Open Strings

{{ON SEMI-HIATUS}} Indie, semi-selective, not mutuals-only multi-muse roleplay blog. Muses from Pacific Rim, and The Chronicles of Riddick. Mun + Muses are over 21+. || Please read rules before following.

[thebibliosphere]

To be clear, unless staff trips over the trail of extension cords keeping the servers running, Tumblr likely isn't going anywhere any time soon.

What the info we've seen suggests is that updates are going to slow down, maintenance is maybe going to get a little shaky, and we're going to see more glitches as time goes on and the remaining staff gets further behind their workload.

Is this a good thing? No, absolutely not.

Should you be panicking, jumping overboard, running for the hills, etc? Also no.

So what does it mean?

Well, for myself and several other creatives you all saw tagged in that post, it means we're looking around trying to figure out what to do in the long run. We're not running for the lifeboats. We're just eyeing the iceberg in the distance and getting our shit together in the event that the worst comes to pass.

Speaking for myself, I intend to crawl through the walls of Tumblr until they pry me out of the air vents armed with a broom and oven mitts. I'm not going anywhere until the lights go out, and even then, I'll be chewing on the wires.

But that doesn't mean I'm not looking around for somewhere to land when the time comes.

Myself and several others are not panicking about this, but we are trying to be organized about it.

I'm just old enough to remember when fandom websites being nuked overnight was a very real thing. You'd go to bed one night and wake up the next day to find friends you'd known for years were just gone with no means of contacting them because the site you'd been using got wiped. Entire collections of fandom history were just destroyed in the blink of an eye.

We don't want that again. And the good news is, we have time. We have time to back up our shit, time to swap contact info with our friends, and time to find a new place to exist within our communities while also staying here because Tumblr ain't dead yet.

She's just slowly going to wind down over time.

Unless, of course, they trip over the cables. Then we're fucked.

[openxstrings]

immortalmuses​:

          What has the Dead ever done for the Living?

          Riddick’s question (so flippant, so disrespectful) washes over Vaako like a corrosive acid bath, stripping down the layers of the Necromonger’s carefully manufactured civility and revealing the outrage underneath. Kohl-lined eyes widen, and Siberius grits his teeth on a hiss, speaking before he can think better of it, “You would impugn the Laws of–” 

         Stop. A voice that sounds suspiciously like the Dame snaps at Vaako from inside his head. He wisely cuts his words short before finishing that sentence, eyeing Riddick with renewed wariness. The Lord Marshal would call them a cult, would he? Siberius’s smile is more a sneer as he replies, “….. You may not care what we do, but the Necromonger Elite Do. This society is balanced upon a knife’s edge, Riddick. And the hilt is in Your hand.”

         …At least for Now. Vaako has been a Ranking Commander long enough to know that any inaction on the Lord Marshal’s part will be questioned, analyzed. The members of court will be seeking weakness in Riddick, and they may very well find it. Especially if he does not make his intentions known.

          “So…” Siberius schools his expression back towards something polite, his hands tucking behind his back as he assumes a parade rest. The Commander’s eyebrow twitches at mention of Kyra, privately wondering if Riddick doesn’t have plans for further revenge. “… How do you intend to wield us?”

If Vaako thought that Riddick had missed out on the almost-outburst, the not-quite-a-threat, well, the Commander had to know Riddick well enough by now. He leaned back against the throne in the room, resting his weight on hands. With an outward grin this time, Riddick jerked his chin at Vaako even as he weighed his choices.

There were only two that held any weight to them - go to this Underverse that the Necromonger religion was based on and look for Kyra, or head home to Furya. The second held its own challenge, namely how to get Vaako to give up the dead planet’s location. It seemed as if this particular Commander was the last to know anything about Furya.

“If you were sittin’ on this throne,” Riddick began carefully, never losing his smile, “where would you point us at? And don’t go bullshittin’ me about me being the Lord Marshal. Your thoughts, Vaako.” 

[openxstrings]

tyrell-margaerytyrell​:

“Oh, you have quite the record, Herc. It speaks quite well for itself. And due to…the unfortunate circumstances of your family’s losses, Chuck is actually remarkably easy to sell to the public at present.” At least, the idea of Chuck Hansen was easy for Margaery to sell. The actual could be…prickly.

“I was just…worried about you, honestly,” She glanced at Herc, “And him. I understand the notion of siblings. Spouses. Even strangers. I just imagined it could be…awkward drifting with your child.”

It was only because he was facing the back of the seat in-front-of him that Herc allowed himself a moment to cringe and make a face. Just for a brief second, but at least no one else was there to really see it. The Drift was like a river; no one saw their co-pilot’s entire memory at once. And sometimes, it was a different river every time the co-pilots Drifted. If it hadn’t been, he would’ve caught his brother’s memories much earlier  - those that had gotten him a dishonorable discharge.

“Yeah, I s’pose it’d be awkward.” No one else had done it before. “If I could’ve kept my kid out of this war, I would’ve, you know? Sixteen was a shit age to be drafted into this.”

[seeliecourtarchive-deactivated2]

𝔸𝕃𝕃 𝕄𝕐 𝕃𝕀𝔽𝔼 𝕀'𝕍𝔼 𝔹𝔼𝔼ℕ 𝕊𝕆 𝕃𝕆ℕ𝔼𝕃𝕐, 𝔸𝕃𝕃 𝕀ℕ 𝕋ℍ𝔼 ℕ𝔸𝕄𝔼 𝕆𝔽 𝔹𝔼𝕀ℕ𝔾 ℍ𝕆𝕃𝕐 — indie, private multi-muse, penned by hamlet (28). featuring muses from critical role, exandria unlimited, the witcher, and more! ©/©

[openxstrings]

starclub​:

Lunch, thought one, He really wants to take up our whole fucking day.

Why not? thought another, Take him to lunch, then take him to meet Alice.

That was one way to solve this nuisance. They had no confidence in their puny host overpowering a Ranger, but perhaps the perfect opportunity would present itself, especially if they got him as drunk as possible.

“Well, look at you, being all optimistic,” he said, “I’d like to say the same, but where else is that funding gonna go? Schools? Pfft.”

A joke. It was just as well to encourage the idea that preparing for them may not be necessary.

“And yeah, we could totally find a place. Hang on,” he said, stopping at a door to swipe his card, “Da duh duh da… Here we go!”

The doors opened to an eye-sore of a room where white was the most common color. White machinery, white lab coats, white suits for the pilots testing out the mock-ups. A few techs looked questioningly from Herc to Newt, but he waved a dismissive hand.

“One pilot per drone!” he said, with relish, “We’re still working out the kinks, but what’d’ya think? No more worrying about whether or not your candidates brain juices match.”

Sterile, the first word that popped into Herc’s head was. If this room were the visual equivalent of a Rorschach test, that one single word probably wouldn’t fit into any of the twenty-seven established codes. He let his eyes sweep across the room, still noting some of the curious glances cast his way, and brushed past Newt, turning to take in the full complexity of the operation. 

It felt like a room where no one could make mistakes, that mistakes weren’t tolerated. 

“Mate-” Herc started. Then stopped. He considered Shao’s granting of his request for a visit, and why he stopped by to check on Newt in the first place. He hadn’t gotten much better at playing politics, but helping Mako out had made him maybe just a little bit better. 

His eyes were drawn to the large orb in the center of the room. “That’s what is passin’ for the Drift these days? Shit, Newt. When I heard rumors of this Drone Project, I didn’t think this was what was meant.” He shook his head. “How’s a pilot going to be able to react in real time, mate? Bad enough Striker was the front of Jaeger tech and there was still lag piloting him.”

[openxstrings]

|| For one I thought you'd be pleased to know I did in fact hear the Martini in the last response! Two, I just wanted to reiterate a portion from my reply because it amuses me || "Damn it. He’d beaten her to the bill. She supposed it was possible for Herc that it was a pride thing. He was a little older. He was the man. He was supposed to treat her. But sometimes she just wanted to take his scruffy face in her hands and sweetly shout: Let Me Spoil You, Damn It."

Hehe, that’s great!

And I totally loved that portion of your reply. Because Herc definitely deserves to be spoiled too. Margaery is a definite, but Herc doesn't allow himself to be spoiled enough. Lol.

[openxstrings]

@tyrell-margaerytyrell sent:

Herc Hansen without question receives a curious wrapped package, emerald with gold ribbon, for the holidays. Hopefully he opens it in private, because inside is a pale jade floral negligee held together in the front with a yellow bow beneath a rose. A note within has in elegant script: In reality, this is the wrapping for your gift. Happy Holiday, Ranger Handsome.

As his fingers undid the ribbons on the package, Herc cast another glance at his door. He’d locked it as was his habit, of course. 

Maybe it was the way the gift had been wrapped but he’d had a suspicion he knew who it’d come from, and was glad that Chuck was spending the time with Max at the moment.

When he finally held the fragile piece of clothing up before him, he could simply see how it’d fit on its owner’s frame. 

That inconvenient lump in his throat? Yeah, he’d better swallow that first.

Taking out his phone, he shot Margaery a quick text. Got your gift. He paused to think, and then grinned to himself. And to think I haven’t quite prepared anything for you yet. What will be a suitable apology from me in return?

[openxstrings]

.

[openxstrings]

tyrell-margaerytyrell​:

“Well, if we were in Japan or Hong Kong, I’d probably make a joke about a love hotel,” Margaery teased, smiling. She preened, overall pleased by the affection, even if it was only momentary. She’d never imagined herself as someone who took her time. But she’d discovered with Herc Hansen, the wait was well worth it.

“That said, since we’re in Sydney, let me think,” She sat back and sipped from her mug, thoughtful, “I think Asha has a place out here. I’m not sure if she’s in though. Or worse if she might turn up while we think we’re alone. Travels quite a bit.”

Not always doing legitimate work, admittedly. And the bigger hazard there was as forward as Margaery was, Asha could be more so-and cruder. Better not to expose the poor man to that particular friend yet.

“You know it occurs to me for moments like this, I should just…find a small place in the city for when one or both of us would like time to retreat to ourselves.”

Not only did she understand the desire for wanting to keep this to them a little longer, Margaery knew exactly how well sound traveled in the Shatterdome. She had evil notions featuring such things, as soon as she could figure out how to use them. That said, thus far, the plan had flaws.

“…I feel compelled to add, if I do simply rent us a room somewhere for the sake of privacy, this is a no pressure environment. I am not assuming I’ll be seducing you just because. Don’t get me wrong, of such events transpired, I don’t think I’d cry, either.”

Nope. He definitely couldn’t keep a smile and a laugh from coming out. Pressing his lips to the back of her hand, he gave in to a grin. “I think maybe the seducing goes both ways in this case.” After a mock pause of contemplation, he shrugged. “Although maybe you’re doing much better at it than I am.”

He nodded at the exit sign, slipping his wallet out and waving for the bill. “Shall we? Getting a room sounds pretty good right about now. And then maybe we can do the ‘finding an apartment thing’ later because it sounds like a pretty good idea for the long term.”

As he waited for Margaery to decide, he recalled the now-unoccupied house of Chuck’s childhood, of the home he’d made with Angela. He had briefly wondered if he should suggest that place, but brushed that thought away - that would be terribly uncouth of him, not to mention that it was far away enough from the Shatterdome that they wouldn’t get back in time. 

“I recall there’s a place nearby that’s not too shabby.”

[openxstrings]

starclub​:

They heard another smug purr from Violett at the word ‘deserves.’ Having gathered the reports, Essek crossed over to the pair, before his brow furrowed in gentle contemplation.

“I do not believe I am familiar with drop bears,” he said, handing over the papers, “but I imagine one would be a novel sight, walking through the base.”

Herc gave Violett one last pet before letting her go and receiving the papers. “Thanks, Essek. I’ll make sure Stacker gets these. And uh, yeah, go look up the drop bears but don’t hate me for them.” He chuckled and turned to leave. “It was really Chuck’s idea anyway. You take care now, mate.”

[openxstrings]

starclub​:

His jaw tightened a little at Herc’s initial answer. There was no way he wasn’t planning something with how smarmy he was acting. Or maybe this was just a visit, and- No, damn it, their host’s self-doubt was infecting them again.

They grit their teeth at the slap, before their expression transitioned into an easy smile. Yes, let him see the new way of Drifting. He’d hate it.

“Well, look at you, all excited,” he said, tone conveying amused suspicion, “Sure, I can show you the goodies. Although-”

He’d started to lead him to the door, and now turned to look back at him.

“Have you heard about the- It’s just, it’s not so much of a ‘handshake’ now as it is a pointer finger.”

“Yeah?” Brows raised in a question, Herc nodded for Newt to lead them on. “How’s it a pointer finger now?” 

Part of him was curious, of course. He’d had no doubt that the Neural Handshake would evolve like, well, things always did. The other part? He gave himself a mental shrug. He would decide that after he learned what exactly the Handshake had evolved into.

As they walked, he knew he couldn’t fall back and observe his friend. That would raise too much suspicion. “Speaking of, anyplace good around here you can point to for lunch? We gotta catch up properly, mate. Shouldn’t have to rush off, d’ya? I don’t see the Kaiju coming back anytime soon. If ever.”

[openxstrings]

immortalmuses​:

         Vaako angled his head to one side, eyes narrowing slightly as he parsed through Riddick’s riposte. Why should I derive pleasure from the Breeder’s voice? The Commander wondered, unaccountably cross at how quickly Riddick’s words seem to slip under his skin. Why do I Care??

         Pulled from this thoughts, Siberius drew still, strung taut like a bow, as the Furyan extended the hilt of his blade towards him. Vaako recognized it immediately, but could not imagine Riddick’s reasons for offering such a weapon to him. Except… 

                 … except, what? As a sign of trust?

          If this be true, then the new Lord Marshal was more a fool than even Siberius himself. And the Commander had done a great many foolish things in the past three days, alone. Count this among them, then, he thought grimly, accepting the proffered blade and rotating it across the back of his palm to test the weight. Perfectly balanced. 

        Looking up to Riddick’s turned back, Vaako blinked, then thought the question over. “… As tradition demands, the Armada moves for the Threshold.” He replied, slipping the gifted weapon into the upper edge of his greave for safe-keeping. “… You are the new Lord Marshal, Riddick. It is your right to stare into the Underverse and become Holy Half-Dead.”

“And what-” for this, Riddick simply had to see Vaako’s response and not just gauge the Commander from the reflection in the window- “has the dead ever done for the living?” He turned again, scanning the room once more. Not that he doubted other Commanders had planted surveillance, but for now, he wasn’t concerned about them. As long as the room was clear.

Which it was. 

So far.

“Just because I sit in this seat don’t mean I care a damn about what the Necros do.” He pressed his lips together. “And just because you didn’t kill Kyra don’t mean you’re not part of this cult which didn’t.”

The other Commanders were...simple. The Lord Marshal had to lead the Necromongers, or be usurped. Now Vaako...

Riddick allowed himself an inner smile. We’ll see which way Vaako leans.

[openxstrings]

Headcanon that Herc went back into piloting, and piloting a Jaeger named ‘Striker Berseker’ no less, after the events of Uprising because he couldn’t take Mako’s death and the Precursors’ control of Newt just lying down like that.

[openxstrings]

starclub​:

He nodded, understandingly, at Hansen’s first sentence. He wasn’t offended, aware that he wasn’t that high up in the ranking. For Violett’s part, she quickly accepted the treats, before purring in a most pointed manner. He narrowed his eyes at that.

“Of course,” he said, “We have some summaries drafted for just such an occurrence.”

As he went to fetch Hermann’s, he looked up at them from the desk.

“You know, it would be quite paranoid to assume that Violett is intelligent enough to try and make me jealous for not pampering her as you do,” he said, casually.

Said with an obvious undercurrent of, This is my suspicion. He wasn’t genuinely irritated. He’d find a way to make her recent attention dip up to her.

“Nah, mate. She knows full well who really takes care of her.” He did have to laugh at what Essek was insinuating, however. “The rest of us are just here to, you know, give her the attention she wants.” After a moment of consideration, he added, “And deserves.” 

He made a vague gesture and then grinned. “Maybe I should get a pet of my own, since Chuck tends to hog Max anyway. Maybe a drop bear. Would make a good mascot beside Max.” 

[itsalwayssunnyinajaeger-blog]

[neverreallythoughtaboutthefuture]

Yancy’s very slow to wake up…

[justaholesir]

ROBERT KAZINSKY as Chuck Hansen & MAX MARTINI as Herc Hansen Pacific Rim (2013) dir. Guillermo del Toro

[openxstrings]

immortalmuses​:

@openxstrings​ sent:  “I was gone for five minutes, what happened?” (Herc for Nicolò)

          At Herc’s words, Nicky goes utterly still, his head swiveling around to meet the Ranger’s expectant gaze. His pale eyes widen incrementally, but otherwise the Cadet appears unperturbed. Well… mostly. Stoic though he is, the impressive splatter pattern of hydraulic oil decorating DiGenova’s face isn’t doing much for his dignity. 

         “Ah.” He says, ever eloquent, then winces. Nicolò barely talks even on good days, but he’s at least aware that this… uh, mess… warrants an explanation. “… the cylinders on the conn-pod’s hatch appeared to be sticking, sir. I intended to…” He make a halfhearted gesture, lamely indicating the waiting bottle of hydraulic oil, “…help.” 

        Porca miseria! If Joe ever finds about about this, Nicky will never live it down. Furtive, the Cadet flicks a glance down past the scaffolding, to the Shatterdome floor. 

Well, shit. 

As one of the older and more experienced Rangers, Herc had been informally put in charge of checking in on the cadets. Not that he didn’t like it - he liked all his colleagues in the Shatterdome and it wasn’t as much a task as something he was already doing. 

But he had to remember that being overly-friendly from the get-go wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

“Sorry, mate. Was just ribbing ya.” He offered an apologetic smile and gestured to said cylinders. “Need some help?”