#that winner could apparently very well refuse participation

[nanoa1foryou]

Btw, Helsingin Sanomat asked all of the UMK contestants a few questions, including wether or not Israel should be allowed to participate in esc this year. All of them said that they are currently going to focus on UMK and see what comes after later, multiple brought up that they might not want to go to esc if Israel is allowed to participate.

[yanderecandystore]

Happy holidays! how about a hot chocolate competition among the yandere ocs and the best one gets a special cabin date with darling?

Hello @teachillvibes, I'm so glad to see you again- Your requests are always so wonderful boo, thanks for requesting me this one!

Happy holidays everyone!! 🎄

TW/Tags: Sweet times cause I sure love them- // kinda like a city festival going on lol // I took your concept and change it a bit I'm sorry boo ;-; // it took me so freaking looooooooong to do it XD I'm sorry- I was kinda hoping that this could be my Christmas gift to y'all ;-;

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

Hot Chocolate Competition [Yandere!OCS x Reader - Headcanon]:

🍒Bullies🍭

→Alexandra Coldwell:

If I'm being honest, she probably would have reconsidered sharing the prize with her brother before she can consider going out with you instead. Alexandra entered the competition solely because she thought it would be fun, after all she isn't really the type to get herself dirty if it isn't for fun.

She wanted to win of course, but surprisingly she did have a lot of fun learning how to make hot chocolate, especially with her brother's help. Alexandra thought it would only make sense to take her brother as her company into this free wintery vacation, yet for some reason he didn't accept her offer.

Adrien felt satisfied with helping his sister as normally his cooking skills are generally unappreciated or ignored, although he appreciated how his sister wanted to pay back for his help, he was already happy with just being the one that got to teach her something new, since it's normally the other way around.

And besides- Free vacation packages are always so lackluster to him, if it isn't a five star service then why even bother? He could literally pay for better treatment than what the prize guarantees anyway.

Still, she wouldn't have accepted it if she didn't have someone in mind already. Yeah, yeah, she knows you probably won't like the idea of spending time with her, especially all alone in the cold.

But- Hey, I think you should give her a chance, after all, isn't this the time to forgive and forget? Maybe not completely forget, but I'm sure she'll do her best to make this the best trip for you, ever!

→Adrien Coldwell:

Adrien is known as the lazy one of the twins, the antisocial, the "mean one" (let's be honest, they're both evil but in different ways-), yet people tend to not give him enough credit for his accomplishments.

Him coming out as the winner of the competition may seem shocking to many but let us all remember that this isn't just his random luck, Adrien really did work his best to win and since he is already interested in making sweet treats for himself you can only imagine how hard he wanted to be recognized at least once.

The prize that he won was a vacation to a winter resort of some kind for two people, meaning him and anyone he would like to bring. Adrien considered bringing his sister, since he felt like it would be better for her to spend Christmas in a cabin with him than at home with... both of their parents and, may he dare say, ridiculous Christmas songs. Those damn, Christmas songs.

But Alexandra made sure to refuse his offer each time he tried to bring up, saying that the place was probably runned down and filthy and that she would never step inside a place like that- Alexandra also said that it wouldn't be fair to go with him since she didn't help him, and that this was something he won on his on, he deserves to enjoy it fully.

But what a dilemma, who would have the privilege of accompanying him to such a "special event"?

You, of course. Even if he knows you would rather be far away from him and get some rest from his constant torment, it's not like he would leave you alone at all lol-

Hey give him a break, will you? I'm sure you'll have a great time with him, he promises he won't do anything stupid while you two are there.

Just let him repay you for an entire year of entertainment, dearest.

🍎Teachers🥧

→Madeline Allen:

Madeline is normally very uninterested in competing with anyone, even if the prize sounds amazing. What made her stay and see more of the event was when she noticed you in the crowd, maybe you were with your friends, although she didn't really see anyone she recognizes as your friends there-

What made her participate and do her very best to win? It was when she noticed how most of the contestants seemed to have a suspicious interest in you, something felt weird in those stares they were giving you. She is a little suspicious about the intentions behind those stares, yet she has to recognize that whenever there is a shiny diamond radiating light, it's hard to not notice. It's obvious that they recognize how shiny you are, love.

It doesn't really excuse their clingy behavior towards you, but sure, she gets why they're doing this, or why they would enter this competition in the first place. All to get your attention apparently.

Honestly, she wasn't planning on entering this competition at all, but… Hmmn, how can she say this nicely- She doesn't like these people trying so hard to get your attention, specially with the prize being something that would give any of them the privilege of having you all by themselves, no dearest, she can't let them have you like that-

Besides! Wouldn't you prefer being with nsomeone that is actually looking forward to making you happy, instead of being stuck with brats, with troublemakers and… uhn- A cosplayer…?

Anyway, all of them are pretty eccentric with their own weird little charm, she is sure they'll be fine, especially far away from you- Believe me, she is so excited about this vacation! Forget about these guys, think about all of the things you two can do!

She is already thinking about what she'll bring with her, some cozy warm clothes, maybe her favorite fuzzy blanket, maybe some of her favorite movies, some rope, an tranquilizer-

Well, who cares about the details anyway?? She is just so excited, she can't wait to give you the best of her cookies!!

→Matthew Robinson:

Matthew is a really reserved individual. Being part of big events is simply not his thing, but it was because of you and that sweet smile of yours that brought him to this place. And well…. The smile stuck in the other contestant's faces… Not that they were even half as charming as yours, on the contrary, they seemed oddly sinister.

Mischievous by their very nature, all of these people seem to be somewhat interested in you, breathing in your presence like you're oxygen itself. Disgusting. For the first time in his life he feels pissed off enough to say he wants to see them drop dead- Not that he'll actually do anything, he is nothing like that.

All of these people seemed really interested in winning that prize and hopefully taking you with them, which of course he couldn't allow it, as your only protection from these fiends.

When he won, he was too dumbfounded to even notice the hatred looks that the other competitors were giving him. He really did win, didn't he? He couldn't believe he won!

For the first time in his life he didn't feel satisfaction that came from the competition itself being great, no, true satisfaction came when you accepted to go with him! That's the golden prize he never thought he deserved, yet feels so rewarding.

Don't worry dearest, he'll take care of everything that you need while you two are there, you'll be treated like the perfect little princess/prince you are, like the perfect doll.

Now he just needs to be sure on what to bring, this is probably the most excited he has been since he was a child!

🍋Delinquents🐍

→Janette Sartorius:

Janette isn't one for entering in these competitions just because, there needs to be a good reason for it, like helping them raise a good funding for some sort of charity, or ya know, impressing that one really cute person in your class. Yeah, really important-

Look, she has a lot of clown energy, she knows it, but being publicly humiliated is absolutely not her thing! And that means being either the loser or the winner, she doesn't know exactly what to say when she is put into such position-

Still, if it means giving you something nice, then sure! She'll take whatever she can, although she was focusing on gaining something like second/third place so she can get something small like a plushie or a basket of chocolate, anything that would be small yet really charming- Just like you!

When the judges announced her as the winner in first place, she couldn't believe it! No- Seriously, she couldn't believe it!! She tried to make sure her presentation would be nice but mild enough to not be considered a winner!! What the hell???

Even if the universe seemed to have betrayed her by making her be the one in front of so many people as she claimed her prize, she was once again blessed with luck, as her prize was something truly worth looking like a fool in front of so many strangers-

Of course she'll take you first! Why not?? It's not that weird, it's just pals being pals and inviting each other to cool trips, ya know?? Surely she isn't screaming inside at how cliche this all seems.

Look at her, NOT thinking about the huge amount of fanfiction she had ever read where there was only one bed! NOT her reconsidering not going because she can't handle the thought of there only one bed. She is totally fine, ya know? NOT thinking you'll hate her when you learn how much of a weeb she is-

She'll make sure that you have fun with her, but you'll probably catch her trying way too hard to impress you very soon- Please, talk with babe- In her brain there is only one neuron, and it's constantly banging its head in the walls of her brain screaming your name.

→Jackson Macnee:

Jack isn't really interested in these competitions, it isn't his thing, he wouldn't waste time on it unless there was something really, really important at hand.

And it seemed like today was the day to do anything that he could to not only enter such stupid competition, but to win it at all costs. It was when he recognized those familiar faces next to yours that he decided to enter it, but it was when he noticed all of the contestants, who were presumably strangers to one another, get somewhat riddled up about your presence.

Yeah sure, you're cute, you're pretty and yes you're perfect, but seeing half of the contestants being so… Clingy over you it's absolutely ridiculous-

What? You know all of them?? Or are you going to tell him that some of these imbeciles got this lovestruck immediately just by taking one glimpse at you? You would sound absolutely insane to him if you have chosen to tell him none of them, absolutely none of them are interested in you in any way- Especially those dumbass bourgeois blondies.

Jesus fuck, what type of luck is that? Having all these morons be so interested in impressing you by winning a prize for you? Sounds dumb to him, but still, if winning it's what takes to make these fools stop daydreaming about you then so be it. It's not that he really wants to impress you by giving the prize he won, he just wants to see the twins cry after noticing the cruel reality that they don't have you- Or that they can't get everything that they want, that could work too-

Jack is sure to seem calm and unbothered throughout the entire event, trying to sound happy that he won, and trying even harder to not make the laugh in the face of the rest of the competitors. But honestly, he wasn't expecting the prize to be so…. convenient? Really? A place where he can take you to be all alone with him while enjoying such a joyful season?? Yes, he'll gladly take it and make sure to shove in everyone's faces, not literally, but clear enough for everyone to get the message.

Although he is happy for his win, he doesn't really know what to do from there- The fact was starting to settle in when he rethought over and over again about the trip. Somewhere all alone with you, sounds really, well, like a dream, like a fantasy, unrealistic.

Jack will do what he does best, fake that he is calm while hiding the fact he is panicking at the thought of being this close to you. Again, he doesn't want you to know how much he wished for this. Whenever he acts like he doesn't care at all, he at least hopes you know you do mean a lot to him.

🍈A.I (non-binary/gender neutral)👾

→Yuma Soma:

Yuma was focused on winning the moment they entered the competition, however they didn't know what the prize would be until they actually won it. They were more interested in the competition aspect of this event than what they would gain with it, yet when hearing what the prize would be they were, well, confused-

What is so special about this whole "free vacation"? A cabin in the middle of the woods with nothing but snow? Pff- As if snow is even that cool for them to want to see it! Yeah, they know what snow is….. 100%...... yeaaaaaah.

Okay fine, they don't really know what it is. I mean- Sure they know the definition of it, and they have seen a bit of it in their game, although they bet that what they have seen isn't half like the real deal.

It may seem silly, but maybe this trip could be a great opportunity for them to be able to see it and feel it for the first time with you by their side. With you trapped inside the game or not.

Don't be so mean boo, they promise they'll behave this time! The biggest gift you can give them it's the wonderful time you two will share, then again, it's not like you can really do anything against it, right?

🍬Kitsune🦊

→Tatsumi:

To be honest, Tatsumi isn't one for entering these types of competitions unless the price is truly worth it. Money would be the first thing in his list of priorities, yet the idea of going into vacation on the holidays doesn't sound half as bad, ya know?

While walking around the city plaza with you, you two noticed the event happening and decided to take a look.

He wanted to try it out because it sounded fun, yet to actually win?? This feels amazing yet somewhat inappropriate to him, he didn't really consider the possibility of winning, that it almost feels like he would be taking something that he doesn't deserve.

And as he struggles to come out with any excuse as to why he can't take the prize, even though he could take it and give it to any of his friends, you decided to intervene and take the prize for him.

You already knew how Tatsumi felt about himself, you didn't know exactly what led to it but you did know about his constant breakdowns whenever he thought no one was looking. He did tell you about some of his issues but whenever he could he would fake it as being something dumb that you shouldn't worry about, but come on- You already know that is bullshit.

Tatsumi would feel better knowing you're coming with him, but he would still feel awkward knowing it's just the two of you, and it's not like he won't receive thousands of messages from all of his friends calling him out for not inviting any of them. It's not like they had anything against you, they just really liked messing with him over his massive crush over a you-

He may be a little sneaky perv bastard, but come on now- You know he will treat you right while you two are there, honestly he just wants to enjoy some change of scenery with his favorite person.

🍰CEO📏

→Ingrid Bright:

First things first, Ingrid is a serious woman owner of the biggest business empire in the country- Do you really think she has time for things like that? Cause either way, even if she lost, she could have- Built a winter resort just for herself if she wanted to go there so badly.

But who knows, maybe she found something charming about winning the competition and sharing the prize with you, it's… A bit more charming than her just bringing you to a place she paid for. Something about the novelty of winning something for you sounds really appealing, maybe even worth the trial and error, and again she doesn't really need it, so there isn't any harm in trying.

Although let's be honest, there is a slight possibility that the game was rigged to her favour considering her own status against the various competitors. What? It's not like she is aware of it, if anything she is just as clueless as every other person competing.

She probably does need some rest from the same boring office that she has to work in everyday, and bringing you with her may be the best part of it all! What do you say? Want to get some rest far away from the company?

Well, maybe not completely far away, considering she is your boss… But, maybe if Ms. Bright gets to relax for a while, she'll eventually soften up. You won't be in an awkward trip with your boss anymore, you'll be on a surprisingly nice vacation with a person you knew for a while but only got to truly know recently. She really hopes you don't see her as just your boss...

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

[poisonedapples]

The sides except they go to a tech school

This is extremely self indulgent but I apologize for nothing

Roman’s Program: Digital Media

Roman’s big dream is to be an actor, but he also has a very intense need to know a whole bunch of stuff about the production field and be a jack of all trades, basically

He’s also autistic and has a huge special interest in movies, so he’s just on cloud nine

He had a really hard time making friends at his home school, which is also another reason why he most to go to the tech school instead. He wanted a second chance and to meet new people who loved the same stuff he could never seem to shut up about, but he’s also very nervous and just really wants to make some friends this year

He’s also extremely salty that Remus followed him to his new school. Remus was always the talk of the school and Roman was always in his shadow, so this time, his strategy is to pretend that Remus doesn’t even exist

Remus will not take this as an a solution, but Roman’s not giving up anyway

He also met Patton, Logan, and Virgil in his College English class. Their seats were assigned next to each other, but it was Patton that actually started getting all of them to talk to each other

Speaking of Patton, him and Patton went together like a moth to a flame. They hit it off day one and have acted like the best of friends since, and it makes Roman extremely happy

Roman and the others also became closer friends because of a Digital Media project Roman did about the different programs around the school. Since all his friends are from different programs, he interviewed them all, and it was the most fun project ever because of everything they did behind the scenes

They mostly just goofed off when not on camera. It was lovely

He refused to let Remus take part in that project though. RIP to Remus

Patton’s program: Cosmotology

Patton’s biggest dream is to mostly help people feel better about themselves. He wants to make people feel happy and learn a little more self love, because nothing makes Patton happier than seeing other people enjoying themselves

He’s also an extremely sociable person, so a need to help people like who they are mixed with lots of talking? Without getting a master’s in psychology? A perfect mix to become a hair stylist!

He loves all the different styles you can do and how different everyone’s hair can be from another person’s. The program also has you learn stuff about makeup, and he loves putting makeup on people as well. He practices on the girls in the program a lot, and they always get so excited when they see the finished product. It fills him with happy butterflies

He doesn’t tend to wear makeup on himself, though. Not because he thinks boys can’t wear makeup, he just hates the feeling of it on his skin. Hence why he will take any willing participant to be his canvas

His extroverted energy also shows a lot in his academic classes. The first day of English, he immediately turned around and started talking to the kid with a camera

It took him a little longer to get the boy sitting next to him to talk to him though. Apparently “We have the same glasses!” Isn’t an acceptable conversation starter

He did, however, get the kid named Virgil to agree to let Patton to put makeup on him. Patton started that conversation by asking about his eyeshadow, but nope, apparently those were just eyebags

Though Virgil still liked makeup anyway, so score, Patton still got what he wanted

Now if only he could get Logan to laugh out loud and cut the serious act. Then he’d be a winner for sure

Logan: Mechatronics

Logan’s a nerd. A huge nerd. Hence why he fits in with the mechatronics program so well

Logan has always loved robots and tinkering with technology. More than anything, he wants to work on space aircrafts as a mechanical engineer, hence why he’s in the mechatronics program

He also has ADHD and his biggest hyperfixations are in robots and space, so he’s completely in his element. It’s nice to spend most of his day in a class where he can talk about spacecrafts and how they worked, and not only will people listen, but they’ll also care about it almost as much as he does

Though, he’d prefer to keep his closet full of robotic kids toys he keeps breaking apart and fixing again to himself. At least for now

Though because he’s in mechatronics, he’s required to be in all advanced classes for his academics to get college credit. Which he doesn’t mind at all, but in his college English class, he definitely sits next to quite...the eclectic bunch

He acts like they inconvenience him, but he actually enjoys their company. Even if Roman can be a little loud, but him and Roman actually hit it off quite well with their debates and frequent conversation jumping

(It’s the ADHD-autism solidarity)

Logan also has quite the liking to Virgil, mostly because they’re both looking into the engineering business and have similar interests with space

Logan pretends like Patton annoys him, but he’s not very good at it. He hates that Patton knows he has a secret love for puns and keeps using it against him to try and make him laugh. How dare he

(Patton just keeps trying because he knows Logan likes it and he’s also a bit of a little shit)

Logan hopes that all three of them consider him one of their closest friends as well. Because actually, now he has more to look forward to in his English class than just the poetry and seeking for alternate meanings for things in text

Now, most of his entertainment comes from saying “Romeo and Juliet is an awful love story” and seeing Roman go off an a rant about how it’s not even a lOVE STORY it’s about THE GENERATION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARENTS AND KIDS and it’s STRUGGLES, CALCULATOR WATCH-

...It’s quite amusing

Virgil’s Program: Aviation

Anxiety is fight or flight. Well...Virgil literally just wants to take flight

His dad used to take Virgil out on vacations quite often when he was younger and his dad’s job was more focused on traveling, so Virgil has flown in planes a lot. He’s always been an anxious kid, always afraid of so many things, but for some reason...flying was one of the things to calm him the most

Except for going through security, fuck airport security

But still, there was never anything more satisfying than looking through the window on a plane. He’s always loved it, and he’s known since a very young age that he wants to learn to fly things, even if he decides not to become a pilot

He’s seventeen now and still wants to be a pilot, even if his shyness has turned into an anxiety disorder. It’s been a while since he’s been on a plane since his dad is now a psychologist, but he still loves it and misses it almost. So when he heard his district’s tech school had an aviation program, he signed up so fast

His teacher has to practically pry him away from messing with the drones and planes when they need to do other stuff, it’s kinda funny

It’s also great that he met Logan in his English class, because Logan loves engineering and aircrafts like Virgil does. One of Virgil’s backup plans is to be an aerospace engineer, so their conversations are always fun

He also has no idea how Patton figured out his secret love of makeup but now he’s being used as a canvas, apparently

Plus, Roman asked if Virgil could fly a drone for him to get an aerial shot for some digital media projects, so holy shit Virgil made three friends in one day when he’s been trying to make one friend for YEARS

He just bursts into his house like “DAD GUESS WHAT I MADE F R I E N D S”

His Dad is very proud but also very concerned

Virgil just ignores that though and sends memes to the new group chat with all four of them in it

Remus’ Program: Auto Collision Technology

Remus loves broken stuff. Especially big broken things, like cars

Of course, there’s no job for purposely wrecking stuff, but looking at damage in cars and how to repair it is exciting enough for him. His parents are just happy he found something to put more...positive energy into, instead of always causing trouble and getting popular for being “the bad boy”

He had lots of friends at his home school, lots of which he still talks to, mostly because his chaotic energy entertains a lot of people willing to deal with it. He has that same effect at the tech school, but the one person he’s never been able to get more on his side is his own brother

Remus has always been a bit too chaotic for Roman’s liking, and he knows that Roman wanted to go to the tech school for a fresh start. But Remus won’t stop himself just to make his brother happy, so it Roman’s salty about Remus doing something good for himself, then so be it

(Remus is a little salty about Roman being salty, but they’re brothers, what do you expect)

But Remus doesn’t need him anyway! Twin brothers are overrated! He’s got plenty of other people in his programs!

But his closest friend he’s gotten since coming to the tech school? Janus. Him and Janus go together like two chaotic peas in a pod, even if Janus has a whole lot more braincells than Remus ever will

Though, Remus has never had more fun with a friend than with Janus. He’s had lots of friends that come and go once they’re bored of him, but Janus feels real. He feels genuine, and Remus...really doesn’t wanna get rid of that

He likes Janus a lot, hence why he invites Janus over and lets Janus into his super secret eating spot he goes when he doesn’t wanna act like a crackhead at lunch. It’s actually quite nice

Roman just has to deal with the fact that, if he’s gonna be a salty bastard, then Janus is his new ride or die

(Please someone help these twins they’re saltier than the Dead Sea)

Janus’ Program: Firefighting Technology

When Janus was a young teen, he got trapped in a house fire that scarred the left half of his body. Firefighters were the ones that saved him, and since then, he’s always had a huge respect for them. Enough so to really want to become a firefighter

He’s always been very focused on self care and secretly very empathetic, so that mixed with past experience from being saved from such a dangerous event actually makes him a great candidate for a firefighter. He’s not one giant on talking, but he’s still good with teamwork when others want him to work with them

He has a good set of friends in his program, but his best friend was someone he met during lunch when trying to get away from the noise of the actual cafeteria. He also noticed that same kid was also in his anatomy class, so...destiny, I guess?

Remus can definitely be an eclectic person, but Janus secretly thrives on a good set of chaos. It makes life interesting, and Remus can definitely be described as interesting

He’s also the only person Janus has met that thinks Janus’ scars are cool as hell, so double win

It’s also immensely entertaining to join Remus on his quests to constantly annoy his brother. If he had a brother he’d probably do the same, honestly

Mostly, he’s just here for the chaotic ride. He gets to be a sarcastic bastard with a secret love for the dramatic flair and somehow make friends at the same time

He still needs to find a way to get under Patton’s skin, though. Patton never gets bothered by Janus, but that’s probably because Patton has known Janus as his neighbor for literal years

Damn him. Janus will get him some time

Though for right now, Remus gets most of the wins of weirding out Patton. That is, until Roman shrieks and chases them both off

Yup. Janus chose a good best friend. Even if he’s a chaotic, salty bastard

[aion-rsa]

The Hunger Games Victors, Ranked by Winning Method

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy of dystopian YA novels by Suzanne Collins, that were adapted into a four-film series, with the third book being split into two films. The story follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who volunteers for the annual battle royale, the Hunger Games, after her sister Prim’s name is drawn. Like the gladiators of old, Hunger Games tributes are compulsorily drafted to fight to the death in dangerous arenas, for the amusement and appeasement of the masses. The games are both a reminder and a warning to the people of Panem to stay in line and what happens when you don’t. 

With the Hunger Games series, Collins was looking to explore some themes of revolution, depicting the games as a political arena as much as a literal one. We see this depiction of the Hunger Games as a tool of political control ramp up in the second book/film in the franchise. In Catching Fire, President Snow wants to reassert control over the games, and make a statement to the people of Panem, so the 75th Hunger Games—the third Quarter Quell—only pulls tributes from the existing pool of winners. Everyone who participates has already survived—and killed—before. In Catching Fire Katniss and Peeta train and form alliances with other victors as they formulate a plan to survive (or not) in the arena.

As the book progresses, it becomes more and more apparent to both Katniss and the reader that many of the veteran victors heading into the games are not necessarily there to score a victory of survival but rather a political win that could further the growing, Panem-wide revolution against Snow and his cronies. With that in mind, we’re taking the time to rank the Hunger Games victors’ winning methods, from most to least provocative. Who wins the Hunger Games when the goal is not solely survival, but also making a political point?

6. Mags Flanagan

District: 4 Hunger Games Won: 11th  Method: Playing an Angle

Mags (Lynn Cohen) was the first winner from District 4. She participated in the 11th Hunger Games, the first year they instituted the Victor’s Village. Her exact method for winning is unknown, but she was adept at with a fishhook, and weaving baskets, and likely used both (fishing) skills to secure her victory. She was a mentor to District 4 tributes and was close to Finnick. She volunteered for the third Quarter Quell in place of Annie Cresta, who is Finnick’s true love. Finnick wept when she died by going into the fog so that Finnick could save Peeta. Recognize a real g when you see one.

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Like many of the tributes of the 75th Hunger Games, Mags was drawn into a political fight she didn’t sign up for. Once Snow broke the rules by reaping victors, he invited the very defiance he hoped to suppress.

5. Johanna Mason 

District: 7 Hunger Games Won: 71st Method: Delicate Deception

Johanna (Jena Malone) wins the 71st Hunger Games by pretending to be weak, so that other tributes ignore her while they take one another out. She viciously kills the remaining tributes, once the field is narrowed down. Her win was sound, and probably due to her popularity after the games, Snow wanted to prostitute Johana. When she refused, her family was killed as punishment. By the time of the third Quarter Quell, she is openly defiant of Snow and the games. She is angry, and she is vicious, and all the other tributes know to watch out for her.

4. Wiress & Beetee

District: 3 Hunger Games Won: Unknown Method: Shocking Subterfuge

Wiress (Amanda Plummer) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) are career tributes from District 3, the district responsible for Panem’s technological achievements. They formed an alliance with Katniss in the third Quarter Quell. Betee won his original game by setting electrical traps around the arena for his opponents. It’s never stated how Wiress wins her game, but it wouldn’t be a leap to guess that she outwitted the other tributes. She is the one who realizes the arena is a giant clock, which is pivotal to the allies survival.

Snow doesn’t appear to have a specific gripe against Wiress and Beetee, they are just casualties in his vendetta against Katniss. That said, choosing to reap previous victors and not fully recognizing their capabilities is a choice that comes back to bite when they break out of the arena.

3. Finnick Odair

District: 4 Hunger Games Won: 65th Method: Retiarri Realness

Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) is a career tribute from District 4, the wealthy district on the water known for fishing. He won the 65th Hunger Games at the tender age of 14, making him the youngest victor in history. Finnick is described by Katniss as being very handsome, and that coupled with his flirtatious personality caught the eye of wealthy sponsors who sent him gifts throughout the games. One such gift was his signature trident, which is fitting. Finnick appears to be modeled on the Retiarii, who were scantily clad Roman gladiators, who fought using fisherman’s tools—weighted nets, daggers, and tridents. Finnick, like the Retiarii, won his game by using nets to ensnare other tributes, and finishing them off with the trident. After his win, he was prostituted by President Snow, before being reaped into the 75th Hunger Games, alongside Mags, who volunteered in place of his true love, Annie Cresta.

Finnick won his game fair and square, but he was aided by donors who made the arena less treacherous and thus easier for him to survive. This doesn’t break any rules but it does limit some of the control the gamemasters have. Being well-liked has its advantages in the game, and being a popular victor means having a platform. This would threaten President Snow, as a popular victor who spoke ill of the games could change the sentiment of the games.

2. Haymitch

District: 12 Hunger Games Won: 50th Method: Arena Assault

Haymitch Abernathy (played by Woody Harrelson in the 4-film adaptation) was the second victor from District 12. He participated in the 50th Hunger games, the second Quarter Quell. He had an early advantage in the games by surviving the cornucopia bloodbath and coming away with a knife and backpack of supplies. He took down a few career tributes and was almost killed, but was saved by fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner. They formed an alliance until they separated—not wanting to kill one another. Maysilee was attacked by vicious bird muttations, and Haymitch held her hand as she was dying, the same way Katniss did with Rue. Haymitch discovers the force field surrounding the edge of the arena, when he kicks a pebble at the cliff, and it bounces back. In his final knock out drag out with the District 1 tribute, he leads her to the arena’s edge. She throws her axe at him, he dodges, and the axe rebounds off the force field and hits her in the head instead. She dies, leaving Haymitch the victor.

While not an obvious or even deliberate act of defiance, using the arena’s force field this way goes against the intention of the gamemasters, who provide all of the tools inside the arena for tributes to use. Plants, bodies of water, and everything inside the arena is deliberately placed. The force field is a barrier, it isn’t meant to be acknowledged, and certainly isn’t meant to be interacted with. It shows that the gamemasters aren’t in control of everything, which shows weakness.

Like with Katniss and Peeta, President Snow doesn’t take kindly to Haymitch’s stunt, and has his  entire family murdered as punishment. It’s hard to pinpoint what President Snow hates more, victors that come from poor districts or victors who win by outsmarting the gamemasters. What does seem clear is that Snow despises anyone or anything he can’t control. And winners who subvert the game in any way are punished in ways both obvious, and insidious.

1. Katniss & Peeta

District: 12 Hunger Games Won: 74th Method: Ride or Die

Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games, becoming the first duo victors, and only the third winners from District 12. Katniss survived the arena through her finely honed archery skills and her alliance with Rue, before she was killed. Peeta allied with Careers—tributes who train for the games—then turned on them. He also used camouflage skills, which gave us this gem.

After making it to the final two, and beating out District 2 career tribute Cato, the two refused to kill one another when the rules allowing for two victors was revoked. They each took a handful of deadly nightlock berries—which killed District 5 tribute Foxface—and threatened to swallow them, which would leave the game with no victors. They were both allowed to win.

Their win broke the established rules at the time, never mind that the rules had already been changed. Katniss and Peeta refusing to kill the other openly defied the gamemasters and President Snow, and they would pay the price for it. Snow strongly suggested they play up their romance during the victory tour, so the audience would see their defiance as an act of love for one another, not rebellion against the Capitol. He also decided the next Hunger Games, the third Quarter Quell, would only reap—involuntarily conscript— past tributes. This guaranteed Katniss would enter the games again.

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The post The Hunger Games Victors, Ranked by Winning Method appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2SeKk0w

[ziracona]

Could you elaborate on that Gordon fan theory about him being an inside mole? I haven't heard of it before and it sounds intriguing. Plus ever since the small reference to him on the memorial in ILM, I've been wondering what your thoughts were on how he ended up

Oof, okay, buckle up. This will be the abridged version but that’s still gonna be long. (Don’t read if you want to avoid spoilers for the Saw franchise).

So, in Saw, Gordon is a fkn anomaly to most of the fanbase. Becuase he has a wildly solidified character. You watch Gordon & Adam both go through three different character arcs back to back, and trauma bond, and the second to last scene in Saw is this fkn devestating & beautiful one where—let me back up. So. Quick Saw summary. Two people wake up chained by the ankle to pipes in a small nasty abandoned bathroom with a corpse on the floor between them. They’re each left a tape recorder which tells them why they’ve been targeted (Gordon because he doesn’t value life enough which is evidenced by...? — real reason is he’s literally just the unfortunate Doctor who told John he had Cancer, and John Kramer is that petty of a stupid bitch. & Adam is grabbed becuase...Literally he didn’t even bump into John Kramer or something. The guy took him because he’s a starving early 20s kid who is a photographer, and John thinks his occupation & he are pathetic. I’m not joking. Or exaggerating. This is quite literally the given reason for torturing & killing Adam being fine to John). Anyway, Gordon’s wife and like 7 year old daughter have been kidnapped and are being held at gunpoint. Gordon is told that if he finds a way to murder Adam by six (poor Fkn Adam is 6 feet away & hears this whole tape) on the clock, they and he go free. Adam is told if he can stay alive until after six, he wins and can go free.

They spend then the remaineder of Saw trying, like you’d hope good, decent, or even medium or somewhat shitty people would, to help each other escape, rather than Gordon trying to kill Adam at all. They attempt to fake Adam’s death & fail bc they didn’t realize their shackles were wired & they could be zapped, which makes playing dead really hard. Initially they are frustrated by each other, especially Gordon, who is an adult & levelheaded, by Adam who is young and jouvenile and freaking out & being a pain at first, but they bond through attempting to escape & to figure out what’s happened to them, and also learn more truth about each other. Meanwhile you also get backstory on Jigsaw & the case, and follow Detective Tapp’s story through a few investigated murders, the loss of his partner, and to where he is following Gordon, whom he is convinced is Jigsaw, now. Back in the bathroom, Adam and Gordon reach 6 on the clock, and Gordon gets a phone call where the man holding his wife at gunpoint makes her tell him he failed his game & now she and their daughter have to die. His wife bites the man’s hand, and they fight, but all Gordon hears is screaming in his wife and child’s voices and gunshots, and he has a mental breakdown believing they’re being murdered on the other end of the phone. Then is electrocuted. Adam flips out and tries to throw small stones at Gordon’s body to wake him up, terrified he’s dead, and succeeds. Adam is overcome with relief, but Gordon has a full mental breakdown, almost having died and believing his family is dead, then swapping immediately to denial and convincing himself it’s not too late and he can still save them. Adam tries desperately to apologize and calm him down, then to in horror talk him into stopping while he watched Gordon begin to saw off his foot (Adam was given a saw for this purpose too, but his broke early on before they realized the saws were meant for their feet instead of the chains). Gordon does not stop, and Adam watches in horror as he cuts off his foot, crawls to the gun the dead body on the floor has been holding, and puts the one bullet he was given into it. He tells Adam while crying and breaking down that he’s sorry but he has to die he has to save his family. Adam begs him not to shoot, but he does.

Meanwhile, Bc he’s staking out Gordon’s home, Tapp hears shots, runs in, and is able to chase off the killer and save Gordon’s wife and daughter. He pursues the killer to the meat packing plan, where he is ambushed, struggles, and then is shot in the stomach and left for dead. The man, Zepp, makes it to the bathroom where Gordon tries to shoot him with the bow empty gun & screams at him for what he did to his family, who he still believes are dead, then breaks down crying again. Zepp takes out a gun and tells him he failed to kill Adam by 6, so he has to die. Gordon asks hopeless why, and he tells him those are the rules, then goes to shoot him while Gordon tries to shut his eyes and brace for death. Adam, who is not dead, grabs Zepp’s feet and drags him down in a surprise attack, rips the toilet bowl lid off the toilet, and beats him to death with it, saving Gordon, who watches in shock and then crawls over and puts a hand on his shoulder and gets him to stop beating the dead corpse. Adam is wounded & criying because gunshot wounds fkn hurt, & Gordon tries to comfort him. Tells him it’s just a flesh wound—it’s his shoulder—he’ll be okay. Just keep pressure on it. He has to go get help. Adam begs him not to leave him alone in the bathroom, but Gordon says he has to or he’s going to bleed to death (which is incredibly visually apparent). Adam tries to keep him, then watches him crawl and pleads for him to wait and asks if they’re going to be okay? Gordon tells him “I wouldn’t lie to you.” and gives him a reassuring smile while half dead and crawls out to look for help. Adam is left alone and searches Zepp’s corpse for keys to his shackle, then finds a tape exactly like his & Gordon’s. He plays it, and realizes to his horror this man Zepp was another victim, not Jigsaw. He was poisoned and told to kidnap Gordon’s family & shoot them both & Gordon if Gordon lost to earn an antidote, or just accept death and refuse to participate. While the tape plays, the corpse in the room with them stands up, and Adam realizes to overwhelming horror it has been alive the whole time, and it is Jigsaw, who wanted a front row seat to their torture, suffering, and death. He tries to grab Zepp’s gun & shooot him, but Jigsaw/John electrocutes him w a remote (the shackles are wired) and leaves, congratulating him on winning & telling him where his key is (it got flushed down a drain when Adam woke up, which John no doubt planned), then telling him “Game Over” and locking him alone in the bathroom because John’s a fake ass piece of shit who doesn’t even keep his promises & let the winners go.

The end scene between Adam and Gordon is phenomenal & heart wrenching (Saw is an amazing character piece of a film, & the first film is the reason it became a modern horror staple! Watch here if you’re curious! :’-]

While Gordon does eventually, under extreme duress, shoot Adam, he never wants to kill him, and they are definitely close by the end of the film (which is clear both from the way they treat each other, and their more decisive actions, like Adam risking his life to save Gordon after being shot by him & never seeking recompense for the gunshot, Gordon trying to help Adam & comfort him as well as get help for them both). This is the central relationship of Saw 1, and it’s really well done.

Then, in Saw 2, there’s just no mention of Gordon going back to save Adam. We wonder what happened, until Amanda & Danny stumble to the bathroom form Saw 1 & you are greeted by Adam’s decaying corpse still chained there. It’s later revealed that Gordon escaped the bathroom, cauterized his wound on a hot pipe because he knew he was going to die otherwise, then passed out from pain. John found him and took him to his workshop, where he nursed him back to health & gave him a prosthetic leg, before convincing him to join the team.

Understandably, this did not sit well with any of the Saw fandom. We fight about all kinds of stuff, but the one thing I’ve like, never seen disagreement on, is that it makes no fkn sense for Gordon to betray Adam like that after how close they were, and it makes even less sense he’d willingly join the man who super tried to murder his wife and kid. If it wasn’t for Tapp and Adam, Gordon, his wife, and his child would be dead now. John endangered all 3 intentionally, and did not save or spare any of them.

Still with me? So. Because of that, people started digging. Now, out of Jigsaw’s apprentices, Gordon is the only one who never takes a very active roll. He did not run games or kidnap people. Becuase he was a doctor, John called him in to do medical work for tests, such as sewing a key into the eye of the man from the cold open to Saw II. The only active work he takes is catching Hoffman at the end of Saw 3D & locking him in the basement, which John asked him to do if Hoffman killed Jill (which Hoffman does). This together with Gordon’s character led to a massive fan theory. Let me try to break it down.

After Saw 1, Gordon joins a support group for Jigsaw game survivors, and returns to his family. We get very little info about him period until Saw 3D though. However! Pre Saw 1, Jigsaw basically never lost, the cops never even got close. Suddenly after Saw 1, the entire gang falls apart, starting with Amanda and John, then finally Hoffman & Jill. In Saw 3, it’s revealed Amanda went back to the bathroom to kill Adam when he survived his test. She promises she’s there to help him when he wakes up scared and half dead in the dark, and then puts a plastic bag over his head and smothers him while he fights. This lead to a fan theory that Gordon went back to save Adam once he could (able to walk & not being shadowed by Jigsaw), but was too late, and decided to take revenge very carefully. However, Amanda has a shit track record of thinking she killed someone & not checking for a pulse (see Eric Matthews, who she thought she beat to death), so the even more popular theory is that Adam was not dead by the time Gordon got to him, and Gordon saved him and replaced his corpse with another. This theory is backed by the fact that Adam was shot in the shoulder, but when the body is seen in other films, it is both too decayed to be recognizable, and the gunshot wound is in the stomach (where Tapp was shot). Furthermore, when Amanda & Danny find Zepp and “Adam”’s bodies in Saw 2, Zepp, who was already partially bald, still has hair, yet Adam’s corpse is completely bald. The shackle is also on the wrong foot now, which would indicate it was removed and then replaced by someone in a hurry. Now, obviously it’s possible this was just a continuity error, but given that Saw usually has a good track record with continuity (and uses them a lot for big reveals), that gives more weight than usual to the theory.

So, this led to the idea that Gordon was able to either save Adam, or at least remove his body & bury it, replaced it with a fake (possibly Tapp? but considering the bodies wouldn’t be decayed enough for the skin to be missed if he did it when Adam was alive or in decent preserve even, and Tapp is considerably taller, I’d assume he, as a doctor, didn’t have too much trouble stealing a John Doe cadaver from the hospital) corpse in Adam’s clothes, then agreed to help Jigsaw becuase he was smart enough to know if he didn’t play along, John would kill him (he would, and has. He never lets people with dangerous information go). John also tends to have failsafes in place, like “if Gordon betrays me, kill his daughter” kind of stuff, so the theory is Gordon played along to keep his family safe, instead of going to the cops, since he knew at least Hoffman worked for Jigsaw already, and there might be more plants, and did his best to engineer the breakdown and eventual demises of the whole team from Saw 1 on. (Was the one who gave Hoffman the idea to threaten Amanda or the info to do it, intentionally failed to protect Jill from Hoffman to have an easy excuse to kill/see both dead, etc). Makes double sense if Adam was alive, becuase if Gordon revealed himself as mole, first thing Jigsaw & co would check is what else he messed with, and they knew he was close to Adam.

There’s a lot more details to it, but that’s the short version. Most people I know in the Saw fandom ascribe to it in a weird kind of “Look I know it’s probably just inconsistent character writing and in that case fuck Gordon he can go to hell, but since I truly don’t believe Saw 1 Lawrence Gordon would do this & there’s enough evidence for reasonable doubt, I choose to believe the convoluted theory that makes him make sense & also means Adam could maybe be alive” way. Including me. If Gordon really decides he has no issue with John after what he did to him, his baby girl, Adam, and his poor wife, joins him willingly & helps, then he’s as bad as Amanda & Hoffman & fuck that guy. But since the characterization doesn’t match /at all/ & there’s never an explanation given, & fan theory makes more sense, I tend to think of Gordon as if the fan theory is right? Although if you don’t & thus hate Gordon, 100% respect. I just cannot watch Saw 1 & believe Lawrence would join up for any reason but revenge & long con to keep family safe. I mean, he tried to kill a /friend/ to save his family. You’re really going to try to convince me the man who cut off his own foot by hand to try to save his wife and daughter would ever be cool with or forgive the man who tried to execute them for no reason? Uhhh, to quote Dr. Gordon himself,

I mean.

💁🏻‍♀️ You can’t convince me the man this hellbent on destroying the man who was threatening his family did not make him pay, and just decided to be pals. You can’t. It’s inconsistent writing. :’-] anyway, there’s other info too—one of the disguised figures who helps Lawrence take out Hoffman is the exact height Adam was, the plastic bag from Amanda is gone & the corpse in a different position, etc—been like 2 years so I don’t even remember it all, but it’s very fascinating. & that’s the short yet somehow still too long version of the Gordon theory I definitely did not proof read at all for which I apologize! It’s more convincing than I write it I swear I am just exhausted. :’-] But yeah, most saw fans ascribe to it, which is why we all seem to still like Gordon, and he’s so often shipped with Adam, both of which would probably otherwise seem massively confusing. Hope it helps!

(Oh! & in ILM, since i ascribe to that theory, I wrote him that way. Failed to save Adam, buried his body, then took slow, careful revenge on Jigsaw & co. to keep his family safe. Knows there are deaths he is not blameless for becuase of that, and is full of guilt over wondering if going to the police wouldn’t have saved people, even if he had understandable doubts & reasons for what he did. Is especially guilty for Adam’s death. Seeks to make reparations slowly his own way. [tho also soemtimes secretive characters lie to me until it becomes necessary for me to know, so it’s possible Gordon saved Adam & is hiding it, but given the whole gang is dead, I don’t know why he still would be, so I think ILM verse all he could do was bury the body]).

[rachelkaser]

Stay Golden Sunday: The Competition

A bowling tournament brings out Rose’s competitive side, while Sophia reunites with an old love. It somehow ends with the four girls in a bowling battle.

Picture It...

Sophia is cheerfully singing over a pot of spaghetti sauce, the smell of which is enough to attract Dorothy and Rose. Blanche meanwhile arrives with a new bowling ball for the upcoming tournament, which she and Rose have participated in for years -- and lost, much to Rose’s irritation. Dorothy asks Sophia to partner with her for the tourney, but Sophia will be busy with an old boyfriend named Augustine Bagatelli, who is visiting from Sicily. They were engaged, but lost contact when Augustine went to fight in the war. Blanche sneaks some sauce behind her back.

SOPHIA: Mmm, if this sauce was a person, I’d get naked and make love to it.

The next day, Sophia prepares for Augie’s visit by dressing in black, to show she’s a widow and therefore available. Rose tells Dorothy she found her a partner and signed her up for the tournament. Augustine arrives, and he and Sophia have a cute reunion, catching up on each other’s lives. Augie married a girl from their village and is also a widower. The two leave to go on a walk together.

In the kitchen, Dorothy asks who Rose signed her up to bowl with. Before Rose can say, Blanche enters and is, by her own word, stunned. Rose dumped her as a partner and signed up to bowl with Dorothy, who’s a better bowler. Rose confesses she’s very competitive and wants to win the tournament this year. Dorothy initially refuses to be Rose’s partner, but Blanche reveals she signed up with Rose’s biggest competition, Olga of the unbeatable Nielsen twins. Rose talks Dorothy into being her partner.

Sophia tells Dorothy that she’s having a great time with Augie, but he has to return to Sicily soon. She wants to return with him for the San Genero Festival, but Dorothy protests Sophia’s health is too poor to risk it. Sophia wants to go anyway, but can’t unless Dorothy pays her way. Dorothy refuses, and a just-entering Rose defends Sophia. Sophia lets slip that Rose is dumping Dorothy as her bowling partner. Rose is so desperate to win that she signed on with the other Nielsen twin, Sonja.

Blanche enters and drops a bomb: The Nielsen twins, who split up over a man named Lars, have reconciled after his unexpected death. So now neither Blanche nor Rose has anyone to bowl with. Rose tries to sweet-talk Dorothy into being her partner again, but Dorothy’s had enough and partners up with Blanche. Sophia, wanting to prove that she’s physically capable of traveling abroad, offers to be Rose’s partner. So now it’s the Girls against the Girls.

Later, Dorothy has to drag a reluctant Blanche out of the house for practice, and they meet Rose and Sophia just coming back. Sophia asks Dorothy to make a bet with her on the outcome of the tournament: If Sophia wins, Dorothy has to pay for her trip to Sicily. Dorothy agrees, and counters that, if she wins, Sophia has to give her a pair of antique silver earrings.

ROSE: Blanche, do you want to have a side bet with me? BLANCHE: Well I would Rose, but everything you own is so damn ugly. Oh I can’t wait to whip your butt. ROSE: *death glare*

Finally, it’s the day of the big competition, and Dorothy and Blanche sneak a peek in the men’s locker room. They’re waiting for their opponents, and of course they turn out to be Rose and Sophia instead of the Nielsen twins -- who had to drop out to attend Lars’ Viking funeral. Rose and Sophia resort to some underhanded tactics to get ahead, including wearing identical outfits to Blanche, and acting overly affectionate in front of a jealous Dorothy. Sophia makes the first strike of the game.

Much later, the girls are the last two teams playing, and Rose picks up a spare that puts them in the lead of the tournament. Dorothy points out they could still win, but Blanche chokes under the pressure, only knocking down two pins on her last frame. Dorothy can still win if she gets a spare, and all she has to do is knock down the nine-pin. Augie shows up to support Sophia, and the two reminisce about playing bocce ball together, and sharing their first kiss. Dorothy, looking on, is touched by how happy Sophia looks, and deliberately throws a gutter ball. Rose immediately leaps up, crying victory.

Sophia recounts her trip to Dorothy after she returns -- she had a great time, excepting the time a friend she was about to visit died shortly before they arrived. She then hands Dorothy her antique earrings, saying she knows that Dorothy threw the game to make her mother happy. Rose comes home with the bowling trophy, and both Dorothy and Blanche give her the cold shoulder. She apologizes for being such a sore winner, and says she got their names engraved on the trophy since they all won. However, this gesture is undercut somewhat:

DOROTHY: Why is your name three times larger than ours? ROSE: Because I’m the one who actually won it. If you ever want to look at it, it’ll be in my bedroom.

“Blanche, wake up. My wife will be home any minute.”

This is one of the sillier episodes of the show, with no elevated stakes or touching melodrama -- and while I’m not in love with the episode itself, it’s a huge relief to watch this after watching the other episodes back to back as I have. No grandkids to correct, ex-husbands to tell off, or kidneys to donate -- even the fight between the Girls seems incredibly low-stakes and light compared with the battle between Blanche and Dorothy two episodes ago.

That’s not to say it’s not a good episode. It’s very good, actually, and it’s got some of the best humor and zingers of the first season. The episode rarely slows down to let the audience think too much... instead it’s funny scenario after funny scenario. The whole final bowling game is rapid-fire gags, first with the girls getting a glimpse into the men’s locker room, then Sophia’s and Rose’s mind games with Blanche.

I think, when you hear at the beginning of the episode that there’s a doubles bowling tournament happening, you kind of know it’s going to end with two Girls vs two Girls. It’s just a matter of which two pairings will be competing. It’s great to see Sophia pairing up with Rose, with whom she’s not shared a whole lot of screentime up to this point, and they make a rather devious pair.

It’s not very common in this series for the A & B plots to coincide, but here they both culminate in the bowling tournament. It’s the first time so far in the series the writers have seemed comfortable balancing two different storylines at once. Each gets an equal amount of screentime, everything is set up well, and the stakes for the final competition are established for everyone. Sophia wants to win so she can go to Sicily, Dorothy wants to win so Sophia doesn’t go (the silver earrings are incidental), Blanche wants to win to get back at Rose, and Rose wants to win because she needs professional help.

This is the first episode where we get to see one of Rose’s big flaws -- namely, that she’s very competitive. Up to this point, Rose has been all sunshine and sugar -- even when she was trapping Elliot into a confession, she was doing it with the best of intentions. Here we see she’s got a full-on Mr. Hyde persona, getting this murderous glare whenever she talks about the bowling tournament.

I kind of enjoy this, because it makes Rose more complex. I love that the nicest, most positive of the Girls is the one who would absolutely murder for a bowling win. It’ll come up again in the series, albeit not as prominent -- or as funny -- as it is here. Something about the way Betty White’s eyes change when she’s in competitive mode is just darkly awesome.

Augustine Bagatelli is the first of the many men of Sophia’s past -- I’m not sure where she gets off sometimes, calling Blanche a slut when she apparently had several boyfriends before she married her husband Salvador. But he’s a lovely Italian gentlemen, and you get a glimpse into Sophia’s background. There’s a hint that she and Augie are cut from the same sort of cloth when he laments about his bizarre father-in-law: “Thank god he drank himself to death.”

We also see Dorothy being overprotective of Sophia, which will come up again later. Frankly, if one of my parents was as mobile and energetic as Sophia is at age 80, I would be thrilled, but I can understand why Dorothy doesn’t want her to fly across the Atlantic. But this won’t be the last time Sophia proves to Dorothy she’s still got some spunk in her -- nor will it be the last time she asks Dorothy for money.

By the way, I feel like the unseen Nielsen twins have a far more interesting story than the Girls this episode. They are supposedly unbeatable on the bowling alley, until Sonja sleeps with Olga’s boyfriend Lars and doesn’t tell him he has the wrong sister (which, ahem, is actually rape if Sonja knew that Lars didn’t know who she was, but we’re going to pass over that because... yikes). The girls split up, but then Lars dies -- slumped over a desk at his Volvo dealership, as Blanche puts it. The twins make up, then reenter the tournament.

The day before, they attempt to have an authentic Viking funeral for Lars, which involves burning a ship with him aboard, but the Coast Guard keeps putting it out. So they have to drop out of the bowling tournament entirely in order to finally have the funeral the next day (when the Coast Guard will apparently look the other way). Seriously... who are the Nielsen twins and why do they have a more interesting life than I do?

Episode rating: 🍰🍰🍰🍰 (four cheesecake slices out of five)

Favorite part of the episode:

ROSE: *about the 14-hour spaghetti sauce* Oh Sophia, that smells heavenly! Is it Chef Boyardee? SOPHIA: *holding up a knife* Stick it in my heart, Rose. It’ll hurt less.

[love-takes-work]

Steven Universe Comic #31 (2019) - Outline & Review

The thirty-first installment of the ongoing comic series for Steven Universe is about encouraging Peedee to develop confidence and have fun during a dance contest.

Plot:

Steven and Connie are immediately excited when they see a flier advertising a dance off . . . and they could win free pizza for a year! They've got to enter!

In their enthusiasm, Steven and Connie spread the word about the dance contest to Peedee while he's getting them their fry bits. Steven's seen Peedee dance before and thinks he's got some awesome moves. He encourages Peedee to show up for the dance contest even though Peedee himself seems less than confident in his skills.

Peedee's a little worried that people will laugh at him, but Connie assures him that they will deal with anyone who laughs at him with extreme prejudice. However, Steven and Connie have their own problems; when they count their money, they don't have enough to cover the entry fee, and Steven's wealthy dad is out of town as manager of Sadie's band while they're on the road. They decide to combine their cash AND their bodies and enter as Stevonnie. Decision made, they practice dancing.

Peedee sees Stevonnie dancing and compliments them. He seems distressed, though, and admits to Stevonnie that he worries about his dancing because he's "in his own head" about it, in stark contrast to the carefree way Stevonnie dances. He feels inadequate competing against them, and in a burst of motivation, he asks if they'd mind giving him dance lessons. Stevonnie, flattered, consents.

Peedee still struggles with confidence, while Stevonnie is an unending fountain of positivity about how good he'll do at the dance off. He's still unsure when the dance off begins, and when Stevonnie sees him, they ask him to come out and dance. He's hesitant, and Stevonnie respects if he does not want to dance, but they encourage him and play up what fun it will be. Peedee finds that to be true when he accepts.

Soon they're all having a great time, but Stevonnie becomes conflicted when they realize the judges are focusing on and encouraging them. They want to win, but they want Peedee to win! How can they do both? Luckily, Mr. Smiley appears and provides an out: He wants Stevonnie to emcee instead of participate, because Nanefua lost her voice and their substitute DJ--Onion!--refuses to speak. With some relief at not having to compete against Peedee, they accept the last-minute emcee gig.

Stevonnie amps up the crowd and calls out compliments for all the dancers on the floor. But eventually, a dance off emerges. And who might it be? Jamie vs. Peedee!

The dancing heats up and both dancers are having a blast. The judges select a winner and give the envelope to Stevonnie to read, but a seagull snatches it and they have to pass the announcement back to the judges. Garnet gets up and handles it. They've selected Jamie as the dance contest winner and the recipient of all that pizza.

Stevonnie is concerned that Peedee will be so disappointed, and runs out to console him. But this turns out to be unnecessary . . . because Peedee, despite even his own expectations, really enjoyed the dance contest. He had an excellent time!

Mayor Nanefua comes to comment on the close call (though she can still hardly speak; lost voice you know). Peedee and Stevonnie feel very good about the outcome! And what's more, Nanefua awards Stevonnie a lesser prize of 1 month's free pizza for helping out with the emceeing. Stevonnie offers to split a pizza with Peedee and the comic ends.

Notable:

1. In the very beginning, in the place where Steven discovers the dance off flier, there is also a flier for "Sadie and the Killers," which seems like a corruption of Sadie's actual band name, "Sadie Killer and the Suspects." In the previous comic, #30, Steven also calls the band "Sadie and the Killers" in dialogue, though he also referred to them correctly earlier in that comic. Seems to be a weird misconception somewhere that keeps getting repeated. (Later in this one, Mr. Smiley mentions "Sadie Killer," but not the rest of the band name.)

2. In other news, I'm also very curious about the poor lost iguana being searched for by Ronaldo on another flier. I sure hope Brody's okay! But maybe it's good that the iguana escaped Ronaldo . . . one never knows.

3. When Steven is urging Peedee to enter the dance contest based on having seen him dance before and thinking he's talented, it reminds me a little of when Steven did the same thing to encourage Sadie to sing in Beach-A-Palooza in the TV episode "Sadie's Song."

4. Steven and Connie suddenly own piggy banks that they dramatically bring together to count their money for the entry fee. When it's only enough combined cash to make one entry fee, that inspires Stevonnie's entry instead of separate entries, and the author remembered that Steven's dad is way too rich to not be able to give Steven a $40 entry fee, so they had him conveniently out of town with no way to ask him for money. I do kinda wish they'd just decided to fuse for the contest because they wanted to, or so they wouldn’t have to compete against each other, or to choose to save money, instead of having a setup where they were pushed into that conclusion due to lack of funds with the First National Bank of Dad conveniently out of town. This is nitpicky, but in a comic where several developments occurred due to coincidences and forced circumstances, I would have preferred seeing some agency.

5. Stevonnie's Gem is drawn sort of inconsistently in this comic. It's supposed to be pentagonal but it shows up as hexagonal most of the time. It's strange because the same artist worked on this comic who worked on the previous one and Stevonnie was in that comic too with the correct facet configuration.

6. Peedee has a weird little mini-Frybo that he's carrying around in this comic. He hides his face behind it once while he's embarrassed. What a throwback.

7. Stevonnie encourages Peridot to "get out of the Temple more" at one point. I wonder if that means she's supposed to be still living in Steven's bathroom in this part of the timeline. Comics exist in a weird limbo sometimes.

8. Stevonnie's encouragement for Peedee is all really cute and relatable. All the scenes where they're helping Peedee are so genuinely full of Steveny optimism.

9. Mr. Smiley appearing and begging Stevonnie to emcee is a strange scene because he claims he's been looking for Stevonnie "since the competition started," and yet right before that we see him at the judges' table looking at them and approving with the other judges, in no apparent panic to recruit them as an emcee. I'm just as puzzled that Mr. Smiley couldn't just do it himself instead of acting like he's desperate for Stevonnie's help, considering it was supposed to be Nanefua's job (forfeited due to her lost voice) and she's also a judge so it can't be because he needed to be free for judging. It would've been a nice little gesture if someone on the panel (surely Garnet!) noticed Stevonnie's conflict and suggested this solution, but there was no indication that the problem was fabricated.

10. They call Barb "Mrs. Miller" in this comic--it's unclear in the show whether Barb has a partner, but nothing has indicated that Sadie has another parent in the picture or that her mom is married to anyone. I am not sure if she's actually a Mrs., but so far in canon we just have absence of evidence.

11. Garnet congratulating Jamie and referring to the prize as "more pizza than is usually recommended" and "enjoy your many, many, many pizzas" was hilarious and great writing for Garnet.

12. I love that Peedee enjoyed himself even though he didn't win the dance-off, but I felt a little disappointed that the story elected to take Stevonnie out of the conflict inherent in competing against a friend you're rooting for by throwing an equally appealing escape right in their path in the form of them being NEEDED for another role. It's nice that there was still a conflict that Peedee had to face and work through, but at the same time I kinda would have liked to see Stevonnie resolve the issue without a ready-made exit. And I feel similarly about a seagull snatching the winner-reveal envelope out of their hand so they didn't even have to personally announce that Peedee didn't win. I liked that Stevonnie got to have some free pizza too, though, since Steven and Connie seemed to really want that pizza but didn't care as much about how others felt about their dancing.

13. Man, Peedee enters the contest just wearing his usual tank top that he wears at work. Doesn't that boy have any other clothes?

14. I thought the way the dancing was drawn in this comic had some excellent energy! It really conveyed motion very well and each frame looked like it captured bodies on their way to another position, not just awkwardly posing. I love when art can do that.

[SU Book and Comic Reviews]

[travllingbunny]

The 100 rewatch: 4x10 Die All, Die Merrily

I solemnly swear to myself that I’ll start writing short rewatch posts starting with the next episode, because I would like to finish this rewatch before the end of season 6. This will have to be the last long one...

This entire episode is basically JRoth and The 100 trying to do a Hunger Games episode, only without the essence of The Hunger Games series – where this violent death match between (usually) 12 participants was portrayed as a terrible thing, an example of the cruelty, privilege and voyeurism of the ruling classes and the oppressiveness of the system, while here, in The 100, it’s just a Grounder tradition that the show doesn’t seem to pass any judgment on and that’s just a way to have some cool sword fighting action on screen.

But a lot of people really love this episode. It’s probably the most overrated episode of the show. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is a very good episode. What is does – the fights are well staged, unlike the one in 3x04, and the action, the drama, even some the emotional moments, it all works very well. That’s why I gave it a pretty high rating. It would be in my top 30. Maybe not my top 25? But I’ve seen so many people, including media articles, call it one of the best episodes of the show, put it in top 10 or even top 5 best episodes…and that’s just odd. Come on, it’s not top 10 material. It’s not in my top 5 episodes of season 4 (let alone the entire show). But I guess people really love sword fighting?

In retrospect, the main purpose of this episode was to set up Octavia as the Osleya – Red Queen/Blodreina, making her the winner of this version of Grounder Conclave, and the ruler of the bunker. Now, pretty much every viewer could have guessed she would win, because she’s one of the main characters and has a massive Plot Armor, but in-universe, Octavia was the dark horse, the least likely to win out of the 13 participants. She’s been training in Grounder fighting for some 6 months, but that’s nothing compared to all the others, who had been training and fighting all their lives. The show hasn’t often been too realistic about her fighting skills, but this time, to be fair, her victory is made to look a little bit more realistic because her tactic is to do what she is uniquely qualified to do – hide, let the others kill each other, and wait for the moment when she can kill the last living opponent.

This is Octavia’s most triumphant moment, when she wins, and then when she decides to not keep the bunker just for Sky people (who would have filled just 400 out of 1200 places) but to share the bunker between all the clans. * And with that, Octavia becomes the Queen and Savior in the eyes of the Grounders and unite all the clans, living the dream that Lexa tried but failed to make happen.

* …Oh wait, wasn’t that the exact same thing Clarke suggested to Indra, Roan and the other Grounder leaders in the previous episode, and they all ignored her, because they preferred war over the bunker, and then to fight the Conclave, and flat out told her that they wouldn’t listen to her because she’s not a Commander? If you want Grounders to listen to you, you must either kill a dozen other people in the Hunger Games-like sworf fight, and/or have “special blood” from birth and then have a chip with dead people’s voices put in your head. You may have good ideas, Clarke, but it means nothing if you can’t fight with a sword.

From the point of view of the characters in-universe, they gained absolutely nothing with this Conclave that they wouldn’t have had if they had accepted Clarke’s suggestion – except 12 of them would be still alive. Roan, who suggested the Conclave, only managed to get himself killed. But in terms of the narrative purpose, this is the show raising Octavia high, making her the hero/savior/queen, just to make her a tyrant and a villain in season 5. It’s also why some other characters needed to die so Octavia’s dark story could happen – Roan, because having a strong and sly Grounder leader in the bunker would prevent the same power dynamic; Ilian, because his relationship with Octavia was starting to become (gasp!) healthy and healing, and we can’t have that. And then there’s Luna, who goes full grimdark, wiyh the worst “DEAATH TO EVERYONE! Humanity doesn’t deserve to survive!” nihilism, so she could be the main antagonist, and also push Clarke into her own desperate actions.

Luna’s character turn used to be one of my two main problems with this episode. I used to really like her, and this seemed like a completely OOC twist. But she is the character I’ve changed my mind the most on during my rewatch, and now I think this turn was foreshadowed and in character for her.

But my other big problem with this episode still stands. It de-protagonizes Clarke, and pushes her into a pseudo-antagonist role, by framing the episode as a battle where the audience roots for Octavia (and Bellamy) and spends all the time with them and other people involved in the Conclave, directly or indirectly, while not letting us see Clarke’s perspective and her decision-making for more than a few short moments early on, which are easy to forget when you’re watching the episode for the first time. Obviously, the goal was to make the twist ending more surprising. And because of that, I was really confused the first time I watched this, and didn’t understand how Clarke went from asking for everyone to share the bunker (and refusing to let Roan be assassinated, so only Arkers people and Trikru would share the bunker – which, apparently, even saintly Kane agreed to!), to stealing the bunker for the Arkers with Jaha. But on rewatch, Clarke’s motives and state of mind are so much clearer and more relatable to me throughout season 4 – and, to be fair, this episode does set up her reasons early on. It just distracts the viewers too much with the Conclave itself, which the viewers know Octavia is likely to win. But looking at the situation as the characters themselves see it, Clarke’s decision to steal the bunker makes sense – certainly a lot more sense than the Conclave itself, which is an incredibly stupid way to make decisions on the survival of the human race.

 I used to be one of the people who really liked Luna and thought she was this wonderful voice of morality and non-violence, and when she appeared with the whole “I fight for death!” thing, it seemed out of nowhere. But she’s the character I’ve changed my mind the most on rewatch. What was I thinking? I guess I was just tired at the time of all the people celebrating violence and ruthlessness. Rewatching seasons 3 and 4, I realized that 1) this turn was, actually, in-character, and that 2) even before that, her pacifism was of the wrong kind and her moralizing was always hollow. She was running away because she was scared of humanity’s, or rather, her own capacity for violence, but she was OK with letting the rest of the world fall apart, as long as she could stay in her little bubble and not get her hands dirty. Maybe that’s a bit harsh. I’m aware that she’s been through terrible things – Grounder traditions are awful, she had to kill her own brother, and then everyone she loved died and she remained the last of her people. But even before the latter happened, she was flat out refusing to take the Flame and save the world from ALIE. Which, fine, her choice, and having voices of dead people in your head is pretty messed up – but she didn’t care if the rest of the world was enslaved by ALIE, as long as she thought her people would stay safe on their oil rig. Then, in season 4, after all of them had died of radiation, she didn’t want to help save the entire human race from Praimfaya, and had to be convinced to do it. Instead, she was moralizing about how humans may not deserve to survive. If you don’t want to save people because they aren’t morally perfect enough for you, there’s something wrong with you and your own morality. Having that in mind, it’s not OOC that she ended up making the step from letting the human race die, to actively trying to kill everyone.

(BTW, does Nightblood give people superpowers – and I don’t mean the ability to survive radiation and have the Flame or mind drives in their heads, but things like superior strength, agility, speed…? In season 4, I was definitely under the impression that it does, since Roan made that remark in 4x08 about Nightbloods like Lexa and Luna being superior fighters. And that would explain why Luna is supposed to be the most dangerous warrior of them all, which otherwise wouldn’t make a lot of sense, since she hasn’t done almost any real fighting for about a decade (I don’t know if she trained, I guess she should have just done it for sports), but she’s better than all of those other people, many of whom are physically much stronger than her if Nightblood doesn’t give you superstrength and who have been training and fighting all the time. You can’t even headcanon something like “she has the skills of all the previous Commanders in her head” as you can with Lexa.  But nothing we’ve seen with Clarke, Madi or the Primes suggests that about Nightblood, so I’m very confused now. To be fair, The 100 was never very realistic about fighting skills, especially not when it comes to the Girl with a Sword characters.)

In any case, for the purpose of the show, Luna is the clear favorite, and Octavia is the least likely to win. Clarke is well aware of it, though she pretends otherwise in order to give Octavia encouragement. Bellamy is also aware of it, but he has to put all the hopes in his sister, because he loves her so much and can’t accept the idea of her dying. He also gives Octavia the best advice - use her experience of hiding as “Girl under the floor”, hide and let the others mostly kill each other.

While Kane also decides to hope for the best, Jaha really isn’t happy about having the Conclave as a way to decide who survives, and thinks it’s stupid (of course, he’s right), but, unlike the others, also doesn’t believe the Grounders would honor the deal if Octavia won. However, Kane assures him they take the tradition as sacred. We can see Clarke listening carefully – and, no doubt, thinking that Luna is most likely to win, and if they really honor the outcome, that would mean everyone would die (except Luna, that is – who really would be the last person on Earth). Clarke then goes to find Roan and tell him they have to stop Luna (while Echo is listening), but Roan blames her for disrespecting their traditions etc. Clarke tells him that she wants the humanity to survive, even if it’s not her people. (Which shines more light on her motivation. As she points out in 4x11, excluding any of the Arkers from the bunker means that the Grounders wouldn’t have anyone to run hydro generators and produce artificial food etc. But she made her decision to steal the bunker only after Luna entered the picture, and the possibility of the human race all dying became very likely.) Roan doesn’t listen and tells her to leave before she “dishonors her people even more”. Huh. Interesting views on honor. This is a guy who has no problem ordering assassinations and wasn’t upset when his army was burning villages and killing people just for the sake of it, but he takes Grounder traditions very seriously, as seen later when he banished Echo for cheating at the Conclave. However, Clarke’s words seem to have gotten more than he was ready to admit, because, in the end, he came to his senses and offered Octavia an alliance against Luna, deciding that, after all, the most important thing is for the human race to survive.

There are hints of what would happen that I didn’t notice the first time: Close-up of Clarke in thoughts. Close-up of Echo, also deep in thoughts, and deciding to cheat at the Conclave. IMO, Echo’s actions in this episode are more defensible and understandable than anything else she’s done up to this point. Everything else she did was for Azgeda to get more power, or she used the “I was following orders” excuse, but this time, it really is a matter of survival, so I can’t even blame her for deciding to kill a bunch of people to ensure that Azgeda gets the bunker, in the sneaky way, rather than by the rules, as Roan is trying.

One of the strengths of this episode are all the emotional moments. There is a big one between Indra and Octavia, as Indra genuinely gives her advice to help her, which Octavia finds strange, since, if she won, it would mean her people wouldn’t get the bunker, but Indra tells her she’s her people, too. The meaning of the phrase “my people” means is something the characters are constantly defining for themselves. (Interesting that same phrase “You are my people” was said in season 2 by Clarke to Lincoln, at the time when he still wasn’t living in Arkadia.) Indra is Octavia’s surrogate mother in a way, and considers her family. Besides, I don’t think it’s that odd to wish her luck, since the odds of her directly facing the Trikru warrior aren’t high anyway.

Gaia and Indra get a rare mother/daughter moment, when Gaia cries in her mother’s arms after the Trikru warrior is one of the first to fall. As far as they know at that point, this means death for them and all other Trikru.

Octavia and Ilian later do their best to pretend they are Katniss and Peeta in the first Hunger Games, since he is saving her and offering her alliance against the others, while she is rejecting it because she’d then have to kill him. He claims he didn’t volunteer to be there because of her, but it could have been a combination of motives. His entire family is dead, he will also die, but in a much worse way, of radiation, in a few days, unless one of this people wins the Conclave, but I’m sure he also wants to give Octavia more chance to possibly win, and the odds of the two of them being the last are very slim.

Of course, this episode also has big emotional moments for the Blake sibling relationship, and brings them together after almost two seasons of conflict – or rather, of Octavia being angry at Bellamy. Which leaves me halfway between feeling its’s heartwarming. and feeling bitter that it’s still all about Octavia forgiving Bellamy, after beating him bloody at one point. It’s a two-episode storyline - at the beginning, Bellamy regrets he wasn’t able to tell his sister that he loves her, even at the end of the world. (He gets the chance to do that in the next episode.) When Bellamy realizes that Echo is cheating, he decides to go in there to stop her. (I like how the show made it look for a moment like Kane will be against it, but then it turns out he just tells Bellamy to wait till it’s dark, so he wouldn’t be discovered.)

After killing a few people including mortally wounding Ilian, Echo tries to kill Octavia, again, and Bellamy stops her, and in their fight, almost chokes her to death. Bellamy chokes or strangles people quite often. Four episodes later, these two will be an item. Sure, it’s 6 years in-universe, but for the viewers, very short time, and Bellamy and Echo will have just one one-to-one scene together before they become a couple. I guess trying to kill each other counts as setup for romance on The 100, it’s like an equivalent of at least six months of dating.

Roan stops him and then banishes Echo, and Octavia overhears Bellamy talk about his love for her – telling Roan that he was the “lucky one” to have her as a sister. Is feeling unconditional love lucky, even if that person treats you like crap most of the time? Anyway, Octavia is very moved. I guess she really did not realize before how much Bellamy loved her, which is almost unbelievable - if anything was always super-obvious, it was how much Bellamy loves his sister and how much he was willing to do for her.

There are a lot of mentions of Lincoln. Octavia’s final decision to share the bunker is obviously supposed to be something inspired by what Lincoln believed in - and Octavia and Luna even argue over who Lincoln would be ashamed of. Which is silly, because Luna must be aware she’s talking nonsense and that he wouldn’t approve of what she’s doing. But most of what she says in this episode is BS, as when she goes on about how Skaikru taught her that people are selfish and awful. (Really? The Mountain Men didn’t, the Grounders fighting each other all the time didn’t, making her kill her own brother and fight other children in the Conclave, nothing? But when Skaikru tried to find a way for everyone to survive Praimfaya, which ended with Clarke injecting herself with Nightblood and volunteering to risk her life and be tested? That convinced her that people are awful and selfish? OK then.) She only starts making sense when she finally admits it is all about herself – she clearly has been traumatized and afraid of her own capacity from violence and darkness since she killed her brother in the Conclave.

Twist! Bellamy is kidnapped. And then we get the twist ending OMG! Shock! They stole the bunker! “They used the gas to knock everyone out, as in Mount Weather". Dum dum dum – another comparison to Mountain Men OMG, they are as bad as the Mountain Men, because they can use gas and… they knocked those people out that stood in their way, instead of killing them all (as Azgeda and Trikru had a habit of doing this season)? Uuum...

Timeline: There are 3 days left until the death wave comes, and the conclave lasts  one day and one night.

Body count: All the people who die in this episode die in the Conclave: 12 Grounder warriors, chronologically:

Two warriors, including the Fio of Trikru (recurring character – he’s the guy who used to beat up Octavia in 2x11), killed by Roan;

two are killed by Echo’s arrows;

one warrior killed by Ilian, who was helping Octavia, another by some other warrior, one by Octavia (this was during one four-way fight);

two by Luna;

Ilian, mortally wounded by Echo and then Octavia mercy-killed him at his request (dramatic irony – she threatened earlier that she’ll kill him the next time she sees him);

Roan, killed by Luna, in a pretty horrifying manner, slicing his stomach and drowning him in a fountain of radioactive rain;

Luna, stabbed from behind by Octavia, after falling for a pretty cheap trick.

Rating: 8.5/10

Bonus:

Episodes 4x09-4x10 in a nutshell:

Grounders * fight a war for the bunker *

Clarke: The end of the world is coming! Instead of fighting, we could all share the bunker instead! There is place for more than just one clan!

Grounders: Meh. We don't care, we prefer war, and we would only listen to you if you were a Commander!

Clarke * is exasperated by everyone's stubborn and stupid behaviorand the probability of everyone dying * OK then, I'll make myself a Commander *

Roan: She became a Nightblood through science! Blasphemy!

Grounders: What an insult to our sacred traditions that were started 90 years ago by a bunch of nutty cultists and a scientist who made Nightblood through science so people could get computer chips in their heads! So, let's have war.

Roan: Let's have Hunger Games instead. The one tradition we love more than hereditary special blood that lets you get a computer chip in your head. A dozen people killing each other with swords is the best way to decide the fate of the human race!

* everyone agrees*

Luna: Hi. I'm the strongest fighter by far, and I want to fight so I can destroy the entire human race. DIE DIE DIE! DEATH TO EVERYONE!

Everyone: Well, that's fair. She will probably win and everyone will die. Reasonable. Let's hope that it doesn't happen.

Clarke * is really exasperated * Oh, hell no. I better make sure at least some people survive. * steals the bunker *

Octavia: * wins against all odds * We should all share the bunker!

Everyone: This is such a great idea, because someone who can fight with a sword said it! Hey, wait, what happened?

Clarke: .........

[syncogon]

[QZGS Prequel TL] Ch 9: The Beginning of Legend

(info post and links for the translations of the QZGS prequel, 巅峰荣耀 Top Glory)

summary: Ye Qiu’s continued refusal to engage in any commercial activities frustrates Tao Xuan to no end, as many potential sponsors are drawn to more profitable teams. To make matters worse, Ye Qiu’s longtime friend and reliable vice captain Wu Xuefeng prepares to retire after Season 3. However, the debut of a certain Launcher may solve both problems…

characters: Ye Xiu, Han Wenqing, Wu Xuefeng, Tao Xuan, Su Mucheng

wordcount: 3.8k

Happy birthday Wu Xuefeng!!! One year ago, I posted my translation of the first part of this chapter to celebrate my favorite underrated character. Now, finally, the chapter is complete. Wu Xuefeng, may you live a happy life, remember Glory and your friends fondly, and find the proper depiction and recognition that you deserve. 

Anyway, here is the penultimate prequel chapter! Normal quality disclaimers apply, with the added note that I generally take more liberties with my prequel TLs than I do with the official novel. If you read what I posted last year, I did make some changes with this version, so it may be worth a reread even if it seems familiar. Please let me know of any errors, and, of course, let me know your thoughts, because I could talk about the prequel (and Wu Xuefeng) all day. 

Enjoy!

Translated by: Syncogon

"Last year it was Blood and Blossoms, this year we have the Magician, the pro scene's population is really flourishing!" Ye Qiu couldn't help but exclaim as he looked at the list of the eight teams who would be competing in the Season 3 playoffs.

"But first place will still be Excellent Era," he added. Even though he was captain of the team, there wasn't really any boasting in his voice – he stated this like a simple truth.

"Tyranny's fourth." Next to Ye Qiu stood another player studying the final rankings, Han Wenqing, who said these words coldly.

"That's nothing to be proud of," Ye Qiu said casually, earning quite an aggressive glare.

He looked at the rankings again. "Oh, I see. We're first, you're fourth…" This meant that they were on the same side of the playoff bracket; only one of them would be able to advance to the finals.

Ye Qiu nodded and looked at Han Wenqing. "This time, you won't even make it to the finals."

"We'll see," replied the other player.

"You suffer defeat in every battle and yet you still keep fighting. Such spirit," Ye Qiu laughed.

"As long as you're not scared."

"You're making me laugh, sir." He added the respectful form of address mockingly.

"See you onstage."

"See you onstage."

The two of them shook hands and parted. Ye Qiu walked out of the main entrance of the Glory Professional Alliance, made a turn, and strolled along the sidewalk by himself.

Since he never did any interviews or made any public appearances, he maintained his hidden identity to this day. Even if he walked right out of the Alliance headquarters, no one knew that this random youth was in fact the user of the Battle God One Autumn Leaf, who had already won two consecutive championships.

After walking along the sidewalk a bit farther and turning onto a small side road, he slowed his steps and lit a cigarette.

Suddenly, before he even finished one cigarette, he heard a cough from behind him, and then, as though the first one weren't loud enough, two more coughs in quick succession.

Ye Qiu turned around, cigarette still in hand, and saw Wu Xuefeng walk out of an inconspicuous side door toward him.

"Is this really necessary? It's not like there's anyone here," said Ye Qiu, amused.

"Well, if you don't mind, of course I wouldn't care either," replied Wu Xuefeng with an easy smile.

Although this was only Season 3, the growth and development of the Glory Professional Alliance had surpassed all expectations. In Esports Home, the most authoritative esports media outlet in the country, probably around eighty percent of the articles every week were reports on the Glory Alliance.

This year, following the match schedule of the Alliance, even the release day of the weekly paper had been adjusted. From this, it was clear how high of a position the Glory Alliance had in the competitive gaming circle.

As Glory became more and more popular, the professional players became stars that people would chase after. A championship team player like Wu Xuefeng could be recognized even walking down the street. Hence, he didn't exit through the main door, and instead took this secluded side one.

"If I'd known it'd be like this, I would've done the same as you." Wu Xuefeng sighed as he walked over, annoyed at how he had to sneak out of the building like a thief.

"Well, you'll be leaving all this behind soon enough," said Ye Qiu.

Wu Xuefeng fell silent, knowing to what Ye Qiu was referring. The entire street was quiet, and they continued to walk along.

"The world has no never-ending feast." After a while, Wu Xuefeng suddenly opened his mouth.

"When Heaven went AFK, she said the same thing."

"Old brother, this is called retirement, okay? Be professional," Wu Xuefeng said, exasperated.

"It's all the same," Ye Qiu said lightly, taking a drag on his cigarette. Three years in the Glory game, three years in the Professional Alliance – through it all, Wu Xuefeng had been Ye Qiu's most reliable friend. The Battle Mage One Autumn Leaf stood in the spotlight, while the name of the Qi Master, Qi Breaker, didn't resound through the Glory circle in the same way. But Ye Qiu himself was very clear on just how important this friend, this teammate, was to him and Excellent Era.

But now, it was just as Wu Xuefeng said – the world had no never-ending feast. Wu Xuefeng had chosen to end his Glory career here. At the end of the season, he would announce his retirement and say farewell to the world in which he'd spent six years of his life.

"Do you have any plans?" asked Ye Qiu.

"I'll probably go abroad," Wu Xuefeng said.

"Oh." Ye Qiu nodded. He could only ask; with no experience about future choices, he had no advice to offer.

"This is the last time. Send me off with a third straight championship," Wu Xuefeng said.

"We should," Ye Qiu laughed.

"I saw the final rankings – Hundred Blossoms second, Tiny Herb third, Tyranny fourth."

"Yeah, I saw. And I just met Han Wenqing in the building, too."

"Really? What did he say?" asked Wu Xuefeng.

"What else could he say? 'See you onstage.'" Ye Qiu attempted to imitate Han Wenqing's gruff way of speaking, without much success.

The imitation earned a laugh regardless. "Figures, he hasn't figured out a new catchphrase."

"Yeah, every year it's the playoffs, every year he's the opponent, every year he says 'see you onstage,'" Ye Qiu sighed.

"But still, if we're really able to continue like this for ten more years, that wouldn't be bad at all," he added.

Wu Xuefeng smiled ruefully, and didn't say anything else. Ten years? To do this for ten years, it would be pretty good. But unfortunately, a decade like that couldn't belong to him. For him, all that remained were the three upcoming rounds of the playoffs.

"Before Tyranny, we first have to defeat the eighth-place team." Wu Xuefeng began talking about the playoffs.

"301 Degrees," said Ye Qiu. He didn't only pay attention to the few experts and strong teams. Every team that he faced, he always respected them, valued them.

"Yes, that rookie of theirs is quite good," Wu Xuefeng said.

"Yang Cong, Assassin Scene Killer."

"The new players that have popped up these two years, they're really so much more skilled than the players of our early era," Wu Xuefeng said. "Last year we had the duo from Hundred Blossoms, this year we have Tiny Herb's Wang Jiexi. Who knows how many talents will appear next year?"

"Want to stay and find out?" Ye Qiu said.

"Forget it," Wu Xuefeng laughed. "I don't want to let those kids get experience points from defeating me. Let the curtain close on me gracefully."

"You'll have it." Ye Qiu spoke with certainty. The two fell into silence again, and continued to walk forward side-by-side.

They returned to the hotel that the Alliance had arranged for the playoffs this season. As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw Excellent Era's boss Tao Xuan amidst the scattered tables, chatting and laughing as he spoke with someone. As soon as he saw Ye Qiu and Wu Xuefeng enter, he immediately stood up. But Ye Qiu instantly spun and walked toward the other side of the hall, leaving Wu Xuefeng alone to head toward Tao Xuan with a helpless, wry smile.

Tao Xuan also let out a helpless and bitter smile, and he could only wave Wu Xuefeng over. The person sitting across from Tao Xuan stood to look behind him, and after seeing Wu Xuefeng he smiled warmly.

Wu Xuefeng knew this person, one of the most important sponsors of Team Excellent Era. As the winner of two consecutive championships, Excellent Era never lacked sponsors chasing them. But they should have been the most valuable team in the Alliance, or even the whole competitive esports scene. Instead, the contracts they ultimately managed to sign were never very high.

The reason was that Excellent Era's captain and core player Ye Qiu never showed his face and never participated in business activities. Lacking this important character, Excellent Era seemed to lose much of its return value in the eyes of countless investors. Especially since this fact wasn't a secret anymore, sponsors were much less enthusiastic about chasing Excellent Era. Last year's Hundred Blossoms and this year's Tiny Herb became their new favorite targets. As for Excellent Era, even after three seasons as the master of kings, they were apparently nothing to write home about.

"Mr. Liao, you came?" Wu Xuefeng quickly walked forward to greet this boss sponsor of Excellent Era. Because Ye Qiu was unwilling to show his face, when it came to matters like this, Wu Xuefeng as the vice-captain had to do his part and be willing to show up in the spotlight.

"First place in the regular season, third time in the playoffs, how could I not come?" Mr. Liao laughed, walking forward and shaking Wu Xuefeng's hand.

"It couldn't be done without your support." Wu Xuefeng was very familiar at speaking these courteous words.

"Hardly. You were the ones who played well, especially Ye Qiu," said Mr. Liao.

"Haha…" As soon as Ye Qiu was mentioned, Wu Xuefeng couldn't help but feel more awkward. To be one of the most important sponsors of Excellent Era, and yet still never have seen the face of this Excellent Era captain… Wu Xuefeng guessed that these people weren't as happy as their outward smiles might suggest.

"I have things to get to, so I'll take my leave now. Wishing you the best scores – you have to get another championship," said Mr. Liao.

"For sure," Wu Xuefeng smiled, bidding Mr. Liao farewell. When he turned back around, though, he saw that Boss Tao Xuan's smile had already disappeared. He leaned heavily against the sofa, looking at the contract laid out on the coffee table, deep in thought.

"Mr. Liao came to discuss the contract?" Wu Xuefeng asked, sitting down opposite Tao Xuan.

"Yes," Tao Xuan nodded.

After Excellent Era earned the first championship, Mr. Liao signed a two-year contract. After the playoffs of this season ended, the contract would expire. Both sides had entered discussions early on as to whether or not to continue the partnership, but to this day an agreement still hadn't been reached. Seeing Tao Xuan's expression, Wu Xuefeng guessed that the negotiations weren't going very smoothly.

"What did Mr. Liao say?" Wu Xuefeng asked. Even though he was leaving after this season, he still cared about Excellent Era's future, because all of his dear friends and partners were here. Ye Qiu, Tao Xuan, everyone had known each other since their in-game days, and had swung into this professional circle together.

"He gave two requirements," Tao Xuan said.

"What are they?"

"First, if we want to continue the contract, then Excellent Era must win the championship this playoffs," said Tao Xuan.

"This…" Wu Xuefeng was shocked. "How could there be a requirement like that? Who could guarantee something like a championship with a hundred percent certainty?"

"That's not all," Tao Xuan continued, a bit powerlessly. "Even if we smoothly win the championship this time, that will only get us a one-year contract. And whether or not we win the championship next year will be an important factor in determining how much money we ultimately get. No, the only factor."

"How much?"

"Take a look for yourself." Tao Xuan glanced at the contract on the table.

Wu Xuefeng picked it up and quickly flipped to the section discussing the contract amount. After looking at it, his eyes instantly widened.

"This…" He didn't even know what to say. In the contract, there was a tenfold difference in the money they'd get between winning and failing to win the championship. Even if they did win, the amount was only slightly higher from this year's. As for the one-tenth they'd get if they failed, that seemed more like a consolation than anything else.

"If we don't get the championship, we're just worthless, right?" Tao Xuan said dryly.

Wu Xuefeng grimaced. "That's just terrible of them."

"You're right, it really is terrible," Tao Xuan sighed. "If we win the championship this time, we'll have three consecutive championships! In the competitive scene, winning three consecutive championships means an absolute dominance, it means the establishment of a dynasty. But in people's eyes, if this kind of three-championship dynasty team loses the championship, then it instantly becomes worthless. Aside from the championships, do we just not have any value?"

Wu Xuefeng was silent. He knew to what Tao Xuan was referring.

If Ye Qiu were able to participate in these business activities, then Excellent Era wouldn't be facing these dire circumstances when it came to sponsorships. Tao Xuan had tried to convince Ye Qiu of this problem many times, but every time, Ye Qiu had refused him. In private, Tao Xuan criticized this greatly. Sometimes, after he'd had a bit much to drink, he'd even revealed his belief that with Ye Qiu's refusal to cooperate, then no number of championships would be able to reflect Excellent Era's true value.

Even winning championships doesn't reflect our true value? Then, what is the value that you want?

Wu Xuefeng very much wanted to ask Tao Xuan this question, but he didn't say it, because in reality, he already knew the answer. In game, they were ordinary gamers playing side by side. But now, he and Ye Qiu were pro players, while Tao Xuan became a businessman. Even in the early days, he'd been the one running Guild Excellent Dynasty, and he'd demonstrated exceptional ability on this front. After they'd formed a team, Tao Xuan was prepared to continue to flex his muscles, but because of Ye Qiu's refusal to cooperate with business matters, his hands and feet were tied. It was true that Ye Qiu had helped build much of Excellent Era's current value, but Tao Xuan wasn't satisfied with what they were limited to.

The failure in negotiations this time was a huge blow to his morale – his expression right now was one of utter dejection. He looked at Wu Xuefeng and said, frustrated, "And the news of your retirement after this season hasn't even been announced yet. If announced, I doubt that we could even sign this sort of beggar's contract."

"Don't joke around, I'm not nearly that important," Wu Xuefeng said, trying to reassure him.

"This isn't a joke," Tao Xuan shook his head, still wearing a heavy expression.

"When the time comes, new people will emerge. There are more and more talented people in Glory now. Last season's Blood and Blossoms, this season's Magician, next season there'll definitely be even more exceptional talent, hm?" As Wu Xuefeng spoke, Tao Xuan didn't seem to be paying attention at all. Wu Xuefeng had no choice but to continue anyway, but soon, he noticed a shift in Tao Xuan's expression, as though he had discovered something. His gaze landed behind Wu Xuefeng, and his eyes suddenly gleamed with the light of anticipation.

"What's wrong?" Wu Xuefeng turned around. Had something happened behind him?

Nothing had happened behind him, but at the other end of the hall, a beautiful girl filled with youthful energy was laughing brightly as she stood in front of Ye Qiu.

"Little Mucheng?" Wu Xuefeng recognized this girl. He called her by this name because when he'd first met this girl, she really had been very little, only twelve years old. After he'd joined Excellent Era, this girl had always been beside Ye Qiu. No one questioned the relationship between these two. As old friends from the game who'd come to the professional circle together, the Excellent Era players all understood the relationship between Ye Qiu and this girl.

Looking at her, Wu Xuefeng couldn't help but think of that person.

If he were still here, wouldn't all these problems be solved? Whether fighting for victory in battles, or dealing with this issue that was currently giving Tao Xuan headaches, they would probably all have more elegant solutions.

But, unfortunately…

Thinking about all this, Wu Xuefeng felt saddened. That person had been his good friend as well, a friend he'd made in-game. But sadly, they hadn't gotten the chance to spend much time together in real life.

Wu Xuefeng turned back to see that Tao Xuan had already stood up. The boss's eyes were upon Ye Qiu and Su Mucheng, and he immediately began walking toward them, even forgetting the contract that was still lying on the table.

Wu Xuefeng retrieved the contract, and as he followed Tao Xuan, he thought of that passionate anticipation in Tao Xuan's eyes just now.

It wasn't like Tao Xuan was unfamiliar with Su Mucheng; in fact, he'd met her in real life even earlier than Wu Xuefeng had. In recent years, now that he'd become the boss of a team, he was more distanced from the daily lives of the players, but they still worked together, and he would have met Su Mucheng relatively often. Why was he so excited now?

Wu Xuefeng thought and thought. He came back to the problem that had made Tao Xuan so dispirited earlier, and suddenly, he sensed a possibility. His gaze went around Tao Xuan's silhouette to also land upon Su Mucheng. Ye Qiu had originally meant to head toward the elevators, but Su Mucheng had seen Tao Xuan and Wu Xuefeng approaching them, and she tugged at Ye Qiu and pointed toward them.

Ye Qiu didn't turn around, but said something to Su Mucheng, and the two walked together toward the elevator. Tao Xuan hastened his steps, and in the end, he and Wu Xuefeng made it to the same elevator as Ye Qiu and Su Mucheng.

"Brother Tao, Brother Feng." Su Mucheng still greeted them with the familiar names she'd been using for a long time.

"Little Mucheng is here too? I didn't even know," Tao Xuan laughed.

"It's the playoffs, of course I came along to watch them live," said Su Mucheng.

"That's to say, you understand Glory now?" The light in Tao Xuan's eyes intensified.

Su Mucheng looked at Ye Qiu, seemingly unsure of her own level.

Ye Qiu smiled. "Not only does she understand, her skill right now is quite high."

Hearing this answer, especially from Ye Qiu's mouth, appeared to make Tao Xuan genuinely happy.

"What class do you play?" he asked Su Mucheng.

"Launcher," said Su Mucheng.

Launcher?

That gave Tao Xuan and Wu Xuefeng pause.

Because, to this girl, this class had special meaning.

That person, about whom Wu Xuefeng had just been thinking with melancholy, Su Mucheng's older brother Su Muqiu – before he'd passed away, he'd been training with a new character with which to enter the Glory Professional Alliance alongside Ye Qiu, Wu Xuefeng, and the others. Hadn't that character been a Launcher? And if Wu Xuefeng remembered correctly, that account had been female, and the character name had contained the name of his younger sister Su Mucheng.

"It's Dancing Rain," said Ye Qiu, as though he'd guessed what the two of them were thinking.

The two remained silent.

This was a tragic inheritance, and they didn't know what they should say at this time. Even if Tao Xuan already had plans in mind, he felt that this wasn't an appropriate time to bring it up.

He let out a faint sigh. Just as he was about to say something, though, Ye Qiu had already turned to Wu Xuefeng.

"So, in fact, you can run along with peace of mind," said Ye Qiu.

Wu Xuefeng paused, but quickly understood the meaning of this statement. But still…

"Why does it feel so uncomfortable when you put it like that?" he said, putting on an unhappy face.

"If it's uncomfortable, then you should just stay." Tao Xuan also understood the meaning of Ye Qiu's words, and he was delighted. Since they already had this intention, that saved him from bringing it up, and so he also made a joke at Wu Xuefeng.

"Forget it, I'll leave the future to you youngsters," Wu Xuefeng said, putting on the airs of an old man, which made everyone laugh.

The elevator arrived at its destination, and the four of them walked out, each heading to their own room.

As Su Mucheng walked with Ye Qiu toward his room, Wu Xuefeng suddenly called out, "Little Mucheng."

"What is it, Brother Feng?" Su Mucheng turned toward him.

"Work hard," said Wu Xuefeng.

"I will," Su Mucheng nodded.

Tao Xuan had entered his room a second earlier, but hearing these words behind him, his hand curled into a fist of triumph.

It was here!

What he had always hoped for was finally here.

Right now, his mind was filled with the sight of Su Mucheng's youth and beauty. What kind of attention would this type of beautiful female player earn in the Alliance? How many gazes would she attract in the Glory circle?

Especially since her skill level was quite high. If even Ye Qiu confirmed this, then it was certainly true.

Originally, Tao Xuan had been thinking that even if Su Mucheng didn't know how to play, he would try and see if she could be trained. But this answer that Ye Qiu had given erased all his worries on that front.

Maybe her talent was just like that of her deceased brother. After all, they were of the same blood.

When he thought of this, Tao Xuan couldn't help but feel even more excited. He retrieved a random bottle of wine from the cabinet in the room, opened it, poured himself a full glass, and downed it.

The wine wasn't particularly good, but Tao Xuan felt very happy as he drank.

On the table, he spotted the contract that Wu Xuefeng had picked up for him and handed to him before returning to his room. His face split into a scornful smile.

He walked forward, set down his wine glass, picked up the contract. Without even looking at it, he tore it to shreds.

He picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Liao's number.

The other person was in the middle of a call, but Tao Xuan didn't feel like waiting or calling back later. He directly switched to voicemail.

"Mr. Liao, regarding that contract, I've given it consideration," he said. "My answer is no."

His tone was firm and confident. Without giving any additional explanation, he hung up. After he thought about it, he turned off his phone altogether, his heart filled with a strange kind of joy.

After pouring himself another glass of wine, he walked to the window and gazed upon the brilliantly shining world just outside.

"Gentlemen, just you wait. Excellent Era's legend is only just begun!"

And he raised his glass in a toast to the sky.

[your-dietician]

Is Germany nailing diverse and inclusive entertainment? | Film | DW

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/entertainment/is-germany-nailing-diverse-and-inclusive-entertainment-film-dw/

Is Germany nailing diverse and inclusive entertainment? | Film | DW

“Why kiss a frog when you could kiss a princess,” goes the tagline for “Princess Charming,” the self-proclaimed first lesbian reality dating show in the world that is being aired on the German streaming platform TVNOW. Modeled after The Bachelor, the show has several lesbian women vying for the affections of one woman. And for gay men, there’s the show Take Me Out: Boys, Boys, Boys to the same effect.

And then we also have the Heidi Klum-produced-and-hosted show Germany’s Next Topmodel 2021, which features trans model Alex Mariah Peter as its latest winner and Druck, a YouTube series on teenagers in Berlin that aims to represent different ethnic groups in the German capital. It would appear that German TV reflects the kind of pluralism that the country is known for around the world.

Even in the less agile world of cinema, there’s been a steady trend toward greater representation: In recent years, films like Türkisch für Anfänger (2012) — which was spun off from a TV series — and Fack ju Göhte (2013) have also tried to reflect Germany’s changing social structures. But is all this enough?

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

The winner: Alex

Alex Mariah Peter from Cologne became the first transgender person in the history of the show to win the competition. “Being different is much more normal than we admit to ourselves,” said the 23-year-old, who barely broached the subject of inclusion throughout the season. Speaking about future plans following the victory, the winner said, “First of all, I’m going to get a schnitzel to eat.”

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

A gender-sensitive avatar

“Inclusion” is now a global catchphrase, and the show also brought it into focus by adding a ‘*’ to its logo — a symbol for diffuse gender roles. Women who were previously marginalized or left out because they were different could now present themselves on GNTM. Refugees, curvy women and transgenders — all got a chance under the spotlight.

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Curvy is beautiful

Ukrainian-born Dascha has been living in Germany since she was five and says she was bullied for most of her life. That’s why she didn’t just want to win but also make an important statement: “I want to be an ideal and support people who are bullied.” The confident 21-year-old weighs 85 kilos (187 pounds).

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Living the dream

In 2015, Soulin and her family fled Syria and arrived in Germany via Turkey. The 20-year-old was all teary-eyed while modeling for a jeans brand: “I am the girl who could not achieve her dreams. Now I’m here and living my dream.” Soulin is now a model and made it to third place on GNTM.

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Small is beautiful

At 1.68 meters (5 ft. 6.1 inches), Romina is hardly someone you would call “short,” but aspirants for GNTM need to be at least 1.76 meters tall. Romina had a very natural look for the show but earlier, she copied stars like Kylie Jenner and even got botox injected into her lips. Now she wants to support young girls who blindly follow social media trends.

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Beauty beyond skin color

Sara Nuru’s parents immigrated from Ethiopia, and she says she was the first Black baby to be born at a hospital in the town of Erding in Bavaria. She was also the first Black model to win GNTM in 2009. Nuru has gone places since then and is now involved with developmental projects in her parents’ home country.

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Heidi Klum’s ‘circus for models?’

“Germany’s Next Top Model – by Heidi Klum” has been on air since 2006 with the supermodel as its host. For decades, its catwalks only displayed mostly white, slim and tall women with long legs. Transgenders, small-sized women or those with curves had no chance of walking on the ramp.

Transgender person wins ‘Germany’s Next Topmodel’

Physical beauty is skin-deep

Heidi Klum and GNTM boast loyal fans among many Germans, especially young girls, who idolize the show and its models. But critics say that teenage girls often copy anorexic models on GNTM, which sends out the message that beauty is more important than education. This year as well, feminists protested the sexualization of female bodies on the show.

Author: Suzanne Cords

German popular culture seems to be getting more inclusive, at least when it comes to acknowledging the presence and existence of LGBTQ individuals and of people from different ethnic backgrounds. But until now, television and entertainment in general have primarily stuck to stereotypes when portraying such minorities.

And there has been little public discussion on the various dimensions pertaining to diversity that issues like inclusion in society and — by consequence — the representation of minorities in television and entertainment generally should entail.

Too Turkish to be German?

“You can see that homosexuals, transsexuals and others are indeed represented in German television. Germany is much more liberal than other countries,” says actor Dean Baykan, who was born in Germany to Turkish parents. Compared to Germany, other European countries like Hungary, for example, have been very strict in their punitive attitude towards homosexuality, with a recently tabled law there practically outlawing the public representation of lifestyles that don’t fall in line with so-called traditional family values.

“But while Germany is open in some ways, in other ways it’s actually more conservative,” Baykan continues. “For example, foreigners or those with a foreign background are not taken seriously in feature films or in serious acting projects.”

Actor Dean Baykan has missed out on many ‘meaty’ roles

Baykan himself explains how he once almost scored a major role in a popular crime series on a German TV channel — but only almost. “I made it to the final round,” he said, adding that he feels that his Turkish background may have been the reason for producers deciding against him — despite the fact that he has a western first name. Whether his ethnic background was a dealbreaker or not may never be known, but actors like Baykan feel that they are not being considered for certain roles not because of an apparent lack of  talent but rather because casting directors prefer when they are reduced to representing stereotypes.

‘Drug dealers, criminals and weaklings’

Filmmaker Deiu Hao Do agrees with that sort of assessment. The son of Chinese minority immigrants from Vietnam is part of the project Vielfalt im Film (diversity in film), and represents the Berlin Asian Film Network (BAFNET).

“You have Black people selling drugs, Muslims being cast as criminals, Asian women playing weak characters … But there is much more complexity to these ethnic groups, and these also need to be represented,” he told DW.

In a recent survey conducted by Vielfalt im Film, 5,500 participants said they found that such clichés were being perpetuated by the industry. Nearly 88% said that Arabs were usually represented in stereotypical ways on German television. The number was nearly 83% for Muslims in general, nearly 75% for Asians and 56% for Jews, as anti-Semitism is on the rise across many parts of Europe once more.

Born this way

German-Nigerian actor Sheri Hagen

Furthermore, 13% said they had faced bias because of their body shape and weight, while 10% of the participants said they had experienced discrimination because of their sexual identity. The study also mentioned homosexual participants saying that they had tried to hide their sexual orientation in order to improve their chances of finding work or obtaining a certain role in a film or show.

Earlier this year, 185 actors in Germany publicly announced in a newspaper article that they identified as “different” and that it was time for them to publicly acknowledge that they were gay, bisexual, lesbian, queer, non-binary and transsexual. They all demanded more visibility and representation in the German entertainment industry, having been pushed into hiding, ignoring or glossing over their identities.

Indeed, broadcasters themselves have been rather reluctant about addressing their actors’ sexual identities directly, even reflecting a sense of denial in some instances. German actress Ulrike Folkerts, for example, is a lesbian in real life but plays a heterosexual police officer in the crime series Tatort.

In a recent interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, she said that she had only recently been asked by the producers of the show — i.e. the regional public broadcaster SWR — to finally reveal her sexual orientation publicly. She refused, saying it was too late to do so.

185 actors revealed their sexual identites in the Süddeutsche Zeitung

Diversity = complexity?

Actor Sheri Hagen says that the concept of diversity is not just limited to having LGBTQ stars and the token person with a non-German background being featured in a show. The Lagos-born actor moved to Germany in the early 1990s. She identifies as being a German with Nigerian roots.

Hagen has acted in films like the Oscar-winning Das Leben der Anderen or the previously mentioned television crime series Tatort, and often speaks about the importance of greater inclusion in the German entertainment industry.

“Diversity for me is not just about skin color or gender, which is what the dominant thinking in the German film industry, is” she says, adding that diversity also “includes disabilities, sexual identity, weight-based discrimination, east-west discrimination — especially here in Germany — class-based differences, ethnic differences, cultural differences, skin color and more.”

Filmmaker Deiu Hao Do agrees that in this context, it is important to understand how these various dimensions of diversity and the related aspects of potential discrimination interact with each other. Fighting this sort of exclusion is central to promoting the cause of diversity, he stressed.

Deiu Hao Do: campaigning for inclusion

A sore lack of perspective

Streaming platforms have created alternative ways for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their work and reach new audiences. And while content from some parts of the world has certainly capitalized on this potential, these new opportunities haven’t translated into creating a greater amount of diverse streaming content coming from Germany.

Hagen says that Germany can learn a lot from best practices of inclusion currently employed  in the British film industry, where shows like Bridgerton and a recent limited series on the life of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, have used colorblind casting as a means to promote diversity even in period dramas.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Tsitsi Dangarembga

Dangarembga is not only a filmmaker but also successfully writes novels and screenplays, including for the film 1993 “Neria” that went on to become the most-watched film in Zimbabwe. In 2020, Dangarembga was arrested in Harare at a protest against government corruption and still faces trial a year later.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Wanuri Kahiu

Born in Nairobi in 1980, the director had a global cinema success with her 2018 film “Rafiki.” The first Kenyan film shown at the Cannes Film Festival, it portrays a love affair between two young Kenyan women and was banned in her home country. Kahui is now off to Hollywood, where she will direct “The Thing about Jellyfish,” based on the acclaimed novel by Ali Benjamin.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Kemi Adetiba

The Nigerian filmmaker, who also makes television series and music videos, is a big name in Nollywood — which is what people call Nigerian cinema, the second most productive in the world after Indian film. Commercially, Adetiba’s feature films are hugely successful. She is producing her next film, a sequel to her blockbuster “King of Boys,” exclusively for Netflix.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Kunle Afolayan

The Nigerian director is one of the most important representatives of the new Nigerian cinema (“New Nollywood”), which is characterized by narrative complexity, a new aesthetic — and a much bigger budget. Afolayan’s thriller “The Figurine — Araromire” (2009), one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful films, is considered to have launched the movement.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Abderrahmane Sissako

Sissako’s films deal with topics including globalization, terrorism and exile. Born in Mauritania and raised in Mali, the film director and producer is considered one of the best-known filmmakers from sub-Saharan Africa. His 2014 film “Timbuktu” was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars and won several prizes at France’s Cesar Awards as well as at the Cannes Film Festival.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Philippe Lacote

The film director from the Ivory Coast most recently premiered “La Nuit des Roies” (2020) at the Venice International Film Festival. The film, reminiscent of the stories from the “One Thousand and One Nights” Arabian folk takes, tells the story of convicted criminal named Zama who becomes a convincing storyteller in order to survive at La Maca prison in the Ivory Coast capital, Abidjan.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Macherie Ekwa Bahango

Promising new talent: The 27-year-old director from the Democratic Republic of Congo saw her film “Maki’La” debut at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. The young self-taught director spent three years working on her first feature film, which is the story of a group of street children in Kinshasa. The film won top prize at the Ecrans Noirs African film festival in Cameroon.

Contemporary African filmmakers: Names to remember

Moussa Toure

Moussa Toure is a Senegalese film director, producer and screenwriter and has long been a major figure in African cinema. His feature films and documentaries are often political. Toure describes his 2012 film “La Pirogue,” which tells the story of refugees’ journey by boat from Africa to Europe, as a “slap in the face of the Senegalese government.”

Author: Maria John Sánchez

Sheri Hagen says that diversity is indeed not about the token actor of color in a television series but rather about a more holistic approach. The recently aired German TV-series Breaking Even, which stars Ugandan-German actor Lorna Ishema in the main role, is a case-in-point for her. Hagen says that diversity is also about who’s writing the story, how these stories are communicated and who executes these ideas on camera.

As of today, she adds, the boards of most German media broadcasters are still “male and white” — and her assessment is, de facto, not wrong. Dieu Hao Do agrees that in order “to acknowledge the multiple perspectives in storytelling,” the German television and film industry needs more diversity, “and this is something we don’t have at the moment.”

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[pharaohsparklefists]

Episode 100, part 3! Continuing the story of how two emotionally damaged young boys somehow turned into two high-functioning but emotionally damaged teenagers. (While somewhere else, Yami has a really terrible duel.)

While we’ve been diving deep into the Kaiba brother’s traumatic past, you may have forgotten that a suspiciously similar genius boy is watching them on his array of floating screens and making smug genius-boy pronouncements about the illogical nature of emotions

excuse you this is SETO KAIBA we’re talking about, he only lets like maximum THREE emotions control him and no sentiments

(the emotions are disdain, anger, and DUEL)

Nah, like, for real, Kaiba has a LOT of emotions that he doesn’t like talking about and they do, for sure, control his (often outlandish) behaviour (and it’s damaging bullshit to conceptualise emotionality as the “opposite” of logic or intelligence btw) but more to the point...

YOU SURE DO SMILE A LOT FOR SOMEONE OSTENSIBLY EMOTIONLESS, you little bastard

Anyway, back in the apparently-accurate simulacrum of the not-yet-Kaiba brothers’ past, tiny!Seto sees the award ceremony of a chess tournament somehow being broadcast on actual television on the slowest news day imaginable, and not-so-tiny!Mokuba remembers how the next chapter of their lives came to pass, which he blames for...

seriously how is this chess tournament on the news?

... YEN ARE NOT EQUIVALENT TO DOLLARS. That’s ... I mean what even is that? That’s just a strangely-sized piece of paper. It’s smaller than a novelty cheque but much larger than an actual cheque. And it has a rosette on it?? ... IS IT YEN OR DOLLARS CAUSE THAT’S A HUGE DIFFERENCE! In 1995 (which is as far back as xe will go), $100,000 was  ¥10,216,277. Which would presumably do a lot more for an orphanage.

ANYWAY.

Seto immediately comes up with a reasonably straightforward plan.

And then specifies...

And I would just like to point out, no, Gozaburo did not turn Seto into a ruthless, ambitious, goal-driven, emotionally-unhealthy person with a desire for power. Seto IS a ruthless, ambitious, goal-driven, emotionally-unhealthy person with a desire for power and that came pre-packaged. If he wasn’t that way when living (presumably happily enough) with his alive parents, he was that way after a short period of time in the orphanage.

Look, Seto knows he’s smarter than most of the adults around him and is supremely confident in his ability to manipulate or force someone into adopting him and his brother. And not just anyone; a powerful person he’s never met before. That means Seto knows he could trivially identify a potential adoptive parent/family and “make” them adopt him and Mokuba. He could have chosen anyone, and he would have been confident in his ability to do this. So firstly, it isn’t a friendly, innocent way to think. He goes straight from “I want this” to “I’ll force someone to give it to me” with no “maybe I’ll ask nicely”. Secondly, his choice of target is the wealthiest, most powerful person he’s had access to while at the orphanage. If Seto had wanted to, he could have had him and Mokuba adopted by their friendliest, sweetest, most emotionally well-balanced teacher by the end of the first week. He sees Gozaburo Kaiba, targets him, researches him, manipulates him into what he wants, and forces his hand. He could have done that to anyone. Seto didn’t want a loving parent, or a stable parent, or a happy parent. He wanted a rich, powerful parent. 

Although when we see Gozaburo in the orphanage, it’s briefly believable he might actually be ... nice.

y’know, while he’s doing his best Santa impression

That kid in the greenish hoodie totally got off-brand Duel Monsters cards.

On the way back out, billionaire CEO chess-grandmaster Mr Important is accosted by two orphans who didn’t bother participating in the distribution of (apparently off-brand) toys. They’re after something much more valuable...

“Huh, yeah, that’s what I thought you said. Weird.”

Seto immediately follows it up with...

“If you win, we won’t bother you anymore. But if I win, you have to give me a mouth, I’ve lost mine.”

NATURALLY there has to be conditions? The “condition” is actually a bet or a game: beat me at chess or you have to adopt me. Seto is about to tell us, in a few minutes, that he’s exhaustively studied Gozaburo’s chess strategies. He did so between seeing him win the prize money and him showing up and distributing the gifts bought with the prize money, which is anywhere from a few days to a few months. I’m convinced Seto also spent time in this period studying Gozaburo as a person, and is deliberately framing his demand in business terms, because he’s determined that Gozaburo is most likely to respond to a proposed business deal, as opposed to a bet or a game or a plea.

Gozaburo, on the other hand, has no idea how much research and preparation went into this, crediting Seto’s boldness to ignorance...

BABY SETO SMIRK

... And it doesn’t even make sense. I guess they were all previous winners? Or he’s using “world champion” to mean “world-class chess player”.

Gozaburo considers refusing, but something about Seto impresses or intrigues him...

The orphanage guy, meanwhile, is about to expire from embarrassment, totally out of his depth, not even the first idea of what is proper orphanage etiquette when an orphan brazenly challenges a billionaire visitor to a chess game to determine legal guardianship for himself and his younger brother.

... I don’t even think that’s legal. I don’t think you’re ALLOWED adopt an orphan just because the orphan beat you at chess.

I mean, Duel Monsters, sure, their whole world would probably accept that as legit, but CHESS?

Gozaburo agrees to this legal-minefield of a challenge, but says he won’t go easy on Seto. Seto responds like a stone cold boss...

OOOOOOH boom.

not-so-tiny!Mokuba turns to not-tiny-at-all!Seto at this point and says, essentially, “you had this all figured out, didn’t you?”. At the time, tiny!Mokuba looks worried and unsure, but older!Mokuba knows his brother well enough to know that even tiny!Seto wouldn’t have done this if he hadn’t been absolutely sure of his strategy. And giant!Seto confirms it...

Good thing there was so little on TV that chess matches were apparently televised. He must have caught all the re-runs...

So Seto and Gozaburo sit down for an intense chess match to decide the not-yet-Kaiba brothers’ whole future....

... which would be a lot more dramatic if it wasn’t for the wonky Eevees and giant-headed dog and hot pink elephant drawings as the backdrop.

The game begins and giant!Seto remembers how he won...

... is this how chess works? I don’t know much about chess but I’m SURE this isn’t how chess works. Is it?? Like I know it’d be off-putting to see your own preferred strategy employed as an opener by a 9-year-old you’ve never met, but would that really be enough to beat a world champion chess player? I’m dubious.

Anyway, it’s at this point, about to watch his brother beat his adoptive father at chess and confirm the direction of their very traumatic childhood for a second time, that Mokuba gets upset. He thinks if Seto had just lost this chess game...

And he suddenly, irrationally, grabs the door handle, wishing to intercede, to somehow step into the actual past and prevent this from happening. Seto tries to stop him, pointing out that this is just a virtual illusion, a replica of memories and nothing more, but Mokuba yells back at him...

Which is ... not rational. Mokuba says that this change, from Seto “always smiling” to “losing his smile” happened when Gozaburo adopted them, but we’ve just watched their memories of the time between their parents dying and Gozaburo showing up, and Seto does smile, but certainly not all the time, or even a lot, or with any particular warmth or happiness. In fact, he specifically told Mokuba (apparently multiple times) that he was forcing himself to appear happy to spite the people who’d ruined their lives, and even at that, he’s frowning more than he’s smiling in these memories. Furthermore, post-Gozaburo, Seto DOES smile, and he smiles at Mokuba more than any other time (if you don’t count maniacal DUEL laughter, which I don’t). He smiled at him just a few minutes ago, reassuring him in the forest!

We tend to take Mokuba at his word about their childhood, because of the two brothers, he’s a lot more open about the past, but being willing to talk about something doesn’t mean you’re right about it (as any academic discussion session will teach you...). I think once they were in Gozaburo’s house, and things were worse (emotionally), and the only joy at all they had was in brief moments alone together, Mokuba idealised this time in the orphanage, when they were alone together all the time. He remembered every (anxious, faint) smile of Seto’s and in his (very young, unhappy) mind, those smiles were big and bright and all the time. And he probably doesn’t really remember the time before the orphanage very clearly, because he was so young, so the orphanage seemed better than it was, whereas Seto probably does remember pre-orphanage so remembers the orphanage phase more realistically as not-super-fun. I think Seto maybe did smile more in the orphanage than at Gozaburo’s, because Seto smiles to reassure Mokuba and let Mokuba know he’s in control, and he was desperately clinging to that role in the orphanage. 

Which means Mokuba, Seto’s only family in the world, wants Seto to “go back to being” something he never was. Mokuba says he “knew” the brother who was “always smiling”, but that version of Seto is a fiction, someone Mokuba built out of biased memories while unhappy. Mokuba does know that version of Seto, but that version of Seto was never the real Seto. Seto can’t go back to being someone he never was. He never was a smiling, happy person.

He was, however, always always always there to hold Mokuba’s hand.

awwww so sweet WHAT THE FUCK

[porcileorg]

On the group show ‘Greater Than the Sum’ @ Jahn und Jahn, Munich (2019-10-24 – 2019-12-14)

Participating artists: Kerstin Brätsch, Michaela Eichwald, Helen Marten, Sarah Ortmeyer, Laure Prouvost 

Author: Magda Wisniowska - Munich, November, 2019.

Citing Synergy I am guilty as much as the next person of name-dropping philosopher’s names in discussions about art. So, while I have a lot of sympathy for how the curators choose to frame the exhibition “Greater than the Sum” at Jahn und Jahn, I also wonder at their reference to Aristotle’s claim, “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.”

In their press release they write,

Each artistic position shown in this group exhibition appears unique, original, and complex. Through their combination, the works solidify into a new formation, encouraging a re-examination of the whole. Borrowing from Aristotle’s claim that “The whole is more than the sum of its parts”, Greater than the sum reveals new synergies [click link]. 

The lack of further context makes this reference to the concept of synergy difficult to place. Very simply, why Aristotle? And why now, when the concept’s heyday was the interwar period of the psychological theory of Gestalt? At the time, research into synergy had a bearing on an art history rooted in the psychology of art, but this was tied to the pursuit of naturalistic representation that art has long since abandoned. Maybe it is precisely this troubled history that makes the reference to synergy interesting, but it also makes the exhibition easy to dismiss as a collection of moderately successful artists from whom the gallery can profit. Or more generously, perhaps it gives the viewer a rare opportunity to focus on the work outside of an established discursive frame.  What kind of “new synergies” does the exhibition reveal?

Fragments Without a Whole The first work to see when you enter is by the award winning English artist, Helen Marten. A face the same colour as your desk is like many of her sculptures, a tightly controlled collection of odd objects, some familiar, some personal and some downright bizarre. A small and much too narrow whitish desk stands assertively yet precariously, its extravagant base kept from wobbling by a number of folded bits and pieces, far more than necessary. There are a few things on the desk and many more in the wastepaper laundry bin close by. One of a series, this work was shown for the first time to mark the opening of the Kunsthalle Zürich, in the exhibition “Almost the Exact Shape of Florida”, 2012. A later version was shown at the Chisenhale in 2013, launching the artist’s career and leading to her Turner prize nomination in 2016. At these earlier exhibitions the work was always part of a larger installation, standing behind the totemic One for a bin, one for a bench, but even in its current much reduced form, Marten’s aim of rendering linguistic operations physical through displacement, rearrangement and juxtaposition is very much apparent. On Marten’s “highly wrought” work, Guardian critic Adrian Searle wrote that you cannot “tell the detail from the main event” [click link], nonetheless I cannot help thinking that her arrangement of details is such that it never quite forms an entire whole.

Deferral of the Whole Behind Marten’s work is a painted collage by German artist, Michaela Eichwald Memory-Klinik-Notluke-Persönlichkeitsschale. Again, the piece is an older one, shown previously in 2012 at the Mathew gallery in Berlin. Aiming to resist the perceived exploitation of subjectivity by the neoliberal social media, this earlier exhibition was organised around the idea of the personal that refused to be subsumed under the category of personality. Certainly, the personal has a complicated history in this particular painting, one fragment previously part of a different collage, No drink No talk Just beautiful, in turn first a drawing on an invite for a show by a friend of the artist, Gunar Wardenbach. The idea of the fragment is important to the work, but once again, this fragment is of an imperfect and incomplete kind, where formation into a whole is continually deferred.

A Lost Whole? On the other wall and in the other room are paintings and objects by the Vienna-based Sarah Ortmeyer. Ortmeyer is relatively well known in Munich, having had a large show at the local Kunstverein only last year. The work she presents at Jahn und Jahn is similar to that she had shown earlier, a couple of her chessboard paintings and ostrich egg objects from the previous exhibition. In the paintings a checkerboard obscures an image of the sky; the eggs act as anthropomorphically stylised chess pieces. But where her investigation into the game’s principles and its gender attributions made sense in the large space of the Kunstverein, here, in smaller rooms and separated into two by a dividing wall, it gets lost. Like a chess game it very much needs all sixteen pieces in order to begin play.

Undermining of the Whole New York-based Kerstin Brätsch also had a large exhibition in Munich recently, at the Brandhorst in 2017. The piece she shows here is again familiar from that exhibition - one of the large scale paper pieces utilising marbling technique framed by neon tubes - but this time, the work is given (no pun intended) space to shine. Covering one whole wall at the end of the room, it has an altar-like quality, lending credence to its reference to the Hawaiian snow goddess Poli’ahu and her three sisters. Red eyes rimmed by vivid green really do seem to acquire a preternatural glow, demonstrating the truth of Beau Rutland’s observation for ArtForum, that the “proliferation of voices” characteristic of her work, can in some cases be a burden [click link]. In the Brandhorst, the work was presented as one of a series and had to compete for our attention, not just within the series, but with the stain glass works Brätsch made in collaboration with Urs Rickenbach. The more formal type of work on paper was also distributed throughout the museum, making it easier to compare the artist’s particular kind of mark making - its billowy formations, rainbow striations and sharp awkward angles - from one body of work to the next. Surrounded as it was in the Brandhorst by such abundance of collocations, precursors, models, genres and disciplines, it is easy to understand Daniela Stöppel’s claim, that the work both exemplifies the kind of contemporary art that belated brings traditional aura-laden painting into an expanded field, as well as disrupting this narrative [click link]. At Jahn und Jahn however, the work’s elusive materiality comes to the fore. Just as with the stain-glass pieces, where work’s physicality is undermined by its transparency, here the surface is rendered fragile, the resulting layer of ink as much a product of the chemical make-up of each pigment or the wave patterns in the liquid, as it is of the artist (and her collaborator’s) hand. It has a presence yet threatens to dissolve right before our eyes.

Wholly Confused French Laure Provoust is another Turner prize winner known for her video, installation and performance work. Like Ortmeyer and Brätsch she had already shown in Munich, having the exhibition at the Haus der Kunst in 2016. She also famously represented France at this year’s Venice Biennale with her complex transformation of the French pavilion space. She is therefore perhaps the best-known artist of the five. Which makes the gallery’s choice of work very curious because it is so uncharacteristic - not a video but a painting-type work, not part of an installation, but a stand-alone. You Could Hear this Image (2017) is a tapestry first shown as part of a group in the exhibition “LOOKING AT YOU, LOOKING AT US” at Galerie Nathalie Obadia, Paris, itself a reference to a previous exhibition and collaboration, “The Aube’s cure Parle Ment” at the Kadist Foundation in 2017. The tapestry belongs to a complex narrative highlighting the notion of obscurity, its construct explored during the latter show. At the Obadia exhibition, metal men and metal women, stick figures with LCD screen heads far too big for their bodies, would greet you and invite you to walk around a central platform - the tapestries, as the artist states, “sewn by grandma,” decorate the walls so that you can contemplate parle ment’s affairs [click link]. Yet without knowing all of this, one is left with a woven, grey negative image of a trumpet player, uncertain of whether to view it conceptually or formally, a fragment or part of a whole.

[impracticaldemon]

I have a request: Can you write a short scene with the Hakouki characters (in a modern AU) ~ A summer day at the beach? Extra points for Saito in a speedo. 👌👍👌

May the celestial spirits help us all.

Words: ~2800 (it just happened I swear!!!) | FFN | AO3

For DWS aka @nalufever (tumblr): a faithful reader, reviewer and hilarious collaborator. You have an evenstranger imagination than mine at times. I hope you enjoy this offering!

Hakuouki Vignettes:  The Shinsengumi in the Sunshine

The sun blazed in a blue sky, through which a few white clouds driftedlike wispy cotton balls. It t looked like a painted background instead of areal sky. It was only just starting to get really hot when a silver minivan anda slick dark convertible pulled into the small parking lot overlooking thepristine beach area.

“Oh man this is perfect!” shouted a smallish teenage boy,flinging back a sliding door and racing down across the sand toward the water’sedge. “Look! The tide is just starting to come in now–awesome!”

The back hatch of the minivan began to rise automatically while threemore passengers disembarked: a tall red-head in his mid-twenties, a muscularguy in a green bandanna and matching trunks of about the same age, and a thirdman who looked young until you noticed that the unusual green eyes had finelines around them that suggested some kind of pain or trouble in the recentpast. To call the middle of the three muscular was saying something, becauseall three men had sinewy, corded arms and walked with the light, springy stepsof natural athletes. A casual observer might leave it at that. A more observantsort would take a second look (for more than just aesthetic reasons!) andmore-or-less correctly conclude that the visitors were officers on leave from anearby military base or maybe a larger city police force.

“Yo, Heisuke! Get your ass back here and help unload or you canforget about your share of the beer!”

The teenager—who was presumably older than he looked—waved a middlefinger back at the man with the green bandanna, but ran back across the sand todo as he was told. The gesture earned him a “friendly” tap on thehead when he arrived, which he shrugged off with almost startling indifference.

In the meantime, a lean, compact man with dark hair had gotten out ofthe driver’s seat, his movements almost unnoticeable against the backdrop ofhis louder and more colourful colleagues. He was wearing a plain black t-shirtover plain black trunks with some kind of white logo at the hem. He brieflysurveyed his passengers, giving a slightly longer scrutiny to the green-eyedman, and then walked over to the convertible.

A slightly older man with black hair and movie-star good looks hadalready gotten out from behind the wheel of the other car and was unpacking thesmall storage space in the back that passed for a trunk. The young—and indeedonly—woman with the group was just getting out of the passenger seat, her warmbrown eyes bright with excitement. Like the youngest of the men, she appearedto be in her late teens.

“Hello, Saitō-san,” she said cheerfully to the quiet,dark-haired man. She showed no surprise at his rather sudden—andsilent—presence. “The wind made a mess of my hair, but Hijikata-san saidthere was no point in having a convertible if you didn’t have the top down innice weather. Oh well, I think I’ve finally gotten it all straight again.”

Saitō nodded, since the young woman’s hair appeared to be tied up in itsusual short, neat ponytail. Without waiting for him to speak—or perhaps awarethat he wouldn’t —the woman smiled and went on:

“Did you have a good drive? Did Heisuke get picked on too much? IsOkita-san doing alright?” The last question was asked in a low voice;apparently she didn’t want Okita to hear her.

“The drive was fine, Yukimura. Heisuke is in good spirits. Soujidid not cough at all during the trip.”

“Well I hope he doesn’t overdo it now that we’re here,”growled Hijikata, stalking up to the two of them, his arms full of an oddassortment of objects. The strangest of these was a large pink inflatable duck,which he thrust unceremoniously at Chizuru (as she was invariably called byanyone other than Hijikata or Saitō). “Any trouble, Saitō?”

“No, Commander.”

“Then why the hell are you over here instead of frolicking down onthe beach with the others? Or at least off finding a convenient place fromwhich to silently watch the others frolic while you drink?” Apparently thequestion was rhetorical, since he didn’t wait for an answer. “Wellwhatever. You can carry some of this junk. I swear Yukimura filled most of thecar with food and the rest with toys.”

Saitō nodded calmly, as one used to such situations. He turned to theyoung woman.

“I thought it might be best for me to carry and, ah, look after thefood.”

There was a brief, thoughtful silence from the other two, and thenYukimura nodded emphatically and Hijikata smirked.

“Yeah, good point. Don’t want Heisuke and Shinpachi making a messof things as usual and getting sand in everyone’s lunch. Fucking morons.They’ll think twice if it’s you.”

“You’ll help me carry the beach balls then, Hijikata-san?”Chizuru asked tentatively. “And the posts for the net?”

The Commander sighed irritably. He had a soft spot for the girl, butnobody knew if it went any farther than that. In fact, due to the odd circumstancesunder which Yukimura Chizuru had (temporarily) joined their unit, everyone kepta close eye on her, and seemed to go a little out of their way for her. To whatextent depended on their various natures. Harada Sanosuke, the tall red-head,was the most obviously protective and charming, while Tōdō Heisuke was thekindest and most accepting. Nagakura Shinpachi was more of a rough and readysort, but he treated her like a younger sister and often looked out for herwhen he thought nobody was looking. Nobody really knew what Okita Sōji thought,but even he tended to tone down his sharp edges around Chizuru, although healso teased her mercilessly when he could. Saitō just tended to show up when hewas needed; however, that was how he behaved with the rest of them as well.Okita insisted that Saitō—a known stickler for order and discipline—went easieron Chizuru than he should, but so far he was alone in his opinion, at least outloud.

“I will find an appropriate spot for the net,” Saitōvolunteered. “We must also leave sufficient space for the water gunfight.” He managed to say the last three words both disapprovingly andwithout inflection, a skill that many aristocratic butlers trained for years toperfect. Chizuru had never had a butler, but she had heard of them, and it hadoccurred to her before that Saitō-san would make an excellent butler.

Eventually, everyone was settled—or active, as the case might be. Theso-called baka trio had brought surf boards, and were eyeingthe incoming tide. It still wasn’t quite right, but according to what they’dbeen told, it should be getting there fairly soon. In the meantime, they wereengaged in a no-holds-barred beach volleyball competition—which pleased Chizurugreatly—refereed by Okita—which apparently pleased nobody but theself-designated ref. Heisuke was at a significant height disadvantage, but hemade up for it with exceptional acrobatics and apparently limitless energy. Allthree were drinking copious quantities of beer. Chizuru tried to get them to drinkwater between matches instead, but Okita stepped in and (in his words)preserved their inalienable right to get drunk in whatever way they wanted,even if it meant raging dehydration and severe hangovers later. Saitō, from hisvantage point not far away, noticed that Sōji’s words were more effective thanChizuru’s. All three beach volleyball players surreptitiously started to drinkmore water, and nobody commented further on it.

Hijikata-san sat against a nearby palm tree, head tilted back and eyesclosed between sporadic fits of furious writing into a handsomely-boundnotebook. Since his facial expressions always became particularly contortedduring these times, Chizuru found it best not to bother him, although she wasas intensely curious about the contents of the book as usual. Okita-san hadtold her that Hijikata-san wrote erotica, which was why he refused to read fromhis writings; Saitō-san had quietly contradicted this and told her that whatshe had seen was the Commander writing poetry. The latter was more believable,but didn’t explain the senior officer’s refusal to share his work. It hadtaken some time for Chizuru to realize that perhaps the two categories weren’tmutually exclusive. Moreover, Saitō-san hadn’t actually denied that Hijikata-sanwrote erotica—in retrospect, his precise wording could have been deliberatelymisleading.

Okita had just declared himself the winner of the volleyball tournament,to good-natured laughter and cat-calls from the actual participants, when thefaint noise of a motor-bike caught everyone’s attention. Somehow, Saitō wasalready in the parking lot, his alcohol of choice—nobody had noticed what itwas today—already stowed neatly away and his face showing neither the merrimentnor the inebriated flush displayed by his colleagues. Hijikata looked up, hisexpression registering annoyance (although as Okita often said, how could youtell?).

The motorbike arrived very shortly thereafter, indicating that it wasboth fast and surprisingly quiet for its speed. Yet another fit young man, thisone on the shorter side, sprang off the bike and hurried over to Saitō, who hadbeen joined by Okita. The three surfing enthusiasts down on the beach did notlook happy—the waves were just about perfect and the water was calling.

“Dammit, I knew this was too good to betrue,” Okita snarled as the biker gave Saitō the unwelcome news that somerich kids—the son of the beachfront owner and his pals—were on their way andmight be looking for trouble.

“Chief Kondō said that the owner was happy to oblige him with aninexpensive rental,” noted Saitō calmly.

“Yeah, well Kondō-san always thinks the best of everyone, doesn’the? Why didn’t Hijikata-san look into things better, that’s what I want toknow! That’s his job, isn’t it?”

“Thank you for alerting us, Yamazaki,” said Saitō, ignoringOkita’s complaint with the ease of long practice. “Now that you are here,however, I feel that you should change into more appropriate apparel so as notto appear out of place.”

Before Yamazaki could respond, or Okita could continue to enumerateHijikata-san’s shortcomings for failing to protect Chief Kondō from theconsequences of his over-trusting good-nature, Saitō had turned away to briefHijikata-san. He also made a point of smiling and waving at Harada, Shinpachiand Heisuke, to let them know that it was alright to get on with their surfing.Unfortunately, the unprecedented nature of these actions caused all three ofthem to abandon their surf boards and come hurrying up from the water.

“What the hell did you signal to them?” demanded Hijikata,taking in Saitō’s surprised expression.

“… I’m not sure, now,” his faithful aide-de-camp murmured.

In the end, everyone gathered around Hijikata’s palm tree to hear thenews that they were on the verge of being invaded by high-class guys looking tothrow their weight around. Chizuru, holding tightly to a large, bright pinkduck, and looking very sweet in a hearts-and-flowers two-piece bathing suit,was clearly the most worried.

“Oh no! I hope they don’t ruin your day off! Maybe they just wantto welcome you on behalf of the owner?”

Several pairs of eyes met above Chizuru’s head and exchanged theunspoken message that the girl was cute, but deluded. Only Okita took it uponhimself to explain the situation in no uncertain terms:

“Don’t be an idiot. The owner’s probably involved in all sorts ofcorrupt activities—wouldn’t be so rich otherwise, would he? Anyone"—otherthan Kondō-san, thought most of those present, but silently—"would wonderwhy a guy like that would want to be nice to a bunch of federal investigatorslike us. He’s probably set things up with his son to create trouble with us sothat he can make us look bad.” Okita rolled his eyes. “It’s notlikely they’re here to be nice to us.”

“Let’s not give them a chance to complain,” Hijikata put in atthat point, arms folded. “You three—Heisuke, Harada, Shinpachi—go surf.That’s an order! And act normal.”

“Sure thing Commander,” said Harada. He winked at Shinpachi,who picked up Heisuke, and the two tall men raced back down to the water todunk their smaller colleague and grab their boards and some more beer.

“Yamazaki—glad to have you with us—why the hell haven’t you changedinto swim gear or something yet? You look like a ninja in that bikingoutfit.”

“But—” Yamazaki began to protest, before being cut off bySaitō.

“Yukimura brought extra swim gear. You can change in that smallcabin.”

Chizuru stared at Saitō. “Did I tell you that? I didn’t think Itold anyone. Hijikata-san was, um…” She trailed off uncomfortably asHijikata raised a sharp black eyebrow at her.

“I told you not to stuff my car with so much crap, that’sall!”

The noise of a motor made them all go silent, and then Saitō starteddragging Yamazaki toward the tiny beach hut. Hijikata told Chizuru to go looklike she was having fun with the surfers.

“And act natural!” he shouted after her, as she scrambled awayacross the hot sand, clutching her duck.

Meanwhile, in the beach hut, Saitō was stripping off his black trunkswith a resigned expression on his impassive countenance.* Yamazaki, recognizingthat he was going to have fun at the beach whether he wanted to or not, peeledoff his biking gear. He accepted the black trunks without comment. According toOkita, the unit’s two top security experts preferred to operate on asemi-telepathic level when not required to speak to normal people. The twoofficers in question secretly agreed, but—naturally—never discussed the matter.

Moments later, Saitō and Yamazaki stepped out of the beach hut. Yamazakilooked marginally less like a commando (or ninja) now, in Saitō’s black trunksand t-shirt. Saitō looked… Well, he looked different. He hadruffled his neat hair into a tousled mop—always carry good hair gel was one ofhis many unspoken mottos—and produced a pair of mirrored sunglasses from theblack messenger bag that he had apparently been carrying with him all along.There was a bright silver chain with a sword hanging from it around his necknow, flashing in the sun and somehow drawing the eye to his sharp collar-bonesand lean, but perfectly muscled chest. And he was wearing bright indigo,crotch-hugging “racing trunks”. This was so totally unexpected thatthe stolid Yamazaki blinked twice before acknowledging that if aman wanted to wear two bathing suits at once, in anticipation of (a) needing anunexpected disguise at the beach, or (b) some unanticipated event, then Saitōhad planned well. Very few people would be staring at his face in that outfit.

As Yamazaki and Saitō strolled casually down toward the water,Hijikata’s face froze into an incredulous expression. Then his eyes flickedover to the speedboat that was swooping in on them in a torrent of noise andspray, heading for the small dock about fifty meters away.

“What the fuck are you wearing, Saitō?!”

Saitō raised a delicate eyebrow under his newly-ruffled bangs and placeda hand on Yamazaki’s arm. In a soft voice that in no way reflected the frost inhis blue eyes, he murmured:

“I have been studying our new colleague Itō-san, Commander. Ibelieve that his name and overall effect will be as effectivea disguise as any, don’t you?”

Hijikata stared at him and then rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“How in all the gods’ names am I supposed to keep a straight face?Just how much have you been drinking, Saitō?”

“Itō,” his subordinate told him implacably. “I haven’tgotten through my first fifth yet.”

“Fuck. Fine. Well, here they come and I’ll bet you diamonds todonuts that the lead guy is daddy’s darling.”

“No bet,” replied Okita, who had been standing besideHijikata, cell-phone camera at the ready. He was clearly struggling not tolaugh, his thin, rather pale face looking more alive than it had in months.Only the possiblity of incoming enemies kept him from immediately starting on aphoto-record of “Ito’s” day at the beach. Instead, he was saving thebattery in order to take nice, innocuous photos showing a nice, innocuousmeeting between the unit officers and their host’s son.

The boat had pulled in and been moored with amazing efficiency, andthree men were walking toward them, two of them wearing the kind of smile thatmakes you want to count your fingers after you shake hands. The massivered-haired man at the back wasn’t smiling at all; if anything, he lookedresigned. The front man definitely fit the image conjured up by Hijikata’swords: he had feathery, artistically ruffled blond hair (Saitō probably knewthe hair gel), porcelain perfect features, expensively tailored clothes, andthe kind of walk that is almost unique to those who have been entitled sincebirth. Everything about him shouted Crown Prince.

“Hello there,” called Prince-sama. “Understand Fathergave you the run of the place for the day. Mind if we join you for a bit?”

Hijikata bared his teeth in something that was vaguely related to asmile.

“You must be Kazama Junior,” he drawled, radiating insincerepleasure. “Let me introduce you to the guys—I’m sure we’ll all get alonglike a city on fire.”

[END] [for now]

Notes:

* It’s a skill. Don’t ask how he does it.

Please review or comment or whatever if you get the chance! Also, I knowthis isn’t a vignette; more like a vine with half-fermented grapes…

~ImpracticalOni ;)

Note:  Good grief I left this in my drafts! Oh well. Better late than never.

Tag team:

@shell-senji @fury-ous @queen-mizera @kazama-hime @hakusaitosan @tealdeertamer @very-x-vice @sabinasanfanfic @walk-tall-my-fr1ends @hakuokifirst @annahakuouki @eliz1369 @canadiangaap @vav-airis @moon-faced-pear-shaped @lady-yomi @thesweateristoobig @doodlethewhiteraven 

As always let me know if you want to be added/taken off the list. Or if you’re just looking for certain characters or story types.

[softlysimmering]

This is a continuation of a discussion between myself and @fremione. For some reason Tumblr won’t let me reblog the thread (anyone know why?), so I’m continuing it here. The previous parts of the discussion can be found here.

“it’s still not appropriate to try to out Remus, as an adult. Great, he assumed that he was helping Sirius, why does that make it okay? He has little to no evidence and wants to ruin his life? No, that’s just a complete and utter no.”

Of course it’s ‘not appropriate’ to out Remus, because Remus was “only” guilty of unintentionally endangering students and staff, and he had already realized that and was planning to leave. But as I pointed out, it’s likely that Severus doesn’t know that when he arrives for breakfast that morning, after having stormed out of the hospital wing the previous evening, likely still believing Sirius and Remus guilty.

And honestly, if Remus had actually tried to murder another student using his werewolf -form while at Hogwarts, and if he had actually tried to help a mass-murderer kill three kids, apparently intending to use his werewolf-form again, and he then escaped punishment and was allowed to keep teaching because one influential individual, Dumbledore, refused to believe that he had done those things and used his influence to convince others of the same – then yes, outing Remus as a werewolf would in my opinion be okay, because he would then, repeatedly, have intended to use that form to kill people. And it’s not like Severus would have any other ways of removing Remus from Hogwarts to keep himself, the rest of the staff, and the students safe from harm – Dumbledore believes Remus, and has convinced the Minister of Magic.

It’s of course easy for the reader to realize that Remus didn’t do any of those things. But I also think it’s very, very understandable why Severus would be so sure that he did, considering the information available to him, and his previous experience with Remus.

Recall that Sirius did in fact try to use Remus as a murder weapon. At the time, Severus was likely told the truth by Dumbledore: that Remus had been an unwilling participant, and that he was a victim in this as well, which is absolutely true.

But later the same year, Remus is still part of the Marauders, and he’s still, despite being a prefect at the time, doing nothing to stop his friends from publicly humiliating Severus, when it’s his duty as prefect to do something. Honestly, I think few people would be able to understand why Remus apparently remains friends with Sirius, so I don’t blame Severus for not understanding. Remus’ circumstances are very unusual, with him being a werewolf who has finally found rare acceptance within a group that he most like can’t find anywhere else, so naturally he’d remain with the Marauders despite what Sirius did – whereas most other people would leave that group when Sirius wasn’t excluded from it for what he did to Remus. With Remus remaining with the Marauders, it’s easy to see why Severus would assume that Remus had been in on the ‘joke’. 

Regarding the evidence that Severus likely feels he has:

Remus remained with the Marauders, indicating that he was in on the ‘joke’ to kill Severus.

Remus comes to teach at Hogwarts the same year Sirius escapes Azkaban.

Remus did not take his last dose of Wolfsbane, making him extremely dangerous.

Remus was in the Shrieking Shack with Sirius, and had not detained Sirius.

I fail to see how Severus could possibly assume anything else. Severus has suspected all along that Remus was helping Sirius, due to their history and the suspicious coincidence of Remus coming to teach the year Sirius escapes Azkaban. Remus has just left the castle without taking his potion, and here he is with Sirius Black, in the Shrieking Shack were Severus thinks they intended to murder him. Of course he refuses to listen to them – why should he? He has finally been proven right, after Dumbledore refused to take him seriously over and over again, he’ll finally get them both for what he firmly believes they tried to do to him, and he just apprehended the man who betrayed Lily.  

Recall how Dumbledore makes it absolutely clear that there is no reason for anyone to believe Sirius to be innocent, and there’s even less reason for Severus to.

Severus also has no reason to trust Dumbledore’s judgment when it comes to the Marauders – Dumbledore let Sirius go with minimal punishment after the attempt on Severus’ life, and Sirius was then ‘proven’ to be a mass-murderer later, and was believed to be so for 12+ years.

“as Rowling showed a bit with the twins, new spells, potions, etc. have to be tested to get a perfect result. I don’t think that Snape was that great of an inventor to have a perfect spell first go. Either he managed to backfire the wand countless times, or he had to have used it on people to know. And even if he “just tried them on James” or any of the marauders that’s not okay. That would also be bullying.”

Certain spells, like Levicorpus, would most likely require test subjects, since it’s a spell that specifically targets living beings, or at least humans.

Spells like Sectumsempra? There’s nothing to suggest that Sectumsempra only works on living beings, so far as I recall.

Did Severus ever use Sectumsempra when he wasn’t being attacked? It’s possible, but it’s also possible that he didn’t.

And no, it wouldn’t necessarily be bullying if Severus used Dark Magic, even such Dark Magic as Sectumsempra, on James, even if he did it repeatedly.

Bullying is defined as:

“Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” - https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/definition/

“Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an imbalance of social or physical power, which distinguishes bullying from conflict. Behaviors used to assert such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular targets.” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying

To determine if what Severus might have done was bullying, we’d have to ask if he, at certain times, or in certain context, would have been in a position of power over James?

Using a spell like Sectumsempra on James would certainly be a physical assault, or at best a disproportionate use of violence in self-defence. But I fail to see why it should be considered bullying, given what we know of their interactions. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Severus’ potential use of Sectumsempra was, or was always, justified. It doesn’t have to be bullying for it to be an unacceptable use of violence.

And again, none of the Marauders ever claim that Severus ‘bullied them back’, ‘was just as bad as them at times’, nothing like that. Of course, it’s technically possible that they for some reason wouldn’t share that information, but I can’t see what that reason would be. And they certainly have a good reason to share such information – to defend James’ memory to James’ son.  

 ““that’s a mutual rivalry to begin with” I was implying that it had started out that way. Not that the specific situation wasn’t. I’ve said before but again I don’t condone the situation, I’m just saying that I really doubt that a kid who used a slur, hangs out with death eater kids, is infatuated with dark arts, and becomes a death eater wasn’t antagonistic to a kid who’s stupidly noble, to an obvious fault.”

I fail to see what evidence there is for it starting as a ‘mutual rivalry’, but that might be because I’ve missed something. I’d be glad if you’d share the evidence you have for that view.

Also, Severus makes his reasons for disliking James very clear, and it has nothing to do with James’ ‘nobility’:

“‘How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter,’ Snape said suddenly, his eyes glinting. ‘He, too, was exceedingly arrogant. A small amount of talent on the Quidditch pitch made him think he was a cut above the rest of us, too. Strutting around the place with his friends and admirers ... the resemblance between you is uncanny.’

‘My dad didn’t strut,’ said Harry, before he could stop himself. ‘And nor do I.’

‘Your father didn’t set much store by rules, either,’ Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. ‘Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners. His head was so swollen –’”

And:

“‘I would hate you to run away with a false idea of your father, Potter,’ he said, a terrible grin twisting his face. ‘Have you been imagining some act of glorious heroism? Then let me correct you – your saintly father and his friends played a highly amusing joke on me that would have resulted in my death if your father hadn’t got cold feet at the last moment. There was nothing brave about what he did. He was saving his own skin as much as mine. Had their joke succeeded, he would have been expelled from Hogwarts.’”

And:

“’And he’s not… Everyone thinks … Big Quidditch hero –‘ Snape’s bitterness and dislike were rendering him incoherent”

 Just to share some of the moments where he makes the reasons for his hate clear.

Severus obviously doesn’t hate James because James is a stupidly noble kid and Severus is an evil Death Eater kid who hates nobility. Severus hates James because he sees James only as an arrogant rule-breaker and an attempted murderer who got cold feet, one who got away with all of that because everyone loved him just because he was a star athlete. From the memories we see, it’s not hard to see why Severus would think that – just look at how James interacts with the Marauders. We readers know that there was more to James, because we get to see James through the impression he left on other people, people he treated differently than he treated Severus, and we also know that James wasn’t involved with Sirius’ ‘joke’. But that doesn’t mean that he wasn’t just a bully to Severus. And whatever Severus might have done, whatever he might have been or become, we see that the bullying was due to the Marauders’ boredom, we hear James tell Lily that ‘it’s more the fact that he exists’, rather than, say, ‘it’s because he attacked me last week’, or ‘it’s because he hangs out with wannabe Death Eaters’, or ‘it’s because he uses slurs against people like you’.

It’s implied that Severus starts using the slur mudblood (you say slurs, plural, but there’s no evidence of that I think) sometime doing his fifth year, after Sirius’ ‘joke’. And as far as I recall, there’s no evidence of Severus doing anything but fighting back during conflicts initiated by the Marauders and following the Marauders’ around trying to get them expelled for their own wrongdoings up until their sixth and seventh year, where we hear about Severus cursing James, which was the reason James didn’t stop his behaviour towards Severus when he ‘stopped hexing people for the fun of it’.

It’s possible that Severus also cursed James outside of self-defense before that, but I can’t think of any evidence for it.

 “he was literally a death eater, even if he wasn’t infamous for torturing doesn’t mean that he never did it? He created at least one working spell that was extremely harmful. You’re going off the assumption that because no one directly says it means that he didn’t. The direct memories we get are from Snape, an extremely biased source that wanted pity and sympathy. If he was torturing anyone he’s not likely to show it.”

I didn’t claim that he couldn’t have tortured, or killed, or committed any number of other horrible crimes while a Death Eater. I was discussing authorial intent – what did JKR try to convey to her readers? What I was trying to say is, if she wanted to convey to her readers that Severus had used Dark Magic to bully/torment other students, then she had plenty of opportunities to do so: 1) through her characters Sirius and Remus, who do discuss their time at school with Severus on several occasions, but make no mention of him being cruel to others, 2) through characters like McGonagall, after Dumbledore’s death when they discuss Severus’ ‘betrayal’, who could have mentioned how he had always been a cruel/vicious boy, 3) through Severus’ memories, with the Marauders or Lily accusing him of doing something like that, 4) through Karkaroff, who could have mentioned Severus using Dark Magic to torment others during the DE trials, etc.

Sectumsempra might very well have been created after Sirius’ ‘joke’, as Levicorpus appears to come before that in the Half-Blood Prince’s book, and that spell was popular in their fifth year. Is it disturbing that a kid invents an invisible sword? Yes. Is it understandable given that he thinks his bullies want him dead? I’d say yes. I’d say it’s more a testament to how threatened and powerless he feels, rather than how cruel he is.

 “remus said “knows”. He could’ve been purely speculating beforehand.”

Yes, like I said, we don’t know if he suspected Remus of being a werewolf beforehand. It’s possible, but it’s also possible that he didn’t suspect it.

And if he did suspect that Remus was a werewolf, and he then learned that Sirius was trying to get him murdered using said werewolf, and he suspected that Remus was in on it … Would he then be wrong to want Remus exposed and both of them punished, for wanting to murder him?

[interregnum-intermarium]

From Acca Larentia to Deputy Premier Salvini: CasaPound's Merit?

January 7, 2019 the most famous Italian right-wing movement, CasaPound Italia, once again performed an honorable role of the recognized guardian of the Acca Larentia annual rite bridging the struggle of Italian nationalists in the Years of Lead to their modern successors' activities.

In far 1978, on this day happened a terror attack on activists of Youth Front of The Italian Social Movement, which was carried out by leftist extremists around their headquarters. Two of them, Franco Bigonzetti, aged 20, and Francesco Ciavatta, only 18 years old, died on spot of gunshot wounds. Third member, 19-year-old Stefano Recchioni, was killed by a policeman (who has never been charged with murder) during the riots in the aftermath of the attack.

A plaque at the site, which reads "Murdered by communist hatred and the servants of the state," sums up pretty well a huge blow dealt to the leftist mantra about the unspoken alliance between "cops and fascists, dogs of the regime" as a result of this event. However, Acca Larentia marches have become an all-Italian sacramental rite only thanks to the organization capacities and spirit of CasaPound Italia which annually gathers the participants not only from all over Italy but also the entire world.

This time, supporters from France, Quebec, Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Czech Republic, Greece and many other countries arrived to Rome to join the powerful Italian "Presente!" choir in response to triple "Onore ai camerati caduti!" (Honour to fallen comrades) chant. Some countries were even represented by several movements (Der III. Weg and identitarians from Germany, National Corps and Karpatska Sich from Ukraine). Again, thanks to the international fame of CasaPound Italia, the authentic headquarters of Youth Front with well-preserved nationalist-themed graffiti from the 70-s, at which the ceremony took place, has turned into a genuine shrine of the paneuropean political resistance.

The party and the movement of CasaPound Italia has always been in the center of attention of European nationalists, identitarians, third positionists and those on the alternative Right. Since recently, Italy has hit the headlines as a Western European country where the right-populist forces in the person of Matteo Salvini decisively came to power.

One may only speculate about the real relation between Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and CasaPound Italia. Although CPI and Lega Nord did enter the tactical alliance, and in the not so distant past Salvini could be spotted at the events of CasaPound Italia, this connection is more obvious, and more interesting, in another sense.

It is widely known that Matteo Salvini came to power on the wave of the refugee and economic crisis in the EU. However, previously, he was far more obsessed with the separatist scenario for Northern Italy, quickly dropping this program and renaming the party as simply "Lega" on the eve of 2018 election. Mainstream media often mentioned another major winner in the election, The Five Star Movement co-founded by a former Italian comedian Beppe Grillo, as a coalition political force sharing and reinforcing The League's euroscepticism. At the same time, the real pioneers of the anti-EU politics in Italy, CasaPound, remained in the shadow.

In this respect, the post-election situation in Italy largely resembles the immediate political results of the Maidan revolution in Ukraine. Nationalists heading and organizing street protests in revolutionary Ukraine should unequivocally be credited for overthrowing Yanukovych's regime, yet the power was usurped by the "patriotic" liberal opposition constantly booed by the national revolutionaries. It is true that influence and opportunities of the nationalist movement in Ukraine significantly increased, but the price for this transformation was the takeover of the populist patriotic agenda by the liberals and even pre-revolutionary oligarchs who try to marginalize real historical agents by other means.

Depending on the perspective, many either spread rumors about fake Ukrainian nationalists backed up by the government, either label Ukraine a country run by Neo-Nazis. Both extremes are false and reflect the complex process of entering the next phase of the incomplete revolution when the nationalist subject alters its strategy while striving for power on the surface.

Returning to the Italian case, all main political slogans which brought popular sympathies to Salvini were put forward by CasaPound Italia: "Italy First!", which was previously considered "fascist," firmly replaced Salvini's separatist threats; an anti-refugee stance of CPI, which once attacked a refugee center inhabitants of which caused trouble for the locals, is overshadowed by fresh news about the migrant rescue boats rejected by a new security expert Salvini; spectacular anti-EU rallies of CPI members, who were taking down the EU flags from the administrative buildings while wearing masks painted in national colors of Italy and carrying the ropes around their necks, have become an official Italian policy.

These parallels were confirmed and highlighted by Alberto "Zippo" Palladino, CasaPound's longtime member and foreign correspondent, during his speech at the Second Paneuropa conference in Kyiv on October 15, 2018.

Simultaneously, the Italian side of this comparison also sheds light on the possible changes in the political course of the current Ukrainian authorities, for the populist promises of Salvini were not lasting. Soon enough, he assured the world that he was against "Italexit," preparing to operate within Steve Bannon's alliance of right-populist forces of Europe.

Another recent political move by Salvini is more praiseworthy: during his January trip to Poland, he suggested PiS, the ruling Polish party, to replace the dominant "Germany-France" axis in the EU with a new geopolitical axis, "Italy-Poland," thus making a long-anticipated Western European response to the Intermarium geopolitical initiative. In this respect, Salvini's inconsistency when it comes to the seeming departure from pro-Putin policies, or at least refraining from apparent pro-Kremlin lobbyism, was very timely.

Italian Premier Conte's refusal to veto the prolongation of Russia sanctions, as suggested by Salvini, and the arrest of Italian mercenaries fighting alongside Putin-backed invaders in Donbas in August 2018, when Salvini has already become Interior Minister, was a clear warning to him that this agenda was not as popular among the Italians as fiscal independence from the EU. Poland, which was ready to implement new sanctions against Russia in response to the crisis in the Sea of Azov, as well as withdrew problematic "Ukraine nationalists" provision from the recent "Law on the Institute of National Remembrance," will hardly tolerate pro-Putin sympathies of a possible Italian ally.

[oops-my-fingers-slipped]

By Chance, By Dance

Author: Admin Lex

Pairing: JungKook x You

Genres: Fluff, Romance, Street Dancer AU

Warnings: Only a few swear words

Your dance sneakers stride through Seoul's busiest streets, Spring breezes licking your ankles and anticipation tightening your grip on the speaker clutched in your hand. You scan the street horizon in search of a suitable dance floor for your little spectacle. Pace quickening, your eyes pin-point a wide clearing up ahead next to an intersection, unoccupied and spacious.

/Perfect./

Within minutes you've reached your destination, set down the speaker, plugged your phone, and tapped on the playlist labeled "N/Y's Jams." You peer up from the device and smile at the bustling pedestrians, too hurried to notice your preparations. Women click past in heels as high as their income, tourists drag aching feet and filled cameras, stylish persons sip macchiatos with shades stained caramel by the late afternoon sun. Everything all too familiar. Today, however, they would be in for quite a treat. Continuing with your task, you hit "play" and take a few good steps back, centering yourself in the middle of the concrete square.

/Alright, let's do this.../

You take multiple deep breaths before the music kicks in, mentally preparing yourself for what's to come. First up on your playlist was "Really Really" by WINNER so it didn't surprise you when the opening bass sends your body spiraling into its rhythm. Each step fitting its corresponding count like pieces of a puzzle finally aligning. Every movement flawlessly practiced, interlocking step with melody. Your worn dance shoes are enough proof of hours dedicated to hard work. Time to put it to the test... It starts with one person. Then a few more trickle in. Then clusters of pedestrians form a circle surrounding the main attraction they all came for: You. The music omitting from the speakers echo through the streets of Seoul, bouncing off skyscrapers and across local vendors, entrancing all who hears it like a spell. It tugs at their curiosity and guides their feet towards the beckoning sound.

JungKook POV:

JungKook's afternoon didn't quite go as planned, for he didn't expect to hear his group's song "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" while strolling along the city sidewalk. Curiosity surged through his veins as he turned toward the sound, trying to locate the music. His eyes quickly stopped at the nearby intersection where a crowd surged forward, gathering around something clearly very enduring.

/Hmm must be a street performer.../ /I wonder if they're using the original choreography./ /They must be good if a crowd this large managed to form this quickly.../

Deciding he could afford a little detour, JungKook tugged his face-mask over the bridge of his nose and approached the crowd. The river of pedestrians were hard to push through but JungKook managed to reach the front of the audience, finally seeing what all the fuss was about. In the center of the circle danced a girl, all eyes glued to her sharp steps, every movement laced with precision. She obviously had practiced and perfected the choreography almost too much. Having memorized every subtle step, she gave herself freedom to stylize the choreography a bit, adding her own twist to the rhythm. JungKook could hardly recognize it as his own dance and, needless to say, he was impressed. Suddenly, the girl spun around, catching JungKook's eye in the process, a smile instantly spreading across her cheeks. She refused to let go of his gaze, at least not until she stopped dancing and began walking in his direction.

/Oh shit, does she recognize me?/

JungKook barely had time to collect his bearings before she spoke. "Hey, you know the choreography, don't you?"

Clearly not ready for the unexpected interaction, JungKook's palms began to sweat. "Oh, uh, yeah I do but how did you know?"

JungKook didn't think it seemed possible, but her smile grew even wider as she explained, "You've been marking it since you showed up. Do you want to try it for real this time?"

"Well, actually-"

She made a gesture beckoning him to the dance floor. "It will be fun! I promise it isn't as scary as it looks."

Little did she know, stage-fright was the least of his worries. A smirk crawled up his face as JungKook stepped out from the audience and joined the dancer in the center of the circle. The audience, finally realizing what was happening, burst into wild cheering for the brave new-comer. The girl still held a smile to her face as she high-fived her new partner.

Reader POV:

You quickly knelt down to your speaker, rewinding "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" to the beginning and gave the boy a thumbs up. He returned the gesture and you supposed he was smiling under his mask from the way his eyes crinkled in excitement. You returned to your spot on the floor next to the newbie and knelt down. Following your action, the boy hovered his hands over your eyes, mimicking the exact pose in the ever-famous music video.

/5, 6, 7, 8, and-/

Nae ppi tal munul~

Both of you shot up off the ground, ready for the dramatic entrance and slowly nodded your heads in union to the music, before sliding yourselves into the next count of eight. From the corner of your eye, you spot him hitting every step, not daring to miss even a single beat.

/WOAH, okay so maybe he's not so much of a newbie.../ /But where on Earth did he learn to dance like that?/

You were right, he knew the choreography and he knew it like the back of his hand. His precision was breathtaking but you refused to be left in the dust. You began hitting your steps harder, cleaner foot-work, determination coursing through your blood. Peering over at him, it appeared your dancing had the same effect on him as well. His breath more labored, cheeks flushed the color of a beet. Both of you were pushing yourselves to your full potential. And absolutely loving every second of it. And apparently you weren't the only ones because the crowd cheered and screamed like never before, only giving you both more energy. Through the entire track, they ceased to decrease their volume. The song finally concluded, leaving you and the boy gasping for air, nearly collapsing from exhaustion. Even so, the sweat that flooded your clothes and the burning sensation searing your lungs didn't stop you from letting a joyful chuckle escape your lips. Releasing a laugh of his own, your temporary dance partner beamed up at you from where he sat on the concrete, still trying to regain his breath. Sweat coated the tips of his coconut hair and heat stained his ears red. You assumed you appeared similar but didn't bother to care. You managed to find the breath to ask, "Where did you learn to dance like that?"

"I think I'll keep that a secret." He said with a smirk before continuing to pant.

"With that kind of skill, I would too. Oh, by the way, I'm Y/N."

"Nice to meet you, but I refuse to believe I'm the only one with skill here," he replied.

You walked over to where he lounged on the floor and offered a hand up. He gladly accepted and you took the opportunity to ask, "I don't believe I've been told your name yet?"

"I think I'll keep that a secret too."

You smirk, he had just confirmed your assumptions. "Okay, so that means you're either a fugitive or an idol judging from the mask...and I'm pretty sure fugitives can't dance..."

His casual laughs are muffled by his face-mask. "Are you sure? I hear some can break dance almost as good as they break out of prison."

You immediately face-palm, sending the boy into bubbles of laughter. "I hope you realize how terrible that pun was."

"I should really stop learning how to flirt from my hyungs." He realized too late the weight his words held and regretted speaking instantly, nose flushing bright pink. You giggled and the boy-still flustered- checked his watch, eyes widening when he read the time. "Oh! I'm gonna be late! The members are waiting for me."

"So you /are/ an idol."

"Possibly." He flashed another shy smile.

And with that, he began fast-walking out of the clearing and crossed the street at the intersection. When reaching the other side of the road, he remembered something. Turning back around, he shouted in your direction, "Thank you, it was a pleasure dancing with you!" A few people passing by gave him confused looks but he paid no attention. You yelled back, "The pleasure was mine!" You waved him off and the nameless idol continued down the avenue without looking back.

•The next day...•

"... and as our top news story: BTS's JungKook was spotted yesterday in Seoul participating in a street dancer's performance as well as having further conversation with the stranger after-hand. Let's take a look at what footage was released..."

You have never moved so fast before in your life, shooting up from your desk with your mouth wide open, hardly believing what you were hearing. You stepped closer to the T.V. where the newscaster played footage taken of you and the idol dancing to "Blood, Sweat, and Tears." Your mouth dropped to the floor.

/NO WAY. NO FREAKING WAY./

The footage was shaky, taken in a hurry but there was no mistaking it. You and JungKook danced in the center, sweat dripping from your foreheads, faces as red as a tomato, but the wide smiles you two wore were the most prominent feature present. Both of you lost in the bliss of music, but knowing exactly what steps to take. Both of you so happily at peace. The video cuts away, leaving the news anchor alone at a desk and she proceeds reading off mundane news for the day. But you couldn't seem to hear her through your inner screams.

/I can't believe it.../