#alonzo is so done with them

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

Just thinking about Feliks and Munk being all overly sweet and lovey-dovey together cuz they haven't seen each other for like an hour and now they're making it everyone's problem 😊

[soul-eclectic]

more alonzostrap sketches

ref :] vvv

this pic is my fav ever

[nerdvi]

In the wake of the whole james somerton fiasco and inspired by this post, I wanted to share a few of my um, soft signs, like, orange flags to detect when someone is bullshitting you.

First of all, I am on the spectrum which means 1) I tend to take what people say at face value and 2) I have a strong sense of justice which makes me prone to biases, all of which combined means I am at perpetual risk of swallowing the bullshit.

So, what to do about it? You turn on the critical thinking and pay attention.

As one of my favorite youtubers, Hannah Alonzo, likes to say: "consider the source, remember the motive". Who is talking to you?? What do you know about them?? What biases might they have?? How do they interact with your own biases?? Where are they talking from?? Is it anger?? happinness? boredom?? Also, why are they talking to you? Are they trying to sell you something?? Are they trying to convince you and why?? How do they go about the finantial motivation, if present? If you have, in this case, a white cis gay man talking to you as it he has it the worst of the worst in the world, there's probably some exaggeration and you should start to wonder. There's a good chance he's bullshitting you.

How they talk about women and POC No, no, stay with me. There's a rule I had back when I was dating men: Always beware of how they treat their mother. With the exception of extremes like mama's boys and cases of abuse, how a man treats the woman with whom they have that familial bond is a good indicator of how they are going to treat you. Do they berate her? speak ill of her? are aggressive or controlling? do they dismiss her opinions? Same with creators, and by god I tell you, specially cis male creators, queer or otherwise, always always beware of how they speak of women, how they treat women, how they treat POC. Somerton had a weird vendetta against straight women. It went mostly unnoticed. Then, he was dismissive towards lesbians and other queer women and it was once again overlooked. Then he went ahead and made sinophobic content about genres and cultures he knows NOTHING about. Again, it went unchecked. What I am telling you is IT'S NOT NORMAL. Contempt about women and non white-western cultures is not normal and if someone has them as them as an enemy or a scapegoat, they're probably bullshitting you. Take what they say and fact check it, see for yourself.

If at any point in a video or an essay you find yourself thinking "wait, really??" then it's time to fact check. Is it a bit suspicious?? is your logic telling you that's not quite how this works?? Then take to google, my friend, they might be bullshitting you. At worst, you dodge a fake fact, at best, you learn way too much about a topic you were already interested in.

Beware of the lack of nuance. I can not stress this enough. We all love monochrome, but life and societal issues are never black and white. It's just impossible, there's too many factors to consider. If you are being presented situations or anecdotes as absolute truths, you're probably being bullshitted. If it's too good to be true, it is. If it sounds waaay too convenient, it probably is. A good researcher, a serious investigator, will always have some nuance because they have done the work and checked the sources. If someone provides you 1) no nuance and 2) no sources, THEY'RE BULLSHITTING YOU.

These are the ones I can come up with just of the top of my head, I'm sure there's more and please, add them. Remember that naivité isn't a crime, I'm fairly naive and that's made me distrustful, and these are some of the techniques I've found that help me navigate through a world of information without losing myself.

[cosyvelvetorchid]

for the prompt: accident - whump give me all the whump.

Made myself cry a bit with this one lol.

***

The thing is, even though they both were well aware of their dangerous jobs and that every day they each left for their shift that there was a chance something could happen to either of them, there was still a part of each of them that believed that it never really would.

Call it wishful thinking, or naivety, or just plain stupidity, but they both never thought that something serious would actually happen to either of them.

So, when the Chief Alonzo turned up at harbour station out of the blue one day, with a solemn face and asking to speak to Tommy alone, Tommys heart immediately felt like it had been shoved into a blender before the chief even spoke.

The next thing Tommy saw was the road ahead of him as Lucy drove. His body was rigid. Every process inside his body - his blood pumping, his lungs inflating, his heart beating, felt like each had to be done with a concentrated effort. Nothing was automatic anymore.

He tried to remember what the chief had said but it was only coming back to him in pieces. Fragments of words and sentences.

Accident. Fertiliser. Explosion. Internal bleeding. Coma.

He’d ran to his locker, grabbed his bag and jacket and went straight to Lucy’s car. He was aware she was speaking but he couldn’t hear what she was saying. He was trying to remember if he’d told Evan he loved him when he left for work that morning.

Logically, he would have said it - he said it every time either of them left work for work. And when they returned. And before sleep and at random moments throughout the day. He relished the opportunity to tell his Evan that he loved him.

But he couldn’t remember saying it that morning. Why couldn’t he remember? It was important. Evan was important. Loving him was important. So why couldn’t he recall saying those words? What if Evan.. he couldn’t have the last time he ever saw Evan, not knowing he was loved.

Last time. He was already thinking about worse case scenario and they weren’t even at the hospital yet. How could be so pessimistic? If Evan had taught him anything it was to be positive.

He shut his eyes tight and tried to think of good things.

The first time he’d kissed Evan and that feeling in his heart when their lips met - like it had been cracked open and he knew in that moment that was absolutely done for. When he’d arrived at the hospital for the wedding and Evan had greeted him mouth first in the waiting area to his surprise.

The way Evan had so proudly introduced him to people as his boyfriend to the other wedding guests, face covered in soot, even though they hadn’t even discussed what they were yet.

He pictured the look on Evans face when they’d had sex for the first time; like Tommy had hung all the stars in the sky just for him. And the look on his face when Tommy had said I love you to him for the first time.

He watched Evan dance around his kitchen in that ridiculous apron with a charicature of a lingerie-clad woman’s body on it that Christopher had bought him as a gag gift but Evan had insisted on wearing. He thought about the joy on his face when he’d finally perfected one of Bobby’s recipes or created one of his own.

He pictured the adoration on his face when he played with his niece or how proud he was when he showed off the friendship bracelet he wore that she had made for him.

He remembered the night Tommy flew the two of them miles away for the evening and they laid on a blanket in the middle of nowhere watching the stars, and Evan telling him the story of Cassiopeia.

He thought about how happy Evan was when Tommy told him a drawer in his bedroom and space in his closet wasn’t enough and he wanted Evan to move in entirely. The excitement he had when they went shopping for ornaments for their first Christmas tree - absolutely NO angel for the top because they’re creepy, he’d insisted.

He thought about 2 weeks ago when he’d dragged Lucy into the jewellery store to help him pick out a ring. How he’d swatted her hand away when she’d pinched his cheek telling him how fucking adorable he was being in love.

He imagined how he was going to propose by flying them somewhere under the guise of a weekend getaway. How he’d cook Evan one of Bobby’s recipes that he knew that Evan loved, then maybe sit outside under a blanket in front of a fire listening to Evan reel of facts about the place they were staying or something about campfires.

He thought about how he would tell himself in the moment not to cry when proposing but that he probably wouldn’t be able to help it. He imagined that they’d argue about how to get married - big wedding with everyone or elope somewhere like Vegas. He thought about Evan probably insisting that he take the name Kinard and how he’d find it funny watching people trying to figure out why people call Evan Kinard ‘Buck’.

“Tommy.” Lucy voice broke though the fog. “We’re at the hospital.”

“Right. Sorry.” He said getting out of the car. They got to the desk as quick as possible.

“I’m here for Evan Buckley.” He told the woman.

“Are you family?” She said not even bothering to look up. He wasn’t sure how to answer that. He WAS family, sort of. He meant the same to Evan as actual family but legally he wasn’t. At least not yet.

“Uh, kind of. I mean, I’m his emergency contact. Thomas Kinard.” Her eyes finally looked up at him before looking back down at her computer as she typed away.

“Tommy?” Bobby’s voice came from his right.

“Bobby! How is he? Where is he? How bad is it? Is he-“ his voice was frantic. Shaky. Bobby out his hand on Tommys shoulder.

“Tommy, take a breath.”

“I can’t, Bobby. Not until-“

“He’s alive, Tommy.” Tommy’s lungs finally deflated hard and he bent forward resting his hands in his knees, finally being able take in and let out a full breath which he hadn’t been able to do since the chief spoke to him.

“How bad?” He asked.

“He’s definitely got a pretty nasty concussion. They suspect he’s got some internal bleeding which is what they’re most concerned about, so right now they’re running scans to determine if and what internal damage there might be.” He led Tommy over to a seat and practically forced him to sit down.

Tommy rested his elbows on his knees and tried to calm his breathing.

“What the hell happened, Bobby?”

“We were at a fire at a fertiliser factory. There was an explosion and the blast threw Buck back about 30 feet.”

Tommy ran his hands through his hair. Bobby nudged him and gestured toward the Doctor walking towards the waiting area.

“Thomas Kinard?” Tommy practically leaped out of his seat toward him.

“That’s me. How is he?” His voice was shaky still.

“We were pretty concerned about internal injuries and there is a small amount of internal bleeding which we need to keep an eye on for the next couple of days. He has a pretty nasty concussion which we’ll also be monitoring. He has numerous bruises and abrasions from where he landed on the concrete floor but miraculously no broken bones. All things considered he is an extremely lucky man.”

“Wait, wait.. so he..” Tommy blew out a forceful breath to steady himself. “So, you’re saying that he’s going to be okay?”

“I can’t make any guarantees, as I said we need to monitor him for the next few days, but his prognosis is positive. He’s currently stable and if he stays that way over the next 24 to 48 hours then he should be fine to go home in about a week.”

“I thought he was in a coma?” Tommy said to the doctor.

“There was a discussion about whether or not he would need to be put in a medically induced coma to allow his body to heal, but as it stands currently there’s no need.”

“Can he have visitors?” Bobby asked.

“He’s currently getting some more tests but I’ll send out a nurse to let you know when you can see him. It shouldn’t be too long.”

Tommy couldn’t stop the tears from exploding out of him. His body began to crumple and Bobby thankfully moved quickly to catch him. The fear, the shock, the adrenaline, the relief.. it all hit Tommy at once as he grabbed onto Bobby tightly.

“Hey, hey, I got you.” Bobby reassured him. “You’re okay. Bucks okay.”

***

Tommy apprehensively walked into the room. His heart damn near broke at the sight. Evan lying on the hospital bed, leads and monitors attached to him. Numerous cuts and scrapes ran along his forearms and there was a bandage wrapped around his head.

It struck his as a stark contrast to his facial expression as he slept. He looked peaceful. As though he wasn’t aware of the condition of his body.

Tommy slid a chair as close to Evan as possible and sat down, gently taking his hand into his own.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He looked up as Evan hoping that his words would magically make him wake up. He knew that wasn’t how it worked but he still hoped. “God, I was so fucking scared. When I saw the chief walk into harbour and the way he looked at me, I thought..” He sniffed and wiped the tears away from his cheek. “I thought I’d lost you. I can’t lose you, sweetheart - I’ve only just found you. You are everything to me, Evan. Everything. And I can’t live a life without you in it. So you need to come back to me, do you hear? You need to come to me so I can marry you. Then we can sell the house and we can buy some place bigger. Some place with a big yard so that you can get a dog that I’ll complain about but will inevitably fall in love with anyway. Where we can have big barbecues and invite the whole of the 118, and Jee and Denny and Mara and Christopher can play around in it. And maybe we’ll build a tree house for the kids to play in - I know you always wanted one when you were a kid. I can picture you now up there reading them stories under blankets. I want everything with you, Evan. I want the rest of our lives and the world with you. Just please be okay. Please just come back me and we can-“

Tommy felt a squeeze to his hand and immediately looked up to Evans face. His brows were tightly drawn in, his eyelids fluttering.

“Evan? Sweetheart?”

“To…” his voice was barely there and hoarse. He swallowed and tried to take a deeper breath. “Tom-my?’

“I’m here, baby. I’m here.” He stood up and ever so delicately smoothed back Bucks hair and gently pressed his lips to his forehead. Buck tilted his head slightly into the direction of Tommys voice and his eyes finally opened a little to meet Tommy’s.

“There’s my Evan.” Tommy smiled.

*

“I’m okay, Tommy. Really.” Buck told him for what felt like the one hundredth time in the last 48 hours.

“How is your head?”

“A little sore but okay. The morphine is definitely helping.” He raised his arm up.

“If you feel anything else you need to tell me. Or the doctors. No pretending that you’re fine if you’re not. You-“

“Tommy.” He interrupted taking his hand in both of his and looking at him as softly as he always did. “I know you’re worried, but I promise you - I’m alright. If anything changes I will tell you. But I’m okay.”

Tommys shoulders visibly lowered.

“I just.. i.. when the chief came to see me and he told me that you.. Evan I thought that was it. I thought I’d lost you. I thought.. all the plans I had in my head about our future - I thought they were over.” Buck reached out and wiped the tear from Tommys cheek.

“Tell me about them.” He carefully shifted over on the bed and patted the space he’d left. Tommy got up from his chair and gently laid on the bed, raising his arm and placing it behind Buck allowing him to lean in towards Tommys chest.

“I plan on selling the house and us getting a bigger one, with a big yard for family barbecues and maybe a dog.”

“Yeah?” Tommy didn’t have to look at Evan to know he was smiling at the idea.

“Yeah. Maybe building a big tree house for kids to play in.”

“I can sit up there with them and read them stories. Well, maybe Jee and Mara - Denny and Chris are probably a bit too old for stories. What else?”

“The most important one.”

“What’s that?”

“Marrying you.”

Tommy heard the heart rate monitor speed up and he couldn’t help the smile. He leaned back a little look at Evan who was looking back him with those beautiful earnest blue eyes, quickly filling with salty liquid.

“Y-you want to marry me?” He asked, this time his voice was the shaky one.

“Well that depends.”

“On what?”

“If you want to marry me.”

“From the moment you walked into the hospital at my sisters wedding.” He said plainly. Tommy felt like his heart had burst in his chest. He gently got up from the bed and walked over to his bag and pulled out a black velvet box before sitting back next to Buck.

Bucks heart rate monitor was still beeping faster and Tommy glanced at the door waiting for the nurses to come running in thinking he was having a heart attack.

He opened the box and held it out.

“Evan Buckley will you marry me?”

Buck reached out gently and held Tommys face and kissed him softly.

“Absolutely.” He grinned. Tommy kissed him back before removing the ring from the box and sliding it onto his finger.

“I love you so much, Evan.”

“I love you too.”

“Mazel tov!” Chimney exclaimed. Buck and Tommy looked over to see him and Maddie standing by the door with huge smiles on their faces.

“H-how long have you been standing there?” Buck asked, a flush rising to his cheeks.

“Enough to see the most beautiful proposal ever.” Maddie gleamed.

“Hey!” Chimney complained.

“Sorry, second most beautiful proposal ever.” Maddie corrected.

[clovenhoofedjester]

jellicle lineups; part 3/4

LETS GO PEOPLE!! LETS GO !! sorry for taking so long to get around to this one !

demeter | 🔒 🍰 🌇

DEETER

ive seen a lot of complaints about demeters design being toned down over the years so i decided to bring some of the bolder design choices back for mine. mullet demeter is REAL now ! honestly i couldve done more w/ their makeup but shhh its ok....

i tried to push the gold in their design by making the eyeshadow really obvious and giving them gold lips. enjoy their lacy dress too... i tried to design something which they could dance comfortably in

demeters newer 3 words (nervous, sensual, secretive) mean everything to me. love them so much. i think theyd be 29 in human years

bombalurina | 🌹 🍓 🛼

so i totally based her hair on that concept art for drag queen bomba. the bob is too cute ! i had a blast doing her design for the most part. i struggled w that makeup and the color of her dress but its ok.

i also tried to give her something she could dance in—just like. imagine the length of the dress a little shorter. im not going back and fixing it

i based her color palette/patterns directly on her concept art because tbh, i dont love blond/ginger bomba ! so black/white/red hair bomba it is

i think she would be 27 in human years

hysperia | 🪴 ⌚ 🍡

this is my version of exotica, renamed hysperia, because i do not love her og name. its not fun. the name hysperia is taken from an ensemble kitten character from the og london production

i also based her design on a multitude of things, asides from her 2 costumes in 98—like some nbq/greycat designs since i feel like that design not becoming a common ensemble character was a waste. A WASTE I TELL YOU! ive also based her fur length on warsaw victoria because oh my godddd that design is so good. peak

her neck bow is a nod to the 2019 movie... the macavity girls w/ those bow collars. they were onto something there

she would have a much more prominent role than the few times she cameo'd in 98, still retaining the elegant/shy personality she shows in the film. shed be 29 in human years

cassandra | 🪐 ♠️ 🥯

i originally made her makeup a lot closer to her replica designs but decided to go for something a little different based on a makeup look i saw on pinterest LOL. so like. enjoy her slight earthy gothic vibes. i also didnt struggled too much on her outfit since i came into this knowing that i wanted her to be wearing something formfitting and bejeweled. a little circus-y too

more people have got to play up her disdainfulness. she'd be 26 in human years

alonzo | 🎹 🍢 🎳

once again, another design pretty similar to his standard replica one. i just tried to make the black patch on his face a little greyer and with some white detailing. because tbh every alonzo with white mascara makes me go crazy its so cute

i also tried to make his head fur/bangs a little distinctive—inspired by a random pic from a production i dont know the name of

enjoy his little cute fit too. pinklonzo. pastelonzo

that one gif of him pantomiming eating a playing card IS canon to me. he'd be 28 in human years

munkustrap | 📼 🥧🎙

verrrry similar to standard replica munks makeup-wise ! however, fur wise.... say hi to mulletstrap. to manestrap. 2 me he is tuggers brother so he gets that. i have no justification for the mullet other than idk, looks good, is funny, and the oslo 1985 production was right to give him one. also he and demeter can match now

i do like when theyre seen as something of a prince... so say hi to the gothenburg and opera populaire-esque epaulettes. theyre cayoot. they also get warsaw munks Big Pant Vibes

give this man a break. hed be 30 in human years

macavity | 🔥 🥂 🎯

he was actually one of the first cats i made design notes for when i started hyperfixating on this musical like.... two months ago. i really tried to mix elements from a bunch of different designs 4 him.... and sorry yall hes a deut brother too. im predictable

the manginess, mane, more ginger-y head fur, tugger-ness and the mouth markings from the 2016 revival... the big big hair, white fur and general makeup from his replica design... and the stylings of il sistina mac with the fitted coat. he also gets unique eyelashes like tugger—this time white instead of gold. he also gets that ominous magic cat eye shading

i think he would act a lot like 2019 mac... suave. but also not as dorky and desperate as he is in that movie LOL. he'd be 33 in human years

ONLY ONE MORE LEFT..... THE OLDIES........ MAYBE... I MIGHT MAKE DESIGNS FOR SOME OF THE SWINGS TOO LOL

[jellicle-chants]

Guess what I just found in my drafts that I meant to publish like... a year ago 🥴🙃🥲 Anyway, have some details about my CATS Speakeasy AU! I'm really hoping to get back around to this in more detail sometime soonish, so better to study up now...

Munk is the adopted son of Old Deut, who raised many such foundlings and in general created a safe place for anyone who didn't have one. In the narrative of the AU, he's trying to solve one of Macavity's plots (probably some kind of kidnapping situation). He also takes care of Jemima, who was left on his doorstep in an echo of his own origin. Plato tags along as his apprentice, although he's not often helpful with his two younger brothers, Tumblebrutus and Pouncival, getting in his way.

The titular speakeasy, The Smitten Kitten, is co-run by Deme and Bomba, as a way to get back on their feet after escaping from Macavity (along with Alonzo, who plays piano). Tugger is also here, doing miscellaneous jobs and generally being an obnoxious flirt. Romances are undefined as of now but definitely happen.

Bustopher Jones is a British expat who moved to the US with his housekeeper (and requited crush) Jennyanydots, in a misguided attempt to straighten out his godchildren/wards, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. It does not go well, especially when Munk needs to call on the twins' troublemaking abilities to infiltrate Macavity's lair.

Some other things I've worked out, but haven't managed to integrate into the main plot yet:

Jellylorum and Asparagus (Gus Jr) run a struggling off-Broadway theatre started by their father. In between shows, they rent out the stage to Cassandra and Misto, who alternate their acts, and a spare dressing room to Coricopat and Tantomile. The twins, Cass, and Misto all met in the circus, but split off because of mistreatment and nonpayment. Victoria joined Misto's act after failing to find work as a ballet dancer elsewhere, and the two now brand themselves as siblings. The group don't mean to take advantage of the siblings, but attendance is inconsistent, to say the least. Of course, Jelly and Gus Jr would never kick them out — they know their father would loathe to see the building closed even temporarily.

Skimbleshanks is a trolley driver. (I know this entry is comically short compared to the last one, but I imagine he'd just pop up occasionally throughout the story. Sometimes simpler is better.)

I really want to fit Algernonny (my OC) in here somewhere, but I haven't settled on anything yet. Maybe he drives a bookmobile??

Olivetti (my other OC) is a bit easier to place, since he'd be a reporter, but I'm not sure what effect he'd have on the story at large.

Some relationships (familial, platonic, and romantic) I want to emphasize:

None of Munk/Tugger/Mac are related, nor are any of them directly related to Old Deut. In my eyes, Macavity has always worked better as an entity lurking in the shadows than someone who is well-known and emotionally tied to the other characters.

Re: the Smitten Kitten bunch, I haven't untangled who I want them and Munk to end up with (or maybe they just all end up together?). There will definitely be some one-sided Platugger flirting because I can. (Algie/Alonzo is also a done deal, but that doesn't mean Alonzo doesn't get to participate here too.)

I haven't decided whether I go the Victeazer or Tantoteazer route yet. I'm leaning towards Mistojerrie though as a new thing for me.

Asparagus and Skimbleshanks will end up being a thing, because I can't get enough of them two <3

I haven't decided if I want Jenny to be Plato (etc.)'s mom. It would be easier to tie that household into the main goings-on that way, but also (if you couldn't tell) I'm trying to improvise on a lot of these characters and come up with new relations -- at least for the ones for whom I don't already have a ship I'm attached to.\

[tewwor]

𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴 — 𝙹𝚄𝙹𝚄𝚃𝚂𝚄 𝙺𝙰𝙸𝚂𝙴𝙽 .

𝙽𝙾𝚆 𝙻𝙾𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 . . .

Canonically, all of the muses within The Marked have died. They were then randomly selected and presented a chance for a second life. Once accepted, they are brought back with a few perks that normal humans don't have, but the catch is that they must hunt curses. They are known as The Marked, and they keep their actual identities a secret from society. The phenomena of the deal dates back beyond a set time. So while most of the muses on this group are of the modern era, the traditions / practice has always been around.

This group was originally located in the states. Upon request by the higher echelon of JJT, they have more or less relocated overseas. All Marked members are to considered as sorcerers.

No one outside of the marked knows them as such. to others, they’re known as 0 ; the beginning to all ends, the end to all beginnings.

0 is an underground syndicate that deals in weapon supply, cage fights, and sorcerers for hire. They’re an odd bunch, certainly, but they always get the job done. Their influences has been spread far and wide to those that know where to look.

The core of 0 are all Marked members, but there are others permitted to join as well. Not a single word is ever said about who or what The Marked are. despite how cohesive and high functioning 0 is, The Marked will always stay loyal to themselves first.

Codenames aren’t used within 0. All Marked members go by their civilian names.

Additional resources / help is often outsourced — this opens a more accessible starting point for other sorcerers and the like. Curse infused / possessed users are welcomed! Just know they’re being watched. Any particularly bad fuck ups and The Marked will take notice and deal with it accordingly.

𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚈𝙴𝚁𝚂 . . .

999 'Kubo Yua' — Security . Imperceptibility CT .

Ace 'Ari Yoonji Im' — Informant / thief . Summoning CT .

Chef 'Yoo Serim' — Cook / alchemist . Sensory deprivation CT .

Curor 'Amine Kovac' — Healer / trainer . Healing blood CT .

Crux 'Josiah McCarthy' — Overseer of both The Marked & 0 / underground fight organizer; black market dealer . Bone manipulation CT .

Evanescence 'Aarav Singh' — No position yet . Power seal CT .

Goshawk 'Iza Burne' — Cleaner . Acidity manipulation CT .

Iris 'Kang Ilseul' — Safe haven keeper & medicinal supplier / Greenhouse nursery worker . Entity bonding CT .

Jackrabbit 'Ines Ortiz' — Techie /  freelance hacker . Body temperature manipulation CT .

Kingfisher 'Shira Kantor' — Cleaner . Matter ingestion CT .

Litho 'Lionel Accardi' — Forger / bookstore owner . Ink manipulation CT .

REM 'Alon Galvez' — Handler / pawn shop owner . Hypnokinesis CT .

Ricochet 'Raayan Iyer' — Trainer / janitor . Absorption Infusion CT .

Shrike 'Choi Siwoo' — Cursed weapons maker . Physical restoration CT .

Tombstone 'Alonzo Cordero' — Tailor . Soul manipulation CT .

Vector 'Han Seojun' — Healer & seeker ( of new agents & retired trainer / Forensic artist . Holy fire CT .

Weaver 'Awan Umar' — Transport / wheelman . Rift Manipulation CT .

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

Okay giving you a bit less than 171 because I am almost done this and a few more people have asks for it so I'm trying to spread the love <3

---

Date: August 10th, 2024

To: vincentgerrard@lacity.com

From: r.pinkman@lainvestigator.net 

Subject: Re: Fire Captain Story

Gerrard,

Okay. I’ll bite. Tell me about your captain story. Should we set up time for a call? 

Best,

Rex

The next two emails are them setting up time for a call. It looks to have happened mid-August, if it happened at all. So, there could very well be a reporter out there with a lot of dirt on Bobby. Athena is so mad her teeth might crack from the tension in her jaw. 

Then it gets interesting. 

Still horrific. But interesting. 

Date: August 13th

To: marcusimpson@lacity.com 

From: vincentgerrard@lacity.com

Subject: Position at 118

Simpson,

I’ve thought a lot about our conversation the other day. I understand that you take the word of my subordinates here at the 118 as meaningful, given their perceived heroics and status in the LAFD. I’d want to keep them happy, too. Even if, like you said, Wilson doesn’t know her damn place. 

So I get why you think transitioning Nash back is for the best. Really, I do. Easier to do the thing that appeases the brats than is for the good of the Department, overall. Right? Kind of like when your predecessor Alonzo took Nash back in the first place, after that bombing situation. I see why it was done. But it was wrong. 

I’m gonna make it simple. You can bring Nash back. I’ll walk away. But I have a call scheduled with a reporter at a sizeable paper. He’s interested in the story of the medal-winning fire captain with a history of arson. A history the city knew about and let slide. 

Or you can let me keep my old station. Find something else for Nash. Hell, transfer Wilson and her gaggle of girlfriends out of here. I don’t care. And the Department doesn’t have to look bad publicly. 

All due regards,

Vince

So that’s why he was going after Bobby. Blackmail. It doesn’t look like Simpson replied to this email. Athena understands. It was probably a call or a meeting. If she were Simpson, she’d want to say things off the record, too. 

Well, this was over a month ago. Clearly he got his way. Why kill him? Not that Athena wouldn’t like to strangle him herself right now. She would. But why actually go through with it? The story never got published. In their mind, was just him knowing and being willing enough? Because plenty of people who aren’t chummy with Bobby know. 

She keeps reading. 

Date: August 19th, 2024

To: vincentgerrard@lacity.com

From: r.pinkman@lainvestigator.net 

Subject: Re: Fire Captain Story

Hi Vince,

Thanks again for our call yesterday. 

After some reflection and speaking with the boss, I don’t think we’ll be pursuing this story. Doesn’t feel right to dump on a recovering alcoholic, you know? Not like the guy was malicious or predatory. That’s more what we focus on here. Fire thing is sad but that’s mostly just it. Sad. 

Anyway, good luck with the job. 

Best,

Rex

So, he got his way with the chief… But not from the paper. Athena thinks about this. Despite getting what he wanted technically, it sounds like no one was giving Gerrard what he wanted emotionally. To feel like a better captain than Bobby. More validated in having the 118. The station he lost, because - in his sick mind - of Hen. Someone who respected Bobby, but not him. What would having Simpson’s disdain and the rejection of all the papers do? 

It would probably make him pretty angry. 

And angry at who? Everyone, really. Simpson, Hen, Rex, Taylor Kelly. But beyond that? The person who seemed to get all the praise, when Gerrard just couldn’t find any respect at all. 

Bobby.

[emimii]

Share your mistoffelees brainrot?? ( ´ ▽ ` )

okay so sorry this took a while to answer anon had to let my thoughts simmer to make sense lol

first things first he has autism cause iii have autism. hes my fave so he gets to be projected onto (but tbf its already a semi-common hc i think)

like from the autism headcanon he tends to go non-verbal often esp when hes exhausted physically or mentally so like at the end of a long day some will try n talk to him and he just stares at them

the autism is genetic btw alonzo has it too but in a different flavour, i think like a difference between their spots on the spectrum is the misto is the hyperexpressive autism and his face is reaaaaally easy to read while alonzo doesnt tend to have his emotions show on his face and also has a more monotone voice

on the topic of alonzo and family im a big monochromatic siblings enjoyer i definitely think they r so so silly, i like to imagine that victoria is hard of hearing and so they’d all know sign language liek… jsl…. jellicle sign language

i mentioned in a couple posts too bustopher is their uncle to me!!! the way in the 1998 film mistos constantly tryn like touch him n everything is so cute hes so excited to see his uncle…

bustopher is like his rich cool uncle who stayed single and unmarried his whole life so hes got a bunch savings and excess cash that he just uses to get crazy gifts for his nephews n niece

i like to imagine misto (and also other magical cats in general) have their powers somewhat connected to the moon so like during the jellicle moon they can achieve crazier feats, like the amount of magic misto does at the ball is a lot more than his average and its also done more easily

i also think mistos one of the shortest if not the shortest cat w the exception of a handful of kittens, and out of pure spite hes always tryna make up with this fact by getting good at everything else

heavy lifting? got it he could princess carry tugger. climbing? easy he can climb on anything. running around? hes fast as hell u see him one side of the room and all of a sudden hes on the other side

i also wish people made misto like somewhat competitive more solely from the one 1982 old gumbie cat performance where he has a tap off with jennyanydots bcuz i think thats fun and silly

i feel like hes an extrovert and myyyy reasoning for this is that he loves talking to people and he craaaves interaction hes just not really good at it sometimes in contrast to tugger who is an introvert to me, just an introvert w unbelievable swag and charisma so everyones around him (which is why you see him off at the side away from everyone at times hes recharging!!!)

[miasiegert]

How Cats Casting Often Works (Summer Stock)

So due to request, explaining how casting works for many regional productions of CATS. NOTE: I am not discussing ANYONE I work with, anyone I've worked with past-tense, any production I've done. This is a general explanation of how summer stock works and how incredibly difficult it is for the director/choreographer to make decisions. Because, surprisingly, the director doesn't get auditions for each character! They have to choose from already cast actors! WHAT? Yup, that's Summer stock!

The actors are contracted to do about four shows for a theatre to last for their summer season. This is subject to change, sometimes actors have to leave (injury, illness, Broadway offers (yes, that happens!)), but for those shows the bulk of the actors are already cast! So someone can't hold auditions for Mistoffelees or Victoria. They need to go with who's already there (very talented! But they might have different skillsets!)

The director needs to assess the actors, some of whom they know, many of whom they don't and see reels but a lot of instagram, and they must compare them to the entire summer stock cast to decide what's best.

For example, if someone is not a singer but a great dancer, they might be someone like Mistoffelees, Victoria, Pouncival. If someone's got an incredible belt, they might be Bombalurina. Usually Bombalurina and Cassandra are coin tosses and REALLY hard decisions (you really need a good actor for Cass to be so aloof and hold the poses). If there's a soprano, usually the more classically trained one who is not a dancer will be Jellylorum. If someone's an incredible tapper, they'll be Jenny!

You get the double threats for the ones who dance and sing (Munkustrap, Skimble) and those might be some that'd be considered for different roles--Mungo and Rumple are always double-threats but often triple threat because of acting. If someone's a rock singer, they'd be Tugger because it's HARD to do that. If someone can turn and has a strong ballet/jazz background, they're Mistoffelees (which is how one can end up with a 6'2" Mistoffelees and very panicked costume designers who have 3 weeks to create TWO full new costumes from scratch to fit their height! What, no, I'm not talking about us, what gave you that impression?).

Then there are triple threats, ones who can dance, sing, AND act, like Demeter and Munkustrap. Those are HARD roles. It doesn't always end up like that because of who's available, which is NOT shade towards any actor--when contracted for a season, they are given the best possible role to highlight their ability.

For Macavity, it's usually one of the largest dancers because of the Munk and Alonzo lift and someone who is a very lyrical mover.

This does not mean that Plato will do the lift with Victoria in the Ball. The lift goes to the person who is the best at doing lifts in the cast. US Tour V had Eddie (who was Alonzo) doing the lift because he was the best. One of the Australian tours had (surprisingly) Tumblebrutus do the lift! Yes, really!

In the US, Mungo and Rumple are usually the same size for the double cartwheels and we are very confused as to major height differences in the UK. I mean clearly it works but it's significantly harder when one's not as balanced so that's taken into consideration (Mungo NEEDS to do some tumbling).

Ensemble is where it's REALLY tough. A lot of times people assume the ensemble members are the ones who are hidden/not as good. That's absolutely false. The ensemble members ALWAYS are swings and understudy multiple roles. They need to be prepared to jump in on the spot in case of illness or injury, such as an onstage injury (there was a horrific one on the US Tour once where Pouncival had to take over during Mistoffelees as the actor broke his foot during the turns). A lot of the BEST dancers are put in the back and random spots because in order to make a good show that's cohesive, you need to have what looks like a fully in sync production. The ensemble holds everyone together and are critical for the show to be a success.

Cats is one of the rare shows where, with the fandom, since they're all their own characters, they are recognized for each thing but often not the why!

Also some characters might randomly be seen because some of the wonderful donors might have walk ons! Without donors, many regional productions would not exist! So if you see a cat that's maybe sitting around in the background, catting around, not dancing/not singing, you should 10000% appreciate them because without them, there'd be no show! Patrons are super important and it's an honor to give them some GREAT costumes to wear (and super fun for them to be cats!)

I hope that helps explain how casting works in many productions of summer stock and how difficult it is! Also did you know most productions only have one week to rehearse??? Wichita had three weeks, I believe, but most are only one, it's true!!!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Also I saw the comment asking about how we make warmers; I don't know how to reply to a reblog (sorry I am not smart at social media). Some day, we can go through a basic tutorial. But learn how to cast on/cast off, knit, purl, and stretchy decrease (tutorials online). It's SUPER easy, just time consuming... oh so time consuming. As for fluffy warmers, we use a LOT of different yarns, always at least double-strand, sometimes quadruple, lots of eyelash yarn, and while David does NOT do this, for my warmers, I will always use scraps if I'm doing the strays. Cats are mottled IRL. They won't be consistent. David likes having three colors per costume. I... am a bit more wild... yet strangely it's my muted costumes that people seem to be talking about here (buttercup Jellylorum for example!). Oh. And always Magical Misto will have black leg warmers with purple sparkles hidden in them. That's my thing. I give characters certain colors. Misto is purple, Tumble is blue.

BACK TO WRITING! I made today's deadline but PUSHING ON so I have less tomorrow!

[rabnerd28]

Chronicling Cats (2019) Lifts

After doing the Broadway Revival, it hit me that Andy also choreographed the 2019 film (I don't know what that means, but it sure means something), and a good chunk of the choreography was changed from the revival to the movie. So time to see how bad he did with this one...help me.

1:40 Are we counting the lady carrying Victoria in the bag as a lift?

5:15 Two random cats in the background get lifted. I might have trouble differentiating the cats because of how horrible the lighting is in this movie, and they didn't give most of the background cats names. (2)

6:29 Munkustrap lifts Victoria (1)

6:45 Another Munk and Victoria, this will be a common one because her actual love interest can't do lifts I guess. (1)

7:20 Admetus (?) climbs over either Socartes or Plato. It's lift adjacent.

10:21 Several Cats lift Cassandra (this is in The Naming of Cats and they should have just cut it if they're not going to use it to actually name the cats) (1)

12:20 Random cat in background gets lifted, followed by Munkustrap carrying Victoria down. (2)

12:47 One cat is helping another cat climb on a pole in the background, and another gets lifts off another pole (2)

16:40 Munkustrap lifts Jenny down to the ground (1)

21:20 Demeter (I'm pretty sure) and another cat (Electra I think) get lifted (2)

22:40 Tugger lifts Victoria up by the hands and then drops her...I'm counting it (1)

28:11 Random cat lifts Victoria onto chair, followed by her being lifted down from the chair (2)

29:12 Random cat lifts Tantomile (1)

29:15 Several cats lift Bustopher down (1)

29:18 Munk & Tori (1)

29:54 Doesn't count but the stupid thing where they seesaw Bustopher into the trash

30:52 Three random cats (one might be Tanto) get lifted. (3)

30:58 Two of the same random cats gets lifted again (2)

32:26 Mungoteazer grab Tori by the arms and pull her up (1)

34:00 Mungojerrie lifts Victoria off the vanity, followed by him lifting Teazer onto the bed stool (2)

34:29 Mungo lifts Victoria twice (2)

40:58 Alonzo and Misto lift Victoria (1)

41:44 Random cat lifted (1)

41:57 3 random cats lifted (3)

42:08 Another cat lifted (2)

44:35 Background cat (1)

46:04 Munk and Tori (1)

46:52 Tori, Demeter, Electra, Tanto and a rando (5)

49:38 Munk and Tori, followed by four background cats (5)

49:50 Four that I can't tell, followed by the big Tori lift, which is shot horribly (5)

By what would be intermission we're at 52 lifts...not as bad as the revival, but there's still an hour of film left.

1:08:40 Random cat. This was the end of Skimbleshanks, so it was a harbinger that the good part of the movie was over. (1)

1:11:16 Munk lifts Tori out of the way (1)

1:11:29 Someone who lost the role of Eponine to Samantha Barks because she's not a good enough singer is lifted down by the other cats to the floor (1)

1:12:08 Someone who will take planes to places that are quicker to drive too and can't dance is lifted by four cats, while three other cats are also lifted (4)

1:13:02 Munk lifts Tori, then lifts her again (2)

1:13:30 Cats is being lifted in foreground for a blink and you'll miss it moment (1)

1:22:30 There's no lifts, I'm just marking the moment where I suffered through a bad romantic subplot that didn't make any sense.

1:22:36 Two rando cats (2)

1:23:04: Four rando background cats (4)

1:12:10 Misto bridal carries Tori. I know it's technically not a dance lift, but I'm counting it because I hate this romantic subplot. (1)

1:34:16 Demeter, Tanto and two rando cats (4)

1:34:49 Two unknown cats (2)

1:35:09 I notice a third one with the other two cats, they haven't come down yet (1)

So in total, we have 76 lifts, which is one less lift that the revival. The lifts are spread out throughout the whole production, which is better than having them in nothing but the first half. But you run into the problem where most of the lifts are done either in the background, or by cats that weren't given any names. Which makes me less impressed with them, and I can't even have fun making fun of all the lifts the cats do. Which is another reason this movie isn't fun to watch.

[wawamouse]

so you write Oz like it’s high concept novel quality I just wanted to say that first off. Fontana should give you the rights tbh

curious as to if you see the potential to ever write Miguel/Alonzo as romantic or mutual? the way you write them is so rawly intriguing and ambiguous the way it is dgmw! just that I find it interesting to consider them in all different configurations w romance+the Consequences thereof as one of many options

Hahah thank you <3

Idk, tbh I’ve never thought of writing Miguel/Alonzo straight up… I know I have like 1 fic tagged as them but I should probably take that tag off the fic bc it’s not really there like that/I scaled back on some of stuff I had planned anyway :S… It’s kinda funny because I remember watching Oz Youtube clips before I’d watched the show (like, back in middle school maybe, when I was a dumb little homo desperate to find queer rep in media blah blah blah). Back then lowkey highkey being very intrigued by Torquemada, but then I watched the actual show and I was like oh boo… He’s barely in it.

That’s all to say, I find him entertaining as a character and I think it’d be interesting to try and tackle a character study of him (of course, I’d be making up a lot 🥴) but I don’t think my default interpretation of his character is really a thing that makes it possible to write him in any kind of romantic relationship, you know? Based on what little we learn of him from the show, I feel like his main thing is like getting off on power imbalances, voyeurism, enmeshment—that kind of thing. Which is interesting! But yeah, no, I don’t really see romance for him. Without getting too into it, he seems more… business minded, to me? I feel like he just wants to scare the hoes and get rich, which is pretty funny of him. I think exploring some kind of dynamic between Miguel and Alonzo that I haven’t already done yet would be fun bc I tend to write Alonzo as just a creep near Miguel, unless he’s an AU version of himself… and honestly, I prefer the idea of a fun, chaotic Torquemada to the creep but it's so clear that Miguel thinks Alonzo's a creep that I guess I end up writing him that way too 🤷🏻‍♂️

Writing a fic where Alonzo turns out to be actually helpful/a tentative ally once/if Miguel is able to set boundaries/get his head on right, etc, would be interesting 🤔, but yeah, that’s about the extent of where my head’s at with them. Plot Plot, not ship stuff LOL.

(Rambled, sorry + this is probably not the answer you were looking for so sorry x2)

Tldr: I don’t think writing Miguel/Alonzo as mutual or romantic is really in the cards for me atm

[anyalovesu]

tolerate it.

x. i made you my temple, my mural, my sky

—“i can’t seem to explain how it all happened, but one day it all started to make sense and not make sense at the same time. leon became more important to me than he ever was before, and it was scary—the feeling of it was, because it would mean that if i lost him again it would hurt so more.”

necessary reminders !

—leon and eli does 🔞 stuff at some point of the chapter.

— it's my first time attempting to write something like this, so if it turns out bad pls cut me some slack hehe

— it's not piv but i think i still needs to be labeled at 18+ so pls pls pls if you are UNDER 18 and is reading this fic, do not interact with this post.

— MDNI MDNI MDNI MDNI MDNI MDNI

— again mdni pls pls pls

— if this is not your kind of shit, dni too hehe tnx sm

click here for bianca + gremlins gc convo

continue here (alonzo park and leon park's conversation)

Leon thought of it. Alonzo Park was right. It is easier to love someone when you’ve already seen them at their worst. Maybe that’s a tad bit toxic to fall for someone at their worst, but really, his mom’s and Eli’s versions of worst wasn’t half as bad at all. It really was just realizing that they never meant to be bad. It’s just that hurt people hurts people and he is no stranger to feeling that way. Leon wasn’t going to deny the fact that he hurt Eli when he was in that position too.

A month ago, everything was a huge mess and maybe he really did underestimate how hard this was for Elijah. After all, if Eli was the one who left him, which was unlikely, he would’ve reacted the same way that she did, worse even. It’s stupid how it took him seeing almost every single canvas Elijah has painted on to realize that she took the deeper cuts when the fallout maimed them both. While he was dating around the past four years, Eli was continuously mourning the longest friendship that she has ever known. While he was enjoying the comfort of someone else’s arms, and while technically Eli was too, it can’t be denied that the hurt inside her never healed. 

And now pulling over in the driveway of the house that Eli and her team built, never felt more welcoming. It never felt more accepting of him after their conversation back in Batangas and their conversation during their way back. 

Elijah must be some kind of saint in her past life to only take an apology and heal, because it never would’ve been the same way if it was him who was placed in that kind of position. After everything that she has done for him, to be abandoned because he allowed himself to be manipulated to do so, was something he never would’ve forgiven. But Eli did. Elijah understood. It was what she fell asleep reminding him when they were in Batangas. That he should also forgive himself because it wasn’t his hands for someone to use his own capability to love against him. 

Gaeul’s sharp pitchy barks filled his ears as soon as he was out of his car. The little white dog jumped happily as soon as she was let out on the front door porch. Leon recalls how good Gaeul really was in letting everyone know that one of her family members was home. He was actually expecting her to be more timid after being introduced into a place that wasn’t his apartment nor was their family home, but it seemed that she adjusted really quickly into the house. It must’ve excited her that it wasn’t just her and Leon anymore.

“Dinner’s ready, dalian mo na d’yan, nauna na mag dinner si Gaeul sa’yo,” Eli tells him.

Leon chuckles. “Sermon agad? Hindi ba p’wedeng kiss muna?”

“Kumain muna,” she whined, stomping her foot, making Leon laugh at how childish it was. “Ang tagal tagal mo nagugutom na ako!”

“Bakit hindi ka pa kumain?”

“Bro, you were the one who asked that we eat dinners together as much as possible,” Elijah rolled her eyes at him playfully.

For a moment he really did forget that he was the one who asked for her to be home for dinners, but she rarely ever was home on time. She always worked extra hours just to avoid him, which he understood why she did by all means. He eventually got into eating his dinners alone and falling asleep before she came home.

Except the past few days though. She was home at the expected time that she would be with distance and her office hours considered. It was too good to be true that he and Eli were finally seeing eye to eye like they did before.

It made his heart full to think that Eli is finally warming up to him.

“I did ask you to do that,” he smiled to himself as he picked up Gaeul from the floor and settled her on a chair right across Eli.

Elijah looked so at peace having dinner with him. The peace was too much for him to ruin with his announcement that he’ll be gone for almost a week. It’s not that Eli would not last a day without him—she’s made it clear that she survived 4 great years without him. What bothered him was the fact that he was the one who couldn’t bear to do it. He didn’t want to make her feel like he was leaving her again. They were just beginning to bond again, he didn’t want to ruin their sweet streak and risk being ignored once he got back.

“You’re quiet,” Eli pointed out. 

Leon still didn’t know how to tell her. He can’t say no to his parents especially if it’s company related. He is expected to step up after his dad retires, he’ll be risking slipping up and making a bad image for the board if he declines this.

“Gusto mo na bang daanan ni Monet sa shelter bukas?” He asked. 

Eli’s face lit up but it makes Leon’s stomach churn despite the phenomenal medium done steak in front of him when he realizes he’s not gonna feel that same relief from seeing Eli look so happy for a couple of days. Whipped. That’s what he is.

He shied away from allowing himself to feel that way because he was guilty that he was replacing Margot so quickly. But everyone else was right, they were already trapped in this with no way out anymore. This and nothing else. So it’s either you enjoy it or live your life miserable. Margot was well aware of that, even days before Leon found out that he’s getting married to someone else. While it may be bizarre to be able to accept that the person you loved so much is getting married to someone else, Margot was able to do it. After all, she knew this was a possibility when she got with Leon. There’s a long history of forced marriages in the family to even hope that they would be spared.

“As soon as possible sana,” she smiled at him, looking down on the steak happily as she munched on it. “Did you get her stuff na?”

“Yeah, dog food and everything else. I got her a cute matching bed with Gaeul, tignan mo mamaya.”

“You sound like a girl-dad na nahshopping spree,” Eli teased, laughing. Leon blushed a little, at the mere thought of them having actual children getting brought up.

“I am a girl-dad na nagshopping spree,” Leon quips. “What are you talking about?”

—

“Kanina ka pang parang may gusto sabihin,” Eli mentions, sitting on the counter next to the sink as she watches Leon do the dishes, Gaeul now settled in the extra rooms in her comfy little dog bed.

Leon didn’t know how to tell her that it was eating him up everytime he thought of it though it was inescapable. He should just spend as much time with her as possible right? That seemed appropriate to do.

“I was thinking that you should move to the Master’s bedroom—”

“Palit tayo ng kwarto?”

“Timang,” Leon snorted, shaking his head at Eli’s playful response. She knew what he meant though, and she’s not against it. She slept well when he was next to her even though she thought he left when she fell asleep. “Kasama ako s’yempre.”

“Gusto mo lang ako katabi eh,” Eli teased, even playfully pinching his cheek but Leon managed to get a hold of her hand before she could take it back. 

Leon hummed in agreement before kissing the back of her hand softly and placing it on his cheek carefully. The look in his eye was longing, craving to feel any sort of physical touch from Elijah herself as if he was already missing her and he hadn't even left.

“Yea,” he replied, leaning over to wrap his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “Gusto kitang katabi matulog.”

“Are you okay, Leon?” she asked, concern lacing the tone of her voice as she made him look up at her, eyes looking weary of why Leon seemed so bothered since he got home.

He shook his head honestly, “why?” she follows, holding him by both of his cheeks trying to pry an answer from him.

Why hasn’t he told her? Is he shy? Is he embarrassed? Or was it really just hard to admit to himself that he’s at risk of coming home to something completely different than what he left?

“Papunta kami nila Kuya sa Cebu next week,” he mumbled quietly.

“Anong problema doon?”

“I don’t want to leave you,” he added, saying it truthfully. 

He was expecting her to burst out in laughter and find it funny that he’s reacting this way. He is a grown ass man afraid to miss a girl that’s not even his girlfriend his fiancée lol, it was something funny in his head but it did not seem like that in Eli’s head.

“I’m gonna be alright, Leon,” she let out a soft chuckle.

“4 days rin kasama sila Kuya Santi…” He explained.

“That’s okay. Kuya Santi is maligalig like me, you won’t miss me too much.”

“Hahalikan ba ako ni Kuya Santi, ha?” 

That threw Eli out and finally made her burst into laughter.

“Please don’t kiss my brother,” she giggled before flinging her arms on both sides of his neck to pull him closer in between her legs. “I’m here pa naman.”

Leon hummed, pushing his face dangerously close to hers before asking, “You want me to kiss you instead, ha?”

“If that means you won’t kiss other people sa Cebu, then yes.” That was a bold reply but something expected of Eli. All her generosity aside, Eli liked her favorite things to herself. She was quite territorial when it came to people.

“Not planning on it,” he replied before pressing his lips firmly on hers, mouths immediately molding into the fit of each other’s mouths like it was always made to be there. 

It was wet and hot, Eli could feel her heart pounding against her chest but for once in her life she wasn’t afraid that it was going to be a panic attack, especially when Leon’s cold hands were creeping under her pajama shirt making her gasp. Leon smirks at his plan working, taking the chance to slide his tongue between her parted lips. His brain then goes into a frenzy as her fingertips begin fiddling with the hair on the back of his head. He can’t seem to pull away even if he was slowly running out of breath. Addicted, that’s what he is.

“Kuya Santi won’t kiss you like that, no?” Eli joked when they pulled away, panting because of how long they had been kissing.

“Magtigil ka nga, hindi naman kuya mo ang gusto kong halikan,” Leon shrugged, wiping the wet parts of the side of her lips as he chuckled at Eli’s childishness.

“So, just me?”

 He knows she’s doing it on purpose but the feigned innocence in her face as she asks is admittedly working on him.

“Tara na sa taas, kuhanin mo na ang mga gamit mo sa kwarto mo doon ka sa kwarto natin,” he chuckled, grabbing her by the waist again and carrying her down the countertop.

—

Eli doesn’t recall how she got there but there she was on Leon’s bed, him already changed in his loose shirt and boxers with hands gripping firmly on her waist from under her shirt while her knees were on either side of his thighs. Their lips sealed together like every second that their lips were an inch apart is a waste of time. 

It was unusual how all of a sudden she was craving his lips like she has been starving, but it only felt right even if it’s Leon...because it’s Leon. 

Stuck in her little paradox, the other person in the equation, Leon, was slowly growing embarrassed of how hard he was growing while his hands roamed around her torso, careful not to go any higher and do something she would be uncomfortable with. He was hesitant to put her in a position she did not want to be in but it seemed like Eli felt differently, when she pulled away and asked something Leon never would’ve thought he’ll ever live long enough to hear, 

“Do you want me to take it off?” she asked, referring to her pajama shirt that was clearly restricting Leon from doing what he’s been wanting to do.

“‘Wag na kung hindi ka komportable,” Leon chuckled at her lightly, pressing a soft kiss of her cheek before she shoots her next question, which ultimately sends Leon’s brain to short circuit.

“Can I move?”

“Can you what—” but before there was a coherent thought formed in his head, Eli shifted to make herself more comfortable before pressing herself hard on him, causing friction to where he needed it most. “Shit, yes, Ellie,” he moaned before capturing her lips once again, hands finding home in her waist once again guiding her movement. “Fuck.”

Eli whines quietly next to his ear, pressing open mouthed kisses behind it as she moves faster, putting more pressure as Leon’s shameless moans fills in the room, even more so when she takes his hand, which still carefully navigated the skin on her back and waist, to her mound, allowing him to squeeze the soft skin on it, thumbing on the already hardened nipple.

“God, baby,” Leon moans, removing his free hand from her waist and finding its way to Eli’s neck to kiss her again, mumbling incoherent praises against her lips before his tongue slots between her lips once again which she willingly gives him permission to do so. “So good for me, Ellie…”

Eli’s hips began to move frantically, chasing her high. Leon practically doing the same, leisuring on the feeling of her soft mound against his hand as she grinded himself against Eli, trying to meet her movements as much as he could.

God. That really just sends Eli’s brain to go haywire too, unable to form any logical form of thought just—Leon. Leon. Leon. Leon. Leon. Leon. Leon—throwing all shame out the window as she shamelessly moaned his name over and over in between longing gasps against his lips while she grinded against his hard-on, realizing how big it was and how safe of a choice it was to not go down that route tonight.

The next thing she knew, as if there was more shame to throw out the window, she was cursing, pleading, even crying for Leon to let her come. 

Leon thought that she didn’t have to but it would be a bigger shame to tell that he wasn’t turned on by it. He loved every second of it, every word leaving her mouth.

“Go on, baby,” he hummed, carefully wiping the tears off her face before he found his hand back on her waist, guiding her to put more pressure as she moved before letting out a string of soft moans.

The mere sound of her moans was embarrassingly enough to finish too.

Shit. 

“Are you okay?” Leon hummed, holding her shivering body against his. All Elijah gave was a quiet nod as she clings to him.

He then caresses the soft hair on her head while the other rubbed circles on the expanse of her back under her shirt. “Sure? I need to hear you say it, Ellie.”

“I’m okay, Leon,” she hummed, nuzzling her face further into his neck.

“Alright, tara na maglinis,” he hummed, kissing the top of her head once again before he carried her up to the bathroom. “I’ll get you clothes, you do your thing, alright?”

Eli nodded at him, still having the same dilated eyes from earlier as Leon closed the door allowing her to clean herself up from her soiled shorts and underwear.

Fuck. That really just happened.

—

Days went by so quickly, Monet had settled in well with Gaeul and was currently being dropped by in a pet daycare to be watched over and trained in the morning when both Eli and Leon were at work. They’ve also settled in well on who picks up the dogs from daycare. To say the least, in a span of a couple of days, they have been functioning well as furparents and maybe occasionally as a proper couple as well—mostly it was making out and cuddling in the bed while they wait for Eli’s chamomile tea to cool down a bit but the rest really were just looking out for each other—which by the way was a basic thing a human would do if they live in the same roof with someone. 

It was also half because their intimate activities left Eli wondering if there really was more to their relationship long before it was a topic for thought. Leon, on the other hand, was just too focused on keeping it together before he finally leaves, making sure he doesn’t do anything that will cause a drift between them before he leaves.

“Hindi ka man lang magbibilin?” Leon playfully asks, as he leans back on the trunk of Eli’s car that brought all four of them to airport. 

“Basta umuwi ka ng buo at iisa—”

“What do you mean iisa?”

“Baka uwi ka ng may anak na—” 

“May mga anak na ako dito, bakit ako uuwi ng may ibang anak?” Leon playfully flicks her forehead as she rolled her eyes at him. 

“Buntis ka?” Yves looks at her, eyes wide in shock.

“OA,” Eli shrugged at him. “Si Monet at Gaeul ang mga anak. Mukha ba akong capable maging nanay ha?”

“Aba malay ko ba!”

Leon chuckled at their banter. As much as he had the urge to get jealous for how close they seemed, but it’s Architect Yves. He knows how much this person supported her like Santi would have when no one else could. There’s an understanding that they could only look at each other from a sibling light.

“We should go,” Leon smiled, pressing a soft kiss on Eli’s lips before pressing another on her forehead, giving it his all not to let the tears fall. 

“Oh my god, kailangan ba sa harap namin?” Santi complained, pulling Leon away from his little sister before giving her a tight hug. “Kadiri ha!”

“Ingat kayo,” Eli hummed. “Take care of each other, alright?”

“Ingat kuya,” she smiled, giving Yves and Tobi their hugs before they parted. 

The car ride home from the airport to Yang ENT. was quiet, painfully for that matter. The obvious difference of the atmosphere in her car on their way there somehow irked her, like she wasn’t used to silence anymore.

“Ba’t ganyan ang itsura mo?” Ynes asked, chuckling lightly as she went to hug Eli’s sullen figure. “Para kang pinagsakluban d’yan.”

“The office is quiet,” she pouted at her best friend. “Walang mga kuya na magaaway the whole week.”

Truth to be told, while Eli liked her silence, there was something about her brothers’ noise that comforted her. Something about hearing Leon yap about his day sounded like home. The silence now was cold and crisp, something that resembled the silence at home whenever her papa was mad at her for some reason she never really understood even at her big age now.

It’s always been her and the silence. Life out of that was greater than she ever thought she was, now home wasn’t home anymore without the joyful noise that reminded her that it is nice that she is alive.

“Hala si ate ko umiyak,” Ynes chuckles at her bestfriend, engulfing her in a tighter embrace. “Ito naman parang ‘di nag-grade two! Uuwi naman ‘yung mga ‘yon!”

“Uuwi ‘yon, ano ba itong babae na ‘to!” Ynes really tried to maake something light out of the situation but deep inside she knew that this was hard for her. She hasn’t lived in the same roof with her brother for a couple of years now, but they always saw each other at work. It wasn’t a big adjustment for her. Living with Leon now would be another conversation, because this is the first time in a couple days since they made amends that Leon would be away from her.

“Gusto ko sumama sa Cebu, babes,” she cried like a child na iniwan ng magulang. The funny thing was she never cried to her parents after being left at home—she was used to that Elizalde and Soren Yang had always been busy people, being left to caretakers and secretaries was no big deal to her. So why does that right now seem so heavy for her? 

“It’s your first time being loved like that and being left behind, ano?”

Maybe it’s the way that Ynes’ words made her think of it or the way that she was not sure why she really was acting this way, but that made her stop and look at Ynes.

It’s the first time someone that made her very loved had to leave her behind. The first time that someone wasn’t going to be constantly gonna be there for her. And it was different before when Leon left because she didn’t feel that way for him back then. She was far from mature to actually take the time to acknowledge her own feelings when all that happened but it’s different now.

“It’s okay to feel that way, babes,” Ynes smiled at her, squeezing her arm to give her reassurance. “It’s human to miss the people that you love.”

“You think I love Leon?” she asked, slightly tilting her head up to level her sight with Ynes.

“The same way he loves you, Elijah,” Ynes sighs. “Alam kong itatanggi mo nanaman kasi ayaw mong maguilty na kawawala n’yo lang ni Isaac, but Eli, life is not going to end if you hurt Isaac lalo na at hindi rin naman s’ya mabuting tao.”

click here to continue (housemates' gc)

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ characters ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

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[slashingdisneypasta]

Cruella De Vil x Reader || Drabble

Plot: Saying it. Admitting i like you more than I thought. Meaning the stronger word.

"I just wanted you to know."

Warnings: References to recent prior sexual activity and, you know, dead animals (1 mention).

Tagging: @asperol-with-izzy , @disney-android-foundation , @lady-love88 , @marinerainbow , and @ryantryan6969 .

Cruella De Vil,

Cruella De Vil

You hold your spoon inside the tub of yoghurt you were hoeing into post-coition with Cruella, sat up on her bench which you know she doesn't like you doing; only socks, clean underwear and a big shirt on that she also despises, and look over at her.

She's not dressed up, either, for once. Her hair is a fluffy spiky mess looking only slightly different to how she actually styles it (You could say that you styled it this time, with your fingers, but she would huff at you and roll her eyes), a silky black slip on which is contrasting with her pale skin, and a simple matching dressing gown. She almost looks normal, ordinary, perusing her fancy refrigerator and getting out a jug of milk. You know, not evil.

You feel enamoured with her, and so lucky that she let's you see her like this. That she allows it.

If she doesn't scare you,

No evil thing will.

She looks so tired, having thoroughly gotten her work out from you just then in her room, almost like the cranky middle aged woman she is and not the insane monster she... well also is. But she shows off that side of her a lot more and you don't often get to see this one!- so it's more significant.

You watch her wander her kitchen and find a glass, pouring herself the milk and then leaning back on the bench to drink it; looking focused and thoughtful out the dark windows. Probably thinking about work she has to do tomorrow, or whatever she was talking to Skinner on the phone about earlier. Whatever poor defenseless animal she's having removed from its skin so she can wear it. Her eyes are so pretty, even with day-old mascara speckled underneath them and old-lady wrinkles- dark, and striking. Scary to look into but you kinda like that. She's your dragon lady.

To see her is to take a sudden chill,

With a pleasant, all-done feeling brewing still in the pit of your belly from a couple minutes ago and a yoghurt you know very well she bought for you and you alone (Cruella doesn't like snacks, she's told you before. She has meals or nothing at all which you find to be an interesting her-thing) in your hand you have the sudden overwhelming urge to tell her how wonderful you find her.

Cruella, Cruella De Vil

In order to put it off, you scoop a spoonful of the creamy treat into your mouth and take your time savouring it; also looking out the windows into the night. It's the Greek kind and without sugar, the only way Cruella could justify it to herself buying it you're sure, but you like it. It's delicious, and she thought of you while ordering Alonzo to fetch her groceries.

After a few moments your eyes slip back over to her. She hasn't moved, other than to run a hand through her hair adjusting the crazy mane ever so slightly (it whooshes right now instead of whooshing left), and your feet start to swing a little watching her. The happiness you get from just being near to her spreading from the tip of your nose to your toes in comfy socks dangling off the side of her kitchen bench.

She notices you, of course, looking like a pleased puppy dog at her but doesn't react much except to flick her eyes pointedly away from you- acknowledging your silliness but not bothered by it, and takes another sip of milk. Not a bit ends up on her top lip. Cruella's classy like that.

The curl in her lips,

The ice in her stare.

As you continue to look her way in the quiet middle of the night, the usually cold apartment covered in floor to ceiling windows and a water feature in the livingroom seeming to almost feel comfortable and intimate for once, you feel the urge build. You're kind of curious what cruel words she would choose to use to rebuff you telling her. After all no matter what she said, your feelings wouldn't change at all. She couldn't hurt you if she wanted to. You expect her meanness, you don't mind it. You even crave it.

It's bad, it's terrible, it's toxic, you're aware; you just... don't care?

Or you do. Or you think that you should-...

It's complicated.

All innocent children had better beware.

Looking back towards the windows, so dark outside and so light in here that all you can see is the rooms reflection on the glass, you wonder to yourself how would you say it, if you did voice it- right now? Would you tell her she looks beautiful undone? Untogether? Taken apart? Or would that sound too horny?

You do like to fuck her, it's one of your favourite things - making her break her nails on the furniture, - , but it's damn well more then that by now, you're in deep.

How about you're psychotic but I'm into it ?

She's like a spider waiting for the kill,

Look out for Cruella De Vil.

Polishing off the little tub of yoghurt, you lick the spoon perfectly spotless and take a deep breath. Your legs are cold and your hands are cold and your toes are cold despite the fluffy socks- you feel like you have to say something or you'll never warm up.

Sighing and sticking the spoon into your mouth once more, holding it there you hop off the bench and wander to the bin; stepping carefully with the tip of your toes on the opening mechanism so the lid flies open. You drop the tub and the lid in and then let go of the mechanism- letting it slam shut again. Then you potter over to the sink and wash your spoon.

Cruella is watching you the whole time, you notice, so you're careful to not make a mistake. Put on a good show, be cute in your too-big shirt that she hates.

At first you think Cruella is a devil,

You wonder what she thinks while she watches you? Probably 'ugly shirt'- but what else??

But after time has worn away the shock

You come to realise you've seen her kind of eyes

Watching you

From underneath

A rock.

After you dry the spoon, you turn around with it and, taking a deep breath, you steer yourself towards the drawer it lives in- putting it away right where you found it, just like all other utensils here, just like Cruella will clean and put her glass back when she's done, like no one lives in this apartment; Soulless, as it is. "Cruella... "

"Hmm?"

"... " Twiddling your thumbs, looking everywhere but at her, you search for the right words. Words that'll convey what you mean, but won't kill her - the emotionally unstable crazy person, - to hear. Come on come on, you think, or you'll never be not-cold again. "I used to like you a... certain amount- and it's doubled, now."

Finally you look at her again, searching her face for however she's going to respond leaning back on the bench there with a glass of milk in her hands. Yes, she still looks ordinary- beautiful ordinary- but you know underneath all that pretty middle aged woman there's a creature.

This vampire bat,

This inhuman beast.

Her eyes, tired from a night of your fingers buried in her drawing out her orgasms, are sharp and on you; appraising you. For a moment you think she's going to snap at you, surely,..

But then an amused almost gassed smirk flashes across her face. "... you what?" The quiet spell in the room is broken immediately and your jaw drops open.

She ought to be locked up, and never released.

"Uh- " Is she laughing at you? Really? How do you explain what you've just said. Why did you say it in a riddle?- "It's more- more then before... but l-less then it could be."

She looks deadpanned at you, at that part. "Really?"

"No- well, its actually definitely more rather then less but I just don't want to startle you." You're talking fast now, mincing your words, but the ridiculous gist- you think- is coming through, as Cruella's smirk only broadens; Taking a long and leisurely sip of milk and laughing at you with her eyes while you struggle in front of her.

... its the longest sip in the history of sips and you're about to continue t a l k i n g, which would have been an abominable, atrocious mistake, when finally she speaks again. "That's quite a way to tell someone you're in love with them, darling."

Your lips part, hearing the word come out of Cruellas mouth. How does she even know that word!?-

The world was such

A wholesome place until

"... I guess I feel quite- warmly, towards you too." You're in shock, you're frozen- did Cruella De Vil just say she loves you in her way?? She spoke quickly but you definitely heard i- When you dont reply in a split second, when you're not as fast as she is (Which no one is. Maybe Barry Allen, but even he may struggle to keep up), she rolls her eyes and thrusts her finished glass into your hands. "Oh, don't let it get to your head! Now- clean this, I'm going to bed." Her silk robe brushes coolly against you as she flies off to the bedroom again.

Cruella, Cruella De Vil.

You're left alone piecing together the last few moments of your life with a glass clutched to your chest and a new pleasant, all-done feeling tucked away in the pit of your stomach.

And you're so cozy and warm suddenly.

[real-reulbbr-band]

Since I can never get enough of them, would you happen to have any more spare Demeter/Alonzo thoughts? Anything really - angst or fluff or anything in between ^_^

OH my god thank you for this, perfectly good I'm always thinking about them to!!

Fluff:

For Alonzo, Demeter is like a siren in the Jellicle Choir; he can hear her singing voice so clearly in each melody and note without having to listen out for it. Her voice was distinctive; it was honeyed, silky, and soothing to the ears. He feels content whenever he hears it; it fills him with so many emotions: comfort, nostalgia, and a longing to bring her closer, hold her tighter, and treasure her. 

A particular moment of significance for him was hearing her sing lullabies to Jemima. Her voice was softer and quieter. As if she herself was still afraid, afraid Macavity might hear, like he was still there, but she remained so focused and dedicated that he couldn't help but admire her more. 

Despite that, he never requested for her to sing. He thought that would ruin the authenticity of it all. It felt stupid to ask; remembering titles was out of the question, and the lyrics seemed to blur together for him. He did remember the melodies; however, Demeter seemed to never sing the same song twice. He did wonder how she knew so many, or if she would make them all up on the spot. 

The one-time Alonzo did remember the lyrics clearly was the morning after the ball. They were alone again in the emptiness of their den while Demeter examined him for any serious damages after his fight with Macavity. He was still indignant but was just trying to force himself to sleep. It wouldn't have worked; he would've stared at the cloth that made up their roof all day and thought of what more he could've done, and Demeter knew that. Funnily enough, when she laid by his side and sang, it was the first time he'd ever heard a lullaby directed towards him.

Angst:

Alonzo told Demeter his third name, only her, and generally that’s seen as extremely  taboo in the tribe. Not in an ostracized way, but more cursing yourself for misfortunes; that’s why it needs to remain secret between a jellicle and the everlasting cat. By telling it to another, you placed them above the everlasting cat in your heart and mind.

But Demeter made the same mistake before; she told Macavity and lived to regret it. To be fair to her, she was pushed to show her commitment to him and to him alone. Macavity was possessive like that; he needed to be the one she held above all else; it was the only way he felt secure that she wouldn’t ever leave or love another. 

She told him hers, but he couldn’t bring himself to share his own. He just held her, and that was enough in the moment. Looking back, she wished she had confronted him or said anything about it. She figured he would, in time, but he never did. It felt as if she were beneath him.

It was a pain and a choice she’s only ever confessed to having done with Alonzo; she didn’t want to relive that moment or that awful memory beyond that. But when Alonzo told her his own after, she informed him he shouldn’t have—it felt wrong to know, she didn’t want to know—he upset her when that was far from his intention and he hated himself for it. 

His love for Demeter was his strength and his undoing in that way- he was always so reckless when it came to her.

Demeter did tell him hers after she calmed down again: she wanted them to be equals; she didn’t want to be above someone she had learned to love again for.

shorter one:

Demeter is quite literally an ice cube when it comes to weather reacting with her fur; she doesn’t get cold easily, but when she does, Alonzo is typically the first to notice. With him being a longhair cat, he’s almost always warm, so when winter comes, Demeter is more often cuddled up with Alonzo. She doesn’t say anything, though; she doesn’t need to. She normally just leans into him; Alonzo won’t admit it, but the chill does shock him sometimes, but it’s also so soothing

Honestly ever since I saw your post of sillabub being their kitten that has been my canon for them, so I do have some head canons based on that: (All Baby!bub btw)

Alonzo’s never been around newborn kittens often enough before joining the junkyard to be aware of their habits, so whenever Sillabub would waddle around and suddenly fall on her back, he’d panic and sometimes scoop her up to make sure she wasn’t hurt, only to discover she was completely fine. He saw her as almost “too fragile,” which wasn’t completely irrational; she was born earlier than expected and needed additional attention compared to the average kit. But to Alonzo, it was like she was made of glass.

So much so that while she was still small, he preferred holding her by the scruff or in his arms rather than letting her follow along.

Ironically, this birthed a rather cheeky habit in Sillabub; she would often bap her dad's spots whenever he was holding her for a longer period of time. The spots weren't completely noticeable from a distance, but they were there—small black spots throughout a bronze and brown coat. Even when she woke up in his arms, she’d often bang him awake. 

Alonzo didn’t understand how or why this became a habit, but at most he didn’t mind; he’d pretend her soft little paw would make any impact on him, often with a louder gasp of indignation that would make Sillabub giggle (and bap him again). 

Demeter would use this to her advantage; whenever Alonzo was particularly reluctant to get up in the morning (he always would get up; it was just slow progress), she’d often set Sillabub on his back or his stomach and let her bap away until he was wide awake again and could pick her up.

In the rare cases where Sillabub got too excited and wouldn't stop bapping her father, Demeter would make the claim that if she didn't, all his spots would fall out. Normally, Sillabub would say sorry right after, and of course she's immediately forgiven.  (Silly HC, but she thinks that's why Victoria's white.)

Sillabub, like her sister, started talking later than the typical kitten. Most of her communication was just mewing and coos. Whenever she didn’t want something, she’d show it through her actions. Like whenever her mom or dad offers her another piece of food after she’s already full. She’d often try to feed it to them instead by holding the piece in her mouth and trying to approach her parents’ muzzles. She’d normally end up tapping the food next to their mouths instead of actually feeding them. Demeter always politely declines, while Alonzo tries to encourage her to have one last piece. But Sillabub shakes her head and keeps trying; if she could talk at that stage, she’d insist her parents needed food too; they did eat; she was just too busy munching to see. 

[darkfictionjude]

Etymology nonnie here!

Now I've come to speak about O, your heavenly stars! (OYHS).

First thing first, I didn't expect for you to release the demo while I was living my cursed fic writer experience realness (although I only have published a one shot in ao3, so I don't know if I qualify). Although I should have expected it, since you did release EC quite soon after it's announcement. But, ce la vie! Nothing can be done about it.

Also, I didn't expect for my Skylark to die before I even got to name him. Yet I don't mind, since I really enjoy the idea of having our neighbor discover everything about us after we die. It does give the IF some ambiguity that is always delightful to play with in fiction. After all, we always will have some doubt about how things truly happened, or if they happened at all.

Speaking of ambiguity, while I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get to decide how Skylark was as a neighbor, I also appreciate how clever it is. After all, by establishing that Skylark was a recluse it does allow for some speculation from our part, as well as freedom for the future characterization of the character.

For example, I immediately conceived the idea of my Skylark ending up alone either because the romance with one of the RO's didn't work out (so far I'm debating if going for Greer or Jack); or because it did work out, but the RO died some years ago, and Skylark is so heartbroken he is just going by the motions until the day he dies.

Also, I do like the name ideas you provided. I was thinking about going with one of my own. Either Alonzo (nickname Lonnie), since it was surprisingly common name at the time and it reminds me of both Imre and an old crush I had years ago; or Philip (nickname Pip), because it's a princely name, the nickname is cute, and it does fit the surname Skylark very nicely (In my opinion). Yet, from the options given, I ended up choosing Richard for the moment, since it's I name I do like (even more so after reading Fallen Hero, even if there it's Ricardo instead of Richard), but also because the nickname Dick feels oddly accurate to a gay man (and it makes me think of Nightwing, even if it does have nothing to do with this IF... One day we'll get the Superhero IF, I hope). I'm still not sure if I'll stick with Richard, since I really do like the options I was considering, but that's for me to resolve. In this case I didn't have to worry much about etymology anyway, since for the most part I just went with what was popular the decade Skylark was born in the US (and I don't feel the need to fit as with the elaborate and unusual names of the Crowns, or the Italian based ones of the EC IF).

Finally, my question is about this: why did you choose the frame of the story to be a fan telling a neighbor about Skylark's life? Did you consider doing some sort of documentary/biography instead? Was it always your plan to begin with a Prologue that involves the death of Skylark, or did you consider a more chronological approach at some point?

So yeah the reason I made Sky a recluse is inspired by the real stars of the golden age. So many stories of these stars from an era gone by who leave the public eye completely and barely leave their home. I guess why that is. Maybe they are tired of being spectacles or maybe they don’t want to face a world that’s forgotten them. I wonder what sky’s reason is…

So initially I wanted the game to start with sky’s childhood but it felt so… common? And then I started thinking about how we enlarge and deify and mythologize great stars of the past but we stop seeing them as normal people who just happened to become famous. What calliope knows they know from movies, interviews and rumour. It’s distorted and perhaps at times exaggerated. It contradicts what you can see as you play

I didn’t want to do a biography because most of the things that happened, Sky wouldn’t want to be known, especially things concerning their birth. It wouldn’t be a true biography and I like the mystery surrounding them within the game. Plus the super fan telling a neighbor what’s up, seemed so intimate and just nice to me. It’s just two people, no agenda, talking about someone they both didn’t really know. Also I wanted Sky to be dead already as a way to differentiate it from the other two games, one starts with an ancestor and the other one Luce might or might not be dead