#(not least because there's a wide range of vibes that feel right...)

[justashadetalkative]

send🎧(or “music”)+ Diamond to find out what songs/style of songs inspire receiver’s writing of that character!

Inspiration Asks

As with many of my characters, I do have a playlist for Diamond! (Favorite ones from there are Half-Decade Hangover and Good Grief :D)

But that playlist is short, chronological, and strongly narrative-focused. For more general vibes, some other songs that actively inspire me to write for him are:

This Year by the Mountain Goats

Bones in the Ocean by The Longest Johns

The Day It Fell Apart by Leslie Fish

Holding On To You by Twenty One Pilots

Devil On My Shoulder by Billy Talent

Better in the Morning by Birdtalker

Children's Work by Dessa

I've No More Fucks To Give by Thomas Benjamin Wilde Esq.

Take This Waltz (Paris Version) by Leonard Cohen

Small Hands by Keaton Henson

Crayola Doesn't Make a Color for Your Eyes by Kristin Andreassen

Amsterdam by Imagine Dragons

Otherwise, classic rock often makes me think of him -- it's the dad workshop vibes sdlfkdhsg. (...have another playlist. ^_^;)

Songs by the artist Muse often put me in mind of him as well! Though like with the classic rock it's more that I think it's music Diamond would like rather than the songs themselves actually feeling fitting to him, ahah.

[biteofcherry]

A little slice of something sweet&spicy for @alexakeyloveloki on her bithday! 🍰🎉💗

A follow-up to Cherry

soft!dark enforcer Steve Rogers x female reader

warnings: soft!dark Steve; hints of power imbalance; hint of innocence/corruption kink; hint of breeding kink; explicit se*ual situations;

You swallowed nervously as you walked up to the door of an expensive-looking house in the hills. The gate was wide open, two dark cars parked in the driveway. There was no sign of Steve's camaro, but maybe it was hidden in the huge garage in the separate building you passed.

The house looked like a renovated mid-century style and though you couldn't see it, you suspected there was a big swimming pool in the backyard.

The thought of which instantly created an image of Steve emerging from it - water dripping down his sculpted body, shimmering on the colorful ink of his tattoos.

You still haven't seen them, only the glimpse of those stretching up to his wrists and over his neck.

Jesus, you closed your eyes, once again feeling a wave of shame wash over you.

You met Steve two days ago. He was a complete stranger, with an aura of darkness that should make you run away.

Instead, you flew to him like a moth to a flame.

You allowed him to consume you the very first time you met him; hell, you were still trembling at the memory of the way he fucked you in his car, then right outside your apartment.

It could be just an adventure. A crazy one time thing you can brag about to your friends, for once having something really spicy to talk of.

But you kept the little piece of paper with Steve's address and dolled yourself up to meet him on the day he asked you.

Though the voice of reason yelled at you to at least have some doubts, you didn't hesitate for a single second as you put on a cute summer dress, a pair of bow sandals, and pink panties that already had a little wet spot, because you couldn't help thinking about what Steve was going to do to you on your date.

Nothing happened for a long moment after you rang the doorbell, your nervousness heightening in fear of being ignored. But then the door opened and you lifted up your gaze to look at a tall, bulky blonde man in what could be only described as surfer's style attire.

His long, wavy hair matched that vibe as well.

"Well, hello there." He grinned. "Whatever you're selling, I'm buying two of it."

A small laugh escaped your lips, which seemed to make the huge hunk's smile widen.

"I'm- um, I'm supposed to meet Steve," you explained, clenching your fingers tighter around your purse.

"Ah, the five o'clock meeting he wouldn't disclose the details of. Come on in." The guy moved aside to let you pass. "He's finishing a previous meeting, but I'm sure he'll be happy to know you're already waiting."

He led you through the sunny house to an ajar door, through which you could hear scraps of conversation.

Steve's voice you recognized right away.

He spoke firmer than when he was talking to you, giving clipped commands and harsh critique. You'd never want him to use that tone with you.

"Your next meeting is here." Surfer guy simply walked inside the office.

He moved to take a seat in one of the chairs, while you stood there in the open door like a deer caught in headlights.

You felt like that, too.

Because the moment you stepped in the doorway of the office, your eyes landed right on Steve.

He was sitting behind a desk, his dark green shirt unbuttoned halfway and the sleeves rolled up. More tattoos were on display, as well a tiny glint of a golden chain around his neck.

His blue eyes zeroed in on you; his gaze moved up your body slowly, taking every inch as if he was already imagining every single detail of what he was going to do to you and how will you look taking it all.

Then his attention shifted to a group of men sprawled on a couch on the side of the office.

"Your incompetence made me late for my date." He said to them and there wasn't even a slightest hint of playfulness to his tone.

He made it sound as if they did a severe offence to him and he was a step away from making them pay for it.

You had no idea what line of work Steve dabbed in, but it sounded like a serious business with dire consequences. Now you felt like you were an intruder who should leave, or else Steve's annoyance will shift to you.

However, when Steve's eyes returned to you, the steely glint in them morphed into softness.

"Come here, Cherry," he slid his chair back and motioned for you to walk over to him.

Your heartrate quickened as you felt eyes on you when you fully stepped inside. You tried not to glance at any of the other men in the room, instead allowing Steve to hold your gaze and lure you into his flame.

You let out a surprised gasp when Steve pulled you into his lap the moment you rounded the desk.

One of your hands touched his chest as you braced yourself at the sudden change in position. Steve's skin was warm beneath your fingers, dark blonde curls of his chest hair tickling your palm slightly.

You quickly moved your hand away, embarrassed that you touched him so openly while strangers were watching.

Steve didn't seem to mind it. He took your hand and lifted it to his lips to brush a soft kiss on your knuckles. Then he placed your hand back on his chest, while his own landed on your thigh.

Unabashedly high, almost slipping beneath your sundress.

"You're exactly on time, Cherry. You really are a good girl, aren't you?" He mused quietly, squeezing your flesh.

"Yes, Steve," your gaze dropped down and you tucked in your chin.

Steve studied you for a moment longer then turned his attention back to the others in the room.

"You have your orders and you better follow them exactly." Cold edge of his voice made you want to bury your face in the crook of his neck to avoid his wrath.

"Thor, make sure they make no mistakes this time. Now leave. All of you."

You didn't lift your head even after you heard the last footsteps fading away, your gaze lingering on the twirls of ink on Steve's chest as your own heart hammered in your ribcage.

You were acutely aware there was just the two of you now left. And as much as it was what you wanted, your nervousness bloomed.

Steve cupped your chin and made you look up at him.

"I'm sorry for running late on our date, Cherry. I promise that what I have planned should make it up to you."

"But-" suddenly his charming smile twisted into a hungry smirk as both of his hands slid to your hips- "those imbeciles have worked me up and I need to take the edge off before we leave."

In a swift single move he hoisted you up onto his desk.

"With how stiff and shy you are on me now, I think you need to get off, too."

He spread your legs apart - not that you put up much of a fight - and moved his chair closer.

Steve flipped the skirt of your dress up and traced his fingers across the pink cotton of your panties. He pressed his thumb against your clit, right above a small wet spot of your arousal.

"I see you're eager for our date," he chuckled, rubbing your clit harder and watching the wet stain spread.

Your hands clenched on the edge of the desk when Steve pulled the fabric of your panties aside and inched his mouth closer.

"I bet you're sweet all over, sweet Cherry."

He took a taste with a swipe of his tongue, licking between your slick folds and flicking the tip over your clit.

Your hips bucked and your head fell back when he repeated the motion, this time in three rapid strokes. Then his mouth descended on you, biting into your pussy as if it was a juicy fruit.

You weren't sure if you came when his tongue flicked between your opening and your anus, or when Steve's mouth closed around your clit and sucked. Or maybe it was two orgasms melting into one.

Your eyelids were clenched shut and your head swimming when his fingers curled around the front of your neck. With a hand around your throat, Steve pushed you back until you lied down on the desk fully, while he stood up.

A clink of a buckle being undone reached your mushy brain and your eyes fluttered open. Just to see Steve pushing his zipper down.

His cock sprang free; big and thick and veiny.

Your cunt clenched, hungry to feel the stretch of him leave you sore again.

Steve pumped himself a few times before inching forward between your splayed thighs.

"W-wait," your hand reached up as last, barely functioning brain cells reminded you of something important.

Steve paused, as you asked, squeezing his shaft tighter. The sight of it made you drool, your thoughts threatening to melt away. But you managed to stay focused for a second longer.

"Condom. Do you have- can you put one on?" You asked, looking up at Steve with uncertainty.

You wanted him to use one, but you weren't sure if you'd really be able to stop it all if he refused to. You wanted him inside of you too much.

"Condom?" Steve quirked a brow in surprise, studying you.

"Yes, please. I'm not on birth control," you admitted, gulping nervously.

Steve's blue eyes darkened as your words sank in. He stepped closer, bare cock inches from your dripping, unprotected pussy.

"Sweet Cherry, you let me take your pretty, tight pussy raw, even though you could've ended up pregnant?"

His voice was a sinful temptation and his dirty words made your walls clench around nothing.

"Yes," you admitted, ashamed.

"Why, hm?" He resumed slow strokes of his cock as he put his other hand right above your pussy, spreading his fingers wide on your abdomen and dipping his thumb between your folds.

Because I wanted you so bad.

Because I needed you inside me at any cost.

Because I liked that you branded me with your cum.

Because I didn't care what you do to me as long as you kept doing it.

"I don't know." You bit your bottom lip. "I wasn't thinking about the consequences. I wasn't thinking at all. I just- I want to be responsible now."

"What a good, smart girl you are," Steve praised, brushing his thumb along your clit.

He reached into his back pocket and withdrew a short strip of foil packets. He ripped one open and rolled a condom on.

His hand returned to your throat as he pressed the head of his cock against your slick opening.

"We'll be responsible, Cherry," he leaned over you and kissed you softly.

"For now," he added in a dark rasp while thrusting deep into you.

And then he took you, with the same unrelenting force that left you boneless and moaning. Steve praised that you sounded sweet and needy; you thought you sounded more of a whore. You didn't care anyway, because the way he was making you feel was maddening good.

You came around him once, the second climax Steve forced out of you with a hand choking the air out of you and a pinch to your clit.

He finished with a groan; lips parted and face flushed, possessive glint in his eyes as he watched you twitch beneath him.

If he wasn't planning on keeping to his promise and taking you out on a proper, nice date, he wouldn't empty into the condom, but instead withdraw from your sweet cunt and come all over your pretty sundress.

But Steve was a man of his word.

So he tossed the used rubber into the bin, helped you clean yourself up, then readjusted your dress and helped your wobbly legs walk outside.

He could ruin you more when he took you back home later.

[fairuzfan]

Hi I’m sorry to barge in about this but these last few posts about feeling invalid in ethnicity hit home for me. My grandfather was Lebanese and died before I could meet him, and aside from my mother I have no other Lebanese culture in my life. I have always felt pride in my heritage (especially after learning about grandpas possible skirmishes against the IDF? Unclear) but I’ve always felt like an outsider because I don’t know many other Arabs/SWANA irl and wasn’t raised in a typical Lebanese home. Obviously there are major differences between these two situations, but I wanted to know if you had any more suggestions on how to find community? At least for someone to tell me if I’m appropriating a culture I am only a fourth of. Again Sorry, I know this isn’t what you do here and I understand if it’s wasting your time. Thanks for being on this stupid app regardless

hey your grandpa sounds badass! im sorry you've always felt like an outsider... i will say, i'm not sure if it's cultural appropriation if you have familial ties to lebanon and acknowledge your history there. if anything, i think you still have a right to interact with it as a way to investigate your grandfather's history.

something that really connects me to palestine is literature. books, poetry, essays, think pieces — these expose me to a wide range of opinions and understandings of the world around them. do you happen to know if your grandfather had any writings from back then? or if you can ask your mother for stories about him? i've been trying to get my own grandpa on the phone to hear about his experiences in palestine before the Nakba.

it also might help to look into different writers and artists online and interact with them. I share a lot of tweets from palestinians (doctors, artists, writers) because that's where i learn the most about palestinian culture in palestine and the diaspora. I know I recommended them earlier, but I'd look up Radius of Arab American Writers. Their vibe is something I think you'd appreciate.

if you're part of any distinct groups like medical care or environmentalists, i would google "Lebanese Doctor Association" or "Lebanese Archivists." That's how I found librarians and archivists for Palestine.

but literature is still my go-to either way. I don't know many lebanese writers, but I do know fairuz LOL and she's probably the most famous lebanese person. Khalil Jibran is also a famous lebanese writer you might look into.

if anyone else has any tips, feel free to add on. im sorry, i don't know if i helped too much. i hope that you can reconnect with your grandfather's heritage and learn more about him. good luck and, more than anything, have fun.

[thesweetnessofspring]

Today's The Blue Castle research is Valancy's green crepe dress. So first, here are a collection of descriptions of the dress:

She got a pretty green crêpe dress with a girdle of crimson beads...

She felt so miserably undressed in its low neck and short sleeves. And that low, crimson girdle around the hips seemed positively indecent.

Above it her eyes had looked like odd brown jewels and the girdle had given her flat figure an entirely different appearance. 

It was nonsense to feel so—so—naked—just because her neck and arms were bare.

There's been a lot of talk about how the timeline of this book is a little all over the place. I found a collection of fashion sketches from 1912-1950 from the Brooklyn Museum that gives a wide range of fashion from the time. Here are some drawings that I think with some adjustments could match Valancy's dress, or at least parts of it. I will say I'm not a seamstress so I'm not sure if these would work with crepe fabric.

First up: 1914 dress goes to show that a lower waist still did occur in the 1910s, even if it was more rare than the empire/natural waist. Imagine it in green with the sash around the hips being replaced with the "girdle of crimson beads"

Here's an evening dress from 1915 that can also with some adjustments could fit the description. The tie at the waist here could very much match the "beads" as it looks more narrow. The skirt is likely more full and embellished, but I do like the top as Valancy notes that her "neck" is showing but nothing more than that.

An afternoon dress from 1916 that will require a bit of imagination with colors as this is all black.

1918 day dress that might be my favorite. The colors would have to be switched, but overall this has the right shape to it to me. Plus there's a hat that works with the hat Valancy has!

1920 day dress. I like that this one is a bit more simple, which makes it feel a bit more likely an ordinary person could have a dress like this, again with a change of colors.

1920 evening dress. This one is fun because it's green just like Valancy's crepe dress. I think the only note is that the girdle would be red and not quite as voluminous at the side. This is another one of my favorites, maybe because the model is giving Valancy vibes.

1921 day dress. This is a bit more of a toned down version of the previous one, again with some imagination about the sash being red and beaded.

1921 day dress. I think with just some shorter sleeves, this one works well with the description given. I know she doesn't have flowers as her belt, but also I wouldn't be mad if this was the design for a movie.

[yurigalactica]

would you mayhaps infodump about LC! lyrics? 👀👀 /nf

(I saw you on the anon game and am incredibly interested)

OOOOOOOOOH YESYESYESYES I WOULD LOVE TO INFODUMP ABOUT LOS CAMP LYRICS

okay okay so first of all. this band is so good. they have so many banger ass songs and that cannot be denied. HOWEVER in my heart To Tundra will always reign supreme. like holy shit. it's got lyrics like "meet me at st. nicholas among the oaks, behind the church that sway like pig-tailed girls as summer wind whistles around your bare-skin knees and the forsythia leaves" and "we take on the burden of all these sad-eyed children with lilies bunched in our hands" like. those lyrics are so visceral and potent they literally leave me with my mouth hanging wide open after i hear them. oh my GOD that song is magical

some of my other favorite songs lyrically is OBVIOUSLY tiptoe through the true bits. that's the song that whenever i hear it i have to stop literally everything i'm doing, turn up the volume as loud as it will go, close my eyes and just absorb the Vibes. it's so gorgeous AHHHHHH. the bit that makes my heart go !!!!!! is the part where it goes "the bed-spread decked in suns and moons and symbols of the star-signs, how you read how mine applied to how I would be sex-wise." like that paired with the little guitar picking up in the back and the drums kicking in are SO GOOD AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AND. IN MEDIA RES. that song changed my life genuinely. like WOW. the whole vibe of it, especially the end when the trumpets (i think they're trumpets at least) kick in and gareth goes "if you were given the option of dying painlessly in peace at 45 with a lover at your side, after a full and happy life, is this something that would interest you? would this interest you at all?" like WOW what an existential crisis moment while you feel like you're running through a rainy field. man that hits yknow

ALSO i am emotionally attached to Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #4. i dont know why but the first time i ever heard it my brain latched its claws onto it and now it wont fucking let go. so whenever i hear the guitar at the beginning i am Legally Obligated to belt out at the top of my lungs "I RESTORED YOUR MOTHER'S FAITH IN MEN WHILST BORING YOU TO DEATH LEFT NOTHING MORE THAN A CIRCLE OF STUBBLE RASH AROUND YOUR CHEST--"

AND!!!!!!!!! for flotsam also has a very special place in my heart. i love the lyrics in that one, particularly "summer of odd-numbered year" like. MY GUYS YOU ARE SO CREATIVE???? all of your football metaphors to describe your boredom and emotions. like i don't watch football but you go guys i think its so kickass. i love you los campesinos. also the bit where they go "flotsam, jetsam, and spindrift, all the girls i have loved, dumped to earth by a spendthrift, gilt angels from above" with the "aaaahhh" in the back and the very faint piano in the background that i can only hear when i'm listening to it with my gaming headphones on bc my gaming headphones have really good mid range. just AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

AND WHAT DEATH LEAVES BEHIND TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 fun little fact this was the first song that i listened to when i first decided to listen to their discography all the way through. and let's just say that was a VERY good start because i was very impressed right off the bat. like "i was the first match struck at the first cremation, you are my shallow grave, I'll tend you as a sexton, if you're the casket door that's being slammed upon me, i'll be a plague cross painted on your naked body" LIKE HOLY SHIT. THATS SO EVOCATIVE. HOW DO YOU USE SO MANY METAPHORS AND BIG WORDS. THEYRE SO GOOD AT WORDS. i love listening to this one because it is so lyrically complex and yet it all goes together so well auuugghhhhhhhh

also since i started university recently, hung empty rings very near and dear to my heart. like the bit in the bridge that goes "my vision is fading, it's blurry, there are fingerprints all over the sun, we're glad to be loved but we're lonely and we feel like we're the only ones." like. that's the experience of moving out right there!!! i don't know where the fuck i am and i'm so lonely but it feels so bright and new and cinematic. this song Gets me on the most fundemental level it feels so very College-Esque

ALSOOOOOOO she crows!!!!!!!!!!!11 i LOVE she crows. someone inject this song into my veins Right This Fucking Instant. i need to live and breathe this song right now. just the instrumentals combined with the anthemic feel of the song really seals the feeling of looking back on your life and all of your mistakes and acknowledging that all of them brought you to where you are now. especially the end bit, i don't know why, but when it goes "big tip for the pretty girl waiting the IHOP, these blank napkins/unwritten suicide notes, it's dark inside these eyelids, blacker than the ink (squid)" it really feels like the end of the day. these are the lyrics that buzz like caffiene in your veins as you sit outside a dutchbros at eleven pm surrounded by the only people you feel like you can be yourself around. it's the feeling of cold biting at your skin while your heart feels warm and full. it feels like an open finale, the first time you smile in a long time, an acceptance of the complex beauty of life, that unforgettable moment when you realize that you wouldn't trade who you've become for the world

and CODA A BURN SCAR IN THE SHAPE OF THE SOONER STATE. I LOVE CODA SO MUCH AGH. PERFECT CRYING IN THE SHOWER SONG. like the lyric "an artist's impression of the manhattan skyline" will get me fucking SOBBING immediately. it feels like watching the world move on without you, the world a blur as you crumple inward under the weight of your emotions, a collapsing star in an endless void. and then obviously "i can't believe i chose the mountains every time you chose the sea" WOAH the SYMBOLISM i will just pass away right here in my dormitory with my headphones on. no sorry professor i can't write my essay i am unwell about the romance is boring album again. sorry yeah i'll be unavailable for 3-5 buisness weeks

but uh. yeah. los campesinos amirite???????????

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

Hello sex witch! Long time listener, first time caller, love how you do the teaching you do 😄

I was having a chat with my (college age) sibling, and I found she might have some... skewed views on the morality of being sexual. Think along the lines of purity culture, with a sprinkling of religious teaching, and a dash of how legality/morality must be intertwined. I know that sort of thing can lead to some unhealthy thinking, and honestly, I'm a little worried!

This is just background for context, I'm not asking you to solve or even unpack all that lol. But I really vibe with your stance on sex-neutrality, and it seems like a good concept to introduce her too. Like, a lil'nudge.

My personal sex-neutality mindset was gained over years of life experience and internet osmosis, which is really difficult to condense into a "quick-start guide," given I've never really had to educate on it before. I mean, I'll start with the definition, but she would probably prefer having sources other than just me talking for hours lol.

So. TL;DR. As an educator, do you happen to have any resources you could point me towards on sex-neuteality? Books, websites, podcasts, previous posts..? Things I could pass along?

Thank you so much sorry for the length

hey anon,

this is a tricky one because, as you said, sex neutrality is something that comes about from a lifetime of nurturing influences. adopting a totally new mindset is rarely something that can be adopted by one book or video essay, no matter how good they are. this is especially true in the face of religious influence, which can be very difficult to tactfully circumvent without making someone feel as if they're being criticized for being religious at all.

just having a figure in their life (that's you!) who's willing to start and engage with non-judgmental discussions about sexuality can be really helpful for people unlearning sexual stigma, so congrats to you for doing the hardest work just by being present!

having said that, you can't do everything and a recommended media list never hurts. there isn't a lot of work (that I'm familiar with, at least) that just sit you right down and say "hey. here's why sex neutrality good," so I'm going to drop work where that's sort of a powerful background radiation.

Emily Nagoski's book Come As Your Are is a pretty great guide for cis women learning to get comfortable with their bodies and sexualities and, more importantly, the possibilities of communication to find a relationship and sexual style that works for them! I really like the way Nagoski normalizes such a wide range of different needs and desires while assuring readers that there's no "wrong" approach; it's very comforting! if your sister is a podcast person, Nagoski also has an eight part podcast series of the same name where she debunks myths and answers more questions about sexuality.

actually hi as long as we're talking about podcasts Kate Lister, a historian who specializes in historical records of sex work, has a terribly fun podcast called Betwixt the Sheets that's nothing but sex friendly fun. it's got enough interesting historical meat to it that it's not even obvious sex neutral propaganda on the surface; some of my favorite episodes have Lister interviewing other academics about Queen Victoria's dietary habits and Hollywood portrayals of vodun.

if we want to talk about the 101 of getting comfortable with one's own genitalia and reproductive health, I must point to Dr. Jennifer Gunter's Vagina Bible. Dr. Gunter has made a whole career out of debunking medical misinformation, wellness scams, and Goop over on twitter. I think she should be allowed to attack Gwyneth Paltrow with a sword but I can't make that happen so I can at least promote her book.

if your sister starts feeling adventurous, Dr. Lindsey Doe's youtube channel Sexplanations has been a formative influence on me and has years worth of videos covering tons of topics in quick, unabashedly enthusiastic bursts of information. this video where Dr. Doe talks about her own instances of internalized sex negativity could be an excellent starting point, especially if you want to discuss it together like a lil youtube bookclub.

for a longer youtube dive, Khadija Mbowe's ruminations on sex positive feminism, its shortcomings, and which parts they see as worth preserving could also be a great point of conversation, especially for someone whose coming into the conversation not identifying with sex positivity. caveat that they do link to Christine Emba's book Rethinking Sex in the video description and I cannot in good conscience recommend or fuck with that at all, sorry.

Angela Chen's book Ace, about asexuality, is genuinely so so wonderful, and I think required reading for anyone trying to make sense of any kind of sexuality.

Meg-John Barker's book Rewriting the Rules is a maybe a more expansive version of Nagoski's book, less focused on sex and much more interested in expanding ideas of what relationships can look like and encouraging personal expression within them. honestly I think that's a really important part of embracing sex negativity - more compassion and less judgment for yourself can lead to more compassion and less judgment for others, right? right, hopefully.

Jaclyn Friedman's book Unscrewed is a delight, and does something similar to Mbowe's video linked above by highlighting ways in which commercialized #girlboss "sex positivty" is useless and then providing instances of real people doing actual, tangibly useful and positive work. Friedman highlights everything from queer youth shelters to orgs run by and for trans sex workers of color to reproductive justice organizations; it's a great dip into a lot of different radical causes without (hopefully) being too overwhelming.

I hope this serves as a good starting place for a lot of positive conversations with your sibling! good luck, friend xoxo

[nexility-sims]

literally no one asked, but i want to dig into the context of what’s happening in the montage from today, so here's that, with Images added in for cross-timeline reference and such:

i started with the beatriz and sal scene for aesthetic reasons, but !!! it establishes that they’re at alam palace. for those who’ve read the main story, you may know that that’s where the family used to go for their getaways. for those who pay close attention, you may recall that beatriz does not take her family there. she associates it strongly with her childhood and, specifically, with her father. beatriz isn’t someone who likes to wallow in her feelings or face tough emotional truths. so, going there to mourn her daughter is significant … it’s a continuation of how she’s reacted the entire time—wanting to be vulnerable but in an unforgiving, almost masochistic way. i just thought sal doing car stuff would be cool and sexy of him. this family loves cars because i love cars lkfgjdg

i have arnaut and lorraine moving into matlal estate next. this is where alfonso and rowena are living as of where the main story left off. arnaut is taking a big box from her, and they’re chatting as they supervise the moving. relocating internationally with very short notice … whew! mourning for them isn’t the quiet repose that it should be. we’ve already seen that arnaut is clinging to his new role—trying to distract himself, i think, with what’s basically performing who he thinks he has to be now. getting his family settled is an easier task than sitting with his feelings.

then, we have blanca and her family. i had a vivid image of them resting together, specifically with blanca wide awake as the others slept. we know that she’s beset with guilt about the way she's raising her sons, but we also know that she’s choosing to be defiant and stick to her guns over it. is it selfish of her to choose her career over her family? i suspect she rejects the premise of that question, even if the world is insisting that it is that simple.

speaking of guns, beatriz at the range is one of my favorite parts. this scene was a bitch to create partly because i had to turn those headphones from a deco item into an accessory. anyway, i wanted to do this because i think having shooting as a hobby—as a way to focus and relax—is revealing. it’s easy to point at the implication of violence, but that’s not really what this says to me. i guess it’s because i know what happens in beatriz’s life that the story hasn’t covered yet. like i said, she’s a world war two girl, her father and sal are war veterans, and uspana is a historically martial society. it’s also, to me, suggesting that beatriz isn’t all bluster. she’s not just capable of talking the talk. she's a hands-on person, and she's nowhere near delicate.

olalla is a baker! admittedly, she is among the least developed of beatriz’s children. i just haven’t had much use for her yet, so the facts that she’s always loved baking and is a celebrity chef are basically it.

gil needed his own scene, and i decided that focusing on the horde of little boys converging on nakawe palace would be the best approach. children handle grief in their own way. we could’ve seen him struggling to process the loss and being inconsolable, but i think it’s also interesting that he has these cousins who want desperately to cheer him up—and, of course, that julian and damian can relate to the feeling of loss because safya was their caregiver, too. german is brand new and doesn't really even speak the language yet, but there he is … they're all there for each other the only way little kids know how.

martin goes out on the water to get in his feelings, which i think is valid and admirable. gabe summoned the image of him “screaming at the sea” and, while i couldn’t recreate it perfectly and was too lazy to make a pose, that is the vibe. that’s really all we need to know about martin right now. he has a speaking role later on in episode four, and he’ll reference this scene in that one.

next, rodrigo and his photographs … there’s actually so much going on in this scene! the setting is important to me because i tried to make it obvious he’s in a hotel room. rodrigo hasn’t been home since safya died. he isn’t even sure he has a home at this point. no one has really told him anything except to stay away and, even then, he's being talked to by nobody aides who shouldn't even be able to look at him without asking first. he’s doing his mourning in a hotel room because he isn’t welcome anywhere else, and safya isn’t around to insist he be treated like the family member he is. it’s also telling that no one else seems to have stepped up for him. the polaroid images are mostly screenshots of safya that i already had; i like that you can make out most of them

matias, like leonor, is mourning mostly in solitude. i think it would have been his preference to stay in nakawe, but he also knew he couldn’t bear letting beatriz leave without him. as we can see, she feels the same way. she could have a servant bringing him food, but she does it herself instead. he shouldn’t be talking to her, not when his desire is the full solitude, but he can’t help it.

i was unsure of what to do with mateo, but i decided that he would be missing his father, and that’s worth showing. you can’t really tell what he’s up to just by looking at the images, but i think it’s also interesting that he’s sharing whatever he’s writing with prissy. she was comforting him in the background of the dinner scene from episode one, and here she is again. it'll come up again later, but i keep wondering what it must be like to be a teenager caught up in all of this, with a younger brother who's too little to ask questions and an older sister who's too independent to answer yours.

sebastian is the most underdeveloped of beatriz’s children, but i always imagined him as somewhat removed from them all. i was looking at the family holistically, wondering what was missing, and realized we didn’t really have a contrasting extreme to what leonor is doing. partying—and, specifically, doing it privately as only someone with wealth and privilege can manage—to stave off having to actually engage in the work of mourning felt right. there are people who can never be along with their thoughts, who would rather die, and sebastian is one of those people.

finally, we had to end with leonor. my idea was always that she would be decomposing in her house the entire time. it's because she's a devout person, but it's also because she has this deep fear that she has done something, in a spiritual sense, terribly wrong. i didn’t quite know how to encapsulate where she is visually, but then i realized—duh!—the art element is pretty relevant to the entire story. it’s something she shared with her mother, and she does eventually end up in armorica as an art student. she’s looking in our direction, entirely alone but knowing that she is being perceived. so, it’s a spiritual thing, in a way, but i suppose also a bit of foreshadowing, if you read into it enough.

[candeathbereal]

I wanna talk about the mutable moons now because as an aries sun and virgo moon I must come first so let’s do this right.

DISCLAIMER: I will be talking about my own trauma so if you do not feel comfortable reading about that it is fine to just not read either the virgo moon part of this post or if you would prefer you can just stop reading. I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to do something if they do not feel comfortable with it.

Flexibility is their Forte

Let’s start with explaining what it means to have a mutable moon in the first place. Since the moon in some way represents our emotions which is something you cannot control you can only control how you act upon them for the most part. And the mutable modality is all about being flexible and generally just vibing. Now if we look at the mutable signs (Sagittarius, Virgo, Gemini, and Pisces) most of them are not associated with expressing a wide range of emotions. I even include pisces because honestly out of the water signs they seem to be the least expressive of their emotions from what I have seen at least. Now imagine having a modality not really known for their emotions inserted into the one placement which is all about emotions. You get an interesting emotional state. Now for the most part I associate mutable moons with truama but that is not always the case. In fact I’m pretty sure most of the people who have a mutable moon aren’t traumatized or even grew up in an abusive enviroment, but it just seems interesting that most of the people who I have met with a mutable moon happen to have had a rough life starting in their childhood. I just wanted to preface that first because I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea of what I will write in this post from here on out. Now let me go into the specifics for each mutable moon.

Virgo Moon

You know how sometimes you mess something up and you feel horrible so you either give up or strive to do better? Imagine giving up not being an option most times. That is what I feel it is like as a Virgo Moon. Now I’m sure different aspects can influence how you go about or even what you take more to heart. Now I personally have this worry about not being good enough which I have had since I was a child but my mother wasn’t really the criticizing type like I have read some post on virgo moons and their childhood. Instead I was raised by a mom who I felt responsible to take care of emotionally. I felt I had to prioritze her emotional needs over mine and I think that is how the idea of not being good enough manifested in me. It was less my mom being upset with me but instead of her using me as an example of greatness when she was scold my siblings for something like low grades or soemthing like that. It even got to the point where I felt resentful of myself to some extent for not helping them more. It was weird to me because my siblings had very decent reasons for not getting a’s and b’s on every report card. I won’t go into that because that is a very personal thing to them. Anyways this shaped me to be very critical of myself along with others because I even subconsciously feel this intense drive to be better so I need others to be better as well. Because honeslty I like being around people who are better than me but idk if that has to do with my virgo moon per say but I figured I’d include that just in case. Anyways it is not to say that people with virgo moons are inherently bossy or assholes by how critical they are of others, because I think judging others can be expressed in different ways. And I put virgo moons as more judgy than critical but depending on their mercury and mars signs would change how they express that judgement onto others so they could become hypercritical of others…

Sagittarius Moon

I LOVE SAGITTARIUS MOON I think it has somewhat to do with my sag mars but ehh. I do wish you guys would stay a realist as opposed to “optimistic”. Because I think some of you go through the stage of life where you’ll believe that any negative emotion or negativity at all will ruin your experience of life in some way. When really you could just be avoiding enjoying life without the dichotomy of sadness and happiness. Without dealing with the painful emotions the happy moments will not reach the potential they could have had. But of course not all of sag moons have had that mindset.

Moving on, I love sag moon energy they give off because they will be the person who interacts with basially anybody even if the person seems kinda unapprocable and I think it has more to do with childhood experience or even the idea that it’s better to go off the energy a stranger gives off rather than the physical things they are doing. The other placements a person has could modify in the way they act upon this idea tho. Honestly I have met a couple of sag moons with leo placements who are very outgoing and very popular. While at the same time I have met sag moons who are more to themselves but still popular in some way.

For instance, I remember meeting one of my friends in my sophomore year of highschool (Sophomore year is the 10th year/grade for my non-american readers). Anyways the teacher basically made us into groups and I got paired up with them (along with my childhood friend and someone who turned out to have gone to the same schools as we did but somehow I never met them before that point). I felt this burst of energy just from talking to them and we became friends. I had a short crush on them but eventually those feelings converted to platonic feelings i guess. Weirdly enough, I didn’t figure out they were a sag moon till like a couple years ago, and things kinda clicked for me, because before I thought I became friends so quickly with them because of their gemini sun. Honestly both gemini suns and sag moons are my instant friends most times. I love gemini placements but sag moon have a special place in my heart.

PISCES

I am just to say this I don’t have much experience with pisces moon so I will mostly say meh things, but if there is anybody with a pisces moon I would love to hear from you. Now pisces moon is still a water sign at the end of the day so although it isn’t as intense as scorpio or cancer (imo) pisces is still more connected to their emotions than the other mutable moons. I feel like pisces moons probably have this disconnecting from reality vibe to them. Pisces is connected to Neptune the expert in fantasy. Now this isn’t to say they can’t be realistic it just seems like most times they choose to avoid the reality of their emotions sometimes. Pisces is the sister sign of Virgo so unlike Virgo pisces doesn’t go rationalize their emotions or take on other people’s emotional problems to avoid their own.

Gemini Moon

Gemini moons is by far the oddest moon sign I have read about. Like bruh I love gemini placements as you know but somehow any small change in placements can change so much about a person with a gemini moon. That’s not to say every gemini moon doesn’t share similarities tho.The thing is I have only really seen a little bit of gemini moons truly exist in the same space as me. Oh also apprenlty I would have been a gemini moon if I was born on my due date. Which would have rougly been 4/20 (yes yes haha weed reference but also hitler’s birthday and the anniversary of the columbine shooting is not a birthday even newborn me wanted. They just knew something wasn’t right about me being a taurus sun with a gemini moon) but honestly I am glad I decided to be born two weeks early. It’s funny to me when i found that out because my friend since childhood is a taurus sun with a gemini moon and I love her to death. She is family to me, but we are definetly two different people from how we were raised to our looks.

Anyways moving on enough about me. Gemini moons like any gemini placemnt is truly a moment by itself to have. Without something to ground a gemini placement though they tend to be seen as flaky and all that jazz. I said “tend to be seen as” rather than they are flaky because realistically speaking flaky is not how I would describe them. I can see why other people would see them that way tho. Are gemini moons confused about their emotions because they have a tendency to change yes, but I kinda think that is all mutable moons. I think gemini moons just tend to express it around people more if that makes any sense. I have seen gemini moons that talk about their emotions in the funniest of ways.

They are the sister sign of sagittarius so let’s get somewhat into that. Sag moons and Gemini moons both don’t enjoy conflict the difference is that Sag moons need to have somebody learning from this conflict but gemini moons try to ease the tension (unless they have water placements because oof I worry for you guys). I’ll give an example of what I mean. Let’s say there is an argument between two people and sag/gemini moon just happen to be there. It could go something like this.

A: Pineapples should not be on pizza, pizza is meant to not have fruit on it.

B:Pineapples are delicious and food should not be restricted.

Sag moon would be more along the lines of “What I think A is trying to say is that they do not want to be forced to eat pineapples on pizza. Now is that to say we can’t put things on our pizza that weren’t originally intended to be on it. That can go from person to person, but what I think B is trying to say is…” (honestly imagine a teacher trying to educate the class on something lol) Now a gemini moon would go more along the lines of insert funny joke here “blah blah hehe run away.” I am sorry but I can’t really explain the difference that well but I hope you guys got what I was roughly trying to explain.

That is about all I got for now. I am going to research more about astrology and I might edit this post as I learn more.

[yeetus-feetus]

I made this for @strange-birb for their Batkid Secret Band AU, it is their artwork in the background too. Please go and check out their art it's awesome!

About the stuffs:

I decided to call them DeathwalkerS because they've all died at some point and they're still walking around. Plus I think it sounds edgy, which I think these guys would definitely go for. They also have a wide range of alternative music genres because all of them have different tastes but they're still very alternative.

The bands colour scheme is purple and green because I thinks it's a funny bit of irony. We're stealing the Joker colours the same way Jason stole the Red Hood look.

Gotham by Gaslight is the name of the album whish is why the font is larger than all the other songs, and why it's the first song on CD. Pretty sure the song is pretty self explanatory, but it's about being gaslit by adults they thought they could trust. With fun little metaphors that use examples of /actual/ gas attacks that have happened in Gotham as a comparison to what it feels like to be gaslighted constantly by someone you love.

The capital letters in the song named 'DaRCy' stand for 'Dead Robins Club'. In this song they sing about all the things they hate about Bruce under the guise of singing about a crazy woman named Darcy. It's a perfect way for them to get out their frustrations and feelings of betrayal at Bruce's actions, and it can be disguised as a break-up song or a song about a really unhealthy friendship.

'Fear in The Well' has the same vibe and sound as 'Fear of The Dark' by Iron Maiden. It's also a funny reference to how Bruce became Batman in the first place, by falling down that Well surrounded by his greatest phobia: bats. Just thought it'd be fun for them to sing this as a jab at their old man, even though he is currently unaware of their band.

'Skin Tight' is a reference to their vigilante suits, but it's actually a sex song. Because every band needs at least one really sexy sex song in their debut album. Like I'm thinking of one those heavy rock songs where the lead singer is doing more moaning than singing and the lyrics are literally about kink culture. (Welcome To The Jungle is the first thing that came to mind, but then I started thinking about Gerard Way moaning. Though I think the sound of the song would be more like what Judas Priest has going on.)

'San Fransisco Party Memories' is supposed to be super nostalgic. It's about the time they spent at Titans tower; the friends they made, the friends they'll always remember. The fun they had and the challenges they faced. It's about underage drinking and dancing on the beach. It's about helping each other with their soul deep pain, and probably not the in the healthiest ways but definitely the most fun kind of ways. It's about longing for those days in the warm sun and cool salty water. It's one of the songs that are super fun to dance to, but when ur said the lyrics really hit.

'Dead Bird Walking' is a Heathers reference to the song 'Dead Girl Walking', but with a much heavier and alternative sound. Could also technically be referred to as a sex song, like it's not as explicit as 'Skin Tight', but it is pretty suggestive. It basically just has that "I might die tomorrow so let's make the most of right now" vibes. (Pushing my theatre nerd Jason agenda here, can you tell?)

'Bats out of Hell' is a reference to Meat Loaf's song 'Bat out of Hell". DeathwalkerS' song has a similar sort of vibe, and it's basically about them all dying and coming back to life and doing crazy cool shit.

'Drywall' is the only unserious song in this album, it's one of those silly ones that doesn't really make sense but the sound is awesome and you just need to dance and headbang to it. Like it makes you need to move around. Same sorta vibe as 'Chic N Stu' by System Of A Down I guess?

'Wake The Dead' is probably the heaviest song on this album. It's about grieving and the pain that comes with that. It's about wanting to wake up all their dead friends and realising that can't always happen, not everyone comes back. They have to at some point accept that they can't bring back the people they've lost. There's also a really really awesome guitar solo in this one.

'Angels of Death' is a song about the the spirits of the watching over the innocent people of Gotham. The song is a story about these guardian angels; these Cryptid-like creatures that watch over Gotham City, making sacrifices to her and protecting her people. It has a really eerie, creepy vibes, like some old legend or Folklore about mystical creatures living in the shadows.

'All We Are (Street Rats)' has those indie rock sorta vibes. Did I get that right? Or is it alt rock? Like the Front Bottoms and McCafferty. 'Twin Size Mattress' and 'Trees' are the songs I'm thinking of right now. (It's those queer undertones they both have that I'm trying to encapsulate here). Some Radiohead vibes here too honestly.

I wish you guys could craw inside my head hear the music I'm imagining right now. I've got serious brain worms right now and I NEED to share them!

Also this is the band's banner for battle of the bands ↓ I made two versions lol (the stars were Steph's idea!)

Again, please please please go check out @strange-birb I love all their art so much! And they're the reason I came up with all these ideas.

[leechysmile]

I’m curious what’s ur favorite joey ship? Feel free to go on a rant about Them I wanna hear it

Hi anon! So, I have a few favorites really! Some more problematic than others, fair warning. It's a decently wide range. So I'll list a few and give a short summary!

Do note that I like many more besides these though 💞

Puppyshipping- Seto/Joey:

This is the first Joey ship I fell in love with and the one you'll see a lot of on this blog. Both because I love it and because it undeniably has a lot more fanart/fics than the others. I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and love the wide range of potential here. Be it something extremely toxic or a slowburn as long as I can see it happening I'm in 👀

Wishshipping- Yugi/Joey:

These two are so sweet together and right now I am particularly vibing with Omegaverse AUs with Alpha Yugi and Omega Joey. I don't really see a lot of Omegaverse with them in general, let alone in this way.

This ship I generally see as on the "wholesome" side, though I use that word loosely. It's mostly sweet, but there is a fair bit of untapped potential regarding just how quickly Joey jumped into "I would literally die for you" territory. While that may sound sweet on the surface to some people, it also suggests an arguably dangerous level of attachment. Because what happens to Joey if for some reason Yugi leaves, dies, etc? Potentially, he could fall apart.

Puffshipping- Ryou/Joey:

I've seen this one get more popular lately and I am SO here for it. I think it'd be really fun to explore a scenario where they're both lost alone in the woods or something. I can also see Ryou taking things he finds fun too far and scaring the shit out of Joey. I like to headcanon Ryou with a fear kink, whether it's being scared or scaring others.

Irateshipping- Marik/Joey:

How can I see Marik calling Joey his doll and NOT ship it? I don't care if it's toxic, I love it. I'm not going to turn down more wholesome forms of it, but I DEFINITELY lean toward the toxic/abusive angle for them. Or, in the case of several roleplays I've done, it starting pretty chill and then entering darker territory because of x reason.

Fadeshipping- Yami Marik/Joey:

Listen, do you know how much potential is here? A lot. I could totally see Yami Marik coming back in some way and deciding Joey is his victim to kill after failing to with the Winged Dragon of Ra. That's a great jumping-off point that can go in many directions.

Brightshipping- Mokuba/Seto/Joey:

Alright, I already lost a mutual over talking about Tabloidshipping, but here's a worse one I like 💀

So, since I like Riskshipping (Mokuba/Joey), Tabloidshipping (Seto/Mokuba), & Puppyshipping... it shouldn't be too terribly surprising that I enjoy combining all three. For this one, I generally see it as most likely that Mokuba would come onto Joey or it's a Season 0 vibe where Seto and Mokuba use Joey as a plaything.

Gangshipping- Hirutani/Joey:

There is a lot of untapped potential here, particularly for the level of toxicity. I honestly could see Hirutani still coming after Joey again. The guy seems like the type who'd sooner drop dead than accept a loss. And he did lose Joey—Twice. Both when Joey left the gang and when he tried forcing Joey back into it. Also, the look he gives Joey in one of the manga panels looks like bedroom eyes to me.

I don't know, I really love angst and this ship is perfect for that. I also love rescue scenarios... which this ship can also lead to. At the very least Yugi and Atem would help Joey once they know there's a problem.

Alright, so I didn't really go into specifics, but that's because I couldn't decide on just one and I can write essays on any of these. Feel free to send asks if you're curious about a specific ship, be it these ones or others!

[daughter-of-melpomene]

: ̗̀➛ OC SCENE DUMP: Dot Watanabe (The A-Team 2010)

(A/N: Please note that these aren’t in any particular order or meant to be part of any fic, I just thought they’d be fun. Hope you guys enjoy!!)

“So,” the creep practically purred, and Dot’s battle with the urge to aim a kick where the sun didn’t shine tilted towards the losing side. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing out on the range so early? Trying to figure out how to work that gun?”

Oh, clearly this guy had no idea who he was talking to. A perfect opportunity for Dot to have some fun with him.

Instead of answering right away, Dot fixed the creepy captain with her sweetest smile, the one that Face always joked could give someone diabetes if they so much as looked at it. Then, only breaking eye contact to give the quickest glance over her shoulder, she looked back at the guy and twisted her arm back so that her gun was pointing behind her, towards the target.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.

Dot didn’t have to look to know whether her shots had landed or not; she knew her own abilities well, and the captain’s utterly shocked expression was all the proof she needed. Still, she couldn’t resist sneaking a look over her shoulder, and a smug grin overtook her face when she saw the result.

Five perfect bullseyes, directly in the center of the target.

Reverting back to her sickly sweet smile, she turned back to the creepy man and spoke, affecting a mockingly high, damsel-in-distress-like tone. “Oh, yes, it’s so hard to learn how to shoot properly. I sure hope a pretty little thing like me never actually needs to use a gun, because I’ll be completely helpless. It’s not as if I’m one of the best snipers in the US military or anything.”

And then she gently pushed the gun into the hand of the captain, who was still standing frozen and shocked, wished him luck with his shooting practice, and headed back towards her quarters, knowing how much of a laugh this would get out of Hannibal.

***************

“Of course he’s sending in Dot,” Face grumbled, gesturing harshly towards her. “She’ll win this guy over in two seconds flat, she’s too cute not to.”

“Watch it, Faceman,” Murdock warned from the couch, clearly teasing. “That’s my cutiepie you’re talking about there.”

“Not like that!” Face insisted hotly. “I just mean, like, she’s got that sweet face and that smile that makes you feel like you can tell her anything. He’ll trust her, because she gives off this vibe of kindness and understanding that most people can’t resist.”

“Aw, Facey,” Dot teased, giving the man a shit-eating grin. “Do you feel like you can trust me?”

Face rolled his eyes and gestured hard at her. “See, look at her. She knows what those doe eyes can do to people.”

Dot giggled, flipping some hair over her shoulder and fluttering her eyelashes in an exaggerated manner. “It’s a talent, what can I say?”

***************

“I’m asexual.”

“I’m ace.”

It took a few seconds for Dot to register exactly what Murdock had said, but once she did, her eyes flew back open and she regarded her boyfriend the exact same way he was regarding her - eyes blown wide, mouth hung open in shock at the confession they’d both just made.

For almost two solid minutes afterwards, Dot and Murdock just sat there, gaping at each other in surprise and borderline wonder. Then a massive grin suddenly overtook Murdock’s face, and he burst into peals of cackling laughter.

Dot’s first instinct was to smack his arm and scold him, because her coming out was not funny even if he’d come out at the exact same time, but his laughter was just too damn contagious, and really this whole thing was kind of amusing. Eventually she started giggling too, leaning into Murdock as her whole body began to tremble with the force of it.

“It isn’t funny,” she mumbled into the pilot’s shoulder once both sets of laughter had died down. “I mean, at least neither of us have to worry about hurting the other person’s feelings if we don’t want to have sex, but it’s not amusing.”

“Like hell it ain’t,” Murdock responded cheerfully, moving the arm Dot had been leaning on so that it was wrapped around her shoulders. “God, who coulda guessed that we’d both turn out to be garlic bread-lovers?”

Dot blinked, needing a second to process what her boyfriend had just said, before pulling away from Murdock to give him a look that was equal parts fond and confused. “Did you just… refer to asexuals by using a meme?”

***************

“He lit my arm on fire!” Face exclaimed, gesturing harshly to the scorch marks on his sleeve and staring at Hannibal with an intensely indignant expression.

Dot couldn’t help it; her face broke out in a shit-eating grin. “I like him already.”

***************

“Ten seconds,” Hannibal intoned through the earpiece, and now Dot could hear them, the heavy footsteps about to round the corner and catch her and Murdock doing something they were definitely not supposed to be doing. Practically growling with frustration, she gave the door lock one last angry yank, but it didn’t budge any more than it had any of the other times.

Letting out a string of swear words under her breath, she straightened up and whipped back around to face Murdock just as Hannibal informed them that they only had five seconds left.

“You’re gonna have to make it look like you’re making out with me in a few seconds,” she informed him, and before Murdock could utter so much as a confused “huh?” Dot twisted her arm behind her back, yanked the zipper all the way down, grabbed Murdock by the lapels of his suit, and yanked him towards her, slamming their lips together and guiding his hands to the small of her back as she pressed her back up against the wall.

For the first instant, Murdock simply stood there with cartoonishly wide eyes as Dot moved her lips against his, his entire body stiff, and Dot felt a sharp stab of fear slice through her gut as the guards finally turned the corner, terrified that they would notice how forced this kiss was and realize what they were really here for. But Murdock must have seen the guards out of the corner of his eye and realized what Dot was trying to do, because it only took a moment for him to relax into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut and his own lips (which were much softer than Dot had anticipated) beginning to move against hers.

Against her better judgement, Dot forced her own eyes to close, trying her best to seem like she was too caught up in this makeout session to notice or care that a couple of armed guards were now in the hallway with them.

But as Murdock’s gentle hands began to roam over the bare skin on her back and he pressed further into the kiss, his forehead coming to touch hers, that turned out to be a lot easier than Dot had anticipated. Murdock’s lips felt so nice against hers, those calloused fingers of his so light as they danced over her skin, that before long the world began to buzz and fade around her, a bright warmth blossoming in her chest and drowning out everything that wasn’t the cool wood of the wall against her back and Murdock’s soft, beautiful lips on hers.

For all the bragging Face did about being the world’s best kisser, Dot found herself thinking, she was pretty positive he had nothing on the A-Team’s pilot. She would be perfectly fine if she never had to stop kissing Murdock, never had to come up for air, never had to leave this aura of lovely warmth that was making her and Murdock the only two people in the universe.

Eventually, though, the sound of retreating footsteps snapped her back to reality, the feeling like a splash of icy water cancelling out the effects of Murdock’s kisses. Her eyes jerked open to see the guards turning back around the corner, apparently determining that the pair of lust-stricken partygoers they thought that had seen were no threat to any of the dirty little secrets this mansion held.

Realizing her lungs had begun to ache from depriving herself of air for so long, Dot pulled away from Murdock the second the guards were fully out of view, fighting back a wince at the distinct wet smacking sound their lips made as they were pulled apart. For a second, Murdock’s lips still followed her, the pilot leaning forward slightly as if hoping to recapture her mouth, but then he seemed to remember himself and straightened back up, looking faintly embarrassed.

There was a solid minute of silence where the two of them just stared at each other, faces heavily flushed and chests heaving, both looking like deer in headlights and both unsure how to react to what had just happened. The air between them suddenly felt very tense fragile, like one wrong word could shatter this whole situation and ruin everything.

Thankfully (or was Dot really thankful for it? She couldn’t tell), Hannibal’s voice came back over their earpieces, saving them from having to break the silence on their own.

“Murdock? Dot? What’s happening? Everything okay?”

Finally dragging her eyes away from Murdock’s face, Dot turned back to the locked door and reached up to press her earpiece with a shaking hand, flapping her other hand by her side a few times to calm herself down.

“Yeah, we’re okay,” she told Hannibal in a voice that fought not to shake, as Dot tried to will herself back into the Deadeye mode she’d been knocked out of my the kiss. “Guards didn’t even notice us. Everything’s fine.”

But she didn’t think it was, not now. And she wasn’t sure how it could ever be again, now that she knew what kissing Murdock felt like. Now that she desperately wanted to do it again.

***************

“I’m not going back.”

All three men turned to look at her almost in unison, matching expressions of surprise and confusion on their faces.

“What?” Hannibal asked, looking at Dot like she’d grown a second head. “What do you mean?”

Taking a deep breath to brace herself, Dot moved her gaze to her hands, folded on the crappy diner tabletop. She knew what she needed to say and she wasn’t planning on backing down, but she didn’t think she’d be able to make eye contact with any of them, any of these men whom she loved like family and who had always trusted her, while she said it. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle it.

“I’m not going back to the Rangers,” she repeated, fighting with herself to speak clearly and not to mumble. She could feel three sets of eyes looking at her curiously, and the weight of their gazes forced her to bunch up her shoulders, curling slightly into herself in an attempt to make herself feel smaller. “I’ll help take down Pike and get the plates back, obviously, and I want my name cleared, but I don’t want to be reinstated.”

“Wh-why?” Face demanded, looking at Dot like he absolutely couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Dot, you’ve been a Ranger since forever, why would you-”

“Exactly,” Dot cut him off emphatically, feeling a burst of fiery courage shoot through her at Face’s inability to understand. She knew logically that it wasn’t his fault, that he couldn’t understand her experiences and what it had been like for her, but she couldn’t help it, it pissed her off. “I’ve been a Ranger pretty much since the moment I turned eighteen, and the only reason anyone acknowledged me at all was because I could outshoot everyone. Do you really think anyone would’ve cared about an autistic Asian woman in the military if I wasn’t more talented than everyone else?”

“Dot,” Hannibal said gently, and she hated how clear it was that was trying to tread lightly, like she was overreacting and he didn’t want to upset her. “You know none of that has ever mattered to us-”

“Not to you, no,” Dot interrupted, finally jerking her head up to meet the older man’s eyes. He had a cautious look on his face, like for once he wasn’t sure what his next move should be, and there was a fiery part of her that took a grim satisfaction in it, in the story of her struggles being the thing that finally tripped her team leader up. “But to everyone else. And it mattered so goddamn much that I had to fight tooth and nail for every single nod of approval. I had to be ten times better than everyone else just to be respected, and I still wouldn’t have gotten any of my promotions or accolades if you hadn’t been behind me. And I’m grateful for that, Hannibal, I swear to God I am, but you… you don’t get it. Bosco’s the only one who could possibly understand-” She jerked her head towards B.A. beside her. “-and even he doesn’t fully get it, because he’s still an allistic man. None of you can understand how much it sucked to be a person like me in the military, and I don’t want you to understand. I’m glad you don’t understand, that none of you had to go through that. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t the worst.”

Her hands were shaking on the tabletop now, faintly rattling the spoon resting near them. Face started to reach across the table to lay his hand over hers, trying to comfort her, but Dot yanked her hands away and set them on her lap, balling them into fists. She appreciated him trying to be sweet and make her feel better, but she didn’t think she could handle touch right now.

“So I fought. I followed orders and I practiced my shooting even when I didn’t need to and I trained for hours after everyone else had gone to bed, and I never regretted it, because that’s what let Hannibal know about me in the first place. That’s what got me to being a lieutenant in an elite Ranger team, so I never regretted a second of it. But even after all that work, all the blood, sweat, and tears I put into my military career and making sure no one would ever overlook me again, the higher-ups were willing to discharge us with no proper trial, just because something happened that made them look bad. They didn’t care about everything I gave, about everything all of us gave, just as long as they could cover their asses.”

Heaving in a trembling breath, Dot finally forced herself to look around at the three men sitting around her. All of them were looking at her with the same expression, wide-eyed and soft and sheepish, but she refused to stop talking to reassure them the way she wanted to. She’d been putting the rest of the team before herself for so long; she couldn’t do it anymore.

“So yeah. I’ll help you get the plates back and go after Pike, because I want him dead as much as you do, and I want my name cleared as much as you do. But I refuse to go back to a military that was so willing to abandon me when all I ever gave it was everything.

I’m worth more than that. I know I’m worth more than that. And even if you guys don’t think so… it took me too long to realize that. I won’t go back to an organization that’s just going to take that away again.”

***************

Dot wasn’t exactly sure what possessed her at that moment - maybe it was the fact that Face’s plan had worked and Lynch had been taken down, maybe it was the fact that Murdock had just survived being shot in the head, maybe it was the unfiltered joy rushing through her at the thought that It’s over, we’re free, no more running, we’re okay.

Whatever the reason, though, she cupped Murdock’s face in her hands and kissed him, and this one was much more light and brief and chaste than the sort-of-pretend makeout session they’d had in Morocco but God it was so much better. They were, both of them, filled with adrenaline and sheer happiness, and from the moment their lips touched, Dot swore she saw fireworks. She’d never believed that stupid rom-com cliché, but she supposed she’d been wrong; kissing Murdock now, when it was real and sweet and when she’d been wanting to for so long, she could’ve sworn she saw bright colors exploding behind her closed eyelids, making this whole thing that much more amazing.

After a moment, Dot leaned back on her heels, ignoring Face’s wolf whistle and focusing only on the huge goofy grin spreading across Murdock’s face. She felt an answering grin of her own come across her face, and reached to lace her hand with one of Murdock’s without fully thinking about it.

Her hand in his felt perfectly right.

“Well, Dottie,” Murdock said cheerfully, giving her a shit-eating grin but looking at her like she was the most perfect thing he’d ever seen. “You sure you’re okay gettin’ with a villain like the Joker?”

Letting out a small huff of laughter, Dot leaned in close to Murdock again, lowering her voice to a soft, affectionate whisper. “Hey. Every Joker needs a Harley Quinn, right?”

A-Team OC Squad: @auxiliarydetective, @datasgirlfriend.

General Taglist: @hiddenqveendom, @auxiliarydetective, @foxesandmagic, @artemisocs, @reyofluke-ocs, @endless-oc-creations, @stanshollaand, @ginevrastilinski, @luucypevensie, @arrthurpendragon, @fakedatings, @impales, @ocappreciation.

[watatsumiis]

ALL OF THE QUESTIONS!!!!!!! for ur ask game

Ohoho!!! excited beeps!!! Thank you so so much, im p excited to do this woo

Answers under the cut!

1. Who are your favourite character(s) at the moment?

I definitely have had some pretty strong Harbinger brainrot over the past few weeks (Dottore, Pierro, Pantalone and Capitano especially), but as always Ayato and Zhongli hold a very special place in my heart!! Yae Miko and Tighnari also got me going a bit feral right now ngl

2. Who are your least favourite character(s) at the moment?

There are definitely a few characters who I can't stand (female pyro vision wielders---) but I feel like that's more to do with how they've been written in the game, I feel like I could be convinced to like a lot of them once I've read some good headcanons and such!

EDITED LIKE 8 HOURS LATER BECAUSE I REMEMBERED HOW MUCH I HATE THE R/AIDEN SH0GUN YUCK YUCK YUCK DEFO LEAST FAV OF ALL TIME EVER

3. Which character(s) do you lowkey despise but can't stop thinking about?

SCARAMOUCHE he's a gross little rat and i want to pull his hair -- also same with Al Haitham i just grrr bark (dont come for me i defo dont actually hate either of them asdjkhksdfg)

4. Which character(s) do you identify the most with?

I have pretty strong connections with a few characters throughout the series, but I vibe really hard with Xiao and Gorou (if you couldn't already guess--) and sometimes Sucrose! There's also something about Albedo that's got me like. Hm. Nods. Same hat.

5. What are your favourite headcanons you've come up with?

My appearance headcanons for Capitano are definitely right up there - if MHY disappoints/diverts a lot I think I've come up with enough original content and ideas for him to just make my version a fully fledged OC.

I'm also pretty fond of a lot of my neurodivergent headcanons for certain characters (OCD Pantalone isn't something I've seen around but it's definitely something I incorporate into a lot of my writing with him).

OH ALSO Adepti being empaths !! That's a very special headcanon I hold dear to my heart, I dunno why I came up with it but I really really like it, especially with Xiao.

6. Favourite headcanons belonging to other people?

I saw a Pyro Delusion Pantalone headcanon the other day that was really really super cool, I'd never even considered him having a delusion until I saw that and it vibed!!

Generally I enjoy any trans or ND headcanons for characters too, even if they don't line up with how I view them/characterise them it's really nice to see such a broad range of ideas for one character!

ALSO DESI KAEYA MY BELOVED AUGH

7. Do you have any self-ships (romantic or platonic)?

So many. So so many. I have a variety of 'sonas' for various AUs/timelines (though the one that I've made the most content for is. An arranged marriage AU with Ayato jkdskjhgf) and I make a lot of varying content for them (which I probably won't be sharing here because I'm shy but just know. I love them.) with all different characters and different relationship dynamics, I've been shipping myself (or versions of) with fictional characters for years and it's a huge comfort to me and such a fun fun way to experiment with writing different scenarios and such!

8. Thoughts on alternate universes (AUs)? Any favourites?

I LOVE AUs so much i have about a million myself and I adore seeing the kinds of things others come up with !! A lot of my writing tends to be done in a non-canon AU where the events of the game havent/don't happen just to keep things simpler hfkjhsdgk

I'm always an enjoyer of modern AUs, but at the moment i'm holding a particular fondness for the 'Fatui adopt Kaeya AU', which lowkey may have slightly inspired the last fic i started working on ehe

9. If you were from Teyvat, where would you live?

Mondstadt!! It just seems chill and nice and there's such a wide variety of people there, the vibe seems accepting and laid back and it seems like lots of people from different walks of life congregate there! Failing that maybe Sumeru just because mmm pretty

10. What kind of Vision would you have?

Anemo, probably! That's the one i most commonly write my sonas with! Though I don't think I'd be entirely opposed to a Dendro vision in some cases too!!

11. What weapon type would you use?

Hmm I guess maybe catalyst? (something something not another god damn anemo catalyst short model boy)

12. Favourite fandom tropes/goofs?

One i always find funny is like. siblings with big age gaps getting along great (Albedo/Klee, Ayato/Ayaka, Jean/Barbara, etc) but ones closer in age constantly trying to MURDER each other (Diluc/Kaeya, and Aether/Lumine r the only ones i can think of rn).

I also love the found family tropes I see around, and the Nahida and Scara content I've seen recently have been top notch!

13. Least favourite fandom tropes/goofs?

It's a common thing with a lot of games and characters where the fandom reduces them down to a core trait or two and act like it's completely canon, or take certain lines and such out of context and base their entire characterisation off of that - on a surface level theyre silly and fun but when it's literally everywhere

A few i can think of off the top of my head are like 'senior citizen zhongli' where he's reduced to nothing but a bumbling old boomer and the whole 'stalker/obsessive ayaka' bit.

14. If you could change anything about one characters design, who/what would it be and why?

I think some of the adepti should have more non-human traits (xiao deserves horns tbh) and as a general statement i'd love to see characters with facial/body hair and more variety in body types or at least skin tones! I understand it's not exactly like realistic but it would be nice

there was also an interesting detail with Zhongli's design that was fixed - he wore his vision backwards! I think it was super neat and an interesting reference to the fact that it's not a real vision, but sadly they fixed it :(

15. What's your favourite voice line from the game?

I know a lot of people joke about Zhongli's idle lines being really annoying (and while hearing the oSmAnThUs WiNe line 8 times in just as many minutes can get really irritating) but i find them kind of comforting - I play in English and really enjoy the cadence of his voice, it's super comforting to me, so most of his lines are big faves - I also find his 'disliked gift' line super funny where he tries to redirect the player by telling them stories ashkjgf

I also like how Kaeya teases you for standing around (though it kinda makes me wanna flick him), and Tighnari's "who ate a poisoned mushroom this time?" join line is fun!

Link to the ask meme!

[verytiredbeaver]

Because I'm bored and it's almost the Christmas season I thought I might rank the John Lewis Christmas adverts over the last few years. For anyone who doesn't know John Lewis is a pretty big department store in the UK and its kinda a Christmas tradition that they release these fairly elaborate Christmas adverts every year.

I know this is just capitalist pandering and I'm ultimately playing into systems which are destroying the world and meaning of holidays.... anyway.

The 2012 advert is pretty good, people really like this one apparently and while it's a nice simple message it's too vague for me. I don't really feel anything out of watching it and the song isn't that good imo. 5/10

2013 is a tough one, on the one hand the designs are wonderful and Lilly Allen is an icon. Looking at the behind the scenes I realised that this at least partially animated by stop motion bur I dunno, something about this one still just doesn't click for me. I do like the whole message of sticking together despite differences but as a whole it's not really my favourite 6/10

I love Monty the penguin so much but the song isn't that good and just feels a tad off hut otherwise pretty great. I felt this penguins need to feel togetherness with another on a very deep level but the thing with the toys at the end just kind of doesn't click for me. 5/10

FINALLY! The reason I have been obsessed with these adverts for almost a decade now. Instant classic, instant tears, song is perfect, message is good, overall vibe is cute. I go feral for the bit where the party sound cuts out and the old man is all alone and then it comes back when he gets the telescope. 2015 is flawless, genuinely imo 1000/10

2016 was a bad year for all of us, wasn't it. This included, I like foxes but the cgi isn't great and it's kinda just a repeat of 2014. I also feel it lacks any real critical message that all the other ones have had, I know this sounds idiotic but this one feels the most like an ad and only an ad. 4/10

I've actually never seen this one before I started this post.... there's a reason for that. The songs okay and I do actually like this kid and monster interacting but as a whole I think it has the opposite problem of 2016 where its trying to do a lot with very little. It feels forced and its not very good imo, also it loses points for kinda copping out in the end. 6/19

I gotta preface this by saying The Sun is bad and if you can find this video on a different YouTube channel please link below.

That aside, I love Elton John, he's a personal favourite of mine and I think in a time where arts programmes and the value of stuff like that gets diminished it is kinda of beautiful to visualise the impact nurturing musical talent can have on people. This feels like a very short version of Rocket man and it wouldn't shock me if they drew a little inspiration from this advert. It's not the most emotional and i think i take points off for kinda just doing Elton John whose basically guaranteed to please people but yeah, 8/10

This. This right here, one fucked up little guy, Edgar is my blorbo and I adore him. This is what 2017 wished it was. The little fantasy town is nice and the cover of the song is honestly pretty good. The general vibe is also good because it's a little sad and that's what I'm looking for tbh. 8/10

I honestly kinda of like the visual aesthetic of this one with the mixed media approach of stop motion, traditional imagination and papercraft. I like the message of this one a lot because I'm a suckered for the positive choices having wide ranging positive impact on the world. The one problem I have is the pacing is a little off and the time loop at the end feels kinda unnecessary 8/10

I have grown to like this one a bit more but u very vividly remember watching the 2021 advert and not liking it. I think it might be the alien, they don't look that alien and I'm not a huge fan of ET which this is a pretty blatant play on. While I do like the message of sharing culture and peace on earth and there's a few moments worth noting it's just kinda mid for me, the kiss at the end also kinda weirds me out but thats probably my own thoughts on this being a kind of ET homage clouding that. As I said I've softened on it but its still a 6/10

I dunno maybe this whole list is asinine and a wasteful glorification of capitalism and I should do something better with my evening

...

JUST WHEN I THINK IM OUT THEY PULL ME BACK IN. Boy howdy did I feel some things while watching this that I pressumed an advert could never stir within me. I really relate to the Taylor Swift lyric "I've never been a natural, all I do is try, try, try" and man does this hit the spot! Also I think this might he the most solidified message since 2015 because I think foster care and the general care system is so important in our society and its nice to use this platform to bring attention to a worthwhile cause. Bonus points I've included a link to the song in this one because it's sung by a semi creepy sad clown man, which is obviously a plus (I like to think he recorded the version in this advert in the full get up). Great, spot on, Christmas miracle (tm) 1001/10

[damrodigital]

If you’re looking to upgrade your living space with a stylish yet affordable fabric sofa set under ₹50,000, you’re in luck! The market is packed with excellent options that offer a combination of comfort, aesthetics, and durability. However, with so many choices available, it can get overwhelming. This guide will walk you through essential tips and recommended brands to help you pick the perfect fabric sofa set that fits your budget and style.

Why Choose a Fabric Sofa Set?

Fabric sofas are popular for a reason – they are soft, breathable, and available in a variety of colors and textures. Additionally, fabric sofas:

Provide comfort with cushioned seats.

Offer design versatility with patterns and colors to match different themes.

Are budget-friendly compared to leather or premium material sofas.

Tips for Picking the Right Fabric Sofa Set Under ₹50,000

1. Decide the Sofa Type Based on Your Space

3-Seater or 5-Seater Sofa Sets: Great for large living rooms.

L-Shaped Sofa Sets: Perfect for corner spaces and apartments, as they save room.

Two-Seater Sofas: Ideal for small living rooms or cozy corners.

2. Choose the Right Fabric

Select fabric that suits your lifestyle. Some options to consider:

Cotton: Breathable but may stain easily.

Polyester blends: Stain-resistant and durable.

Velvet: A plush feel but might require more maintenance.

Look for fabrics with anti-pilling and stain-resistant properties for easy upkeep.

3. Look for Offers and Discounts

When shopping on a budget, it’s a good idea to explore sales and discount periods. Furniture brands often offer festive discounts or clearance sales.

Example: Damro, HomeTown, and Urban Ladder often run discounts, especially during the festive season.

4. Check Brand Reviews and Warranty

Ensure that the sofa comes with a warranty (at least 1 year) to cover manufacturing defects. Always go through customer reviews to understand product quality.

5. Measure Your Space Before Purchase

Use a measuring tape to confirm that the sofa you pick fits your room without making it look cramped.

Top Brands Offering Affordable Fabric Sofas Under ₹50,000

1. Damro

Known for durability and value for money, Damro offers elegant fabric sofa sets with simple, sleek designs.

Price Range: ₹35,000 – ₹50,000

Best Picks: L-shaped sofas and 3-seater sofas.

Special Feature: Available in easy-to-clean polyester and cotton blends.

2. HomeTown

HomeTown provides a wide variety of affordable and functional sofa sets with customization options.

Price Range: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000

Best Picks: Compact two-seaters and modular L-shaped sofas.

Special Feature: Many sofas include matching cushions for added comfort.

3. Urban Ladder

Urban Ladder is known for modern designs and superior build quality. They offer fabric sofas perfect for contemporary homes.

Price Range: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000

Best Picks: Sectional sofas and 2-seater sets for small spaces.

Special Feature: Sofas with fabric that resists stains and spills.

4. Pepperfry

Pepperfry is a popular online platform offering stylish and affordable furniture, including fabric sofas in various sizes and colors.

Price Range: ₹28,000 – ₹50,000

Best Picks: Three-seater sofas with matching ottomans.

Special Feature: Frequent sales and offers on popular sofa sets.

How to Style a Fabric Sofa on a Budget

Even with an affordable sofa, you can make your living room look premium with the following tips:

Add Throw Pillows: Mix patterns and solid colors to create a cozy vibe.

Use a Sofa Cover: Protect your fabric sofa and extend its lifespan by using stylish covers.

Place a Rug: Positioning the sofa on a beautiful rug can enhance the aesthetic of the room.

Add Lighting: Use lamps or fairy lights to make the sofa area look warm and inviting.

Conclusion

Picking an affordable fabric sofa set under ₹50,000 doesn’t mean compromising on quality or style. With brands like Damro

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 14th June

Summer's back, and with it a fresh, summery sound! Actually, I don't know if that kind of seasonality is really a thing yet - we've had Christmas songs, but that kind of "song of the summer" hasn't really happened yet. That said, at least one of the songs this weeks looks properly silly, at least going off the title?

Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) - Perry Como (peaked at Number 4)

I have never heard of this song, but its title sounds like something a Saturday morning cartoon character might say, followed by a canned laugh track. You can just imagine it in a sort of mid-century "gee willikers" dad voice, you know? Not that that's a bad thing, per se, but I do hope the song doesn't take itself too seriously with it.

Okay, we've started with a rather goofy xylophone, so it does feel deliberate. And we've also got a lot of definite daftness in the lyrics, with Perry singing the repeated refrain Hot diggit, dog ziggity, boom, what you do to me and waxing lyrical about how he Never knew that my heart could go "zing" that-a-way / Ting-a-ling that-a-way, make me sing that-a-way. So yes, this is indeed quite a deliberately silly song, tongue-twister lyrics and all.

There's actually not much more to the song. It's a waltz all about how smitten Perry is with his love, and the wide, wide range of improbable noises his heart is making, now that they are in his life. He hopes they can get a cute little cottage for two with them, and swears he'll be happy for the rest of his life if they do. Nothing revolutionary, but the sentiment's cute enough, the tune's catchy, and I've got a sneaky affection for the Hot dog! interjection at the end, which feels very 1950s, somehow.

I also had a nagging feeling that I knew the tune, the first time I heard it? Turns out it's almost a copy of the tune España, a 1883 composition by French classical composer Emmanuel Chabrier. It's a song I've played in various ensembles and groups at various points, so that's why it's ringing a bell, I guess? For me, it gives the whole thing a slightly circus or funfair vibe, a sense of good old-fashioned fun.

Apart from that, this just feels like part of a long tradition of nonsense lyrics in pop songs. Doo-wop's doing it best at the moment, but even Perry's more traditional brand of pop can do it when it wants to, as evidence by this song, I guess.

Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley (9)

This song only got to 9, I think, as I load it up? 9?! That can't be right, for such an iconic tune! But no, I check, and this song really did only reach Number 9 on the UK charts, even as Heartbreak Hotel did the numbers. Huh.

It's a shame, because this is Elvis as maybe his most Elvis? It's a rockabilly number, originally written by one Carl Perkins - more on him next entry! - but covered by Elvis only a year later. Apparently they didn't really expect it to become a hit, and were rather surprised when Elvis' version surpassed Carl's in fame. Such was its impact that even today, I think most people probably think of this as an Elvis song. I knew it was a cover, but even so, I don't really have a mental conception of what the original might sound like, such is the extent to which Elvis owns this song.

The best bit's probably the opening lines, as Elvis counts us in with the famous but kind of mysterious statement about how It's one for the money, two for the show / Three to get ready, now go, cat, go! We're immediately in the realm of showbusiness, with all its glitz, glamour and frantic hustle, all sung at a frantic pace that really encourages you to dance from the get go.

We then get the classic lines about how you can knock me down, step in my face / Slander my name all over the place / Do anything that you want to do / But uh-huh honey, lay off my shoes. Elvis is just really protective of those shoes, huh? I'm actually kinda tickled by it, the idea of somebody who just really is proud of their fancy shoes, okay? And then it gets worse, as Elvis sings about how You can burn my house, steal my car / Drink my liquor from and olf fruit-jar, as long as you spare his shoes. Is this... a funny song?

It also feels like it fits with the emergence of a "rockstar" figure, known as much for their image and looks as for their music. Say what you like about Frankie Laine and David Whitfield, or even Johnnie Ray, they aren't dependent on their image in the same way that Elvis was. So in some ways, it's fitting that Elvis is charting with a song about taking care of your slightly ridiculous but doubtless fashionable shoes.

As ever with these rock and roll numbers, the lyrics are also only half the attraction. You don't actually need to think too hard about Elvis' shoes to enjoy this song, you know? Rather, it's a song that just enjoys being a fast, slightly raucous riot of bashy drums and scruffy guitar solos. It's got a bit less polish than a lot of rock and roll numbers we've heard so far, more of a gutsy, back-of-a-barn rockabilly sensibility, and everyone involved sounds like they're having a lot of fun. Heck, there's even a slightly Lonnie Donegan skiffly turn in the twangy bass, the little performative vocal quirks, and the frantic stutter in lines like blu-blu-blue suede shoes, which Elvis hams right up, seemingly just for the pleasure of saying those words in a row - which is fair enough, I defy you to try it and not enjoy the assonance of it all.

Man, after denying the existence of a silly season, we just got two quite silly songs, didn't we? I don't know why I never thought of Blue Suede Shoes as a silly song before, it's obviously a bit ridiculous, and Elvis is really hamming it up with his performance. It's one of those songs that I already quite liked, but repeat listening has only improved it. Elvis is pretty good, who knew?

Favourite song of the bunch: Blue Suede Shoes

[pumpkinupsidedowncake]

Hey you're 100% right about Malevolent being ttrpg related btw. It was based off the writer's Call of Cthulhu campaign and takes place in the same universe with a handful of common characters. Also, Patreon members have a perk where we get to vote on Arthur's decisions a couple times per episode. This mechanic used to be more in-depth (with perception rolls, skill trees, and a sanity mechanic) but that was dropped pretty early on because it interfered with storytelling

Yes, but like it goes beyond just the origin and the dice roll sounds in the first episodes and the audience collaboration and all that. The way the plot beats shake out feels like they could have just happened in the Call of Cthulhu system. (I haven’t played it, so my knowledge comes from when I was researching how to run it and also indirectly from playing other ttrpgs. Mostly DnD 5e, unfortunately for my esoteric street cred.)

And that’s the bit I don’t know how to describe. Like, there’s a bunch of arcs that involve doing different things in different places instead of sticking to one type of story, which reminds me of when I was reading a series of DnD books and one was like “you know that guy you’ve been reading about? He’s on a boat now. I don’t know why either. Ocean time baby”

Like it isn’t that stark, there’s still a goal being pursued and the standard or subverted dynamic of Arthur and John, but if you tried to tell someone about all the interesting things that have happened in the podcast it would sound like you were describing all the crazy things that happened to your group in your ongoing game. “Like there was this guy with a gas mask and we stole his dead sister’s head, and there was this random baby we had that one time, and also we ended up in the Dreamlands and oh don’t even get me started on that, then we broke into this guy’s mansion after drinking at the murder inn and then we went to NYC and met a serial killer on the train ride over and then became tenants and released a horrifying entity and then” et cetera et cetera (that’s where I left off last).

Like other podcasts can become that way too, but they seldom feel like that when you listen to them. So much has happened in Malevolent that even though we’ve been following the same person throughout, I regularly forget all the shit that’s happened to him. It’s a different vibe than Juno Steel or Archive 81, maybe because the narrative focuses are different?

Like Archive 81 builds up a strange world with rules different to our own just out of sight to most, and each season feels different, but it’s more about the world than any one character. It’s them getting shaped by the strangeness and adapting and sometimes wishing they hadn’t and the choices offered never have a clear meaning until you’re knee deep in the consequences, maybe not even then.

Juno Steel has a clear narrative style, and that’s what I think of first: the character we’re focused on adding their thoughts and context to whatever’s happening “onscreen”, a la film noir or at least the improv game of that title. I am uncultured. The story feels constructed and clear and grounded, even though we are on Mars and impossible things are happening. (This is another one I’m not caught up on, but the focus seems to continue to be a wide range of characters and their motivations and how they interact with everyone else.)

I guess typing this all out, Malevolent feels more immediate in action and consequences. The focus is on whatever Arthur is doing. When he isn’t dealing with the world’s lore or his past, we don’t hear about it. It still shapes him and the conflict he faces, but we get less insight into it than we would if he monologued about his martyr complex or learned enough about the strange Dreamland inhabitants to establish what each of their “deals” are. We either don’t stick around long enough to, or they’re important and therefore a mystery to us, or they are murdered in cold blood. In any case it isn’t really about them because compared to Arthur, they’re NPCs. They keep us moving forward, even if we’d rather stick around and learn more.

I guess it’s the focus on Arthur and John’s planning and actions combined with the way everyone else’s motivation matters less than how it impacts them, the party/investigators/main characters. Like I’m describing it in extremes but I’m not wrong. It’s the closest you can get to being a ttrpg without actually being one, even ignoring the origins and patreon voting. Those definitely add to it, especially the patreon voting and the hints you get of it even without hearing the vote-on-this-thing prompts, but if it was just that it would be a choose-your-own-adventure type deal. Actually, I realize I don’t know enough about that type of game/narrative to definitively say that.

So basically, it feels like a ttrpg in ways that it shouldn’t necessarily just based on where it gets its lore and some plot-important background characters from, even with important choices being decided on by people on Patreon. I am pretty sure this has a different style than a choose-your-own-adventure story would, but all I can speak to is how different it feels from other fiction podcasts with big worlds and lots of characters.