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neuroprincess · 1 year

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Do you write for Elle?

If so, maybe like the reader is married to Elle and on the team after Elle leaves, when they met is up to you, and nobody really knows or cares that the reader is married to Elle until the reader gets injured on a case and Elle has to say something along the lines of “that’s my wife, let me see my wife!” in a fit of anger

Hi, darling! Yes, I do! Here it is, sorry for the delay, I've been in a big writer's block. I hope the one shot meets your expectations, good reading ^^

Hope - Elle Greenaway/Female Reader

Elle Greenaway/Female Reader

Classification: Angst with a happy ending

Warnings: Swearing, violence and torture

Word count: +3700

Unrevised

When you met her Elle was still working with the BAU, a lively rookie agent with a promising career with the legendary bureau, you were also new to another FBI bureau. After many smiles exchanged in the elevator and trivial conversations in the parking lot she finally asked you out on a date, it was a nice dinner in an Italian restaurant, Elle smiled, flirted and made a few jokes, but you realized that no matter how hard she tried to hide it, something was wrong. The weight of the work seemed to fall on her back, tormenting and making her emotionally exhausted after so many difficult cases to assimilate, she was overwhelmed with pain, frustration and a sense of injustice. Two days later another case comes up, of a serial rapist, and then the news of William Lee's death at the hands of the agent spread like wildfire, reaching you before the team returns to city. She didn't contact you for days and was about to disappear for good, when, in an act of courage and desperation, you stopped and kissed her, declaring your love, saying that you understand and begging her to stay. After that you started dating officially, eight months later you moved into an apartment together in Virginia, where she was able to stabilize herself in a position similar to the one she had in Seattle, after two years of relationship she asked you to marry her, turning you into Y/N Greenaway at the end of the same year, around Christmas. And that's when the first couple ordeal emerged, the BAU wanted you with them, regardless of your relationship with the former agent. The director was impressed by the articles and advanced studies on psychology attached to your name, in addition to the remarkable contributions in cases. Contrary to what you imagined, she was the person who most encouraged you to accept the job offer, proud of your intelligence and efforts that got you a guaranteed spot in the elite FBI, honorably invited just as she once was. Elle always believed in you and all the potential as an agent, knowing how strong and professional can be to face what awaits you.

- Okay, I'll take care of myself, baby. Oh, and don't forget to water the plants. - you whisper into the phone waiting for the rest of the team to get on the jet to take off - Love you, El.

- Text me as soon as you can. Love you more, sweetie. - She hung up the phone and you let out a tired sigh, the last case was exhausting, you barely had time to unpack when Hotchner called, the team was sent to Minnesota to track down a serial killer, he has been acting out of control for weeks, killing young women in the state capital.

- Even tired, always the first. - JJ comments, passing by your seat and sitting down in front of you, followed by Emily - Did you at least get some sleep?

- No, I was waiting for my wife to get home from work so we could enjoy the day together, in the end I didn't even see her. - you comment without much thought, which causes an almost awkward silence.

Creating a relationship with your co-workers was very difficult, practically nonexistent at first, because as soon as the admission was made official they immediately knew about your spouse, she had advised you to omit this part of the file with a special request, but you made sure to continue with the married last name and a transparent life, taking the principle that relationships are not built that way. Hotchner didn't trust you, expecting that you would have a bad moment and act irrationally, which didn't happen during your one year on the team. You passed the main test. The rest just decided to ignore the name of your emergency contact and try to act as if you had no relationship, trying to separate Elle's personality from yours, not having much difficulty when you are agents of different styles and specialties. It helped that you were an unusual couple, hard to imagine, easy to ignore bonding. In short, they don't mind that you are married to Elle and carry the last name Greenaway as long as your personal life doesn't affect your professional life, which means going unaccompanied to events and bars with the work staff, rarely mentioning her name, especially around the Chief. Morgan and Reid are the least awkward around it, having been the closest to her previously. It's as if you live a double life with both sides knowing of each other's existence and feigning ignorance.

- Let's take off soon, there is a new lead. - Hotch announces as he walks past you to his usual seat.

Two days have passed, the fresh lead they had reported was nothing more than a false one, leading the team to take unusual measures when a new victim is found, it happened right under your noses, as if he knows every next move, always one step ahead in covering up evidence and redirecting the team. Desperate situations call for desperate measures. The team has managed to trace a profile of victims, young girls just out of their teens, who frequent bars in the wealthy area of the city, almost always using false identity, which makes identification difficult for the local police, in appearance similar... to you. Appearing to be younger than you really are made you a perfect bait. That's what Hotch said to convince you to interpret the role. Few hours in a high-class bar strategically chosen by Reid, a tall, muscular man starts to misfortune you, he is confident, flirtatious and even makes jokes, the opposite of what had been profiled. You dismissed him and gave your attention to someone who fit in, an antisocial man indicated by Hotchner by the hotspot in your ear. There was a trap waiting for him at the back door, you tried to do your part, luring him to the back exit, and it worked to a point, he fell as you squinted, but a pair of large, strong hands made you disappear into the gloom as the team cornered him.

When you wake up there is only darkness, something rough squeezing your wrists and a male voice humming, he doesn't seem to mind as he notices your consciousness, just ignores it and continues whatever he was doing. That man at the bar, who introduced himself as Nate and the first one to approach you, smiles as he takes a sip of water and keeps his eyes fixed on the neckline of your shirt.

- My little dove, I was just waiting for you to wake up for the fun. - he abruptly stands up and flashes a psychotic smile. - You're different from the others, you were with them, weren't you?! Those shits got my brother, poor Noah, he really thought someone would be interested in him, but you guys did me a favor, the kid was getting on my nerves. - Typical narcissism, you concluded when you saw the obvious admiration for himself and disdain even for the blood of his own blood.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - you decided to try to stay in character, clinging to a thread of hope to buy time until the team could locate you.

- Don't lie to me! - he shouts and strides over to you, kneeling in front of you, his face scarlet with anger. - Don't make me ruin your pretty face.

For more than two hours you have struggled against the clock and this man's countless tortures, he has plunged you at least ten times into the freezing water, keeping you there for seconds or minutes depending on his mood regarding your answers to all his baseless questions, a mind game. He wants to break you, he wants you to suffer before he finally does what he so desperately wants to do, impaling an ice stake through your chest, thus satisfying the pleasure, he feels is like the climax of the whole act. You shudder, knowing exactly what the end of this story will be if the team doesn't arrive in time. You're strong, but it's still hard to stay sane after hours of torture and swearing, Nate wants a confession, so giving it to the man might make him tired of you.

- Come on, Jessica! - he shouts your cover name in frustration and forces your head into the pool of water, the contact with the ice instantly burning your already bruised skin.

- Please, I'm telling you the truth. - you manage to whisper after being pulled back to the surface, exhausted both mentally and physically. - It was a coincidence...

- You are a liar. - the man throws you to the ground, then huffs, increasingly frustrated and annoyed with your persistence in staying in character, he rushes to get your belongings, raising a golden necklace that you wear under clothes during work, in the small round circle E is delicately engraved, a delicate accessory that you as wives wear symbolically instead of the ring - Emma? Elise? Evelyn? Elle? Oh...

Hearing your wife's name among the list of guesses caused an instinctive reaction even in your state of confusion and drowsiness, it brought you the reality of what is happening and that if something happens you will not see that smile again, nor the brown eyes full of affection or receive soft kisses that make you forget how sick the world is. The criminal realizes this, a sick smile growing on his lips as he comes to the erroneous conclusion that this is your name and now he can finally have you as a trophy. Nate jumps for joy like a child who just got his Christmas present, catching a glimpse of a dagger stuck in the waistband of his jeans, and it's fucking scary, especially when he comes inches away, grabbing you awkwardly to get you to stand up, face to face.

- Elle suits you. It's going to look so beautiful on my wall... C'mon, dove! - he pulls you to a brighter corner, completely empty, the only thing you see is a strong flash against your face, he registers the miserable state you are in and smiles staring at the small square that is revealed in a few minutes. You also stare at the picture as he practically forces you, your skin is pale, hair is sticking to your face and your extremities are purple, as are your lips. - Fun fact, you are the one who has endured the most. A record.

Nate throws you against a kind of surgical table, equally cold to the rest of the room, it's painful, frightening, but at the same time calm when you lie down, exhaustion has taken over and you're tired of fighting him, accepting your fate, too tired and abused to keep trying to fight back. Not even verbally, you have practically lost your voice after so many cries of pain, begging him to believe in you. There is a light above, strong enough to blind you and it almost makes you want to laugh, it looks like the light at the end of the shift that those who experience death and return describe. Your eyes close after seconds, surrendering to the cold embrace, your mind struggles to sketch in the uncomfortable clarity that woman you love so much, Elle is the last image you want to keep before you go. This comforts you as the disgusting man rips the shirt you wear, the thin point of the scissors makes a fine line from the foot of your stomach or breast valley, where the sharp part stops and presses.

- Not yet, dove! - he laughs sickeningly and pulls the utensil away from your skin - You know, I really enjoyed our little game. Maybe I'll do it again soon. And that's why I'll always remember you, Elle.

Another sharp thing is placed against your chest, exactly between your breasts, it's more painful and real, Nate is relating what he is doing and will do, always with a smile on his face for seeing you like this, destroyed. That's what the serial killer wanted from the beginning, but you fought back and no one has ever done that before, he easily subdued them, played mind games to find out something about them and then killed the hope he gave them by impaling each one with ice stakes. It's all about power, he had the power over his brother Noah playing him as his partner, over the police who had been hunting him for more than a month, over the women he hunted down and killed with his bare hands. You didn't give that to him right away, like a spoiled child he got angry and weakened you to breaking point. And he succeeded.

You squeeze your eyes shut and prepare for your fate, trying to materialize Elle, all the moments you spent together. The smiles she gave you in the elevator, that first slightly awkward date, the first kiss after the storm of her leaving the FBI, when you decided to move in together, every space you created together, the dream wedding and her face in pure admiration watching you walk down the altar. All the memories you have created for yourselves. And all the ones you haven't finished yet. The pain of being away from her is unimaginable, there are tears flowing as you wait for the undeniable destination, but nothing comes. You feel that you can finally crack when, as you open your blurred weeping eyes, you find Morgan, Reid, and Prentiss running up to you. Nate is on the ground, bleeding and being handcuffed by Hotchner. The flame of hope rekindles.

The screams in the hallway are heard throughout the entire wing, there is a commotion at the reception and a group of people in suits trying to hold a woman down, Morgan is trying to get Elle to stop squirming in his arms as she tries to reach Hotchner to choke him with her bare hands. Every time you go out on a mission she worries herself to death about every hour without news and as much as she understands the weight of being an agent she can't let go of these invasive thoughts, she can't stop thinking about the possibility of one of those psychopaths hurting you, just like one day one of them hurt her, always terrified of losing you. When she received a call in the middle of the afternoon after going almost a day without replies by text, she knew, something had happened. With sweaty hands and trembling, the police answered, not the least bit relieved to hear Derek on the other end of the line. He got right to the point, something she was grateful for because she felt she might faint imagining the worst, halfway through the call she was already in the car on her way to the airport, praying for last minute tickets to Minnesota. She flew out with nothing but documents and body clothes, in two hours she walked through the doors ready to kill the chief, she knew about the cover, you spoke before the mission, and for Elle there is no one to blame but him for putting you in this position knowing the danger. There was not enough information, an uncertain and dangerous terrain that he risked with her wife's life.

- You can let me go, Morgan. He's not worth it. - she stops moving and is finally put on the ground, the two of them face each other before she tries to get past him, being stopped by the same arms that were holding her before - Let me go now, I'm going to see my wife.

- Greenaway, you better calm down...

- Calm down, Hotch? Fuck you! You shouldn't have sent her in this shitty disguise just out of desperation, as if her life wasn't important too. - she starts, trying not to get worked up again.

- Don't you understand...

- Don't I understand? You don't care about her. - Elle backs away and puts her hands over face, sighing trying to control her breathing, pure frustration - Besides, why the hell did you call me after twelve hours? I could have been here hours ago. Damn it! I'm going to go see her, now.

- Elle...

- Derek, I need to...

- You need to calm down.

- No, I don't need to. You put her in danger, then acted like I wasn't her family and didn't even call me at the time she was hospitalized, nor did you have that compassion. I know how indifferent you treat her because she is married to me, how great and mature a team can be around that. You should just be ashamed of yourselves. Y/N is so different from me and has proven this in so many ways, she has shown how amazing she is as a person and agent, worthy of all of your trust. - as soon as she says this the agents bow their heads, not knowing what to say or how to defend what there is no defense for, feeling that they have failed as teammates, even though it is a necessary risky mission there should be someone to trim her down, someone who knows her beyond what is in the file.

- Still, you should wait. - Hotchner insists, crossing his arms.

- I've already waited long enough. - she tries to run towards the corridor and ends up being held by the tall man by the arm, they stare at each other, then Elle does something no one would imagine, she screams at the top of her lungs in his face - That's my wife, let me see my wife! Stop holding me back, I'll see her, whether you like it or not... - the anger taking over again.

- Hotch, let her go... - JJ intervenes and he finally releases her, letting her go.

Elle runs in search of the room you have been assigned, slipping on her boots when she finally finds the right number, all the anxiety she has built up all the way to Minessota manifesting itself in tears. She can't believe her eyes, she has imagined a similar scenario many times and usually in nightmares, but nothing compares to the real feeling of it actually happening. The tightness in her heart to see the person she loves hospitalized is too much for the woman, you are still pale, skin marked by bruises in several places, frostbite, a cut lip and a bandage in the middle of your chest. That image would not leave her mind so quickly. Elle takes a deep breath, trying to control her emotions and herself, trying to become the support you need right now, to be the wife you need. Before entering the room she wipes her tears and tries to open a smile, which turns out to be melancholic.

- El...

- Sweetie... - you speak at the same time - Sorry for the delay, I wanted to be here before, I swear. - the tears that she held so tightly return with more force and emotion, wetting your hospital clothes when Elle hugs you, gently, afraid of hurting you more than already - Did it hurt? Did I hurt you?

- No, maybe a little, my muscles still hurt... Actually, I'm a little better, before I was miserable. - You're secretly thankful that she didn't see you like that, it would have traumatized your wife forever and it's a sight you don't want her to see. - The doctor said it was a miracle, I could have had acute pneumonia, severe hypothermia, coma or even a heart attack. Think on the bright side.

- I can't think on the bright side when I almost lost you forever.... - she straightens up on the edge of the hospital bed, looking straight into your eyes, showing all her feelings and frailties - I was afraid, I still am, very afraid.

- I was too, El. The thought that I wouldn't see you anymore hurt me more than any of these physical injuries. - the woman approaches and strokes your face, both of you allowing the tears to take over in this post-storm moment - Were you at work?

- Yes, I rushed here as soon as I got the notice. - and it was clear to you, she is still wearing the shirt you helped her pick out by video call the day before - Before you ask, I asked my cousin to feed Reba. - she guessed what your question would be next, always concerned about your pet kitten, a two-year-old Siamese cat who is extremely attached to you. - Oh, I picked this up at the airport for you. - From her pants pocket she pulls out a small pink teddy bear with a heart on it, with a cute little bow on top.

- Aw that's very sweet. - You give her a chaste kiss, taking the little gift in hand, smelling a sweet perfume of vanilla and freshly washed things.

- What can I do for you? - Elle asks, standing up, ready to do anything you want. - I know you hate hospital food, so do you want me to get you something from a restaurant? Clothes? Snacks? Board games? Derek says you're going to be in observation for a few days.

- El, I just want you.

- What?

- You. I want you to lie with me until sleep. - she approaches uncertainly and ends up being pulled by you to lie down together, careful not to hurt you in any way - I'm not made of glass.

- I know, I'm sorry. - You arrange yourselves on the small bed, she becomes the bigger spoon hugging you tenderly, distributing small affectionate kisses on your neck and back, making declarations of love and thanking you for being alive - I love you very, very much, sweetie.

- I love you more, El.

And so you fall asleep in the arms of the woman you love, no matter how physically injured, emotionally traumatized and exhausted you are, Elle seems to momentarily heal all your pain with love. After all, it was worth every effort in keeping hope, just to see her again.

#elle greenaway #elle greenaway x reader #female reader #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfic #fanfiction #angst #angst with a happy ending

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chitto · 3 years

Text

TEARING APART MATPAT'S EDITOR WILBUR THEORY

We all know the theory. We all hate the theory. But what about it is so awful? Below is Matpat's theory along with my dissection of it. After that I go into my own theory of Editor Wilbur, but again that's just my opinion whether you agree or not doesn't matter to me.

Matpat’s theory:

R. and I. Fakier are two different ‘personalities’ of Wilbur. (Glasses being on vs being off.)

Wilbur has developed DID after the O2 incident.

His crucial piece of evidence is a voicemail from a mystery woman asking Wilbur on a date.

Finally the theory: Mystery Girl asks Wilbur to meet at a burger place, near the O2 in December. The Raven poem Wilbur reads ‘A bleak December’. Mystery Girl is mocking him, not really wanting to go out with him. Eulalie, another Poem, being about a lonely man feeling hole upon meeting a girl. Another poem. Mystery Girl tells Wilbur that it was all a prank and in a fit of rage, he pushes the girl into the ocean. Wilbur is unable to save her, as she can’t swim and her last words are ‘I’m so cold’. Annabel-Lee poem. The murder forces a mental break and forces Wilbur into hiding (the first video). Kai is aware that the mystery girl is missing and Wilbur wants Kai fired so the truth won’t come out. Wilbur apparently tries to push Kai into the ocean as well, but Kai is a strong swimmer so he’s fine (no evidence cited for this conclusion.). R. Fakier is the one who dies as he no longer has a place in the world because Wilbur accepts what he did. Final poem, Lenore, is meant to show acceptance of what he did. Matpat claims that he only cited three poems when in fact he mentioned five, making his Elle’s lovely three connection weak.

Tearing it apart:

Diving right in there is the obviously weak assumption that Wilbur has DID. I myself am not educated enough on it to give you a total rundown as to why this theory is poor but I can say the brief notes. Matpat claims Wilbur putting on/taking off the glasses is meant to show a change in his personality. This makes zero sense because even if Wilbur knew nothing about DID at the time, its commonplace to know a switch would result in even the smallest moment of confusion, not just a clean break where he would continue talking as he just did. Along with this, Wilbur himself stated that ARGbur didn’t have DID, disproving this part of Matpat’s theory.

Moving onwards, Matpat’s theory about the Mystery Girl is odd. Matpat claims to use a voicemail from Wilbur’s music channel as the inciting evidence of this event. I have scrubbed through every video on Wilbur’s music channel and couldn’t find this so called ‘voicemail’ Matpat mentioned. He claims to get it from a source named Christian, implying the video is deleted/unlisted which would make it most likely not a piece of the ARG as why would Wilbur remove the crucial piece of evidence for his ARG. Without this piece of evidence, Matpat’s murder theory basically falls apart. Ontop of that, Matpat says that later in the story, Wilbur tries to drown Kai aswell, but Kai survives because he was a strong swimmer. Matpat cites no source for this piece of evidence either, which makes it seem flimsy.

Hypothetically though, just for fun, let’s say that this theory holds up long enough for me to meet my next point. Kai. Kai’s involvment in this theory is weak at best. Matpat claims that Kai was in on the prank and then knew that Wilbur played a hand in her dissappearence. He then goes on to say that Wilbur wanted Kai removed from Jack’s channel so that he could ensure that Kai doesn’t use his platform to spread the news that Wilbur was a killer. But this begs the question, if Kai knew all along that Wilbur was a killer, why didn’t he say anything. We know from Wilbur’s POV that he thinks Kai has some sort of dirt on him. But we never see anything from Kai. Kai never makes any sort of attempt to expose Wilbur. Which leads many to believe that Wilbur was simply blowing events out of proportion due to his social awkwardness. Matpat also fails to answer the question of why Wilbur wants to be Jack’s editor.

The root of the series is Wilbur trying to fire Kai, yes. But because Wilbur wants Kai’s job. He’s trying to deplatform Kai so that he can get himself a platform and get his side of him and Kai’s meetup out.

On the positive, Matpat’s reasoning behind Elle’s Lovely Three is quite interesting but he ends up contradicting himself. He says the Elle’s Lovely Three alludes to three Edgar Allen Poe poems that connect to the main “story” of the ARG. These poems were Eulalie, Annabel-Lee, and Lenore. However, throughout that section Matpat mentioned five Edgar Allen Poe poems overall. The aforementioned three, along with the Raven and The Telltale Heart. I did want to like that section of the theory but it falls apart in context.

I suppose this is now when I go into my theory. Claim that I’m right and I know everything. Bring forward a new piece of evidence I found. But the truth is I don’t have any of that. I’m not a professional ARG solver or anything like that. But I’ll give my two cents. The Editor Wilbur ARG is not meant to be solved. Wilbur actively discouraged Matpat from attempting to solve it, not because it was too hard, but because it was supposed to be that way. From my perspective, I see Editor Wilbur as a take on bits and personas on modern day Youtube. From here on out when I refer to 'Wilbur' I don't mean the cc!Wilbur I mean Wilbur within the story. 'Editor Wilbur' will be used in reference to the character. Editor Wilbur was just supposed to be a one off. A joke. A bit on Jack’s channel for one clickbait video. But then there was fan interest. So Editor Wilbur came back. Again and again. But he needed to be interesting. He needed a story. So one was created loosely and hidden behind cyphers and puzzles. But all good things must come to an end. Wilbur started not liking acting as this bad guy anymore. The bit got old. And here I call forth the decoded message from the first geocache Wilbur did.

‘How could you. Jack. How could you. I knew this would happen yet it still hurts. It’s not all about views. Your cash cow has retired. Take me around back and put me out of my misery.’

Wilbur was done playing the editor. He was done pretending to be a man of mystery. But Jack wasn’t. Jack knew the videos were doing well so he kept Wilbur coming back, even as things grew stale. And so Wilbur grew deeper into the part he no longer wanted to play. The persona took him over. He became a method actor so to speak, the role of ‘Editor Wilbur’ never leaving him. In the Reddit video where he says ‘I don’t own reading glasses’ we know this to be false as many times we see Wilbur wearing reading glasses throughout the story. This is because Wilbur doesn’t own glasses. Editor Wilbur does though.

Editor Wilbur is a meta on personas in the Youtube field and how deep they go. Once a schtick becomes your claim to fame, it’s hard to leave it behind, no matter how burnout and old it becomes. Which brings us to the final Editor Wilbur video.

When it starts we hear the voicemails of many of Wilbur’s friends, asking him if he’s okay as they haven’t heard from him lately. This is because Editor Wilbur has taken over his time and schedule, leaving room for nothing else. He then says this, which I find to be the most interesting and crucial line in the whole ARG:

‘Jack Massey Welsh Sucks At Life by the time you’re seeing this video...the me you know will be dead. I won’t be dead. But the part of me who obsesses and whines and complains and creates puzzles and just doesn’t quite know how to handle emotions will be dead. And that’s okay. That’s fine. I’m tired of being cold.’

This line here proves to me the validity of my theory. The repetition of coldness is the feeling of isolation and loneliness Wilbur feels from acting as the villain. But he’s done. The persona is gone. It’s consumed too much of Wilbur and he’s tired. He’s killing his own character to let himself life. And Wilbur himself even admits it was all a schtick. In a later video on Jack’s channel where he let three random people edit his video, Editor Wilbur reappears. He writes in a pastebin link:

‘How do you let this slide, Kai. This Larry guy coming in and usupring your job. He even tried to do a lame “I’m on the run! Help me!” bit on Jack’s last Larry video. He’s a poser. He evokes lame memes and pop culture references in order to get laughs. It’s so anti-anglocentric. Then has the audacity to copy my schtick. For shame.’

To wrap up, Editor Wilbur is a meta take on personas on the internet and how quickly they can burn a creator out. People feel backed into a corner of ‘having a brand’ and get trapped. They feel cold. Content output starts to dwindle in quality. Until they leave with a dissatisfied taste in their mouth. The cash cow is dead. And so is Editor Wilbur.

#rbs > likes #for the love of god #if you wanna talk argbur my inbox is open #editor wilbur #editor wilbur arg #wilbur soot #wilbur soot arg #game theory

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americanphysco · 2 years

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Plz I wanna hear your kissing booth rant

ty for the reminder meer <3 this is kind of long and mildly incoherent so here's a readmore for yall

so the first kissing booth is okay. it's a pretty solid romcom, although there are some elements that make it boring to me, so this rant isn't about that one. it's about the second and third movies, which I think are very compelling stories that center around elle as a character rather than just her relationship with noah.

in the second movie we see noah and elle struggling to do long distance, but after some communication in the form of a phonecall, and noah reassuring elle that he loves her/misses her, they seem to be doing a great job managing things. they feel very happy together, and like the two of them are a good fit. things only become complicated when chloe is introduced. the chloe plot is well done to me, because we see elle struggling with accepting the knowledge that noah might've cheated (he didn't!). she trusts him a lot, and feels guilty over even suspecting as much. noah isn't even pursuing chloe. the two of them are just friends, but chloe oversteps a lot of boundaries (crashing at his place without telling him, behaving in an overly familiar way around him, playfully fake flirting with him), a trait that she unlearns and grows beyond in the third movie. and we also see elle and noah discuss this issue a lot, and they always end up resolving it through communication. I also liked how the rachel arc was handled. it makes sense why she'd be upset with elle, but as soon as she realizes it's a misunderstanding and that lee is the one at fault she apologize to elle and the two of them make up, becoming friends again. it's sweet, and it's nice seeing elle have somebody in her life who isn't a flynn. I also liked marco a lot as a character! he's fun, and even outside of a romantic sense, he cares a lot elle. it's nice seeing the two of them hang out, and they work very well as friends. but! I'm glad that they did kiss, and that elle admitted to having feelings for him. I feel like in most romance movies, that kiss would be dismissed as a spur of the moment thing with no meaning, but it was refreshing to see elle admit that there was something behind it, but that she doesn't want to pursue it because she loves noah and needs to make things right with him. it's a moment that speaks wonders to elle's character, and it makes me like her relationship with noah even more.

the third movie is even better for elle's characterization, and joey king's acting is incredible. she really captures that exhausted, constantly stressed and on the verge of a breakdown feeling elle is experiencing for most of the movie. but with elle in this movie, we see her making most of not all of her decisions for the benefit of others, jumping between whatever lee wants or her dad wants or whatever noah wants (he's not at fault here. lee and her dad are assholes. noah just keeps trying to do nice things for her, but she's too busy and too guilty to accept them!!). she even chooses what school to go to based on the other people in her life, getting a job and, in the last movie, stressing over a dance competition to earn enough money so that she can even afford to attend the same school as noah or lee. she's such a selfless character and she wants nothing more than to be a good friend to everyone, even trying to platonically reconnect with marco over the course of the film. she forgives chloe for any misunderstandings and the two of them become close as well, something I really appreciated seeing. I especially loved the way elle's arc finished, with her confronting lee and choosing to go to an entirely separate college than him or noah, and pursuing gaming as a career, something weve seen her be interested in ever since the first movie. (side note here but personally I wish she would've gone into dance instead, since it would be symbolic of her holding onto the past while still stepping into the future, remembering what she had with lee and marco but changing it into something she can finally do alone. plus, dance is often regarded as an extremely expressive art form, and it could be a metaphor for elle learning to open up and express what she wants, rather than just going with whatever anybody else wants for her). I wish she and noah had stayed together, but I get why they didn't, and leaving the ending ambiguous about whether they become just friends or rekindle their romance was a very good decision on the writers parts. there are some other very sweet moments in this movie, like elle's apology to linda, all of her conversations with molly ringwald's character, them retaking the beach house photo, the scene of elle saying goodbye to the beach house with all of the flashbacks to them as children, etc etc etc. my only gripe is that rachel and lee should've broken up, but that's just a personal thing.

overall these two movies are genuinely well done films, and all of the actors involved seemed to have fun working on them, if the bloopers are anything to go by. the third one in particular is a very emotional piece, and I honestly was really moved by it during both my first watch through AND my recent rewatch. I feel like a lot of people hate these movies because they go into them with the expectation of them being bad, so they focus solely on the movies' flaws rather than their strengths, but noah and elle are a great fit for one another and I'd honestly love to see them fic things in a fourth movie, even though I know that isn't a possibility.

#god i love these movies #sorry this isnt phrased the best im going on tje assumption tjat ppl know what these movies r abt n i didnt wanna reexplain the plots #asks #meer 🍟#the kissing booth

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typicalmidnight · 2 years

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let’s talk about everything wrong with the kissing booth

rule number 9 is created solely for the purpose of elle not dating noah, so that lee can have her to himself (even though he’s not in love with her or anything) which is literally reinforced near the end of the movie. both boys in this movie treat and view elle as an object that only one of them can have and nobody else.

upon meeting him, noah decides to ask elle “when did you get the boobs?” we have opened this movie with blatant sexual harassment but it’s immediately brushed over.

within the first 15 minutes our leading lady is sexually assaulted. before that she’s subject to catcalls by every single boy other than lee, because apparently boys only care about you if you’re wearing a short skirt at which point they go wild

elle gets told that she “was asking for it” which just has so many problems with it i don’t even need to explain

nobody seems too concerned that elle was literally just assaulted, not even her, and she later accepts the invitation to go out on a date with the boy after he gives a half assed apology and wears a skirt himself

noah has been telling guys not to ask elle out, presumably because he likes her, though it’s explained as that he wants to protect her, but he’s controlling her life without her knowledge, and he views her as his property

noah is violent, constantly getting into fights, and his anger is never explained other than him staring that he’s “just wired that way” and at one point lee even thinks that he hit elle. and the movie is just OKAY with it!!

along with noah’s violence, he yells at elle many times, even scaring her when he he hits the hood of the car and yells at her to get in. not even 5 minutes later everything is fine and his violence has been completely forgotten about

too many times the movie goes out of it’s way to get elle as naked as possible in front of boys. the first incident with the skirt should have been enough, but no she ends up running through the boys locker room topless and stripping on top of a pool table. noah also refuses to give elle her shorts back, and once she finally gets them back he asks for his shirt back, only telling her that he’s joking after she’s already exposed her chest to him.

consent just doesn’t exist? a big premise of the movie is the kissing booth which has underage teens kissing each other without one of them knowing who the other is. i’m pretty sure at one point olivia is tricked into kissing someone thinking it’s someone else. warren also tries to get elle to do something with him and she repeatedly says no but he ignores her, only backing off when noah yells at him

noah gets accepted into harvard without seeming to have any interest in school, even skipping weeks near the end leading to him risking not graduating. the whole movie has built up a bad boy stereotype for him but suddenly he’s interested in and has been accepted to an ivy league school?

lee guilt trips elle into breaking up with noah, and she does, even though moments later she states that she’s in love with him. that’s another problem because clearly this is a toxic and problematic relationship, NOT love.

lee and elle make up by dancing? they don’t even have an emotionally aware or mature conversation, they just play ddr and then everything is suddenly fine, after about one minute.

noah pretends to be lee by wearing his batman costume but they look nothing alike? lee has the build of a typical teenager while noah is tall as fuck and jacked as hell, there’s no way you could mistake them for each other. plus elle has a conversation with who she believes to be lee, and there’s no telling if she would have wanted to have that same conversation with noah.

the omg girls just disappear without a resolution to their storyline. at one point the dynamic is meant to mimic the plastics and cady but after the party their storyline is completely abandoned and we never see them again

#i *think* this is unfinished but tbh i’m not gonna go watch the movie again #the kissing booth #leea talks #i larb queue 3000

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makeashton · 4 years

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Elle’s & Noah’s relationship is toxic as hell and here’s why:

I’ve seen way too many posts and tweets saying how Elle is toxic and how her relationship with Lee is awkward and “too much” and how she was wrong in kissing Marco in front of all those people - well, okay, the last one has a very strong point. But there’s more layers to it & I’ll voice my opinion about it. This post will only be about Elle & Noah’s relationship - the other topic will be talked about in other posts.

First, we have Noah and his friendship with Chloe. I do believe guys - as well as girls - should have close friends of the opposite sex/gender. It is normal and it’s stupid if anyone thinks that, just because you have a male best friend, you’re going to feel attracted to them to the point where you will cheat & not be faithful to your partner. However, throughout the whole movie, Noah portrayed Chloe as always something more than just a friend.

The first major red flag is the fact that when Elle visited him in Boston and they were having dinner with Noah’s friends, when Chloe appears, Noah gets up very quickly, gives her a hug WHERE he puts his hand very low on her hand (I would say that he even touched the top of her butt), said “you’re so beautiful” or some shit like that AND - this is the biggest red flag of all - didn’t even introduced his OWN girlfriend. First, Elle wasn’t friends with Chloe, they don’t fucking know each other - was supposed Elle to get up and introduce herself when it is clearly the job of the person who brought her to the meeting? Everytime I bring people to meet my other friends, I always introduce them. It’s unspoken law. How the fuck are they supposed to interate with each other and hang out if they weren’t properly introduced. I went to a birthday party once and I’m gonna say - it’s hella awkward and uncomfortable, and the awkwardness increases the more close you are with the person who brought and should’ve introduced you.

Many people complain how Elle shouldn’t even be jealous of Chloe in the first place and that’s just toxic. You cannot impose on a 17/18 year old girl who knows the previous reputation of her boyfriend and who - as any girl of any age - can have complex about herself to just don’t feel jealous of how a pretty attractive woman is always joking flirting with her boyfriend. We have to remember that the first impression that Elle had of Chloe was her entering his boyfriend’s apartment, looking dropdead gorgeous and joking with Noah about how he is naked (he had a towel but nothing underneath). Chloe might have not known the camera was on at the moment but that comment obviously let Elle uncomfortable and we cannot just invalidate her feelings.

The second major red flag was when Elle found the earring. Obviously she might of jumped into conclusions but then she checked her boyfriend’s phone; which many say it’s toxic but she had arguments to support her actions. She was so shocked by how flirty the messages looked that she just left. Many criticize her but how many of us would’ve done the same? How many of us would’ve stayed and risk a huge argument and get more hurt? She left and Noah didn’t even tried to stop her or follow her. He knew she was upset, she especifically told him to check his messages and he still didn’t follow her or tried to clear things up. He prefered clearing the air when she was back in California. And the fact that he didn’t even asked Chloe later if the earring was hers or how the earring ended up under his bed sooner is something I will never get over.

Third, he kept hanging out with Chloe and lying to Elle about it. How can your partner be comfortable with X friend if you keep lying about hanging out with them. It looks like you have something to hide.

Fourth major red flag is the fact that Lee invited Chloe to the family dinner just to provoke Elle. Chloe later said that it was because Noah wanted them to be friends & that’s why he invited her but we all know it is untrue. The way they were acting around each other and the looks that Chloe was giving Elle were clearly non-friendly. Even if Noah had seen Elle kiss Marco, the fact that he used the one thing that Elle had been suffering about to just make her feel more defeated is something I hated. That’s revenge. And there shouldn’t be revenge in a healthy relationship. If one does something wrong, you talk about it.

I’m not excusing the fact that Elle kissed Marco, especially not in front of hundreds, probably thousands of people. Whether it was planned or just a thing in the moment, I hate cheating and I will never, ever, accept it. However, I also count flirting shamelessly, hiding & lying as cheating too. Noah flirted with Chloe and she did the same & he hid and lied about the fact that they were still hanging out together and alone. That’s cheating too. Yeah, they never did anything physical but how was Elle supposed to know that if all the red flags were there and they weren’t from her imagination? Her friendship with Marco wasn’t flirtacious at all, yeah, they kissed but they always hung out as friends and friends only. There was never an indication that they might have been doing anything wrong unlike Noah with Chloe. Let’s be honest, most of us thought Noah actually cheated. If you are not going to give your partner the trust needed for them to feel like you aren’t cheating, how are they supposed to know if everything you do indicates otherwise? Again, I’m not on Elle’s side when it comes to cheating but when you’re in a toxic unhealthy relationship and you get so far apart - which was what happened: they barely talked anymore, they didn’t have any conversation whatsoever and everytime they talked, Noah acted distant -, you kind of turned into the person who actually is treating you right and, for Elle, that was Marco.

To discuss Marco & Elle is needed a whole new post but I leave my opinion now: Elle did wrong by kissing Marco but Noah’s actions lead Elle into believing that he was cheating on her and Elle even considered breaking up when they last spoke on the phone. They both made things they shouldn’t and that’s why their relationship is toxic and they shouldn’t have stayed together at the end.

#the kissing booth 2 #the kissing booth #elle evans #noah flynn #noah x elle #elle x noah #elle x marco #marco valentin peña

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rumandtimes · 3 years

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Does Cultural Appropriation Apply to Natalie Portman?

Sean Ezersky

Assoc. Fantasy Contributor

Does appropriation apply to the worst parts of European cultures?

Today, I want to discuss cultural appropriation. Yes, the issue of the times. But what exactly is cultural appropriation? Well, nobody knows. Starting at the first word, it claims to be some kind of appropriation. And it has something to do with culture.

Firstly, it should be said that this article has nothing to actually do with cultural appropriation. That is because cultural appropriation is essentially defined by racism. The term first appears, so it goes, as a description of how racist citizens of England marginalised and exploited the peoples of the Caribbean, and attacked sections of the working class schtick, for fun. Sounds evil enough.

The term cultural appropriation cannot be used as a mild term or played around with much, because it is by definition a form of misconduct. The term cultural appropriation is defined by the words “inappropriate,” “racist,” and “commercialist.” There is no redeeming quality to cultural appropriation because cultural appropriation is used to describe exclusively irredeemable activity, markedly opposite to cultural exchange or respect.

Consider the worst perpetrator in the United Kingdom and the United States: hip-hop / rap music, curly hair, or a summer tan. Racists always attack these music genres and human characteristics un-European, placing them into the same box on the fringes of their minds, but at the same time view themselves as ‘cultured’ for dipping into the same music, view themselves as ‘interesting’ for factory curling their hair, or view themselves as ‘unique’ for getting a spray-on tan. There is a murderous and delirious sense of bad irony, that racists altogether marginalise, demonise, and lust after perfectly normal traits and human practices, which the racist calls exotic, for fear of being labelled as freaks themselves. That is cultural appropriation.

Another bad actor is the billion-dollar yoga industry in Western nations as well, which attempts at every corner to steal Indian culture then mutilate the original concept, taking the yoga gurus off the cover and planting in some body-bleaching whores, or some wavy Italian guy, to appeal to the racist American, à la youth female target audience. All the while, Hinduism, inextricable from yoga’s origins while not necessarily the same as yoga in any way, is viewed as a false and inexpiable religion by most people in the West. Yoga was not learned from the Hindu, it was looted, and replaced with a shallow, cruel, commercial, and disgraceful attempt to Europeanise and trivialise the hobby while selling it the crude sex markets. That is a form of cultural genocide and religion-sacking. That is cultural appropriation.

But this article is not about cultural appropriation, in a way. The distinction was only added to please those offended by the comparison. This article is about movies, as part of a series of Star Wars critiques, and it’s about Natalie Portman.

Long have I harboured a question about Natalie Portman’s career, as it is so vapid yet so prolific, so vain yet so ubiquitous. This is just the opportunity. Natalie Portman got her start in acting as a 16-year-old leading actress on Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. She returned three years later as a 19-year-old lead on Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, where her character dies. After moving on from the Star Wars prequels, she used that resume to enrol at Harvard University to study psychology.

She has actually commented on this, as all Harvard associates eventually do, saying she and her peers felt she was only enrolled because she was in Star Wars, and this insecurity led her to push harder than her friends in her classes and challenge herself by picking ‘harder-than-necessary’ classes. Still, psychology is the most common undergraduate degree major among women, so hardly original. Whether or not Natalie invites the assessment or feels it is correct, this is undoubtedly true; She, as most people, never would have been looked at by Harvard if she did not have some kind of bank of riches or wealth of limelight that could be mined by the admissions board. Natalie might want to be viewed as a genius of “Hebrew literature” who stood out among the crowd, but that is just impossible parlour speak. Not that she deserves to go to Harvard any less than anyone else, no one deserves to go to Harvard, as Harvard in the 20th Century existed for the sole purpose of excluding people who were not rich, famous, or connected: not academics, so Natalie’s lie to herself merely parrots Harvard’s lie to the world.

But I want to go back just a second. Yes, Natalie Portman said she studied Hebrew at Harvard, even if not intensely enough to double-major in it. That is because her name is not actually Natalie Portman. Her name is Neta-Li Herschlag, and she is Jewish. So, studying Hebrew isn’t impressive knowing she speaks fluent Hebrew at home. That is not to undermine literature, as English-speakers still study English literature, but it’s hardly extraordinary. Hershlag, as I will now be exclusively referring to her, is using her association to Harvard, Judaism, and other, lesser, things to seem smart, yet all of those were gifted to her by either birth or Star Wars.

Now comes the question of cultural appropriation. Neta-Li started her acting footprint as an understudy for the part of Elle Woods in Broadway plays. Yes, that Elle Woods, aside Britney Spears no less. It hardly seems like the right role for a good Jewish girl. But lo, there are some who might point out that Hershlag is an Ashkenazi, and therefore not actually Jewish, that is, not a Semitic person. This is a touchy subject for the Jewish community, particularly since the establishment of Israel: Who actually is Jewish, by means of ethnicity or heritage, and not just language and religion? Is there a meaningful distinction between the Semitic Jewish culture that remained in the Levant, the Sephardic Jewish culture that emigrated to Africa and Iberia, the Mizrahi Jewish culture in Iran and Arabia, the Yiddish Jewish culture that stuck around in Germany, and the Ashkenazi Jewish culture that settled Eastern Europe? Really, who knows, and that is a deeper question; a question, perhaps, for a student of Hebrew literature, wherever we should find one.

Nonetheless, Hershlag is most certainly not British. That Israeli-American nuance is fine for the world of “Naboo” in Star Wars, which ideally would defy every concept of the term “ethnicity,” but works less congruously for Elle Woods. In Star Wars, Hershlag was a doppelganger of Keira Knightly, a dyad which has persisted the entirety of Netali’s 30-year-long career. Here too, we find questions.

Netali gave an interview, which I discuss almost on a daily basis among my social circle, where she firmly wanted to establish herself as a kind of British legacy. She said, of herself, “I iron out my Jew curls” and bleaches/dyes her hair, for no particular reason other than she wants to, and thinks it will make her fit in. Netali also went on to say that no one has naturally yellow hair — which is true, they don’t — implying that a non-Jewish, European actress would not face the same questions about her hair she did. Because the concept of hair straightening and hair bleaching are Nazi holdovers in British and American culture, and as someone who personally hates Nazis, this endlessly infuriates me. All the more so because Hershlag identifies as Jewish!

If Hershlag thinks modifying her hair to make it look ‘more European,’ or, more correctly (since almost all young Europeans have brown hair), to make it look more Hitlerite, more ‘Arianised,’ is acceptable, then she must either view herself as European first and Jewish second, or just care very little about the legacy of antisemitic racism. Why else would a person who calls herself Jewish want to alter her appearance so drastically, in order to look like a posterchild for one of the Hitler Youth?

Many Jewish-Americans feel pressures of Nazi antisemitism and colonial racism in the United States, and many Ashkenazim respond to that by changing their names, Nazifying their looks, and abandoning the Jewish religion. Netali retains a veneer of her Jewishness on the inside, within her own self-perception, while turning into the Arianised version of the Elle Woods archetype on the outside, for the world to see. Is she just playing a part? Is there a real difference in the personality and values of Netali Hershlag vs. Natalie Portman?

People don’t treat her as such. Keira Knightly, for instance, is an Englishwoman. Knightly claims she is ‘British,’ not English, but she is definitely English. Intriguingly, Knightly never went to school, reportedly a dyslexic, while Hershlag, in the Jewish stereotype, went straight to Harvard College. I wouldn’t say Hershlag seems like a nice person, she seems like an ordinary person. Remember that she is part of the Star Wars pantheon of small-time actors who were lifted by George Lucas to notoriety, like Mark Hamill (despite him being my favourite Star Wars actor, I can never remember his name), Harrison Ford, and of course, Sir Alec Guinness CBE.

Jokes aside, with all the classically-trained, upper-class, heavy-hitters from Britain — Peter Cushing OBE, Sir Christopher Lee CBE, and Sir Alec — not to mention the affable nobodies from Hamill to Ford, most Star Wars people are considered likable, especially by fans of nerdom.

That is not to say anyone was struggling, as every lead character in Star Wars was already documented as rich and famous by the time they were cast, but they were “nobodies” in the sense they were not household names until after the film became one of the first Hollywood summer “blockbusters” in history.

Most of all, it is undeniable that, other than Lucas, no one defined the Star Wars films as much as Carrie Fisher, if not for a want of contrast. Fisher was the only female character in all three of the movies, and both the predecessor and counterpart to Hershlag’s character in the Star Wars prequels. Does Hershlag meet the comparison?

The two are very different, both personally and on-screen. Fisher at the age of 19 had sex with numerous middle-aged members of the cast, often the only female and only teenager in a room of dozens of men, forbidden to wear a bra or choose her own hairstyle but allowed to partake in the rumoured plethora of drugs on the set. Hershlag, part of Star Wars from 16 to 19, was entirely unremarkable, both in life and profession, not a very impressive actor or much of a hoot. Again, the good Jewish girl. Some blame Netali’s poorly role on the weakness of the prequels compared to the originals, just as some blame Carrie’s bipolar diagnosis for her eccentricity. Both of these are half-truths, as personality and talent can never be substituted for anything other than what they are. Nonetheless, Fisher and Hershlag were both made rich and famous. While Hershlag is the lesser in terms of her performance, she probably got in the end a much better long-term deal.

A boring role meant Netali would not be immediately typecast, though she went on to play exclusively the girl-next-door leading female interest for a male protagonist, much the same as in Star Wars: Episode II. Coming into acting younger meant she could largely leave acting after childhood, then return to it later as an adult experience. Moreover, we never got to see teenage Netali chained to a bed in a gold bikini.

Our good, Jewish girl.

So, if Hershlag is playing roles given mostly to British, or Hitlerite, actresses, is she not taking away from the British actor? There are too many actors in the world. They are overexposed and over paid, seen too much and given too much, as they are in the same camp as clowns, entertainers, and comedians. But, people like to be entertained, and in the world of capitalism where only money is worship in lapse of dignity, anything people like sells, and anything that sells can make people rich, and riches are a substitute for class, if only a thin one. Just as the weak-minded can be fooled by the Force, so are they easily bought and sold. The British or American actor suffers for nothing, and there are too many of them as it is.

But, does Hershlag have a place in displacing them, or moulding in to become one of them? And would it be cultural appropriation? Undeniably, Netali is conforming to something objectionable when she plays simple roles as sex objects and Hitlerite women, embracing if not embodying the racism and problematic nature of Hollywood casting. But then again, it is with her very body that she represents this trend. One could defend Hershlag, saying she is made to do these things, that she is not so much appropriating Western culture for her ends, but more so that Western culture is stifling her true self, at least if she wants to continue to have a role in acting.

An interesting counter-point, but undermined by Hershlag’s particular brand of coy self-promotion, and eagerness in taking on such roles. And are the Jewish people entirely exploited by Hollywood? In many respects, so-called Europeans are exploited by powerful Jewish moguls in media more often than the other way around, even if they are Jewish Europeans themselves. Harvey Weinstein, a Jewish millionaire who sexually assaulted non-Jewish Western women in order to get them roles, his Jewishness hardly made a ripple.

The biggest names in Hollywood: Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Rudd, Marta Kauffman, J.J. Abrams, Scarlett Johansson, Harrison Ford, John Stewart, Louis Szekely, Mila Kunis, Daniel Radcliffe, Rachel Weisz, Gal Gadot, Roseanne Barr, Judd Apatow, Marcus Loew, Lauren Bacall, Adam Sandler, Amy Schumer, Larry David, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cassidy Freeman, Stanley Kubrick, Jennifer Connelly, Richard Dreyfuss, Samuel Goldwyn, Julia Garner, Elijah Allan-Blitz, Kirk Douglas, Ellen Barkin, Ingrid Pitt, Darren Aronofsky, Eva Green, David Geffen, Lesley Ann Warren, Paul Newman, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ben Stiller, Louis B. Mayer, Alison Brie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chuck Lorre.

As Conan O’Brien jokingly stated: “The Cash-ews run Hollywood.” Almost every major production in Hollywood has a massive Jewish section of development. The United States, for whatever reason, is a majority “Christian-identifying” country, but Judaism plays a much more massive role in the culture than Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism combined. Even most of the agnosticism in ‘progressive’ Hollywood values comes largely from material secularism, or Jewish incredulity of Christianity, not an ideological pull towards atheism. Is this cultural reproachment why Jewish people are pulled towards media and entertainment, theatre being a known haven for outcasts and oddballs? The Judeo-Protestant alliance of the Hollywood ilk would seem to disqualify the established Jewish community — rich, interconnected, secular Jewish communities of New York, Los Angeles, and DC — from being an oppressed mass.

An important editor’s note is that the actors listed are: Jewish people who adopt non-Jewish appearances or non-Jewish values to a borderline-racist degree (i.e. Eva Green: Jewish actress who plays roles bookmarked for non-Jewish Europeans), thoroughly Jewish people who refuse to identify as Jewish (i.e. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Jewish billionaire heiress who plays Jewish characters on TV), or regular observers of Judaism who are really, really famous (i.e. J.J. Abrams: co-director of the controversial Star Wars reboot).

More often behind the scenes than on-screen, but usually leading the show when taking a starring role, the Jewish imprint is inseparable from American movies, media production, television, the comedy scene, finance, and screenwriting. Is Jewish not the ruling order of Hollywood? And then would Europeans be the group on the margins? But why, if Jewish people write, pay for, and put on the shows, are there so few Jewish actors, and of those who are, why do they not look Jewish, or a better question would be, why do they try to avoid looking Jewish, and actively attempt to look Western European? That gives the impression that Jewish people are still marginalised in media, even if they are overrepresented in media, and generally more affluent, interconnected, and educated than those non-Jewish counterparts. Why do Jewish people go out of their way to appeal to racist audiences, and in the process erase their own Jewishness.

Maybe it is because the Hollywood Jewry isn’t actually Jewish. Nothing about their jobs or their behaviours embodies the Jewish religion. Most people in Hollywood in general consider themselves as nonreligious, yet that too, might be an influence of a markedly Jewish trait. Non-Christians in the United States are much more likely to turn to atheism and agnosticism on the one hand or fanatical extremism, likely due to being outcast by the mainstream Protestant dialogue, with liberal Jewish people often going agnostic and conservative Catholics often going supercharged while Muslims live on somewhere off in the shadows of public perception.

Yet nonreligious Jewish people still identify as Jewish, separating the religion of Judaism from the ethnic mark. Faith has nothing to do with appearance, and appearance is the base of antisemitism. Enter non-Jewish-looking Jewish people, usually women with heat-flattened hair, like Netali Hershlag and Gal Greenstein Godot. That is not to say they don’t look Jewish, as in an equal measure they all do and at the same time no one does, since what a Jewish person “looks like” is a narrow heuristic based on problematic cultural expectation. That is not to say they are or aren’t Jewish. But are Jewish people like Natalie Portman being forced to conform to racist society, or are they jumping on the bandwagon of racist society and using it to their advantage? Is there actually a difference between the two?

There is a deeper question lying beneath the surface here: The questions of “Jewish complicity in racism?,” “Jewish participation in neo-Nazism?,” and “If ‘Jew’ is a ‘race’ and ‘White’ is a ‘race’ then why are there ‘White’ and ‘non-White’ Jews?,” which other people have asked before. This article is not to address those questions, but they are acknowledged.

Certainly, there are some Jewish people who attach themselves to racist tendencies and Hitlerite habits out of personal advantage in the racist countries in which they might live. In this narrative, the notional collaborator Jewish community would blame the Europeans for racism and cast themselves as convenient survivors. That is not a uniquely Jewish trait, it is a flawed human trait, bystanderism, which defies religious teachings. Why there is such a prevalence among rich, secular Jewish people, of racism mixed with liberalism, is a concern. It could be as simple that, at a certain point, the trait “rich” might start to cancel out the trait “religious.” Old guard antisemites would be unforgiving regarding hatred towards ‘ethnic Judaism,’ and contemporary racist sentiments would reject Jewish people from the points of heritage and beliefs, but it is not immediately clear if Western neo-Nazis would target non-religious Jewish people who, quote, “pass” as Euro-Christians.

If Ashkenazim, Sephardim, and Mizrahim join Western cultures, ideals, and appearances while abandoning the Jewish religion, are they functionally Jewish at all? In the absence of different brands of generational antisemitism, what is holding back an atheist Ashkenazi from becoming a Nazi themself? The Jewish community and Israel critics have been ablaze with debate about the Eurocentric, Ashkenazim-focused account of Judaism in the West, drawing attention to the issue of inter-Jewish racism and inequality among the diaspora of the Jewish faithful. This question is debated separately for Jewish communities because unity is their faith. Followers of Christianity have always cut one another down over heresies and infidelities, but discourse and diversity have defined the post-Rabbinic tradition. The notion of one Jewish diaspora being more powerful than another, based not even on secularism such as in Christianity, but based solely on racism and adjacency to Christian empires, causes non-Ashkenazi Jewish communities to question that proximity in values and appearance Western Ashkenazi populations have with the goyish counterparts. Even the terms Ashkenazi and Mizrahi have taken fundamentally racist connotations, particularly in the advent of Zionism, to separate the ‘European Jewish’ from the ‘Arabian Jewish,’ in a kind of wartime apartheid of academia; a conflict emblematic of larger paradoxes in modern Israel.

This is not the focus of this article. Obviously, Jewish people living in Western Europe and urban America are more “Western” than people who live somewhere else. And obviously, Western nations have a serious and prolonged issue with racism. However, welding those two facts together, then conflating them with Judaism in some sense, would be a mistake.

There are some racist people in Hollywood who identify as, or are identified as, Jewish. That is not the question. The question is: How does the concept of cultural appropriation contribute to that complex dynamic, of conformity and exploitation in Hollywood, even amongst the big names?

This all comes back to the perceptual balance of power. Just as the term cultural appropriation is defined as a group being in a oppressive position and exploiting something that that group itself has made derogatory.

Is Netali Hershlag appropriating Western culture? In a way, yes. As a rich, powerful Jewish actress, she could hardly be said to be put at a disadvantage to Keira Knightly (Harvard versus dropout, remember), or the millions of aspiring brown-haired actresses who are shunned from Hollywood castings. And yet, she decides to look more like them. Obviously, as an ordinary woman herself, she has been victim to the usual sexism and obsessive demands of producers and directors concerning appearances, but that is hardly so say she is a victim. At any moment, she could deign to take a different part or produce her own movies (I would balk to call them films), rather than be typecast as the sexy and innocent girl-next-door. She lives the life of the good Jewish, girl, but never takes on those types of roles, opting instead for Princess Amidala, ballerina Nina Sayers, valley girl Elle Woods, comic book Jane Foster, or Englishwoman Anne Boleyn. Hershlag could at any moment leave acting to climb the ladder a Harvard A.B. clears the way for. How could Harvard Law School, or subsequently the California Democratic caucus, say no? Who wouldn’t pay for a doctor’s visit with the woman from V For Vendetta?

This is not to say that Jewish people are appropriating or imposing themselves upon Westerners, but it is to say that there is a distinct group of Jewish people who draw from Western or Hitlerite practices while entirely avoiding ‘Juden-haus’ or ‘Euro-trash’ rhetoric that hampers people on both sides of the racist conflict. Portman is Netali’s grandmother’s name, so she does have some kind of loose claim to it, if her cousins are still go by that name and she is close with them, while Natalie is a form of the name Neta-Li, and plenty if not most actors use stage names. Many people do racist or questionable things because they are in fashion. But altogether, one must ask the question why the self ascribed curly-haired Netali Hershlag is appearing is French wig and makeup commercials. Is it raw, unidealistic money? Is it Maybelline? Or it is fake hair, fake lashes, and a fake identity?

Natalie Portman is hardly an inspiring figure for women, playing roles subservient to men, often murdered by her lovers or terribly afflicted herself. This is true in Star Wars, Black Swan, Thor, V For Vendetta, and when she played the wife of wife-killer Henry VIII. Where is the liberty in being bedded by an uxoricidal maniac, be it a tired British period piece, or the obsessive Anakin Skywalker? Body modification of any type is not the product or respect or exchange, and can only be looked down upon as unnecessary and insecure. Acting is lying, but that does not mean the actress must change their looks or change their self to read some lines to a camera.

#Natalie Portman #Hollywood #Judaism #Cultural Appropriation #Star Wars

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ucflibrary · 3 years

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Women’s History Month began as a week-long celebration in Sonoma, California in 1978 which was centered around International Women’s Day on March 8. A year later during a women’s history conference at Sarah Lawrence College, participants learned how successful the week was and decided to initiate similar in their own areas. President Carter issued the first proclamation for a national Women’s History Week in 1980. In 1987, Congress (after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project) passed Pub. L. 100-9 designating March as Women’s History Month. U.S. Presidents have issued proclamations on Women’s History Month since 1988.

The Libraries will be hosting two virtual events to celebrate Women’s History Month for 2021. The first is a talk by Nicholson School of Communication faculty member, Dr. Kimberly Voss, called “Make No Mistake, Florida is Crucial”: Sen. Lori Wilson and the Equal Rights Amendment, which discusses efforts to ratify the ERA in Florida. The second is a panel discussion called Women & Academia in the Time of COVID where five UCF faculty and administrators will discuss the impact of the COVID pandemic and remote learning on their teaching, scholarship, service loads and personal lives. Both events are free and open to the public. Click on the links to register to attend.

We have created a list of books about women, both history and fiction, suggested by staff. Please click on the read more link below to see the full book list with descriptions and catalog links. And don’t forget to stop by the John C. Hitt Library to browse the featured bookshelf on the main floor near the Research & Information Desk for additional Women’s History Month books.

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter Elnora Comstock grows up on the banks of Limberlost Swamp in Indiana with her bitter mother, Katharine. Unable to afford an education, Elnora develops a plan to sell artifacts and moths from the swamp. Suggested by Pat Tiberii, Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services

A Woman of No Importance: the untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II by Sonia Purnell Based on new and extensive research, Sonia Purnell has for the first time uncovered the full secret life of Virginia Hall--an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph over shocking adversity. It is the breathtaking story of how one woman's fierce persistence helped win the war. Suggested by Dawn Tripp, Research & Information Services

All the Horrors of War: a Jewish girl, a British doctor, and the liberation of Bergen-Belsen by Bernice Lerner Drawing on a wealth of sources, including Hughes's papers, war diaries, oral histories, and interviews, this gripping volume combines scholarly research with narrative storytelling in describing the suffering of Nazi victims, the overwhelming presence of death at Bergen-Belsen, and characters who exemplify the human capacity for fortitude. Lerner, Rachel's daughter, has special insight into the torment her mother suffered. The first book to pair the story of a Holocaust victim with that of a liberator, it compels readers to consider the full, complex humanity of both. Suggested by Katie Kirwan, Acquisitions & Collections

Data Feminism by Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein This book offers strategies for data scientists seeking to learn how feminism can help them work toward justice, and for feminists who want to focus their efforts on the growing field of data science. But it is about much more than gender. It is about power, about who has it and who doesn't, and about how those differentials of power can be challenged and changed. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

Field o' My Dreams: the poetry of Gene Stratton-Porter compiled and edited by Mary DeJong Obuchowski In her introduction to Porter’s work, Obuchowski argues that the natural and spiritual themes of Porter’s poetry mirror the self-same concerns regarding nature and social issues found in her fiction and nonfiction. Reflecting and in some cases reacting against, current social attitudes at a time of political and demographic change, she was in demand as a columnist for popular magazines and a widely read fiction writer. Porter wielded considerable influence over her reading public, and in that role she acted as a reformer, particularly regarding the environment but also on behalf of women, children, and education. Suggested by Pat Tiberii, Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services

Finish the Fight!: the brave and revolutionary women who fought for the right to vote written by the Staff of The New York Times Who was at the forefront of women's right to vote? We know a few famous names, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, but what about so many others from diverse backgrounds—black, Asian, Latinx, Native American, and more—who helped lead the fight for suffrage? On the hundredth anniversary of the historic win for women's rights, it's time to celebrate the names and stories of the women whose stories have yet to be told. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

Founding Sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment by Eleanor Clift In this riveting account, political analyst Eleanor Clift chronicles the many thrilling twists and turns of the suffrage struggle and shows how the issues and arguments that surrounded the movement still reverberate today. Beginning with the Seneca Falls Woman’s Rights Convention of 1848, Clift introduces the movement’s leaders, recounts the marches and demonstrations, and profiles the opposition–antisuffragists, both men and women, who would do anything to stop women from getting the vote. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee Casey Han's four years at Princeton gave her many things, "But no job and a number of bad habits." Casey's parents, who live in Queens, are Korean immigrants working in a dry cleaner, desperately trying to hold on to their culture and their identity. Their daughter, on the other hand, has entered into rarified American society via scholarships. But after graduation, Casey sees the reality of having expensive habits without the means to sustain them. As she navigates Manhattan, we see her life and the lives around her, culminating in a portrait of New York City and its world of haves and have-nots. This fresh exploration of the complex layers we inhabit both in society and within ourselves. Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

From Equal Suffrage to Equal Rights: Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party, 1910-1928 by Christine A. Lunardini The woman's movements and work in American history during the second two decades, was dramatic. It dealt with the past, with pageants and politics; with different organizations and with conflict from within. It took on the Democrats, founded a National Woman's Party; it waged a home front war. It dealt with prison, and resolution. It went from equal suffrage to equal rights. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

Indelicacy by Amina Cain A cleaning woman at a museum of art nurtures aspirations to do more than simply dust the paintings around her. She dreams of having the liberty to explore them in writing, and so must find a way to win herself the time and security to use her mind. She escapes her lot by marrying a rich man, but having gained a husband, a house, high society, and a maid, she finds that her new life of privilege is no less constrained. Not only has she taken up different forms of time-consuming labor - social and erotic - but she is now, however passively, forcing other women to clean up after her. Perhaps another and more drastic solution is necessary? Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

See Jane Win: the inspiring story of the women changing American politics by Caitlin Moscatello After November 8, 2016, first came the sadness; then came the rage, the activism, and the protests; and, finally, for thousands of women, the next step was to run for office—many of them for the first time. More women campaigned for local or national office in the 2018 election cycle than at any other time in US history, challenging accepted notions about who seeks power and who gets it. Journalist Caitlin Moscatello reported on this wave of female candidates for New York magazine's The Cut, Glamour, and Elle. In this book, she further documents this pivotal time in women's history. Closely following four candidates throughout the entire process, from the decision to run through Election Day, readers are taken inside their exciting, winning campaigns and the sometimes thrilling, sometimes brutal realities of running for office while female. Suggested by Megan Haught, Student Learning & Engagement/Research & Information Services

Taking on the Trust: the epic battle of Ida Tarbell and John D. Rockefeller by Steve Weinberg Long before the rise of mega-corporations like Wal-Mart and Microsoft, Standard Oil controlled the oil industry with a monopolistic force unprecedented in American business history. Undaunted by the ruthless power of its owner, John D. Rockefeller, a fearless and ambitious reporter named Ida Minerva Tarbell confronted the company known simply as “The Trust.” Through her peerless fact gathering and devastating prose, Tarbell, a muckraking reporter at McClure’s magazine, pioneered the new practice of investigative journalism. Her shocking discoveries about Standard Oil and Rockefeller led, inexorably, to a dramatic confrontation during the opening decade of the twentieth century that culminated in the landmark 1911 Supreme Court antitrust decision breaking up the monopolies and forever altering the landscape of modern American industry. Suggested by Dawn Tripp, Research & Information Services

The Book of Gutsy Women: favorite stories of courage and resilience by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, share the stories of the gutsy women who have inspired them—women with the courage to stand up to the status quo, ask hard questions, and get the job done. Ensuring the rights and opportunities of women and girls remains a big piece of the unfinished business of the twenty-first century. While there's a lot of work to do, we know that throughout history and around the globe women have overcome the toughest resistance imaginable to win victories that have made progress possible for all of us. That is the achievement of each of the women in this book. To us, they are all gutsy women -- leaders with the courage to stand up to the status quo, ask hard questions, and get the job done. So in the moments when the long haul seems awfully long, we hope you will draw strength from these stories. Because if history shows one thing, it's that the world needs gutsy women. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

The Good Fight by Shirley Chisholm Chisholm describes being the first woman, and first black woman, to run for President, and how politicians operate. She writes about her relationships with black political leaders Walter Fauntroy, Louis Stokes, Ron Dellums, and Julian Bond. She gives her views on what direction black politics should take in the years to come. Suggested by Megan Haught, Student Learning & Engagement/Research & Information Services

Unapologetic: a Black, queer, and feminist mandate for radical movements by Charlene A. Carruthers Drawing on Black intellectual and grassroots organizing traditions, including the Haitian Revolution, the US civil rights movement, and LGBTQ rights and feminist movements, Carruthers challenges all of us engaged in the social justice struggle to make the movement for Black liberation more radical, more queer, and more feminist. She offers a flexible model of what deeply effective organizing can be, anchored in the Chicago model of activism, which features long-term commitment, cultural sensitivity, creative strategizing, and multiple cross-group alliances. Suggested by Megan Haught, Student Learning & Engagement/Research & Information Services

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal In this retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day Pakistan, Alys Binat has sworn never to marry--until an encounter with one Mr. Darsee at a wedding makes her reconsider. A scandal and vicious rumor in the Binat family have destroyed their fortune and prospects for desirable marriages, but Alys, the second and most practical of the five Binat daughters, has found happiness teaching English literature to schoolgirls. Knowing that many of her students won't make it to graduation before dropping out to marry and start having children, Alys teaches them about Jane Austen and her other literary heroes and hopes to inspire them to dream of more. Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

#ucflibrary #featured bookshelf #women's history month #booklr #reading list #tumblarians

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x--daughters-of-darkness--x · 3 years

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EVANESCENCE's AMY LEE Shows Off Her Memorabilia (Video)

EVANESCENCE's Amy Lee took part in a little game of "Rock & Tell" with AXS TV where she showed off all of her amazing memorabilia she has gathered during her time as the frontwoman of the Grammy Award-winning band. Watch the four-and-a-half-minute segment below.

EVANESCENCE's first album of original music in a decade, "The Bitter Truth" will be released on March 26 via BMG.

Fans can pre-order a digital version, CD, vinyl and a limited-edition deluxe fan box set featuring a bonus CD, journal, poster and special cassette of exclusive audio from the making of "The Bitter Truth". Every pre-order will automatically come with downloads of already-released songs "Wasted On You", "The Game Is Over", and "Use My Voice", as well as "Yeah Right".

"The Bitter Truth" is an epic, guitar-driven collection inspired by the (often-bitter) realities of the 21st Century and our world. The already-released songs have received early accolades from Elle, Billboard, SPIN, American Songwriter, and more, and showcase the "ferocious and hymnal" (The New York Times) sound that made EVANESCENCE a household name, as well as the drama and powerhouse vocals that made Amy Lee "one of rock's definitive voices" (Rolling Stone).

EVANESCENCE's new music was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, who also worked on 2011's self-titled LP.

On the topic of "The Bitter Truth" album title, Amy previously told Rock Sound: "As the lyrics had started to form, and just my feeling in this moment in general, there's a big theme of disillusionment for me. Just growing up and seeing that fairy tales aren't really real. And it's hard to be a grownup — it really is. Because somebody else isn't in charge, we really have to be able to make our own decisions, find out our own information, protect ourselves. People die — we're all going to. There's no magic castle. So that sounds like a lot of doom and gloom when I say it, but there's a choice to accept that truth and live in it and embrace it and choose to live and choose to live in a moment, and the choice to just give up. And there's a struggle there, but my choice is most definitely to take that pill."

youtube

#amy lee #Evanescence #2021 interviews

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crimsoncityhq · 3 years

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PART I

One thing rang true and that was the prediction of the brutal blizzard of November 28th. Everyone prepped the best they could with the remembrance of how last Winter had ruthlessly blanketed their homes. There’s a frenzy for backup generators that get bought up in the Chicago stores for the anticipation. The first ominous whistle of the wind, and the pebbles of ice fall on the eve of Thanksgiving. Power flickers in each home giving them a moment of awkward darkness, before the backup generators kick in. The power companies in the city promise to have everyone serviced, but they start to service the scattered patches on the outskirts of the city first .

Most joked that was the brutal blizzard they had prepared for, until Mother Nature dropped her poker face. The ships with cargo became stuck in the harbor due to the icy fortress that froze over the gigantic lake. No lights of passing planes in the sky, as the wind turned into a sinister howl. Darkness engulfed the entirety of the city, except for a strip of hotels in neutral territory. The footmen of the families alert them that there seem to be only a handful of hotels that seem to be around. Meanwhile the temperature dips in the homes of those unlucky, and they must face a brash decision to not become the ice sculptures akin to the people of Pompeii.

Multiple phone calls are done, and just as their phones are about to die they get a booking. A hotel that mentions that the accommodations might be crowded -- However, they can host your groups and promise warmth as long as the storm doesn’t shut them down. Everyone packs up their children, pets, and housemates to journey to the only solace that isn’t sold out in all Chicago.

After a restless eternity everyone was given a room number with their baggage ( human and otherwise ). The group of people that checked guests in alert them that there is a room for the animals to stay in kennels or they may accompany the others up to the room. Just when everyone was annoyed after being crowded in the lobby, and having to wait decades to get from one floor to another in the elevator. It doesn’t help there’s always that one asshole that tries to asphyxiate everyone with their heinous flatulence.

They FINALLY make it into their hotel room. Massive enough and customized with multiple full sized beds. No television, the heat blares up, it’s the poster child of the most bare necessities room. While everyone claimed a bed and stared haughty towards the guests that had ended up in the same room with them. A loud crackle followed by a slight rumble of their feet had the lights in the hotel rooms go off. The hotel doors seemed to have powered down, and anyone that tried to leave them --found they wouldn’t budge. A soft wheeze emitted from the heater in the room, and for a moment that’s the only noise in the room with you until the profanities start to flood. Winter wasn’t the only one that had prepped for the evening. The Walshes and their affiliates watch on with hidden elation as their plan goes into motion.

Part I will run from November 28th until December 3rd. Under the cut will be the groupings as well as some additional notes for this event.

Please don’t make any new starters open or closed that don’t pertain to this event while it’s happening. Normal replies can be done while the event is running, but it gets confusing timeline wise if people have additional threads that they start that would belong after the event timeline.

For this event specifically, the weather in Chicago is fictional. After the event you can feel free to glance at the Weather app and RP it out that way!

Animals will also be boarded at this neutral hotel. Keep in mind if the animals are left at your residence with the current temperature and no heat they will likely pass away.

Keep in mind that if your character has children (unless they are Walsh affiliates) they likely have their kids in the room with them or any other NPC’s. If the character is a Walsh it was their choice to have them be ‘stuck’ in the room with them or left with a babysitter provided by the council.

For information on the bold names check the Walsh Discord channel.

PREP PLOT SLOTS CHOSEN

LIAM WALSH & IVY IVASHKOV volunteered to carpool with a hotel van to the hospital for sedatives and other harvesting supplies. AUDREY ROUSSEAU is already at the hospital and helps them fill the van before they all ride back to the hotel together. DAVUT DEMIR & KILLIAN WALSH are tasked with going to The Westin and sabotaging the hotel in time for the storm. They are told to do whatever necessary to make sure the hotel can’t accept any more guests before they return for the night. DARREN MURPHY took a smoke break after unloading only one of the supply vans at the hotel. LINCOLN DAWSON caught them smoking—as opposed to working—and made DARREN MURPHY finish unloading two other vans while they watched.

ASLYN WALSH collected the weekly stash owed from the business owners at Magnificent Mile. She delivered the money to the council without prying eyes of local law enforcement or rival gangs catching on. ARMANDE IVASHKOV & another associate, had the dirty work of cleaning up the old blood stained hotel rooms used for organ harvesting the night before. They made it presentable before opening night. Their efforts were doubled when other affiliates weren’t aware of the chore, and had set off to bloody the room with a fresh harvest session.TARON LYNCH & JOANNA "JOEY" O'SHEA are instructed to sabotage the backup power generators on the north side. Surprisingly, they didn’t get caught. CAOILAINN WALSH had to “check” everyone into the hotel—AKA, assign each guest to a room. Everyone converges in the lobby and watches them impatiently, and the later it gets, the more aggressive the crowd becomes. ASLI DEMIR & FLETCHER HARGRAVE met with Jean Jaques “JJ” Baptiste and persuaded him by discussing terms of agreement for him to temporarily close Romanet Hotel the night of the massive storm.

ROOMS

ROOM #1: Arlo Flores, Fletcher Hargrave, Ira Evans, Jesse Valencia, Theodore "Teddy" Cohen

ROOM #2: Anastasia Sahin, Billie Washington, Josephine "Josie" Leon, Mathias Attano, Taron Lynch

ROOM #3: Andrea "Andy" Perez, Asli Demir, Blythe Sweetwine,Braden Kahale, Margeaux Saint Claire

ROOM #4: Alejandra Ruiz, Armande Ivashkov, Harlow Dumas,Jackson Marston, Lev Vasile,

ROOM #5: Gwen Arnolds, Hana Faust,Jean-Jacques Baptiste De Romanet, Jessika Delmonica, Oisin Donnelly

ROOM #6: David Sharpe, Juno Song, Layla Jiminez, Nadia James, Nicola Faust, Peyton Bridges

ROOM #7: Callan Quinn, Effie Faust, Igor Vasile, Letitia "Tia" Valentine, Rosalie Halliday, Sutton James

ROOM #8: Addison Mckinley, Anton Volkov, Aries "Rhys" Rigsby, Cecilia Cavendish, Esmeray Demir, Lucian Faust

ROOM #9: Aslyn Walsh, Catriona O'Shea, Oliver Faust, Tulsa Jane Honey

ROOM #10: Genevieve Bisset, Lee Malkovich, Levi Bohan, Maisie Kane, Saskia Vasile

ROOM #11: Amara Ricci, Auron Wright, Christine Li, Holden Mercer, Sloan Washington, Stefano Vitorri

ROOM #12: Edith Cohen, Ellis Rowe, Lavrenti "Lav" Vasile, Lincoln Dawson, Silas Hale

ROOM #13: Fabian Drake Kalashnyk, Carrigan Connolly, Cassidy Faust, Monika Adler, Nicholas Krieger

ROOM #14: Erin Cerci, Lada Antonovna, Leonid "Leo" Vasile, Rahi Kumar, Zoe Washington

ROOM #15: Abel Washington, Dominika Romanov, Faith Williams, Olivia Madden, Rosalia Leon, Cassandra Conally

ROOM #16: Atticus Mercer, Diamond Washington, Killian Walsh, Lorelai Faust, Oakley Butler

ROOM #17: Audric Noire, Mikhail Morosov, Noah Etkin, Nova Deveraux, Viktoriya Vasile

ROOM #18: Anatalya Vasile, Darren Murphy, Julia Faust, Konstantin Vasile, Violet Madden

ROOM #19: Davut Demir, Katarina Vasile, Veronica Pierce, Vincent St James, Zane Washington

ROOM #20: Beauregard “Beau” Griveaud, Blair Faust, Caoilainn "Callie" Walsh, Milo Arrington, Zedekiah Vasile

ROOM #21: Dante "Sebastian" Faust, Liam Walsh, Marissa Atkinson Orion Anderson, Vitomir Kipriyanov

ROOM #22: Andrew "Drew" Whittmore, Callum James, Ivy Ivashkov, Marie-Anne Beaulieu, Nikolai Volkov ROOM #23: Audrey Rousseau,Barnaby Eaton, Constansia Fournier, Edie James,

ROOM #24: Birdie Mendoza,Eleanor "Elle" Eaton, Joanna "Joey" O'Shea, Katya Ivanova, Wyatt Leon

#crimson.event #mature rp #oc rp #appless rp #crime rp

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imaginary-ghoulfriend · 4 years

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Everything that is WRONG in "The Kissing Booth" movie series PART 1

This is the first post of a series that I’m thinking about doing here, where I go around the l aspect of movies, series,... (mostly rom/coms since they are better for social dicussions) and give my personal opinion on them. If you guys like this idea please let me know, and as always feel free to give your own thoughts on the comment section/ask box (and just remembering that, giving your thoughts and sending hate are two different things).

Let’s Start!

Before jumping to the topics of discusion, let me start with a quick summary of the story. Elle (our brunnet female lead) and Lee (the sweetheart, yet dumb, supporting character) are best friends since, well... ever. And to maintain this so called friendship, both of them stabilshed a series of rules (don’t worry I’m gonna talk more about them eventually in the post). One rule in specific, is actually what gets the plot of the first movie going and that is: No dating Lee’s brother (aka Noah, aka the womanizer popular white guy that every girl in the school seems to have a crush on for no apparent reason beside his looks and the fact that he has a motocycle). Anyways, long story short, Elle has a crush on him even tho this is against the rules and from that on the story is bult.

Of course that it has more into it, but I will be talking about in the corse of this post and the following parts. I just want yall to know the very basic thing that’s going on here before going more deep on everything. Now, buckle up and let’s start this shit!

LONG POST WARNING

Part 1: THE MAIN TRIO

ELLE EVANS, THE BRUNNET FEMALE LEAD

Let me begin by saying that I do aprecciate the fact that they are trying to make a female character that embraces her feminine side while also maintaining a masculine side, but... lets put some emphasis in the word “TRYING”, shall we? Cause even tho Elle is a very loving, funny, clumsy, and gentle girl, she is also very very very generic.

Like, I did not start watching this movie expecting anything less than that, but god, was I wishing to be surprised for once. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate her character at all, she is indeed very fun to watch most of the movie, principally when she puts herself into strange situations. My concern with her persona is in reality related to another thing, because let me tell you something, just cause she plays video games and has a boy best friend, that doesn’t make her this so called “cool” girl or the “not like the others” girl.

I feel like by now that should have already been known, and I also feel like a broken record having to repeat this over and over again, but being friends with a boy doesn’t make you better than any other girl, or different than girls that have mostly girl friends. Actually the Red flag 1# in this movie is that Elle has no female friends what so ever, and worse than that, the movie is constatly comparing her to other generic girls ( the poplular/only care about apparence girls, the goth with a attitude, the girls that are constatly frowning over boys,...) by puting them around her to make her apear more “cool” to the eyes of those watching:

“She is cool because she doens’t care about aperence like those other girls”;

“she is cool because she’s social, she talks with everyone” (this everyone being mostly boys);

“she doens’t get shy when talking to atractive boys, she is so different”

What they seem to be unawear (or maybe not so much) is that by doing this, they’re not only promiting a very machist point of view around girls, but also trying to imply that a girl can’t have any of those other features, because if they do they will not appel to the eyes of man. They show us the “wrong options” by enfassising bad behaviors that those girls have, to the bennefit of the one in the lead role, while also promoting female rivality in the process.

And maybe in the first watch you will not notice all those things, but after analyzing it more deeply, you will see that the movie constatly try to build Elle’s character surounded by a LOT of sexist innuendos, masking it by putting up jokes to break this image (which is not very effective). They want us to believe that they are showing us this amazing and different girl, with dreams and ambisions, but in the end her hole personality is based on her relationship with two boys. And let me tell you something, things do not get ANY better in the second movie.

LEE FLYNN, THE GOOFY BEST FRIEND

I should ask this first before we start: why does your friendship need so many rules? and why breaking them is like the end of the world?

Before anwsering those questions lets talk a little about Lee, the supporting goofy, kinda cute, clumsy character.

Through out both movies my thoughts on Lee were very strong tbh. Like, I don’t hate him completly, I actually had fun with his character a lot of times, but I also can’t find myself liking him the amount that I should, given the fact that he is supposed to be the likable best friend who only wishes what is best for his bestie. And thats exactly where the problem lives: Red flag 2# is that what he think is the best most times isn’t, and whenever things go out of his way he gets an attitude about it.

Most of my dislike for this boy and this friendship, is because of those stupid rules that shouldn’t exist in the first place. I understand that every relationship has a set of unspoken agreements, and I also understand that when you are kids you have those fun (very dumb) ideas like “lets make rules so our relationship stays strong”. But as you grow older, you should know what “rules” you should keep, and what rules you should burn down in the dumpster, principaly because your priorities as you grow change.

You and Your best friend shouldn’t be making your life long desicions based on a set of rules that you two put out together when you were infants, and that’s what pissed me the most about this movie to be honest.

Elle shouldn’t be restricted about who she should date based on Lee’s dislike for her partiner, she shouldn’t have to go to a college just because her best friend wants her to go to the institute that he is going,... She is a grown person, she shouldn’t feel the need to ask for permision of her friend before choosing to do something, and she shouldn’t feel the need to keep things in secret because he might over react about it.

At the same time, it also feels like Elle is using this as an excuse to not have to come over and make decisions for herself. And you can see this more clearly on the second movie, where her only two options for a collage is the one her best friend wants or the one her boyfriend is at. Like, she is 18 y/o and she didn’t even thought about a plan B? what if she wasn’t accepted by those two colleges in the first place? She didn’t think any of this through, before jumping full on board on things. She has all this time to train for a dance competition she never took part on before, but doesn’t have time to think about what she actually wants for her future, beside dating this guy that she doesn’t even know if he’s cheating on her or not??????? And you really want me to believe that she is this person who thinks everything before hand? No, I don’t think so.

And before you say I’m going too strong on Elle, let me tell you that all of this also applys for the opposite situation as well. Neither of them should feel presured by not breaking those STUPID rules, because if they really are best friends, they should know that the most important thing is seeing the other happy. Being friends with someone shouldn’t give you this much anxiety, you shouldn’t feel the need to constantly be together or to have to do everything with the other, because if you aren’t around one another 24/7 you might lose eachother. Real bestfriends shouldn’t even be affraid to lose the friendship they have in the first place!!!!

Overall the only thing about this two that I can thank for, is their boy/girl relationship with no second intentions, because besides that, all the rest needs to FREAKING STOP!! Maybe a little time away from one another might be good for this two after all.

NOAH FLYNN, THE MAJOR ASSHOLE

I’m not even gonna try to sugar coat this one, cause to be honest I don’t want too. Noah Flynn is a butthole, and beside his looks (that can be totally dicussed since beauty is relative) he has no good or redeemed qualities.

I can’t find words to express how tired I am to find characters like him in most rom/coms. The popular bad boy with no consideration for anyones sentiments and with a hole bunch of attachment problems and anger issues. He goes around playing with girls, acting like he is king of everything and that he can get whatever he wants by simply smiling and blinking his eyes. And yet, even with all this PROBLEMATIC behaviors, he still has the hole school fangirling over him like he is the last piece of man in the edge of this world (which is another sexist thought, to think that girls would only fall for this kind of dickhead guys).

And once again, it’s given to the lead female the job to “fix” this piece of shit of a person, but let me tell you something: IT IS NOT HER JOB!!!

It’s no girl’s job to try to change a boy for the better, his issues should be discussed with a terapist or a psycologist and that’s it. I’m so tired of this “a good girl can change a bad boy” narrative, like is their mission in life to get a really fucked up guy and make them turn good. No, it’s not, FULL STOP!!

I’m so tired of this stupid and toxic idea, this is disgusting (and I mean it). The amount of girls that end up getting in a abusive realtionships because of this disturbed idea that “he can change” or “he is not like this all the time”. You are his girlfriend!!! He shouldn’t be like that at any time!!!!

Masking his temperament problems and abusive behiviours with small moments of compasion, small moments where he seem gentle and loving, only to moments later having him going around like a dickweed again. Saying things like: “oh, they where arguing and he just got carried away”, or “he wouldn’t act like that if the other hadn’t provoked him”. HE IS NOT AN ANIMAL, FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!! He is a human being, and if he can’t control himself around others, then he probably shouldn’t be allow to date someone in the first place! It’s not Elle’s, or any other girl, job to go around controling and fixing his shitty atitudes.

And the worse part of it all, is that when shit happens everything is put onto the girl’s shoulders, like he is her responsability after all. “He got into a fight because she wasn’t there”; “he sheatted on her because she fought with him”; ”he acted violent because she provoked”; “he wouldn’t feel jealous, if she weren’t wearing those clothes”,...

It’s so absurd to see that when Elle is wrong everyone is so quick on their feet to say how wrong she was, how slutty she was, “because this wouldn’t happen if she trusted him” (and I’m not saying I agree with every single attitude of her, because I don’t). But when he is doing something wrong, everyone is changing the focus of the subject, or even worse, DEFFENDING HIM!

HE IS JUST A CUTE FACE WITH A HOT BODY AND THAT’S IT!!!! To think so many girls that watched this movie want a boyfriend like him, trully is infuriating!! I keep asking myself “what if he wasn’t hot?” or “what if he wasn’t so high up in our society beauty standards?”, I’m sure if he had a different apparence our view and reactions over his persona wouldn’t be so passive.

Noah’s Red flags scoore: +10,000

I feel exausted after writing all this tbh, I’ll be trying to post part 2 soon, because if you think this is over, let me tell you: IT IS NOT! I will try to go less hard on this movie in part two, I feel like I got a little carried away at the end but I needed to make my point clear. In the second part, I will be talking more about the kissing booth 2 and the rest of the characters, and since I liked the second one way more there will be less specific criticism and more a overall point of view of the plot, for now that’s all I have to say.

Thanks for reading :)

#the kissing booth #elle #elle evans #noah #lee #noah flynn #lee flynn #the kissing booth netflix #netflix #rom com #the kissing booth 2 #rachel #chloe #marco peña #movie critic #netflix original #the kissing booth movie series #movie series

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amberlynnposts-blog · 3 years

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Toxicity In “The Kissing Booth”

Many debates have been had in my friend group over why Netflix’s The Kissing Booth is overrated. Aside from the terribly placed monologues, bad acting, and strange camera shots, The Kissing Booth showcases heavily toxic relationships and passes them off as normal and acceptable behavior. The two teenagers, Elle and Noah, become involved. Before they start dating Noah is possessive, often acting like no one else can date her. This fact is reaffirmed in one of the scenes, when a boy who is interested in Elle informs her that Noah threatens any boys who find her attractive. While threats are a red flag, it also made Elle feel inadequate for years. She had no idea why boys steered clear of her or why she never had a boyfriend. Another example of Noah’s toxicity is in a scene which takes place during a high school bonfire. Elle becomes upset because Noah was seemingly flirting with a nearby girl. As Elle starts to leave the bonfire, Noah follows her in attempt to explain the situation. But, Elle does not want to talk and needs space to clear her head. Not accepting Elle’s silence and visibly upset body language, Noah slams his fist into the car and demands she gets in. Reluctantly and tentatively, Elle complies.

As if the vitriolic behavior of Noah is not enough, Elle has another harmful relationship. This one, however, is a platonic friendship with her best friend, Lee. Lee and Elle have a list of rules which they have followed since childhood in order to insure a thriving friendship. But when Elle breaks the rule against dating Noah, she hides it from Lee. Eventually, her secret escapes and instead of Lee understanding and realizing childish rules are less important than Elle, Lee’s reaction is explosive. He walks out and doesn’t talk to Elle for what seems like weeks, possibly months.

On the other hand, Elle’s reaction to being involved with harmful relationships is to become highly insecure. Throughout the second film, Elle is unhappy in the relationship despite having feelings for Noah. The gathering insecurity within Elle expands in the second film and boils over when Noah gets a female friend in college named Chloe. While insecurity is understandable with long distance relationships, snooping through your partner’s phone and personal belongings is never a good sign. When Elle finds an earring on the floor of Noah’s bedroom, she assumes it is Chloe’s. And then, when Chloe text Noah, Elle scrolls through and starts packing her belongings. In a healthy and trusting relationship, this scene would have played out much different. Elle would have waited for Noah and asked him about the earring and trusted in his response. Suffice to say, The Kissing Booth is a terrible example of a relationship to set in the mainstream media.

#kissing booth #netflix #nerd rant #elle and noah #toxic frienship #toxic relationship #media #blog #screen blog #screen rant #why not

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biglittlesshop · 3 years

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Great Dane 5 Things You Should Know About This Woman Dog Mom She Loves Dogs More Than Human Tee Shirts

I didn’t know anything about this brand when I first bought it it was a Great Dane 5 Things You Should Know About This Woman Dog Mom She Loves Dogs More Than Human Tee Shirts good price and I needed some things so since I was there I picked a few stuff amazingly I really like the products the eye liner does wonders I love it. In response to last week s tatoosday post we got so many tattoos from last unicorn fans around the world that it will take months to showcase all of them to help make things go slightly faster than that and because it s neat to compare and contrast we re going to make today a two tattoosday post take a look at these very different approaches to showing the human and unicorn versions of peter s classic character in one image ashley knight schroeder s tattoo is beautifully stylized I just got this done on saturday the last unicorn has touched my life and helped me through many a rough patch even my sons will watch with me and sing talk along to the movie rippy s tattoos did the work I have no idea who did the original design I saw it and feel in love would love to find the original artist brittni lynn martin and her artist phil meyers from california opted for classic heartfelt look this movie has been my favorite since I was little and is now my favorite book and I have a 3 year old daughter who also loves it and we watch it together so it’s been a huge part of my life so beautiful both of these. The only way to protect your body from these dangerous toxins and reverse the damage that has been done is to use a natural nutritious cleansing program one that will give you exactly what your body needs to flush out all of the toxins that shouldn t be there and boost your metabolism at the same time an easy 3 day program with a complete shopping list and simple recipes that you can make from home without punishing depriving or starving your body start now 3 day cleanse with danette may detox program detox beauty diet fashion cleanse smoothie

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Great to have time to visit anton’s retrospective at bucerius kunst forum hamburg until january see you tomorrow night larr the Great Dane 5 Things You Should Know About This Woman Dog Mom She Loves Dogs More Than Human Tee Shirts no edge adam u2 u2eitour antoncorbijn. Diane kendal for nars cosmetics thakoon really wanted girls to look healthy and very american this beauty look is inspired by the 80’s super models cindy claudia linda and christie found in peter lindbergh’s photography skin is gorgeous makeup is fresh and beautifully groomed face concealer sheer glow foundation cheeks deep throat blush eyes last frontier velvet eyeliner smudge across eyes and lower lashline goddess velvet shadow stick audacious mascara brows matte eyeshadow shades blondie bali bengali coconut grove brow gel lips sex machine velvet matte lip pencil. Yesterday was a busy day of meetings and airplane travel for peter and connor but last night peter took some time to share his thoughts on the passing of the great christopher lee christopher lee was the tallest actor I ever knew he was also by far the most literate when we first met in a los angeles studio where he was recording his lines as king haggard in the last unicorn he had just recorded haggard’s speech about his first sight of unicorns and I mentioned that it was probably my favorite speech in the book he immediately wanted to know well did I do it properly we can always redo it right here of course he’d handled the lines perfectly but writers and writers’ opinions about their work mattered intensely to christopher that same afternoon we discovered that between the two of us we we could call to mind just about all the lines of g k chesterton’s poem the rolling english road we also discovered a mutual need to hit the men’s room and my son dan in his mid teens at the time still has a very clear memory of christopher simultaneously peeing while declaiming in that voice which no one could ever keep from imitating after fifteen minutes with him before the roman came to rye or out to severn strode the rolling english drunkard made the rolling english road a reeling road a rolling road that rambled round the shire and after him the parson ran the sexton and the squire I leave it to the reader to imagine that voice in the tiled acoustics of a hollywood bathroom we met a second time in munich where the last unicorn was being dubbed into german most of my memories of that time and of chris lee have to do with books and authors he had known both j r r tolkien and a writer who mattered more to me t h white we had a long ongoing argument in munich about a chapter of the sword in the stone that appears in the english edition of the book but not in the american one he turned out to be right he usually was he never failed to mention the last unicorn as one of his very favorite books and as one of the movies he was most proud of having made indeed he left my whopperjawed as mark twain would have put it when we were being interviewed together on austrian television and he announced oh yes I simply couldn’t resist a chance to play king haggard one more time even in another language after all and he looked straight into the camera it’s the closest they’ll ever let me get to playing king lear the camera swung toward me to catch my stunned reaction and chris looked across the studio at me and winked but my most vivid memory chilling as it remains to this day has to do with the day that I and michael chase walker associate producer of the last unicorn and the one who really got the film made in the first place somehow found our way out to dachau I can’t now recall how we managed it considering that neither one of us spoke german and that you had to take both a subway and a bus to get there from the hotel where the crew were staying but we got there somehow and spent a good half of the day roaming with other tourists around a legendary concentration camp peering blindly into the huge crematoriums but staring with equal horror and fascination at the endless rows of filing cabinets containing every record of every human being who was ever imprisoned starved gassed or simply worked to death in this place michael and I grew quieter and quieter that afternoon until by the time we started back to munich we weren’t speaking at all I think we both felt that we might say anything in words again the first person we met in the hotel lobby was christopher he took one look at us and announced you’ve been to dachau we nodded without answering chris strode toward us looked all the way down from his six foot five inch altitude lowered his voice and inquired still smells doesn’t it with the end of world war ii christopher as a member of the special forces and whose five or six languages included fluent german had been assigned to hunt down and interrogate nazi war crminals and had been present at the liberation of dachau and yes the smell of death had undoubtedly faded somewhat since 1945 but it was still as real as michael and me wandering dazedly between the ovens and the filing system we just didn’t know what it was but christopher did and i’d know it again I never saw him again after munich though we spoke on the telephone a few times on the last occasion when I had called to wish him a happy 90th birthday I remember him assuring me that if by the time you come to make your live action version of your movie I have passed on do not let it concern you I have risen from the dead several times I know how it’s done he worked almost to the last as the real artists of every kind do they work to be working because that’s what they do and they die when they stop I always regarded him as the last of the great 19th century actors that bravura larger than life style went with him no modern rada trained performer would ever attempt it today nor should they it would inevitably come out parody however earnestly meant yet there was always more to christopher lee as an actor than dracula or the mummy or saruman or sherlock holmes for that matter though he was very proud of having played not only both holmes and watson but sherlock’s brother mycroft as well lord summerisle of the original the wicker man probably his favorite of his own movies is most likely closer to chris’s dark benignity than any other role he ever inhabited I believe this because lord summerisle sings a surprising amount in that movie and chris passionately loved singing if there is any such thing as an afterlife or reincarnation I truly hope no believe that christopher lee will return as a wagnerian opera singer if he hadn’t been considered too old in his 30s to be accepted for formal vocal training he might have been in his own eyes at least a happier more fulfilled man but we would have been deeply poorer for it and never have known See Other related 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grither55 · 3 years

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The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic) - Chapter 58 - Acquiescence

“What do you think you are doing! Open that door right now or you will rue this day until your last breath!” Azula boomed in a piercing voice as she stood glaring icily at Yoko’s back.

Ty Lee also stood behind Azula staring at the older woman with furious brown-gray eyes.

“It was your servant’s choice to jump in. And now she must wait three more minutes alongside House Lin.” Yoko declared in a still defiant voice with her fearless eyes turning to meet Azula’s murderous glare.

Only for her composed eyes to widen in surprise when a hot spark of lightning generated near instantaneously on the monarch’s well-manicured fingertips.

‘How? How is she generating it so quickly?’ The governor thought with her hazel eyes never leaving the royal woman’s cold face.

The chancellor took a fearful step backwards while the soldiers also backed away behind him as the lightning continued to spark at the young woman’s fingertips.

“Watch yourself Governor Yoko. I don’t give a damn if you make your threats against House Lin. But if anything happens to that girl. I will level this entire city.” The princess snarled as she bared her teeth to the taken aback older woman while the acrobat shuddered behind her.

And just when Azula sunk into a stance to rupture the trap door she spun around in shock when a blinding flash of light emanated from the cave below.

The light shot into the air as she covered her eyes while her mouth dropped open in surprise.

“W-what is that!” Terak cried out with his sleeves shielding his eyes.

All the while Yoko squinted her taken aback hazel eyes as she gazed through the see-through barrier in confusion.

“Azula! I-it’s just like before!” Ty Lee exclaimed with sisterly shock in her voice while she gazed out of the glass screen.

Nako blinked her golden eyes as she gazed out from behind her hands only for her eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates.

And to the great astonishment of everyone they watched as the large creature recoiled away from the small cave.

Thud!

Mai sat back with her jaw dropping while Ukano gawked at the sight beside her.

Elle still sat on a damp rock with her eyes closed in fright only to find herself opening her eyes not a moment later.

“H-huh? What happened? Did Azula-sama do something?” Elle asked in a puzzled voice as she gazed out at the large reptilian still recovering from being blinded in the eyes.

“N-no Elle. That wasn’t Azula. That was you.” The markswoman breathed with her shocked hands still grasping at the bars of the cage.

“M-me?” The blonde-haired girl squeaked in confusion while she scooted back in surprise.

“H-how did she do that?” Ukano pondered with awe in his recovering voice.

“Was that…your servant?” The governor pondered with rare bewilderment in her stoic voice while she turned to her monarch’s still taken aback face.

‘How did Elle make that beast back away! Did she just blind it in the eyes? Or is it something more? Does this have something to do with her Component?’ The princess thought with her crimson lips pursing in a thoughtful line.

And not a moment later she exploded the trap door with a lightning imbued fist before she effortlessly leaped into the water before.

Yoko and the chancellor exchanged a mutual glance of battlement before the governor finally relented.

Not even two seconds later Azula dropped into the water below with a splash.

Both House Lin nobles instinctively shrunk under the princess’s cold stare before the monarch stepped into the water to retrieve her handmaid.

The royal woman stomped through the water while she approached her seated handmaid before she called out to the smaller girl.

“Servant!” Azula barked with her voice causing Elle to jump in fright.

“A-aah! Azula-sama! You scared me! I almost thought that you were a scary monster that was about to eat me!” Elle cried out only to gasp in innocent panic when her music player fell from her hip to the wet rock below.

The princess stiffened with a twinge of pink on her cheeks while she turned to gaze at the large beast through the corner of her eye.

Only to spin around in annoyance when the girl’s music player started playing as soon as it hit the cave floor.

The young handmaid blushed when Azula turned to cast her an irate stare when Redbone started playing in the cave.

And despite the terrifying situation Mai couldn’t help but sweatdrop as she leaned back with a sigh alongside her bewildered father.

“Come and get your love. Come and get your love. Come and get your love. Come and get your love.” Redbone played while the crocodile shark gazed around with predatory yellow eyes.

The occupants above listened in confusion while the faint music echoed into the air just as a large grin began to appear on the acrobat’s lips.

“Eh…is that music?” The royal pilot pondered with a tilt of her head while the governor gazed on with comical puzzlement in her eyes.

“Yeah! It’s called Redbone.” The brown-haired woman answered with a smile only to peer down in surprise to see the vast animal was relaxing under the music.

Azula could only slap a hand over her groaning face while Elle beamed up at her with an infectious smile.

“Do you see that Azula-sama! He likes Redbone!” The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with a sunny smile while her master turned to glare down at her.

“I could care less about what that creature likes! Turn that stupid music off!” The princess ordered just as she pulled her happy handmaid up by the collar of her shirt.

“I-it’s not stupid. He has a good taste in music.” Elle stammered only for her heart to race under Azula’s domineering stare.

“Please! That garbage hardly qualifies as music!” Azula snorted in a snobbish voice with a roll of her regal eyes while Elle quickly grabbed her mp3 player.

“Millions of people in my homeland disagree with you Azula-sama! Redbone is a total classic!” The blonde-haired girl argued in an innocent voice only to gulp when her master began pulling her behind her.

“My opinion has more weight than all of those peasants combined! Now turn it off!” The princess bellowed with as she glared ahead while her pet pouted behind her.

“Y-yes princess.” Elle mumbled like a disciplined puppy while Azula’s lips began to curve into a smirk once more.

Only for her full lips to contort into a scowl once more when she laid eyes on the two nobles just as her friend finally kicked open the cage door.

Ukano was still staring between Elle and the large animal in disbelief as he shakily stood up alongside his daughter.

Mai flinched under Azula’s callous glare but for once she was more terrified of someone other than her tyrannical friend.

That being Yoko and her ravenous executioner that was already approaching them once more.

And just as Azula raised her hand in blue fire to kill the creature before it could get any closer, she could only gaze down in aggravation when her servant tugged on her sleeve.

“N-no. Please don’t kill the poor animal Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl requested meekly as her girlfriend gazed down at her with an incredulous stare.

And the nobleman gazed down at the young girl with disbelieving tawny eyes before he turned to his daughter to see her just shaking her head fondly.

It was just astonishing to see that this seeming servant girl had somehow had such a deep impact on not only his aloof daughter.

But, their cold and ruthless princess of all people!

“You have got to be kidding me! It just almost devoured you!” Azula scoffed as she glared down at her serving girl’s innocent face.

“As you did the armadillo bear. It’s all a part of the flow. And I bet if he wasn’t cooped up in this cruel cave, he wouldn’t be so bad.” Elle mumbled with her hands grasping her backpack while Azula rolled her eyes down at her.

Both members of House Lin just stared at the teenager in bafflement before the older man cried out in renewed fear.

“P-Princess Azula can we please leave this nightmarish cavern?” Ukano pleaded just as the creature lunged forward while his daughter grasped ahold of his arm to help him up.

“Fine! But I suggest you listen well Mai. Until the wars end you are forbidden to have contact with Zuko. If I should catch wind that you are into contact with him…” The princess remarked in a dangerous voice as she stared murderously at the other woman’s rapidly nodding face.

“I-I understand Azula.” Mai answered just as she leaped into the air with her father hanging onto her shoulder.

Mere moments later Azula herself bounded into the air with Elle adorably latched around her neck.

It was a stunning sight that had not only Ukano gazing on in marvelment but Yoko and the others as well as Azula gracefully sprang forth from the broken trap door.

Yoko stared at Elle with great shock in her eyes when Azula landed with finesse in front of the smiling acrobat and the skittish pilot.

It was readily apparent that the teenager was no ordinary servant.

Mai arose behind Azula with her father as they stared back at Yoko in unconcealed fright while she briefly gazed over them with frigid hazel eyes.

“And now I will accept your offer of vassal house.” Yoko announced in a victorious voice while all but Azula stared back at her in shock over her gall.

“You have some nerve playing this sick game with us.” The markswoman hissed only for her leader to silence her with a strict glare.

“Now you understand who you are dealing with. If you ever cross me again…I will feed your entire family to my pet crocodile-shark. Including Tom Tom.” The governor declared in a perfectly composed voice while the nobleman hastily nodded in understanding.

“Yes, Governor Yoko. House Lin understands.” The nobleman agreed with his head hanging low while his daughter slumped in renewed shame.

“Who is this girl Princess Azula?” Yoko questioned as she folded her hands behind her back while her gaze focused on Elle once more.

“This is my-“ Azula responded only to be cut off by Elle standing on her toes to place her hand over her mouth.

The royal woman glowered down at her handmaid’s chipper face while the acrobat laughed at her expense.

“My name is Elle Turner! I’m a foreigner! And I have the Avatar’s greatest weakness running through my veins!” Elle cried out as she puffed out her chest while Azula nearly fell over in anger.

A great many soldiers nearly fell on their face in shock over the girl’s blunt declaration.

Mai and Ty Lee stared at Elle with a look of protective concern in their eyes.

And Ukano’s mouth dropped open in bafflement as he gazed down at the seemingly harmless girl with questioning tawny eyes.

And that was to say nothing of Terak and Yoko’s reaction.

The conniving politician stared at the teenager with wide golden eyes as his brilliant mind already began to put the pieces together.

Now it all made sense.

Why Princess Azula allowed this girl such freedom to talk and behave as she did!

“The Avatar’s weakness?” The governor repeated with complete surprise in her usually calm voice while the small blonde nodded rapidly.

“That’s me! I am Princess Azula’s secret weapon!” The blonde-haired girl chirped with a bright smile while her master’s eyes twitched in aggravation.

And the matriarch of House Song just stared at the young girl with building confusion in her hazel eyes.

She couldn’t help but ponder if Zoe has interacted with this girl.

“Her secret weapon you say.” Yoko stated in a curious voice while Azula’s callous golden eyes never ceased penetrating her skull from behind the handmaid’s head.

“That’s right. Now look…I understand that you’ve got all the reason in the world to be angry at Mai. But your daughter has already agreed to let it go in exchange for three years as your vassal house. Would you be willing to do the same?” Elle pondered as she walked forward while Azula furrowed her brows as she watched her closely.

In that instant Mai’s bruised face took on a moved expression while she closed her eyes with Ty Lee’s gentle hand on her shoulder.

The acrobat found herself unable to resist grinning at their adopted sister with limitless love in her eyes.

And the head of House Lin couldn’t help but be astounded that this young girl was going to such lengths to speak up for his daughter and all of his house.

That was all it took for Yoko’s gaze to take on a colder stare once more while she too took a step forward.

The matriarch was so incensed by the query that she didn’t even pay heed to her monarch’s authoritative glare.

“You are Princess Azula’s servant are you not?” The governor asked in a glacial voice as she stared down at the small girl approaching her.

“I am!” The blonde-haired girl replied with a happy countenance while her girlfriend rolled her eyes out of her sight.

‘Foolish peasant! If you are going to try to act intimidating you should try to drop the smile.’ Azula thought with a snort of blue fire escaping her nostrils.

“Whether you are a servant for Princess Azula or a servant to Lady Mai it is not your place to tell me what to do. A well-liked servant is still a servant.” Yoko commented in a tone of superiority as she now loomed over Elle’s much smaller frame while Ty Lee now cast her a protective glare.

“My apologies Governor Yoko but as I said I am from a foreign land and I don’t agree with such narrow-minded thinking.” Elle remarked with her hands grasping at her backpack straps while all but her friends gazed at her as they thought her insane.

“You tolerate this backtalk princess?” The governor inquired with an edge to her voice while the pursed her lips into a thin line.

And naturally both Mai and Ty Lee almost wanted to laugh at the fact that Yoko found Elle disrespectful.

“It is not your place to question my training methods Governor Yoko. The girl is fully trained to my liking.” The princess snapped in a hardened voice that bordered on parental.

“I am a servant by choice. I find life serving Azula-sama quite satisfactory. And I am in possession of your greatest enemies’ weakness. So, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Just like Zoe did.” The blonde-haired girl retorted with her neck craning to meet the statuesque matriarch’s now infuriated gaze.

The princess and her two childhood friends gazed at their young friend with stunned eyes to see that the girl was growing even bolder.

The pilot could only blink in confusion as she shook her head.

What is that girl doing!

If she had any sense, she would keep her head low and refrain from provoking her superiors!

All the while Azula watched with her golden eyes flickering in surprise as she felt a familiar sensation travel down her spine.

A sense of satisfaction to see that her young girlfriend was growing stronger by the day.

‘I am proud of her…that’s it isn’t it? I am proud of my Elle.’ Azula thought with her beautiful lips entrenching in the barest hint of an approving smirk.

“My daughter might find have found this amusing but I do not. Go back to your masters…all three of them. I don’t take orders from servants.” Yoko declared in a rigid voice only for her eyes to narrow into slits when the girl grasped ahold of her shirt.

The two noblewoman both directed the matriarch a distasteful glare over how the degrading manner that she spoke to their little sister.

And just as angry over how she referred to them as her “masters”.

Only for their anger to ebb away into returning surprise as they watched the petite girl stand defiant under the governor’s angered stare.

“You’ll just have to deal with it. Because this servant is the Component that brings the Avatar down! This servant doesn’t have to fight for House Song if she doesn’t want to!” Elle exclaimed in an emboldened voice with her kind eyes narrowing ever so slightly while Azula watched in growing marvelment.

No one said a word while they all stared speechless at Yoko’s furiously bewildered face.

And slowly but surely Mai and Ty Lee gazed at one another with small smiles forming on their lips.

While Ukano gazed between the girl and his daughter in disbelief.

“Who do you think you are brat? Do you have any idea who you’re talking to? I am the highest noble in all of the land!” The governor demanded with her jaw clenching in her fury while she glared down at the small girl’s pitifully defiant face.

“I don’t care! I have not only Azula-sama but the backing of an emperor in my homeland! I might look weak! I might be small! I might be a servant! But I am someone that you should be wary of!” The blonde-haired girl shouted in an uncharacteristically incensed voice while the matriarch stood seething above her.

Even Elle’s highborn friends stood gazing at their young companion in astonishment.

And just as shocking was the fact that this was the first time that they have heard the girl mention this ‘Rieko’ as someone on her side!

And Yoko looked so furious that she looked as if she wanted to break Elle’s neck!

“You watch how you speak to your superiors! I will not tolerate such disrespect from a lowly serving girl!” Yoko yelled in an infuriated voice while she violently slapped Elle’s hand from her expensive robe.

As soon as the noblewoman so much as even touched Elle’s hand.

The princess’s golden eyes narrowed into a terrifyingly protective glare while her beautiful lips creased into a displeased scowl.

A puff of wrathful flames escaped her lips as she released a possessive snarl.

And her two highborn friends took on defensive combat stances with sisterly anger in their eyes.

Only to find themselves completely taken by surprise when their small friend angrily lunged at the looming matriarch.

“If you ever try to hurt my big sister again, I’ll come after you! Do you hear me! You stay away from Mai!” Elle roared with rage in her voice just as a spark of luminescent light flashed before the speechless noblewoman.

The spark of light flickered in the air while Yoko gazed down with widening hazel eyes.

One by one everyone gazed at the scene unimaginable shock to see the scrawny girl emit a strange power once more.

The three highborn women stood awestruck over their young friend’s uncharacteristic display of fury.

“Elle…I…” Mai spoke in an immensely moved voice with her mouth open in awe while she swallowed the lump that was in her throat.

It’s going to be really hard to be away from this kid.

Even if it was only for a few months.

Ukano just gaped at the girl with fatherly appreciation in his eyes.

And Ty Lee’s small smile had now changed into a giant grin.

Nako could only blink with total bafflement in her eyes.

Terak observed the scene with taken aback golden eyes while he continued gazing on in awe.

Just what is this girl?

What sort of power does she possess?

And Azula’s reaction was the most profound of them all.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise before she closed her red lips.

And her red lips soon curved into a proud grin.

‘That’s my girl. Be proud of yourself.’ The princess thought with an approving smile on her full lips while she gazed at her young girlfriend’s back.

“Or maybe I’ll throw you down t-there!” The blonde-haired girl cried out only to find herself shivering under a heartless hazel glare.

Mere seconds later she took a fearful step backwards when the matriarch’s arms began to quickly rotate as lightning began to generate at her fingertips.

Mai and Ty Lee took a horrified and astounded step backwards as their little sister now backed away under Yoko’s dark stare.

It was a complete shock to see that the head of House Song could bend lightning!

But the momentary shock soon crumbled in fear for Elle’s safety.

The chancellor’s surprise soon gave way to sadistic amusement while a smirk now grew onto his lips.

Only to find himself gasping in disbelief when a red blur leaped past him with speed that he could barely follow.

“It appears that you need to be taught a measure of respect! If the princess isn’t going to teach it to you then I will-“ The governor yelled out only to trail off when she found herself gazing back into golden eyes that were even more frightening than her own.

And then she grunted in pain when her left hand was pushed back at a torturous angle while two lightning imbued fingertips were now being held up to her shocked neck.

Azula’s callous golden eyes glared back into Yoko’s widened eyes while she exhaled wrathfully in the startled noblewoman’s face.

“A-Azula-sama.” Elle stuttered in a timid voice once more as she gazed up at Azula’s tall robed back with appreciative amber eyes.

The audience stood speechless while their Crown Princess painfully restrained the surprised matriarch of House Song.

And both Mai and Ty Lee soon found themselves smiling fondly over Azula’s openly protective behavior.

Their friend was cold and cruel.

But there was no doubt that the fire princess had fallen for their innocent little sister.

“You’ll not only tolerate it! You’ll embrace it! She’s here to stay!” The princess bellowed in a cold voice with fire spewing from her lips while the older woman took a surprised step back.

That very moment when Yoko understood that Elle was no average servant.

Yoko grimaced as she stepped back with her hazel eyes shifting down to the much shorter girl behind Azula’s back.

And then she gazed back into the princess’s furious eyes just as her arm was bent even further backwards.

It was painfully obvious by the way that Azula was practically salivating to spill her blood.

‘Is this servant…Princess Azula’s…’ The governor thought with a look of contemplation in her eyes while domineering golden eyes gazed back into her own.

The declaration took all but Mai, Ty Lee and Nako aback.

“A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl spoke in a voice of reverence as she bent over in a bow with an arm over her bandaged chest.

And she remained in her bow while everyone but her big sisters stared at her in surprise by her respectful curtsy.

“And if you ever try to generate lightning near her person again, I will skin you alive!” Azula hissed in a merciless voice while she watched in satisfaction when Yoko quickly nodded her head.

“Yes…Your Highness.” Yoko agreed before she finally found herself released from Azula’s hold while she rubbed at her reddened wrists.

All the while gazing at the small girl still bent over in a polite curtsy behind her monarch.

Azula then straightened with fists falling down to her womanly hips while she protectively shielded her dainty handmaid behind her back.

Her strict golden eyes darted around the room from Ukano to Terak’s surprised faces then back to Yoko herself.

As if she was daring them to question her choice in companion.

“Listen well Yoko. The feud between House Song and House Lin is over! As your sovereign I declare it so! House Lin shall spend an agreed upon three years as the vassal house of House Song! From this moment onward I will handle the remainder of Mai’s punishment!” The princess announced in a voice of absolute authority with her fists planted on her hips while she gazed about the chamber.

To her delight she watched all parties involved drop into a low bow of acknowledgment.

Ukano sunk into a bow with his head bent as he sighed under his breath beside his bowing daughter.

Beside them was Ty Lee and to her right was Nako.

Terak had hastily followed suit.

And Yoko now knelt on the ground on one knee before the princess’s pointed boots.

And most pleasing of all to Azula was the sight of her little admirer bowing on the floor behind her.

“You bow your head just like that Yoko. And you’ll cow just like Ukano. And from this moment forward you will obey. Is that understood!” Azula remarked in a controlling voice with her callous eyes glaring down at Yoko’s bowing back.

“It is my princess.” The governor spoke with her now calmed eyes gazing down at the floor while Azula shifted on her feet above her.

“And you see to it that you get used to this one here. She is my most loyal servant. And if you have any desire to form any sort of political pact with me. You will treat her well. Otherwise…next time I won’t be so merciful.” The princess commented with her domineering eyes gazing down at the kneeling woman while she felt her handmaid press her face into her pantleg.

“As you decree Your Highness.” Yoko stated with a small trace of anger still in her eyes that she wisely squashed when Azula’s dominant eyes gazed down at her.

“You should really try to me more appreciative Yoko. When there were no supplies to make Zoe an arm sling…she gave your daughter the shirt off her back.” Azula informed with a scowl on her regal lips while she gestured to Elle’s bowing form behind her.

“You did that for my daughter?” The governor asked in a taken aback voice while stared at the young girl with surprised hazel eyes.

“I-I did.” The blonde-haired girl answered in a still intimidated voice while the matriarch’s eyes flashed with a newfound gratitude.

“And you chancellor. I want you to spread word to the other eight noble houses that I punished House Lin under suspicion of treason. And that if any other house should follow suit in sympathizing with the enemy…I will wipe them from the face of this Earth!” The princess declared in an all-encompassing voice as she turned around with her fists still on her womanly hips.

“It shall be done my princess.” The chancellor assured in an amicable voice as he knelt gazing up at his monarch.

Both Mai and Ukano said nothing while they knelt beside each other.

The markswoman felt a spark of anger to hear that Azula in part subjected her and her father to such a terrifying punishment solely to send a message to the real treasonous house.

But she knew better than to say as much aloud.

“And lastly but most certainly not least. What you think you saw from this girl today…you did not see. Not a word of what you saw will escape this room.” Azula spoke in a powerful voice as she pointed down at her prostrated handmaid while her small audience of nobles gazed at her intended in understanding.

A moment of silence passed over them before the monarch turned her merciless gaze back to her kneeling subjects.

“Because if I should receive word that even a single one of you has betrayed me…” The princess trailed off in a menacing voice as her ruthless eyes swept about the sweating nobles.

The young handmaid bowed with a bashful smile on her lips while she pushed her face into the much taller woman’s heel.

In that very moment blue fire sparked from Azula’s fists while she glared hard down at her kneeling audience.

“I will execute every last one of you! Regardless if you betrayed me or not! Is that understood!” The princess snarled in a terrifyingly callous voice as her dangerously narrowed eyes glared from one intimidated face to another.

“Yes princess!” The group of nobles agreed as one while they knelt with their faces against the floor while the royal woman stared harsh down at them.

“Good. This meeting is hereby adjourned.” Azula concluded with a lazy wave of her hand as she watched all of her subjects rise to their feet.

And then she turned her callous gaze to her pretty handmaid standing up behind her.

Only to find her scowl giving way to an approving smile when her pet bent over in yet another respectful curtsy with her arms tucked in at her sides.

“Azula-sama.” Elle spoke with a content smile on her lips while she curtsied her smirking master.

Only for her bashful smile to widen when she felt a strong hand pat her head.

“Come Elle. Let’s go.” The princess ordered with a fond smirk on her regal lips before she turned to walk away while her pet bounced after her.

“Yes princess! Wherever you go I will go!” The blonde-haired girl cried out as she paid no mind to the stares that she was receiving from her master’s subjects.

“Servant girl.” Yoko called out with her arms at her sides while Elle paused behind her companions.

“Her name is Elle.” Ty Lee remarked as she leaned on her crutch glaring back at the matriarch’s strict face.

“Y-yes?” Elle pondered from beside Azula while she gazed back at Yoko’s composed face.

“Thank you for helping my daughter.” The governor stated with a stoic countenance while the group paused in surprise.

Only to resume walking not a moment later while Elle smiled back at Yoko before she turned around to rush after Azula.

That was when the princess cast the matriarch a final parting glance just as she set her palm on her handmaid’s petite shoulder.

“This girl belongs to me. I am her master. I own it all…even the power that runs through her veins. I expect you to remember that the next time you meet this one.” Azula called out with her callous golden eyes forming a soul piercing stare while Elle smiled radiantly under her palm.

“I understand my princess. I will remember that.” Yoko responded in another bow while Azula turned to walk away with Elle under her hand.

“See to it that you do.” The princess spoke in a possessive voice before she resumed her walk with her little handmaid eagerly padding after her footfalls.

And then the six walked through the vast palace with three out of six of them making it a point to move as quickly as possible.

All the while the two members of House Lin turned to the young girl with gratitude flashing in their eyes.

That was when Ukano cleared his throat.

All but Azula turned their head while Elle found herself gazing up at the older man’s softly smiling face.

“Thank you, young lady. For what you did for my daughter. House Lin is in your debt.” Ukano declared as he placed his hand on Elle’s shoulder while the blonde smiled up at him.

“Debts aren’t necessary! I was just helping my big sister.” Elle insisted as she beamed up at Mai’s softening face.

And Ty Lee found herself grinning down at Elle while she walking alongside Azula.

The proud princess just glared at Mai through the corner of her eye when the noblewoman slid an arm around her handmaid’s neck.

“Really kiddo. Thank you.” Mai stated with a sigh while she held her arm over Elle’s neck while the small girl turned red under all of the attention.

“Anything for you oneesan!” The blonde-haired girl exclaimed as she walked with a grin under the older female’s protective arm.

“But seriously Azula…they could have died if Elle hadn’t jumped in after them.” Ty Lee commented with a returning scowl while her friend and her father shuddered over the reminder.

“Please. I could have killed that creature at any moment’s notice. It is just an oversized beast and nothing more. Size isn’t everything.” Azula snorted with her hands on her hips while all but Elle stared at her incredulously.

“That’s easy for you to say Azula. Considering that you weren’t locked in that cage as its food.” The markswoman muttered with a trace of anger in her eyes while her father shivered in agreement.

Only to find themselves backing away when Azula spun around to cast them a terrifying golden glare.

“You should be down on your knees kissing my boots in appreciation! You got off easy and you damn well know it! You should be grateful to Zoe that she is so forgiving! If you had tried that little stunt on me, I wouldn’t rest until you burned at the stake!” The princess snarled while the others trembled as she approached the intimidated noblewoman.

“I-I get it Azula.” Mai assured only to find herself sweating when Azula leaned in to glare into her eyes.

“Then shut up and fall in line. I have had it with your defiance. You should likewise consider yourself fortunate that the chancellor’s little scheme worked in your favor.” Azula remarked as she scowled back at Mai’s now disbelieving face.

“That bastard tried to feed Mai and her father to Yoko’s pet.” The brown-haired woman protested angrily while her spoiled friend rolled her eyes back at them.

“It was either that or a civil war. Thanks to the chancellor’s ploy Governor Yoko’s rage was abated enough to let Mai’s slight go.” The princess scoffed before she resumed her walk while the others exchanged a grudgingly thoughtful glance before they resumed onward.

“That’s right Azula-sama! Size doesn’t matter!” Elle cheered with her chest puffing out in a show of innocent pride while her big sisters sweatdropped over her infectious cheer.

“In your case it does. You are so scrawny that we have to take great care not to step on you.” Azula taunted with a smug smile on her full lips while her childhood friends cast her a disapproving glance.

“Azula…” The brown-haired woman sighed only to find herself smiling once more to see that their small friend took it as praise.

“And yet it was the smallest member of the party that saved the day! I defeated the crocodile thingamdo!” The blonde-haired girl cried out with her hands on her hips while she adorably imitated her master’s pose.

“Crocodile-shark.” The princess corrected with a roll of her eyes yet even so she couldn’t help but gaze down at her servant in approval.

Elle had great power.

She just needed someone to show her how to use it.

And there was no one more qualified than her.

“Whatever Azula! Elle still won!” Ty Lee shouted in a supportive voice with a hand on Elle’s head while the others still marveled over the girl’s power.

“I really mean it Elle. If there’s anything I can do to repay you.” The markswoman spoke with her tawny eyes softening down at her little sister’s bright face.

“Well! I don’t know oneesan…. maybe a snuggle would do the trick?” Elle pondered with a finger under her chin while Mai chuckled over her.

“Childish peasant. You are so predictable.” Azula sighed with her hands still on her hips while Elle smiled up at her.

“A snuggle?” The nobleman asked in a baffled voice as he hurriedly made his way out.

“I don’t usually do snuggles. But for you…I’ll make an exception.” Mai stated with her hand on Elle’s shoulder while the younger girl beamed in delight.

‘I still can’t believe that such an odd girl…is the key to defeating the Avatar.’ Nako thought with bewilderment in her golden eyes.

Only to sigh in relief a moment later as she gazed at her monarch’s clearly pleased face.

If nothing else she should be thankful that Azula was letting them go without punishment.

“Azula-sama?” The blonde-haired girl inquired as she walked between her big sister and her older girlfriend.

“Hm?” The princess responded as she turned to gaze over her shoulder at her handmaid’s thoughtful face.

“I don’t think it’s fair to keep that poor crocodile shark in captivity. I think you should set him free.” Elle commented with a finger under her lip while all but Azula gazed down at her in horror.

“Fine. I’ll see what I can do.” Azula agreed with a wave of her hand while all but Elle recoiled in terror.

“Really!” The blonde-haired girl exclaimed with her mouth open in joy.

“A-Azula!” The brown-haired woman cried out in mortification.

She wasn’t sure if she should find it horrifying or adorable that Azula literally didn’t have it in her to tell Elle no.

Ultimately, she decided to settle on a mix of the two.

“Of course. I’ll see let the poor dear go. In the Earth Kingdom.” The princess purred with a malevolent smile forming on her lips while her subordinates shuddered behind her.

‘Leave it to Azula to turn a naïve request into something much more horrifying.’ The markswoman thought with a groan while she strode beside her adopted sister.

“That’s my princess! She’s the kindest person in the whole world!” Elle chirped with a grin while everyone gazed unconvinced at Azula’s smirking face.

“I truly am. My perfection is a divine right. It is truly a harsh burden to shoulder…being so flawless in a world full of lesser people.” Azula huffed as she scanned her fingernails with a conceited smirk upon her lips.

The two noblewomen just sighed as they exchanged an exasperated glance yet all the while knowing that it was pointless to debate their friend’s colossal ego.

And neither did anyone else in their party.

That is aside from their smallest member.

“Do you see that Nako! It’s just like I told you!” The blonde-haired girl cried out as she walked closer to the nervous pilot.

“Eh? It is?” The royal pilot answered in a wary voice while she sensed their monarch’s eyes bearing down on them.

“Mhm! Such titles of status like royalty and nobility have no meaning!” Elle announced with a chipper carefree smile while Nako suddenly trembled in fear beside her.

And just like that all members in the party halted.

While the three nobles shivered as they turned to Azula’s now merciless face.

“Hey! S-stop trying to get me killed. The princess likes me and I would prefer to keep it that way!” Nako complained with a gulp while Azula glared down at their backs.

“You have nothing to worry about Nako! She might look a little scary but deep down inside she’s a big softie!” The blonde-haired girl shouted with a wide smile while the pilot recoiled from her touch in horror.

The two noblewomen mustered a laugh at Azula’s expense while the prideful woman glowered down at the young handmaid’s back.

“Care to repeat that?” The princess demanded in an intimidating voice with her fists planted on her hips while she loomed over the two peasant girls.

“Y-you’re crazy Elle. You’re a dangerous person to be around.” The royal pilot sputtered with her words causing the two noblewomen to sweatdrop.

In a strange way Nako had a point.

“Don’t tell anyone Nako but secretly…” Elle murmured as she leaned into Nako’s ear while the poor pilot gulped with Azula bearing down on their necks.

All the while Azula glared down at the two girls with narrowed golden eyes that only widened in anger when she caught what her handmaid was saying.

“I’m the master and she’s the servant. But don’t tell her that. She doesn’t know.” The blonde-haired girl whispered with a playful smile while her big sisters chuckled behind her.

And the royal woman grasped at her biceps while she ground her teeth in anger that had the nobleman backing away.

Suffice to say Ukano was astounded by how fond the princess and her team were of this young girl.

So much so that the girl was even allowed to talk openly in front of the Crown Princess herself!

“Twenty-five floggings for the both of you!” Azula bellowed in callous voice as she narrowed her eyes down at her handmaid’s happy face and her pilot’s now terrified countenance.

“But I didn’t do anything!” Nako protested with a gulp while the two noblewomen gazed at her in sympathy.

“And now you’ve just earned twenty-five more for attempting to speak to me as an equal!” The princess snapped with a scowl while the acrobat sighed alongside her.

“Yes princess! Fifty floggings for the both of us!” Elle agreed in a joyful voice while Nako stared at her as if she had just spouted a third arm.

“You are really weird Elle.” The royal pilot commented with a sigh while the younger girl just smiled back at her.

“Are you mocking me servant?” Azula questioned with a snort while she leveled her pet in a beyond strict glare.

“I suppose so! But I’ve mastered the art of Azula-sama’s flow! All you have to do is humor her by agreeing with everything she says and bow when she tells you to! If you do that, she won’t find out that we’re actually the bosses around here!” The blonde-haired girl quipped in the terrified pilot’s ear just when the torches above them suddenly exploded in blue fire.

“Rebellious peasants! Prepare to be punished for this disrespect!” The princess yelled out with her golden eyes narrowing into a penetrating glare while the acrobat giggled beside her.

“Quick! Run Nako!” The blonde-haired girl cried out just as she scampered away with the terrified pilot running alongside her.

“Ty Lee! Mai! Go catch those miscreants!” Azula ordered with a thrust of her finger while her two childhood friends gazed at her in amusement.

“I don’t feel like it. I need to change into a fresh pair of clothes and get out of this wretched palace.” Mai remarked in deadpan as she walked beside her baffled father.

She really couldn’t blame him for being so confused.

It was truly perplexing to witness the affect that Elle was having on Azula.

“Please do. You smell like a wet possum pigeon.” The princess snorted in a pompous voice with her cruel words causing her friend to turn red in the cheeks in her anger.

“Azula!” The brown-haired woman scolded while the two members of House Lin quickly began to walk away.

“What! They smell revolting!” Azula complained with her arms crossing over her breasts while Ty Lee cast her a pointed stare.

“A change of clothes would be good.” Ukano muttered with a sigh while his daughter still gritted her teeth in anger.

“Yeah well. You’re one to talk Azula. Considering that you didn’t smell so fresh on our little camping trip.” The markswoman grumbled as she stomped off while her father quivered in returning fear when the princess’s golden eyes burned a hole in her back.

“What did you just say!” The princess growled in a glacial voice only for the acrobat to sigh as the two vanished around the corner.

“Come on Azula. It’s only fair. You started it.” Ty Lee reminded as she began to walk beside her controlling friend.

“I didn’t smell. I bathed every day in the river.” Azula scoffed in a haughty voice while she ran a well-manicured fingernail through her hair.

“Look Azula…about earlier.” The brown-haired woman began nervously while her royal friend glared at her through the corner of her eye.

“Save it Ty Lee. I am through with your lectures.” The princess spoke in a colder voice only to find herself relaxing ever so slightly when the acrobat touched her shoulder.

“I don’t want to leave your side Azula. And I’m sorry if I said anything that would have put that thought in your head. Okay?” Ty Lee stated in a softer voice with her kind eyes gazing back at Azula’s now taken aback face.

The princess opened her mouth for a brief moment before she closed her lips while she gazed back at her longtime friend with a more pleased countenance than before.

“Fine. I accept your apology.” Azula replied with her fingers curling around her bicep while she turned to glare off at the nearest wall.

Only for her scowl to increase when she felt the acrobat slip her arm around her shoulder.

“The last thing I would want is for us to be apart!” The brown-haired woman exclaimed just as she hugged her stiffening friend.

“Humph. You can let go now Ty Lee. I already have to deal with my servant constantly clinging onto me. I don’t need you getting clingy like the tiger monkey.” The princess declared in a spoiled voice while her friend giggled at her from over her shoulder.

“We should really take Elle to the beach tomorrow Azula. It would be a great way to show off your strength to Elle in front of all the other beachgoers!” Ty Lee announced with a wide grin while Azula’s lips curled up in a thoughtful smirk.

“Perhaps Ty Lee…perhaps.” Azula answered in a contemplative voice while she scanned her clenched fist with a refined smile on her regal lips.

“It will be so much fun!” The brown-haired woman shouted with a cheerful countenance while the royal woman smirked in agreement.

“Of course, it will Ty Lee. We don’t usually take servants with us to the beach. But now we have a worshipful pet peasant to wait on us hand and foot while we bath in the sun.” The princess boasted with a smug smirk while she took delight in how the acrobat nearly fell over in surprise.

“That’s…not what I meant Azula.” Ty Lee stated flatly with her hands falling to her sides while she walked beside her arrogant friend.

If nothing else Elle would get to see the beach.

Even if Azula was too busy working her to death for the poor girl to get anything out of it…

Zoe sat in a chair with her hazel eyes gazing up at the ceiling when she heard the door open behind her.

She lazily glanced over her shoulder only to find herself unsurprised when her mother gazed back at her.

“You seem displeased.” Yoko commented as she seated herself in her chair while Zoe stared back at her.

“I wonder why that might be.” The captain stated as she leaned back while her mother sat opposite of her.

“You have been gone from home for an entire year and you already want to leave.” The governor quipped in an observant voice as she reclined with her hands folded in her lap.

“My home is on the battlefield.” Zoe remarked with her bandaged hand grasping at the arm of her chair.

“Your home is Fire Mountain.” Yoko retorted with her hazel eyes forming a narrowed stare while her daughter gazed back at her.

“What is it that you want Mother?” The captain questioned in a knowing voice while her mother eyed her intently.

“You know what I want.” The governor answered only to find herself scowling when her eldest turned away.

“And my answer is still no. I have no interest in your seat Mother. Give it to Sia.” Zoe declared with a wave of her hand while her mother stared back in poorly concealed mortification.

“She may be my daughter but I will never cede Fire Mountain to a nonbender.” Yoko remarked with a stony countenance only for her hazel eyes to narrow in anger her daughter abruptly stood up from her seat.

“It was good seeing you Mother. But I really have to go.” The captain announced as she arose with her back turned to her angered parent.

“Why won’t you just do your duty to your house?” The governor demanded with her fists clenching on the tabletop.

Only for hardened eyes to meet her daughter’s defiant glare when she turned around to stare down at her.

“I am doing my duty! My duty to my country! Do not preach to me of duty and honor!” Zoe shouted as her fist pounded the desk while a small crack appeared in the wood as a result of her abuse.

“By Agni Zoe why do you continue to insist on thrusting yourself in one threatening battle after another?” Yoko inquired in a frustrated voice while Zoe turned to face the door.

“You damn well know why.” The captain answered as she placed her hands in her hair before the hair tie flew down onto her scowling mother’s desk.

And just like that her short hair hung freely behind her as she turned to gaze into her mother’s angered hazel eyes.

“For glory.” Zoe spoke in a tone that brook no argument just as she stormed for the doors.

“Zoe! Get back here! We aren’t finished yet!” The governor yelled out as the torches in the room took burst to life as proof of her fury.

“You have only one heir Mother. And it isn’t me.” The captain concluded as she briefly gazed at her enraged mother over her shoulder.

Before she opened the door and slammed it behind her.

Never even stopping when the older woman furiously called out to her.

About forty-five minutes later.

The princess’s group sat waiting for Elle to finish her shower on a balcony that overlooked the palace gardens

Azula sat beside Ty Lee and across from them sat a freshly washed Mai.

Beside Mai sat the still nervous Nako.

The pilot had yet to become used to spending time with nobility and royalty.

“Did your father leave already?” Ty Lee asked as she fiddled with her braided hair while she watched her friend nod in response.

“Not that I blame him. But he did say that I was welcome to bring Elle to visit Ash City anytime I wanted.” Mai answered in her usual deadpan while Azula glanced back at her with annoyed golden eyes.

“No. You are not permitted to do so. The girl is my pet. Not yours. She stays with me at all times.” Azula remarked in a supremely egotistical voice with a haughty smile on her lips while her two lifelong friends sighed.

And the pilot just wisely kept her mouth shut.

“Uh but she’s our little sister Azula. I just have to take her to see my family sometime!” Ty Lee exclaimed with excitement in her voice while Azula rolled her eyes back at her.

“Family? As in all seven of you?” The princess snorted with a trace of amusement in her voice while the acrobat sunk back in a pout.

“Meanie. You know I don’t like being part of a matched set.” The brown-haired woman complained while her spoiled friend just sighed as she scanned her fingernails.

“Matched set?” Nako asked in an awkward voice while she shifted when the three highborn women turned to gaze at her.

“Ty Lee has six identical twins.” The markswoman responded dryly just as the pilot nearly fell out of her seat.

“S-six?” The royal pilot blurted out with blinking golden eyes.

“Each of us adopted a special hobby to tell us apart from the rest! Ty Lin plays the flute! Ty Lat is a swimmer! Ty Lao is a dancer! Ty Liu plays the harp…and uh Ty Lum makes origami! And Ty Woo insults people! And I specialize in acrobatics!” Ty Lee explained with a grin while all three women gazed at her in confusion.

Even Azula rose an inquisitive brow while she studied her friend incredulously.

“Wow. That’s confusing.” Nako stated with her mouth open in puzzlement while Azula just sighed heavily.

“Ty Lee. That has got to be the most convoluted family story I have ever heard.” Azula spoke flatly while her lifelong friend still smiled back at her.

“Maybe so. But it’s how we tell each other apart.” The brown-haired woman replied with a carefree shrug.

“Nako.” The princess began strictly as she turned to the pilot only for the poor woman to sit up in a panic.

A detail that had both noblewomen gazing at the girl in pity.

“Yes princess?” The royal pilot responded in a noticeable voice of admiration that earned her a smirk of approval from her monarch.

“Tomorrow we are all going to the beach. I hereby command you to come with us.” Azula ordered to the surprise of all three women present.

“G-go to the beach with you?” Nako repeated in a dumbfounded voice while the two noblewomen gazed at Azula in shock.

“Refuse me and I will destroy you! You will be struck down into a defeat so profound that you will never again rise above the ashes of your shame and humiliation!” The princess declared in a terrifying voice with her golden eyes now narrowing back at the other woman’s terrified face.

Mai and Ty Lee just sweatdropped while they sighed over their friends demented behavior.

“Azula! That’s not how you ask a friend to go hang out with you.” Ty Lee exclaimed as she offered the scared woman a comforting smile.

“The Great Princess Azula does not ask! She commands!” Azula scoffed as she lounged back upon her posterior the acrobat sighed in defeat.

“I-I’ll go to the beach with you princess! Just please don’t kill me.” The royal pilot agreed with sweat dripping down her brow while the markswoman snorted in amusement beside her.

“Well the solution is simple then Nako. Do as you are told.” The princess remarked with a smirk while she pointed a finger in the direction of the intimidated woman’s nodding face.

“Wait! Does that mean that…we’re friends?” Nako queried in an awestruck voice while all three highborn women gazed at her oddly.

“You wouldn’t be sitting with me if you weren’t.” Azula snorted as she rolled her elegant eyes once more while she eyed the pilot with a flicker of fondness in her cold stare.

“What? No! Of course, I’ll be friends with you princess!” The royal pilot exclaimed in delight while the acrobat leaned over to pat her shoulder.

“Welcome to the team Nako!” The brown-haired woman yelled out while the pilot flushed in appreciation.

“T-thank you Lady Ty lee.” Nako answered in an awkward voice only for Ty Lee to kindly shake her head.

“No need for formalities. Just Ty Lee will do.” Ty Lee assured as she leaned back into her seat while Nako gazed at her uncertainly.

“I…won’t get in trouble if I call you by name?” The royal pilot requested with a small trace of fear in her voice that prompted the acrobat to frown in sympathy.

“No! Most certainly not. Isn’t that right Mai?” The brown-haired woman asked as she turned to her apathetic friend.

She could certainly see why Nako would be worried.

All things considered Nako struck a figurative gold mine when she saved Azula’s life.

She has no doubt that the pilot doesn’t want to lose all of the honors that Azula has given her.

“I’m not much for titles. But I can’t say the same for Azula.” Mai answered in monotone while she still gazed about with unhidden fear in her eyes.

“Yes well. I am. Continue to serve me faithfully Nako and perhaps one day you will have the honor of calling me by name.” The princess commented with a sophisticated smile while her two noble friends rolled their eyes outside of her line of vision.

“R-right princess. I will do just that.” Nako stuttered in a moved voice only to turn her head when she heard a door open behind them.

They had all expected to be greeted by Elle.

Only to find themselves gazing at Zoe as she stepped out onto the balcony.

Mai visibly tensed as soon as she saw the woman that she despised.

“Why isn’t your hair in a top-knot? And where is your tie?” Azula taunted with her boots propped up on a stool while she watched Zoe stand over her.

“Gone. It’s not me. I just came to let you know that I am departing for the city.” Zoe informed in a curter voice than usual while Azula rose a curious eye brow.

“You seem irate. What’s wrong? Aren’t you enjoying being home?” The princess questioned in a smooth voice while the armored woman slid her cloak over her shoulders.

“Not particularly…House Lin.” The captain stated as she turned to gaze down at the seated woman with observant hazel eyes.

“What?” The markswoman snapped in a hateful voice while the soldier stepped closer.

“I am astounded that you are alive. The crocodile shark always gets through the cage by the third minute.” Zoe quipped with a taunting smile while Mai spun around to glare at Azula’s unsympathetic face.

“A-Azula!” The brown-haired woman exclaimed while her royal friend just scoffed.

“Oh please! Mai and her father escaped with all of their limbs attached.” Azula scoffed as she waved a hand before her face.

“Only because of Elle!” Ty Lee growled with a boot tapping on the floor while Mai just scowled down at the floor.

‘It’s just another reason to be thankful for Elle’s devotion.’ Mai thought as she gazed back up at Zoe only to frown when a hand was lowered before her face.

“Out of the kindness of my heart…I have decided to forgive you for your cowardly murder attempt.” The captain announced to the surprise of the others as she gazed down at the suspicious woman.

“I find that hard to believe.” The markswoman muttered as she eyed the older female warily.

“It’s the truth. I am more forgiving than my mother. Vassal house has abated my bloodlust.” Zoe assured with her hazel eyes staring down at Mai’s doubtful face.

“You told me that you were going to have me raped by a komodo rhino and now you expect me to shake your hand?” Mai demanded with anger in her voice while Nako nearly fell out of her seat.

“W-woah. Remind me never to anger you Zoe.” Nako stammered with a shudder while Ty Lee still glared at Zoe.

“I was angry but that’s all gone now. Come. Give me your hand.” The captain insisted as she pulled the glaring woman to her feet by the wrist.

And Azula watched with curious golden eyes as Mai quickly took a nervous step backwards.

“What sort of idiot do you take me for? Let go of my hand!” The markswoman complained with her tawny eyes narrowing at the other noblewoman’s face.

“And now we’re going to put that behind us.” Zoe instructed in a serious voice while Mai furrowed her brows in frustration.

“Really? No komodo rhino?” Azula asked in a smug voice while Mai spun around to stare down at her in anger.

“Shut up Azula!” Mai snapped with reddened cheeks while she ground her teeth together.

“Your assassination skills leave much to be desired. As can be said of your marital candidacy. But even so. I have decided to forgive you.” The captain explained with her hand gripping the other woman’s own while tawny eyes glared back at her in humiliation.

All the while the princess snickered in laughter in the background while the acrobat just gazed at her in disapproval.

“Don’t mock me Zoe.” The markswoman replied in an increasingly aggravated voice while the other woman still gripped her hand.

“I’m not mocking you. I just want to ask you one thing. Do you still think that I deserve to die in such a shameful manner?” Zoe questioned in a searching voice while Mai stared back at her in surprise.

And Azula now gazed at Mai through the corner of her eye as if she were silently telling her not to mess this up.

The noblewoman of House Lin hesitated for a brief moment while she gazed away from the soldier’s hand.

All the while recalling Zoe’s compassion for their dying allies.

How she assisted Nako on the climb.

How she was quick to share the liquor stores with the soldiers.

Zoe’s surprising appreciation for Elle handing over her shirt and giving hers to Elle in return.

Which was not to mention the woman’s equally surprising kindness to the people of Fire Mountain.

“No. I…don’t. I cannot say that you deserve to die…and I no longer wish to kill you. I…apologize for the assassination attempt. But not for saving Zuko.” Mai answered in turn while Zoe gazed back with a flicker of surprise in her hazel eyes.

“Very well. I accept your apology.” The captain declared to the astonishment of all present as she released the stunned noblewoman’s hand at long last.

“But that doesn’t mean that I like you.” The markswoman growled as she took a step back while the soldier now narrowed her eyes back at her.

“My sentiments exactly. Piece of shit.” Zoe spat at her boots while the others sweatdropped when Mai did the same.

“Cunt.” Mai hissed in a voice of loathing only for Azula’s voice to cut through the air like a whip.

“Enough!” The princess bellowed with her volume causing the pilot and the acrobat to flinch.

“Ah. It’s going to be so wonderful…lording over you for the next three years to come.” The captain purred as she reached out to pat the once more frightened woman on her shoulder.

“Joy.” The markswoman snorted as she backed away while she eyed the soldier in still present unease.

Just before she plopped back down in her seat while she folded her angered arms over her breasts.

“What’s gotten into you?” The princess pondered in a slightly inquisitive voice while her most skilled soldier shifted on her feet.

“Nothing. Nothing has gotten into me. I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be waiting for you outside of the palace gates.” Zoe answered in a somewhat evasive voice before walked away before the puzzled monarch could comment further on her behavior.

Azula just leaned back in her seat with a sigh while she gazed off into the distance.

Her lips pursed into a scowl while she crossed her arms in her lap.

“Just what is taking that girl so long?” The princess complained as she tapped her boot while the acrobat frowned.

“Maybe you should go check on her Azula? She’s still healing from her injuries.” Ty Lee advised with a hand waving in the air while Azula pridefully scowled back at her.

“You expect me to go check on a peasant?” Azula asked in a snobbish voice while her two friends rolled their eyes at her.

“You already do it every day.” Mai stated with a small smirk while she turned to her leader’s frowning face.

“Whatever! I’ll go ‘check’ on the tiger monkey. If only because I have chores that I want her to do…” The princess trailed off with a finger twirling through her hair while she strode off without another word.

It wasn’t until that the door closed shut behind her that the three remaining women turned to share a knowing look with one another.

It was plain to see to all three of them that Azula was falling for Elle.

She was just too proud to admit it.

Azula stepped into the servant chamber that Elle had been granted to wash up.

She turned her head in annoyance when she heard the sound of running water in the bathroom ahead.

“How can that girl still be showering? Elle!” The princess grumbled as she stomped towards the bathroom with her fists on her hips.

And then she placed her hand on the door with a sigh.

“Servant? Are you in there?” Azula questioned with just a sliver of concern in her strict voice before she pushed the door open.

Only for her golden eyes to widen when she heard heavy breathing coming from inside the show.

Without even so much as a second thought the princess sprinted for the shower door.

And nearly tore the door off its hinges.

Only to find herself staring down in unconcealed concern to find the girl sitting naked on the floor of the shower.

And most worrying of all was the fact that her handmaid was unconscious!

The small girl moaned with her wet hair pushing into the wall of the heated shower just when two strong feminine arms grasped ahold of her shoulders.

“Peasant! Wake up!” The princess shouted with a slight loss in composure as she shook her moaning pet’s small shoulders.

Not even a second later she scooped the tiny girl into her arms while her callous eyes narrowed in renewed anger when her gaze briefly swept over her handmaid’s scarring wound.

The girl mumbled with her head against her shoulder while she quickly carried her girlfriend out of the steaming shower.

“Wake up little peasant.” Azula ordered with building panic in her voice while she shook her pet’s shoulders.

And for the briefest of moments her mind flashed back to how she felt when she was gazing down at the girl bleeding in her arms.

The princess plopped down on the cot with her posterior sinking into the bed while she nudged her girlfriend’s shoulders once more.

“Elle! Wake up dear!” Azula commanded in an unusually apprehensive voice with her mouth open in concern.

Her heart began to race in familiar fear that something terrible had befallen her sweet serving girl.

Only for her eyes to widen in relief when the girl finally opened her eyes.

“Azula-sama? What happened?” Elle murmured in a tired voice with the back of her head against her master’s breast while Azula’s golden eyes furrowed in confusion.

“What do you mean what happened! I came in to…because I have work for you to do and I found you unconscious in the shower!” The princess exclaimed in a colder voice with her strict eyes still peering down at her pretty handmaid’s blinking face.

“Oh? I was? Sumimasen Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl spoke softly as she blushed when she felt her girlfriend’s arm slide around her naked back.

And then she peacefully sunk into her master’s protective arms while she quivered when the older female growled in her ear.

“Are you feeling alright little handmaid?” Azula questioned with her fingertips brushing against her pet’s cheek while Elle leaned into her neck.

“I just feel a little sleepy. Whatever I did in that cave…made me tired.” Elle admitted in a sheepish voice while she felt Azula’s palms cup her cheek.

“Tired? Whatever am I to do with you peasant?” The princess sighed as she gazed down at her naked handmaid with a fond smile on her full lips.

She couldn’t deny that it felt quite nice to hold her naked handmaid in her lap.

“I…don’t know but a kiss would be nice.” The blonde-haired girl mumbled in a bashful voice with her amber eyes peering up into confident golden eyes.

“A kiss? You wish for your master to give you a kiss?” Azula purred just as she fell down onto the cot with her blushing girlfriend in her toned arms.

“T-that’s so master…may I…please have a kiss?” Elle pondered in an innocent voice only to find herself blushing even deeper when Azula’s much taller body crawled atop her.

“Oh, very well…I suppose that I could allow it.” The princess sighed as she traced a fingernail along her serving girl’s shivering cheek just as she leaned down to exhale in her pet’s face.

“O-ooh Azula-sama…” The blonde-haired girl stuttered in a still sleepy voice while much taller woman straddled her nude body.

“Hm. You like that? Being on the bottom?” Azula cooed with a charming smile on her lips while her warm hand slid down on Elle’s gasping cheek.

“I-I d-do master.” Elle sputtered with a lovestruck blush on her cheeks when Azula’s face loomed in her line of vision.

Only for her cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of red when her girlfriend’s other hand suddenly groped her naked ass.

“You belong to me little lady.” The princess spoke in a purr as her hot breath washed over her girlfriend’s quivering cheek while her lips lowered over her handmaid’s waiting mouth.

“I-I belong to you Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl mumbled in an abashed voice only for her overwhelmed eyes to widen when her girlfriend’s full lips crushed against her own.

She sunk back into the cot with Azula’s dark hair hanging over her eyes while the powerful woman smashed her lips into hers in a breathtaking kiss.

The handmaid lay there with her heart racing a mile a minute while the princess effortlessly led their passionate kiss.

Only for Elle to gasp in wonderment when Azula’s lips teasingly began to slide off her own.

“Mhm. Mine….my pet.” Azula remarked in softened voice with one hand still on her handmaid’s lovely ass and the other on her trembling cheek.

“My dominant…my protector.” Elle whimpered as she shyly pressed her face into her girlfriend’s growling cheek while Azula’s nose nuzzled the side of her face.

And then her cheeks flushed once more when she felt Azula’s nostrils release a puff of air against her cheek.

“If there was something wrong…you would tell me…wouldn’t you?” The princess pondered with her lips against her serving girl’s cheek while she held onto her young girlfriend’s cheek.

“I would Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl muttered as she closed her eyes while strong arms snaked around her naked back.

“So be it peasant. I will take your word for it. But see to it that you don’t forget who owns you.” Azula stated with a possessive smirk while she pulled the naked girl into her arms until her handmaid’s face was in the crook of her neck.

“Yes Azula-sama…as you…command.” Elle yawned as she hid her face in Azula’s neck while the older female released a pompous sigh over her.

“Just…be sure that you stay in good health tiger monkey. If you don’t…I will have to punish you.” The princess sighed in a smooth voice with her warm breath brushing against her serving girl’s forehead.

“Wakarimashita…Azula-sama.” The blonde-haired girl agreed in a heavy yawn while she began to breath peaceably in her girlfriend’s neck.

Not a moment later Azula rose an inquisitive brow she heard the sound of soft snoring emanating from against her neck.

The royal woman snorted as she rolled her elegant golden eyes while she held her palm against the back of her handmaid’s blonde hair.

“I didn’t say that you could go to sleep tiger monkey.” Azula grumbled with her fingernails running through her Elle’s hair while the younger girl snored into her neck.

But even so.

She couldn’t help but make a mental note in her brilliant brain that this power easily drained her girlfriend’s chi.

Perhaps…it was indeed worth consulting that sage in the Forgetful Valley after all?

Her mind was already made up.

After Fire Mountain…

To the Forgetful Valley it is then.

#Azula #Avatar The Last Airbender #yuri #ty lee avatar #mai avatar

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