#2) stop thinking about the big picture and focus on line edits and perfecting what i've already edited and had betaed

[nanowrimo]

5 Tips for Finishing Your Novel

April’s session of Camp NaNoWriMo is drawing to a close, and you might find yourself nearing the end of your novel. If you need some tips on writing and polishing the ending of your story, author Derek Murphy is here to share a few! Plus, you can check out the rest of our novel-finishing resources on our #NaNoFinMo page. 

You won NaNoWriMo and have a 50k collection of scenes and sentences, but how do you clean it up and get it done? How do you make sure it’s finished, satisfying and enjoyable? Here are 5 powerful strategies for finishing your novel and some helpful writing tips that will push you past the finish line.

1. Give it a satisfying resolution.

In order to have a powerful story, your book should probably focus on a main character’s change or transformation. There’s an inner war, a.k.a. the character’s emotional healing, and an outer war: the conflict that forced the reckoning. If it’s a purely symbolic internal realization, you can mirror that with actual conflict in the real scene: the breaking of a dish, a fit of rage, a sudden ray of sunlight (or a storm… this should not be pleasant; It’s a breaking point and spiritual death/rebirth).

You can clarify the moment of change by setting up an illustrative contrast, a before and after, that shows how those internal changes have resulted in real-world consequences or benefits. Each character’s unique challenge will match their personal weakness or fear. The price for victory is the one thing they have so far refused to do, or something they cannot give up or bear to lose.

Make sure your protagonist has gone through a transformative struggle to arrive at deep insights, knowledge or awareness. Find a way to deepen the incidental scenes so that they become instrumental to a deeper purpose, leading towards an identity-shifting event.

The plot is what happens, and it’s important. But you can make it more dramatic and meaningful by making sure you demonstrate how hard it was and what it cost. It matters, it is remarkable, because it forced your protagonist to change.

Your conclusion might include:

Physical tension as allies perform a tug-of-war battle against resistance, that shows how difficult this struggle is, and how much force is required.

The consideration phase, as characters are tempted last minute or the price for victory is revealed: the sweet memories that give them awareness that this fight is worth the cost or risk (you need to show them making the choice, knowing what they will lose).

The final flashback, as the full backstory is revealed so we can see exactly why this conflict is so difficult or meaningful for the main character.

2. Add (unresolved) conflict.

Your story is made up of the events and scenes, where something happens. Each new event will push the characters further into the plot. Slow scenes where nothing is really happening can be red flags, so the first thing to focus on is increasing conflict, drama, suspense and intrigue. This is what creates urgency. The full reveal, demonstrating why THIS challenge is so difficult and powerful, should happen just before the final battle or resolution.

You want to make sure every scene, especially in your conclusion, has enough conflict. I recommend these three:

Outer Conflict (threats): Challenges or obstacles that prevent the character from achieving goals.

Inner Conflict (doubts): Moral struggles, decisions, guilt or shame, anger.

Friendly Fire (betrayal): Strong disagreements between allies or supporting characters. 

You want to extend and deepen the potential conflict, without resolving it too easily. The biggest destroyer of conflict is conversation: when your characters just sit around and talk to each other. Most conflict involves a lack of information, and a desire for clarity. A lot of conflict is perceived or imagined.

The most important information needs to come last, and come at a great price. The information that has an emotional impact, and influences their actions and decisions, should be big reveals at dramatic peaks. A surprise or twist should be treated as an event: each scene is leading towards a change or new piece of information that provokes the protagonist to respond.

3. Fill plot holes with character motivation.

After you’ve made sure that “what actually happens” is intriguing (opening questions and raising tensions without resolving them) you can focus on making sure the plot holes are filled, and characters are properly motivated – these two things are usually adjacent.

You can find and fill plot holes by asking:

Why are the characters doing this?

Why does any of it matter?

Basically, readers need to respect the main characters enough to care what happens to them, so their choices and actions need to make sense within the given information. If there’s a simpler, easier solution, readers will get stuck up on “why didn’t they just…”? To fix plot holes and gaps in logic or continuity, or make the story go where you need it to, you can add urgency, fix the mood of the scene (bigger stakes require bigger justifications), show characters in a weakened mental state, or raise concerns but have them dismissed, with an excuse or justification.

You need rational characters to make plausible choices that lead to dire consequences. You need show why they don’t do something easier, or nothing at all, or why they face clear challenges, despite potential obstacles.

They’ll also require a deeper motivation, for why they’re willing to put themselves in identity-destroying conflict, rather than just giving up or running away. Why do they stay in THIS fight, when they’ve run from similar ones? If they weren’t ready at the beginning, why are the ready now – what changed in them, as a result of your story’s journey?

Your protagonist needs to have a strong, consistent internal compass, and it needs to be revealed through incidents that establish their character. This is who they are. Without this reliable core identity, we won’t be able to tell a story that forces them to change. 

4. Let readers picture your story with detailed description.

In the final stages of revision, you can begin improving the description with specific details.

It’s smart to start – or end – a chapter with a vivid, immediate scene. You want to leave readers with an image they can see in their minds, hopefully connected to the feeling you aim to evoke. You can close a chapter with a reference back to a motif or image, with a deeper or more reflective context; applying meaning to the metaphor. This will help readers feel engaged, be moved, and leave a lasting impact.

Vivid scenes are mostly a matter of detailed description, so add the specifics about the story environment. Be precise, not vague. Instead of “she put a plate of tea and snacks on the table” you can write “she gently placed an antique porcelain teapot on the table. I could smell it was Earl Grey from the scent of bergamot. The half-sleeve of Oreos and can of onion-flavored Pringles seemed incongruous with the fancy dishes, but I knew she was making an effort to welcome me.”

Focus on the sensations and feelings; but also zero-in on any potential sources of conflict or internal emotions or states of mind. In my example above, the host might be nervous or ashamed of her spread; or perhaps she has a degenerative brain disease and doesn’t notice the incongruity. Tensions are unspoken, potential sources of negative feelings. They hover in the background of your description.

Readers will remember the pictures you put in their heads, not the words on the page.

Description should serve and be bound to the story, not distract from it.

It should be squeezed into and around the scene action, when the protagonist is using or exploring.

Show what’s different, not what’s the same.

Leave space for readers to fill in the gaps, but get them started in the right direction so they aren’t surprised later.

Sidenote: be careful about your metaphors, analogies and similes. Each one will put a picture into readers’ minds, and it can quickly get overcrowded with imagery. You’re asking them to ignore your real scene and think of something else. Use them to confirm and amplify the scene you have, and limit distractions.

5. Prepare to publish.

Typos are bad, but perfectionism will ruin you. This section is about editing and proofreading, but I don’t have time for all that, and you don’t either. The real problem with a story is rarely the number of typos. A very clean book isn’t better if people stop reading.

You can solve a lot of common writing problems, with my big list of 25 common writing mistakes, and self-edit your manuscript to make it as good as possible. After that, a copyeditor or proofreader isn’t always the best investment (and it can also be the biggest publishing cost).

Instead, use an editing software (I like Grammarly) to root out obvious mistakes, but don’t dwell on the small stuff like perfecting every word or rearranging the commas. Spending a very long time wrestling a poorly-written manuscript in shape is less effective than getting something (actually) done to the point where you’re comfortable sharing it.

This may be difficult at first, but you can’t learn and improve without genuine reader feedback (from people who aren’t your mom or best friend; nor the short-sighted opinions of a self-proclaimed literature enthusiast). You need to find readers who enjoy your particular genre, and the sooner you find them, the more valuable feedback you can get.

Shorten the feedback loop: Get over the fear and focus on learning by getting feedback early and often. However, this doesn’t just mean joining a writer’s club: writers are brutal and might focus on trivial things. The safest bet is to make it public, on Wattpad at least. Or get a cheap cover and throw it up on Kindle, Draft2Digital or even your own blog.

Making it public is scary and vulnerable, but it’s better than letting the fear of messing up keep you from the brutal, necessary experience of allowing readers to tell you what they liked and disliked about your writing. Will some people be critical? Yes! But guess what, you’ll get negative reviews even if you’re a brilliant, famous writer. Those are inevitable. And the first negative reviews may teach you more about writing than 10 years attempting to self-edit, afraid of putting your book out into the world.

PS. You can use resources, like my 24-chapter plot outline, as a way to spot story gaps in your manuscript and improve the structure (especially if your book suffers from a “soggy middle.)

Derek Murphy has a PhD in Literature, writes urban fantasy and is the founder of the alliance of young adult authors. More recently, he’s started sharing writing tips on http://www.writethemagic.com

Top photo by Adegbenro Emmanuel Dipo on Unsplash.

[weasleywinchester]

Not A Shrine

Eyyy Ohh! First fic for Mr. Marcus Magnet Hands Moreno! I’m excited to jump into this universe because there are just so many ways to go! This fic is mainly banter between (Y/N) and Miracle Guy (Whom I’ve decided to name Murphy Jones). Hope You enjoy! Also this is probably my last fic for the next week as I will be out of state for my birthday!!

Miracle Guy x Reader (New Friends)

Marcus Moreno x Reader (Romantic)

Summary:

You’re a huge fan of Marcus Moreno: leader of the Heroics, sword fighting, ass kicking extraordinaire. You got to see him once after he and Miracle Guy completed a tough mission, capturing your favorite moment between the two. But that was a long time ago when you were just an intern, now you’re part of the team that helps Heroics transition from the spotlight to civilian life. Miracle Guy happens to be on your list, and when your work partner points out your collection of Marcus photos and memorabilia to him, he’s dead set on embarrassing you just a little.

P.S. I think this might will get a part 2, because there’s just not enough Marcus tbh 💙

 “Shannon, I bought coffee, lord knows we’re going to need it.” You set her coffee on the desk, sitting across from her. She squeals in delight, taking a big gulp. She’s not going to tell you she’s already had a red bull, because coffee is just so good. She claps her hands together and takes a deep breath, practically vibrating.

“WOO! Well I’m going over the roster of Heroics, and it looks like a lot of them are ready to start planning, but most are not ready to actually retire.” She hands you a print out of the current full time Heroics. You scan the list, which she has already split between you and her, when you see-

“Miracle Guy?” you sigh, squeezing your eyes shut.

“I knnnoooow. I tried already to bring up the planning phase and he’s not budging. I thought you could take a crack at it?” She begs.

“Fine. On one condition.” 

“I already assigned Marcus to you.” She shrugs playfully. Marcus… assigned… to...you? Your mouth goes dry as you gape like a fish.

“(Y/N)... You can do this!” Shannon pounds the table. You’ve had a crush on him longer then Shannon has known you. And he’s been single for a long time, you’ve been single for a long time, you’re both amazing, you just need a nudge.

“The job ya, but… how am I supposed to focus if he’s so close.”

“You don’t have to be nervous, I promise to be nice.”

You turn to see the one and only Miracle Guy himself, one Murphy Jones. He’s got his signature smirk on his face, but otherwise he’s out of costume for once.

“Miracle Guy! What a surprise.” Shannon bubbles, shuffling some papers away.

“Shannon, lovely as always. Ms. (Y/L/N), I’m ready to talk retirement.” He gestures widely with his arms, as if he’s Jesus. You roll your eyes and lead him back to your office, gesturing for him to take a seat as you organize your desk.

“Ok so what exactly did you want to start talking about?” You turn to him, notebook at the ready.

“That I’m not ready to retire, and never will be.” He smiles like he just told you you won the lottery.

“Murphy, Wheels is ready to start taking over the family business. Which means you need to get ready to let go.” You laugh. 

His smile falters a little. Being a Heroic, and in front of the camera, is what he’s always wanted to do. He’s done a lot of amazing work that he’s immensely proud of. And the people of the world love him, he can’t abandon his fans. Although it would be nice to have time to teach Wheels new things, and actually do stuff with his wife.

“This is what I know how to do.” He states, looking at the floor.

“Yes, but now we can move those skills into other areas. Take Marcus for example.” You ignore the eye roll from him, “He’s technically retired from the Heroics central team. But he still works here, using his skills to help the team in the field. Teach, train, and coach from a distance.”

“Well, hooray for him.” 

“Murphy, You can’t physically fight monsters forever. Unless you want Wheels to have one parent. Why don’t we explore options. Marcus chose to observe from the main office, to use his highly trained mind to anticipate and analyze attacks. We could do the same for you.” 

“I don’t do behind the scenes.” He growls. This face? Meant to be in front of a camera, meant to be saving the world crowds at a time.

You hold your hands up in mock surrender.

“Hear me out. Maybe we can have you as a spokesperson. You love doing all the ribbon cuttings, first pitches at baseball games, kissing babies and hugging old people. Work with the image side of the Heroics, the press. You’re a fan favorite! That’s not going to stop anytime soon, and an easy way to do the parts of the job you love, and to lower the chance of immediate death.”

You take a sip of your coffee as you watch him. He’s twiddling his thumbs, trying to nitpick your proposal apart. What he doesn’t know is you’ve been researching possible jobs for him ever since he stormed out of Shannon’s office a month ago. You had talked to the press team, the board and Ms. Granada; everyone thought it was brilliant. 

“Hypothetically, if I agree to this plan, when does it start?”

“It’s just planning for a while. We have to go through everything with a fine tooth comb. There’s no shortcuts, once we establish a plan you are 100 % satisfied with, then the actual transition will start. But since the new generation are still very young, it’ll be a while.” You smile, trying not to look like you won the war.

_______

It’s been about two months since Murphy agreed to your retirement plan. And he’s been in your office at least twice a week, which makes you think he’s just coming to annoy you. Both you and Shannon have a bigger case load than normal, most of the new generation is the same age, so quite a few of the current team are ready to let them take the reins. You’re in the middle of Shark Boy and Lava Girl’s files when Murphy knocks on the door. You open your mouth to tell him to come in but he’s already plopped into the chair across from you.

“Moreno said he’s doing all of his planning via email.” Murphy states, slightly annoyed.

“Well good afternoon to you too.” You raise your eyebrow at him.

“I never got that option.”

“Like you would give up the opportunity to harass me in person.” You laugh, turning back to your paperwork. He frowns at you as your reach to grab something from your bookshelf. He wouldn’t say harass… more like friendly banter. That’s what you two were by now right? Friends?

“Well you’re never going to get him to notice you if you don’t actually meet in person.” He smirks, that should get your full attention.

You read the same line about Shark Boy’s request to be able to swim at the aquarium three times before your brain processes what Murphy just said. 

“What.” You blink, slowly looking up at him.

“You, Moreno, meet.” He claps his hands together, a cheshire grin spreading across his face.

“You talked to Shannon.” You grit your teeth. 

“That, and when she mentioned your shrine...”

“It’s not a shrine.” You clench your jaw. You want to punch Miracle Guy in his miracle face, but it would only hurt you and make him laugh.

“You have a collection of photos, limited edition merch and even a few newspaper clippings about the guy. It’s a shrine.”

“Not a shrine!”

“Anyways, I noticed you didn’t have anything signed by him. So, get him in your office!” Murphy throws his hands in the air, exasperated. You mentioned Marcus constantly, and Murphy can’t stand the guy on a good day. But oh man when the shire was mentioned, that meant he could tease the heck out of you.

“I’m going to kill both of you.” You put your head in your hands, taking a deep breath. You can’t hurt him, it’ll only end badly for you.

“Well that’s a bit harsh. I thought I was an excellent retired Heroic.”

You can hear the smile, but it’s not Murphy talking. You peak from behind your fingers to see Marcus Moreno standing in your doorway. You shift your eyes to Murphy, his stupid smirk on his stupid face.

“Mr. Moreno, I didn’t realize you were coming by.” You smile, sitting up straight. You hope he can’t hear how fast your heart is beating.

“Since when do you call him mister? How come you don’t call me mister?” Murphy says, feigning outrage. He can see the steam shooting out of your ears. Perfect, his suspicions that you had a Class A crush were correct.

“Mr. Jones, our meeting is over.” You answer. He grumbles while he stands; as he passes Marcus  you swear you hear him say, she’s a very big fan.

“Mr. Moreno-”

“Marcus, please.” He smiles, sitting in the chair Murphy just vacated. God, his smile… you could stare at him all day.

“Ok. Marcus, what can I help you with today?” You bring out his file, everything neatly organized and prepared. Unlike all the other files you’re working through, which have sticky notes and scraps of paper that you scrawled on sticking out from every angle.

“I just wanted to make sure everything was still going ok; since I was switched from Shannon’s roster to yours.” Not that he minded. Shannon is great, but something about the way you talk to him over email and the phone is... different. He always wants to keep talking to you, but he’s not sure how to jump from retirement talk to more personal stuff. And then Murphy showed him a super cute picture of you and he felt things he hasn’t felt in a long time.

“Oh, uh, ya everything is still on track. Shannon just had some… other cases that became more complex than we originally thought. Plus she’s making me deal with Miracle Guy, so my reward is you.” And you immediately regret the last part. Oh god, now he thinks you’re weird.

“I mean... your plan is pretty much done, so simple case.”

“Good. I guess it helps to get a head start.” He laughs. 

“That it does. I’m also handling Missy’s transition into fill time Heroic, which is also very much on track. Father like daughter.”

He smiles, a far away look in his eyes. He's so proud of her. She’s strong, brave and every bit just like her mother, and him. He’s glad you're helping her, you’ve already helped him so much.

“I’m glad to hear that. Well, I don’t have anything new to add, so...” He stands from his seat, as do you. He wishes he would have stayed seated, asked you about your day or if you wanted to take a walk with him. 

“Uh ya, I’ll let you know if there’s any changes or if I have questions...” You look just past his arm to see both Murphy and Shannon waving their arms like idiots. Shannon is gesturing writing on a piece of paper, and then pointing at Marcus. Murphy is mouthing ���ask for his number’ while folding his hand into a telephone shape and holding it to his ear. 

“Is there something on my arm?” Marcus looks down, moving his gaze to try and look behind. You quickly grab his bicep, which is very firm, and you both freeze.

“No, just looked like there was a hair, but I don’t think it’s there anymore.” You stammer. He gives you a look, and you realize your hand is still touching him; you quickly let go and gesture to the door. When his back is turned you swat your hand at your friends, telling them to go away.

“I’ll tell Missy you said hello?” He smiles at you.

“Ya, that would be great.” You smile back. He waves and walks down the hall to the elevator. You let out a long breath, going back into your office and collapsing into your chair. “Did you have him sign anything?!” Shannon squeals as Murphy asks “Did you ask for his number?” 

“You two need to stop.” You mumble, rubbing your eyes.

“You literally had him in the palm of your hand.” Murphy snickers as Shannon nods furiously.

“Look, I’m his retirement planner. And he’s probably not looking to date anyone. I’m here to do my job, as a retirement planner.” You shake your head at them both.

They share a look and Shannon goes back to her office. Murphy stays seated, watching you put your belongings in your purse. He was so sure you two would get talking, you drool over Marcus all the time and Marcus actually mentions you a lot. You tend to be the center of conversation between them, which oddly enough has reduced the friction.

You stand, opening the door and gesturing from him to get out. He gets up, silently walking with you until you get to your car.

“I think you two would be good together.” Murphy says to the floor.

You’re not sure what to say. You always thought so, but you also think you’d make a good match with that one guy from Game of Thrones. Also, since when did the great Miracle Guy care about your love life and Marcus Moreno’s?

“That’s really nice of you to think that Murph. But just because I’m ready, doesn’t mean he is.” You give the man a big hug. You always knew there was a kind person under all the swagger; and you’re very happy he’s now a friend.

_______

Two Weeks Later

“Alright. Shark Boy and Lava Girl are about a quarter of the way through their plan. Which is major progress. You said Blinding Fast is still slow going, ha, but that-”

“OOHHH MY GOOODD” Shannon squeals.

“What?” You ask, your blood pressure skyrocketing.

“I am SO PROUD of yooouuu! You finally asked him!” She squeals, clapping her hands together.

“Asked who what?” You scream back. She gives you a look, gesturing to your wall of Marcus behind you. 

“See I told you it would be fine! He probably thinks you’re a bit fangirl-ish, but that’s fine, you are working with him now...” She continues to ramble as you turn around. You scan the wall, your eyes landing on your favorite photo of Marcus and Murphy. It now has the two very recognizable signatures.

“So congrats” she claps again.

“Oo, what are we congratulating (Y/N) on.” Murphy walks in, throwing a smirk at you.

“She finally asked Marcus to sign her favorite picture!” Shannon claps again, her glee very overwhelming at this point.

“I didn’t.” You look between her and Murphy. Shannon frowns, now just as confused as you.

“I did.” Murphy shrugs. Your jaw drops to the floor, you look over at Shannon to see her face mirrors yours.

“I didn’t hear about any fights amongst the Heroics.” You sass. Murphy mocks you in response.

“Well, I guess I should congratulate you then.” Shannon laughs.

“You should.” He winks at Shannon before turning to you, “ I don’t remember that picture being taken. It’s after the spiro monster attack according to our suits.”

“OMG! You never told him the backstory that you repeat all the time?” Shannon howls. You roll your eyes, glancing back at the picture.

“It was my first day as an intern here. I was an intern for the director’s assistant so after the spiro monster mission I was allowed to be in the debrief. You two had taken the mission together, fighting back to back; it was incredible. But you two had sat on the platform while the director was saying what a fine job you two did. I thought to myself fine? They did a kick ass job! Except I said it out loud instead of in my head.”

“I remember that actually.” Murray laughs. 

“The whole day was amazing, filled with moments like that. Back when the team acted like a team.” You smile at the signatures that now decorate the picture, reminding you that friends always have your back.

“How did you even get it out of my office?” You frown, spinning to look at your friends. Shannon immediately drops her gaze, mashing her lips together.

“I had no part, and the piles of paperwork are calling me.” She bows out of the room, leaving you and Murphy alone.

“It did leave its place in the shrine briefly… but I wasn’t sure you would want the original print signed on the front.”

“That’s why Wheels asked for the digital file.” You laugh, he said he needed it for a project the kids were putting together.

“Yes. So That is technically one of three prints.” He takes a folder out of his bag, opening it to reveal a second copy. “I was hoping the artist would sign this one.” He smiles. You grab a marker from your desk, and take the print. You hesitate, you’ve signed plenty of your own art, but Murphy went through the trouble of printing these, just so you could have a signed one. You smile and sign it in a flourish. 

“Will it hang in your house now?” You smirk.

“Actually, ya. And if Marcus is a smart man, it’ll hang in his too.”

“What?”

“I got three printed you dork, one for you, one for me and one for-”

“Marcus.” You smile and shake your head.

_______

Paperwork, it just never ends. You’re up to your eyeballs in it, and you’re not sure when, if, you’ll ever get out. You’re ready to shove all of it into the trash and set it on fire when a gentle knock pulls you out of the stress spiral.

“Hi.” Marcus gives you that super adorable smile.

“Hi.” You smile back.

“I was wondering if I could entice you to dinner.” He nods behind him. Your brain comes to a halt, did he just? He frowns a little when you don’t answer right away, making you realize the screaming yes over and over is only in your head.

“Yes, that would be great.” You laugh, his smile returning. You gently scoop everything back into the folders, and let him guide you to his car. 

________

“Welcome to… I would say the best restaurant around but that’s not true.” He laughs as you pull into his driveway.

“Missy?”

“Is at camp for the week.” He slides out of the drivers side and runs to open your door.

“So what brought this on?” You ask as you reach to take your stuff from him. He waves you off, gesturing for you to walk up the pathway.

“Just decided to branch out my circle of friends, retirement leaves a lot of free time.” He unlocks the door, shuffling you inside. It’s been cleaned, like deep cleaned. There’s not one hint that a tween girl lives here.

“I can see you’ve already utilized the time, pre retirement.” 

He shrugs in response, setting your things down and walking into the kitchen.

“Before you get to watch the master chef cook, I wanted to ask you something.” He leans on the counter across from where you sit. You nod for him to continue. “Will you tell me the story of this picture?” He brings out a folder identical to Murphy’s, opening it to reveal the picture. 

“Of course.”

“And will you sign it for me?” He holds out a marker to you. You take it and quickly sign the photo. He smiles and leans it against the fruit bowl, the two of you looking at it as you recount the story that goes with it. 

And of course you don’t notice, but he’s looking at you, not the picture. If it weren’t for Murphy, out of all people, he wouldn’t have given a thought about anything romantic with you. Granted he’s not sure how ready he is for something romantic. But Missy is gone for a whole week, plenty of time to figure out if his stomach fluttering every time you look his way or say his name is something that is more than a day dream.

[fatefulfaerie]

New (Part 1/3)

Kind of wrote this one differently. Like literally. I wrote it out with a pencil and paper to try new things before typing it up and editing. Is it better or worse? I don’t know, maybe. The only noticeable drawback is that my hand gets tired. How writers did anything before keyboards is insane. Really strong hand muscles, I suppose. Gotta work on that.

One long scene in three parts. Post-BoTW but pre-BoTW 2. What I wouldn’t do for more information on that game. And yes I will write about Link and Zelda pining for each other and being awkward until the sequel comes out because that’s the kind of trash I am.

Zelda hugged her knees close as she watched him come around the corner. Out of earshot, she could only see him gesturing to one thing or another, presumably narrating every new addition to the house since he first bought it to his audience.

Only Riju sat next to her at the empty cooking pot, a fire ablaze underneath and a lush tree hanging above it.

“He seems really happy here,” Riju remarked, Zelda turning her head.

She nodded in reply.

“He likes having a home,” Zelda said. “A place to be grounded.”

“Frankly, Your Highness, I think it’s less the house and more the person living in it with him.”

Zelda blushed, averting her gaze.

“The others are too afraid to ask, but aren’t you two together? The way you look at each other alone…”

“No, we’re not together,” Zelda said as she looked to Riju.

“But you...you do realize you two are courting, right?”

“No, we’re not,” Zelda said with quick shakes of her head.

“As a matter of fact, in Gerudo culture, living together means you’re practically married.”

“Who’s married?” Link asked, approaching them.

Zelda’s face warmed greatly, her eyes widening and her nerves jumping all over the place.

She looked at him quickly. His hands were on his hips, staring down at her with that innocent smile of his, his blue eyes dancing with a genuine inquisition.

“Uhhm…”

Zelda was at a loss for words.

“We were just talking about Hudson and Rhondson,” Riju chimed. “The wedding at Tarrey Town.”

“Ah, I see,” Link said, Zelda mouthing ‘thank you’ to Riju. “I’ve finished the tour of the outside if you’re ready to show them the thing.”

“Oh, right,” Zelda said.

Link offered his hand after she had already started to push herself to standing, making them both freeze.

“I can…” Zelda said quickly, sitting back down.

“No, I don’t have to…” Link retreated his hand.

“It’s fine,” Zelda said as she offered hers

Link chuckled nervously, taking it and pulling her to stand upright.

Riju, Yunobo, Teba, Sidon, and Kass were all watching them now, Link and Zelda walking to the house.

With no thought, they both tried to enter at the same time, stopping suddenly when their shoulders bumped into each other.

With another nervous exhalation, Link took a step back and offered his hands forward.

“Ladies first.”

“N-no,” Zelda remarked, just as nervously. “Go ahead, you were first.”

“It’s really no trouble--”

“Eh-Ahem,” they heard behind them, Link and Zelda looking to the purposeful noise.

Of course everyone but Riju was too polite to say anything, Riju standing there with crossed arms. Yunobo and Sidon in particular were trying to be nonchalant while Kass had this excited and dancing smile in the way his eyes curved. Teba was unamused.

“R-right,” Link stammered, Zelda relenting by entering the house and going up the stairs.

“Come on in.”

“This is basically it,” Zelda heard Link say as she looked at the hanging picture on the wall, the champions in their chaotic glory. “We added a cooking pot here but the dining table and the wall mounts actually came with the house. The weapons may look familiar.”

Zelda could hear the smile in his voice as she took the picture off the wall, running her thumbs across the frame.

“We use this area for storage but we’ve considered expanding it into another room.”

Zelda hugged the picture close as she came back down the stairs, hanging back adoring Link as he continued the tour.

“Up there is where Zelda sleeps--”

Zelda cleared her throat, Link looking to her and immediately knowing the error.

“W-we sleep,” Link corrected. “Zelda had me build me another bed because she didn’t like the idea of me keeping watch instead of sleeping. Sorry, that's kind of new.”

“New or not,” Sidon interjected. “This home is perfect. Well done, Link.”

Sidon had moved his arm to his signature stance, his teeth gleaming with a distinct sparkle.

Three sudden knocks at the door pulled everyone’s focus.

“That must be Purah,” Zelda said as she went to the door, picture in one hand and freedom in the other to turn the knob.

Anyone unknowing of the accident would have seen the cute six-year-old as an oddity. Yet Zelda only smiled.

“Check it!” The little girl exclaimed. “We’re here for dinner! If it weren’t for Symin, we would have been here on time.”

“That’s okay,” Zelda assured her. “We’re glad you could make it.”

Entering the house, Purah and Symin approached the group of guests, everyone kneeling the short-statured yet old and wise woman they’d only heard of.

Sidon was the first person that Purah shook hands with, Sidon placing a second hand on top of hers.

“You’ve grown so big,” she said. “Then again, I’ve likely gotten a bit smaller since I saw you last. How’s your father?”

“Fantastic,” Sidon replied earnestly. “Because of the heroism of both Link and the Princess, Zora’s Domain is truly flourishing.”

“Well, of course,” Purah said in reply. “Linky and his Princess can do anything.”

Link inhaled to correct her, on a couple things as a matter of fact, but she had already moved on to greet the other guests.

“Yunobo,” the Goron said. “Descendant of Daruk. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Purah said with a nod, stepping to greet the next, her hand reaching to the Gerudo.

“I’m Riju,” she said, shaking her hand.

“Teba,” the Rito warrior said with a nod, Purah reaching the end of the line and approaching Kass.

“Wait, don’t tell me,” Purah said with a finger to her mouth. “You were so much smaller back then…”

“Kass!” She said excitedly, getting the name right with a smile.

“It’s so good to see all of you!” She said. “Sometimes when I’m cooped up in the lab I forget how much Hyrule has grown past it’s...well, past.”

“Speaking of which,” Link prompted. “Dinner will be ready in a bit, but Zelda has something she wants to show you.”

“Y-yes, yes I…”

She hugged the picture more as she thought about it, her fingers tensing around it until she sighed.

Zelda smiled.

“Thanks to Kass,” she started, stealing a glance at the happy Rito. “Link was given this picture, one that I had figured was ruined with the rest of them. I’m more than happy to share it with you all because, well...it’s of the champions.”

Zelda handed it to Sidon with a smile, stepping back as Sidon handed it to Riju and everyone crowded around her to get a chance to study it.

Everyone except for Purah and Kass, who hung back much like the Princess and her knight.

Sidon looked as if he had tears in his eyes but they all adorned an encroaching smile.

“This is amazing,” Sidon said, letting out a slight chuckle. “Not a formal portrait, just...the champions, with a little help from Daruk it seems.”

“He always liked the idea of us being united,” Zelda added. “Though I think he tried to bring us together a little early.”

“I think it’s cute,” Riju said. “Do you mind if I put it on the table?”

“Not at all,” Zelda said in reply.

“How did you get it so exact?” Yunobo asked.

“You mean as opposed to a painting?” Zelda tried to clarify.

“Yeah,” Yunobo said.

“It’s the Sheikah Slate, right?” Sidon asked rhetorically. “It produces true-to-life images using something called a camor.”

“A camera,” Zelda corrected. “It’s one of the many features of the Slate.”

“I wouldn’t mind trying it out,” Teba said.

“You should,” Zelda said. “It really is quite miraculous.”

A silence fell, the guests exchanging looks of uncertainty. Zelda questioned the awkwardness until Link said,

“Zelda, I think they want to take a picture.”

“Oh?”

“If you don’t mind,” prompted Sidon.

“Not at all,” Zelda said, detaching the slate from where it hung on her hip.

“It’s probably best if we do it outside,” suggested Link, the guests following him to the front yard.

[anakinthetrashking]

How’s the Heart?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26871853/chapters/65565265

Somehow I made it and it is FINISHED!!!! This is my fic that I wrote for @batfam-big-bang​ !!!!

The biggest of shoutouts and THANK YOUUUUS to my incredible betas: Ace, Skye, and Em!!! @toomanyfandoms21​, @timmydrakewings​, and�� @geekinthecorner​ !!!! I’ve never actually had a beta before, but for this i had 3??? You guys were so kind and patient with me and my last minute tendencies. Thank you for all your suggestions and edits!!! [heart eyes]

and then!! ARTISTS!! you guys really put your heart and soul into the pieces you made and i just,,,, want to cry,,,,THAMKKKKK YOUUU!!!! keep being awesome! im love u: Butter, Dean and Lucy!!!!!! @heybabybird​, @greenbean-riverdean​, and @houser-of-stories​ !!!!!

Its a Tim-centric 3+1 Three times Tim is helped or comforted by his family, and one time where he's doing pretty alright. (TW: Depression, Anxiety, Suicidal thoughts, etc! full tags on ao3)

1) Here I am to Share the Fear (Tim & Damian & Dick) Bruce is back and everything seems to be going well- so of course old fears pop up again. Damian notices his absence and tries is best in his own way to offer some comfort.

2) Fly Towards the Calm (Tim & Steph & Cass) Steph notices that Tim's failing at basic self care again, so she declares Movie Night. She and Cass try to remind Tim that he needs to take the time to care for himself and not just continue pouring himself out on behalf of others.

3) Night Will Come But Not to Stay (Tim & Bruce) Turns out catching the Clench and loosing his spleen have more lasting effects than they thought. Tim tries to ignore and push past his new found limitations, Bruce notices that something is off and is there for the inevitable breakdown.

+1) Fair Winds, Another Tale (Tim & Alfred) A rare event of relaxation, the Waynes have a picnic at the manor. Alfred worries about his family, but for now, it seems like everything is alright.

Read it under the read more or on AO3 !

Here I Am To Share The Fear

Too much. Everything was too much.

Bruce was finally back, and Tim was glad that everyone was so happy - despite them all being wrong.

Wrong.

WRONG.

He shook his head and put a light smile on his face, trying to focus on the conversation in front of him, but Dick was so loud. And there were far too many people in the mansion - in the same room - Tim swallowed and grit his teeth against the feeling of his organs crawling up his throat.

There were eleven people in the room.

Ten roses in the flowered centerpiece on the buffet table.

Nine cups scattered about the room.

Eight candle flame shaped light bulbs in the chandelier.

Seven white socks (why was Dick only wearing one?) 

Six voices in variating clarity.

Five… Five? Five fingers on each hand.

Four windows, none open.

Three lamps, all unlit.

Two doors.

One exit. Viable exit, at least.

Zero people looking at him. Perfect.

It was time for him to go, so he took his exit as quietly as possible, noticing the volume of the crowd drop as he walked out. No one stopped him. No one seemed to notice. Or maybe they just didn’t care. Good. That- that was something he could deal with.

As he fled to his room, he couldn’t help but notice how alive the manor was. So many lights were on, even in empty rooms. Little things littered the place as if people actually lived here. A book on the table here, ready to be picked up and read from where they left off. A suitcase full of clothes there, waiting to be unpacked. Doors open instead of closed and locked. Bed covers turned down, ready to welcome them home.

Tim reached his door and saw the life that had flooded there as well. Posters, pictures of family and friends covered large portions of his walls. Little trinkets given to him were lovingly placed around his desk. It was more than he could take, so he ran. He ran and ran through hallways and past open doors until the warmth of the occupied portion of the Manor turned to the chilly halls of the guest wing. Back in the furthest unused room is where he finally stopped, willing his heart rate to slow down.

The room looked like something out of a book, everything covered with sheets and layered with undisturbed dust, no signs of life. The evening light cast the room in cool tones of blues and greys, shadows soft and hazy. The attached bathroom was much the same, cold tiles sucking the heat from his feet.

Sitting down, he hugged his knees to his chest, letting the lines of the sink cabinet dig into his back. Tim stared for a while, trying not to think, and letting the clock tick a rhythm into his head.

The clock sounded so loud, and his breath seemed even louder. Nothing felt ok. Exhaustion pushed at the edges of his vision while panic seemed to well up inside of him and claw into his throat. Everything felt like it was closing in on him so he pushed back, laying on the floor and stretching his arms and legs as far as they could go. The cold seeped into him and he vaguely wondered if that’s what it felt like to die. To let your warmth bleed out into the universe. Death… was a calming thought. As humourless as that was, it forced a short laugh out of his throat.

Death would be preferable, he thought, to whatever feeling this is.

Bruce had been back for a month, and for a little while the triumph of bringing him home had been, well, satisfying. Relieving. Exhilarating.

But now, somehow, he was left feeling empty. Hollow. Carved out. His skin was pulled taut over his bones and there was nothing inside. Each day was an empty victory. A consolation prize. An uphill battle against an unseen enemy.

Eating, drinking, getting dressed, sleeping, showering, all done out of the necessity of existence. But most of the time he didn’t feel like he existed at all. Just a doll or a robot - there, but not really. Tossed aside until needed again. Some sort of empty, semi-existent thing. It felt too much like being five again and waiting by the phone for that occasional Sunday call from his parents.

A single tear slipped out, unbidden. It left a quickly cooling trail in its wake.

Everything is so stupid. Tim thought, frustrated by his own stagnancy, willing himself to just do something, instead of just lying there considering the logistics of several stupidly lethal ideas. He was working on kicking out the thoughts when he was distracted by the sound of light, purposeful footsteps. Damian. With footsteps like that it meant he was trying to be considerate. Creepy.

“What do you want?” Tim sighed.

“Drake.” Tim could feel rather than see the curt nod Damian gave him. “Pennyworth brought out those blueberry scones you seem to favor. However, you were not present. So I…” His self-assured tone faltered.

Tim turned to look at him for the first time. “You came looking for me?”

“I would hardly call it looking. You frequent a few spots and the conclusion was obvious by the number of people that are currently within the Manor.” Damian sat cross legged on the floor, pushing a scone into Tim’s hands.

“But why would you…?” Tim sat up, arching an eyebrow.

“It is only natural to know your enemy, Drake. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Damian sniffed and waited for Tim to take a bite. Then he continued. “Then you will best know how to poison them.” A (dare Tim say it) friendly smirk showed itself on Damian’s face.

Tim snorted, and for once they seemed to have gained a sort of mutual understanding.

They lapsed into silence again. Damian shifted, obviously wanting to say something but didn’t know how. The expression on his face looked so scrunched that Tim almost wanted to laugh.

Instead he asked, “Is it still unbearably loud out there?”

Damian clicked his tongue. “With Grayson in the room? Obviously.”

Somehow Damian seemed even more frustrated. There was a good chance that any moment now he would jump up and leave, but not before throwing out an insult to cover his wounded pride at having to retreat. In his own way, he was trying to offer an olive branch, and as tired as Tim was, something in him couldn’t let that opportunity pass. He could almost hear Dick’s voice in his head, telling him that if he would just talk with Damian, have a conversation, maybe they could find common ground.

For once, he could see the clumsy effort that the brat was making, and he knew deep down, more than anything they both yearned for warmth. Not the sort of warmth that contrasted the grounding feeling of the cold tile beneath him, but the warmth of human connection. The numbness that had been growing in him twisted at that thought and he decided to take a chance.

“It’s nice to have everyone around, but…” he glanced over to try to gauge a reaction, “I can’t seem to settle into it.”

A sort of recognition, reflection, sparked in Damian’s eyes at that, and some of the tension began to leave his body. Tim continued.

“I guess it’s just that there’s always been something. If I do well enough in school, maybe my parents will take an interest in me. If I become a better Robin, maybe Batman will go back to normal. If I bring Bruce back, maybe we can all be happy again… But it never works. It’s never enough, and now- now there’s just… nothing.”

A few moments passed, and Damian’s own internal battle ended as he found the words to reach out in return.

“I, too… Mother’s time was very limited. I trained and studied hard for any extra moment of time or nod of approval she could give… and after Father denied me, it was much the same, trying to rework standards and limits for his approval. Not having something specific to work towards does indeed seem… disconcerting.” Tim searched his face and found sincerity there, though his eyes seemed to be distant as he turned away.

Damian once again found himself at a loss for words, so he thought about what Grayson would do in such a situation. A hug was… out of the question, but- he lay his hand in-between the two of them, palm open. This, he supposed, he could do. Tim took it, surprising them both. Damian’s hand felt almost unbearably warm after the cold of the tile floor.

They sat again, together, in silence. It was more companionable, though still awkward and stilted in ways neither knew how to fix.

“There’s nothing more I can do for this family. There’s nothing I can think of.” The silence stretched before them, and Tim hesitated to put his fear into words.

Finally, he whispered, “ There’s no excuse for me to stay now.”

Damian’s face whipped around to face him. “As usual, you are wrong, Drake.” He scoffed, “Don’t you know you can’t choose who your family is?” pausing, he let go of Tim’s hand and stood up, turning to leave. “You’re stuck with us whether you like it or not.”

Quick but light footsteps sounded out in the hallway.

“Grayson!” Damian called, “Come fix Drake before Father requires his assistance again!” Nodding to Tim he left without another word.

Dick then came skidding around the corner into the bathroom, one socked foot sliding out against the tile. “Tim! Are you ok? What’s wrong? Why are you here of all places?”

Overly warm hands, distant eyes, honest feelings? Tim let out a deep sigh. “You should be more worried about the little gremlin. I think he’s got a fever.”

Dick tensed as if to sprint off again, and Tim held in a sigh of disappointment, knowing that Damian would be the priority, yet again. But instead of running off, Dick simply pulled out his phone and sent off a text, settling down into the spot on the floor that had been recently vacated.

“Bruce is on it.” He glanced out the doorway as if he could still see Damian storming past. “Did he-?” The question of his behavior went unsaid but not uncommunicated.

“No, we had a completely civil conversation. One might even call it a heart-to-heart, by our standards.”

“Therefore, he must be sick?”

“Other signs, too. But yeah.”

The buzz of an incoming message confirmed it, but Dick put his phone away instead of typing out a reply.

“A heart-to-heart, eh? I always knew you guys could get along if you just tried talking.”

“Don’t you dare say I told you so,” Tim shot a glare at Dick who was failing terribly at trying to look affronted at the very thought,  “but it does seem like we are a lot more alike than I realized.”

“Who would’ve known?” Dick teased.

“Never mind, just say I told you so next time.” Tim grumbled. “Anyway, it seemed like he was really trying, and that he wanted to help in some way. I guess I just couldn’t ignore that.”

“Yeah.” Dick had his proud big brother face on. “I'm glad you guys are finally getting along. What did you talk about?”

“Oh, you know, feeling worthless without having something to focus on, questioning our places in people's lives, the usual. “  

“That does seem to be a common theme in our family.”

“He called me family,” Tim murmured. “Or, well, he implied it. But for him, that’s basically saying it.”

“Tim, that’s…” Even Dick looked astounded.

“Unbelievable?”

“No, not unbelievable.” He chided. “But definitely surprising.”

“That’s one way to get me out of a bad mood, I guess. I was so surprised that it jarred me right out of my own downwards spiral.” Tim closed his eyes and took another deep breath. “Most everything still sucks, but that’s a bright spot, at least. My therapist keeps telling me to look for those. I guess I have another one to add to the list.” He turned his head to share a small smile before standing up to stretch. “That and Alfred’s blueberry scones. I sure hope there’s some left.”

Dick matched his smile with a blinding one of his own and reached over to ruffle Tim’s hair.

“You know, if you ever need to talk-“

“I know.” Tim bumped his shoulder into Dick’s. “Thanks, Dick.”

Fly Towards The Calm

“Think fast!” Stephanie’s entrance was about as subtle as a stampede.  She must have been hanging out with Jason lately. As the door behind her swung closed, she tossed a tightly, carefully wrapped package at his face. He caught it with one hand as he finished reading the last paragraph of the proposal he was looking over.

“Evidently I’m the Wayne family errand boy now,” she whined as she jumped up to sit on his desk. “I drove the brat home from school and got enlisted by Alfred to deliver food to your sorry butt.”

“You could have said no.” he muttered. Peeling back the folded wax paper revealed a tuna fish sandwich, exactly how he liked it, though a bit squished from being thrown across a room.

“Refused? Alfred? Are you joking?” she asked, over dramatically taken aback. “Besides, I was rewarded with my own delicious sandwich and not one but two cupcakes.”

“Two?” his eyebrow raised. 

“Well, he only gave me one, but generously allowed me to snatch a second. I didn’t eat yours because I’m nice.” She dropped the rest of his lunch on his now closed laptop.

“Indeed, I shall never be able to repay your kindness,” he said around his own mouthful of sandwich.

“You got that right. Anyway, Cass and I are gonna have a night on the town tonight, wanna come with?”

Tim hummed in agreement.

“Great! I’ll text her. You should probably get a nap first though. Come on, you can eat on the way.” She popped the last bite in her mouth and hopped off the desk.

Gathering his things, he glanced at her in amusement. “Alfred put you up to this, too?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you even have to ask?”

Looping her arm in his, they headed to the door. He noticed a slight hesitation in her steps and turned to find her looking at him funny. But she just shook her head and let whatever it was, be.

Until they got in the car, of course.

Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye as she sped down the road she asked, with a tone he couldn’t quite decipher , “Did you use my dry shampoo?”

His mind ground to a halt. Of all the questions he thought she’d ask, that was not one of them, and for the life of him, he couldn’t reason out why. They constantly borrowed each others’ things without issue, and for that matter, so did the rest of their mismatched clan. Maybe he was hallucinating. Maybe he needed that nap after all.

 It had been a minute, maybe he should answer the question.

“Got my own bottle.” He said carefully, “Seemed useful.”

“Hmm.” God, now she sounded like Bruce. How many odd habits had she picked up from them? 

“Tim…” she sounded soft and hesitant, as if he were fragile. He hated when they did that. “When’s the last time you took a shower? Or ate a full meal?”

He contemplated it with a hum. “Patrol,” he said finally.

Stephanie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel for a moment. “Has it been bad lately?”

“What? …Oh.” Oh. “Not… really? It’s just been numb. Quiet. A bit like the way everything is muffled when you’re underwater.” A bit like drowning, he left unsaid.

She nodded and made a sudden U-turn. When he looked at her in askance, she shrugged. “We’ll patrol together another night. I’ll update Cass when we get to my apartment, but go ahead and text Alfred now. We’re going to have a self-care night with movies and facemasks and whatever other dumb indulgent Pinterest crap I can think of.”

Tim opened his mouth to argue but found he was too tired to care and yawned instead. “Nap first?”

“Shower first. Then nap.”

[BREAK]

He woke the moment she opened the door and turned his head to meet her gaze as she poked her head in with a grin.

“Ca-“ he broke off in a yawn, “Cass!”

With a quick glance behind her, she continued into the room, holding out a steaming mug. Tim sat up in bed, gleefully accepting it as she sat down next to him.

“Coffee,” he sighed in delight.

“Coffee.” She agreed with a solemn nod.

The silence was comforting as they sat there, leaning against each other, Tim soaking in the rare precious moments where he wasn’t rushed, or pulled this way and that. Reaching the bottom of the mug, he set it aside, wrapping his arms around his sister instead.

“You are a blessing upon humanity,” he said, “we don’t deserve you.”

She laughed and tightened the hug. The moment felt just like flying free above the streets of Gotham, and the thought of staying in for the night felt right. Cass pulled away just enough to look at him face to face, an amused twist to her lips.

“You smell like a Steph!” Squeezing him once more, she slipped away and was halfway out the door again when she turned as if she had just remembered something. “Oh!” her smile turned sly, “Decaf!”

“Hey!” He jumped out of the bed to catch up with her, but when he rounded the hall into the living room he was stopped in his tracks.

It seemed that somewhere in between dropping him off at her apartment to take a nap while she met up with Cass and “gathered necessary supplies”, and returning with said supplies, the original objective had been lost.

“It looks like you brought back half the manor’s supply of blankets and robbed a concession stand… and is that the old DVD case? I thought I got rid of that.”

“Yeah. Me and Dick saved it! Having everything digital may be convenient, but having a physical folder of DVDs just feels right!”

Tim suppressed the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose and decided to leave the debate of Digital vs. Physical for another day.

“Anyway, you’re up just in time to help us set up the blanket fort!”

An hour later found the living room unrecognizable under the piles of pillows and draped sheets. Tim and Steph stood in the kitchen sorting snacks and discussing the night’s activities.

“-and then there’s this green tea and honey one that’s really great, very soothing-“

“Steph, you don’t have to explain them all to me, you know I’ll always let you test your facial concoctions out on me,” he cut in.

“Of course I know that. I’m not rambling about them for my benefit- I’m rambling about them for yours”

A head tilt was his only reply.

“Ok, let me try to explain this in a different way.” she put down her phone to look at him. “Tonight, Cass and I are going to attempt to teach you how to take care of yourself.”

“I know-” 

“Not in the way that you’ve done or that you know. Your version of taking care of yourself is to fool the cameras, the public, to fool Batman into thinking that you’re at your best.” she shoots him a look. “You’re not. You’re running on fumes and you can’t fool your family.”

“Taking care of yourself is NOT finding the lowest number of hours of sleep that you can ‘function’ on.” She makes quotes in the air with her fingers. “It is not replacing a meal with a power bar, even if the calories are the same! It’s not only taking showers when you have to leave the house, or shutting yourself in to do casework all the time!” her hands fly up in the air and she huffs. 

Taking his hands in hers she looks him square in the eyes before saying more softly, “Self-care is eating full, balanced, Alfred-cooked meals as often as you can. It’s doing your laundry every week and brushing your teeth twice a day. It’s taking naps even when you would literally rather be sorting through the 5-year backup of paperwork in R&D. Or better yet, getting a full 8-10 hours of sleep regularly! It’s looking in the mirror and saying to yourself, everyday, ‘I am good enough. I am worthy of and deserve all the love me friends and family try to give me.’ 

And tonight! Taking care of yourself is having a spa night with Cass and I while we watch anime movies and eat copious amounts of junk food, because we all know that patrol burns an extra 2,000 calories anyway! Plus, we can look at the Affirmations board I have on Pinterest! Cass likes practicing saying them while she beats up bad guys. Says the look on their faces is priceless.”

“Funniest one, I said, ‘I aspire to be a blessing and an inspiration to others.’” Cass recites popping her head out from the mass of blankets, “Guy completely stopped! Then I punched him.”

Night Will Come But Not To Stay

“I cant- I can’t do this anymore! I won’t do this anymore!”

“Promise?”

“…What?” his tears paused for the barest moment, before overflowing again. Bruce was crouched in front of him, tear tracks staining his face.

A moment ago Bruce had been standing with his back to him, untouched by Tim’s words, or perhaps instead, disgusted? 

But perhaps that conclusion was wrong. As Tim searched his face now, it looked more like he was the one in pain and exhausted beyond belief.

His lips were moving, and Tim struggled to catch up.

“What?” he repeated, softly and sniffly, a cord of self-disgust lashing out within him at the pathetic sound of it.

Not just tear tracks, it seemed. Bruce was still shedding tears as he repeated himself.

“Do you promise? That you won’t do this anymore?”

Tim’s mind felt like sludge as he tried to piece together how that request could possibly fit into the context of the last few minutes.

They had been training, not so long ago. Bruce had reached out to Tim first, this time. Offered to train together like they had in the past. Tim had jumped at the chance. He should have known better.

It had been going fine, at first. Great, even.

But his insomnia had been worse than usual this past week, and his other symptoms had been acting up, too. In response to the lack of sleep, maybe, or just the continued pattern he had observed, gradually worsening over time.

Honestly, it was probably a great big mix of things.

But he hadn’t been willing to cancel - not the first thing that he had actually been looking forward to in… too long to think about.

So, he’d shown up anyway, his body begging him to just rest.

They’d warmed up and started sparring.

Well.

It hadn’t even been fifteen minutes of sparring, and his body went from begging to outright rebellion.

He went down and couldn’t get back up.

And for some stupid reason, Bruce had decided to yell at him to get up.

So, he yelled back.

Yelled.

Screamed.

He’s not even sure what all he said, just that this last added bit of disappointment piled atop the ever-building terror of symptoms and lit the fuse that exploded within him and stole the earth from under his feet. It ripped through him and tore out his throat, multiplying as his view was constrained to the back of the man he respected most, seeming to be utterly unmoved by it all.

His obvious confusion and continued silence spurred Bruce to try to explain.

“Promise me that you’ll stop running yourself into the ground. Please.” He tilted his head to try and catch Tim’s eye. “I know you’ve been struggling, and not just lately. Alfred said you’ve seemed like you’ve been having an especially difficult time for quite a while. He said he had been meaning to bring it up to me before… and that he had tried to talk to you while I was gone, but that he couldn’t get you to stay in one place long enough to broach the subject. I know something’s going on. Tell me about it. Let me help.”

“Something’s going-? Help?” his laugh was incredulous and desperate as he dug his fingers into the mats beneath him before forcing them to relax. “No. You can’t- you can’t help me.” He scoffed. “Was this-“ he waved his hand around to try to indicate this situation that he couldn’t find words for, “this, supposed to be helpful?”

“Well,” Bruce looked a bit sheepish, “when you get stressed, I know you tend to internalize all of it. Direct it all at yourself. I thought if you had something outside yourself to direct it at instead… It had worked for-“ he cut himself off. “Well.” He said again, letting it rest a moment before continuing at a different angle. “What do you mean I can’t help you?”

“I mean, you can’t. I- I already researched it. There’s nothing- I mean, I sure had enough time. I had thought, with how tired I am, that maybe it’d help with my insomnia. You’d think so, right? But no. No. I’m still awake, but now I’m lying there, and I can’t do anything. Because I’m too tired! I’m so tired, Bruce. I thought- I thought I knew what tired was.”

“Tim, you’re not making sense. What’s going on? Why are you so tired?” he shifted to sit down and lifted his arms to give Tim a hug but stopped short, holding there, offering.

Tim fell into his arms and Bruce gathered his son as best he could.

“Turns out The Clench has permanent effects that the cure couldn’t reverse. They’re only just beginning to research it, but I’ve been tracking symptoms. Chronic fatigue and pain, nerve damage, migraines- other things they aren’t sure are connected. There isn’t a cure, and it’s gradually been getting worse. I’ve tried the suggestions though it's hardly any change: diet, exercise, rest, the basics. But it’s all just maintenance, and I can’t-“  he went limp as his eyes filled with tears again. “I can’t do the things I used to be able to. I’m barely making patrol- the rest of the day I’m in bed. I can’t do classes. I had intended- I was going to finish High School, or maybe get my GED. But I have to lay down after taking a shower. I can hardly think anymore. I have to drag myself out of bed to go to the bathroom. I used to be able to do everything, and now I can’t do anything! I can’t help you anymore! And you can’t help me.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Bruce pulled him closer to his chest and rested his cheek on his head, rocking them back and forth. “It’ll be ok. We’ll figure it out.”

“No, it won’t! It’ll never be ok again! Can’t you see? I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t think! I can’t think, Dad! What use am I now?” his voice broke and Bruce felt his heart break with it.

“Tim,” he gathered Tim’s hands in his own from where they were clutching his shirt, and planted a kiss on his knuckles, smoothing over them with his thumb. “Son, listen to me. You were not born into this world to be useful.” He stopped him before he could interrupt. “I know you like being useful. I like being useful, too. But I need you to listen to me. You are more precious to me than all the stars in the sky. Nothing will change that. When I say, “We’ll figure it out”, I’m not talking about a cure, or some way to make sure you are, quote unquote, “useful”. I mean that we’ll figure out a way for you to live a happy life. A successful life in whatever capacity that it may mean for you. When I say “it’ll be ok”, I don’t mean that I have a fix, I just mean that no matter what, the others and I will be here for you, however you need us. I mean that no matter what happens, you have a place here. You are my son. I love you.” Bruce cradled Tim close again, and their tears mingled where their cheeks pressed together.

“It’s ok. I’m here”

(+1) Fair Winds, Another Tale

Despite still being in the middle of setting things up, the picnic mood was already in full swing. Large blankets were being weighed down by pillows and baskets of assorted snacks. Tables were being laid out to hold the main meal, soon to be a large potluck. No matter how much Alfred insisted on being the one to cook it all, each attendee persisted in bringing something to share. He faintly wondered if they would run out of table space again this time ‘round.

With the majority of the tasks already accomplished, and the remaining tasks hijacked by the ever-enthusiastic young people, Alfred found himself with nothing pressing to do. He made his way over to where Tim sat, transferring water bottles and pop cans from cartons to coolers.

“As much as I appreciate the help, I do so wish they’d stop flinging cutlery across the lawn.”

Tim looked up to watch Steph and Duke and Jason for a moment, trying to suppress his own smirk at the sight of them gleefully tossing said cutlery to each other.

“I mean, it's just plastic, right?”

Alfred sighed as he sat in a camping chair set up next to the coolers. “Yes, but that’s not quite the point. The job is getting done, though, I suppose.”

They sat a moment in pleasant silence, watching as their family milled about, more relaxed than Alfred had seen in years. He hated to break the quiet, but with the entire family around lately and as busy as ever, he had hardly had a decent conversation with any of them. He worried about all of them, of course, and their shared inability to ask for help, but Timothy was an especially quiet lad, when it came to facing problems.

“How are things?”

“Well, all the drinks are already chilled, and we have plenty of ice.”

He shrugged a little at Alfred’s pointed look. “I think they’re ok.” He fiddled a bit with the boxes and tied a fresh garbage bag to the back of a cooler. “Not great, but ok. The weight, the fog… It’s lessened, somehow?”

“Your medication is helping?”

“Yeah, I think that’s a big part of it. But more than that, the way that I think about things now, it’s- I mean, obviously, it’s taken months, and ‘better’ isn’t a word that I’d use- but there’s been progress. And for once? It’s like I can let that progress just, be? I’m not sure how to explain it, really.” He leaned back to stare at the sky. “ I’m still working on things, and putting effort into it, but I guess I’m not expecting things to be fixed completely and immediately.”

Alfred hummed in response encouraging him to continue.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still frustrating to no end. Trying to ‘let go’ of perfectionism and the control issues… Sometimes I feel more like I’m chopping off parts of myself with the issues rather than just ‘letting them go’. But I’ve been finding new ways to define myself, and it’s been more manageable lately. I can work with manageable. And when it’s not, I have people who make it bearable.” He looked off to where Bruce was welcoming their first guests. “That’s more than enough for me.”

“Master Timothy,” Alfred waited until Tim met his sincere gaze, “I am so proud of you.”

The small smile Tim shot at him reminded him so much of the shy grins that were common when young Timothy had first entered their lives. Alfred’s heart ached for the many children whose smiles he had seen stolen over the years. The moment was cut short as Jason stormed over demanding,

“Tim, Steph is insisting that the 2005 Pride and Prejudice is better than the 1995 version. You have to tell her she’s wrong.”

Steph came bounding over with Duke. “What's wrong with you? Do you hate Kiera Knightley or something?”

Jason took a dramatic step back with his hand on his heart. “You should know better than to ask that question! But the 1995 version is still the better version. It's more faithful to the books! The delivery is stunning! The banter is unsurpassable! And it has Colin. Firth.”

Duke breaks in, “I mean, he’s got a point. They took the time necessary to keep as many details as possible from the book. Elizabeth’s take down of Darcy is unparalleled. When it comes to banter that’s definitely the one to watch. Also, the 2005 Mr. Bennet is kinda creepy, not gonna lie.”

“See? Duke here is a man of taste.”

“But the aesthetic!”  Stephanie cried, “The finger twitch! Darcy looking like a sad puppy in the rain! Elizabeth kissing Darcy’s hand!!! 2005 is a masterpiece! Tim, you tell them!”

“Don’t look at me, I think they’re both great. Besides, I like Jane Eyre better.” Tim says.

The other three stop and stare.

“You know, that makes sense.” Duke said with an assessing look. “Personally, my favorite is the Count of Monte Cristo.”

Jason threw up his hands in defeat. “You guys aren’t even talking about Jane Austen anymore!” They all turned as another car came up the drive. “Oh thank god, Babs is here! She’ll take my side.”

Their conversation faded into the distance as they paraded back across the lawn, dragging Tim into their argument as they went.

Bruce  watched them fondly out of the corner of his eye as he approached in turn.

“The Kent’s are here, save Clark. Lois says he tried a new recipe and wanted to run it past Martha first. Diana’s running a bit late, but for the most part it seems that everyone else will be here in an hour or so. How are things coming along?”

Alfred knew he was asking about more than just picnic preparations. “All is well, Master Bruce. For once, all is well.”

[hippriestess]

Part 2: Cherry-picking

Cherry Red had been releasing The Fall's new music since 2011's “Ersatz GB” and we already knew that Smith had signed a further deal with them to look after what portion of the group's catalogue he owned. They had already made a start with the handsome seven disc “Singles 1978 - 2016” box set they had released late in 2017 (alongside a cut-down three disc “A Sides” collection). The set had originally been scheduled for release in 2016 but the production deadline for the all-important Christmas market was missed and the set was held back until after “New Facts Emerge” - from which no singles were taken - had been released. Following Smith's passing, the seven-disc edition sold out and was unavailable for a short time before Cherry Red did the decent thing and made a few more.

A reissue of  1997's “Levitate” had been in the works for a while; Smith had signed off the tracklisting and there had been a trailer of sorts with a Record Store Day-only 7” of “Masquerade” in 2017. Given that the album had been in contractual limbo for quite some time with original vinyl copies fetching 3 figures on the open market, Cherry Red's first posthumous release felt like a public service,  doing the right thing both by Smith and by the fans. Released towards the end of May 2018, the new 2CD/3LP edition was justly well received and some kindly reviews appeared with mostly positive re-evaluations of one of their most awkward albums. Hindsight benefits the record; if it sounds like they were falling to bits, it's because they were and now that we know not just what happened next but how the whole story of The Fall continued for another 20 years, it has context. For the record (Portugal), yr present author is no more fond of the album than she was 7 or 8 years ago but “Ol' Gang” has clicked into focus and the second disc puts those great b-sides from the “Masquerade” CD singles back onto the shelves so it would have to be considered necessary.

Less impressive was “58 Golden Greats”, released at the end of 2018. A 3CD set in a clamshell box, this was, in essence, an extended version of the classic “50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong” collection from 2004, extending the tracklist to cover the remainder(er) of the group's career. It actually expands on the original in other ways, adding several songs from the era covered in the original version; the puzzling omission of “Big New Prinz” is corrected for one thing and other singles are added such as  “Oh! Brother” and “Dead Beat Descendent”. Perhaps Beggars Banquet were more co-operative this time. Whilst one could always quibble with any attempt at a Fall “best of”, yr present author was not taken with this one and my purse remained closed. 58 was an unwieldy number (why not a round 60?), the cover artwork – a spoof of a different Elvis Presley sleeve – was far from appealing and the entry-point value of “50,000...” was lost, a 3 disc set at £17 being too big a serving at too high a price for the merely curious. However, it looks as if I'm just flat-out in the wrong. As we'll continually see, Cherry Red aren't just experienced, they are also smart and do not lack savvy. I'm sat here keyboard-griping while “58 Golden Greats” is sold out. Enough said.

In 2019, Cherry Red announced the beginning of the Fall Sound Archive, the title of which gave the air of a mission to preserve The Fall's work for future generations. Inevitably, they were starting with 40th Anniversary editions of “Live At The Witch Trials” and “Dragnet”. There was early disappointment. The 3CD edition of “Live At The Witch Trials” contained the exact same music as the 2CD edition from 2004 but spread over three discs. Any thoughts that the decision at least preserved the sanctity of the original 11 song album were hampered by the 3CD edition of “Dragnet” containing, as disc 1, the exact same running order – with single and outtakes – as the 2004 CD edition. The other two discs were 2 of the little-loved “Live From The Vaults” series (of which, more later, sort of..). The archive was perhaps, not so deep.

However, the plus points were the vinyl editions, which had been hatched with obvious care. Using the rare US edition of “LATWT” with an alternate sleeve and revised running order was a clever touch and one that acknowledged that the Fall's audience would need something more than just a nice colour of vinyl before they indulged the album yet again. Similarly, “Dragnet” came with a reproduction 7” of “Rowche Rumble”, a record which originally came with the thinnest paper sleeve in the history of music. That's not to say that we didn't get coloured vinyl, oh we did - “LATWT” came of red vinyl to match the US sleeve and “Dragnet” on black and white “splatter” vinyl. These both sold well, sold quickly and sold out, now being tricky to score except on the Discogs etc market. But perhaps more to the point, they suggested that Cherry Red's experience and nouse would, at minimum, keep things interesting.

Later in 2019, the Kamera catalogue came under Cherry Red's microscope and it was another mixed set of releases. For CD buyers, a 6 disc set called “(1982)” was developed. This contained “Hex Enduction Hour”, “Room To Live” “Fall In A Hole” various single and live tracks and the “Live To Air In Melbourne” album which had previously snuck out in the late 90's when MES was broke. There was no new music to be had here at all – everything had previously been released. As such £40 was too rich a price tag for many and the edition is still easily available. The new vinyl edition of “Hex” was well particularly well presented. For the first time, the 60 minute LP was cut onto 4 sides of vinyl – a long overdue move, this did the album real justice on the format and would have to be considered an essential for those who insist on twelve-inch slabs of wax for their music. A pleasing, sturdy fold-out sleeve showed that corners were not being cut, the vinyl again matched the colour scheme of the artwork and it also came with an excellent reproduction of the sterling “Look, Know/I'm Into C.B.” 45. What spoiled it a little bit was the inclusion of a third LP with Peel Session #5 on one side and some of the live tracks from the 2005 Sanctuary 2CD on the other. All this really did was drive up the price – a double LP with the 7” would have been perfect and would have been less heavy on the purse *NB – this didn't stop me buying it – that's my copy in the picture...). “Room To Live” was given a vinyl reissue too, this time as a double LP with sides 3 and 4 being the live tracks from the 2005 Sanctuary edition. Again, this didn't quite feel like the right choice – an alternative idea would have been a single LP with a 7”. Given that the classic “Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul/Fantastic Life” single had been added to the popular, widely owned German pressing, why not add a repro of that instead? It would have cost less and added more value to the package.

Despite these whinges “(1982)” would have to be considered an elegant, practical solution to a latter-day problem and demonstrates why Cherry Red remain a market leader in catalogue reissues. Can you really sell compact discs of these albums yet again? How else do you present the music in this format? The answer to parcel the whole lot together and present it as a “year-in-the-life” was a smart one that was only hampered by an optimistic £40 price tag (which translated to as much as £58 in stores) and the artwork being based on “Hex” which could have given a more casual customer the notion that the set was Hex and 5 discs of “other” material. The bottom line here is that there is nothing else in the cupboard; as with the IAKO ballet and the Hey! Luciani play, fantasies about things like the unedited “Winter” and the full 20+ minute “And This Day” ever appearing are exactly that – fantasies. Were they ever preserved, they're gone and anything that did turn up, almost 40 years hence would likely be in such a state of degeneration as to be unlistenable. From now on, all that can be done is to keep this material out there and try to present it with a fresh angle. That's precisely what Cherry Red have done here.

Come 2020, come the challenge of reselling what is not just one of the most widely-distributed but also one of the worst Fall albums: “Reformation Post TLC”. Cherry Red stuck to type with a double LP pressed into blue and red coloured vinyl, again matching the colour to the sleeve. Undoubtedly a handsome package, this version was snapped up with some enthusiasm although it does seem that sales were likely harmed by coinciding with the early, uncertain, often panic-stricken days of the Covid-19 pandemic reaching the UK. The 4CD edition was daunting: the whole album and 2 CDs worth of outtakes and rough mixes, followed by the “Last Night At The Palais” CD. The “Last Night At The Palais” DVD was not included. Time has passed, time has healed and it is clear that RPTLC is a terrific EP stretched out beyond the energy of the participants. There is even a strong 40 minute single LP to be had within its contents but, hey it was what it was. With almost all of the unreleased mixes having no vocals, interest wears off before we got to the excellent live disc but, on the other paw, Cherry Red have done exactly what we want; it is highly unlikely that there is anything left from the album sessions; this is the whole lot, every scrap. Up to us now what we do with them.

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

Now, if you're thinking I've skipped something, you're right but the story of The Fall's posthumous discography is difficult to tell in a linear fashion. So I invite you, friends, to join me in a diversion. Cast your minds back to Record Store Day 2019.  

Cherry Red played a good hand by releasing a new vinyl edition of the superb “Imperial Wax Solvent” album. As with “Levitate”, vinyl copies were going for silly money, Universal having allegedly pressed a mere 500 for the world. It was a shame that Cherry Red therefore added only another 500 copies, this time pressed into yellow vinyl. These were almost entirely snapped up on the day and copies of this edition are routinely offered at £50-60.  “IWS” had, of course, been out of print since 2008, having been deleted less than 6 months after its release. As such the RSD edition of  “IWS” could be said to have undersold the record somewhat. Unless, of course, a properly “available” edition, maybe with that unreleased original mix of the album was to follow at some point...more on that later.

Sadly, we must also wade through the other Fall releases that were curled out for RSD 2019. That will take us into Part 3...

[yuzusorbet]

Sendai Holiday 2019, Part 5: An Unexpected Journey

A fan told me about the special edition Yuzuru Hanyu subway card that came with 3 postcards and I quickly went to the Sendai subway station office to buy it.  The beautiful subway card was a one-day pass, unlimited rides.  Many fans used it to to get to International Centre Station where Yuzu’s Olympic Monuments are, and also to Izumi Chuo Station which is near Ice Rink Sendai, but I had already gone to these places before I knew about this special pass.  Well, I could always just keep it without using it but, somehow, I felt I had to make good use of this pass that has Yuzu’s SEIMEI silhouette on it.     

There is a 3.11 Memorial Community Centre located in Arai Station 荒井 at the end of the Tozai subway line 東西線.  The name popped up when I was searching online about Sendai travel.  I have never heard of this place before but since I could use my Yuzu subway pass and learn more about 3.11, I thought it was perfect.  Arai Station is just 6 stops away from Sendai Station.  (3.11 refers to the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, also known as the Tohoku earthquake, of 11 March 2011.)  

I arrived at Arai Station and there was a big sign pointing to the 3.11 centre.  It was within the station itself, at one end.

‘This post-earthquake restoration memorial facility opened in February 2016.   As a gateway to the eastern coastal area, which suffered tremendous damage from the tsunami, this memorial community center conveys the history of the region, the memory of the disaster, and wisdom and lessons derived from it to the world and to future generations.’ (credit)

On the first floor, there is a big 3D map that shows the extent of the coastal area ravaged by the tsunami.

On the 2nd floor, there are photos of the affected areas, in a timeline from the Showa period til present day, showing the devastation of March 2011 and restoration efforts.

The captions are all in Japanese but there are booklets that give the translation in English, Chinese, Korean and Thai.  You can hold the booklet and read the translated caption for each picture as you move along the wall.

There was one photo that struck me in particular.  People on the rooftop of Arahama Elementary School, with the black waters of the tsunami below.  They were students, staff and nearby residents who had fled there.  All were rescued by helicopter later.   Many thoughts ran through my mind.  How terrifying it must have been to watch the sea swallow up all that you live on.  And what about their family members who were not with them...... how many families could be reunited?  The young elementary school students, did they recover from the trauma?  How are they doing now.....

One of the staff told me that this school has been preserved as a museum and memorial of the disaster.  It has been open to public since April 2017.  He suggested that I take the short bus ride to the school and go into the building to have a look.  Oh my...... I was not prepared for that at all.  Do I really want to see the actual traces of devastation and tragedy??  It is too sad.....  After a bit of hesitation, I went outside the station and boarded the bus that goes to the school near the coast.  It was a regular bus that has a few stops along way and the ride cost 240 yen.   Part of the route was rather scenic with rice paddy fields. 

The last stop was at the school.  The building looked like a normal school from afar.   A banner along the 3rd floor says ありがとう 荒浜小学校  (Thank you, Arahama Elementary School).  It was put up by students in 2016. 

  There is some information in English on the board at the front.

The white sign at the 2nd floor shows the height of the tsunami that day.  The first level was totally submerged. (pic below)

On the 1st and 2nd floors, we can see the damage, and pictures show the aftermath, before the debris was cleared.  All sorts of things were pushed into the classrooms by the force of the tsunami.  A teacher’s car which was parked outside was found crushed with the debris in one of the rooms.

On the 4th floor is a room with a timeline of events on that day, from the earthquake to the tsunami and after.

The clock that was in the 1st floor gymnasium stopped at the time that the tsunami struck. 

There was also a video in the room, with the principal and other staff of the school commenting on that day, with English subtitles.....

“I grabbed the key for the rooftop and told everyone in all of the rooms to leave everything and go up to the rooftop right away.”

“It turned into a mountain, something like black mountain, it was sea water, it came and..... crash, it kept coming forward.”

“There was nothing left of the Arahama area.  It was a view of the bottom of the sea and all we could do was watch from the rooftop as the town was swept away.”

I cried as I watched the video.  My heart that was getting heavier and heavier could not hold it back anymore.

From the 4th floor, I went up to the rooftop.  So this was where the survivors were standing.  I could see the sea on one side....

and all around, rebuilding is going on.  New roads are being made, with bulldozers and excavators here and there.   It was too painful to think that this was actually a town filled with people and homes.

I remember the wind was very strong on the rooftop and the sky was overcast, so it was very cold even though it was in the warm month of May.  After taking some photos, I made my way back down.

The 3rd floor is closed but there is a very touching piece of writing by a teacher of the school, with English translation included.  Please read it from my photo below (4th pic).

The teacher’s reflections were full of sadness but also very uplifting.  “Kindness and gratitude in these hard times.”  So touching.  I hope to remember these words.

In front of the building is a ‘Closing of School’ monument, with the words of the school song on the transparent blue panel.  The school has been here a long time.  It was established in 1873 (Meiji year 6) and built on the current site in 1912 (Taisho year 1).

As I was leaving, groups of students came in large buses.  Each group had a guide talking to them outside first, then taking them around.  The school continues its purpose of educating and building up the nation. 

Goodbye and thank you, Arahama Elementary School.  I said a silent prayer as I left on the bus.  The serenity of the rice fields comforted my heart.    

For more info and photos of the school, here is a news article: The school that saved 320 people

Note: I spent about an hour here but one hour is not enough to finish looking at everything in the school.  Two hours would be good.  There are guide booklets in a few languages near the entrance of the school.  Check also the bus schedule.  It only runs once an hour. 

Much thanks to the staff at 3.11 Memorial Community Centre for their help.

Back home, I searched and read up more....

In addition to physical reconstruction, emotional and social support remain an important focus for rebuilding. “Up in Tohoku, a common term widely used to describe the emotional difficulty in what recovery really means after the disaster is kokoro no byōki (illness of the heart).  From continuing financial worries, divorces, depression, disconnected families to elderly survivors losing connection or meaning, there are ongoing situations of survivors falling through the cracks. [....]  Volunteers provide an invaluable message of encouragement, crucial to the long-term emotional recovery of survivors. [...]  Their return and interest in the community reinforces the message that others believe the rebuilding is worthwhile — and that they are worthwhile.”  (credit: Japan Times, link below)

I immediately thought of Yuzu.  Besides donating all his Olympic prize money for rebuilding, he goes back again and again to visit communities in the affected areas and to do ice shows for them.  His visits tell the survivors that they are worthwhile, that they are not forgotten.  How many lives has he saved in this way!  God bless all volunteers for their kindness and generosity.       

Thanks to Yuzu’s subway pass..... It led me on an unexpected journey to learn more about something very close to his heart and I am inspired again to do more.  Below are some useful sites that I found: 

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/03/10/issues/new-approach-volunteering-tohoku/#.XUVS5lCLmCR

https://www.japansociety.org/page/earthquake 

https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/news/campus_community/news20181128scrum.html

Even though I only took 2 rides with the subway pass (going to Arai Station and back), I think I have made very good use of it. 

(All photos are taken by me;  please do not use or re-post my photos without asking me first.  Thanks.)

[blackwxtchmccree]

Side to Side (Sugar Daddy!Gabriel Reyes x Reader)

I told myself I would never write an AU, but here we are. 

Can also be found on my AO3 >>> here. 

This is entirely self-indulgent, but I figured I would share for everyone to (hopefully) enjoy. Feedback is welcome and appreciated, otherwise, read on. -Valk

You were tired.

Tired of school, tired of homework, tired of late nights spent slaving over papers, tired of reading out of textbooks that were far too expensive for what they were actually worth, tired of the pressure from your parents to be the perfect student.

You were also tired of your job. You were a photographer for the campus newspaper and it often had you running on and off of campus at weird hours of the day between classes to complete assignments. You were passionate about photography, but none of your pictures ever came out looking as good as you wanted them to—you felt like you weren’t improving and it made you increasingly more disappointed as you flipped through each one, picking the best few to upload and add captions to before slipping out of the office, DSLR camera dangling sadly around your neck.

You had to go home and finish a ten page paper—not the longest one you had never written, but finals were looming a few weeks away and you were drowning in assignments, trying your best to stay on top of them while also working. You often found yourself falling asleep at your desk over your laptop, your eyes glazing over as you attempted to do the reading for each of your classes, usually finding it to be drier than the Sahara in July most nights. The walk back to your apartment was relatively quiet and you dropped your stuff as soon as you stepped through the door, kicking your shoes off, feeling  something brush your leg.

Looking down, you found your orange tabby greeting you, rubbing her face against your calf, causing you to smile. Mira—the one good thing in your life, the only thing that made you happy anymore, it seemed. She meowed, peering up at you with her green eyes as she followed you to your small kitchen, begging to be fed. It seemed your roommate hadn’t bothered to throw any food in her bowl like you had asked and you sighed, quietly apologizing to Mira as you scooped kibble out of the bag, watching in amusement as she practically headbutted your hand out of the way, her teeth crunching as she ate.

You hadn’t eaten dinner yet and it was late, but you didn’t particularly feel hungry, mind elsewhere as you sat at your desk, pulling your laptop from your backpack, setting to work on finishing that paper and then likely having to edit a few photos for your photography class, smiling when Mira hopped onto your lap and settled there once her belly was full. The clock read 2:32 am when you finally settled into bed.

That’s usually how your days went—starting with waking up at 8am for your 9am class and working in the afternoon, finally dragging yourself home in the evening to do homework and maybe fix dinner before falling into bed again. You had a few friends and they would invite you out on weekends, but more often than not you were far too tired or far too busy, instead opting for inviting them over to watch a movie. You appreciated their support and patience, though you often received criticisms from your parents for not being social enough, ignoring their texts asking what you were up to on a Saturday night, knowing they wouldn’t like the answer. It was rare they were ever happy with your choices. The fact that you didn’t have a significant other wasn’t helping, either.

It was the Friday before fall exams when you got what turned out to be a far more interesting assignment than usual. Your desk editor pulled you aside in the office, asking if you could take pictures at a meeting between the chancellor of the university and the of the head of a private security company the university had contracted to replace the security systems in the dorms on campus that afternoon. The university paper was publishing a story and wanted a portrait of the two shaking hands—nothing unusual. You agreed begrudgingly—you finally had a free afternoon to yourself and wanted to relax, but it needed to be done and none of the other photographers were free.  

You were quick to run home and change into somewhat nicer clothes, throwing on a flowy blouse and business slacks alongside a small bit of makeup before swapping out the lens on your camera and running back out the door again, giving Mira’s head a scratch as you went. You caught the bus and made it to the meeting five minutes before it started, showing the security at the door your press pass and slipping inside, looking around the big conference room.

A long glass table took up most of the space at the center, surrounded by comfortable looking plush rolling chairs. Other photographers from larger news organizations were standing near the back, waiting for the meeting to start. You approached them, greeting them quietly, all of you working out a small plan to make sure you got the photos you needed without interrupting anyone’s line of sight. The people involved with the deal were slowly filtering in, mostly men in suits that you didn’t bother sparing more than a glance. You knew your university’s chancellor, Jack Morrison, and had done some research on the head of the private security firm—they were your main focus.

But the pictures online didn’t do Gabriel Reyes justice.

When he entered the room, most of the photographers moved, but you paused for a moment, taken aback slightly by his height and muscular stature. He was older, but his face hardly reflected his age save the crows feet at the edges of his chocolate eyes, which were kind and welcoming. You pulled yourself out of your head, turning your camera on and playing with the settings before moving in. The timing of the meeting was perfect—set during the few golden hours before sunset where natural light made everything look crisper.

The sunlight filtered through the large windows facing the center of campus below and you moved around the table, snapping close up pictures of both Reyes and Chancellor Morrison as they talked. Once everyone sat down, the meeting began and you tuned out most of what they were talking about, uninterested, moving to the back again to get dramatic down-the-table pictures of the two people that mattered conversing. The meeting lasted maybe an hour, with discussions of financials and implementation filling the air.

You had sat down against the back wall beside another female photographer, your feet aching, scanning everyone at the table as they spoke. You found that Reyes was very well spoken and charismatic, cracking jokes and drawing everyone into the diplomatic conversation. You watched the way he laughed, his mouth curved up into a smile, your eyes tracing his plush lips down his strong chin to his broad shoulders that shook when he chuckled. From there your eyes fell down his arms—his muscular biceps pulling at the fabric of his expensive suit jacket, your gaze finally reaching his hand, surprised to find he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.

You were pulled out of your thoughts again when the meeting finally concluded, pushing yourself up and getting that perfect shot of Reyes and Chancellor Morrison shaking hands, smiling to yourself and hoping it turned out good enough to publish. Your editor had also asked if you could get a portrait of Reyes in case they needed one for a future story and you hoped you could catch him, slipping out of the meeting room once everyone had scattered and most of the other photographers were busy taking pictures of the chancellor—something your newspaper had plenty of already. You chased the large man down the hall, calling out to him, sliding to a stop when the two security guards at his side raised their hands at you.

“She’s fine—let her pass,” Gabriel chuckled, turning towards you. You didn’t miss the way he looked you up and down—it was a subtle movement, but you caught it regardless, forcing the blush that threatened to rise on your cheeks down. You were sure you looked like a mess—there wasn’t much to see.

“I’m so sorry for bothering you Mr. Reyes,” you apologized, making a small motion with your camera. “I’m Y/N. I was just wondering if I could get a portrait of you. Waist up—in case we need it.”

“Anything for a pretty girl like you,” he replied in earnest, his brown eyes looking down at you kindly. “Where do you need me?”

You took a moment to look around, politely asking for him to step into the adjacent room, thankfully to find that there were large windows there, too, letting the perfect amount of light filter in. He straightened his suit jacket, looking up at the camera and watching you as you worked, getting the lens to focus before snapping a few pictures from a few different angles. You skimmed through them quickly, satisfied.

“Thank you. So sorry for taking up so much of your time,” you apologized again, turning your camera off and letting it settle against your chest as you reached to shake his hand. It was much larger than yours, warmer and softer than you expected. The head of the firm responded with a small nod, flashing you another smile.

“Worth it if you can make me look good—10 years younger maybe with a little bit of photo magic.”

“You’re already very handsome, so I hardly think that’s necessary, sir,” the words came out of your mouth before you could fully process them, a blush rising to your cheeks when Reyes let out a deep laugh.

“Oh I like you,” he huffed in response, heading to the door, but turning back towards you and giving you a small wink. “I’ll be on the lookout for them. Don’t let me down.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” you replied unevenly, slightly flustered as you watched him leave. You stood for a moment in silence, staring at the door he just left through, willing the blush on your cheeks to fade before exiting the room and heading towards the newspaper office.

For the first time in a while, you were excited to upload your photos, smiling to yourself when you saw how nicely they turned out, even receiving compliments from your editor. You added captions, finding it hard to remain unbiased when describing the man who had flustered you far more easily than you were willing to admit. You waved goodbye to your coworkers as you left, wishing them a good weekend before finally heading home, intent on settling into a bath and sipping a glass of cheap wine.

You did just that, falling asleep with Mira tucked against your chest, purring softly, the sound and feeling lulling you into the best sleep you had gotten in months. You spent the rest of the weekend relaxing, not having any obligations for once until your first exam began on Tuesday, finally finding the energy to go out with your friends on Saturday night, finding a small window of time to take and send a snarky picture of the group of you sitting around a table at your favorite bar to your mother. You woke up Sunday with a minor hangover, but you just rolled over and took some ibuprofen before falling back asleep, waking up in the early afternoon, feeling guilty for having slept so late when you likely should have been studying, but deciding you deserved it for working so hard.

You hadn’t planned on going back to the office until after exams were over, but you got an interesting text from your desk editor Monday morning telling you there was a surprise waiting in the office for you. You grumbled under your breath as you got dressed, throwing on jeans and a sweater before heading out, loathe to leave the warmth of your bed.

Once you arrived, you saw why she had called you in, scooting back in her rolling chair as you approached the desk, gesturing to the rather large vase of red roses that sat there.

“You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend,” your desk editor, Christina, giggled, looking almost dreamily at the floral arrangement. “Or tell me where I can find one that will send me flowers.”

“I don’t. And everyone here is broke—I wouldn’t know where to find someone who could even if I tried,” you retorted your brow furrowing as you brushed leaves and petals aside, looking for a note card. You found it pinned to the side of the vase, plucking the card out and examining the print on it.

Y/N,

Got your employer from your press pass and saw the photos you took. I have to say I’m rather impressed. Hopefully this isn’t too forward, but I have an offer for you. Call me if you’re interested.

-Gabriel Reyes

Oh.

Oh.

You stared at the card for a moment, taken aback, flipping it over to find a phone number printed on the back. It took a few seconds for your brain to process what this could possibly mean, all the while you realized Christina was talking to you.

“Someone’s taken an interest in you, then,” she teased, poking your side and wiggling her eyebrows, making you roll your eyes. “Is it someone else who works here? Do you recognize the name?”

You hesitated, stuttering out a small ‘no’, hoping it was enough to convince her, tucking the card back into your wristlet and out of her reach when she tried to look at it.

“You have secret admirer then.” She was giving you a mischievous look now, her eyes narrowing.

“Yeah that’s it.”

You were quick to grab the flowers and flee, not wanting to be questioned any further. You set them on the kitchen counter when you got home, admiring them for another moment. They couldn’t have been cheap—the vase they were in was glass and the roses appeared freshly cut and dethorned. You pulled a rose out, holding it to your nose, breathing in the naturally sweet smell and smiling slightly. They were beautiful.

You fluffed them a bit, rearranging them slightly and giving them a bit more water before putting them at the center of the table in the small eating area next to the kitchen, taking a step back to look at them again.

Your mind was racing—why would a man like Reyes take an interest in you? Maybe he was interested more in your photography? If that were the case he could have just emailed you or something—the roses were a few steps above that and you definitely didn’t think your photos warranted such a divine gift. The photos you took of him were good, but they were nothing special—just simple portraits and landscape shots. You were also just a college student—a very tired college student with bags under your eyes that could rival Mariana’s Trench, so you weren’t exactly serving looks, either. Maybe he just wanted to hire you to take photos for an event and this was his way of convincing you to say yes.

Pulling the card out of your wristlet again you examined it, expecting the words on it to give you the answer and you skimmed it time and time again, your gaze scanning the phone number, adding it to your contacts, but not sending any messages.

For now, you needed to focus on your exams, but you would see what he wanted after they were over.

But your curiosity got the better of you and you pulled your phone out once you stepped out of your first exam, your thumb hovering over the call button as you grabbed coffee before heading back to your apartment to study a bit more.

As it rang you thought about hanging up, but he answered before you got the chance to.

“Reyes.” His curt greeting made you snort.

“It’s Y/N. Sorry if I caught you at a bad time.” You could hear him basically perk up over the phone.

“Y/N! I was starting to think you weren’t going to call.”

“It’s exam week—I’ve been a bit preoccupied. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I assumed. You looked tired—not in a bad way, but in a ‘you don’t get enough sleep and they definitely overwork you’ kind of way.”

“That obvious, huh,” you replied sheepishly, frowning. “You could say that.” You juggled your coffee while trying to unlock your apartment door, slipping inside before Mira had a chance to slip out the door. She made a run for it on occasion and you were sure Gabriel didn’t want to listen to you yelling after her in his ear.

“You’re a beautiful girl, regardless, and a talented photographer on top of that. I saw the photos you too—gorgeous lighting, perfect perspective—you made the meeting look almost fun.”

“You seemed like you were having a good time, to be fair. You and Chancellor Morrison really hit it off—almost as if you two knew each other.”

“Something like that, actually. We’re old war buddies,” Reyes replied with an amused huff and you heard his chair creak as he sat back. “Enough about me, though. We spoke briefly, but tell me more about yourself. You seem light a bright young lady.” An odd question—though the flattery made you blush. Most clients didn’t want to get to know you, and maybe it was just fluff to try and get photos for free, but he didn’t seem like the type, so you decided to just be honest.

“Not much to me, honestly—I’m a photography major studying at the art school here. My days mostly consist of going to class, going to work, and then going home to do homework until 2 am,” you replied, shrugging to yourself as you slipped your shoes off, heading into your room to settle onto your bed. “I don’t have much time for many hobbies. My friends drag me to clubs or bars on the weekends sometimes, but otherwise I spend my free time sleeping or drawing on occasion when I feel up to it.”

“Indulge me for a moment,” Reyes murmured almost hesitantly. “Your financial situation, what’s that like?” Another odd question, though you found yourself answering anyway.

“I’m here on a partial scholarship, but I still have to work to pay off the bit that isn’t covered. I hardly get paid enough at the newspaper to cover my rent, so I usually work events and sell my photos on the side to cover everything else. I assumed that’s what this was about.” There was a small pause and you downed the rest of your coffee, setting the empty cup on your bedside table.

“Have any of your friends talked about having a sugar daddy?” That gave you pause, and your brow furrowed.

“Other than wishing they had one, no.”

“With that in mind, I might have a proposition for you.”

“Are you offering…?” You couldn’t finish the sentence, stunned.

This definitely wasn’t about taking photos.

“I am. We’ve only spoken briefly, but I can tell you’re intelligent, funny, and deserve far better than the way life is treating you right now,” Reyes replied. “And I feel you’d make good company.” You were quiet for a moment, letting out the breath hadn’t realized you had been holding, your grip on your phone tight enough to turn your knuckles white.

“...Would this extend beyond just… keeping you company,” you murmured, thumbing at the edge of the blanket on your lap. In the few minutes you had talked, Gabriel had seemed like a nice man and you weren’t entirely opposed to interacting with him again.

“Only if you wanted it to,” Gabriel replied, his tone soft, understanding. “When is your last exam?”

“Friday, but I technically just have to drop in to give the professor the final paper she assigned. Why?”

“I’ll be in my office in LA this weekend—let me fly you out there and we can talk about it over dinner.”

The logical voice in your head was telling you this could potentially be reckless, dangerous to go see a man you had only met once and let him fly you across the country to get dinner and discuss the possibility of you being his sugar baby, but the other slightly more irrational (and arguably more fun) voice in the back of your head was whispering ‘do it’. You had promised your parents you’d be home a few days before Christmas—you had enough time in between to visit him, so why not? You go and you get murdered—it just meant no more homework. You go and you come back with a sugar daddy—even better. It was a win-win in your head.

“I… Sure.” You could barely hide the eagerness in your voice, your heart pounding in your chest.

“Good. I’ll send you the travel details in a bit. See you Friday.”

[the-online-marketing-alliance]

How To Write an eBook in 7 Steps15 min read

Ebooks are a great way to start selling your ideas, skills, and experience online. It’s often the gateway to creating a complete online information product or membership site. They’re also an excellent way to grow your email list, by offering an ebook as a download in return for subscribing to your list, it’s called a lead magnet.

Whenever I talk to people and ask them what’s stopping them from writing an ebook…they tell me it’s the design, or the cover, the layout, images or technology.

The reality is that’s the easiest part, which I’ll cover at the end of this article.

The hardest part is actually the first part of the process…the writing. I don’t mean the typing – what I mean is producing something that actually works. Yes…something that people will actually read, get hooked on and engaged until finally you get them to take the next step. Which is when they will buy something more from you.

This article has 7 Steps: Step 1 to 6 is Creating the Content and Step 7 is Producing the Ebook.

What’s great about this method is it also helps you lay the foundation on how you will sell your ebook…or at least incentivize people to download it.

Table of Contents

How to Write an Ebook Ground Rules

Step 1) Make sure there is a market for your ebook

Step 2) Define your Avatar/Persona

Step 3) Devise the hook

Step 4) Create your ebook outline

Step 5) Fill-in the blanks

Step 6) Editing your ebook

Step 7) Convert into an ebook

Conclusion

What should I write about?

What is the ideal length of your ebook?

How long should it take to write the book?

Is there search traffic for what you’re writing about?

Is the keyword trending, declining or seasonal?

How to identify Personas

Persona template

How can you find and add hooks to your ebook?

Here are 3 methods to inspire your hook title or subject line:

2) Using Buzzsumo

The outline formula explained

Introduction

Who are you?

Describe the problem, outline the solution, paint a picture

Repeat above 5 times

Summarise what you’ve learned

Add Call to action for more information

Ebook best practices

Make it concise and review any reiteration

Checking for grammar, spelling, style and structure

The 5 Step Method

How to Write an Ebook Ground Rules

First of all…some ground rules.

What should I write about?

In the steps below, I’ve outlined a formula for getting results…but it’s useless unless it’s a topic you know something about, or you enjoy it and you have some interest in it. This is important because when you’re writing if you have no interest, you’ll get bored. Combine that with an online world that’s specifically designed to get your attention – your project will live a short life.

What is the ideal length of your ebook?

People won’t read a 500-page ebook, your readers cannot digest it and they’ll get fed up. You should plan to produce between 10 to 100 pages.

If its a lead magnet, then 10 pages is enough – it should get the key points across clearly and efficiently.

If you’re selling it as an information product…then it should be closer to 100 pages, because you will need to provide more examples to support your points.

Overall, the quality is what matters…so don’t add fluff or filler content.

Here is a book I put together with the For Dummies brand. It’s 48 pages long. It covers the key points of content marketing. Provides a framework to follow. Plus, it leads on to a course and software that we sell to help make content marketing easier.

It’s positioned like this.

It’s a 48-page ebook to wet the appetite, grow the list and get the key framework points across.

The book promotes our marketing course PICASSO, which is video and example-driven training. The PICASSO course then, in turn, promotes our software tools Kudani, Designrr and Headlinr.

How long should it take to write the book?

As fast as possible. The longer you take…the longer it exponentially takes to complete.

This means you need to focus less on getting it perfect and simply get the words on paper…or into Evernote, Google Docs (my preference) or Word.

This means you should start NOW…and take MASSIVE imperfect action.

Forget about grammar, spelling, layout…complete sentences, etc.

Get as many words down as quickly as possible.

Switch off Facebook/Email/Phone to stop yourself getting distracted. (Hint: Install Facebook News Feed Eradicator – and you’ll gain 1 hour a day back into your life.)

https://designrr.io/NewFeedEradicator

Get in the zone…and focus.

Set a timer for 40 minutes to focus and do nothing else.

Stop and walk for 10 minutes…then get back and restart timer.

Even if you do just 3 iterations of 40 minutes – you’ll find you’ve accomplished more than you probably do in a whole day.

With all that done, let’s get into the meat of this method.

Step 1) Make sure there is a market for your ebook

Sounds obvious but it’s probably the biggest mistake people make. If there is no market – no-one will buy or download your ebook. For example, let’s look at the diet niche. Should I focus on Paleo or Keto diets?

To establish this, you can follow some of these techniques:

Is there search traffic for what you’re writing about?

You can measure this by going to Semrush.com (Free registration required) and typing in the top level keyword for what you’re writing about. For example: “Keto Diet”

Obviously, a huge volume market with over 1m searches worldwide. Paleo Diet produces 368,000 volume, so still a great market to write for, but Keto is clearly the biggest right now.

Is the keyword trending, declining or seasonal?

To check this – go to Google Trends.

With this tool, I can actually compare values Paleo vs Keto.

And all diets have some seasonality as shown here, but the overall trend shows Keto is the one to go for.

Step 2) Define your Avatar/Persona

Put simply – who are you targeting this for? You’ll want to be able to relate with your target audience to meet their needs and help find solutions to their problems.

An avatar is a representation of your ideal customer. Take some time to understand and define this, so when you put your book together you can write in a way that they will understand. Using marketing personas makes websites 2-5 times more effective and easier to use by targeted users and drive 18 times more revenue than broadcast emails.

An example for Keto could be:

A Mom, aged 35-45, who needs to lose 50 lbs quickly and has been struggling with diets that are difficult to stick to. She’s busy with her family and has little time to cook.

Focusing like this on the avatar also helps define your hooks and design style. For example, a feminine color scheme would work better than a masculine black.

I often give them a name, which helps you focus even more. Let’s call her Susan.

How to identify Personas

The easiest way to identify the persona, if you have a website already, is looking at Google Analytics for data. You can identify where your visitors came from, what keywords were used, and how long they stayed on your site. Plus, demographics such as age, gender, location, interests, etc. Learning about your current visitors just became a lot easier to create personas for.

Here are a few more effective methods you can use to identify your Persona:

Monitor social media talking about your brand or keywords

Spy on your competitors and see what they have done

Identify complaints, comments, compliments

Questions on Google Search

Questions on Quora or Reddit

Persona template

It’s easier to write an ebook about someone you know. If you already have an idea of who you want to write your ebook for, great. If you don’t have an idea, I hope that this persona template can help paint your persona picture better:

Persona name: (example Susan)

Job title

about their company (size, sector, etc.)

Details about their job role

It could also be a family role (mom, dad, brother, sister, etc.)

Demographics

Age

Gender

Salary or combined household income

Location

Level of education

Family size

Goals and challenges

Main goal

Secondary goal

How you help your persona reach these goals

Primary challenge

Secondary challenge

How you can assist in resolving these problems

Values and fears

Main personal values

Common objections during sales process

Add images and color

Use an attractive color scheme that’s indicative of your persona’s characteristics

Icons and graphics can help in understanding who they are

Of the persona: it can be a photograph, a cartoon or a sketch – create a non-bias image

Psychographics

Behaviors

Attitudes

Opinions

Motivations are what make your personas human

Brands

Help provide great insights into the user’s likes and hobbies, which may even include competitor brands

Last but not least, understanding where your persona is at in the buyer’s journey. Here’s an example of what a buyer’s journey might look like:

https://venngage.com/blog/user-persona-examples/

This will help you fine tune your ebook and create a targeted objective to where you want your readers to end up.

Step 3) Devise the hook

The hook is what forms the title, headline or subject line. It’s designed to catch the reader’s attention by promising a result for the reader. Think of them as cliffhangers. They give readers a powerful sense of what they’ll get out of your ebook without giving away everything.

How can you find and add hooks to your ebook?

Go through your ebook, and note down every solution your book provides. Then ask yourself: What is the big problem you’re trying to solve and what are the pain points of your audience?

What will your reader’s life look like, or what will they be able to do, when they implement your solution? You want your readers to say “Yes, that’s me!”. If you can create that sense of identification, relation, you’re already close to securing the sale.

Now we have our avatar defined, this step starts to become easy.

We said that Susan needs to lose weight fast and has little time to cook with a busy family. She has also struggled to stick to diets previously, probably because she’s demotivated.

So the hook should focus on words like:

Quick, fast and easy to implement methods

Quick results so you’re motivated to stick

For busy people

Here are 3 methods to inspire your hook title or subject line:

Use Amazon Advanced search, and order by bestsellers to search using your core keyword. Look at the titles that are in the top 3-5 places.

Look at the results and analyse the bestsellers:

Using ‘Keto’ as our example, the titles that appear at the top are:

Simply Keto: A Practical Approach to Health & Weight Loss with 100+ Easy Low-Carb Recipes

The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Your Essential Guide to Living the Keto Lifestyle

Keto Diet: Your 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Balance Hormones, Boost Brain Health, and Reverse Disease

The Easy 5-Ingredient Ketogenic Diet Cookbook: Low-Carb, High-Fat Recipes for Busy People on the Keto Diet

Keto Diet Cookbook For Beginners: 550 Recipes For Busy People on Keto Diet (Keto Diet for Beginners)

KetoFast: Rejuvenate Your Health with a Step-by-Step Guide to Timing Your Ketogenic Meals

What are the key things that standout for you?

Best selling titles:

Use numbers. These always work well in titles as they indicate that there is an end to the information. i.e. There is only a number of things people need to know.

Use Words like Easy / Simple / Step by Step / Cookbook / Plan. All these words say that there is a simple process to follow.

Are Benefit driven. (For Busy People / to lose weight / boosts brain health) – How does your title help or solve a problem for the reader.

While you are on the Amazon page, look at the 5 and 1 star reviews for specific information that people are looking for. Here are some examples:

It’s clear from the above that the author didn’t deliver on the title’s promise and needed to put more photos in the book.

2) Using Buzzsumo

Buzzsumo is a great tool to analyze what’s currently out there and the sentiment of what’s performing well. You can search your key term in Buzzsumo for free.

Here are some tips to help you:

Analyze top performing headlines

Competitors headline

Filter based on content type

Type of words and phrases people use

Create headlines that:

Tell readers why they should care

Make a clear promise

Hook readers’ emotions

Provoke curiosity

Provide explanations

Appeal to a tribe

3) Ask questions of your customers and/or your email list

Join a Facebook group – and create a poll.

Title it: “Hi, I’m creating an ebook for XYZ, and I want to make sure I’m on point. Can you help?

What are the 3 Biggest problems you have in doing XYZ right now?”

One or two sentences for each solution is plenty. These are your hooks, and you’ll use them later when writing your book description, title, headlines, chapters, etc.

Step 4) Create your ebook outline

In this section it’s important to be concise yet provide enough information to illustrate your point.

Remember you don’t want your ebook to be too long.

The outline formula explained

Try and cover the top 5 key problems and solutions. If there are more…that’s ok too.

Introduction

Outline what the reader will learn. Tell your story and use the pain points identified. Reveal your secret right away. When you start big and reveal that one secret right in the intro, this will make your readers trust you and expect even bigger results.

Who are you?

Why should people listen to you?

Tell a story on how you came about this knowledge.

Position yourself as an expert.

Describe the problem, outline the solution, paint a pictureRepeat above 5 timesSummarise what you’ve learnedAdd Call to action for more information

Critical – Most people forget this step

Step 5) Fill-in the blanks

Once you have an outline, you’ll want to start filling in the blanks to help expand and explain your ebook. Simple way to explain how to do just that is to:

Make it a “You and I” and just write. Use the persona to have a normal conversation and explain to Susan about your thoughts on keto diet.

Don’t stop to correct, instead get everything out of your brain. You’ll want to dedicate a separate time to correct any grammar and spelling errors later. Put your focus on getting your ideas down.

Ebook best practices

Once you’ve added all your thoughts into your ebook, you can start adding more insightful information. Some of this consists of:

Adding quotes

Adding images

Importing and highlighting stats, relevant sources, etc. (Great source is Statista https://www.statista.com/ )

Place appropriate calls-to-action within your ebook

Curate paragraphs from other sites and sources to strengthen your points

Step 6) Editing your ebook

After you’ve filled in the blanks with every idea you have, you’ll want to trim, add, and edit your ebook. One of the most important parts of your ebook is to constantly add value and engage with your readers. Creating a successful ebook is to make sure not to reiterate. Being concise and to the point rather than exhausting your readers. You’ll want to review some of your explanations to see if you can create snippets of information.

Make it concise and review any reiteration

With the paragraph above, let’s see how we can make it concise and optimized for engagement.

“Once you’ve filled in the blanks with your amazing idea, you’ll need to trim, add, and edit your ebook. Focus on creating snippets and watch out for any reiteration. Read your ebook to identify what might make your readers stop reading. It’s all about creating engagement after engagement.”

You can always reread and see if there are ways to make it shorter, concise and to the point.

Checking for grammar, spelling, style and structure

This is where you can spend your time correcting spelling, sentences, style and structure. However, instead of trying to fix everything, there are two rules to follow:

Focus on the big picture, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

And then the details like typos, tweaking sentences and grammar.

Seeing the big picture will help you spot things you’ve written in Chapter 3 that shows up in Chapter 1. During the first phase, you might make the introduction shorter, remove a whole chapter, merge two chapters into one so it feels cohesive with the rest of your ebook.

Using grammar tools like Grammarly is a life saver. However, be cautious when you replace every single error, because it might try to correct that one word rather than the whole sentence structure. No tool is perfect, so read your ebook out loud so you can notice poorly worded sentences or even check the tone of the sentences. If all else fails, there are proofreading services that might save you some time.

Whatever the path you want to use, be sure to not leave this up to the reader! So make sure to check off these:

Check spelling and grammar.

Check the length of each chapter, ensure the description flows well.

Brush up the voice and tone.

Step 7) Convert into an ebook

The 5 Step Method

Part 1: Import using Designrr

Login to a tool called Designrr which creates ebooks from your content.

Designrr can import and create ebooks from your blog, Microsoft Word, Google docs, Medium, another PDF, Facebook, or even an Audio or Video file, including a YouTube link.

In this case we’ll be using a Google Doc.

Grab the share URL from the Google DOC. (Make sure is accessible to ‘Everyone’)

Import the link into Designrr using the ‘Import From URL’ option.

Alternatively, you could also use the ‘Import Manually’ option.

Just copy and paste your Google Doc into the draft editor.

Part 2: Choose a Template

Then choose a template. There are literally 100s to choose from.

Part 3: Tweak, Customize and Tailor Your Look

Start by checking that the layout is ok – and that there are no grammar mistakes or typos.

Then begin the design process.

Adjust fonts, colors or style of your book:

A table of contents is generated automatically:

Change the template colors, headers and footers, cover image, or even add more images from your computer or the built-in library of thousands:

Select one for a new cover:

Then click ‘Publish’:

You can publish to PDF, Kindle, ePub or to your blog.

Once your ebook is created – you can also add a 3d thumbnail to use on your website to encourage people to download it.

Conclusion

Writing an ebook can be a lengthy process if you don’t know where to start or understand the steps you need to follow. We went over how to identify if there’s a market for your ebook idea and that creating personas can help fill most of your content. Knowing what to write about is one thing, focusing on one person and engaging with that persona is another. Creating the actual ebook itself, making it beautiful, is the easiest part when using a software like Designrr.

If you received value from this post please Like & Share this post so that we can serve and help others keep and build their business, income, so that they can sustain with the tools necessary to make an impact during this time.

Yours In Knowledge - Peace & Wellness

The Online Marketing Alliance

[minchiutau]

QUARTET NIGHT LIVE FLY TO THE FUTURE 2018 Report (Day 1&2)

Most details are from 1st day because we usually can’t see 1st day performances except for MC in DVD/BD anyway so i tried to focus on writing details of performance from 1st day more than 2nd (tho in term of perf there weren’t many differences) It contains most of the MCs and my thoughts about it!

Warning: Both reports and translations of the dialogue ARE not 100% accurate.  It’s based on what i and my friend remembered and took notes of. The post is extremely long! And i spent tons of time typing this so there might be a lot of grammar and typing errors. I’d be happy if you would overlook all of my mistakes here!

Edit: Let me apologize for the extreme delay.. I actually had this finished a week after it happened, and i was probably super tired when i finished it. I’m not sure how that happened, but apparently i didn’t post it and this had been sitting on my drafts for six months because i went on a hiatus afterwards.... I realized it after opening tumblr a day ago. I was super sad because it was so long and i spent tons of time writing it.. if possible i don’t want to delete it so here it is!

Opening lines by QN members

Opening VTR, there isn't anything like last QN live but it was visual picture slideshow of previous live and it shows how QN has been around since 2012~now. QUARTET★NIGHT instrumental was playing on the background.

Followed with clock'tick tock sound, bell rang and the main stage monitor was split into two and QN appeared with gold stage outfit and big clock on the background! Tattsun and Morikubo had similar hairstyle to the previous live with minor change (styling?) while maenu had brown hair tied like in 6th live melting of snow performance and shoutan with ai's hairstyle+hair color (bleached in some parts, not entirely but it looks really nice!)

1. THE WORLD IS MINE I actually guessed this would be the first song and i was right! It started with really pretty acapella ;;_;; THEIR HARMONIES WERE PERFECT IT WAS LEGENDARY like it was probably one of the best harmonization i've heard in my life (if previous live wasn't enough) I kinda forgot what happened during this performance because i was too amazed by how good they sang tbh. Pretty sure people know how good QN harmonize, but this one was especially good! If i remembered it right, there were some dance moves! The audience also sang "The world is mine!" part in the bridge, it was fun! I literally cried the moment they appeared i can’t remember much AHAHA //sweats

2.Poison KISS As soon as the intro started people around me went crazy with their screams xD It's more or less similar to what we've seen in previous lives. Do they have any tradition bc they always sing this song since 3rd live xD Except of course, they were dancing a lot more now and this song is actually one of the good example of their improvements! This song is still as hyped as always. They walked from the main stage to the front stage and during that they also did some poses and fanservices

MC (or not really since they were talking in character voice the whole time? kinda like opening serifu) Maenu: *Camus butler mode* Welcome to "QUARTET NIGHT LIVE FLY TO THE FUTURE" ladies and gentlemen. I'm Camus and let us enjoy tonight together. *Camus usual mode change* Or did you really think i'd say that, you peasant?! Be sure to follow us to the end. (In 2nd day camus didn't say the peasant thingy tho idk why) Shoutan: I'm Mikaze Ai. I'll make it a fun and dokidoki live until the end! *throw kiss* Tattsun: It's Kurosaki Ranmaru! It's finally our rocking time! Let's enjoy it till the end! Morikubo: Rei-chan’s the one left here~! My girl and my boy!! It's okay for Rei-chan to start first, right~?! and it went right to the next song

3. On Your Mark! I personally thought that this song sounds hard to sing (maybe bc of the key progression??) but Morikubo did great! His singing was super stable and consistent, as usual. He danced A LOT more on this one! Probably the most i've seen from reiji's solo so far! And he did super great! ;; It’s similar to the perf he had in 6th live except i think he did even better this time!! He must've worked really hard! He forgot a bit of his part in 1st day xD but he recovered right after!

4. Futari no Monogram I HAD FEELING THIS WOULD COME bc it was the only ai's solo shoutan didn't sing in QN 1st solo con.. and I definitely saw improvements! He was dancing (almost) all of the time and but he sounded A LOT more stable than 5th live (and i think 5th live was already great) it looked so easy for him xD But all in one it's similar to the one we've seen previously, except i think there were some additional moves? (Edit: many parts are entirely different too) In the end shoutan also said "Da~isuki" like 5th live, except it was in a bit more playful tone (kinda teasing tone?) Overall i think he did even better than 5th live! He also did some fanservices and i personally like the part where he fixed his silver gloves.

5. Saintly Territory Maenu appeared with his (this time a bit thin?) white mantle and did the dance like in previous live! Same with shoutan, i think he improved a lot with his singing stability and this time it sounded extremely stable and he looks a lot more relaxed with his dancing too!;; I really love how they keep on improving even tho they were already that good to begin with. He came to from main stage to front stage and suddenly he appeared with camus' stick from halfway and danced with it! xD He danced a lot! I’m not sure if it’s in this song or not but if i remember it right on first day, he also gave us a fanservice of him smirking in front of the camera and people went crazy over it (i mean, me too AHAHA)

6. BE PROUD Remember how legendary 6th live performance of this song was? Yeah, this time it was equally amazing. He appeared with stand-mic and it was a straightforward+simple performance, yet his singing was really amazing i kinda stopped swinging penlight.. The adlib on the bridge was really powerful and it just hit me hard i almost teared up ;; On last reff he went down on his knees and made really pained expression ;; in general he had pained expression on his face and it made me emotional.. also the trademark super-long notes in the end was also there, it was just amazing! I got chills. Personally i like last reff "hoeru shika naku (I have no other choice but to howl)" because he sounded like he was actually howling. BUT SERIOUSLY it was extremely emotional, both days were powerful and all in one it’s just simply amazing. Fight me you don’t like Ranmaru and tattsun after you listen to this performance AHAHA

The screen suddenly said "Acoustic corner, Reiji Camus", Morikubo and Maenu appeared with long sleeves shirt. Morikubo (reiji's) was black (with stage-like vest?) and maenu was white (with blue tie).They greeted the hall and live-viewing audience. Maenu wore camus' glasses. They said they were doing something new, which was acoustic corner! The band (?) was preparing on their back while they were doing the MC. Chairs were also prepared for them and they talked while sitting on it, also telling the audience to sit throughout acoustic performance.

Day 1 They talked about there weren't many chances to have only the two of them on MC and how rehearsal have passed in a blink of eye. It seemed like they were doing it under a lot of pressure (considering last live extreme high quality i'm not surprised tbh lol) Maenu: "It's hard to gather all of us together on the rehearsal" Morikubo: "We only managed to get all together once (?!) on the rehearsal. We sometimes did it with three of us present and for some reasons most of the time one of us couldn't be present." (audience sounded surprised! Me too, they performed really good together i just didn't expect it) Maenu: "I started rehearsal mainly from September. Though of course,  i received choreography videos beforehand." Morikubo: "The red person started really early, didn't he?" (audience laughed) Maenu: "He always got to start rehearsal really early every live" Morikubo: "He always got to start really early i couldn't help but thinking "Eh?! He started already?!" when i heard it." Maenu: "And he'd contact us with "I started with it!" first everytime" After that they were talking about the live and how it started with a new song! Apparently they were practicing it it a lot to the point that they saw it on their dreams lol Morikubo danced a bit (?) of the choreo with his hand, pointed at Maenu and said he often did those moves (practicing the move, the usual maenu’s greatness; not sure but i think it was killer kiss moves?) xD They talked about how it was the first time for the four of them to perform an acoustic corner on utapri live and that the live was fun. Morikubo: "I always receive the choreography video from the dance teacher first and i got to voice my opinion first if the dance was too hard or if it needs to be changed into easier moves. If i'm okay with it then the three of them will follow. (Because he's the oldest) Until now if some parts were too hard i'd say so and got scolded by certain someone (Tattsun LOL). But this time, after receiving it I said nothing about it and did it the way it's supposed to be." (Audience cheers) Maenu: "The choreography was really hard, wasn't it?" Morikubo: "Neverthless, our duty this time is to follow after Quartet Night. If the four of them are supposed to do it that way, then we will do our best to follow after them. We did our best without making excuses." (Audience cheers) Morikubo: "Up till now, there are a lot of idol groups existing right? They dance and sing." Maenu: "They do." Morikubo: "But look at us, we're dancing, singing AND harmonizing. Isn't that rare to be found?" Maenu: "It's rare indeed!" Morikubo: "We're dancing, singing AND harmonizing! (2nd time xD)" (Audience cheers) Morikubo: "If the four of them aim for even higher level, we'll also aim for it and chase after them(characters)!" After that they called for the acoustic band members. They also talked about Maenu's Camus glasses and apparently, Maenu being the biggest Camus fan he is, got the glasses by himself xD (If i remember right it got sold out really fast so i think he meant he put tons of effort to get it)

Day 2  They talked about how they’re doing it on Kobe this time. Up till now utapri live (or most events actually) was held in kanto region/near tokyo but this time the live was held in kansai region (Psst as someone who lives in kansai i’m extremely happy) They greeted people at live-viewing. Maenu: *to the camera* “Can you see us here?” Morikubo: “Live-viewiiiing!” Some of the audiences in the hall went “Fuuu~↑” even tho they were calling for the live-viewing LOL Maenu: “*a bit puzzled* O--oh I could hear their voices, i heard the Fuuu~“ xD From this point they’ll keep on doing this few times if someone let out voices when they were calling for people in live-viewing LOL There was also a small accident of the staffs bringing wrong water-bottle for Maenu (it was tatsu’s) xD They talked about how the penlight color change was automatically controlled by the staffs (like the one on previous live) Morikubo: “I thought it was amazing!” Maenu: “At first i thought ‘they changed the color so quickly!!’ but it seems like that was not the case” xD Morikubo: “Ah, but it’s possible to switch it into your favorite color, right?” Maenu: “Yes, it’s possible to do both” Morikubo: “If i say a color right now would it be possible (for the staffs) to change the color right away?” Maenu: “It’s supposed to be on programmed automatically isn’t it?” Morikubo: “Let’s try it!” Maenu: “I’m not sure, we haven’t told the staffs beforehand!” xD Morikubo: “We haven’t told them anything!” Maenu: “They must be panicking right now” Morikubo: “Everyone, I’ll say ‘red’ so please switch your penlight into another color and don’t change the color manually! Let’s see if it’s possible” Morikubo: “Here i go, red!!!” They waited few seconds and the color didn’t change xD Morikubo: “So it’s not possible!” *audience laughed* Maenu: “It has to be programmed beforehand” in the middle of their talk suddenly all of the penlight on the hall turned red Morikubo: “OHHH IT’S RED!!” Maenu: “That’s amazing!!! The staffs definitely panicked just now” Morikubo: “I’m sorry for doing it suddenly!”  Maenu: “(it’s all in red) So this is what Tatsu saw while singing” Morikubo: “(to audience)Ah, you can turn it back to your favorite color now. Thank you very much for your cooperation” They talked about how the concert hall is a good hall (and i totally agree) and how they could see the audience clearly. Then they talked about how it was a 2 days concert as opposed to prev one. Afterwards Morikubo told us that they’re ready to do it for another day or two xD Maenu agreed Maenu: “Even the rehearsals were fun. Of course there were a lot of hardships, but the sensation of being able to stand with the four of us.. it’s just addictive” Morikubo: “Lately, there’s something all of us often do. Inside the dressing room, when the four of us were sitting in front of the mirrors and our songs were played on the background, we’ll do an imitation/impression of our own characters”  Maenu: “A bit exaggerated one” Audience screamed “Do it~~” and the two of us fell into silence all of sudden xD Maenu: “If you said something like that of course it’ll come into this!” Morikubo: “It’s more or less just what you always hear from us” Audience told them to do it again Morikubo: “Yesterday we talked about such topic. We were talking about how Shouta used to sing demos of most utapri songs and we asked about how he did our character voices. *stares at maenu* How did he do Ran-Ran again?” Maenu: “?! I’d be the one doing it?!”  He did an impression of Ranmaru’s “Arai hou ga ii~” of Poison kiss and it was super funny! xD He made his voice really hoarse and also made funny expression with his eyes wide-opened LOL Morikubo then apologized at him for making him suddenly do it Maenu: “You told me to do it!” Morikubo: “I wasn’t expecting you to do it with that expression” Maenu: “I’m sorry please forget the thing i did just now” LOL Maenu: “At rehearsal we often do something like that to fill the part of the member that wasn’t there. For example Morikubo-san’s part” Morikubo: “They’ll start imitating ‘Tee ↑ ee↑ (the vocal swing he often does, you’d probably get what i mean if you listened to Reiji’s singing in general)” Maenu: *imitates* “More and More and~~(poison kiss w/hands movements too)” Morikubo: “It’s not “Mori mori ok?!”  (means to do something vigorously in japanese) Maenu: “Even all of those things were really fun” Morikubo: “Camus’ (impression) were amazing too you know” Maenu: “Tatsu totally did that on purpose!” Morikubo: “If Tatsu comes later, tell him to do it here” And they called the band

7. KILLER KISS When they talked about how they were going to perform it acoustic i actually couldn't imagine how it would sound with this song but it actually sounded really pleasant! I mean, it sounded a lot quieter than the actual song so you could hear their great voices and amazing harmonization crystal clear! It sounded really refreshing! They also did a bit of the little hand choreography similar to the one on 6th live. They sounded really powerful!

Shoutan and Tattsun appeared. Shoutan had white shirt with lilac-colored flower on his left pocket and Tattsun had black shirt they also talked while sitting like Morikubo and Maenu (At some parts they also stood?).

Day 1 Shoutan talked about how it's refreshing to be able to talk with just the two of them and tattsun agreed to it. In the middle of convo Tattsun just went with sudden "Let's introduce ourself" and the audience laughed. Shoutan: "Everyone, good evening! I'm Mikaze Ai's good friend Aoi Shouta!" Tattsun: "You went with that?! I'm the one who's always standing closest to Kurosaki Ranmaru, Suzuki Tatsuhisa." Tattsun: "Aaa~ It's refreshi-- *looks at shoutan turning his back from audience* Hey! Don't fix your belt here!" (Shoutan a bit panicking lol) Tattsun: "This is why before the live started i told you not to eat that many cream puffs!!"* (if you don't get this reference go search for game and drama CDs involving Ai lol) Shoutan: "That's not true!" lol Tattsun also said Morikubo and Maenu talked a lot so almost no topic left for them to talk xD Shoutan told the camera to zoom at Tattsun's nails. Apparently at previous lives Tattsun's nail colors were normal red but this time he finally had Ranmaru's burgundy dark red! Also Shoutan tried to let his nails grow but at rehearsal two of it hit the mic and broke. He also had Ai's color nail btw. Tattsun: "This time, at rehearsal we were often together. Of course we were looking at each other practices a lot too. The more i see him, to be honest I could only see Shouta as a girl!" Shoutan: "You said that a lot! Stuffs like "what's with that body line!?" Tattsun: "His girl power (女子力) is increasing day by day! If it's me i definitely wouldn't be able to do it! For example this pose *posing*" Shoutan: "This one? *posing*" (hard to describe so take a look at matoni-sensei's report pic here! the pose at the very middle of the pic) Tattsun: "How did you do that?" *imitating but failed* (Audience laughed) Tattsun: "This time, for example the dance, like previously talked, we're following the footsteps of our characters. As they go higher, we as one try to follow them. To begin with I only do stuffs like this once a year here you know!" Shoutan: "This kind of chance doesn't happen often, right? But actually tatsu-nii at his own will, you know, even after the rehearsal was supposed to end--" Tattsun: "Hey~ Stop this topic!" Shoutan: "When the rehearsal ended he'd go around saying "I'm sorry, can i do it just one more time?" you know! Of course we have to make sure we're in good condition by resting well too, but his feelings reached me and it made me want to reply it with same thing." Tattsun: "Right, at that time i had the time so i tried to use all of my time practicing and when i realized it i've been doing it for six and half hours." Shoutan: "Really, how many times did you do the live that time?"   (Audience laughed) Tattsun: "And Shouta was also there the whole time."(Not sure if he said he was standing there or singing behind him) Tattsun: "To be honest, I couldn't produce Ranmaru's voice easily. And so i'd need time to adjust my throat beforehand. Sometimes i got frustrated and was troubled with it alone. And at such times, he'd come closer to me and said "Tatsu-nii, what about doing quartet night songs together?". Among us, Shouta　is the one who's always trying to consider others feelings. At that one time all of us got together, we were troubled with a thing and couldn't come into agreement. At such time, Shouta was the first one to speak up "What about doing this way? Maybe it's going to change for the better!". He was always thinking about our feelings and what to do about it. In that way, he's the one supporting our backs and i think that's what's good about him." After that they talked about how they're going to sing after this with the acoustic band. Tattsun: "We were talking a lot prior to this performance, like how to make it sound better and what to add and improvise." Shoutan: "That's right, we talked a lot about it." Tattsun: "I was thinking of supporting Shouta while he's singing freely with his all, but actually Shouta also adjusts with how i'm singing. It feels like a matchmaking (お見合い)." Shoutan: "It feels like we're sharing same atmosphere!" Tattsun: "It made me feel like, "Ah, so singing with others could be this interesting!" It's really fun. I haven't had chance to sing with someone with such a different type of voices and it feels refreshing. *suddenly bowing?* Thank you so much" Shoutan was off guard because Tattsun just suddenly thanked him and was like "nn?!" xD Tattsun: "So, are we doing it?" Shoutan: "(to the audience suddenly) Do you want to hear us~?" (and of course we said we want to hear it) Shoutan: "They said they want to~" Tattsun: "Why did you start it and answer it yourself?" (Audience laughed xD) Shoutan: "I'm sorry" (Audience screamed "Cute~!") Tattsun: "That part! That's the cute part of you, you know" And i kinda forgot what they said after this.. but not long after they started with title call and the next song started! Day 2 Shoutan: “Good evening~ It’s finally our turn” Tattsun: “No matter how many times we did it, it always feels refreshing to be here (doing MC) with just the two of us” Shoutan: “It does! The previous two’s MC/perf was really heated up” Tattsun: “Right” Both: ”Right~” (audience laughed xD) Tattsun: “First, please introduce yourself” Shoutan: “I’m Mikaze Ai’s best friend, Aoi Shouta!” Tattsun: “I’m the one with privilege to stand closest to Kurosaki Ranmaru, Suzuki Tatsuhisa” Shoutan: “Isn’t it interesting that our introduction changed a bit everytime?” They talked about live-viewing and called out to them Shoutan: *to camera* “How are you guys?” Tattsun: “Everyone at live-viewing places, how are you?” the audiences in the hall went “Fuuu~↑” again Tattsun: “I could hear voices even though it’s supposed to be live-viewing! Amazing!” LOL After that they changed topic into the outfits they wore on acoustic corner Shoutan: “After the first day ended, there was something a lot of people were talking about regarding this acoustic corner. As opposed to our previous gold outfits, in this corner we have a shirt as our outfit. *Tattsun spun to show the audience his outfit*”  Shoutan: “It has Ranmaru’s color on it” Tattsun: “(the red cloth of the lower part of his outfit) I requested this” Shoutan: “For me, i wanted a symbol at Ai’s left chest. The staffs also added Ai’s color on it” (whoever manage to understand the symbolism i love you) Shoutan: “The real topic starts here. The shirt i’m wearing right now is  an oversize shirt. So it has a bit of kare-shirt (It’s a situation when someone is wearing their lovers’ clothes) vibe on it. “ *audience loud screams* xD Tattsun: “Right” Shoutan: “And that’s..” Tattsun: “That’s why you should just say you were staying over in my place” *fangirl squeal* Shoutan: “And there’s the fact that the two of us are doing MC together too.. For a moment i thought 'Eh?! Did i actually stay in Tatsu-nii’s house and borrow his shirt?!'”  Tattsun: “I thought it would look good on you, so you can have it” *embarrassed shoutan* xD Shoutan: “This person right here... Why does he always say this kind of embarrassing lines like it was nothing?! This is embarrassing” (you two so cute stahp) Tattsun: “Could you stop getting ‘seriously’ embarrassed?” xD Shoutan: “Of course i would! *to male audience* Even male would feel the same, right?!”  A male audience answered and tattsun laughed at it Shoutan: “I told you so!” Tattsun: “I could hear your voice (male audience) really clearly! Wait a bit, let me take off my in-ear monitor. (He looks happy to hear them) *male audience cheers*  Tattsun: “This is awesome, i could hear you guys really well! *laughs* Oi, you guys sure have great voices!” (they both look really happy xD) Shoutan: “And obviously, all of you girls, it made your heart throb right?!” *audience cheers* Shoutan: “I told you!” Tattsun: “Wait a bit, why did you put yourself in girls side?!” LOLOL Shoutan: “After standing on many stages of utapri, i feel like i could understand what everyone is thinking about!” Tattsun: “That’s what i told you in the rehearsal wasn’t it?! When i was watching your solo, i told you 'Your girl power(女子力) is increasing even more!'“ Tattsun: “Especially when he was dancing and singing, his body-line definitely doesn’t look like a male!  Shoutan: “Really? *does the same pose as the one on 1st day MC* I ended up doing it like that” Tattsun: “If i’m the one doing it, it looks like a plastic model *does the same pose* So stiff” Shoutan: “But in return you have the coolness of Ranmaru!” Tattsun: “All i could do is being aggresive (オラつくit’s a bit hard to explain)” Shoutan: “That’s Ranmaru!!” After that they talked about flower stand! (btw for some reasons if i go to QN events i always see many cool and artistic flower stands so if you’re curious be sure to look it up) Tattsun: “We wanted to see it by ourselves but it was close to where the audience was waiting so we couldn’t see it. But our managers took a VTR of the flowers for us and we all watched it together. While we were talking about how big and pretty it was suddenly a panel appeared and we were like ‘Eh?! You can create such flower stand?!’” Shoutan: “It was amazing wasn’t it?” Tattsun: “And also, i know it’s a form of love and i probably shouldn’t say an unnecessary comment like this, but there was a flower stand with Ranmaru’s silhouette and an instrument on it. The thing is, that silhouette wasn’t a bass, it was a guitar!!” Shoutan: “A-Ah, the instrument Ranmaru plays is..” Tattsun: “Bass” Shoutan: “And what came was...” Tattsun: “Guitar...” Shoutan: “That was close! So close! B-but it was a silhouette so..” Tattsun: “But.. it was a guitar...” Shoutan: “So close!” Tattsun: “That shape was probably an SG (gibson SG? i’m not sure) guitar..” Shoutan: “You sure know a lot!” xD Tattsun: “*asks a band member* Right?! But i could feel the love and so i think ’It’s okay, a guitar is fine too’” Shoutan: “After all, they made it so pretty!” Tattsun: “Indeed! Among them there were also outfits right? The quality was so high i thought ‘Eh?! Did we wear that outfits?!’” Shoutan: “Eh?! It’s the real thing?!” Tattsun: “Did we give/show the real thing to them?!” xD Shoutan: “Was it leaked somewhere?” Tattsun: “Without realizing it, do they know our three sizes?!” Shoutan: “That’s bad!!” Tattsun: “No way, no way!!! We’re in trouble!” (what are you guys doing LOL) Afterwards they talked about how it represents audience love for the series Tattsun: “It was so amazing it feels like being on an exhibition! Don’t you think we could charge an admission fee for this?” Shoutan: “That’s right!!” xD Tattsun: “A lot of people also sent it directly to certain character and on that part too i could totally feel your affection for them.” Tattsun: “Yesterday, after 1st day ended we had a small after-party with the four of us plus few people. We talked about a lot of things there and there were a lot of talks full of love for the series. We’ll talk about it in depth after the four of us are all here.” Tattsun: “Also, on dressing room lately, doing an impression of QN members has became a trend, right? Shoutan: “We do impression of each other’s characters. It’s before the live so tatsu-nii brought a stereo--  Is this the right word? I’m hopeless when it comes to such thing..  ” Tattsun: “Shouta” Shoutan: “Yes?” Tattsun: “Ba~ka” (in teasing tone asdhjkf what is this, a shoujo manga?) *Audience screams* Shoutan: “ *a bit of sulking tone* He said i’m an idiot..” Tattsun: “That’s called a bluetooth speaker!” Shoutan: “Ah! It’s a speaker!” Tattsun: “Don’t just go and group everything into 'latest model machine’!” Shoutan: “I’m sorry.. -- so he used a speaker to play the setlist of this live inside our dressing room. And then we’ll hum or sing along” Tattsun: “I thought if there’s no sound maybe the atmosphere would be a bit gloomy so i brought a rather big one and played the playlist of the setlist. And when i did that, suddenly we could hear Rei-chan that wasn’t Rei-chan” LOL Shoutan: “You’re right. After that we would hear an addition of one more person, and another one, we would then hear someone who did an impression of ranmaru, and so on...” Shoutan: “But the thing is, when Camus’ part comes..” Both: “All of us would do it” LOL Shoutan: “It was amazing wasn’t it?” Tattsun: “All of us would gather and sang the “kindan no kajitsu~♪ (killer kiss)” Shoutan: “We did it. Not only our own character, but did such to another character of the same group” Tattsun: “We did it” Shoutan: “Ai’s impressions were also amazing” Tattsun: “When doing Ai we would pucker our lips” Shoutan: “That’s right! Actually, i have such a small mouth/lips so when they’re doing it like that i could hear some similarities.. Tomo-nii also did it. That’s what’s trending on our dressing room lately” Tattsun: “When doing an impression of Ranmaru, all of them would sound so hoarse!” Shoutan: “First of all we would strain our voices” Tattsun: “Raise the distortion to the max..” Tattsun: “Do you still remember the first time you voiced Ai?” Shoutan: “I do! At that time i was just started learning how to be a voice actor. With an illustration of Ai right in front of me, I was thinking of how to make him alive. While thinking of such things i would practice over and over again. After spending a lot of time, i finally managed to do that.” Tattsun: “The staffs were really careful about it weren’t they?” Shoutan: “Yes. What about Ranmaru? How was it?” Tattsun: “A bit roughly but at that time I saw all of the utapri series first. And at that time, i thought that there weren’t many people with low tone voices. As a senpai, when i read the script at that time Ranmaru also said so many harsh words. I was thinking of what to do with it and came into conclusion that to make it sounds manly i should do it with low tone. And so it became like that.” Tattsun: “But that time, i didn’t give it much thought and let out the lowest tone i could at that time.” Shoutan: “I see!” Tattsun: “And so when i’m voicing Ranmaru i have to keep my throat wide opened the whole time” Tattsun: “The first time i thought ‘i’ve done it wrong’ was at the singing recording. At that time i realized that i have to practice hard to produce Ranmaru’s voice well. Especially at the very beginning, i have to warm-up my voice well before recording something as Ranmaru. At that time i’d practice “*Ranmaru’s voice* Oi” with my throat wide open.” Shoutan: “And so it becomes Ranmaru” Tattsun: “*points at the area between throat and chin* the shape of my face here would disappear (bc he’s keeping his throat open).  It would turn into a neck of a dinosaur. ” xD Shoutan: “But after going through all of that Ranmaru was born” Tattsun: “That’s right” Shoutan: “A lot of stories were there”

And they announced next song

8. HARUHANA ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE: BEAUTIFUL. I guess this one is easier to imagine in acoustic ver. It sounds really classy~ I must say this arrangement fits this song A LOT! Both of them sang super emotionally ;; Tattsun used softer tones at some parts and shoutan sang some parts more dynamically than others creating an emotional performance;; When this song was released i saw someone said that they voices don't go well with each other, but nah they really need to watch this performance. Their chemistry was heavenly.. their timing, the way their voice overlap and harmonize, even how they put power in their singing, it was a perfection. To be honest, the two of them in this performance probably had the best chemistry i've ever seen in utapri live performances. They shared A LOT of eye contacts! (they were staring at each other like most of the time? lol) They also inserted really pretty adlibs and even harmonize on it. Before last reff they sang it really passionately before suddenly (intentionally) stopped singing for seconds and left a bit of silence. After seconds they start again with really emotional last reff! It was amazing. (Explanation: "Oru youni kasaneatte, koe e to, uta e to~~~ (long notes) Aa *stops for like 3 seconds* yokaze ni fukarete...") Also last reff's "..mune wo sasu kedo ↑" was improvised as the notes went up instead of down. I couldn't say anything other than perfection. I personally like their perf of this song on the first day more than the second day (tho of course it was awesome too) so i kinda hoped utapri would ever release DVD/BD of 1st day of their lives too...

A bit of MC. Tattsun said that because they finally had the chance to sing acoustic they wanted to sing with the four of them and called Morikubo and Maenu!

Day 1 Morikubo said he had two things to say to them Morikubo: "First, the two of us talked about a lot of topics (that Tattsun said they have nothing left to talk) because it took a lot of time for the band to set their instruments on the stage!" xD Maenu: "It can't be helped!" Tattsun: "Talk about of such circumstances when we're on backstage instead of here!" (Audience laughed) Morikubo: "Also second, Tatsu is amazing with his practice and all, but sometimes there's also time when he's only stretching for 2 hours!" LOL ((After this they talked a bit more but i forgot the details, i think my memory went overcapacity starting from here, i'm really sorry //sweats)) They talked about how QN appeared for the first time at 2012. If i remember it right Tattsun also said previous live was only last year (6th) but he felt like it's been longer than that. I didn't remember who brought it up first (Tattsun maybe??) but they then talked about how Shoutan used to provide his singing for the demo/prototype version of utapri songs before the respective seiyuu sing the song! (I think a lot of you knew it already, as people around me already knew abt this too) Shoutan: "You promised you won't talk about this, right?!" xD and they realized they didn't give us enough explanation about what they were talking about and decided to explain. Maenu: "For a period of time, Shouta used to sing for all utapri demo song alone by himself. " Tattsun: "Not to mention, he also sang it the way the character would" Morikubo: "You did STARISH songs and Quartet Night songs right? And what about HEAVENS'? Shoutan: "I also did HEAVENS song!" (Audience and the rest of them were surprised) Tattsun: "That's why, i mean, isn't it a good idea to release those CDs?" Shoutan: "*panicking* No way! No way!" (Audience screamed they want it xD) Shoutan: "It's only good because they (respective char/seiyuus) are the one singing you know! Demo songs are just demo" Tattsun: "Even so, how did you do sing it (the way other characters/seiyuus would)?" Shoutan: "Of course, first i heard each of their CDs. After that i tried thinking of how to sing it so that it's easy to understand who is singing which part. If i sang it all the same way, it'd be hard to understand!" Morikubo: "If that's the case, for example how would you do it if you're doing Ranran's part?" Shoutan: "Wait!! I'd get scolded for this!!" xD (Audience laughed) Tattsun: "You won't!" Morikubo: "Like first, do you need to get your feelings fired up or such? Tell us how you do it! Maybe the audience will have the chance to sing Ranran's part at karaoke or something!" (I kinda forgot this part) Tattsun: "But for some reason, when everyone was imitating Ranmaru's voice, they'll make their voice hoarse. And they'd start saying "I'll kill you!"? Ranmaru didn't even say such thing!" Maenu: "We, and other utapri members (starish seiyuus?) sometimes imitate other character voices on rehearsal and practice." Shoutan: "We did! Also personally same here, when doing Ranmaru's voice i tried to make it sounds threatening (? (LOL xD)) and put my attention on creating more breathy sounds” Morikubo: “Did you hear it guys? Breathy voices!” Shoutan: “But the original singer actually didn’t even do it on purpose right?” Tattsun: “Yes, i’m not aware of it myself” Morikubo: “What about me?! Me?” Shoutan: “With Reiji i’d insert many vocal swings” Morikubo: “Ah, i see!” Shoutan: “Even with Ai there are times i used that kind of singing technique, but after listening to a lot of songs i tried to think of the way i could get the feel with my own voice” Maenu: “What about me?” Morikubo: “With Camus, the first thing is to put in a lot of sugar right?” Shoutan: “Yes xD a lot of sugar cube!” *Tattsun agreing lol* Maenu: “So how did you do it?” Shoutan: “With Camus.. i tried to sing a bit through my nose?” Maenu: “I see! It’s like when Tatsu imitated my voices with bad intentions (LOL) He does it a lot on the dressing room” Tattsun: “Didn’t you do that a lot too?!” Maenu: “We all do! *shoutan and morikubo laughed* Morikubo: “When we all stand side-by-side the ‘let’s imitate other characters tournament’ would just suddenly start!” Tattsun: “Inside the make-up room we were all sitting side by side. At that time the setlist of the concert was playing on the bgm. And then suddenly someone would just start singing a part that isn’t even theirs!” Morikubo: “Didn’t you *points at Maenu* also sing your own part exaggeratedly?!” Tattsun: “He did!!” *shoutan laughed*  Tattsun: “What were you even doing?!” Maenu: “I just thought maybe it would be interesting, i tried to guess how my singing sound for people around me” xD Morikubo: “In the prev live i talked about how singing with the three of you feels so good, right? This time while listening to ourselves in acoustic corner, the existence of Maeno’s solid low notes, Shouta’s clear high notes, and for mid-high notes i’ll be there together with Tatsu’s mid-low notes, make a great balance.” Shoutan: “I thought so too!” Morikubo: “Especially because it’s acoustic you could hear the voices clearly. It felt so nice! What do you guys think of it?” Maenu: “I ag...ree with you *stumbled with his words*” Tattsun: “Which position are you standing on right now?! Also where is your glasses (camus’ glasses) ?!” Maenu: “I took that off” Shoutan: “You took that off!” Maenu: “It’s a coincidence but our voices balance out each other extremely well. They’re so compatible with each other. It’s such a wonder.” Morikubo: “What do you guys think of it? (audience)” *audience claps* Morikubo: “Today is the Culture Day (a holiday in Japan) but we’re able to be here. Why don’t all of you start your own QUARTET NIGHT with 4 people around you right now? (xD LOL)”  Tattsun: “Live-viewing too!” And they show themselves on camera for people in live-viewing! Tattsun: “It’s QUARTET NIGHT~~~~” (his tone was so cute xD karunai dayo~) Tattsun: So, a lot of QUARTET NIGHTs would be born from among the whole country today? (LOL)

Morikubo: “Let’s sing together shall we?” They talked about the outfit a bit before getting into the next song

Day 2 After the performance Tattsun said that it was really fun and called for the other two. Morikubo&Maenu: “It was a great performance!” Morikubo: “I could listen to your (haruhana duo) talk and performance forever” Tattsun and shoutan laughed Shoutan: “Really?!” Morikubo: “I mean it. But Shouta, how could you mistook a speaker for a stereo?!” Maenu: “But i think Tatsuhisa who mistook a video for a VTR (video tape recorder) is also more or less the same” Morikubo: “What has gotten into you?! a VTR?!” *to tattsun* Tattsun: “EH?!” LOL Shoutan: ”I sure made a grave mistake..” Tattsun: “At least i didn’t say something like ‘a beta’ (betamax)” Morikubo asked the audience about the acoustic corner Morikubo: “It felt really good” Shoutan: “It was fun!” Maenu: “It was!” Tattsun: “During today’s rehearsal showtaro-san also talked about this but I feel like we could make a lot more stuffs with this corner” Morikubo: “Like for example, an acoustic live or something” (OMG YES PLS) *Audience cheers* Maenu: “It’ll be great” Tattsun: “For example wouldn’t it be nice if we do it with night sky in the background?” Morikubo: “Our dream keeps on getting even bigger” Tattsun: “We keep on saying this kind of thing, i’m sorry!” (about what they want to do in the future onstage without consulting to staffs xD) Morikubo: “I think it’s important to have a specific dream!” Maenu: “It’s also important to say it out loud” Morikubo: “That’s right, let’s keep on saying it. Right, everyone?” a bit of short silence Morikubo: “You’re not going to say it?!” LOL Everyone laughs Maenu: “It’ll be nice if it becomes true in the future!” Morikubo: “When the two of you were talking I could hear the voice of ‘my boy’ (male audience) so clearly! Let us hear it again, ‘my boy’!!” *male audience cheers* Maenu: “Oh! It’s amazing!” Morikubo: “*to a male audience* Thank you! It makes me happy!” *male audience cheers*  Tattsun: You guys sure have great voices! I’m so happy!” (he looks super happy xD) Morikubo: “What about in the live-viewing?” Tattsun& Maenu: “My boy?” Morikubo: “My boy!” Morikubo: *to the camera* “My boy in the live viewing~!!” *Male audience in the hall cheers xD* Shoutan: “There must be some of them!” Maenu: “I could hear them!” Tattsun: “That true, even though it’s live-viewing i could hear their voices!” LOL Maenu: “It reached us! Words filled with feelings definitely gets across, doesn’t it? xD Morikubo: “Right, it’s amazing. We’re so grateful that a lot of people from the whole country came to see us. Thank you very much” Morikubo: “This time it’s a 2 days concert. What do you think of it?” Tattsun: “Yesterday i felt extremely nervous.. I was full of momentary nervousness, but as i talked on previous MC the four of us had an after-party, didn’t we? It seems like i was really happy. The moment i woke up today all i could think of was about that!” Morikubo: “Actually, it seems like the four of us were really happy about it” *the four of them laughs* Morikubo: “We’re surprised about it ourselves. But it seems like the four of us put our arms around each other's shoulders and walk back to the hotel on that position!” (o mg cute) Shoutan: “It’s a real story!” Maenu: “We were all pretty drunk” Tattsun: “To reach the hotel there was a bit of distance so we decided to just walk to the hotel. The four of us keep on putting arms around each other during our walk back to the hotel! “ Shoutan:“That’s true!” Maenu: “Our managers happened to be on the lobby of the hotel and took a picture of us!” Tattsun: “They were like, ‘what are you guys doing? It’s funny so can i take a picture?’  and took a picture of it! Morikubo: “It was so fun!” Tattsun: “It was a blast! We talked about a lot of things” Morikubo: “We were able to feel this feeling thanks to the group named QUARTET NIGHT. So, Shouta, how was it?” Shoutan: “Even though yesterday was only the first day, I already felt like tearing up many times on the stage.. I tried my best to endure it”  Tattsun: “It’s okay to cry though” Shoutan: “And this person would say something like that!! Near the end when i was about to tear up he would come and say “Oh? Oh? Are you about to cry?” (he’s like provoking shoutan to cry xD) and i’d say “That’s not true!” ”  Tattsun: “That’s okay Shouta~ if you cry I’ll pat your head”   (asdahkf) Shoutan: “But in truth, *points at maenu* tomo-nii was also about to cry in certain song!” Maenu: “A sweat, i was just sweating a lot!” Tattsun: *points at maenu “This guy right there, all he could do it say stuffs like that till he actually breaks into tear!” Maenu:“It was just a sweat!” Shoutan: “Something like that happened! Everytime i stand on this stage, i could feel all of your feelings directly. It directly reached my heart. I’m sure, it also reaches the four of them (chars) directly too.” Morikubo: “It’s our second solo live, so to surpass our previous live, we thought a lot about what our stage is supposed to be. For example the acoustic corner. After this too, we have a lot in store to show all of you here in Kobe. Please look forward to it!” Tattsun: “Among us, Maeno is the most passionate about QN, isn’t he?” Maenu: “That’s not true, all of us are equally passionate about it!” Tattsun: “Of course, we’re all passionate about it! But in terms of concentrating himself to the characters, i feel like he inspires us the most.” Maenu: “That’s not true!” Morikubo: “That’s true, whenever i see him he’s always practicing!” Shoutan: “Exactly! Everytime i’d see him practicing on the corner of the room” Tattsun: “So, how’s this concert for you?” Maenu: “Just as always, while looking forward to it i hope i could leave good memories in the history of QN’s journey. Every moment is so precious and dear to me, it happened to me during 6th live too, but that’s why when the show ended and i have to take off the sparkly and beautiful outfits, i would feel so sad. But of course, if there’s a beginning eventually there will come an end too, so i want to create a lot of memories with all of you before it ends. “ Maenu: “But really, the moment four of us are all here together, i always feel so at ease. It just feels like we’re unbeatable. It’s so addicting.” Morikubo: “That’s true.” Tattsun: “I agree” Shoutan: “When we’re practicing there are a lot of formations. In most of them, we’re supposed to stand a bit apart from each other, but when we started to talk with each other without even realizing it we’d suddenly stand so close to each other!” Tattsun: “Without even realizing it!” Morikubo: “in the previous live something like that happened too wasn’t it? Even though the stage was big, suddenly we all were already in the middle of the stage standing so close to each other! We’re supposed to use the wide stage!” Maenu: “I mean, don’t you think it’s already unusual for four fully-grown adults to walk back to hotel with their arms on each other’s shoulder?!” xD Tattsun: “And the thing is, aside from QUARTET NIGHT we actually always go on our separate ways, right?” Maenu: “That’s true! Even if we meet on another works we’ll just say greetings and go our separate ways!” Tattsun: “Actually this time, the day before the concert, i heard that we could do rehearsal on the hall and i was on the same bullet train with Maeno. I met him in the station of Tokyo. We exchanged “Good morning” and just went our separate ways just like that!” Shoutan: ”Eh?! Really?!” Morikubo: “You didn’t come together?!” Tattsun: “We just exchanged good morning. It’s not like i had any reason to go together with him.” (The way he said it was a bit funny xD a bit tsun) Maenu: “That’s right! I was buying something in the convenience store and Tatsu came in when i was about to quit the store. So it was like ‘Oh so you’re going to buy something here, i see. See you later!’ “ Tattsun: “And so i replied ‘Yeah, i’m going in. Later!’ and went to opposite direction“ Maenu:“But the moment we met up on the rehearsal we would start saying things like ‘Let’s do this part!’ to each other.” Shoutan: “That’s very like Ranmaru and Camus!” *audience laughed xD* Morikubo: “You’re right! That’s exactly the same!” Shoutan:“Exact same!” Morikubo: “The two-shots of these two is interesting so let us see it! *goes away from the other two and gets closer to shoutan* Yesterday when we were eating together it was like that too. They were like Ranran and myuu-chan” Maenu: “But at the group line Shouta also enthusiastically does stuffs like that!” (acting like characters) Tattsun: “He said stuffs like that!” Maenu: “He’d say stuffs like ‘I won’t forgive you if you’re late!’”  Shoutan: “We uploaded a photo of our hands and mics, didn’t we?” Tattsun: ”We actually created a diamond on that photo” (the more you know) Shoutan:”We’re a group so it’d be better to upload it on the same time. Showtaro-niisan suggested that we all upload it on 21:00. Tatsu-nii edited the photo for us. After he sent it to us, tomo-nii replied with “Can’t be helped, i’ll use it” (like camus xD)”  Morikubo:”Then our whole in-char conversations started!” Maenu:”*points at tattsun* He replied with “You’re not being honest” Tattsun: ”That’s normal thing to say, right?! If you’re going to use it you could just say thanks, right?!” Shoutan:“And they i’d reply with “*Ai’s voice* They’re at it again” and added *back to usual shoutan* let’s do it on 21:00″  Tattsun: “We sure talk in our characters personality don’t we? Shoutan:”We do!” Morikubo:”Speaking of LINE, we actually have an utapri all cast group line and yesterday all of the STARISH members gave us encouraging messages.” Tattsun: ”It made me really happy!” Morikubo:”All of them did!” Tattsun: ”We’re standing here right now as QUARTET NIGHT, but we want to treasure the fact that it’s STARISH who opened the path for us. So it makes me really happy! I feel like that it fired us up even more, it made us stronger” Morikubo then said that they’re going to sing the next song and he suddenly told tattsun and maenu to stand beside each other to which maenu replied with “It’s not like we’re close with each other or anything!” xD and they started with next song

9. Marriage

Because it was acoustic arrangement there weren't any background vocals so instead they sang all of the english background vocals live too (ex: "under the starlight~ let's find our love part" etc) and it was really pretty! ;; if i remember well it's mostly shoutan for higher octave (i thought i heard female voice LOLOL) and switched between maenu/morikubo/tattsun for lower parts! Tbh listening to the reff reminded me how much maenu has improved with his singing/harmonies. It sounded really pleasant. On the middle of the song they introduced band members (i think it was percussion, violin, guitar, bass and keyboard??) while they were sitting on the front stage floor xD it was cute!!

Questions VTR. Seiyuus were asked some questions about their characters (impression, stuffs they like about them, etc) Maenu joked a lot, (or stuffs he said were just purely funny lol) shoutan too! In general it was really funny! But it was pretty long and fast so i didn’t manage to remember/take note of most of them, i’m sorry!;; Stuffs written here are not in order and is more or less just the gist of it. They didn’t show each of their full interview as one but instead cut their sentences halfway, switch to another person and so on so it was a bit hard to remember their full answer but here are the questions:

Was there something you couldn’t understand from your character?

Morikubo→ “Thank you very very Macho-cho “ LOL Tattsun→ How harsh he was toward ppl around him Shouta→ He sleeps on siting position LOL Maenu→ He puts way too much sugar on his drink (Saw that coming xD)

Which part do you like from your character from the very beginning?

Morikubo→ As a moodmaker, he actually could read the atmosphere well Tattsun→ He’s extremely straightforward and devoted (abt his work/in general?) Never compromise (to aim for better thing) Shouta→He’s like a cute younger brother. His voice is beautiful LOLOL Maenu→ His “strong heart”. He’s not afraid of being hated and says stuffs the way he think it is. 

What was your first impression of your character?

Morikubo→ Bright but hard to figure out (his inner thoughts etc) Tattsun→ Scary Shouta→ Difficult to deal with Maenu→ Full of dignity

When did you feel like you’ve become best friend with your character?

Morikubo→ The moment  “Yoroshiku Macho-cho “ was born  Tattsun→ The moment some parts of Ranmaru he didn’t know started to appear, when he felt grateful for the chance to learn more about Ranmaru Shouta→ The moment he learned that Ai is not a human being Maenu→ The moment he woke up and mistook Jan 23 (Camus’ birthday) as his own birthday

Is there something you still can’t understand about your character?

Morikubo→ Wonder how did Reiji become such a “strong” person Tattsun→ “Aside from his honest and serious personality he also cooks well, is kind to animals, Isn’t his ‘spec’ too high?!” He said he couldn’t forgive Ranmaru for being too ‘high-spec’ xD Shouta→ He still sleeps in sitting position (He talked about how sleeping on bed def works better to recover yourself many times LOL) Maenu→ When he drinks something he put in a lot of sugar

What is something you like from your character now?

Morikubo→ (not sure i’m sorry;;) He pushed himself to limits for members Tattsun→ Everything (Aaaaaa) Shouta→ Became a lot softer. Understands his own position well Maenu→ He doesn’t try to flatter others/sugarcoat things

Is there a (bad) thing you want your character to fix/improve?

Morikubo→ He’s strong but he should stop keeping his feelings bottled up inside and relax more Tattsun→ He should stop wearing different color contact lenses for both eyes LOL Stop depending on color lenses Shouta→ Stay the way he is Maenu→ He’s drinking way too much sugar for his health

Is there anything you hope for your characters?

Morikubo→ There must still be a lot of Reiji’s side we’re not aware of so he should show us more sides/charms of him Tattsun→ Stay just the way he is Shouta→ Ai might be a robot but he should meet a lot people, move forward with his comrade, treasure each of the moment of his life Maenu→ He believes Camus could make the impossible possible so he wants to see him fly in the sky LOL

What should you/character do to achieve higher heights?

Morikubo→ Not only about what about to happen in the future, for now they should look at what is right in front of them. Tattsun→ They should clash more, and at the same time also try to understand each other, tolerate each other more. Shouta→ They should sing more variety of songs Maenu→ They might not in ‘that’ good term with each other, but in return those colliding powers are creating an even stronger power. By that, they boost each other up and that’s the kind of group QN is. They should keep going they way they are.

If you were to describe your character in a word, what would it be?

Morikubo→ Wedge Tattsun→ Flame Shouta→ Love (Ai) Maenu→ Ice  

All: “That’s.. QUARTET NIGHT” And next song started! Outfit change, white pants, white and their respective colors? a bit casual, design is different for each of them! 

10. The dice are cast Powerful singing, as we already knew! The choreography looked like 5th and QN 1st solo con? They moved around the area and stopped when all of the carts became one in the middle of arena seats. I also noticed that tattsun's part of the adlibs on the bridge was a bit different (improvisation with higher notes and i think i heard him doing it in both days)

11. STARLIGHT MEMORY I PERSONALLY LOVE THIS SONG so i was really hyped up for it! They sang while still on the cart and like on QN 1st solo con they used stand-mic for the choreography. It was really heated up, the "Just say Quartet Night!" parts were also sang by the audience and our voices were LOUD! It was fun!

12. Evolution Eve The first acapella sounded as heavenly as what i've heard in previous lives! ;;_;; Also the first acapella which was supposed to be lines without harmony for some reasons was harmonized? pretty sure it was tattsun with higher harmony! The instrumental break dance part we already knew from previous lives were changed, i'm pretty sure it wasn't the same. The previous one was good but this one was even better! I remember morikubo doing a really smooth turn. Proud of their improvements!

13. Double Face *Camus butler mode voice* "Let me show you my everything" *Camus usual mode voice* "You peasant! Fine, i'll do it according to your wish. Witness my 'love'!" Suddenly Maenu appeared with this song! I wasn't expecting this at all but it was a good surprise! Two dancers in white and black (like in QN 1st solo con) were present and maenu was also singing on a stand-mic. It was really similar to QN 1st solo con performance. As usual his voice change was amazing! In first day, it was clear that maybe the fast voice change made him a bit confused sometimes tho xD it was cute.. In 2nd day he did super great tho! One of my favorite thing about watching over QN seiyuus’ growth is watching Maenu getting more confident and glowing each live ♡ 

14. Synchronism Shoutan appeared on front stage with dancers. Apparently his outfit this time had animal ears (i'm not sure is it cat? or not..) fur hoodie and he had his hoodie up! It was extremely cute!! The dance was similar to 6th, but i think there were additional moves? Also if 6th live performance wasn't cute enough this one was even cuter it was illegal //no On 2nd day he also made a lot of different expressions from the one in 1st day during dance break (you probs know which one if you watched 6th live) As expected from shoutan, lot of fanservices were given! In 2nd day last reff "Amaku shite~" part he gave us a thrown kiss too! lol Been thinking about it for a while but it’s actually amazing how stable he was even at extremely low notes.

15. Not bad Tattsun and dancers came from main stage! He danced most of the time and both his dances and singing were amazing and powerful! ;; Also i'm really sure some parts of the dance moves changed entirely, for example the reff's "yoku kike yo, nidoto wa iwanai ze" part? It was such a passionate performance and i have no words except it was SUPER COOL ;;_;; There was also fire burst (?) stage effect and it was cool! He walked from the main stage to front stage! Instead of singing it, the music suddenly stopped and he said the "Ore ni *a bit pause* tsuite koi (follow.. me)" as a serifu

16. NEVER Morikubo appeared with his hat and he threw it away xD I think he improved a lot with his dancing compared to previous performances of this song! The choreography looked similar to the one on 5th live with some additions? I really love the part where monitor behind him turned into a big green　→　rainbow ferris wheel! ;; I personally really love Never's Reiji and the performance was wonderful ;; On the quiet part he usually went with falsetto on "honki to iu na no imi ga tsumatteru" but this time he went full power on that part! He also inserted a bit of adlibs after that and it was pleasant

17. Non-fiction Main stage was engulfed in red light and non-fiction intro was played, people around me went wild xD Tattsun and Maenu appeared sitting on a (what seemed to be) luxurious sofa while singing! It's interesting how the way they sit reflected their character personalities lol (Maenu legs crossed? and tattsun had his right leg up on the sofa) lol Maenu had his camus glasses on. They also danced a lot on instrumental parts and did some poses/combination dance(?) together! I love how they were posing with the sofa (for example if one of them sit the other stand behind the sofa etc) and also posed together (ex maenu put his hand on tattsun's back etc). Tattsun "Aaaa ↑" high notes part (you know which one) sounds amazing on live, it was powerful and on point. They also danced a lot on front stage. All in one it was GREAT and i’m pretty sure a lot of you would like this performance a lot

18. Fiction Started with pretty adlibs. As opposed to Non-fiction, It was an emotional and melancholic performance. Their harmonies were really pretty and their singing were great/emotional too! They weren't doing many moves, instead at some parts it feels much like drama posing (There were still kinda melancholic choreography at instru break). It somehow had really sad vibe ;; Shoutan was a great actor, they posed like stageplay at some parts. For example shoutan (ai) was looking at morikubo (reiji) but shook his head and decided to turn back, or morikubo staring at shoutan from afar, etc. At one part they had their hands up and joint their hands, but shoutan/ai let go of his hand and went away ;; At the end they stared at each other and shoutan/ai walked away from the stage first (from the middle of main stage) and morikubo/reiji followed after. The outro was still playing, with only falling petals (2nd day correction i think it was white feathers?) being lighted-up. I kinda teared up during this performance

All: "Fiction or non-fiction"

19. KIZUNA As usual, the harmonies of this song were really pretty. They also sit on main stage stairs and pose like car-scene on the anime (like they did on QN 1st solo con) with morikubo acting like he's driving the car. The whole thing felt similar to QN 1st solo con, it was amazing nonetheless. Last slow part never fails to make my eyes teary ;; I MEAN who doesn’t.. they also did the last part where they pointed at the characters on screen. 

20. QUARTET★NIGHT I ACTUALLY WASN'T EXPECTING THIS TO COME HERE LOL but i love this song with passion bc it's the start of QN so i was really hyped for it! The choreo was also similar to QN 1st solo con. I personally think their 3rd live (aka 1st appearance as QN ever) of this song was unrivaled, but this performance was probably even better than that! It was easy to see how much they improved and i was extremely happy. Their vocals gave me chills and it also reminded me of when i first came to like QN, it was amazing.

Morikubo/Reiji told us it's his DJ time (wasn't really DJ-ing like prev live tho) and introduced dancers as the rest of them sit on the main stage stairs. They took turn to introduce the dancers. Reiji→Ranmaru→Ai→Camus

Tattsun (in Ranmaru’s voice) told us it's last song after this

21. FLY TO THE FUTURE I knew it LOL I guessed this song would be the last song after encore and i was right! When i first heard this song i was amazed at how QN managed to even surpass their previous harmonization with this song. The live version was amazing, their harmonies were heavenly. It was perfectly done, i can't help but crying halfway... They also danced quite a lot on this song. There was LONG (like 10 secs?) pause before the serifu "Arigato, soshite kore kara mo" (last reff after "nakeru hodo waite~").  Basically they sang That part was really emotional. It's also fun to do "Fly to the future~" call with other audience. It was easily one of my favorite QN performances of all time.

Encore “QUARTET NIGHT!!” calls started. I think i LOVE the Kobe World Hall they're using this time. It's not as small as previous QN solo con (to the point that the "Quartet Night" call wasn't really that loud bc there weren't that many people to begin with) but it's also not too big to manage a perfectly synced encore call. It's probs one of the most synced encore i've heard in my life (in BOTH days). Actually, i was really moved by how amazing the audiences were this time around. Super interactive and cooperative. The acoustic of the hall was amazing, both voices and instru were easy to listen to and sound crystal-clear. It’s easily one of my favorite concert hall ever.

22. Force Live They danced the choreography from the MV (except maybe the kick thing at the beginning lol) This song sounded great without autotune btw LOL i have to say QN sounds great on their own so they sound a lot better without autotune live. There isn't much to say except both of their dancing and singing were awesome! Morikubo also did front kick on 2nd verse if i remember it right! It was really cool watching the MV on the screen behind while looking at their performance/dance. You could see how much effort they spent to perfect their performances.

MC Announcement→ Renewal of utapri movie website Day 1 by Camus Day 2 by Ai (+DVD/BD announcement of the concert) Day 1 Maenu: “I’m the one trusted to voice Camus, Maeno Tomoaki. I’m sure all of you managed to feel the characters through our performances, so i’m not going to talk a lot this time. It’s been a year and half since the first solo live. At that time, i talked about how i was the only one without any singing career among us and how i felt about it. I felt like i had nothing at the beginning. Of course, i still feel it now even if it’s just a bit. But now that i look back at it, maybe i was able to bring something new to the group precisely because i had nothing. And i was able to do it thanks to the other members, all of your support and the utapri staffs. Thank you very much. As for me, i’ll keep on chasing after Camus’ back. If i have the chance again in the future, i’ll do my best to perform as Camus onstage. So, from now on please keep on supporting STARISH, QUARTET NIGHT and HEAVENS. Thank you for coming today!”

Shoutan: “I’m the C.V of Mikaze Ai, Aoi Shouta. Whenever this time (last MC) comes I somehow could never put my thoughts together well.. This time, we got to sing a lot of new songs. Among them are the newest Fiction and Non-Fiction. The recording was a bit painful and i got to feel a lot of different feelings. Up till now I always felt like i just couldn’t catch up to Ai and it gave me chance to think a lot about myself.  Their time (chars), and of course our time will never stop moving forward and will pass. I hope Quartet night could be the group to keep on challenging themselves. I really love all of the members/my comrades. Being able to stand on this stage always makes me rethink about a lot of things. With these feelings, I want to be able to find more “possibilities” and take it to the future. I’m really grateful to be able to stand here. Please keep on supporting utapri!”

Tattsun: “I’m the one standing closest to Kurosaki Ranmaru, Suzuki Tatsuhisa. I had a lot of things i wanted to say. During the rehearsal, when i was practicing with the members of QUARTET NIGHT, i felt something. At that time what crossed my mind was ‘Ah, today i feel “scared”. My heart was racing, and it reminded me of the first time i became Ranmaru. ((Stuffs i couldn’t remember after adjalksjf i’m really sorry;; I think he said about how he was not sure if it’s alright for him to stand as Ranmaru onstage and also made a joke about it but i just can’t remember what was it ;;)) But the ‘idol’ Ranmaru is, without me even realizing it, has already moved so much away in front of me. The Ranmaru inside me keeps on telling me “I should do it like this” and thanks to that i caused a lot of troubles (bc he keeps on being idealistic), practice a lot. I would imagine how all of you would react and feel, and to be honest right now I’m extremely anxious. When i stand as QUARTET NIGHT, i could hear all of your supports directly, and seeing your happy expressions i’m just glad i could be here. Everytime, i’d think about how i just purely love all about this series. I love all of my comrades (starish+heavens too?), there’s no one i dislike, I respect all of them from the bottom of my heart. I love each of them. And so that those words won’t turn into lies, I hope that all of the people watching this, be it here or on live-viewing could feel it through my performances today. That’s the only thing i have on my head right now. I’m really happy i could stand as Kurosaki Ranmaru. It’s all thanks to the staffs, utapri casts, all of you who come today, a lot of others who couldn’t come today, STARISH who opened the path for us. I couldn’t thank all of you enough. Thank you!”

Morikubo : ”To all of you who take us to the world we could never imagine before, to QUARTET NIGHT who gave us the chance to spend this time, thank you very much. (the topic mentioned in prev MCs) It’s true that we’re the one standing closest to our characters. But we’re standing ‘behind’ the characters, the one standing besides them is all of you. You’ll be the one guiding our characters, and so that the four of us could also move forward. This time we’re blessed with a chance to do a 2nd solo live, so of course I intended to do my very best! Experiencing a lot of things, in previous solo live the word “payback” naturally became our theme. And after that we got the chance to stand on 6th live with HEAVENS also joining us. I was happy at that time for the fact that at that time we had ‘future’ performances waiting for us. The words “evolution” “thanks” “kizuna/bonds” of course are still naturally here with us, and we’re about to see what’s going to be the next theme. Did you manage to feel something through us? Thank you. From the day of last solo live up till today, i’m sure QUARTET NIGHT was the one taking all of us to the future we have today. From now on, please keep on standing by your favorite characters! Please create a future for us! We’ll be following from behind. Let’s enjoy it just like that! As long as we have your love and feelings, we’ll keep on advancing. I hope to see you again if the chance comes. I’d be looking forward the day when we could dance, sing, along with STARISH and HEAVENS in front of you again. To all of you on the hall, live-viewing, thank you very much!!”

Morikubo : “Sooo~~ what do we do now? *laughs* Let’s drink the water shall we?” And they drank the water onstage xD love how the audience let out a big reaction and they were like we’re only drinking water here xD After that they had a short MC connecting to the next song

Day 2 Morikubo: “And n-now, for the e-end *stumbled with his words many times*  let each of us say our last messages! (him stumbling) It’s my body showing you all my feelings or not wanting it to end!” xD Shoutan: “I can feel it!” Morikubo: “Let us begin with Maeno!” Maenu: “*in camus voice* I refuse!” (audience screams) Shoutan: “So he feels sad!” xD Morikubo: “That’s a convenient word!” Maenu: “*in camus voice* Well, sure i’ll do it. Wait a bit" "closes his eyes for a while and opens it* Maenu: *back to normal “ I’m the one trusted to voice Camus, Maeno Tomoaki. Since October started and we started our rehearsal, almost every night i saw a dream of yesterday and today concerts. Expectations, anxiety, pressure, i’m sure i saw those dreams due to a lot of feelings. And now, to see all of you here, people on the live viewing, spending time together, it all feels like a dream. I’m sure even tomorrow and the day after, i’ll see it on my dreams. As a part of QUARTET NIGHT, i think i managed to create many great memories here. On previous live, our theme was to do “payback” to starish, to utapri and to all of us. And this time too, we talked a lot and decided on a theme but our journey of ‘payback’ will never stop as long as utapri still exists. With that as the foundation, so that a “ final destination” will never come to the future of QUARTET NIGHT, it’s a journey that will never ends. I’ll do my very best so that i could see the back of Camus who’s standing so far in front of me. From now on, please keep on supporting STARISH, HEAVENS, QUARTET NIGHT and utapri. Thank you so much for coming today.”

Shoutan: “This moment finally comes once again.. (audience says ganbare) Thank you! I’m the C.V of Mikaze Ai, Aoi Shouta. Did you have fun? While doing my very best to sing in front of all of you, i keep on thinking about what to say here. I had a lot of things i wanted to say, but whenever this moment comes I can’t put my feelings together.. That’s just how big it is. After the first day ended, we had a little after-party. At that time we talked about how there’s still today. There was still a future called “tomorrow” for us. I’m standing here today with the hope of creating beautiful memories together with all of you here, people on live-viewing and with all of the staffs. With starish opening the path, the four of us then joined in the middle of the story. To be honest, as a member of QUARTET NIGHT, i’d be lying if i say i didn’t feel inferior to others. But the fact that i could stand here right now and be with all of the people who love utapri, like starish and heavens, makes me feel that i’m actually spending the time together with everyone. To stand as a proud member of QUARTET NIGHT, to be someone who supports the utapri series which i really love from the bottom of my heart, that’s what i want Ai to become. That’s why, from now on as a part of QUARTET NIGHT, as Mikaze Ai, i’ll do my very best to liven utapri up. I hope to spend good time with all of you. I’m still no good, but thank you for always being here. From now on, let us love uta no prince-sama together. Thank you very much.” Morikubo: “You’re getting a lot better on giving comments. I talked about that with Maeno on the underground backstage when we were listening to your MC at acoustic corner” And suddenly Shoutan teared up ;;; morikubo then followed him up Morikubo: “Is that some kind of malfunction?” (ref to Ai’s identity) (Audience laughs)

Tattsun : “I play the role of Kurosaki Ranmaru, Suzuki Tatsuhisa. I keep on thinking of what to say. This time, i felt anxious too. Yesterday Showtaro-san said a really good thing. The four of us are standing behind the characters, and the one standing besides them is all of you. I thought it was a really good words. I’m always chasing after him. He runs very fast, you know (audience laughs). He keeps on doing his best and moving forward. He’ll say “I want to do something like this!” “I want to do this kind of performance!” “I’m still nowhere my limit!” and will run even faster. I can’t help but think that “He’s too fast”, and everytime i have the chance to stand on this stage I always feel like it’s way too much for me. For me, objectively speaking as part of the audience, Utapri’s live is so fun. I always get overexcited like an idiot on the backstage. Humming the melodies of the songs. But i wonder if it’s okay for someone like that to stand here. It’s not like that i have something beautiful to show to all of you. But even so, i decided to at least do the very best i could. So that, i can proudly tell him that I’ve done everything i could. So that i could tell him I managed to let out everything he has to show. I’m standing here now so that i could say all of those words. I sincerely hope my thoughts could reach you even if it’s just a bit. The only thing i could do is to give him a voice and to push him forward. With my singing, i can move forward together with him. But the one who could take him further ahead, is all of you. You’re the one who makes it “amazing”. Isn’t it the best? Nothing but the best isn’t it? I really love utapri that gives me the chance to do so. I love STARISH, I love QUARTET NIGHT, and I love HEAVENS. I love everything about it. I could love all of the characters. I just love it so much. From now on there might be both positive comments and criticism. Bring it on! I’ll shoulder everything and stand behind the mic, be it onstage or not, as Kurosaki Ranmaru. No matter what it is, i’ll shoulder it all. I believe it’s all because of something carved deep inside of my heart. That’s why i’ll keep on moving forward just like that. To the future! Thank you so much for today!”

Morikubo: “Did you have fun? And live viewing?” Morikubo: “Just like the other three, i have many things i want to say. I came up with the words after listening to Tatsu’s “I’m the one standing closest to Ranmaru” yesterday. But it feels a bit off if i say ‘beside’ them, because each of us are standing behind quartet night. The one should be beside them is all of you.  Please take them to the future, and so the four of us will also follow, that’s what i said yesterday. And such feeling is getting stronger today. Just as what maeno said, we talked about how we should stand on the stage today. A keyword, our share motive. Up till now, it naturally came to us. For example on the previous live it naturally came to us on our LINE group chat. We then just naturally agreed on it. And having a keyword/theme managed to bring us together as a group. “If the four of us are together we feel at ease” we talked earlier was also something like that. This time, actually until the day before, we had no such keyword. But that’s actually something to be grateful about. In the past there were a lot of things, a lot of stories and hardships that built up and naturally provided us with a keyword. But this time, when we realized it we have nothing like that. That means we’re just purely advancing towards the live. Rather than something like “Let’s beat something!”,  it was purely “Let’s do the live!” kind of feeling. But in return, then it was hard to come up with a keyword. We were wondering if we should have one. The day before the live, this time too, Tatsuhisa started asking about it. I came up and say something like “Do you have a bit of time? Why don’t we gather and talk about it? It won’t take long” on our group LINE. Because the next day we have to wake up early, Maeno was about to stop us but suddenly he got no signal and it was unsent!” Maenu: “He said something like that on 12 pm when the day was about to change and we were all tired after practice!” Tattsun: “It can’t be helped! It crossed my mind when doing the rehearsal!!” Maenu: “So i was about to send a message about how we should just talk about it the day after, but suddenly i had no signal and it was unsent! Afterwards, the others were ready to do it so i have no choice but to erase that message.” Tattsun: “So that’s why! I thought it was rare for you to say nothing” Maenu: “And so in the end.. *gets it back to Morikubo*” Morikubo: “We ended up talking about a lot of things. Looking back at stuffs we’ve done in the past, and a lot more. And so a keyword was born. I won’t say it here. It’s the best to feel it through our performance. But there was talk about DVD just now, so maybe~ they will have a commentary video or something right? I’m not sure, i haven’t heard anything about it! But we stood onstage with that keyword on mind. I’ll be happy if each of you could feel it through our performances. And if someday the chance comes, we’ll talk about it there and not right now. This time we’ve done everything, the best of the best we could’ve done. We’re doing our best to chase after QUARTET NIGHT. If they move forward, we’ll do so too. We believe that all of you will take them even further. But Maeno, Aoi, Suzuki and Morikubo who are standing here right now, had done everything we could possible do. If you’re okay with us, if you’re okay with this kind of atmosphere and performance, the four of us will be more than happy to stand on the stage again! We’re serious about them. I’m sorry, but even if you try and search through the whole world, you won’t find someone who is as serious as we are toward them. Please believe in us for that matter! Please take them to the future. Will you show us the future?” (audience cheers) Morikubo: “Thank you! Thank you very much for today!” They then talked about how it’s not like them to be emotional. But then no one continued the convo bc they don’t want it to end and Morikubo was like ??!? Morikubo: “I understand that feeling! But! I’m not going to take up that offer again! I’ve became an adult” (He meant the scene on 1st live when they talked about not wanting it to end and he lay his body on the floor and sulked xD) And they finally got it into next song

23. GOD'S S.T.A.R The serifu at the beginning completely changed! *u* This song was so fun to do!!! The call and response was extremely fun and the hall was fully heated up by this song. It's probs hard to get the hype of this song if you haven't experienced this song live and only see this song on videos. BUT THIS IS the song that got the audience fired up/hyped more than any other song. The choreography was similar to QN 1st live and 6th live. I remember Maenu went down on his knees at some point at the reff and people around me went crazy over it!

Double encore I had feeling there would be double encore considering the amount of song they did plus they weren't changing into encore T-shirt on 1st encore. This time they had live t-shirt, Maenu wore camus prince parka on top of it. Day 1 Morikubo:  “This is the first time we had double encore right? *audience cheers*  Let’s go to the last song, the one that will unite all of us together. Let us begin!” *silent of other members xD* Morikubo: “Mmm?! We’re not starting?! You three had that kind of faces (of not wanting to start next song)” Tattsun: “If it’s possible i just want to get closer to everyone/audience”| Morikubo: “And now you’re saying something like that again~ Let’s do it shall we?” Day2 Morikubo: “Thank you for the double encore! I was worried all of you would just return home after that..” Morikubo: “It seems like we’re allowed to sing one more song!” Shoutan: “Yaay!” Tattsun: “There’s still that one song we haven’t sung, isn’t it?” Morikubo: “Let us sing that song! But please remember that when it comes to our feelings, we’re actually super ready to do another day or two!” Tattsun: “If it 's possible, to be honest i really want to do it” Morikubo: “We keep on talking about stuffs like that! But those feelings, please use that feelings to create a path to future!” And they started with the next song ;;

24. You're my life It seems like we need this song to end every QN solo con and i’m totally not complaining! They went around the hall with carts and the whole performance was similar with QN 1st live, except they were a lot cheerier and weren't crying that much?? (edit on 2nd day they did look teary) Since they were circling around, i also got the chance to see all of them up-close! ;; We were also singing lalalala part like in QN 1st solo con! I really love their smile at this song ;; they look like they were having tons of fun Audience also sang last "Kimi no moto ni todoke~" together and it was really touching. 2nd day "Kimi no moto ni todoke~~~~~~" was really long. On 2nd day i also remember the moment carts pass each other they did hi-touch with each other! tattsun and shoutan also had a hug? at one part

When they were doing the farewell greeting they went around like how it usually goes, fly to the future instrumental was playing on the background and the audience sang the "Fly to the future" part together ;; it was really touching!! At first day they weren't crying but i saw shoutan and maenu having teary eyes. 

Day 2 Shoutan was crying a bit, at one point he was crouching down and hid his face. On 2nd day audience was singing along to fly to the future too and they took off their in-ear monitor to listen to our voices and they looked really touched by it ;; They hugged each other starting from tattsun and maenu and so on. I remember tattsun and shoutan hug was a bit longer bc shoutan got so emotional and tattsun comforted him and patted his head ;; Shoutan was tearing up but at last moment before stage closes he smiled and it was memorable. When the stage was closing shoutan dragged morikubo close to him and shoutan+morikubo+tattsun peek through the remaining open gap and at last seconds Maenu also went to the middle except i could only see his rings in dark xD Also, can you believe that all of us the audience keep on singing along to the instrumental ver of QN songs (god’s star) EVEN AFTER the live ended? That’s just how cooperative and interactive the audiences were for both days and It was a BLAST. I felt so glad to be able to take part on it. The audience was extremely passionate and i’m sure you’d be able to feel it too even through BD/DVD vids. 

This felt awfully short compared to previous live maybe because the amount of the song! instead we got a lot of MCs tho. Utapri, thank you so much for getting all of these awesome people together. I can’t understand tbh, how did producer Agematsu gather four people whose voices blend like heaven even tho they have such a different voice characters...? Plus they also harmonize like heaven and perform really well.. I’m just so grateful I discovered such an amazing group.

(From Morikubo’s tweet!) Thank you so much for reading and i hope all of you love Quartet Night as much as i do ♡

[nanowrimo]

What to Do With Your Manuscript in December

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. Now that we’re closing in on the final stretch of November, you may be wondering what to do with your novel after the month is over. Today, Reedsy, a NaNoWriMo sponsor, has some tips for post-NaNo noveling:

As November draws to a close and your word count finally reaches that elusive 50,000 mark, you might be thinking about what comes next. Perhaps you’ve heard of the great publishing success stories that have come out of NaNoWriMo, and you hope to be one of them.

The cold hard truth is that to become one of those success stories, you need to do a lot more than finish November with a manuscript. And while you should rightfully be proud of your hard-earned words, there’s still a long road ahead to getting them published.

Luckily, you don’t have to go through it all on your own! Here are a few tips to help you figure out what yo do with your manuscript after November has come to an end.

Step 1: Wait.

Yes, you heard correctly—this is the time to wait.

You just spent a whole month immersed in your novel’s world, so the best thing to do is to step back until you stop obsessing over it all day, every day. This might take a few weeks or even a few months, but it’s important not to go back to your story too soon after you’re done writing it. Taking time away will give you the chance to approach your manuscript with fresh eyes, which will help with the next few steps.

But just because you’re not working on your NaNoWriMo project doesn’t mean you should let your writing momentum fall apart! Just like a sprinter wouldn’t stop dead cold after crossing the finish line, you shouldn’t throw away your pen come December 1st. If you are not sure what to write about and are in need of inspiration (you just wrote a full story, after all), try turning to writing prompts and grind out some shorts—you don’t know where your next idea might come from.  

Step 2: Re-read your manuscript.

Once you are ready to approach your text again, don’t go in expecting to do heavy revisions and edits from the get-go. Instead, start off by re-reading your manuscript (out loud, if you can) and reacquaint yourself from a different perspective.

Sure, you wrote it, but after being away from it for several weeks—or at least a few days—you’ll see it in a brand new light, and seeing it after some time away can be a revelatory experience.

Step 3: Do a story review and rewrite.

After re-reading your manuscript, it’s time to dive in with a critical eye and start the story review process. As you read through your manuscript, ask yourself the following questions:

Is there a central idea or theme?

Are there unresolved situations?

Are the characters sufficiently developed?

Is there a concrete plot?

Do you have enough worldbuilding?

Is there any character or plot point that doesn’t add anything to the story?

Is there a satisfying resolution? And if not, is that what you want?

At this point, you might cut away entire subplots or characters, introduce new ones, and switch the order of scenes until you have a cohesive narrative that works on a macro level. Your draft can (and most likely will) change a lot during this process, but that’s the point. Many bestsellers have actually been completely re-written during the revision stages—and you shouldn’t skimp on that either.

Step 4: Self-edit the copy.

Once you’re done reviewing your story, go in and treat yourself to a round of copy-editing (you shouldn’t get too caught up with line-editing before this stage). This will help you improve the technical parts of your manuscript and iron out your writing tics (think: excessive adverbs and overused turns of phrase).

Don’t try to fix everything at once: address one issue at a time. Do a pass where you focus only on looking for long, winding sentences and another where you look for ways to control your pace.

Editing tools such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid can be a great help in highlighting these problem areas.

Step 5: Proofread.

After you’re done with all the necessary self-edits, go back through your manuscript and proofread it. Try reading through it using a highlighter and looking out for any typos, awkward phrasing, or glaring inconsistencies that you might have missed during revisions and rewrites.

Reading out loud is another great way to go through your manuscript. This way you can often find mistakes and weird wording that you could have missed otherwise.

Step 6: Share it.

No, it’s not time to share it with professional proofreaders and editors just yet—but it is time to share it with someone whose opinion you trust. Try showing your manuscript to a close friend or family member who you know will provide an honest opinion on your writing, plot, and characters.

If you don’t want to show it to anyone you know (it can be pretty intimidating), try looking for a writing community that fits your needs, or a beta reader who will be able to provide a truly unbiased opinion that friends and family typically cannot.

Step 7: Rinse and repeat.

After getting an honest opinion on your manuscript, take note of their comments, especially their criticism, and repeat the whole process—chiseling away at the marble slab that is your novel. It may take many more months or even years before you’re truly ready to submit it to an industry professional for review, or query an agent. But don’t be discouraged—it’s completely normal to revise and rewrite.

Step 8: Look for an editor.

Now that you’ve done a story review, self-edited your manuscript, proofread it, got an honest third-party opinion, and repeated the process, it’s time to work with a professional. An experienced editor will help you grow as a writer and learn about the craft—very often, more so than if you were to take a writing class. But there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding who to contact.

What does your manuscript need right now? Are you struggling with big picture problems? Try a developmental editor? Need help improving the language? Hire a copy editor

Does the editor have experience in your genre?

What style of criticism do you prefer: gentle and encouraging, or brutally honest?

Waiting to work with a professional until you’ve gone through your manuscript a few times will guarantee you a much better editing experience and will also maximize your bang-for-buck.

Step 9: Keep Writing.

Many now-successful authors didn’t write anything useful on their first, second, or even third run—but they kept on going and eventually found the perfect idea that took them to publication. If you find yourself at this point, use the skills you learned from writing a manuscript in a month and keep on trying.

Preparing a manuscript for publishing might seem overwhelming, but going through this process carefully and thoroughly can help you take your novel to the next level and greatly improve your chances of eventually getting published. Just remember: don’t despair, and keep on writing.

Ricardo Fayet is a co-founder of Reedsy, an online marketplace connecting authors with industry’s best editors, designers and book marketers.

Top photo by Trent Erwin on Unsplash.

[sunvenue]

short.stories {loubbie;o8 edition}

There was nothing like being a thief.

The adrenaline rushing through your veins, your heart beating too fast, too loud, seconds before you decide to make someone else’s thing your own. The sweat and the shaking muscles trying to scream at you because your whole body knows that’s not a right thing and trying to stop you. But, at the same time, your mind is already set in a goal and you think right and wrong are just concepts walking together in a thin line. Debbie embraced that hormonal rush as if it was a drug and she loved getting high on it. It made her feel alive. She was in love with danger and being in control was something she needed like lungs need air. 

After 24 years not having control in anything in her life, that was the most precious feeling being a thief gave her.

So she was in love with being a thief, but as she’d heard so many times while growing up, there should be a limit (“there’s always a limit”, her brother used to say to her when they were younger) and a night out in a crowded club after too many shots of tequilas was definitely hers. 

Debbie was classified as a criminal (she hated that, the word made her sound dirty, which yes, maybe she was, but really?) but she was also a human being, which meant Saturday nights sometimes were enjoyed better with alcohol, loud music, a few girls to kiss and too many guys to flirt with. Debbie was a planner, only acting when sure of all the possibilities, and after a few attempts, she learned the hard way that she couldn’t act in any plan after tequila. If anything, tequila gave her bad ideas and even worse plans.

The song filled the place with a generic, loud and repetitive beat. People started cheering. It was probably a number 1 hit, but Debbie couldn’t care less about the hits playing on the radio right now, so she wasn’t sure. Even though being there was something she enjoyed occasionally, it wasn’t her thing at all. What always made her come back was knowing it would be too loud and too dark and she wouldn’t be able to think straight or focus in her own deep thoughts for at least a couple of hours. And surely that was a great gift for someone whose mind wouldn’t shut up. Ever.

But it’s been hours, and she was ready to call it a night. No girls, no boys, no stupid plans because of a mind screaming for adventures mixed with hard liquor. Looking around, a sea of bodies moving together without a proper rhythm, drunk enough to keep their eyes closed without a worry in the world, somehow made her feel like she didn’t belong. That feeling followed her around everywhere, but when it found her in the middle of a club, she knew it was time to go home.

Debbie was ready to pack her stuff and leave without paying (well she planned to, but the bartender was too far away, and she wouldn’t bother to call him) when she saw it.

 A crystal, shining, precious necklace, looking more expensive than the club itself, around some girl’s neck that she didn’t even bother to look at. The girl danced freely, drunk enough not to notice a thing around her except the masculine hands holding her by the waist, and Debbie knew, she just knew, that in 50 seconds that necklace could be in her back pocket and the girl wouldn’t even notice until tomorrow morning when searching for her clothes to leave that boy’s (who she kept grinding into) small, smelly apartment.

Debbie couldn’t stop staring at the piece of jewelry 10 feet away from her, looking exactly like she felt: as if it didn’t belong there. It was too fancy, too posh for a messy club like that. If she could guess, it was probably an old, valuable family piece, framing neck after neck for generations. It must cost a fortune. Eyes fixed on it, memorizing the way the colorful lights reflected on it, Debbie mentally said a big “fuck you” to her own rules about not stealing anything after tequila and especially not in a night that was supposed to be her night off.

But it was gorgeous, looked old and expensive, and its owner was so drunk she wouldn’t notice a yellow elephant in front of her at that moment. It was perfect. Ten steps and Debbie would leave with a buzz in her veins still trying to process the alcohol and a jewelry hidden in her pants. Ten steps and she could leave to have a good night of sleep by herself with a lot of money to receive the morning after.

Debbie was ready to stand up, heart already beating faster than before, fingers slightly shaking in excitement for the unknown, the adrenaline about to kick in, filling her like cocaine fills an addicted, when a strange voice made her jump and pushed her back to the moment around her, with an annoying song playing too loud and a glass breaking somewhere.

“I have a camera if you want.” The voice said.

Debbie looked away from the girl’s neck for the first time, knowing the moment was now ruined because she was too busy staring at that damn thing to notice she was also being stared at. Her focus was gone, the ten feet she had to walk were now looking further away and she knew it was probably too late to plan it all over again.

 “Excuse me?” Debbie asked, turning to look properly at whoever ruined her shot at paying for better meals for the next 3 months. Her question sounded more like a cry in frustration than anything else.

“A camera. To take a picture and keep it, you know? You were basically eating that poor girl alive.”

 The tall, blonde figure in front of Debbie made herself visible in the best way that she could under the terrible lighting in the place. Notably, she was drinking straight vodka like it was a glass of water. Her black suit matched her black tie, and Debbie caught herself thinking about how she never learned suits could embrace a female figure so well. The woman in front of her was painfully beautiful, making her forget everything about the necklace. But forget beautiful – she looked interesting. And the Smelly Club, as Debbie liked to call it, wasn’t a place to find interesting people.

“What? Oh. Oh! No, no, I wasn’t looking at her.” She rushed to reply, allowing herself to approach the tall figure who was sitting at the bar as if she was sitting in her own sofa back home.

“I don’t know, you looked pretty focused on her.” The blonde raised an eyebrow, a mystique smile on her lips, the kind of smile that could contain any lie that you’d still believe in it.

“Trust me, I wasn’t interested in her at all.” Debbie answered, trying to remember what was it that she was, in fact, interested in. Her foggy mind couldn’t even remember what she was doing before that conversation. The tall woman murmured something that pretty much said she didn’t believe it at all, but she wasn’t going to argue. “In fact, I was just leaving.”

That. That she could remember. She was leaving. She was drunk enough to leave.

 “What? Already? It’s only 2:00 AM.”

“You mean it’s already 2:00 AM. That’s why I’m leaving.”

The woman scoffed.

“You don’t go out much, do you? People are still deciding where they want to go at 2:00 AM. Sit down, have another drink.”

Debbie was ready to gently decline, even though all the bones in her body ached wanting to stay and just talk to someone for the first time in forever, when the blonde concluded: “It’s on me.”

Looking around, the same bodies on the dancefloor didn’t look that terrible anymore. They looked like young people having fun, succeeding in forgetting their problems, whatever they were. They looked like people Debbie wished she was, if only she could allow herself to just let go of control. Just once.

And so she did, and accepted an adventure unlike the ones she was used to, embracing a new kind of buzz.

Debbie blinked and sited beside the tall blond figure, thanking the Gods for choosing high heels to wear that night. She received a smile back, and, moments later, a glass with an unknown drink.

“I’m Lou, by the way.” The blond said when their fingers met for a few seconds while Debbie grabbed her glass trying not to drop it. Drunk Debbie was a mess and she was aware of it. She took a sip of it, not bothering to ask what it actually was.

“I’m Debbie. It’s nice to meet you.”

And there it was – that same mysterious smile from minutes ago. Lou’s deep blue eyes stared at her, burning her skin as if they knew every secret in the world and as if Debbie had no idea what they were about. 

Somehow the rush in her body was back and made her feel uneasy. She wasn’t used to feeling that buzz without planning or thinking about criminal activity. But everything in Lou screamed “danger”, begging you to be careful with the unknown. Debbie pretended she didn’t even notice, but deep down she knew it – and she secretly loved it.

“It’s so very nice to meet you, too.”

They smiled at each other like they were sharing a secret, and maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the vibe in the room making her head spin, but Debbie was almost sure Lou was, indeed, sharing one.

[captinjamesrodgers]

A New Start

So this is the first fanfic I’ve ever written and I’m open to any suggestions! Please leave them and I hope you like it, sorry about how long and disgusting it is. Also there will a probably end up writing a part two even though nobody will want it

Also summary: you move back to metropolis and are Clark Kent’s new editor. Lois has passed away and you are the man of steel’s only hope for happiness

Ever since Lois had died he was completely shut off. He was never rude but never let his true self out any more, even to his own boys and the league. When you saw him at the Dailey planet you barley recognized him until someone said his name, Clark Kent. That was the weird kid you went to high school with and Somehow he only got hotter, you may have had a slight crush on him junior year ....... and senior.

Your mom was apprehensive about the move to Metropolis. She liked you living with her in Gotham, as you had the past 2 years since your father had passed away with cancer and just up the block while he was diagnosed. But it was time to get back to work as 2nd in line to chief editor. Where you were before the move 8 years ago. You did editing for a publishing company while in Gotham just to make ends meat but this was your home. You used to be stationed on a separate floor. At the time you just did editing for Lois lane but since she passed away you didn’t know what you’d be doing next.

“(Y/N) it’s nice to have you back, this time round things are going to be a bit different. You’ll be working with Clark Kent and everything he writes about Superman.” The chief editor had said your new job would be different you just didn’t know it’d envole him.

“Um, hi I’m (Y/N). I’m supposed to be your new editor so when we have a meeting in 5 minutes you already know me.”

“What’s the meeting about, nobody told me?”

“I think boss man wants to reintroduce me back into the office. But um on another note I think we’ve met before and this is like maybe totally off but I think we went to high school together”

“Wait, are you (Y/N) (Y/L/N)?”

“Yeah, I saw you earlier and someone called you Clark then my boss told me your whole name and what do you know”

“Well it’s nice to see you again”

You and Clark have been working together now for six months and have grown close. You don’t know if he likes you or is even ready to date yet but can’t stop your feelings towards him. You finished your edits on his new article and are about to run it over to him when there’s a shawdow over your cubicle, and standing there is just the man you were heading towards

“Hey Lauren I was wondering if you had finished the edits, it’s due in like 8 minutes”

“I was just about to bring it over”

“I got to go so do you think you could drop it off for me and cover if need be?”

“I got your back”

He left in a hurry and you saw him head towards the roof. You though that it was kinda weird if he has to go somewhere it’s on the roof, but maybe he has some other girl up there waiting for him. Either way he’s not yours and even though you feel kinda jealous he has no reason not to date anyone else and if he is then technically it’s none of your business. Suddenly you see Superman flying overhead, and it looks like he just took off from the office. You can’t believe it, Superman can’t be Clark. Well he does leave sporadically and when Superman is saving someone he’s never at the office.

Two weeks later a knock at your door at 3 am and you find a distressed Clark at your doorstep, he’s never been to your apartment. you’ve only ever hung out with him and James at bars and pretty much only bars so you have no idea how he knows.

“Clark? What are you doing here at 3 and how do you even know whe... Um are you okay you look off?” You open the door all the way to let him in and He sits on the couch and stares blankly at the wall for a moment before Turing toward you.

“So I’ve been thinking a lot and it’s kind of gotten in the way of work and I was fly.. I was on my way downtown and I passed your place and I just needed to say it.”

He’s looking deeply into your eyes with out his usual charming smile, the one he tossed around like nothing. Not even the one he reserved for just his close friends. Now his face looked confused or maybe conflicted. You could never tell the difference between the two.

“Look, Clark I don’t know what’s wrong I mean there’s the obvious and if you ever need to talk about it I’-“ he cut you off

“(Y/N), it’s really unlike me to..., I’m sorry I cut you off I just need to say this. You’ve been like a light since you started working at the office , before you I could only ever think about Lois and was so in Despair even my boys were growing tired of me. Then you started to make me see again. When we went to investigate the fire Superman helped put out it was like you banging down the brick wall I built to keep everyone out.”

“I never thought I’d be standing in front of an old burned building and be laughing about Superman’s hair with the guy who writes about him weekly and James Olsen the famous photographer.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is it’s just hair.”

“But it stays perfect like all the time even when he’s flying, I’m genuinely confused by all of James photos where it just looks like it was just finished being brushed. Kind of like yours, but it looks better on you”

You really didn’t understand how Clark could look so good all time, and Superman.

“Yours looks great all the time also. Your hair is like a (Y/H/C) wavy masterpiece.”

“Well I try”

“Now that you two are done flirting can we start talking to people?” -James snarked

“Hi miss I’m (Y/N) and this is Clark, we are so sorry for the loss of your home. Do you have anywhere to go?”

“I’ll be staying with my daughter honey, thanks for asking.... You two look like such a nice couple. There was an empty apartment above mine you two could have even lived in together. It was such a nice home, it was my home.”

You and Clark had separated from James while he took pictures and asked each person how they were. Clark you so kind to each and everyone of them and gave them all a smile that lifted their day. All he could actually focus on was you he was memorized how you could calm someone down so well and treat them like family. It only made his feelings for you harder to push away.

“(Y/N), it’s like every time I see you I’m having to deny the fact all I want to do is to kiss you and I just can’t ignore it anymore!”

“Clark I-“ he leaned over to your spot on the couch abruptly kissing you. He cupped both of your cheeks with his large strong hands you hoped would hold you someday. You couldn’t believe what was happening.

As you both finally pulled away for air you exchanged a look only to throw you back in harder. He licked your lower lip asking for entrance and you complied.

That morning you woke up in the arms of Clark Kent happy and content.

[melissenpai]

the best character creator

do u want to make characters but cant draw for shit or ur hands are tired of holding a pen?? have you ever raged at character creators bc they only have 10 hairstyles and 5 outfits??? fear no more because here’s Kisekae!!!

the models start like the default girl on the left, but w some effort you can make your husbando, cute gremlins, pokemon gijinka or whatever u want!!!

ok but, what is Kisekae?

Kisekae is a flash game/application that works mostly as a character creator, using a mix of interchangeable parts, bits you can move around freely, and lots of sliders to change sizes and positions. Think of it as the 2D version of the Sims/Spore creators.

ngl it started as a k-on hentai game back in like 2011?? there’s still k-on girls and lewd stuff around but the focus is far from it now.

HERE is the sfw link and HERE is the nsfw one. careful w the hentai ads. You can also download an offline version from the creator’s Enty site

IF U WANNA TRY IT OUT CLICK THE READ MORE FOR A SMOL TUTORIAL

so u wanna learn about the suffering that is kisekae?? dont listen to people who say it’s the lazy tool for people too lazy to draw just like drawing, you can make a quick sketch in 10 mins or spend 6 hours adding detail and makin sure everything is PERFECT

so after this disclaimer lets bring it on!!!! click on a link and wait for the randomly generated k-on ocs to load

maybe when you open it for the first time, the tabs look like this. THIS IS BAD it means it loaded on the easy mode.

click here to unlock the Expert mode. it sounds scary, but it’s actually been the default mode for years. now you should see a lot of tabs.

LETS TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT STUFF FIRST

SAVING.

This is the save tab. “SAVE” and “LOAD” save the entire scene in a .txt (all models, background, items etc). "Export” shows the codes of the selected models, so you can copy them and store them somewhere. You go to “Import” to paste codes and load characters. The small pencil button opens a window to save and load entire scenes in the app’s cookies. It’s very handy but you will lose everything if you clear your cookies. The last two buttons save or load ALL the data you have in the game, aka all the scenes you saved with the pencil button.

KISEKAE DOESNT HAVE AN UNDO BUTTON SO SAVE OFTEN IN CASE YOU MESS UP

TAKING PICTURES

fOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT DARE TAKE SCREENSHOTS there’s a handy way to save better quality pics. First slider is the zoom. It’ll be your best friend to get closer and edit faces and hairstyles and details and such. See that 05/05? That’s the PNG quality, so make sure it’s always at 5/5. The squares button next to the PNG one will make the background transparent when you snap a picture. Very cool, bc kisekae backgrounds are kinda ugly. The icon on the far right lets you select a region of the screen that’s great too

STOP THE AHEGAO

Next. If you click on the model’s clothes you’ll notice they disappear and they get surprised. The automatic emotions were good when it was a porn game but to actually create content it’s just annoying idk why it still automatically loads like that tbh.

Anyway, go here to set the facial expressions to manual mode. The “Select/All” switch makes you edit all the models at the same time or just one.  (Note: as pochi adds more tabs, they can get moved around and be put in a different group. just keep looking thru the pages until you find the icon you want)

HAVE ONLY ONE MODEL

You’ll most likely don’t need all 9 models at the same time, so you can go here to deactivate them. tbh it’s placed in a really weird place... a year ago it wasnt as confusing idk why Pochi added this update :/

TIME TO HAVE FUN

My recommendation is clicking on everything to see what happens. That’s honestly the best way to learn how to use it. Instead of explaining how to make good looking stuff (i cant do that bc. there’s not a single way of “doing things right” this is artistic expression u do what u do) i’ll jsut give some tips and tricks

1. HOLD SPACE TO GO OVER THE LIMITS OF MOST SLIDERS. It works wonders. Make heads smaller, shoulders broader, eyes thinner, hair pieces larger, bend time and space with the unlimited power of space key.

2. HAIR PIECES ARE NOT HAIR PIECES. BELTS ARE NOT BELTS. RIBBONS ARE NOT RIBBONS. Think of them as shapes to make stuff. Use hair pieces to make capes. Use the lines in the facemark section to draw a new nose. Make entire pieces of clothing out of belts and ribbons. The only downside is that if you move the head, hair pieces and ribbons move with them so making clothes out of ribbons turns your characters into statues

3. CLICK ON CLOTHES TO CHANGE STUFF. If you click on some clothing pieces you can change some things like unbuttoning shirt buttons, opening sweaters, putting sunglasses on their head and removing parts of scarves.

4. THE DEFAULT PALETTE IS UGLY. please do use a custom one

5. YOU RAN OUT OF SLOTS? Use the free floating items on the 3rd set of tabs. You can have extra belts, ribbons, arms, furniture and speech bubbles. Even load external images. But keep in mind extra stuff is not attached to characters, so it won’t move around with them or save in their individual codes.

6. USE OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPORTS RESPONSIBLY. There are lots of people on deviantArt and the Pochi forums (official Kisekae forums) that make character, clothing or hairstyle exports for other people to load and use on their creations (like Sims mods!). However, most dA people have rules if you want to use them on something you upload, so make sure to read each user’s rules!

7. TECHNICALLY THERE ARE NO MALE, MUSCULAR OR BIG BODY TYPES. You can force it out, but we’ve been forever cursed with the hip size being linked to the leg size. So your guys will either have feminine hips or scrawny ass legs. There aren’t any muscle options apart from abs, and the most similar thing we have for chub is a pregnant looking belly. You can always edit it with photoshop later or suffer and make muscles and fat with belts and hairs.

Have fun suffering with Kisekae!!! Feel free to ask me questions on how to do X or Y, or request me to expand more information about stuff like what each tab does.

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL GUIDE!! It does explain a bit what each tab does, and also explains the keyboard shortcuts. It’s in japanese, but nothing google translate can’t fix if you need it.

[bughead-fic-request]

Weird Science - Part 2 - The Date

Summary: Jughead and Betty go on their first date after their kiss in the Chemistry lab.

Words: 4,210

Warnings: Swearing, kissing, fingering. 

A/N: A/N: I edited this myself so there are probably errors. You can find the first part here. It’s also on AO3. This is the second part of a request by @gay-for-rey1999.

Jughead let out a shaky breath and smiled, touching his lips, still tingling from the kiss. He took out his phone and called Archie.

“Hey Bro, what’s up?” Archie sang.

“Dude, I’m going on a date with Betty tonight and I need you to tell me what I’m supposed to do.” Jughead asked grabbing his bag and rushing out to his car.

“Jug, what are you talking about. You’ve been on a date before.” Archie was clearly half listening. Jughead could hear the sound of a video game in the back ground and it sounded like he had a friend over.

“Yeah, but not with a girl like Betty.” He admitted as he drove out of the parking lot. “You’re friends with her. Do you have any pointers?”

“Be yourself. If she said yes to a date that means she’s interested. Don’t worry.” Archie hung up and Jughead threw his phone on the passenger seat.

Jughead got home, shaved and showered and spent way too much time picking out something to wear. He settled on a pair of dark jeans, a white short sleeved dress shirt and a pair of converse sneakers. He persuaded his dad to let him take the Volvo and showed up in front of the Cooper residence just before 8.

Betty stepped out in a sheer creme coloured blouse with a lacy black bra on underneath. Her legs were incased in skin tight leather pants and her Doc Martins adorned her feet. If she was wearing makeup it was so light he could barely notice it. She got into the car, leaned over the centre console and gave Jughead a light kiss.

“I’m starving.” She cooed, sitting back in her seat and putting her seatbelt on.

They didn’t say much on their way to Pop’s and Betty played with the radio not being able to settle on a song.

When they got their, Jughead ran around the car to get Betty’s door. “You look nice tonight.” Jughead told her trying to be a perfect gentleman.

“Thanks, you look nice too.” She commented as she headed towards the front door.

They were seated and Betty looked at the menu. “I love this place.” She commented looking at him over the menu.

“Yeah, I come here a lot. I’ve never seen you here before though.” He mentioned.

“I haunt this place when you and all your friends are fast asleep.” Betty smirked.

“Not much of a sleeper?” He asked but the waitress interrupted them.

“What can I get you guys?” She asked.

“I’ll have a cheese burger with bacon, onion rings on the side and vanilla milkshake.” She smiled at the waitress and handed her the menu.

“And you?” She looked over at Jughead.

“Um, yeah, I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries and a strawberry milkshake.” He ordered.

The waitress nodded and left.

“And to answer your question,” Betty seamlessly went right back to their conversation. “I have trouble sleeping so I come here and read, do school work, order a slice of apple pie until I feel sleepy. I’m more of a periodic napper than a solid 8-hour kinda girl.” She shrugged and flashed him a half smile.

“So you just nap all day?” He asked.

“Sure, if I’m exhausted I’ll grab 20-40 minutes in the back of the library. There are few other hiding spots in the school and I can afford to miss a class or two.” She ran her hand through her hair and expertly pulled it back into a ponytail.

“So your parents are cool with you staying out all night?” He asked.

She laughed softly and looked towards the counter, her hair swinging back and forth. She looked so different when she smiled; not a grin or a smirk, but a true smile. It made Jughead excited and nervous to see her like this because he knew this was a side rarely seen by anyone.

“I snuck out a lot when I was younger but then I got caught. I explained why I was sneaking out and my parents put me in therapy. After my therapist told them if I was safe, getting good grades and managing to get enough sleep throughout the day then they shouldn't stop me. I don’t do it much anymore though. I’m sleeping a lot better now.” She shook her head slightly and brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face.

Jughead wondered why she would need to be put into therapy. He didn't dare ask until she was ready to tell him. He hoped they eventually got to a place where she would want to tell him.

“What about you? You seem like an all-American boy. Good looking, smart, on the right sports teams. You're every cheerleaders wet dream and you're the guy everyone wants to be friends with.  You seem like nothing shakes you but when I came into that room yesterday you were a stuttering mess.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“That’s because you’re scary.” He admitted. “And you caught me doing something perverted and embarrassing. I mean until yesterday we had barely spoken to each other.”

“Yeah, why didn’t you ask me out?” She tilted her head to the side, her ponytail swinging behind her.

“I didn’t think you were interested and you’re scary.” He reiterated. “Why didn’t you ask me out if you you’re so confident?” He questioned.

“I wasn’t sure if you were interested and I don’t want to waste my time with anyone who wants to half ass anything.” She answered as their food came.

Her eyes lit up as she looked at her meal and then over at his. “What don’t you like on your burgers?”

“What?” Jughead’s eyebrows furrowed.

“We are on a first date so neither of us are going to specialize our orders because we don’t want to appear high maintenance or fussy. The reality is everyone has one burger topping they hate, so which one is yours?” She looked at him expectantly.

He tried to suppress a smirk but failed. “I hate pickles.”

Betty reached across the table and peeled the sliced pickle off his burger. “Please tell me you like onions?”

“I do.” He confirmed as she pushed her plate towards him and he gathered her onions.

“If I didn’t know any better I would say that makes us soulmates.” She smirked while picking up her burger and taking a huge bite. “So what so you want be when you grow up?” Betty asked when she swallowed, wiping her mouth.

“God…” He answered, letting out a big breath, his hair being blown out of his face. “I have no idea.” He told her honestly. “My parents want me to be a doctor.”

“What kind of doctor?” She inquired as took some of her fries and put them on her burger.

“Any kind of doctor. My mom made a line of Spanx like undergarments that made us relatively wealthy and my dad own the only two garages in town. They want to make sure the Jones last name is not only synonymous with money but also with class and respect.”

“Isn’t that something you want?” She took a big bite of her burger.

“Yeah of course but I just wish I had a clearer picture of my future.” Jughead admitted as he took another bit of his meal.

“I want to be a child psychologist.” Betty said, wiping her hands off, taking a sip of her milkshake.

“I figured you’d want to be a writer considering how much you read.”

She shook her head. “I think that children need someone to listen to them. We put children on a pedestal but we waste no time ignoring them when they have something to say. I think we could solve a lot of problems if we heard them out before things in their lives go bad. See early successes or failures.” She shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll hate it but I’ve applied to school and we’ll see how it goes.”

“Where did you apply?” He asked.

“Columbia, UCLA, BU and Seattle University. What about you?”

“All the Ivy League schools.”

“Wait,” Betty tossed her napkin on the table, “you have nothing you’re interested in? No hobbies? Nothing you might like to do?”

“Well, I like drawing, comics mostly but I don’t know how that would make me money.”

“But do you like it?” She asked. “Are you happy when you draw?”

“Yeah, I love it.”

“Then don’t give up on it yet, okay?” She raised her eyebrows.

Jughead nodded. “Yeah, alright.”

“I want to see some of this art work.” She shifted around in her seat in excitement.

“I don’t have anything on me right now.”

“Well, on the next date then.” She grinned as the waitress came to the table and took their plates.

Jughead’s heart skipped a beat when she said this. There was a part of him that thought maybe she was playing a prank on him. That she would get him naked and steal all of his clothes leaving him to be laughed at but now he wasn’t so sure anymore. The look on her face made him think she was actually interested in him and Jughead didn’t think he could handle it.

“Do you want dessert?” He asked.

Betty shook her head. “I have something else in mind.” She smiled. “Do you want to go dutch on the check?”

Jughead laughed. “No, I’ve got this one. How about you get it next time?”

“Sounds good.”

Jughead threw two twenties on the table and the both of them left the diner in a hurry.

“So what is it that you had in mind?” He asked as they got into the car.

“Let’s go to the look out on Sweetwater River, you know the one I mean?” She turned her body towards him and looked at him through her lashes.

Jughead knew the place she meant. Teenagers went there to hook up away from the prying eyes of their parents. His mouth went dry and he started to sweat. Jughead had kissed girls before. He had fooled around with girls before. He had gotten a hand job from Veronica Lodge at one of Cheryl Blossom’s parties but he had never been with a girl like Betty before. The girls he had been with were desperate for his approval, but Betty wasn't like them. She was confident, she was sure, she didn’t need anyone to tell her how amazing she was, she knew.

“Yeah, we can go there.” He agreed and drove in the direction of the woods.

They said nothing as they drove. Betty looked out the window while Jughead tried his best to focus on the road and not on the blonde beside him.

When he pulled up next the river he was relieved no one was around. He didn’t want to feel like he was a fishbowl and he didn’t want whispers at school tomorrow. Betty was looking at him when he killed the engine and turned his attention over to her.

“So what did you want to do?” He asked.

“I was thinking that we could sample the soil. Do an experiment.” She shrugged straightening out her blouse.

Jughead’s eyes shifted back and forth. “Seriously?” He said.

Betty couldn’t help but laugh. “No, I was thinking we could get in the back seat and see what happens.” She wiggled her eyebrows and got out of the car.

Jughead took in a deep breath and followed her to the backseat as he hoped and prayed he wouldn’t make a fool of himself.

When he woke up that morning he never would have imagined that he would be about to make out, among other things, with Betty Cooper. She looked at him with hooded lust filled eyes.

She leaned over, placed her lips on his and kissed him deeply. They kissed each other, cautiously placing hands on waists and on necks, weaving fingers through the others hair.

“Why do you like me?” Jughead asked as they parted, breathing heavily.

“I don’t know. I think if I knew I wouldn’t like you. You’re not a jerk, you try to pretend you’re a jock but you’re really just a flustered nerd. You’re my type.” She moved to straddle him.

“I don’t know if I’m as experienced as you.” He admitted grasping the elastic that held her hair up and pulled it out. The minty scent of her blonde locks washed over him.

“How do you know anything about my sexual experiences?” She asked.

“Archie said you fooled around a couple of times.” Jughead told her.

Betty smiled in amusement. “Archie and I made out one time but that’s it. We are just friends and you have nothing to worry about.” She ran her hands through his hair, her eyes drifting over his face. He wondered what she was thinking about as she ran her thumb over his lips.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” Jughead said running his knuckles along her jawline.

That true smile, the one that made her cheeks ample and flush pink spread across her face. “I know but it’s nice to here someone say it. Especially someone like you.”

“So you have a crush on me?” He asked cocking an eyebrows as his hands moved down to the front of her blouse. He began undoing the buttons one at a time. She didn’t stop him.

“Of course I do, Jug. I’m a moody loner but I’m not blind. I’m still of flesh and blood.” Betty reached up and pulled off her shirt that wasn’t doing much to conceal what laid beneath.

She lowered her head to kiss him. His fingers delicately explored the soft skin of her back, running them down the indentation of her spine causing her to shiver. Betty bit on his lower lip and pushed her tongue into his mouth when he gasped at the sensation. She began rolling her hips against his growing erection.

“Betty.” He whispered as his hands continued to roam, rubbing against the soft pleather that covered her ass.

“What is it?” She asked against his neck, placing soft kisses against the sensitive skin there.

“I’m a virgin.” He admitted feeling stupid for having to admit it in the first place.

Betty giggled and her head rested against his shoulder as she continued to laugh.

“It’s really unsettling that you’re laughing.” He said.

She straightened and looked down at him, her hands cupping his face. “Jug, this is our first date, I don’t want to have sex with you.” She smiled sweetly. “We have to wait until at least the third date.”

Jughead’s eyes widened.

“I’m kidding. There is no set timeline for a relationship. We’ll figure it out.”

“Are you a virgin?” He asked.

Betty looked away, bit her lips and shook her head. “I lost my virginity to Reggie in 9th grade. I hated it or at least I hated sex with him. I decided I wouldn’t do it again until I found someone I actually wanted to do it with. That person is you Jughead, whenever you’re ready.” She brushed the hair from his face.

“Reggie Mantle?” Jughead asked a slight look of disgust on his face.

“I was young and stupid and had too many wine coolers.” She shrugged. “I wanted to be popular and then I realized that no popularity was worth how shitty I felt the next day.” She told him.

His brow furrowed. “He didn’t force you into anything did he?” He inquired.

Betty shook her head. “No, no. I made a choice, it was a bad choice but I made it. Does that bother you?”

Jughead shook his head and looked up at her. “No, that’s your past and not my business, all I care about is you, right here and now.”

Betty smiled and bowed her head to kiss him, moving her hands from his jawline to his hair.

Jughead began to learn her body, letting his hands trace the lines of every muscle, every bone, every indentation from clothes that were too tight. He bucked his hips up in between her legs feeling the heat radiating from her.

Betty reached behind her back and snapped open the latches on her bra. She removed the garment and tossed it into the front seat along with her shirt.

Jughead stopped kissing to take her in. He had seen her the day before but it had been such a flash that he really hadn’t remember the specifics. He was able to take his time now, even in the darkness of the car, the moon provided enough light. He was right in his observations before that her breasts did fit her frame and they were a good size. Jughead confirmed this when he took both of them into his hands, soft and ample.

Betty shuddered at his touch, leaning into him and her back arching. “Jug.” She trembled, her hips rotating against him, rubbing his cock in a delicious way that made him want to lose control.

He lowered his head and took a pink, hardened nipple into his mouth. He sucked, tongued and teased her while her erotic moans filled the small space in the vehicle. His fingers tweaked the other nipple until her the motions of her hips were becoming erratic, her breathing short and nearly sob like.

Jughead wrapped his arms around her waist and flipped her so she was lying down on the seat. He grabbed her blouse and removed his own shirt to place behind her head. Betty raked her nails down his abdomen, her fingers tracing the defined outline of his taut muscular abs.

Jughead moved over her, there lips meeting again as his hand snaked down her body. He ran his fingers along the waistband of her pants. “Is it okay if I undo these?” He asked.

Betty nodded fervently, licking her lips as she watched him slowly unbutton her pants.

Jughead’s heart was pounding, he had done this before but not well and he wanted nothing more than to please her. “I know this isn’t the sexiest thing but you need to tell me what you want. If you need me to go faster, slower, deeper.”

She smiled at him softly. “I’ll let you know what I like.” She bit her lip as Jughead’s fingers dipped beneath her underwear.

His digits found her clit and he began to rub slow circles over her sensitive bundle of nerves. Her hips bucked as she let out a groan. She was wetter than Jughead could have imagined. Far wetter than any other girl he had been with and he felt a sense of accomplishment at her reaction. He continued applying more pressure as she eased down her pants to give him easier access.

He watched expression as he pleasured her. Her eyes closed, her face and chest flushed, her hair obscuring her features, her stomach soft and flat and contracting with his touch.  

“I want your fingers inside me.” She requested grabbing his wrist and pushing is down.

Jughead extended his index and middle finger and pushed them inside her, her wet heat cocooning his fingers. She clenched around him and his thumb worked her clit to get her there. He moved in and out of her slowly at first, picking up speed gradually, curling his fingers hoping he was hitting the spot that would make her cum. The spot that would make her say his name.

“Jug.” She said like a warning as her body started to writhe.

“Yeah, baby? What is it?” He whispered in her ear, running the tip of his nose softly along her cheek before placing a kiss on her neck.

“Keep going, I’m almost there.” She panted, gripping the handle behind her.

He moved his fingers faster, her body shaking, her legs trembling, her breathing unstable until her body stilled and a silent cry came from her lips. Jughead felt her flutter around his fingers before she collapsed, her arm draping over her eyes as she struggled to control her breaths.

Jughead sat up and watched her. He couldn’t believe it was actually happening. Something he had always fantasied about, something he desperately wanted was unfolding right in front of him. He had made Betty Cooper cum. He got to kiss Betty Cooper. He got to date Betty Cooper. He got to love Betty Cooper. He hoped she would fall for him quickly because he wasn’t sure he would be able to keep his feeling inside for much longer.

“That was amazing.” She croaked looking at him.

He smiled proudly and leaned down to kiss her. She kissed him back and he immediately felt the difference from the previous kisses. It wasn’t a kiss of excitement or first dates or sexual anticipation. There was feeling behind this kiss, from both sides. He knew in that moment that this was more than just a one date, backseat finger bang, she liked him too.

Betty pulled up her pants and finished getting dressed. She handed him his shirt. “Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow?” She asked smoothing out her hair.

“Of course I do.” He assured, pulling her into his side, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“And you want to go to the movies on Friday night?” She inquired.

“Absolutely, whatever you want to see.”

“We’ll get lots of candy?”

“All the candy you want, blue eyes.” He charmed.

They sat together in silence for some time, watching their fingers weave together over and over. They finally got back into the front seat and Jughead drove her home.

When they pulled up, Betty looked over at him with a content smile on her face. “Thank you for tonight. I had a really good time.”

“Me too.” He leaned over and kissed her again. The moment they parted he already missed her. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Betty repeated as she got out of the car.

Betty stood on the sidewalk and watched Jughead drive away, biting her lip to suppress the smile that threatened to come through. It would be the type of smile that would hurt her cheeks.

“How was the date?” Archie asked from the front steps on his home.

Betty could just make him out, sitting down. He was shirtless, grey sweatpants low on his hips and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. “It was really good.” She let the smile loose and walked towards him.

“Good. You both deserve it. I’ve never met two people who are so different but so much the same.” He commented as he turned to look at the front door as it opened behind him.

Betty watched a smiling Kevin Keller emerge and duck down to leave a lingering kiss on Archie’s lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby?” He asked.

“Yep.” Archie confirmed. “In our usual spot?”

“You know it.” Kevin smiled that dazzling golden boy smile he was known for.

They kissed one final time before Kevin walked down the path. He nodded at Betty. “Cooper.”

“Keller.” She responded as she held her hand up to give him a high five as he passed.

Betty waited till he was out of ear shot and took a few steps towards Archie. “He still cool with your relationship being a secret?”

“He understands that I need time to come out.”

“You mean waiting till after high school?”

“Yeah.” Archie took one last drag of his cigarette and put it out on the side of the step. “I mean I just came out to myself like seven months ago. The only people who know I’m gay are you and Kevin. I’ll eventually get there and he knows that.” He stood and walked towards her.

“Doesn’t it bother him that you still date women.” Betty hadn’t checked in with him about Kevin in a long time. She never brought it up unless he did and he had been mum on the subject for sometime. She thought they had broken up.

“He understands because I’m not really dating them. That’s why I go through girls so fast. I don’t kiss them, I don’t take them out. I just walk around school with them until they get bored. To uphold an image. I have 4 months and then I can be who I am.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. “Can that be okay for right now?”

Betty nodded and hugged him back. She loved her relationship with Archie. It was easy, comforting and understanding. Archie knew when to stop pushing and was fine being quiet in her company.

“So you had a good time?” He asked again placing a kiss on her head.

“Yeah, I’ve always had a crush on him but you know, I keep all that stuff inside.” They parted and smiled at each other. “Night, Arch.” She started to walk away before she stopped and looked back at the redhead who was climbing the steps up to his porch. “Arch?”

He turned. “Yeah.”

“Did you ever have a crush on Jughead?” She asked.

He grinned. “Girl, who didn’t?” He turned and disappeared into his home.

Betty grinned and did the same.

[stanbangttan]

School Trip  | Jin Oneshot 1 / 2

Jin x Reader (Andrea) - [all members included]

PARTS | 1 | 2 [MASTERLIST]

*[the second part has smut and mature 21+ warning so if you are younger please do not read]

WORD COUNT: 4.8k

Warning: strong language

Genre: Fluff mostly, flirty, comedy, character (I don’t like Y/N, so I put a name but I don’t repeatedly use it and I write in first pov so you’ll never notice)

Summary: Summer came, your school trip to Greece with your classmates came to. In the plane, your seat is next to a boy, named Jin who you got to know better on this long flight. You two keep meeting and doing stuff together, that you thought would never do in your life. Like getting lost on purpose and run in the wrong direction, hand in hand with a boy you didn’t even know yesterday. But will you fall for him? What secrets do you keep and will it ruin the trip?

A/N: Hi guys. This ff is for my mutual and friend Andrea. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE! Love you! I also what to thank someone who helped me edit conversations, because I am not a native English speaker, and helped me a lot al in all @Miniefaithful Thank you. CHECK HER FF OUT! 

Snippet:  I get a hold of his hand again and just started running, tugging him along. It felt empowering, not knowing where you’ll end up but not giving a fuck. Not giving a damn if I got lost. Partly because he’s with me. I am not getting lost by myself. But I am still in a foreign country, new town, in afternoon hours, smiling like an idiot. His hand tightened mine and he took the lead.

I hope you like this, like, re-blog and comment below. And sorry i’m advance for any mistakes. Kisses.

“Damn it. These shoes are never gonna fit into the suitcase.” My mom took a look at all the stuff overflowing my suitcase. "You know you won't need half of this? "MOM! It’s not every day you go on an overseas trip, I need this." I said pointing at the mess I made. The shoes still bugging my OCD. "Nope, they're not going in." "Hmm.." - she looked at it in thought - "got it, take the makeup bag in your carry on and you can fit the shoes."

 “Mom, you’re a genius.” - I hugged her.

 “So, are you excited?”, she smiled but I know it was a sad kind of smile. 

 “Yea! I’m so happy that dad and you let me go to Greece. I know it’s far away and scary for you but thank you, guys.”

Now I can see that she's tearing up. This was hard for her because we were always close, like any mother and daughter. 

-----

After what feels like forever stuck at an airport, we are boarding the plane. I got my book ready for this long flight and my power bank so I could charge my phone. The girls behind me, hushed that Kim SeokJin has seat next to mine on his ticket. He’s in my class of but we never really talked.  I guess they saw right. He's putting his Super Mario backpack in the compartments above, and his t-shirt rose a little.

His flat stomach had those V lines on his hips. After he finished he positioned his butt above his seat and sat with a loud thud. Broad shoulders of his couldn’t really fit ordinary economic class seats, he looked so uncomfortable, it was low-key funny, and I was smiling alone, like an idiot.

My rosy cheeks might reveal that I was staring at him, so I buried my nose into the book. 

The turbulence was scary, and the flight attendant said we don’t have to worry, that the shaking is actually normal. I was scared a little but, I saw Jin, white as a ghost. How is grown ass man so scared of planes? I guess all of us have our phobias. 

“Is this your first time, too?”, I asked him so he’ll focus on something else.

“Yes, is it that obvious?”, he said nervously smiling.

“No,”, I lied, ”But it’s my first time too so maybe we can distract each other? Not that you need a distraction, but I’d use one.” 

I made him believe he was helping me surpass my fear. 

 “Andrea right? Just take deep calming breaths, focus on bringing your heart down to a normal steady rate.” 

I nodded making my cheeks puffy doing the breathing exercise. Making it like I was more anxious than I am.

He was so cute trying to calm me, while at the same time he was panicking himself.

The plane shook, harder than before, and it was the worst feeling I ever experienced. I was flying, god knows how many meters above the ground on a metallic “bird” that was shaking and making weird noises. I grabbed the armrest so hard that my knuckles were white. Now I was reallyyyyyy scared. What surprised me was that at the same time when turbulence started, he snatched our shared armrest, over my hand, shutting his eyes and doing the breathing exercise himself. 

Even when I’m this terrified he succeeded to make me laugh. But now, he was the one having a panic attack. 

 “Jin!” he wasn’t responding, “Jin!” I repeated. “Hey, look at me. Talk to me. When’s your birthday? What’s your favorite color? How many siblings do you have?” I asked him fast.

“Iiii-it’s in December. The D-december f-f-fourth. Blue, I love blue and what’s the last question again?”

“Siblings”

“Yeah, I have. Brother.” 

 “Older or younger?”

“Older”

“What’s he like?”

Turbulence stopped, making me feel safe again but he was still a little shaken up.

“He’s pretty cool now, at least now.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, he used to take all my money and terrorize me when I was little. I mean that’s what brothers do, right? That’s why I want to have a daughter first.” He’s smiling now. 

 What a statement. It doesn’t make any sense. “I don’t understand.” I said laughing. 

 He got closer, moving his hand like he’s explaining something important but personal. - “Well, it’s just my theory. Noonas give you money. I want to have a daughter and then a son so his noona would give him money.” 

 “You love money that much that you wish you had a sister instead?” I joked. 

 “Heey,” - he felt offended but laugh it off. So he can take a joke -“I was terrorized every day by him, let’s not forget that.”

“I am an only child. I don’t know how you feel so I won’t judge. All I have is a dog.” 

 “Really? I had one too, but he passed away.” - He took his phone, scrolled down a gallery of photos and showed me a picture of a dog. “ -His name was Jjangu.” 

 “I’m so sorry, Jin. He was so cute.”

He furrowed his brows for one second and then looked at me. -“It’s ok. Can I see yours?”

“Sure” I said, finding pictures of my little furry monster. “He’s name is Kai”

“Like that idol?” 

“I had him before I found out about Kai.” - I defended myself. 

“Which Kai, the dog or the idol?” - He laughed at me. 

We continued talking through the whole flight. I learned a lot about Jin. He’s really good actor. He wants to be an actor or detective and is going to try out to get a scholarship for both of it and go with the choice he first succeeds. He loooooves to eat and make jokes. I noticed that when the snacks came and we talked about food and he just listed his favorites. Lobster, steak, cold noodles.. It doesn’t end for him. He is excited to try Greek food and you could see him practically drooling by just thinking about it.

For now, this trip is turning out to be fun. After some time, we decided to watch some movie on the display in front of us. “What do you like, what genre?”

“I don’t like horror movies, anything else is fine with me.” 

 “Well, either Titanic or The notebook.” - I read through the titles. 

 “I really don’t wanna watch shipwreck right now, especially when we are thousands of feet in the air.” - He winked and laughed at his own joke. 

 “Then the notebook it is.” - I love this movie. It’s the perfect movie for a first date too. Just this isn’t a date and he’s not my crush. I am not saying I don’t find him attractive or that I didn’t notice his full lips though.

 I woke up by Jin tapping my head and moving my hair that was on my face and telling me something. I jumped from my seat, as soon as I realized that I fell asleep. Right before the end of the movie, my head on his shoulder. - “I am sorry, so sorry Jin. Your shoulder must be numb right now.”

 “It’s nothing a little arm exercise can’t solve. Don’t worry.” - His smile appeared again, moving his shoulder in circles to loosen it up.. 

 I wanted to disappear. My cheeks burned bright red. Why do you keep doing things like this Andrea? Why these scenarios are happening to me? It was going great so far. At least I didn’t drool all over him.

It was time for the plane to land and again, we talked to each other, so the other one won’t panic. 

 Fortunately, we landed safely.

  “Dibs on the big bed.” - I shout at Bianca

“Oh hell no “-She came closer to me, looping her through a gap near my elbow.

 “Hell yes, or little birdies are gonna tell Yoongi you almost cheated with Jimin last weekend.” - I was threatening her with serious BFF stuff here.

 “I was drunk and you’re a slut” - she didn’t mean it. 

Hotel is quite nice. It has a nice view of the beach and a private pool that we can use. Apparently there is arcade next door and the hotel owns it too. 

I never thought I will see the sun, moon, and stars from the other side of the world but here I am. I couldn’t wait for the summer vacation as is, and when I got permission to go on this trip that school organized with some traveling agency I was beyond myself. I think I never had better grades how much I studied.

I opened sliding doors of our room’s terrace. As I stepped out the sound of waves filled my ears. Same sound I hear when putting the shell to my ear. It was windy, but pleasant because air felt hot already on my skin. I leaned on the bar and watched the sunset, which was mesmerizing. I am not dreaming, I’m really here, I told myself. But it still felt like a dream.

I woke up to the sound of raindrops hitting the window. The sky was clear but that didn’t stop rain from falling. And today’s forecast said it will be like this all day. Bummer. I asked Bianca if she wants to get breakfast with me. She is still asleep. I hear her telling me, “mmmmhmmm” but I know she’s not going to get up anytime soon. So I strolled down the hall by myself, listening to some music. Elevator doors opened and just as I was gonna press the button for the restaurant floor, someone put his hands on the closing door.

“That’s dangerous Jin, wanna lose that hand? Don’t do it again Geez..“

“I’m fine, MOM” - he casually took one earphone out of my ear, putting it in his, - ”What are you listening to? Oh I know this song, it’s good.” - He said while tapping his foot to the beat.

 The hotel restaurant was nearly full, people talking and me not understanding anything I sat into the empty chair and looked at the breakfast possibilities.

 “So what do you going to order?”

 “I don’t know. This breakfast set is sounding delicious” - his eyes wandered on the menu finding what he really wants. - “Steak! I want steak!” 

 “ Are you really going to order steak for breakfast? It’s fucking 9am for fucks sake”

 “Steak”- he said glaring playfully at me.

 “Steeeeeak”- I mocked his voice, “you’re insane”

 The waiter came and we ordered.

“You are just sorry that you are not that bold like me.”

 “Excuse me Mr. Bold, would you like kick in the nuts”

 “Ha-ha not that bold, I DO NOT want you racking my balls. But still bolder than you.”, his face trying to stay serious, but eventually he lost it.

 I pretended I kicked my leg below the table, he twitched scared - “I am bold just enough.”

“We’ll see.” - He exclaimed.

 “Will you be joining the tour around town?” - I said knowing I didn’t have to go, it was a choice thing but because of the weather I can’t sunbathe or swim, and would be bored staying in the hotel.

 “Only if It’s not raining, I hate getting wet when it’s raining.” - He explained.

“Where is Mr. Bold now, can’t take little rain.”, I teased him.

He licked his lips, staring at me, almost like he's trying to read my mind. - “If I go you’ll admit that I’m bolder than you and you’re a wimp?”

 “Of course”- I paused - ”not.”

“You almost got me there. Ha-ha. If I go will have to prove it to me by doing something bold.”

This was a dare now and I was enjoying.

“Deal.” 

The rain eventually stopped, lucky for Jin, I thought. Even that the day was cloudy, it was quite hot so I just packed my rain jacket in my backpack if it starts to rain again. Besides that, I was in shorts and a shirt. Bianca was getting ready for too long so I was hurrying her “Come on, B, it’s not like you’re going to cheat on Yoongi, with some greek god in front of him, no need to dress up.” - I said jokingly.

 She ignored me - “Heels or flats?” 

“Do you hate your feet? Flats, genius.” 

“You're right.”- she said slipping them on.

 Students gathered in the lobby, waiting for our professors to arrive so we can start the tour. The professors were quite chill about everything with us. We had our freedom as long as we are all not arrested or something like that. We even could make sleeping arrangements ourselves and had a talk about safe sex, when we talked about the trip in class. So they knew what would students do secretly, and just let us loose because we’re "young" is what they said.

I chatted with some students when someone approached me. 

“Oh, Mr. Bold. almost didn’t see you there.” 

“Mr. Bold, Jin Bold,”, he chuckled on his own joke, “nice to meet you Ms. Bold.”

The tour started and we exited the hotel. He following my pace, walked next to me waiting for a response.

“Ms. Bold… Oh, is it that you’re admitting my boldness?”

 “Of course not, I just wanted to tease you.” 

 “What are we now? Married? Or siblings?” I teased him.

 “Whatever you want us to be Ms. Bold” 

 “So it’s up to me to choose?”

“Apparently you do, make a bold choice. Don’t make me regret it.”

But that didn’t last too long, because in one swift motion he got to my neck, whispered: “Do this.” And bit my ear. Which send shivers throughout all of my body, and which he noticed. 

Retrieving to his previous spot, he said, “So is that your choice, FBI agents who hook up?”

“So you think you’re not up to the task? Jinnie” - I loved his reaction to that nickname, - “And didn’t you like wanted to be a detective? Like, woooow.”

“I was already acting if you didn’t notice, the one lacking talent here is you. A piece of cake for me tho.” - His ego was through the roof.

“Then if this is to easy for you, let’s step it up a little,” - I got a crazy idea right then and there.

I don’t know what came over me as took a wrong turn, taking him with me.

“What are you doing you crazy woman?” -  I got a hold of his hand.

 “Proving you right.” - I started tugging him along.

 “Proving me what?” - He didn’t repulse, in fact, he let me take him with me.

 “My boldness. Let’s get lost together, Mr. secret agent. Or are you scared?” - I was walking rapidly, smiling but seeming like a lunatic to him.

“Sometimes I wonder why are you so weird and then just give up because I can't find a reasonable answer, I swear-” He joked but it still hurt me.

“What did you say?” - I cut him off.

“I mean you rash out sometimes and have your own world and I wonder why I keep talking to you sometimes..” - In the middle of the sentence, I looked in front of me, hiding my face, still holding his tugged sleeve and hand in mine.

“Did you just get out of character? And you call yourself an actor. On the side note, you don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want.” - I let go of his hand, - ”I am not making you stay. Go back right now if you want.” - I was salty. How he dare.

“I’m not saying it in a bad way, you’re different, it’s a refreshment and it’s interesting. I wanna be part of that world of yours. That’s why I’m staying.” He quickened his pace to catch up with me, staring at me he smiled.

“Then let’s go, Mr Bold. What are you waiting for?” I smiled back.

I get a hold of his hand again and just started running, tugging him along. It felt empowering, not knowing where you’ll end up but not giving a fuck. Not giving a damn if I got lost. Partly because he’s with me. I am not getting lost by myself. But I am still in a foreign country, new town, in afternoon hours, smiling like an idiot. His hand tightened mine and he took the lead. We ran through many streets, right then left. What are we doing? And why do I feel so safe with him? I don’t know him. And still, I feel like his hand is the safest I held until now. I never do things like this. I am not fucking bold. I know that. My family knows that. Even he knows that. I ran until my lungs were out of breath. “Jin, STOB! I mean STOP!” I yelled. “Oh god, I can’t breathe.” 

 “Need some water?” he stopped and saw a store across the street. “Don’t move!”

 Jogging while crossing the street, he went in. After drinking some water I calmed and my stomach growled. 

 A grin plastered on his face “You hungry?” - HE HEARD THAT. OH GOD. I blushed. - “It’s ok, I am too. I could eat some local food right now.”

We stopped by some food truck and somehow ordered on English. It was a struggle but we managed to do it. We ate while walking, and talking about random things. 

 Faliraki is really beautiful. I could live here. Streets are not that busy but there are enough people. It’s hot, but at night wind gets chilly and perfect for some campfire on the beach while telling some stories and funny scenarios from our past. I am so cliché but that’s just the thing I would love to do with my friends once in my life. We stopped to buy some ice cream or gelato as this place was calling it. We walked 2 blocks now in my choice of direction. It’s time. 

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS! 

I put rock and he put paper. Dammit. 

Yes, we did choose our next turn based on rock paper scissors and was the best way to do it. We saw so many people, buildings, emerged into the culture.

“Okaaay! Let’s go this way I see a cool statue I wanna take a pic next to. “ We would occasionally stop and take pictures once in a while. Some together, but mostly one of the other.

“It’s getting dark. We should ask some people for directions to the hotel.” I said.

 “Make it funnier, present yourself in character as an agent and ask for directions.”, He proposed.

 “Nooo, are you crazyyy?” - I made a funny face.

 “HAHAHAA, so you don’t dare to it? I said it, you’re a wimp” - he provoked.

 “Ok but if you do it first.”

 “What if we get directions and you don’t do it then?”

 I counted on this loophole, but he’s not stupid. “Then I’ll ask someone too just for fun.” This is gonna be tricky, we don’t know the language. Hopefully, we will find someone who understands English. 

  “I am sorry sir, Agent Bold here, can you please tell us the directions to the Hotel and Spa resort ‘Elysium’?” - surprisingly he stayed in character. I am amazed. 

The older man was looking at him confused and just threw his hands in the air, signalizing he doesn’t understand.

 “The man was looking like you’re speaking alien.” - I barely caught air how much I was laughing. 

 “Then you try to do it, smart ass.” he pouted.

I stopped this girl, that may be a little older than me.

“I am sorry, miss, but this is some serious shit, you see, me and Agent Bold,” I gestured at Jin, showing my bus pass from home as my fbi badge and just for a second, “can you please direct us to the Hotel and Spa resort ‘Elysium’?”

“What? Oh…Elysium? You go.. now…” she struggled but tried to help, which was adorable and kind of her. “..left.. straight two, showed 2 fingers, and then right 4.. “

“We go left, 2 blocks straight, and the right 4 blocks?” I repeated so she could confirm I understood right. 

She nodded. 

“Thank you, ma’m your service will not be forgotten.” And I did that military salute with my hand. 

She just watched us, shocked, walking away.

“You’re hilarious, I almost lost it with the military greeting.”  

“I’m enjoying this too much, I must say.” I giggled.

 “What? Improv?”

“No, this, right now. Getting lost, but not giving a damn. Running in unknown directions. Not caring. No stressing, just free. I think this will be my most treasured moment of the trip.” I said while exhaling. 

“Then we should buy something so we remember.” He got closer to some granny selling souvenirs.

“This bracelet is cute.” I said pointing to the black bracelet with a blue rock and some beads.

“They’re pretty unisex, I’ll buy one too.” We paid and continued the way that irl told us. 

Laughing we seen the beach and our hotel in sight.  

“Ms Bold, our mission is nearly done.” I said. 

“It has been a pleasure working with you, Mr Bold, Jin Bold.” - I held my hand in the air for him to shake it.

“I would have to agree.” - He shook it and then greeted me with a salute. 

We burst out, squeezing our stomachs. 

Let me tell you something.

This was a great cloudy day. Damn it was. 

We got at our floor, he yelled “See ya later”, knocking on the door of his room 

I was walking down the hall to enter mine, feeling peaceful. I love Greece.

After showering I got ready to go to the restaurant floor for some dinner. My stomach growled. I entered the restaurant, and I had a pretty sight to see.  

Table for six, occupied by Bianca and Yoongi. Kissing, which is gross because people are eating and save that for the room. Across from them Jin, Tammy, and Jungkook. 

You all knew one Tammy in your life. The girl that is pretty, popular among boys, slutty sometimes but is overall nice. You are jealous of her, but still, understand why everyone loves her. She’s the social butterfly of the group. 

She was sitting between Jin and Jungkook. The only place I could sit when they called me over was a seat in front of Jin. So I did sit across of him, who was talking to Tammy at the moment, smiling and flirting. 

I felt uneasy watching them, which is weird because I didn’t know the guy’s full name yesterday. I sat, smiling and kicking Bianca on the leg so she’ll stop her makeout-sesh with Yoongi. She jerked “WHAT?” 

“Stopp please” I made vomiting sounds and faces.

 “Why is she always butting in between us babe?” he asked Bianca. “Can’t she find a boyfriend or something?” he laughed at his remark. 

“Couldn’t he jerk off before dinner, so he wouldn’t cum on the tablecloth while kissing you or something?” I asked B, not even looking at Yoongi. 

“Woooooah, the Andrea the clap back queen.” Jungkook made a surprised face, laughing and clapping his hands.

 “He’s not THAT quick, A.” B said to me.

All of them giggled beside Yoongi. “Wooooah” They all repeated it now.

“So he IS somewhat quick,” Jungkook said, “I told you so Tammy.”

“Ha ha ha, not funny..” Yoongi was offended now, becoming angry because we made fun of him.

 "How could you know, Kook?" - Tammy clapped back. "You made him cum quick or what?"

 "Actually, no." - Kook smirked. - "Only one I make cum quick is you, babe."

Tammy blushed and kicked Kook on the arm. 

“Yoongi you should practice controlling yourself, man” Jin made a serious face and then burst out.

As sarcastic as he can, Yoongi said, “Thanks a lot dumbass. You’ll regret this.”

“Sure thing, Usain Bolt" - Jin said through his laugh.

“Maybe he can do that after dinner.” Tam uttered while quietly eating and avoiding Yoongi’s gaze. 

Yoongi made an “O” with his mouth like he couldn’t believe we are bashing him in front of himself.

Bianca laughed too, which made Yoongi even angrier. 

He got up, his eyes darkened and he grabbed B’s hand.

“Heey, let go of meee YOONGI."-he didn't stop. -"BABE, it hurts”

“Let her go” I growled.

“Don’t worry, she likes it rough, is that right babe?”

“Yoongi I swear to god… If you don’t let go, Imma crush your nuts with my foot.”

 “Why? Don’t you wanna practice with me? Let’s practice babe. Just as they said, you can count seconds how quick I am in between your moans.”

 “We even get the show at the end of it. Like this day couldn’t get any better.” Jin exclaimed, laid back in the seat, watching them.

“On that note, where were you two today?” Jungkook took another bite, munching while looking at me and then Jin across of me.

“We got separated from the group at the red light, and took a wrong turn..” Jin lied.

“Yea, and some FBI agents directed us toward the hotel..” I added to the lie and I cracked up.

Tammy and Jungkook looked at us furrowing their brows, then looking at each other confusingly, while we couldn’t catch our breaths.. 

Jin’s phone buzzed, he opened the text. “I can’t believe him.” 

“What?” Jungkook asked 

“This little shit got angry because of the practice comment..” 

“And?” Tammy asked.

“And I’m sleeping at Andrea’s tonight.” He exclaimed. 

I chucked, “No, you’re not.”, looking at my plate and not lifting my head.

“Fuck man, look at this, he’s pissed.” He threw his phone on the table, annoyed. I looked at the screen and there it was.

‘Because of the newly scheduled practice hours, we announce that your belongings have been moved to Andrea’s room for the rest of the trip. Fuck you, asshole.’

“Well, then I am on Greek streets tonight.” Jin managed to joke even now.

My mind worked like crazy. I can’t make him sleep in the hallway or on the street. But I can’t sleep in the same room as him. This is frustrating.

“Andrea, the room has two beds, it’s not like you’re in the same bed.” Tammy said trying to figure my puzzled look.

“Yea” Jungkook added.

The ride in the elevator was awkward. Scratch that, everything was awkward.. The people that slept in the same rooms are usually either really good friends, comfortable with each other or just hooking up. There was no in between until Jin and I came along, apparently. I managed to stutter a few words - "It's okay, we have separate beds." He just muttered a simple yea. 

I unlocked the door letting him in and almost stumble upon a bag full of clothes. Jin started cussing because of the clothes scattered on the floor.  

“They must have been in a hurry.”

“You think?” - I responded sarcastically.

I helped him pick up the clothes off of the floor and put them in the bag. Squatting I collected piece by piece. I felt a painful thud as we bumped into each other's heads and fell back on our butts. ”Ouch.”

I’m on my back, hand on my forehead, rubbing the spot where our heads touched. He quickly came to check on me. His body hovering above me, asking me “Are you okay? Oh god, I am so clumsy.” He moved my hand to check if there is a bump. “It’s not your fault, I am the clumsy one.” I looked at his lips in front of me and no lips ever looked that juicy. I gulped.

“I don’t think there is a bump.” He said, while his hand caressed my forehead.

I looked at his forehead, lowering his head to my eye level. “No, there isn’t one here too.” 

Now our faces are directly in front of each other. Bodies practically intertwined. His legs between mine. One hand still holding mine while another one was holding him steady above me. I’m still not daring to move. He’s too close. My eyes went from this forehead to his eyes, glaring at me. I'm blushing. The heat coming to my cheeks, I feel it. Maybe I can feel it as much as the sexual tension. Sparks flying like we lit the sprinklers at Christmas. His lips parting. He came even closer now. Eyes pinned on me. Is this really happening?    

WILL JIN KISS YOU? WHO KNOWS. OH yes, I do.  Reblog, like and comment so you’d let me know you want more.

                                    [PART TWO]

I hope you like this, like, re-blog and comment below. And I’m sorry in advance for any mistakes. Kisses.

[kelanfilms]

Stop Signs: The Joys of the Edit

Due to the everchanging weather onset, continuity for our film was looking to be a big task to maintain. As AD I was onset to note these changes/mistakes and write messages to my editor self, but there was a couple of times I was dealing with other things and in post have realised somethings happened, for example: Georgie’s hair flowing wildly in the wind, shoes and feet appearing, clouds changing and necklaces jumping in/out of jumpers, and the bench... we don’t talk about the bench. So my first day was spent noting down cuts that would be used only where necessary and sorting out my workflow.

After each day on set I’d been transcoding and logging the files ready for edit but unfortunately by day3 I was exhausted so left it for the train-ride home. Unfortunately this is when Avid decided to stop working for my laptop. The second Avid opened my laptop became so slow it barely worked, and the program wouldn’t allow the day3 footage to transcode. With editing at home I didn’t have room for error with Avid, so decided to do what I really didn’t want to, and turn to Adobe Premier Pro. Thankfully this program was working quickly and for now, working well with the files. I am concerned about issues presenting themselves in the exporting process so have booked a tutorial with Kieran to discuss the workflow and exporting issues that may need amended to ensure there’s no error. Because we are working quickly our crew has left a lot of room for issues and resolvement in the post-production process (there’s always something), so I’m not feeling too stressed.

Due to the wind on Day 2 of shooting a lot of the camera and sound slates aren’t matching. When shooting in the wind we could barely hear each-other so it’s no wonder the slate numbers got lost. As well, on the day the wind was so high that the clapper board would become another instrument getting blown away, and nobody had hands free to hold it, especially during the boot shot. [I think in future as a team we check the wind as well as rain, and during recces, don’t choose wide open spaces as the primary location, we should have a backup that’s as sheltered as we can from the weather]. So in post I’ve had to sync where I can for these outdoor shots, but as they don’t contain dialogue I think Anne-Marie could foley/SFX these sections easily enough. To ensure we both know what’s going on and that she’s prepared for any issues I’ve had with sound during the edit (Sound’s my least favourite thing to deal with unless I’m completing it myself, I can understand my mess of an audio track, other people... not so much, so I’m having to ensure that Anne Marie can understand what I’ve done and what’s where and any issues that may arise). 

The Edit Process:

The First Cut: 15th April

As always with my first cuts I set to work on initially blocking out the story on the timeline, going through each cut and finding the moments of the performances that told the story for me. Unfortunately with Hollie’s full script in there the film was 7.5mins (1.5mins over the limit), so I requested her to cut pieces of dialogue she was willing to part with. After a discussion we decided to make it more of a rant from Georgie, and take away the bits of Brodie’s dialogue that she was ignoring anyway. The first cut as always is a bit untidy so it needs work but it’s good to get into the flow. One thing I’m struggling with so far is the continuity in the shots, due to the weather cuts are interrupted by moving hair, wind, water getting rough then still, and due to our location quite a few trains and dogs interrupting. So it’s a case of trying to build a good edit around the perfect bits of dialogue and performance to create emotional moments. My aim with the edit is to prepare a new cut and build on it every day, and send uploads to the director and sound designer so that issues are resolved before a picture-lock attempt. By feeling the changes with each draft I feel my faith growing in my abilities and also connect and think about the film more, so it’s a process that really works for me too.

Link for first cut: https://youtu.be/PeZvG8euYWc

2nd Cut: April 17th

The 2nd draft was completed 2 days later, and will be tidied into draft 3 for rough cut tutorials. I’ve included a temporary phone ringtone to get the atmosphere of the phone there so that I can attempt to include the tension I saw in the script, however these shots aren’t as jumpy as I’d imagined so that may have to be rethought. Lines have also been cut, but I’ve been careful where to do it. Georgie is now on less of a rant with Brodie and it’s now a flowing conversation, so I’m intrigued as to what Hollie will think of this. For me, I feel like I get the story more when Brodie’s not interjecting, everything we understand is coming from our protagonist now. We are also now back into the 6min mark which is a good sign, as the original draft went over by 1.5mins, and I’m really feeling the story coming through the edit a lot more.

Below: Draft 2 Timeline (17th April): 

Link for 2nd cut: https://youtu.be/Odk2UCY1LSE

3rd Cut: 19th April

Following notes from my producer (which I heavily agreed with), we decided to cut the car sequence down (3 shots for 50secs was always too long), and adjust the shoes being taken off. Klaudia wasn’t a fan of the necklace sequence, but I think after tidying it has potential. The closeup is a nice shot too and gives a bit more dimension to the complexity of Georgie’s turmoil. She says she doesn’t care for her mum, but that moment is a nice sense of connection whether she likes it or not. So in draft 3 I went to work doing this, this cut is now 5mins 30secs which gives room to bring back more of the dialogue especially for Brodie now. It’s just a case of finding his key moments, as he was a younger actor sometimes you can see him thinking his lines so the performance is lost or the lines come out a little one note, so it’s just a job of finding his key moments (and there are a few lovely moments from Robbie so it’d be great to bring these back). I’ve also noticed the 180 line is being crossed in the edit far too much so I’m going to need to use the wides and Georgie’s CU to amend this. I think this problem has arisen as the film was not shot with the 180 line in mind onset, when I asked where we were working from/where the line was I was told “I don’t know” by a crew member so I think maybe that’s why a lot of our shots contradict themselves in this sense. So the next draft will really focus on solving/hiding the 180 problem to make the space more understandable to the viewer. I think because we see the full scene in the master shot when Georgie walks over it isn’t confusing to a viewer, but does make the edit look a bit lazier. 

Below: The draft 3 timeline. (Blue audio is camera, audio tracks need to be tidied).

Link for 3rd cut: https://youtu.be/gu5Tb3z7a14

The 4th Cut: 20th April

I’m feeling confident in how this edits now coming together. I’ve sorted a tutorial with Andrew for tomorrow and am preparing 2 more drafts for then, so that following his comments we can picture-lock tomorrow evening, giving Anne-Marie enough time to get her sound done. (And for me to colour-grade).

Below: The Draft 4 Timeline (the tracks that are displaying “out of sync” were a few frames out when they synced so they are correct).

Link for Draft 4 Cut: https://youtu.be/kISNk4BKCMA

The 5th Cut: 21st April “Potential Picture-Lock Day”

With the 5th cut I’m feeling more confident we’re there with locking picture. Small tweaks and issues have been resolved and I’m hoping to fine cut and lock it today to send to Anne-Marie for sound. Currently I believe I’m colour-grading so with the programs I have it will be done on Premier, so I’ve been touching up the colour in drafts as I go to get them all similar. Then if Hollie wishes for specific LUTS/Looks then I’ll apply this week, and hopefully be done with the project this weekend to give me time to finish assignments for other modules.

This cut is definitely the strongest, I’m feeling more of a tempo and having the temporary phone in there is giving me a feel for the story. I’ve highlighted points of Robbie’s performances more, and given a little more reaction time but unfortunately due to wind the actors couldn’t hear each other (so that emotive reaction is often absent in all our shots from day2).

All in all though, feeling strong for our tutorial with Andrew today (that feeling may change after that...)

Below: The Draft 5 Timeline, undergoing colour correction for one of the brighter shots.

Link for the Draft 5 Cut: https://youtu.be/3wCQtG6lU5Q

Picture Lock! Draft 6 & 7

Following comments from the lecturers and team we have moved to do a quick redraft before picture lock. The first redraft focused on the lecturer’s comments and ensuring the film didn’t sit on the line of action.

Draft 6: https://youtu.be/v5ZaEA6e0Qo

After this redraft I decided we needed to get rid of the Georgie close-up because it was too jarring being on the line. The pacing was amended too but due to shot choices and continuity (wind going through folks hair, and movement, was spoiling cuts), so I created Draft 7 - the picture lock.

Picture lock (draft 7): https://youtu.be/54AvA3lFxMg

I am happy with the picture lock but wish I’d had more time. In order to upload the AAF and MXF files to our sound designer that took 2 days off of our schedule due to my internet, so even an extra week on this would’ve allowed me to perfect it. Apart from that I am happy with the film and it’s definitely an improvement on some of my other edits. We’re still awaiting the recordings for the start and end to close up the story for the viewer, and reduce the narrative questions, so I’m intrigued to see what that’s like. I’ve mentioned to the director that these voicemail recordings have to hit the mark, as I’m worried they’ll be too vague and won’t answer the questions needing answered (are they going to the funeral? is it a funeral? legit what is happening in this world?). But we shall see, for now though, that’s my primary role as editor done.