#and was an excellent song placement it was

[extremelybabygirl]

who would have thought high school frenemy turned out to be my favorite and the BEST show in the entire gmm 2024 lineup! the way it exceeds my expectation! in every way possible!

it's a love story about two childhood friends

it's more romantic than most bls and it's not even a bl

good plot and storyline

characters with emotional depths and complex, no one-dimensional flat character

on-point dialogues that bring you to tears

phenomenal acting from the whole cast (especially nani. i don't think anyone else could play this role better!)

amazing chemistry between the main leads right off the bat

no overused cliche tropes often seen in most bls, no unnecessary filler, no product placement

relatively good pace (i don't need to watch it in x1.25 or x1.5 speed lol)

excellent soundtracks and song choices! the lyrics are so accurate you'd think they were written specifically for our characters! in each specific scene! whoever picked the music did the lord's work!

director is a queer woman who directed bls and gls

overall good directing, good acting, good editing, good plot, good writing, good soundtrack 10/10 chef's kiss

people who don't watch this show just because it's not a bl don't know what they're missing

[celesterayel]

the it couple | luke castellan

request: I’m not really sure what qualifies as a request but could you write a Luke x reader where they are like the camp it couple? 🫶🫶

summary: common knowledge is how irrevocably in love luke castellan is with you.

"you know i adore you, i'm crazier for you than i was at sixteen lost in a film scene" - t.s.

w.c. : 702

warning(s) : none

pairing : luke castellan x reader

the campers of camp half blood don't quite remember how or when it had happened. It just always was: you and Luke Castellan, that is. where you went, he followed. the shadow to your guide and you the balm to his sorrow. annabeth used to whisper to the younger children–the ones who had been taken to camp far too young and therefore had little knowledge of love–that you and Luke Castellan were soulmates: seamlessly bound to one another. 

you yourself had never believed in fate despite the fact that you had met them–old bitter hags. you preferred to believe that life was not set in stone, unbreaking and withered to a timeline. it perhaps led to your brash attitude and ‘ride or die’ mentality but your mannerisms only made luke castellan fall in love with you all the more. some things were just beyond the gods' control. you and luke were one of those things.

you had first arrived at camp a decade ago, where you were then claimed by hades. of course news of you spread like wildfire: you were gorgeous, your talent with your bo staff was unmatched, and your father was one of the three–strong power ran through your blood and you showed it everyday during training. but that wasn’t exactly what caught the attention of everyone, rather the fact that the popular gaze of a certain brown-eyed boy always strayed to you. when you laughed, he smiled. where you went, he strayed. you were magnet and he was never far away.

you both tipped toed around one another, constantly drifting toward the other. playful banter slipped between you two and those around you wondered when you would finally just get together. the first time you guys finally breached the delicate line between more than ‘obviously pining friends’ was after an exciting rivalry game.

despite the strategic planning of annabeth–who clearly eyed the tension between the two of you–and the excellent swordsmanship, house ares had won the game because of you. You had been the one to distract luke castellan after clarisse had forced you to use your charms. it was fun to see the cute blush adorn his cheeks when you approached the head of the Hermes House.

“so, does this mean you agree to go out with me?” he breathed out, hands twirling his sword as he was once again bested by you in capturing the flag.

you laughed out, “i was just waiting for you to ask, castellan.”

no sooner after you had begun dating did the infamy of you two reach an all high around camp. how could it not? 

you two were the all anyone could talk about–the best of the best.

luke castellan was already the best swordsman at camp; a prodigy in the making. his brown curls and dimples only made him more popular among the girls and young teens. he was one of the highest placed leaders around camp; one of the few that clarisse actually respected and the one that annabeth regarded most. 

you were a gem in the rough: bold and brash at times, but calculating and quick-witted. you were the one to turn to when those around camp felt alone, always ready to take care of others and offer words of wisdom. you were a living definition of rules being broken and your power only highlighted the height of your placement around camp. 

when you two walked by, the eyes of the others strayed. newcomers learned of your names before they learned what exactly camp half blood was. 

when you threw your head back and laughed, people watched as Luke curled his lips in pride at being the one behind your laughter. when he sat round the fire and sang songs with the campers, you sat right beside him; head laying on his shoulder and hoping the moment would never end. he willingly allowed himself to lose camp games if only by your hand, time and time again.

yes, you were the it couple of camp half blood but none of that mattered, when he was the one for you.

[kakiastro]

Astrology Notes:

Mercury Edition

This is what my astrology notes look like lol

-People who have a Mercury-Uranus aspect can indicate having lots of intelligence. These are the “mad geniuses” of our world. These native may have lots of ideas on how to help humanity as a whole. You might be in a lot of controversies over your words or be misunderstood. On the flip side of this aspect, this can indicate someone who has a strong knowledge of it all personality and don’t want to hear others options. May get offended easy and loves to argue.

-Mercury/Moon aspect natives need to control their emotions before they speak especially if you have it in a harsher aspect like a square or opposition. You may get flustered or your feelings may get hurt easily. These natives are sensitive to words, they may act like they don’t care but it definitely hurt their heart. On the flip side, they may be mostly the quiet type of people. Once they open up, it’s like a whole different person lol. They also have a strong intuition, they understand people more than they let on. They also have a soft spot for babies and young kids.

-Mercury Capricorn/10h natives has a lot of wisdom within them. They start learning harsh lessons during there early years. Usually by the time they reach their first Saturn return, they may sound like a retired 60 year old giving out advice due what they’ve endured 😅 Capricorn rules over time, so as they get older, the more introspection they have on the word. These are the perfect natives to receive advice from because of the lived experience. On the flip side, if these natives use their words or actions to hurt others, it will come back. Capricorn is one of the “power” placements , hence why it rules the 10h(highest point our chart) so moral of the story, use your words for good. Make stretching your daily routine, your cap Mercury will one day thank you. Also, take care of your teeth, even if you can’t afford to go the dentist , brush them and floss.

-Mercury/Jupiter aspect natives have a thirst for knowledge and seeking the truth. They don’t believe in the theory “not everything has an answer.” Because to them it does, you’re just too stupid to them to find it but they will😅don’t lie, y’all know it’s true! These natives will make excellent historians, professors, gurus, researchers, writers. They are pretty open about their beliefs and don’t mind debating you about them.

-Mercury Pisces/12h natives occasionally experience brain fog😅 they have the ideas and creativity but they’re time when their brain is filled with smoke😭 sometimes they just be talking and we don’t know what their talking about but they have beautiful voices so we let it slide lol. Speaking of voices, they are incredibly singers, like you just get lost or hypnotized by their words. Listening to frequency music or Lo-fi songs will help soothe y’all mind. Take care of feet, clip your big toe nail and put some lotion on them. Don’t be out here with goblin feet😭

-Mercury Sagittarius/9h natives loves foreign cultures and always traveling some damn where chile😅 these natives are either anti-religious or very religious. They may also just like studying religion as an interest without really holding those beliefs themselves. May have lots of father figures growing up. May have their own library of books and publications they love to keep. These natives, like Capricorn are also good at giving advice because they’re constantly researching or reading to find answers. Take care of y’all legs by stretching, running, even if you’re disabled, if you can, physical therapy or someone you trust can stretch your legs for you. I know everyone circumstances is different and that’s ok! Do what you can with what you got!

-Chiron Gemini /3h words can be so healing but triggering at the same time. They tell it like it is and it can sting but at the same, their advice can help the collective. They may have a wound with a sibling(s) . They could’ve been bullied in elementary school. These people at their best, turn their pain into healing and help others. They may understand the misunderstood people in our world. At worst, they use their pain to hurt others , they may have started out doing that but then started learn and heal. It really depends on the person because we all have free will.

-Chiron is said to associated with Virgo since it’s a healer astroid. It’s also associated with Sagittarius because he’s a teacher and a centaur which are ruled by Jupiter.

-Mercury/Venus natives have such beautiful voices and has a way with words😍these are the true charmers, they way that they can make you fall in love with them with just their voice and words. If they decided to write a book, it would get lots of attention especially if they write romance and poetry.

-Mercury Aries’s /1h natives loves cussing and has a potty mouth on them for sure 😅y’all put a sailor to shame. They may come off as brash with their words even though they mean well. You just have to listen to the words and not the tone sometimes😅. I also notice these natives tend to get lots of headaches or migraines with this placement.

I’ll stop here but I might make a part 2 to this. Let me know what Mercury placements or aspect you want me to make note on. I’m also open for paid readings if you’re interested!

[seriallover]

Venus in Krittika: The Power To Separate🔪💔

Krittika, also known as "the Cutter" or "the Power to Separate," “to burn”, is a nakshatra associated with the themes of cutting, burning, and transformation. It belongs to the Rakshasa (demonic) group, which imbues it with aggressive, lustful, and sensual qualities. This nakshatra is influenced by Shukra (Venus), the guru of the Asuras (demons), enhancing its intense and passionate nature.

Krittika is split into two rashis: Aries and Taurus. When Venus is in Aries, it is considered to be debilitated. Even in Taurus, where Venus rules, the nakshatra's nature can still create challenges. This is because Krittika is a Sun nakshatra, and Sun and Venus are considered enemies in Vedic astrology. Also, the Sun exalts in Aries. The enmity between the Sun and Venus symbolizes the tension between spiritual duty and material pleasure, authority and harmony, selflessness and indulgence. While this placement is not exactly the same as having Venus combust, the overall energy and tension can feel quite similar.

The deity of Krittika Nakshatra is Agni, the lord of fire, and Kartikeya. 🔥It is an aggressive nakshatra, symbolized by a knife or razor with the intention of cutting. 🔪This is one reason why people with this nakshatra often excel as chefs or bladesmithings.

Those with Venus in Krittika are often prone to multiple relationships or marriages, as Agni had seven wives, and they may even be the cause of another couple's breakup. His Shakti is "to burn or consume in order to purify," using fire to remove impurities and reveal the truth. This is why affairs usually don't remain hidden when the third person involved has this placement. The power of fire can purify or destroy.

People with this nakshatra are driven by their sexual desires, much like Agni, who was cursed with insatiable lust after seeing the wives of the Saptarishis naked. The Moon is exalted at 3 degrees in this nakshatra, and those with dominant Moon energy often have tendencies towards infidelity, as I’ve mentioned.

Taurus is all about pleasure, and having Venus in this nakshatra can turn someone into a hedonist, driven by a desire to fulfill all their urges and obtain their absolute dreams. This can sometimes manifest in a greedy, egoistical manner.

Funny enough, the yoni consort of Krittika is Pushya, another nakshatra associated with cheating due to the conflict between Brihaspati and Soma over Tara, the wife of Brihaspati. Either way, people with Venus in Krittika tend to attract married people, now if they indulge in an affair or not, depends on them.🤷🏻‍♀️

1. Ariana Grande has her Venus in Krittika of Aries in the 5th house, which represents short romances and flings. Ariana Grande's love life pretty much sums up her songs "break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”; “the boy is mine”. She's currently with Ethan Slater, whom she met while they were both married.

2. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard both have their Venus in Krittika of Taurus. Allegedly, when they started their relationship, both were in other relationships at the time. Throughout their marriage, there were accusations and evidence of infidelity. The darker side of this Nakshatra manifested in their tumultuous relationship, with incidents such as Johnny threatening that he will cut himself and him painting on walls with his blood.

3. Marlon Brando had his Venus in Krittika of Taurus in his 7th H. He was famous for his numerous affairs with both men and women. Even his ex-wife Rita Moreno, admitted that he cheated frequently during their relationship.

4. Henry VIII had his Venus in Krittika of Taurus in his D9 chart. He was known for marrying six times, starting with Catherine of Aragon, who was previously married to his brother. He pursued other marriages while still married. Anne Boleyn, his second wife, was famously executed by beheading in 1536 on charges of adultery and treason. He had his Venus in Rohini (the favorite wife) in his D1.

5. Russell Crowe, another individual with Venus in Krittika of Taurus in the 5th house, began an affair with Meg Ryan whom he met on the set of "Proof of Life" while she was married at the time.

6. Partynextdoor also, has his Venus in Krittika of Taurus in his D1 chart. Themes of infidelity frequently appear in his songs, such as in his song "SAVAGE ANTHEM."

[st6rly]

you can run but you can’t hide.

SYNOPSIS: i’m gonna make you mine (or in other words, a game of chess with ayato.) | word count: 0.7k

characters: ayato x gn!reader

categories: fluff, ig slight angst, scenario

warnings: the banter could be considered slightly suggestive?? chess terminology that may be inaccurate, threats of violence as a joke, one swear, ayato is a little bit of an ass (read my notes!)

notes: title is from a song, not someone’s elemental burst btw. forever a hater of the fact that hoyo boiled down ayato’s personality to liking boba, being ayaka’s brother + head commissioner, and politeness. we’re giving him banter and snark bc i said so /hj

surprise @aquatik !! i’m your secret santa >:DD im a little rusty when it comes to writing TwT and this fic style is kind of different from my usual so!! i hope you enjoy this fic & my interpretation of him heh. and have a happy holiday!!

You wanted to strangle him.

Tension was laced through the air, a fine weaving of intricate ribbon that wrapped around your shoulders and settled softly, but not unnoticeably. A featherlight weight that demanded acknowledgement. The white knight in front of you was mocking, horse head positioned carefully to swipe your bishop with no way of getting out of it. 

Ayato watched on in glee. A delicate smirk laid out on his refined face.  

With a sigh, you continued to mull over your painstaking next move. His pieces had begun to dominate your side of the board with a few of yours off to the side by his arm. Ayato laced his fingers together, rested his chin on the back of his hands, and huffed in amusement. 

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m just not going to take my turn,” you remarked with a  scowl, glaring at him from across the table. He cocked his head, expression not wavering. 

“Like what?” 

“Like you’ve already won,” you stated, looking back down at the pieces still on the board, “like you’ve already beat me before this is even over.” 

“But,” a gloved finger came to rest on his chin as he cheerfully quipped back, “haven't I?” 

“This game is not over until one of us officially knocks down the opponent’s king.” You moved a pawn. D5. 

“Are you sure?” White pawn C4. 

“Positive.” Your pawn to C4. Queen’s Gambit accepted. His piece sat off the board to your right. 

“You know.” His knight took your bishop; your queen took his knight. “I have told you that I was a master at this, darling.” 

“Master at what?” You opened up your last bishop. “Running your mouth?” A flimsy checkmate was secured. 

Ayato laughed, a hearty sound that came from deep in his chest and frothed in his throat when it reached the top. 

“It’s wonderful playing with you, my love, you know that?” 

“No,” you felt the beginnings of a smile appear as you spoke, “I don’t. Please tell me more.” 

His queen was gone but so were both of your knights. Yet he still grinned.

“Oops.” Rooks cornered your king despite the placement of your queen, effectively pushing the useless royal to the corner. Ayato smiled, eyes closed as he folded his hands neatly in his lap.

“Checkmate.” 

You scoured the board, looking for a brief slip up on his end, for any open area, before sighing, “Good game, love.” 

“An excellent one indeed.” His eyes alight with mirth and tease foretold what he was about to say next. “Although, maybe practicing with someone more of your caliber may do you some good.”

The small kingdom shook and chess pieces fell, rooks and queens rolling off the table as both kings toppled. 

Slammed in the centre, a crater in the checkered pattern, was your hand. Chair shoved back, you had abruptly stood and scraped the furniture against dark wood. Ayato raised his sight up a slight amount, cheekiness in his giggles while you glowered back. He stood, gaze locked with yours as he leaned in. 

Before a single new word could fall from his lips, you had pulled him by the soft material of his robe, fabric melting under your touch. 

“I was trying to be nice,” you grumbled. From outer eyes, anyone could have mistaken it for utter hatred. Between the two of you, the venom was neutral; Ayato wouldn’t find real malice behind the things you said. 

“As was I.” 

“I fear for the officials you meet on a daily basis if this is your ‘nice’.” 

His smile fell, not from his face or in the way those games that laid about on the floor, but into something softer; warm and homey. He placed a hand over the one clutched to his clothing. 

“It’s a good thing it’s the holiday season then, isn’t it?” He bumped his forehead against yours over the table, position awkward yet he made do. “Means I’m all yours.” 

You faked annoyance, a roll of the eyes followed by a scoff, but the smile that threatened to split your face said it all. 

“Oh poor me. However will I manage?” You replied before tugging and locking your lips with his. 

[princessjojo-x]

Scorpio Mars

💝 his pluto & mars influence shapes him into an unpredictable, vindictive, sadistic, secretive & stubborn man. he may struggle keeping friends & partners due to how intense he can be. when he’s triggered he can be very cut throat with his words which causes others to distance themselves from him.

💝 he has a strong sense of self-preservation which leads him to be overly secretive & distrusting.

💝 he hates not knowing what's happening around him; this isn’t necessarily bc he’s suspicious & paranoid but bc he’s controlling asf. however, you wouldn’t suspect this as he comes across as very chill & care free. he won't bluntly violate your privacy but will still find ways to always know what you're up to, keep tabs on you & remember random things abt you, even when he knows for sure that you’re trustworthy & you’re doing nothing wrong.

💝 he never reveals his true intentions & feelings. even if he’s boiling inside, he excels at retaining a poker face. he keeps his emotions bottled up & releases them in intense outbursts. he conceals his fierce anger & mars energy until he needs to use it. if he’s provoked enough he wont hesitate to respond very intensely, maliciously & emotionally.

💝 he’s a lot more cunning & manipulative than he lets on. he can be very cold in regards to success, rxships & feuds. he has a tendency of going to extreme lengths to get his avenges, throwing people under the bus to get what he wants & ghosting lovers with no remorse.

💝 he gets off on the reactions of others. he knows exactly what strings to pull to trigger & affect them. his super power is catching you off guard & poking at you psychologically. hopefully he uses this power in a teasing & humorous way, instead of a toxic & cruel way.

💝 he has immense psychological strength & he can use his mind to manage or separate pain. he may even have the ability to enter a trance-state or cocoon in states of agony or when he is pushing himself to achieve better (such as run that extra kilometre).

💝 his private nature means his battles go completely unseen by anybody else. his enemies are his history, trauma, betrayals & victimisations. the best way to piss him off is to bring up his past wrongs & mistakes.

💝 he feels the most angry when he’s embarrassed. he gets embarrassed by being lied to by others or himself being caught in a lie.

💝 he’s rarely neutral abt anything, he’s strongly opinionated & either loves something or hates it.

💝 he has this risqué factor abt him which feels like you shouldn’t deal with him for some reason you’re still drawn to the idea. he is just naturally sexy & consequently he tends to have a player/promiscuous image projected onto him.

💝 he is intense in both daily life & in bed. he has the highest sex drive & his nether regions are extremely sensitive. he’ll likely want to sleep with you on the first meet & he’s always willing to take intimate risks. he’ll fuck anywhere & anyone, including someone he hates. ensure to never shame him for his sexuality. additionally, he has a tendency to talk abt his pee-pee in high praise, especially when he’s romancing someone!

💝 sexually, he’s more dominant than aries mars; he’s not here to win, he’s here to possess. he wants to be in control & call the shots. it’s his way or the high way. he tend to equate s3x with power & control, with his partner playing the role of a obliging slave.

💝 sleeping with him is like listening to a good song & waiting for the beat to drop but it never does. this explains why scorpio energy can be so intoxicating - it always leaves you on the verge of full satisfaction meaning you keep going back for more. in my opinion, this placement is overrated for its sexual performance. it’s more his energy & anticipation that makes him exciting & alluring. but once he gets to the deed, he’s completely driven by his lust & desire, which makes his performance animalistic & reckless. he tends to go straight to the crotch area with little foreplay or stimulation. it’s like sleeping with a very horny person who’s having sex for the very first time in their lives. it can feel quite predatory & domineering. also, he’s not as freaky as you’d expect & there’s something abt him that’s a bit closed off. in my experience, when it comes to performance those with domicile or exalted mars overpromise & underdeliver whilst those with debilitated mars underpromise and overdeliver.

💝 he doesn’t kiss & tell which makes him a worthy sneaky link.

Turn On’s & Off’s:

💝 he’s not pleased by the typical sweet nothings (words of affection, gentle caresses) & an intimate rxship too peaceful bores him. he’s turned on by mystery, passion, intensity, vulnerability, trust & anything that’s hard to understand. in the shadows & spaces where others might shy away, he is ever hungering for an intensity that matches his own. he likes revealing each others deepest secrets, desires & fears. he enjoys breaking sexual taboos & a hint of danger (love-hate rxships, age gaps, etc).

💝 he’s easily aroused by perceived anticipation & stimulation (a moment turning into something more). if you intrigue him enough & give him the impression that the moment could turn into something more & that something sexual could occur (via glances & movements) you’ve got him. for him, s3x is all abt control & how many ways either of you can lose said control. he likes a shared glance that holds an intense promise (eye contact). he likes the thrill of a teasing game that involves mutual seduction & mind games, which make the heart race faster (blindfolding).

💝 he likes talking abt s3x, sexual attention from others, seducing others & being around physically attractive people as he loves s3xy environments.

💝 he’s turned on by the concept of ownership. he enjoys getting marked by/marking his partner (bruises & love bites).

💝 he has the highest pain tolerance so enjoys aggression from his partner (bitten/scratched).

💝 he likes doing the deed in the dark, physically ripping his partners clothes off, laying down with his head close to his partners genitals, body hair, body odour, latex, leather, sex toys, begging, jealousy, teasing, tickling, torture, bdsm & prolonged sex.

💝 he likes a challenge & proving himself so ensure to let him chase.

💝 he likes being held really close during s3x & water mars in general love positions where they can see their partners face

💝 he craves a deep emotional bond & being utterly lost in his partner. he wants someone who will understand/appreciate his protective nature & sensitive side

💝 he’s attracted to blonde, innocent women with big boobs

[vivmaek]

VENUS IN THE 3rd HOUSE: Observations

People with Venus in the third house are snake charmers. These types are charismatic and have excellent communication skills. They know how to get along with pretty much anyone, and they know what people want to hear. They can be rather witty and might catch themselves flirting without meaning to. Those with this placement express themselves with ease and are comfortable with sharing their thoughts. Venus third housers are talented writers, especially within the realm of poetry. They have a love of literature and of the arts. This is also a great placement for musicians. Songwriting may come easy to them. They write songs that are catchy and hard to get out of your head. They also have a special connection between their mind and their hands, and tend to have more instrumental talent rather than vocal. However, their love of learning could lend them the drive to evolve their skills. People with this placement have an artistic mind and an intuitive understanding of aesthetics and taste. They are attracted to like minded people and they want their relationships to be filled with intellectual stimulation. A connection between minds is what leads to romantic attraction. Venus third housers chase after people who are smart and quick. They need someone to keep up with them and their partner needs to accept their busy lives. People with this placement are always on the go and don’t want to be held down by anyone or anything. Love for these types is not all consuming and desperate. Their partners are aware that they could pick up and leave at any moment if they truly wish to do so. They want to have fun, and most importantly they need to laugh. If these elements are lost within a relationship, they won’t be sticking around. Spontaneity keeps them on their toes and they want excitement. It is possible that they could find a romantic partner through their siblings or relatives, like a friend of a cousin. They also have luck meeting people at school, in their neighborhood, or by using public transit. Taking a short trip is another great way for them to find or build upon romance. Everyday life is one of their greatest sources of inspiration. They have a love for the little things and need to be with someone who can appreciate this as well. They want someone who will join them for long walks around the park or quick car rides in the middle of the night just to get ice cream. 

[frostfires-blog]

SNK FINAL ED: ITTERASSHAI

HANAKOTOBA ANALYSIS

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

-> White Cherry Blossom

White cherry blossoms are the first flower featured in the final ending theme song credits. The cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata) is also known as the Japanese cherry and is the unofficial national flower of Japan. Its Japanese name Sakura (桜) has been derived from the word “saku” which means “to bloom”.  Its meanings in hanakotoba are “beauty of spirit”, grace, chastity, excellent beauty, gentleness, good education and the “transience of life”. In Japan, cherry blossoms are also a symbol of the “beauty of impermanence”—a Shinto concept better known as “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) as their falling petals are a reminder that although life is short, it is beautiful and should be savoured. The Japanese concept of “natsukashi” (懐かしい) likewise emphasizes the fleeting nature of cherry blossoms. This concept refers to the happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to. We will never get to experience those moments again, just like the ephemeral cherry blossoms, which makes them even more significant. Cherry blossoms bloom from March to April which is the start of the new fiscal year in Japan. As a result of this cherry blossoms have also come to symbolise new beginnings and springtime. Given that feudal Japanese soldiers associated cherry blossoms with honour, discipline, and dignity—falling flowers were thought to be symbolic of a Samurai's death. In Western floriography, cherry blossoms herald the changing of the seasons and symbolise renewal and rebirth. They also symbolise the fleeting nature of life, tenderness, forgiveness, strength, beauty, love, confidence, peace, friendship and gratitude. White cherry blossoms, in particular, represent purity, innocence, and simplicity, as well as hope and rebirth. White cherry blossom blossoms convey joy in the celebration of new beginnings. “Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai” (AOT ED1) depicts a young Mikasa rushing about looking for Eren in a dark, gloomy landscape before shifting into her older self. “Akuma no Ko” (AOT ED7) depicts a young Eren wandering around on his own in a dark cage until he breaks free into a colourful meadow before morphing into his older self. Meanwhile, the final ending, “Itterasshai”, depicts both a young Mikasa and Eren as well as an adult Mikasa and Eren uniting in a field of flowers beneath a picturesque sunset. Given that white cherry blossoms symbolise new beginnings, hope, and rebirth, their inclusion in this montage enhances its depiction of the pair reuniting in the afterlife—effectively tying the first and seventh ending sequences together. Various concepts embodied by the cherry blossom, particularly the transiency of life, mono no aware (the beauty of impermanence), and natsukashi (nostalgia for times and things we can't return to), are also significant themes in Attack on Titan's final arcs, making the flower's placement here appropriate.

-> Red Rose

The next set of flower featured in the final ending sequence are red roses. In Japan, red roses are called benibara (紅薔薇). In hanakotoba roses symbolise love and beauty while red roses in particular symbolize affection and passionate love; while rose thorns represent “happiness in misfortune”.  In Western floriography, roses symbolize love, passion, beauty, romance and secrecy. Red roses symbolize enduring passion, desire, affection and romance. In the visuals for “Itterasshai” four red roses are seen growing alongside a white picket fence. A white bird is later seen flying with a single red rose in its beak. Four red roses are said to symbolise that “nothing will ever come between us”. While a single red rose symbolises love at first sight. This suggests that nothing, not even death, is capable of impacting the pair's feelings for each other and that they have been in love since their first meeting as children. While red roses are an international symbol of romance, passion, devotion and long-lasting love, in some cultures they symbolise sacrifice, martyrdom, bravery, and strength.  These qualities embody Eren’s character pretty well.

-> Dandelion

In the above panel, Mikasa holds two dandelion flowers in her hands. Dandelions (Taraxacum) are known as Tanpopo (たんぽぽ) in Japanese. Its meanings in hanakotoba are sincere love, separation and a prophecy of love. Additionally, in English floriography, dandelions represent faithfulness, hope, healing, light and happiness. They also symbolise joy, youthful thoughts, endurance, prosperity and healing. Given that the dandelion is a symbolic representation of faithfulness, happiness, healing, light, hope and prophecies of love—their use in this ending sequence further reinforces the concept of Mikasa reuniting with Eren in the afterlife.

-> White Daisy

Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of patience, purity, “secret love”, hope, innocence, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, yellow daisies symbolise joy, and growth as well as a turning point or new beginning. Considering the daisy's symbolic connotations, its usage ending sequence once more accentuates the depiction of the pair finally getting a new start following the events of the series' conclusion. Its meanings of patience, hope, faith and secret love in particular highlight Mikasa going through the rest of her life hoping to be reunited after death.

───●◎●─── P.S. ───●◎●───

-> White Carnation

The flowers Mikasa places by Eren’s grave are the same flowers we see her holding after her passing. These flowers are known as carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) and are called Kānēshon (カーネーション) in Japanese. Its meanings in hanakotoba are innocent and deep love.  White carnations in particular hold the meaning “my love is love” and pure love in Japanese culture. In Western floriography, they symbolise love, fascination and distinction. Carnations are the most popular flower used at weddings in China, while in Korea they express admiration, love and gratitude. Carnations are frequently given as gifts in Japan to convey affection for loved ones or to honour those who have passed away. White carnations, in particular, represent purity and are therefore commonly utilised in ceremonies and rituals. The meaning of these flowers makes them an excellent choice for this scene and ties well into Mikasa and Eren’s dynamic. The flower’s meaning “my love is alive” perfectly encapsulates Mikasa’s feelings in the aftermath of the series and is a fitting offering for Eren’s gravestone.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

╰┈➤ Attack on Titan ED7 Hanakotoba Analysis

╰┈➤ Anime Hanakotoba Posts Directory

[I wanted to contribute something towards the fandom considering that aot/snk has finally ended but I knew that doing a full-scale review of the episode would be a bad idea. In short, I want to say a lot of things but at the same time, there's nothing I want to say... When I saw the flowers featured in the final ed I knew I had to cover them. If you guys want me to do a Q&A for the show, I'd be willing to... So, feel free to send me questions to answer...

As a side note, I didn't go into a lot of detail here and stuck to focusing on eremika since I've already done a hanakotoba post for snk/aot--where I went into greater depth on the show's general themes.]

[terzosbignaturals]

may i offer some ghoulette comfort hcs in these trying times?

i got no explanation for this really i failed a midterm and i'm sad so take these -- CUMULUS.

this woman is the cuddling expert

you barely have to even say anything to her-- her arms are already wide open for you to sink into

she's one of the more emotionally conscious of the ghouls, and even if she didn't pick up on that particular scent humans have when they're holding back tears, she'd be able to tell from your glassy eyes and stiff posture

she has an arm draped over your shoulders as she leads you to her nest to wrap you up in her fluffiest blanket and hold you close. accompanying you in The Nest(tm) are countless very-well-loved stuffed animals which she might pile on top of you to make you smile eventually, but for now...

has you rest your head on her chest and cards her fingers through your hair soothingly, whispering gentle words of comfort.

if you want to talk about it she's the most amazing listener, if not, she's content to just lie there and hold you until you're feeling a bit better!

eventually she'll start humming to you and it's pretty much impossible to not fall asleep wrapped in her arms (and you bet she's gonna be there when you wake up as well, getting up while you sleep is the equivalent of moving a cat sleeping on your lap to her.)

-- CIRRUS.

not as good at picking up on it as cumulus is at first, but if you know her well you bet she's memorized all of your mannerisms.

PROTECTIVE MF

like as soon as she notices you're feeling down, she's scooping you up and taking you to the ghoulettes' wing.

doesn't care if you're in the middle of ministry duties-- gives an absolutely withering glare to anyone who tries to stop y'all or tell you you can't leave.

once you're alone, urges you to tell her what's going on, she wants nothing more than to understand so she can help you properly

if you're sad because someone did or said something to you, lord help them

you can see the way her eyes darken as soon as the name leaves your lips, although her expression remains soft

"don't you worry about them, hun, I'll take care of it from here."

they might go missing in the next couple of days, maybe the next week, but don't you worry your pretty little head about it :)

plays her keyboard for you!!! has you sit on the bench nestled between her legs, leaning back against her as she plays a little concert of your favorite songs just for you

if you're a musician, she'll walk you through some of the chords so you can learn to play them yourself! places her hands over yours and moves your fingers so you can memorize their placement and satan her touch is so soothing

-- AURORA.

THE friend to rant to

even if you're mostly sad about whatever happened, as she listens to you speak, she'll get absolutely pissed on your behalf

"are you-- oh my satan are you SERIOUS?! that's fucking bullshit!"

you will most definitely have to talk her out of yelling at someone on your behalf, whether that's a shitty boss who assigned you way too much work for one person or a professor that gave you too little time for an exam.

even in her human glamour she can be intimidating as fuck, after all--

-- and that's just on her own. when there's something she particularly finds unjust, she'll rope cirrus into it as well

and oh boy you do NOT want to be on the receiving end of those two's wrath.

not so experienced with the whole comforting aspect of things, but gives excellent hugs-- tight, secure, and will lift you off the ground no matter if you're taller than her or not, she's stronger than she looks.

-- SUNSHINE.

this calls for an emergency intervention.

no sooner does she see your face, she's aggressively speed-dialing

"dew? swiss? get over here, we've got an emergency. bring the switch."

at first, you're a tad concerned that you'll have to keep the Terrible Trio from stabbing someone with a switchblade on your behalf

but your concern is swiftly and thoroughly alleviated as you're treated to the most intensely chaotic game of Mario Kart you've ever experienced.

the stakes are astronomical. you've gotten three noise complaints from three different siblings. you're all crowded so close to the TV that you're pretty sure you'll end up with eye damage, throwing your arms up in triumph as your green shell smacks Dew's kart head-on, prompting a rainbow of hissed-out curses

swiss has fallen off rainbow road seven times-- you've kept count-- and is somehow still tailing you and Sunshine, giggling maniacally

it's the third lap. the finish line is IN SIGHT, and Sunshine is whooping in pre-victory, just barely keeping her grasp on first place by the inch or so between your karts.

"OH MY SATAN COME ON PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE--"

you catch a glimpse of the blue shell before Sunny does

and you'll never forget the sheer art of her expression as her victorious euphoria melts into absolute and utter horror

someone's screaming at the top of their lungs

dew falls to his knees, overcome with emotion

swiss is somehow driving backwards now

and the moment the pixelated 1st symbol appears on your screen, you're leaping to your feet in triumph, nearly losing your grip on your controller as you thank the hells below for your hard-won victory

"SHUT UP!" yells someone who is probably Rain from the room over

and you find you can't even remember what you were sad about in the first place

[borisbubbles]

Eurovision 2024: #11

11. GREECE Marina Satti - "Zari" 11th place

Decade Ranking: 38/153 [Above Pasha Parfeny, belowGjon's Tears]

The internet is sometimes so strange yo. Fans went ABSOLUTELY FERAL over "Zari" over release, were sacrificing their firstborn sons (metaphorically. most of them -thankfully- won't ever procreate) declaring it a POTENTIAL WINNER, A CLEAR TOP TENNER. Even now, the chants of ZARI WAS ROBBED are still ongoing even if they calmed down a bit since the Final last month.

Meanwhile, I was sitting on my island thinking "um why do these human skidmarks enjoy that horribe cacaphonous abortion of a song?"

YES, that was the take preshow, and I'm not sorry about it. "Zari" was a lot of shit and most of it was... well... shit. Ethnic instruments that were thrown together with zero regard for harmony, pivoting between "edgy" hiphop and "romantic" downtempo bits at the drop of a pin. The TA TA TA? A throbbing MIGRAINE of a chorus (I guess? I don't get headaches, I only cause them). "Zari" was tailored for Zoomers so again, why is this OLD ASS MILLENNIAL (lol she's three years older than I am) playing up to people half her age... by using TikTok memes? Stick to your generation, nerd. It was like a dozen Greek clichés haphazardly strung together as the ultimate clickbait. Borderline un-fucking-listenable.

Now, I am FULLY aware that take puts me in mortal peril since the first and only step in Marina Satti fandom is to make it your personality. I've accepted the fact that a gang of Zari Zombies will be standing at my front door all

but it's MY TRUTH, children and the truth WILL out!. The song was a mess in studio version and that a hill I'll happily die on! Annoying song + obnoxious fanbase => I was SO ready to rank it low and be veeeeery petty and supercilious about it!!! You know, the usual Me Stuff.

But then... we get to the semi and turns out "Zari" t actually works really well and its fans were right all along lmfao oops!!! MORPH!!

Yeah, "Zari" was just the contemporary and Greek equivalent of "My Slowianie", wasn't it? (you'd better say Yes, because I'll compare them for the rest of this post...x) Esothertic ethic mess that somehow functions as a Stage Piece. Obviously NOT AS GOOD as "My Slowianie" (a social media overlay does NOT compensate for the lack of butter churners - where are the olive press workers, hmm?), but it was a decent enough forllow-up, on the clock ten years after Cleo.

Not a large part in the live being good was Marina herself though. Laryngitis or not, she went HARD.

GIRLBOSS

GASLIGHT

GATEKEEP

This is loads of fun!!! I hear the Satti Stans were disappointed by the stage presentation and that is fuckin' daft. The act was honestly... hot and slay and sold the song. It wasn't without faults (the styling and social media overlays were SOOO tacky lmfaooo), but christ who the fuck cares about a few inaccuracies after Marina took the camera (literally? lol) and ran away with it. Second most charismatic on-stage personality in this year after Ladaniva.

The one-shot camera

into the choreographies

into the explosion of colour

into a diffusion of energy that interacted with the audience-

heralded the metamorphosis from an obnoxious TikTok degenerate into a very well-executed Eurovision entrant that - despite possessing multiple ideas that shouldn't work on paper - got most of its shit right, in the correct dosage. It was more than enough to drag me on board, and I was a massive fucking sceptic! It worked, period.

At the end of the day, 11th place is actually a perfect result for Marina.

First off, it's where I've ranked her myself. (which was unplanned, since i fold the songs into my excel first before I look at their overall placements)

Secondly, I never thought she would be top 10 (then again, the only people who thought that were the contingent of her fanbase that thought she was the main character of Eurovision 2024 (over... Eden, Joost, Baby Lasagna and Nemo? lol.), and also thought she'd WIN which is a whole nother slice of insanity ham.)

And thirdly, some of the things Marina did were better executed by some of the remaining artists so it makes sense she didn't outrank them, here or on the scoreboard. She wasn't the biggest revelation (Ireland was), nor the most charismatic (Armenia were) nor the best girlbop (Italy, sort of), etc. She was very good at all of those things, but not the top dog.

In sum, "Zari" is just too um... unconventional to win many juries over. It did as well as it could have done, and still got left side thanks to a beefy televote. That's a good result in my book. It's good when my negative first impressions are proven unfounded by a strong and engaging live, and even better when these growers are rewarded with highish spots. Such results can only benefit the battles, which needs all the small victories it can get.

Pity I'm really that keen on dragging Olly Alexander into my top ten, huh?

CONGRATULATIONS TOP TEN!!!

(not in order...x)

[luckyshotwrites]

Ch. 103 // Christmas Eve // Day 81

Contents (Warnings): Sum up what's left (Angst, character and monster info as always). Read full chapter on A03

Wordcount: 3,400+

Song I correlate to this Chapter: None unfortunately

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

(Dec. 24th, Saturday)

Lynette

This is what I imagined speed dating was like. 

Wicks and Madre tossed me around most of the night. I'd get some gingerbread and sugar cookies from the cabin's kitchen, and Madre would tug me along to talk amongst the adults about conversations I knew nothing about. 

I played along as if I understood and hoped the "my mouth's full" excuse was good enough to pass. 

I'd occasionally also have a crisis if I looked at the gingerbread's cute, silly faces. I had to look away and bite or tear off their little heads to eat them afterward.

Then, when I slipped away from Madre, Wicks captured me and made me chill out alone with him. Until Wenna came to talk—she recently joined the C.P.P.A. and had yet to be assigned to a unit.

I received a lot of information about it at once simply by mentioning that I knew nothing about the units and classes. And here I was thinking they were named after DnD classes.

"Someone who first starts like me is a Classless. I'll graduate after a few months to first class and get assigned to a unit depending on my results and what I excel at." Wenna hopped in her seat on the couch. "I'm hoping for the medical unit because I'm terrible at fighting!"

"You're hard to grab," Wicks remarked. You guys did spar together didn't you?

Wenna wore a wide smile, her black curls bouncing with her, "exactly! Teleportation is my bread and butter." She looked at me, "I could teleport to New York in an instant if I wanted to." 

I acknowledged her impressiveness, which boosted her ego further. I turned my attention to Wicks, "What unit are you in?"

Wicks didn't like answering questions about work. He always gave me that same nervous grin he gave people who approached him to start small talk. "Chaos unit."

"Chaos?"

"Ooo ooo!" Wenna leaned forward in her armchair and over the floral arrangements on the coffee table, "Those are the first line of defense for the C.P.P.A.. They handle situations that require fighting, rescue, and any other thing that will cause "chaos" to the livelihood of everyone on Earth." She informed me with a trimphat puff at her chest. 

I would have praised her for the second time if her words didn't bother me. "I thought you were like Garter, in the recon unit, just reporting things!" I remembered all those times I called him, and he sounded like he was struggling. "You get into fights often?!"

"They're not bad—they usually give me missions in my capability range," Wicks said, not meeting my gaze. He focused his gaze on Wenna, his eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed, intensifying the intimidating aura surrounding him. In response, Wenna recoiled, visibly shaken by the sudden attention.

"Oh, is that my mom calling me." When Wenna dashed out of her chair, my attention shifted to Wicks.

"Usually?!"

Wicks got up abruptly from his seat, exclaiming, in an urgent tone, "I need to go to the bathroom."

"HEY!" I grabbed his arm. "Wicks!" As I tried to hold on to him, he forcefully threw his arm down and broke free. 

He swiftly twisted and ran down the hall toward the bathroom. I didn't pursue him. 

He's as bad as me!

I let out a deep breath of frustration and sank back into the couch, crossing my arms tightly across my chest. The cushions felt soft against my skin, but I couldn't find any comfort in them. I looked over the furniture arranged in a way that encouraged conversation, with cozy blankets and pillows scattered about. I knew we'd open the gifts we got each other soon. 

My eyes drifted further near the crackling fireplace. The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree were not that far from it. I'd be concerned about Padre's tree placement if they didn't have magic. 

I smiled to myself, remembering our first Christmas together. It was initially weird as Padre wasn't there when Madre first adopted me. He came back a few years after I was with them. 

Was he part of the war? Madre said he was in the service. It wasn't on Earth, was it?

I saw Madre look toward me and ducked my head down. Oh no, please, no more adult talk. I waited for her to look away and quickly rushed across the living room to the wide open back sliding door. 

I made it to the patio. The fresh air and setting sun filled me with ease. It was a little chilly, but it was nothing that my reindeer stuffed animal sweater couldn't protect. I let out a giant sigh of relief. 

I admired the wind, which made the leaves wave. Inside, laughter bustled. Even though our family gathering was small compared to those I saw in movies, they all made a lot of pleasant noise together. 

I rested my chin on my forearms as I looked. I hope Drake and Alexander are having fun.

"You don't sound alright." Ulysses' voice sprang up from next to me. 

I jumped and looked over at him. He held a wine glass of what I supposed was blood and had an adorable ugly sweater that had a gingerbread man with his leg off saying, "Oh snap." I giggled at it. I hadn't seen him or Charletta most of the evening. 

"I didn't say anything," I replied. 

Ulysses indicated a heartbeat by making a beating motion on his chest. I forgot they can do that. 

"Oh," I knew covering my chest didn't do anything. "I haven't seen you and Charletta at the party much." I remarked. 

Ulysses moved his drink to his lips and drank. He did it slowly and I could see his red eyes were scouring over the forest as if it would hold a way to answer my question. 

You know, they could read us super well because of our heartbeats but their faces are easy to read too. A smile perked at my lips. Ulysses was especially easy to read because he didn't have longer hair like Drake. 

I playfully responded, "you don't look alright either." 

He pulled his drink away and softly breathed a chuckle. "Why don't we both confess then, but you first since I asked."

Dang. I didn't want to say anything to Drake's family. I can't lie to them either. "I was just thinking about Drake. I feel bad that he's alone and I kinda wanted to see his face when he opened the gift Wenna helped me get him for christmas." 

"He practically pushed us to go. He relishes in his me time." Ulysses said. "And Alexander went to see him so he's got more than enough to worry about." 

"Yeah." 

I smiled at Ulysses, "what about you?"

Ulysses tilted his head from side to side. He appeared to have an internal debate in his thoughts. It took him another minute to answer. "Well, it's uh, I-I feel awful that I can't provide things…" he cleared his throat and quietly muttered. "traditionally for Charletta."

What is he talking about? "Traditionally?" 

Ulysses put his hands over his mouth and spoke. "You know," his hands echoed his quieter voice. "What you humans do with eachother"

"What do we do?"

"LYNETTE." He split his hands enough to say that to me. "Our species are different, don't make me-"

"Hey, hey, what are you two talking about?" Charletta interrupted, throwing an arm up and around her husband's shoulder. 

Ulysses gasped with relief. "Nothing."

Charletta glanced at me.

"I don't really know anymore." I admitted.

Charletta went on her tippy toes sand planted a kiss on his cheek. "I suppose it was about the thing we should share with everyone else"

Ulysses's eyes went wide. "Today?" 

"Now, yeah. We might as well tell everyone." Charletta turned his body toward the glass sliding door and pushed me along as well. When I went inside Wicks caught my arm and pulled me onto the couch. Everyone was already seated in the living area still chatting. He brought me to an arm chair at which he sat on the arm rest next to me. 

"Don't leave my sight." He sassed in a whisper.  

"You did it first, having to go to the bathroom when I was questioning you." I sassed back.

Wicks got a cup from the end table and passed it to me. I took his hot cocolate bribe and swore in my head that I'd prosecute him later. 

We all watched as Ulysses and Charletta got everyone's attention. The stood in front of the presents and Christmas tree. 

Wicks drank his coffee flavored hot chocolate. 

"I was talking to our moms and they think it's best to share everything with you all before it becomes an unexpected surprise." Charletta flashed a grin at Ulysses, he reflected hers back. His eyes finally soothing.

He cleared his throat, set down his wine glass, and said the announcement to everyone. "We're trying for a baby." 

Wicks threw his hand over his mouth and coughed his drink into it. Wenna squealed at the top of her lungs. Edgar just blankly stared, while Pete's and Padre both lurched forward.

"How?" They both said with different tones, then they looked at each other, and Pete's broke his gaze first.

He doesn't like Padre, does he?...hold on. What he said finally hit me.

"Lynette, you're going to be a big sister!"

Her vocals entered my head. I hadn't heard it in years.  

Its melody was soft and gentle like a breeze through a flower filled meadow. It was like she was in front of me again, happily holding my tiny hands in her pale, thin ones. 

I couldn't paint her face anymore. There was only a warmth that fled when my mind played out the rest.

The loud bang in my memory brought me back, momentarily. 

Charletta went on. "The C.P.P.A. has been working on the preservation of some species. They share that species' genes with mothers to bear children of those genes, and so far, it's been working." She pressed a hand to her abdomen, "I've got to get another check up in the next week and If it doesn't work, we'll most likely try to adopt a little magus." She giggled at the end as she looked at her husband.

"Are you going to be okay?" My voice cracked. The room fell silent because of how loud I actually said it. I timidly fell back in my seat and Wicks put his hand on my shoulder. "I," I couldn't look at anyone in the room, nor did I want to. I was stuck on Charletta. 

Her hazel eyes hushed me sweetly, "If anything bad happens, which it won't, they'll stop it." I held my fear back, and I nodded, accepting her assurance. Wenna directed everyone away from my outburst with another question. She wanted to know how it worked.

I couldn't listen. Wicks leaned on me and Madre came over, "No te preocupes, Lyn. Charletta estará bien.” She ran her hand over my head and reminded me that I still had a family. 

It was something I tightly clung too, to keep myself from falling back under. 

...

Drake

He sat alone.

He couldn't deny that he wondered how the party was going at the Paytons. He encouraged his family to go even though they fought to stay with him.

It gives me time to watch this.

He wanted to finish the latest season of Tasty in Oubliette. 

His ears quickly caught a familiar beat near the door, so he paused the TV. 

There wasn't a knock. The asshole kicked the door open, repaired it with reversal magic, and came over to him like a maniac. You're in a good mood, ain't ya? Idiot.

Drake leaned over the couch to stare him down as he entered. "I don't remember saying break-in," he said.

"It's not like you have anything to hide. I know your shit taste in anime." His best friend threw himself down on the same couch as Drake. 

"SHIT TASTE?" Drake held his tongue. He knew Alexander said that to get on his nerves. "Asshole." Drake rolled his eyes and rested back into the velvet cushions. 

Alexander was the only person he'd ever allow in this room. Every family member knew about his secret room and generally had one of their own, but they all knew not to enter each other's without permission. 

You shouldn't be here. "Why aren't you at the party?"

Alexander rested his head back on the top of the couch. " It's not fun without you there," he said.

He listened to Alexander's heart. He didn't lie—he held the whole truth. Drake could tell by the stretch and pull at Alexander's cords that his best friend couldn't bear to be there alone even though he wasn't.

There's nothing we could say.

 He studied Alexander, noticing the slight scar on the side of his head, uncovered by his trimmed hair. He evened out both sides to match. 

Suddenly Drake's lungs strained. Not because of some mysterious entity. As far as they knew it was over. Andras was permanently out of his life, so he should relax.

I can't. Drake clenched his teeth a few times.

"What are you watching, anyway?"

Drake didn't respond. It wasn't over yet. He still had a few more things to do—things he dreaded but wouldn't give him peace of mind until he said them. He faced the TV, not paying attention to what was on the screen. 

Before he knew it, the words slid out from his lips. "I'm sorry."

Alexander fixed his gaze. 

Drake continued with what he could. "For everything."

His best friend nudged his shoulder with his elbow, "Why the hell are you apologizing for? You didn't do-"

"Shut it," Drake snapped with a turn of his head. Don't justify me. This is a long time coming." Drake hated this. It felt like there was a lava pool below him, and he was undoing the harness that kept him out of it. He couldn't take the suspense anymore. He had to face it. 

"I never apologized for what I did to you, dude..." Why is this so hard? Am I scared? Worried? He spoke with his eyes closed.

"I was a whiny, stuck-up brat, and I still kind of am." He winced with his smirk. "From the moment I met you, I hated you because I wanted to be you." He wrung his eyes tighter. "I was always treated like a kid, and I tell myself I'm not anymore. Yet I act so stupid sometimes that I might as well be."

Drake raised his hands, "My mom, my dad, my siblings, your parents, and even you tried to warn me." He threw himself up from the couch to face Alexander. "And I STILL did it all again. I put myself at risk, WISHING that Andras would come out so I could end this."

Drake refused to put his bangs over his face. "Why? Because I hoped I could kill him and rectify my mistakes, so I didn't have to get help." Drake moved his right hand to his forehead and pushed his bangs back. "I was so desperate to prove that I could do something that I put everyone's lives at risk." He gripped the front of his hair, tugging on it. 

"That way, I wouldn't have to apologize, and I could be seen as more than I…"

Drake's shoulders dropped along with his arms. "Am."

He wasn't worth a damn. He was a snarky, selfish jerk who cared more about how he was perceived than ever trying to improve. 

"It took Lynette, of all people, telling me I was weak to realize it. I couldn't fight Andras. I was scared of him." Drake started to cackle, though it hurt. "I'm scared. I don't want to be torn apart over and over and over..."

"You won't be." Alexander cut in. He said it with certainty. 

It made Drake jealous. You always say things like that. You... Drake detested the fact it calmed him. 

"I don't want to lose you," he finally said. You don't know the reprieve I felt seeing you alive after you rushed into that base!" Drake kept his hands from rubbing his eyes. "I love you guys, okay, even if I get so infuriated with you all sometimes, and you all deserve better."

He struggled to hold back tears, but they streamed down his face. "I'm sorry I never apologized like I wanted to, and I'm grateful you're still here."

Drake didn't have time to react. Alexander bounded up and hooked an arm around Drake's neck. Alexander brought him back on the couch after he made a noise that sounded like "ack!". He gave him a noogie. 

"You had to put up with my sorry ass. You already got punishment enough for everything." Alexander joked as he let Drake slip out.

Drake got to his side and put his hair back over his eyes. "Fuck you, dude. I spill my heart and soul," Drake wiped away some of his tears. He looked away. "And you just made light of it. I was an asshole to you." 

"Was?"

Drake shifted his gaze and grumbled, seeing Alexander's smug grin, "Don't smile like you're some kind of saint."

Alexander scoffed and rested back down, "I know I ain't."

Drake heard the rhythm slow, though Alexander's face didn't reflect it. He rarely reflected anything. Drake tuned into the harm brought upon Alexander by his mind. 

And Drake made the mistake of saying more. "It wasn't your fault." 

Alexander's beat uncomfortably increased. Drake watched him shift and try to laugh it off.

"Yeah, no shit, you're the one that kept getting into trouble." Alexander changed the subject. "You and the shrimp have that in common."

She is a magnet for trouble, Drake thought. He could feel himself getting a little hungry just thinking about her. That's so annoying. He shifted his eyes to Alexander. Do you feel like this all the time?

Drake followed Alexander's subject shift. 

"You and Lynette are similar. You both jump into danger for someone else's sake and love to get involved with someone else's business." 

Alexander huffed, "We're nothing alike."

"Yeah, you are." Alexander's heartbeat twisted. Why are you worried?

"She's just idiotically stubborn. She doesn't give up on anything even if she gets her answer..." Alexander complained and threw his arm over his eyes. "I gave it to her, yet she wanted more from me. I'm a monster. What else does she think she's going to get?" He chuckled dryly.

"We're monsters, but we're not heartless." Drake corrected.

Alexander laughed, forcing it out of his mouth. "Not you, no. You're not a wendigo like me."

Drake kicked Alexander's leg. "Chase."

Alexander went quiet, and they sat there in silence. 

Lynette's outburst showed Drake something he hadn't seen either. He had known Alexander almost his whole life and had not seen him wear fear quite like that. He couldn't imagine how much it hurt to make him look like that. 

Drake knew if he said something, Alexander wouldn't listen. He never did. So, Drake shamefully remained still. He didn't want his best friend to leave. 

Alexander sat up and broke the silence. "You never told me what anime you were watching." He pointed at the screen. "Because I really wanna know why you still have it freeze-framed on that girl showing her tits."

Drake threw his attention back to the screen and scrambled for the remote. "IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE WALKS IN. YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT. IT'S A MESSED-UP SCENE, I SWEAR!"

Alexander laughed as he watched Drake scramble. Once Drake had poorly explained everything, they settled in and resumed the episode. 

However, his mind stayed on that topic. You once told me you didn't need a reason to do the right thing. Drake glanced at Alexander for a moment. 

And now, ever since that day, you always give bullshit reasons for every good thing you do.

...

END OF ARC 3

Hey peeps! Sorry it has been taking so long. I have been having a lot of in real life stuff popping and it's been hard to process as of late. I hope you keep enjoying what I've got planned! Arc 4 - Dignity coming soon to a theatre near you! SO KEEP PROSPERING AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! (NONNEGOTIABLE)

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Catch up, see some maps/art, or check the latest release dates down below  ↓ ↓ ↓ 

What I’d do for a Livable Income Part 2 (Synopsis/Chapter - List)

[randomvarious]

Today's compilation:

Nite:Life 05 by Nick Holder 2001 Deep House

Well, last week I dove into the spectacular DJ-mixed version of Canadian Nick Holder's Nite:Life 05, a loungey and jazzy, early 2000s deep house excursion that, in my opinion, ranks up there as one of the single-greatest deep house mixes that's ever been compiled, period. Today, though, I'm back to evaluate the double-LP version of it, which is a little different from the far more accessible CD edition.

The biggest discrepancy between these two is that this version, as is totally standard for DJ mixes put out on vinyl, is not actually a DJ mix at all; because despite what its album cover might claim—"mixed by Nick Holder"—this particular release is completely unmixed, which means that you get fuller-length, uninterrupted versions of the songs that make this such a dynamite set in the first place 🤘.

So, rather than getting only 5:17 of Holder's own excellent "Beyond Your Dreams"—which draws a suddenly thick line of saxy haze satisfaction over a sensual, Brazilian-flavored shuffle—you get two extra minutes of it instead. And rather than getting only 5:24 of Richard Worth's totally atmospheric and sublime "Pikes Peaks Mix" of "Rise," you get almost a full extra five minutes of it here! 😌

But see, there's almost always a downside to these unmixed DJ mix LPs too; and it's that they hardly ever have enough room on them to include every song that was actually used in the DJ mix itself. Dance songs are simply too long for each one that was used in an hour-plus set to be included on a corresponding unmixed vinyl version of it, and so, while we thankfully have fuller-length versions of a majority of the bangers that are featured in this DJ mix, one that we're sorely missing here is New Music Movement's remix of Wam Kidz' "Maria," which is just such a phenomenal bop when it has the backbeat, the vocal, the keys, and a little, p-funky, siren-type synth sound all going simultaneously. Wam Kidz is one of many monikers that's been used by Atlanta's Chris Brann over the years. He's best known as Wamdue Project, whose Roy Malone remix of "King of My Castle" went internationally stratospheric between '99 and 2000, netting itself top-five chart placements all throughout Europe, a #1 in the UK, specifically, and a #1 on the US Billboard dance chart too. But this far less popular remix of a different song of his is on a whole different level, in my opinion.

So, definitely pros and cons to owning a release like this. Had this just come out as a standalone compilation with no mix to compare it to, I'd certainly only have good things to say about it, but knowing that there's a certain song that wasn't included, which is one of the mix's most impressive tunes, overall, I have no choice but to dock it a few points.

Still, though, the extra 5 minutes of "Rise" go a long way towards making up for what's missing here.

Highlights:

Sandi Flores - "El Ray" Jazzanova - "Fedime's Flight (Kyoto Jazz Massive Remix)" The Rurals - "That Feelin (Savannah Remix)" 6400 Crew Present DJ Joeski - "Hustlers Revenge" Nick Holder - "Beyond Your Dreams" Solar House - "Angel" Richard Worth - "Rise (Pikes Peaks Mix)"

[nottawriter]

20 Questions More

This is a deeper and more detailed version of the 20 questions for AO3 fanfic writers. Thanks to @casualsavant for the tag.

1) How do you keep getting ideas for your ship / fandom? Supercorp brainrot… I see a picture or meme or video, I watch a movie or read a synopsis, I hear a song and it reminds me of them. They are ever present in my mind. I cannot escape (nor do I want to) and therefore, you cannot escape :chaos laugh:

2) Which authors inspire you in your fandom, and why are they so freakishly good? There are sooo many super talented people in the Supercorp fandom. I’m constantly impressed and overwhelmed with the volume of amazing content. There are the fandom favs: @lostariels, @jazzfordshire, @searidings, @lynnearlington, @coffeeshib, @mycatismyeditor, @lgbtimelords and @melui-the-bookworm, and there are personal favs: @snowydragonscave, @fazedlight, @casualsavant, @luthordamnvers, @gveret-fic, @briefunknowntrash, @cantdrawshaw, @karalovesallthegirls, @vox-ex, Veritas33 (AO3), @writershapeholeonthedoor… Sooo much talent. I just want to read all the time!

3) Aside from the characters of your main ship, who are the characters you love to write? I love all the side characters. I think the relationships in Supergirl are what make Kara and Lena so great and relatable. After Kara and Lena, I think I’m most comfortable writing Alex, but I enjoy writing almost everyone. My WHBL series is an ensemble-cast style story that is primarily Lena pov, but has other povs throughout.

4) Are there pairings or tropes you know for sure you’d never write about? Which ones? I’m not a fan of writing Kara or Lena outside of Supercorp unless in reference to their past relationships. I’m not sure if I would rule any specific trope out completely

5) What is your writing process and why is it cursed? Sav’s answer for this one is pretty relatable lol but uh… I typically put notes in my phone if I don’t have paper/pen handy. I use Excel to plot out timelines and chapters. I like to use color to show what I still need to write versus what’s done or what’s uncertain. I use a simple Word doc and typically write in story order, though if I write a scene I like, but don’t like it’s placement, I’ll cut it out and save it separately for potentially using later or in a different fic. I struggle with writer’s block, anxiety, guilty, sooo much uncertainty. It’s stressful and sometimes overwhelming… But I’m still here, so I suppose getting the story out into the world is all worth it in the end.

6) What is your favorite part of your writing process? I enjoy the research, having something completed and ready to post (if not the anxiety of actually posting), and I enjoy reading the comments

7) What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to research for a fic? Um, probably sniper rifle stuff

8) Is there a particular writing rule you struggle with (grammar, spelling, tense, reality in general)? I catch myself switching tense all the time. I try to catch it all in editing, but don’t always succeed.

9) What was your hardest scene to write so far and why? Pretty much all of Evermore because it’s Kara’s dreamscape with mixed references to Wizard of Oz and Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven combined with The Adjudicator’s last scene. I think it actually came out well, but it’s really different and specific, so it’s gotten low interaction.

10) Have your characters ever done something you didn’t expect, changing your plot completely? 100%

11) If you could converse with any of the characters, who would it be and why? I would be in awe to meet Kara or Lena. They’re iconic and these huge symbols for so many feelings and thoughts I’ve tried to convey, but they’re also very relatable characters who’ve suffered through much. I hope I do them justice with my writing. I know others do it so much better... I would also love to meet Melissa or Katie. I hope they know how many lives they've impacted for the better.

12) What are some of the tropes or themes that you find yourself returning to in your writing? Originally, I wrote a lot of mental health themes and hurt/comfort, currently it’s fluff and smut or rom-com. I guess it depends a lot on what emotional headspace I’m in and capable of conveying. Almost always there’s some angst, but I gotta have a happy ending. Whether I’m reading or writing. A happy ending always.

13) What’s your most important resource as a writer? Talking with other writers! I’ve been so thankful to meet so many great ones this year <3

14) Can you share some of your strategies for editing and revising your work? I do many rereads, before and after I post. I will go back and reread before I add more to a story as well, esp if it’s been a while since I wrote for it. I’ve also gotten someone else to read over fics from time to time.

15) Which is worse: making the summary, picking the tags, or the anxiety when you post your fic? All of that gives me anxiety lol

16) How do you define success for your fanfic - hits? Kudos? Comments? Bookmarks? Or just if you like it? I try really hard not to define “success” when it comes to my writing. You never know what other people are going to like or connect with. First and foremost, I write for me. Secondly, I write for the enjoyment of others. I like to see kudos, but ultimately it’s the comments that are most encouraging. Seeing even just 1 person connect with a story that I wrote… there’s no feeling like that.

17) Do you have a playlist for your favorite character / ship? I don’t, but there are songs or artists I associate with the characters, esp Supercorp- Taylor Swift, Hozier, Lord Huron… Not the question, but there’s a video edit by @talconnect with Running with the Wolves that fits perfectly for Kara. https://twitter.com/TalArtM/status/1658567350046674967 I love it.

18) If fan art was going to be made from your work, which fic would you pick and which fan artist would you like to create it? I recently commissioned a piece for one scene in I Believe in a Thing Called Love and there are a couple of other scenes in that one that I would have done. Really, I would appreciate any scene though. It would be an honor to have someone chose one of my works for something like that and I would be stoked to see any of it.

19) How many WIPs do you currently have? Active WIPs: 4 (What Has Been Lost, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, and Tis the Damn Season); Mayhem WIP idea to be started soon. A few others always percolating

20) What’s your advice to new fanfic writers? I had no idea what I was doing or that I even wanted to write when I started. You can’t improve until you try. You can’t learn until you make mistakes. Just try. I’ll keep Sav’s advice as well: Write for yourself. Write what you’d want to see. You’ll get better at it over time.

My fics: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Notta_Writer/works Tagging but no pressure: @itsalliebitheway @jetgirl1832 @flyingpotstickers @sneezewizard

[hils79]

Hils Watches Love Me, Love My Voice - Ep 1

Well, my next drama was going to be A Journey to Love, but then @sarah-yyy kept reblogging gifs of Tan Jianci looking all soft in this and I'm only human.

This is where I confess that apart from soft gifs of people in love I don't actually know what this drama is about. I guess they're going to fall in love via voice chat without knowing what the other looks like?

So he's a famous voice actor who also works in a hospital. No wonder she has a crush on him. So do I now!

I love this already. Despite all the gifs I didn't realise that the female lead was Zhou Ye. She deserves some happiness after what happened to Gu Xiang in Word of Honor (yes it's been 3 years and I'm still not over it)

Fortunately as well as having a nice voice he also has an excellent face

Three men and three women. Well, that works out nicely. I hope it goes well for all of them :D

Ooh he already knows her! I do hope he's already secretly gone for her. I love that as a trope.

Oh does he not know what she looks like either? Well this is delightful. Mutual pining my beloved.

This is so soft, and from what I can tell the whole drama is like this. I'm just going to wrap myself up in it like a blanket

I think that's a compliment?

I didn't know there was going to be this much food porn in this drama

Ooh he recognises her voice on an old demo song she recorded. There is clearly A Story here

Wait he's an actual doctor? I assumed he was a nurse or something. How does he find time to be a cardiologist AND a voice actor?

Is the Yakult product placement going to be an ongoing thing?

[astrologicaldiary]

This is Aquarius's time to shine!

I'm not a pro but just an observer, I have been looking at some celebrities who are Aquarius Sun, and they are really having a good career!

Megan's song Hiss is #1 on the chart. She signed a deal with Warner Music, and she gets to control and manage her masters and songs. And that's an excellent deal because as someone who is a creator is so important to have control of her art because we live in a capitalist society filled with greedy ass corporations that abuse their power and take advantage of people. Megan has this experience with her ex-label. Whewwww, I'm glad she's left! They really wanted her to be their slave but treated her like shit behind the scene.

I think ever since Pluto moved in Aquarius, it; 's given the Aquarius peeps so much power in their career or whatever sector they are a part of or working in.

First of all, I love this man. But I'm shook that he has two kids! But anyway, he has been doing well publicly. He won a globe and an Emmy, and he did this beautiful and ....sexy campaign with Calvin Klein.

I had to show it off !!! Yes, he's definitely an Aquarius but his career has been blowing up.

This beautiful gal works with my man Jeremy on the Bear (watch the show, it's good). I took a look at her birth chart, and she's actually a Libra sun but she's an Aquarius moon! And she has been an IT girl and gathering all these awards and recognition! I hope she getting paid FAIRLY and gaining more opportunities because Hollywood is shitting on black women a lot! But yeah, she's killing it!

If you are an Aquarius rising or have any prominent placements such as the sun and moon, I think this Pluto in your sign is going to boost you up to a whole other level!

For me, I have a Uranus in Aquarius in my tenth house, so I'm not sure if I'll get a sip of the power juice, but I'm already feeling the energy to shift my career path make realistic plans, and follow through! Because I'll be my own enemy! Now if have other Aquarius placements, I think that you are already feeling the fire!

My sibling actually is an Aquarius stellium and has a sun. My sibling who travel with his friends out of the country, he told me that he has been seeing the same ghost TWICE! Now he can't sleep!

So some of y'all could see some supernatural shit since Pluto is rule in Scorpio, and pluto involve of taboo and occult stuffs. So it makes sense, but I haven't had it. And I hope not because I'll pass out! But even with Megan with her album theme is so on point around this pluto transit. Her music had symbols about transformation, shedding, snakes and talking her shit !

So if you are an Aquarius sun, rising, or moon, this is time for you to get your shit together! Go towards your dreams and do some weird things you wanted to do so bad but were scared of what people would say! Fuck them! THIS IS YOUR TIME SO DON'T BLOW IT !!! But... this is a powerful transit so be careful and humble yourself. So be really honest and true with yourself since Pluto is about accountability and transformation.