#shout out to the actors for being able to put up with it though

[fabreezescentedpiano]

Any time I need to focus on something I just go into the living room and play the live action pacific rim movies

The only thing to get me to finish some work is a really bad franchise like pacific rim I hate pacific rim with a passion and idk why don’t ask me

[mochinek0]

Reunion

No one from Françoise Dupont High School expected Marinette Dupain-Cheng to walk into the ten year reunion. As far as they knew, she hadn't been invited. Marinette strode in, with her head held high, and walked right up to Lila Rossi.

"I want to thank you for being such a bitch to me, Lila." Mari smiled, "You changed my life for the better."

"E-Excuse me?" Lila questioned.

'There' no way that forcing her out of school and isolating her gave her an amazing life!'

"That whole shit about telling people what they wanted to hear." Marinette began to explain, "I got really tired of defending myself and being told that I had to 'love you' to make you a better person by the staff. I got tired of being stacked with doing shit for free: all that babysitting I never said I would do, the banners, uniforms, clothes, fundraisers! It was exhausting for a fifteen year old."

Mari smiled, "Once you turned everyone against me, I realized how much free time I had! I signed up for homeschooling and worked extremely hard to graduate early. I even skipped a couple grades. It turned out that my husband's family were huge fans of my designs, so they offered to pay for my schooling if I moved."

"Husband?" Lila asked, concerned, "I didn't realize you had gotten married."

"Yeah." Marinette stated, "We met when I was seventeen and got married when I was nineteen; we have two kids."

Lila looked up and down at her arch-rival. Aside from a growth spurt and a larger chest, Marinette didn't look like she had changed at all. She looked like she was in her early twenties!

"So, thank you for bullying me." Marinette continued with a smile, "It was the best thing that could have happened to me."

Lila stayed silent. She didn't know what to say to that. None of her other victims had ever thanked her. She could feel eyes on them. She knew people were listneing in on their conversation. If she started to make a scene, it wouldn't end well.

"We'll, I'm married too!" Announced Lila.

"Oh, congrats." Marinette smiled, "Where is the lucky person?"

Lila spotted a tall, dark, and handsome man walk into the venue.

"There he is." Lila smiled.

Lila watched as her prey came towards them.

'Just a few more feet and I'll be able grab him. I'm sure he wouldn't mind playing along for a few minutes.'

Lila reached out a hand to grab him, when he put his arm around Marinette's waist and kissed her.

"Hello, Habibiti." he spoke.

"Everything okay without us at the company?" Mari asked.

He sighed, "Yes. It was just Grayson being himself."

Marinette giggled, "I'm sorry, Lila. This is my husband, Damian Wayne. Where were you saying your spouse is?"

Lila plastered a smile on her face, "They just stepped out. They had their cellphone out. It must be an important client. We're both models."

'There's no way she is married to this guy! The sooner she leaves, the sooner I can tell everyone I recognize him as an actor.'

Lila couldn't believe her luck. Adrien had just walked though the doors.

'Marinette was obsessed with him for years! Her fake marriage will be exposed and I can get the guy to stay with me. It doesn’t matter how much she paid him. I'm sure I could pay him more.'

"Marinette!" Adrien shouted.

He was quick to run over and hug her, pulling her away from her husband.

"Agreste, put my wife down." Damian growled.

Adrien turned his attention to Damian and froze.

"Hey, Wayne." He smiled, before looking around, "Where are the kids? Where's my neice and nephew?"

'Kids? They're really married and have kids?'

"They're with my parents, Adrien." Mari answered, "I'm sure they're being fed sugar and will pass out soon."

"So, is that an invite?" the model asked.

"To my parent's place for sweets?" Mrs. Wayne questioned, "You live here! They call me like once a week saying you were at the bakery!"

Adrien chuckled, "No. What about my time with the kids?"

Marinette looked to Damian, who shrugged. She turned to Adrien and shot him a look.

"Tell you what, you can see them in two days." she replied, "A whole day with Uncle Adrien."

'Uncle Adrien?'

"Really?" Adrien cried out, happily.

"But, you got to plan it." she answered.

"Disneyland Paris?" the Agreste heir suggested.

"Fine." Marinette growled, "But if you lose one of my kids, again, I will hurt you."

Adrien glanced towards Damian.

"Adrien, if you think my husband is scarier, just because you have seen his sword collection, you're wrong." Marinette Wayne declared, "You lose one of my children, I will hurt you worse than my husband could ever imagine."

"Got it." Adrien smiled, "Plan awesome VIP experience for the kids!"

"Great!" Mari smiled back.

"Man, you moving really toughened you up." the model winced.

"I punched my brother-in-law the first day there because I thought he grabbed my ass." Mrs. Wayne spoke.

"That is still one of my best days ever. No one has underestimated you since." Damian stated, before kissing her head.

"So, what are you doing here?" Adrien questioned, "Didn't you graduate like two years before us?"

"Oh, I just wanted to thank Lila for bullying me and getting me homeschooled." Marinette smiled, "It sucked that she bullied me, at the time, but if she hadn't done that, I wouldn't be with Damian and we wouldn't have our kids."

Adrien quickly turned to Lila, "Thank you for being a bitch to my best friend. I love my niece and nephew. Marinette, do you think we should get her like a fruit basket or something?"

Mari laughed, "We have dinner plans so we're gonna head out. Enjoy the reunion, Adrien."

Adrien took a step back and eyed Marinette's dress. It was a short black bodycon dress with puffy transparent sleeves. He eyed the black heels, warily.

"Dressed like that?" he questioned.

"Eyes on my wife's face, Agreste." Damian growled.

Adrien rolled his eyes, "She's all yours. I don't think I've ever seen you dressed like this, is all. You think you'll be able to take care of the kids dressed like that?"

Marinette answered, "They are staying with my parents tonight." before walking away.

Adrien watched as Damian placed his hand at Marinette's waist, likely making sure she didn't fall in those heels.

Adrien smiled, evilly, "Hey, Marinette!"

The designer turned to look back at her friend.

"I want another neice or nephew!" he shouted.

Marinette's face morphed from shock to embarassment, before she quickly glared at her best friend. She squeaked as she was quickly lifted into her husband's arms.

"Damian, you put me down!" she snapped at him.

"No." her husband responded.

"Why not?" she growled.

"Adrien won't get his wish if you're in jail for harming him." Damian smirked.

Marinette buried her face in her husband's chest and remained silent.

Adrien laughed as Marinette was carried out of the reunion. Nino walked up to him, confused.

"You….You kept in touch with Mari?" he questioned.

"Of course!" Adrien smiled, brightly, "I helped her with her math sometimes and she talks with Father about designing. She's my best friend."

"Designs?" Rose asked.

"Marinette is a fashion designer in the states." he answered, "Her husband's family runs an international company. She occasionally designs for their clothing line, but they do other stuff, too. Marinette has an office in their building, but she mostly does custom work. I think last year someone asked for a wedding dress. It was around $25,000."

"Seriously?" Alya asked, full of surprise.

"Oh yeah!" Adrien smiled, "She's an amazing deisgner. A lot of her dresses and suits have been coming out on runways and red carpet events."

"You're forgetting that she bullied Lila!" cried Sabrina, "She was mean to her! How can you be friends with her?"

"Actually, it was the other way around." Adrien stated, "Lila once claimed that Mari pushed her, after school, so hard that she injured her knee and was forced to walk home with a limp. I tried to tell you that Marinette couldn't have done it; Marinette had been with me the day before. You told me I was just confused. You never let me speak. You just decided Lila was right."

The class just stared at him.

'Had they really done that? Had they ignored Adrien when he tried to defend Marinette?'

"You never listened to me or Marinette when we told you about Lila being a lying bitch." he shrugged.

"But you're married!" Kim shouted, "How can you choose Marinette over a model?"

"I didn't. I'm bi and dating a male model from my father's company." Adrien announced, "Lila was fired when she was sixteen. Wasn't Lila held back a grade? Why is she even here? You didn't graduate with us or even from this school."

"It was a computer error!" Max spoke up, "Lila said that-

Adrien rolled his eyes, "Her mother called Natalie and declared she was owed a meeting with my father. She said we ruined Lila's future by forcing her to model. She threatened to sue the Gabriel brand until we showed her the 'signatures' on the forms. Turns out, Lila forged those so her mother's hands were tied. Her mother started shouting how she should send her to boot camp, back in Italy, as the left the house."

One by one they turned to look at Lila.

"i-I wanted to see everyone." she whispered, weakly, "I missed my friends."

"Thank for stopping by." Adrien stated, "You can leave now."

"Adrikins!" Chloe shouted.

"Chloe!" Adrien called back, "I missed you. We loved that spa treatment. You're the best!"

Chloe smiled and pulled Adrien away from the rest of the group to socialize with the other students.

"You still talk to that trash?" they heard Chloe ask.

"Rossi?" Adrien questioned, "Nah. You missed Marinette by a couple minutes. She came here and thanked Lila for being a raging bitch. The rest of them were still trying to kiss ass."

"The queen, herself, and I missed it." the Bourgeois heiress teased.

"Date night." Adrien quipped, "She brought Damian and the demon brigade."

"I missed the little ones?" she screeched.

Adrien laughed, "They're with her parents. Better book your time with them before they leave again. Oh, and Mari is already threatening bodily harm if anything happens to them."

"You lost one last time!" Chloe cried.

"I said I was sorry!" Adrien rebutted.

Chloe scoffed, "You're lucky you didn't die that day."

"I know." Adrien sighed, "Would it be weird if I put them on one of those kid leashes? I feel like they would fuck with me and purposely try to get lost to see me sweat, again. Honestly, I don't know if it's a mini Damian or mini Marinette. Don't get me wrong, Damian is frightening and he could probably work in the CIA torture room, but seeing Marinette pissed off, scares the living crap out of me. She's creative and could probably make something specifically to hurt me."

Chloe looked up from her phone, "I bought you the leashes. They'll be here tomorrow. You're welcome."

"Chloe." Adrien replied, "You didn't answer me."

"I was frenemies with her for years, Adrikins." Chloe answered, "Mari will find some way to hurt you and she wouldn't need her godly husband to do it. You have every right to fear for your life for pissing her off. Look at what happened to the idiot brigade: they believed a liar and bullied her. None of their dreams came true. The Waynes own half the companies those idiots wanted to work for. I wouldn't put it past Damian to rat those losers out to his family and have them blacklisted. You have seen how overprotective he is of their kids; he's the same way with her."

"True." Adrine sighed, "He still yells at me when I hug her."

"Idiot." Chloe declared, rolling her eyes.

The class looked at each other before pulling out their phones. They looked up Marinette and the Wayne family. The class shifted nervously as they realized what Chloe had said was true. The Waynes and Marinette owned their jobs. They were all comfortable with their jobs, but they weren't anything to brag about. They had all wanted bigger and better things at thirteen.

None of them were the doctors, rock stars, DJs, journalists, environmentalists, or the Olympians they thought they would be. They worked desk jobs or became something close to what they wanted. Lila knew she would never model again when Gabriel told her that he was going to blacklist her. The Waynes owned everything from food to biolabs to steel to shipbuilding and aerospace. Lila silently left the reunion as everyone came to terms that their dreams ended long ago.

TAG LIST: @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus @missmadwoman @meira-3919  @princessdaisysolosyourfaves @blep-23 @fangirlingfanatic @darkhinauniverse @ravenr22 @im-a-satanic-ritual @ravennm84  @bianca-hooks123 @a-slytherinish-gryffindor @starling218

[wonuwrites]

Hello, I wanted to ask for a reaction from seventeen, how would he react to you being the voice of some movie, exactly Gwen from Spider-Man across the spider verce?💋

oooo! I don't know much about Gwen from Spiderverce that much but I will try my best <333

warning: suggestive(?) tbd, fluff, totally fluffy, more fluffy then nothing lmaooooo // also not proof reading because I kept you waiting awhile :( sorry it took a decade

listening to: this

gonna do them all randomly so lets goooo~

✭ Joshua -

He would find it so precious when he found out you were cast to play a part in a voice over. He knew that you loved doing things like that and seeing that you were accepted just made his heart just so full of pride. He was the first person you told and he was so proud of you for following through with your dreams.

✭ Vernon -

He would not have been as vocal as some of the other members of how proud of you getting a part in a voice over but he would show it. He would post about it on his Instagram, Weverse, and shoot he'd be one of the reasons your film did so good on streaming services when it *finally* released. He was so proud of you, and you knew it. <3

✭ Minghao -

He'd be pretty similar to Vernon in showing you how proud he was however, he would be a bit more vocal about it? Even though he is one of the shyer members, seeing how excited you were when you found out you got that role would spark something in him that would be just so loving and awww. idk im soft

✭ Woozi ~

He would show love and pride by gifts. He'd buy you flowers, your favorite snacks, anything. He would also be so excited he would tell the members the exciting news when he was at practice. He would try to play it cool when he was with you but everyone including you bc he's not slick knew how proud he was of you <3

✭ Seungkwan ~

ohhh myyy gosh~ Seungkwan would be your personal cheerleader ever since you were thinking about auditioning for the role. He would read lines with you, he would "act" out scenes, and would send coffee trucks for you on days you were filming. He was so proud of his best friend, his significant other, his soulmate. <333

✭ Dino ~

Like Seungkwan, Channie would be your biggest cheerleader and supporter. After day 1 of filming, he would be on set with your favorite drink, snacks, and flowers and would have the biggest smile on his face. He was so so proud of you. Your voice was one of his most favorite noises in the world and he was so excited the world would be able to hear it as well. He also would get cocky? Like he would tell people "you know who voiced this? (Y/N), aka my perfect girlfriend/boyfriend. Isn't her voice just so nice?" wripewjribweir

✭ DK ~

After finding out that you got the role, you both were jumping up and down screaming in excitement. You had been praying, manifesting, and wishing for years to become a voice actor and it finally came true. Seokmin was so excited that he was with you when you got that phone call because he knew how stressed and nervous you were post audition. He would give you a big hug and say "see! I told you! I told you they would pick you!"

✭ Wonwoo ~

So y'all remember when Wonwoo went "awoo" while watching Mingyu's fancam? (for those who don't or just want the friendly reminder here lol.) This is how he would react to you being a voice actor. Especially in a Marvel film?? In his eyes, he won the friggin jackpot! When they were on tour, he would always put on your film on and would be so happy whenever your parts came on. He would always take a picture of your character and send it to you. It was honestly very precious. <3

✭ Hoshi ~

Oh he would be so ecstatic like Seokmin. When you found out you ran to the dance practice room just so you could tell him before anyone else could. When he saw you he'd give you a hug out of instinct but once you *casually* told him you got the role he would pick you up and spin you around. He would then shout and tell whoever else in the room the happy news causing everyone else to cheer.

✭ Jun ~

He would have found out from a news source before you had the opportunity to tell you. He'd be at your door with a bouquet of flowers and take out from your favorite restaurant. He would just be smiling so wide and kept telling you congratulations. Like Seungkwan, he would read lines to help practice. He was just so happy that you both had another and new thing in common. <3

✭ S. Coups ~

Cheolie would have reservations at your favorite restaurant as soon as you both found out. He would keep smiling at you like a proud dad lol , because he is daddy af, and would continuously tell you how proud of you he was of you getting this role. He would be similar to Jihoon and shower you with gifts. He also decided that for the movie premiere he would buy the dress you would wear and make sure his suit matched. <3

✭ Mingyu ~

Speaking of movie premieres, Mingyu was the perfect date for you. He would show up for you both in front and behind the cameras. He knew what it was like to be in front of flashing cameras and when you had told him you were nervous about that, he would take your hand in his and kiss it and tell you there was nothing to worry about because he was right there with you. <3 // besides attending the premiere, he would also take you on a celebratory date, help with lines, drive you to the filming, stay with you on late night shoots, and just show how much he loved and supported you in any way he could think fit. You were his little rockstar <33

✭ Jeonghan ~

Jeonghan found out shortly after you did because you had been crying on the floor because you were shocked by the news. When he finally got it out of you he was so proud of you. He ended up kissing you all over your face and whispering congrats to you over and over again. He would be wiping away your happy tears and then would ask more about your role. He wanted to know everything.

A/N: Hope this was good and didn't let you down xo

[demonslayedher]

Things that ran through my head while watching this episode:

--Not as much to say in my write-up today, because I would really just like to bask in this episode. The way that flashback of the Tokito Twins unfolds is an example of why I am so hooked on anime. That is some good angst, and it's made even better with that lighting, pacing, and vocal direction. I love the subtle changes in expressions, and the pause as Muichiro and Yuichiro just find themselves looking at each other in the silence of the night before the violence explodes. Ufotable was on their A-game. But also, none of this is original--they just read all the elements of the manga panels very mindfully, right down to all the ginkgo leaves.

--Like, seriously, seeing this episode animated just got me so much more emotionally invested in this back story than just seeing it unfold in manga panels. It took Yuichiro from "background character" to "character I feel deep regret for." He's not just crabby, he's a grieving kid who rightfully feels abandoned and desperate to hang on to what he has left, and that desperation leaves him no room to be kind or gentle--despite how deeply he cares.

--Irony time! Muichiro's favorite food is furofuki daikon--it's usually made with daikon cut into rounds like Yuichiro cut at that angry moment, and they already had a pot simmering in the background. Despite his irritated exterior, was Yuichiro nonetheless making a dish he knows Muichiro likes? In the way he talks about Amane just being out to use them because they're helpless children, it feels like a protective parent forbidding a child who dreams of being an actor from being targeted by talent scouts. It's heartbreaking that the fallout in their relationship comes from a place of love.

--I said after watching this episode before that I want an AU in which Muichiro grows up to be a sushi chef. Nah. Gyokko can the sushi artisan, and Muichiro can open a dinky takoyaki cart right outside his fancy restaurant and be way more popular.

--I love how Muichiro, powered by the desire to save Kotetsu and therefore able to free himself from the water pot, suddenly sounds more like his old little-brother self. Part of that--a lot of that--is due to being in a bad state due to the attacks he's endured. Of course you don't feel good, little dude, that's a bunch of Upper Moon Five poison in you. Not to mention you're severely injured. Still, it's so sweet to hear him sound more like little Muichiro instead of Yuichiro in his tone and cadence, especially as he recalls more about his dad.

--Another shout out to Kotetsu and Kanamori for being such troopers. Once again, I am confounded by Kanamori's timeline of when Tanjiro would have asked him to be understanding of Muichiro, Kanamori looking up Tetsuido's way of smithing Muichiro's sword because Tanjiro asked him this, and Kanamori having started and completed Muichiro's sword. The only way it works is if Kanamori works at the speed of sound and somehow the steel keeps pace with him as he smiths, or if Tanjiro for whatever reason asked him very far in advance to be understanding of Muichiro (well before Tanjiro and Muichiro had the Yoriichi Type Zero incident), or if Kanamori did not present the order of events or the cause and effect exactly as they happened. Perhaps he looked at Tetsuido's records first, and was finishing the sword when he mentioned being nervous about it to Tanjiro, and then with Tanjiro's encouragement, he got deeper inspiration from Tetsuido's notes while making the extra effort to understanding Muichiro. Whatever case, it's heartwarming that even though Muichiro & Kotetsu friendship gets more attention, Kanamori was indeed laying the foundation to be a very supportive part of Muichiro's life--this not only would put Tetsuido at rest, but it would cement how reliant swordsmen are on their swordsmiths. Also, it would simply be very nice and sweet to see Kanamori being a caring, sturdy presence in Muichiro's life.

--Also worth noting again, Kotetsu pleads with Muichiro to save Haganezuka, in order to save that sword.

--RIP for now, Kotetsu

--Gyokko is actually fun and I love how expressive he is with this unique body language, like how his little hands go to his neck once he's been cut. He acts like his pants have fallen down.

--Haganezuka is indeed very cool and handsome and no I don't think he'd have noticed if Kanamori got killed.

--This was an episode with no Tanjiro. I think the last time this happened was... the Rengoku special???

--He's there in the Taisho Secret, though, because this aired around Mitsuroi-chan's birthday! The Kamado siblings are so star-struck they really do just spend all these Taisho Secret time they can get with her. (Meanwhile, Tanjiro's only impressions of Muichiro are "He's right but he's a meanie! Though maybe he doesn't mean to be mean? Also, wow, he's impressive. Haha, he grabbed my nose! ...Uh, did he notice Chachamaru or something... is he... okay? Oh, he's flying----" so of course Tanjiro is going to be confused when Muichiro is suddenly a huge fan of him and thanking him for stuff he didn't even do.) Anyway, I happened to have just finishing eating omuraisu (omelette rice) when I watched this Taisho Secret, so tee hee, ya~y

--As usual, I had a lot to say.

--I'll just state again, THAT FLASHBACK IS SO GOOD. LIKE, DANG.

[telomeke]

Get to Know Me Tag :)

I was tagged by @lamonnaie at this post here. Thanks for tagging me! 😍 It was such fun to read your responses; now here are mine. 🥰

do you make your bed?

Never ever. I'm pretty messy, and if I don't watch my hoarding tendencies I will morph into the worst pack rat. But I like a bit of clutter around me; I think it helps my creative side since my output (whether at work, or writing on Tumblr) is always tidy and tidied up to a fault, which can stifle creativity (at least that's what I tell myself! 🤣).

what's your favourite number?

Don't have one. However (even though I like to think I'm not superstitious) if I can I'll try to avoid the number 13 and anything with 4 in it...

what is your job?

Not gonna get too specific, but my work involves design, project management and construction.

if you could go back to school, would you?

I was too stressed out at school to want to repeat the experience. But I wouldn't mind a bit of time travel back to advise my younger self not to take things so seriously! 🤣

can you parallel park?

Yes. Not well, but the car will be fully in the lot eventually. 👍

a job you had that would surprise people?

Some minor modeling jobs when I was younger. Hush! I don't like to talk about it. 🤫 You wouldn't think it to look at me now (me 🤝 Ricky Gervais 😂).

do you think aliens are real?

There are too many planets out there for our little blue marble to be the only habitable one, so yes I do think there are aliens out there. I just don't think we've been visited by them yet though! (Aylin doesn't count. 🤩)

can you drive a manual car?

Yes. Mom taught me how to drive in one... until the day I jammed on the accelerator when she said "Step on it" and I almost up-ended us into a ditch. Then I was sent to driving school instead. 🤣

what's your guilty pleasure?

Ooh. It's this bad boy here:

Sadly I've been over-indulging, so chocolate is now banned from the house for the foreseeable future. I'm still lusting after it though. Other guilty pleasures: I do like a good nightcap, so any (gluten grain-free) alcohol makes me light up – cognac, cabernet, sherry, sake, port... (But I don't always know my limits, so this is now banned too.) And a steamin', stonkin', trashy BL every now and then (bonus if there's a nice muscley actor for me to get all googly-eyed over – shoutout Gap Jakarin!). 😁🥰

tattoos?

I like art and have fanboyed over beautiful tattoos before – but I'm put off by the permanence of them, so I have none myself. Don't like the idea of not being able to change them much once they're inked in, because I will always be wanting to change things up if I were to get one. And no, even for looking at I prefer an uninked bod over an inked one. It takes a lot of work to get a body in shape, and I can't understand someone wanting to cover up the results of their hard work at the gym. 🤷‍♂️

favorite color?

A deep, rich blue most of the time. But when the mood hits, I like a bright, bold red too.

favorite type of music?

My tastes are a bit eclectic, leaning lighter and not challenging. Anything with a strong melodic line will get me hooked. Bonus points if the lyrics can come together with the melody to tell a story, and elevate it even more. So – pop mostly, but I also like R&B, soul, light jazz and the odd heartfelt country ballad or foot-stomper (go Queen Bey! 😍). Also like things with a nostalgic bent (I melt at Karen Carpenter, Seals & Croft, and England Dan & John Ford Coley). And then throw in a couple of show tunes in there for good measure! My YouTube playlist is all over the place – Sheila Majid, New Country, Renaissance, Nunew, Miley Cyrus, Streisand, Li'l Nas X, Ayumu Imazu, The Carpenters, Clean Bandit, so many others, all side-by-side.

do you like puzzles?

I love them, especially word and logic puzzles. I'm always shouting over Pat and Vanna. 🤣

any phobias?

Oddly, not the usual suspects, but I'm a bit phobic about birds. They're just creepy up close, even though I find them fascinating and beautiful with a bit of distance. While the bog-standard creepy-crawlies don't bother me one bit – I'm the one always getting called in to whack the roaches and chase away rodents. I dream of getting a cobalt blue tarantula as a pet (but that's not going to happen for various reasons, alas).

favorite childhood sport?

I wasn't that sporty growing up (classic bookworm) but I did enjoy a bit of soccer when I got to play. But I guess my favorite was probably swimming, though I didn't compete.

do you talk to yourself?

All the time. There's a nonstop monologue going on in my head and I've been known to startle people by accidentally voicing that conversation out loud. So I've learnt not to do it around others. 🤣 And no I'm not hearing disembodied voices; it's just me keeping myself company (plus I find it helps me focus my thoughts).

what movies do you adore?

My all-time favorite: Cinema Paradiso; it really pulls unabashedly at the heartstrings, but then again I'm a sentimental fool and love it all the more for that. That's also why I like Love Actually, especially the scene where the repressed Jamie (Colin Firth) travels to Portugal in order to confess his feelings to Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz), having realized he loves her despite the language barrier, and doggedly learnt Portuguese just to make his declaration – and then he finds out that she, lovelorn and bereft, learnt English just in case ("just in cases") he came back. 💖 And my second favorite is from the other end of the spectrum, actually quite a bit before my time as well: Hello Dolly! 😆 Don't judge... A couple of songs in there are really amazing – Love is Only Love and Just Leave Everything to Me especially (which are not in the stage version) are mindblowingly good. The former is almost pithy in its bare-boned purity, all about looking at love without sentimentality while reprising themes heard earlier on in the musical; the latter has the among the cleverest lyrics set to music I've ever heard:

Streisand is in fine fettle portraying a campier, more youthful incarnation of Dolly. Such a shame it was not better received. The costumes are spectacular too.

coffee or tea?

Coffee (or rather the caffeine it contains) is my drug of choice, and I drink buckets of it. But I like a good cuppa when I'm feeling nostalgic and/or sentimental, because tea is what I drank a lot of growing up – at my gran's there would be a perpetually-replenished, giant kettle of dark, bitterish Oolong on the sideboard for whenever you felt like some (which was often), while at home there was always a big pot of tea on the table in the morning, that would then be set to chill in the refrigerator after breakfast. I would always have an ice-cold milk tea with the papers when I got home from school, and it was my favorite daily ritual.

first thing you wanted to be growing up?

A paleontologist – like a lot of kids I loved dinosaurs, and I can still rattle off the names of the more well-known ones (including every one in Jurassic Park 👀). But that got pushed aside for more practical considerations later. Still wish I'd explored my second childhood ambition more though, which was to be a writer/journalist. Maybe that's why I like posting so much on Tumblr! 😍

Onward tagging (too many people as usual, but no pressure to play if you don't want to or can't 🥰): @hughungrybear, @relativelydimensional, @neuroticbookworm, @wen-kexing-apologist, @waitmyturtles, @airenyah, @twig-tea, @solitaryandwandering, @recentadultburnout, @lurkingshan, @grapejuicegay,@bengiyo, @urikawa-miyuki, @pickletrip, @suni-san, @kattahj, @dimplesandfierceeyes, @7nessasaryevils, @imminentinertia, @befuddledcinnamonroll, @pandasmagorica, @nihilisticcondensedmilk,@shortpplfedup, @rokklagio, @thegalwhorants, @brazilian-whalien52, @callipigio, @respectthepetty, @corettaroosa, @colourme-feral, @virtualtadpole, @aroceu, @belladonna-and-the-sweetpeas, @delesaria-blog, @dribs-and-drabbles, @inventedfangirling, @jiirotu, @visualtaehyun @happypotato48,@akawrites000, @kleopatras-cat, @dc-alves, @toschistation, @lovelyghostv

I've been tagged by others in various tag games over the past few weeks but have been too busy with work to be able to play. 😭 Not gonna post half-assed replies if I can help it, but then I'm always beset by dread thinking people might assume I'm ignoring them for whatever silly reason. But I just haven't had the time until now.

If you've tagged me and I've not responded, please know that I really wanted to but I just kept getting sidetracked by urgent deadlines. (In fact, my drafts folder is full of half-written tag game responses that are too far beyond their use-by date to ever see the light of day. 😮) So to any and all who see this, please accept my apology for not replying to your tags and invites, and if you'd like to play along with this one even if I haven't tagged you directly (and you have the time for it) – please do so! I'd love to read your responses! 😍

[twig-tea]

City Boy, BL, and when Queerness is "Allowed"

Alright. @stuffnonsenseandotherthings tagged me in a post about City Boy and asked if I'd seen the show, because I hadn't mentioned it. I chatted with them in the comments for a bit and came around to what I want to say about this show.

For those who haven't heard of it, this is a Korean BL framed as "real"; the four actors play characters with the same names as their real names, their social media accounts treat the events of the vlog episodes as real to their lives (both their personal accounts and the show accounts, as far as I can tell), nothing on the channel says this isn't real, and the show is framed as though it's actually happening and is filmed by the actors themselves as slice-of-life, with some 'found footage'-style additions. The season is over, but the accounts still post shorts with the actors acting as the characters, and they still do lives "in character".

First, I've seen the show, and it's very well done. The acting is good, the chemistry is good, the visuals are good, the kissing is good, the story is good. If they hadn't framed the show this way I would have been shouting about it. If you want to check it out, it's on YouTube for free with subs. Check out stuffnonsenseandotherthing's post linked in the first paragraph for more about the show if you're curious.

But I was uncomfortable with the way this show has been made and marketed, and so I've stayed quiet about it.

Here's the thing. In addition to the very real problem that fans have with separating the actor from the character, chemistry from real feelings, and business gay performances from being freed from the closet, there is also something really insidious about the way people are allowed to be gay in play only, but real gay men are often hated on by fandom. The things "straight" (I put in quotes because a lot of assumptions are made all the time about BL actors) actors are allowed to do that gay men are not is infuriating.

Several months ago two of the men who appeared on His Man S1 decided to create a BL together. These are two gay men who were "shipped" by fans but did not actually date in real life. They filmed a vlog in the style of 'what their 1 year anniversary date would look like' (clearly labelled that way, but the video itself was immersive), and they got so much hate that they took down the video and backed away from making any more, and made a public apology. The criticism was that it was "cruel" to the feelings of one of the men acting in the video--infantalizing, insulting, and just more evidence that fans do not understand the difference between reality and performance.

I should say, the main shipped couple from S2 of His Man who did get together also make vlogs--real ones about their actual lives--and they seem to be thriving, thank goodness. They have more subscribers and around the same number of viewers as Cityboy_Log. But they had the power of being promoted by the show they were on partially behind their success, and they get a lot of suspicious comments about whether they are 'faking their relationship for views'. They are affectionate but not performing any heat the way City Boy does, and while they both seem pretty shy and not like they're dying to make out on camera anyway, I'm certain they have to temper what they do and show on camera in order to maintain their paid partnerships and magazine spreads. Ironically the same actions that are getting the actors of City Boy attention are what would likely get SeongHo and JunSeong "cancelled".

Anyway. All this is to say, CityBoy_Log is well done but I worry about it as a concept, and what it's setting its actors up for (and what its encouraging in fans). One change of not using the actors' real names would have been enough to make me cool with it, but it is what it is. If you're going to watch it, please watch it knowing that it's not real, and knowing that Korean gay men would not be able to make it either as fake or real content without being rejected by the audience.

[stellarboystyles]

Eclipse

actress!oc and actor!harry blurb

"Babe, car's here!" Harry shouts, slowly jogging up the stairs to check on "Almost done?"

"Almost." she utters quietly, trying to focus on the task at hand.

"No rush, love." he reassures, adjusting his watch. "We're early this year."

"For once." she mumbles, putting in her last earring. "I'm just glad we don't have a team here this time."

"Me too." he agrees. "M'sick of people in our damn house."

She laughs at his lighthearted remark. Usually when getting ready for award shows, especially ones like this, most people will gather a whole team; assistants, manager, stylists, and sometimes designers to make sure everything is how it should be and everyone's on schedule.

Basically, every event is treated like a fucking wedding and Paxton is sick of it.

Despite the nature of her job, she's is an introvert. Plain and simple. She needs alone time to recharge and just be. And when you're a critically acclaimed actress who never takes a break (even when she's supposed to), you don't get recharge time. You don't get to just be a human on her couch. It's always her own doing, of course. But don't worry, Harry forces her to relax every once in awhile.

"I'm honestly over all that right now."

"Think we just need some alone time." he tries, raising an eyebrow at her through the wall. Even though he hasn't seen her yet there's already a little thrill inside him.

She takes one more look after smoothing her dress down. "I'm ready now."

"Oka-woah."

Harry never fails to bask in how attractive she is, and Paxton never fails to feign annoyance from it. She rolls her eyes and he's already objecting.

"Don't roll your eyes at me." he bites, hands in his pockets as he strolls over to her. "I'm allowed to look."

"I didn't say anything."

"But you wanted to."

"And how would you know?"

"Love, no offense but I know you well enough to know what you're thinking most of the time."

"Yeah, I know." she grumbles.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means it annoys me."

"I know it does." he stands behind her in front of the mirror she's using and throws her a wink. "Why do you think I do it so much."

"You are so-"

"I'm what?" he pushes, faces inches away from each other. "Sexy? Smart? Charming? Funny? Attractive?"

"All of the above."

They're both smiling as she pulls him into a kiss in front of the mirror. It started out innocent.

For her.

He quickly tries to deepen the kiss, finding her hips. His palms try to snake down but her rationality steps in before his in the form of a giggle and a push on his chest.

'C'mon." he whines.

She can't deny him for very long. Never was able to. He radiates this essence of sex sometimes that she can't explain. It's almost addictive, like she has to have it if the mood is right.

The mood is always right with him.

"We have to go."

He picked up on Paxton's thinning resolve rather quickly, and decided to use it to his advantage.

"My love." he's speaking into her ear, the sultry voice filling her head. "Am I really gonna be crucified for fantasizing about kissing..."

He kisses her ear. She has to fight her eyes from closing in pleasure. His eyes lock on hers for a moment through the mirror and she has to hold her pride.

And holding,"

He squeezes her hips.

It takes everything in her not to exhale too loudly.

"And touching,"

One of his hands moves to smooth down from her ribcage, stopping just below her belly button.

"And fucking," he growls into her ear this time. "My gorgeous fiancée?"

"Later."

He glares at her in the mirror, because he knows she's right.

"You win this round." he kisses her head one more time before taking her hand.

She won the next round, too. Nine VMA's! Harry was so incredibly proud of her. Being her plus one is his favorite thing to do these days.

"Are we getting takeaway?"

"No." Harry laughs, shaking his head sliding his hand around her waist as they walk out of the venue and into the car. "You think I'm not taking you out when you look this good? Hell no. We're goin' out."

Paxton had a love hate relationship with the level of charm Harry had. It was so high at times she wasn't sure why he still tried so hard to impress her after two years of being together.

"Where are we going?"

"Wherever you want." he kisses the top of her head before opening the door of the car that was waiting for them.

"I want sushi."

"Nobu it is."

He can sense her hesitance of going to somewhere so public. He knows she'd rather go to some hole in the wall in...different outfits, obviously. So he changes the subject.

"So," he holds up one of her moonmans. "Are we going to have to dedicate a whole room for these things, or..."

"Stop." she gushes, as if to say, that's ridiculous. "We're not those people."

"What's that mean?"

"No." she giggles. "We do not need a room for Oscar's."

"Oscar's, Grammy's, Golden Globes, Brits-"

"Can't we just put them in the studio?"

They shared the same look and laughed.

"Maybe we do need a room for these things."

She scrunches her nose in response. It was a weird feeling, coming to terms with little things like that. But he was looking at her in the most adoring way.

"Don't look at me like that."

"What?" "Am I not allowed to look at my gorgeous fiancée-"

"Are you crazy?" she gasps, gingerly hitting him on the shoulder, gesturing toward the driver.

"He's inner circle, relax." he mumbles.

"Inner circle is exactly how things get out."

"Am I that much of a dick that you don't want people to know you're marrying me?"

"That's not true and you know it."

"All these people that we know, our friends." "They're so happy, then they go public and it's too much."

"Everyone already knows." he argues. "Since when have you ever cared about what people think?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"Exactly."

"I don't. I mean, I try not to. But when they're in your face screaming that you're-"

"Don't." he interjects, shaking his head with a wince. "I don't care. They're jealous."

"I know. I'm just scared."

"You don't need to be."

"Your heart 's too good." he lays his head on her shoulder. "That's your problem."

He was right, and she knew that deep down. Was life really worth living if it was only behind closed doors? Staying in hiding simply because she didn't want people to gossip seems pretty coward like at the end of the day.

They knew the strength level of their relationship. It could never be torn down by some petty comments on the internet.

"I don't want to pretend anymore."

[dynared]

Random thoughts on the Earthspark cancelation and what comes next for the Transformers brand

What a week, huh? So, we got confirmation Earthspark was canceled, Hasbro put the absolute bare minimum effort into their 40th anniversary celebration leading to many people going to the movie theaters expecting Transformers the Movie and not DVD-quality episodes of the TV series with many demanding refunds, and some good news, Transformers from Skybound being nominated for several Eisner awards, the first time a Transformers comic has ever been nominated for the comic book world's Oscar equivalent.

So once again, the brand, the sole surviving Western mecha brand at this point unless that J-Lo movie next week somehow launches a new franchise (doubtful) is at a crossroads, especially with their enduring business partner Paramount in complete turmoil, with more senior executives jumping ship and an official NDA signed between Paramount and Sony yesterday which allows Sony access to Paramount's record-keeping in order to ascertain the value for a bid.

So with all that said, rambling about the franchise under the cut.

Earthspark is done after this season, and it's easy to see why. While many right-wing grifter types will point to the nebulous "wokeness", an ill-defined term at this point that means little besides "bad non-traditional thing", the reasons are pretty simple. Kids weren't interested, the toyline didn't sell, and the show, whether due to being distributed on a streaming service people only get for Sonic stuff and the occasional South Park special, had very poor ratings. If you're making a kids show and you bore the kids, you're done, no matter how "important" you think the stories are. The days of Ted Turner funding Captain Planet out of his own pocket are long gone.

Since Earthspark is dead, but another series is in development, it looks like Hasbro will not be letting the franchise rest for any set period of time. The most likely follow-up for Earthspark is a spin-off of Transformers One similar to what Tales of the TMNT is for Mutant Mayhem after the latter's box-office success. It's a pretty low-risk venture to boot, with the biggest issue being the usual problems with a movie spin-off (lower quality visuals, sound-alikes since you can't pay the celebrity actors to do the voices week in and week out) so long as the movie is a success. It also lets the franchise establish some needed distance from Earthspark's lack of success.

Now, the question of "What if One isn't a success?" definitely is one that Hasbro is contemplating. For all the ragging on Snake-Eyes GI Joe Origins as a box office bomb, Rise of the Beasts was widely viewed by Hollywood as a flop and the lowest-grossing film in the history of the franchise. While a lot of that may be due to the wishy-washy way the continuity has been handled and the inability to commit to a full reboot (Madame Web producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has been insistent that all the Michael Bay movies are still canon, even though that makes no real sense), if One isn't successful, the franchise may need to step back for a year or two.

Any other new concept for a series that fans have wanted is simply not feasible due to time and budget. With Hasbro joined at the hip with Paramount (apparently Hasbro board members own Paramount stock, hence their desire to keep the relationship going so long as Paramount exists), they don't have access to or funds for numerous studios. Studio Trigger have been asking to do a Transformers show for years now, hence all the shout-outs in stuff like SSSS.Gridman and even Panty and Stocking. Studio Orange's head took to the internet earlier in the week asking to be able to do a mecha show. Neither is getting the call from Hasbro because Paramount would rather use local Western studios and save money.

That of course leads to the final option for an adaptation, a 1:1 or similar of the Energon Universe. The problem with that is simply put, it's way too soon. While it would assuredly get a lot of attention just by putting down "From the creator of Invincible and The Walking Dead" in the promos, animation lead times mean that it would be impossible to do at this point without overtaking the entire stock of comics and either resulting in huge delays between seasons, or filler. Neither of which would be helpful.

So I guess tl:dr - Earthspark bombed not because of a non-binary owl, but because the kids were bored by it, with even the Fox News controversy failing to get the show any real positive attention with its main demographic of families. As horrible for Hollywood as it may be to see Paramount be sold for parts to Sony, it may actually be Hasbro's best bet at making its tie-in brands successful again on the big and small screens. And if One doesn't succeed, they are going to be in big trouble because nothing else is realistically ready yet.

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Shut Up and Kiss Me

Fandom: Elvis Presley, American Actor, RPF

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Female Reader

Characters: Elvis Presley, Female Reader, Red West, George Klein, Billy Smith, Gene Smith

Word Count: 3400

Rating: Teen

Summary: Elvis and you spend a day at the pool.

Tags/Warnings: Request, Requested Fic, Teen Romance, Flirting, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Accidental Nudity, Pools, Swimming, Teenage Boys, Teasing, Boners, Elvis and Reader are like 15/16,

Notes: Here you go doll. I had to change the request a little as it was easier this way hope you like it anyway.

Request from anon - Y/n is best friends with elvis (maybe it is late 50s era but it can be whatever era you would like). Somehow she ends up accidentally flashing her bare vag to him. She gets embarrassed when she realizes but he gets turned on

‘I’m boooooored,’ Elvis grumbled. ‘You’re always bored,’ I said rolling my eyes as he swam past me on his back. I was sitting on the edge of the pool, my legs dipped in the water and a book on my lap though admittedly trying to read it was getting more and more difficult as the pages became more water spattered from every time Elvis swam past me. I just thanked my lucky stars it was just us here otherwise my book would’ve surely been a goner. ‘So entertain me,’ he said swimming back towards me until he was next to me, his arms resting on top of the warm tiles as he kept himself buoyant. ‘Well I could read to ya,’ I said closing my book over my finger so that I was able to talk to him without losing my page. ‘You know if I fall asleep in the pool I’ll drown right?’ he said with a smirk on his face that made butterflies flutter inside me.   I liked Elvis. We’d been good friends since he’d moved into our neighbourhood and we spent a lot of time together but lately, I had been liking him a little more than just a friend. Over the summer he’d developed a lot. He’d grown at least a couple of inches and his body had lost that gangly youthful frame swapping to something a little more mature. But he was still him. Still, that gentle and kind boy next door, always seemed happy to spend time with me no matter what.   ‘Are you calling me boring?’ I asked raising an eyebrow. ‘No, but would someone who’s not boring spend all their day reading by the side of the pool when they could be having fun in it?’ Elvis chuckled letting go of the side of the pool and treading water as I scowled playfully at him. ‘You just said you were bored!’ I said kicking water at him. ‘Yeah because you won’t play with me!’ he said splashing me back with a smile though it disappeared as he looked past me.   ‘Who won’t play with ya?’ came a voice from the side of me. Elvis straightened up immediately swimming away from me as I looked towards where it had come from shielding my eyes from the sun to find Red, George, Billy and Gene coming towards us. They were all kitted out for a day at the pool much to my disappointment. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them, they were alright guys, it’s just that Elvis was different around them. My gentle boy next door became louder, more brash, and immature. ‘Y/N,’ Elvis said quietly, ‘would rather read her book.’ ‘She probably doesn’t wanna get her hair wet huh Y/N?’ Red said with a smirk that made me glare at him though he didn’t seem to notice as he moved to put his belongings with ours on the chairs we had claimed for the day.   ‘I didn’t know they were coming,’ I said with a scowl as soon as I was sure they were out of earshot. ‘Oh I thought I’d told you,’ he said avoiding my gaze as he paddled away from me and shouted for Billy to throw him the beach ball they’d brought with them before I could ask any more questions. I watched him swim away talking to Billy and Gene who were decanting themselves into the pool. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but within five seconds of being inside Elvis was on top of his cousin laughing raucously as he dunked him under the water. I sighed.   So much for a relaxing day at the pool.   After the boys got there I decided to give up on reading. Though I had tried my best to keep my mind focused it was hard to do due to the amount of noise they made rough housing and playing various pool games. So, admitting defeat I lay my towel on the warm tiles and lay down to sunbathe. And whilst the feel of the sun on my bare skin was nice I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that Elvis had barely spoken to me since they had come. Especially since I thought this was supposed to be just the pair of us and now I was spending the afternoon practically alone.   ‘Hey,’ I heard Red call though I didn’t look up until I heard him say it again followed by a splash of cold water. When I looked up he was close by me gesturing for the ball that had been launched out of the pool and had landed by my legs. ‘Did you really have to splash me?’ I said as I moved to sit up, picking it up and tossing it in his direction. ‘You didn’t listen,’ he shrugged as he caught it. ‘I didn’t think you were talking to me,’ I said. ‘Who else would I be talking to?’ Red said sarcastically. ‘Anyone else here,’ I snapped as Elvis appeared at Red’s side. ‘What’s going on?’ he asked. ‘Nothing, she’s just got her panties in bunch over a little water,’ Red said rolling his eyes. ‘I did not get my panties in a bunch!’ I snapped, ‘he splashed me!’ ‘She ignored me,’ Red said simply. ‘You could’ve said my name!’ I said looking at Elvis for support but he was watching us both hesitantly. After a beat, he said, ‘it’s just a little water Y/N.’   ‘Hey, you guys playing or what?’ George said grabbing our attention. ‘Yeah coming,’ Red said heading towards him. ‘What about you Y/N wanna join?’ Billy shouted. ‘Nah she’s fine,’ Elvis said jumping in before I could say anything. ‘Oh, am I?’ I asked making him look at me panicked when he heard the irritation in my voice. ‘I just thought y-y-you’d wanna sunbathe-’ he stammered as I shuffled to the edge of the pool and slid in. ‘You thought wrong then didn’t you,’ I sneered strutting past him the best I could in the water to where a circle had formed. As I stood next to Red he looked at me smugly making my irritation grow further.   ‘Finally realised a little water won’t do you any harm huh?’ Red asked nudging me with his elbow though I paid him no attention moving out of his reach as I looked towards Billy who now had the ball. ‘What are we playing?’ I asked. ‘Keep away,’ Billy said making me groan internally. ‘Who’s it?’ I asked making everyone’s eyes fall on me. ‘Guys come on,’ Elvis said. ‘Hey she was the last in the pool,’ Gene said. ‘And she’s like a foot shorter than us,’ Elvis said. ‘So?’ Billy said. ‘So it’s not exactly fair,’ George said looking at me sympathetically. ‘It’s fine,’ I said moving into the middle. ‘George’s right,’ Elvis said coming towards me, ‘don’t worry about it I’ll be it.’ ‘I said it’s fine. Just throw the damn ball,’ I said looking at him directly as I folded my arms across my chest as if daring him to challenge me. I could feel everyone watching us. He must have been able to feel them too as a pink tinge made its way across his cheeks one that I was sure was not from the sun. Yet even with everyone’s gaze on us he continued to watch me a look in his eyes as though he wanted to protest. But he didn’t. Instead, he said nothing and merely nodded at Billy to play on.   The first couple of rounds went okay though admittedly I didn’t catch a lot of the throws and rather relied on being quicker than the others when shots went wide. But as the game went on the boys got more competitive meaning I was pretty much free to be a side-line spectator the ball barely going in my direction.   ‘Quit stalling,’ Elvis said from the middle watching as Red held the ball above his head debating which person to throw it to. ‘Hey you’re allowed to think,’ Red said. ‘Yeah like I don’t know where you’re gonna toss it,’ Elvis said rolling his eyes. ‘You think so?’ Red said. ‘You’ve got two open shots,’ Elvis said. ‘Hmm maybe you’re right or maybe I’ll go here,’ he said faking a punt right before he tossed the ball across the circle in my direction. I reached for it as it headed towards me but it had been unexpected so as I put my hands in the air it did nothing but glance my fingertips before bouncing off towards the end of the pool near the steps. Though Elvis had followed Red’s false lunge for a moment he was quick in realising and turned to look at me, our eyes locking for a moment before the two of us raced off at speed to get it.   I was barrelling down the pool with determination though I could hear laughter from the boys as Elvis gained distance. I tried to widen my strides, switching between running and paddling to try and get myself there as quickly as I could. I could feel him behind me but the ball was just within my reach. And then it wasn’t.   As my fingertips brushed past it I was yanked under the water in a tangle with Elvis. I could feel his arms around me holding me in place as he secured the ball with his free hand before letting me up. When I managed to surface he had the ball above his head and was swimming back to the boys with a smile on his face   ‘That was a dirty tackle Presley!’ I said swimming after him. ‘Hey we never said we play by the rules,’ Elvis called as he went to stand where I had been playing. I narrowed my eyes as I swam towards him determined not to let him win. ‘You won’t mind if I do this then huh?’ I said leaping out of the water to try and grab it though he was quicker and raised it up out of my reach. ‘Nice try short stuff,’ he chuckled as I jumped up again missing the ball once more. ‘Give it back!’ I whinged pulling on his arm. ‘Nope,’ he grinned. ‘Fine,’ I said sticking my tongue in defeat. However just as I turned to head back to the middle he lowered the ball and spying my chance I turned and leapt on him barrelling him over until he was submerged.   He was taken off guard allowing the ball to slip out of his grasp and into my path which I took full advantage of. I wrapped my body around it ignoring as he pawed at me before we both became breathless and pulled ourselves from underneath the surface.   ‘And you said I played dirty,’ he said pushing the hair from his eyes as I stood up in front of him. ‘Well now I know that there are no rules,’ I said smugly looking at him awaiting him to bite back but it never came. He just stood staring at me, his eyes wide and unblinking.   ‘What?’ I asked but he didn’t answer and when I looked around I found the others looking at me too in the same respect Elvis was. That was when I noticed it. I looked down to find my bathing suit top laying in the opposite direction than it should be, the straps floating on the water where they had come loose from around my neck. ‘Oh my God,’ I said scrambling to pull it back into place as I felt blood rush to my face from embarrassment, worsening as I heard the boys break into laughter. ‘That’s one way to get the ball off him huh Y/N?’ Red teased. ‘I think she’s ruined the poor boy,’ Gene chuckled nudging Elvis who seemed to come out of the trance he was in. I wasn’t paying them any attention though. As they made jokes I hurtled past them as fast as I could, water splashing around as I tried to get onto dry land as quickly as possible. Yet trying to wade through the water was a struggle itself. It was like I was wading through molasses as if God wanted me to hear my torment for as long as possible.   ‘Y/N!’ I heard Elvis shout but I didn’t turn around to look at him. I didn’t even slow down as I grabbed onto the pool ladder launching myself up it as quickly as I could before I ran for cover, grabbing a towel off one of the chairs as I headed to changing rooms. Given that it wasn’t a big public pool the building wasn’t big, more shed-like than anything, and it adjoined directly onto the pool area but I didn’t care. As long as none of them could see me I was fine. Once inside I locked the door behind me and sank to the floor trying not to cry as humiliation flooded through my body. I didn’t have long to dwell on it though as there was a knock at the door.   ‘Y/N,’ I heard Elvis say quietly from the other side. ‘Go away,’ I snapped. ‘Y/N please open the door,’ he said. ‘What did you not get enough of a show out there? Come back from round two?’ I said angrily though it softened as I heard him sigh. ‘I just…I just wanna make sure you’re okay,’ he said, ‘just open the door…please.’   I sat there for a moment, staring at the slats on the wooden door as I thought about it. I could hear him shuffle awkwardly on the other side. Tentatively I reached up and unlocked the door. By the time he opened it I was back on the floor my back resting against the cool stone as I watched him enter, throwing me a weak smile as he did. Then he shut the door behind him and took a seat beside me, the pair of us looking at the wall opposite unsure of what to say.   ‘M’sorry,’ he said after a moment. When I didn’t say anything he continued, ‘I didn’t know that I’d, I m-m-mean that we, uh, that you’re top had y’know.’ ‘It’s not your fault. It was an accident,’ I said trying to reassure him with a smile though the look on his stunned face popped into my head once more making me cringe, ‘oh god I’m so embarrassed!’ ‘You ain’t got nothing to be embarrassed about,’ he said. ‘Is that why all your friends were laughing?’ I asked raising an eyebrow. ‘Hey they should count themselves lucky. Idiots like that I reckon this is the closest they’ve ever been to seeing a girl naked,’ he said that cheeky smile coming back to his face which made one appear on mine against my will.    ‘See, knew I could get ya smilin’,’ he said softly. ‘Maybe but I am never showing my face outside of here again,’ I moaned. ‘Oh come on it’s not that bad,’ he said. ‘That’s easy for you to say,’ I grumbled, ‘it wasn’t you they were laughing at.’ ‘Well that’s not exactly true,’ he said rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly refusing to meet my gaze. ‘What are you talking about?’ I asked confused. ‘Well, I’m pretty sure one of the reasons they were being jackasses is…well…is because I kinda got y’know,’ he said looking at me as if I was supposed to know what he was hinting at. When I didn’t, he added, ‘excited.’ ‘You did?’ I asked glancing downward. I could still see the outline of him against his wet swimming trunks which made me blush furiously as did he when he noticed where my eyes had gone. ‘Well yeah,’ he said blushing, ‘I mean I’m a teenage boy it doesn’t take much.’ ‘Oh,’ I said dejectedly. Elvis’ eyes went wide as he realised what he’d said and started to backtrack, ‘I mean not that you’re not pretty. I mean you are. Pretty I mean. You’re real pretty, one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever known. I just mean it’s easy to you know get me going. I mean I saw you and then I started thinking about kissing you and then I remembered my friends were there-’ ‘Wait you thought about kissing me?’ I asked a hint of excitement in my voice. Elvis looked at me whatever thoughts he was having trailing away as I he processed my question. All of a sudden he looked shy. ‘Well yeah...’ he said, ‘I mean it’s pretty much all I think about.’ ‘You do?’ I asked turning towards him which made him turn to face me too. ‘Yeah,’ he said quietly. ‘Why didn’t you?’ I asked. ‘I mean I don’t think the pool in front of all my friends is the place,’ he said awkwardly. ‘I don’t mean then…I mean why didn’t you before?’ I asked. ‘I dunno,’ he said, ‘you make me nervous I guess…I feel like I’m a total sap around you.’ ‘Is that why you’re different…when we’re with them I mean,’ I said. We were close now, our heads less than a foot away from each other. He dropped his gaze, looking at me through his long lashes. ‘Yeah, I mean they don’t exactly go easy on ya,’ he said meekly. ‘Well if you’d rather them go easy on you I get it but you were right,’ I said. ‘About what?’ he asked, his brows knitting together. ‘Girls don’t like guys like that,’ I said. ‘What do girls like then?’ he asked his brows knitting together though they raised as he saw the pointed look in my eyes, ‘oh.’   ‘Elvis?’ I said inching a tiny bit closer. ‘Yeah?’ he said swallowing nervously. ‘Are you thinking about kissing me now?’ I said. ‘Yeah,’ he said his eyes flicking to my lips before he leaned in towards me but before he could there was a banging on the door which made him leap away from me.   ‘Are you two coming out of there or what?’ Red said gruffly. Elvis leapt up to open the door much to my commiseration. All four boys were stood on the other side, peering in at me making me scowl in return. ‘Everything alight?’ George said. ‘Fine, we’ll be out in a minute,’ Elvis said his hand still on the handle. ‘Because we didn’t mean to hurt her feelings,’ he replied, ‘right guys?’ ‘Yeah we were just raggin’ on ya,’ Gene said, ‘sometimes we forget ya a girl and whatnot.’ ‘Lucky for us you gave a couple of big reminders right Y/N?’ Red joked making me flush deep crimson. Elvis's face went thunderous at his friend's comment.   ‘Like I said we’ll be out in a minute,’ he said pushing the door closed. ‘EP you-’ Red said but Elvis didn’t wait before he slammed the door in his friend's face turning to look at me apologetically.   ‘Sorry about him,’ he said. ‘It’s okay,’ I said moving to stand up. ‘No it’s not I mean you must think I’m an idiot hanging out with a guy like that but it's not that he’s a bad guy he just thinks he’s funny is all and well he ain’t all that funny-’ ‘Elvis it’s fine,’ I said but he was still ranting, pacing the tiny cubicle as if he had to get his defence out or else. ‘It was a lousy joke but still, I’ll make him apologise to ya. Hell, I’ll make them all apologise to you,’ he rambled. ‘Elvis,’ I said trying to get him to pay attention to me. ‘I know I ain’t been great when we're with them because I didn’t want them to know I like you but I do like you,’ he said his brows knitting together once more as he rambled, ‘e-except you haven’t been liking me because I was busy trying to make them like me a-a-and-’ ‘Elvis!’ I said loudly finally making him stop in his tracks to look at me. For a moment it felt as though he had forgotten I was there altogether. I moved to stand in front of him, placing my hands on his shoulder as he looked down at me nervously.   ‘Elvis,’ I said. ‘Yeah?’ he said in barely more than a whisper. ‘Shut up and kiss me.’

ELVIS TAGS

@literally-just-elvis-fics @caitlin1996 @notstefaniepresley​ @18lkpeters​

[mihrsuri]

We sat down with Rupert Graves post Season Three of The Tudors (warning - this discussion will contain huge spoilers for the entire season, particularly the finale).

(Or an in universe Tudors OT3 verse version of The Tudors TV show actor interview. Ellie belongs to @nocompromise-noregrets <3)

So, Norwich is really gone?

Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person!

I was particularly taken by the way the show uses the historical reports that a range of emotions apparently played across his face as the axe fell to say that he realised exactly how much the monarchs valued Thomas Cromwell?

It was such a bloody good way to frame it as a narrative - so much of his [Norwich’s] self image is tied up in being the smartest person in the room and to have his utter unravelling end with that realisation that he’d never understood at all - it’s fantastic to play as an actor, because you get to just utterly take apart the character. It was also personally just fantastic to see this odious fucker getting what he deserved, to understand just how disgusting and small he is.

I was going to ask you about that, about how it was playing someone who is a monster with a handsome face and charm?

So not just as a father, though that was a huge part of it, but as a human being? It was horrifying - as an actor I don’t feel like I need to justify a characters actions - and here especially, because ultimately my Norwich is a fictionalised version of a real historical person or even to understand it but I did have to ‘get him’ to make it work - I made a lot of visits to Welles Hall - they were fantastic.

A lot of guidance?

Absolutely! Ellie (Dr Eleanor Richardson, Chief Archivist and the discoverer of the Norwich Papers) and Ahmed (Dr Ahmed Rushton-Bridges, historian and author of ‘John Norwich: A Biography’) gave me a tour and an understanding of his diaries - it wasn’t a pleasant subject but they did an incredible job. And it gave me more of a sense of him, especially as a younger man with that sense of entitlement.

Did you visit his town house?

I did. I will say it’s a beautiful space now in theory but the atmosphere in the actual rooms makes your blood run cold, that’s the best way I can put it - they’ve been blessed and cleansed and a thousand and one things but something haunts that place. But it did give me something to draw on, both James and I.

[James Frain who plays Thomas Cromwell, Duke of Essex in the Show] He visited as well?

Yeah actually. We both found it very hard going honestly but we both felt it was very important that we went - for different reasons for playing these people. Afterwards we went and had a cry together - did that a few times throughout the season and then tried to keep it light. My method was that to play this we actually needed to have that trust with each other - to both be able to be safe.

Also shout out to that scene with Norwich and King Henry - though I don’t suppose you could tell us what Henry whispered in his ear?

Johnny (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and I have agreed to take that one to the grave [laughs]. No, it was done in silence and so you only see Henry’s back for a reason - it was actually specifically Jon’s suggestion that the absence of words and faces actually works better for the menace and for this being a ‘historical rumour’ we use in the show [historical note: King Henry VIII did indeed visit The Tower shortly before the Earl was executed but the rumour that he did so to meet with Norwich is simply a rumour] - it also adds to the mystery!

Did you know there were people swooning over your character and the chemistry you and James Frain had?

I know a lot of people don’t know the history - I don’t blame them for that, it’s not something you’re going to cover in school in detail and it’s pretty recent but, no to answer this once and for all - it’s not meant to be sexy. Or if it is it’s meant to make you think about, well, the discomfort of how predators don’t look like predators - they are charismatic, they can be good looking and smart and present themselves like an ex lover - which Norwich genuinely believes and doesn’t make it any more wrong or repulsive.

It is meant to make you look back and see just how uncomfortable Cromwell is, how predatory it is - I know there were people who got it and I’m glad we didn’t…we didn’t present it through Norwich’s narrative. His narrative is there, but it’s not the one the show actually has, I don’t think.

And of course in lots of ways it makes sense that people swooned over Norwich - it’s how he was seen in the world before everything came out! The people who try to defend him after that though, that disgusts me.

I have to say you and Jeremy Irons Norfolk do have a fascinating something going on…

We joked that it was very much a ‘worst recognises worst’ situation but yes, there’s something there - a mutual respect and ‘only one I’m fond of in this world’ which I don’t think either of them expected. So yes, that was absolutely deliberate!

[abeinginsand]

oakworthy + singing !! (i used a random word generator and the first word it gave me was "straighten" LMAO)

Thanks for the ask, siren!! :D ---- Hermie was in the choir in middle school but lost interest when the main teacher retired. The new teacher was a nice person, but whatever music they chose didn't pique Hermie (well Herman's) interests. Got really hard for Hermie to give their all when the pieces stopped being fun. Practice over lapped with theater too, so they left choir practice behind. After stopping, Hermie would sometimes linger near the choir room. Particularly on a stressful day...whether the stress was from school work or at home. Parents were worried one time when Hermie was late coming back home due to falling asleep listening to the choir while hidden away in a nearby corner.

Hermie continues lingering in highschool too. They like secretly catching up on what songs the group is learning. Always makes sure to slip away before practice ends to avoid any questions/recruitment though. There are collaborations with drama and choir, so its not a clean split. One such project included a December carol performance in the neighborhood near the school. Hermie only did it for the extra credit and singing practice originally. Finding out Normal had signed up to help as well...was interesting. Apparently the cheerleader was covering for a choir member since they had a cold. I'm imagining the two helping each other out with the songs. Probably on the same days that they work on Normal's fanfic together. Again, I feel like Hermie mostly has the singing itself down but may struggle with lyric memorization given they aren't that interested in most of the music chosen. Could be fun if Normal helps them associate certain verses with dc or other musical/play related stuff to help. Normal's struggle....volume control? Tends to have to shout for the usual mascot and cheering chants. With door to door caroling, the distance from the listener is much smaller. Also knowing he won't be able to wear the Teeny costume is a major source of anxiety. The holiday apparel they will be wearing looks pretty cool though (think the men's wear type stuff from that teen fact) and frilly. Probably some before performance shenanigans where Norm forgot his tie and Hermie has a backup. Asks Normal to 'straighten up' and puts the tie on for him while he stands still. Hermie intensely focused on getting the tie right while Normal's flustered about his crush being this close. Second idea, Normal likes coming to Hermie's performances and the actor does their best to come to the games. At first it was about that scheme to take the costume. Normal brought so much energy and passion to the field that the schemer nearly forgot their goal a few times. Enjoying Normal's performaning so much eventually leads to Hermie memorizing some of the mascot chants/songs. Best day of Normal's whole month when over-hearing Hermie's voice among the chanting crowd. Last idea, Normal visiting Hermie on a rest day and humming/singing softly to him. Hermie teasing him a bit about a sudden serenade being a bold move while smirking/smiling some until they end up falling asleep. The sleepy actor wakes up later to see Norm is by their bed-side, sleeping in a chair. Ends up convincing him to use the bed-- a cozy and relaxed moment.

[deedeli-liveblog]

RWBY ReWatch Volume 4: let’s slow it down now

I’ve rewatched Volumes 1-3 multiple times (though it’s been a long time), either by myself, showing it to a family member, or watching a reaction video of it. I have watched Volume 4 precisely 2 times. Once in the original liveblog, once again with either Jay or my mom. And since it’s been so long, this’ll prob feel like a whole new watch for me.

That being said, I remember this part being a lot slower story wise than the first 3 Volumes, so I’m not sure if I’ll have all too much to say about it.

Ugh, RoosterTeeth moving RWBY onto their own site wouldn’t bother me if they would at least put the character shorts in the playlist with the show. I know they aren’t necessary to watch, but you put effort into them, you’d think you’d make it easy for people to find.

i know i’ve got it bad when just seeing tyrian brings a smile to my face

aklhsdkhafjds, Emerald pushing Mercury out of the way so SHE can stand next to Cinder.

okay, wait i lied, I have rewatched the fight between Qrow and Tyrian. multiple times. because i love it. but I think that’s the only thing in Volume 4 I’ve seen more than twice.

Oh that’s right! Oscar’s introduced in this volume.

I really like the song for the Volume 4 op, Let’s Just Live, it’s actually one of my favorites from the soundtrack. But the visuals are a little... lacking. Some parts even look a little goofy when it’s trying to be serious.

I didn’t forget Ren’s history with his village being destroyed by Grimm, but I didn’t remember how... quickly his anxiety over it seems to crop up when in a similar situation. The second they step into Shion he gets way more curt and... passive-aggressive, we’ll say. That actually adds a lot more context to how he acts in Volume 8 too. It’s pretty similar.

Jacque has a single framed photo on his desk and it’s of Whitley and Whitley alone.

With as jumpy and paranoid as Blake was, how did she not notice the guy in a full body cloak tailing her.

Sun’s so funny, I forgot how good he is this volume.

It’s kind of funny seeing Sun complain about Menagerie being cramped while walking on a wide open street, with like, 10 extra people on it, lol. He doesn’t even bump shoulders with anyone.

I still think Corsac and Fennec have really cute designs.

This Life is Mine is also one of my favorite songs on the soundtrack. Having said that, I realized that I actually haven’t listened to the soundtrack since Volume 4. I should get on that soon.

“If they’re so arrogant that they think they can get by without proper kingdom defenses, then I say good riddance!” I wonder how this lady is feeling when the Grimm start attacking her home turf.

yessss, Tyrian is finally here!! this next bit will be me gushing about tyrian

the way he grabs onto Jaune’s shield is sooo funny, but also Jaune has some good upper body strength to be able to hold a full grown man in the air with one arm

and then he just crashes through the wall for absolutely no reason other than the drama

Oh, hey! I forgot Tyrian said he had a slight interest in Jaune. We haven’t seen why that is yet. He glances down at Jaune’s shield when he says it, so perhaps it has more to do with Jaune’s family legacy than Jaune himself.

The way he says “Surprise!”. Tyrian’s voice actor is so great, his character wouldn’t be the same without him.

SO funny how everyone just stands there when Ruby is about to be poisoned by Tyrian, fdakjhdsa. I know the intention is probably that none of them would’ve made it in time, but no one even moves to try either. Jaune is the biggest offender, he just stands there and closes his eyes, lol.

Tyrian isn’t even surprised when Qrow shows up, he just giggles a little akhlakfdhsjha

Qrow just fucking punching Tyrian in the face remains one of the funniest things to happen in RWBY.

And also Tyrian shouting “You BITCH!” at Ruby, lmfaoooo. How dare she dismember him, he was only trying to kill all her friends and family and then kidnap and torture her to death! Such a bitchy response.

I think it’s a good thing I decided to rewatch the show. I remember a lot of the broader information, but a lot of the details I’ve forgotten. Like each of the relics representing knowledge, creation, choice, and destruction.

Oh my god, Ilia! I can’t believe I forgot about Ilia

I can’t remember if Oscar ever said if he told his Aunt he was leaving or if he just ran away from home.

damn oscar, not even gonna say thank you? where are your manners

hhhhh baby ren is so cute

the violin cover of boop playing in the background while baby ren hands baby nora the hammer actually made me start crying

“I’ve got you here, don’t I?” please, i’m still crying

Thinking about the Nukalooka, and if the characters faced off against anything else just as creepy, and then I remembered the fucking Apathy and good god, I am not looking forward to that again.

Tyrian just wants his master to love him, he’s like a little puppy. A completely psychotic little puppy.

Maybe Weiss shouldn’t have worn the loudest shoes in existence while she was trying to sneak out.

“You’ve never trusted anyone but yourself.” “And for good reason!” Good god, Ironwood.

I was actually pretty supportive of Ironwood during this part of the series and I think a large part of that was his actions being framed in opposition to Jacques’. Clearly, if Jacques didn’t like it-- since he is a completely self centered prick-- then it was a good thing to happen. Ironwood had always been extreme, but he ultimately seemed to have his heart in the right place, so his actions weren’t that bad. Now with the context of Ironwood’s downward spiral, it’s all too obvious how fucked in the head he was.

But that’s the great part about rewatching all of this. In hindsight, it’s all so obvious. But just like all the other characters around Ironwood, those who know and support him, it’s hard to see the cracks in the moment.

Soooo, we didn’t see Klein at all since Volume 4 iirc (and I probably don’t), and I can’t remember if it was said why since they’ve been back to Schnee manor a few times since.

I like that the little :3 is still left in the captions while Blake is talking to Sun.

Not quite as much to say for Volume 4, which is what I figured would happen. A good portion of the volume is just quiet character moments and then set up for the next volume. A lot of self explanatory stuff. Still enjoyable, but undeniably slower than what we’re used to with RWBY.

tyrian was the undisputed best part of this volume tho akjhdsklahsd

Anyway, to Volume 5!

[mermaidsirennikita]

What are your thoughts on the Phantom of the Opera movie?

Uhhhh they're complicated. I just rewatched it for the first time in many years (introducing it to my youngest sibling who was born three years!!! after it came out!!!) and idk. I definitely don't think it's a super solid movie, but I also think it got shit on in a way that I find extremely dated--it's too campy! It's too gaudy! It's too over the top! Like, I'm sorry, have you even vaguely heard of the musical? Even the original source material. This is the story of a middle-aged virgin who groomed an opera singer into loving him while he desperately tries to get up the courage to hold her hand. Also murder.

If anything, I think it could have been more over the top. I enjoy the visuals of the movie (the golden opera music, the wintry scenes, the Sissi dress) but honestly? I'd love to see what the fuck Baz would do with the source material. Phantom should've, imo, gotten something bombastic and bigger and more impassioned, like Moulin Rouge.

I think that Schumacher's directing issues were like, less about the *look* and more about some of the direction I think he gave the actors, a general staticness at points--I think The Point of No Return is one of the better parts of the movie, but when you compare it to how some stage productions have done it, it just doesn't go hard enough. He should've been groping her more.

Buuuut lol he couldn't have, because Emmy Rossum was underage. This is where I go to another issue, which is casting. Now, to be clear, I love Emmy Rossum, and I don't think the general flatness of her performance entirely unintentional or really her fault. She was a baby here, but I don't think the script had a very good handle on how to take Christine from the stage to the movies, and flattened her out a lot more. I do think about what Anne Hathaway, who auditioned for the role as well and is 4 years older than Emmy, who would've been able to embody the burgeoning sexuality in Christine a little more explicitly, would've done with it.

Patrick Wilson is another actor I like and he did well as Raoul, but I think there was again an issue with translating the character--Raoul is not a super popular guy, but I like him, and I actually appreciate his efforts being bigger in this movie, but! I do feel like it felt at times like the script was overly aware of Raoul not having a lot to do. And it's like... if you're padding out a character for the movie... you pad out Christine lol........... not her boyfriend................ Christine is heroine..................

And Gerard Butler... Generally, I'm not a fan, but he does have a couple movies where I think he does a good job. I love P.S. I Love You. That's the best I've ever seen him in anything. I also enjoy 300, for very different reasons. I get why the impulse was to cast a guy who was seen as "sexy" at the time, and I don't think that's a bad impulse. But like, aside from the acting, which I think could've been like... again, hornier, but that's not really his fault, but also just more volatile and vulnerable and weird............ like I'm not suggesting Adam Driver for this role lol, but I'm saying whoever tries this again should really be giving the kind of performance that actors like Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield give, is what I'm saying... Aside from all THAT lol--Butler obviously didn't have the singing chops. And I don't even think his singing was as bad as I remembered, though he does totally shout some lines and his "soar" hurts me. He's just not where he needs to be in that kind of role. He can't put the type of subtleties of emotion in his voice that he should, and tbh, very few actors who haven't done bIG musical work on the stage could, I think? It's a refined skill.

Also, Erik's makeup sucked. Like, it's very funny and adds something to watching this with others, because my sibling did go "where is it?" when he's unmasked and looks in the mirror after Music of the Night. But it's not what it should be, lol.

So yeah. I think it didn't go far enough and it didn't serve its actors well enough, and there were casting issues aside from that, but I like the camp and the extent to which it went gaudy, the gaudiness, and I have a fun time watching it. Especially when I'm drunk or stoned or both.

[what-if-nct]

hiiii today's reminder is it's my best friend's birthday everyone say happy birthday to my favourite person alive also Kun and Mark in the studio together?????? suspicious. also all the phantom/candy challenge videos with wayv and Minho and the wayv boys hyping up Minho at the end of the phantom video that is my husband with my other husband and our sons we're all cool with this arrangement even though most of them are older than me. also the new dream video YES this is the content I've missed this year, just giving them a ridiculous concept and watching them flirt with each other, that's what I'm here for. also the wayv relay questions video was so darn cute i missed Winwin with wayv so much omg i hope whatever he's abroad for this time doesn't keep him away for a year and a half again, even though i love the idea of him becoming a super successful actor which like. if i recall correctly, his first role is a historical vampire and he was born to play that just look at his little face. but also i like seeing him being all giggly and cute with wayv and also wasn't his birthday a While ago? strange to me that they waited so long for the comeback (that one delay aside) if the content was filled so far in advance. also (this is the last one i swear) my niece was literally crying and sobbing as they left today and we were all emotional thinking it was about us but as the car pulled away she shouted "Pikachu" and it turns out she was upset she couldn't take her Pikachu helium balloon on the plane lol. tho they did call us from the airport and she was all pouty and said she misses me and made me promise to come visit her soon so that did break my heart slightly but it's just all the more reason for me to book my next trip lol

Hiii! Happy Birthday to your best friend!!! Kun and Mark creating? Together? What genius will come of this? It's everything I wanted knowing dream and Wayv will be promoting together. All of the crossover episodes have brought me great joy. i still haven't watched the new videos. But I will once I can focus on it. I'm actually so backed up on all kpop YouTube content. I think putting shorts in the subscription box really messed everything up cause I don't use YouTube on my phone. I use my laptop and TV and something about it makes my eyes and brain hurt. So I just can't navigate it the way i'd like. I wish YouTube didn't have shorts. It doesn't make sense with their layout. Instagram creating reelz made more sense.

Wait, no that's so cute and not at all surprising kids are so cute. And what better motivation to plan a trip. Like how could you not want to fly out as soon as possible. I hope you're able to make the trip to see them soon.

[cielhunternorwood]

So, I finally sat down and finished Daemon X Machina. I only had a couple of story missions left, and I wanted to clear some games off the laptop to free up space.

All in all, I think the game is enjoyable, and it plays a lot at being more akin to Front Mission instead of Armored Core. There's more of a story being told and laid out by interactions with fellow pilots and the mission-doling AI, Four.

However, the game is heavily bogged down by not only being a really simple game with a confusing means of unlocking new parts but also having far too many dialogue scenes. This is especially dulling when the characters all have a singular defining character trait and not much else to them. Some are even archetypal characters that seem made for specific voice actors (especially the rivals voiced by Amuro and Char).

This isn't even getting into the ability to exit your machine to fight as a pilot, which is only relevant twice throughout the whole game: one mission that specifically puts you on foot and one mission where it triggers a special cutscene with an enemy.

It's an odd collection of fun gameplay, excessive dialogue, some really weird side plots to go with the super weird main story, and too many features and abilities to be able to keep track of it all. It's a game that seems to pressure you to grind for even a pittance of cash while letting you get most new parts from scavenging dead mechas during missions.

At the same time, I would still recommend it. Unlike Armored Core 6, which decided to go full Souls-like alongside continuing the junkier movements of Verdict Day, It's much more fast-paced, visually colorful, more forgiving (except for the final mission), and you can honestly enjoy the wacky characters even with their shallow presentation.

It's a simple game that overcomplicates itself with mechanics, but it's still a fun time that I'd encourage over spending any money on AC6. Can't vouch for the dub voices, though, since I played in JP. I'd recommend it just to hear Char and Amuro shouting at each other in another universe.

[violetsystems]

I've seemingly lost count of how many jobs I've been applying for. I don't think I'm in a normal situation at all but normally they tell you to "track all your applications and organize them." I'm in a system at one institution almost five times under review. They are civil service positions where I scored a ninety percent so I've even contacted the state directly about the peculiarity of it being under review after a references and a background check for over seven months. I know my record is clean to the point I even did a FOIA request on my identity at the FBI who sent me back a letter of "we don't know nothing about you" on September 11th, 2023. Real classy date there. Most times there is absolutely no response from anything. I feel like I was confidence tricked into an interview as some art project to make me feel helpless and trapped. It could all fall from the sky at once. Or it could just be some sick deep state joke that I'm some sort of social experiment to kick around. None of these are things I want to think about conspiratorially and yet you leave a person locked in a box long enough and they will try to conspire a way to break free. I've also applied for things like GameStop and Home Depot. I applied for a part time position at a conservatory. I go out to do groceries and I'm followed around by the neighborhood. Hollywood people and try hard TikTokers filming movies around me when I go to the store to pick up groceries. Wannabe improv actors playing practical jokes on me in public. Gang Bangers shout at me from their cars calling me tough guy in a mockingly menacingly way. And yet they have been following me around using my identity for the entire pandemic as cover for something I'd rather not talk about. My parents don't even really comprehend how fucked anything is and my friends don't really exist in the material world. So the isolation might be meant to break me but I'm not that kind of person. I've always been the guy who would cut the whole in the wall to escape. Not so much the guy who would cut off his own leg to leave the saw trap though. I don't really know the answer to any of this. It's just gone to a point where I have no choice but to take extreme measures to keep myself safe. And yet everything I've done has put me further in harm's way. Normal people in America can start over. Leave and pick up a job in a new state or country. I'm a blood bag on the roof of an automotive in the wasteland. And honestly half my life has faded away for people whose idea of high culture is a line of cocaine and a meme on an instagram page. I didn't think getting dead sober and cutting down on expenses would leave me this fucked. But I still have ways to survive. Being a target is one thing. Being the butt of an ugly joke masked in a civil war is another. I don't know what the answer is to all of this. But I'd just like to point out that it's gone far beyond normal for the record. My narrative is pretty bleak right now. Thankfully this space keeps me sane. I don't know that any of us would be able to make sense of it. Just remember it hurt me deeply. And the consequence of that seems nonexistent. Neither is the benefit really. I'm supposed to stay nonchalant about everything when any normal person would have called a lawyer years ago. I did and they never replied so your guess is a good as mine. You stand in the way of somebody's attempt at gainful employment in America for an acting gig or bragging rights on a forum you should be subject to worse treatment down the road. You make art with the pain you created in someone else's life without their consent that's worse. And karma may or may not exist for a reason.