#I tried to keep it to 1-3 songs per artist

[jasontoddweek2025]

Playlist Guide - Jason Todd Week 2025

There are three songs per day, each roughly corresponding to one prompt, but also chosen to fit Jason Todd in general. I tried for a variety of artists and music types, and prioritized recommendations from people who gave them on the suggestion form.

Format: Song Name — Artist — Prompt

Day 1

Eyes Closed — Imagine Dragons — Drive

WONDERLAND — Neoni — Time Travel

I Hate Everything About You — Three Days Grace — The Batmobile Tires

Day 2

Don't Go Insane — DPR IAN — Joker

Keep Myself Alive — Get Scared — Chronic Pain

Good in Red — The Midnight — Fear Toxin

Day 3

Guilty — MARINA — Monster

Ghosting — Mother Mother — Supernatural AU

Dead Man Walking — City Wolf — League of Assassins

Day 4

Diggin' My Own Grave — Five Finger Death Punch — Grave

Buried Alive — Rory Webley — Buried Alive

REVIVED — Derivakat — Immortal Jason Todd

Day 5

Runs in the Family — Amanda Palmer — Family

Let You Down — NF — No Capes AU

Matilda — Harry Styles — Jason is a Literature Nerd

Day 6

Scars — The Crane Wives — Scars

Help — Papa Roach — Enemy to Caretaker

Renegades — ONE OK ROCK — Red Hood and the Outlaws

Day 7

Hell's Comin' with Me — Poor Man's Poison — Return

Laplace's Angel — Will Wood — Outsider POV

Hard to Kill — Beth Crowley — Crime Alley

[choi-hae]

Kenny's Top Music of 2023!

What's up, kids? It's that time of year again. How does every year keep getting better for music? Which in turn makes it harder for me to do this damn list. As always, I tried to listen to as much as possible to get the fullest experience in my music journey. I can’t possibly listen to everything, but I always try my best. 

This year’s list is even bigger than last year’s. On top of adding multiple honourable mentions and modifying some categories to suit this year’s releases better, I added two new categories - the awaited MVs of the Year category and the much needed Singles of the Year category. Choosing for this year was harder than last year because everything is just too high quality. This list doesn’t even begin to encapsulate everything I loved, but once again, I did my best. 

The rules I put upon myself in terms of choices are similar to last year’s, but please take note of them before reading further. Thank you in advance for reading my list! 

RULES: 

1. If an album was chosen for top album (group or solo), I tried to choose a different title from a different album OR a completely different artist all together for top title track (group or solo) to showcase as much variety as possible (and to challenge myself). If an album was chosen, it can be assumed I love all, if not most, of the songs on that album anyway.  2. Top b sides are okay to chosen from top albums, as it only makes sense, and there can be multiple from a single artist but only ONE SONG per album. 3. None of these lists are in any particular order. It’s hard enough to choose top of anything, let alone put them into a numbered order.

And with that, here's my top music of 2023!

Top 6 (+1) Group Albums/EPs

5-Star - Stray Kids

Between the two albums SKZ released this year, I chose 5-Star. S-Class is great, not my favourite title from them, but the b sides on this album really elevate the whole project and are easily some of my favourite SKZ songs to date. 

New DNA - XG

What a year for XG in general. They really hit it out of the park with this EP. Every song is title track worthy, and it’s so many different vibes that all still work together as a project. Seriously, they killed it. 

Harmony: All In - P1Harmony

Their only big release this year but a banger nonetheless. This EP is so cohesive - Jump is such a fun title, and all the b sides are a similar energy that only enhance the whole experience. 

Chill Kill - Red Velvet

This album really floored me, even though I should never be surprised when it comes to these girls. Chill Kill is easily one of my favourite titles this year, and then every b side on the project happens to also be a hit? Such a stunning album. 

The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION - TXT

It’s hard for me to explain how much I love this EP. I don’t even fully stan TXT but Sugar Rush Ride dropped and I was like, “oh they really did it with this one, didn’t they?”. And then the rest of the EP was also full of bops. Phenomenal project - A+.

MY WORLD - aespa

Another case of the title track is not my favourite from them this year (still love it) but the b sides really elevate the project. One specific b side, which I will discuss later (spoilers), is enough to put this EP here, but I do love the whole vibe of this project from start to finish. 

Icky - KARD

The first honourable mention of the post goes to this EP because KARD is changing the game, folks. This is the sexiest project of the year and it’s a breath of fresh air - it’s different, it’s fun, it’s unafraid. They didn’t have to go this hard but I’m glad they did. 

Top 6 Solo Albums/EPs

IN the mood - Wheein

Would it be one of my lists without a Wheein mention? I’m always in love with everything she releases, and this album is no different. Every track is so her and it’s all I ever want - those floaty vocals and chill vibes. 

OO-LI - Woodz

Every project from him is incredible, and somehow he keeps getting better. Once again, there’s one b side (spoilers) that really elevates the whole thing for me, but every other song in the EP is its own beautiful journey (ha) and I expect nothing less from him. 

Game Plan - Somi

The queen. She was finally able to grace us with a little EP and it was phenomenal. The title is a complete bop, all the b sides are beautiful and so her. I honestly feel so blessed this year to get such a great project after almost 2 years of drought. 

To Die For - B.I

Another year, another B.I mention. He’s knocked it out of the park again with all his releases this year, but this one in particular is my favourite. The album itself includes his past EP, Cosmos, but all the new tracks are fantastic and include some really great collabs. 

Zone - Jihyo

Another queen! Jihyo absolutely murdered this solo debut. The title is fantastic, all the b sides are bop after banger. At this point, she is the blueprint. Also that one fit in the MV - the baggy jean one piece with the boots? Slay.

Letter with notes - Young K

Of course he releases a full album almost immediately after returning from military service. And of course it’s incredible. The entire album is filled with beautiful tracks, upbeat tracks, rocking tracks. He’s a man of many vibes after all. Welcome back, king. 

Top 6 Hip-Hop/R&B Albums/EPs

Yunhway - Yunhway

Her first full album and she killed it. I’ve loved Yunhway's stuff for a few years now but she doesn’t drop things too frequently. A full length project like this, in all English as well, was a breath of fresh air for me. Absolute masterpiece.

The Drift - Mirani

Another bad ass rapping lady, another banger of an album. I’ve really fallen for Mirani’s style lately - it’s chill but intense and she knows how to ebb and flow between the two. This project was such a hit for me when it first dropped, and I still have multiple of the songs on my playlists.

Pop Off - pH-1

This man only knows bangers. Whether it’s his own stuff or he’s featuring, he only knows pure bops. This little EP is no different - every song is so on point in terms of vibes, and many different vibes as well. A+.

Sailing - Hoody

A vibe switch but a well needed one. As always, her vocals on this album are phenomenal and the chill vibes are just what I needed on those days when shit was just too much. The whole album, from start to finish = chef’s kiss. 

Last Winter - Heize

A last minute entry but she stole my heart with this one. Another beautiful voice graces my ears with every song on the EP and I am calm. Her album from last year acted very similarly for me and I’m so happy to have more from her to end off this year. 

Dear Insanity - DPR IAN

What can I say? This guy knows how to make good music, and music that makes me visualize, which is an important sort of sub genre for me. I’m an incredibly visual person and Ian’s stuff is so beautifully cinematic. You can physically feel his music. It’s always a journey, an experience.

Top 6 (+1) Girl Group Titles

Sweet Juice - Purple Kiss

I remember thinking when this dropped, “I can’t believe Purki went and released a title track of the year in February”. I really love how their voices carry the melody. Like the song itself is pretty stripped back. And the MV is gorgeous as well. They really killed it with this one. 

Cake - ITZY

ITZY’s title tracks have been pretty divisive lately but Cake is easily my favourite title from them. Something about this song makes me so happy. I love the choreo, I love the MV, the girls sound great on it, and the message is so positive! That’s all I need. 

Bad News - Kiss Of Life

These girls!! I’ll get into it a little more later (spoilers) but I’ve completely fallen for them and their music. This title feels so unique to me and showcases their talents so well. If you don’t know, I love a song that makes me feel like a bad bitch, and this is it. 

Drama - aespa

It’s actually really hard for me to explain how much I love this song. It’s dark, it’s playful, it’s cinematic at times. It’s so purely aespa but with a new twist. When that final chorus hits, I feel like I’m floating. It’s just a perfect track. 

Love Me Like This - NMIXX

My girls killed it this year and you will see them multiple times on this list. Before this comeback, NMIXX had been very divisive for lots of people but I think this song showcased their skills on another level without the distraction of an intense mix pop feel. It’s an absolute winner. 

OOTD - Dreamcatcher

Another bad bitch track. Dreamcatcher always has this spice that no one else really has, and I think this song showcases it in a whole new way. It’s still heavy with rock influence like we know them for, but there’s an extra bit of experimentation slipped in that they just completely murdered. 

Slay - Everglow

I’m including this as a special honourable mention because what a comeback to come back with after almost two years. Another one that’s a little dark, a little playful, and makes me feel like a bad bitch. Like yes, all my girls slay. I absolutely adore it from start to finish. 

Top 6 Boy Group Titles

LALALALA - Stray Kids

From the intro of this song alone, it become a favourite title from them very quickly. Call me dramatic, but it felt like I was experiencing a life challenging event. The energy is on another level and I’m in love with it. The choreo is phenomenal and when that final chorus into post chorus hits, it’s over. A++ from me. 

Crazy Form - ATEEZ

It was hard for me to decide between this and Bouncy because both bang so goddamn hard. I’m finding I really love tracks that are more stripped back and the members carry it well with their voices and attitude. Also it’s a little more of an ass shaker and we love that. 

Ay-Yo - NCT 127

I couldn’t believe how much I loved this song. It completely snuck up on me. Something about the melody just hits. I still can’t fully understand what it is about it - the chorus is epic. Something about that piano in the verses too. I dunno, man. It’s a bop.

U - iKON

Their first comeback after leaving YG and it did not disappoint. I feel like they really needed that freedom and I’m so happy they got it because we got this song. It was the perfect song to lead into summer. It’s a song that’s really associated with happiness for me so it’s gotta be here. 

Beautiful Liar - Monsta X

I can’t lie, I did forget about this comeback. With all the enlistments, I feel so sad thinking about MX and their music because I miss them. But looking back on this song, god it is such a banger. I love when MX adds rock elements to their music. The guitar is such a good vibe for them. I need them back. 

Watch It - The Boyz

I know very little about these boyz but hell, they release some smooth and groovy tracks. I chose this one over Roar and Lipgloss because Watch It feels so weirdly cinematic that it tickles that dopamine part of my brain. And that “hi, hello~” part is too smooth to ignore.

Top 6 Solo Titles

Rover - Kai

It’s hard for me to think of words on why I love this song because how can you not? It absolutely took over when it first dropped and rightfully so. I think Kai has this ability to make any beat smooth and sexy as hell, and that’s what makes this song so unbelievably catching and hypnotizing. 

Twenty - Swan (Purple Kiss)

This was such a surprise release but oh my gosh, a beautiful surprise it was. I love Swan’s voice so much and to hear her go off on such a bright and groovy track, I felt blessed. I do hope we get more solo stuff from her sooner rather than later because I can’t get enough of her vocals.

Overdrive - I.M

It’s so sexy! Not surprising coming from him but I love it. It’s a vibe that he does well. One of the ways I describe I.M’s music is that it’s perfect for night driving. This song feels like I should be in a car driving too fast on an empty highway, in the best way possible. 

Freedom - Joohoney

My god, this song. I think as the title for his solo debut, it’s perfect. It’s so him and there’s really no other way to describe it. The track moves through so many vibes and feelings, and I think he’s a man with a lot of those things. I’m also really glad we got to hear his beautiful vocals in this. 

SOS - Kang Daniel 

The chorus of this song feels so weirdly nostalgic. The sound of it reminds of music I used to listen to and I think that’s what makes me love it so much. Like it’s giving Three Days Grace in some ways. Daniel always does such a great job in trying new things - this felt like something new for him and he killed it. 

Agassy - Soojin

The return of a queen! I missed her so much. Despite what happened, it was tragic that such an incredible performer was forced to take a hiatus for so long. She came back with such a beautiful song with beautiful choreo that really showcases her skills. I am beyond happy for her. 

SPECIAL: Band Comeback Honourable Mentions

Xdinary Heroes - Deadlock & Livelock

Both of their comebacks this year were amazing. With every passing year since their debut, they’re settling more into their unique sound and it’s such a fun journey to watch. The titles were great but the b sides really elevate both projects for me, favourites being Good Enough on Deadlock and Again? Again! on Livelock.

The Rose - Dual

A comeback from The Rose is always expected to be amazing, and this time is no different. Every song on the album is beautiful in its own way. The titles with MVs - Back To Me, Alive, and You’re Beautiful - were all phenomenal. Cosmos and Lifeline are fantastic with their EDM vibes - they’re easily my favourite of the b sides. 

Rolling Quartz - Fearless

Unfortunately just a single from them this year but a great one nonetheless. It’s another bad bitch anthem for me somehow. And that’s what I’ve always loved about Rolling Quartz - they have an energy that is so empowering, like I can take on the world. I’m hoping for more from them in the new year. 

ONEWE - XOXO

This was a nice surprise release. With two members doing service, I didn’t expect something to come out under the band name. For the title, Giuk and Dongmyeong’s voices go so well together. The progression of both the title and the b track are very upbeat and hopeful, which are nice vibes to give to the fans. 

LUCY - Insert Coin & Boogie Man

I know I’m missing a comeback here but I really wanted to talk about these two in particular. Unbelievable as the title for Insert Coin was very impactful, especially with the MV. Boogie Man also felt very impactful, because of the MV but also because the song feels a bit different than what I’m personally used to from them. It was a nice surprise and I felt they did such a good job with it. 

Top 6 Boy Group B Sides

Crescendo - Monsta X

Finding out this song is a Joohoney produced track was not surprising at all. I tend to love his tracks the most. It gives me the same vibes as Beastmode from Fatal Love, but instead of in your face powerful, it’s this silently powerful sexy vibe that felt new but also felt very MX. It became an instant favourite. 

Super Bowl - Stray Kids

It was tough choosing only one b side from 5-Star, because I love all of them so damn much, but I had to go with this one if only for the fact that it was the original God’s Menu. It’s sexy, it’s playful and fun, and “all this shit’s so bussin’”. It’s also in all English so I can fully sing along. It ticks all the boxes.

Good Enough - Xdinary Heroes

As mentioned above, this was my favourite b side on the Deadlock album. I’m completely in love with the stripped back vibe that lets their voices just float through the melodies. This song is so perfect in showcasing their softer side, as opposed to the title tracks which are much more energetic.

More Than Words - P1Harmony

Out of all the b sides, I definitely gravitated towards this one the most. The opening verse has such a nice melody and the chorus is too catching. I really love them on this type of track - that’s a bit softer but still upbeat where they can float and bounce as they please. It felt like this one was fun to record. 

ARRIBA - ATEEZ

Okay so I thought Emergency was my favourite, and it’s still great and I love it, but ARRIBA snuck up on me big time. The beginning tune that sounds like it’s being played out of a shitty radio is such a cool vibe. The whole track is just a cool vibe. And who doesn’t love a good skrrt skrrt skrrt?

Blind Spot - Stray Kids

Oh wow, Kenny couldn’t stop herself from choosing two SKZ b sides, what a shocker. This song is just so upbeat. It’s so fun and uplifting in its message. It’s giving montage in a teen coming of age film. I think it’s so perfectly Stray Kids, which is stupid to say because everything they release is so uniquely them.

Top 6 (+1) Girl Group B Sides

Either Way - IVE

Let me start this off by saying: IVE wins best B SIDES of the year. Either Way is my favourite for its floatiness and beautiful emotional vocals, but I need you all to know that in the process of making this list, IVE had SEVEN contenders for this category between their two album releases this year. They’re the b side queens. 

Welcome to MY World (feat. navis) - aespa

I alluded to this earlier in the list during the top album section. This is the one b side that elevates the MY WORLD album for me. It has this dark undertone that gives me the best kind of chills. Their vocals are incredible throughout the track. The instrumental is cinematic - it gives me visuals. It’s just a perfect b side for me.

MALA - GOT the beat

This one is coming way out of left field. This unit/mega group was obvious great - lots of fantastic women - but I didn’t expect to love any of the songs. But here we are. This song scratches an itch in my brain. It’s the bass but also that weird flute and the way the vocals just blend. I dunno. It’s a banger. 

Biscuit - Purple Kiss

The chorus of this song is so perfect to me and that’s enough for it to land a spot here. I’m obsessed. I’m noticing a pattern with the girl group b sides on this list and a lot of them are super vocal focused, and this one is no different. It reminds me of the feeling Summer Rain gave me, which was on last year’s list. 

Underwater - Red Velvet

When I first heard this song, I knew it was going to be on this list. It’s that dark undertone again, with the floaty vocals. It’s sexy and sensual and beautiful. I really feel like I’m underwater while listening to this song. Floating in the middle of a deep ocean. It’s so perfect. 

Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s Wife - LE SSERAFIM

So this is on everyone’s lists, right? I feel like this is easily a lot of peoples’ song of the year. It was, and still is, so beyond popular - rightfully so because this song is so catchy. The choreo is addicting. The song also got so many remixes and my favourite one is not on Spotify, and that will be my villain origin story. 

We Are Young - Dreamcatcher

Another honourable mention, mostly because this song makes me want to cry. It feel beautifully nostalgic in a way that really makes you miss youth (as if I’m that old). The EDM elements give it club vibes. If I saw them live and they played this, I would be sobbing. Crying in the club. What a gorgeous track. 

Top 6 Hip-Hop/R&B B Sides

GOAT - Yunhway

All the songs from her album are great however there’s something about this one. It’s giving drinking a glass of whiskey in a lounge vibes (I don’t drink). It simply feels classy with a hint of hip hop and I think that’s a very unique vibe. 

Make U Mine - Mirani

This song. THIS SONG! I’ve found that this year, I’m really into the quick drum-and-bass sort of vibe and this is it, plus a very chill and uplifting sort of melody. The auto-tuned vocals in the chorus are also such a nice touch. 

Welcome To The Other Side - DPR IAN

Of all the songs on the album, this one feels like it encapsulates the project really well. It didn’t get an MV but it’s cinematic enough that you can visualize yourself what it would look like based on the MVs we did get. And that’s so like him to make a song like that.

One Last Poem - BIG Naughty

I would love him to do more songs like this. It’s very rock influenced and his voice is so perfect for it. The emotion in the last chorus, it feels like this boy went through six different heartbreaks and it’s all coming out through this song. Phenomenal. 

Fantasy - Hoody

It was hard to just pick one from her album because I love so many of the songs. Her voice is so beautiful and calming, and yet every song has its own vibe. With this one, it’s a Cha Cha Malone produced beat, which automatically brings it up, but I really love how groovy it is and how Hoody lets her voice really carry it.

Baby Back Home - Mirani, Leellamarz

More Mirani? And not even an official release? This is my list, I do what I want. This came out as a part of SWF2 and they release some bangers for this show, but this one really hit different. The way they mixed her laugh into the beat sends me in the best way possible. 

Top 6 Solo B Sides

Aphrodite - Wheein

It was hard to choose since I adore all the songs. At first, I’d fallen for On The Island but this one really snuck up on me and it became my favourite so fast. It’s so floaty and light and bright and beautiful. The only crime is that it’s so short. 

Drowning - Woodz

Woodz was made for rock music. His voice was built for this shit. When I heard this song for the first time, I felt like I was falling in love with his voice again. Like I already loved his music, but this song felt so new and intense and beautifully painful. He really killed it with this one. 

Pisces - Somi

This song is so beautifully upbeat and adorable. I missed her voice so much and this really gives me what I was missing. The fact that it’s called Pisces and she participated in the writing as well, it makes it feel that much more special of a song. 

Cherry Blossom - Bobby

More rock vibes from a guy that I would love to hear more rock vibes from. I think his voice is so perfect for this vibe. It’s also a really sad song? Sad but pretty at the same time. The bass in the back of the track tickles my brain just right as well.

Closer - Jihyo

Sexy. Beautiful. Stunning. Lowkey an ass shaker. I’m so glad she did performances of this one because it needs choreo and I wasn’t disappointed. This is probably everyone’s favourite so I’m not unique in saying this but what a BOP.

The Island of Misfit Toys - B.I

I think it’s the synth with the drums that make me love this song. Obviously I love B.I and his voice, his rap, but the instrumental for this one really sells it. It’s so fun and upbeat, and when he says 같이 가자, like yes let’s go together. I’m vibin’. 

Top 6 (+1) Collab Tracks

Stray Kids - Topline (feat. Tiger JK)

We had to squeeze another SKZ song in here, huh? This collab is legendary. If people don’t know, Tiger JK is like the grandfather of hip hop in Korea. So for SKZ to get a collab with him, that’s HUGE. It’s also a banger. When Felix goes bass boosted “bom digi digi bom bom bom bom”, it’s over.

B.I - Dare to Love (feat. BIG Naughty) 

This is some lore about me that people might not know but I love the vibe of steel drums. Anything that sounds similar to it, I’m all in. During the chorus, I really fell in love with this song. Also I love both of these guys and I love them together. Their voices mesh so well. 

Bobby - Drowning (feat. SOLE)

I love sexy k-pop and this song is criminally underrated for that. It’s a bop for sure. I don’t know much about SOLE but her voice is so gorgeous on this track. The MV also features DK and Bobby’s rap team of TBZ’s Sunwoo and SF9’s Hwiyoung from that one Kingdom mission, so really this was a huge collab.

Hyolyn - This Love (feat. Paul Blanco)

This song reminds me that I’m painfully single and I don’t even care. Both of their voices are incredible and to have them together on a track is just the most beautiful thing. It’s such a great upbeat song.

LOCO - Not Okay (feat. Minnie of (G)I-DLE)

This is a collab that I never would’ve expected, and it’s on such a sad song. But it’s only so sad because it’s so real. I think Minnie was a great choice for the feature - her voice is really beautiful on here. Loco did a great job as well with the whole vibe of the track. 

pH-1 - Rosetta (feat. MILLI)

Another unexpected collab but I don’t know why I didn’t expect it because these two flow together so well. pH-1’s flow is perfect on this one and then Milli comes in for her verse and she’s barking? And she goes off, just spittin’. It’s incredible. 

BIBI - Amigos (feat. Becky G)

Another unexpected collab! And another honourable mention for the list. This is such a cool and sexy collab. Bibi hasn’t released too much this year so I was really missing her vibes. Becky G is so perfect - a couple of powerful women on a track. We love to see it.

SPECIAL: Rookie Honourable Mentions

Kiss Of Life

Out of this list, these girls are easily my rookies of the year. They are so beyond talented and charismatic - they feel like veterans. The music is fantastic, the MVs are cinematic and tell stories that are real and pretty unique. I 100% believe these girls are gonna take over the world. 

MAVE:

I am mostly intrigued by the idea of virtual idols. I mean, this isn’t the only virtual group that exists, and you can liken it to the idea of VTubers to some extent. But it’s a little fascinating. Their debut was great as well - the song was catchy and the MV was gorgeously animated. I look forward to seeing more. 

Xikers

These kids are energy incarnate. I get exhausted just watching them perform. Their music is good, although none of it has truly captivated me, but I simply love seeing them perform. They were made for it. You can see the talent and charisma pouring out of them. They’ll do great things.

VCHA

This group wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t watched the survival show. Their music is hit or miss but I got attached watching them through the show so I’m a little invested at this point. The idea of global groups through the k-pop system is still pretty new but I see the potential so I look forward to seeing more from them. 

Babymonster

Slight disappointment with their debut. As a Blink, it was hard for me to watch their debut, and not think “oh they’re just a BP clone”. HOWEVER I look forward to seeing how things go moving forward. I think they have so much potential if YGE gets their shit together and showcases these girls in the way they deserve. 

NEW CATEGORY: Top 6 MVs of the Year

Shooting Star - XG

This is the video that made me finally make this category. I’m so in love with this MV - the aesthetic is so pretty, I adore the styling on the girls. The sets and effects are fun and interesting. The editing is sooooo clean. Favourite shot of the whole thing is during the second chorus when they cut to a strange close up side angle of Maya and then cut out in the same angle to all the girls doing the choreo together. It’s such a unique shot, I’ve never seen it before. It’s an absolutely gorgeous video. 

Roar - The Boyz

This MV is kind of insane because I’ve never seen a video like this from The Boyz. First off, the editing in general is flawless, but also the transitions!! I’m a sucker for good motivated transitions in a MV and this was the first one of the year that had my jaw on the floor. You can tell so much thought and care was put into this video, from start to finish. I also loved any time they used footage from, what I assume is, a camcorder type camera. It’s jarring but still aesthetically matches the vibe they’re going for.

Rover - Kai

There’s a lot of things to love about this music video. The biggest for me is the way it’s shot. This is something I’ve noticed - MV directors are utilizing the static camera more often and I fucking love it. When used well, it adds such a different feel. This MV uses it so well in the way that the video is meant to be kind of creepy. It adds to the the storytelling. There’s also quite a few quick out of focus shots which add similar feelings but in a more chaotic manner. The static and chaotic then compliment each other and make a sweet as hell MV. 

Knock - Lee Chaeyeon

Another MV that I adore the cinematography. The way the camera moves - they either have a special rig OR all the movement is done in post, which my mind is blown if that’s the case because it feels organic enough to be from a rig. It’s super unique and matches the choreo incredibly well - an asset for her because she’s an incredible dancer. It highlights her and her movements. Favourite shot goes to during the second chorus where it’s a static shot of her surrounded by mirrors while dancing. Clearly some VFX work but it’s done fantastically - the mirrors match really well and, by the end, change to be a different scene. It’s so creative. 

OOTD - Dreamcatcher

Another one with fantastically creative transitions. I love the use of behind the scenes stuff, like shots of the program or camera preview screens or straight up the green screen during the bridge. I know the use of these things goes with the message of the song as well, so that’s added points. It’s just great storytelling. Everything looks good too - sometimes overuse of VFX in MVs can be hit or miss, depending on how much money the company is willing to spend. But they clearly worked hard to make sure this one looked good. Creatively stunning video. 

LALALALA - Stray Kids

Are we surprised that I could get SKZ in here one more time? They always have phenomenal MVs. The effort put into them is always so evident, from editing and transitions, to the individual shots and how they’re filmed. Because SKZ tells stories with their music, the MVs have to compliment that. With this video specifically, you can tell they spent a lot of time on atmosphere. Each set and scene are curated to give a certain emotion - emotion being the core of the story. The director did a fantastic job at this. Favourite shots are the underwater ones because just look at the bubbles they put in to match the movement of the choreo to make it look like they’re underwater. That shit’s not easy. That’s dedication. 

NEW CATEGORY: Top 6 (+1) Singles of the Year

A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream - NMIXX

This feels like cheating because this is technically a single album and includes two songs but it’s my list and I’m gonna do it. I love these songs. They make me so happy. They’re so upbeat. The girls sound great on them. The MVs were cute too. A++.

Gum - Jessi

Her only release this year and what a release it was. This song is so good. The challenge got men to shake their asses, and we love that. Jessi is so good at making viral catchy music, like what is this magic she has? I’m really hoping for more release from her this year. 

Zero (J.I.D Remix) - NewJeans 

Specifically this remix version. When the original came out, I didn’t love it. It had potential but it felt too empty. They fixed it with this version. J.I.D’s rap section is pretty good too, but what really sells this for me is the fact that they made the chorus a lot more full instrumentally. It’s exactly what was missing.

Amnesia - Woodz

This song, y’all. THIS SONG. I cannot believe he dropped this before leaving to serve. King, you’ve served enough with this one, please don’t go. I’m not exaggerating when I say this song is an experience for me. The chorus is like I’ve fucking died and gone to heaven. His voice is so perfect for this track. 

Sugar-holic - ITZY

Cheating once again - I’m counting this as a single because it came out as a single before the Japanese album release. I was and still am obsessed with this song. It’s so beautiful. The melody is addictive and gorgeous. The track itself is very chill and so my style. It might be one of my favourite ITZY songs ever. 

Die 4 You - DEAN

Four years and bro comes back with a masterpiece. This song is so goddamn pretty, and his voice is so perfect on it. It’s one of those songs where I feel like I’m floating - it’s so calm and beautiful. He really lets his voice carry as well. Incredible. 

I ≠ Doll - Huh Yunjin

This girl is going to change the industry. This song is so real and raw and she’s so fucking cool for putting something like this out. I think a lot of k-pop fans could stand to listen to this song and remember that idol does not mean your doll to fuck with. And for all those reason, it gets the last honourable mention. 

If you've read this far, thank you for your time! I'd love to hear what your favourites of the year were. Do we have similar choices? Are they completely different? Did I miss a song that you absolutely loved? Feel free to let me know! I'm always open to listening and talking about all music.

And with that, 2023 is over. It's been a phenomenal year for music all around. Again, I definitely missed lots because there's just so much that comes out. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a time where I can listen to so many incredible things and where the possibilities for music are endless. I can't wait to see what 2024 will bring! 💕

[brightonratgirl]

Thanks to @stonebutchooze for tagging me.

I think I'm meant to tag people but I don't know who'd like it so I'll just do my wife @yuritopiaofdeath and if you see this and wanna do it then say I tagged you go for it :3

[rainydawgradioblog]

lyrics to life, a deep dive into the artist and the fan

helloooo!! my name is mya and this is my first RDR blog post!! (i’m super excited if you can’t already tell)

the coolest person i know has been writing for RDR for a while now and when she showed me her article all about the album songs by adrianne lenker, i knew that i wanted to be a part of this community too. sooo this first blog is gonna be about the songs that make up me, so you all can get to know her (spoiler, adrianne lenker makes a heartbreaking appearance on it)!!

1. "true blue" by boygenius

wow. no better way to begin than a song all about female friendship and connection. i grew up with a single mom, my older sister, and two older brothers. my mother and sister serve as power figures in my life and i can’t help but think of them during the line, 

your love is tough / your love is tried and true blue. 

the past few months living without them has given our love for each other a stronger foundation, and has become even more apparent in the 6 missed calls i get per day. it is an equally irritating yet comforting thought. but this song also pays homage to the lovely friends i’ve made in all seasons of my life. my emilee, my hope, my ify, my carly, and so many more incredible woman that built who i am today become alive in the line, 

i remember who i am / when i’m with you. 

2. "not a lot, just forever" by adrianne lenker

looking for a painfully heartbreaking song? hey right here!! bonus, this one physcially hurts to listen to!! my roommate once told me that my biggest strength but also weakness is how hard i love. this was after i went on an in depth rant on how the rest of my life would look if my situationship and i admitted our feelings for each other (spoiler, the feelings in question are definitely not reciprocated), 

through your eyes i see / a smile you bring to me / to your joy i tether / not a lot, just forever.

despite constant heartbreak, i continue to fall hopelessly in love because one day i’ll get to experience a life resembling this line, 

i could be a good mother / and i wanna be your wife. 

i just really love LOVE. the idea of falling in love with someone and just being like, “i dont need that much of you, just all of it!!” like yes adrianne, we want every inch of the person we love so we can love them entirely. 

3. "gramercy park" by alicia keys

this song is for the people who mold themselves to the ray of someone’s energy so they can feel more loved. unhealthy, i know!! who in their right mind would do that (...), 

i’ve been trying to fulfill you with your every need / now you falling for a person that’s not even me. 

her performance on tiny desk concert was incredibly moving. alicia keys has been telling it like it is since her first hit fallin’ (also my go-to karaoke song) which she performs for tiny desk beautifully. in this song especially, she describes the inner pleas of needing someone to stay so bad that you lose who you are trying to fit yourself into their narrative, 

cause i forgot about the person i used to be.

i found her eventually, but at what cost!!

4. "lifetime" by faye webster

i live through a dreamscape fog called optimism, faye webster does too though so my feelings are valid. the word lifetime is mostly just repeated (honorable mention to the lyric, “can’t imagine me / before you / in a lifetime”), so the main focal point of this song is it’s mellow and rhythmic tone that showcase a seductively lucid-esque tone. lifetime also takes the crown for being so versatile, with making the cut for both my playlists for sex and for crying before bed! 

5. "keep the rain" by searows

what if i just love this song!! what if there is no significance to it!! 

nothings ever really quiet / when you need distraction to survive.

for my mental stability, lets end it here!!

it’s been fun,

mya

[penroseparticle]

I’m at work for 12 hours today and am making a playlist for the lobby so I don’t murder anyone, working list so far is under the cut because I wasted 25 mninutes on typing this up. PLEASE rec songs to add with the understanding it can’t be excessively swear-y.

Countdown- Beyonce

Escape- Rupert Holmes

Sit Next to Me- Foster the People

El Perdedor- Maluma

The Louvre- Lorde

Magnets- Disclosure ft. Lorde

Into You- Ariana Grande

The Greatest- Raleigh Ritchie

Do The Panic- Phantom Planet

Africa- Toto

Uptown Girl- Billy Joel

Season Two Episode Three- Glass Animals

Safety Dance- Men Without Hats

Kinks Shirt- Matt Nathanson

Good Day- DNCE

Mother & Father- Broods

Young and Wild- The Strumbellas

Sleep On The Floor- The Lumineers

Sweater Weather- The Neighborhood

West Coast- The Neighborhood

Don’t You Want Me- Human League

Hymn for the Weekend- Coldplay ft. Beyonce

Meteor- The Bird and the Bee

Chocolate- The 1975

Papaoutai- Stromae

The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades- Sufjan Stevens

There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back- Shawn Mendes

Chantaje- Shakira ft. Maluma

Carried Away- Passion Pit

Thunder- Imagine Dragons

Ready To Go- Panic! At The Disco

Her Morning Elegance- Oren Lavie

Sight of Spira- Final Fantasy X

Something I Need- One Republic

Take Me to Church- Hozier

It’s A Disaster- OKGO

Here It Goes Again- OKGO

Obsession- OKGO

So Cruel- Young Empires

Sunshine- Young Empires

My Body- Young the Giant

Cough Syrup- Young the Giant

You Told The Drunks I Knew Karate- Zoey Van Goey

Can’t Sleep Love- Pentatonix ft. Tink

Boy Problems- Carly Rae Jepsen

Run Away With Me- Carly Rae Jepsen

Lone Digger- Caravan Palace

Safe and Sound- Capital Cities

Heatstroke- Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell, and Ariana Grande

Come and Get Your Love- Redbone

September- Earth Wind and Fire

Mama Say- Betty Who

Some Kinda Wonderful- Betty Who

Arabella- Arctic Monkeys

Honey I’m Good- Andy Grammar

C’Mon- Ke$ha

Let ‘Em Talk- Kesha

One Dance- Drake ft. Wizkid and Kyla

Just Dance- Lady Gaga

Can’t Stop the Feeling- Justin Timberlake

Cassiopeia- Sara Bareilles

Brave- Sara Bareilles

Cold Cold Man- Saint Motel

My Type- Saint Motel

Don’t Stop Me Now- Queen

Somebody to Love- Queen

Say My Name- Peking Duck

Unpack Your Heart- Phillip Phillips

Get Up Get Down- Phillip Phillips

Without You- Oh Wonder

Lose It- Oh Wonder

Crazy In Love- Emili Sande cover of Beyonce

Find You- Nick Jonas

Polish Girl- Neon Indian

Make Your Mind Up- Moon Taxi

Grace Kelly- Mika

Lollipop- Mika

Animal- Miike Snow

Sugar- Maroon 5 ft. Nicki Minaj

Cold- Maroon 5 ft. Future

I Am Not A Robot- Marina and The Diamonds

Girls- Marina and The Diamonds

Can’t Hold Us- Macklememe ft. Ray Dalton

Glorious- Mackleless ft. Skylar Grey

New Rules- Dua Lipa

The Mother We Share (Errors Remix)- Chvrches

Ohmygodiloveyoupleasedontleaveme- Clever Girl

Talk Too Much- Coin

Boys- Charli XCX

Blessings- Chance the Rapper

Love On Top- Beyonce

Harbour Lights- A Silent Film

The Girl is Mine- 99 Souls ft. Destiny’s Child and Brandy

Feather- Nujabes ft. Cise Starr and Akin From Cyne

Money- Mystery Skulls

Earthquake Weather- Matt Nathanson

Secrets- Mary Lambert

Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Gorgeous- Taylor Swift

Blank Space- Taylor Swift

Ours- Taylor Swift

Chelsea Dagger- The Fratellis

Uruwashiki Hito- Ikimono Gakari

Hanabi- Ikimono Gakari

Way Back When- Kodaline

Tuesday- Hippo Campus

Hand Clap- Fitz and the Tantrums

Don’t Kill the Magic- Magic

Love Lockdown- Glass Animals cover of Kanye West

Drunk on a Plane- Dierks Bentley

Shooting Stars- Bag Raiders

Lips Are Movin- Meghan Trainer

Tenerife Sea- Ed Sheeran

My House- Flo Rida

Dance Dance- Fall Out Boy

Uma Thurman- Fall Out Boy

Young Volcanos- Fall Out Boy

[bts-teaspoonff]

Fangirl pt. 3

Genre: Romance, Slow Burn, Idol A/U

Pairing: BTS OT7 x reader

Rating: PG

Summary: Y/N, being a huge fangirl, finally got her chance to work alongside her favorite idol group as a backup dancer. She gets to know each member personally and realizes that her feelings may be more than fangirl-idol attraction.

Word Count: 5.6K

Taglist: @nochujeonjk @i-like-puppy-mg @miyochan @satotakeru14​

PARTS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | .... masterlist

So far, your week of waiting for the company’s response was uneventful to say the least. You exchanged contacts with some of the dancers and they have all been very friendly with everyone. You were busy with work at the gym and at the dance studio so that made you take off your mind from the backup dancer job at least for a while.

During those days that you were waiting, you took double shifts in the gym and twice the amount of classes in the dance studio. You wanted to push yourself just to ease your nerves. Also, you need to pay this month’s rent alone since your roommate and best friend is out on vacation.

Lisa, your bestfriend. She’s been with you ever since college. Both of you only started living together when your brother moved out but she used to always live near you. When she moved in with you, she would always leave to travel somewhere for at least a month then come back to you. That was now your routine with Lisa. She loves travelling so much that she promised to fulfill her bucketlist as soon as both of you graduated. Her family is pretty well-off and she manages this online clothing shop to finance her trips. You and Lisa constantly video call each other almost every day. Sometimes, you would even answer each other’s call even when you’re in the shower. Of course, you already informed her about your pending job in Big Hit. She almost exploded from happiness when she got the news. She was hiking that time and it almost gave you a heart attack when you saw her jumping from happiness near the ledge. You could say that she’s your #1 fan and you are hers too.

The day came when you received the email. You were eating your breakfast at that time, taking a big bite of your omelet sandwich. You choked on your glass of water as you read the email saying “Congratulations. You are now formally a part of Big Hit’s Dance Team.” You read the other contents of the email as you generously drink water once more. You are soon to be expected to start two days from now. You can’t contain your excitement as you feel your face beaming with happiness. You could just dance your ass off right now from joy. You walked to your room with a sandwich still in your mouth as you reach for your speakers. You blasted Anpanman by BTS on full volume and pranced around the room. You also took your RJ and Koya plushies, hugged it and twirled around. You buried yourself under big Chimmy, Tata, Cooky, Mang and Shooky plushies on your couch.

You nervously entered the Big Hit building once more and went straight to the practice room. You made sure not to order a big glass of coffee this time, even though it’s very tempting. You just made a small cup of coffee at home, a routine that greatly relaxed you. You enter the room with one hand tightly gripping the strap of your cross body bag. You saw familiar faces and was grinning from ear to ear. It turns out that everyone was accepted and no one was left behind. A few of them ran to you, hugged you and then pushed you to join some of them sitting on the floor.

The dance directors and choreographers gathered all of you to discuss the plans for the dance team. Everyone was then assigned to different artists to solely focus on their performances. They started calling out the names of the dancers and the artists who they will be working with. Our main dance director started with TXT and you were not on the dancer’s list. You silently chant each of the boys’ names one by one, as if you were having a ritual on your own, until the dance director mentioned BTS. Your ears were on full concentration mode as he calls the names of the dancers one by one. As if on cue as you were continuing to chant the boys’ name and imagining your name being called, you heard your name slip from the dance director’s lips. You really tried your best to not shout and celebrate. You feel like you won the lottery at this point from your chain of good luck lately.

Each dance team then went on to different practice rooms. You, along with other male and female backup dancers, were present in another practice room as your dance choreographer started informing everyone that BTS is planning an online concert months from now. Everyone will be performing a lot of new numbers, including new dance breaks that will be mainly composed of you with the other female backup dancers.

For the first week, everyone started the dance practices without the boys yet. Everyone would spend hours being taught group performances by different choreographers. Two of which are old songs from their old albums and two were from their latest album. At first, you struggled to keep up with the other dancers but all of them were nice in helping one another when one has a hard time with performing the steps. You also made friends with the male backup dancers especially those who were close to your age. All of you were quick to get acquainted with each other and that made work very fun. You would always be light on your feet when coming to work since you’re glad you could make new friends who share the same passion. Everyone was so nice to you too since you’re the youngest out of the female backup dancers but there are also two male dancers younger than you.

You were also excited for your new work since you would get to see Jiyong almost every day. When one of you are free, you would always eat together. Your heart is filled with happiness right now. Your mind is now at a place where you’re just sitting on cloud 9.

Your body couldn’t really handle three jobs at the same time so you chose to quit teaching dance classes at the dance studio. You informed the dance studio owner about your new job to which she congratulated you non-stop. She knows how much of a big fangirl you are to BTS so she couldn’t be more proud of you. She then proceeded to convince you that no one better than you should handle the BTS dance classes. She made good points that convinced you to stay but only if you handle selected classes that works around your schedule. Luckily, she agreed and gave you at least one class a month. You couldn’t really argue with her since she pays you generously per class that you teach.

You retained your work in the gym since your shifts works around your work in Big Hit. You could handle your new work schedule and you really need to earn money for the apartment fees and your BTS merchandises. You also informed the gym owner about your new day job and he congratulated you non-stop as well. He nicely let you adjust your shift to better work around your new schedule.

So far, everything is going into place. Your new job, new acquaintances at work, quality time with your brother, and Lisa will be returning soon from her trip. You could just sit down and inhale all the good air that’s surrounding you lately. You’re scared that given this amount of good luck around you will be soon replaced by strings of bad luck, but of course you’re highly hoping that will not happen.

You went home late one night from a hectic shift at the gym. One of your clients arrived late for her schedule but still came, coinciding with the timeslot for your other client. You still accommodated the two of them and went back and forth for them during their sessions. You had to be the one to close the gym that night also. You ate like there’s no tomorrow that night since you were so tired from dance practices and the sessions at the gym. You just went to sleep right after dinner, slamming yourself into the bed and into the sheets.

You didn’t wake up from your alarm the next morning. Good thing that you had already wash your hair last night so you just fashioned a bucket hat and hurriedly fix yourself before you went out in a rush to try to arrive on time for your dance practices. You arrived at the lobby entrance just in the nick of time with a few minutes to spare, rushed to the elevator and tried to catch your breath while you wait for the lift to arrive on the right floor. You hurriedly ran out the elevator and to the hallway when you heard your phone ping. You took out your phone in your pocket while rushing in the hallway. You saw Lisa’s name at the top of your notification screen but chose to read it later and kept your phone in your hands.

You were approaching a corner in the hallway so you decreased your pace but was still slightly running. As you were about to take a turn, your head bumped into something soft but obviously firm that was moving towards your direction. You were slightly pushed back but somebody’s hand caught your arms as you were about to fall backwards. You soon realized that your head bumped into someone’s chest, somebody who’s very tall. You look up and saw Namjoon. I really got to stop meeting the boys by bumping into them like this. Your mouth fall to the floor in shock and embarrassment.

His hands were big and his arms were tan and toned. He still excludes this gentle giant aura, the same way you pictured him every time you see him on social media and on the pictures in your phone. He still has his hands around your arms as you try to help yourself back up from almost falling to the ground. As if you could feel fire on your arms around his touch and time stood still. Both of you apologized to each other at the same time. You both chuckled as you withdraw your hands from each other. As you were about to introduce yourself, you noticed that your phone was on the floor and under his foot. He also soon notices this as you try to bend down to reach for your phone.

You took the phone under his foot and checked it. You stared at your phone screen and was shocked to see the screen cracked. You saw Namjoon looking at your phone as you check but quickly hid it realizing that your wallpaper was all of the members of BTS. You wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself more by letting him know that your lock screen and home screen are photos of them. Unfortunately, Namjoon has already noticed the crack on your phone screen even before you hid the phone away from his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that I stepped on your phone.” Namjoon panicked at the sight of the cracked phone screen.

“No, it’s okay. It’s my fault also for not being careful.” You assure him but he clearly looks worried about the cracked phone. “Nice to meet you. I’m y/n. One of the new backup dancers assigned to BTS. I’m looking forward to working with you.” I bowed.

“Nice to meet you and looking forward to working with you as well.” He bowed as well. “I’m really sorry about your phone. Can I do something about it?”

“Honestly, it’s okay. It’s just a small crack.” No it’s not entirely okay because the crack almost encompasses the whole screen. It’s my fault anyways so he doesn’t have to feel bad about it. You don’t want to burden him about your phone. “Also, I’m sorry but I’m really in a rush for practice. See you around. Nice to meet you again.” You bowed and rushed towards the practice room.

“Wait.” Namjoon raises his hands while looking at you, rushing away from him. Although he was truly worried about your phone, he actually caught a glimpse of your lock screen. It amuses him to remember you trying to hide the phone from him. Of course he knows that their fans would have the members as their wallpapers but usually their staff wouldn’t really have the boys’ face plastered on their belongings.

You are still in disbelief that you met Namjoon. Your heart is still in disarray as you try to replay the scene in your mind. His hands are big and he’s so tall. His chest is so toned that even though your head bumped into him for a split second, you could almost remember the ridges of his chest.

…..

“Shit.” Namjoon exclaims as he slumps back on the couch of Hoseok’s studio with four other members in the room. Jimin, Taehyung, Hoseok and Jungkook all turn their heads as their leader enters the studio.

“What got you in a dump, hyung?” Jungkook asks in concern.

“I stepped on a phone and destroyed the screen.” Namjoon puts his hands on his face. He’s wondering how he can mend the cracked screen situation with you. Your face suddenly appeared at the back of his mind and honestly, a part of him find you adorable and beautiful. The way how your fringe falls perfectly on your forehead and on your long lashes. You were a little pale but still, he got a long look at your face and still finds you attractive. He never got interested with female staff members but there was something about you that piqued the leader’s attention.

“Whose phone?” Hoseok, seated in his chair in front of his equipments, turns his chair to face all the other members.

“One of our female backup dancers.” Namjoon groans out loud in frustration, breaking him from his daydream.

“How did you even step on her phone?” Jimin asks his leader, seated on the far corner of the couch beside Taehyung.

“I saved her from falling then I didn’t realize her phone was under my foot.” Namjoon sits straight up, shaking his head.

“You never disappoint, hyung.” Jimin laughs while reaching for Namjoon’s shoulder to pat it. Taehyung sits back to give access to Jimin’s hand to reach Namjoon.

“Give her one of our extra Samsung phones. I think we still have some of those. Go ask the staff.” Taehyung suggests.

“You really are the God of Destruction.” Hoseok chuckles at his good friend.

“I’m so embarrassed. I just want to bury my face right there and then.” Namjoon pouts in frustration.

“I think I can help you ease your frustration.” Hoseok turns his chair around back to his monitor. He pressed a few buttons and music started playing through the speakers. “How is it?” Hoseok plays the song that Namjoon, Taehyung and himself are working hard on. He glanced behind to look at Namjoon’s face. Namjoon stood up and walked to Hoseok’s chair.

…..

I am so tired. I think I’m pushing myself too far this time. You still have a few weeks before Lisa returns so you doubled your shift in the gym. You could really use the extra pay since you spent your extra savings on a few BTS merchandise and on repair fees for the air conditioner at home. The double shifts will only last until this week so you have no problem with it.

You came into the practice room, still groggy from lack of sleep. You glanced at the huge mirror across the room and saw your pale face and poor complexion. Gosh, you have never looked this bad since finals week in college. You tend to forget to take care of yourself when overworking or fatigued. You took a sip from the cup of iced Americano on your hands and sat on the floor with the other dancers.

A few minutes after, the choreographer came in and soon follows the 7 ethereal beautiful boys. They bowed one by one as they enter the room and thanked us for our hard work. You try to fix any unruly strands of hair on your sweaty forehead and straightened your back.

Namjoon entered the room first, greeting all the dancers with a smile. The leader exuding off a charismatic aura as he leads the group in the room. Jimin and Hoseok soon followed, both of them hand in hand giggling and skipping but released their hold on each other and laughed out loud after a few steps inside. The two main dancers eager to meet the dance team. Taehyung and Jungkook silently followed their hyungs, strutting like models with their hands in their pockets. I saw the maknae sporting a man bun that compliments his face and almost making him look like a Greek God, especially with how his tight black long sleeve shirt faintly gives a silhouette of his sculptured chest and back. Taehyung’s disheveled curly do accentuates his bear-like cuteness but still gives off a masculine appeal. Lastly, the two oldest entered the room greeting the dancers. Yoongi entered first with Jin’s hands on his other member’s back. The two of them silently entered the room, ensuring that they greet all of us first before joining the other members at the side.

Your eyes scanned the members one by one as the choreographer informs everyone about the dance practice for today. As you were admiring the amazing view in front of you that was gracing you this morning, your gaze met with Yoongi’s. He then slightly put his head down while looking at you. You couldn’t really paint his expression right now but you dare to say that he looks bothered. Like a puppy that chewed his toy and is being scolded by his owner. He then turns his head away to talk to the other boys when he saw you openly reading his face.  

You were so confused at Yoongi’s bothered expression when you caught him looking at you. You don’t remember bumping into him or meeting him today. Yet, his aura today is a lot softer than the day you met. For your first and second (may I say terrible) encounters, he would always look so irritated or pissed at you specifically. I mean who wouldn’t, you’re crazy clumsy ass kept on bumping into him.

Everybody’s in their respective blocking and is set to practice once more. The moment the music started, your heart kept doing somersaults. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. You are now dancing with the 7 boys. The pinnacle of your fangirl chronicles. You could never imagine that someday you will share the same stage as them. You truly respect them for their art and passion so you give your all even on their first full dance practice with the dance team. Of course, Jimin and Hoseok doesn’t disappoint. The two energetic boys that came skipping inside the room just moments ago became two dancing machines. You couldn’t stop smiling that you could feel your face could tear off. Your fatigue went away as you savor this moment. Nothing matters right now, only this moment.

The music stopped. All took a minute before polishing the dance moves on a specific part of the song. One female backup dancer nudged you on the waist, giggling. “You happy?” She was one of your good friend on the dance team. She knows that you’re a big fangirl of BTS and how ecstatic you are about your new occupation.

“Dream come true but I’m still so far off from being perfect. I need to be at my best to be deserving of sharing the same stage with them.” You whispered to her while giggling. She pats my head in adoration and you looked at her.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing a good job.” You smiled back at her. Soon you heard the choreographer call out everyone to gather to start practicing again.

Two hours were spent in the practice room, dancing nonstop. Slowly, you could feel your fatigue catching up to you but you refuse to take a break. You could see everyone’s passion and hard work so you don’t think you deserve to take a breather. Everyone was giving their all from the boys and girls on the dance team, the 7 BTS members and even with the choreographers. A longer break was given after the two hour mark. All of the other dancers walked straight to their bags to get their water bottles. The 7 boys also went to the water dispenser at the corner of the room near the door to take a sip of water as they catch their breath. You walked towards the door, excusing yourself out to use the restroom. You saw Namjoon and Yoongi noticing you as their eyes follow you before I opened the door.

You took a few steps away from the dance practice room and was stopped in your tracks when you heard a familiar voice calling your name. “Hey!” you turned around and saw Jiyong walking through the hallway in the same direction as you.

“Hey. What’s up?” Jiyong walks up to you with a smile on his face.

“I’m on my way to the recording studio.” He turns his head and caught his eyes on the dance practice room. “Are you guys practicing right now?”

“We are on a break as of the moment.” You wiped your sweat off your forehead. “Who knew that even dance practices was this intense?” You saw Jiyong examining your face and he lifts up his hand to land on your cheek.

“Your complexion’s not good. Are you eating well?” You froze in place. Is my complexion really that bad? Actually, if I remember correctly, I only ate crackers this morning and haven’t got a chance to drink water since I was rushing to go to work.

“Oh. Jiyong-nim.” You and Jiyong quickly looked towards the practice room door when you saw Namjoon, Yoongi, Jimin, and Jungkook about to go out of the room. They saw Jiyong caress your cheek and their faces are painted with bashful expressions. They immediately thought that you might be in a relationship with Jiyong. “You guys know each other?” Namjoon asks your brother.

Jiyong quickly placed his arms on your shoulder and around your neck. He laughed as he rubbed your head. “What do you think?” He placed his hand under your chin to lift up your head straight to present to the boys. The four of them puzzled by your brother’s question and took them a few seconds before it registered to them that you and Jiyong are twins. You totally forgot that Jiyong mentioned that he was good friends with the boys. I want to hide right now.

“No wonder why she looks familiar. She reminds me of you, hyung.” Jimin exclaimed.

“You’re twins?” Yoongi asks Jiyong. Your brother nods his head while giving his boxy smile.

“Identical, in fact.” Jiyong proudly stated as he further rubbed my head, making a mess out of my hair.

“That’s amazing, Hyung. I didn’t know you had a twin.” Jungkook exclaims as well, in fascination. You were just quiet in your brother’s arm. He released his hands around you and you stood up straight. Taehyung and Jin noticed the commotion of the four boys and also peeked out the door. Jimin informs the two boys and you saw Jin opening his mouth in astonishment, releasing a loud gasp in his tiny comedic voice.

“Take care of my sister. If one of you mistreats her, I’ll give you a hard time in the studio booth.” Jiyong jokingly teases the boys.

“You know I’m older than you right?” You quickly hit him on the shoulder as the boys laugh.

“By two minutes.” He looks at you and laughed. He glanced back to the other boys. “Anyways, she’s a big fa…” You pinch his waist to stop him from talking. He cries out in pain but at least that stopped his mouth from rambling.

“Excuse my brother. He likes to tease me a lot.”

“Well, I have to go to the studio booth as well. If you’ll excuse me.” Jiyong finally excuses himself out. He walks away and left you out in the hallway with the 7 boys just standing outside the practice room. A short silence from all of you filled the hallway before they resumed from walking out of the practice room.

“I have to excuse myself too.” You bowed, turned around and continued walking away.

“Wait.” You heard Yoongi call out as his footsteps catch up to you. Not long, he caught up and stopped in front of you. He scratched the back of his head with his head down. “I owe you an apology.”

Yoongi was uneasy at the thought that he disrespected you twice at the expense of his mood that day. The last thing he wants is to never get the chance to apologize to you. He couldn’t really concentrate on the dance practice today as he could see you avoiding him. Whenever he would try to take the chance to apologize to you during breaks, you would always be around the other dancers.

“Apology? For what?” you froze in place out of shock and wonder from yoongi’s statement. You stare at the man in front of you with his head slightly down. The air between the two of you was so still.

“The day we met… I am aware that I was not at my best self and it turned out I was rude to you. Even if I was having a bad day, there’s no excuse for my lack of respect.” He lifts his head up and looked straight in your eyes. As much as you appreciate his apology, you couldn’t really respond to him as you realized that one of your idols is just an arm’s reach away. Never have you imagined that someone you just watch over and over again from the small screen of your phone would be humbling himself before you to apologize. You don’t really know how to handle the situation.

“It’s okay. It’s my fault as well. I guess I have to learn not to be as clumsy anymore.” You laughed as you placed your hands on your nape. His face slowly lit up and the air between both of you started getting lighter. “Here I thought you’re actually disliking the idea of working with me. You were wearing this irritated expression whenever our eyes would meet during practice.”

Yoongi got beet-red thinking that’s how he comes off to you when he was actually irritated by the fact that he can’t get a chance to talk to you alone. “No. I was just…. trying to find a chance to apologize to you.” You smiled so sweetly at the thought of occupying yoongi’s mind during practice and even made him worry on how we would approach you. Yoongi notices the change in your expression and his heart skipped a beat. There’s something so adorable with the way you smiled that caught Yoongi’s attention. He took a good look at you and realized that you were actually good looking despite being so sweaty from practice.

“I would like to begin again.” You held out your hand to Yoongi. He looks at your hand and back to you. “I’m y/n. It’s an honor to work with you. Let’s do our best to show everyone the best performances we could give.” You flashed a smile so big that made Yoongi pleased as well. Your passion to give your best performance fascinated him.

He shook your hand and his heart skipped another beat. A smile like that fits you so well. You almost remind him of Hoseok. Someone who embodies sunshine. Also, he admits that you really look beautiful. Not that he wants to compare you to the other female dancers but he can admit that you’re the most attractive out of all of them. He had his eyes on you the whole morning and was amazed by how you transform into a dancing machine when music starts.

…..

You just concluded your last session with a client at the gym. Despite having a chance to go home early, you kindly offered to the gym owner that you would stay until closing time. You asked permission to use the small studio in the gym. He gladly allowed you and you were ecstatic to finally have a space where you could freely practice. Back at home, the apartment that you share with Lisa is just the adequate space for living, but not so much to consider it as a space to practice. You own a floor length mirror but it’s beside your bed. Your arms and legs have bumped your bed so many times that you could almost file a physical abuse case against the innocent piece of furniture. The small studio in the gym may not be as big as the practice room in Big Hit but it has enough space for you to fly and dance around. Plus, there’s a huge mirror on the entire wall. You’re actually fortunate to have the studio by yourself.

As you start practicing the dance numbers inside the small studio, the gym owner quietly manned the reception area in your place. Only a handful of customers are now currently using the gym and usually at this time of night, influx of customers is at bare minimum. Suddenly, someone enters the gym and walks to the reception area. The gym owner turns his head towards the door.

“Hyung!” The gym owner was surprised by the sudden visit of his friend. He shoots up from his seat to welcome the person who just came through the door.

“Jungkook! What are you doing here?” Jungkook appeared in front of the gym owner wearing his huge black hoodie and a black cap to hide his face. The gym owner walks around the reception table and hugs Jungkook.

“I just tried a new route to run and I remembered your gym was along the way so I thought to pop in and say hello.” Jungkook hugged his friend tightly. They continued to chat as Jungkook quickly noticed the music that was coming from inside the gym. The gym owner also noticed Jungkook looking towards the direction of the sound.

“That’s coming from the studio… which reminds me, one of my employee just got in as your backup dancer. She’s so dedicated and diligent that she spends her extra time to practice here after her shift.” The gym owner offered to usher Jungkook towards the small studio. Jungkook was intrigued and fascinated that one of their backup dancer works at the same place as his close friend. The music gets loud as they get near the studio and he gets a glimpse of somebody dancing eagerly to one of the songs that they were just practicing to this morning. They look just outside the door and Jungkook’s eyes were glued to you as you dance.

He recognizes you immediately and was captivated by how you were working so hard this late at night. He noticed that you weren’t wearing the usual baggy cargo pants that you love to wear for dance practices. You were wearing tight gym leggings and a dri-fit shirt. Nevertheless, you still exude charm and power when you dance to their songs. Jungkook admits to himself that the sight of you in tights dancing to their powerful songs charmed him.

He opened the door and you were late to notice the sound of the creaking door. You were surprised to see Jungkook’s reflection behind you as you strut to the music. Jungkook jumps in surprise when you gasped out loud at his presence and you ran for the speakers.

“Noona, I didn’t mean to surprise you.” You bent down to stop the music. Quickly, you stood up and turned to face him. Jungkook was still walking towards you. He removed his cap and ran his hand through his hair. He was sweating a bit but still, the sight of him sweating makes him look like he’s sparkling. You wondered why in the world is he inside the same studio as you are now. “Hyung’s my friend and I happened to be in the same area so I dropped by. I didn’t expect Noona was working here.”

You peeked towards the door and the gym owner was smiling and waving his hand. He must’ve been the one who informed Jungkook that you were practicing here, you thought. Your attention came back to Jungkook. You admired how handsome Jungkook looks right now despite being barefaced. “May I help you with something?”

“Do you want to practice together? I mean if only you’re comfortable with it.” He offered. Suddenly, you felt like everything slowed down and the two of you remained. You want to slap your face in disbelief that Jungkook actually offered to practice with you. Jungkook slowly walk towards you and you react by stepping backwards.

“I’m having a hard time learning a specific part in the choreo so I may not be the ideal practice partner… for you right now.” You feel as though the space between the two of you has shrunk. Jungkook smirks at the sight of you slightly panicking as he steps closer. Jungkook has been eyeing you ever since the first practice session with them this morning. He saw how his hyungs, Namjoon and Suga, kept on looking at your direction. He discovered that you were the same girl that they were talking about. You were the one whose phone was destroyed by Namjoon, who caught the attention of Jimin and Jhope during the evaluation, and who constantly occupies Suga’s mind about when to apologize to you. You piqued his attention with the way you had these encounters with his hyungs. He also noticed your charm whenever you execute the intricate choreograph during practice, just as Jhope and Jimin describes. He’s determined to have this chance to dance with you.

“I’m sure I want to practice with you.”

Next part: 4

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

'Rules and Masterlist

Hello and welcome to my blog! So, this is my writing blog on which I do repost mainly Black Clover related posts. I do try to produce content regularly as well as keep you updated. Further rules and guidelines listed below, and welcome to the show 😉

Intro 🔥❤️My tags ❤️🔥Ko-fi 🔥❤️ Art commissions

Currently working on:

Projects: [0]

Book: [0] 

Asks:[61]

Other: [0]

Rules:

Unfortunately this is a Black-Clover-only blog, so I’ll only write for BC characters

I won’t write some kinks, themes or topics that I’m uncomfortable with (such as degradation, non-consensual, incest, pedophilia, necrophilia etc.) nor do I condone violence.

"Please" and/or "thank you" are magic words. Please use them

Healthy and loving relationships is the key

When requesting, please limit your requests to 5 characters

Max 2 prompts per request

I don’t write smut for under-aged characters

I also will not write nsfw for minors which is why 

All smut/nsfw/+18 asks need to be sent non-anonymously, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll post your username for the public. Instead I’ll copy/paste the ask on a separate post and your username won’t be known by anyone but me. (You can also use your emoji tags, if you have one.)

I’m not a fan of  A/B/O. I have tried it, and I don’t like it

Am open to writing HCs, short stories etc

Not rules, but guidelines:

If you wish for a fic with a “being saved from abuse” thematic, that is fine

I have dabbled with the manga, so I’m more or less up to date with all of the characters. 

Other notes:

I’m a gall so fem is the easiest perspective for me, but I tend to write relatively gender neutral

My personal favourites are Fuegoleon, Nozel, Yami and William

I am a rather busy person at times, so some requests might take time, but I’ll get there

Inbox open for asks/chatting ^_^ But longer convos preferably in DMs 😅

Prompts lists (but feel free to request things outside of the prompts):

Prompt list 

Masterlist: (under the cut)

Please do note that for the characters for whom I’ve written more, I have separate request masterlists, links to which you can find below

Series summaries:

Surprised by a storm [Background info] [Aftermath]

Valentine’s Day series masterlist

Valentine's Day 2022

Love letter series masterlist

First date/In their embrace masterlist 

Think about it masterlist

Magic Knight Entrance examination masterlist (500 follows event)

Their lives (cc interactions; sibling fluff, ships, etc)

Slap and tickle (a 600 follows list; NSFW)

Sing a song (a 600 follows list)

Kinktober 2021 NSFW

Whumptober 2021

ABC of Fluff (700 follows)

Mafia!AU with Fuegoleon

Headcanon ask game masterlist

1k followers masterlist

Welcoming the final arc (colourings)

Autumn event 2022 (sfw & nsfw)

Valentine's Day 2023

Headcanon ask game spring 2023

Penny for your thoughts ask game

Bye bye writers block ask game

What may it be (3 years in the fandom)

2023 Summer HC ask game

2023 Summer character opinion ask game

1,6k follows event (HCs)

Character profile sheet colourings: Masterlist

My other manga colorings: Masterlist

Moodboards

Nozel Silva

Fuegoleon Vermillion

Mereoleona Vermillion

Yami Sukehiro

OC moodboards: Masterlist

Charlotte Roselei

Fuegoleon Vermillion 

Part 1

Part 2

Julius Novachrono

Luck Voltia

Magna Swing

Nozel Silva

Yami Sukehiro

Yuno Grinberryal

William Vangeance

Dorothy Unsworth: 

Lingerie aesthetics

Finding out s/o has mutual feelings HCs

Artist s/o HCs

Mereoleona Vermillion

Nebra Silva

Tea with a sister

Waterfall with Zora

Marx Francois

Autumn prompt: Catching a cold

Commoner/peasant s/o HCs

Marx with an insomniac s/o HCs

Hugging headcanons

Zora Ideale

Miscellaneous character masterlist

Requested OC fics (Not for my own OCs)

Yuno x Neva (”The truth is... I love you)

Julius x Aika (Letter from Julius; b-day gift)

OC Masterlist

Embers series Masterlist

Embers of Sun and Flame: Masterlist

Embers of Sun and Flame; Before We Have It: Masterlist

[eg515]

Hiii, bestie🥰 1, 2, 3, 5 & 17🎶

thank you bestie 🥰

3. A song that reminds you of summertime: Summer Paradise by Simple Plan and Sean Paul. for some reason I only ever hear this song in the summer, so I associate it with the summer.

5. A song that needs to be played LOUD: SINCE U BEEN GONE BY KELLY CLARKSON. that song shaped me as a person and it's also a bop

17. A song that would sing a duet with on karaoke: okay, bear with me, but I always thought Ed Sheeran's Shape of You would be awesome as a duet

girl I thought you gave me relatively easy ones, considering some of the other choices on the list, but shortening these down was PAIN. for the numbers one I had 24 songs 😭 I tried and failed to limit myself to 5.

1. A song you like with a color in the title: Glitter and Crimson by All Time Low. Heart of Gold by James Blunt. Post Blue by Placebo. Color Blind from Glee. Blue by Troye Sivan.

2. A song you like with a number in the title: yeah I can't choose one, sorry. I can't even do one song per artist. songs with numbers in the title are just great, it's not my fault, okay? Death by a Thousand Cuts by Taylor Swift. 2005 by James Blunt. 27 by Fall Out Boy. Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams. Fourth of July by Fall Out Boy. One More Night by Maroon 5. I'm Not The Only One by Sam Smith. One Day At A Time by Sam Smith. One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As You March Towards Your Death by Bring Me The Horizon and Amy Lee. One Little Lie by Simple Creatures. One Of Us by ABBA. Pity Party of One by Placebo. seven by Taylor Swift. Square One by Jessie J. Three Empty Words by Shawn Mendes.

either way, thank you bestie. I still can't manage to keep my answers short 😂

[beyuji]

lime entertainment audition / auditionee #17 - song yuji song of choice: nana (cherish) - i got love (1:58 - 2:44), (2:55-3:03) - 54s total

yuji thinks about that business card for days. tugs it out from under her pillow and stares down at the writing and thinks for a long time. she lets the days pass by her and considers her options at every waking moment. lets herself imagine every scenario and situation. not taking the audition, trying out the audition and failing. trying out the audition and getting signed. it’s surreal. she can’t wrap her mind around it. 

lime entertainment. why lime? why her? there’s a little part of her that’s sour, that’s bitter it’s not studio delta beckoning her with an audition. the lack of creative inclusion for their artists is what makes yuji hesitate the most; would it even be worth it if she does succeed? 

it’s a lot of thought. it’s a lot of thinking. of catastrophsizing and rationalizing. 

should she try? is she even ready to? yuji hadn’t even considered the idea of trying out for a company-- not when she’s trying to figure out everything. not when she’s trying to get herself settled and stable. but opportunities come once in a life time-- is this that time? is this that opportunity? 

it doesn’t hurt to try. that’s what yuji tells herself in the days following, and begins to think what she wants to do. a minute isn’t a whole lot of time when you think about it, even if in the moment, it feels like forever. you have to time it right-- make sure you get everything you need to show in that amount of time. 

she goes through her options. she doesn’t really have the guts to perform something self written-- so she decides on playing it safe. if it doesn’t work, then oh well; she’ll work hard and maybe...try again later down the line. even if the thought makes her pride weaken a little.

she plays it even safer by choosing a nana song. maybe it’s a cop out, sure. but yuji doesn’t want to crash in burn-- if she sticks to the norm, it keeps it on even ground at least. but yuji knows she’s got something; she just wants to leave an impression, even if it doesn’t make the cut.

but she kinda wants to make the cut. 

she cuts and splices the song into something that fits the time duration-- but makes sure to include the instrumental of parts she wants to showcase. she skips a few shifts at the lounge to work on it-- determined to make it fit the image she wants to show. in sixty seconds. so pressuring.

after fixing the instrumental and tucking it onto a triple (quadruple, if we’re being honest) checked and working usb-- comes practicing it vocally. tries it out once completely all the way through, doesn’t feel too good about it and spends the rest of the night humming and singing it under her breath. the following day, she does it again-- this time recording it, only to play it back again. monitors until she likes the way it sounds recorded; keeps up with practicing it until she’s more confident with it in all the days following up until the audition.

when the day comes, she’s a little terrified, if she’s being honest. but she keeps moving-- a little exhausted from a restless, nervous sleep. muscle memory keeps her going as she gets herself ready, finding the most comfortable clothing she can that’s still cute in her eyes. she makes sure to stop by for a quick snack run, as per minseok’s recommendation, and shells out a little cash for a taxi to get her to the lime entertainment administrative building. her nerves have calmed down a bit, but she’s a little restless, fiddling with the sleeve of her shirt mindlessly. 

once arrived, yuji wanders around the front of the building, albeit nervous; she’s hear just a little shy of 7am, not wanting to be anywhere close to being late. it gives her time to practice, fine tune portions of the song that are beginning to grind on her ears. nitpicking until she’s worked up enough and she has to calm herself down-- counting to ten mentally-- straightening up once 7am comes. she shuffles in with the other couple of people that have gotten here earlier than necessary, bowing her head in greeting as she shuffles inside. 

check in goes smoothly; the only hiccup is the hesitation in putting her address down, but she ends up scribbling down her parents address. it’s the same as the one on her id, so she’ll just hope and pray they don’t hear about anything until she gets a chance to break something to them. if anything comes out of it. 

she makes the check in as detailed as she can without coming off as overbearing. puts down composing and lyric writing as other skills. triple checks over everything before checking in and receiving her number; 17. that’s not terrible. enough time to have her gather her bearings and rehearse to herself-- but also quick enough she can work with her confidence and just go with it and hope for the best. 

as the first ten shuffles in, yuji’s ushered into the next line to wait. it’ll be some time, so she makes herself comfortable, and digs into her light breakfast. nothing too strong on her stomach that’s still swirling with butterflies, but enough so she doesn’t feel sick. hums i got love under her breath as she finishes off her breakfast and gathers up the trash. once it’s been disposed of, yuji tugs her headphones out of her pocket and plugs one into her ear--  playing the instrumental track of her song choice and opening the lyrics just to be safe. 

she doesn’t feel bad about it-- others around her doing similar things. practicing their vocals, testing pronounciation and flow, doing lazy dance moves; others gushing or panicking and yuji gets it. the competitive streak in her begins to lick at her insides, and she focuses-- tries to drown out everyone else in the time as practices in the little time that she has left to wait. 

the first group doesn’t come out of the door the next time it opens, but yuji’s already standing, though on edge. she’s shoving her headphones into pockets double checking for her usb and shoving it back into her pocket as they’re ushered into the next room.

the profile shots are easy enough. it feels like school-- getting photographed for her school id, for events; the smile is easy, practiced and cool, stare even and straight. follows the cameraman’s instruction until she’s finished and ushered to wait until the last few are finished. 

she hands over the usb to the staff as they move into the next room. there’s a table with a group of people seated behind it, with notepads and ipads and yuji’s gut flips with nerves. pursing her lips, she keeps her posture straight as they’re given the rundown. she nods along, in taking the information as she surveys the room carefully. there’s a camera placed in one area, speakers and other staff litered around the room. 

there are six auditionees before her. it’s both a blessing and a curse, because yuji gets to see what the competition is; but it leaves her restless and worrisome. she brushes aside thoughts of a last minute song change-- acapella be damned, but by the time the person before her has begun to finish their portion, yuji’s settled down a bit. like a calm before the storm.

she steps forward when a curt ‘next, please’ is called to the floor. yuji steps up with a practiced smile in place, a short bow as she fixes her hair quickly. “hello, i’m auditionee seventeen,” she greets carefully, eyes flickering carefully over the evaluators. there’s one that’s staring a bit too intensely, perhaps calculating and wondering. looking for a break in composure. “shin yuji. please take care of me.” she bows her head quickly-- and then closes her eyes, waiting for the backing track on the usb to play. 

there’s a moment of time where it’s still silent, all that’s left is the squeaks of shoes shifting restlessly on the floor. yuji’s worried that something happen to the audio and she really will have to do it acapella. but then the music kicks in, and the timer starts. she feels through the instrumental, doing a count in her head once it’s time.

so that it all breaks down, and melts away. it makes me crazy outrageously come and turn me on you don’t stop that fire cause i got love, i got love, i got looooove so tell me now, why you baby, why you baby im into you who is like a universe need you closer, need you closer when i fall in i flutter in the restless sighs too as if i’m drunk, i’m lost in a dream, in you can you believe me

the harmonies kick in here and as she hears it play for the instrumental, she’s glad she recorded them and put them in; it adds a bit of flare. yuji sings over it, trailing her eyes over the evaluators as she does. her stomach is tight, and she can see one of them shift, as if restless.

“it seems to be possessed,” she sings over the come on, trust it. “i’m wandering in you. i’m lonely, lonely, can you believe this?” her voice wavers at the end, ending her voice off cleanly just as the intense evaluator calls for time. it’s six seconds away from the alloted time, so for a moment, yuji is stunned before she bows and offers her thanks and steps back to let the last couple go.

she did her best, she thinks. she went in, tried-- felt confident enough at the start. yuji tries not to dwell at anything, nitpicking parts where her pronounciation seemed off-- or if she added too much of a fry to her voice at times. there’s a small bit of an interview after, a few people getting a chance to answer a question when gestured to. when it comes to yuji’s turn, she straightens up and wracks her mind for a moment. “i uh. i compose! and lyric write. i edited the instrumental for my performance too.” it’s pretty beginner’s work, but she tried not wince through a little bit of a stumble through her response. “i know a number of instruments too, and i’m always open to learn. i work well with guitars- both acoustic and bass! as well as piano and keyboard, and midi-program.” she prattles, trailing off towards the end as her confidence falters a bit. 

she’s wringing her wrists absentmindedly when they’re dismissed, offering another round of thank yous; yuji gathers her usb from the staff as they’re escorted out-- her mind everywhere as she recalls the last few hours of her day. 

it doesn’t feel real, and even when yuji comes back and collapses in her bed and stares off into space-- staring at her phone blankly as if she’ll get a random notification about her results. 

it doesn’t feel real. she thinks once more, before letting herself take a much needed nap after her early day.

[ladyc0312]

A Jikook Guide to RunBTS: 20-29

I’ll be totally honest here - I was kind of worried when I took this on that looking closely would end up convincing me that I was just seeing things through shipper goggles. And, sure, there are moments that have had their significance overplayed because all of the guys are touchy. But overall, I've ended up being even more convinced there's at the very least something unique about this relationship!

FYI - I started putting these notes together a few months ago, so my memory about certain episodes has grown a little hazy. In the interest of not needing to rewatch these episodes for a third time, I’ve decided that if I don’t remember much about the episode, it must not have been that memorable, and that’s reflected in the (totally subjective) rating. 

Thanks so much to everyone who shared moments I’d missed last time around - please continue to do so! 

Ep 20 "The Taste of Korea" (Ep: 4 / KM: 2)

The one with Tae’s squirrel plate and JK’s sticky sweet potatoes 

01:45 - Jimin stands super close to JK

12:55 - Jimin laughs particularly hard at JK's glazed sweet potatoes sticking to the plate

13:15 - JM and JK lock eyes as they joke about the sweet potatoes. Then Jimin continues laughing at JK's antics even when they start going on a bit too long

15:05 - Jimin is the only one to laugh when JK makes another joke about the sweet potatoes 

17:44 - JM is the only one paying enough attention to laugh with JK at Jin's comments on the sweet potatoes

Ep 21 "Board Game Competition" (Ep: 1 / KM: 1)

The one I recall almost nothing about beyond that the room was ugly (and maybe in Chicago?)

12:44 - JK has moved next to Jimin during the cut. JK pats JM on the shoulder and starts to say something about him, but gets cut off. 

12:54 - JK compliments Jimin's card-dealing 

15:46 - JK tries unsuccessfully to get JM's attention so he can advise him what color to pick 

Ep 22 "Hangawi Festival" (Ep: 3 / KM: 3)

The one where the members wear hanbok to make food and play games

3:18 - When Suga comments that JK is good enough to be a songpyeon artist after retirement, Jimin says JK has a lot to do after retirement since JK told him he wanted to run a BBQ place.

7:01 - Jimin leans in close to JK and asks him to vote for his songpyeon (weirdly, hearts pop up on the screen when he does). Despite his desire to win, Jimin cheers loudly and puts his arm around JK when JK's songpyeon gets the first vote. He keeps his arm around him the entire time the voting is happening and as they start announcing the votes. 7:45 - When the other members go over to look at the dishes, JM and JK stay behind together. 21:00 - After watching Jimin spin in fascination, JK tells everyone that Jimin used to be a dancer (no idea why he says that like it's new info for anyone lol) 29:11 - JM and JK walk off together BEHIND 2:58 - JM and JK look over all the songpyeon together and Jimin compliments JK's 3:55 - more footage of the super long amount of time JM had his arm around JK

Ep 23 "Pet Friends" (Ep: 5 / KM: 1)

The one where adorable boys play with adorable dogs 

5:16 - Jimin seems to find JK's joke about eating dog treats as snacks hilarious and adorable  18:01 - JK and JM address each other when bragging about their dogs and have a moment of just looking at each other  19:50 - Jimin smiles when JK enters with his dog and the captions feel the need to clarify that it's a "brother-like smile"

Ep 24 "BTS vs. Zombies" (Ep: 4 / KM: 0)

The one where BTS (minus JK) is too afraid of zombies to complete any tasks

None

Ep 25 "Game King" (Ep: 2 / KM: 3)

The one that reminds us video games are more fun to play that to watch people play (but it’s super fun to watch Jimin dance while water is poured over him)

1:36 - JK walks over and puts his arm around Jimin when they get put on the same team. He does the same to Jin after and there are much better jikook moments in this ep, but including it for the sake of completionism  22:32 - JM sits right up next to JK and is kind of touchy when they pick a punishment. 22:56 - When the producer asks what song Jimin should dance to while getting water poured on his head, JK requests "'Blood Sweat and Tears,' a sexy one" and then gets shy and rubs at his ear.  23:32 - Jimin has his arm around JK when saying goodbye. 23:52 - When Jimin says he's nervous to dance, JK asks them to play the music loud. They're all staring at Jimin when he dances while getting soaked (because how could you not?), but JK's face at 24:16 after he gives JM a once-over is pretty great. And I think it's JK who yells "so hot!" at 24:23. He's also the only one still clapping at 24:43. 

Ep 26 "Secret Agent" (Ep: 3 / KM: 1)

The one where the boys wear tuxedos and drive go-karts

15:19 - Jimin comments that JK will like the laser part of the course. 17:38 - JK taps JM on the shoulder to indicate something. 24:30 - JM proudly tells JK that he heard he scored the highest (even though that is a. not true and b. would be bad for Jimin's team). BEHIND 0:15 - Jimin reaches over to pat JK's stomach even though Jin is the one who messed up.

Ep 27 "Welcome to Your First MT Part 1" (Ep: 4 / KM: 3)

The ones where BTS play games, sing karaoke, and have a BBQ

6:22 - Jimin points out that they shouldn't make things harder for JK's team and imitates JK's confused big eyes. 7:48 - Jimin is playing the nonsensical answers game and is doing well until they ask what JK's favorite color is and Jimin immediately says yellow. Then, looks over at JK with an embarrassed smile. 13:55 - Jimin loses again with JK involved and, after, keeps looking at him and sings something I don't recognize.  19:22 - When Jimin has to do the nonsense game again, JK cheers him on with a "Jimin fighting!" even though they're on opposing teams. 20:50 - When Jimin has to drink lemon juice, JK volunteers that Jimin will be good at that since he likes sour things. He then repeats that fact another two times.  24:30 - Not super shippy, but the sound effect JK makes for Jimin's die toss is pretty great. 24:44 - When JK argues that Jimin's team should get less time, Jimin looks at him and acts cute so JK laughs and stops arguing. 28:18 - When Jimin gets an answer wrong in a funny way, JK says "this is is how he makes the show awesome."  BEHIND 0:58 - Jimin complains that the shirts with JK's face on them make Jungkook look "too cute."

Ep 28 "Welcome to Your First MT Part 2" (Ep: 4 / KM: 1)

6:50 - Jimin doesn't even glance at J-Hope when he makes a comment to him while JK is singing

Ep 29 "...Be Each Other's Stylist" (Ep: 4 / KM: 4)

The one where the guys all dress each other 

10:18 - Jimin says he wants to try Jungkook's clothes because he thinks he might look great in them.  This whole scene, JK seems kind of nervous and keeps hovering near Jimin - it's especially apparent at 10:45

13:25 - When he gets picked to be styled by Jimin, JK celebrates, calls JM Jimini-ssi, and clasps his hand. 16:36 - Not a shippy moment per se, but the look on JK's face when Jimin holds up the pink shirt he's considering dressing him in is pretty great.  17:14 - Jikook keep joking around with each other about the pink shirt while the others are introducing their styles. JK swats at JM with the prop rose at 17:45 as part of this.  21:19 - While the guys are getting changed, Jimin calls everyone's attention to how he's dressed JK and gets them to compliment how good it looks. Then, V comments that it's the boyfriend look and Jimin says he wanted it to look great.  23:21 - JK trails his eyes up Jimin's body as JM poses. 23:27 - This starts the sequence of JK modeling Jimin's clothes, which involves a lot of laughing and looks plus JK imitating Jimin's hair sweep. At 23:54, JM calls JK Jungkook-ssi and says he looks even better than he thought. JK immediately stops posing and gets shy and earnest as he asks "really?" and says thank you. Then he takes JM's hand and holds it a few seconds and his entire face lights up.  (This isn't a moment I'd given a lot of thought to before, but watching it now, I actually think I'd put it on my "moments that highlight how differently JM and JK interact with each other than with anyone else" list) 29:10 - While doing his model walk, JK imitates JM's hair sweep again and then does a piece of JM's choreo from "Save Me." JM cracks up the whole time and they do a bro-hug when JK is done. 33:00 JM and JK crack up together in the middle of the final poses.  BEHIND 5:29 - As they get changed, JM and JK joke about the fit of the pants JM is trying on. 6:58 - JM and JK decide that JK should change into the outfit JM originally picked out. JK does and then starts imitating JM, which makes JM laugh and playfully smack him. They keep talking and at 7:40 JM briefly touches JM's back. 9:10 - J-Hope says that Jimin said before the episode that he wanted to dress JK. JM corrects him that he said Tae. 

[gigslist]

34+ Voiceover Roles & 3 Musician Open Calls - Work From Home - Paid

'F*cking Sober' Podcast

22 + Roles

3 Open Calls for Musicians With Their Own Music

PAID WORK FROM HOME NON UNION

Deadline : September 15, 2021 2:00 PM

Somehow9am Productions // F*cking Sober: the first 90 days Podcast

Katie Mack, coord.

:"A call for artists in recovery for the 2nd Season of The Webby Award Winning Podcast Series 'F*cking Sober: the first 90 days.' We are looking for voice over talent and musicians/music producers for 'FS: Shadai.' 'F*cking Sober' is a semi-comedic mostly non-fictional narrative podcast following Shadai’s first 90 days of getting sober. Thirty-five year old Shadai is the black, queer, strong female in advertising— so what if she keeps shots in her bra for between meetings, right? But after a shitshow holiday party, a fuzzy cop encounter, and a disaster presentation with the new big account, Dry January doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Maybe Dry Forever is better. This is what it looks, acts, and feels like to get f*cking sober. This 8 episode serialized show features music by artists with their own story with recovery. F*cking Sober Season 1: Anita has received 15k downloads since it’s release in Nov 2020, and received a 2021 Webby Nomination for Best Limited Series, and a Webby Win for Best Writing for a Podcast. At this time we are only looking to work with artists who have a relationship/understanding of recovery. Please follow instructions for submitting and what to include in the cover letter to be considered! Thank you! Listen to Season 1 to get the vibe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f-cking-sober-the-first-90-days/id1538804959?i=1000499155627 And check out: www.fckingsoberpodcast.com @fckingsober90_podcast More information about Somehow9am Productions & Katie Mack (Producer): www.somehow9amproductions.com www.mackstage.com"

Roles

Shadai (Voiceover): Female, 18+WORK FROM HOMEproduction states: "Note: We are only accepting submissions from artists who have their own story in recovery, TY! 35 year old, black, queer, cis gender female attorney with a dry sense of humor, who has strong opinions and shares them sometimes, is a powerhouse and knows it all… until… until she doesn’t. Please note your experience with improv/comedy in your cover letter If you have writing experience or are interested in writing please note this in your cover letter. We will be giving writing credits to the right candidate who desires to contribute to the molding of this character."Required Media: Voice Reel

Other Characters (Voiceover): 20-70

"Note: We are only accepting submissions from artists who have their own story in recovery, TY! We are looking for diversity in every sense of the word, from all genders, to ages, to ethnicities, to lived experiences, to food preferences!! In short, we are looking to cast dope, interesting people. Looking to cast various characters through out the S2 Shadai, including but not limited to:

Dad (black, army veteran, a dad’s dad)

Mom (black, hyper critical, the opposite of Shadai)

Dana (any ethnicity, work enemy)

Coco (white, work bestie)

JewBoo aka Therapist (Jewish, confidant, motherly, with a special sense of humor)

Miriam (black, best friend and ex-lover who tells it like it is)

Galen (white, gay, best friend who is warm and caring and pushy)

15 other characters Please note any experience you may have with comedy/improv if any. Please submit your reel along with your cover letter."Required Media: Voice Reel, Cover Letter

Musicians (BIPOC Artists in Recovery) (Voiceover): 18+ music from BIPOC identifying artists.

Musicians (Queer Identifying Artist in Recovery) (Voiceover): 18+ music by Queer Artists.

Musicians (Non-BIPOC/Non-Queer Artists in Recovery) (Voiceover): 18+ music from non-BIPOC or non-Queer Identifying Artists in recovery.

"To be produced over the course of October 2021 - January 2022 Shadai’s commitment is estimated at two hrs/wk. Other characters 30mins. Musicians, all work should already exist. Please be prepared to send stems or stripped down tracks."

Compensation & Union Contract Details

Stipend: $25 - $75Production states: "Shadai (Lead Character), $550 for full season. All Other Characters: $25-$50 per episode. Musicians: $25-$75 per song per episode. Sync license contract."

Seeking talent: Nationwide (United States)

Website:http://www.fckingsoberpodcast.com

======================================

'Rain: Series III'

12 Voiceover Roles

PAID WORK FROM HOME NONUNION

Deadline: September 14, 2021 8:59 PM

JKPRising James Klim, filmmaker

Seeking voiceover talent for "Rain: Series III," a web-series, created in the video game Halo Reach on MCC via Xbox/PC. "This series will have a total of 13 episodes. I have many characters to cast, 12 specifically. If you wish to learn more about the show, you can check out my documentary series regarding the show. You can view the first episode here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlzPQvJS3og A little bit about me, I am a freelance filmmaker who actually got into film through making Halo videos as a kid when I was younger. You can check out some of my work here - www.jkprising.com/ I've always wanted to return to my roots & finish a series I was never able to before, but now I have the time to focus on it. This is a paid position. Rates depend on each character as some have more lines than others & vice versa. I am not the wealthiest person in the world, but I will to compensate each voice actor for their performance. My budget per character is between $100 - $300. This again, all varies per character. In this post, there is a video of what the character will look like in the series. I have also attached a single page from a random episode script from the show. The highlighted lines are what the character will say. There will also be non verbal lines highlighted, this is meant to be voiced kind of like an anime, where every movement usually has sounds. Typically, how would you make a sound if you did any of the following, head turn, turns around, surprised gasp, sighs, etc. Since this a paid gig, I am expecting a professional voice audition & if hired, continued professional audio. This means minimum to no background noise. The audio needs to be crisp."

Roles

Chloe Moody (Voiceover): Female, 18-35WORK FROM HOME29. Voice type: English/United Kingdom accent, polite, doesn't get mad often but when she does, she loses it, anxious, low self esteem, hopeful. Chloe Moody used to be a psychiatrist, but after the death of her soon to be husband, she spiraled into insanity. She met someone later on in life named Tom Rains, who looked exactly like her dead boyfriend. She became obsessed with him & tried to get with him, which sunk her further into a deep depression. She finally hit rock bottom, which causes her to seek out help from the very people she used to serve. Chloe meets a psychiatrist named Jennifer, who is able to help herself almost fully recover. Chloe eventually accidently runs back into Tom, which triggers Chloe to try one last time. After a final rejection, Chloe comes to the realization that she is not redeemable & decides to take her own life in front of Tom. Chloe's death, triggers a massive event for Tom Rains, which has massive ramifications for the series. Chloe is a major character and will appear in a couple episodes.Languages:

English

Accents:

British

Australian

Voice Styles:

Soft

Softspoken

Crazy

Compassionate

Sad

Angry

Required Media: Voice Reel

Dark Daryl (Voiceover): Male, 18-40WORK FROM HOME

32, voice type: Very dark presence, evil. sadistic, look at examples like Yami Marik from the Original Yu-Gi-Oh - www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xaa_ycud6o, manic, darkness. Dark Daryl is the darkness of his original persona, Daryl. Daryl accidentally acquired a powerful technology known as an imperium. This caused Daryl to lose himself to it at some point & was taken over by an alternate personality named, The Professor, which caused tons of damage. When Daryl came back to his senses, the damage had been done & others abandoned him, which caused him to grow angry at something that he didn't consciously do. Daryl once again loses himself to the imperium, which turns into Dark Daryl, a representation of all the anger & hatred he endured over the course of his past uncontrollable actions. Dark Daryl is very aggressive, sadistic & wants to destroy the people who wronged him in the past. Eventually, he comes face to face with Daryl & fights to stay as the one who remains in control, even if that means killing Daryl & anyone who gets in his way. Dark Daryl is a character who appears in the second half of the show, & becomes the series main villain. He will appear in many episodes.

Languages:

English

Voice Styles:

Aggressive

Angry

Evil

Commanding

Straightforward

Scary

Dangerous

Intimidating

Demonic

Required Media: Voice Reel

Nikki (Voiceover): Female, 18-35 WORK FROM HOME

25. Voice type: Energetic, passionate, caring, open-minded, loving, positive, independent, fighter. Nikki used to date Tom Rains. She didn't really have much going for her, as she had no ambition at all during that time of her life. After Tom broke up with her, this was quite the shock to Nikki. It caused her to really dive deep within herself & from that moment, she tried to learn more about herself. She discovered a love for storytelling, & so went into journalism. Nikki is now dating Jennifer & they have been together for almost a year. Nikki eventually gets wrapped up in a major conspiracy, which drags many of her friends in with her. She is in for the story of her entire career. Nikki is a major character and will appear in many episodes.

Languages:

English

Voice Styles:

Comforting

Compassionate

Caring

Amusing

Animated

Brave

Heroic

Required Media: Voice Reel

Talent works remotely with professional recording equipment.

Professional Pay: $100 - $300Pays between $100-$300 depending on character.

Nationwide (United States)

Additional Materials

Website: https://www.jkprising.com/

Nikki Audition.pdf - https://d26oc3sg82pgk3.cloudfront.net/files/media/uploads/casting_call/7f95c65b-ab53-43d3-a66b-9e59d1041acb.pdf

Dark Daryl Audition.pdf - https://d26oc3sg82pgk3.cloudfront.net/files/media/uploads/casting_call/00cfdf46-84c1-4da6-9dee-91c7bcdeed3d.pdf

Chloe Moody Audition.pdf https://d26oc3sg82pgk3.cloudfront.net/files/media/uploads/casting_call/186cbe9e-9c7e-4ce5-bcbe-2407a9dec00b.pdf

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Ep 17 - Sharp selling masks on thier own website.

K: Hi, this is Dir en grey's Kaoru starting this week's episode of The Freedom of Expression. Joe san! (*looks intentionally at J*)

J:Yep

K:Tasai san! (*looks intentionally at T*)

T: *nods*

J: Get it right this time, haha.

K: *laughs* Its started to go funny when I say it carelessly.

J: Well, you kinda zone out a bit, don't you, when you're wearing a mask.

T: Yeah.

K: Its slightly difficult to concentrate.

J: It is difficult.

K: ...with your awareness.

J: If we go on like this into the rainy season, it will feel pretty tough to keep wearing a mask.

T: Yeah.

K: Yeah, but there are those things that you can wrap round your face and neck. I've heard those feel a bit cooler.

J: Yeah, I do think wearing a mask in the rainy season will be tough. At the moment, what I am not sure about is whether or not, and to what extent masks are effective. There are different opinions everywhere you look. In the end, you don't know who to believe. Im at the point of thinking I should wear one to avoid any risk just in case, even if its a small risk.

K: Yeah, and what about your eyes?

J: Yeh, your eyes.

Kami: Yes, yes, yes, yes. 

K: Like, Trump wasn't wearing a mask, but he was covering his eyes, right?

J: Yeah, yeah. Oh! Kami? Are you coming in at this point?

Kami: Yes, yes.

J: Okay, go ahead.

Kami: Um, as for masks, when they were tested on mice, apparently they were effective. They had one side infected with corona next to one side that wasn't, and when they added a mask barrier inbewteen the cages, the infection rate reduced a lot.

T: Ehh?

J: Yeah, I've read about that too.

K: It seems like its better to just wear one.

T: Well, this is the news from Tokyo Sports today, but the home appliance company Sharp are making masks, and selling them at 2980yen for 50, with a delivery fee of 660yen. They are limited to one box per person, and you have to register as a member. So with even Sharp making masks, its like..won't Japan end up with a mask surpluss?

K: You see them a lot don't you? Well, you don't know where they come from though.

J: Well, Sharp is a home appliance maker that has been operating for many decades, but this year has apparently been their best year for sales and profits. They've made the leap over to masks as thier big money maker, instead the of home appliances, which they've sold up to now. Thats how much everyone has ???*1

T: Going from making home appliances to making masks is pretty impressive, right?

J: Yeah.Thats the great thing about Japanese technology. I think people are very reassured to see 'Made in Japan', they prefer Japanese made ones over foreign made ones, especially in terms of hygiene. But it must have been tough for them with their web server going down.

T: Yeah

J: I tried to have a look at thier site, but in the end I couldn't connect to it once ...

T: Were you thinking of buying some?

J: Yeh, I was! But while Im doing this, you can still see masks on sale all over town recently.

T: There are real estate agencies selling masks..

J: Yes, thats it! Even a tapioca drink stand was selling masks.

K: Yeah, but a friend of mine has been selling them too ...they come via a route, you can purchase them directly from the factory in China or somewhere, and then disperse them to people here, so you don't really know where they've been.*2

J: Right? They really are being sold by all sorts of people in all sorts of places. Its incredible.

T: Its a mask bubble.

J: Also, a lot of people are wearing hand made masks, or brand name masks...

K: Washable ones?

J: Yeah, washable ones.

K: Well, its not like they don't work.

J: Yeah.

T: Masks can be fashionable. Do you remember that chain, Dom Dom Burger?

J, K: Oh, nostalgic!

T: Dom Dom Burger have been selling masks with 'Dom Dom' on the side.

K: Thats cute.

T: They've also been really popular. They are cute.

K: That elephant logo?

J, T: Yeah, yeah.

K: I kinda want one of those.

J: Yeah, I want one!

T: So in this way, masks are no longer staying the usually white, but are turning into fashionable items.

J: Well, I usually like Yohji (Yamamoto), and Yohji is also putting out masks, black or white leather.

T: Yohji is doing a white mask?

J: A white one and a black one. Some people are saying this type of thing is cool, or this is want they want.. I want to buy one of his masks, but I can't. Leather is expensive.

K: There are a lot of overseas artists making them too, aren't there?

J: Is there a particular one you like?

K: Well, no, I just thought theres loads of places doing like a design or print on masks at the moment.

J: Will you make a mask with your characters (Krim and Zon)?

T: Ah, that would be good.

K: I wonder if they would sell?

J: Yeah, I think they would.

K: *laughs*

T: Should we (Tokyo Sports) make them?

K: *laughs*

J: Could Tokyo Sports make them?

T:???*3

K: We could have a little Tokyo Sports logo on the side.

J: It would look so fake!

K: *laughs a lot*

J: Like a counterfeit.

T:???*4

J: But that does happen, in this case.

K: I think it would be good. There is that monthly magazine 'Mu' isn't there? You see their logo on tshirts a lot. Tokyo Sports could do that type of thing.

T: Oh, right, yeah. But we did actually make a parker once.

K: Ehh, I want it!

T: And a kind of Idol person really wore it to lives and stuff, and it became a desirable item. Everyone was like, 'Eh?! A Tokyo Sports parker?!'

K: Its good, right?

J: It is good. If you wear something with 'Tokyo Sports' on it, it shows a kind of intelligence.

T: Really?! Im so happy *laughs*

J: It shows you've read around a bit. Its good. Although its a bit strange to say it. Its a bit different from something with an 'Asahi Shimbun' or 'Yomiuri Shinbun' logo. Its 'Tokyo Sports'!

T: Should we put our name on Dir's goods next time?*5 *everyone laughs*

J: Yes, start there.

K: It would be recognized, right?

J: Yeh, everyone would be like, 'Ah, its Tasai san!'. They might buy it. But, conversely, if Kaoru was to make masks, would Tokyo Sports be interested?

T: Of course.

K: But would those characters mean anything to the readers of Tokyo Sports?

T: We could put UFO on the side.

J: Ahh, UFO right?

K: ???*6

J: Well, it sounds strange, but just like how people send out a message with the print on their tshirt, you could do that with masks. For example, how you are feeling today or something...if you have a picture of beer on your mask, people might think, 'ah, that person wants to drink beer'.

T: Thats a good idea.

J: You could show if you are feeling good or bad, like include a message. You could send a message with your mask, send a message without talking.

T: Well, that type of think is developing, isn't it? That kind of fashion style.

K: Yeah, despite not being disposable, you can change your look everyday. Like, you could wear this one on Monday, or pair one with your glasses, or whatever you have that you want to wear.

J: Match it with your feelings, right?

K: ..with everything. 

J: But up to now you see them in white, black and kind of bluey colours, and maybe pink..with womens' masks. But what about more different..

K: More colourful ones?

J: Yeah, deep purple or such..

T: Deep purple?

J: The colours, or the design, like the shape can be..

K: Like this pattern? *gestures to his shirts*

J: Yes, like check or patterned...if they come like this, it will be more exciting to wear a mask. Aren't you looking forward to that a bit?

T: Well, yeah. I think white looks kinda bleak.

J: It does, yeah. You could also put stickers on your mask. It might be a bit difficult to stick them on if it gets fluffy though

K: You could put studs in it.

T: Ah, cool!

J: Should we put studs in?

K: Wasn't Yohji selling one like that?

J: Yeh, that was kind of printed on to it, but it looked like studs.

T: Its good putting different things on masks, right?

J: Well, if masks really are effective, we have to wear them.

K: Right.

J: I'd like some which are more creative. If there is scientific progress, you could have ones that open up when you try to eat.

T: Ah, that would be cool!

K: I think I've seen that kind of video! He looks like he's wearing a mask, but then it opens up when he eats.

J: How does it?

K: It just opens when he opened his mouth.

J: Really?

T: I see.

J: Ehh, there are lots of ways...Well, I don't know if I would wear it, but what about a mask you can kiss with..?

K: A mask you can kiss with? ...What are you talking about? *laughs*

J: Im sorry, at 52 years old, I've gone funny...

K: But, actually, it a good feeling to see normal life returning a little, some stores opening up again, isnt it? Starbucks, for example.

J: Yes, yes.

K: If it spreads more, we'll be in trouble though..

T: But there was that Spanish flu wasn' there?

J: Yeah, 100 years ago.

T: While it was spreading, they didn't know why, but they eventually realised it was spreading where people were gathered together, so maybe corona might be the same, and it might just return to normal after two or three years, I wonder?

K: It will.

J: Yes, we won't be social distancing forever.

Kami: I have something to say. Um, Didn't Dir en grey sell masks before?

K: We made them before, yeh.

Kami: So you sold them, and you also have a song called, 'Mask', right?

K: You know a lot, don't you?

Kami: Have you thought of using that?

T: I see.

Kami: I thought, since everyone needs masks, and you have a song called 'Mask', you could do something.

T: Kami has come in straight talking.

Kami: Thats right.

J: What do you think, Leader?

Kami: Yeh, if you did that..

K: I havn't really thought about it.

J: Hahaha.

K: I havn't thought about it at all.

T: Haha.

Kami: Its a laymans idea. You have a song called 'Mask', so do a mask campaign. But I wasn't sure whether it would fit with Dir en grey's image. But that was a shocking answer.

T: Hahaha.

J: Yeah, I saw Kaoru's expression and he really did answer honestly. But conversely, how about Kami's idea? You might want to try if you think about it a bit more?

K: Ahh, it didn't really resonate with me..

*Everyone laughs*.

K: Well, anyway, see you next week. Thank you very much.

J: Thank you

K: Please subscribe.

*1, 3, 4, 6 Couldn't make it out.

*2, 5 I think this is what he meant.

[pl-panda]

Damienette arranged marriage: part 20

Credits: Miraculous Ladybug team for the elements I take from MLB show. DC for their characters, @ozmav for the AU, @maribat-archive for giving me access to so many different stories to have take inspirations from, @thyladyanput for idea for Chat Damian and me for the plot.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 part 14 part 15 

part 16 Part 17 Part 18

Part 19

Damienette arranged marriage: Part 20

NEXT

-------------------------------------

“But MDC is still...” Alix started and suddenly realization dawned on her. She finally connected the dots. From there, she realized more and more. It was like she woke up from some trance. Image of utter fear and regret on her face was priceless. “No…“

Alix run out of class just as madame bustier entered. 

--------------------------------

After the matter with Akumatized Alix crashed the classroom and was defeated by ladybug and her team, the classes were canceled. Marinette spent the afternoon with Damian, happy to crush him several times in Ultimate Mecha Strike and several other games.

“Can we play something else now?” He moaned as the big red defeat displayed on the screen. He convinced her to go to arcade to have more choice, which proved to be his biggest mistake. The girl decimated him in absolutely everything. 

“Oh. Ish baby shad that I win?” Marinette tried to imitate english babytalk, but it did not really work in her favor.

“I see no dishonor in losing to a titular champion.” Damian tried to defend his ego, but she only giggled.

“I have an offer for you. If you beat me in any game, you can choose what we do tomorrow.” She tried to motivate him.

“You want to repeat it?” He asked surprised.

“Yes silly. I really like you… I mean spending you with time… No wait! Timing with you spend… Spending time with you! I like spending time with you!” She finally shouted, getting some confused looks from people around. That is until they met Damian’s gaze and run away before Marinette could get more embarrassed.

“I was just kinda... surprised. Not even my brothers want to spend that much time with me.”

“They aren’t married to you now, are they?”

“Only you Angel.” Damian grinned as she blushed deep shade of red. “I challenge you for a dance.”

“What?” She asked confused.

“tt. Dance Off. The game. You asked me to challenge you for a game. That is what I choose.” He explained.

“I… never played before.” She said a bit shyly. 

“Is that a surrender?” He gave her a challenging look.

“Dream on.” She retorted and moved to the panels in the back. there were no people currently using it so they jumped on the platforms. 

Damian confidently got into stance while Marinette just copied him. One of Jagged Stone’s older songs started playing. While the boy immediately started to follow the rhythm and get the perfect score, Marinette clumsily tried to follow his footsteps. She was off balance and hardly following the keys. She missed every third one and never scored perfect. She would definitely loose. 

She stopped dancing and took one deep breath. She focused on the song instead of just pressing the buttons. When she started dancing, there was no more clumsiness or flailing hands while losing balance. She was confident, strong and she would totally kick Damian’s ass in this game just as well as in the others. 

As Damian danced, he kept perfect score. If not for the fact that she’s beaten him in every single other game in this arcade, he would actually pity his wife. At least until she started to get perfect score too. Suddenly, they were moving in perfect synch with music and each other. A crowd gathered around them. People were cheering for them. He was pretty sure he heard some wolf whistles from the boys in the back that were directed to Marinette and he was pretty tempted to drop the game and just throw some things at them. Maybe exploding batarangs. Yeah. That would work… 

By the time they were getting to the final, Damian had a quite firm lead. Then, he heard someone from the crowd actually dare to call some slurs at Marinette and got distracted. It was something along the lines “I want to see your other moves”, He only slipped for a moment, hitting several wrong buttons while getting up, but Marinette got in the lead by mere ten points. She was completely unfazed by the cries and words of the crowd. It was like she was in her own world. Damian caught himself staring at her instead of dancing so he doubled the effort. In the end, she still won. 

“Yeah! You go babe! I want to...” Damian saw red. It was the same guy as before. He jumped over the railing that kept players from falling off the stage and punched the guy mid-air square in the face. There was a cracking sound and the idiot fell down with bloodied nose. The crowd dispersed as if it was never there.

Immediately, almost half a dozen of other guys appeared around to support their mate. 

“Now you just got yourself a problem boy.” One of them commented.

“Actually…” A new voice joined the ‘discussion’. “I think your friend is the one in trouble. He was calling my friend here some very inappropriate names and suggesting several less than legal things.” Alix rolled into the sight.

“So since the girl can’t take some compliments! Doesn’t mean he can punch our friend.”

“He is her boyfriend who was defending her from an elderly man. She is underage so get lost before I call the police.” Alix threatened them. While the idiots were distracted, Damian took the opportunity to grab normal dusters and put them on his fists. He was ready for a fight. The fact that this tugs didn’t pull knives or guns already was close to a miracle. If it was Gotham, he would have a gang-fight on his hands ready and set. 

“Sowwy madame.” The one with broken nose spoke, showing that he also lost some teeth. “I was not awawe of that. You looked so full of confidence that I fowgot myself.” He apologized and got lost with his friends as per instructions. 

“Ugh! I swear they keep getting in trouble.” Alix complained to himself. Damian was suddenly in front of her. Because of her rollerblades she was taller so he had to look up. 

“Excuse me, but where from do you know this criminals?” He started to interrogate her.

“Calm down Short Stack.” She cooled him off. “My brother and I sometimes volunteer at the homeless center. They tend to come there from time to time. One of this guys even works there.” She explained. 

Marinette walked to the scene and practically pulled away the still fuming Damian. “Thanks for the assist Alix.” There was an awkward silence interrupted only by Damian’s breath. He was not tired, only angry. 

“No problem.” Skater girl finally shrugged. “Listen Mari. I wanted to… apologize. Lila is a liar and an idiot. I was even bigger idiot for believing her.”

“tt. My plan worked at least partially I see…” Damian commented.

“Your… plan?!” Marinette shouted at him. “I asked you specifically not to do that because we will have another scarlet moth at our hands!” 

“I think that is something the two of you should solve between yourself so I will leave you to it.” She was about to ride away, but Alix took one last look over the shoulder. “Are we cool MDC?”

“Yes Alix. Yes we are.” Marinette smiled before making an angry face at Damian. Alix chuckled and zoomed away.

----------------

Late in the night Red Robin, Ladybug and Robin met in the Wayne Enterprises headquarters. 

“Anything new on hawkmoth?” She asked. It was more than a month of them working separately but so far there was little they could do.

“Well, I think I tracked the Akumas to this general area.” He pointed to the holograph map of Paris.

“This is like one-fourth of the city!” Damian was less than amused.

“It is still something. At least Akuma appear on camera.” He said, reffering to the time when Tikki (convinced by Marinette) sneaked into the building to switch Tim’s coffee for the non-caf version so he would get some sleep. He didn’t forgive her to this day, but he would not take vengeance when mr. I-stab-anyone-who-harms-her was on the same continent, much less the same city. 

“So we are not really that close.” Ladybug sighted.

“I do have some suspects. Out of the people in Paris who were not akumatized only handful match the criteria. And then, if you eliminate those who are not living in the area, then you have… an empty list.” 

“So hawkmoth only owns a hide-out in this area.”

“That would be hard, unless he works from the sewers.” Red Robin zoomed on the area. “This is stricltly living space. Not even that many shops. I also don’t believe a shop owner would have time to attack the city on so many occasions. At least not while keeping a steady revenue.”

“So we have literally no clue?”

“Well, if you take in account that Hawkmoth could somehow akumatize himself, we do have one solid lead.”

“Who?” Ladybug was very eager to finally be done with all of this and return to being a normal teenage girl.

“Gabriel Agreste.” Red Robin displayed a profile picture of the artist for reference.

——————————————————————————————————–

Taglist (sorry if I missed you)@pheonixashtree @sassakitty @unabashedbookworm @vixen-uchiha @maggiecc12 @actualdisasterwoman @tired-butterfly @shizukiryuu @floralfi @imanerddealwith @northernbluetongue @krispydefendorpolice @toodaloo-kangaroo @dast218 @bluesoulblueheart @theatreandcomicfreak @disneyfoxuniverse @mindfulmagics @alwaysnumberonetruth @nyaabinch @jardimazul @lenamau @rosep16 @dramatic-squirrel @sonif50 @daminett4life @lulutheawkwardess @weird-pale-blonde-person @mooshoon @jeminiikrystal @mochegato @moonlightstar64 @dragonflyswing @silverwhiteraven @shamefullove @magic-miraculous @valeks-princess @heaven428 @mlbchaosqueen @winter-gardenflower @spicybelladonna @emo-elaine13 @vetilora @karukofox21 @my-name-is-michell  @sturchling @lokiifriggasonn @redscarlet95 @melicmusicmagic @interobanginyourmom @the-fusionist @razzledazzle247 @miss-mysterys-blog @darkthunder1589 @i-is-mysterious @catthhay @the-one-woman-army @zestyzealot @dahjokester @write-for-your-life2 @mermaidreject @peachedpocky @sassakitty @dahjokester @crazylittlemunchkin @novicevoice @justafanwarrior @eliza-bitch @schrodingers25 @tired-butterfly @toodaloo-kangaroo @redscarlet95 @miukiiu

[ommsims]

tag game;

five songs you’ve been listening to on repeat recently?

1. the underground - meg myers 2. dans la hess - lous and the yakuza (tbh it’s the whole gore album but this is by far my fave) 3. limbo - royal blood 4. hallucinogenics - matt maeson ft. lana del rey 5. typhoons - royal blood (i tried to keep it to one song per artist but i failed. this song is a BOP.)

last movie you watched?

emma (2020) 

currently watching?

i’m finally getting around to watching Community; it’s a hoot.

currently reading?

literally nothing. there’s like 2 webtoons i keep up to date with but aside from that i’m in a reading dry spell. it happens 🤷‍♀️

tagged by @justasaltyllama thank youuuu m’dear<3

as always it’s taken me ages to actually post these this so no tags from me today. i think i’ve seen most of you do it. :)

[rovewritesit]

Angel Of My Dreams (Chapter 2) John Deacon x Reader Series

Series Summary: After reluctantly joining a band with your childhood best friends, you are thrust into oncoming stardom with no sea legs and an overwhelming sense of anxiety. But you just might find your way, thanks to some seasoned pros by your side. And the interest of one particular bassist.

This series is a work of fiction, and is loosely inspired by real people and events. Absolutely no offense is meant to actual Queen or their families.

PART 1 - PART 3 - PART 4

Pairing: John Deacon x Reader

Chapter Warnings: Cursing, duh. Feelings of anxiety.

Chapter Notes: A wild Deacy appears! Reader was supposed to meet him in this chapter but it got a bit long. I may have awkwardly stuffed in some backstory as well, but I wanted to get through it before we start having more interactions with the members of Queen. I’m a hoe for Hot Space and Cool Cat is such a vibe so I had to throw it in here. If you haven’t heard the original demo with Bowie you should take a listen. The music video concept was sparked loosely by Mitski’s “Happy” video (it’s gory af, be forewarned). I’m aware that the MTV of the 80s definitely would’ve banned anything like that, but it’ll come back around in the plot later on.

Songs Mentioned:

Heart of the Night - Juice Newton

More Than A Feeling - Boston

My Best Friend’s Girl - The Cars

Song/Title Inspiration: Angel - Fleetwood Mac

Taglist: @yourlocalmusicalprostitute​

- - - - - - -

February 1982 - Orpheum Theater, Boston

It’s noisy in the cramped green room backstage at the Orpheum Theater in Boston. Gone were the days of grand arenas while tagging along with Hall and Oates. Now only around 2,000 bodies lined the seats out in the house, but you still feel that familiar bubble of nerves as Dawn busies herself around your hair. 

Dawn, your best friend from your two short years at NYU, had agreed to tag along for the short tour to help with your “look.” Not that you ever really had a problem with your usual jeans and t-shirts, but this rock type of glam proved to be a different beast, and Dawn certainly had an eye for style. Her voluminous hair always streaked blonde and crimped to perfection. She’d tried to convince you many times to do something chemical with yours but you held firm to your virgin hair, causing your pre-show routine to run well into an hour and a half to get the desired popular style. You smile up at her as she curls part of your bangs away from your face, truly grateful to have another woman around.

“Babes, please stop moving your head. I’ve had to do the same piece 3 times already.” She tuts at you. “And Eds, I’ve asked you how many times to watch your elbows, jesus christ.”

Eddie tries to cram in even tighter against the wall, keeping to the five tiny spots you’d all wrangled against the mirror. “Ay, I’m trying over here. It takes some effort to get all this together.” He smirks, running his fingers through his already perfectly coiffed hair. A shame really, that it would be utterly destroyed within 15 minutes of being on stage.

“Have we picked a city song for tonight yet? I want to go over it in my head a few times before we go on.” Lawrence calls out, trying to tug on a pair of pants that look a size or two too small for him.

The Limbs had taken to playing one song per show by a famous local artist from the city they were in. Since they only had the one album out, it was a chance to get the audience singing and moving together; to change up the pace. A modified tip from a certain mustached rock legend that the band had started to implement.

“I thought we decided on More Than A Feeling?” Eddie says as he tears his eyes away from his own reflection.

“That’ll be what they expect. I think Bun sounds better on My Best Friend’s Girl,” Rich says simply. He’s attempting some form of stretching routine in the back corner of the room, his extremities bumping up against the walls.

“So Y/N’s taking this one?” Steve asks, lounging across a small loveseat against the wall, his legs dangling off of it delicately. He looks up from whatever song he’s been working on.

“You heard what the label said. They want Y/N more center stage, so to speak, for marketing reasons.” Rich tries folding his body into some sort of pretzel shape. A light “oof,” escapes his lips as he falls backward slightly.

“Ah yes, we need to give the public what they want,” you huff, wanting to roll your eyes if not for Dawn covering your head in a cloud of Aqua Net.

Eddie starts pacing, or at least tries to, “I just don’t get why they’re trying to make her into some Debbie Harry.” He scoffs, “Like that’s ever gonna happen.” 

Dawn glares at him. It was a bit of a low blow, but Eddie was still getting used to sharing the spotlight with you, with him singing lead on almost every other song. 

You were still struggling to find your presence on stage and were more than happy to take a back seat to the boys for the most part. And while some of the band’s other singles were gaining traction, none were close to catching up to Heart of the Night, which was now getting steady airplay and record sales thanks to the absurd music video that hit TV screens everywhere a few weeks back.

“That’s true, Y/N’s much more of a Linda Ronstadt type if we’re throwing out names,” Lawrence grunts out. Finally able to close the button on his skin-tight pants.

A cold laugh erupts from Eddie. “Exactly. It’s the Eighties now if you haven’t noticed. It’s all about edgy sex appeal, and let’s be honest, even Steve has a better chance of-”

“Enough!” Dawn’s voice sliced through the air, the daggers thrown from her eyes flying towards him. She leans down to your level to examine her masterpiece. “You look as sexy as a goddamn playboy bunny, hun. No pun intended.” Her voice softens as she pinches your cheeks.

The room goes mostly quiet for the next few minutes as the local opening band starts to close out their set with their last two songs. Only Rich’s deep breathing, fitting in time to the beat. 

You chew your cherry painted lips, mulling over Eddie’s words. You knew full well that you weren’t exactly the frontwoman the label or the public dreamed of. Hell, you weren’t even supposed to be a frontwoman at all. When you’d finally given in to Rich’s insistent pestering to come have some fun with the boys, you’d been at NYU for two years. You loved your film classes but felt the hole that was left from the absence of playing any type of music. In high school, you’d all show up to a party with a variety of instruments in your grasps. It almost always resulted in a crowd gathering around to listen, joining in with your voices, clicking their beer bottles in time with the beat. It was when you had felt most carefree, and you had ached for that feeling again.

But playing locally turned into recording an album, for which you wrote a song for some dream of a man that only existed in your thoughts. Next thing you knew you were scooped up by Columbia Records, missing classes to attend photoshoots or album release parties. People were listening to your voice, your song, and wanting more. You dropped out of college to the dismay of your parents but were immediately enveloped in your friends' glee, finally reaching the precipice of something they’d only dreamed of. You hated the thought of letting them down in any way but you couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a fluke, that you had nothing else to give. Destined to fade out as a one-hit-wonder and a disappointment to your best friends in the world. The weight hit your shoulders as you slumped in your seat. 

None of this was supposed to happen, you tell yourself. It never happens like this.

You’re broken out of your daze when there’s a rap at the door and a muffled “5 minutes” from the stage manager behind it. You all stand, waiting for Rich to spread his wings and engulf you in your usual pre-show pow wow. You slide Dawn in next to you in the now group of 6, needing someone steady as an anchor.

“If you’d please, Reverend.” Steve probes, cheekily.

“We’re gathered here today” Rich begins and Dawn giggles. “To bring immense joy to those 2,000 idiots out there, who so willingly sold out our show for us. They deserve a performance played to 200,000, so that’s what we’re going to give them. In the name of our fathers, John, George, Paul, and Ringo. Let’s go give em’ hell.”

“Amen!” you all shout and disband.

As you follow the boys into the dingy hallway leading to the stage, Eddie catches your wrist. He looks at you through his long lashes with an uncharacteristically shy smile that almost never sees the light of day.

“I’m sorry for being a prick, Bun. I shouldn’t have said all that,” he mutters as you continue to walk, not wanting to miss your cue.

“No worries, Eds. You were right though. I’m definitely no Debbie,” you force a chuckle at yourself while a roadie slips your guitar strap onto your shoulders.

“It’s not alright. And no, you’re not,” he says catching your downturned eyes. “You’re Y/N fucking L/N, and you’re just gettin’ started, baby. All you gotta do is take a little bit of the love we all have for you and give some to yourself once in a while, alright?” A grin forms, showing his adorably asymmetrical teeth as he reaches out a hand to ruffle your painstakingly perfected hair. “That’s better. Now let's get out there so you can show the world exactly what kind of frontwoman you are. And don’t be scared to show them a hint of Bunny while you’re at it.” You move your guitar out of the way to pull him in for a close hug. You hear Steve start banging his snare and pull Eddie on to the stage with you, feeling a bit lighter than you had been minutes ago.

You approach your mic and take a look out at the packed, hazy theater.

“Well hello, Bawston!’ Your accent rings out to the faceless figures before you. “Aren’t you all looking fuckin’ fabulous tonight!”

- - - - - - -

March 1982 - Musicland Studios, Munich

“No, I didn’t say it’s bad, just that it sounds tinny,” Brian argues, crossing his spidery arms over his chest as he leans against the doorframe. 

“And it’s as if you’ve shoehorned Bowie in there just to mumble in the background incoherently. A waste, really.” Roger tacks on from beside him.

John sighs and leans his head against the back of the couch in the studio. “Just because it’s not your precious red special or your own magic fingers at work, doesn’t mean it’s tinny,” he counters calmly. Trying his best to keep the annoyance from seeping into his voice, knowing that Brian already had anger stemming from John’s earlier composition for the album.

It was the first time this week that all four men were in the studio together. Finishing up Hot Space was proving to be a strain on all of them and the growing rift had caused the men to nearly finish their songs separately instead of in their usual group dynamic. John’s experimentation into different styles, such as funk and disco, had not been willingly received thus far.

“Well, I sound rather fabulous, if I do say so myself. I’m very proud of us, Deacy.” Freddie states, getting up from his own place on the couch and stretching.

“It’s not that, Fred. It just doesn’t sound like us.” Brian sighs, already sensing the escalation of a row coming along.

“Oh please. Not this again...” Freddie huffs.

“That’s because it’s not us. It’s me and Freddie.” John cuts in with a roll of his eyes, landing them on Mack, their producer, who just shrugs and trains his gaze back to the board. 

“That’s for sure.” Roger murmurs out. Now it’s John’s turn to cross his arms as he levels their pointed gazes. He’d worked with Fred for days putting together “Cool Cat,” hoping that the additional vocals from David Bowie would be a selling point for the other two.

With a clap of his hands, Freddie moves about the room. “Why don’t we take a quick break and then give it another listen?” Roger groans. Freddie pats his shoulder as he makes his way over to a radio beside Mack.

John rubs his tired eyes before pushing himself off the couch, eager for a break from the energy in the stale room. “I’m grabbing a coffee,” not offering one to the others as he brushes past Brian on his way out, quickly retreating down the hallway as fast as his legs will carry him.

The remaining three startle a bit as Freddie flips on the radio, Lo & The Limbs hit single pours from it, louder than expected.

“Oh! Oh, yes! Simply marvelous,” he exclaims, jumping up and down lightly. Roger and Brian raise their eyebrows in silent questioning. “This is the band of rascals I was telling you about the other week. They must’ve just broken out here.”

“The yanks you met while in the States?” Roger questions, turning his attention to the song, eager to judge any brimming competition.

“Yes, yes, the wild young lady who swears like the devil and her band of merry giant trees.”

“We have one of those!” Rog nods in Brian’s direction, voice muffled by a cigarette now dangling from his lips.

“Hm, Brain’s more of a willowy spruce, if you will. These ones are giant redwoods. You know American’s. And they have these thick New York accents. I could barely understand a word they were saying at first. What a riot they were.” he remembers fondly.

“I feel as if I’ve heard this before, but I can’t place it.” Brian ponders, almost to himself.

John appears in the doorway, blowing lightly on a steaming mug.

“Probably from that shocking video of theirs, darling,” Freddie waves his hands about. “Oh, you must’ve seen it. They’re all dressed up like they're in Grease or something, and this square of a girl is pinning after the bad boy. But he’s with this slutty little thing. And oh, I can’t recall the details, but in the end, she ends up murdering the slut!” He slaps the table for effect. “But for some odd reason the boy is okay with it all and they run off into the night together, covered in blood.”

“Sounds… spooky?” Roger shrugs. John stifles a chuckle.

“It’s dramatic! And sexy. And obviously working for them.” The wheels already turning in his head.

John tunes out their chatter and trains his ears to said song, which is about halfway through. The instrumentals seem a bit basic for his taste. The soft strum of an acoustic guitar, a slightly heavier electric over it, with a simple bass line. A female voice flits in.

Cool city moon lays its touch on the room,

Your eyes reach to me

It has a rasp to it. Akin to Stevie Nicks, he thinks.

Two shadows fall saying nothing at all,

We know what we need

No, not quite. It’s entirely it's own if he’s being honest. He can feel the soul pulsating through words and the power that’s beneath it. One that could probably fit with any genre it should choose. His interest peaked.

In the release, two prisoners are free from the darkness

One more escape surviving the heartache and madness

The raw emotion erupting from the speakers and the lyrics start to paint a picture in his mind, scrambling to fill in the faceless voice.

In the heart of the night

The chorus starts and picks up steam quickly. Male voices begin to fill in on background vocals, blending together seamlessly.

We run like bandits

Two hungry hearts under the gun

Her voice cracks a bit, in a charming way. It must be radiant when heard live.

In the heart of the night 

When we find each other

Were stealing love on the run

In the heart of the night,

Heart of the night 

A small smile plays on John’s lips as the song fades out. They’re good, he muses to himself, a bit intrigued by the song and Fred’s colorful description of the accompanying video.

“A great voice indeed. They’ve got a strong sound going.” Brian chirps up.

“That’s her first swing at writing, too. Wish it had been that bloody easy for us.”

“Is she a looker, Fred?” Roger wags his brows.

“Oh please, they’re practically babies! Although that drummer of theirs is certainly something to write home about… Even with the head of hair he has. A bit like a mushroom. A cute one.” Freddie ponders, stroking his full mustache.

John reaches up and pats the tight curls atop his own head, wondering how it would look if he ceased from trimming his current short perm.

“I do hope they catch on here. What fun that would be.” John readily nods along without realizing it.

Freddie switches off the radio and turns back to the other three men. “Alright back to it then. Queue it up, Mac,” placing a hand on the man’s shoulder and raising his eyebrows. “Shall we?”

- - - - - - -

March 1982 - Columbia Records, New York City

“Why are the undersides of my knees sweaty? I’m not a back of the knee sweat kind of guy, alright?” Lawrence fidgets, adjusting his collar for the fourth time in two minutes.

You casually gulp down your third glass of water while staring at the wood-paneled walls of the office. Attempting to avoid the gazes of a number of gold discs lining the walls, the echoes of your musical idols. They seem to be laughing at you.

Steve partakes in his trademark bouncing routine, the chair underneath him squeaking in a violent rhythm. “Do you think it’s the video? It has to be the video or we wouldn’t be in this office. I knew we shouldn’t have taken that big of a risk right out of the gate.”

“You gotta be kidding me. You basically doused yourself in the blood when Eddie pitched it!” Rich cuts in, his usual calm demeanor nowhere to be found.

“What! It was your idea for the--”

The door behind where the group is gathered swings open and in strides a stocky man with a full beard and tinted aviator sunglasses still covering his eyes.

“What are we all standing around for? Sit, sit, sit, c’mon.” His gruff Brooklyn accent ringing out as he moves to sit behind a large mahogany desk.

The Limbs scramble to fit on the couch across from him, with you ending up perched on the armrest, gripping Rich’s bicep for support.

The man, Walter Yetnikoff, CEO and Chairman of Columbia Records, grunts as he eases into a leather chair, finally removing his glasses, revealing surprisingly kind eyes, “Jeez louise, look at you kids. You look as if a nun just caught you all playing with each other’s junk. What’s with the faces?”

“Mr. Yetnikoff, we’d like to sincerely apologize for the backlash that has come from our video. We should’ve known better than that. We could’ve toned it down… a lot.” Eddie rushes out. He wipes his hand over his too-snug tailored pants, probably leftover from days of youth choir.

Walter barks out a laugh. “I’ll admit I was a little shocked to find out that’s what you needed a high school gym for, but relax a little, will ya? You’re not here to be scolded. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have fought so hard to get it airtime.”

The Limbs visibly relax- a tad, but their eyes all stay wide.

“Well aren’t ya gonna ask why you’re all here then?”

“W-why are we here?” Rich asks quietly. “Sir.” He adds.

“It seems that the slight PR crisis of a video you made has made its way across the pond,” Walter smirks.

“You mean…” Steve trails off in a voice two octaves higher than usual.

“You kids better like air travel because there’s gonna be a lot of it in your near future. The hit has broken into the London airwaves and they’re not as god fearing as viewers here seem to be. We’re sending you over there next week now that you’ve wrapped up the tour.”

“Holy shit!” Lawrence yells. You feel yourself falling back off your perch as your large friends all jump to their feet. Rich’s gangly arm luckily catches you and pulls you immediately into a suffocating hug. “You did this, Bunny!” He screams in your ear. “You did this!”

“Alright, alright, you can all go celebrate and drink your faces off in a second,” Walter calls out over the group who immediately shut their mouths. “We have a few details to iron out but I’m hoping to send you over there for a full press tour. Photoshoots, interviews, talk show appearances. The works, you got it.”

Steve lets out a squeal of delight, his voice not yet returning to its usual bass.

“You.” He points a stubby finger in your direction. “I’m waiting to hear back about a last-minute cancelation on some game show out there. We’re gonna try to get you in. You know your shit?”

“W-what kind of shit, sir?” You ask from the bear hug that Rich still holds you in.

He holds up his hands, gesturing to the gold discs that surround him. “Music, my dear.”

All you can do is nod, not wanting to think about what that even entails.

“That’s what I like to see. Now get outta here so you can all combust somewhere outside of my office. We’ll call you in a few days. Get those bags ready, you hear me?” He waves you all off.

Before you have a chance to say anything, the boys are sweeping you out of the room. And off to the start of whatever comes next, you guess.

[theastrophilearchitect]

WandaVision series review part 3.

You'd think I'd have learnt my lesson now--save the damn draft before you switch tabs to find the tags you want to add. But I haven't. Clearly.

The last two weeks I've posted parts 1 and 2 of my WandaVision review, because, even though by the time this goes up, WandaVision will have ended nearly a month ago, it's still all I can think about. Part 1 contained my initial thoughts and episodes 1-3 breakdown; part 2 contained episodes 4-6 breakdown, and this part will contain my episodes 6-9 breakdown and my final thoughts.

Episode Seven: ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ This episode was released on February 19th, with a runtime of still 37 minutes, following a 2000s-style sitcom format heavily influenced by Modern Family. 

Cue the recap, and we open to Wanda waking up in an empty bed. We then cut to an interview-style scene which I assume is based off Modern Family or another sitcom, like the interviews intermingled with reality TV, but there’s nothing to really pick apart; it’s just entertaining. The twins then run into Wanda’s bedroom and tell her their ‘game is freaking out’, and we see their controllers change over and over with that scarlet-TV texture. Billy comments that his head is noisy, an echo of the power shown in episode six, similar to Wanda’s own.

Interview-Wanda then says as punishment for expanding the borders, she plans on taking ‘a quarantine-style stay-cation’, which, written probably in 2019, did not age well. She goes downstairs to make milk, and it transforms between a carton and a bottle. These object shifts may be implying as Wanda expands the borders, she loses more and more control of even the things right beside her--the Hex is falling apart.

Cut to Hayward and SWORD setting up a new camp beside the new border of the Hex, but further back than before, likely to give them more time to move if it happens again.

Vision then wakes up in the circus the original SWORD camp was turned into, and, looking like his synthezoid self, is assumed to be a clown. He then sees Darcy, dressed as an escape artist, but she doesn’t remember him, clearly under Wanda’s control.

Wanda asks the twins if they’ve seen Vision, they ask if she wants them to look for him, and she replies, ‘If he doesn’t want to be here, there’s nothing I can do about it.’ It seems like she’s trying to defer her guilt at what she’s down to the townspeople. The twins then ask about Pietro--’Do not believe anything that man said. He is not your uncle.’ We saw Wanda blast him into a haystack towards the end of the last episode, but now he’s simply vanished. Wanda then laughs that she has none of the answers they expect her to, and makes some nihilistic comments. She uses her magic to open the door to a knock, and enter Agnes, who takes the kids next door to give Wanda some alone time. The furniture then begins to shift into pieces from the other decades, but Wanda fixes it.

Cut to Jimmy and Monica in a military vehicle they stole in the last episode, and Jimmy explains in Darcy’s hacking, she found a secret project called Cataract, to bring Vision back online--to fix the Vision. But it failed, until Wanda brought him back, which was why Hayward was so focused on Vision over Wanda in the Hex. They then meet some non-SWORD military people, who unveil a higher-grade vehicle, presumably for Monica to attempt to safely re-enter the Hex.

God, I love seeing Darcy in this show. She was the only good thing about the first two Thor movies. So Vision zaps Darcy, and she wakes up. They steal a circus vehicle--a transformed SWORD vehicle--and Vision asks her some questions about the Hex she doesn’t actually know the answers to.

The tension really builds in this episode, simply as it cuts between characters in much shorter intervals than in previous ones. We watch a montage of things in Wanda’s house shifting, then cut to an interview, where she explains that she doesn’t know what’s happening. Then, the person behind the camera asks, ‘Do you think maybe this is what you deserve?’ The voice doesn’t sound familiar, but knowing who the interviewer is, I can hear it. Wanda questions this because the interviewer isn’t supposed to talk, then cut to this episode’s advert.

This is for a drug called Nexus--’A unique anti-depressant that works to anchor you back to your reality. Or the reality of your choice.’ ‘Nexus. Because the world doesn’t revolve around you. Or does it?’ As someone who hasn’t actually read any comics, this information is very second-hand, but a Nexus Being in the comics is a powerful being with the power to alter reality and time--essentially in possession of the Infinity Stones’ powers without possessing the Stones themselves. This brings with it the implication that is what Wanda is--more than just a girl who got powers from the Mind Stone, but Nexus Beings aren’t elaborated on in the rest of the show.

Cut to Agnes and the twins; Billy says he likes it there, because Agnes’s mind is quiet, which is compared to Wanda. I want to explain the implications of this, but I’ve been trying to only spoil things as I get to them, so I’m going to keep my mouth shut, or rather... what’s the keyboard equivalent? God knows. Anyway, Agnes tells them not to worry about Wanda, because ‘she’s supermom’, which, you know, is a fun superhero thing.

Cut back to Monica, who prepares some kind of suit to re-enter the Hex. She gets in, and drives toward the barrier, but when the wheels meet it, they fail to pass, and begin to drive up the barrier, flipping Monica onto her back. The vehicle begins to rewrite itself and break apart; Monica manages to clamber out of a trapdoor in the roof. Jimmy prepares a medical thing, and the barrier spits out the vehicle. Monica turns back, drops her helmet, and plunges into the barrier, and presses through. Her body warps, we hear echoes of Captain Marvel, we hear Carol’s quote about Maria being given the toughest kid, and her body reforms, her eyes light up blue, and she passes all the way through, eyes still glowing, and we see a shots of her warped vision, almost as though she can see energy or EM radiation.

Darcy tries to explain why Wanda killed Vision to him, and though the road is empty, a traffic light is red. As it turns green, roadworkers approach, impeding them and preventing Vision from returning to central Westview. 

Monica enters Wanda’s house, who threatens her, and lifts her telekinetically out onto the street, where she is watched by the neighbours. Wanda drops Monica to the ground, but she pulls a superhero landing, with blue lights for effect--her DNA has been rewritten by the Hex’s borders for the third time, and it’s clearly unlocked something. Wanda continues to threaten her, and Monica says to do it--’Don’t let [Hayward] make you the villain,’ to which Wanda replies, ‘Maybe I already am.’ Which is fair, but then villains never think they’re the bad guys.

Agnes watches them from a window. Monica tries to talk Wanda down, then Agnes comes outside, tells Monica to leave, and takes her inside. The people haven’t questioned Wanda’s magic, or Monica’s apparent new powers, which merely shows the extent of Wanda’s control. It’s also interesting that Monica didn’t fall under her control again when she re-entered the Hex.

Cut to Vision and Darcy, the roadworks clear away, but someone with a stop sign and a queue of crossing children continue to block their way. Vision phases through the van’s roof, and flies away.

Wanda notices the kids’ show on Agnes’s TV, and the half-eaten food on the coffee table, and realises the twins are missing. She asks, and Agnes tells her they’re probably in the basement, where Wanda then obviously goes. The basement walls are covered in branches, made of stone, and there is no reply when Wanda calls for the twins. She then enters an ancient chamber, walls engraved with runes, and a spellbook on the side.

Agnes comes downstairs, stroking Senor Scratchy, the rabbit Wanda and Vision used in their magic act way back in episode two, and says, ‘You didn’t think you were the only magical girl in town, did you?’ Agnes shuts the door with a twist of her hand and some purple sparks.

‘The name’s Agatha Harkness. Lovely to finally meet you, dear.’

Purple fogs Wanda’s eyes, and cue the best moment in the entire series: Agatha All Along. This musical number essentially shows that Agatha has been behind everything that’s gone wrong for Wanda, aside from SWORD, obviously, and is such a good song. Go listen to it. Now. Immediately. Go. 

We see her screw up the magic show, send Pietro to the door, and we see her sitting behind the interview camera.

‘And I killed Sparky, too.’ Insert maniacal laughter, and cue the credits.

We sit through to the split between the animated credits and typical black and white scrolling ones, and this episode has an mid-credits scene. I checked for one the first few episodes, then gave up, and I can’t remember what it was that made me find this one, if it was just letting the credits play, or feeling the odd urge to check, or what.

We watch Monica try to find a way into Agatha’s house. She pulls open basement doors, then--’Snooper’s gonna snoop.’ Fake Pietro stands behind her, dressed in a beanie, hair no longer mostly white as per Quicksilver’s design.

This is my second-favourite episode overall, first being episode 8, and contains the biggest switch since episode 4. We meet the big bad, since Marvel is literally incapable of writing a story in which the climax isn’t between the hero and a villain with their exact same powers. (WandaVision takes this to the extreme, but that would be a spoiler.)

Episode Eight: ‘Previously On’ Released February 26th, Marvel blessed us with an episode 46 minutes long! At last! This was the second episode to completely break the sitcom format (first being episode 4, obviously), which leaves us in 2000s-themed Westview, but without a laugh track or any other sitcom elements.

We open with a recap, including Jimmy Woo’s explanation of Wanda and Pietro’s origins pre-Avengers from what I believe was episode 5. Or was it 4? Probably 4, because it was really soon after Hayward was introduced, in episode 4. Yes. Let’s go with that. 

This episode opens in Salem, Massachusetts, 1693, and we watch Agatha dragged to and magically tied to a stake, to be killed for betraying her coven of witches, by practising dark magic, but she denies it. She then relents and admits it, begs for help to control it, but the witches blast some kind of blue magic at her, which Agatha turns violet, and absorbs, killing the witches wielding it. The witch she calls mother, who also seems to be the leader of the coven, blasts her with magic after the others are dead, and as she does so, a kind of crown of the same blue light glows around her head (something I would neither notice nor question if I had not yet watched the series the whole way through). Agatha absorbs her magic and kills her, too. She steals a necklace from her mother, flies away, and we cut back to present.

Wanda tries to penetrate Agatha’s mind, but she tells her her thoughts were never available--a repeat of Billy calling her mind ‘quiet’ in episode 7, but I’m not actually sure the point of this, aside from limiting information available to both Wanda and the audience. Wanda’s Sokovian accent also returns in this scene. She tries to use her magic, but Agnes puts her in magical binds and explains that the runes in the walls mean ‘only the witch who cast the runes can use her magic’. Agatha also explains how she possessed fake Pietro--Fietro--not so she could control his mind, but so she could see through his eyes and ears.

Agatha questions how Wanda cast so many spells to control so many people, so many objects and locations all at once, when she had no magical training, which confuses Wanda because she doesn’t use incantations the way Agatha does; her magic is more through willpower and intention. 

Agatha then brings Wanda through a door, in an attempt to comprehend how she did it, and it leads them to an old, one-room living space in Sokovia--Wanda’s childhood, before her parents died. They prepare for a TV night, and their father invites young Wanda to pick, showing her a box containing various sitcoms--Bewitched, Malcolm in the Middle, I love Lucy, Who’s the Boss?, The Addams Family etc.--many of which acted as the basis for episodes of WandaVision, but she chooses The Dick Van Dyke Show. This love of sitcoms, the ideation in comparison to the Cold War outside, is where Wanda’s subconscious choice of making Westview into one--her version of a paradise for herself and Vision.

Then a bomb goes off outside, killing their parents and leaving Wanda and Pietro in rubble. A bomb lands before them, Stark Industries written on the side, but their television is behind it, and Dick Van Dyke still plays. 

Cut back to present Wanda and Agatha; Wanda says the bomb was defective, but they were trapped for two days, and Agatha implies it not going off was Wanda’s doing, believing her to be a witch like herself.

They move onto a HYDRA testing chamber, where teenage volunteer-Wanda stands near the sceptre from The Avengers, the one Thanos gave to Loki, the one containing the Mind Stone. She moves toward it, and the sceptre’s blue orb breaks from the handle; floats towards her. She touches it, and it bursts, revealing the yellow Mind Stone inside, and letting out a kind of wind blast. In the light, Wanda sees a silhouette reminiscent of the original Scarlet Witch design.

They take Wanda to isolation, and we watch some scientist replay the tape from the testing chamber, but in the footage, the orb doesn’t move; she moves to the room’s centre, then it cuts to her lying on the ground.

Agatha concludes that the Mind Stone amplified a dormant power, and they move to a memory of the Avengers compound post-Avengers: Age of Ultron. Past-Wanda is grieving for Pietro, Vision enters her room, and she invites him to sit. They discuss the comedy on her TV, then he asks if she wants to talk about her grief, and she describes it as ‘this wave washing over [her], again and again. It knocks [her] down, and when [she tries] to stand up, it just comes for [her] again.’ Vision tries to reassure her, then says the thing that everyone’s been quoting but hit me hard: ‘But what is grief, if not love persevering?’

Agatha asks present-Wanda what happened when there was no-one there to pull her back from the dark, and when Wanda refuses, she presses. They shift into the SWORD compound, where past-Wanda approaches the desk demanding to be given Vision’s body post-Avengers: Endgame. This is the point from the CCTV Hayward showed Monica, Darcy, and Jimmy, claiming Wanda stole Vision’s body.

The receptionist calls somebody, and sends her down the hall, and I can’t help but notice that in her grief, in her hoodie and jeans, her hair is perfectly curled. She goes to Hayward’s office, who takes her into a windowed chamber, beneath which she can see mechanics/engineers doing something to Vision’s body, colour faded and parts broken up. The eyes in his severed head are white, and Wanda is upset, but Hayward questions why she wants to bury him, when she has the power to ‘bring [her] soulmate back online.’ But Wanda says she can’t do it, like when she refused to bring back Sparky, and Hayward tells her his materials are too valuable to just be buried, but offers her the chance to say goodbye. He tells her Vision isn’t hers, and she shatters the glass; lowers herself into the room.

Hayward calls off the guards who raise their guns at her. She lifts her power to his head, where the mind stone was: ‘I can’t feel you,’ reminiscent of the I just feel you, in Avengers: Infinity War, when the Stone bothered him in the night in Scotland. And she leaves, without the body, proving to the audience that Hayward is a liar.

Wanda drives to Westview, real Westview, where she watches the people go about their regular lives, but they seem sad. They all seem sad. She drives to a plot, the outline of a house marked by a concrete foundation, holding a piece of paper from an envelope in the car. She unfolds it to find a plan for the house: To grow old in. -V. Wanda breaks down in what is presumably the plot she turned into their house in the Hex, and her power explodes from her, in huge gusts we’ve never seen. The house forms itself, then it goes further, transforming the town and turning it to monochrome in preparation for WandaVision episode one.

Streams of power turn gold in the air, and form the silhouette of a body, which solidifies into Vision, black and white Vision, dressed in 50s clothes. Wanda remains in colour, in her regular clothes, then she turns to monochrome, to her 50s outfit, and Vision greets her. And despite the seriousness of this scene I can’t get over the damn bullet bra. 

And the pair sit down to watch the television, then the surroundings shift, and we see present-Wanda in her 2000s living room, but in a set, with empty seats for a live audience before her. Agatha claps from them, then vanishes. We hear the twins yell, and Wanda comes outside to find Agatha magically garrotting them, dressed in full-witchy attire.

Agatha describes Wanda as ‘a being capable of spontaneous creation’, calls it chaos magic--’And that makes you the Scarlet Witch.’ I feel like I ought to say roll credits, only that’s not even the name of the show. Before WandaVision’s title was officially announced, I remember seeing speculation that it would simply be called Vision and the Scarlet Witch, like Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

The credits roll, and, halfway through, we cut to Hayward and SWORD outside the Hex. Hayward goes into a tent, describes all their hard work at something, ‘but all we needed was a little energy directly from the source;’ and we’re shown the missile Wanda dragged out of the Hex in episode 5, glowing red. Someone flips a switch, and we watch lights turn on in a glass chamber, containing Vision, rendered in pure white, who wakes up. Another Vision, made from the original, and yet before this episode, due to the constant thing about twins, people were speculating there were two Wandas. Wrong character, right idea.

This is my favourite episode in the show: it’s magical, and it makes everything make so much more sense. We see that the Hex’s creation was an accident, but Wanda was ‘making it up as [she went] along,’ like the theme song in, I believe, episode 5. I just love origin stories.

Episode Nine: ‘The Series Finale’ This finale was released on March 5th, with a grand total of 49 minutes of runtime, and, epic as it was, I found it to be rather disappointing, following a fairly typical Marvel formula, compared to the originality of the rest of the series. Granted, parts of this episode in particular were shot in 2020, so they didn’t quite go as planned, but still. The CGI is excellent though.

We open to exactly where we left off; Wanda frees the twins and sends them inside, then sends a blast at Agatha, who absorbs it-- ‘I take power from the undeserving. It’s kinda my thing’--and Wanda’s hand begins to blacken. Agatha offers her Westview in return for her magic, which Wanda obviously doesn’t accept. White Vision lands behind her, and she goes to him, confused. He places his hands on her face, but presses, trying to crack her skull, and it becomes clear he is doing Hayward’s bidding.

In sweeps Wanda’s Westview-Vision (who we’ll call Red Vision) and blasts White Vision away. The two swoop off together for their own fight, Wanda flies after Agatha, and we see Monica locked in a messy living room with Fietro, where she has presumably been since the end of episode 7.

The Visions fight each other, in that classic Marvel way of pitting the hero against a villain with an identical skillset (I’m looking at you, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and basically every other movie. Seriously, Marvel needs to make more villains like Loki, instead of introducing them at the start of a film and having them somehow taken out of the equation by the end). It’s a cool sequence, as they phase through each other and plummet up and down. I love flying sequences.

At SWORD, Jimmy calls out Hayward, saying he won’t be able to cover this out, but Hayward says Wanda stopped her show, so there’s no evidence, and there’ll only be one Vision by the end, who people will assume Wanda resurrected. But Jimmy says he has called some friends from Quantico--whatever that is--to expose Hayward, who handcuffs him, but Jimmy is a magician, so he frees himself and actually calls somebody to apprehend Hayward.

Wanda arrives in the town square, to no sign of Agatha, and is then blasted to the ground by her from behind. Agatha summons a book we saw in her basement: ‘The Scarlet Witch is not born, she is formed. She has no coven, no need for incantation. [Her] power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme’--Doctor Strange--’It’s [her] destiny to destroy the world.’ But Wanda denies that she is a witch. Agatha casts a spell on Dottie from episode 2, apparently bringing her back to consciousness. She tells Wanda her name is Sarah, and begs her to let her bring her daughter out of her room. Wanda accuses Agatha, who replies, ‘She’s your meat puppet. I just cut her strings.’ I just love that line, for some reason.

Agatha casts another spell, and everyone in the square returns to their senses, approaches and surrounds Wanda. 

Monica finds a document in the room with Fietro, that says his name is Ralph Bohner. This was incredibly unsatisfying to me--it’s interesting that Fietro is actually the Ralph Agnes constantly mentioned, but nothing else comes of this, and, as of the end of the series, Pietro and his changed face are simply an elaborate boner joke. I wish his face had some kind of relevance as of now, but it may become relevant in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, because that’s obviously where we’re really going to delve into the multiverse, and it features Wanda, so it would make sense.

Monica pins down Ralph and tears a string of beads from his neck, which glowed purple; the thing allowing Agatha to control him.

In the twins’ room, Billy has a vision (heh) of what is happening with Wanda, and they run outside.

The people around Wanda bombard her with their real stories, their real problems. ‘When you let us sleep, we have your nightmares.’ She yells that she’s kept these people safe, but they beg to be freed, and the noise builds, until Wanda screams, with a burst of power that toes ropes around their necks, suffocating them, but she stops it. Mrs Hart begs her, ‘If you won’t let us go, just let us die.’ Agatha taunts her that heroes don’t torture people, and she sends out a blast of power, that highlights the Hex’s border crimson, and it begins to break apart. She tells them all to leave now.

His white counterpart blasts Red vision to the ground, near Wanda but he begins to break apart. The twins arrive, and begin to break apart, tied to the Hex. It looks weirdly like a LEGO advert, but Wanda recloses to Hex to save them. You know, what? I’m still not sure why it’s hexagonal. I wouldn’t question it being round, or quadrilateral, but hexagonal seems too intentional.

Agatha blasts the family with magic, and Wanda shields them, but Agatha absorbs the power. SWORD vehicles roll into the square, hayward in one, having apparently managed to cross the border before Wanda closed it again. White Vision rolls into the scene and slams Red Vision through the walls of and into a library, and Red stops White attacking him by explaining that he is not the true Vision, because he’s just Wanda’s version.

Wanda flies up, again after Agatha, while the twins use their powers to take away SWORD’s guns, and Hayward comes out with a pistol, which he fires at them, but Monica, having freed herself from Ralph, blocks the bullets. They ripple through her body, and pass through, but fall to the ground as her eyes glow orange. As Hayward drives back, then revs up to apparently run them over, Darcy, in the circus van, slams his vehicle into the side of a building.

We cut to the Vision’s pondering the Ship of Theseus--a philosophical thought experiment. If the Ship of Theseus has one of its planks replaced, it remains the Ship of Theseus. But, if all the planks are replaced over time, is it still the same ship? And what if the old planks are reassembled into another ship; which is then the true ship? This is a metaphor for the two Vision’s--White being the reassembly of the old planks, and Red being the replaced.

Red Vision proposes that the true ship is the one touched by Theseus himself, with the wear and tear, suggesting White Vision is the true one, because he has the memories Red doesn’t; the one touched by Wanda. White Vision claims he does not have the memories, but Red tells him his data banks are not so easily wiped--they’re there, just withheld. White allows Red to do his zappy thing, and the memories of everything Vision went through pre-WandaVision comes back to him. White says he is the true Vision, and flies away through the roof.

Meanwhile, Wanda sneaks up behind Agnes and does the nightmare-mind thing she did to the Avengers at the beginning of Avengers: Age of Ultron, sending her mind to the stake at the opening of episode 8. The desiccated witches rise, but instead turn on Wanda, calling her a witch, again, and again. The witches wrest Wanda onto the stake instead, but a red crown, like the blue on Agatha’s mother in episode 8, materialises on her head, formed of the same light as her magic. It’s really jarring at this point that she’s still in a hoodie and sweatpants.

Wanda blasts away the other witches, and they emerge from the nightmare, back to Westview. She and Agatha rise, blast magic at one another, and Wanda’s hands blacken further as Agatha absorbs more and more. She sends a blast at one of Westview’s walls, and a spot ripples in the middle of each. 

Wanda’s face seems to age, like the witches of Agatha’s coven, and Agatha absorbs streams of magic, until Wanda has none left. She gives her some depressing lecture, then tries to blast Wanda out of the sky, but it doesn’t work. Her hands begin to blacken, and Wanda’s face youthens, then the camera pans to reveal runes on Westview’s walls, like those in the basement, now disabling Agatha’s magic. Little confused how Wanda stayed flying when Agatha took her power, and how Agatha now stays flying.

The red crown reappears on Wanda’s head, her eyes glow, she reabsorbs her power from Agatha, and, as she does, she changes. Her hair comes down, and she becomes the silhouette she saw in the Mind Stone at HYDRA, finally getting a Scarlet Witch costume, and it is epic. 

They return to the ground, and Wanda uses her powers to put Agatha under the control she had the other residents under, to turn her into the Nosy Neighbour once and for all. Wanda leaves Agatha alive, so she could return in future instalments,.

Wanda, Red Vision, and the twins return to their home, and the Hex’s border contracts, until it covers only their street. They put the boys to bed, and Vision begins, ‘Your mother and I...’, and, when I first watched this, I really thought he was going to say ‘...are getting a divorce,’ but he simply finishes, ‘...are very proud of you both.’

Wanda says that ‘a family is forever,’ clearly already in mourning for the children she’s about to lose. They finish up, the border continues contracting, and Wanda turns off the lamps in the living room, though Vision turns one on, to say goodbye. As the border progresses towards them, Vision asks what he is, and says some literal and romantic crap; they kiss, talk a little, and he breaks apart as the border reaches them, and the house returns to the empty plot it once was.

Wanda is left standing exactly how she was before she formed the Hex, same hair, same clothes, puts up her hood, and walks into town. where the people glare as she approaches Monica, who says, ‘They’ll never know what you sacrificed for them.’  They have a classic series-wrap-up conversation, then Wanda shifts into her Scarlet Witch outfit, and flies away.

Mid-credits scene; we see Jimmy just after the debrief, Hayward is put in handcuffs, and Monica is called into the theatre, where she meets someone wearing a police badge, who shifts into a skrull. The skrull says a friend of Monica’s mother’s would like to meet with her, presumably Talos, and when Monica asks where, she just points up. 

And an end-credits scene opens in a pan shot, zooming to a cabin by a lake in the woods, where Wanda, dressed in sweats, sits on the porch with a mug. We follow her inside as the kettle whistles, but the camera continues into the bedroom, where her astral form sits, dressed as the Scarlet Witch, with the Darkhold, the book Agatha had. When we see Doctor Strange astral-project, his body falls unconscious, and this truly proves the Scarlet Witch is more powerful than the Sorcerer Supreme, as aforementioned.

This series really solidified my love for Wanda and Vision--Wanda, who I liked before, but mostly because of her powers than her character, which lacked development, and Vision, who I kinda hated because of his moral-high-ground bullshit, but who I now love--brought back fan favourites Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo, and set up Monica’s future plotlines. In truth, I liked Agatha better before she went full-witch mode, but she was an enjoyable villain. Hayward, on the other hand, was someone easy to hate, but not to such a level it was fun to hate him.

Every episode kept me on my feet, and every week I screamed I couldn’t wait for another. Part of my love for this was because we’d had no MCU content since July 2019, with Spider-Man: Far From Home, but it was just such excellent storytelling. Though the climax was a little disappointing, it was still more entertaining than most action sequences, where things happen so quickly I just zone out, and the visuals were incredible. I loved the sitcoms, and the differentiation at the end. Episode 4 was the perfect time to finally give us some form of explanation.

Basically, watch this damn show. Though I’d be surprised if you got this far without watching it. Watch it, make everyone else watch it, and, writers, take notes. The best stories are the ones with excellent characters and an excellent plot, and WandaVision mastered it.