#i'm so terribly sorry that I don't know how to reference the give me death or give me coffee post but I'm so bad at social media

[glasscupthingie]

Holy shit. Aziraphale's an unreliable narrator and was probably threatened by the Metatron.

Just hear me out.

What really struck me during my latest rewatch is how bloody awful they are at communicating. Through the whole season.

Crowley finds out that helping Gabriel will be punished by being removed from the book of life - doesn't tell Aziraphale.

When asked about the trip back from Scotland, Azi does not tell Crowley about being visited by Shax.

Crowley never tells Aziraphale that he visited heaven and found out a lot of things. Here amongst that not going along with Armageddon 2.0 is why Gabriel ended up with no memory. Which seems pretty relevant now that Aziraphale is replacing Gabriel.

And of course there is all the unsaid stuff during the final 15 but that is not important right now tbh.

So... Aziraphale is an unreliable narrator. We know that he and crowley just... doesn't tell each other important stuff.

I saw some post with a theory about Give me Coffee or give me death and how the Megatrash probably gave Aziraphale the ultimatum between going to heaven or having Crowley ereased from the book of life. And honestly it would make so much bloody sense if the Murdertron threatened Aziraphale in some way or other.

This is the exact kind of thing that we see through the season that Aziraphale and Crowley do not share with each other. And that would explain why Aziraphale changed his mind so suddenly. And the choice to show us the scenes with Azi and the Megadumb through the narration of Aziraphale.

[darklinaforever]

Tyler Galpin :

Good. I'm going for it. With Tyler, we are sure a teenager who had a lot of problems in his life. The trauma of his mother's death, his father's neglect, etc. Yes, we know that he was not a child at heart, friends with the guys from the world of pilgrims, massacring Xavier's fresco. But he went to a recovery center after that, visibly moving away from his old associates afterwards.

That's where Laurel came in.

She targeted him, taking advantage of his solitude, his insecurities, and his need for attention, gaining his trust by telling him the truth about his mother, unleashing the Hyde in him. At first he was scared, so she chained him up in the cave, abused him physically, mentally and emotionally until he obeyed her, injecting him with I don't know what product, enslaving him, she becoming his master. God, she saw him naked, tied up, freaked out and scared. Total vulnerability.

She refers to herself as his "mom" and has frankly frightening gestures of "affection" towards him, stroking his hands and face. In the café flashback scene, it definitely felt like flirting. It was knowingly abused, let's not be afraid of the word groomed, would be more correct.

Tyler couldn't remember what he was doing at first, not understanding what happened to him. However, he also tells Wednesday that he came to enjoy killing.

But is this really the case?

We're sure someone's absolutely fucked up psychologically. So, did he really end up enjoying doing all this? Or did Laurel convince him he liked it? Has he convinced himself to preserve himself? Give himself a modicum of control in a system where he had no choice anyway? (Because yes, let's remember that in any case, the master controls the monster) Has he gone mad?

Or, (and most likely to me) is it just the Hyde talking? Does Tyler have two personalities?

We all know that Hyde comes after all from Jekyll and Hyde. The duality between good and evil. We are also told that his mother was probably bipolar, and the doubt as to whether she really was, besides being a Hyde, is kept. (so maybe Tyler had other mental issues before Laurel arrived and she made them worse)

When Tyler reveals the truth to Wednesday, tears gradually fill his eyes, it is already completely the case when he whispers in his ear, all the more visible when he raises his head. You can see that he is holding back his tears. For those who say he's just putting on the nice guy mask, it doesn't make sense, the tears are progressive and start when he talks about the murders. Also, when he leaves, on the contrary, his face is not sad, but neutral. (I even think he has a little smile at one point) Only against Wednesday did he look so sad. Nobody else. Because yes, he looks sad. The interest if he reveals to him to be a monster? There is no more manipulation in play at this time.

This scene terribly gives the impression that two personalities overlap and clash, not that we are being revealed to a big bad manipulator in my opinion, sorry.

Either way, Tyler's case is clear. He is above all a victim. Someone who needs to be psychologically treated, even though he ended up "liking" committing these murders, since in any case, he was formatted to be this murderer by Laurel. I'm sick of seeing people spit on his character, saying he's just a freak psycho, when Laurel is literally there and the show is very explicit about what she did to him. How can someone think he is completely in control of his condition when he says he likes to kill? Even if it came to this result, you have to think about the whole phsycological process behind it.

Also the idea that Tyler has completely manipulated Wednesday does not pass in my opinion, already, just with this scene, but even more so with episode 1. Tyler was ready to help Wednesday leave town. There was no reason for that, even for Laurel's plan. When Wednesday asks him why he would agree to help him leave town for free, he replies that at least one of them can go, as if something is holding him back. I'm sure he didn't know Laurel's plan yet, it wouldn't make sense otherwise to agree to help Wednesday get out of town. Wanting a romantic relationship with Wednesday isn't a necessity for Laurel's plan either, like, really not. Maybe he just liked the idea of making a marginal suffer? Unlikely for me. The effort Tyler showed on their first date, and the detail he put into it, is obvious. It's way too much for someone who just plays comedy. Decorating the crypt, the choice of film, or the fact that he carefully observed her reactions throughout.

And to anyone who says Wednesday could never be with Tyler because he killed people… how shall I put it. The fact that he's killing people isn't Wednesday's issue. The problem is WHO he killed, or at least who he tried to go after, namely people she liked. But beyond that, with Tyler's situation and if he's showing any regrets, I think she could easily forgive him. We're talking about a girl who was tossed piranas into her high school swimming pool as revenge for her brother's bullies. She was even disappointed that she had failed to kill them. She admits to having sociopathic tendencies, worthy of a serial killer. She tells Tyler that she would have done much worse than mugging Xavier and ruining his mural and that she isn't judging him. She also had Xavier accused of murder, without real evidence, and was completely ready to torture Tyler. She adores her Uncle Fester, who finds having a necrophilia bent an awesome quality, and who apparently served time in prison for eating Boy Scouts. Knowing that in the movie, Morticia says they like to reap themselves from those who would like to submit them, apparently the motto of the Addams family, I think this reference to cannibalism is not just a joke, even for the series.

Also, yes, Wednesday genuinely liked / love Tyler. No one can say otherwise. She was intrigued by him from episode 1. She went to the ball with him in episode 4, was planning to kiss him back when he tried in the crypt, is the one who ended up kissing him the first, and most obviously, she smiled at him. Not sketches like she had with other characters, but a real sweet smile. The truest we've seen after the one she gave to her uncle and which was huge by comparison, I grant you. But Tyler is the only person after Fester with whom she has sincerely, unambiguously or restrained, smiled.

Ah and there is also the fact that she says:

Of course the first boy I kiss would turn out to be a psychotic serial-killing monster. I guess I have a type.

(I put in parenthesis because I'm not sure which one, is it me or Wednesday also had tears in his eyes when Tyler revealed the truth to him? Knowing that once again, the only person for whom it is sight crying is the thing)

Wednesday is not one to develop these kinds of feelings easily. I doubt that Xavier arrives at such a result so quickly, although yes, Wednesday appreciates it, but not in a romantic sense for me. Yes, she took an arrow for him, but she was ready to fight for everyone in her school at the time.

So when I see some that say there's 0 possibility that Wednesday and Tyler will still be romantically involved later on, I'm like:

I know the actor said of Tyler "He was always playing her. Maybe there's an attraction there and, he probably wouldn't admit it, but a respect for her, but he's filled with so much anger and hatred toward her and her family and all of Nevermore because of what happened to his mom." But the actors are not gospel, they can say things that are inaccurate, even downright absurd for some. Also, they are not in the writing room. Also, I think he is just giving his opinion. And I'm sorry, but again the idea that he manipulated her from A to Z, feeling only a form of attraction for her, does not fit many moments in the series. Again, the beginning where he agrees to help her get out of town, the interest? It was the first episode, and he probably didn't know Laurel's plan for him yet. When Wednesday asks him why he would agree to help him, he replies that at least one of them can leave this town, as if he wanted to get out of it but was stuck there. The date too, once again there were so many unnecessary details in there for someone who was just playing. The looks he gave her when she wasn't looking. Not to mention that much-discussed moment where he reveals the truth to Wednesday, but literally looks like he's about to cry at the end? Sorry Doohan, but I find it hard to take your words as the absolute truth. Hyde, as in Jekyll and Hyde. Tyler doesn't just have the Hyde in him. It would be a monstrous waste of his character otherwise.

Frankly, I would be extremely disappointed if the show only made Tyler the enemy of Wednesday in the sequel, in pure monster mode. I even think that it would be a rather nauseating message in view of what the character has suffered and the allusions to mental illness.

It would also be so interesting to see the reintegration of a Hyde among the marginalized. Because yes, it seems that Tyler is at this stage his place nowhere. Neither among normal people, nor among the marginalized. He is the ultimate misfit. We don't know everything about the Hydes, and Tyler would be a great way to find out more, to finally complete the research on this subject.

Seriously, don't you find it depressing the idea that a particular type of monster, among a swarm, is deemed worse and unsalvageable? That no Hyde could ever manage to control himself? I see them so much as a parallel to bipolarity, especially because of the case of Tyler's mother. There should be no exclusion among the marginalized. Not to mention that it's not like we tried to help them in a separate way, no, we just excluded them when they didn't ask to be who they are. Literally only one person trying to find out more and no one took over after his death.

I would really like Tyler to have some kind of redemption, while obviously keeping some of his dark side that makes him a member of the marginalized.

Your thoughts on this?

[bruciemilf]

ACTUALLY, you guys WILL listen to my Bruce & Officer Martinez brain rot because they have Peak " grumpy sunshine " and " asshole sunshine" dynamic and I'm not letting it go

Here's the thing about Jim Gordon; He has patience; He has tact. But he's also a petty shit, and God almighty, he WARNED Batman to stop his solo crime busting for extra dangerous cases

So yes; He gestures to Martinez, sugar cream on his moustache, files overfilling his arms. He tries to wave. They fall everywhere. ''This is your divine punishment "

"... Did you really just refer to Martinez as a punishment?"

" Honestly, I'm just happy to be included!"

Martinez is still SUPER sketchy about Batman, but of course he freaks out in the Batmobile; Yes, it's from the back-seat, but it still MATTERS, - " You know, my aunt is actually a mechanic, and-"

And that's the second thing Bruce writes about him in his profile journal; First thing being 'Talks too much.' Second is Family man.

But he actually listens to everything because it's comforting to know Gotham allows some love to survive.

And Bruce REFERENCES all stories. When they investigate different sources he's like " This is a professional dismemberment. We should ask your brother's opinion"

" My brother?" " I'd ask mine, but I don't have one." " No asshole I mean - you know my brother's a surgeon? You listen to me?" " I always listen."

FIGHTING OVER THE RADIO! GIVE IT TO ME! BECAUSE YOU JUST KNOWWWW BRUCE PLAYS THREE DAYS GRACE AND SKILLET AND MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

" you listen to this shit??? Unironically?? THIS is REAL music" and then-

" GIMME GIMME GIMME A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT-"

And also a ton of Nicki Minaj. " PULL UP IN THE MONSTER AUTOMOBILE GANGSTA-"

Bruce almost rearranges his whole skeleton right there; Martinez eventually figures out that it's Bruce's special interest so he apologises, " I'm sorry I called you out on your terrible taste. We can listen to that Bridge song or whatever"

*shaking with rage* " It's. Not. Called. That."

Literally give me Martinez whining Bruce's ear off until they reach a drive through, and Bruce is just standing there like a STATUE

Martinez leveled up to front seats and is rubbing his hands together like a greedy gremlin, but Bruce does Not move. " Welcome to Bat Burger can I take your order? Hello?" And Bruce is just. Petrified

" Can I had- have, can I - um,"

" what was that?"

" ... Burger"

He pins Martinez face to headboard and makes him SWEAR he won't tell anyone about it but Martinez is too busy laughing his ass off

Martinez always talking about Bruce, - He gave my sister a job as a security guard after she got out of prison. Murdering her rapist, you know how it is

"... I don't, actually." " Well yeah, you grew up in the good part of town, probably" "There's no good part. Only good coincidences."

"... Oh yeah, you're DEFINETLY rich."

Martinez and Selina strangers to enemies, 500k words, slow burn.

Martinez is a dog boy and she's a cat girl. It was expected. She kicks his seat in the Batmobile and he readjusts his chair as LOW as possible just to annoy her

" Crazy cat lady KNOWS something. "

" Don't call her that."

" I don't have to, her smell does it for me, - wait. Are you... Are you HOT for her? SERIOUSLY?"

And so what if Bruce's fast feels hot under his cowl? " Now's not really the time for a jealous scene."

" Oh I'M not jealous, bro. She's in your pants, I'm your emergency contact and organ donor. We aren't even in the same highway."

" ...When did you do that?"

" We don't have time to talk about all that-"

Martinez super casually mentioning he knows Bruce's identity. " Thanks for your help, Mr. Wayne"

[SHOCKED SILENCE]

" How... How did you?"

" BRO. I'd know that jawline in death."

[nrilliree]

https://www.tumblr.com/nrilliree/747663914665459712?source=share

It's really crazy how much TG lives in their own fanfiction.

This person also refuses and seems to understand that it is misogynistic that Rhaenyra ended up with a nickname equivalent to Maegor simply for arguing about taxes. Something that was advised to her by a man on her council, not even her idea. And what else could she do anyway ? There was no more money because the Greens took everything ! But obviously, it's all Rhaenyra's fault. Also, I find it hard to understand how the TG are good sovereigns when we see how they manage money ?

Also, the simple fact that she doesn't seem to accept and understand that Rhaenyra had more than half the kingdom on her side ? That the Greens weren't tied or had a majority ? She almost acts like everyone obviously wants to support them.

She advocates neutrality while she is openly TG, it annoys me.

Anyway, coming from a person who thinks that I can't read and don't know anything about the GRRM universe simply because I told a simple truth ; namely that women could not become Kingsguard. A truth according to her that is false because since Visenya created the Kingsguard, apparently that means that women can be too ? Sorry, but how can we seriously support such a stupid thing ? It's not because Visenya created the Kingsguard that women can become one! In the era of ASOIAF / GOT a woman can't even be a knight ! So Kingsguard in the time of Rhaenyra ?! Make me laugh !

She's also exactly the kind of person who will try to explain to you that Rhaenyra can't be the legitimate heir because apparently there is no legitimate heir under the pretext that the law is vague. Stupid, the only real law that matters is the word of the king. It kills me that they are trying so hard to deny it ?!

I'm not going to talk about our least favorite troll, so I won't refer to her statement, but rather the general attitude among TGs.

Alicent's mistakes and crimes are explained by the fact that it was not her fault, but the evil men around her who coerced and manipulated her. She is a victim of evil men. Rhaenyra's mistakes and crimes are Rhaenyra's mistakes and crimes. The end.

This is what some people think.

This can be extended further to other TG characters: Did Helaena go crazy and commit suicide after her children died? Poor thing, it was completely explainable, the death of murdered children is a huge tragedy that will devastate everyone! Rhaenyra went crazy and paranoid after the death of her children? This is no explanation! You can't explain this to her, she's a terrible tyrant!

Rhaenyra's reign was not good, but there was much more to it than the fact that Rhaenyra "is evil, spoiled, narcissistic and generally yuck." People accuse her of not being a feminist because she didn't decree that from now on all daughters would inherit on an equal footing with sons… Do any of these people even know how emancipation developed in the real world? It didn't work that way. Rhaenyra was to be the first woman in power. It was the first step, and true emancipation often takes generations. In Poland we had Jadwiga of Anjou and guess what? She took the throne as a king, not a queen, so she could rule, and that didn't miraculously result in women being treated equally to men from then on. Rhaenyra listened to her advisors and therefore did not decree that daughters would inherit before sons or cousins, because she knew she could not make too many changes in one moment. She listened to the advisors, but it was still her fault. It's just as much her fault for stealing the Driftmark from Baela and Rhaena… even if Corlys preferred to legitimize his bastard and make him heir rather than give the inheritance to Laena's daughters! Rhaenyra is fully to blame for the riots and dragon slaying, even if the Shepherd was simply looking for a suitable excuse to overthrow the rich and lords. It wasn't even about Rhaenyra, and if Aegon had been on the throne then, there would have been riots anyway. The Shepherd would simply find another reason! For example, the fact that people were starving and Aegon built golden statues of war criminals…

She realizes that Rhaenyra was not a good queen, but that was due to the situation. War, lack of money, riots incited by the Shepherd, and on top of her own emotional problems that resulted from almost her entire family being killed. If someone doesn't see it, he or she is simply a TG pro, not a "neutral" person who, strangely enough, justifies only one side of the conflict.

[squirrelwithatophat]

Did you know that there are whipping posts in the Kirkwall Gallows?

They’re rather easy for players to miss. You can see them in the background during The Last Straw (Act 3), and as early as Act 1 (and continuing into Act 2), Circle mages can be heard complaining, “Don’t talk to me. The templars will give me thirty lashes if they see me speaking to a civilian.” During the quest A Noble Agenda (Act 3), a woman reports seeing a mage cousin “whipped, half-starving” while pleading for mercy from a literal “death squad.”

In-universe, however, the whippings in the Gallows appear to be common knowledge. During Repentance (Act 2), we can see a whipping post (the exact same model observed in the Gallows later on) being used for sexual roleplay in the Harimann Estate in Hightown.

Lord Harimann: Now, you be the naughty apprentice, and I’ll be the Templar torturer.

It’s Played For Laughs here of course, but it really says something that citizens of Kirkwall know about Templar abuses in the Gallows and just how awful conditions are there — including the use of whipping posts. This isn’t even the only instance in the game of random NPCs referring to the severity of the repression and the rampant cruelty.

For example…

During The Destruction of Lothering (Prologue):

Hawke: I heard someone call this fortress the Gallows. Is it a prison?

Guardsman Wright: Used to be, back in the Imperial days. They kept slaves here until the rebellion. Now the templars run it and use it to lock up their mages. Guess not much has changed.

Outside Lirene’s shop, during Tranquility (Act 1):

Refugee: Hey! We heard you in there. Asking about the healer. We know what happens to mages in this town. And it ain't gonna happen to him.

Speaking to the sister of a Templar during Enemies Among Us (Act 1):

Macha: Keran was always so devout, so idealistic. He was so proud when the templars accepted him. I pleaded with him not to join the Order, but he wouldn't listen. You hear dark rumors about the templars and Knight-Commander Meredith. And now my brother is gone.

Hawke: (“Are templars so bad here?”) In Lothering, some templars died protecting villagers. I never heard any dark rumors.

Macha: And those are the stories my Keran adored. But it is not like that here, serah. There is a growing darkness in the order. They prowl the streets in packs. Hunting. And now, they say their duties put them above us, that they have the right to... take people from their homes. It is frightening.

Hawke: (“Tell me about Meredith”) What do people say about Knight-Commander Meredith?

Macha: Oh, she has many admirers. They laud the service she does in keeping the mages in check. But others say she is terribly fierce and utterly without pity. That she sees demons everywhere. It is dangerous even to whisper such things.

During Wayward Son (Act 1):

Feynriel: Look, I know it's different in other kingdoms, but here... no one helps Circle mages. Anything the templars don't like, you get the brand.

During Underground Railroad (Act 2):

Hawke: Helping apostates is dangerous. If the templars caught you...

Mistress Selby: One of my sisters is a mage. A gentle child, so generous. She was made Tranquil last year. Templars claimed she was a danger. Now... it's like she's not there. That shouldn't be forced on anyone.

In Sundermount (Act 3), if Feynriel escapes to Tevinter:

Arianni: I hear the templars have grown more abusive of the mages in Kirkwall. I'm glad Feynriel is no longer subject to their whims.

By the Docks, any Act:

Unnamed Woman: I feel sorry for the mages sometimes, you know? What a terrible thing, to be used by everyone.

Knight-Captain Cullen even admits that the common folk suspect them and have become hostile towards the Templars. There’s this exchange in Act 1:

Hawke: The templars defend us all.

Cullen: That's a surprisingly unpopular viewpoint. It used to be that templars were welcomed wherever they went—for defending people from dark magics. Now the townsfolk are as likely to slam their doors as offer us a bed. The image of the poor, chained apprentice is a powerful one. And one the mages are more than willing to exploit.

Then there’s the codex for the Mage Underground (available in Dissent, Act 2), written by Cullen:

Every Circle in Thedas suffers from individual mages who rebel and attempt to flee… Until now, I have never served anywhere that the populace does not fully cooperate in hunting these rebels. Here in Kirkwall, citizens actually help rebel mages escape.

In World of Thedas vol. 2 (p. 173), from a note dated 9:25 (set between Acts 2-3) from a mage of the Hossberg Circle in the far away Anderfels: 

I have heard that in the Kirkwall Gallows, mages are locked in their cells with barely room to stretch, let alone exercise.  I can promise you that any mage of the Anderfels would be stark raving mad after a week of such treatment... No wonder Kirkwall has such trouble with blood mages.

Even relative newcomers recognize the situation right away. For example, when speaking to Grand Cleric Elthina in the Chantry (Act 1):

Hawke: Why are Circle mages here kept in a Tevinter prison?

Elthina: Ah. So soon you take an interest in our problems. The short answer is, it was a building. A large one. Should it have sat empty? The Chantry found a use for what was once a horror. It is the nature of men to move on and forget the past. Even your Blight will be a distant memory in our lifetimes.

Isabela: “Once a horror?” Yes, I'm sure it's filled with flowers and sunshine and happiness now.

Even Fenris, who supports Meredith’s policies, immediately notices (first entry into the Gallows, Act 1 or 2):

Fenris: I've... heard about the Circle of Magi outside of the Imperium, but I've never been in one. This seems more like a prison. I wonder if it's more effective than the Circle I know.

Given all this, it’s hard to believe that the people in power in Kirkwall don’t know (or at the very least suspect) what’s going on — more likely, they simply just don’t care.

Or perhaps they think it’s acceptable. As Cassandra says of the Seekers of Truth in Inquisition, “We knew what was happening at Kirkwall, where the mage rebellion began. We looked into reports of Knight-Commander Meredith’s harsh treatment of her charges years earlier. But we found so many shocking cases of magical corruption, it was decided her actions were justified.”

[icemankazansky]

I was hoping you could help interpret a particular IceMav scene in Top Gun (1986) that's quite peculiar to me.

During the "Who's the best pilot" banter when Ice and Mav have their first encounter, we see Ice all smiley and arrogant with each line EXCEPT when he says "You like to work alone." Notice his smile drops and the way he's looking at Mav which lingers for a while. So during this scene I'm wondering is Ice concerned about the squadrons safety with Mav since he's for himself OR do you think maybe Ice can relate to Mav on some level, and he's realizing they might have more in common than either think, like kindred spirits?

I'm sorry asks won't let me attach a gif or screenshot for scene reference.

That's okay, I know exactly what you're talking about.

(I'm sorry. I am taking this seriously, but these just happen to be the gifs I have on hand for this scene.)

I think your first read—that Ice is concerned for the safety of other pilots because Maverick isn't a team player—is much closer than the idea that Ice identifies with this trait of Maverick's. As we'll soon find out, Ice is very concerned with the interest of the collective, especially in his work. He sees the military as a team sport, and believes when people do not play as a team, people get hurt. Every argument he has with Maverick is about Maverick acting in what he thinks are his own best interests rather than the interests of the collective. When Ice says, "I heard that about you. You like to work alone," he is telling Maverick (and the audience) that, no matter what else he's heard about Maverick, his initial impression of him before they even meet is that Maverick is not going to play as a team, that he is not going to protect the collective, and that Ice sees this as a big problem.

There's also the additional baggage of Cougar. We don't know the exact nature of Ice's relationship with Cougar, but it's clear that Cougar was at one time important to Ice in some way. He says, "He and I were like brothers in flight school," and later he will approach Maverick and ask who was taking care of Cougar while Maverick was, "showboating with that MiG."

(We don't have enough evidence to fully understand Ice's relationship with Cougar, but what makes me think that they didn't part on great terms is that Ice consistently refers to him in the past tense. "He and I were like brothers in flight school." "He was a good man." Maverick reads that second line—and this is a popular fandom explanation, as well—as Ice saying, "Before he turned in his wings, while he was still a pilot, he was a good man," as in, now that Cougar has lost the edge and turned in his wings, Ice doesn't think he's good for much. That reading doesn't feel true to me. It's not just that Ice refers to Cougar in the past tense every time he brings him up, but we know from Ice's actions later that whether someone has the edge, whether they're willing to fly or not, is not important to Ice on a personal level.

After Goose's death, Ice attempts to comfort Maverick, to express his condolences, and even though he knows that Maverick is scrubbing out, that he gets in the plane and can't engage, that he is likely leaving the program and perhaps the Navy, Ice is the ONLY person who doesn't try to get Maverick back in a plane. He is concerned about Maverick on a personal level. We know this before Ice attempts to console him—something he is terrible at, something that makes him feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable, but something he does anyway because he wants to help Maverick—because we see Ice watching him on the tarmac. He's keeping tabs on Maverick, watching to see how he's doing after the accident, and he gives a damn. The only time he gets uncomfortable about Maverick refusing to engage is when Maverick is supposed to be the only backup he has on a dangerous mission. And still he doesn't try to goad Maverick back into the cockpit. He goes to Stinger and tries to get Stinger to bench him, because he doesn't think Maverick is ready, and he doesn't want to put his life, Slider's life, Hollywood's and Wolf's lives on the line. Since he goes to Stinger and not Maverick, I would guess that he doesn't want to put Maverick under that kind of pressure, either, not until he's ready. (That is speculation on my part, however. Stinger cuts Ice off before he can say much.))

Okay, circling back around to the actual point of this post. When they meet in the O Club, Ice is all smiley and flirty and arrogant until he says, "I heard that about you. You like to work alone." He stops smiling. He gets serious. And I think what happens after that is just as notable: He stops speaking. He studies Maverick's face, trying to get a read on him. To see how his words landed, to see if his hunch is right. He hasn't already made his mind up about Maverick; he has a theory, but he is actively collecting more evidence before he decides whether it's right. He pushes Maverick, and then he waits. He watches his face to see how Maverick reacts, and he waits to let him speak, to hear him respond.

Only he doesn't get a chance. Slider cut into the conversation, breaking Ice's eye contact and putting his experiment on hold. They leave shortly after, but the next time Ice sees Maverick again, he does the same thing. He waits for him. He goads him, and then he waits for him to react. He doesn't like Maverick's non-answer about who was watching out for Cougar, and he shows it, and after that, his mind is more made up. When they meet again, it's after the first hop, and Ice has heard about Maverick breaking the rules of engagement during the exercise. When Maverick gets testy, Ice fires back right away, because, by this time, to him, Maverick has proven his initial theory correct: That Maverick is out for himself, and that putting the I in team gets people in this line of work killed.

[doevademe]

heart successfully healed 💖 I can only imagine poor Nico's turmoil then relief at Percy remembering him 😊 also when u said Percy remembering doing something when Nico bited his lip, do you mean Percy used to bite Nico's lip??????? 🙈 can you drabble their reunion after Percy gets his memories back? Please?

[First part]

Percy helped Nico up as he took him on board the Argo II. The boy was barely conscious, but insisted on giving them the information they needed to close the Doors of Death.

Percy couldn't help but admire his boyfriend's dedication.

"You need rest," Hazel admonished. She got closer to them to take Nico. "Come on, you can use my bed."

"No," Percy said tersely. Hazel raised an eyebrow. "I'll take him. He does owe me a talk."

"Percy, you can't expect him to—!"

"It's fine, Hazel," Nico said. "I want to go with him."

Hazel looked troubled, but nodded. Percy lifted Nico up bridal style (he was so much lighter than he remembered) making him shout in protest.

"Suck it up, you actually love it," he whispered in his ear. If he was healthier, he would have blushed much more vividly.

Percy felt a hole in his chest.

"Does Hazel... do they know?" Nico asked quietly once they were a safe distance away.

"I've got all my memories back," he said instead of answering. "Do you really think I would out you?"

Back before he disappeared, only their closest friends knew they were dating (and maybe the gods, but they were irrelevant). Nico was just not ready to tell the world, and Percy respected that.

"Sorry," Nico apologized. "Hazel is from the past too and I... I don't know how she would take it."

"She's your sister, she loves you," Percy said gently. "You might be surprised."

She hadn't freaked out when Percy had mentioned kissing a boy in passing.

"Still I... why did we stop?" Nico asked, looking at their surroundings.

"Oh, that. Yeah, my cabin door is this one, and my arms..." he gestured at Nico, still being carried, and then at the closed door. Nico rolled his eyes and opened it for him. "Thanks. Hey—"

"If you make any reference to marriage or me being a bride I'll throw you over board," Nico said, making Percy chuckle. He had gotten quite good at anticipating his jokes. Nico got oddly quiet after he laid him down on the bed.

"Nico?"

"What did you want to talk about?" Nico said softly. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad?" Percy asked, eyes wide. "I mean, I'm pretty miffed at you going off and almost dying on me, but mad? That's a bit much."

"Back in New Rome," he explained. "I evaded your questions, I didn't tell you about us. Hades, I didn't even tell you about your mom!"

"Could you?" Percy asked as he caressed his face. "What would have happened if you did? I doubt Juno would have let that pass. She already doesn't like you much."

Nico played with his skull ring.

"I still should have tried, at least," he mumbled. "I'm a terrible boyfriend."

"Nico—"

"I am! I'm terrified of people knowing about us, our first date was at a fast food place. I can't even hold your hand in public if someone is looking!" Nico fell on the bed, exhausted. Percy rushed to his side. It looked like he could shatter like glass at any moment. "This is just the cherry on top of the bad boyfriend sunday."

"Nico, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Percy said, carding his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. "So you got traumas and issues, welcome to the club! A relationship is all about taking the bad with the good. And believe me, there's a lot of good that comes with dating you."

"But that doesn't mean I shouldn't work on the bad," he insisted.

"Working and wallowing in it isn't the same thing," Percy said. "Baby steps, okay? Annabeth and Grover know, my mom knows. The important people know, that's enough."

"Not all the important people," he mumbled. He was getting sleepy. "The ship crew... they are becoming important to you, right?"

Percy nodded.

"You can only get into so much danger with the same people and not grow a little close," he joked. Nico smiled. "Want to tell them?"

"Hazel first," he said. "Then the others. Not now but... when I'm stronger."

Percy felt a feeling of pride surging in his chest. He leaned down and kissed Nico.

"If you really want to," he said.

A crumbling sound was heard below the ship. Percy and Nico both stood, swords at the ready.

"A hole just opened up in the middle of Rome!" Coach Hedge's voice sounded from the hallway. "A battle is about to start!"

"Annabeth!" Percy gasped. At Nico's confused look, he explained, "she went after the Mark of Athena, alone!"

Nico nodded. He still looked exhausted, but there was that fire in his eyes that Percy loved.

"Let's go help her, then."

[waitingforwinterwinds]

Game of Thrones - 67 SANSA VI (pages 716-725)

Sansa struggles emotionally and mentally in the aftermath of her father's death. Joffrey stops pretending he's any kind of decent human being.

-

Perhaps I will die too, she told herself, and the thought did not seem so terrible to her. If she flung herself from the window, she could put an end to her suffering, and in the years to come the singers would write songs of her grief. Her body would lie on the stones below, broken and innocent, shaming all those who had betrayed her. Sansa went so far as to cross the bedchamber and throw open the shutters... but then courage left her, and she ran back to her bed, sobbing.

Ummm, holy fuck?

Well there's something the show cut out, but I suppose D&D aren't the kind to let us sit with the grief of a young girl unless it's immediately turning her into some kind of badass.

Poor Sansa. I remember having those kinds of thoughts 'dying would be easy' and 'this will punish them' and 'they'll feel bad about it when I'm gone' but it's bullshit. The kind of people, who hurt others to that point, do not give a fuck what they do to others, don't give a fuck what their actions make others do to themselves. The only people who get hurt or punished by those choices, are the ones who love you. Joffrey and Cersei? Definitely won't feel shamed, just aggravated they've lost a valuable playing piece.

The best revenge, is living (well). It's the living who can make people pay for their crimes.

Once Grand Maester Pycelle came with a box of flasks and bottles, to ask if she was ill. He felt her brow, made her undress, and touched her all over while her bedmaid held her down.

Fuck off and die, both of you. Bad Touch!

Sansa stared at him, seeing him for the first time. He was wearing a padded crimson doublet patterned with lions and a cloth-of-gold cape with a high collar that framed his face. She wondered how she could have ever thought he was handsome. His lips were as soft and red as the worms you found after rain, and his eyes were vain and cruel. "I hate you," she whispered.

Yeah, it's a little hard to see the world through rose tinted glasses when someone splattered them with blood. I'm so sorry you had to have your world view shattered like this. In a fair world, people would have been kind and just and righteous like you always believed. But this isn't a fair world, because GRRM is a sick and twisted man. (joking)

When the time came to dress, she chose the green silk gown that she had worn to the tourney. She recalled how gallant Joff had been to her that night at the feast. Perhaps it would make him remember as well, and treat her more gently.

Yes, good, use what you know, use what you've got. Ihatethisihatethisihatethisihatethisihatethis Association, good, now if only he had ever actually been what you thought he was, this would have a good chance of success. Though, the success would still be mild.

This is a good use of defensive manipulation, subtle, using something associated with a better mood, to subconsciously promote a better mood. ... but iirc, that feast ended with Cersei in a row with Bobby B, so... *sigh*

Kinda odd that she refers to him as Joff here though, it may just be a way to separate the idea of him from the reality of him. Like the inverse of what we saw Dany do a few chapters ago, when she tried to psych herself up for cruelty and her narrative voice referred to her as Daenerys, instead of Dany.

"Did he instruct you to hit me if I refuse to come?" "Are you refusing to come, my lady?" The look he gave her was without expression. He did not so much as glance at the bruise her had left her. He did not hate her, Sansa realized; neither did he love her. He felt nothing for her at all. She was only a... a thing to him. "No," she said, rising. She wanted to rage, to hurt him as he'd hurt her, to warn him that when she was queen she would have him exiled if he ever dared strike her again... but she remembered what the Hound had told her, so all she said was, "I shall do whatever His Grace commands."

That has to be so terrifying, to be faced with someone who has such apathy, to know you aren't even seen as human. Her threats wouldn't have held water even if she'd said them, she'd be queen (if the dissolving of the engagement hadn't happened in the future) but queen by marriage, all her power would come from her husband, she'd have no say in anything if he disagreed. Maybe if she had a loyal following within the court, had her own power, but right now her only power comes from the fact Cersei can still use her for political plays, from being a hostage.

But a voice inside her whispered, There are no heroes, and she remembered what Lord Petyr had said to her, here in this very hall. "Life is not a song, sweeting," he'd told her. "You may learn that one day to your sorrow." In life, the monsters win, she told herself, and now it was the Hound's voice she heard, a cold rasp, metal on stone. "Save yourself some pain, girl, and give him what he wants."

Oh, sweetheart.

I hate that she has to experience such an enormous mental reset, but if she doesn't get this sorted away, she's not going to have the wherewithal to get through this.

"You truly are a stupid girl, aren't you? My mother says so." ... "I'll get you with child as soon as you're able," Joffrey said as he escorted her across the practice yard. "If the first one is stupid, I'll chop off your head and marry a smarter wife. -"

Says the boy-king who can't even form his own opinions without his mother spoon feeding them to him, unless it's in the name of unnecessary levels of violence on his behalf.

"Do it, girl," Sandor Clegane told her, pushing her back toward the king. His mouth twitched on the burned side of his face and Sansa could almost hear the rest of it. He'll have you up there no matter what, so give him what he wants.

mmm, and there's the rub. There's where people look and say 'Sansa's a completely passive hostage, she never fought back' like they were paying zero attention.

She's facing an opponent with such a different level of power to her own, she has no way out, no resources, effectively no allies, she has to pick her battles knowing she is always going to lose. Any strike she makes has to be done with delicate precision and any defiance done knowing she will get away with it, because she isn't going to get away with anything. She knows what Joffrey is now, she's beginning to truly understand the kind of situation she's in.

The bamboo bends, so it does not break. (but even bamboo has a breaking point.)

The heads were mounted between the crenels, along the top of the wall, impaled on iron spikes so they faced out over the city. Sansa had noted them the moment she'd stepped out onto the wallwalk, but the river and the bustling streets and the setting sun were ever so much prettier. He can make me look at the heads, she told herself, but he can't make me see them.

This whole section you can sort of feel the vibe of her starting to almost intentionally disassociate. ihatethisihatethisihatethisihatethis

A kind of madness took over her then, and she heard herself say, "Maybe my brother will give me your head." ... The outer parapet came up to her chin, but along the inner edge of the walk was nothing, nothing but a long plunge to the bailey seventy or eighty feet below. All it would take was a shove, she told herself. He was standing right there, right there, smirking at her with those fat wormlips. You could do it, she told herself. You could. Do it right now. It wouldn't even matter if she went over with him. It wouldn't matter at all. ... The moment was gone. Sansa lowered her eyes. "Thank you," she said when he was done. She was a good girl, and always remembered her courtesies.

Ooph, she snapped a bit. I hate that she was struck bloody and it's a situation where "thank goodness that didn't end worse" is an applicable statement. I know "maybe he'll give me yours" is treated like her big bad girlboss moment, but looking at this as 'a victim and her abuser,' fuck that was dangerous, especially with someone whose ego is that inflated, and their power that unquestioned. That wasn't even something she meant to say. Think it, sure, but out loud?

Kinda icky circle with this chapter, ends where it began, with Sansa being suicidal, and shrugging on her courtesies to protect herself even though she really doesn't want to.

(I have mentioned in a previous chapter review, the 5 F's, those are Fight, Flight, Freeze, Flop and Fawn, they're the inherent trauma and fear responses of humans, Fawn is also called Friend, and it's the trauma response Sansa is exhibiting, also being forced to exhibit. This trauma response is less physical in its characteristics, and plays to the emotional side of the threat. (Think of scared side kicks of villains like LeFou to Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, or Shang Qinghua to Mobei Jun if you're into SVSSS) the idea of Fawn is "I'm not a threat, I'm your friend, I'm not prey, I'm helpful.")

[heartofspells]

For the choose violence ask game, 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 please?

Hiya, sweet!

1 - the character everyone gets wrong

Jamessssssssss (betcha thought i was going to say Sirius, didn't you? haha psych) And look, I get it. We don't really get much of James through the books. It's mostly all favorable stuff said after his death, which is a common thing with everyone once they're gone. No one really wants to address the bad points, do they? And I'm not going to say that everyone gets him wrong, because they don't. I just don't think enough people look deeply enough into his character and who he most likely was.

James was an only child (have you ever met one of those? ugh) born to wealthy, older parents who most likely spoiled him beyond belief and inflated his ego to massive proportions. We see a small piece of him during SWM, and while maybe it's the worst point in time to see him, I don't think that's true. James was portrayed as clever, highly intelligent, having to try little to keep up and excel over everyone else. Traits like that come with worse traits attached. James was arrogant, probably a little conceited, and he was a bully, at least to an extent. People mostly ignore that. They paint him as sunshine and rainbows, always the bright spot in the darkness, never flagging or giving into doubts or falling prey to troubles. That's just not sustainable for anyone, no matter who you are.

Do I think James had a brighter outlook on life than his other friends? Yes. Do I think that was his entire personality? No, of course not. Personally, I think James was blunt and ran away at his mouth more often than he didn't. I think there was little he wouldn't say without thought. I think he was fiercely loyal to those he cared about but a bit of an idiot sometimes, too, especially when he was younger and very immature. There's just a lot of nuance to James' character that I've constructed in my head that's hard to find in most writing.

7 - what character did you begin to hate not because of canon but because how how the fandom acts about them?

I wouldn't say hate, but I've become very cautious in what I read and whenever I see his name, and that character is Regulus. He seems to have become the Marauders fandom's version of a catchall character. The fandom seems to enjoy piling all their life grief on his shoulders, which is fine, do what you want, but again, I sometimes feel like his character is being stripped apart to accomplish this. And Regulus is another one of those characters we know nothing about from canon, so it makes sense to build him up into whatever you want, but Regulus was a Black. He took on something terrifying at an impossibly young age when he took the Mark. There's no way he would have survived any of that as long as he did or had the bravery to go after a Horcrux if he was so fragile that anyone could have snapped him like a flimsy twig.

8 - common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

I'm gonna do it. Hate me if you want, but I'm doing it. I'm bringing back the height discourse hahahahaha (i'm laughing because it's terrible). The whole thing is so stupid, I'm sorry, it just is. I honestly don't care either way. Big and tall strapping Remus or tiny Remus; Sirius as tall as a tower or pocket-sized Sirius. It literally makes no difference to me, and in my own writing, if their heights do matter for some reason (see: At the Healing Edge of Broken where Remus is taller than Sirius, but it's for a purpose and barely referenced at all in the grand scheme of things) I'll adjust them accordingly. But, in canon, inside the text of the books, Sirius is tall. It says so. Harry doesn't point out much about height throughout the series, but he does make a reference to this about Sirius, which has always led me to see him as tall, at least in some scope of the word.

And honestly, I blame the entire height discourse on the movies. Gary Oldman is so much shorter than David Thewlis, and it's become soooo clear to me that so many people draw their visuals for all these characters from the movies instead of how they're described in the books (possibly because they've never read the books; but even people that have read the books do this, i've noticed). Sirius has curly hair in the movies so he has curly hair, even though it's never mentioned in the books. Remus has a mustache in the movies so obviously Remus in writing must have a mustache and scars on his face and all sorts of other things for all these characters that are never even mentioned in the books. And that's a lot of opinions all rolled into one that I'm not going to go into detail about, but it bugs me so much.

9 & 10 were answered here ;)

Choose some violence with me ;)

[yamatossideboob]

One Piece 1107 Spoilers!

This week's thots:

LAW WAKE UP AND SAY SORRY TO BEPO RIGHT THIS MINUTE! THAT BEAR DIDN'T SAVE YOUR LIFE TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS!

ALL DE GIANTS ARE HERE!!! God this is so hype, finally we can see what giants can do unchained!

I just adore that Usopp was the one to notice the giants landing, Elbaf better give him what Egghead should've given Franky istg

On that note I can't shake the thought that when all this has died down and Luffy reverts to base mode, the giants are going to go THERES THE SUN GOD and swarm on God Usopp instead. I need this comical misunderstanding to happen Oda, chop chop

tbqh the little reminder irked me a bit until I remembered this magazine's target audience likely wouldn't have been born when we first met Dorry and Brogy 💀💀

Brook with his lollygagging! where did he get that tea!!

Oda pls give our Jimbei something to do, feck sake like

Zoro quit messing with the catman and gtfo

apparently Red King is a reference to a particular Ultraman character, and while I don't go there I do enjoy this regardless. Hehe.

I wonder will this be the end of the Pacifistas? It'd be fitting, these intended peacekeepers getting scrapped for good with their creator and model.

Bonney, upon seeing God: Idiot.

God al-fucking-mighty pls let us see just one teamup Nika punch by Bonney and Luffy just clattering Saturn before Egghead goes under

Minor thing but I do like how Luffy's font changes in Nika mode to be a little bouncier. It's the small touches.

Also "Nika? What's Nika?" never change King of the Pirates

"No there isn't" FUCKING TELL HIM LUFFY

Solid punches but we're just after Kuma's Beyond the Grave Punch a couple chapters ago and this just isn't as hype, not for want of trying

Okay Vegapunk will most likely die here, but that little line about dying if he's moved gives me anti-death flag vibes, pleaseeee don't cop out Oda c'mon ta fuck

I love that Kizaru shuts his eyes when about to shoot Bonney. It makes me furious.

SANJI COMING IN CLUTCH WITH THE EUGENICS KICK

TAKE THAT YA SYCOPHANTIC BOLLIX

Luffy/Sanji teamup against Kizaru???

Lads I won't like, I screeched "OH SHIT" as soon as I comprehended Catarina Devon and Van Auger live at the turn up function

Like theory bros have been insisting CATARINA DEVON IS IMPERSONATING THEM OR THEM OR THEM for months now, I'm actually genuinely glad they got a sort of bone thrown their way, even if she wasn't actually in disguise when she did show up lmao

But being serious now, I'm assuming along with everyone else that Devon can now transform into a Gorosei. This is a frightening notion with so many terrible possibilities...

Okay so I first assumed that Saturn was talking about the D wrt "bloodline"... but what if he means whatever makes BB built different?

... Could Blackbeard be a Buccaneer?? I know they're basically "extinct" but the same was said about the Lunarians, and look how that turned out. Tbh if anywhere is safe for someone of a persecuted race, it'd be under Whitebeard...

The lack of airs about Auger when he says this... He fucking MEANS it...

Okay here is maybe the most chilling possibility of the whole chapter (imo). Caribou, traitorous slop dimension Blackbeard stan, tries to finagle his way into the BB squad. Given that he's confirmed to know a number of compromising secrets regarding ancient weapons, this could well be a horrifically pivotal moment in late game One Piece.

Or else they tell him to eff off and vamoose without him, leaving him to sob into his own slop. We'll see NEXT WEEK, NAKAMA! Til then! 💪✖️

[hard-core-super-star]

I'll still be able to get this out of you... I think... at some point-! omgksjsjskskdhwjk you casually picking up your phone and then just falling asleep again. uh- I don't know what I can do with this information other than find it funny, so I'll find it funny until something funnier comes along, which won't be a problem between these conversations.

nahh, nope, definitely not, maybe someone put something in your glass of water today. very bold of you to assume that I will give you one more later 🤨 god, I would really hate it if you did that, like, damn, so much hate, I would exude hate for that. okay, I'm not going to pay even more attention to your writing and see how you base this type of narrative. well, it doesn't even make sense for you to add anything since we weren't even talking about anything, right? I'm glad you didn't admit that since I wouldn't think it was cool and probably wouldn't remember the way you wrote alpha!kate with apparently this feelings formula.

I'm sorry but saying that just makes it even funnier, I can't help it. time stopping for a few seconds along with your little heart aww 🥺 seriously, I can't help but let out at least a little laugh, it's impossible for me to hold back.

don't be sad, I'm terrible at getting references so this can happen very often hwiskjshsjwk

yeah, you have a point there, characters like that are so superficial that it's difficult to even get attached or sympathize. Well, I agreed with you, but now I have to completely disagree because Shrek is much funnier in portuguese (brazilian portuguese) soooo you argue with the wall ☝️ouch, that one hurt but yes, in the fics I read she's also super popular and I particularly like it because it warms my heart, but it's clear that it's a little different from her “reality”. I like that you pointed out her loyalty and devotion to the people around her and that can kind of complete the sense of justice part of her, I mean, her loneliness plays a role in her quest to do the right thing for those people who think they're alone and have no one to help them. I actually don't know if I completed it or messed it up even more.

– 🌟

you're more than welcome to try but idk if you'll be successful. i'm glad you find it funny because it will most definitely happen again. i should probably stop oversharing at some point but idk, you make it easy to just say the first thing that comes to mind...even when it's a little embarrassing

i don't know, your words of denial don't really match your actions so it's just more evidence that you are in fact soft. well considering i already gave you two after saying i wouldn't...i think it's only fair. it's a good thing i definitely won't be doing that then. i'm glad you're not going to pay more attention to my writing because it's not like i adore all the details you manage to pick up on or anything like that. i'm so glad you didn't bring up alpha!kate at all because it's not like i've been thinking about that fic every day since i wrote it.

😑 i'm so very glad you find my pain funny. how are you going to say aww and then laugh at me in the same paragraph? i demand financial compensation for this, don't make me use the sad eye emoji on you again.

you've been doing a great job so far so i have faith in you. [something something, faith is a fine invention]

i actually might have to argue with the wall on this one because i have no way of checking if you're right. this is the part where i shamefully admit that despite how many languages i've studied, i've always stayed away from portuguese because it scares me 😶 i know it's sort of similar to spanish in some ways [kind of like italian] but idk, i haven't tried to learn it yet. it's a goal for sure, though. i'm so glad you brought that up because i thought of that point when we were talking about her sense of justice. i think she still carries that pain/loneliness of her dad's death which is why she's so stubborn when it comes to being a hero sometimes. it's in part because clint inspired her but it's also because she doesn't want anyone else to go through what she did. it might also be why she sort of puts up this goofball act because she's secretly really lonely but she doesn't want to bring anyone down with her. i don't think it's exactly complete because there's so much to say but i loved your additions so no, you didn't mess it up at all.

[rumundersun]

I want us to be on the same page; of different books.

I want to you to see me cut cucumbers and water the plants. I want us to buy fruits, and share them. I want us to occupy every corner of our flat, I want us to take space but be so terribly inseparable. I want to have a coke with you and smoke too many cigarettes and tell you about my employer being a pain in the ass. I want to sit with you and paint the worst painting ever and spill glitter on it. I want you to buy books and plants and shoes knowing you'll never take care of them, or that you'll be too invested in them as if you birthed them. I want us to make the worst breakfast ever and still eat it as if our life depends on it. I want to walk with you and run, I want to slow down and I want us to wait for each other. Maybe I'm describing what love means to me, maybe I'm asking for us to be so devoted to loving, maybe Devotion is the only form of love I know. I want affection, the effortless one, only when I know we've already put in the efforts. I want us to hate each other and talk about it. I want us to love each other, ourselves and the world. I want to love and tell everyone about it. I want to forgive ourselves for things we did and did not do. I want to know when you found your own religion and what stories you make up in your mind to tell yourself things that no one ever said to you. I want to know what went wrong and when you grew out of it. I want hotel rooms and poems and references from movies I've never watched. I want us to take leaps and be the light of each other's tunnels. I want to share my love with you and every person I've ever met. I want devotion.

//

I wouldn't call it love. It's pure devotion. It is nothing but a pool of sweat and tears, a life, we are living, made out of work and love.

It is devotion; you coming around everytime I mistake kindness for love. I have had most of my 'firsts' alone. So you did miss my first steps, you missed the start of the journey. However, you tried your best to catch up and here we are; on the same page, same line, same word. Thank you for waiting for me whenever I lagged behind. Thank you for being patient. I love the sun, a lot. When its unforgiving heat touches me, it reminds me of you and a hundred other people. The ever-evolving saturation reminds me of my own ever-evolving, ever-seeking nature. How I can love a couple of hundred people, just the same. Thank you for filling my cup whenever it runs empty.

Thank you for never complaining about the way I love you. I'm sorry I can't help it. There's so much to give and love, there's songs, art, trashy Tumblr posts, strangers, half-bit leaves, rain and ofcourse so many of Mary Oliver's poems. I'm sorry that you have to share my love with so many things at once.

I've grown up, fending for myself. I've been terribly miserable at times. If you do your solitude right, abundance is the prize. You know better, you do better but with the prize and doing better, it does get lonely again. Thank you for letting me run wild.

It is devotion when you know that I'm scared of living with resentment more than death, so for all the times you made an antidote for it, to specify, your unending kindness, you've rescued me.

There's luck and destiny, and we have outlived both of these. I do the best I can, and then there's you who lives gesture by gesture just to give all of it back to me; like if it weren't for you, I wouldn't replenish.

This is devotion. Thank you for reminding me I'm worthy of pleasure even when I don't do any labour. I have limits, a lot of them stem from self-preservation and defense. For every single thing you offer to me without demanding a price, I ridiculously hammer down the wall for you to climb and get on the other side with me.

We use the smallest of words, nothing ever ostentatious. And you make them all sound so prophetic, as if they were hymns for misfits.

I haven't used that word in a long time. There is a niche in our hearts and we fit perfectly fine in it.

This is devotion, not love.

[astro-rain]

delicate; b.barnes

chapter six - “lake, the sequel”

delicate masterlist

word count: 1.7k

synopsis: reader seeks out bucky after his dramatic exit and they find themselves earnestly conversing... back at the lake

pairings: bucky barnes x fem!reader

[A/N]: this story is available on my wattpad as a bucky x OC fic @ / typicaldaze :)

He didn't like this feeling. No, he didn't like this feeling at all. He hated it, in fact. It was betrayal, bodily betrayal. He just could not sit in that room any longer or he would've peeled his skin off. His lungs felt as if they were bound with barbed wire and the state of his stomach had him worried he was going to throw up. Most of all he felt guilty. How could he have just stormed out of the room like that? She was going to hate him now. How could he let this happen?

He was thinking this over whilst sitting at the lake, hands in the grass, trying to distract the physical body from the mental cacophony he had just endured. He had somehow found his way there after leaving Y/N. These extremely unpleasant sensations were unfamiliar. Was he sick? Could he have been drugged? He was so confused. Bucky realized he seemed to be confused most of the time. Following that realization, he became mildly pissed off.

The super soldier stared out at the lake. It was a calm day, the water tranquil and clear. It was a stark contrast against his stress. He leaned forward and looked into the water at his reflection.

"Damn," he said out loud.

Is that really what I look like now?

His eyes traced over the long shaggy hair, dark under eyes, and the subtle but noticeable worry lines. This sight reminded him of when he broke the mirror at his old place in Bucharest. Now he remembered why. God, he looked as fucked up as he was. He leaned back and tossed a stone at where his reflection had been.

A deep sigh left his lungs, which were now conveniently working properly.

"Fuckers," he muttered, referring to the mercurial organs.

He had spent nearly two years alone in Bucharest, and he had grown accustomed to living in this new body. He was always on edge, that much he could tell. However, he was never too introspective; he never thought about his feelings or his behavior. All he was focused on was surviving. When there is more to life than survival, that's when things get complicated... not that they weren't complicated before. God, he was running in circles inside his own mind. His scarred and ruined and manipulated mind that resided in this body that was used as a tool for destruction and violence and death-

"Hey."

His head whipped around, startled out of his thought frenzy. Always on edge. Mentally, he shook his head in disappointment.

"Oh! (Y/N)!"

He stood up immediately. "Listen, I'm so sorry about before, I don't know what-"

"It's okay," she said quickly, holding up her hands. "Bucky, you do not need to apologize, everything is totally fine."

He was taken aback. Words didn't seem to work.

"I'm not mad if that's what you were thinking," she said.

"You're not?"

"No, of course not. If anything I was worried."

"I- Worried?"

"Yes, you were clearly in distress, and that room was the last place you wanted to be. I'm glad you found your way back here because you look much better now," (Y/N) explained with earnest eyes.

She could tell he was freaked out? She probably thinks he's insane.

"Yeah, I... I think I'm better now."

He was far from okay, but definitely better than before.

The psychologist sat down next to where he was standing. He didn't move, but looked down at her.

"I don't think it'd be wise to leave you alone here considering you're supposed to be in a session with me right now and you can't go anywhere without an escort. It would most likely lead to suspicion and then trouble you don't need. I'm going to stay with you. We can continue the session if you'd like, but if not we can just sit."

She said this all while looking straight forward at the water.

In all honesty he wasn't sure what to say, so he settled with a breathy, "Okay," before sitting down next to her.

"I'm getting the vibe that this is more of a just sit situation..."

"Yeah... I think I'm all therapy-ed out for today," Bucky said in a meek attempt at a joke.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a wide smile. He then realized that she didn't know he could see it, and that's why this smile seemed different. Most differents in Bucky's life hadn't been outstandingly pleasant. But this was a welcome different. This was a good different. It was genuine and unbridled. That was the most open he'd ever seen her.

Every now and then he forgot that he was a literal trained super spy. He may not have any PhD's, but he had his own way of reading behavior, cues, and subtleties. Perhaps he'd make an effort to be more observant. Perhaps he wanted to learn a little more about what else was behind this new different.

A few beats of comfortable silence passed before he heard the word again.

"Hey," (Y/N) started softly. "I'm sorry if I went a little too far today. I know I said our first session wouldn't be much, but I realize I was pushing too far."

"Oh, it's okay," Bucky replied, looking down at the grass between his knees. "I think it's more my fault anyway. It's not like the questions were super intense."

He let out a loaded sigh. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Bucky it's really okay. If it's anyone's fault it's mine. This whole process is supposed to be based on your comfort levels and at your own pace. And there's nothing wrong with you. Your reaction was completely normal given the circumstances."

Bucky wasn't terribly familiar with reassurance. He turned his head, looking at her dead on. She was so genuine, like she knew all of what she was saying was the all encompassing truth.

Echoes of different combinations of "there's nothing wrong with you" and "completely normal" and "your own pace" flitted around inside him until they melted into a feeling he hadn't felt in so long: hope. It was horrifying... yet it gave him a kind of relief he didn't know he could feel.

The super soldier then realized that (Y/N) was looking right back at him dead on. He was about to stumble through some sort of apology for staring or thankful expression for her kindness, but he noticed that she didn't look like she was necessarily waiting for a response. She was just... looking.

Bucky tried to say something, anything. But he just couldn't seem to pull his eyes away. In this brief moment, he felt crystallized. His conscious, logical brain was somewhere far away, hypnotized by the stillness of the moment. It was only a few seconds, but somehow felt longer. These very few seconds of mental sedation were soon over.

Speak, idiot.

He snapped back to reality, suddenly finding himself inspecting at the grass below him.

"Thank you."

"Of course," she replied without missing a beat. Her tone of voice was water soft.

"(Y/N), do you... do you know what happened with me earlier?" he asked, cautiously. "Like, what was wrong- I mean, not wrong but why I-"

He sighed frustratingly, cutting himself off.

Her face was patient, but she was waiting for a description of something he didn't know how to describe.

"I know I said we were done for today, but I-I don't know how to explain it, and I want to know what it is," he confessed.

"I think you had an anxiety attack."

Anxiety? That couldn't be right. There's no way that could've been from being nervous.

"What?" he asked incredulously.

"Anxiety. It seemed as though you were experiencing high amounts of anxiety. Most people get nervous at times, but those tiny amounts are normal. But, some other people are a lot more nervous a lot more of the time. Sometimes, these peoples' anxiety can get particularly high and be so overwhelming that their body kinda takes over, and they can experience really uncomfortable physical symptoms, and this can turn into an anxiety attack."

"I thought I was... sick or... or drugged or something."

"Well, I'm almost certain you weren't drugged, and I'm pretty sure you can't even get sick."

"Oh."

He honestly didn't know what to say.

"Bucky," she looked straight at him again and he almost felt himself slipping. "In terms of psychology, a lot has progressed since the 40's. I'm not sure how anxiety was presented or studied then, but there's really a lot more to it than people think. And honestly, given your situation, it would be strange if you didn't develop an anxiety disorder."

Anxiety disorder?

"Anxiety disorder? I have that?"

"Well, again, I think we have to do more work to confirm, but that's what it seems like."

"I thought you said I had PTSD?"

"I do. I think you have both."

Christ.

"Wow, I'm a whole sack 'a problems, aren't I?" he chuckled, giving up on trying to internally oppose his short comings.

"You're not a problem, Buck. You had to deal with a whole sack of problems, though," she smiled.

The nickname didn't miss his radar. Was that the first time she's called him that? He ignored how he liked it.

"That's for damn sure."

They conversed for a while after that, and didn't seem to notice how late it was until the sun began to set. The ending day's reflection on the water created an aura so relaxing Bucky didn't want to move. But alas, reality calls.

(Y/N) stood up. "If you're not back soon, they'll start looking for you. We should probably get going."

Bucky stood up, too, following her request.

"I'll walk you back to your quarters," she offered.

And so they went, conversation continuing naturally, as if they were old friends. Bucky found it strange that someone he knew so little was so easy to talk to. He brushed it off as some inherent therapist quality.

He still found her hard to read although he knew her more with each passing word between them.

Despite all of this, the walk back, with cool air, a melting sky, and languid steps, was the best thing he had experienced since coming out of cryo. His memory may be spotty, and his mind may be rough, but this, this he was sure of.

[purplerose244]

My thoughts on Seabound!!! 🌊🌊🌊 (2/4)

SPOILERS ALERT!!!

For now, nothing to complain about! We got Nya, we got MAYA AND RAY, we got GILES PANTON BACK A LEGO SHOW!!! 😍😍😍

Of course now I'm definitely curious about what the story is really about, like I'm guessing Wojira will wake up at some point so... Great Devourer all over again maybe? 😅 Idk, for now I just wanna enjoy Nya having her moment 🥳

Alright, here we go!

GENERAL THOUGHTS

New alert for reader, during the Nexo Knights period I was and still am the hugest Clay fan. Now that his voice is in this season I might scream more than necessary... keep that in mind 😅

I love the humor in this, all random but still kinda clever 😂😂 Maybe I'm biased because I love Jay but still 🤷‍♀️

I really like the design of the marine world, very cool!! 🌊🌊🌊

I guess I'm not really seeing any big plot twist moment for now? Ninjago seasons have history of basing seasons on a "we need to prevent this event from happening but it will happen anyway", so I can see Wojira waking up no matter what 🤷‍♀️

I wonder if that will be shocking? Usually when this situation happen, someone makes a major sacrifice (Zane with the Overlord, sensei Garmaron with Chen, again sensei G with the Preeminent...). Maybe Maya? I DON'T WANT THAT 😭 But I am curious, everything is going nicely and I'm not sure what it will bring! 🤩 I'M EXCITED SO LET'S GO!!!

THE WRATH OF KALMAAR

So this is the name of Clay's new incarnation, neat! 👍

Okay really, for having a season lately the main character just can't help but be trapped by the villain: kinda Zane in the ICE Chapter, Jay in Prime Empire, Cole in Master of the Mountain... we can call it a tradition at this point 🤷‍♀️

Giant serpent, yadda yadda, I wonder if we're gonna address the Great Devourer at some point? Not mandatory, but the reference would be very cool 🤩

Clay's new incarnation is a prince I- *hyperventilates in awe*

Nya playing dumb lol, I don't know if that's personal experience as she used to get kidnapped a lot in the past or she just have too many idiots in her life 😂

ALSO ANOTHER BEST GIRL'S SMIRK

NYA YOU'RE TOO MUCH ILY ❤💙❤💙

Jay I love that you're so worried about Nya but maybe try NOT TO DIE? YOU'RE WITH LLOYD AND ZANE YET YOU'RE THE ONE GOING FOR THE SACRIFICE WTH?? 😱 But he's worried about his cool GF I kinda get it, also he didn't do it so good...

WHAT. THE. HECK.

WHO ARE YOU OH MY FIRST SPINJITZU MASTER YOU'RE ADORABLE I WANNA KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU YOU ABSOLUTE CUTIE 🤩🤩🤩

So Giles is doomed to voice LEGO characters with daddy issues 😂 That being not having a dad at all or having one that is... a good guy? Idk he seems chill with the surface at first glance, I wonder what's the story of this family

Maya reminds of my mom, she also mentions her work a lot and I study the same thing. But she doesn't want to brag, it gets annoying but she just wants to give me advice. It's nice to see actually 👍 Also Ray reference NEAT ❤❤❤

Wow, if any child-parent couple of this show was doomed at going semi Emperor's New Groove style, I would've bet on Ed and Jay honestly 😅

Oh HECK yes I knew that with my water girls things were BOUND to get cool 😎 ... yeah I know where the door is *goes away*

JAY NO WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT TRYING TO DIE STOP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!! 😱😱😱

My GOSH that scared the crap out of me 😅 Jay honey we have too many deaths in this team, you're not helping... BUT YOU POWERED AN ENTIRE SHIP BECAUSE YOU LOVE NYA AND YOU DIDN'T DIE AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH BLUEBELL 💙💙💙

They were all so worried, I love this ninja family so freaking much 💜💜💜 Also better not tell this one to his GF 😂

And Bluebell?

Welcome to the "change eye color because of elemental power" team! WE GOT ANOTHER ONE I LOVE WHEN IT HAPPENS!!! 😍😍😍

Awww, Zane letting Jay be the captain, that was so cute of him 💕

Another great episode! Doing great so far but I still wonder if we got into the main story. Feels like there should be more, well we got time! Next one! 😊

LONG LIVE THE KING

Sooooo... that's one very telling title 😅 If we're going full Lion King on this one, I think I know where this is going 😵

Maya: Don't they know that metal taste terrible?!? (Again feels like Kai could say something like this 😂)

FINALLY NYA USING FREAKING WATER POWERS UNDER THE SEA!!! Thank you Maya for saying out loud what we were all thinking 👌👌

NINJA TO THE RESCUE!!!

Pff, okay, the fact that Kalmaar is all evil and cruel and then he gets startled like that, it's kind or adorable! 💕 Honestly Giles got such a deep voice, with Clay it was firm warm and reassuring, here we got plain devious and I ADORE it 😍😍😍

Maya come on don't doubt your daughter 😅 But I like her, and if she knew Nya they way we all do she wouldn't doubt that she could make it every time 😎

Yeah I was right, the king seems chill... oww I fear what's coming then 😳

Okay, so Kalmaar thinks that the world should go back to be lead by them like in the past, while the king just wants peace with the surface. And as we know, no drama no season so...

Yep, saw the death coming 😅

WHOA DID NOT SEE THAT LITTLE BLAME ACT COMING KALMAAR IS SO EVIL!!!... with a glorious voice but still (Rose focus on something that is not that godlike voice, you can do it 💪💪)

THE OLD ONE TWO I LOVE THIS SO MUCH COMBO ATTACK!!! 🌊❄🌊❄

Awww Benthomaar is actually really cute, he's so worried about his father 😢 And he's adopted apparently? I wanna know the story!!! 🤩🤩

Yep, there's the reason why Zane got a mask even though he doesn't need one, it completes his attire 😂😂😂 My gosh how I love this nindroid ❄

Did... did Jay just say phooey? Dude Ducktales ended a while ago but I'm still not over it 😭

I said it once before I'll say it again, Ninjago is really REALLY good at making death scenes. Like, omg, I genuinely felt sorry for them 😢😢 I also really liked that the king didn't ask to be avenged, he still wanted peace and he asked his son to protect the ninja and he cried actual tears...

MY HEART WTH 😭😭😭 So we're adding this to the real tears moments of the show, with Jay crying over pie, Zane with the flashback of his dad, Jay crying over Nya and Lloyd thinking the ninja are gone... my world this show is angsty 🙂

Third startle for prince Kalmaar, I love the gag 😂 Oh wait, king Kalmaar 🤷‍♀️

Okay, we got a coup, the ninja running away because they got framed, Benthomaar is most likely going to join them or at least help them, I guess Wojira will come out at some point while... Kai, Ray and Cole are still playing videogames? 😅

THIS IS GETTING COOL I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT AAAAHHH HECK YES THERE IS THE HYPE!!! 😍😍😍

Although I hope we get more stuff with Nya and Maya, that's what I like 🤩

ESCAPE FROM MERLOPIA

I'm good at English and I can follow most of it, but the fantasy names are tricky so I didn't get before that this was the name of the place 😅 It's nice, at least it's not another Atlantis 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

LLOYD I SWEAR TO YOUR GRANDPA IF YOU TRY TO DIE AGAIN 😱

NYA YOU ARE NOT A GOOD SUBSTITUTE NONE OF YOU ARE OMG 😱😱

Ah, there he is, my new son Benthomaar 💙 He is so lovable already, I know nearly nothing about him and I like his character already a lot! He could relate with all of the ninja really, but maybe with Jay the most? They were both adopted after all 🤔🤔

*scribble note for a fanfic for later if this doesn't come up in the season*

Alright moving on 😗

I am so happy Nya gets a season, Kelly got a great emotional range that doesn't come out often in my opinion, but with a full introspection of water goddess we are all blessed by her voice acting 😍

Gotta say, admitting that Bentho didn't have to help them to answer the usual 'Can we trust him' question is pretty reasonable, like, better than other stupid answers 😅

Also don't mind me

Just screenshotting by ship 💙❤💙❤

Somehow lately we are letting Jay do the talking and I both hate and LOVE the fact 😂😂 Plain Bluebell nonsense, heck yes that's my jam👌👌

MAYA IS SO COOL OMG 🤩🤩

I literally can't not laugh at the startle gag with Kalmaar 😂

LLOYD WHAT DID I JUST SAY ABOUT SELF SACRIFICING!! PLEASE IT'S NOT EVEN YOUR SEASON!! 😱😱😱😱

Aww Jay is still the Captain, nice! Wonder if it's giving him Skybound flashbacks... I hope not considering all he went through that time, poor Sparky 😅😅

ARE THOSE LITTLE WU ROCKETS?? 🤯

Can we skip a season and hang out with Pixal one time? I really wanna know how she organizes her free time to create these things 😍😍😍

THANK YOU LLOYD FOR NOT DYING ONCE AGAIN, MUCH APPRECIATED!!! 💚💚💚 My green bean needs a vacation... they all do 😅

THEY ARE

SO BEAUTIFUL 💙🌊💙🌊

Alright, back to the island hoping Kalmaar will not track us and follow us so he can get to the place and discover the amulet 🙂

Are we not calling the others? I miss my flame babe and Rocky ❤🖤❤🖤 Also RAY WATCHA DOIN I WANNA KNOW EVERYTHING 🤩🤩

THE TALE OF BENTHOMAAR

Wait what? Shark boy backstory? SHARK BOY BACKSTORY?!? 👀👀👀

Wow, I see that Kalmaar didn't change a thing growing up, still the same gonna-be-a-villain 😂 Of course his voice got a lot deeper and cool and okay you know I love his voice moving on

I find it kinda funny that Kalmaar is so focused on royal blood and superiority, while Clay was basically a farm boy who worked his way up. Giles knows how to get the character no matter what 😍

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

BABY BENTHOMAAR AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

The king seems like such a good pers- fish- creature 😅 Now I'm double sad that he died, my world, why do I always care so fast, it's not healthy in this show where everyone could die 😰😰

I'M SORRY IS THAT KAI'S HAIR??? 😂😂😂 I LITERALLY CAN'T LOOK AWAY WTH I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS

Literally every frame of Benthomaar makes me love him even more 😢

Interesting that we got an academic villain, he kinda reminds me of Clouse in a way, maybe even Harumi since she studied her way to her plan as well? I like that we got a bit of personality too!

Using your little bro for your own purpose... it's very evil but kinda also brotherly like 😂

Benthomaar really gives me that very PRECIOUS vibe, kinda the perfect son but also a naive and unaware BABY 💙

LEGO HUG 🤩🤩 Not exactly reciprocated but still 😅

Ooohhh, so this is how he found the temple! I like this, it shows that Bentho is most likely physically stronger than Kalmaar, while evil brother is focused on brain and studies. They are planned differently, I like it! 😚😚

Ouch, peer pressure... sibling pressure? Eh you get what I mean 😂

POOR BENTHO 😭😭😭 YOU GOT THE NINJA NOW DON'T WORRY WE'RE NEVER GONNA LEAVE YOU ALONE YOU PRECIOUS SHARK BABY!! 🦈🦈🦈

Bentho: will I really fit in with you guys? Do you really understand how I feel?

Lloyd: Jay was adopted, Nya's parents were gone most of her life, Zane lost his father while mine turned evil

Bentho(tearing up): yeah that can work

Okaaaaayyyyy, I like that we got a bit of backstory for Bentho too! We didn't get much for Vanya in Master of the Mountain, which is the only thing I was sad about (very little detail, AMAZING season 🖤🖤🖤), nice to see it here!!

But I really want more Nya and Maya interactions, I hope we'll soon get to them again!! 😍😍😍

Alright, getting somewhere here! I'm very curious about what's next 🤩🤩

[plasticnightmaredoll]

Mortal Kombat (2021) Review

Well, well, well....here we are, a Mortal Kombat movie -- not the first, obviously. I will say, it's much better than both films from the 1990s. I will also say that, for the most part, I enjoyed it more than "Mortal Kombat 11" and its garbage DLC "Aftermath."

Come for me all you want, but I am standing by my thoughts on that game and its DLC.

Overall, I did like this new "Mortal Kombat" movie. It was entertaining. However, I have...a lot of issues with it, too, pertaining to lore, acting, and special effects.

What was the best part of this movie? If I had to pick one? Oh, definitely Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion. He is one of the best Japanese actors working today. He's one of the best actors working today. Having him play such an important character was probably the best choice the producers made.

Also, quick side note: Hiroyuki is 60 years old. HOW?! I mean, he doesn't look 20, but 60? I have my doubts.

Also, this is the first time I've heard him speak English. Interesting.

Another wise decision the producers made for this movie is casting Josh Lawson as Kano. I don't like Kano. He's a dick, but Josh gave the idiot a sort of douchebag charm that you couldn't help but be amused by.

So, what did I like, broken down:

Josh Lawson and Hiroyuki Sanada

The opening scene and final fight were the best scenes in the movie. Fantastically done, both of them.

Some cute little references to MK lore: a picture of Nightwolf, the use of "flawless victory," the use of "fatality," some suspiciously MK-sounding music cues, the massive statue of Shao Kahn...There were some nice fan service moments.

The fights, even the training ones, were all entertaining. Kind of like with "Godzilla vs Kong," the action is one of the strongest points of "Mortal Kombat" (2021).

The concept of the dragon brand to indicate who would fight in MK tournaments was actually a great choice. It does give the writers an excuse to not worry about including EVERY MK character; only the ones who have been "chosen" can fight at this time. It makes sense, it works, it's intriguing.

Kung Lao slicing Nitara in half (Sorry, Nitara -- love ya, Girl!) with his "spinning hat" technique was probably the most Mortal Kombat kill of the movie. It was extremely graphic, bloody, gross, over-the-top...it was perfect.

Hanzo toasting Bi-Han with his classic fire breath was a badass move if I ever saw one.

I did like how Mileena's mouth "worked" in this movie. She had sharp teeth and reddened skin(?) around her mouth to indicate that there was something not quite right with her face. Then she gets pissed later in the movie and opens her jaw completely, revealing an almost snake-like mouth, the skin tearing in the process. It was pretty badass. I liked it.

I actually liked Raiden a lot in this movie. I don't particularly like him in the games (don't come for me -- it's just my opinion) but I thought he was awesome in this movie, a truly intimidating but wise presence. His lack of full assistance made more sense in this movie, too (again, don't come for me because this is just my opinion).

The special effects were sometimes quite good. Sub-Zero's ice powers were well made, for example. Another example is Goro, who was fantastic (so much better than he did in the 1995 movie).

The backstory behind the main weapon of Hanzo was a pleasant surprise: it was a gardening tool to being with, and he just so happened to find it and turn it into a weapon.

Mixed thoughts:

The acting was decent overall. The only two I thought did great were Josh Lawson and Hiroyuki Sanada, but everyone else was ok. Some of the performances got a little hammy at times, but...I'm not going to take too many points off for that.

I liked Mileena but also was disappointed. She wasn't as malicious and flirty as she normally is; like she was watered down in this movie for some reason. However, she still was a dangerous fighter and her mouth was crazy! 👄

What I didn't like:

Some things didn't look so great. When Jax lost his arms, it looked...well it looked like blatant CGI. The lighting barrier Raiden created to protect his fighters from Shang Tsung looked pretty cheap as well. Some set pieces looked a bit too much like set pieces. I know we're on a set because this is a movie. However, when it looks kind of obvious, it really distracts you. I know this is a Marvel movie or something, but I think the special effects and sets could have looked a bit more refined.

I preferred the Quan Chi twist in regards to the death of Hanzo's family. It provided a much more complicated revenge story, and...I just think it was a better choice than making Bi-Han the murderer, like in this movie. I get that if they did use the Quan Chi twist, this movie would have become, like, 5 hours long or something, and would have had yet another character to develop (or attempt to develop). Still, it's not my favorite take on the Sub-Zero vs Scorpion story. So...meh.

Reptile looked impressive. He was more like a ... reptile than usual, you know, as opposed to a humanoid reptile creature. However, he didn't speak and didn't wear any armor, and his role in the movie seemed forced. It felt more like a badly executed fan service moment, like, "Heeeyyyy, it's Reptile, Guys! Ok, kill him because we have too many characters already...."

Cole was a likable guy, but I didn't see a point in his character being in the movie. He isn't an MK character from the games, and this just doesn't seem like the time to make a new character for the franchise. There are so many more MK characters to choose from, I think they could have avoided making up someone.

At the same time, though, this movie does suffer from having too many characters to focus on: Cole Young, Kano, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Reptile, Mileena, Reiko, Kabal, Shang Tsung, Raiden, Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion, Bi-Han/Sub-Zero, Goro, Nitara...I mean, damn, that's a bunch of characters to cram into one two-hour film. People who know little to nothing about MK may not be bothered by this, but fans like myself most likely will feel disappointed with how certain characters were handled in the movie.

Reiko, what...did they do to you? Did...he even need to be in the movie? I mean, he was just.....there.

Having the concept of "arcana" was just...I don't know. It wasn't a terrible idea but it also made things even less believable. No one got their unique traits due to some sort of weird-ass prophecy or whatever in the games. I suppose the writers used this "arcana" thing as a way to keep the movie flowing and avoid having it be hours long. However, it just didn't sit right with me.

I know this movie is only two hours but I would have liked a little more development for Mileena, Reiko, and even Kabal. Kabal gave us the short version of what happened to him but, again, it was so quick. Like, blink and you'll miss it. I think Mileena and Kabal are two very interesting characters in MK, and having them be so one-dimensional was disappointing.

Hanzo was barely in this movie. It seemed....weird to me. Bi-Han was out there wrecking everyone's shit and Hanzo was somehow trapped in the Netherrealm until Cole was forced to fight Bi-Han one-on-one? I mean, eh? They chose the absolute best actor to play Hanzo but didn't use him much.

I was so disappointed to see Kung Lao killed off. I mean, characters that die in MK games don't always stay dead but still....he was so much fun in this movie (as he should be).

I didn't care for the portrayal of Nitara at all in this movie.

I didn't hate "Mortal Kombat" (2021), but I didn't love it, either. I'd watch it again, and I would watch a sequel, but there is definitely room for improvement. There is a lot of potential for the next MK movie(s) to be much better (this movie had clear potential, too, to be honest). I just hope that maybe the writers will realize this if a sequel is made.

Final grade: C+

[katnissmellarkkk]

Okayyyy here comes the next chapter ! Number .... lemme look. Okay, number six! 🥳🥳🥳

And yes, my thoughts as usual will be a messy, very Everlark-biased and full of typos. Letsss gooooo 🥰🥰🥰

Is this the first time Katniss and Peeta have been to their floor or is this just the most opportune time to explain and introduce the Tribute Center living quarters?

Also why are they called tributes anyway? That word suddenly seems weird to me after nine years... 🤔🤔🤔

“I've ridden the elevator a couple of times in the Justice Building back in District 12. Once to receive the medal for my father's death and then yesterday to say my final goodbyes to my friends and family” .... 😶😶 so only good memories and connotations to elevators then, huh?

“The walls of this elevator are made of crystal so that you can watch the people on the ground floor shrink to ants as you shoot up into the air.” My mind is just imagining the elevator in Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone’s Spider-Man movies 🤗.

“It's exhilarating and I'm tempted to ask Effie Trinket if we can ride it again, but somehow that seems childish” this is so cute and innocent omg. Katniss, like I said in my last chapter blog, still has some childlike innocence left in her 🥺🥺🥺. I’m a sad.

Also excuse the unnecessary extra gif use but 🤭🤭🤭

Oh wow, so Haymitch hasn’t been around since they were on the train? No wonder neither Katniss nor Peeta fled they could trust him for basically the entirety of the first book. 😐😐😐

You know it’s bad when Effie being around feels like a blessing to Katniss. Girl has more restraint than me, I’d have ripped off this woman’s janky wig by now without remorse. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

Effie acts like they’re her purebred show dogs. I know I know how is this news, that’s a blatant fact. The movies really softened her up tho for the general audience. And I bleed the movies and books together more than I should 😔😔😔

Well at least she’s made herself useful, trying to get Everlark sponsors ... even if it’s ultimately to benefit herself above anyone else .... 😤

Effie calling Twelve barbaric while she’s preparing them for the slaughter isn’t even ironic it’s like literally just brainless. Johanna probably had the nickname floating around for a lot of people before she officially knighted Katniss with it 😭

“Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district.” Is this how they refer to Twelve? So basically if a district makes a better item, it’s a more worthy one in the Capitol’s eyes? So essentially, if District Eight made like diamonds or pearls or whatever then it would be more worthy? So are the districts assigned their numbers (one, two, three, four, etc) based on their order of importance to the Capitol’s lifestyle? I always thought it was based on their distance in relation to the Capitol? Okay so I didn’t really pay much attention to these facts previously when I read these books ok look away I’m an idiot

Omg 😭😭😭😭 Effie is such an idiot. But the coal turns to pearls thing is my favorite line from her only because it serves as the cutest inside joke when Peeta makes a callback to it in Catching Fire and Finnick is just like “why are these two teenagers so stupid who did I ally with? 🥵😳🥵😳🥵”

“I wonder if the people she's been plugging us to all day either know or care.” After reading Songbirds and Snakes, I’m sure they don’t have a clue, boo. 😑😑😑😑 although not everyone was an idiot back then ... maybe Snow is putting lead in the drinking water?

“But don't worry, I'll get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary.” I know she’s trying to help and I know we say this kind of thing today, but considering this is two kids she’s well aware will be heading into a death match this is just bad wording I know surprise surprise 🙄🙄🙄😬😬😬😬

“Although lacking in many departments, Effie Trinket has a certain determination I have to admire.” Katniss really does see the best in people. What’s sad, y’all, is I think Katniss unconsciously really tries to like people and that’s why she has her guard up so high. Because the softer you are, the easier people will step all over you. Terrible phrasing here, Samantha, I’m so sorry to any of my readers ... okay now that sounded arrogant, implying I have readers 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

“My quarters are larger than our entire house back home.” Omg? I mean, yes, I knew this already obviously no duh but like also. Just the fact that three people live in a space smaller than a bedroom and bathroom arena is saddy sad sad. Also do they have indoor plumbing in the Seam or is their backyards just full of—okay, I’ll see myself out. 😶🤭😅🙃

“The shower alone has a panel with more than a hundred options you can choose regulating water temperature, pressure, soaps, shampoos, scents, oils, and massaging sponges.” I’m just imagining a Spongebob scene ngl.

I’m sorry there’s so many gifs this time around it’s probably taking us out of the reading headspace I’ll never do it again 😩😩😩😩 I talk like I have a class of people listening to me 🤭🤭🤭

“Instead of struggling with the knots in my wet hair, I merely place my hand on a box that sends a current through my scalp, untangling, parting, and drying my hair almost instantly” I need this someone invent this NOW my brush is yanking out my hair 😔😩

“I program the closet for an outfit to my taste.” ‘Yes, Alexa, I’d like a hunting jacket, some boots and a green shirt. Yes, it can be brown.’

“You need only whisper a type of food from a gigantic menu into a mouthpiece and it appears, hot and steamy, before you in less than a minute.” I like this idea because it means that Peeta could order hot choccy to comfort Katniss after her nightmares in Catching Fire from the comfort of her their own bed. 🤗🤗🤗 also I want this for myself. The bad people are giving my greedy self ideas look away everyone 😬

“I walk around the room eating goose liver and puffy bread until there's a knock on the door.” 🤢🤢🤢🤢 Of everything you could have chosen, child, this is what you decided on? Someone help my girl and her rotten tastebuds now.

“Effie's calling me to dinner. Good. I'm starving.” Baby, you were just eating. She’s so nutritionally messed up. 😔😔😔

Katniss trying wine 🥳🥳🥳 she’s so funny, trying to find a way to improve the taste 😅. She’ll make a good taste tester for her baker husband one day.

Hahahaha Katniss not liking the feeling and judging Haymitch for always being tipsy. Also this is sad because she ends up addicted to morphling later one which is far worse than a little wine.

I’m glad to know Baked Alaska survived the apocalypse 😅🥳

Katniss just constantly trying to decipher the recipe of every meal and how to recreate it reads cute on a surface level but it’s actually so tragic because everything to this girl is based around food. Like even more than is typically noticed. They really should have given a hint at this in the first movie. Good thing she marries a man who can always keep her full.

I’m just forever side-eyeing you, Gare Bear.

That’s Gary Ross for the confused kids in the back.

Why does Katniss yelling mid-sentence, “oh! I know you!” add to her innocence? 🥺 it’s because she was overwhelmed by all the food and new luxuries she’d never even been able to imagine ... and also this is pre her first games so she’s still got some childhood left in her 😩😔

I wonder how Lavinia felt seeing Katniss volunteer and knowing she’d be her Avox? I wonder if she, like Cinna, somehow volunteered to be her Avox?

I mean ... talk about convenient placement that this specific girl was assigned to Katniss’ district—oh wait, y’all, I just caught myself. She’s from Twelve. She was assigned to Twelve’s tributes because she’s from there, duh. I’m such an airhead omg just call me Effie.

Don’t you actually dare.

“When I look back, the four adults are watching me like hawks.” Meanwhile, Peeta is just like 😬😬😬 eating his dinner.

Actually, ngl, this could be such a reach and it probably is but like maybe Peeta sensed a confrontation coming and, because of his implied upbringing, he naturally becomes silent or makes himself invisible when trouble starts looking like it’s gonna arise. 🥺🥺🥺 I don’t know why I say these things I’m just hurting my own feelings but ya know the drill. I thought it so I said it.

Why is Effie yelling at Katniss for saying she knows the Avox girl like omg overreaction much? And I know, the sky is blue 🙄🙄🙄 she’s prejudiced against basically everyone, I know, I know

Rip her wig off, Katty Deen 🤗🤗🤗

Oh I stupidly forgot that Avoxes are supposedly known by everyone to be traitors or criminals. So I suppose this isn’t Effie’s worst offense but I’m keeping a tally anyways

Katniss is blaming her stuttering on the wine but my girl just has social anxiety 😔😔😔

Peeta coming in with a save 😭😭😭 he’s already trying saving his girl 🤧

Alsoooo the unspoken friendship, the covering for the other and teaming up against the adults, is still riding high and going strong here 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 look away, y’all, the shipper comments are coming in strong

Also why is this the first real interaction with Peeta in this chapter yet? My baby needs more page-time 🤭🤭🤭

“Delly Cartwright is a pasty-faced, lumpy girl with yellowish hair who looks about as much like our server as a beetle does a butterfly.” Now why did Katniss just tear Delly to shreds for no reason at all 😭😭😭 this was a surprise assault on the poor girl 🙃🙃🙃🙃

“She may also be the friendliest person on the planet - she smiles constantly at everybody in school, even me.” Okay not to tie absolutely everything back to Peeta ... but to tie absolutely everything back to Peeta ... this description of poor, sweet Delly is actually indicative of Peeta’s character? Since Delly, we find out in Mockingjay, is Peeta’s childhood best friend, her personality being this sunny, kind, good-natured person tells us Peeta has always probably been somewhat like her and perhaps not as much like the other town kids Katniss implies to be stuck up or snooty. Maybe Katniss is just shady and deflects onto others 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️.

Also the fact that she gives this like ... mean description of Delly but saw Peeta as popular, even though surely Delly and Peeta spent time at school together, implies further that Katniss did indeed harbor a secret crush on Peeta even before the reaping. A very mild comparison of his on her though, of course 😅😅😅

“It must be the hair” “something about the eyes too” their piggybacking on the other’s comments really is just chiefs kiss 😘🤗🥰🤧 FYI I know the saying is chefs kiss but I made the typo once a long time ago and decided to add it forever to my brand 🤗🙃🥳

Also though this Everlark interaction is reminiscent of when two kids get caught by their teacher goofing off in class and covering for each other 🥰 only it’s a lot more deadly stakes

“A few of the other couples make a nice impression, but none of them can hold a candle to us.” She’s so modest 🤧🤧🤧 her narration here and during the Tribute Parade just has the vibes of ... well .... sorry in advance

Haymitch’s comment “Just the perfect touch of rebellion. Very nice” leads me to think he and Cinna and maybe Portia were always in cahoots about the rebellion even before Katniss and Peeta came along and well ... lit their match on fire 🥁🤗🤣🤭

Katniss is like “rebellion??? Rebellion where??? What’s that you old people speak of???” And yet, girlfriend goes out to the woods and hunts illegally every day of her life 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

“But when I remember the other couples, standing stiffly apart, never touching or acknowledging each other, as if their fellow tribute did not exist” too lazy too look it up but there’s a quote from Ballad about Lucy Gray and Jessup being distinguished by their visible friendship too that set them apart from the other tributes.

Either Suzanne thought of drawing a nice parallel showing what a failed Everlark attempt looks like, because I firmly stand by the fact that without their real feelings behind their act, even Katniss’ unconscious ones, they wouldn’t have pulled it off, or Suzzie just reused her own content. I prefer the former but I think it’s probably the latter 🤭🤭🤭

“Now go get some sleep while the grown-ups talk." I know Haymitch is being facetious here but this quote reminded me of the fact that the movies would have hit differently if they’d cast actual sixteen year olds in the roles.

“When we get to my door, he leans against the frame, not blocking my entrance exactly but insisting I pay attention to him.” This is such a flirty, high school boy pose, you cannot convince me otherwise 😭😭😭

Also I definitely feel like Peeta is getting more and more confident here because he’s oblivious to Katniss’ inner monologue as much as she is his actually we all are his sadly and he probably thinks she’s starting to like him 🤧🤧🤧

“So, Delly Cartwright. Imagine finding her lookalike here." 🤣 He honestly cracks me up idk why this line isn’t even special or that great. He’s just so ... subtly nosy / funny. Which brings me to that quote from Mockingjay where Katniss talks about his sense of humor because it’s one of the things she loves most about him 😭😭😭

But he’s like, “I can keep a secret, Katniss, tell me who that tongueless chick is to you 😬”

Katniss stop talking about debts, friends cover for the other all the time 🙄🙄 I know it’s in her character stop yelling at a fish for swimming that’s not a real phrase I know that too

Okay first of all, they’re about to share a secret 🥰🥰🥰🥰. My shipper goggles are on tight and obstructing my vision. I know this and am proud 😬🥳🤗

And secondly, “Maybe sharing a confidence will actually make him believe I see him as a friend.” Hey, butthead, you two are already friends. She doesn’t even recognize that the girl who constantly sits with her, talks to her, eats with her and trades with her is her friend either though, I’m shocked she calls Gale her friend

Does Peeta get to know Cinna too? I don’t think so but it’s mentioned now a couple times in this chapter alone that Peeta has interacted with Cinna. Katniss never interacts or has a conversation with Portia.... then again, is that even surprising? Katniss isn’t ... what you would call ... social. Hashtag relatable.

Awww, they’re communicating so effectively together 🥰😭🤧🥳

Also rooftops belong to Everlark only 😍😊😉 I mean, seriously, Katniss never goes up on a rooftop with anyone else. Besides Haymitch in the first movie but we ignore.

“Electricity in District 12 comes and goes, usually we only have it a few hours a day.” Earlier she said the Seam didn’t often have electricity, in particular, so either she’s not specifying her section of the district anymore or Suzanne is backtracking.

“But here there would be no shortage. Ever.” I’ve had two power outages recently so clearly the Capitol isn’t based on us currently today then 😐😐 I’m just joking ok

“I asked Cinna why they let us up here. Weren't they worried that some of the tributes might decide to jump right over the side?” .... boyfriend, where does your mind go sometimes? Peeta’s darker than we realize, y’all 🤭🤭🙃🙃

“He holds out his hand into seemingly empty space. There's a sharp zap and he jerks it back” between this and Catching Fire, Peeta is addicted to getting shocked by forcefields 🤧🤧🤧

“I wonder if we're supposed to be up here now, so late and alone.” If this was a romantic drama or comedy, that line would have meant something a lot more fun 😒😔😬😉😏

“On the other side of the dome, they've built a garden with flower beds and potted trees.” Is this meant to resemble Snow’s grandmother’s garden???? Like he had them put a garden there to like ... put a piece of his Grandma’am in the games? Idk this made zero sense it was a stupid thought

Two people in a garden at night, with wind chimes, sounds romantic in any other context. 🥺🥺

Ummm does everyone in the entire district know Katniss and her father used to hunt together?

Oh nevermind, Lavinia is not from District Twelve. My bad, guys. I should go up and edit my previous thoughts but that’s a lot of work. 😅😅😅

Katniss, stop being so hard on yourself. You and Gale were kids. 😣😣

Ummm, Katniss for a girl always complimenting Peeta’s storyteller, you’re pretty good at painting a picture yourself...

Peeta noticing she’s shivering 🥰🥺

He gives her ... his jacket 😭😭😭😭 such a romantic troupe Samantha, get over it there’s literally children dying

Oh wow, Lavinia was from the Capitol originally. Hmm, it is sus now that she got District Twelve this particular year.

But also 🤧🤧🤧 “he secures a button at my neck.”

His hands .... are .... often .... at her .... neck .... 😶😬 .... look away, y’all

Oh wow, Katniss is over here thinking, “who’d leave the Capitol if they were from here???” And Peeta’s like instantly, loudly, without hesitating, “well I would 🙋🏼‍♂️”

Hot take, y’all ready? Peeta was a bigger rebel than Katniss from the start. At least internally.

Awww, Peeta is so jealous 😭😭😭😭 and kind of nosy 🤭🤭🤭

Katniss : “me and Gale are not related” Peeta : “😬🙃😭😩😶”

“I'd set out to tell her I was sorry about dinner. [...] my apology runs much deeper. [...] I let the Capitol kill the boy and mutilate her without lifting a finger. Just like I was watching the Games.” I feel like this is actually a good comparison though, because of you grew up in a society where you have to watch kids die, your whole entire life you’ve watched it in a glorified television show, you would be really desensitized to it...

“You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope.” Here she’s talking about Lavinia but it applies to Peeta too. Katniss was Lavinia’s last hope and she feels like she let her down but Peeta was her last hope once and he came through. And, as she said in chapter one, she’ll never forget him for it. And for other things too. Later on. 😏

Of course my last bullet point was focused on Everlark 🤣 is anyone surprised you shouldn’t be we all knew who this post was written by right? 😅

And once again, if too made through this marathon, congratulations 🥳🥳🥳🥳 maybe next chapter I’ll talk less not likely though so don’t count on it 😅