AHHHHHHHH!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH‼️‼️‼️

#jazz #autobot jazz #tf jazz #jazz tf #transformers jazz #jazz tf #kuro kara kuri jazz #flame toys jazz

Flame toy, my beloved, has a Jazz figure?! Hell Yes!! It’s from the more expensive lines,, he’s about $310.

Flame Toys announces Furai Model BW Megatron, G1 Shockwave, and... Gilthor?!

Flame Toys announces Furai Model BW Megatron, G1 Shockwave, and… Gilthor?!

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I’ve been thinking about That Church SceneTM and idk I think what hit me hardest was how Spike is talking about his former pre-soul mindset and how naive it is. He says “and she shall look on him with forgiveness and love and everyone will forgive and love and he will be loved” because while pre-soul he knew he was a monster and he knew he had done horrible things, he was okay with those things, he was a vampire after all, but he felt horrible for what he did to Buffy, but even then he still had a bit of hope. From the outside looking in, Angel’s soul seemed like the “button” for the “be good” switch. It would be the “piece that would make [him] fit” so he would be the “kind of man who would never [hurt her].” The “be a man not a monster” switch, that would make him be able to tell right from wrong and never hurt the people he loves anymore. But...the soul is not a “be good” switch. I don’t really know what the soul exactly is, since it’s never really concrete in the lore, but it doesn’t just make him fit, it doesn’t turn him into what he wants, but what it does do, is make him much more aware of himself and what he’s done, and he comes to the realization that no, there is no forgiveness. There never will be, he will never be worthy of it. He is condemned. He says “it’s okay now, right?” with hopeful despondency because he knows it will never be okay. Spike has always wanted acceptance, and love, and he sought it from places he would never get it, and now he knows he will never get it because he shouldn’t.

So when he goes up in flames by the end in heroic sacrifice and all that jazz, he’s happy he even got to have an ending like this, he’s finally doing something right. And when he comes back in Angel, as a ghost with no ability to affect the world around him (except annoy the crap out of Angel) he feels he is on borrowed time. In the moment of burning up, he didn’t have to think about if he would end up in hell or the aftermath, but with Pavayne toying with him, tugging him in to hell, it’s a slow torture of what he’s known all along, even if he didn’t fully want to face it. He is still condemned. And yet, given what he believes to be the one opportunity to stave off the inevitable for however longer and get a body, he still chooses Fred’s life over his own. And Fred tells him “you’re someone worth saving.” She doesn’t condemn him. She believes in him, like Buffy did, and this time it’s someone he doesn’t have a rocky past with or romantic feelings with, she just sees him for him and wants to help. And in the end he gets a body while she loses hers, and it’s because Angel and Spike did the “right” thing because it’s what Fred would’ve wanted. I think soulless him would’ve saved Fred, even if it meant condemning so many others. 

And on the day he thinks will once again be his last before the big suicide mission showdown (which he was the first to volunteer for), he doesn’t call Buffy to give her the pain of finding he’s alive only to die again, instead he goes to a bar and reads his poetry, the window into his shameful, soft soul that was stamped on and laughed at the last time he was a human, and hopes for acceptance. And he gets it.

My main three blorbi

Obligatory originally MHA OCS turned Epithet Erased

Also they are made physically using Picrews off the hot page abaabba

They are the OCS and some of them might be apart of one of my sister's projects?

(color who? Guarding who? 🤫🤔)

Aiko Hogo

Epithet: Mundie(?)

A highschooler who thinks she has an Epithet... At least we think? She can do stuff, but she's not sure.

Currently has a D in Math, somehow passing chemistry, which is 99% math???

Is currently stretching herself thin with like...20 different clubs, from Drama to Color Guard. She's ...not very popular.

She's a frequent customer to Blyndeff Toy Emporium, she apologizes frequently for getting in Molly's way (she never is), but she offers and hands over sweets and other baked goods (with notes that say "hands off, LINEBACKER!")

"It just takes a while! And many tries, the third doesn't always work. But you will get there!"

Ashton Kikai

Epithet: Machine

This Epithet allows for the user to extend machines from their body. Example being an Arm Cannon in the same vain as MegaMan or Samus. More examples could be some mech suits or powers like Generator Rex or Max Steel (niche I know but it's a good example)

Ashton is a member of Bliss Ocean, he despises Epithets as it makes things "too easy". He despises making complicated machines with his Epithet, only using basic tools and blasters to build better things and tear down things he despises.

(Originally in the OG universe I made him in, he's a hero lol, I'm trying to make this work REALLY hard)

"Why take years to build a machine to do something that some inscribed bozo can do automatically."

Pandora Kikai

Epithet: Conflagration

The user can expel flames that spread faster than normal, as if accelerated with kerosene or fuel. Strangely, the flames seem to do more damage to buildings than anything else. Brick, which normally stands in flame, brittles and crumbles.

Pandora was a former racer, an illegal street racer, along with strong strokes of underground fighting, who eventually decided her talents would be put to use in a better place, and with the help of Sweet Jazz PD Detective Reese Nakamura, goes through with the Police Academy, and becomes an officer and the main mechanic in the Sweet Jazz Police Department.

"I'm not a traitor, you're a traitor to yourself, you followed a path of crime and pain, I dug myself out of that path into the light."

AND THERE'S THE BIG THREE DONE!

YAAAAAAAAAAAA

Bots helping out trans transformers - yes, all the circumstances depicted in this context are derivable from canon at this point. Also a post about part of how we got deep into transformers after watching Cyberverse, learning about trans ones, and the value of the stories. The thoughts are after the image IDs.

ID 1 of 4: A diorama of toy transformers on a trans flag floor in front of a sci-fi polity backdrop. On the bunk lying down is a IDW1 Arcee with her right hand raised in enthusiasm. Her left hand is held by PRID Arcee, who is also holding an energon goods box near her counterpart while turning to look to her left, as is Anode next to Lug, in turn near BBM, ER, IDW2, and Energon Arcees doing the same. Three medics are standing around PRID Arcee: BBM Ratchet with a hand to his head an MP Ratchet medical arm out his back, Minerva with an arm around him & clenching a wrench, & a custom Velocity sticking a cylindrical accessory into IDW1 Arcee's back stack as if a syringe. That Arcee has a cable running into her back. her sword hilts, a rifle, a red jetpack, & her old Spotlight Arcee back stacks by the bunk. In front is S86 Arcee with a sword over her shoulder & holding Jhiaxus's head, while Q-TF Arcee holds his rifle. Road Rage, Sideswipe, Chromia, & Animated Arcee block the entry of Ultra Magnus. End ID.

ID 2 of 4: On the same background as before is a diorama with boxes and books assembled to resemble two small apartment homes. A door made out of a sketchpaper cardboard cover is open to the apartment on the left, with a custom Velocity (from TR Blurr) standing in the doorway. Ahead of her to the right is a custom Nautica (from WFC Chromia) being embraced by a custom Lug (from TR Rewind) while a custom Anode (from RID15 Warrior Windblade) has her hands raised in excitement. Behind her IDW2 Arcee (from WFC Nightbird) shares an embrace with WFC Greenlight while the two have arms outstretched looking at the open home. Jetpack and prime armor accessories are at the feet of Lug, Anode, Arcee, and Greenlight, imitating luggage, and Anode has a fusion cannon firing chamber/grip stored in her back turbine, also imitating luggage of a sort. End ID.

ID 3 of 4: On the same backdrop with no additional structures are just some transformer toys. To the left is PotP Elita with and TR Overlord with arms on the hips or hanging to the side, and Origins Bumblebee waving. The three are watching with pride as BW Archadis and WFC Vertebreak run towards each other, WFC Acid Storm shares an embrace with Ion Storm and Nova Storm, and BBM Soundwave hugs a BBM Howlback who has leaped onto him, head and front legs on his shoulders. Gathered by those last two are BBM Buzzsaw sitting in bird mode, BBM Ravage sitting on back legs with jaws open in a howl, and BBM Frenzy waving back at Bumblebee. End ID.

ID 4 of 4: On the same trans flag and polityscape background as before, a tense situation is depicted with a transformer diorama. On the left side from back to front is Cheetor holding the Allspark & a sword, Legacy Prime Arcee holding the Omega Lock, & the Forge of Solus Prime is seen raised by a barely visible Smokescreen, standing behind the next row of bots: Legacy Bulkhead with his mace & rotary blaster out, FoC Jazz w/ a pistol raised, & Universe Tread Bolt with shoulder cannons up & his blaster over his shoulders. Next up are S86 Rodimus with a pistol and a blast effect lit Matrix, Siege Rung, WFC Airazor, a Mistress of Flame w/ hammer, IDW1 Arcee w/ swords, & CW Pyra Magna with her ax. Last in front are Cyberverse deluxe Grimlock in Trex mode, and TR Windblade holding the T30 Stormfall sword. Opposite the bots are SG Flamewar with a rotary blaster and shield raised, Cyberverse deluxe Dead End, Kingdom Cyclonus, Siege Megs, & Ultra Slipstream with blasters raised, & Motormaster with sword. End ID.

So- First image: IDW1 Arcee did actually have a reformatting surgery of her own volition from Ratchet in MTMTE #27 Dark Cybertron Chapter 10 The Becoming, and she was happy about it, unlike the extra bullshit Jhiaxus tacked on to her surgery from him! Anode helped her out in between those events for a while. Arcees generally, trans or no, care deeply about ethics and compassion of some sort, helping people out and willing to put their all into it. Showing up for the surgery of someone they care about is the kind of thing they'd do. Magnus is there cuz' he arrested her in Spotlight Arcee. Which well, prison wasn't what she (or anyone) needed for what her situation was. Sideswipe was there because even though he didn't understand her much until the end, HE TRUSTED HER ANYWAY, stood by her choices, risked his life for her as she did for him. Chromia is there because of how close she is with Windblade and how Windblade sees things, more on that later.

The second image is because Anode & Lug had been homeless for at least part of the duration of Great War, & Arcee in An Arcee Sort of Day having had trouble getting a housing loan. We chose Nautica to help them because she eventually understood Anode and Lug’s economic reasons for theft after initially taking issue with them.

The 3rd image doesn't have to do with the characters as much as it does things from IDW1 & AVP (although Archadis, Howlback, and Overlord’s gender expansive stories come up in Ask Vector Prime): in the former, the loneliness of trans characters shown, cut off from or having lost community & understanding from people, & eventually finding family. In the latter, working together for euphoria.

The last image is a bit more abstract/cobbled together. The Decepticons in e.g. Cyberverse, sought to meddle with Cybertron's reproductive autonomy: deciding form & role for new gens ('Perfect' Decepticons) with similar assignment for MTOs in IDW1, and forced weaponization (e.g. FoC). The Autobots have also sometimes been guilty of aspects of the latter two, but they more often champion autonomy as a way of life. Remaking/reforging derived from Solus Prime's story is an important metaphor/value for Camiens like Windblade, who respected Arcee when few would. The collective souls of reemerging generations in a cycle of life and death with the AllSpark parallels that reforging view, as shown by the words of Dai Atlas in the Escape miniseries, and the Matrix of Leadership had a direct link to the AllSpark in IDW2 as well.

From all this one can extrapolate that the fate of the AllSpark, the value of recreation of self and the access to capacity to do so have particular connotations both for trans transformers and all bots, just as building reciprocity, trust, wellbeing, and protection from malpractice do. Thus, to us, it's abundantly clear that while Transformers in regards to transformers does not deal with trans issues as a copy of Earth issues [this includes how in IDW1 Cybertronian androcentrism that (trans) gals face is not the same as ours] they speak to timeless aspects of autonomy. It is no accident that a number of trans people have been drawn to these stories over the years. Apart from enjoying them for other reasons, this aspect is there. Even when Transformers media is not talking about trans people, it is often dealing with things that effect us.

And that goes on a less dire level too. Like, the fact characters usually have two or more modes that are very different & related. And body modification is a deep & regular part of these stories, something a lot of people do. And the theme of change and agency itself in stories. This is say: if you either get what's happening in our world where gender expansive folks are in dire straits but we try to make joy and love anyway, just as the trans characters in these stories do, or if you can connect with how transformers is- there is something related.

If this motivates somebody to think carefully about how political engagement choices in how our lives are effected by issues mentioned prior and gets curious about transformer or robot stories that tackle this stuff, then we've achieved something. Thank you for reading :3 <3 ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️

Fic Author Self Rec

I have... been tagged. By one @jackdaw-sprite (thank)

When you get this, reply with your 5 favourite fics that you've written. Then pass it on to five other writers. Spread some self love.

Take me to war, honey I dare you

Fandom: Danny Phantom

Summary: The GIW have Amity Park locked down after an explosion left half the city in ruins and the other half infested with ghostly bugs - and Jazz is stuck outside of it. She knows that the GIW have hurt her brother, knows her home is under attack from within, and knows that the best way to get back to her family is to pose as one of the enemy.

Thoughts: Part of the Metamorphosis AU, AKA the "GIW mess around, find out, and accidentally turn Danny into a giant ghost bug AU," which is one of my favorite AUs to write, and I love giving Jazz a chance to go just a little bit feral.

Bury the Crown

Fandom: Danny Phantom

Summary: Danny's defeat of Pariah Dark earned him the right to claim the title of King, but not everyone is happy about this. An Ancient ghost gathers allies to seal the new King away before he can claim his crown - and everyone has to deal with the consequences.

Thoughts: AKA Danny gets put in a box and no one is happy about it. This started off as a much shorter story inspired by this art (cw buried alive) and then spiraled wildly out of control and now I have an entire AU lol. All around just fun to write and hopefully fun to read.

Untitled Ghost Game

Fandom: Danny Phantom

Summary: In which I borrow the legendary Little Baby Man, make him what happens when a half ghost is sufficiently hurt, and also make him susceptible to cat toys and laser pointers.

Thoughts: Fun and silly. Little Baby Man is cat shaped. I don't make the rules.

Call Status: Not Reachable (Rated M)

Fandom: Danny Phantom

Summary: Following a blow-up fight with his friends and months of distance from his sister, Danny finds himself alone in Amity. It couldn't have come at a worse time. His parents have discovered his secret, and it's only a matter of time before they come to the worst possible conclusion: their son needs to be saved, and the danger is himself.

Thoughts: The M rating here is for violence, so please mind the tags. It's ongoing with no posting schedule, but I do have like 20 chapters outlined already and some rough notes for more. It's also extremely self indulgent. So. We'll see where it goes lol

The Lies We Trust (Rated M)

Fandom: BNHA

Summary: In which Dabi is the Crown Prince of his family's kingdom, until he gets framed for a crime he didn't commit. The punishment is exile, but not everyone is content to leave it at that. Some would rather see Prince Touya's memory go up in flames.

Thoughts: This one is also rated M for violence. I wrote it ages ago (like, before Dabi being Touya was confirmed canon lmao), but I really liked how it ended up coming out. This was the start of a Dabi/Hawks Fantasy AU that would've been set a few years after this fic, but I don't really write for this fandom anymore... so I ended up cutting this off as a 'prologue' of sorts for the concept. May or may not continue it someday.

TFWIKI Pics Jan 2023: Grab Bag!

January's Patreon-backed @tfwiki toy picture theme is... three themes. There were a bunch of holes I kinda wanted to fill but none of them were really big enough for their own full update, so like, hey. Mix 'em up.

First we have the second round of Beast Wars "Fox Kids!" redecoes, released in 2000 alongside the new Beast Machines toys. The BW show's recent move to the Fox Kids cartoon block really boosted demand for more Transformers product, and Hasbro could only stuff so much into Machines, so Wars got extended another year with these and the Mutants. 1) Transmetal Airazor 2) Transmetal Rattrap 3) Transmetal Rhinox 4) Transmetal Waspinator

Next is a very loose theme of real car models in red. Yeah. Look, I wanted to get new pics of two of these anyway (the first and last) and found two more toys that needed new pics that matched the vague pattern.

Binaltech Meister Velocity Red Mica Edition" is perhaps better known as "Zoom-Zoom", a spare body for Binaltech Jazz equipped with an AI that Jazz is teaching to dance. I love Zoom-Zoom and he should become the new default Jazz-mold redeco.

Kiss Players Hot Rodimus is a redeco of Alternators Mirage, with some added accessories. Not just the figurine of human partner Shaoshao Li, but a 4-part fishing rod that reassembles into an arm-mounted gun like the original Hot Rod's arm-pipe-guns. But it's not very good, it doesn't clip on, just kinda grips.

Alternators Rumble is part of the final wave of Alternators toys, relegated to Walmart exclusivity. He's weird. He's simpler than most Alternators, he doesn't have normal arms, and the spring-loaded piledrivers are all wobbly once deployed. Also, no Takara release.

And then there's Universe Swerve, whose release story is a DOOZY but the short of it is, Chevy commissioned Hasbro/Takara to make an original Chevy Aveo TF mold to use as giveaways at malls and whatnot in 2007, part of the whole movie marketing thing Chevy/Paramount had going on. Which means this mold can NEVER be restored and used again. It's a truly unique piece that I'm super-happy to have.

And we're wrapping up with some pieces from Takara's 2010 Animated line. Said line is most famous for dousing the main cast in super-shiny metallic paint, but most of the toys only got a bit of it. Oil Slick only got bright green paint on his gauntlets and legs, while Blazing Lockdown just got metallic pale-gold flames instead of the Hasbro version's more cartoony yellow-gold.

Optimus Prime Clear Red Ver. is a Toys"R"Us exclusive redeco of the Legends-class Optimus. It's one of Takara's many many many many store promotional items, where you got it free with qualifying purchases on specific dates in specific stores. In this case, 3000 yen's worth of Animated product at TRU, presumably on the first weekend of the toyline's release (haven't found the exact date yet).

Prowl Elite Guard Ver. was exclusive to the 2010 Tokyo Toy Show, which ran from July 15th through the 18th. It's currently unknown what the production run on this one was.

If you like these pictural perusals through Transformers history, why not toss a coin to your pic'er at my Patreon, "gregstfwikipics"? This helps get even more pics out and can even let you pick a theme!

Michael Musical draft

“Alright folks! Give it up for the king of all things bluuueee!”

In the Halo of Humility, a Christian rock concert was taking place that rivaled Gabriel’s entertainment venues. It was at New Jerusalem Stadium in Holy City. Despite Gabriel having fame for communication technology, theme parks and generosity, no one could beat the oldest archangel brother remaining in heaven, who loved to show off his muscular physique and heroic charm. Fans were dressed in blue clothing, blue hats and carried merchandise with gold “M”s on them. Several kids carried harmless toy swords that lit up with blue lights that appeared like flames. Every kind of angel was there: saints, cherubs, elves, seraphim, thrones, and even some Exorcists. More Exorcists posed and stood guard with angelic spears around the stadium like honored veterans.

“Heaven’s number one Archangel, God’s right-hand man himself! Protector of all and slayer of darkness!”

There were more cheers from the crowd.

“The Virtue you all love most…Archangel Michael, ruler of Humility…and humanity!”

In a flash of light, Archangel Michael leaped forward and posed on the stage, wearing his signature blue armor, gold shoulder protective armor, gold boots, a gold helmet with red feathers in it and a sheathed sword. Fans swooned over his sleek short blond hair and charming white face that looked very similar to Lucifer. Michael was often called “the obedient counterpart of Lucifer,” by many. In his hands was a red and gold gem-studded electric guitar, with the top part glowing with harmless blue flames. More blue flames ejected from the stage, in the front and off to the sides. His halo was gold and blue and his six wings were sparkly white. His eyes would sometimes shift from blue to gold.

“Hallelujah, Heaven!” he called out, the crowd roaring in response.  Michael’s blue sigil glowed on the red curtains behind him. “Praise the Lord, Jehovah, Yahweh, and all that jazz! Can I get an amen?!”

“Amen, amen!” answered the audience.

“How are all you adherents doing tonight?!”

More cheers and “We love you, Michael!” from the crowd.

��I hope you’re ready for a spectacular show that you’ll remember for the rest of your afterlives!”

“Michael! Michael! Michael!” chanted the crowd.

“Right, I got lots of amazing things planned for you here tonight. But first, how many of you righteous devotees want to be strong heavenly defenders like me someday?”

A chorus of “Yes! Yes!” and “Me, me’s!”

“Well, I’m happy to announce that I will be starting a new training session where all kinds of angels will have the opportunity to show off their skills. Fighting, healing, properly judging sinners, and perhaps some performing! So many amazing events in one…like a triathalon but better!”

More applause from the fans and a triumphant lifitng of spears from the Exorcist guards.

“And just to let you know, even though I’m personally not a fan of the brutal torture methods of general Adam, the session will still be good for those who want some extra self-defense lessons and to see what being a heavenly warrior is all about. It’s about protecting our wonderful realm and showing true justice to mortals and immortals alike. No killing and torture is allowed, of course. The winner will get a chance to train with me for a day and a free protection blessing for their family! (In Heaven and on Earth of course, because due to the current structure of Heaven, there’s not much we can do about saving sinners in Hell yet.)”

A brief silence with cricket chirping.

“But anyway, there’s always room for more esteemed eliminators of evil! The reward is worth the risk. Now, let’s start the show!”

Angels waved their arms and flapped their wings in excitement as more fireworks lit up the dim sky with teal and white sparks.

Michael played his guitar and flew into the air, doing ariel flips and tricks.

(Michael’s song)

0 0 0

“Dad, enough is enough,” Docile sighed as he sat at a dining room table across from his father, Yeshua Cantus. “I don’t understand why you had to come over and vist me.”

“Docile, this is a chance of a lifetime!” Cantus mentioned. The elf had Docile’s same dark teal face, pointed ears, white birthmark and bald head. He wore a golden suit with a teal bowtie and a matching gold top hat. “You can finally do something worthwhile for the community instead of hunting around for mortal strangers. And I’m visiting for brief missionary work. I heard the news and you were close by…”

“E.L.F. saves lives and makes a difference,” Docule protested. “And I got fired from my last Exorcist job, remember? I refuse to kill any innocent sinners ever again.”

“Sinners are never innocent,” Cantus countered. “They chose their fate the moment they decided to turn their backs on God. There is no use in reasoning with them or saving them.”

“That’s why me and my crew go to Earth to try and stop them from making those decisions in the first place.”

“Interfering on Earth too much will get you in trouble,” Cantus said, blue eyes narrowing.

Docile chuckled dryly. “I’m surprised they haven’t caught me yet. I’ve been down there several times and I’m still here in one piece.”

“If you were really smart, you’d want to work for the very best,” he said.

“But elves are considered the worst in terms of status,” Docile remarked. “I’m surprised they are even allowing elves to compete against saints and the more powerful heaven-borns. Have you forgotten that only saints are immortal?”

“So are angels and God.”

“But not us elves! I don’t think I should even try to win that contest!”

Cantus grew tense. “For the sake of what remains of this family, you’d better change up your attitude and go like your legacy depends on it.”

“No one cares! It’s just a show!”

“A show that will have the winner get the attention of Michael himself and the Exorcists. You’ll get your position back.”

“Why should I? All you ever do is teach choir lessons.”

“Because I want you to be able to stay safe from the darkness. I’m old and you’re young.”

“Like age is an excuse in paradise. I know Mom is gone, but I can take care of myself.”

Cantus pulled Docile back down when he tried to leave the table.

“Prove it, then. Prove that you can take on any attack, any threat, any opposition against your race. Show the officals that you will do what it takes to make sure no one has to be banished from this place again.”

“You know, my co-worker Tirred refused to judge sinners and his mother almost threw him into Hell.”

“What?!” Cantus seethed. “Only the Exorcists and God have the authority…”

Docile interrupted. “Also, haven’t you talked to Soother? He can lull denizens to sleep.”

“Which would be cheating. And you are my son, so respect to you brings respect to me.”

“What if I say no to this contest?”

“…I’ll provide more funding for C.H.E.R.U.B.”

A silence.

Docile sighed and relented. “Fine.”

“I expect you to put in effort,” said Cantus. “It’s only for a day. Wouldn’t want your mortal buisness in jepardy in favor of the offical Exorcist organization if you lose, do you? I’ll just talk to Kiva and Camael; they’d love to make it happen.”

Docile bared his teeth, sweat on his forehead. “Camael sends Good News cherubs to Earth all the time. Why is my organization bad in their eyes?”

“Not approved by the Archangels.”

“It counters I.M.P.”

“Who are still out there, running rampant. Your ideals of saving sinners as well…”

“You’re just jealous that I founded my own business and you’re mad because it goes beyond the ‘all sinners are evil’ mentality of Adam and friends.”

“We can’t trust denizens who are not Exorcists nor those not under the guidance of Archangels to go down to Earth…”

“E.L.F. does fine on it’s own, thnak you very much,” Docile folded his arms. “You and Heaven worried we’ll start a rebellion? Hell’s already doing that. I want to stop it as much as you do. But allowing all demons to be killed is not the answer.”

“Exorcists will always be here for reasons not all of us may like. Only God can truly comprehend the matter.”

“More excuses!” Docile scoffed. “You know, Tirred’s family doesn’t sound as bad as you. I don’t want to kill or judge people...and I don’t appreciate having a father spying on me. Just imagine if Hell’s denizens came to Heaven to kill the saints and we were seen as demons! If I could continue my buisness and go to Hell to find Mom…”

Cantus stared hard into his son’s eyes, gripping his shirt. “You will do no such thing!  I misss her, too, but you and Holly Wata are all I have. Stay in Heaven where you belong. Do something worthwhile…Holly already has a good rep with Camael and does important work on Earth. I may be sort of rich, but I cannot afford to lose you.”

“Nice joke,” deadpanned Docile. “You’re just doing this for more praise. Using me after not talking to me for years. You must have brainwashed Holly to think that trying to convert humans is a good idea.”

“If it means they will get into Heaven, then yes.”

“Imposing on their freedom and judging them even before their death!” Docile cried. “We’re just as bad as humans if not worse!”

“To compare our kind with humans and sinners is blasphemy right there!” Cantus reprimanded. “I was hoping some real world experience would get you to see reason.”

Docile sighed, staring briefly at his hands. “E.L.F. is real world experience. Elves would hardly have any recognition without my company. It’s certainly making more difference than singing the same old hymns about God all the time! And why all the manipulation in society?”

“Passive-aggressive…what else do you expect from a holier than thou world? Or any society for that matter.”

“I don’t know. Unconditional acceptance, maybe? Or maybe you’ll admit that Heaven is not perfect after all. Mom wouldn’t be accepting of this…”

“Enough, son!” Cantus’ face darkened. “Win that contest and I’ll give you some unconditional acceptance,” Cantus grinned, letting go of Docile. “Be the mighty Exorcist you were born to be!”

“So unless I win, you’ll make my life a dying heaven by making me change my job just because it doesn’t follow the beaucratic racist ideals of Adam and the majority of Heaven?”

“Pretty much.”

“In your dreams you snot-faced elf a**,” Docile muttered as he walked away.  He breifly looked back at his father and spoke almost in a somber whisper. “I thought you’d be more proud of me.”

more jazz (ft. the reverse sides of his wings which cleverly double as speakers presumably as a nod to his sonic attacks/sound and light show)

#jazz #autobot jazz #tf jazz #jazz tf #transformers jazz #jazz tf #kuro kara kuri jazz #flame toys jazz

Viewing Response 10: Alien Visitation I

In Bridge's "The Past Tense and the Future Perfect: The Postmodern Play of Watanabe Shin’ichiro and the Possibility of the Coming Community," the author discusses Watanabe's unique animation style, as it enables his narratives to depart from our current societal norms. This work focuses on several of Schin'ichiro's anime series, and is particularly applicable to Cowboy Bebop; the show reframes ideas of Japanese homegeneity, builds on white invisibility, explores alienation, and moves past the rules of nationality and a 'defined identity' that confine us in the 'real' world. The author describes the "weightlessness" of Watanabe's world, in which Bebop's main characters live with a single, broad goal: to cope with their past and make it to the future (779). The lack of social constructs and limitations placed upon Spike and his team of 'misfits' enables a creative exploration of identity, and highlights the role of external, structural forces on identity today.

I will analyze a scene in Episode 11, "Toys in the Attic," in which the space crew become infested with an unknown, poisonous purple slime that kills both Faye and Jet (in addition to the corgi). Two scenes caught my eye. Primarily, the scene where Spike kills (or so we think...) the virus. Right after he tracks down and traps the virus, Spike takes a pause to lights his cigarette (with a flamethrower). The bright orange of the flame flashes across the neutral-toned background, heightening the comedy of the scene. Spike's sigh before finishing the fight highlights Bridge's notion that, in this postmodern society, "uprootedness becomes a defining condition of human existence" (781). The fight for survival is a daily condition, and the means to reach survival are everchanging.

The final scene is also worth noting, as it ends the story with everyone floating into space, and supports Bridge's assertion of the "weightlessness" in Watanabe's postmodern worlds (779). After the slime reemerges and attacks Spike, the characters literally float throughout space--it is unclear whether they are even alive. Spike's narrative and the jazz musical accompaniment frame this occurrence as normal; the border between the spaceship vs outer-space, livable vs non-livable spaces, and life vs death are made fuzzy in Bebop's world, and the characters seem to live freely as a result. Even in death, Faye smiles and floats glamorously--almost in peace--, and the brightness of the fridge and its glimmering against the dark galaxy sky further reframe the narrative struggles (even the virus) as 'weightless,' and un-restraining in this restructured world.

#oxyspeculativetv @theuncannyprofessoro

Flame Toys Kuro Kara Kuri Jazz official images - with extra alt face

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Fievel Is Glauque - Flaming Swords

(Progressive Pop, Jazz Pop, Jazz Fusion)

Trading fuzzy progressive pop for noisy and off-kilter blends of jazz and avant-prog, Fievel Is Glauque's first studio album is a lush yet frenzied combination of prickly experimentation with some of the warmest and sweetest songcraft out there. Flaming Swords' fast and aloof nature renders every song magical yet surprisingly subdued.

☆☆☆☆☆

Born out of circumstance, Fievel is Glauque thrives on opportunity and brevity, putting as much energy as they can into a short moment and condensing so many ideas into only a minute or two of song. Zach Phillips and Ma Clément are a bit of an unlikely pair - Phillips a veteran of underground jazz and rock while the French Clément was studying nursing in Brussels where they met - but their music is nothing short of organic and lovely, less about defined songcraft and focused instead on how the duo's ideas melt into one another and the many different musicians they work with interact with it, their studio debut Flaming Swords a masterclass in jazz pop and unorthodox songcraft. Blurring the lines between mid-century pop, avant-jazz, and chilled-out fusion, Flaming Swords manages to be both dense and undisturbed at once, its freewheeling compositions sitting under Clément's unorthodox vocals with clearer than thanks to the cleaner studio recordings while the band's instrumentation and arrangements get wilder than ever. Flaming Swords gets a lot done in a scarily short time, but not once does it become rushed. Built out of a septet consisting of main members Phillips and Clément along with guitarist/bassist Anatole Damien, bassist/guitarist Raphaël Desmarets, alto saxophonist Johannes Eimermacher, pedal steel player Eric Kinny and drummer Gaspard Sicx, Flaming Swords' sound is bolstered by having the same group of people playing all together rather than the rotating cast of instrumentalists from all across the world their breakout compilation God's Trashmen Sent to Right the Mess relied on, similarly varied in its sound but the energy harnessed more effectively than ever: There's dabblings in avant-prog through the murky guitars and speedy alto sax runs in the title track or the quick-moving chord shifts in Less to Be; playful highlights like Save the Phenomenon and My Rebel toy with warped instrument effects and stiff yet warm progressions; lighter touches of the bossa nova and yé-yé from God's Trashmen... sneak into The Trick and Days of Pleasure; if there's one thing Flaming Swords lacks compared to its predecessor, it's cooldown time. Thankfully, the album never needs it, its slower moments still full of life in the hypnotic triplet groove on Nos Embranchements or the gooey lounge of Boîte à Serpents, Fievel is Glauque taking their time but never losing the mystery and heart their cryptic take on jazz fusion provides. There's a playfulness to the songs and Clément's performances that keep Flaming Swords personable even when it's referencing the Book of Genesis or romantic comedies: 4000 Rooms uses an unorthodox image to represent patterns of behavior ("The door is stuck before the floor, you gotta build it up / After three-thousand-nine-nine-nine we had some luck") for a song that's both easily relatable and somewhat ambiguous, fitting for a band as inscrutable with their intentions as this. Clément moves quickly and often chooses to not emphasize any particular lines in the song, Little Bad Miracle drifting through images without fully defining any one of them, Clément's low and often monotone singing contributing to the sense of liminality and restlessness the song uses to its advantage, and Save the Phenomenon has her lilting off sharp staccato lines so fast it can be tough to figure out exactly what she's saying without a lyrics sheet in front of you, Kinny's warm pedal steel and Phillip's winding chord progression keeping the mood steady even as Clément's voice becomes even more confounding. Where contemporary left-field jazz often enhances itself through light humor and overt absurdity (think the looseness of Thundercat or over-the-top madness of black midi), Flaming Swords opts for something more akin to a book of spells you have to piece back together, each song delighting in throwing you off Fievel is Glauque's trail to make for an album that's as lovely to listen to as it is to pick apart. In just 37 minutes, Flaming Swords delivers not only one of the best jazz albums in recent years but a step forward for underground pop, where complex genre fusion learns calmness and stability, avant-prog and jazz rock so light and crisp it's almost a little intimidating, Fievel is Glauque searching for inner peace through the dense and mystic world their music fits so comfortably in. Technical music doesn't need to be heartless, nor does it need to be pushing every emotion to its absolute max; the music can move through its ideas freely without needing to excavate every idea from them, Flaming Swords sitting with something for only a minute or two before jumping to the next thing and seeing what the moment does for them. It's the sort of instinctiveness and immediate knowing of what feels good and what doesn't Fievel is Glauque is built for, Flaming Swords a testament to the group's fluidity and ability to make anything feel home even if only for a second, fleeting beauty forever captured in song.

This review is part of the ALL I MISSED: 2022, where I review any releases I didn't get to from last year.

How do you feel about Jazz almost being included in Cyber verse?

big sad

Hooh shit 👀

Where the fuck are the model kits tho...

Dante, Vergil, V and Nero quick Halloween scenarios - Nero Version

Pairings: Nero x Kyrie, as always. In this one, reader is Nero's best friend (he calls her his sister)

Summary: The theme for this Halloween was Hocus Pocus, the movie you all watched as kids. All dressed up, Nero runs to the orphanage just in time to watch the Sanderson Sisters' show.

Author's notes: You know, someday I'll write about Nero being a kitchen hazard - because boy does his best, but he isn't a natural at it as he is with kicking demon ass.

There isn't muuuch of a plot, just all of you happily dressed as Hocus Pocus characters and having fun on Halloween, that's it "^^

Also, for those of you who don't know Hocus Pocus, I'll leave the part of the movie with the song below - but PLEASE, do watch this Halloween monument of a movie. For reference while reading: Winnie is the red haired witch in emerald green gown, Mary is the black haired witch in red clothes, and Sarah is the blonde witch in the pink palette dress.

And yes, that's the skeleton singer a lot of us had a crush on :D

“Where are they now, huh?” Nero muttered to himself, adjusting his frayed top hat in his head.

He smiled after looking at himself in the mirror – Nero looked cool. With your help and Kyrie’s, of course: his face and hands were painted in skull and bones, black and white, torn and old clothing adorning the make-up. You had decided for a Hocus Pocus Halloween on the orphanage and instead of dressing up as the main character, you managed to convince Nero to dress up as the skeleton jazz singer guy from the town party.

Well, you might have told Nero that Kyrie said she thought the guy was cute when she was younger – and you both agreed on never telling Kyrie he knew this “secret”. Or else, the girl would burst into ashamed flames.

When he was least expecting though, Nero heard the clock announce it was 10 p.m.

“Shit!” Yes, he was late. Blame it on the demons who always decided to toy with humans on Halloween, he did his best to arrive on time – but he was just one person.

Vergil hadn’t thought him how to doppelganger his demon yet, so Nero couldn’t actually be in two places at the same time.

“I need to get ‘im to teach me that trick, as soon as possible…” He muttered to himself as he ran down the corridor to the main room, starting to hear some music and children screaming in the middle of all the fun. “Oh, c’mon! I’m not that late! So much for demon speed…!”

Holding his top hat in place, Nero ran as fast as his legs allowed him. Barging in the room, the kids didn’t even notice his presence: all eyes were glued on three witches in a masterfully improvised stage – built by Nico herself.

“Hello, Red Grave! My name is Winnifred, what’s yours?” As soon as Kyrie’s voice sang, the children started screaming in response, excited for their own Halloween show.

Nero smiled broadly, crossing his arms and admiring the scene that unfolded right before his eyes. It was Hocus Pocus night, so, naturally, the Sanderson Sisters had to be present. Kyrie was gorgeous in Winnie’s green velvet clothes, her hair in curls tied in a messy updo – so different from her day-to-day look – and make-up in strong colors she normally didn’t wear. Nico, on the other hand, made Nero laugh: her wild hair was tamed in an updo almost as wild as Mary’s, and he never really thought he’d see her wearing a corset and red skirts from centuries past. You were designated to take Sarah’s place, in a pink palette Nero didn’t expect to ever see you showing off – but he’d have to say it suited you.

Actually, it was really difficult to have something that didn’t look good in the three of you. Nero would always choose Kyrie as the most beautiful being in any situation, but he’d always say you and Nico weren’t far behind – he would do otherwise only if he wanted to annoy you.

“I put a spell on you, and now you’re gone!” Kyrie’s voice was enough to fill a whole stadium – the best kind of spell, honestly. Nero was gone on the first moment he laid eyes on her. “My whammy fell on you, and it was strong!”

“It was strong, it was strong, it was strong!” You and Nico danced together in the background, singing as best as you could as Kyrie’s back singers. Nero couldn’t stop himself from laughing: you both decided to be as goofy as you could, just like the sisters.

“If you don’t believe, you better get superstitious… Ask my sisters!” Kyrie sang as she stopped between you and Nico.

“She is vicious!” You both pointed at Kyrie, tragically pretending you feared her, raising laughs from the children.

“Now, as we sing, you repeat after us, ok?” Kyrie asked as the song played, standing in the middle as you danced along, pretending to cast spells. “Ah say ento pi alpha mabi upendi!”

Of course, Nero joined the children, repeating as loud as he could and pulling the choir of little voices responding to the witches on the stage and letting themselves be bewitched. The three of you started smiling as soon as you saw the skeleton-Nero putting one of the smaller kids in his shoulders so they could watch it better.

“Ay! Aye! Say… Bye-bye!” Kyrie’s voice sounded as crystal clear and louder than she expected, waving goodbye as you three put yourselves in position for the final pose.

“YOU’RE AWESOME, SANDERSON SISTERS!” Nero screamed immediately as you three stood in pose, smiling to the audience of little hands who cheered, laughed, screamed and applauded.

“Thank you, lil’ mortals!” Nico bowed in excitement. “Now dance ‘til ya get tired and have to fill those tummies with sweets!”

“But not too…!”

“Hey, don’t worry. It’s just for tonight, Kyrie.” You held Kyrie’s arm covered in dark green velvet, making her smile in return. “C’mon, they’re not going to die from having a little bit too much of fun for one night.”

“Yeah, we even got different kinds of sweets, did ya see it?” Nero said as he approached, having put the kid he was carrying on the ground – they were already having fun with the other children. “We got some lactose-free, some gluten-free and some sugar-free, everyone can have fun! It was y/n idea!”

“But it was your skeleton-prince’s idea to help me bake some things for the ones with more obscure restrictions.” You considered wisely, winking at him. “Gotta say, Nero’s a disaster in the kitchen.”

“Hey! You gave me the most difficult things to do, you…!” But he stopped arguing as soon as he heard Kyrie giggling by his side.

“He does his best, as he does with everything.” Her voice was too kind for that sort of comment, making you and Nico burst out in laughs right away.

“He does his best!” Nico repeated as Nero rolled his eyes, considering the possibility of his top hat being magical. Maybe if he put Nico inside it, she’d disappear for a while. “Girl just admitted you’re a kitchen hazard, lil’ devil!”

“Ya know, I bet Dante does have a cursed top hat somewhere on that damned shop…!” Nero had a smile in his lips, but his eyes weren’t having so much fun. Kyrie, on the other hand, couldn’t stop herself from thinking he was adorable.

And you were considering it was a very good probability Dante had a cursed top hat at Devil May Cry. The devil hunter had everything under that roof – it was scary, even.

“Thank you for considering the children, both of you. And thank you Nico for putting all this up.” Kyrie had the kindest of smiles in her red lips – so out of character for such a vicious witch like Winnie Sanderson. “Also… You look great, Nero. I’m glad the make-up didn’t smear while fighting!”

You and Nero exchanged a quick knowing look, as if he thanked you for suggesting that costume.

“Well, couldn’t let all your work get lost, could I?” He smirked back at Kyrie, wearing the smile he knew made her legs weak and her cheeks blush in pink. “Spare some time to dance with your skeleton guy for one night, Mrs. Sanderson?”

“Well, well, look at him, all lost in love as the lovey-dovey boy he is.” Nico laughed, resting her hands on her hips as Kyrie said yes and both of them hit the dance floor. “Forgets all the work the rest of us had!”

“As always.” You shrugged, knowing Nero didn’t forget – he was just prone to raise Kyrie in a pedestal as a goddess every time he was around her. “So, care to dance with your sister or will I have to bring the kids here to drag you to the dance floor, dear sis’?”

“Oh, no, I’m more than ok to go dance without being forced by lil’ demons, girl! Let’s go!” As Nico said so, she grabbed your wrist and soon you were by Nero and Kyrie, dancing together as if it was one of the last nights you would do that.

Nero wasn’t that used to it, though. Kyrie soon opened a little circle for all of you to dance together, but he was more used to dancing with one person – her, to be specific. That didn’t bother him: Nero just needed time to adjust to the fact that now he had other people around, people he considered a family.

And that meant dancing with his sisters from time to time.

Dancing with the children was easy – Nero was a natural with children, even though he always said he wasn’t. As they wanted to dance with the Sanderson Sisters in their circle, Nero was more than comfortable on dancing with them. You took turns dancing in the middle of the circle with the kids – having them step on your feet to move around better, carrying them through the songs, doing some choreography from videoclips you learnt together… All of you were having fun and even Nico was able to form a little group of children with choreographed moves.

Until suddenly, Nero and you were pushed in the middle of the circle.

“Oh, you and me now?” He asked as soon as he realized who his partner was at the moment. “You’re done for, y/n! C‘mere!”

You didn’t even see what happened – one moment, you were standing in front of him, in the other, you were being spun around the room in all his speed, fingers grasping his arms as tightly as you could while you laughed loudly, hearing Nero’s laugh in your ear. He put you on the floor right after, starting a funny little dance you two had choreographed years ago for no reason at all. Kyrie and Nico laughed hysterically, thinking you had already forgotten that. But you and Nero moved together, clapped together, twisted together. Until he held both of your hands and, leaning all his weight backwards, started spinning as fast as he could.

“C’mon, Nero! We’re gonna DIE!” You screamed above the music, but he couldn’t care less.

“We’ve survived worse! Don’t you let go!” He yelled back, under a few laughs, feeling Kyrie starting to worry you’d both fly around if you tried to stop and crash into a food table.

“How are we goin’ to stop, genius?!” And your question was precisely everyone’s question.

“I’ll hold ya, c’mon! Are ya scared now? With me?!”

As Nero asked, you closed your eyes, throwing your head backwards and allowing yourself to laugh. Of course. It was Nero. What were you scared of? He was right, you had been through worse – and both of you deserved to have some fun sometimes. That was a sort of fun, childish even, but fun. Something you and him didn’t have much as kids. But now you were adults, and nothing was stopping you from enjoying life a little.

Well… Almost nothing.

“Hey, you both will throw up soon enough! Away from here and from the food table!” Nico made her voice be heard above the music and she was right: you were feeling more than your head spinning.

“Time to stop, Nero! Please!” You finally said and that’s when you saw a bashful smile on his lips. “Tell me you know how to stop us!”

Nero would have to do his best.

**

“Still seein’ all the stars spinnin’ around…?” Nero’s voice was positively dragged by your side.

“Yeah…” And your voice wasn’t better.

The disaster was avoided by having you both crashing down in the apple punch table. Luckily, Nero managed to hold you and the beverage spilled only a little, having you both laughing as if you were drunk, barely able to stand on your own two feet. You heard everyone laughing alongside, but soon Kyrie and Nico were trying to stop all the children to do the same spinning around as you both did. Since you were too far gone to be helpful, Kyrie suggested you recover on the orphanage’s garden.

That’s how you and Nero ended up lying on the grass, side by side, admiring how the moon and the stars spun and spun and spun as you tried to remain anchored on the ground.

“It was great though… It’s been a long time I didn’t do this.” You pointed out, making him smile a little.

“Yeah… Me too. Thanks for bein’ around.”

“You don’t have to thank for that. You’re never getting rid of me now.” You scoffed. “Soon, you’ll be yelling for me to leave!”

“Shovin’ you in Nico’s van and sendin’ ya both off to work!” He responded in a laugh, causing you to chuckle as well. “Nah, I ain’t doin’ that. You’re stuck with me too. We’re family now.”

“And family doesn’t leave each other.” You agreed with your head, finding Nero’s hand in the grass. You moved uncertainly to hold his fingers, feeling him doing the same. Soon, you were holding each other’s hands, as the siblings you were.

“Yeah… That’s why we have to put up with Dante and my ol’ man’s antics.” As soon as Nero complained, you couldn’t hold back a hearty laugh. He smiled just from hearing you laughing so freely.

“C’mon, you complain about it, but you love them! Don’t lie to me!” You said between laughs, getting back just a scoff and a laugh from Nero.

But you were right… It was good to have a family. And he would take care of each and every single one of you, whether you wanted it or not.

“Hey, you both crazy-heads alive?!” Nico appeared through the garden door, laughing as soon as you and Nero raised your free hands in a thumbs-up. “There’s a guy sayin’ some demons are attackin’ the party by the city center, you two up to work tonight?”

You and Nero took your eyes off the stars to stare at each other. You could read in your expressions, those news weren’t really an inconvenience: it wasn’t as if you didn’t like what you did for a living. Nero was the first one to sit up as you sighed on the grass.

“Need to ask, Nico? Of course!” He answered in a spark of excitement, while pulling you from the floor by your arm. To annoy him, of course, you slouched, as if you were made of jelly. “C’mon, don’t go lazy on me now!”

“Aaaaahn… We really gotta go that fast…?” You complained, making Nero almost carry you from the floor to put you in your feet. You started laughing alongside him as soon as he noticed you were doing on purpose.

“Yes, get up, you fat ass!” Nero insisted, looking at Nico as he did his best to put jelly-you in your feet. “Tell ‘im we’ll be there as soon as possible!”

“Okey-dokey! Good luck with miss jell-o there!” Nico giggled as she left.

“Will I have to carry you there, miss jell-o?” Nero looked annoyed, but the smile in his lips denounced it was just a kind of sibling annoyance – one that could be easily read as fun.

“Nah, I’m fine…” You briefly laughed back, taking a deep breath. “Let’s get to work?”

Soon, you and Nero were side by side, skeleton jazz singer and Sarah Sanderson, using your guns and swords to slay demons by the dozens. You fought better together than apart – and you made sure no one would get Nero’s top hat from him. You guarded it with all your might, making him laugh every time you went all out on a demon because of it.

Nero couldn’t have asked for something better. He would guard you with his life if he needed, but he wouldn’t let any of those demons hurt you.

You all were weird – he had to admit that. But albeit broken, each of you were his family.

And honestly, Nero wouldn’t have it any other way.