#LIN MANUEL MIRANDA STOP PLEASE HAVE MERCY

[pietratoons]

What time is it?

SHOW TIMEEEEEEE

I just listened "Aaron Burr Sir" and suddenly I'm 15 yo drawings this guys... AGAIN

The voices- THE VOICES MADE ME DO THIS

[pardonmydelays]

(I'm the anon who said/asked about Lin not disappointing with 'Warriors') I felt iffy about 'Hamilton' with one reason being I don't really listen to hip-hop, but my God, was I wrong and, unfortunately, late to the game. I downloaded most of the songs while watching it on D+! 😂 But I honestly don't know about 'Warriors'... Do you have any song recommendations?

omg anon, i hope you don't mind me writing a fucking essay again (well, maybe not essay but this will be a long answer), this ask made me so happy!

i never really listened to hip-hop music either (which is ironic if you think about my favourite artists... but this is like a totally different type of music and we call it gangster poetry here, right?). however, if you love hamilton, i'm pretty sure you would fall in love with warriors as well!

so let's start with the fact that this album is like... SOOOOO LIN. full of hip-hop music but also other genres, every character has their own musical theme (my favourite thing about musicals, also as someone who has never seen the movie and has absolutely no intentions to change that, i was afraid i could have problems with following the plot, there are so many characters, but hey, once again, lin made it so easy for us cause he's a fantastic songwriter and storyteller). honestly, the more i listen to it, the more things i notice. i remember there was a rumour some time ago about "major pop stars" being on the album and i obviously thought "taylor swift and beyonce???" lmao. i'm so glad it turned out to be false, cause we have pippa soo, jazzy jones and amber gray instead (and i would die for them!!!). also, if you're familiar with freestyle love supreme, you would probably recognize aneesa folds, as well as utkarsh ambudkar (oh my fucking god i was so excited when he was announced because i love this dude so much it's unreal!!!). so basically, once again, we have lin manuel miranda and friends (tick tick boom, i'm talking about you). and this just makes me so happy!!! anyway...

if you're still not sure if you wanna listen to the whole album, i will just give you my favourite songs that you should definitely check out (with a little explanation) and then you can decide if you wanna hear the rest of it!

survive the night - it's the first song on the album and it's just so damn catchy, it kinda shows you what you can expect and as much as i wasn't really convinced before the album came out, after hearing this song i was really hyped, so i would recommend to start with this one!

going down - this song should be 10 hours long and i'm not even kidding... ok, so luther is the villain in our story and this is his first song, when i heard it for the first time my jaw literally dropped to the floor, i still can't believe this is a song from lin's musical lmao, i can't stop listening to it, NOW I WOULD PAY SO MUCH MONEY TO SEE IT ON BROADWAY (also i think it makes so much sense to give this particular genre to the villain but i don't want to spoil anything for you so i'm not saying anything else, please just listen to it hdebjfe)

orphan town - when utk was announced before the album came out i was thinking that he would probably have a rap verse or something... cause that would make sense, right (fls!)? well, i was wrong. but i would recognize his voice anywhere. oh my fucking god, this is, for me, the funniest song on the album and it's all because of him. you should see my face when i heard it for the first time. i fucking love this dude!!!

call me mercy - this is the "i want" song from warriors and i usually love those so fucking much ("how far i'll go" and "waiting on a miracle" i'm talking about you), it's just so good and i find myself singing this one at least a few times a day now lmao

still breathin' - i need you to check this one out because it's so damn emotional and i think aneesa is such an amazing rapper and the "what do you do when they kill everything you believe in?" has been stuck in my head ever since i heard it for the first time ughh

quiet girls - not much to say about this one except that it's just so damn catchy and the production on this track is probably my favourite from the entire album, so it has to be on the list

sick of runnin' - AMBER FUCKING GRAY (ajax is my wife, back off everyone)!!! this is such a fun song, i've been in love with amber's voice ever since i listened to hadestown for the first time so no surprise there, but also: 96,000 🤝 non-stop 🤝 we don't talk about bruno 🤝 sick of runnin' (YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! classic lin, i can already see myself trying to sing EVERY PART OF THE SONG AT ONCE AND BEING ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT I CAN DO THIS LMAO).

a light or something - this is so gayyyyyyy and jazzy jones is there, do i need to say more?

somewhere in the city - this song gives me shivers and honestly i started crying when i heard it for the first time but i don't know if you're gonna get emotional if you don't really know the plot, however, it's an amazing song and i have a feeling you may like it

reunion square - this is definitely one of my faves (especially the last part of the song and phillipa soo as fox, you know i love her), once again, i don't know if it's something you should listen to if you know nothing about the plot but fuck, i was crying like a baby on this one and "when you woke up today you didn't think you could die, neither did i" and and and I'M FUCKING SOBBING

same train home - i recommend it if you wanna cry

one thing i also need to mention is that i absolutely love the transitions on this album, they are cool as fuck!!! and i think that's it for now because it's already longer than i wanted it to be, oh my god. i'm sorry. i'm really sorry. if you made it to the end, i love you. thanks for reading. and also please let me know once you check them all out, i really need to know your opinion!

[lesserfandomappreciation]

Hello hello!  Thank you that’s really kind of you!!! I love your writing (congrats on Chap 9, it was awesome)!

Personally I am terrible at flirting or even understanding how it works, so I did my best with this. Hope it comes across as good!

This wound up longer than expected, whoops! Flirting with Self-conscious s/o ( Red Shoes and the 7 Dwarfs )

Arthur

Charm out the wazoo. Arthur’s boisterous personality combined with his a princely upbringing and deeply instilled ideas on what a knight should be have created an inherent need to be charming when he’s interested in someone. It can range from surprisingly smooth to over-the-top. He’s pretty good at coming up with them on the go too, responding to what may be an innocuous question with a decent line.

His lines come in three main forms. 

Traditional knight/ye olde romantic keeping ideas of courtly wooing.

“May I join you, milady/milord?”

“Should you feel fear let me know. It’s a warrior’s duty to protect that which he treasures.”

Painfully, genuinely sweet lines that work only because he’s showing his real self and is not being over-the-top.

“Could I... hold your hand?”

Boasting: AKA showing off his muscles and hyping himself up (desperate moves he thankfully only rarely uses now thanks to his experience with Snow White)

The issue with all of these is that they come across as a bit fake or showy, as this type of flirting really isn’t for everyone. So a line missing when flirting with his self-conscious s/o is something he sort of expected. He doesn’t think it’s because they’re self-conscious, Arthur just thinks he messed up.

The way the self-consciousness manifests itself is going to change the way he reacts. For example, if they withdraw a lot, he’s going to think he really goofed it and is going to apologize, asking for clarification on what he did wrong so that he doesn’t do it again. That’s a very different reaction than if s/o were to bluntly tell him they didn’t believe him, leaving him dumbfounded.

The first reaction aside, Arthur would want to let them know he genuinely meant it, but his own lack of experience would really get in the way of that. How does he go about this? Him being him though, he would confront them directly about it and in that moment let his inner sweetheart shine as he makes it clear that he meant what he said. 

If they want to explain why they feel that way about themselves, great he’ll listen, but even if they don’t he asks them to not speak about themselves that way. They’re too wonderful to be hateful towards themselves.

After that the prince makes it a point to compliment them every single day. It’s not even always flirting, it’s straight up compliments. Their smarts, their passions, their looks, their hands, their eyes - everything is free game, and he’s not going to stop giving sincere compliments until they get it through their heads he likes them for them for a reason, and they should too. 

Pino

Stating facts about them counts as flirting, right? Cards on the table I don’t think Pino is really capable of flirting well, at least not on purpose. Yes, he’s mature and the eldest but that doesn’t necessarily equip him for the terrifying world that is interpersonal relationships outside of family. To even try to flirt takes a massive amount of pondering before he lets out a single word

His flirting, thus, is not so much flirting as it is:

A) stating things he likes about them/ Sort of.

“You are very smart. And strong. Strong and smart. Smrong.”

“You are a good size.”

B) complimenting them about something they did.

“Good job.”

“’You did good with that.” 

C) Giving up and just staring silently trying to think of something to say. Anything. Come on brain you helped build a selfie machine surely stringing words together isn’t that hard.

That one video of Lin-Manuel Miranda chanting “Come on brain, think of things.”

D) Any of the above, only his brothers are there to be the world’s best worst okayest wingmen.

The thing is, is that with this style of flirting barely comes across as flirting. S/o or not, it is going to be very difficult for anyone to pick up on any of this as intentional romantic interest rather than Pino being... Pino. Most people would maybe register this as awkward platonic compliments, if even that. His insecure s/o’s self-consciousness may not kick in for a while until they figure out that this is Pino desperately trying to show intentions.

Someone give this man cue cards he’s hurting.

Actually no don’t do that his brothers might get ideas. 

Despite this terrible inability to communicate romantic feelings, Pino does have one thing going for him. A stupid amount of emotional knowledge courtesy of keeping an eye on his brothers. Pino’s not dumb. When it comes to the people he really cares about he can get a good read on them. His s/o is no different. 

Upon realizing that s/o, the same s/o he has been pining after for weeks of awkward semi-flirting, has self-conscious issues, Pino is baffled. Bamboozled. Confusioned. Setting his own feelings to the side, the eldest brother works up the nerve to tell them full throttle that they are awesome. He doesn’t know what they have been through, nor where the feelings come from, but he will not let this stand. He is a little curt and blunt, but the intent is there.

If his s/o says 1 tiny negative thing about themselves, he’s armed with something they cannot deny. Facts. Pino has been debating his brothers for years, he will make charts if he has to.

Noki

Constant non-stopping stream of compliments. Noki is what happens when a fidget spinner is outfitted with an energy-drink powered engine. Pino, Hans and Jack can only somewhat keep him from vibrating into another dimension, and that’s with their powers combined. When he has someone in his sights, that energy is re-focused on making his s/o feel like royalty. 

Flirting is, if nothing else, absolutely amazing to witness in just how it is:

One constant stream of consciousness that results in compliment after compliment.

“That’s amazing, you’re amazing, that hat really suits you-”

“Your hair looks really nice today, though it usually looks nice every day-”

Painfully, unapologetically, sincerely sweet, gen-u-ine statements that could give anyone a bad case of sugar rush. 

“Why wouldn’t I want to be here? I really like spending time with you, you’re a really fun person.”

“When you smile your noise gets all crinkly and it’s super cute, you’re like a kitten!”

Cheesy, horrible one-liners that were bad in high school then and are bad in current times now. 

“Do you have a map? I keep getting lost in your eyes.” 

^^^^ That’s as much as I’m writing on that, this stuff is painful.

The painful part in all of this is that Noki, being Noki, is going to have no flippin’ clue that his s/o is feeling about this until he starts paying very close attention to their reactions. Are they turning away from him because they are hiding a blush, or because they are hiding tears? Are they blushing and incoherent because he’s just that good, or because they have no idea how to respond, this is a new experience to them, someone please show them mercy and send help. 

“Wait, you don’t believe me??? Why?!” Noki is not going to hide his bewilderment at all. This whole time he’s been flirting with them and they thought he was kidding??? He thought he was bad at this, not that they were going through some insecurities he may be encountering for the first time. He is going to sit down next to them, and s/o has about two seconds to decide whether or not they’re going to talk about it, because otherwise he is.

“You are amazing though! Everyone knows it! Snow White, Merlin, Sword-head, Hans, Jack, my brothers- we all know it! Do you think I could invent something that can possibly help this? You should have to go through life thinking badly of yourself when the world is a brighter place because of you! I-” 

TBH I do not have room for the whole rant here, but essentially this would likely wind up with him confessing because this is painfully obvious. 

By the end of this, he plans to make them blushy every single day until they see the them he sees, and beyond that too!

Kio

Shy sweetness that will punch you in the stomach when you least expect it. Oh you thought because he’s shyer and quieter than his brothers (and the entirety of the F7) that he isn’t capable of delivering some one-hit KOs using nothing but his words? You thought?! Pino is awkward but mature, Noki is a ball of constant validation, but Kio will use his reputation for shyness as an excuse to flirt out of the blue and then move on like nothing happened. 

Personal touch may be awkward for him but verbally making his s/o a goober just like him is his secret to being confident with his words. His s/o is in for it. 

Kio is a sneaky bastard who has the least range of flirtation (only 2 types really) but boy oh boy are they wildly different. 

The supreme sweetness that Noki (most of the boys if we’re being honest) take notes on when they want to be sweet to their loved ones.

“That’s a new bracelet isn’t it? It’s really suits you, you make it look good.”

“All your expressions are lovely but when you smile, the whole world seems brighter.”

The, ah, spicy stuff that none of the F7 besides Pino know that he is capable of uttering. Pino has no proof and is going crazy trying to prove to the group that the youngest brother can be downright heated with his flirting. 

“I could see you anywhere and be happy. Outside. Inside. In a house. In the bed. Especially the last one.”

“Your eyes are not the only part of you I could get lost in.”

Kio does not have the problem of not being clear in flirting. He’s not subtle. At all. As you’ve seen in some of the examples. The problem is that it can be a lot for a person to process, especially one that has self-consciousness issues. It really is out of the blue, which can throw the other person off when they’re not expecting it. Which is always. 

Thankfully, he is the happy middle between Noki and Pino’s ability to sense that something is wrong. It does take him a bit to pick up on it, but eventually he puts two and two together to realize s/o really is reacting oddly. Not in that they’re shy, but that there’s an underlying issue. It does take him a while to talk about it though because he has no clue how to approach it. It’s not a subject he’s good at tackling. 

The thought his s/o is going through this solo though does get him to gently pull them aside and ask them about it. He wants to know if it’s him overstepping into a very uncomfortable territory, if it’s specific things that trigger a certain response or if it’s something else entirely. Kio is a good listener, and mentally remembers a lot of notes for the next time he wants to compliment them. 

Very much makes it a point to let them know that hey, he likes them for them, and that yes, he is going to continue to give specific compliments their way because he adores them and they are worth it. 

[so-caffeinated]

When and if you have a free moment, I'd really appreciate it if you could post a list/screenshot of the songs currently on the FiCon playlist-I'd love see what they are but I'm South African and we can't get Spotify here!

With tremendous thanks to @zouriaf who helped a ton with the playlist… here’s the list. It’s ongoing and we always welcome more suggestions. In some cases, I can tell you why it’s there if you’re curious. For others, I always welcome theories!

A Face To Call Home - John MayerAlive - SiaAlmost Is Never Enough - Ariana Grande, Nathan SykesAmbush - Beady BelleAmor Del Bueno - Reyli BarbaAtlas: Daughter - Sleeping At LastAtlas: Son - Sleeping At LastBack to You - John MayerBad Decisions - Ariana GrandeBeautiful - Ben RectorBeautiful Thing - Grace VanderWaalBelief - Gavin DeGrawBeneath Your Beautiful - Labrinth ft. Emeli SandéBest Of Me - Anthony HamiltonBleeding Out - Imagine DragonsBody Say - Demi LovatoBrother - NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Gavin DeGrawBurning Bridges - OneRepublicButterfly - Jason MrazCan I Be Him - James ArthurCross The Line - John LegendDancing On My Own - Calum ScottDear Theodosia - Leslie Odom Jr, Lin-Manuel MirandaDespacito - Luis FonsiDiamond In The Rough - Beady BelleDon’t Be So Hard On Yourself - Jess GlynneE.T. - Katy PerryEffortless - Sabina DdumbaEmotionally Involved - Matt SimonsEverything Has Changed - Julia Sheer, Landon AustinFalling Slowly - Glen Hansard, Marketa IrglovaFather and Daughter - Paul SimonFeet Don’t Fail Me Now - FoxesFine By Me - Andy GrammerFollow Through - Gavin DeGrawForce of Nature - Bea MillerFour Walls - BroodsFucking Perfect - P!nkGhost - HalseyGirl On Fire - Alicia KeysHalo - BeyoncéHate To See Your Heart Break - Paramore ft. Joy WilliamsHearts Don’t Break Around Here - Ed SheeranHeathens - Twenty One PilotsHeirloom - Sleeping At LastHere - 2:00 AM version - Alessia CaraHold Back The River - James BayHold Each Other - A Great Big WorldHold Me Down - HalseyHold You In My Arms - Ray LaMontagneHome Again - Michael KiwanukaHow Can I Blame You - John LegendI Bet My Life - Imagine DragonsI Choose You - Sara BareiliesI Dare You - Bea MillerI Hope You Dance - Lee Ann WomackI Won’t Back Down - BootstrapsI’m In Peace - Justin NozukaI’m Yours - Alessia CaraI’m Yours - The ScriptI’ve Got This Friend - The Civil WarsJealous - Labrinth Mercy - Shawn MendesMy Wish - Rascal FlattsNeed The Sun To Break - James BayNever Let Go - Anthony Hamilton, Keri HilsonOnly Love - Ben HowardOrdinary Love - Ben RectorOutlaws - Alessia CaraOver My Head (Cable Car) - The FrayPaint It, Black - The Rolling StonesPerfect - Ed SheeranPicture Perfect - Bea MillerPlease - Bette ft. Bethany Joy LenzPowerful - Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding, Tarrus RileyProblem - Natalia KillsPull Me Down - Mikky EkkoReady, Set, Don’t Go - Billy Ray CyrusRenegades - X AmbassadorsRight Now - Sabrina CarpenterRun - Matt NathansonSabes - ReikSave Me From Myself - Christina AguileraSay You Won’t Let Go - James ArthurScream (Funk My Life Up) - Paolo NutiniSeamless - Sabrina CarpenterSettle - Jordan SmithShake It Out - Florence + The MachineShape of You - Ed SheeranSleepover - Hayley KiyokoSlow Down - Nichole NordemanSolider - Gavin DeGrawSomeone New - HozierSomething I Need - OneRepublicSqueeze - Fifth HarmonyStand By Me - BootstrapsStand By You - Rachel PlattenStop This Train - John MayerThe Woman I Love - Jason MrazThis Is What It Takes - Shawn MendesToo Young - Sabrina CarpenterTouch - Nick JonasTreat You Better - Shawn MendesTrouble - One TwoTwo Princes - Spin DoctorsTwo Young Hearts - Sabrina CarpenterUnsteady - X AmbassadorsUs Against The World - ColdplayWalk - Foo FightersWarriors - Imagine DragonsWe’re Got Tonight - Laith Al-SaadiWhat You Don’t Do - Lianne La HavasWhere I Sleep - Emeli SandéWho Knew? - P!nkWho You Are - Jessie JWires - AthleteYou’ll Be Okay - A Great Big WorldYours - Ella Henderson