#i also think that the rats will perform and act for him when he's too sick to direct :']
Text
just always thinking about Astarion's ever-present hunger and how it's the first thing he comments on after ascension. ("I... I can't feel it. That ache in my stomach, that hunger - It's gone.")
thinking about how such a key aspect of Cazador's control and torture was keeping the spawn hungry. the seven in his house forbidden from eating thinking creatures, Astarion fed a diet of rats only, the 7000 below not fed at all.
and how Astarion's first time feeding on a thinking creature is because he's testing whether the tadpole that lets him walk in the sun also freed him from Cazador's control. how he finds himself thinking about the blood of whoever he's talking to in casual conversations. how he keeps fully draining the animals he hunts, and even drains a bear in one night. how he kills the player character when he feeds from them for the first time if they don't stop him. how if the player sleeps with him and agrees to let him drink from them during sex, it's a huge approval boost. all the little comments about his hunger throughout the game -- if you dig up the tiefling grave in the grove he remarks that it's not fresh but he'll keep it in mind if he needs a snack later, in the mausoleum he quips "bodies bodies everywhere but not a drop to drink" about the skeletons, if you read his mind before ascension he's thinking about the smell of blood all around, the examples go on and on.
it seems like such a critical part of his internal state to me. he lives his entire undead life in a state of constant hunger, and when he's finally free to eat his fill, he's also hyper-aware of how the people around him may turn on him or try to kill him for how he eats -- he emphasizes that he feeds on animals when he confesses his vampirism to the player, even when he's caught almost feeding from them in the middle of the night.
i just think that must be such a powerful motivation. this need that is constantly at the surface, that he is constantly aware of and consciously not acting on, and that was also used against him, to control him, for centuries.
and i think it's so fascinating from a character perspective that he doesn't feed from humanoids not because of any moral issue, but because he was forbidden and physically could not do it. (Dalyria tried to drink from the girl you find in Cazador's mansion and she was physically sick, retching and choking.) he doesn't drink from humanoids when traveling with the companions if the player specifically forbids it, because he recognizes he needs the party and he's willing to put up with this to stay with the group.
but he's always thinking about it.
and then all of that, plus the fact that when he confronts Cazador, he views his options as killing Cazador without performing the ritual or killing Cazador by performing the ritual. he seemingly never even thinks of the idea that he could drink Cazador's blood, and that feels pretty significant too.
#astarion#like he steps away from sex and physical intimacy when it becomes too much#but he can't really do that with food#i think about him and recovery from issues with food a lot#idk if this really counts but im tagging this with meta so i can find it later#meta#astarion ancunin
173 notes
·
View notes
Text
The ghouls music taste - HC
I think Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Lana Del Rey and David Bowie is pack favorites, like that’s what they’re gonna play on full volume in the car
Rain
Rain is definitely an alternative rock girlie, he loves Muse and you can’t change my mind on that. His favorite Muse song is definitely micro cuts or spiral static. He just loves all their guitar sounding vocals, those old emo vibes songs and basically everything about them. His favorite album is probably Origin of symmetry and Showbiz. And he likes MCR and Suizid, cus like, he’s emo
Dew
He’s a Mike’s dead fan by heart, he knows every single word of every single song, like hell blast Bite down on full volume and scream the lyrics, it just makes him feel better. And he’s Aether’s Rob zombie friend (every Alice cooper fan needs a rob zombie fan and the other way around) And he’s a sabaton fan cus he’s a little nerdy about history.
Swiss
Swiss’s motto is: “the older, the better” and: “anything after 1999 sucks” He likes the old country rock like, Eagles. He also likes Santana, like c’mon, Santana is a guitar genius. There’s always some chill music coming from his room. Oh, and he listens to Paleface Swiss unironically (even though they are a new band)
Mountain
He’s a bit like Swiss but he’s not against new music (most of the time) but the song James Dean by Eagles always hits hard. He listens to the strokes and thin lizzy in the green house, but if he’s not with his plants he likes to listen to techno metal, or any type if metal, really, his favorite song is Undead by Hypnosaur.
Aether
Dad music. Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, and his alltime favorite Meatloaf. He vibes with almost everything tho, hell vibe with Rains high pitched emo screaming, Dews angsty rap/rock but especially Rob zombie, Swiss’s old country rock, Mountains techno metal and chill oldies, and on like so. He doesn’t listen to music that much but if the others are playing music he won’t ask them to turn it down, he’ll vibe with them
Phantom
Phantom’s favorite song will always be Bat out of hell by Meatloaf. He also likes Muse, but not like Rain, he likes their new stuff better like Simulation theory and the 2:nd law, he’s emo but not that emo. He definitely likes Nickleback, Yungblud, Bring me the horizon and Bad religion. His favorite songs are Anesthesia by Bad religion and Fire escape by Call me karizma. He has a kinda love/hate relationship with Map of the problematique by Muse because he listened to it religiously when he was summoned and now he can’t help but cry when he hears it.
Cumulus
Elton John, Dire states and Greta van fleet. She loves crocodile rock by Elton John and it always makes her laugh when she watches him perform it on The muppet show. But like Aether she’ll vibe with pretty much anything
Cirrus
Cirrus likes the vibe of kinda dark doom metal/rock. She loves bands like The ocean and Soen and their song Hollowed. She’s a sabaton fan because they are super cool too and she’ll occasionally enjoy some good old Rammstein or The cure
Aurora
She likes a lot of different music, and if you put her playlist on shuffle, someone will end up with a whiplash injury. She’s a Louis Tomlinson fan, her favorite song is Angels fly and she loves five finger death punch. She’s Phantom’s Machine Gun Kelly friend (every Yungblud fan needs to have a MGK friend) chances are high that you’ll find her with Phantom jaming out to bodybag or acting like that by MGK and Yungblud
Copia
He is definitely a måneskin fan and his rats are named after them. I think he likes old bands like whitesnake and Lynyrd Skynyrd but his altime favorite song will forever be Brother Louie by Modern talking
#the band ghost#phantom ghoul#dewdrop ghoul#swiss ghoul#rain ghoul#mountain ghoul#aether ghoul#cirrus ghoulette#cumulus ghoulette#aurora ghoulette#copia#hc
42 notes
·
View notes
Text
“Tmnt interdimensional vacation crossover”designs for the boys + cursed desriptions I found from scouring Pinterest
If you have any questions about Lee or Leon, please feel free to ask me :)
Proper info below:
Lee is absolutely an oldie at heart. He is happy to listen to corny 90’s music and binge old shows. “Spaceheroes” being his favorite, which he is obsessed with. He used to hold the main character Captain Ryan to a much higher level, but as he aged he saw how much his hero wasn’t really a hero, and only cared for himself. He no longer felt that pull to be just like Captain Ryan, and instead wanted to forge his own path. The one thing lee wants in the world is to be at peace with himself.
In his youth he acted rash, without thinking, taking his fathers advice too literally and twisting it to something that his father never actually said, causing him to lose his sense of self preservation. Caring so much for his family’s health and protecting them with his life, he forget how much he meant to them. Putting his own life on the line, led to him almost losing his life multiple times, he realized later that that wasn’t a good thing. He needed to change.
Calm and rational, he always has a plan in motion. He is organized and performs better with a schedule for the day, and yet needs constant reminders to eat and drink. He struggles with caring for himself when sick or injured, feeling like as the head of his household, he shouldn’t show weakness. When Lee was met with the father of their counterparts, he felt lost. After so long, he wasn’t the oldest, he’d lost his place and felt a misplaced resentment towards the rat. Splinters sons on the other hand, he felt a motherly instinct towards them. Being so young and forced into battles that weren’t theirs, lee could relate to them. He didn’t have a favorite and simply enjoyed being in their company, and they enjoyed being in his.
Lee and the self dubbed disaster twins were inseparable. The twins constantly follow Lee around like ducklings, hinging on his every word and absorbing his advice like sponges.
Leon loved to show off in front of Lee, ninjitsu moves and his teleporting ninpo fascinated Lee, giving Leon a feeling of pride.
Dee was determined to improve lees life, while trying to keep his ego at bay. He can see how messed up lees shell was and decided to construct a battle shell similar to his own for Lee to use. This present brought tears to lees eyes, and he thanked Dee over and over again, giving the young turtle the approval he so rarely gets.
Micheal pulls Lee away to look at his drawings, being the baby brother he wants attention too. Him and lee will end up drawing together for hours, not that lee can conjure up anything more than a stickman. He sees such a strong creative spirit in young Micheal and should definitely get him and Raph to hook up on an art project to keep Raph busy until they’re able to go home. Hes sure Micheal would enjoy something like that.
Rara is tricky to bond with. Lee sees how reserved and quiet he is compared to his rambunctious brothers, and how little he joins them in their activities. Lee comes to find that the best way to bond with Rara, is to just sit with him. Shoulder to shoulder. And if Rara wants to talk, Lee will be there to listen.
Headcannons inspired by @disastertwins9000 “homies in a half shell AU”
Physical attributes:
Lee is short for his age, standing at only 5’4, often with a slight bend in his right knee. He was shocked when his brother Raph suddenly shot up 2 inches taller than him and his brother Mikey also had a growth spurt shooting to 5’1.
Lees shell is badly damaged. Cracks run deep through his scutes and an earlier bout of shell rot left his shell softer and more vulnerable than his brothers. This propels Dee to create a battle shell to help keep lees shell intact and not susceptible to more injuries.
Lee wears across his body, multiple braces, including both his shoulders, his left hand and his right knee.
His shoulders endured multiple dislocations and from his injury’s he suffers from tightness and his joints locking. The brace covers his shoulders and right arm to his elbow, crosses his plastron and wraps around his shell. It provides him support and is part time.
His left hand suffered from an injury that caused osteoarthritis to develop in his fingers, thumb and hand. He wears a brace that covers his palm, wrist and most of his thumb. It lessens the swelling and shifts weight from the affected joints and is part time.
After being ambushed by the shredder, Lee suffered a patella dislocation is his right knee that never fully healed, causing his patella to continuously pop out of its socket. He wears a brace that covers his knee cap, upper thigh and lower leg. It offers support, helps him walk easier and lessens pressure on the damaged kneecap and is worn 24/7.
Mental:
Lee has undiagnosed autism.
Lee has undiagnosed psychosis.
Lee has anxiety.
#Tmnt interdimensional vacation crossover#tmnt 2012#rottmnt#tmnt leonardo#rottmnt leo#tmnt crossover#tmnt 2012 x 2018 crossover
81 notes
·
View notes
Text
Jr Year ep4
This is me live blogging bc I need to get thoughts out also would love fandom friends full spoilers bellow the cut just so no one accidentally reads anything they don’t want to this will be long
I have wanted most if not all of Zac's and Murph's shirts this season
I still have issues with the multiclass system but also no school thing has made the most sense in universe
I believe you and that's why I'm not saying anything is SUCH a trouble friend mood
"what's the drinking age?" "you have murdered SO many people"
BRENANS FACE WHEN KALINA SAYS I'M NOT BAD ANYMORE OH LORDS
the whole Kalina/Cassandra/Kristen scene is so nerve wrecking and interesting and once again I can talk so much about this topic and I know I have critized Kristen's approach but that's bc honestly I do have issue w it despite understanding it but it does make for an interesting arc and with this conversation it does seem like she believes in this domain of faith on the unknown. I will at some point talk more about from the point of someone who also left a culty religious thing but was still expected to perform similarly once out of it but my thoughts are still not the most organized
that being said I do not trust kalina and i do love cassandra
when you're in the dark I'm there holding your hand why am i crying
not kvx still being a thing lmao so Brennan
oh I just love how complicated but absolutely Bill Seacaster is the whole trust thing, the money going to the nemesees, there being a whole department, honestly that's a department I'd work for it's basically spy and gossip stuff
but also poor Fabian having to go through all this head ache stuff alone
watch Caperslolly Cattlekrush not be a direct nemesis but someone from her party be yes Fabian get that service!
I too keep thinking it is rat ccrushers no t grinders and will absolutely get it wrong
the gorthlax art is PERFECT
my school nurse did not have sweat pants but ok murph(i also absolutely am not from the us idk why i keep pointing out diferences)
they each will have a foil in my head so why just one owlbear contender? also is riz in the bloodrush team?
grinding for xp is so much weirder and terrible imo in this context also should be less effective bc like lbr experience is important like thinking on your feet etc like yes they are probably equal level and Brenan will play them well but they should absolutely not be as good as the bad kids at actual adventuring
I love how they all are so agro tho bc I get it and love the energy and I would absolutely be that mad
YES SOMEONE CALLED OUT THE HIPOCRISY
xp isn't bad if you at least still DO INTERESTING STUFF TO GET IT
if brenan makes them like grinding i will become as agro as the bad kids so far lol
gorthlax gave great advice, that being said i do hope they get a lil bit petty and end annoying grinders
nooo Gorgug (cries) I really want him to do well
listen I am so emo about gorgu's storyline like it's just no thoughts just feels and all of them
listen i don't do character builds but it does not sound to me like artificer and barbarian are THAT ill fitted, like yes the require different focus levels and types but they are also USED in different moments, nothing is stopping Gorgug from using his down time to come up with gadgets that work WITH his strenght and dex and rage and then use reckless abandon in battles. I think even th solar lasso is very much an example of that because it uses his strenghts, he's realing it in with atheltics checks iirc or how his shoes have jump like yes absolutely a challenge and not the most obvious but people are acting like it's impossible when it absolutely isn't
we love Corsica Jones
Riz helping Kristen <3
Brenan is absolutely having so much fun with Ayada's messages
Listen Fig does not need to go to warlock classes, no one in the school knows she is a warlock just do bard and barbarian and help your friend
also i get that procrastination girl
Please I want Fig and Gorgug to work on a song together and for us to get that scene so bad
Aelwynn is a whole entire mood
well that answers me: riz is not on bloodrush
I KNEW BRENNAN MADE THEM STUPID RATS TOO GOOD I HATE IT BUT I LOVE IT
wouldn't detect magic tell riz what enhancements she has? cause otherwise it's nnot THAT useful for spies (which is reason #1 the gadget exists)
oh brennan REALLY made people we will all hate
Yes Bucky I adore him
someone please go home with Fabian
ohhh Brennan put extra stakes at Fig just quitting/failling auegfort since she technically doesn't need it
oh warlock classes are night classes, kinda love that for Fig and also good for her being good at it
also looove the talk about exchanges and that
FIg could make an album out of pressure and expextations that woul be rad as hell
RAGH we love him
LISTEN Ragh should be like party guy, he was absolutely popular and is older and it takes stuff away from the bad kids to do
oh Fabian goes into it immediately we stan
Listen Ally is MASTER of weird ass energies and I love them for it
they truly are such dorks and somehow cool at the same time
I cannot tell if they don't know milkyriver's name or if they are benedict cumberbunching it and I love that
literally everything kalina says is so threatening
also the bad kids should count as followers of cassandra like they are not clerics sure but they ablsolutely belive in her... do only clerics/paladins count?
LISTEN BRENNAN WE DON'T NEED MORE PROBLEMS
oh the shard and red thing that was in one of the arts
oh I REALLY thought they were gonna split party this
I do hope the party still goes well
#fantasy high#dimension 20#fhjy#adaine o'shaughnessey#fabian aramais seacaster#fig faeth#gorgug thistlespring#kristen applebees#riz gukgak
21 notes
·
View notes
Text
Katsuki with sisters.
cw: oc's, Katsuki's a little aggressive for a second but then he's soft again.
-
I’m naming younger sister Tsukino because it means “of the moon”.
The older one Tsukimi because it means “Moon-viewing” and Mitsuki’s name means “beautiful moon”.
Katsuki’s name means “Win season” and Masaru’s name means “Victory”, so it just made sense.
-
Siblings are siblings, they fight, argue, etc. But I think Katsuki would have a relatively good relationship with his sisters.
We all know he takes after Mitsuki so maybe Tsukino takes after Masaru and Tsukimi is a mix of both (Gentle but also cocky and wants to be the best.) They are def impulse control siblings.
I think Tsukimi is definitely Mitsuki’s favourite because she’s the oldest and the older she got the more they related to each other. Tsukimi tells Mitsuki all the gossip and Mitsuki loves hearing it.
(I see Mitsuki as the type of mom that is always showing of her children’s achievements. So, when she comes across the other moms that like doing that, she’ll always tell them the gossip she heard about THEIR child.)
Maybe Tsukino gets along with their father more. They probably play board or card games together and watch the same shows. (Why do I feel like Masaru’s the type of dad that likes reality TV shows or dramas. Probably finds it so entertaining.)
Their personality’s definitely clash but they get along well for the most part. Tsukimi also tells Katsuki gossip too. Just walks into his room, sits on his bed and starts telling him the craziest stories.
Tsukino and Katsuki tease each other a lot, pulling the middle finger at each other when their parents aren't looking. (They also fight the most out of all of them.) But she also would ask him advise on what to do about the guy she likes. (Katsuki would tease her for a good minute before actually giving he advise.)
-
Maybe y/n’s one of Tsukimi’s younger friends (Around Katsuki’s age or younger.) that Katsuki has a huge crush on. You’re really close with Tsukimi so whenever there is a family gathering, she brings you along. You practically part of the family now and Tsukimi insists you are.
He finds you so unbelievably attractive and has a hard time hiding it. (You’re always teasing him.) Gets all nervous around you and Tsukimi always lectures him about staying away from you.
Maybe Tsukino had a school play or some sort of performance where she landed a big role. You and Tsukimi were helping her get ready, Tsukimi doing her hair while you did, her makeup and Bakugou couldn’t help but stare at you looking so focused.
He’s always stealing glances at you whenever the chance presents himself.
OR maybe you’re an older friend of Tsukino. You’re a terrible influence too, always getting her in trouble and making her do reckless things. Bakugou was fed up with you and your antics, Tsukino is constantly grounded and in detention.
She doesn’t normally act like this, she was honestly a teacher’s pet before you. Now she’s a whole new person. So, after finally convincing Tsukino to show him to you he walked up to planning to confront you. But the closer he got the more attractive you were.
Gorgeous even and he was out of words by the time you two were face to face. You were gossiping with some of the kids around, some even smoking. Before you noticed someone approaching you.
“What?”
This man walked up to you like he was planning to punch you but stopped short when he got close. He just stood there staring at you for a while before you noticed someone standing behind him.
“Tsukino?” On second thought they looked oddly similar, and it didn’t take you long to connect the dots.
“Is this your dad? Did you rat on me?”
A few of they other kids started giggling whispering the worst about her and all Tsukino could do was look away embarrassed.
“Katsuki let’s just go, it wasn’t worth it anyway.” She whispered pulling his arm.
“I thought we were friends Tsuki? Now you’re telling on me. I helped you.” You pout was so fake you weren’t even trying to pretend. You were making fun of her, and it was working the kids only laughed louder and embarrassed her more.
“You didn’t help her, you got her in trouble and now all the things she did are on her permanent record, and she’ll live with that forever.”
“And what are you gonna do about it old man?”
At this point Katsuki would have been boiling. He can’t believe you were still under the impression that he was Tsukino’s father. Did he look any sort of old to you? He’d probably want to attack you, if it weren’t for how attractive you looked talking to him.
You’re definitely younger than him, it was noticeable. You looked like you could be in Tsukino’s grade, freshly graduated? There must be a reason why you aren’t getting in trouble too.
It didn’t matter, you were a terrible person a bully even. Just like him when he was younger.
“Are you just gonna stand there? Don’t you have you wife and kids to go back to?” You really knew how to push someone’s buttons. Katsuki didn’t do too well with that, and he retaliated.
You shrieked in pain as he squeezed your wrist. “Say you’re sorry.” His tone was demanding and the longer you it took you to comply the tighter he’d squeeze your wrist.
“Let go of me” You screamed but it only made him squeeze tighter. At this point the other kids were retreating in fear leaving you all alone with Katsuki and a useless Tsukino. “Katsuki, stop!” Tsukino shrieked seeing your eyes water. You finally apologized in low whimpers, feeling your circulation cut off in you hand. And he let go.
Tears sung your eyes as the bruising on your wrist got darker. You held onto it in pain letting out a hiss when the pain you hand made contact. “Leave my sister alone from now on.” Katsuki muttered feeling a little bad when tears fell.
He signalled for Tsukino to go back to the car, and she hesitantly did. “Being a bully doesn’t get you anywhere.” He advised reaching his hand out to help you. You didn’t want his help though, he’d done enough.
“Fuck off.” Your voice was soft and shaky when you said it. Katsuki was really starting to feel bad, and he couldn’t bring himself to leave you there. “I’m sorry, okay? Let me help you.” He placed a light hand on you shoulder. When you finally looked up at him your eyes were soft and your cheeks tear stained.
#katsuki x reader#bnha fluff#bakugou fluff#katsuki bakugo x reader#katsuki imagine#bakugou imagine#bakugou headcanons#katsuki headcanons#bnha bakugou#bnha#mha fluff#katsuki bakugo mha#boku no hero academia#my hero academia#boku no hero#bnha imagines#mha imagines#my hero imagines#oc stuff#original character
127 notes
·
View notes
Text
Was that old toast that you had, or..? Oh they're bringing some more. With a bit of marmalade, Kev?
- Ringo putting up his picture <33
Glyn: You even got the end right.
Paul: We improve with time.
<3333333333 I love the way they are with Glyn, now, really settled into him. I hope he knows that their calling him Glynis is the height of love from a Beatle. He's settled into them too. I love when he tells John to turn his bass down and John complains that "it's not as good as when it was bassy" and he's just like 'okay, be bassy'. (One of the main things I learned from Get Back is that nobody ever turns their bass down.)
- Genuinely impressive that we're so far into this thing and Yoko is still finding things to do, bringing bits with her, answering letters, filling her time, reading lyrics from her boyfriend's band. No wonder she has to scream on occasion.
- I'm so relieved they like their studio and think it's going to be lovely. (I wish we were in a universe where we could watch all this, knowing it was the founding of a lovely little base that they'd work from for years to come, like an inside look at the place the next six or seven big Beatles albums would be birthed.)
Enter Billy Preston. All four Beatles gather round him, evidently thrilled by his arrival.
The book here making them sound like rats in an experiment who have just been given a new enrichment. Accurate enough.
- Billy's little laugh when John says, 'if you want to do it you'd be welcome'! oh! what a ridiculous moment of your life though. And then John telling him he'd be on the album, and he's just beyond. It's lovely having that on camera.
- Paul's face when Billy starts playing! The best thing about Billy is how Paul feels him.
Ooh, sarnies. That's good news.
- I love that their mics don't ever really work and their setup is so random.
- I love John asking for a big drum sound to give him the courage to come screaming in. (Like I love Paul when he talks about having to build himself up to screaming numbers and worrying that it might not come before live performances.)
John: It'll be fantastic with this whole build up with bits of paper, and Twickenham, and all that scene, and, you know... it's like getting Wordsworth or something, from the start. Instead of having to get an actor to go through the bits, and re-enact his life... It'll be marvellous. And it'll be a movie, you know, not a TV show. It'll be the third Beatles movie.
They all seem to take turns understanding the project and realising how wonderful it might be... and then the next day they forget again and act like it's just a stupid idea of Paul's that is too much effort.
- I know that George says that having Billy there changed the mood so much because it made everyone less bitchy, and more polite, which yeah, to a degree. But that's only a small part of it. They've been surrounded by strangers for weeks and didn't mind being petty. It's the music that lifts them. George in particular has been so worried about the whole thing and how awful it's going to sound and how they can't do it... But when Billy plays it makes everything sound whole, and you can see them relax into it. George literally says to Paul that it's great because Billy can do some of the fills so he doesn't feel like he needs to fill in all the spaces, and John says he doesn't have to worry about the rhythm as much either.
- Billy also arrives when there's already a massive shift in mood happening, because they're in a nicer place, and they're doing nicer things. They've moved from rehearsing and trying to plan a show they don't agree about, to recording! and people telling them how good it sounds! and getting things together! And mostly it's better because now they get to talk to Glyn and Lovely George Martin instead of bloody MLH. That's one of the biggest reasons they're all feeling happier. It's not just the move to Apple, or Billy's arrival. It's a whole confluence of better things.
- And yet it's all meaningless because no matter how brilliant and good they are, they're going to fuck it all up and decide it was terrible and ignore the LP and cry at the film and ruin their lives and meet with Klein on Monday. Oh well.
48 notes
·
View notes
Text
Heartstopper season 2 play-by-play analysis
Still in Paris, and things get haute in different ways. Between Nick and Charlie, between Nick and Ben, between Tara and Darcy, and between Tao and Elle (ooh la la). A lot of healthy communication, a lot of bold attempts at communication, and a few plot twists.
On with l'episode!
EPISODE 5 - HEAT
- Poor Nick double-texted his dad, and no reply. Do better, Stephane.
- “Did I do that?” “I didn’t even know how to do that.” Well, you know now, Nick.
- Tao freaking out at Nick for giving Charlie a hickey. “We will be having words”. Will Gao’s facial expressions are peak comedy.
- “I blame Nick entirely.” “That’s fair.” I love how casual Nick is, like “yeah, my mouth did that, no doubt about it, guilty over here”.
- Elle, you can't just go around being lovely and flawless and stylish like that... ugh, you need to staaahp...
- “It wasn’t just his fault, I was also involved.” “Uuuuuurgh, no need for gory details”. He’s such a dad! Tao, this is your fault for leaving the room, you shouldn’t have trusted your children to keep their hands off each other.
- I’m amused by the performative teasing from the straight boys, who are all probably a bit jealous because they are nowhere near getting or giving hickeys, so…
- You know who is more than a bit jealous? Ben in the back there, staring longingly. Like he really doesn’t care that he got called out last night for his starkly obvious obsession with Charlie, or getting dumped for it, because he’s still not entirely discreet about it.
- Nick is definitely the boyfriend that carries all the things. “I’ll pack you a croissant.” That’s an ‘I love you’ right there. Nick is the acts of service boyfriend.
- A lot of green today too, on Charlie’s sweater, and Nick’s t-shirt, and Tao’s butterfly print (of course he’s wearing butterflies), and Jame’s jacket.
- Poor James being dragged into it. Which is worse when you find out that he used to have a crush on Charlie. I love how he tells all the boys “it wasn’t me”, and they just stare at him as neutral as possible, because they all obviously know who it was.
- Benny Ben, what was that look? Are you reaching your breaking point? Meanwhile, Imogen looking fresh and cute, we love to see it. Also Charlie looks extra cute today too, green suits him very much, but also his curls are like perfect (yeah, we’re all obsessed with Charlie, Ben. You’re nothing special, Ben.)
- What the hell is this system that the teachers used to assign the couples? Very random but also very convenient. It was probably Mr Farouk wanting to watch some drama unfold. He knows Ben and Nick don’t like each other, and he’s just stirring the pot.
- “Sir, I don’t wanna go with Nick Nelson.” “I don’t give a rat’s arse, rude boy.” Mr Farouk is a legend. And Imogen watching, very satisfied that Ben doesn’t get his way.
- Love Isaac calling out Harry, and love that he actually got through to him, and we’re all here for it. “Where’s your basic human empathy?” “Leave it out, book boy.” I love that the only thing he could come up about Isaac at that moment is his love of books, like it’s an insult…? Didn’t expect to get called out, and by book boy of all people, did you, Harry?
- James interrogating Charlie about Isaac. Heart.
- And Tara attempting again to talk to Darcy about feelings, and Darcy deflecting left and right. Poor Darcy, she’s so stressed about it.
- Here’s one of the very few things that didn’t quite click with me in the expansion of the Ben storyline, but it actually might fit perfectly with him and the way that we have seen him before. He’s so preoccupied with Charlie or Nick outing him, and he wants to appear so tough, that he doesn’t realize that he might be the one blowing his own cover. In his conversations with Nick, he’s so loud when he says that Nick is just jealous because Charlie liked him first, or that he might want Charlie back, that I kept thinking “either something’s going to happen with this, or they expect me to believe that he’s being discreet”, but maybe it was the latter. Or maybe it’s, as I mentioned before, that Ben has been so preoccupied with the idea that people might be paying attention to him all the time, which resulted in him being an asshole to Charlie, only for all of that to crumble now.
- “What if I said that I want Charlie back?” The way that Nick closes his eyes, like he’s so tired, he’s so done with Ben. He keeps blaming Nick for what happened with Charlie, and he keeps making excuses, and keeps comparing himself to Nick, and it must be so stressful for Nick, to have to deal with that on top of everything else, on top of the hickey, on top of everyone talking about Charlie, and on top of his own stress about coming out.
- “At least I was nice enough not to give him a hickey where everyone could see.” The thing about this comment from Ben is that, not only is he comparing his relationship to Charlie with Nick’s relationship to Charlie, but he still thinks that, like him, Nick won’t come out and his goal is to continue the relationship in secret. So Ben somehow rationalizes that he was a better choice of partner for Charlie because he “managed to keep the secret” (which he didn’t, really, because Nick caught them, and in the worst scenario). Meanwhile he’s still choosing to ignore all the other reasons why he was absolutely not a good partner for Charlie. Or Imogen. Or anyone.
- Did Heartstopper also manage to shut down the Eiffel Tower??? Well done, production team.
- Tara being a doll and holding Imogen’s hand because Imogen is scared of heights (or something like that). That whole Eiffel Tower scene was flawless.
- “Let’s get a selfie for my mum.” “She’s gonna love that.” He’s such a mamma’s boy, love him for that.
- The “Hey Nick, is that hickey from you then?” “What if it was? You jealous?” scene going directly from page to screen flawlessly.
- “Did Harry just stick up for us?” “I think he did.” Yes, he did, and you have life coach Isaac Henderson to thank for that.
- “You, um, you do know… it was me, right?” Then glances down at Charlie’s lips… Good job, Nicholas, top rate flirting on the Eiffel tower, Nicholas.
- I do like that they changed from Aled (or in this case Isaac) telling Charlie that Tao outed him, and instead having Tao own up to it himself. It’s probably been sitting with him for so long, and the reason why he’s so protective, and why he lost his shit that morning about the hickey, because much like Tori, he worries about Charlie being bullied again, but he’s also feeling so guilty about it. But that whole conversation about their friendship, and the little flashback to them being kids, ugh, so adorable.
- “Even if you make mistakes sometimes, you’re a good person who deserves love”. Ugh Charlie, my precious.
- Also, how cute that we’ve gotten Nick and Tara and Charlie and Tao childhood flashbacks so far, and I wonder if we’ll get more (I don’t know how these things are handled, if any one can share, because I’m assuming that, if we got a flashback to Elle as a younger child, she would be presenting as a boy… how would that be handled? What about the name? But I’d love to see a Darcy flashback, an Isaac flashback, a Tori flashback, an Imogen flashback, a Sahar flashback… the possibilities are endless now…)
- Love them, love their friendship, love how friendships are given the same importance as romantic relationships. And I love how secure in his sexuality Tao is, that he will hug and kiss Charlie and not worry about what people might say.
- Give me more Darcy being confused about her expectations vs reality. “Are we really underwater? Then why can’t we see any fish?” “That’s the Mona Lisa??? That’s it? It’s rubbish!!! It’s this big…” “I’d be so mugged off if I posed for a painting and they just painted the back of my head…”
- I love how Elle internalizes what Nick said, and what Imogen said the day before, and just realized that her and Tao don’t need to be perfect or long term, but if she doesn’t take the chance she will never find out. So she just goes for it.
- “He genuinely thinks he still has a chance of getting back with you.” “He doesn’t.” I’m sad that Charlie sounded so reassuring and relaxed, but he was already trying to hide that he was starting to feel weak and ill.
- Either Charlie called Nick much louder, or that’s just how in tune with him Nick is all the time. And anyone who’s ever fainted knows what it feels and sounds like, and it’s exactly like this. Also the feeling of regaining consciousness and feeling absolutely disoriented, and like you can’t hear well… horrible.
- I love the little homage to The Princess Diaries, with Elle’s foot popping up. And they really are the most stylish couple.
- The teachers, oh my god‼! Mr Farouk humoring Mr Ajayi by doing the pose perfectly. And then Mr Farouk holding out for a fist bump and him actually smiling.
- "I want to understand." Nick fucking Nelson really set the bar way too fucking high for all teenage boyfriends.
- "You are not rejecting the croissant that I lovingly carried for you all day." Heart.
- Also Nick teasing Charlie for blushing about Nick speaking French.
- I loved the live-action playing out of Nick teasing Charlie and pushing him to the floor. With the grumpy French guard (who apparently is played by director Euros Lyn) being like “no hanky-panky in the museum!”
- Actually they’re both setting the bar way too high for teenage relationships, with their healthy communication and their caring so much about each other. Aspirational.
This episode is brought to you by Mr Farouk's sass. (Not a registered trademark... yet).
#heartstopper#heartstopper season 2#heartstopper play-by-play analysis#heartstopper analysis#nick and charlie#tao and elle#tara and darcy
17 notes
·
View notes
Note
Do you have any other Percy headcanons?
I have a ton!
Some of my headcanons are educated guesses based on the information in the text, but some are also completely random, have no textual evidence to support them, and may or may not just be me projecting onto the character 🤣
Some Extra Percy Headcanons:
Percy decided that he needed one act of teenage rebellion once he turned 17 (as a right of passage & just to prove to himself that he wasn't as boring as people said), so he got his tongue pierced. He figured that he could always take it out if he wanted, and it was easy to hide even without a concealing charm because it was mostly out of sight, so why not? He ended up keeping it.
Percy isn't a fan of dangerous animals like Charlie, but he loves household animals (like rats and owl), and he always wanted a kitten (so he finally got one as an adult).
Once he saved enough money from working, Percy got spell-surgery to correct his vision (since contacts don’t seem to be a thing in the wizarding world). He mostly only did so because he was tired of his glasses falling down his nose and off his face all the time (like in GoF).
Oliver convinced him to get small, matching ‘Gryffindor’ tattoos when they graduated. He actually ended up loving it, so he got several more tattoos after that, each one with a symbolic meaning, but all of them were in places that could be hidden underneath his shirt so that he wouldn’t have any issues at work.
Percy and the twins all have an “only I can mess with my brother” mentality. The twins tease Percy all the time, but if someone else (not in their family) were to tease him, they would find themselves on the receiving end of some nasty pranks. Likewise, Percy complains about the twins all the time, but if someone else were to do the same, he would definitely go off on them and defend the twins (even if they were wrong).
Percy likes having plants in his apartment because they make it feel less suffocating, but he’s not great at keeping them alive, so he tends to keep succulents and cacti.
He finally went to therapy for his alcoholism (see this post) and was diagnosed with anxiety, and he takes medicine for it (he has daily medicine but also fast-acting sedatives for when it gets really bad).
He smoked muggle cigarettes at one point after he left home, because it helped him calm down. After going to therapy, he realized that he was self-medicating and weaned himself off, but he still smokes flavored cigarillos on occasion (blueberry is his favorite).
Bill is the only one in his family that he never fully reconciled with after the war. They managed to be civil and even polite, but there was just too much bitterness and guilt on both sides to ever go back to normal. Percy never checked on Bill after he was attacked by Fenrir, and he didn’t go to Bill’s wedding, and I think that actually really hurt Bill and left him somewhat resentful. I think he briefly considered not going to Percy’s wedding when he was invited, but he quickly realized he was being petty and went anyway. Also see this post about my thoughts on Percy’s feelings towards Bill.
Percy spent a lot of his free time in muggle London during his split from his family (the wizarding world is rather small, and he didn't want to risk running into them), so after they reconciled, he would bring his family members to places like the movies, the aquarium, mini-golf, etc. To no one's surprise, that was the thing that really helped Percy and his dad finally connect and find some common ground.
Not only is he really good at nonverbal spells and wandless magic, but he can actually perform a few nonverbal spells without a wand, which is rare.
He eventually decided to follow Professor McGonagall's example and become an animagus. I haven't fully decided which animal I think he turns into, but I lean towards a bear, because it symbolizes solitude/boundaries, “standing your ground”, courage, introspection, protection, and healing. What animal do you guys think?
Thanks for the ask! 😊
124 notes
·
View notes
Text
Clown school (yes I actually mean clown school) ends for me tomorrow, so here's what I think each of the main six's clowns would look like!
(For clarity's sake, I'm not talking about circus clowns. This is clowning based on Jacques Lecoq's theories of acting, in which the clown nose acts as a mask to give the performer permission to lose their inhibitions. This action, putting on the nose, allows that performer's clown to manifest and take control.)
Gov's Clown- Red White Blue
Red White Blue (usually shortened to just Red) is one of the most relaxed clowns out of everyone in the statehouse. Red frequently moves around without a care in the world, including what is expected of him. Gov will let his clown out whenever he's feeling overwhelmed by all that's happening around him. Red isn't much of a troublemaker, and can usually be trusted to be left to his own devices. However, he cannot be trusted with a secret. He has very loose lips and will tell anyone anything that he knows. Red wears the simplest costume, just a T-shirt and sweatpants. His favorite activities include sleeping, lounging in Gov's desk chair, and eating other people's food.
Texas's Clown- Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet is, surprisingly, the nicest and friendliest of the clowns. The true embodiment of "southern hospitality", Bluebonnet will often give random items to other people and clowns as presents (my clown does this a lot with plastic silverware). They don't get into much trouble on their own, but can be persuaded to by other clowns. Texas doesn't like letting his clown out and deeply dislikes Bluebonnet, though Austin really like him and does his best to persuade Texas to get him out more (I might make a post about Austin's clown later). Bluebonnet's favorite activities include
California's Clown- Hollywood
Hollywood is a very energetic clown, quite literally bouncing off the walls if he's left alone for too long. He's very artistic, though this can lead to some minor property damage when they use walls, floors, and furniture as "canvases". Like Red, Hollywood doesn't really care about what other people think of them, but they love attention being on them. It's for this reason that California usually doesn't bring them out without an audience present. Hollywood loves interacting with an audience, sometimes bringing members up during sets. They are also highly emotional and easily upset. They love putting hats, jackets, and other costume pieces on others, and if you don't let them, they will cry. Hollywood's favorite activities include singing, painting, and making outfits for people.
New York's Clown- Rat
Rat is almost the complete opposite of New York. Sweet, aloof, and easygoing, Rat gets along well with most people and clowns and rarely holds a grudge. He is more of a follower than a leader, content to follow the lead of other clowns and the clown handler (a clown handler is someone who keeps an eye on the clown and keeps them on target. They also make sure that the clown doesn't get hurt or accidentally hurts anyone else). He's one of the calmest clowns in the statehouse, as not much can cause him to lose his cool. Having said that, when Rat does get upset, he will get very quiet and develop a thousand-yard stare. This side of Rat makes him potentially one of the scariest clowns in the statehouse. While New York will never admit it, he loves clowning and is very fond of Rat. Rat's favorite activities include being around people, playing with animals, and lounging on the couch.
Florida's Clown- Gator
Gator is very similar to Florida, as Florida doesn't have many inhibitions to lose. However, there is one major difference between Gator and Florida, in that Gator can be somewhat controlled. While it takes a very specific person, someone who is direct, assertive, and friendly towards Gator, Gator is willing to listen to his clown handler and stop. Gator has by far caused the most damage, often intentionally breaking things just to see them break. Florida adores Gator, and often wishes that he and Gator could get into trouble together. His favorite activities include hiding behind corners to scare people, cartwheeling down long hallways, and inacting long-winded plans to cause chaos.
Louisiana's Clown- Daiquiri
Like Florida and Gator, Louisiana and Daiquiri are very similar. Daiquiri has somewhat of a calming effect on Gator, though not to the point where a clown handler isn't an absolute necessity. Daiquiri himself is pretty laid-back, usually not worried about anything other than where he can get his next drink. While Daiquiri loves drinking, he can't actually tell what is and isn't alcohol. Giving Daiquiri many glasses of water and telling him it's alcohol is the only known way to get Louisiana sober. Despite this, Louisiana likes letting Daiquiri out as Daiquiri makes friends easily. Daiquiri's favorite activities include drinking, drinking, and more drinking.
(If you want to hear what I think other states's clowns would look like, lmk)
#welcome to the table#wttt#welcome to the statehouse#ben brainard#wttt gov#wttt california#wttt texas#wttt new york#wttt louisiana#wttt florida#clowning
14 notes
·
View notes
Text
Reconcile
Chapter: Two of Two
Age Rating: 12+
Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy
AN: Hey guys so this chapter also has a little bit of angst and psychopath kids, so you’ve been warned before reading.
Summary: Alex and Amber continue to work together and finally talk things out.
Words: 2857
I sit in the Chief’s office next to Alex as we explain to the parents our concerns over Missy after running it by Bailey. She was disbelieving at first but after we told her what Missy was like when we talked to her including her fascination with Gia’s death and my attack. After convincing her we opted to talk to the parents in private while a security guard kept a close eye on Missy at the waiting room. She wanted us to talk to the parents before calling the police. Now the mom is sitting wiping her tears with a tissue and the dad is as cold as ever.
I stayed silent as Alex started to explain the situation to the parents, “I would never want to do anything to make this worse or more complicated but Missy…she’s showing some signs that is raising our concerns. Risk taking, fascination with death, and taboo behavior that are typically associated with juvenile sociopathy.”
I clear my throat and decide he shouldn’t be the one to tell them the worst. I started this and I should be the one to bear the weight, “We um had a conversation with her and the way she acts and the way she talks…we think Missy was involved in Gia’s stabbing.” The mom is taken back and the dad doesn’t move at all like he knew it was a possibility. My heart breaks for them both, their child is on life support possibly because of their other child I would be numb too.
“That…that’s crazy.” Sylvia laughs it off and turns to Matt, “Tell her she’s wrong.” Matt just sits there numb and staring blankly at the wall destroyed. Sylvia tries again, “Matt?” Sylvia gasps, “Say something damn it!”
Matt finally turns to her and asks in a broken voice, “Sylvia, how can you be this blind? She was there just like she was there when the dog went missing and she was there when we found rat pellets in the thanksgiving turkey.” I look away as my emotions start to get the better of me and take a deep breath to calm down as the couple argue. Alex notices and holds my hand and I hold it back because this all of this…is just like the night my brother attacked me. The parents don’t notice us though thankfully.
“No your-your just upset.” Sylvia says in tears.
“Missy may have killed our child.”
“Missy is our child.” Sylvia says with a hiss.
I can’t be in here any longer and I get up from my chair, let go of Alex’s hand and walk out of the door calmly. It’s midnight so the hallway is pretty much empty. I try to make it to the bathroom but my stomach doesn’t let me and in a panic I open the red biohazard trash can and vomit my lunch inside. I don’t even realize someone is rubbing my back in comfort until I finally dry heave and wipe my mouth. I look and see that it was Glasses who rubbed my back and the idea that he saw me throw up makes me want to hurl again. But since I got my lunch and breakfast out of me I opt to pull away from him and go to the locker room to brush my teeth. He follows me.
“Are you okay?” Levi asks.
I hold my head up high so I don’t show weakness, “I’m fine tell anyone what you saw and I will perform a rectal exam on you without a lubricant.” He looks at me scared and backs off when we enter the lockers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After I brushed my teeth I headed back to the Chief’s office and ran into Alex on the way. He looked wrecked and honestly who could blame him after what just happened.
“I-I’m sorry I didn’t stay it’s just I was-”
Alex shakes his head, “Don’t worry about it I get it this…this is triggering. A sibling tried to kill another sibling how can it not be?”
I groan at the comparison, “Yeah well, the only difference is Aaron was hallucinating and Missy was just having fun if she can feel that. It makes me sick.”
Alex rubs the back of his neck, “Yeah me too…are you okay?”
I sigh and rub my forehead as I feel a splitting headache, “I feel like taking a whole bottle of ibuprofen just to get away from this headspace.” Alex raises an eyebrow at my suicidal comment, “Don’t report me I’m being dramatic. How are the parents?”
“Mom stormed off and dad went back to Gia’s room, he’s trying to hold it in but this is wrecking him.” Alex rubs his tired eyes.
“And Missy? What are we gonna do about her? Have you called the cops?”
Alex looks back at me, “Yeah, we did but without a clear confession they can’t make an arrest. They suggested a wire and I offered to talk to her again and get her to say she stabbed Gia.”
“I’ll do it.” I suggest this crazy thing because I want to see this girl pay for what she did to her sister but Alex immediately shakes his head.
“No that is not a good idea. She’s dangerous and she already killed someone, I’m not letting you take that risk.”
“Alex I would be talking to her in the middle of the hospital full of security guards, doctor and nurses.” Those facts make me comfortable to do this, “And it’s not like she’s carrying and I took boxing for two years I can handle myself. The cops need a confession and I’m most likely to get it. I’m a girl, I’m around her age and she’s comfortable around me due to me satiating her psychopath side with the story of how I was attacked.” Alex sighs and still looks uncertain, “She could do this again and she might not come to the hospital next time where doctors will question her. I want to do this and I don’t need your permission.”
Alex looks at me worriedly and finally complies, “Fine but be careful.” I nod and we head back to the Chief’s office.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the cops gave me instructions and placed the wire under my scrub along my diaphragm, I head out to find Missy. I walk around the hospital for a few minutes until I find her in the family waiting room sitting there on the table looking at her phone. I inhale and exhale because the sight of her knowing what she did makes me anxious but I told Alex I could do this and I will. I approach her and sit in front of her.
“Hey Missy.” I keep my tone calm and even as per my instructions and she looks at me surprised to see me, “I’m Dr. Karev I don’t know if you-”
“Right you’re the girl who got strangled and attacked I remember you.” She says it coldly and I continue.
“Yeah well I wanted to come by and talk to you and see how you were doing after Gia. I know when one of my brothers got hurt I would always worry about them.”
Missy shakes her head nonchalantly, “Gia was just a little baby she was always crying and begging me to play with her. She would always barge into my room and annoy me.” The way she chastises her sister is the first emotion she displayed and it’s anger.
“Yeah I had a little cousin who did that.” I lie to relate to Missy like the cops suggested and groan to play along, “It would drive me crazy.”
Missy nods, “I’m not gonna miss that.” That one sentence sends chills down my spine but I persist as I’m getting somewhere and decide to kick into high gear.
Remember when we were talking about the man who attacked me? and you said he probably did it to feel more powerful? Well it turns out you were wrong.” Missy looks at me offended, “The guy was my brother and he didn’t want to hurt me, he loved me, he took care of me and…he was just crazy and he lashed out. I don’t think he was thinking about what was gonna happen after to him or me but I don’t think he really wanted to kill me just for the fun of it.” Missy looks at me like I’m the one who’s crazy.
“Well maybe he did I mean you don’t know what he was thinking.”
I shrug, “I mean come on Missy why else would you kill someone?” I ask as genuine as I can to draw her in.
“To know if you could really do it.”
I shake my head at her terrifying comment, “No I don’t think so, I mean to actually feel the life slip away from someone else it’s…it’s way too scary for most sane people and for my brother it was-”
“No I know what he was feeling I mean I know exactly how he was feeling.” Missy says with a grin that is chilling before leaning in and whispering to me, “I was the one who stabbed Gia.” I look at her with a blank face even though my terror escalates as my fears come true, “And it wasn’t that scary. I knew what I wanted to do and I did it just like with your brother he must have felt like it was the coolest thing ever when he was trying to kill you.”
I shake my head in disgust and stand up and walk out the door as I see the cops entering and arresting Missy. I pass Alex on the way who looks at me in worry and I shake my head at him before saying bitterly, “Dysfunctional families am I right?” With that I walk to the lockers to take a hot scolding shower and leave this damn day behind me.
After my Silkwood shower, I put my clothes on and am just about to put my shoes on when Alex walks in looking as exhausted as me. I am so tired I’m not even mad at him, I’m just numb and I know that tomorrow when I see him again I’ll be mad again. It’s a vicious cycle and I have to escape before my psychosis causes me to lash out at him like Missy did to Gia. I know I don’t have sociopathic tendencies but the way I feel around him is degrading to me and the career I have worked hard to get. I need to get out before it’s too late.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alex stands there looking at Amber with the same level of tiredness and numbness that she feels only he feels slightly worse because of what he needs to do. He needs to apologize and get their issues out of the way for both of their sakes. He starts by clearing his throat.
“Are you okay?”
Amber packs her stuff in her backpack not looking at him, “Sure a night of arresting a teenage psycho is just what I needed before collapsing on my bed.” Alex nods sharing her pain and her next words catch him off guard, “I’m gonna look for another program tomorrow. This thing.” Amber motions to both of them, “It’s gonna end bad and I need to get out and find something that won’t remind me of the worst time of my life every five seconds or undermine me because of my past.”
Alex looks down in shame over accusing Amber of being paranoid due to their mom and starts his apology train, “I’m sorry Amber and not just for today for all of it. I’m just sorry and I wish I could do thing differently.”
Amber shakes her head and closes her locker, “Don’t Alex don’t even bother the damage is done.”
“I never meant to hurt you.” Alex says it with sincerity and pain.
Amber looks at him with a blank face, “I’m sure you didn’t. I’m sure you didn’t even think about me. You saw a way out and you took it just like me only difference is I didn’t leave anyone behind with no defenses. Hell even Uncle Lucas gave a more of a damn than you and he hates us. But whatever reasons he had I’m sure they were better than yours for leaving.” Amber sits on the bench to put her boots on.
Alex’s shame gets deeper before he confesses an 8 year long secret, “I told him to.”
Amber looks up and raises an eyebrow, “Told who to do what?”
“I told Uncle Lucas to take you in and let you recover at his place until you graduated.” Amber pauses her laces clearly effected by his words as he continues, “CPS was gonna send you into foster care, Aaron was at the hospital and mom wasn’t a good choice so I made him an option. I gave him 8 grand to take you in and I told him I would pay him another 8 after you graduated. The bastard almost skimmed me but I told him I would report him for drug use after I found a stash of meth at his place.”
“Great place to dump your baby sister after she had her jaw reconstructed.” She says sarcastically.
“Well it was either him or do the foster lottery and you land in some rundown home with five other kids who will rip out your wires. And I made sure he was checked on. I called a cop buddy of mine and made him spy on you and him at the house and make sure he was treating you right or at least ignoring you.”
Amber ties my laces, “He did, he ignored me and I avoided him so I was glad to have one less thing for me to deal with. But just because you forced our inattentive Uncle to take me in doesn’t mean I forgive you. I appreciate what you did but you didn’t do much when you were around. The only reason I know you were there was because the doctors told me after I woke up that you held my hand for 10 minutes and then left. I tried to call you but you wouldn’t answer and maybe this whole me getting a job here was a subconscious decision to confront you and figure out why you left and that’s on me.”
Alex shakes his head, “No it’s on me. I started this by leaving and I know that wasn’t fair to you.”
Amber puts her other shoe on, “Your damn right it wasn’t.” Amber says with a vicious tone as she ties her laces.
Alex sighs and continues, “I know you hate me and you have a good reason to. I left you with a schizo mom who barely kept up with her meds and a brother I didn’t was gonna inherit the crazy gene. When I got a job here, I saw it as my ticket out of Iowa but I also saw it as my ticket out of our family. I told myself that Aaron was enough for you, that you were fine with just one brother, I sent the checks to help out because it made me feel better for abandoning you. I told myself that I wasn’t your father, that you were better off without me but you weren’t, it was clear to me that night when you needed me the most.” Amber stops what she’s doing as Alex brings that moment up and he sees it safe to sit next to her, “I held you hand for ten minutes; you were only 16, you should’ve been having sleepovers and shopping for a prom dress not being in a hospital after your brother almost killed you. I held your hand for ten minutes and then I left, Aaron was committed and so was our mom, you needed me and I wasn’t there. I told myself that I couldn’t take care of you that you were better off without me, that Uncle Lucas could do what I couldn’t. I…I wasn’t there I was the ass that can’t stand to be there and I’m older now and I know better now.” Amber is quiet as she feels a single tear down her cheek and wipes it away, “I should’ve done more for you and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not being your brother when you needed me, I don’t know if it’s worth anything. But I just needed you to know how sorry I am.”
Alex says that with his eyes wet as he’s letting his feelings of shame and regret show to Amber who looks at him for the first time in appreciation and as her brother. She sniffles before saying, “It’s worth a lot but…we have a lot of work to do here.”
Alex nods, “Yeah…dysfunctional families am I right?” Amber sighs and puts her head on Alex’s shoulder looking to him as a source of comfort instead of a source of pain. It’s not magically fixed between them but that night is a starting point.
3 notes
·
View notes
Note
I see a lot of people say they don't want Joker to be important in The Batman sequels, that they're sick of Joker, etc. but is it just me or do people kind of overstate how ubiquitous Joker is in Batman adaptions? He appears in most of them yeah but that's to be expected when he's Batman's archnemesis. There are some where he doesn't show up, or if he does, isn't necessarily the main/only focus of the villains. The only time I can think of where it got egregious was in the Arkham games, but even then other villains still got a good deal of attention. Or do most of the people making these complaints just not like Joker in general?
Mm, no, I would agree Joker isn't as ubiquitous as he's made out to be in Batman media. However, I do agree with the complaints regarding him to an extent. I'd say it's less about how often he shows up and more about how he does it. Him showing up frequently should be a consequence of him being crucially important. Whether people like it or not, Joker is essential to Batman, that's impossible to dispute -- as you said, he's Batman's archnemesis. But there is a difference between writing a good Joker story and just... sticking Joker in one because he's a popular, titular character.
For instance, in the current Batman run they had Joker be the one who hired Deathstroke to kill Robin way back in the day, and I rolled my eyes so hard. They shove Joker in whenever they're in need of a Plot Twist (aha, it was Joker all along!) or when they have something horrible happen, because of course Joker would do that, he's deranged! Even if the act itself is not in character for Joker. He's come to be used as a plot device when writers don't know what villain to pull out of the hat, and it wouldn't annoy me as much if it were well-written. But instead of trying to fit the story within Joker's core characterization, his personality tends to get rewritten a lot, in order for the writer to tell the story they want. That's how you get... one-dimensional, shallow, typical serial killer and not-actually-funny Joker. So I get how this might make people feel Joker shows up too much, because a lot of the time he's not showing up in the right way, and it becomes grating. I love Joker, but even I am torn between watching his character get skewered vs. not reading about him at all.
Plus, something to keep in mind is the fact that a lot more people watch movies, and not nearly as much read comics. For many fans, the contact they've had with Joker has been through live-action films, and The Dark Knight (2008) especially. Ledger's iconic performance forever influenced what came after. Every attempt at playing Joker since then has had elements from it, and this after Joker got turned into a mascot for dudebros who watched TDK and thought "I'm an agent of chaos" is all there was to him. So many people associate Joker with this "We live in a society" kind of message now -- which Joker (2019) played into heavily, creating a completely different version of him -- when Joker in the comics is so much more than that. It's actually baffling to me how Joker, such a heavily queer-coded character (even within TDK) came to represent toxic masculinity for a lot of people. This, I would say, is another big reason why Joker has become so hated. People have heard of Joker inspiring a shooter to go into a theater and unload a gun into the audience, they've heard about Leto sending dead rats to his colleagues, they've seen all the toxic mysoginist 'alpha' males with Joker posters in their room, and they've landed on this horrid image of him. Which does annoy me to no end, because that's not who Joker is. Joker isn't about wanton destruction, the same way Batman isn't about mindless vengeance. But that's an essay for another day.
Also... it's become a bit of a trend in the last five years, especially on Tumblr and Twitter; to complain about Joker's every appearance, to wish for Batman to kill him or for Joker to disappear entirely, etc. Obviously not saying there aren't people who genuinely dislike Joker (and that's their prerogative), but there's a bit of a 'getting woke points' aspect to this more recent wave of hatred, which has become more prevalent right now for villains in general. Hating on Joker is an easy way to show your moral superiority -- after all, he did so many horrible things. And it's tough to even introduce nuance in a discussion about Joker with people like this, who only view the world in black and white, because they do not seek to understand. The goal, conscious or not, is more the performance a 'pure' moral stance so that they feel good about themselves, and so others flock to agree with them (which in turn makes the commentators feel good about themselves, and on it goes).
Sorry, anon, this got way longer than I expected :)) In the end, this Joker fatigue many DC fans are having right now is influenced by many factors, and it’s such a pity. When done right, Joker can be an absolute delight.
#oh the unattainable dream of getting a comic accurate Joker in a live action adaptation#sigh#dc hire me you cowards#asks#batman#joker#joker meta#batman meta#my meta
77 notes
·
View notes
Note
Hi Prince. I just listened to one of your Erik audios for the first time and it's gotten me interested in The Phantom of The Opera now. What would you suggest watching as a first introduction to it?
oooo okay okay okay okay. so. you'll quickly realise how much of a nerd i am for phantom, look, i had a whole two years where this was all i was drawing and thinking about and making up my own aus and comics and just. a lot.
if you want a musical watch the 2011 live concert 25th anniversary performance, it's not exactly the same staging as if you saw it on the west end of broadway, but it's pretty close and it's professionally filmed and it's a good easy way to get into the musical. if you're not bothered about something pretty i'd recommend any recording with ethan freeman as the phantom, that man makes me sob. i know a lot of people got into the musical via the 2004 film adaption but... but, i don't be upset if you love the film, it's not a great film and it's not sung the best. so i'd always recommend watching a live version of the musical over the movie version.
now if you want something non musical well i first have to recommend the actual original novel. it's wonderful and it's one of the few places you can actually find the character of the daroga, who is almost always cut out of every single phantom of the opera adaption, which is not a good luck when he's the only poc in the book. and he deserves to be included for being the only man who can cope with putting up with any of erik's bullshit, like can you imagine having erik as a friend, this man deserves a medal. the andrew lloyd webber musical cuts out entire characters, rearranges the plot, and makes up a backstory for erik which is taken from 'phantom' by susan kay, a novel that is basically published fanfiction, but in the novel and older stagings of the musical erik's backstory wasn't explained and i think it's better that way.
and if you're wanting something to watch that's not a musical, there are many film and tv adaptions. the 1990 miniseries with charles dance as erik is so sweet omg, it's the nicest like morally good version of erik, i want to just hold him, he's often called "cherik" by the fandom (mashing up charles + erik) and he's just a sweet little baby.
another movie that's an adaption of phantom even if you didn't know it? a monster in paris! it's cute, it's animated, it's a musical, i wanna take Francœur home and look after him.
other movies? there's a lot. i'd stay clear of a few in particular because they're... either really bad or way too trigger warning inducing (i'm talking about you rat phantom), there's the original (well the first ever phantom film was actually before this, but it's lost media) 1925 black and white phantom with lon chaney, that's one of the most book accurate but not really because once again, no daroga... or well sort of daroga, but not really. but there's so many movies and i haven't seen most of them so i can't really say which ones are good or not. the most known ones are the 1925, 1943, 1962 and 1989. however there is also The Phantom of the Paradise, which is a rock opera horror musical movie with the very talented Brian de Palma as director, very cult 70s film.
did you know there's other musical adaptions other than andrew lloyd webbers? he actually made his musical because he say ken hill's phantom of the opera musical on stage and wanted to make his own. the next popular after alw's would be Phantom by yeston and kopit, there are some beautiful japanese productions by takarazuka of that musical (an all female acting troupe where yes the male characters are played by women).
don't watch love never dies. don't. it's. webber's bad fanfiction of 'what if erik and christine banged during the original musical and what if i ruined the personality and character and agency of all the female characters, but also made raoul just horrible because i ship erikstine 4ever and also i can definitely do basic addition and the 1910s definitely take place 10 years after the 1880s"... sorry if you like love never dies, you're a braver soul than i.
if you can find a copy of it, the 1980s manga adaption that i was lucky enough to find a copy of on yahoo actions jp a few years ago is beautifully illustrated. as is like every japanese publication of the book, which they also have published it multiple times as a children's book?? well the illustrations are pretty.
and if you like metal you might wanna listed to nightwish's cover of 'the phantom of the opera' from webber's musical.
#oh boy it got long but there you go#i love talking about phantom i could talk about phantom for a long time#ive been lucky enough to see it live in the west end and aaaa#i loved holly ann hull and rhys whitfield as christine and raoul like no ones been a more fun ernest raoul#ive seen people who hate raoul go and see rhys and suddenly love raoul#but i saw killian donnerly as erik and honestly he just didnt do it for me like i couldnt buy into his acting sadly#but hey its a new cast over here now so if i go again i'll get to see new peeps!#i really wanted to see james gant as erik hes an understudy but got such good reviewsss#the vampire answers
14 notes
·
View notes
Text
PotO Italy (Trieste) review - Actors and final thoughts
ACTORS
Let's get this out of the way: I am not a Ramin fan. As in, I like him fine as a singer, not so much as an actor, but I also don't resent him with the burning hatred of a thousand suns. He's NOT the main reason why I went to see this production, I went in expecting him to be perfectly serviceable but nothing more.
I think his voice has improved since the 25th-anniversary recording, and I liked his acting a bit more too. He still has some mannerisms that annoy me, but in general this Phantom was a good mix of angry and pathetic, definitely more nuanced and vulnerable. I didn't come out of the theatre converted to him as the one true Phantom or whatever, but it still was way better than what I expected.
Bradley was ok, not a Raoul I loved, and at times he was just…. there, I did love him in the more emotional/intimate moments (like AIAOY, he was great) but he could have been better when 100% emotions weren’t required. He did look very good in Raoul’s suits, so there’s that, and he was NOT a possessive/angry Raoul (which I personally dislike). A bit jealous, maybe, but nothing too strong.
I have to say this staging has some rather physical moments for both the Phantom and Raoul, good thing both Ramin and Bradley are gym rats!
The one I really LOVED (and the main reason I’ll see the show again) is Amelia Milo. You can definitely tell she needs a bit more experience, and as I said in the first post her voice can be a bit thin in her very upper range, but overall she impressed me with her portrayal of a sweet, naive girl who has to grow up and leave the past behind. I think she portrayed Christine’s growth and change beautifully, if she’ll be back in Italy in other roles I’ll definitely go see her again because I want to see how her career goes! Also, people who met her at the stage door say she’s absolutely a lovely human being, which is always nice!
Earl Carpenter and Ian Mowat as the managers were a delightful comedic duo, you can definitely see they are both experienced actors. Slapstick does suit Earl and I remember him saying he really wanted to play André because of the comedic potential, I can definitely see how he enjoyed himself in the role! His half-drunk “baleeeEEEET” will stay with me forever.
I also really liked Anna Corvino as Carlotta, if you’re familiar with the mannerisms of old Italian opera divas you can definitely see she got some inspiration from them and it was a lovely detail. She sings well, and I found her lovely to watch; she did not go overboard with the funny faces but still provided a lot of funny moments with her overly dignified countenance.
Zoe Nochi as Meg was… a mixed bag. I loved how close she and Christine are, and how intense she was during Angel of Music, BUT. She spent a lot of time screaming “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!” at the top of her lungs, looking comically over the top scared. No nuance there, which is perplexing since she showed she’s capable of that in other scenes. It’s a pity because those screeches really ruined an otherwise lovely Meg (ETA: after seeing her again in Milan, I have to say I felt this issue a lot less so maybe I just caught her on an off day! Also to be clear I really liked her Meg's performance apart from this)
I have little to say about the other actors, they were all perfectly fine, no issues there but also nothing that stood out to me.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, I’d give this production a 7.5/10.
The cast worked well, nothing to complain about here.
The costumes had some really nice stuff + some just ok stuff + a couple of baffling choices.
The same goes for the backgrounds and props, there’s a couple of glaring issues (the title song, the whole cemetery scene), some need a bit of adjusting (the use of the rotating stage, the ending of AIAOY), and others worked well.
I have never seen another non-replica version live, but from the pictures and reviews of those who did, it looks like this is pretty much what happens with all of them. Working with smaller budgets + having to do stuff differently leads to similar issues, I believe, and each production has to choose what to sacrifice.
One thing I do love 100% without reservation, is the tone shift. The original novel was very gothic in ambience, descriptions, tone, horror. The current version of the musical I saw in London is extremely beautiful, smooth, a fantastic musical experience, but I find that the emphasis on the romance part of “gothic romance” flattens it a bit (and a big part of the fandom then brings the process even further). I do love how the Italian production shifts the tone a bit further back towards the “gothic” bit, which really explains much of the background, the use of lights (which was GREAT in many scenes btw), and especially much of the changes that outraged people when they first became known.
It is a different point of view on the tale and its themes than the one the original production has, and as such it’s natural that some folks will like one but not the other, while others will like both. Personally, being originally a book fan, I LOVE it. And I honestly believe it can be an interesting experience for folks who really like the original, but are willing to have their idea of how this story can be told challenged a bit. Maybe there’ll be that one detail or scene that you really love and will incorporate into your own personal canon, maybe you’ll just use this experience as a springboard to analyze what you like about the original musical and confirm that yep, you like it as it is. As long as they don’t go into the theatre expecting to have the same experience as the original, I think most people will be fine when it comes to characterization and plot details changes.
As I said in part 2 of my review, I think that this is a perfectly serviceable production for folks approaching this musical for the first time and I think if fans of the original approached it with more of an open mind and less comparing it to other productions at all costs, there is some value here for them too. Yes, some stuff does not work and needs to be fixed, but it’s definitely not a disaster beyond anyone’s imagination. As I said I give it 7.5/10, which means it’s perfectly watchable and ok overall, but will need to do a bit of work in order to be truly “good”.
I will see it again tomorrow in Milan and I'm excited to see how Vinny Coyle as Raoul will change the main trio dynamic and if there are any changes made/if issues were solved.
There's some stuff I really want to say about the current status of musical theatre in Italy, why I think the management made certain choices, and why this production is important for the Italian scene, but it's a post for another time. For now, it's all.
5 notes
·
View notes
Note
And I still hold true if there is a sacrifice, it'll likely just be a fakeout at best. (I know there's probably a few candidates in people's minds, but I can't see this story warranting any actual deaths. Not with this adaption.)
Both terms can fall over each other; but I do see your point.
Oh sure, no dramatic theater tiers of performance. But I definitely sense some tears coming on his part, maybe an existential crisis and thrown objects too. (They both have at least one serious conversation left, Sonic better make it count.)
If there's a character who'd have a strong response to his counterparts that could potentially tilt the 3rd Act, it's going to be Nine. It's just whether it's negative or throws him seriously for a loop. (Plus Mangey and Sails seem kinda lost when they saw him too; too struck to even say anything.)
I saw another conclusion that Sails could be Tails' sense of adventure too? But I think loyalty is a bigger trait of Tails. (Maybe not "F Sonic", but maybe that he came back for Nine? As he did the pirate crew? Projection aside, can we really say Sonic didn't genuinely care for Nine?) I think a "Thank you" is more likely than outright forgiveness should the two make up. There's a fairly big chance they won't see each other after this whole thing is over, so a compromise could possibly be scraped up should push come to shove. But yeah, there needs to a mutual, equal resolution. Nine shouldn't be forced to forgive Sonic, but Sonic needs some self-reflection before he dare confronts the fox.
They seem to focus on one big counterpart per universe. Nine, Dread, and Thorn{though Rusty is arguable}, probably cause they're the most unlike the original. (On the surface anyway.) Also, wouldn't Nine and Sails be a least bit curious about the other's mechanical appendages?
Hmm, yeah, that makes sense, I guess we'll see.
Oh, I didn't even think of Mangey and Sails's reaction... I was mostly thinking forward, what they would think when they find out Nine had stolen the shards and everything.
Actually I was thinking about the sense of adventure thing too. Sort of. I was thinking of it in terms of "What if each world represents not a part that the character has, but something that they lack?" Like for Tails it would be: Red– companionship& community; Green– the tech lol; Blue– adventure. But I didn't really go anywhere with this idea.
Yeah, Sonic does care for Nine, but I think I'm not explaining what I mean very well. I don't want Sails to be like "Well at least Sonic isn't a traitorous rat like Dread, at least he actually cares about you" either, because I feel like it's a little guilttrippy? Like "Yeah, Sonic hurt you, but at least he cares about you! It could have been worse! You should forgive him and not be a brat about it". Because no matter how much Sonic cares he still did damage and Nine has a right to be upset about it. (And I think Nine will make up for his portion of the conflict by helping to restore the world in the end after all)
Hmmm, I wonder if it's really true or if we just guessed it this way and run with it?
Oh yeah, Sails wanted to check out Sonic's regulators, and Nine made them! It would be a pretty cool way to break the ice. (And I still have no idea why Sails needs a third hand, it's so random!)
5 notes
·
View notes
Note
Personally, as a part of Danonation, yeah. I love it when Edward's camp, it's basically his middle name! He has theatre kid disease and I think it's beautiful. However, I don't think slandering 2022 Riddler is all there, you know? He's still a silly little guy, just look at his face, even without all the glam and flashy personality. I also appreciate the Zodiac motif, even if his costume was a bit underwhelming compared to other Riddlers. He isn't exactly 'camp', but he DOES act over the top, he IS dramatic, and he DOES exaggerate his feelings, even if they're dark and gritty. But that's also, in part, the essence of this universe, everything, especially the villains, are 'edgy'. This Gotham focuses on the crime and corruption of the city, it's seedy underbelly and what it does to people who live in it. It's not about the comedy or the flamboyance. There are plenty of Riddlers, while still pretty on brand for being In Your Face, that are 'dark and gritty' too. Arkham Games Riddler is kind of similar in aspect to him too, what with the bombs and the Batman obsession and ratting out politicians (through rather...different means), but he's still considered a 'flashy' Riddler because of his personality (+ Arkham City outfit). He (2022) still has a pension for attention and showmanship like other Riddlers, even if it isn't as a gameshow host or what have you, towards his followers with how he does speeches and performs. He still whines and has tantrums when put in Arkham and when he doesn't have his way like other Riddlers. Really, he has a lot more in common with other Riddlers than you think. Edgy isn't necessarily bad, it's just different.
That being said, I do hope they make him a bit more camp in future movies, as well as change his outfit.
And FUCK Tom King's One Bad Day (and that whole Batgirl encounter too).
– ✒️ (sorry for all the text!! I'm very passionate about this man;;)
.
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
Hello, I have a long post for you today! I was designing something for my art project, and through some absurd train of thought began brainstorming the different ways I could draw all of the Gordons from HLVRV. This led to the creation of this post,
My personal list of headcanons about the HLVRV Gordons and their hair.
Yes, you heard me right, hair.
(Part 1 of 2. Gordon B and the Loverboys will have their own post)
Doc
Doc’s hair is a lot curlier than the other Gordons', and a little darker too. It has a lot of volume, which is a mix of curls and horrible knots formed during his week-long science projects. He often forgets to take care of his hair during this, so it takes hours to fix it all. Afterwards his hair is extremely frizzy and full of static electricity that he generates. Everyone in the lab has gotten shocked by it on at least one occasion. Bubby shocked him back.
His hair has a lot of variety to it as a result of mishaps in the lab. From fried ends to chemical burns, Doc has done it all. Some of his most notable accidents were:
Setting his hair ablaze
Forgetting to put his hair up and bleaching it in unidentified chemicals
Slicing his hair off with a saw
Green Goop
Testing untested substances on himself
Because of this his hair has a lot of pieces that are cut at different angles and lengths. He also has a lot of colour to his hair other than brown and grey. He tried dying it once but it only worked on some strands.
Doc usually has his hair in a low hanging ponytail for simplicity. If he’s feeling fancy or performing any dangerous acts and experiments he’ll put it in a bun. It’s rarely taken down because of the mess that it always becomes. Occasionally someone can convince him to braid it, but that's because he’s the only one in the lab with enough hair to do it.
Doc has a horde of hair accessories, most of which came from the mad science team’s shopping trips for spider rings and glow sticks. Skeleton hand clips and spiderweb bows make up most of his collection, but there are a couple more intentional pieces he’s gotten over time.
Player
Player's design takes inspiration from Gordon Freeman’s model. For most of the HLVRV timeline he has the same hairstyle it does. Instead of the rat tail everyone imagines it as I’m choosing to interpret that as a short ponytail. It’s still not as long as Freeman’s, but when you take out the hair tie it’s at least a wavy bob now.
In terms of hair colour, Player has the most distinct when you exclude the Infected Gordon B’s. The half-life wiki has a section where it describes the different hair colours of the Gordon Freeman model. In Half-life 1, the game Player was from, it’s auburn!
I don’t have much to say about style, because Player’s a simple guy. I think he would keep his hair down once he got out of the game because It would be a lot more comfortable then what the OG model had, and it would match his cosy sweater look!
Hypothetically he could have his model changed by Malcom, but at that point he could become anything so why bother with hair.
Freeman
Freeman has another simple design in my opinion. I can’t make up something special for everyone, so Freeman gets the short stick.
His hair is only a little shorter than it is in Mothra’s art, but it also lacks most of the curls. He’s a simple business man, so he likes to maintain his appearance! It's hard to do that with so much hair, so he keeps it shorter. The lack of curls was a coincidence.
Freeman’s hair is also drastically lighter, as a result of SPACESHIP. SUN. Thanks to his status as an employee of interdimensional beings, the power flowing within him also keeps a few strands conveniently floating like a halo, in reference to everyone’s art. The rest of it is usually pulled back in a simple style, miraculously with no stray strands.
Swap
IT'S ALL HIS FAULT. IF I HADN’T BEEN THINKING ABOUT HIS WEIRD ALIEN BIOLOGY I WOULDN’T HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS. HOW MUCH IS REAL AND HOW MUCH IS JUST MIMICRY-
Needless to say, Swap is a unique case. As an alien, I can’t trust anything I know or don’t know about him. He mimicked a human appearance, but all of the humans in black mesa are bald or balding. In conclusion:
I’m just kidding, I won’t make him bald. For the sake of letting Swap have his intimidating hair tentacles, I’ll instead give you a scenario.
An alien super boss walks into a science lab to try to find a disguise. The alien is slinking through the vents and discovers a human alone in a lab with liquids of various colours. The human has an undercut with two distinct strands in the front, which happen to look vaguely like tentacles. Alien super boss is familiar with tentacles, because they are an alien super boss. But two tentacles is just pitiful, you can hardly do anything with two tentacles. Alien super boss is an alien super boss, and therefore biologically has to be the best and most powerful in every way possible.
In place of the undercut, which must have been the result of a battle scar he concludes, Swap makes it all tentacles. I would base these on observations of other Xen creatures, but I’d get stuck in a research feedback loop for hours. Instead, I’m choosing to have these resemble tentacles of Earth animals.
Swap’s hair tentacles come in two flavours, to keep up his intimidating and powerful alien aura. The first is based on a cuttlefish. Cuttlefish biology works surprisingly well with the typical alien Benrey headcanons, so this one is perfect. (I recommend you go see for yourself, because I’m only discussing hair headcanons today!) Cuttlefish tentacles are used to hold onto prey, and can also be used as a sensory supplement to tell the difference between rocks and other animals. They even spread them out really far when they’re scared so they look bigger! These for Swap would serve for the general hair tendril actions we see in the blog. He can use them to pick up things, inspect them better, and tear things apart or break them if he wanted to. But the cuttlefish tentacles aren’t the ones you have to worry about.
The second kind of tentacle, which makes up the majority of Swap’s strands, are jellyfish tentacles. I don’t think I need to explain why this is dangerous, do I? Because of their size and quantity, these are the easiest to mistake for actual hair. Swap naturally has an immunity for the venom they produce and would never sting himself to begin with, so this rarely affects him. For a long time, he assumed he guessed human anatomy 100% correctly and never went close to another person’s hair. This disguise worked surprisingly well. Cuttlefish and jellyfish tentacles both have colour-changing properties, which made Swap’s hair mimicry even more convincing. If startled or angered the colour rippled, but that wasn’t a concern until Benrey joined the game and it started happening more often. Since the incident on Xen, Swap’s hair has started glitching more frequently. This was a result of the game trying to generate a natural body for him. Despite being in the real world, the effect is still visible and terrifying to witness. It has on several instances ended with a tentacle through a wall trying to stabilise.
Hairstyling is not something Swap does nor is it something anyone should be doing to him. Since his discovery that humans are not venomous he’s reduced the potency of his own stings. That doesn’t mean they are safe to handle and braid, LEADING LIGHT. I also don’t think braiding is something Swap would appreciate, because it’s the equivalent of tying his arms together and calling it fashion. Swap’s hair is one of the last remaining alien traits in this form, so without shapeshifting it is his only means of defence. It’s also one of his primary ways of interacting with the world. Without some serious convincing from Neo or the other Gordons it’s unlikely that Swap would ever style his hair. Tying it back is the closest you’ll get, and even that is a display of trust. To completely braid or pin his hair in any form would require Swap getting an unreasonable weapon of epic proportions.
But cheer up, maybe you can convince him to wear a hat since he likes his helmet so much.
10 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
templeofminds
Your Mind is a Temple
winterrisen
idiot bucky karma.
owenhcrper
Bloody Torchwood
brassandblue
beyond the shadow there is a miracle, illuminated.
akidlee
My Life Tabloid