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#dan and the director turned to each other and go
keyboard-cowgirl · 1 year
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Evan + Zane cover “Vogue” - Madonna
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poisonousquinzel · 7 months
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Batman: The Animated Series Harley Quinn being the Blueprint for Modern Harley Quinn
my actual version of this post
Working On The Side Of / With The Batfam
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Harlequinade (EP) • "Batman and Robin have no time to spare in stopping the Joker from detonating an atomic bomb, so they enlist the help of Harley Quinn to hunt the Joker down."
Batgirl Adventures • "When Poison Ivy is captured by mobsters, Harley Quinn must act quickly to save her, so she turns to the only hero she can find: Batgirl!"
Batman: Gotham Adventures #43 • "Who's out to get Harley Quinn? Batman has to take her on as a sidekick to find out. The answer awaits deep in Harley's history...that is, if she and the Dark Knight survive the traps set for them all over Gotham!"
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 1 (2020) #12 | Season 3 #2, #5, #7
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Also before anyone comes @ me all "oh but what about her participating in the Death in the Family storyline", I've made a post here talking about the exacts of Harley's involvement in Jason's death.
Trying To Have A Better, Reformed Life / Redemption Arc
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Batman: The Animated Series "Harley's Holiday"
Batman: Gotham Adventures #10
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 (2023) #2
Ending Scene In Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker
Being A Little Goofy Gal
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Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 2 (2020) #7
Batman: The Animated Series • "Holiday Knights", "Harlequinade", "The Man Who Killed Batman"
Dressing Revealingly / Being Sexual
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Batman: The Animated Series • "Harley & Ivy", "Harley's Holiday", "Holiday Knights", "Beware The Creeper"
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Being Bisexual (cry about it♡)
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Paul Dini: When Bruce and I did the Harley and Ivy miniseries, it was certainly implied that [Ivy and Harley] had a relationship with each other—they shared hugs and kisses. I didn’t want that to overpower what the story was, but the relationship between them is so natural.
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Paul Dini: The more I worked with [Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy], the more I could see [a romantic relationship] happening. Unfortunately, at the time, in an animated kids cartoon, you really couldn’t get into the complexity of that or honor what a relationship like that could really be. We just showed them together as friends and on fairly intimate terms when they were out of the costume, but nothing was implicit because if we couldn’t do that relationship properly then we didn’t want to do it at all.
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Batman: The Animated Series • "Holiday Knights"
Batgirl Adventures (1997)
Love Is Love (2016)
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 #2-7
Breaking The Fourth Wall
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Batman: The Animated Series • "Harley's Holiday"
HQ, turning her head towards the camera: "Talk about grasping at straws. Oh, well, at least I'm going out on a joke."
Being A Domestic Violence Victim (And That Being A Prevalent Aspect Of Her Story)
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"Everyone else sees the Joker laugh, only Harley has ever seen him cry. It's the only reason she stays with him.
Harleen, having once been a therapist, has touched onto his vulnerability. She knows who he is underneath. That’s what keeps her there."
- Arleen Sorkin [Batman: Animated | Interview Add-On Comment]
Batman: The Animated Series • "The Laughing Fish", "Harley & Ivy", "Mad Love"
Justice League • "Wild Cards"
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love (comic)
Harley Quinn: Mad Love (Novel)
Batman: The Animated Series | The New Batman Adventures Episodes
Harlequinade Aired: May 23, 1994 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Kevin Altieri
Harley's Holiday Aired: October 15, 1994 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Kevin Altieri
Holiday Knights Aired: September 13, 1997 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Dan Riba
The Man Who Killed Batman Aired: February 1, 1993 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Bruce Timm
Harley & Ivy Aired: January 18, 1993 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Boyd Kirkland
Beware The Creeper Aired: November 7, 1998 Writer: Rich Fogel Story by: Steve Gerber Director: Dan Riba
The Laughing Fish Aired: January 10, 1993 Writer: Paul Dini Director: Bruce Timm
Mad Love Aired: January 16, 1999 Writer: Paul Dini Story by: Bruce Timm & Paul Dini Director: Butch Lukic
Justice League Wild Cards Aired: December 6, 2003 Writer: Stan Berkowitz and Dwayne McDuffie Director: Butch Lukic
Ending Scene In Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker Story: Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, Bruce Timm Screenplay: Paul Dini Director: Curt Geda
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love Writers: Paul Dini, Bruce Timm Pencilers: Bruce Timm Inkers: Bruce Timm Colorists: Bruce Timm, Rick Taylor Letterers: Tim Harkins Editors: Scott Peterson, Darren Vincenzo
Batman: Gotham Adventures #43 Writers: Scott Peterson Pencilers: Tim Levins Inkers: Terry Beatty Colorists: Lee Loughridge Letterers: Albert DeGuzman Editors: Joan Hilty, Harvey Richards
Batman: Gotham Adventures #10 Writers: Ty Templeton Pencilers: Rick Burchett Inkers: Terry Beatty Colorists: Lee Loughridge Letterers: Tim Harkins Editors: Darren Vincenzo
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 1 #12 Writers: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini Pencilers: Ty Templeton Inkers: Ty Templeton Colorists: Monica Kubina Letterers: Josh Reed Editors: Andrew Marino
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 2 #7 Writers: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini Pencilers: Rick Burchett Inkers: Rick Burchett Colorists: Monica Kubina Letterers: Josh Reed Editors: Andrew Marino
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 #2 Writers: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini Pencilers: Kevin Altieri Inkers: Kevin Altieri Colorists: Monica Kubina Letterers: Josh Reed Editors: Andrew Marino, Ben Meares, Katie Kubert
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 #5 Writers: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini Pencilers: Ty Templeton Inkers: Ty Templeton Colorists: Monica Kubina Letterers: Josh Reed Editors: Ben Meares, Andrew Marino, Katie Kubert
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season 3 #7 Writers: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini Pencilers: Ty Templeton Inkers: Ty Templeton Colorists: Monica Kubina Letterers: Josh Reed Editors: Ben Meares, Andrew Marino, Katie Kubert
Batgirl Adventures (1997) Writers: Paul Dini Pencilers: Rick Burchett Inkers: Rick Burchett Colourists: Rick Taylor Letterers: Albert DeGuzman Editors: Scott Peterson, Darren Vincenzo
Love is Love (2016) Writer: Paul Dini Illustrator: Bill Morrison Colourist: Robert Stanley Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Harley Quinn: Mad Love (Novel) Written By: Pat Cadigan and Paul Dini
I am aware this last one isn't technically in the BTAS universe, but later on in the novel, it blends into the Mad Love comic/episode and then goes past it. I only used scenes that were originally featured in the comic/episode as they are just those scenes in a purely written form.
Harley Quinn: Mad Love (Novel) Pg. 261 He lowered his head and slumped, the very picture of dejection. Harley couldn’t stand to see him that way. She cuddled up next to him and took him in her arms. “I know how to make some smiles, puddin’,” she said in a playful, sultry voice. His whole body stiffened under her touch. “Puddin’?” But she knew it was hopeless; she’d done the wrong thing again. A moment later, he was leading her down the stairs by her nose, pinching it so hard between his thumb and forefinger that she cried out on every step. “Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow! That hurts! It really, really hurts! Please, puddin’—” He pinched even harder as he led her to the door, opened it, then turned her around. “How many times do I have to tell you?” he roared, applying his foot to her backside. “Don’t call me puddin’!” Harley scrambled to her feet just as he slammed the door in her face. She started to beg him to let her in but suddenly all the fight went out of her and she sank down to sit cross-legged in front of the door. Thrown out again; how many times was this? She’d lost count. No, she hadn’t. This was the twenty-fifth time. That averaged out at roughly three times a week for the past two months. - Harley Quinn: Mad Love (Novel) Pg. 255 “Hey, that’s a real gasser, ain’t it, Mistah J?” she said between giggles. In the next moment, Gordon thought the nitrous was making him hallucinate as events took a sharp turn into the surreal. The Joker grabbed the floppy points on Harley’s hat, pulling her to him so they were nose to nose. “I deliver the punchlines around here!” he bellowed into her face. “Got that?” “Yessir,” Harley Quinn said, her voice tiny and fearful. The Joker shoved her aside and the jolly Clown Prince of Crime persona was back.
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meaningofaeons · 8 months
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i only found your account a few days (i think? agsudhdb) ago and so i just wanted to say congrats on 500!! your work made me giggle a lot akshdjdb
as for my request, i'd like to go to the cat café with dan heng to see a black scottish fold with an order of cider :>> (hoping i did this right haha)
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-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ only in the limelight
⊹ character(s) - dan heng ⊹ word count - 593 ⊹ notes - gn!reader, actor au, angst/no comfort, unrequited love, "costar" at the end is up to interpretation who you want it to be
⊹ katze's 500 follower writing cat-baret
OMG hi thank you so much for the kind words!!! (=^・ェ・^=))ノ彡☆ welcome to my blog! I'm glad you've enjoyed your time so far, and I hope you like your "cat cafe date" with dan heng!!
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At best, your relationship with Dan Heng could be classified as "business".
Actors often get shoved into scandals whether they like it or not, and considering your young careers, one wrench could dismantle your entire future.
As a result of this, from the moment you two set foot on set "Honkai Star Rail" as costars, you agreed to keep an amicable distance outside of all job-related functions.
Dan Heng was okay with this.
He is okay with this.
It's okay, and it's normal, and it's honestly what's best.
For both of you. For your careers, and for yourselves.
Right?
But there are some nights where he realizes just how boldly the line is drawn—at least, from your end—and he starts to wonder if there was some other way to get around it.
It starts as a request he didn't think over.
"Should we grab a drink after this shoot? I'm exhausted."
Some part of him yearned for something... a little more casual than just business.
Not that he quite realized that himself.
However, you were firm in your refusal, citing the agreement that the aloof man himself had also agreed to.
He couldn't say much to that.
Another time, it was about coffee. Getting a cup before work together if you and him happened to meet up.
This time, the staunch denial surprised him a bit.
Your reminder of the verbal terms you'd both set for each other started to become a bitter thing for him to hear.
He was starting to regret it.
And he didn't like what that implied.
"Dan Heng, your script for the next act."
You were curt in handing it off to him, but his stomach still felt fluttery when your fingertips brushed.
Even your colder tone of voice was like a melody to him, but the thought of such a cheesy romanticization of your normal, everyday action brought him a bittersweet twist in his chest.
The raven-haired man nodded in return, his poker face a perfectly practiced trade that allowed him to deny any butterflies with ease.
Truthfully, he didn't know if it was to deny them to anyone who might ask, or to deny them to himself.
"Right. Thanks, Y/N."
"All right, everyone! Good work today!" The director's voice rang out, the words allowing everyone to relax. "Get some rest, and let's pick up fresh tomorrow!"
You were quick to walk away, giving your fellow costars friendly good-byes.
Though Dan Heng received the same wave and farewell you gave to anyone else, he still treasured that you looked his way, even if only for a moment.
Maybe one day he could convince you to come along for just one coffee stop. Maybe then, you'd talk, be more willing to open up to him outside of professionalism.
But the very next day, on the set for your character's backstory shoot, he was met only with what felt like a knife to the heart.
Dan Heng wasn't a people person by any means. Reading others wasn't his forte, and it never would be.
But when it came to you...
He could just see the way your eyes sparkled as you held your other costar, acting out a tragic romance with a fleck of truth behind your every word.
He even heard you giggle as they leaned in between a shot, asking if you'd like to get dinner after work was through for the day.
Dan Heng turned away before he could catch your response.
He was quite sure hearing it would break him.
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celesteheartsjey · 2 months
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~Call On Me~Chapter 1
"Bloodline you're on in 5.. 4..3..2..1" the director said not even above a whisper.
"Now.." The director says right on cue.
Roman turns his head from the tv backstage in the bloodlines locker room, slowly , with sort of a smirk on his face, yet a confused look at the same time.
"I don't get it .. Wiseman.." Roman spoke, turning his body to Paul, not all the way , but just enough to know that he's talking to him.
"Yes my tribal chief ?" Paul's says quickly leaning into Roman's frame, listening to his voice of concern.
"Why are they on my show?" he says referring to Randy and Matt Riddle whom had just had a match with Sami Zayn, as both men in the end had stood tall with their raw tag team champions. "I mean we already smashed RK-Bro, we done with them man , they must be desperate.."
"I mean we already whooped them at backlash uce, and they out here still talking Trash !" Jey chimed in with a hint of aggravation in his voice.
"Yeah, they not just talking trash about the tribal chief uce" Jimmy joining in also. "They not only doing that , but they disrespect the usos too !" He said looking back and forth between his twin brother and older cousin. "Saying we can't do nothing on our own.. saying we need you to do everything for us" he says , with his eyes on Roman's. "Man.." he countinued. "We the longest reigning smackdown tag team champions nearly 300 days for a reason !"
"No cap" jey says agreeing with his brother.
"But it's all good uce ! We do this for the bloodline, and most of all we doin this for family ! Tonight uce ..the whole world will acknowledge the tribal chief ."
The camera pin points on Roman as he looks on with a serious expression, clearly taking in everything the brothers just said, nodding his head, he was satisfied with what he heard.
"Tonight ..we gone give them an answer" Roman says.
The odd silence fell from the room when the director had yelled "cut !". Everyone had got up from the nice cushions they were sitting on, making their way outside of the locker room, to prepare for the events that would happen later that night , involving a in ring segment with Riddle and Randy.
_____
Outside the locker room, was where she stood waiting for Roman. Ever heard of the catchphrase "behind every successful man there is a woman"?
She in this case , was definitely that woman. Olivia Ouelett was her name. She and Roman had been married for quite some time now , and it was very evident that these two were so in love with each other , even now with the wave that Roman and his cousins are on , she's extremely proud of him . He's worked hard to get to where he is now, and it first it was a struggle , but that's apart of life .
All people tend to go through struggles, but that makes them who they are, and if anything that ought to make a person stronger , fueling the passion deep within one's heart.
Roman embraces his beautiful wife, closing the now gone distance, between them.
Olivia smiled as she took in her husbands warmeth against her body. He then pulls away, looking at her up and down , observing the very short red dress that had a low cut , enough to reveal her breasts, hugging her tight frame ,with her blonde loose curls, flowing down her back beautifully.
Olivia, to simply put it was just that girl.
A smirk forms at his lips, As his eyes still can her amazing features.
"I don't know what it is ..but it's something about this dress that's taking everything in me to not rip it off of you right now" he says suddenly. This time with more of a serious, thus far desirable look.
Olivia giggled at her husbands words.
"Mm, eh bien, si cela ne tanait qu'a moi, je te ramenerais dans ce vestiaire tout de suite" she said, speaking in her very strong French Canadian accent.
"English ?" He asks, his hands moving down to her waist.
"I said , if it were up to me I would take you in that locker room, right there..now." she says pointing over at the locker room door that he as well as his cousins had just came out of.
He bit his lip , turned on by her words. "Well how about we -"
"Ay yall chill on the pda. We know yall married but damn, do everybody gotta know?" Jimmy says , interrupting the moment like he always does.
Joe sighs at yet another moment being ruined. Meanwhile Olivia just laughs.
"Uce why you always gotta say something" Jey says tapping his brothers arm, causing him to flinch.
"What you mean ?! I ain't even do nothing , all I asked was a damn question! I can't ask questions now ?? and secondly what the hell you hit me for ??"
"Cause of yo damn foolishness that's why, now come on so we can go to get us a quick bite to eat at catering before this segment tonight" jey says walking off.
Jimmy rubs the back of his head and just looks at his brother walking away, then he looks between Roman and Olivia.
"Ay uh, I'll catch you later then big uce" he says dapping Roman up , and walking off behind his brother.
Roman shakes his head and looks back at Olivia. " I can't stand them sometimes" he says with a bit of a chuckle.
Olivia laughs.
_____
Later That Following Night
The Bloodline had cut their in ring segment for the night , and were currently walking backstage.
By that point everyone was ready to load and get ready to go. Hoping that they all could get a good nights rest , and just like that be on to the next city..
Roman and Olivia walked hand in hand as they went back into the locker room, having faith that they would get some kind of alone time tonight.
As soon as the door is opened Roman goes to plop down on the couches soft cushions, instantaneously letting out a loud groan. Olivia joins in, sitting beside him.
He lies his head back, gazing up at the rooms lights. Olivia comes into him closer, closing the space between the cushions.
Her hand begins to fidget with the zipper on his jacket that he was wearing , the other one was playing with the likes of his hair that was slicked back into a man bun.
He looked over at Olivia , adoringly as she toyed with his hair . He pulled her in , only for him to place a light kiss on her lips.
She swooned at the touch of his lips, already missing the feeling of them. Without saying another word she leans her head down to give him a smother of pecks on his lips, grabbing a hold of his thick beard she begins to stroke it lightly.
A slight moan falls from Olivia's lips as the kiss gets sloppier. Their tongues dancing like no other, feeling the heat of the moment.
Just like that Olivia lifts her right leg up to put it over Roman's lap , practically straddling him, with their lips not once leaving each other. Olivia's dress rises up by the minute as Roman starts to rub his gigantic hands in circles over her ass.
Her moans intensify as he tugs at the back of her dress , pulling it over, to reveal her bare, but perfectly rounded butt.
He places a hard smack against her sensitive skin. She moans In return, his lips leaving her mouth to then only attack her neck.
His hands roamed her back , tugging at the back of her dress once more.
"Take this off" he growled against her skin, unzipping the back of her red fitted dress.
She did just as he said, sliding her dress down over her shoulders, revealing her black laced bra, with the panties to match. Pulling her dress all the way off, she throws it to the floor.
His hands immediately fall to her breast, groping them, liking the feel. Her hands lay on top of his, rubbing his hands against her breasts.
Suddenly he stops, lifting himself up , with her weight still on him , as he began to unzip his jacket and take it off of himself, along with his shirt, showing his toned body that was both tatted and Muscular.
He positioned himself back to where he was at first, just gazing at her and her beautiful adolescense.
"You're so perfect" he softly spoke, pulling up to Kiss her lips again.
She giggles. "Thank you"
Before saying another word, they find themselves kissing each other nonstop , his hand caressing her back , soon coming down the front of her. His hands went down her stomach , pulling at her black laced panties.
Looking down he notices how wet she is, so he takes his finger and slowly inserts it inside of her.
"Oh, oh my god" she spoke.
"Feels good don't it ?" He whispered against her ear.
"Yes.." she whined to him.
While he was pumping his finger in and out of her , his free hand went to her bra, pulling it down, unveiling her double d's .
His mouth watered at the sight of them, quickly attaching his lips to her left breast.
He took his time working on her left nipple , soon going over to latch his lips on the other one. She moaned, looking up at the lights, laying her head back as far as she could, only to bring her head back down again to look at his finger as he slid in and out of her wet folds.
"Mmm.." she moaned moved her hips back and forth against him, as he fingers worked her, picking up his pace.
Her hands went around his head , as he had finally unattached his lips from her nipple. He pumps in to her more as she feels herself starting to come of an extremely high orgasm, her moans more vocal than ever.
"Mhmm, tell your tribal chief what you want" he moans.
" Je veux que tu me baises, I want you to fuck me" she said with a pleading tone.
Hearing those 6 words, he took his fingers from her sticky folds and put it up to her mouth, allowing her to get a taste of herself.
Taking his finger from her mouth, he pulls his joggers down along with his underwear, to see his 7 inch shaft , spring out , rock hard against her slickness.
He picks her up, cupping both of her cheeks , and placing them on his dick. She moans at the feel of him inside of her.
His thrusts started slow as she mosned to him , fulfilling her every desire in that moment, that pleased the both of them, as they had moaned together in unison.
"I can feel how wet you are for me .."
A moan was all that feel from her tounge, until he planted a hard smack on her ass.
"Uhh yes ! I'm so wet for you !" She loudly moaned.
He countinued to slap her ass, rolling her hips into his , riding the waves of ecstasy , watching her body go back and forth.
"Tell daddy what you want again" he says, placing a tight grip on her hips.
"I-I .. I want daddy to fuck Me!"
And that he did as he had moved with a quickness, his balls slapping against her skin, his mouth widening at the pleasure he was giving , as they fucked each other in pure bliss.
"You love this dick huh?" He says cupping her ass checks, to go down harder on his member.
"Yes! I Love it !"
"Then you gone cum for me right?" He whispered against her ear.
"Uht, yes-"
"What you say, I can't hear you baby" he said pounding into her much faster.
"Y-Y-Yesssss! I'm cumming! I'm cumming!" She moaned, feeling her walls closing in.
"Fu-"
That's when their was a twist on the door knob, and with Olivia and Roman not paying to much attention, they hadn't even noticed that the door had opened.
"Ay, Uce-" jey said stopping dead in his tracks, as his voice echoed throughout the room , causing Olivia to jump up within a matter of seconds, gathering her clothes to cover her, running into the bathroom.
" shit, shit ! My fault uce !" He said quickly going back outside the lockeroom, in absolute embarrassment, knowing that he had just walked in on his cousin and his wife 'doing it'.
Once Jey had gotten out of there sight, Olivia peaked her head in from the bathroom.
"Relax baby he's gone, you can come out of hiding now" Roman said dropping his hand down over his face.
She came out of the bathroom , looking straight at Roman like he was crazy.
"What?" He asked looking over to her, adjusting his joggers.
"Why didn't you lock the door !?!" She shrilled at him.
"Why didn't I lock the door ?? What do you mean , you came in last following behind me, why is it me, that was supposed to lock the door!?!"
She rolled her eyes at the thought of their carelessness for fucking in their locker room, and not only that it was the bloodlines lockeroom.
"Whatever" she shot back at him, going back in the bathroom.
" Are we finishing this back at the hotel though ?!" He asked.
"No! Since you thought it was you that wasn't supposed to lock the door!" She shouted from the bathroom.
"What - Olivia I did not say that !"
"Didn't have too !" She hissed.
"But you came in last" Roman said still trying to defend himself.
"Whatever Roman!" She says in annoyance at the topic.
He didn't bother to say anything else, because he personally saw no point if she was going to shut him down everytime. But he still needed the reassurance.
" wait so you really not gone give me no more at the ho-"
"NO."
"Damn" he muttered to himself , wishing that he could've went back and locked that door.
Y’all this is my first fic on here I hope yall enjoy it , and this is also posted on my wattpad , Celeste798 in case yall wanna check it out ! But anyways here yall go ! And y’all’s comments and votes would be very much appreciated 🌞❤️..
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epistemophagy · 8 months
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Thoughts on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S2 E9 "Subspace Rhapsody"
Spoilers under the cut.
Chapel/Ortegas
This episode really sold me on Chortegas, on which I was previously neutral. As far as I'm concerned, it's now canon.
"You're not the only one who's gonna miss her" — That was obvious queerbait, but I'll take it. Same with their adoring stares at each other during "I'm Ready".
Chapel/Spock
"Unfortunately we have had another communication failure" — You don't say (!)
I'm glad they're killing this ship off. I think there's a universe where Spapel might have had some appeal to it, but it's not this one.
Jim Kirk/La'an
"Jim? Sounds so serious" — No that's just what La'an sounds like all the time Jim, sorry.
Jim turns La'an down because of Carol, who is pregnant with David, who will get killed on the Genesis Planet about twenty-five years later indirectly owing to actions taken by Khan ... the Marcus and Noonien-Singh families really forming something of a Montagues and Capulets vibe here
Jim Kirk/Spock
I feel like we are definitely starting to see the beginnings of the TOS Kirk&Spock-to-Spirk dynamic taking shape.
Spock & Uhura
"You pick the song, Nyota" — I feel like there are the beginnings of a Spock and Uhura friendship here and I'm happy about it.
Chapel
I have a note here that reads: "Holy shit, Jess Bush's voice is so hot. Holy shit, Jess Bush is hot."
I really enjoyed how they used Chapel as a powerful contralto soloist. We don't hear enough of that, and being forced to actually give material to voice types who aren't already Broadway's favoured children is one of the ways that musical theatre outside the high-end professional theatre context can be superior to musical theatre in it.
Jim Kirk
"Someone who keeps a necessary distance from her crew because she knows she has to make hard decisions" — For better or worse, we know Jim will ignore Una's description of this attitude as a "first mistake" in TOS, given that "keep[ing] a necessary distance" becomes one of Jim's most defining and most isolating behaviours and in the end is arguably the main reason he is never truly happy.
"Show him the ropes. Kirk's full of talent but still has one or two issues to work out before he begins his commission" — As we TOS girlies know, Jim never works them out.
La'an's tip about the aft torpedoes on the K't'inga class will come in useful for Jim thirty-three years later, during Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Sam Kirk
I honestly haven't really liked Sam up to this episode, but Dan Jeannotte's ensemble work in "I'm Ready" did a great job of making me like him more.
La'an
Christina Chong did a great job with La'an's part, but she deserved better material. She was buried under the instruments at times, and even as a former pit band director who rightfully sees actors as the lower life forms they are (/j), I think that should have been corrected. Also, vocal portamenti are compositionally risky at the best of times and using them over and over in La'an's solo struck me as a misstep.
Pike
I do love Anson Mount but he was the Pierce-Brosnan-in-Mamma-Mia! of this episode. Oh well. The man has many strengths, I'm not going to expect him to have all of them.
I enjoyed that Pike was visibly not taking La'an's concerns about the musical episode effect being a security risk all that seriously, and then bam, "Private Conversation". Listen to women, Christopher!
Spock
I've distrusted Ethan a little since he said "Charades" was his favourite episode but man, he had the biggest positive performer-versus-material quality ratio in this episode. The material they gave Spock was bad bordering on awful, but Ethan's vocal and dramatic performance absolutely sold it, which is quite the achievement given that Spock is not a particularly expressive character and that particular area of the bass-baritone range — the Caiaphas area, if you will — is not easy to be expressive in.
Other
I love that they can hear the soundtrack in universe. Up until Pike asked "Where is that music coming from?", I assumed everyone was just a cappella in-universe, but no! I love even more that they just don't question it after "not anyone on this ship"
"Perhaps fundamental harmonics are the answer" — Honestly, as a theatre music director, I enjoy the fact that the episode doesn't try to get too deep into music theory. It's not something you can fake convincingly unless you actually get your music supervisor to write the dialogue.
"You're applying old rules to a new reality. I suggest you find a different tempo" — Nope! In this house we have a tempo and l'istesso tempo only!
Whose recording of "Anything Goes" was that?
The grand finale needed better drum mixing. Did they leave a soundfont in by mistake?
Apparently the Klingon part was supposed to be a parody of K-pop (you know, because Klingon begins with a K). You honestly could have fooled me. Satire requires a clarity of purpose etc.
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jaegerisim · 8 months
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Screaming And Crying (and kissing in the rain).
*enters your dashboard visibly disheveled* heeeeyyyy y'all, it's me ya girl w a new AU!!! haha dw all of my fics will be finished, um, eventually. Someday.... Anyways this is for my moodboard that got waaaayy too much attention than anticipated. Enjoy! 💕🌈
TW: smoking
Tagging the lovelies interested: @foodiewithdahoodie @mikeslawyer @will--byers @aidyaiden @big-sad-for-byler @booksandpaperss @over-rated-cheese @embarrassing-nerd @maru-chu @callmetheidiot @moviebyers @chic-ultimate @conanssummerchild @rotessaboggs @willthecleric @sageyshideaway @melaniesmpo if anyone wants to be tagged too just tell me in the comments!
Link to AO3
One of these days Will was going to fire his manager. The manager in question being his beloved stepsister, El Hopper.
"So I'm supposed to believe you forgot Mike fucking Wheeler is gonna play my love interest? You just conveniently forgot, right? Fucking great!" Will paced his living room back and forth. He was on the verge of hysteria. It didn't help his mood that Dan, his boyfriend, had cheated on him. That fucking asshole.
"Just calm down, Will. I know you and Mike have a complicated history between the two but you need to do this" reasoned El, calmly sipping from her mug of coffee.
"Do what? A gay rom-com with Mike Wheeler playing my boyfriend? How is that gonna help? How is that gonna change the fact that him and I detest each other. How?" demanded Will, throwing himself on top of his couch, like the dramatic person he is.
"Oh, the tragedy! You and Mike have to make-out! Oh, the horrors!" interrupted Max Mayfield, Will's best friend, eating a baguette.
Will plucked the baguette from her hand and took a bite from it.
"Oh, shut up. Besides I doubt you guys want to see Lucas anymore than I want to see Mike!" snapped Will, knowing he'd hit a sore subject for both girls.
Max pressed her lips in a fine line. "Lucas will probably ignore me, which is what you should do with Mike! Ignore his antiques and live your life."
"Besides why do I need to do this?" spoke Will while chewing.
"Ew, gross. Swallow before talking, for fucks sake!" Max gagged.
"Will, I need you to get this through your thick skull, m'kay? You are an actor, right? Well your job is acting then. Not living off the press and media like a leech." scolded El, and she did have a point. Will had been living off the press for the last 2 years with romantic scandals and modelling jobs.
"Fine, I'll do it. Whatever. I don't care, but if this movie flops it's your fault!" Will wags his finger between Max and El, for emphasis.
"If you'd even bothered to read the script you would know this movie isn't going to flop." The red haired huffed
"I don't need to read to know it's gonna flop 'cause Mike and I are gonna play boyfriends and we are rivals! He is my nemesis, even! I can't stand his smug, freckled face!" Will let out a frustrated groan. "I need a smoke. Max, you coming?"
Max gave El a small kiss on the lips and followed Will to the garden.
"How can I play Mike's boyfriend without gagging. We have 0 chemistry! Who the fuck casted this shit?" said Will lighting his cigarette and passing the lighter over to Max
"First of all, the casting was done by Robin Buckley and the director is Murray Batman, so you keep your mouth shut." snapped Max, she was Mr. Bauman's greatest admirer. "Second of all, you guys used to have loads of chemistry. Remember when the 6 of us used to interviews together?"
Will turned over to look at Max, whose eyes glinted with nostalgia in the moonlight.
He took a long drag and exhaled slowly, Max mimicked him.
"That was when we were 15, Max. Nine fucking years ago. We haven't talked since then. How are we supposed to show chemistry? Anyways, it's not like I have much of a choice, do I?" Will sighed, softly. He remembered his teenage years with Mike. The both of them were wild and free. Not worrying about scandals and reputations.
"Do you want to be my friend?"
"Yes."
"Nope." she answered.
"Ok. Well, I'm guessing the both of you are characters too, right?"
Will threw his cigarette on the floor and stepped on it. The red-haired woman did the same.
"Yeah, El plays your childhood best friend and I play the antagonist. I'm Mike's stepsister and in love with you." Max rolled her eyes.
"Ew."
"I know, thankfully you only kiss Mike. Lucas plays your coworker and El's love interest. Dustin is your kind neighbour who happens to be Mike's best friend." explained Max, entering their house.
"These are gonna some complicated years of filming, it better be worth it" Will thought.
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Doctor Who, but Chronologically 29ish
Fun fact! When we started this project, some Whittaker episodes did not exist, and we’ve skipped one! So Let’s hastily go back in time to 1807. We’ve just seen Tennant make eyes at Madame de Pompadour, we’re about to see Capaldi finally be a good guy and take Bill to the last London Ice Fair. Where are we this episode?
China! 1807 China, a little fishing village that gets annihilated by Sea Devils.
I was rooting for this episode, you know. It sounded great. The guest cast is smoking hot – when Crystal Yu turned up as Mistress Ching the Pirate Queen, I said “Oh no” aloud. When Arthur Lee turned up as Legendary Pirate Ji-hun, Steff said “Oh no” aloud. We are bisexual and week. Also, return of Sea Devils! And a Chinese episode! The TARDIS team is Whittaker, Yaz and Dan! Sounds great!
It’s crap. It’s just crap.
Good points: the banter between the characters is lovely, and I laughed many times. I suspect this is an actor-director. The start makes clear something I already suspected from the Flux stuff we’ve seen – that Dan is actually Yaz’s companion, not the Doctor’s. There’s a very fun scene where they all step out of the TARDIS, and Dan is dressed like a pirate. “What are you wearing?” the Doctor asks, incredulous. “Yaz told me to!” protests Dan. “Yaz!” says the Doctor. “Did you dress Dan in that?” Love it.
The sci-fi plot is okay. The Sea Devils have Team Aqua’s plan to flood the world and make more habitat for Pokemon Sea Devils, which they aim to achieve by swapping the magnetic polarity of the Earth’s poles. “I see!” exclaims a character. “That’s why all the constellations physically changed in the sky!”, a sentence that gave me 50 points of psychic damage and necessitated a quiet lie down.
The absolute worst part is that, continuing a grand tradition of Doctor Who writers trying to use Sea Devils, Silurians or Ice Warriors, these writers didn’t understand the story they were telling. We therefore ONCE AGAIN have an allegory of native people trying to commit genocide to reclaim their stolen lands and needing to be stopped. I am 100% certain that was not intentional, but fucking hell, lads.
But the second worst part is that this episode is absolutely atrociously badly shot. It is appalling. I spent half the episode trying to fucking see, because even in static scenes of two people talking to each other and not moving, the camera would just… slide off the characters, even while they are talking. And this is our second swashbuckling pirate episode featuring swordfights where they didn’t bother getting a choreographer, apparently, and thought they could make up for it by putting the camera in a bag and swinging it about in a windmill to cover the gaps.
At two separate points, two separate scenes, the Doctor offers a hand to Yaz to pull her somewhere. In both, the hand is partially-to-entirely out of shot, making the action unclear. And that is a problem, because THIS IS A DOCTOR/YAZ SHIPPING EPISODE HOLY SHIT????
It turns out Yaz has talked to Dan about this, and he has possibly talked to the Doctor, because there’s a lovely bit where Yaz fully embraces the Useless Lesbian Trope and begs him for details (“What did you say to her?? What did she say to you??? Omg tell me her exact words –“). Towards the end, while the Doctor saves the day and Yaz as ever fails the Sexy Lamp Test, the Doctor gives her a heartfelt confession.
“I can’t do relationships,” she says. “There’s no time. But if I ever did, it would be you. I’ve never felt like this, not since my wife, and I was a different man then.”
PLOT TWIST!!!!! Whomst is her wife??? How exciting. What mysteries are arising this episode.
Interesting, though, because so far, as nice as Yaz is, she’s super bland. Just nothing to her. Even episodes where she’s appeared hyper competent, she’s actually just been doing pointless busy work; she routinely fails the Sexy Lamp Test as standard. I wonder why her? Intriguing. Perhaps she will improve.
Anyway, at the end of the episode they agree to just stay friends and mutually Yearn for each other, and then the Doctor skims a stone INCREDIBLY badly (no srsly tho Jodie does Huddersfield not have a river or something you have to get LOW)
So! Let’s update!
“She” (an unknown person) is returning (perhaps River returned as Missy. Maybe Me? Maybe Clara???!)
There is something on Donna’s back
An entire planet, Pyrovilia, just… disappeared, somehow. (Maybe because the TARDIS is exploding??? Saturnine was also lost, and that WAS because of the TARDIS exploding. The lion man’s planet was also lost but he was a bit of a knob about it if I’m honest.)
Amy is maybe dead (she’s not)
The Doctor has been cubed (he’s out, but how?)
River is possibly blown up  (unless she’s Missy)
The TARDIS has blown up  (It’s fine now. Except it’s sort of melting now because it’s corrupted, but it’s fine again)
The universe appears to have ended  (the universe is back again)
The Doctor has employed(?) Nardole
(And Nardole was “reassembled???” Nardole had glass nipples and invisible hair?? WHAT THE FUCK IS HE)
There’s a vault in the TARDIS and it contains Missy but we don’t know why (sometimes she knocks for the bants)
What has happened to all these companions and where are the new ones coming from?
There’s an immortal Viking girl now. Her name is Me and she’s now looking after the people the Doctor abandons
What’s With The Silence?
Why was Rory entirely unconcerned by the entire world suddenly going silent when that is Not Normal and should have been, at the very least, extremely disconcerting?
What did the Doctor do to Queen Lizzie One?
Who is Captain Jack Harkness? (Is he the one who gave the companions a warning about the lone cyberman?)
Why is Amy seeing a one-eyed woman in a vanishing window?
What’s with the Doctor’s future involving getting shot by an astronaut?
Is Amy pregnant and why is it inconclusive?
Who is Sarah-Jane Smith?
How is the Doctor Bill’s teacher and why/where does he have an office?
What is going on with the Cyber War and the Cyberium???
Who did the Doctor lose to Cyber Conversion?
What happened with the Other Cyber War?
What happened with the Third War that deleted the void?
Why does Rose seem particularly important?
What’s with the Weeping Angel statues, and why can’t you blink at them?
What order do these Doctors go in? (Eccleston, Tennant, uncertain, Smith, Capaldi, Whittaker)
Which companion just… forgot the Doctor, and how?
Yaz and Vinder are about to die as Mori/Mwri/Muuri
There is a Lupari shield around Earth.
What’s a Time War?
What’s the Rift?
What’s Bad Wolf?
What happened with Amy’s pregnancy?
In which war did the Doctor become a war criminal, and how?
Who is the Master?
Why has Amy forgotten Rory?
Is Rory plastic or not?
Why is the Doctor sulking on a cloud?
How exactly does the Doctor have a cloud?
What exactly happened with Strax to, uh, tame him?
Which friend killed Strax?
Which friend brought Strax back?
Where did this lesbian lizard and human couple come from?
What happened with Clara as Souffle Girl and the Daleks?
How does Clara actually join?
Why so many Claras?
Why is Missy apparently in robo-heaven?
Why is probably!Missy pushing Clara and the Doctor together?
What is Trensilor and what happened there?
Who is Handles?
The Doctor is about to be dissolved by a beautiful geode man
The universe is being crushed by the Flux
Will the Doctor open the fobwatch?
Sontarans are invading Earth again
Who is Kate?
Who is Osgood? Another name of Clara’s again?
The fuck is the deal with the Grand Serpent
Does Martha get to go to an ice cream planet with 12-fingered massage aliens?
How did the Doctor forget Clara?
Who is Bill’s puddle girlfriend Heather?
How did Nardole die?
When does Bill get Cyberman-ed and die?
When does the Doctor shrink and enter a Dalek called Rusty?
Whittaker is falling to her death rn
Was that ring relevant?
Does anyone know the Doctor’s name?
When did Yaz talk to Dan about fancying the Doctor?
When did Dan talk to the Doctor about fancying Yaz?
Who was the Doctor’s wife?
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ethanreedbooks · 7 months
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Blue Beetle: DC's Anime Breakthrough?
When you look at it, Blue Beetle could be the ticket for DC to break into the anime scene. It's got this cyberpunk vibe going on, all that high-octane energy, which is what anime thrives on. And here's the thing: it doesn't follow your run-of-the-mill superhero script. It has heart and soul, and the action is wild when Jaime Reyes and the Scarab team up. These two go from strangers to basically siblings on a mission to save the world.
Over time, they figure out they need each other, like on a deep human level. It doesn't matter that one's from Earth and the other's not. This bond is what makes Blue Beetle's ending so satisfying. Jaime becomes a one-man wrecking crew, and it's just incredible. incrediblThethe director, Ángel Manuel Sotalsohas, admitted that anime influenced the film. So, who knows, this might just be DC's golden ticket into the anime world.
DC's dipped its toes into anime, but it's never set things on fire. I mean, Suicide Squad Isekai looks decent, but it's not exactly the talk of the town. Disney hit a home run with Star Wars Visions, and people couldn't stop talking about it. It had substance and style, you know? DC fans have been wondering when they'd get something like that.
But Blue Beetle's got that cyberpunk energy that could make it happen. Jaime's world in the Edge Keys is like Akira meets Neo Tokyo, and it's a visual feast with all those neon lights and synth music. If they decide to make more, DC could use this aesthetic to bridge the gap between Blue Beetle films. And here's the genius part: they can bring in all those obscure villains that the movies and live-action shows don't have plans for.
Imagine seeing Jaime and Jenny, Ted Kord's heroic daughter, using tech for good and taking down bad guys with names like Overthrow, the Madmen, or Jarvis Kord. It's like a teen Iron Man but with a romantic twist. That's the stuff of a killer modern anime right there. The movie has that fast-paced, cartoonish action, so it's a natural fit.
And there's more potential here. Blue Beetle can dive into the DCU's past. You've got Dan Garrett and Ted Kord, the previous Blue Beetles, right? Well, an anime prequel could set the stage for Jaime's story. Show how Dan found the Scarab in Bialya and kicked off the Blue Beetle legacy.
It's also a chance to bring in other heroes, like Gunn's Justice League or the Justice Society, with their immortal Hawkman. This backstory could explain why Amanda Waller and Task Force X later join forces with heroes to keep tabs on these super folks. Plus, it could explore Ted and Dan's friendship, why the Scarab didn't bond with Ted when Dan died, and why Ted disappeared.
You could even throw in some military subplots with Victoria and Carapax, showcasing the OMAC project, armored soldiers, and mechs on secret government missions. This would give Victoria's character more depth and shed light on how she turned Carapax into DC's version of the Winter Soldier.
Sure, it might be expensive to do all that in a film, but in anime, you can show the scale of Victoria's vision and the destruction her weapons caused worldwide. After the movie's success, expanding on this winning formula is a no-brainer. It'd create a comprehensive roadmap, so no character gets left behind in the DC Multiverse.
Now, James Gunn has a mission to make the DCU just as emotionally gripping as the MCU. And he's been leaning into animation, as we've seen with Creature Commandos. So, diving into anime, a medium loved by fans worldwide, makes sense. It's a chance to explore Jaime's Latine culture, his family's journey as Mexican immigrants, and the Scarab's alien past as Khaji-Da.
This mix of mediums, periods, and characters has worked for shows like Pacific Rim: The Black and Skull Island. They might not have hit as big as Marvel, but Blue Beetle is building a dedicated following. It's a way to prove that the DCU is adaptable, open to blending styles, and can appeal to fans worldwide while still keeping its own identity.
So, Blue Beetle's in theaters now, but who knows, the real adventure might just be beginning in the anime world.
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phanfictioncatalogue · 10 months
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Action/Adventure Masterlist
Links Last Checked: November 17th, 2023
A Dementor's Kiss (ao3) - parttimestoryteller
Summary: Phan, kickthestickz and multiple youtubers at hogwarts! Dan Howell, a shy third year slytherin, is befriended by fifth year hufflepuff Phil Lester. Dan is quiet and alone, with little faith in his abilities, but with the comfortable and kind-hearted Phil he will learn to flourish in the wizarding world. This is a chaptered story with each chapter a oneshot in its own right.
A little pixie dust (ao3) - TheWholesomePerv
Summary: Plot: This is the story about four adorkable YouTubers (Phil Lester, Dan Howell, Louise Pentland, and Carrie Hope Fletcher) and their adventurous journey into the magical world of Walt Disney, to save Tyler Oakley out of the hands of mean villains. It's a story of friendship, of adventure and of love! You just need a little pixie dust and a happy thought, then you're good to go!
Butterfly (ao3) - A_Million_Regrets
Summary: Phil Lester, a lonely writer, finds a dying boy with beautiful black wings on a cold, rainy night in a dingy alleyway. He recognizes the boy as one of the winged men hated by human society. They are considered to be wild, ferocious beasts, but Phil's sympathy forces him to help the boy.
What happens when the boy, considered to be a wild beast, gets too attached and follows him home with an innocent, dimpled smile?
Care to Dance (ao3) - Pilferingstarlight
Summary: Sequel to A Life so Changed. If you haven’t read it I strongly recommend you check that out first.
August, 1921. Nine years after the fated sinking of the Titanic. Phil Lester, though having miraculously survived the event, is miserable and depressed, tormented by nightmares and constant heartache for his lost love, Dan Howell. In an attempt to put some distance between him and what has been haunting him, he moves to New York where culturally, the Roaring Twenties are in full swing. But it is one night at a lavish party held at a mysterious mansion on Long Island that his life completely changes, and everything he has come to know gets turned on it’s side. (Again.)
Eight One Five (ao3) - parttimestoryteller
Summary: spy AU: Dan’s an underage intelligence operative and he’s on a mission. It’s pretty routine; befriend the bad guy’s kid, collect enough information for a conviction and beat some people up. Move on out and abandon the identity assumed. Things get complicated when Dan turns out to be a little too good at befriending Phil Lester. Sometimes good and evil isn’t black and white, and Dan has to decide which lives he can allow himself to ruin.
Elenya (ao3) - parttimestoryteller
Summary: Lord of the rings AU!! (bc it’s about bloody time @phandom) A stable boy from Rohan with a sword thrust into his hands meets a Galadhrim Elf head-on in the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Phil finds himself saving young Dan time and time again, but before the battle ends Dan will find his feet (and his sword grip) and return the favour. Can a light spark in the darkest of nights?
Lion Heart (ao3) - Babel_Fish
Summary: Phil and Dan have been in a long term relationship since they met, though only their close friends know for sure. Things are going very well for them professionally and privately. Something comes out of the blue that rips them apart. They have to find each other will they be able to survive the obstacles thrown in their way.
Motion Picture Soundtrack (ao3) - Young_Rouge_Rose
Summary: Daniel James Howell is a lawyer and a music lover, an unhappy one. He has a distinct plan of where he will be five years from now. Philip Michael Lester was not included in this plan and yet in five years, he moves from an unknown stranger to a permanent fixture in Dan’s life. He is an indie-horror movie director and Buffy enthusiast. Wherever he goes strange things seem to follow. With Phil, all chances of normality are blown out of the water and for once Dan can’t bring himself to care. He is too caught up in books, bears, three-legged cats, and motion picture soundtracks.
Sea of Love (ao3) - troyiesivanie
Summary (tw): Dan and Phil grew up together in Australia and took frequent late night outings, now that Dan has his licence a trip to the beach ends in a way they never could have imagined.
Sirenia (ao3) - potatoesarenotforsex
Summary: Phil is a marine biologist, called in to work on something unusual found off the coast of Australia. Dan is the last thing he expected to find.
Six Ravens (ao3) - iihappydaysii
Summary: Dan meets Prince Philip at a cyberbullying campaign, but what starts as a working relationship grows complicated when Dan realizes he’s falling for the prince and maybe, just maybe, he’s not alone in his feelings. (Part One is complete and is a full story on it's own. Part Two is still in progress)
something extraordinary, i'm sure (ao3) - celestialfics (orphan_account), creativityatbest
Summary: Dan accidentally summons a water-leaching demon while trying to cook his noodles one day, and luckily for him, Phil arrives just in time to help (and maybe hit him over the head). Adventure and magic ensue.
the demons that bring us together (ao3) - itsmyusualphannie (itsmyusualweeb)
Summary: Dan knew he should be doing his patrols of London, especially with Valentine still on the loose, but he gets sidetracked and when he goes to a downworlder cafe, he meets Phil. The warlock isn’t like most downworlders. He is kind and caring, and weirdly enough, attracted to Dan.
The Electricity That Went Out At Dusk (ao3) - orphan_account
Summary: Or the one where I give everybody powers, x-men style, and watch the awkwardness unfold.
The Infinite Possibility of Us (ao3) - Young_Rouge_Rose
Summary: It began as all good stories do, with an inciting incident. Dan’s just so happened to be almost getting hit by a car, watching a man die before his eyes and somehow falling into a web of alternate realities. Just your usual morning inconvenience. He just wanted a coffee, and to make Phil happy. Now all he wants is to get back home, back to his world, his life, his Phil. Little does he know Phil has found himself in a similar predicament, and what is stranger still is that in all other worlds they seem to be together. Maybe this is the universe trying to tell them something.
The Lovers’ Gap (ao3) - coldphannie
Summary: Dan’s on the greatest adventure of his life. He’s joined by his best friend, Phil. He learns a lot about serving his kingdom, and what’s more, he learns to fall in love.
Phil isn’t his though. Phil is someone else’s.
The Reflection Of My Heart Has Your Smile (ao3) - Anonymous
Summary: Phil Lester, the legacy of generations of psychic powers, can see things that others can't. He can see the brown haired boy in the mirror, the one with eyes so beautiful it makes his heart beat faster. Dan Howell, who doesn't know his family, is trapped behind a mirror in another world, rapidly falling for the blue eyed, black haired boy who made it his mission to be his friend. But when worlds collide, can they learn to survive in a hostile land, help their friends, and get back home? All while falling in love?
Fantasy/Magic AU, feat. Phil's Grandma, magic mirrors, other worlds, and a whole lot of phan!
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osanostra · 1 year
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GGRB S2 forecast
I'm returning to Tumblr for another season of GGRB disaster!!! Yay!! As I did last year, I've prepared some S2+ predictions for ya 🤭
S2 bets:
⬜️ Audrey fells for Max ⬜️ Two of throuple start sneaking around ⬜️ Someone from the throuple becomes a third wheel and they break up with a fight ⬜️ Julien and Obie back together (?? granted that Julien has this new boyfriend and Obie has cut screen time) ⬜️ GG is taken down for at least a while ⬜️ Kate Keller goes evil ⬜️ Zoya pulls out Jenny Humphrey and tries to become a queen of Constance ⬜️ Georgina Sparks is in only 1-2 episodes ⬜️ Georgina helps Kate run GG and makes it hell
After the trailer and the fact that directors did change a lot, I'm not sure in anything, but I will go on with things I took from S1.
Below you can read a short notice with how I see the characters and the show's direction. While I was rewatching the series I was making notes to later form my post into a structured form. So if you guys are interested in why I think the way I do, you can always ask. I'll gladly rant about the slightest pairing moments.
AKI x MAX x AUDREY
My bet is on Audrey and Max ending up together. She was the throuple initiator, she's the one who talks to him more, and they have a lot of subtle moments that puzzle into a realistic slow pairing development.
I honestly don't get any pairing potential from Aki and Max. It's not even Evan Mock's fault, yes, he can't make such a performance like Emily Lind of Thomas Doerthy and he's a newbie actor, but he's still a sweetie pie. It's the writing.
He had all the juicy moments with Max in the first episodes, and even they were too fast and sort of "intentional" for me. Later, Aki and Max were complete bros. Like, sure, they were helping each other, but in a friendly way. In casual conversations, Max seemed mostly talking to Audrey and turning to Aki just in case. Aki seemed not so interested in the throuple, and he never took initiative.
For me, it looks like that. Aki and Audrey are together for so long that they are more of a family and friends than lovers. Now, Audrey is subtly in love with Max but doesn't want to admit it and pretends the throuple is what she really wants. Aki doesn't really need a throuple, but he's a newly discovered bi, so he doesn’t mind; he plays in a throuple mostly for Audrey. I suppose Max has feelings for Audrey as well, but I suspect the writers will start developing and show them later.
JULIEN x OBIE x ZOYA
Their line was written with less care than the throuple one, so I can say less.
I don't see Julien and Obie together. They have feelings and chemistry right now, mostly from Julien, but I do think their main purpose will be to overcome them. Like with Audrey and Aki, their relationship is finished, and though it may be painful, they need to overcome it. I see them as a good example of exes to friends dynamic.
I do think Obie and Zoya will end up as an endgame. I got little chemistry from them in the later episodes, because they basically didn’t talk to each other, but they were truly adorable together. Obie was his better self, and Zoya was charming back then. If they took a break to grow personally and get their own character development, and then get back, they would be a power couple.
I have a funny theory that Zoya and Julien may dump Obie completely. As we remember, Zoya is Dan Humphrey, Julien is Serena Van Der Woodsen, and Obie is probably Nate Archibald from the OG GG. Dan ended up with Serena, and Nate ended on his own, and I can expect something like this from the sisters. To not have constant fights over a boy, they give up on the boy! But that's for the final season, and it suggests Obie to have a downward character development
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themosleyreview · 2 years
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The Mosley Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
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There seems to be a tug of war going on with this film franchise. It wants to be an origins piece that showcases the beginning of how the Muggle and Wizarding World came to know of each other's existence, but also the story of a charismatic magical zoologists. I'm all for expanding the Wizarding World, but the last film nearly ended this franchise for its lack explanation and cramming of alot of information. This new entry actual tried to bring back that magic and fun we love with the right amount of darkness. It was a course correction that was sorely needed and felt as if it truly belonged. I thought that it was an interesting choice to make this one a political drama which gave the reason for the pacing, but at times I felt it wasn't always smooth. Many of the things that I felt were wrong with the previous entry were fixed and the characters this time were given way more depth. My major issue is that the film's tone was just so dull and I feel that new leadership is needed.
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Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander and I actually loved him the most in this film. We all know the characters' love for all fantastic beasts, but here you truly see his heart on display as he saves one of the most beautiful creatures of all. He is even more confident around people this time around and I loved his growth. Callum Turner returns as his brother Theseus Scamander and I liked him more this time around. Their relationship was more natural this time and you see the contrast between the two even though their bond is strong. Jude Law returns as the middle aged Albus Dumbledore and he was outstanding. If you're a fan of the character and some of his history, then this film does dive into it further and I loved Jude's commitment to it all. You see Albus' pain and struggle with the guilt of his family history and former lover. Mads Mikkelsen takes over for Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald and he did an excellent job carrying over the same tone of the character while giving him more of an edge. You see his motivations, but in the end it becomes a bit of a stereotypical villain arc of upsetting the balance by political means. Ezra Miller returns as Credence Barebone / Aurelius Dumbledore and he was good and brooding. His story was kind of moved to the side and rightfully so because of its predictability and straight forward nature. Victoria Yeates was absolutely delightful again as Bunty Broadacre and she turned out to be one of the most important characters. Her friendship with Newt was even better this time as you see Newt trust her completely. Jessica Williams as Professor Eulalie "Lally" Hicks was a very welcomed newcomer to the franchise and makes a strong and lasting impression as one of the most well rounded characters. She had a commanding presence and I loved her creativity. Dan Fogler returns as Jacob Kowalski and he hasn't skipped a beat in quality. He consistently carries over the earnesty of the character and you love him even more as he still struggles with the betrayal of his loved one. Alison Sudol was once again great as Queenie Goldstein and you see the torment and shame of the things she’s done to Jacob in the previous film. Their chemistry and love is the heart of the franchise and you feel the heartbreak and you desperately want them back together.
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The score by James Newton Howard was excellent as always and very warm. It drives home the emotion in the most softest scenes and you feel the darker tone emerge in a particular scene. I don't mind a slower pace in films, but this entry you really felt it drag. The tone is almost completely devoid of any happiness and sometimes it lacks focus. Like I said before, the main character of the franchise is Newt Scamander, but it feels like he is becoming secondary now. Instead of Newt and friends, its starting to look like everyone else and then Newt. I loved that we got more about Dumbledore, but I think this franchise needs to refocus. The magic is still there and Director David Yates is a wonderful filmmaker, but I think its time for him to step away and let a new voice take a shot at the next entry. In the end I enjoyed this definite improvement over Crimes of Grindelwald. I know that there is still much more to tell, but these films need that magical charm for this franchise to go any further. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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dans-den · 2 years
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The Bad Guys Review
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Hey everyone! its Dan here and today I'm going to be giving a review for the DreamWorks animated movie, The Bad Guys!
If you have not seen the film yet, SPOILERS AHEAD!
I just wanna start off by saying that the animation is amazing, it goes for that 2D/3D hybrid style almost similar to the Spiderman multiverse movies and the art style is definitely its strongest point. I enjoyed watching the movie and watching the animation play out the way it did. DreamWorks has always had some banger animation for their films, my favorite films include Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and How to train your dragon. Those films were all done using 3D and CGI VFX, but each one was distinct and you can tell which one was from which film franchise. The Bad Guys animation is far more unique compared to previous DreamWorks projects and I thought it was aesthetically pleasing and fun to watch.
The cast did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life, my personal favorite performance was done by Sam Rockwell himself aka Mr. Wolf. Now I only really know him for his role as Justin Hammers from Iron Man 2 and that's how I recognized his voice in Mr. Wolf. Rockwell played a smooth talking charismatic villain in Iron Man 2 and he's done it again in Mr. Wolf for The Bad Guys movie. Sam Rockwell just knows how to play the sly smooth talker in these roles. Zazie Beetz did a great job in her role as Diane Foxington as well as Richard Ayoade as Prof. Rupert Marmalade. Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Craig Robinson, and Marc Maron did an exceptional job as the bad guys as well they all had me laughing and enjoying the heists the characters would pull off. I would like to give a big shout out to the Director of the film, Pierre Perifel. Perifel has been with DreamWorks for a number of years helping animate the best DreamWorks animated films we all know and love. This was his first major film he directed and he did a phenomenal job with the film as I enjoyed watching it.
The plot itself is where I start to get into my nitpicking and criticism, it's a classic "Don't judge a book by its cover" story much like Megamind and it's nothing new or groundbreaking it's just a simplistic plot. It's about the bad guys going good since these guys are all predators of the animal kingdom so it would make sense people would fear them and see them as monsters. As the movie progresses you'll start to see how predictable it gets with its twists and turns. I'm starting to see more human and anthropomorphic animal's all in the same setting now. I've seen that in anime, but now were getting that more in big screen projects, Sonic the Hedgehog films helped popularize that I feel. That's not a complain I just felt like something to be pointed out which I think is cool. Now my nitpick is why in some scenes we have anthropomorphic animals who walk and talk like people and regular animals who are literally on all fours and unable to talk? Like the scene where they try to bust out Guinea pigs from a test lab and they're all regular animals but Prof. marmalade is able to walk and talk? that's a weird one to me. My other criticism is that the plot feels rushed, like I know its an hour and 40 minute movie but that doesn't mean you need to rush certain parts and cram it all in. Like in the beginning the heist for the gold dolphin award they literally just talked about their plan while they were enacting their plan then in the middle Wolf saves a cat from a tree in which Marmalade was recording on social media and now suddenly everyone loves them which I thought was kind of goofy but I digress.
I understand this film is more geared towards kids and that's fine, like there is fart jokes here and music and dance number as well. None of that kills my vibe for the movie its fine and it's a little fun at times I'll admit, but there is subtle humor for the adults to enjoy. Like the scene where the Bad Guys dress in onesies, Wolf specifically is dressed in sheep pajamas which is based on the old saying "A wolf in sheep's clothing." which I thought was clever I like subtle jokes like that. That's basically what the story is about, never judge a book by its cover and there will always be that wolf in sheep's clothing, but it may not always be that easy to figure out who. The film did an excellent job conveying that message to the audience. Another detail is that Wolf will constantly break the 4th wall which is some real Deadpool powers, he's always talking to the audience from the beginning to end, sometimes its fun, sometimes it's a little overdone. I still had fun with his shenanigans it added to the charm of the film.
Overall, I think the film was fun to watch and I enjoyed it. Yes it was a simplistic plot but still a fun time. Pierre Perifel made an amazing Original DreamWorks animated film after years of sequels and I'm looking forward to any future Dreamwork's projects and any projects by Perifel himself.
Now putting this into my rating I'd give this bad boy:
7.5/10
I'd recommend giving this film a watch for anyone looking for a fun movie to watch, or if you need to watch something with the kids or family then I highly recommend this for you guys.
that's about it, see ya!
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New Beginnings- Chapter 8
Well, after two years, chapter 8 is here. Let me tell you right now, it got out of hand 🤣 it’s a long one, but I hope it is worth it! These two are so easy to write. There’s jealous Thomas in here, sweet Thomas, and a little angry Thomas.
Word count: 3,797
Warnings: None, light swearing
Perma tags: @drstrange46ers
Thomas tags: @alleksa16 @alj4890 @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @choicesmakemychoices @marycarrillo21 @lxaah11 @kuladekiwi @ajayismybae @choices-dan @miss-indecisive-says @mfackenthal @ethanplaysfavorites @amillionmoonsred @usuallyamazinglyaverage @thethots-plicken @hhiggs @jlpplays1 @lilyoffandoms
It seemed as though the two weeks leading up to Thomas securing a studio and finalizing the cast went by much faster than Natalia expected. They spent everyday working together unless he had meetings to attend for securing funding or something else Natalia had no business being a part of.
Each night that wasn’t spent working was usually spent with the two tangled together on his couch watching movies or talking and laughing together. Both have opened up to each other in ways they never expected each other to and they’ve become even closer. But Thomas has respected her wishes of taking things slow. Nothing intimate has happened between them besides his fiery kisses that always left her wanting more. And she had no idea how much it drove him crazy to simply hold her in his arms.
An hour before filming
Thomas is speaking with Holly and Addison when Natalia arrives on the set. Thomas decided it would be best if they didn’t arrive together. At first, it seemed slightly ridiculous to Natalia, after all she’s staying in his guest house.
Nevertheless, he was adamant. He wants to protect her reputation, most likely his as well, and he wants this production to go smoothly. And of course, so does she. After understanding where he was coming from, she agreed.
When her feet touch the floor on set, her heart begins hammering in her chest, but it isn’t just nerves, it is excitement. The green screen in front of the cameras, the hot white lights illuminating the faint marks for the actors. She runs her hand along the arm of the director’s chair, a giddy feeling bouncing around inside her and she shakes her head.
Muttering quietly, “I’m really here,” she sighs wistfully, wishing she would have pursued the acting career earlier.
Thomas lightly taps her elbow, pulling her out of her daze. Although he doesn’t smile, his eyes alight with the familiar fondness she has become accustomed to.
“Good morning.”
Her slender fingers duck up, tucking her stray curl behind her ear, grinning up at him.
“Morning. I’m beyond excited for today.” Her eyes settle on his, forcing her hands to stay at her side.
His deep brown eyes soften more, but he clears his throat, schooling his expression into his trademarked frown.
“I would hope so. Today is a big day.”
Hunt points her to Ryan, squeezing her arm to earn him a smile before he strides away, prepping for the day of shooting.
Her smile lingers after he walks away and she makes her way to Ryan. When he catches sight of her, a flirty smile plays about his lips and he takes her hand, kissing the back of it softly.
“Ms. York, it’s so good to see you again.” He holds her hand and leads her towards the craft services table, motioning to the large spread of food. “Hungry?”
“Oh, actually I’ve already eaten. But it looks delicious, I’m regretful I missed out.”
His hearty chuckle makes her blush slightly and out of the corner of her eye she can see Thomas turning towards their direction.
“This is the catered food for the cast and crew. It’ll be here for us whenever Thomas isn’t hounding us to work.” Ryan picks a pastry up and takes a bite, nodding in appreciation. “He always gets the best food.”
“That does not surprise me at all.”
Natalia looks over to Thomas and meets his eye. A scowl is resting on his lips as he glares at Ryan, but when he focuses on her, his hard expression softens subtly.
Holly and Addison look at each other, grinning when they see the change in him and the way the two look at each other. But when he turns his focus back to his screenwriter and wardrobe designer, his eyes harden again.
“Will you two stop gawking so we may focus on the task at hand?” Thomas thrusts notes into Holly’s hands before striding over to the set.
He begins barking orders, telling the gaffer to change the lighting. When he’s out of earshot, Addison turns to Holly.
“Do you think something has changed between them?” Addison grins and Holly shrugs.
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out eventually.” The screenwriter glances between the two suspiciously, “But he does seem to be looking her way a lot.”
Before either lady could continue, everyone starts gathering around the set.
“Places!” Thomas turns and catches Natalia’s eye, motioning her over. When she leaves Ryan’s side, she reaches Thomas with a soft smile, causing his stern demeanor to falter slightly. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling a little nervous, but also excited. I think I’m ready, director.” Natalia grins and nudges him playfully before she clears her throat and stands up straight. “I mean, I’m ready whenever you are.”
He expertly holds a chuckle in but he doesn’t stop his lips from quirking up in amusement. He nods and places a hand on her lower back to lead her to her place on set.
“As I have mentioned beforehand, you know this character and the script better than anyone. Simply relax and let your knowledge overtake your nerves.”
Natalia’s chestnut hair bounces off her shoulders when she gives him a stern nod, already focusing on channeling her inner Alexandria. She rolls her shoulders, shaking her arms and takes a deep breath.
Ryan takes his place near his co-star, clears his throat and cracks his knuckles.
“Let’s run the beginning scene with Samuel meeting Alexandria for the first time.” Holly pushes her glasses back up while she looks at Ryan and Natalia, “Remember, Ryan’s character is a billionaire and he’s looking for a new secretary. This interview needs to show how much sexual tension these two have. We need to have the charged atmosphere, the fiery stares, the electric “accidental” touches. And remember, he’s going to hire her on the spot, no call, so you both need to sell the relationship sizzling right at the get go.”
Both actors nod, Natalia nervously tugs on her bottom lip, worrying about what all she has to convey in this scene, but before she can dwell on it, she hears the snap of the clapperboard.
“Miss…” Ryan (Samuel) looks down at the paperwork in his hand, “Costello.”
Natalia, or Alexandria, lowers her eyes, looking up at Samuel beneath her eyelashes. “Yes, you can call me Alexandria, Mr. Carlisle.”
“Cut!” Thomas sits up straighter in his chair. “Natalia, in this scene you need to exude confidence, an air of seduction, if you will. A man like Carlisle won’t be attracted to someone who doesn’t show confidence to stand up to him. From the top.”
Ryan reruns his line, getting back into character flawlessly and Natalia follows his lead. Without thinking this time, she jumps into her role.
“Yes, you can call me Alexandria, Mr. Carlisle.” Her shoulders are squared, jaw set and her eyes boring into his.
They hold eye contact for another charged moment before he looks back down at the file in his hands.
Samuel nods once, “Tell me why I should hire you. I’ve had ten other candidates come through here today, what makes you stand out?”
When he looks back up at her, he gives a confident grin, eyes twinkling with mischief, hinting that he’s already made his decision without needing to hear anything.
“I know what it’s like to run a multimillion dollar company. My father got me into the business world. I won’t put up with any bullshit and I most definitely will protect this company and assets to the best of my abilities.” Her tone is solid, her eyes never wavering from his, but the edge in her voice softens into a seductive purr, “And of course, I will serve you to the best of my abilities.”
Alexandria leans towards Mr. Carlisle subtly after finishing her pitch.
What seems like minutes pass before Samuel smiles widely, extending his hand towards Alexandria, “You’re hired.”
Only showing the mixture of shock, relief and happiness in her eyes, she takes his extended hand, shaking it professionally. That’s when it’s as if both are drawn together. His smile falters, hand gripping tightly to hers as they both lean towards each other.
But as if coming out of a trance, she shakes her head and steps back. “Thank you Mr. Carlisle.”
He nods and turns around, “I will see you on Monday, Alexandria.”
“Cut.”
Thomas’ eyes bounce between Ryan and Natalia, his fingers steepled as he takes slow, deliberate breaths.
“That take was adequate.” He nods once, flipping through the script nonchalantly.
He speaks to Holly, pointing at a scene on the page and Natalia lets out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Ryan walks over to her, placing a deliberate hand on her lower back.
“Good job. You took his direction well and I could see everything in your eyes.” A charming smile flits across his lips, “You’re gonna be a pro in no time.”
She smiles at his praise, her shoulders relaxing more. “Thank you, Ryan.”
Nodding once, he smirks down at his counterpart, “You wanna grab some dinner this evening? There is a romantic five star restaurant downtown. I can get us a nice, corner booth.”
Thomas overhears the interaction, his eyes snapping over to Ryan, the soft touch of his hand on Natalia’s back. The closeness of the two. Summers asking her out on a date. He feels every muscle in his body scream, his vision goes red and his scowl deepens to the point Holly takes a step back.
“Um, Thomas, are you alright?”
Instead of a verbal answer, he gets up, snapping his script shut and storms out of the studio. All that’s left to hear is the slamming of the door out to the parking lot.
Everyone looks at each other baffled, Natalia starts after him but Ryan gently grabs her elbow.
“Hey now, you haven’t given me an answer.” He grins at her, pulling his phone out, “I’ll call right now, just tell me what time.”
“Oh Ryan, I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.” A comforting hand lands on his arm, “But I do hope we can still be friends.”
Not waiting for an answer, she turns on her heel and walks quickly off the set and out the door Thomas stormed out of. The cast and crew easily put two and two together. Ryan and Holly stare at each other, he shakes his head and walks off on his own.
When Natalia gets out to Thomas’ car, he’s not in it. Searching for his tall frame around the area, her shoulders slump when he is nowhere around. Dejected, she heads back for the studio. Holly meets her halfway and holds her phone up.
“We’re done for the day. Do you want a ride back to Thomas’?”
Nodding, Natalia runs back in, grabs her things and meets Holly at her car. She gets in and as Holly gets on the road she breaks the silence.
“So how long have you two been intimate?”
The author snaps her eyes over to Holly who glances back at her.
Holly shrugs, “It was pretty obvious. Ryan asked you out, everyone could hear. Thomas stormed out, you declined Ryan’s offer and went after Thomas.”
Sighing, Natalia plays with the hem of her blouse, “It has been a few weeks now. Nothing has happened, but we both enjoy each other’s company. He doesn’t treat me like everyone else has.”
“Simple as that?” The screenwriter raises an eyebrow, “He doesn’t treat anyone like he treats you, Nat.”
Subconsciously, a warm smile finds its way to her face, “I believe I have fallen both hard and fast. Of course I cannot speak for him, but I do care deeply for him.”
She feels butterflies in her stomach and her heart leaps as she wonders if he truly does treat her unlike anyone else. Deep inside her she knew Holly was being completely honest, but her self-doubt still bubbles to the surface every now and then.
They drive in silence for a few more moments before Natalia can’t help but ask, “Has he ever been serious with anyone before?”
She looks at the profile of the driver, waiting for an answer, then Holly nods once.
“Yes. It’s what caused this last block of his. Two women broke his heart in the past, that’s why he’s so closed off. I… I’ve been there for both and let me tell you, I’ve never seen him the way he is with you. If I’m being honest, Addi and I were going to get you two together if you hadn’t already taken the plunge.”
Natalia allows a surprised laugh to escape at that answer. “Then I am glad we took the plunge, as you say.”
A moment of happy silence fills the car, before Holly gets a text and glances at it.
“Oh, I’ve got to stop at Addi’s on my way over. I left some notes there that I need to grab. It’ll only be a minute.”
The rest of the ride, save for a few friendly comments, was made in silence. It left Natalia plenty of time to think of what happened at the studio. She’s never had someone be upset with her over something she had no control of. It wasn’t as though she was asking Ryan to dote on her or ask her out. While she considers him a good friend, she doesn’t see him any other way than that.
Her gaze out the window at the passing mansions. Palm trees dot the sidewalk, reaching high into the sky, spreading their leaves over the hot, late afternoon sun.
After hearing of Thomas’ past, she understands why he would become so upset for Ryan making his move on her. They will have to talk it all out when she gets back. In her mind, she nods resolute, he has no reason to think I will ever break his heart.
45 minutes later
“Ugh traffic was horrible.” Holly drops her head onto the steering wheel after she parks in front of Thomas’ mansion.
Once they left Addison’s it seemed every light they went through turned red and every person driving on the road had just obtained their license. Holly had slipped some obscenities that made Natalia blush, but the author could laugh at the anger radiating off the screenwriter.
“Thank you for braving that horrendous trek for me.” Natalia pats Holly’s shoulder patronizingly.
After a meek wave, the car takes off, leaving Natalia in Thomas’ driveway looking up at the modern, yet tasteful design. Its imposing structure looms over her, the whites and grays mix together in a symphony of warm, yet bright features. A perfect balance.
Deciding against talking with Thomas right now, she makes her way around to the guest house entrance, slipping through the gate quietly and walking straight to her little house. She doesn’t dare glance over her shoulder, not wanting to see him yet. Unsure of whether it was Ryan asking her out and her turning him down or Thomas causing a scene at the studio that was causing this stress, she decides on taking a warm bath to wash away today’s drama.
Once she exits the bathroom after redressing and drying her hair, she notices a note on her counter. Glancing at the clock, noting the time of a quarter past six, she reads over the handwritten letter.
Natalia,
I would like to apologize for my outburst today. Please, if you are not too upset, come and have dinner with me.
-T
Surprised and relieved somewhat, she tosses her hair into a ponytail and makes her way to Thomas’ house.
The sun is lowering into the west, casting deep orange and red hues across the palm tree dappled horizon. A sigh escapes her lips as the warm sun settles onto her skin, her ears listen into the quiet lapping of the pool and the sound of traffic off into the distance. When she looks back towards the back door, Thomas is standing there. A bouquet of roses in one hand and an anxious look on his face, he steps towards her.
“Good evening.”
Natalia smiles bashfully, eyes dropping to the flowers and then back up to his face. “Evening.”
An awkward beat of silence passes between the two before Thomas clears his throat and thrusts the bouquet towards her.
“As cliche as it is, I understand that most women appreciate flowers.” He scrunches his handsome face into a grimace, frowning, “Not that you are most women, you are most definitely a unique and—“
A gentle hand settles on his arm, stopping his rambles. “Thomas, I appreciate the gesture and actually find it very romantic.” Her nose settles into the petals, eyes closing as she takes a deep breath. When she looks up again, a bright smile grows on her face. “I love them. I am going to put them in a vase next to my bed.”
She turns back towards the guest house, but her elbow is caught gently by Thomas’ hand. When she turns back towards him, he wears an uncharacteristic blush, but his eyes still meet hers.
“I was actually… perhaps, you would—“ he cuts himself off and swipes a hand down his face, “Would you like to stay with me tonight?”
He inwardly curses at the way he is carrying himself, acting like a love struck teenager, but he looks at Natalia hopefully.
“Oh… I’m— you know I was hoping to take this slow, Thomas.” Her eyes cast down, her heart tightening at his suggestion.
His eyes widen and he frowns, “I apologize, I misspoke.”
She looks up at him, “I prepared dinner for us and I was hoping you would stay. For dinner, I mean.” He closes his eyes, running a hand through his hair.
I am acting like a damn imbecile.
Relief sags in her shoulders and another bright smile graces her lips. “Of course. I assumed that’s what I was coming over for.”
She holds the note up that he left for her, his eyes glance at it and inwardly he smacks himself.
“Yes.” After clearing his throat, he opens his back door and motions for Natalia to go through first. “I will find a vase for your flowers.”
After setting her flowers on the candlelit table for two Thomas had prepared, they both tuck into a delicious, home cooked meal. He explains the recipe was his grandmother's, passed down and he learned how to cook Pasta Alla Nerano when he was just a boy.
“This particular dish was first made by a restaurant in Nerano, Italy. A small bay town. They use local zucchini and Provolone del Monaco to make this simple dish. I, of course, tried to replicate it to the best of my abilities, but on such short notice it was impossible to get the local zucchini and provolone.” After wiping the corner of his mouth, he takes a sip of the white white, “This is a bottle of Falanghina del Beneventano, it comes from Italy, as well, but surprisingly, I found it at the market we often shop at.”
The entire time Thomas was speaking of this recipe, pronouncing the Italian terms fluently, Natalia couldn’t take her eyes off him. She watches him, astounded, impressed, and completely enthralled. Her eyes slowly travel over his face, the way his eyes light up when he speaks of his grandmother, the way his lips move softly when he speaks of another Italian recipe or wine. Her heart tumbles over itself as she rests her chin on her hand, watching him speak with a gentle smile on her lips.
He pauses his ramblings when he realizes she’s staring and smiling at him, it causes his own lips to quirk up slightly. “What is it?”
“You just surprise me.” She sits up straight, smiling still, and shakes her head gently.
His eyes zero in on her sweet face and his lips raise into a bigger smile, “I do hope it is in a good way.”
Natalia tugs her bottom lip between her teeth and he nearly groans at the motion, he leans forward, clearing his throat.
“Of course.”
As though his mouth is a magnetic force, she begins leaning towards him across the table. His eyes snap down towards her exposed chest, the V neck t-shirt leaving little to his imagination, but he quickly looks back to her eyes.
“Perhaps,” he takes a deep breath when he can feel her breath on his skin, her eyes flutter shut, “there are many things you do not know about me.”
Instead of responding, Natalia presses her lips to his. One of her hands settles against his stubbled jaw, the other braces herself against the table. Both of his hands hold her face, their lips dancing to a soft beat. The intimacy of the moment nearly lets Natalia throw caution to the wind, but she just isn’t ready to give all herself to him. Then he stands, urging her to do the same and they both move to the side of the table, never breaking their kiss. When their bodies meet and he picks her up, she almost gives in. They continue the sweet, gentle kisses as he walks them out of the kitchen. Thomas groans quietly into her mouth, his hands holding under her thighs while she wraps her arms around his neck. When her back presses against a wall, she gasps and opens her eyes. It causes him to break away. They both stare into each other’s eyes, the desire evident between them, but he clears his throat, setting her feet on the ground carefully.
Then today comes rushing back to her. Her eyes are big and full of worry. “Why did you storm off today?”
“I apologize, I allowed myself to get carried away.” His eyes cast downwards as he runs a hand through his hair. “I felt as though… I was…” He groans loudly, “I was jealous.”
Her hand on his cheek urges his eyes back up to meet hers. “It’s alright, Thomas.” She stands on her tiptoes, giving him one more kiss. “I promise. But, I also promise that no matter who comes along, as long as you and I are… pursuing these feelings, I will only be yours.”
He nods, wrapping her into a warm hug. He rests his chin atop her head. Closing his eyes, he relaxes into the embrace, allowing himself to trust. He had to if he was going to let this work. He was not going to be the reason this didn’t work between them. It had to work.
Putting all his fears, heartbreak, and stubbornness aside, he decides she is it.
She is the one.
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zody77-blog · 1 year
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Dead Island 2: The New Kotaku Review
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The zombie hack-and-slash game Dead Island 2 has an overly enigmatic backstory. After being launched at E3 in 2014 with a Wizard of Oz-style bombast, Dead Island 2 was hidden from the public for nine years as part of a hot potato game. Its predecessor, Dead Island, established the franchise as a bloody trough of B-movie sensibility. This week's game, which will be released on April 21, is neither the one you'll get in 2014 nor is it the amazing result of nine years of laborious programming. The game underwent "basically a complete restart" until it was ultimately turned over to developer Dambuster Studios, according to Dan Evans-Lawes, technical director at publisher Deep Silver. However, I can overlook the wait. The gorefest Dead Island 2 is exciting. and it only ever slips when it tries to be more than that. I go through it all as Dani, one of the six innately talented playable Slayers you choose early on in the game (I go with Dani since she heals after killing zombies quickly). She stares at her hands closely after learning that zombie bites don't instantly transform her into a maggoty murdering machine as I lead her in first person through the game's sunny but bleeding portrayal of contemporary Los Angeles.
Unleash the beast
She is only an ordinary murdering machine. I keep her moving by adding skill cards I find lying around the city and from killed foes to my editable deck, which is set up in a half-pyramid shape four cards tall. The regular Abilities card type occupies the first five spaces of the pyramid, followed by protective Survivor cards with four slots, and so on down the pyramid. It may not seem like there is much room to customize your Slayer, but I find it simple to work with. There are a ton of cards to find and then select from, each of which affects a different part of your Slayer's offensive, defensive, or autophagic capabilities. The latter are strong powers that cause you to become more of a zombie at the expense of other players of your health. But I frequently don't consider all of my alternatives. I enjoy playing defense, so I keep early Slayer and Abilities cards like The Limb Reaper and Dodge, which stun adversaries when you dodge their attacks, around for the duration of the game. While certain foes are immune to specific attacks—a zombie wearing protective firefighter gear, for instance, doesn't care much for fire-based attacks—skill cards fundamentally alter how you heal, strike, and kick. Increase the power of your sliding attack, press R3 to make your jump kick stronger, and similar stuff. Additionally, testing cards always seem low risks because you can always change or add to your deck, unlike a skill tree or other form of leveling-up system that forces you to use non-refundable points. Dead Island 2 is a game that obviously wants you to kill zombies but doesn't usually care how, so taking a hands-off approach makes sense. As a result, I don't think twice to whack swarms of wandering zombies with my flaming meat cleaver no matter where I am in the game's highly explorable (but not open-world) map of Los Angeles, whether I'm jogging through the soft sand of the Santa Monica Pier, on the crumbling asphalt around abandoned hot dog carts in Venice Beach, or anywhere else. Or, more frequently, my burning meat cleaver, although I always have a weapon nearby. As I go through the game, I find more uncommon weapons, and I modify them by using the few slots available by gathering metal components, cutting tools, and other crafting supplies from the cracked city. I also outfit my guns with absurd modifications using found blueprints and mutant body parts in an effort to uncover the most lethal upgrade combos components, such as Leaky Implants and Infected Flesh, both of which enable the skin-melting, corrosive ooze that shotgun rounds and wakizashi blades shine with. I rapidly become used to the game's most popular goal, "Kill 'em all!" while building up my skill card deck and playing with weaponry, and I am grateful that I don't get sick from video game violence.
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According to me, video game carnage is a thrilling haven for horror enthusiasts who can't bear obscene shock locations and Cronenberg skin-ripping. Dead Island 2 is for me like entering air conditioning during a particularly oppressive summer because I cannot tolerate such things, and I find comfortable joy in making successive hits and watching zombies unveil their meat, muscle, and bones. Dead Island 2 never makes me feel scared; instead, it makes me sadistically amused, with the exception of a few yelps I have to suppress when an adversary charges at me as soon as I unlock a closed door. apart from while I'm angry. And I'm annoyed by pretty much every boss battle in Dead Island 2, which, in contrast to its unrestrained, wild zombie encounters, always chooses some obnoxious gimmick that I have to put up with. They're challenging, but unlike the rest of the game, in an unpleasant way. I have to utilize questionable amounts of luck and technique in place of my usual, brute force. The Fury Mode from the earlier games is back, allowing Dani to tear adversaries apart with her bare hands once I've filled the meter up with battles and energy drinks. In one boss battle, it's suggested that I utilize a variety of button-controlled fireworks to succeed, but the flames only have an impact on the boss when it's in the exact correct spot at the exact right moment. I'm even more irritated by the Butcho clown fight that journalists detailed in-game previews from the previous season. Attacks cannot harm Butcho's body in half. Because additional zombies steadily enter the arena as you kill them, Butcho has an endless supply of food to recover with. This allows him to continually regenerate health. As fighting Butcho one restless night, I begin to weep. I'll be the first to say that my fear of clowns and the irritating carnival tune that plays as we fight aren't helping, but I can't stop it The distinction between "get good" and unjust keeps coming to me.
Die, zombie, die!
Butcho is finally defeated by me thanks to what seems like a fluke—a few seconds during which his body writhes and sustains extra harm for no apparent reason. The pace of Dead Island 2 suffers in my opinion because of these more intense role-playing game-style battles, and the game's difficulty level makes it feel obnoxiously more multiplayer-focused in key areas. Due to the fact that I am the only player (the game is still in development), I am appreciative of my victories since they allow me to continue playing along the drama- and blood-filled West Coast of the game. What I want from Dead Island 2 is drama and guts. However, the butchery in the game is genuine enough that I finally start to wonder why it gives me such a rush to kill so many fictitious people. But it's difficult to not feel content when the game continues giving me rewards. I gain experience points (XP) toward leveling up when I finish the game's 24 major chapters, some of the 33 side tasks it offers, locate missing people, and earn challenge accomplishments. Dani's life bar, damage done, and defense gradually rise as I level up, enabling me to complete the main narrative tasks, reach adversaries behind gates (one particularly difficult enemy has a skull hovering over its head), and "match" weapons to specific targets raising standards to new, horrific heights at my level. In addition, when Dani becomes stronger, my previously locked skill card slots automatically unlock. To continue doing all of this, I munch on health-restoring snack bars that fallen opponents have left behind. In addition, as my Dani keeps killing, my knowledge of zombies expands to the size of a medieval bestiary in a collectibles tab that lists the different types I've encountered, such as common Walkers who lose limbs like the leaves of a dried rose, bulging Slobbers who eject caustic slime, meathead Crushes who resemble the Liver King, and so forth. Butchers, Incendiary Walkers, who carry gasoline canisters on their backs, enabling me to cause enormous explosions when I strike them with one of my "curveball" missiles. which have arms resembling constricted bone spurs and deflect nearly all attacks), yet the variety creates engaging, fluid fighting in a game that is overly focused on it. But the game's narrative, which is gradually revealed through notes I find and conversations with the game's numerous characters—people like a drunk, failed rock star, and a chef trapped in zombie hell wearing his apron—recognize my internal conflict regarding finding pleasure in power and violence's unpleasant reality. For instance, when it leaves fast food packaging on a table or preschool art taped to a refrigerator in a random, vacant apartment. These specifics, along with many of the deftly pieced-together tales in the game, show that this city was once secure and populated just a few days prior. You are causing deaths. You have been made to behave brutally by a terrible reality. Therefore, while settings appear lovely, it is in this unsettling way that all of a sudden feels accurate Zombies have taken over. The game features varied blood textures, such as congealed and polished when dried to a wall, matte and extended when submerged into patio furniture, and ambling beach monsters shadowed by lowering peachy sunsets. It's perplexing. Dani is frequently perplexed by the degradation all around her, or, alternatively, she is fiercely indignant at the real power brokers—the governments and the billionaires—who seem content to let death rule. I adore how this game provides a variety of semi-pure enjoyment; if you want it to be, it can be a story with a lesson, or it can just be zombie mayhem. Only when a boss fights in Dead Island 2 transforms from what I've been programmed to think it to be—a dopamine feed—do I ever feel dissatisfied with cycling conflict and payoff. Read the full article
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polhprices · 1 year
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The shepherd radio
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#THE SHEPHERD RADIO UPDATE#
#THE SHEPHERD RADIO PROFESSIONAL#
#THE SHEPHERD RADIO FREE#
#THE SHEPHERD RADIO UPDATE#
Christian Education Praise & Worship Talk 30 tune ins AM 720 - 31Kbps Hernando - Florida, United States - English Suggest an update Get the live Radio Widget MORE iOS and Android app. If you're a fan of Thomas Hardy's writing, then check this episode out. The Shepherd Radio - WRZN is a broadcast station from Hernando, Florida, United States, playing Christian, Education, Praise & Worship. After sharing so much of this business with you and baking for so. Each of them played their parts to a T and they were very believable. Posted by Catherine Cramer on May 14, 2021. More importantly, a job well done from our cast: Russell Horton (as William Mills: the paranoid shepherd), Marian Seldes (as Harriet: the Duchess), Ian Martin (as the cruel and jealous Duke), and William Redfield (as Captain Fred Ogbourne). Now you can listen anytime and anywhere Listen to programs such as Turning. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk. Stream live CNN, FOX News Radio, and MSNBC.
#THE SHEPHERD RADIO FREE#
David Jeremiah, The Alternative with Tony Evans, Financial Issues with Dan Celia, and many more. THE SHEPHERD - Gainesville, FL - Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. It was until accidentally falling into it while a student at the Moody Bible Institute. Now you can listen anytime and anywhere Listen to programs such as Turning Point with Dr. Creative storytelling was my passion, but I had never considered radio. The sound effects of the howling wind, the sounds of sheep, hooves of horses galloping, tower bell ringing, and birds cooing did help though. The Shepherd Radio is Central Floridas local station for Christian talk radio. The Shepherd Radio is Central Florida's local station for Christian talk radio. More suspense, more tension, more mysterious tunes to make you feel like you were there witnessing what was going on in the story. An adaptation by Amber Barnfather, with music and sound effects by the Saint Martin Singers. Henry, Guy De Maupaussant, Nathaniel Hawthorne, William Shakespeare, etc., but nothing on this particular writer. Frederick Forsyth's haunting classic Christmas tale, read by Luke Thompson. He has mentioned the lives of other writers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, O. But it would've been great if he mentioned Thomas Hardy and his work. THE SHEPHERD - Gainesville, FL - Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. Hernando - Florida, United States - English. Christian Education Praise & Worship Talk. Marshall made some good comments about this CBSRMT episode's topic on "the unpredictable", followed by the Stonehenge in Wilshire, England in the 18th Century. The Shepherd Radio - WRZN is a broadcast station from Hernando, Florida, United States, playing Christian, Education, Praise & Worship. #0111-YESTERDAY'S MURDER very attentive in ACT-1 and ACT-2, but not so much in ACT-3. Luke 2:8-12 8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. specifically this read as aired on CBC Radio, is a must list. The writing in this Drama-Mystery reminds me of Ep. The Shepherd - Frederick Forsyth - read by Alan Maitland from CBC Radio. All the characters & plot were both interesting, however, the climax & resolution both ended too quickly. Scott Finn, chief executive officer and executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, said the ability to simulcast some programming on WSHC helps solve the problem it has reaching Eastern Panhandle listeners through the state's mountainous terrain.Elizabeth Pennell did a nice job on writing the adaptation of Thomas Hardy's short story from 1881. "Having the show on our campus radio station helps set a standard of excellence for the Shepherd students who comprise WSHC's staff." "'Morning Edition' has grown into the nation's leading radio-news program," he said. Radio station General Manager Mike McGough said adding "Morning Edition" to the WSHC program schedule benefits the Shepherd community. WSHC, which serves Jefferson and Berkeley counties, is an alternative music station produced by and for students on weekdays, and offers an eclectic lineup on weekends produced by local residents. Shepherd has 1 job listed on their profile. David Jeremiah, The Alternative with Tony Evans, Financial Issues with Dan Celia, and many more. Now you can listen anytime and anywhere Listen to programs such as: Turning Point with Dr.
#THE SHEPHERD RADIO PROFESSIONAL#
Listeners of Shepherd University's radio station, 89.7 FM WSHC, can hear additional programming, including NPR's "Morning Edition" and "Mountain Stage," thanks to an agreement between the school and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. View Shepherd Radios profile on LinkedIn, the worlds largest professional community. The Shepherd Radio is Central Florida's local station for Christian talk radio.
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melbournenewsvine · 1 year
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Elevator Pitch winner Strella Biotechnology has a ripe idea for solving major food waste problem GeekWire
The ride to the top had a celebratory stop at the GeekWire Summit on Thursday, as the finale of the Elevator Pitch startup competition crowned a champion. When the judging was all said and done, Katherine Sizov, CEO & co-founder of Strella Biotechnology, creators of sensing technology that predicts the ripeness of produce, beat out three other entrepreneurs on stage at the event in Seattle. Sizov made it to the finals as the winner of Episode 4 during the third season of the GeekWire show, which featured pitches being made in the 32 seconds it takes to get to the top of Seattle’s historic Smith Tower. The Summit stage was only two steps off the ground on Thursday, but Sizov still rose to the occasion with her pitch about how her company could help solve a food waste problem that creates more carbon emissions than all U.S. transportation combined. “To solve this problem, we create a proprietary sensing technology coupled with software that can tell you how ripe produce is,” Sizov said. Katherine Sizov, CEO & co-founder of Strella Biotechnology, second from left, poses for a selfie with the Elevator Pitch judges: KIrby Winfield, Anthony Bontrager and Maria Colacurcio after her win at the GeekWire Summit. (GeekWire Photo / Dan DeLong) The company has helped Washington state apple and pear growers organize their inventory based on shelf life in order to reduce food waste and improve the overall quality. Strella has monitored more than 2 billion pieces of fruit to date. Asked by a panel of judges why Strella couldn’t be a consumer application for helping shoppers pick ripe avocados, for instance, Sizov said addressing the problem before it gets to the store makes more sense right now. “The way that we look at it is, let’s say you went to the grocery store and every time you went there, you knew that your avocado had exactly two days of shelf life, instead of sometimes hard, sometimes mushy avocados,” she said. “We think that if we can solve the supply chain inconsistencies, then ultimately the consumer is going to get a more consistent product.” The four Elevator Pitch finalists were selected from categories this season that included sustainability, consumer products, FinTech, and the future workplace. Amina Moreau, CEO of Radious, during the Elevator Pitch finale at the GeekWire Summit. (GeekWire Photo / Dan DeLong) Episode 1 winner Amina Moreau, CEO of Radious, pitched an online marketplace that turns houses, apartments and other residential properties into workspaces, rentable by the day. Devin Miller, co-founder and CEO of SecureSave, during the Elevator Pitch finale at the GeekWire Summit. (GeekWire Photo / Dan DeLong) Episode 2 winner Devin Miller, co-founder and CEO of SecureSave, pitched his company’s purpose built emergency savings solution designed to help people feel and be financially secure. Erin Quick, co-founder and CEO of PairTree, during the Elevator Pitch finale at the GeekWire Summit. (GeekWire Photo / Dan DeLong) Episode 3 winner Erin Quick, co-founder and CEO of PairTree, pitched a service that provides tools, resources and support to navigate and simplify the process of adoption. The finalists all reached the GeekWire Summit stage by beating out two other entrepreneurs in each of the four episodes. The show, presented by WestRiver Group, featured a panel of judges that included Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio and winner of Elevator Pitch season two; Anthony Bontrager, managing director of WestRiver Group; and Kirby Winfield, a longtime Seattle entrepreneur and founding general partner of Ascend.vc. Source link Originally published at Melbourne News Vine
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