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davidmann95 · 4 years

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Thoughts on the leaked Superman TV suit redesign?

Assuming this is real - and I’m inclined to say so, that’s a real assistant costume designer on Arrow and a concept artist credited, both people who would be assigned to do this sort of thing but finding their names would take more work than I imagine the typical dude with photoshop would put in for this - while probably not final I actually like it a lot! It’s not the truly correct answer of putting the classic s-shield on Routh’s Crisis suit, but next to that it addresses all my issues with what Hoechlin’s had so far: the belt’s better (and visibly functions as a belt) and does the missing trunks’ job of breaking up the colors, the boots are streamlined, the texture of the cape is better, and the cape clips are placed so that the cape drapes over him as it should while still providing the apparent comfort of that compared to tucking it in. Not wild about the red cuffs or the two-tone on the bodysuit, and if the lighting isn’t deceptive it needs to be more colorful, but as if nothing else a representation of where the creators’ heads are at I find it very encouraging, and the suits have always been tweaked over subsequent seasons on the CW shows anyway.

The truly big thing however is that this is hot on the heels of Superman & Lois being officially picked up as a series rather than waiting for the pilot to be judged - obvious as it seemed, it would have also seemed obvious that they’d pull the trigger on this 3 years ago, and also there was always the worry that the movie division would either pull themselves together or simply chicken out and pull the plug on this at the last minute. But now it’s official, and having been 3 years since I first gave thought to how a Hoechlin Superman series could work (Tulloch and Cryer weren’t even in the mix yet), many of my assumptions as to what would be in play have been dashed, and it’s ended up with distinguishing features going in I never would have guessed. So as is, my primary hopes for the series:

* For the first couple years, keep things relatively simple and streamlined in terms of season arcs. Todd Helbing’s in charge, and from what I’ve seen of his past work as showrunner of Seasons 4 and 5 of The Flash (where I jumped on, which is a shame since it sure seems like there was a drop in quality compared to what I’d been seeing before) he had a really hard time juggling the substantial cast of characters it had built up by that point alongside a season-spanning threat…but he also wrote or cowrote excellent individual episodes, including easily the best episode of the entire CWverse to my knowledge “Enter Flashtime”, and it’s arguable those seasons were generally casualties of having used up the obvious threats and buying time until Crisis. Going into this I don’t see much need for a sprawling supporting cast from jump, so if the overarching villain can be managed appropriately I don’t see him being a poor choice for shepherding the first season or two.

* Keep the soap operatics largely confined to the sons. Whether it’s Chris or Conner or Damian joining Jon, I’d imagine half the point of bringing in a pair of teenagers to a show with a pair of leads who have moved past the figuring-out-life-and-love travails of your average CW protagonist is so that *they* can do that stuff instead. Let Lois and Clark focus on reporting and superheroics and as advertised “the stress, pressures and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society”, along with assorted character journeys and challenges tailored to them that fall outside the typical arc of CW series leads. Meanwhile, the teens can contend with burgeoning love lives and deciding who they want to be alongside figuring out how to become heroes.

* Maybe break it up across multiple timelines? I know they did a lot of this sort of thing with Arrow with the flashbacks and flash-forwards as series-spanning anchors; maybe there’d be something to be mined here with present-day sections, past sections of Superman’s earlier years in Metropolis before he and Lois got together or Lex turned on him, and future events. Heck, the latter could get the super sons as teens without any need to age them up in the present, and permit easy crossovers with Legends or the upcoming apparently future-set Green Arrow and the Canaries.

* Lex obviously has to be in the mix, but shouldn’t be the sole villain of the first season when he was already the bad guy for the last season of Supergirl. Given his amazing new status quo of being Silver/Bronze/Modern-Age Lex masquerading as Byrne’s Luthor, taking him down would be the obvious centerpiece of the Daily Planet chunk of the series, especially for Lois since that’s presumably going to be her primary domain. Once he’s exposed though totally go all-out supervillain with him.

* Can’t believe I’m saying this, especially on the heels of that last note, but maybe don’t get too political. I know Supergirl has made efforts, but everything I’ve heard about the execution sounds incredibly mixed, between a black Machester Black being told not to kill Nazi stand-ins, and the first preview for the current season basically opening with Supergirl narrating “We deposed our corrupt Trump analogue, so I thought people would be committed to fighting for social justice…but they’re obsessed with their Facebook gizmos instead!”, a truly bizarre instance of trying to appease all sides. Totally have instances of Superman taking some lefty or at least liberal stances as is tradition, but it probably wouldn’t be the best idea to try and build a season around a given message given both the track record and that all the extra eyes on this will mean it being subject to even more extensive pressures.

* Speaking of the number of eyes on it, god I hope this is allowed to get weird even given it’s probably going to be the flagship for the network and therefore will definitely have higher-ups wanting to make sure it isn’t alienatingly off-beat. They put Beebo and Sargon the Sorcerer in the Crisis finale for Christ’s sake! The least they could do is let Hoechlin fight Krull or go on an adventure with Calvin Ellis, and let Tulloch get witch powers and tame Titano; the last live-action Superman show in Lois & Clark was made in a pre-Morrison world and aired on ABC, and it still had a time-travelling H.G. Wells as a recurring character and an episode where he gets shrunk down to a teeny-tiny little Superman (which also just happened with this guy!). The clear All-Star influence so far is a good sign along with how odd The Flash has frequently gotten as the current center to their shared universe - including under Helbing - but this is still probably my primary concern. Give us at least a few truly high concepts per season even if I suspect the goofiness will be toned down relative to its older siblings.

* I’m not that concerned with the villains: he’s got a few established already between Lex, Metallo, Mongul, Reactron, Zod (maybe the inexplicable decision to have had Superman kill him off-screen can be undone by Crisis), Maxima, and Doomsday, it’s implied by Elseworlds he got his own Bizarro, Brainiac’s easy to introduce, and the villains introduced as specifically Supergirl’s enemies such as Parasite, Silver Banshee, and Mxyzptlk could easily roll into Metropolis. And there’s plenty of other possibilities with the likes of Solaris, Prankster, Subjekt-17, Terra Man, Magog, Ultraman, Riot, or Atomic Skull who either have tons of potential to unearth, or don’t but as a simple visual or gimmick could easily carry an episode or two. I’d still prefer the more exploration/mystery-driven angle suggested in my original pitch up above, but I recognize that’s not too likely.

* Finally, if he’s truly committed to being done after getting the little epilogue and sendoff he deserved he’s got all the right in the world, but if Routh would have any interest absolutely make him the shows’ equivalent to John Shipp on Flash as Uncle Kal from Earth 96, popping by every now and then to be the fun uncle to the boys and give Clark life advice.

#Superman & Lois #Superman #Lois Lane #Superman's Suit #Tyler Hoechlin #Elizabeth Tulloch #DCTV #Todd Helbing #Lex Luthor #Brandon Routh #Superhero Costumes #Opinion

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arabellaflynn · 4 years

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A friend of mine was tolerating my drunken fangirling last weekend, patiently agreeing that yes, it is the cutest thing ever when Stephen Colbert turns around to hit on his off-camera wife every time he fucks up a line in his monologue. And yeah, I keep watching that because he's being comfortingly sane/angry right now, but also because it feels like representation, in a weird sort of way.

Colbert is, in many respects, what a lot of people would think of as the quintessential American: A straight, white, Christian man, married with kids, on a lifelong career path that has earned him substantial material wealth. Left to his own devices, he dresses like the dadliest dad who ever dadded. He's expressed some ambivalence about the knowledge that at least some of his media clout comes from this. On the one hand, he is perhaps not the best person to speak to the lived experience of institutional disadvantage; on the other, there are a lot of straight white Christian men in America who just don't feel the need to listen to anyone who isn't a straight white Christian man in America, and there's a lot he can do to redirect that.

But he's also just generally unconventional. Not just off-the-wall comedy. Like, personally not what you would expect from someone who teaches Sunday school, and looks more and more like Ward Cleaver's goofy little brother with every passing year.

About six months into his Late Show gig, the guests started getting it into their heads that the host could be kissed. I'm a little surprised it took them that long; I'm not at all surprised that it was started by Helen Mirren, always a lady with a fine sense of shenanigans. Sally Field went for it with more gusto the next day. Jeff Daniels managed to be more restrained.

Colbert generally ignores it when he accidentally touches off a tempest in a Twitter feed, but this time he opted to make a few remarks about what he termed "an eventful week for my face". In them, he makes it very clear that he did check in with his wife, and he is Definitely Allowed To Do That. He personally thought everything was fine, and in fact was going to take the opportunity to be smug, because holy shit you guys, Helen Mirren.

I will note that "she's cool with it" here does not appear to be a euphemism for "I fucked up and she forgave me". It means "she says it's fine if I make out with Spider-Man in front of a live studio audience". I expect he did actually double check, because that's what a reasonable adult would do, but I also expect that they hashed this out in the general case like thirty years ago. One, Colbert has been kissing his friends, on the lips or otherwise, for as long as I can find him on video. Sometimes for the sake of a joke, sometimes to make a point, and sometimes because they've just won an Emmy and he feels like it. And two, Mirren got a second kiss at the end of that interview, one that he started. Which seems like a thing he wouldn't have done if he were already afraid he'd be sleeping on the couch that night.

Colbert has not said a word about it since. And no one has asked him.

Another thing nobody ever mentions is how Colbert is one of the few straight male actors whom I've ever seen pull off a transparent closet joke without being derogatory. He's actually done it twice, as long-running gags on two separate series: The "secret gay affair" variant playing opposite Paul Dinello on Strangers With Candy, and the "strangely romantic-looking friendship" one with Jon Stewart on The Colbert Report (spilling over onto The Daily Show, The Late Show, and at this point probably his actual life). There's a lot about the specific writing and general sensibilities of both shows that contributes to that, but much of what sells it is that Colbert looks completely, genuinely comfortable with those performances. I imagine it helped that both times he was working with someone he was close to in real life, but also he just seems to be fine with sharing personal space in a way that straight men are typically not.

Colbert can get pretty grabby-hands with his favorite people off stage, too. He's shared various snapshots from Second City over the years. There's a bunch in some the "Stephen Has A Story" segments from LSSC. If there's another human being in the photo with him, he's probably trying to cuddle them. It's continued through the decades. I'm pretty sure when he does a bit with Jon Stewart the stage crew just puts down one spike for the both of them. They made it maybe a year, year and a half into doing The Daily Show together before they were poking at each other and stealing props right out of the other one's bin behind the desk. Colbert is so un-self-conscious about it that most people treat it as invisible.

I couldn't say for sure when he decided that he was free to loll all over people he liked, but my bet is probably at Second City, where he credits Dinello and Amy Sedaris with breaking him of an unfortunate tendency to take himself, and everything else, way too seriously. I don't know what he was like prior, because touring with Second City is essentially when his public career started. Nothing before that is really any of my business; hunting anything down would make me feel damned creepy.

And, again, nobody has ever asked him. He does seem to be aware that he is not always adhering to social expectation here, but also that if he acts casual, everyone else will just assume it's not really a thing. On the odd occasion when Colbert does feel like making a point about other men not having cooties, he has to bring it up himself.

None of the above is beyond-the-pale weird, but it's the kind of thing that you wouldn't normally guess of a devoutly-religious middle-aged straight dude. A lot of it is stuff that men are still under a lot of pressure not to do, like show feelings that aren't pride or rage, or be physically affectionate with people who aren't your partner/children. It's more suggestive of someone who believes that the relationships in your life -- with your friends, your family, your society, and even your God -- are very much what you say they are, and not what other people say they should be.

The greatest significance of this, I think, is not necessarily that he's been behaving this way for as long as he's been a public performer, or even that he's behaving this way at this particular point in human history. It's that he's behaving this way at this particular point in his life.

Colbert is in his mid~late 50s. From the point of view of someone in their late teens to early twenties, still trying to figure out how the fuck humans are supposed to work, he's the Old Guy. Stuff the Old Guy does isn't radical innovation. It's the boring standard. And the boring standard that Colbert is setting is that negotiating something that works and makes you happy is more important than being "normal" or "respectable". You communicate with your spouse like you're both functional adults. You tell the people you love that you love them and don't think twice about who can hear you.

These are things I've been ranting about for most of my life. People don't do them enough. Judging from the advice columns of the world, emotional negotiation is a skill very few people have bothered to develop. I do kind of wish someone would ask Colbert about it directly, because I'm curious, and talking about it is always beneficial, but that's secondary. I really just like seeing someone else demonstrate it in public.

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spideyjlaw · 5 years

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My Avengers Endgame World Premiere experience

this is really long, lota rambling feel free to read skim anything idc, no spoilers bc this was on Monday before I saw the movie :)

Ok Ima start Saturday night, this is when I was packing making and painting my posters that said “Thank You Avengers”, I live in California so I didn’t have to fly to this event. At 12am we (my family) we arrive in Los Angeles around 5am. At this time I thought that the premiere was going to be at El Capitan Theatre where it was originally supposed to be. We drive by the theater and we see no one is in line which was weird bc normally there would be people here already so i search and find the location which was switched last min (smh) the drive to the next location wasnt too long but at least i knew i was at the right location bc of the small group of fans and the giant poster that said Avengers Endgame World Premiere. Apparently they changed the location bc they needed a larger screening room and they didnt want tons of fans showing up, there were these girls that were waiting at the El Capitan for 2 hours before they realized something was up. Anyway, we get in line. People who were in charge told the people who stayed over night to go home bc there wasnt going to be a fan area. No one left ofc who would hell no. Then some people went on twitter to talk about it made signs it was confusing but we ended up in a fan area after going through security. We got into the fan area at 12 ish and we had to stand there for another 4 and a half hours before anything exciting happens. Now its around 4pm people are starting to arrive. (THIS IS WHEN THE ACTION STARTS) Benedict Wong then Joe Russo. Not many came all the way down the line, I was the last one on the line before it wrapped around the corner. But I did want to get barricade and able to see action so Im grateful for my spot. Then Anthony Mackie arrives he’s walking to end of the fan area around the small corner but as hes walking right as he gets near me i scream at the top of my lungs, he stops right in front of me and i go “AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!ANTHONYYYYY MACKiE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!” he looks at me biggest smile. We had a whole moment together its hard to explain its kinda like a ‘you had to be there moment’ i was the longest person probably a good 20 seconds (which is a long ass time in these times when they are in a rush) he was at and while im screaming and fangirling he air grabs my head to fucking sign my forehead i closed my eyes and accepted it he didnt do it ofc but he was just a fun guy i love him soooo much he signs my posters while saying “There’s no black guy on here” (i did an original 6 themed avengers poster) but he signed than signed my bosslogic poster which he was in. paul rudd comes by hes just a rocking dude i love scott lang sm, he was so sweets v cool guys sm love for him. Then at around 5pm Chris freaking Hemsworth arrives I loose my shit and so does everyone else. Just like Joe, Benedict Wong & Anthony he also went around the corner to make sure they got all of the fans (thank u to all who did this). Ive loved Hemsie for the longest time, i did get teary eyed but i didnt cry (yet) he was just the sweetest I was able to take a crappy photo with him bc i wasnt able to function properly as i took the pic my dumbass was like “iLOvEyoUsOmUCh” its oka cause he has the cutest smile and the bluest eyes oh and i cant stress enough he smelled so good sooooo good normally i hate when guys coat themselves in cologne cause it smells bad, but his didnt, his smelled so good i was so shook like chris drop what cologne u used idc its for guys mama neeeddds. THEN IT hAPPENEd CHRISTOPHER ROBERT EVANS DRIVES BY. Everyone was like “omg is that chris evans?!” I stand on the barricade to see if i can catch a peak, istg the moment the fucking moment he gets out the car i start to bawl my eyes out. This man who has meant more to me than anyone is over there i couldnt believe i was seeing my favorite human ever. I’ve only sobbed right as i saw my fave once before back in 2016 at the Passengers premiere when I met Jennifer Lawrence. People dont really understand the moment like this person has inspired me so much of course im going to cry and sure judge me for it but they helped me through so much. Anyway he looked soo hot in his blue suit and sunglasses. I kinda calm down bc i didnt know if he was going to come all the way down the line and yk my ass wanted a pic but he was cut half way though the people which was upsetting but again im extremely grateful to be able to see him. Then my main fucking man. Sebastian Stan arrives. see ive met the guy before last year at ace comic con (there was tea w my photo op being really messy and i hated it i got a refund u can read about that on my ace comic con post). anyway i see him. i dont cry im trying to wipe my tears i was more prepared cause ive seen him before it was gonna be ok. I lose my shit the man was wearing a baby blue pastel colored suit. fucking beautiful. iconic. very hot of you mr seb ty. hes walking down and hes getting close. he wasnt to smiley, he was taking pics but he was focused on the fans signing for as many fans as possible. He gets to me and he sees our pics then he looks u so we could take a pic and his smile just transforms you can just see his face just glow up it was the truly the cutest this ive ever experience. then we look up from the pic and hes smiling at me i tell him “I love you so much” i hear him chuckle but as he says something his security guy yells “thank you that enough” so ill be posting the vid of us and any lip readers can help a girl out ill love you forever. I ended up being Sebs last person from the fan area. he truly made my day, week fucking year. then other celebs such as jon favreau, benedict cumberbatch comes by. Jeremy Renner comes by. I shoot my shot and make small talk w Jeremy. I go “Hi Jermey how’s your day going?” he goes “I’m doing really good, how bout you?” he signs my things i excitingly tell him “I’m doing great thank you” then he goes “Thank you honey” and smiles at me. It made me really happy, i could tell he was a bit tired but Jeremy is such a sweetheart he doesnt get the credit he deserves i love him sm, ive always has a little part of my heart for Hawkeye. minutes go by. I see Lizzie Olsen, Danai Gurira, beautiful ofc. then i see fucking Mark Ruffalo hes just standing behind one of the SUVs and the sun is on him. He looked like a confused puppy it was so cute and soft, i love my ruffalo buffalo. I took my moment to scream “iS THat MARK ruFFALO?” i dont think he signed for many fans. Scarjo arrives she doesnt sign for many either she looked beautiful v pretty. a little while passes than the most bitching car comes by and stops where the cars stop until the drop off area clears and they can go. we all knew who ever was in that car he was important. then it was his time to go cause the drop off area was cleared. guess who was in the drivers seat. You guessed right. Robert Downey Jr rolling up in an Audi E-TRON, with his wife Susan Downey in the passenger seat. Truly the Tony Stark entrance. he doesnt sign for many ofc. at this time it was getting later near 6pm almost all celebs and guests are inside where the actual premiere set up is. then Vin Diesel comes in. He was the most fan based guy. even though he was running late he ran (literally speed walking) through the whole line of fans around the corner and everything. he had the biggest smile on. wearing his groot jacket. and if u dont know fast and furious are one of my fave franchises of all time so i was having the best time. then that was the last person and we started heading out. i didnt name all who ive seen since there was just to many and i probably missed some things but i loved my experience. i was able to see all the original avengers irl and that made me really happy. this whole cast means the world to me. ill love them forever

#:)#ty to the ones who read #i didnt re read it so if there's any typos oh well ig #avengers endgame world premiere #Endgame prem!

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princesweetpea · 5 years

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I Found | Sweet Pea x Aurora Jones (oc)

All Chapters Here

Chapter: Nine

Warnings: Mentions of violence, mentions of gore, language

READ IT ON AO3

“Aurora.”

“Reginald.” Rory acknowledged the boy plainly as he moved to stand next to her. He offered her a flask that he pulled from beneath his royal blue and gold embroidered velvet cape. He looked like a prince – well, he was dressed like one, at least. She shook her head from side to side before taking a sip of her punch.

“Suit yourself,” he grinned, tipping the open container into his own goblet. “So, who is your escort tonight?” The small talk felt unnatural between the pair.

“You’re looking at her.” She said curtly. Part of her still yearned for her ex-boyfriend’s touch, but she knew she had been down that path too many times before.

“Couldn’t get a date?”

“I didn’t want one,” she rolled her eyes at his mocking tone. “My choice of date, if I wanted one, is accompanying your choice of date tonight.” He nodded slowly, his eyes landing on Veronica and Archie across the gym. They were smiling and laughing as they slow danced in each other’s arms.

“You look beautiful, by the way.” He stated honestly, changing the subject as he ran his fingers gently down her white, gold embellished sleeve. She felt her cheeks heat up.

“Thank you.” She replied quietly. Her eyes scanned the room once more, but she didn’t know what – or who – she was looking for.

“Want to dance?” Reggie asked, wincing after the threw the rest of the drink back. She snorted, shooting him a quizzical glance. “Come on, just one dance. I promise that I won’t try to take you home… this time.” He chuckled as he set her goblet on the table and stretched out his elbow toward her. She felt herself staring at his handsome features a little too long. She blinked her impure thoughts out of her head before taking his arm. He led her to the middle of the dance floor, and she felt Veronica’s eyes on them. She was frowning, and Archie was oblivious, gazing longingly at his dance partner.

“Always have to be the center of attention, don’t you?” Rory sighed, giving him her best fake smile.

“Of course. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he joked, pulling her into him. He smells heavenly. She frowned as he expertly maneuvered her around the dance floor. “What’s wrong?”

“You don’t want me to answer that.”

“I do.” He pulled her flush against him as he dodged another couple that were not as skilled as they were. He mumbled an apology to her for the sudden movement as he glared at the boy, who instantly moved him and his partner the other direction. Reggie was a gentleman… sometimes.

“Do you ever wish things had worked out between us?” Rory inquired. She didn’t want to be with him – she was pretty sure, at least – but the question had been burning in her mind during the last several months. Does he regret the things he did? Was he sorry for the pain he caused? Did he even care at all?

“I think about it sometimes,” Reggie sighed, spinning her out and then back into him. “But no, I don’t think I do,” Ouch. She raised her eyebrows at him in shock. “I’m like… I’m like a wild horse. I can’t be tied down.”

“Except for Princess Veronica Lodge.” She let out an bitter laugh. He shrugged, his eyes searching the gym to find the raven-haired girl again.

“But listen, no hard feelings, okay? You were a lot of fun,” he smirked. “Maybe we could fool around every once in a while,” Rory’s hand flew up to Reggie’s cheek. A few nearby students gawked at the pair and started whispering to one another. “What the fuck, Rory!?”

“Go disappoint the next girl, Reggie. I’m busy.” Rory managed in a raspy voice as tears stung her eyes. When she whipped around, she could have sworn she saw Sweet Pea staring back at her, but she figured that it was just her blurred vision, for when she blinked away her tears he was nowhere to be seen. Plus, he’d expressed his disdain for the mere idea of prom a few days prior. She walked to grab a new goblet of punch, not trusting her fellow students enough to find her old one that she’d left on a random table earlier. She stood near the punch bowl and made small talk with a few of her classmates, complimenting their medieval costumes and talking about the prom after parties, assuring her that she was invited to all of them, of course. Eventually, they’d walked out to the dance floor, leaving her standing alone.

For the third time since she’d been standing at the refreshment table, she felt a boy behind her slide his hand up the backside of her dress to brush against her ass, and she refused to ignore it any longer. She now knew for sure that it wasn’t an accident. Rory dug her hand into her satchel, wrapping her hand around a cool metal object and pulling it out.

“Touch me again and you’ll lose your hand.” Rory spun around to face him, flicking out the switchblade that Jughead gave her after his recent encounter with the gargoyles. She surprised herself with her own actions, but stood her ground, hoping that the chaperones couldn’t see the weapon in her hand. This will for sure get me expelled, what am I doing!? She recognized the boy from the football team.

“If you didn’t want anyone to touch you, you shouldn’t have worn something so fitted, you Serpent slut. You’ve been hanging around them an awful lot lately.” The boy sniggered. He reeked of alcohol, which made her eye his goblet inquisitively. In truth, Rory’s dress wasn’t revealing in the slightest.

“I’m not a Serpent.” Rory said through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, Sweet Pea had the boy against the brick of the gym with his forearm pressed against the boy’s windpipe, securing him to the wall. So, he was here. Where did he even come from?

“Would you like to lose your tongue as well?” Sweet Pea said lowly, but loud enough for her to hear over the music. “You better get out of here before I make good on my threat, Bulldog.” The boy drunkenly stumbled off, mumbling curses under his breath. Sweet Pea kept his eyes on him as he walked coolly toward Rory.

“Rogue,” She acknowledged him with a raised brow. He was dressed in black from head to toe, the fabrics a mixture of leather and faux furs. He was wearing boots that were slightly ‘dressier’ than his normal, worn pair. “I had that taken care of, Jon Snow.”

“Bard,” He acknowledged her back. “It didn’t look like it.” She rolled her eyes.

“Bard?”

“Yeah, you know… you play music.” He shrugged, absentmindedly scanning the crowd.

“I thought prom was stupid? Especially this one.”

He shrugged again. “Something felt… weird. I had to come, just to keep watch.”

Fangs appeared at their side, and he clapped a hand onto Sweet Pea’s shoulder. “Well, look who showed up to a school function!”

“Well, look who’s not joined at the hip of his new Farmie boyfriend.” Sweet Pea scoffed bitterly, avoiding Fang’s eyes.

“Dude…”

“Don’t ‘dude’ me, dude. I haven’t seen you outside of this school for weeks. What, no time for the Serpents anymore? No time for your best friend? You were supposed to be undercover. Instead, you let yourself be brainwashed by the kooks.” Rory felt incredibly awkward standing there, but didn’t want to leave Sweet Pea alone with Fangs. He seemed really hurt.

“You’d understand if you came by sometime… If you listened what Edgar has to say.” Fangs sighed, but smiled at him hopefully.

“Even if I wanted to, Fangs, I’m not weak-minded enough to fall for that crap.” Sweet Pea spat, finally facing his best friend. He was trying his best to hurt Fangs’ feelings, and it was obvious.

“Maybe you wouldn’t be so miserable if you were more open-minded, brother.” Fangs smiled weakly, patting his counterpart on the back before starting to walk away. After a couple of steps, he looked over his shoulder. “You look amazing, Rory.”

“Thank you, Fangs,” She gave him a small smile, a blush creeping up on her cheeks. He nodded and made his way back to Kevin. Sweet Pea’s body stiffened as his narrowed eyes fixated on the retreating boy. “What the hell was that, Sweet Pea?”

“You look nice.” Sweet Pea rushed in a grumble.

“Thank you – now answer the question.”

“He ditched me, and the rest of the Serpents, for the Farm. End of story.”

“But –”

“I said end of story.” He hissed.

“Good evening, Riverdale Renaissance Revelers! At long last, it’s time to announce this year’s Court. And the winner of prom queen is… Betty Cooper!” The school’s secretary chimed into the microphone. Rory beamed, feeling ecstatic for her friend, as she clapped and scanned the room for the blonde. “Is Betty here?”

Rory’s attention shifted to Jughead, who was suddenly beside them. “Have you seen Betty? I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Maybe she went to the bathroom. I can go check?” He nodded quickly, his eyes darting around the room nervously. “Relax, Jughead, she’s probably getting some air. I’ll go check the ladies’ room.”

The hall was eerily quiet, and Rory was surprised that there weren’t couples groping each other in the shadowed corners. She pushed open the door to the bathroom, and was met with the walls covered in red marker, the same phrase repeated:

Flip For Your Fate.

On one of the sinks sat two goblets of blue liquid and a coin.

“Betty?” Rory’s voice echoed with the acoustics of the bathroom. She saw heels in the gap of the bottom of a stall at the far end of the bathroom. “Betty, it’s Rory. Are you okay?” She leaned against the stall door slightly, and it pushed open. “Betty –”

That’s not Betty.

Who is that?

There’s blood everywhere.

Where is the rest of her face?

Sweet Pea burst into the bathroom. She hadn’t realized that she’d been screaming. He pulled her into him, her tears soaking the front of his cloak. He cradled her head with his large hand.

“Don’t look, Rory, don’t look.”

_______________________________________

They didn’t speak the entire ride to Jughead’s house. Rory had texted Mambo to grab some clothes for the both of them and to meet her there. The Black Hood was back, and no one was safe. She couldn’t risk herself or her little brother by being alone in Sunnyside Trailer Park, no matter how tough Mambo insisted that he was. FP was still out doing his sheriff duties when they arrived; Mambo sat in the recliner, staring blankly into the fire. Betty and Jughead were cuddled up on the couch. He whispered sweet nothings and reassurances into her ear as he stroked her hair while she cried into his chest. He met Sweet Pea’s eyes when he and Rory entered, and they simply nodded at each other.

Rory mindlessly made her way to the guest room, exhausted from her wailing. The images kept flashing through her head. Sweet Pea was on her heels, watching her every move carefully. He sat on the bed when she stepped into the en suite and closed the door behind her before starting the shower. She wasn’t sure how long she stayed in the steamy water, but she had to get out when it started running cold. When she exited in only a towel, Sweet Pea was still there, his hands folded on his lap as he stared at the ground. His cloak was on the floor and he was just left in his black dress pants and his undershirt. His eyes met hers, and they were full of concern.

“Do… Would you want to talk about it?” She shook her head rapidly, choking back a sob. He nodded, standing slowly. “I’ll let you rest.” He walked toward the door.

“Sweet Pea…” She choked. He quickly spun on his heel. “Will you please stay with me tonight? I can’t be by myself.”

She dropped the towel to the floor, completely exposing herself to him, but she didn’t care. She didn’t have the energy to shield herself or to put on pajamas. He nodded slowly as he watched her climb under the covers. He pulled his shirt over his head and kicked his pants down his legs before getting under the comforter next to her. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling her into his side as he traced circles on her bare back with his thumb, and she instantly fell asleep.

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astratic · 5 years

Text

tagged by @georgie-barker for tma character asks!!!! thank u!!!!

1. Favorite and Second Favorite character

if i am being real my favorite character is obviously jon because i LOVE me some mentally ill disasters BUT i talk about jon so much i feel like im just not going to count him, and i will say that my 2 favorite characters are georgie and martin. i mean to be frank martin is also clearly a mentally ill disaster whom i relate to deeply. georgie i would not say is a disaster and actually i just stopped typing this so i could go fill in a distinguished/functional/disaster meme for tma what was i saying? oh yeah, georgie is not a disaster but she IS chaotic i mean like........... her ex from college shows up at her apartment out of nowhere and she lets him stay with her and then casually covers for him when the police show up asking where he is and she doesnt even blink when he tells her hes wanted for murder..... what an icon.

2. Who is the character you love to hate?

i dunno if its love to hate or just love to love but.... peter. hes so fucking funny and sinister like what is he up to. why does he hate computers. why does he talk about elias constantly when elias has never mentioned him literally once. everything he says is the most hilarious thing i have ever heard. i fucked this question up i love peter. alasdair is so charismatic

3. Who is the character you hate to love?

elias................................... i just straight up hated him at first but god has he grown on me. horrible awful bastard man. hes just like............. a boss. elias is your boss. hes my boss. u know like he just has Boss Energy he makes your life unpleasant and maybe he enjoys it sometimes but mostly hes just doing his job, and he would be ever so pleased if you could just cooperate? elias has your best interests at heart, really.

idk like i always think of that line peter has saying elias is protective cuz like your instinct is to laugh at it considering elias literally tortures and murders his employees but on some level he IS like he does go out of his way to exhaust all other options when melanie is literally trying to kill him because hed hate to make the office atmosphere any more tense than it already is.

4. Which character do you relate to the most?

MARTIN. god the exceptionally sincere and solidly mediocre poetry. tim teasing him cuz he just wants everyone to be friends. the tense yet devoted relationship with his mother. the instant petty jealousy as soon as anyone gets too close to his crush. the unwavering devotion to said crush even when they treat him like garbage...... oof.

5. Who is the character you liked at first but grew to dislike OR who you didn’t like at first but they grew on you?

i really hated daisy at first and kind of still do a little but shes really growing on me...... especially in 136 lmaoooo........ idk like the absolute debasement of building your life around killing monsters and believing youre morally superior to them and then realizing that in fact YOU are literally a monster and an enormous hypocrite who was going to kill a man who released you from your own personal hell is like..... delicious. will always cherish 132

6. Which character would you bring back from the dead OR which one would you do away with?

gerry :( bring him back let him be happy.......... i want him and jon to be friends for real. the concept of a dude raised by a serial killer ghost who spends his whole life searching for dark magic books and is just, goth? just super goth. he leans so hard into the aesthetic. its so good

7. Which character would be the most fun to spend a day with? (bonus: what would you do?)

honestly i would spend the day with martin and just like take him out for ice cream or something not even cuz i think it would be particularly exciting but just cuz he deserves it and is Sad

im gonna tag @sunlaire @lynxladybuglover @amarantae and @chemiosmotic thanks everybody!!!!

#tma #journal entry #tma spoilers #im gonna go get a shower cheers #tag meme

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honeylikewords · 5 years

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(P1) The pilgrim thing got me really disappointed!! Because they LITERALLY SAID!!! HE WAS GONNA BE FIGHTING A*T-RIGHT PEOPLE THIS SEASON!!!! I feel like this is a big let down to a lot of the people who were looking forward to frank, a character who is commonly misconstrued as an a*t-right figure himself to deny that once and for all, namely the fans who belong to minority groups (myself included) as well as the issue with the last I know they were doing it as a little easter egg by

(P2) recreating that one image from the comics but they could have put it in a better situation because a)those criminals were in fact rather young and the fact that the perfectly fit the "thug" stereotype is iffy at BEST. Because it also brings up something that was talked about in luke cage/defenders (a character I mcfrikken love) that black boys who are just trying to feed their family end up getting killed/beaten within an inch of their life meanwhile the white vigilante gets off free

(P3) (I know I'm writing a lot I apologize but m feeling heated ab thjs) because truly they looked roughly the same age as Amy. I will say I enjoyed his brotherly jokes with curtis (shout out to that man for dealing with his dumbass and not killing him for all the stress he causes him akdjsk) and the times he showed true care and softness (ie ACTUAL FRANK CHARACTERIZATION) towards amy. Im also iffy about the fact that he let a guy who peddles child porn go? S2 of dd he killed a dude doing that

Okay, first of all, don’t worry about apologizing, it’s TOTALLY fine to be heated about this. The media we consume is reflective of the thoughts and beliefs of the people creating it, and can influence the thoughts and beliefs of the people consuming it. As such, we SHOULD be heated about the content we see and create; it has impact and influence, and it matters that we call out issues when we see them, and remain intensely scrutinous of what we’re being shown. No need to be ashamed of that.

Second, I’m going to answer each point or comment made here in list format, just to try and keep things organized. Because it’d be really easy for me to spin out and start ranting, and I want to keep this cohesive and legible.

1) The letting Pilgrim live thing was just... so unimaginably stupid. They talked about him being a major antagonist and yet he played no important role in the series at all. From a functional, story-based level, the entire Pilgrim-Schultzes plot needed to be cut. It was convoluted, unnecessary, and wasteful, while also managing to be confusing and just flat out boring. Pilgrim wasn’t even an interesting character! He was just a waste of screentime! The two plots of Billy and Pilgrim were always fighting for attention, and it distracted from the linear progression of the show.

But on a more fundamental and moral level, it was also just... so, so bad to display him as an alt-r*ght neo-N*zi and just... let him live. As if he had an excuse. As if he was “equitable” to Frank because his weird little Christian fundamentalist wife died and he had two kids (off topic, but Lemuel is a horrible name). As if I was supposed to feel bad for him. As if I was supposed to sympathize with him, pity him. I don’t. And if I, a pacifist, soft-hearted, “forgiveness freely given” girl wouldn’t pity him, why on earth would a man like Frank?

It’s ridiculous. It’s shameful. Any piece of media that tries to “humanize” N*zis in a way where they are portrayed as sympathetic and “just people following orders” is disgusting. A N*zi chooses hate. A N*zi chooses bigotry. There is no mistake there, no human folly. That is choice and it is unforgivable. Pilgrim deserved to die, and that’s all I have to say about it.

2) I recognized that as a scene from the comics, an icon of Punisher-ing, but... You’re really, really right, and that’s something that worries me about Punisher and its fanbase. I’ve been stepping away from Punisher because I think it’s starting to cross the line into that territory; white vigilantism is, in many ways, a dangerous game to play, and when we start to romanticize white men with guns taking the law into their own hands and mowing down “thugs” (who, you are right to say, are usually just poor POC who are trying to make ends meet), we start walking a razor thin line.

Frank Castle in DD S2 was... different. This new Frank, this Punisher Frank? I don’t like him. And I don’t like what he stands for. Not anymore.

And I think the issue is that people like the idea of this big, bad white man with the guns calling all the shots, literal and metaphorical. And that scares me. Frank Castle is supposed to protect these infringed people, supposed to protect the downtrodden and oppressed. When he becomes a symbol and tool of that oppression, things get ugly, and things go wrong.

We can’t just excuse the inherent issues in something like Punisher just because we like Jon. I know I can’t. I have to ask these questions because they matter, and because it matters to me and to hundreds of thousands of other people who have to live with the fact that there is a chance that they could be shot down like that for no reason other than because someone decides their life doesn’t matter as much as, let’s say, a white one.

I know it sucks to bring politics into something we enjoy, but it also sucks that people have to deal with the real-life consequences of these issues. And it sucks that people see this show and idealize it, romanticize it, idolize the violence and the wickedness and the idea that they should be able to hold the scales of justice on their own and decide who matters based on their own personal whims.

The race discussion is very real with Punisher, and it’s a discussion we need to be having. We need to look at this critically and we need to see that, yes, there’s some very, very bad problems and some glaring issues. And we need to be honest about that, preferences all set aside.

3) Curtis Hoyle is a f*cking saint and deserves a break. He deserves it. (Also, what is going on with the show that they? Seemed to forget he has a prosthetic? He was leaping around and doing all manner of stunts as if he had both legs. Like... guys.)

4) Dad Frank was the only good thing about this season. Fight me.

5) The child p*rn thing upset me, too. I guess we’re supposed to infer that Frank is “growing” and not just killing whomever he pleases, and supposed to infer that he listens to Amy and wants to please her and not upset her, but... then he, like, murders anyone anytime anywhere after that. It seemed like they only showed the “growth” away from the urge to kill when it suited them, and it seems it only suited with regards to some of the lowest, most disgusting people ever.

Like, Frank takes the shot and kills Billy without even letting Billy say his final, dying words (which seemed to be an apology in the making?), but holds back from killing Pilgrim just because Pilgrim said “wait” and “I have sons”? Bullshit. Pilgrim and that child p*rn man should have died. End of discussion.

In the end, I guess I’d sum it up this way: Punisher season two lacks conviction. It wants to present the argument that things with Frank are complicated, but complicated just ends up coming across as nonsensical. Nothing about the show makes sense, there is no clear character development, every action is seemingly at random, and the plot is jumbled. The show can’t stick to anything without changing its mind, retconning itself into nothingness.

But worse yet are the implications of this jumbled mess; humanizing N*zis and white s*premacists, advocating the brutal violence of a white man with a gun as his own lawless lawmaker, and just a sort of devil-may-care attitude about what it means to be someone with power and exerting that over people who don’t stand a chance.

I have a lot of complaints, but I think, mostly, I’m just disappointed and sad. Frank deserves better than this. We deserve better than this.

We deserve heroes who will fight for what’s right. This Frank seemed to hardly know what on earth it was he was fighting for. And that makes me really, really frustrated.

(D/o/n’t r/e/b/lo/g, I don’t wanna get into any discourse, thnx)

#long post #messages #pettyprocrastination

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kee-writestrashh · 5 years

Text

Guns for Hire

Ramsay Bolton x Reader

ao3

Summary: You are the wife to the Heir of the Red Kings, Ramsay Bolton. living the undercover life of a mob wife has its perks, and you love your husband. But you find out something that seems to unfold a series of unwanted events…

Chapter 39: Blind Tiger

January melted into February. Or it would be more accurate to say melted and refroze as the snow turned to sleet and ice.

Every day seemed to make your stomach bigger, though women simpered about how tiny and cute your little baby bump was whenever you left this damn house.

But it was really starting to get in the way. Especially in the bedroom. No, Ramsay didn't say anything about it, and he never missed an opportunity to fuck you, but to you... it was just... awkward in a way. Having sex was becoming taxing, trying to find a position that wasn't uncomfortable.

But, your girls were back in the city. Ramsay seemed content. He hadn't even bitched about his boring desk job since finally returning to work. And he was no longer drowning in excessive bottles of liquor. He had cut back a lot. Ever since you killed the Targaryen. He still drank every day, just not as much. Theon Greyjoy had been spotted two days ago. However, there were only 5 short days until you found out what Baby B was. It scared you senseless. You were no closer in figuring out how to keep your husband safe.

Life at the safe house was boring. You spent half the day sleeping or reading. Charlotte came to stay with you a lot. It was nice to have another female to hang out with. You missed Liz and Kaden, but Liz was now too sick to leave her house.

She had called you the night before last and cried to you about how much pain she was in. How she regretted the idea of chemo. She should have just pushed for surgery. It hurt you to hear her so down and miserable. She was always so head strong and encouraging. You wished you knew what to do to help, anything to make her smile.

Your mother had called you a week ago, all in a dither that Eli was apparently getting married. Eli and Jeyne were going out there this weekend, so Mom and Dad could meet her. Eli had been very distant with you since that night at dinner. Not that you could blame him, but damn. You had just become cool with him again.

You had lunch a couple of times with Whit and Jared, when they didn't have to immediately get back home after their 'coffee bean' runs.

"Oh yeah, mom and dad are ectastic that we get to use our flight skills for more than just med evac. Dad said, coffee beans was a funny investment, but as long as it put money in our pockets and made us happy. Going to put Kasey in traveling cheer squad this summer. She will be so excited."

Well, at least your Sheep were prospering. Ramsay had set up the schemes to buy all the land you had wanted, and construction for new businesses were in the works. You had gotten in touch with the Martell's to grow on land your Sheep had set up, as well as building more secure labs, though marijuana was the best choice to go with, for you personally. At least it was naturally occurring. You didn't really want any part in synthetic shit, to which Ramsay begrudgingly obliged.

"What do you want to do for your boyfriend's birthday?" Ramsay asked, looking up from the laptop he had been absorbed in for the last two hours.

"What?" You asked, marking your place in the book you had been reading.

"Matt. His eighteenth birthday is tomorrow." Ramsay said, glancing at the sleet tinking on the windows.

"I dunno. I figured he and Ty would spend the day together. Thought maybe I would talk you into giving him a decent amount of money for him to blow on stupid shit." You shrugged, pulling your blanket up around you, trying to ignore the annoying urge to pee for the sixth time in the last hour and a half.

"Sure." Your husband replied, lighting a cigarette and going back to whatever it was he had been doing. Numbers by the sound of pen scratching on paper, furious muttering, and deep sighs. "It's fight night. Want to go? Thought I'd take you to dinner and then to the ring."

"Um... sure? I've never been." You shrugged, yawning and rubbing your belly.

You closed your eyes with a small smile, breathing slowly, and deeply when... it happened.

You gasped, threw your eyes open, and sat up straight.

Ramsay looked up, alarmed, half rising from his seat.

"I felt it! I felt the baby move!" You said excitedly, looking down at your belly.

"Sure it wasn't just some weird body function?" He asked, raising a brow and closing the computer.

"Positive." You said excitedly. You stared hard at your belly and gave another gasp after a few moments of silence, "yes! I can feel the baby. Oh my god."

Ramsay leaned back in his chair and watched you with a rather uncharacteristically warm expression.

You both simply stared at one another until finally Ramsay stood from his seat and gave a deep stretch like a cat.

"Were you ever good at math?" He asked, cracking his knuckles and frowning at his notebook.

"Well I can find x." You replied, knowing your answer wasn't good enough. "Why?"

"I'm missing something. A variable or... I don't know." He said slowly.

You said nothing. Finally he shook his head slightly, scratching his jaw and turning to you.

"Dinner?"

"Whatever. It's gotten to the point where as long as I eat it doesn't matter. Heartburn doesn't discriminate it seems, either. But I would really love bell peppers."

"You make my life so easy." He chuckled, walking down the hall.

You watched him leave with a grin.

"I suppose I can dress for comfort?" You called from the closet. You turned to look at Ramsay as he entered the room. His faded jeans and band shirt were enough of an answer.

"You're very fond of this old rag." You said, picking at his shirt as he pulled his leather jacket on.

He shrugged, "first concert. Met Alyn there, actually."

"Oh?" You said, pulling your hoodie on.

"Yeah. We were fourteen. Gave him a bloody nose in the mosh pit. Then I saved his life from some big dude after he got caught making out with the dudes drunk woman. Rolled one behind the venue, and the rest was history. He just kind of stuck around. Father always hated my Boys, so I kept them close. Anyways, burgers and shakes? We can buy your bell peppers on the way back home."

"Burgers and shakes sound wonderful. On one condition." You nodded, pulling your hood up and grabbing your wallet from your purse.

"What's that?" He asked, ushering you out of the house.

"The fries have to be perfect for the shakes."

"Shake fries. Maybe you could market that." He chuckled, helping you into the Jeep.

Ramsay had had the Jeep repainted, tagged, and replaced the vin number. Made you a bit sad, but, safety first, right? Right.

"So, what am I to expect?" You asked, finishing your shake.

"It'll be loud. But what's better than a few beers and watching people beat the shit out of each other? Wonder if anyone good is fighting tonight?" Ramsay said, dropping his cigarette butt out of the cracked window.

He shifted in his seat, pulling his gun and knife, sliding both under the seat. You watched him with a raised brow.

"They check at the door." He shrugged, opening his door.

You met Damon, Charlotte, Ben, and to your excitement, Kaden at the front gates.

The boy rushed you, hugging you tightly.

"Aunt (y/n)! Look!" Kaden practically shouted, pulling his cap off.

"Oh goodness. What happened to all your hair?" You asked, kneeling down and running your hand over his fuzz.

"I did it for mommy." He said, eyes bright.

You looked up at Ben who gave a half shrug and sad smile.

"Liz had a meltdown and said fuck it. Says she was gonna lose it all anyways, might as well get on with it." Ben said, hurt lacing his words.

"But can I tell you a secret?" Kaden said, motioning you closer.

"What's that, hon?" You asked quietly.

He leaned into you, "it will grow back. Just like mommy's."

You gave a small, watery laugh, realizing you were emotional, "yes. Yes it will."

"Come on son, let's get out of the cold." Ben said, as Kaden put his hat back on.

You watched the boy with a fond smile, as Ramsay laced his fingers in yours and tugged you along.

Ramsay led you to a row of seats, close to the ring. Maybe too close for your liking.

"Want something to eat or drink before I send Dame off?" Charlotte asked, sitting behind you.

"I'd love a sprite or something." You replied, glancing back at her.

"Sure thing, sweetheart." She replied.

You watched Ramsay's profile, but he seemed unemotional as his eyes scanned the crowd.

Someone fell into the seat beside you. You turned quickly to see Tyene. She smiled brightly at you as Matt sat on her other side.

You hugged her warmly, "hey."

"Hey yourself. I was excited to hear you were coming. We miss you." Tyene said, looking past you to glare at your husband.

"I miss you all. But, gotta keep this baby safe." You said, placing your hand on your belly.

"Mama was saying how cute you looked yesterday when you swung by." Tyene smiled.

"I was sad you weren't there. But, I heard you were in good hands." You grinned, watching Matt shrug out of his coat.

Tyene shrugged, but grinned broadly.

"Speaking of, what are we doing tomorrow?"

Tyene chewed her lip and gave another shrug, "dunno. Thought we would party it up tomorrow night at Alyn's club or something."

You nodded, "just text me and lemme know."

You made it through two fights before becoming slightly bored. You stole glances at your husband, who looked equally as bored, as he slouched in his seat and jiggled his foot.

You were going to suggest blowing this joint and maybe sneaking into a movie when the boredom flipped completely. But not into excitement.

The final two fighters of the night. Loras Tyrell, which meant the Tyrells and Lannisters were here. And none other than this infamous Jon Snow that your husband hated with almost as much passion as his obsession for you.

When the man took the ring, Ramsay sat up straight and rigid, eyes narrowed to cold slits, jaw clenched, and fists balled.

You caught Damon and Ben exchanged glances.

You watched how Ramsay watched this Snow guy. It was calculating and almost hungry. Like a starving wolf, in the dead of winter, watching a herd of deer run past.

You opened your mouth to say something to him but Damon made a frantic gesture with his hand, catching your eye, and shaking his head fervently.

You closed your mouth again and turned your eyes to the ring.

They were both fast, but Loras was not consistent. After three rounds, Snow had ended it.

The noise of the crowd was loud and excited as Snow was paraded around the ring in triumph by the ref. He looked solemn and uncomfortable at all the attention.

The stands had mostly cleared before Ramsay finally came back down to earth and stood, fists still balled.

You held on to your empty cup, trying to think of something to say. But what was there to say?

You followed him quietly to the lobby, where you bade Matt, Tyene, Ben, and Kaden good bye, giving Kaden about 15 extra hugs and threatened him to be a good boy for his mommy and daddy. To which he assured you he was always good.

You threw your cup away when a group of Lannisters and Tyrells pushed past you, all practically running toward the exit. It puzzled you.

You turned to Ramsay to ask if he had seen but to your surprise you found him pushing through the crowd in the other direction, Damon tearing off after him.

You exchanged a look with Charlotte and followed in their wake.

"SNOW!" Ramsay shouted, pushing people aside.

"Oh god. Please no." You sighed, hurrying to catch up to your husband.

"Bolton." Jon replied, inclining his head slightly, turning from the news crew and the red head on his arm.

"I'm calling you out." Ramsay growled.

"Baby, do you think that..." You started, halting at Ramsay's side, but stopping in midsentence as he gripped your arm and gave you a murderous look.

Jon Snow stood there, glaring at Ramsay in dislike. The woman at his side, glanced you and your husband over before leaning into Jon and whispering in his ear. He gave her a perplexed look when she pulled away and she wore an arrogant smirk, meeting your gaze.

You curled your lip and glared back at her.

"No." Jon finally spoke.

The red head rolled her eyes, turned on her heel, and stormed off.

"Pussy." Ramsay sneered, but his smirk dropped when his phone rang. "What?" He barked when he answered. His face hardened, "no. Do not engage." He hung up and turned to you, pushing you rather roughly along in front of him.

Damon gave you a look of sympathy as you were pushed past him.

Ramsay said nothing until he got to your door at the Jeep. He pushed you into the cold door and grabbed your face.

"If you ever make a fool of me like that in front of people and question my actions ever again, it will be the last thing you ever do." He hissed in so much venom that for the first time you were completely afraid of your husband. He meant it. The ice in his bite made it unmistakable.

You swallowed, dropping your eyes as the tears lined your lower lashes, "yes sir. I'm sorry. I just... I don't want you to get hurt."

Ramsay released you, running the back of his hand along your cheek. He placed his finger under your chin and pulled your face up to his. He placed a kiss to your lips, but said nothing.

"I'm taking you home, then I have to see what the fuck is going on." He helped you into your seat and slammed the door.

"Stannis." You said, remembering what Olyvar had said.

"What?" Ramsay said, glancing over at you in confusion.

"The day I met Oly at the bar to sign paperwork and went to lunch... He told me that Renly had gone into hiding and that Stannis was going to make a move on the Lannisters before the idiot boys wedding. But then I saw the Stark girl and forgot all about it. So sorry baby. I figured you'd know anyways." You said, tumbling over the words as they fell from your mouth.

Ramsay watched you as he sat there waiting on the red light to turn, lights and sirens coming from behind. He said nothing as the cop cars soared past. He cleared his throat and lit a cigarette.

"So?" You asked.

"Nothing. We will go home and that's it. As far as I am concerned neither side makes a difference to me. Maybe they will all kill each other. I have no ties to any of those cunts. Guess we will see what happens when the smoke clears tomorrow morning."

×××

"Party tonight?" You asked, looking up from Tyene's message.

Ramsay shrugged, looking up from his computer, "sure. But tell your snake we are partying my way. And I need to meet the kid at one o'clock downtown on the corner of Fifth and Kings Road."

"Um, okay? What are you doing? You've been quiet all morning." You questioned, sitting up from the couch.

"Numbers. And background cheks. This woman your brother is marrying... she's interesting."

"Interesting, huh?" You asked, with a jealous bite.

Ramsay noticed it and laughed, "jealous? Jealousy bores me, doll. You've nothing to fear. I just meant her family. They have bad blood with the Lannisters. Found articles and police reports. Aparently aren't very popular with Tywin's brother. Maybe that's why she didn't laugh or seem surprised at dinner. She's a couple years younger than you. Been in the service for six years."

You listened to him ramble his useless facts on your soon to be sister in law.

There came a knock on the door and you saw Ramsay crinkle his brow in confusion before he rose from his chair.

He opened the door and Damon stepped in.

"Robb Stark. He's looking for you."

Ramsay clicked his tongue and smirked.

"Tell him to meet me at the shop at six. Then we are going to the club for the kids birthday. I only need you with me when I meet the cop."

"Yessir." Damon nodded, clutching his keys and phone.

"Why did you come all the way up here instead of just calling?" Ramsay asked, crossing his arms.

"Because he's security detail this morning." You spoke up, putting your book down.

Your husband looked between you and Damon, who gave a half shrug and nod.

"I thought that was Friday?"

"Babe, it is Friday." You said, furrowing your brows slightly.

"Hm. Interesting." He hummed, leaving the room.

"He good?" Damon asked quietly.

You shrugged, "he's been a bit off for a couple days."

"When's your appointment?"

You heaved a sigh, "Wednesday."

"Ah. I see." Damon nodded, glancing around the mostly empty house.

"This is a pretty dress." You said, pulling the navy blue dress from the bag.

"I thought it would look good on you. Classic waves. Pearls. You have two hours." Ramsay replied, throwing a box of shoes on the bed.

"Why are we dressing so nice to get the kid fucked up for his eighteenth birthday?" You asked, examining the highly polished, black shoes.

"Rite of passage."

Ramsay walked in the bathroom, fixing his cufflinks as you pulled the last if the curlers from your hair. You felt your cheeks warm as you glanced at him in the mirror.

"Why do we look like we belong in the thirties?" You asked, turning to him.

"Dress code." He said, adjusting his tie and placing his fedora hat delicately on his perfectly slicked hair. You just noticed he had gotten a haircut while he was out.

"Where are we going?" You asked, turning back to the counter to find your lipstick.

"It's a surprise."

"Who are we meeting?"

"Matt, your snake, Dame, Charlotte, and Alyn."

He clasped your strand of pearls around your neck, fingers lingering longer than needed as he ran his tongue along his bottom lip.

"Alright, doll. First we meet with Stark, then we meet up with the gang."

"I'm following your lead." You smiled, putting your makeup away.

"You will hold your tongue, understood?" Ramsay said, throwing open the conference room door.

You nodded, entering the dark room, as Ramsay flipped on the light. You took a seat and ran your hand over the smooth surface of the polished table.

Ramsay leaned against the table beside you, glancing down at his watch. He tutted in annoyance.

"I really hate when people don't have the courtesy to be on time."

"You'd really hate my mom then. She'll be late to her own funeral." You giggled, tapping your foot on the ground, as you smoothed out your dress.

Moments later Damon entered, looking just as clean cut as Ramsay. You almost didn't recognize him and took a few moments of staring to realize who it was, as he swept his hat off his head and tucked it under his arm, leaning against the wall as Robb Stark walked in stiffly. The news reporter, Talisa a step behind him.

"Let's waste no time, I'm in rather a hurry this evening." Ramsay said, taking a seat beside you.

Robb made to sit across the table but Ramsay held up his hand, "gun on the table."

Robb scowled, pulling his gun and placing it on the table.

Ramsay glanced at you, "check her."

You rose from your seat, walking around the table to Talisa.

"Is this really necessary?" Robb asked, stiffening even more.

"Just a precaution." Ramsay said, lighting a cigarette.

You gave Talisa a small smile, "Sorry. But, safety first." You pat her down, "oh! I love your shoes."

"Uh... thanks?" She said, standing just as stiffly as Robb.

You pulled away from her and returned to your seat.

Robb and Talisa took their seats, both looking very awkward and uncomfortable.

"So, you got my message?" Ramsay asked, resting his elbows on the table.

"Yes. I did. You're a hard man to find." Robb said, with a nod.

"I like it that way. But I've been watching you. Nosing around in things that will get you killed. I would hire a professional hacker next time you try to find me. Now, before I say any more, why have you been meeting with my father?"

Robb eyed Ramsay closely, "he's helping me find my sister."

"Why? What's in it for him?" Ramsay asked, masking his confusion, but not before you took note of it.

"Don't know. He came to me and said he was sorry about my father and offered his help." Robb said, looking down at his hands as he rested them on the table.

You could see the strain in his face. Poor guy. Trying to play by his law abiding, police rules.

"Hm. Well, I am afraid I lied about having your sister. However, I know who has her. But locating her physical being has been difficult." Ramsay said, taking a long drag from his cigarette.

"Who?" Robb asked at once, snapping his head up.

"Hold on there, detective. What's in it for me?" Ramsay chuckled.

You gave him a side eye, frowning at his enjoyment by keeping this poor man in the dark.

"Bolton, I'm a cop. I don't make near enough what you're asking for." Robb said with a frustrated sigh, running his hand over his face.

Ramsay smirked, putting his cigarette out in the ash tray on the table, taking his hat off, and placing it in your lap.

"And I am just a simple banker, who owns a garage."

"Please. Name your price." Talisa spoke up, grabbing Robb's hand tight.

"Alright, how about this... Give me Theon Greyjoy and I will deliver your sister to you. Bring me Theon and his uncle, Euron Greyjoy and I will give you your sister and fifty k."

Robb gaped, "Theon? Why?"

"That's my business. Deal?" Ramsay said, a grin twitching the corner of his mouth.

"I can't. I don't even know where he is. He never came back to work." Robb admitted, chewing his lip.

The grin spread like poison on Ramsay's face.

"Seem to be losing everyone close to you, huh?"

Robb gave an ugly scowl and made to stand. Ramsay pulled back his jacket to reveal the gun strapped to his chest. Robb sat back in his chair.

"Do we have a deal?" Ramsay asked, rising from his chair, pulling the gun.

Talisa gasped, casting around wildly as Damon stepped in front of the only exit, hand tucked away inside his jacket.

Robb sighed, "Do I even have a choice?"

Ramsay laughed, "And I thought all Stark's were slow on the uptake. Look at it this way, you both walk out of here and never mention this meeting to anyone, you give me what I want, I give you what you want. Easy, right?"

Robb gripped the arms of his chair, "and if I bring the whole department down on you?"

Ramsay sucked his front teeth and gave an eye roll. He lazily held his gun up at Talisa.

You watched her eyes widen and color drain from her face.

"If you try anything stupid, well..." Ramsay said, pulling the trigger.

Talisa screamed as the shot rang out, and a hole appeared in the wall feet behind her. Ramsay had just missed grazing her cheek.

Robb jumped up, lunging for his gun, but Ramsay pulled a knife from nowhere it seemed and buried it in Robb's sleeve, pinning him just out of reach of his gun.

Talisa was sobbing hysterically into her hands, and Robb was fuming. Ramsay glanced at the shocked, sobbing woman in distaste.

"Now. Do. We. Have. A. Deal?" Ramsay asked, fingering the handle of the knife.

"Yes." Robb said weakly, shoulders dropping.

Ramsay wrenched the knife from the table with a satisfied grin and held out his hand. Robb shook it reluctantly.

"Because I'm such a good guy, I'll give you a clue on your sister. Joffrey Baratheon."

Robb eyed Ramsay, snatched his gun from the table, helped Talisa from her chair, and ushered her from the room.

"Remember, if you speak a word of this, your graves are already dug!" Ramsay called after them with a malicious laugh.

Once they were gone you turned to your husband, as he took his hat back from you.

"The Lannisters don't have her though." You said bluntly.

Ramsay chuckled, "I know. But I like watching cops chase their tails. Now, let's get the fuck outta here. We have a long night ahead of us."

"What is this place?" You asked, snaking your arm around Ramsay's waist as he led you down a flight of cobblestone steps to a thick door. There was a small sign above the door that read "Naked Man".

Ramsay only gave you a smirk as he knocked on the door.

You glanced back at Damon, Charlotte, Matt, Tyene, and Alyn. They had all dressed like you and Ramsay. It was like looking back in time.

An eye hole in the door slid back. Ramsay pulled back his sleeve slightly to reveal part of his flayed man tattoo, "Bolton, party of seven. Our blades are sharp."

The eye hole slid closed and a few moments later the heavy door swung in and Ramsay led you into an underground club. It was dim, full of smoke haze, mostly older men, girls dressed in curve hugging floor gowns like yours, and an electro swing band on a wooden stage. It had to be the most upbeat, and yet elegant place you had ever set foot in. The floors were dark polished oak, the walls done up in more elegant wood work. It was cozy and yet regal. It was... classic.

Ramsay turned around, grabbing Matt by the tie and pulling him forward, "your night is on me." He released Matt and glanced at your group, "to the Seven Deadly Sins." He winked, looking past you and letting a wicked smirk grow.

You turned to see what Ramsay was looking at. There in a corner, smoking cigars and playing poker sat Roose and Tywin Lannister.

Ramsay gripped your hand and led you toward his father. You followed unwillingly.

He slid into an empty seat beside his father, grabbed a glass off a tray a woman was carrying, and pulled you into his lap.

He took a very long, exaggerated drink, set the glass down, pulled his hat off, and smiled sweetly at his father.

Roose eyed Ramsay in weariness. "Son. Don't ever see you here."

"Yeah, been awhile. What brings you to the city? You hardly ever come to the city... though I've had it that you've been here a lot recently." Ramsay said, dealing himself cards, and pulling out his cigarettes.

"Mr. Lannister and I had business to take care of." Roose said curtly, eyeing you over.

"Been keeping busy, Lannister? Heard you pulled some amazing feats last night." Ramsay said, glancing up from his cards, pushing them aside, and giving Tywin a calculating look.

"Yes. Stannis is lucky to have the men he still has. Though it may not remain that way very long." Tywin nodded, taking a drink from his glass.

Jaime Lannister slid into the empty seat next to his father. He glanced you and Ramsay over.

"Didn't realize all the Bolton's would be here tonight." Jaime said, taking a drink offered by a woman.

"Strictly coincidence. Now, which one of you is selling?" Ramsay shrugged.

"What do you want, son?" Roose asked rather dangerously.

"Just wanna buy drugs, old man." Ramsay replied giving his father a very innocent look, that could of fooled God himself. "You always got good shit on you. I need it for the night. Look, I'm feeling generous, I'll even pay double."

"I don't need your money, idiot. Take it and go." Roose hissed, pulling a neatly folded bag of fine white powder from his breast pocket and thrusting it at Ramsay.

"Hey, I may get you a 'Dad of the year' coffee cup for father's day this year." Ramsay chuckled, taking the baggie. "Guess I can still expect you Wednesday afternoon?"

Roose eyed you and nodded, "of course. Wouldn't miss it."

You looked daggers at your father in law, thankful Ramsay couldn't see from your angle in his lap.

"Come on, doll. Let's leave the grumpy old men to their boring game. The young lion is cheating anyways." Ramsay said, nudging you to stand, and nodding at Jaime with a polite smile.

He gripped your hand and led you across the club, out of sight of Roose, to the table the Boys sat at.

"Right, kid. Hope you know what an honor it is to be here. I mean both literally here," he motioned around the building, "and officially being apart of the Bastard's Boys."

Matt gave a nod, looking a bit dazed.

Ramsay tossed the baggie he had got off his father to Alyn. "Six lines."

Alyn nodded, pulling his wallet and sliding a credit card out.

"Do you swing?" Ramsay whispered in your ear as you turned your attention to the band playing.

"Yes, actually. It's my favorite." You replied, turning back to him.

"Man, I knew I married you for a reason." He grinned, pulling out his wallet and pulling six crips bills from it. He passed them around, rolling his as tightly as he could.

"To a night you will never remember, or forget." Ramsay said, winking at Matt, snorting the thin line Alyn had carefully slid across the table with the plastic card.

Something about watching Ramsay snort cocaine was slightly heartbreaking. You knew he had used many times over the years, but he had never done it in front of you, and often assured you he only drank, popped pills occasionally, and smoked marijuana since "falling in love" with you.

You stood there watching him drop the rolled up bill on the table, bury his face in one hand, and clutch at his chest with the other. He shook his head, dropped his hands, and turned his eyes to yours as his pupils blew.

"Oh fuck." He muttered, taking a seat and staring at the table.

Alyn clapped him on the shoulder, "just give it a minute. Inhaled too hard is all."

You watched everyone succumb to the high from the blow. You felt like an outsider slightly. You made to sit down when Ramsay gripped your hand and rose from his chair.

He ordered a round of drinks for the table as he led you past the bar and to the dance floor.

"Pretty soon I'll be too fat for this." You said with a sad smile, as you fell into the fast paced steps with him.

He twirled you and pulled you into him, biting at your neck, "until then, though, I will take you dancing whenever you want."

"How is it that you are the most charming and horrible man I have ever met?" You asked, feeling slightly breathless already.

"Don't act like you don't enjoy it." He replied, also seeming rather winded. Though it may have just been the drugs. You weren't sure.

Three songs later you had to call it quits. Ramsay returned you to the table, and left you to get you a glass of water.

You glanced around the place, seeing your group scattered, enjoying themselves. It made you smile. Ramsay set the glass down in front of you, taking a seat beside you and pulling your chair closer.

"What's on your mind?" He asked, throwing back his drink.

"You." You said slowly turning your gaze from the room to him.

"What about me?" He asked, pinching the bridge of his nose and scrunching his brows slightly.

"I dunno. You're different. Not being so murderous or threatening. Treating Matt to, what I'm sure is a very expensive night, and... I dunno. I don't know how to explain it." You said, running your eyes over him.

"All of us spent our eighteenth birthdays here, and he's a Boy now. So, I thought I'd extend the hand. I take care of those who work for me. Sometimes that means doing things like this." He replied with a small shrug.

You nodded, turning back to the crowd, giving a tiny gasp as Tyene climbed up on a table, shouting to get everyone's attention.

"Hey! Tonight we are celebrating a birthday. And the birthday boy needs all your support to help him blow out his birthday candles!" Tyene shouted, as two bartenders set a towering birthday cake on the counter.

Alyn and Damon were helping a very inebriated Matt to the cake. There were a few catcalls and jeers from the crowd.

On the third attempt Matt managed to blow out all the candles, which was greeted by clapping and whistles. Mostly by the older men who took delight in watching a stupid kid make a fool of himself, while trashed beyond belief.

"Cake then?" Ramsay asked.

"Please." You nodded, giving a smile.

"I need a kiss first." Ramsay said, reaching for your face and pulling you toward him.

You placed your lips to his, kissing him deeply. He moved his hand from your cheek to grope and grab at your breasts.

"Stop it." You hissed against his lips.

"You like it." He grinned back, letting a small moan escape him as you slid from your seat to his lap.

"How pissed would your father be if I fucked you right here?" You asked, kissing along his jaw.

"Mm, so pissed." He panted, tipping his head back.

"Good." You purred in his ear, hiking your dress up enough to straddle your husband.

He slid his hands to your hips and gripped hard, as you ground against his pants.

You felt him stir in his pants as he shifted to push his hips into you.

You took one of his hands, sliding it up your dress.

"Gave you a grand to buy underwear and you aren't even wearing any." He said with a small, longing groan as he ran his fingers against you.

"Just wanted you to know that I'm ready." You whispered, biting at his neck.

He shifted I'm his seat, to undo his belt, "how ruined are these pants?"

"On a scale of not to embarrassingly, I'm going to have to go with embarrassingly." You smirked, nipping his ear.

He grinned, peaking his eye open. "We need to move over a couple tables if you're wanting to piss off my father."

"Well, move us." You replied.

"When did you become the bad influence?" He chuckled, cupping your ass as he stood, bringing you with him.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing and nibbling at his ear, you made to respond when someone cleared their throat bringing you back to reality.

You pulled away from him to look around.

"Down here." A voice said.

Both you and Ramsay looked down to see Tyrion Lannister.

"Little man." Ramsay chuckled, sitting back down.

You gave a sniff, sliding back into your own seat and fixing your dress.

"Sorry to interrupt. I'm not usually one to be a cock block, but I would hate for such a young, beautiful couple to be caught off guard with their pants down."

You stared at Tyrion, raising a brow.

"What do you mean?" Ramsay asked.

Tyrion nodded at a group of men watching you and Ramsay.

"Fuck them. Jealous fucks." Ramsay said, glaring back at them in malice.

"All the same." Tyrion said, taking a seat at the table.

Ramsay pulled out his cigarettes and offered one to Tyrion, who took it.

"What brings you here?" Tyrion asked, lighting his cigarette.

Ramsay nodded at Matt, who was being held up by Tyene, who was laughing wildly. "Kid's birthday. All my Boys and I spent our eighteenth birthdays here, and so I thought I'd bring the kid as I made him an official Boy this afternoon."

Tyrion watched Matt through his mismatched eyes, a small grin on his face, which was heavily cut and bruised.

"What happened to you?" Ramsay asked bluntly.

Tyrion sighed in his exhale of smoke, "Stannis' little escapade last night. Had a hell of a time trying to keep things together, then father, of course, swooped in and saved the day."

"Ah, fathers. Always stealing the thunder. Aren't they the worst?" Ramsay nodded.

Tyrion gave a bitter laugh, "I will drink to that."

"Hear hear." Ramsay said, turning in his seat to catch a waitresses attention.

She set two glasses down in front of Ramsay and Tyrion, offering you one, but you waved her away.

"Where's your bitch of a sister?"

"Probably off gloating over Stannis' defeat last night." Tyrion shrugged.

You watched Ramsay give a sweeping glance over the room and frown. He sighed, pulled his gun, placed it in your lap, slipping his hand in his pants pocket as he stood up.

You caught the glint of metal as he pulled his hand from his pocket.

"If you'll excuse me." He said, stalking off, grabbing Damon by the elbow as he walked by.

Confused you turned in your seat, seeing the group Tyrion had warned about harassing Matt and Tyene.

Tyrion gave a tut, watching closely as Ramsay tapped the closest man on the shoulder and hit him squarely in the face without a word as the man turned to face him.

Alyn swooped in as Ramsay and Damon tackled the group of men to the ground.

Tyene tugged Matt away from the brawl. He tripped over a chair and fell backward, hitting his head on a the table.

A single gunshot rang out, silencing the room at once; Ramsay standing abruptly, running his hand over his chest and giving a small sigh.

Roose stood there, gun raised, eyes narrowed.

"Ramsay, get out of my club." He snarled, his voice hardly an octave above a whisper that seemed to carry around the room.

Ramsay made a noise, wiping his bloodied lip on the back of his hand, motioning at the men picking themselves up off the ground.

"What of them? They started it!" Ramsay said in a voice of forced calm.

"They are here as my guests." Roose said as if it settled the matter.

"And I'm here as your son!" Ramsay raged, stepping into Roose.

"Get. Out." Roose hissed, narrowing his pale eyes to deadly slits, pushing the barrel of his gun into Ramsay's chest.

"I will remember this. I take back what I said about father of the year." Ramsay said through clenched teeth, a manic grin threatening to show.

He yanked Alyn toward him, grabbing at him, and pulling the bag of powder from him. He turned back to his father and emptied the baggie on Roose's shoes, flinging the empty bag in Roose's face. He dropped a pair of brass knuckles at his father's feet and turned to Damon and Alyn.

"Let's go Boys."

Alyn helped Tyene gather up Matt, and Charlotte appeared at your side, grabbing your empty hand.

You held on to Ramsay's gun and hat, not daring to make eye contact with Roose as you were shunted through the room.

The wind was bitter as you stepped out into the cold night. Ramsay relieved you of gun and hat.

Matt leaned against the wall as you emerged from the top of the stairs. He looked upset, running his hand over the back of his head.

"Sup?" Damon asked, looking Matt over.

"They... I... my shoe." Matt said, unable to string words together in his upset, drunk state.

You looked down to see Matt was only wearing one shoe.

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centaurianthropology · 6 years

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The Magnus Archives ‘Nesting Instinct’ (S03E22) Analysis

A creepy crawly story layers with trouble at the Institute, and an Archivist who is the absolute worst at handling interpersonal conflict. Come on in to hear what I think about ‘Nesting Instinct.’

Well, first it’s interesting to really start to get a sense of Elias’ limitations, which are apparently pretty extensive. I’d suspected for a while that he was overstating his power, comprehension and reach, and this was apparently the week when all that came home to roost. Because Jon shouting down Elias for his repeated bullshit and his tendency to murder the most potentially useful people was glorious and welcome, and the fact that Elias more or less had to take it (and then take Jon reassuring Melanie that they would deal with Elias just as soon as it was convenient while Elias was standing right there) was really satisfying.

But there wasn’t much else he could do, is there? Because Jon is rapidly realizing exactly how little Elias actually knows. He apparently has no idea what Gertrude figured out about the Unknowing, and his trigger-happiness has hindered progress toward his goals more often than it seems to have helped anything beyond his own raging need to remain in control. And now Jon is wrenching that control away from him, sick of being the puppet of a man who doesn’t know half of what he insinuates. Two of the assistants are in outright revolt, only one other is actually doing his job, and despite Elias calling in Peter Lukas, he apparently didn’t manage to do anything helpful in order to retrieve Jon from the Circus.

Elias likes to think of himself as a master manipulator, but he doesn’t actually seem that great at thinking on his feet or handling real crises. He likes intricate, carefully thought-out plans. But when it comes to the day-to-day more often than not he makes decisions that are as poor as Jon’s. Every time he’s managed to out-maneuver everyone, he’s still had his ability to See acting for him and allowing him to plan ahead. But the Circus is well-hidden, and without his Sight, Elias is apparently useless. He can’t even figure out how to make the Archives a livable environment or convince Melanie to stop trying to murder him.

It does worry me somewhat what he’ll do under all this loss of control, because so far his track record seems to end in violence. I’m glad that Jon managed to talk Melanie down, at least for now. I’m fascinated that she’s essentially a much more proactive version of Tim. While Tim is buried in the despair of being imprisoned by the Beholding, Melanie sees the main hurdle to their freedom as Elias, and is more than willing to roll the dice on his murder in order to get them all free. Again, her plan is … less than stellar. She figured a knife would be the best way to go about things? I mean, sure, but he still knows you’re coming. If Melanie really wanted to be smart, she’d pool her knowledge with Basira, who’s been digging through the library, and Tim, who has probably been contemplating this exact thing for a while, and figure out a way to get to Elias without him seeing them coming.

I know that Melanie’s driving instinct is to appear competent, but this fear and anger is clearly blinding her to better and more careful planning. And because she’s the one who keeps flinging herself bodily at the problem that is Elias, I am very worried that she’s the one who’s going to catch it in the neck when he finally snaps. Because he can’t kill off another one of his archivists so close to the Unknowing, and Melanie is both right there and not necessary to prevent the apocalypse. I think the only thing protecting her right now is that she is a genuinely good researcher and they need all hands on deck for this Unknowing thing. Particularly if Tim is still non-cooperative, and Martin can only do so much (and because his performance apparently has an inverse relationship with how worried about Jon he is), and Basira is less assistant and more fairly-chill-prisoner, Melanie is a necessity at the moment. But the second her usefulness dips or the danger she poses to Elias becomes more than he wants to tolerate … I really think Jon needs to be in the office way more than he’s planning to be. Protecting his assistants from a homicidal boss isn’t really possible if you’re halfway around the world chasing down cold leads.

We also learned this week that, if Elias has basically been giving Jon every box Gertrude marked as potentially relevant to the Unknowing, then Elias has no real organization or thought for the information he’s doling out. So the tape with Michael was given not by Elias and not by Michael, but by Gertrude. Given what we know about her at this point, I think it’s fairly safe to assume that it was the statement she considered relevant. Michael himself was never relevant in her eyes, and his interruption and Jon’s realization about his previous position was nothing more than happy accident.

So Elias is playing Jon, but can only do so with Gertrude’s knowledge. Because Gertrude really was the only one who knew what was going on. Elias may be all-seeing in the moment, but he can’t piece together a puzzle. He’s a literalist, and so anything metaphorical or complex seems beyond him.

So what he and Jon know about the Unknowing, they know because they’ve pieced it together from Gertrude. Mostly. They know that Nikola was created specifically for the Unknowing before killing her creator. We know she requires a whole lot of intact human skin, and at least one very powerful artifact (my money is on the ancient skin and/or Jon’s flayed skin) in order to enact it.

But there’s further information starting to come in, totally separate from what Gertrude knew, and this information will apparently come from Jon himself. His powers are clearly growing, possibly exponentially. He’s already making leaps of logic he can’t explain, but which shortly thereafter turned out to be correct. I think some part of him is starting to perceive the larger world he’s weaving, and through that picture, he’s picking out details and facts that he shouldn’t be able to get to yet. Through those connections, he realized that that Gerard Kaey was working with Gertrude shortly before his death. Whether he knew he was dying, or Gertrude helped him die is unclear, though of all people who wouldn’t be fooled by Gertrude, I have to imagine that the son of Mary Kaey would be foremost amongst them.

I’m sure we’ll learn more about what they did together going forward, since Jon is apparently tracking that plot-thread now. I hope he doesn’t expect to take a trip to New Zealand when everything is heating up so close to home. Having Jon within the country but distant has been difficult enough for his assistants. Having him be halfway around the world could prove to be disastrous.

At least no matter where he tracks Gertrude and Gerard, he will be able to piece together a coherent narrative. Apparently while reading statements, all languages are understandable to him. That ability falls apart when it’s not a statement, however, since he couldn’t read a wedding invitation, even if it’s for the wedding of a lonely middle-aged Frenchman to another flavor of the Hive. So his powers are still very much limited to the story, and the narrative. Beyond that, well, beyond that Jon needs help.

NOT THAT HE’S GOING TO GET IT IF THAT’S HIS APPROACH TO TALKING TO HIS ASSISTANTS. Captain Oblivious and Mr Martyr-Complex attempting to have an honest conversation about exactly how bad things had gotten was, on reflection, something I should have never expected to go well. Jon just asking if Martin was ‘okay’ with recording statements basically means Martin’s going to bury himself in his ‘everything is fine’ defense because he wants to be helpful and make Jon proud of him. And Martin trying to hint at everything falling apart and Jon needing to be there for the others sailed right over Jon’s oblivious head, because unless you slap Jon upside the head with the dead halibut of truth, he will never notice it. I at least think both of them realized how poorly the conversation went, but I also doubt either of them will be attempting to try again without some serious encouragement.

Yes, it’s perfectly in character, and yes it ratchets up the tension for Jon to remain oblivious to how bad things are getting and Martin to pretend everything’s fine while gazing meaningfully at Jon in some idiotic hope that Jon would recognize the clue bus before it ran him down. But seriously, my dudes. One of you needs to be straight-up honest and aware. Jon’s falling apart and getting more and more powerful without any good anchor to his humanity. Martin’s falling apart trying to keep the Archives functional with Tim on strike, Melanie homicidal, Basira blissfully checked out, and Daisy being someone Martin would be happy never to see again. And neither of them has the courage to just admit it and ask for help.

Kudos on Georgie for telling Jon to damn well talk to Martin, but next time she might need to include an instruction manual.

Conclusion

It’s nice to hear from the Filth again for a story, even if it feels fairly unrelated, only tying into Gertrude’s movements before Gerard’s death. As always when it comes to the Filth, the story was nicely stomach-churning, and the Filth’s worshippers still seem to be the lovelorn folk who are desperate for true affection. Which is deeply creepy in its own right, considering that they all get consumed by insects and disease.

It’s also interesting to find out that Gertrude and Gerard worked together. Given that he grew up with his mother and her knowledge, I doubt he would be as taken in by Gertrude as others were. I’m interested to see not only what their interactions were like, but also what their eventual split was like.

And finally we have the two most emotionally constipated men in England (if for different reasons) trying to talk to one another in something vaguely resembling a meaningful exchange. Did it happen? No. Will there probably be dire consequences because these two idiots can’t talk? Oh, almost certainly. Are we still not at all certain how much beyond ‘world-ending-need-to-stop-it’ Jon’s actually told his assistants? Definitely.

It’s absolutely in character that this conversation would be so disastrously inadequate, but someone smarter—Georgie is the best bet at this point—needs to lock them together in a room until they actually talk through all the shit they’ve both experienced. Because it’s that, or all that shit comes out while they’re in the middle of the apocalypse/neck deep in mannequins/trapped in an old waxworks together. And that doesn’t help anyone.

#The Magnus Archives #analysis

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer Breakdown and Analysis

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It’s finally here. We truly never thought it would arrive for awhile. But sure enough, the first Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer has arrived. And just as you might have expected from the veil of secrecy that surrounded it, it would appear that at least SOME of the crazy multiversal rumors about this movie are true.

From its MCU multiverse shattering central concept to the presence of both Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus (with hints of even more characters yet to be revealed), Spider-Man: No Way Home looks like the biggest Marvel movie since Avengers: Endgame, and seems likely to set up future MCU Phase 4 projects, most notably Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In other words, there’s a lot to unpack here. Here’s everything we’ve found so far. Oh, and just in case you haven’t watched it yet, here’s that trailer for you:

OK, now let’s get to work…

The Fallout From Far From Home

As we all remember, the previous Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home had a rather shocking ending, and one that didn’t exactly leave Peter in the best place. Thanks to the machinations of Mysterio, Peter found his secret identity outed by J. Jonah Jameson, and the world now knows he’s really Spider-Man.

We see glimpses of this in the opening moments, with Peter seeming to have a combination celebrity/pariah status, and it’s negatively affecting MJ and Ned Leeds as well. One classmate this seems to be going well for? Betty Brant, who we briefly glimpse on a TV screen in the high school, presumably reporting on this whole mess.

One fun detail about this? MJ is reading the real world New York Post, which on its own isn’t funny (the Post is a rag…except for the sports coverage), but in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies the Daily Bugle’s logo and layout were clearly modeled on the Post‘s. Another subtle reminder that this isn’t the world of the Raimi movies, and that The Daily Bugle of the MCU probably spent the last five years telling people to take Ivermectin to bring their “snapped” loved ones back.

That headline says “Spider-Minions” and I’d bet the puppets on the webs are MJ and Ned. Zendaya’s “Yesss, my Spider-Lord,” is legit hilarious, though. Not sure why the sports page would say “pray for New York”…UNLESS it’s about Spidey’s favorite baseball team, the New York Mets, for whom prayers are not enough.

Later on in the trailer, we see Spidey and Michelle being hounded by new helicopters, so this isn’t going well. But they take refuge on top of a bridge which…

Peter! You better Spidey your ass right the hell down off that bridge right this instant! You know what happens when you bring your girlfriends to bridges. Knock it off!

Steve Ditko

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact that Steve Ditko co-created both Spider-Man and Doctor Strange and here they are sharing the screen in an impossibly mega-budgeted film. Ditko absolutely would have hated this for any number of reasons, but especially because he barely ever saw a dime from all the Spidey and Strange merchandise through the years.

Why am I bringing this up (aside from the obvious)? Because Ditko’s name is literally in the first shot of the trailer, as some graffiti on the wall behind Peter and MJ. I’m sure Mr. Ditko wouldn’t have approved of street artists like this, either.

Damage Control

We see Peter being interrogated by someone in law enforcement, and it’s clear that Mysterio’s frame job is sticking pretty well. But wait…look more closely at the insignia on this guy’s jacket.

He’s not an ordinary fed, that DODC stands for Department of Damage Control. Remember them from Spider-Man: Homecoming? These are the folks who get called in to take care of the messes after big superhero/supervillain battles.

Here Comes Daredevil?

While there’s no official sign of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in this trailer, it sure seems like Peter could use a good lawyer right about now, and it’s hard to imagine a better time to bring in Daredevil, the most beloved character from Marvel’s Netflix era. Unless, of course, the faceless individual who slams a stack of files down in front of Peter is, in fact, Murdock.

Anyway, it should come as no surprise that Peter wants his secret identity back, and he’s already fought side by side with exactly the kind of guy who could help him do exactly that. Of course, the thing that reminds him of this are these Halloween decorations that look like if someone tried to describe Doctor Strange to Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan and then Happy went and whipped up some cosplay based on the description.

It’s kind of cool that this movie seems to at least partially take place around Halloween. The MCU Spider-Man movies have always had a particular sense of time that most MCU flicks lack (although yes, Virginia, Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie). Spider-Man: Homecoming took place at the start of the school year in September, while Spider-Man: Far From Home was a summer vacation movie. Assuming the end of that film was late summer, Peter has been dealing with his new and hellish existence for anywhere from 60-90 days by this point in the trailer.

Paging Doctor Strange…Doctor Stephen Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange for the first time since Avengers: Endgame, and he appears to be doing well for himself. He does, however, seem a little too eager to help Peter by casting a spell that is meant to either just erase the memory of the world that Peter is Spider-Man, or perhaps as Peter puts it, make it so Mysterio never went public with his identity.

Hell, Wong even shows up to till him what a mistake that would be. And Stephen being Stephen he, well, he ignores the hell out of him.

Also worth noting that Peter trying to wish his troubles away via magic is ALSO the basic idea of one of the most hated Spider-Man stories in all of history, the loathed “One More Day” which undid Peter’s marriage to Mary Jane in exchange for the life of Aunt May.

The Broken Spell

Of course, leave it to Peter’s anxious ass to have second thoughts at the last minute. You see, he wants Aunt May, MJ, and Ned to remember the fact that he’s Spider-Man. On the one hand, that’s nice, and reminds us that Peter is a good kid who still feels guilty about deceiving his friends. On the other hand, look at the big picture, dude! You can just…reveal your secret to them after the fact!

Also…is something wrong with Doctor Strange? For one thing, he never should have agreed to this. But for another, it’s clear that something isn’t quite right in the Sanctum Sanctorum since it’s snowing indoors. Is Strange having trouble with his magic for some reason? Will this be one of the things we have to deal with in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

The Multiverse

Anyway, Peter’s interruption screws everything up. How? That’s not entirely clear just yet. But it seems to be the nexus event that either sends Peter into other corners of the MCU multiverse or allows variants from other Spidey realities to start filtering in to the Sacred Timeline.

The Black and Gold Spider-Man Costume

The long-rumored black and gold Spider-Man costume seems to make its first appearance here. Is this a new suit Peter has whipped up, or is he Quantum Leaping into some variant form of himself elsewhere in the multiverse?

This scene also appears to take place in the charity where Aunt May works.

Get Ready for the Sinister Six

We get the introductions (well, re-introductions) of at least three villains in this trailer, and three is halfway to six, which can only mean that Sony has finally found a way to do that supervillain team-up Sinister Six movie they’ve been threatening us with for so long.

Electro

Is this lightning bolt blowing up police cars our first confirmation that Jamie Foxx’s Electro from the film we’d all rather forget, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is indeed making his return here? There’s another shot that also makes me think this is more than just some multiversal storm.

Green Goblin

Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin is definitely about to make an appearance! That’s a pumpkin bomb, alright, and you can just barely hear his sinister cackle.

Doctor Octopus Returns

And, of course, the biggest applause moment in the trailer comes with the return of Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus, one of the great big screen supervillains of all time. Is his “hello, Peter” directed at Tom Holland’s Peter Parker? Or is possible that he’s addressing another Peter entirely…perhaps one played by Tobey Maguire?

In any case, this scene looks like it might happen right after that pumpkin bomb explosion, which would mean that Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin have already teamed up by this point. Who else might be joining them in battle? We’ll find out soon enough…

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Spider-Man: No Way Home opens on Dec. 17. The full schedule of upcoming MCU Phase 4 and 5 movies can be found here.

Want to point out a Spider-Man or MCU Easter egg we missed? Just want to freak out about how cool this looks? Let us know in the comments!

The post Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer Breakdown and Analysis appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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it-was-so-human · 7 years

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“I’m not drunk enough yet” for Jonsa. :D

Ahh awesome–thanks so much! Here’s a messy little Washington, D.C.-Jonsa fic for you, ~1,000 words.

Maybe it’s in his blood. Maybe being a predatory piece of shit was a terrible legacy he could not escape from.

It was easy for people to forget that the brooding quiet Jon Snow was the son of the former-Senator Rhaegar Targaryen. (But Jon couldn’t forget that ugly inheritance. And he wouldn’t repeat it.)

He should have stayed away from this town, shouldn’t have been so drawn to the call to public service. God, he was an idiot. Washington DC was a hellhole and it was going to destroy him.

He should have just done what his half-brother Aegon did and lived comfortably far away on the west coast where fewer knew the sordid tale.

(But he does secretly think he might be making a small difference, has to stay and at least try.)

But it wasn’t his father who inspired him to this work, it was his mother. A mother who he never met, but who he always felt drawn to.

He was told she was ambitious and lovely. And had been taken advantage of in he worst ways who claimed to have loved her.

His mother had been idealistic, bright-eyed, and at 18 thoroughly won over by a Senator. A married Senator who left her pregnant and alone.

Lyanna’s death during childbirth was a scandal that rocked through DC. It may have ended Senator Targaryen’s illustrious career and presidential aspirations, but it ended her life.

And it didn’t matter that Sansa Stark at 23 was only a couple years younger than him, that if they met at a bar it would be completely–almost absurdly—appropriate.

God, the last 6 months had been torture.

Even though he was basically just a glorified personal assistant to Senator Mormont, he was still her superior.

It didn’t matter that as a Stark she had more political connections than he could imagine in his wildest dreams. (Her father, before he died, had been the president’s chief-of-fucking-staff.)

Still, it didn’t matter. She was an intern, and he did not... dally with interns. It was completely inappropriate and creepy and Jon Snow would be a better man than that.

(And Sansa deserved better. She deserved the best.)

It didn’t matter that she was very pretty with big shining blue eyes and auburn hair that swung behind her and that she was so bright and that she made him feel happy even with her light teasing.

Or that she was whip smart and so incredibly witty it was annoying. (Just yesterday she said something ridiculously funny about the tax reform bill, and he just grunted in response. Literally grunted.)

He even liked her pretty pink blouses and tweed skirts and the stupid matcha green tea lattes she drank instead of coffee.

He didn’t even hate her when she tried—with no success—to get him to cut down on coffee.

And she was so fucking compassionate and caring. The other week when a frazzled constituent came to the office close to tears, everyone was too busy to help. But it was Sansa who sat with her for over two hours waiting—wrapped her arm around the woman and listened and listened and helped her look into possible solutions. Sansa stayed late to finish her other work, not at all bitter, just cheerfully singing something that sounded lovely softly under her breath.

Even at happy hours after work, she was a beaming ray of sunshine in a room of brooding jaded staffers.(God almost everyone in this town was a borderline functioning—some better than others–alcoholic.)

And she’s walking towards him as he’s alone after Sam left and god, she was so pretty.

And she’s standing closer to him than she ever has before. Leaning against the bar counter, smiling at him.

Her smile was so fucking bright that it made her eyes hurt.

“What a pleasant surprise to find you brooding here, Jon.”

“What do you want, Sansa?” he sighs.

“Now don’t be too obvious” she whispers conspiratorially. “But my ex is over there. The blonde dude making faces at the wine selection?”

Super blond and prissy looking–speaking authoritatively to the group around him but keeping his eye on Sansa.

Ugh, her ex was perfectly tailored with hair immaculately coifed. Was that her type? He looks down at his now rumpled shirt, messily rolled sleeves, and loosened sales-rack tie.

God, he never had a chance. If they met randomly in a bar, she probably wouldn’t even look at Jon.

He raises his eyebrows in question.

“I know, he’s the absolute worst. And he’s super conservative. Such an error in judgment right there,” she shudders. “Okay, so just pretend you’re super engaged. Super into me.”

“Huh?”

“That we’re like together. You know, just play cute.”

That’s not appropriate. Not in the slightest.

What is she trying to do to him? Is she trying to break him? He’s not strong enough for this.

“I’m not drunk enough yet,” he snaps.

She raises her brows, a slight frown.

“Would it be that hard to imagine, Jon Snow? That you actually like me?”

Is that what she thinks? He shouldn’t dissuade her of that notion. It was far safer that she never learn how much he did in fact like her.

Instead he shakes his head vehemently.

“No, it would be too easy. Way too easy.”

He might be drunker than he thought. He needs to backtrack, but his mind is working at a snail’s pace.

But she gives him another one of her bright smiles—and he may have just melted a little.

“You know what, Jon Snow? Next week is my last at the Senator’s office.”

Wait, what?

“Oh?” He’s surprised at how much his chest ached.

“My brother Robb is running for state legislator. It’s where our dad started his political career,” she says with a soft fond smile. “Anyways, he needs a communications manager and who better than me?’

Oh, so she’s leaving the District. It’s better that way, honestly. She wouldn’t be an intern and he wouldn’t be a threat. (But he was going to miss her.)

Why was his throat so dry?

“With you on the team, I can’t imagine him not winning,” he finally manages to choke out.

“That’s the plan. But you know what?”

She’s leaning in very close now and he swallows very audibly.

“You do know my hometown is in Maryland, right? Just 30 minutes away on the Red Line.”

Wait, what is she telling him? Why is she telling him what she’s telling him?

His brain is, his brain is scrambling trying to figure this out.

“Do they… do they have good green tea lattes there?”

“In fact I know just the place. You just have to come and visit me,” she smiles and he somehow manages to smile back.

#jonsa #actually jonsa #jon and sansa #my jonsa fanfiction #guys #this is messy but you know like there's some potential there if you squint #guys this is a thing that exists and that has to count for something in this world you know?#Just one prompt left now! :D #I'll edit you later #you need it bud

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thesportssoundoff · 7 years

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Relating the WWE’s current business model to the UFC’s current business model---and how we may be seeing the end of the “star” era

Joey

November 13th

It's just another incident in a sea of incidents. Just another rock sized piece of hail in a storm that seems to have no immediate end in sight.

Just another case of Conor McGregor acting like a big star who has nobody to tell him no.

There will never be another Conor McGregor but not for the reasons you expect.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer once had a discussion about the way the WWE developed and "built" stars. Alvarez asked what the thought process was behind the 50/50 booking they used and Meltzer said that at some point, you just don't want to deal with the problems of a major star. When the WWE was going through a pronounced exodus of talents they were grooming, there was a rumor that they were just determined to ensure that nobody got too big should they leave. No one person could hurt the brand, no one person could control it. The brand won out over all. It was their way of taking less money to protect themselves over the long term.

The UFC has Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor has the UFC. The two for better or worse are tied to one another for however long this MMA endeavor lasts for McGregor. There's a lot of money at stake for both parties here and that can't be understated. Having said that, let's briefly lay out some of the "incidents" we've gotten since about July of 2015 which IMO is arguably the peak of the UFC-McGregor friendship/partnership:

-McGregor's continued lateness to UFC press conferences irritates the UFC and the media.

-Conor talks more and more about wanting to be essentially a co-promoter alongside the UFC. He gets his own dais at UFC 194 with no Dana White in sight.

-McGregor compares himself to El Chapo and bitches about the UFC's promotional department at a UFC presser.

-McGregor loses to Nate, saving a UFC event by even taking a fight, and then refuses to do media for UFC 200 which in turn gets him pulled from UFC 200.

-Engages in a bottle throwing fiasco that he winds up getting fined for with some pseudo community service thrown onto the back end.

-UFC 202 he faces Nate Diaz again and wins, McGregor ultimately saying after the fight that he wants to fight for the 155 title and won't return to the UFC unless he gets a pay raise.

-McGregor after objecting to the UFC making an interim 145 lb championship hems and haws on a return to the division while chasing 155 lb gold. He wins the belt, is a dual champion and then makes it clear he's not returning to MMA unless he gets equity into the org. Dana White tells him he can buy in but Conor either doesn't or refuses or who knows.

-Since November of 2016, Conor McGregor has made 0 title defenses across two weight classes. He's had one fight against Floyd Mayweather in boxing which made a lot of money and ripped off a bunch of marks. He still has no return date announced and the rumors of him trying to fight Paulie Malignaggi in boxing suggest a return date might not be coming anytime soon. There's a very good chance his next fight is at 170 vs Georges St. Pierre in a fight that would probably piss off the boxing populace.

-Since his last UFC fight, Conor has had to battle accusations that he's a racist, a sexist and homophobic. His press tour antics vs Floyd IMO helped prevent this event from hitting the higher marks it should've due to his comments in New York which left just about everybody at least momentarily turned off on the fight. His comments to Artem Lobov after the Andre Fili fight were gross and his pseudo apology of "It was blown out of proportion but I'm sorry" didn't really help matters either. His non-apology for calling Floyd Mayweather a boy didn't help either.

-He's TWICE NOW had incidents with Marc Goddard including charging the cage and shoving him.. HE also punched at (or connected) a Bellator employee in a fit of "McGregor fans will defend anything." Bellator's security was trying to keep a non-licensed person (essentially a fan) from jumping the cage and was swung at. Whether you argue that it was dangerous or not to push Conor off the cage, and I mean it pretty much was, the guy is doing his job to the letter and got swung on. Did I mention that Bellator by the way is technically a rival organization?

And this doesn't even include the rumors of drugs or rumors of him cherry picking opponents or holding the company up for more money or w/e w/e etc etc etc. It doesn't even include him running some kind of a Q&A BEHIND a paywall during an actual UFC event and then claiming they drew more viewers. The actual things Conor's done showcase the perils of having stars. It is the very example of Mo Money, Mo Problems. Conor brings in tremendous revenue and comes with tremendous headaches along the way. All of that paints a picture of a WWE-esque future.

Hell it's NOT just Conor either so don't think I'm picking on him. He's just the best example of what happens when stars get a little bit of power and pull in a very young goof-ish sport. Jon Jones? I mean we could be here all day. The UFC was prepping to build around Jones as a superstar before a DUI, a hit and run, coke, steroids* (TWICE!) and turning down a date with Chael Sonnen at UFC 151. Jones, while away from the sport due to a HIT and RUN, was complaining about how much power the UFC had at the time. He came back and continually fucked up and continues to do so to this day. Rousey? She really was a star among stars but we all heard the stories about how she treated people from UFC staffers to media. She lost once and never recovered both in the eyes of the public and in her professional career. Think of all the money they left on the table with a second Holm fight, a Cyborg fight, a third Tate fight and even a Carano fight could they have pulled it off. The UFC was prepared to build around Chris Weidman but they couldn't figure out how and injuries betrayed him. Cain Velasquez not only continues to get hurt but every time the UFC wants to do something with him, he's either hurt or just not available. Oh and dare we be remiss, he also joined up with Bjorn Rebney's failed (I believe at this point we can say that) bid for a CAA backed fighter's org. CAA and Endeavor are not exactly on the best of terms, y'all. Stipe Miocic? The UFC's probably going to give him a bigger deal for PPV numbers that are barely above functioning level Aldo/Holloway type fights. PVZ? Well she's a headache on her own entirely. It's worth remembering she was complaining about how much she was getting paid before the losses to Rose and the Waterson fight. Now she's turning down fights and announcing title fights we're not even sure about anymore. And Waterson? They tried to build her up too and she got crunched vs Namajunas as well.

Hell think of all the NON-stars who operate like McGregors; dictating opponents, trying to push their "brand" and arguing when and where. Fans want to see Wonderboy vs Till but that's not happening. Fans want to see Rivera vs Lineker or vs Assuncao and chances are that won't happen either. Imagine how much fun it would be to see Kamaru Usman fight somebody really good and known---and realize why it's not happening. Dana White once said "this isn't how it used to be" when talking about how fighters act and approach taking UFC fights and he's right. When fighters start earning MORE money, it becomes a hell of a lot harder to get them to go on board with what's best for the company. DC has talked about champions earning way more than they did before they earned the title so why wouldn't they exercise that power? Why wouldn't Woodley try to stomp his feet for a GSP or Nick Diaz fight, rankings or common sense be damned?

So where am I going with this? Well it's worth remembering that Zuffa took the WWE model, molded it in a few ways and ran with it as their own. WME-IMG has worked with both the WWE and now own the ZUFFA product as a whole. What's to stop them from just going even further with the WWE model? Imagine if instead of doing Dennis Siver vs Conor McGregor on a Fight Night weekend based entirely around McGregor, they gave him someone like Darren Elkins or Clay Guida as the second prelim fight on the card. Imagine if instead of doing big promotional pushes or putting dudes in fights in their home market, they just buried them on Fight Pass. What if they made everybody on the same level, save 2-3 guys they could trust, and then just went with it? They're not going to lose money because TV revenue is the ultimate bandaid. A guaranteed x amount of dollars every year from x amount of markets will cover up any weaknesses in the product. The UFC likely starts every year with a tremendous amount of immediate cash flow from TV deals and that's not going to change going forward EVEN if the TV money market crashes. The best way to prevent a star from taking over your product is to just have no stars or just rob said stars of any sort of strength within your organization. If this debt situation gets too much, an IPO is always an option It's worth noting that even in a bad year in terms of buyrates and ratings, the UFC's value went UP as an organization and Endeavor's stock has also risen after the purchase of the UFC. That's very much on the stars who help m ake the product---but if the product is made then when do you need stars? At what point is there no advil strong enough for the headaches?

It's not like the UFC has competition breathing down its neck either. People love to espouse Bellator but their numbers are down and until you can prove to me how social media metrics equal millions, I ain't about to hear about twitter buzz. WSOF is now the PFL is now graveyard programming on youtube. Combates Americas is getting a chance on NBCSsports but if the UFC leaves Fox to head there (and there's a chance) then what the hell is their future? Overseas is great and all but what Rizin does once month out of six is irrelevant to the UFC's business. Same for KSW.

We all agree that McGregor and Rousey and company have changed the way the UFC is seen and operates. We may learn that there's a chance it may not have been for the better.

#MMA #UFC #Stars #Star building #TV deals

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thatcoolblacknerd-blog · 7 years

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Game of Thrones S7E1: Dragonstone Recap

New Post has been published on http://thatcoolblacknerd.com/game-of-thrones-s7e1-dragonstone-recap/

Game of Thrones S7E1: Dragonstone Recap

Season: 7 Episode: 11 Directed By: Jeremy Podeswa Staring: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner Synopsis: Arya makes her way south. Jon organizes the defense of the North. Cersei tries to even the odds. Sam adapts to his new life in Oldtown. Daenerys comes home.

We Back!!!

Sooo Game of Thrones Day has come and past and the wait was well worth it. This show has become a national phenomenon and the last two weeks have felt like two months each day getting closer to our favorite holiday. After the season finale last season of Cersei burning down Kings Landing and Danny partnering with the Iron Born to start her journey to the throne, this season premier was must see television and we setup up the entire season perfectly with this episode. We spent time in Kings Landing with Jamie and Cersei talking strategy, we saw Arya doing Arya badass shit, we caught up with Samuel learning more about stopping the army of the dead, we followed Jon and Sansa having disagreements but trying to rule and much more. This season is stacking up to be a sprint to the finish and I expect the rest of the episodes to be full of conflict and toward the end all action.

Winter is Here

Just in case we got caught up in the political drama of Game of Thrones, the show had to remind us that the real threat and the real fight is with the Army of the Dead. It also appears that the “Winter” storm is being controlled or at the very least moving with the Army of the Dead and by proxy hiding their movements. But, the show was sure to show us that one of the Wildlings giants is now a part of the army and that is going to be a problem when they reach the wall.

Speaking of the wall, Brand and Mera finnally make it to the wall and dumb ass Ed does not take them serious. But Brand, showing off his new three eyed raven skills essentially give Ed a detailed description of what he saw and Ed had no choice but to let him in. I think Brand is going to be both a cause and a solution of the the Army of the dead attacking and I expect Jon to get a Raven from the Castle Black soon letting him know that someone claiming to be his brother is here. They made many references in this episode about the wall and how it has lasted forever which is forshadowing that the wall is coming down. I don’t know how the wall is coming down, or what episode, but that wall is going to come crashing down and thats when the game is going to get real.

Speaking of the game, Jon and Sansa were in Winterfell discussing strategy moving forward. Jon, rightfully so, is completely focused on stoping the army of the dead. Jon even ruled that women would fight in the war, which in that time period means this is life and death. Some dude stood up and started to make a sexist argument against that and Lady Mormont shut that shit down. This actress has jumped off the screen since her first scene and she continues to be one of the strongest characters on the show while also being one of the youngest. After that, we saw the first signs of disagreement between Sansa and Jon in regards to giving the castles back to two families that turned on the Starks. Jon’s point was we can’t go into a never ending war with these families especially since their locations are the first two places after the wall, that would need to fight the army of the dead. It seems like Sansa is coming from a good place and she dosen’t want Jon to die like Ned and Rob by making stupid decisions that backfire. If this is going to work it needs to be a joint effort between Sansa and Jon or else Little Finger will try to manipulate Sansa because at the end of the day he wants the power.

Game of Thrones Season 7

Not in the north but closely tied to the fight is Sam, who is at the Citadel, which I must say looks like the coolest library outside of Harry Potter ever. Sam got put on new members duty and essentially had to clean all the old people’s shit and feed them. However after talking about the army of the dead so much he finally found someone there who believes him and he sneaks into the restricted area to get books on the white walkers. Sam finds out that there is a ton of Dragon Glass at Dragonstone (of course) and he needs to let Jon know asap, which will lead to our first Jon and Danny meeting.

Nobody Plays the Game Like Cersei

Lastly we goto Kings Landing where Cersei is still on a high from torching the city. She has her usual outfit fire ass dress and wine while surveying this giant ass map of Westeros. Jamie show some how is still on Cersei side tries to get her to understand that people are coming from her from all angles. Cersei could care less and with the Bars of the episode calls the Sand Snakes “A Brood of Bitches” calls Lady Ollena “An old Cunt” Sansa “A murdering whore” all in one lethal either of her enemies. Jamie still tries to explain that their army can’t fight everyone at once and of course Cersei was prepared for that. The best player in the Game of Thrones to this point has been Cersei and she has already lined up a meeting with Euron to gain an alliance. Of course Euron just wants to have sex with Cersei and become King, he is too stupid to know that Cersei will just use him and spit him out, but she here’s him out and manipulates him into taking out one of her enemies. The craziest thing about Cersei is the two things she thinks are fiction are whats gonna be her downfall, dragons and the army of the dead. Down south they don’t believe in either of those two things and soon enough they gonna learn.

You can click HERE to see a preview of next weeks episode Stormborn

Game of Thrones: Dragonstone Final Take

What Was Good

What Was Bad

Setup all the different storylines for the season

Emphasized the real threat is the army of the dead

Still had some killing in a setup episode

Still some small timeline issues

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#Cersei #DemThrones #Game of Thrones #GoT #HBO #Jon Snow #Sansa #The Wall #TV

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natriautomarketingagency · 7 years

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The Man Who Talks to Land Cruisers

Onur Azeri is known among many Land Cruiser aficionados as the go-to guy for old Land Cruiser parts. There are dealerships and there are aftermarket parts companies, but no one, I'm told, knows parts the way Azeri does.

"He's the dude," Jon Held, a member of the Gotham City Land Cruiser club, said while supervising the offroad test of our project '88 Land Cruiser. The others in the group nodded.

His reputation as someone with a deep understanding of Land Cruiser parts and how they relate to one another is why we worked with Azeri in our own build. It was difficult to find a lot of the little hard parts we needed through ordinary channels. For example, if you're in search of a 6mm tapered shim and no one else knows what you're talking about, Azeri will know. If you need the crossmember from a truck of a different vintage, not only will he know how to source one, he just might pull one off of a truck sitting in his driveway and mail it to you (he did that for us).

Part of Azeri's deep knowledge comes from the fact that he himself is a Land Cruiser nut. He owns and wrenches on his own trucks. But there's more to it than that. Azeri is a Land Cruiser philosopher of sorts. He turned up at Brooklyn Motor Works—the shop in which we built our Land Cruiser—over the summer, when we were still mid-project. He had driven up I-95 from Atlanta in a right-hand drive '85 BJ70, a tiny Japanese market Jeeplet powered by a torquey, slow-going 4-cylinder diesel motor. Summer weather had done its work and Azeri looked hot.

"I don't mind," he chirped. "I just keep cold drinks in a cooler behind my seat and I can drive this thing 55 mph all day."

Interstate driving, he said, wasn't the point. This truck was meant for the slow crawl over logs and boulders.

You may not know "parts guys" personally, but most of the ones I've met were of the modern, "get your parts and get out" variety, their sole mission being to get rid of the customer as quickly as possible so that they could move on to and get rid of the next one. Azeri said he looked to the parts guys of yesteryear for his inspiration, striving to be someone who could look at a part and know not only what it did, but also its context within the greater mechanical organism.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'd be remiss in not telling you that Azeri was a PhD candidate at Kent State University before he became a Toyota guru. He was studying, as he puts it, "social scientific research methodologies in application with ancient Greek philosophy and rhetoric, sociology of knowledge and technology, and forms of representation." Whatever that is. Sounds like a good place to start when diving into trying to understand something as complicated as a motor vehicle with more than 5,000 interrelated parts.

While he was writing his dissertation, his academic adviser died suddenly of brain cancer, leaving Azeri in an odd lurch. That was in 2004, and he found himself unsure of his direction.

"To lessen the psychological burden, I was teaching university classes as an adjunct while writing my dissertation in a small, dusty office on the sixth floor of the university library," he said. "At a certain point, the academic worldview became hollow and devoid of meaning."

Meanwhile, he was also spending time in machine, fabrication and auto repair shops in and around Cleveland, Ohio, dabbling in wrench turning. He'd already been working on his own Land Cruiser for a few years and said the hours, days and weeks spent busting his knuckles on old trucks began to take on new meaning. Conversations he'd had with his future mentor, Dan "Cruiserdan" Busey had him thinking about striking out along a different path.

Then one night – Valentine's Day – a plow truck cut him off when he was driving along I-77. Azeri swerved to avoid hitting it and his Land Cruiser rolled onto its side near the edge of the highway. Cold and alone, he waited for a tow truck to rescue him and his busted truck. In the aftermath of the wreck, he decided—along with wanting to rebuild his Land Cruiser—that it was time to make a major change in his life.

"I called up Cruiserdan and asked him if he was still serious about a conversation we had years earlier about my becoming a parts professional," Azeri recalled. "He was indeed."

So Azeri shed himself of most of his belongings, donated his academic books to the Oberlin College library and moved to Albuquerque, where he worked under the tutelage of Cruiserdan at American Toyota.

"I began the methodical process of learning how to be a real parts guy; a parts guy who knows not only how to understand the Toyota parts logical system but also how to correlate that with the 'real world' of Toyota Land Cruisers," he said. "All the while, I learned the necessary vocabulary, skill-set and background knowledge to develop both a theoretical expertise and a lived expertise—building stuff, breaking stuff, fabricating stuff, and exploring the great American West in my various Land Cruisers."

As Azeri's understanding of his new discipline grew, other opportunities presented themselves. He was promoted to assistant parts manager at the dealership, then he moved to Salt Lake City to run a Land Cruiser shop. Eventually, family drew him to Atlanta, Ga., where he's based. Out of all of it—the numerical intricacies of Toyota's parts system, the reality of maintaining a machine that could withstand off-road punishment and the stunning natural scenery in which he was enveloped—Azeri developed a philosophy.

"Anyone can look up at Toyota part number and buy the damn thing, but very few people know a ten or twelve digit Toyota part number and know the entire worldview of that number in its various manifestations—what the first five digits mean, what the suffix digits mean, which Toyota Group keiretsu company manufactures the part, where the part is made, how many different variations of the part there are in its lineage, and so on," he explained. "After all, Land Cruisers are basically all-purpose appliances in the best sense of the word—they either work or they don’t in their intended functions. Thus, using the Toyota part numbering system becomes more akin to the later, mature Wittgenstein of the Philosophical Investigations, where the goal is not to create a structure or rules or policy, but to apply and build, to understand the object or the situation in front of you in a more engaged and lived manner."

Interesting things happen when a philosophy student becomes a parts professional. Not many tend to think of parts and machines that way, but Azeri's unique outlook made him a sort of medicine man among Land Cruiser aficionados.

"Owning a Land Cruiser is like being a member of a tribal organization with rituals, frameworks for action and understanding, and a shared, collective memory of the past," he said.

Deepening his understanding of what he already learned meant traveling to Japan in 2010, to the Toyota factories where Land Cruisers are built. There, Azeri watched the care that went into the manufacturing process as each truck came together on the assembly line.

"After the new Cruiser roars to life, it's sent off to a brightly-lit area where white-gloved women start feeling, caressing, inimitably probing the work of everyone before them," he said. "When we asked the Yoshiwara Plant manager at a post-tour briefing about why only women did the final body quality check on the Land Cruisers, he said that only women seemed to have the touch—kanjiru—necessary to truly understand whether the truck was ready for the end-user. That made a lasting impression on me."

What this all really boils down to, though, is utility. Land Cruiser folks love their trucks, and there's a reason for it.

"How does one traverse the most difficult terrain all over the world in the most reliable and functional manner? Well, you drive a Toyota Land Cruiser," Azeri said, adding that everyone from child-toting suburbanites to Colombian narcos to Médecins Sans Frontières doctors use the trucks to get where they're going. "The Land Cruiser’s ubiquity in all terrains, circumstances, and cultures is the defining reason to always answer the question 'Why Land Cruisers?' with 'Why not?' And because they are damn cool, to be honest with you."

from The Drive - Vintage http://www.thedrive.com/vintage/6703/the-man-who-talks-to-land-cruisers via IFTTT

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