#and ive been shown clips so i know what he sounds like as AD and it doesnt hit anywhere near as close as the jax voice does

[lecliss]

I just got shown a h@zb1n character and told she has "Eddie's favorite" written all over her and I think I'm gonna kms fr bro

[luntica]

What we do in the shadows type of John Constantine imagine.

Summary: John comes back to his house to find a vampire were being have set up home in it. The show is them living together as he tries and gets then to leave until eventually he bonds with the weird couple.

"Did you know werewolves don't age so long as they keep up in monthly heart eating? " the black hair figure said clutching onto the shorter blonde figure.

"The werebeings are capable of shifting at will, that part about only during full moons was false. But the moon does come with the ability to extend life with the consumptions of hearts. The details seem pretty fuzzy but the good thing is, we're have managed to be together for such a wonderfully long time as a result. " the black hair figure continued into the Camara

"He drinks the blood, leaving abit just to sweeten things for me, and I take care of the body! It's a lovely deal, it's a mystery why our relationship has been so taboo for so long. It would be so mutually beneficial" the blond added in.

"And what are your names?" The interviewer asked.

"I've gone by an awful lot, and can never be sure what was my original. But my favorite has always been the raven, usually used in a way to sound mysterious and spooky" the black hair figure described before laughing.

"I usually go by manned lion, or a random name from a name generator. Since meeting my love ive been experimenting with identity. " the interviewer looks tired, the on screen name tags have "the raven" and "writing desk" for the two, with "what was given when asked what to put post interview"

The camera shifts and in a different room a tired blond man smokes a cigarette while holding his head in his free hand.

The on screen label is "John Constantine, house owner"

"This house was vacant as far as we could tell, and needed some touch ups, so we moved in. Come to find out we hit a room mate. " 'writing desk' says and the raven adds "he's a mage " with an exaggerated whisper.

It goes back to Constantine in the same roo. but now in an interview set up.

"I travel a lot for my work. It gets chaotic. But having someplace to come to can be nice, this is that for me. I would be lying to say this isn't the first time pests have shown up while ive been gone. But these wankers are an extra headache. " the camera shows a clip of a large creature dragging a body across the main entrance as John stands in a doorway in a robe looking very tired.

"I tried getting rid of them every way I could think of, but the bloody bastard are resistant or protected or some shit. " another clip of throwing spells at the vampire only to have it blocked or fire back and a shield manifesting around the blonde one.

"I revoke your welcome" John yells in one clip at the vampire, to which it laughs.

"An empty unclaimed building has no need to be welcomed and thus when I enter I claim it, you can't revoke that. " the raven explained to the interviewer.

"I'm not exactly sure how long before it's decided vacant to magic terms, never tested that much. But I do enjoy a good loophole"

The Camara than shows John threatening with a crucifix. The raven raises a brow.

"Universal protection symbols for example only work if the vampire means ill will. Most have trouble being good to any extent, but I've found ways to not be effected by things like that. Though a holy ground will still leave a burning itch cause I have murdered a ton. " the interview than shifts to Constantine trying to put silver out only to have it go missing.

[fragmentedink-archived]

Hell to Pay: Chapter Twenty-Six

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, IX, IX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XIV, XV

cowritten by @lux-scriptum

A/N: trigger warning for character death, implied past sexual abuse, implied self harm, excessive use of the work ‘fuck’

Amara came home to an empty house. Her stress must have shown, because Cin pressed up behind her as she read Lev’s note. She patted his curls absently when he bit her shoulder, and sighed softly. “I don’t think he’s okay.”

“He smells like baby,” Cin observed.

Amara snorted. “He lives with a baby, Cináed. What did you expect.”

Cin bit down harder, and then licked the puncture wounds. “It’s a nice smell,” Cin eventually said. “Calming.”

“Softie,” Amara accused. “I don’t know why anyone’s afraid of you.”

He bared his teeth at her, but when she twisted to tug on his curls, he was quick to bury his face in her neck, purring. “Give him some time,” Cin muttered against her neck. “I wander. He might want to.”

Amara grumbled. “Stop talking sense. This is a senseless house. No sense allowed.”

Cin snorted, pulling away. “Okay.”

Still. As time inched by, Amara grew more and more uneasy. She caved after two hours of waiting, and called up Raziel. The angel barely had the chance to confirm Lev wasn’t there before she hung up. Cin watched her pace silently.

The next person she called picked up quickly. “Is Lev there?” She demanded instead of a hello.

“No, he’s not. What’s wrong?” Nate replied.

She considered hanging up on him, but knowing Nate, he would just call her right back. “He went for a walk, didn’t say where. I’m being paranoid probably, I just wanted to know where he was. It’s just a bad feeling, that’s all.”

Nate paused. “Do you need me come help you find him?”

After chewing her lip for a few seconds, Amara said, “No. Bay’s ‘bout ready to pop. You should be with your mate. I’ll- I’ll call Nik, see if Lev went home. He was really mopey while he was here, he probably missed them.” She forced her tone to be light and teasing as she added, “Give Bay a big old smooch from me.”

“Are you sure?” Nate said after another moment of hesitation. “I can help for a few hours.”

“Nah. I’ve got Cin, I’ll go bug Nik, we’ll drag Cameron out by his ear if we have to. Focus on your mate. I’m sure he’s grouchy enough I took your attention away from him this long already.” She closed her eyes. “But thank you, Nate. I’ll keep you updated. Promise.”

Again Nate hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Positive as one of Bay’s pregnancy tests.”

Nate sighed. “I’m hanging up now. Good luck.”

“Bye, Nate.” Amara hung up, and chewed on her phone case while she stared at the floor.

“Are you going to actually call?” Cin asked from the couch.

“I’m still debating,” Amara groused, before dialing. “Cameron? Is Lev there?”

---

Nik was still slumped at the kitchen table nursing a tequila sunrise when Cameron reached for his freshly cleaned phone half a second before it even started ringing. He didn’t even look up from his cleaning the knives when he instantly said, “Where is he?”

Nik blinked and blinked again, looking down at his drink and then back at Cameron. “How- what? Did you know that was going to ring? Is Lev okay?”

Cameron, of course, ignored him and listened to whoever it was that decided to call at this forsaken hour. “You left him alone? Now?” Cameron said. “You know as well as I do that he’s about as dangerous as a newborn. I knew you were annoying, but I hadn’t realized you were an idiot.”

Nik sat up when Cameron’s mouth ticked. “So much for that magic, hm?” Cameron got up from the table and correctly assumed Nik would follow as he said, “Oh, I can do both at the same time, Amara. Human blood does do that.”

Amara?

“What’s she saying?”

Cameron just hung up and tossed him the phone without looking back at him. “She lost Lev,” he said, neutrally. “So I’m getting healed enough to make up for her incompetence. I’m still too injured right now.”

Nik instantly looked down at the phone and called her number. She answered immediately and said, “You’re a dick.”

“Don’t I know it,” Nik said. “What’s going on.”

“Lev left me a note, saying he went for a walk. But I don’t know how long he’s been gone.”

Nik closed his eyes and sighed. It was too early for this. It was too damned early. No wonder Cameron sent Eden away. Maybe he really wasn’t capable of protecting her. “Does… your magic say anything?” he asked. “You know that… thing you can do?”

“I have a bad feeling. It’s probably me being paranoid.”

Anxiety shot through Nik’s stomach when Cameron turned his head just enough to say, “You’re not being paranoid.”

“Cam said you’re not being paranoid, Mar.”

“Does Cameron want me to meet you there, or does he want to come meet me?”

Cameron said, “I’m not going to show up to that squallor you call an apartment, and I need to get healed. It’ll save time to just come here.”

“Did you catch that?” Nik asked her.

“He’s being a bitch again. Yes, I can hear him.”

“You make it sound like it ever stops,” Nik said, sighing. “How long you going to be?”

“Depends on if I crash my motorcycle on the way there or not,” Amara said. “The roads are getting icy.”

“Okay,” Nik said. “Just. Be careful, Mar. Can’t be worrying about you too.”

“No, I refuse,” Amara said, before promptly hanging up on him.

Nik sighed bitterly and shoved the phone into his pocket. But it promptly rung again. It was Lev’s cell but Cameron said, “Give me the phone.”

Nik blinked, and handed it over before he could think of an argument to that clipped tone. Cameron held it to his ear, back spasming as he descended the stairs. “Hello?” he said, in a tight voice.

“Lev?” Nik asked, leaning closer.

“Of course I’m still alive,” Cameron said. “It’s hard to kill me.”

“Not Lev.”

Cameron ignored him. “I see you enjoy my toys,” Cameron said, coolly. He paused, listening to whatever it was Nik assumed Destris was saying. “You never did like sharing,” Cameron said. “Don’t be daft, love is useless. He’s been here because he enjoys my cock in his ass. No more, no less.”

A chill ran down Nik’s spine and it had nothing to do with the cool air around them as they stopped in front of Sazra’s room. Cameron kept talking to Destris while he sat down silently on the cot, arms tightening as he braced himself for Sazra’s healing. “You are not the only one who uses my services, Des. As you know, I made my living sucking cock.”

Sazra’s face closed completely as she pulled Cam back to sink her claws into his skin. Cameron jolted, muscles tightening. He damn near dropped the phone as he let himself be baited by whatever it was his sadistic brother was saying. Nik said, “Okay, that’s enough.” He grabbed the phone from him and held it to his ear. “What the hell is wrong with you? Cameron is your brother.”

Destris’ laugh made Nik halt in place. He ground his teeth when Destris smoothly said, “He isn’t my brother. He’s a bastard. I know you angels are soft hearted, Nikolas, but to us demons, bastards are property. Nothing more. Nothing less and if I want to fuck someone, then I damn well will.”

“Where’s Lev?” Nik said. “I know you know, you sick fuck.”

Destris hummed and Cameron flicked a blank, pain laced stare his way. “Stop talking, Nik. He’s not going to tell you, alright? He called to taunt.”

He could hear Destris click his tongue over the line. “He never did have a sense of humor. Whatever do you see in him?” Destris asked. “I can’t believe you actually love him. It’s just an infatuation, you know that right? Do you see yourself in a century, with a little family of your own. With him as your husband?” Destris was laughing so hard. “Gods. I feel sorry for you. Thinking that Cameron is capable of something like that. Did your pet angel think that too? Was he so mooney eyed for Cameron that he completely overlooked the fact that Cameron is a whore and a killer who has already killed a previous lover? Who says you or Levant won’t be next?”

Nik didn’t even allow the blink, even when Cameron was staring him dead in the eye, not saying a damn word, either. Nik just hung up the phone and shoved it into his pocket. He picked at a bracelet, turning his attention to Sazra. “Hurry the fuck up.”

----

Amara stomped up the front steps, huffing. Why the fuck Cameron decided to live in an icy, wintery wasteland was beyond her. She damn near wrapped her cycle around a fucking tree twice on the way here.

“You’re not fucking poetic, asshole,” she muttered to herself, shoving the door open.

Not five steps inside a sentry jumped her, but that was to be expected. She slid to the side, shoving her elbow against the sentry’s back as she hooked a foot around his ankle. The second he hit the floor she dropped her weight on him, shoving a dagger against the base of his skull.

“I’m not in the fucking mood to play games,” she hissed. “Don’t push me.”

Footsteps announced Cameron and Nik’s presence, but she didn’t look up, even when Cameron said, “Took you long enough to get here.”

For a long moment, she wrestled with an abrupt impulse to shove the blade home anyway, but she leashed it, tucking that thought away for later, and stood. “You look like shit, Cameron. You sure you’re up for this?” For once, she wasn’t joking around, she wanted an honest assessment.

“The car’s already going. Get in it,” Cameron said, completely ignoring her demanding question.

She set her jaw, trying not to tense. “Guess that answers my question on if you wanted me to follow on my bike,” she muttered, before flicking Nik a look. “I’m assuming you’ve already claimed shotgun?”

“Yep,” Nik said shortly.

“Fucking fabulous,” Amara grumbled. She looked down at the sentry she’d pinned to the floor, and deep violet eyes met her gaze. The hatred there didn’t bother her. She just turned on her heel and stalking out the door. “You’re lucky I like you, Nik.” She sheathed her knife as she headed back outside.

Nik rolled the windows down as soon as he was in the car. Amara slid in the backseat after a moment of hesitation (and, admittedly, a Look from Cameron), but it took another look to get her to put on her seatbelt.

“Where the fuck are we looking first?” Amara demanded.

Cameron didn’t even answer, instead tapping away at his phone, and then fiddling with the GPS installed in his car. Rich motherfucker.

The silence was unbearable, but Amara knew better than to try to talk. Nik wasn’t saying a damn word, which Amara assumed meant he was working himself into a panic, as if that would fucking help anything. All he did was stare out the window and pick at his bracelets.

“Hey,” she said sharply, kicking the back of Nik’s seat. When he didn’t even glance back at her, just kept plucking at the bracelets on his wrists, she scooted forward, ignoring Cameron’s dirty look, and smacked Nik’s shoulder to get his attention. Anything to get him to fucking stop. She dug around in her pockets until she found what she was looking for. “I forgot to tell you, but you left this at my house. A-fucking-gain.” She dropped a guitar pick in Nik’s hand, and settled back with a huff.

It worked, at least. Nik still didn’t say anything, but he went to running his thumb over the pick instead of picking at his bracelets.

She glared out the window as the streets slowly became familiar again. Too familiar. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” she said, straightening. “That’s not-” She stared at the house at the end of the cul-de-sac they were approaching. “Lev’s not there, but that’s a fucking low blow.”

Cameron pulled to a stop outside Remiel’s abandoned house anyway. Amara thumped the headrest of his seat.

“You know he’s not there,” she said, sharply. Anxiety roiled somewhere behind her ribcage, an awful feeling she couldn’t shake. “Why the fuck did you stop?”

He shot her a look before pulling his phone out.

Not a second later, it began to ring.

---

Cameron had his phone in his hand and had to his ear not even before it had a chance to get to it’s first ring. He hadn’t even looked at the caller ID before saying, “Where are you.”

He barely heard the faint, “Cam- Cameron? I made a mistake.”

“Where. Are. You,” Cameron said, putting his car in reverse and starting to drive. “I’ll come get you.”

“Back at my house,” he said, too quietly. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

“What the fuck is he doing back at that house,” Amara said.

Nik’s only reaction was the tightening of his jaw, but Cameron just blatantly ignored Amara while he started for Lev’s address. “Keep talking,” Cameron told him. “We’ll deal with your bad choices later, but first that requires you in my house.”

Lev mumbled, “I want to come home. Can I come home?”

“Of course you can,” Cameron said, tightly. “Who else is going to keep Nik busy.” Lev just gave him a weak laugh, but fell far too quiet for Cameron’s taste. “I said to keep talking,” Cameron said. “Do as you’re told.”

It was a few seconds before Lev said, “I wanted to sell the house.”

“And you still can,” Cameron said, coldly, blowing every stop sign and light on the way. “I’m sure there’s some needy angel that needs a small house with cramped rooms somewhere. Blood stains come out.”

Lev gave another small laugh. “Not everyone needs to live in a mansion, Cameron,” Lev said.

“That’s because not everyone has decent taste,” Cameron said, flippantly. “Some are too poor to afford decent housing. Which is where you come in.”

Lev tried for a teasing tone. “Are you mocking my need to take care of everyone?”

“I don’t know,” Cameron said. “Am I?”

Lev’s house came into view. Cameron just pulled the car into the yard and as close to the door as possible. Nik’s face paled, but he said nothing. Cameron said into the phone, “We’re here. Keep talking.”

“I’m tired.”

“I know,” Cameron said, getting out of the car, walking past the thick trail of golden blood soaking into the light snow covered grass. The midafternoon sun made it reflect and glimmer in the daylight. Cameron ignored the rotting honey smell burning through his nose and shouldered past the wide open door on the front porch.

Nik’s breath was tight and shallow behind him; Amara was on his heel. Cameron weaved through the small space, following the bloody path to Lev curled into himself, holding the phone. Amara was already peeling out of her leather jacket and pulling her black tank top over her head and shoved it into Cameron’s extended hand. “Use that.”

Cameron was already moving and looking Lev over, looking for where it was bleeding most. Lev’s eyes opened slowly and he stared up at Cameron. “That you?” he mumbled.

“I told you to keep talking,” Cameron said, flatly, placing the shirt on Lev’s still bleeding stomach.

His eyes closed again. “That's you.”

Cameron could feel Amara staring at Lev before shifting her gaze to him. “I don’t have angel healing,” she said.

“No shit,” Cameron said, over Lev’s outcry as he scooped him up. He ignored the splitting pain in his back. “The only kind of useful you are is being a pain in my ass. We’re going to an actual healer. Nik- drive.” He was moving past them both, down the front porch and into the awaiting back seat. When Amara tried moving to the backseat with them, Cameron bit out, “Up front.” He didn’t give her the option to argue and closed the door before she could climb in anyway.

“Drive,” she said, to Nik, before turning in her seat to look back at them. At Lev. “What the fuck did he do to you?”

“Amara,” Nik said, tightly enough it was a warning drawn taut. “That’s enough.”

Cameron wouldn’t have been surprised if Nik kicked her out of the car if she pushed further. Amara just turned around in her seat sharply and buckled up, looking back at Lev. “I’m assuming we’re going to see Ash?”

“You assume right,” Nik said, flicking his dark eyes into the rearview mirror at them. “He’s not that arrogant for no reason.”

Amara pulled out her phone, texting, who Cameron assumed was the arrogant angel himself. Amara relayed Ash’s message and Nik drove even faster, going white knuckled at the wheel.

“I told you to speak,” Cameron said, tugging at Lev’s hair sharply. “You want to make me happy? Do as you’re told.”

Lev was trying to focus on Cameron’s face, but was failing at it. He was more staring through Cameron, instead. Cameron ignored the twisting feeling cutting through his chest, when Lev said, “I’m scared.”

He knew that already. He could almost taste it. It was palpable.

“I didn’t- say anything to him,” Lev said. Cameron didn’t catch what Lev said when Lev started trailing off. But he did catch Eden’s name. That only confirmed his suspicions, but he shoved that into a box and wasn’t planning on thinking about it again when Lev’s bloody hand covered Cameron’s still applying pressure on Lev’s stomach. “I am- I was...”

“Keep. Talking.”

“Cam,” Nik said, sharply.

He ignored him, pressing his hand against Lev’s abdomen and wiped the shiny blood from Lev’s lip. Nik swung into the drive, going through the grass to the damned front steps, but Lev gave a little sigh, hand going limp and Cameron said, “It’s too late.”

Amara whipped around. “The fuck it is,” she snarled.

Cameron growled low in his throat, but his peripheral vision caught a flash of the annoying ginger stalking to the car. He pushed the door open in time for Ash to swing it open further and climb in with them. Ash’s red hair was pulled back from his face in a tight bun, green eyes flashing and glowing bright.

There was no trace of the insufferable smirk on Ash’s face as he quickly and efficiently assessed Lev’s body, fingers tracing down Lev, looking at all the wounds. He could sense Ash’s magic trying to find some shred of life- of Lev in Lev’s broken and shredded body.

Blood seeped down Ash’s lip, even if his efforts were futile at best. Ash wiped his lip, streaking blood across his cheek as he tried pressing his magic into Lev harder. The car was getting hot enough that Ash’s hair was damn near limp with sweat. “Damn it,” Ash swore under his breath.

“Ash,” Nik said, tiredly.

“No,” Ash said.

“If he thinks he can do it, let him,” Amara snapped.

“He can’t,” Nik shot back, nails digging into the seats. “It’ll just kill him too.” He looked back at Ash. “You selfish bastard, stop it.” When Amara snarled at Nik, Nik cut her a dark look. “Why didn’t you stop him, huh? You’re so intent on letting Ash kill himself to bring Lev back. Why didn’t you stop Lev from leaving.”

“I didn’t know he was going to leave,” Amara yelled at Nik, before turning back to Ash. “Ash, just fucking stop. He’s gone.”

tagging: @idreamonpaper @incandescent-creativity @livvywrites @halstudies​ @alittleyellowdinosaur

[nyangibun]

Little Wolf: Part VIII

@jonsa-countdown – for day 8: free day. again, so sorry it’s late!

@jonsa-creatives – for day 2: celebration

PART I | PART II | PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI | PART VII - AO3 LINK

PART VIII: CELEBRATION

“You look cute.”

Sansa turned around and scowled. “This is all your fault.” His barking laughter made her irritation grow ten folds. “It’s not funny! I look ridiculous.”

Jon walked further into her bedroom. He stood behind her just a few inches shy from where she was standing in front of the full-length mirror and pulled playfully on one of her plaits. “I don’t know. I think it’s quite fitting.”

She rolled her eyes. She was about to tell him how wrong he was when she finally took in what Jon was wearing. Dressed in a dark tunic with burgundy linings and pointy shoes, he looked even more absurd than her. “Oh my god.”

“What?” Jon’s ears began to turn pink. She forgot how easy it was to make him blush. Broad-shouldered and broody he may be, but Jon, at his heart, was a big softie. It was one of the reasons why she had fallen for him in the first place. There was just something so utterly endearing about an awkward man who didn’t know how kind-hearted and handsome he was.

Shaking her head, Sansa smirked. “Nothing. You just look way worse than I do.”

“Hey, I thought I looked quite… dashing,” he protested, while smiling toothily at her. “But I guess we can’t all look like a princess now, can we?” He tugged her plait again and Sansa slapped his hand away.

“Stop that! You’re going to ruin my hair.”

His grin was smug as he inched closer. Jon bowed his head. “Aye, aye, m’lady. Whatever you say.” And with that, he turned on his heels and walked out of her room, no doubt grinning like a buffoon. Sansa ought to smack him, but she couldn’t help the grin on her own face from widening.

Of all the parties she thought she’d be hosting at her house, Sansa never thought she’d be hosting a one-year-old’s birthday party – at least not at twenty-five. She had spent most of the morning running around town buying last minute decorations and picking up the Olaf-themed birthday cake, while Jon, Arya and Gendry decorated the house. Blue and white streamers were tied to her bannister, a birthday banner to one of her walls, and more Frozen characters taped to her furniture than she ever expected to see.

She knew Chloe wouldn’t remember this, but Sansa would, and if she was honest, they all needed this. It had been six months since Robb and Margaery’s accident and there’d been very little to celebrate in that time. No one wanted to celebrate, not when so much of their days were drowned in grief, but for Chloe, everyone was willing to push aside what pain they may be feeling to be there for the little girl. Even Rickon had shown up – although he still wasn’t talking to Sansa or Jon.

Descending down the stairs, Sansa’s grin grew wider at the sight of Arya and Gendry arguing over where a cardboard cutout of Olaf should go. It had taken her much less time to like Gendry than Margaery, but the big bullish man was sweet, genuine and utterly devoted to her sister. If there ever was a human personification of that heart eyes emoji, it would be Gendry when he was looking at Arya.

“Sweetheart, this looks wonderful.” Her mother greeted her at the bottom of the stairs. The bags under her eyes were visibly smaller and the smile was more genuine than Sansa had seen it in a long while.

“Thank you,” Sansa said, as she came to stand before her. “But it’s not all me. It’s them too.” She pointed to Jon and her siblings, who were now laughing as Arya hit Gendry over the head with the cardboard cutout. “Especially Jon.”

Her mother nodded. She knew Sansa hadn’t meant just today, and the quiet acquiescence was a victory in and of itself. God knew Catelyn Stark and Jon Snow had never quite seen eye to eye. Sansa suspected her mother always held a grudge because it was at Jon’s house that Robb first got drunk. It only grew when Jon was left as the guardian of Chloe.

“So where is the little birthday girl?”

“She’s down for her nap,” Sansa said. “I didn’t want her to get cranky just when the guests were starting to arrive.” The smile her mother sent her was bizarre and she couldn’t get a read on it. “What?”

“You, Sansa.” Her mother placed a hand to her cheek. “The way you’ve handled all this responsibility. I’ve never been more proud of you.”

“I told you, it wasn’t just -”

“And Jon too,” her mother cut in with an exasperated sigh. “I hate to admit it, but he’s good for you. For both of you. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

“He loves Chloe and that’s all that I care about right now,” Sansa said testily. “So whatever else, mum, can you please just let it go?”

“Oh, sweetheart, I don’t doubt that one bit,” her mother said with a shocked expression. “I may have been… resistant -” Sansa snorted, but remained quiet at the look her mother sent her, “- at first, but he is a good man and a good father. Chloe is lucky to have him.”

“Then what is it? Why are you so difficult about us?”

“Because Sansa, what’ll happen when he meets someone else?” she asked quietly. “When he has a family of his own? I just don’t want to see you get your heart broken again.”

“Again?” Sansa’s voice must have reached a higher decibel than she’d intended because Jon immediately looked over, his brow raised in question, but they had perfected nonverbal communication months ago, and with one look, he smiled and turned back to face Bran.

Her mother shook her head, as if she was disappointed. “I remember when he left for Spain. More importantly, I know when a woman’s just had her heart broken.”

Sansa’s cheeks flushed. She inched away from her mother. “It wasn’t like that. I just - you know what? This is Chloe’s day. I don’t want to be talking about this.”

Without another word, Sansa retreated towards the kitchen. She braced her hands on the countertop and inhaled deeply. This was the second member of her family to call her out on it. Had she been so obvious even back then?

February 11, 2016 - 2:36pm

The car stuttered to a stop in front of a cluster of buildings. Sansa pulled down the sun visor and checked her reflection one more time. Lipstick? Check. Eyeliner? Check. Hair down or up? Sansa worried her bottom lip, as she considered the merits. She always did prefer to have her hair pulled back from her face. It was less of a hassle when at school. But if she left it down, maybe Jon would run his fingers through her hair, as he kissed her deeply.

Pulling the clip free, Sansa smiled at her reflection. Hair down? Check.

Today had been a long time coming. Jon was her best friend, the only person who’d ever made her feel safe, and if he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, they’d still be okay. He loved her; it was just a matter of how he loved her. Was it the same way she loved him? Because god, she loved him so much it ached in her bones.

The walk towards Jon’s flat was the longest in her life. It didn’t matter how many times she’d been here before. This time, she felt as if she was walking to the slaughter. A completely irrational thought, but one that created panicked and anxious butterflies in her stomach. She forced herself to continue, however, and headed towards the centre courtyard. Sansa was just rounding the bend when a familiar voice stopped her. She crept towards the edge of the wall and peeked out. Jon was standing on the steps of his building block. A blonde woman stood before him. She was beautiful.

“Val, what are you doing here?”

A feminine chuckle sounded in the air. “I heard you were heading off to Spain this weekend. I thought I’d come say goodbye.”

Jon laughed. “It’s not like I’m not coming back, you know?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want to miss my opportunity.”

The blonde woman grabbed hold of Jon’s collar and pulled him to her. Sansa wasn’t sure how long she stood there watching them kiss. It could have been seconds or hours - time didn’t seem to exist. But the moment she saw Jon’s hands go to Val’s shoulders, Sansa bolted out of there. She got into her car and drove. Home wasn’t an option. She couldn’t bear to be alone right now and being near her family wasn’t an option either, not when Sansa was close to falling apart. Her only destination was anywhere but here; anywhere where he wasn’t, where they weren’t.

For the first time in her life, Sansa understood. She thought she knew when Joffrey cheated on her, but how she’d felt about him was nothing in comparison to how she felt about Jon. Losing Joffrey was a relief, a breath of fresh air after months of stormy sailing, but this was different. Sansa now knew what it felt like to have her heart break in two - to feel the cracks rip her slowly apart. She thought she could handle it if he didn’t love her back. She thought that she’d be okay and they’d just go back to being friends.

But maybe she wasn’t strong enough for that. Maybe this was it for them.

February 11, 2016 - 11:36pm

The key wouldn’t go into the lock. Why wouldn’t it go into the lock? Sansa frowned at the metal object in her hand and jabbed it once again at the slot. Finally, it fit perfectly and she was able to stumble back into her house. For a long second, Sansa blinked at the not-so-dark room. She didn’t remember leaving the lights on. Maybe she had been burgled; or maybe -

“Where the hell have you been?”

Sansa jumped back, hand clutched around her bag, ready to swing at the intruder. When she saw it was just Jon, she scowled. “What am I doing? What are you doing in my house!”

“God, Sans, are you drunk?” Jon walked over to stand in front of her. His grey eyes looked obsidian in the dim lighting, but she could still see the concern there. She hated it. Who gave him the right to make her feel loved when he didn’t even really love her?

“I had a drink. What are you, the…” Sansa faltered, as she was unable to come up with an appropriate term to call him. But then genius struck and she added, “the alcohol police?”

Jon furrowed his brows. “Sansa, what are you doing drinking on a school night? Don’t you have class tomorrow?”

“I had a date!” she blurted out without thinking. It hadn’t really been a date. Sansa had bumped into Harry Hardyng at the pub and they drank and got dinner. But for some reason, it felt imperative right then for Jon to believe it was a date. “Am I not allowed to date? You date! Arya dates! Robb had plenty of dates before Margaery!”

“What? I never said you couldn’t -” He growled in frustration and turned away from her. “So you didn’t think to even ring me?”

“Ring you?” Sansa repeated, feeling increasingly confused and angry. “I didn’t realise I had to check in with you every time I did something.”

“You know that’s not what I meant!” he shouted now, apparently just as angry. “We had plans, Sansa. I -” He gestured behind him to her table. “I got you your favourite takeaway.”

“I’m sorry. When did we have plans?” she bit out. She should feel guilty, but there was something about this situation niggling at the back of her mind that told her to stand her ground.

Jon looked perplexed now. “We always have plans. Every Thursday.”

“Oh,” Sansa said, bristling. “You just expect me to always be there, don’t you? While you’re off doing whatever, whoever you want, I’m supposed to just always be available for you.” That was it, wasn’t it? She was always there whenever Jon called. “I had a date, Jon! I’m sorry I didn’t ring, but I have a life outside of you!”

“And what am I to you? Just a placeholder until another guy comes into your life?” he spat back. “God, I thought you’d grow out of being such a prissy princess, but I guess not.”

Tears stung at the back of her eyes. She wouldn’t let him see her cry. Not like this. Sansa stepped forward, steeling herself, as she stared him down. “Get out,” she said as calmly and as coolly as she could. “Get the hell out, Jon.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, grabbing his coat and heading towards the door. “With pleasure.”

July 17, 2017

Someone touched her shoulder and Sansa nearly jumped straight out of her skin. She whirled around, her glare already firmly in place. It grew when she saw who it was that had startled her. “Bloody hell, Jeyne, you scared me!”

Her best friend snorted. “I did call your name like five times. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Sansa said. She pulled the birthday cake from its box and placed it on the stand – what she was meant to be doing instead of thinking back to one of her most painful memories. “I was just thinking, that’s all.”

“Okay. I’m not even going to ask what you were thinking about because I already know,” Jeyne said with a smug smile. “But it’s time to grab the birthday girl. The guests have mostly arrived now.”

Sansa nodded. She left Jeyne to prepare the snacks and went upstairs to wake Chloe from her nap. To her surprise, Jon was already there putting her into her Princess Elsa outfit, and it struck her then how different their relationship had been over a year ago. She might’ve dwelled on it more had the birthday girl not caught sight of her.

Chloe reached out her hands, immediately shouting, “mama, mama!” Sansa swallowed back the guilt and aching grief, and walked over to her little girl and pulled her into her arms. “Hi birthday girl, do you know how old you are today?”

“Don’t bother,” Jon said, straightening up. “I tried that earlier. She just continued to babble baby gibberish at me.”

“Awe,” she chuckled, patting Jon on the arm, before returning her focus back to Chloe. “Is your daddy sad because you love me best?”

It was becoming easier for her to refer to Jon as Chloe’s father. Maybe because she truly believed it. The way Jon was with her – there was simply no doubt in her mind that Chloe was his and he was hers. For some reason, however, Sansa couldn’t come to terms with it yet for herself. She loved Chloe with all her heart, more than she ever thought possible, but to call herself her mother seemed like a betrayal, even if she knew rationally it was what Margaery would’ve wanted.

“Hey, not true,” Jon said indignantly. “The lil’ wolf loves me just as much. Don’t you, sweet girl?” He bent forward to kiss her on her forehead. Chloe giggled and tried to grab his nose. “See, told you.”

“Whatever you say.”

With Jon bringing down Chloe’s comfort blanket and stuffed snowman in case she became uneasy around the large crowd of people, Sansa cuddled Chloe close to her chest and murmured to her, hoping the soothing tone of her voice would prepare the little girl for a party.

Twenty minutes in, it turned out they didn’t have to worry at all. Chloe loved being the centre of attention. Being passed around and kissed only made her peal with laughter, her babbling growing more and more excited. It didn’t mean Sansa was ready to classify the day as a success yet. Having raised a baby for the past six months, she knew how fast her mood could turn. It was like living with a tiny, very cute and non-threatening Hulk.

Sansa was just heading towards the kitchen to grab the cake when her phone buzzed – several text messages coming in quick succession. She pulled it out quickly just to turn it off so she could spend the day fully focused on Chloe, but what she read made her heart stop dead in her chest.

He’s back, Sansa.

They rehired him.

Deborah said he’s going to be the assistant principal.

I’m so sorry.

Call me, okay? x

[movingimagemedia-blog]

CONTEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Megan Vaughan 21289769

Media and Moving Image

Initial Idea

During Advent season the historic city centres of every major German city light up with Christmas markets, known as Weihnachtsmarkte. The Christmas market tradition dates to the 15th century. Today there are over 2,500 Christmas markets across Germany that invite visitors to enter the festive mood. I want to travel to one of these major cities and explore the traditions German markets hold and discover why this particular event has become commercialised worldwide. I will be researching its origins and why they are so popular and how they are advertised. I also will be visiting three UK markets to explore the commercialised version of these Christmas markets.

Chosen Brief

Lumix invite independent filmmakers to pitch ideas to create a short documentary on the theme ‘The Ones with Stories’. The 5-minute film must encapsulate ‘What does ‘The One’ mean to you?’

To Submit: 5-minute piece of moving image and 5 x still images

 What does ‘The One’ mean to you?

I have decided to explore the traditional Christmas markets as a theme of ‘The One’ because these small markets bring people far and wide all together to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Inspiration

Rick Steves’ European Christmas (minute)

[i]In this video Rick Steve visits different European countries that all celebrate Christmas differently and with their own traditions. When he visits Germany the market he explores the market in Nurnberg, ‘Christkindle’ markets are all over Germany and are filled with traditions and vibrant atmospheres. Toy making plays a big part in German Christmas traditions, a lot of these toys displayed at the markets are shown in this documentary using a pan movement, which I decided to incorporate in my video as well with shots from cologne of a blacksmith as well as commercialised toys from London markets. This documentary talks about the origins of celebrating Christmas in German as it is Luther country. This was the decision to humanise Christmas and for gift giving to happen on December 25th, the German ‘Rausch’ angel comes from the idea that there is a ‘Christkind’ that delivers presents to all. You will see this angle presented up high at most Christkindle markets.

I decided for my film I wouldn’t have a presenter talking like a documentary but more of an advert to promote the commercialised venues celebrating Christmas themes.

Importance of sound and visuals

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013

[ii] The editing in this advert goes extremely well with the lyrics of this song, it starts by setting the story by showing a snowflake meaning the bear would be going into hibernation for winter, the song is very soft which brings an emotion attachment to the advert already. The bear yawns along with the lyrics of ‘tired’ and then leaves the rabbit who looks sad. Then the rabbit brings a present to the bear, this scene cuts to everyone opening presents and then the bear turns up and looks amazing and happy joining all the fun. The present was an alarm clock which woke the bear p to this special day, I want to be able to find footage that goes along with the lyrics of my song that I chose for my advert.

[iii] When watching a film, the consumer has very little thought about what goes on when the camera stops rolling, according to Filipe Matins this is when the producers vision either becomes successful or isn’t reached. The choice of sound and how it is used to add to the emotional content of the film can really make or break an advert/video. Post production is all about connecting with your target audience, if you can appeal to your audience successfully then the outcome of advertising will be more long term rather than short term. When choosing music, I knew a soft, females voice would work well to create a magical feel to the film which is the trend when producing a Christmas advert or film. The song I chose was by Gabrielle Aplin, ‘Stay’ and it was an acoustic piano version which worked well with my vision.

Advertising

To link with the idea that sound and visuals must co-inside to create an emotion response from an audience, this typical convention is used in many Christmas adverts as an established literature theme.

[iv] Research indicates that adverts with music paying creates more of an affect which is critical in the way that consumers understand brand messages. I have decided to use a female vocalist with a soft voice which will appeal to more of an audience and therefore is influential upon consumer decision processes. 

[v] When a Christmas venue advertises there are trends which they know to follow to create a bigger audience base. A lot of venues will create unique wintery cocktails or use bright lights to suggest a magical wonderland. The advert above is for the Snow Kingdom Cinema near elephant and castle in central London, they create feel-good situations to incise consumers such as, blankets and beanbags that create a sense of ‘warmth’ and friendship. I want to include the same tunnel in my video as a beginning and end to keep an equilibrium to the story I want to tell which I think will go well for the film I want to make. In this advert the bright lights twinkle with the Disney like music that is playing, I want to try to include this type of feature in my film to link with the Christmas theme.

First Location

My first location that I filmed at was Bristol market, it was one of the smaller markets had Commercialised ideas about their German market.

I decided to try out my idea of following a girl’s path through the markets to link them altogether creating a story. I had my camera on a steadycam which was meant to stabilise the camera more however it proved quite difficult to use and keep stable. I had a storyboard figured out for this but because you just don’t know what they might have or what the atmosphere may be I didn’t follow my storyboard very much. To meet my chosen brief, I think that I want to capture the vibrant atmospheres that have made these markets so popular. I still will use a girl in my videos to ‘follow’ and that can link with the lyrics of my song ‘Stay’ by Gabrielle Aplin.

Development

This was exciting for me because I got to visit the main markets around cologne city centre and explore the traditions of the German culture. I didn’t have anyone with me to follow in this footage except on the ice rink, so I used this footage mostly to show unique traditions to the German celebrations and German toy making.

My shots always have people walking past but I liked that because it showed the pace of the atmosphere around me and put the audience into the crowds. 

I wanted to make sure I got the location and purpose of my film clearly, so I filmed all the names of the markets and any German words linked to the Christmas markets. After I visited a traditional German market I then visited Winter Wonderland, a private event in Hyde Park London. This market was filled with music, bright colourful lights and a lot of roller-coaster rides which is a very commercialised trend for London markets. However, it also had the wooden huts filled with traditional German food and drinks.

Commercialism

Its one thing creating a video advert for the run up to Christmas each year but if you can create enough buzz to last long term then that’s a successful video. This image shows the website for Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland, this event is hugely popular and vey commercial but has taken traditions from the German markets. The use of markets, rides, skating and traditional drinks and food means that, so many people will travel to this event to celebrate Christmas. This popularity means they can have a winter wonderland shop online and at the event, this publicity is what makes a great advert. This is what all venues will aim for when thinking about who to advertise, I obviously haven’t made a film focusing on one venue so mine film wouldn’t have this outcome in the long term.

Editing

In recent years there has been trends in adverts and visuals, because I had a mixture of night time shots and day time I had to colour correction my footage so that each the film flowed a lot better. The whimsical Christmas effects were my influence from the snow kingdom and John Lewis adverts, because of this, I knew when I was filming that certain bright colours would attract a similar kind of audience to those that the John Lewis adverts appeal to. When watching over my first edit, I realised that to make this film effective I had to make sure that my footage changed with the important parts of the song. For example, I put a beam effect on a piece of footage to make it go with the drums of the song.

I used techniques like fading at the end of the video to indicate the conclusion to my film, to keep equilibrium throughout I started and finished the film with the same footage. Another eye-catching effect would have been the lighting droplets in the second shot of footage, again starting in time with the music. Some clips have warming visuals such as a fire burning, when the lyrics talk about a friend or someone else I made sure I included footage of the girl I followed when I filmed at the markets.

Dissemination

For this brief I think my film would be used in the means the for the run up to Christmas, advertising the venues you can visit. played on smaller tv screens rather than on cinema screens in the ads before a film. I would also post this video on all social media platforms, this is because in this generation videos on Facebook that are about trendy new spots are very popular with consumers. 

Artist Statement 

My work for this module was driven by the uniqueness of German Christmas markets and how we have commercialised them across the world. I didn't want a cinematic documentary, I wanted to challenge how viewers don't think about the traditions and origins of certain events. By mixing together footage from commercialised markets and traditional markets, I think this showed a clear difference but will make consumers want to travel to experience these traditions all around the world. When editing I wanted there to be a modern theme throughout which is why I have followed a girl around and used her when the lyrics talk about a friend.

References

[i] steve, r. (2014). European Christmas. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqCJmOPCik [Accessed 14 May 2014].

 [ii] John Lewis Advert. (2013). [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW2EmATcb6o [Accessed 14 Nov. 2013].

 [iii] Martins, F. (2016). The Importance of Sound in Film. ASFF. BAFTA BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL.

 [iv] Catwright.J, McComick.H, Warnaby.G: Consumers' emotional responses to the Christmas TV advertising of four retail brands. (2016). Journal of Retailing and Consumer Serives, 29, pp.82-91.

 [v] backyard cinema (2017). Snow Kingom Cinema. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlBbAyrsSyc [Accessed 4 Nov. 2017].