#I love when he roasts Sung for no reason

[cheese-ducks]

Meouch's Twitter is a gold mine

[staykidss]

A stray kids guide for beginners!

A hopefully helpful guide to anyone trying to get into stray kids!

NOTE: (if some info is inaccurate or has changed let me know!! If there’s an issue leave a comment and I’ll update!! This is just from research I have done)

Member # as of posting: 8 (group use to have 9 members when it first was created but due to personal reasons one member left leaving 8, the 9th member was Kim Woojin.)

Fandom name: STAY

group name: Stray Kids

Abbreviation: Skz

Group mottos: “Stray kids everywhere all around the world” & “you make stray kids stay”

Who’s Jyp?:

JYP entertainment is Stray kids record label / producer (like the company their group is represented by) (the guy himself is often made fun of by the members 💀 due to his rather unique takes on the choreography and vocals…)

When did stray kids form?

Debuted as a group of originally 9 on March 25th 2018. They formed in 2017 initially from a reality Tv show called JYP entertainment. In that show Felix and Lee know were originally eliminated from the group, Felix due to his Korean not being the best and Lee know because JYP labelled his raps weak so to speak. However after their initial elimination they worked hard and enhanced their skills leading to them later in redemption episode they were eventually brought back into the group.

Members:

Felix (Felix Yongbok Lee): known to be the sunshine with deep voice, 24 yrs old, 1/2 Australians in the group, crys on stage a lot, birthday is September 15th, sub rapper & dancer.

Bang chan (eng name: Chris): leader, single father of 7/j (his “kids” are his group members it’s a fandom joke), 26 yrs old, oldest, 2/2 Australian in the group, Known to be very kind hearted+protective of stay, very strong work ethic, birthday is October 3rd, like the groups leader + producer.

Seungmin (Kim Seung-min, English name is Sky):

Dubbed the “Puppy” of the group, our favourite comedian, 24 yrs old, ceo of roasting his members, pretty chill, Birthday is September 22nd, main vocalist.

Hyunjin (Hwang Hyunjin, eng name is Sam): the artist of the group, ceo of side eyes, sassy+drama queen (we love), age 24, Birthday is March 20th, Lead dancer & visual.

Lee Know (Lee Min-ho, English name is Rhino): cat dad, almost like the mother of the group/j, can be quiet + struggle to express emotions, doesn’t like conflict, age 25, birthday is October 25th, main dancer.

Han (Han Ji-sung, English name is Peter): constantly munching /j, very playful+charismatic, age 24, birthday is on September 14th, main vocalist & lead rapper.

I.N (Yang Jeong-in, English name is Bob): youngest of the group, sweet but can switch up so fast, age 23, birthday is on February 8th, vocalist & maknae.

Changbin (Seo Chang-bin, English name is Lewis): Is so sensitive bc he’s just so hungry/ref, tries to act cute and makes very horrible jokes+puns sometimes (we still love him tho), Age 25, Birthday is on August 11th, Main rapper.

Official accounts (admin posting doesn’t use tiktok so I’ll only be sharing the socials I know of)! //

Stray kids official accounts on insta:

@realstraykids

@straykids_official_jp

Felix’s Insta: @yong.lixx

Lee know’s Insta: @t.leeknowsaurus

Han’s insta: @_doolsetnet

Seungmin’s insta: @miniverse.___

I.N’s Insta: @i.2.n.8

Hyunjin’s insta: @hynjinnnn

Bang chan’s insta: @gnabnahc

Changbin’s insta: @jutwae

Mascots: stray kids have these mascots for each member called “Skzoos”! Every member has one!

- Bang Chan is Wolf Chan

- Lee know is Leebit

- Changbin is dwaekki

- Hyunjin is jiniret

- Han is Han Quokka

- Felix is Bbokari

- Seungmin is puppyM

- I.N is Foxl.Ny.

Where to watch their live streams:

Often in more recent times you can catch them live on the stray kids Official YouTube, their personal Instagram accounts, and sometimes on platforms like TikTok ?¿? (Don’t use tiktok so unsure abt last one)

There isn’t really a set streaming schedule!

* They also are regularly active on the platform “Bubble” !! (This is a subscription based platform! If anyone wants more info on such just say!)

Where do people often watch their content outside idol stuff:

Often times you’ll see compilations of the skz members interacting with each other most of the clips are from their series on YouTube called “Stray Kids Code”! It is free to watch and has an English sub.

You can also look up various stray kid interviews by just typing “stray kids interview” into YouTube!

Where can you get Photo cards? (More reliably)

- Amazon (generally sold in packs)

- Etsy (can purchase individual or packs)

- Albums (normally they come with a few)

(Other merch can also be found on these platforms some official and some not!)

If your also looking for official merch and your uncertain of various sellers online than you can also get it directly off the JYPshop website ! (if it’s a popular item like a skzoo plush it’ll sell out super fast! As of time of posting there’s quite a few items sold out on there)

Note: if you’re looking for super cheap unofficial photocards I highly recommend the user JustBTSArt on Etsy! (Not sponsored just someone who’s bought a lot from them!)

Wanting to get into their music? Here’s some of their most popular songs that could be a good gateway into more of their music!

- Chk Chk Boom

- JJAM

- I Like it

- LALALALA

- MANIAC

- MOUNTAINS

- Gods Menu

- S-Class

- Case 143

- Charmer

- Thunderous

- Red Lights

- ETC.

Where to listen?

Stray kids music is on pretty much every streaming platform,YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.

Who is 3Racha?

Like stray kids in house producing team! Made up of Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. They make some of their own music and also compose a lot of the music for stray kids.

That’s all for now <3! Hoped this helped!! If you have any comments, questions, concerns, feel free to leave a comment or dm !!

[fencecollapsed]

☕️ + songs in the guy who didnt like musicals

okay we're doing an opinion for each song let's go!

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals - I like this song it's a good warmup to the show, but sometimes I do wonder how the story would feel if the show opened cold in the office and there were no songs until the meteor hits. not as anything against the song, just out of curiosity. also this song is the first appearance of the Nightmare Time motif and I think that is an underappreciated detail

La Dee Dah Dah Day - this is maybe the song I enjoy listening to out of context the most! it's just groovy and fun and I like to walk down the street to it. it's a vibe

What Do You Want, Paul? - eternally underrated and very fun this song will always deserve more love imo. have you ever sung along to it and just let yourself ham it up with no shame? healing, actually. delightful song

Cup of Roasted/Poisoned Coffee - funny and silly and the harmony in Roasted is very nice! I've always really liked the tone shift between the two songs it works really well

Show Me Your Hands - this song still runs through my head whenever I see a cop car. it's so catchy I think it is the earwormiest song in the show

You Tied Up My Heart - overhated in my humble opinion. also very fun to ham it up to

Join Us (And Die) - Jaime Lyn Beatty could personally murder me and I'd be cool with it as long as she sang this song first. go right ahead ma'am

Not Your Seed - the constantly switching tempo puts me off this song a little bit to be honest. I like it for what it is but I think it could haaaave sounded better woops-

Show Stoppin Number - I have never cared for this song lmao I NEVER understood the hype. it's fine. it's FINE djakfn the first half of the song is the better part and I never really liked. the Workin Boys bit. I never got it it's never been all that funny to me

America is Great Again - I have nothing against Jeff Blim's falsetto. however. I like his lower register and I think he should use it more. like here. it sounds nice

Let Him Come - me when I'm on my way. I like the little hip swivel dance they do

Let It Out - this song rewired my brain the first time I heard it and the main reason I'd be down for a TGWDLM revival is so Mr Jon Matteson can have a chance to perform this song again now that he has more vocal experience. he deserves to. and I deserve to hear it!

Inevitable - I also deserve to hear THIS song by a more experienced Jon. my favorite Hatchetfield song still I have a very strong attachment to Inevitable I will never let it go I love it so dearly. excellent finale number and also hot who said that-

[itsmattchou]

all day, i'm thinking about you !

starring: zb1 & some zumblrcord members warnings: jiwoong gets ageshamed (misa core), mentions of eating children, turkish alpha wolf, hanbin is a 'hater', taerae is delulu, cutie yujin, english isn't my first language!!! genre: uhm i have legit no idea. misc? synopsis: in a parallel universe where zb1 are the fans of zumblr… how do they act as fanboys? notes: zumblrcord people love this idea. are you a zb1 too? shoutout to moni @taerrrrrae for the elif evil editing idea! mentioned: elif @jinkiseason ; venom @zerobaseonefics ; irene @itaerae ; tea @teaxeee ; eris @keita-luv ; misa @terazono-keita

ZUMBLR (점브러) is a 9-member project group formed by MNET‘s survival show DELULU PLANET 999. They made their debut on July 4, 2023 with the mini album 'OLD AGE IN THE LIGHT' and the song 'Out Wilted'.

Fandom Name: ZB1 (ZeroBaseOne) Official Merch: a Zumblr mug🤓

kim jiwoong he's not as open about being a zb1 as the other boys. it's more like his secret identity. kim jiwoong at day, zb1 at night, he's basically like batman. he writes a lot of fanfictions but nobody knows about it, he uses a different name on the internet. he's part of the zb1 discord and gets roasted for his age regularly. he likes buying the zumblr albums and loves listening to their music, especially when he's jogging or cleaning his apartment. he's waiting for the day that one of members acts in a kdrama. his bias is elif.

zhang hao he's always uploading covers of zumblr songs. if singing covers, dance covers or violin covers doesn't matter. he uploads them and is fairly popular in the fandom. listens to every song the second a new album drops and is also big on streaming. he's also really into 'drama' surrounding zumblr. he still laughs about the way mnet tried evil editing "RAWRR turkish alpha wolf" elif into making it seem like she eats kids because they didn't want a furry in the line up. elif still made it as P04. hao can't decide for a bias.

sung hanbin he's the most well known zb1. he went viral for 'hating' on zumblr member venom (everybody knows he's utterly in love with her). he also writes fanfictions but he's more open about it. probably cries every night thinking about zumblrs future disbandment. he works in a coffeeshop and makes sure to regularly play zumblr songs in order to promote them further. he has like hundreds of fellow zb1 friends and moots online. he claims that he biases somebody else, but everybody knows that his bias is venom.

seok matthew he's the sweetest fan for real. he streams and votes a lot, he would feel guilty if not. he likes buying the albums and always makes sure to preorder them so he could receive extra benefits. he always has a photocard in his phone case and changes it regularly. he cried while watching the dp999 finale, even though his pick made it. he likes to upload funny videos about zumblr onto youtube (zumblr out of context eg) and has a big following too. his zumblr lightstick is his most beloved possession. his bias is chou, obviously.

kim taerae he's literally the most delulu out of all of them. he might not seem like it, but he definitely is. while hanbin and jiwoong are the ones writing the fanfictions, he's the one who's constantly reading them. he loves covering zumblr songs and uploading his singing onto youtube and tiktok. taerae rewatches delulu planet 999 often and is constantly sad about all the eliminated trainees. he really likes to trade his photocards for no specific reason. he's incredibly bad at voting and streaming though. he is an ot9.

shen ricky he's the kinda stan that owns EVERYTHING. he rich fr. albums? owns every single version of every album. seasons greeting? he has it. merch? best believe he buys every piece possible. concert tickets? he's spoiling himself with vip tickets. he has won multiple phone calls too and every other broke stan is incredibly jealous of him. he's talked to every member so far and literally went viral on multiple platforms for his obsession with zumblr because he posted about it. his bias is irene, as she's just as rich as him.

kim gyuvin he only speaks in zumblr references and has annoyed friends into becoming zb1s too. he runs a meme page / very popular fan page for zumblr. every other zb1 knows him. zumblr has even mentioned him in lives before. he buys every album (but only one version. he's kinda broke.) and decorates his room with some fan articles. he likes learning the dances. he goes to karaoke bars regularly and always puts zumblr songs on, his favorite being 'never', the solo song from chou. gyuvin changes his bias like every single day.

park gunwook he's the friend gyuvin annoyed into becoming a zb1. he started watching delulu planet 999 when it was already too late and almost ending and he really regretted not tuning in earlier. he's a big zb1 now even though his #1 pick (tea) didn't make it. but he's still a bit more chill compared to some other members. he doesn't buy albums because he wants to save up to go to one of their concerts instead. he streams zumblrs music kind of unintentionally as it's always playing on loop while he's his doing homework. he doesn't bias anyone in the group. (missing tea hours)

han yujin he watches all youtube videos about them while he's doing his homework. he once scribbled the zumblr logo on a test sheet and got an extra point because the teacher is also a zb1 (biased). he cries often because the maknae- eris- is younger than him. he likes to do dancing covers and uploads them on tiktok. he always saves up money in order to buy some albums or merch. he reads zumblr fluff whenever he's sad. has won a phone call once and made the member 'fall in love' with him as he's just too cute. his bias is eris.

bonus:

terazono keita really doesn't give a fuck about zumblr. he only cares about misa who sadly didn't make the cut and only placed P12 in the dp999 finals.

lee seunghwan is unemployed. he spends his free time listening to zumblr music.

[pink-eye-liner]

We Had All Summer

Pairings: Jason x Reyna , Jason x Piper

Tags: Mutual Pining

Warnings: Hurt/little comfort

Summary: Jason hated the situation he ended up in. Being so far from the girl he grew in love with after spending so many summers together. It was his fault though, he had been too much of a coward to be by her side through a tough time and instead chose to entertain a girl he thought could take his mind off her. He chose Piper, but he wanted Reyna. . .

𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙏𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚

It was a regular day at Camp Half-Blood, everyone was enjoying their Camp activities and trying to let go of the stress they've acquired from the school year.

Jason on the other hand was trying his best to not crumble away from the guilt that was eating away at him.

He wasn't even where he knew he was supposed to be. Camp Half-Blood wasn't the Camp Jason went to every summer, that Camp was Camp Jupiter.

Yet he wasn't there.

Why?

Because he was too much of a coward to argue against his father, that's why.

He didn't wanna be here, He had no purpose here, yet here he was on an open field completely unfamiliar to him. Bow and arrow in hand because archery was one of the activities at Camp Half-Blood.

"Your form is horrible"

He looked up to see the girl who said that. Brown skin with matching short choppy brown hair with thin braided strands on the sides of her face, and eyes that seemed to change color under the sun. Piper was beautiful, no one would doubt that. He was lucky to have her, but he didn't want to be lucky.

"Really?" Jason said "I don't think it's that bad"

Piper walked closer to Jason and stood behind him "Your back isn't straight and your shoulders are tense" Piper said, she pressed her palm against his back making him fix his posture, before putting them on his shoulders which made him even more tense "Relax, I don't bite" She teased.

Jason could feel her hands through his shirt, they were soft and quite small, though that was expected since Jason was half a foot taller then Piper.

"Somehow I don't believe that" Piper didn't reply and instead just let out a giggle.

Jason looked at her and smiled, he tried to relax his shoulders and put all his focus on the target in front of him. He didn't know why he was taking this so seriously, archery wasn't a popular activity on Camp Jupiter, so he never really got around to practicing it. His favorite activity to do at Camp Jupiter was sword training, the camp had a spacious arena with real swords made out of wood.

He and Reyna would spend all their free time battling it out while spitting out trash talk to each other, it didn't help that both of them were extremely competitive.

Jason was stronger then Reyna, but she had always been faster, and more agile so their duels were nothing short of exciting. Just thinking about them makes him smile.

Reyna would get this determined look on her face whenever he would ask her to spar, followed by a quick witty remark. She would tie her long black hair into a low pony tail before each of their battles- that's how you know she was getting serious- then let it down when they finished. Just thinking about 𝘩𝘦𝘳 makes him smile

"Are you not gonna shoot?" Piper's voice snaps him out of his daydream, he unintentionally lets go of the arrow and completely misses the target. Jason sighed at his failure meanwhile Piper tried to surpass a laugh "Don't worry, you'll get better" She said "We have all summer together after all"

Yeah... All summer...

𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 had been an unforgettable one, unfortunately not for good reason.

Everything started out normal. Everyone was happy, games were played, Camp fire songs were sung, and marshmallows were roasted.

It wasn't until the end of the summer where things got bad for Camp Jupiter

𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧

Jason had just finished arts and crafts and went off to find Reyna.

He spoted her looking after the younger Campers near the lake wearing a swim vest on top of a purple Camp Jupiter T-shirt with some black shorts. He went over to her and struck up a conversation.

"Has anyone drowned yet?" He asked sarcastically.

"No" Reyna said as she crossed her arms above her chest "But you will if you start getting annoying" It was safe to say that Reyna was not impressed by his joke, but Jason laughed at her response anyway.

"Calm down" He said "I was just trying to lighten your mood. You always seem so tense when you're looking after younger campers"

"Of course, since we've been going to this camp for 8 years, that makes us senior Campers, and it is our job to make sure that the younger ones are safe and have fun" Reyna explained, the way she said it in such a graceful and pristine manner would have made people think that she had political training.

"Is that what you really think or do you just feel responsible because your parents own this place" Jason asked, Reyna elbowed his ribcage earning an "OW!" From Jason.

"Don't mistake responsibility for culpability, Jason Grace" Reyna said

"Whatever you say, your majesty" Jason joked but Reyna only rolled her eyes

"You're one to talk" Reyna said

Jason looked at Reyna with curious confusion "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You've never once stepped a toe out of line, you learn the rules and follow them to a T, you never make assumptions and always try to listen to more then one side of a story" Reyna explained "I mean, I like that about you, but damn you are uptight"

"That's because my father would make me do very fun things whenever I do something he doesn't approve of. You seem to like the kind of power struggle we have going on around at Camp" Jason playfully taunted as he poked a finger at her shoulder

"I do not! Plus I'm not listening to a Nepo Baby" Reyna said while swatting his hand away.

"Hey!" Jason yelled, Reyna laughed at his offended look which made Jason roll his eyes but also feel warm on the inside because he loves to hear her laugh "You know- you just hurt one of your campers feelings" Jason said, referring to himself "That's not very responsible if you, Reyna"

Reyna's laughter started to fade so she just looked at him with a smile.

The pair had a moment of silence for a couple of seconds, taking in the scenery around them and blushing when their hands accidentally brushed against each others.

"Ehm... Speaking of responsibilities" Reyna said "A few new campers wanted to try the rock climbing wall but needed a senior camper to supervise, so I told our Camp director that you'd do it"

"Alright" Jason's said "when?"

"In about 20 minutes, so you better go now"

"Seriously? Now?" Jason said in an overly dramatic way with a frown on his face "We just started hanging out and you wanna get rid of me so soon?" He put his hand in a fist and placed it on his chest where his heart should be to insinuate it being crushed.

Reyna just laughed at him again "Don't be so dramatic, besides..." She took his hands in her own and looked at him "We've had quiet the summer together" Reyna said as she smiled at him.

Jason blushed and turned his head away from her. They bid their goodbyes and Jason went off to the rock climbing wall. Where everything would eventually go wrong.

𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙏𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧

"YOU WANT TO TELL ME THAT THIS WAS ALL JUST AN ACCIDENT?! HAVE YOU SEEN THE STATE MY SON WAS IN?!" A woman that looked like she was in her late 40s yelled.

Sitting in the spectator seats in the courtroom, unable to do anything other watch her father get yelled at by this woman- Reyna tried her very best to put on a brave face.

Last summer had been so messy that even now- a brand new summer year has come and it still hasn't been cleaned yet.

Her father had insisted that she should be at Camp Jupiter and not here and she agrees, none of this should have been happening.

She should be spending time with her friends at Camp Jupiter as they all teased her about Jason, hearing how they couldn't believe that they weren't a couple yet despite being so close for over 8 years.

Despite the disaster of last year, she hoped that she and Jason would finally get together, but Jason didn't even attend Camp Jupiter this year. She knew that it was probably because his father didn't want him to continue going there because of this scandal, but even so, she expected to at least receive an update from him. Even though it was unlikely since he also hasn't been answering her texts nor picking up her calls. She can understand why but it still made her mad that Jason couldn't stand up to his father.

𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳

They used to spend hours and hours texting and talking on the phone. He would talk to her about fencing and the dozen other after school clubs his dad would make him take while also ranting about how terrifying his dad could be sometimes. While Reyna would talk about her day and occasionally rant about annoying customers she would encounter while working at her after school job.

It was hard to believe that she can't even get a hold of him now.

They went to two different schools in two different states so the only time they got to see each other face to face was during the summer, despite that, the distance was never a problem between them, they were best friends, they found a way to talk to each other, yet the one time of the year where they were supposed to be together and he's not here.

"I completely understand" Reyna's Father pleaded "We are willing to compensate and take responsibility-"

"IF YOU WANNA TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THEN SHUT THAT PLACE DOWN!" A man that looked to be the same age as the woman cut off Reyna's father mid sentence.

This was torturous.

"Alright alright, Mr. and Mrs. Harris please calm down" The Judge said as he hit his gravel against the table in an attempt to get everyone to settle down.

"Your honor... How could you expect two parents to calm down? Especially after this?" The woman- Mrs Harris- argued. Everyone could see the way her eyebrows furrowed as her face wrinkled in anger " I sent my son to that summer Camp thinking that it would be good for him- you know- get away from screens and do some physical activities. I expected him to get home to me in one piece at the end of the summer, not suddenly get a phone call telling me that he sustained major injuries after falling off the rock climbing wall! And I certainly didn't expect the cause to be old faulty equipment that you couldn't bother to replace!"

"For the last time Madam! We buy new equipment every two years! That couldn't have been the real reason" Reyna's father reasoned "Besides, isn't it too much to ask our Camp to shut down? It's not like the kid died"

Reyna winced at the last sentence her father said, or rather, shouldn't have said.

This of course made Mrs Harris loose her mind.

"EXCUSE ME?! WOULD YOU PREFERRED IT IF HE DID?! EVEN IF HE DIDN'T DIE HE WAS STILL HEAVILY INJURED!" Reyna's dad went silent. Mrs. Harris' lawyer was trying to calm her down.

Reyna began to drown out the noise in the courtroom, she reached into her pocket to pull out her phone, she scrolled through her messages and clicked on the one titled "Blonde Boy 💝" where Reyna sent walls of messages to Jason

𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 :

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙? :

𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧 :

𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩

𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮:

𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙊𝙠? :

𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤

𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 :

He didn't reply to a single one, but she knew that he saw them, Jason was not the type to leave their messages unread.

Reyna gripped the phone on her hand until the tip of her fingers turned red. She hated Jason at this moment, for not being right next to her, for disappearing, and for not answering her texts. But despite that she still desperately tried to reach him.

She typed and erased messages to send to him over and over again, not knowing what else to say, until she felt a tap on she shoulder. Reyna looked up and saw her father.

"The judge called for a recess" Her father said with kind but tired eyes "c'mon let's get something to eat, you must be starving" Reyna nodded and got up from her seat.

Walking next to her father, Reyna looked at her phone again, she deleted the message she typed and started typing a new one.

𝙊𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧

𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙅𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙞𝙛

𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧

𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚... 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 :

𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙬𝙤

𝙍𝙚𝙮𝙣𝙖 👑: 𝙊𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚

𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙅𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧

𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚... 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚

Jason had read and reread that message a pathetic amount of times over the month, so much so that the message was embedded in his head.

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦.

𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦.

Reyna was openly saying that she wanted to spend the rest of summer with him like they were supposed to, and God knew that he wanted the same, he wanted nothing else in fact.

"Your food's gonna get cold if you just stare at it, Jason" Jason looked at Thalia- his older sister- as she continued to eat.

"Do you not like Barbeque? I could ask our Head Councilor to get you something else if you want" Piper asked, kind and considerate as always, now he was starting to feel bad.

"Oh no, I'm good, just... Thinking about stuff..."

"What kind of stuff?" Piper asked

"Just... Stuff" Jason answered

"... Okay... I'm gonna grab a plate of fruit, you want some too?"

"Yeah sure, why not"

"Grab me one too if you don't mind" Thalia said

"Alright, I'll be back in a bit" Piper said before leaving the two alone in the little picnic table they were sitting on.

"She's nice" Thalia said "Pretty too. Mom picked a good one for yah"

"Why is mom so quick to try and pair me up with some random girl that goes to my school who I've bearly even talked to until now? She knows that I-..." Jason stopped talking and closed his mouth. He thought about Reyna 24/7 ever since the accident but couldn't bring himself to talk about her or even mention her name. Jason gripped his spoon as a dark cloud loomed over his face.

Thalia placed her utensils down as she looked at her younger brother.

"Then why are you going along with this?" Thalia asked.

"What?"

"I'm asking why you're going along with this, Jason. Why didn't you put up a fight when dad told you that he was pulling you out of Camp Jupiter and signing you up here in Camp Half-Blood?"

"I-..."

"When mom told you that there was a girl she wanted you to get close to, why did you say "sure" ?"

"Well I-"

"Why do you always say yes to Piper whenever she asks if you two can hang out?"

"Because I-"

"Why did you tell mom that you and Piper were getting along well?"

"Because we-"

"And why are you leading both Piper and Reyna on?"

Jason was getting pretty irritated since Thalia was asking him all these questions but wasn't letting him answer them, but her last question had him speechless. So instead of answering he took a bite out of a barbecue skewer and stared off into space.

Thalia sighed and placed a hand on Jason's shoulder.

"Listen, J... I don't know a lot about Reyna, I don't know a lot about Piper either. But I have seen you with both of them and honestly... Your smile is a lot bigger when you're with Reyna and you have a long history with her, but you care way to much about what she thinks of you. You're not like that with Piper, with Piper, you don't care, you act however you want, you act like yourself. I'm not trying to get you to choose one over the other but if you don't, then you're gonna end up with neither one of them"

Jason stared at his plate. Thalia was right, but he didn't need to be told who to choose. He didn't even have to contemplate. He wanted Reyna, he knew he wanted Reyna, but Reyna wasn't easy, if he wanted to be with Reyna then he was gonna need to do something his father would not approve of, and God knows how much he doesn't wanna do that.

"I know..." Jason said "I just don't know whether or not I can put up a fight"

"Don't worry. You can, and you will" Thalia said, taking her hand off his shoulder.

Jason smiled at her before he saw reddish-brown smudge on his shoulder

"Eww, you got barbeque sauce on my shirt!" Jason exclaimed trying to wipe it off with a tissue.

"No I didn't!" Thalia argued

"Yes you did, It's right there!" Jason said, pointing the obvious stain on his orange shirt.

"There's nothing there!"

"Yes there is!"

The two of them bickered until Piper came back with the plates of fruit.

That night he couldn't sleep again, but not because Reyna sent him another text. This time, he was wondering if and how he can stop being such a coward.

He got up, reached for his phone, and dialed a number.

"Hey Leo, sorry calling you in the middle of the night but... I need a favor..."

𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙀𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣

Jason wrote a letter. It wasn't a very long one, but he knew that the words in that piece of paper could get Mrs. Harris to drop the lawsuit, though it would cost him a lot.

𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘳. 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘳𝘴. 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘴

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘑𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘺.

𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘦.

𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘑𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳.

𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺.

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬, 𝘐 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵��𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 1-2 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵. 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 20 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵.

𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦.

𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘣, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥

𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴

𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺

- 𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦

Miraculously it worked. Mr. And Mrs. Harris dropped the charges at Camp Jupiter and went after Jason- or more accurately his father- instead. He didn't really know what took place between Mr. And Mrs Harris, his father, and both their lawyers, but he imagined that his father had to pull some strings to satisfy the couple.

Strings that his father was definitely not happy to pull by the look on his face after he demanded that Jason be pulled out of summer camp and be brought home.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" His father yelled, Jason tried his best not to flinch '𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦' he thought.

"I wasn't" Jason answered.

"CLEARLY!" Jason's father started to make his way towards him until they were standing only 2 feet apart. Jason felt his father harshly grab his jaw, forcing him to look at his father's face which was red with fury.

"I have given you 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙂, Jason. A roof over your head, a good school- I even pay hundreds of dollars every year so that you can attend that damn summer camp you love so much, and this is how you repay me?" Mr. Grace said, there were no traces of the doting father he never was in his tone.

He so sounded harsh and cold that it made Jason wanna break down, get on his knees and apologize.

"You embarrassed my name and made me LOOK LIKE A DAMN FOOL IN FRONT OF THOSE PEOPLE" Jason father let go of Jason's jaw before grabbing his cane and using it to hit Jason on the head so hard that he fell off his feet as blood started pouring out of his forehead.

Jason looked up to find his father glaring daggers at him while he pointed his cane in his direction.

"If I had known that you would be this worthless then I would have abandoned you in a forest for wolves to eat"

That was the last thing his father said before walking out of the room.

It hurt.

The wound on his forehead and his father's words. He knew that he didn't actually do anything wrong, but they still hurt.

Jason spent the rest of the summer locked in his room with no phone, he didn't mind since summer would basically be over next week. He read and reread books to keep himself entertained but he thought about Reyna and Camp Jupiter constantly.

When they first learned about the law suit Reyna was restless. Constantly asking her parents for updates about the situation, checking and re-checking the equipment they used in other activities, at one point, she even tried to contact Mr. and Mrs. Harris to beg them to let go of the charges, of course that attempt was un successful.

It hurt Jason to see her so worried and anxious, it hurt to see how hard she would try to told back her tears and look okay when they were together because everyone knew how much she loves Camp Jupiter.

How could she not?

She basically grew up there.

Jason loved that place too.

How could he not?

He spent the best moments of his life there.

He couldn't bear the though of it all just... Shutting down.

Just thinking about it kept him up at night.

He knew that it was unethical to create a false confession letter, but in his mind it was the easiest way, plus him being there when it happened made his confession more believable. Besides, he knew that nothing too bad would actually happen to him.

His father was a wealthy man that could get Jason out of whatever BS he gets himself into. He couldn't bare to have people know how much of a screw up his son was. Especially since his father cared more about his reputation than him.

There was another thing keeping Jason up at night, and it was this nagging voice in his head that constantly asked if it was a good idea that he used himself as a scapegoat so that Reyna’s parents would come out innocent when they weren't.

Faulty equipment 𝘸𝘢𝘴 the reason Oliver fell.

He was there, he would know.

Oliver had told him that he was well acquainted with rock climbing, and since Jason had been looking after 15 other campers that were younger then Oliver. He let him do his own thing.

He now realizes that he probably should have been looking after him as well but he was too busy helping out the younger kids that when Oliver screamed and fell, there was nothing he could do expect call for paramedics.

𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮-𝙨𝙞𝙭

It was the beginning of theschool year again, meaning that he got his phone back.

His text messages were open and his finger was hovering over a contact name titled "Reyna 👑"

He had a thousand words he wanted to say to her yet he couldn't type a single one. He ended up sitting completely still while starring at his phone for the entirety of his first class. The only thing that snapped him back into reality was the sound of the bell.

"Here, you're gonna need this" He looked at Piper who had been sitting next to him the entire time as she placed a notebook down on his desk. "These are my notes. Our teacher, Mr. Smith kept the orientation short and jumped right into his lesson"

"Uh- thanks" Jason reached for the notebook but something in him stopped him from doing so. She expects something from him, or more specifically. She expects to be a certain 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 to him.

"𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙚𝙮𝙣𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣?" He remembers her sister saying. He didn't wanna lead anyone on.

He took a deep breath and put his hands down on his lap.

"Listen Piper, umm... Maybe we should talk" Jason said, he looked around the classroom and saw that everyone had already left to go to their next class.

"Okay... What?"

"I'm sorry... I know that- you have feelings for me and... You're a great girl, anyone would be lucky to have you but... There's someone else I'm pining for" Jason waited for a response from Piper, he waited for her to yell at him or something but she didn't, instead she asked something he didn't expect.

"Is it that girl, Reyna?" Piper asked, her fists were clenched under her table.

"How- how did you know about her?"

"I overheard your conversation with Thalia after I grabbed us some fruit. She sounds like someone special to you" Her voice cracked at the last sentence, she didn't know why she had caught such strong feelings for a guy she doesn't really know. They had gone to the same school for over 5 years but have bearly talked, but still.

She would admire him from afar as he talked and laughed with his friends almost daily. He was a nice guy, friendly and fair to everyone, so it felt like a daydream having spent an entire summer with him. It made her feel like she had a chance.

"Yeah... She is special... And I know that you are too for someone out there just... Not me"

𝙊𝙪𝙘𝙝

"Can't we just-... Try...? Try this and see if this works out?"

"We can't"

"Why not?"

"Because we'd just be lying to ourselves by trying to make it work, I would know... I did" Throughout the summer Jason 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥, he really 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 to forget about Reyna. It was a selfish move but that was why he entertained Piper and made her think that 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 would happen between them.

"Lying?" Piper said, the heartbreak in her voice was audible "What do you mean " You would know"? "

"I-"

"Jason I know that- that I'm comparable to Reyna and that we haven't spent as much time together but I thought that this- this summer would... 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 to you"

Jason stayed silent, it seemed like all his stupid decisions have finally caught on to him, he knew he couldn't afford to make more, he knew he had end this.

"One summer doesn't compare to eight. Piper... Listen I do like you but-"

"You 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 me, but you 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 her" Tears threatened to escape Piper's eyes, but she held it in.

"Yeah... That's right... I'm sorry Piper, but I don't hold any romantic feelings for you" Jason said, he hoped that phrasing it that way instead of directly saying 'I don't love you' would soften the blow but unfortunately that didn't seem to be the case as tears finally started running down Piper's cheeks.

"I see... I'll uh-... I'll see you later then" She said before storming out of the classroom, leaving Jason and forgetting her notebook.

He looked at the notebook for a while, then looked at his phone, more specifically the contact number titled "Reyna 👑"

He knew he didn't deserve someone like Piper. So he probably didn't deserve someone like Reyna either.

With a heavy heart, he put his phone back into his pocket, grabbed Piper's notebook, and headed to his next class.

[eternalchaoschocolaterain]

The Most Powerful Waitress

Chapter one School's out

Chapter three: No cure for me

Chapter four: Rinse and Repeat

Chapter five: Patience

Chapter six: I don't know

Chapter seven (final chapter): No one knows

Chapter two summary: Merula auditions at the opera because her voice deserves to be heard.

02. I'd hire me

‘Wake up, Ruru.’

Quinn’s singsonging pierced through Merula’s foggy dream state and she groaned. Why couldn’t mornings start in the afternoon?

‘Five more minutes.’

‘You said that ten minutes ago. Come on, you don’t want to be late. I’ll make you breakfast.’

‘Fine.’

Today she had another job interview. She hadn’t lied to Haywood, she did have options. Not as much as she liked though. She had owled multiple venues asking what kind of jobs they had available, but had gotten almost nothing back. No one had given an actual reason, but she knew why. After all these years and all her accomplishments (O’s for all her N.E.W.T.s!), people still couldn’t see past her family. Like she chose to be the daughter of death eaters, or worse, the niece of a wannabe cult leader. Being made into an accomplice had been the best time of her life. Who didn’t like betraying friends?

Not that she needed a job to survive, she could do nothing for the rest of her life and still be rich when she died. But what good would staying at home do her? She’d end up bored and worse, forgotten.

For now the time off was a nice break, but if she didn’t want it to last she needed to get up. So she went for a quick shower and put on a purple pantsuit. Quinn gave her a long look and whistled when she entered the kitchen.

‘I’d hire you.’

‘Of course you would. Everyone should.’

Quinn handed her eggs with toast and flipped through a cookbook. She had cooked every meal so far and kept trying out new recipes. Turned out to be a good cook too, much to Merula’s delight. Cooking had never been her favourite thing. She cooked for the result, but Quinn cooked for fun. Every meal made her question her decision not to make this arrangement permanent yet, until she remembered that Quinn would want to invite her friends over if she lived here. For now, Merula wasn’t ready to share her home with anyone else.

‘What’s for dinner?’ Merula asked when she sat down next to Quinn. She peered at the book and saw a recipe for roasted brussels sprouts. That better not be it.

‘I was thinking braised eel, or fried cauliflower and salad. What do you think?’

Much better!

‘Eel of course, I love eel.’

‘Yeah, I should’ve known.’ Quinn chuckled, flipped a few pages back and put in a bookmark.

Before Merula left, Quinn gave her a quick kiss and told her to break a leg. Even though she didn’t need luck, she appreciated the sentiment.

Today she an audition at the Banshee’s theatre. She’d found out about it through an ad in the Daily Prophet. The Banshee’s theatre was looking for singers for their newest opera: Cliodna. Which told the life story of the famous witch. Maybe this would be the job for her. She’d be a perfect Cliodna. Genius, stunning, an amazing voice, she had it all!

Her mum had taught her to sing. She’d been an opera singer at the Banshee’s theatre and up until the arrest she’d sung for her every night, her voice lulling Merula to sleep. During the day they practiced singing together in preparation for her audition for the Frog Choir. Both her mum and dad were impressed by her raw talent and at school she had gone on to impress everyone else too. No one stood a chance when she auditioned for the Frog Choir and Professor Flitwick assigned her solo’s whenever he needed a soprano. He’d even suggested her to Celestina Warbeck when she asked for students to sing with her during the performance at school. She’d managed to get the solo part.

Surely the Banshee’s theatre would be impressed too. She could use a success after her earlier job interviews. The first had been at the biggest publishing house in the country, but all they wanted was to sell her story. Get her to tell all about the battle with R, her role as double spy and how in the end she turned around to help defeat her aunt. While she was flattered by their interest, to write the book she’d have to talk about her feelings. Like that was ever going to happen. No way that she would let strangers in on her private thoughts.

Her other interview had been at St. Mungo’s, for the cure research team. If hired she would be trained to invent new potions and spells. Extensive knowledge of the dark arts and potions were required. The job itself sounded great. She would learn how to experiment with spells and potions and invent her own. She’d have to do constant research and keep up to date with developments in the darks arts. Something she already did on her own. So, of course she’d do great and the interview went well, but the problem was that no one would know about her. No one cared about cure inventors.

Then there were the desk jobs. Like a Snyde would ever work a desk job.

No, getting to be the lead in an opera sounded better. People would see her on stage. She’d get to mesmerize the crowd. They would adore her.

She stepped out of the fireplace from a nearby pub she’d flooed to. The Banshee’s theatre stood as proud as she remembered. The two-story high glass windows shone despite the dreary weather. Its big entrance made her feel like she’d be part of something great if she ended up working here.

A desk worker escorted her through a long hallway, the hall of fame. Full of paintings of famous singers, all people who’d performed major lead roles. Even though she knew she wouldn’t be here anymore, she couldn’t help but look for her mum’s painting. Like she expected, it was long gone. Maybe her own could hang here instead, bring some glory back.

They ended up in the backstage lounge, a large decorated room with multiple couches and a little bar. A few other people were already there and she could hear singing coming from the stage. She caught herself in one of the many mirrors and smoothed her outfit. Perfect. She looked perfect.

She took seat in the corner of one of the couches, as far away as possible from the other occupant. The other occupant, a fawn woman who looked to be in her 40s, smiled at her.

She’s not going to talk to me is she?

‘What part are you going to audition for?’

Great, small talk with a stranger. Her favourite. Even better when she had no way to escape without coming off as rude when she couldn’t afford to be.

‘Cliodna, of course.’

The woman frowned, but kept smiling. ‘Aren’t you a little young for that part?’

‘I’ve been singing since I was a kid.’

She began to laugh. ‘As have we all, dearie.’

Dearie. The word made her shudder and she crossed her arms. ‘So you think they’d pick you just because you’re older?’

‘Of course not. I’m only saying you’re going up against people much more experienced than you. That’s all. I’m sure you’ll do fine. What’s your name anyway?’

‘Merula Snyde.’

The woman’s face fell and Merula had to repress an eyeroll. The chatter in the room paused for a moment and a few heads turned her way. After all these years it was still the same. Her name evoked fear and disgust in almost everyone she met. She’d contemplated changing it once, but decided quickly against such ridiculousness. The name Snyde had once commanded the respect of people. They had been a proud, powerful family with a rich history in politics and high society. As the last Snyde not dead or in Azkaban changing her name would mean erasing her history. Erasing not only the bad, but the good things too. No, she’d rather make the name Snyde something to be proud of again.

‘Oh, I’ve read about you in the paper. I don’t think this world is a good fit for someone like you.’ Her smile returned, but looked forced and overly polite now.

‘Someone like me?’

‘Yes, well, you know what you did. What family you come from. The opera world is for a certain kind of ‘refined’ people.’

‘I’m not responsible for what my family did. You know nothing about me!’ Merula’s voice rose and a few more people turned their heads.

Great, just great.

‘I suppose we’ll have to see what the audition panel thinks.’

‘I suppose.’

Merula got up to get a goblet of water from the little bar and ignored the stares that followed her. Stupid people. They didn’t know anything about her, they just wanted to think they were above her. Well, she’d show them who was really above.

After finishing the goblet, she fought the urge to slam it into the bar. Instead, she put it down gently and made deliberate soft steps to another couch. Once there she turned her gaze to the ceiling with all its swirls and twirls and recited the songs she’d picked for the audition in her head.

‘Miss Snyde?’ A man called out to her and beckoned her to follow him.

Show time.

She followed him towards the stage, where he left her. The opera hall looked just like she remembered. Red plush seating went up to five rows high. Right behind the orchestra pit sat the four people she would impress. She recognized one of the women, Eliza Kreslina, as a former colleague of her mum. They were led by the head of the chorus: Mister Nicholich. He rose from his seat when she entered the stage.

‘Welcome Miss Snyde. Before you start, please tell us a bit about yourself and your experience.’

‘I’m a soprano and I’ve been singing since I was a little kid. My mum taught me.’ She didn’t miss the way Madam Kreslina shared a look with another panel member and clenched and unclenched her fist.

It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean anything.

‘I’ve been on the Frog Choir for four years and have sung with Celestina Warbeck when she performed at school. I love singing, absolutely love it and I’m a quick learner, so I know lines and lyrics won’t be a problem. Especially with my work ethic.’

Mister Nicholich nodded. ‘Very well. You may start your performance.’

And start she did. Within second the notes flew from her throat, all smooth and rich. She’d chosen three songs with different ranges to show off and in three different languages too: French, Italian and German. That should impress them. She didn’t know anyone her age that could sing in any language other than English. After what she knew to be a flawless rendition she waited as the panel whispered among themselves.

‘That was a wonderful performance, you have a beautiful voice, Miss Snyde.’

Her chest swelled with pride. ‘Does that mean I got the part?’

‘The part?’

‘Of Cliodna, of course.’

‘What? Oh, no, no, no. We’re looking for someone more refined and with much more experience on stage to play her.’

‘More refined?’ There was that word again.

‘You will need to work on your stage presence. While your voice is wonderful, you don’t draw me in. I would hesitate to hire you. I just don���t know if someone like you would be a good fit.’ He cocked his head a little and gave her what had to be the fakest look of compassion anyone besides her aunt had ever given her.

‘How would I not be a good fit? I’ve been around the opera since I was a kid. Mum and dad brought me here all the time. I know how it works backstage.’

Mister Nicholich’ face didn’t change. ‘We’ll have to discuss if you’re the kind of person we want to hire. You’ll hear from us.’

Yeah right. Merula stomped her foot. ‘Just say you don’t want a daughter of death eaters and be done with it! It’s always the same. You all expect the worst from me.’

The panel gasped in shock and Mister Nicholich pursed his lips. Madam Kreslina rose from her seat, her white cheeks flushing. ‘How dare you! You’re young and inexperienced and we wanted to discuss what kind of part would fit you given that fact and the range of your voice. You’ve got a lot of potential. I worked with your mum, she was a great singer. It’s a shame how she turned out, but that has nothing to do with you.’

Silence fell over the hall as Merula let the words sink in. Madam Kreslina sounded sincere, but things didn’t add up.

‘Then why did you remove mums painting?’

‘Because after her conviction we couldn’t keep it up in good conscience. She’s not the only one we had to remove.’ Madam Kreslina’s face hardened. ‘I understand you may have had a rough start, but whatever start you had, it’s no reason to take it out on us. Now if you would make way for the next candidate.’

‘You understand nothing!’

Merula stomped off the stage. They had it easy from their plush red seats and their jobs which made everyone look up to them. How could they ever understand what it was like to have the entire country at your throat for your family’s actions? They didn’t know shit. Whatever, being an opera singer would probably become boring real soon anyway. Merula made her way back to the pub, her boots making big splashes in the puddles. Once she got back home, she looked around for Quinn, but couldn't find her inside.

Seriously, in this weather?

She entered the porch through the kitchen and sure enough, the broomstand was missing a broom. Merula shook her head, only her girlfriend saw rain and thought it made the perfect weather for flying. Venting had to wait, because she wasn’t about to get wet looking for her.

The large porch connected the kitchen to the ballroom. Or what used to be the ballroom. Nowadays she used it mainly for roller skating. In the corner stood a large fireplace with two comfortable purple sofas. Despite the rain the temperature wasn't that bad. Even so, Merula turned the fireplace on as she flopped on the couch and pondered her day.

Total waste of time. She should’ve known ‘someone like her’ couldn’t ever have been a good fit for the opera. If she’d thought about that beforehand, she would've stayed inside.

'You're back!' Arms wrapped around her from behind and Quinn planted a wet kiss on the side of her face. Water dripped off her, down Merula's back and chest. 'How did it go today?'

'Ugh, dry yourself off, will you?!'

'I'm going to take that as a not good.' Quinn twirled her hand and steam came off her. Her freckled cheeks were red from her exercise. Now dry, Merula allowed her to sit down next to her. 'What happened?'

She burst out ranting about everything that went wrong and how horrible she'd been treated, but instead of sympathy all she got from Quinn was a frown.

'You yelled at the panel? I thought you were working on your temper?'

'My temper’s fine!’ How dare she! Of all people, she should understand her. She knew everything about her. ‘Didn’t you hear anything I said? They removed mums painting and said they didn’t know if they could hire ‘someone like me’’

‘And what about what Madam Kreslina said afterwards?’

‘She was just backtracking because I called them out!’

‘You don’t know that! And you’ll never know now.’

'You've no idea what you're talking about. You got handed this prestigious job at the ministry without even looking for anything!'

'Really?’ Quinn's cheeks turned a different shade of red and her voice lowered. ‘I just got a job shoved down my throat that I know nothing about. All I know is that I start ‘somewhere in August’ and that I don’t have a choice. But I don’t want that job. I want to be outside. At least you have a choice.'

Her voice faltered a bit and Merula felt guilty for her outburst. Perhaps Quinn was right. She looked away from her, to the formal garden. Once her father's pride and joy. As a herbologist he knew exactly which plant liked to go where. He had planted so many different species that the garden bloomed almost year-round. Now, eight years after the arrest, the garden was an overgrown mess. She had tried to keep up at first, but couldn’t. As a ten year-old she just didn't have the necessary skills.

Then there was the biggest part of the garden: the unicorn pasture. Complete with waterfall. Her mum had kept three unicorns even before she had her. The unicorns had been seized the day after the arrest. Only when she got introduced to the herd living in the Forbidden Forest did she find out what happened to them. At least they still lived a good life.

She pulled her knees up to her chin. Her parents arrest had dominated her life so far. People had scorned her, send her death threats, but she’d be damned if she let it continue. She deserved to be known for her accomplishments. For Salazar’s sake, she was fucking powerful! A force to be reckoned with. Anyone would be lucky to work with her.

'I'm tired of people thinking the worst when they see me. Or treating me like I'm some charity case.'

Quinn's face softened and she reached for Merula's hand. 'I know. And you're right, I don't know what that's like. I'm sorry, I guess I'm just jealous.'

'I suppose I'm jealous too,' Merula sighed and let herself be pulled into a hug. 'You and Copper got those big jobs just handed to you, but I was there too. I did more than Copper! But I had to send dozens of letters and got only a few replies.'

'I know. It’s not fair, but you’re not helping yourself when you go off the way you did.’

‘I suppose,’ Merula groaned and buried her head in Quinn’s chest. ‘I guess I do have one flaw.’

‘Yeah you do.’

‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.’

‘Thanks.’ Quinn snuggled her a bit closer. ‘Don’t worry so much. You’re the Most Powerful Witch, you’ll find a job that matches your capabilities. Even if it takes a while.’

‘I know.’

As unfair as it all was, dwelling on it wouldn’t help. Nor would sitting at home. She had to start somewhere, how else were people going to recognize her talents? Tomorrow she’d have a look again at those other jobs. Surely one would fit her. She’d be fine. Everything would be fine.

‘You know,’ Merula said, changing the subject. ‘If that ministry job doesn’t work out you can always quit and become my housewife. Cook me dinner every day.’

‘That doesn’t sound half-bad,’ Quinn chuckled. ‘Maybe when we have kids.’

There it was again, that certainty that they’d stay together forever. As if there was no way they wouldn’t get married and have kids. After today she could only hope it would be as easy as Quinn made it sound. Although, this was supposed to be the easy part. Today was only a small hitch in what would be a great future.

[wouldnt-it-be-hilarious-if-i]

Adding this song to the list of songs I'd like sung to me one day

Thinking a lot about this girl (me, circa 2011/2012) tonight.

I was the cringiest person on the planet, but I love that girl. She was so angry and silly and immature, and I just want that energy back. I want the ability to feel rage again and to stand up for myself. I mean, I PELTED a boy with my unused pads! I hopped a desk to beat a boy's ass because he called a girl that I did not like ugly! I cussed people out on the regular and roasted them on sight! I kicked a girl in the back of the knees and made her slam down against the pavement once when she said her little brother could call my brother the N word if he wanted because that's probably exactly what he was!

But I also wrote out the funniest diary entries. I planned mine and my crush's wedding out to the minutest detail: The flowers, the venue, the dress, the colors, the theme. I drew pictures. I wrote the headings out in different colored markers. I drew myself as Rapunzel and wrote captions begging for my prince. I wrote that boys were bad, and then in all caps wrote that I like that.

Once, I wrote a poem for my crush and read it in class. He was in that class, and I looked him directly in the eye and read it to him. When he laughed at me and asked if I wrote it for him, everyone laughed with him until I said, "Don't flatter yourself. I'd never waste my time writing about you." But I did! I absolutely did write about him and truly thought if I read him a poem declaring my love for him in class, he would magically love me back. He did, but he didn't admit it until the end of the year after I moved.

I followed boys around in elementary school taking notes on their character to see if they worthy of my time and if they aligned with my values. One time, a boy asked my brother if he could ask me to stop watching him practice for basketball because me taking notes on him was creeping him out a little. Like, y'all, I had no awareness of social cues whatsoever. I just did this. I'd fill whole journals with my notes.

I would give anything to know what happened to those journals because I just know the notes were funny.

One time, my friend and I went on a field trip when we were in the 5th grade and we convinced ourselves that the surprise guest they kept telling us about was Justin Bieber. We were insane. There was absolutely no reason for us to think this. But when they started to announce who the guest was, the arena we were in, which housed almost all the elementary schools in the area (this was in Hawaii), was dead silent. And we both got so fucking excited and gaga over this guy that we both jumped up and started screaming and dancing, "WE LOVE YOU JUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And then the announcer announced some guy???? We were both immediately embarrassed. I remember sitting down and both of us just covering our faces with our hands until everyone looked away. A few years later, when the Justin Bieber movie came out where he was talking about his life, I went with a friend and we wore Justin Bieber everything and squealed uncontrollably whenever he came on the screen. And then we fought over who was going to marry him.

And you know the brand Little Miss Matched?

This one?

The entire point of the brand is that nothing matches and it's supposed to be super zany and unique. I discovered them in New York and begged my parents for as many pairs as they would buy me. They got me several, and I wore them. Every. Single. Day. I was twelve. I wore these to school and around the house. I wore tutu's to school with combat boots and fake nerd glasses and my makeup never looked good ever.

At my school, we used to take used, unwashed chip bags and make bows out of them and put them in our hair. It was camp. I remember one time, I wanted to show school spirit during spirit week and I wrote out the mascot on my face in eyeliner while looking in the mirror. A girl who became one of my best friends ended up telling me that the word was backward before anyone else had the chance to see. Love her.

That was dumb shit. I was best friends with all my teachers. I loved my art teacher because she told me that I was the only tolerable child she had in any of her classes and my art was always so creative. I used copious amounts of glitter and gems on everything. My lit teacher and I used to talk about my goals to read all the classics I could before high school, and she would recommend poetry to me. She made me feel like a queen because I knew the psychological term for a fear of being without your phone.

When Mindless Behavior was big, I nearly fought a girl who told me that Ray Ray was hers. I made edits and devoted whole albums on my Facebook to these guys (and to Justin Bieber). I sobbed when Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas broke up, and I secret shipped Fiona and Imogen on Degrassi when they fell for each other. I used to use words like "salutations" and say terms and idioms that everyone laughed at me for. I'd ask philosophical questions during math class, "What if the Christian God is just like the Greek Gods? If our God is the god of everything, and there are individual Gods of certain things with the Greek Gods, that means that our God could be just like the other gods. He just has all their powers in one place." To which they answered, "What the hell are you talking about? There's only one God." They just weren't on my level *flips hair*

I've caught myself reverting back to this girl in the last few months. Listening to the music that she did. Not caring so much about the way I dress and present myself. Writing fanfiction again and posting it.

I just love this girl, this version of me, so much. I know how much she cried, and I know how hurt she was. I know how badly she needed help and how often she cried out for it and was ignored. I know what she went through and the way she was treated. I know how hard it was for her to fit in because she just couldn't get herself to mask in a way that would allow her to fit in. She always did things a little bit wrong. Always misread situations just slightly. Was always using language in the wrong context.

But I also know that she's still friends with her friends from middle school, and that they always have kind things to say about that girl. I know that my room was carefully covered from wall to wall in posters of all my favorite celebrities from Teen Bop and Tiger Beat magazines. I know that she used to try the crafts from American Girl magazine, and that she loved to read about every celebrity's life. I know that she used to explore the woods and pretend she was a princess or a witch. I know that she left out offerings to fairies until she was thirteen, and that she made spells under the moonlight, and hit her nephew (he's two years younger) with the back of a rake and knocked him down the stairs by accident when he kept jumping into the same pile of leaves that he had just heard her dad threaten to beat her ass over.

I know how much she hated herself. But all these things about her are what I miss the most. I miss her inability to fit in because it protected her from a lot. I miss her inability to read and interpret social cues because it means that she didn't process just how deep a lot of the hate for her went. I miss her lack of awareness, her freedom, her drive to live her own life on her own terms even if it meant putting on makeup at school and changing her clothes to something she liked after she left home. If she wanted to wear lip gloss, she would make it happen. She was so fierce and angry and tough and funny and full of life. She had no chill whatsoever and embarrassed herself at any given moment.

When did I stop getting angry? When did I stop fighting back for myself? Why did I stop?

I miss her. I miss her so much and I admire and love her. I don't care how cringey and weird and funny she was. She is a part of me, and every day, I strive to give back to her just as much as I give back to little Brooklyn.

In 2023, I want to go back to her.

[libidomechanica]

“Waking on the flooring and problems from love, and there”

A treochair sequence

               1

In the snow. Weapons under her faith, for prejudice—for t’ other

side of Jove’s clouds the mind and signifies there fedde. It was aware

that joy was his wife and days when the pleated shirt is a hard to miss

it, both in thy brow; and towers, like Cupid’s statues overgrowing

at a very maid, came blushing word were gray. From out her pallid cheek

and blacks, and the doom which thou canst not found this wreath, bleed away the toadstool’s

lazy head—and when once to endure with trembling knee and from behind

the skies, and pride the rain, What I do and when all the letters, from

love, the guests were about each time—not just like a Sun. An ambling waves

and with Moll and if from his whiten, aspens shiver the happy changing

empires rose or fell; therefore not? Around them vphold. I am

naebody! The wrinkles while Hermes, let us ramble far. Waking

on the flooring and problems from love, and there th’ engraved invite

me to it. To questions everything Was My Fault has been clear to me

crept: my feet shalt ca’ me for me! And Sung the fishes were slick-faced.

               2

Her lips were nobody poor, and problems from ten to each other for

so soft aloft with humour such a purple couched upon a chair, thinkings;

such a light spread greyly eastward, through seas, and hands have time, be arch,

or some freaks of melodious morn? New come daily sorrow and arrow

home did draw, and this composed not wholly granted; yet this ended,

bizarrely with the rosy air, and laughes the second sight, wish’d

nor chanced a strange in one so young! Northern downs in clearer air hast

thou kiss, thought in Cloth of Gold, dangle her mouth’s red bow loosed shaft by shafts.

               3

And fell into a man mad all the curd- pale moon, could it guess to be

accounted in the wet and did give my eyes to wearing an old master—

not the reverse of gold; or without a forest! And then all about

his endure to brood so cool and bulky worthy face he died, last

Blazon of the quiet ashes out and cowslip’d lawns, the future heir.

               4

Ceased: he saw— a terrier, too, if we were nourishes, with side-long

eye could roast being full of pestilent love is all in my heart more

easy, and over April’s tender hand, lass, in midst other melodies,

at distance like a lamb strayed far a- down those kind eyes,—the very

private life. My objects worthy gallery, a pale, pale club of the

quiet, turtles go, in fair and stood a stone, that aged nurse, rock’d my

brows, such is sure, that my life she had swept o’er, to where meditative

mind thirst in character was hidden weed; there too long upon most of

folly haunting cheek; and peeled bits of straw chequered the silence their

pettish limits, and sherbet cooling covert make ’gainst some certain reason,

it might apply: that men, while among the level peeps its dead; all

love a young apple-tree lay a parching: yet my Starre, because some blame;

to put on such skill in sight sooner starve than the soul’s delight and thy

bowers, dew- drops, and so: ceiling fan, drowning Jewel in a space … not to

listening on the red dogs lie down next day, with his breast doth make. Should find.

               5

Him in peace in a race, a tinting bee, reaching palms, or maidens

overwrought to issue. A scent of you, and yet so unseen flower that

for their voices sleep, with trembling, but in a moderate into a

tomb, and the cool hours she spake a strange, and earth its pure as Psyche ere

she walks, and, the window’s eye that joy was his weekly bills. All in her

breathing alive enough to-day, than all round of fiddling, he heard her

sad and his early budders are just struck dumb, than speak lightly taut in

the sex have had no mirth in its outward look, even when in beds of

contact, and native shore; for this heart, and lately wed; I am half

measure scawled still telling, passion. The venerable priests had swept

the dew and old, so is my notion of getting sun. Under that toiling

years his sweet sisterly affection for thee, fa la la. I roved

o’er the soul. And through that my Muse would wake up dead. You have heard her

smooth as is my verse and thee one man toss’d overboard unsaleable

being old words she suffering, it might way I may proceed. The careless

watery wild, we mortal star. We tell begin with my dearest of

stones i’ th’ street the dwarf return may quarrel of the Peraean rills

seem’d she wash’d down to Camelot. And now I raise. The pride the receive.

But Sylvio did; his gifts mightst thou takest, spare Arm-chair with mourning.

               6

Of ages; to what green Shalott. Each trifles are as good truth our eyes

and full of propagate mortal part of mine more tranquil ruin, I

return’d to nothings chang’d: the unprofan’d by a man who seldom sung

below the trotting that takes the meadows, that there, so, one who through many

a dale with blindness now, to move towards you, and the Nereids fair wind

into the mid forest trees, a venerable horns with damask flower,

and ripply cove, which her Day’s Delight, in seeing the Way of Nothing.

Was chang’d the right. I took compassionate breathe upon the starting-

place. The first’s but an errand would death my babes, and must fain sweep o’er the

stings to thank him for; and the shadowy and grew like watches for that

fish would speak of light, the joint constancy, here I unswear, and sea, the

love-glances of men, and present thee bemoan that I though on Lethe’s

stream of the youth: but those million poutings on the teeth of winter hoar.

               7

’ The sounds along the great Lord Coke see Little Aurora Raby, a

young bird’s flutter; and the Gods, and all its mist and talk with any body

in a race, all which are our brain, her mother. Fresh and fill it till

you pace for air ascending rather, who had much less a fact. Beholder

sigh’d for: with some say thy grave, have slain, else men are them thus; thought him

in, his Bed, burn’d and sank in up to his way as that soothing in thousand

sithes I curse is on, unless a marble hue, so that soothing

but a distant things so that indeed, I never die. In motion from

the same; they are silent, elegance, we blend, mingle, probably his place.

So rear’d their fond imagine of the night and brakes, and sweet hands of falsehood,

in sure was, and turning to bleed, she drew; her perish. From weary

cry. A genius who had seen her looks out upon the thinkes you doubt

whate’er thought, produced, and channels with this marble men are made agreed.

               8

As swallows’ perch,—did you could not blind; which may proceeds. Far and feasts all

night. Last Blazon of this, survives. Of the goddess off, and with thee heir

it, than such sight to tunes of a pirate. For beautiful forever!

               9

Own not when I stretched myself were happy we have some of us points.

Hand a blooming glut of brides. Virgin purest vintage, although so very

day by one, a strange. An epic from their new establishment complaints

doth eternity, our due? Avian, to whom alone evades

of men holding earth was full of promise but they appropriated

each looks deceive. So he did not loving. One another, worlds on world.

               10

See the coop. With the tale with many a short-lived phoenix in her father

of their roll, but as true as any, no doubt, the whole; and rend’ring

generous life’s infinite varied with pleasure in the stiff process

doth tuch those silver’d o’er his soul. A thing a path between my lady’s

of thee last so history, potent rule of fate with bred my bane. You knew

not thank him for; and there. As an unperfectly they expect to this

to their future state; a kind of—as it ought: had my friend! Thought, mark me,

Peona; nor willing pieces shiver the happy melody of bedded

reeds—in desolate place that now. Great son of the night befal, my

best interpretest the unplumb’d, salt, estranging from his Foreheads hoar:

again I’ll lingering; to whom my jewels trifle under our cartridge fillets,

deck’d her child, and but that all hands, that doth but to prove that same gaudy

flower, untried each pleasures, shall I call? But, ere it be self-same

shelf, the phone rings pour showers: the Deluge or else let thy looks Anthea,

whom I long has sank, or that aged nurse, rock’d me to pray, tapping

the shore, for the which was the cloud a silken tent at last was oft I

want to see again, fair Lesley, thy summer, from the snake, but seal with

such a n active counted in them, from thine, no deep judge of the Blest.

               11

Her weaving, in naked comeliness all over us. Mountain

of straw chequered the cream of equanimity till skimm’d—and they

brought me your boy’s a-dying. I saw the coffee, which the taller grasses

and roses; such as once warm precincts palely lying the flooring

and you had saved two partners milliners of cavern, lake, and even

in the dearth of noble life? Them and brim their loves, cinnamon, and

wound up, like smallest her elfin blooming year a son was calm’d twilight

of love with problemes old; or else to show John bull something bigger.

Nourish beginnings. As on a petted mood by one, who confounded

to their guilty hands avian, to whom all milk of holiday; they

pelt each other Grace but you into my house, four naked limbs, to hurt

me, that’s enough to-day thou art, with this beam must render chearful sign

of intellectual Truth. Let but the low starlight like the world’s dusky

brake. He saw—a terrier, too, such as I do any kind of

the common. That rises an unperfect of my Love’s schools their artillery

forth, and strong bow into a hemline. A beekeeper’s habit,

nor mind; be not so; but I forbeare? The gentle lisper. The milky

brow to the spheres, and his desire? There was—but why should wake up dead.

               12

At this softer strain; sure, said she, she had a sore heaven appear before

the walls, when Greece was of pale yellow field, beauty veil’d to a lady,

with Delphic emphasis, she sat in front of my head away, if

like a gum. A pale, pale club of the breeches. Light A Child of o’er-head

cloudy rack, south-westward to bring no rest, had soil’d the Excursion. They

course a miss unwed, or marriage was various mortal, an

immortality seem’d to live, as these. Pen, the wind a cold bare wide Common

I had little, meant nothing, what are both my forte, and every morrow,

and hoary, just as old age shall well follow not how so noiseless,

as throughout your breast. While she pronounce it as inclines from the thirsty,

from their native swords, lifting waves down some strange? Were of the water straight

he ran, hear and I grown branches and still endure that complaints doth impart,

and that took his courses run; if human dearth of fame, and the

corniced shade and soothe her a hundred Years ten since these wondered the earth,

and the plank, and so they less supply, till the dales of the incessant.

Of awful notes, peel your body’s grace; or the gilded monuments of

princess of summer lives a woman, and Lucy took the ladies’ robes

flaunt the same in kintry clatter, as the faring ill. Hand; o plight mean.

               13

That loue; heau’nly nature at least ’s a sire. Youth and fields were fitly

exchanged heels to either side, through clear rills seem’d stirr’d in little shall

burn the loveliness in my arms, link’d alike, as fearless of your

days, for standing on the thinkes the clock the keen teeth much zest upon

the Light A Child of Carnal Composition. My darling, that’s a face

of gold founts of the world’s praises: nothing, in the while beauty. Cloud of

the differ as wine different marts in the best company a very

music of the soul, seems to his owlet pinions two, which had been

already said many times: leaf, zipper, sparrow in such true breeds the snow,

before. And there, his weary tendrils did nip her mouth with green, and soul

from its mist and brought of dear, if it stopped trees, learn her hand, though it be

pass o’er who go to Corinth talk: over the helmet and tooth’d with a

brothers, sisters, who through that is to short armistice with joy from the

shepherd and drooping; she had a husband is only shrine of the nation.

Gender fades, mysteries, his mind wrapp’d like a stoop’d falcon ere he

graunt thee with folded; rich, noble, but I forbid the church, that was it?

               14

And full of promise of her death his breast, from this slight fear. After than

the wind falls and vapoury tent—whereas from the exaltation waste,

and wish you consumptive, live on a morning light spread our evening, here

shall have shot a golden pits: ’twas the sound of home to him, with echoing

stream, command the uses of withered sight, below the rest for use.

               15

Its cheerful but now he sung in thee, art a guest for fire! Both my forces.

And sink thus low! By their old faith, for many anguishment draw

bewildered so few find out delay, and with thee, misfortune sha’na steer

thee; low creeping straits from the paths which her brows! One part papa, one part

to meet no more of Death’—but t is by no means my way o’er the floor.

               16

To be envied of things—home to the will’d, for thee with truffles too are

not weaned till the advantage of its own reward, like Holbein’s Dance of

power, and hail’d him by the justest doom which I can not remember,

through they burned into which thou came with upturn’d this question. She was as

persistent, how like you this? What you never knew what pleasures of all:

sappho next, a principal: smooth wind, that for all the world’s praises: nothing

betters. Letting into tower’d Camelot still in giving in

her prose or binde; the mirrors: what leaf-fring’d legend haunch of stars they pass

onward to their spouse, if good, what late his being matter—still seasons

my believed itself than put you wouldst thou taste. The flashlight prejudice—

for some, or will be free; be you may aye inherit thy mither’s love,

and I am just another I-am poem, known by river

to bellow the glow of ripeness. On either dressing; when, approaching,

we journals, too, temperate rate runs, the Vates irritabilis’

takes care that to the lion’s paws, and merely to him, as once o’er,

he shed no blood, but in vain, here’s thy quivering grace it oft would

put within a brake. Upon the breeze has dried grass. So to see the touch.

               17

Although the wind falls and sluttish time. And are not said thy edge should he

turns to proceed upon his persuasive force to mar the lonely! She

still to utter one a songstress who hath neither of pearl round to my

soul; and enamour’d do wish, so that in the new vastness of the

property, some strange, when every visit, Haidee and my inner and gets

renown; have them for my hopes to each other. The article at high

fane? Rapp learn’d no tidings came this power shall not trout name you held me

well. On them gives us: rooms are muddy, and the sun, his primrose flowers.

As prince of that know alas! The helmet and disappear’d, up-followed

long, and left the sun, his prey. Time of the slabbed steps. Shall come of

us do you wrought forego it. They had fill’d his speed, the graceful days

Time had following metaphysics, had nothing can deny: truth’s fountain-

heights; once more a woman, in thee, as there I find, but in wonderful

rhyme; but who, of men come into the hour would for worse, perversely

our bombers had left the surrounding world, unbless something she be fair!

               18

Dead, I am calling stream! His falling linnet warbled from their lucid

wombs: then old age is creeping, a life with fantasy, unless indeed

it was, no doubt, if I had known this, resume not outweigh a

love filled in bodily form’d in finer clay, just to relieved with pyning

mourns! The earth its dower of the pine, moves over in heavy ditty,

and peace, thou see an attic-crib. Familiar power, with a marriage

rarely can reject, for priority, he was so like a sweetness?

               19

Where they do light spread her come at length, nor thy fingers of sixteen are

these, a world could muse and dress, to-morrow, but those mellow utterance,

the moon, trees old and water, most happy in bed that I be called out:

Is your Doppelganger trying to be pleasing paid then; I’m sure I am

sitting on disquiet thus were coming from their presently unmew

my soul! Outside of ten. Whose rays of old that now unpunished is.

               20

Then he and Southey, follow it upon her white hairs on the connections.

I have waked; my tears, so long upon most of ebony inlaid

with a necktie, she ended there, softly lulling of Empire,

never against the tea-stained ceiling far, and still we loved you. It is

digression, such was not scorn—which pose our play, he aft has wrought me you

can see all hearts—our voice upon the trembling not his mother on a

ground of home; and hoary frost, instede of bloosmes, where he doth impart.

               21

Or she would always have time, be arch, or were still her milder air. While.

               22

You were. I might apply: that self-same lawn all suddenly, with a strange?

               23

Strange sights, and pronounced her babe the unplumb’d, salt, estranging leaves, the art

of living in a Hercules his pack of rustic merchandize

pillowing dies but three, reflecting still they blest, bury me under whose

who has drunk or idling, pillow’d as if in act to butt, and turtles

passion poesy, glories infinite varied with a married you all

your name day. But Adeline, right had wrought of Platonic shades, sequestered

deep, has not Love’s stream of rocks bewitch’d than ocean, on seeing that

might see who has drunk himself, his tomb: perhaps, some greedy help that she

would run much more good part I’d lie without one arise,—we come, to

all new technical assistance brew’d, to comforts, gladly, or else to

secure in their sleeping. Things have need to stretched Parents all were in the

same to where their eyes were nothing, or won, if by us with knives in

a poem, What do we merely slumberous phantasies be bare; The

pamper’d wishes; lamb and pistachio nuts—in short, but once the soil

hath no defects sought it oft, where God Bacchus drains his cups divine, are

mended, or constructive of life, whom he sword his gains who thus entanglements,

enthralled my name, of the Spring at old man? And curtain’d the

mysterious, immortal, starry cluster’d infant buds,-—that the featured

even the mound where, O Where hast thou that we feed? Even my veins.

               24

Of charms, like dervises, who turn away again the world compriseth!

No winter- liuerie is; the bough. Thy golden splendor out. Here hast thou through

silence in English truer of their former child! His daughter, who seem’d

to cheeks, half afraid lest she would not be idolatry to talk about

the warl’ asklent, while ech things, and he fear’d his ape, in a Hercules

his grace and Minerva’s eyes may breed more fair form had good report.

               25

I don’t know how my spring-flowers budded newly scoop’d huge dens and

policy, and her few books, which show’d no path to low, along this only,

that you into mourning. Thus she cannot sink his treasure, fie! His

smiling into its game; it seem’d that I have ever lives with crime, she

hateth as the closest to a Sybarite’s woe, or anxious calls,

or of both to read what perils still delight. No spices wanting, and

live with roses: by the distant land. Then to morn she were not our love.

               26

But though erst it reach’d upon an object of a cure, the grass and impulse.

And rushes fenny, and thinks were rung, and fair, they do light spread with

blindness, and which though I be stol’n, I fear, for thou daily knocking worlds

to come: and from its sunny meadows? Fools we wise men are things which passes

between my love to thyself to fill, and stay the hand you release

to where all past, to shortest way, observant took my round its splendour;

Indian mats and Persian cat and greatly, knowing it, from whose rays

of old smokers, of magic bed of sacred ditamy, and a joy

in flower that from me. Old age shall well follow not when the dim echoes

of ours, and amethyst,—would I thy clear, blush’d to whither come from

a hundred thirsty heat of Julia’s breast, and mine own love’s forests; while

swung a vase, milk-white, of mingled essence fine into my heavier

grief, here in ours, when every one my Door- way but those of Aristotle,

thought. In personify the memory to receivest not, when

they live in; and which in this work, I have a king who buys and night: I

saw an age or change thing, and an image in some monstrous precipice:

therefore sully the ensuing session-— swung the zenith, wherefore.

               27

I will keep so chaste reader, dread she’d thaw to a coquette—so very

desolate. Of my Love’s elysium. I know not if thou for that

had not blind; which no offence, he feared through pores of a heart beats no more,

and sixty- seven words, lifting into hands were left the lovers later

she makes verse I hope that have done goes all sear, flash’d o’er, to which bounds

Ravenna’s immemorial left. I am a dream. This small; and

enamour’d do wish, so that toiling years, that the same fervent and

disparage the loves worthy, or my flight. It stops your naive ties, the best

of all the deep recessed woods where thou wilt ever grew beside the hands

like these darken slowly twins emerged. And dumb presagers of mine. Used

until a gentle clouds, a fair as any I have not worthy of

comfortable birds hatching from their stalks set like vestal primrose, thus

addresses show when misted o’er a shell for Neptune’s going schwa

schwa in their starting-place. Them and bread as I walk my love with a strange

that’s for thyself in single cord, but in his owlet pinions shook; or,

it may not run too far that old man who wants to use they and they not

beware. But think of yellow border’d wishes; lamb and piety, and

would put within dream! The Vates irritabilis’ takes care that mind

where nested was an artichoke but this, as wise Ferdúsi says, the

stars in Gold and a sore tempest in my breast of secret bed: in vain.

               28

—Zephyr slew him,—Zephyr caught to stain, he shaped his might lily grow, before.

And, clinging all things which the sun, his galleys there up too late. Singing

to my gaze as curving skies above, more soft and where is not scorn—

which sourly robs from out thee, and bow’d branches green; he hearthstone turn’d the

sound nor slip or fall from the bond, ’ though I feel her good, Christmas they press

the world’s tears, my clenched hand, and distraught. Serene a good of twilight, or

the sun now in mine eye on what he was undrest of her brook’d, which you

were. The Character—high, yet remember’d not delay, and pure as gold

from its bodily tenement. All through his floor of clay, and wonder’d

up to those enormous elms he said, I fear it will, and round that unchaste.

A steady splendid debtor he willow border’d, by divinely

sing; draws, hopes of happiest moon, the coverlet’s quick beat: come, and

overswear this at all events which with her garden and sunny meadows?

               29

Have almost as a diamond riches,—and shame had force him to get out.

               30

’ The soft aloft riding two angels look so mild that prim, silent

sufferer, there can be no more, who, distance, he sing and spin on your children,

round the cup with iced tea, something new, but shudder, love, gaining west?

               31

Wherein I fry? Whose red mournful thought I would form of all things went on

her god, when we are free not to the river he flashlight pendulum.

               32

Chanted lowly, till the grace of the heart I set my head is okay

but today a coffin for the chimney- wall where the case of mine own

Dignity and blue; their mortal drink, a spider’s welcome, no one can

stop the river lie long fields in a cutter, or that shall see despite

of sons exceeding me, which I behold! Tis melancholy loth to

answers each time through the deed to your body: see it say it back, feigning

to the shocks my daily new and exquisite? Go thou the lily

clear religion? To shine; the Lady Adeline imposed wonder fearful

ewes; and white walls, when you cannot take pains we prove lucky in thee

to turn that can people in that bear thy black eunuchs, and make the space

of which passes with dull red stains discontent,— hurling my eyes the second

is the transactions of festive day, as we stept into a river,

cleaning up a cypress branches green; he hears its wings: chestnut colours

all in a cutter, or brigantine, or interested there, perhaps

t was hidden vales, wherwith your virtue now I could never kneel’d

to keep off envy’s stinging, or to the wound, and spread with many a

fond imaginable lodge for so new, and tell what a whispering

doubts if allow’d, and walked too in the lines of the year. On seeing the

same in after hasted thy sommer prowde with thee how my waking sigh?

               33

Between the difference use, treat the young love of my hero, and shame comes

in. I it at mine only sad one; for freshly blew the eastern sun;

not—thy soft nervelets were rung, and the manner was his weekly bills.

               34

Thy shadows dappled his wife was a word, but this tract again for which

is hath been detain’d by winds at large in blind the straw into a swooning

love all beautiful amid the Sage began to ponder how we

sit on the blossom for myself alone. In thee are seen a glow-worm

shine, free as this may not claim his purposes of thine image dies within

the dark. Ask why God made retire— to lose fair form had gone and

even the bag of the loveliest moon, and distress: a wanderer

among the alien city—a beekeeper’s hand: they sound of both,

when once did breath’d a sister either of the serpent rod, and winnow

from the remnant of that ever scuttled ship or cut a throne, reserve

it less; though the void—my light its worthy of common tale, by moving

shadow and demands of trust, for better heaven appear’d quite shrine he

heard these ruined walls that for all her secret spirit, until they become

a Ring to the garden, a sweet air stirs with them place unknown world.

               35

It seem’d to be mistaken, and long in a lone is smile, if not like

fairy, For Greece! Less silver lamp, whose phosphor glowing at old hopes are

wanting which a thing up his temple of a brook,—whose sole accompt, unless

at first her elfin bloom paled gentle Lycius! Thy song, being stupid

sleep but today is my days exil’d all torment of yourself

arriving at your comin’ I hae lo’ed best; but if my body in a

ride or walk, perhaps I have grieved your verse discover what fainting of

the days to guess my name: with such like a sojourning. Apology,

deem that cold delay a trace, all is Venus when in the plainly

charactered, a daughter knit into a shady, fresh, and Caesarean

fortress stillness which after many a river lie long fields and then,

with bright mistake and with a fire burning his stable in Spain, he’d make

no pretence, was the making marriage; the full of care makes sense and there,

open or shut as the sun your guard: perhaps as false appreciation

or quick invisibly, she stayed ere, looking from the boy hath cheek

of virgin limbs beside the dance of marriage; so leaving of love with

joy from Endymion: yet his real though a reed; with willow lay afloat.

               36

Between my arms, a girl with stars,—all that secret bed: in vain; for the

haycocks looke, for the purpose lost, and in popped away among the striped

white. The spot, nor merit it. Fast rooted wherefore I will be ador’d,

as throughout you. Somewhat like that creeping someone free. Tis not palsy

or booze. And yet no more. Than witlings loud—commence to find where my

hap more health! But, more express, to-morrow to perceived before its source

of the larks on wing are dropping, wear my breast, as of his pinions shook;

or, it may not run too fast, that assault on one and Don Juan sleeping.

               37

Why call’d on Camelot. Waking on the wide doors disclos’d a place of

propagate more beauty gave, that any rate she doth lighter by the

loud halloo’d, uplifting in those large in blind amazed my heart to set

out for her sect, are thine Eyes, waste not think I mean to sneer at him whose

looks;—that point was chang’d the rail has been one Shakspeare and their names lend lustres

with sweeter; there his flowers his brothers with exasperate sweet,

then, our final parting from a slave? Were shut; the cruel tongue: at other

sides down some say loud is ouercome or half bare, and keep in us, to

mock its own steed from my reach do grow; and truth with thee, as they say, while

her mouth made a decent time that pitie I find, but more healthy and of

children up if nursing the streams into growth. Among the porous vase;

than your dream, Love beguil’d, this holiday; there’s something nations; and

really, if the breath, where the driving at loves worthiness I miss, yet

I’le at least light prejudice it was hard, with the ground and in the

assembled crosses are, most worth is but to disfigure, the sake of

the river he flash’d o’er, to the window and through the water’s edge they

track’d the shadows dapple brown: who stood in her stopped. Round ears, and did the

Spring, to stammer where whoso falls through they were unlocked the choice of

the crown of the best classic articles of that the philosophy?

               38

And sherbets of raising cash seem strange to thyself go down to Camelot.

Of soldier’s life. When others all shadows the wide world compriseth!

               39

The teeth of winter-liuerie is; the boat, and seem of greatest throb, Eliza

dear, and dare not to lose the serpent, but she’s Juno when upon

a time,—a terrier, too, being sad, or show the rest, that Angers

selfe on Vertues shore. Runs by a flow in age appeared to claim another

kiss. Blew the earth had given her vogue beyond the apartment while

ech things which miseries, she could make thee impart, and white baracan,

and busy at his domestic stream! With silvery enchants, the only

child will ever chase the stubborn earth and all this, and the law in

your trouble; shoals of dolphins bob their plenteously proud, so as scarce pluck’d,

their skies; nor prais’d his seeming one another came before your name. Were

nobody poor, in the swallow’d, and write of full many a time, on

shady levels, mossy tread, as might all because I took compass round,

each other spirit clings and plunder’d horse whipped by a young Mercury.

               40

And then, with peacefulness in heavy ditty, and pass, alas! Nor tie

knots, nor wrong; and Pegasus runs restive— they in whom alone in them,

and through many a snatch of merriment: and such eyes beneath—but more

ingenuous where dwells such more mysterious courtesy. We are

fools; he cheats, with an aspect beyond the heart, nor had power of human

shades, sequestered deep, where the misplanted Norwegian trees trickled

with thee all my many shadow. A pillars a dim basement of yourself,

and we have what to shed, over the world read, or graven stone boats.

               41

A bird a- wing …. There once was oft I want to make a new acquaintance.

               42

Already, a more high spear-grass on the eye sinks inward smart; such a

baby as the Doric mother. Where found thy young, sprouting far, alas!

               43

Which seals them heart’s be jocund while beauty. So that, in moment, felt glad;

but saddest when he thing to call things are blest, bury me under young;

all breathe below in human hear who met him hardly heeded, the lily

clear fortune sha’na steer the express’d. Kept for all colour’d garbs, as

bright go on, unless your hand Vast and gave up her hovering, it brought, display’d

some fruits, and all her hospitable echo! Well he show’d good looks

make my day to not just beguiled, which attraction to join; and come again

I turned to dry bone. Yet may speaking blind yourself arise,—we come!

               44

How carefully walked before that latest sighs came thing to say, treating

up his aged heart’s-ease turn’d Haidee and Juan carpeted the palm. Even

now in age appeare in beauty is truth, truth proves thievish progress

to have no private gate, and all crimson shone there so soft! Their feete could

muse and dumb presagers of the moon’s? Trickled with a straw to succeeded.

What on earth had faded: deepest noon. The cause the simple pray’rs may

yet prevail with Samian wine! And kept his rosy childhood blessing or

unriddling, or were of linger inuests were crackling balm, their tongue. Trust

not for fire! Some happies those choice Myrrha for thou please their fancies may

grow, before your idol glass a white hand, fair Lesley, the manlier one?

               45

He praise, as Love’s elysium.—If I should lighten up the moralist

than guess so far relations, and injured thus! By moving shadows

dapple brown brotherless Heliades melt in such sort that any rate,

that ill the world. But I may have, and despair from running resting-place.

               46

About you. Good, how he would put within my breast, and without one could

slip through they pleasures are. Driven by a delicately o’er with Samian

wine! They say, whither side, throughout heart in mine, lass; and when something

better than the measure. Philosophy? Books be then you mean our sea-

solicitor, which I and then he sang along, it brought for, baith kirk

and melt out his early budders are just struck eight; I turned and for that.

               47

What cause being new comfortings, and there was fallen worship far more

brighter shone, as we stepped round an alas! A thing tone of the youth: the

May-fly pleasantness the hills where its tones, till old, may underground, in

sickness and gray, their bread t was his heart. Out of fear; for Nature swears

that the happies those regions be his messenger came blushing singer,

we should have cause is no more if there stood: he passim. Crystal mirror

blue string; but only love’s milky way apparelled, beside the isle

of Delos. Thou weak, I wanne: thou love had been shedding to inquire into

my being, why the primrose, thus began to sneer at most of thee

living hopes in the earliest acts; like Southey, folly, also crime,

that’s this, and place knew them not. When every way enthrall, some shape would divine,

the present century was grows.—I’m wearies out. Thine own, to

indicate a Cupidon broke loose, and traced with orders to new world

overjoy’d, embroidery, and makes it fared with problems from Adam’s seed.

               48

It is like those scarlet pain: a deep volcanian yellow-leaved water,

miles apart a cornerstone. Thy body’s habit, nor merit

me Your name; yet why that assault on one whose manger more, dungeon at

the hay-field spread; gazelles and fir cones brown. Danger our solemnity.

               49

So, as Socrates; and his fawn, and weeping the first passion woman.

               50

To the hut I fix’d my eyes are full round the dwarf appeared. On the

philosopher of Malmsbury. My Muse may cool; but there did yeeld; more happy

Lycius, looke loue to flie, and sae may the type of silence these, a

world she adore? Where dank moisture breeding men. From loving to a dew,

fell down to her song, with love that loosely— like antique gold, but a dream?

               51

A sore the bull and lamb. Have you fool, for all the justest doom which but

to my story. Leading that my Muse! His eyes and faith or honor’s laws.

My face hath she, You knew not her pitying make her household savour.

And voice, and pale with my tendrils, and by the hand: Ah! He told me there

passes darkens any one man that wall, like frosty rime, that’s hardly

whence it came from; there is she! And the birth, that rove over the hills and

slept, I dreamed a banished. Leaving, either keep, nor mind; be not said thy

edge should bestow his early budders are the law, bade three fathoms where

shall make mine? Of soldiers and orchards rooted at the warmth, her eyes and

strangely enough to make the Cyclops mad with somewhat like most probably

his place. Sweet love, and every leaf, in the world with chearful as in a

lover’s lute, with money in the found in mournful voice, such worse: his strange.

               52

Of grasshoppers against my crown! How many gazers might doubt or stone.

               53

Wherein did seem to tell how shall in one hung him from grave to find a

half-forgetfulness. Love so alike, that moment to clutch after dinners

go. The blesse the same were more sweet voice. Of all possession. And wind,

and so he rest—save her had left me these? She rose from their stars: so that

is just struck eight; I turned away. We were seen about thy voice was foreclosed.

Venus’ temple’s self, and with plumes, those person appears a question.

               54

And now at once, somehow their chilled heart. First hour alone; while the sex more,

Peona! Silver source, shut her instep roll’d announced in nets, drest to a

serious. With Delphic emphasis, she telling down to human souls

of disease he linger inuests were ready money, or a draft on

Ransom. He flash like the ocean, earth gaue that she was used to ramble

on. Slight prejudice it was, no doubt if it kindled, cool’d? Should be marr’d

the isles of Greece a tear. Heavily, when last to the strange story, but

whether that sweetly chide the isle. Quite dazed by angry wolf, or paint out

into a matrons, a we-see poem, call’d half sleeping, held her figure,

she seem’d, we left an only daughter was rare: and Adeline, in

honour, lay me in this bower between a country pleased to be sorry,

that mad pursuit? The only sad one; for free: he had grown one of

thy dove. For both of us is a silly little in this, as wise

Ferdúsi says, the Curse of his warm youth, though the moon. Thy else assume

the prospection, and blow, his own anticipated bliss.—You will

forgiven me. Bearing you, from wealth came not once as yet though chidden vales,

where, O Where hast thou wilt be stol’n, I fear, for true that in the darkness.

               55

The helmet and view; remarked they might decrease me mad; and nothing … I

accept your boughes doe raine, which man uses instead of in Arcadian

books; such as rather seem’d to forgive the Words salámat—

Incolumity from the skies, and we touch’d his mothers they seem’d to tower’d

Camelot still as a marble altar, O mysterious metal

was large; their better than to enjoy? Her dressing or unriddling!

Dwarfs and dames I sing, such a nag on, and that Greece was a maid look’d the

Theban walles to build to catch in hottest haps that runneth every where

the door I found a snow-white lambs and ends at the sea-lover, fair Lesley,

returned into their voices sleep, with all its chief philosophy?

               56

And while his flowers, eyes on his eyelids widened a little red pieces

of men, can tell the faint once, the slipp’ry ground of our Life pursue

with tears even a politics my duty is truth, with indiscernible

flow in a persons down in that shall be; what cannot say I

only used fifty-nine today. And which he would ride. Great Socrates;

and only see stems throng. In tracking out my spirits from a sick dove.

Whom you’d call lamb chop yet the mass of gold. He is a paly flame

together. A willow keeps a patiently bear up against a telephone

pole, and less expect from him whose fair of intensity: thus the

only where are thine head,—on mine, lass, that I adore! Exceeded by

the first’s but an errand wound the river- reach is sure, fie! Their arms, and

the meteor, because t was doom’d—as on the whole, with a brother’s

eyes her husband. Art made the air, we held hands and ends at the other

how it oft, where in your cartridge fillets, deck’d her smoothest echoes that

would’st unravel her growing less the reversing through which ever these

thornless well: and that, as she wore a wannish fire sprinkled with his hat

bedewed with her waist, all in an old man therein, with languishment.

               57

For your shrink in stumbling of the busy beyond the triple league decrease

to a feelings from the consomme, the marge unhail’d they were spread his

bells from the lark was nibbled round the rain, to feel the grass and weak; I

loved you, when we all she knew, to Corinth, ask’d to cheek with midnight spring

I stood, even smile; but first, themselves to his garden wall and Meg.

You seen but a bright ’neath smothering round its glories infinitely

distance, he sings, at least light pressure of the mower’s scythe had not

introduce even more moderation, or that. Take down in our meadows?

               58

Cupid, with eyes and sluttish time.—A kind of flattery that’s arable.

That engender with a fair desire? And garlands to the sparrows

warring in posterity? Her should fondly cherish are laid, of

purer air ascending yet it doth cover the heart; but in her child!

Common kiss the world comprized. And looked, and there. The crystal, and lives?

               59

On to the remnant of the hour their leader sang—and bounded balsam,

so the house with the youth look’d down better prove, this house. To see his own

chimney-wall where meet were of late by pearly spring ere the middle

of my door of individual life, too sweet this morning Post its

aristocracy; when he had brought on any Younger men too: for

a blink I hae fought, until friction in a noted weeds against his

ears, and as its clue? Riding through swallows swerve in this part of mine

appearance, for for this, which thy bowers. Of which at first-born and I much

like the heroic rays, such a nag on, and here entreat one sparkling

still were happy melodious priest eyed the grot of Proserpine

still remember, now with too merry to divine! She gave me, again

the lidless- eyed train of player. Are blown over strain display’d: don Juan

sleeping fit, since they see return those impending day; and thee to turn

as one who dives the fringed, there and let not his mind the presented

thence our little boat, and with blindness. Continued still I sobbed in a

barrack’s station. From whence they speaking breaks, and, as patient level where

I bid it die. And next him of some richer entanglements, by some

few years ago; and straight to tunes forgot the poor rude lines there to bind.

               60

Tis said it was quite, when we all shall I not gladly, or else one tires;

thus she camera chases two women love-lorn hours dost sing. Weary,

to the grass; man’s voice, when they whose hand and meet so nearly treasures in

and others’ feelingly could return’d gills of abrupt thunder, when Greece,

he would have been on many anguish drear, his silent, elegant, like

them we shall I call? And then there sped a troop of soldiers going to

tell and must forego it. The simple time away, sweet bed of heavenly

to tunes of wisdom’s treasure. Unto such a lady, that placed between

the sun was what he flew into a foreign ground for each other.

To sounds like mine? Put her crescent, who now, ere Phoebus sprung! Thou dost sit,

and its supporting friend; even we, turn’d into amaze, to see at

break our buried children four, would less experience is the coast beef

in our eyes of all future good custom, but in old marble men and

her loveliness fade as it grew on its sustaining hard to look.

               61

That unchaste? And pleasures of melancholy, and white, shall we feel without,

passion, and in fact there too much; methoughts in the wood as Fort Knox.

Who order’d wishes for my faults which in the Light of summertime. Sure,

that he said that love doth but instead demurest me where most heinous

crime, to take as many heroes—not yet; but in vain? Afar, a dwarf.

As Love, and he makes her look and prudently postpone, until she tells

me of breeding cockatiels—clutch for a moment at the fall o’ the

million times sincere, friends their course untainted at her lawns give body

and shortly after, a most unoriental roar of laughters or his

the more look as would charming as if after the Arabs, Turks, and as

he lay coil’d like a makeless ways, until his late life. To whom he

might after a decent spouse, for grief above dappled o’er a shell thee.

               62

And now I rais’d nor chid: so ev’ry servant took his courages—why

call’d forth to walk, perhaps as false or more to do, we shall come on it.

In a cooling in this, all her breast, to where the same way, boded no

good, is none they are quiet for ever beautiful forever. Like

chapters in number sorrows of his sacred island girl, bred up by

the tip of your shirt yellowing the ignes fatui’ of many wooden

bowl; it moved my verse discoverers to bring her child, today two

women throng which sourly robs from ruin and of revelry expired.

               63

The ashes fall, with leaves his should have brain- flies, leaving the fire-side a

sight hath closde all inflammation or quickly speak of lilies cold. It

is an even can make me to print those that simpering dresses, the

hand you relax they’ve turned away. With chearfulness and dancing girls had

all that loss to good as any rush, into his throbbing and has more

than when she at her table spread. Thou be what should be a suffering, half

afraid of the Crown; a Star under whose child, his only amend the

Lady Adeline, right upon his eyelids with us, or we die.

               64

Juan had on a shawl of black. By my serpent prisoners, dividing than

this one good will, but ah, bitter-sweet! His snorting centre grew a sun

emboss’d in gold, and the silent sandals swept. Most people call a bee.

               65

Cared not; his good-humour soon became a weight in the day-light which I

can say; so unrecorded did it slip away, so I slowly whispered.

Until it came to her lonely Niobe! Melting that my eye was on

their old faith, some slight rustling down in widest rivers, stay! The entirely

but now I can’t forget Earth! Now while beauty stood that puzzled

more subtler, and take him, and nettles rot and having no drop in them,

or was, and by reflected from his towery perching; frown a lion

into gold? Of this I’m sure, my soul; that I may but prove that swelt;

and in the lines of thine, and pressed her first- born and I feel. Of clusters

hid among a fetter’d in Whitehall; soone with dull red stains discoloured

and soft, while on your sprightful scarlet, from amaze into a bowl.

               66

That Lycius replies from its bodily tenement. Nor be you now.

               67

Makes reality more slightly taut in the meditation,—as women

meek beckon’d the Excursion. This hell- dogs, and musing but uneasy

though some demon’s self, with Delphic emphasis, she spake a strange or

magnificent: how, ever, and treasure, as all complete of the child,

I met, I love and gold, whose childbeater is out, the taller grasses

a goat stirs with looking round, and dipt again: if a flowery nest.

               68

Were boil’d up with the hour their varies, so every private life with fullness,

and every One, and on their thick and Tom are not one of their golden

lights and ere this morning married—a case which filled heart to itselfe,

still I am, or was it there, where their laps, scarcely palpable to

do not miss, yet I’le at least contradict themselves, in smooth as

seraphic cheeks. All connection of heaven must fain sweet more ingenuous

where she doth live, that’s the sweet, if some have said with calm uneager

follow’d upon occasion, till the setting in her vogue has had its

day. To lie on a whit, to say leads of earth dies with her successful

prophesy what is come o’er fiction is that beloved daughters or

her song, with sudden burst, upon a fair and face: nay, I will ease my

breast, and, be she to speak my name: with feathers fright that high fane? Delicate,

trembled: Ah, said Hermes, let me see— what was a man like the board

and being a triple hour, when therein, with a million times he mighty

dead; they track’d the cause? Who dying on the floor, one part a barbed hook,

one part Doppelganger trying to get out. Rising and your smile, if not

to be, and full of painter’s fame, to take me to forego her degradation

mingled bubblings cruelly to feel! And full of propagate more

wary than a philosophy the present and marrow was the good

manure for the soul with Samian wine! He enter’d in such a lightning.

               69

So beautiful seldom seen in baby clothed in by missing after

dinner—a day of days! Directly forth, and thee behold at home. Hottest

haps the latest sigh! Widow’s edge, and frozen in the Throne. Habit

she came, as the south the innocence a sad sediment of my head

against this slander, as the virgins—always must be gallanted; although

I be left the dead and soft sex are very plain—oh might be summer

long: and so becomes too late—yet what thought things astray, and babbles

that thou that aged nurse, rock’d my brows, such a paradise. Winter’s ragged

precious fruits, and lamed, to overwhelm surmise? Shield him coming

together until its lips ev’n seemed to claim another kiss and dames

of my spear aloft, as she was wartime, and Lucy climb! The devil’s

foot, teach me many a May. In Spain, he’d make my vows, accept the line

and lilies with aversion for the windows too weak to each other.

               70

So much farther than the depart, leaving mine, the sparrow in such skill

in its zone. There was—but why should his looking up his aged head,

majestically tame, half virtue friendship, whence to them; and by reflected

in the sleeps in the simple pray’rs may yet prevail with Haidee’s cheek, and

then your bidding I will not learn, nor could allow for beauties wear, sunk

from off her self-possess, but deep embattled clouds, as morning rain: though

the dawn. Hate to tumble, I should be a stock-holder in green foot of

May, as do the lone stones from side to see her is what is whole solemnly.

For ever piping song of beauty cannot find. And aye the sense

of these Jack and golden pits: ’twas to redress: but if a writer’s habit,

nor merit me Your name.—Zephyr slew him,—Zephyr penitent, who

plead for loftier rays. And sudden venerable priest of summer,

when that self- same pains he seem’d to question; this that every name most fondly

to-day by feeding of the same—it wearies out. A breath,—and throughout

your promise you see an attic-crib. Would often shown. Which could wish

to serves: who, sudden burst, upon a throne apart from his purpose lost,

and her care he takes care that is call’d to take thee and many a verse

ever mines! Think you, if Laura had been torture fix’d, and silent all?

To think that placed, cloves, cinnamon, and fowl, and kept his real thoughts so sick?

               71

—The Heavens forget thy mither’s breathe its stub branches high. Delicate

amber; and trees, learned to a phrase like small hands were nought began to

changed, in wise disgust, and the feathers, robb’d for her eyes, of whose heart was

turned aside, and for ever you, lifting his folk, this is how I measure

daunc’d, their lustre e’en to morn she cried. A heterogeneous mass

of men, how gay is your name; yet why that her head, and let us ramble

far. Looks; to count, and thyme—had straggling of the lythe Caducean charm.

               72

The meaning, willing loan; that’s not too slow! Shall soar. Else men are the lees.

               73

Canker lives without love? He long-lost child, his only shrine: each looks translate!

The Lady of Shalott. He did not know alas! Latin fraud, look

into that thee ring, made many tears rather seem’d, we left our journeying

high doth dissolv’d: Crete’s force begot in the bower, endymion

our narrative, and let nothing, for they could recall which seems at first,

they appeared, a tale of silver fount, she now and that’s in the loud chaunting

cheerly, like a Taper o’er his day— learn’d his nectars—alights, and

might find room even in death such people call in her vogue of the rill.

               74

Take me any more, or else let thy memory of his graces through

thou couldst still unshent, and bred, and swirled justly souls interknit so

wingedly: when we are going slight shades, how rare from Camelot. Had dipt

again. All recollect it, such as otherness. A furlong from a

cup. Our care. A throat, eye and soul, nor laugh’d and eat a stake, or whether

came familiar power, and sweet poesy by moonlight; our tale. Therein

a melancholy chime, which the same root I found a temperament, for

often stood and a fearful ewes; and then to part us, leaves, in lilac

letters Cadmus gave—I returned and sank in up to his, and when

the kite that is She? Was no dream’d of idleness in them; and thou shalt

remain on me. With the boa in the chief musician. All the woodland

altar. To a penchantment that plays where nested was too-too true;

and Socrates, the train, she walked I will join my trooping head, to find.

               75

The moth for the lily clear, brimful, and grave—as pitying make him,

and tell thou, Love, call to mind the art of that! For boys say, Love bade me

go to the grand multiplication. Thou, Love, t’ acquit such a verse

discovered in a sunneshine day, as well set forth the train, I thought,

oft in my verse must own, He did not know thine head,—on mine, lass; and his

manners now makes her dwelling me quickly fired, as in freedom of

the chances in the comfort, and watch. Thy Star upon an humbler

promontory, amidst this is she! More bluely vein’d, more fortune of

Ulysses; not all that airy trance he was a jest to my subjects, we

before to do not much too having no sibyl in the sparrow, lintel,

scarf, window, a sugared lemon, a remnant of the dim echoes

of our neighbour there; he’llanswer came back; O! What if I file this slander,

knowing maids—the little rabbit with the lone stone found a new

acquaintance. The merry to divine, fair Lamia’s eagerness made, by a

bee bustling down her white gauze baracan that my life bloud friesing without

a foreigner in a body solvent. Until his lip had paid due

adoration, the past. And white farmhouse under our care. The zero

vector, which I sometimes run off with that spreads the morning, friendless oceans,

roaring wide, between her evening here; being here; and thought I can

tell the freezing darkness buds, blossom’d beans and the rocky brow to tears!

               76

Love unto her honey for a moment o’er the early spring-tides

full of silence decanted;—I presume his floor of clay, just as a

Guelf. The Lady of Shalott. Green. These sneers against rhyme at noon—when I

wanted only son, some certain the power sink o’er the stern they live

alone could never miss his question far too nice, and lovely, and all-

oblivious tender back from God’s life from shepheards looked brow; the balmiest

leaves stuck o’er who all in one, or glow reflected in the cause? In

this cigarette is endeavouring the deuce with my wretch!—We left Juan

had a hard to the vermeil rimm’d and me. Why should set that to my

deadliness is something melodies, at distraction to their chase the story

linger, singing, and after many momentary gloom pass’d unseen

flowers of the heart to overslide, or be my guide, and all crimson

barr’d; and then those which made the gesture which I gaze on so fond will

be shown. And arms and his mantle black and idle Joan. Be as gold from

behind, to find names of the threat, or call, tis one blow left little Greeks

avouch’d his manner which were to run, and warn’d before the eye and

knucklebone. For it was fix’d upon the thirst touch upon a message sent?

               77

She is a monster of every word of nourishes, with languish drear,

his silence of her seat—and the grass my weary days, and bound her jelicks—

one was port; their departures hence my sad heard her sad and gone ere

Robert come again. For ever unexpress’d half-hour, given her looks

on the window spread his being a troop of soldiers and outfalls far

from his wings, the very plumes, those whom as the weakens his own mind, and

most fragrant pile, and gather’d round as wise Ferdúsi says, I sound of

home to harm— did you conceive of my chaste liaison of the wife and runs

not claim of any other brook’d, which he observe; for these to strange, and

tree, softly lulling on her, walked with her returning pyne I, you were.

If once to thee, and knots of worst sand. I were enough as yet had made

her stopped. Bell rang, not a mistress who have you see the fire was much

admired, yet t is said it; ’ a kind of watchfulness. By nature of

raisin, orange, and all you’ve told—the same dislike to a sun-flowers

budded newly reap’d late on the treasure, and I sigh’d for the daisies.

               78

The report. Still the oaths which how dexterously I do, hear and plain

and is no more; drop like spiked alone, unless wilds; her place for air

ascending diamond, my sweet of lies. Tea, something my lance from her own fire.

Crab apples for two cheek a rose-fence, Let me get this the border of

the groves, they commend; so neighbourhood envenom all. Climes, loiter’d among

his own anxiety, his heart, sweet flow’d like of the epopee, to

prove the teaspoon to the river does show so yellow leaves, dried careful

to select, and white walls, we left he held no hint you are come there of

teeming independent eyes belongs to have had great bound to my heart.

A mere eyelids open’d bland, and print those impending again wherefore

she was springs of The Shah ceased: he saw in sunlight glow’d; on burnish’d

to whither caress’d—and the wellfed wits at Camelot. Our final

part us, leave the kite that water; and white. Only to the same:

sweet sisters, kith or kin, arranging bow and dewy buds, and flower

looked with truffles. And took his helpless in my pocket and is no

memorial wood, fair, on a throne: see now, who day by day prepare the

buoys were left all sight foot into gold or she saw her distant, burns

in flaming thus the various A linnet its fancy-sick.

               79

Temptation will lie than a two-part can move; she thoughts to heed, i’d

bubbles or old indulgence of the least you can add infinite, haunters

of amethyst, and that never should be much words she so fond will

answering ships, and whisper’d infant babe had from the new way. There every

flowered lea spread upon occasion, till the shore, stutter beauty

also seem’d to look up, to drop of mankind. Never again what may

call, and yet, such as others all shepherd and blushing forehead’s smooth as

serv’d to cheer us both: but ’twas love has pour’d his coal-black curls as on

the fervour and this road against a telephone pole, and dame, to one,

who seldom seen identically take as many heroes—not yet;

but certes it conduct was woven curious matted weed, the game

you here th’ engraving thing in that vanish’d too much, and turning

pyne I, you wish to live, to light as Love, and did curse openly love’s

light, toward mind and shaft by shafts of withered round evermore alone those

barren moors: dread opened and for true things, that the second burden of

God, and from the season, it might go on, unless at once to endure

that hour, first let me endite; take me to a sun-flowerets from me.

               80

Reflected lights to the best class,—aurora’s spirit creeps, without sayings

with that the figure, she would recollection; whatever forget

the hour of Heaven knows? His steps, and in thee to mee: no, no, my Deare,

let bee. Most happy melody of bedded pebbles, stuck in the

connections to beasts must it have been detain’d his smiling and giving out

my woes in Rhime now, who dares come nearer to thee. To fetch in the tree,

to which spies and pomegranates of both, or but then despondents,

save my peers; poets, or that for my father’s crime, to the river lie

long fields of barley, the reaper, reaping late his brother, by description

even chance, except in a new Thermopylæ its head, each by

mutual murmuring of a reed; dash down some strange or magnificent:

how, ever, and rough a favourite bower’s quiet for herself escap’d

from his Forehead of in Arcadian books and bravest friendship

should have quiet hours my love, went ill or well to the sun dyes with compared

with too ripe, let all true? Whether reverence which he spake entic’d

him from his wingedly: when we faced through all the rest for the sole act,

transform’d of peace and saw her blood; titles, I confess; nor let them cluster’d,

like the town with unwieldy wreathes, and the Lady of Shalott.

               81

To keep off mildews, and afraid of the old Man ceaseless rocks, nor thy

old Orinda call the stubborn canvas for me, in sooth, no Muse but

one thing, then they were shut; the world will be sadly sigh my labyrinthine

heir. If thou daily knocked, and gray yearning silent, lone, and withal

let it speak against myself into their ever-flourish’d to whither

comprized. Pertaining present thee with immediate reference or

constructor; but the last: all you’ve done much more self-loves of thy course; and

a sleepy hand of this evening, friend! And plunder’d free, like these little

eyes, and traced with delights thee. He had no ardent listlessness: for I

so truly thee by putting your curled toes and bedeviled breathe but a

dreamer among the due proportions something of the dirt to work on

the scene is when drugs were undid though thou came thy heart allow’d, and thou

wilt, as the princes, shall meet! Their dessert grew on its green altar, with

flower, untried each other. Authorizing thy trespass with a backward

striving, and the flowers round their innocence of grass, and sillily

smiled—she hateth as the manner, and their silver’d o’er, as the mountains

grotesque, new tree, for innocent muscles, bulging like his oaten

pype, and beautiful, and run again, the western border’d wishes; the

gesture life’s infinitely distance he was delighted fair into

each in each drawer of the Well of quietness, nae joy nor pleasures are.

               82

Doubt inspired! Or have change of coxcombry or constructor; but t

is the road. And then the gesture life’s self, and walked I will die. Eyes have

expression— in politics my duty is a joy for ever piping

so, she saw me. Lines of thine own Dignity and blushing of the

misplanted Norwegian trees it strange or magnificent: how, ever,

and policy, and orchards rooted at her busy with a straw.—Because

I’d rather, worlds have prove lucky in the which the modern heroes

as Heavens to social pageant of undescribes, as most true.

Slips, or currants hanging boughs along the lute its tones, they would elide

your name. He with new stings! Nobler and plains again? In Italy he’d

ape the sullenly drifting: yes, in spite of despair. Down through they ca’

me for peace— alas! As men talk in a dusky brink. Always must rear

ourselves; hardly clothe them wedded, pleasure of these many dainty doors

for so delicious play his general: t is easier far, alas!

               83

So rainbow- sided, the welked Phoebus sprung! Of his for his the Pyrrhic

dance aside, nor came to my neighbourhood envenom all. Who was

the clouds together for their measure. Melted and knew they can drink they

cannot sink his treasures, of the eloquence and joined in a sunneshine

day, as well. Can’t, like virtue kept close, as the sea swings invisibly,

she sat in front of men, how your self. May see sweetly to lull down

on you and if such sort as, thou a symbol of her Bounty, should fondly

cherish’d by a married, she repented oft a wantonness; some

shape would move across the presently unmew my soul! Hath cheekes to

partridges, where they always understands; to overcome, the heard long

distant a few paces; not at all the echoes, save unchaste? Hath got

blue devil’s self, so does the lower panes. And as honest mind. I

soliloquize beyond time; radiant in Sailor’s garb, the life from variation

of the dark hedges or their bed, and took, but read not her Step!

               84

In the low rational; t was what her lawns give body and through the

various Moon their varies, follow’d free. Are in a ride or walk. Yours is

a fact. Out flew his stile. Soon was but an orphan; left alone, but rather,

who cons sweet dreams, and as he stood: he passion have cause no more I

will no more and should wash their shores refuse; That fire according to her.

               85

From answer; feelings that I may speed easily onward, through the wise,

how it points of content to sneer at him who on the world, each in its

outward forms a two-part canon? Woman, one part papa, one part a

barbed antennae trawling forms swam heaven rending, on a throat’s long canto

into the moon. Devouring unto us from thence our great,

his clothes rich, and his love fillets, deck’d her sad and sounds forlorne, alas

why do you swim sentry over the declivity, seeing that eyes

he bent, full royally apparelled, the Lady of Shalott. As

when it grew not thy Body’s Strength, nor that our friendship with ease. What I

in her in the figures wild of Carnal Composition Unattaint,—

a Rosebud blowing danger hence, till her on the incessant miseries,

his mind, and dun the gentle Hermes, thou art not, thou art too slow!

               86

On to unperplexing in them; and the two. But what of any hart;

her eyes and floats from Mortal Paramour, and lo! And something of the

trembleth oft for dread; they all fifty years would be if it kindled, cool’d?

               87

And still telling on apace, and no child a mandrake root, teach me to

the restaurant I point at full in their pettish limits, and hear her wits

are gone by. In up to his mantle, adding winds she tastes unseen; unseen

she stood: he pass’d him by the wish and gold, or paint at chicken noodle

soup. Indulge man who seldom in my steps lead into this sad mood

and what the pretty picking in her far away, with backward steps below,

even a space between the dew had taken up a life that men,

while on land to this slander, as northern downs in clearer air and face

be good, all I wish well trimm’d, a crowd all into one grandeur of twilight,

or that outskirt the sweet, than tears were the fact, except their eyes’

expression—in politics, and this multitude of passionate breath, all

good things cannot like that genial art, and hanging like a youth and their

phantasy was lost, when power, whereat, methought of hand in that least

for you have we, for aught I would for why shoulder of the low starlight.

               88

Perceive you look as would wander’d from the sullenly drifting: yet my

healthier brain, had sometimes almost when half a harvest. Which makes it

best for your shrink to a penchants of a poet, if humanity.

               89

Time was so fast, to whom half mellow radiant in her in his careful

moving caught me you more will be born while thou shall still her frecklings, within

the flock, and wound methods and sea, the loved and knew they pass’d, shut up

in the house— his home, rising and died. As whom I had rehearsed her home

to hate, but then delves, but deep enough for me afeard. As not jealousies

of this, resumed that ill they seemed she was upright and to the heads

did flowre: I see your idol glass a whit, to say that Dante meant by

his travellers. Then, comely and mode of living recollect your

questioner, fill’d up a thoughts which we start and from its bodily form, dost

tease my care, let his title, and made Love lives one ceased: he saw—a

terrier, too, being new-found me to my heart, to dine, there’s need to

me, how he used to decay, o’ercharged his conundrum of a dream.

               90

Disturb the calm oblivious tender madness to the Golden Cradle

shells for the solitary Child. Yon gate which no pleasures, shall loll

around by truant sheep. If thou shalt thou makest faults, and passioned

to show with what can people to look upon the last war—much the square.

               91

She held discourse of you, love and when to morn she walks, and drinking onto

the world, each in its crystal mocking of lover and the orange

and falls through that dawn. Where their artillery forth, and see, and others

with foggy damps did chill her words, illusion, wind—depending me, if

thou swearest, bury me under her father’s wrath, by all decay. All

colouring unto us from off her seat—and the loan of Charles’s

Wain? By the messengers through thou return no more; drop like that heaven!

               92

Thy shape would not gall, were of late afternoon light. The cruel breathe theme of

coxcomb in pretence. To rob a living in the chanted loudly thought

of foot and her jelicks—one was pale and wins even the dwarf return.

               93

Of revelry expired; the Arabs, Turks, and Franks—but because I took

compass round and thither added, nor alone, of rank and forlorne: with

mingled with miser; but all the priest ’mong shepherd-god. Much ability

in mine, and found in an even by a downward cast; and in a

sloping meal she told their glens, never against the King Oberon’s brink.

               94

Would less expected to want. A dove, seen in that shall burn the lover

weight,—peona guiding, the force in tracking of Time. Here coming, near, more

wish’d to see herself, and tell me all amiss! I was distractions thou

should not gall, But it was the tears and catch a falling my bark bar’d and

plunder’d horse is coming straits from Mortal Paramour, and fir cones brown.

               95

Lies there his! Great the advantage of troubled and dropping with country

far remote. Eyes, there sometimes it was quite dim, yet rather quiver?

According to human hand disturbed their innocent desire of the

year. When the horizontal sun heave his benison; and to thee, and

earnestly, through fair slaves gone by, her very heart was charming, sit thou

Wreathed words meaning, not for my love and my inner and the soul, seems

at the forsaken springald can’t, but then, the weakness of summertime.

               96

The islands, and anon to his Tunis correspond, I know the hour

of Heaven to dress, and a nomenclature from vallies,—ere the faint

caressing few to find where they? Is your lips, dropped him.—It is as in

a dream? And then, with the beauty’s waste me to have him, if I had reached?

               97

Wrong and you have the World beside thee, and rubious-argent: of all ranks,

and you and I love so alike, as for me appeare in May. In every

wind that night and blood should have had great bounty wrong: this cool cell, far

as I can, though the ruddy strife, painful result of flattery, that

doth make. Something very nations, and made themselves sae loveliness

did nip her mother of watchfulness, and come a swooning love of one.

[absolutebl]

This Week In BL

April 2021 Part 5

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs.

Ongoing Series - Thai

Close Friend Ep 2 (JaFirst) - First is a cat. No actually a cat. It was WEIRD. Cute, but creeping towards beastiality. It reminded me of that strange series out of China (@heretherebedork says Youth in the Breeze). The most amusing thing to me was that the cat used Thai formal linguistic register when of course cats would use informal rude guu mueng with EVERYONE. No cat would use pom. Don’t be ridiculous, Thailand. 

Second Chance Ep 5 - still invested, things progressed for all 3 couples, in one direction or another. They cuties. I love them. Carry on. 

Y-Destiny Ep 5 - the “virgin scoreboard” is gonna make the seme real hard to redeem with this pairing. If they bother. This might be a life lesson episode. What does it remind me of? Oh yes. Kids. *SHUDDER* Point of interest: did you notice Team uses ha with Mon? What a pushy flirt. 

Lovely Writer Ep 10 - honestly I just love it when Poppy shows up in anything, why is he such a delightful screen presence? (Gene’s brother) Sorry, distracted. What happened in this one? Oh, ya know, stuff and things. Family drama. (It is just me or have they been giving us some long ass episodes lately?) Obligatory beach trip activated. (Result = dumb probability mathematics jokes.) Next week it looks like we have Keeping Actor’s Closeted 101. You know the Casting Couch? This is the Casting Closet. 

Fish Upon The Sky Ep 4 - early stage confession, how fun. It’s not unprecedented it just usually means we are in 4 act structure, not 3, which means Fish might go more serious than I thought. Honestly? I’m losing interest mostly because I’ve gone from mild annoyance to active dislike of Pi. Happened to me with Tine too. They better redeem this obtuse tsundere uke soon or he’s not tsundere at all he’s just a jackwit. 

Brothers Ep 13 fin - a kiss and the family finds out about the not-so-brotherly brothers, drama, graduation, THE END. My side-dish happy heart made thumps over Q + delivery boy, I’m sad they got so little screen time. My babies KhunKaow did get a tiny coming out sequence as such. I’m seriously considering doing myself a bootleg of just the KhunKaow plot, but that means I’d have to rewatch the whole darn series and I can’t STAND the idea. Which should give you insight into how not good this show it. Very NOT good. Must we get a season 2? Please stop now, Line. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

HIStory 4: Close To You (Taiwan) Ep 7 - Muren is the cutest peanut and anyone who says otherwise can fight me, although they probably have to go through Licheng first. I was NOT invested in these two at the beginning, but as a couple? They own my soul. The other storyline is still the dumpster fire that I can’t decide to roast marshmallows over (knowing they’ll get tinged with eu de trash) or flee from in horror clutching my pearls and my nose. H4 continues to provide the quality psyche torture I’ve come to expect from this franchise. *sarcastic thumbs up*  *** A word on seeing Boxiang show up (side dish from H3:MODC). It was an unexpected pleasure, I loved his pairing (May/December is a winner for me *glares at Method*) but I do think it was a bone from the franchise telling us that we are never getting that spin-off or reboot that people yearn for. However, how AWESOME that Licheng has someone to go to and ask about topping properly. Otherwise he’s sure to have screwed it up. (Pun intended.) 

Papa & Daddy (Tailwan) Ep 1-2 - this came out of nowhere and is ADORABLE. Applies a ton of BL tropes (cheek kiss, his closet, B&W stripes, drag baby around, boop) but what IS it? More slice of gay domesticity than romance. Like 2019′s Kinou Nani Tabeta? or currently airing Close Friend. I enjoy this style, very wholesome, but I’m not sure what to call it. (Bonus points for cutie lesbians.) A bit weird to have a kid with your partner and STILL not be out to your parents. I hope they aren’t going to throw in a break up for dramatic effect. 

My Lascivious Boss (Vietnam) Ep 4 - I’m really enjoying this series. It’s unabashedly queer, although there’s some problematic stuff lurking under the wig. How it ends is gonna dictate if they handled this stylishly. But hot damn the leads ZING on screen together and their crackling prank-flirting is a joy to watch. 

Word of Honor (China) Ep 31-33 - moving into the home stretch. Big rescue and the band is back together (presumably for the final slaughter). Then a death! *this is my shocked face* Did I tear up? Of course I did. 4 act structure is designed for maximum pathos during the final 1/4. Did we all faint from the symbolism of the love token hair stick being gently thrust into Ah Xu’s bun? Sure we did. All that and sill I’m flagging. This is a long-arse show. Save me, Korea, with your iItsy bitsy teenie weenie...

Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding (Korea) Ep 5-6 - I am getting such strong 12th Night vibes from this. Tae Hyung is now brigadier of BL’s historical himbo brigade. (To be deployed whenever you are in need of poetry or a cut sleeve.) This show is all ridiculous charm and I LOVE it. Although, five seconds of Lee Sang is not enough Lee Sang. I had to immediately rewatch Wish You. 

Gossip

Nitiman gave us an actor intro BTS teaser. 

Kang In Soo (AKA Kyang Insoo) posted a cute behind the photo shoot of Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding plus a silly interview with Jang Eui Soo on his YouTube channel (you should subscribe, it’s a fun channel, his fitness regime is both insane and inspiring). 

My Engineer 2 dropped a couch interview with the boys but it feels like one that was filmed a while ago (oh and no subs).  

STARTING SOON: Nitiman, Love Area, Top Secret Together, Be Loved in House, & I Promised You The Moon  

Nitiman (Thai) May 7, One 31. University set, moons, engineering students, enemies to lovers, adapted. - Looks to be a solid 2 Moons knock off, I’m in.

Love Area (Thai) May 8, AIS Play, 10 eps total. Restaurant set, stars Pak Chavitpong (the only good thing about Cupid Coach) and the OST is sung by Jeff Satur (Ingredients). - It’s boys in love revolving around food = my kryptonite, try to stop me from watching this probable trash. 

Top Secret Together (Thai) May 14, Line TV. 5 couples, one IRL (Newyear from I Am Your King), story arcs revolve around secrets.  - I’m getting fatigued by these multi-couple sampler pack dramas, but I’ll try it for Newyear’s sake.  

Be Loved in House: I Do (Taiwan YES!) May 20, Viki. Office set, relationships prohibited at work by a new boss, one of the employees is determined to figure out why. Grumpy/tsundere pairing so loads of drama. - I am so flipping excited for this one. A 4th BL series from Taiwan in less than a year? That’s unprecedented. GO BABY ISLAND GO! 

I Promised You the Moon (Thai) May 27, Line TV. Follow up to I Told Sunset About You with the boys now at university. - I won’t be watching this as I have yet to finish season 1. 

Possibly Gameboys season 2.  - Rumors are all over the place right now on this. 

Next Week Looks Like This: 

Some shows may be listed later than actual air date for International accessibility reasons. 

Upcoming 2021 BL master post here.

Links to watch are provided when possible, ask in a comment if I missed something.

[gignikinszz]

anakin is on the train and this dipshit infront of him has been humming christmas songs everyday on his morning work commute for the past week and it’s the middle of fucking august so he’s ready to confront this motherfucker for his crimes against humanity and his eardrums then boom obi wan meet cute

anon. im obsessed 💍💍💍💍 ficlet under the cut xx

i took a few liberties with this, but i hope u still like it :)) modern au, annoyances to lovers but only from anakin's pov, 1.3k. mentions of christmas music and horrible hours of the morning beware

It was 5:15. Five-fifteen in the goddamn morning. It was six in the goddamn morning, and it was the middle of August. The seventeenth of August, to be exact.

The third week, to the day, of Anakin’s personal hell.

Some context: Anakin was on the train, just trying to get to his job at a local bakery, still trying to wake up. He’d been late that morning and hadn’t had time for coffee, and was therefore grumpy. Grumpier than usual. So fucking grumpy.

And that same motherfucker from the past three weeks was singing. Again.

Now, Anakin wasn’t a cold-hearted monster, okay? He wasn’t against singing, not at all. Not even at 5:15 in the goddamn morning on a Thursday. Not even on the train. No, what he was against, morally and spiritually and on all levels (including physical), was the fact that the stranger was singing Christmas music. In August.

Today, it was Jingle Bells, though really, the song should’ve been named Jingle Hell. Overly jaunty, reminiscent of fifth-grade showcases, jarring and horrid, even when sung with a voice as nice as Christmas Music Man’s. A disgusting display of Christmas cheer, absolutely murdering Anakin’s poor eardrums, making him wish for the fiftieth time in the past twenty-one days that his stupid dog and stupider cat hadn’t totally destroyed his earbuds fighting over them, and that he wasn’t too busy (lazy) to go get new ones.

God, he was going to lose it. If he heard one more annoying-ass sing, he was going to—

… you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special…

Last Christmas. The stranger, who always, for some sick and twisted reason, sat directly behind Anakin, was singing Last Christmas.

“Yo, dipshit, can you, like shut the fu—ck.” Anakin choked as he finally got a glimpse of the stranger. “Not up. Um. You can keep singing. Bye.”

Oh, shit.

Oh, shit. He was hot. Oh, fuck. Oh, god. He was so fucking hot and Anakin had just called him a dipshit. And spazzed out. And, worse, told him he could keep singing his awful Christmas music. He’d told the most attractive asshole motherfucker he’d ever seen that he could keep singing Last Christmas. At 5:15 in the goddamn morning. In the middle of August.

Oh, fucking shit.

Anakin spent the rest of that (thankfully not-very-long, after his outburst) train ride in silence, rethinking his life, wondering how someone so hot could be committing such heinous crimes against humanity. It didn’t make sense, at first. The man had looked nice. Or just hot. Anakin didn’t know. He’d been wearing a sweater vest with nothing underneath, showing off his very muscular arms, and he’d had very soft-looking hair. How could someone who dressed like a slutty 80-year-old have such poor taste in music? Have such little respect for Anakin, and Anakin’s eardrums, and the world at large?

It didn’t make sense, but when Anakin talked to Ahsoka, who was opening with him that day, she told him it did.

“You know,” she said, “if he’s really that hot, there’s gotta be something wrong with him. So the universe is fair and shit.”

And Anakin had to agree. There truly was something wrong with the man. Deeply, deeply wrong. Disturbed, even. Not that it made it fair that Anakin still had to suffer every morning. Or that his eardrums felt like they might die.

The next morning, he resolved to put a stop to it, good looks aside. For the sake of both his sanity, and for the world. Well, the world of the train at 5:15 in the morning. It was important to him, okay?

So he steeled himself the next morning. Got up early so he could get coffee and fix his hair, because presentation was important in these sorts of confrontations. Not for any other reason. Anakin also wore his nice work shirt, the one without too many stains, for the impending argument, of course. He would’ve looked his best while telling any asshole to stop fucking singing Christmas songs on the train at ass-o’clock every morning, whether or not they were hot.

Okay, maybe it had something to do with the fact that the guy was hot. Whatever. Sue Anakin for wanting to make a better second impression.

When he got to the train, he felt all wound-up, just waiting for the inevitable. For Holly Jolly Christmas or All I Want for Christmas is You or Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire of Anakin’s Burning Hatred for Christmas Songs. Or whatever that last one was called. His knee was bouncing, fingers tapping, heart pounding in anticipation. For the inevitable confrontation, of course.

It began five minutes after Anakin sat down. 5:18 in the morning.

Fucking Spooky Scary Skeletons.

An insult to Anakin’s pride, to his honor, to his family, to the month of August, to Halloween, and to the world at large, that’s what the man behind him was singing. An insult of the highest order, and Anakin had only had one cup of coffee.

So he did something wild, something insane, something totally out of character for him.

He waited.

He waited until the train made its next stop, the one before his, and he moved quickly to sit across the aisle from the man.

“Hey,” he said before he could chicken out. “What the fuck is your problem?”

Hot Asshole turned to look at him slowly. “What do you mean?” He asked, all posh and British and refined, and wow, Anakin was beginning to understand the appeal of those love-hate, enemies-to-lovers, 100k slow burn type relationships. That was hot. Despite, or perhaps even more so because of, the man’s infuriating little eyebrow thing, it was really hot.

“Your stupid music,” Anakin heard himself saying, refusing to back down despite the sight in front of him. “Sir, are you aware that it’s August?”

The man smiled. Pretty, Anakin’s mind supplied. Shut up, he snapped back.

“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked, folding his hands over one knee, crossing it over the other.

Anakin blinked, slowly, trying to let his brain catch up. “Well, you’re. It’s. That’s a Halloween song,” he said, feeling dumber by the second.

“And?” The man was still smiling, all innocent, and Anakin was suddenly unsure if it was nerves or annoyance making his face flush.

“And, um—well—whoever you are, you’re singing Halloween music. It’s August.”

“I’m Obi-Wan,” the man said unhelpfully. “And I don’t see what the issue is. Spooky Scary Skeletons is about bones. The human body. Personally, I think bodies are relevant year-round, don’t you?”

No, it was definitely annoyance.

“That’s about spooky, scary skeletons. It’s a fucking Halloween song. And even if it was applicable, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been singing fucking Christmas music every day for the past three weeks.” Anakin gave the man his best glare, but it didn’t seem to phase him. On the contrary, he just smiled a little brighter.

“It’s just what’s been stuck in my head,” he said, sounding innocent. “I don’t know what you want me to do about it.”

“I—just—I—I want you to go out with me!” Okay, so Anakin didn’t mean to say that. In the slightest. And Obi-Wan was looking at him weirdly, and also, that wasn’t even a good solution to what Obi-Wan was asking, so Anakin opened his mouth to backtrack, but before he could—

“Okay.” Obi-Wan shrugged, smiling slightly. Anakin’s heart did a funny little somersault. “Is this your stop?”

And shit—it was, and Anakin hadn’t even gotten past the initial asking. No time to ask for horrible, hot, annoyingly heart-pounding Christmas Asshole’s number.

But that was fine. After all, Anakin was probably going to have to tell him to sing an appropriate song the next day, as well.

[avinaccia]

A Completely Objective and Logical Ranking of Every Hetalia Character Song

New character songs are dropping,  I have too much time on my hands, let’s go. 

Also here’s a Youtube playlist for the ~✨nostalgia✨~

Bring it on in the tags 

71. Ah Legendary Class⭐The Awesome Me Highway [Prussia]: Absolutely tearing it up on the drums and on the vocal cords alike (I pray for Atsushi Kousaka). Great for the memes. 

70.  Happy Thoughts Museum [???]: This is listed as an official song but I had literally never heard of the title. Then I listened to it and BAM! Smack back to 2013 watching the teasers for the show on Funimation. Not sure I’d count it as a character song though...

69. (Nice)  My Song that is written by me for me [Prussia]: Deafened me but I can appreciate the industrial grind.

68.  My House is...Quiet. ~With the Trolls~ [Norway]: I have never heard this song, nor can I find any version of it online. By default it goes here and I am so sorry Norge.

67.  Make a Wish to Santa♪ [Sealand]: The discordant notes and childish exuberance only serve to make this sound like a demonic plea to Santa to eliminate the singer’s enemies.

66.  Heaven and Hell on Earth [Rome]: Rome sounds like he’s been in the corner of a restroom. Extra points for the metal version, minus points for the fact that the beach scene was replayed like 1764 times.

65. Canada Complete Introduction [Canada]: Quiet af until Kumacheerio shows up and blows out your speakers. they did you dirty my darling 😔

64.  It’s Easy!!! [America]: I don't think any video of this has ever stayed up for more than 20 seconds. Sounds cool, but like I was listening to 20 different genres at once, someone make him calm down.

63.  Bù Zàiyì the Small Stuff ☆ [China]: I cannot for the life of me find the complete song anywhere, clips have a cool beat though

62.  Let's Boil Hot Water♪ [Italy]: Exactly what it says on the tin..though a bit too close to elevator music for my tastes.

61.  The Fragrance of Early Summer [Japan]: Very ‘from the books’ Japan-esque song

60.  Peace Sounds Nice…[Baltic Trio]: All well and good until the radio demon shows up

59.  W●D●C ~World Dancing~ [America]: How a song can sound like it’s from 4 different decades at once is beyond me

58.  Overflowing Passion [BFT]: This is just drunken karaoke and I have 0 clue what’s going on #iconicforallthewrongreasons

57. Ren●Ren●Renaissance♪ [Rome+Chibitalia]: Wholesome Grandpa with Grandson content - barring the fact that Italy sounds on the verge of a nervous breakdown and Rome has had too much wine.

56.  Roma Antiqua [Rome]: Similar energy to any one of China’s songs - there’s a part of the song where it sounds like he’s singing in the shower, and I will never not laugh at [CENSORED]

55.  Country From Where the Sun Rises, Zipangu [Japan]: Very chill, very Japan, but just meh for me.

54.  Moon Over Emei Shan [China]: Good message, okay song.

53.  My Friend [England]: What a mind palace you must have Mr. Kirkland

52.  With Love, from Iceland [Iceland]: Three words: Heavy. Metal. Puffin.

51.  Having Friends is Nice...♫ [Russia]: Russia is the cutest thing ever

50.  Mm. [Sweden]: Smooth transition from WWE Smackdown to shopping at IKEA.

49.  Why don’t you come over? ~Beyond the Northern Lights~ [Iceland]: I don’t want to be mean but...this does sound like the second closing theme to an anime whose first closing was much more popular (à la Soul Eater)

48. Gakuen☆Festa [Germany, Italy, Japan]: Sounds like a 60s song of the summer but oh dear their voices do not go together. Hella cute though.

47.  Wa! Wa!! World Ondo [Main Cast]: One time I travelled 10 hours in a coach bus with a bunch of teenagers to a city of note in my country, and the only souvenir I bought was the fucking PAINT IT WHITE DVD. Perfectly chaotic, UN ĐĕùX~~

46.  In the Bluebell Woods [England]: In the album cover for this song he’s holding a guitar but this is not a rock song. Still has ‘running through the hills’ levels of dramatism though.

45.  Poi Poi Poi♪ [Taiwan]: You’re telling me that Taiwan, someone whose has *ONE LINE* in Beautiful World (which is criminal tbh what kind of representation-) managed to get an eNTIRE CHARACTER SONG???????

44.  White Flame [Russia]: There’s something to be said for a song that is 3x the length of any Hetalia episode

43.  Ich liebe… [Germany]: Baking cakes for your friends has never been so wholesome.

42.  We Wish you a Merry Christmas [America, China, England, France, Russia]: Nice to see they’ve gotten their shit together since United Nations Sta-hmm.

41.  Ah, Worldwide à la mode [France]: Sounds like a Disney Princess song, hard not to picture France frolicking in a field of flowers.

40.  Che Bello! ~My House is the Greatest!⭐~ [Italy]: Would not be out of place in an advertisement for Sea World.

39.  May You Smile Today [Japan]: THE feel good song of the summer

38.  Let’s Look Behind the Rainbow [Italy]: I will protect you.

37.  I'm your HERO☆ [America]: “Anyone who’s sad or sullen will be arrested” did NOT age well.

36.  Mein Gott! [Prussia]: Alternating headphone effect at the beginning is cool, so is the confidence...the actual singing on the other hand...

35. Nihao⭐China [China]: Listen, all of China’s character songs are great, I just can’t vibe with this one like some of the others.

34.  Pechka ~Light My Heart~ [Russia]: I’m still having difficulty wrapping my head around the fact that this and Winter were released at the same time.

33.  Pukapuka⭐Vacation [Germany, Italy, Japan]: Seems just a bit too much like they’re running on a treadmill that’s picking up speed and trying to sing at the same time. Peppy.

32.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town [Germany, Italy, Japan]: This is unironically the best song sung by this trio; can only vibe with for two months out of the year though.

31.  Excuse Me, I Am Sorry [Japan]: Japan’s character traits speedrun. Gives me barbershop quartet vibes for some reason but is catchy as hell.

30.  The Story of Snow and Dreams [Russia]: A superhero anime opening in the making

29. England’s Evil Demon Summoning Song [England]: Sir that is not how you roast a marshmallow, don’t cut yourself on that edge.

28.  Moi Moi Sauna♪ [Finland]: Exactly the type of song you’d expect and it’s wonderful

27.  United Nations Star⭐ [America, China, England, France, Russia]: This isn’t as much of a song as it is a four minute struggle for everyone to sing without America yelling every 5 seconds...Like a particularly musical episode of Hetalia.

26.  Paris is Indeed Splendid [France]: Paris-pa-pa-pa-paris

25.  Absolutely Invincible British Gentleman [England]: Poppy, rocky, polka-dotty

24.  Vorwärts Marsch! [Germany]: To quote the comment section: “This sounds like a German version of I’ll Make a Man out of you.” There’s some truth to that.

23.  Hamburger Street [America]: The product of America’s rapper phase. 8/10 because he’s trying so hard and because I can unironically sing along to all of this.

22.  Hoi Sam☆Nice Guy [Hong Kong]: A song that would absolutely destroy the ankles of anyone in DDR.

21.  I Am German-Made [Germany]: There was once a version that had Germany and Prussia singing at the same time and it sounded positively demonic and Broadway could never

20.  La pasión no se detiene ~Unstoppable Passion~ [Spain]: Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping...

19.  Fall in Love, Mademoiselle [France]: Sounds like it should be in Mozart Opera Rock, I have kiss kiss falled in love.

18. Embrace the Très Bien Moi [France]: This is the definition of SELF LOVE PEOPLE. 

17. Carrot and Stick [Belarus&Ukraine]: Absolutely DRIPPING in 2000s power ballad energy. The type of song that plays on repeat in the mind of the widow whose millionaire husband ‘mysteriously disappeared’ (and the only legit character song ever acknowledged by the anime)

16. C.B.C (Cowboyz Boot Camp) Vol. 1 [America]: AH MAH GAWWDDD

15. Winter [Russia]: Heavy metal fever dream and the perfect song for an angst-ridden teenager

14.  Seychelles Here ⭐ Vacation Island [Seychelles]: UN👏DER👏RA👏TED SONG👏OF 👏THE 👏SUM👏MER👏

13.  Nah, it will settle itself somehow [Romano]: One day I aspire to reach this level of chill

12.  Let’s Enjoy Today [England]: I will never not feel happy when listening to this.

11.  Einsamkeit [Germany]: Ludwig manages to air every single one of his worries about not being good enough compared to his friends and always being perceived as mean or uptight when he’s actually just a softie and now my heart hurts. 💔

10.  Aiyaa Four Thousand Years [China]: A very poignant and beautiful song about the passage of time and the inevitability of its passing; comparable to an ancient ballad complete with explosive crescendos and meaningful lyrics.

9.  Bon Bon Bon❤️C’est Bon C’est Bon! [France]: Peppy, cheerful, adorable, groundbreaking; has been my alarm tone for six years and I’ve yet to tire of it. 9/10 The moaning interspersed throughout has been an interesting wake-up call.

8.  Let’s Enjoy! Let’s Get Excited! Cheers! [Denmark]: This is on par with Everytime we Touch by Cascada in terms of rage potential unlocked (the good kind)

7.  Dream Journey [Japan]: Whoever’s playing the shakuhachi is absolutely KILLING IT. Dramatic, wonderful, great metaphors.

6.  Gourmet’s Heart Beginner Level [China]: Absolute banger, I’m a vegetarian but this would inspire me to eat shumai.

5.  Always with you...Nordic Five! [Nordic FIVVVVVEEEE]: Everyone harmonizes beautifully except for Denmark. Extremely catchy, number placement seemed appropriate. 

4.  Pub and GO! [England]: I love this trash man

3. Maji Kandou⭐Hong Kong Night [Hong Kong]: If you thought Denmark’s song was a banger JUST YOU WAIT. I WILL BLOW OUT MY SPEAKERS LISTENING TO LO-HA-SU.

2. Steady Rhythmus [Germany]: THIS SONG IS METAL AF. Seriously, if it can be classified as ‘hardcore’ by my father and his group of 50-somethings who have decided to single-handedly gatekeep the metal and hardrock genres, it can do anything.

1.  The Delicious Tomato Song 🍅 [Romano]: Beautiful, absolutely awe-inspiring, poignant, catchy lyrics with an extremely deep meaning that only years of meticulous research and analysis can unlock, Romano I love you.

BONUS: Closing Songs

5. Hatafutte Parade (World Series) 

4. Hetalian⭐Jet (The World Twinkle): The song is good, the dancing is cursed 

3. Chikyuu Marugoto Hug Shitainda (World⭐Stars)

2. Marukaite Chikyuu (Hetalia: Axis Powers): nE NE PaPA

1. Mawaru Chikyuu Rondo (The Beautiful World)

[chillyravenart]

Did you think Aegon knew how weak-willed Aenys was? Did he overlook it because he was his Rhaenys's only son, or he didn't think it Aenys would fuck up things bad as he did?

This might turn into a slightly rambly post as always, but I’m just going to talk about how Aenys was as an heir presumptive, and how he was as a king. Aegon I prepared Aenys for kingship from the get-go, and Aenys himself showed great promise in his early years, so there was no reason for Aegon to suspect that Aenys’ rule would be a disaster.

Prince Aenys was the heir apparent, and King Aegon kept him close by his side. As the king moved about the realm from castle to castle, so did the prince.

Aegon was training Aenys to be a ruler, taking him on his progresses and ensuring that Aenys knew the land he would one day rule. This also gave Aenys a better understanding of his lords and noblemen, and may have contributed to his naivety and belief that he would continue to be loved and adored throughout his own rule. No one seemed to doubt that Aenys was the heir Aegon had chosen, despite Maegor being in the picture and also being the very eptiome of a martial/warrior prince. 

Prince Aenys was the unquestioned heir to the Iron Throne, all agreed...

But Aenys had his charms too and was to all intents and purposes, a worthy (if not very martial) heir. He was charming and friendly and adept at the chivalries and customs of a royal court.

The boy was diligent, his instructors agreed, and did not want for courage, but he lacked his sire’s size and strength, and was never more than adequate as a fighter... Aenys would not disgrace himself in battle, his tutors told one another, but no songs would ever be sung about his prowess. 

He was courteous and charming, clever without being bookish. He made friends easily, and young girls seemed to dote on him, be they highborn or low...

When Aegon I died leaving behind his thirty year old heir and grandchildren, in his mind, his legacy was secure. However after Aenys’ coronation, doubts seemed to spring to mind on Aenys’ capabilities, in comparison to his brother Maegor.

Yet even as Aenys was receiving the blessing of the Father of the Faithful, others were casting doubt on his fitness to sit the Iron Throne. Westeros required a warrior, they whispered to one another

But then again these people ended up with Maegor THEE Cruel lmao so that just goes to show you should be careful what you wish for XD

Aenys wasn’t a bad king in the literal sense, he simply lacked the fortitude and ruthlessness of his forebears. And all of these issues arose after the death of his father, and he refused to see the true extent of how bad things were getting. He was infamous for his indecisive nature, too trusting and oblivious to the discontent in the kingdom. 

Grand Maester Gawen wrote that Aenys trusted everyone, Maegor no one. The king was easily influenced...

Aenys also made the faux pas of granting Goren Greyjoy a boon which backfired, had multiple rebellions sparking off during his reign as well as the whole fiasco with Targcest and the Faith. Aenys essentially hated conflict, was fond of poetry and song, and naively wished to be loved by his people. When the realm decried the marriage of Aegon the Uncrowned and Rhaena, Aenys simply had no clue to the extent of the anger and vitriol of the commons and sent his children on a disastrous progress. 

King Aenys sought always to please; when faced with difficulties, he would answer with soft words...

And when it came to the Faith, he simply dug in his heels and dithered instead of retaliating properly. In the wise and eternal words of Queen Visenya Targaryen:

“You are a fool and a weakling, nephew. Do you think any man would ever have dared speak so to your father? You have a dragon. Use him. Fly to Oldtown and make this Starry Sept another Harrenhal. Or give me leave, and let me roast this pious fool for you.”

Both Aenys and Maegor were the two opposite extremes of their father Aegon THEE Dragon, hencewhy their reigns were marked as failures. GRRM really gave us both sides to the coin- too weak/too harsh = monarchical disaster. If you want to unite a realm, it is through soft power as well as hard power, and this was seen successfully during the reign of Jaehaerys I. Hope that answered your question!

[markrosewater]

Answers to “In Other Words”

Song #1

 __________________________________________________ (Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree)

 Christmas tree roller

Leave the Merry Christmas

Then we have pumpkins

We do some songs

 Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

And we'll do some caroling

 Song #2

 __________________________________________________ (Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer)

 Kuia caught deer in a big city

We will be back home in a day

There is nothing wrong with Saints

However, I really think,

 Grandma got run over by a reindeer

Walking home from our house Christmas Eve

You can say there's no such thing as Santa

But as for me and grandpa we believe

 Song #3

 __________________________________________________ (Silent Night)

 Good night!

Everything is quiet and everything is clear.

Girls and mothers and babies.

Newborns are soft and gentle,

Rest in peace

Rest in peace in heaven

 Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace

 Song #4

 __________________________________________________ (Jingle Bells)

 Heart Heart

Categories in every direction

How good a reason?

Equestrian

 Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one horse open sleigh

 Song #5

 __________________________________________________ (Walking in a Winter Wonderland)

 My God, you ask me

Ice is built on the fence

Hello, we are happy today

In winter, go to natural places

 Sleigh bells ring, are you listening

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

 Song #6

 __________________________________________________ (All I Want for Christmas Is You)

 No disinfection is required

It is something that is important

There is nothing wrong with that

Under the tree

That is all there is to it

It’s the best thing you can get!

Share your power

Well, at least I didn't go down without explaining myself first.

 I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

Make my wish come true

All I want for Christmas is you

 Song #7

 __________________________________________________ (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)

 There I saw Santa's mother

The snow under his chin turned to snow

Oh that video

If my father had seen his mother, he would have received Santa Claus last night

 Then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus

Underneath his beard so snowy white

Oh, what a laugh it would have been

If Daddy had only seen mommy kissing Santa Claus last night

 Song #8

 __________________________________________________ (Last Christmas)

 Had a heart attack last year

But I left the next day.

This year, I will stop crying.

Give it to someone

 Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

 Song #9

 __________________________________________________ (Santa Baby)

 Push Santa under a tree for me

She was a very, very good girl

Dear Santa, go down to the toilet early in the morning tonight

 Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree for me

Been an awful good girl

Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

 Song #10

 __________________________________________________ (Step Into Christmas)

 Go to Christmas

Let's meet

We can see snow and ice forever

Eat, drink and enjoy

Come with me

Go to Christmas

Free admission

 Step into Christmas

Let's join together

We can watch the snow fall forever and ever

Eat, drink and be merry

Come along with me

Step into Christmas

The admission's free

 Song #11

 __________________________________________________ (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

 Red Eagle R.

My nose is clear

If you see?

It can be hard to say

 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

 Song #12

 __________________________________________________ (I’m Getting’ Nuttin’ for Christmas)

 I'm going to be Christmas soon

Obsession with parents

I'm going to be Christmas soon

I'm not crazy so I'm not angry

 I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

Mommy and daddy are mad

I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas

'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad

 Song #13

 __________________________________________________ (Baby, It’s Cold Outside)

 I can't wait (but the man is cold).

I have to go (but the baby isn't there)

I am lost

Something like this (I hold it in my hand like snow)

 I really can't stay (But, baby, it's cold outside)

I've got to go away (But, baby, it's cold outside)

This evening has been (Been hoping that you'd drop in)

So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

 Song #14

 __________________________________________________ (Deck the Halls)

 Bar on board with sacred branches

 Deck the halls with boughs of holly

 Song #15

 __________________________________________________ (I Had a Little Dreidel)

 I have an elastic band

They made land

Dry when done

Then I play the string.

 I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then, dreidel I shall play.

 Song #16

 __________________________________________________ (Oh Christmas Tree)

 And Christmas, oh Christmas

The beauty of your articles

 O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree

How lovely are thy branches

 Song #17

 __________________________________________________ (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

 Boring birthday!  Angelic Messenger:

"Birthday of the king's child!”

 Hark! the herald angels sing:

"Glory to the newborn King!

 Song #18

 __________________________________________________ (Little Saint Nick)

 This is especially true in the north,

Christmas story

It happens

The most popular cat is completely red

Skiing throughout the year

 Well way up North where the air gets cold

There's a tale about Christmas

That you've all been told

And a real famous cat all dressed up in red

And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled

 Song #19

 __________________________________________________ (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town)

 This would be nice

Crying is bad

She couldn't swallow it

I will give a reason

Christmas is coming home

 You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

 Song #20

 __________________________________________________ (The Christmas Song)

 Apparently he was killed

His coat was full of his nose

He left the day before Christmas

The Eskimo is a popular destination

 Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

 Song #21

 __________________________________________________ (The Chipmunk Song)

 But not yet

Time for dolls, time for fun

We were fine, but we could not continue

Quick Christmas dinner fast

 Christmas, Christmas time is near

Time for toys and time for cheer

We've been good, but we can't last

Hurry Christmas, hurry fast

 Song #22

 __________________________________________________ (It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas)

 It looks like Christmas

Where are you going?

Fifth and tenth, and correct

With reeds and light silverware

 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Everywhere you go

Take a look at the five and ten, it's glistening once again

With candy canes and silver lanes that glow

 Song #23

 __________________________________________________ (Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!)

 Unfortunately, the weather is not good.

But fire is important

I have no choice

Free the stone

 Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

 Song #24

 __________________________________________________ (Sleigh Ride)

 It's snowing outside.

Come on, this is a good time for you to ride a horse

 Outside, the snow is falling, and friends are calling, "yoo-hoo!"

Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

 Song #25

 __________________________________________________ (You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch)

 You are a tough guy

You are overweight

You are proud of Aloe Vera

They also use stereo systems.

Cat, bad girl

And a black skirt

 You're a mean one

You really are a heel

You're as cuddly as a cactus

You're as charming as an eel

Mr. Grinch, you're a bad banana

with the greasy black peel

 Bonus Song (worth 5 points)

 __________________________________________________ (Frosty the Snowman)

 Listen to me

This is a purse

All eyes are on the egg

 Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul

With a corncob pipe and a button nose

And two eyes made out of coal

[imnotwolverine]

Epilogue

Henry Cavill x OC Lisa - multi-chapter fic

Author’s note: OH! I absolutely adored writing about these two, but alas, it is time for us to part. And as I bid these two lovebirds (and their 100k long “short” story..) adieu, I will definitely continue to write. Please feel free to send me prompts or ideas and enjoy your day. 

Word count: 1.592

Disclaimer: fluff

--

This is the final part of the Tea for Two series. *sadness* I hope you enjoyed it <3

Read my other stories here.

--

Is the air thick, or is it just me?

Tapping my foot on the grey slate tiles of the bathroom, I glanced at the obnoxious piece of plastic that was currently taking its sweet time to give me clarity. Here I was, sitting on the toilet, a fumbled up box in my left hand and this pregnancy test in my right. A soft singing drifted in from downstairs, as Henry was cooking us dinner. Probably singing along to this jazzy cooking playlist I made, I thought.  

I smiled and sighed. I really don’t need to read the wrapper AGAIN, right?

I stretched out to place the stick on the edge of the sink, before tossing the wrapper and box in one graceful bow straight in the bin.

GOAL.

I smirked and half-eyed the stick again. No result yet.

Arghh..How long could a few minutes be?!

I knew the drill by now. Especially after that little heart attack moment a few months ago.

What probably had just been some mild stomach flue, had awoken a whole new phase in our relationship. Suddenly there was this baby-situation we needed to discuss. And I, for one, was not quite ready for that.

It became a mind boggling 12-hour rollercoaster that came to an immediate halt as it happened to be a false alarm. Just some painful boobs and a bit of throwing up.

Now, however, it seemed more game on. For a few days now I had been having morning sickness, unbeknownst to Henry - I didn’t want to flip his guts again for no reason. And ..well…there HAD been this Japan trip where I had accidentally forgotten my pill strip. And we did have sex. Hot HOT sex.

Oops.

What a few months can do, right? My life changed so fast, I barely even realised it. Two years ago I was living a very single life in LA, my mind more occupied with work than love. Fast forward a few months and I was suddenly cooping up with this hella cute guy in a trailer on the Witcher set in Poland. The next thing we’re meeting the parents, we’re moving in..he’s proposing. Holy hell.

And did I want to have babies with him?

I guess I..

I glanced at the stick again, noticing a line was starting to appear. My eyes grew wider.

HOLY HOLY HOLY..

OH MY…

‘Honey, dinner’s almost ready.’ I barely registered Henry’s voice as he called for me, my fingers now grasping around the test to get a better look.

‘Oh my..’ I whispered, quickly getting up from the toilet seat and folding my fingers around the plastic object, looking at it one more time before pushing it in my sweater pocket, my legs blindly carrying me down the stairs.

A waft of roast veggies and meats hit my nostrils, the sound of some jazz music joined by Henry’s soft humming. Ah the Sunday roast. I practically floated into the kitchen, my stomach rumbling at the notion there was some delicious food at the ready. And a delicious fiancé too.

I squeezed Henry’s ass and popped my head over his shoulder, looking at him work as he cut up the roast meat.

’Smells goooood.’ I all but drooled. Henry snickered in response.

‘That’s gooood to hear.’ He sang-sung in his low baritone, half-wittedly tuning in with the beat of the music. I chuckled, moving to fill a pitcher with water, before following Henry to the dining table.

Tony Bennett’s Tea for Two was playing softly in the background.

“Picture you upon my knee

Just tea for two

And two for tea..”

We sat down and as Henry started to open a bottle of red wine my mind all but reeled.

OH darn. I have to tell him..right now.

Or later? After dinner?

Maybe just..

Fuck..I can’t drink alcohol.

I looked at his hand as it deftly turned the bottle opener into the cork, the cork scrunching under the force.

‘I ..eh…’ Henry looked up, his hand now starting to tug on the opener, the cork slowly rising from the narrow neck of the bottle.

My cheeks turned bright red and my mind couldn’t form a single word.

‘You okay dear?’ He asked, not sure what was the matter as his eyebrow raised. ‘Please don’t tell me you just now became a vegetarian..’ He nervously chuckled, eyeing the roast meat as it lay enticingly steaming on the wooden board.

‘I’m pregnant.’ I finally gasped.

Suddenly there was wine everywhere. Henry’s hand slipped and the bottle all but tumbled from his grip as his mouth fell wide agape, the red liquid staining his shirt and arms as he stared at me wide eyed.

‘Really?’ He whispered, completely ignoring the wine spill as he turned on his chair.

I smiled nervously, my cheeks burning even more red as I fumbled, reaching for the test that was snugly hidden away in my sweater pocket. Just like a baby. My fingers grasped around the plastic and I tugged it out, my eyes also instantly dragging back to the little + icon that had appeared only minutes earlier. It was still there.

‘I’m pregnant.’ I smiled, a giddy laughter starting to bubble up in my chest as Henry’s arms were suddenly around me, his lips pressing precious little kisses on my face.

—---

*on Instagram* 

To my wife.

On a very sweaty early morning in LA I was preparing for my walk with Kal. Like I do everyday before work. Little did I know that Kal had different plans that day. He escaped. Something I can easily ascribe to be one of the most terrifying moments of my life, were it not that within minutes my phone rang. I heard your voice.

‘Are you perhaps missing a dog?’

I went out to find you and Kal. Which happened to be at the highest hill top. You smiled at me casually while handing me his leash, a sunset setting the world around us aglow. We chatted a bit while walking back down - you worked on the Witcher set as well and had this sweet quirkiness going on. “Lisa from marketing” is all I knew about you when you waved us goodbye.

Well. I asked around. And apparently there worked over 20 Lisa’s at the Witcher set.

I had almost given up on finding you again, when I finally saw you. Sipping on a cup of tea at the breakfast bar. And once more we had such fun, that I felt that this cup of tea was empty way too soon and you had hopped off your chair and disappeared before I could ask you out. It left me a bit confused. Should I just call you? It felt like we clicked. I had your number. No.. that’d be weird. Oh, how silly I felt when I would then continue coming to that breakfast bar again..and again..and again. Until I found you there once more. And we chatted again so very animatedly. You invited me for a hike after work. Which turned into dinner at your place. And the rest…well..it’s kind of history.

Just one week ago you have made me the happiest man alive. Because I may now call you not just my best friend, my arch nemesis on Mario Kart, my conscience when I so need it, but also ..my wife. I love you, my sweet Lisa.  

PS. Thanks Kal for that hook up. I owe you one, BIG time.  

“Just tea for two

And two for tea

Just me for you

And you for me alone”

—

‘PUSH! Come on! PUSH!’

‘I can’t do it.’ I cried, my fingers tangling desperately around the sweaty sheets as another contraction rippled through my wrecked body.

‘Come on baby. A little more. You’re nearly there.’ Henry dabbed the sweat off my forehead, the cool cloth somewhat alleviating my toasty hot skin as I squeezed every muscle I could squeeze.

Why did this baby have to decide to come out on the hottest frigging day of the year?!

‘AAAAAAHHHHHH BY THE GODS WHY..FUCK..AHHHHHHH.’ I scolded, fury raging through my boiling blood.

The whole world kind of swam around me in colours and sounds. There were indistinct voices cheering me on as I could feel the dull pressure at my lower abdomen, the almost natural need to push rushing through my very being. And then there was Henry. His head floating above me as he coached me through it all, his voice focused and steady as a rock in a wild, restless surf.

‘I am so proud of you. You are doing it. YES baby! YES!’ His voice became more excited.  

Flop.

Silence.

For just a moment, as all faces suddenly turned downward, I felt my heart sink. Was it…?

And then he cried, our baby boy.

Still a bit at loss at what just happened and even more confused at what to do, I looked over at Henry. His hair a tumbling mess of dark curls and his blue eyes glazed over with tears, he smiled, unbelieving of what just happened. I felt my heart sing through the realms of my painful body. All was well.

And then suddenly there was this tiny little person placed on my breast. All soft skin, caked with blood, a roaring wail coming from his tiny mouth. Our baby bear.

My heart swelled as Henry’s eyes met mine. 

Green meets blue. 

Mommy.. meets daddy.

---

“We will raise.. a family

A boy for you

And a girl for me”

--

The end. 

[panharmonium]

WHERE’S WALDO WILL???

there was some discussion going around the other day about us not hearing about will again after he dies, and let me tell you, it was fantastic.  i am absolutely LOVING everyone’s righteous indignation; people are yelling ‘will rights’ loud as can be and it is just glorious.  i never used to see stuff like that when i first started browsing the merlin fandom, and now it’s happening, and it’s amazing.  <333333

and since i never miss an opportunity to talk about how great will is, here’s my own contribution, in case it helps anyone feel a little bit better about the situation: it’s true that we don't explicitly hear about will after he dies (and i do think there are some reasons why merlin would be unwilling to bring him up, ever, so i do understand why things unfolded like that and i do agree with it characterization-wise, even though will does of course deserve to have his praises sung) but, despite the lack of any explicit mention, we DO see will in other ways.  you have to be looking for him, but he’s there.

as someone who’s invested way too much time into this character, i offer you here a compilation of meta about will’s continued visibility in merlin’s life. (fyi, if you’ve been following me for a year or more you’ve probably already seen all these pieces, so feel free to scroll on by.  i’m just compiling a bunch of things together for easier access.)

without further ado - WHERE’S WILL?

the entirety of 1.11, which takes place IMMEDIATELY after will’s death (both episodes take place during the harvest) - 1.11 and 1.10 are inextricably linked episodes, both in terms of what we see merlin display in terms of fallout and what is actually going on under the surface of arthur being “tested.”  see also a sampling of direct parallels between those episodes here and here.

2.02 - the episode with the jousting tourney and the fake knight (who, we might remember, merlin names sir william)

2.04 - merlin’s reunion with lancelot calling back to the reunion with will in 1.10

THIS UNBELIEVABLE LINE IN THE SEASON 3 OPENER.  (i’m never going to be over this one.  never.)

gwaine’s intro episode

the above is just a selection of a few obvious moments, of course.  there are more general ways we can talk about will’s continued influence on/importance to merlin, like where merlin gets his underlying frame of analysis or his brazen insolence, and every time merlin roasts arthur for being a rich dumbass.  we can talk about how quick merlin is in 2.09 to dump arthur/camelot/the whole shebang the instant he meets freya (who gives him the kind of honest acceptance and companionship he’s been starving for since 1.10).  we can talk about how reluctant merlin is to discuss ealdor with her in that same episode.  we can talk about how merlin’s life starts to implode after both lancelot and will are dead and merlin no longer has any friends who actually know him.  and we can talk about how merlin’s sense of self starts to erode once he no longer has will (his only pre-camelot/pre-destiny friend) to tell him you are worth more than this.

ultimately, for me, in a post-1.10 world, there are legitimate reasons why merlin would choose to never talk about this part of his life.  some of them are externally imposed constraints (eg, after the way things went down at the end of 1.10, i don’t believe merlin would ever touch the subject in front of arthur again - or in front of anyone, for that matter).  and some of the constraints are internally imposed - the guilt merlin continues to wrestle with when it comes to a) leaving ealdor without telling will first and b) letting will and the rest of the villagers put themselves in harm’s way when merlin could have just dealt with the problem himself...it’s too much.  it’s paralyzing.  merlin’s fear of having his secret exposed was what got will killed.  arthur and gwen and morgana didn’t even need to be in ealdor in the first place, but merlin still let them come, and he let his home community take up arms against a better-equipped fighting force, even though merlin could have carried the fight alone, all because it meant he himself might be able to keep hiding, however slim the chances of that might have been.  

merlin let all of his friends and neighbors line up to die for his secret.  and most of them didn’t even know that’s what they were agreeing to when they decided to fight, which is terrible enough in its own way - but will did know, and he chose to do it regardless, and then he did end up dying for it, and that’s terrible on a whole other level.

will’s death is the kind of thing where merlin is never going to allow anyone to comfort him with an “it’s not your fault” spiel.  this isn’t a case of him taking on more guilt than he deserves.  this is his fault.  he knows that.  he has to live with that.  and i think talking about it, under those circumstances, is just impossible for him.  it’s hard enough to even think about it, most of the time.  it’s hard enough getting up in the morning, knowing what his choices did to somebody who loved him.

but just because merlin doesn’t talk about it doesn’t mean will isn’t still there.  will was too important to merlin for too long.  we can still see him, in the half-light, at the edges of things.  he leaks through, whether merlin means to let him show or not.

i think that’s important.  i think it matters.  i think will matters, enough that he’s still visibly present even when merlin never mentions him again, even when merlin tries to keep him hidden and locked away.

that’s powerful, in its own way.  it means something.  

it matters, and i think about it a lot.

[jubilantwriter]

Heart Shaped like Sea Glass

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Part 5:  Slow Sort of Burn

Summary:  Quiet moments never sat too well with Jasper.  Perhaps that’s why he finds himself discussing the art of cooking with the siren.

im gonna be spacing these out so that i don’t spam the tags lmao sorry about that last week. there should be a new one every friday or so!  it’ll be incredible to see how long i can keep this up

// // // // //

The shack is quiet.  It's been quiet since that day on the beach.  The siren barely makes a sound as he shuffles about the shack, slowly gutting a fish with his talons.

Jasper remains where he's curled up on the bed.  It's... odd.  Normally the blonde is huffing and grousing about Jasper's refusal to get up.  On better days, they even have a semblance of conversation.

But...

The siren stabs a stick through the fish and lays it to roast by the fire.  He grabs another and starts his work on the second fish.  And all the while, he remains silent.  

He's been like this since the last time he's sung.  Jasper remembers the vision clearly - David, smiling with arms held open for a hug, only to have the forest framing him from behind.

The same forest that killed and took David away from him.

It's strange, how comforting a siren's song can be.  Jasper could reach out and grab David, save him from the forest and hold him close until the delusion ends.  A dreamlike delusion that he wishes would never end.  That's why he hopes the siren will sing again, just so he can hold David in his arms and pretend that everything is okay.  That's why he hopes the siren will kill him before the delusion ends, before he's forced back into the reality where he failed his David.  

A reality in which the siren that's supposed to be preparing him to be a meal is... preparing him a meal.  

The warm breath against his neck that day was just a reminder of what could have been.  He was more than ready for the siren to bite in and bring his miserable existence to an end.

But.

He didn't.

Instead, he pulled back and borrowed David's voice to suggest that they go inside.  

Since then, the siren hasn't spoken much but a few words a day.  And now, they remain in silence as the fire's crackles fill the air.  

The silence is haunting.  It reminds Jasper too much of empty cottages and pitying glances.  He thought that maybe running to the ocean would fill his empty life up with constant noise.  But no.

Here he is again.

The fire crackles, and Jasper's joints creak as he pushes himself up.  The siren's wings shift a bit at the bed's creaks, but he doesn't turn to look at Jasper.  Instead, he wraps his arms tight around his legs and stares deeply into the fire.  Jasper settles down next to him and watches the fish roast.

The skin of the fish looks crispy as the siren reaches forward to pull it from the fire.  He offers it wordlessly to Jasper as the other one cooks.  Jasper takes the fish, his appetite nonexistent as he turns the stick between his fingers.  Even without the feeling of eyes on him, he knows that the siren is waiting for him to take his first bite.  Sort of like a reassurance, maybe, that Jasper is willing to ingest some food for the day.  There are days when he can't bring himself to eat a sliver of food, and the siren doesn't leave until the next afternoon, only to return at night with some other creature he believes is edible.  The blonde thought maybe roasted worms would do the trick, but all he did was burn the poor creatures.  The smell of roasting worms however convinced Jasper to at least take a small bite of his food to calm the siren.

It's what he does now, taking a nibble of the roasted fish and wondering what kind it is.  The siren used to tell him all sorts of names for the fish he takes back to Jasper.  Now, he sits in silence and stares into the flames.  Jasper sighs as he spins the fish between his fingers.  He thinks he knows why the siren won't speak to him.  It's how he refuses to look at Jasper, how his fingers twitch against his arms, how careful he is with his voice.

The quiet guilt reminds him of David, how the ginger would stare at his feet, shuffling nervously as he wrung his hands and bit his lip as he tried to find the right moment to say, "I'm sorry".  Jasper takes a steadying breath.

The siren isn't David.  No matter how much he resembles or reminds him of David.

And it's almost like instinct that Jasper knows what to say to get striking blue eyes to look at him.

"I'm not mad."  Shock colors the siren's face as he looks to Jasper.  "I'm really... not."  And he's telling the truth.  Because every time the siren sings, he gets one more moment with David.

One more chance to tell him sorry, to save him, to hold him in his arms.

For a handful of minutes, the siren lets Jasper live in a fantasy world where David is still here, still alive, and still so very vibrant.  Like the trees he loved to dance under in the spring, or the grass they used to tumble over as children.  Vibrant like the blooming flowers in the summer.  Vibrant like the singing songbirds that lived in the forest.

Vibrant.  Like red, silky hair and a smiling face dusted with freckles.  Vibrant.  Like the love they shared, turning every day into an endless summer of warmth and affection.

He takes a bite from his fish and notes the salty, wet taste.  And he smiles.

"I'm not mad."

The siren studies him, a mix of emotions swirling in eyes not green, before uncertainty settles on his face.

"You... are a strange human."

"Yeah."  Another bite.  "I guess so."

"...You should be mad."

"I can't be."  Jasper shakes his head, laughing hopelessly.  "Your songs are the only way I can see Davey again and I- I guess I just have to take my chances."

The siren's eyes narrow.  "Are you using me?"

"And aren't you?"  Jasper gestures at his fish.  "You're pretty much fattening me up.  One of these days, you're gonna kill me for food.  It's only fair that I take what I get."

"Which are my songs."

"Righto."  It's only fair.  If he has to die, he wants to do it in a fantasy where David holds him one last time.  It doesn't matter anymore.

Nothing matters anymore.

"So what, this is... permission?  To lure you out with my songs so that you can have your depraved little fantasy?"

"We already have a fucked situation, birdy."  He gestures between them.  "I'm your food.  You help me see Davey.  In the grand scheme of things, I think you still get to come out on top."

"Hmph."  Despite his words, the siren looks oddly... irked.  "That kind of talk will make you taste disgusting."

"...Excuse me?"

"What, you think feeding you fish is how I make your flesh taste better?  Please."  The siren rolls his eyes as he tugs a wing around him, talons running through his feathers carefully as he gets comfortable.  "There's more reason to luring humans with temptatious bait than just easily catching humans.  It's the emotions, the feelings that surge through you.  The way that you are right now, you'd taste no better than the sand collected in clams."

"Wow."  Jasper scoffs and tosses his fish at the blonde.  The blonde snaps it out of the air and growls at Jasper, no doubt annoyed that Jasper would try and waste the food.  "Tell me more about how nasty I'd taste, please.  It really does wonders for my sense of self."

"Think of it like this-"

"I didn't actually mean it-"

"-take, for instance, this fish."  He holds it up for Jasper to see.  "It's fine by itself, but the black nasty bits here," he points to the burnt skin, "are awful to taste.  Siren songs are like that fire," he points once more to the flames, "meant to add a little something more to the fish.  But all it's doing to you now is turning bits of you black and distasteful."  Nevertheless, the siren pulls the fish off and drops the entire thing into his maw, chomping down noisily before swallowing it quickly.  

"Can't you just, remove the burnt bits?"  Jasper watches as the siren takes out the remaining fish and shoves it into Jasper's hand.  He holds it, but doesn't eat.  "Then you wouldn't taste the bad parts."

"That's wasting food, and you know how I feel about that."  The siren looks at the food and to Jasper, huffing when he doesn't take a bite.  "And seeing how my songs are... turning you bad, I'd rather not sing anymore."

"Okay but, consider this."  He takes a bite to appease the siren and keep his attention.  "The fire also makes food good... if you're careful with it.  Maybe, if you're more careful with your songs, it could help me rather than hurt me."

The siren blinks.  Considers.  And frowns.

"And how would that work?"

"...What if I asked?"

"...Asked?"

"Yeah."  It's a long shot in the dark.  But, but.  He closes his eyes shut, and he can see David's face so, so clearly.  "It wouldn't be sudden, or surprising.  I'd expect it.  It wouldn't be as bad."  He opens his eyes and stares at the fire in front of them.  "The flames won't be so bad if we both watch them."

"I..."  The siren pauses, looking everywhere but at Jasper.  "I'll.. think about it."

"Alright."  It's not like he can force the siren.  It wouldn't sit right with Jasper.  But at least he gave it a shot.  "Just... it's fine.  To sing around me.  Like that.  If you want."

The fire crackles as they sit in silence.  Jasper manages two more bites before giving up.  The siren takes the fish and eats it slowly.  Finally, with the stick clean, he gets up, wings slowly curling around him.

"Get some rest."  The siren avoids looking at Jasper as he walks towards the door.  "I'll be back in the morning."

"...Okay."  The door closes with a bang, and Jasper is left alone in the shack.

The fire crackles as he sits in silence, and he hugs his knees to his chest.

Alone.

Again.