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bigskydreaming · 3 years

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If Dick and Bruce are always both at fault for their conflicts then why does it always go “Dick does something/wants to do something and Bruce doesn’t like it or tells him he’s wrong.” With the other times being “Bruce does something that affects Dick’s life without considering it’s effect on Dick and Dick’s not really upset at what Bruce did he’s literally just upset about the lack of consideration for how Dick would be affected.”

Like how does that work. Dick’s stubbornness is so often cited as being what causes conflicts between them but like....he’s only stubborn when it comes to Bruce attempting to make choices for him or suddenly changing his mind about not being okay with stuff he’s previously enabled Dick in and expecting Dick to just be fine with that. With his temper cited as being what puts him equally at fault with Bruce the other times but again when he’s literally just upset at Bruce’s lack of visible consideration for how Dick is affected by various Big Decisions that Bruce makes....how does that track?

The frustration I and many others have about the vaguely referenced but rarely delved into implications or outright statements that Dick and Bruce fight so often because they’re both equally stubborn and hot headed and refusing to apologize....is that Bruce is the catalyst for almost all these conflicts. It’s his choices that prompt them. He decides things and Dick is affected in various ways by those decisions and Dick is almost always just saying hey I’m here, I matter, but it doesn’t feel that way when you keep acting like it’s hard to remember I exist and my feelings are any kind of priority to you.

That’s not equal. That’s not an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. That’s a big fish making big moves and the smaller fish he took in and who is emotionally attached to him for life frantically trying to remind him he’s along for the ride and getting dragged around by the slipstream the bigger one makes without any seeming awareness of his greater ability to affect the smaller one’s life, the very course and direction of it.

And that’s not because Dick’s lesser than Bruce but it is because what gets obscured by the sometimes vague ways their dynamic is hand waved as being something other than father and son but not actually defined....no matter how you slice it, Dick was his dependent. Literally. Bruce took responsibility for Dick as a child and Dick was dependent on him until he was old enough to be independent.

And that matters, even into Dick’s adulthood because their dynamic, no matter what it grew into, began from these roots and you can’t just uproot who they are twenty years later from the ground it was planted in and act like that has no bearing anymore. It doesn’t work that way.

Like, the thing about Bruce forgetting to prioritize Dick and how he’ll be affected by things I think has a lot to do with Bruce second guessing himself and wondering if he’s had a net positive effect on Dick’s life. And he can think back to when he made that choice to take Dick in and kinda picture or wonder might have happened if he hadn’t made that choice.

And by extension, he can see a life without Dick in it, even if he’s justifying it to himself as being better for Dick that way...but the point is he can see it because he did live it, even if briefly. He might have been young when he took in Dick but he was still an adult, still grown, still established in who he was and what he intended to do with his life.

But the problem lies in the fact that while Bruce might try to convince himself that Dick would have been better off without him, and by extension he thinks about a life without him....he’s picturing himself before taking him in. Still adult, still Brucie, still Batman. Still similar ENOUGH that he can put himself in this train of thought that like....if he’d just made a different choice then, Dick would be better off, and then from there he can kinda...make decisions from the POV of the self he was when Dick wasn’t in his life, he can see what that looks like, what he looks like, and he makes decisions that focus just on him and his own actions and he’s still thinking how Dick is better off that way. When he makes decisions without acknowledging how they’ll affect Dick, he’s not doing it to be thoughtless, he’s convinced himself to separate himself from Dick in his mind....and defaulting to the template of himself he has from when Dick really WASNT in his life yet.

And the thing is....Dick can’t do that. So when Bruce makes choices and actions that look and seem like he’s not acknowledging that Dick’s life is intrinsically connected to Bruce’s and everything Bruce does has SOME impact on him because he’s been the guiding force in Dick’s life since he was eight....when Bruce acts like he’s making choices as if in a world where he never took Dick in even if he thinks he’s better off that way....

There’s nothing for Dick to picture, to imagine that world in the way Bruce is. To imagine himself. Because take away Bruce’s impact on Dick’s life, and from Bruce’s POV you just see the infinite potential of what Dick could have been, but that’s because like....that’s Dick at age eight. He’s barely started becoming who he’ll be as an adult. Eight year olds by their very natures are more varied and full of potential than adults because there’s so much less set in stone by then, they have yet to establish themselves as THEM.

But take away Bruce’s impact on Dick’s life for whatever reason, and from Dick’s POV it looks vastly different. Because the only thing he can picture concretely then...is himself at age eight. When he was at his most lost and confused. When he WASNT able to be by himself yet because who he was just wasn’t even all there yet. It was still actively in formation. In a state of new growth, early stages of creation. When he still very much needed an adult presence with more experience, confidence and knowledge to help shape and guide him through the turbulent process of growing to adulthood and finding himself along the way.

Bruce imagines removing himself from the equation of Dick’s life and seeing the still unrealized potential of that eight year old and everything he might be. Dick is forced to imagine himself after Bruce’s removal from the equation of his life, simply because Bruce so often ACTS like he’s doing just that....and Dick suddenly has NO IDEA what he looks like.

Because he’s not fixated on the before image of himself that Bruce has when he thinks of Dick before Bruce took him in. He’s fixated on his life in the here and now...and when he’s catapulted into imaginings of life without Bruce because Bruce is acting like he exists entirely separate from Bruce and his decisions....he’s back to who he was before Bruce, that scared and confused little kid....and with no way to even begin to picture who he would have grown up to be in a life without Bruce.

Same imagined scenario. But two entirely different perspectives with wildly different appeal. As in one holds no appeal at all...because Dick has never really actually expressed that he wishes Bruce hadn’t taken him in. That HE thinks he would have been better off that way. It’s like asking him to picture himself as a total stranger with no way to begin imagining what he became instead of who he is now....and Dick LIKES who he is now. He has his issues but he LIKES being Nightwing, helping people, all the family and friends he would never have met in a world without Bruce.

It’s just....for all that Bruce says that Dick as an adult has become his equal, this is still a father and son and you can’t keep coming up in both canon and fanfics with events and stories where it’s like the father is operating from a place of ‘my son would be better off without me’ and act like the conflict that ensues is one of equal dynamic....because the conflict, the at odds perspectives, are directly born from the father and son dynamic.

It’s the father questioning his place in his son’s life, after being the one who volunteered for that position and thus earned the eternal gratitude of the son who had desperately needed that adult to depend on at the time he’d stepped into fill it...and the son now wondering well who the fuck even am I without that then, where does that leave me?

Bruce is picturing ANYONE being better for Dick at the times when he second guesses his impact on Dick’s life. But Dick is just picturing an empty cut out with no one to imagine in that place, just an awareness that the kid he’d been back then had really truly needed someone there and there’s no one to put in that place instead. (And it really doesn’t come up enough in examinations of Dick’s character, esp in stories using the juvie origin specifically that like....Dick was painfully aware that no one other than Bruce was exactly lining up to do right by him or give him one of those better lives Bruce is optimistically picturing for him when he’s second guessing his own suitability as Dick’s parent. Dick would be like did you forget where you found me??! Who the fuck do you think was going to give me a better life when nobody but you was even seeing a problem with me being in kiddie jail for the crime of Orphaned While Looked Down On By Society?)

But it’s just like....Bruce and Dick’s arguments, especially ones geared around ambiguity as to the status and nature of their relationship....are not conflicts between equals. They’re a son saying he feels like he doesn’t trust the dynamic between them is solid and the father being like well I’d like to reassure you it’s just I’m spiraling because I don’t think I even should be your father.

And that’s just. SO not something Dick can, let alone SHOULD have to address. HE’S the one who’s lost and adrift and basically a homeless orphan the second you take Bruce’s stability out of his life. It isn’t on that guy to reassure the one who volunteered to BE the source of stability in the life of the kid desperately in need of that.

Bruce is of course more than allowed and understandable in having doubts as a parent. But like. You go to Alfred for that. Clark. Selina. Literally any other adult. But not the kid who you force to wonder how to trust in the strength of the bond you’re actively questioning should even exist....when YOU’RE the source of that bond and what he relies on to see himself as even HAVING a parent at all.

Like. It just isn’t the “both equally at fault” thing people keep calling it. It’s a son flailing because he doubts his place in his father’s life at multiple points because his father basically at multiple points flat out says hey you should probably have doubts about that because LOL guess what I’m having right now!

Y’know?

Oh and also, PS - its reeeeeeally not great IMO, how many fics resolve these conflicts by HAVING Dick reassure Bruce that he loves him and is grateful to him for taking him in and he doesn’t know who he’d be without him, because uh....

You basically just ended whatever fight they were having by deciding that Dick couldn’t afford to even BE mad at Bruce any longer for whatever he did or said, because he has to prioritize making Bruce feel better about his own decisions instead of Bruce having to prioritize making him feel better about his place in the Batfam and ensuring Dick knows that he deserves better than just the bare minimum, parenting wise. That if Bruce legitimately fucked up, its okay to call him on it and hold him accountable for recognizing what he’d done and growing to see how he can do better.

Like....that’s not a resolution to their conflict! That’s just Dick being forced to pat his dad on the back for what a good job he did because Bruce’s insecurities are more important to address than whatever it was that Bruce did to upset Dick in the first place, even if it was literally something he’d fucked up as a parent, and that needed addressing or it’d happen again. (Like....it usually ends up happening again).

You literally make it impossible for Bruce to ever TRULY be held accountable for things he does to ANY of his kids....when you continually treat the ultimate resolution to these conflicts being the KIDS reassuring BRUCE.

My eternal mantra, repeated ad nauseam, in all caps for hyperbolic emphasis not because I’m actually yelling at anyone, I’m actually sitting down at my desk, quite calm at the moment just FYI, just saying:

BRUCE IS THE FATHER. BRUCE VOLUNTEERED TO BE THE FATHER. MAKE BRUCE ACT LIKE THE FATHER AND DO THE THINGS THE FATHER IS SUPPOSED TO DO. NOT HIS KIDS.

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juniaships · 3 years

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Odelloyd (Yodel shipping)

Since @minecraftninjerkid expressed interest I wrote a particularly long post about Odette and Lloyd Garmadon's relationship. It's basically set in my AU of the while Ninjago canon. It's pretty angsty in some parts, and honestly I love this couple because it's a story of two individuals who learn to trust and like TALK with each other and work out their issues together! Plus I feel like if Lloyd needed another love interest within canon it should be someone who can match his energy, a strong young lady who works side by side with him!

Harumi is still the princess but now she has a LADY IN WAITING!! YAYAY

Mostly because she needed a morality pet in some way but also a foil to show if Harumi hadn't been so consumed by personal demons

Odette was a homeless orphan living on the streets with her sister; often stealing from food carts to feed themselves

One night Odette made the mistake of stealing from one of the SOG and they catch her and bring her to their base

Instead of being mad Harumi was impressed by her thieving skills and decided to recruit her. Odette didn't want to at first but then she had second thoughts thinking the extra money could help her and baby sis

So Harumi brings her back and manages to convince the Emperor and Empress to hire Odette as a lady in waiting & decoy if Harumi needed to sneak out to do her business Odette is So instead of it being Harumi it's Odette who stays and befriends the ninja

Odette had NO IDEA her friend plotted to blow up the palace - with her still inside - not great thinking there o' Quiet One

She also had no idea how AWESOME Lloyd is on a motorcycle: "Sweet moves grasshopper!"

They stop at several places gathering clues on the location on the final mask leaving a lot of time for Lloyd and odette to bond; for the first time in forever Odette starts to enjoy life again

The Ninja take Odette in and decide to search for the final mask. Odette does what she can to help out (and find info) getting close to them and my OCs

Lloyd even buys her a gift: a lotus shaped hairpin to replace the one she lost in the palace fight

The jungle incident happens; Lloyd and Odette separates for a while and she comes across the real princess who had stalked the group the whole time undercover

But she's afraid that her big secret might come out everywhere she goes she's often looking over her shoulder

Odette starts to really enjoy the Ninja's company and all her perceived notions about them fade; but she still had to find Harumi to try to talk her out of her plot

Odette meets up with Lloyd inside the caves and they look for the final mask. Finally they see it and Lloyd grabs it, happy that they found the masks before the gang did but notices Odette isn't feeling the same

She's tells Harumi that they're all making a HUGE mistake with the Masks; Harumi of course refuses and orders her to stick to the plan or else

He asks her what's wrong and that's when Odette becomes hysterical and begs Lloyd to destroy the mask or run

Lloyd doesn't know whay she's talking about and tries to calm her down suddenly they hear some sarcastic clapping and in steps in Harumi. Dressed in full Royal Garb

Lloyd is confused and doesn't understand looking back and forth between the newly revealed Princess and the one next to him

Harumi reveals that she is - was - the real princess and that Odette was acting as her decoy to spy on the ninja. She hadn't count on Lloyd catching feelings for Odette which made it all the more sweeter

Odette pleas with Lloyd claiming that while she was ordered to spy, her feelings for him and his friends were genuine. Lloyd coldly brushes he brushes her off and calls her a liar and demands Harumi why she planned all this. The Princess explains that the Ninja failed to save her family from the Great Devourer & that it was Lloyd himself who unleashed such monster on the city killing her parents and several civilians

Harumi also revealed that she had the Emperor and Empress assassinated as punishment for their inaction during that event, and subsequent failure in treating her like a person. "They didn't want a daughter they wanted a Princess."

Harumi takes out her knife and begins attacking Lloyd; Odette watches helplessly as they fight and in the ensuing chaos Harumi knicks Lloyd and orders Odette to return to their group

The Ninja wait by the docks and discovers Odette and the real princess together. They're shocked to see two Princesses; the real Harumi admits her plan knowing they wouldn't last for long to do anything to stop her. An Angry Kai yells at Odette for selling them out

Then the monster attack happens because it is drawn to the mask's essence; Lloyd saves Odette from being crushed, she tries to use the brief chance to explain but he still brush her off

The SOG board their ship and leaves; Odette wallows in guilt Harumi snarky asks her if she really thinks the Ninja are her friends. Odette shakes her head no and looks out the window praying for them to be alright

Back at the city the SOG takes Misako (and Cole's gf Rhenée) hostage to draw Lloyd out. Odette is no longer in her casual clothes but in SOG attire; at the ritual she pretends to be clumsy hoping to stall the ritual long enough

Rhenée asks Odette if she's willing to risk her soul for the terrible actions of other, hoping that Odette can make the right choice. This makes her think about her placement in the SOG

Suddenly the ninja crashes the party just in time and battles the gang. Odette frees Rhenee and Misako and allows herself to be apprehended

Outside she's sitting in the police van when Lloyd walks by and she begs him to hear her out. He wants to listen but is furious with her for betraying them and cuts her off

The ninja head to a bar to celebrate their victory; Lloyd has an honest talk with his mother about Harumi and vows to never trust again. Rhenée says that while Odette lied to them she notices that she's very different from the rest of the SOG

At the jailhouse Odette is sobbing at having lost everything - her friends, her life, and maybe even her sister. She takes out the lotus pin and is about to throw it way when she hears some commotion outside. Apparently the ritual brought back a monster. Fearing for her sister's safety she uses the pin to unlock her cell and sneaks out

Lloyd is too occupied with protecting Baby Wu to fight off Harumi; before she knocks him off Odette arrives & saves him and the baby

In the chaos the Monster arrives and tries to crush them all, Odette gives Lloyd enough time to escape but she falls to her supposed death in the process

Once the battle is over the four original ninjas are nowhere to be seen and are presumed dead

They find out Odette disappeared also, and believe her to he dead too

Harumi and her gang express joy at their enemies demise; and the gang no longer recognize Odette as their own seeing her as a traitor. Deep down Harumi feels a tiny bit pain over the loss of her only real friend but quickly sets that aside to prepare one last scheme

Lloyd grieves Odette's loss regretting they never had the chance to really TALK about what happened between them.

Unknown to everyone, the ninja and Odette were transported to the First Realm

Seasons 9&10 ramps up the angst

Cole is the first one who demands to hear her explanation. Odette explains her backstory and says whole none of it justifies her lies she has now become aware of her actions and is willing to help the ninja FOR REAL FOR REAL

The ninja do NOT want Odette anywhere near them after her betrayal and for a while shuns her.

Zane is the second one; his relationship with former merc Jetta he understands a bit what it's like to choose bad things for survive

Jay and Kai takes the longest: Jay because he's paranoid that Odette may just be evil and insane as Harumi; Kai because he is very protective of Lloyd (who he sees as a younger brother, and even had begun to saw Odette as another sister) and furious that she'd hurt him and their whole team like that

This leads to a series of trials for Odette to prove that she's willing to atone; she actually finds the last dragon's nest and vows to protect it

Meanwhile in Ninjago the city started an underground resistance led by Lloyd and Nya; Lloyd took in Odette's sister to take care of her now that she is gone

Odette and the Ninja finds a way out of the first realm and arrives with their new dragons. Odette splits off to confront Harumi and sees her on top of a building...which is about to fall much to her horror

Lloyd witnesses the scene and shouts Odette's name; the building collapses and he sinks to his knees in fear

Everyone watches with baited breath and cheers as they see both girls and the dragon coming out of the smoke alive

Lloyd and Odette apologize to each other then go off with their friends to fight off the Oni invasion

Once everything is over & Harumi decides to turn a new leaf and surrenders, everyone gathers at the monastery to celebrate. Wu invites Odette and her sister a permanent home with them

After s10 they don't get back together that quickly. Lloyd still has trust issues as in canon and Odette feels like shit believing herself to tbe the cause. Lloyd says it's not her fault, he's simply fed up with random villains coming at him for the crime of being the Chosen One.™

Odette isn't exactly let off easy by the public; there's multiple conspiracies about her and stuff and some aren't exatly forgiving her for working with a group that killed the royal family and destroyed the city. In order to redeem herself in the eyes of the public Odette starts training to become a real Ninja, doing little side missions to help people even something as simple as helping little old ladies use an escalator. Lloyd supports her every step of the way, using his popularity "and natural charisma" to dispel any rumors about her.

#oc lore #ninjago #ninjago season 8 #lloyd x oc #lloyd garmadon #oc: odette #candyshipping

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turtlycute · 4 years

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do you have an anime watch list for beginners like the best animes of all time

Hello Nonny, thank you so much for your question. This is going to be a long post so get comfortable.

Like any anime lover, I have my own ideas of what some of the best animes for beginners might be. Unfortunatly, a lot of the "best of all time" type anime is not really the best for newer viewers. Like for so many others, my first animes were epic series like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sailor Moon and Inuyasha. These all hold special places in my heart and are all fun nostalgic or first watches.

The anime genres I tend to gravitate towards now are slice of life, comedy, drama, romance and shoujo with some sports, supernatural and mystery animes thrown in. So, keep that in mind as you read this list. If those are not your kinda things, then this is not the list for you. A lot of shows on this list are classics or highly popular in these genres. I've also choosen anime that comes in both English sub and dubbed versions because, for beginners, dubbed is sometimes easier to follow and enjoy. Subbed or dubbed, there is no judgment here as long as you are enjoying what you watch. Finally, I tried to stick to anime with mostly 1-3 seasons only. There is nothing wrong with the more epic long running series and many of these fall under "the best of all time" heading but seeing that an anime has 100+ episodes can be kinda daunting for a novice viewer. Now to the list...

First of all, if you are just wanting to try anime but, not wanting to commit to a whole series, I would recommend starting with a movie or two. Some classic films I would recommend would be Totoro, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle from Studio Ghibli. Some more contemporary films like, Your Name, Weathering With You, A Silent Voice and Wolf Children, would also be great anime starting points. These films are staples for any anime collection.

Now, as for anime series, here is just a list of 10 that I think quality animes and would be great beginner watches.

Ouran High School Host Club:

Haruhi Fujioka is a scholarship student at the elite Ouran High School. One day, Haruhi becomes accidentally indebted to the school host club. Now she must work off her debt by playing the role of a male host to the female student clientele. Hilarity ensues.

This reverse harem show is a much loved modern classic for a reason. It's full of fun characters and lighthearted comedy moments with just enough drama and romance to keep you coming back for more.

Maid Sama:

Misaki Ayuzawathe is the first female student council president for a previously all boys school. Now, her life is busy with maintaining top grades, keeping the male students in line, recruiting more girls to the school and keeping her part-time job at a maid cafe a secret. When one day Takumi Usui, the most popular boy in school, discovers her secret job, Misaki finds herself doing everything she can to keep him from revealing the truth to the whole school.

This shoujo has enough of comedy, romance and drama to satisfy anyone's appetite.

Fruits Basket:

After finding herself orphaned and homeless, high schooler Tohru Honda makes a new home with classmates Yuki and Kyo Sohma along with there guardian Shigure Sohma. But the Sohma's have a dark secret, they are under a curse that causes them to change into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by members of the opposite sex. Now, Tohru must keep their secret as she learns more about this family and their curse.

There are actually 2 different versions of this show. Many people would recommend that you start with the completed classic 2001 version but, I'm going to say it's okay to skip that for later and dive into the 2019 reboot and ongoing series. The newer series is so beautifully animated and has a more detailed version of the story than its predecessor. This shoujo is full of drama, comedy, romance, supernatural mysteries and inspirational moments. You'll definitely need a kleenex box when watch this one.

Kamisama Kiss:

One day high school student Nanami Momozono finds herself abandoned by her father, penniless and homeless. After she saves a mysterious man in the park, he offers to help her by giving his home to her. She soon discovers that this gift home is really a rundown shrine and she has magically become local land god. Now, she must learn to juggle her school life and her new position as a land god. Luckily for her, a reluctant fox familiar named Tomoe comes with the shine and has to give her assistance with it all.

This classic is part shoujo comedy and part supernatural adventure. I definitely recommend this in the English dub if for no other reason than to enjoy J. Michael Tatum's voice work as Tomoe.

The Morose Mononokean:

Hanae Ashiya spends his first week of high school with a mystery illness that has left him feeling increasingly weak. He eventually discovers that the cause of his illness is a large fluffy creature that has attached itself to his back. When Hanae comes across a flyer advertising an exorcist who expels youkai, he decides that exorcism might be just the thing to remove the creature. The flyer leads him to the Mononokean and a magical tea room which suddenly appears. The Mononokean turns out to be a fellow classmate, Haruitsuki Abeno, who reluctantly helps Hanae but, demands that Hanae work as his assistant to repay him for the exorcism. Now, Hanae spends his free time working to learn about yokai spirits and how to best help the yokai that live in the mundane world.

This supernatural comedy is just fun to watch, with enough drama to keep you interested. It really has that classic Saturday morning anime adventure feel but, for a slightly older audience.

The Devil is a Part-Timer:

Just as Demon Lord Satan, a.k.a the Devil has nearly conquered the world of Ente Isla and destroyed his enemies, a hero named Emilia corners him and forces him and his top general to escape through a portal to modern day Earth. Emilia, of course, follows him determined to finally defeat the Devil. But now they all find themselves on Earth with no powers, they must discover how to survive even if that means the Devil must get a part-time job at Mc Ronald's just to pay the rent.

What can I say about this show... It starts out with an almost stereotypical supernatural action/adventure anime feel only to turn into a comedic slice of life with a little romance and the ocational fight sequence thrown in. This show is one of the best examples of how versatile anime can be and a great way to get a little taste of a lot of genres.

Death Note:

High school student Light Yagami stumbles upon a supernatural notebook that allows its owner to kill by simply writing someone's name down. Light soon sees the death notebook as a way to reform society's ills by killing criminals and undesirables to create world without crime. Once the police discover that a mysterious serial killer is targeting criminals, they bring in the worlds greatest detective, L, to find and capture this serial killer. This begins a epic battle of witts between Light and L.

This classic anime is a lot darker than anything else on the list but, it's definitely worth mentioning. It was one of the earlier animes I watched and I'm still a fan to this day. It falls mostly into the categories of thriller, supernatural, mystery, horror and crime drama. It is also another one that I'd strongly recommend the English dub over the subbed version. So, if you want to take little walk on the anime dark side, this is a good place to start.

Yuri On Ice:

After a disastrous performance and coming in last place at the Grand Prix, ice skater Yuri Katsuki is thinking about retiring. That is until his skating idol and living legend Victor Nikiforov shows up to his home offering to be his coach. Now, with Victor's help Yuri works to rebuild his career and fight his way to a gold medal at the Grand Prix Final.

Yuri On Ice is my all time favorite anime so, of course it's going to make the list. So much about the struggles and perseverance of the characters in this sports anime is inspiring. Then, when you add in a little romance, flashy skating routines to a great original soundtrack and the drama of competition, everything about this show gets a gold medal.

Free!-Iwatobi Swim Club:

Haruka Nanase has always had a strong connection to the water and a passion for swimming. As he starts high school, Haruka is reunited with childhood friends from a youth swim team, Nagisa Hazuki and Makoto Tachibana. The three decide to start a school swim team. Now, they must recruit a fourth member and train to be able compete in their first swim meet. Watch to see these guys bond as a team and friends and as they pursue their goal to compete at Nationals.

There are a lot of great sports anime out there but, this one is a good one to start with. Free! exemplifies so many standard tropes within this genre and does in an engaging way with an easy to understand sport. There are multiple seasons and movies for this series but, the first season, Free! -Iwatobi Swim Club, is satisfying enough as a stand alone.

My Roommate is a Cat:

Subaru Mikazuki, an introvert writer with social anxiety, adopts a stray cat after a chance encounter. Together they both learn they are not as alone as each of them believed.

This slice of life anime is sooooo relatable, cute and funny. If you're looking for something that's low key and will make you feel all warm inside, than this is the show you should start with.

Here are some honorable mention animes to also consider: Toradora, ReLife, Princess Jellyfish (I just love this show and think everyone should watch it), Black Butler (if you're willing to sort out the correct viewing order it can be worth it), the classic Avatar: The Last Airbender (yeah, yeah, yeah is it anime or isn't, doesn't matter it's a great gateway) and Kakuriyo- Bed and Breakfast for Spirits

So here are some of my top favorite anime for beginners recommendations. A nice mix of classic standards and a few newer shows that really show off specific genres. These are just my opinions, I'm sure there are many other animes that should probably make this list. As always, if anyone wants to add to this list or make some different suggestions please feel welcome to add your own favorites in the comments or as a reblog. Thank you Nonny for the ask and I hope you find this list helpful.

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stereogeekspodcast · 3 years

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[Transcript] Season 1, Episode 1. Detective Mode – Batman’s Worst Enemy is Himself

In our first Detective Mode episode, we discuss why Batman is his own worst enemy, and consequently, bad for Gotham City, and the Bat-Family.

Listen to the Episode on Anchor.

[Continuum by Audionautix plays]

Ron: Today we're talking about Batman.

Mon: Yes, welcome to our first episode of Detective Mode.

Ron: Batman is a starting point for all superhero fans and he was for us. Mon: Yeah, we started off by watching the 1960s show with Adam West, and that really shaped our love for superheroes. It was camp but it was fun.

Ron: Yes, we struggled with the other versions of Batman because we loved the Adam West show so much. But once we started reading the comics, we definitely changed our minds about how we felt about Batman yeah exactly because Mon: Bruce himself is a complicated character but also a very inflexible person.

Ron: Yeah, that's a good point. Well, Shelfdust has this whole series about Batman's worst enemies, and he has a huge rogues gallery. But finally, we decided that Batman's greatest enemy is himself.

Mon: Yeah, and in this episode, we’re really going to be discussing why we think that.

Ron: Because, as much as everybody loves Batman, and we do love Batman, there are a lot of flaws with this character. In many ways he's making his own life, and the life of the citizens of Gotham, nd the people of the Bat-Family, very difficult.

Mon: Exactly. I mean, when we talk about Batman's enemies, we have Riddler, Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Bane. these are just the compelling ones. There are so many more. But they are his own enemies, his personal enemies, and yes, they wreak havoc on Gotham. But why do they keep coming back?

Ron: And that's actually the only way to look at Gotham City. It's a place where crime happens but justice is never really served. And that's the whole point of Batman to actually bring justice to his city, and looking back at his past, Batman lost his parents. They were killed right in front of his eyes when he was a small boy, and that shaped his future. That shaped the person that he was going to grow up to be, and that shaped Batman. But the set of rules that he set for himself when he was a child… He was a traumatized child, and that completely colored the way he looked at justice, and that's shaped the way he's tackling the villains that attack him, and the city.

Mon: Yeah, that's true. I mean, it's a child's point of view. It's good. I mean, he's innately a good person. He has a code of honour which he usually doesn't break. There's always going to be a chance here and there, where it's going to change.

But while I like that code of honor, I feel like Bruce is working on crime in Gotham from the top down. It's easier for him to be Batman, to use his face to beat up these bad guys and throw them in Arkham. But what is he doing to make the city better?

Bruce is the wealthiest guy in the whole of Gotham. I mean, he comes from the wealthiest family, who have a history of wealth and a history of power and influence over people. So why isn't he using that? Instead he's just, you know, putting these bad guys away in Arkham, and they're breaking out of there, like every three weeks or so.

Ron: Yes. Nobody really stays in Arkham for very long. It's really a revolving door.

Mon: Yeah, and let's talk about Arkham for a minute. Like every iteration of Arkham, be it in the comics, in the games, in the TV shows and films. It's this horrible, wretched place. All it does is re-traumatizes anybody who goes in there. And it makes them worse.

Ron: So, where does the rehabilitation happen? Can you get justice in a city like Gotham without actually rehabilitating these people? All these criminals, you know, Poison Ivy, Joker, Bane, they come from great poverty, great deprivation, and they're trying to make sure that not only they can have some kind of luxury, but they can give it to their cohorts that they work with. So, where is Bruce Wayne? And where is Batman? When those people need help, before they become Joker and Poison Ivy. Mon: Yeah. And another way that I feel that Batman is not only his own worst enemy, he's also Gotham’s worst enemy is that he's fighting bad guys, he's putting them away, they come back out way stronger. But all he is doing all the time, is using his power and wealth to give himself and the Bat-Family better tech, better weapons. And that's something that's alluded to in the Christopher Nolan films. In Batman Begins where detective James Gordon says that if you're more invincible, they're going to start bringing out more powerful weapons.

Ron: Exactly. And that's actually a concerning issue, especially as we look at the world in 2020. There's so much money being spent on the police force, they have tanks, they have Kevlar, and the kind of weapons that they have access to, they could do real harm. And that's just to protect the city. I mean, that's exactly what we've been seeing in Batman. He has a suit that protects him. He has a utility belt that has all sorts of gadgets. But these are not just for him, he's making the same things for the GCPD. So, what we've seen in real life has actually been reflected in the Batman books for a very, very long time. He's actually making a world around him that allows for, even gives permission to, people to create super weapons, and that becomes dangerous for the common man.

Mon: Absolutely. The most recent arc in the Batman comic series deals with a new character called Clown Hunter, who has been killing Joker's henchmen. And Batman is dead set against it. When the Clown Hunter is introduced, Batman speaks to him about his murderous ways and Clown Hunter tries to explain to him that he lost his parents and he was orphaned. He's homeless, he's squatting in this place because of a fight between Batman and Joker. So, this young boy is collateral damage. And these are the characters that we don't often see, or we don't often see Batman engage with. But this clown hunter character, he's presented as a villain, or a villain-to-be. But he's just collateral damage in a fight that really shouldn't have happened.

Ron: We see that quite often. Even Kite-Man, he’s probably one of my least favorite characters in the DC Universe, he's extremely irritating.

Mon: I can’t believe he's such a huge part of the Harley Quinn TV show!

Ron: It actually did a really good job with him in that show. I was quite impressed. But otherwise, he's not a very good character; he's not very interesting. But his villain origin story comes from Batman. He lost somebody in his life because of Batman. It comes back to the same thing. Is Batman really helping the people of his city? What is he doing for people like Clown Hunter, for Kite-Man so that they don't end up on a path to villainy? How many heroes are in Gotham City, that will actually bring about something good? Apart from the Bat-Family. Even Nightwing, he's left, he's gone to Bludhaven. There's Red Robin. He's usually with his group of superheroes. There's Robin, who well, he doesn't really have a choice. He's Batman’s son. There’s Batgirl. At least, she is trying to do something. But she has a connection to the GCPD, because Gordon is her father. So, in a way, she has a very blinkered view of crime fighting, as well. Again, it comes back to the same thing. What are they doing to actually rehabilitate these people? What are they doing to mitigate the kind of collateral damage that they're causing?

Mon: Yeah, I mean at the end of the day, Batman is working on a surface level. He's not trying to structurally make a change to Gotham itself, and he's one of the rare people who has the power to do that.

Ron: Exactly. I mean he does have limited unlimited resources. So, what is he doing with that money?

Mon: Exactly. And we're always hearing about the corrupt cops in the GCPD and the mayor, who's usually being bribed by the Penguin or whoever. I mean, Penguin becomes mayor in several iterations of Batman series. So, we have to ask ourselves: why is Bruce just standing by and letting all this happen? And, of course, we're talking about a comic book character here, and he is just a reflection of the people who create him or writing. So, is it that much harder to think of a good character, a heroic character, who does the dirty work, but doesn't necessarily do it with his fists? Ron: Yeah. Gail Simone had an interesting Twitter chat with a few people some time ago about Batman. Quite a few people were asking, why does Bruce Wayne not do something with his money to save the city of Gotham and actually put an end to crime? And she was saying, it doesn't really make for great comic book writing, because the visceral action of somebody hitting somebody's face, or punching them in the solar plexus, that makes for great art, that makes for great reading. Somebody sitting behind a desk crunching numbers, trying to run an orphanage, or pay off some bills, that's not very exciting.

Mon: And also, I know that the diktat from up above in DC is that every comic book needs to have an action scene. It’s something Tom King alluded to a couple of years ago about his series, which is a little bit more cerebral from time to time. But yeah, he said basically every issue must have some action in it.

Ron: I think you can still have some kind of action. While also acknowledging the fact that Bruce Wayne has to do something with the money he has.

Mon: Something more. Because at the moment, what he's doing is, it looks like he's hoarding it.

Ron: It's actually quite interesting because the current Rebirth run has Bruce pretty much losing all his money. All of its been transferred to Lucius Fox. So, what is he going to do now? And another thing that we're seeing is Bruce is actually being questioned about what he's done for the city. He's actually having to rethink his war on crime, and whether it's actually brought anything to the plate.

Mon: Exactly. How effective is Batman?

Ron: We haven't seen him be very effective at all. Somebody like Joker; he's been around for quite a while. There used to be kind of comedic elements to him and the Adam West shows and. And we've seen that character become darker and darker. We've seen The Killing Joke, where he maimed Barbara. He was one of the more terrifying villains that we saw, when he was portrayed by Jack Nicholson, and he was portrayed by Heath Ledger. Let's not go into the Joaquin Phoenix Joker movie, which was not good.

But this is a person who is still a mystery in many ways, but he keeps harming the city, he keeps coming back. He harms people he causes damage, and he ends people's lives. And he causes a lot of pain in the process.

Mon: Exactly. And the worst thing is, at the end of it all, because the DC executives are so keen on keeping the Joker alive in some form or the other, it almost seems like Batman forgives the Joker. Yeah, that's why he always lets him live or sends him to Arkham, but it's not enough. Something more needs to be done about somebody who constantly returns and destroys the city.

Ron: Yes, I mean, he's a dangerous, dangerous man, and he has shown time and time again that he does not care about getting better.

Mon: So, something needs to be done. Maybe Arkham needs to be redone or restructured completely. Bruce has the power to do that. And unfortunately, he really just hasn't. So, in a way, you have to ask, is Bruce enjoying this? Maybe Bruce just keeps these people around so that he remains relevant.

Ron: Yes, it does. But in a way it makes sense because if there are no criminals, what's Batman going to do? There is no need for Batman. The whole point of Bruce becoming Batman was that he would make a city that would one day not need him. But it's been, what, eighty years of Batman and he’s still needed. Mon: Exactly. In fact, more so, because every time there's a colossal fight or battle, it seems like the city is completely at its end and there are even more new villains coming up. Just now, we've got two new different iterations of villains who are out to take on Batman and able to fight him toe to toe.

Ron: And the other thing is that, the newest villain that's been introduced, we don't really know very much about him, but it seems that he has history with Bruce. So, this is a personal battle that is being fought, and the victim is once again Gotham City.

Mon: There's so much collateral damage in the city, but even if we don't care about the poor faceless Gotham-ites, Batman's own family have been affected by his incompetence.

Ron: How can we forget Jason Todd, his second Robin, a feisty character, in many ways, but he ended up being murdered by the Joker. And because comics, he came back to life; he was resurrected. And he is still, after very many issues, very angry with Batman, who basically is a father figure to him. Because Batman never did anything to the Joker despite Jason dying. And that ended up leading to Jason becoming Red Hood, and he was a villain for quite a while.

Mon: Yeah, and it's funny because Batman basically saved Jason from being a villain. When he was young, his greatest concern was, if he left Jason out on the streets, then Jason would just become a bad guy. He would just be another one of Batman's rogues’ gallery. So, he invited him to the mansion, taught him to become the Robin. And that was great. And then, because of Batman's forgiveness of the Joker, when Jason does come back, he comes back angry, because it's constantly fueled by the fact that Batman refuses to act on what happened to him. Ron: That's how he keeps going. It's this vengeance that has shaped his relationships with almost everybody around him. And it's made him a very, very despondent, angry young man. We've had an issue with writing for Jason. It's not been good for a long time, but he can't grieve properly, he can't be a relatable person.

It seems like, because Batman is basically the flagship of DC, to make him as interesting as possible, everybody else around him is suffering.

Mon: Yeah. And let’s take Barbara Gordon, for example. We, especially nowadays, everybody talks about Jason's pain and Jason's anguish about what happened with the Joker. But people tend to forget what happened to Barbara Gordon. In The Killing Joke, which is a huge favorite among a lot of people.

Ron: It's not a very good book, actually.

Mon: It's quite problematic by today's standards, anyway. But for Barbara, she was left in a wheelchair after being shot by the Joker. And she took that opportunity. She saw it as an opportunity and became Oracle, still a very, very helpful superhero to the Bat-Family. And in the Rebirth comics, she was able to get some surgery, and she's back to being Batgirl.

But the writers, in general, tend to forget that the Joker had a lasting impact on her, as well. And while with Jason, it’s very much about his anger, with Barbara, she has to deal with it. And I don't think she's allowed to be angry at Batman. Even though she should be.

Ron: Yes, exactly! She's always been by Batman’s side, but has he earned that? Has Joker earned her forgiveness? Of course, it comes back to writing, and how female characters are never… It's a huge problem with the big two, that female characters have had certain personality traits that are not very realistic, at all.

Mon: So, it's hard to see them as rounded, fleshed out characters because that's not how the people see them.

Ron: And they have largely been written by men who seem to have very strange views on women. So that's also quite unhelpful. But again, it comes back to the same thing. What is Batman doing for his city, for his people, for himself? Because people are getting hurt. And nothing's being done about it.

Mon: There's the old adage that goes: violence begets violence. And, in essence, that's exactly what Batman is doing. Because every time he brings out his Kevlar and his armor and his fancy batmobiles, somebody is trying to figure out a new way to get through all that.

Ron: You don't want to say that it is an invitation, but because nothing is being done to keep these people behind bars or to find a way to make them better, then, it does become an invitation. Because they know that they're not going to be in Arkham for very long. Somebody is going to break them out or they're going to find a way to break themselves out. And they're going to have an upper hand because they've already fought Batman and now, they've actually learned the things that Batman seems to be working on

The principle that all the henchmen, they're desperate people so they're aligning themselves with the Riddler or Joker or whoever is the villain of the week. But those people, they're easy to grab. They're easy to punch, they're easy to put behind bars. What happens to the bosses?

Mon: Also, we have to ask ourselves: why are there so many henchmen lining up for these jobs with the Penguin and whoever? Where are the other jobs?

Ron: Exactly! That means there’s a high rate of unemployment in Gotham.

Mon: And again, that comes down to structural, systemic issues. Even if the bosses, none of them really do any work, all the henchmen have to do all the hard work and dirty work. So, if they didn't have a huge rotating door of henchmen coming in and out, they wouldn't be too effective.

Ron: We know that Bruce Wayne has a very large corporation, and obviously people are working there. Maybe there are opportunities to make new jobs. Why isn't he taking that up?

Mon: Exactly, exactly. It seems wrong to lambaste Bruce Wayne and Batman so thoroughly, since he is definitely one of our favorite superheroes. But at the same time, I feel like after 80 years of reading pretty much the same thing over and over, I think that, especially the most recent disappointment would have to be when The Joker War was happening in the Batman: Rebirth series. And by the end of it, he’s still a threat, an insidious threat, but he's still a threat.

And it just makes us wonder why DC is so against letting go of this character. Its comics. If a character dies, they'll be back in a year. It's fine. But give us a year where we do something different with Bruce Wayne.

Ron: Yes. And you know what, I would say, make a huge change. You know what this is making me think about? There's been a lot of discussion about colorblind casting in films. And we have seen different versions of certain characters. We've seen Thor, the mantle was taken up by Jane Foster. We've seen Miles Morales’ Spider-Man. Maybe we need a Bruce Wayne who is not so white.

Mon: In fact, we are going to get a few. I don't think they’re canon versions, but we do have a few things coming up in the DC future slate. The publications which will try and expand the variety and diversity of characters, even characters that we are familiar with. I hear that there's going to be a Batman who isn't exactly all white. Ron: Okay, but again, that's not the main title. That's always going to be a problem because I think, up until this year, we felt like whatever Batman was doing, it was fine. We were okay with it.

Mon: Yeah, as long as the stories are entertaining, we will keep coming back.

Ron: The stories have not been entertaining, that's a different matter altogether.

Mon: Yeah, that's it.

Ron: But since 2020 has happened. Since we’ve seen what an extremely rich, white man can do when he is in a position of power, right now, Bruce Wayne's entire arc really needs to be rethought. Because it is very difficult. The two of us are women of color. We're immigrants. Reading Batman do what he does, it's not relevant anymore. It's actually a slog for me to read Bruce Wayne’s stories. I feel really bad saying that because Batman has been in our lives forever.

Mon: Yeah. Can't remember a memory without Batman in the background

Ron: I have to really prepare myself to be like, okay a new issue of Batman has come out, let me read it. It is really difficult, because there is nothing about this man that I'm interested in or that I care about.

Mon: Yeah, I mean, he's gruff, he's rugged, he's always talking about how he works solo, and he must work alone. He has a gigantic Bat-Family. He would be so much more effective if he actually invited them to help him, instead of fighting on his own. I can't say I look forward to reading the Batman title, either. Which, again I feel really bad. But I think it's because there's a predictability that has crept into his comics. And it's because it's the safety net.

Ron: And it's the same kind of people writing the same kind of stories over and over again. I think, now is the time to really make a change.

Mon: Yeah, behind the scenes. And on the page. To really shake things up and make Bruce a compelling character again and even if it means a romantic getaway with Catwoman for seven-eight issues, we’re fine with it. It's okay! It's still different. If that makes him change his mind about how he does this war on crime.

Ron: Because Catwoman comes from nothing. Maybe that's what he needs. I do like BatCat, and I did like those issues in the Rebirth comics, but we haven't gone anywhere with it. That is the problem. There is so much that can be done with it.

Mon: Catwoman is far too restrained in her relationship with Batman. I think it again comes back to the safety of not pushing the boundaries of what Catwoman can do or can say to Batman. Because half the time I'm like, really? Why is she with this guy? He's Batman but, she deserves better.

Ron: Yeah, she's smart. She's seen a lot of the really bad parts of the city. She knows what can be done to make things better, because she's been on both sides. She's fought by Batman’s side. She's fought to save Gotham City. But she's also fought to steal stuff.

Mon: So that she can survive!

Ron: Exactly. She changes the perspective. Batman has not really had to do that. In a way, I kind of like the Christopher Nolan movies because we saw him leave Gotham City behind, leave his life behind, and actually have to be out on the streets. We see him trying to steal an apple. sharing it with another fellow thief, because he had nothing.

Mon: But in the comics, it feels like he hasn't learned from any of those kinds of experiences, or at least he's so far removed from those experiences now that he can’t really put himself in the shoes of anybody who is in that state. Ron: Yes, that's true. You were mentioning how we're going to have a future DC book where we're going to see a different version of Bruce Wayne, but I'm not sure what that's going to give us. Because I just read Batman: Overdrive which was quite enjoyable. And it wasn't written by a white man, but the ethos of Batman is somebody who has money, who has privilege. And it doesn't seem like he is able to see beyond that. And that is the problem that we have in 2020.

Mon: Interesting. So even in this Batman? I haven't read it yet.

Ron: Yes, it's a YA book, it's quite enjoyable. He's a young man. This is teenage Bruce Wayne, but he just doesn't see the privilege that he has. And it's a bit jarring when you're reading it, because… Yes he has friends who come from the wrong side of the tracks, who don't have as much money as he does, but he is just so self-absorbed. I think that's what's the problem with Bruce Wayne's money and privilege. He can't see beyond himself, even in his crime fighting. It's not how much of it is for Gotham City, and how much of it is for revenge for what happened to his parents. Mon: Wow. Yeah, that's it. I'm a little disappointed to hear that, because I was quite excited to read it. I kind of agree with you because , the problem with a character who is self absorbed or the issue with such characters, it's about them being—not being apathetic towards other people's pain and suffering, and their situation.

I think therein lies the problem with Batman. He is so absorbed with him being the sole protector of Gotham when he has so many people he can rely on. He's got Lucius Fox backing him up right now. He has Barbara who is back in the Oracle chair when she really should be fighting as Batgirl. He has all these safety nets. And he's not really doing anything with these partners that he has. And it really just comes back to the same thing that he doesn't see beyond himself. And that has repercussions on the people around him, on his city, and on the villains that he's been fighting all these years.

Ron: Exactly.

Mon: They're always saying, yeah, Batman he has his rules which is why he can't step over the boundaries. But that's not the point. Batman doesn't have to go around killing people to make a point. He needs to just make sure that Gotham isn't a breeding ground for these people.

Ron: Make structural changes when you have the ability to make those structural changes. And we're not really seeing that. I'm not saying that we need entire issues dedicated to Batman trying to build the halfway houses or something. but at least give us an inkling that he is doing something like that. And when they are introducing new villains like Clown Hunter, this is a boy who is murdering people, because of the deaths that have been caused by Batman.

Mon: And he's not just murdering common people. He's murdering people who worked with the Joker.

Ron: And who are also in some way, just regular people in difficult circumstances. So, it's such a vicious cycle.

Mon: Well, it actually reminds me off the first season of Batwoman on The CW. In Batwoman, where Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane, she's Bruce’s cousin, so she's also a person of wealth. She returns to the city and while at first, she really does want to fight as Batman, and then as Batwoman, she also starts making little changes. She buys those halfway houses, she's making a little club, which is friendly towards queer people. So, she makes her own little changes. Unfortunately, we won't be able to see more of that.

But we have a new hero in Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder who is going to be debuting next year. 2021. And she is also affected by the structural issues, the systemic problems of Gotham. And she will be fighting for those people.

Ron: Javicia Leslie is a Black woman. She's playing the first Black Batwoman. And this is the kind of change that we need to see.

Mon: Exactly. Who knows, if Rose had remained as Batwoman into the second season, we probably wouldn't have seen this. But she stepped back and they saw what was happening around the world, and they made a positive change by bringing in a Black woman who can give us a completely different idea of what it is like to fight crime in Gotham. Ron: And is this something similar with Sophie Moore. They didn't have to have a Black woman in that role, but they did, and we get a completely different perspective because she's a Black, queer woman. We don't get to see characters like that. So for me, the Batman comics, if they really want to make Batman more relevant, maybe, to make sure that Batman doesn't seem like an enemy to his own people, maybe start making a big change like that.

Mon: Yeah, I, for a very long time, I've always wanted to make a sort of Elseworlds story where Batman is like sort of, half-Asian or full Asian, who knows. And the problem is that they will be rich, but because of the systemic racism and societal racism, he's not quite accepted by everybody else which is why he works alone so often. You need to sort of mold it, so it makes a little bit more sense.

Ron: But I would take that even further. What if Batman, an Asian Batman, whose parents built Gotham City, ended up seeing his parents being killed in front of him, because they were immigrants, because they were doing something for the city. We've managed to get a completely new perspective. I'm looking at it this way: we were in Dubai for so long, and there were so many South Asians who stayed there and built the city from the ground up. And it makes a difference to what the outcome of the city is. So, maybe that's what Gotham needs. Maybe that's what Batman needs. His titles need a refreshing change in point of view. Mon: Exactly.

Ron: Unfortunately for us, though we really do love Batman, we do have to admit that he has not been good for his city, for his close friends and relatives. Or for himself. He's not healing, he's not getting better. He's doing the same thing over and over again, which is quite literally the definition of madness. So, we need to see something new in Batman. We need to see him change. We need to see him held accountable for what he's been doing wrong. And maybe we just need a new Batman.

Ron: You can find us on Twitter @Stereo_Geeks. Or send us an email [email protected]. We hope you enjoyed this episode. And see you next week!

Mon: The Stereo Geeks logo was created using Canva. The music for our podcast comes courtesy Audionautix.

[Continuum by Audionautix plays]

Transcription by Otter.ai and Ron.

#batman #podcast #geek #dc comics #stereo geeks

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hirakdesherrani · 5 years

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EBSS 12/7

1. The episode starts with the Amma-Pooja scene.

I am so glad that Pooja is giving money to charity. Since the 16th May (I think?) episode where Jahnvi manipulates PK to donate land for a hospital for the poor, I've always assumed that Pooja will use PKs money for good cause. Pooja's causes are also pretty specific, and I like this. First time, the hospital was her Dada's dream. Today, it was for orphans. Probably, because she herself is an orphan and connects to them. Pooja donates for causes she believes in, which have some connection with her life. But I still find it strange for her to run PK's business, I always thought she would give it away to the hospital. It seems like writing contradiction to me. "Maine Mittals ke saath jo kia, uske baad woh mujhe award toh nahi denge"🤣

I cracked up so bad at this. The best thing about this show, is the humor. Mostly, the writers have maintained it, and I have enjoyed the sass, snark of all characters, even Manohar, everyone except Chaachi who is not funny at all.

2. Okay next was the Jai-Dhruv-Kabir scene. I really liked the Kabir-Jai scene. I think lonnnng back I'd said that the show lacks brotp scenes, so I am glad that they are making up for it.

Coming to Dhruv, I kinda ffwded his scene, but I got the gist. I think the one person, whose life would probably not recover from this shock is Dhruv. I do feel, Pooja should apologize to him, at the end of the show, whatever the end is. Until they make her into a negative character. Thats a different story.

However, POOJA SHOULD NOT RETURN TO DHRUV. I don't believe in this patriarchal idea of male entitlement that just because the man loves the woman, she should accept it, and remain with him. NO, AND NO. This is totally against consent and agency. I didn't like Rani forcing herself on Kabir too.

There is another reason why I think Dhruv and Pooja don't suit at all. When Pooja's father was murdered, she was a kid, despite that she went through all hardships to provide for her sister. She kept the revenge alive in her heart but did not give up, and struggled against life.

Look at what Dhruv is doing. He is a grown up man, whose family depends on him. He (and Kabir) are the working men of the family. I understand depression forced people into alcoholism and drugs often, and I don't want to be judgmental about it. But atm Dhruv cannot afford depression. It will be rather costly for him and and his family.

The point is Pooja and Dhruv are very different people. Pooja would never respect a man like Dhruv who crumbled so easily in the face of difficulty, while she succeeded and struggled even as a kid. If your partner doesn't respect the relationship, would never work out.

I will be terribly disappointed if the CVs make JanRuv endgame, because it sends a wrong message that a woman cannot reject a man's love, whatever be the circumstances, and its a toxic thing to show in our already extremely patriarchal society.

Pooja should apologize to Dhruv for using him, and that's it. NO JANRUV.

3. Okay every time Suman, comes up on my screen I feel like throwing something. I just absolutely abhor her character. I mean, how lacking do you have to be in conscience?? She didn't apologize to Pooja? Fine, but at least she can apologize to her sons. Both her sons are suffering because of her. If she had at least had the courage to disclose the truth about PK to Kabir long back, then he would have tried to compel PK to hand himself over to law. It would not have come to this.

Suman, Dadaji, Chanda are doubly guilty. First, they hid the truth about PK, to protect their family, and second they hid the truth from Kabir also. Even two days before the incident, if Dadaji had told Kabir the truth when he asked the former, then Kabir would have forced PK to accept his crime before law. Who knows maybe Pooja would have stopped before taking the extreme step of attempting murder.

I can't believe what kind of dheent people these are. On top of that, Suman was bitching about Pooja. Mummyji zara apne girebaan mein jhaank lo. She should be glad that Pooja only made them homeless, and did not try to burn down Dadaji, Suman and Chaachi, like they burned her down.

If only she at least accepts her crimes properly before Kabir, maybe he will also soften towards Pooja. He keeps saying, 'meri family' meri family', beta half of your family is complicit in the crime and should be in prison.

4. I liked the Jai-Kabir-Sonali scene. I always like sibling bonds, and the junior Mittals at least should be happy. Again towards Chanda, I have the same feeling like towards Suman, so no comments there.

5. Coming to the main scene, Kabir-Pooja scene, and Rani too.

Since yesterday, the writers are bringing it back to revenge plane. Like I said before I felt Pooja was acting really immature, but now I can see where she is coming from. Today also, she said about how she had to wash utensils as a domestic servant, and work as a waitress to provide for her sister. All that because Kabir's father murdered her father. Is her punishing Kabir for his father's actions wrong? Yes. But it makes sense with her character till now (point to note that Amma tells her that she is not right in this thinking).

I think Pooja always had a thing about breaking someone's pride. She did it with PK, making him wash widow's feet publicly. She tried to do it with Kabir too, by throwing the uniform, and I am glad that Kabir caught it. He is also right that he won't bend before her, and he shouldn't because he is not his father, who should suffer.

I have one problem with Kabir-Pooja scenes (apart from the fact that they are kinda petty). I hate the khandaani rayeez barbs which Kabir throws at Pooja mocking her poverty.

Why I don't like this, is because its bad writing. Kabir, who actively took a stand against his father's regressive views. and who makes efforts to be socialist and mix with workers, is making fun of Pooja's poverty?

From where I see it, Kabir mocking Pooja comes from a place of feudal entitlement and its fundamentally classist and elitist.

It is also inconsistent with Kabir's socialist attitude towards workers, and makes it look like Kabir is using the workers for his benefit, harping about equality with them, while saying that Pooja must be used to poverty.

Yesterday's scene for example, Kabir switched the tiffins and distributed the food among workers made sense to me. He was also right that one should not waste food. What I didn't like was Kabir putting stones in her food, saying she must be used to it. It was distasteful and very poorly done. without that addition, the scene would have been perfect. What Kabir implied, was that Pooja is poor, and she should remain poor, be used to poverty, that's really classist of Kabir. Specially, when she is poor because of his Dad murdering Pooja's Dad, Kabir's action seem to justify PK's crimes.

Even in today’s episode, when Pooja told Kabir about her struggles, Kabir was unaffected by it. Again, it seemed to imply that he doesn't care what she has suffered because of her father.

I am not saying Kabir should tolerate Pooja's humiliation, or not try to get back his family property. What annoys me, is that he shows absolutely zero emotion about Pooja's struggles.

I don't know whether its how Kabir's written, or is it Zain? I expected some expression, softening of eyes, or a little look of guilt. But nothing. Zilch. I know from Naamkarann, that Zain is much more expressive actor than this. So, I don't think its a performance choice, is it?

I hope CVs tone down this inconsistency. Kabir can fight back, but these jibes about nouveau riche and poverty does not tally with his character.

We know where Pooja's coming from, and given her grey character, it still makes sense, but it doesn't make sense for Kabir.

#ek bhram sarvagun sampanna #ebss #my stuff

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talking-head-productions · 5 years

Text

The entire plot of Steven universe but with human office workers:

MAJOR SPOILAGE!!!!

there's a big conglomerate run by a family of matriarchs

years ago the youngest matriarch was given control of a new, very small branch

one of the security guards, concerned about the company's resource management, basically staged a coup

she recruited the matriarch's secretary and the gayest gay couple (one creates stock predictive algorithms, the other was lower tier security), among others

there was a security civil war, more or less, and the young matriarch was assassinated

the other matriarchs decided to abandon that branch, and the town that existed around it; but first, they broadcast a signal on the 'rebel' frequencies that basically made anyone who heard it go insane (sounds science fiction, but might be possible irl)

meanwhile, the town itself is mostly fine. The remaining 'rebels' build a house and just live there for a while

they also adopt a little feral child orphan

eventually the leader falls in love with a traveling rock star and they have a kid, but she dies in childbirth

the others start teaching the kid how to be a badass, 'cause they're now a group of vigilantes hunting the crazy people

meanwhile, in a secret sub-basement of the office building, a group of super crazies jacked up on all kinds of experimental steroids are being kept alive thanks to automated systems. There's a timer though, and when it finishes a door will open...

one of the remaining matriarchs gets it in her head that they should check on the super crazies

she picks out a random engineer and tells the engineer to travel to the office in the far off town

the engineer gets there and no sooner sets down on the helipad than she sees someone has been there recently. She freaks out and leaves

not long before that, the newly badass kid found a traumatized young woman who was locked up by the matriarch's people, even though she was on their side. This young woman still blames the 'rebels' for her plight

the young woman manages to escape the town and heads off to corporate headquarters

the engineer gets back to headquarters and decides to explore using drones. When she does, she finds the 'rebels' snooping around in the office building

she reports this at about the same time as the traumatized girl returns

they raise such a stink that the matriarch decides to send them back with their best security guard, some fancy new weapons, and a fucking tank

and when they get there... turns out the security guard is from the old days and had a personal beef with the badass kid's mom. She tries to kidnap him, almost kills the lesbians, and the whole thing becomes a massive shitstorm. And then the tank blows up

the traumatized girl was being abused by the security guard, so she chains the guard up and drags her off to a secret torture chamber for a while...

everything kinda goes back to normal for a little bit... except the engineer managed to get away, there are still lingering personality issues with the 'rebels', and no one knows about the imminent threat of the super crazies

then the engineer manages to get to the sub-basement, sets a couple of the crazies loose, and paints a target on her back

and then she gets captured

and then she realizes that if she doesn't cooperate they're all gonna die

so she tells them about the super crazies and they believe her of course

they decide to find a solution to the problem, and the engineer decides that this town isn't so bad, maybe it doesn't deserve to be fucked off the map

so she reaches out to her boss via an old private and secure line she stole from an off-site lab at the edge of town

and basically gets told to let herself die, so she goes 'fuck you' and joins the rebels... only too late realizing she didn't exactly think this all through

and then the traumatized girl and the security guard return, having formed a weird co-dependent, mutually abusive relationship, and they plan on totally fucking up the rebels

which thankfully the rebels are able to separate them and defuse the situation

and then the badass kid and the engineer accidentally their way into making the super crazies not so crazy anymore, though still unfit to live among the normies so they leave 'em in the basement

and then the engineer and the traumatized girl start living together and they make such a cute couple

but then the security guard goes full nutso

she starts using the lower-tier crazies as servants/an army and she tries to fight the rebels

only to get infected with crazy herself and the engineer locks her in a cage after the badass kid and the feral child beat her up

among this, the badass kid finds another traumatized prisoner, this one an old rebel and a weapons expert

she doesn't show her trauma at first, and just seems glad to be back and among friends

then she reveals it was the kid's mom who locked her away for suggesting they kill the matriarchs

and the knife-maker attacks the kid and the kid locks her away again

and then the poor badass kid finds out his mom actually did kill a matriarch, the youngest one, and that's why everybody from headquarters hates him and the rebels so much

and he's really freaked out about all this

and then one of the matriarchs shows up in town and kidnaps his dad

so he and the rebels go to to rescue the dad and find what seems like a whole zoo filled with people and it's freakish but they can't do anything except escape

and they can't even rescue the other prisoners

and then the matriarchs send a sort of repo team, consisting of a midget sociopath who takes everything literally and a pair of former pro wrestlers that have half a brain cell between them

and these three kidnap a bunch more people to take to the zoo

and the badass kid, feeling really confused and guilty, decides to give himself up to pay for his mom's crimes if they'll leave everyone else alone

he gets taken back to headquarters, but about halfway there it turns out one of his civilian friends accidentally stowed away

and when they get to headquarters, this kid is put into a mock trial, total kangaroo court

and he's of course found guilty at first

but then his assigned corporate lawyer starts finding holes in the assassination story that just don't make sense

and then the kid and his friend drive a matriarch's car out the goddamn window of headquarters and manage to survive, landing in a garbage dump

where they're attacked by security drones, and one explodes and basically kills the kid's friend

thankfully it doesn't stick, the kid is able to heal him, but is his friend now technically a zombie? No one knows

but they also meet a bunch of homeless people that the matriarchs have been abusing, and the zombie friend becomes their leader

the badass kid manages to find a secret tunnel and gets back to his home really quickly, freaking everyone out

but they're all just happy he's back

but the engineer and trauma girl are even more freaked out, and they decide to leave town

only the engineer decides that she likes town too much to leave

so the two break up

trauma girl takes all their worldly possessions and leaves

and the engineer gets the dog

and then the badass kid gets to digging into the past and he realizes that maybe the secretary rebel might've been the real assassin

only for her to reveal that the young matriarch and the kid's mom were one and the same

and everybody freaks out

the lesbians almost break up over it

and the secretary has to explain how the matriarch realized her company was super shady but her family wouldn't listen to her

so she adopted an alternate persona and staged a rebellion

but then she felt so much happier in her new persona, she decided to fake her death and take the rebellion all the way

and she was mainly inspired by the lesbians

so the lesbians decide to stay together, and get married

and the kid lets that knife maker out of prison

and the whole town is invited

until two of the matriarchs show up at the after party with a pair of fucking attack helicopters

one of them tries unleashing the super crazies, only they're no longer crazy and they love the kid who saved them, so they attack that matriarch

and the other tries killing the wedding party, but she fails because they're all badasses and also trauma girl shows back up and goes full emo goth angst warrior on her ass

and then both the choppers get wrecked and the matriarchs are about to murder everybody with their bare hands

when the kid rushes out and reveals that he's basically their nephew

and then suddenly their all too happy to stop and help

and so now their mission is to go back to headquarters and convince the fourth matriarch to help

but everybody is nervous because the fourth is fucking schizo or something and she's apparently prone to violent rages, and they even view her as some kind of vengeful god

and when they get to headquarters, the fourth immediately has the kid escorted to her, acts really creepy, and then locks him in a corner office.

#steven universe #spoilers #au #sorta #actually i'm not sure what this is #just read it it's fun

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igivezerohoots · 6 years

Text

Till we meet again - Grayson Dolan Imagine (AU) - Final Part

A/N: War is not a joke and should never be treated as such. Numerous people die and lose their loved ones every minute of every day due to living in the cruel circumstances war causes. The countries and chronology are merely fictional. The sole intent of this piece of writing is to show how cruel war is and how love can sometimes be the only thing we have left at such harsh times. Having said that, I poured my entire heart while making this, so I hope you enjoy it.

Summary: It is the year of 2032. The entirety of almost the whole globe has been engulfed by the cruel reign of war. One of the nations that hasn't yet succumbed, one of the most formerly successful and rich countries, is Inopia. The downsides of war have been ruling over the country for the last years. Grayson and Y/n have lived the consequences of warfare in their homeland; poverty, dehydration, famine and ruthless crime. Their biggest fear is for the war to arrive to Inopia, as well. The two stick together despite difficulties, injuries or fights. But, when the cloud of war slowly begins infecting their own country, too, and Grayson's biggest secret comes to light, they wonder if there is anything that can be done for them just to be happy. But, how can they live happily if they are apart? Continuation: It is the year of 2037. War has truck Inopia, as well. After meeting an old friend and being tormented under the cruel circumstances of war, it is questionable whether Y/n can be truly happy. What will happen when she learns the news that devastate her heart? Can there really be a happy end?

You really thought it was him when the door slowly creaked open and revealed him. He looked at you with the same beautiful eyes, parted his rosy lips in confusion and let his eyebrows furrow slightly at your presence. Through the tides of your constant tears, you had stood up, taking him all in. You had missed him so much, so dearly; yet here he was, three weeks later, appearing before you. All those cold, restless nights that passed by, all the pain you had undergone; it would all finally dissolve like sugar mingling with hot chocolate.

Within his left palm he held his suitcase, his clothes tattered and his formerly slim stature frighteningly skinny. The hair sprouting from his head was dark and wild, disheveled. There was dirt and sweat upon his glistening complexion, and his facial hair had grown much more than you remembered. But, then you saw it. You looked within his hazel eyes again, watching with wonder as bewilderment and recognition became one. But those eyes were different, those eyes were thin and harsh. Your trembling jaw had dropped open when realization struck you.

"Y/n?" His low voice called, a voice familiar, which you had heard many times before. Of course. How could you forget him? How could you forget a person that changed your life so significantly? Your sadness was momentarily numbed, a broken smile capturing your lips; an expression feeling outlandish to your muscles.

"Ethan."

"It'll be okay," You heard his voice tell you softly. You gazed within Ethan's sympathetic eyes, nodding hesitantly. Your heart was fraught with fear. His hand firmly held yours, squeezing it in order to calm you and himself down. You heard his shuddering inhale of breath, felt the terror coursing through his body.

Children are clutching to their mothers' embrace, couples, young and old, hold each other, orphans and widows and widowers are holding hands with strangers, afraid for their lives. A baby sleeping within its mom's comforting hold; nothing could prepare the poor thing for what was about to happen. Nothing could prepare anyone for what was about to happen. Even though you had lived it countless of times, even though you had broken down from the sheer horror, you still couldn't get used to it. How could you? How could anyone?

The air is so thin and sparse that you can hardly breathe, and it makes your lungs suddenly pulse for oxygen, feeling strangled. You so badly want to make light of the situation; to make yourself and everyone feel better. But you can't. Those people, they are all so scared. How could anyone be happy within a bomb shelter?

The air raid siren is still going off; such a dreadful sound to all the citizens' ears. The planes are incoming. No one knows where they will attack. You hold Ethan's hand tighter, feeling your heart pound your eardrums. Your eyes are ceaselessly shifting, the little hairs upon your skin standing straight and your knees wobbling. You take one final look at Ethan, who has his eyes closed. His face is drained of all color, his brows slanted nervously and his breathing unsteady. You want to comfort him and to take his fear away, yet you aren't at a better state either.

And then it happens.

You have briefly any time to hear the whistle of the first bomb before hell is revived. The desperate cries and screams filling the room have your mind in shreds. You clamored, too, at the first strike, yet now you are whimpering feebly, hiding your face in Ethan's arm. The lights of the underground room flicker erratically and a few people begin weeping helplessly; the shrill cries of the little baby make your heart clench. The mere sounds of the horrid happenings outdoors have your stomach constricting painfully. Ethan gently pulls you in his embrace when he hears your mewling; all you try to focus on is his irregular heartbeat.

Most of the lethal strikes are far away, but one lands upon a nearby building, blasting and splitting ears and leaving hell on its wake. The sound of fire and the muffled screaming of people who didn't manage to hide in time is the only thing that can be heard. Glass shattering, explosions arising, the terrifying noise of planes that hiss through the air. They are heading away from where you are, however. Thankfully.

You have hardly any sense of time. It seems like it has been years of your standing here, yet after some time, the door to light opens. It is finally over. You pull away from Ethan, still dazzled and trembling. The people slowly begin exiting the shelter, and you follow after them with your heart in your throat. You can only hope that your home is okay and still intact. Your eyes hurt as they see the light of day, widen when they come face to face with the chaos put upon the land. The fire is taller than the sky, the remnants of the demolished buildings aflame and turned to ashes. You can slightly make out the corpses beneath the dense cinders and look away, feeling nauseous. This could have been you. This could have been Ethan. This... this could have been Grayson.

You stood very lucky, this time. It seems like the majority of the destruction was aimed toward the southern regions of the country, far away from where you are, while damage has also been inflicted upon the near cities; you are lucky to have escaped from absolute demolition. One thing that you are worried about is that the army will begin demanding for soldiers from the northern parts of Inopia. You dread the thought of Ethan going to war; you can't lose another like this. What if, God forbid, anything happens and he soon has to leave, too? You don't know what you will do. You can't stand the thought of being all alone again.

"Ethan, you okay?" You ask softly, looking back at him. His head elevates and the slight filbert hue within his irises quiver when he locks eyes with you. They look cloudy, sleepless and sad. You know Ethan has been thinking again. Of the war, of you, of his brother, of his very well-being. He is scared to fight. Sometimes, Ethan can hardly defeat his own demons; what makes people think that he would be capable in the disarray of war?

"I'm fine," He responds hastily, nodding his head and faking a smile. "Let's just go home, okay?"

As the people slowly scatter around, seeking for their homes, Ethan and you begin your own journey to your house. That small space seems to make you remember so many pleasant memories. It was where Ethan first took you when you met, where you came to know Grayson, where you have dwelled for the past seven years of your life. It seems surprising just how different your life would be if you had never met Ethan in the first place.

You recall that he was working as a volunteer in the HHP organization, offering a safe haven to the homeless, feeding orphans and handing out blankets to the poor. He always looked like a troubled young man, with a bright, gentle smile and a kind heart. You met him on that night when all the others had snuggled within their nooks and fallen asleep, yet slumber simply couldn't reach your swollen eyes. He had come to check on the sleeping innocents, with a lamp that emitted a faint, yellow glow hanging from his hand. He evidently noticed your sitting up next to the window, and he presumed to talk to you further. It didn't take long for you to make friends with him. He was always so admirable, so willing to put himself at risk for the sake of the ones he strove to protect.

When the terrorist attack struck the massive building maintaining the lives of hundreds of people, including your own, dousing the infrastructure with flames and taking countless lives, Ethan had helped you. He took you out of the flaming premises and led you to his home, where he offered food, shelter and company. You had seen Grayson a few times before, yet really took him in that eventful night. He fed you, clad you and kept you company while Ethan was out within the chaos, trying to save the lives of anyone he could. You were still very cautious around Ethan's twin, not really familiarized with being around him alone. But he was so polite and courteous, keeping you with him and keeping your mind off your terror. You had stayed up all night, talking and getting to know each other better. At that moment, you knew you and Grayson would get along well.

The twins were happy and optimistic as one could be, until Ethan had to move away; the amount of time he would be absent undetermined. Grayson was wrecked, having been made to say goodbye to one of the people he cared about the most. You had been there when he told you he was so lonely, sleeping alone on his bed and turning around and seeing that no one was in the room with him. That he couldn't bear the silence and isolation, that the house felt menacing as if the walls would give away and devour him whole. You were there to cure his wounded soul, you were there to hold him when he cried like a helpless child. Every night you would visit him until he was asleep, so that he wouldn't be lonely. Yet, one night, you fell asleep together, curled around each other in the same bed. Since then, you have been living under the roof of that little house.

You can almost see its silhouette as you approach, and before it is a person you recognize. She was dressed in all blue, and she was banging at the door, frantically exclaiming. You can easily recognize the uniform she is robed with; the pulled back hair, the flat, ivory shoes. Blonde strands of hair are cascading from her ponytail. She seems to be scared out of her mind; as if a serial killer is pursuing her with an axe in hand. Her nervous, green eyes glimmer with a wave of relief when she spots you, raising her hand in the air and waving at you in order to get your attention. You are able to identify her quickly; it's your friend, Judy, from the hospital.

"Y/n!" She frantically calls, rushing to your side and taking a hold of your shoulders. What is happening? Why is she so agitated? You try to seek for the answer within her eyes, but the only thing you can make out is panic. "Y/n, I know it isn't your shift today, but we need you at the hospital! The wounded are so many; we need any help we can get! Please," She momentarily pauses, breathing heavily and striving in vain to calm herself. "We need your help, please, after what happened in Oxovy, hundreds are coming in injured."

The bombing in Oxovy was a terrible happening. The terrorist attack took its toll even if soldiers had managed to evacuate many. Thousands of those who belonged to the army, all those men-at-arms, they all had families that they left behind. They all had a mother to cry for their life, a father to rip apart the newspaper, searching for his son's name among the numerous names of those who had lost their lives. They all had to leave a love behind them and serve for their country's sake. The temple that was blown up burst into ash, killing hundreds. The casualties and injuries were so many that they sent the soldiers to Inopia as well, to the first hospitals available. The thing that scared you wasn't that, however.

You hurriedly follow Judy, showing an apologetic look to Ethan as you take your leave. This is going to be a long day.

Ethan turns around in bed, sobbing vocally and moaning against his wet palms. The entirety of his shaky body rocks violently, making his throbbing lungs clamp in protest, trying to grasp any bit of oxygen they can. His spine is curved inward, his knees nuzzled close to his stomach as he continues weakly mewling, muffling his loud, broken cries within his clammy pillow. Ethan screams against the cotton material, seizing it in both hands and ripping it in half, pouring the feathery contents upon the mattress. He hollers and punches at his bed, his fists tightly shut as if they were hinged bear traps. He can't see anything; all he can concentrate on is getting all this pent-up rage out; God, how, how can Ethan make himself forget, how can he make himself forget all this pain--

Before his father left, he had told Ethan to be a strong big brother. He told his son to take care of his baby brother and stick with him at all costs; because that's how they always operated, how they always lived. They operated better together, they lived better together-- always walked through the storms hand in hand, together.

Dad had told 25-year old Ethan to be a strong person; not to bend when things were at their worst and the war came, not to cry when he saw the names of the dead in the paper. How many friends had Ethan lost, how many names had he seen upon that godforsaken, crumpled paper? Dad had told him, but Ethan never listened. He would always display his weakness, he would always shed tears and feel so depressed that he was left numb inside.

Ethan always was the outcast.

And now he starts laughing; starts laughing despite his muddy tears. He has gone from the state of being able to feel nothing to feeling too much at the same time. His little heart is ready to pop from the pressure. Snot and drool drip from his cheeks, and Ethan can't breathe. And then it is all over, just as it had started.

There is silence as Ethan feels the cold tears upon his lashes, his head throbbing from the coercion and stress. His hands grip his duvet as he slowly cries, trying to find any comfort he can find. But he gets none. His knuckles hurt from the deathly grasp.

The newspaper of the day is a mussed mess upon the floor, crinkled and full with creases.

At the bottom of the second page, there are small, black letters. They are coated in saltwater.

The name 'Grayson Dolan' is written underneath the casualties' headline, along with all the others who died at the Oxovy attack.

Work was certainly a hectic migraine today. You hardly had any time to cool your head. You asked for it however. Being a nurse was never presented as an easy profession, and never will. The amount of blood and torn flesh you came face to face with today cannot even be counted on both hands. Yet, at last, this stressful day is finally over. The sun has long gone to sleep, and it is time you went to rest, as well.

Some of your friends happen to be in the nurses' room, chatting and talking with no pause. Evidently, their topic is the incident in Oxovy, as they continue to ramble on about patients, families, and the difficulty of people having lost their loved ones there. Thank God, you didn't have to worry about anything of the sort.

"Did you hear? Leslie killed herself," says Natalie, raising a bout of gasps with her words. She nods her head, adding, "Her boyfriend, Neil, was serving as a soldier and the explosion in Oxovy killed him. Poor girl couldn't handle the heartbreak and shot herself, yesterday night."

You feel your heart clench. How can people go so easily? You would work with Leslie almost daily. Only yesterday morning, you were both laughing at a joke you had cracked. And now the poor girl is gone. You close your eyes, sighing softly. At least she is out of this hell.

"I heard her mom found her today morning; she woke up the neighbors with her screamin'! Leslie's room was like a murder scene; I heard she put the gun to her mouth and her brains--"

Splattered across the wall like minced meat.

"Natalie," You call cautiously, giving her a knowing look. Natalie closes her mouth and folds her hands together, looking down at her knees and blushing in embarrassment. You shake your head slightly, in disapproval. "We shouldn't talk about Leslie like this. The woman is gone and there is nothing we can do about it; May her soul rest in peace. No need to get all in detail, Nat. Okay?"

Natalie bashfully nods her head, avoiding your gaze; suddenly acting like a child that has been scolded for voicing mean comments. "Right. I'm sorry."

You feel a little weird as the rest of the girls glance at you, then away. What is going on with them today? Why are they acting so unlike themselves? Perhaps it is because of the stress and rushing today, all these wounds and blood, Leslie's passing. Yes, that must be it.

But still, you can tell something is off.

"Goodnight, girls. Take care of yourselves." You try, showing a small smile, attempting to lighten the heavy mood set upon the little room. "I'll see ya when I see ya."

The nurses mutter all their goodbyes as you slowly shut the door. The nape of your neck hurts terribly; so do your legs from standing upright all day long. The only thing you crave for is to go home, to take off these bloody shoes and rest your fatigued form. You feel guilty for leaving Ethan on his own for so long; you know he hates being lonely, even though he doesn't say it. Doesn't everyone hate being lonely? You've been gone the entire day today and, if you are honest with yourself, you miss his company too.

As you slowly walk down the steps of the exit, you hear a feminine voice yell your name and the sound of feet running. You turn on your heel, gazing over your shoulder and taking in the panting form of your friend, Allison. She is still dressed in the nurse's outfit, and her short, dark hair stick to the sides of her face upon a blend of tears and sweat. Her brown eyes stare at you with desperation and you cock your head to the side, your features holding nothing but concern.

"What is it, Ally?" You question softly, feeling your skin crawl when her wide eyes keep staring within your own. She's clutching something in her hands, and from what you can tell, it is some sort of paper. You raise a brow, and take a step back feeling slightly uneasy being in her presence.

"Y/n," She hiccups, her voice catching in the depths of her throat as her tears start brimming at the edge of her waterline. She pushes the paper to your chest, her lashes gluing together when she shuts her eyes, chutes of water coursing down her flushed cheeks. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to be the one to tell you, Y/n, but the others wouldn't and I couldn't--" She pauses, pressing her lips together, her little hands gripping your tense shoulders. You clutch the item to your sternum, bewildered as to why Allison's demeanor is so strange.

"I just.. When I heard about Leslie, I got scared. I don't want the same to happen to you, too!" She cries, her arms shuddering as she whimpers and blubbers incoherently. She looks up at you, her eyes glassy and congested with guilt. "Y/n. Grayson, he's... He's dead! He was in the explosion in Oxovy! He was there with Leslie's boyfriend, Y/n..."

Your body freezes, staying still like a glistening piece of ice. You shake your head, waiting for her to tell you she is fucking with you. You wait with a hammering heart, but she only shakes her head, scurrying back into the hospital. Your hand feebly reaches out to her, but in a matter of a few seconds, she is already out of sight. Your eyes continuously shift as you try to take in what just happened to you. You look down at the rumpled newspaper, your fingers desperately delving through the paper, until...there they are. The names.

You run your eyes over each name more than three times, not even aware of the light rain slowly starting to fall upon the land. And each time you pass it over, it is still the same. There, on the third column, two lines from the end.

Grayson Dolan.

You check for the date over and over again. It is today's newspaper. April 5th 2037.

You turn a page, surprised to see that there is a whole article about him. "Grayson Dolan, former YouTube star and the teenage sensation of the previous generations, has tragically died in Oxovy. Dolan was serving as a soldier when the attack struck. Eyewitnesses say he was dangerously close to the explosion while trying to save his friend, Neil O'Brien. Neither of the bodies have been found, and it seems like the fire left no trail of them behind."

The sound of the wind gently whistling fills your ears, brushing back your hair and crumpling the paper you are holding within your shaky hands. The rain slowly increases its potency, falling upon you and dampening your clothing. You feel empty. Lost. You can hardly react as you stare in the void, the color within your iris quivering along with your slumped shoulders. You always knew there would be a possibility of him losing his life. But now that it has happened, you can hardly believe it. You can't even cry from the shock.

There is that feeling of dense cement lying against your spine and ribcage as you walk home. You feel absolutely horrid. You have the massive urge to start sobbing, but nothing comes out. You feel numb inside. You know that in a while, it will all go away and you will be wailing helplessly.

The rain becomes worse as the air gradually picks up. It seems as if the elements of nature are battling together, battering your poor body. You can hardly see through the congested rain; partly from the fog, partly from the rainwater lying thick upon your lashes. Or, perhaps, that is just the tears of frustration beginning to build up. Your eyes start spewing liquid, stemming from anger, exasperation and from the utter sorrow slowly gorging you alive. You are detached. You are fraught with emotions, yet empty at the same time. You want to spread your limbs across the alley, want to sob into the aggression of the rain until you die from the cold. But, most importantly, you are tired. You are so tired.

When you reach the threshold of your home, body hunched and aquiver and leaning against the timbered door, your fingers delve against the material, thin layers gathering underneath the rims of your nails. You rest your soaring head against the door, your shirt clammy and gluing to your wet skin. You can briefly make out the sound of laughter from within the household. A hint of confusion spores within your very core; Ethan surely has learned the news, he certainly has knowledge of his twin's passing. Yet, he's laughing. It makes your face fume with heat, your heart to flutter at the audacity he has. How can he be laughing?!

You furiously reach for your keys and open the door, unsure of what exactly you are mad at. Are you irritated because you are drenched to the bones, or for Ethan's obnoxious laughter? Perhaps, you are disappointed with yourself for letting Grayson go to war and die.

As you shut the door, you are well aware of the presence of a person beside Ethan. Your eyes stare with spite at the stranger seated on your bed, a hand of soup clasped within his palm. Your ears completely neglect Ethan's greeting, your fists clenching dangerously by the sides of your body. Now he brings the homeless in your home, too? Suddenly, his philanthropic side is coming out?

The man on your bed is swathed in a blanket, his face scarred and his left arm missing. The moment you go to open your mouth and make a fuss about it, it quickly shuts on its own again. The stranger looks at you with an unreadable expression; his right eye is white and blurry, resembling that of a dead fish. The flesh-colored scar that has tainted his skin begins from his forehead, continuing down, hazardously close to his eye, and finally concluding at the side of his mouth. Your body shrinks back at the look he gives you, your eyes wide with disbelief.

"What.." You try, but your discourse halts instantly.

He sets his soup aside, his mouth turning dry with stress. He gives you a sympathetic smile, his lashes batting slowly.

And Grayson looks like he hasn't changed a bit since his leave.

You had thought of this moment so many times before. You had told yourself that if you ever saw him again, you'd run up to him, hug him so tight your arms hurt. That you'd make him feel loved and wanted, like he always should have been treated. Yet, now, it seems so different from what you had expected. The only thing you can do is stare in pure shock, feeling the water tremble within your eyes and the clench of your fists loosen. Your shoulders drop, your lips parted as you watch him stand up. Neither of you say a word.

Grayson wants to comfort, wants to hug, but he doesn't know whether he should or not anymore. He didn't know what he was thinking before. This woman before him had grown up, she had gotten older, she had gotten different. Her face hadn't altered at all, however. Those eyes were the same that would look at him when they lied down together, the ones that would crinkle in delight whenever she would laugh and smile. Those lips were the same he had kissed before taking his leave. And Grayson doesn't know what to do; he can see the tears collecting within those pearly orbs and wants to touch her, to hold her-- goddamn it Grayson wants to hold her but he puts out his hand instead.

And you look down at his hand, view his nervous gaze as he waits for you to shake it. He is waiting for you to shake his hand. You sway your head vigorously, approaching him and pushing his extended arm away. Your head rests against his chest as your trembling arms enfold his torso. Your body immediately relaxes, a warmth basking between your lungs as you hold him, fingers tightly grasping at the edge of his blouse. Grayson is taken aback, and he looks down at you, feeling the gentle tremor of your body. And just as he thought the feelings he harbored for you were starting to fade, they become more alive than ever. God, how much had he missed you. You can't see it, but a silent tear escapes his eye, gently rolling to the mound of his cheek and a smile decorates his lips.

And you couldn't let yourself get too carried away, you couldn't show your feelings like this. All this time you hadn't been with him seemed painful and so slow, yet now that he is here, it seems like no time went by at all. There was this strong desire that whispered at you to cup his face and kiss him. It's okay, however. You are the happiest you have ever been, having him back with you. It feels as if a weight from your shoulders has been lifted, like the rock boulder around your heart has been detached.

You could have spent all night talking with him, reminiscing and sharing stories; sharing those five years you lost from each other's lives. The way he lost his arm, the reason behind the scarring upon his complexion; you want to know it all. Yet, most importantly, you need him to explain how he is alive when the paper's sayings reveal otherwise. But, you simply couldn't torment him with a bunch of questions, at least not tonight. You can only imagine how tired and restless the poor soul must be. You offered your bed so he could rest for the night, told him to take some sleep. And yet...

"Y/n?"

You raise your head to the source of the quiet whisper, your heart almost melting when you look at Grayson, his good eye gazing at your standing form. You watch as the blurry moonlight shining from outside lathers the side of his face, making the rosy skin seem bluish and pallid.

"Gray," You say, and the name feels alien upon your tongue, a sharp pang burning your innards at how soft the nickname sounds, "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I just.. I can't sleep. Why aren't you?" I need you. Do you need me just as much?

You give a small smile, sitting at the side of the mattress and refraining from looking down at him. "I guess sleep can't really reach me either." I need you too. "Having you here is... overwhelming." Something I could never stop thinking of.

There is a moment of silence, and there is the urge to gaze at him yet again; you can sense his eyes, that are pinned on you, and it makes you want to squirm like a fish out of the water. You could have never imagined yourself here yet again, taking care of Grayson, being so close to him. And yet, being afraid to touch him.

"We've both changed, haven't we?" You can hear the sad smile as he speaks. You look down at your knees, fingers fiddling with the brim of your blouse as you try to answer.

"Not particularly," You hate how quiet and gentle your voice sounds, "Only as one can change. I haven't really changed. I'm just older." You emit a giggle, attempting to lighten the heavy, downcast mood hanging thick in the room.

Your heart pounds like a maniac, your breathing become slow and heavy as you try to calm yourself. Why are you so flustered? You need to calm down. "Gray.. the newspapers say you are dead." You croak, voice devoid of all life. "Are you really alive? Or am I just going crazy? I don't know what to believe anymore."

"I'm very much alive. It really is surprising how I managed to escape from the bomb's radius. It's a miracle." Grayson responds, his eyes now gazing toward the ceiling. The memories still haunt his fragile, human brain. "If I was a second too late, we wouldn't be talking right now. I'm lucky I got away with only missing an arm and an eye. Others lost their lives." He closes his eyes, his chest quivering momentarily when he inhales. "They turned into ash, Y/n. They couldn't even find their bodies. My friend, Neil, was one of them. I tried to help him, I really did.. But it simply was too late for him." A sad smile overcomes Grayson's parched lips. "He would never stop telling me about his girlfriend. He had a picture of her, always on his chest pocket. He wasn't scared of death or pain. He just didn't want to leave her behind."

You listen quietly, your left arm baring gooseflesh when Grayson gently touches the knuckles of your hand. You still keep your gaze focused elsewhere. "And I could only think of you, you know. I wondered a lot of times how cruel I was to leave you behind like that. The one thing I didn't want was for you to be sad. Yet I caused you so much pain, didn't I? It was painful to leave you behind, Y/n. It was painful to leave both of you behind. Because, a part of me was missing. I missed it all, I missed Ethan so much and I..." He gulps, his throat dry as he speaks. "I missed you so much. It was ridiculous how much I thought about you. I couldn't get you out of my mind. I could only wonder if you were alright."

His fingers lock with yours, his eyes tightly shut as he tightly grips your hand; lashes adorned with the slick of his tears. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Gray, don't. There's nothing to be sorry for. You did what you thought was right, and that's okay." You turn your head and look at him, using your thumb to gently brush a tear that trailed down his temple. "I missed you, too, Gray. It'll be okay. I'm here with you."

"I-I.." He tries bashfully, but you hush him, caressing the side you his face and pressing an impulsive kiss upon his lips. It is light and fleeting, makes his body stiffen beneath an affection which he isn't accustomed to. Suddenly, he was glad Ethan had been called to work because something happened; he'd be too ashamed to act like this before his brother.

You pull away softly, smiling at the scarlet color of his cheeks. There is a moment of quietude as Grayson slightly grazes your cheekbone with the back of his hand, sighing calmly.

"I never stopped." His voice comes out stark, unfaltering as he gazes within your eyes. You put your hand over his own, gazing at him through the slits of your eyes. You can feel the words seep within your mind, carve themselves deep within your heart. He doesn't need to say anything else. This is one of the rarest moments of your life, that deep connection you have with a person, the understatement you have for each other, as if your hearts are beating like one. You can feel Grayson's joy, his sadness, his guilt and fear. But it is all soothed. It is all alright.

I never stopped loving you.

"Me neither."

Grayson smiles feebly. "I'm glad I'm back home." The squeeze on your hand confirms it. Grayson is back. He is okay, and you will make sure it stays that way. You hope that something more will develop between you; you can feel it as you rest your head against his chest and close your fatigued eyes. You're not children anymore. And even if you were, this isn't a world for children. But there is this feeling within your very soul that tells you that you can finally be happy, that everything will be okay. And it will.

For now.

#dolan twins #grayson dolan #ethan dolan #grayson dolan imagine #ethan dolan imagine #grayson dolan x reader #ethan dolan x reader #dolan twins imagine #grayson dolan smut #ethan dolan smut #au

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ashly-uwu · 3 years

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character introduction time:

Group A: The “oh god oh fuck, is that the entire fucking police force after me” Group

Asher: baby boy. innocent little cinnamon bun. an untainted unfiltered bundle of pure joy. 17 and he grew up poor and is very humble. convicted for the killings of 9 people and is currently on the run and he’s also he’s illiterate. He so happened to witness a guy dumping a body in a dumpster and got spotted by the killer. He ran to his parents but Uh Oh x3, killer had powerful connection and now he’s getting blamed for the crime. Because of this, he is wanted and has a very very very high bounty on his head. His instrument will be an acoustic guitar.

Laurence: Rich dickhead. The prosecutor who convicted Asher (he didn’t know he was being framed at the time). Has a tough act and acts like a total asshat, but he’s a nice guy at heart. Probably. Argues with Asher 24/7. The one planning everything cause he’s the only adult here with an education. His instrument is the Grand Piano with capital letters cause those fuckers are expensive.

Eev: Actual baby. Child. Very shy and non-verbal. Clings to Asher’s coat. Probably autistic but i didn’t plan that, she just so happened to have a lot of traits so why not. Very smart and usually solves stuff by herself while Asher and Laurence are arguing. Also she’s one the daughters of the most powerful man in the country. “Kidnapped” by Asher during a panicky situation and now the entire country is after him. Her instrument is the violin.

Group B: The “Hilariously incompetent despite the amount of chances they are given” Group

Wayne and Lancer: This duo has two brain cells. Wayne has both. Strong willed and dedicated, Wayne is the only reason these two are able to get anywhere. Wayne is always thinking of a plan to reach his goals. He’s tough and can put up a good fight (unlike the next guy), but his thought process is very straightforward, and when he gets stuck, having a weirdo is nice. That weirdo is Lancer. Lancer is able to see things from a different angle. He usually just says what comes to mind and that’s enough to help Wayne figure something out. In terms of fighting ability, he tries his best. He really does. But his balance is about as good as two brooms tied with a zip tie. Also these guys are from a super poor area, but they received an education from their adoptive father. Anyway, they could use some money. And recently some serial killer kidnapped the richest man’s daughter and seems to be racking a high bounty for his capture. How high could it b- holy fuck, these guys can’t even read that high of a number. Wayne’s instrument is the bass guitar and Lancer’s instrument is the tenor saxophone.

The Boss: Wayne and Lancer’s adoptive father. Actually he’s the father of a lot of people. Whenever there’s an orphaned homeless child, he adopts them and lets them stay in his big house, which means Wayne and Lancer have a lot of siblings. He does this cause the orphanage owned by the government is a shit hole. He helps out the poor neighbourhood and often gives food out. Basically he nicest man to ever exist. He used to be the heir to a very rich family, but after his father died when the boss was around 20, he inherited everything, he used all of it to help as many people as he can. During that time, he was assigned a bodyguard of similar age to his own and they got really close. That bodyguard stayed with him after the boss left the family and they still live together happily. His instrument is either another grand piano but most likely a cello, i’m not 100% sue yet.

Group C: The “barely functioning but functioning” group

Mizu: Loves Lyr very much. Very tall and adept fighter. shy uwu 👉👈. Despite being almost two heads taller, Lyr is the one who has to tell the McDonald’s cashier that they got their order wrong. She’s very skilled at a multitude of things which helps her out a lot. She gets easily embarrassed by Lyr when Lyr compliments her. Despite her meek personality, when she gets into a fight, she is able to focus without distraction and fight at her best. Wait shit, i forgot to mention, she’s part of a small rebel group planning to overthrow the corrupts government. She usually wears a biker helmet to hide her face from authorities. Her instrument the electric guitar.

Lyr: Loves Mizu very much. Short ass lmao. She’s not afraid to get to the point and will drag Mizu with her. Lyr knows she can’t do much to help Mizu when it comes to physical activities because she isn’t that strong , so she tries her best to make things easier for Mizu. She can’t fight very well but she does know a little bit of self defence. She’s quite reckless while Mizu worries too much, but they work well together. She wears a metal welding helmet she spray painted pink to hide her face from authorities. Her instrument I have no fucking clue. Maybe another guitar? Maybe drums? So her songs will have more emphasis on drums? i dont know

Flora: She’s the only reason these people haven’t been caught yet. She’s smart and kind, and plans everything out before hand. She’s very cheerful and makes everyone feel welcome. She knows when to be serious though and yells at Lyr when she’s goofing around too much. She’s the one who got everyone together. And she’s noticed something odd about a recently escaped serial killer. The details surrounding the crime are.. fishy? Anyway, she’s planning on meeting this guy and if her intuition is right, she’s gonna make him join them. Her instrument will be a piano that sometimes turns into a synth.

Kit: Kit is the clumsy anxiety-filled blind engineer who’s part of the rebel group. He’s constantly working on this big project. Since he’s blind, he makes the plans and then instructs Lyr on how to make it. He used to work for the government against his will but one day, with the help of Flora, he managed to escape, and now he’s working on something he calls a “counter-measure”. Just in case. His instrument is a violin. wait shit that was eev’s. okay i’m gonna change eev’s later.

Anyways that’s all the main big important characters for now. byebye ✌️

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godstaff · 7 years

Text

Role playing.

If the recent success of Wonder Woman, the movie, taught us anything, it would be the importance of representation. Now hundred of thousands, if not millions, of girls and young women have a strong, caring and compassionate role model to refer to. You may argue there were previous movies where the lead character was a female hero and was well presented, and I say yes, but they weren’t as successful as this one. Success is a powerful thing in our society: it changes the way we perceive things, A truth is differently accepted whether it was a failure or not. It is still the same truth, but we perceive it differently.

A lie is often embraced when it comes disguised as a story of triumph, of success.

Which brings us to my primary point about representation:

Who the hell does Batso represent?

The rich and powerful? Those folks need no representation and, quite frankly, there aren’t many positive role models among them.

Those who, unfortunately, suffered a family tragedy and struggled to overcome the pain? Hardly, because he got stuck in the moment of his parents death until way into adulthood, motivating his entire life, or that thing he has resembling some. Needless to say, being a privileged rich boy allowed him such whim, because a working class person has little time to mourn under the pressure to bring food to the table and make a living, and has to, forcibly, move on.

Does he represent those who, deeply troubled mentally and emotionally, do their best with what they have to live a fruitful existence? No. He embraces his traumas, a thing any psychologist would advise against, and uses them as an excuse to go around kicking asses, exerting certain vengeance on those who didn’t cause his initial trauma. He also uses them to keep people, people close to him, at a distance: no emotional compromise for the bat. Very healthy. Far from asking for help, he rejects it. He knowingly addresses himself by his “professional” name because he thinks that’s who he is, thus nullifying his real persona, a clear manifestation of a deluded, psychotic mind.

Does he represent those public servants who protect society from its own worst part, like police men and women? No. First of all: he serves no one because he rejects any authority but his own, and as a protector is ineffective because those he catches are promptly released by a corrupt and inefficient system. He’s civilian alter ego could do far more for society by tearing down corruption, founding those institutions in charge of protecting the people, creating jobs, so there would be no excuse for crime, building affordable houses for the homeless. Instead of building bat-caves on the Moon, which don’t do much for the people here on Earth, he could build schools, create educational programs, scholarships for those who can’t have access to advanced education. Etc., etc.

Does he represent orphans? Being an orphan himself, he could feel some empathy for those in a similar situation, and, as Bruce Wayne, improve the adoption system so the kids don’t wander from foster home to foster home. Besides, he can stop using the orphan kids as cannon fodder, costumed as Robin when they don’t have age to even decide about sex. “I do it so they don’t become like me” is his excuse, good try. If you ask kids, of course they’d love the excitement of a crime fighting life. They also would be astronauts or bear fighters, or gladiators, or... you understand. But it’s not their decision. Not yet. They don’t interest him at all, not even his own son. His only interest is some abstract notion known as “the mission”.

Clearly, his only interest is Batman. That’s his pet project and his “raison de vivre”. He has no real interest in other people, he’s pretty much like other rich folks with a lot of excuses to do little in the betterment of society. Like other rich guys, who engaged in aviation, big game hunting or buying foot ball teams, his hobby is being Batso. Too much money and too much time in his hands. Too bad, because he seems a clever guy, with a lot of potential. Problem is he’s crazy, but nobody has the guts to tell him. Worst thing is, like other well intentioned rich folks, he thinks he’s doing something relevant to others, but he’s only pleasing himself.

The problem is he’s a potential role model for youth, but a model of what? People admire him for some reason. He’s cool, smart, rich. He’s always right. He always wins.Those who own the character are eager to profit on it, regardless how much damage he, being misrepresented, can cause to impressionable young minds. And he’s a successful character, he makes money, so, who cares. It’s entertainment only. Or is it?

Wonder Woman’s success teach us it isn’t. These characters mean something else to people. Something bigger.

What are we gonna do about it?

#batman #Wonder Woman

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redrobin-detective · 7 years

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Could you do Billy Batson headcanons? That bean is to precious for this world

Muahaha, I was actually going to post hcs about Billy and now I have a reason to. Thanks for that, mused on these while writing my prompt here. Totally want to write more of Billy/Jay and just Billy in general which'll follow this model I created of Billy.

- So thinking on the Cap/Billy dynamic, they’re the same person on a technical level but Captain Marvel is supposedly the embodiment of a purely good mortal while Bill is a kindhearted, but still fallible, human. Billy’s a homeless kid so he’s got his own issues aside from normal human junk. My theory is that the “Bad” parts of Billy are kind of tamped down when he becomes the Captain and the “Best” parts are brought to the surface to form the core of Cap’s personality. Billy as a whole is still there, but one side is more emphasized due to the magic at work. So like Billy can say something (“That asshole’s a real jerk, I’m gonna kick him in the nuts”) and it sort of gets filtered into something more wholesome (“That man is being a jerk, I’m going to kick his butt”). Billy finds it kind of embarrassing at first but he gets used to it, if he concentrates, he can push more of himself onto Cap.

- Going off the point above about Billy being filtered, all the curse words Billy says end up coming across as super PG sayings. Holy shit becomes Cap’s signature Holy Moly. So all this time Cap is saying these adorkably cute exclamations, imagine Billy inside cursing his head off (I laughed, I’m big enough to admit that)

- My version of Billy is mostly the version from Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam short film (if you haven’t seen it, watch it! The bean is so cute), which is kinda similar to the comic Superman/Shazam: First Thunder which I also like. Then a handful of N52 Billy (he’s a dick, but like a realistic kid in his situation so I take that into account) and of course, the ever precious YJ version.

- I like homeless Billy and by that I mean I think it’s interesting to have a homeless hero just for diversity but also to add a different perspective to the League. After giving it some thought, I like the idea of Billy being kind of known as a trouble maker for the State. It’s not his fault, as a kid he just defended people who were being hurt and was always blamed cause the orphan is an easy target. Because of his record, he has a hard time being placed in a foster home so he was on the streets a lot. Finally, he gets into the good home with good people and he becomes Captain Marvel soon after. Time passes and there’s a couple of near misses and Billy realizes he’d putting his foster family in danger. So he heads back to the streets into order to keep them safe. he’s been on and off them for years so he survives, plus his foster siblings (the other Marvels) are there helping out whenever possible. He lives in an old, dirty subway in a tent and he scrapes together money through a couple small jobs and from begging or his foster siblings.

- I like the idea of street wise Billy, who acts kind of sarcastic and cautious on the outside but inside is a super softie. He’s not nearly as cranky or skittish as Jason, he’s a lot more optimistic, makes the best of his sad situation and always does what he can to help. He gets angry and lashes out and cries, but he’s still overall pretty happy. He’s kind of a goody two shoes for a desperate kid. He used to sometimes steal money/food but after becoming Cap, he never felt right. In order to make ends meet, he swallowed his pride and does a little begging here and there because he’s got to eat. If he’s truly desperate, will go hang out in the Watchtower and covertly grab some food.

- Batman learns Billy’s identity rather quickly and didn’t know what to do. He stalled for a while over how to handle Billy because he sees Billy is in a foster home and being taken care of and is handling Captain Marvel rather well. He makes a sly effort to keep the Cap away from ugly crime scenes, the League aids just because Cap is so naïve and innocent they don’t want him involved in that. Bruce grows complacent and doesn’t realize until months later that Billy left his foster home. It’s around this time, Bruce takes in jay and sees first hand what the streets do to a kid and enough is enough. He confronts Billy about it, he’s calm and non-judging but he refuses to let things continue. He even offers straight up to adopt him along with Jay. Billy thanks him but refuses. Bruce upgrades him to a better apartment and gives him a monthly stipend (he calls it a ‘salary’ for Cap’s work as a hero to make Billy accept it) for food and whatever he needs. Billy still keeps his jobs because he likes earning his own pay. the League is not informed on Billy’s request.

- Jay figured early on that Cap had gone through a lot of the same experiences he did and, while he suspected that Billy was younger than everyone thought, he was stunned to find out Billy was a few months younger than him. They’d become friends and Billy had confided in him. Jay burst into B’s study that night and demanded Billy be adopted ASAP. Bruce had to explain his offer had been declined. But Billy and Jay become super tight and he’s over at the Manor a lot. Alfred adores the kid because he’s charming and polite and a good influence on Jason. Jay is super protective of the kid, he's older and the kid acts like the world is actually a decent place. Billy’s kindness and optimism really do wonders for Jay when Bruce can’t. Bruce likes that the boys are helping each other recover from their difficult childhoods. But as things get harder for Jason, there’s only so much Billy can do. Jay begins to push him away in his depression/anger and they had a pretty big fight just before Jay left to find his mom. Cap hears about Jay’s death on the Watchtower, he starts crying onto Batman’s shoulder and Bruce lets himself hug and be hugged for the first time since his boy died.

- Eventually the League does find out that the World’s Mightiest Mortal is actually a 13 year old and they are pissed. Mostly at Batman cause they knew that dick was in the know. Supes, GL and Flash want Billy out of heroing yesterday. Wondie, Bats, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter think Billy has earned his place and she be cared for within the League. Billy does choose to stay but is now upset over how everyone hovers now. It is nice to hang around them as Billy, not just Cap. It was worth the headache to see everyone’s faces when he can actually properly curse for the first time in front of them. Clark almost gets out the soap for his mouth. He still insists on his independence but it’s nice that the others invite him over for dinner and sleepovers. It’s nice to feel loved. He does that maybe once every 10 days or so and it rotates between Leaguers. He eventually builds a stronger rapport with the League and becomes a good mediator between the adult League and their kids/sidekicks since he is a kid and understands but also highly respected by the adults.

#batman asks #Billy Batson #Captain Marvel #Shazam

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