#and fast-paced violins

[gofishygo]

sorry for the absence of posts i was at music camp w the GIRLFRIEND

[shotmrmiller]

the tale of how simon got himself a gf without stepping a foot outside of base.

anyone can tell you that alcohol reduces the ability to use logic. to see reason. it lowers inhibitions and blurs the boundary lines you've drawn in the sand.

but indulging in drink tonight is justified. you're in need of reprieve after this shit week: broke up with your boyfriend, deadlines at work appearing out of thin air, a flat tire on your morning commute. you even stepped on the end of your cat's tail.

miserable. (she's okay, just giving you the cold shoulder. you'll buy her some tasty snacks tomorrow.)

but for tonight, you're wallowing in your own misery. some uninteresting show is playing on the television, you're cradled by the cushions of your couch, a fluffy sherpa throw over your socked feet.

if only there was a way to melt this week's accumulated stress away even further.

cue the drunk texting your ex cliché.

anyone can tell you that it's detrimental to moving on. it's akin to reopening a wound that's already begun to heal. a step back when you should only be moving forward. your friends would drag you by your hair for being so dumb.

but there's an incessant throb in between your legs that's only getting stronger with every glass of wine you toss back. you're wound tight, violin strings stretched to the brink. a couple of bow strokes away from snapping.

you'll deal with the consequences tomorrow, along with your hangover.

typing in his (deleted in a fit of heartbroken rage) number with fumbling fingers and send a picture of you with the hem of your sleeping shirt between your teeth, the swell of your bare breasts on full display with a cheeky little missing you <3

he responds in minutes even though it's 2:30am.

send a vid and show me how much you miss me.

it makes your pussy clench around nothing, already slick, drooling, begging to be filled. you sink your teeth into your bottom lip as you bring up the camera.

when simon first gets the text, he's on edge, gripping his phone hard enough to crack. no one should have this number except for price, johnny and kyle. he's made sure of it-- had laswell pull strings to give him a secure line. no scam likely's, no cold calls, nothing.

but then some silly little bird dials his number by mistake and the sweet cherry on top is that you've sent a nude. breasts on full display-- soft looking, hard peaked. it makes his mouth water, his gums itch. he'd love to sink his teeth into them, into you, hard enough to bruise. mark. claim.

but that's for later, once he finds you.

he texts back and what you send him in response fattens his cock. a small hand tucked beneath the waistband of your flimsy knickers, gusset dampened with warm arousal. you lick your bottom lip, leaving it glossy with spit. your chest heaves with the sharp gasps of breath you're drawing.

but there's a problem. he can barely see what you're doing. he doesn't have x-ray vision, your knickers are in the way. while he can understand the allure, he himself doesn't have the patience for it. either you let him see your bare cunt or don't waste his time.

he wasn't expecting you to agree this fast. maybe a bit of push back, a little snapping of teeth until you relent but no. you're an obedient thing. submissive. just how he likes 'em. (if he wants to break someone in, that's what johnny's for.)

soft, inviting thighs spread wide, a couple of fingers curling inside your glistening cunt. (duly noticing how your 2 fingers are the size of 1 of his.) your moans spill from your lips unreservedly when you roll your pearl in tight, precise little circles. he spits on his hand, heavy length resting in his calloused palm and tugs himself at the pace you've set: jerky, quick, messy.

you come with a whimper, eyes shut and pliant body coiled tight. a frothy, sticky cream coats your fingers, dripping down to your arse, pooling on your couch.

you miss me too? sent 3:27 am

(he decides to keep you. simon can't remember the last time he's had a climax that spine stiffening in a while.)

[reva-lution]

Moonfam Music Analysis

This took a lot longer than expected, but I have finished a full analysis of Rayla, Runaan, and Ethari (a little bit of Tiadrin and Lain for specks of screentime they had) up till the end of season 6! Truth be told, I still need some time to begin analyzing season 7, especially since I wasn't expecting the direction they took with this narrative thread.

ENJOY!! Let me know if I missed anything, what you noticed in season 7, or what you would like me to analyze next! Thanks for your support!!! FULL ANALYSIS AT THE LINK BELOW ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thematic Foundations: “Heartbloom” as Rayla’s Family (popularly referred to as the Moonfam) Theme

“Heartbloom” emerges as a musical representation of Rayla’s connection to her found family (Runaan, Ethari, and by extension, herself). The theme’s tender, layered orchestration—featuring strings, piano, and flute—speaks to the deep emotional bonds within the Moonshadow elf family.

Instrumentation and Tonal Qualities: The consistent use of plucked strings in “Heartbloom” and its structural similarities to “Silvergrove” underscore its ties to Moonshadow culture and Rayla’s heritage. These instruments evoke the delicate yet resilient nature of her family, highlighting their fragility and strength amidst conflict.

Parallelism with “My Heart for Xadia”: The cello’s introduction in “My Heart for Xadia” mirrors “Heartbloom,” connecting the Moonfam’s story to larger themes of love and sacrifice. Both pieces resonate in F major, a key often associated with warmth and tenderness, grounding the emotional moments between characters.

“Because She’s Rayla”: A Personal Identity Theme

“Because She’s Rayla” is closely tied to Rayla’s individual growth and her struggle to balance familial expectations with her own sense of self. Its instrumentation (violin, cello, piano, and flute) aligns closely with “Heartbloom,” suggesting that her identity cannot be separated from her family.

In Season 6, Episode 5, as Rayla sings to Esmeray, the melody’s shifts between major and minor keys echo the interplay of hope and sorrow—a hallmark of both “Heartbloom” and “Because She’s Rayla.” This moment underscores Rayla’s emotional journey and her attempt to reconcile her familial connections.

Fast-Paced Themes: Action vs. Reflection

The fast-paced sequences in Rayla’s confrontations with Runaan highlight their strained relationship. The absence of “Heartbloom” in these moments reinforces the emotional distance and unresolved conflict between them. However:

In the moments when Runaan recalls Ethari or Rayla appeals to him directly, the music shifts—slowing and softening to reintroduce emotional intimacy. For example, in Season 6, Episode 9, Rayla’s plea (“I’m your daughter”) is underscored by “Because She’s Rayla,” signaling a breakthrough in their relationship.

Selective Use of “Heartbloom”

The sparing use of “Heartbloom” in scenes involving Tiadrin and Lain (e.g., Season 6, Episode 9) suggests that this theme is not tied to all familial bonds but specifically to Runaan, Ethari, and Rayla. This distinction highlights the lingering narrative significance of the Moonfam trio, leaving space for future exploration. Specifically, when Rayla is giving her final goodbyes to her parents in Season 6, Episode 9 the Heartbloom theme is completely absent, replaced by melodic vocals and a touch of Rayla’s personal theme.

Key Transformations: Death and Renewal

In Season 3, Episode 3, the minor key version of “Heartbloom” following the Ruthari kiss reflects themes of loss and transformation. This tonal shift parallels Runaan’s trajectory—his grief over Ethari and the Moonfam’s sacrifices. Similarly, in Season 4, Episode 8, as Rayla gifts the butterfly blades to Rex Igneous, “Because She’s Rayla” evolves subtly, mirroring her growth and the ongoing influence of her family’s legacy.

Moonshadow Elf Themes Across the Series

“Silvergrove”: The theme captures the essence of the Moonshadow elves’ homeland. Its reliance on plucked strings and sparse instrumentation reflects their stealth and detachment from the world. Yet, this detachment also signifies the loneliness and isolation that pervades Rayla’s story.

Scene Highlight – Season 3, Episode 3: The melancholy yet serene tone of “Silvergrove” mirrors the emotional weight of Rayla’s departure from her home and her sense of exile.

“My Heart for Xadia”: The opening strings of this piece resonate with “Heartbloom,” linking the broader struggle for Xadia to the personal sacrifices of the Moonshadow elves.

Scene Highlight – Season 6, Episode 9: Subtle echoes of “My Heart for Xadia” can be felt in the mystical glockenspiel tones during Rayla’s reunion with her parents, tying their personal sacrifices to the greater fight for Xadia.

Moon Nexus Motifs: The Moon Nexus themes feature gentle, cyclical melodies on flute and strings, symbolizing the perpetual cycles of the moon and the elves’ adherence to duty and time. These motifs subtly appear in moments of reflection or decision, such as Runaan’s imprisonment and Rayla’s moments of doubt.

Musical Motifs Across Episodes... link below :D

[merlucide]

What’s their taste in music?

notes: playing around with sizing hehe-

characters: Barou, Sendou, Chigiri, Bachira, Reo, Oliver, Hiori, Otoya

barou shoei

classical music 100%

Cmon my dude mediates- how obvious does it needa be? I feel like piano would be his favorite but also really likes cello or other deep string instruments. He normally just puts on the default classical music playlists lmao. Though I do think he would like Red hot chilli peppers for some reason. Definitely hard no on metal or anything really with intense drums. He can’t stand the loud aggressive music, he thinks it’s unhinged and frenetic.

sendou shuto

sendou listens to rap cus he thinks it makes him cooler💀 I can see it so clearly omg- 

Listens to Eminem obviously, and his favorite song from him is rap god. His hype song is NEW ORLEANS by BROCKHAMPTON. He feels so badass listening to it lmao. Though what he really likes is pop, Brittney spears, Dua lipa, Lady Gaga, etc etc.

chigiri hyoma 

Okay I can see Chigiri liking a few types of music for like different moods yk.

I think he’d like XXXTENTACION, he listens to his more ‘intense’ songs when he runs. He likes YuNg BrAtZ, when he wants to listen to depressing music he likes Orlando. 

He’d like rock too, The white stripes and Nirvana would be his go toos.

When he’s getting really into his workout he puts on Disturbed and occasionally SlipKnot when he’s tryna push himself.

ALSO I CAN 100% SEEING HIM LISTENING TO SLEEP TOKEN?!? OMG YEAH???

(RIP XXX.)

bachira meguru

Hear me out okay.

Voicaloid. 

IK IK- I think Bachira would really like the fast pace and excitement in their songs. He just likes Hyperpop, it’s like an energy boost he don’t need anymore energy

His all time favorites are Rin Rin Signal and Poppippo.

ALSO THE LIVING TOMBSTONE. UGH HE WOULD LIKE THEM RIGHT???? Discord would be on loop 24/7 are u kidding me

mikage reo

I think that since he grew up classy n rich he’d listen to classical music and such. he really likes Violin/Viola. Listening to it brings him great comfort and peace. Reo really likes Jazz too. Obviously Reo explored other types of music to see what else there is .definitely did it as an act of ‘rebellion’ lmao-  He isn’t really a fan of metal or rock but likes Alt. I can see him listening to The neighborhood or Radiohead. He also likes Adele.

aiku oliver

likes the more chill stuff, like Noah Kahan or Big thief. He’s a pretty laid back guy and doesn’t feel the need to rage through music lmao- Though I can see him liking Chase Atlantic. And I know for a fact if you put on any cunty music he’d know all of the lyrics to the songs. Ayesha Erotica, Chase Icon, or even porn-ish singerslike cupcakke he’d know the words to em💀

hiori yo

..

death metal.

..

Like we talking cannibal corpse, the fallen prophecies, and on calm days, SlipKnot.

he gotta cope somehow ig😶

Like you could ask him what he’s listening too and expect him to listen to like Drake or sum and he’s like ‘oh I’m listening to Murderous Rampage by Cannibal Corpse’. 

.. 😶

Like dawg wut😭

otoya eita 

he’d listen to Drake, Lil Uzi Vert and Kanye West without doubt. 

Pls he’s the most basic, generic, un-unique ‘frat boy’ ever, of course he’d listen to them. He thinks he all hot stuff jamming out to em, all dripped out in his basic ass fit, and ugly beanie, ew. Ugh I hate this hoe🙄 (jk he’s bbg 🤭) also I’m not hating on any of these artists, I like their music- DONT TAKS NUFFIN PERSONAL PLS

lemme know if u wanna pt2 or whatever mkay

made March 17th 2024

[bleedinqdove]

Rocky Rickaby Smut Alphabet

A/n: Haven’t wrote smut in like a while so sorry if this is a bit rusty 😭😭 again, apologize if my writing sounds a bit awkward. This is just mainly to get some practice in :p

And also this is 18+ content so minors DNI.

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Makes sure to check if you’re fine but after that good luck trying to get out of bed with him cuddling you. Just because he’s asleep doesn’t make his grip any less weak. A serial cuddlebug.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

On himself he probably likes his hands the best. They allow him to play his violin so skillfully, and hold your own hands…and he also likes how they allow him to pleasure you too.

His favorite part of you would probably be your face. He loves seeing all your expressions, and reactions to things. He could admire your eyes all day if you let him.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

Likes to finish inside, only if you’re okay with it.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Likes stealing your more intimate articles of clothing and saving them for later.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

When he first met you I think he wouldn’t be too experienced, but he’s a very quick and eager learner! Just show him what you like and he’ll master it in no time.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Any position that allows him to be real close to you and give him a good grip. He’s all about that skin to skin contact…or more like fur to fur.

Another honorable mention though is that he loves it when you sit on his face. Every time you squirm against his grip and cry out in pleasure just reinforces the fact that he’s doing a good job in pleasing you.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

I don’t think he’s totally goofy, but definitely not super serious either. I think he’s more lighthearted as this is a moment for the both of you to enjoy together. Just the two of you.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

Well seeing as he’s an anthropomorphic cat…it doesn’t really matter.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

When you two do have the time to properly spend time together he likes to be as romantic as he can, extravagant poems and all.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Doesn’t do it as often as you think he would. Only when he’s really stressed or is unable to see you for a set of time.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Praise kink. Please just call him a good boy and tell him he’s doing a good job :(

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Either in your bedroom (Since he lives in a car but he wouldn’t mind doing it there too.) or if you’re doing quickies he not one to shy away from risky spots.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

When you’re angry or passionate about something. Loves seeing that fiery spark in you.

Also if you’re in heat or he’s in a rut that gets him going pretty good.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Open to trying new things, but wouldn’t want to do anything too extreme that hurt you badly.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Loves both giving and receiving.

As stated before he loves having you sit on his face. Have him hold you in place or grind against his tongue, he doesn’t care as long as you get your pleasure.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Starts of slow but it doesn’t last long. Grips onto you so hard that it leaves marks when he’s pounding into you.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Doesn’t mind quickies, in fact with his busy schedule it’s probably the next best thing until he has enough time to actually do the real deal.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Definitely. When he’s particularly jealous he enjoys semi public sex, the fact that someone could possibly walk in on you two fills him with adrenaline. Sometimes he finds himself hoping someone DOES walk in.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Has a ton of energy so could definitely go a good amount of rounds.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Wouldn’t particularly care unless you wanted to try them.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Depends on his mood, if he’s feeling jealous he would be pretty unfair. However most of the time he just wants to give you what you want.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Rocky is VERY vocal and not shy about it either.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

You two have been caught by Freckle once.

No amount of apologies and gifts can make him forget what he’s seen.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Not big but not small either, just the right size.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Is down to go whenever you’re down to, but it does get higher when he’s in a rut or notices you’re in heat.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

After making sure you’re fine he crashes pretty quickly.

[nevermorgue]

Nevermore the Musical Concepts PART 3

I'm picturing how some of the character's solos/more personalized songs would sound. Firstly, I imagine the majority of the musical to be in minor keys. Major keys sound a bit too happy/not as catchy. Everything being in a minor key gives it a more eerie vibe, reminding us that everyone is dead. Maybe at one point one song is in a major key to throw off the overall sound. Maybe Merry and Mourn prefer major chords, or Montresor switches between the two to emphasize how he is "not like the rest of them". Imagine Eulalie's using the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen, the koto, and the shakuhachi to name a few. The notes blend together, nice and soft like lullabies with eerie vocal scoops and enka sounds. Her melody occasionally is a nod to the Itsuki lullaby, the one she sang to the children before dying. Some of the notes repeat themselves throughout her vocals depending on the song/lyric choice. Berenice has a jazzy, faster paced influence. Her voice is rough, scooping and using vibrato as much as she can. I'm sure her vocal growls are fantastic too. I think her and Eulalie singing as a pair during the Ring the Bell song could be a really nice blend between a fast paced, jazzy percussion and softer tones of Japanese instruments. And do not even get me started on Will. He matches vocal style with whoever he is singing with. Most of his parts have a country sort of twang to them as a nod to Montresor, but he doesn't get anything unique on his own. The other characters' instrumental styles blend together and he just sings on top of it, contributing nothing special to the song. If he did get a song on his own (A lament of some sort, questioning his friendship with Montresor) I would assume it would start more country rock sort of vibe in reference to Monty, but slowly goes into something a bit more unique; classic rock. Classic rock with light guitars and a beat that feels much more upbeat, rather than the creepy/catchy vibe that Nevermore songs give. Not only is he "breaking away" from his previous manipulation, but in a way he's also stepping up as he too is now performing in a major key, which the other proper antagonists do. Annabel Lee and Prospero match each other a lot. Classical strings and a LOT of harpsichord usage. For Annabel Lee I specifically think of "ANTI THE HOLIC" by cosMo@Bousou-p in terms of vibes. Just imagine something fast paced and classical, matching her energy. Prospero I picture in a similar light, slower but still with the same elements of classical instruments pushing his voice forward and making them come across as ethereal; in charge. "Gothic and Loneliness" by Narushima Takashi has a fantastic instrumental that I envision a lot of the songs to have a similar vibe to. Fast paced but still classical and orchestral. The hints of electric sounds being nods to more modern characters. It all depends on who is singing and what the song is. Ada has a similar thing to Will where her instrumentals try to copy Annabel's but always seem to be missing something whether it be another instrument or a note goes up instead of down. Almost there, but not quite right. Morella having a Celtic influence and plenty of harp and violin. Imagine the other voices drowning her out, leaving her trapped in between a mess of voices and unable to choose what melody to sing along to, so she shakily creates her own. And lastly to end off for now, Duke is the only baritone in the misfits and tends to be the support, the foundation when they are all together. Lenore balances out in Alto, keeping the higher voices grounded with mainly harmonies and the occasional melody line. Normally, the main character sings melody always, but I think when all of the misfits sing together her going to harmonize makes more sense. She is the backbone; the one keeping them all together. Pluto is a tenor, Berenice is a mezzo, and Eulalie is a soprano. Morella is also a soprano, and she and Eula tend to harmonize a bit in group songs.

[moonshine-nightlight]

Nothing's Wrong with Dale: Part Thirty-Three

It’s been a week, but you’re fairly certain your fiancé accidentally got himself replaced by an eldritch being from the Depths. Deciding  that he’s certainly not worse than your original fiancé, you endeavor to keep the engagement and his new non-human state to yourself.

However, this might prove harder than you originally thought.

Fantasy, arranged marriage, malemonsterxfemalereader, M/F

AO3: Nothing's Wrong with Dale Chapter 33

[Part One][Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six] [Part Seven] [Part Seven.5][Part Eight] [Part Nine] [Part Ten]  [Part Eleven] [Part Twelve]  [Part Thirteen] [Part Fourteen] [Part Fifteen] [Part Sixteen] [Part Seventeen] [Part Eighteen] [Part Nineteen] [Part Twenty] [Part Twenty-One] [Part Twenty-Two][Part Twenty-Three] [Part Twenty-Four][Part Twenty-Five][Part Twenty-Six][Part Twenty-Seven] [Part Twenty-Eight][Part Twenty-Nine] [Part Thirty] [Part Thirty-One] [Part Thirty-Two] Part Thirty-Three [Part Thirty-Four] [Part Thirty-Five]

Violins played a lively tune as your and your new husband danced for the first time as a married couple.

Your focus had been intense for the first round of dancing as you were by yourselves in front of the entire wedding luncheon, but luckily by the second other couples were invited to join. Marigold and her husband were the first to come onto the floor, with plenty of others on their heels. You finally felt as if you had the chance to stop watching yourself so closely and perhaps truly look at Dale.

He looked splendid in his navy suit, the gold trimming that would look heavy-handed on others merely looked elegant with how easily he wore it. Despite the dancing—you felt your carefully styled curls, the ones framing your face, starting to lose their sleek definition and could see the evidence of movement whenever they flew in your vision—Dale’s hair was perfect, not a strand out of place. Was it silly to hope the cause was something inhuman so that you could feel better about your own inability to maintain such perfect composure?

His black hair was neatly contained by its low tie, a golden ribbon that complimented his suit. His breath was controlled too—deep but not panting as yours was. His hands weren’t sweaty where they held onto you, at your waist and your own hand as the dance instructed. It was leaving you feel rather self-conscious about your appearance.

If he was nervous about the crowd as you were, he’d not shown it. Although perhaps you’d been distracting yourself with anxiety over the crowd so none could build at the way his eyes hadn’t left you, his gaze more intense and focused than usual. You couldn’t afford the liability getting lost in his blue eyes would incur, at least you couldn’t when you were alone with him on the dance floor.

The first couple fast paced dances gave way to slower waltzes and you found your focus drawing tighter and tighter onto Dale and Dale alone. His confident steps, his large hands on you, his strength supporting you. His unwavering gaze—the affection and warm regard you still didn’t quite expect to see on Dale’s face, let alone directed at yourself. 

The dance slowed further with no more twists or jumps, no more parting only to come back together for brief seconds. You were pressed against him, your skirts no match for Dale’s competent steps and hold. He wasn’t as warm as he should be, but even that was welcome and spoke to how wonderfully unwavering he felt at the moment. As if nothing could stand against him and win—and you at his side.

He pulled you closer still and you could feel the soft velvet of his jacket brush your cheek before you remember your audience,  only enough not to give in to that final indulgence of resting your head on his shoulder, no matter how tempting it seemed.

“Are you enjoying yourself, sana?” Dale murmured, inclining his head closer to be heard over the music.

“Yes,” you replied, not seeing any reason to keep the easy answer to yourself. “I am.” You allowed him to steer the primary dramatic turn this dance has, spinning out and back to be caught in his arms in a move that heightened the intimacy of being held so close by contrasting it with the seconds you were apart. “Are you?”

“Yes,” he answered immediately, re-securing his grip on you. “I’m glad we don’t have to worry so much about managing other dance partners today. I’d prefer to only dance with you.”

“There are more talented dancers out there,” you couldn’t help but point out. You were always worried he had to slow himself down to keep up with you, who got winded so much faster than he did. “Even in here. Why—”

Dale shook his head. “But they aren’t you. You suit me best and I’m enjoying having you all to myself.”

Heat rose in your cheeks as you resisted the urge to hide your face against his chest. It was hard not to follow that line of thinking, let alone rebuff it or tease him back. Not on when he’s your husband. Not when you get him all to yourself tonight. His dancing skills easily morph into what other talents he might have, physically and in how he complements and anticipates you. 

You heard your name on his lips, questioning, but teasing. Trying to draw your eyes back to his instead of at his shoulder.

The next murmur of your name is accompanied by a jolt that’s out of place with the dance. Slowly, you realize that Dale isn’t in front of you, but to your side and that you’re sitting down. Sitting down in a carriage.

You blearily blink your eyes open, adjusting easily to the low afternoon light. You are comfortable and warm and so almost immediately close your eyes once more. The cushions of the carriage are plush and Dale is a solid comfort at your side, supporting your head so your neck isn’t even sore—the usual consequence that befell you if you sleep sitting upright. Instead you’re so relaxed you don’t want to move from your spot.

“We’re only a quarter of an hour from our destination,” Dale says, his voice low and quiet. “I thought you might want to be awoken before we arrived.”

“Thank you,” you reply, your hand coming up to your mouth to cover a yawn because he is correct. You’ve no desire to be jolted awake and out of the carriage in a hurry. 

While you get your bearings, you see Dale pop the last bit of a pasty into his mouth. Your own mouth floods with saliva, not only because you realize you’re hungry. You get distracted from the thought of sustenance by the sight of Dale licking his fingers clean. You wonder if the privacy the two of you are currently enjoying is why the red of his tongue seems more vibrant and its length seems longer than you remember.

Dale must notice your preoccupation because he gives you a sheepish smile, hiding his teeth and tongue behind soft lips to say, “Help yourself to what remains. I’m afraid that I ate the majority of the offerings.” He reaches forward, careful, you realize, not to jostle his right arm which you’re still clutching to your chest as he picks up the basket. He offers it to you. “I left you the mushroom pasty.”

You reluctantly let go of his hand to accept the offered pasty. You smile at his thoughtfulness: meat would have been far more likely to upset your stomach, especially in a pasty. “Thank you.” You keep your other arm still entwined with his, holding it to your side. It’s nice that it's been warmed from how you’ve been holding it. 

Dale makes no effort to reclaim his arm from your possession. Instead he fills the silence with easy conversation as he had been when you must have drifted off. He tells you about the part of the journey you slept through—where there was trouble, which road he noticed should be next on your list for improvements, and how often they stopped to water the horses. 

From all this, you gather you’ve made pretty good time. The sun’s only just beginning to set. Dale doesn’t press you to wake up faster or try to get you to contribute more to the conversation. It makes you think of what a morning might be like with Dale, him talking about your plans for the day while you can wake up at your own pace. 

Of course you don’t even know if you’ll be sharing chambers or have separate ones—you’d not had the nerve to ask and no one else brought it up. It varied quite a lot among couples to your understanding—noble ones that is. 

Sometimes it came down to space if it was possible—certain city houses with their limited space chose to prioritize rooms for entertaining or children over separate master and mistress chambers. Other times it was about practical comfort. Some sleep in the same bed but also maintain separate chambers for dressing and other personal matters.

Callalily swears if she had to sleep in the same room as her husband every night she’d murder him due to the snoring alone. But Asher and his wife never sleep apart. Marigold says it depends on what else is going on, their moods—how hot it is. 

You just added this to the list of matters you’ve never had the privacy to discuss with Dale. At least this would be decided to some degree tonight since you would be going to sleep somewhere. Although your nap had refreshed you. And tomorrow, and ideally the rest of the week, you’d be able to sequester yourself away with Dale and talk through everything else while you settle into your new marriage. After everything that happened, you aren’t going to let any more time go by without doing so. It’s tonight that’s still in question.

You take the time while listening and thinking to check your hair and clothes, getting them back in order from being rumbled by your nap. Even these little worries are starting to feel less daunting and more exciting, as you remember your dances, as you sit pressed against Dale in comfort, as you now know you and he are on the same page.

The carriage jolts to a stop, propelling you out of your thoughts and into the present. Dale reluctantly pulls out of your grip and you fight the urge not to let him. To hold on tight instead. No matter how ridiculous it would make leaving the carriage. You are a newly wed couple, surely some amount of foolishness is expected.

Still, it’s clear Dale’s intent on playing up his role as lord and husband, alighting from the carriage to offer his hand to help you down while a footman holds the doors open. Carefully you get to your feet, legs stiff after having been seated for such a long journey.

A small number of servants are lined up awaiting your arrival, including those you know and the ones who must be local to this lodge. You still feel rather sleepy and tired from all the socializing. It’s as if your mouth and mind know no more is officially required of them and so they’ve given up. You let Dale take the lead and had reclaim your hold on his arm as soon as you are able to. 

He looks startled but indulgent, which you are more than willing to accept.

You listen and do greet the housekeeper, but otherwise you allow yourself to be taken for the tour without much input or effort. It’s a lovely house, secluded and far smaller than a typical estate, obviously meant for only a few main guests or to be a wayhouse on longer journeys. It’s older, but well maintained. The traditional style is why the servants are housed separately. 

You feel as though the first floor tour goes by fast, but you start to feel some alertness, some anticipation, start to edge out the sleepy contentment that’d been lapping at your veins, when you go upstairs. It has well furnished studies, including a detailed map of the grounds the housekeeper goes over with you, in case you wish to ride or hunt. She doesn’t spend too long on it though, a twinkle in her eyes that makes you more self-conscious of your newly married status even more than some of the jokes made at the wedding luncheon.

The fact that she goes next to the bedrooms does not help you regain hold of your composure. She opens a door down the hall and allows you and Dale to enter first. “Here is the mistress’s room,” the housekeeper informs you. “Given the size of the house, the traditional dressing and sleeping rooms are combined.”

“They’re very nice,” you say for lack of anything better coming to mind. Your heart sank when she opened the door. You’d been hoping for a combined suite as it would take care of some of the awkwardness. Although perhaps it is only you who feels that way. Dale certainly is showing nothing of the sort. He’s only spoken with the housekeeper during the entire tour, though he’s glanced at you at times. 

Now he just nods, allowing you to take the lead as she shows you the various accommodations and where certain trunks of yours had been placed. Dale’s focus is entirely on you and you can nearly feel his scrutiny like a tangible thing. It’s enough to let you know not to meet his eyes or you’ll become ensnared by his gaze, as you always do when he gets like this. 

As it is, you manage to make all the appropriate affirmative noises and agreements, answering the housekeeper’s minimal questions. Before you know it she’s shown you the entire room. Just as you’re wondering what will happen next—will you stay here or follow her and Dale to his chambers—when she puts a hand on a door you realize she’s not opened.

“Your shared sitting room is through here,” she explains, opening said door and leading the way through to a very nice, spacious sitting room. You listen with one ear to her talk of the furnishings and history but your focus is on the door opposite the one you came through.

The housekeep doesn’t spend too much time here before she’s saying. “… and finally, the master’s chamber.”

She gave a similar tour of his rooms while you try not to overthink your grip on his arm nor stare at the bed, with its fresh and luxurious looking bed linens. The sheets are white but the covers are blue. You don’t know why you’re fixated on such inconsequential details. Maybe they’re just the most innocent aspects of the bed you can distract yourself with.

The housekeeper is briefer with her explanation for this room as it’s a mirror of the mistress’ chambers. Soon enough she guides you both back to the sitting room to wrap up. “Would you like anything, my lord, my lady? Vitals to keep up your health, preparing the beds, your body servants?”

You look up at Dale, who, as he sometimes does, seems taller than he had even back in the carriage. Since you just had some food in the carriage, you are satisfied. He’s the one with the big appetite.

He smiles down at you before looking back at the housekeeper. “We ate before arrival and on our journey. Tomorrow morning will be sufficient.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It has been such a long day,” Dale continues. “I believe we’ll retire for the evening. Tell Mr. Murray I will send for him in the morning, if need be.”

“Please do send Miss Adir to me,” you ask, knowing your dress is harder to get out of than Dale’s attire. Perhaps on a more ordinary day you’d be able to manage on your own, but for tonight with such a fancy gown, you need the help. If you were sharing a room, perhaps you might have asked Dale, but as it stands now, you haven’t the courage to ask–especially not in front of the housekeeper.

“Yes, my lady.” The housekeeper leaves to fetch your maid while you and Dale stay behind in the sitting room.

“It’s a charming house,” you say, feeling the need to fill the silence in a manner you haven’t since you’ve woken up.

“Indeed. How are you feeling?” Dale asks, a little more nervous and a little more sincere now that you’re alone together. “Still tired from the journey?”

You shake your head. “No, I feel rather rejuvenated from my nap.” You shift where you stand as you resist the urge to fuss with your dress—it had dug in in certain places while you slept and is far past beginning to feel uncomfortable. The lace in particular at your neck is becoming itchy.

“But you wish to change,” Dale guesses.

“Yes.”

“Of course, I agree,” Dale says and shifts his shoulders in his jacket. “Would you like to join me in my room when you’ve refreshed?”

“Yes,” you reply, eyes on the door where Miss Adir is entering. “I shall rejoin you shortly.”

Dale nods, his expression polite, but his eyes stormy. Not that you can ever truly tell what his eyes are telling you–all the signs to read are off for him. You’ll need time to study him better. Which you now have because he’s your husband. You’ve no notion of his experience, but perhaps he’s nervous about everything as well. Or maybe there are additional considerations for tonight given his nature you can’t even fathom. 

You turn and head for your rooms, not enjoying how performative everything is starting to feel, especially with another person present.

Miss Adir quietly chatters about her trip. She points out where certain of your items were put away and what is still packed while she helps you out of your overgown and skirts.

You make affirmative noises and give quiet answers to her questions about your own trip. Soon enough, you’re left in your shift alone. “Thank you, Miss Adir. That will be all for tonight.”

“Of course.” Miss Adir looks as if she would like to say something further but instead she just curtsies. “Good night, my lady.”

You finger the wine colored silk ribbon that is woven into the lace trim on your chemise while you listen for the door to shut, occupying yourself with brushing your hands along the skirt to ensure it falls correctly. Even after you’re alone, you waste more time, fussing with your hair and clothes until you can delay no longer.

Once it’s making you more tense to stay here, delaying, you leave your chambers, cross the sitting room, and walk through Dale’s open door.

You shut it quietly behind you, eyes searching for Dale. You frown at the sight of him, only his jacket removed and his waistcoat unbuttoned, sitting on the corner of his bed. He looks still remarkably dressed, as you might find him in his private study. Not how you’d expect to see him in his bed chambers on the night of your wedding. “Dale?”

Dale looks up and stares at you like he’s never seen you before despite the fact that he also looks as if he’s waiting for you. He blinks and gets to his feet. Your eyes dart to the lamp on the wall—it's not really dark enough to need one, but the shadows guttered with his movement in a manner that betrayed his nerves. When your eyes go back to his, he looks chagrined and the shadows still. “Apologies.”

You’re not sure what to say since you feel so throw off your own expectations. He’s acting as if there are still more secrets to spill and it’s got your nerves twanging. “It’s fine. Is everything alright?” Dale doesn’t look nervous as a person might on their wedding night. He looks nervous like a man on trial would.

“Yes, of course,” he replies. “Would you like to take a seat?”

“I…sure.” You hesitantly walk over to where he’s gesturing and seat yourself on the corner of the bed. “Yes.”

He paces in front of you and just as you’re about to ask again about what might have happened since you left him less than half an hour ago, he says, “So… I suppose you want to talk.”

He puts a lot of emphasis on “talk” that you don’t completely understand. You blink and repeat slowly, “Talk?”

“Yes, since you know I haven’t always been Dale and that I am a demon,” Dale elaborates. You still feel some surprise at him finally speaking plainly after so long of talking around the subject even after this morning. “I expect you have a lot of questions.”

“Oh!” You’d expected to ask such things tomorrow, not tonight. Not on your wedding night. It's obvious now that Dale’s given no thought to traditional wedding night activities. He’s obviously as focused on reassuring you as he had been back in his study. And you want to know more. You want to know everything, of course you do. You’d only thought…but no. He’s right. “I mean, I do.” Best to resolve all this now so he can start to trust in your acceptance. Best to get it all out in the open, in your new privacy, before something else got in the way. “Yes.”

“Well, we finally have some privacy,” Dale says, echoing your own thoughts so closely you almost smile, “and I don’t want you to be nervous or unsure about me.”

“I am sure of you,” you feel the need to say. You stand up because while you’d had other ideas for tonight, reassuring your husband you trust him certainly seems more important. “However, honest conversation is never bad and is overdue. I’ll brew some tea.”

Still, it’s harder than you think to swallow your disappointment. You take advantage of the distraction and familiarity preparing tea provides–the way it allows you to look away from and ensure your face isn’t giving away your chagrin. 

Of course Dale would value a conversation about his nature and his experiences and clarifying with you over something so, so human. He’d said something about a mate, but who knew what that truly meant to him. You had no real idea if demons even had sex. He must know what humans did on their wedding nights, but it's clearly not on his mind now. 

He pauses every now and then in his circuit of the room to hover a bit over you and the tea table, before backing off in a manner that makes it clear he’s not sure of his welcome still. 

But what about that kiss? You mind wonders with some frustration. Was that just something he thought humans did? Did he think it was expected and complied, but hadn’t truly want to? Or maybe he simply didn’t care about this sort of physical affection? You begin to feel rather shallow and base in your preoccupation.

As you finally pour the tea into a cup for each of you, you tell yourself that you can only manage one thing at a time. For now, your focus has to be on understanding Dale and what he wants. You can figure the rest out later. He’s your husband now. You’ve got plenty of time.

You sit back down on the bed, cup clutched in your hand, while Dale takes his gratefully. To your mounting disappointment, he sits at the vanity instead of next to you.

“So,” he says, after a sip of tea, “where would you like to begin?”

[Part Thirty-Four]

[unreliablesnake]

Dress-up game (Vincent de Gramont x reader)

Summary: Vincent comes home sooner from a business trip, and immediately wants to see you in one of his three-piece suits.

Note: It's the same reader that was in “Proposal.” / If you want to know when I post new stuff, follow @unreliablesnakefics and hit the get notifications button. I don't have a taglist.

Warnings: Mentions of sex. Minors DNI, I guess.

Sometimes when you missed Vincent, you raided his walk-in closet to pick something to wear. He had some casual clothes, although he rarely wore them, so you freely chose a plain green shirt, a white full-zip hoodie, and a pair of boxer briefs that you had never seen on him. He was abroad for work, but he was supposed to be back by tomorrow night.

One more night until you could finally kiss him again. Until you could wrap your arms around his body and feel the warmth radiating from his skin. Until you can tell him how much you love him face to face. Until his hands roam your body like that was the first time he laid his fingers on you.

These last nights alone were always the hardest. The mansion wasn't entirely empty, the staff was there, but it still felt like there was no one around. As long as his side of the bed was empty, you were hopelessly lonely. Sometimes you thought you were in too deep, that this relationship was taking away your independence, but you always convinced yourself that it was worth it.

“You should wear my clothes more often,” you suddenly heard Vincent whisper into your ear as he wrapped his arms around your waist from behind. “I would kill to see you in one of my three-piece suits. Don’t you want to play dress-up?”

With a bright smile on your face, you turned your head just enough to see his face. He got back sooner than expected, and the thought made your heart beat so fast that you expected it to jump out of your ribcage. “Now?”

“Why not?” he asked as he placed a soft kiss on your earlobe, his hand slowly moving past the hem of the boxers you wore.

You let out a sigh as you leaned back against him, your mind already somewhere else from the sensation of him touching you again. Two weeks was a long time, you were utterly touch-starved by now, and even the smallest and most innocent of touches could light your body on fire.

All of a sudden he moved his hands to your hips and turned you around with one confident move. “Come on, just one suit,” he told you quietly. “I want to see you in the one with the red jacket.”

There was something truly mind-blowing about the way he could play your body like a violin, fully aware of how one flick of his wrist can change everything in an instant. Your mouth fell open, chest heaving at a rapid pace while you tried to figure out what to say.

You didn't really feel like changing your clothes, but his green eyes were boring into yours as if he was silently trying to convince you to do it. And damn, he was good at this game. It was impossible to say no to him, so you just nodded and waited for him to tell you what to do.

But instead of ordering you around, he just took a step back and slowly undressed you, a playful smile creeping on his lips as he watched your naked body. He ran a finger down your chest, then went to the walk-in closet to get what he wanted you to wear.

“It will look stupid on me, you know,” you told him when he returned and put the clothes on the bed. He gave you a questioning look while helping you into a dress shirt. “You’re much taller than me,” you said, watching him button up the piece of clothing.

“You couldn’t look stupid even if you wore a clown outfit,” he assured you before kissing the tip of your nose.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” you told him with a short laugh.

Vincent shook his head, but decided to remain silent. Instead he picked up the pants and signaled you to raise a leg. You did as you were told with your eyes fixed on him, wondering why he was so keen to see you dressed like that. He did or said weird things every now and then, but this was new.

“I'm just sure you would look lovely. I might even get one tailored for you,” he said as if he could read your mind. His fingers brushed against your skin as he tucked in the shirt, and he seemed to enjoy the way your breath caught in your throat as a result. “Are my hands cold? Or do you want me to touch you that much?”

Instead of answering, you waited for him to offer the vest, and while you put your arms through its holes to put it on, your eyes were fixed on the hardwood floor. Yes, you were desperate. You were dying to be touched by him, to be fucked by him, but it appeared that he enjoyed this game way too much.

While he did the buttons of the vest, he leaned down to give you a kiss; a sweet, slow kiss that savored this moment of unusual intimacy between the two of you. You couldn’t deny that there was something good about this game, specifically the way he gently dressed you up like a doll. He only ended the kiss when he reached down for the red jacket, flashing a predatory smile at you as he offered it to you.

Letting out a sigh, you put it on and gave him a questioning look. “What do you think?”

“You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart,” he said as he took your hand and twirled you around. “I’m sure I’ll get you one of these,” he whispered before kissing you again. “Now let's get you out of it.”

[cerenemuxse]

Human!2x5 getting married HCs

very long.

for age reference, Edward's in his early 40s while James is in his mid-30s (8yr age difference). takes place in future modern day (2030s)

for the ceremony, they wear suits. Edward's is cream white with cerulean and navy accents. James' is like a VERY dark, almost black, navy with red and pink accents.

its a small (as they could get it to be) outdoor spring wedding.

They have matrons of honor AND best person. Edward's maid of Honor is Emily and his best men is BoCo and Duck. James' maid of Honor is Jasmine and he has two best men, Donald and Douglas.

Edward's party consists of all his sisters. that's it lul

James' party consists of Gordon, Henry, and Rosie. it's pretty small lul

ok so- they both walk down the aisles. its a different layout. one walks in from one side while the other walks in from the other, meeting at the center

originally, Edward was a little embarrassed by the idea, but he arrives at his aisle on Callum, his (2nd) Clydesdale horse. It was James' idea. That's why its outdoors HEHE

"what's their wedding so-" THIS

(piano for James and violin for Edward)

Edward cut off contact with his parents after they kicked him out so his twin sisters are the ones walking him down the isle.

Doesn't really have a dad (Emily's parents divorced shortly after he was adopted) so Mama Sterling walks him down the aisle, along with Jasmine <33

THE RING BEARERS ARE JACQUELINE AND THOMAS WITH THE (SOON TO BE) FAMILY CAT, SOPHIE 💥

For the wedding reception, they basically swap color schemes, wearing each other's colors ✨ they wear weddings veils covered in flowers designated (so Ed's are for himself and the same goes for James), but both have white roses. (i wanna design these and their ceremony suits someday 👉👈)

Both floral schemes share daisies (loyal love).

Edward's floral scheme is chamomile (patience) and delphinium (big-heartedness + ardent attachment).

James' floral scheme is amaryllis (splendid beauty, pride, worth beyond beauty) and gladiolus (strength of character, faithfulness, and honor).

newlyweds' first dance was this. a fast paced dance to get them going for the night 💃💃 this was one where others were allowed to join in.

The playlist is a mix of 1970s-2000s and jazz. The jazz was for some of the elderly folk (and James, my beloved jazz enjoyer).

slow dances were occasionally thrown in so they could rest. Edward's leg injury from years ago got the best of him in recent years so now he has a cane. helpful when his injury starts to tire him out. speaking of which, it was decorated for the occasion, covered in vines (made of wire) and fake flowers

since the parent situation is mixed with both of them, its more like a group dance. Edward dances with his sisters while James dances with his family, adopted and bio. (Emily, Mama Sterling, Donald, Douglas, and Jasmine.) the more elegant of all the dances that night

then comes in the "father-child" dances. (try not to cry challenge: impossible)

it was chaotic. they were playing something from like the 1990s to 2000s. probably fucking Backstreet Boys or something, idk but that's the idea.

father-child(ren) dance took them out for a bit. they were also wearing heels. low heels but still enough.

both kept laughing as they tried to feed each other cake so they smudge some of it on each other.

the photographs are like those photos in dark places and the only lighting you get is from the camera's flash. it was all Polaroids, btw. James and Edward would later scrapbook them <3

the speechs were held for the end as that's when the energy is low and there would be less interruptions, considering who was present (a bunch of loud teens LMAO)

everyone cried and laughed at least once.

donald and douglas was pretty cheesy. teased James for a bit but ended it with a loving note about how happy they are their little adopted brother. Had james in tears.

Jasmine followed right after. she was happy to have been able to reconnect with her younger brother after decades of being separated

Jacqueline's really was the kicker for him though. (TLDR: these two have been attached ever since James adopted her after watching her during a foster care program. she was around 7 when adopted, an age that most people would avoid when adopting.)

Henry and Gordon's was similar (context: they met in HS at music competitions. Henry is Gordon's half-brother, attending the same school. James attended their rival school and the rest is history). Teased him but ended on an unusual heartfelt note.

Edward did not escape the flood of tears. His adopted kids, Thomas, Percy, and Nia, did their speech together, followed by his sisters, BoCo, and Duck. was a crying mess (in a good way) from the start.

Emily ends the speeches by telling how they all met, and the "everyone but you two knew that you crushed on each other" story of those two from her perspective. had everyone laughing, including those two.

James was the one to throw the bouquet but like tradition, both he and Edward didn't look over to who it was. he might've accidentally smacked Gordon with it, who was dating Rebecca at the time. BOY did James and Edward have a field day over that HAHA-!

once its over, they clean up and go home, both of them taking Callum back to McColls (that's where Callum is homed since Ed and Jim live in apartments. planning to move out into a house in Wellsworth tho). they planned their honeymoon to be a few days later so they could rest from the thrilling but exhausting day they had. they emotionally (/pos) and physically tuckered out from the event haha-

knocked the fuck out once they got home, crashing onto the sofa.

and now they're husbands <33

[clayderogatory]

okay let me just say i am a big music nerd and also a big resident evil nerd. put two and two together, and now you have this. greetings and salutations everyone and today i am going to analyze and discuss the 4 major boss themes in resident evil 4 remake and my interpretations of each one.

note that i am no big music theory major, but i know way too much about resident evil and i know how music can influence how someone can feel and how it can relate to the characters they are for.

the bosses i am going to be talking about are as follows:

Bitores Méndez, Ramón Salazar, Krauser, and Osmund Saddler.

they will go in order right under the cut!! i hope u enjoy because this actually took hours to write im not even kidding.

Bitores Méndez:

Starting off with Méndez, his boss theme is very very different from the OG. What the Remake has, I believe it further demonstrates and shows to the player through music more insight on how he is presented in the game.

In the original, his theme is really just...eerie. It's unsettling, with much of it being very high pitched and almost just screaming in your ear. Some really other good examples of this are like—for instance—the very end of the Undertale Genocide route or like Something in Omori. It's made to be unnerving, like something is incredibly wrong in the situation you are in. But for Méndez's theme in the OG, it's really as far as it goes. It's just high pitched noises with creepy sound effects, almost like something is chasing you. There's even remnants of someone screaming in the background if you listen super closely.

The thing I love with the Remake is that they added so much more to this theme. Firstly, they kept that eerie high pitched noise that was primarily in the OG's soundtrack, in the background. That feeling and that aspect is still there in the song, but they added more instruments so that it was definitely more of a boss theme. There's drums, violins, tubas, etc. Those were at least the main ones I heard upon inspection.

Méndez is supposed to be the first big bad in re4r, he's kind of like the strong and seemingly invincible character for a good long while. He doesn't talk much, he's just there to follow Saddler's orders and to carry out his will. You have to try to avoid him in many cases because you can't get past him, but now you're in a situation where you have no other choice but to fight him. The music really amplifies this because it really conveys that feeling that he's like a mindless soldier. He's extremely intimidating, a lot of the music feels like it isn't leading up to this big finale or any sort of release. It's meant to build up tension or suspense, and it isn't much of a build up.

Méndez is there for the purpose to kill, with Las Plagas infecting his mind so badly he doesn't even have thoughts of his own anymore. That's only the first half of the song, because the second does get interesting.

It turns very fast paced and hurried. Like a cat and mouse chase, there's even an added primarily male choir in there to further add to the eerie feeling. It gets a lot more intense, because further in the fight, Leon is doing more to injure Méndez and that tension is finally rising to where it's a much more intense battle because Méndez had mutated a second time and now they are at each other's throats and the heat of battle and the burning building is probably getting to the both of them. And the tension is rising, rising, the music gets louder and its crescendoing more and more and then, it goes quiet.

it's not a big flashy ending, it just fades out to quietness. all of it is over, you can take a break and let what just happened sink in. it's so much more interesting and i do love they incorporated the same eerie noises from the OG into the remake's.

----

Ramón Salazar:

Up next we have Ramòn Salazar, and his remake theme is one of my favorites in the whole game. But starting with the OG, it lays a pretty decent foundation. There's that eerieness to it in the first, but then it grows a bit bigger. It primarily has a lot of organ parts to it. Plainly stating, Ramòn is from Royalty, he lives in a castle and had people do his bidding and such. His official title is of a Castilian.

He is also very weak compared to everyone else, and he hides behind the stronger ones with his rank and title. Organs are very primarily used in settings of where we are now, a very gothic style castle where before Los Illuminados came, everyone there was very Catholic. Which in other cases, they can be heard in churches as well. They're typically seen as very creepy instruments that unnerve many people. There's also usage of violins and a choir, which give this feeling of almost like a Haunted Mansion like sound as if there were ghosts taunting you.

Interestingly enough, there's also some more modern hints in the song with a faint electric bass in there. It's also a little waltzy, like it has elements where you could kinda dance to it. It has a similar tension where it rises and rises and then goes quiet again.

But what I really want to get to now is his remake theme, holy shit it is so so SO amazing. Ramòn in remake is very vastly different from OG, he has that same element of being weak and using his authority to always have a higher ground, but he isn't nearly as cowardly. He has a way more sadistic mind to him, and even in records found in the game, he was described to be this nasty little guy who reveled in seeing people suffer.

he also presents the whole section as like a story or a play. He calls Leon a "gallant knight" and Ashley the "princess fair." He's over dramatic, and he sees himself as a higher being than the others. Except for Saddler, because he worships the man—like everyone else.

Already within the theme we are starting off BIG, it's loud, dramatic, very fitting to how he sees everything as a show, a drama even. We get a lot of build up within the first 35 seconds or so. They utilize a lot of choir parts within this, mainly SSA (sopranos and altos) to make it very high pitched and giving that eerie vibe again. The title of the song comes into play too, "Baile de la Muerte," or as translated, The Dance of Death. Already off the bat it sounds as dramatic as the music is, and because the song is very much a waltz.

It's also something to note that Ramón moves around a LOT in this fight, similar to how you move in a dance. But he looks a lot more like a horrifyingly mutilated bug so it's more annoying than anything.

String instruments are HUGE in this song, and especially that choir part mentioned earlier coming in really heavy towards the middle. There is some more SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) at this part compared to the beginning. There's already so much tension because the song starts big and keeps. getting. BIGGER. towards the end the choir part keeps striking with more and more tension, its keeps building and building, and then HUGGEEE beat drop where there is just this beautiful and amazing finale that is just so so SO dramatic and theatrical. it's like the big end to a show, the strings are fast and furious as the drums are striking and LOUD, and what i believe to be brass instruments just killing it. and the final note ends on a high ass note for the choir and all the instruments coming together to deliver the end of this AMAZING track.

its a dramatic piece for an equally theatrical and dramatic character, and it leaves with this satisfying finish before ending and letting it all settle again.

---

Jack Krauser:

Now with Krauser's theme, it is my favorite in the whole game. I could loop it for hours because it's so catchy and it even ties back to previous lore with his character. Firstly to compare to the OG, the OG and remake are already extremely similar.

It's very strong and heavy, like how Krauser is. It's also very dramatic and one big thing to notice is that there is this kind of very fast drum that is prominent. It's kind of something that you would hear in a theme pertaining to jungles and whatnot, which IS important. I'll get to that in a moment, but, it's a very fast paced song. It does have that tension because Leon is facing a formidable for that he used to know. There's a lot of build ups ready for a beat drop that just adds so much to the intensity. There's not much to say because the melody and sound for this song is pretty much the same as remake, but obviously they expanded on it.

what i really want to get to is remake, because they utilize SO many elements in this to make it really powerful and to support Krauser's character. First and foremost, Krauser and Leon's relationship in remake is different than OG. In OG they were more "comrades" who fought with one another in the military, but in remake, Krauser and Leon, have this relationship where he was his mentor. They both know the same combat skills, it just comes down to who can apply them better in their fight. That's what makes Krauser so terrifying, because he knows everything Leon knows to a higher degree.

As well as that jungle aspect maybe coming from Darkside Chronicles that expanded on Leon and Krauser and Operation Javier. I thought that was a neat touch to add with the music as well, but anyways, this piece is powerful with the primarily male choirs, harmonies, and so. much. buildup. it's leading up to something so much bigger with it's fast paced structure. there's a lot of heavy drums that are just going and going, and it eventually leads to this HUGE beatdrop that really makes it feel more like a final battle. Leon is facing someone that was close to him, even if he was a huge asshole, he was Leon's mentor and taught him everything he knew.

it's so heavily dramatic because the stakes are high, Leon has to get to Ashley before it's too late and try not to get killed by his teacher. It repeats until at the end It leads up and up until it goes to this somber music. Leon has to kill someone he did care about. He proved himself worthy and now has to take the final blow, all while trying not to cry because he was forced into doing it. It leads up to this big big tense feeling until he strikes the blow and it's over.

"I taught you well, Leon."

"That you did, Major, that you did."

---

Osmund Saddler:

With Saddler, it's, again, similar to the OG and to be frank, I'm just gonna talk about the remake. Saddler is so interesting because the whole game has been leading up to him. He's a mystery, he is the leader of Los Illuminados, the one with all the control over everyone in the hivemind. With his theme, they really use a lot of the choir instead of the instruments taking over.

The reason due to this is probably all of the religious themes within Saddler and how he is literally a cult leader. within churches, there are usually church choirs that sing which is probably why it's very abundant in the theme. The music is matching with the choir a lot, and a lot of drums are used in this piece. Compared to some others, there are a lot of flowy parts to the song and also some very staccato moments where it's very on the dot. Especially in the middle where it's very big and intense.

This is a serious battle, Leon has to kill Saddler to get rid of Los Illuminados, and it isn't an easy task. They really keep that feeling of it being such a tough fight and that it is menacing, Saddler is not just a pushover. He wants to spread his cult across the world and he will stop at nothing to try and achieve that. It mainly repeats a lot due to it obviously being a boss theme and it will repeat until you kill the boss, but the ending is so interesting as it goes from this very flowy and moving section, and then it goes down, and then ends abruptly with even a hint of organ snuck in there.

Saddler is posed as a threat, on or off screen, and his theme definitely delivers on that as well.

---

and that is a wrap! if you made it to the end, you get a cookie 🍪

and if anyone wants to discuss anything more, feel free! these are my thoughts and ideas of all of these themes and how they relate to all of the characters they are for :)

[phightingheadcanons]

music tastes for all phighters!!

sword - classical/instrumental music, somewhat influenced by medkit. also plays the violin :)

skateboard - really energetic hiphop music. wants to be a good rapper but fails miserably

biograft - doesnt really get the concept of music. canonically he enjoys listening to the screams of his victims

katana - doesnt really care for music, but canonically there is some sort of lullaby he was sung as a child. i think hed either visercslly hate operas or be somewhat entertained by them

banhammer - i feel like you’d catch him singing along to like, fucking kpop or something. like something you’d never expect him to be listening to. also he sings in the shower

rocket - canonically has a varied music taste but prefers hiphop. i think that yeah he doesnt really care about what he’s listening to

slingshot - canonically enjoys old school hiphop and yeah i can see that. also really likes jazz i think. like hed play it exclusively in his cafe even tho it seems ooc for him

hyperlaser - canonically liked metal in his old days which is actually so funny to me. like what this man no way. hed like listen to some song he enjoyed as a child and only be like “damn this hurts my ears wtf”. now i think he just doesnt listen to music

shuriken - in canon he enjoys pop but hed also really like indie music and music that’s just like really fast paced. a god at rapping for some reason

scythe - cowgirl music LMAO. no i think she’d viscerally hate country music in fact and prefers jazz

medkit - canon enjoyer of classical but i know this man has room for some soft jazz!! he has space for it i know

boombox - like fuckin edm or some loud ass just almagamation of noise. probsbly ironically plays phonk music to piss everyone off

subspace - enjoys in canon *checks notes* the screams of his victims. yeah im not gonna add onto him lmao

vine staff - would also enjoy indie but like stuff like beetlebug. like very soft fun indie if that’s how you describe it

coil - jersey club. im not elaborating

-🏵️ anon

.

[5five5five5five5five5five]

Five hated rain. it meant he couldn't go outside. he wasn't much of an outdoor kid to begin with but on days when he wanted to go play or hang out with the others and it was raining, he loathed it. Viktor loved rain. they rarely went outside and didn't much care for such things. they loved sitting by a window and listening to it well reading or playing the violin. it was a nice change of pace. days when it rained were days together. five complained about it and viktor listened. the soundtrack of their life. rain, a good book and their brother complaining about it....till it wasn't. five hated rain for 40 years. it meant cold. it meant getting wet with little shelter. it meant having to put a tarp on his wagon. it meant needing to shelter Delores and the shame he felt knowing that she would get wet regardless. viktor couldn't love rain anymore. what was the point of his five wasn't there to complain about it. rain just reminded him of loss. reminded him that the academy was even quieter then it ever was on rainy days. the rest stopped complaining about the rain at 13. they had better things to do. They didn't play outside anymore. as the years went by, their opinions nulled. Five got used to it. Viktor stopped caring. after a while. rain was rain.

then a lot of shit happened....and then the sky cleared. Viktor hates the rain. it makes him miss dates or home visits for his violin tutoring. for a family so themed around umbrellas, he can never find one fast enough before the "where are you??" texts start popping up. none of his jackets are warm enough. he gets cold easily. Five learned to love the rain. it meant his garden got water without needing to do it himself. it meant the grass grew longer and the plants were healthy. the earth was healing. it meant more coffee then normal. it meant warmer clothes, his favorite. it meant a fire in the fireplace. it meant Viktor usually came home in a bad mood. complaining, a Hargreeves's favorite pass time.

Five listens as his once closed off sibling ramble up a storm about his date canceling on him and then his classes needing to be rescheduled due to the bus delays. the streets were slippy so he fell on his ass into a puddle. today was the WORST. a warm towel, clean clothes, some coffee and a blanket later, everything was at peace. their song played, now remixed, the singer older and redone for a newer audience.......but it was almost better.

no more worry no more stress about Father Hargreeves

they could track mud and water in without a earful.

they could put mini marshmallows in their coffee if they wanted to.

they could have coffee in general!

living with your brother isn't perfect. They bicker and have spats like all the siblings do. Five has changed so much and the events of their journey here effected them both.... but when push comes to shove...and the sky is blue... there's always a rainbow.

(PROSHIPPERS DNI THIS ISN'T SHIP CONTENT YA SICKOS)

[allfearstofallto]

What’s your top 3 songs from alien stage? :)

Thanks for asking, I wanna kiss you on the mouth

3. Blink Gone

The song literally just came out and it's already in my top songs. I love the violin in general and I love the free nature of the song. Did it make me cry? Yes. Did I fucking shake my ass the whole time, also yes. Additional points cause it includes Luka. I recently was on a five hour flight (pls ask about my anniversary trip with my partner) and I spent majority of it watching the music video over and over while pausing to analyze it.

2. Cure

I play this song at least three times a day. It is my go to car karaoke sing and I feel bad for all my friends and family because I genuinely can not stop playing it. This song HURT ME and I said thank you. And I continue to thank it. It's not even the type of music I prefer, I very much prefer fast paced pop songs instead of ballads, but the raw, emotional vocals in this one had me hooked.

1. Ruler of My Heart

The song that got me into Alien Stage. I'm not joking. I saw a clip of Luka manipulating Mizi and all I could say is "Who is this gorgeous blonde specimen" (I really love blondes). While Cure isn't my typical type of song choice, Ruler of my Heart is right up my alley, this is music I could genuinely see myself dancing to. And I have danced to it. I sing it. And obviously my favorite like is "Make me Your God, I Can Give you Everything," seeing as I write a fanfic about it. Luka's voice actor really has the vocal depth and richness that suits the character, so this is genuinely why he's not favorite character.

Anyways, thanks for the question and don't forget to congratulate our two time alien stage champion!!!

[arielthedaydreamer]

I know it's fun to ditch on men but honestly being a man feels nice.

Being a girl sounded like the fast pace of a high pitched violin solo, it tasted like a once delicious pizza completely ruined by too much salt. It felt like the bubbling anxiety of introducing yourself to a new group of people.

But being a man sounds like the low chords of an acoustic guitar, looks like the rain soaked tree leaves against the dark earth. Being a man to me feels like the cloudy skies touching the pale blue sea. It is the dark shadow of mountains against the gray horizon.

Don't ask me what any of that means, I'm telling you how it *feels*.

Fellow trans people, what does being your gender feels like to you?

[kykeee]

Hello! I'm hosting a drawing challenge this October called Songtober! The goal of the month is to create art inspired by songs which correlate with the prompts listed.

Please tag your art with #songtober2024 !

For anyone confused about what any of the prompts mean, here's a list with more detailed descriptions;

1. Childhood

A song from your childhood.

2. Love

A song about love. The definition is loose! Could be platonic love, toxic love, heartbreak, etc.

3. Instrumental

A song with no vocals.

4. Hidden gem

Any song you feel is unknown/underrated.

5. Guitar solo

Any song with a guitar solo.

6. Rest!!

7. Sad

A sad song.

8. Guilty pleasure

Any song you'd be embarrassed to play in the car ride.

9. Fast

A song with a fast paced rhythm and/or vocals.

10. Slow

A song with a slow paced rhythm and/or vocals.

11. Piano

Any song that noticeably features piano.

12. Rest!!!

13. Abrupt end

A song that ends abruptly.

14. Fade out

A song that fades out.

15. Happy

A song that makes you feel happy!

16. Recently discovered

A song you've recently discovered.

17. No MV/Album art

For this prompt, you need to get creative without existing visuals. You can base your drawing on the lyrics, tone, etc.

18. Rest!!

19. Precious

A song that you hold close to your heart.

20. Cute

A cute song! This is loose definition, could be cute-creepy if you want.

21. Two or more singers

A song with multiple singers.

22. Most Listened To

Your most listened to song this month/year/all time. Your choice!

23. Drum Solo

A song with a drum solo.

24. Rest!!!!

25. Funny

A funny song! Again, definition is loose.

26. Song Swap

Exchange recommendations and draw art inspired by the song you got in return. Could be with anyone, they don't have to be doing the challenge as well!

27. Violin

A song that noticeably features violin.

28. Story

A song that tells a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end. (Examples: Lamprey Hole, Stomach Book, Kagerou Daze.)

29. Shuffle

Press shuffle for a random song! Could use all of your music or a specific playlist.

30. Spooky

A scary song!! Get spooky!!!!

[starlightsinger32]

If Wild Kratts was a Musical (w/Chrizach) ACT 1

*Snorts line of Takis dust*

'EPIC: The Musical' fever hits hard, so here's 'Wild Kratts Our Green and Blue World: The Musical' but it's also Chrizach because, well, it's me...

DISCLAIMER: I did not actually write a musical for I have no rights to Wild Kratts, and I can't write music to save my life.

ACT 1:

'Wild and Free'

Performed by: Martin, Chris, Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy

Mood: Upbeat, joyful, optimistic

Summary: In this opening song, the audience is introduced to the Wild Kratts team, their philosophy, and personalities. The song starts with just Martin and Chris, before introducing each of the other team members and their musical motifs and instruments (Aviva: Acoustic Guitar, Koki: Marimba, Jimmy: Clarinet). There are harmonies, but also a lot of unison singing, demonstrating how in sync the team is.

Inspiration: 'It Roars' from 'Mean Girls the Musical' and 'The Family Madrigal' from 'Encanto'

'You (Zach's Lament)'

Performed by: Zach

Mood: Irritated, longing, denying

Summary: Zach watches as the Wild Kratts play, and laments the specific things he dislikes about them. However, he continually redeems one team member referred to only as 'You', and implies he would like to be in a romantic relationship with them. The lyrics initially lead the audience to believe he is singing about Aviva, but it becomes clear he is talking about Chris, though he never says his name. The song changes tempo and tone to become lighter when Zach is singing about Chris, and saxophone can be heard along with Zach's instrument (electric guitar).

Inspiration: 'Lonely Room' from 'Oklahoma' and 'Johanna' from 'Sweeney Todd'

'It's a Green/ It's a Blue World' from 'Wild Kratts: Our Green and Blue World'

Performed by: Martin and Chris

Mood: Upbeat, argumentative, conflicting

Summary: The original song, but extended. The brothers present their arguments for Green vs Blue, first logically, but eventually devolving into pettiness, though not cruelty. Martin and Chris's instruments (trumpet and saxophone) conflict each other, and their melodies are distinctly different. Typical Sibling stuff. They are unable to agree, and storm off in opposite directions, leaving the others behind.

Inspiration: 'Life's too Short' from 'Frozen' (Cut Song)

'The Ends Justify the Means'

Performed by: Zach, Paisley, Donita, Gourmand, Rex, and Dabio

Mood: Bold, Triumphant, Menacing

Summary: Initially unaware of the brother's fight, Zach, Paisley, Donita, and Gourmand meet to plan their beach resort, which all will contribute to and benefit from. They all revel in what they will get out of the deal: money, prestige, attention, etc, but Paisley brings up that they do not yet have a location decided upon. The vocals and instrumentals are all loud and exaggerated during this portion of the song, and feature a solo by each villain as they all compete to be the main voice heard. Their instruments and motifs are introduced during this song as well. (Zach: Electric Guitar, Donita: Violin, Gourmand: Euphonium, Paisley: Synthesizer) The mood shifts when Rex and Dabio interrupt to inform them of the Kratt brothers fight, which causes Zach to take over the narrative with a plan to manipulate Chris into helping them find a resort location. The others agree, leading to a triumphant and dramatic climax.

Inspiration: 'A Story Told' from 'The Count of Monte Cristo'

'Harmony'

Performed by: Martin, Chris, Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy

Mood: Fast-paced, conflicting, expressive

Summary: Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy track down first Chris, then Martin and attempt to persuade them to reconcile by pointing out the symbiotic ways forests and oceans interact with specific examples such as the water cycle. The team's appeals are all sung in a three-part harmony which neither brother is willing to join, instead continuing their conflicting melodies and reiterating that their colour is better while getting into increasingly dangerous situations. When Aviva tries a new tactic of stating that oceans and forests NEED each other, and the brothers do too, Chris and Martin do begin to harmonize...about the fact that the other needs to admit he is wrong.

Inspiration: 'End of the Line' from 'Theory of Relativity'

'Green is My Favourite Colour'

Performed by: Zach and Chris

Mood: Persuasive, friendly, complementary

Summary: The song begins with Chris alone, in the rainforest. He is openly hurt by Martin's arguments, but also begins to enjoy being surrounded by the colour he loves. As he notes the green he sees, Zach appears, causing an abrupt stop to the song while they talk. Chris is very wary of Zach, until he picks up the song, mimicking Chris's original melody and confessing that green is secretly his favourite, too. Though initially hesitant, Chris begins to join in with more and more enthusiasm, listing more reasons why green is better, with Zach's encouragement. They harmonize closer to the end of the song, and their instruments complement each other, but although they are singing the same words, many lyrics have double meanings that imply Zach's intentions.

Inspiration: 'I'm the Friend You Need' from the My Little Pony Movie-more the tone and message than the instruments or melody.

'Big, Bright, Blue-tiful'

Performed by: Martin ft Aviva

Mood: Bouncy, excited, celebratory

Summary: Martin's only solo in the musical, this song is preformed while he is exploring the ocean and interacting with/turning into aquatic animals. He downplays the fact that his brother isn't there to see them, instead attempting to revel in his beloved surroundings. The high point of the song comes when Martin is on top of Ka-bluey the whale, and Aviva cuts in to warn him that the team can't find Chris and suspect something has happened to him due him being alone. Martin feels guilty and attempts to call Chris, but there is no answer.

Inspiration: 'Dancing Through Life' from 'Wicked'

'Your Side, My Side'

Performed by: Martin and Chris

Mood: Frustrated, clashing, assertive

Summary: Martin manages to find Chris, who is still spending time with Zach. Zach does not participate in this song and leaves when asked by Chris, but he can be seen eavesdropping by the audience. Martin attempts to convince Chris that Zach has bad intentions, while Chris insists that Zach is on his side, unlike Martin. Some of Martin's begin to mimic Chris's as he tries to explain they're both on Nature's Side, but Zach is not. However, Chris's melodies repeatedly undergo slight changes in order to set him apart from his brother as he points out Martin's lines from earlier in the story and how Martin is clearly NOT on HIS side. Chris also makes it clear that Zach is not going to attempt to harm nature because he is going to keep an eye on him, and he does NOT need Martin to look after him. Even more upset than before, the brothers leave in opposite directions.

Inspiration: 'A Boy Like That' from 'West Side Story' and 'Take Me or Leave Me' from 'Rent' (Not the context of this song, just the musicality)

END OF ACT 1