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gartenofbanny · 3 months

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Overture is the first official episode for Hazbin Hotel, and after nearly four years of waiting, somehow, this episode is very bad. I'm not going to provide a summary of the episode but instead I'm going to provide what I liked and what I didn't like. So let's get started.

Positives

The animation for this episode is pretty good. While it isn't really as smooth as Helluva's and has some noticeable errors, it's still well animated for the most part.

Adam's part if the song is honestly a fucking bop and thankfully the genre is different from most Helluva songs.

Lute is my favorite character in this episode. She's a cold, stern Exorcist who hates demons. I have no clue why she isn't the leader, but Adam is considering how seriously she takes being an Exorcist and how professional she is for the most part.

This little bit with Niffty having stage fright is pretty funny.

And that's it for the positives now onto the negatives.

Negatives

One of the things I really hate about this episode is that it reveals WAY too much so early on. In this episode, it's revealed that Adam and the other Exorcists like killing Demons essentially doing it for sport, rendering Charlie's redemption useless, Exorcists are able to fucking die, and Adam has moved his schedule from another year to 6 months for the next Cleanse.

I honestly expected the first episode to show Charlie trying to redeem demons, a twist like that would've worked if it was like halfway through the season.

This episode, for some reason, has two plotlines when it would've been better if it just stuck with Charlie meeting the Exorcist one. We spent some minutes of this episode with Vaggie trying to make a TV commercial for the Hotel, however we never get to see the commercial itself, so what was the point?

Secondly, why would Vaggie and Charlie ask Alastor to make a television commercial for them? His entire thing is radios. It's like having a powerlifter do a track video. They're both completely different skill sets with their own benefits.

Also, if Alastor really does hate televisions THAT much, then why was he entertained when Katie and Charlie fought in the pilot by watching Televison?

I'm honestly unsure whether or not the pilot for Hazbin Hotel is canon. Adam states that it has been a week since the cleanse, Vaggie states that they recruited Alastor for the hotel last week, and the pilot takes place some time after the Cleanse. While the Helluva Boss pilot isn't canon anymore, it's up in the air whether or not the Hazbin Pilot is.

This fucking cat is still confusing. It literally just appeared in this episode with no explanation of how it was made or came to be or what it even does.

Adam, as a character, is one of the most irritating I've ever seen. He embodies those "If this was written by Vivziepop" memes, his singing voice is top notch, but as a character, he doesn't act any different from the demons he's supposed to kill. So it makes me question what's even the difference between Angels and Demons.

Last but not least, Adam says that there won't be a Demon left alive to kill another Exorcist.

And right off the bat does Adam know that killing every Demon in Hell is literally impossible? As long as humans die, Sinners are going to keep existing. Unless if Heaven decides to make everyone into angels, which is highly unlikely. And Lute says herself that Charlie and her family are exempt from the yearly cleansing, so they're not truly getting rid of every possible threat in Hell.

Overall, I'd give this episode a 5/10. It's a very rough start, especially since Vivziepop and her writers had nearly 4 years to write this out, but it's just very messy.

#vivziepop critical #vivziepop #vivziepop criticism #hazbin hotel #vivienne medrano #hazbin hotel criticism #hazbin hotel critical #hazbin hotel critique

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wonryllis · 2 months

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★ YEONIE's MANHWA/MANHUA/MANGA LIST ( RECS! )

( NOTES ) I WILL KEEP ADDING MORE AS I FIND NEW GOOD ONES!! as you can see i seem to have a certain taste for historical and transmigration aus lmao but they're legit all really good i swear i'm super picky when it comes to this things especially with the art style so trust me my recs all have good art if not bombastically fantastic! IM OPEN TO NEW RECS PLS SUGGEST SOME GOOD ONES!!

LOVE LIKE CHERRY BLOSSOMS: modern school setting, male lead helps fem lead to score points with the guy she has a crush on and they end up falling for each other, kinda bad boy x good girl, there is also a side couple whose story is absolutely cute, the fem lead's bestie x male lead's older cousin. art and plot is realllyy good. completed, 92 chapters, happy ever after ending. 📌

HIDDEN LOVE: modern, brother's best friend, age gap (5 years i think) fem lead falls for her brother's best friend at first sight, her one sided crush goes on for years until she gets into uni and they both stay in the same city and start hanging out together. he slowly falls for her and boom they get into a relationship!! super cute and art style is top notch(i find the brother so much hotter honestly), ongoing i think.

ONCE MORE: high school love reunion kinda, used to like each other due to misunderstandings couldn't confess and later reunite as teachers in their high school. adorable story full of fluff. tomboyish fem x popular guy. the second lead couple is to die for, cute girl x tsundere guy, she's a teacher too and guy is fem lead's childhood friend. completed, 156 chapters, happy ever after ending.

PHARAOH'S CONCUBINE: isekai, royal/historical au, girl is a history major and like really fascinated with ancient egypt so her brother gets her an ancient relic (a snake bracelet) which gets her sucked back 3000 years in ancient egypt and the powerful pharaoh ends up falling deep in love with her. literally the best thing ever the plot is the most interesting and connected in a circle one i have ever read my all time favourite the top one! there are a lot of heart fluttering scenes but also heartbreaking scenes and it's just so damn good! READ IT NOW!! completed season 1 (around 70 chapters) for further seasons there's only novel so far which is in chinese. FAVOURITE!!!!!!.📌📌📌

HOW TO GET MY HUSBAND ON MY SIDE: transmigation, royal/historical au, girlie wakes up in another body who is like set to be the villian of the novel so for the sake of survival portrays herself as a harmless character and throws herself at her husband at any chance to make him think she could never do anything evil to him because she loves him a lot. there's so much fluff and heart fluttering moments but there are some incidents which are kinda angsty but it's worth it! male lead is smitten, crazy over his wife!!! and he's hot! super hot! the best married couple duo ever! he's so protective of her it's crazy. ongoing! one of my favourites. 📌📌

YOUR MAJESTY PLEASE DON'T KILL ME AGAIN: transmigation, historical/royal au, girlie wakes up in a noble lady's body in a novel where the male lead is a ruthless ruler who kills all family for the throne, so she becomes his maid/lady in waiting and ends up winning his heart lmao first as a friend when they're literally kids and more as they grow up. plot is interesting becuz girl is always under the threat of being killed by the prince where as he doesn't really have those intentions and just actually treasures her sorta? ongoing.

ACTUALLY, I WAS THE REAL ONE: rebirth/going back in time?, royal/historical au, fantasy, fem lead is killed by her father, the emperor when another girl appears and claims to be the real princess and he believes her because she looks more like the late empress than the fem lead. before her death she finds out she actually is the real daughter. when she opens her eyes she's back years before and this time tries her best to prove the fact she's the actual one, male lead is like not decided between two guys, one is a hot blond magician helping her and the other a head royal knight. ongoing.

I BECAME THE WIFE OF THE MALE LEAD: transmigation, fantasy, historical/royal au, fem lead wakes up in the body of a really power girl with magic, the villainess. does her best to change her role and it starts with saving the male lead and becoming his friend but oh god he ends up falling for her so hard and girlie is so oblivious. they're a power couple in terms of strength like her magic powers are undisputable and the male lead strength and skills in sword fighting are exceptional. they both are a pair of beauties and male lead is hottttt!! the fem lead's so called father is also super hot man. really interesting storyline with twists, ongoing. one of my favourites. 📌📌

MY SECRETLY HOT HUSBAND/MY HUSBAND HIDES HIS BEAUTY: transmigration, historical, fantasy au, fem lead wakes up as the bride of the powerful demon hunter duke known to hide a hideous face behind a mask, she helps him get rid of the curse of family, and helps the dukedom grow and have a name in the kingdom. husband wife who are down bad for each other. completed, 109 chapters, happy ever after ending. one of my favorites. 📌

NO PLACE FOR THE FAKE PRINCESS: foretelling fantasy?, historical/royal au, fem lead reads a book where she's the villainness and the fake princess turns out the book shows future events if she continues to live the same way so she changes her attitude and gains the love of her father by being an obedient and capable daughter so when the real princess arrives she will not be killed by her father and get the chance to run away to live a peaceful life but when the time comes and she elopes her father goes crazy trying to find her because he loves her and the same goes for the male lead!! ongoing.

SECRET LADY: reincarnation, transmigration, historical/royal au, fem lead could see ghosts in her original body and even after reincarnation as a noble lady of a powerful family she can still see ghosts, these ghosts help her know that the second prince is going to be assassinated so she offers to help him under a guise of a poor maiden. she falls for him while he has always loved her but because of a curse in the royal family their love faces many obstacles. super amazing plot, really really interesting. ongoing. one of my favorites. 📌

WHO MADE ME A PRINCESS: transmigration, royal/historical au, fem lead wakes up inside a novel in the body of the only princess of the cruel emperor who hates her because the empress died giving birth to her. originally the princess is killed by him but the fem lead tries her best to change the story and her father's feelings towards her by being an adorable daughter who apparently loves her dad a lot. the male lead is a renowned magician like the best one from legends and also the son of a duke, she doesn't choose one by the end but it is heavily shown who she prefers. really great plot, so many twists and turns but so worth it! completed, 125 chapters. happy ending, one of my favorites. 📌

BEING A WICKED WOMAN IS COMFORTABLE AND PLEASANT: transmigration, historical/royal au, fantasy, magic, fem lead enters the body of the villianous and decides to live comfortably by using that role and collecting more money and as said living comfortably without disturbing the main couples. (it's a reverse harem for the original fem lead of the novel but now girlie takes her place) she is known as a stupid person not knowing how to use magic but as a person from modern world magic formulae become his forte and she literally changes so many things and becomes an icon. ongoing.

THE VILLIANESS IS A MARIONETTE: transmigration, historical/royal au, fem lead wakes up in the body of the villian's sister who is known as the her brother's (villian) puppet, she decides to change it all by changing her behaviour towards him and gaining his favor and affection trying to make him the puppet, this gets the male lead, a powerful duke who previously hated her and she had been forcing herself on him romantically(the original character) ends up falling for the new her. plot and art and characters are to die for. ongoing. one of my favorites. 📌

BABY TYRANT: transmigration, historical/royal au, after dying the fem lead wakes up in the body of the beloved princess of a powerful empire. now she has everything she's wanted but it's hard to accept and with people trying to undo the prophecy of her birth her father makes her the emperor oh god, also the male lead is a like a demon or something i don't remember. ongoing.

INTO THE LIGHT, ONCE AGAIN: rebirth, new family, historical/royal au, fantasy, magic, fem lead was previously a princess who was killed by her own family because another sister falsely accused her of trying to kill her. betrayed by everyone she loved and thought who loved her, she wakes up as the beloved princess of the neighbouring kingdom where her new family loves her to death, with the help of her brother and the male lead who is the light king, she embarks on her journey of revenge against the evil sister. ongoing. one of my favorites. 📌

THE SIREN: BECOMING THE VILLAIN'S FAMILY: rebirth/travelling back in time?, kinda historical au? but not, fantasy, the fem lead is one of the last surviving sirens, her father sells her to the emperor who cages her makes her sing till death. before dying though, the male lead goes on a killing spree and kills everyone in the palace and rescues her just because no reason no he doesn't love her at that point. upon going back in time she tries to change things and this time ends up as the male lead's wife and he falls for her hard. ongoing, the art is everything literally the best ever you either hate it or love it, and the plot is sooo good too, ongoing, one of my favorites. 📌📌

FOR MY DERELICT FAVORITE: transmigration, rebirth/travel back in time?, historical/royal au, fem lead wakes up as a noble woman background character in her favorite novel. however after watching her favorite character die of heartbreak she kills herself and when she wakes up she's years back and this time makes sure to help her favorite character live a happy life and move on from the past, by becoming his wife and getting him justice. fan x idol couple lmao she's crazy about him. ongoing.

SERENA/SELENA: somewhere between modern and historical au, marriage of convience, arranged marriage, the fem lead loses her parents and brother in an accident and then later on married off to a guy of opponent family by her grandmother who passes the family business to him. enraged she's determined he plans to destroy her but later the truth comes ot and they fall in love and oh she takes over her family business a girl boss!! both play hard to get, stubborn characters, enemies to lovers, age gap (5 years) art is so damn good you'll drool, ongoing, one of my favorites. 📌📌

I TAMED MY EX HUSBAND'S MAD DOG: rebirth/travelling back in time?, historical/royal au, fem lead lives a miserable first life because of her husband who indirectly kills herself father, cheats on her, and basically ruins her life. after going back in time she makes sure to do everything to take her revenge and this time she finds and makes allies with her husband's pet like right hand man who is also the male lead, they end up falling in love!! age gap but not much ig i don't remember, ongoing.

I'LL BE THE MATRIARCH IN THIS LIFE: rebirth/travelling back in time?, not kinda historical?, fem lead watches her grandfather die and leave the family business to ruins by handing it to her brothers while she was the most capable one but he realised it too late. after rebirth? she makes sure to make him aware of her skills from early on in childhood so that she can succeed him and take care of the family business herself, her skills from handling the affairs in past life gain her lots of advantage including supporting the second prince who'll become a ruthless king in future by becoming his friend and who also ends up falling for her. ongoing, one of my favorites. 📌

CRY, EVEN BETTER IF YOU BEG: somewhere between historical and modern?, age gap(6 years i think), enemies to lovers kinda?, red flag male lead, he's crazy, so after girlie's parents die she ends up living with her uncle who works as a gardener for the male lead's family. he comes home very summer and everytime they have encounters which screammm red flag but i still love the story. he loves making her suffer. anyway ongoing, one of my favorites.📌

I CAN'T WAIT TO EAT YOU: modern, office au, one sided enemies to lovers, the male lead's parents die in an accident because of fem lead's dad when they're both kids so he hates her while girlie has no idea. later as grown ups she works in his family company. events lead to them interacting with each other falling in loveee yay. ongoing.

AGE OF ARROGANCE: historical/royal au, marriage of convience, the knight commander fem lead marries the crown prince to get the resources to rebuild her region and help her people live well. while he agrees so that he can build up a support group for his succession to throne against his stepbrother. they make a deal to help each other but end up in love. ongoing.

I WILL SEDUCE THE NORTHERN DUKE: isekai, historical/royal au, fantasy?, fem lead finds herself in a different world after falling off a cliff while filming(she's a star actress) things happen and she makes a deal with the northern territory duke to play as his lover for certain reasons while he helps her stay in this world. really really fun story. ongoing.

STAR DREAM IDOL PROJECT: modern, survival show, revenge, and slight but visible romance between contestant and judge. fem lead is the secret daughter of a famous singer (mom, parents are separated) after her mom's death she participates in a famous survival show under a guise to chase her dreams as an idol along road of revenge involving her public power figure father. the romance hints at her and the blunt famous singer judge who keeps criticising her skills because he believes in her exceptional potential. ongoing. 📌

A SIGN OF AFFECTION: modern, college au, opposites attract, real wholesome just fem lead has been deaf since birth and meets male lead on the subway, he somehow makes her feel so warm and different and it's like love at first sight for her. he learns sign language for her and falls for how cute she is. a simple and pure love story? ongoing, anime has 12 eps and really good too. 📌

SEASONS OF BLOSSOM: HAMIN'S FLOWER: modern, high school au, major character death, summer love? so fem lead and male lead are two opposite kind of students at school ml is popular and a topper while fl is kinda average and very interested in arts and painting. for a long while they meet up in the art room during lunch because fl does not have friends and spends the break painting while ml wants to escape the fake people have some time alone. they become friends and ml realizes he really likes painting because it makes him feel free so during summer break he joins her art club outside school and they have their romance? phase after his parents find out he stops and things happen and he commits suicide. fl after years comes as teacher in the same school and through his younger brother finds the truth which is heartbreaking and finally gets her closure. completed, there's a kdrama on this with the same name highly recommend checking it out, though prepare your tissues. 📌📌

ETERNAL LOVE: hidden love brother's story, modern, kinda like frenemies to roomates to lovers?, i don't remember much fem lead and male lead are classmates in high school who used to not be fond of each other and later as adults things happen and he becomes her roommate because his apartment is like undergoing renovations or something? there's some misunderstandings and miscommunications but it's a really good read though the art is changed in this from hidden love. ongoing.

BRIDE OF HABAEK: fantasy, god falls for human sacrifice au??? do not remember much i read it long back but like the fem lead is offered as bride sacrifice to the water god and thrown into some well or something and when she wakes up she's in his realm and he's like a child? he also has his adult form but around her he's in child form and she does come across him in adult form but does not know it's him. i don't remember more details but it's slow burnnnn and interesting pretty different from the kdrama. ongoing or completed? no idea but there's a hella lot of chapters and it's black and white.

GIRL AND HER GUARD DOG: first of all this is not for everyone help,, pls don't judge me for liking it (⁠〒⁠﹏⁠〒⁠) modern, she falls first and he falls harder trope, age gap like 5 years. fem lead parents die in an accident and she is brought to her grandpa's house whose a gangster and he gets one of his beloved men to take care of her. later when she grows up and goes to a distant city for school that man(male lead) follows becuz he's worried she might get in danger alone and enrolls as a student too through connections.

MY IN-LAWS ARE OBSESSED WITH ME: historical/royal, travelling back in time/rebirth, contract marriage, magic/curse. fem lead is killed by her family and husband for father's inheritance by a mysterious poison and when she wakes up again she has travelled back to two months. to protect herself and her inheritance she offers the powerful duke of the kingdom a marriage contract for one year but during that time her actions make her in-laws fall in love with her, everyone just adores her and refuses to let her go after a year. oh and male lead, the duke's family has a curse and she's immune to it somehow? ongoing.

#YEONIErecs!#manhwa #manhua #manga #✶﹙𝟭𝟴𝟳𝟲﹚𝒘𝐞𝐛𝐭ℴℴ𝐧 𝓽𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒔

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randomfoggytiger · 11 months

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How Scully Taught Mulder to Hug

I've noted once before what a profound effect Scully has on Mulder's emotional journey with healing and grief (see here how One Breath transforms him and his emotional outlet); but there is a key part of that healing process that is just as important.

Fox Mulder is known for his softer side: a masculine man comfortable with feminine displays of affection and empathy. However, even though it was always his nature-- reaching out to Scully often, pulling at her necklace, smoothing her hair, engaging her eye contact-- Mulder never physically comforted someone in their distress or immense grief before Scully.

I broke down his dynamics with his mother (see here) but, in short, he was her caretaker since Samantha's disappearance: tucking her in, speaking calmly and gently to soothe her nerves, and other minute mannerisms that bled into his other human interactions. But there was always an affectionate distance.

It wasn't until Scully that he learned how to sweep a vulnerable, distressed, or grieving person into a comforting hug.

TLDR

Scully is used to exchanging physical affection with her family and friends, and she will usually reach out to Mulder first to change an aspect of their relationship: a hug, a hand grip, letting Mulder sweat over root bear, pining in Season 2, hinting at genes in Season 4, and bringing a cheese plate for recovery fun fun times in Season 5. (It's why she was so shocked in The Little Green Men, Small Potatoes, The Unnatural, and Millennium: she doesn't expect Mulder to make any moves.)

Mulder is, despite being a physically affectionate person, stunned by her abrupt hug in the Pilot, having maintained an emotional distance from others for a long, long time (even from his mother and father-- despite being his mother's emotional and even physical caretaker, the two Mulders were not volubly affectionate.)

The MOST PIVOTAL hug is the follow-up in Irresistible-- Mulder shadows Scully the whole case, but it's she who finally cracks and burrows into his coat, needing comfort. The tenderness they've both cultivated in the aftermath of Duane Barry is kicked up a notch; and there is no going back for Mulder. From now on, he will repeatedly body-shield Scully: from literal danger (in the very next episode Die Hand Die Verletzt) and from very intense fear or grief.

In fact, that part of Mulder has been blown so wide open that he swoops in to greet his father with a hug in Colony, kicking himself when he remembers that the Mulders don't hug.

The first time Mulder reaches out to hug Scully is in Paper Clip while she struggles after her sister's death. It's a full-on, no-holds-barred hug that envelops and fully comforts. This is when The Mulder Hug TM is born; and Mulder will use this for the rest of his life, finally able to comfort and cheer and grieve openly.

Because Scully, his human credential, taught him how.

Housekeeping now firmly aside:

Pictures and In-Depth Analysis Below

The First Hug

In the Pilot, Scully is terrified of malicious looking bumps on her back, knocking on Mulder's door and begging him to figure out if they are nefarious or not; and when he good-naturedly assures her they're just mosquito bites, she whirls around and clings to him.

It's demonstrated multiple times in the series to be second nature to Scully to hug her loved ones (returning her father's bear hug in Beyond the Sea, letting Maggie cling to her in Memento Mori, greeting Bill Scully in Gethsemane, etc.); but the opposite is shown for her new partner.

Mulder is shocked by her hug, frozen in his former gregarious reassurance as he processes what just happened.

Finally, Mulder's face shifts to bewilderment, snapping back his head in confusion-- he hasn't had a real hug in how long... why now?

More warmth seeps in, wonder and concern rising to the top of his conflicted emotions as he asks "You okay?" tenderly, beeping his nose into her hair.

He tries to reassure his new barnacle-to-a-hull clingy partner, awkwardly (and this makes me laugh) patting her on the shoulder as if she were a baby.

When Scully pulls back to collect herself, Mulder dazedly focuses on her, tracking her eyes and blandly noting "You're shaking."

Scully helps herself to his seat with Mulder unfazed and telling her to take her time, poking out an arm so she doesn't ram into the chair. He then sits across from her, studying this new (ab)normal specimen, trying to puzzle her out.

This leads Mulder to share his vulnerability over Samantha's abduction, a quid pro quo if you will. It's not private information since he's already categorized her as an X-File; but the revelation is not his trauma : it's his neck-on-the-chopping-block move he makes, revealing how much he knows about the upper office shenanigans and what they've been doing to stop him ("You're part of that agenda. You know that.") Scully honors this , asking for his trust.

(An aside: this is referenced later in Anasazi when Mulder screams over the phone about her betrayal: "Look, you have my files and my gun. Don't ask me for my trust.")

The Second Hug

There isn't another hug until Irresistible. Although Mulder is far from distant, he only ever goes so far with his physical affection (a hand at his partner's back while walking, sitting as close as humanly possible, dragging her away from dangerous scenarios, etc.), leaving it up to Scully to cross the lines between them (tending to him and camping out in his hotel room in Fire, "I wouldn't put myself on the line for anyone but you" in Tooms, petting his hair in Little Green Men, etc.) Mulder yearns to be closer, but he is the one drawing the lines, another self-protective measure (like talking in riddles, keeping few friends, sleeping on his couch, and running so he never has to stop.)

But their S2 separation and Scully's abduction followed so closely by her near death in Firewalker leaves a space for Scully's increasing vulnerability. Her anxiety and stress continue to heighten as Pfaster's case hits closer and closer home; and, by the end of that disaster, she is a wreck. When Mulder and the police rescue her from her newest kidnapping, Scully vainly tries to hold onto her control until the dam bursts, Mulder's empathetic chin-touch undoing her.

She slowly steps closer, seeking a hiding spot to fall apart in; and Mulder just as slowly scoops her up, facing the middle distance briefly to assess what this moment means for Scully (who strove to be unbreakable after her abduction) before turning his focus back to his partner.

When a cry escapes Scully, Mulder instinctively pets and cradles her head for the first time (to my knowledge), transforming from an empathetic but awkward partner to a fully-fledged comforter.

It's here when he links his ability to convey love through touch with his soothing, calming presence: by holding another person, he can wordlessly offer both. This changes everything for Mulder-- he now engulfs Scully, TLG, his family, even other victims in hugs, unlocking that side of himself that he'd never tapped into before.

Scully worms in closer, too far gone to care about preserving whatever scrap of dignity she has left; and Mulder, who gets it now, swarms her in a tighter hug-- his hand stretched to its fullest and his arms wound in a stronger grip.

Mulder then steps it up a notch: he focuses entirely on her (briefly closing his eyes), trying to empathetically collect all of Scully's pain and fear like a dreamcatcher and shield her from all the negative emotions and traumas and nightmares that will plague her. Despite the torment on his face, Mulder's assurance is measured and strong: "It's alright." Simple, but powerfully reassuring.

The very next episode, Mulder throws himself over Scully to protect her from being shot first in the Die Hand Die Verleztz shower, a first for him and one he doesn't flinch at. Of course, he has always been protective; but there is no uncertainty that sometimes lurked when he'd previously hovered around her like a nervous fly.

And this new unlocking of himself led to his aborted hug in--

Colony

When Mulder arrives at his father's, he runs up to the house and almost misses Bill Mulder in the shadows. He steps over, opening his arms for a hug... and is promptly greeted by Bill Mulder's hand.

I already have a series detailing Mulder's complicated relationships with his family (The Mulder Family In-Depth Series is found on this master list); the importance here is that Mulder is so caught up in his new mindset that he forgot the barriers that existed between himself and his father.

Two theories that don't mean anything really:

#1. Mulder had broken down a huge psychological barrier; and he naturally included his father in this change... which was promptly rejected. His face registers an "ah, of course" expression instead of shock or grief, meaning this is an established habit of his father's. Just because he's changed, Bill Mulder has not (yet. See post here.)

#2. Mulder's father has hugged Mulder before, since it's a go-to greeting from his son in this time of crisis. He was a doting father at one point, so maybe he reverts back to his warmer behavior in exteme times of celebration or trouble? Who knows.

Whatever the case may be, this is the first hug Mulder has ever initiated for comfort (not counting bro-hugs or hello-hugs)... and it was rejected. Mulder being Mulder, though, never gives up.

Paper Clip

Paper Clip is the turn of the tide.

Mulder has learned how to marry his unending empathy and true compassion with his natural way of bonding, physical touch. This is when he gives it all back to Scully, the woman who showed him the way. In a demonstration of "I owe you everything, Scully. And you owe me nothing", Mulder stoops down to listen to Scully's heartrending pain about Melissa Scully's murder, giving her as much courage and hope as he can. When Scully cracks, he leans away briefly to better balance himself-- which makes his partner grab for his hands in a panic (2nd pic)-- before scooping her up into a tight hug, allowing his human credential to cry onto his shoulder.

Scully sweeps her arm around Mulder as well (you can see her hand on Mulder's left shoulder.)

The last piece of Mulder's puzzle comes in Herrenvolk:

Herrenvolk

I've discussed this episode in depth here, but it's important to comb back through with this context in mind.

Mulder's mother is on her deathbed, and he has failed to bring back the one person who could heal her. In tatters, he stumbles through the hospital in shock, relying on Scully to get him to Tena (or Teena) Mulder's room. At her bedside, Mulder crashes. For the first time, Mulder leans into Scully, indirectly asking her for a hug. Scully reads his body language and makes the first decisive move, showing Mulder that his emotions won't be rejected. He then falls apart, sobbing into her shoulder.

The last barrier for Mulder's emotional distance has melted away; and Scully is there to give back the comfort he always gave her.

A Summary and Mini-Analysis on Future Hugs

Finally, this aspect of Mulder's emotional journey has come to a healthy completion: from now on, he and Scully give and receive hugs freely, leaning in for affection and anticipating each others' needs and varying moods.

Season 5, interestingly, is filled mostly with hugs-but-not-hugs moments-- i.e., Scully didn't hug Mulder in the woods, they cuddled for warmth; and Mulder didn't hug Scully in All Souls, they whispered with arms in the police station.

But Scully does hug Mulder after the files burn down, since he is too emotionally hewn to reciprocate. FTF is an addendum to that moment, with Mulder proving to Scully that she does, indeed, mean more to him than his life's work (she is his life.)

Sseason 6 is sparing on hugs, though filled to the brim with romantic overtones (subtle they are not); instead, it gives Mulder two kisses that are not from Scully: Triangle's spy Scully and One Son's manipulative Diana Fowley. It's not until Arcadia that the two agents full-on hug-- multiple ones at that-- which is befitting for a season that practically shoves them together while baiting the audience.

(Note: Sometime around Seasons 6-7 there are the events of Per Manum, featuring very huggy Mulder and Scully. I set this sometime before Two Fathers/One Son; but do as you wish.)

The hugs really pick up significant meaning after the episode tag-team of Milagro and The Unnatural. There is no going back now; but whatever deal they struck in those episodes (whether RST or a new understanding between them) is solidified after Mulder's spiritual experience in Amor Fati.

From then on, hugs become casual side pieces to the main affection: Millennium kisses, unabashed flirting, comfort after maternal suicides, familiar and familial habits and routines, and farewells in hallways and hellos from old friends.

The last hug (as of S8 where my X-Files journey stops) is given by Frohike embracing Mulder on his return.

Mulder arrives at Scully's apartment, glad to see his old friend; but he immediately sticks his arm out to shake hands, an unfortunate shadow of his own traumatized father Bill Mulder. Frohike, fortunately, is having NONE of it, sweeping his friend into a tight, firm hug. Mulder is delighted and touched, zinging out his first quip devoid of bitterness.

Grateful and overwhelmed, Mulder gives his friend a back pat (and many happy Mulder noises) as well, harkening back to his first awkward hug with Scully.

A fitting conclusion to Mulder's hug arc.

Thank you for reading~

Enjoy!

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archangeldyke-all · 4 months

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hi!! this is my first time requesting anything on tumblr ever so bear with me. i know you write for sevika (which i love btw because your writing is magical) but could you possibly write something for ran? i haven’t been able to locate a single good fic about them in so long and it makes my heart hurt. they deserve so much more love than they get ☹️

it doesn’t have to be anything steamy (but i would love for it to be). you can have full creative liberty with this because i know for a fact that you’ll come up with something amazing.

if you’re not comfortable writing for ran or just don’t want to then just ignore this! :)

yessss ran needs more love!

a few things before i start: check out @abitohoney 's submit series! ran is a pretty prominent character (and in the latest part, ran and sev and reader are having a threesome EEEK!! so fucking hot.)

also, because ran has no speaking lines, and isn't even named in the show, these hc's are completely pulled out of my ass. it's just what i think they'd be like, with no contextual justification lmaooo. hopefully in season 2 we'll get to know them better!

ok here we go!

men and minors dni

first of all, i've never met someone who looks that emo/goth who isn't a total goofball. i'm convinced the most sunshiney, silly people also have the darkest, moodiest fashion taste.

so i think ran's a goofball.

always making jokes, teasing, laughing. total class clown vibes.

when they're crushing, though, they go completely silent. like, not a word.

you have no idea they're such a goofball for the longest time. you think they're all stoic and cool, but the truth is, they're just shitting themselves anytime you're around.

ran cuts their own hair. that choppy ass haircut? that's their own doing. no stylist ever gets it right.

ran's always playing pool in the show. so when you start crushing back on them, you ask them to teach you.

inside, ran is freaking out, but outside, they're cool, calm and collected.

they definitely do that thing where they stand behind you and move your arms with theirs. both of you are freaking the fuck out the entire time.

ran starts warming up to you then, though, because they realize that you're just as flustered by your closeness as they are.

it starts with little jokes and quips.

and when they get a good reaction out of you, a pretty smile and little giggle, they turn it up to a hundred.

they make a fool of themselves trying to get you to smile.

tripping over their feet in an effort to get your attention, always mumbling jokes under their breath for only you to hear, anxiously awaiting the muffled giggle that it pulls from you.

you start to suspect that they have a crush on you then. they're always trying to make you smile or laugh, and each time they do, their eyes are locked on your curved lips.

so you start flirting.

they blush profusely each and every time.

doesn't matter if you're gently touching their arm, or giving them a compliment, or looking at them for a few seconds too long, they've got the most obvious blush you've ever seen. they're obsessed with you.

you comment on it once.

"you look really fuckin' hot in that crop top y'know." you say one night, tipsy off a few drinks at the bar.

ran blushes bright red and takes a big gulp of their drink.

"and you're so cute when you blush." you add on.

ran sputters on their sip or alcohol.

from then on, they take their flirting up another notch.

always crowding against you at the pool table, helping you even though you know how to play by now.

constantly touching you, especially when they make you laugh. they'll pretend they're just leaning against you to laugh, but they don't take their hand off your shoulders afterwards.

the more time passes, and the more obvious your shared attraction gets, the bolder ran gets.

like when they make you smile, they'll reach up and gently trace their finger over the lines your smile causes to crease up in your face.

they'll press impossibly closer against you while your leaning over to play pool, practically grinding against your ass, no indication that they're flustered beside the bright red blush on their face.

and when you guys finally kiss, it goes something like this.

ran's teasing you relentlessly for a slip up you'd made, fumbling over your words at an important meeting. they're such a shit, and they're so cute as they poke at you and joke and tease, that you just have to shut them up.

so you dart forward and press your lips against theirs.

for the first time since ran's opened up to you, they're completely silent. their one visible eye is wide, and they're red as a tomato.

you giggle.

"where'd all those jokes go, tough guy?" you ask. ran blinks and gulps.

"holy shit." they whisper. you laugh and reach up to tuck their bangs behind their ear, admiring their exposed face, waiting patiently for them to get their words back. they blink at you with stars in their eyes.

and then suddenly, they're giddy and giggling, pulling you against their chest and wrapping their arms around you.

"you get that you're mine now, right?" they ask. you grin, and press another kiss to their lips.

"that's kinda what i was going for." you admit.

"nice." they say with a smirk as they swoop in to press their lips against yours again.

taglist!

@lesbeaniegreenie @fyeahnix @sapphicsgirl @half-of-a-gay @ellabslut @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner @shimtarofstupidity @love-sugarr @chuucanchuucan @222danielaa @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther @gr0ssz0mbi3 @ellsss @sevikaspillowprincess

#ran arcane #??#idk what to tag haha

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themosleyreview · 7 months

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The Mosley Review: When Evil Lurks

I tend to have a high tolerance and high expectation for horror films. When it comes to films about demonic possession, they're constantly all about how religion factors in or the standard set by the original The Exorcist with all the head spinning, levitating and gross out body horror tropes we've all come to know. Evil Dead Rise earlier this year was fantastic, but that is more of the extreme and fantastical nature. The last great grounded possession film I've seen was The Last Exorcism of Emily Rose and maybe The Last Exorcism. Both had their flaws, but delivered an engaging story and creepy visuals. What makes a great supernatural film is the ability to deliver a tension filled story that is not only compelling, but unpredictable. You have to really go places where most wouldn't dare and remove the common safe guards in place for certain characters. It has been a very long time since such a film has existed and has left me in a state of shock. What I really enjoyed about this film was that it was straight forward and gives you the right amount of lore and exposition that keeps you on edge. The sense of dread and tension is so thick throughout the film and I loved every second of it. Sure, there are moments of terror you could see coming, but you're still shocked once it happens and the sheer brutality of it was insane. Like any horror film, there are illogical character moments that are frustrating, but in this case it serves the story and highlights the flaws of the characters. That's how it should be done and I'm glad this film excels where almost all fail.

Ezequiel Rodriguez was excellent and endearing as Pedro. I loved his steadfast decision making, but man did he seriously put everyone in danger when it wasn't necessary at times. I did love that he was the most capable and smartest characters in the film as he saw what was coming when nobody would believe him. Demián Salomon was also excellent as his loyal and somewhat softer brother Jimmy. I loved their chemistry and even though they were on edge for the majority, I was happy to follow them both through this nightmare. Jimmy was one of the major catalysts in the most clever way that if you weren't paying attention, you'd miss why. Paula Rubinsztein was awesome and probably the only kind soul in the film as their mother. She delivers the ultimate lore dump and setting up the rules when dealing with a possessed or as referred to in the film as "The Rotten", and man it was so fun and creepy. Silvia Sabater was awesome as a Cleaner or the film's version of an exorcist. Her scenes were so intriguing and she adds that perfect level of strength in her faith herself and wisdom.

The film is well shot and what I loved is that there isn't any major visual trickery or CGI that tries to add to the look of despair. The make-up effects were top notch and equally grotesque in the best way possible. The physical horror was amazing and creepy in execution when it came to a scene involving Pedro's family. Like I said before, the tension in this film is thick and it never really lets up as the story continues to drag you through the hellish nightmare Pedro and Jimmy go through. I can't stress enough how this film goes for the unexpected and how unrelenting the violence is. This film has definitely raised the bar on how to deliver a perfectly paced demonic possession story that has thematic elements about grief, family and how it touches on faith, but it doesn't overtake the nonstop terror. This will hands down be the best horror film I have seen for the remainder of 2023. It is currently in theatres for a limited time and it will soon come to the horror streaming service Shudder. I highly recommend it for this spooky season for the curious, but it is NOT for the faint of heart. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

#when evil lurks #Ezequiel Rodriguez #Demián Salomon #Paula Rubinsztein

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doctorprofessorsong · 2 years

Text

Destiel fic recs

A little something for everyone this time around as I ping ponged through a lot of great fics recently. I contain multitudes, okay?

A Novel Affair by EllenofOz and MalMuses @ellen-of-oz @malmuses (Explicit, 77k)

Ok, look. If you read my brain waves and used them to whip up a fic perfectly tailored to me, this is probably what the ficometer 2000 would spit out. A 2plt Regency fic with book porn, talk of little cakes and horses. It wasn’t enough to read it. Etch it onto my skull.

The story is a delightful, mostly fluffy rom com style fic with low angst and lots of fun. Cas inherits a tea shop and reading room (a dream come true for every bookstore gay). He can't help but be distracted by Dean, a local wealthy landowner who is obviously not interested in him (and who is on the marriage mart seeking a title). Unless . . . .

The story is sweet and light. These versions of Dean and Cas are so earnest and I can't say enough about the amazing cast of characters featured in the town. It has all the yearning of a Regency fic and vintage gay feels. But it's also so hopeful and joyous.

Revelation 13 by fullvoid @fullvoidao3 (Explicit, 43k)

And now for something completely different: murder husbands. This fic is a Silent Hill 4 AU. If you've played the game, it brings the creepiness and the gore (and you definitely don't have to have played to enjoy this fic). Dean and Sam wake up to discover they're trapped in their apartment. The only way out is a terrifying hole that appeared in the bathroom wall overnight. What they find on the other side is a dangerous hellscape ruled by terrifying and sadistic monsters.

Please mind the tags. This is unapologetically a horror fic with blood and guts and monsters, but it is a fantastic one with some pretty delightful grossouts if that's your thing (it's definitely mine). Also Dean and Cas are 100% murder boyfriends and morally pretty dark. But that’s what makes their dynamic fun. They would burn down the world for each other without a second thought. In addition to some top notch horror writing, this fic brings the humor. I was laughing my ass off. And it has the nerve to have some deeply poetic and haunting lines. It's seriously a fantastic romp in this genre.

The Parts of Our Sum by Annie D (scaramouche) @no-gorms (Explicit, 55k)

I am foaming at the mouth over this one, y'all. It's older and fairly well known, so you may have heard of it, but I am still going to scream into the void and stomp my feet and tell you to read it.

A sci fi AU where Cas is essentially a cyborg. A guy raised to fight for a nameless conglomerate Corporation. He was enhanced for battle and now that war is over, he has settled into a quiet routine of working on a training base and trying to save up enough money to buy his freedom. Dean is a civilian with deep animosity for the Corporation reluctantly working on the base so that he can be near his friends and family who are training to go into space. Both of them can't deny the pull they feel towards the other that seems to be challenging their plans.

This one is a Cas perspective that gives me deep canon angel Cas feels. Particularly the way Cas sees himself as company property defined solely by his utility. Despite being an AU, this one is deeply rooted in canon and it becomes at times a masterful character study, made more impressive by the fact that it was written in 2013. In fact, there were parts that felt so much like Despair and some of the late seasons that I kept double checking the post date. In summary, it grabs all the gooey Cas defines himself by his utility character beats and squashes them into your brain like play dough. The story is deeply satisfying and had me on edge despite the promise of a happy ending through all of the angst.

our lights in ashes by teen_dean @urne-buriall (Mature, 68k)

This fic is a masterpiece and a bit brain melting and crunchy and it's also a bit of a challenge to explain. It's really two fics in one. Dean and Jack on a delightfully Supernatural road trip solving cases (with some OCs who will live in my brain forever). The cases are fun. Inventive and clever, unusual monsters. Great stuff. Tying them all together is Cas and the other half of the story.

See, post 15x19 Jack tried and failed to get Cas back. But he's been appearing. To Dean and to save people being attacked by monsters. I don't want to spoil anything, but its deliciously high concept with some really fascinating elements.

Intertwined in this are some staggeringly beautiful themes about family and rebuilding after trauma. About love. About doing the work. It’s gorgeous.

Friends this one is a ride and a fantastic one.

Non Solum by thisisapaige @thisisapaige (Explicit, 16k)

Witchy!Cas meets Hunter!Dean in a fun fantasy story with phenomenal worldbuilding and lots of delightful details. When Dean is seriously injured during a hunt, he's sure that it's all over. That is until he stumbles upon a cabin in the woods. Cas is a witch trying to leave his complicated and dark past behind. When a man who would probably just as soon kill him as look at him collapses on his doorstep, he has to decide whether his own protection is more important than saving a life.

Dean and Cas are both so lonely. They have early season vibes. That plus the amazing worldbuilding makes this a really fun read.

Wavelength-gasm by Mumble_Bee (Explicit, 11k)

If you are in the mood for some absurd comedy and smut, you are in luck. The premise is simple: Cas gets hit with a fuck or die spell only it's his trueform that needs to have sex. Dean finds himself presented with the unique challenge of giving a celestial beam of light a hand job. It's horny, kinky and hilarious. Plus the true form descriptions are top notch. It's a delightful romp.

The State of You by TrenchcoatBaby (Explicit, 101k)

Writer Dean Winchester has a problem. After three successful books, he finds himself with severe writer’s block. Writer’s block stemming from a rather surprising discovery about himself. But his editor, Anna, isn't going to let him fail, even if I means sending her collegue to troubleshoot in person. She knows Castiel can help, if he and Dean don't strangle each other first.

This one has some delightful rom com elements including an awkward meet ugly and some rather stark misunderstandings, but it manages to pack an emotional punch at times as well. It was one of those fics that I could barely put down. Entertaining and sweet, sometimes heartbreaking but with a soft landing.

Carnival Oasis (Series) by violue @violue (Explicit, 47k with 10 installments)

I love a story that really leans into Cas as a strange, somewhat alien ancient creature. This story definitely fits the bill. Dean is a hunter who encounters a strange creature that feeds on sin/regret. He's fairly sure Castiel isn't malevolent, so why can't he stop going back?

Dean is a bit softer than in canon, taking a nuanced approach to hunting. Cas is less human as well. It makes for a really fun combination. I don't want to spoil anything, but the backstory for Cas is a amazing in this fic. Overall, it's a really fun take with low angst and lots of softness and humor.

---tag list---

@varlysca @naturallyathief @greatbigbugger @fandoms-and-things @cascodedtech @you-cant-spell-subtext-without @deanwasalwaysbi @fellshish @valleydean

#destiel #deancas #deancas fic #destiel fic recs #deancas fic recs #destiel fic rec #deancas fic rec

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malk1ns · 10 months

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For the Write a Kiss: #4?

oooh thanks!

4. ...where it hurts.

from this ask game!

Geno's new scars are livid.

Sid's trying not to stare; he knows Geno's self-conscious about them, hates what they represent. Sid's talked to him enough over the summer to know how upset Geno was about needing surgery at all, let along the new marks it left on his leg.

Sid knows about unwanted scars. Every day he has to carefully re-wrap his wrist after he showers, and the neat little lines stand out, bright red and healing.

Geno's scars are different. They're big, one line above his kneecap, two dots on his knee, and another line underneath, and they're much more healed than Sid's are. They look like proper scars, not fresh cuts.

And Sid can't. stop. looking at them.

They're spending a lot more time alone than Sid's used to for the start of a season. Normally they're busy wrangling the team back in order after a summer off, checking in with the new guys, meeting with the other team leaders and the coaching staff to talk through line configurations and special teams assignments—none of which lends much time for much more than quick hookups when they have time. But this year, they're both left behind more often than not, spending time together in the gym or in the trainer's room, both of them working as hard as they can to get back to game shape.

Sid will be ready first, and as eager as he is to get back out onto the ice, he's going to miss the quiet, peaceful hours spent hanging out with Geno. Being the center of Geno's focused attention this often, and outside of the bedroom, is a rare treat, and Sid's grown to appreciate it.

It doesn't take long for Geno's sharp eyes to notice where Sid keeps looking.

"They're ugly, no?" he says one morning, stretching in Sid's bed. He'd slept over the night before, a surprise that Sid hadn't dared say anything about lest it scare Geno back home, and Sid likes how he looks, sleepy and rumpled in the morning light pouring in through Sid's bedroom windows.

"What?" Sid asks, guiltily looking back up at Geno's face. Geno's squinting a little, so nearsighted without his glasses on, and Sid feels a swell of dangerous fondness.

"My knee," Geno says, vaguely flapping his hand down towards his legs. "New scars, like, they're ugly. Look bad." His mouth twists in a frown.

Sid shakes his head. "I don't think so," he says quietly, rolling over so he's partly lying on top of Geno. "I like them."

"You do?" Geno says, big hand coming to rest on Sid's ass. Sid buries a smile into Geno's shoulder. "Little bit weird, maybe."

Sid shrugs. "Maybe," he agrees, wiggling a little so he's all the way on top of Geno. "But you don't mind." He drops a kiss on Geno's collarbone, then starts to slide down.

"No," Geno says, voice strangled. Sid keeps going, though, all the way down until he's level with Geno's knees.

He regards them fondly. They're knobby, just like when Geno first came over. Geno was so skinny then, and while he's bigger now, with broad shoulders and a strong abdomen (and one hell of an ass), he's still got twig legs.

Sid is so very, very gone over Geno. This might be the year to finally tell him just how much.

He drops a kiss over each of Geno's scars, lightly enough that Geno gasps and twitches at the tickle, then starts making his way back up Geno's thighs.

Geno's hands sink into his hair, and Sid flicks his eyes up. Geno's staring at him intently, a look on his face that Sid hasn't seen directed at him before.

Sid grins at him. Geno smiles back, a small, private thing that kicks Sid's heart rate up a notch. Instead of directing Sid towards his dick, Geno hauls him up until they're face-to-face.

“Sid,” is all he says, expression warm and wondering, and Sid has to lean down and kiss him back down into the mattress.

#my fic #my writing #hockey rpf #sidgeno #fic asks

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fillingthescrapbook · 9 months

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Let's Talk About: Mentopolis and The Big Guy

Gonna be honest: while I loved the trailer of Mentopolis and have seen it more times that I can count with both hands and feet, the premiere of the latest Dimension 20 season wasn't as attention-grabbing as I was expecting it to be. Which is probably because this is the first time I'm seeing Brennan Lee Mulligan be a game-master for a non-D&D actual play and I'm just not used to it.

It does pick up as the episode rolls along though, and by mid-way I was in for the ride. It just… It took a while to get there.

But I'm not here to gripe about the show. I don't actually have anything to gripe about. Because although Brennan didn't have a hundred percent of my attention, he still had around ninety-five percent. (Which is still a lot considering I'm not great at focusing these days.) I do, however, want to talk about all the things I loved--

The puns! I was like Mike Trapp with every new name Brennan uttered, trying to figure out what the wordplay is. And we really have to talk about how Brennan is so great at capturing a personality with just a name.

The mystery and the noir of it all! We start the episode with a murder, and before we're done with the introduction of the characters, we already get the table-setting of the mystery. The projections and the lighting are really doing some heavy lifting this episode, creating such an amazing atmosphere that transports you faster into the goings on of the city. But it's also a testament to Brennan's brilliant brain that there's no question which genre we're playing in: with his movement, the character voices he employed, and the way he unfolded the story and the relationships of the characters.

And finally: the players! I already knew Siobhan Thompson was gonna deliver the goods, and Mike Trapp is established to be just as smart and funny as Brennan--but this is my first time to watch the other players in a role-playing game and they are all amazing. Danielle Radford swings strongly with her (trailer-used) "a body! a body?" delivery and then goes all-out when she starts lobbing with Trapp.

Freddie Wong and Hank Green are fun, fantastic, and fearsome. Hank delivers one of the most solid intimidation scenes in all of the Dimension 20 content I've consumed so far--and he does it with a factoid concerning snakes and their dicks. It is exhilerating. But the episode's mvp for me has to be Alex Song-Xia. I'm not familiar with their body of work, but the way they played their character was just top-notch. You just want to hold them and hug them and tell them that everything's gonna be all right--even though you know things are about to get bad.

I'm already looking forward to next week's episode. Hopefully, whatever jitters Brennan had felt at the beginning of this episode won't be there--'cause he has nothing to worry about. He is good at this. I have no background with the system they're using this season and I didn't have a problem quickly grasping the concept of slick, sturdy, savvy, etc. And, after this season ends, I might actually start watching the non-D&D seasons on Dimension 20.

#let's talk about #dimension 20 #mentopolis #mentopolis spoilers #dimension 20 spoilers

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space-blue · 11 months

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2 episodes in Prehistoric Planet season 2, and I must say, the animation is incredible. Top notch. Every animal feels heavy and real...

But if Favreau and his philosophy of 'grey and drab = real' could actually fuck off to go ruin another genre of cinema and leave dinos and animals at large alone, that'd be great!!

Every dino is some shade of grey or brown. Dashes of reddish-rust colour aren't noticeable or enough. Have you seen... birds? Have you seen... lizards? They're not all sand coloured you know?? Not every baby needs to have a quail pattern and colour palette either.

We know things like some raptors having *iridescent* plumage.

When we applied our method to the melanosomes of Anchiornis, the results were striking. Our statistical predictions indicated that the feathers that covered much of the creature's body were mostly gray. The long feathers on the animal's arms and legs, in contrast, were unpigmented by melanosomes and thus white, except for the melanosome-laden tips, which we predicted were black. (Modern birds often have black-tipped wing feathers. The melanin, in addition to coloring the feathers, also fortifies them against battering winds. Perhaps Anchiornis benefited from this strengthening property of melanin, too.) Most surprising, the feathers on the crown of the head contained impressions of round melanosomes—the “meatballs”—that would have given Anchiornis a ruddy crest. All told, this combination of colors made for a spectacularly flamboyant creature.

It was not long before we discovered evidence of iridescence in an actual dinosaur—a crow-size creature from China with wings on all four limbs. Dubbed Microraptor, it was a primitive cousin to Jurassic Park's Velociraptor. The movie depicted Velociraptor with scaly skin, but scientists now know that both these dinosaurs were, in fact, covered in feathers. In Microraptor, the preserved feathers contain long, sausage-shaped melanosomes arranged to bend light in eye-catching ways. Its plumage thus would have been black, with the same shiny sheen as a crow's. Microraptor is not the only extinct creature now known to have had that rainbow shimmer. Jennifer Peteya of Oberlin College and Ghent's Shawkey have described shimmering iridescence in an enantiornithine bird, called Bohaiornis, and a Jurassic theropod with a big, fan-shaped tail, named Caihong.

Source

Let the artists be creative too, come on. Watching the show saddens me at times when a new dino comes in looking so alive but the exact same grey muddled mix of non-colour.

#prehistoric planet #dinosaurs #venting

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trainsinanime · 3 months

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That post about titles vs last lines (which is harder) is really interesting, because I see so many people say last lines, and that's not the case for me at all. I feel like talking about that, so here's some thoughts on how I write my last lines. I do not think this is universally applicable, I'm not even sure it works that well for me, but maybe it's interesting.

First things first: The last line is easy because you already got the reader on your side. They read through the whole thing without pressing the back button, and they know everything that happened in it. That doesn't mean you can do a bad job here, but it means they're complicit. What you write here is an inside joke between you and them, more or less. You get to use a something you established earlier, a theme, an idea, a literal sentence or similar, and repeat it or play with it, or do a punchline on it.

For example: Everyone Knows Black Cats Are Bad Luck discusses the common fan idea that Chat Noir and/or Adrien is somehow unlucky due to the black cat Miraculous, through a discussion between Adrien and Plagg. It's a simple dialectic: Adrien presents the thesis (also given in the title). Plagg presents the counter-thesis: No, that's stupid. The synthesis (well, it's not a perfect synthesis, Plagg mostly just represents my views here) is the finale, where they both bond even deeper. And the final line distills that synthesis down, when Plagg says,

"Kid, just remember: If I were unlucky, I'd have never met you."

Another option is to humorously counter the story you told so far. Works well for silly stories. For example, in A Friend Like That, the whole story is telling us that Adrien is enamoured with Marinette, pays super-close attention to her, and doesn't even know that he's doing it. It's all about how he sees her, and how much he loves what he's seeing. The final line reverses that, when Marinette says,

“I don’t know. I just wish, you know, that he'd finally notice me.”

Honestly that line is cheating, I don't think Marinette would actually say that. But nobody's called me out on that yet, because it's such a useful punchline.

Another good option: Imply the whole thing is a bit cyclical. The very short Drabble Absence just literally ends the same way as it started, but now we have a completely new context, and what seemed eery and sad at the start (assuming you didn't read the summary or tags; the thing was a Tumblr post at first) is now fun and light-hearted and silly.

(I still deeply regret that I didn't end Marinette's Choice with Marinette feigning death again. The last line there is okay, but it's just one final joke in a story that is just a list of jokes. If Marinette had "died" again, the whole thing would have seemed like a closed narrative.)

How do you help a good friend? ends with

“Only one way to find out, Chaton. Try following that advice you keep getting and ask me out.”

That's a callback to the very start of the story, which makes it feel like a closed narrative, and also implies the start of something new.

Depending on the story, you can also just go weird with it. In The Haunting Spectre, the level of silliness starts strong and keeps rising, and that's really the key thing the story is about. So when we reached the end and have finally reached max silliness, the end just turns it up a notch, when Chloé asks Alya,

“Anyway, I’m fairly certain Adrien doesn’t know that Marinette is Ladybug, but do you think she knows he’s Chat Noir?”

Of course, the best ending line in any of my stories is in Rooftop Musings, although I feel like I can't give any credit for it since it isn't from me, it's stolen, and the whole story is built just to get to it. After a bit of Kagami wondering about Marinette, Adrien, and that one episode in season 3 that made everyone ship Adrigaminette, you know where they were on top of the hotel and everything, we end with the most bitter-sweet line that I and all old Tumblr users know:

Still, if she could, if she had any chance at all, there was only one thing she truly wanted: Spend an extra hour in the ball pit.

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yjyt85r98r · 3 months

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Pretty Series song reviews: Sevendays Love, Sevendays Friend

Song

Within SECONDS, I knew I was in for some Pretty Series Goodness. This song set the trend for the crazy-good, extra-long, spoiler-heavy neoclassical songs that appear three quarters into any given Pretty Series show.

Even though the song is rather complicated, there are parts of it that feel instantly familiar. It’s one of those songs that’s exciting and new, but also feels like you’ve known it since forever even the first time you listen.

The song manages to change a lot while still feeling coherent. The change in speed and intensity really does give the sense that the performers are secretly battling. This song kinda feels otherwordly in that it's on an entirely different level than any other song in all of Pretty Rhythm.

Also, I'm going to have to ramble a bit, but: I consider myself a pretty good composer. Sure, there's always more to learn, but I'm already really good at composing music. Even with songs like Get music!, Konna Sekai ni Tsugu, and many Aikatsu songs... they're good songs, but I never thought "I couldn't compose something as good as that", because quite frankly I think I can. So I think it really speaks to the impressiveness of this song that listening to it made me think that I probably couldn't compose something like that. It actually felt out of reach, which was thrilling to me.

Vocals

Top-notch vocals. I think both Rinne and June did better here than in their solo songs. June’s using just a little more power to bring her soft, stylish voice to the forefront, and Rinne has enough power to be a rock singer. And they hit those high notes so effortlessly!

Lyrics

They have all these philosophical truths about life and emotions, man... I don't know how to talk about them without making myself sound silly. They are about both the good and the bad, and how things can remain important even after they're gone. At their core, they're lyrics about people and relationships, hence the 'love' and 'friend' in the title.

I like that the lyrics show the differences in Rinne and June's philosophies. June is very preoccupied with love and her lyrics are more personal, while Rinne's lyrics are more universal and looking at the big picture of life.

Choreography

There are some slow moments where the characters are just skating forward while staying in the same position, but even those allow the viewer to focus more on the vocals without being distracted by too much movement. Aside from that, we have one of the earliest instances of the Leg Thing, and the characters lying down on the stage... very innovative for the series at the time.

Visuals

It's the same stage as all the duos, but the stage... I think the stage was truly designed for this song. The amount of lore they fit into its design is a real treat. It must have been fun to design the stained glass windows that depict events from previous Pretty Rhythm seasons.

Good points: Powerful vocals, deep lyrics Bad points: I can't think of any... I guess the fact that the intro is very complicated and builds up a lot but then the energy level drops after that. Pretty typical in anime songs, though.

Rating: 10/10 Personal rating: 10/10

#pretty series song reviews #sevendays love sevendays friend

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hamliet · 2 years

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What your favorite thing about each qaf character?

Damn, good ask.

Uhhhh.

Honestly it's all gonna boil down to similar ideas: I like complexity and contradictions. They're the most interesting part of people.

Brian: Mr "Go After What I Want" selfish a-hole actually avoids what he wants. His development was top-notch. The paradox of supposed self-satisfaction that actually masks a deep, festering self-hatred will never not be one of my favorite character archetypes.

Justin: Mr Sunshine and Rainbows is actually a great foil for Brian because he, too, can be selfish and disregarding of other people's feelings, just in a far more socially acceptable way (when compared to Brian, that is). And unlike many other stories, QAF doesn't let him get away with it. His development? Also top-notch.

Melanie: I love Melanie. She presents herself as a cold-hearted lawyer, but she actually has one of the biggest hearts in the series. Melanie is very much like Brian, which is why she hates him so much lol. But like Brian, she's willing to sacrifice herself to save her loved ones and desires no credit or compensation for it.

Lindsay: her compassion and kindness. I love the moment when she goes off at her sister's wedding, though, because it was a perfect moment of growth for her. She'd been through so much and was always smiling regardless, and in that moment, the woman who always valued her image did one of the most gauche cultural taboos you can do and we cheered her for it.

Debbie "Good Ally and Mother" Novtony--her identity gets so wrapped up in both that she actually starts being a terrible mom (over Ben) and flawed ally. That's the point of her character, and it drives me crazy when I see people saying "I can't stand her because she's not actually perfect as a mom or ally!" Like yeah, that's the point. That's why she's a great character. QaF isn't here to preach or shine up characters as role models or idols, not even Debbie; it's here to demonstrate messy humanity.

Ted: the drug addiction plotline really got to me. It was humanizing, ugly, and hopeful all at the same time. Ted had been self-destructive throughout the series despite preaching about projecting a good image and saying he wanted to better his life, so this was a fantastic way to explore this and force him to face his self-destruction.

Blake: how deeply he cares for those around him, including Ted, but not remotely for himself. Even when he leaves Ted in season 4 post-recovery, while he says it's to protect Ted's recovery, it's also because Blake doesn't trust himself or like himself.

Emmett: Baby. Emmett is in a sense the best qualities of everyone else: caring, generous, and much more communicative than the others. Like, no one in this show asks for what they want/need except Emmett. This is why it's so interesting that his final romance in the show is with someone who wants to keep Emmett as a side-piece (Drew).

Michael: he communicates in fantasy, and is honestly a great, complex character capable of being just as immature and whiny as he is of being brave and a superhero in real life. He's arguably at his worst at the start of season 3 when he says that horrible thing about Justin dying to Brian, but by the end of the season he's arguably at his very best: breaking the law to protect his promise to Hunter.

Ben: Just like Michael, he communicates in fantasy and has to accept reality. I love the steroid storyline, which I didn't expect to. His commitment to care and compassion is also a favorite part of his character for me, as is how he can truly challenge those around him to be better. He has high standards for those around him but doesn't put people down for not reaching them--except himself, when he doesn't reach his own high standards.

Hunter: his snark. No but really, also, his great foiling with Brian, Justin, Michael, Ben, and more: he acts like he doesn't care but he truly, truly does, and he deserved his happy ending. More HIV+ stories that aren't about death please.

#ask hamliet #queer as folk #qaf #britin #brian kinney #justin taylor #ben bruckner #hunter novotny bruckner #michael novotny #debbie novotny #emmett honeycutt #ted schmidt #blake wyzecki #lindsay peterson #melanie marcus

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the-clumsywitch · 1 year

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A Very Basic Affordable Witchy Christmas Gift Guide

So, you've got a witchy friend or significant other and your frazzled, what the hell do I get them? And you also don't want to spend an arm and a leg on that gift, look no further My Dear!

Affordable Crystals

Clear Quartz (Can serve in the place of all crystals, this may not resonate with everyone though), Rose Quartz (love), blue quartz (peace & calming) amethyst (psychic protection & intuition), black obsidian (protection & grounding)

Note: Each of these crystals have more than one purpose/correspondence, often overlapping another, these are just the most common correspondences.

Affordable Herbs

This category of gifts is incredibly simple, as most witches do not care if they're herbs come from a metaphysical store or a grocery store. However some do prefer organic, especially when burning them. For this type of gift you don't just have to focus solely on herbs found in a bottle, you can also purchase tea bags. Tea bags can come in handy when you are looking for an herb that you would otherwise have to visit a health food store for or order online. Just rip it open and use it in your spell. Below are some affordable tea brands 🫖.

Carrington Teas

Celestial Seasonings

Dollar Tree's brand (in my opinion the only ones that taste good are the black and green teas but all of them can be used in magick.)

Pretty much any store brand of tea.

Cauldrons

Everyone's needs for cauldrons are different, some people need itty bitty cauldrons, others need large ones, some want them only for burning and others want to cook in there's. Either way, these are the most affordable places I've come across to purchase both.

New age imports (For smaller cauldrons, typically no bigger than 5 inches)

Yogi depot on Etsy (Medium sized cauldrons up to 7 inches, which is actually much larger than you would think. I think they sell smaller ones too.)

CindysEyeofthemoon on Etsy (She sells small cauldrons and large ones, with feet and without them and if I'm not mistaken they're all food safe! Not to mention, her customer service is top notch!)

Magick.com

Incense & Candles

Would this even be a witchy Christmas list if I didn't add candles and incense?

Magick.com

Shopafrocosmetics on Etsy

Dollar Tree

Craft stores (See if your craft store has coupons or an app that has discount codes)

Books

Five Below (All of their books I've come across are excellent for all levels of magick. You won't find books about more advanced magick though.)

Barnes and Noble bargain section (which actually carries a lot of the same stuff as Five Below just in hardback.

Books-a-Million or BAM (Which also has an amazing bargain section!)

Magick.com

More Wonky Affordable Gifts

A jar or bag of pennies and other coins (I'm starting to think witches are just crows in disguise because we really like shiny things.)

Coloring books and crayons (Inner child healing anyone? Actually, probably only do this if they are doing inner child work.)

Salt and a jar to put it in (I know this might sound weird, but it's yet another thing no one ever brings up about witches, we freakin' love salt!)

Charcoal Tablets for burning loose incense

And don't forget...

One of the greatest places to look for witchy gifts can actually be at the thrift store or charity shops. My favorite shop has soooo many things that almost any witch would love to have, swing top bottles and jars, gorgeous crystal glasses, candle holders, candles (Did I mention how we really do love candles?). I've even purchased a cauldron there and the best part about thrift stores/charity shops is that you're helping the environment and you'll never know what you will find!

I hope this little list helped you! I come across witchy Christmas lists too often that only have pens and notebooks as affordable options (which I think any witch would agree are always welcomed). Or will tell you which gifts to buy but not where to find them. For this list I wanted to focus on where to find these witchy items affordably. If you have any other witchy Christmas gift ideas please feel free to comment on this post!

⛄Merry Christmas!🎄

- Erika, The Clumsy Witch

#witch #the clumsy witch #witchblr #witch blog #witch community #witchy #spiritual #witchy vibes #witchcraft #magick #witchy gifts #affordable witchcraft #affordable gifts #witches of tumblr #black witches of tumblr #black witch

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alphinias · 1 year

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If you accept a different argument for Chenford ;) - I actually don't agree with you and your anons about Chenford. Sure Tim almost dying in the last episode was anticlimatic and it had big potential but the scene that followed where they went into a flirty banter with smirking was top notch and showed their chemistry and their good old banter really well. I also think they used that scene to show Aaron's mind and character. He seems to be the one who's clearly onto them, whether he thinks they're together or just have feelings for each other. They've established similar reactions from Tamara and Angela and i think they'll play important role in the upcoming episodes when they'll either come out with the truth or be exposed by someone else.

I also think not all love declarations in fiction need to be big and dramatic. I think fans often want stuff that come across as too dramatic or fanfiction-y. And in Chenford's case they have years of friendship going on. They don't need to dramatically explode, telling each other they're in love. They already know they the other one has feelings based on ep1 and2 when they were about to have sex and then acknowledged it, followed by all the angst in s5. They're actually really good at communicating. Even when Tim doesn't want to show his vulnerability, Lucy always gets it out of him. He doesn't share his stuff with anyone but her. They know each other inside out. So I don't think they needed a more dramatic first kiss. That whole last scene was the sweetest ever - they were both just really content and secure with each other. Could they have done with more angst in the previous episodes? Sure. But i think that's because it's an ensemble cast and there's not enough time (i wish there was less Nolan scenes lol). Right now, let them have a few episodes of pure bliss. Drama will hit them soon enough. And it may not just be work related - there's also Chris, her past relationship with Nolan, Isobel could come back, Lucy could go UC for a longer period and it'd mess with Tim's head due to his history... Also, people want slow burn but this is season 5 already. There's nothing worse than waiting for this long for a ship with the best chemistry to finally happen only for it to be canceled/actors leaving with hardly any happily together time :)

Sure- and honestly I’m happy that the people like you who love it are satisfied and happy with the result of the slow burn they’ve been waiting on. I mean that. I like to see people happy with their ships. And I realize I seem to be in the minority with being underwhelmed with Chendord’s canon. That’s fine. I’m happy for the fandom that I am.

Most of this stuff we just have different opinions on and that’s not gonna change. I have mine so I’m not gonna yammer on for too long about what I think and all the things I think could’ve been better because I already have. I think the scenes needed to have more weight, and you don’t. We just don’t agree. But imo (okay I guess I am gonna yammer a bit) BECAUSE we waited so long for the slow burn, we deserved something more substantial and not just “cute”. They could’ve gotten together at the exact same time and it could’ve been ten times more satisfying, easily. It’s CHENFORD. They deserve a memorable canon scene/turning point and not to get together basically like any old ship on the show.

I respect your views but the only thing I’m gonna totally call BS on is the ensemble cast not having enough time thing. That’s just an excuse and they DID have enough time, had they used it in a different way. Plenty of my favorite ships do not involve the main character and had huge emotional arcs to getting together, like Stydia. It’s the writers’ job to utilize all their characters and scenes in efficient ways.

And just to make it clear, I do think the chenford scenes are cute. Their chemistry is excellent so of course they’re cute. It just feels unsatisfying to me in the lack of impact and fulfilling storyline. You see it as not needing to be fanfic-y, and I see it as it’s a television show and the whole point is to be entertained. These emotional moments between your biggest ship should be a little more magical than real life, and it doesn’t have to be fanficy and stupid to reach that.

#nace had the simplest confession in the world but it was BEAUTIFUL #it doesn’t need to be crazy but it does need to be something #chenford #ask

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juliuscaesar-txt · 10 months

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hi if u want to please elaborate on your opinions on juno steel and the embrace of the ice 🥺

YES hello i know i'm about 6 months late but i had literally no time

longpost warning tho, for rather obvious reasons. also spoilers probably somewehere, but i think i can presume most of the current active fandom is familiar with the literal 1st episode of season 4

if that doesn't repell you, feel free to read under the cut

juno origin story??! we were given so many hints throughout the previous seasons, and i guess monster's reflection is kinda an origins episode, but not really? monster's reflection is rather like an origin for juno the person while also being a breaking point for his character development, which is, as i previously said, very much on a personal level. but embrace of ice is an origin story for juno the detective. (on the same note, i think angel of brahma is the origin of nureyev as a person, and stone unturned+next page are origins for nureyev the thief) all the hints to juno's falling out with the hcpd, his friendship with rita, how juno steel private investigator came to be, even the fucking wedding dress mentioned in s2, it's all explained in such a way

the parallelism is just. top notch. i love parallelisms, i love double timelines in a story, how the past and present intertwine, etc etc. i especially like how the stories are in no way the same, not really similar, but they still feel connected

it's simultaneously a downfall story and an uprise story, which is sort of poetic and also something i personally really like. another thing i really like is characters at rock bottom, with literally nothing to lose and everything to gain and because of that, sort of ruthless and determined to do whatever might get them to what they're aiming for. and that's juno, whose world has shattered to pieces, both when he found out how corrupt are not only the hcpd, but also the people closest to him since his brother was killed and is hellbent on exposing the corruption, and when his newfound family is also shattered to pieces, literally taken away from him (not to mention nureyev disappearing, again) and now is determined to get them back even with no resources and the whole world against him. both of the parallel stories are an ending and beginning of a chapter of juno's life.

diamond is so incredibly humanised. when she was mentioned earlier, the general consensus within the fandom was that she was an abusive monster of an ex. but that's not at all what she was, and however clearly we can see why her and juno's relationship fell apart, we can also see how much he loved her, and why he loved her. (she's also a bit similar to nureyev, in the same way juno and slip share some characteristics, therefore, both juno and nureyev have a type)

it has a banger of a soundtrack. it just sounds so good. the opening music? so funky so cool i love it. puck's theme? diamond's theme? actually the whole soundtrack?? it makes this episode so nice to listen to.

season 4 isn't the strongest season of tpp. i think it has like, five actually really good episodes (embrace of ice, stone unturned, the prison arc, and next page, with the haunting of the terrible trio as a runner-up) but when they're good, man do they deliver. and season 4, even if it's not that good in it's entirety, has an incredibly strong opening. embrace of ice is just. a good introduction to the new status quo. the strong emotions from the unfolding of s3 have subsided (but are still to some extent relevant) and now we can fully focus on what's next.

it introduces the new characters so well!! puck, captain hijikata, diamond, they all stand out and are really compelling characters

just. puck. and on the same note juno. i like how they both seem like slightly different people in the parallel stories, but it still makes sense how they have went from the point in the flashbacks to the people they are in the present. and also puck is such a character i love them. (and rita doesn't really change ever, that's so true of her) i might also mention the ruby7, because ye

as honourable mentions: younger juno's mannerisms, the way (present) juno talks about nureyev, puck and juno's siblings dynamic, i really like hijikata's voice idk why but i do, rita deserved so much better, the entire last scene, the settings (i missed hyperion, also, io just vibes with me)

bloody hell this post got so long. but. i think that's it?? thanks for reading (and i admire your attention span, because damn, this got long)

#tpp #the penumbra podcast #ksaw’s random thoughts #junoverse #juno steel #puck falco #juno steel and the embrace of ice #brainworms #brainworms galore #tpp spoilers #ish #the long awaited elaboration i promised once #posts of such lenght should be illegal #tpp season 4

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