#genuinely at one point of watching brotherhood | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sleeplesssmoll · 4 months

Text

Finding the moment Schneider and Vertin's dynamic shifted.

This scene inspired me because we see Schneider's anger emerge, albeit subtly.

It almost seemed like Schneider was planning on letting Vertin live once again, like in the beginning when they first met. She was going to give Vertin a chop on the neck during their duel to knock her out.

But then Vertin repeats the lie that Forget-Me-Not Me Not told her. After hearing Vertin promise her a shelter, she turns her gun on her instead. Why would she trust the words of someone from the Foundation who rejected her and her family?

Hearing this proposal must have hit a nerve. It's important to note that at this point in time she only likes Vertin's looks and she respects her fighting skill. She has absolutely no reason to trust Vertin's words and every reason to resent the Foundation's dog. It's easy to forget since she's such a flirt in the main story but there is a lot of anger in her. She is a Mafia Boss. She provides for her 11 sisters and her parents in a world that constantly takes from her without giving a shred of mercy. If you’re curious about this, the link below has Schneider's snippets from the atlas, but for my purposes I'll only use a small section.

The Opportunist and the Sticky Gum

“Her figure might be frail, but her eyes are filled with cold anger. Maybe she had been rejected just now or even insulted. She walked up to the square center with a firm step, like a warrior.”

This is Schneider as she watched Sonetto take the mission capsule she tampered with back to Vertin. In the Walden, we see this warrior fighting for her family and Vertin is now an obstacle.

Also, she seemed genuinely annoyed at the lack of concern Vertin had for the wounds she inflicted. Her voice starts off in that same playful, flirty tone when she says “that's really annoying” and then she sounds genuinely pissed when she talks about shooting Vertin in the thigh (I'd place a clip here but there's a limit. Would recommend going back and listening to get the full picture). She is getting frustrated.

However, things change when Vertin and the others help her sister. I think the true turning point in their relationship is when Vertin pushed Sonetto out of the hole to escape Druvis and Schneider did the same for Marian.

Earlier when Schneider was talking to Forget-Me-Not, she mentioned the importance of family and brotherhood. We also know she loves her family dearly which is why she's in this mess.

Schneider and Vertin sacrifice themselves for the people they love. She's finally met someone who gives a damn about loyalty and they are on the same side as her.

While they're fighting together, Schneider is heavily injured and Vertin covers for her. If Vertin, the one with the gunshot wounds, is in better shape than Schneider then it's a very rough situation. Nonetheless, she respects Vertin's fruitless attempts of resistance and considers her brave. She tells Vertin to shoot her in the chest when the time comes. Here, she is putting her faith in Vertin because she has no other choice. This is her only chance.

Later on in Popular Literature Vertin brings Schneider a healing potion and food she stole because she assumes Schneider must be hungry. You know what she brought?

Cake!

If we ignore the horrors of hindsight where Schneider is a human so the cake must not have looked like cake due to Storm Syndrome, it's a very sweet gesture. The healing potion tastes awful, so maybe she chose the cake over other foods as a way to make it easier to deal with. This is the climax where Vertin follows through on her promise and proves she is someone Schneider can trust. The cake also shows Vertin's empathy, something we see Schneider doesn't receive often. She's trying to make her as comfortable as possible instead of treating her as a pawn in her greater plan. They're working as a team, not as lord and subject.

#reverse 1999 #vertin #schneider #character analysis #i want to see a cutscene of their fight!

160 notes · View notes

ch0wen · 5 months

Text

Cover - Part III | Tangerine x Fem!Reader | 18+

warnings: smut mentioned, (minors dni), cursing, & violence

to catch up - Cover - parts one & two

———-

Tangerine's large hands wrapped around the diner's ceramic mug full of his muddled-grey tea. Warming himself while also trying to still his shakiness. He was having a tough time attempting to conceal his nerves. He avoided eye contact to retroactively stall the dreaded discussion.

“So,” you started, “Tangerine and Lemon. Fruits. Why choose from that category?”

Across from you, the man looked physically and mentally relieved that you hadn't leaped right into the hard questions. A smile wriggled under his mustache,

"When we were younger, Lem and I loved to watch American cinema. We would get inspired by a lot of ‘em. We played the games they did, tried out the sports, and picked up similar traditions.

One day, during a rare, hot English summer, I suggested starting a lemonade stand. My brother reacted with, ‘lemons are too tart! No one even likes sour drinks. I don't want to sell rotten lemons,' and I would remind him that you can turn a sour lemon into a sweet delight with a little bit of sugar. Shit, you should've seen his face when I ended up persuading him and he tried our first attempt at a batch. We got the measurements so wrong!”

His eyes shone as he spoke. He seemed to have been slowly opening up. Laughing into his hand and playing it off as a scratch to his face before dropping it to the table's surface. He was earnest as he told of his boyhood. Intriguing you with his storytelling, and leaning toward him as he continued on.

"Anyway. He would tell me that I'm like the sugar. That I make things better. But frankly, I can be a rotten arsehole to him. And by now, maybe he has forgotten about those silly childhood praises, but I never did. Those were the times, especially at the beginning of our career, when he made me feel wanted. He's good at that. He doesn't even require me to be the sugar in our brotherhood. He's naturally a genuinely good man.

I do need to tell myself I am useful, and deep down, I may not believe that to be all true. But he reminds me. He’s good at making people feel understood and cared for. He is true to his codename. He's a lemon, and everybody loves ‘em.”

Absentmindedly, you played with his finger twitching on the sticky table. He curled his hand properly around yours to hold.

———-

The hours passed and the diner went through waves of people. Coming and going, in and out, like clouds in unsettled coffee. Breakfast rush, stillness, then lunch chaos. To the both of you, the other was the focal point. Everything else just felt like a static buzz.

“I can't help but notice that you haven't asked the question. Basically the entire point of this morning."

"I didn't want to force it out," you finger at the sugar packets, like skimming a mini record collection. Attempting to downplay your interest. “I wanted us to get there without having to press it.”

A grateful hum of, “You are a peach," transitioned into a sigh, "but I suppose you deserve to know that I am a contracted assassin."

———-

It was only half past two in the afternoon when you both emerged from the diner. You made sure to avoid the eyes in the queue of the waiting patrons. The large tip, Tangerine thought he dropped into the checkbook unseen, should at least ease the hostess's agitation about your prolonged stay. You stand facing each other on the bustling city sidewalk.

The silence felt heavy after hours-long conversations. You studied each other. Your chance to fully take him in, in a different perspective, a new light. You were wary of how to leave this after the time you just spent together. The things he depicted. The part of himself that he had fanned out. He seemed to have bore it all. How do you grapple with that while having to part ways?

Tangerine didn’t keep you speculating. His handsome face sported a pleasant smile as he stepped forward to hug you. The embrace lasted only a moment, but it felt that he didn’t want to let go -

Like he was trying to hold you still. Keeping all those secrets that he poured out over the cooling cups of coffee between the two of you. Pressing them in close and sealing them behind tight lips. To him, when you walk out of his sight, you’ll take his story with you. The moment that he lets you go, the truth gets out. Exposed are all the mysteries on the inside and his safety. The scary reality is that he potentially jeopardized his and his brother’s lives to answer your curiosity.

Except, that was just your mind racing again. Tangerine's hug lasted for a minute and in a beat, he was pulling his shoulders back to look down at your face. And then he pulled you in for a kiss, the breath-stealing and tangling your hand in his hair, kind.

———-

The date with Tangerine was like an omen that you wouldn't be able to get the pair of assassins out of your life. Every day, something happened that would remind you of them. One of your little students would ask for a bandaid. You'd hear a song that played in the diner or a familiar theme song that Lemon definitely was humming. You’d find yourself grinning.

Little reminders would pop up here and there. Until one-half of the duo started turning up here and there when you’d least expect or anticipate it. It was a gradually natural formation of a budding friendship with Lemon and an eventual relationship between you and Tangerine.

Your romance with the latter was like any 2000s Rom. Com. daydream, except for the consistent reminders that you were dating a killer ——

Your boyfriend would show up unannounced with fresh flowers and a splat of blood on his neck peeking out from under his collar.

Written-out jokes from Lemon were handed over with a roll of his eyes but the ghost of a smile on his lips. Signaling that he has already heard the ridiculous gag that his brother came up with.

He’d be up early and missing in action during the day, but made up for it by staying late on date nights.

He always found time to call you between the sporadic periods of action while on the job. Just hoping to chat about your day so far or what he wanted to do to you later. Your mind runs with what exact situations he was calling in the middle of, whenever he was out of breath or your conversations were cut short with crashes and shouts.

You could sense when he exerted too much energy after those particularly long workdays. He tended to be quieter, or his body weight pressed impossibly closer on top of yours as his cock pushed in deep, or when Lemon would physically need to drag him into your apartment and throw him onto the couch.

Regardless of his fatigue, once you got each other going - either by massaging his sore neck, his rough thumbs grazing over your exposed thighs, or knee rubbing against his bulge as you bandage up a cut - He basically reverted back into stealth mode. Targeting his focus on only you. It felt like he existed to get you off. Wanting you to come on either his mouth, fingers, or pounding dick. He may have been exhausted but he wouldn't lose stamina until you were finished.

Nine times out of ten, whether after a hotel rendezvous or candle-lit dinner over a pack of instant potatoes and Kraft Mac and cheese, you’d find yourselves snuggled up in bed. You were always left stated after a good fuck from Tangerine. Hands, tongues, and whispers danced in the shared tranquility of your space. You were making special memories with the limited time you found with him.

———-

It went on like this for years. Each day felt like you peeled away another layer of a fruit's skin. Discovering a new trait or trick of your boyfriend's. You anticipated something exciting when he flung open the apartment door or your bedroom window. He never ceased to thrill and fulfill your every need.

And that one Tuesday in Spring was no different. He strode up to your car after class let out, seizing your waist from behind. A spin to your hips in his grasp had him close enough to breathe into your ear,

"Fly out to France with me, yeah?"

———-

#bullet train #aaron taylor johnson #bullet train 2022 #tangerine x reader #tangerine x fem!reader #cover #tangerine and lemon

133 notes · View notes

astralissas · 2 months

Text

Solace (1)

Series Summary: Brought up in a Mob family, you'd resigned yourself to the role of docile, obedient wife in your arranged marriage. But as you find yourself caught in the crosshairs of a vicious battle for territories, Steve's sanity begins to slip. He'll stop at nothing to protect you, if he can at all.

Pairing: Mob Steve Rogers x Reader

Chapter Word Count: 2.4K

Warnings: Arranged marriage, Brief mention of cancer / infertility, Implied violence

Series Masterlist

Everyone spends their life seeking some form of solace, of peace. Searching years to find even just a moment where the internal doubts and fears muffle enough that they can finally feel safe in their own head. Some find that reprieve at the bottom of a bottle, or when they’re at the highest peak of their drug-induced haze. Others find validation through a rotating line of partners, through whispers of praises that only last through the afterglow.

You? You found yours in stories. Printed books, eBooks, AudioBooks -- anyway that you could allow yourself to be inserted into a world so different from your own; anyway to adopt the characteristics and troubles of a protagonist so long as they are not your own.

It worried you that you suspected your future husband found his through watching the life drain from people’s eyes.

That’s where your thoughts lingered as you lounged in your childhood bedroom for the last night. “I really don’t know why you didn’t want to go out for your last night of freedom.” Your closest friend -- and only one, for that matter -- stated as she massaged a sheet mask onto your face.

“You know that’s not even an option, Wan,” You lamented, “Besides, going out is so stressful. I need to, like, mentally prepare for all the social stimulation.” Wanda snorted a laugh, easing the burden on your shoulders for just a moment as you laughed with her.

You were thankful to have such a genuine friend in Wanda. Friendships weren’t easily forged in your family’s lifestyle; at least for the women. With the men, there was a kind of brotherhood -- you supposed there had to be, with the line of work. But such loyalty rarely stood with the women. More often than not, they were merely a vessel to stand by their husband’s sides.

In that sense, you were lucky. Your father had allowed you a mainstream education at an all-girls private school, which you had graduated from just a few years prior. Granted, there were stipulations and strict security measures, but you were allowed to attend nonetheless. In the end, though, your haughty education didn’t make you immune to the dealings of your family’s lifestyle.

You were nearly eighteen when your mother revealed to you the contract that had been signed for your future. As much as you wanted to, you truly couldn’t fault her. Your mother was raised in a traditional family, taught that her only worth was a wife; as a carrier for an heir. She was devastated when the Doctor revealed her first-born was a girl, and absolutely distraught when cancer took her fertility less than a year later. You understood her resentment towards you, much as you wished it were different.

Unlike her, your father prided himself in being a dad. Affording you an education outside of cooking, or hosting dinners; and keeping you at arms length from his work. But there came a point where he could no longer skirt around the inevitable, particularly with your mother’s pushing. She couldn’t bear him an heir, so she enacted her backup plan.

And that backup plan came in the form of a formidable and unfortunately handsome man named Steven Rogers.

Steve was a relatively new face to the crowd, particularly when compared to leaders like Stark, for instance, who’d been groomed for his role his entire life. For an outsider to not only break into the business, but to rise in ranks so quickly; it was nearly unheard of. You couldn’t help but ponder at the qualities that got him there.

Much like the other leaders, you’d seen Steve only in passing. You’d never been allowed in the meetings, but had seen the men as they crossed through your house to your father’s office. Introductions, as always, were brief, and Steve’s was no exception. Steve was stoic, all professionalism, when you’d met him; mind no doubt laser-focused on the task which he was on his way to discuss with your father. Yet, that minimal interaction didn’t change the fact that you were expected to move into his house tomorrow, with a wedding already in the books for the coming Spring.

“What was it like for you?” You asked Wanda, who’d finished with your face mask and had moved on to fidgeting with your hair. Wanda hummed in question, and you clarified, “When you were getting ready to marry Vis?”

“Don’t do that.” Wanda whispered, ceasing her movements in your hair to move next to you. “It’s not the same. Not even close.” She was right, of course. Wanda and Vis had been married a few years prior. Vision, an accountant for Stark, had met Wanda when she was lending a hand and acting as Stark’s secretary. Their relationship had blossomed naturally and Wanda apparently had a luxury you couldn’t afford -- freedom in her future.

“I just want to know what it feels like.” You whispered, cursing the anxiety that crept into your tone, causing your words to waver for the first time that night. You’d lived through romance after romance in the pages of your books, but you’d resigned yourself to the fact that they were fiction; that you’d live in your lifetime without feeling the all-encompassing, all-consuming loves that were tethered to your novels. Damn authors and their settings of unrealistically high expectations.

Wanda’s face fell into one of sympathy as she wrapped you in a hug. “It’ll all be okay.” She promised. You weren’t so sure, but you let yourself lull into sleep nonetheless as Wanda toyed with the ends of your hair, chatting about anything and everything under the moon.

***

The next morning, you stood in the foyer of your house, hands clutching at your purse and small duffel bag -- the majority of your things having been taken to Steve’s already by the movers. Your father strode in from the hall. “Hi, sweetheart.” He said, pulling you into his side and kissing the top of your head. “Are you all ready?”

You shrugged in response, and your father sighed, “You seem nervous.”

“Do I?” You deadpanned, turning your eyes toward him, “I can’t imagine why.”

“Y/N,” Your father released your shoulder, rubbing his brow as he responded, “Steve is a good man. You’re better off with him then you’d be with anyone else.”

“So I’ve been told.” You quipped, holding back what you truly wanted to say -- Regardless of how “good a guy” Steve was, you were still moving into the home of a man you’d met once. You were feeling more and more like this was simply a transaction of goods, as if everyone had forgotten you were a real person.

Your father seemed to follow your train of thought nonetheless, “I wish this wasn’t part of the lifestyle, honey, but it is.” He paused before continuing, “That’s why you’re moving now -- to get to know Steve. You still have quite a few months before the wedding.”

“Wanda didn’t have her future arranged for her.” You bit under your breath, but your father heard regardless.

“And that, dear, was an anomaly.” A car circled onto the roundabout, stopping at the walkway. “It’s not as if we’ll never see each other again.” Your father reminded you gently, tapping his fingers twice under your chin -- his age-old reminder for you to keep your head up. “You have everything?” He asked, picking up the duffel bag and purse you’d set on the floor.

You nodded, glancing around the room. You had expected that your mother would at least come down to say goodbye, but your father followed your eyesight, shaking his head minutely as a knock sounded at the front door.

Your father opened the door to reveal an unassuming man with light brown hair and light eyes. “Barton.” Your father nodded as the man -- Barton -- hurried to take your bags from his hands. “My daughter, Y/N.”

Barton nodded politely, “Clint Barton. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Can I trust you to take care of my daughter, Barton?” Your father asked, face serious. You refrained yourself from rolling your eyes -- he was acting like it was a goddamn war zone. You were only passing from your families’ territory to Steve’s -- or was it all Steve’s turf now? You weren’t certain on the terms of the deal, but you had to imagine Steve was now acting as your father’s successor, being his soon-to-be son-in-law.

But Barton responded with the same seriousness as he said, “With my life, sir.”

“Good.” Your father escorted you out of the house and into the backseat of the waiting car, whispering a quick, “Love you,” before shutting the door. Barton wasted no time in beginning the drive, and you allowed yourself one longing glance out the back window before turning your head forward -- that was no longer your home, and denying that was doing you no good.

Barton was a quiet man, only speaking when you asked a question, but you didn’t mind. It gave you more time to calm your emotions -- accept what lie in front of you, rather than lingering on the familiarity you’d left behind.

It was about thirty minutes before Barton slowed the car down, stopping in front of a gated drive. You sat up straighter in your seat as Barton spoke with the men stationed at the gate from the window. As Barton began down the drive, you took in your surroundings. The landscaping was beautiful -- bright lawns, even with the summer season coming to an end, tall trees shedding red and orange leaves, perfectly manicured shrubs. As the house itself came into view, you were pleasantly surprised to see that, while large and lavish, it was not overly-showy. No marble steps, or trickling fountains -- all the opulent items many families used to showcase their wealth was lacking.

As Barton escorted you inside, you found that the inside of the house was similar to the outside -- constructed with stunning woods and finishes, furnished nicely -- with every amenity you may need -- but again without any ornate shows of riches. In fact, you noticed as you glanced around, it lacked any personality. No photos lined the walls, no stray books stowed on tabletops. The house was constructed to be cozy, sure, but it was almost…sterile.

You were so busy acclimating yourself to your surroundings that you startled when Steve strode in the room. You attempted subtlety as you looked him over. He was dressed in a dark gray suit jacket and pants, white shirt underneath unbuttoned just slightly. The way he was fixing the buttons on his sleeves led you to believe he’d just changed and a glance down at the bruising blossoming on his knuckles confirmed it. His hair was slightly disheveled -- hanging around his brow -- and when he met your gaze, you were taken aback by the stunning blue shade of his eyes.

You knew Steve was a large man, but you were surprised to see that he was flanked by a man that was his same size. You briefly wondered if he was giving his men steroids before banishing the thought -- Barton was a normal-sized human. You didn’t think you’d seen the man Steve was with before. His dark hair was longer than Steve’s -- nearly reaching his jawline. He had stubble around his chin, and his eyes were a striking shade of ice blue. Like Steve, he wore a suit, but his was all black and, unlike Steve, he hadn’t bothered to wipe the blood splatters from his hands.

“Y/N” Steve stopped a few paces from you with a kind smile. “Welcome.” You offered a slight smile in return, and Steve went on. “This,” He gestured to the man that stood by him, “Is Bucky -- my right hand.” Bucky -- which was an odd name, but you were raised better than to ask about it -- inclined his head slightly, offering you a tight smile.

“I had the movers unpack your things in a room upstairs, but if it’s not to your liking, we can change anything you’d like.” Steve rambled, “You’re free to roam the house, but let someone know if you’d like to go on the grounds or leave the property. If you poke around enough, you’ll find someone that can help you.”

“Wander all you like,” Bucky spoke up, his voice gruff, “But I’d avoid the basement.”

“That might be wise.” Steve winced with a glare at Bucky. “Did you want a tour now, or…?”

“Later, if it’s alright.” You were a bit overwhelmed. Although you hadn’t been here long, between the heaviness of the day, and all the information Steve had thrown at you, you truly just wanted to sort through your things; find some familiarity in this foreign place.

“Of course.” Steve responded. “Your room is upstairs, third door on the right, It should be the only door ajar.”

With a muttered, “Thank you,”, you began up the stairs, but stopped midway when Steve called out your name. “Make yourself at home, please.” He said with sincerity. You nodded once before continuing the trek to your room.

“Nice going, punk.” Bucky chided Steve the minute you had ascended the stairs, “‘Make yourself at home.’ Really? You sound like a hostess.”

“Well, what else am I supposed to say?” Steve asked hopelessly.

“You could’ve at least told her she looked beautiful.”

“She’s stunning -- I’m sure she knows that.”

Bucky rubbed at his brow. “We need to have some serious lessons before you talk to her again.”

“Fine,” Steve agreed, “But clean yourself up next time you see her. I don’t need to scare her off before I’ve said three words to her.”

Bucky snorted, but accepted the towel Steve was offering nonetheless, and began rubbing at his knuckles. “I wiped my face, at least. Besides, she grew up in this world, Stevie. You’re acting like she’s never seen bloodshed before.”

“Maybe,” Steve conceded, “But she’s…delicate.”

“Delicate?” Bucky asked. Never did he think he’d see the day where someone raised in the mob was described as delicate.

“Like a flower.” Steve nodded with a smile gracing his features.

Bucky chuckled again. A singular conversation in and his best friend was already smitten, bad.

#steve rogers au #steve rogers x reader #mob!steve rogers

23 notes · View notes

jenreadsstuff · 1 year

Text

Guards! Guards! thoughts...

It's not hard to see why this is many people's favourite book of the series, or why it's often recommended as a good starting point for Discworld newbies. It's both a classic story about a hardened detective tackling a crime, and a subversion of police stories, with some genuinely funny comedy and fantasy elements that don't require much suspension of disbelief.

* Some of the Roundworld parody in the series sometimes feel clunky (see my thoughts on Hwel's comedy inspirations in Wyrd Sisters) but I adore the Dirty Harry references in G!G! Pterry's mock-Latin (Latatian?) jokes are wonderful, and FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC is a gem.

* One thing I like very much about the series is Pterry's approach to writing romance. He manages to capture both the grand sweeping cinematic moments and the small awkward moments, and sometimes moments that are both at the same time! There's a moment near the end where Vimes realises that "someone who thought you were worth smiling at" is about the best one can hope for, and I genuinely teared up at that.

* Also Sybil Ramkin is truly magnificent. While I'm still sometimes uncomfortable at early-Pterry's tendency towards fatphobia, I do love that here is a large woman who is magnificent partly because she is large - she has presence and takes up space and knows she deserves to do so.

* Fantasy casting thought: Vimes is always played by Sean Bean in my head.

* I enjoy the philosophical aspects of the Watch books, Vimes' pessimistic optimism contrasted with Vetinari's optimistic pessimism, and the misguided ambitions of the Brotherhood.

* All in all, this is a terrific book which still makes me laugh more than 25 years after the first time I read it.

#discworld #jen reads discworld #gnu terry pratchett #guards! guards!#sam vimes #sybil ramkin

118 notes · View notes

everydayyoulovemeless · 3 months

Note

companions of your choice react to witnessing a werewolf!player character transform?? sorry this is worded like a clickbait video

Fo3 Companions Reactions to a Werewolf!Lone

➼ Word Count » 0.7k ➼ Warnings » None ➼ Genre » Platonic/Romantic, Werewolf AU ➼ A/N » I'd watch anything with a title like that

Charon's more annoyed than anything. What's the point of hiring a bodyguard if you solo him both in strength AND height in this form? He thinks you wasted your money. He won't say anything to you directly, but when he scoffs and rolls his eyes when he first sees you. He genuinely thinks you're stupid for you to assume that he'd give you any more protection than you already give yourself. He'll follow you for as long as you hold his contract, but he's constantly thinking to himself about how you could do the jobs you order him to do and probably do them better.

Clover's a little scared of you. She hasn't seen very much of the world outside of her enslavement, but she's definitely never heard of someone like you. She won't voice it. You do own her. She's just very visibly shaken by your transformation. She's afraid to ask questions, mostly because she's not sure how exactly it works, and she doesn't want to set you off. Euology never liked it when she asked questions. So, she'll stay silent about her fears until you notice and reassure her.

Star Paladin Cross doesn't mind it as much as other Brotherhood members might, but she's still skeptical. You're abilities remind her a lot of the Enclave, and she can't help but feel off. She doesn't think you're a traitor, but she's not entirely sure you're not an experiment from one of their labs. She's incredibly suspicious about the entire thing. She doesn't mean it, but you being a werewolf puts a strain on the relationship between you and her.

Jericho loves it. His mind can't stop thinking about all the different things the two of you could get away with. You're way more intimidating in this form, and he can't wait to use that to his advantage. He may be retired, but he doesn't think his raider ways will ever leave him. Just know that if you're traveling with him, he's going to have you "influence" people in his favor, whether you intend to or not.

Butch thinks it's cool as shit, but it also leaves him very confused (and slightly concerned). If you could've done that the whole time, why hadn't you done so in the vault? He's PRAYING that you're not still upset with him for beating you that one time. He's a somewhat changed man now. Surely that means something to you. The truth is, you didn't know you could do it either. Not until you left the vault, at least. It had something to do with the moon and not being exposed to it until you were kicked. The explanation goes straight over his head, though. He's more excited about how different life on the surface is compared to below. He may even consider changing the mascot for his gang into something dealing with wolves. Who knows.

Fawkes is more ecstatic than anything. For the first time in his life, he's met someone similar to him and doesn't hate him for it. The other mutants thought he was strange, but here you are, a freak just like him, and you're not bothered by the fact that he's even slightly different than you. Not only that, but you're a scientific marvel! Fawkes has seen a few different variations of mutations in his life, but you're definitely a first. His curiosity will never not get the better of him, and he'd love to sit down and talk to you about it. How'd you become like this? Is it natural? Were you always like this? What are the limitations? You're endlessly interesting to him, and he loves that you chose him to travel with.

The moment RL-3 sees you shift, he turns hostile. While you're in your wolf form, you're an enemy to the United States, but the second you turn back, so will he. You're unfamiliar to him, so his programming only allows him to be aggressive toward you, but if you can find a way to work around those hiccups, he'll still operate as he usually does.

24 notes · View notes

snapscube · 1 year

Note

i think i remember you played through the assassins creed series right? would you recommend it? is there a certain order?

I would recommend SOME of them if you are previously inclined to try. Do not play all of them unless you are a crazy person like I am or you were already planning to and there’s nothing I can ACTUALLY do to deter you. It’s really not worth it. The overarching stories of the games get thrown out like 4 times throughout the course of the series, there is basically no reason to try to get context for the story by playing the games because it’s just not even all there. For example, one of the games ends with a narrative cliffhanger of sorts teasing a conclusion to a story that’s been going on for 4 or so games, and then the VERY next game after that cliffhanger starts a completely new story arc. You know why? They finished the arc in a comic. The conclusion to a 4 game story arc doesn’t even happen in the games. Just thinking about it makes me want to commit arson.

If, like me, you have no shame, here are the AC games that I genuinely believe have enough value to justify their play time or are at the very least fun to play through most if not all of that time:

- Assassins Creed (the original. it’s not the best, but it has a fun novelty value nowadays being the launching point of the series. it also has a great atmosphere.)

- The Ezio Trilogy (AC2, Brotherhood, and Revelations. they’re mostly very good, though greatly similar to each other, and Revelations is a shockingly mature and heartfelt sendoff to both AC protagonists up to this point)

- Black Flag (this game fucks. it’s so good. literally the only big criticism i have for it is that a LOT of the missions ended up being tailing missions for some reason, so i would recommend breaking up the main story with as much side content as you can)

- Syndicate (this game fucks. the twin protagonists are so charming and fun to watch. it has a really tight gameplay loop that refines a lot of what came before. the music is SO GOOD)

- Origins (best protagonist in the games since Ezio, with the best voice performance out of any of the games. incredible campaign ending. gorgeous egyptian setting. too much grinding necessary though imo)

230 notes · View notes

ishvalan-alchemist · 1 year

Text

Why I prefer FMA03 over Brotherhood.

Simply: How they treat the characters.

I notice liking the character interactions much more in the first show. I found myself remembering Team mustang more in 03 than BH because they were kind of a goon squad. Yes, the tone of BH is more serious. But say Heyman or Havoc died, I wouldn't have cared as much. I can buy 'these guys are friends more in 03 because we see them goofing around and acting like friends more in 03.

We see Ed start out respecting Mustang in earlier episodes. A kid looking up to this military leader and wanting to impress him. Then realizing he's kind of a prick and letting egos clash.

Brotherhood drops in with the two already disliking each other. This isn't a bad thing, but I'm definitely more invested after seeing how Ed & Roy got to that point in their relationship. Furthermore, 03-Roy gets points for never putting his hands on Ed/a kid as BH-Roy does.

Maes is introduced as Roy's friend calling him up to talk about his pregnant wife. From there, we see him as a skilled knife user, a new dad, a surrogate uncle figure to Ed & Al, the nerdy guy in the office that everyone is mildly annoyed by, and the right-hand man to Roy. All of this is over season 1. With his death closing out the season. The last image before the credits roll is Ed seeing his ghost.

BH tries to cram a lot of this in 10 episodes. That's nowhere near enough time for me to feel connected to this side character. He's been an overprotective dad, the nerdy guy in the office, and we see him use a knife 1 time in 1 scene. BH does better with giving his death closer (Roy vs Envy), but I didn't really care about Maes before they fridged him for Roy's development.

Nina is the same way to Ed & Al. In 03, I can buy that the Elrics saw her as a little sister because we see them interact much more across multiple episodes. In BH, it's all 1 episode.

Paninya & Wirny's discussion in 03 feels more earned. The two talk about automail and how they view it all while Winry fixes her arm. This is after Ed scams a scammer that broke Paninya's automail. So while I do side with Ed on a personal level, I can understand where Winry's anger/disappointment is coming from in this episode. Also, this gives Paninya a chance to show her parkour skills under less 'happily committing a felony' reasons. If Paninya & Winry met again in 03, I'd be excited to see what else the two had to say or get into.

In BH, Paninya is just a thief who steals Ed's watch. Winry tells her to stop stealing and...she agrees. That's it. A 30-second speech was all it took. It's one of the most rushed scenes I've seen in any show and I genuinely hate it.

Scar is the second biggest contrast I've seen of characters who're in both shows. Third, is Sheska whos a full character in 03 but is in 2 episodes in BH. The first is the next example I give after this one.

Anyway, Scar in 03 I absolutely can get behind. 03 as a show does everything to show the horrors of Ishval. From Roy & Alex's PTSD. To casual racism background characters have for Ishvalans. We see more Ishvalan characters outside of Scar so we have a fuller picture. He starts out as this guy cursed with the arm and just looking for answers. Falling back to religion at times and becoming calculated in his vengeance. Going from 'what do I do?' to leading a caravan saying 'here's what I need you to do'. He legitimately could've been the main character in his own story.

BH Scar is willing to throw down with a 12-year-old from the get-go. At times, it feels like he fights what the plot puts in front of him rather than seeking out a goal. I can buy this guy working with the military at the end of the show since 'the world is at stake'. But, just barely.

The homunculi in 03 are humans that were brought back via alchemy. So, each of them can be killed if they're close to something from when they are alive. A body part, cloth, etc. It's much more personal when Izumi sees what would've been her biological kid joining the bad guys. Ed has to dig up the grave of his mom so he can defeat Sloth. It's so heavy and is one of my favorite moments in 03 with the colors of the sunset overshadowing Ed's face as he finds what he needs. It also makes the homunculi a threat with a weakness that ties into their origin. Manipulated by a villain who wants to live forever.

Meanwhile, in BH, the Homunculi are still interesting characters (except for Sloth). But they're just henchmen created for 1 immortal. With a weakness of:

"I figured it out. We just need to punch them really, really hard." - TFS Piccolo

I could keep going with more examples, but I feel as though that could come across as me 'hating' BH. Which I don't. I love both versions. But when I see 'Bh is better because it follows the manga', that means jack to me. Just because something is a more faithful adaptation, doesn't mean it's a better overall product.

#fma #fmab #fma03 #team mustang #edward elric #alphonse elric #dante fma #scar fma #winry rockbell #paninya #maes hughes #roy mustang #homunculi #aaron’s post #analysis

160 notes · View notes

selfish-solace · 12 days

Text

i have to say it’s kind of funny seeing people reblog my poorly made fo4 essay after the show came back. welcome back haters. If anyone’s curious about my thoughts on the tv show, it’s not my thing. i don’t really like it. i think the props department and the set people did a fantastic job but i think all the problems ive pointed out about fo4 carry into it heavily. and everything about like. everything. I don’t like the brotherhood as a milita, and it’s. Weird. To see west coast brotherhood portrayed as that.

to be clear, i have not finished the show nor do i plan on finishing it. i got about halfway through and im not going to hold the parts I haven’t seen against it. for the purposes of this rant, pretend that all you’ve seen is 4 episodes. act like this is still cable. and don’t get fucking weird about the fact I decided I wasn’t into it and dropped it. i don’t care if you personally think these issues are fixed by the end of the show.

ive always been an insane fallout conspiracy theorist and i was expecting to at least get super mad about the lore but im just. kind of apathetic. i think personally, that it’s fucking baffling that they decided to make their one main black character . like that. Maximus is like, constantly failing or being incredibly cruel to another person. like, when he put a razor into his only friends shoe for no reason other then social clout. i don’t know if they considered the optics of making the entirety of the brotherhood horrifically abuse the only black character because i genuinely believed for like the first three episodes that there was going to be some kind of “this brotherhood is racist” reveal, but no. I don’t think they thought about that. i don’t think they thought about much, to be honest. it feels like every new bit of information we get has to be delivered to us in the most unsubtle of ways. And that makes it boring to me. i don’t like how there’s essentially nobody normal in the wasteland except Lucy, because like. that’s really never been the case.

yeah, sure, there’s a bit of cruelty in everyone in fallout. that’s how this world works. But this show beats you over the head with the conclusion that everyone must be not trusted and everyone is to be feared and the wasteland really has fallen into complete anarchy. i think the complete destruction of shady sands and the ncr is a direct concequence of that choice. bethesda fallouts are kind of stuck in the old world apocalypse, and i just. think that’s kind of boring. the whole fantasy of fallout is seeing how things can change, and it feels like sometimes Bethesda takes “war never changes” too literally. like yeah. but that’s not what the quote means. it’s about how conflict is always the same, not how the world around it stays the same always. i also just think the fact there’s really nothing new or original to explore here is .. boring.

Quite frankly, im tired of the brotherhood. Im tired of the ncr. Im tired of the “find your family” plot. Im tired of the enclave. there’s nothing to mix up the formula. and im sorry, but i think the characters are boring too. i think that Walton goggins ghoul is not very interesting. I think Lucy’s arc is just. kind of predictable. because she’s literally just doing what people tell her with a kindness twist. fallouts always had these cool ass side characters, like, every dlc character from new Vegas. obviously it’s hard to translate that into a show, but who’s favorite is going to be the weird old lady? who’s honestly going to be interested in the horny farmers plight? does anyone care about that guy maximus was friends with? every character just falls flat for me. and that’s why i dropped it. because the new things it brings are just.. boring. and the things they keep the same are boring too. Genuinely, i had a better time watching the resident evil netflix show. at least that was interesting. I don’t care if you like it. I don’t think you’re a bad person for liking it. I get why. I just didn’t. be respectful in the notes please.

#fallout critical #fallout

8 notes · View notes

macgyvertape · 16 days

Text

Fallout show impressions (spoilers ep 1&2)

Much like Righteous Gemstones, Walter Goggins steals the scenes he's in

The opening bit is really good in setting the tone where you're just waiting for the bomb drop, and I look forward to seeing gifs that break down the good editing and use of reflections

Same thing with the vault wedding waiting for the other shoe to drop, since no one ever leaves a Vault happily. Where the show shows tattoos and scars that Vaulties wouldn't have but Raiders would, so there's a horror to watching Lucy sleep with a guy who isn't who he says he is even before the knife comes out

The show takes place 14 years after Fallout New Vegas, I'm surprised there's still a Brotherhood of Steel presence like this but I guess it makes sense if this isn't a world where the Pridwen was blown up and Maxson was killed (my default FO4 state)

The razor blade boot scene was brutal god the Brotherhood of Steel is so fucking toxic (very accurate!) where I'm genuinely not sure if Maximus did it

Ep 2 the opening musical montages worked. Fun on point lyrics "some folks can lose the blues in their heart" as we see something blue on screen and we see the Enclave Scientist target get a quite literal "Pet the Dog" trope moment. The fadeout of "don't fence me in" where Lucy takes in the horror of family dead at the dinner table with the "Vault Tec Econo-Savings Poison".

The comedic moment of "It's a Man" as the music contrast as Maximus has fun with the power armor that also shows how much of a threat it makes someone.

me: why does the scientist guy seem so familiar, oh it's Harold Finch!

Great to see greenery, like obviously stuff would have regrown but the non 76 games don't show it

Guess the armor can go for longer than 10 hours one one charge? Like Maximus did not think armor support through like he thinks the Brotherhood won't still kill him even if he brings back the target

Very fun to think about what perks the characters spec'd as, like The Ghoul definitely picked Grim Reaper's Sprint, and Lucy seems to have Weird Wasteland

had to look away from the leg device, even the sound effects were awful. Of course it's replacement limbs made for the army and they are shit

LMAO the powersuit can't go up wood stairs just like 40k

lmao the scientist would rather take cyanide and die than explain any mysteries

Overall the show pulls off swinging between camp and being dead serious especially going through sex, violence, and horror moments. As a show it's well done, but it's wait and see if they make any dumb lore writing choices

#fallout prime #fallout #fallout show #fallout spoilers

9 notes · View notes

weatherman667 · 2 months

Text

RWBY: Ice Queendom

I have a well earned reputation as a fandowner, but the real reason I didn't watch it's initial run, (aside from a long running argument with sony/crunchyroll/funimation/rightstuf), was RWBYxJL.

Despite my pessimism, I am willing to give series another chance, if I see progress. If we take Star Wars, they utterly ruined it. But, then we got The Mandalorian. I didn't watch it, but to anyone that asked, I said i would, if we got a second good Star Wars thing. They then fired Gina Carano because she wouldn't submit put her pronouns in her bio, and then wouldn't get onto a livestream with 50 pissed off Communists to be shamed about it.

For RWBY, Justice League was that chance. It gave us Jess, (let's be honest, we fucking stole her), and... added nothing to either RWBY or JL.

But, Ice Queendom looked like it was a work of love. It looked like it was made by people who genuinely loved the series, or at least had a good idea of the characters and story.

For off, the quick list:

Animation is sub-par.

I have to watched it subbed.

Now, I've been a weeb for nearly 30 years, so neither of those matter. How the characters move is wonderfully planned out, the movements themselves are simply stiff. The subtitles is really fucking weird, considering they are doing this with the approval of the rights holder, and so could easily get the voice actors, and crew, to dub it. But, neither of those are especially important.

No, the true sin of RWBY: Icequeendom is FRAMING. It's framed like it's a manga, as the start and end of the movements are beautifully decided, it's simply getting there. The camera is way too close to the action, because with this much action, the characters move way too much that the narrow framing doesn't let the eyes adjust to the movement. They honestly would have been better off if they had Weiss prepare to lunge, lunge, and then you just see her blade piercing the Arma-Gigas, (mild not spoilers).

The biggest problem RWBY had is that nothing was planned. They threw a bunch of cool shit into a pile, and it was great. Until they had to actually connect the dots, and come up with an extended story.

Well, Icequeendom has the benefit of hindsight. They include a number of story and world elements, and introduce them in a much more organic way. Even to the point of having the mysterious narrator... narrate. They even add a counterpoint, so firen lhain is not said out of malice nor enmity.

The characters are all much more rounded then they were in RWBY, (we can forgive CRWBY, as there is only so much you can do with 5 minute episodes). They do the Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood thing, where they expect you to know certain details, and so don't need to explain them. The characters and their motivations are introduced in a much better way, so that novices to the series can get just out as much out of it as veterans. Characters are introduced much earlier, and in a much more organic way. Jacques Schnee and Adam are made more monstrous, and more Human at the same time. Taiyang is made more fatherly, and less male feminist coward. Yang's motivations to Ruby are are lot clearly, (she wants to enable her, no, not that kind, you perverts). Whitley has more vitriol but less hatred. Bumblebee makes and early appearance, along with actual detail into the White and Black trailers. Last but not least, Zwei is present from episode one.

When RWBY was animated in Poser, they focused on high-octane, over-the-top fights. When they switched to Maya, they focused on making them more realistic, but forgot they are supposed to be using over the top anime fights. Ice Queendom takes a middle ground. The animation for the fights is not as smooth as either, but has far, far more weight. They decided how strong the characters are, how strong their Aura is, how strong their Semblance is, and stuck to it. Most of the firearms use actual bullets, and the effects of dust are actually quite well thought out. Grimm have realistic toughness, at least for creatures made out of enmity and darkness. Maybe I should say they have an established and consistent toughness. This makes the fights feel both a lot more dangerous for the Humans, and a lot more possible. In theory, a mundane Human could kill a Grimm, if they could get their sword into it enough times. Instead of Grimm being invincible, and only defeatable with Aura, they instead act like realistic creatures.

#rwby #ice queendom #anime

9 notes · View notes

poor-ciceros-voring-again · 3 months

Note

tell us abt Niveria !!! 🫵

AAAA YES OFC !!!

Niveria is genuinely my OLDEST oc, spawning from my second ever playthrough of Skyrim in late 2011/early 2012 ! I've improved her story for a while now so I won't bother discussing the bad not lore friendly beginnings she had.

She's a half imperial half bosmer. She was born into the Dark Brotherhood, her parents are Lucien Lachance and the Oblivion era Listener (another oc of mine named Nicnevin). She was communally raised primarily in the Cheydinhal sanctuary, but she did spend quite a bit of time in the Bravil sanctuary as well.

She was raised to be an assassin who strictly obeys the tenats from a young age. She was also raised to respect and honour the Green Pact but by the time she was a teenager she only really adhered to it when she was in the presence of her mother.

When she was about 15 or 16, Niveria was deemed experienced and old enough to become a Silencer under Lucien. By this point the Cheydinhal sanctuary is how it is During Oblivion. At this point in time she was also offered the gift of Vampirism, which she took.

The events of the Oblivion Dark brotherhood are, unfortunately for her, almost the exact same. She was raised to always follow the tenats and will always put the Dark Brotherhood before familial attachments. She is ordered to perform the Cleansing of the Cheydinhal sanctuary, and she obeys. She's definitely upset by it, but tells herself it's for the betterment of the Brotherhood. She then follows the dead drops as she's told and ends up killing off the Black Hand, ending with her own mother. Lucien couldn't stop her in time, and that was the one time that he broke his calm demeanor in front of Niveria. When she arrives at Apple Watch to meet Lucien, she peeks into the window and sees him strung up. Like I said earlier, she's just a teenager, who is now scared and she feels alone. She doesn't want to die for something that isn't her fault, so she drops Matthieu Bellamont's journal at the door and runs.

She travels from place to place stealing food and valuables to keep herself alive. She made the mistake of stealing from another oc of mine, Alyx, who is a member of the thieves guild at this point, and decides to take Niveria in and care for her a little. Kinda just give her a safe place to stay away from prying eyes.

For the next 300 years, she travels from province to province thieving and killing for petty cash to stay alive. She stayed on the run, fearing that the Dark Brotherhood was looking for her. She had no idea that they had moved on and forgotten about her. She always kept on contact with Alyx as she was on the run, they were close friends and at this point considered each other sisters.

When the Great War broke out, they lost contact with each other. Alyx fled to Skyrim and ended up in Riften to avoid the conflict but didn't get a chance to inform Niveria, who continues to travel. It gets a lot harder to avoid conflict zones and is almost caught quite a few times crossing borders to avoid the fighting.

The war ends, she continues to travel as usual. She does eventually end up back in Skyrim, a place she has visited MANY times in the last 300 years.

This time will be very different, though. As she's heading north to Dawnstar she passes by a small man, dressed in jester garb. He calls out to her as she passes by asking for help, and she typically would have ignored it and moved on. She could never be too safe, afterall, but something stopped her. A quiet raspy voice in her head. The voice tells her he can be trusted, she should stop and help him.

And she listens. He thanks her for the help, and mentions that his Mother thanks her as well. As she's walking away, she simply hears the word "Windhelm". She changes her plans and heads that way.

God this answer is already so so long omg my bad. I can keep going if you wanna know how she ends up being named Listener and restarting the Dark Brotherhood after being on the run for so long, afraid that they'll find her.

She does end up with Cicero obvs. Cause he's my special silly little boy who I love.

Here's some art of them <3 (art by @catjest3r)

#oc niveria #tesblr #cicero skyrim

9 notes · View notes

ecoamerica · 23 days

Text

youtube

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

6K notes · View notes

ilovelosersandshortmen · 4 months

Text

The Members of the X-Men reacting to a member of the Brotherhood joining them.

Honestly, I love this because I've always been a huge Kurt fan and I've never written about him before!! Also, I didn't specify the relationships so anyone can imagine what they want.

KURT WAGNER (Nightcrawler):

• He doesn't accept you right away, which makes sense. He still holds a few grudges against the brotherhood and even more so because of Mystique.

• But you guys spend some time together, maybe you bond over your hatred for his mother or something, and he starts to genuinely like you as a person.

• He is the first to come to your defense if anyone talks negatively about you.

• He'd probably be the only one who is willing to spar with you, because honestly, you scare a lot of the X-Men.

• You two become a force of nature. Anyone who ever has a problem with you is taken care of quickly.

• .. Not in a Mafia way or anything. They just "mysteriously" end up getting transported to random places.

• Also, you two would prank people all the time.

• Kurt is more sympathetic than anyone else because he knows what it feels like to be judged. He gets what you're going through.

• So he convinces everyone else to give you a chance after a while

• And you best believe he's always there to cheer you up with a cheesy joke whenever you're sad

• He leaves little gifts in your room while you're sleeping and then teleports away.

• Always making sure you're fed by bringing food to your room when you're avoiding everyone else.

JEAN GREY (Phoenix):

• We all know Jean is way too sweet for her own good. She sees the goodness in everyone around her, even when there is none.

• So she welcomes you with open arms, only being a little cautious when it comes to fighting and things like that.

• She's definitely a peace-keeper, the kind of girl who would help you calm down after a fight.

• She teaches you breathing exercises and is always a shoulder to lean on when you're feeling down.

• She's such a sweetheart honestly, I love her so much

• She would really encourage you to come out of your room. She takes you on a lot of walks in the garden and things like that.

KITTY PRYDE (Shadow Cat) :

• Lots of insults and snide remarks towards you.

• She's a bit judgemental, which I hate to say but I genuinely think it's true.

• But of course, once she realizes how amazing you are, you guys become closer.

• Which she adamantly denies, but everyone can see how worried she gets when you're angry or overly tired.

• She's a little bit of a Tsundere but that's okay.

• She's usually a very sweet girl but as soon as you get hurt, she's pouncing on people. It might take a while to pry her off, but she's still in denial about liking you.

SCOTT SUMMERS (Cyclops):

• Honestly, even though people think he would judge you, he would probably be more accepting than a lot of the members.

• I mean, he joined Magneto at one point, so he knows what it's like to be indoctrinated and judged for doing what you think is right.

• So he's just really cautious around you while still being friendly.

• Like with a child, you know what I mean? Watching you to make sure you won't cause trouble or something.

• Which can be a bit condescending, but he really does mean well.

• And he'll stop if anyone points it out.

ROGUE:

• .. she has no room to judge.

Sorry this took so long lol. I've had a lot of stuff to do and I honestly only saw this recently. Of course, I hope you enjoy! I've never written for the X-Men themselves before, so it's a bit out of my comfort zone.

6 notes · View notes

patron-saints · 17 days

Note

💚❤️💔 for FMA? i don't know it but my roommate says i'd like it and i like the FULL METAL ALCHEMIST audio

oh my gosh absolutely! different people have different recommendations for where to start with it, but my personal journey has been fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood (watched twice) -> fullmetal alchemist manga (almost done reading) -> fullmetal alchemist (2003) (planning to watch with a friend soon)

brotherhood has been in my experience a very faithful adaptation of the manga. it certainly leaves out some details and arcs, and therefor reading the manga after has still been deeply rewarding for me, but i don't have any major issues with it as an anime, it means the world to me and it's been my special interest for a year. it's 64 episodes and you can find it on crunchyroll, hulu, or 🏴‍☠️. ALSO. personally i do actually recommend the dub for it, they really went off, though i've heard some of the sub and it's really good too!

if you have any other questions about it i am always down to talk about it and also, if you want to send livetexts, hmu

i answered 💚 here and ❤️ here (major spoilers if you click on this one though!!!) so let's see...

💔: If you had to remove one major character from the series, who would you choose?

@littlewitchbee answered this with major armstrong and i'm sort of tempted to do that too because i think he's right about there being no major plot stuff that entirely relies on him, BUT i'm genuinely too armstrong siblings emotional journey mirroring pilled to commit to that answer! one of the things i like about fma is that everyone does feel like they have a point and a purpose, if not for major plot things, than at least to demonstrate a philosophy or a way of handling things. that being said, kimblee,

#technically neither of those guys are major characters? but the line is hard in that show since the cast is so massive #ask #princeheathen

4 notes · View notes

rookie-critic · 1 year

Text

Close (2022, dir. Lukas Dhont) - review by Rookie-Critic

Friendship is the bedrock of childhood. Really, it's the bedrock of adulthood, as well, although most of us don't put the same effort into it that we did when we were kids. Close analyzes a relationship between two young boys that almost transcends friendship and becomes brotherhood, and I don't really mean familial brotherhood so much as a platonic life partner that you literally cannot live without. It also analyzes how societal pressures on masculinity and the negative perception of showing any kind of physical affection towards a friend of the same sex as you, and how that can tear that bond apart from the inside and out and pull those two people in opposite directions. I found Close to be incredibly moving at times, and incredibly emotionally manipulative at others. It really walks a tightrope throughout the second half of the film and occasionally stumbles into territory that feels a tad more melodramatic than it does powerful.

The film's central theme and the performance given by first time actor Eden Dambrine, who plays Leo, one of the two best friends, are the film's biggest wins, with the latter being an absolute powerhouse. Dambrine never slips into the melodrama that the film around him seeks to portray, actually giving quite an understated performance, one of solemn despair, quiet guilt, and longing. I was blown away to find out that this is his first ever acting job. Literally, if you go to Dambrine's IMDb page you will only see one entry, and that's Close. I would toss his name into the ring with the likes of Frankie Corio and Woody Norman as one of the best child performances in film in the last decade. Also, to speak on the tightrope walk from earlier, while there are those moments where the film slips, the moments that are genuinely moving are powerful, and it's in the little things. I think the moment that broke the tear dam for me on this was something so innocuous that it really made me wonder why the film even bothered with all of its more grand, clearly-trying-to-tug-at-the-heartstrings bits at all.

A thing that the film does fantastically is show how best friends tend to be taken in by at least one of the two kids' families, and the relationship that develops between the parents and their child's friend as something almost as strong as the bond between the kids themselves. Towards the beginning of the film, the character played by Émilie Dequenne calls Leo, who is not her biological son, her "son-at-heart," and the warmed me to the bone. It's something that I personally don't see portrayed in film a whole lot, and I appreciate that Close took that on immensely. One last complaint I will throw out, and this is my nitpick for this film, is that it does have a tendency to drag. I really felt it towards the beginning and towards the end, where it felt like the film was stalling for time, showing the audience things we'd already seen, or hit beats it already hit. Maybe this was to drive the point home more, but really I didn't need any of that. Director Lukas Dhont was doing a great job at conveying his point from the start. It's not as egregious as something like Bardo, by any means, but I did take notice of it.

This one really struck a chord in me. I've never pushed a friend away the way Leo does in this, but I have struggled with showing non-romantic affection for my friends my entire life because of worries over how it might be perceived, and I'm so glad I've never let it get as bad as what happens between the two best friends in Close. This was a rough, but very rewarding watch, and well-deserving of its Oscar nomination. I look forward to seeing what Dhont and Dambrine do next.

Score: 9/10

Currently only in theaters.

#Close #Close 2022 #Lukas Dhont #Eden Dambrine #Gustav De Waele #Émilie Dequenne #Emilie Dequenne #Léa Drucker #Lea Drucker #Kevin Janssens #Igor van Dessel #Marc Weiss #Léon Bataille #Leon Bataille #film review #movie review #2022 films

28 notes · View notes

jiamiuxin · 7 months

Text

daiya no ace anime reflection/review

**spoilers!!**

im at a point in my life where i have a lot of free time at the end of the day and i find myself filling that slot with anime.

for the past two weeks, ace of the diamond has taken up a big portion of my mind as i found myself falling in love with the team and its players.

about a month ago was when i started a roll on watching sports anime. i caught up on haikyuu, binged blue lock and ao ashi, and finally spent another good chunk of time on free!!. ace of the diamond was no new title to me, yet for some reason i kept it on the back burner. i dont know why; whether it was the art style, the then-seemingly long list of episodes, or the fact that it was baseball. maybe it was all of them. when i burned myself out trying to find another anime, i finally settled on giving DnA a chance.

today, as i have finished all 176 episodes (no OVAs yet!) i confidently say it's one of my top, if not the top, anime ive seen so far.

i noted a few things as i progressed through the series: strong points, cons, favorite characters, and a few personal thoughts.

i will start off with the cons head on. daiya's is, i guess i could say, notorious? for its "annoying, loud, benchwarmer" MC. one genuine complaint i do have is the lack of animation quality in the third season. there were many still shots with voice overs, though i felt a little more satisfied with the animation towards the end. also, to a smaller extent, the anime is not as complete as the manga.

anyway, i think the slow burn is actually a strong point, as many others point out. indeed, it is the very low lows that make the highs so high. don't get me wrong, i love a stupidly powerful MC, such as mob psycho 100 or OPM, but the realism gives DnA its charm and relatability. when others say "season 1 is bad, season 2 is good, season 3 is amazing," they are not lying.

DnA's charm not only lies in its realism, but also its character development and character interactions. brotherhood, leadership, and teamwork are all themes throughout the anime. the way the third years cared for their juniors and the way the juniors fought to elongate their seniors' summers was beautiful, heart-wrenching, and gut-punching to me, a recent college graduate. these types of moments are not uncommon in sports anime, but something about DnA's execution made it so much more..emotional? relatable? whether it was due to convenient timing or the fact that the sheer amount of episodes made me feel like they were actually my own friends, i just felt so much more compelled when watching daiya.

on the topic of my personal emotions, as i said, the themes of graduating/retiring really hit home for me. but that made daiya all the more special to me. both personal relatability and just watching everyone's hard work made it so easy to sympathize with their determination. maybe it was the countless scenes of them heaving and gasping for air; or the scenes where TJ made their frustrations so visible and vulnerable. as a watcher, i did not see myself rooting for some characters in a show; normally, i'd take a normal stance with the expectations that the "of course, the MC team will win." i saw myself rooting for my friends. in addition, knowing TJ, we can never be too sure on how seido's games will actually go. everything comes down to the realism. it's daiya's realism that made me feel their passion, made them so relatable, and made it feel like they were actually at high stakes. i truly, rarely never cry when watching an anime. besides assassination classroom, no other anime has made me so emotional. not only that, but daiya made me cry several times. the amount of immersion is insane.

to no surprise, my favorite character is miyuki. he was the know-it-all. he was essentially the rock of seido with his calls. i often found myself wondering how strong seido would be without miyuki. no disrespect to ono; as he proved, and as kataoka also believes, ono is also reliable. but miyuki was just built different bro. anyway, i appreciated his character for not only baseball iq, but his rapid maturity into the captain role, and his flexibility with his juniors. i found his personality very admirable and his logical approach to situations both relatable and reliable. other characters i particularly were fond of were chris and kuramochi. if okumura had more screen time, i could also see him climbing up my list. as someone who had no prior baseball knowledge, daiya/seido as a whole, but particularly chris and miyuki, gave me a newfound respect for and fundmental understanding of baseball.

i think one last thing i wanted to note was that i really don't read manga. but for daiya, im definitely gonna pick up the manga now. i have never done this before for an anime, even others i really liked--hxh, haikyuu, one punch man, etc. i just never felt compelled to read the story further beyond the anime. but for daiya, this is something im willing to do. i just love it that much.

if you are having second thoughts or are debating on watching DnA, def watch it if you do not mind slow burn and can take a realistic approach. on the other hand, i do not recommend if you want to see an OP MC.

i am truly a nobody, especially not a professional anime critic LMFAO but i just wanted to vent my thoughts of daiya somewhere :) these are just my personal opinions

#daiya #daiya no ace #anime #ace of the diamond #ace of diamond #sawamura eijun #miyuki kazuya #furuya satoru #anime review #takigawa chris yuu #okumura koushuu #seido #sports anime

7 notes · View notes