#Start Again Start Again Start Again: a prologue

[fookinhellcurlyy]

Adding my thoughts here. For me, it’s important to note that Harry practically told us through clues that the album could make more sense if you listen to it in reverse order. It honestly blew my mind.

While it might seem like an epilogue, I think LOML works as a prologue to me. Like @lurkinginacoolway said above, it’s Harry showing that there were parts of the relationship (or their lives as a whole) that definitely weren’t the healthiest or the prettiest thing to see or experience, but they had to endure all of it. It was like a flashback of him, thinking that it could’ve been the end at that point (within the context of LOML), hence the tone (closure; saying goodbye).

In the end though, they found themselves back to each other, ready to start all over again. In the next track, Boyfriends, we hear a rewinding effect with the line “fool, you’re back at it again” played backwards. It’s him putting himself back in that position of falling back into something he thought had ended (LOML). With all the pain they tried to work through after everything else that had happened at that point—trying to navigate those emotions and continue loving despite the hardships—it’s perfectly normal to have doubts about whether you’re doing the right thing by going back to that position.

Continuing through the next tracks, you’ll notice the progression: from him reaching out (“don’t you know that I am right here”), to trying to enjoy the moment, to ‘goofing around’ and learning to accept that they really are probably endgame no matter what. There’s discovering new parts of himself or their relationship, resolving issues they never got to discuss before, finding solace with each other, enjoying the newfound peace they’ve embraced, and fully accepting that this is it—he never wants to let go and loves him with all of his entirety.

So yep, Harry’s House is an overall happy, love-letter-like album for me. LOML as a track sums up the rocky stages of their relationship (in the band, with each other, and within themselves), but it was just a mere prologue to the beginning of the real story—the one where they’ve matured, healed from the bruises of their past, and decided to continue loving each other anyway.

Or maybe that’s just me.

(Also, HH’s album cover being him looking at the ceiling of upside down house + the trailer being reversed are such big clues to me, idk. And I cannot stress enough how important it is to me to hear the reversed album start from “baby, you were the love of my life” and end with “you know I love you, baby”)

yesterday i read a tweet that says "loml is a closure goodbye to their past" and now your anon pointing out to the 28 seconds long outro—

loml being the final track with an outro just hurt me a bit but im gonna pretend its about the queen elizabeth for my own sanity idc! 🤝🤝🎉🎉

I don't see how people see it as a breakup song. But I also just don't care anymore.

[whatmakespaperwithoutitspen]

PROLOGUE 1 PART 1

AN INTERACTIVE TWISTED ONDERLAND X GN!READER FANFICTION.

You are [name] [last name]. A powerful villain stripped of their powers and sent to another world called Twisted Wonderland as a way of rehabilitation after attempting to end their world.

What is your fate? After all, everything solely relies on what actions you take as long as you trekk towards your happy ending, if it’ll even be happy in the first place.

TW: None.

You have chosen:

LIVE IN SPITE

Your chosen path has been woven.

Your choice has an effect on [name].

You scoff at the very idea of redemption demanded to you by the Gods that led you astray in the first place. How dare she? You didn’t want this new life, it was just thrusted upon you by Dawn’s hideous self-righteousness. Dying anticlimactically was better than all of this nonsensical game of angels and saints.

She wants to command you to be good? To be better? You’re already better, better than you could’ve ever been back in your Homeworld. So you’ve decided to be a petty and vanquish any thoughts of what Dawn had asked them to do once they’re in this new world. Instead, you’ll do the opposite of redeeming yourself; you’re going to become worse.

Of course, you’re not going to aim for “#1 Enemy of the entire World” again, you already did that before, it’d be redundant to go for it all over again. Besides, what you were fighting for no longer exists. No, no, all you’ll do is just sprinkle a little bit overe here and then there, nothing more or less. Like sharing your art to the world by spray painting Crowley’s portrait that sat welcomingly in his office.

The old crow deserved it, anyway! He was being irritating, cutting you off every time, going on and on about how ‘kind and benevolent’ he is, just his voice is enough to piss you off. To your ears, it sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

Let’s start from the beginning.

After your less than stellar first impression on the residents of this world—Twisted Wonderland was its name, not Wonder of Lands, Dawn can be so overdramatic—you are introduced to the place you had spawned in. Night Raven College, a notably high profile all-boys school for talented magicians all over the world. Like Dawn had said, this world has magic, but it works more differently than in your world.

Dire Crowley, Headmage of the school, attempted to magic you away since your Forte had been sealed by The Design (and you still don’t know how you can get it back), but unfortunately for him, his little mirror tricks aren’t going to work because you don’t belong anywhere in this world to begin with.

You didn’t mention coming from another world. It isn’t like Crowley specifically asked for that information to begin with, why would you share such personal information about yourself to someone?

You decided to really play into the role of  ‘lost soul’. You have a vast imagination so you came up with a simple lie—you had no memory of where you’re from and your life before you found yourself in Night Raven College, with the exception of your name. And for this, Crowley is now deemed responsible for you. Since you were technically still a student in Night Raven due to being chosen by the Dark Carriag, he decided to take you in.

And by his definition of taking in, he brings you to a rundown dorm building on campus and tells you that you’ll be living there until he knows what he should do with you and leaves before you can ask him questions or even complain. So kind of him.

If Crowley knew about Dawn’s otherworldly intervention of dropping you in this world, and it’s not the fault or an error of the Dark Carriage, he’d be less kind to such an outsider like you. It’d be worse if he knew your background.

So, you'll be referring to yourself as 'lost soul' for the time being.

After walking around the dreadful dump that is Ramshackle Dorm, you’ve decided that you’ll just set fire to Crowley’s office next time—“Mrahh!” A startled noise from the basement made you pause. What was that? Who was that? Did this miserable, rundown place really have residents? You went downstairs to check it out. What you found there was beyond what you’d expected.

Apparently, cartoonish-looking ghosts are inhabiting Ramshackle, and now, they’re terrorizing a small creature with a cat-like appearance and blue fire for ears. You say cat-like because you aren’t sure what this creature truly is, with its forked tail, and prattle that no animal from your world was capable of doing. A talking animal, what has become of your life?

“G-get back! I, the Great Grim, will not take this!!” It howled as it spat out a ball of blue fire, directed at the ghosts. But the attack had no effect, for the ghost was quick to dodge it so effortlessly as they cackled tauntingly at the creature. You sigh as you take a nearby working lantern from a furniture and lifted it towards the ghosts, “Hey,” You called their attention, “Please leave,” You said as politely as you can with gritted teeth.

“Muehehe! Or else what?” One of them snickered. One of the ghosts appeared behind you and let out a loud, “Boo!” In your ear. You turned your head and eyed them, strictly unamused. The cowering creature on the ground was surprised of your reaction, “You.. you aren’t scared?” He asked, in awe.

Oh please, you’ve seen mangled bodies and literal bloodbaths, this kid show is nothing.

“H-hah! I knew it! You ghosts are just jokes!” The creature said overconfidently, attempting to mirror you, “You can’t do nothin’ to me!” Another ghost appeared behind Grim, placing their hands abruptly on the creatures shoulder, muttering a menacing, “Boo,”

“MYAHHHH!” The creature projected another blue fireball, but once again, the ghosts dodge it. This creature really is pathetic, you almost felt pity for it, “Do something!” It called out to you, demandingly. You roll your eyes, then pause when you see Grim’s fire spreading before it was quickly put out by one of the ghosts. Your lips quirk upwards as you drop the lantern on the ground, letting it shatter.

“What are you– hyieeee!!?” The ghosts all jolted when fire started to catch onto the wood from the lantern. You point to the creature, “You, make the fire bigger,”

“WHAT!?” Both the ghosts and the creature said in disbelief. The creature shrieked, “You’re crazy, crazy I tell you! Do you want the whole dorm building to burn down?!” You narrow your eyes at him, “Just do what I say if you want these ghosts off your back,” Grim grumbled incoherently before shooting his fireballs at the raging fire building up.

“Wahhhh! Put it out, put it out!!” They frantically attempted to do so, but the fire had gotten bigger thanks to Grim’s involvement. You take a few steps back until you’re in the middle of the staircase back as you counted in your head. The door bursts open, revealing a distressed Headmage, “What is going on here!?”

“Headmage, this student of yours burned down the basement!”

“The fire is still going!”

“Expel them. Expel them!” The ghosts all circle around Crowley, who was speechlessly staring at you. You, who didn’t look guilty at all, and the you who now has the creature from before hiding behind you, “And the raccoon thing too!” One of them added, making Crowley snap out of his daze, “Raccoon?” He looks at the creature behind you

“You. I thought I already kicked you out! How are you back here?” He pointed accusingly at the creature, who jumped at the sudden attention on him before retorting, “Heck yeah, I’m back. You can’t get rid of me that easily!” He said, baring his teeth at Crowley while clinging onto your leg. So much bark, yet such little bite.

“GUUAAAAARDS—!” Crowley yelled out. You hastily picked up the creature, “But Headmage,” You get into character once more, “You can’t! This furball protected me from the ghosts. I was so scared!” The creature blinked at you, bewildered, “You were?” You nodded solemnly, “We didn’t mean to burn down the dorm, honest. So honest! Scout’s honor.” You raise three fingers, “I’m even crossing my heart,”

“Protected?” Crowley questioned. You nodded again, “I didn’t think Ramshackle would have any ghosts… please don’t kick me out on the streets, Headmage! I swear I’ll do better! I know being magicless and an amnesiac is stretching it, but I’ll work hard, I promise!!”

“Amnesiac? Magicless? Crowley!” The ghosts start to turn on Crowley with disapproval on her face. Crowley raised his hands in surrender, “Why am I suddenly put on the spot!?” He shook his hands, “Okay, okay. What about this?” He uses his magic to put out the fire. You take notice of this.

Art of Water, or whatever they call that in this world. What are the limits and strengths of their magic, you wonder?

“I’ll ask one of the dorms if they have a spare room, yes? Though you aren’t sorted, it’s better than residing in a half-burnt building,” You repress the urge to laugh to yourself, your plan has worked, “Oh I wouldn’t want to impose,” You feign for a bit. Crowley shook his head, “You won’t be imposing at all, no worries! As for the rest that is unsaid, I still have to hold a meeting among the staff and Housewardens for that.”

“Wait, what about him?” One of the younger ghosts points to Grim. Crowley clicked his tongue, “Ah, right, that,” You looked down at the creature in your arms, “He stays,”

“Really?” The creature beams up at you, but you pay no heed to it. Instead, you look right at the Headmage, “I’ve grown attached to this… to him the moment he saved my life,” You gave the Headmage the most pleading look you can muster. Crowley easily breaks, “Alright, alright. Though familiars aren’t allowed at school, I’ll make an exception for your case.”

“Hey, I’m no familiar!” Grim complained, “I don’t want to be a magicless’ student’s familiar!”

You pinch Grim, making him yelp and fall silent, not letting your smile waver. This impudent little creature is not going to make your plans fall apart with his ridiculous howling.

“This is the Hall of Mirrors,” Crowley introduced as all three of them walked into the room, “These mirrors are no ordinary mirrors. They lead to the seven dorms in this school, all modeled after the Great Seven. Do you have any memory of them?” You shake your head, “Not a problem. I’ll make sure you have extra classes to help you keep up with the basics of our history and use of magic.”

“Now, you stay here while I go in and ask the Housewardens personally if they have extra room for you. Mmkay? Stay!” You watch Crowley walk into the mirror that reads ‘Heartslabyul’, disappearing into the reflective surface. You moved from where you stood to admire the mirror doorways.

“Hey! The Headmage told us to stay right there!” Grim pointed at the entrance.

“Quiet, you,” You hissed, “Honestly, can’t you l read the room? You little shit,”

“What’s with the sudden change in attitude? You were all skittish a while ago!” Grim bats at your cheek, “You were lying, weren’t you? Why’d you do that? Hey, I’m talking to you!”

“You should be grateful I did just that,” You dropped Grim onto the floor, “If it weren’t for me, you would’ve been in that basement, scared out of your wits, ‘til the end of time. Or worse, kicked out by that stupid birdbrain,” Grim lets out a yowl of pain, “Hey!!”

“What are you anyway?”

“A prodigy, that’s what!” Grim replied, “I was supposed to be the one in that coffin, not you. Hmph! The Dark Carriage has no taste.” Grim looked up and saw you walking away, “What the, human! I’m talking here!”

You felt yourself gravitating towards the mirror, as if they beckoned you. A calling that’s not really there, an instinct, you could say. You decide to follow this instinct, thinking: I’m sure the Headmage would appreciate the exercise of running around the entire campus until he can find me. You step into the mirror, feeling the world morph around you.

You distantly hear Grim’s voice behind you, “What are you… wait! Wait for meeeeeee!!”

The mirror you two just disappeared into stilled, with it reading above: Octavinelle.

Previous | Next

Taglist : @frootloopscos @illiviestrations

A/N: Psst. unreliable narrator alert! dont take anything [name] says or thinks to heart and focus on what they actually do. love you guys. 🤎

[misguidedasgardian]

AMOR VINCIT OMNIA PROLOGUE

Summary: The people around you were weaving the threads of your fate, unbeknownst to you

Warnings: Ancient Rome accuracies and inaccuracies, animal slaughter for ritualistic purposes, arranged marriages, age difference (Marcus is late forties reader is 20), cursing, use of historic characters that don’t belong on this timeline, and other sort of inaccuracies (i'm not an historian), other warnings might be added by chapter

Notes: AAAHHHH OK LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED, This fic is inspired by “Soldier in the armour”, a masterpiece by @stylesispunk

The heat of the sun was unforgiving above Rome, the late summer making the city almost ablaze with its heat. 

But to no matter, you fanned yourself as your eyes never left the ceremonial procession 

“The Auspices have spoken, this couple, as their union, is blessed by the gods”, spoke the Augur, dressed with his ceremonial tunic, and with his twisted wand on his hand, the crowd cheered. Then, the matron grabbed your very best friend Cecilia’s hand and joined it with the one of the men that was supposed to become her husband. The concordia, their consent of the union

“Ubi tu Gaius, Ego Gaia”, she said nervously. She looked beautiful, you believed, her hair fixed in the traditional roman way, tutulus, hidden under a thin red veil, and she wore a beautiful white dress and golden jewelry. Her husband smiled softly at her, with a devotion in his eyes that made you smile.

You were happy for her, so happy for her.

“Feliciter!”, all the people that were gathered chanted at the same time, wishing the couple good fortune for their marriage

The ceremony was interrupted by the screech of a pig that was being brought forward, you closed your eyes when they slaughtered it, a sacrifice to ask the gods for the couple’s fertility.  

“Those might be us, soon enough”, you jumped when Lucius whispered in your ear

“Stop it”, you giggled, as you looked up at his handsome face, but when he returned your stare, your eyes drifted off of him, and found again your friend, who was looking, enamored, at her new husband. He was older than her, a man from an important family, a senator of the Curia, but he had proven to be courteous, and decent, and well… powerful and rich. 

And he looked at her as she was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.

Your friend had fallen for him, truly a blessing in an arranged marriage

As the wedding ceremony has ended, people find the time to greet the couple and congratulate them. Also, they dispersed all over your friend’s house, as the banquet was being served and the wine flowed freely. 

It was still early in the day, so Lucius invited you to take a stroll through the villa’s gardens. You searched your mother with only your eyes, to find her speaking to General Marcus Acacius at the edge of the Peristylium. So you looked at your companion and nodded at him, accepting his invitation.

As they were more people around you, you didn’t precisely needed an escort, so you walked slowly at the edge of the garden

You had met Lucius as soon as you were introduced to society by your mother, when you started coming with her to these events. Lucius and his father Consus surrounded himself, as did you, with the richest and most important people of Rome

“Do you think your mother would say yes?”, he asked, as happily as you were, “if my father asked her for your hand in marriage to me?”, in his eyes there was hopefulness, that made your chest warm and butterflies fly about in your belly.

“I don’t see why she wouldn't”. you answered with a shy smile. You did not know if you loved him, it was too soon to tell, but still, you found him to be a decent patrician man, handsome and from a good family.

You believed he was the perfect man.

“Your daughter has grown into a beautiful woman”, Marcus admired, as he stood beside Lucilla at the edge of the atrium that led to the garden. He had just returned from his campaigns north to fight against rebellions in Gaul, and he never thought he’d say this, but he was happy to return to Rome, it had been a couple of years away, in campaign, and there had been no glory, no laurels to adorn his head this time. 

“She has”, she said, admiring her with a soft smile on her lips, “and you are not the only one who has taken notice”, she murmured with a preoccupied look on her face.

“Who?”, he asked, his face frowning in worry. 

“Many”, she said quickly, “I have received many offers for her hand, I have to be thankful, though, that the twins have forgotten their father's pledge to marry her to one of them”, she whispered, when she saw his face, she explained further, “when I agreed to that, I never thought they would grow to become…”, they were alone with nobody around, but still she looked everywhere with distrustful eyes. “what they are”, she finished carefully

“You need to be careful who you select to marry her”, he said softly. He, as Lucilla, knew what was at stake: you might not be in line to the throne as your brother were, but in his absence, your husband, and the children born from you, could perfectly be contenders for the throne of Rome. 

“Yes, I know”, she said, “I thought about it, quite a great deal… and.. it must be you”, he thought he didn’t heart her correctly, looking at her, at her face, looking for any signed he had misheard her, “you must marry her, Acacius”, the man’s eyes searched frantically for Lucilla’s eyes, but he found them looking at you, as you were walking along the garden by the side of the son of the richest man in Rome

“She… is young, she could be my daughter”, he said, trying to hide his horror. 

“It has to be you”, only then her eyes turned to him, with urgency, “you are the only one I trust” 

“It is clear that the son of Craso wants to marry her, we could use the help of the richest man in the Republic, that controls most of the trade routes”, he said solemnly, his eyes finding you again, you were smiling, looking at the handsome, young, man by your side

“That will come after”, she said, “I cannot leave her in the hands of Craso”, she said, “even if I wanted to”, she said lowly, “she is young and innocent, she could be easily manipulated, and we cannot afford that mistake”, she said quickly, “I can talk to Consus Licinius Craso”, she said, “but I cannot let my daughter marry his son Lucius”, she murmured, “they are close to the emperors, and the twins… will never refute her union with you, as they know you are…”, she thought her words carefully, “loyal to them”, she said then, “they need you, you are the most successful general, so they won’t think is strange, they will grant you this honour”, she explained 

“But…”

“They are tightening a rope around us, Marcus”, she whispered, interrupting him, “all her tutors, the ones she loved were changed by people from the palace, and they have switched some maids in my own villa, they have their eyes on both of us”, she said softly. “We both need safety, but… I am most concerned for her, for my daughter”, she explained, “that is why it must be you…”

“Will you then, marry Consus?”, he asked, he felt a knot on his throat, at the prospect of both marrying, but not each other. 

“I might have to”, she said then, when she looked at him back, she saw sorrow in his eyes. 

“Lucilla, I…”, she shushed him, sharing significant looks amongst themselves 

“I know Marcus”, she whispered, “but she is my daughter”, she said then, “she is an innocent, and dark times are coming, for the dream of Rome, we have to protect her”, she grabbed his hand then, “I only trust you, please, do this for me”, she begged him. He was going to protest, he was going to say they could figure something else out, but they were interrupted 

“Lucilla dear”, someone demanded her attention, drawing Lucilla away from his side, he followed her with a tormented gaze, but then he turned to you, even more tormented

You had seemed to look for your mother too, finding him instead. You only smiled at him shyly, at the other side of the garden in front of him, he only nodded back.

If he could turn beasts to soldiers, soldiers to generals, and generals to consuls. He should be able to put his feelings under his arm, and to marry another. 

If he could conquer cities and empires to the glory of Rome, he should be able to marry you, the delicate, beautiful daughter of the… of the… of the  woman he loved, the grand daughter of Marcus Aurelius

As a seasoned general, he was used to following orders and then commanding them; he should have no trouble being married to a young woman, who knew little of a married life, who knew little of life and expectations.

And as Marcus Acacius, he should be able to protect you, he should be able to keep you safe, of the political intrigues, of the treasons, of the ones who are hungry for power and would want to use you for their benefit. 

You were now his mission, a city who could fall into enemies hands, he needed to protect it, to defend it from anyone. 

Yes, he could do it, he thought, he’d do it for her, he’ll protect you.

You just stood there, engaging in conversation with Cecilia, her new husband, and Lucius, not knowing that the person you loved the most, was sealing your fate with a union of marriage. 

AAAHHHH hoped you like it! chapter one coming soon 💕

MASTERLIST

[cometomecosette]

I just love reading posts from @professorspork and @theseerasures about the changing characterization trends and acting choices in Wicked over the years. Glindas becoming weirder yet more sympathetic from the start, Elphaba/Glinda pairings becoming gayer, Nessaroses becoming nicer, Dr. Dillamonds touching their students less... There have been so many interesting patterns! I'd like to learn more and hopefully I will!

As I've been exploring Les Mis recordings from the '80s (audio and video, studio and bootleg), I've been trying my best to do the same and notice trends that are different from the more recent performances I've seen. I've already noticed a few.

For example:

*Less shouting and running around in general, from all the characters.

*Valjean less aggressive in the Prologue ��� truer to his novel characterization and more polite until the theft of the silver.

*Deeper, richer alto voices for Fantine, in contrast to the more girlish voices of Éponine and Cosette.

*More rugged, emotional, Edith Piaf-type voices for Éponine (whether higher like Frances Ruffelle's or lower like Shlomit Aharon's), rather than clear Broadway-style voices.

*More delicate, classically trained sopranos for Cosette.

*Physically leaner and meaner Mme. Thénardiers, who don't play their lines as much for laughs.

*More robust, manlier voices for Marius, Enjolras, and the students in general – less light and boyish.

*Enjolras usually dark-haired (although the 1987 Hungarian production and the 1988 Vienna production had blonds in the role) and, surprisingly, often a short man. Now, this wasn't universal; Michael Maguire and Anthony Warlow were both tall. But it still seems to have been oddly common for shorter actors to play the role. Were they aiming for a Napoleon vibe?

*Bamatabois less violent with Fantine, not touching her again after she scratches his face.

*Cosette screams when Thénardier shouts her name in "The Robbery."

*More calmness and dignity on the barricade – the students portrayed as stalwart young soldiers, not hotblooded schoolboys who burst into shouts every time something tense happens. Enjolras is sometimes the exception to this rule, though (e.g. David Burt).

*The students laugh and/or cheer after Éponine climbs over the barricade before "A Little Fall of Rain," thinking she made it safely.

*Little to no Enjolras/Grantaire interaction, let alone homoeroticism.

*Enjolras doesn't run to Marius's side when he's shot, but just briefly looks back at him, then gets back to the fight.

*Valjean doesn't physically "die" in the Epilogue – he just shares a last long hug with Cosette as Fantine sings "Come with me..." then stands up from his chair.

As I move into recordings from the '90s, I'll see how long it took for these trends to change, and keep a lookout for other trends too!

[rubylace]

PROLOGUE 2. TEEN-AGE

m.list

pairing: musician!jay x reader (f)

genre: coming-of-age, new adult, personal growth, sexual tension, fams dynamic, love hate

wordcount: 5,423

💙 taglist: @rikizm @sumzysworld @xylatox @morganaawriterr 💙

Eleven years earlier. Mom had left to go out again. Lord knows where she went or with whom, you could never count on your mom, Helen, for anything. There were only two people you could depend on in your life: Ameryn and Jay. The one good thing about mom leaving you alone most nights was that it allowed you to sneak out of the house and go wherever you wanted.

Ameryn assumed your mom was home half of the time, so she couldn’t stop you. Jay and you were planning to meet in 15 minutes, you were going to the mall to hang out with some of the other 8th graders from school. These kids were part of the cool crowd that Jay and you had been trying to break into. Because the two of you mainly hung out with each other, you really weren’t associated with any one clique.

He was waiting at the corner with his hands in his pockets. You loved when he wore his baseball cap backwards and the way the messy strands of hair peeked out of the sides. You was starting to notice little things like that more and more lately. It was hard not to. He walked toward you. “You ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

Didn’t know why the thought of hanging out with these kids was making you so nervous. Jay didn’t seem nervous at all. He was more confident than me in general. When you stepped inside the mall, the fluorescent lights were a sharp contrast to the dark winter outside.

You were supposed to be meeting these kids at the food court, so you made your way to a map of the three-story building. Jay started to run. “We have to hurry up. The next bus is in five minutes.”

Your heart was pounding as we approached the two boys and a girl who were standing outside of an Auntie Karen’s pretzel stand. Jay could tell you was on edge. “Don’t be nervous, Patch.”

The first thing you remember hearing out of Seon’s mouth was,

“What the hell is that?”

“What?”

“Did you sh*t yourself, Y/n?”

Your heart was now beating out of your chest as you looked down at yourself. You knew that despite your nerves, you hadn’t lost control of your bowels. This was not poop, it was blood. You wasn’t prepared for it because it was the first time you’d ever gotten your period.

At thirteen, you was later than most of the other girls you knew. This probably the worst timing imaginable. Jay looked down then up into my panicked eyes. You mouthed to him, “It’s blood.” Without hesitation, he gave you a quick nod as if to say that he had it covered. “It’s blood,” he said.

“Blood? Ew…gross!” the other boy, Hajun, said. “Y/n stabbed herself with my knife on the way here.”

You’d been looking down, but you whipped your head up and looked over at your friend incredulously. Seon’s eyes widened. “She stabbed herself?”

“Yeah.” Jay smiled. He took a pocket knife out of his jacket.

“See this here? I carry it everywhere with me. It’s a Army knife. Anyway, I was showing it to Y/n on the bus. I dared her to stab herself in the abdomen. Crazy girl that she is, she actually did it. So, anyway, she’s got blood on her pants now.”

“Are you joking?”

“Wish I was, dude.”

The three of them looked at each other before Seon said, “That’s the coolest f*cking thing I’ve ever heard.”

Hajun smacked your arm. “Seriously. That’s some epic sh*t right there.”

Jay laughed. “Yeah, so we figured we’d come say ‘hey’ since we were almost here anyway, but we should probably get her to the emergency room.”

“Cool, man. Let us know how it goes.”

“Alright.”

“What the heck did you just do?” you whispered as you walked away.

“Don’t say anything. Just walk.”

The cold night air hit us as you exited the rotating doors of the mall. You stood on the sidewalk and stared at each other for a moment before breaking into hysterical laughter. “I can’t believe you came up with that crazy story.”

“Not that you should be ashamed of the truth, but I knew you were embarrassed. So, I wanted to do something. You were pulling on your hair like crazy.”

“I was? I didn’t even realize.”

“Yeah. You do that when you’re really nervous.”

“I never knew you noticed that.”

His eyes travelled down to your lips for a moment when he said, “I notice everything about you.” Feeling suddenly flush, I changed the subject. “I never knew you carried a knife.”

“I always do. You know, in case something happens when we’re out. I need to be able to protect you.”

Your heart that was beating for those jerks just a moment ago was now beating incessantly for an entirely different reason. “I’d better get home.”

“There’s a drug store right there. Why don’t you go get something. Ask them if they have a bathroom you can use.”

You went inside and used the money you had reserved for video games at the mall arcade to buy a box of maxi pads and some cheap granny underwear. You’d tackle tampons later when you had time to figure out how to use them.

When you emerged, Jay took off his hoodie and handed it to you. “Here, wrap this around your waist.”

“Thank you.”

“Where are we going now?” he asked.

“What do you mean? I have to get home! I have blood all over my pants.”

“No one can see it with my jacket wrapped around you.”

“I still don’t feel comfortable.”

“I really don’t want to go back home tonight, Patch. I know where we can go where we won’t know anyone. It’s some place I go by myself sometimes. Come on.”

Jay led you down the sidewalks of Providence. After about ten minutes, you turned a corner and approached a small red building. You looked up at the illuminated sign. “This is a movie theater?”

“Yup. They show the kind of movies that nobody knows about or that people don’t talk about. The best part? They don’t even care how old you are here.”

“Are they bad movies?”

“No. Not like those naked kind of movies, the ones I told you my dad watches. No. These ones are like foreign with subtitles and stuff.”

Jay bought two tickets and a popcorn for us to share. The theater smelled musty and was practically empty, which was perfect considering you didn’t want to see anyone tonight. Even though the seats were sticky, this was just what you needed.

The movie was a French film with subtitles, called L’Amour Vrai. Tells the story of the struggle to achieve true love. You lay your head on Jay’s shoulder and thanked God for someone who always knew exactly what you needed. That place became your secret hangout over the next couple of years. Indie movies became Jay and your thing.

Going there wasn’t about being seen at the big cinema or running into people from school. It was a place where both escape from reality without being watched. Afternoon, you listened from your window as Jay sat on Ameryn’s stoop, playing a new song you’d never heard him perform before. It sounded like I Touch Myself by the Divinyls, but he’d changed it to I Stab Myself.

[yonch]

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE COSMIC JOKE

[moodlemcdoodle]

In Stars And Time in a nutshell

I know have like half a year of art backlog that I need to dump into a queue at some point so i didn’t wanna post anything new but. But. I needed to share this. Okay goodbye (runs away, back into the darkness)

[siffrinsometimes]

SASASAAP frin!!! :3

alts under cut ^^

[moonstandardtime]

ok slay

[the-bitter-ocean]

ISAT/ SASASAP MEME DUMP YIPEEEEE:

[naswoop]

After about a million drafts and over two years, this is finally done!

A couple things-- this animatic is very specific to the prologue, and I first started drafting it before In Stars and Time (the sequel/full game) was even announced, so there are some things that are noticeably different if you're coming from ISaT (the party's marching order, I didn't know what Sif's first death was at the time, Sif not knowing everyone's names...). This animatic is also suuuuuper Siffrin-centric. I love everyone else so much but this one's about the good ol' ~Time Loop Edginess~.

Maybe one day I'll actually make this into a proper video, but that day is not today. I just wanted to get this done before ISaT came out (and I've managed to do that! Yay me!!).

This was honestly such a delight to work on and I learned so much about digital art in the process (I finally found the "turn off anti-aliasing" button! Yay!). Please please please go check out @insertdisc5's games, they're so good!! I'm really looking forward to when In Stars and Time comes out!!

Here's a link to Sundial on YouTube.

[colliecross]

:0

gently hold like hamburger

This is just what everyone's Start Again: A Prologue looks like, right? (I wanted to draw this CG swapped so I could see Mirabelle's face being held <3)

Image on its own:

Original image:

[lucabyte]

some thoughts on Claude

alt title: diversity win! this Butch Nun is crafting bombs in an unventilated room in her convent while actively courting Mother Superior! Do Not Give Them Access To Unlimited Power No Matter How Nice They Are

+ bonus

[ginumo]

kay hang on heres another thing GEFJSBFWJFBWD

im pretty sure someone out there has done this specific edit already but i wanted to give it a try myself HEHE. go my hamburger

[hazelnootnut]

Oops, all Loops and Siffrin!Loops! Great for a balanced diet!

(these are all transparent, so feel free to use them for whatever. i'm letting them run out into the wild)

[insertdisc5]

my two timeloop RPGs, START AGAIN: a prologue and In Stars and Time, are on sale during Steam's Summer Sale!

if you like stories about being stuck in a timeloop and being Totally Fine About It, those babies are for you ✨✨✨