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demon-blood-youths · 2 years

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Van Ink Za Tatsu No Harem || A funny drabble

A funny drabble present I mentioned to my friend @the-silver-peahen-residence and my muses discussing the potiental of harem.

@the-silver-peahen-residence’s cast

Yuuka ( Her OC and The Dark Eclipse nightshades )

Rex and his fraction ( Season Demon Warriors )

Jinx and The Cursed Vixens

----

Deamon-Mun ( Me! )

My muses ( The entire DBT and Lupins and Anthem )

----- Brief Summary ------

Things went back to crazy normal at New York after their crazy adventures in Japan.

Navarro is starting to notice things and he doesn't like it. Ever since the class A-1 came back for a study aboard. Along with some people like the weretiger of the ADA and Phantom Thieves. Now more people are coming. Things are making him paranoid and got the team without Ink knowing to discuss. What kind of shenanigans would ensue???

-------

Navarro is starting to notice things and he doesn't like it. Ever since the class A-1 came back for a study aboard. Along with some people like the weretiger of the ADA and Phantom Theives. Now more people are coming.

Ever since the haunting incident in Tama, Japan. Rin is sent to learn about demons in North America and for some reason, New York City checks all the list for paranormal activity. Taz is still in Japan with Yuji Itadori and his friends looking after her but keeps in contact with Ink and the rest of the team. He heard that Yuji and his friends would come and visit.

Still....he notices that the boys were getting close with Ink much to his liking. Ink comes back with a smile and is telling him what she did with them. It went something like this......

"Hi Navarro, me and Midoriya were training and went out for some pizza." Ink smiled. Midoriya is that goody two-shoes hero and always writing quirks and analysis plus he is helping Ink understand her quirk since it's evolving. So he understood.

The next day....

"Hi Navarro, I helping Atsushi with his powers. We're training and we stop some bad guys and went out for some preztel hot dog rolls." The weretiger of Armed Detective Agency. He seems nice and always protect Ink looking up to her. Plus despite being hesitant, he doesn't back down.

Still.....Navarro did apologize to Atsushi for leaving him behind during the whole fiscao of not wanting getting treatment from that crazy doctor, Dr. Yasano.

The next day after that.....

"Hi Navarro, me and Joker change someone's heart today! It was awesome and went out to get some burgers." Joker aka Ren aka the leader of the Phantom thrives. Seems okay but he looks like a smart ass but pretty smart and clever plus he's the leader, he knows what the heck he's doing. He has that look in his eyes. He has that mysterious thief vibe going for him

Then the next day after that....

"Hi Navarro, me and Rin beat a demon today and went out for buffalo wings!" Rin, the guy with the devil tail ( that looks of his and has blue flames ad his power. Guy has this demon vibe going on which is pretty damn ironic and is pretty damn confident with that sword of his.

And the next day after that....

"Hi Navarro, me and Itadori talked about curses and all that stuff then we played video games together online.." Yuji Itadori is that pink haired guy who is pretty strong and heard he has some kind of dual personality named Sukana yeah...fuck no..his name is freaking Voldermort now. Fuck him. He doesn’t want to remember his cursed spirt ass. Still...despite all that, Yuji takes good care of Taz so he isn’t too concerened.

And finally.....a week after that.

"Hi Navarro. I saw Bakugo today and we took down some robbers and then we went out for some tacos-!"

Okay...what the actual living fuck?!

Navarro noticed the gifts that they brought her too! Support gear from Midoriya, chocolates from Atsushi, flowers from Joker, a plushie from Rin, Japanese treats from Itadori and Jesus christ...even Bakugo brought her something! What was it? A new jacket?!

Like what the fuck?!

And so Navarro starts an emergency meeting with the team without Ink present. Ink is off with Midoriya again. His team noticed Ink is not present so they ask Navarro what's going on.

"It's those guys...." He began.

"Those guys?" Shdwkyz raised a eyebrow.

"Those guys from Japan!"

"What do you mean, Navarro?" Hellmare looks concerned.

"Does anyone notice how close they're getting to Ink?" Navarro asked the team seriously. The team became confused.

"You know?! Midoriya, Atsushi, Joker aka Ren, Rin, Itadori and even freaking Baka-ass." Navarro named the list of people.

"You mean Bakugo?" Rust asked.

"Who else did I mean?" Navarro growled.

"Yes well....I think you're paranoid....again." Shdwkyz sighed. Navarro snaps, "I'm not paranoid! Does anybody see the gifts she got from them?!"

"You mean...the support gear that Ink got from Midoriya?" Rust said. "He says that it helps with her quirk and her legs. Ain't nothin wrong with that."The blond said.

"Okay! What about the chocolates from Atsushi?!"

"Atsushi was undecided where to eat so Ink took him to a soul food restaurant. Fin was there. He wanted to thank her so he brought her chocolate cupcakes." Jaron answered.

"With sprinkles that look like hearts!" Navarro yelled. "And don't let me get started with Joker. He got her freaking flowers!"

"Yes that is true. I heard from Ink that they got it as a treasure from their mission and he gave it to her." Oblivion recalled.

"She ask me on how to take care of it." Ophelia added with a smile.

"Okay, okay, okay! How about the plushie from Rin?"

"Ink told me that after defeating a demon, Rin bought her a plushie since she like it from the store and Rin wanted to buy it for her because she helped him out.' Hellmare smiled. "It looks like a cute dinosaur."

"Itadori?"

"Me and Ink were playing with Itadori and Taz. Megumi was talking to her on the phone though and sending her stuff.." Gerald smiled. Wait Megumi was the one?! That spiky moody sorcerer?! Fucking hell. But it makes sense, Megumi was with her when dealing with Kinie Ger and Sukana-You Know Who. Navarro cursed in his head. At least Yuji is not the one. Hopefully!

"And what about Bakugo?! He brought her a jacket!"

"Well actually...her jacket is ripped so Bakugo took her jacket and took it to his classmate Momo that creates the same thing since she has a quirk called Creation that makes things and made Ink's jacket brand new.." Maggie explained.

"What are you trying to say here?" Asked Shdwkyz, annoyed wanting to get to the point.

"All of them are in freaking into Ink! They all like her! That's what going on! Even Jinx said so!!" Navarro yelled. The team went silent as they look dumbfounded before thinking about it.

"Oooooooh..." The team went as they nod their heads, now seeing his concern.

"I think that's wonderful. It means they are in love with her." Ophelia smiled.

"Hell no, Ophelia! That's not wonderful!" Navarro said. "We need to do something about this!" He said urgently.

"Like what?" Fosh asked.

"We gotta do something! We need information on them and protect her-"

"Navarro. Ink can take care of herself." Shdwkyz said. "Now you're being paranoid..."

"Are you nuts?" Navarro said. "Ink doesn't look both ways when she fights especially crossing the street and she always charges headfirst"

"True, true, true." The team agreed/

“And she risks her life for everyone even though we didn’t ask her to or we tried to stop her!” Navarro points. Everyone recalling the events with Yokohoma, Tokyo and the haunting.

“True, true, true.” The DBT agrees that their own leader puts her life on the line, over and over again for everyone’s sake even if they’re not friends.

“And! Sometimes....she is oblivious to this kind of thing! Did you ever see Ink date someone?!” Navarro said.

“True, true, true.” The fraction said, seeing Navarro’s point.

"Is Ink even aware of their feelings?" Hellmare asked.

"Probably not." Jaron said. "She sees everyone as friends. I don't think she is ever been in a dating relationship like Navarro said.."

"She must be oblivious then." Said Oblivion.

And there is one person who isn't in the team but is invited. Yuuka, leader of the The Dark Eclipse Nightshades. Because Navarro asks her as witness and needs her opinion on this. After all, Yuuka was telling what Midoriya is doing with Ink which prompt the short teen dragging her into this ‘emergency’ meeting.

Yuuka hearing this made her blink. The people that Ink met all fell in love with her? Honestly, it made a lot of sense and given her track record. She did see Midoriya time to time and whenever he's with Ink. She never seen him so happy being with her as she listen to his quirk analysis and show his notebook to her especially when he mutters a lot. Ink thinks she got some of his muttering which is amazing to say the least.

Plus when Navarro mention Bakugo. She never took him for that kind of guy. He's always an ass and calls everyone extra except for Midoriya and Shoto. But to heard that Bakugo got her a new jacket? Ink's jacket went through a lot of fights and hearing Momo made the same jacket because Bakugo asked her using her Creation quirk. She wonders who else in Class A-1 falls in love with her. It’s better to not let Navarro know about that either.

"Yuuka!" Navarro calls her name.

"Uh yes?" Yuuka said, blinking. Getting back to the meeting as all eyes were looking at her.

"Did everything I said so far is true?!" Navarro asked.

"Uh um.... I don't know about the rest but I did see Midoriya and he seems very happy being with her. But I never took Bakugo doing something like that but..." Now she recalls, him looking at her when she beat up those bad guys with him. That gaze.

"See?!" Navarro proves his point.

"And Ink might not notice...." Yuuka sweatshop a little. "But if it's true...I wonder which one she will pick. Did any of them confess yet?"

Now that’s a good question. Now the better question is Ink’s response.

"I don't know man." Rust said leading against the chair. "She might not want to hurt anyone's feelings."

"But it's wrong to string them along though but what if Oblivion says is true. She might be oblivious to their advances. Knowing Ink, it must be." Ophelia said, now feeling a concerned about her and the boys.

"Or......the next good thing will happened is that Ink might have a harem." Oblivon said. Everyone paused for a moment when Oblivion said that. They all look at her.

"A what?" Navarro questioned for Oblivion to repeat. Yuuka sweatshops the side of her head. Uh-oh. Because she knew where Oblivion is going with this. Shdwkyz had to groan mentally.

"It's like a trope in anime where the girls in a group all like the same guy so they formed a harem since everyone loves the same person and wants to protect this person. Sometimes they fight over the guy but ends up working together to protect him. It's like the same thing here. The boys like Ink so much they might formed a harem to protect. Along the way, the relationship goes to the next level and well, that happens."

Yuuka and Shdwkyz collectively sigh mentally when Oblivion explained the idea. Fosh had to look it up and went 'Oh.' which prompts Rust to look over and blinks, covering his mouth. Hellmare has to cover her mouth to stifle. Jaron shakes his head. Maggie just stares. Ophelia’s cheeks blushed hearing this. Gerald didn’t get it but it sounds like it’s a good thing! All while Oblivion explains the concept of a harem. Shdwkyz and Yuuka looks over to Navarro as Oblivion explains. The way Oblviion explained it so casually didn't help either.

Navarro went to confusion to shock to horrified to anger hearing this.

“Oh wow! So Ink is the hero of the party in the harem, right?!” Gerald said since he read a lot of manga after Japan. “That means Ink has a huge fan club! Even the heroes love her!” Gerald said, happy for Ink.

“Uhhh.....” Yuuki doesn’t know how to break this down for Gerald since he’s so innocent. Bless him!

“Then...when they go to next level, does that mean they’re going to get married and have ki-” But Fosh didn’t get a word in when Navarro loses it shutting him up. “Fosh...I swear to god...if you finish that damn sentence and I will toss your computer out the window.”

“Eek!” Fosh shuts up.

Then Rust had this shit-eating grin, knowing what Navarro is mad about so he’s going to tease him for the laughs....”What’s wrong, Navarro? You’re making it sound like they're going to have s-” He didn’t finish his own sentence either as Navarro shouts bloody murder making his team startled while Rust is snickering non-stop.

"NOOOOOO! FUUUUUCK NO!” Navarro throws the plastic bottle at the wall, “ GODDAMNIT NO! HELL NO! NO, NO, NO,. GOD NOOOOO!" Navarro yelled, now imagining it in his head! Slamming his hands on the table. “Those fuckers! Harem my ass!” Navarro shouted.

Yep. Navarro is mad now. Shdwkyz has no idea why would Oblivion informed him something about that and Rust adding fuel into the fire.

“It isn’t that bad. I mean-" Oblivion is cut off as Navarro covers his ears.

“FUCK THAT, OBLIVION!” Navarro said. “DAMNIT! WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING!”

“Are you sure this has nothing to do with happened at ADA when you ditched almost everyone when it came to Yasano’s treatment and they got their revenge on you?” Shdwkyz reminds him.

“NO! What the hell am I getting mad at them for that?! It’s either me or them.” Navarro retorted.

“Ugh.....” Fosh groaned, remembering that event.

“We need to call Rex right now!! Call the Season Demon Warriors!” Navarro said.

“Rex?” Maggie blinked.

"Uh...what for?" Jaron asked.

"Well Rex has girls in his fraction, shit...that's a harem like Oblivion said, right?! He knows what those guys feel! We need to ask him!" Navarro points out. Everyone looks at Navarro like he lost his mind.

"Navarro....now you're being an idiot." Shdkwyz made a face while Maggie nodding in agreement.

“OH! I’m an idiot?!” Navarro said. “You know what?! Let’s ask the members of his group! Hell! Let’s ask Rex. For fuck’s sake, his members are all girls, call him Sensei and they’re named after the four fucking seasons except him! We need to ask him about this harem shit and about the guys that Ink’s with!”

Shdwkyz sighs, knowing this is not going to be good.

------ Hours later at Greenwich Village in Rex’s house ------

Rex stares at Shdwkyz his blind white eyes, setting his tea cup down, hoping he misheard what Shdwkyz said.

“I...beg your pardon?” He said after hearing the situation from Shdwkyz.

“Yes...I know.” Shdwkyz sips cherry blossom tea thanks to Spring’s couresty. She is surprised to hear this. “Thanks.” Shdwkyz tells her to which Spring smiles kindly at him.

Shdwkyz sighs deeply after he explained the situation to Rex about it. Shdwkyz volutneers to meet with Rex since he knows Navarro is going to say the wrong thing and the members of the Season Demon Warriors will beat him and throw his sorry ass out.

He visited Rex at his Japanese themed home in Greenwich Village “Yeah I know...” He doesn’t want to mention that to him but he knows Rex is very reasonable and can clear the air, hoping to get some answers around here.

“Well...I don’t know what Navarro is assuming but....I understand Navarro’s concerns regarding Ink and the boys from Japan she hangs out with. This reminds of this boy named Rin. He has a flaming katana that is of blue flames, similar to Ink’s greatsword and I must say he’s strong.” Rex hums. “I read his energy and he does admire Ink in a way since they’re so alike in terms of their flames and origins.” Rex said. “But...such admiration can turn into love.”

“Great....” Shdwkyz said.

---------- At Central Park -----------

“C’mon, Breezy! You gotta tell me what’s going on! You said Ink and Midoriya were here like a few days ago!”

“Of course, I’m going to tell you!” Breezy said. “But I need to know why is that so important, Rust!” Breezy said, crossing her arms with a pout. Rust sighed. “Well...Navarro heard it from Jinx and saying something that he likes her and so is Bakugo.”

Breezy blinks. “Wait? Jinx said that? I don’t think she say that. Navarro did come over and asks if UA students came over. They did for patrols but Jinx, Ink and Midoriya were training together!”

Oh....that’s a false alarm then.

“I don’t know why is it so important though.” Breezy said. Rust sighs, “Okay....just promise me, ya don’t tell anyone, okay? Ya didn’t hear it from me, okay?” And so Rust tells Breezy the reason for this making Breezy blinked before she laughs, “That’s what Navarro is worried about?! Echo is going to have a field day if she heard that!”

“I just.....can’t imagine that Ink has a harem.” Breezy giggles. “Not only Midoriya is in it but there are others too?!”

Rust nods, “Yep!”

“Well Jinx did said that Midoriya’s face turn red for some reason when he caught her in his arms when trying to catch some villians....some purse snatchers. Jinx beat them up while Midoriya helps her ou..” Breezy chuckles.

Melinda comes over with Jaron as Jaron tells her what’s going on as well while they’re taking a stroll in Central Park together.

“Wait....really? I mean....it makes sense but not really sense, Jaron. Don’t you think Navarro is being....well....paranoid?” Melinda asked as she is holding hands with Jaron. Jaron sighs, “That’s what Shdwkyz said and you know him. Navarro is very protective of Ink. Despite the age difference, Navarro is more mature and acts like a concerned big brother.”

“Yes....I can see that.” Melinda nods her head.

“Not only that, we should ask Rex because Navarro thinks he has a harem since his fraction is full of girls.” Jaron said.

Melinda shakes her head, “Oh dear..” But she can’t help but chuckles at this.

------- Tribeca at Kali’s penthouse -------

“Yuuka....I’m sorry but what the hell?!” Kali said. Yuuka nods her head as that explanation sounds crazy when she says it while Luna just looks to be in disbelief. Yuuka and Kali are fast friends and Kali always welcome Yuuka since she is training Yuuka and respects her as a fellow leader. Still....Kali had this look as she can’t believe this! At all.

“You’re telling me. Ink.” Kali said this slowly, making sure she gets this, “That dumbass reckless Ink has boys chasing after her? Not just typical boys. But the two pro-heroes, an infamous phantom thief, a freaking weretiger detective, a demonic exorcist and...what a freakin curse wizard?!”

“A Jujustu sorcerer.” Oblivion corrects her.

“Yeah, okay! And you’re telling me!” Kali takes a deep breath, “And they’re handsome and strong as hell and she doesn’t fucking notice?!” Kali said. She remembers Midoriya and Bakugo. She does remember Atsushi and Joker since they came over to the Training Regiment. But not the other two new faces.

“I just think Navarro is blowing this out of proportion. You know how he is, Kali!” Yuuka explains, not wanting to turn this situation into a messy love triangle. “I just want to disprove this so Navarro has nothing to worry about it.”

Luna, her second-in-command of Yuuka’s c the rolls her eyes, “If you ask me, it sounds paranioa!”

Oblivion is with them, “Hmph.”

“Well! I wouldn’t be fucking surprised if Ink doesn’t noticed! I never seen her date! EVER!” Kali said. “I went out a few dates myself and whenever Ink sees me on a date, she asks if this is my friend and that’s it!” Kali said. “I told her that we’re dating and Ink looks at me like she doesn’t know what that it is!”

Well..... Yuuka has no idea what to say to that.

“It’s like dating is a foreign freaking concept to her!” Kali said. “My god, and these boys got her things after helping them out?! She doesn’t get the hint?! EVEN THE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH THE HEART SPRINKLES ON IT?!”

“Urmm...I wasn’t sure if it’s true or not.” Yuuka said. Luna can’t help snicker a little.

“She has this and I’m stuck with catfishes from the dating apps!! THAT’S NOT FAIR!” Kali yelled to which Welsey pats her on the shoulder while Zed and Sara who is snickering in the background while Beranard shakes his head.

Yuuka sweatdrops, wondering if this mission is a good idea.

------------- Harlem -----------

“Atsushi with Ink?” Fin said as he stops the jukebox, “Yeah! I seen him! I was helping him with his training when it comes transforming between were and fully tiger.” Fin tells Hellmare and Maggie.

“After training, Atsushi wants a place to eat so I recommend him going to get soul food. For some reason, he ended up getting lost and Ink found him then she helps him. Both of them spend eating lunch together.”

“Did Atsushi buy her anything?” Hellmare said.

“Well....after that, there was a bakery right across the street. I was there to pick up a cake order and I saw Atsushi got her cupcakes, ya know what I mean? It’s the good kind. Wondering he got it because of heart-shaped sprinkles. Ink does love the art of cakes.”

“I see....” Hellmare said while Maggie is slumping his shoulders.

--------- Back at the DBT. A day later ------------

A meeting is now being held without Ink again.

“I don’t know, man. I don’t think Navarro is not too far off with this one.” Said Jaron.

Shdwkyz groans, “To be honest, this is all what Gerald said. Ink’s fan club!”

“Fan clubs are cool!” Gerald grinned.

“Kali is pissed off....as usual. No...she’s really pissed.” Oblivion said. “She got jealous and rant her head off.”

“Wait....you told her??!” Shdwkyz looks at Yuuka.

“Well...Oblivion said it!” Yuuka said.

“I think this might be misunderstanding but I don’t know how we can convince Navarro to rest easy.” Hellmare sighed.

Then a door is slammed open revealing Navarro whose is a ticked off and a nervous Fosh who shows a picture of a blond with red eyes and sharp teeth to the team. He has a plaid white shirt and he looks to be hanging out with Ink as they are laughing and talking.

Seriously....where the hell did Navarro get this photo? Was he spying her?! This is taking too far....

And he’s not Bakugo this time. It’s a completely new face that nobody has seen before. “Okay.....” Navarro takes a deep breath and yells,

“WHO THE FUCK IS DENJI?!” Navarro shouted.

This theory has now becoming a damn sitcom of hilarious proportions. Now they need to find out whose this new face is.

#thesilverpeahenresidence #Van Ink Za Tatsu No Harem|| Drabble #I got make a Japanese title based on the mangas that centers around harems and isakeas! XD #Navarro is that paraniod! XD #do you want to see part 2 of this?!#A funny Drabble #A Crack Drabble

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fmdmichelle · 2 years

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♡ 𝐇𝐈, 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 !! first of all, i hope the new year has been treating everyone well ! on a personal level, it’s been a little chaotic for me ( despite thinking everything would be so magically different in my life after the blur that was november to january 🤣 ), but i’m hopeful i can get my act together to be a better, and more active, member of this space with all of you. having been in famed for so long, it makes me sad that i haven’t put in as much of an effort to write with everyone here as i should, and going forward, it’s a genuine goal of mine to try and turn things around, and i want to extend an apology to anyone i’ve ghosted, or haven’t replied to, or followed-up with in regards to plotting, etc. it’s never my intention to do so, and i hope that i can prove to all of you through actions that i want to be better about consistency in all things famed-related ! so, if you’ll have me, my first step is pouring more love into michelle ( with jake & rioh to follow, of course ) ! with that said, i’d adore to get some new threads going and more plots brewing, and below the cut will be more info if you’re interested ! ♡

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄,

in regards to plotting, i prefer to brainstorm specific ideas that suit the muses at play; i feel like i’m much better at that than coming up with open plot-lines to be viewed and taken. however, if you have any wanted connections or plots that you want filled for your muses, i’d be more than happy to look through them ! i love doing that, too, so don’t hesitate to let me know if you have stuff up for grabs. 🥰 oh, and i have a discord i can give out, too. i tend to prefer plotting there as it’s easier for me to keep track of, but i’m happy either way !

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘...

michelle is in a rather confused state at the moment. in doing more of a deep dive on her off-dash, i’ve come to discover that she’s at a huge crossroads with her career right now. while she’s appreciative of all that she’s been able to accomplish in korea as a pop act, the façade of having to be an idol is weighing heavily on her shoulders. having been in the game for over a decade now, she’s becoming really bored of the same ol’ same. in her heart of hearts, she wants to transition into being known as an independent singer-songwriter; a talent that’s somehow been hiding behind the veneer of lily’s “michelle” for all this time. however, that comes with its own complications because she’s signed yet another contract with bc entertainment that she’s riding out, and she’s trying to figure out the best way to go about making this vision she has come true without rocking the boat too much. slow and steady wins the race, as she says.

on a positive note, this conflicting time period ( as well as other more personal life events ) has given her a dramatic boost in creativity. now more than ever, she’s been at her piano writing so much music. her heart is so full of emotions and her mind is, like, overwhelmingly loaded with ideas that the only way to rid of some of that weight on her shoulders is to purge them through song. over the last few years, she’s been finding her own sound as an independent artist, and she feels as though she’s developed it a lot in ways that she’s really confident in. in fact, she’s submitted her own piece to be used for the fm202.3 march release. it’ll be this anthem, if anyone’s curious !

throughout the last maybe like, six-months-to-a-year, she’s realized that she’s become really self-isolated from people and she’s wanting to not be anymore. after a lengthy phone call home with her uncle, she’s feeling the push to get out more, and connect with friends, and make new friends, or kiss girls and guys, and just... have a little more fun. she’s definitely more the type that prioritizes work over anything else, and that’s often to her detriment, but she’s forcing herself to leave her home for more than just work obligations now. i also know there are plenty of people in the industry she either wants to reconnect with, or get to know more, so there’s openings for plot ideas !

she also would adore to collab creatively with someone right now omg ! like, she’s feeling so fueled with ideas and wants to like, share them with people she trusts, or even people that she looks up to in order to hear their thoughts, or to learn from them if they’re more seasoned in the solo realm. that, and as someone who always wants to learn and improve ( total virgo in that sense ), i think she’d even enjoy getting in touch with the other singers to nerd out about vocal pedagogy and music theory in general. she misses doing that with her vocal coach back home in hell’s kitchen.

while it’s not a totally formulated thought or idea yet, she’s sort of interested in doing some musical acting. mostly because it reminds her of new york and seeing broadway shows from the seats all the way in the back of the theatre that one of her uncle’s friends could snag her. a part of her thinks that being involved in a project like that would push her out of her comfort zone and re-inspire her in some ways, but she’s timid about it still. she wants to make sure she has the time and mental space to handle it before committing to a full run in a show. though, if she does want to go through with it, i’m thinking of giving her the role of roxie in the musical “chicago” as an option. 👀 it just... seems fitting and works.

𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍...

there’s so much more i could say, but i don’t wanna make this too obnoxiously long. if you’re down to brainstorm or plot something with me/michelle, please show me some love by liking this post or messaging me ! i’d love to hear from you, and i do promise to be on my shit ab replies to im’s. you’re all more than welcome to kick my ass if i slip, too. 😅

#FAMEDCALL #ㅤ* ╱ 안미셸. ━━━━ CALL.

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lizzygrantarchives · 13 years

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ASCAP, March 16, 2012

ASCAP chanteuse Lana Del Rey is inescapable. Half a year before she released her breakthrough album Born to Die on January 31st, newspapers and websites were raving about her riveting single "Video Games." Now she graces the covers of magazines, teens profess their love for her online by the thousands and bloggers parse the authenticity of her image and the role that femininity plays in her music. Del Rey's woozy, noirish pop is clearly connecting – Born to Die sold 800,000 copies worldwide in its debut week, and hit #1 on the iTunes album chart. But despite all the digital ink spilled about Del Rey, precious little attention has focused on her approach to songwriting. We spoke with her about just that.

Have you always co-written songs? Was the writing process fairly effortless on Born to Die, or were there some songs that went through birth pains?

I've written every word except for two lines on this record. What I usually need my producers to do is to act like composers and soundscapers to enhance the beauty of my lyrics and glamorize the atmosphere around my voice. The writing process for me is always effortless but often slow. My muse comes rarely but when she does, she whispers words clearly and loudly into my ear.

How did you meet Emile Haynie? What about him convinced you to choose him as a producer on nearly every track of Born to Die?

Before I signed to Interscope, John Ehmann, who was an A&R man there, wanted me to meet Emile. When we met we knew quickly that we were musical soulmates, just like when [Born to Die co-writer] Justin Parker and I met. An example of how I work with Emile: I bring him a song that I've already written and I say to him "When you hear this song, I want you to feel like you can see 16-year-old girls sneaking out in the middle of the night in Miami." Then he would start to lace the track with samples of car alarms blaring and cicadas chirping like they do on a hot summer night. Then he would replace whatever drums were there with heavier, more dangerous beats – he knew I needed those to emphasize how dark things used to be for me. He knew how to translate that in a fresh and sexy way.

I hear Born to Die as way more consistent in tone and style than the first album. Was that intentional?

Born to Die is definitely not more consistent in tone or style. In fact my first record was a concept album about living back and forth between New Jersey and Coney Island, and was an exact documentation of my life up until that point. My only intention ever is to write exactly what happened.

Is there a song from Born to Die that you feel best captures who you are as a woman? What about as an artist?

I don't know about as a woman, but as a person the song "Born to Die" best represents me. I felt I lived most of my life divided into two states of either fear or love, and the change of mood between the verse and the chorus represents those two worlds merging together. In the verses, I'm begging myself not to give up and working through my confusion of being alive. But in the choruses, I let go and start talking to him and playing with him, saying "Come and take a walk on the wild side / Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain."

There are a lot of themes that pop up again and again in your music, but the one I’m most curious about is "The Star-Spangled Banner." You’ve got a song called “Oh Say Can You See” on your first album; you make reference to the National Anthem on “Mermaid Motel,” and of course you’ve got a song called “National Anthem” on the new album. What interests you so much about "The Star-Spangled Banner?"

We used to live in Kate Smith's old house called Camp Sunshine on Lake Placid lake. For a decade, she was the most famous singer in the world and she sang our nation’s theme song, "God Bless America." She broadcasted her popular radio show out of the top of that house. Referencing "The Star-Spangled Banner" is my homage to her.

Do you think of your music as dark?

Yes.

Who is the ideal audience for your music? Has that changed over the years?

I wouldn't really know. I never had an audience before except for the people I talked to on MySpace from 2005 onward and the people who came to hear me sing on the downtown scene. From what I remember, we were definitely a darker group of characters who all lived life very untraditionally.

Your songs and image seem so informed by the glamor of classic movie stars. Have you considered acting yourself?

My music is not informed by the glamor of classic movie stars at all – it’s informed only by what I've been through as well as my visions for the future. I put clips of the occasional star in my video montages if I can relate to how alone they look. And "No" to the latter.

What sort of music do you think Elvis would be making if he were alive today?

Beautiful music – he'll always be the king to me.

Originally published on ascap.com with the headline The National Anthem of Lana Del Rey.

#2012 #Born to Die #ASCAP #Etan Rosenbloom

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psepha · 8 months

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Not K.

What a lame role-playing game Without choosing your persona No choice, small voice Here’s your type, now run Own an utterly destructive power A parasite is a lamb in your hive On a squishy planet in a black holes nursery Pretending to be crucial Looking for a reckless call Your mandatory anima is designed To be the last to resign You can choose kindness Then reverse karma brings dryness Better find your place in mayhem Or witness your personal endgame Conquer, never spare Stupid but dumb A good slumber covers up the slum Didn’t press the sticky start button Got the worst possible random skills distribution Play along, son This battle royale is a slow burn, hon Me? Don’t have the stamina Being my own fucking tribute Won’t lead me down the path of fortitude Do I look like freakin’ Katniss to you?! Self-consciousness is not optional Behold the reapers who reap lives by the thousand I didn’t sign up to solve the trolley problem I didn’t sign up to any of this shit Surely won’t cheer me up with an anthem.

Written by Claire D.

Muse

#hunger games #not Katniss #fatigue #stupid games #i am out

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newmusicradionetwork · 10 months

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Paige King Johnson’s New Single “I Thank God” Premiered By Whiskey Riff Available Now

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson released her latest single, “I Thank God,” in honor of Thanksgiving. Johnson, who is never shy about her commitment to her family and faith, has used her talented vocals to paint a portrait that details everything she is thankful to God for in her life. Written by Paige King Johnson and Mike Astrachan, “I Thank God” is the perfect anthem for this holiday season. In conjunction with the single release, Johnson also created a special montage video highlighting her exciting year with personal videos of her shows, family events, concerts, video shoots, television appearances, and more! “I Thank God” was premiered by Whiskey Riff and the special montage video was premiered by RFD-TV.To view Johnson’s premiere with Whiskey Riff, visit HERE. To view Johnson’s premiere with RFD-TV, visit HERE. “The legs this song stands on are the beautiful lyrics that are raw and truly just a humble prayer. I find myself running through many of these lines in my mind on the easy and hard days, and I hope they’re lyrics that listeners can do the same with.” Paige King Johnson was recently featured in Cowgirl Magazine as part of a special behind-the-scenes video with Grand Ole Opry member Pam Tillis, who has directed three music videos for Paige. Highlighting their relationship and showcasing Pam’s nurturing encouragement as a mentor, every viewer has a backstage view of their creative process. To view Paige King Johnson and Pam Tillis’ Behind The Scenes video, premiered by Cowgirl Magazine, visit HERE. Paige King Johnson is now the host of her own segment on NBC’s WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina called “Minutes of Music.” Johnson sits down with artists coming to the region for live concerts and local entertainment. “Minutes of Music” has recently featured interviews with Shakti, Asad Mecci & Colin Mochrie, Dean Sams of Lonestar, and Grand Ole Opry member Martina McBride. For more information, visit PaigeKingJohnson.com and WRAL.com. Paige King Johnson On Tour: DEC 15 – Jones County Heritage Festival / Trenton, N.C. (John Norris) DEC 21 – Paige King Johnson & Friends / Angier, N.C. DEC 30 – Old Barn Winery and Vineyards / West Jefferson, N.C. FEB 10 – The Evening Muse / Charlotte, N.C. (w/ Belles) To keep up with everything Paige King Johnson, visit HERE and follow the socials linked below. About Paige King Johnson: Born in a quiet North Carolina town just 22 miles south of Raleigh, as a young 9-year-old girl, Paige King Johnson spent her summers under the crepe myrtles imitating the styles of Loretta, Patsy, Waylon, and Merle. Having a grandpa as her biggest fan also meant receiving the gift of her first guitar – a baby Taylor – and enrolling in lessons. As she grew older, Johnson added “opening act” to her resume, supporting chart-topping artists like Scotty McCreery, Neal McCoy, and James Otto. Upon starting school at Belmont University for Music Business, Johnson honed in on the magic that had heavily influenced her as a child: the art of storytelling through songwriting. The famous Bluebird Café was just one of many writers’ circuits around Nashville that provided a safe space for Johnson to meet other writers. In the last four years, Johnson has traveled back and forth between Nashville and the Carolinas, playing shows like the North Carolina State Fair and running her dinner theater, Country on the Outskirts of Town, that she founded in high school. Johnson’s quarterly show provides an atmosphere for locals to enjoy Southern cooking, fellowship with friends, and the sounds of classic and current country music with some gospel thrown in. A four-time Carolina Country Music Awards Winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, Country Emerging New Artist, Single of the Year, and Tour of the Year, Johnson’s devoted homegrown fan base continues to expand farther than just her backyard. For more information, visit paigekingjohnson.com. Suggested post: .@paigekingjohnson new single #IThankGod premiered by @WhiskeyRiff and montage video premiered by @OfficalRFDTV. Nominated for 4 #CarolinaCountryMusicAwards and to perform at the ceremony in January. Listen/Stream/Buy: hypeddit.com/paigekingjohnson/ithankgod Read the full article

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cyarskaren52 · 1 year

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An icon. A legend. A superstar. And now, a Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer. The career of LL COOL J is filled with staggering firsts, improbable accomplishments and an ever-diversifying imprint across entertainment and business. But, first and foremost, the Farmers Blvd product is an emcee and an artist. And since 1985, LL COOL J has delivered so much musical greatness and so many hits. His body of work represents decades of Hip-Hop in sound and scope, it's unlike any other the genre has ever seen.

From his debut as a teenage b-boy on Radio, to his transformation into one of the rap game's most consistent chart-toppers with Mr. Smith a decade later, to his cemented status as a cultural icon with The DEFinition a decade after that, there has been no one in Hip-Hop like James Todd Smith. As he preps his latest work and as he is inducted alongside musical icons into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, what better time to revisit the classic career of one of rap's greatest. The G.O.A.T. who invented G.O.A.T. The man who built Def Jam.

In recognition of his stellar career, we picked the 25 Dopest LL COOL J Songs.

#26

"ALL I HAVE" JENNIFER LOPEZ FEAT. LL COOL J [BONUS SONG]

Our BONUS SONG pick is a celebrated classic guest spot! Pop superstar J. Lo and the Hip-Hop icon always make magic together, and this is their most famous team-up and hit single. This is one of the most iconic duets of the 2000s.

#25

"YOU AND ME" FEAT. KELLY PRICE

Kelly Price and LL team up for this heartfelt love song. Produced by LL himself alongside DJ Scratch, it's one of his most underrated ballads, and features a stellar performance from the Grammy-winning singer.

#24

"IMAGINE THAT" FEAT. LESHAUN

This steamy Rockwilder-produced single could be considered an unofficial sequel to the classic "Doin' It." The track reunites LL with LeShaun, and their chemistry from that earlier duet is just as strong here.

#23

"6 MINUTES OF PLEASURE"

Armed with a Slick Rick snippet, Marley Marl smoothed things out on this Isaac Hayes-sampling single from Mama Said Knock You Out. LL gets to play cartoonish in the video, over one of his more seductive tunes.

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#22

"FATHER"

One of his most heartfelt and personal songs, this single from Phenomenon saw the rap superstar opening up about his troubled childhood, over a sample of George Michael's "Father Figure."

#21

"THE RIPPER STRIKES BACK"

After a feud was ignited via "4, 3, 2, 1" (more on that song later), Canibus dropped "Second Round K.O.," firing shots at Uncle L. James Todd responded with this thunderous diss track. Included on a Def Jam Bonus CD, it reminded everyone that LL will still rock any comers.

#20

"I NEED A BEAT" (REMIX)

One of his first tracks, and the song that garnered the attention of a then-unknown Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys, "...Beat" is one of early LL COOL J's most creative, a breakdown of the relationship between an emcee and a dopeass beat.

#19

"PARADISE" FEAT. AMERIE

Produced by Poke & Tone, this lush hit single is one of LL's best of the 2000s. Amerie provides a sunny hook, as LL muses about the perfect getaway over shimmering production, which interpolates "Rising To the Top."

#18

"TO DA BREAK OF DAWN"

You never wanna come at COOL J. One of his most infamous diss tracks, this heater from Mama Said Knock You Out takes aim at longtime rival Kool Moe Dee, as well as West Coast stars MC Hammer and Ice-T.

#17

"HEADSPRUNG"

The lead single from his eleventh album, The Definition, this kinetic track showed that Uncle L could get a lil crunk. And as anyone knows: Timbaland was on fire when he and LL paired up for this club anthem.

#16

"THE BOOMIN' SYSTEM"

On Mama Said Knock You Out, LL delivered one of Hip-Hop's classic odes to car culture. There's nothing like booming down the block with a bangin' stereo system, and this track captures the feel and vibe completely.

#15

"LUV U BETTER"

Nobody does rap romance better than Ladies Love Cool James. This slinky groove comes courtesy of The Neptunes, and is one of the best summertime singles of the early 00s.

#14

"JACK THE RIPPER"

A young gun coming at the vet. After Kool Moe Dee took shots at him with Moe Dee's hit "How You Like Me Now," LL COOL J responded with this banger of a bonus track.

#13

"LOUNGIN'" (REMIX) FEAT. TOTAL

With Bernard Wright's early 80s R&B anthem as the jumping off point, this uber-popular remix became one of LL's most beloved 90s hits. Another ode to dirty macking at it's finest.

#12

"I SHOT YA" FEAT. KEITH MURRAY, FAT JOE, PRODIGY, FOXY BROWN

East Coast boom bap at it's finest. The single dropped at a time when LL's glossier hits were dominating radio, but it served as yet another reminder that he's a rhyme animal. Teamed with four legends in the making. RIP Prodigy.

#11

"JINGLING BABY (REMIXED BUT STILL JINGLIN')"

A house party anthem, and not just because of the classic Paris Barclay-directed music video. Marley Marl's remix of a track from Walking With the Panther, this was rereleased on Mama Said Knock You Out a year later. Forever one of LL's best dancefloor tracks.

#10

"I NEED LOVE"

Perhaps his most iconic love song of the 1980s, LL set the template here for heartfelt rap balladry. Over an ever-memorable keyboard line, the teenage emcee bares his feelings and broke all kinds of ground.

"I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO"

A b-boy anthem. A statement for a culture that was only just beginning to be embraced by the mainstream. This is a song for every Hip-Hop loving kid that was walking the NYC block in the mid-80s.

"DOIN' IT" FEAT. LESHAUN

This is how you make a Hip-Hop sex song, folks. Often imitated, but never duplicated. Over a perfect Grace Jones sample, LL COOL J and LeShaun engage in one of the freakiest "battle of the sexes" ever put on wax.

"GOING BACK TO CALI"

Rick Rubin delivered one of his most bass-heavy anthems, and this iconic track became one of the most indelible car songs in Hip-Hop. There was a time when you tested your car's bass system to THIS song.

"4, 3, 2, 1" FEAT. REDMAN, METHOD MAN, DMX, CANIBUS, MASTER P

The song that launched one of the most infamous beefs in rap history, it's almost taken for granted that it's also one of the dopest posse cuts of all time. Erick Sermon provides the beat, as a handful of rap icons do their thing.

"HEY LOVER" FEAT. BOYZ II MEN

One of LL's biggest hits and a classic rap love song, the legendary emcee teams up with Grammy-winning Philly quartet Boyz II Men for one of the most romantic rap songs ever made. Gotta love that Michael Jackson sample.

"AROUND THE WAY GIRL"

This gorgeous slice of urban perfection is one of LL COOL J's quintessential "romance" cuts. A celebration of the girl next door, up the block and around the way, it's timeless in every sense of the word.

"ROCK THE BELLS"

It's an anthem that solidified the teenage newcomer's place in rap's then-"new school." It's a pure distillation of rap purpose, a manifesto and a creed. You know every word. Everybody does.

"MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT"

"Don't call it a comeback..." That iconic opening line has become embedded in popular culture. And over Marley Marl's gargantuan groove, LL COOL J reasserts his rap dominance at a time when critics dared suggest he was past his prime.

"I'M BAD"

It's brash. It's aggressive. It's about as Hip-Hop as Hip-hop can get. LL's iconic single from 1987 may not be his biggest commercial hit or a classic diss record; but it epitomizes and embodies the lyrical skill, performance stamina, and undeniable charisma of the legend from Farmers Blvd.

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#hip hop 50 #today in hip hop history #todayinhiphophistory #hiphop #hip-hop #hip hop #hip hop music #hip hop history #hip hop culture #music #history #music history #television #rap #rapper #emcee #mc

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spirit-of-vengeance · 3 years

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Tag reforms because idk where did they fuck off to

#🔥ooc 🔥 | out of flames #🔥aesthethics🔥 | burning brighter than the sun #🔥body claim / paige hathaway 🔥 | perfection immortalized #🔥personality 🔥 | legendary duality #🔥memes🔥 | play with the fire #🔥alright; encouraged to like and reblog 🔥 | write my name in gasoline & set that shit on fire #🔥fight moves claim / scott adkins 🔥 | bone shattering kicks with brutal grace #🔥wardrobe🔥 | outrageous. bold. unapologetic & heart stopping #🔥headcanon 🔥 | secrets of the fire #🔥musings 🔥 | if you want to start a fight; you better throw the first punch. try to be faster than me.#🔥about🔥 | snark; sass; spice of danger with a tortured heart #🔥promo 🔥 | the fire needs friends; rivals; enemies and everyone in between #🔥self-promo🔥 | eyes that hold the universe; embodiment of fire with brilliant phoenix wings #🔥answered 🔥 | now you see the world through my eyes #🔥crack 🔥 | rise of the randomness #🔥suggestive 🔥 | turning up the heat #🔥nsfw 🔥 | horizontal tango #🔥skills 🔥 | watch; this is what no one will be able to surpass #🔥music 🔥 | cry of guitars; anthem of power #🔥dash commentary 🔥 | that could've been executed better; let me show how #🔥wishlist 🔥 | see me as l am #🔥lzzy hale / voice claim🔥 | effortless grit and hour long high belts #🌹flossinspector👑 | whirlwind of jewel feathers #💛mr mansnoozie💫 | enter sandman #🌙nxghtlight🌠 | vicious moonlight #🎶 spxcemuses / mok 🔮 | rock you like a hurricane #🐍 spxcemuses / striker🌾 | dancing with danger #☣ spxcemuses / thrax 💉 | 𝘤��𝘳𝘪𝘯õ ; you're the flame to my inferno #🥂 spxcemuses / killian 🗡 | you wear tragedy well #🔥shitpost🔥 | when the moon tells you something...fuck it.

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phoenixborn · 2 years

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Tag dump

#🔥 aesthetic🔥 | burning brighter than the sun #🔥 visage🔥 | a blink of light in eternity #🔥 personality🔥 | the legendary duality #🔥 memes🔥 | play with fire #🔥 alright/encouraged to like & reblog🔥 | spread my name like wildfire #🔥 wardrobe🔥 | outrageous. bold. unapologetic. extreme.#🔥 self promo🔥 | undead; snarky; emotionally unstable; vengeful rocker spirit #🔥 musings🔥 | don't call me an angel; the wings are deceiving. don't call me the devil; l'm worse.#🔥 about🔥 | eyes that hold the universe; embodiment of fire with brilliant phoenix wings #🔥 answered🔥 | now you see the world through my eyes #🔥 crack🔥 | so 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 murder is not an acceptable hobby #🔥 shitpost🔥 | when the moon tells you something...𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴 𝓲𝓽.#🔥 promo 🔥 | the fire needs friends; rivals; enemies and everyone in between #🔥 suggestive🔥 | how about turning up the heat a little?#🔥 nsfw🔥 | horizontal tango #🔥 skills🔥| the only one who can surpass me is myself only.#🔥 music🔥 | cry of guitars; anthem of power; heartbeat of drums #🔥 dash commentary🔥 | that could've been executed better; let me show 𝐡𝐨𝐰 #🔥 fight moves / scott adkins 🔥 | bone shattering kicks with brutal grace #🔥 wishlist🔥 | see me as l am #🔥 lzzy hale / voice claim🔥 | effortless grit and hour long high belts of freedom #🔥 body claim / anllela sagra🔥 | perfection immortalized #⚔ spxcemuses / pitch 🖤 | your eyes are like fire; sizzling and captivating #☣ spxcemuses / thrax 💉 | 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯õ ; you're the flame to my inferno #🥂 spxcemuses / killian 🗡 | you wear tragedy well #🎶 spxcemuses / mok 🔮 | rock you like a hurricane; try to keep up #🌹 flossinspector👑 | whirlwind of jewel feathers #💛 mr mansnoozie💫 | enter sandman #🐦‍🔥 headcanon 🌌 | secrets of the fire #🐦‍🔥 ooc 🌌 | out of flames

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fanficimagery · 3 years

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Dangerous Woman

You're a pretty popular singer/songwriter and you're finally back home in Mystic Falls. You reunite with family and friends, piss off an ex, and meet some new interesting people.

Words: 8.6K Author's Note: The songs in this imagine are taken from Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande. I could never take credit for their masterpieces. Haha. Enjoy!

Never in a million years did you think that singing covers of songs and posting them on the internet would land you a record deal. The music label who had shown interest in you just thought you had an amazing singing voice, so they hadn't counted on you being able to actually write your own music as well. So when they wanted you in New York just as you were on the verge of turning sixteen, it took a lot of legal documents being signed and assigning you a temporary legal guardian for you to be able to go. And in between writing and recording, you were homeschooled in order to keep up with your education.

You've been away from Mystic Falls for a little over a year now, making a music album and graduating a few months earlier than expected. Elena was still set to graduate and you were fortunate enough to be able to go home for a brief break and to see your sister walk the stage before you were to leave again.

You had wanted to surprise your brother and sister, so you texted your aunt Jenna for everyone's whereabouts. They were at Mystic Grill, of course, but Jenna was swamped with papers that needed grading and couldn't meet you there. So instead, you dropped by your childhood home to briefly visit with her before freshening up and heading for the Mystic Grill after making sure with Matt that your sister was still there.

Mystic Grill parking lot is nearly full, but you find a spot and then jog to the back entrance. You text Matt that you're there and moments later he's opening the back exit.

"Matt Donovan," you muse, grinning. "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

"YN Gilbert." He grins back, opening his arms for a hug. "It's been too long."

As you pull back, you ask, "So what's going on? I noticed all the vehicles out front."

"Oh yeah. It's karaoke night. It's become quite the popular activity among the highschoolers and slightly older folk around here."

You perk up at that knowledge. "Karaoke, you say? What a perfect way to surprise 'lena and Jer. Anyone else here that I know?"

"Care and Bonnie are with Elena, and Jeremy's playing pool with Tyler and a few other friends." Your nose wrinkles and Matt chuckles, too polite to try and smooth things over between you and your ex. "Uh, the girls are there with some new friends of theirs as well. Not really good people, if you ask me, but the girls are friendly with them so we tolerate them."

"Oh yeah? And who are they?"

"Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson," Matt says. "The Mikaelson family rubbed a bunch of us the wrong way almost as soon as they got into town, but apparently the girls have forgiven them for what they've done. Fortunately three of them left to explore the world, but we can't quite get these last two to leave as well."

You chuckle. "Be nice, Matty. If 'lena, Bonnie and Caroline can look past whatever they've done, I'm sure you can as well."

He rubs the back of his neck, sighing. "It's not that easy, YN."

"Yeah, yeah." You push on his shoulder a bit, grinning. "Well enough about these supposed terrible men. I want to surprise everyone. Have any idea?"

"One," he slowly grins. "Are you up to karaoke your own song?"

"Always."

"Come on then. Tyler won't like this, but we only have one of your songs in our books."

You laugh. "Not to brag, but that particular song has become quite the anthem among the female population. I feel bad already."

"Do you?"

"Nah. Now let's go, Donovan. I wanna see my siblings."

Matt leads you inside, sneaking you around until you're standing on the side stage and listening to some unfortunate soul butcher one of the latest popular songs on the radio. Then when that person's turn is over, he takes the stage.

"Alright, Mystic Grill, how's it going tonight?" Several people drunkenly cheer and you can't help but laugh off to the side. "So normally I'd call up the next person, but I have a special treat for you guys tonight. A friend of mine, most of ours really, has come home. She was a giant pain in my ass, most of our asses really, and I'm pretty sure she set someone's cat's tail on fire. On accident, of course," he amends when there's a scandalized gasp from the crowd.

You can hear a bunch of squealing then, your sister and friends realizing you're home.

"So, Mystic Grill, please give it up for YN Gilbert!"

In the crowd, Elena, Bonnie and Caroline cheer and clap the loudest. Even Jeremy's whooping and hollering, expression ecstatic as his sister takes the stage.

"Sister?" Klaus muses, looking past Caroline and directly at Elena. "How did you hide that from us?"

Elena grins, shrugging. "She took a stage name when she left Mystic Falls, and Isobel and John were smart enough not to mention her when they realized you only knew of me."

"I can't believe she's home," Caroline gushes. "And right before graduation too."

The music starts and the crowd calms, the girls giggling at the song.

"Oh, Tyler's going to be pissed," Bonnie says.

Elijah, who'd been too busy staring at YN Gilbert, frowns as he glances at Miss Bennett. "And why would that be?"

"Because she wrote this song with him in mind." Elena smirks. "Just listen. You'll see."

YN steps up to the microphone and gently cradles the mic on it's stand as she sings, "You called me again, drunk in your Benz. Drivin' home under the influence." Several people wolf-whistle, Bonnie and Elena included.

Caroline turns to Klaus. "They were too young to be in a toxic relationship, but it happened. He wasn't too happy when she left him behind to go record her album, so they tried long distance but it just wasn't meant to be."

Intrigued, Klaus turns in his seat to see the temperamental werewolf glaring at YN on stage and gripping his pool cue in a white knuckled grip

"I don't relate to you. I don't relate to you, no. 'Cause I'd never treat me this shitty. You made me hate this city." She pulls the mic off the stand, walking to the edge of the stage as she pours her heart into the song. "And I don't talk shit about you on the internet. Never told anyone anything bad. 'Cause that shit's embarrassing, you were my everything. And all that you did was make me fucking sad."

It's Elijah and Klaus' turn to chuckle when it appears every female inside Mystic Grill screams the lyrics along with YN. They watch as her presence fills up the stage, the patrons of the establishment whooping and hollering by the time the song is over.

Elena is anxious to get to her sister, but she stays put while the locals have their go at her as she hops off stage. She signs a few napkins and takes several selfies, and it's Jeremy who gets to her first while wrapping her up in a hug that lifts her feet off the floor. They have a quick chat before he ruffles her hair and leaves to join his friends, and then YN is making her way towards Elena's table.

You laugh as your sister hurriedly gets up, making her way around the table and throwing her arms around your neck. "You're home! Why didn't you tell me? Does aunt Jenna know?"

"Of course she does. I stopped there before coming here." Elena is soon replaced by Bonnie and then Caroline, and you chuckle as you take a seat at their table. "So is anyone going to introduce me to the newbies?"

The better dressed of the two clears his throat and offers his hand over the table. "Elijah Mikaelson. It is a surprise and pleasure to meet you, Miss Gilbert."

"Oohh. Fancy," you muse. "It's nice to meet you as well, Elijah." Then turning to his companion, brother really, you say, "Which makes you Klaus. Hello." Klaus smirks as he shakes your hand. "So, what have I missed? Tell me everything."

Bonnie chokes on her drink and Elena's eyes twinkle as the table's occupants glance at one another warily. "You haven't missed much. Not really."

"No? Then where are your boy toys? Do I have to play nice?"

"Oh I think I quite like this Gilbert," Klaus drawls. "You may be my favorite Gilbert."

"Of course I am. I'm adorable." You flutter your eyelashes at him, laughing. "But in all seriousness, do I have to play nice with the Salvatores? I'm not their biggest fan."

Elena groans. "Just.. be nice. To their faces, at least."

Your sister pouts and you kick her lightly under the table. "I'll be nice to Stefan, but at the first sign of snark from Damon all bets are off."

Bonnie nudges her friend. "Come on, Elena. That's fair and you know it. Damon lives to rile up anyone and everyone."

"Fine."

"Right. Well can someone flag down Matty and order me a bacon cheeseburger and fries with a Coke? I need to visit the ladies room."

Bonnie is already flagging down your friend as you quickly vacate the table, heading towards the bathrooms in the back. There's a few people in front of you and you politely wait your turn, taking even more selfies with apparent fans before it's your turn in the bathroom. Then after washing and drying your hands, you exit the bathroom.

However, you don't get too far before a hand is wrapping around your bicep and yanking you back around. You roll your eyes when you meet the angry gaze of your ex-boyfriend. "What do you want, Tyler?"

"Do you think it's funny to sing that stupid song of yours here?"

"What?" You frown. "Matt asked me to sing a song and that was the only one of mine in the books. If you have a problem with it, take it up with management." You try to pull your arm free, but Tyler merely squeezes tighter. "Ow. Let me go, Ty. You're hurting me."

He steps closer to you, lowering his voice though the anger is blazing in his eyes. "You know everyone knows you wrote that song about me. I don't know where the hell you got off smearing me like that. Our relationship wasn't even that bad."

"Really?" You deadpan. "Well my family and our friends think otherwise. Now let me go."

"Listen-"

"I believe the young lady wishes you to remove your hand from her person." Elijah's voice sends shivers down your spine and you stiffen at the way Tyler's expression turns absolutely livid as he looks up over your head. "Remove your hand now before I do it for you."

Tyler sneers, but he smartly releases you. You stumble back, only to have Elijah's hands land gently on your shoulders. "Really, YN? You're chummy with a Mikaelson now?"

"I've only met them less than ten minutes ago, but in the time I've been introduced to them they've been nothing but kind. So if that makes me chummy with them, then yeah. They're a hell of a lot better company than you are."

He scoffs. "Mark my words, Gilbert. These assholes are going to get you killed."

"That's enough, Mr. Lockwood," Elijah says. Tyler glares one last time at you and Elijah, turning on his heel and making his way towards the exit. You sigh and Elijah walks around so that he's in front of you. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." You clear your throat to keep your voice from cracking. "I'm good. Thanks for stepping in."

Elijah smiles and leads you back to the table with the others. The girls are staring at you worriedly, but you wave them off with a chuckle. Bonnie tells you that Matt's working on your food and you try to get comfortable, but your arm is suddenly bothering you. So shimmying out of your jacket as best as you can, you stare down at the arm that's bothering you and frown at the bruise that's already forming there.

"Jesus!" Elena exclaims. "Did Tyler really have to grab you that hard?"

"Well it appears his anger didn't get any better," you say. "Thank God I dodged that bullet."

"He can have a tragic accident on his way home, love. Just say the word and I'll make a phone call."

Caroline gasps at Klaus' declaration and you laugh though Elijah, Bonnie and Elena suddenly look disturbed. "As much as I find that hilarious, you look like the kind of man who would follow through. So for now, we'll table the maiming until he does something that really pisses me off."

Klaus pouts. "Very well."

"So onto a lighter subject," Bonnie finally speaks up. "How long are you here for, YN?"

You look towards Bonnie, grinning. "If you're wondering whether or not I'll be here to see you walk across that graduation stage, I will." She wiggles in her seat happily. "I'm also here to relax and possibly write a couple new songs since my manager says my best songs are inspired from here."

The girls chuckle.

"Are you excited for your tour?" Elena then asks.

"Yes and no," you admit. "I'm excited to travel and see places, but I'm not too excited to be alone on that bus. I'd rather have a friend or two."

Matt chooses that moment to set down your food and drink, and you thank him before he takes his leave.

"We could always take a gap year," your sister suggests.

"And ruin Caroline's carefully concocted plans? I think not." You take your burger in both hands, taking a bite out of it and groaning as the taste explodes all over your taste buds. Then after swallowing and taking a sip of your Coke, you say, "Besides, it's not that long of a tour. I can be a big girl and deal with it."

The first weekend you're home, you spend all the time you can with your family and friends, and meet your aunt Jenna's boyfriend Ric. You meet Damon and Stefan Salvatore, and while Stefan is perfectly tolerable, it's Damon who rubs you the wrong way with his sleazy innuendos and constant flirtation with his brother's girlfriend.

Then Jenna goes back to work while everyone else goes back to school and you're left all on your own. You get yourself reacquainted with Mystic Falls, revisiting all your favorite haunts and shops. And now that you've been introduced to the Mikaelson brothers and Damon, it's like they're everywhere you always seem to find yourself to be. Klaus and Elijah are a delight to be around, whereas Damon always has you coming up with an excuse so you don't have to spend much time with him.

You get yourself a journal and attempt to write, but as you pace around your house you can't seem to find any inspiration. So instead, you grab up a few belongings and head over to Mystic Grill to pick up some food and a drink before heading over to park in the middle of town.

Some fresh air has always done you good, so you pick a picnic table under the shade of a tree and take a seat. Then with your chicken wrap in one hand and a pen in the other, you doodle and write and hope that inspiration will strike soon.

"Why is it that every time I happen upon you, Miss Gilbert, you have food in your hand?" You glance upward, smiling at Elijah as he stands there opposite you with one hand tucked into the pocket of his slacks.

Taking a rather vicious bite of your wrap, you huff a laugh and have to quickly set down your food and cover your mouth while you chew and laugh. Once you wash it down with some soda, you say, "Have you ever heard the saying 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach'?"

His lips twitch in amusement. "Yes. I believe I have."

"Mhm. Well the same can be said about a woman. Get a woman her favorite food and we'll be putty in your hands. For about an hour or so."

"Oh? And what food happens to be your favorite?"

"Chicken wings," you answer without missing a beat. "Boneless and with fries." You pop a fry into your mouth, humming and wiggling happily in your seat. "I love food."

"I can see that." He chuckles as he takes a seat across from you, looking at your opened journal. "Are you getting some writing in?"

"Trying." You shrug. "Nothing's really happened that would make for good music."

"And how important is it that you come up with new material?"

"Not important at all. My manager suggested I come up with one or two songs, but if I don't then it's fine. I wouldn't mind surprising what little fans I have with new content though."

"Well in that case, come along with me. I'm meeting Niklaus a few towns over and I'm sure his tall tales shall inspire something."

"Tall tales? Why Mr. Mikaelson, you speak as if I don't know about all things that go bump in the night and your part in the creation of some of these things."

Elijah goes quiet and the way he's now looking at you makes you feel as if maybe you shouldn't have told him. "Elena told you," he realizes.

"Of course she did. She's my twin." You grin at his still dumbfounded expression. "Elijah, who do you think it was that convinced Elena it was in her best interest to come to an agreement with Klaus? As much as she's in love with Stefan, she doesn't want to be a vampire. She wants all the human experiences and I convinced her that the only way she would have all that is if she had someone very powerful protecting her."

"And you would have that protector be my brother?"

You shrug. "Why not? He needs her blood to make his hybrids and she's easily capable of donating a blood bag every other month. And besides, it pissed off Damon so it was a win-win in my eyes."

"And what of your thoughts on me and my family?"

"You guys had a messy beginning and I'm kinda mad I missed all the drama, but I'm also glad I was out of harm's way before Elena had that talk with Klaus." Elijah doesn't look convinced at your ease with such a secret. "I harbor no ill thoughts towards you and yours. If I did, I'd be bitchy with you like I am with Damon. Honest."

"Who all knows that you know?"

"My family and now Caroline, Bonnie and you. We can let Klaus know that I know so he may speak freely around me, but can we please keep Damon and Stefan in the dark? It's quite fun to see them struggle with censoring their words around me."

"I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive of you knowing about our misdeeds since we've stepped foot in Mystic Falls," Elijah says. He slowly starts to smile then. "But now I find myself quite relieved that you know."

"Mhm. Now how long do you think we can trick your brother before he realizes I know you're all a bunch of bloodsucking fiends?"

His smile drops. "Charming, Miss Gilbert. Very charming."

"I try." You flutter your eyelashes, chuckling as you finish off the last of your food.

Much to your surprise, you find yourself spending more and more time with Elijah. Your family doesn't think much of it since they don't really know, but on more than one occasion aunt Jenna has caught you having lunch with the original vampire.

And the one day they do finally realize just how often you speak with Elijah is when you and your family are brainstorming dinner ideas, and someone rings your doorbell. You answer it and are surprised to see it's a food delivery. Confused, you tell the delivery boy no one at the house had ordered, but he only chuckled and told you there was a note inside. You thank the boy as you take the bags and he tells you not to bother with a tip because he's already been generously paid. Then when you walk back into the kitchen, you set the bags down and slap away Jeremy's hands when he smells the food and reaches for a bag.

The note inside reads: I recall a conversation of ours where you said this was your favorite. I found it impolite to just buy you dinner, so I bought enough for your aunt and siblings as well. I hope you find it quite appetizing. - xx Elijah.

Elena and Jeremy had been absolutely gobsmacked, but they didn't deter you from pursuing the friendship, and aunt Jenna was just amused by the whole situation you found yourself in. And then after texting Elijah to thank him for dinner, you also asked him why he was suddenly sending you food. You had a feeling he had a favor to ask and you were proven right when he invited you to some museum opening that Klaus was eager to go to. Elijah was eager to go too, but he wasn't too eager to listen to his brother blather on about the history they already lived through.

So that's where tonight found you, attending a museum opening on the arms of Elijah and Klaus, but spending most of the night off to the side with just Elijah as he gave you your own history lesson.

When Elijah pulls up to your house later that night, you smile sleepily as he uses his vampire speed for the first time in front of you in order to open your door. He offers you a hand to help you stand up from the passenger seat and then tucks your hand into the crook of his arm as he leads you up the sidewalk and then the porch in front of your house.

"Thank you for accompanying me tonight, Miss Gilbert. I had a wonderful time."

"No. Thank you," you tell him as you turn so you're facing one another, letting your hand fall from his arm. "I absolutely loved hearing the stories from your past. And how many times do I need to tell you? Call me YN."

"YN." Elijah bows his head just a bit as he says your name, lips twitching. "I know we spent all day together, but do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"I do." You frown before your nose wrinkles. "My producer secured some time in a music booth and I will start recording tomorrow."

His eyebrows raise a little in surprise. "You've found some inspiration?"

"Mhm." You nervously chuckle. "It's a total different vibe than what I'm used to, but-"

"I'm sure it'll be lovely," Elijah's quick to assure you. You can't help but smile at him, this man having absolutely wrecked you for any future romance with anybody else in just the one month you've known him. He grins, no doubt picking up on a semblance of your thoughts and then chuckles when you blush and avert your gaze. "Well since you'll be busy, call me when you're free. We'll grab dinner."

"You spoil me, Mr. Mikaelson." You huff a laugh, shaking your head in amusement. "Be careful or a girl could get used to this treatment."

"Maybe a girl should." His words make you freeze and your eyes subtly widen, and he has the audacity to chuckle. He reaches for your hand then, raising it up to his lips and your breathing ceases altogether. "Until next time," he murmurs before pressing a kiss to your knuckles and then dropping your hand.

Elijah turns and takes his leave, and you watch him the entire time up until he's driving off. You sigh longingly, a stupid grin taking shape as you bite back a squeal. Then turning around, you enter your home and stop short at the sight of Jenna smiling like a loon at you.

"Tell. Me. Everything."

"What? There's nothing to tell."

"Really?" Jenna's right eyebrow raises as she smirks at you. "That blush says otherwise."

You scowl at your aunt and she laughs, and you lighten up a bit as you brush past her. "He's a thousand year old vampire, Jenna. He's not interested in some seventeen year old girl."

"Yeah? Well the amount of times I've caught you two out and about together says otherwise as well," she says. "If he wasn't interested in some seventeen year old girl, then why spend all this time with you and getting you your favorite foods?"

You open your mouth to retort, but promptly shut it a moment later as you stop on the stairs. Huh. Aunt Jenna does have a point. But the longer you think about it, the more it just doesn't make sense. Elijah is a very handsome man and you're just- you're you. "He spends time with me because he's a nice man," you end up telling her as you turn around to look down at her. "And he's in need of some company who isn't his brother or isn't afraid of him for what he's done in the past."

"If you say so," she singsongs. "I want to be the maid of honor at your wedding. I'm going to give the best I told you so speech."

You snort, shaking your head. "I'm going to shower and then to bed. Wanna grab some breakfast before I head out for the day?"

"Of course. Goodnight."

"Night."

The day of your eighteenth birthday arrives and you couldn't be more ecstatic. Jenna was more than happy to host a get-together there at the house, but Klaus took it upon himself to throw the party at his mansion. So instead, you spent the morning with Elena, Jeremy, Jenna and Ric to have a birthday breakfast and lunch before going shopping with the girls for a bit of pre-party fun.

Elena, Bonnie and Caroline know that you have a surprise for everyone, but they don't know what it is. You're anxious, yet excited at the same time, and you decide to surprise your friends even more by dressing like they've never seen you dress before. So when you get home, you pre-snack with your family and friends before you decide to shower and then take over Jeremy's bedroom to get ready.

You pair a black sheer lace crop cami top with a pair of faux-leather, high rise shorts and a pair of ankle booties that give you another four inches. Your eye make-up is a little more smokier than usual and your lipstick a deep maroon color, and you leave your hair in loose waves framing your face. You're checking your reflection in the mirror, moving a strand of hair here and there, and you feel like you're missing something. Your outfit looks good, but as you head over to Jeremy's closet to rummage through his shirts, you grin as you find a dark red plaid flannel. You quickly take it and wrap the sleeves around your waist, tying them in a knot and then looking at your reflection once more.

It's perfect. You're ready.

Mentally preparing yourself, you give yourself a moment before leaving Jeremy's room.

"Are you girls ready? I'm ready to go!" You say as you enter Elena's room. All three females who'd been in the midst of adding some last minute jewelry to their outfits freeze and look you up and down in surprise. "What?" You ask when they don't say anything.

"Where the hell have you been hiding this bod?" Caroline breaks the silence.

"And who are you trying to impress with it?" Bonnie wonders, slowly smirking.

You roll your eyes, chuckling. "It's a special occasion. I wanted to do something different."

"Well keep doing it because you are hot!" Caroline says. "Like seriously hot. We all knew you were pretty, but this? This is-"

"You're definitely getting laid tonight."

"Okay!" Elena laughs, smacking both her friends on the arms. "Leave her alone. YN is stepping out of her comfort zone for once and you're not helping matters."

"It's fine," you assure your sister, "but can you please hurry up? I have a surprise for all three of you in the car."

At hearing there's a surprise for them, the girls hurry to finish getting ready. But then Jenna stops all of you as you're coming down the stairs and has you and Elena pose for some pictures. There are cupcakes she has for you with a single candle in each one and she takes video as you and Elena blow out the flame. Jeremy's already gone, and Jenna tells you that she and Ric will be there later.

It's dark out by the time you and the girls all pile into your vehicle.

"Okay. What's our surprise?" Caroline asks as soon as all the doors are shut.

"So, um, you know how I was supposed to write a new song if inspiration struck?"

"Yeah."

"Well.. it struck. It struck hard," you say. Gathering up your phone, you plug it in and scroll to the finished song that the producer had sent to you just yesterday. "And I want you three to hear part of it first and give me your honest truth about it."

"Why? What's so different about this song that it apparently has you squirming?" Elena asks.

"Let's just say it's different. A lot different than what I've put out so far."

Before anyone else can say anything, you hit play. The music starts and you hide your face in the palms of your hands at how sultry it sounds.

Caroline squeals. "Did you write a sex song?" You groan. "You did! Oh my god."

"Caroline, shut up. I need to hear this," Bonnie says.

You let the song play up until after the first chorus and then stop it. The car is quiet.. and then the squealing starts.

"Your range! Oh my god."

"Who the hell inspired that song?"

You glance at your sister and you bite the inside of your cheek when you see her knowing grin. "Has he heard it?"

"He? There's a he?" Caroline perks up. "Spill it right now, young lady!"

"First off, it's just a crush," you say. "I can't help what comes out once I've been inspired. And secondly, thoughts?"

"Uh," you sister huffs, "amazing! I obviously knew you could sing, but this? This was so good!"

"It's definitely different, but it's a good different. I hope whoever inspired this song inspires more because it's hot!"

"You need to make that available online because I need to download it asap," Caroline says.

You chuckle. "The fans will hear it first while on tour and it'll be available afterward. But.. I am singing the song tonight at the party." The girls cheer. "Klaus is the only one who knows because I got him to compel the guests to not record when I sing."

Elena starts to smile. "Has Klaus heard the song?"

"No. If he had heard it beforehand, he'd never let me live it down."

"Never let you live it down?" Caroline frowns. "Why would- oh my god! Elijah? You wrote that song about Elijah?!"

Bonnie's eyes widen and you groan some more, and Elena takes it upon herself to fill them in the live-action slowburn between you and the Original. There's lots of squealing, teasing and laughter, but when it dies down some you take the moment to finally start driving.

When you get to the Mikaelson mansion, you groan at all the vehicles already lining the driveway. Apparently Klaus didn't get the memo that you wanted a small party.

"Caroline, I'm going to kill your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend, YN. He's just- he's Klaus."

"Well it looks like your Klaus or whatever invited the whole goddamn town." You frown. "How the hell am I supposed to have fun when Tyler's glaring at me the entire time?"

"Tyler's still giving you trouble?" Elena asks.

"He pretty much leaves me be, but if he sees me out with Elijah or Klaus he turns into a wrathful prick."

"Typical," Caroline huffs.

"Well whatever," Bonnie says. "Tonight is your and Elena's night. If he starts trouble, I'm flinging his ass out of the party and putting up a barrier so he can't go back in."

Feeling a little bit better about the situation, you park and lock up your vehicle as soon as everyone's out. Bonnie and Caroline walk ahead, arm in arm, and you do the same with Elena. The music is already thumping and though you're excited, you're kind of dreading singing your song now.

As soon as you enter the house, you keep walking because the party is in the backyard. And when you get back there, you're surprised at the crowd that's already dancing under twinkling lights that've been strung up. There's a makeshift dance floor that's been put together atop the lawn and a DJ doing his utmost to keep the crowd going.

Almost immediately Caroline and Bonnie disappear into the crowd, and Stefan steals your sister away after wishing you a happy birthday. You wave at a few friends, accepting hugs and cheek kisses as you walk around looking for a familiar face that you're happy to spend some time with.

Surprisingly, it's Klaus you find first.

"Went a little overboard, don't you think?" You muse as you sidle up to him.

Klaus turns to you, smirk forming as his eyebrows raise in surprise. "Well, well. Don't you look-"

"Don't. Just don't." He chuckles and you shake your head, grinning.

"I like it. And I think my brother will like it too."

"Who said I care about what your brother thinks?"

"It's all in your heartbeat, love. Always gets a little faster when you're with him." You manage to hold it together for a few seconds before your shoulders sag. Klaus slings an arm around your shoulders and tucks you into his side. "I don't know why you're so worried. He's trying for you too." He points at something in the distance and you follow to where he wants you to look.

It takes you a second to realize who you're looking at and your eyes widen at what you see. The usually prim and proper Elijah Mikaelson is now in a plain dark tee with its sleeves pushed up to his elbows and dark washed jeans. There are a gaggle of girls who can't seem to keep their eyes off of him, and even one brave individual who attempts to speak with him.

"Who gave him the right?!" You quietly seethe. Klaus shakes with suppressed laughter and you absentmindedly swat at him. "Normally he looks like a snack in those suits of his, but right now he's looking like a goddamn full course meal!"

He barks out a laugh then and it surprisingly catches his brother's attention. You freeze when Elijah meets your gaze head on and then you nervously wave at him. He smiles before saying something to the girl who's trying to gain his attention and then steps past her to make his way towards you.

"And that's my cue to go."

Your head snaps up and you try to grip onto Klaus' shirt, but he easily pulls out of your grasp. "You're a dead man, Klaus. I'm telling Caroline you're an asshole!" But he merely laughs at you before winking, turning around to disappear into the crowd.

"Do I want to know what Niklaus has done this time?" You straighten up at Elijah's voice and paste on a smile. You manage to hold it for three seconds before you laugh and shake your head, Elijah then chuckling along with you. However, his gaze drops as he looks you up and down, and you curse your heartbeat for speeding up. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." You blush. Then wrangling your feelings together, you say, "And you look- very handsome. I don't think I've ever seen you out of a suit."

"Well even though I am the oldest here at your party, I didn't want to look the part of a chaperone. I wanted to.. blend in, I suppose."

You look him up and down, subtly gulping. "Well this look is definitely working for you. Kudos, Mr. Mikaelson, for looking like a snack."

"A snack?" He muses. "Not a full course meal?"

You freeze as your gaze snaps up to meet his own and you find him smiling. Your face flames and he chuckles. "You, uh, you heard that, did you?"

"I did."

"And Klaus knew you could hear me, didn't he?"

"He did." Your eyes widen as you're about to curse his brother, but his next words stop you in your tracks. "And he wasn't wrong. About me trying for you too."

"W-What?"

Elijah merely smirks, producing a wrapped present from his back pocket. You stare at it until he tells you to take it and open it, and you're pleasantly surprised at the blue moon locket inside. As you lift the silver chain and smile fondly at it, he takes it from your hand and has you turn around so he can put it around you. The locket settles right above your cleavage and you touch the pendant as a fond smile forms.

You turn to face Elijah, a thank you on the tip of your tongue, but he brushing your hair behind your right ear has your voice completely abandoning you. He smirks as you blush yet again. "Happy birthday, Miss Gilbert." He then leans in and you hold your breath as he kisses your cheek. "Now go have fun. We'll speak later."

Elijah turns and walks away, a certain swagger in his step that has you staring a little longer than necessary. Then once he's out of sight, you walk around in a daze until you spot Klaus and Damon having a conversation that looks as if he's slowly riling up the Salvatore vampire.

Walking towards them, you grab Damon's drink from his hand and down it in one swig. You grimace at the burning and then hand him the empty glass while addressing Klaus. "Your brother is a goddamn tease. I'm gonna climb him like a tree."

Klaus snorts inelegantly, leaving Damon an opening. "Like hell you are."

Your gaze slides to Damon's put out expression. "And why not? I mean it's not like he's going to seduce me, fuck me, feed off of me and then compel me," you say a little too innocently. "That's a Damon Salvatore special, isn't it?"

Damon rears back in shock. "Caroline told you?"

"No. Elena did," you say. "She's kept me up to date with everything almost as soon as it happened. And you, Damon, are not my favorite person so if I were you, I'd tread carefully."

His shock morphs into disbelief. "And the Mikaelson's are? You don't know what they've done, YN."

"Quite the opposite, Damon. If Elena hadn't told me everything, then Klaus and Elijah sure did. I'm quite impressed by everything they've seen and done."

"And you're just okay with it?"

"Well yeah. After that little hiccup with Elena's sacrifice, who do you think it was that convinced her to talk to Klaus and come to an agreement?" Damon shakes his head as if he can't believe what he's hearing. "My sister refuses to become a vampire, Damon, and I'll be damned if I let you or your brother turn her without her consent. So what if she has to donate one bag of blood every other month? At least she now has Original protection so she can live a happy, human life."

"You're unbelievable."

You shrug, expression stony. "I'm just looking out for my twin. Jeopardize her standing with the Mikaelson's and I'll stake you myself." Then smiling, you look at Klaus and wiggle your eyebrows. "Give me about an hour or so to blow off some steam and then it's my time to shine. The girls already know and have already heard part of the song."

"And?"

"I'm either gonna die of embarrassment or end the night as one happy girl."

Klaus laughs as you then take his drink, walking off to finally enjoy your party.

You hadn't planned on letting Damon know you knew all about the supernatural, but there was no going back now. The cheerful atmosphere of the party is infectious and you can't help but join in as you slide between a couple of your classmates. The music has you swaying and grinding, and you down the drink in hand before passing off the glass to someone else.

You don't know how long you've been dancing when Caroline finds you, hurrying you inside and into a bathroom. She tells you, you need to freshen up if you plan to seduce Elijah and then proceeds to wet a hand towel and wipe you down. You're laughing the entire time, but Caroline really knows what she's doing and makes you feel like you aren't a sweaty mess. Then when her job is done and you find yourself outside once more, Elena and Bonnie are waiting for you.

"Is it too late to be compelled?" You ask.

"Yep." Both Elena and Bonnie hook their arms with yours.

"No time like the present to get over that stage fright," Bonnie says.

"I don't have stage fright," you mumble. "I have Elijah fright."

"Relax." Elena squeezes your arm. "You're freaking out for nothing."

"Maybe."

As you make your way to the DJ's booth, Klaus is there to greet you with a microphone. Smirking, he hands it over. "Is this something I'm going to want to record?"

"Only if it doesn't end up on the internet. This is a brand new song that isn't supposed to be unveiled until I'm on tour," you say.

"Excellent. I just need something to send to Kol and Rebekah. They're going to be upset they missed this."

You chuckle. "Mhm. Let's just hope this is something actually worth capturing on video first." Klaus leans over and mentions something to the DJ, and the music lowers. Mumblings of confusion start to erupt because the entertainment has suddenly gone away and your sister nudges you forward. Raising the microphone to your mouth, you say, "Hey, guys. So, uh, I know birthday parties are all about guests giving presents, but I thought I'd give you all a little something instead."

Several people whoop and cheer, and you smile as Jenna and Ric push themselves to the front of the crowd. They're not the only familiar faces though because you spot Jeremy, Tyler, Matt, Stefan and a clearly annoyed Damon dotted all along the front lines.

"I was instructed to write a new song or two and I'm happy to say I've actually written one. But- But!" You say a little louder as the crowd gets excited. "It's new and I'm not supposed to be singing this, so if you aren't my sister or my aunt or my best of friends, then please do not record this. I can't afford to have this song hit the internet before I'm ready to release it worldwide."

The crowd seems to murmur their agreement, Klaus' compulsion no doubt kicking in and making them not go for their phones. As a last minute decision, you have everyone step back some off the dance floor. You have your friends bring in some chairs, placing them in front of the crowd and then take a single chair for yourself as you face them. Then spotting Elijah, a wicked idea comes to mind.

Suddenly feeling very bold, you smirk across the dance floor at him. "Elijah," you purr into the microphone, "why don't you come up here and take a seat?"

Elena and Jenna grin at one another, Bonnie gapes, and Caroline's hands come up to cover her mouth as she squeals. Damon, Stefan, Matt and Tyler all tense, but you only have eyes for Elijah who narrows his eyes at you but whose lips twitch in amusement.

As Elijah walks across the dance floor, you turn the chair so that when he sits the whole crowd will see his side profile. He stops just in front of you before turning and taking his seat. "What are you up to, Miss Gilbert?" He asks as he looks up at you.

You wink. "Just sit there and enjoy the show because this is only happening once." Then looking up, you inhale and exhale deeply to calm your nerves. At the forefront of the crowd sits Elena, Jenna, Klaus, Caroline and Bonnie. The rest of the boys stand behind them or to their sides, eagerly awaiting just what you have in store for them. "So this new song is.. different," you tell the crowd. "You all got to listen and jam out along to my teenage angst, and now you get to hear something from me that's a lot more grown up than what I'm used to."

Bonnie wolf-whistles and Klaus readies his phone to record the performance. You chuckle and then look towards the DJ, giving him the signal to start the music.

The beat starts and Jenna's eyes widen, she snapping her attention to Elena. "Yep. I know," Elena says, grinning. "But just listen. It gets a whole lot sexier."

YN walks her fingers along Elijah's shoulders, letting a completely different persona take over for the duration of the song. "Don't need permission. Made my decision to test my limits. 'Cause it's my business, God as my witness, start what I finished."

Jeremy leans down between his aunt and sister. "Uh, did either of you know YN could sing like this?"

"Nope." Both answer.

"And we're all okay with her apparently seducing a Mikaelson?"

"Yep."

He shrugs. "Okay then."

YN's left hand stops on Elijah's left shoulder before she slides it down his chest. "All that you got, skin to skin, oh my God. Don't ya stop, boy." She quickly walks around, throwing her leg over his lap and straddling his thighs. Her free hand immediately goes to the back of his head, grasping his short hair and pulling his head back as she leans in close. "Somethin' 'bout you makes me feel like a dangerous woman. Somethin' 'bout, something' 'bout, somethin' 'bout you makes me wanna do things that I shouldn't. Somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout, somethin' 'bout.."

"His hands are gripping YN's hips awfully tight." Ric grimaces.

"Sexy bruises." Caroline waves him off. "Leave it alone." She whistles as her friend practically gives the Original vampire a lap dance in front of a crowd of people.

"I am definitely not letting Elijah live this down," Klaus says as he continues to record.

YN sings some more, dancing around Elijah or sitting on his lap when there's a growl from behind them. Klaus tenses as he sees Tyler take a step forward in his peripheral vision, but surprisingly the Bennett witch is the one who speaks up.

"One more step, Tyler, and you will regret it." The wolf freezes and glances down at his friend in shock. "YN made her decision a long time ago. It's time for you to move on."

"Are you seriously okay with her pursuing whatever this is with Elijah knowing what he is?"

Bonnie raises an eyebrow at him. "YN knows very well what Elijah is. In fact, she knows what we all are. You included."

His expression slackens and Klaus goes back to enjoying the performance. Though he's plenty happy with what he has with Caroline, he has to admit that the Gilbert girl has a set of pipes on her.

By the time you finish singing, you're sitting in Elijah's lap with one hand gripped in his shirt. You're panting a little heavily- one because you're a little out of breath and two because adrenaline is still coursing through your veins- and you freeze in place as Elijah's hands grasp the sides of your face to pull you into a heat searing kiss.

The crowd erupts and you smile against his mouth before tilting your head to let him deepen the kiss. But ever the proper gentleman, Elijah ends the kiss with a chaste peck to your lips. "To be continued," he murmurs, sending a shiver down your spine. He smirks since he actually feels it.

"Mhm. Yeah. Sure."

"You still have to cut your cake."

"Pft. Cake? I don't need cake."

Elijah's lips twitch. "My brother is still recording."

His words bring you up short and clear away the haze that had settled over your mind. You tense in his lap before turning to find his brother in the crowd. "Niklaus Mikaelson, you better stop recording right this instant."

Your girls all laugh as Klaus pouts and lowers his phone. "Take all my fun."

You stick around Mystic Falls long enough to see Elena, Caroline and Bonnie walk the stage, splitting the time between your family and friends, and Elijah. You even get to meet Kol and Rebekah who rushed back to Mystic Falls in order to meet you after Klaus sent them the video from your birthday. Kol was a little flirt, but finally took the hint you would never be interested after Elijah pinned him to the wall and threatened him with some mystical dagger. And Rebekah was just happy to see her usually poised brother let loose a little.

You had wanted to help the girls move into their shared dorm at Whitmore College, but your time was cut short and you needed to get ready yourself. You knew leaving your family and friends was going to be hard, but you hadn't counted on becoming so attached to Elijah so quickly.

"Do not fret," Elijah says as you stand outside the bus, hands gently holding both sides of your neck with his thumbs pressed under your chin to have you looking upward. "I'll drive out to a few of your concerts when I'm able to."

"Yeah, yeah. So you've said."

He grins. "Go say goodbye to your family. There's a surprise waiting for you on the bus."

You're eager to see what surprise he has in store for you, but he's right. You need one last goodbye with your family. So you walk towards where your family and friends wait, rolling your eyes at their smirks and wiggling eyebrows. Aunt Jenna is the only one who cries, but Ric's there to comfort her and assure her that you're a smart kid and would stay out of trouble. Elena, Jeremy, Bonnie and Caroline all hug you, wishing you a fun and successful tour.

"Well it's been fun, but I think I should get going," you say.

Suddenly the bus door swings open and Rebekah Mikaelson stands there. "It's about bloody time! Come on then. Let's get going."

You gape at the blonde Original and then turn towards an amused Elijah. "My surprise is your sister?"

"Yes. She finds that she quite likes our music and I find that I don't like you being all on your lonesome."

You purse your lips at him, grinning a moment later. "Well it could be worse. My chaperone could be Kol."

"He wanted to come," Rebekah muses, "but Elijah and I forbade it. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he purchases tickets for every concert just to be a nuisance."

You laugh. "That's fine. But are you sure you want to come with? I'm sure it'll be quite boring while on the bus, not to mention the rather cramped sleeping quarters."

"Positive. Besides, I've always wanted a sister." Your eyes widen and Rebekah laughs as Elijah pinches the bridge of his nose. "Now come on. We've got to get on the road so I can tell you everything embarrassing that's ever happened to Elijah."

#elijah x reader #elijah mikaelson x reader #elijah mikaelson imagine #the vampire diaries imagine #tvd imagine #the originals imagine #to imagine #elijah mikaelson #klaus mikaelson #elena gilbert #tyler lockwood #caroline forbes #bonnie bennett #the vampire diaries #the originals

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onestowatch · 3 years

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19 LGBTQIA+ Artists You Need to Listen to This PRIDE

PRIDE is all about self-empowerment and self-determination. It’s about not just being comfortable with who you are but showing the world that there is pride to be found in being unapologetically you. And that’s why, this PRIDE, we wanted to shine a light on a small handful of our favorite LGBTQIA+ artists. Ranging from rapturous hyperpop, revelatory bossa nova meditations, romantic rave music, and everywhere in between, these are 19 LGBTQIA+ artists who deserve a spot on your PRIDE playlist and every playlist for that matter.

girl in red

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In her debut single, “i wanna be your girlfriend,” a teenage girl in red unapologetically sings of young queer love over a mesh of lofi production and jangly instrumentation that would come to define much of the bedroom pop genre. It is a standout moment of unrelenting honesty, and a serenely simple three-minute confession that would go on to strike a chord with millions who were afraid of what it meant to be something more than friends. Now, a few years later and following the release of her critically-acclaimed debut album, if i could make it go quiet, Ulven still writes with that same emotional honesty, putting forth every ounce of herself for the world to see.

Meet Me @ The Altar

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“the little lonely black alt girl i was in the 00s is living rn, she never even dared to hope she might see this 💖💖,” reads the top comment on Meet Me @ The Altar’s music video for their single “Garden.” It is a sentiment shared by much of the rising band’s fanbase, who are used to the mainstream alternative scene championing cis white males. Existing in the space between pop-punk and hardcore, Meet Me @ The Altar exists to challenge the notion that queer women of color don’t have a place in punk. And after penning a record deal with Fueled By Ramen, home to the likes of Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, and nearly every pop-punk band that made up your middle school playlist, chances are this is just the beginning for our new favorite punks.

THE BLOSSOM

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For Lily Lizotte, better known as THE BLOSSOM, music exists as the synthesis and subsequent recontextualization of a host of past experiences. From the sound of their dad belting away in his home studio to stumbling upon niche Internet subgenres, THE BLOSSOM transforms all this and more into a sound that is instantly recognizable but impossible to perfectly place. The culmination of this host of influences takes sweeping sonic form on their debut EP, ‘97 BLOSSOM, a perfectly imperfect introduction to one of the most fascinating rising artists of recent memory.

BIMINI

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You may recognize BIMINI as Bimini Bon-Boulash, the runner-up on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. And now you should familiarize yourself with Bimini, brit-pop extraordinaire. Releasing their debut single “God Save This Queen” earlier this June, Bimini deftly channels late ‘90s brit-pop and punk to deliver a single that has us absolutely living for the ensuing chaos. Serving up multiple looks throughout its eye-catching music video, “God Save This Queen” is not just a non-binary anthem but a veritable 2021 lookbook.

Hope Tala

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With a sound that falls somewhere between turn-of-the-century R&B and bossa nova, Hope Tala’s music is expectedly a dream given sonic form. Perhaps that’s why much of the UK singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s music is able to so deftly weave imagery of love, heartache, and teenage fistfights into tightknit tracks that feel simultaneously transcendental and deeply personal. And with the release of her 2020 EP, Girl Eats the Sun, Hope Tala poses one all-important question, “Why have a life if you’re not going to do something crazy and make a difference in the world?”

chloe moriondo

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For much of chloe moriondo’s avid fanbase, watching her transform from budding ukulele sensation to pop-punk phenom very much meant watching her grow up. Getting her start on YouTube, moriondo's fanbase witnessed her evolve as both an artist and person. Coming out in the aptly titled “a ramble about self identity, growth, and being a lesbian,” to be a fan of the artist often feels like trading secrets with a close personal friend. It is a sentiment that rings all the more true upon delving into her debut album, Blood Bunny. Grappling with coming-of-age at the axis of empathic pop and euphoric pop-punk, Blood Bunny sees moriondo taking yet another impressive step forward.

Godford

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Little is known about Godford beyond what can be garnered from a handful of interviews online and his succinct Spotify bio, and chances are he’s happier that way. The anonymous DJ and producer aims to make non-binary music that exists outside of the confines of genres, overly-simplified classifications, and even himself. What is important are the emotions his music hold and what his listeners take away. Fusing romanticism and rave in his debut album, Godford: Non Binary Place, the anonymous artist does just that. He provides a space that exists simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, like an ephemeral night spent out on the dancefloor with a stranger or close friend.

Joy Oladokun

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Joy Oladokun is at the core of her music. It may at first glance appear to be a painfully obvious statement, but as her sincere songwriting seeps into every corner of your soul, it is a notion that becomes undeniable. In her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun writes with an unabashed authenticity, never turning a blind eye to the world around her. These shared reflections and recollections of life are often heartbreaking and uplifting in the same breath, but in their candidness, we can begin to piece together what it means to be human, imperfections and all.

Allison Ponthier

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Allison Ponthier may only have a handful of singles to her name, but her unmatched potential is clear as day. Raised in the outskirts of Dallas, Texas, Ponthier’s moving songwriting and emphatic vocal prowess speak to her country roots. Pair that country sensibility with some of the most pristine pop songwriting we have heard in quite some time, and you begin to understand just how exciting Ponthier is as a rising artist. With only two singles to date, there’s not much else we can say beyond do yourself a favor and play “Cowboy” on repeat.

Rina Sawayama

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It feels like no hyperbole to call Rina Sawayama an inevitable pop icon. First garnering critical acclaim with singles like “Cherry” and her 2017 debut EP RINA, the Japanese-British singer-songwriter staked her name on her immaculate ability to capture all the glamour and larger-than-life appeal of early ‘00s pop. Building on what was a nostalgic yet forward-thinking vision, Sawayama returned with her 2020 eponymous full-length debut. From nu-metal, club beats, to veritable pop anthems, SAWAYAMA emerged as a genre-defying showcase of an avant-garde pop star.

Arlo Parks

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Listening to Arlo Parks’ music is akin to sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea as you watch the world slowly pass by your living room window. It is a testament to the British poet and singer-songwriter’s subtle yet beautiful way with words, the way in which each lyric serves as a glance into a tightly-held memory or passing observation. These poetic musings come to life in her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, which layers lyrical revelations over some of the most tender R&B of recent memory. Parks’ is more than a must-listen; she feels like the birth of a new wave.

Claud

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Claud has spent the past few years making a name for themselves in the indie pop world, and the culmination of it all arrives in their debut album, Super Monster. The acclaimed album sees Claud reckoning with coming-of-age and love with an irresistible charm. Pair that with a penchant for grounded, affective songwriting and infectious, dreamlike melodies and you have one of the best debuts of recent memory. In case you somehow need any further convincing that Claud is one to watch, Super Monster marks the debut release from Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records.

UMI

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Equally as inspired by R&B and neo-soul as she is by her generation’s penchant for blurring genre lines, UMI and her music exist as a form of spiritual healing. Half-Black and half-Japanese, her work explores everything from identity to self-introspection, such as on the aptly-titled Introspection. It is a fondness for self-exploration that UMI delves headfirst into on her 2019 EP Love Language, a sublime blend of identity struggles, love, and anime that tackles the issue of always feeling like an other, never Black or Japanese enough.

Joesef

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Sad boy summer. It’s the simplest way to being explaining Joesef’s serene albeit somber sound. Emerging out of Glasgow, the quickly rising star often wears his still bleeding heart on his sleeve, even when the underlying sonics seem to be moving onto greener pastures. It is an exquisite balancing act that comes to life on his 2020 EP, Does It Make You Feel Good?. Blending elements of soft-spoken R&B, jazz, and ethereal pop, Joesef sets himself apart as an artist whose influences and appeal know no bounds.

Serena Isioma

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At the top of the year, we named Serena Isioma one of our top artists to watch in the year to come, and for good reason. The self-proclaimed “nonbinary rock star” experienced a breakout moment with “Sensitive,” a track that is difficult to perfectly encapsulate but think along the lines of fusing modern-day R&B and woozy indie-pop with reckless abandon, and you’ll be about halfway there. It was an impressive standout track that was only buoyed by a pair of EPs, Sensitive and The Leo Sun Sets, in 2020, officially cementing Isioma as an artist like no other.

Khai Dreams

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Khai Dreams’ music is effortlessly easygoing. With its straightforward guitar lines and understated production, every track from the Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter flows out as naturally as breathing. Maybe it’s that laid-back approach that begins to explains Khai Dreams’ universal appeal and millions of monthly listeners, despite releasing most of his music independently. A hallmark of the DIY generation and its massive homebrewed potential, it would be a crying shame if you didn’t let Khai Dream’s serene meditations transport you somewhere far from here.

Frances Forever

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Like much of their Gen Z cohorts, Frances Forever’s exponential rise was not the result of a well-executed marketing plan but by the pure chance of a single song finding a home online. The song in question, “Space Girl,” was originally part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Content before soon blowing up on TikTok, and it’s not hard to see why. Short, sweet, and to the point, “Space Girl” is a saccharine love letter to that bubbly feeling of floating on cloud nine. Now signed to Mom+Pop and with their debut EP, Paranoia Party, due out later this year, this is the perfect time to get familiar with Frances Forever.

Dorian Electra

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Unapologetically playing with gender norms and stereotypes while seeing just how far they can push the limits of pop, Dorian Electra has long maintained a cult following in the world of experimental, highly addictive hyperpop. And it’s not hard to see why. Having collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX, 100 gecs, Village People, Pussy Riot, Rebecca Black, and more, Electra’s music ranges from off-the-rails hyperpop to introspective pop slow burns. All of this and more reaches a fever pitch in their 2020 album My Agenda, a devious showcasing of one of pop’s most explosive figures.

MAY-A

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Maya Cumming, professionally known as MAY-A, is no stranger to the hustle it takes to make it in the music industry. The Australian artist got her start entering numerous singing competitions in her hometown of Byron Bay and started busking on the streets at the tender age of 11. Now, she has a breakout single under her belt in the form of “Apricots,” an anthemic indie-pop ode to queer love. And since that breakout moment, MAY-A has continued to release impressive single after single—the latest being the collaborative “American Dream.”

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aurora-daily · 3 years

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Aurora: “Fighting for the Earth is a fight for human rights”

Norwegian singer Aurora on saving the planet, her third album, and performing in anti-LGBTQ+ countries: “I want to play for everyone”.

"I don’t need a cure for me / I don’t need it” sings Norwegian songwriter Aurora in her new unapologetic anthem of self-acceptance. Her lead single, Cure For Me, is a radical jaunty pop affirmation that dismisses the need for outside approval, with Aurora herself being known for dancing to her own beat. An unquestioned innovator, the 25-year-old is best recognised for gracing listeners with fantastical narratives and otherworldly musical creations. Out on 21 January, Aurora’s upcoming third studio album, The Gods We Can Touch, is an outwardly expressive project that we’ve come to expect from the star. The young artiste ponders divine entities, a myriad of Greek mythologies, and worshipping humanity in her latest work: “It would make more sense if we worshipped and respected ourselves and nature as much as people respect their God,” she muses over Zoom.

Entangled in a musical metaphysical world, Aurora boldly treads through topics of the first creation, religion, and mortality. Unswayed, the singer-songwriter draws the listener in with her candid confessions: “I want to live my life, be all of its pages / And underline that I am not an angel”. Here her attitude is committedly her own — a trait that colours her progressivism. In self-effacing bluntness, the musician shares another personal truth on the call; “I’m going to die and you’re gonna die, and the planet will still be here. I don’t know why I care so much, I just do”. At her core, the 25-year-old cares deeply about the Earth. Its ruin is something she describes as “too sad” to let happen. Despite the seemingly bleak situation, the star is hopeful. “Our generation wants to save the soul of humankind. I refuse to let her die in our hands,” she promises. “Fighting for the Earth is a fight for human rights, for women and against racism.”

In her late teens, Aurora came into the spotlight after her 2015 watershed hit Runaway went mainstream. Since then, the Scandinavian artist has become accustomed to the glare of attention. “As someone with a voice, I understand there is a certain pressure to use it,” she admits, reflecting on her experience growing up with fame. “I feel bad for young artists as I know how hard it is to use your voice in a world where it’s so easy to say something wrong and get hanged for it.” Now, a few years senior, the singer has been respectfully adjusting how she uses her platform. “I am always trying to find the balance between talking about things I know and about things that are not really about me like systemic racism or the rights of trans people,” she explains on the call. “In these situations, I am a privileged person, and it’s more about giving and offering space, instead of replacing people’s voices that need to be heard.”

Now back in Norway, the star has been carving a space for herself online, especially on TikTok. Although admittedly weary of social media, labelling it “toxic”, Aurora has been reaching outward to create a “very safe” space where “people are only nice”. This unique universe of Aurora-based trends, song covers and scenic treks into the Norwegian landscape has become an online solace for many. Despite it being “a huge part of [my] job”, the artist realises how virtual living can be “so bad for our mental health” and steers away from it for the most part. When she is not ticking off label mandated posts or making friends online, the Conqueror singer takes time to reconnect with herself. “I get really affected by my surroundings so it’s been very special to write an album in Norway in peace and quiet,” she tells GAY TIMES. Recalling a two-hour boat trip to the ocean, Aurora found herself in southern Norway in the small province of Rosendal. In her eccentric style, the artist had decided to rent a small castle for a month where she wrote and recorded the album. “It has so much history and it felt really right making the album there,” she explains. “Making albums is my favourite thing to do in life. I’ve started my next album already. It’s been amazing to make an album from home. It’s a very playful album inspired by that urge of not being ashamed of wonderful things.”

Thinking back on her latest body of work, the singer pauses taking in her most recent progress; a whole new collection of tracks. “I have a few favourite moments,” she pauses. “I love when the music becomes an overwhelming wall of sound and emotion that hits you and you feel like dancing or screaming or running. The last track, A Little Place Called The Moon, is my favourite song from the album as it’s very spiritual”. Another poignant track bearing a lot of weight is Aurora’s single Cure For Me. The funky single came about as the artist began ruminating on the horrors of conversion therapy while on tour. “I was in Australia and about to go to Brazil, where I have a lot of gay fans. I sat down somewhere thinking about the world and love. I have gay fans all over the world, but especially in South America.” She acknowledges the country’s difficult political climate calling President Bolsonaro “the worst human in the world”. With her fans in mind, she continues: “I was thinking about conversion therapy and how many people have been through it. It’s still allowed in Norway, it’s not common, but it’s not forbidden. It’s heartbreaking, and I can’t imagine being told, again and again, every day, that who you are is so wrong and so terrible that you have to be cured. It’s just horrible.”

With art at her disposal, Aurora channelled her anguish into music. “I was inspired by the gay, trans and drag communities. No matter how much the world is against them, they still manage to put out so much joy and colour and light,” she expanded. “You see this again and again in so many individuals that choose love over hate, despite the world constantly fighting against them. Sometimes they’re in danger, but they still put out so much light and love.” Paying homage to them, the singer explains how their determination and strength became an inspiration for Cure For Me. “I see so much of it, especially in the LGBTQIA+ community, and it’s just beautiful. So, I wanted to make a song that is inspired by that kind of joy and self-celebration. The best way to fight hatred is to let them know that it has no power over you.”

As the conversation continues to turn, the subject of anti-LGBTQ+ countries crops up. Nodding, Aurora smiles confessing she has been thinking about this herself. As a bisexual artist, the singer understands the tension between music and politics. “I would never want to generalise an individual for something they can’t control like the country they were born in. Removing art from a place where art is needed will not benefit the people you’re actually trying to reach out to in those countries,” she says. It’s clear empathy and compassion rule her judgement (and her cause). “When I go to these countries, I speak so loudly about love and the right to love, which of course can be a bit dangerous sometimes. Artists have to do what they’re comfortable with. It’s not right to split us apart and create even more boundaries. When you go to places to see your fans, talk about light, hope and love openly with them, that creates a spark. All progress needs hope because apathy is the enemy of progress.”

As sporting events take hold in anti-LGBTQ+ countries and as stars cancel shows in locations where politics clash with their political interests, Aurora is taking her own route. “We should speak to our fans and not make them suffer because of their government. It just feels so unfair, especially with gay people in places like China, as it’s really dangerous for them there. It feels wrong to leave them,” she tells GAY TIMES. “The best thing to do is to go to them and talk. If I started cancelling countries then I couldn’t play anywhere, so where do you draw the line? I want to play for everyone.” Aurora’s stance is not surprising. In her single, Cure For Me, she repeatedly calls against the need for an antidote or cure for the community. “If you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and you’re lost, all alone, you have no one to talk to and no one to open up to, imagine what a lifeline it is to have an artist come to your country and to feel that connection with them,” she continues. “I have so many songs dedicated to love and the right to love. We – the LGBTQIA+ community – don’t even have to say it, but we can all have a strong moment together. They can look around the room and see many people that are like them.”

Impassioned with support for the community, the singer wraps up her ode to her most marginalised fans: she hopes they can find their joy and “playfulness” in such a difficult time. “It’s going to be hard for many people when the world opens up again, so I want people to be kind to themselves and understand that it’s okay to be extra anxious these days.” As we all enter a new year, the singer looks ahead at new beginnings and fresh starts. “I feel a mix of uncertainness, but also euphoria. It’s going to be absolutely fantastic because we get to experience things for the first time again,” she says. “I want [readers] to play more with life and to feel better about themselves and their accomplishments. I want people to have more fun in life because we’re only here for a little while and then we’re gone forever. I want people to feel freer in their skin, in their lives, in their hearts, their minds and open up to each other more.”

#aurora #aurora aksnes #interviews #the gods we can touch #A Little Place Called The Moon

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little-smartass · 3 years

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THE VAMPIRE LESTAT COVER ALBUM - the legendary Vampire Lestat is back and bigger and badder than ever, this time bringing a whole album of song covers ranging from classic bangers to newer fresh takes on chart hits! get your copy now, complete with a transcript of the artist's commentary on each song!

(songs I think Lestat would cover and release as an album in an attempt to re-kickstart his career and/or make some sort of dramatic statement to Louis. tracklist and "artist commentary" under the cut)

Survival - Muse

“And I’ll reveal my strength, to the whole human race, yes I am prepared, to stay alive, and I won’t forgive, and vengeance is mine, and I won’t give in, because I choose to thrive! Yeah I’m gonna win!”

Oh, I wish this song had been around back on that opening night at the Cow Palace - how apt that would have been! What a fucking anthem! They would have been rioting all night. I mean, they already were, but, like, because of the music. Not because vampires were being immolated in the middle of the crowd. Different kind of riot.

The Bitch Is Back - Elton John

“I’m a bitch, I’m a bitch, oh the bitch is back, stone cold sober as a matter of fact, I can bitch, I can bitch, ‘cause I’m better than you, it’s the way that I move, the things that I do!”

One day I want to have this play as I walk into Night Island. I’ll time it perfectly so that I throw off my coat - my denim jacket, or- oh, no, a fur! Maximum drama! - just as the chorus starts. Armand will know that I’m coming of course, but I think that’ll just make it even better. And I have good memories to this song... [muffled question] Sorry, gentlemen don’t kiss and tell, bébé. [laughter]

Everybody Loves Me - OneRepublic

"Oh my, feels just like I don’t try, look so good I might die, all I know is everybody loves me, head down, swaying to my own sound, flashes in my face now, all I know is everybody loves me”

Look, do I even need to explain this one? Didn’t think so.

Bad Reputation - Joan Jett

"I don't give a damn ‘bout my reputation, I've never been afraid of any deviation, and I don't really care if you think I'm strange, I ain't gonna change - and I'm never gonna care bout my bad reputation"

This one's fairly self-explanatory again. It could have been my personal anthem when I was mortal quite honestly. And it's an awful lot of fun to jump about and headbang to, don't you think? That's a new thing I've found out about, headbanging. People have been hopping about to music looking like fools for centuries but now there's a name for it. Fantastic.

bad guy - Billie Eilish

"I’m that bad type, make your mama sad time, make your girlfriend mad type, might seduce your dad time… I’m the bad guy. Duh.”

Creepy? Check. Sexy? Check. Tongue-in-cheek? Check check. This song was great and a lot of fun to cover.

Lover to Lover - Florence + the Machine

“I believe there’s no salvation for me now, no space among the clouds, and I feel I’m heading down, but that’s alright, that’s alright, that’s alright”

I don’t know, this one just felt very relevant. Also the piano was great to do. You might have noticed that I’ve picked a lot of songs with piano, and that’s because I bullied the studio into getting me a goooooorgeous grand piano for the recording space and I wanted to use it as much as possible!

Feeling Good - Muse

“Stars when you shine, you know how I feel, scent of the pine, you know how I feel, oh freedom is mine, and I know how I feel”

I just really like this song - I’ve done a cover of an excellent cover! Can- can you put emojis in this? Do people still use emojis? Well imagine I’ve put the shrug one. Wait, isn’t there- Daniel, Daniel, come here, isn’t there a shrug emoji made up of keyboard- [muffled words] yes! The shrug one! Yes, put that in the transcription. [ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ] I just like this song.

The Man - The Killers

“I got gas in the tank, I got money in the bank, I got news for you baby, you're looking at the man, I got skin in the game, I got a household name, I got news for you baby, you're looking at the man”

I feel like this one speaks for itself too. Can you put that shrug emoji thing in here again? [ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ] Yes!

J'ai Pas Envie - MIKA

J'ai pas envie, de faire comme si, comme les maris, qui disent oui, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie d'te faire plaisir, j'ai pas envie, j'ai pas envie, si tu m'aimes viens me le dire"

Look, I'm not going to translate the whole song for you, because it has all this clever wordplay you just totally lose in english… but the gist of it is that these two lovers are… at odds a lot. It's… it's maybe a little spiteful [laughter] but in a fun way! It's a fun song! Louis won't even be mad about it, it's MIKA.

Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy - Queen

"When I'm not with you, think of you always (I miss those long hot summer nights), when I'm not with you, think of me always, always"

[Long pause] God, I miss Freddie.

Let 'Em Talk - Kesha

Ah, full disclosure - I put this song in purely because of the expression Louis made when I played it in the car and it got to the line “can suck my dick” and she did that popping noise… it was incredible, and I just knew I had to cover it so I could see his expression when I said that. I can’t wait to play it to him. [laughter]

So What - P!nk

"So so what, I'm still a rockstar, I got my rock moves, and I don't need you, and guess what? I'm having more fun, and now that we're done, I'm gonna show you tonight, I'm alright, I'm just fine, (and you're a tool, so)"

I'm actually a big fan of nineties and noughties female stars - all that grrrrrrrl power, it's great fun, you know? I'd say this one is fairly self-explanatory, because I am still a rockstar! This is my new album! Fuck you EMP and your sniffy little article calling me "washed up"!

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

"But it was not your fault but mine, and it was your heart on the line, I really fucked it up this time, didn't I my dear?"

This one could be self-deprecating, but it's also very vindictively angry at the same time, and that's a combination I definitely get. Like, oh, it's my fault, isn't it? It's my fucking fault again, what a surprise. Perhaps "learn from your mother or you'll spend your days biting your own neck" is a little on the nose… [muffled words] you've read my books, right? [muffled words] Good, good.

Missy - The Airbourne Toxic Event

"But I swear there's still some good in me, I think if you'd stuck around you'd see, all the botched attempts at integrity I once had"

Oh, I was feeling philosophical when I picked this one. No, philosophical isn't the right word… melancholy? Do people still use that word? "I swear I swear I swear I'll never get sad" is both furiously defiant and yet so self-defeatingly ironic. [Exasperated noise] Enough of that. Next!

Please Don't Leave Me - P!nk

"I don't know if I can yell any louder, how many times have I kicked you out of here, or said something insulting? I can be so mean when I wanna be, I am capable of nearly anything, when my heart is broken… (please, please don't leave me)"

Oh, we’re… we’re getting to this section now. [clearing throat] Well, I have to make up for that sucking dick line, don’t I? Get a bit vulnerable. Oh God, why did I decide to do this bit? [muffled words] [bad chicago accent] But why buy the cow? Because you love him, you really do. [sigh, laughter]

Next To Me - Imagine Dragons

"Oh, I always let you down, shattered on the ground, still I find you there, next to me, and oh, the stupid things I do, I'm far from good it's true, still I find you, next to me"

Why did I- I don’t remember putting so many of these ones in.

Run To You - Pentatonix

"I've been settling scores, I've been fighting so long, but I've lost your war, and our kingdom is gone... how shall I win back your heart which was mine? I have broken bones and tattered clothes, I've run out of time"

[Sigh] [clears throat] Yeah. I think we can move onto the next one.

Love of My Life - Queen

“Love of my life, don't leave me, you've stolen my love, you now desert me, love of my life, can't you see? Bring it back, bring it back, don't take it away from me, because you don't know, what it means to me”

I play this one sometimes on my baby grand when we've had a fight, and it's impossible for him to stay angry. He's a sucker for this sort of… formality in romance. God, I wish I'd realised that earlier. If I'd written him a letter in fancy copperplate script with scented paper and enclosed rose petals politely requesting him to bend me over his desk back in the day, it might not have taken two centuries of mutual blue balls for us to figure our shit out. Ah well, live and learn… as it were. [muffled words] Look, I did a whole bunch of vulnerable songs! Now I get to make sex jokes! [laughter] oh fuck off.

#Lestat de lioncourt #loustat #vampire chronicles #dead disasters #my mixes

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bisluthq · 3 years

Text

hi nat! i know you don’t believe in kaylor anymore, but i wanted to send in my kaylor/joshlie theory, just as food for thought and fun speculation.

CW: ED

background:

back in 2017, i made a new friend. i quickly became kinda obsessed with her. i idolized how tall and skinny she was, her radiant sunshine-like presence, and the way she was so much cooler than me. something about her just drew me in like a magnet.

one day she told me that she was “bi-curious,” and i felt the unexplainable urge to tell her that i was queer too—so i did.

thus started our intense homoerotic friendship. we talked about everything, and she was rather touchy and flirty with me (we even hooked up a few times). but she was hung up on this dude who she’d been in a long-term off-and-on relationship with. looking back, i think she saw me as a willing participant in her experimentation phase—a source of casual fun while on a break from her ‘real’ relationship (plus, i came with the added bonus of helping her figure out her sexuality a bit).

meanwhile, i was serious about us because i was in love with her. as such, the relationship was obviously very unhealthy: neither of us had appropriate expectations of the other, and because of the imbalance in our level of commitment/love, she ended up inadvertently taking advantage of my friendship in ways that only increased my obsession with her. naturally, our friendship eventually imploded.

i think the kaylor story may look similar.

my theory on kaylor:

i think that kaylor had a very similar friendship as me and my friend. their connection obviously started out as pr, but they ended up getting along well and bonded. thus started their genuine friendship.

i think that their eating disorders were likely a strong source of bonding/connection for them, as this was the case for me and my friend as well. i wanted to emulate how skinny my friend was, just how i think taylor wanted to emulate how skinny karlie was. (remember the vogue best best friends video, in which taylor complemented karlie’s “shiny abs.”) this is obviously an unhealthy place to start a friendship: from day one, you are on uneven ground, where one person is essentially worshipping the other and seeing them as a god-like figure to emulate.

imagine that taylor in that sort of mindset with karlie. and on top of that, she’s attracted to karlie—obsessed with her skinny body, her sunshine-like personality, how sophisticated she is, how effortlessly successful she is, etc. she develops an infatuation with karlie. she wants to take karlie to big sur with her and play 1989 on the way, and she’s so obsessed with karlie that she wants to tell her the truth about the 1989 muse. (trust me, it’s feasible—i told my friend shit i’d never have even imagined confessing to another human, all because of how infatuated with her i was.) so taylor and karlie sit down, have an intensely emotional conversation about how taylor is bi, how the pressures of staying closeted gut her every day, how her relationship with the 1989 muse dianna was so full of strife due to closeting, etc. /// or maybe taylor feels that she must disclose her bisexuality to karlie before the big sur trip. she’s terrified that if she doesn’t tell karlie she’s bi, then karlie will somehow find out. and taylor’s afraid that then, karlie will be creeped out that a ~predatory lesbian~ invited her on a three-month sleepover, leading to the demise of their friendship. so taylor must avoid that outcome – so she must come out to karlie.

so, for either reason i described, taylor comes out to karlie. considering how scared taylor is to come out to karlie (since it might ruin their friendship, or karlie might maliciously out her to others now that she knows, etc.) and considering how generally poor taylor’s mental health was at the time, the coming out inevitably evolves into an intensely emotional conversation about taylor’s fears, insecurities, the pressures of being a closeted mega-celebrity, etc. perhaps karlie feels compelled to match the level of emotion and vulnerability, motivating her to tell taylor “i’m questioning if i might be a little bi too.” or perhaps taylor’s level of earnestness and rawness stirs up the illusion of intense emotions inside of karlie. so, karlie “comes out” to taylor – confessing that she’s questioning/bi-curious (for context, i think karlie is kinsey 1). /// (to show the validity of this possibility – this is how evangelical churches, such as the one shown in the 2006 documentary “jesus camp”, are able to convince children that they’re being overcome by the holy spirit, being prompted by god to break down in tears, etc. – psychologically speaking, when people are put into highly intense emotional situations, [such as taylor breaking down while coming out to karlie], their brains will feel inadvertent pressure to match the level of emotion. as such, their brains will either exacerbate existing relevant emotions, or create the illusion of relevant strong emotions. [this is probably especially true for karlie, since she is an empath and a people pleaser.]).

thus starts the “friends with occasional benefits” stage. karlie views the relationship as something casual, something that gal pals do sometimes, something fun to experiment with while she and josh are on a break, and maybe with the added bonus of helping her figure out if she’s actually a little bit queer.

but taylor falls hard. as i already said, i think taylor was infatuated with karlie’s personality, success, and skinniness. that’s why taylor is willing to engage in such an unhealthy and un-reciprocal relationship: she’s willing to tolerate josh’s presence, because her brain is so fixated on karlie that she’s willing to endure anything for her. taylor may even recognize that kaylor is doomed, but she’s so in love/obsessed that she can’t bring herself to care about anything other than the utter infatuation she feels in this present moment. (this was true of me and my friend – my friend would literally vent to me about her long-term on-again-off-again boyfriend, and i was willing to endure it because of how obsessed with her i was.) or maybe taylor’s somewhat in denial about josh. (this was also true of me and my friend – i had such a hard time conceptualizing that she had feelings for the man that my brain, to some extent, refused to fully grasp the reality of that.) or maybe taylor was even in denial about how intensely she loved karlie, convincing herself that she just really valued her platonic friendship (i also did this – it took me months to admit that i had a crush on my friend and admit that my level of obsession wasn’t normal gal pal behavior – even though i was already out to myself.) also keep in mind the eating disorder dynamic here – taylor looked to karlie as an idol regarding how to eat healthy, exercise, be skinny, and be successful. the mindset of people engaged in eating disorders tends to be obsessive and unhealthy to the extent of being willing to ignore reality / unknowingly refusing to accept reality, possibly including the reality of josh, if taylor feels like her skinniness is dependent on her connection with karlie.

so basically, karlie sees this as a gal pal fling, friends with the occasional casual benefit. taylor, conversely, is infatuated with karlie. one thing that really confirms this for me is kissgate. taylor was liking kaylor shipped tumblr posts shortly before kissgate – she obviously was feeling something for karlie that night. but karlie wasn’t committed to taylor to the same level – yes they (allegedly) made out, but karlie made out with josh immediately afterwards. /// to taylor, kaylor is a ship, an endgame. but to karlie, taylor is just a fun little pit stop, and she’s gonna go make out with her real boyfie immediately after.

eventually, the friendship inevitably implodes, leading to their breakup in 2016. some straw finally breaks the camel’s back on this relationship which was unhealthy and doomed from day 1.

now let’s look at lyrical evidence from repuation that supports my theory.

lyrical evidence from reputation:

ready for it

the bearding anthem. verses “he” are joe, as confirmed by the music video. chorus “you” is her fantasy idealized version of long-term kaylor.

there’s a reason that the “you” relationship (in the chorus) is happening IN HER DREAMS and not in real life – she pines for this committed and serious relationship with karlie, but that’s not reality.

but taylor has hope that it might happen – “i know i’m gonna be with you, so I TAKE MY TIME.” she imagines they’ll be friends-to-lovers, and she’s willing to wait as long as necessary for them to fully reach that lovers stage

this is a stretch, but “thief”/“robber” may refer to how she’s “stealing” karlie from josh lol. “touch me and you’ll never be alone” may also be a cheeky reference how taylor was like a temporary placeholder for josh – when karlie felt alone bc she and josh were on a break, taylor was like “touch me karlie, to keep you occupied while josh has left you alone. and oh yeah, if you end up in a relationship with me, then i promise that you’ll never be alone, bc i will commit to you, unlike that josh boy. i will be so much better than him, if you just let me.”

end game (but only the chorus/verse which taylor wrote)

“i WANNA be your endgame” – taylor is not in a committed relationship with karlie. as karlie sees it, they’re just fooling around. but taylor wants more than that: she wants to be karlie’s endgame.

“you and me would be a big conversation” bc they’re gay. (sorry joseph matthew alwyn, this line is not about you)

“i don’t wanna touch you …… like the other girls do” may be a reference to how karlie is gal pals with plenty of her female friends (example – her platonic yet very affectionate relationship with toni garrn). but taylor wants more than that – she wants their touches to be romantic rather than just platonic/occasionally casually sexual.

“i don’t wanna hurt you” – taylor fears that she’s bad news for karlie (a sentiment repeated in the first line of delicate, the bridge of i did something bad, etc.). this may be internalized homophobia – the predatory lesbian falls in love with her pure/innocent straight best friend and then corrupts her with homosexuality.

“but i ain’t tryna play” – taylor wants this relationship to be more than just the occasional fun/playful/casual hook up. she wants to be karlie’s end game.

“i hit you like ‘bang’, we tried to forget it, but we just couldn’t” may refer to the first time they hooked up. it was unexpected, just happened so suddenly (“like ‘bang’”). and they were just going to put it past them – sometimes friends hook up, it’s whatever. but taylor can’t move on from it.

“your body is gold” – self-explanatory. karlie is the gold rush girl, after all.

“you’ve been calling my bluff on all my usual tricks” reminds me of how i used to try to communicate my seriousness/love to my friend, but she’d laugh it off and assume i was joking. conversely, perhaps the “trick” is that taylor is pretending that she’s not super invested in karlie—maybe karlie is catching on to the fact that taylor is infatuated with her in a ~gay way~. taylor denies it, but karlie calls her bluff on that statement.

“here’s the truth from my red lips” – but in the music video, her lips aren’t red when she says this line. this may allude to all of the lying involved in her relationship with karlie (such as lying about just how in love with karlie she really was). or taylor may have her lips a different color because the truth has changed from the time she wrote this song to the time she’s filming the video – when she wrote this song, it was true that she wanted to be karlie’s endgame. but by the time rep era is here and they’re filming this video, the kaylor friendship is over, and it is no longer true that taylor wants to be karlie’s endgame.

i did something bad

just like in “ready for it”, i think the verses primarily refer to bearding (or maybe calvin/kimye, idk), but the chorus is about karlie.

“they say did something bad / then why’s it feel so good” – it is bad that she slept with karlie despite the fact that karlie is in a complicated long term relationship with josh. but the sex felt good ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

“and i’d do it over and over and over again / IF I COULD” – this implies that taylor only did ~the bad thing~ a few times, and she was unable to do it more times, even though she wanted to. this lines up with my theory that she and karlie hooked up a few times (casually in karlie’s eyes), but taylor wanted it to be more than just a few times (she wanted to be karlie’s endgame). but they couldn’t get to that committed place of routinely having sex bc karlie was still low key hung up on josh.

this is a very unlikely reach but – “he says ‘don’t throw away a good thing’” – “he” might be josh speaking to karlie about their relationship.

in the bridge, taylor says that she is a witch being unjustly burned. the witch is burned because she is being accused of the sin of dark magic – this parallels josh accusing taylor of being a witch who committed the sin of sleeping with his girlfriend, or maybe even the sin of “corrupting” the pure straight girl karlie. furthermore, the bridge invokes religious imagery of purgatory. and tbh, religious imagery is almost always gay xoxo.

don’t blame me

“don’t blame me, love made me crazy” again implies that taylor has committed a sort of ~crime~, such as the ~crimes~ i just mentioned regarding the don’t blame me bridge.

“my drug is my baby” – the drug reference makes me think of dependency. the obsession and infatuation i experienced with my friend (and that i suspect taylor experienced with karlie) is sort of like a drug dependency – and just like a drug dependency, the need for each other is not reciprocal (the drug does not need you back).

“shaking, pacing, i just need you” implies that taylor does not have “you”, which is consistent with my theory that she wanted kaylor to be endgame whereas karlie was only willing to doing occasional gal pal hook ups.

“for you, i would cross the line” / “they say she’s gone too far this time” – sleeping with josh kushner’s ~innocent straight~ girlfriend certainly crosses a line, lol.

“i would waste my time” – as i mentioned in my ready for it analysis, taylor hopes that kaylor be friends-to-lovers. she’s willing to wait as long as necessary for them to fully reach that lovers stage, even though she recognizes that the relationship is doomed and thus a waste of time.

“my name is whatever you decide” – we don’t have to “girlfriends.” we can just be “friends with benefits” or “gal pals” or whatever name you decide, because i am so desperate to have you at all that i will accept you in any form.

“i’m insane, but i’m your baby” – acknowledging that this unhealthy relationship/infatuation she has with karlie is “insane”

“halo hiding my OBSESSION” – “obsession” (!!!!) (that’s what i’ve been saying kaylor was!!!). also, “halo” is a religious metaphor, and religious metaphors are always gay xoxo. and this is a reach, but as a victoria’s secret angel, karlie wears a halo.

“i once was poison ivy, but now i’m your daisy” – i’m sorry, but i’ll never get over the fact that karlie tagged the daisy as taylor, and then taylor drew a picture of a daisy in an identical position above the word “daisy” in the handwritten lyrics.

“for you, i would fall from grace / just to touch your face” – religious metaphors are gay xoxo!

delicate – unsure if this song is about karlie (i think it’s more likely about lily or even joe), but if it is about karlie, it does align well with my kaylor theory.

“this ain’t for the best” – doomed relationship due to josh, corruption of straight girl, karlie won’t commit, etc.

“we can’t make / any promises” – karlie can’t commit to taylor like taylor wants/needs

“is it cool that i said all that? is it chill that you’re in my head? cuz i know that it’s delicate” – is it cool that i have gay feelings for you, bestie, because i know we’re toeing a very delicate line between friends and lovers?

“third floor on the west side” – iirc, the master bedroom of karlie’s west side apartment was on the third floor

“do the girls back home touch you like i do?” – contrasting platonic girls’ touches to the type of touch taylor is giving her. (similar vibe to “i don’t wanna touch you …… like the other girls do” in end game)

“stay here, honey, I DON’T WANNA SHARE” – i don’t wanna share you with josh

“I PRETEND YOU’RE MINE ALL THE DAMN TIME” – implies that karlie is not hers all the time (because she’s josh’s)

“i like you …… i want you” – taylor is Yearning™ for a deeper/more serious relationship with karlie

look what you made me do

i don’t think this song has much substance, but it may draw on themes/emotions from the kaylor friendship break up.

“i don’t like your games” – i don’t like how you led me on, making me feel like we could be forever when, in reality, you were never going to commit to me because you loved josh

“don’t like your tilted stage” – this reminds me of the power imbalance i mentioned earlier: taylor was obsessed with karlie and idolized her. karlie did not reciprocate this dedication and infatuation. because taylor’s love for karlie is so much more intense than karlie’s love for her, the metaphorical scale is imbalanced, making it tilt.

“the role you made me play, of the fool” – you made me out to be a fool, ready to confess my undying love even though you could never reciprocate. // furthermore, the “role” may refer to how they had to act like platonic girl squad besties as per their pr arrangement (reminds me of how karlie publicly said “taylor and i are still besties” after karlie’s name wasn’t on the junior jewels shirt in the lwymmd mv, how karlie promo-ed the “Me!” filter on Instagram, the song closure, etc.)

“your perfect crime” – the crime of sleeping with taylor despite being low key still with josh

“i got smarter” – i began to realize how unhealthy this warped and imbalanced friendship was

“you asked me for a place to sleep / locked me out and threw a feast” – this may refer to karlie had a ~designated bestie sleepover room~ in taylor’s house, and that enty blind about how karlie used taylor’s credit card and that caused a feud lol

i do not think that “so it goes” is about karlie – it’s too reciprocal. i don’t think gorgeous is about karlie specifically – maybe lily or just women in general. and i agree with andy’s theory that getaway car is more so an exercise in storytelling than a song that contains substantive clues about her relationships.

king of my heart

we have the photos showing that taylor wrote/recorded this after facetiming with karlie to watch the sunset together. taylor wrote this right after that romantic coded date, presumably during a high point of their friendship/relationship – as such, this song is more idealistic than most other kaylor songs. taylor is hopeful about the future of a committed endgame kaylor. (but, we’ll also see that taylor does still have some insecurities about kaylor.)

“now you try on calling me baby like trying on clothes” – karlie is just “trying on” calling her baby. karlie is new to this whole wlw thing, and she won’t be wearing these metaphorical clothes (a wlw relationship) for long – she’s just trying them on. furthermore, “trying on clothes” may reference how karlie is a model.

“salute to me, i’m your american queen” – i think i remember from my ttb days (derogatory) that there’s a video clip of karlie calling taylor “the perfect all-american girl” whilst doing a salute.

“you move to me like a motown beat” may reference the “motown beats” instagram post where kaylor are putting on lipstick together

the fact that taylor includes the line “all the boys and their expensive cars … never took me quite where you do” may be a sign of taylor’s insecurity. i think this may be a message to karlie – ‘yes, josh is a rich boy with expensive cars, but look, we are so much better than joshlie is.’ calling josh a mere “boy” is also a funny little insult – he’s not a man, he’s just some silly little boy who can’t satisfy you like i can.

“body and soul” – i think it might be significant that taylor specifies body AND soul. they’re already connected by the soul through their close friendship – but now they’re connecting sexually with their bodies as well. conversely, this could reference how they’ve already connected bodily through casual gal pal hook ups, but now taylor believes that they’re starting to connect on that romantic soul level as well.

“school girl crush” gives me such unreciprocated crush vibes. maybe taylor’s crush was unreciprocated for a while, but she has reason to believe that their relationship is growing into ~more than just friends~, as she’s desired

“drinking beer out of plastic cups” – knicks game

“say you fancy me, not fancy stuff” – “fancy” could just be straight-bait to make swiftwyn beards look more convincing, or it could be a re-dedication of the song to joe (just how the bridge of dress re-dedicated that song to joe). (for context, i believe in swiftwyn beards-to-lovers.) but what’s important here is that “fancying stuff” made me think of how, as a model, karlie is like madona’s Material Girl. rich boy josh with his fancy cars can give karlie more “stuff” to satisfy her inner material girl, but taylor wants to show karlie that she can give her deeper fulfillment than that.

“this is enough” – this might be taylor reassuring herself that their relationship, despite being in a weird ~gal pals who hook up occassionally~ is enough. even though they’re not ~girlfriends~, the relationship is enough, because taylor believes that they’re working their way towards that ~body and soul endgame wives~ type of relationship.

“all at once” may refer to a seemingly sudden shift in the nature of their relationship – one day, they’re (infuriatingly) just gal pals who hook up, but all of a sudden, taylor has reason to believe/hope that maybe they’re starting to be more than that, maybe inching their way towards endgame territory.

i do not think that dancing with our hands tied is necessarily about karlie. it seems too reciprocal to be just about her; it might be an amalgamation of many relationships and how she frequently fears being outed.

dress

“a golden tattoo” – drake’s party. also, karlie is gold rush girl

“all of this silence, pining and anticipation / my hands are shaking from holding back from you / all of this silence, pining and desperately waiting” – once again implies that taylor does not have karlie the way she wants her. there’s “pining” because she wants more than karlie can give. and taylor is “desperately waiting” in hopes that maybe one day karlie will reciprocate her love to the full extent that she desires

“i don’t want you like a best friend” – self-explanatory

“carve your name into my bedpost” – taylor is making a request – ‘please commit, please leave a sign that you are committed to me forever, please be my endgame.’ note the dichotomy between this plea for karlie to take the initiative to make the carving, versus the statement in the first verse of how karlie inadvertently left “an indentation in the shape of” her. the indentation was not an act of karlie’s chosen will – taylor just so happened to fall in love with her, and now she’s asking karlie to reciprocate by making that carving.

“inescapable, i’m not even gonna try” – taylor is resigned to the fact that she’s fallen for karlie, even though the relationship might be doomed (as the next line demonstrates)

“if I get burned, at least we were electrified” – taylor is acknowledging that this relationship is low key doomed, and if anyone is going to get hurt, it’ll be taylor. taylor will be the one getting “burned” by the intensity of her infatuation, whereas karlie won’t be burned because she never reciprocated that intense love. /// going back to my commentary on “carve your name into my bedpost” – note how taylor frequently references karlie “claiming” her (with “marks”, “indentations”, “carvings”, and now “burns”), whereas taylor never states that she’s claimed karlie in any way. i think this may reflect taylor’s recognition that she has fallen much harder for karlie than karlie has for her. karlie does not bear marks, indentations, carvings, or burns from their relationship, because she was never as committed as taylor was. but taylor bears all those things because it is she who fell so hard for karlie.

“you kiss my face and we’re both drunk” reminds me of that trope where the gal pals only make out when they’re drunk because they’re convinced they’re actually straight. maybe karlie is one of those straight girls who only has so much capacity for wlw sex, meaning that it happens more often when she’s drunk than when sober.

i do not think that “this is why we can’t have nice things” is a direct karlie song. it may indirectly reference how karlie “broke” the “nice thing” that was their relationship by refusing to commit, but i don’t think that the song has anything substantive to show us about kaylor.

i’m not sure if i think “call it what you want” is a kaylor song. on some level, “fit like a daydream” does sound like eating disorder taylor idolizing karlie’s body, and it’s interesting to me how the subject of the song expresses virtually no devotion to taylor, whereas taylor spends the whole song telling the subject “call it what you want – call us girlfriends, gal pals, whatever you want as long as i can keep you.” this reminds me a bit of kaylor.

new year’s day

“don’t read the last page” because i know that this book has a sad ending. this relationship is doomed, and it’s going to end poorly. but let’s put that out of our minds – i’m to infatuated with you in this moment to think about how this will inevitably end.

“i stay when you’re lost and i’m scared and you’re turning away” – when karlie is “lost” (leaving taylor to go back to josh) or “turning away” from taylor to go back to josh, taylor stays. she’s scared that she’s going to lose karlie, but she’s still going to stay, because she’s willing to “waste her time” (don’t blame me) waiting for karlie to choose her.

“i stay when it’s hard or it’s wrong or we’re making mistakes” – taylor is willing to stay through the mess of their imbalanced and un-reciprocal relationship even when that inevitably gets hard. their relationship is “wrong” because karlie is josh’s, and maybe kaylor was a mistake because of joshlie, but taylor doesn’t care – she loves karlie too much, so she’s going to stay and wait for karlie to choose her.

“i WANT your midnights” – implying that taylor does not currently have them, because karlie is not reciprocating the level of love taylor is giving and wants in return.

“hold on to the memories” implies that this relationship will be ending soon (because it is doomed), leaving karlie only memories to hold onto.

“i will hold onto you” – this goes back to the theme of taylor’s obsession. karlie is her drug – she’s addicted to her, and she will “waste her time” eternally waiting for karlie to choose her because she’s that obsessed with her.

“please don’t ever become a stranger” – why is taylor worrying about this? because the relationship is doomed, and becoming strangers feels like this horrible yet inevitable ending that will be a part of “the last page”

thanks for reading, and sorry about any typos!

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SUBMISSION

I found this as part of my Insta ask era but let’s look over this for thoughts. Haven’t read it yet but I know anon was stressed it got lost (it did because y’all talk too much but also don’t stop I love it).

#nat talks kaylor #submission

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