#Ok I have not so stellar thoughts on his actual role in the story but . oh my god I’m over the moon over the small stuff | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

goldenlaquer · 4 years

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Hey, can I ask for headcanons for Gin, Hijikata, Sougo and Kamui about them catching feelings for their friend with benefits?

Hi, yes you can ask for them... and I can (hopefully) deliver!

Gintama NSFW Headcanons:

Hijikata Toushirou:

Maybe when first going into the relationship, Hijikata’s rational side had thought that this is a bad idea or this isn’t going to end well, but he went into it anyway because A) he was a man with needs and B) he wasn’t looking for an actual relationship and C) ...well, you’re attractive and his dick likes what he sees and his mind has suddenly become this undisciplined asshole that wants to follow his dick.

A man’s entire code of conduct rewritten in pursuit of some pussy. Who hasn’t heard that story before?

And in the first place, he was the one who firmly laid down the groundwork: just sex, nothing else. A wham, bam, thank you ma’am- type situation.

So how the fuck did it turn out like this?

Maybe all those years of Sougo calling him “Hijibaka” has some truth to it, because when he’s staring down at the languid bend of your spine as you work yourself on his stiff length, his thoughts encroach on some dangerous territory that is decidedly not somewhere he wants to be in. Because, when he hears the sound of your voice calling in his name in the heat of the moment, another kind of heat tingles up the back of his neck, something that is entirely different than what the two of you had agreed on. Because, when he collapses next to you on the bed and looks at you wheezing while coming down from the high, his post nut clarity says Jesus H. Christ, I want something more out of this woman.

And that thought is what propels him out of bed, but it’s the thought of you, just you, that brings him back every time, because he is Hijibaka and you are you and he is fucked. Fuck.

He won’t say it first. He won’t. And if you want to break it off, he will leave without protest, without looking back. But until then.

Kamui:

It isn’t hard to see how it had evolved. Actually, it was probably there all along.

“Friends with benefits,” you had enunciated and repeated, voice layered with a warning, and Kamui had smiled and said, “Ok, if that’s what you want to call it.”

You can call the arrangement however you see fit, but these truths are undeniable: Kamui sees, Kamui wants, Kamui takes.

He wants you. Simple and clean as that. Wants your tight heat wrapped around his cock, warming away the cold night. Wants to bite the back of your neck, leaving deep marks that will hold until his next visit to Earth. Wants the scent of you lingering in his hair before he goes out to space. If you want to moniker it “friends with benefits”, you can, but Kamui knows he wants so it doesn’t matter if you call it “this” or “that” (Earthlings are strange like that, with all their semantics).

But what he doesn’t get is that, while the arrangement is a mutual exchange of your body for his and there is exclusivity, there is only a kind of exclusivity, which means he has you but he doesn’t have you. Not everything. (Again, earthlings with all their semantics.)

And the cold truth of it became all the more apparent when he was wandering the Edo pathways that led to your house one day, where he encountered you along the way, but you weren’t alone. No, you were with another male, laughing and smiling, and Kamui didn’t like the look. He didn’t like it at all.

But when he interrupted, you had strangely turned on him, furiously saying stuff like ‘we don’t have that kind of relationship!’, and it had dawned on him then, about what exactly the meaning of “friends with benefits” was.

Kamui isn’t very concerned about the news (he’ll have you, all of you, in the end, he knows). After all, as a baldie had once said: love starts in bed.

Okita Sougo:

He prides in it, you know, gaining an upper hand against everyone else, an edge that sets him above the rest. Very arrogant, don’t you think? Very befitting of a sadist.

So when did he suddenly find himself like this, like, like

a masochist.

It’s not his first rodeo, having a fuck buddy, but he’s acting like a fumbling amateur, because this is the longest he’s ever been with anybody before. It’s not like him to stay this long. It’s an unspoken rule of his that he leaves, gone before anything can turn to unnecessary attachment, unnecessary feelings. Okita doesn’t need the unnecessary. It’s distracting. It’s weak.

And another trait he prides in is being unpredictable. Unpredictable bazooka attacks on Hijikata. Unpredictable smacks to your ass. Being able to read everyone, but being unable to be read. And now that’s gone too, because recently, you had mentioned right after sex that you felt like, he’s changing.

He’s changing.

Of course, Okita scoffed and pinched your nose shut in punishment. “Idiot,” he had said to you, but it was more directed towards himself, his heart thumping fast in a way that was similar to a kid’s who had been caught with his hand in a cookie jar.

Shit.

And with every session from there on, the weakness grows. It’s a pimple, growing until it bursts and festers and shit, he’s really done it now, because he should distance himself, but he can’t stop, doesn’t want to stop, and he’s acting like a goddamn masochist and his role is sadist for crying out loud, so why is he torturing himself like this--

Okita has another trait: lying. He’ll lie to you, to every person who thinks that they see what isn’t there, and to himself. It’s not there. It’s most definitely not there. Manifestation.

If Hijibaka is Hijibaka, then Okita is the world’s biggest idiot.

Sakata Gintoki:

“Let’s stop.”

Dead-eyed. Blanked face. Hair permed. Finger flicking away snot. The other hand leisurely tucked into his kimono. He looks the same. Like normal.

Why?

Gintoki turns to walk away, face hidden as he shrugs and says, “Got boring. See ya.”

The arrangement started suddenly. He was bored. You were bored. You were hot. You tolerated him enough to stick your hands down his pants. Wanna fuck? Sure. Let’s do it.

It was casual and nothing was expected of him, other than his awesome, stellar dicking skills. Just the way he liked it.

Until things got a little more serious, out of his range of comfort. Sex was great, and you were the same, still moaning and doing those nice clenching things with your gorilla-grip pussy. But things just felt off. Different. Was it you? Was it him? Doesn’t matter. He hates introspection, digging deep into the dark of himself; he doesn’t care to find out about the clusterfuck he unearths.

So Gintoki skedaddled.

He wasn’t prepared for it to hurt like a bitch though, like plastering duct tape on an open wound and yanking it off a split-second later.

Aa. So that’s what it was. And like usual, Gintoki goes on living, like nothing happened.

Coward. Yeah, so what? It’s not like you feel the same, and even if you did, what does it matter? He’s got two kids and a dog to feed and plenty of other problems, like getting the new Shonen Jump release before it’s sold out or achieving his goal of eating fifty chocolate parfaits in one sitting.

(It all makes sense when you realize that Gintoki has commitment issues.)

Behold, everyone is an A+ stupido.

Jan 8th. I’m anticipating and dreading at the same time.

#gintama #gintama headcanons #gintama imagine #hijikata toushirou #kamui yato #sakata gintoki #okita sougo #not sfw #answered ask #asks closed

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you-cant-spell-subtext-without · 3 years

Text

hello hello hello! and welcome to Season 12 of Supernatural.

I admit that initially I STRUGGLED WITH SEASON 12. I LOATHED the British Men of Letters (other than Lady Antonia Bevell; her hot working mom energy can get it); I have...mixed feelings about Mary; overall it was not a stellar season for me the first go-round. HOWEVER I shall now give it a second chance, and look for the subtext within the bad (and if my theory tracks, there will be much subtext as...there is much bad). Maybe I’ll even develop Ketch appreciation. **ONWARDS ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH, MY FRIENDS:

When we last left Dean, I neglected to mention that Amara brought his mom back (this is how much I repressed Mary Winchester I guess?) We cut to Mary, confused, in a nightgown (I get this is part of the character and that’s why she is wearing it sO wE kNOw iTS rEAlLy MaRY WinCHEstEr because of her nightgown and not Sam Smith’s exquisite face, but honestly WHY - LIKE DID SHE WEAR THE DAMN THING IN HEAVEN THE ENTIRE TIME TOO?).

DEAN [breathing heavily]

Mom. Listen to me. Your name – your name is Mary Sandra Campbell, okay? You were born December 5, 1954, to Samuel and Deanna Campbell. Your father, he bounced around a lot for, uh, work, and you bounced right along with him, and you ended up in Lawrence, Kansas.

MARY

How do you know all that?

DEAN

Dad told me. March 23, 1972, you walked out of a movie theater – Slaughterhouse-Five. You loved it, and you bumped into a big Marine and you knocked him flat on his ass. You were embarrassed, and he laughed it off, said you could make it up to him with a cup of coffee. So, you went to, uh, Mulroney's and you talked and he was cute and he knew the words to every Zeppelin song, so when he asked you for your number, you gave it to him, even though you knew your dad would be pissed. That was the night that – that you met –

MARY

John Winchester.

DEAN

August 19, 1975, you were married... in Reno. Your idea. A few years later, I came along, then Sammy.

***DEAN DESCRIBING EVERY DAMN DETAIL OF THIS HAS MURDERED ME. Also, I know John Winchester “told him the story,” but something about this retelling - these are NOT John Winchester’s words (other than maybe “big Marine”). The emotions, the feelings, the “you talked and he was cute” Dean is describing is Dean’s retelling, the version he created in his mind of this damn meet-cute, this little love story he played over and over in his head, and that makes me feel warm and tingly and also want to ingest sharp knives.

***Everyone already knows about the damn Zeppelin reference but just in case you wanted to be tortured, please recall that later on we will get

THIS FUCKING SHIT

Nothing to see here other than Dean using a reference from this LOVE STORY on Cas. I HATE it here in super hell. Next rounds on you, Sam.

Anyway, Mary has caught on:

I paused here just now because I had a tHoUGHt. This season is all about exploring Dean and Sam in their role as sons (this is discussed at the SDCC panel prior to the season; btw they are all free on Prime and I recommend watching before you start each new season for little “reveals” behind some of the plot lines). We know Sam has no relationship to Mary really, he was a baby when she died, but Dean was a little boy - with a personality, character traits, identifying characteristics that his mother probably knew like the back of her hand. That’s why my first run-in with Mary left a bad taste in mouth during this season - LIKE THIS IS YOUR KID, and there is NO inkling or recognition until THIS moment? In a show that just spent an entire season exploring the “unexplained connection” between Dean and GODS SISTER, there no immediate “OH” from his own mother?!

But then I realized why she only connected at this very moment. This particular moment - and not the moment where he lists the factual details about her before the story of the night she met John. That little story with all those cute details - that’s the part of Dean that Mary knew before she died - when that part was ALL of Dean. Before hunting, before John’s quest for revenge turned him into the person he is today, before he saw himself as a blunt little instrument. That’s why initially Mary has no recognition that this is her son - because the Dean she knew was sensitive, and kind, and OPEN, and liked love stories, and laughing, and warm hugs and maybe flowers. Because if you think about it WE DONT KNOW THAT DEAN. We only know Dean AMD. (After Mary’s Death).

*****************************************************************************************************

So maybe Mary represents Dean Before Mary’s Death, and whatever part of that Dean remains, no matter how deep he has been buried. The part that connects with people; the part that doesn’t want to be alone. The part that helped Amara. The part that loves Cas. And that’s why Amara brought her back.

*****************************************************************************************************

Ok, if I think of it this way, I may like Mary a little better now.

BUT ALSO MY BABY:

Cut to Cas.

[THE MAN WALKS OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE CRATER MADE BY THE LANDING AND SEES CASTIEL PULLING HIMSELF OUT.]

MAN

Holy mother.

[CASTIEL STANDS UP AND LOOKS AROUND]

CASTIEL

Where am I?

MAN

Uh...Earth?

CASTIEL

No. How far am I from Lebanon, Kansas?

MAN

Uh... Th-three hours, maybe. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Who – What are you, man?

[CASTIEL WALKS TOWARDS THE MAN AND TOUCHES HIM ON THE FOREHEAD. THE MAN DROPS TO THE GROUND. CASTIEL LEAVES HIM THERE AS HE DRIVES OFF IN THE TRUCK]

***I spy a Season 11 random parallel

And Cas says, “Earth -

***Also, I often wonder if in his mind’s inner GPS, Cas bases distances on how far he is from Dean.

In the meantime, Bad Things Are Happening to Sam.

***Toni Bevell, don’t join the British Men of Letters you’re so sexy hahah

Other than noting that this is yet another too oft- repeated Sam, the Victim, Always Gets Tortured scenario, I see no point in recapping these parts.

I will just continue to post Toni Bevell hotness for these portions of the episode. Ok? Ok. You’re welcome.

BACK TO THE BUNKER:

I already posted this sweet baby reunion in my final Season 11 analysis/recap, but lets see it again at another angle and from Mary’s perspective CAUSE CLEARLY she has...*thoughts*

Poor Cas had no idea he was about to MEET THE PARENT

It melts my little heart that Dean uses Cas’s full name to introduce him to people. Especially members of his family who are trying to kill him.

Anyway, then we get a much longed for gem of typical Cas deadpan:

(*I still miss Casifer a little bit though*)

And then we have

A MOMENT OF CONNECTION!

At the SDCC panel, Misha specifically noted that both Mary and Cas are outsiders, so this tracks.

They head to the garage:

[Exhaling sharply, Mary walks towards Baby. She runs her hand lightly over the car.]

MARY This was John's car. Oh, she's still beautiful.

DEAN Hell, yeah, she is.

MARY Hi, sweetheart. Remember me?

[MARY LEANS DOWN AND LOOKS INTO THE CAR SMILING. SHE STARTS LOOKING AT THE FRONT SEAT BUT HER EYES AND HER THOUGHTS LINGER ON THE BACK SEAT. DEAN LEANS DOWN LOOKING AT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH PRIDE. DEAN LOOKS AT HIS MOM AND REALIZES SHE’S HAVING VERY SPECIFIC MEMORIES OF TIME IN THE BACK SEAT. DEAN LOOKS AROUND THE CAR, AND LOOKS AT HIS MOM.]

***this is where you truly see that Sam Smith is a genius because she took those directions and put them all into THIS:

And then THIS:

DEAN

Oh…

[MARY LOOKS UP AT DEAN. DEAN REALIZES HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED IN THAT CAR, STANDS UP QUICKLY AND LOOKS OVER THE CAR. DEAN SWALLOWS HARD, AND GLANCES AT CASTIEL WHO GIVES HIM A QUIZZICAL LOOK.]

DEAN

We should go.

***At this time I would like to remind everyone that Cas is also generally in the back seat of this car.

MOVING ON

Meanwhile-

Back at the bunker, Cas is Continuing to Connect with his boyfriend’s mother:

[EXTERIOR DAY; INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS AND THE NOISE OF VIDEO GAMES ARE HEARD. THE CAMERA PANS TO MARY WHO’S WATCHING THE SCENE. CASTIEL IS PICKING UP COFFEE.]

CASTIEL

Thank you.

[CASTIEL TAKES THE COFFEE TO MARY AND SITS DOWN.]

CASTIEL

This must be difficult for you. I remember my first moments on Earth. It was jarring.

MARY

One word for it. I grew up with Hunters. I've heard of people coming back from the dead before. But to actually do it... after 30 years. A lot's changed.

[MARY LOOKS AROUND.]

MARY A lot.

Cas:

This is usually a look Reserved For Dean, so its interesting Cas is looking at Mary here [they also weirdly joked about Cas hitting on Mary at the SDCC panel and now I'm giggling because if Mary represents the soft part of Dean this all makes PERFECT SENSE).

BONUS

Actual footage of Sam in super hell

The Cas/Mary bonding worked BTW:

[INTERIOR: GREGORY IS SITTING IN FRONT OF HIS DESK WITH CASTIEL, DEAN, AND MARY STANDING BEFORE HIM.]

DEAN

So, you dug the bullet out of his leg, no questions asked?

GREGORY

She offered me 100 grand.

MARY

And you took it?

GREGORY

Student loans were a bitch, okay?

[ANGRILY CASTIEL STARTS TOWARDS GREGORY.]

DEAN

Cas! Cas! Cas! Don't hurt him. Not yet.

**Disclosure: I do not accept the “Cass” spelling and take creative license to change it in the script whenever it appears**

GREGORY

All right, look, she didn't give me her name. When we were done, the driver bailed, I got paid, and then some other chick shows up, and they all drive away.

MARY

And that's everything you know?

GREGORY

(insincerely) Yeah. Totally.

****Um, Mom that’s my boyfriend you don’t order him around like tha-

Oh, well, ok then.

***This is important, because Cas doesn’t obey anyone (other than Dean) blindly ever since he invented free will and all that. Hence Dean’s surprised/impressed look to Mary above.

Meanwhile:

I recall that I spent most of my first watch of Season 12 gushing over Toni Bevell, so I’m glad to know this won’t be changing. You’ve been warned.

Next up, Sam is again sex tortured, Cas is a Helpful Boyfriend, and for some reason, Rick Springfield.

#spn #spn meta #spn analysis #spn recaps #season 12x01 #season 12 #supernatural #destiel #dean cas #spn fandom #toni bevell #sorry this is long af #but not really sorry bc its mainly due to the additional pics of Toni bevell #and you need her in your life #myspnmeta

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i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle · 3 years

Text

Chapter 5: Starlight’s Secret

A few hours after Twilight suddenly popped up through a portal in her wagon, Trixie has finally woken up again after having gone back to sleep. She yawns and stretches her hooves. Once she gets out she looks at the face of the pony that makes her the happiest… her own face in the mirror.

Trixie: Today, Trixie starts the preparations for a grand show in Saddle Arabia! But first, to fulfill a mission the Princess gave me in getting Starlight there.

Trixie grins at herself in the mirror

Trixie: Granted, Starlight has been a wonderful assistant in many of my shows. I probably would of smuggled her in, even if Twilight explicitly told me NOT to bring her. But as is, inviting Starlight is now Trixie’s good deed of the day!

Trixie steps out of her wagon and proceeds to head to the School of Friendship, where Starlight has recently been promoted to be the new Principal when the previous one got a promotion of their own in Twilight becoming the sole princess ruling in Canterlot. Trixie herself with a job at the school as the new counselor. She approaches the Principal’s desk.

Trixie: Hello Principal Glimmer, is it fine for Counselor Lulamoon to have a few words?

Starlight turns around her swivel chair and smiles

Starlight: Hey there Trixie, good to see you! Though I don’t know why you’re being so formal. We’re currently on break between school years, I’m just here because I still have some paperwork to fulfill before the next school year starts.

Trixie: Maybe Trixie just wanted to start getting used to saying Principal Glimmer and Counselor Lulamoon for when it is time.

Starlight: Haha, I guess it does give you a sort of professional title to boast. Though please focus on using your job on helping out students and not flaunting the fact that you were hired to counsel students. Helping students shouldn’t be something you brag about doing. You just do it, you’ll get the praise you want when the students say you helped them. I may be your friend, but I’ll still be your boss. I will not hesitate to fire you, if I feel like you’re using your title over the concerns of the students

Trixie: Ok, ok, ok. I’m sorry, guess I was just a little excited that we’re going to be working together. Though speaking of together, I actually got something to invite you to. And believe it or not, Twilight herself told me to go invite you after inviting me herself!

Starlight: Huh, Twilight visited to invite you somewhere?

Trixie: She did, yes!

Starlight: Well, I guess you two have actually been friends longer then you’ve been friends with me.

Trixie: Just want to say that despite having been friends with Twilight for longer, you’re still my BEST friend. *winks*

Starlight: Aw, thank you Trixie. But anyway, what did Twilight invite you to and in turn, what are you inviting me to?

Trixie: Saddle Arabia is apparently having a Royal Ball in the palace. There’s also a wedding between 2 of Twilight’s friends that live there, though it’s your choice if you want to attend both. I don’t know if I’ll be at the wedding, but Twilight invited me to the Royal Ball both as a guest and an entertainer. I’ll be on stage, and of course I’d like to have you as my assistant for another show.

Starlight: Sure thing, Trixie. It’s good that we may finally get to see Saddle Arabia after we failed a little while ago.

Suddenly, a door knock is heard outside the office door.

Starlight: Trixie, could you go see who’s here?

Trixie: Sure!

Trixie opens up the door, and it’s Sunburst. Another friend of Starlight who will be in the staff as the Vice Principal.

Sunburst: Hi Trixie! Hi Starlight! Are you two already discussing the next school year?

Starlight: Maybe a little tiny bit, but Trixie actually had something else in mind that we’re talking about a little more.

Sunburst: What’s that?

Starlight: Twilight and her friends are going to Saddle Arabia for a Royal Ball and a wedding. Trixie was invited to go from her, and she’ll be among the entertainers to go on stage. She was also tasked by Twilight to invite me.

Trixie: Oh yeah, Twilight also mentioned you Sunburst so if you want to come too, we can make sure you’re invited as well.

Sunburst: Sure, why not?

Suddenly a portal appears in the room of the office

Starlight: What the?!

Twilight: Hi there, Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst!

Trixie: Twilight?! What are you popping in for, if you were going to talk to Starlight. Why did you even task me to go invite her?!

Twilight: I… didn’t pop in for that, but at least I know you went and did it. In fact, I tried seeing you in your wagon first in case you were still there, but you were gone, so I guessed that you went to the school to do what I told you. Thank you for that. Buuuut I just realized I forgot to give you something before I closed the portal into your wagon. Your own pack of portal gum for you and Starlight to use in case you have others outside Ponyville you want to invite. Me and my friends are gathering friends and family from all over the world. I need to give you the chance to do the same if you have any in mind.

Twilight tosses a pack of gum that lands on Starlight’s desk.

Starlight: Thanks Twilight, I guess. See you at the ball, then?

Twilight: Yup! Have a good day!

Twilight waves goodbye, and closes the portal

Trixie: Well, I guess this time we won’t have to worry about the long travel like we went on last time.

Starlight: Yeah, true. That was such a horrid trip, we didn’t even get to Saddle Arabia. So it’ll be great to have a shortcut to anywhere in the world. Though now the question is, who should we invite? I was going to say maybe Maud first, but I have a feeling Pinkie Pie’s likely already got her covered.

Trixie: I might go get my Mother in Canterlot

Starlight: Oh, I don’t think I’ve ever met your Mother. What’s her name?

Trixie: Dandy Lion, and she is somepony I love very much.

Starlight: I suppose while you’re mentioning a parent, what about your father?

Trixie just gives an annoyed expression

Trixie: No comment…

Starlight: Oh… sounds like you don’t want to talk about him… though I sympathize sometimes given what my own father is like… You’ve just never ever brought up your parents before, so you never really told us how you feel about them

Trixie: I’ll just say my past in Canterlot was… complicated.

Starlight: You’re not the only one with a complicated past, Trixie. Trust me

Starlight looks to the side solemnly

Sunburst: I suppose we have our own parents we can invite, my mother is obsessed with plans. But I wouldn’t mind letting her have some fun in a vacation. Maybe she’d loosen up a bit from her plan-oriented lifestyle.

Starlight: Ugh… going to see my father is like going face-to-face with one of the sources of my complicated past I just mentioned… But I guess I can.

Sunburst: Do you perhaps want to talk about said complicated past?

Starlight: Not really at the moment, but perhaps I should sometime... But I guess for now, we three should get going to invite the parents we can or at least willing to reach. Here’s your own piece Trixie, so you can go see your Mom. And this one is for me and Sunburst to go to Sire’s Hollow.

Trixie: Thank you, Starlight! I’m gonna go see my Mom right now, I’ll come back here after I’ve invited and finished talking to her.

Starlight: Alright Trixie, seeya in a moment.

Trixie blows her portal gum bubble and heads off to see her Mother. Meanwhile Starlight takes a deep breath.

Starlight: So back to Sire’s Hollow, huh?

Sunburst: At least for only a few minutes. We don’t have a a whole friendship quest to figure out this time around. We only have to say “Hey Mom, or in your case Dad. We’re going to Saddle Arabia soon, would you like to join us when we do?”. And then regardless whether they say yes or no, say we can’t stay for too much longer, and if they ask why, just bring up our school jobs.

Starlight: I guess you have a point there, Perhaps it won’t be too bad.

Starlight proceeds to blow her bubble and the portal that pops from it, is a view of Sire’s Hollow the town where many awkward memories for both Starlight and Sunburst persist. Starlight closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and enters the portal.

((Story continues after the break))

Upon entering Sunburst can already see his mother is out and about keeping an eye on any progress of the town being made. Sunburst sighs.

Sunburst: I might as well talk to her to get it over with…

Sunburst walks closer and starts to call out to his mother.

Sunburst: Um, uh… Hi! Er, Mom?

Stellar Flare’s ears perk up, and she turns around with a wide-eyed, big grin hearing the voice of her son.

Stellar Flare: SUNBURST!

She trots up and hugs him tight.

Stellar Flare: How’s my little vice principal of the next year of the Friendship School doing?

Starlight: Wait, you already know that Sunburst was hired as Vice Principal?

Stellar Flare: Oh yes, and of course that means I also know about you, Principal Starlight! *winks*

Starlight: But how? We definitely haven’t been here since that happened.

Sunburst: I told her recently, I’ve actually started to respond to her letters more often. Maybe if she knew more recent news about me more often, maybe she’d at least think I wasn’t doing nothing… honestly maybe I should of at least told her last time that I helped with babysitting Cadence’s daughter in the Crystal Empire. She would of thought that I was doing an important job then.

Stellar Flare: You did mention that in one of your recent letters, yeah I probably would of been a little more satisfied knowing that before the previous visit. Though certainly having a role in the School of Friendship is a much bigger deal, you’ll be shaping the future of the next few generations of not just Equestria but some students from outside of the country as well, non-ponies included! I just want to say I’m proud of you, Sunburst. This is all I wanted for you, a solid future for yourself!

Sunburst: Heh heh, thank you Mom. Though perhaps you should be thanking Starlight, she was the one who was promoted from counselor and then hired me on as Vice Principal.

Stellar Flare: I guess that’s fair too. *She turns toward Starlight* Thank you Starlight, for being such a dear friend and selecting my son as your Vice Principal!

Starlight: You’re welcome, I guess?

Sunburst: By the way, Mom. Looks like you’re overseeing something getting built. How did you get Firelight to sign up on it, weren’t you two still at odds about construction?

Stellar Flare: Well, we still fought over things a little bit after you left last time. But some time ago, we finally reached a bit of a compromise. Remember when I said I wouldn’t let Firelight turn this town into a museum?

Sunburst: Yes?

Stellar Flare: Well, I thought of something. If I let Firelight have a museum in the town, then I can have something I want, once that’s done! What’s being built is a Sire’s Hollow museum!

Starlight: I guess that would be one way to satisfy my Father.

Stellar Flare: We together will make a museum that both respects the history of our little town while the building itself will have plenty quirks about other thriving cities! It’ll have something for the both of us, and after that I’ll get to have one thing I want. Though I haven’t even decided yet, do I want a casino? A sports arena? Perhaps, a hotel? Oh, just thinking about the possibilities has me filled with excitement! *She has both hooves on her cheeks with star-filled eyes*

Sunburst: Well either way, it sounds very nice. Glad you two came to a good deal that benefits both of you.

Starlight: Ahem, Sunburst... I think we may have gotten a little sidetracked of what we came here to do

Sunburst: Oh shoot, yeah. Blame my Mom’s way of carrying a conversation. Um, Mom we actually came here to invite you to something.

Stellar Flare: Wait, are you actually saying you… hehe…

Sunburst: No…

Stellar Flare: Came here…

Sunburst: No no no no no no, please don’t say it….

Stellar Flare: WITH. A. PLAN?!

Sunburst: ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sunburst yells in mental agony as her mother implies he’s becoming like her. Starlight giggling a little bit. Stellar Flare looking at Sunburst with a smug grin.

Stellar Flare: Hehehehe, sorry I just had to. But where and what did you PLAN *winks* to invite me to?

Sunburst: Ugghhh, well Mom. There will be a royal ball in Saddle Arabia, Princess Twilight and her friends will also likely bringing many of their family and friends from across the world. That included us, and she gave us free reign to invite whoever we wanted to bring as well. We thought it’d be a good gesture to bring you and Starlight’s father along to it.

Stellar Flare: Sounds like fun! I’d love to be there, consider it my plan to be there.

Sunburst: Alright, we’ve got my Mom invited. Now I suppose it’s your dad’s turn.

Starlight: *sigh* Yeah… Stellar, have you seen my father?

Stellar Flare: I believe he’s currently in your old home, Starlight.

Starlight: Well then, I’m gonna head in and get this over wi-

Stellar Flare: Though there is one thing I admit is odd, he has not come out at all today. Like I know he’s still alive at the very least, I heard him mixing up his coffee in the morning. But he hasn’t come out all day. Which is weird because I would of thought he’d enjoy watching his museum’s construction being underway.

Starlight gives a somewhat concerned look to both Sunburst and her mom.

Starlight: Well I’ll go in alone and see what’s up, you’re right that it doesn’t sound like him to stay in the house like that…

Starlight walks on over to the house that she grew up on, she knocks. But even after a few minutes, there’s no answer. Now Starlight got really concerned, Sunburst’s mom said she thinks he’s not dead based on hearing the sounds of coffee being mixed, but who knew if that coffee had like poison or something else happened since then. Starlight barge opens the door and yells out.

Starlight: Dad? Are you feeling alright?

After quieting herself, she hears the faint sound of… a stallion crying. Her father’s alive which was a relief, but sounds like he’s really upset about something. Starlight goes in the direction in which he can hear the sobbing and eventually finds her father just sitting up on the side of his bed. Tears streaming down his face.

Starlight: Dad?

Firelight is surprised by the sudden appearance of his daughter, he was still in the house and didn’t hear any part of their conversation with Sunburst’s mother, so he didn’t know Starlight was in town.

Firelight: Starlight?! I didn’t even know you were here, um… nice to see you… dear…

Starlight: Now I know something really is wrong, you didn’t begin with calling me “pumpky-wumpkin” or “sugarplum”.

Firelight: *sigh* Am I that predictable?

Starlight: Come on, Dad. Fess up, what’s on your mind that’s got you in such an emotional mess?

Firelight just closes his eyes and turns away from his daughter.

Firelight: If you must know… today happens to be the date of when… she… left…

Starlight: She…?

Starlight ponders for a moment, but suddenly realizes what he meant

Starlight: You mean… my mother!…

Firelight just nods

Starlight suddenly gets a determined look on her face.

Starlight: Perhaps it’s time then you finally tell me who she was, you still haven’t told me at any point my entire life. I asked you so many times when I was a filly, you just kept either dodging the question or said you’d tell me later. I think we’re well past later at this point, will you finally at least tell me her name?

Her father just stays silent, Starlight gives him a few minutes to say something. But still nothing. Starlight’s anger starts rising.

Starlight: Father! Please! Tell me something for Equestria’s sake! Maybe you don’t even have to tell me her name! At least tell me if you know what happened to her after she left, maybe?!

Another minute of silence passes before Firelight speaks at least a little.

Firelight: That last question, I still don’t know for sure yet myself… but… I still don’t think it’s time yet to share who she was…

Starlight now fully in a rage, perhaps the most anger she’s felt since prior to her being reformed by Twilight.

Starlight: FINE! JUST STAY AND MOPE THERE WHILE LEAVING YOUR ONLY DAUGHTER IN THE COLD ABOUT THE VERY THING YOU’RE MOPING ABOUT, YOU APPARENTLY DON’T HAVE A BUCKING CLUE HOW MUCH KNOWING WHO MY MOTHER WAS MIGHT HAVE HELPED ME YEARS AGO! I SHOULD TEACH YOU A BUCKING LESSON BY BURNING DOWN YOUR BUCKING PRECIOUS MUSEUM BEING BUILT RIGHT NOW!

Getting such a tongue lashing from his daughter, all he can do is simply just hunker down further and remain silent. Tears streaming down his cheek again.

After a few heavy breaths after her angry rant. She takes one, large deep breath. And says a more calmer but not any less stern talking to her father.

Starlight: You’re lucky vengeance isn’t my style anymore, I won’t really destroy it. But what good is holding on to the past of the town if there’s something about the past you won’t even tell your own daughter? Just what is it that makes it so important for me to not know? Do you plan on keeping up this secret even past the day you’re buried six feet deep?

Firelight: Of course not…

Starlight: Then why not just tell me now? Please don’t tell me you intend to make me wait until you’re super old and/or on your deathbed to tell me…

Firelight: If it’s any comfort, I don’t plan to tell you on my deathbed. But… I’m still not ready to quite say it yet, Starlight. I’m sorry.

Starlight huffs in her failure to get anything out of her stubborn father. She finally gives up, and turns her back on her father.

Starlight: Well… before I go… I just want to tell you that me and Sunburst are going to a Royal Ball in Saddle Arabia where Twilight and her many friends and family will also be attending. We came here to invite you and Sunburst’s mom. I won’t rescind your invitation just because of our conversation, you can still go and Sunburst can come pick you and his mom up when it’s time. But... you’re not exactly doing yourself any favors in the near future to convince your little “pumpky-wumpkins” to even bother make another visit to this forsaken town.

Firelight is silent for a little bit before finally saying

Firelight: Yeah… I’ll go…

Starlight: Then my business is done here, goodbye father.

Starlight finally leaves the room, Firelight just sulking and now probably his tears aren’t going to be just about what the date was, but also the problems between him and his only daughter.

Starlight walks out of the room but with a very noticeable angry expression. Sunburst looks very concerned for her.

Sunburst: What happened in there Starlight? I couldn’t hear exactly what you were saying, but I’m pretty sure I could feel the familiar vibes of your voice whenever you were SUPER angry.

Starlight: We’re getting out of here Sunburst, our parents were invited. We got what we came here for...

Sunburst: Starligh-

She gives Sunburst such a mean stare that if looks could kill, would probably drop him dead instantly.

Starlight: Sunburst… Lets. Get Back. To. The. Bucking. Office.

Sunburst just remains silent, and follows Starlight back into the Principal’s office of the School of Friendship. Once they’re back in the office, Starlight slumps back into her desk chair still with that angry expression that she left her house in. Sunburst seats himself a distance from Starlight and stays silent. And for a little while, it stays that way. It was perhaps a good 15-20 minutes before something broke the silence. A portal re-opening back from Canterlot, Trixie was back. And she was overjoyed in happiness in huge contrast with a silent room of anger and awkwardness.

Trixie: Oh my Celestia, my mom is so amazing! She accepted my invitation, and also gave me humongous congratulations on getting the school counselor job. Then we had a mother-daughter snuggle hug, she gave me cookies, and even perhaps gave me the greatest idea for the finale of my act in Saddle Arabia! Oh, I love my mom so much!

Starlight utters a big strong growl at Trixie. Sunburst looking at Trixie, just moving his head to side-to-side to signal that Starlight’s really not in a good mood at the moment. Trixie never really knows what to say when Starlight gets this angry, so she just sits a distance away from Starlight along with Sunburst.

Trixie leans over to Sunburst’s side to whisper

Trixie: Sunburst, what in Equestria happened in Sire’s Hollow for Starlight to be this angry?! I swear this is scarier then when she was bottling up her feelings, when she was angry at me!

Sunburst: I’m not exactly sure either, Trixie. She just stormed out of her father’s home like this, obviously they had a tense moment.

The room is silent once again for another few minutes with Starlight still not changing her expression as Trixie and Sunburst just awkwardly sit there, occasionally side-eyeing each other waiting for an unclear sign of when to approach or say something that could help calm down Starlight.

But a few minutes later, Starlight’s expression finally changes. She goes from unrelenting anger… to absolutely overflowing sadness. Sobbing, her face on her desk with her hooves on top of her head from what seems like utter despair to Trixie and Sunburst. Starlight’s tears even make a puddle on the desk that makes all the paper on the desk soaked.and even drags pencils off the edges of the desk from the sheer flow. That’s when Trixie and Sunburst finally approach to try to comfort their upset friend. Sunburst and Trixie both each with a hoof on Starlight’s shoulders.

Sunburst: Starlight, we don’t know what you talked about with your father. But obviously something was very distressing about it to you, you don’t have to tell us what exactly is wrong. But let us at least try to perhaps help you calm down, in any way we can.

Starlight still has tears streaming down her eyes. She raises her head off the desk and looks side to side to both her friends. And then finally speaks again.

Starlight: Actually, I probably should tell both of you what it was. So at the very least, I can be better then my bucking useless father in terms of telling important secrets that probably would be beneficial for friends to know now...

Trixie: You have some kind of secret that you’ve never told anypony else?

Sunburst: Yes, tell us Starlight. You’ll get things off your chest much easier if you just trust us to understand what’s upsetting you.

Starlight sits up a little more strongly, and takes a deep breath.

Starlight: Alright, Sunburst… Trixie… I’ll tell you now, I’ve held this up from almost every pony I’ve come to know for years. I probably haven’t even mentioned it to anypony other then my father since before I started that “Our Town” cult.

Sunburst and Trixie are metaphorically and almost literally on the edge of their seats. Whatever it is that Starlight has to tell them, must be huge.

Starlight nervously looks side-to-side through the entire office, and looks at each of the concerned but eager friends to know what she’s trying to say… until finally she just snaps and blurts out…

Starlight slams her hooves on her desk, before going back into another tearful sob fit covering her eyes with her hooves, tears streaming down her forelimbs. Sunburst and Trixie both wide-eyed, and huge gasps coming from their mouths.

NEXT UP: Chapter 6: Starlight’s Cutie Mark

#Secrets Of The Dragon's Tear #Starlight Glimmer #Trixie #Trixie Lulamoon #The Great and Powerful Trixie #Sunburst #Twilight Sparkle #Genie #Stellar Flare #Firelight #Dandy Lion

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unknowncountrygirl · 4 years

Text

Start of Something New

Murphy McNully x MC (My MC is Iris Rosewood)

Please enjoy my first leap into the fanfiction world. I took the actual dialogue and added my own takes between the lines.

Murphy McNully arranged his wizard chess set on the Gryffindor table, waiting for Iris to join him. He had invited her to chat before her first match against Hufflepuff with the intent to sell her on using the Thimblerig Shuffle. He hoped she would see reason with using strategy rather then brute force or taking a more lackadaisical approach.

He was so focused on arranging his chess pieces that he failed to see Iris approach and take a seat across from him at the table.

“You know,” she said sitting down across from him. “I don't know if I can keep my mind of wizard chess with the first Quidditch match today.” She had her long silvery blonde waves already twisted back into a french braid, and was bobbing her knee nervously.

“That's exactly why I invited you to play! So I can crush you at chess while your mind is elsewhere.”

“Murphy!” She said in a shocked tone, but smiled nonetheless.

“Nothing like a game of wits to remind you of the importance of strategy.” Welp, he had just blurted that out that quickly. He smacked himself mentally. “It's what sets apart the winners from the losers, the champs from the chumps, the high fliers from the low-”

“Is this invitation to play chess or just a ploy to get me to use the Thimblerig Shuffle?” She inquired with one of her eyebrows quirked in his direction. Though he didn't show it, he shifted under her scrutinizing gaze.

“Do you think my inviting you here is all a ploy?” He asked, almost fearing her answer.

“Absolutely I do.” Iris stated quickly. He had to admit, the fact that she felt he was only using her rather hurt.

“Well I can be your friend and still be actively strategizing at the same time.” He stated back, hoping she would understand that he was truly her friend and not just manipulating her.

“So you are?” She said with an air of mild intrigue.

“Only because I think it will set you up to score.” He adjusted one of the pieces in front of him, “Besides I happen to know that Orion chose Gryffindor's newest Chaser to lead our house to victory today.”

“You know!” Her elbows made a thumping noise as she plopped them on the table and rested her head in her hands, “it's suppose to be unexpected that I'm calling the shots. That's Orion's whole plan.”

“Orion never has a 'whole plan' He goes with whatever strikes him in the moment. Sometimes it's a stray bludger.”

“You're not helping.” Her voice was low as she rubbed her forehead.

“Don't fret. There's less than 1.3% chance that Hufflepuff will know what role you'll be playing.” He added quickly.

“Yeah, but, there's still a lot of pressure on me, considering this is my first match.”

“Here,” he moved one of the pawns on the chess board, “lets chat while I beat you at a game of chess.” He offered. Her big blue eyes looked up to him and he could see the trepidation and skepticism there as she rolled her eyes and reached out for a piece. “All eyes will be on you, Iris, but that's not a bad thing, people love a good underdog story.” He threw her a wink and she just grinned a shook her head.

----------------------------

“Checkmate.” Murphy said as he placed the piece down.

“Again?” Iris exclaimed, looking down at the board. “You're impossible to beat!”

“Not true, but making you think so is part of my strategy.” He told her. Iris was silent a minute, and he could tell she was formulating something in that brain of hers, but when she spoke, it was his turn to be shocked by her question.

“What you were saying, about the pressure, all eyes on you, underdogs and such...” She trailed off, picking up the white King that had just knocked over her black King. “You were talking about you, weren't you?”

“Of course! You know how much I like talking about me.” He covered up his more vulnerable side with jokes and hoped Iris wouldn't see through him. So far, for his sixteen years of life, it had worked. “Besides, it's my first house match too. Being a commentator, I mean.”

“Well, it's easier for you to handle, you never seem nervous.” Iris admitted, reaching over to grab a glass of water and sipped it.

“Really?” He smiled ruefully and shook his head, “well, that's impressive, given I'm nervous about 43.4% of the time.” He opened himself up to her, and it was the first time he had really spoken about his insecurities to anyone, but he was going to continue. Iris, from all their interactions, gave him the impression that she was someone he could trust and someone that he could rely on.

“43.4%? Really?” Iris's eyes widened at this knew knowledge.

“Listen, Iris,” he rolled his shoulders, “I talk a good game, I talk a brilliant game... But when I come into a new spot, I know what I'm up against, how I'll be remembered when I leave. Not as 'that wizard with the dashing haircut' or 'that wizard with the stellar commentary skills', or in your case, 'that wizard who's a Quidditch genius and will kick your bum at chess.” She smiled and let out a soft hum at that. “I'll always be 'that wizard in the wheelchair'.” The look on Iris's face was the kind he had seen most of his life and he didn't want any pity, especially not from her. Iris had been one of the few people that came into his life and didn't seem to see his wheelchair first, she had never even brought it up. “Which I am of course, But I'm all those other things too. So because of that, I'm always trying to show everyone all that I am, all at once, and all the time.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, feeling rather exposed at putting it all out there all at once to her. “Perhaps it's why I'm so quick to push my words and ideas onto the Quidditch world.”

“Idea's like the Thimblerig Shuffle.” Iris nodded, her voice low and even.

“Sincerely, it's up to you. I'm done selling you on it. Just do me one favor,” he asked her, and she met his eyes. “Go out on that pitch and show everyone who you want them to remember, and waste no time.”

Iris smiled at him and nodded.

“You've given me a lot to think about Murphy.”

“When will you realize I'm your best mate and you should just start calling me McNully.”

“Maybe when you realize that's the reason I call you Murphy instead,” she winked at him and smiled brightly before standing up. “Or perhaps when I finally beat you at chess.” She added, placing her hands on her hips.

“So, never then?”

“Haha.” She grabbed a sandwich from a close by platter, “thank you, for your advice, Murphy. I really appreciate it, but I have to go down and get ready.”

“I need to prep too. I'll see you in the sky, Iris.”

Hagrid made his way up next to where Iris had stood up. Murphy was aware that Iris was on the shorter side, she wasn't much taller then he was when he was sitting in his chair, but next to Hagrid she looked dwarfed and he snickered.

“Big day fer the both o' yeh, first house match of the year, Sorry the interrup' yer game o' chess.”

“Oh don't worry Hagrid, we were finished.” Iris assured him.

“I've finished winning, is what Iris meant to say.” He and Iris exchanged glances and she just shook her head. “Have you come to wish us luck, Hagrid?”

“'Course. But I got a message for Iris, too. Professor McGonagall wants to see yeh'.”

“Oh. Is it something serious?”

“Yeh know how she is about Quidditch.”

“Ok, then I shouldn't keep her waiting.” Iris leaned over and squeezed Murphy's shoulder. “Next time I see you lets hope it's because we won.” He reached up and patted her hand on his shoulder.

“I have faith in you.”

“Really? Not going to rattle off a percentage?”

“Well I don't believe in absolutes, but it's close to 100.”

She smiled and pulled her hand off his shoulder before heading to the grand doors that lead out of the dining hall.

Murphy watched her retreating figure until she was out of sight. He had seen her mainly in her Quidditch uniforms and in her school robes, but he hadn't seen her in her casual wear. She was short, but Iris had a nice figure, and her bum was exceptionally nice to watch as she walked.

“You've been spending a lot of time wit Iris.” A boy a little further down the table spoke to him.

“Yeah, been trying to give her some strategies for Quidditch, she's got a ton of natural talent and I'd like to see her apply herself.” Murphy admitted as he started packing up his chess set.

“Well consider yourself lucky, she's normally to busy with the Weasley's, Lee and Copper. There's a bunch of us that would like some one on one time with her.”

“Yeah, well,” he replied. “The one on one time you're referring to is not something she would be interested in.” He knew that the other student was referring to a more romantic sort of one on one time. Iris was lovely, no one could deny that, even if they thought she was mad for looking for the cursed vaults. She had beautiful silvery, white, blonde hair that hung in loose waves that only made her round, icy blue eyes pop even more, with eyelashes that whisped almost to her eyebrows. Her skin was smooth and blemish free with a little round nose that fit her round face perfectly. And then her lips- Murphy shook his head, he had lost himself a few times, rattled on about many things because he was starring at her plump pink lips. He knew she wore a cherry flavored lip something because he had smelt it before when they were talking. She would occasionally pull it out and apply it and the sweet smell would flood his senses and he would wonder what the percentage would be if he tried to kiss her, if she would reciprocate or reject him.

He would bet the higher percentage on rejection.

“Oh come on, you are spending more time with her then most people these days, you can't tell me there's not something going on.” The other Gryffindor replied.

“There's not.” Murphy slammed his chess set case closed harder then he intended and it seemed to startle the other into silence. It's a painful thought, and as he gets ready to go he dodges as many feet as he can.

He had learned to expect peoples judgement before they had even spotted him rolling around at crotch level. Humanity's prejudice has induced his own prejudice against them. It's a sick kind of poetic justice, but not the deep, introspective kind. It's more like annoying slam poetry in Murphy's brain.

----------------------------

Shortly before the match was set to start, Murphy was in the Quidditch tent listening to Orion give his pre game speech. Iris sat on the end of the bench, and was leaning over slightly, her elbow resting on the arm of his chair, looking rather bored and glassy eyed.

“I thought I was a talker.” Murphy whispered to Iris.

“I've never heard him talk in non riddles before, it's kind of refreshing.” She whispered back. Her hand was curled into a loose fist, and Murphy calculated that he had a 45.6% chance that if he just lifted his own hands off his lap, and let his fingers-

“The time has come, my teammates!” Orion bellowed. “Remember, for this match, we will take our cues from Iris, once we are in the air.” Murphy looked up at Iris and she had a neutral face, if she had any left over anxiety about the game, she wasn't showing it now. “Let us go to the Quidditch Pitch and make Gryffindor proud!”

----------------------------

Murphy watched awestruck as Iris owned the pitch. She was practically unstoppable, from stealing quaffles to scoring on a keeper. Regardless, the game was exceptionally close.

“This first house match could all come down to this next move!” He exclaimed as he saw Skye, Amari, and Iris lining up. Iris was leading them, and his heart sped up as he recognized what it was she was setting up for. “Looks like Rosewood is setting up for... Something never seen in a house match! Lets call it a Thimblerig shuffle!” He actually had a difficult time articulating the words, he was so ecstatic. “The Gryffindor chasers have moved into formation! They've got the Quaffle, and great odds of keeping it!”

Iris executed his play perfectly, and it looked better then he could have hoped for. He could hear the crowd outside already shouting and talking about it. He could hardly wait for the game to be over and find Iris.

----------------------------

His chair was rolling as fast as he could get it. He was almost to the tent when he heard Iris's voice.

“Yes, but it wasn't my idea that I would be doing the deciding.” She stated. He was not going to let her simply sweep this victory under the rug. Iris was someone who seemed to constantly be in the spotlight, but she was always trying to get out of it, this time she was in the spotlight and he was going to make sure she shined. He rolled into the tent and shouted,

“240 points to 110! Gryffindor comes through with a big win!”

“Welcome, McNully. We were just in the middle of something-” Orion began but was quickly cut off by Skye.

“Right, we were just in the middle of wrapping up.” Her tone left no room for anything else. “About time, too, because Iris and I need to have a little post match chat.” Iris's eyes nearly doubled in size and Murphy felt his fist clench.

“It shall have to wait because I, too, need to speak with Iris.” Orion stated.

“Get in the queue! Needing a chat with Iris is why I'm here.” Murphy interjected quickly. He had to talk to Iris, for many reasons, Orion and Skye would have to wait.

“So... Each of you need to talk to me?” Right now?” Iris questioned, looking like a deer in the headlights. If he could get them all to talk to Iris, about the game, then he could possibly get to chat with her alone about perhaps the meaning behind why she chose the Thimblerig Shuffle. There was a flicker of hope in his chest that perhaps, yes it was the best option, that she chose it because she had a sweet spot for him, a sweet spot that could be romantic.

“Suppose we chat all together then? Let's head to the pitch!” The sooner the better.

“Fine, but I need to change first.” Iris stated, grabbed her bag and exited the tent. She seemed a bit put off, and he hoped that he hadn't angered her. He quickly left with Orion and Skye to wait for Iris on the pitch.

----------------------------

Iris was barely on the pitch before Murphy blurted out,

“I'll say my piece first.”

“Should not the Captain lead this chat?” Orion questioned.

“Rubbish! I said I wanted to talk to Iris before either of you did.” Skye stated in her typical confident outspoken voice. Doubt it, Murphy thought, and actually about stated.

“Actually I'll speak first.” Iris asserted herself.

“Oh.” Skye seemed genuinely surprised. “All right then, lets hear it.”

“A twist. 99.7% unexpected.”

“Carry on Iris, we're listening.” Orion told her.

“I have a feeling you all want to talk to me about my decisions in the match. You should know that I went with my heart when I decided which move I'd call when it mattered the most.” Iris spoke and her words made Murphy soar. “It was a personal choice to go with who made me most believe in their point of view, and that was Murphy.” She looked to him and he saw a faint smile on her face, but it was gone in an instant as she continued. “And we won! So it all worked out for the best!”

“So you're saying each of us, knowing you'd be making the moves, tried to influence you before the match?” Skye questioned.

“Whether you tried to influence me, only each of you know for sure.” Iris counterpointed. “But you each asked to see me, shared a bit of something personal and the move you favored did come up.”

“McNully! Orion! Shame on you!” Skye scolded loudly.

“On us!” Murphy questioned as loudly.

“I do not believe in shame.” Orion stated serenely.

“Well meaning or not, it sounds like we all did the same thing, Skye!” Murphy argued.

“Listen,” Iris quickly interjected holding her arms up like she was trying to calm down wild animals. “I learned something new in talking with each of you, so it wasn't a bad thing!”

“Everyone learns something new after talking with me! I'm full of valuable knowledge.” Murphy tried to lighten the mood but the look Iris gave him clearly stated not now. “That's why I'd wanted to chat, to say thanks for calling the Thimblerig shuffle.” No, he was going to continue because she needed to know how much this meant to him. “Whether you did it for me or not, getting to commentate on my own strategy in my first house match, realizing that all of Hogwarts will know the strategy by name, and know how brilliantly it works, it's got me... Speechless.”

“Well, I'm glad you approve of my decision and that I was actually able to pull it off.” Iris smiled. “I chose the Thimblerig Shuffle because I believe in you, Murphy, and I knew it would mean a lot to you.” There was a gentleness in her voice he wasn't sure he had heard before.

“I'd say the Thimblerig Shuffle had something to do with our house ultimately winning.” He turned towards Skye and Orion as if daring them to argue. But he should have known better, of course they would.

“I should like to think inspired broom surfing would have led to a far greater triumph.”

“Thimblerig shuffle, good luck trying to get that to catch on.” Skye rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Now Parkin's Pincer, that move is a classic!”

“Please don't fight!” Iris pleaded, “It was our first Quiddicth match! It wasn't my decision to make decisions.”

“So we're in agreement that Orion made this happen?” Skye snarked. Iris looked like she was about ready to blow a gasget.

“I don't think we're in agreement about anything.” Murphy stated.

“I am in agreement with myself and that is all that matters.” Orion announced and they almost all rolled their eyes.

“Agreement with yourself? What does that even MEAN?!” Skye shouted, and for a second Murphy thought she was going to strangle him.

“You know he's going to answer that question with a question, Skye.” Murphy huffed.

“Have you statistics to support that, McNully?” It was the first time Orion had ever seemed to give it back to them.

“You're all unbelievable! I should've known this would happen!” Iris finally shouted, grabbing her head and shook it.

“Stop!” Facepaint kid made all of them nearly jump out of their skin.

“Blimey where did you come from!”

“He's actually a very stealthy eavesdropper.” Iris leaned over and explained to Murphy.

“I can eavesdrop no longer! You have to hear me out!” He told them, “Iris was right, it doesn't matter how we won if we won! And you all did great together as a team and thats what matters! You're all heros to Gryffindor and we need heros!”

“Are commentators also heros?”

“Lets say that they are, McNully.” Orion smiled at him. He felt Iris place her hand on his shoulder,

“I say so too.” She smiled.

“See! You're getting along better already!” Facepaint kid smiled brightly.

“Thank you.” Iris told him.

“Well it had to be done! You're all missing quite a party!”

“So, shall we all go together then?” Orion asked.

“We shall, I suppose.” Skye agreed but they could all tell it was a bit bitter.

“I'm in.” Murphy agreed.

“Then lets go.” Iris lead the way.

----------------------------

At the celebration party, Murphy spotted Iris from across the room, chatting with Rowan by the fireplace. He supposed it was as good of a time as any to approach her and see if he could get her to himself for a bit.

“Iris, do you think we can get a moment to talk?” He blurted, “out in the courtyard perhaps?”

Rowan and Iris exchanged glances and Iris told her friend that she would see her later, and motioned for Murphy to lead her out of the hall.

He wheeled in front of her and he could feel eyes on him as he and Iris left the hall, she stepped up beside him and walked in pace with him.

“Something on your mind?” She asked before they were even to the courtyard.

“You surprised me today, and I have to say I was flattered. I knew the Thimblerig Shuffle would be the best, but to see it executed, and executed perfectly, was more then I could have asked.”

“Well, like I said, the Thimblerig Shuffle was the best option, besides,” she leaned over slightly and bumped his elbow, “you pulled on my heart strings and I followed my heart. While Skye and Orion's reasons were valid, they didn't speak to me here.” She patted her chest.

He felt pride well in his chest. Iris was a kind hearted girl, but had a fire in her that he admired more then most people he knew. She had his respect and his admiration, pair that with her Quidditch skills and her looks, she was the entire package, and he knew if he wasn't careful he would fall hard.

Truthfully, he was already falling hard.

But he was worried if anything did come about romantically, what others would say. He knew he could take it, he had dealt with it most of his life, but he wondered what hurtful words would be spoken to Iris. He wondered how she would handle them, if it would start to twist the way she saw him.

Would people see her as his carer? Or worse, would she see him as someone that needed cared for, like some sort of pet, not as a boyfriend to fall in love with and have a future with. Would people see a relationship when they saw them out and about, or would people think she was some paid nurse to wipe his bum and spoon feed him like he was some sort of vegetable. It's an idea so deeply burned into the brains of society that no one thinks twice about it before deciding that Murphy's capacity for a relationship extends no further than requiring someone to help him do normal-people stuff.

Or worse. Would people spread the rumors that Iris was some sort of sexual predator and Murphy was her dimwitted prey that was being taken advantage of.

“Murphy!” Iris's voice was loud and pulled him from his wondering thoughts as he looked up to her. Her eyebrows were knit together and she was looking at him in confusion. “Have you heard a word I said?” She asked, and he could tell she was a bit cross with him.

“I um... No, actually.” He admitted.

“I thought you wanted to come out here and chat, and instead you're ignoring me.” Iris pointed out, and Murphy noticed that they were in the moonlit courtyard, and they were the only ones there.

“Come on, let's go over to the fountain, yeah?” He pushed himself over to the fountain and she followed. He motioned for her to sit on the stone bench, and she followed him without a word, and crossed her legs, before leaning over on her knees.

“Murphy, we won the game, I used your strategy, and yet you are saying fewer words then I've ever known you to say. What's wrong?”

“What do you see when you look at me?”

“What?” Iris questioned, taken back by the question.

“What do you see?” He asked again, “just humor me, please.”

“Ok, well...” Iris squared her shoulders and met his eyes. “I see a wizard with a dashing haircut,” she smiled at him, using his own words. “I see one of the best commentators for Quidditch I've heard, someone who encourages me and sees my potential. Someone brilliant, and funny who makes me laugh. If you're talking about physically what I see, I see a handsome face, pretty eyes, and really nice broad shoulders.” She held out her hands as wide as he was, “what... What are getting at, Murphy?” Her hands folded over her closed knees and she waited patiently for him. He reached out and placed one of his hands over her smaller folded ones and took a deep breath. He had no idea what her reaction would be, and figured that he had less then a thirty percent chance.

“Do you-could you- see me romantically?”

Iris's eyes widened, and she blinked quickly a few times, and he felt her hands flinch under his own, but she didn't pull away.

“Are you asking me on a date?” She asked gently. He was about to answer her, but she cut him off, “because you should.” He had been looking at her hands, under his, but her words made him glance up to her. She was wearing a grin and had a twinkle in her eye he knew well.

“Iris, would you like to go on a date?” He asked.

“I would.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his cheek, while turning her hands over, intertwining her fingers with his.

#murphy mcnully #murphy mcnully x mc #murphy mcnully x jacob's sibling #murphy mcnully imagine #imagine hogwarts mystery #hogwarts mystery imagine #hogwarts mystery x reader #hogwarts mystery #hphm #hphm murphy #hphm Murphy Mcnully

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makeyourownmyth · 3 years

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best seen in 2020.

My usual caveats from previous years are still applicable here: I don’t watch most of the major nominations the years they come out, and I’m usually not much for theaters and/or current TV. However, due to the pandemic, we watched a loooooooot of content. Here’s just a list of movies that I watched or rewatched this year, that were neither terrible, nor great, but I want to make note of:

Toy Story 4, The Brothers Bloom, Happiest Season, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Moana, Mr. Right, Moulin Rouge, Ocean’s Eleven, Spring Breakers, X-Men: Dark Phoenix (this might have been the worst movie I watched this year?), Widows, Gattaca, Black Klansman, Primer, It 2, Shazam (this maybe should have gone on the Honorable Mentions - it was fun), Training Day, Parasite (OK, now I have to update my Honorable Mentions), The Green Book, Strange Days, Elf, Love & Basketball, Above the Rim, Coach Carter.

That being said, there was some bad stuff, and I try not to shit on any artist’s creations too much, because I know no one sets out to make something bad, but these didn’t work for me.

Anti

Uncut Gems - It’s not that it was BAD, it was just too stressful for me to enjoy.

Brick - It wasn’t even close to enjoyable on a rewatch that I encouraged my partner to take on for the first time. I felt bad.

Hereditary - Neither a scary movie, nor a good movie.

The Witch - Same, but maybe better made?

Under The Skin - Jesus, this was terrible. Maybe I’m not artsy enough to get it?

Now, however, let’s get to the good stuff.

Honorable Mention TV

Avatar - I can’t legitimately put it on the Best Of list, because I’m not done yet, but I’m on Book 3, after finally actually getting started. I think I tried to start this in 2016, and i know all my nerd friends have been yelling at me for a long time because I haven’t gotten to it yet, and as someone who’s almost done, I can say: they were right! It’s great.

Ozark - S1 was great. It fell off a fucking CLIFF after that. Ignore people who tell you that you HAVE to watch this. They’re wrong. It’s fine.

The Last Dance - I know the world is obsessed with Michael Jordan, and I’m glad it came out when it did, but really, all it did for me was confirm that he’s an asshole who was very fortunate to play when he did. And also that the Bulls were fucking phenomenal.

His Dark Materials - Neither as bad as some of my friends think, nor nearly as good as the books (obviously) but also not good enough that I’ve even started S2 yet, so....I guess it’s fine?

The Mandalorian S2 - I think they know what they’re doing, and it’s super enjoyable, and I loved the ending, but I’m also curious as to where they’re going now.

Fargo S3 - Given how good the rest of the series is (other than my distaste for S2, dealt with below, and out of step with pop culture) I thought this one was a misstep,

Orphan Black - I cannot believe how late I was to this, and how good it still was. It really fell apart toward the end, but the acting was incredible, and the fact that they got to tell the story they wanted to was amazing.

Best TV

7. All the Smoke with Kobe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3KIyEgCgc) - Maybe it was just his death, but it hits hard, and I miss him. Does this even count as TV?

6. Looking for Alaska - It felt like gratuitous masochism to watch this and enjoy it, being 20 years older than when I fell for it, and feeling ashamed of the young person I was, but even knowing what was coming, I was weeping when it happened. Even knowing that they were ultimately going on a fruitless search and yelling at the TV while the Colonel and Pudge were searching for “signs” and hating them for it, I remember feeling like everything HAD to happen for a reason when I was this young... So yeah. It’s pure nostalgia for me. I’d be super interesting in hearing how kids responded to it.

5. Locke and Key - I get that some people feel like they don’t need old shit in a new medium, but for me, I’m always up to try it out. If it’s fun, I’ll stick with it. And this is. It’s fun, it’s got some of the old shit, it’s got some new shit, and it’s a treat to see my favorite comic of the last decade in a new medium. Haters need a new bit.

Fargo s1 and s4 (I didn’t love S3) - I know that I’m in the minority here, but I think 1 and 4 are the best and 2 was good, and 3 was fine. I literally watched all of this show this year, though, so I didn’t have the same time to digest as others. But I think that’s a benefit in some regards?

4. Magicians s5 - One of the saddest conversations of the last year to two was when a nerd friend of mine said he didn’t like The Magicians because all of the characters were whiny and self-indulgent. For me, that was almost literally the point: they shoved Q into the corner and told the story of the others (at least one episode quite self-referentially so) and it was so much better for that. I wish it hadn’t ended, but I’m glad they left it where they did, because it was so good.

3. Devs esp. The beginning of e5 - Jesus. The show of the year? Except for the fact that Watchmen came out at the tail end of last year, and I didn’t have it on my 2019 list? I mean, honestly, is there a show more tailored to me? I’m not gonna get into any spoilers, but it’s a quick watch, and it’s fucking fantastic. Watch it, have your mind blown by the concept, especially in the beginning sequence of E5, and then stick around for the subpar ending where basically all of the threads are resolved in the least good way.

2. Watchmen - This deserves multiple re-watches and all the praise that people heaped upon it.

1. The Good Place - I know, objectively, that Watchmen was a better show than The Good Place. But this is my list, and I’ll be damned if anything overtakes my favorite sitcom (maybe of all time?) for best of the year. I know it barely just ended this year, and there’s plenty of acclaim to go around for this show, but honestly, every time I talk to anyone about it, it feels like they kind of laugh it off. This show is not only worth your time, but should almost be considered must-watch material. If more people watched this show, we wouldn’t need the insult “sophomoric” to describe people who’ve just had their minds blown by Philosophy 101, and we’d be better off as a species.

Honorable Mention Movies

In this order, and you can take the comedies and make them the only honorable mentions, if you’d like to make a nice, even top 10. (Until I saw Tenet the night before I posted this.( (And then I looked back at the playing cards that we use to randomly choose movies and I found that I needed to modify the Honorable Mentions and the Best Of lists.)

21 and 22 Jump Street - In general, I’m not a fan of comedies. So I’m happy I watched these, thanks to Nathan Zed, and they’re funny. Good work guys.

Palm Springs - Apparently there’s now backlash against Groundhog Day? I dunno, man, it was fun, and all the actors seemed like they were having a good time, and I was down for it.

Parasite - I can’t add anything to this that hasn’t already been shouted from the rooftops, so let me just briefly say that I thought it was great, but it didn’t quite make the list of best. The combo of genres was great, the cast was fantastic, but what I loved the most about it was how quiet it was.

Best Movies

10. Blinded by the Light - Way more resonant than I thought it’d be from the previews, and I already thought it was gonna be stellar. I didn’t take into account TIME along with place, and that made a hell of a difference for this movie.

9. Shoplifters - Yeesh. What a tough watch, but so good, and so necessary. For me, I think we watched it back to back to back with Parasite and I, Tonya, and this one just stood out so much more. The storyline was softer all the way through, but really had gravitas simultaneously.

8. Tenet - It was fucking fun! I don’t get the hate! I liked it, I’ll like it more next time I see it, and I wish I’d seen it on the big screen, but I’m super glad I could see it on my TV!

7. I, Tonya - Geez, what a powerhouse of acting. Not only did they get me to feel good about the villain of my childhood, they got me to feel good about Margot Robbie, who I’d only thought of as a hot lady before. Superb acting from everyone else, too, and what a great pick up to be like, yeah, this is the story we’re gonna tell.

6. I Am Not Your Negro - I avoided watching it for so long because I was already depressed this year, and I didn’t think I needed any more of that, but it turns out I did, and I always do, from Baldwin. He’s a master for a reason.

5. Hamilton - I know there was some backlash with the time difference, and I’m sure it was better to see it pre-2016 in the theater, where it’s meant to be seen, but I’m not a billionaire New Yorker, and I was plenty happy to see it when and where I could.

4. Won’t You Be My Neighbor - I mean...what do you think? It’s so much exactly what you’re thinking it is, but then it’s even better, because it’s the real deal, and he was so good, and it’s so pure. Watch it.

3. Her Smell - Elizabeth Moss has already gotten all the acclaim, but to play this different of a role, in a movie that felt as stressful as Uncut Gems, but pulled off an actual plot so much more successfully? I can’t believe this one didn’t get more pub, but then again, yes I can: it’s a movie about a girl band that rages against the machine, and she’s got severe issues. Small surprise that the people didn’t react well. Seek this one out!

2. Arrival - Yes, I am going to totally cheat and put a movie that’s appeared on my list (sooooo long ago) as the #2 entry this year. You know why? Cuz fuck 2020, and this is a great movie, and it’s the movie that made me feel second best this year. It’s incredible, and I know people appreciated it in its time, but I feel like they should appreciate it even more.

1. Moonlight - It’s not a shock, nor am I trying to appease anyone with anything. It’s just that I finally watched it, and it’s the best movie I saw this year. I don’t think I could possibly add anything to the authentic critics who have already heaped praise upon it, but I do have to say that it’s all due, and so much more. The acting obviously stands out, but the direction, from the color palettes, to the choice of when and where (and how) to break it up, are all masterful choices.

#moonlight #2020 #eoy #best of lists #movies and tv #arrival #her smell #the good place #watchmen #devs

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chouetteffraie · 4 years

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table for two (or three)

Atsushi and Kyouka are on a secret mission to uncover the sketchy back alley deals of the resturaunt owner. Dazais on the mission too, but he finds it more important to capture Atsushi's heart when he least suspects it.

ao3 link here!

“Ah- Don’t rub at your chin, Atsushi-kun, or you can say goodbye to that handsome 5 o’clock shadow of yours.”

“I’m sorry, I just have an itch- wait, handsome?!”

“We’re up next,” Kyouka added, the first thing she had said in a while due to Dazai and Atsushi’s back and forth. “Try not to blow our cover before we even get seated.”

Atsushi nodded and gulped, turning red at the thought of being caught while Dazai reached out and patted Kyouka’s hair. As soon as he removed his hand it all fell back into place, yet she reached up to make sure it was setted anyway.

“Of course, Kyouka-chan,” Dazai said as they took a small step forward. “By the way, you look very nice tonight.”

“Thank you,” she responded, turning around while fidgeting with the cardigan around her shoulders. Just then, the host, after giving the trio a once-over, picked up a pen and asked,

“Can I help you?”

Dazai took the lead, giving the fake names they decided on days prior at the agency. For emphasis on the familial bond he insisted on the three of them having, he rested a hand on Atsushi’s shoulders and rubbed with his thumb idly. Atsushi did his best not to flinch, though Dazai squeezed his shoulder when he felt his muscles tense. While they were led to their table, Dazai let his hand slip away and only then could Atsushi relax. Dazai sighed to himself.

They shuffled in their seats, Atsushi making room for Kyouka to slide in next to him as Dazai sat across from him. He pouted as they were given menus. “I see you really do have a favorite parent, don’t you?”

Kyouka only looked at Dazai blankly, picking up a menu and passing it to Atsushi before flipping through her own idly. “Or maybe I’m just less of an eyesore~”

“So, what’s the occasion, Kyouka-chan?” Atsushi asked once the waiter worked, making sure to keep his voice down.

“Yes, which of your outstanding achievements are we rewarding today? Could it be your stellar grades? A lead role in an upcoming dance production?”

Kyouka’s stoic face dropped for a moment, relaxing as she tapped her chin, thinking up a story. They had been told these details didn’t matter much since nobody would ask, but if it meant a more complete disguise, what would be the harm in making something up? She hummed in thought, gripping her chin before finally deciding. “I won a prestigious essay contest.”

Dazai’s face brightened up. “That you did! Congratulations! I can’t wait until the trophy is mailed to us!”

“And I’m competing in a…..reputable violin competition.”

Beside her, Atsushi opened his mouth to say something, interrupted by Dazai who reached over the table to poke him. “Isn’t our daughter incredible, Atsushi?” Dazai asked.

Atsushi nodded. “Of course. It’s just nice the rest of the world is starting to see what we always did.”

“Softie,” Dazai accused while the compliment went in one of Kyouka’s ears and out the other. Her relaxed expression had furrowed into something intense, a fire burning behind her eyes that brought Dazai away from his antics for a moment.

“Hey, Kyouka-chan...are you worried about the mission?” Atsushi asked, reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t so much as flinch at the contact.

“No. I was just remembering how you guys told me we were getting a pet rabbit after dinner.”

Atsushi and Dazai blinked owlishly before turning to each other. Atsushi mouthed to Dazai, did we really promise her that? and Dazai shrugged in return. After a moment, Kyouka relaxed again and asked, “So, what are you planning on ordering?”

They spent a few minutes going over their menus, debating appetizers and pausing every now and then to listen in on the conversations around them. Murmurs of work happenings, school reports and gossip drifted around the table, all snippets of the patrons’ everyday lives. Yet nothing they heard related to the seedy underbelly they were trying to find: no mentions of any sort of smuggling or trafficking, anything that would relate to their job. Soon enough, they had given their orders and watched the waiter leave before Dazai leaned over the table to whisper something. Atsushi and Kyouka followed suit.

“Well, we aren’t going to figure anything out here,” Dazai started, narrowing his eyes and looking out of the corner of his eyes.

Kyouka nodded, “Right. If you’ll excuse me.”

She slid out from the booth and carefully made her way between tables, flowered dress swishing as she darted behind a corner in the direction of the bathroom. Atsushi turned to watch her leave, furrowing his eyebrows as he wondered what she was looking for. He wasn’t even sure what he was supposed to listen for- yet when he turned around, Dazai was watching her leave with an assured and careless expression.

Atsushi turned, straightening his suit jacket as he leaned back. “Did the two of you talk things over without me?” He asked, reaching a hand out to drum on the table.

“Partially. She’s got a good intuition, too,” he replied with a shrug. Instead of relaxing into the booth behind him, he leaned further across the table, gripping his elbows. “And now we’re alone.”

“I see that,” Atsushi replied, eyes drifting elsewhere. He tipped his head, trying to hear a snippet of a conversation that would help them in their mission- and he was being super obvious about it too. Dazai tried to keep the chuckle to himself, but it slipped past him anyway.

“What?” Atsushi asked, suddenly cautious.

“Nothing, nothing,” Dazai answered, waving his hand flippantly. With a suspicious look, Atsush sank back in his seat and craned his head again. As much as Dazai didn’t want to miss out on the sight, he did have a mission to save. “Y’know, without Kyouka here, it kind of looks like we’re on a date.”

A pretty red blossomed on Atsushi’s cheeks in response. “Dazai-san, don’t say stuff like that…”

Dazai hummed, keeping his gaze on Atsushi as he turned his head further away. With the drawn-on facial hair, a touch Kenji had insisted on to make it “seem like a real undercover mission,” Atsushi looked much more mature than he normally did. The kid was still trying to grow out his baby face, something that the now steady income of food might be able to help. Now, despite the choppy haircut, he looked slightly more like a man. Dazai wondered when he would get to that point in reality and if Atsushi would still need him anymore- hell, would he still even be around at that point? Part of him hoped so, if only to see if this was what Atsushi would really turn out to be.

If Atsushi turned out to be anything even remotely close to this, Dazai hoped he was a part of it.

The smile stuck on Dazai’s face as he reached out, gently placing a hand over Atsushi’s drumming fingers. “Hey, you nervous or something?”

“Hm? Oh,” Atsushi responded, finally leaning over the table like Dazai was. “I mean, a little. I hope Kyouka’s ok, and what if we get found out? I’m not exactly the best eavesdropper, you know?”

“Really?” Dazai asked in a voice fake enough to make Atsushi shoot him a glare. “I never would’ve guessed.”

“Ha, ha. Thanks for the support.”

Dazai rubbed Atsushi’s knuckles gently, reminding Atsushi of his grip on his hands and prompting another blush. “Hey, don’t worry about it. We probably won’t find anything out here anyway. Our main goal is to get a scope of the place so we can investigate later, or so we know any faces that might become familiar. If we don’t get information, we have other plans,” Dazai reasoned, stooping his head to look Atsushi in the eyes.

“But...the Kyouka’s doing all the work! It feels like I’m not helping at all, so...what’s the point of me even being here?” He asked, casting his eyes further downward. Dazai caught on to his words- he wasn’t just talking about today.

“The point is, Kyouka would raise suspicion by herself. The point is, you have tiger sense that can listen further than I can. The point is for me to see you in a suit,” Dazai reassured, squeezing Atsushi’s hand before slowly pulling it away. He smiled at Atsushi when he looked up again. “Hey, if we can raise a kid like Kyouka, we can do anything.”

“But we didn’t actually raise her.”

“Actually, I’m glad she’s not here. How do you feel about another one?” Dazai asked, folding his hands together and resting his chin on them. “I’m thinking about another kid.”

Atsushi sighed in irritation. “I really wish you would take this seri-”

Before Atsushi could finish his sentence, Kyouka was thrown into their table, sending their glasses and cutlery scattering to the floor. She twisted and landed on her feet, glaring at two hulking men stalking towards her before darting her gaze between Dazai and Atsushi.

“We’ve been compromised,” She said simply before running towards the nearest exit. Atsushi and Dazai looked at each other, bewildered, before scrambling out of the booth and following after her.

#dazatsu #dazushi #bsd #bungo stray dogs #my stuff #my stuff dazatsu #dazai x atsushi #dazai #atsushi #my stuff bsd

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zepdeans · 5 years

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there’s not a lot I can say about s3 that hasn’t already been said (and articulated 200x better) but! here are some of my (albeit dumb) thoughts :~)

ep1 -isak leaning against the bathroom wall gets me EVERY time its such a powerful scene esp introducing you to s3 and tarjei..... spare some talent for the rest of us please -LiTeN gUtTeN fRa StRaNgEr tHiNgS -isak rly ties his pants w a shoelace...... -isak noticing even for the first time bc of his laugh.. whew.... also. i love this intro SOOO much bc its so non-monumental? theres no dramatic music or whatever but its not subtle.... like you know right away o shit love interest!! hello sir!! bc isak’s expression watching him :’) i could go on -isak is a bad liar HOWEVER this only applies to stupid nontrivial things e.g. the black sweatshirt. but when you look at him lying about like, his sexuality, he hides that shit well -”c00l” isak. i hate u so much -honestly all u have to do is look at even for .2 seconds and u can tell this boy has had a crush for a solid month bc he just looks awestruck (HOWEVER henrik’s acting is *chef’s kiss* bc its subtle enough to go undetected b4 you actually know eVEN SAW HIM ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL) -even isak and emma all sitting on the bench together is funny enough on its on but then a song called threeway comes on and like. julie sdshjsfdjfkjskd ep2 -there’s something so endearing about even’s handwriting idek what -i LOVE even’s video w mikael it reveals so much about him to us- how weird (ok we saw how weird he was w the paper towel thing but) and dorky he is? and his love of film! his view on love stories and how he sees the world :( but it also shows a lot abt isak because he saw even making stupid jokes about vladimir putin and was like yeah we about to fall in LOVE love -isak not using headphones to watch even’s video or r+j?? bde or general incompetence what’s the verdict guys -the isak watching r+j scene hits so hard like yall ever think about isak lying in bed at 3am staring at the ceiling probably thinking about how he’s never gonna get a beautiful world-shattering romance like that like ..... also him changing positions skam get out of my life go away ur too realistic -not to make this even more self-projection-y but isak simultaneously being the least emotionally vulnerable person ever but crying during r+j > -i made a post abt this already but even’s INTENSE staring vs isak’s “i have never looked anyone in the eye in my life” gets me it says so much about their characters -even said i see your bde move (asking me to buy you beer) and i raise u with my own (inviting you to my house after faking not having my id) -”if you listen to music” even is such a dick fsdjhsdff -when the message comes on...... i rlly do owe julie my life huh -”have you heard about my rapping?” “I have actually” have we talked about this enough????? 1. isak finally feels comfortable enough w even to flirt and his first move is to RAP for him jesus christ. keep in mind this is the same man who pulled that smooth af ibuprofen line w emma like...... 2. even has heard about isak’s rapping. either this means im-not-on-social-media even went out of his way to go thru homeboy’s instagram OR isak’s rapping is actually talked about. i- -the group chat messages. cant believe i forgot about the 2016 clown epidemic

ep3 -mahdi is a good friend and i love him. thank u -even wearing isak’s cap until he chucks it at him sjksfjsdjsd -how much yall wanna bet isak’s been listening to illmatic on repeat since last friday thinking abt even (even tho meeting sonja shattered his heart a lil) [also kinda an aside but i think a lot about how isak n even bonded over rap and how some homophobic lyrics in 90s etc rap might have impacted them? or how that little detail ties into julie’s story? e.g. halftime by nas, which is on illmatic] -whats worse. even staring into isaks soul wearing a size xs see-through white t shirt or isak staring at even for five (5) seconds before chugging his beer and immediately making out w emma. OR even crashing that party before it can start “i think you guys are bonding too much” cheesy ass shjhfsdhskdf -yall act like evak didnt invent hands. did even shaking isak’s shoulder telling him his apartment is nice mean nothing to u -im convinced robyn wrote call your girlfriend for this scene specifically bc how could anything fit so perfectly by coincidence -is anything better than egging isak on- even bech naesheim (2016) -idk if yall have read the scripts but i love the sock thing so much bc its soo true to how isak thinks and it makes everything so much more interesting and !!!

ep4 -i will never get over even sending isak bad seinfeld memes -even smacking open isak’s locker. first of all whew second of all u think as soon as he got into the stairwell he lowkey cried bc ow -parallel of isak saying “it’s 2016, why are you religious?” to sana vs. emma’s “it’s 2016, get out of the closet” to isak anyone :( -”takk sanasol!!!!” thank u isak for my life -I wanted to be with you aloneeeee -even’s face when he sees the pool like we get it youre a director -how many times do i need to say even is such a dick sjkfsd “does it look like i care about my hair?” “usually but not right now” like this would only work on isak i love soulmates!! -even just.. fully choking isak out ssdhgfd got em -when the first notes of im kissing you start ooh boy -even going in for the kill kiss and isak going from huh to oooo shit and pushing his lips out at the last minute. phenomenal

ep5 -ngl as soon as im not in love comes on my heart goes uwu bc like!!!! that song the meaNING.... them......... i jus love this scene sm like theyre in their own little bubble and they both feel so comfortable and at peace :(( -even leaving isak comics about an inside joke of theirs like yall mind if i scream -isak feeling left out from the conversation and his friends whew i felt that... and having them talk about how gross it is to makeout with a girl w facial hair?? blease :( -taking stock of isak’s nicknames: issy k, isabell, izzy, baby jesus, -im not even gonna bother trying to articulate thoughts on Pause bc it’s a literal masterpiece. thank u tarjei henrik and julie for inventing television with this one -MAGNUS SDFKJSDFJKDSHK "oooh my name is Jonas and I love idealism and reading klassekampen and I don’t like plastic and I skate on a skateboard made of sustainable wood and wear old clothes because new clothes are bad for the environment and I only drink recycled water” screAMMM -what i said abt pause also applies to pride ugh its such a powerful scene and!! the beginning of kicks to isaks stomach. honestly what i fucking love about this episode is how it goes from hell yea best day w even ever to crying in the street within one week (s3 had the best balance of angst and payoff thanks) -even’s Soft Party Flannel... forever tainted by this scene rip -not knowing why even kissed sonja keeps me up at night -speaking of. how used and stupid isak must’ve felt when he saw even completely unbothered, hooking up w his ex at this party?? whew :( -bros is one of my all time favourite clips solely bc of the music?? lift me up gives me chills and when hold my liquor starts i LOSE it -ep5 and 6 remind me of that quote “to see what your characters are really made of you have to break them” because julie rlly goes all in and god it hurts so good

ep6 -never have i ever seen insomnia portrayed as accurately as tarjei did here and i remember when i first watched the cantina scene i was like. winded bc its SO true to sleep deprivation whew -i really like that isak wasnt together with even when he reached out for help and came out to jonas. bc it was him, on his own, being strong enough to talk to his friends and then eventually he was confident and secure enough in himself to be in a good place when even started reaching back out!! -i have no idea what its like to come out to someone, to be afraid of your friends rejecting you, everything isak went through. but tarjei’s acting of when, like, you have something you KNOW you have to tell someone, and youve put yourself in the position where youre going to have to tell them, but youre terrified and eventually just force yourself SAY the words?? -and isak’s smile when he realizes jonas is gonna be his bro no matter what :’)))

ep7 -weirdly one of my favourite isak looks (black t-shirt grey snapback c-c-c-combo) -”what’s your name again?” have i mentioned i love sana and isak bc i love sana and isak -jonas truly is the best friend oh man. perceptive, thoughtful, loving, laidback, a friggen BRO. tbh i was wary of him in s1 and thought he didn’t treat eva well (tho I recognized he loved her a lot, he was just bad at being a boyfriend) but jonas in s3?? just goes to show how powerful your perspective of someone can change viewing them in a different role!! because while jonas was a crappy bf, he literally is SUCH an incredible friend and his actions and words and just! him! in s3 completely redeemed any illwill I had towards him :’) -maybe im a little gay (up there with other s3 comedy classics such as “thats a boys name”) -mahdi season WHEN ugh a legend -’when someone asks isak if hes going to a family party’ literally what other reason for living do i have if not to read the boy squad text convos -isaks locker finally opening and his smile at evens drawing whewwwwwww!! also even rlly is that guy who wont text you back but will leave hand written love letters in ur locker -also. another stellar look from valtersen -slutt a meld meg is a whole masterpiece like what other piece of media has the RANGE -eskild: play hard to get. jonas: no smiley!!! isak: nah fam im good B)

ep8 -this episode is BEAUTIFUL bc you feel practically euphoric?? like hell yeah theyre finally together!! isak is out and accepted and even is done with sonja! but theres also this unsettling undercurrent of worry bc you know deep down something isnt right? why is sonja calling isak? why is even acting kinda strange? whats going on? yknow?? -literally never going to get over 5 fine frokner :~) even is such a goddamn nerd and he’s the man of isak’s dreams can u believe!! -sana’s little speech is SO important in so many ways ooo i love her so much -also have we discussed eskild making evak do a photoshoot for him. highkey those are my favourite pictures of ALL time u can tell even was like hm strange but im down while isak was more omg guys stop🙄 omg haha eskild i cant believe youre making me cuddle with even for a photo🙄 i cant believe ur making me snuggle this dude for a pic!!!! definitely would not have done this otherwise!!! -magnus only realizing it’s THAT even after seeing how isak looks at him. whew -isak is so brave i rlly love that kid! his text to his mamma <3 -no r*make will EVER nail text conversations like mari/julie did w evak’s this week thanks for coming to my ted talk. i'd quote the best ones but it would literally double the length of this post (ok ill cave. “hahaha shut up❤️” GETS me) -you dont know whats in store but you know what youre here for. hallo -isak running around oslo with even’s clothes looking for him :( his heart is so big he cares about even so so much -when Part II (on the run) comes on in the credits its like a kick in the teeth honestly

ep9 -ive already screamed enough about cherry wine but god it fucks me up -cannot put into words how much I love eskild and how good of a person he is, he just has so much love in his heart -”wait they have waffles here? see ya” -this convo is why i love skam so much!!!! magnus giving insight and good thoughtful advice to isak was such a brilliant move by julie (also truLy heartwarming) bc like. magnus is a flawed layered character! he’s dumb and ignorant and not very careful with his words BUT hes also such a sweet guy. i genuinely dont think he would hurt a fly and him talking about vilde (in ep10) is ;-; bc he really likes her and respects her and wants to be a gentleman! hes so loving and just. yeah. also i wonder if isak and magnus (and vilde) ever talked about having mentally ill parents and lent on each other for support bc like....<3 [sidenote- this is why i HATE b***** like they absolutely massacred magnus’s character and magnus did not deserve that!] -det er bare slutt........ very cool of tarjei to invent acting here. also the character development makes me WEEP like at first isak lied and told his pappa it was over bc its easier to brush stuff off and say you were joking than be vulnerable especially about 1. having a boyfriend and 2. saying youve already broken up?? but then isak was like hey im done with lying about who i am bc i want my life to be REAL and he told his dad the truth even if it was hard and even if he was trying rlly hard not to cry -isak reaching out to even<3 standing up for even<3 -o helga natt. another scene i genuinely cannot comment on bc u cant really put into any written language how magical and breathtaking and heartbreaking and powerful and brilliant this scene is. so. -jk. obvs i cant say anything intelligent enough to give this scene justice but probably the most stunning piece of television i have ever had the privilege of watching. even’s text breaks my heart every gd time (esp since we never really see this side of him before finding out he’s bipolar? his guilt, insecurity, feeling like a burden, being scared of losing everyone in his life because he thinks he’ll hurt them). the music is SO beautiful i cry real tears as soon as the strings start. also the brilliance of JUST o helga natt playing and no dialogue except for isaks one line? isak’s realization when he sees the cross. him RUNNING across oslo to go to even. the FLASHBACKS all going backwards in chronological order until them smoking on the bench. isak looking at the bench and not seeing even and u can feel his heart breaking and urs breaks too! but then he remembers the bathroom and he turns and theres even and whewwww. du er ikke alene<3

ep10 -minutt for minutt is THE most healing clip im telling u. and like.. seeing even depressed really is hard and as someone who was very very depressed for 4-ish yrs of their life it rlly hits me? like when youre in an especially bad funk and you cant get out of bed and youre just numb and exhausted and feel so shitty and u want to be alone but you really dont???? could go on but literally i owe henrik holm my life for his portrayal of even -not to be a soft bitch on main but when isak tucks the blanket over even and it keeps getting pulled off his back so isak just. covers that spot with himself? -i do love that call between sonja and isak bc once again! a flawed (realistic) human being -and isak thinking its his fault even is depressed? it means a lot that sonja told him its no ones fault, even is just bipolar. and i wonder if isak felt that way about his mamma as well, guilty for her being ill, and if what sonja said made him feel better about that situation too :( -lowkey random but when isak is rambling really fast and he goes “maybe we’ll get bombed tomorrow and talking about all this is a waste of time” it continually punches me in the throat bc that is /exactly/ how i ramble and think like tarjei........ pls -like eskild said. there really is so much love in isak’s little grumpy teenage body<3 -isak no longer just passively accepting life as its given to him, now he fights for him and even!!!!! -isak is such a forgiving person and seeing him able to just accept things and move on? incredible -i remember when i first watched ep1 i was like oooo even and isak are gonna be kosegruppa partners and thats when theyll first get together, cooking food or smth!! but lmfao after episode 3? kosegruppa whomst???? also hilarious vilde thought isak of all people would willingly sign up for kosegruppa just to go to revue parties -even and linn friendship!!!! -cannot articulate how mf heartwarming it is to see even smiling and being more himself after being depressed (also thank u julie for having ups and downs coming out of his depression- its so true to life having one day when youre feeling awesome and then the next you feel awful again for no reason and its SO frustrating) -I had to stop watching passe pa meg cause it made me toooooo crazy! it would just be like: “I like seeing you laugh” and I was like: *SCREAMS* -im the fucking master of lying 😤 -literally don’t know why isak and even ragging on kosegruppa is so funny but “did you think I joined to have fun” gets me every time -I SAW YOU THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL -also even literally radiating love @ isak watching get snarky w vilde on the phone bc it reminded him of the first time he saw him! even rly is that boyfriend who thinks isak being pissy is the Best Thing he has Ever seen -halla boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz -literally the glo up of isak telling his friends the order in which he’d bang them -No filter! wow I love symbolism -so nice to see the girls together for a lil bit :) -the boys hyping up mags while also telling him to be respectful awwwwww -take desperate to a whole new level- Confucius -who’s going to show isak how to properly hold a beer can -literally evak banter gets me thru the day. thank u tarjei and henrik for having phenomenal chemistry + improvisation skills + making isak and even the dumbest nerdiest boys i have ever seen -biology partner. and friend. ;-; -even literally is the biggest stoner blease -isak’s talk with eva is just sooooo<3 and not to be emo on main but every single word of the last few sentences he says hit me so gd hard because i feel the exact same way in my BONES -livet er nå 💛

final thoughts :( <3 -this season is so special. it feels like one really long oscar-worthy movie or smth?? i cant even exblain, its just magical. ALSO very dear to my heart. -julie really said you guys have seen isak sad and alone and repressed for the past two seasons so heres him falling in love with the best person in the world and coming to terms with who he is and being brave and opening up and finally being happy and living a real life -this season definitely feels different from s1/2/4 to me editing or production or music smth wise? as in, its got a lot fewer aesthetic shots and the cinematography seems a bit different if that makes any sense???? I also think this is the season most focused just on the main (i.e. not many- if any? sideplots going on) -literally will never get over the thought, love, and detail put into this season. when i say there is literally nothing i would change about it, i mean it and coming from my nitpicky ass??? means a lot lmfao. the acting, directing, music choices, symbolism...... sublime -s3′s cold rainy autumn aesthetic makes me ACHE for fall and also nostalgic for a highschool experience I never had lmao?? also. all the nighttime clips >>> -don’t know what else to say except thank u skam for my life

#take a shot every time i say whew #fully put more effort and time into this than most of my uni projects xx #its super rambly but thats bc its mostly just my direct stream of thought #also super long! and probably still missing things i wanted to say #AND like 3 weeks late fshfjjkdjkfsd #skam #clownfest 2019 #blabbey

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annashipper · 5 years

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JT Anon

Ok so this is going to be a wildly unpopular opinion that you will wholeheartedly disagree w Anna, but here goes

I kinda hope they phase BC out of the MCU. Im not one of these fans that wants him to fail or to vanish forever or will never see another project until he leaves sophie (i don’t think thats ever going to happen). I just don’t think he fits w the MCU anymore and he is kinda, to me, a bummer stain on an otherwise fun experience.

The actors in the MCU are literally the only actors I’ve ever taken a mild interest in outside of their movie roles. Meaning i won’t immediately change the channel if they are on late night, or I might flip through a mag if they are in there, or im actually interested in their thoughts on their char.

The actors in the MCU, for the most part, are super engaging. They engage the fan base in a really great way. Now granted, I get it, lots of that is coaching etc, I get that. However, the actors all engage w the material and the fanbase in a really great way. they have lovable personalities, they all seem humble and grateful and excited to be there. Even RDJ who plays on this kinda ego centric char he has is totally endearing and everyone gets it. They make the fan base feel like they are all a part of something, everyone is in it together, they genuinely want everyone to have a great time, they get how much these stories can mean to a lot of people.

Now im sure someone can pull up an anecdote here or there where MCU actors have not been their best selves, but for the most part, MCU actors make the fanbase feel loved and valued. MCU fans are not talked down to by them. Each actor has a unique and lovable personality that is engaging

BC sticks out like a sore thumb. He isn’t delivering DRS and MCU toys to hospitals, he doesn’t have social media, so he isn’t engaging w elements of the fanbase that does charity work. He doesn’t talk excitedly about DRS and MCU projects, he doesn’t comment on fan art and projects in a respectful way (ignoring the freakier ones). Now i know the dusted actors were not doing the rounds media wise, but still

Ben just comes off as someone who thinks he is above all that. All i see and think about when i think about BC and MCU fans is a guy who is just so sick of fans. Fans are all obsessed w him and won’t they go away. anyone who doesn’t worship him and dares to chat in a neg way about what he is putting out is a stalker, florals, they are all so tiring! poor, poor women who lost themselves when he married, your uteruses still have use w out him! he just seems like he doesn’t want to be there and is delusional about how much people care about him beyond gossip and riling each other up for fun

To me BC is in a totally different category from the other main MCU actors. BC is running around to the MET gala acting a fool, Ben is running around too busy trying to sell every single stitch of clothing on his body. ben is too busy branding and selling his family. ben is trying to wring every last red cent out of every move he makes.

And before anyone jumps down my throat w a long list of products MCU actors sell, I KNOW. its about the feel of it.

Ben these days comes off as a stuck up, toffy snob who doesn’t want to be there. Ben comes off as someone who has disdain for his fans, and while he def wants them to keep him and his wife in expensive vegan clothing and millionaire status, they need to just shut the fuck up and hand over the cash. Ben comes off as someone who is entitled to fame and attention, but on his terms. Ben comes off as someone desperate to merch and brand himself. Ben comes off as someone waaaay more concerned at the moment w selling every single article of clothing he and his wife has, every single life event he can get a sponsor for.

His image is a bummer ink stain on the MCU. He is like the stuck up boring cousin at the fun family reunion who spends his whole time pouting on his phone. the only time he engages is when he is the absolute centre of attention, and he has to be making cash money off of it or he isn’t interested. he is like that one person at school who won’t shut up about how many haters they have and how jealous everyone is of them, and how he just wants to do him, meanwhile no one is actually thinking about him like that.

Think of any MCU actor and you can think of cute, funny, humble, joyful, REAL feeling fan engagement.

W BC you just get a grown ass man whining, pouting, doesn’t want to be there, would rather be selling shoes and shirts and hats

as a fan i have absolutely no interest in him as an MCU actor. I don’t want to sit there and have my eyes roll out of my head while he either sells me some product or makes some delusional comment about how obsessed, OBSESSED EVERYONE is w him and his family and WHY WON’T THEY JUST LEEEAAAVE HIM AND HIS WIIIFE ALONE (ps please buy these shoes, please buy sophies dress, please check out this vendor that sponsored our wedding, please look at the menu of the person making vegan food for us, please buy the pictures of our kids please please please)

he has moved on from depressing to why don’t you just leave then? honestly?you would rather be throwing yourself all over a red carpet and selling clothing and jewellery and cars and vegan shoes and talking about how hard it is to be you because youre so famous, then go do that. go do period piece after period piece in between selling washing machines. i might even see one.

BC is like getting together w your fav cousins and your mom say you have to take the annoying one along too, and he just ruins your day by complaining about being tired all the time and talking about all the expensive shit his dad in another state buys him

just let us check out fan theory and make memes and talk shit and watch interviews in peace. STFU about the stuff you have for sale. STFU about how obsessed everyone is. go to the met gala, go arrange paps for attention. just GO live the fame life you clearly think you have. let people enjoy MCU shit w out you popping in every few months to remind us that youre here too and SO SO FAMOUS

its getting to kinda ruin MCU shit to me. If i know BC will be involved, im not interested.

I just don’t want to hear him whine, and i don’t want to have another fucking thing sold to me, and thats all he’s got

J got sooooo many haters T anon

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Well, you’re right in one regard JT. I wholeheartedly disagree with all of the above. Not because I’m contrary and a SkeptoNanny (which of course I am), but because you’re wrong :P

Ben didn’t do ANY promo for Endgame, so if we’re going to talk about him being a killjoy during promo for MCU projects, we have to revisit what he’s done during Doctor Strange and Infinity War promo.

And while, yes, he did make a faux pas (a pretty major one) with that incredibly stupid quote on his Vanity Fair cover interview where he thought it wise to casually mention his wife and child are not a PR stunt, other than that, his promo tour for Doctor Strange was pretty much the same as any other promo for a standalone superhero movie within the MCU.

And then there was Infinity War promo, which was more about promoting the MCU than it was about promoting himself. I would argue that he actually did a stellar job with that. He even brought quite a bit of DorkyBatch out to play:

I mean...

So yeah. If we’re going to have a serious conversation, we have to be very precise about the timing of what Ben says and does; especially when it comes to MCU promo.

Meanwhile, since you brought up charity projects linked to the MCU, let me remind you that Ben has been involved with those multiple times, through Omaze, and he even did it for Endgame (which he supposedly would have no part in and didn’t really have to do, because his character had already been dusted out of existence).

By the way, the shoes he’s selling are not always vegan. Not the ones he wore to the MET Gala (LINK) anyway :P

#JT anon

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kwispayne · 4 years

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The Top 10 Films Of 2019

Sadly my keep up with film this year wasn't as active as I would have liked it to have been. But I did see a lot of great films. Maybe none that will be in my century list, but there was some great moments throughout. Hopefully I can keep up better this year, but here is my opinion on what I did see

So here is some rules

1.Technically some of these movies have been released in 2018, but some where only released at film festivals or had overseas release. I usually go by the rules of if it was released in cinemas, Netflix or DVD in 2019.

2. This is a personal list. So some opinions are biased and selfish.

3. I haven’t seen every film from this year sadly. So any recommendations or even your top 10 lists would be helpful. I always want to watch more and I have an odd fetish for lists and stuff, so if you have any send me links and stuff.

10. Dragged Across Concrete (S. Craig Zahler)

S. Craig Zahler's films in the past few years have only just keep getting better and better. Also how this guy was able to give careers back to Vince Vaughan & Mel Gibson is a feat if extraordinary skill too. Dragged Across Concrete is a complex story, with a lot of interesting twists and turns, but one of the best skills that Zahler has as a film maker is his ability to set up scenes. He never spoonfeeds his audience, and gives the characters dialogue and scenes that are very lifelike. While this may be his least bloodiest affair, it does have some rather upsetting moments in it which leave a bigger lasting impact than a bloody gore fest.

9. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino)

I was a tiny bit let down by Tarantino's last film The Hateful 8. Overall it wasn't the worst, but there was a lot of padding. But, this film has a lot of padding too. But it's padding which I deem necessary. In fact, this level of padding I haven't seen Tarantino do since Jackie Brown. But overall, the film, even though it is slightly based on true events, constantly has the audience guessing what is going to happen, leading to an incredibly leftfield and satisfying climax. The dialogue throughout is at times Tarantino by numbers, but at times he does verge away from what we are used to, which I've got to admit, is an impressive feat by Tarantino so late into his career. Also, big props to Leonardo DiCaprio who deserves an award for his performance in this film.

8. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Chris Smith)

The movie which launched a thousand memes. Back in the day, documentaries used to fill my lists, but that has died down, because they've been so saturated since the rise of Netflix & Amazon. But, I'm glad to say that this is the example of one that has slipped through the cracks, mainly because the story of this documentary is so insane. A failed music festival that was doomed from day one, spearheaded by a rapper with a lot of hubris and a pied piper entrepreneur. In many ways this movie very much is the perfect parable of today's obsession with capitalism. It's all glitz with no results. Netflix, you've done it again.

7. Lords Of Chaos (Jonas Åkerlund)

Being a fan of metal, the story of this film has been among the metal lore for the past few years. Now...do I believe everything the movie is portraying...no, but the movie does claim that it is based on lies too. But at the heart of it all, I think Åkerlund did get a great theme going. That at the end of the day, the guys involved in this whole affair were just kids. This is a controversial choice I know, but I genuinely loved the choice of shots in the movie, the aesthetics used and I thought out the dialogue throughout was very strong and acted well. So as a film, it's great. As a piece of metal history...not so much.

6. Fighting With My Family (Stephen Merchant)

After being blown away by Florence Pugh in Lady Macbeth, I was surprised to hear that her next project was a comedy film about wrestling. But then I saw that Stephen Merchant was directing and writing it, and my mind was put to rest. Personally I think The Office & Extras are 2 of the best TV shows ever made, so I knew that Stephen could pull of a big Hollywood comedy. But...this has such great British charm in it, that whenever I wasn't laughing I was nearly in tears with the drama. The screen play in this film is fantastic, but Stephen has always been a brilliant writer. The cast in the film is fantastic, but Florence Pugh just blows everyone out of the water. I will talk about her more later.

5. Vice (Adam McKay)

After being shocked by The Big Short, Adam McKay again proves that he has a certain style which was only veily shown in his earlier comedy films. The comedy of this film comes from the twist of what we usually except with films of this calibre, but behind the veneer of Cheney himself, this very much adds to the tone of the film. The obvious elephant in the room is Christian Bale's performance and the changes he made to become the character, which are insane as always, but the actual performance and manner of Cheney is perfectly modeled and may be one of his greatest performances, although I hope for his benefit he just sticks to a fat suit and make up next time he needs to play an older large man. Now this movie isn't the most factually accurate from what I gather, but if it is...wow...McKay has given life to an absolute monster.

4. Midsommar (Ari Aster)

Ari Aster has now made 2 of the best modern horror films. Hopefully he can make it a hat trick. This film blew me away. The psychedelic cult aspect of this movie was dripping from the screen, but it was done is such a bright and vibrant way so it seems to be safe, but it's actually very dangerous. A fantastic cast also drives the film, but Florence Pugh shows up again to prove that she may be the greatest actor that we currently have working at the moment. Jack Reynor is also fantastic in the film and I really hope he gets more work because he is fantastic (he's gorgeous too). Warning to anyone about to watch this film...it gets very freaky.

3. Avengers Endgame (Anthony & Joe Russo)

Ok...again this is mainly just for my own satisfaction. I have been following the Marvel films for a long time, and some of them have actually been able to get their way into my top 10 lists, but this one is different. This movie never would have worked if the studio didn't take their time. And the arc that they have told over the past few years with specific characters in general has come full circle, and the pay off is glorious. Now when it comes to the actual plot of the film and the time travel stuff...yes it is a bit silly, but the concept itself is silly too, so I take it with a pinch of salt, and I only focus on the story we are given. The best performance though comes from Robert Downey Jr., who I believe deserves some sort of award not for this film but for all the Marvel movies he took part in. The build up to Josh Brolin's Thanos is also a fantastic performance. And the climax of this film is one of the most grandiose and epic closers of any superhero movie that we have ever seen.

2. Us (Jordan Peele)

I felt that Get Out was a movie where the concept was brilliant, but the actual execution was lacking. I still enjoyed it, but it was one of those films where people enjoyed it a lot more than I did. But when I saw the trailer for Us, I became very excited, because the trailer made it seem overly creepy to the point where I didn't understand what was going on. So I went in knowing nothing and coming out completely blown away. To think that Jordan Peele directed this, the same guy that made me laugh from his sketches on Key & Peele has directed an incredibly smart, funny and interesting horror film. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone (obvious joke alert). But this movie would be nothing without the stellar performance from Luptia Nyong'o. This lady deserves a lot of awards and recognition for this role, and I hope she works with the horror genre again, because he is a fantastic scream queen.

1. The Favourite (Yorgos Lanthimos)

Yorgos Lanthimos' films have been an interest of while. With his directorial debut Dogtooth, I was blown away. It was so unique that no one could follow this incredibly odd turgid and absurdist style. He then came back with The Lobster, which I found the idea of more enjoyable than that actual execution of the film itself. And he got closer with The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, but it didn't fully stick to landing. But this is his biggest film. A weird one to chose foe a style of his calibre. A period piece focusing on feminism. How could he keep his style without it distracting the audience too much with the story. But thankfully he found the perfect marriage between the 2. Now, his style did get watered down a bit, but thankfully his absurdist approach hasn't fully evaporated, with some very odd but brilliant use of shots. Acting wise, the film has a fantastic cast, and obvious props should be given to Olivia Coleman who won her Oscar for this role, but Emma Stone & Rachel Weisz also give fantastic performances too, and should be recognized too. I'm glad to see Lanthimos making his acclaimed masterpiece, and am looking forward to his next artistic endeavor.

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shuttershocky · 6 years

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do you have more ideas for makoto as the protag of p5? :eyes:

You shouldn’t have asked that anon. You’ve opened the floodgates.Do I have more ideas for Makoto as the protag of P5? Hell yeah I do.

Some spoilers for Persona 5 below!

The challenge with having Makoto for the protagonist is that it’s harder to recreate the absolutely stellar introduction that Persona 5 did with Kamoshida’s palace and Morgana as Joker’s guide to the supernatural. But here’s what I’ve come up with. So I think a Persona 5 with Makoto as the protag would start with Makoto discovering the Metaverse the way Joker and Ryuji did, through Kamoshida’s palace. But instead of awakening, she hides from the guards and Kamoshida’s Shadow and doesn’t get caught before managing to flee home. She wonders if she’s finally gone mad after endless work from both the faculty dumping their workload on her to calming down the students of Shujin panicking that a supposed criminal transfer student was soon going to be their schoolmate, but a wound she sustained during her escape convinces her what she saw was real.Sae, hearing that her sister just played hooky, brings home work that night so she could keep up on her load while scolding her younger sister. She’s furious at Makoto’s bullshit story about a castle filled with these strange monsters, before taking it down a notch and concluding Makoto’s simply breaking under the stress and scolds her about needing to be tougher than that to make it in the real world. But bringing home work also means bringing home her assistant to help her work out her cases, an assistant who is most intrigued by what he hears...Enter our guide, Goro Akechi.The two are not on friendly terms, with Makoto seeing him as her rival for Sae’s attention, but after Sae’s done belittling her, Akechi’s takes her aside and believes her story. He asks her if she would like to know more, because if she managed to step into the Metaverse on her own, it would mean she has the potential.Understanding literally nothing about what he just said, Makoto reluctantly agrees then heads off to bed exhausted, and we have her first visit to the Velvet Room.The next day Akechi meets her at the front of Shujin and shows her the Meta-Nav, asking her for the name of the person that ran the place and if what she saw really was a castle. With Kamoshida’s name and castle stated to the Nav, the Metaverse opens up to them... and Akechi fires his gun into the air and flees.Makoto is quickly caught by the guards and imprisoned, before being met with Kamoshida’s shadow. He’s not interested in her like he is with Ann, but he does take the time to mock her as the faculty’s incompetent slave before she’s executed. All the suppressed anger and indignity comes out at once, fueling her awakening and summoning Johanna. She gets busy ripping the shadows in two, and gets so drunk on the violence she barely hears Kamoshida muttering “Not again...” as he flees.It’s then that Akechi reappears, and after recovering from getting his deserved punch to the face, he explains that it would have been useless to show her around until she has had her awakening. He then navigates the castle with her, teaching her about shadows and combat, before watching her claim her first new mask from a shadow and being genuinely shocked.The two don’t have much time to process what just happened however, as the sounds of a fight ring out from the distance. Makoto and Akechi head to the opposite wing, and find two boys and a cat-like thing in the middle of a brawl in the lower floors. The boy with messy black hair and a black trenchcoat wields a knife and a gun with deadly ease, ripping through a hallway of guards like a whirlwind.The two continue to watch from their hidden position as the cat-monster explains to the two boys about what a cognitive being is and how the classmates they just saw weren’t real, before they head deeper into the castle.“Oh dear.” Akechi exclaims. “This has gotten quite interesting.”_______________________________________________Other things I would love in a Makoto-led P5 and general thoughts:- Haru would be the third character to join after Akechi and Makoto, introducing her far earlier than in the original game. She would have approached Makoto in the student council room, complaining about headaches and short visions of the school as a castle. Makoto is concerned and ropes her in, although she will not get her full awakening until she confronts her father specifically. Instead, her surprisingly strong sense of justice and her thirst for rebellion inspire a partial awakening in her, allowing her to fight and use Milady’s weaker abilities.- Instead of immediately skipping to after school, there would be two extra time slots, lunch time and late night, available for Makoto. However, she will also receive work from the faculty and the student council that she MUST complete weekly or suffer a heavy penalty. Since a lot of this work can only be done in the school library, this is where she meets the supposedly dangerous transfer student: an unassuming underclassman with glasses and a mild-mannered attitude, the only person in the school unafraid to share a table with her.- It’s still a (hypothetical) Persona game so obviously you can’t force a Shumako pairing, but just like with the actual game the two would still end up close friends, closer than her other bonds. This is necessary to give impact to both the twist of him turning out to be the Phantom Thief she keeps chasing through the palaces (this happens earlier on, but then we get a sizable period of “does he know that I know” stress when they study together), and the second twist that he’s only been helping people and would like her to join him.- A Makoto-led P5 would give a bigger emphasis to her repressed rage issues. See, Ryuji’s temper is nothing. The guy has no self control and flares up with righteous anger at everything, but he’s never gotten physical and he’s never truly gone berserk. Makoto however, is different. She’s bottled up and when she blows she gets very violent. I didn’t like that P5 never explored that again after her awakening and kept her dangerous temper to battle quotes and some idle Mementos dialogue with a terrified Ryuji. If Makoto is the protagonist, we would definitely see more of it. It would explore how that anger helped her by awakening her powers, and how dangerous it would be for her to keep indulging in it, to the point where she goes full berserker even. I think a few scenes of her going way too far and having to be physically restrained by her teammates, her brass knuckles running red all the while, would be great for that.

- Futaba’s palace would serve as the turning point of the story. Makoto would see that Joker’s quite serious about only helping people, and she begins to really doubt if he’s the man in black who has been causing all the mental shutdowns. She reluctantly helps him out in curing Futaba behind Akechi’s back and discovers how Futaba’s mother was assassinated for researching the Metaverse, deepening her doubts about everything she knows. - Akechi’s more prominent role in the story means we learn more about him and his back story earlier as opposed to getting infodumped. Since he’ll be Mako’s first teammate, the player will have a much longer time to get used to him too. - Akechi and Makoto’s relationship will improve somewhat and she does eventually trust him, but I don’t think they should ever truly see eye to eye. Makoto is simply too bitter about Akechi getting more time with Sae than she does, and she’s willing to go behind his back if she thinks its the right call. Meanwhile, Akechi and Joker’s relationship develops like it does in the original game, down to their meeting in the TV station.

- For the first few palaces, Makoto’s group ends up fighting the boss who stops them from chasing the Thieves while Joker uses them as distractions and steals the treasure. The two groups continue and develop this cat and mouse dynamic until Futaba’s palace. - I really want Joker to actually earn his name of ‘Trickster’. He’s sly, cunning, and ridiculously fast on his feet and his wits. He should get really close to getting caught in the first three palaces and squirm out each time. - I am aware that this story format somewhat messes with the pacing of introducing one new party member per palace, since Joker still has his own Phantom Thieves with Ryuji, Morgana, and Ann and combining the two groups would pull a Persona 3 on the player. I’m not quite sure how to fix this.- This also removes the narrative device of having most of the game be told by Joker to Sae in the interrogation room. I’m.... actually ok with this. I know this might make some people mad though. It will obviously still keep Joker being interrogated by Sae since it’s such a huge part of the story. Now though, since he’s no longer the protag Sae won’t interrupt the game every few moments to ask how the grandma Joker said hi to aided the Phantom Thieves.- The Casino would be one big OOF moment.- Joker’s social link gets ranked up automatically for the first few ranks (like Futaba’s Hermit 1 in the game), but the rest of it is up to the player. His social link would be around how caged up he feels from his unfair sentencing (which he reveals to you in private in the higher ranks), and his bad reputation in school making it harder than it should be for him to adjust. You help him accept that while what happened was unjust, he does actually have friends he can count on now, and the social link ends with Makoto vowing to help him find justice and nabbing the guy who sued him on false charges. Also he asks you if you would like to come by for coffee more often at Rank 8 or 9 to start his romance. - TL;DR = I want Haru and Akechi to get way more screentime and development than they did in P5, while also further exploring Makoto’s violent temper that we only get hints of in P5. I also feel that putting Makoto as the protagonist further helps segue into Yaldabaoth’s explanation that his game was pitting two wildcards against each other. It didn’t make that much sense to me in the original because the battle of wits ended up being between Akechi and Makoto (it was her plan after all) rather than between him and Joker (who, to his credit, could have totally died going along with this plan).

#Persona 5 #Makoto Niijima #Protag Makoto AU #Anonymous

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ink-and-star-dust · 5 years

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I don’t even know where to start with vld s8, but I’ll try. Major spoilers ahead.

Overall, there really was a lot that I liked about it. The animation was absolutely stunning and the voice acting was stellar, as always. For the most part I liked the plot, but when they started going into the whole Honerva-wants-to-tear-through-realities-to find-her-family thing I started to get a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, I get it, I do. This kind of show is meant to get bigger and bigger until everything possible is on the line. But I wish it could have stayed on a smaller scale and focused more on the characters. Show more alien races, show more about all the amazing side characters you developed. That’s why I love fanfiction and fanart so much, I think. Most of the time it’s 100% dedicated to the characters. Shows like Voltron just use them as a device to get the most awe-worthy scenes.

As for character arcs, it’s a mixed bag, so prepare for character endgame rants ahead.

Haggar/Honerva must be one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking antagonists I’ve ever seen. The fact that she didn’t have any of her memories as Haggar and was used by Zarkon is horrifying. As Honerva, all she wanted was her life back. She wanted her son, that’s it. And when she went so far for him and he rejected her, she lost her shit. But that would have happened eventually even if he did initially accept her, I think. She was too far gone to live a peaceful life. I completely understand her arc. Do I wish it didn’t go quite so far? Yes. Do I get why it did? Also yes. Moving on.

Hunk and Pidge I love. Hunk gets to meld his love for food and cooking with his diplomacy skills to spread peace and unity. Pidge gets to keep working on the things she loves with her family.

No one else really has an easy endgame to discuss, so here comes the long ranty bits.

Shiro. Fucking... Shiro. I love this man, ok? I think he’s a fantastic character, and if I don’t think about the disservice to him and Adam then I love the fact that he is a strong gay man who is a leader. The fact that he is gay is a tiny tiny piece to his character. Which I think is important in media. He simply is, it isn’t something that defines him. But on the flip side of that, he is really fucking important representation. The show is aimed at little kids. Until the final snapshot of s8, it isn’t blatantly obvious that he is gay at all. Unless you’re really paying attention or you follow the fandom or the creators, you’d never know. Kids probably wouldn’t pick up on it. He is good representation, but think of how much better it would have been if they hadn’t killed Adam. He would still be that strong leader, still defined by his actions and trials, but it would be obvious that he was also a gay man. While I am a strong supporter of the fact that you do not need a human on your arm to validate your sexuality, I think that having Adam blatantly there as Shiro’s fiancee would have done wonders for kids watching the show. Seeing everything that Shiro did, everything that he went through, how strong he is and how great of a leader he is, and seeing that he just happens to be in love with a man and can still do all that? Wonderful. I’m happy for him, I’m thrilled that he gets a happy ending and gets married and leaves the fighting behind. I just wish that things had been handled better along the way to that.

Keith’s ending, I still can’t decide about. From the start he has been trying to make the universe a better place. He has had other trials and other goals along the way, but it’s crystal clear from the very first episode that he wants to make a positive difference. When Pidge tries to leave, he stresses that the lives of everyone in the universe is at stake. When he is with the Blades, he fights with them because he believes it’s where he can do the most good. When he’s back with Voltron, the knowledge that there are lives depending on him and the rest of his team is what makes him get up every time he’s knocked down. Family, friends, and the good of the universe have always been his three driving forces. He helps the Galra rebuilt, and(as Lance points out, in true Keith fashion) turns down the leadership role when he’s offered it. I like that a lot. He made peace with his Galra heritage a while ago, but other Galra always treated him like shit because he was half human. The fact that they finally accept him and even offer him a leadership role is huge. But he’s Keith, and Emperor isn’t his style. So he returns to the Blades and helps to turn them into an intergalactic relief force. That, I also like. He’s making a difference, just like he always wanted. Maybe it’s good that he can leave the warrior side of himself behind and appreciate peace, but at the same time it’s such an integral part of his character that setting down his sword feels a little... storybook? Part of me also would have liked to see him with his found family a little more, given how alone he was his whole childhood, but I suppose we do see them staying close through those snapshots at the end, and he is working with the Blades. I’m conflicted, but he’s my favorite character so of course I’m never going to think they did enough for him XD

Allura, I could write a whole damn book about, and I’d have to to be able to properly analyze her endgame. Maybe I’ll do that later. But for now, I’m fairly sure I’m ok with her story. I never thought that she’d make it out alive. She was never a character that I could see living happily ever after on a new Altea, as much as I would have loved that. We see foreshadowing of her sacrifice all through the show, from her constant willingness to put others first(numerous battles, restoring the Balmera, etc etc), to her acceptance of giving her life in Oriande. Actually now that I think about it, Oriande was the perfect foreshadowing of her death. In order to gain the secrets of Altean alchemy, she had to be willing to give her life. That’s the price of it. Alteans are creators. They are lifegivers, and sometimes that needs to be literal. As sad as it is, and as much as I would have loved to see her get to live a peaceful life on the new Altea with her people, I understand her sacrifice. As I stated in the beginning I wish that there hadn’t been the need to take Honerva’s mission so far, but in this type of show it’s kind of unavoidable. People get disappointed if the final battle isn’t an all out shit show where everyone barely makes it out. So respecting that, I understand Allura’s story and appreciate the buildup to it. Mostly.

And then there’s Lance. Pretty much everything about his ending pissed me off. We started the show seeing Lance as a fiery kid who wanted to be the best, wanted to become a great pilot and explore the universe. Now I understand that he went through absolute hell, he did become a great pilot and he did explore the universe. But a farmer? Idk, it just feels like a disservice to him. Maybe if he had had better arcs leading up to that, it would feel better. But as it is, instead of giving him the arcs he deserved, they used him as a gag character, slipped him in wherever they just happened to need someone, and stripped away everything that made him... him in the beginning. They reduced him almost completely to ‘loverboy lance,’ and I hate it. He spent all of season 6 wallowing and pining for Allura, most of 7 in the background(I will admit he had some great scenes in 7, but that’s another musing post), and literally all of 8 worrying after Allura. He has nothing to him in 8, bar a few scenes with Keith, than as a support for Allura. It’s like they scrapped any plot they had for him after like... season 5? And just devoted his character to being obsessed with Allura so that they could make it seem like his endgame was fulfilling. And before anyone has a chance to say he was obsessed with Allura since episode 1, sure. He did like her from the beginning. But he had substance beyond that. He had insecurities. He missed Earth. He had his goals and his desires and he was more than a lovesick kid. The fact that they think it’s ok to make him a fucking farmer ‘spreading Allura’s message and surrounding himself with things he loves’ pisses me off to no end. It seems like a great ending on the surface, but when you look deeper it’s awful. He’s what, 20? He loved Allura, sure. She was important, and it makes sense that he would love her and that a piece of him always would. But Lance isn’t built for the simple farmer life. He doesn’t deserve to be reduced to someone left in Allura’s wake, he deserves his own fucking story, his own individual goals and missions. Everything isn’t solved and finished by the fact that he got the girl and some altean markings before he lost her.

Then there’s Klance, but that deserves it’s own post lmao

tl;dr s8 was a mixed bag but Lance’s endgame is infuriating.

#lila shouts to the void #lila rants #i'm forever salty #no i won't get over this #im pissed #fuck #long post #voltron #voltron season 8 #vld s8 #vld s8 spoilers #voltron spoilers #voltron endgames #lance mcclain #keith kogane #allura #pidge gunderson #hunk garret

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echoeternally · 5 years

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BAF Postmortem ~ Characters

Protagonists! (The Main Couple)

My main couple that I wanted to be the focus of the story. It originally started with trying to figure out how to set these characters along to make them fun to follow, and gradually became a project on developing characters altogether!

Greninja

The first character that I had written for and planned on using, that’s Greninja.

Seems pretty typical for folks that want to write about their favorite “popularmons,” but this was back just after X and Y had been released; Greninja was doing well, but still wasn’t in the anime at the time (Ash-Greninja wasn’t even a daydream), and had just been tossed into the latest Super Smash Bros. games (For).

But hey, it was a Water type Pokémon, a Starter no less, and a ninja frog; I don’t think there was a way that I was avoiding using him.

Since this was coming up after I had written for my Super Mario fanfic, I wanted a character that wasn’t quite as front and center as the main characters from that story, at least not to start with.

So, I went with a shy ninja fellow, one that was added to the roster for the king’s personal army. To fit with, well, internal monologues for readers to follow, he was kind of caught up in daydreaming and getting lost in thought when I originally wrote him.

Greninja was also a lot more awkward, having moments that he would kind of burst out and/or babble/ramble his thoughts and emotions a bit more impulsively than he does later on.

He joined them alongside his clansman, Accelgor, who I had been planning on having something of a close relationship with Greninja, but never really wrote it out for the starting concepts.

(I still haven’t quite flourished it yet, but at least they have more interactions than before!)

Through his knowing Accelgor, he gained interaction with Escavalier, who sought him out for advice on his wife.

Otherwise, he pretty much observed others and noted them, but didn’t really hold meaningful interactions with many. It was the kind of typical sort of feeling from a first person perspective, where the other characters just exist to fill holes, and you don’t really worry about their existence at all.

(Not that Greninja would help the audience really care about them, since he kind of just went about his own business. This wasn’t even based on his character; that’s just how the writing depicted him.)

This later developed as I wrote out the actual story, sharing his leading role with his love interest, Chesnaught. Greninja was still introspective, shy, and awkward, but gained a much-needed boost in elegance.

Whereas prior writing had focused on his odd qualities that set him apart from the cast, it was now reshaped to make him alluring instead, with an air of mystery that intrigued others to him, beyond his superior skill and speed as a fighter.

The main boon that Greninja gained was his interpersonal connections. To better balance him alongside Chesnaught, I wanted to give Greninja a rising scale of connections to other characters.

This is showcased when he starts picking up friends in the middle portions of the story, forming fast friends with others, but maintaining those friendships through interaction and support. Doing so balances him to Chesnaught’s connections with the other knights. These friends help Greninja explore his desires more through their encouragement.

Although he remains quick to romance and develops a weighty crush on Chesnaught, Greninja also doesn’t expect his affections returned, holding back on ever telling Chesnaught how he feels, and assuming his partner has no interest in him. In fact, he’s practically given up on the pursuit until another character convinces him to just plug away at life regardless.

It comes down to the point where he’s confessing his feelings not to find love, but just to be open. And that’s a middle ground he dances along oftentimes: contrary to some aspects of his personality, he’s not the type to his affections based on his romantic inclinations. However, he’s not eager to dump this side of him out where it’s not appropriate either.

By the story’s end, Greninja is still a shy and quieter type of character, but one that looks to grow honestly. His relationship, signaled by his silent acceptance of his boyfriend’s public declaration, is what becomes a driving factor for him to keep being true to himself, and to come out more with others.

Chesnaught

My second character written, originally serving as a love interest until I later upgraded his role to a lead protagonist with his eventual boyfriend.

Something gave me an inkling of a feeling that Chesnaught wasn’t going to be the most popular of the Starter trio. Just a hunch, I suppose. Personally, I enjoyed all three of the Kalos trio, and was a bit bothered by this idea.

So, knowing that Greninja was going to be the main character, the idea was to make Chesnaught his love interest, in hopes to appeal to the wider audience that might grow to like Chesnaught as well. (Ok, so I wasn’t completely oblivious to Greninja’s potential popularity.)

His original character acting only as a one-off story’s love interest, however, felt very bland. Chesnaught was fairly popular for the other characters, being more loved by his fellow knights over others, but he was generally liked by many overall. Cheery, easygoing, and attractive were pretty much his traits, which…made him feel a lot more like an object and a lot less like a character.

And that was the prompting factor that made me want to rework the story to improve him a lot more.

(Especially given that I had written another story that alternated between the two main protagonists, another couple, which was a lot more balanced.)

To do so as soon as possible, I wanted to write the first scene from his perspective. This helped give that initial push to not only begin developing Chesnaught, but also the world around him; even if it’s all new to the readers, Chesnaught could still make a reliable narrator to introduce the castle, the knights, and essentially the plot.

His personality was able to open up more flaws to flesh him out as well. Though he retained his positive characteristics, Chesnaught was also saddled with some flaws.

He was a bit more oblivious this time around, not catching onto Greninja’s feelings like he did in the concept. This tipped into his own awkward behaviors, increasing how relatable he’d end up as a character, since he didn’t quite pick up hints from the other characters.

Though he does eventually discover Greninja’s interest in him, it’s after other characters suggest it to him. To his credit, he’s not the type to fall at first blush either; though he’s attracted to Greninja, he doesn’t immediately act upon it, not looking to develop a love-at-first-sight type affair. Slow burn for Chesnaught’s less than stellar speed, I suppose.

Chesnaught also picked up some insecurity, with his popularity being less based on himself and more on maintaining projected norms around his knight comrades. He wasn’t comfortable with himself around them either, not to the same extent as before, until it’s finally revealed that none of them are aware of his romantic inclinations. (This also made it so that he would never be the first to reveal his budding romantic interest.)

By adding this, he was now less attached to his portion of characters that would take up his attention, as there was an unmentioned desire for him to get space, allowing readers to follow him for isolated instances, or to have one-on-one interactions.

But with these flaws, he was also able to gain a more dedicated focus on bettering himself, through improving his strength and interest in combat practices.

This in turn helped differentiate how each would tell the story to a degree, with Chesnaught’s segments focusing more on combative instances and less on descriptions. The world was new to Greninja, not him, but the battles were something he could pay attention to. He’s even perhaps a touch on the impulsive side here too.

In spite of these inclinations, he still remains open to suggestion, which allows the other characters to help him grow comfortable with his pursuing his interests. So when Greninja finally confessings his attraction, Chesnaught is immediate to reciprocate, deciding to break past his barriers to follow his heart.

Though he’s still working on this by story’s end, Chesnaught discovers Greninja’s desires to be open on multiple levels. This pushes him to his ending gamble, publicly revealing his love for Greninja. Its development is saved for later in the next story.

#baf postmortem #baf characters

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uomo-accattivante · 6 years

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I love this interview! 👍🏼

Writer/director Alex Garland set a high bar for himself with Ex Machina, his stellar 2015 directorial debut. That sci-fi movie had a lot on its mind, but his newest film, Annihilation, is far more cerebral. It’s one of the most challenging movies of the year: bold, beautiful, and haunting in a way that occasionally verges on being experimental.

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Garland and actor Oscar Isaac, who plays a key role in the film, to talk to them about bringing this story to the big screen. We touched on the film’s behind-the-scenes clashes, whether or not Garland was concerned with audiences being able to keep up with what he’s doing in this movie, Isaac’s approach to his troubled character, and much more. Read our full Oscar Isaac and Alex Garland interview below.

Warning: Both Garland and Isaac occasionally drop spoilers in a couple of their responses. If you’re 100% spoiler-averse, I’d suggest bookmarking this and reading it after you see the film. Our interview follows.

***

For me, watching this movie was like walking through a beautiful nightmare. I have not read Jeff VanderMeer’s book yet, but can you tell me about how you crafted the visual aspects of being inside The Shimmer?

Isaac: Sure. (laughs)

Garland: (To Isaac) Go on, do it. (laughs) Yeah, we knew we wanted it to be beautiful and disturbing, often concurrently within the same shot. So really, what happened was, there’s a script. And in the script it’s straightforward in many respects, because it says, like, say, this scene, you’d say, ‘INTERIOR. HOTEL BAY. Three people sit around a coffee table.’ But then of course, production designers and set decorators need to make it something where you can stick a camera. So the script was disseminated among the collective, the group of people who work together, many of whom I’ve worked with for a long time – some of them twenty years. Me and [set decorator] Michelle Day and Mark [Digby] on the production design team, [producer] Andrew [Macdonald] – we’ve worked together on seven or eight movies, so we know each other backwards.

It all goes out, and really what happens is, a conversation starts. Everybody’s got a voice, and everybody’s chipping in, and an organic, evolutionary process begins and it doesn’t really stop. It doesn’t really stop until the picture’s locked. Right in the 59th minute of the twelfth hour, or whatever the right thing to say is, in the grade, these things are being affected hugely. How much do you saturate the colors? Where do you choose to desaturate? Where do you choose to put a bright point in the screen and do we have a vignette on the shot to focus? So it never really stops. It’s a big collective all working together and getting there organically.

Isaac: But at the same time, nudging it towards ‘What’s most disturbing?’ As an example, without trying to give away too much stuff, the ‘fight’ scene at the end between the alien and Lena. I was there for a lot of those rehearsals, and just seeing – it’s such an ephemeral thing. Why is it more disturbing if she’s less aggressive here, but pushing into her? Why is it weirder if this movement happens as opposed to this movement? It’s hard to say why, but it’s one of those things where we wouldn’t think of it, but then (nods to Garland) you’d suggest it, and suddenly we were all like, ‘Yep. That’s definitely creepier.’ Something as subtle as, this alien being, all it is is intention. So seeing the physicality of that idea happen. The collaborative part is, you say that, and then we have to interpret that. How do you physicalize just intention? Then somewhere that alchemy comes together, and everyone gets on the same page and creates something really crazy.

By the end, Kane turns out to be unlike any character you’ve played before. But in the beginning, I was noticing a couple of similarities to the soldier you voice in the Homecoming podcast. Did you think about that character at all when you were making this?

Isaac: Oh, is that right? No, I didn’t. That one, he was a private. Sure, he had kind of gone through some weird stuff, but I think with that one, there was a bit of an innocence. Kane maybe has…it’s a little bit of a different thing. There’s a deeper, darker bubbling thing underneath him.

As the film goes on, it feels increasingly impressionistic and almost experimental at certain points. Were you worried at all about audiences not being able to keep up?

Garland: No. Not really. That’s not to say there’s anything to do with ignoring audiences. It’s not that. But it has to do with what you’re concerned with in relation to the audience, you know? For example, the kind of area where I’d think about it a lot would be to do with strangeness. So the film was, in some ways, conceived backwards. There was this crucial aspect to me that began as Natalie’s character is walking along the beach, and then contains the sequence within a lighthouse. I knew that was the goal, and I knew that I wanted us collectively to achieve a particular level of strangeness and beauty and oddness. Things like the dance sequence that Oscar was just alluding to. It needed to have information, but not information that was stated. It was more inferred. They key thing would be about strangeness, right? What it feels like to watch it. The crucial thing is what would it feel like? So then, you have to think, ‘How do you construct feeling?’

One of them, say in the case of strangeness, is that there’s a diminishing return with it. So if you begin strange, by the time you get to the end strange, you’ve got acclimatized to it and you’ve lost the thing that you’re shooting for. So that created a built-in structure, which on set and in pre-production, we used to call ‘suburbia to psychedelia,’ because it sounds neat and it’s a nice reduction. It’s a nice sound byte, isn’t it? But it’s got truth in it. Because if you start in suburbia, you start in our world, it gives you the chance of getting truly strange, in a way. So everything was sort of structured that way.

Along those same lines, there were some heavily publicized behind-the-scenes clashes about the making of this movie. I know you’re someone who’s not afraid to speak your mind, so I’m just wondering if you’re pleased with how it all turned out.

Garland: I only really give a shit about the film, OK? That’s actually all I care about. So as long as the film honors the intent of the collective, I’m basically happy. That’s what I care about. I think we did everything we could, and I’m proud of it, and I love it, so I’m fine with it.

I’m curious about your process. What kinds of conversations did you guys have about Kane, and was there a moment when you were developing your take on him where everything clicked for you?

Isaac: (Jokingly) Yeah, I had it all figured out, and I walked in and said, ‘Shut up. Sit down. And point the camera at this.’ (points at his own face)

Garland: He set the lens. There was some discussion about the lighting, but Oscar won. That’s the way it goes.

Isaac: (laughs) Yeah, we talked. That’s what we do. We like to talk a lot and we think about things in similar ways, I like to think, and we have a similar sense of humor. So I think my first question was, ‘I know it’s not Predator with girls, but tell me why it’s not Predator with girls.’ No, I’m kidding. I just read it and thought it was fascinating and thought it was so strange and so beautiful, and I wanted to play this character. What was so cool is that he has all this stuff bubbling underneath, as I was saying, so that’s what was most interesting to me. There was almost a Pinter-esque quality to it, where there’s all these pauses and all of this subtext that’s just emanating out of these two people. But they don’t say it. Like Alex said, it’s inferred. So we spoke a lot about that. ‘What is it that’s happening underneath, and what is the nature of this relationship? What do I know now that I’m not saying? In this scene, now what do I know? What does she know?’ Trying to map those things out. Everything had a palpable energy between the characters.

Then coming up with different ideas: ‘Where might he be from? What if I try making his voice sound a little like this? What do you think about that?’ And then at the end, just the nature of the energy of how do we do this speech at the end that’s being filmed? What’s the reason we’re filming it? What’s the intent of it? Getting very specific about that stuff. That’s what a lot of it felt like. And with Alex, it always feels like we’re building a motorcycle together, or building a car. We’re just kind of handing each other the tools and making it together. That’s what’s really fun about it.

Garland: It was actually all built backwards. So for me, for what it’s worth, the whole thing was about earning the speech that Kane says at the end in this locked off shot that just sits there and lets him do it. It’s about the words that are contained there and the things he’s expressing there. Everything else is in support of that moment. The whole film actually is in support of the last thirty minutes, basically. Which sounds like a sort of stupid thing to say, because truly all films are. But actually that’s not exactly true. In a way, every single thing that happens is just inching your way towards this strange metaphysical sequence. And having it not as just abstract firework fun, but having content.

Isaac: Or pain. I think what the last thirty minutes are just this metaphysical pain and despair in some ways.

Garland:(To Oscar, jokingly) That’s how you’re choosing to sell the movie? Are you out of your fucking mind?

Isaac: Let’s go back to Predator with girls. Predator with girls! (laughs)

Garland: It’s true, though. It’s true.

With this and Star Wars, you’re a part of two big recent sci-fi movies that proudly feature women at the forefront of the cast, which is really cool. I know you’re separated from a lot of the ensemble here, but tell me about working with Natalie on this.

Isaac: I was shooting Star Wars at the exact same time, too, so that was a wild thing to –

Wait, you were jumping back and forth between sets?

Isaac: It was literally the same studio.

Oh, cool.

Isaac: So some days I would walk from – I think I still used my trailer from Star Wars…

Garland: Yeah, we didn’t have trailers. But there were days where you were, on the same day, shooting both things.

Isaac: Yeah, there were. I would shoot something in the morning and then have a little bit of down time and then switch it up. So that was wild.

Garland: We’d catch him at his lunch break and say, ‘We’ve got to shoot this now!’ (laughs)

Isaac: I think I visited, too, still dressed up as Poe on the set.

Garland:Yeah, totally.

Isaac: It was pretty wild. It reminded me a little of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, when he’s on the lot and you see all the different actors walking around. There was something very classic about it. So there was very little time, and not a lot of rehearsal time, and Natalie and I didn’t know each other. It happens in movies, obviously – you have to suddenly be very intimate with someone very quickly. I think the fact that she was willing to trust me and I was trusting her, and we just went in there and did it and tried to find a real intimacy. Which is always a weird, awkward, strange thing to do suddenly in front of a bunch of people. But we found that, and I really enjoyed those scenes with her. She is very focused, but also in those scenes, very emotionally available as well, so I really enjoyed that.

Garland: It makes me want to name-check Rian [Johnson] and Ram [Bergman], the producer on Star Wars [The Last Jedi]. I think because they come from an indie film background, here they are making like the biggest movie of all time, and they were unbelievably helpful and accommodating to us. And they really didn’t have to be at all. Most big productions would not even dream of doing that. And they went out of their way – whilst making fucking Star Wars, for Christ’s sake – to help this really small movie next door. It was very cool and I’m truly grateful for it, actually.

Making a movie with all female protagonists almost feels like a political statement today. Was that something that specifically drew you to this?

Garland: I really just want to dodge that question.

Really?

Garland: Yeah. The answer that I’m saying – which I’ve said before, so I apologize for it, but I’m in a position where this is the answer that I have – is that the previous film that Oscar and I worked on together [Ex Machina] had within it a very conscious set of deliberate arguments which related to gender and objectification. As well as other stuff about sentience and AI and all of that kind of thing. And what interested me about this project was the absence of an argument. So if I now talk about that, I dismantle the absence of the argument. So I’d just like to leave it at that.

Understood. You wrote this long before the Times Up and Me Too movements came to light, and I certainly don’t want you to explain the ending of your movie, but there’s some symbolism and imagery at the end that could be interpreted as being aligned with those causes. Does the film feel even more relevant now than when you wrote it, considering what’s going on culturally?

Garland: No, it doesn’t. I can’t lay claim to that. I wouldn’t want to. For me, it was a film, internally – by the way, let me just say, any time you present a narrative, in a book or a film or whatever the fuck it is, what is really happening is that fifty percent of the narrative is not provided by you. It’s provided by the subjective nature of the person receiving the narrative. So they fill in gaps, they provide stuff, they create agendas, whatever it happens to be. That is not problematic to me, that is just in the nature of the job. Right? For me, personally – so it doesn’t have to be for you – in as much as it is about something, which it is, to me, it is about the nature of self-destruction. It was about an observation I made, which is that everybody appears to be self-destructive. Some people are very obviously self-destructive because they’re addicted to heroin or alcohol or they act in a psychotic way or whatever, and they offer their self-destruction to you. Other people are very comfortable in their own skin, and they’ve got a fantastic job and a fantastic life and everything seems to be bulletproof. They feel like they’ve sort of cracked something about life. But then when you get to know them, you discover odd bits of self-destruction, which then become significant bits of self-destruction. It was the universality of it, that even the people who’d cracked it all had not cracked it all. And then I started trying to think –

Isaac: Where does it come from?

Garland: Where does it come from? Why is it that you have a really good marriage and you dismantle it? Why do you have a really good friendship and you dismantle it? Why do you have a really good job and you dismantle it? Whatever it happens to be. And the film essentially presents that question and an answer to that question by inference. To me, that is what it’s about.

*****

Annihilation hits theaters on February 23, 2018.

#spoilers #oscar isaac #annihilation #alex garland #behind the scenes #star wars #the last jedi #rian johnson #ram bergman #interview

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doomonfilm · 3 years

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Review : Chaos Walking (2021)

It seems that two types of films emerged from the depths created for the entertainment industry by COVID-19. The first were the films too big to release in the midst of a pandemic : movies like Black Widow, A Quiet Place II and No Time To Die already had promotional campaigns in place prior to theaters and studios grinding to a halt. The second type of film, however, were the notorious properties studios had wrapped production on but were afraid to pull the trigger on. Previously, I covered one of these films in the form of The Woman in the Window, and I found that not knowing about the film’s rocky path towards release helped me enjoy it on its own merits. This is what built my fascination for Chaos Walking, a film that took nearly a decade to release and another couple to see the light of day.

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There are some good ideas going on in this film. For starters, the premise of the noise is definitely one that works in narrative form, but with the old adage of film being “show, don’t tell”, translating this concept to a visual medium is already an uphill battle. There is quite a bit of inconsistency in how this device is used… not so much from person to person, as it is explained numerous times that some men are better at hiding their noise than others (a nod to how well some men swallow their trauma rather than address it), but mostly in the portrayal of Todd, our protagonist, who is prone to fits of random explicit language in his normal processing, but completely silent in a life or death fight, where I feel the noise would be savagely overwhelming and distracting. The noise works the best as a tool for examining the patriarchal framework, be it David Prentiss and his fatherhood figurehead status backed with ideals, Todd and his toxic disillusionment in regards to what makes a man, or perhaps most tragically, in the form of Aaron, a supposed man of faith filled with a rage caused by his maniacal obsession with the possible demonic origins of his noise. Maybe the analogy is a bit heavy-handed, especially when held in comparison to the women, whose silence seems to imply either a devious nature or a lesser prowess in terms of whatever symbol of thought the noise portrays, but with the film acting as a hopeful entry point for a supposed trilogy, one can hope and/or assume that this dynamic would be flipped in terms of examination eventually.

Where the film really falters, however, is in the number of elements it tries to hang importance upon, as the imbalance comes off as distractions in the bigger picture. Perhaps the biggest of these unnecessary elements is the entire idea of the new planet and the unfulfilled threat that is the Spackle. Like some sort of antagonist straw man, the Spackle are presented as a genocidal threat, positioned as a possible moral dilemma via their existence at the same time a hint of their ability to be a threat is shown, but in the end, they have such little impact on the story that the film may as well take place on a post-apocalyptic Earth. If anything, having Viola arrive via a spacecraft is redundant, like bringing sand to a beach (even if she is a woman)... perhaps she could have been a humanoid alien, or an alien mimicking humans, especially in light of the fact that isolated colonies with completely different political and social structures exist in this world. The number of conflicts that exist in the film work for a long form story, but come off as a bit convoluted, with Todd’s mother and father’s past, the dark history of Prentisstown, the inherent conflict from the community of Farbranch and even the Spackle all deserving more time and focus in a non-shared capacity. The community of Prentisstown was also a bit too populated for a community full of men, and would have been better served to be David Prentiss, his son, a handful of faithful followers and Todd, the reluctant adopted son of someone surviving on the outskirts of the community.

The special effect meant to symbolize the noise worked very well all things considered, thought the logic of people being able to project multiple objects that will physically impede another individual is a bit far-reaching, especially when the average visual is a small multi-colored haze. For small-scale action, the sequences do add a boost of energy into the somewhat monotonous story arc, with the overarching narrative really only consisting of 2 or 3 significant beats. The special effects used to create the environments are able to simulate believable worlds that mirror aspects of Earth, but with an overrun or uncharted feel being the dominant environmental presence, mostly to a great effect. The tower set and the downed spaceship near the end of the film in particular serve as two very memorable locations in terms of their aesthetic quality and utility in terms of progressing the narrative. The worst part of the disarming production design for the Spackle was that it was underused. The writing is ok, with a few good ideas present, but it is 100% elevated by the cast.

Tom Holland has the troubled youth role on lock these days, with Chaos Walking continuing to show his range in terms of teenage angst, uncertainty and fear about supposed accepted illustrations of manhood. Daisy Ridley does find herself being used mostly in a modified “damsel in distress” capacity, leading to most of her important story beats serving as reactionary to Holland’s characterization of Todd... perhaps she was to have more to do in the following films, but likely, these films will not be made, leaving her character the most underdeveloped of the film. Mads Mikkelsen brings a heightened sense of dignity meant to mask a troubled and deeply regretful leader who has bought too far into his own lie to face the truth. Nick Jonas, though entertaining in his oafishness and bruteness, also falls a bit into the one-note category. David Oyelowo brings the most personal tension to the table of all the characters, with his faith working in tandem with his fear to tear his soul and psyche apart. Kurt Sutter and Demián Bichir play the adoptive fathers to the Todd character, with Bichir especially getting moments to shine in terms of showing parental unconditional love and compassion. Cynthia Erivo turns in a brief but powerful performance as the antithesis to the Prentiss presentation of women, while Ray McKinnon, Bethany Anne Lind, Harrison Osterfield and others round out the remaining cast.

While Chaos Walking isn’t the disaster that the masses are chalking it up to be, it is a movie with obvious flaws that, unfortunately, will not likely get a chance to redeem itself via sequels. With a wealth of dystopian YA films already out on the market that have explored the complete spectrum of teenage issues, Chaos Walking doesn’t bring enough new to the table to stand out from the crowd, and if not for a stellar cast, it would likely be as forgettable in theory as it is mocked in reality. Seeing that I went into the viewing expecting bad, I can say that I actually enjoyed my watch, but I couldn’t honestly tell you if or when I would revisit this film.

#ChiefDoomsday #DOOMonFILM #PatrickNess #ChristopherFord #ChaosWalking #TomHolland #DaisyRidley #MadsMikkelsen #DemiánBichir #CynthiaErivo #NickJonas #DavidOyelowo #KurtSutter #RayMcKinnon #BethanyAnneLind #HarrisonOsterfield

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