#I'd love to watch that as en episode thought

[aeveni]

Do Terry proposing to Korvo

Thought the ring pop matched Terry's personality, so it's what he would propose with

[withered-rose-unbreakable-lotus]

Masterpost: Visual Kei movies & other types jrockers were involved

So, it came to my attention some of you want to watch more visual kei movies so I thought of listing what I know, in case you've missed any of those. Please feel free to add anything I've missed with reblogs or in the comments.

Thank you @kirk-goes-to-gallifrey for the three movie links! ^^ And thank you @waretamado for helping with the titles of Plastic Tree's movies! Btw most of the vkei only movies must still be available on YT guys, however not all of them will be on HD.

Visual Kei movies:

Seth et Holth (1993) (Hide) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_laJCEpew)

Moon Child (2003) (Gackt & Hyde)

Verte Aile/Bel Air (1997) (Malice Mizer) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdd58pTaK8A)

Bara no Konrei/Bridal of the Rose (2001) (Malice Mizer) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1d_cFRnxs)

BeatRock☆Love (2009) (Takeru ex.SuG)

Number Six (2006) (Alice Nine)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura... Edokawa Puranpo no 「Ougon otoko」~「Visual bako no bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Bb-3L4l2E)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura... Edokawa Puranpo no 「Onan tokage」~「Bishounen wo kuu bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAha6vDCE0Q)

Yuku Pura Kuru Pura...Edokawa Puranpo no「Angura Kaijin」~「Remon no bijo」 (Plastic Tree) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzt3ai5LSXc)

Ascendead Master (2009) (Versailles)

Onegai Kanaete (2011) (Versailles)

Oresama (2004) (Miyavi) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcBvKQfVKNM)

Soundtrack (2002) (Sugizo) (I don't know if it's a vkei movie but since the theme appears to be music-oriented, I put it here)

Non Visual Kei movies jrockers acted in:

Kagen no Tsuki (2004) (this is a live action of a manga) (Hyde)

There is a movie that Takeru of SuG had played in for only a couple of scenes that was his first ever role, but I forget the name. I remember sth about "blue generation" or sth. If sb remembers it, please put it in the comments. Most people might remember the scene with the fluffy coat, him with blond hair turning to the protagonist with a menacing look, from the distance.

Paracelcus' Homonculus (2015) (this is an artsy film based off a photographer's exhibition) (Takeru of SuG)

Midori: the Camellia girl (2016) (live action of a manga) (Takeru of SuG)

Bunraku (2010) (Gackt)

Akumu-chan (2014) (Gackt)

Karanukan (2018) (Gackt)

Tonde Saitama 1 (2019) & 2 (2023) (Gackt)

Moshimo Tokugawa Ieyasu ga Sori Daijin ni Nattara (2024) (Gackt)

Furin Kazan (2007) (Gackt)

Mr. Brain (2009) (it must have been 1 episode or 2) (Gackt)

Tempest (2011) (Gackt)

Sengoku Basara (2012) (Gackt)

Time Spiral (2014) (Gackt)

BLEACH (2018) (live action) (Miyavi)

Hell Dogs (2022) (Miyavi)

Familia (2023) (Miyavi)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) (Miyavi)

Kate (2021) (Miyavi)

Stray (2019) (Miyavi)

Unbroken (2014) (Miyavi)

There's a movie with either gangs or bands that Chiyu of SuG played after the disband. Papiko, shed your light cause I don't remember the title.

30-thirty (2000) Hakuei

The Legend of the The Stardust Brothers (1985) (Issay)

溺れる魚 / Drowning Fish (2001) (Izam of Shazna)

Other

REPO! The Genetic Opera (2008) (Yoshiki was involved with the music production of this film. Personally I learnt it years after I'd watched it)

Death Trance (2005) (It features many Dir en Grey songs in its soundtracks)

Hamlet (1998) (A rock opera version of the famous play, by Penicillin) YT link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hljXGPsUU1Q)

I hope you can find anything you like and enjoy!

[blancdansnoir]

Sueños de Libertad, a summary of the first and happy "Mafinca" days (episodes 178-180).

Sueños de libertad, resumen de los primeros y felices días en la "Mafinca" (capítulos 178-180).

I'd been wanting to do this since the day we knew the Mafin house was coming. See how much happiness there is, how much they love each other, the look in their eyes... The dreams come true and the dreams to come true.

I love this couple, and I'm so glad I'm watching their story at the moment it's airing (and not 6 years later like Barcedes, haha.)

Marta and Fina are a couple to treasure, my friends. They deserve all of our devotion. And Marta and Alba (the actresses) deserve all our respect. I can't think of better professionals for playing such roles.

So, I had a song in my mind, and I thought it'd be great for the moment Mafin got their house. The melody, the lyrics... This song is pure bliss to me. I'm writing down the chorus lyrics, because that's the part that moves me the most (brings tears to my eyes, actually, but don't tell anyone, please).

The song is in Chinese. Since I love music and languages, I don't mind the language when it comes to music. Don't be afraid, it's a good song (for my personal tastes!)

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

Estaba esperando hacer esto desde que nos dimos cuenta de que se venía la casita Mafin. Vean cuánta felicidad hay ahí, cuánto se aman, su mirada... Los sueños hechos realidad y los sueños por venir.

Amo a esta pareja y estoy tan feliz de haberlas descubierto en el momento mismo en que se está transmitiendo su historia (y no 6 años después, como las Barcedes, jaja).

Marta y Fina son una pareja para atesorar, mis estimadas/os. Se merecen toda nuestra devoción. Y Marta y Alba (las actrices) se merecen todo nuestro respeto. No puedo pensar en mejores profesionales para interpretar esos personajes.

Y bueno, como siempre, me rondaba una canción en la cabeza y pensé que sería ideal para el momento en que tuvieran su casita. La melodía, la letra... Esta canción es una delicia para mí. Voy a poner la letra del coro, porque es la parte que más me emociona (se me llenan los ojos de lágrimas, en serio, pero no le cuenten a nadie, por favor).

La canción está en chino, eso sí. Como amo la música y los idiomas, no discrimino el idioma cuando se trata de música. Así que no se asusten, es una buena canción (¡para mis gustos personales!)

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

Song: If love is like condensation Band: Sodagreen

(Pinyin from Music Frequency and English translation from A Glass of Sodagreen; Spanish translation, from EN, by myself)

(NOTE: If you want to listen the chorus only, go from 0:56 to 1:40, or from 3:05 to 3:55)

(NOTA: Si solo quieres escuchar el coro, ve del 0:56 al 1:40 o del 3:05 al 3:55)

Yī gè rén yī gè zì yī gè chuāng yī gè jiā yì gè huàn xiǎng Zài xū gòu de kōng jiān li wǒ hú sī luàn xiǎng Quán dōu biàn chéng le Nǐ de rén nǐ de zì nǐ de chuāng nǐ de jiā nǐ de quán fù wǔ zhuāng Zài wǒ men de shì jiè li hǔn luàn de mèng xiǎng Quán dōu biàn chéng le -- One person, one word, one window, one home, one fantasy In an imaginary world, I think wild thoughts And everything becomes Your person, your word, your window, your home, your full armour In our world, chaotic thoughts All become -- Una persona, una palabra, una ventana, un hogar, una fantasía En un mundo imaginario, tengo pensamientos descabellados Y todo se vuelve Tu persona, tu mundo, tu ventana, tu hogar, tu armadura completa En nuestro mundo, todo se vuelve pensamientos caóticos

[mira-likes]

The revelations episode with Xiao En hits hard even when you KNOW that it's coming and what he's going to say. And in the years since I'd first watched the show, I'd forgotten some details!

There's an evil under the Divine Temple?? That, if unleashed, is going to destroy the world?

Like, there are already SO MANY things s3 has to address--I'm guessing Fan Xian has to deal with both the Second Prince and the Crown Prince once and for all, plus the emperor, since none of them are fit to rule; but do we also need to deal with whatever is under the temple?? That feels like a lot.

(But at the same time, this rewatch of s1 has convinced me the show must have some kind of a sci-fi-related resolution, which I don't personally love, because I'm invested in the pseudohistorical imperial drama instead. And the sci fi mysteries do delight me, but only as long as they don't take over. So if they end up taking over at the end, I won't be best pleased.)

Also, the con Chen Pingping ran on Xiao En is just so exquisitely cruel. And he kept on it for YEARS.

(And in this episode we haven't even got to Fan Xian's realisation about who Xiao En's real grandson is.)

Which, again: another point towards the "Chen Pingping hates the emperor and will take revenge on him at the end" theory, because this episode too emphasises how Chen Pingping can nurse a grudge and hate someone quietly for years, and always, always settle the score.

Anyway, Fan Xian is actually illegitimate! A flashback moment in s2 had Xiao En's line about how Ye Qingmei had married into the Qing royal family, but in s1 he actually backtracks to, they weren't officially married but did all the things that married couples do. I knew I kept thinking he was the emperor's illegitimate kid for a reason...

And Fan Xian's face. Fan Xian has a great many faces! This actor is so good at facial expressions and subtle shifts that play out on his features! And that moment of revelation really, visibly hits him like a hammer.

And it strikes like a bolt from the clear sky, too. He NEVER thought anything was off about his birth. He knew his mother was this great individual revered by many, and he obviously knew he was an illegitimate kid, but he never doubted whose illegitimate kid he was. He'd grown up with it! He knew it like an immutable truth! And then, after Xiao En first tries to convince him they're related (which Fan Xian knows for sure to be wrong), he then casually drops this bomb on him, and Fan Xian--

I genuinely think he's never the same after. Like, I'm curious to see where it goes on my rewatch, but I think this is the great shift for him; the moment where things converge and hit home and trap him in this web of connections he didn't know he had and hadn't suspected others of hiding from him.

[knitnightstudio]

Ed's emerald ring, a love story

2x6

We barely see the Emerald ring this episode. We see it for a split second when Ed is talking to the kids (when the crew isn't around) and then the only other time we see it is when Stede and Ed are alone in Stede's quarters.

But boy oh boy, does that ring beam when Ed and Stede are making out. I took so many pictures because it was nearly impossible to capture it's sparkle. I highly recommend rewatching that scene (for science!) and watch the ring. It shouldn't be as visible as it is.

The room is so dark. It would have been easy to just not see the emerald ring at all, but to my untrained eye it looks like they took extra care to light the ring so it shined. I'd love to hear from someone who actually knows about lighting design who would corroborate.

I've been reading a lot of @follows-the-bees posts (by a lot i mean all of them), I highly highly highly recommend them and i'd be fascinated to learn what they thought about this lighting.

I'm not even going to start trying to dive into the La Vie En Rose analysis because there has been SO much good stuff written. I dare you to read this without tearing up:

by @a-l-o-n-e-t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r

[rankingthehousewives]

Eight years later, or, "I'm not getting older; I'm just getting bolder."

Hi divas,

It's been the better part of a decade since I first posted this list, and a lot has changed: for me, for Bravo, and not least for the various superestrellas herein. I'm forced to fess up to some clunker opinions (Stacey Forsey is not a better Housewife than Vicki Gunvalson; Teresa Giudice is [heartbreakingly, devastatingly] not actually in love with her brother), and a few overall sea changes in the way I conceptualize the show and Bravo in general.

First of all, I underestimated the delight of the Housewives blog/news cycle, which has only refined as an apparatus since the posting of this list. A key component in being a Bravolebrity is one's ability to titillate with delightfully brain-bending headlines (Teresa Giudice 'can’t relate' to Jen Shah’s prison sentencing: 'I would never do something like that.') and to shock and delight with one's antics, public snipes, absurd feuds, and assorted felonies. When I first compiled this list, it was after my first watch of each of series, and I didn't understand that a good chunk of the captivating material occurs offscreen, as a thrilling little adrenaline hit during an otherwise mundane day. If I had to make a list like this again, I'd take that into much more rigorous account.

But I wouldn't make a list like this again, because fundamentally... I really like all of these women now, at least as highly edited TV characters! Shock twist: they're all now tied in my heart! I see them all as rich and necessary players in the show's milieu, and I honestly think that my individual moral judgments of them are totally irrelevant—and, in fact, I think the show works best approached as non-judgmentally as possible. I respect that each viewer will have their own individual lines in the sand as to what is and isn't Too Far, informed by their own personalities and experiences, and I can't ask for carte blanche approval of these problematic women and their problematic ways. But for me, I have genuinely come to appreciate Kyle Richards and Jeana Keough and THE Mary Schmidt Amons, and of course I still love Phaedra and Tamra and Sheree and all of the other beautiful Botoxed gladiators who have taken to the Coliseum (and The Traitors season two) for our collective entertainment.

I think part of what's brought me to this conclusion is that in the current era of BravoCon and celebrity superfans and Peacock exclusives, the social media discourse has gotten increasingly tense, heated, and even abusive—between fans and other fans, certainly, but also between fans and the talent. People frequently direct really cruel messages to the Housewives and other Bravolebrities without thinking of the impacts of those sorts of messages, individually and en masse. I think a ranked list like this one, with its favourites at the tops and least favourites at the bottom, isn't a great format for communicating the nuance of these programs at their best, and for expressing my appreciation for these many strong, interesting, entertaining women who love vaginal rejuvenation and axe-throwing. Basically, I think we're too quick to judge, and I think I judged too quickly.

I still get really sweet messages from readers about this list (please forgive me if I haven't answered yours!), so I won't strip it from the web, even though I disown a lot of the opinions underpinning it. If you're reading this in 2024, or later, just know that I almost universally wish I were kinder and more thoughtful in my appraisals. And, hey, thanks again for reading.

If you're interested in keeping up with me eight years later, I write, produce, and host a podcast with my friend, Josie, called Bittersweet Infamy. We cover infamous non-fiction stories, including an excruciatingly in-depth dive into the Salahis' white house crash with lots of bizarre celebrity cameos, from Shaq to Sugar Kiper to Bai Ling. Three and a half years in, we're revving up for our 100th episode, so we'd love the well wishes.

If that's not your vibe, then please continue to enjoy the weird and wonderful worlds of Bravo—and please, by all means, make it nice.

xoxo

t.

P.S. RHOSLC kicks ass.

P.P.S. Luann is still my favourite.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

My weekly roundup CW 18

I try to write down my thoughts after watching stuff to create a little weekly ranking in relation to the previous week on my, most of the times, quiet sundays (and because I love lists!). These are just my personal opinions and preferences.

And yes, this will contain spoilers!

☼ 1. Love Mate

I am thrilled and I decided to ignore the permanent crossing of boundaries. The series is so funny and not in a too embarrassing way. I cringe insanely fast and here it really kept within limits because the jokes just ended in time and were not exhausted until it hurts. We have grumpy-I-don't-believe-in-love-guy and the sunshine-I-fell-in-love-with-you-at-first-sight-guy (and yes, those are their names for me now) and the two have good chemistry and I just go awww. Grumpy guy is actually already smitten, just doesn't want to admit it to himself that someone has managed to break through his shell. And sunshine guy is just an idiot in love, who knows no boundaries and would do anything to convince his crush that love can be beautiful. And I am sitting in the front row rooting for him. Maybe because I can identify too much with grumpy-guy and find it quite nice to watch his heart slowly being conquered. Great series! Clear recommendation!

→ 2. My Story

Cutest scene this week goes to:

Zeke and Fifth are such flirts with each other and they both know they like the other and I think Zeke knows Fifth likes him too, it's just Fifth hasn't quite figured out that Zeke likes him too. There's still the belief that the latter might have a crush on Kim. Oh my little Fifth…you two are inseparable, Zeke doesn't leave your side unless you intentionally leave him behind, he is constantly flirting with you and bringing you coffee in bed. He actively and repeatedly seeks your proximity and wants you as a nude model! How many more clues do you need!? The preview for the next episode looks very promising! The main couple? Still not of interest to me. I lost interest in their story at some point and currently have no plans to get back in. They are not bad, Zeke and Fifth are just way cuter together.

Random scene I just don't understood what was happening or why:

↑ 3. Our Dining Table

How nice that the two of them ran into each other and Yutaka was able to experience the magic of the mother's special recipe. And when Minoru saw how differently his friend treated Tane and how Yutaka treated him, I think that was the moment when he finally fell in love. The look he gave Yutaka definitely speaks volumes. The story has some deeper parts, but it's still such a feel-good watch during the week. Some mid-week relaxation.

↓ 4. Happy Merry Ending

I think we all know that SeungJun's best friend is in love with him. Drama preprogrammed? We will have to wait and see. But I'm afraid this is a feast for writers. I'd like to see a plot twist like this, when you think that the two main characters get together and in the end it's the best friend who has also been in love with one of them for ages who becomes endgame (yes, my wish for The Promise). Won't happen, but I'd think it would be cool. Other than that, we got to see cute scenes between the characters and a bit of SeungJun's past, which is really not pleasant and I can get why he is how he is. Best scene so far is definitely the last scene of episode four when JaeHyun encourages SeungJun. Even though I was a little disappointed that they didn't dance with each other. Let's wait until the hand holding, then that will be my little tummy tickling scene!

↑ 5. Step by Step

I really enjoyed this episode again. What a roller coaster of emotions here! Maybe it was because the colleagues didn't appear that often and Jeng was also a bit more bearable again. At least he takes to heart what the employees have to say about him. And honestly, I love the looks he gives Pat! I was going to make a gifset, but then Photoshop broke, and after trying five times, reinstalling the application a zillion times, and ending up throwing Adobe completely off my computer, I figured there's currently a curse on it, I'm not touching the scenes again! But I think it won't be the last time he looks at Pat with that loving look. Such a handsome man. I'm a sucker for men in suits, but in this case, casual black shirts look soooo much better. As for the plot…I was too distracted by Jeng 😂

↓ 6. La Pluie

The mood of this week goes to:

It could have been over so easily and so quickly…well, Phat took his fate into his own hands and fell in love…That is shit. And in the end, I really just sat there and kept asking myself: What's happening right now? Are Tai and Lomfon falling for each other? What? And the scene where our precious vet is making out with someone and it starts to rain and Tai hears everything…that hurt amazingly bad. It left me speechless for a moment. I'm really curious to see where the journey goes. But I found a new motto this week: Unfuck it! Love it! Tian is the best! Someone needs to give him a really big hug. The poor kid is going through enough with his brothers and his arch-nemesis, who he's slowly falling for and who is slowly falling for his brother himself. Or this is just to get closer to Tian or just a representation of how people can bond over what they have in common without anything romantic having to happen right away, but I think we're all so influenced by our bl series that guys/men immediately flirt with each other and fall in love when there's common ground and a lively conversation. Just saw that the series is marked 18+ on MDL. Just wondering what made them give it that rating. iQiyi has it rated 13+.

↑ 7. Naked Dining

Okay, the moon thing was really cute. The moon means "I love you" and Mahori panics because he's already sent it. Honey, don't worry, Futa sends back a picture of the moon and everyone is happy! The female colleague will definitely make trouble, because of course now she has noticed how great Futa actually is or because she has been in love with him for a long time anyway. I don't really like this pretend you're my boyfriend acts because it always ends up with the girl falling in love and provoking drama. On the cuter hand, I thought it was cute when Mahori confessed having a crush on someone.

↓ 8. The Promise

Why do you have to drag everything out sooo much? Come on! These two like each other. This game is getting boring. Let them get together! And not just in a dreamed up deleted scene. What was that? I have no idea where to place that scene. Did either of them dream this? And if so, when? When Nan was in Party's arms? And Party, my man…you really are one of the best! Phu…get off your duff. Have faith in your best friend that even if he doesn't love you back, he won't abandon you. And Nan, please listen to your heart. I really feel like I write the same thing every week. I probably do, because a blind man with a cane can see that they like each other, but nothing seems to progress! It's frustrating!

↓ 9. A Boss and a Babe

Okay, so the topics are tough at times and yet the series feels like light banter to me. You know what I mean? It's dramatic with rape and drug trafficking and prison, and yet you feel like you're sweeping through the series light as a feather. I'm sure that's a little bit due to the characters. Even when dramatic scenes are shown, they are immediately grinned away in the next scene or covered up by love talk. The tragedy of many things doesn't really reach the viewer. And I won't go into Gun's mother for a moment. She wants to protect her son and especially the name of the family, which I can understand. The way it's done is just off, but really not as bad as in some other series or movies. And Cher doesn't let himself be kept away from Gun, which was kind of sweet in the end.

☼ 10. House of Stars

It was a mixture of boredom and drama and sex. I think the series is trying to go in the same direction as War of Y, but with less production budget and, sorry, a worse script. We have the mistress of the house who sets the rules and everyone obeys her. We have the little yet unknown one, who will fall in love with the nice seeming model student in the next episode, we have the competing pair, where you don't know exactly what's going on, we have the two in love, where I'm not sure if they are already a couple or not yet and we have the stalker, who finds the aggressive, heterosexual one so horny, that he watches him having sex and then lays hands on himself. And all this is accompanied by boring table talk and out-of-place fanservice scenes. Yes, this first episode has not quite picked me up yet.

↓ 11. Our Skyy 2

What's the point of intentionally hurting your partner just so you can have the satisfaction of surprising him in the end? That would have also worked if you had congratulated him and gone to the celebration from the outset and then just sneaked out. I'm angry about all this crap drama. It really overshadowed everything for me. And yes, I knew Our Skyy was going to be cringy, but it does really hurt. I'm really scared of when my favorites are on that it's going to spoil some of the original series for me….

↓ 12. Tin Tem Jai

I don't even bother to organize my thoughts - that's how little I care about the series in the end. Why were they fighting in the mall now? What was that hard cut and anyway…why that scene? A no-park zone??? How old is Tin!??! And was it really legal for Park to have sex with him? Their conversations are just so exhausting! Why is Park annoyed with Tin? I don't get it! That whole scene with your face is annoying….what was that for? Okay, now that's what I call abuse of power in a relationship with age difference…If Tin doesn't do what Park asks (i.e. not take the job that can benefit him professionally later and miss three days of college), then it's over? Wow.

I don't want to talk to Wikipedia right now….funniest scene of the week.

And what a drama with the mother in the last episode…Was that necessary? That was a bit much drama…And what exactly happened to Kana and Pao? They were just left behind on the track…At least I found them interesting and I would have liked to know how they are doing now. No…That was not good!

[mayzi33]

Just watched the finale from The Ghost And Molly Mcgee.

The way my jaw dropped every second.

Of course, the main characters seperating in the end got me good like all the other shows that seem to be doing that, but honestly, somehow I was actually way happier than I thought I'd be at the same time.

I hope that someday Scratch comes back to Brightmon and remembers the family he made there. But in the meantime, I hope he gets to live the life he deserves.

And oh, Molly, truly an unforgettable protagonist. The typical bubbly character, yet with flaws, development, lots of love to give, and maturity. I love how she immediatly realized that if Scratch got his body back it would mean he had a risk of forgetting her and leaving Brightmon. Yet, she didn't hesitate the slightlest, insisting that he got courage and lived. An example that to love is to let go.

And oh my God, the way my heart melted when Scratch said: "Sweet baby corn", "en-happify" and "Moll". I am convinced he will NEVER truly forget her, nor any of his friends in Brightmon.

What an amazing show. What an amazing writing. What amazing characters. What an amazing plot.

The songs, the humor, the character development, the episodes, the mysteries, the adventures, just everything. When I first started watching, I thought it would be just your typical slice of life show. But this was truly an example that anything can turn out into something incredible and unique with a hint of creativity and effort.

Thank you, Ghost and Molly Mcgee.

[jouliejihan]

𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 𝑶𝑵 𝑨𝑰𝑹! - hueningkai × fem reader

𝑺𝒀𝑵𝑶𝑷𝑺𝑰𝑺: When Y/N and her eccentric friends decide to host the 'Love On Air' podcast, they think they can heal the heartaches of all HYBE Uni students.  But when love begins to bubble up behind the scenes, Y/N finds herself at the center of a messed up love triangle. While she tries to save broken hearts, a shy student, Hueningkai, does everything to win her heart. With clumsy dating advice, accidental encounters and a chaotic podcast, will love triumph or end up in a hilarious mess?

"Tune in with us guys, cause Love is On Air!"

TAGLIST (open, send ask or comment to be added) @full-sunnies​ @unh0ly-dr3am3r​ @enhacolor​ @mackjestic​ @beabeanice​ @beoms-sugar​

previous • masterlist • next ​

7 - Guiding Lights: Navigating LGBTQIA+ Stories

WARNING: mentions of religious topics but without any direct criticism to any religion. Some of Hamlinz's most iconic moments will also be mentioned, so I recommend you watch Sunjay's EN-LOG before you start reading!

The Acoustic and Articulatory Phonetics class was in full swing, with the teacher explaining in detail the concepts of the day. Y/N was focused on her notes, but she couldn't help but notice when a tall guy from her class shyly approached her desk. He looked restless and worried.

"Hi, are you Y/N?

“Yes, I am. And I assume you're Hansol."

"Yes! How did you…? Choi Beomgyu, holy shit.” he muttered “Can I ask you a quick question?”

Y/N smiled gently at him, realizing that he needed help.

"I wanted to talk to you about a rather complicated situation that's going on with a friend of mine from New York. He's going through a delicate moment in his relationship with another guy and I don't really know how to advise him."

She nodded, understanding his concern.

"I see. They’re struggling with their relationship, is that it?"

"No, they're actually doing fine. The problem is my friend's father-in-law. I think you have an idea of where you're going, don't you?"

"I do. So you want my help with your friend's family problems?"

"That's right! Despite the rumors, I heard that you're also an empathetic and understanding person, and I thought maybe you could give me some advice."

She was touched by the confidence her colleague was placing in her, she thought about it for a moment and then smiled.

"I'd love to help, oppa, but every situation is unique, and it's important to be sensitive in listening and offering advice. Also, I don't know the context of the problem he's experiencing with his boyfriend, so I think it would be even better if you could tell your friend about Love On Air."

He looked intrigued by the suggestion.

"Love On Air, right? Jun-hyung told me about this podcast, but what is it exactly?"

"It's a podcast that I and my… I mean, for now only I command." she scratched the back of her neck and smiled. "Its purpose is to help people with love problems and issues related to all types of love, including same-sex relationships. I believe your friend could find valuable advice and understanding by listening to our episodes."

The American smiled, excited by the idea.

"That's brilliant! I think he would be relieved to hear advice from people who really understand and care about the LGBTQIA+ community!"

The Canadian woman smiled and took out her phone. She opened her twitter on the podcast page and followed the guy's profile.

"There you are, Hansol, I followed you! As soon as your friend feels ready to send a message to Love On Air, we'll be glad to help."

"We who?"

"Ahahn, spoilers free for you, honey! Just listen to find out!”

Hansol thanked her, appreciating Y/N's willingness to help his friend even during class. He sat down next to her and continued listening to the teacher's explanation with a little more tranquility.

During class, she noticed that he was more relaxed and involved in discussions. She was happy to be able to help him, and hoped that his friend could find the comfort and advice she needed by listening to Love On Air.

A few hours later...

⊹⊱•••《 💗 》•••⊰⊹

From the day Jake was enthralled by the first episode of Love On Air, he knew the podcast had the potential to reach many people and spread messages of love and support. With that in mind, he decided to speak with Wonwoo, a close friend, about the opportunity to join the project as a cameraman. Jake found him at a cafe, where the two could talk in a relaxed atmosphere.

"Hello hyung."

"Hi Jake! What brings you here?"

"I have an amazing proposition for you! Remember the Love On Air podcast I mentioned?"

"I do remember. Some of my hyungs can't stop talking about him either."

"Well, Y/N noona, Jay hyung and Jungwon are looking for a cameraman, and we immediately thought of you."

Wonwoo seemed surprised by the invitation, but his interest was piqued.

"Me? A cameraman? I never considered that before."

"Hyung, I've seen your work with photography and videos. When you're not doing your Twitch lives, you bring an artistic eye and know how to capture special moments with your Youtube shorts and Tiktoks. Plus, your sense of detail and dedication are impressive. I believe you have all the potential to be a great cameraman."

He reflected for a moment, pondering Jake's proposal. He has always enjoyed capturing moments with his camera, but had never considered taking it to a professional level.

"It's an interesting opportunity…but why did you choose me for this role?"

Jake smiled, knowing he had the perfect argument to convince him.

"In addition to your technical skills, you also have a relaxed and welcoming personality. I believe this would be essential in creating a comfortable environment during recordings and helping hosts and guests feel at ease. Besides, having you by our side would be great to strengthen our team's connection."

Wonwoo considered Jake's words and realized that this opportunity could be a way for him to expand his skills and get involved in a meaningful project.

"You convinced me. I'll look forward to being part of such an impactful project."

"Thank you so much, hyung! The next recording is later today. In fact, Jay-hyung, Y/N noona and Jungwon are waiting for you at the Social Communications studio. It would be great if you could join us there! "

"Sure! I'd love to join you."

"Great! Let's all meet there then. I'm sure you'll love the atmosphere and energy of the studio."

With excitement in the air, Jake and Wonwoo worked out the details of meeting at the Social Communications studio. Jake was happy to have one of the friendliest hyungs in Sector 13 on board and looking forward to seeing what the future had in store for Love On Air with this new addition to the team.

⊹⊱•••《 💗 》•••⊰⊹

At the media studio, Y/N, Jay, Jake, and Jungwon met with Wonwoo, who was looking forward to starting his new role as Love On Air's cameraman. Wonwoo held his camera, adjusting it on the tripod as he watched the others prepare for recording.

"I'm so excited for the second episode, guys! First of all, I want to thank Wonwoo oppa, for accepting our invitation to record them. I'm sure you'll do a great job."

"My pleasure in helping you, Y/N. Jake told me about the podcast and I thought it was an awesome idea. I would love to contribute in some way."

"Besides, we also need help with the sound effects. Think you can handle it?"

"Sure, Jay. I was already here helping some Media colleagues with their project last semester and in return they helped me with the sound effects buttons. I'm familiar enough with them to make the episodes even more fun."

"I watched some cuts of your Tik Tok lives, hyung, you have a talent for video editing. Mind if you and noona edit the videos together before uploading them to our YouTube channel?"

"Why not, Jungwon? I like video editing, so I won't take this opportunity for granted. I'm excited to work together with you."

"This is wonderful! I can't wait to see the final result of the edited episodes. I'm sure we'll be an unstoppable team!"

With everything ready, the group positioned themselves in the studio. Wonwoo placed the camera on the tripod and turned it on, making sure everything was perfectly framed. He took control of the sound effects knobs, ready to add a special touch to recordings.

"Camera ready and sound effects prepped. I'll start as soon as they're ready!"

"That's it everyone, Love On Air is back! Whatever happens, remember our mission: to spread love and fun to everyone."

"I agree, Jay hyung. Together we can create a welcoming environment and help people with our advice and stories. I look forward to seeing the positive impact we can make."

"We're all here to bring you something special, Jungwon. And with Wonwoo's help and his talent, I'm sure we'll be a success!"

With a determined smile, she gave him a thumbs up to start recording. Love On Air's second episode was about to begin, with Y/N, Jay and Jungwon working in harmony to bring a podcast full of advice, stories and fun moments to their listeners."

"Recording in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"

Wonwoo's camera was rolling, the sound effects were ready to go, and the spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm filled the studio. Love On Air was ready to take the world by storm, one episode at a time.

[Y/N] Hi, everyone! I'm your lovely host, Kim Y/N! I'm so thrilled to have you here. In this 2nd episode, but very special, I open our home to 2 of my best friends that I have a very strong affection for, and that from today, will also be cupids in this journey of love. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Park Jongseong and Yang Jungwon!

*clapping sound effect*

[Jay] Hi everyone, I'm Jay.

[Jungwon] And I'm Jungwon.

[Y/N] Thanks so much for joining us! Do you have any message for our listeners before we begin?

[Jay] We are here to support and listen to each and every one of you. We know it's not always easy, especially when it comes to acceptance. But remember, you are amazing and deserve to be loved and respected, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

[Jungwon] Exactly. We're here to remind you that you are not alone. There's an entire community that supports each other and is willing to welcome you all.

[Y/N] Beautiful! For listeners who are just coming to the live or will hear this episode later, I will ask you 5 questions so that they can get to know you better.

[Jay] I like it! Bring it on!

[Y/N] The 1st question is: What are you most grateful for today?

[Jay] Oh… I am grateful for waking up healthy every day to overcome myself and my hurdles on a daily basis.

[Jungwon] I am grateful to return the love everyone gives me every day. And you, noona?

[Y/N] I think almost the same, you know? I am grateful to have you, Jay, Jake, Sunoo and my Marine Biology bestie Lily from the JYP Institute as best friends! By the way, Jake-ah, Sunoo-ah, Lily-ah, if you're listening now - she blows a kiss to the camera and Jungwon laughs - I love you guys so much! What are you laughing at?

[Jungwon] Nothing, noona. I'm just imagining our listeners asking you how you can say "I love you" so openly to us if you don't date any of us.

[Y/N] I don't see any problem with that, because love is much more than just a platonic or romantic relationship. If you're doing or saying something healthy to make the person you cherish about the most on a day-to-day basis, you're showing your love for them, which brings us to the next question:

[Y/N] What are your 3 love languages? If you can, explain one of them.

[Jay] My 3 languages ​​are acts of service, quality time, and giving and receiving gifts. Nothing satisfies me more than going out with my significant other, buying something she likes or maybe taking her out to eat in a nice place that we both like, because when you're in front of nice people and tasting tasty food, the experience is even more rewarding.

[Y/N] Oh, that reminded me of Jay's high school graduation! Mind if I share it with our listeners?

[Jungwon] Of course not! You can tell them.

[Y/N] After the graduation ceremony, Jay reserved a table for Sunoo and me at a restaurant called Won Grandma Bonga. Remember that, guys?

[Jungwon] How not to remember? The face you made when Jay-hyung included you in the reservation was priceless! - he laughed

[Y/N] Excuse me?! At the time I thought I didn't deserve it! My dynamic with you all was nothing compared to yours together! So much so that to this day I think: Holy shit, how do these nice boys like me so much?

[Jay] Let me jog your memory to make our point. 2021, 2nd grade: When I tested positive for COVID-19 we all had to quarantine for 2 weeks, yet you didn't think twice about planning the best online English tutoring for our class! Even though you can be a little annoying sometimes, there's no shortage of reasons to include you as one of us!

[Y/N] That was cute, thanks! So, as I was saying, listeners, Jay made that reservation, took us to this super fancy restaurant and what I felt when the food arrived and I'm sure you must have felt it too, Jay, it was a pride and sort of a motherly affection to see him so happy and eating well.

[Jungwon] Not you spreading your mama’s agenda to our listeners!

[Y/N] They need to know this! If I like you and have an appreciation for both of you, even for you Jay, I don't mind sharing that motherly love!

[Jungwon] Okay, noona, thanks for the answer, now moving on to the next question:

[Jungwon] What has been your biggest achievement or memorable moment in your life?

[Jungwon] Well, I had the privilege of being well educated, with parents present and studying at a good school in my childhood, but among all my achievements, one of the most memorable for me was representing Gwanak-gu in the Inter Regional Taekwondo Championships. At that time I was the only black belt in the Junior category, fighting athletes up to 3 years older than me and more experienced in the sport.

[Y/N] That was quite an achievement! Who do you owe it to?

[Jungwon] First to my mom and dad for encouraging me. Then my old sister who trained with me at home, and my coach, for my maturity in the sport.

[Y/N] Thanks for the answer. And you Jay, remember your greatest achievement?

[Jay] It may not seem like a big deal to our listeners, but seeing my group's article on the role of fashion in combating racism published by Harvard was a very gratifying accomplishment for me.

[Y/N] Oh my Jay, congratulations! I bet y'all must have been euphoric, huh?

[Jay] Indeed. For a long time, both the art of making clothes and the consumption of big brands have been concentrated in the hands of whites and people from the upper middle class. And my mission at HYBE Uni is to open the doors for more people of color to have a place in the fashion scene.

[Jungwon] This is indeed a brave mission, Jay-hyung, you have our full support. Now, noona, your answer.

[Jay] And please don't let it be SEVENTEEN related.

[Y/N] Oh, Jay, I wish. - she laughed - But my answer is right here! The idea for Love On Air didn't come out of nowhere. Those who studied with us know how I have always been a shoulder to cry on to many of our colleagues.

[Jungwon] When they wanted advice, she almost always had one on the tip of her tongue.

[Jay] And she wasn't shy about giving a hug to anyone who needed it.

[Y/N] So Love On Air came up with this idea of ​​spreading love around the world. And my biggest achievement is being built right now: my best friends, helping me with this life mission!

[Jungwon] We love you too, noona! What's the next question?

[Y/N] I love this one! Who is your real-life hero or heroine? - she snorted - We've discussed this question several times, so we can answer it together on three. 1, 2, 3…

[Y/N, Jay, Jungwon] BTS. - the trio answered in unison

[Y/N] It's both fact and common sense that BTS has helped everyone in some way.

[Jungwon] They encouraged me to work hard for my dreams, no matter how difficult the circumstances are.

[Jay] They taught me to love myself as much as I love everyone else.

[Y/N] And they encouraged me to be a responsible, kind and generous leader, as my actions interfere with the lives of everyone around me.

[Jungwon] And with that, we move on to the last question: What goal do you aim to achieve?

[Jay] Me? Finish the course, release my own collection and, who knows, walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week.

[Jungwon] Good one, hyung! Mine is an internship in Sector 13, I heard that their Veterinary Center is one of the most modern here. And you, noona?

[Y/N] I'm a dreamy woman, so I don't settle for just one dream! In the short term I just want to have fun here at Love On Air and warm everyone's hearts, but in the long term, publish one of the MANY books I write.

[Jay] These are very ambitious dreams, but I'm sure that together, we will achieve this and much more.

[Jungwon] That's the spirit, hyung.

[Y/N] And Love On Air will take a short break. In the meantime, enjoy for the next 20 minutes our special playlist for today's theme: Guiding Lights: Navigating LGBTQIA+ Stories, beginning with Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara.

[Jungwon] See you soon, listeners!

⊹⊱•••《 💗 》•••⊰⊹

Still in the Social Communications studio, Kyungjoo, Jay, Jungwon and Wonwoo were still gathered, excitedly discussing the next minutes after the break and brainstorming their ideas for the next episodes. However, the subject quickly changed when Y/N heard stomach rumbling sounds, so they started joking and teasing each other.

"Are you hungry? We still have time for lunch."

"Good idea, noona! It's on me!"

"No way, Jungwon! I'm the mother of the group! I'll pay!"

"Guys, I'm the guest here, I don't mind paying for everyone."

"No way, Wonwoo hyung!" Jay protested, frowning "If there's anyone who can afford everyone's lunch, it's…"

"Enough!" Y/N yelled, stomping her foot on the ground. "If we stay here all day talking, we're all going to starve to death!"

"But what do we do if no one is willing to open their wallet?"

"You know, Jungwon, when my hyungs are undecided about something we decide to play a game and bet the answer on the results."

"I heard you loud and clear, oppa. I even suggest we settle this like civilized people: playing Rock, Paper, Scissors! The loser pays for everyone."

"I can't believe you guys will…" Jay exclaimed

"I'm on it. Do your best, Y/N!” Wonwoo nodded with a teasing smile

The group prepared for the match, and Y/N led the game with enthusiasm.

"If you don’t put them then you lose; rock, paper, scissors!"

Everyone held out their hands and made their moves: Jay chose Scissors, Wonwoo chose Paper, and Jungwon chose Rock. Y/N in turn chose Scissors.

"Phew, a draw! That was close!"

"Lucky lady." Jay rolled his eyes and smiled

"Then, let's do it again." Jungwon exclaimed

They repeated the game, and this time Jay chose Rock, Wonwoo chose Scissors and Jungwon chose Paper. She, again, got Scissors.

"Yeah Jay, I'm really the lucky lady."

"It looks like I'm going to let you win that easily, noona."

The competition is now fierce. She showed paper, Jungwon showed scissors, and Wonwoo showed rock. Jay, however, also played paper. It was a draw!

"Looks like we're even, Jay. We're going to have to break the tie."

"Of course! Let's go!"

The two took sides again, and this time, Jay suggested a deal.

"This is taking too long! Noona, why don't you play with paper and I'll use scissors? That way we can sort this mess out as soon as possible."

"Sounds fair to me. Let's go!" she replied crossing her fingers back

Fulfilling his end of the bargain, he played scissors, but to his surprise, she chose rock and won the match. Wonwoo and Jungwon screamed euphorically and she laughed at her American friend's scornful expression.

"Thanks for the meal!" she mocked

"That doesn't count! It wasn't part of the deal!"

"It didn't, but I guess you weren't expecting, THIS" she smiled showing her fingers crossed

"You… cheater brat!"

"Competitive, funny and knows how to cause chaos! Jeonghan hyung would love to meet you."

"Hm, maybe, but do you mind introducing me to another day, oppa?"

"No problem."

"Fine, fine. I accept my defeat. Let's all go to the cafeteria for lunch, that way there's more time for us to get back."

The group proceeded excitedly to the cafeteria, where Jay honored his promise and paid for everyone's lunch. The fun banter brought even more togetherness and laughter among the friends, and they enjoyed their lunch together with great excitement.

⊹⊱•••《 💗 》•••⊰⊹

[Jungwon] We're back ! Did you like our sequence of songs? Although we've broken it down for today, you can request your favorites as much as you like, and we won't hesitate to play them on our stream.

[Jay] Now we're going to talk about dealing with difficulties in a religious but homophobic family environment.

[Y/N] That's right, everyone! We received a lot of questions and stories from people who face challenges in coming out to their religious families. We will address these issues and do our best to provide you with realistic advice.

[Audio of listeners sharing their stories]

[Y/N] Thanks to everyone who had the courage to share their stories with us. Now, let's answer some questions related to this subject.

Listener 1: "I feel trapped between my faith and my identity. How can I reconcile the two without feeling guilty?"

[Jay] This is a challenging situation. Remember that your identity and sexuality are part of who you are. Believing in your faith does not mean denying your true essence. Find a safe space where you can explore your faith and identity without guilt. Talk to people who can understand and support you on this journey.

Listener 2: "My family is religious and they always disapprove of me for being queer. How can I deal with this rejection?"

[Jungwon] We're sorry that you are going through this. It's imperative to remember that your family's rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a person. Seek support from LGBTQIA+ communities and support organizations. Having a network of people who understand your journey and can offer emotional support is key.

Listener 3: "I'm afraid to come out to my family because I don't want to be rejected or lose my relationship with them. What should I do?"

[Y/N] We understand your fears and concerns, listener. Your emotional safety and well-being are priorities. If you feel unsure about coming out right now, it's important to find outside support, such as friends or support groups. Remember that you have the right to live your life authentically and that you are never alone. In time, perhaps your family can open their eyes and accept you for who you are.

Listener 4: "How can I find support and community if I don't have anyone around me who understands and accepts my sexual orientation?"

[Jay] For those who feel isolated, there are many ways to find support. Look for online or offline support groups on your daily basis where you can share your experiences and connect with people who understand what you're going through. In addition, there are many LGBTQIA+ organizations that offer emotional support and valuable resources.

[Jungwon] And remember that you don't have to face this alone. If you feel comfortable, talk to trusted friends or even a mental health professional. They can help find solutions and offer emotional support during this process.

[Jay] So we wrap up our 2nd episode of Love On Air. If you liked it, don't forget to follow the podcast on Spotify, Youtube, Twitter or your favorite platform!

[Jungwon] And comment a lot with #LoveOnAir, because we'll get to interact with everyone!

[Y/N] And as always, stay tuned, everyone, cause Love is On Air!

[Jay, Y/N, Jungwon] Bye!

A/N: EVERY DAY is day to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community!

[quill-is-brainstorming]

Woe, questions be upon ye.

♡ : which languages do you speak/have you learned in school?

✓ : funniest word in your language

✌ : favourite proverb/saying from your language

I thank thee for thy questions <3

♡ : which languages do you speak/have you learned in school?

English is the first foreign language I learned, obviously, though to be completely honest I learned more English while watching Hermitcraft episodes than I did in an actual classroom. I swear I am quite literally at the top of my English class because of YouTube and I think that's funny as hell.

Third language, Spanish! I studied it for three years in middle school, the only phrase that I have memorised is "yo no puedo hablar en español", that alone should tell you loads about my ability at learning languages.

Then I guess I technically also understand Vulgar and Bolognese! Vulgar is basically primitive Italian, it's the language Dante wrote the Divine Comedy in. Meanwhile, Bolognese is the official dialect of my city that, as I've already stated, is considered a language in it of itself, so yeah.

I guess I can also understand some Latin, but that's because of its similarities to Italian and Vulgar so that'd be cheating. I do wish to learn it in the future though.

✓ : funniest word in your language

Probably the word "porco", or even better, its more family friendly equivalent "orco".

Porco is an insulting way to say pig, orco is literally the word ork. Why do I find them funny?

Well, it's because if you were to add literally any word after them it becomes an imprecation.

And when I say any word, I mean ANY word. Just add the most random thing you can imagine after it and it becomes a completely valid curse!

Another answer would be the word "ramarro", which I have already talked about in a previous ask, but basically half of the world probably finds it unpronouncable (me included, though it's for a speech impediment more than anything). You quite literally have to train super hard to be able to say a word that only describes a type of lizard and I find it hilarious.

✌ : favourite proverb/saying from your language

Oooh, I've got two right here.

"A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale"

Which roughly translates to "At the Carnival everything goes" and it's basically a synonyn to "all is fair in love and war", thought its not its Italian equivalent because said equivalent is literally the same proverb but translated to Italian.

This saying is born from the pretty famous Carnival of Venice. Basically, during the celebrations, all the citizens would parade around wearing masks, and they would be able to party in absolutely anonymity, completely ignoring all kinds of social classes. I also looked it up and apparently Venice's Carnival specifically takes inspiration from Dyonisian festivities from Ancient Greece, thought I'd throw it in there since it's you and all that ;)

The second one would be:

"Aiutati che Dio ti aiuta"

Which means "Help yourself and you'll see that God will help you as well". Essentially, "God helps those who helps themselves".

This isn't really used in any religious way despite the mention of God, it's basically just a way to shit one someone that's being pretty annoying or needy. I just find it a pretty funny proverb lol.

[thevindicativevordan]

On Maxima

Every time DC wants to put Supes in a relationship with someone other than Lois, I always wonder why they don't just go with Maxima.

Especially since she's basically what they turn Diana into every time they try to hook the two of them up. Why not just go with the actual Superman Rogue/supporting character who is also a warrior-queen? Who is already almost as violent as she is horny, forcing Clark to try to get her to chill out, even as he's tempted to join her? If it isn't already clear, I like Maxima. Her character archetype, the supervillainess who tempts the hero with sex appeal, is one that's pretty damn popular for obvious reasons. Also for obvious reasons, this kind of character can provoke a backlash nowadays.

Personally I think she can still work just fine, she just needs some revamp. The basics of her character and backstory are still solid and offer storytelling potential. She's the Queen of the alien Empire of Almerac. Maxima is drawn to Superman because of his power. The real big fix is changing why she's attracted to his power, and why she came to Earth in the first place, shifting it away from eugenics to something else.

What I'd Do With Maxima

So I'm going to take some cues from the DCAU incarnation of Maxima in that the reason she seeks Superman out is because she's been deposed.

DCAU Maxima got deposed after she met Superman, but she lost her throne because her people judged her too self-absorbed and immature to lead them. Which she totally was, and changing that formed the crux of her character development over the course of the episode. I'd take a similar route with reworking comics Maxima's backstory.

Maxima has just taken the throne when the Interstellar Empire of Almerac comes under the assault of Mongul of Warworld. Crushing Almerac's defenses, Mongul gives the world an ultimatum: Turn over a selection of their greatest fighters to fight for Almerac's continued right to exist in Mongul's gladiator arenas or he'll reduce the entire planet to ashes. He also demands a sizeable portion of the population be turned over as slaves tasked with keeping Warworld running, and he wants Maxima to be among those slaves as a symbol of Mongul's authority over Almerac. Maxima angrily refuses, but her people don't trust in her leadership on account of her youth and immaturity, and Maxima is overthrown. She's handed over for transport to Warworld, but while en route she breaks free and seizes control of the transport. Alone and without allies, Maxima sets a course for Earth to seek out the one person she's heard is a match for the Lord of Warworld: Superman.

Only interested at first in his power, and planning to use and dispose of him afterwards, Maxima at first presents herself to Clark as a potential mate. Her hope is that will entice him to support her on what could be a suicide mission, and that offering power and wealth via marriage will cement his loyalty. Being betrayed by her subjects still stings her though she takes great pains to pretend otherwise. Superman turns down the marriage offer, but agrees to follow her to take down Mongul and free Almerac. The two travel back to Almerac which is in the midst of choosing who will fight on Warworld. Clark pretends to be a native of Almerac and is chosen as one of the champions. Initially planning to stay on Almerac and purge those who betrayed her while Clark fights on Warworld, Maxima chooses to give herself up to Mongul, after he announces that he will be vaporizing an entire continent as punishment for the Almeracans failure to turn her over to him. Amused at her compassion for those who betrayed her, Mongul adds Maxima to the roster of gladiators, and she departs with Clark to the arenas.

Over the course of a series of battles, Maxima and Clark butt heads, watch each other's backs, and gradually fall in love with each other. Maxima admires Clark's resolve, restraint, and maturity, traits she's forced to admit she lacked. She's skeptical of his idealism however, seeing it as a flaw that undermines his effectiveness, particularly when it comes to killing. Clark admires Maxima's passion, bravery, and refusal to settle for anything less than the best in anyone including herself. All traits that make him ponder if perhaps she does have it in her to be a good leader. He dislikes her arrogance and entitlement however, particularly when it comes to her royal right to rule. A frequent source of fights between the two is whether the common person should have any voice in government with Maxima scoffing at that and point at how the mob gave in to Mongul, with Clark countering that Almeracans had long felt unheard and cut off from their rulers. Obviously that they're both super hot doesn't hurt as part of why they end up sleeping together.

Ultimately through a series of events Superman and Maxima succeed in freeing Almerac and driving Mongul away. Then everything promptly goes to hell. Having fallen for Clark for real over the course of their adventure, Maxima repeats her offer to him of marriage, except genuinely this time.

The two have had sex a couple times already, and Clark is genuinely tempted at the prospect of sticking with Maxima. He's grown to enjoy her company (having sex tends to do that), he enjoys the freedom to be himself without having to hide his powers, the Almeracans embrace him as their champion, and as Maxima's consort he could take an active hand in shaping society. At the point in Clark's career where I'd want to do this story, he's growing out of his youthful rage, but he's still not at peace with his lot in life. Earth's inability to meaningfully change at the pace he wants frustrates him, and leaving behind the restrictions of life there does entice him. My point is that I think the appeal of Maxima to Superman should and can be more than just breeding little Clarks as has been the case in the past.

However Clark ultimately rejects the offer. He can't bring himself to cut ties with Earth, Maxima's unwillingness to cede some of her power to her people isn't something Clark can accept, and Clark is also concerned that taking up her offer would compromise his ability to be a hero. As you would expect, Maxima is pissed at his refusal, treating it as another stab in the back. Due to his help in freeing her people and reclaiming her throne, she spares his life but exiles him from Almerac, declaring him persona non grata throughout the Empire.

Unbeknownst to Clark, who leaves after it's made clear the Almeracans don't want a civil war, Maxima is pregnant with his child. The child allows her to avoid entering into a political marriage, maintaining her independence since she now has a heir. This daughter will be groomed in hidden to take over the Empire, which Maxima now has plans to expand. The humiliation Mongul visited upon Almerac has had a big impact on her mindset. Now she's focused on eliminating any potential threats to her people, and she wants to transform Almerac into the greatest Interstellar Empire in the Milky Way. Then it will never be at the mercy of a foreign power ever again.

For stories, Superman and Maxima are clearly going to clash given she's become an imperialist herself, no better than Mongul. You can tell stories about Clark foiling Maxima's attempts to conquer other worlds, or Earth itself. Maxima would occasionally dispatch assassins or go personally to attack Clark, for the purpose of preventing him from getting "soft". The public reason for this is that he's become a roadblock to her aims, and needs to be eliminated. Secretly, her goal is to constantly push him to be stronger because she wants him to meet his daughter one day. Not for any sentimental reasons mind you, Maxima wants Superman to teach their daughter to be his equal in ability and resourcefulness. After learning everything she can from Clark, said daughter will be charged with leading the invasion of Earth. Conquering Earth, and defeating Superman, will be the girl's rite of passage into cementing herself as Maxima's heir. The world of her father, Superman, is destined to be her own Throneworld as Almerac's is Maxima's.

Think you could have a lot of fun in giving Clark a "Damian" of his own to deal with. Personally I'd have it so that the "daughter" would be akin to the New 52 Maxima who I thought had some potential. You could have Maxima and Maxima Jr. argue about the morality of Almerac's expansion, with MJ ultimately taking her father's side which causes enormous problems for her mother since she can't disown her daughter without a replacement heir. I think that could be a fun family dynamic to explore.

Wondering where Maxima will show up next. Part of me was hoping Almerac was that part of underdeveloped Superman lore PKJ talked about fleshing out, but that seems to be either Warworld or the Phantom Zone. I still think Maxima and Almerac have a lot of potential to be major players in Superman's world, but it's going to take someone being interested in fleshing them out. Maybe the upcoming Superman cartoon will accomplish that? If not I'll just have to hope someone will down the line.

[gillianthecat]

Started watching the original En of Love: Love Mechanics soon after watching the 2022 one

(sort of live-blogging, criticism and spoilers for both shows after the cut)

and it is a bizarre and rather discomforting experience. Same actors, a lot of the same plot points, some of the exact same lines, but the vibes are totally different. The production value is much lower in terms of sets, sound, camera work, and most distractingly, lighting. Also Vee's dangly earring is on the other side which for some reason feels very trippy.

It probably wouldn't be as noticeable if I hadn't just seen the new one. The plot points are all super condensed, it feels like they're whizzing past my head faster than I can track. Yin at 20/21 looks much younger than he does at 22/23, and his acting has improved. War is great, but it feels like he's playing a different character who happens to do some of the same things. Their chemistry is much more asshole4asshole. In the new one they had this sense of attraction and liking each other from the start, even when they were fighting. Here they don't have the chemistry to explain why they keep wanting to each other, so it doesn't make a lot of sense what's happening.

I actually do like asshole Mark a lot, and it would have been interesting to see more of that in the new one. Yin wasn't skilled enough yet to pull off his character's muddled conflicting motivations, although to be fair the plot moves along so rapidly that what Vee wants keeps changing without reason, and I think only a very skilled actor could keep that remotely plausible. He's still very natural and appealing. Glad they got the chance to improve and do it again!

The kiss scene in episode 2 is actually fascinating. At first the have a slow motion BL style kiss where they hold completely still for 30 seconds with their mouths touching. But then they get to do an actual realistic kiss and move their faces and lips. It's not very high heat, but it does look like two people who actually want to be kissing each other. So the actors are willing and capable, but the still had to do that weird static "kiss." I guess that's what BL audiences want or expect? Or the directors think they want? It was very odd. I'd assumed frozen kisses were because the actors weren't willing to do more, but apparently there are other reasons.

Also, War is so beautiful? A lot of the lighting is terrible and makes the other actors look terrible (even Yin at times!), but War looks stunning in every shot.

What is time? I thought like 2 days had passed but then a character said it had been a year? Lol this show feels so unanchored in anything.

Vee makes no sense in this show. Is a romantic? A playboy? A coward? What does he want from Ploy? From Mark? No one seems to know and they haven't told poor Yin. He manages most individual scenes fairly well, but they don't quite add up to a character. His relaxed and charming works much better than his stoic. It would be interesting to compare his acting 2020 and 2022 and see how wooden became nuanced.

The online gossip thing is very annoying but I guess it's an efficient way to make plot happen.

Maybe Vee is supposed to be opaque?

Lol, I got my wish that the scandalous kiss was real. But it doesn't work here because the show's not dealing with any of the heavy issues.

Wait, so do we ever get an explanation for why they kissed? Oh, it's one last kiss. Even in this version it makes no sense why it took so long to explain that. It's barely a sentence.

The way they got back together was confusing and boring and I zoned out/already forgot what happened.

That jealously scene at the pool actually works better in this version. It's so over the top I think Vee is being deliberately playful about it, and not bizarrely being extremely possessive. They're not official boyfriends yet but neither is Vee in the midst of groveling, so it doesn't feel as weirdly invasive like it does in the new one. And (thank god) there's no pervert boxer leering in the background to unexpectedly justify the random body shaming.

Somehow I got the impression from the internet this ended tragically or ambiguously? But it's actually a very fluffy ending.

I can see why everyone was excited about YinWar, they were very appealing together. I wish there was more of just the two of them, I found the group scenes boring. Perhaps something was lost in translation, perhaps the actors were inexperienced/under rehearsed, or perhaps their topics of conversations were just not for me. Also the fans and obsession with Facebook status were weird, but maybe I'm too old.

I do not think I'm the target audience for this. I like my fluff more coherent, my angst angstier, and if there's sex I prefer it sexier.

I wonder if I would have liked it better if I'd seen it before the 2022 version, so it could be its own thing. As is, it felt like an outline or rough draft. And very very low budget, almost like a student project that somehow managed to snag two charismatic and talented leads. But they did impressive work with what I imagine was like 5 sets, less than 2 hours of run time, a gaggle of inexperienced actors and l a very brief shooting window.

I didn't hate the show, but I guess I was more intrigued by looking at what didn't work for me, so this came our pretty negative.

I'm glad that they got the chance to make something longer, more expensive and more complex with this frame.

[solrosan]

solrosan’s fandom year 2021

Few years have been more exhausting and emotionally draining for me personally than 2021 (yes, it was worse than 2020) so sitting down to do this was pretty daunting. But it was alright. So many good memories from the year that just ended come from fandom spaces and people I've met through fandom. Thank you, all of you, new and old! You're so important to me and you really helped me through last year.

2021 was also my 10th year in online fandom, which is wild, considering I thought I'd be tired of it after 3 months. I'll try to keep mentions of this to a minimum, since none of the things actually happened in 2021, but in 2011. It is however 10 years since I posted my first fic (and wrote my first fic in English! (Please tell me my English has improved since then!)) and 10 years since I met @zedille which are two very important anniversaries!

Now, with that wordier-than-normal intro...

2021 was the year that I...

...really dove into (fell into?) k-drama land

...continued to have Netflix parties with @elletromil and @insanereddragon

...drank a lot of wine over Zoom with @elletromil

...started buying DVD boxes again because I really don't trust Netflix

...signed up for AND FINISHED NaNoWriMo

...was blown away by the talented @revolutionaryjo and @rhea314 turning two of my fics into podfics (Thank you!)

...once thought of as so far into the future that I made it the posting date on my LJ-sticky post

...went to the opera and decided that it's the best form of cultural experience there is

(all while wildly ignoring that it might be related to that it was the first cultural thing I experienced outside of my flat in almost 18 months)

...accidentally tricked TripAdvisor into sending me tips about my trip to Busan

...took part in the Chocolate Box challenge Round 6 and nominated fandoms for Round 7

...transcribed a Danish/Swedish interview

...tried to write fanfiction in Swedish about Young Royals, but failed miserably

...came up with a few titles that I'm really proud of

(it's this series)

...spent time planning a trip to Malta with @spectralarchers and @ohmystarsy because of reasons

(girls can dream, can't they?)

...got offended by Grace & Frankie calling 4 episodes a season

...bought noise cancelling head phones

...learned there is such a thing as a discord sprint bot

...truly realised how much West Wing has affected my writing

...thought it was a good idea to rewatch Weiss Kreuz

...gave up on finishing Weiss Kreuz

...watched Supernova with @stronglyobsessed

...started to refer to a youtuber as "my influencer" in everyday conversation

(I am not ashamed of this)

...created yet another sideblog @sunflowerisme to just fill with pretty pictures

(I am a little ashamed of this)

...fell in love with one of my own OCs (again)

...discovered the true meaning of comfort media

...out-angst myself and spent weeks just writing fluff

...beta read a few fics in various stages of being posted/finished/abandoned

...thought downloading Duolingo was a good idea

(reason for this: see the first bullet)

(I have moved on to almost exclusively revise my Japanese at this point)

...finally got to take a friend's kid to the Vasa museum

...rediscovered the joy of loving a piece of media without needing to write fic for it (and then wrote fic for it)

...didn't run a Femslash February event

...made a tie-in article to @blau-s's wonderful fic El monstruo en la almohada

...wrote quite a few fics in the AO3 comment section (I dare you to go and find them!)

And speaking of AO3! In 2021...

I published 49 689 words

split over 17 fics and 5 fandoms

Disarming Touches got the most hits

...and the most kudos

An Unbreakable Sword Broken got the most comment threads

My favourite fic is probably Mourning a Demon but I need to give The Broken Place a very special shout out because I have lived in that universe for months and written more than 60k about it. (Another special shout out to @blau-s for being a fantastic enabler!)

The fic I read that meant the most to me is Before There was Zero by @sadviper. The fic is a fantastic, well-written pre-canon character study that I fell for completely. Then, in the comments, I made a friend who welcomed me to the fandom where I've spent most of this pandemic year. Thank you!

Oh, and I can't close the AO3 section without mentioning that @insanereddragon posted fic again!

This is my most reblogged Tumblr post for 2021, because Tumblr is predictable that way.

[lokiondisneyplus]

Although Loki has been a fixture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2011’s Thor, the character has never had his own musical identity. That all changed with Loki - the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest Disney+ series - and the music of Natalie Holt. The innovative, versatile score is a perfect match for the God of Mischief’s sensibilities and is easily among the best sonic works we’ve heard in the genre.

As such, we were excited to sit down with Holt to discuss the inspiration behind the score’s instrumentation, sticking up for her music in late-night dub sessions, and being part of the MCU.

I want to start right at the beginning. What was your reaction when you booked the Loki meeting?

I just knew that it was the biggest opportunity I'd ever had, and I really prepped hard. I went into the meeting with my ideas really fleshed out, and quite a lot of my responses to the script seemed to by some lucky coincidence fit with the directors. That was cool. I then got to do the pitch after the meeting, so I had to score the time theater scene in episode one, and I totally went to town on that as well. I really wanted this job so much because I felt that Loki was a great character and I was a big fan.

You and director Kate Herron were immediately on the same page in regards to using a Theremin for Loki. What was it about that instrument that appealed to you for this project?

A friend of mine had sent me ‘The Swan’ by Clara Rockmore ages ago, and I just loved the sound of it. I had also been listening to lots of BBC Radiophonic workshops, and I'd seen this documentary about Delia Derbyshire as well so I had all these 1950’s, analogue-y synth sounds buzzing around in my head. Tom Hiddleston has a Shakespeare-like quality to his performance, so I thought this needs to have some kind of classical, weighty grandness. So it was a fusion of those two things.

You weren’t on set for Loki, and I know that is something you like to do. In the absence of that, what sparked your creativity the most?

It was engaging with the character in a really deep way. The storyline really got under my skin and inspired me. I had the Loki theme in the pitch, so that’s been there from day one. And as for the riffs in the theme, I feel like Loki is the Salieri to Thor’s Mozart, so I was listening to lots of that. There's a bit of ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ by Wagner in Loki’s theme as well. That was all in the pitch. Then I had a month to write the suite. That was the Mobius theme, the Sylvie theme, and the Variant theme.

For all the hi-tech stuff we see in Loki, the TVA is also very analogue in some respects and you’ve clearly taken that into account with the score. How quickly did you catch onto that and are there any other ways that are reflected in your score?

I sampled lots of clock-ticking sounds. I worked with Daniel Sonnabend - he’s got lots of old analog tape machines - and we were messing around with that. The tape machine player almost became its own instrument. We had this big church bell for the timekeepers at the beginning of episode four. That was sampled and then downgraded, so it gets glitchy as it goes on to signify what’s happening in the story. I was just messing around with a lot of that in the background, and it's all over everything. There's always an urgency and a time-ticking feeling in the background of lots of tracks.

How long does one spend listening to samples of clocks before you find the right one?

I've got a lot! I'm sure they'll come in handy at some point.

I’ve read that you wanted a score that “reflected Loki’s personality.” What were some of the characteristics you were looking to emphasise and accentuate with your score?

Something that I touched on with Kate, from reading the scripts for the very first time was Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange. In that film, Alex commits these horrendous acts and he's extremely violent, and yet somehow you connect with him. I feel like Loki is the same. He's a likable villain. In the series, he comes to terms with his fallibility and it is quite painful for him. So I suppose my job is to help him reach those emotional depths. When he sees his mother in episode one, his past is calling to him and that's when we hear those haunting Norwegian instruments that suddenly seem to shine. Yearning for your mother is something we can all relate to.

We’ve spoken a bit about the use of the Theremin. What drove your selection of the other instruments?

I did this amazing lockdown project for an ad agency. They kind of got all of their artists to play Pass the Parcel with a theme, and we just did this lockdown piece. I'm not sure how successful it was, but the person that I got sent the material from was Charlie Draper who's a theremin player and a theremin enthusiast. So he was in the back of my mind, and I knew I really wanted to collaborate with him at some point. He played on my demo. And then the Norwegians... I saw them at a concert in Stoke Newington about three years ago. They're in this group called the Lodestar Trio. They're amazing, and they play with Max Bailey. I've known him for years, and I just went to this concert. He did all these interpretations of Bach, but with a kind of Norwegian folky twist. I just loved the instrument combination of the Nyckelharpa, the Hardanger fiddle, and the violin. It sounds mystical and magical and amazing. It felt like the perfect pairing with Loki’s past.

I read that you started with the finale and worked backward. Is that an unusual way of working for you or do you do that often?

This whole show has been a departure from anything I've ever done before, in terms of the scale of it, and, you know, the resources. It's all just been different. I think Kate and Kevin [Feige], the producer, saw it as a six-hour film. They didn't want it to be a TV show. The thing about scoring a film is that you do have that time to really craft themes and to have more of an overarching narrative than you sometimes get to do in TV because there's usually a quicker turnaround. And I guess because of the pandemic as well, I had more time.

I didn’t want to just work my way through the score in a linear order. I wanted to know where I was going and then seed it. I think writing a suite before starting on a picture, and having those themes in my mind before seeing the footage was super useful as well. I think I'm always going to do that from now on.

Are we ever gonna hear the full suites somewhere down the line?

I had never done one before. And I was like, “have you got any examples from anybody else?” So they sent me suites from a couple of other composers, like Ludwig Göransson’s one for Black Panther. I was totally geeking out on that. I heard Mark Mothersbaugh’s suite for Thor: Ragnarok as well, and that was kinda intimidating. But it was really good to hear that they've all gone through this process.

You get to see these epic moments in Loki before there’s any music to it. Was there any particular moment you watched that you were excited to work on?

I read the scripts, and I had Mobius in my head as something very different. I saw him being a bigger person who was quite slow, like a kind of cheeseburger-eating cop. The way Owen Wilson brought that character to life was so brilliant, as was the chemistry between him and Tom. I loved watching their bromance. It was really fun to score them as their relationship blossomed. When Mobius is pruned, that was so awesome. I loved episode four. I had seeded everything and built their friendship up. That moment where Tom walks down the corridor in slow motion with tears in his eyes… I loved scoring that.

Loki is a man of many multitudes, and the show goes down a lot of strange avenues. I love the tracks where you really get to do something different from the main body of the score, like ‘DB Cooper’ or ‘Miss Minutes’.

I had a bit more time for episodes one and two. Like, I had a month to score episode one. By the time I got to episode six, it was really frantic. So, with the tracks you mentioned, I just had the time to do it. Kate was like, “we've got a source track that sort of works, but wouldn't it be really fun if we could do a version of it with the Loki theme?” And I was like, “yep, cool, let's try it.” It was one of the upsides to the pandemic, that we had more time to work on it and do stuff like that. I did a film before with where I got Chris Lawrence - he's like a bass player in London, and he plays in orchestra’s but he also plays at Ronnie Scott’s - and he did the baseline on ‘D.B. Cooper’. He’s so good. And I sang on that track too!

‘Miss Minutes’ felt like a moment to tip your hat to those sci-fi shows and do a pastiche. So I got the theremin and the choir and had some fun with that piece. And again, that's got the TVA theme in it. I think that’s really nice, and it's something they did with WandaVision as well. There's cohesion in the score. Even when you're hearing this jazzy track, you're still getting the Loki theme and you're hearing a different side of his character.

You mentioned how you had more time to score the earlier episodes. Was there anything positive about having less time on the later episodes? How do you prefer to work?

I remember reading something about people who can see colours with music. I feel that I have the same thing with a scene. I can watch a scene and I can start hearing it in my head, and as I get more into a project... I remember watching episode six, and because I was so into the project and into the characters by that point, I was like, that's what needs to happen. I could hear it as I was watching it. I feel like sometimes if you’re spending ages working on something, that instinct can get a bit boiled down. Episode six felt like my most instinctive version of the music because I didn't have time to fiddle around with it. It just felt like that was my very undiluted response.

I like it. Natalie Holt uncut.

I just kind of sketched it all out on the piano as I heard it. It was very quick.

How long did you have to work on that particular episode?

I think it was a week. It was a very quick turnaround with the orchestral recording, and I thought we were going to need more time.

How involved were you with the track Tom Hiddleston sings in Asgardian?

They had found a Norwegian song, and he'd already recorded it. I was like, I think we need a musician in the background. There should be someone on that train who’s a little bit drunk and has an instrument, and it's a kind of space-age fiddle, and they're going to accompany Tom in the scene and I think that's going to really help. Kate and Kevin were like, yeah, that could really work. So I did a few versions where I just took what Tom had done, added some violins,  and then improvised a bit in the middle where Loki sings to Sylvie. And they're like, yes, we've got to do this. So they went back in and shot a pickup of an alien musician in that sequence because I insisted. I really wish it was me!

We know that season two of Loki is in the works now. They better have you on camera.

Oh my god, I'm so up for it!

How did you find it working remotely? Were you involved in the mixing stage at all?

It was kind of frustrating. Getting picture to work in the orchestral recording sessions was a problem. Marvel is very strict about how a picture goes out because they don't want any leaks, so that was quite challenging. I could never send people the picture to play with. It's kind of nice for the musicians to come in and see what they're playing against, but there was none of that. That was a bit of a downside. With that said, it was easier to get hold of people because everyone was at home and really happy to be working. I don't know if I'd have got the job had it not been for the fact that everyone was suddenly happy to accept more remote working than they would have done in the past. So I feel like it's opened some doors. The frustrations and the benefits seemed to be in balance.

Speaking of opening doors, you’re only the second woman to compose an MCU score (Pinar Toprak scored Captain Marvel in 2019). That feels significant.

We're in a time, certainly, where I think people are very consciously opening up opportunities to all sorts of people that wouldn't have had those opportunities before, which I'm really grateful for. A few years ago, I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity until a bit further on in my career. So it accelerated things. We are moving forward. But the thing that I really struggle with… I went to a state school and I got scholarships to study music. It wasn't prohibitively expensive to go to university. I did a master's and I didn't come out with 30 grand of debt. The opportunities are here for me now, but I think if I was young and I wanted to go to film school I wouldn't be able to afford it.

So what bothers me is social mobility. I still think we're opening up our industry, but we're not supporting people being able to study music and being able to get into film, and being able to spend those years doing low-paid jobs from the ground up. I still think we've got a long way to go with that. But I think at my age and my level, I'm just privileged that I did have those bursaries and those opportunities to study music, and I hope they're still there for my daughter's generation.

You have a lot of synths in this score. How tricky was it to find that balance between the classical and modern instruments?It's a blend. There’s some in-the-box stuff. Some of the synths are recorded, and then I ran them through the analog tape machine to dirty them up. I've got a Juno 60, so I've got some analog synths going on. It's such a weird process, isn't it? Creating something and being like, no, that's right! Jake Jackson - who mixed the score - must feel like I’m a complete control freak. I was like, “yeah I really like your mix but can you just go back and basically listen to my demo?” I was quite specific with him. He did an amazing job. The D.B. Cooper track... I cannot believe that he made it sound like that. I've never worked with him before, and handing your work over to an engineer does feel a bit like, oh, how's this gonna be? But it was a really, really great experience, and I think Jake is a genius. He really gets it, and he was really collaborative and respectful of my intentions with everything. I never felt like he was trying to put his mark on anything. It was a really smooth part of the process.

What conversations do you have about how prevalent your music is in the mix when it comes to the TV side of things?

I was so obsessed with Loki that I couldn’t let it go. I went to the dub even when it was two o'clock in the morning. I just wanted to check in and I was calling Kate and asking her, “please can you turn the music up here?” I was like a dog with a bone until it was ripped out of my mouth and they were like that’s it now, this episode is locked. I definitely fought for things to be turned up.

You had a 32-piece choir for the last 2 episodes. What was it like to get that recording in? Are you watching as they’re recording it from a remote location?

They were a Hungarian choir. The male singers could really go down. I was adding notes in at the bottom for those guys to sing. I didn’t know anyone could sing that low. That was cool. I had never recorded a choir before, so it was a new one for me. I was really lucky to have Andy Brown from the London Metropolitan orchestra. He assisted me with the Brass and singing sessions.

I imagine that one of the cooler things about scoring something like Loki is that you are now part of the wider MCU universe. I think I heard hints of Alan Silvestri’s Avengers cue a couple of times…

I put in a Loki version of the Avengers theme at the end of episode 4. Also, at the very start of the season before the title card, it goes from an Alan Silvestri cue and then segues and then I take it over. It was really cool to get to play around with the multitrack from that. I was always a big fan of the Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther scores, so those were kind of my inspirations. I was just kind of honoured to be in the same league as those people and those scores because I thought they were great and quirky and had all these interesting flavours and textures.

I love that you’ve been given the freedom to be as bold as you’ve been with your score.

I wanted to do something a bit different, and Marvel's TV ventures... they're wanting to do something a bit different and challenging as well with this new direction that they're taking. It felt like there was a lot of creative freedom being dished out with this series, in every department. Kate was like, “let's try this DB Cooper scene with the theme, if it doesn't work then it's fine.” It was just trying things out and seeing what stuck.

I remember handing over my score for episode one, just before Christmas 2020. I'd scored the whole thing and was very nervous because I think it was the first time Kevin Feige and the execs were going to hear my stuff. I’d really worked hard on it, and it had a lot of live stuff. There was just one note back from Kevin Feige - push it further. I think that's so cool. As we went on the execs were really happy with it, I got calls from Victoria Alonso and Louis D’Esposito [Marvel producers]. They both rang me and just thanked me and they were like, 'we're just so happy that you've taken the ball and run with it'. I couldn't have asked for a nicer bunch of people to work with. I wasn't sure how it was going to be, I was a bit intimidated. I thought it might be a bit more terrifying. But actually, it turned out to be a really amazing, fulfilling experience.

Welcome to the world of Loki YouTube covers! How far down that rabbit hole have you fallen, and how much are you enjoying that side of the MCU experience?

It's really flattering. I’ve posted some of them on my Twitter. It’s just amazing how quickly people will post music from the show after episodes. They sound almost the same as my demo, and they’ve knocked it out in about two hours the minute after they’ve watched the episode.

Once your work on Loki was complete, how did you detox? Do you delete all your voice memos?

I've still got them. The TVA theme actually came to me as I was walking down the high street. I've got some in the bank for the future as well. I'm always noodling and sketching things down on manuscript paper. How do I detox? I just bought a new piano. It’s 100 years old. I haven't had a piano for a bit, so I've just been playing a lot of Bach.

[aclosetfan]

Hey-oo! How are you doing on this fine day (or evening) I've just started Winter break and omg it's heaven for me. I've got a lot of late work due but... Eh. ANYWAY, I'd like to hear more about Parasomnias If you're able to and I'd love to hear your thoughts on Princess! How would you portray her in headcanons and stories? Apparently, I did forget one of my recommendations, & its not a fanfic but a comic entitled, "The Powerpuff Girls Re-imagined." The story is compellingly different but great.

holy shit, first off, The Powerpuff Girls Re-Imagined is so good. I read through mommy-dearest. UH YIKES! It's super great if you love horror, gore, and fuck-up stories. And the art??? No joke, it's just freaking amazing. A lot of time was spent on these panels, and you can seriously tell

And the number of easter eggs from the original series??? Phenomenal. All the characters, even the minor ones, that make an appearance in just the first few chapters makes my heart sing.

Also, it shares my headcanon that HIM is the reason Professor obtains Chemical-X in the first place! I love when people do that! (the Samurai Jack connections are also hella cool)

content warning to my followers interested in the story: adult themes, sexual assault & harassment, depictions of child abuse, gore, serious body horror, inaccurate portrayals of mental illness (especially portrayals of Dissociative identity disorder). Definitely rated M for mature.

Here's the webtoons link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/the-powerpuff-girls-re-imagined/list?title_no=30479

The rest of the ask is under the cut!!

Princess 👑:

I cannot stress to you enough how much I LOVE Princess. She's probably in my top 3 villains of the show. When I was little and watched the show, I absolutely hated the brat, lmao, but as I got older, I really started to appreciate her for the witty comedic relief she provides. I especially love her in the Christmas movie.

I think she really balances out the three girls well. She's their perfect opposite. Spoiled, mean, bratty, selfish, and the list goes on. But she's definitely not a one-dimensional bully. She's brilliant and tbh a good leader once she gets her head out of her ass. I think the most interesting part about her is her family life. Obviously, in all the episodes that portray Princess's household, Princess seems to run the roost. She's cruel to maids, demands money from her father, and even yells at her mom, but in the episode Bought and Sold (where Princess buys the town and makes crime legal), she ends up showing visible fear at the thought of her father being mad at her. This indicates to me that Princess isn't as "in charge" of the estate as she's portrayed. Instead, I think her father uses money as a substitute for love to keep Princess at arm's length away from him.

It was that episode where I think I figured out what the writers were really trying to do with her (besides the surface-level anti-capitalist jokes that I love). Stay with me on this, my explanation gets a little long, lol.

It starts with the PPG. The Powerpuff Girls movie establishes that the girls become heroes because the City needs them. The Girls, who were previously run out of town and desperate for love and acceptance, eagerly accepted. However, throughout the show, the City's love for the girls is almost conditional, "You save the day, and we'll love you." Like, the City ditches the girls idk how many times fr, but they always come crawling back. The theme I get from this pattern is "love is work, and relationships aren't always easy." I think that's difficult for the Girls.

Princess, however, doesn't see the Girls' hard work at building and maintaining those relationships. On top of the superpowers, she sees something she doesn't have. The girls are loved, get the attention she craves, and have a strong family bond. I honestly believe that Princess is lonely (watch that episode with Robin and try telling me I'm wrong). She wants to be like the girls because she's jealous, not of their superpowers (she can buy that just like Batman, lol), but the social aspects!

When Princess is rejected by the girls, it isn't just a "hey they didn't let me into their club" but an "I've been rejected by my personal personification of love; there must be something fundamentally wrong with me. Why is it so easy for them? Why can't I be loved?" And because she is a snotty brat who usually gets whatever she wants, instead of reflecting on herself, she goes right to the defense and lashes out. Like, how dare they decide she isn't "good/strong/ perfect" enough! She's more than enough to be on their stupid team!! She's not the selfish one. They are!!

She's enough, she'd tell herself, she has to be enough, right?

So she snaps and becomes the villain we all know and love. She feels the Girls' rejection on a deeply personal level and will do anything in her power to force them to accept and love her the way she sees fit. But, as established before, love is work, and Princess (opposite the girls) hasn't worked a day in her life for anything, so she'll never learn. I think that makes her character pretty tragic. She's a sad rich kid with no one to love. If she doesn't have a redemption arc, I'd see her growing up to be very bitter and cruel.

ANYWAY, I obviously have a lot of thoughts on her lol, but I'll stop there. I hope that all makes sense. In sum, I think her character nails the "love can't be bought" trope. Of course, I could totally be wrong, but at the very least, that's how I like to interpret her character! And I try to portray her as such in my work, but I haven't really used her character as much as I'd like which is a real shame given how much I adore the character. Lol when I do prompt requests people really only want ppgxrrb things so i guess I've just fallen into the pattern of writing them instead.

I think about her a lot, though, and definitely pair her up with Robin more than any of the three girls. I could go on about those two's relationship forever. I've got a story plotted for them and everything, but true to my fashion, I haven't gotten around to writing it yet lmao classic.

Parasomnia:

If you've actually made it this far, lol, the next part of Parasomnia is being drafted! It's longer than I had anticipated, so it's taking a bit of time. However, I really want to get the emotions right for this one.

This next chapter is split between two different times. It follows a time in the past and then every so often cuts to the present. I've got every scene written out for the present tidbits, but I'm still working on the past (where all the fun really is)!

I think I'm going to find a good mid-way point and split the chapter in two so I can actually post some original content on this blog, haha! I don't want to say too much about the chapter, though. I want it to be a surprise. It's kind of a dumb surprise, but still, it's a surprise!

Please be patient with me. I promise I'm working on it 😂😂

[neworleansspecial]

Undermined or collateral damage, ov!ls? (I'm never decisive about.... anything.)

-🐄🐄🐄

Requests open for the Carlos Whump Bingo / Join my server //

Carlos is following orders when it happens. He always does, because he knows that disobedience will bring a worse fate than being complicit in his own humiliation. While it's certainly not the ideal, he's long since learned to accept that his coworkers and superiors don't respect him, and in fact only choose not to harm him for fear of what his father would do.

He's supposed to be safe, tucked into the squad car with their perp in the backseat, behind the bars and thick panel of the divider. The orders were so simple. "Sit in the car, don't get involved, and wait for me to come back. Keep an eye on him, I guess." Officer Mason is one of the worst when it comes to bravado and toxicity, which is probably why he's Carlos' partner. Either Mason demanded it because he loves to fuck with Carlos, or their captain thought it would keep the two of them in check to have to work with the other. Nothing's in check. Carlos is still terrified and unsafe. Mason is still aggressive and domineering.

"You busy tonight, Omega?" the perp asks, nearly pressing his face against the divider to better smell Carlos. He knows it's meant to frighten him rather than actively proposition him, so he keeps his face neutral and forces himself to think happy thoughts so his scent doesn't sour with distress. "I know a great bar downtown. I could buy you a drink."

"It would be a no even if you weren't under arrest right now, sir."

This was the wrong thing to say, because now the perp is releasing so many pheromones that Carlos can smell him through the divider and it's making him nauseous. His whole body is screaming to submit and appease, but he won't give in.

"You know, we were planning on letting you go."

"We?"

He looks up through the windshield to see Mason swaggering toward them, his gun still smoking in his hand and their witness on the ground. His blood runs cold. He scrambles to lock the doors and grabs his radio.

"363 H-20 to dispatch. Officer in distress. Backup needed immediately at-"

Mason points the gun at him through the window and raises his eyebrows. It's clear that he's giving Carlos a choice: unlock the door or he'll be shot through the unarmored glass on their beaten cruiser.

"363 H-20, come in. Backup is en route to your GPS position. What''s the situation?"

As he fumbles with the lock, he watches Mason lift his own radio to his lips. "Dispatch, this is 363 H-20. We are perfectly fine and have no need for backup. Officer Reyes is having some sort of episode. Probably the stress- you know how Omegas get. I'm going to take him home before I return to the station. Thank you for your concern."

"Officer Reyes, do you need medical attention?"

Mason slides into the passenger seat and levels his gun at Carlos. "Reassure them, Reyes."

He can smell his own distress as he tells dispatch, "No, I'm sorry. I made a mistake. I-" Carlos can't get the words out but Mason mouths the desired phrase to him. Staring down the barrel of a gun, he says, "I guess my hormones got the best of me. I shouldn't be- I sh- I shouldn't be an officer."

"363 H-20, be advised, backup is en route to secure the suspect and temporarily relieve Officer Reyes of duty. Stay where you are."

Mason takes the radio from Carlos. "I have a violent and dangerous suspect in custody with a fragile Omega here, I can't sit tight for backup. We're headed out, dispatch."

He smiles at Carlos. "I'd hate to have to kill you. Collateral damage is messy, Reyes, and it would be such a waste. Now, here's how you're gonna get us all out of here."