#Frivolous Lola

[luegootravez]

Anna Ammirati in 'Monella' (1998)

[texaschainsawmascara]

Monella, Tinto Brass

[luegootravez]

Anna Ammirati in 'Monella' (1998)

[sophisticated-creepy]

          The aromas of spiced nuts, cinnamon, and turkey legs perfumed the air, the gentle breezes of the early morning carrying the signature scents over the crowds of lustrously costumed characters mingling around the lush grounds of the Newberry Renaissance Faire. Minstrels sporting drums, pan flutes, and lyres serenaded passersby from stone bridges or wooden platforms adorned with swaths of colorful fabrics, the merrymaking of frivolity an infectious delight of ye old entertainment. Cheers and shouts erupted from clusters around tantalizing performers, as all the while, the sun beamed brightly in a picture-perfect, clear blue sky. Lola, clad in peasant maiden attire of a linen blouse and cotton skirts, crossed the main entry wooden bridge spanning a healthy flowing stream, entering the space created by and celebrated with magic, imagination, and mischief. Here, the Realm reigned supreme, and the currents of palpable chaos brought Lola’s spirit higher and lighter with every step she took with giddy enthusiasm filling her heart. The Renaissance Faire held its usual traditions and predictabilities, yet every adventure was always new, and rarely produced the same outcome twice, but if one thing remained steadfast and true no matter how frequent she entered the grounds, it had to be the permeating essence of Love.

          Her friends, also garbed in peasant attire of bar maid corsets, jerkins, and spritely pantaloons, were already three steps ahead of her, Lola choosing to linger behind on purpose to absorb her environment. After all, it was the Renaissance Faire where she first met Raphael and fell in love. She wanted to savor the intoxicating sights and sounds around her, to take in where this place, this very spot of earth, held more significance than any haunted house or ghoulish goblin fairytale, for it was in this treasured place where her soul came home. Walking onto the grounds, she presented her ticket to the attendant and received a map detailing special events and the myriad of stages for performances, but her sights were set on one particular section above all these wonderful things: the jousting ring. The knights weren’t scheduled to the field until one o’clock, which gave the group of friends plenty of time to explore and experience all that the Renaissance Faire had to offer.

          “All right, kids, what do we want to do first?” Modesta asked. She stepped to the side of the trail, the others gathering close to game plan their morning. “Personally, I want to visit the lapidary in the Makers’ Market,” she began. “I’m hoping there are some loose gems I can pick up to use in items for the store.”

          “I’ve got my sights set on some turkey legs and ale,” Jack declared, patting his stomach, “and I wouldn’t mind seeing some old friends in the pirates’ guild as well.”

          “Ooh! Look at this,” Lazare said, pointing to his map. “There’s the Royal Bookbinders and Printing Press, and the King’s Labyrinth. That sounds like fun.”

          “The Royal Bookbinders and Printing Press?” Lola repeated, unfolding her own map to confirm Lazare’s discovery. “That’s new. Raph didn’t say anything about those being in the faire this year.”  

          “In all fairness, he did tell us there are more spectacles this season,” Modesta said. “It looks like the Bookbinders and Printing Press are stationed next to the armory. We can stop there on the way to the joust.”

          “The King’s Labyrinth is on the outskirts of the Fairy Village,” Jack added, looking over Modesta’s shoulder to point out the location. In the distance, he heard the ringing knell of the town crier, and looking in the direction up the main path of the Makers’ Market, could just work out the tops of brightly colored banners and streamers from a multitude of flag poles. “We made it in time for the opening parade,” he said. “Let’s check it out before we do our shopping.”

          Stowing away their maps, the band of friends found an open spot on the outskirts of the crowds under a shade tree where they could watch and cheer on the parade of royals and nobles making their grand appearance. Lola only half-applauded the King as he came onto the scene, his perpetual smug-sneer and cold eyes making her skin crawl, and she was thankful her location wasn’t in his direct line of sight for him to notice her or her friends. As much as Lola loved and enjoyed coming to the Renaissance Faire, her relationship with its cast members was unique compared to most other patrons, who only came for turkey legs and a lively joust, and after watching the King gallivant in his pompous waddle down the path flanked with cheering peasants, was glad she was hidden from view.

          Next came Lola’s favorite part of the parade; the line of jousting knights. She cheered for the Red and Blue knights as they walked side by side leading the men fashioned in leathers and plated armor while waving exuberantly to the mass of peers honoring them with shouts and applause. The Black Knight followed close behind the front pair, walking with the Green Knight, and Lola had to fight every urge to berate the Green knight with “boos” when she spotted him. He was a popular character with a loyal following, so instead of vocalizing her outright displeasure, she stuck her tongue out at him, and then gave two thumbs down with a disapproving scowl. Being pitted against Raphael as his sworn, mortal enemy, despite their kinship as brothers-in-arms, The Green knight, Sir Richard of the fox, lived up to his rapscallion reputation of underhanded trickster ways, which annoyed Raphael on the jousting field when the man in green broke script to try and gain favor with the crowds to cheer him on for entertaining deceit.

          Behind the knight of morally ill-repute, walked the newest addition to the jousting team, the Yellow and Black Knight, Sir Tony. A seasoned jouster, his speed and quick work of his opponents on the tilt yard procured him the nickname Murder Hornet, his colors easily lending to the affectionate moniker. He secured his place into the cast as a way to spice up the monotony of rival jealousy between the Green and White Knight, and although his skills were quite revered amongst cast and faire attendees, his disposition off the field was more akin to a harmless bumble bee than to his house of the wasp, his doting serfs adorning the lovable title of the Yellow Jackets. Walking side by side with Sir Tony trod Lola’s favorite knight, and upon seeing his broad frame clothed in white and gold, his chain mail and bracers polished and glinting in the sun, she couldn’t help herself but to begin screeching like a wild bird.

          “Caw-CAW! Caw-CAW!”

          Her abrupt outburst startled her friends, a few patrons around them, and even some of the parade marchers, but she beamed brightly a large smile as her arm waved high above her head, pleased to note her cry secured the White Knight’s attention.

          A grin spread across Raphael’s face, and he excused himself from his conversation with Sir Tony, breaking away from the parade line to cross the slip of field around the dirt path to unite with his beloved under the shade tree. She laughed as he encircled her with his strong arms, pulling her close to lay a kiss upon her honeyed lips.

          “Any particular reason why you shouted at me like a crow?” he asked as he disengaged from their loving exchange.

          “Crows scream when they’re happy,” Lola answered.

          “I would make a quip about you being happy last night, but I don’t want to be thrown into horny jail,” he chuckled.

          “There’s a horny jail? Oh, dear! Please arrest me, Officer, for I’ve been a bad, bad girl.”

          Raphael gave a sigh, bending down so his forehead touched with hers. “Woman, you are a distraction that will be the death of me,” he declared. “Keep an eye on her,” he said while straightening, sharing a specific look with the others, to which, they nodded in understanding. He pressed another kiss to Lola’s lips before departing back into the parade line, Sir Tony giving him a chummy shove on his shoulder upon return with a boisterous laugh that carried on the wind.

          Lola didn’t take insult to Raphael’s parting instructions, though she did roll her eyes when he basically drafted their friends to be her babysitter, as if she had the capability to get into that much trouble. More of the parade continued, the noble lords and ladies in their velvets, silks, and other finery traipsing behind the knights, and to her delight, watched as the Elven Lord and the pirate Captain participated in the celebrated march of royals and delegates. In past years, the fairy folk were considered “unwelcomed” by the King, and the pirates mainly kept to themselves by the water’s edge, tolerated, but rarely incorporated in the King’s festivities. It was good to see progress was being made towards inclusion of the Realm.

          Bringing up the rear of the parade, swaggering in a slow waltz along the pathway instead of a straight line, was another newer cast member, the Plague Doctor. His black robes kicked up dust around his feet as he swayed to the music of the violin he played, the long, hooked beak of his mask flashing sinisterly with every tilt of his head, the bulbous, white eyes a jarring contrast to the dark shadow he portrayed. Lola shivered as he passed, the haunting melody of his instrument caressing a spot in her ear that caused her to shake her head to try and dispel the weird, ethereal itch. She cursed him for being creepy…and intriguing. Lola took out a notebook from within her satchel, and jotted down notes of inspiration as the parade dwindled away, opening the road of the Makers’ Market to the people once more.

          “I love a parade,” Jack declared with a sigh, hands on his hips as the last of the minstrels and colors rounded a bend. “Are we ready to browse some wares?” he then addressed the group. Ready to start their adventure, the friends moseyed into the Market, eager to explore and discover the multitude of venders in unique craftsmanship. Their first stop was the tanner, where Lola picked up another leather journal, Lazare found a hip flask with what looked to be surrounded in dragon scales, and Jack spotted a handsome stein accentuated with brass studs. It had a weathered, seafaring appeal that he proclaimed to be his new vessel for his game night grog.

          They next found the lapidary, where Modesta ogled over the plethora of raw crystals, tumble stones, and the shinier, much more glittery pieces of loose marquise gems, ready for their settings and finishes.

          “Are you looking for anything in particular?” Lola asked, joining Modesta as she looked through the display casings of precious stones.

          “Not really,” Modesta replied with a shrug of her shoulder. “I might get a handful of tumble stones I don’t already have at the shop for some organites, but lately, I’ve been feeling the call to try my hand at jewelry making. Oh! Take a look at this,” she said, holding up what looked like a Petri dish the size of a silver dollar. “Morganite. That’s a pretty stone, and ooh! Look at this. Blue Spinel. That one is pretty, too. Ooh! Check out these rubies!”

          Lola was quickly forgotten by Modesta who lost herself to the stacks of gem stones, and with a smile, turned her focus to a bowl of miniature apophyllite pyramids. She purchased a handful of the shiny diamond-like points, the merchant placing them in a small leather pouch for protection, and once the transaction was complete, she stepped outside of the shop to join Jack and Lazare to wait for Modesta to finish shopping.

          “Let’s hit the Fairy Village once Modesta’s done,” Lola suggested. “There are a few specialty shops in that part of the faire that have the incense I’m looking for. Plus, the pirates are in that direction as well, so we can stay and listen to a song or two before making our way to the Bookbinders. Ouch!” She stumbled, reaching a hand out to brace herself against a tree.

          “What’s wrong?”

          “Are you okay?” both men asked at the same time.

          “Yeah, sorry,” Lola apologized with an embarrassed chuckle. “I forgot how much of a pain in the ass these shoes are. Now I remember why I don’t wear them, they’re absolutely killing my feet.”

          “That’s because your toe box is too tight,” Modesta said as she sauntered out of the lapidary to rejoin her friends.

          “My what?” Lola asked, mouth agape and eyes wide with mild horror.

          “Your toe box,” she repeated. “It’s the part of the shoe where your toes go.”

          “Okay, one, why do you know that’s what it’s called, and two, why does it have to sound so…creepy?” Lola’s question trailed off as her attention was distracted by the high-pitched lilting tune of violin music wafting on the breeze, and she turned her head in the direction of the Fairy Village where she observed the Plague Doctor from the parade waltzing into the borders marked with tents and campfires of the magical folk. Looking upon the gangly character, a bolt of lightning shot through her, clearing away hazy cobwebs that had gathered in clumps at the forefront of her mind, and her body tingled with the long overdue welcomed buzzing sensations known as inspiration.

          “Modesta, I could kiss you!” she shouted with excitement at her friend.

          “Please don’t,” Modesta objected as her brows furrowed, taking a step back in retreat.

          “I’m being metaphorical. You just gave me the spark I needed!” Lola started walking, abandoning her friends, her steps taking her down the path leading towards the Fairy Village, her notebook and pen plucked from her satchel already in hand, furiously scribbling her thoughts as fast as they manifested, her pages filling quickly with bullet points, webbings, and outlines.

          “Wait, I don’t understand. What did I say?”

          But Lola didn’t respond, as she was already halfway towards the Village, Jack and Lazare following after with a shrug of acceptance as they trailed behind. Jack took up Modesta’s hand, tugging her along, the three meandering in the background at a leisurely pace while Lola continued to stalk after whatever fancy had captured her attention.

          Lola couldn’t explain why she followed the siren song of the Plague Doctor, but his air of mystery was exactly the essence she wanted to replicate for her new villain in her rapidly forming mystery novel to be titled “The Toe Box”. Whatever enchantment was cast by the intricate and nimble fingered master behind the mask had her following him like a pied piper, and after much dodging and weaving between bushes and shrubs, she found herself lurking behind a thick pine tree, observing the dark figure waltzing sinisterly under the archway of the newly constructed attraction of the King’s Labyrinth. Lola hesitated, lowering her notebook and pen, pausing her notetaking. The music of the Doctor’s song continued to drift towards her, calling her forward despite dissipating the farther in the musician traveled. Against her better judgment, she stowed her writing implements back into her satchel and followed, entering the labyrinth.

          The walls towered above her, their textured façade manufactured to look like ancient, crumbling stones stacked on top of one another with moss and other damp vegetation emerging through the cracks of mortar. Even though the sky was open to her, the structure exceeded its purpose of making patrons feel trapped and lost. The Plague Doctor’s song had faded to a point where she could no longer detect the melody, and with a frown, figured he had solved the labyrinth, and was on the next part of his meandering journey.

          “Oh, well,” she said with a sigh. “At least I managed to get a few good ideas. Who knows? Maybe I’ll run into him again later. Now…to find my way out.” She turned in a circle, debating on which path to take, settling on the crossroad to her left. She continued her promenade to what she believed was deeper into the winding catacombs of the maze, holding onto hopeful feelings of nearing its center soon, when another turn took her onto a path blanketed in fog.

          “Ooh! Spooky,” she declared with a gleeful smile, enjoying the tendrils of thin smoke she kicked up from her movements. “Maybe this means I’m getting close to the end.”

          Onward she continued, enjoying the creepy ambiance, rounding a corner that opened up into a small clearing. She successfully reached the center of the labyrinth, noting that multiple paths of the maze channeled patrons to this exact spot no matter which direction they took. A clear exit path, marked by an archway mirroring the entrance, stood directly across from her as she entered the fog filled clearing. The small rotunda was designed to resemble a decaying cemetery, complete with scattered remains of tombstones and monumental statues, the crumbling remains weather-worn and forgotten, overtaken by time and nature.

          “Definitely spooky,” Lola confirmed for herself. The impressive artistry of set-design was worth notetaking, as well as a few sketches, and once again, she rummaged for her notebook. With her attention focused on the confines of her satchel, she was unaware of the tall, sizeable statue looming in front of her, and knocked into the sturdy structure, dropping her items to the ground just as she retrieved them.

          “Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry!” she apologized, kneeling down to pick up her things. She then laughed at herself, feeling silly for apologizing to an inanimate object, at least, she thought it was funny, until the statue started to move.

          Lola slowly rose from the ground, eyes wide at what she believed to be a tombstone monument draped in a hooded cloak of heavy fabric turn to face her. The obscuring shroud of the thick cowl blocked out any type of discernable facial features, leaving a void of shadows where the head should be. The dilapidated graveyard was eerie enough on its own merit, but as the figure moved, the air grew cold and clammy, causing Lola’s breathing to come in as chilled and shallowed draws, barely sufficient to fill her lungs. She took a step backwards, fear telling her to run while at the same time freezing her in place, the small hairs on her body standing on end, an instinctual indicator that whatever stood before her was, in fact, very dangerous.

          The monument remained fixed to its one spot, and Lola blinked, fear ebbing enough for her brain to process what stood so rigidly in front of her. Perhaps the stoic statue was an animatronic on a swivel base, and moved at random as a scare-tactic for people wandering the maze, so she reached out a cautious hand, attempting to understand how the prop operated, but it flinched back a step as her hand drew near, avoiding her touch. She let out a relieved, albeit nervous, chuckle as she dropped her arm.

          “Oh! You are alive,” she said, then mimed wiping sweat from her forehead. “Whew! For a moment, you really gave me quite a fright. Sorry again for bumping into you.”

          The figure gave a slow, deliberate bow as a way to display acknowledging and accepting her apology. Its movements gave Lola a chance to fully look over her new acquaintance, surmising the form to be of masculine build, with pale hands adorned with many large and bejeweled rings on each of his fingers poking out of his long, robed sleeves. Lola also noticed that the cloaked man held in his possession a black, leather bound book with tiny slips of shiny paper sticking out along the tops and edges of brittle, yellowed pages. Spying the book, her brows furrowed in confusion, for it set off alarm bells, triggering a string of memories to flood her thoughts, and as the figure turned to walk away, clarity broke through her mental labyrinth, and she blurted out her shocking recollection.

          “Lillian’s grimoire!”

          Numbing terror crawled up Lola’s windpipe, choking the breath out of her as the robed figure first halted in his tracks, and then began to gradually face her head on once more. His earlier demeanor of indifference shifted into menace, the air between them resting thick and heavy. Lola could have sworn she heard her name being called, yet it sounded distant, and underwater, but there was no time to dwell on the matter that may or may not be happening in the background, for Lola was too transfixed on the man who thumbed through the alleged grimoire, too horrified as he raised three glittery fingers into the air. He hooked them into a clawed position, swiping them down through the air to then make a random assortment of other gestures, drawing intricate, invisible symbols, and that was all the incentive she needed for her brain to command her to run.

          She turned on her heel, booking in a hard sprint towards the path whence she came, desperate to put whatever cruel entity this was far behind her, and upon leaving the clearing, ran full force into Modesta, the two toppling over one another, hitting the ground hard.

          “Ow! Hey! Watch it! Lola?” Modesta shook her head, clearing away the daze of being knocked over. She was unaware it was Lola who collided with her, and any trace of irritation evaporated as she saw her friend scramble to her feet in blind panic.  “Lola, what’s wrong?”

          “He has it!” Lola shouted, recognizing Modesta, and lunged at her, grabbing an arm and yanking her upright. “He has it!” she repeated.

          “Has what? What are you talking about?” Confused, Modesta got her legs under her, and followed Lola who practically dragged her to the place she had just been running from, suddenly finding herself in the center of the labyrinth with Lola pointing wildly at a crusty, mottled tarp hanging off the crumbled remains of a statue.

          “There! He has Lillian’s grimoire!”

          “Use more words, Lola, what are you saying?”

          “That man, in the cloak, has Lillian Northcott’s grimoire,” Lola again shouted, “and if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he tried to hex me!”

          Modesta marched over to the figure Lola indicated, and yanked down on the fabric, revealing nothing more than a simple statue the shroud had covered. “There’s no one here, Lola. Just a tarp and this random, lonely can of paint someone forgot to put away.” She nudged the paint can with her foot, sliding it in a better hiding spot between the base of the crumbled statue and grave marker so as not to spoil the immersion experience for others traipsing through.

          “But…there was someone here, and he had Lillian’s grimoire,” Lola tried to explain while looking around the cemetery for any sign of the man she encountered.

          “Lillian’s grimoire from the Manor House?” Modesta scoffed. “We’re the only people who know about that, unless you think ‘Newspaper Man’ has taken to wandering the Renaissance faire, too.”

          “Newspaper Man wouldn’t try to hex me,” Lola stoutly retorted, shooting Modesta a stern look.

          “Hex you? Lo, no one wants to hex you. Whomever you saw is gone now, and if he was that theatrical, maybe what actually happened was you met a new cast member. Didn’t Raph say the Faire was incorporating more actors whose job it is to roam the grounds?”

          “Maybe,” Lola relented, the events of the last few moments becoming muddied as uncertainty crept into her mind as to what she experienced. “But, if he is an actor, then he needs to reel it in. He was almost too menacing. Maybe…if we try tracking him down….”

          “Oh, no,” Modesta cut in, stopping any notions of mischief she knew Lola was on the path of creating. “See, this is why you can’t be left alone,” she said with a smile. “You cause too much trouble.” She then hooked her arm with one of Lola’s, leading them both out of the labyrinth. “But, if you’re really that concerned, maybe the Elven Lord can give you a charm or amulet to help ward off any potential hexes.”

          The idea of visiting with the Elven Lord perked up Lola’s spirits, and her steps became buoyant, a smile returning to her face. If anyone had the power to dispel or thwart away the essence of evil energy, it had to be the mystical lord dappled in silks of silver and plum.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello, hello, hello, friends!

Surprise! I survived the holidays, and can FINALLY get back on a consistent schedule! Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I've got plenty more along the way! You all have been so kind and amazing while waiting for me to get my butt in gear, so thank you for ever and always!

Enjoy, and I'll see you again soon!

~Melissa

[datastate]

send asks if we desire you say... hehehe

I ask if you've had a good day :> and also if you have any fun facts about the asunaro agents in mcfdau

SMILES SO WIDE... i did have a nice day, yes!!! got the chance to hang out & talk a bit with my lola + siblings so we're thriving ^_^ <3

as for mcfdau... i do!!! for reference, here are the asu-agents & their names! these will mostly be spoiler-free trivia bwehehe... excluding kai/michiru/hiyori here, because i don't want this to be too overwhelming x']

MINAMI:

— minami was an orphan who was very close with suzuki (kazumi's grandfather) throughout their teenage years together; they considered each other best friends, and though they drifted apart for a bit... after minami sustained an injury in the coast guard (post-war), still restless, he stayed with suzuki in hokkaido and inevitably got wrapped up in the yakuza conflicts that broke out leading up to the hades incident as the police force laid down pressure. & he still blames himself for, even after returning, not being close enough to recognize that suzuki's desire for power was. insatiable. and even then, he's laden with guilt over not being the one to finally stop him. — ...that aside! minami will often eat plain rice with teriyaki chicken. he does not dip his rice in teriyaki, nor does he put any other seasoning on it. like a weirdo. — despite his looks, he tends to prefer really slow instrumentals to anything else. when winding down (since he never enjoyed smoking & finds the company of other people stressful, there are too many social games...), he prefers drinking alone in his office with this sort of music playing. it keeps him from feeling overwhelmed. he still has muscle memory for some of sei's favorite songs on the kalimba...

OGASAWARA:

— ahhh i love her... she is the one in charge of dealing with most foreign affairs/trading in asunaro, as well as the gambling halls. she's very much someone who believes in carving your own path forward, even if it must be through underhanded means to gain the advantage. whereas myojin often finds a certain thrill in the roll of the dice (as it's the one thing he can't predict, unlike cards), ogasawara doesn't care much for gambling at all. everything can be rigged in her favor, and she'll do what she can to ensure as much; it's subtler than others, but she also craves large influence and aspires to be the next chairman. of course... due to her not being japanese, she is reluctant to relent anything with how easily that show of weakness or fateful misfortune can turn everything against her. for as casual as she appears, she's achingly aware of her position and takes the precautions she must to keep her balance in this mess of a world. — despite that all... she does let a few people close enough. usually, they are her subordinates - her captains - who were previously in charge of various foreign mafia in japan before [everything that led to the hades incident]; it was during this time that they had brought themselves together to survive, and that had formed something unshakeable. however, even with them, they aren't witness to her weaknesses -- even if they recognize it, she never speaks on it, and neither do they. — in any case! something lighter: she often enjoys having fruity desserts & treats, even if she can't eat as much of that now that she's older... however, she also enjoys coffee over tea! now that asunaro's been established, there's a bit more room for selfish frivolities like this and it keeps her carefree <3 (well... as long as she doesn't get the time to do that introspection) — also! i think if it weren't for her arthritis, she'd still be killing it with all sorts of instruments. one of the few gifts minami bought for her was a high-quality kutyapi. he may vehemently disregard her inclusion in hand with asunaro, but at least he tries when yakuza politics are aside? (it's complicated. to say the least. but it IS good quality)

CHEN:

— technically a subsidary family that grew into its own with ogasawara's support! chen was found recently after serving her sentence when her family (literal and yakuza) was caught up by the police; she was stuck in juvenile jail and had no place to go afterward, ending up in several terrible places before ogasawara really gave her & what was left of her (yakuza) family a place to belong... she really did save her. this certainly didn't facilitate any untold realizations about her sexuality or anything down the line that she outright refuses to linger any further on when it comes to just how unquestionably devoted she is to ogasawara. surely not. — but yes! this was genuinely an improvement when they weren't forced to support only themselves; of course, they still had to prove themselves to asunaro, but ogasawara kept that opening ready for her... and. even chen's subordinates began to realize how chen was slowly opening up. no longer in this survival mode, she was given the chance to truly be... human, not just their leader. of course, this isn't something spoken aloud either, but there's no denying she's more patient now. more understanding, where before something would've resulted in someone's execution, they're instead given expulsion or simply deal with another punishment (often isolation) instead. though she still fosters a ruthless mindset, she's certainly changed for the better. it's brought them new hope. — of course, for those first 20 or so years, she's so late on catching up with " how to interact with people " & it definitely shows. usually it creates little awkward moments between her and ogasawara, but she's said that it just makes chen cuter (O_O!); and even with her subordinates, there are some moments when they're meeting not solely with work in mind that she sort of lets her guard down & reveals just. how weird she is... and even though they're tentative to bring it up, it's only ever lightly humorous (well. their harsher words don't make it seem like it is, but that's just how they are! she does the same, with those serious-sounding threats <3) and it makes her feel. a bit more welcome and connected w her people.

MYOJIN:

— the myojin family is in (subtle) contest with the hiyoris! they're an allied branch of asunaro that's involved in information dealing, but it's due to the tension between these strongest families that they do not rule asunaro entirely (along with the yoshimoto family (with patriarch minami) & patriarch ogasawara having the force to keep them in check) ... sou hiyori is very irate that myojin can play the seniority card on him for this reason, and takes primary control of the branch now that patriarch hiyori is comatose :> — was a politician for the majority of his life and it shows, i fear... has that very polite/firm speaking pattern down and dislikes referring to himself in conversation much at all. he wants to focus on what you can do for him -- though he won't say as much! ^_^ — now that he doesn't have to exclusively wear suits, he dresses like a gay old asian man. because, much as i loathe to say it, he is a gay old asian man.

[luegootravez]

in 'Monella' (1998)

Anna Ammirati

[goldenageframes]

Monella (1998)

AKA Frivolous Lola

Directed by: Tinto Brass Starring: Anna Ammirati, Susanna Martinková, Francesca Nunzi

Language: Italian original Subtitles: English (optional not embedded) 3,89GB - 104’12’’ - 1920x1080 - MKV Italy - Bluray

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[luegootravez]

Anna Ammirati in 'Monella' (1998)

[mymbios]

Carson March is a 26-year-old burlesque dancer who grew up as the rebellious daughter of a small-town pastor, Reverend Nathaniel March (58) and Grace March (55), in a deeply conservative household. She has one older brother, Luke March (30), who followed in their father's footsteps and became a youth pastor in their hometown of Marietta, Georgia. Carson’s upbringing was strict and full of religious teachings, with little room for the creative or artistic endeavors she was naturally drawn to. Her family's expectations for her to lead a righteous life clashed with her dreams of escaping into a world of acting and performance.

Growing up, Carson was the type of girl who would sneak out to watch classic Hollywood films at a friend's house, mesmerized by the glitz, glamour, and raw talent on screen. Her parents, particularly her father, viewed acting as a frivolous and even sinful pursuit, and they discouraged any interest she had in the arts. Instead, they encouraged her to focus on church activities and religious studies. While Carson was a dutiful daughter on the surface, always attending church services and playing the role of the perfect pastor's daughter, she secretly longed for a life of expression, freedom, and creativity.

Her rebellious streak surfaced in high school, where she would find small ways to defy her family's strict rules. She would wear makeup to school and wipe it off before going home, or sneak out with friends to attend concerts and small theater productions in nearby towns. Her brother, Luke, was always the golden child—responsible, devout, and respected within their community—so Carson often felt the need to carve out her own identity, even if it meant being the "black sheep."

When she turned 18, Carson left Marietta for Atlanta, a decision that caused a major rift in her family. Her father was disappointed, her mother heartbroken, and her brother tried to convince her to reconsider. But for Carson, it was a necessary escape. She saw Atlanta as a place where she could finally explore her passion for acting without the judgment of her family.

Carson is a bold, free-spirited individual who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. There’s a vulnerability in her as well—she longs for acceptance, but struggles to balance the version of herself she wants to be with the expectations her family placed on her. She is highly creative and expressive, channeling her emotions through performance. She is the type of person who lives for the thrill of being on stage, whether it’s in a small, dimly lit burlesque club or a local theater. She loves the artistry of burlesque, appreciating the way it allows her to express sensuality and femininity in a way she never could before.

Worried about the competitive nature of Hollywood and the threat of constant rejected auditions, Carson stumbled into the world of burlesque. At first, it was simply a way to make ends meet and be on stage, but she quickly fell in love with the art form. Burlesque gave her a space to perform without judgment and to fully embrace the parts of herself she had long been forced to hide. She performs under the stage name Lola Divine, creating a burlesque persona that is confident, alluring, and unapologetic—everything she wishes she could be offstage.

Carson is deeply passionate about the arts. Outside of burlesque, she spends her free time immersing herself in film and theater. She loves old Hollywood films and is inspired by actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, and Vivien Leigh. She’s an avid reader of classic literature, often re-reading works by Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller for inspiration. She also has a love for music, especially jazz and blues, which influences her burlesque performances.

Now, at 26, Carson finds herself at a crossroads. She’s built a solid career in burlesque and has become a beloved figure in the scene, but she can’t shake the feeling that she’s running from her true calling. Acting still calls to her, but the fear of failure—and of proving her family right—keeps her from diving in fully. She’s learning to embrace the complexity of her life, juggling her past, her family’s expectations, and her own dreams for the future. Carson is determined to eventually make it in Hollywood, but for now, burlesque remains her stage.

[kmp78]

“Doesn’t matter. They're still not over. 😏”. Jared almost always ends his short term “relationships” on a friendly note. That’s why they often pop up briefly years later for an interlude or two. It is very doubtful that he is interested in a relationship of any consequence with Thinnie (and maybe never really was but in her head?) and I doubt he ended things forever in a bad way but clarified the current ground rules which don’t include any serious emotional investment but more of an “I call and you come” (then I cum) playbook scenario and she VERY likely agreed to the bone he threw her. (no pun intended. 🤣) I believe it is rare that he ends these frivolous liaisons in a mean or angry way but they gradually wind down organically until they peter out. Unless of course she did something so incredibly stupid like breaking the rules to call a Myanmar media event and breaking your NDA…

It's true that AK, NR, Lola and even KD all remained on his leash and still do cos they all pop up even after several years... 😏

In fact...

Seems to me like the only ones who he wants nothing to do with and who don't want anything to do with him anymore are CD and... uhm... what's her name again... 🤔

You know... that chick he wrote a couple of songs about... 🤔

I'm drawing a blank here but maybe you guys remember better. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[andersonvision]

Get ready to join the Joie de Vivre club with the delightful release of "Frivolous Lola," a film by Tinto Brass that has captured hearts with its vibrant and playful narrative. Cult Epics proudly presents the world premiere of "Frivolous Lola" in 4K UHD and its North American premiere on Blu-ray. This edition features the Uncut & Uncensored Director’s Cut, available for the first time with both new and vintage bonus features, set to enchant fans and newcomers alike on March 26, 2024. Tinto Brass' Frivolous Lola HD Trailer from Cult Epics on Vimeo. Learn more about "Frivolous Lola" Set against the backdrop of Italy and produced in 1998, "Frivolous Lola" is known as Tinto Brass’ most endearing film. It tells the story of the irresistibly charming Lola, who embarks on a cheeky mission to spice up her relationship with her fiancé. With a runtime of approximately 105 minutes, the film is available in both English and Italian, with optional English subtitles, ensuring a broad audience can enjoy Lola’s mischievous adventures. The "Frivolous Lola" 4K UHD+Blu-ray and Blu-ray editions are priced at $49.95 and $34.95, respectively. Both versions boast a new 4K transfer and restoration from the original negative, offering unparalleled picture quality. The audio experience is equally immersive, with DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo options available. These releases are region-free, making them accessible to an international audience. Special Features Galore This special edition is brimming with extras that delve deeper into the film's creation and legacy: New 4K Transfer & Restoration with HDR on the 4K UHD Blu-ray. DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround/2.0 Stereo in both English & Italian. An insightful new audio commentary by Eugenio Ercolani & Nathaniel Thompson. Theatrical Trailers to relive the anticipation of the film's original release. An exclusive interview with director Tinto Brass from 2004, offering personal insights into the film's production. A comprehensive photo gallery and a 20-page illustrated booklet featuring essays by Eugenio Ercolani and Domenico Monetti, providing context and deeper understanding of "Frivolous Lola." Adding to the appeal of this release is the collectible packaging, which includes a reversible sleeve featuring the original Italian uncensored poster art, a protective slipcase, and for the first pressing of the 4K UHD edition only, four reproduction Italian lobby card prints, making it a must-have for collectors.

[yessferatu]

MONELLA (1998), dir. Tinto Brass

[luegootravez]

Anna Ammirati in 'Monella' (1998)

[painiac]

[swnlcke]

she'd never had a sister , had never even dreamt of it before , more than content to be the sole focus of her mother's attention no matter how twisted it was . but lola imagines it would feel something like this— staying up late and having conversations equal parts heartfelt and frivolous , getting tipsy and consulting the stars the way she'd always known girls to do . she shifts awkwardly at anisa's confession , hands suddenly busing themselves with her forgotten shaker , pouring the cocktail carefully into the glass so she wouldn't have to look at her friend . it had been ingrained in her for as long as she could remember , this aversion to sincerity . after all , someone who used to beg for scraps of comfort from the woman who raised her , like a dog at the foot of its master , was not someone equipped to so freely give it out . " you've probably got double the passion for what you do than half this cast does . you're fine . " the words are delivered in her usual style , devoid of any overly cushioned warmth but direct and to the point , all before lola looks up again from over the rim of her cocktail . the pivot in conversation is predictable , and she can't help but roll her eyes , vodka burning her throat in an amused snort . still , lola scoots closer as anisa lays down , a clear sign she'd entertain the topic . she weighs the question in her head , mind flashing an unfortunate amount of her castmates' faces , all for reasons as unique as they were complicated . " like you said , everyone's hot . " it was a non-answer , something that had become a bit of a specialty for the blonde . " —hooked up during the show or before coming here ? because i know i'm not the only one with an ex gracing the berry's halls . " at that she takes a larger sip , the unpleasant mixture of watered down espresso and alcohol doing its part to stop her mind from dwelling on a certain screenplay writer . " but what about you ? i'm surprised you don't have at least three boyfriend contenders by now , " she teases , more than willing to let anisa take the hot seat .

gullible     and     delusional     ,     traits     the     brunette     attained     and     portrayed     almost     flawlessly     .     she     was     locked     in     on     the     work     lola     was     demonstrating     ,     listening     carefully     (     more     than     she     ever     did     in     a     math     class     )     with     her     parents'     lecturing     her     in     the     back     of     her     mind     to     do     otherwise     ;     they     didn't     believe     tarot     card     readings     —     or     in     their     words     ,     witchcraft     —     did     anyone     any     good     .     while     ninety     percent     of     the     time     ,     anisa     perceived     them     as     true     ,     mostly     because     her     friend     usually     told     her     what     she     wanted     or     merely     needed     to     hear     .     ❝     well     ,     good     !     i'm     glad     the     cards     confirmed     that     i     was     meant     to     be     here     .     sometimes     ,     i     feel     like     i     don't     fit     in     with     any     of     you     .     ❞     she     reveals     truthfully     ,     her     occupation     compared     to     everyone     else's     seeming     unimportant     .     unsure     if     she     just     needed     to     prove     that     she     was     just     as     hardworking     ,     or     if     others     would     never     be     able     to     see     precisely     that     .     she     downs     the     rest     of     her     vodka     lemonade     before     setting     it     aside     on     the     stand     ,     shifting     from     her     current     position     to     lay     on     her     stomach     instead     .     ❝     hmm     ,     let's     put     the     cards     aside     for     a     sec     and     talk     about     more     important     things     —     like     boys     ,     and     girls     .     ❞     a     smile     gracing     her     features     with     eyebrows     perking     upwards     in     amusement     .     ❝     do     you     have     your     eye     on     anyone     ?     i     gotta     say     ,     this     cast     is     pretty     freakin'     hot     .     i'm     curious     if     anyone     has     hooked     up     yet     .     ❞

[filmflits]

Nieuwe Film Merchandise op https://filmflits.nl/frivolous-lola/

Frivolous Lola

EAN: 8712806040198

INFO: DVD | Italiaans

PRIJS: €7,99

Frivolous Lola Gegevens

Label: Three Lines Pictures B.V.

Frivolous Lola Specificaties

Drager: DVD

Aantal stuks in verpakking: 1 disc

Speelduur: 97:00 minuten

Regiocode: 2

Taal: Italiaans

Ondertiteling: Nederlands

Frivolous Lola Kijkwijzer

Advies: Grof taalgebruik, Seks

Adviesleeftijd: Vanaf 16 jaar

Frivolous Lola Cijfers en feiten

Productiejaar: 1998

Frivolous Lola Overige kenmerken

Appearance Name: Physical

Film of serie: Film

Porno: Nee

Soort verpakking: Amaray