#and that with her socials and that artists and entertainers did NOT engage with fans so much and that the BOUNDARY between creator and fan

[heartshapedcreaturefromcriptoon]

Okay, seriously ....

What the FUCK ....

Was this tacky arse, moving gif loving, neon purple pig bitch or whatever the fuck that freaking icon is now even doing showing up in top posts for me when I've made explicitly sure to have both her and her page blocked? FOR FOUR YEARS NOW?!

Like, Tumblr...?

WHY did you make me even have to go through the motions of blocking her again for the third time now?! (The second time I blocked her being when she was trying to actively Block Evade me through sending me an anon in order to bypass the fact that I had blocked her the first time.)

I never want hear anyone bitching to her about me bitching on my own blog about having to deal with such an obnoxious BNF ever again, because when I'm complaining about her presence being inescapable even after being blocked, I am complaining because she's inescapable!

And no one seems to care about the fact that sometimes it's by her own force because she BLOCK EVADED ME FIRST?!

The Big Name Fans here that just like ... Hoard all the News and Information just to re-post and regurgitate it (sometimes I think for Money in the Irish guys case) instead of making their own fanart, fanworks and fan merch to help celebrate the shows existence, but instead act like they're Big Shots just for taking a few Screen Shots and acting like everyone owes them something just for making certain information slightly more accessible, to the point where they've gained a certain form of "notoriety" just from that, so they feel like they can act as though certain Former/and or Current Crew Members who have experience working for Viv in general, better be on their Best Behavior, specifically for them and never cross them The Fandom Reporters, or else...

These are the kinds of Big Name Fans that have made just being in this Fandom seem insufferable at times to begin with: The people who archiving the majority of information as it goes active, just objectively aren't very good people with like, the absolute worst taste in everything else and I despise them.

Vivziepaparazzi... Medrano and the Image of her fan base deserves better than it's loudest voices.

A skeevy stalker girl who block evades and harasses people over their differences for being "rude and unlikable x3" when addressing those differences ...

And a skeevy anime incel dude bro gamer whose examples of Good Youtubers TM include the likes of Felix Kjellberg and Logan Paul...

Yes, these are exactly the types of fans I've always wished would be the loudest "Positive" voices in the fanbase, and thus be representatives of both Medrano's work and the overall Image of her fanbase to all of the Adult Queers outside the fandom space for the rest of us...

For the record, I also wished that the Future of this show Could and Would be represented by literally any other company than the one owned by Jeff Bezsos but we're in Hell.

And you know, The Horrors Persist but we stay silly I guess so HERE WE GO!

[musicverse11]

Behind the Scenes: How Madhubanti Bagchi Creates Magic in Her Music

The Indian music industry is a melting pot of genres, influences, and creative talent, but few artists stand out for their ability to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. Madhubanti Bagchi, a versatile singer-songwriter, has carved a niche for herself in this dynamic space. Known for her soulful renditions and experimental style, Madhubanti is more than just a musician; she is a storyteller who connects deeply with her audience. This article delves into her inspiring journey, unique sound, and how she is redefining the Indian music landscape.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Madhubanti Bagchi’s musical journey began in her formative years in West Bengal, a region celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and musical legacy. Growing up, she was immersed in a world of Rabindra Sangeet, traditional Bengali folk songs, and classical music. These early influences shaped her appreciation for melody, poetry, and storytelling.

Her initial exposure to music came through family traditions and community gatherings, where songs were more than entertainment — they were a means of preserving history and emotions. Recognizing her natural affinity for music, her family encouraged her to pursue formal training. Madhubanti honed her craft under the guidance of esteemed mentors, mastering both classical and contemporary techniques.

As she grew older, Madhubanti began experimenting with Bollywood classics, jazz, and indie sounds. Her ability to merge these diverse influences into a cohesive style set her apart. This amalgamation of traditional and modern elements became her signature, allowing her to appeal to audiences across generations.

Breaking Through in the Indian Music Industry

Madhubanti’s breakthrough moment came with her release of Aaj Ki Raat, a hauntingly beautiful track that showcased her emotional depth and vocal range. The song resonated widely, quickly garnering millions of streams and earning her a loyal fanbase. Unlike many emerging artists, she did not confine herself to a single genre. Instead, Madhubanti embraced diversity in her music, which helped her stand out in a competitive industry.

One of her standout performances was her rendition of Shayad from the Bollywood film Love Aaj Kal. While the original was already popular, Madhubanti’s version brought a refreshing vulnerability to the song, earning praise from critics and fans alike. Other notable tracks like Barbaadiyan highlighted her ability to deliver relatable lyrics paired with timeless melodies, further solidifying her position as a rising star.

Musical Style and Unique Appeal

What makes Madhubanti Bagchi truly special is her ability to tell stories through music. Her songs often explore themes of love, loss, resilience, and hope, making them deeply relatable. Unlike many mainstream artists, she doesn’t rely solely on catchy hooks or heavy production. Instead, her strength lies in her emotive voice and meaningful lyrics.

Madhubanti’s music often features intricate arrangements that blend traditional instruments like the sitar and tabla with modern synths and beats. This fusion creates a sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary, appealing to listeners with varied tastes.

Her voice, often described as soulful and expressive, has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. Whether it’s a melancholic ballad or an upbeat indie track, Madhubanti’s delivery ensures that each song leaves a lasting impression.

The Digital Revolution: Expanding Her Reach

In today’s digital age, Madhubanti has skillfully leveraged platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram to grow her audience. On Spotify alone, she has over 12 million monthly listeners and is featured in more than 23,000 playlists. These impressive numbers reflect her ability to connect with listeners worldwide.

Social media has played a significant role in her rise. With over 157,000 followers on Instagram, Madhubanti actively engages with her fans through live sessions, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and interactive posts. This direct connection not only fosters loyalty but also allows her to understand her audience’s preferences.

Platforms like YouTube have also been instrumental in her success. Her music videos, which combine cinematic visuals with compelling narratives, have garnered millions of views. This visual element enhances the storytelling in her songs, creating a more immersive experience for her fans.

Challenges and Triumphs

Like any independent artist, Madhubanti has faced her share of challenges. Breaking into an industry dominated by established labels and artists is no easy feat. However, her determination, coupled with her innovative approach, has helped her overcome these obstacles.

One of her biggest triumphs has been her ability to stay true to her roots while experimenting with new styles. This balance of authenticity and adaptability has allowed her to appeal to both traditionalists and modern music enthusiasts.

Impact on the Indian Music Landscape

Madhubanti Bagchi is more than just a singer; she is a cultural ambassador who showcases the richness of Indian music on a global stage. By blending elements of Bengali folk music with contemporary genres, she has introduced traditional sounds to younger audiences and international listeners.

Her success also paves the way for aspiring artists who may feel constrained by the industry’s commercial demands. Madhubanti’s journey proves that it’s possible to achieve mainstream success without compromising on artistic integrity.

Conclusion

Madhubanti Bagchi rise in the Indian music industry is a testament to her talent, hard work, and vision. Her ability to fuse traditional and modern elements, coupled with her deep connection to her audience, has made her a trailblazer in the music world. As she continues to create and innovate, Madhubanti is not just redefining Indian music — she is inspiring a new generation of artists to dream big.

Discover the magic of Madhubanti Bagchi by streaming her latest tracks on Spotify or exploring her YouTube channel. Let her soulful melodies transport you to a world of emotions and stories. Share your favorite Madhubanti song in the comments below or on social media using #MadhubantiBagchi, and join the growing community of fans celebrating this extraordinary artist.

[girl-innovators]

Week 13

Research Question

How has Taylor Swift's transformation from a country music teen singer to a pop culture phenomenon impacted her influence as a feminist advocate and voter rights champion? What role have her media portrayals (such as in Miss Americana and The Eras Tour documentaries) and social media presence played in shaping her public image and amplifying her activism?

Introduction

Taylor Swift's career trajectory exemplifies a unique evolution in the music and entertainment industry, highlighting her transition from a Nashville country music artist to an iconic global pop culture figure. As Swift matured, so did her artistry, public persona, and political voice, particularly through her advocacy for feminist issues and voting rights. This study will explore how Swift's identity and influence have expanded beyond her music, turning her into a powerful voice in social and political spheres, significantly impacting her audience’s views on gender equality and civic engagement.

This research will analyze Swift’s self-representation and public perception through documentaries (Miss Americana and The Eras Tour), as well as her active engagement with fans on social media platforms, assessing how these elements have contributed to her social and political influence.

Research Objectives

Examine Taylor Swift's career evolution from her early days as a country singer to a pop icon and her increased engagement in feminist and political discourse.

Analyze Swift’s impact as a feminist and voter rights advocate, particularly focusing on her engagement with social issues and the reception of these messages among her fans, the “Swifties.”

Assess the influence of Swift's media portrayals, specifically in the documentaries Miss Americana and The Eras Tour, on her public image and advocacy.

Evaluate the role of social media in amplifying Swift's influence, considering the significance of platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok in her outreach efforts and fan engagement.

Scope of Research

This research will cover:

Taylor Swift's Career Trajectory and Artistic Evolution: Tracing her journey from a teenage country singer to a pop star and cultural influencer.

The Role of Documentaries in Shaping Public Perception: Analyzing the impact of Miss Americana (2020) and The Eras Tour (2023) on her image, including critical reception and fan reactions.

Swift’s Influence on Feminism and Gender Equality: Examining her advocacy efforts, statements, and public actions that frame her as a feminist figure, including her challenges to the music industry's treatment of female artists.

Advocacy for Voter Rights: Investigating her initiatives to mobilize voter participation, especially among young people, and her advocacy for voter rights on social media and during her tours.

Social Media Impact and Swift’s “Swiftie” Fanbase: Evaluating her social media strategy, including her direct engagement with fans and the broader reach of her advocacy messages through platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Literature Review

This proposal will draw on a variety of sources, including:

Documentaries:

Miss Americana (2020) – Offers insights into Swift's personal and political growth, especially her shift towards public political statements and activism.

The Eras Tour (2023) – Highlights her iconic career, offering a lens into her cultural influence and relationship with her fanbase.

Scholarly Articles and Books:

Articles and studies on celebrity influence in political and social movements, particularly in how celebrities engage audiences in social justice and political discourse.

Analysis of gender representation in the music industry, with a focus on female pop stars’ struggles and resistance in a predominantly male-controlled field.

Social Media and Digital Influence Studies:

Research on celebrity social media strategies and fan engagement, specifically how pop stars utilize social media platforms to promote activism and influence public opinion.

News Media and Pop Culture Analysis:

Coverage from reputable news sources and magazines (e.g., The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Atlantic) on Swift’s career and activism.

Case studies on high-profile voter mobilization campaigns that involve celebrities, examining the impact and outcomes of these efforts.

Methodology

Qualitative Analysis of Documentaries: Conduct a close reading of Miss Americana and The Eras Tour, examining Swift’s framing as an advocate for feminist issues and social justice. This analysis will focus on key scenes and dialogues that highlight her values and shifts in public persona.

Content Analysis of Social Media: Investigate Swift’s social media posts related to activism (voter rights and feminism), identifying patterns in language, visuals, and engagement metrics. This will provide insight into how Swift strategically communicates her views and influences public opinion.

Fanbase Survey and Secondary Research: Conduct secondary research on studies and surveys of Swift's fanbase, particularly young women and Gen Z, analyzing their responses to her activism and how Swift’s advocacy resonates with them.

Comparative Analysis: Compare Swift’s social and political advocacy to that of other pop culture icons, examining whether her approach aligns with or differs from other celebrities, and assessing the outcomes of these differences in her influence.

Expected Findings

This research anticipates uncovering a strong link between Swift’s evolution as an artist and her expanded influence in political and social spheres. It is expected that:

Swift’s influence extends beyond her music, with her documentaries and social media presence helping to cement her status as a feminist and civic advocate.

Documentaries like Miss Americana and The Eras Tour play a significant role in establishing her public identity, offering fans and viewers a deeper look into her personal beliefs and journey as an activist.

Swift’s use of social media enhances her advocacy efforts, particularly by engaging a young, politically aware fanbase that responds to her calls for action, such as voting.

Her fanbase (“Swifties”) is particularly receptive to her messages on feminism and voting rights, amplifying her influence on social media and potentially shaping youth attitudes towards these issues.

Significance of the Research

This research will contribute to the field of pop culture studies by analyzing how a high-profile pop artist can transcend entertainment to become a political and social influencer. It will also offer insights into the mechanisms through which artists can impact public opinion and advocate for social justice, highlighting the intersections between celebrity, media representation, and social influence.

Additionally, the research could shed light on the potential for celebrities to play an essential role in voter rights advocacy and feminist activism, using their platforms to engage audiences that may otherwise be politically inactive.

Conclusion

Taylor Swift’s journey from country music sensation to pop culture powerhouse embodies a modern phenomenon where artists leverage their popularity for social and political impact. This research will provide a comprehensive analysis of Swift’s evolving role, offering insights into the implications of celebrity activism and the mechanisms that drive the cultural and social influence of today’s pop stars. By examining Swift’s unique position, this study aims to uncover the significant “Swiftie Effect” on contemporary social and political discourse.

[oppvenuz7]

 Jannat Zubair’s Book Launch: A New Milestone in Her Multifaceted Career  

Introduction  

Jannat Zubair, the versatile Indian actress, social media influencer, and fashion icon, has taken a bold step forward by unveiling her first book. Known for her dynamic presence on television, Bollywood films, and social media, Jannat’s new book reflects her personal growth and experiences. This launch marks an exciting new chapter in her life, adding “author” to her growing list of accomplishments.  

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Jannat Zubair: From Actress to Author  

Jannat Zubair has had a remarkable journey from her early days in television to becoming a Bollywood sensation. Known for her roles in shows like Phulwa and Tu Aashiqui, Jannat has also become a popular social media personality with millions of followers on Instagram.  

Her transition to becoming an author offers a deeper, personal look into her experiences beyond the limelight. The book is not just a memoir but also serves as a motivational guide, inspiring young readers to chase their dreams with confidence and resilience.

The Book Launch Event: A Star-Studded Affair  

The book launch was held at an upscale venue in Mumbai, with many celebrities, media personalities, and loyal fans in attendance. The elegant setup and décor perfectly complemented Jannat’s chic fashion sense, adding glamour to the event.  

Dressed in a stunning fusion outfit that blended traditional and modern elements, Jannat took center stage and shared excerpts from her book. She engaged the audience with heartfelt stories from her journey, leaving a lasting impact on everyone present.  

Key Themes of the Book: Dreams, Challenges, and Success  

Jannat Zubair’s book explores essential themes like self-empowerment, the importance of mental well-being, and overcoming obstacles. She narrates her struggles with balancing fame and personal life while encouraging readers to stay grounded.  

The book serves as both a reflection on her experiences and a guide for aspiring artists and dreamers. It emphasizes the significance of self-love, determination, and staying true to oneself, even in challenging circumstances.

Jannat Zubair: A Fashion and Social Media Icon  

Jannat’s impact extends beyond the world of entertainment. She is celebrated as a fashion icon, regularly setting trends with her stylish outfits. With millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, she continues to inspire young audiences through her fashion choices and lifestyle content.  

Her look at the book launch was no exception—she wore an eye-catching ensemble that captured her signature style, making waves among fans and the media alike.  

The Journey Ahead: What’s Next for Jannat?  

With her debut book now available, Jannat Zubair shows no signs of slowing down. While she continues to take on exciting projects in Bollywood, she may explore further literary ventures in the future. Her versatility as an actress, influencer, and now author makes her a trailblazer for young talents in the industry.  

---

 FAQs About Jannat Zubair’s Book Launch  

1. What is the central message of Jannat Zubair’s book?  

The book emphasizes self-love, mental well-being, and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams with persistence.  

2. Where did the book launch take place?  

The launch event was held at a luxury venue in Mumbai, attracting several celebrities and media personalities.  

3. What makes Jannat Zubair a fashion icon?  

Jannat is known for blending traditional and contemporary styles, setting trends that resonate with young audiences.  

4. Is Jannat Zubair planning to write more books?  

While no official announcements have been made, the success of her debut book suggests she may explore writing further.  

5. How does Jannat Zubair inspire her fans?  

Through her book, acting roles, and social media presence, Jannat inspires her fans to stay confident, follow their dreams, and embrace their individuality.  

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Conclusion  

Jannat Zubair’s book launch is a testament to her evolving career and ability to inspire across multiple platforms. From acting and fashion to writing, she continues to push boundaries and motivate others to pursue their passions. Her debut book provides readers with insights into her personal journey, offering motivation to anyone facing challenges in their path to success.  

[hritipuri9]

Priyanka Mongia: The Journey of a Social Media Sensation

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, few personalities have managed to capture the imagination of millions quite like Priyanka Mongia. With her charm, relatable content, and undeniable talent, Priyanka has become a household name in the world of digital entertainment. This article delves into the life, career, and impact of Priyanka Mongia, exploring her rise to fame, personal life, and what makes her a unique figure in the social media space.

Early Life and Background

Priyanka Mongia was born on September 27, 1997, in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Growing up in a middle-class family, Priyanka had a typical Indian upbringing, surrounded by the values and traditions of Punjabi culture. From a young age, she exhibited a natural flair for performing arts, often participating in school events and local cultural programs. Her family was supportive of her artistic inclinations, encouraging her to pursue her passions alongside her studies.

Education and Early Interests

Priyanka completed her schooling in Jalandhar and went on to pursue higher education. Although specific details about her academic background remain private, it is known that Priyanka balanced her studies with her growing interest in social media and content creation. Initially, she did not envision a career in the entertainment industry, but her passion for dance and music was undeniable.

The Foray into Social Media

Priyanka Mongia’s journey into the world of social media began in the mid-2010s when platforms like TikTok started gaining immense popularity in India. Drawn by the platform's potential to showcase talent and creativity, Priyanka began creating short lip-sync and dance videos. Her content was simple yet engaging, often featuring popular Bollywood songs and trends.

Her early videos quickly gained traction, and within a short span of time, Priyanka amassed a significant following. Her relatable content, combined with her natural beauty and expressive dance moves, resonated with a wide audience. Priyanka’s popularity soared, and she soon became one of the most followed creators on TikTok in India.

Rise to Fame

Priyanka Mongia’s rise to fame was meteoric. By 2020, she had garnered millions of followers on TikTok, making her one of the platform’s most recognized faces. Her videos often went viral, and she became known for her signature style of lip-syncing and dancing to trending songs.

Despite the competitive nature of the platform, Priyanka’s consistent content and engaging personality set her apart. She maintained a close connection with her audience, often interacting with fans and incorporating their feedback into her content. This approach not only solidified her fan base but also helped her evolve as a content creator.

The Ban on TikTok and Transition to Instagram

In June 2020, the Indian government banned TikTok along with several other Chinese apps, citing security concerns. This decision left many influencers, including Priyanka Mongia, at a crossroads. However, Priyanka’s adaptability and strong fan base allowed her to transition smoothly to Instagram and other platforms.

On Instagram, Priyanka continued to share her videos, maintaining the same level of engagement with her audience. Her followers from TikTok migrated to Instagram, where she quickly regained her popularity. Priyanka also expanded her content, including more lifestyle posts, fashion collaborations, and brand endorsements. Her presence on Instagram solidified her status as a social media influencer.

Content Style and Unique Appeal

Priyanka Mongia’s content is characterized by its simplicity and relatability. Unlike some influencers who rely heavily on production value and editing, Priyanka’s videos are often shot in natural settings with minimal equipment. This raw and unfiltered approach has endeared her to fans who appreciate the authenticity of her content.

Her dance videos, in particular, have been a major hit, showcasing her talent and passion for music. Priyanka’s ability to stay on top of trends while adding her unique twist has kept her content fresh and engaging. Additionally, her collaborations with other influencers and participation in viral challenges have further expanded her reach.

Personal Life and Public Image

Priyanka Mongia has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life despite her public persona. She is known for being humble and down-to-earth, qualities that have endeared her to fans and peers alike. Priyanka often shares glimpses of her personal life on social media, but she keeps the more intimate details away from the public eye.

Her relationship status has been a topic of speculation among fans, but Priyanka has chosen to keep this aspect of her life private. Instead, she focuses on her career and continues to engage with her audience through her content.

Impact and Influence

Priyanka Mongia’s impact on the social media landscape cannot be overstated. She has inspired a generation of young creators, particularly women, to pursue their passions and carve out a niche for themselves in the digital space. Her success story is a testament to the opportunities that social media platforms offer to talented individuals, regardless of their background.

Priyanka has also used her platform to promote various brands and products, making her a sought-after influencer for collaborations. Her endorsements are often seen as authentic and trustworthy, further enhancing her credibility and influence.

Challenges and Criticism

Like many public figures, Priyanka Mongia has faced her share of challenges and criticism. Some detractors have accused her of being repetitive in her content or lacking originality. However, Priyanka has consistently adapted to changing trends and audience preferences, proving her versatility as a content creator.

The TikTok ban was a significant setback for many influencers, but Priyanka’s ability to transition to other platforms demonstrated her resilience and determination. She has also managed to navigate the often harsh world of social media criticism with grace, focusing on her work and letting her content speak for itself.

Future Prospects

As of 2024, Priyanka Mongia continues to be a prominent figure in the world of social media. With the ever-changing landscape of digital content, Priyanka is likely to explore new avenues and platforms to expand her reach. Her ability to stay relevant in a highly competitive industry suggests that she will continue to be a significant influencer for years to come.

There are also possibilities for Priyanka to venture into other forms of media, such as acting or hosting, given her popularity and screen presence. Fans are eager to see how she evolves and what new projects she takes on in the future.

Conclusion

Priyanka Mongia’s journey from a small-town girl in Punjab to a social media sensation is a remarkable story of talent, perseverance, and adaptability. Her ability to connect with millions through her content, while staying true to herself, has made her a beloved figure in the digital world. As she continues to grow and evolve, Priyanka Mongia remains an inspiration to aspiring content creators and a testament to the power of social media in shaping modern careers.

[loopheadline]

Chrisean Rock Net Worth: Rising Star, Rising Wealth

When it comes to rising stars in the entertainment industry, Chrisean Rock is a name that stands out. With a dynamic personality and an array of talents, she's managed to capture the hearts of many. But how does all this translate into her net worth? Let's dive into the fascinating world of Chrisean Rock, exploring her journey, achievements, and, of course, her financial standing.

Who is Chrisean Rock?

Early Life and Background

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Chrisean Rock, whose real name is Chrisean Malone, grew up in a challenging environment. From a young age, she displayed an uncanny knack for performance and creativity, which eventually led her to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Breakthrough in the Music Industry

Chrisean's big break came when she started posting her music and videos on social media platforms. Her unique style and raw talent quickly garnered attention, leading to a significant following. Before long, she was not just a social media sensation but also a recognized name in the music industry.

Chrisean Rock Net Worth: The Numbers

Estimating the Wealth

As of 2024, Chrisean Rock's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. While this might not seem like a colossal figure compared to industry giants, it's essential to consider her relatively recent emergence on the scene and the rapid pace at which her career is growing.

Income Streams

Music Sales and Streaming: A substantial portion of Chrisean's income comes from her music. With millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, she earns a steady revenue from her songs.

Live Performances: Another significant source of income is live performances. From small clubs to large venues, Chrisean's energetic performances are a big hit, and the ticket sales reflect that.

Social Media Influence: With a large following on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Chrisean also earns through sponsored posts and brand collaborations. This form of income is increasingly vital for modern artists.

Merchandise: Many artists today capitalize on their brand by selling merchandise, and Chrisean is no exception. From clothing lines to unique memorabilia, her merchandise sales contribute notably to her net worth.

The Journey to Success

Challenges and Triumphs

Chrisean's journey hasn't been a smooth ride. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, she faced numerous obstacles. However, these challenges only fueled her determination to succeed. From recording her first tracks in makeshift studios to performing at local gigs, she gradually carved out a space for herself in the competitive world of music.

Influences and Inspirations

Chrisean often cites influences like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Cardi B as her inspirations. These artists' ability to blend raw emotion with powerful performances resonated deeply with her, shaping her own artistic direction.

Chrisean Rock's Impact

Cultural Influence

Beyond her music, Chrisean Rock is also a cultural icon for many young people. Her unapologetic style and fearless approach to self-expression have inspired countless fans to embrace their true selves.

Philanthropic Efforts

Despite her growing fame, Chrisean hasn't forgotten her roots. She actively participates in charitable endeavors, particularly those focused on helping underprivileged youth in her hometown of Baltimore. Her philanthropy is a testament to her character and a source of inspiration for her followers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Chrisean Rock's primary source of income?

Chrisean Rock's primary source of income is her music, including sales and streaming. Additionally, she earns significantly from live performances, social media endorsements, and merchandise sales.

How did Chrisean Rock become famous?

Chrisean Rock gained fame through her music and social media presence. Her unique style and engaging content quickly attracted a large following, leading to recognition in the music industry.

What is Chrisean Rock's estimated net worth?

As of 2024, Chrisean Rock's net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.

Does Chrisean Rock engage in any philanthropic activities?

Yes, Chrisean Rock is involved in various charitable activities, especially those focused on supporting underprivileged youth in Baltimore.

What are some of Chrisean Rock's influences?

Chrisean Rock is influenced by artists like Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, and Cardi B, whose powerful performances and emotional depth resonate with her.

Conclusion

Chrisean Rock's journey from the streets of Baltimore to the heights of the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspirational. With a net worth of around $2 million and growing, her story is a testament to talent, determination, and the power of staying true to oneself. As she continues to rise, there's no doubt that Chrisean Rock's influence and wealth will only expand, solidifying her place as a significant force in the music world.

[alarrytale]

"I’m really happy for you, that you are satisfied with the minimum" > That is not the minimum, it is the HEALTHIEST relationship between an artist and people who like their art (usually that's what fans are, if you don't like his art what do you like him for? Being a puppet who does everything you want him to do EXCEPT being the artist he wants to be?) but are absolute strangers to them.

Artists don’t owe you a lot more than their music. When social media exploded, parasocial relationships became essentially a part of the artist’s marketing and a way to create a dedicated fanbase that will buy anything you put out. But now that there’s more awareness on the subject some people are starting to reel back on how much of themselves they want to truly share with the public and imo it’s for the better for both the artist and the audience’s mental health.

Hi, anon(s)!

I've talked about this before, but it bears repeating. It's not about anyone "owing" anything to anyone. Nobody ows anyone anything. It's about the relationship between artist and fan being a symbiotic relationship. Fans want artists to entertain them and artists needs fans to entertain to have a career. In order to have a career, artist needs to balance between having artistic integrity and freedom and catering to their fanbase. If you as an artist do what the fuck you want to your own taste, and not with fans and their wants in mind, you'll loose fans. If you only do what the fans want you will have no artistic freedom and you'll probably be very unhappy. So you need to find a middle ground.

There are hundreds of artists fighting for the same target groups and pool of fans. The artists who manage to build a fanbase, a fandom and a bond between the artist and fans will prevail. There are several ways to build a bond and between artist and fans. In order to stand out and to be able to draw attention and engage fans you need a unique selling point and you need to connect with fans. Releasing an album, going on stage and then going home won't make people want to be a fan, spend time on you, promote you, engage in your other ventures or stan you. You need to sell yourself, offer something of yourself and do fan service. There are too many artists who do fan service and do it well, who fans would love to ditch you for if you didn’t give them the time of day.

The only one's who can afford to release an album, go on tour and go home is established superstar artists, icons and legends who use years to craft a hit album. Even they would benefit from doing fan service. Beyoncé did a signing event for her fans in Japan.

I do see your point about creating a healthy relationship between fans and an artist, but that's only how it works in theory and not how it really is. As the second anon points out, the artist don't just want your money as an artist, they want the sponsor money from a company who's brand they plug to their fanbase, they want your loyalty and dedication as a fan, and our attention on them, the whole year around, not only when they've got an album out. Because they know as soon as they disappear from the tabloid headlines or from social media, fans attention will be elsewhere on someone else. They loose streams and money, and when they're ready to return to public view, their fanbase might have already moved on.

An artist may choose to do the bare minimum, but hardly anyone can afford it these days. Loyalty is hard to buy and people's attention span is short. If fans feel like their artist isn't appreciating their time, effort or attention properly, and they feel like the artist is trying to milk their last cent out of them without anything in return (an album every two or three years and a tour, but merch and products drop every few months), then fans will leave and stan someone more engaging and appriciative. If fans get discontent with the treatment they're recieving from the artist, or an artists dismissive behaviour (saying no to photos or not greeting fans), the voices of discontent will grow and you'll be on the outs. The artist can't afford that. So it's all in the balance.

[unitedstatesofworld]

Chrisean Rock Net Worth: Rising from the Streets to Stardom

When it comes to rags-to-riches stories, few are as captivating as Chrisean Rock's. From overcoming adversity to establishing herself as a formidable force in the entertainment industry, her journey is nothing short of inspirational. But what exactly is Chrisean Rock net worth, and how did she amass her wealth? In this article, we’ll delve into her career milestones, financial growth, and the elements contributing to her current financial standing.

Early Life and Background

From Baltimore's Streets to the Spotlight

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Chrisean Rock, whose real name is Chrisean Malone, had a rough start. The youngest of 12 siblings, her childhood was fraught with challenges. Poverty, crime, and instability were constants in her early life, and she faced them head-on with an indomitable spirit. She found solace in sports and entertainment, showing an early knack for performance and athletics.

The Turning Point

Things took a significant turn when she caught the eye of Blueface, a popular rapper, through social media. Their dynamic relationship, often splashed across headlines for its tumultuous nature, became a stepping stone for Chrisean. She quickly transitioned from being known as Blueface's girlfriend to carving out her own identity.

Career Breakthrough

Reality TV Fame

Chrisean's first big break came with reality TV. She joined the cast of "Blue Girls Club," a reality show created by Blueface. The show, which put a group of women together in a house and documented their interactions, catapulted her into the limelight. Her feisty personality and dramatic flair made her a fan favorite, despite the show's controversy-ridden format.

Music and Social Media Influence

Capitalizing on her newfound fame, Chrisean delved into music. Her raw and edgy style resonated with many, and she began to build a loyal fanbase. Songs like "Vibes" and "Rainy Days" showcased her unique voice and ability to connect with listeners on a personal level. Additionally, her social media presence grew exponentially. With millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, she leveraged her influence to promote her music and personal brand.

Financial Growth and Revenue Streams

Music Earnings

A significant chunk of Chrisean Rock's net worth comes from her music career. With streaming platforms offering substantial revenue for popular tracks, her songs have generated considerable income. Collaborations with other artists and performances also add to her earnings.

Social Media and Endorsements

Chrisean's social media clout is another major source of income. Sponsored posts, brand endorsements, and collaborations with fashion and beauty brands bring in a steady stream of revenue. Her engagement rate is particularly high, making her a sought-after influencer for many companies looking to tap into her demographic.

Reality TV and Appearances

Reality TV remains a lucrative venture for Chrisean. Besides "Blue Girls Club," she has appeared on other shows and is rumored to be in talks for more reality-based projects. Each appearance not only boosts her popularity but also adds to her net worth.

Merchandise and Entrepreneurship

Like many celebrities, Chrisean has ventured into entrepreneurship. She has launched her own line of merchandise, which includes clothing and accessories that reflect her bold and unapologetic style. The sales from these ventures contribute significantly to her financial portfolio.

Chrisean Rock Net Worth: The Numbers

So, what’s the bottom line? Estimates suggest that Chrisean Rock's net worth is currently in the ballpark of $1 million. This figure is a testament to her hard work, strategic career moves, and ability to turn controversy into cash. It's important to note that her net worth is likely to grow as she continues to expand her brand and explore new opportunities.

FAQs

How did Chrisean Rock become famous?

Chrisean Rock gained fame through her appearance on the reality TV show "Blue Girls Club," created by Blueface. Her dynamic personality and subsequent ventures in music and social media solidified her status as a rising star.

What are Chrisean Rock's main sources of income?

Her primary income sources include her music career, social media endorsements, reality TV appearances, and her merchandise line.

Is Chrisean Rock still with Blueface?

As of now, Chrisean Rock and Blueface have had an on-again, off-again relationship. Their status often fluctuates, and it’s best to follow their social media for the latest updates.

What future projects does Chrisean Rock have lined up?

While specific details are often under wraps, Chrisean is rumored to be working on new music, potential reality TV projects, and expanding her entrepreneurial ventures.

Conclusion

Chrisean Rock's journey from Baltimore's streets to the entertainment industry's spotlight is a powerful narrative of resilience and ambition. Her net worth, currently estimated at around $1 million, reflects not just financial success but a testament to overcoming odds. With her multifaceted career and unwavering determination, Chrisean Rock is undoubtedly a name to watch in the coming years. Whether through her music, social media, or entrepreneurial endeavors, she's poised to keep climbing the ladder of success.

[advice4media]

Which pop stars have the best PR Plans?

Many pop stars have used effective PR.

These stars include Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction. It also includes Sass Jordan, Big Sugar, DOA, and The Parlotones. For instance, Perry Farrell's PR team got him valuable global media coverage. It boosted his public image and career.

Similarly, Sass Jordan used PR tactics. They helped her get positive press coverage and reach a wider audience. This ultimately boosted her reputation in the music industry.

Also, bands like Big Sugar, DOA, and The Parlotones used PR strategically. They did it to grow a strong fan base and make a recognizable brand.

This led to more visibility and success in the music scene. Pop music is competitive. A good PR plan is key. It helps you stand out and grab fans' and media's attention. It's what leads to long-term success.

How do music PR firms help emerging artists gain visibility in the industry?

Music PR firms help emerging artists gain visibility in the industry by leveraging their connections with media outlets, influencers, and industry professionals to secure press coverage, interviews, and features. They assist in crafting compelling narratives, organizing promotional events, and developing strategic marketing campaigns to increase the artist's exposure and reach a wider audience.

What are the key components of an effective crisis management plan for celebrities in the entertainment industry?

An effective crisis management plan for celebrities in the entertainment industry includes proactive monitoring of potential issues, swift response strategies, clear communication protocols, collaboration with legal advisors, and the development of a crisis communication team. It also involves preparing for various scenarios, conducting risk assessments, and implementing measures to protect the celebrity's reputation and mitigate negative impacts.

How do publicists maintain the public image of celebrities while respecting their privacy and personal lives?

Publicists maintain the public image of celebrities while respecting their privacy and personal lives by establishing boundaries, communicating openly with the celebrity about their comfort levels, and ensuring that any publicity aligns with the individual's values and goals. They work closely with the celebrity to navigate media inquiries, manage public appearances, and craft a positive narrative that reflects the celebrity's authentic self.

What role does social media play in shaping the reputation and brand image of musicians and pop stars?

Social media is crucial. It shapes the reputation and brand image of musicians and pop stars. It does this by providing a platform for talking directly with fans. You can also share content, promote music, and build a strong online presence. It lets artists show their personalities. They can connect with a global audience and grow a loyal fan base. It can enhance visibility. It can boost engagement and shape public opinion.

How do music PR agencies differentiate themselves in providing services to artists and musicians in the entertainment industry?

Music PR agencies differentiate themselves by offering tailored services that cater to the unique needs of artists and musicians. They may specialize in specific genres, have established relationships with key industry players, provide innovative marketing strategies, offer comprehensive media coverage, and demonstrate a track record of successful campaigns. By focusing on personalized approaches, creativity, and industry expertise, music PR agencies set themselves apart and deliver value to their clients.

Contact Us

Reach out to Advice4MEDIA. It is a top celebrity PR agency in Delhi. It is known for its skill in creating engaging stories. It is also skilled at building positive brand images. They have customized PR strategies and vast industry knowledge. They can propel your brand to great success. Take the first step to fortifying your PR standing and protecting your brand's future. Contact Advice4MEDIA today to begin your path to PR excellence.

[pavitrtimes]

Niharika Chouksey: The Rising Star of Indian Television

Niharika Chouksey, a young and talented Indian actress, has made her mark in the Indian television industry with her captivating performances and powerful screen presence. Her journey began at the tender age of 8 and continues to flourish today. In this blog, we delve into the life and career of this gifted artist as we celebrate her contributions to our screens and hearts.

Early Life Born on April 21st, 2005, Niharika hails from Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. She completed her schooling at Ryan International School. At a young age, she was determined to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. It's said that she even convinced her father to shift to Mumbai to follow her dreams and find her place in the world of television shows.

A Promising Start Niharika's exceptional acting talent was evident from the very start. Her television career took off in 2013 with the popular Hindi serial Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Her perseverance and dedication paid off, as she went on to appear in other high-profile TV shows, such as Qurbaan Hua (2020) and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, where she played the role of Nishtha Birla.

Expanding her Horizons In addition to her work in TV serials, Niharika didn't limit herself to acting alone. She ventured into modelling, making her mark in television commercials for a variety of brands like Amazon, Manyavar, Dettol, and Parle. This exposure only served to showcase her charismatic presence even further.

Continuing to broaden her acting portfolio, Niharika also appeared in the short film, Choice (2021), as Sweety. Her engaging performances drew the attention of a wider audience, making her a versatile actress to look out for.

Social Media Presence Niharika understands the importance of staying connected with her fans. To keep them updated on her latest projects and journey in the entertainment industry, she maintains a YouTube channel where she regularly posts content related to acting, modelling, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Recent Successes In 2022, Niharika made waves once again with her performances in web series, such as Udan Patolas, Ranjish Hi Sahi, and Aadha Ishq. Not only did she play a role in Swara Bhaskar's Jahan Chaar Yaar, but she also starred in Janahit Mein Jari alongside Nushrat Bharucha.

One of her most notable roles in 2022 was landing the lead role of Faltu Singh in the Star Plus television serial Faltu. Niharika felt a strong personal connection to her character, which helped her deliver a spectacular performance that resonated with audiences.

A Bright Future Ahead Niharika Chouksey is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the Indian entertainment industry. Her dedication, talent, and driven nature assure us that her star will only continue to rise. Keep an eye out for this young actress as she embarks on her journey to make a lasting impact on the world of television and beyond.

[theharpermovieblog]

#HARPERSMOVIECOLLETION

2023

I re-watched Elliot (2017)

I wanted to rewatch this because it's a creative way to deal with a miniscule budget. And, we should all support independent art and entertainment.

In a futuristic dystopian nightmare, a worker drone named Elliot often escapes into a digital world and a digital avatar. After meeting a woman in that digital world Elliot goes on a journey to find her, while becoming unsure of what is real and what is not.

The VHS horror franchise of films doesn't necessarily represent what actually shooting a movie on VHS was or is. I've always thought that shooting a movie on VHS tape that isn't part of the "found footage" genre was a bad idea. So to film a straight 4th wall film on VHS with a 4:3 aspect ratio and with almost no money is insane to me. Especially a sci-fi/horror.

Back in the 1990's there were several microbudget sci-Fi films and Christian films made on VHS tape. They did very little to draw in the viewer's attention, mainly because they were ugly and poorly written and directed. While very odd curiosities, I found them extremely bland. It seemed impossible to me to shoot something decent or engaging on VHS.

Elliot, a film made in 2017, with an estimated budget of $7,500, has managed to not only film something interesting on VHS, but to do so by embracing the same limitations those 1990's films faced. Staking it's flag firmly in a very lost and never-loved style.

Elliot is about escapism and creating a digital persona online. It's an easy theme to crack and the metaphor for our own lives isn't a very deep one. The dialogue isn't stellar and feels like it was written by a love-lorn sci-fi nerd with no understanding of pacing and no ability to have real social interactions. (No offense to the socially awkward nerds). The acting is amateurish and the characters aren't very three dimensional. Outside of it's interesting execution, it's a very basic film, which I certainly have major issues with. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, outside serious filmmaking fans and oddity junkies. It's main draw comes back to those 1990's films and the feeling that you could find yourself watching this movie on late night tv, maybe even public access, and repeating, "why the fuck am I watching this?"

It's a grainy and difficult to see collection of images, full of cheap homemade sets and costumes. The special effects are little more than flashing lights, interesting makeup and decently used, but dated editing techniques. It's runtime is an hour and seven minutes, which makes it pretty easily digestible, but I wouldn't want much more of it.

So why do I like it?

What I find fascinating about this film, is that it's proof that budgetary restrictions and bad equipment can be overcome by creative decisions and a complete disregard for one's limitations. Old independent film, especially old independent horror, wasn't always judged on its fantastic filmmaking, but for it's creativity when it came to completing a film in outside of the mainstream.

There's nothing perfect about Elliot from a storytelling perspective, but it definitely makes me consider a type of filmmaking I have long disregarded as a pure waste. For sure, VHS filmmaking has something to offer the horror genre outside of found footage. Elliot gives me a few very interesting images, moments and an underdog feel, if a bit pretentious about how artistically deep it wants to be. But, mostly, I like it because it fuels in me a desire to try the challenge of a microbudget VHS horror myself.

(And a shout-out to the gothic industrial soundtrack. I dug it.)

[thesocialbutterflyanna]

Week 8 - Face Filters

Augmented Reality filters begun as fun and games but have evolved to be part of the bigger problem of self-perception. Augmented Reality “allows the user to see the real world, with virtual objects superimposed upon or composited with the real world” (Azuma 1997, p. 355). Snapchat popularised AR filters in late 2015 with its launch of the feature “lenses.” Snapchat was originally known for users presenting an authentic version of self but later set unreasonable expectations through its beauty filters (Barker 2020, p. 207). The filters released on Snapchat ranged from fun and quirky with the dog filter, the barfing rainbow filter and the cat filter with some of them including face altering features such as the flower crown filter making the users eyes bigger and enhancing their eyelashes. Both celebrities and everyday social media users have embraced filters as it allows them to modify what they dislike in a picture and create a “perfect” version of themselves (Dibley 2016, p. 1)

Some user’s self-perception has been impacted with people feeling as if they need to live up to the digital version of themselves that they see with a beauty filter. One user said that “at the press of a button every imperfection vanishes – I am no longer me…. I am transformed into a more “socially desirable” me” highlighting the pressures of living up to societal expectations and the insecurities that can form (Barker 2020, p. 215). There can be psychological consequences as a result of people constantly seeing a slightly altered of themselves with a filter. Some users have developed Body Dysmorphic Disorder after seeing an idealised version of themselves for a long period of time, this is when a someone sees some aspect of their appearance ugly or not right in some way (Dibley 2016, p. 2). Some social media users feel as though they need to live up to the online filtered version of themselves when in reality they are unobtainable without surgery. 

Despite the negative associations of AR filters they can also be used in a positive manner to boost brand awareness and creativity. Instagram and Snapchat filters can immerse fans into the concepts of an artist’s music or make a brand more memorable due to the engaging nature of a filter (Creative Commission 2021). YouTuber Safiya Nygard created an interactive filter that cycled through a variety of bold makeup looks and the eventually landed on one. The makeup looks featured in the filter each had an animated element to them that made them unique and unlike just putting on regular makeup. The filter’s release coincided with Halloween with her encouraging people to try out the filter and recreate a makeup look. This outlines a positive use of AR as the filters did not change the shape or features of the face, only added creative elements that would not be possible in real life. This can also act as a form of entertainment for the user as they are seeing themselves in a unique way having a positive effect on the mood if they are enjoying themselves (Isakowitsch 2023, p. 241). Her creating a filter builds her awareness amongst fans as they remember her easily due to the engaging nature of the filter and they feel connected to her as they have participated in one of her creations. 

References

Azuma, A 1997, ‘A survey of augmented reality’, Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 355-385. 

Barker, J 2020, ‘Making-up on mobile: The pretty filters and ugly implications of Snapchat’, Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, vol. 7, no. 2&3, pp. 207-221.

Creative Commission 2021, How AR filters can fully immerse fans into an artists concepts, Creative Commission, viewed 25 April 2021, < https://creative-commission.com/news/how-ar-filter-can-fully-immerse-fans-your-artists-concepts>.

Dibley, I 2016, ‘“Digitized dysmorphia” of the female body: the re/disfigurement of the image’, Palgrave Communications, vol. 2, no. 16040, pp. 1-9. 

Isakowitsch, C 2023, ‘How augmented reality beauty filters can affect self-perception,’ in: Longo, L O’Reilly, R (eds), Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science, Springer, eBook, pp. 239-250.

[su1sul]

Su1Sul’s Culture Legacy Challenge

Rules: 

Lifespan should be set to normal

No supernatural sims (ex: mermaid, vampire, alien)

Money cheats are okay to use if needed 

Your spouse and friends do not have to match your culture

If you edit this challenge and repost it, please give me (@su1sul) credit for the original :) (tag me too so i can see if u want!!!)

If you do this legacy challenge, put ur posts under #su1sulsculturelegacy so i can see

Theme your sims and their homes based on their culture (optional, but it would make it more fun)

Generation One: Italian

You were born in a city full of music, art, and food (lots of food). Watching everyone around you always cooking new types of foods and creating recipes has always been an interest of yours. When you turned 18, you decided you would move to a new city in France and dedicate yourself to opening up a restaurant and making the best Italian food you can make, honoring your heritage. Luckily, you meet the right person with similar interests and spend the rest of your life with them. 

Traits: Ambitious, Self-Assured, Foodie 

Aspiration: Master Chef

Career: Culinary

Goals:

Master culinary career, and Master Chef aspiration

Master cooking, and gourmet cooking skills 

Marry your best friend, accomplish soulmate relationship with them

Have at least 4 good friends 

Generation Two: French

Being born in a family full of food, and passion, you always found an interest in art. Growing up in France surrounded by all types of artists, you set your goals to be art-oriented. Despite your parents always encouraging you to follow your dreams, you try to think of what would be more realistic as a career option for you, so you spend most of your young adult life in the business career and working retail.

Traits: Art Lover, Loner, Non-Committal 

Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire 

Career: Retail Employee, Business, Painter

Goals:

Never get married 

When you become an adult, quit your job to join the painter career

Master Painter Extraordinaire aspiration and Painter career

Master painting skill

Become a (at least 3 star) celebrity 

Generation Three: British

Watching your mother/father be drooled over by interviewers and writers, you liked what you saw immediately. No, not the celebrity status he/she had, but the person asking the questions and getting the answers. You always loved to find out secrets, even though you were terrible at keeping them. Sitting in front of a computer day and night, writing about topics you loved AND being paid for it sounded like a dream. Being a parent wasn’t ever in the plan, but you tried your best to be there for your child and love them the most you could. Trying to keep a stable relationship with the father/mother of your child was never easy because of how focused you were on your career. 

Traits: Childish, Lazy, Creative

Aspiration: Bestselling Author

Career: Writer/Journalist 

Goals:

Have a distant relationship with your only child

Master Writer career in the journalist branch and Bestselling Author aspiration

Get engaged, and then break up with him/her

Never meet your grandchild, or any of your child’s boyfriends/girlfriends

Master writing and logic skills

Generation Four: American 

You were never close with either of your parents, and got used to being alone. You seeked attention from anyone and everyone. Dressing up in different clothes and costumes as a child had always been important to you, except you couldn’t show them off to anyone except your mirror. As a teenager, you went out a lot wearing the latest styles, and trying to meet people with the same love for fashion as you had. When you met your best friend, she introduced you to social media. Something clicked and you become rapidly obsessed with posting outfits on your Simstagram. You had finally gained fans, real people who loved you and your style. As much as you wanted to be the best fashion influencer on social media, you also wanted to be there for your children’s every move. 

Traits: Gloomy, Outgoing, Good

Aspiration: Leader of The Pack

Career: Style Influencer

Goals:

Have at least 3 relationships before getting married

Have 2 or more outfit selections for each clothing category when modifying in cas (ex: hot weather, athletic, party)

Become a B-Lister celebrity with a good reputation

Live in a different world than the one you grew up in

Make donations to charities every time you are asked to

Master parenting, and photography skills

Complete Style Influencer career and Leader of The Pack aspiration

Generation Five: Spanish

Your parents always were very inspiring to you, you wanted to be just like them. You loved to dance and sing around in your room all day wearing your parent’s most amazing style creations. You strived to be the most perfect singer/dancer in the world. Luckily, having a parent with such a high status in the celebrity world, they helped you achieve that goal by bringing you to all the VIP parties in town with them. Being so loving and devoted to your career, you didn’t find much time to spend with your family. Although trying your best to be as good of a parent as yours was to you, you didn’t have that same motivation they did. 

Traits: Cheerful, Perfectionist, Dance Machine

Aspiration: Musical Genius

Career: Entertainer/Musician 

Goals:

Master singing and dancing skills

Complete Musical Genius aspiration, and Entertainer career

Have 2 or more children with your spouse, get divorced as an adult

Become a global superstar

Be best friends with your parent from generation 4 

Generation Six: Swedish

As much as you liked being in a theatre watching your parent sing and dance on stage, you never wanted to be inside… anywhere. You spent all of your time outside, and when you were inside, you were begging your parents to let you have a dog. The only thing in the world that made you happy was the idea of having your very own best friend! Best friend as in a dog, of course! You wanted to take care of your environment and love it as much as you possibly can. Being connected to animals and nature was your top priority all the time. 

Traits: Dog Lover, Loves the Outdoors, Vegetarian 

Aspiration: Freelance Botanist 

Career: Conservationist 

Goals: 

Master gardening skill

Complete Freelance Botanist aspiration, and Conservationist career

Have at least 5 animals within your lifetime (2 or more must be dogs)

Live in Sulani, on an off the grid lot

Never get married or be in a relationship 

Have only one child

Generation Seven: Indian 

While your parent couldn’t stop talking about animals, and nature, you were focused on your schoolwork. Helping others was always very important to you, and you loved to learn. Having children always seemed very exciting to you, but your career and education would always take first place. You worked a part-time job to afford college since the start of high school since your parent didn’t approve of it, and after graduating, you achieved being able to work at your dream job.

Traits: Unflirty, Bookworm, Genius 

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Career: Babysitter, Doctor

Goals:

Be a straight A student through grade school, and high school

Go to college immediately after high school in the biology or psychology category, live in a dorm, and date your roommate 

Work as a babysitter through high school, and college. (After graduating, quit and join the doctor career)

Complete Renaissance Sim aspiration and Doctor career

Have twins (cheat for this) and marry your boyfriend who you met in college 

[twistedtummies2]

Mia Corazón (Commission)

Another commission I got via my FA page. This is from the same person who commissioned “Tick Tock” and “A Grim Dinner.” It features his OC based on Tick Tock the Crocodile, Tock Crockwork...BUT, more importantly, it also acts as an introduction to his newest OC, Caelyum De Macabre - a character based on Davy Jones (with hints of Tia Dalma) from “Pirates of the Caribbean.”  And it’s NOT A KINK STORY. HERESY, I KNOW. I had a LOT of fun with this one; my only major regret is that I couldn’t make it longer than it already is. XD Also, just for the sake of making sure people know, I did not make up the lyrics to the song featured here. They’re actually fan-made lyrics for Davy Jones’ theme from the movies, originally created by a YouTube artist called Fiajela. I highly recommend looking up the song - it’s been covered by her and Man on the Internet, and they even made a duet version with the two stitched together. Anyway...hopefully you all enjoy. :)

-------------------------------------------

Valentine’s Day had come to Night Raven College. As you and Grim walked through the halls of the dark castle, you couldn’t help but chuckle at the decorations: pink paper hearts and streamers of white and crimson were everywhere, making it feel almost as if Heartslabyul had somehow managed to take over the entire palatial academy. Grim frowned up at you, trotting at your side, trident tail swishing as he went. “Nya? What’s so funny, Minion?” he demanded to know. “Nothing, nothing,” you responded with a shake of your head. “It’s just…everything looks so different.” Grim sniffed snootily, crinkling his nose at a poster of two young lovers embracing. “I don’t like it,” he remarked. “It’s all…mushy. It just doesn’t feel right for a School of Villains to be so…nya, what’s a good word…?” “Sentimental? Sappy? Saccharine?” “Gross,” was the word Grim chose, sticking out his tongue and shuddering like a small boy afraid of getting the dreaded cooties. You snorted with laughter. “Well, bring it up to the Headmaster,” you smirked, stuffing your hands in your pockets as you went. “I’d rather not,” Grim grumped. “Besides, we all know Crowley would just ramble on about it, or say he’ll get things done and never do…how come he’s Headmaster, anyway? He doesn’t do anything!” “Your guess is as good as mine,” you shrugged. “All I know is the only home I have is thanks to him, as is the only job. I’d like to keep both, thank you.” Grim shrugged back with an accepting sort of rumble as the two of you ascended the spiral staircase that led up to the Headmaster’s Office. Crowley had sent a call that morning; classes were dismissed for the day, so the university was a little quieter than usual: many of the students were off visiting family or loved ones, and those that were hanging around the campus still were largely engaged in…ahem…PRIVATE affairs. You, of course, could not leave; at least for now, Night Raven was your home, and as you were currently not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day wasn’t much different than any other day. Not that you minded much; it was still nice, in your mind, to see others happy and relaxed, and a holiday was a holiday, at any rate…though it seemed even St. Valentine’s holiday would not be saving you from helping clean up whatever mess Crowley needed dealt with this time. As you passed an image of two small, fluffy kittens holding a heart, a random thought came to your head: “Grim?” “Nya?” “Have you ever wanted to be in love?” “Not really,” the cat-like monster said. “Love is all…icky.” You frowned. “Icky?” you repeated. “All the kissing and hugging and…bleh!” Grim shuddered again, then went on: “Besides, it seems awfully difficult; makes you humans and even beast-men all crazy. I’ve got too much to deal with as it is, thank you very much! Nope. The World’s Greatest Mage won’t ever let love make him all soppy.” Grim stuck out his fluffy chest proudly at this, sticking his nose in the air. You smirked, and paused, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. He froze up…then purred and nuzzled into your touch. “Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…o-okay…maybe I love some things,” he admitted.

“Good kitty,” you teased, and snickered as Grim growled at you and half-heartedly swiped at your hand with a paw. You retracted it and the two of you kept moving. “Come on. The sooner we deal with Crowley, the faster we can get to our own stuff.” Grim nodded, as the pair of you drew nearer to Crowley’s office. You knocked on the door and waited for the sing-song call of “Come in!” before entering. Inside the office, things looked the same as ever, floating portraits of the Great Seven and all…aside from a vase of roses, plus a couple of heart-shaped ornaments on the desk, as well as the fact the purple-and-green curtains had been exchanged for solid red velvet drapes. Dire Crowley himself was seated behind his desk, sorting through paperwork, dressed in his usual attire. His feathery cloak rustled as he lifted his top-hatted head, and smiled at both yourself and Grim as you shut the door to the office behind you, his yellow eyes sparkling behind his Plague-Doctor-esque Venetian mask. “Ahhh! Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm! And the Little Monster!” he greeted warmly, rising and waving his hands, bidding you closer as he stepped around his desk. “Come, come, you’re right on time!” “On time for what, dare we ask?” Grim meowed. “Aren’t you celebrating Valentine’s Day, too, Headmaster?” you asked, politely. “Later,” Crowley smirked, winking and tapping the side of his mask’s long nose. “I’ll be entertaining a cute little fairy sorceress from the Land of Oz later tonight.” He let out a dreamy sigh, placing a hand to his heart. “Ahhh, Miss Upland…one day, you will be mine…” You and Grim gave each other a look, shrugged, then turned back to Crowley. “What’s the problem, then?” you asked, knowing better than to think this was a social call. By now, Crowley had firmly established yourself and Grim as the chief problem solvers of the Academy, so it stood to reason he had a mission for your both. “Oh! Yes, well,” Crowley muttered, and cleared his throat, adjusting and straightening his stance before going on in a business-like way: “As I’m sure you’ll both know, tonight there’s a special performance, directed by our own Vil Schoenheit, for the holiday.” “Nya? Isn’t it that play about the Sea Witch?” Grim checked, tilting his head. “Correct,” nodded the Headmaster. “And the Little Mermaid she assisted. We have a special guest coming to see the show tonight…” He reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out a small photograph, handing it over to you. You knelt down to get closer to Grim’s level, and showed him the photo as you both looked it over: the picture was a portrait of a dark-skinned mermaid, with hair black as ebony and scales of red and gold. Her eyes were brown and soft and warm as milk chocolate, and a silver locket in the shape of a heart was clasped about her throat. “Oooh…she’s pretty!” Grim smiled. “Very,” you agreed with a smile of your own. “She,” the Headmaster spoke up, “Is Young Lady Mia Corazón. Her family is one of the richest in the Coral Sea.” “Which is why you invited her,” you guessed, trying not to sound as bored as you were. To your surprise, Crowley answered, “I didn’t invite her! She wanted to see the show on her own…but there is one difficulty: her family insists that she be accompanied by at least two bodyguards at all times. Much like the Al-Asims, they’ve had…ISSUES in the past, and if their daughter is going to be on land for a spell, her parents want to make sure she’s adequately protected.” “That’s fair enough,” you supposed. “Let me guess,” sighed Grim, crossing his arms, “You want us to be the bodyguards then?” “Well, I suppose I COULD hire professionals,” Crowley murmured, scratching his chin in thought. “But they can cost a lot…I’d probably end up having to cut your pay just to-” “Forget it,” you grumbled, while Grim growled and slapped a paw to his forehead. “We’ll do it. But something is worrying me, if you don’t mind my bringing it up.” “What’s that?” “Are you sure WE’RE the right ones for this job?” you pressed, then before Crowley could speak up, you went on quickly: “We’ll do it, like I said, but…are you certain we should?” “How do you mean?” the Headmaster questioned, tilting his head. “Well, we’re not from the Coral Sea,” you explained. “Wouldn’t someone from that area be a better choice? Perhaps Azul could loan out the Leech Twins for a day!” Both Grim and Crowley looked at you as if you had grown a second skull. “…Right,” you sighed, quickly catching on. “Azul. ‘Loan’ us the Leech Twins. And us NOT expect things to go HORRIBLY wrong, one way or another. Yeah, that was a dumb suggestion, sorry.” Crowley chuckled and shook his head. “I have every confidence in you,” he said, with a wide smile. “You’ve solved so many problems in the past! And it’s only for tonight! What could possibly go wrong?” “Well, great, now something will DEFINITELY become a problem,” Grim grumbled. “Look, it’s not that I’m ungrateful,” you pressed on, “Or even that I’ve got a whole lot else to do, just…I’m worried because I don’t have magic. And Grim is…well…Grim.” “Hey!” Grim yapped indignantly. “I could roast any bad guy’s butt if they tried to get to Miss Coronation!” “Corazón,” corrected the Headmaster. “Whatever,” shrugged Grim. Crowley rolled his eyes, then turned his head upward. “You do raise a good point though, Prefect,” he conceded. “I didn’t think of that…at the very least, you two will need some help.” You were just about to agree…when suddenly, you heard Grim shiver. Both you and Crowley looked down as the cat-like demon quivered and hugged himself, the fire in his ears flickering. “Are you okay?” you asked, worriedly. “Y-Yeah,” Grim answered with a slight chattering of his teeth. “But…does anybody else feel like it suddenly got colder in here?” Now that Grim mentioned it, you DID suddenly feel a light chill crawl up and down your back…and it wasn’t too long afterward that the source of the cold made its presence known. With an authoritative BANG, the Headmaster’s office door burst open, causing both yourselves and Crowley to yelp and jump in alarm. You turned around fast, and gulped nervously as you perceived the imposing figure of Chief Jehan – the school’s head of security, garbed as ever in his military style cap and long, black trenchcoat. “Headmaster,” the darkly dressed security chief intoned, bowing his head respectfully to Dire Crowley, “Forgive this intrusion.” “Oh, it’s alright, Claude,” Crowley sighed out, then frowned. “Whatever is the matter?” “I apprehended this rule-breaking scallywag in the school cafeteria,” Jehan stated, indicating a second figure. “Ow! OW! H-Hey, let go of me, you old…! I’ll bite your legs off, you hear me?!” You and Grim were surprised to see the short, thick-hipped, green haired figure struggling in the icy grip of Claude Jehan, trying to pull away as his ear was all but being yanked from the side of his cranium. “Tock?” the two of you chorused. Tock Crockwork just snarled as Jehan glared at him. He tried to return the glower, but it came off more akin to a wounded animal trying to look tough than…well…looking tough. Crowley’s frown deepened, and he stepped past you and Grim – uttering a quiet, “One moment please” – before approaching the chief and the unruly Octavinelle student. “What is the meaning of this?” the Headmaster boomed. The Security Chief pushed Tock forward, releasing his ear. Tock stumbled a bit and caught himself, massaing his sore lobe. “This young ruffian,” Jehan explained, “Started a brawl with Mr. Bucchi over the last Deluxe Menchi Katsu Sandwich. As the latter student was merely defending himself, I felt his punishment should be more lenient; both have been banned from the cafeteria for the rest of the week…but as the one who started the whole affair…” He trailed off as Tock growled rather pathetically, looking down at the floor sullenly. Crowley scowled and hummed thoughtfully, clearly trying to determine a fitting punishment. Your eyes, as well as Grim’s, widened, and you looked to each other. “Grim,” you whispered, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “I think so, Minion, but a show about a math teacher who’s also a criminal mastermind? Who’d want to watch that?” You facepalmed. “What are you two whispering about?” Jehan asked, suspiciously, as Tock and Crowley both looked to you as well. “I think I know a way to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak,” you suggested. “You mean, a way to deal with Mr. Crockwork while also dealing with your dilemna?” Crowley guessed. “Exactly.” “Dilemna? What dilemna?” Tock asked. You grinned.

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“Thanks for sticking up for me, snack meat,” Tock groused, petulantly pouting as he walked by your side. “You’re the one who decided to pick a fight with the hyena,” you shrugged. “Honestly, I think I did you a favor.” “Nya…my Minion has a point,” Grim nodded. “Do you really think things would have been better if Crowley had decided to punish you himself?” “Or worse,” you put in, grimly, “Leave you to Chief Jehan?” All three of you shuddered, and Grim even crossed himself at the mention of the security chief. “Fine, I guess that’s fair,” Tock grumbled. “But I don’t like having to protect a fish filet from harm. I eat fish!” “Well, you won’t be eating Mia Corazón,” you sniffed. “Alright…guess I’ll just have to eat YOU instead,” smirked Tock, and licked his sharp teeth. Grim mewed and hid behind your leg. You blushed. “…We’ll worry about that later,” you grumbled, making Crockwork snicker with a wicked smile. “For now, let’s focus on getting you some actual lunch.” “You ARE an actual lunch,” snorted Tock. “I am not on the menu!” you snapped, flushed with embarrassment as Tock gave you a knowing grin. “Well…not till your work is done,” he teased, winking deviously, then smirking down at Grim. “Maybe I’ll have the little hairball for an appetizer, too…” Grim hissed at being referred to as a “hairball,” but said nothing. “Do you always have to be so antagonistic?” you sighed. “It’s what keeps getting you into trouble, you know.” Tock just shrugged carelessly, hips swaying as he walked side by side with you. “So, where are we heading?” he asked. “Can’t go to the cafeteria, and the Mostro Lounge is way too expensive…” “The Mystery Shop,” you answered. “I’m sure Sam’s got something in stock for us all to snack on before we head to the beach to pick up our special guest.” “Nya! Between my fiery awesomeness, my Minion’s brains, and lizard-breath’s strength, we’ll be the best bodyguards ever!” declared Grim. “Call me ‘lizard breath’ again,” Tock warned, “And we’ll be back down to two people, fuzz-face.” “Fuzz-face?!” Grim snapped. “How’d you like to BURN off a few of those calories you’re so proud of, hah?!” “Girls, girls, you’re both pretty,” you droned. The pair glared at you, then each other…then growled in unison as they stopped. “Thank you,” you sighed with relief. “Now, let’s be on our best behavior: I don’t want Sam’s Friends to give us a hard time…” As you spoke, your little trio reached the entrance to Mr. S’s Mystery Shop, and the three of you walked inside. Aside from a simple banner reading “Happy Valentine’s Day!” over the door, the shop was completely as it usually was…at least on the outside. To be fair, once you all entered the building, the store within seemed its usual self, too; no heart-shaped décor here, only the usual assortment of voodoo accessories. The strange part came when you not only realized Sam was nowhere to be seen…but you all also noticed who was tending to the store. Or rather, what. “Crabs?” all three of you gasped in surprise. Sure enough, crawling all over the Mystery Shop was an assortment of strange white sand crabs. Their shells seemed to have been made from smooth, ivory-colored stone…and as if the presence of the pale decapods wasn’t bizarre enough, their activities certainly would have gotten some unusual reactions. A few of the crabs were straightening out and sorting through items on the shelves, making sure everything was in top-notch condition. One crab was holding a miniature broom, while the other held a dustpan, the pair of them sweeping the floor. Still another crab was changing a lightbulb, while two more – clicking their claws encouragingly – were supervising. A bunch of crabs carrying a spray bottle and a wash cloth scuttled past you all, near your feet. Yourself and Croc stepped back, but Grim – with typical feline curiosity – leaned down and actually sniffed at one of the crustaceans… “ME-YOWCH!” he yelped, and jumped back, mewling and covering his muzzle after one of the crabs pinched his nose with their pincer. The crab seemed to strut away importantly afterward. “Heh…guess the crab cake bit back, huh?” teased Tock. Grim just growled and massaged his stinging snout. “This is new,” you muttered. “Where’d all these little guys come from?” “Cruel and cold, like winds on the sea. Will you ever return to me? Hear my voice sing with the tide: My Love Will Never Die…” The melodious voice soon sang into your ears, and you and your companions looked towards the source. In a corner of the shop, a lone figure was quietly mopping, and singing the lonely, haunting sea shanty you had heard. The figure was a young and slender man, dressed in a tan-colored jacket with ruffle-ended sleeves, and a brown hip-skirt. His legs were covered by dark beige trousers, while plain brown boots were on his feet. A fishnet scarf was loosely slung about his shoulders, almost like a shawl, and an orange muscle shirt festooned his abdomen. His hair was a curious pink hue, and done up in dreadlocks. “Ahem!” you coughed, catching the young man’s attention. He froze and looked up to you, blinking his brown eyes. For a moment, you noticed there was a look of pain and something…hollow in his face, as if something inside of him was missing and he longed to get it back. An overwhelming feeling of loneliness and sorrow seemed to wash over you…but it disappeared in an instant when the youth smiled. “Oh! Ahoy there! Didn’t hear you come in,” he greeted, bowing his head respectfully as he put the mop in its bucket and then walked towards you and your group. “Can I help you?” “Well, you can start by telling us who you are, and what happened to Sam,” Grim frowned. The young man chuckled, flipping his fishnet scarf over one shoulder. “Sam is taking the day off for the holiday,” he explained, then slowly added, “I don’t…make merry on Valentine’s Day, so I volunteered to keep the shop open and do some cleaning.” “Well, that answers one question,” Tock snorted, crossing his arms over his chest and lookin the taller youth up and down. “Mind answering the other?” “Oh! Right, right,” the young fellow chuckled, and cleared his throat before giving a mock-salute and answering: “Name’s Caelyum. Caelyum De Macabre. I’m Sam’s new assistant.” “Pleased to meet you,” you smiled, and shook Caelyum’s hand, and tilted your head. “Say…can I call you Cael for short?” The young man’s smile flickered, and he paused before quietly beseeching, “I’d…rather you didn’t, thank you.” “No problem, I’m sorry,” you apologized quickly. “Not at all, not at all,” the young man chuckled, and straightened his stance, recovering quickly. “So! What can I do for you, me hearties? Supplies, clothes?” “Food,” growled Tock. “I’m STARVING.” Caelyum chuckled and jabbed a thumb to one part of the shop. “You’ll find everything you need in that direction.” Tock nodded, and sashayed in the direction De Macabre had indicated. Caelyum smiled back at you and Grim in the meantime. “You’re the Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm, right?” he guessed. “That’s right,” you nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, then,” Caelyum smiled. “Sam’s told me all about you: he says you’re his favorite customer.” “He says that about everyone,” Grim snorted. Caelyum chuckled and knelt down. He extended a hand carefully. Grim sniffed it carefully…then smiled and allowed the shopkeeper’s assistant to pet him softly. “You have a beautiful singing voice,” you couldn’t help but comment. Caelyum looked up in surprise…then blushed a bit. “Oh, uh…you heard a little of that, did you?” he chuckled with embarrassment. “Nya! It sounded really sad, but…it was also really nice,” Grim mewed. “Thanks,” Caelyum said as he stood back up to his full height. “What song was that?” you asked, curiously. “I’ve never heard it before. Is it from your homeland?” Caelyum’s smile fell, and he looked askance. “Not exactly,” he murmured, then informed you aloud, in a matter-of-fact way: “It’s a song from the Coral Sea. I come from the Jubilee Port, near the Swamplands: same place as Sam. A…friend taught the song to me.” Catching the hitch in his voice, you smiled sympathetically. “It sounds like you two were close.” “We were,” Caelyum said softly. “Very.” “Nya…what happened?” Grim asked. Caelyum paused…then shrugged. “They left,” was all he said. Sensing the sensitive subject, you decided to drop the matter; Grim caught on and did the same. “How long have you been working for Sam? I haven’t seen you around before.” “Not long,” shrugged Caelyum, seemingly grateful the subject had changed. “He and I have some similar interests, and when I joined Night Raven, I applied for work.” “Oh, so you’re a first year?” “Yep.” “What house? Octavinelle?” you guessed, wondering why Tock wouldn’t have recognized the youth if so. “Scarabia, actually and weirdly enough,” laughed Caelyum, as if the placement struck him as some sort of very funny joke…he paused then leaned in and whispered: “Um…is it just me, or is the dorm head of that house a little…you know…how would you say it…?” “Too pure and innocent for this cruel, unholy world?” “…Yeah, that.” “Yes. Yes, he very much is.” The two of you were interrupted by the sound of Tock snarling in the food aisles. You all turned to see him trying to pry a bag of chips out of the pincers of one of the crabs, who looked very insulted to be interrupted in his work. “Hey! Can somebody make this crab cake let go?!” he snapped. “Oh, sorry!” Caelyum called out, and then snapped his fingers. Suddenly, every single crab inside the building froze…and then their claws and extremities retracted into their shells, leaving only a series of what looked like smooth, white stones scattered around the shop. With a second snap of his fingers, the stone crabs disappeared; there was no puff of smoke or flash of light. One second they were there…the next, they were not. Grim whistled, impressed. “Nice trick,” he murmured. “Is that your Unique Magic?” you asked. “Yep,” Caelyum nodded. “They’re called Locker Crabs, and you’d be surprised the kinds of things I can do with them…” “Cool!” Grim commented. “Hey, Tock!” you called out, hearing the rustling of snack food bags. “Leave some stuff for the rest of us, and hurry up! We need to get to the beach quickly!” “I’m hurrying, snack meat, I’m hurrying!” Tock called back dismissively. “The beach?” Caelyum spoke up, looking interested. “Why are you three heading there? What’s so important?” “We’re on a mission!” Grim cheered, puffing out his chest once more. “Oh, really?” smirked Caelyum, looking amused, and scoffed as he moved behind the front desk. “What for? Some sort of Valentine’s Day meeting, or something?” You frowned, sensing a bitterness to two particular words. “You mentioned you don’t make merry on Valentine’s Day,” you said slowly, approaching the desk and leaning on it. “What do you…y’know…have against it?” “Hm?” Caelyum murmured, then shrugged as he leaned back against the shelves behind the front desk. “Oh, well, it’s…not the day itself. More what it represents.” “Nya? What do you mean?” Grim asked, tilting his head. A shadow seemed to fall over Caelyum’s face, and he looked askance. Something icy and stormy flickered across his features. “Love,” he said, as if the word were some repellent toxin. You and Grim shared a look, then looked back to Caelyum. “Love is a lie,” Caelyum went on, seemingly talking more to himself than to either of you. “It’s like a parasite that burrows into your chest…and even once the sickness it spreads is cured, something in there remains, keeping you from ever knowing real peace. It pulls you along a blind alley, and just when you feel safe, it stabs you in every place it hurts most, and then leaves you to either heal on your own or die. It weakens your defenses, and confuses your resolve. And yet every year, every time this day comes around…I just see people acting like it’s the best thing in the universe.” He shuddered violently, looking positively ill. Grim meowed almost sadly. “I think love is mushy and gross, but…I don’t think it’s THAT bad,” he mewed. His words seemed to snap Caelyum out of it. The witch doctor’s assistant glanced up at you both…and, with a light chuckle, his helpful, friendly smile returned, the shadows departing in an instant. “Well…being mushy and gross doesn’t help,” he joked. Grim sniggered. Your own expression didn’t change, even as the employee leaned forward again. “Seriously, though, what IS your mission?” “We’re gonna be bodyguards!” Grim announced joyously. “Bodyguards?” “There’s a special guest coming to the show on campus tonight,” you explained. “The Headmaster assigned the three of us to look after her, since she’s a VIP.” “A really RICH VIP,” Grim added. “That’s our Headmaster,” Caelyum scoffed with a roll of his eyes. “So, who is this special guest?” “Mia Corazón.” Caelyum’s smile vanished, as if it had been smacked off his face. “Mia…Corazón?” he repeated. “Nya? Do you know her?” Grim asked. Caelyum didn’t answer, looking away; that hollow, haunted stare came to his face as he seemed lost in another world. “Mia Corazón,” he repeated again, then let out a soft, slightly hysterical laugh. “Of all the cursed days of the year…she chooses now…” Before you could ask what was wrong, Tock came lumbering over, arms loaded with various snacks and drinks. “There! That should be enough for all of us…or at least, for me,” he grinned, flashing you a wink that would have made you blush in an instant if your mind weren’t on other matters. He looked towards the assistant…then frowned, eyes narrowing. “Hey…who are you upset with?” The words once again snapped the brooding Caelyum out of it. He looked at Tock with surprise…then shook his head fast and brushed some of his pink hair away from his face. “No one. Nothing,” he insisted, and forced his smile back onto his face. “Now! Let’s, uh…let’s ring this up, aye?” In casual, business-like fashion, Caelyum charged Tock; you were grateful for the recent raise Crowley had given you as you paid for it all. The three of you then left the shop. Just before you exited, you turned to bid Caelyum one last farewell. He smiled and waved back… …But the moment you left, the darkness flooded his face once more, and he looked away, eyes smoldering like hot coals as he reached into his shirt… …Revealing the silver locket that was around his neck. The same sort in the photo Crowley had given you. The young man’s face became cold as an iceberg once more as he opened the locket…and sang to the tune the music box inside played. “Wild and strong, you can’t be contained. Never bound, nor ever chained. Wounds you caused will never mend, and you will never end…”

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“Why did you ask him that question?” Tock Crockwork belched and grunted as he finished up his lunch, licking and sucking on his fingers before looking to you, cheeks bulging as he still chewed his food. “Whuh queshun?” he mumbled out through a full mouth. “About why he was upset?” Grim spoke up, tilting his head. “I mean, he certainly looked upset, so…” “That wasn’t the question he asked though,” you clarified to Grim, then looked to Tock. “You specifically asked, ‘WHO are you upset WITH?’” Tock swallowed and let out a hiccupping burp before speaking. “Mph…yeah, and?” he grunted, patting his stomach and licking his lips free of any crumbs from the sandwich he had devoured. “Well…why did you assume he was upset with someone?” “I didn’t assume, I knew,” snorted Tock, and slung his arms behind his head as the three of you neared the beach of Sage Island. “That was the same look I saw in the mirror every day when I thought of Leona, or those boys back home.” Knowing what had happened in his conflict with Leona, you gulped at Tock Crockwork’s words. “Well, I hope he wasn’t mad at us,” murmured Grim. You smiled thinly; you had a very good idea you knew who Caelyum was mad at, given the context of things…and you were very much hoping you were wrong. You had the sinking feeling those hopes would be dashed as the three of you drew closer to the beach…and a familiar-sounding song, accompanied by the tinkling notes of a music box, drifted through the greenery and into your ears… “Over waves and deep in the blue; I will give up my heart for you. Ten long years I’ll wait to go by: My Love Will Never Die.” The source of the singing soon became clear as you pushed past the last few bushes of the wilderness and stepped onto the open, sunny beach. There was a single white bench nearby; standing beside the bench was a man in what looked like an almost Spartan uniform…and seated upon it was a young woman, with dark skin and long, black hair, dressed in a red and gold dress. In one of her hands, she lifted the pendant of a locket; the source of the music box tune. The lady snapped the locket shut, and she and her chaperone turned fast when they heard yourself and your companions approaching. She smiled, chocolate-toned eyes lighting up with interest. “Oh, hello!” she chuckled, seemingly a bit embarrassed at being caught in her reverie, and stood up as her suspicious compatriot narrowed his eyes at you. “Are you…my bodyguards?” “Yes, ma’am!” chirruped Grim, proudly. “Mia Corazón, I presume?” you smiled, respectfully. “That is right,” the young woman greeted, bowing her head in matching respect and lowering her locket. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Wait a minute…why do you need us to guard you?” Tock spoke up, and pointed to the Spartan-looking fellow. “Wouldn’t he be enough?” “Oh, that’s Firme. He actually has a date with his wife,” Mia answered, giving the man a teasing smile.

The guard blushed. “Miss Corazón, not in front of civlians!” he pleaded. Mia chuckled. “Sorry, Firme,” she apologized. “Now go on; I know she’s waiting for you.” Firme nodded gratefully, then glared at the three of you more seriously. “Protect her at any cost; we’re depending on you,” he ordered. “Aww, don’t worry, we’ll keep the little fishstick safe!” Tock smirked, cracking his knuckles and neck. “You can start by NOT calling her ‘fishstick,’” you droned, noting the nervous look on Mia’s face and the anger on Firme’s. You gave both an apologetic smile. “Sorry. He’s half-crocodile. Trust me, though, he’s a softy when you get to know him.” “HEY! I AM NOT!” snapped Tock, angrily. Grim just giggled. The interaction and your promise seemed to relax both denizens of the Coral Sea. Firme bowed to Mia, and then walked towards the beach…and kept walking, straight into the sea, until his head disappeared under the waves. “Well!” Mia smiled, and cheerily hurried towards your group. “Can we go see the show now? I don’t wanna be late!” “Of course…um…Your Excellency?” “Oh, don’t bother with titles like that,” the girl giggled. “Just call me Mia! Everybody does!” “Okay, Mia,” you chuckled, quite liking her warmth and energy. “Follow us, and stay close.” “I will,” Mia promised as the three of you set off along the beach. “Thank you, by the way; I hope this doesn’t cause you too much trouble.” “Quite the opposite,” grumbled Grim, remembering what Crowley had said earlier. “Why do you wanna see some silly show anyway?” sneered Tock. “Oh, it’s not silly!” exclaimed Mia. “The story of the Sea Witch and the Little Mermaid is important among my people…and besides, I think theater is exciting! I always enjoy seeing it!” “Hopefully our show won’t disappoint,” you smiled. Tock just rolled his eyes and scoffed. “I still think it’s for wimps,” he mumbled…then abruptly froze. The rest of you stopped, too, looking to the croc boy as he sniffed the air and growled. “What is it?” Mia asked. “Something wrong?” “Very,” Tock nodded. “We are being watched.” “How do you know?” you asked. “Instinct? Intuition?” Tock growled and narrowed his eyes, looking at you determinedly. “No, meat. We. Are. Being. Watched.” “By who?” whispered Mia, nervously. “I have an idea,” you murmured with some dread. Before Mia could comment on your remark, all three of you heard a sharp yelp, and turned to see that Grim had inexplicably toppled over. The feline-like creature sat up and massaged his bumped noggin. “Owwww,” he moaned. “What happened?” Mia asked, sounding concerned. “I dunno!” Grim whined out. “Just…s-something seemed to come up from under me and…” “GAHR!” You jumped as, right on cue, Tock toppled over as well. Then it was your turn, as you felt something shift under the sand where you stood, and you dropped to the ground. The wind was knocked out of you for a moment, but you managed to sit up just in time to see three large, round humps in the sand…which seemed to move of their own accord. The three humps began to trace a path, circling Mia, who froze up and squeaked like a mouse, clearly confused and frightened. It only got worse when, suddenly, more and more humps seemed to appear out nowhere: at least a dozen or more, which shot through the sand, burrowing through it with a barely-audible scraping sound… …Then, dust flew up as the shapes burst from the ground. As the dust cleared, you and your friends watched wide-eyed as a consortium of familiar white crabs toppled Mia Corazón, and – working together to lift her, carried her off across the beachside. “HEY! PUT ME DOWN! STOP!” Mia cried out, but the crabs wouldn’t listen, and soon vanished from sight. “Nya…we’re off to a good start with this job,” sighed Grim dismally. “After them!” you barked, and leapt to your feet as you dashed after Mia and her arthropoid captors, Grim hot on your heels. Tock grumbled sourly as he dusted himself off then jogged after you. “Taking orders from my lunch…I’m gonna eat that stupid, mask-wearing, feather-loving…!”

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Mia cried out as the crabs carried her along the sand, her “volunteer” bodyguards soon out of sight. She tried to fight free, but the crabs pinched and held her fast, keeping her in place. She wasn’t sure how far or for how long they carried her…but suddenly they stopped, and she let out an “eep!” as they moved into a pillar, and pushed her up, allowing her to stand. The mermaid-in-disguise turned around, panting for breath as she watched the crabs swarm about each other…then, they seemed to coalesce and mesh together; their pale shells took on more colors; hints of pink, brown, and orange… …Until, finally, standing before her was a familiar young man with dreadlocks and a fishnet scarf. In his hand, he held a heart-shaped silver locket. “Come my love, be one with the sea. Rule with me for eternity. Drown all dreams so mercilessly, and leave their souls to me.” He snapped the locket shut at the end of the verse, and paused before uttering, in a mechanical, robotic tone, two words: “Ahoy, Mia.” Mia blinked slowly, absolutely stunned. “…C-Cael?” Caelyum blinked back and said nothing, his face emotionless and blank. Mia slowly smiled, her eyes lighting up…then squealed with joy and rushed forward, throwing her arms around the young man…who stood stiff and rigid, not even looking at her, as she hugged him close. “CAEL! I…oh, Gods, what do I even say?! It’s…it’s been so long…I’ve missed you so much! Where have you been?! Cael…Cael, I-I’m so happy…!” “Let. Go. Of. Me. You. BITCH.” Mia gasped as Caelyum harshly pushed her back, nearly knocking her over. Her heart sank as she stared at the young man, who glared at her, grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. She looked deeply hurt…and not because of the push. “Cael?” she whispered. “Cael…wh-what’s wrong? Why…why are you upset with me?” Cael’s eyes flashed with anger. “What’s wrong?! Why am I upset?!” he repeated. “What in Hades do you THINK is wrong?!” Mia flinched as the boy from the swamplands’ voice rose to a perfect scream. Cautiously, steadily, she approached. “Cael…please…I-I don’t understand. I…I’ve wanted to see you again for such a long time, and now-” “How DARE you?!” shouted Caelyum, silencing the aristocratic mermaid. “How dare you say something like that to me?! After what you did to me, do you expect to believe you’ve ever cared?!” “I…what…I do care!” Mia pleaded, and tears began to twinkle in her eyes. “Cael, what are you talking about?” Cael laughed; a dangerously unhinged, malicious sound. “Oh-ho-ho, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! You should!” he spat…then, the bitterness was replaced by pain as he went on. “Two years, Mia. Two years I waited, and you never returned. You…y-you broke your promise to me…and did you ever think of me in those two years? Did you think of me even once in all the time since, until now?” Cael’s eyes began to brim with tears of his own; he was shaking. Mia felt her heart sinking further in her chest. “Of course I did,” she said, softly. “You’re…you’re my best friend.” One could almost hear Caelyum’s last heartstring break. “Best friend,” he repeated, in a dead, soulless voice…then hung his head. “You still don’t get it, do you, Mia? You broke my heart, Corazón…” Head still hung low, dreadlocks casting shadow over his eyes, Caelyum De Macabre lifted one arm, and snapped his fingers…and Mia nervously stepped back as a swarm of crabs appeared to trail across his arm and mesh together…forming a silver cutlass. “…And now, I’m going to break yours. Literally.” Ominously, Caelyum began to approach. Mia felt panic rise in her, and started to back away…then yiped, almost comically, as she tripped on her own dress and tumbled back. “C-Cael…Cael, PLEASE!” she cried out, as the boy loomed over her, his face twisted in anger as he began to lift the sword above his head… “HEY! BACK OFF!” FWOOSH! A jet of blue flame shot between Mia Corazón and Cael De Macabre; the lad from the swamplands jumped back, then growled angrily, turning to face the source. You had finally arrive, with Grim at your side, both of you glaring at the bokor’s assistant. “That’s enough, Caelyum,” you warned. Cael sneered. “It’s not enough,” he hissed, “Until she endures the same amount of PAIN and AGONY I HAVE!” With a roar, he rounded about to try and strike Mia down…then froze in place when he found she had seemingly disappeared. Startled and caught greatly off guard, he was unable to avoid the green scaled fist that grabbed hold of the back of his jacket, and cried out as, with a roar, the owner of the fist hurled about seven feet away, sending him rolling through the send. His sword spun through the air before stabbing into the ground right at the edge of the shore. Caelyum coughed and snarled and spat as he got onto his hands and knees…then glared as he found Tock Crockwork – now in his full “true form” – glaring at him, fangs and claws bared. “Keep away from the fishstick, swamp meat,” he spat. “Thank you,” Mia whispered. Tock just smirked at her – somewhat cockily but not cruelly – then glarde back at Caelyum as yourself and Grim moved to stand beside him, all of you making sure to create a barrier before poor Mia. Cael rose to his feet shakily. “Leave her alone, Caelyum,” you said. “This is not your fight!” he snapped back. “Uh…yeah, it kinda is,” Grim snorted. “We told you, this is our job today!” “You don’t know who you’re protecting,” Cael viciously sneered, his shoulders trembling with fury, his fingers clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white as the bones under his skin. “She cursed me!” “Cursed you?!” Mia exclaimed. “Caelyum, I never did ANYTHING to you!” “Yes, you did!” Cael answered…and gulped back a sob before explaining: “You made me love you.” All eyes widened; you and your friends looked to Mia, then back at Caelyum. “Ohhhh…now the pieces are coming together,” Grim murmured. “I know the look in your eyes, meat, and it’s not love,” Tock said, darkly. “Not love as it should be, anyway.” “Cael…I-I’m so sorry,” Mia quavered. “Of course you’re sorry,” Cael scoffed. “Everyone’s sorry when it’s too late.” So saying, he lifted his hand…and the sword that had stabbed into the ground “dissolved” into a group of crabs. They scurried across the beach, crawled up his side…and reformed into a cutlass in his grasp once more. “Put the weapon away, Caelyum!” you beseeched. “It doesn’t have to be like this!” “Yes it does!” Cael yelled. “Don’t you get it?! I can’t be free! I’ll always remember! I’ll always feel that pain! Love is a curse; a curse that hurts me, every day of my existence…but after today, I’m going to change that.” He closed his eyes. You had a bad feeling you knew what you’d see when he opened them again…and you were correct. One of his eyes was suddenly surrounded by a fiery aura. “Today, I break the curse.” KA-ZAM! The familiar black cloud of Overblot surrounded the shopkeeper’s boy. Blue and orange light flashed in the gaps between the vapor as it swirled around the fellow from the swamplands…until finally, the mist parted. When it did, you all found that Caelyum De Macabre had gone through an alarming transformation. His brown-tinted clothes had vanished, replaced with a blue-gray uniform like a navy seaman. One of his arms was stuck into the sleeve of a long, tattered cerulean coat with gold lining, which hung about his shoulders almost like a cape. A blood red sash was lashed about his middle. While his left eye was surrounded by orange aura, a tattoo had appeared over his right, in the image of a pirate medallion. His dreadlocks had transformed into a head of writhing, wriggling, pinkish-purple tentacles, like those of a squid; each tendril’s tip was smeared with ink. His left arm had become a white crab claw, ink oozing from its joins; his right leg had become a crab’s leg, too, and was also oozing with Blot. A single black boot covered his one human foot…and he still held his cutlass in his one human hand. Cael grinned viciously, pupils pinpricks as he pointed his sword at you. “Yo-Ho, me hearties!” he bellowed. “Shiver ‘em from stem to stern!” At these words, the ground before his feet seemed to ripple…and then, a swarm of Locker Crabs came scrambling from the ground, racing towards your group. “I’ll take care of this!” Grim pronounced, and summoned a wall of flame. As the fire struck the crabs, they vanished in a cloud of silver smoke…but more just kept coming! Caelyum laughed and began to move towards your group, swaggering as the point of his crab-leg stabbed into the ground repeatedly. Seeing the approaching dark mage, Grim paused to hurl a fireball in his direction…only for Cael to split in half, crab legs showing in the “seam” of his being, as the fireball hurtled past without causing any harm. He stitched himself back together and kept moving forward, as if nothing had happened. Tock Crockwork roared and charged at Cael, swinging a punch at him…but De Macabre simply swept up his crab claw and, in a fluid, wrenching motion, whirled Tock about and flung him to the beach floor. He grinned with deranged excitement as he moved closer to yourself and Mia, leaving Tock to choke in the dust. “Hold them off, Grim!” you called out as he continued to scorch the crabs. “I’ll try!” Grim called back. “Run for it, Minion! RUN NOW!” And you did, holding onto Mia’s arm as you dragged her after yourself. With a wild laugh, Caelyum lifted his sword up…and then “melted” into a swarm of crabs, which scurried after the two of you as you raced along the beach. Behind you, Tock snarled, clutching his banged skull as he watched the horde of crabs vanish. He angrily kicked away a few that Grim didn’t manage to stop, and then charged forward. Grim panted; he was already growing weary. “I…I can’t hold them off!” he meowed. “There’s…there’s too many-EEP!” “Stop whining and shut up,” snarled Tock, whisking Grim up in one arm and sprinting on, the pair pursued by the remaining Locker Crabs. “We’ve got more important things to worry about, come on!” Unaware that your friends were on the chase, you hurried along with Mia Corazón. The crabs that made up Cael’s being clicked and scraped behind you with a deeply unsettling sound, urging you to go faster and faster. “Wait!” Mia gasped. “If…I…can…talk…to him…!” “I don’t think he’s in a mood to talk!” you replied. “Right now, all we can do is…!” You trailed off and stopped short as the crabs suddenly caught up with you…and then moved around you, reforming in front of you into a column. Thinking fast you looked around… …And were just in time to grab hold of sturdy tree branch, as a sword reshaped and then stabbed at you. You barely had a moment to parry the strike, the blade cutting a notch into the wooden limb you held. “Stay behind me!” you hissed to Mia, as Cael reformed fully. “So, it’s a duel then?” Cael cackled. “Alright! EN GARDE!” You yelped, instinctively blocking as the sword slashed at you once more. The slash was followed by a lunge; you jumped back quickly and parried that strike, too. CLING-CLANG-CLING-CLANG! The cutlass and the branch clattered against each other, the sound of the steel against wood that was tougher than it looked ringing out. Each time Cael tried to get around you to lunge at Mia, you blocked his path. You laughed softly, amazed you were holding out; guess one didn’t know how good they’d be at something like a swordfight till they tried! You ducked another slash, and responded by swinging your stick around. WHACK! Caelyum reeled as you managed to smack him across the face…then slowly turned back. He looked…annoyed. “Ow,” was all he said, almost sarcastically, before swinging his blade around again. You quickly lifted your branch… SWACK! And gulped nervously as the cutlass sliced it clean in half. “Oh, boy.” “HA HA!” laughed Cael, and lifted his crab leg, kicking you hard in the stomach. You coughed, dazed and winded as you crumpled to the ground. Now, nothing was standing between the enraged Caelyum and his prey: Mia. The mermaid with legs began to back away in fright…then cried out sharply as Cael thrust out his crab claw and grabbed her by the throat with it. A grin of evil triumph spread across his face as he lifted his weapon above his head. “And here we are at last,” he crooned with twisted delight, and squeezed, making Mia gasp for air. “Any last words, my dear?” Mia gulped…and looked pleadingly into the Swamplander’s eyes as she uttered five simple words. “Cael…please…I love you!” Just before the last three words were uttered, Cael had prepared to attack…but then he froze. The grip of his pincer loosened as she said those three golden words, and the demented smile vanished from his face. He hesitated, as if those words had caused something in his brain to just shut down… Which was all the opportunity you needed. CRACK! “GAH!” exclaimed Caelyum, and dropped Mia, who coughed as she hit the ground. His tentacle hairdo wriggled like a horde of angry snakes as he glared at you in rage: the stone you had thrown at his shoulder had hurt! With a furious roar, he swung his sword around his head three times, trying to cut you into pieces. You ducked and dodged each strike as fast as you could…only to fall back as Cael summoned a horde of sand crabs. You squirmed and grimaced as the crabs pinned you to the ground, acting like organic shackles. You winced as each time you moved, they pinched you hard, making you stay still. Caelyum smirked victoriously, and pointed the tip of his cutlass at your heart. “Tell me, Prefect,” he taunted. “Do you fear death?” “Do you?” CHOMP! Caelyum began to turn around towards the voice, his face etched with surprise…and stayed perfectly still, as if he’d become a statue, paralyzed in shock. The red marking of Tock Crockwork’s unique power – One Minute to Die – was evident on his left arm. “NOW!” the crocodile shouted, as Grim hurried over. The feline-like creature wasted no time: he focused his power, a bright blue aura surrounding him…before, with a spiteful hiss, sending a huge jet of flame towards Caelyum. Caelyum was sent flying through the air, clothing scorched, and rolled across the dirt, still in the position he had been stuck in. Only a few seconds later, he convulsed, and groaned, trying to stand up… …Only to find Tock looming over him. “This,” the crocodile hissed, “Is why I’M top of the food chain, snack meat!” WHAM! He spun around, slapping his tail across Cael’s face…and the Overblotting mage fell still and silent, rendered swiftly unconscious. The sword disappeared without warning from his hand, as if it had never been there. The crabs he had summoned all vanished in the blink of an eye: just like at the shop, one moment they were there, and the next they were not. All four of you – yourself, Mia, and your friends – sighed with relief. “Thanks,” you nodded to Tock as he helped you to your feet. “Hey, I’ve gotta protect my territory; that includes you,” Crockwork shrugged. You decided not to comment on that. “Are you okay, Miss Corazón?” meowed Grim, nuzzling up against the mermaid’s side. She smiled weakly and patted his head before standing. “Physically, yes,” she said. The teenaged girl’s eyes then lit up with concern as she hurried over to Cael’s side. “Cael…Cael, are you okay? S-Speak to me!” she pleaded. “He just tried to kill you!” Grim snapped out. “He wasn’t thinking straight,” Mia defended him. “Just…h-he didn’t understand…” She sniffled and bowed her head. “…C-Caelyum…I’m so sorry…” You and Grim shared a sad sort of look. Tock just looked confused, above all else. “What happened between you two?” the croc grimaced, crossing his scaly arms. “I think we’re about to find out,” you said, and pointed as silver mist began to wisp off of Caelyum De Macabre’s form. A moment later, a blinding white light surrounded the young man…and the mist formed a cloud, inside of which – as always seemed to happen – pictures from the past began to appear… “Tag! You’re it!” “I’ll get you! Ha Ha Ha!” In the swamplands of the Jubilee Port, a small boy with pink dreadlocks giggled and hid behind a tree by the riverbank. For several seconds, he sat anxiously…then yelped when, out of the river burst a familiar, dark face with flowing raven hair. “GOTCHA!” sang out the girl with the gold and ruby tail, and reached out a hand to playfully tap his shoulder. “No fair!” huffed the boy. “I always have to stay near the water; you never let me have an advantage!” The girl giggled and smirked teasingly. “Not my fault you’re a lousy swimmer,” she cooed. The boy grumbled and pouted. She smiled gently. “I’m sorry, Cael; I didn’t mean it,” she said, placing a hand on his leg… “AHA!” the boy laughed, and tapped her hand before jumping away. “You’re it again!” “HEY! THAT’S CHEATING!” The two laughed as the girl swam through the river, chasing the bayou boy up and down the banks…before finally leaping out of the river with a victorious cry. “RAAAAH!” “EEK!” Young Caelyum yelped as he was thrown to the ground. The girl with the fish tail grinned, flippers wagging happily as she kept him pinned. “Gotcha again!” she sang out. Young Cael giggled and wiggled under her. “Hey, lemme go!” he demanded with a slight laugh. “Hmmmm…if I do, will you just tag me again?” “…Maybe?” The mermaid glared…and tickled her friend with her tail. Cael squealed with laughter before flashing an evil smile. “Ohhhhh, you wanna play that way, huh?” He tickled her back and the two rolled across the bank…before yelping and splashing into the river. A moment later, both rose from the depths Caelyum coughing and floundering. “Help! Mia, help! I’m drowning!” “I’ve got you, hold on!” Mia said, and helped Cael back to shore. The boy sighed with relief and began to wring out his clothes. “Thank you,” he gasped out. “No problem,” Mia smiled. “I’m sorry you got all wet…” “It’s okay; I’ve got other clothes,” Cael smiled. Mia nodded, then smiled a bit more sadly. “I still should have been more careful: there may be more clothes, but there’s only one Caelyum.” Cael blushed. “Hush, you’re just teasing me now…” “No. I’m not,” Mia said seriously. “You’re my best friend, Cael.” Cael blinked, pausing in his activities. “…But…don’t you have other mermaid friends?” “I may have OTHER friends, but you’re my BEST friend,” smiled Mia. “And there’s only one of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Cael blinked again…then smiled sentimentally. “Heh…well, um…you’re my best friend, too, Mia. And, uh…a-and I feel the same.” “I’m glad,” Mia smiled. A pause. “You should really suck less at swimming though.” “Oh, hush. Say! Maybe you can teach me?” “Sure!” That word seemed to be a cue, for the scene changed to a few years later; the same river on the bayou, the same boy and girl, just a little older. “MARCO!” “POLO!” The Mermaid floated with her upper half above the water, eyes closed, flapping her tail as she blindly searched for her friend. Cael would pop up now and again with a gleaming, gloating grin as he watched her try to find him: he’d learned to swim VERY well in the years since that time playing tag. “MARCO!” Mia called out again. “POLO!” laughed Cael. “Oh, this is impossible, you’re too fast!” “Suck less at swimming,” teased Caelyum. “I’m a MERMAID, all we DO is swim!” “You can walk!” “I need a potion or a spell for that,” huffed Mia, and turned around, trying to feel about for her friend. Cael smirked and dove under again, swimming cautiously around her in the wide river… …But as he popped up again, he was due for a terrible sight. He gasped as he saw Mia blindly reaching closer to the shore…where a venomous serpent glared at her oncoming form almost hungrily… “MARCO!” “MIA, WATCH OUT!” Confused, Mia opened her eyes…then gasped as she saw the snake rearing back to bite her! She pulled away just in time, and at the same moment, Cael glared and snapped his fingers. The snake heard a clicking noise, and turned its head to find a white crab snapping its pincers. The pincers swung towards its throat… SNICKER-SNACK! And that was the end of the snake. Mia swam back to Caelyum’s side as she snapped his fingers again and the crab disappeared. He hugged her close. “Are you okay?” he whispered, worriedly. “Yeah…i-it didn’t get me,” she panted with relief, and squeezed him tightly. “Thank…th-thank you…” Caelyum smiled warmly and returned the hug…then froze up as Mia leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said again, and nuzzled against his bare chest. Cael blinked…then blushed red as a tomato and grumbled. “…Hey, what are friends for…? More time passed, and the swamp disappeared. The scene now became a lonely pier. On it sat Caelyum and Mia, who was now in full human form. “Do you really have to go?” he whispered. Mia nodded sadly, hanging her head. Cael bit his lip, and looked away, tragedy in his eyes. “…When…w-when will you be back?” he asked, timidly. “I don’t know,” Mia admitted sadly, then smiled gently up at her friend. “My mother said I need to start learning more about the family business; spending less time on land and…well…with you.” Cael frowned and clenched his fists. “I see.” Mia’s smile fell…and she gave Caelyum a hug. He relaxed. “She’s set in her ways,” she said softly. “But I will never forget you. And I WILL come back.” “Do you promise?” “Of course. You’re my best friend,” smiled Mia…then reached into a bag she had with her, stationed between the two. “Here…I have proof…” Cael tilted his head as out of the bag she pulled two silver necklaces with heart shaped lockets. She gave him one, and clasped the other around her neck. “What is this?” Cael asked, crinkling his nose in confusion. “A sign that we both share the same heart,” Mia said, and giggled. “That’s the really sappy way of saying it, anyway. Put it on and open it!” Cael did, and at the same time he opened the locket, Mia did too…and soft, beautiful melody chimed from the music box contained. Caelyum’s eyes widened. “That’s the song you taught me,” he recognized, and looke dup to Mia. “The one about the pirate and the goddess of the sea?” Mia nodded. “It’s your favorite…my favorite…OUR favorite,” she said gently, and took Cael’s hands in hers, looking into his eyes with deep-rooted affection. “And as long as we share these lockets, share these songs…we’ll never truly be away from each other.” Caelyum smiled weakly. “I don’t know about that,” he chuckled, wryly. “But…thank you, Mia.” He paused. “You…you know I love you…right?” Mia blushed. “Yes. And I love you too.” Cael gaped. “You do?” “Of course, silly! You’re my best friend!” Cael blinked…then smiled and shook his head wearily. “Yeah…I know,” he said softly. “I…I know.” A pause…and the pair began to sing together to the mingled tune on their music boxes as they watched the sun sink on the horizon beyond the sea. “Warm and welcoming as the sea, someday I will return to thee. Hear my voice, sing with the tide: Our Love Will Never Die.” Time passed once more, but the music box still played. The next scene played in silence, as Cael lay on his bed silently one night. He hummed to the tune on the locket, and glanced sorrowfully towards a calendar on his wall. Every date was crossed out with a red X. He sighed…then snapped the locket shut…before a lightbulb seemed to go off over his head, and he reached towards his book case, grabbing a specific spell book… This short tableaux was followed by another as Caelyum was now found…underwater. His lower half had become a white-scaled fish’s tail as he swam through the water, using a spell that would turn him into a merman for a few short hours. He’d taken a boat out to the coordinates where he knew Mia lived. Now, he swam quickly and quietly through the city, looking for Mia. His eyes darted this way and that, seeking some sign of his long lost friend; two years without any sort of contact – never a call, never anything written – and he was now so close to seeing her again! He smiled wider as he moved into one of the higher rent neighborhoods of the underwater area, carefully brushing past other, natural merfolk going about their business. His heart was beating fast in his chest; when he found her, he’d tell her everything. How he felt, how much it hurt to be without her, how much he never wanted to be separated again! Then he found her, as he turned an alley…and that fast beating heart seemed to skip a beat… …As his face filled with sorrow. Only yards away – never noticing he was there, he saw a strong, burly-looking merman with blonde hair…hugging his Mia and kissing her full on the lips. He clamped his eyes shut…and swam away, out of the city and back towards the surface. His tears were lost with the tides. Thus ended the vision, as the blinding light faded, leaving an unconscious Caelyum De Macabre lying on the ground, back to his usual self. “…Prefect?” “Yeah, Grim?” “Is it, like…a requirement that we stand here for several seconds in total silence after we see those?” “No, I think it just happens.” “Ah. Okay then.” Tock Crockwork said nothing. A few moments later, Cael groaned and began to stir. He blinked his eyes and clutched his pink-haired head as he started to sit up. “Ugh…what…wh-what happened?” he slurred out. “You tried to turn my food into shish-kabob,” droned Tock, thumbing towards you. “Shut up,” you grumbled. Confused, Cael turned towards your voices, and looked about to say something…until he heard sniffling and whimpering. He turned…and found the teary-eyed face of Mia staring back at him. “C-Cael,” she whimpered…then let out a squealing cry that caught him off guard as she threw herself upon him and began to cry. “CAEL, I’M SO SORRY! I’m so, so sorry…please…please, I’m sorry, PLEASE…!” Caelyum, as you might imagine, looked beyond uncomfortable…and with a growl, he managed to push Mia off of him. She whimpered like a kicked puppy as, without a word, he got to his feet and turned away from her, one hand on his chest, clutching his silver locket. “Sorry isn’t enough,” he answered, coldly. Mia gulped…and stood up. “Cael…please don’t walk away,” she begged. “Why not?” Caelyum snarled back over his shoulder, and began to stumble away. “Because I love you!” Cael stopped. He didn’t turn around…but he stopped. Mia paused…and took a deep breath. “I love you,” she said, firmly now, not desperately. “I…I always loved you, but…but I was…I don’t know, I…I was worried…” She hung her head and paused before going on. Cael turned his head slightly to show he was listening. “When I returned to the sea, my mother didn’t want me to ever go back to the land. She forbid it. She told me I had to stay under the water, and…and find a proper husband. She told me to forget about you, and…that merman you saw? He was…my betrothed.” Cael growled. “WAS,” Mia pointed out, and then went on quickly: “Cael, I could NEVER forget you, and I could NEVER stop loving you. Those two years…they were agony for me. That time in the alley…I asked him to kiss me because I wanted to show him we WEREN’T right for each other. He agreed; there just…wasn’t a spark. We liked each other, but…we both knew it would be wrong.” She swallowed, and lifted her head. “So…we both spoke to my mother. And…she realized what she’d been doing was wrong. The very next day, I went back to the swamplands; I looked everywhere for you…you weren’t there.” Silence. “I’m so sorry, Caelyum,” she sniffled. “I’m…I’m so-” Cael stopped her with a raised hand…and slowly turned towards her. All of you were surprised to see tears in his eyes. “…I just tried to kill you.” “Yes.” “I ran off over this whole misunderstanding.” “Yes.” “All this pain, all this time…and you really loved me?” “Yes.” “And…you…still love me? After all that?” Mia smiled. “Yes.” Cael blinked…then let out a wet laugh. “Wow,” he chuckled. “I…I guess swimming isn’t the only thing we both suck at. I mean…we’re n-not very good at this whole ‘relationship’ thing, either, are we?” Mia shared a sniffling laugh…and the pair promptly ran into each other’s arms. “I’m so happy I found you,” Mia sobbed with joy. “I’ve missed you so much…” “Not half as much as I’ve missed you,” Cael choked. The pair squeezed each other…then backed up, holding each other’s hands and staring lovingly into each other’s eyes. “Play the song you sang long ago,” Cael began. “And wherever the storm may blow,” Mia continued. “You will find the key to my heart,” both finished. “We’ll never be apart.” “Aaaaand…kiss,” you murmured to yourself with a smile, as the pair did exactly that. Tock snorted, rolling his eyes as Grim stuck out his tongue and grumbled something about “soppy mush.” The two lovebirds parted after a few seconds…then seemed to remember you were all standing nearby, and blushed before backing away from each other like scalded cats. “Um…s-sorry,” Caelyum mumbled. “About trying to destroy us, or for that sappy display?” droned Tock. “Because I can forgive one of those…” “It’s the destroying us part, isn’t it?” you guessed. “Yyyyep.” Cael hung his head and shuffled his feet guiltily. “…I’ve…had a lot of pain bottled up for years,” he said silently. “And…when I heard she was coming here…I…well…” “It’s alright,” you soothed, moving closer. “I can understand. And for the record, we won’t tell the Headmaster.” “Nya…or Chief Jehan,” Grim added. “Claude Jehan?” Mia spoke up, and tilted her head. “Is he really as scary as they say back home? The Ashengrottos and Leeches have a LOT of stories to tell.” “I’d imagine,” you snickered. “And no. He’s not that scary.” “Right. He’s WORSE,” Tock responded. “Amen,” you and Grim chorused. Mia gulped nervously; Cael chuckled softly, smiling at her with puppy-eyed affection. “I…hope he’s not going to be at the play tonight,” she said slowly. “Trust me, you’ll be fine,” you soothed. “Well, we won’t be if we don’t get there on time!” Grim reminded you. “We’re already behind schedule, thanks to all this!” “The hairball has a point,” nodded Tock, stiffly, then grumbled under his breath: “I still say it’s all for pansies, though…” All of you chuckled…except Mia, who took Cael by the hand. “Can…can he come, too?” she asked, shyly. Cael looked shocked, as did Grim and Tock. You just smiled wider. “If he wants to,” you answered. Cael blinked…then grinned so wide his face nearly seemed to split in two. “Please!” he nodded eagerly. “Then come on!” you called, and gestured for the reunited lovers to follow. “Let’s get moving before my pay gets docked! I have a pet to feed, you know!” “I AM NOT YOUR PET!” snapped Grim, while Tock cackled with amusement, snapping his fingers and resuming his humanoid form. Caelyum De Macabre and Mia Corazón just smiled and squeezed each other’s hands, following at a steady pace. It took longer than it should have to reach the theater, in the end, but you still made it in the nick of time. When asked why it took so long, you had an honest answer: Cael and Mia were so busy staring into one another’s eyes with everlasting love, it made getting there quickly difficult. In your mind, and theirs, it was more than worth it.

 The End

[fmdkiana]

*youtuber vc* WHATZ up famerz. i’ve got another SICK character for you to get to know! so SMASH that follow button! MAIM me with that like!

...anyway hi i’m demi, the famed hag, and this is my fourth child (following sung, andy, n jeonghwa) her name is kiana, also goes by ki and kiki, and if that nickname brings to mind anything But kiki’s delivery service u shall b Wrong. she’s fuse’s main dancer and lead vocalist, iconic qwen. here’s her pinterest, bio, public profile, private profile, timeline [wip for links], plots, & social media [wip for insta]. i’ll leave a condensed version under ze cut <3 you can reach me easiest at fmdjoosung or demi#6468 on discord if you’d like to chat abt this girlie!

okay first things first i’m gonna nip this in the bud. if ur like excuse? iu in fuse? ur coocoo for cocoa puffs for that one. u would be right! and i intend to prove to u that she Is fitting. example a-z demonstrates an at home kiki and a fuse ki. thank me later for all this pretty laydee content

background

may 28th, 1994 ya girl is a gemini

from seattle

born to a pediatric surgeon and a software engineer (who specializes in ai bc her mom is Cool) kiana developed a love for science... then tossed it away to be A Star

not immediately though

really it all stems from the desire to be unique in a positive way

with seattle’s large east asian population, she was lumped together with everyone else, and places where she stood out, kids made fun of her for

she felt like an outcast in every sense of the word, which is why when A Boy gave her the genuine time of day, she latched on

they quickly became bad for each other, codependent at its best

kiana’s lil ass rly thought they were romeo and juliet torn apart when her parents made them break up

she kept sneaking out to see him, and eventually it became troublesome enough that her parents decided to move the fam to korea

heartbroken and with the desire to feel desired, she auditioned for gold star

since she was young, she had dance classes, just as her mom did before giving it up for something more stable

dance isn’t what drove her as much as the feeling of a crowd being entertained by her

trained for 3 years, gold star had high hopes for her given her dance background + looks, hence her role in impulse’s a

a couple years after debut, the company manages to snag her an ost, and when that does well, they shove her onto as many osts as possible, but it manages to do basically nothing to help her or fuse’s fame, no matter the impact of the song itself, and they slow down on trying

that *big bad wolf vc* my dears, is what sets up her overall Thing, that no matter what she does, or how many people claim to love her, they don’t show up for her as a solo celebrity

it leaves her a little dejected, fearful, worried, but idol life isn’t something she minds doing anyway. part of her still wants to strive for more attention, and claw her way there, because she aches terribly to feel special and different, and to a degree, idol life will always give that to her

personality

the archetype of the kid in middle school who calls themselves L and only draws in anime style and comes to school in cosplay and naruto runs around and randomly speaks japanese........ yeah, that was kiana as a kid

and really, she’s only let the problematic parts of it go. she’s still a big fat weeb (& has lots of other fandom type interests too)

an internet kid, someone who never got a big following. draws fanart, has written fanfiction, engages on fan forums. stays at home unless she’s dragged out by friends

she’s a very Normal, Everyday type person in most ways, and that bugs her to no end

she’s someone who as a kid thought she had superpowers, like full on believed it, and to this day still thinks well maybe it’s just not kicked in yet

considers herself ~an empath~ because she naturally has very strong emotions, and seeing or “feeling” the emotions of others makes her feel that way too. that includes positive And negative emotions

she can and is wrong about what she “feels” from others, but the emotional effect on herself is still the same

and because that happens so much, kiana retreats into herself

she has a very small inner circle, and isn’t very interested in more than surface level relationships with most people because it’s exhausting to feel so much all of the time

that means usually, most people meeting her will meet someone who can be doin a little doodle, you’ll say hi, she’ll say hi back, then go right back to her doodle

she’s Nice and polite enough, but doesn’t take those first steps. some ppl might view her coldly bc of it

HOWEVA if someone were to bring up one of her ~special interests, she would come off like a completely different person

animated, kinda loud, won’t shut up. that’s more often the type of person her inner circle gets to see

she’s also a reversal of the hard shell soft inside trope, as a lot of her outward self and personality can seem soft, gentle, maybe even naive depending on someone’s view, but there is a core to her affection thats... dangerous

but i’ll leave that for the dms

and finally, here’s a phat list of personality traits that apply to kiana, depending on her relationships with who she’s talking to and how she’s feeling. yes some are complete opposites. see: gemini. if you wanna kno how to get a certain trait from her, i’ll be glad to explain

abnormal, apathetic, artistic, clingy, contradictory, dedicated, demure, disorganized, earnest, effeminate, emotional, empathetic, excitable, fanatical, guarded, hesitant, insecure, introverted, jealous, loyal, mercurial, modest, neat, needy, nervous, numb, obsessive, organized, overthinking, passionate, persevering, protective, quiet, romantic, scatterbrained, silly, stubborn, tactful, temperamental, vigilant, vivacious, volatile, wall flower, withdrawn

fun fax

claims her style inspiration is the 70s but really mixes in influences from ~the 40s to 80s

if she’s dressing herself, heavily prefers skirts and dresses over pants

doesn’t like being touched unless she’s really close with someone, then she likes a lot of it

plant mom. apartment basc a greenhouse

insists one day she will make her own jam but has yet to get around to it so she just has a bunch of jars in her apartment and uses them for plants and paper clip holders and the like

her fictional character romantic Type is the tsundere. is convinced fictional characters are the best dating partners

always wears glasses when at home, and a good amount of the time when not working in general

her mario kart main is link bc nostalgia and valuing a strong stat set that favors zoom zoom

the furthest she goes for environmental impact is always using a hydroflask

prefers having bangs and hair with a wave

always carries bandaids and bandages in her bag because she gets eczema patches when she’s stressed and it’s Embarrassing to her so she covers em up

[livingdeadinsideyourhead]

Free Music in a Capitalist Society - Iggy Pop's Keynote Speech Transcript

Hi, I'm Iggy Pop. I've held a steady job at BBC 6 Music now for almost a year, which is a long time in my game. I always hated radio and the jerks who pushed that shit music into my tender mind, with rare exceptions. When I was a boy, I used to sit for hours suffering through the entire US radio top 40 waiting for that one song by The Beatles and the other one by The Kinks. Had there been anything like John Peel available in my Midwestern town I would have been thrilled. So it's an honor to be here. I understand that. I appreciate it.

Some months ago when the idea of this talk came up I thought it might be okay to talk about free music in a Capitalist society. So that's what I'm gonna try to talk about. A society in which the Capitalist system dominates all the others, and seeks their destruction when they get in its way. Since then, the shit has really hit the fan on the subject, thanks to U2 and Apple. I worked half of my life for free. I didn't really think about that one way or the other, until the masters of the record industry kept complaining that I wasn't making them any money. To tell you the truth, when it comes to art, money is an unimportant detail. It just happens to be a huge one unimportant detail. But, a good LP is a being, it's not a product. It has a life-force, a personality, and a history, just like you and me. It can be your friend. Try explaining that to a weasel.

As I learned when I hit 30 +, and realized I was penniless, and almost unable to get my music released, music had become an industrial art and it was the people who excelled at the industry who got to make the art. I had to sell most of my future rights to keep making records to keep going. And now, thanks to digital advances, we have a very large industry, which is laughably maybe almost entirely pirate so nobody can collect shit. Well, it was to be expected. Everybody made a lot of money reselling all of recorded musical history in CD form back in the 90s, but now the cat is out of the bag and the new electronic devices which estrange people from their morals also make it easier to steal music than to pay for it. So there's gonna be a correction.

When I started The Stooges we were organized as a group of Utopian communists. All the money was held communally and we lived together while we shared the pursuit of a radical ideal. We shared all song writing, publishing and royalty credits equally – didn’t matter who wrote it - because we'd seen it on the back of a Doors album and thought it was cool, at least I did. Yeah. I thought songwriting was about the glory, I didn't know you'd get paid for it. We practiced a total immersion to try to forge a new approach which would be something of our own. Something of lasting value. Something that was going to be revealed and created and was not yet known.

We are now in the age of the schemer and the plan is always big, big, big, but it's the nature of the technology created in the service of the various schemes that the pond, while wide, is very shallow. Nobody cares about anything too deeply expect money. Running out of it, getting it. I never sincerely wanted to be rich. There is a, in the US, we have this guy “Do you sincerely wanna be rich? You can do it!” I didn’t sincerely want to be rich. I never sincerely felt like making anyone else that way. That made me a kind of a wild card in the 60's and 70's. I got into the game because it felt good to play and it felt like being free. I'm still hearing today about how my early works with The Stooges were flops. But they're still in print and they sell 45 years later, they sell. Okay, it took 20 or 25 years for the first royalties to roll in. So sue me.

Some of us who couldn't get anywhere for years kept beating our heads against the same wall to no avail. No one did that better than my friends The Ramones. They kept putting out album after album, frustrated that they weren't getting the hit. They even tried Phil Spector and his handgun. After the first couple of records, which made a big impact, they couldn't sustain the quality, but I noticed that every album had at least one great song and I thought, wow if these guys would just stop and give it a rest, society would for sure catch up to them. And that's what's happening now, but they're not around to enjoy it. I used to run into Johnny at a little rehearsal joint in New York and he'd be in a big room all alone with a Marshall stack just going "dum, dum, dum, dum, dum" all my himself. I asked him why and he said if he didn't practice doing that exactly the way he did it live he'd lose it. He was devoted and obsessive, so were Joey and Deedee. I like that. Johnny asked me one day - Iggy don't you hate Offspring and the way they're so popular with that crap they play. That should be us, they stole it from us. I told him look, some guys are born and raised to be the captain of the football team and some guys are just gonna be James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and that's the way it is. Not everybody is meant to be big. Not everybody big is any good.

I only ever wanted the money because it was symbolic of love and the best thing I ever did was to make a lifetime commitment to continue playing music no matter what, which is what I resolved to do at the age of 18. If who you are is who you are that is really hard to steal, and it can lead you in all sorts of useful directions when the road ahead of you is blocked and it will get blocked. Now I'm older and I need all the dough I can get. So I too am concerned about losing those lovely royalties, now that they've finally arrived, in the maze of the Internet. But I'm also diversifying my income, because a stream will dry up. I'm not here to complain about that, I'm here to survive it.

When I was starting out as a full time musician I was walking down the street one bright afternoon in the seedier part of my Midwestern college town. I passed a dive bar and from it emerged a portly balding pallid middle aged musician in a white tux with a drink in one hand and a guitar in the other. He was blinking in the daylight. I had a strong intuition that this was a fate to be avoided. He seemed cut off from society and resigned to an oblivious obscurity. A bar fly. An accessory to booze. So how do you engage society as an artist and get them to pay you? Well, that's a matter of art. And endurance.

To start with, I cannot stress enough the importance of study. I was lucky to work in a discount record store in Ann Arbor Michigan as a stock boy where I was exposed to a little bit of every form of music imaginable on record at the time. I listened to it all whether I liked it or not. Be curious. And I played in my high school orchestra and I learned the joy of the warm organic instruments working together in the service of a classical piece. That sticks with you forever. If anyone out there can get a chance to put an instrument and some knowledge in some kids hand, you've done a great, great thing.

Comparative information is a key to freedom. I found other people who were smarter than me. To teach me. My first pro band was a blues band called The Prime Movers and the leader Michael Erlewine was a very bright hippy beatnik with a beautifully organized record collection in library form of The Blues. I'd never really heard the Blues. That part of our American heritage was kept off the major media. It was system up, people down. No Big Bill Broonzy on BBC for us. Boy I wish! No money in it. But everything I learned from Michael's beautiful library became the building blocks for anything good I've done since. Guys like this are priceless. If you find one, follow him, or her. Get the knowledge.

Once in secondary school in the 60's some class clowns dressed up the tallest guy in school in a trench coat, shades and a fedora and rushed him in to a school dance with great hubbub proclaiming "Del Shannon is here, Del Shannon is here." And until they got to the stage we all believed them, because nobody knew what Del Shannon looked like. He was just a voice on some great records. He had no social ID. By the early 60's that had really changed with the invasion of The Beatles and The Stones. This time TV was added to the mix and print media too. So you knew who they were, or so you thought anyway. I'm mentioning this because the best way to survive the death or change of an industry is to transcend its form. You're better off with an identity of your own or maybe a few of them. Something special.

It is my own personal view having lived through it that in America The Beatles replaced our assassinated president Kennedy, who represented our hopes for a certain kind of society. Didn’t get there. And The Stones replaced our assassinated folk music which our own leaders suppressed for cultural, racial, and financial reasons. It wasn't okay with everybody to be Kennedy or Muddy Waters, but those messages could be accepted if they came through white entertainers from the parent culture. That's why they’re still around.

Years later I had the impression that Apple, the corporation, had successfully co-opted the good feelings that the average American felt about the culture of the Beatles, by kind of stealing the name of their company so I bought a little stock. Good move. 1992. Woo! But look, everybody is subject to the rip off and has to change affiliations from time to time. Even Superman and Barbie were German before America tempted them to come over. Tough luck, Nietzche.

So who owns what anyway. Or as Bob Dylan said "The relationships of ownership." That’s gates of Eden. Nobody knows for long, especially these days. Apparently when BBC radio was founded, the record companies in England wouldn't allow the BBC to play their master recordings because they thought no one would buy them for their personal use if they could hear them free on the radio. So they were really confused about what they had. They didn’t get it. And how people feel about music. ‘Cause it’s a feel thing, and it resists logic. It’s not binary code. Later when CD's came in, the retail merchants in American all panicked because they were just too damn tiny and they thought that Americans want something that looks big, like a vinyl record. Well they had a point but their solution was a kind of Frankenstein called "The Long Box." It didn't fool anybody because half of it was empty. It had a little CD in the bottom. You’d open it up and it was empty. Now we have people in the Sahara using GPS to bury huge wads of Euros under sand dunes for safe keeping. But GPS was created for military spying from the high ground, not radical banking so any sophisticated system, along with the bounty it brings, is subject to primitive hijacking.

I wanna talk about a type of entrepreneur who functions as a kind of popular music patron of the arts. It’s good to know a patron. I call him El Padron because his relationship to the artist is essentially feudal, though benign. He or she (La Padrona) if you will, is someone, usually the product of successful, enlightened parents, who owns a record company, but has had benefit of a very good education, and can see a bigger picture than a petty business person. If they like an artists’ style and it suits them, they'll support you even if you’re not a big money spinner. I can tell you, some of these powerful guys get so bored that if you are fun in the office, you’ll go places. Their ancestors, the old time record crooks just made it their business to make great, great records, but also to rip off the artist 100%, copyright, publishing, royalty splits, agency fees, you name it. If anyone complained the line was "Pay you? We worship you!" God bless Bo Diddley.

By the time I came along, there was a new brand of Padron. People like this are still around and some can help you. One was named Jack Holzman. Jack had a beautiful label called Elektra Records, they put out Judy Collins, Tim Buckley, the Doors and Love. He'd started working in his family record store, like Brian Epstein. He dressed mod and he treated us very gently. He was a civilized man. He obviously loved the arts, but what he really wanted to do was build his business - and he did. He had his own concerns, and style, and you had to serve them, and of course when he sold out, as all indies do, you were stranded culturally in the hands of a cold clumsy conglomerate. But he put us in the right studios with the right producers and he tried to get us seen in the right venues and it really helped. This is a good example of the industry.

Another good guy I met is Sir Richard Branson. I ended up serving my full term at Virgin Records having been removed from every other label. And he created a superior culture there. People were happier and nicer than the weasels at some other places. The first time he tried to sign me it didn't work out, because I had my sights set on A&M, a company I thought would help make me respectable. After all they had Sting! Richard was secretly starting his own company at the time in the US and he phoned me in my tiny flat with no furniture. He said he'd give me a longer term deal with more dough than the other guys and he was very, very polite and soft spoken. But I had just smoked a joint that day and I couldn't make a decision. So I went with the other guys who soon got sick of me. Virgin picked me up again later on the rebound. And on the cheap. Damn. My own fault.

Another kind of indie legend who is slightly more contemporary is Long Gone John of the label Sympathy for the Record Industry. Good name. John is famous with some artists for his disinterest in paying royalties. He has a very interesting music themed folk art collection – its visible online - which includes my leather jacket. I wish he'd give it back. There are lots of indie people with a gift for organization who just kind of collect freaks and throw them up at the wall to see who sticks. You gotta watch 'em.

When you go a step down creatively from the Padrons who are actually entrepreneurs you get to the executives. You don't wanna know these guys. They usually came over from legal or accounting. They have protégés usually called A&R men to do their dirty work. You can become a favorite with them if your fame or image might reflect limelight on their career. They tend to have no personalities to speak of, which is their strength. Strangely they're never really thinking about the good of their parent company as much as old number one. Avoid them. If you’re an artist, they’ll make you sick or suicidal. The only good thing the conglomerate can do for you – and they’ve done it recently for me - is make you really, really ubiquitous. They do that well. But, when the company is your banker, then you are basically gonna be the Beverly Hill Billies. So it's best not to take their money. Especially when you’re young. These are very tough people, and they can hurt you.

So who are the good guys?! They asked me when they read this thing at BBC 6 Music. Well there are lots of them. If fact, today there are more than ever and they are just about all indies, but first I want to mention Peter Gabriel and WOMAD for everything they've done for what seems like forever to help the greatest musicians in the world, the so called world musicians to gain a foothold and make a living in the modern screwed up cash and carry world. Traditional music was never a for profit enterprise, all the best forms were developed as a kind of you’re job in the community. It was pretty good, it was “Yeah, I’m a musician, I’m gonna skip like doing the dishes or taking the trash out.” It's not surprising that all the greatest singers and players come from parts of the world where everybody is broke and the old ways are getting paved over. So it's crucial for everyone that these treasures not be lost. There are other people of means and intelligence who help others in this way like Philip Glass through Tibet House, David Burn with Luaka Bop, Damon Albarn through Honest John Records. Shout out to Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Almost all the best music is coming out on indies today like XL Matador, Burger, Anti, Epitaph, Mute, Rough Trade, 4 A D, Sub Pop, etc. etc.

But now YouTube is trying to put the squeeze on these people because it's just easier for a power nerd to negotiate with a couple big labels who own the kind of music that people listen to when they're really not that into music, which of course is most people. So they've got the numbers. But the indies kind of have the guns. I've noticed that indies are showing strength at some of the established streaming services like Spotify and Rhapsody – people are choosing that music. And it's also great that some people are starting their own outlets, like Pledge Music, Band Camp or Drip. As the commercial trade swings more into general show biz the indies will be the only place to go for new talent, outside the Mickey Mouse Club, so I think they were right to band together and sign the Fair Digital Deals Declaration.

There are just so many ways to screw an artist that it's unbelievable. In the old vinyl days they would deduct 10% "breakage fees" for records supposedly broken in shipping, whether that happened or not, and now they have unattributed digital revenue, whatever the **** that means. It means money for some guy’s triple bypass. I actually think that what Thom Yorke has done with Bit Torrent is very good. I was gonna say here: “Sure the guy is a pirate at Bit Torrent” but I was warned legally, so I’ll say: “Sure the guy a Bit Torrent is a pirate’s friend” But all pirates want to go legit, just like I wanted to be respectable. It’s normal. After a while people feel like you’re a crook, it’s too hard to do business. So it’s good in this case that Thom Yorke is encouraging a positive change. The music is good. It’s being offered at a low price direct to people who care.

I want to try to define what I am talking about when I say free. For me in the arts or in the media, there are two kinds of free. One kind of free is when the process is something that people just feel for you. You feel a sense of possibility. You feel a lack of constraint. This leads to powerful, energetic, sometimes kind of loony situations.

Vice Media is an interesting case of this because they started as a free handout, using public funds, and they had open, free-wheeling minds. Originally a free handout was called Voice and these kids were like “Just get rid of the old! I don’t wanna be Vice, yeah!” Okay. By taking an immersive approach with no particular preconceptions to their reporting, they've become a huge success, also through corporate advertising, at attracting big, big money investment hundreds of millions of dollars now pumped into Fox Media and a couple of others bigger than that in the US. And they get it because they attract lots of little boy eyeballs. So they brought us Dennis Rodman in North Korea. And it’s kind of a travesty, but it’s kind of spunky. It's interesting that capital investment, for all its posturing, never really leads, it always follows. They follow the action. So if it's money you're after, be the yourself in a consistent way and you might get it. You’ll at least end up getting what you are worth and feel better. Just follow your nose.

The second kind of freedom to me that is important in the media is the idea of giving freely. When you feel or sense that someone that someone is giving you something not out of profit, but out of self-respect, Christian charity, whatever it is. That has a very powerful energy. The Guardian, in my understanding, was founded by an endowment by a successful man with a social conscience who wanted to help create a voice for what I would call the little guy. So they have a kind of moral mission or imperative. This has given them the latitude to try to be interesting, thoughtful, helpful. And they bring Edward Snowden to the world stage. Something that is not pleasant for a lot of people to hear about, but we need to know.

These two approaches couldn't be more different. To justify their new mega bucks Vice will have to expand and expand in capital terms. Presumably they'll have to titillate a dumb, but energetic audience. Of course all capitalist expansions are subject to the big bang – balloon, bust, poof, and you’re gone. As for the Guardian I would imagine that the task involves gaining the trust and support of a more discerning, less definable reader, without spending the principal. There is usually an antipathy between cultural poles, but these two actually have a lot in common in terms of the energy and nuisance to power that they are willing to generate. I wish red and blue could come together somehow.

Sometimes I'd rather read than listen to music. One of my favourite odd books is Bootleg: The Secret History of the Other Recording Industry by Clinton Heylin. I bought the book in the 90's because a couple of my bootlegs were mentioned. I loved my bootlegs. They did a lot for me. I never really thought about the dough much. I liked the titles, like Suck on This, Stow Away DOA or Metalic KO. The packaging was always way more creative and edgy than most of my official stuff. So I just liked being seen and heard, like anybody else. These bootleggers were creative. Here are two quotes from the dust jacket by veteran industry stalwarts on the subject of bootlegs in 1994.

"Bootleg is the thoroughly researched and highly entertaining tale of those colorful brigands, hapless amateurs, and true believers who have done wonders for my record collection. Rock and roll doesn't get more underground than this." – that was David Fricke, the music editor of Rolling Stone "I think that bootlegs keep the flame of the music alive by keeping it out of not only the industry's conception of the artist, but also the artist's conception of the artist." – that was Lenny Kaye from the Patti Smith group, musician, critic and my friend.

Wow!! Sounds heroic and vital!

I wonder what these guys feel about all of this now, because things have changed, haven't they? We are now talking about Megaupload, Kim Dot Com, big money, political power, and varying definitions of theft that are legally way over my head. But I know a con man when I see one. I want to include a rant from an early bootlegger in this discussion because it's so passionate and I just think it's funny.

This is Lou Cohan "If anybody thinks that if I have purchased every single Rolling Stones album in existence, and I have bought all the Rolling Stones albums that have been released in England, France, Japan, Italy, and Brazil that if I have an extra $100 in my pocket instead of buying a Rolling Stones bootleg I am going to buy a John Denver album or a Sinead O'Conner album, they are retarded."

So the guy is trying to say don't try to force me. And don't steal my choice. And the people who don't want the free U2 download are trying to say, don't try to force me. And they've got a point. Part of the process when you buy something from an artist. It’s a kind of anointing, you are giving people love. It’s your choice to give or withhold. You are giving a lot of yourself, besides the money. But in this particular case, without the convention, maybe some people felt like they were robbed of that chance and they have a point. It’s not the only point. These are not bad guys. But now, everybody's a bootlegger, but not as cute, and there are people out there just stealing the stuff and saying don't try to force me to pay. And that act of thieving will become a habit and that’s bad for everything. So we are exchanging the corporate rip off for the public one. Aided by power nerds. Kind of computer Putins. They just wanna get rich and powerful. And now the biggest bands are charging insane ticket prices or giving away music before it can flop, in an effort to stay huge. And there's something in this huge thing that kind of sucks.

Which brings us to Punk. The most punk thing I ever saw in my life was Malcolm McLaren's cardboard box full of dirty old winkle pinkers. It was the first thing I saw walking in the door of Let It Rock in 1972 which was his shop at Worlds End on the Kings Road. It was a huge ugly cardboard bin full of mismatched unpolished dried out winkle pickers without laces at some crazy price like maybe five pounds each. Another 200 yards up the street was Granny Takes a Trip, where they sold proper Rockstar clothes like scarves, velvet jackets, and snake skin platform boy boots. Malcolm's obviously worthless box of shit was like a fire bomb against the status quo because it was saying that these violent shoes have the right idea and they are worth more than your fashion, which serves a false value. This is right out of the French enlightenment.

So is the thieving that big a deal? Ethically, yes, and it destroys people because it's a bad road you take. But I don't think that's the biggest problem for the music biz. I think people are just a little bit bored, and more than a little bit broke. No money. Especially simple working people who have been totally left out, screwed and abandoned. If I had to depend on what I actually get from sales I’d be tending bars between sets. I mean honestly it’s become a patronage system. There’s a lot of corps involved and I don’t fault any of them but it’s not as much fun as playing at the Music Machine in Camden Town in 1977. There is a general atmosphere of resentment, pressure, kind of strange perpetual war, dripping on all the time. And I think that prosecuting some college kid because she shared a file is a lot like sending somebody to Australia 200 years ago for poaching his lordship's rabbit. That's how it must seem to poor people who just want to watch a crappy movie for free after they’ve been working themselves to death all day at Tesco or whatever, you know.

If I wanna make music, at this point in my life I'd rather do what I want, and do it for free, which I do, or cheap, if I can afford to. I can. And fund through alternative means, like a film budget, or a fashion website, both of which I've done. Those seem to be turning out better for me than the official rock n roll company albums I struggle through. Sorry. If I wanna make money, well how about selling car insurance? At least I'm honest. It's an ad and that's all it is. Every free media platform I've ever known has been a front for advertising or propaganda or both. And it always colors the content. In other words, you hear crap on the commercial radio. The licensing of music by films, corps, and TV has become a flood, because these people know they're not a hell of a lot of fun so they throw in some music that is. I'm all for that, because that's the way the door opened for me. I got heard on tv before radio would take a chance. But then I was ok. Good. And others too. I notice there are a lot of people, younger and younger, getting their exposure that way. But it's a personal choice. I think it’s an aesthetic one, not an ethical one.

Now with the Internet people can choose to hear stuff and investigate it in their own way. If they want to see me jump around the Manchester Apollo with a horse tail instead of trying to be a proper Rockstar, they can look. Good. Personally I don't worry too much about how much I get paid for any given thing, because I never expected much in the first place and the whole industry has become bloated in its expectations. Look, Howling Wolf would work for a sandwich. This whole thing started in Honky Tonk bars. It's more important to do something important or just make people feel something and then just trust in God. If you're an entertainer your God is the public. They'll take care of you somehow. I want them to hear my music any old which way. Period. There is an unseen hand that turns the pages of existence in ways no one can predict. But while you’re waiting for God to show up and try to find a good entertainment lawyer.

It's good to remember that this is a dream job, whether you're performing or working in broadcasting, or writing or the biz. So dream. Dream. Be generous, don’t be stingy. Please. I can't help but note that it always seems to be the pursuit of the money that coincides with the great art, but not its arrival. It's just kind of a death agent. It kills everything that fails to reflect its own image, so your home turns into money, your friends turn into money, and your music turns into money. No fun, binary code – zero one, zero one - no risk, no nothing. What you gotta do you gotta do, life's a hurly-burly, so I would say try hard to diversify your skills and interests. Stay away from drugs and talent judges. Get organized. Big or little, that helps a lot.

I'd like you to do better than I did. Keep your dreams out of the stinky business, or you'll go crazy, and the money won't help you. Be careful to maintain a spiritual EXIT. Don't live by this game because it's not worth dying for. Hang onto your hopes. You know what they are. They’re private. Because that's who you really are and if you can hang around long enough you should get paid. I hope it makes you happy. It's the ending that counts, and the best things in life really are free.