the Circus Bugs sneak off while Flik gives a “thank you” speech to Princess Atta for making this all possible. Sora tries to talk to the Circus Bugs about why they’re leaving, and Francis explains that Flik lied to them about killing grasshoppers, which wasn’t what they said they would do. Francis does, however, still thank Sora for helping him with those flies. Later, as Princess Atta starts acting suspicious about Flik, who has wandered off to look for his new friends, the Circus Bugs put Flik down to where the Bird’s nest is, and runs away screaming “AAH! RUN!”.

Heimlich responds “Boy, he runs fast for a little guy.”, and the bird appears, screeching at the bugs. Tuck and Roll shout “Tweet-tweet! Tweet-tweet!” and the Circus Bugs run for dear life. However, Francis rescues Dot after letting go of the dandelion she was riding on, and Francis hurts his leg. Thankfully, the boss fight begins as Sora takes on the Bird by himself.

After defeating the Bird, Sora climbs on Dim’s back as Rosie uses her webs as a net to carry Francis and Dot. In response to his pain, after Dot touched his foot, Francis’ wings pop open while shouting “Aah! My leg!”, and accidentally cuts the webs with his wings closing. The next phase of the Bird boss has Sora shoot magic spells at the Bird (Similar to the Dark Baymax boss fight in “Kingdom Hearts 3″).

After completing phase two, Sora, Flik, Dot, and the Circus Bugs land on a few leaves from behind a thorny vine. The Bird tries to use its talons to perch on it, but the Bird screeches in pain and flies away. The ants cheer for the Circus Bugs, and they are taken to the emergency cave where Francis rests his foot. Dr. Flora (Edie McClurg) watches over him and Sora.

Princess Atta comes in to privately apologize to Sora for doubting him, and after rescuing her younger sister, he’s always welcome in Ant Island. Later, she has a private talk with Flik, who admits that she feels uncomfortable about her position when she’ll become the new queen. Flik responds that it’s like they’re waiting for her to screw things up. Upon hearing this, Princess Atta feels terrible for she treated Flik all those years. She tells him, “Flik, I owe you an apology.”. Flik replies “For what?”, and the princess continues, “For lying to you. I only sent you on that mission so you wouldn’t screw things up with Hopper. But after seeing you and friends out there, I was wrong about you. I haven’t really nice to you and... I’m sorry.”. When Atta mentions how even Hopper is afraid of birds, another idea hatches in Flik’s head, and runs off, but rushes back holding Atta’s hand saying “Thank you” and kissing her cheek, before running off again. Princess Atta feels better knowing Flik was able to forgive her.

Flik tells Sora and the Circus Bugs his new plan to build a fake bird to scare away the grasshoppers. This can be a fetch quest for Sora and Flik, who have to collect certain materials to build the bird. They also have to fight a few Heartless and Nobodies. After collecting what they need, Sora, Flik, and the Ants prepare to build the bird. As Atta gives the signal to hoist the bird into the tree, a giant heartless boss shows up, much to the horror of the ants. Sora assures them all they’ll take care of it, and this is where the boss battle comes in. Sora and Flik have to defeat the Heartless boss so the ants can successfully get the bird in the tree. If the heartless cuts the vine, the fake bird will fall and easily break apart.

Sora and Flik defeat the Heartless boss, and the fake bird is successfully inside the tree, with Tuck and Roll popping out of the beak shouting “YOU’RE FIRED!” and the ants cheering for both the bird and for Flik and Sora. Then Sora says goodbye to the bugs and leaves.

SECOND VISIT

The last leaf has fallen and the grasshoppers fly through the foggy weather to Ant Island. The ants run faster than usual with the food they collected, and Atta and the Queen start to panic. They see a shadowed figure that Sora calls a Heartless, and starts to wonder what Sora would do. Fortunately, they see it was just Sora and are both relieved. Sora wonders why everyone is so frantic, and Atta could step in saying “I feel like this is all my fault”. The Queen, however, tells her oldest daughter, “No, sweetheart, it’s not your fault. I was the one who banished Flik first. I was the one who approved of the bird in the first place, even though we shouldn’t be talking about it. I even let you lie to Flik about finding warriors. If anyone’s to blame for all this, it’s me.”. After hearing all this, Sora is understandably angry at them. And both Princess Atta and The Queen don’t blame Sora calling them out for their actions. However, the grasshoppers show up walking slowly. And Hopper (Andrew Stanton) appears, throwing the food from the Offering Stone at the ants in disgust for not collecting double the amount of food he was promised. After shouting “NOT ONE ANT SLEEPS UNTIL WE GET EVERY SCRAP OF FOOD ON THIS ISLAND!”, Sora could come out standing up to Hopper similarly to how Flik stood up to him earlier, when Dot was about to be fed to Thumper (growls by Frank Welker). Molt (Richard Kind) even tries to talk Sora out of yelling at Hopper at how he shouldn’t make him even more angrier.

Hopper orders Thumper to follow that keyblade wielder and squish him like Hopper will when he will squish the Queen later tonight. Dot overhears this, and bumps into Sora. Dot helps lead Sora out of Ant Island safely, but they bump into Thumper, who lets out a roar, scaring Dot away. Sora has a boss encounter with Thumper, and after he’s defeated, Thumper flies away roaring that he’ll be back for vengeance. Sora runs to the edge of Ant Island and looks around calling for Dot, thankfully, he sees Dot slowly float upwards with her wings now big enough to allow her to fly. Sora can learn the Glide ability here if you wanted to.

After flying through the sky, Sora and Dot see the Circus Bug wagon, with P.T. Flea at the top while singing to himself about how he’ll be the richest flea in the land. The Circus Bugs are lamenting inside the wagon itself, with Flik being the most upset for lying to the colony and getting banished for Francis accidentally letting the truth come out. He suddenly breaks out of his upset when he hears Sora and Dot’s voices catch his antennas. Sora and Dot tell Flik and the Circus Bugs Hopper’s plan, and the Circus Bugs remember the bird. Flik, however, denies that it’ll never work as he starts to blame himself for being the cause of every bad thing that happens whenever he does good things. Sora would tell Flik that he told Princess Atta and the Queen how he felt, and how Flik shouldn’t give up because he’s been banished, but it isn’t enough. Then Dot gets an idea to use the same metaphor Flik showed her earlier in the film, by telling Flik to pretend the rock is a seed. Flik soaks in what Dot asked, and he remembers exactly what he told Dot, which finally lightens up his mood. He hugs Dot and tells everyone that it’s time to unleash the bird. The Circus Bugs trick P.T. Flea, and Rosie webs him up.

At this point, we have a stealth mission where Sora and Flik must guide Dot and the Blueberry Scout Troops to the tree without being spotted. This way, they can launch the bird without the grasshoppers knowing, including Hopper. Then, we have a mini-game where the goal is to scare away a certain wave of enemies ranging from grasshoppers, heartless, and nobodies. Once they are defeated, P.T. Flea is knocked out of the wagon, and does the Flaming Death act on the bird, setting it ablaze. After crash-landing, Sora uses a either a blizzard or water-based ability (whichever you prefer) to douse the flames.

Hopper bellows whose idea was this, and Flik announces that the bird was his idea. Princess Atta, in shock, responds “Flik, you came back.”. In response, Flik says, “Of course I did, you’re highness. I wasn’t gonna let the grasshoppers torture you.”. The second boss encounter with Thumper commences, and it is much harder than the original fight. After defeating Thumper again, Hopper is angry at Sora for intervening. Sora tells Hopper he was gonna squish the Queen, and the ants gasp in horror. Dot tells her mother “It’s true!”, and Hopper says “I hate it when someone gives away the ending.”. Only instead of Flik, he instead punches Sora and calls him dirt, and then an ant. He tells the ants “Let these two be an example to ALL you ants! Ideas are dangerous things! You are mindless, soil-shoving losers, put on this Earth to serve us!”.

Flik, with his last breath tells Hopper he’s wrong, and that ants aren’t meant to serve grasshoppers. Flik gets back on his feet and says “I know what ants are like, Hopper. They’ve been mean to me. They refused to give my ideas a chance. And they lied to me as I have to them!”. While Atta and all the other ants that were mean to Flik earlier hear what Flik is saying, they drop their heads in shame, realizing that Flik isn’t wrong about how they treated him. However, this wasn’t a personal attack. Some of the ants, raise their heads up again when they hear Flik continue, “But deep down, I know there is some good in them.”. Then Sora helps out Flik with calling out Hopper for how he’s much worse, and how it’s really the grasshoppers who should be serving the ants.

Princess Atta steps in front of Flik boldly, and the other ants and Circus Bugs take one step forward. Then she echoes the same words Hopper told her earlier, “First rule of leadership, everything is your fault.”. Hopper is taken aback by this, and Princess Atta continues, “You see, Hopper, nature has a certain order. The ants pick the food, the ants keep the food, and the grasshoppers... leave!”. The Queen orders the ants to attack, and Molt jumps out of his skin, running away in fear.

Similar to the wave of heartless battle in “Kingdom Hearts 2”, Sora and Flik fight off the grasshoppers. Then, when they stuff Hopper into the cannon, it starts raining. The ants run into the anthill for shelter and protection, but a raindrop hits Dim, and Hopper rolls himself to where Dim will land, launching himself out of the cannon and snatching Flik in the process.

Sora and Princess Atta rescue Flik from his clutches and flies them to the Bird’s nest. After breaking free from the raindrop they were trapped in, the boss fight with Hopper begins. Sora and Flik fight Hopper as Atta watches with worry, and Sora was able to gain the upper hand and defeat him. Sora and Flik tricked Hopper by sending him to the real Bird, and the bird snatches Hopper, feeding him to the Bird’s three chicks who just hatched from their eggs.

The next day, all the ants are shown trying out Flik’s grain harvester invention, which indeed turned out to be useful for cutting down entire stalks. All the Circus Bugs and their newest member, Molt say goodbye to the ants and Sora, and The Queen takes off her crown, passing the torch to Princess Atta, who finally feels confident to accept her new position, with Dot ending up wearing Atta’s old tiara in turn. Shortly after, Flik comes back to present Sora a new keyblade he had just crafted as a little parting gift (You decide what Flik’s keyblade for Sora should be called). As for Heimlich, he just popped out of his cocoon, fulfilling his dream to be “a beautiful butterfly”, despite his wings being too small. The Circus Bugs say goodbye, and the Queen thanks Sora for all he’s done for the Colony. After Sora seals the keyhole for Ant Island, The Queen says goodbye to Sora, and Sora leaves, ending the world, “Ant Island”.

And that’s how I would have “A Bug’s Life” executed in “Kingdom Hearts”. If anyone wants to suggest revisions, feel free to leave a comment.

[slashingdisneypasta]

2/2 came to help her. Suddendly, all the colony and the grasshoppers came to help. When the final boss arrive (the termite general), reader has a epic fight with him and kill him by planting her needle in their fronthead like Link with Ganondorf in Zelda Wind Waker. The termites deafeted, reader collapse because of her injuries and exhaustion. She is at death's doors, the medics are trying everything to save her and the collony, Flik, Atta, Dot, the Queen, Hopper, Molt and the grasshoppers 2/3

Part 2

These are some really fun imagery. All Might, Link and Ganandorf, and I also imagined lil Tf2 Medic ant doctors XDD 

She is a hero. A herooooo! 

[hexusproductions]

Some Panic!-verse notes

Disclaimer: Some facts may be subject to change, additions will be added when they are no longer in brainstorming and are solidified in universe canon

Mutants are prevalent, as is the rising trade of manufactured super-humans. Alien symbiotes have also arrived on Earth but so far, very few seem to have bonded with the creatures (although this is likely due to bonded individuals keeping this a secret, rather than a lower number of achieved symbiosis)

Some basic notes on some of the villains:

The Spot - A scientist working at Alchemax laboratories, Jonathan Ohn was involved in a project that aimed to create portal technology, which was in fact funded and owned by Kingpin. An accident in the lab caused many of these portals to become attached and imbued to Ohn, giving him the ability to create and control them. Ohn isn’t much of a danger, and very much dislikes violence, but he can be easily coerced and as such has been involved in many schemes of other villains.

Hollow - A feline mutant, her ‘secret’ identity is the second personality of Eve Hallows, a skilled engineer with an interest in prosthetics. Despite appearances, Hollow is a low-level threat, causing more public panic than physical harm, with a few exceptions.

Hopper - Hopper enjoys causing trouble and public disturbances. A mutant with grasshopper-like legs, he has incredible jumping ability and can be formidable in close combat. He has regularly faced off against Panic!, but has been beaten almost every time. Although he prefers not to hurt people, and especially not kill anyone, Hopper can be easily persuaded with money.

Mysterio - A wannabe sorcerer who relies on his background as a special effects expert to make up for his own lack of true magical power, although he does wish to obtain the latter. Dramatic and prideful, Mysterio’s grandiose schemes can prove to be genuinely dangerous, especially if he’s teaming up with another villain or a group.

Hat Trick - Former sidekick of Mysterio, now branching out on his own for a larger chunk of the benefits. It’s uncertain whether Hat Trick’s magician-themed gimmicks are advanced technology or genuine magic. An enthusiastic distraction on-stage but much more gloomy off of it, Hat Trick’s ability to split into three clones of himself adds even more challenge to taking him on in a fight.

Green Goblin - Goblin’s true identity and motivations are unknown, but as far as the latter is concerned, it’s clear that he is selfish with a love of mayhem. Green Goblin’s plots have ranged from simple property destruction to attempts to overthrow powerful crime bosses. Arguably the villain who has come closest to actually killing Panic!, the two have fought regularly and Goblin has managed to escape almost every time. 

Scorpion - One of the manufactured super-humans. Bought into the anti-superhero propaganda and joined a program that gave him technological body enhancements to mimic his namesake.

[unholyhelbiglinked]

Shifted➣Halloween Mace

Written by: OooOooPartyGirl

[ALSO, TRIGGER WARNING]

It was storming.

    Of course it was. I bet mother nature was having a good laugh watching all the small kids run from door to door in the pouring rain unaffected by the weather if it meant getting even a small dose of the God sent thing we call candy. And of course here I am, a 31 year old woman settling in the nook of my window sill having just arrived at my house after a long day at work praying that the lack of light emitted from my house will drive the little buggers away from my door and in turn away from me. Call me bitter, but conversing with children? Not necessarily my forte.

    Whack

    I turned my head quickly to the bedroom door only to see a draft had caused it to close abruptly. I huffed a breath, annoyed at myself for being this overly scared on halloween and turned back to the window to continue my admittedly creepy, stalkerish observations of the community's behavior on this supposedly 'spooky' night. Although once my vision to the outside was completely restored, something caught my eye that had only become visible in the mere seconds it took me to look to the door and back. I wouldn't have thought much of it, it was just an owl after all, but the only owls I've ever seen have been brown with amber or yellow eyes. This owl, however, had vivid green eyes and was, red? But that wasn't even the weirdest part, the thing was staring right at me with those enticing eyes and its head was cocked slightly, as if it was observing my observation; Actually never mind that last part, it makes my brain hurt just thinking about it. After a weird staring contest that honestly could have lasted anywhere from 10 seconds to an hour, my body decided that my eyes were too dry and I needed to blink. But as I oddly enough expected, when I reopened my obnoxiously needy eyes, it was gone. I got up stiffly from my position on the window sill and made my way through the darkness downstairs deciding that a drink could do more good than bad at this point, before I headed back up to bed.

    The next few days were uneventful. I got up, got ready, went to my boring ass job as a barista at a local coffee shop, went home, went to sleep and started everything all over again. What can I say? Times are rough. After I broke up with that selfish Hannah bitch a year and a half ago, I was left with nothing. She took my house, my car, my job, even my dog for Christ sake. I've had to start all over. I packed up with the little money I had left, and headed off from LA to the great white north. Canada is really as great as they say it is, sure it gets a little chilly especially in Vancouver where I live now, but other than that, it's perfect. They have the best accents, the best coffee, the best Timbits? Whatever those are, and of course the beautiful thing called poutine. I got up from bed and got ready with low expectations for the day. Once I arrived at Colleen's Corner which is the coffee shop I work at, I made my way inside only to be greeted by my favourite co-worker, Aubree.

    "Hey Gracie, how've you been? It's been too long grasshopper, too long indeed." She mutered in what I assumed to be a completely failed Chinese accent as she bowed.

    "Aubree, I'm fine thanks for asking and incase you were unaware, I literally saw you yesterday, and are you ever going to give up the grasshopper thing? I've been working here for a over a year, you're hardly my master dragon anymore."

    "Excuse me!" She fake gasped and clutched her chest as if she was truly hurt by my words, "I could not foresee your betrayal, oh grasshopper how you hurt me so" She removed her hand from her heart and brought the back of it to her forehead dramatically.

   "Bree, really?" I bit lip trying hard not to laugh and encourage her juvenile behavior. "Just stop calling me grasshopper, it's simple really, no need to make a big deal over it."

    "Can I call you grassy?"

    "No."

    "Hopper?"

    "No."

    "Hoppy?"

    "Bree, I'm warning you. If you don't stop, I will have no choice but to make out with you right here, right now." I said calmly while crossing my arms, knowing the lesbian card always worked with her.

    "Eww. Get those lesbian hands away from me," She joked, "you know as well as I do I'm as straight as... As, a-, uh.. As.... A branch!" She nearly shouted proudly.

    "Really Bree? A branch? Branches aren't always straight you know, a better expression is pole, you're as straight as a pole."

    "Right, you heard branch? Turn your hearing aids up Hoppy, I definitely said pole."

    "I gave you fair warning Bree, remember that." I said with a smirk, inching my way towards her.

     "Wait! Gracie, Gracie bear, please," She raised her hands in defence and started backing away. "Think about what you're doing Grace, I'm too young to die!"

    "Well no one said anything about death Aubree, now come back here before I-" I was cut off by someone clearing their throat behind me, and judging by the largely decreased severity of Aubree's terrified expression, I knew exactly who it was.

    "Why good morning Grace, if you're done harassing poor Aubree here, I would like you to actually do your job." My boss said in her I-mean-business voice.

    "Aw come on Col," I tried, "let a girl have some fun will you?" I turned to face the infamous Colleen Ballinger, boss lady extraordinaire.

    "No! Uh, I mean, no, boss it's alright, me and Grace will, uh, do work things. Actually I think I heard someone call me to the kitchen so Grace can work the till and the tables today. Great, nice chat, bye!" Aubree bolted to the back room, not sparing a second for me or Colleen to compromise her escape plan.

    "You know what? I'm not even going to ask." Colleen said shaking her head with a breathy laugh. "Just do what she said and work the till for today Helbig, who knows, maybe you'll find a lucky lady and stop having to torture my employees huh?"

    "Yeah whatever boss, just go back to your office and pretend to work why dontcha." I winked and scurried off only half as fast as Aubree, trying to get away before Colleen could come up with a comeback.

    The rest of the day went pretty slow. I guess it takes a few days for everyone to run out of the caffeine and sugar they got on halloween and need to come here to get their fix. Colleen decided in retaliation for my 'rude' remark earlier, I had to close up shop for the night. Aubree had to leave along with all the other employee's for a variety of reasons and Colleen was long gone, perks of being the owner I guess. So I was left sadly all alone to clean up, count up and close up. I finished cleaning and counting the profit for today without much trouble, and headed to the back room to grab the keys to lock up. I grabbed the keys and was headed back to the front when I heard a loud crash, like glass breaking. With a rushed and sloppily thought through, thought process, I made the decision to check out what was happening, and if it was a robber like I thought, I would totally be able to chase them off (note the sarcasm). I ran to the front of the store and as expected there was a severe draft coming from the lack of a front window and a maybe 250 pound, muscular man dressed in all black climbing in through it. He was a little busy trying to break in to notice me, so I thought I would sign my death wish and call out to him.

    "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" I shouted, praying he wouldn't hear the shakiness in my voice. He looked up at me quickly, maybe slightly scared, until he saw a petrified tiny 130 pound girl, then he laughed.

    "Aw, baby you almost had me worried for a minute there" He said in a cliche gruff and scary voice, as he finished climbing through the window and started making his way towards the oh-so-mortified me, giving me a lustful once over.

    "Mister, I- I call-, I called t-the police." I stuttered out while walking backwards and unfortunately, right into a wall. "Y-you better leave. P-please, please l-leave." My voice shook so bad I was unsure if he could even understand me. He laughed again and I lowered my head trying not to show the embarrassing tears that conveyed just how terrified I really was.

    "Aw that's cute honey" His voice held malice and humor. "But unfortunately" he grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes to level his. "I don't believe you." I whimpered and he laughed again, his breath was alcohol ridden and nearly as harsh as his words. "How 'bout this beautiful" he pulled away slightly, so he could get a full face of horror when he spat his next statement. "If you make this easy for me, and show me where the money is," He paused, and leaned in to whisper the words in my ear with an evil smirk plastered on his face "I'll fuck you after I kill you." I whimpered louder this time and cried harder until there were no singular tears, just streams of moisture running from my eyes.

    "No! M-mister, please-!" I was cut off by rough lips on my own, immediately seeking entrance into my mouth which I would never willingly grant. He laughed once again when I struggled against him.

    "No? Fine then babe, I wanted to hear your screams anyways" He grinned wider and he looked down, watching his hand as it felt it's way to my upper thigh under my work uniform's skirt. He put the other calloused hand over my mouth to stop me from crying out and used his body weight to keep me pinned the wall. I thrashed around nonetheless and in a desperate effort to stop his advances, I bit his hand as hard as I could, until I felt the warm metallic taste of blood pool in my mouth, and as soon as he instinctively retracted his hand, I screamed as loud as I possibly could, trying to get the attention of anyone that could be near by. All too soon, his hand returned to my face forcefully and he breathed a laugh, his anger overcoming his lust, he raised his uninjured hand "You'll pay for that bitch!" I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact, but it never came. It was silent for a second and I was to afraid to move. Then there was a whimper. Wait, a whimper? It didn't come from me. My curiosity won over my fear and I opened my eyes. Can fear cause you to hallucinate? It must because what I saw was impossible. Directly in front of me, there was the man who tried to rob the place, with his hands grasping the furry red one wrapped around his neck. Yes I did say furry. There, in this little hole-in-the-wall cafe was a monkey? I don't remember getting hit in the head. The monkey growled and threw the now terrified thief back through the window he came from, landing with a sickly thump. I stared at the man for awhile, noticing the small and irregular movements from his bloodied chest. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon so I slowly turned to face the beast who saved my life. When my eyes met those of the animal however, it was an animal no longer. There, staring at me completely naked and slightly flustered, was a crimson haired goddess with green eyes that were all too familiar. Before either of us got the chance to speak, I noticed a wince as her head shape changed slightly.

   "Uh, hi there." she said looking nervous. I just stared. This beautiful woman was completely naked in front of me, just saved my life, and had just changed from a monkey to a human. "Um, I understand you have a lot of questions right now, but, um, could I get some clothes first please?"

   "Uh." Apparently my vocabulary has become that of a 4 year old in the presence of this woman. Great. She giggled hotly noticing she had no reason to be afraid and snapped to get my attention. "Um, uh, yea-, yeah sure, you can come to my place." My face turned as red as her hair when I realized what I said. "Oh! Wait, sorry I just meant-" I was cut off by another giggle and well manicured hands waving me off.

    "Don't worry about it princess, I get it, no clothes here right? It's okay, I am beyond appreciative for your kindness and hospitality, and I would be even more so if you took me to your home" She spoke so precisely and surely, it was as if she had memorized this encounters dialogue before it even happened.

     "Oh, uh yes, yes of course miss, you did just save my life after all. Can I ask you one question before we head out though?" I asked.

    "Well I believe that in itself was a question, wouldn't you agree?" I hesitated, working out in my brain if she was correct. "Don't think about it too hard princess," She laughed at her own joke "I'll be nice and grant you 2 further questions before we leave."

    "Oh, okay. Are you a shapeshifter?" Yes people, I watch tv, I know the only supernatural creature -unless there is a Pagan God I'm unaware of- that can change to a monkey, is a shapeshifter.

    "Yes" She shrugged, like this wasn't a massive revelation in my naive human life. "You've got one more question there gorgeous, make it a good one." I silently cursed the woman for her blush worthy terms of endearment.

    "Why a monkey?"

    "What?"

    "Why would you shift into a monkey?" She laughed again at that and shook her head.

    "Out of all the questions you could have asked, this is the one you choose?" She held a grin though her face grew curious.

    "Yes." Hey, if she was aloud one word answers so was I.

    "Alrighty then." She sighed and readjusted her position to cover more of her body; I guess the answer was more complicated than I assumed and she didn't want to have to explain it twice with me staring at her body this whole time. Smart. "First of all, I would like to point out the animal I shifted to was an ape, specifically a chimpanzee, not a monkey." I rolled my eyes in hopes that she'd let my common misconception slide and return to her explanation, which she thankfully did. "Anyways, the main reason I chose a chimp, is its similarities to humans. Something you probably don't understand about shifting, is that it hurts, like big time. When we shift, we actually experience the bones, muscle, and tissue moving and breaking and realigning. For instance when I turn into an owl, for example," This caught my attention particularly, I narrowed my eyes at her knowingly but she just smirked, cleared her throat, and carried on. "Owls are pretty hard on me, they share very little in physical appearance and structure, with humans. The hardest part of that transition is the hollowing of bones, I'm used to bones breaking by now, but having the marrow and God knows what else, sucked out of them? Stings like a bitch. So when in a pinch, I usually go chimp mode because not much changes, yet I come out more intimidating, shocking and a lot stronger."

    "Wow, okay so why were you at my house on halloween?" I asked surprisingly calmly. For some reason even though this whole situation scared the hell out of me, I felt I could trust this woman, and not only because she just saved my life.

    "Aw too bad princess," She pouted her bottom lip with mock sympathy. "you ran out of questions." She laughed at my rejected expression. "Come on beautiful, we have a home to get to and clothes to find." She spun on her heel and walked out the door causing the little bell to ring and bring me out of my slight daze, she turned around to meet my eyes again but came out unsuccessful as my eyes selfishly trailed over her unclothed body. "The name's Mamrie by the way and if you're done checking me out, I would really appreciate to get going." I blushed madly at her words and tried my very hardest to avert my eyes from her completely.

   "Uh, right. I'm Grace." I walked through the door past Mamrie towards my car ignoring the snickering coming from the only person behind me.

    "Grace." She tried. "I like it. Can I know your last name?"

    "Helbig." I answered, not really wanting a conversation about me, she was the shapeshifter after all.

    "Grace Hell-big? You realize how easy that is to make fun of right?"

     "No, no one's ever made fun of it before" The only nickname I ever got was grasshopper from Aubree, not even Hannah could come up with something the 2 years we were together.

    "Ou this should be fun." She took a second to stroke her fake beard. "I'm thinking... Smellbig, that's my favourite. It's your new nickname."

    "Whatever Mametown." I grinned at my own wit as we arrived at my car. "Just get in so we can go home."

 *                    *                     *                    *                    *                    *                    *    

    "Welcome to my humble abode." I said to Mamrie as she walked through the door to my house. I was careful not to touch her in any way in fear of touching something I might regret not regretting.

    "Humble indeed." Mamrie tried to cover with a cough, but gave her insult away with a telling grin

    "Oh? And what is that suppose to mean Mames?" I smiled faux sweetly.

    "Oh don't worry your pretty little head about it princess" She giggled while messing my hair, giving me a view I would not soon forget.

     "How 'bout we get you those clothes." I turned and rushed up the stairs trying to clear my mind of the too highly inappropriate thoughts to be having about a girl you've known less than a day. I assumed Mamrie had followed me to my room by the giggling that followed me all the way there. "Just pick whatever you want from inside the closet." I gestured to the wardrobe's door I had just opened for her.

    "I'm sorry to disappoint smellbig, but I'm already out of the closet" She laughed and entered the room not waiting for me to regain my composure she had ruined by her words. She is gay? Does that mean she likes me? I mean I get that just because she's a lesbian doesn't necessarily mean she is attracted to me, but I'm a wishful thinker. Sue me. Mamrie came out of my closet sporting an American flag onesie and a wicked grin.

    "What is it?" I questioned her newfound cheery attitude.

    "I found something." She giggled and I realized her hands were suspiciously behind her back. Oh shit.

    "And what would that be?" I questioned again unsuccessfully hiding my fear. She moved her hands in front of her to reveal red lingerie panties with the phrase 'all about the bass' written across the ass. I sighed in relief that she had not found items for more lonely nights, if you know what I mean.

    "Is that relief I see?" Mamrie asked with a smirk.

    "No." I answered shortly hoping she'd drop it.

    "I think it is, should I go back in and keep looking?" She started towards the door.

    "No!"

    "Come on let's have a look."

    "Mamrie, No."

    "Grace, yes." She mocked. I needed to think of something to stop her quick. I got up from the bed and yanked her arm around to face me. We both stood there for a moment registering my actions before I  grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into me, smashing her lips on to mine. I committed to the kiss, immediately enjoying the warm and soft texture her lips had. She took another second before tilting her head and smiling into my lips biting the lower one softly forcing me to try and suppress a moan. We both pulled away and smiled at one another for a second before Mamrie turned and headed towards the door to my room.

    "Where are you going?" I asked, wondering why she hadn't said anything about my oral assault. She didn't answer. She opened the door and headed down the stairs. "Mamrie?" She still didn't answer she just continued to the front door and opened it. "Mamrie! Please just-, just wait, please." She stopped and turned around; surprisingly her face held a huge grin.

    "Can I stay here the night?" She tilted her head in a questioning manner. She was really confusing me, I thought she was upset with me, now she wanted to stay the night? Though who was I kidding, there was no way I was going to deny her.

    "Sure?" I said as a question, hoping she would explain, but she did no such thing and shrugged already on her way back up to my room. After a moment of consideration, I decided to just go with it and see what she wanted to tell me. I opened my door to see Mamrie already in my bed laying on her back with her hands clasped behind her head. I groaned at the odd situation and changed into my pajamas before climbing in beside her and mirroring her position. "There is a spare room if you wanted that." She shook her head, her face still held a grin I couldn't understand. Finally she turned to face me.

    "You have 2 more questions princess." She turned back and stared at the ceiling. Though this whole 2 questions thing was new to me, I already had 2 questions in mind.

    "Why were you at my house on Halloween?"

    "Because I saw you running into your house when I was flying by, for reasons I may never understand, you peaked my interest. I found your observing behavior odd, but refreshing. I haven't met many people who have that type of introvertedness that they want to watch, but not to be seen." Wow, this woman has super powers, is beyond beautiful, confident, and is suddenly so insightful?

    "Oh, okay." I replied lamely, honestly I was too busy thinking if my next question was the one I really needed to ask right now.

    "Go on princess." She encouraged. I took a deep breath.

    "I guess this might be considered 2 questions but, if you liked the kiss," I studied her reaction, but she had none. "Would you, uh-, do it again?" I looked away in an attempt to save myself from her possible negative answer, but it didn't last long as Mamrie grabbed my chin and stared into my eyes with a still unreadable expression. She leaned in slowly and tilted her head, her lips meeting mine much softer and gentler than the last time. When she pulled away she wore her infamous grin.

    "Did that answer your question?"

*                                     *                                     *                                   *                                  *

      When I woke up in bed the next morning, I was almost confused why there was no one next to me, but then I remembered the inexplicably realistic dream I had last night and understood. I got ready like any other day and headed off to Colleen's Corner. I met Aubree at the door and hugged her.

    "Aw Grace! It's been too long gra-, uh, girl." She greeted with an award winning smile.

    "Bree knock it off, don't make greeting me like this a habit." I walked with Aubree to the back and grabbed my apron.

    "Yeah, yeah whatever. Hey sorry about ditching you yesterday, had to pick up a drunk little gay man."

    "Tyler?" I knew the answer but thought I would ask regardless.

    "Tyler." She confirmed. "Also you're bussing today so enjoy." She winked and walked back to the kitchen to probably do nothing but flirt with the chef, Chester. I grabbed my cloth and cleaner and headed out to the front to start a long day of cleaning. I made it to the front of the store to clean the windows, when I noticed that the main front window was spotless. No one had cleaned the windows in weeks and I'm pretty sure I saw a maple syrup stain on it just yesterday. I was so focused on the window, that I nearly failed to note the unforgettable green eyes of the red owl that landed on a light post outside. It took me nearly a full minute to understand what was happening, and when I did, the owl was already taking off. I watched it lift smoothly from the post with wide eyes and as it flew by. And just before it was completely out of sight, I could almost swear the damn thing winked at me.

[sarahjanedesignresearch]

Realising I hadn’t looked too much into Marxism I decided to do some research into that and found an academic article (reference at the bottom of the post) called ‘It's the Time of Your Life: Marxism in Animated Films’ which is from the journal, ‘Rethinking Marxism’. 

I’m interested in Disney and Pixar (I just finished reading Levy Lawrence’s book: To Pixar and Beyond and found it very fascinating), so I was searching for articles that might relate to Pixar and also one of the ideologies we’d learnt about in the lectures and I came across this gem. 

The article talks about social class among the different insects in the film. 

At the start of the film the ants are collecting food for “the offering” for the grasshoppers. It’s very clear that all the ants fear the grasshoppers and they are anxious to meet their quota. The ants are like people who go to work without questioning the process they are a part of because they just assume that that’s the way their life works. The ants create a surplus and the grasshoppers take it from them without giving them anything in return. They can do this simply because they are higher up in the food chain. 

The film also suggests the low level worker ants can not think for themselves. A leaf falls into the path the ants using to get the food to the offering and none of them can figure out how to walk around it without someone higher up helping them. The workers are not pushed to problem solve on their own. 

In the scene shown in the photograph above, the lead grasshopper (named Hopper) can be seen alienating Princess Atta and embarrassing her in front of all her worker ants. Hopper suggests that he is compassionate which is kind of ironic because he most definitely isn't. He insists the ants continue working for him (for free) and sacrifice the time that the ants would usually use to get food for themselves before the rainy season. This is a parallel to bosses in real, human life, who claim to be compassionate towards their employees but do nothing to prove it. 

In another scene the grasshoppers are seen relaxing and it is revealed that actually the grasshoppers have more than enough food to survive the rainy season and the reason that they are going back is because Flik stood up to Hopper. So really they’re not doing it because its necessary but to prove a point just because they can. I can think of an example from my real work life where this happened. My 4 friends and I bought flights to Samoa when a sale was on and then requested time off for it 3 months in advance. One of my bosses found out that we’d booked flights before being granted leave so she made sure we wouldn’t be allowed to go even though all of us had people lined up to cover our shifts. We ended up having to split into two groups and pay extra to have our flights changed and drop our trip from two weeks down to one. All of that because the boss wanted to make an example of us and exert her dominance.  Anyway back to A Bug’s Life, Hopper shows that he is afraid of worker solidarity by claiming that their way of life will be shattered if the ants figure out that they outnumber the grasshoppers 100 to 1. 

At the end of the film Flik delivers a powerful speech: “And year after year, they [ants] somehow manage to pick food for themselves and you. So . . . so . . . who is the weaker species? Ants don’t serve grasshoppers. It’s you who need us. We’re a lot stronger than you say we are. And you know it, don’t you?’’ This encourages the other ants to stand up to Hopper, which ultimately leads to success for the ants, and death for Hopper.  

This next bit comes directly from the article: “This final scene contains myriad instructive examples of Marxian and/or progressive concepts, such as class rebellion, decent working conditions, solidarity, increases in productivity due to workplace diversity, collective action, worker ingenuity, and a cooperative work environment.” 

Reference: 

Catherine P. Mulder (2013) It's the Time of Your Life: Marxism in Animated Films, Rethinking Marxism, 25:2, 284-292

[blackpjensen]

2017 Product Roundup: Snow And Ice Management

Arctic Snow and Ice Products The Raptor The Raptor pusher features a thick rubber edging with reversible use and a spring-loaded steel trip edge. The interchangeable slip-hitch is designed to keep all the machine’s tires on the ground, the company says. The pusher also features removable side panels.

ASV Holdings Inc. Posi-Track RT-120 The large-frame, radial-lift Posi- Track RT-120 includes serviceability, efficient hydraulics and high-capacity cooling systems. These features allow use of the largest attachments for longer without bogging down or overheating, according to the company. ASV’s patented Posi-Track undercarriage provides versatility on all surfaces.

Big Blade The Big Blade This snow removal tool is made of sturdy plastic and can move snow and ice easily from any surface type, the company says. The Big Blade clears snow similar to a shovel but without bending when lifting heavy, wet snow. The commercial model is 40 by 48 inches.

BOSS Snowplow QuickCube The new QuickCube is a unique skid-steer-based salting system, according to the company. It utilizes weatherproof, poly cubes (hoppers) that can be filled with solid deicing materials and staged at jobsites in advance. A fork-shaped spreader assembly is attached to the skid-steer with a universal attachment system to pick up the filled cubes, move them and spread salt.

Eastern Farm Machinery Snowline MINI60 The Snowline MINI60 walk-behind spreader holds up to 2 cubic feet of wet sand, sand/salt or ice melter. Spreading width is 24 inches. With its changeable cams and adjustable flow control, accurate and even application rates are ensured and product waste is minimized, the company says.

Grasshopper Winter Cab The fully enclosed, full-view, metal winter cab protects the operator from harsh winter elements, according to the company. Fits 700 and 900 Series FrontMount mowers equipped with joystick-controlled DriftBuster Snowthrowers, Little Bully Dozer Blades, CleanSweep Rotary Brooms or a 60-inch V-plow. Electric windshield wiper and LED lights are standard. Options include a 16,000-Btu heater, lower panels for manual-lift implements or a yellow beacon strobe light.

Hiniker SS600 and SS1000 The new Hiniker SS600 and SS1000 stainless steel tailgate spreaders feature an in-cab variable- speed controller with blast control. The bubble auger design means the flow stops when the auger stops. Stainless steel hoppers are available in 6 and 10 cubic foot capacities. A swing-away hitch for the unit is optional.

KIOTI Tractor SB4096 KIOTI’s new rear-mount snow blower, the SB4096, offers extreme blowing power with its 200-degree hydraulic chute rotation, the company says. The heavy-duty 96-inch snow blower’s fan has a depth of 9 inches and a diameter of 33 inches. The dual-row SB4096 weighs in at 1,420 pounds and operates through a high tractor PTO range of 80 to 150 horsepower and PTO speed of 540 or 1,000 rpm.

Loftness Snow Blower The new Hiniker SS600 and SS1000 stainless steel tailgate spreaders feature an in-cab variable- speed controller with blast control. The bubble auger design means the flow stops when the auger stops. Stainless steel hoppers are available in 6 and 10 cubic foot capacities. A swing-away hitch for the unit is optional.

SnowEx V-Maxx G2 The new V-Maxx G2 hopper spreaders from SnowEx include eight different V-box models ranging in capacity from 1.5 to 6 cubic yards. The digital, self-diagnosing unit is electric powered and features a direct-drive auger transmission. The spread width is variable up to 40 feet.

Toro GrandStand MULTIFORCE Toro’s new GrandStand MULTI FORCE featuring a BOSS snow plow attachment allows operators to switch between a mowing deck and a snowplow with a simple change of attachments. It’s equipped with a movable caster assembly that shortens the frame, helping with maneuverability. Attachments connect to a power arm that can lift over 18 inches.

    Have a new product? Send a 75-to-100 word description and a high-resolution color photo to us at dpesta@grandviewmedia.com with the subject line “New Products.”

The post 2017 Product Roundup: Snow And Ice Management appeared first on Turf.

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LocusBots can now ‘talk’ to each other and collaborate in warehouses

Locus Robotics today unveiled a navigational machine that makes it feasible for their LocusBots to work greater efficiently together, and along human beings in crowded, bustling warehouses. The LRAN machine, which stands for Locus Robotics Superior Navigation, debuted at the industry alternate show ProMat in Chicago.

Locus Robotics formed after Amazon obtained Kiva Structures like its competition Fetch Robotics and 6 River Systems.

The organization’s founders, Bruce Welty and Mike Johnson, have been running 1/3-birthday celebration success facilities for on-line shops powered by way of Kiva’s robots, amongst different technology. However whilst Amazon stopped promoting Kiva’s robots, and made them proprietary, they observed themselves in need of tools to help buddies get finished speedily the job of choosing and packing orders.

Usually, LocusBots can move autonomously thru warehouses and discover a role near a shelf wherein an item requires choosing by an accomplice. As soon as loaded with the aid of a person, the robots deliver gadgets from the aisles to packers who put them into containers and send them out the door.

The old navigation tech for the LocusBot worked something like Google Maps with a layer of project-planning and laptop vision on the pinnacle of it, explained the enterprise’s Leader of Operations Mike Johnson. In different phrases, the robots had a pre-established map they’d depend upon for some of their routings, and they’d reply to data coming thru cameras and different onboard sensors regionally.

Now, the LocusBots with the upgraded LRAN device can talk with each other about the various structures,

Boundaries, people and occasions they examine. This facts fusion permits every robot to have a more comprehensive information of what’s taking place in the surroundings in which they work. It additionally lets in the robots to be greater reactive, heading off bumping into human beings or each other a good deal the way that people keep away from each different in crowded streets or hallways.

The new navigation tech additionally permits the LocusBots to accumulate, like a brood of infant birds asking to be fed and to patiently wait until they get their worms. This will help boom productiveness of human workers.

Biology-Insects-Locusts

Locusts are a group of grasshoppers which periodically shape dense swarms and purpose considerable damage to crops. Locusts live in warm international locations along with Africa and India. The locust develops by way of a technique called incomplete metamorphosis, i.E. there’s no larval or pupal stage. The eggs hatch into nymphs which resemble the adult insect but they haven’t any wings. Which will grow, the nymphs ought to shed their ‘skins’ (cuticles) and amplify their our bodies before the new cuticle hardens. At each molt, the wings grow a touch large until the final molt well-known shows the completely shaped winged grown up which could fly to a new region.

All through mating, the male locust mounts the lower back of the girl and passes sperms into her reproductive tract. The sperms are stored in a sperm sac within the woman’s abdomen and, because the eggs pass down the oviduct Throughout laying, the sperms are released and so fertilize the eggs. The person lady lays her eggs in warm, moist, sandy soils and the eggs hatch into nymphs which at this stage are known as ‘hoppers’. The hoppers move slowly or hop along the ground feeding on natural flowers through biting off portions with their jaws.

When the populace is low, the locusts do little harm,

Consuming the natural vegetation. If the shoppers turn out to be crowded, they begin grouping into in massive bands of several loads or heaps. The bands circulate forward at about a kilometer a day, consuming all the flowers in their path. Whilst the nymphs in these bands become winged adults they shape dense swarms of flying locusts that may travel thousands of miles. In the event that they land on crops, they can smash them through consuming all of the leaves. The species of locust which reasons the maximum devastation is the barren region locust. Other species, consisting of the pink locust and the migratory locust can be largely saved under manage.

Tries to govern the barren region locust rely on regular vigilance to see While and where the shoppers are beginning to combination into bands. With accurate communications, insecticides can be sent to affected areas and used on the hoppers or swarms. Aerial spraying is often used. Some of these pesticides are toxic to human beings and so notable care need to be taken off their use. New, safer insecticides are continuously being developed.

She Said/She Said: The Real Way Women Communicate With Each Other

All of us realize that there’s a wonderful distinction between the way women and men talk in the commercial enterprise. But what approximately girl to girl verbal exchange? Who talks about the way ladies address every different in their communications? It is not all that quite and right like some might have you trust.

I’m continually astounded when I read a sense precise article that talks approximately girls managing other ladies.

You already know all approximately the mysterious ladies who’ve by no means had a hassle, exchanged ago word or damaged a courting. Wherein do those girls stay? In Los Angeles La Land.

I’ve worked nearly exclusively with girls for 10 years and have encountered almost every manageable conduct both correct and terrible. I’m bombarded with calls and emails every day that runs the gamut. The repeating links that stand out are the shortage of professionalism, guide, and empathy that is evoked from women.

The easy truth is that women’s managing different girls are a very complex connection

Many elements have an impact on our verbal exchange style some of which have been inbred from while we had been small children. We can’t trade those impacts now But we will pattern ourselves to think earlier than we communicate and paintings within the limitations of shared reports.

Think of your verbal exchange in phrases of the jobs you play in your relationships: businesswoman, confidant, spouse, mother, pal, sister, boss, accomplice, colleague and so forth. every person requires an extraordinary personality and extraordinary fashion of communication. Be organized to assist that component to your communique style. Speaking gives you greater methods to legitimize your verbal exchange context. In case you are verbally communicating face to face, body language, inflection, eye touch and (most crucial) overall look can sway the recipient before you even open your mouth.

How to Collaborate Virtually With Your Team

In some organizations, all the personnel doesn’t work from the identical place of work. They’ll work from a special kingdom or united states for the employer. There’s a huge gain of being spread out. The growth of crew is not limited with the aid of the price of office area and nearby demanding situations like a storm this also manner that we want to be very deliberate approximately how we work, as we are counting on virtual collaboration.

Nowadays, increasingly more places of work are bringing collectively gifted

People inflexible and virtual work environments. In case you are a part of it or need to try it, here are four techniques for digital collaboration:

Video-Conferencing: Video-conferencing is a fantastic teleconferencing partner, and has created a custom iPad app for our meeting rooms that permits staffers to speedy dial in. We had surveyed periodically to recognize pain points for humans inside and outside the workplace. Although it is a piece in development and there may be constantly room for development, but the structural guide is one of the maximum important factors in pulling off reliable virtual collaboration.

Evaluate your Tool: Excellent communication constantly begins with terrifi gear.

Like many other virtual teams, we use GitHub to collaborate on code, Dropbox to save all property we use, and Google Medical doctors for notes on organization thinking and works in progress. Any other essential Device is a superb headset. At some stage in video meetings, this Device makes an high-quality difference in call first-rate and forestalls annoying echoes.

You must have factors of a normal office: What are the little office things that a virtual team misses out on? here we’re thinking about the way to institute digital replacements. For instance: we use chat for 1:1 conversations, and Flowdock for group chatter. This enables to facilitate transparency in our conversations and achieve that serendipity that happens within the workplace whilst you overhear teammates speaking about a task and you have something to offer.

A room for everyone: massive skills can come from everywhere.

But we’ve one rule for remote crew participants and it is they ought to have get right of entry to to a one room of their personal with a door. If personnel have this in their home and prefer to paintings there, it’s True. However in the event that they do not, then we have to help them to find a convenient co-running space to use. it’s miles important due to the fact the capability to control your environment and get heads down is very important for development paintings. additionally, it enables team members to join virtual conferences with out distraction.

So, these were the 4 suggestions that you may use for virtual collaboration. Are you the usage of those hints? Do you’ve got any other tip in your thoughts? Percentage with us in the comment phase.

[bluemoonbeam15]

What If...

What if Pixar had added more bloopers into the end credits?

<><><><><><><><>

"It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, Princess," Hopper guided her to sit on the rock, resting a foot against it. "Now--" a few whistles interrupt him.

Axel nudges the grasshopper beside him, "Ooh," he grins, "Boss layin' it down!"

Hopper pinched the bridge of his nose, "Of all idiots," he mutters. "Can we get through this scene, please?"

"Cut!"

They get back in their original places. "Take two!"

Hopper leans down and guides Atta to sit again, "It's a bug-eat-bug-world out there, Princess--" snickers from the crowd distracts him. He deadpanned at the camera.

"Cut!" John scans over the colony, "Okay, ladies, let's keep this professional here, alright? Gang, don't encourage them."

Axel snickers, "Aw c'mon," he calls out to Hopper, "Show 'em your good side, Boss!"

"Oh my word," Hopper sighs and straightens, face flushing.

Atta holds back her laughter, "Maybe try not doing the foot thing," she suggests.

Hopper mocks her quietly, "'try not doing the foot thing'" He gets back into position.

"Take three!"

"It's a bug-eat-bug-world out there..." he stood awkwardly for a moment, debating on how to approach her differently. Eventually, he puts his hands on his hips and just stares down at her, "Princess-- no, this doesn't feel right."

"Cut!"

Atta can't help but burst out laughing, "Nevermind, just go back to the other way."

Axel snickers and calls out again, "That's how she likes it, Boss!"

"I'm gonna quit," Hopper shakes his head.

_______________________

While all the grasshoppers are in the anthill, Molt kickstarts his wings to shoot through the hole. Unfortunately, he bonks his head against the ceiling and drops to the ground, "Ow!"

"Cut! Molt, make sure you're standing beneath the hole first."

He stood up, holding his head, "Yeah, got it."

"Take two!"

Hopper stared the ants down, "You ants have a nice summer. Let's ride!" He crouched down and shot through the hole. Molt laughed and shut up as well, hitting the ceiling again and landing on his back.

"Dang it! Okay, okay! I can get it right this time, I swear!" Molt staggered onto his feet.

His brother peeked back down in the hole, "When I fly off, that's when you move under the hole, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Molt waved him off.

"Take three!"

"--Let's ride!"

Molt bit his lip a bit, waiting until Hopper vanished before side-stepping and starting his wings. As soon as he pushed off the ground, his foot slipped and he fell face-first on the ground.

Hopper peeked his head through the hole again, deadpanned, "Does he have to be in this movie?" he looked at the directors.

John pinched the bridge of his nose, "He's for comedic relief. Okay, let's just go with the first take and switch it up a bit."

"But I hit my head on that one!"

"It'll be fine, the audience will get a kick out of it."

Hopper sneered down at his brother, "So will the rest of us." Molt huffed.

________________

Flik watched the Circus Bugs convey to him that they were not, in fact, warriors. He gasped and flung the makeshift megaphone to the side, "Your Highness! The warriors have--Ah!" In his effort to crawl over the blade of grass, he slipped on the dewdrop.

"Flik!" Atta kneeled down beside him, "Oh my gosh are you okay?"

He laughed awkwardly, feet hanging over the blade, "Yeah, I'm good."

"Cut!" John rushed over, "You alright, kid?"

"No, no, no, I'm fine." Flik stood back up quickly and brushed himself off. "Can we clear this off before I do that scene?" he pointed a thumb to the dew and petals on the ground.

Francis was doubled over laughing, "No, no, keep it there! I wanna see that again!"

Flik crossed his arms, "Is my pain hilarious to you now?"

The ladybug pointed out one of the cameramen, "Send me that take, I gotta keep that!"

_________________

"I said, even Hopper's afraid of birds," Atta repeated.

Flik blinked before chastely kissing her on the cheek and zooming off, "Thank you!" He rushed to the infirmary and nearly made it to the leaf entrance, "Hopper's--" he fell through the leaves and face-planted the ground.

"Cut!"

Gypsy rushed to help him up, "Oh, sweetie, it's just not your day is it?" She glared at the others who were laughing -- or at the very least trying to contain their laughter.

The ant held up a hand, not moving from where he'd fallen, "Just...give me a moment," he mumbled through the dirt.

_______________

Hopper's eyes hardened at the three grasshopper's, "Well, how 'bout this?" He quickly reached over him to pull the tip of the dispenser off, grunting when it didn't budge. "What the?" He kept trying to pry it open but nothing happened. "What did you guys do to this thing?"

"Cut!" John set the megaphone down and inspected the container, "Alright," he turned to the gang, "Which one of you clowns glued the lid shut?"

Tuck and Roll slowly stepped away from outside the shot, hiding the glue bottle behind their backs.

______________

"You little termites!" The colony turned as Hopper rose into the air with the offering lifted above him. He opened his mouth for the next line but a few whistles and cat-calling stopped him.

One of his gang members shouted teasingly from the side, "You lift bro?"

Hopper pursed his lips and set the offering back down, "Okay, I'm not doing this scene."

"Cut! Hopper, it's in the script," John called.

"Then change the script!"

"Just get through the take, I promise it'll be the last time," John pleaded. He called out to the colony and gang, "And no distractions, ladies! Let's keep it professional here!"

_____________

Hopper wrapped his hands around Flik's neck, "I'll be back next season with more grasshoppers...but you won't."

The ant pretended to struggle a moment before clawing at Hopper's hands desperately, "Hop! Wa--" he coughed and Hopper quickly released him.

"Oh my gosh, was I actually choking you?" He watched Flik struggle for air as he doubled over.

Flik waved it off, "It's fine...just...can't breathe," he gasped out.

"Cut! Okay, let's work on that strength there, Hopper."

Hopper patted Flik on the back, looking a bit sheepish toward the crew, "I'm sorry! Can we change that scene or anything? Maybe I'll just pin him down or something?"

John looked over the script, "I don't know...the writers were pretty keen on choking. Just work on your technique, we went over this yesterday during choreography. The best way to not accidentally choke someone is..."

Hopper gave him a confused look, "To not...try and choke them--"

"No."

"Well, I don't know what you want me to say!" Hopper threw his hands up in defeat.

Flik straightened as he took in a deep breath, "Okay, I'm good now. Everything's great."

"Ready to try another take?" John called.

Flik hesitated, "Just give me a moment," he laughed breathlessly, "I almost died. Gotta process that," he smiled at Hopper.

"I'm sorry!" Hopper flared his arms out, "Your neck is like a toothpick. How can I not accidentally choke you?"

"We practiced it yesterday, Hopper!" John reminded him.

Hopper rounded on the director, "How about I practice it on you?"

"Okay!" Atta decided to step in now, "Why don't we all take five?"

[kriimhild]

Little talk

A gentle melody filtered out from the top of the straw hat.

Hopper's antenna twitched as he heard it. With a wild flap of his wings, he darted in the direction of the familiar sound, then was surprised at the sight before him, but remained calm. Pin perched on the brim of the hat, with a tiny grasshopper and wasp in her lap.

Hopper did not smile immediately, but approached the female with cautious steps.

"It's a moon crescent. You don't usually go out at this nights." he said quietly, so as not to wake the children.

Pin looked over her shoulder with a bitter smile, pleased that the grasshopper had sat down beside her.

"I know, but I had to grant children's wishes."

"What did you have to?"

"To sing in the moonlight" said Pin with a quiet giggle. She was obviously shaken, but she complied with the children's request.

Hopper frowned during he looked at the shiney sickle. Pin followed his gaze to the moon, then she sighed.

"I'll have to work through the traumas one day... Maybe I can do it with them and with you. I hate myself for being so weak."

"We've all lost people we cared about. Even me. But you have to move on from them."

"Yes, I know." Pin said. "But not just me. You too."

Hopper turned back to his lover with mild resentment, who is waiting patiently for the grasshopper to understand what she meant. But Hopper only grew more irritated.

"What are you talking about?"

Pin tried to look at him with an understanding look...then she gently touched the scar across his right eye.

Hopper shook her hand off with a soft snort.

"I processed that a long time ago."

"What about the bird phobia?"

"I'm an insect, I'm instinctively afraid of birds. And I have good reason to be afraid." Hopper's fear trembled in his voice. "I've seen the inside of a bird's throat already..."

The grasshopper visibly shivered and clenched his teeth. Pin did likewise, regretting bringing up the subject. She gently put her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. You know I don't like it." The grasshopper said firmly, then looked down at the children as a way of changing the subject. "Shall I take them inside?"

"That would be nice."

The wasp handed the children to their father, but she hadn't started yet. She was still standing outside.

"Pin?"

"Hm?"

Hopper turned back with the two children in his arms, but stood silently for a while.

"Don't stay outside too long. It's dangerous."

"Yes, boss." She smiled.

When Hopper went into the hat with the children, Pin took one last look at the moon crescent.

"I hope there comes a night when I can look at you without thinking of mass murders..."

[bluemoonbeam15]

What If: Part 2

@whenthedeeppurplefalls was interested in a continuation of my previous post, "What if the offering had never fallen when Flik threw down the Harvester?"

I also wanna try getting Hopper back into character. After writing him either during or after his character development, I lost sight that his personality then is not how it is BEFORE the events of the movie. As such, I'll also be adding in his internal dialogue in this part. I exempted it on the first one for a reason.

<><><><><><><>

Once again, his fantasies did not manifest themselves into reality. The obedient workers who followed his orders were actually stubborn back-talkers who refused to let someone like Flik tell them anything. The inventor watched day-by-day...the offering barely grew. The production certainly didn't move this slow with Queen Phyllis in charge. But she handed the responsibility to Flik, as per Hopper's executive order.

Flik barely noticed that gradual change in the weather, or the way the leaves were darkening. The only way he could tell the deadline was drawing near was his growing anxiety. He spotted Atta standing underneath the offering stone, expression cold as she regarded the inventor hurrying toward her. "Princess Atta, please, I think things would run smoother if you could tell the colony--"

"Apparently, I'm not in charge of this little operation of yours. You heard Hopper," she narrowed her eyes, "he wants you to handle the harvesting, remember?"

He pulled at his fingers, "I-I know. But..."

She pursed her lips as he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence. "Isn't easy, is it? This is why we do things traditionally, Flik. We don't have time for a change. We don't have time to learn how to use your inventions. There's food that has to be picked, ants that have to be fed. That's not even considering all the other responsibilities around the colony." She walked past him, "But go ahead and try. No one's stopping you this time."

Flik looked up at the pile of food. It was pitiful, even through the eyes of an optimist. A part of him believed they were simply doing this out of spite. That if they proved Flik to be unessential to Hopper, then the grasshopper would have him disposed of. "Why am I the only one who can't help?" He let his arms go limp in defeat. "Why did Hopper even put me in charge in the first place?"

Contrary to his surroundings, every noise was muffled as the shell was blown in alarm. Flik blinked down at the ground, terribly afraid that the noise wasn't coming from his imagination. He turned to the sky, seeing the dark forms coming toward them. The colony hustled, not in as much panic as last season. Flik found anger rising in him at the sight. Their security only rested in his demise. Princess Atta directed any last offering pieces to the pile before ordering everyone back in the anthill.

Flik, simply out of fear and spite, didn't budge from his spot. Even as Atta met his gaze, he stared back firmly. She waited for a second longer before disappearing. If this was how things were going to be now, he'd just as soon distance himself from the hatred as much as possible. At least in the open, the only thing he had to fear was Hopper's hatred. He would take that over the colony.

As the roaring of wings grew louder, so did Flik's heart rate. Perhaps he should have gone back into the anthill. Too late now. Hopper already landed a few feet before him. Flik was sure the state of the offering had been seen by the leader. Hopper took a few steps toward him, making Flik back up, "I-I know it looks bad b-but...the colony...well...n-no one--"

"First rule of leadership, kid: everything is your fault," Hopper was nose-to-nose now as he bared his teeth.

Those words hit something a little deeper in him. "P-Please, just...j-just one more chance, I swear! I-I'll have twi--no! Three times as much food next season!"

Hopper pointed a finger toward the offering above them, "I don't give second chances loosely, kid. That up there is worse than it was before. Why should I think you can do better?"

This had been his one chance to finally make a difference for the colony. And once again he found himself the root cause of all their problems. Claws dug into his jaw as Hopper forced his mind back to their conversation, "I expect an answer when I ask you a question. Now, give me one good reason why I shouldn't use you as a bad example to your colony?"

Flik's gut twisted painfully when he couldn't think of anything. There was no answer to that question. There weren't any reasons. He couldn't defend himself from this mistake. "B-Because...," the looks of his fellow ants flashed in his mind. Their glares, sneers, critiques, ridicule...everything that drove him to this point of desperation. This moment where he was desperate for any sign of appreciation, even from someone like Hopper. "I have to prove them wrong," he swallowed the pain in his throat. "I-If I can just do this one thing right...then they'll finally listen to me. Th-They won't look at me a-and push me away. I'll...," he dropped his gaze, "I'll finally feel like a part of the colony."

Under any other circumstance, the little sob story would have done little to assuage Hopper. But he had something else in mind for this young prodigy. "You wanna be a part of something, kid? Here's a word of advice: make yourself a part of it. Stop waiting for everyone else to give you a chance and start making your own chances. And for this offering? Put your foot down. I didn't put you in charge to be walked all over. I put you in charge to get things done. If they don't wanna comply, then you make them.

"Leaders don't have friends, kid. We have followers. So don't get your pathetic feelings hurt when no one wants to listen to you. Force them to work. Force them to comply."

The ant strangled over his words, "B-But I can't do that--"

"Then I obviously made a mistake keeping you around," Hopper growled. He dug his claws deeper into Flik's chin, "Are you afraid right now?" The ant's eyes winced from the pain as he nodded the best he could. "Exactly. So what are you gonna do?"

"D-Do...better?"

Hopper released the kid, straightening, "Getting it now?"

Flik rubbed his chin, mulling over the interaction. The pieces started clicking together, "How...how do I scare them? I-I'm not exactly intimidating."

"Not my problem, kid," Hopper waved a hand to the gang. On the command, they swarmed the offering and grabbed what they could. "I'll tell you this, though, you've already got the one thing they fear."

Flik blinked, "What?"

"Bravery." For just a split moment, Flik could've sworn the leader smiled at him. A glint of approval flashed. Just as soon as it came, it was gone. Hopper started his wings and hovered, "I'm holding you to that promise, kid. Three times the amount next season. This is your second chance so you better come through." With that, Hopper led his gang across the ravine, food in tow.

Axel looked back to see the ant fading from view. He hesitantly leveled with Hopper, "Hey, Boss! Ya don't think the kid'll screw this up?"

"Yeah! I heard he's the freak of the colony!" Loco added.

"You idiots just mind your own business. I know what I'm doing." Hopper sent them a glare.

Molt flew beside him, "What are ya doin' exactly?"

"Fixing our problem," he answered gruffly. "That kid can cause more damage than what he realizes, and not just for the colony. Our whole way of life could be destroyed with those ideas of his. The second those ants spare a moment to listen, they'll figure out our weakness."

His brother pursed his lips, "So...you're putting him in charge?"

"It won't last, however it plays out." Hopper shrugged nonchalantly. "The colony will either turn against him, leaving me to come in and play hero. The power isn't lost to us since the colony will be too focused on the kid. From what he told me, they already despise him. It'll be hard for them to turn against us when the kid is stealing away their hatred."

"And if he succeeds?"

Hopper spared a glance to his brother, "Then I'll be in command of the only thing threatening our livelihood."

[kriimhild]

After a long workout

(Art available on Patreon)

The grasshoppers did their daily routines at the bar counter, but a smaller group played cards on a larger pebble somewhere further away.

Axel laughed tastefully.

"With that, you've thoroughly betrayed yourself now" said Loco. "What do you think boss?"

Hopper raised his eyebrow. "If he could do anything else as good as playing cards, he wouldn’t miss one of his antennas now."

Axel imitated a laugh with a bored expression, but Loco's laugh was real.

"Ha-ha. You got me boss... Very funny," he said, then his voice gradually faded. "Very.... funny."

Axel's eyes widened so heavily that they almost fell out of his head. Soon, Loco stopped laughing as well, scanning the wasp approaching them with a slight flush on their faces.

Hopper stared blankly at the silly faces, then realized that the real situation was behind him. As he turned around, Pin shook the drop of water off her antennae.

"Well, did you break my record?" Hopper asked with a completely indifferent face.

"Not yet. But if you lie here while I train hard out there, I'll catch you up soon."

Hopper pointed to the table. "You didn't break my record, and I have a good chance of winning here too. Why would I worry?"

Pin slapped Hopper's back mischievously with the blade of grass she used as a towel.

"All right, Mr. Boss man. But I'm telling you something ..." Pin pulled closer to the grasshopper's head and began to purr loudly with a mellow tone. "I'll be alone in my bed ... and I'm tired. If you decide to show me who's the boss, I won't have much chance to object."

The other grasshoppers flushed and listened excitedly to their leader's response.

Hopper blinked a couple. "More than now?"

The others' gaped as they watched the situation.

Pin sighed in frustration and patted Hopper on his shoulder. "I think I'm going to lay down a little ..."

"Do it."

Hopper was already turning back to his cards when he saw the others' red faces."What?"

"SERIOUSLY, BOSS?!!"