#NEW ART TOO clash looks so silly goofy i love him

[tankvine]

NEW CHIRPY CHIPS SONG. CHIRPY CHIPS NATION HOW ARE WE FEELIN TODAY

[monstercupcake61176]

Conspiracy Theory!!!!

This is a little theory I had about the recently released “Don’t Make Me” music video featuring two of the best people on the planet, Malinda Kathleen Reese and Thomas Sanders.  Seriously if you haven’t watched it yet please do it’s a work of art and the song is catchy as heck even if I still don’t know all the lyrics... 

Also there will be SPOILERS in this theory so if you don’t wanna be spoiled, go watch the video, then come back.

Did you watch the video? Good. 

Okay, here’s my theory I like to title as: “The Twisted Version of the Story Theory”

Or the “One-Sided” theory if you prefer that...

@hitmewiththatfanart33 you wanted conspiracy theories so here you go!

Okay so if you’ve seen the video you know the main gist of the story. A prince and princess get married, everything seems perfect, until we learn that this happily ever after is about to be ruined by the prince hatching a plot to kill his newlywed wife. She finds out about the plot just in the nick of time to hatch a plan to save herself and hurls the evil prince off the castle wall to his supposed death. Finally, a happy ending! 

Except it’s not. 

Something that really confused me about this video was why the princess (who I will now refer to as Malinda because I’m going to get tired of typing out “the princess” every time I refer to the character) considered herself to be the bad guy for defending herself against someone who was literally trying to kill her. 

Like, I’m pretty sure that’s self-defense. One could make the argument that she had truly loved the prince (who I will now refer to as Thomas for the same reason stated earlier) and was torn between saving her own life and sparing his. Cue the “Don’t make me be the bad guy” chorus. 

Now, this would make sense, if she actually felt remorse about her actions.

I mean, it’s obvious that this video is a flashback of previous events. But for someone who’s adamant about not being made into the “bad guy” Malinda doesn’t seem too bothered by what she has to do. 

Also, just look at some of the lines in this song:  Turning the other cheek to see you less 

All of our friends are my army, yeah 

Let's say it right: not my fault you got regrets

Can I offer you a little salt for that wound?

And might I add my favorite line to overanalyze: 

Never was built to be this way

But turns out the villain is fun to play

There’s a lot more to unpack here, and eventually, I’m gonna go through the whole song and break it down. But for now let’s get back on track.

This continued to bother me for a while, along with the random tone shifts throughout the video. For such a serious plot, there’s some pretty goofy moments going on. 

For one thing, the entire scene where Malinda finds out about the threat on her life. We see Thomas standing around a table with two guards, and on that table is a pretty childish drawing of the queen being killed. 

Um, okay? I get it if you’re not a good artist but like, you know you could have just told the guards to get your point across instead of leaving evidence out in the open like this.

And then there’s this moment...

Like, dude. Is this some kinda sick joke to you? Which if it is then I am disturbed. But the reason I bring this up is that this moment clashes with how Thomas has acted throughout the video so far.

He’s been calm, elegant, poised, kingly, regal, confident, charming, handsome, and I’m running out of things to say-

So seeing him act like this is kinda weird, right? Especially considering how no one else acts like this. His two guards are pretty emotionless. The only other time something similar to this happens with another character is later during the sword fight, which I’ll get to in a moment.

So after this scene Malinda runs off in again, what I found to be kind of a weird editing choice. She’s sped up while running, proceeds to run into a maid, then drags said maid behind her all while being put on a fast forward. Something in editing that is normally used for comedic purposes. 

Two other tone shifts that I can remember are near the beginning when Malinda notices Thomas’ eyes glowing red she gives an awkward reaction that I first found comedic. Then later during that sword fight scene, after Thomas runs off, she rolls her eyes before following.

Okay first of all: I thought this was a serious issue. You were panicking lady! And now all of a sudden you’re gonna roll your eyes because he’s fleeing for his life? Unless you just got super confident all of a sudden and recognize him for the coward he is in which case, good for you girl! 

But again I had to wonder, why these random tone shifts? One could say that this was just Malinda’s way of lightening up the video. Both her and Thomas have been known to make silly content, while both being able to mix the silly stuff with more serious story elements. 

However, what if these random moments weren’t random at all? What if they were intentional?

Backing up a bit, we know that things are being told from Malinda’s perspective. She’s the one singing the song, she’s the one we see in present-day after the video’s events, and she’s the one whose point of view we get. 

So Malinda is established as our narrator after the first narrator lady who established the setting (sorta) and who our main characters were was cut off after saying that the two would live happily ever after. As Malinda spoils for us later:

The ending ain’t happy

Now here’s the thing about narrators, they have the most power in a story. They’re the windows to the outside world that the viewers are looking through. One could say this whole video is Malinda explaining what happened to others, while also stating that she didn’t want to be the “bad guy” but just look at her in that above shot! Does that look like someone who doesn’t want to be the villain? I daresay she’s enjoying her new role! Heck she says it herself, playing the villain is fun. 

So what I’m getting at is this: What if Malinda in being an unreliable narrator? What if we’re not getting the full story here? 

So far, Malinda is our only window into this world. We don’t get to see Thomas’ perspective or those of the maids or guards. Speaking of these side characters, notice how the guards are blank slates. Sure, one is seen smiling during the wedding, but during the scenes where they’re alone with the prince? Nothing. 

Now the maids, they’re more expressive. But they too act somewhat cartoony. During the fight, the two manage to take out both guards, unarmed. (Although one does end up acquiring a knife) but it seems highly unlikely that two untrained maids would be able to take on two armed guards with years of fighting experience. 

Also Malinda suddenly being able to use a sword out of the blue is rather suspicious, unless she (and possibly her “Maids”) have had training before. Those two could have actually been her bodyguards posing as maids, but if they were then why wouldn’t they have weapons on them? And again, the prince’s soldiers are taken out quite easily, and again in a rather comedic fashion. 

Even Thomas’ character seems inconsistent. Being all regal and serious one minute then goofy and cowardly the next. Something isn’t adding up here.

Almost like someone isn’t getting their story straight, or should I say, her story straight. After all, it is her story right? She’s the one telling us what really happened. Or is she? 

What if the real villain of this story isn’t Thomas, but Malinda? And the entire song and the video itself, is her fabrication of the events that took place. So if Malinda is the villain, does that make Thomas the hero? The one who’s trying to protect his kingdom? 

Well, I don’t really have an answer for that. There are some scenes that make me question his credibility as a villain, which I’ll probably cover in another theory since this one is getting WAY too long. 

But I’ll close off with this: Remember Thomas’ “death” at the end? He’s pushed off the roof and we’re led to assume he’s dead. But we never actually see his body. We see those of the two guards, but never Thomas. 

Maybe this is implying a possible sequel? Will Thomas come back to get revenge?

Or maybe this time, we’ll get to see his side of the story.

But hey, that’s just a theory! 

A... 

theory theory! 

(Honestly none of this is to be taken as fact this is just speculation and me overanalyzing a three minute video and not having anything better to do with my life) 

[shineesace]

1000 Roses

jongkey | AU in which Jonghyun owns a flower shop and Kibum is his favorite customer | series of drabbles Edit: Sequel/side🌹

*angsty and possibly triggering?

Jonghyun still didn’t know much about the other, but he knew that thirty-three roses in, he was hooked.

1 Rose.

He meets him on a rainy Monday evening; the faded orange light casting a soft glow in Jonghyun’s shop. The bell above the door chimed, and in walked him. Dressed in business attire, soaked to the bone, and panting as if he had just sprinted twenty blocks, he walked towards Jonghyun’s counter and asked, “Can I get just one rose, please?”

“Yeah, sure! Right this way,” Jonghyun said, amused. He led the man to the little greenhouse behind the store. “You late for a date?” he asked.

“Not really,” the man replied, briskly. Jonghyun shrugged it off, picking up various roses from their holders along the greenhouse wall.

“Dark or light?”

“Huh?”

“A dark colored rose, or a lighter one?” Jonghyun repeated. He looked at the man closely. His eyes were red-rimmed, but empty. As if his mind was somewhere else.

Something was wrong, but Jonghyun knew it wasn’t polite to pry, even though he wanted to.

“A lighter one, I guess. Pink?”

“Yeah, sure! My pink ones came in only a few days ago, they’re really full and healthy.” Jonghyun picked up two vibrantly pink roses, their undoubtedly lovely perfume masked by the smell of dozens of dozens of roses. “Come,” he said, motioning for the man to follow him back into the store. The man followed, after one long glance at the multitude of roses.

The store owner walked behind his counter, ringing up one rose. The man saw the two roses in his hand, and said, “Oh, no, I need just one.”

“The second is on me,” Jonghyun said with a friendly wink. “I have to take care of new customers.”

The man barely smiled, but his eyes seemed less empty than before. Jonghyun was ecstatic, to say the least.

He left after paying, leaving Jonghyun with a goofy grin.

7 Roses.

The man came to the store at the same time every day, after his working day was over. He wore the same clothes and asked for one pink rose. He always left without a word, but today, Jonghyun was going to get his name.

At exactly 6:00 the bell rung. The man walked in with a grim expression, and asked for a rose.

“Sure thing!” Jonghyun, excited as he was, already had the pink rose on the counter in front of him. The man dug into his pockets to find his wallet, but Jonghyun quickly said, “No need!”

The man only looked at him.

“Today’s rose is free, if you can answer my question.”

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback, but nodded.

“What’s your name?”

“I… it’s Kibum.”

“Kibum?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, nice to see you again, Kibum! Come back tomorrow!”

Kibum took his rose and left, sparing a single glance in Jonghyun’s direction before closing the door. Jonghyun leaned against the counter, resting his head on his forearms. He sighed, dreamily. He couldn’t wait for Kibum to come back in.

33 Roses.

Kibum came into the shop today, sullen and down but smiling. “Hi, Jonghyun,” he said, walking up to the counter and leaning in close to Jonghyun. He slipped the bills towards the man, watching with a soft smile as Jonghyun ran his hands through his silky brown hair before handing Kibum the pink rose.

“You’ll call tonight, right?”

“Yeah,” Kibum replied, “if I get the chance.”

He smiled and walked out of the store, sending Jonghyun a wave.

Jonghyun still didn’t know much about the other, but he knew that thirty-three roses in, he was hooked.

68 Roses.

Kibum was running late today. Not much of a surprise- it was close to winter, and the weather was getting colder and more bitter.

He entered the store and shivered exaggeratedly, sending a glance at the owner. Jonghyun was ready and waiting with a cup of hot chocolate in his hands, and a warm smile. He handed the mug to Kibum and melted when the other sent him a genuine smile in thanks. “So,” he sang, “how are on this fantastic day?”

“I’m fine,” Kibum said, sipping on the beverage. “Just a slow day at work.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“Really?” Kibum giggled. “In this small, cozy store that you own? Slow, grinding days must not happen here often.”

“Mm, not really.” Jonghyun teased, “My day is boring and unfulfilling, until you walk in through that door.”

93 Roses.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Jonghyun asked, gently brushing his fingers through a lock of Kibum’s hair. “I know that things are tough for you right now, so we could hold off on dating. I can wait for you.”

“I- really?”

“Yes. If you said you needed five years before you could date me, I’d wait. Right here. Giving you a rose every day.”

“Thank you,” Kibum said, his voice wavering. He leaned in and hugged Jonghyun, leaning against the smaller man’s shoulders. “You don’t know how much that means to me.” He couldn’t say anymore. He broke down into heaving sobs in Jonghyun’s arms, hot and salty tears soaking the man’s shirt.

“It’ll be okay,” Jonghyun said, rocking Kibum back and forth slowly.

“No, it won’t,” Kibum wailed. “N-nothing will ever be okay.”

178 Roses.

They’d been dating for a week now.

Walking together hand in hand, they strolled through the largest, most beautiful park they could find in the city. It was nighttime, and it was hard to see, but even then, they could tell what wonders this place held. The trees were still brown and bare, but the droplets from that afternoon’s rain shower left dazzling diamonds hanging from the branches.

“I really like you,” Kibum whispered, his grip getting tighter.

“I really like you, too.”

They parted ways hours later, the time getting close to midnight. Jonghyun handed Kibum his pink rose, and asked that all he receive from then on was a kiss as payment.

342 Roses.

Today, Jonghyun was leaning on his counter, his brows furrowed and held a deep pout. Almost a year had passed since he met Kibum, and he still knew next to nothing about him.

He was an accountant at a small, but fairly busy firm. He was 32 years old, only a year younger than Jonghyun. He was only free for dates at night, even on the weekends. And he carried an immensely heavy load on his shoulders, but Jonghyun still couldn’t decipher what was wrong.

And yet, on the flipside, Kibum knew nearly everything there was to know about Jonghyun.

He needed to be held during sad or romantic movies. He turned everything in life into a poem. He wanted a rose tattoo but had a phobia of needles, and even though its subsided some, he still hasn’t gained the courage to go and get one. He has a sister and a mother whom he loves dearly, and occasionally they’re at the shop, waiting for Kibum with tea. He sings as he tends to his flowers and shrubs. He is in love with Kibum.

Kibum received a rose every day, but Jonghyun still doesn’t know who they’re for.

368 Roses.

“Can you close up shop now?” Kibum asked, after receiving his rose and kiss for the day.

“Yeah? Why?”

“I don’t know… I just wanted to cook dinner for us. At my place.”

Jonghyun beamed at him. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

They entered Kibum’s small apartment close to seven at night, only a small light guiding their way. Kibum walked a few paces into the darkness and turned on the lights, and Jonghyun gasped. The apartment -cheap and small- didn’t feel like it at all. It felt… like a home. All along the walls were pieces of art, ones he didn’t recognize but knew must have been sought after. There was a small TV, but surrounding it was a large shelf filled with knickknacks and photo frames. Pictures of a family, both old and young.

“I’m going to be in the kitchen for a bit, make yourself comfortable,” Kibum said. Jonghyun replied with an “Ok” and resumed his gazing at the part of Kibum’s life that he thought he would only see in his dreams. He looked at the photos of Kibum, first.

He recognized Kibum as a young boy in those photos, smiling as if the world is his to conquer. His parents were behind him, looking as if they were in love and in the best place in their lives. Kibum’s childhood was chronicled in those photos, silly moments and huge events alike.

There was a large section in the middle, with a picture of Kibum as a young adult, kissing a woman. Jonghyun knew he shouldn’t be jealous, but this woman must mean something to Kibum, if he were to keep it up there all this time. His jealousy, however, faded when he saw the photos next to it. Kibum and the same woman, getting married. Kibum and the woman holding a baby in a pale pink dress. Kibum and the baby blowing bubbles. Kibum and the now little girl, holding onto a trophy. Kibum and the woman and the little girl, in a professional studio with matching outfits and the happiest smiles Jonghyun had ever seen on anyone before. Genuine, pure, joyful.

But, they seemed old. Dusty. The photos stopped after the girl seemed to be of school age, and that’s when Kibum seems the most like he is now.

Jonghyun didn’t want to pry. He didn’t want to make Kibum sad if this situation was one that left Kibum crying and only a shattered shell of himself.

Something bad happened. Jonghyun knew the two weren’t in Kibum’s life anymore. But, he wouldn’t ask. Kibum would open up to him in time, right?

Jonghyun was deep in thought when, perhaps thirty minutes later, Kibum called from the kitchen and said that dinner was ready. Shaking his head, Jonghyun continued his little date with the man, and kept all thoughts of the past from his mind.

434 Roses.

Kibum gripped Jonghyun’s collar tighter in his fists, their lips clashing deliciously. Their eyes were shut, dark eyelashes resting against their cheeks, and every so often Jonghyun wanted to open them. He wanted to know what Kibum looked like when he pulled him in tighter to kiss him, when he used his height as an advantage against Jonghyun and grasped him with all his might. Just to keep him there, something steady in his life. Jonghyun believes- no, knows- that it’s an arousing sight.

This kiss deepens and Jonghyun is pushed back against his countertop. His hands crawl up to loop around Kibum’s neck, and for a while, Jonghyun doesn’t care that someone walked in and left the moment they saw the two.

The pink rose was picked up an hour later, by a smiling and breathless and flushed and tousled and an absolutely stunning Kibum.

623 Roses.

Kibum was sleeping, his chest flush against Jonghyun’s back, when he whispered, “Sunkyung.”

“Sunkyung.”

Over and over. It was pained- a whimper.

Jonghyun didn’t know what to do. They hadn’t slept together often, but usually Kibum is a sound sleeper. But tonight seems to be different. Jonghyun should have known something was off when Kibum abruptly entered the store and pulled Jonghyun out and all the way to his apartment, but the promises Kibum gave when he whispered the I love you’s into his skin as they held each other erased it from his mind.

“Kibum,” Jonghyun whispered, lightly shaking the man in his arms. “Kibum, wake up.”

Said man let out a broken gasp as he woke, his eyes slowly opening to meet Jonghyun’s.

“Yeah?” He said, still groggy.

“You were having a nightmare. Is everything okay?”

“Not really,” Kibum said, pressing his face into Jonghyun’s chest. “But I think it’s getting better.”

Kibum was almost asleep again when Jonghyun asked, “Who’s Sunkyung?”

630 Roses.

Kibum opened his apartment door to see Jonghyun, dressed in an over-sized white sweater and a pink rose in his hands, perfect and full and blushing.

The man smiled solemnly, joining Jonghyun outside his door. “Shall we go?” he asked. Jonghyun nodded, a little nervous, but that was to be expected.

Today, he was meeting Sunkyung. He still didn’t know who she was, but he had a feeling it was either the woman or the little girl from the photos. Either Kibum’s… wife, or his daughter.

Kibum was still an enigma, but Jonghyun had hope that today would give him all he needed to piece things together and get Kibum comfortable enough to share everything with him.

They walked for nearly an hour- neither owned a car- and they finally reached the hospital when the sun was highest in the sky. The nurses greeted Kibum warmly, asked him how his day was, told him that “everything is normal here!”

Jonghyun felt sick to his stomach.

Kibum led them through the corridors to a room that was isolated and private. Long-term residence in the pediatric ward. He opened the door, and the first thing Jonghyun noticed was the heavy smell of roses, and the bright pink of the source. At least thirty roses were sitting on the windowsill in various vases, some almost fully wilted. Kibum pulled the rose from Jonghyun’s hand and brought it to the bed, were a vase was sitting on top of the bedside table.

There she was.

Sunkyung.

Covered in tubes and wires, her hair dulled and her skin colorless. Beside her were machines that-to Jonghyun’s knowledge- were responsible for her every function. She has Kibum’s lips and eyes. She’s lifeless.

Kibum sat down in a chair beside her, pulling her frail hand into his warm one and giving it a soft kiss.

His face was blank.

Jonghyun placed his hand on Kibum’s shoulder, rubbing up and down. He was thinking of what to ask first- and even if it was okay to ask- when Kibum said, “She’s been like this for almost six hundred and fifty days… twelve hours. Her mom… Eunhee… died six hundred and fifty days and twelve hours ago.”

He sucked in a wavering breath. He tried to say something else, but all that came out was pure pain. Sorrowful sobs filled the small room. Kibum laid his head against the bed and shook heavily, and all Jonghyun could do was stand and stare. Kibum was broken, and this was why.

650 Roses.

Jonghyun visited Sunkyung with Kibum every day after work. Slowly, the pieces were coming together and Kibum’s tale was being told.

Jonghyun learned that things between Kibum and Eunhee hadn’t been going well for quite some time. A year before the accident they were having shouting matches and were sleeping in different rooms. Sunkyung would watch and cry.

After that year of feeling hopelessness in the one part of his life he felt like he got right, it became overwhelming, then both he and his wife gave in. They went to get a divorce, and they settled on when they would each spend time with Sunkyung. It was during a heavy discussion about who would get her for that coming Christmas when a truck barreled into Kibum’s car, killing the passenger and leaving the little girl behind her brain dead.

Kibum came out with bruises and lacerations, and the feeling of having his entire heart and soul being torn out endlessly. The first few days after were hell, Kibum constantly leaving his room to see Sunkyung, who was in intensive care.

She didn’t die until months into her coma, when the doctors told Kibum that there was nothing left inside her.

His daughter was gone.

But… the way Kibum spoke of this was… odd, to Jonghyun. Kibum had this tone in his voice that was hopeful- however broken he was- that his daughter would awaken and he could see her smile and hear her laugh again.

He often spoke of getting to see her receive her high school diploma. Of seeing her off on her first date. Of being there when she committed to someone or something with all the passion and love she could muster.

Jonghyun knew she was dead. But Kibum didn’t. This was why she was still here, because Kibum wouldn’t let go.

720 Roses.

Jonghyun didn’t know what to do anymore. He knew that telling Kibum what to do would be useless, but the doctors were giving Kibum grief about the medical bills, and Kibum’s boss was getting furious because he wasn’t producing the quality work that he used to. The best solution would be to let Sunkyung go. To finally be put to rest peacefully, the way she deserves to be, and to cut off the debt before it could climb any higher. Before Kibum became homeless.

But it would be useless. Kibum was so sure- so adamant- that his daughter would wake up.

“She’s just in a coma,” he keeps saying. The doctors disagree.

Jonghyun sat Kibum down in his apartment, and pulled him into his arms, holding tight and nuzzling his hair. “I think it’s time to let go,” he whispered.

“What?” Kibum asked, his body stiffening.

“I really do, Kibum. You can’t keep going like this. At this rate, you’ll wear yourself out. Then you’d be gone. I’m sure she wouldn’t want you to do this to yourself.”

Kibum pushed away, his eyes frighteningly angry. “You. Know. Nothing!” He yelled. He stood up from the couch and screamed incoherently, throwing things at random. The thumping and screaming didn’t bother Jonghyun until he heard glass shatter, and he saw Kibum shoving the photos off the shelves they once rested on.

“Enough!” He shouted, his voice deep and threatening. It was enough to make Kibum freeze.

“I’ve watched you fall apart over and over again the past couple of years, Kibum. And you know what? You’re doing it all to yourself. It’s all your fault! Shut up and move on like everyone else would, Kibum! I’m tired of not being knowing who you are! Of not getting to be a part of your life! If you just want me as a placeholder, just fucking say it! At least fucking try!”

Jonghyun stormed out of the apartment without another word.

He left the pink rose on the kitchen table.

It remained the only thing not broken by Kibum’s hands that night.

779 Roses.

Kibum still came in every day for a pink rose.

The two didn’t speak. A silent exchange.

Kibum paid with money now.

999 Roses.

Today Kibum came in early. Over half a year had passed since they broke up, but still… things were silent. Kibum was pensive and lost in his own mind every time he came in, and Jonghyun didn’t dare break him away from it. Every so often he offered a hello, but he was ignored.

Kibum paid for the pink rose and left.

That night, Jonghyun decided to fix things. He had wanted to do so the moment he stormed out of that apartment, but he knew that Kibum was in a fragile state. Still is. He knew that Kibum shouldn’t be living a roller coaster love life.

Jonghyun rang Kibum’s apartment, and received no response. He rang and rang again for ten minutes. No response.

He began to get frantic. Kibum was always home at this time. He never stayed with Sunkyung for too long, and he had to be home so he could rest long enough for work the next day. Only on date nights did he stay up. Where was he? Was he okay? Was he even breathing?

Jonghyun’s heart was racing.

As if by a miracle, he saw Kibum’s landlord walk up the steps towards the front door.

“Ah, Jonghyun!” She called, walking to him happily. “So good to see you! I haven’t seen you in quite some time! But, what are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? I’m here for Kibum.”

“Oh no, sweetie. He left a few hours ago. He didn’t say where he went off to, but I assumed he would be with you! For the last couple of years all he’s talked about is you, so I thought… but I can see I’m wrong.”

Her chipper smile had faded into sympathy. “Have you tried the hospital yet?” She asked.

“No, not yet, but I’ll go right now. Thank you!” Jonghyun bowed to her and left hurriedly, almost sprinting down the sidewalk to the hospital.

He reached it soon enough. He walked to the front desk and saw his favorite nurse. She smiled warmly at him and said, “Good evening, Jonghyun. How can I help you?”

“Is Kibum here? For Sunkyung?”

“Sunkyung?” Her expression darkened. “I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?”

“Kibum pulled the plug this morning. He left some hours ago after arranging the cremation.”

Jonghyun had no words.

Kibum did it. He let go. But at what cost? From what the man had seen in the past few months, Kibum was steadily getting worse and worse until he looked like a breeze would send him to his grave. In no way did he look like he was ready to let go of his baby girl.

“Do you know where I can find him?”

“No, Jonghyun. I’m sorry.”

Jonghyun nodded. He turned and left the hospital with slow, heavy steps. Tears prickling in his eyes. From a distance, he saw a man pouring the trash into the large dumpster. Dozens of pink roses fell in, still fresh.

1000 Roses.

Two years had passed.

Jonghyun still ran the flower shop. It had expanded since his last encounter with Kibum, and he could now afford a much larger greenhouse with iron chairs and tables on the inside. Customers paid for tea, coffee, or baked goods and sat inside among the many flowers. Many enjoyed it, as they were living in the city, and chances to be this far removed from the hustle and bustle were once in a blue moon.

He had gotten a rose tattoo. The petals were pink, and the bloom was in between his collarbones while the stem reached down to his belly button. It wasn’t nearly as painful as he feared, and now he is considering another.

He was happy. Although not nearly as happy as he was with Kibum, he still felt like he had many sunny and enjoyable days.

He was wiping his countertop off with a clean pink towel when he heard his bell ring.

He sang his “good afternoon” and “how may I help you?” without looking up from his task.

He first saw large hands on his clean countertop, the fingers long and recognizable and he knew they fit with his perfectly.

He looked up, his eyes watery, and he saw a man he had only dreamed of seeing. A healthy, smiling, sly Kibum.

“Can I get just one rose, please?”

[aion-rsa]

Aquaman: The End of an Era

https://ift.tt/2Q6cs3f

Dan Abnett talks about bringing the Rebirth era of Aquaman to a close for DC Comics with Aquaman #42.

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Interview Marc Buxton

DC Entertainment

Nov 19, 2018

Aquaman

Dan Abnett took over the writing chores of Aquaman during the tail end of the New 52 era of DC Comics. Starting in 2016, Abnett became one of the few DC writers to bridge the New 52 and Rebirth eras. And with good reason, because in the pages of Aquaman, Abnett was weaving a George R.R. Martin-esque tale of betrayal, adventure, romance, horror, and heroism. The Rebirth Aquaman series took a deep dive into the heroic psyche of Arthur Curry and presented one of the most compelling runs in the history of the character, redefining Mera and introducing new adversaries and allies along the way.

Now, one the eve of Abnett’s Aquaman run coming to an end, he discusses he take on Atlantis, his amazing work on Mera, and… Jabberjaw?

Den of Geek: What was your initial idea that got you the Aquaman writing gig?

Dan Abnett: In broad terms, it was about returning Aquaman to his core as a character, returning continuity to the very nice tone Geoff Johns had established during his run, making more of Mera - who I recognized as a seriously underused character in the DCU - and really, I suppose, examining Arthur’s role as a man of two worlds, as a creature of the shore, caught between land and sea. I wanted to build out his supporting cast and his rogue’s gallery. And I wanted to attack head-on his bad rep in general popular culture as the "lame" superhero, the epitome of "silly super heroics."

You were one of the few creators that carried over from the New-52 era to the Rebirth era, talk about how the decision was made? Why was Aquaman one of the few titles that stayed as is?

I did, on both Aquaman and Titans. I think it helped my runs on both had just started, though I guess they must’ve liked me. For Titans, it was pretty straightforward - I simply truncated to 8 issues what I had been doing in Titans Hunt and used the return of Wally as the springboard for the new ongoing.

For Aquaman is was slightly tougher…Rebirth Aquaman had to start with a big "recapitulation" of what he was and where we were going, and we’d just DONE that. The continuity wasn’t shifting…Aquaman wasn’t considered "broken" and in need of refreshing. So, I had to relaunch on a strong beat that re-achieved what I’d only just achieved, a new statement of intent that I framed with the Atlantean embassy on land, the return of Black Manta, and the threat of Nemo.You had a brief stint on Aquaman in 1998, did anything carry over into the modern run? Themes? Character beats?

Not so much. The book was pretty different then. That brief stint was almost an audition, and they ended up turning to a bigger name for the book. What really did carry over was my interest in the character. I felt there was huge potential. I’ve always loved “cosmic” superheroes, and with Aquaman I felt there was a great thread of "fantasy" superhero (in terms of genre), which could be built up with the same serious intent at world building as a cosmic book.

Who is Aquaman to you, and despite all the jokes and misconceptions about the character, why has he endured?

I think what’s "wrong" with him as a character in popular thinking (he’s a silly, fish-talking mermaid guy and not a "serious" superhero - thanks, Adult Swim, Big Bang Theory, etc.) is the very thing that makes him strong "in-Universe" and makes him interesting to write. He is fundamentally misunderstood and pre-judged. He’s feared as a bit strange and goofy.

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The reality is this noble, passionate, dedicated, and frankly scary and powerful hero. Playing with that contrast, with the preconceptions, is huge fun. I see him in the DCU as experiencing exactly the same attitudes as the comic character in the real world, and I deliberately shifted that attitude into the book. As I said, he’s a man of two worlds, passionate about land and sea, aware of his own divided self and divided loyalties. His home - the lighthouse - perfectly symbolizes him: he stands on the shore between water and dry land, watching over both.

Now that it’s over, what was the arc you guided Aquaman through? What were you hoping to accomplish with the character?

It started out very political. Aquaman isn’t just a superhero, he’s a king. A nation depends on him. I wanted to examine that and look at the incompatibilities between the two roles. Can you be a monarch and a hero? That carried on all the way through, and ran alongside the "rise" of Mera, who was born to rule but didn’t much want to. I guess it was about how you can’t always meet your responsibilities, because they might actively clash. But it’s the trying that counts.The word "epic" gets thrown around a lot and at inappropriate times, but your run was truly epic. Talk about the world building you did in Aquaman.

I wanted to make Atlantis (and by extension Xebel and the entire undersea world) as well-realized and credible as possible, not just a "toy castle at the bottom of a fish tank." I wanted there to be a society, lots of characters in the Atlantean court, and intrigue too. I wanted to name things and create credible terms for things and show that Atlantis was a huge society where there were different schools of thought, that not everyone agreed. I wanted to make Atlantis one the key characters in the book and, by “Underworld” I think that was happening.

Obviously Geoff Johns was a huge influence on the book. Can you talk about any collaboration with Johns you might have had in realizing your Aquaman?

Geoff was great. We talked about things a lot. I felt he’d got the basic balance right and wanted to be true to that…but it was also a slight hindrance (I’m sure he won’t mind me saying so) in that there were things he still wanted to do with the character, and thus whole areas I felt obliged to avoid and "leave" for him. I guess that made me particularly inventive in terms of where I went and what I created.

Other than Johns, who were some literary influences on the high fantasy aspects of your Aquaman? I heard your Aquaman being compared to Game of Thrones many times. I guess so, in the dynastic intrigue. Frank Herbert’s Dune more so, in terms of intrigue and of building a rounded culture based on a specific quality. All sorts of things, really. It may sound arrogant, but I guess I also looked to the things I’d done on cosmic series, like Guardians of the Galaxy, trying to create a credible "non-terrestrial" society that was curious and enticing.

Talk about Brad Walker and some of your other artists. What were some artistic highlights for you?

Every artist was great. Brad was fantastic (I knew that in advance because of our time together on Guardians of the Galaxy), but in that first year we were double-shipping, and we were obliged to tag-team the art just to keep ahead. Brad worked alongside Scott Eaton and Philip Brionnes and they each did superb work, seamlessly. In the later stages, Stjepan Sejic did amazing work, and then was followed by the extraordinary art of Riccardo Federici and Robson Rocha (and you know what that led to for Robson!). All of them incredible, and vital to the strength of the book. I also, for one guest issue, got to write for Kelley Jones, whose work I have admired since always. That was a surprise and joy, and I was delighted to learn he really loved doing it. Did you scratch your Aqua-itch, or do you have any more to say about Aquaman and his world?

Kinda. I love the character very much, and am happy to go out on such a high with such a big story, but there’s always room for more, right?

I think your highpoint was your work on Mera. I adored her mini-series. How did that project come about and what were you hoping to accomplish?

I always felt Mera was an underused character, the "most underappreciated," overlooked character in the DCU. She had to have a big role, her personality demanded it. I wanted to elevate her in peoples’ minds. To that end, I got her a place on the Justice League (at long last), and then got to explore her background in the limited series, which was a fantastic project - and her first time as a lead character ever. I’m pretty proud of my work on her as a character and the greater exposure she got.

Which Aquaman rogue did you most enjoy writing?

Probably Corum Rath. But writing Black Manta and Ocean Master were also very satisfying things to do. Then there’s Dead Water…

What are you most proud of in regards to your run?

The big stories, of course. The role of Mera. But mostly the chance to write a book in an unbroken run that lasted fifty issues (allowing for pre-Rebirth and Mera). That’s rare in this day and age, and it was great to have that creative room and keep the audience with me. It’s a distinct and sustained era for the character’s history. That makes me proud.

Of course, we can’t ignore the 600 pound shark in the room. Jabberjaw? How the heck did that awesome project come about?

Well, there’s this crazy guy called Dan Didio… I was asked. It was too much of a WTF project to turn down, especially when I realized I could, essentially, keep Aquaman "in continuity" despite the insane premise.

Were you consulted at all on the Aquaman movie?

No. I guess we’ll see if they read any of my run.

In regards to Sub-Mariner, Joe Quesada once said it’s hard to get a reader to relate to Namor’s world because it’s difficult to ground a character who is surrounded by guards with crab shields, etc. How did you ground your Aquaman and balance the relatable with the fantastic?

Joe also told me (repeatedly) “I don’t get cosmic” during my Guardians of the Galaxy run, so… I write a lot of SF and Fantasy (in novels, in 2000AD). I love it. I really love blending those genres with the superhero genre, so it was a gift for me. You’ve always got to do it with complete conviction, with a straight face (no matter the in-story humor). You’ve got to believe in the world you’re depicting with utter commitment and try to make it as engaging and authentic as you can. I wrote to make people believe, crab shields or no crab shields.

Aquaman is one of the few characters that fits into a fantasy and a super hero setting. How did you find the balance between high fantasy and traditional super hero adventure?

See above. Sometimes I think an SF of Fantasy setting actually helps to ground a superhero. Real world superheroes work superbly well, no question, but that’s the core of the trope. In an SF or Fantasy setting, they can become more mythical - less "larger than real life," more part of a fantastical construct. There’s no reason to believe in them any less.

Any words of farewell to King Arthur?

It’s been wild and I’ve loved it. I’ve appreciated the epic opportunity and hope I’ve acquitted myself well. And there’s always the next time…

What characters would you like to tackle next at DC?

I really love the core characters, many of whom I’ve written now and then: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman. I’d love to take a swing at Green Arrow, and I love DCU magic, so Zatanna and John Constantine. But I may just have landed my perfect, dream, tailor-made-for-me project, so watch this space…

Aquaman #42, the conclusion of Dan Abnett's tenure as writer on the book, arrives on Nov. 21. Check out these exclusive preview pages!

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