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365dailyaffirmations · 2 years ago

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TGIFriday... The age of miracles

TGIFriday News

So often we’re caught up in the extra crispy stress of the holidays and beyond. It is a strange time, I think everyone can agree on that! But often the soundless butterfly wings barely moving are that soft gentle reminder of how Spirit can come to us in whispers and little nuances here and there. The simplest thing can often be overlooked and brushed off as an error or odd occurrence without meaning, when in this reality it was a sign from Spirit that they hear us and see us and are there to lend a hand. My sweet mother Granny Ruth has been gone for a few years now. Her birthday was on Christmas day and she was the blessing of all things Christmas. Prior to her passing, she hadn’t been to the dentist in many years and wouldn’t you just know it on Christmas day, I received the text below. "Hi Ruth, this is Coast Dental Largo wishing you a Happy Birthday! Here's to another year full of smiles. Sent via NexHealth To unsubscribe, reply STOP" I received this text update on Christmas day mid-morning and just smiled. Others may have overlooked it and brushed it off as an odd error, but I know that was my mom laughing and wanting to be remembered and as she used to say, “Spirit is everywhere in all things.” You have a choice every day on how to live your life. 1) As if nothing is by chance and we’re all just plowing through. Or 2) Live each day as if it is a miracle to be alive and you will experience many more miracles in this age of miraculous happenings. I choose the second option and see miracles heading your way for a Grand 2023 and Beyond! Feeling "extra crispy"? Get on the calendar for a 15 minute tune-up or a 30-minute transformative session today! www.jimmymackhealingshop.com To see my availability BEFORE paying... go here: https://calendly.com/jimmymackhealing

TGIFriday Download

~ THE AGE OF MIRACLES ~ I believe, think, know and feel that since I am still here, there is still much to do and accomplish and every day I welcome more miracles here and now. I am ready, willing and able to think outside the box, and live my life like a celebration of all things beautiful, knowing that the more positive the better. I know, when, where how and why to fish myself into that zero point field where all things are possible and I am believing ahead of the receiving. I am asking in all languages and throughout all time lines and so it is. Wishing you the rest of your life will be the best of your life and envisioning you as making a little progress each and every day during this year and beyond! Happy New Year one and all.

As I mentioned in the video - I did a lot of last minute prayer work for My Daily Prayer clients who were traveling during the holidays and all of my people were lucky, they made it to their destinations through massive prayer! One client sent this photo of her Christmas rainbow when she reached her destination. (Just wish they wouldn’t wait until the last minute to tell me they are traveling and ask for help.) That's one reason why I created the TRAVELING WITH EASE MP3 - check it out it you ever need it!

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Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

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y Liquid Fish - The Miracle Fish Artwork This is energy artist Julia's interpretation of My Liquid Fish in a personal transformation painting. Available 11'x14", 16"x20" and 24"x30" View the print here Use discount code JMK2 to get 40% off the print.

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We now offer digital Gift Certificates for gift-giving. Gift a free session, daily prayers or clearing audios/videos to someone special. You simply select the denomination that matches the gift you'd like to give from the options on this page amounts from $19 - $225. Buy Gift Certificates here

Below is list of over 35 titles in the MyBeliefWorks Clearings audio series, monthly Zoom clearing call replays and Guided Energy Processess. Find a topic that addresses your issue(s), click on the link to read more. We had a lot of help downloading & channeling these over the years & they keep getting better and we are ALWAYS working on the next one. Don’t forget… you can share these with your immediate friends and family.

Receiving Abundance Freedom from Abuse Overcoming Addiction Body Scan: Head to Toe Healing Experiencing Bountiful Harvest Igniting Creative Spark Discovering Your Destiny Daily GPS Reset Releasing Dark Energies/Fears Crossroads -Decision Making Diet & Exercise Support Education & Learning Support Empowering the Empath Healing Family Relationships Attracting a Financial Windfall Gold Coin: More Money in All Forms Joy of Money Healing Body Disorders

The 5 Anchors Process

The Purple Rain Process

The Magical Golden Key

Lucky 777 Mental Stress Relieving Holiday Stress Increasing Intuition Easing IRS Stress & Taxes Finding Love & Romance Positive Money Mindset Moving Forward from Past Chronic Pain Relief Pet Healing Support Pro$perity Unlocked Improving Sales & Success Improving Sex Improving Sleep Traveling with Ease Work & Career Success Weight Loss Support Restoring Youth & Vitality

View Full Zoom Replay Collection

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

DECEMBER 30TH "Today I will move through my day one moment at a time, one foot in front of the other. I will remember that Rome was not built in a day and that sometimes a little planning can stave off disaster. I will persist and I will be victorious!"

From the Fish Box

PRAYERS FOR PETS TESTIMONIAL

Not sure what you did or how - but today the rash is GONE! So interesting how her skin talks to us ! THANK YOU ! I will work on new prayers for the prayer list for the next month ! - Gwenn/ Atlanta

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

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SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Jimmy Mack will be offering sessions at Dr. Charla Tempone’s office at Swann Holistic Health Solutions. Get on the schedule NOW! FRIDAY JANUARY 13TH | 10-4pm Please call their office directly at ?? (813) 873-7773 in order to get on the schedule for 15-minutes $45 or 30-minutes $75. If you’re new to working with him, we suggest you schedule 30 minutes. 403 S. Habana Ave. Tampa, FL 33609 Just south of Azeele next to Skin Savvy http://www.ctholisticsolutions.com/

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

Your name will be added to a special VIP Prayer list where Jimmy will use his intelligent computer software, src4you which runs 24/7, to delete the negative and increase the strength of the positive creating a higher probability of favorable outcomes for you.

In addition, throughout the full 30-days, Jimmy will be dialing into your energetic signature each day upon rising and make certain that you are a clear yes, unclear to no and running forward before you start your day. He is doing the heavy lifting for you around 3am NY time while most of you are asleep in order to smooth out your way and increase your most favorable life outcomes.

Upon written email request, for each new order we offer a one-time email analysis via the intelligent healing software that Jimmy uses on your behalf. Most clients have had amazing results and outcomes!

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

You can run this monthly and stop at any time after the 30 days is up, you will have the opportunity to renew and update your list each month but are under no obligation. I believe you will experience magical transformations and make progress every day! SUBSCRIPTION AUTO-RENEWAL ($95/mo - save $5) Purchase a recurring subscription Update your prayers monthly. You can cancel or pause anytime.

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Self-paced Online Courses Available Anchors Away Masterclass & Mastery/Practitioner Certification

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We recently launched our new ANCHORS AWAY MASTERCLASS and what has come through from Spirit is truly a game-changer in the way we can ALL now clear off evil, dark energies, aliens and anomalies in a deep, profound and lasting way.

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The Certificate of Mastery Program includes 2 best-selling ebooks and 2 clearing audios plus written & video instructions, AND one-on-one time with Jimmy ALL for about the cost of a single 1-hr session! This online course is for anyone who is familiar with OR new to "fishing" and is ready to dive into the deep end & get results that are beyond the ordinary! It includes The Tackle Box & The Dowser's Handbook ebooks PLUS 2 MP3s "Clearing Dark Energies" & "Increasing Your Intuition" to help clear, strengthen and prepare your energy field for optimal “fishing” results. This is a work-at-your-own-pace curriculum that will TEACH & CLEAR you at the same time! In under 2wks you will be finished with the program and ready to fish on your own with greater results! Level II offers Practitioner Certification for those who qualify.

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Module 1 has about 3 hours of core material and Module 2 contains about 8 hours. Most people go through the course and take the test within a month but can be as fast as a week depending on how quickly you work through the pdfs, audios, videos, and testing. There is also many hours of OPTIONAL reference material.

TGIFunny

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thedivinefish · 2 years ago

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TGIFriday... The age of miracles

TGIFriday News

TGIFriday Download

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

*NEW* The Fish Market

Healing and Grounding Mats for all occasions

Yes even Lily my cat uses the pet one! >>>> View Grounding Mats here Enter code: MyLiquidFishfs at Checkout for Free Shipping

The 5 Anchors Process

The Purple Rain Process

The Magical Golden Key

View Full Zoom Replay Collection

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

From the Fish Box

PRAYERS FOR PETS TESTIMONIAL

Not sure what you did or how - but today the rash is GONE! So interesting how her skin talks to us ! THANK YOU ! I will work on new prayers for the prayer list for the next month ! - Gwenn/ Atlanta

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Come See Me in the Tampa Office

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

30-Days of Prayer - $99

Self-paced Online Courses Available Anchors Away Masterclass & Mastery/Practitioner Certification

MEMBERS LOGIN HERE

I recorded a video to tell you more about how you can get access to my brand new Anchors Away Masterclass so you can learn how to protect and clear the 5 Anchors & more.

Watch the Video Now

MLF MASTERY LEVEL 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime!

Learn About Certification Here

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

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divinefishingtips · 2 years ago

Text

TGIFriday... The age of miracles

TGIFriday News

TGIFriday Download

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

*NEW* The Fish Market

Healing and Grounding Mats for all occasions

Yes even Lily my cat uses the pet one! >>>> View Grounding Mats here Enter code: MyLiquidFishfs at Checkout for Free Shipping

The 5 Anchors Process

The Purple Rain Process

The Magical Golden Key

View Full Zoom Replay Collection

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

From the Fish Box

PRAYERS FOR PETS TESTIMONIAL

Not sure what you did or how - but today the rash is GONE! So interesting how her skin talks to us ! THANK YOU ! I will work on new prayers for the prayer list for the next month ! - Gwenn/ Atlanta

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Come See Me in the Tampa Office

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

30-Days of Prayer - $99

Self-paced Online Courses Available Anchors Away Masterclass & Mastery/Practitioner Certification

MEMBERS LOGIN HERE

I recorded a video to tell you more about how you can get access to my brand new Anchors Away Masterclass so you can learn how to protect and clear the 5 Anchors & more.

Watch the Video Now

MLF MASTERY LEVEL 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime!

Learn About Certification Here

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

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advancedthetapractitioner · 2 years ago

Text

TGIFriday... The age of miracles

TGIFriday News

TGIFriday Download

FREE Live Appearances

Watch and listen to hundreds of Radio Show replays for FREE here in the archives from the Jimmy Mack Healing Radio show.

https://thejimmymackhealingshow.com/

*NEW* The Fish Market

Healing and Grounding Mats for all occasions

Yes even Lily my cat uses the pet one! >>>> View Grounding Mats here Enter code: MyLiquidFishfs at Checkout for Free Shipping

The 5 Anchors Process

The Purple Rain Process

The Magical Golden Key

View Full Zoom Replay Collection

Fish Food

The Daily Bread To Feed The Fish

Tell the Fish - 365 Daily Inspirations and Affirmations - by Jimmy Mack Own this e-book so that you can read inspiration every day!

From the Fish Box

PRAYERS FOR PETS TESTIMONIAL

Not sure what you did or how - but today the rash is GONE! So interesting how her skin talks to us ! THANK YOU ! I will work on new prayers for the prayer list for the next month ! - Gwenn/ Atlanta

**Can't See The Full Email? Click Here to View Online**

Come See Me in the Tampa Office

SWANN HOLISTIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Receive 24/7 Prayers from Jimmy

You can add yourself and those living in your immediate household and yes you can include pets! Merely include everyone’s names and Jimmy will add them to his daily prayers.

Use PayPal for subscription Click here Use Stripe for subscription Click here.

30-Days of Prayer - $99

Self-paced Online Courses Available Anchors Away Masterclass & Mastery/Practitioner Certification

MEMBERS LOGIN HERE

I recorded a video to tell you more about how you can get access to my brand new Anchors Away Masterclass so you can learn how to protect and clear the 5 Anchors & more.

Watch the Video Now

MLF MASTERY LEVEL 1 is open to ANYONE at anytime!

Learn About Certification Here

TGIFunny

Forward

-------------------------------------------------- TGIW newsletter managed by: Sandy Bidinger Digital Marketing Specialist at SMBeConnected Solutions www.sandybidinger.com

0 notes

falcor-thee-luck-dragon · 3 years ago

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Dark Shenanigans - Nandor x (f)reader

Summary: It’s Nadja’s something hundredth birthday, with that said, you’re on a mission to make it great.

Warning: fluff, general vampire nonsense

Masterlist

“Yeah being a half vampire half human does have its perks. I mean for one I can do all that cool vampire shit and I can go out in the sunlight...so that helps for when they’re all being really annoying.” You admit with a casual shrug to one of the documentary cameras before turning to an isle of party supplies. “So anyways we’re at this store.”

The camera shifts to the multiple arras of supplies and materials at the local supermarket in Staten Island that you and your vampire lover’s human familiar, Guillermo, currently are. Specifically on the hunt for birthday decorations for Nadja and ghost Nadja who’s possessed a strange looking doll for the time being.

Since the other four actual full vampires can’t shop for themselves at this time of day or really in general, you and Guillermo have been given such an honorable task in making Nadja’s birthday the best one yet. Considering she’s the most well balanced in the head out of the four of them and is the only other lady of the manor.

“Hey Y/N, how’s this look?” Wonders Guillermo as he holds up a bunch of Mardi Gras beads of yellows, purples, and greens. “Comments, questions, concerns?” He adds with a small smile.

Eyeing up the beads, your head shifts over to the other various colors, “Hrmm, G I’m feeling the vibe you’re going for this year and I like it, but let’s go with Nadja colors.”

Guillermo’s dark eyes light up at your positive suggestion, “Right! So the red and black ones then?”

“Yup. She’ll love that shit.” You state with a satisfied nod of approval, “Let’s get some black and gold confetti from over there and oh, those masquerade masks look cool as fuck.”

You pick up and test out various masks in the background as Guillermo adds some bits of dialogue for the documentary crew, “Um yeah she’s really cool isn’t she.” He says with a smile while glancing at you then back to the camera, “Which is kind of odd since Y/N’s been with Nandor since 1793 so you’d think she’d be a little more like them but no, she’s super chill and really nice.” Suddenly his face goes a bit serious as he leans in to whisper, “But she did kill a whole street gang once when they threw a slur at me so I wouldn’t mess with her. For your safety.”

The camera pans back over to an oblivious you who’s put on a masquerade mask and is swinging a plastic light saber around with a whole lot more accuracy and grace then would a normal person. The camera then pans back to Gullimero, “Um, I’m just gonna....make sure she doesn’t smack anyone.”

——

Arms full of groceries of food for you and Gullimero, as well as random party decorations for Nadja’s birthday tomorrow night, you use the bottom of your boot to skillfully open the door as the documentary crew and Guillermo follows suit. Guillermo now on the verge of falling over with the large heart shaped pillow in his arms that’s covering most of his body.

You don’t feel tired in the slightest due to your half vampiric abilities so this is nothing to you, “Alright.” You state, turning on your heel to face the crew and Guillermo, “They’re asleep so we gotta be extra sneaky now, I don’t want Nadja catching us with all this cool spooky birthday shit. Everyone to the attic!” You whisper yell before leading the charge to the attic.

They all follow as quietly and as quickly as they can and then soon enough in no time are you and Guillermo back outside in the sunny garden trying to figure out if you should blow up the giant sea monster pool floaty.

“I mean it would look cool as hell and no doubt out-do whatever the fuck boring thing Lazlo probably has planned.” You quip with a shrug while the two of you stare thoughtfully at the small gloomy dark pond. “He’s got no chance with us. I’ve won best decorator and card maker for two hundred years in a row.”

Guillermo side eyes you in honest amazement, “Wow that’s a lot of years. And cards.”

“I know. I was an artist in the 12th century but my no good terrible good for nothing piece of garbage trash sexist human husband, who I was forced to marry when I was only sixteen, took all the credit for my artwork in that era.” You confirm with a growl, “But it stings less because once I finally grew into my powers and strength at eighteen I simply made his untimely demise look like an accident.” You add with a smirk.

“Oh, wow.” Mutters the intrigued familiar.

“Precisely. The old fool was thrown off his horse because I told Philip, the horse, to throw him off. And he did. Which killed the idiot so I got the house and all of his money.”

“That’s......neat.” Mutters Guillermo as he shoots the camera crew from behind you and him a nervous look. “Uh the suns going down so I should probably help Nandor out of his coffin.”

Raising your head to the sky you immediately see how the sun has begun to paint the clouds in beautiful colors of oranges, reds, light pinks, and darkening purples. “Oh, how bout that. Yeah alright let’s get inside.” You nod to Guillermo before turning to walk towards the manor’s giant mahogany doors.

——

Turning the handle and walking a couple feet into the large main room that holds itself as a sort of crossroads for all the other various connecting hallways and staircases. You don’t make it even three more steps towards the left ascending staircase before you hear the highly recognizable voice of your one and only.

“Y/N! My lovely wife and favorite person still ever so lovely!” Announces Nandor loudly with a grand smile showing off his pearly white fangs, “How I have missed you and your morning kisses. Where have you been off to?” He wonders softly as you smile a big dumb love-struck grin right back up at him, you’d absolutely die to hear that accent one last time.

“I can’t tell you right now it’s a secret!” You whisper yell back, causing his thick dark brows to scrunch up in confusion.

“But I am your lovely strong puff dragon Y/N.” Whines Nandor adorably as you roll your eyes at the cameras before looking back up at him.

“Fine. Come here then.”

In an instant he’s at your side, excitedly awaiting what secretive news you will tell him, “Okay, so we know it’s Nadja’s birthday tomorrow right?”

“Yes. I remember because she hasn’t shut up about it.”

“Right. So me and Gullimero got some fun surprise birthday party decorations and they’re in the attic and we can’t tell Nadja.”

Nandor gives you a knowing look of affirmation as he leans in closer to you, his demeanor suddenly shifting into a more saddened one, “You went shopping without me?” He says quietly.

Leaning up to give him a quick peck on the cheek your hands instantly find his, “Just for a little while, but I still need to find more stuff so....you wanna come?”

Nandor’s big dark eyes light up with joy as you hand him a kind smile, “Yes! Let us go in search of unknown treasures for our lady friend Nadja so she will not be mad at us for terrible dull gifts of friendship.”

Laughing you give his hands a playful squeeze, “Come on I’ll race you to Party City!” You say before leading him past the camera crew and Guillermo who simply watches the two of you leave, glad to have an hour of peace.

“There’s a whole city for partying? Y/N why have we never been to this place?”

——

“Y/N there are no people partying here.” Whines your vampire lover in puzzlement as he follows you from the entrance to a side isle. “You said this was a city for partying.”

“That’s just the name of the store Nans.” You retort with a small chuckle as he looks from right to left at all the color coded party plates and napkins galore.

“Well the title is very misleading.”

“Agreed.”

Turning to the right you guide him towards the decretory pirate themed isle in search of something that will peak his interest. Also you wanted so badly to make it to this spot but Gullimero was a man on a mission so your intention was thwarted for when you had Nandor with you.

Speed walking down the pirate themed isle you quickly halt all movement as Nandor’s large body stops within less than an inch from your back. Smiling brightly you snatch the desired object in front of you and as swift as a cat turn to face him.

“Have you come for a dual my old enemy?” You speak slyly, eyes narrowed as you hold the foam sword right in front of his face. “I sense a nervousness about you. Tell me, are you ready to face your inevitable bloody end?”

Staring at the pointy foam, his dark puppy eyes shift over to you as an adorable fangy grin breaks out across his pale face, “Seems you have come prepared, oh radiant and alluring seductress. Well, so have I!” Shouts Nandor before grabbing two foam swords from off the rack and swinging them in both hands like a mad man.

Taking a cautious step back you hold your pathetic five dollar sword in both hands like a true warrior ready for battle, “Only one shall leave this place alive.” You affirm with a smirk, “And it’s not going to be you.”

“Arrrrrggg.” Bellows your lover as he charges you like the true conqueror that he once was. But all to soon do you swiftly duck under his arms and swat him over his stomach with a confident thwack sound.

He makes a puny little “oww” as you turn around to face him once again, “Y/N you hit me kind of hard.” He complains, looking rather defeated and genuinely hurt that you could have intentionally injured him on purpose.

Bringing the plastic weapon down to your side once again, your face suddenly softens as you walk over to him, “Come here you big baby.” You quip sincerely as he leans down so you can give his cheek a quick kiss.

Rising back to his full height, Nandor almost blushes as the corners of his eyes crinkle into a happy smile, “Actually it didn’t hurt at all I just wanted you to kiss me.” Reveals the vampire with a proud grin as you simply roll your eyes.

“Should have known.” You add before turning and snatching up four more plastic foam pirate swords for the others. “Alright let’s get outta here, follow me my love, to the checkout line we shall purchase our weapons of war and partying on the high seas.” You announce with gusto as Nandor stands proudly at your side, ready to follow you anywhere.

“Yes. To check out.”

——

Kicking open the unlocked door, Nandor bursts into the vampire residence with bags full of goodies for Nadja’s birthday party. You right behind him but less dramatically, “We’re back!” You shout to no one in particular as Colin Robinson suddenly appears from out of nowhere, looking ready to leave with his funny little hat and usual beige jacket.

“Oh hey guys,” He starts with a friendly nod, “I’m just heading out on the town tonight. I guess there’s a fair or something in the park and I wanted to test my skill at the ball toss. I’ve been reading up on the body mechanics and how the game is set up which seems pretty basic all in all. Also I really want to win a stuffed bear this time, it might add a little pizazz to my room. Welp see ya’round.” Adds Colin before walking past the two of you without another word and out into the night he goes with some of the camera crew following close behind.

Nandor turns to you with a look of annoyance, “Jeesh I thought he would never leave. Let’s go to your room I want to kiss you some more now.”

“Why my room?”

“Because since you are half vampire you get to sleep in a bed and because I am a full vampire I sleep in a coffin.” Inquires Nandor while looking at you with those big beautiful dark eyes of his, “And my coffin is too small for cuddles so your room will suffice.”

“Yeah that’s a fair point.” You shrug before following him to your room.

After many cuddles leading to other more rated R type activities that lasted until just about sunrise, you finally got some well needed rest while the sun shone high in the sky until she began her dramatic descend back into oblivion. Opening your eyes you slowly rise from out of your comfy bed, already missing the presence of your obsidian eyed lover.

He gets too nervous about your closed windows for fear that the sun might burn him which would be impossible because you black out the glass. But alas, he’s very cautious about these types of things and won’t risk it for anything, though he feels bad about leaving you in the morning, you understand.

Suddenly it dawns on you that today or perhaps tonight, is Nadja’s birthday and you completely forgot to set up any decorations. Shit, how stupid. Throwing the blankets off of you, your feet move quick as you speedily change yesterday’s outfit for something a bit nicer and more clean.

Racing out of your room and into the dimly lit manor hallway, you make a bee line for the attic but before you’re able to reach the steps, Guillermo runs into you, just about knocking you into a wall of various stolen ancient weapons. Sharp ones at that.

That was close.

“Y/N are you okay!” Worries the familiar as you quickly gather your bearings.

“Guillermo! The decorations! Nadja’s birthday!” You whisper yell as the human man simply smiles. “Why are you smiling, this situation does not call for smiles.”

“Don’t worry. While you were sleeping I set up all the decorations.” He replies with a shrug, “No problem.”

“What? But that must have taken you all day, you could have asked me for help. I would have come.” Your brows furrow as he shakes his head, though you still feel bad for not helping with anything.

“Well I did try, but um,” Gullimero awkwardly clears his throat, giving the camera a quick glance, “Nandor was with you and last time I asked for you while you and him where having alone time he threatened to carve out my eyeballs and force feed them to me.”

Pinching the bridge of your nose in annoyance you take a deep breath, “Sounds like him. Very creative when he wants to be, alright, well....where’s everyone?”

“Oh, they’re not up yet. I was actually on my way to get you. I made blood popsicles and the pool floaty is all done and in the pond.” He says with a sense of pride for his decorating skills. “I think she’ll like what we’ve come up with this year.”

Standing in the living room with your three fellow immortals you search a dresser for her card, “Oh shit where’s my card? I could have sworn I had it yesterday on my dresser but I don’t remember seeing it there in the morning. Maybe it’s in this one?”

“Witches!” Hisses Nadja as you huff in frustration, where the hell did you put that damn card?

“Oh, Y/N my love,” Intervenes Nandor with a gentle tug of your sleeve, “I took it with me when I left your room before sunrise because I wanted to put my name on it too so she would know it’s from us.”

“What?” Replies Lazlo dramatically, “Now hold on just a damn minute, this card competition is individually scored so I won’t be having any of this nonsense. I worked really hard on mine this year.”

“Oh lick a donkey’s arse, look here,” You retort with, quickly holding up the card for Nadja, “there are two separate drawings on ours so either way if one of us wins she gets both our pictures. So you better hope your drawing doesn’t resemble a night clubs bathroom wall.”

“Yeah.” Mutters Nandor, who’s hiding behind you while resting both hands on either one of your shoulders as you glare at Lazlo.

“Fine.” Agrees Lazlo begrudgingly, “And mine will be amazing, this bitch of paper took me a whole six months to plan and produce. Can’t get quality this good anywhere else I guarantee it.” Adds Lazlo with a firm nod of self approval as you glance at the nearby camera.

“Right, okay everyone sit it’s time for presents. I want to know what you all got me.” Beams Nadja excitedly as she smiles a fangy grin in delight, plopping herself down in one of the arm chairs. Lazlo quickly finding the other one while you and Nandor seat yourself on the large couch. Colin and Guillermo finding somewhere to sit close by respectfully.

“Well, all I can say is hold onto your socks my dear cause this is going to blow you away.” Smirks Lazlo as he pulls a small box from out of his jacket pocket.

“If it’s a self made business card that says invitation to sexy town I will puke.” You deadpan while Nandor laughs from beside you, causing Lazlo to lose his smirk as Nadja hides her amusement the best she can manage.

“He he, sexy town, nice one Y/N.” Mutters Nandor with a proud grin as you raise a brow at Lazlo who’s giving you a hard glare.

“Oh, my dear pumpkin pie love, don’t listen to Y/N I will love anything you gift me.” Encourages Nadja with a bright welcoming smile, no doubt immediately boosting Lazlo’s once irked mood.

Rolling your eyes you shift a bit to find yourself leaning into Nandor’s body as Nadja opens up the rest of the vampire residents various gifts. A joyous fangy smile gracing her pale features every single time, revealing this birthday party was a thrilling success.

After much more fun that just about lasts throughout the whole night, and some rare but hilarious attempts at dancing between the five of you vampiric individuals. You’re feeling rather sleepy and you can tell Nandor is ready for a trip to dreamland as well.

Swaying to the lowly playing record instrumental, you hold Nandor tight while simultaneously enjoying the feeling of him so close, him doing just the same as he keeps you firmly pressed against his chest. His long dark hair tickles your face as he presses his head to your cheek, doing his absolute best to keep the flow without tripping up.

Sensing his growing fatigue, you gently squeeze his hand, “My love the sun will be up soon, let’s get you to bed, yes?”

A small lazy smile tugs at the corners of his lips while he looks down to meet your gaze, “But my dark angel I’m not tired. I want to dance with you a little longer.” He whines adorably before failing to conceal a big yawn.

Giggling, you lean back to slowly lead him towards the door, “That yawn says otherwise.”

“That wasn’t a yawn Y/N, I was just smiling really big.” He protests, though he still follows your lead to the door.

“I’ve never seen anyone smile like that.” You add with a raised brow.

“Well maybe that’s just how I smile.”

Letting out a breathy snort, you pull away from him to at last take his one hand, “Come. I can’t have a single ray of that dreaded sun to get a taste of your precious skin. Not on my watch.”

Glancing at the closed front door, Nandor squeezes your hand, “Well um, now since you’ve mentioned the sun...I think I’d like to go to my crypt now.” He says, the flash of worry crossing over his face for only a brief moment.

“You sure? I mean a sunrise is pretty beautiful if I’m being honest and I know you never get to see them...”

“Not funny Y/N. And not fair, you know I can’t because I am full vampire.”

“And you’re missing out.”

“And I’d like to stay alive Y/N.”

“Aren’t you dead?”

“Yes and I am your only husband so I need to stay not burnt to a crisp.”

Chuckling, you follow him down the hallway, “Oh really? Don’t want me finding myself with another vampiric lover? Some new beast to sweep me off my feet and take me away into the night.” You tease.

Side eyeing you, he frowns, “No. Don’t I sweep you off your feet?”

Stepping into his crypt you stop him with your hand against his bicep, “Always.” You whisper sincerely with a quick wink, causing him to break out into a big fangy grin.

“Good. And if anyone would try and whoo you I would make sure there would be no more whooing again!” Exclaims Nandor, making the candles rise in flame for only a short second at his rise in emotion for how much he loves you.

“I don’t doubt they would fall by your blade. Not for a second.”

#nandor the relentless #Nandor x reader #nandor x you #nandor x y/n #what we do in the shadows #what we do in the shadows x reader #vampire fun yeah #love my big huggable vampire #:)

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andydelire · 2 years ago

Text

On Felix Gonzales Torres

This artist talk came at a surprisingly timely moment for me. I had just been to the Art Institute of Chicago in late September, and saw Felix Gonzales Torres’ “Untitled” candy piece. I had vaguely heard about this installation in art history books, but when I walked in the room in Chicago I was immediately fascinated by the pile of vibrant candies. Without knowing the context at all, I was instantly transported to when I was a kid and would dump out all my Halloween candy on the floor out of a pillowcase. I read the statement and was taken aback at what this was signifying for the artists—the number of pounds of Torre’s partner, Ross Laycock, who died of complications of AIDs in 19991. What I saw as purely playful and trolling high-art in a sense, became somber, deep, and reflective. I had taken a piece without knowing and still had the overly sweet industrial lime flavor in my mouth. But notably, the Chicago Art Institute didn’t have all the information about the piece and was critiqued on Twitter that same weekend, which apparently has happened before because Torre’s estate doesn’t specifically tell galleries what to write about the piece, Torre’s only says that the weight should stay around 175 pounds and that the gallery can’t tell the audience that they can or can’t take a piece of candy.

That said, this week we watched the artist talk of Elena Filipovic, a curator from Berlin says she made the retrospective of Felix Gonzales Torres work with about 50 artworks, then she asked other artists to change/evolve her show. Some picked totally different works and it was interesting to see the vast number of ways people get inspired by the same artist.

Here are a few notable moments and questions I pulled from the video: Secrets. The unspoken ‘rules’ of the gallery world. A sort of constitution is involved. Today it’s all about using available materials, otherwise, it's considered a bit fetish to go over the top with new stuff.

For example, some types of light bulbs are no longer legal in the EU, so what do you do when an artist used those back in the 80s-90s and now they can’t?

Conservation rooms next to contemporary art spaces

Materials on view in a different room:

“In a state of repose” which “Elongates the event”

What happens before the art goes into the gallery and after?

Does a sculpture in storage space make it no longer a sculpture?

What do you do with artworks that are given out in a gallery for free? Should I keep it, throw it away, or frame it? It’s a little crumpled…

White cardboard 12-point font times new roman, neutral default.

Question the little things in an exhibition…

Challenge of timelessness. The curator says no it was made in time, with imagined and real structures

A retrospective is not just paying tribute to someone or imagining what they would’ve wanted, it’s not just about pleasing somebody. Make it alive, done, and undone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLjMoo6dV_g

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twopoppies · 4 years ago

Note

Hi Gina, hope you have a good day! Do you have any fics with fanart in them? Like tts or got the sunshine on my shoulders or mine would be you? Thank you!!

Oh, this is such a nice ask. I definitely do. I have to forewarn you that a lot of these fics have my artwork, because I used to be one of the few who did it, but hopefully you enjoy that. Please note: Some of the art in these fics is NSFW.

Our Lives, Non-Fiction by @indiaalphawhiskey (E, 114K) this is, quite literally, the best fic I’ve read in years. It’s so well written, clever, funny, emotional, and sexy. Its draw you in immediately and you’ll end up falling in love with these characters before you know it. Don’t miss this one. (Art by @twopoppies)

Yellow by 13ways (E, 85K) Oh mah gawd. I love this fic so much. This was the result of a reverse big bang I made a prompt for and I’m forever grateful that this was the author who chose it! Yes, it’s Batman/Catwoman. No, you don’t ned to know anything about the comics. But wow! Such good pacing, the smut scenes are fire, the concept is so original and keeps you guessing until the very end. (Art by @twopoppies)

Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by LoadedGunn (E, 8K) Oh man….I love this one. Harry in lingerie, role play, feminization, dirty talk. It’s got it all. It’s even a Christmas fic! (Manips by yourssincerelylarry)

Seeing Blind by zedi (E, 47K) I really liked the way this author gave a twist to both Omega Harry and Alpha Louis’ characteristics. It’s a whole lot of smut and miscommunication and, of course, a happy ending. (Art by @wadey-wilson)

You'll Breathe Me In (You Won't Release) by LoadedGunn (E, 95K) Also known as The Driving Instructor fic. This has some of the best pacing I’ve read in a fic, some really well written BDSM smut, and characters I just really enjoy. I know it’s not for everyone. Read the tags. (art by Rosketch)

The Finish Line (Is A Good Place For Us To Start) by LoadedGunn (E, 122K) F1 racers Louis and Harry. I really need to read this again because it’s been ages. But suffice it to say that this author always delivers with pacing, smut, and an exciting story. This time we’ve got race car drivers, great banter, and great OT5 friendship. (Art by oppositeofhllelujah)

To Honor by Awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 15K) there’s so much about this fic I love. The battle scenes are full of tension, the smut scenes are super charged and sexy, the story line is unique, the boys are in kilts... the list goes on. Seriously though, this author took this fic to a different level — the writing fits the time period (13th century Scotland), but still feels fresh and alive. Give this one a try — I hope you like it as much as I do. (Art by @twopoppies)

Take Me Home (Country Roads) by Awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 87K) Probably my favorite of this author’s many fics. Set in rural West Virginia, this hate to love fic is funny, touching, super sexy, painful and features big city doctor Louis vs country boy healer Harry. (art by @twopoppies)

No One Like You by myownspark / @myownsparknow (M, 20K) This author writes so beautifully, I would probably read anything they write. This one is so unique and pulled me in, immediately. Harry and Louis are both artists who find themselves on opposite sides of shifting artistic opinions in this moving historical fic. (art by @tomlinshires)

Howls Like A Beast (You Flower, You Feast) by @indiaalphawhiskey (E, 17K) This author’s writing is poetic without being too precious, descriptive in a way that paints a gorgeous portrait without piling on unimportant detail, and their smut is sexy af. I love all of their fics, but this is a personal favorite because it combines so many things I love (supernatural elements, Versailles, Larry, and smut…what more could you want? LOL). (Art by @twopoppies)

wings to break your fall by karamelised (E, 103K) Well. This author writes some glorious smut and Harry giving Louis a private dance wearing a pair of angel wings should be reason enough to read this. However, it’s also just fun and well written and has a little hate to love and I’m a fan. (Gorgeous art, but I don’t know the artist)

Sodalite & Aventurine by @forreveries (E, 81K) Gay pirate adventure that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. Amazing chemistry, great world building, super sexy smut, and beautiful writing. Do yourself a favor and read it! (Art by @tomlinshires)

walk on the ocean by Awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 26K) I read this famous/not famous fic ages ago and I don’t remember a lot about it, but I do remember it had a super hot sex-in-a-hot-tub scene. LOL! (Art by @twopoppies)

Long Road to Love Leads Back to You by myownspark / @myownsparknow (E, 10K) I probably could list all of this author’s fics here, but this was one of the first of theirs I read and it’s stuck with me for years. They use language so beautifully and have written such an incredibly touching portrayal of long term love and longing. (art by @twopoppies)

Atlas At Last by louisandthealien (M, 83K) I swear I would read this author’s grocery list. I just love everything they write. This one is a 1970s coming of age road trip fic. I really enjoyed the OT5 friendships, excellent dialogue, and Harry and Louis discovering themselves and each other. (Manips by youngandmadeof)

Don't Want Shelter by @kingsofeverything (E, 77K) This author does such a good job of creating these characters and their years-long dislike for each other that when they’re forced to work and live together and confront their behavior, the emotions feel so realistic and you’re just rooting for them to figure it all out. Such a great read (plus, “older” Larry, which is such a rare treat in this fandom). (art by @assisreal)

Through Eerie Chaos by mediawhore / @mediawhorefics (GA, 102K) This one is set both in present day and the 1920s and I absolutely adore this fic. This is such a unique and compelling story, the writing is beautiful, the characters are wonderfully realized, and I ugly cried for realz. Such a good fic. (Art by @neon--diamonds)

Don't Let the Tide Come and Take Me by @kiwikero (M, 29K) One of my favorite mermaid fics, this author just really knows how to craft a great story. This one was so moving, suspenseful, and has some great twists. (Art by Chihuahualou)

I Walk The Line by Awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 55K - Spy AU) This author is always one of my favorites – her fics are always sexy, fun, fast paced, and she often likes to throw a curve ball in when you least expect it. This one is no different. (Art by @twopoppies)

Just Tell Me the Song and I'll Sing It It by myownspark / @myownsparknow (NR, 40K) This author is really something special. This is one of their longest fics and it’s just slow burn flirting and falling in love. Their relationship is gentle and romantic, plus Harry in a baseball uniform is a wonderful bonus. (Art by @twopoppies)

hot, sticky sweet by Awriterwrites / @a-writerwrites (E, 6K) This one holds a place in my heart because it’s the first fic I drew art for, and it began a beautiful friendship. But ALSO, this fic is fun and crazy sexy and involves Harry in short shorts and roller skates. And car sex, of course! (Art by @twopoppies)

Have Love, Will Travel by @kingsofeverything (E, 97K) This friends (co-workers) to lovers fic was sweet and romantic. The author does a lovely job of showing their closeness and love for each other even before Harry and Louis admit it to each other. (Art by @hereforlou)

the fics you mentioned in your ask:

Tired Tired Sea by mediawhore / @mediawhorefics (M, 113K) Always a favorite author, this one is beautifully descriptive and moody and charming. I was anxiously waiting for this one from the first drabbles I saw on Tumblr. I loved the way Harry’s character unfolded and let Louis in, the way Louis made space for him in his life (and heart), and the way Harry’s character struggled with and eventually found a way to live and be happy with his fame. (Art by @harrehleh)

Mine Would Be You by @crinkle-eyed-boo (E, 115K) Beautifully written, flawed characters and an emotionally engaging and ANGSTY plot. Super hot smut that made me cry like a fool. Banter, OT5 friendship, and the grittiness of New York as a backdrop. Loved this one. (Art by @foullovehideout)

30 Day Smut Challenge has a lot of fics with art. Many of them are NSFW

1D Reverse Bang are all fics inspired by fan art.

#fics with art #my fic rec #larry fic rec #long post

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ibijau · 3 years ago

Text

Counterfeit AU pt5 / On AO3

Lan Xichen, left alone, discovers something about Nie Huaisang

Sitting on a kitchen chair, Lan Xichen listens as Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian try to explain to him who they are. He half wishes he could tell them that he remembers… not everything, not yet (not ever, a part of him hopes) but certainly enough that introductions aren’t quite needed. Words don’t quite make it to his mouth though, his mind still struggling to accept what’s going on. Lan Xichen, until now, always prided himself in being a rational man.

It’s hard to be rational when faced with your brother from another life, whose husband tells you that they have been looking for you for centuries, because apparently they’re immortals.

It’s odd that Lan Xichen accepts that part so easily. Immortals only exist in stories, he would have said just a few hours ago. Now though… well, there’s something not fully human to Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, a touch of something more.

“It’s only the second time we find you,” Wei Wuxian says, glancing at his husband. Lan Wangji’s expression is nearly unchanged, but Lan Xichen can tell he is deeply distraught. “Well, the second time we find you where you’re still alive,” Wei Wuxian corrects, making his husband wince slightly. “We were always too late, somehow. Every time we reached you, you’d died already. Even the other time we found you alive barely counts. You were very, very old, and you weren’t quite all there anymore. You didn’t really recognise your actual family, so two strangers from another life… and anyway, you died the night we arrived.”

Lan Wangji flinches, which makes Lan Xichen want to scold Wei Wuxian because surely, after so long alive, he should have learned by now to be a little more considerate to the feelings of others, shouldn’t he? But before he can say anything, Wei Wuxian leans toward his husband and takes his hand, intertwining their fingers in a way that makes Lan Wangji relax.

In another life, Lan Xichen had sometimes taken those gestures of affection as an attack, when he had lost so much himself. He'd known, even then, that it was an irrational reaction. At least now he can watch those two and feel nothing except some relief that things worked out so well for them.

"Are there more like you?" he asks.

"Immortals? Not that many," Wei Wuxian admits. "I got to meet Baoshan Sanren, but of our generation only the two of us and Nie-xiong became immortals. Well, and Lan Jingyi became a god, but he's busy and we don't see him a lot. Oh, and Song Lan was around too for a long while of course, but about five centuries ago Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing's souls finally recovered from being fractured, so they all three re-entered the cycle of reincarnation. And then there's a few others from before, though not many from after. We're not sure why, but two or three generations after us, it just stopped happening."

Lan Xichen lets out a sigh. It's not that he particularly expected anything, but he feels disappointed anyway.

"Xiongzhang might still meet others," Lan Wangji says in what seems intended as a comforting tone. He has improved in expressing himself, or else Lan Xichen remembers this too. "From that first life we all shared. Maybe from following ones, if they impacted your soul enough."

"Oh," Lan Xichen says. His hands clench over his knees. He wonders if there's anyone he might want to meet again, when he died feeling he had failed everyone, that first time.

“It will all come back to you here and there,” Wei Wuxian explains. “You might also realise you already know other people from before. I’ve been told it’s a weird feeling, but you get used to it.”

Lan Xichen considers this, and tries to guess who this might concern. For some reason, his little brother comes to mind, but that might be only wishful thinking. Same with his father. Maybe he actually hasn't encountered anyone from his past. No one except, of course…

“I’ve met Meng Yao,” Lan Xichen says.

The other two men grimace.

“Hopefully you’ll also meet people you like,” Wei Wuxian replies with an embarrassed cough.

Lan Xichen, who likes Meng Yao very much indeed, stares at him blankly. What right does this stranger to pass judgement on his… not boyfriend, not exactly. Not yet. Lan Xichen was still working out the courage to have that conversation, to see if Meng Yao might be amenable to real dates, to kissing, to…

It won’t happen now.

It won’t happen because in another life, Lan Xichen murdered Meng Yao.

He didn’t particularly want to, he vaguely recalls. It had been a last resort, and to be frank Meng Yao had brought it upon himself. Still, the fact remains that Lan Xichen killed one of the men he… well, he might have loved him, back then. It’s hard to say for sure. But it is quite certain that Lan Xichen killed him, and even after several lifetimes, he’s not sure Meng Yao will have forgiven him.

He didn’t use to be a very forgiving man.

"Speaking of the devil, better go check what's going on in that basement before it turns bad," Wei Wuxian mutters, glancing in direction of the kitchen door. "Just because he's never killed Nie-xiong yet doesn't mean he can't do it ever. Hey, Lan-da-ge, do you need a ride back home?"

The nickname feels like a slap.

Lan Xichen remembers he could never quite decide whether he liked Wei Wuxian or not, in that first life.

He's still not sure he does.

"I have a taxi coming," he announces. "But thanks for the offer. I just wish to have some time to digest all of this."

Wei Wuxian shrugs, apparently unconcerned, and leaves the kitchen. While he's gone, Lan Wangji politely asks if they might exchange phone numbers. He won't force the acquaintance, he explains, but he'd be grateful if this favour were granted.

Lan Xichen, weak to little brothers of his in this life as in every others, readily agrees.

Lan Wangji, so dry and formal in speech, texts with emojis everywhere. Lan Xichen is endeared, and wonders if that is Wei Wuxian's influence at play.

Maybe he does like Wei Wuxian a little, if he can help his brother express himself more easily.

After a little while, Lan Xichen hears two pairs of feet on the stairs coming from the basement. Wei Wuxian calls only for Lan Wangji to join them in the entrance, but Lan Xichen springs to his feet, knocking down the chair in his haste. He takes one long step, two, three, and reaches the kitchen door. From there he sees Wei Wuxian and Nie Huaisang at the door, the former making a joke of some sort, the later trying to put on shoes as fast as he can. They both look up when they notice a presence hovering by the kitchen door.

Nie Huaisang goes pale at the sight of Lan Xichen. His face grows tight, his lips twisting into a grimace that might be disgust, or horror, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, it makes Nie Huaisang jump to his feet and run out of the door, nearly tripping on his half tied shoelaces. Wei Wuxian sighs and shakes his head, but says nothing, even as a car door opens and closes with a slam somewhere outside.

"Nie Huaisang hasn't changed," Lan Wangji says as he joins them

Wei Wuxian and him exchange a look. To Lan Xichen, it looks like a long conversation without words. After so long together, some things might no longer need to be said.

"Do you want us to stay until your taxi is here?" Wei Wuxian asks, nodding toward the basement stairs. Toward Meng Yao. "You know, in case…"

Lan Xichen considers saying yes, then feels ashamed of himself for thinking like this. Whatever happened in another life, and even if it ruins any chance of romance in the present, Lan Xichen cannot imagine this current Meng Yao harming him.

Perhaps Lan Xichen too hasn't changed, in spite of several lifetimes which should have taught him better.

He shakes his head. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian look unhappy, but don't insist. They tell him, again, to call them, to get in touch, to allow them in his life if he can, and leave.

As soon as their car leaves, Meng Yao emerges from the basement and heads out as well. He looks like he cried, or like he might cry later. He doesn't spare Lan Xichen a single glance, but he seems in such a state that he might just not have noticed the other man.

That second car speeds into the distance.

Just like that, Lan Xichen is alone.

Of course that's hardly new. He spent a few decades alone in this cold house, reflecting on his mistakes. A prison of his own making, with no company but guilt and brushes. Music he'd abandoned after how much it had cost him, but calligraphy, but poetry, but painting…

He painted a lot, and burned it all every now and then. He was never skill enough to produce anything worth keeping, anyway, unlike…

Lan Xichen's eyes wander toward those downward stairs. He came here for a reason, he remembers, and while he might have ruined many things, perhaps this at least he can still have.

When he reaches the basement, Lan Xichen finds the door to Nie Huaisang’s workshop open. A fit of forgetfulness which he takes as an invitation.

Just as Meng Yao promised, this workshop is filled with paintings in Nie Huaisang’s hand. Some appear to be reproductions of pieces Lan Xichen has seen before… unless they are originals. The notes attached to a few appear doubtful, as if the artist himself cannot remember anymore when he first painted each piece. A few are copies of other artists' work, more carefully hidden and annotated. Those, as far as Lan Xichen can tell when it isn't his subject of predilection, are mostly lost artwork. Judging by the notes, they all belonged to masters whom Nie Huaisang once met in person.

Most interesting to Lan Xichen are Nie Huaisang’s own lost works, reproduced by his own hand and carefully labelled. The titles are familiar, as are the subjects in some cases thanks to old descriptions. But it is the first time Lan Xichen sees those, and with each one he feels he uncovers another secret of this artist he has so extensively studied.

The brushstrokes here are innovative, showing progress from this earlier work. But there the curves and lines of mountains, a little clumsy if considered alone, announce the brilliance of a future series. And then there are portraits of disciples, views of the Unclean Realm, all rumoured to have existed but lost to collectors centuries ago. Those are the only ones whose notes do not mention when the originals were lost or destroyed, so it might be that Nie Huaisang, missing his long gone home, bought back the shadows of his old life.

Painting by painting, Nie-Huaisang-the-artist unveils himself to Lan Xichen.

Nie-Huaisang-the-man remains a mystery, until Lan Xichen, having observed and photographed everything else, becomes curious about the desk's two drawers.

In the top one he finds doodles and notes, post-its about orders, lists of works already in collections. There are also candy wrappers, some ancient coins, a novel in a foreign language with a crumbling bookmark. Nie Huaisang hasn't changed, still messy. It makes Lan Xichen want to laugh and cry, thinking of his uncle who once thought he could correct Nie Huaisang’s bad habits. A fight lost from the start, he realises.

Finding nothing useful in this drawer, Lan Xichen is about to open the other one when, somewhere far above him, a car's horn announces that his taxi is here at last. It would be rude to make the driver wait, Lan Xichen thinks, and the first draw contained nothing important, so it is unlikely the second will be different.

It would be wise to leave this place, forget about it, return to his quiet and ordinary life. He'll write his book or he won't, and then move on to something less intimage.

It would be wise and Lan Xichen even takes a step toward the door before changing his mind. He cannot let this last shred of curiosity go unsatisfied. He still carries too many regrets from his previous lives, he cannot accumulate new ones already.

Lan Xichen opens the other drawer, and gasps.

Unlike the rest of the room where everything is organised and cared for, this drawer is filled with piled up sheets of paper that appear to have been unceremoniously thrown there. On top of the pile is the portrait of a melancholic looking man dressed all in white, wearing an embroidered ribbon on his forehead. On the corner of the page, a scribbled note reads ‘more smile’, as well as a recent date.

Without thinking Lan Xichen grabs the painting to get a better look. As he does so, the next sheet of paper on the pile is revealed: another portrait of the same man, nearly identical, though the note is different. Its date is a year earlier, and it reads ‘too stern’. Lan Xichen grabs that painting too, and the next, browsing through them with increasing franzy.

There are well over a hundred portraits of the same man in that drawer, going back centuries. The styles change depending on their age, reflecting the preference of that era. They all have a date, and most have a comment of sorts as well, usually criticising some element of the portrait that must be corrected to achieve true likeness.

A hundred portraits of Lan Xichen.

Because that is him, he knows, even if no name is mentioned. This is who he was in that first life.

Or at least, it is how Nie Huaisang remembered him. The oldest of those paintings is still dated to nearly five centuries after Lan Xichen’s first death, and there’s a roughness to it, a sentiment of urgency, that makes him think it really is the first of that series, that there were no others before that. Even accounting for style, that first painting looks different from the others, it is unpolished and vague, as if Nie Huaisang had almost forgotten what Lan Xichen looked like. The notes on that first painting are scathing, full of reproach about being too stupid to remember what ‘er-ge’ looked like.

How odd, Lan Xichen thinks.

They never really met again, Nie Huaisang and him. Not after the murder of Jin Guangyao. He remembers assuming that Nie Huaisang would have killed him too if he could have. He remembers how that assumption had hurt, and how it had taken him years of isolation to finally realise that what he had felt for Nie Huaisang, just like what he had felt for Jin Guangyao, had gone beyond the acceptable limits of friendship. A realisation come too late, supposing there could ever have been a right time for the three of them.

What a fool he'd been, loving those two men who must have despised him for his weaknesses.

What a fool he must still be, having learned nothing from the past.

#xisang #xiyao #xisangyao #lan xichen #nie huaisang #counterfeit au #it's a short one but eh we're not ready to enter the second part of the fic #this is a treat to myself for surviving this fucking week #jau writes #mdzs

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agentnico · 4 years ago

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Soul (2020) Review

Ah, I get it, Soul as in both jazz and blues music and also the human soul....ahhhh I see what you did there Disney. You and your clever clever puns. So wise Disney, so very very wise. Look at you being all clever and witty. Oh Disney, Disney, Disney...........I’m not sure where I’m going with this. Look, Christmas has only just passed, I’m still recovering from the abundant intake of alcohol and food, so give me a break, okay?!

Plot: A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.

So following the controversial Premium Access release of Mulan on Disney+ (the studio’s streaming service) where subscribers were expected to pay an extortionate additional charge in addition to their subscription to be able to watch the film, Disney has decided to redeem themselves by putting their new Pixar film Soul on the service at no extra cost. Look, I tend to speak against Disney when I can, as I don’t like them as a business, but this I do admit was a good movie. So touché Disney, Merry Christmas to you too! This will be that one rare review where I won’t complain about you and your evil corporate ways.... Wait, hang on, I already did by referencing Mulan’s release. Ah well, I can’t help it. We are meant to be enemies by nature. Anyway, let’s talk Soul!

First off, let’s get the obvious out of the way - the animation in this is amazing! That goes without saying though, as stating that a Pixar film is well animated is like saying you would burn in moments if you decided to have a swim in a molten lava fountain because you were bored. It’s obvious! Pixar has some of the best animators in the business working for them, hence why all their movies look great. This one is no exception - Soul manages to use the animation to create and rationalize images, worlds, characters and concepts so complicated and imaginative that usually can only find their form inside minds. Yet their is a peculiar simplicity to it all. Visually this piece is an artistic masterpiece! Goes without saying....even though I said it. I know, quite the paradox!

Secondly, there’s a lot of jazz in the music. So much so that Jeff Goldblum has probably watched this film 20 times by now, and this thing hasn’t even been out half a week! So yeah, if you don’t like hearing the blues, you might hate the soundtrack of this film. There are a lot of light hits to the drum, trumpets belting out their sweet serenades, and the soft notes of the piano that make you think of Ryan Gosling from La La Land flicking his hair as he performs “City of Stars”. In fact many of the musical sequences in this film reminded me of La La Land’s style. Whiplash also comes to mind and even the recent Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is here in spirit. So, as the Blues Brothers would say, this film is on a mission from God!

Now of the narrative itself. The reason this movie truly works is due to its empowering great message of morality, and how simply being alive is the greatest gift one has. 2020 has been a tough year on all of us, due to the virus and all these restrictions and the bad things happening on the news on a daily basis, and of course many of us have suffered lots, through missing loved ones and ensuing mental illnesses. This film shows how to cherish the little things. Those small moments that we should be grateful for. We can get so consumed in material things and its the small things that we need to remind everyone about. Yes, we live in difficult times, and it’s hard as knuckles to keep a straight level headed outlook, but things will be okay in the end. We will be okay. Try and enjoy the little things, and we shall all get out of this mess eventually. Heck, I’m willing to get sentimental here. I’m lucky enough to be in a relationship with someone who loves me and I love them back. Yes, we cannot see each other lots due to social distancing restrictions, but I’m still so lucky to have her in my life. That is something I can be grateful for. Hopefully you all too have something special in your lives that even now you can properly appreciate. This earnest message is what makes Soul so special. In fact, in moments I felt like this didn’t even feel like a Disney film - the message was very complex but also really humbling.

Soul is truly worth the watch. It’s a surprisingly small and touching film, and is an honest piece with incredible artwork, a solid voice cast with stand out turns from Jamie Foxx, Graham Norton and Rachel House. This one is definitely worth your time. Merry late Christmas everyone, stay well and safe.

Overall score: 8/10

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talluvx · 4 years ago

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Junhao Vampire au

imagine Junhao being vampires

they both have amassed several castles over the centuries

today they’re chilling in Jun’s

Minghao brings wine that’s a few centuries old

they’re relaxing after a long week of being accused of drinking human blood

again

and seriously? like they don’t even want to drink that junk

especially Minghao

like humans have just gotten too fatty for his tastes

but wine never betrays you

and soon they’re both drunk

which is fine because like... immortal, you know?

one of those dusty thingies lands on Jun’s nose while they’re just lying on the ground

and he attempts to blow it off in the most ridiculous way possible

and crashes into a mirror

cue Minghao laughing

“why do you even have mirrors? it’s not like you can see yourself”

“for the aesthetic, Hao”

and Minghao continues to laugh at him

“sorry, ge... you just look ridiculous”

“oh really?”

Jun raises his eyebrows in a challenge

“well, you look absolutely handsome with your hair styled in this mullet. I hope you keep the look for at least the next two centuries. and you’re adorable. freaking adorable. you’re perfect, you move with the grace of someone who’s been alive for thousands of centuries instead of just hundreds, and I could listen to your voice for eternity, and I could spend lifetimes just staring at you. seriously, you don’t know how good you look.”

and Minghao just

👁️👄👁️

let’s save it with an awkward dab!

which he totally picked up from the young locals

what the heck is he supposed to say to that?

and the blush on his cheeks-

completely the wine’s fault

meanwhile Jun is smirking and giggling because like

he totally just won that

and then Minghao breaks out into a bunch of giggles

and Jun’s heart melts

or it would if he had a beating heart

because he could listen to that sound on repeat for a millenia

and then Minghao goes

“you need to give yourself more credit. you’re the most regal person I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had tea with emperor’s in the past. you’re cute and adorable, and I love how animated and passionate you get”

Minghao assumes finishing it with a sense of finality will let him get over his embarrassment at saying such things to his ge

but Jun wraps him in a hug instead

“I knew you loved me!”

“ya! get off me!”

Jun uses his vampire powers and rushes to another room

and comes back with art supplies in a split second

“draw me! draw me!”

Minghao rolls his eyes

but takes the canvas and brush anyways

he may think he can hide his fond smile but he can’t

sorry, Hao, but that’s just the truth

and anyways, he takes the brush in his hand, but when he looks at his ge happily drawing away on a sketch pad, his hands paint without his mind even thinking

splashes of color make their way to the canvas- blues and reds and yellows and blacks and pinks and purples and browns

and he just paints his ge’s feeling

it’s not like either of them have tried to be professional artists before

and technically, he’s still “drawing Jun”

and when it’s time to reveal their artwork

Minghao’s low key

n e r v o u s

whatifhedoesn’tlikeit

but of course, Jun loves it

“but what is it?”

“it’s your... vibe”

and then it’s Jun’s turn to show his work

and let me just say, and three-year-old could draw a better caricature

but Jun is high key proud

“don’t look at it like that, Hao. I just captured your... vibe” 😏

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spideyfic · 4 years ago

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As You Walk on By (Will You Call My Name?)

Peter Parker made a deal with the Devil and now he's paying his dues.

(A purely speculative fic based on the set pictures from today)

He walks down Manhattan Avenue, snowflakes settling in his hair as he alternates between checking the building numbers and the address written on the piece of paper he holds. He’s not really familiar with Brooklyn, but the Brooklyn Daily Eagle ran an article about the holiday window art in a donut shop called Peter Pan, crediting the artist as Michelle Jones, and his heart had jumped right up into his throat.

He’s wearing Ben’s old jacket with the broken zip that has to be twenty years old, the padding bunched awkwardly in the back where May had tried to save money on dry cleaning by throwing it in the washing machine, and he should be cold, but he’s flushed with nervy excitement.

He knows this probably isn’t a good idea.

But he’s doing it anyway.

It feels strange to be walking down the street as Peter Parker without anyone batting an eyelid, after six months of being public enemy number one. Spider-Man might still be wanted, but Peter Parker is just a dorky loner wanted by nobody other than his Aunt May.

He finally sees the bakery, recognizes MJ’s artwork in the windows. There’s a penguin holding a menorah, and it makes him pause for a moment, remembering the hand-drawn Chanukah card she’d given him the first holiday after the Blip, featuring very same penguin. But then he sees her through the window, placing fresh donnuts on a tray, and he’s overcome with the need to see her again. He takes five big strides and yanks the door open, practically bursting into the store.

MJ looks up as he walks in, raising an eyebrow. She’s wearing a look of disinterest and a long, white sleeved tee under a truly hideous mint green tunic with a pink collar and cuffs. “What can I do for you?”

She’s there right in front of him, alive and well, and it’s almost overwhelming. He suddenly regrets coming to find her, her lack of recognition cutting him to the core, but he’s here now, staring at her with his mouth gaping open like he’s some kind of dumbass fish, so he squints at the menu behind her. “Uh – a small Ho Ho Ho hot chocolate to go, please.”

She fills a cup with chocolate powder and milk, holding it under the steamer. “Hey, you go to Midtown, right?” she says, looking back over her shoulder. “You’re in B stream.”

That’s news to him, but he rolls with it. “Yeah. Peter. I mean, I’m Peter Parker.”

“Alliterative,” she says approvingly. “I’m Michelle.” She finishes steaming the hot chocolate and holds up a can of whipped cream. “Cream?” she asks, shaking the can when he nods and squirting a generous amount on top of the chocolate before sprinkling it with crushed peppermints. “Do you want any donuts? Maybe a bagel?” She clicks the lid down on his drink and places it on top of the display cabinet.

The hot chocolate has already blown his budget, but he looks at the five-dollar donuts anyway. A red one catches his eye, decorated with a spider web. “Hey, is that a Spider-Man donut?” he says. “Do you guys support him?”

“We’re pro-Spidey,” she confirms. “The proceeds from that donut go to the Citizens to Defend Spidey fund.”

There goes the rest of his budget. “I’ll take two – Spidey-Nuts?” He squints at the label, thinking – hoping – he’s read it wrong, but nope, Spidey-Nut is there in the neat, flowing handwriting he recognizes as MJ’s. “You remembered the hyphen,” he says weakly, trying not to die of mortification.

“The hyphen is important,” she says seriously, wrapping two donuts in waxed paper and dropping them into a bag that he crams into one of his jacket pockets. “That’s $15.” As she holds out the payment terminal for him to tap his card, he spots a necklace – the necklace – in the vee of her tunic. He has no idea why it exists in this reality, but he’s glad it does. It reassures him that the last three years of his life weren’t some kind of fever dream.

“I like your necklace,” he says, and she reflexively looks down, hooking the chain with her thumb to let the broken pendant dangle. “A black dahlia, right? Like the murder?”

She smiles then, the shy grin she’d given him on Tower bridge, six months and an unaltered reality ago. “How did you know?”

“I used to know someone was into true crime,” he says, making himself look up from her softly curving lips to meet her gaze. “How come it’s broken?”

She shrugs, tucking it back under her tunic. “I don’t actually know? I just found it on my desk. I kind of like it better broken, though. I don’t know its story, but it feels – special, somehow.”

It’s suddenly all too much and he knows he has to get out of there. “I gotta go,” he mumbles, taking his cup. “Thanks.”

MJ looks startled. “OK. Maybe I’ll see you at school?”

“Maybe.” He summons a half-hearted smile and leaves the store as quickly as he entered, the cup clutched in his hand. He drops it in the trash without even taking a sip.

He feels sick, can’t stand that MJ looked at him like he was basically a stranger. But the alternative – MJ bleeding out in his arms, her last breath used to murmur his name – is far, far worse, and he would rather have her alive and not part of his life, than dead, all her passion and intelligence and compassion snuffed out in a moment.

He rewrote reality for her.

He erased any memory anyone in the world had of Peter Parker being Spider-Man to make sure she lived.

He made a deal with the Devil to save her life, and now he was paying his dues.

***

MJ locks the door and flips over the back in five! sign before she heads out to the back of the store. She doesn’t know why, but she feels out of step, discombobulated, like something in the universe had shifted that she wasn’t quite aware of. “Hey, Ned?” she says, stepping into the prep room.

Ned looks up, his hands sunk deep into a ball of dough. “You OK?” he says, his eyebrows knit in concern. “You look weird.”

She sits on a battered stool, tucking her feet behind the bar at the base. “That quiet kid from school just came in,” she says, holding her necklace between thumb and forefinger and twisting it mindlessly back and forth. “The one who wears all the geeky science tees.”

“Peter?” Ned rubs his palms together over the sink, sloughing off little balls of dough before washing his hands thoroughly. “We used to be friends when we were kids, but then his parents died and he moved schools in second grade. I tried talking to him when he started Midtown but he’s like super shy.”

“I feel like I know him,” she says. “There was this – I don’t know, it was like a connection.” She doesn’t tell Ned that she thinks Peter is cute, or that his dark eyes and sweet smile had made her pulse quicken.

He smirks anyway; he’s not her best friend for nothing. “We should talk to him at school,” he tells her, drying his hands on a paper towel. “I saw him wearing a Star Wars shirt before Christmas break. I need someone in my life that appreciates the greatest cinematic franchise of all time.”

Ned’s her absolute favorite nerd. He’s the easiest person in the world to be friends with – he’s all sweet, open affection, the perfect counterpoint to her more closed-off nature, and his kindness is infectious. She’d usually rib him about the Star Wars comment, but she gives him a pass this time, because he’s being all earnest and shit, and making friends with Peter Parker seems somehow inevitable.

“Yeah,” she says, contemplative. “Yeah, we should do that.”

Ned gives her one of his beaming, toothy smiles and pats her shoulder. “First day back, we’ll sit with him at lunch,” he says, returning to his kneading. “He always looks like he needs a friend.”

MJ watches him work, her mind still on the boy who’d burst through the door and looked at her like he’d found a long-lost treasure.

Peter Parker was a mystery.

She wanted to solve him.

#my fic #post spider-man far from home #peter parker x michelle jones #peter x mj

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mirkwoodshewolf · 5 years ago

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My mentor, my idol; Freddie Mercury x teen reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well here’s a new update. Now before you all read this next chapter of the Rock Angel I want to point out something, this is ANOTHER past chapter so for all you newcomers here, this takes place before you reader-chan become the Rock Angel (well truthfully for this chapter it’s a bit of both). Now on the BoRhap/Queen masterlist I’ve got this in order of how to read it so if you want to do a binge reading of this series that has helped me bond with so many users on tumblr in my 3 years since getting Tumblr, be my guest :)

Plus I’ve been wanting to do this chapter for LITERALLY FOREVER. To really show more of Freddie’s bond with you as the Rock Angel both before and after you become said Rock Angel. I REALLY wanted to showcase that so I hope I did for any Freddie stans out there ;)

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@psychosupernatural

@waddles03

@simonedk

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@queensdivas

@platawnic

@queendeakyy

@geek-and-proud

@kairosfreddie

@onebigfangirlworld

@naturalswifty89

@starswin

@isabella-bby

@labessieisallama

@bohemiansweede

@5sos-wdw

_______________________________________________________________

*Feb. 2nd, 1981*

It kinda felt strange not going back to the studio anymore. After a 4 month internship, I was once again back in college with that internship with Miami and Queen under my belt. I was currently working on some homework (now that Adam had been kicked out of the apartment so that he could live with that bimbo).

As I was writing out my answer to a question, my phone rang. I stood up from the living room and picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

‘(Y/n).’ I smiled softly.

“Hi Freddie.”

‘Hello my little Rock angel.’ I shook my head at the nickname.

“So what’s the occasion for this phone call?”

‘What? Can’t a fabulous superstar call one of the best interns he and his bandmates have ever had?’

“Freddie you know I’m no longer your intern anymore.”

‘I know. But seriously darling. I miss you. We all do.’ I placed my hand over my heart.

“I miss you guys too. My days are quite boring now with just school and homework.”

‘Of course it’s boring darling because I’m not around you anymore.’ We both chuckled.

“You are so ridiculous.” I laughed.

‘But you know you love me.’

“I do Freddie. Very much. Truthfully, I wish the summer would come faster. I want to be with you guys again. To tour with you guys again.”

‘(Y/n) dear.’

“Yeah?”

‘You don’t have any plans this Saturday do you?’

“I mean I was gonna study for an exam I’ve got next Tuesday, why do you ask?”

‘Now I don’t want you to ask any questions, but come over to my place for a while. I want to do something.’

“Freddie what are you planning?”

‘I just told you, you can’t ask any questions!’ He chuckled. I shook my head.

“Right sorry. Umm……I don’t know Fred, I mean this exam is pretty important to this class.”

‘Come on. To make up for it I’ll send Brian and Deacy over to your place on Sunday to help you study.’ I did an internal debate in my head, weighing the pros and cons before I finally said.

“What time do you want me to come over?” I heard him cheer on the other side of the phone before he told me to be at his house at exactly high noon. I agreed and with that he reminded me to not be late or else he’d have Roger tickle me till the next generation.

The week went by fairly quickly and soon it was Saturday. I was thankful that this time around we had some sunny weather (between the cloudy or rainy weather, sunny days are rare in the mid-winter here in England). So I grabbed my keys and my helmet and proceeded to head out to Freddie’s place.

It took a while to get there (thanks London traffic) but just 2 minutes till noon, I finally arrived at Freddie’s place at Garden Lodge.

After getting access into the gate and parking my bike at the entrance, I walked across the front garden and walked up to the front door. I rang the doorbell and soon opening the door was the frontman himself.

“Ahh (y/n) darling. You managed to just get here just in the nick of time. I was just about to call blondie and let him know his new task.”

“Hilarious Fred.” I sassed back sarcastically as he allowed me inside.

I was—amazed at the inside of it. It was—huge! But beautiful. Like those mansions you see on the telly or in a James Bond film. There were expensive vases standing on a few pillars, tons of artwork and architecture that looked like they came out from ancient Japan, and almost everywhere there was some hint of yellow coloring in the walls.

Suddenly I felt something rub against my leg. I looked down and there was an orange tabby cat at my feet. He sniffed my right foot before rubbing his head against it and collapsing on the floor as he continued to rub against my shoe.

“Oscar, behave yourself we have company!” Freddie scolded. “I’m so sorry darling Oscar’s been getting this habit of wanting to rub up against people’s feet.”

“It’s no trouble at all Freddie, really.”

“I—I hate to ask this but you aren’t—allergic to cats are you?”

“Oh no not at all. I love cats.” I knelt down which startled Oscar for a second. I reached my hand out for him and he gently sniffed it before going in and rubbing against my finger, begging to be petted.

“Oh that’s good. I really do hate having to lock them up whenever I have guests that are allergic. Tiffany and Romeo especially hate it. Always wanting to mingle with everyone they meet, so don’t be surprised if they come up to you and want to sleep on your lap.”

“Thanks for the heads up.”

“Now then, if you’ll follow me we can begin our training.” He walked off without another word. Wait what?

“Training?” I said as I stood up following behind Freddie.

We now stood before a large music room with a grand piano (the very piano that goes on tour with them), a record player in the corner with a bunch of vinyl’s surrounding it.

“Freddie? Fred? Did-did you just say training?”

“Yes my darling, your training begins now.”

“What training?”

“What training?” he mocked me in a posh tone before stating firmly again, “Your rise to stardom training of course.”

“What?”

“Am I going deaf or something? I said—”

“No I heard you Fred, it’s just…..why?”

“Because (y/n) dear, you once said it was your dream to one day be amongst the greatest rock and rollers.”

“Yeah. A dream. Only in my dreams will that happen.”

“You sell yourself short darling.”

“No Fred, I’m logical about this. Because I know it’s true. I—can you honestly see someone like me up on stage?” his brow furrowed at my statement.

“Come with me.” He grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the bathroom where a large mirror stood over the vanity. “Look in the mirror and tell me who you see?”

“I see you.”

“Alright smartass, besides the fabulous me.”

“I—I see a girl who has too much imperfections, who sees why her douche of an ex-boyfriend dumped her for a slutty bimbo, and……”

“Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!” he tutted. “What was that?”

“The truth?” I said perplexed.

“No. That. That was bullshit. That’s not what I see when I look at you.”

“And just what do you see?” I demanded. Freddie pressed himself against me, leaning his head on top of mine as his arms wrapped around me.

“Who I see before me; is a strong young woman.” I scoffed. “I’m serious darling. You have been through so much shit in your life and yet you still stand before the world with your head held high and your heart open. Anyone who started off like you would’ve ended up either as a delinquent or cold-hearted. But you—you’ve managed to hold on to your sanity.”

He removed himself from me and continued as he now began to brush my hair back and even braid a few strands together.

“Not only that but I see a woman who can change the way music can be.”

“You really think so?”

“Trust me darling. You could be the next Gladys Knight, Stevie Nick, Aretha Franklin, you know how much I love Aretha. You could be up in the big leagues with them. Pouring your heart and soul out to the world through your songs. Showing people that even through hardships, they can still find the light at the end of the tunnel.” He finished the braid and placed his hands on my shoulders as he leaned his head against mine once more.

“But how can I when I can barely stand before you and the guys when you asked me to sing ‘Set it all free’ for you guys?”

“That takes time. Believe me darling you think that Queen’s first gig was with the number of people we’ve got now? Oh no. Every good performer starts off small before gradually getting bigger and bigger. And any artist that says they weren’t scared at their first gig, is a dirty, rotten liar. Back when Queen had their first gig in Truro city hall, I was scared shitless.”

“Get outta town.”

“No, no it’s true. You ask Rog and he’ll tell you that I nearly forgot the lineup for the songs we were going to sing. And Brian will tell you that I mixed up some of the lyrics to Keep yourself alive.” I shook my head.

“I don’t believe you.”

“But it’s true though.”

“But you always seem so confident on stage Fred. I—I’d give anything to have that kind of bravery on stage.”

“Well darling, believe it or not I’m not like that all the time.”

“Okay now I know you’re lying. I’ve seen how you act—”

“Ah tut, tut, tut. That’s only because I act that way towards people I really trust. Which includes you. Any other time like for interviews or TV appearances, all I want is to just go home and be with my furbabies.” I turned to fully face him and I asked him.

“Then how do you do it? How can you find the courage to get up on that stage almost every night?”

“Because of the audience. Most performers want to just put on a show but not make every single person out there a part of it. To make them feel like they too can influence the performance. As Queen, we make them feel like we belong to them and not the other way around. Plus it gives them a chance to get a taste of the heavens whenever we’re on stage.”

God……never would I guess that the Freddie Mercury could be a shy person, only to reveal his fun side to only those he was really close to and trusted with his life.

“Now darling answer me this; what helps you break out of your shell? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” I looked down embarrassed.

“You’ll probably think it’s silly.”

“Try me.” He challenged. I looked up at him and his brown eyes shined with a serious intent. I exhaled heavily and muttered.

“It’s…..it’s dancing.”

“Dancing?” he questioned.

“Yep. Specifically when I can sing and dance.” Then the worst thing I had imagined came true, Freddie actually began laughing. I crossed my arms over my chest and said, “You said you wouldn’t laugh!”

“I’m sorry darling. Believe me I’m not laughing at you.” he said through his giggles.

“Then why are you still doing it?!”

“Because you and Deacy are more alike than you give yourself credit for.” I then let out a couple of coughs into his fist trying to rid of his laughter. “He told me the same thing comforts him whenever we go up on stage. Why do you think he does all those funky little dance moves of his? And you have seen him at parties right? Get some alcohol into him and a disco beat and you’ve got the concoction for Freaky Disco Deacy.”

I softly laughed to myself remembering all the times when Deacy did get a little shitfaced and he’d be dancing all crazily. Guess the two Leicester siblings have a lot more in common with each other.

“Now darling, what songs get you on your feet?”

“Well, I have always been a fan of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Don’t you worry about a thing’. I guess it’s the Latin vibes he puts into the song. Back then I never believed an artist could take another culture into their music, that’s really what inspired me to get into music in the first place.”

“But we do that too darling remember?”

“Well yes but to be fair the song came out before ‘A Night at the Opera’ when you guys really took in Opera, Folk song, and hard rock.” Freddie shrugged in agreement.

“Okay, so let me hear you sing it.”

“What?”

“You heard me darling.” God he really was persistent. But there’s no way out of this. I walked towards the piano and I said as I pointed out to it.

“May I…..”

“Absolutely darling.” I sat down at the bench and had an inner fangirl moment. Seriously how many people, like me, can say that you’re allowed to play Queen’s tour piano?

I played a couple of keys trying to find the right range I wanted to sing the song in. Tuning the piano as best I could before I took a deep breath and slowly began playing a ballet like-introduction. I turned to Fred who came to sit down beside me and he nodded telling me to start singing.

Softly I began singing the first verse of the song.

Play video

Everybody's got a thing But some don't know how to handle it Always reachin' out in vain Just takin' the things not worth having

But don't you worry 'bout a thing Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama 'Cause I'll be standin' on the side When you check it out

“Not bad for a ballet introduction to the song, but now really give me that Latin spice you love about the song.”

“Fred…..”

“No buts darling, show me those mini-Deacy moves!” he quickly raced over to his record player and took a blank record on it and insert it on the vinyl player and soon a familiar record began playing.

Yes it was like the original Stevie Wonder record but it had a more upbeat rhythm to it. This was actually a record that I had made around my first year at college for an exam. The assignment for the final was to take a song and make our own spin to it without fully replicating the song itself. So I had picked Don’t you worry bout a thing and I managed to get a B+ as the final grade.

“Wait….how did you get this?!” I asked. “Did you steal this from my record collection!?!”

“You wound me darling of course I didn’t. It was Brian.” I glared at him. “Okay so Rog and I might’ve played it at your house last time you invited us over and he might’ve swiped it secretly so we could listen to it more. But darling this is brilliant and how dare you not share with us that you already made a spin of a fairly good song! So in truth it’s your fault it got borrowed.”

“You guys are gonna give me grey hairs very early.” I muttered.

“Don’t be so dramatic darling. You’re going to be an ageless beauty. Now stand up and give me your best moves. Less you want me to join you!” He pulled me up from the bench and spun me around till once again my back was against his front.

“No! Okay Fred I’ll—I’ll do something. But it’ll be……awkward actually performing my version in front of someone.”

“Little piece of advice for you darling that I once gave Deacy when he first joined Queen, for now pretend I’m not even here. Just allow the music to take control. Perform as you would in your bedroom. There’s no judgement from me.”

He spun me once again so that now I was away from him and he sat down at once of the loveseats near the piano. As the next verse began to play, I felt the music take over my body as my hips began to slowly shake from side to side and I sung the next verse.

This time feeling a bit more confident as my dancing became ore confident. I even threw my voice around from upper to lower register on the vocalizations. Swinging my hips, sashaying my shoulders and moving my head around.

They say your style of life's a drag And that you must go other places Just don't you feel too bad When you get fooled by smiling faces

Don't you worry 'bout a thing Don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby 'Cause I'll be standing on the side When you check it out When you get off your trip

Don't you worry 'bout a thing Don't you worry 'bout a thing My dancing continued to get more passionate as my version of my favorite Stevie Wonder song began to take over me and I really tested my voice to hit the high soprano range I was once praised at during my last few years of secondary school.

When I reached the vocalization part of it, I just let my voice waver both up and down before finally hitting the highest note I could reach.

Everybody needs a change A chance to check out the new, yeah You're the only one to sees The changes you take yourself through Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, ooh!

In the future I’ll never know how it happened, but somehow I had managed to break a glass flower vase that sat at the other end of the room. As soon as we both heard that vase burst, I stopped singing and let out a shriek of fear.

“Oh my god Fred I-I-I-I’m sorry I’ve never once hit that note that high before I didn’t……”

“Seems Rog better watch out, there’s a new dog whistle register in town. And her name is (Y/n) (l/n)!” he jumped up from his seat and twirled me around in his arms.

“Freddie, Freddie put me down!” I laughed out. “So you’re not mad at your broken vase?”

“Oh never mind that darling, I just bought it cause it looked good, what’s really important is those secret pipes of yours that you have been hiding from us! Are you certain you’re not some ethereal being in human form?”

“No Freddie I’m all mortal.”

“Fuck, cause I swear it was really like listening to an angel. And your dancing ugh! Darling those people who call themselves experts especially in the Latin style of dancing better watch out. Both in his generation and in generations to come.”

“Stop it, you’re making me flustered!” I shied away.

“Never darling. I only speak the truth. You’ve got the moves, the talent, the skill, a little more work on the self-confidence and soon enough you’ll be up performing on stage in no time.”

“You really think so?”

“Darling, by the time you reach stardom, Stevie Wonder himself will be calling you up to perform his song with you together. Now what say we keep working on your stage presence?”

“Sure!”

“That’s my rock angel!” after embracing each other tightly, Freddie soon taught me all that he knew about how to command your audience and interact with them. How to make sure each one of them was just as special as the people in the first 4 rows were.

And how to most of all, have fun on stage.

*FF fall of 1981*

Freddie must’ve been psychic or something because shortly after everyone knew of the Rock Angel, and after fully performing my version of Stevie’s song. One guest at the part happened to be one of the Saxophone players for Stevie Wonder himself.

On a little show in America known as Saturday Night Live, Stevie Wonder was asked to be the special guest performer but he had asked the show that if it would be okay if two performers could play. NBC agreed and that’s when I got the call to perform alongside the man himself.

It was in the middle of a live show and I decided that for this special performance, I wanted to fully embrace the Latin vibe this song had.

So I was wearing a red bodysuit. It was skin tight and it exposed my stomach in a diamond shape from my ribs to my lower stomach. The suit was dazzling with sparkles, the sleeves crossed over around my neck in an X and I wore high heeled shoes that were used in Latin dance competitions.

My long hair was volumized and moussed up, and my eyes were given some special red sparkles to make my eyes pop. It was like I was a full Latin dancer performing on stage.

As I sang the rest of the song, I had finally gotten my whole body into the dancing and I got the audience to sing along to the last part (they had also been clapping along the entire song). I would occasionally look towards Stevie Wonder at the electric piano, and all he had was a wide smile spread across his face.

At the ‘papa-papa’s’ I soon began to do a Cha-Cha step backwards while having my hands up like I was in a boxing position. I would move my front arm to the beat two times before Cha-Chaing to show my other side and doing the same thing.

The audience was loving it as I made my dancing as sassy as I could, doing the wave with my shoulders and doing that sassy head movement.

Don't you worry 'bout a thing (A-a-ayy) Don't you worry 'bout a thing (A-a-ayy) Don't you worry 'bout a thing (A-a-ayy) Don't you worry 'bout a thing (A-a-ayy)

Oh! Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa

Don't you worry Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama

'Cause I'll be standin' (I'll be standin' for you) Ooh, ooh, whoa Don't you worry 'bout a thing!

After hitting out that high note, and throwing my head back striking a pose the entire studio audience, the actors and even some of the stagehands were applauding for me. Through my heavy breathing, I looked around to see the audience applauding as loudly as they would at a concert arena, I turned to Stevie who clapped along with his backup band and backup singers.

Stevie came down to me and that’s when the guest host came up and closed off the show.

“Stevie Wonder and the rising star of England, (Y/n) (l/n) the Rock Angel! That is it for our show I’m Bernadette Peters, goodnight everyone!” I hugged both Stevie and Bernadette who both congratulated me on a job well done.

*Freddie’s POV*

As the credits rolled on the TV screen, I winked and said.

“That’s my Rock Angel.”

“Not bad for her first TV performance.” Deacy said.

“I just hope she doesn’t fall off the rock wagon and end up as one of those pop divas.” Roger said.

“Oh you rotter, let her be what she wants to be.” I bragged.

“She did phenomenal though. And with Stevie Wonder no less. He’s particularly picky about who sings his songs.” Brian said.

“Indeed.” Another voice spoke up. We all turned around and coming into the room was his majesty David Bowie. “So….that was the Rock Angel you never cease to stop talking Freddie?” he asked.

“It is indeed. What did you think of her David dear?” I asked.

“She’s talented. Far beyond her years.” He said with a grin.

“She’s our little protégé.” Said Brian.

“Oh no, no, no, no. She’s much too good for you lot.” David teased.

“Boys, we’re ready to continue with the song. David, we can start with your part first.” Said one of the producers peeking into the reck room. Deacy turned off the telly as David left the room to record our newest song he was working with us on. All the while, my thoughts kept going back to our special girl who was already making a name for herself since her performance in Madison Square Garden.

My little Rock Angel. She truly was flying high into the spotlight, and I’m honored that I could help her gain the confidence I knew she had in her. I knew at this rate, she was only gonna get bigger and bigger.

And I was gonna be sure to see every achievement she would get because she was my little Rock Angel

101 notes · View notes

upontheshelfreviews · 5 years ago

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Whenever I discuss Sleeping Beauty with someone who doesn’t share my enthusiasm for Disney, they have an irksome tendency to get it muddled with Snow White; their excuse being “it has the same plot”. I’ll admit, there are some surface similarities that even the most casual viewer can pick up on: a fairytale where a princess is forced into unconsciousness and wakes up with some necking, the comic relief and villain being the most beloved characters, a little frolic in the forest with animals, the antagonist plunging off a cliff, you get the idea. In fact, Sleeping Beauty even reuses some discarded story beats from Snow White, mainly our couple dancing on a cloud and the villain capturing the prince to prevent him from waking his princess. Yet despite that, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are two wholly different movies shaped by the era and talents of the time.

I’ve discussed how Walt Disney was never one to stick to a repeated formula, no matter how successful it was. He must have noticed the parallels between his first movie and this one, but decided to make one crucial change for Sleeping Beauty that would forever differentiate the two: the look. We all know the traditional Disney house style: round, soft shapes, big eyes; charming as it was and still is, Walt was sick of it after several decades. Meanwhile, artists like Mary Blair and Eyvind Earle were producing gorgeous concept art that rarely made a perfect translation into the Disney house style.

Walt wanted to make a feature that took the pop artistry of their designs and made the animation work for it instead of the other way around – which brings us to another animation studio that was doing well at the time, United Pictures Animation, or UPA.

UPA didn’t have the kind of budget Disney normally had for their animated projects, but what they lacked in fluidity they made up for in style. Watch The Tell-Tale Heart, Gerald McBoing-Boing and Rooty-Toot-Toot to see what I mean. UPA were pioneers of limited animation, taking their scant resources and creating some striking visuals with bold geometric designs. Through this, they defined the look of 50’s animation. Though perhaps unintentional, Sleeping Beauty comes across as Disney’s response to UPA, or what would happen if UPA had the funds they deserved. The characters’ contours are angular but effortlessly graceful, defining their inherent dignity and royalty. And the colors, ohhh the colors…

Because of the immense amount of work required to animate in this difficult new style (and in the Cinemascope ratio, no less) as well as story troubles and Walt barely supervising the animation studio now that he had his hands full with live-action films, television, and a theme park, Sleeping Beauty had a turbulent production that lasted the entirety of the 1950s. For a time, Chuck Jones of Looney Tunes fame was set to direct. Director Wilfred Jackson suffered a heart attack partway through production and Eric Larson, one of the Nine Old Men, took the mantle from there before Walt Disney replaced him Clyde Geronimi. And even after that, Wolfgang Reitherman teamed up with Geronimi as co-director to get the film finished after no less than three delays. Also, Don Bluth got his foot in the door as an assistant animator for this feature, beginning his short-lived but impactful tenure at Disney. Did all this hamper the movie, or did they succeed in what they set out to accomplish?

Well, one of the reasons why this review took so long was because I had a hard time not repeating “MOVIE PRETTY” and “MALEFICENT AWESOME” over and over. Make what you will of that.

The story begins as most fairy tales do with your typical king, Stefan, and his queen suddenly blessed with a baby girl after years of wishing for a child. They christen their daughter Aurora (middle name Borealis, localized entirely within their castle) and throw a huge celebration in her honor. People come from all over the kingdom to pay homage to the princess and OSMKFKSBFHFGILWBHBFC…

Movie pretty…

MOVIE PRETTIEEEEEE…

John Hench, Academy Award-winning special effects man and art director, turned Walt on to the idea of basing the look of Sleeping Beauty on classic medieval artwork. Thanks to him and Eyvind Earle’s insanely detailed designs and backgrounds, this is one of Disney’s most visually distinct and beautiful films. A single still from this feature wouldn’t feel out of place up in The Cloisters.

Among the party guests is King Stefan’s old friend King Hubert (Bill Thompson) bringing his young son Prince Philip. Stefan and Hubert wish to unite their two kingdoms and formally announce Philip’s betrothal to the infant Aurora.

“We were going to do it during the second trimester, but we decided to wait until she was more mature.”

By the way, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is Aurora’s mother, Queen Leah, alive and well and named. And frabjous day calloo callay, she even gets some lines! The most common joke about Disney princesses is that they don’t have moms (even Ralph Breaks The Internet went out of its way to highlight that), so as a hardcore Disney fan who often has to put up with this generalization, Leah’s existence leaves me feeling vindicated.

Once that happy revelation is out of the way, we’re introduced to our main protagonists.

Oh, you thought I was referring to Philip and Aurora? Nonononono, my friends. THESE are the true heroes of Sleeping Beauty, the Three Good Fairies.

The fairies started off as one-note side characters sharing the same personality. Think pre-Ducktales-reboot Huey, Dewey, and Louie in dresses. But the studio had a difficult time giving Aurora more depth and was having a lot more fun developing the fairies. Naturally, they became so fascinating and appealing that more screentime was given over to them. Now the story’s carried by three wonderfully fleshed out ladies who are distinct in both looks and personality: Flora’s the pragmatic tradition-adhering leader, Fauna’s the sweet scatterbrain who mediates, and Merryweather’s the feisty young upstart.

With the plot now focused on characters who held a traditionally minor role, it’s easy to read this as a perspective-flipped version of the fairytale, but there’s more to it than that. Remember in my Clash of the Titans review how I mentioned the gods literally play chess using the heroes as pieces? I tend to view the main conflict of Sleeping Beauty in the same way. The Three Fairies and Maleficent are in a constant game of good vs. evil, moving Aurora, Philip, and the rest of the royals as pawns in their plans. There’s plenty of plotting and intrigue, with both sides constantly guessing and second-guessing the other’s next maneuver, and even if you’re already familiar with the story’s trajectory you’re still left on the edge of your seat as it inches towards the fiery climax.

And dare I say it but…the fairies and their power dynamic make this Disney’s most feminist film. Yes, really. You could argue that some of the other animated movies from the Renaissance and Revival period have more notable, stronger female protagonists, and many of the live-action remakes try to be woke without really grasping the concept, but consider this: The cast of Sleeping Beauty is mostly female, the leads aren’t objectified in any manner (that is if you count Aurora as a supporting character), nor does their gender factor into their competency, each one differs in age and body type, and most of them are working together towards a common goal as opposed to against each other. Name a movie in the past decade that does the same and still manages to be entertaining (no, really, I’d love to see it). There’s even one scene that unintentionally provides great commentary on the divides in the feminist movement, but more on that later.

Flora and Fauna bless the baby with beauty and song respectively which are accompanied by a short chorus and some sumptuous graphics. I don’t think I need to reiterate that when this movie goes extra with the visuals, it GOES EXTRA with the visuals. Next comes Merryweather with her gift. To this day, no one knows what Merryweather intended to give Aurora. Flora’s the most traditionally feminine of the three so her giving Aurora beauty comes as no surprise. By comparison, Merryweather is the most forward (or unconventional, depending on your point of view). I wouldn’t put it past her to favor Aurora with intelligence, or humor, or passion, or creativity or humility or confidence or decisiveness or physical fitness or great swordsmanship or telekinesis or ice powers or one million YouTube subscribers or comfort in her female sexuality.

Me personally, I think I’ve got the best gift of all:

“O Princess, my gift shall be…getting all reviews posted on time for once!”

Alas, before Merryweather can bestow such a wondrous quality upon the child, she’s interrupted by a horny party crasher.

Maleficent. The Mistress of All Evil. Chernabog’s right-hand witch. The Disney villain all Disney villains strive to be. She has it all – the looks, the poise, the power, the laugh, the cunning, the ruthlessness! She doesn’t even need to sing a song because she’s already awesome enough without one. Marc Davis’ gothic design cuts a fine figure and Eleanor Audley’s subtle icy voicework is trés magnifique. As much as I enjoy Audley as Cinderella’s evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine was but an appetizer in comparison to the four-course banquet of pure villainy that is Maleficent.

This leads to a small point of contention some viewers have with Maleficent in spite of hitting top marks elsewhere: her motivation. Putting a hit out on a child for not getting invited to a measly party? Not exactly compelling, is it? And yes, it isn’t a deep motive…is what I would say if I wasn’t well-versed in folkloric tradition. In the original fairy tale and the movie (though it isn’t outright stated in the latter), the party for Aurora isn’t just your average royal kegger, it’s a christening. Back in ye olden days, christenings were very big deals. To not receive an invitation to one was a grave insult, so not extending an invite to your semi-omnipotent magical neighbor is just asking for trouble. In the fairy tale’s defense, no one had seen the evil fairy for years and assumed she was dead, though I can’t imagine how nobody thought Maleficent wouldn’t find about it eventually.

“You dare to deny me, foolish mortals? Very well, then! I shall have my own christening! With blackjack! And strumpets!”

Maleficent is proof that sometimes you don’t have to have an elaborate backstory, a god complex, a tragic past or the unfortunate luck to be on the wrong side of a conflict. Sometimes all you need is some magic, brains, class, and a whole lot of flair to be a perfect, intimidating, and unquestionably iconic villain.

Basically what I’m saying is these movies never happened. Got it?

Maleficent is disarmingly polite over being snubbed, even after Merryweather bluntly tells her nobody wanted her to come. She even brought her own gift for the baby – sixteen years of life cut short by the prick of a spinning wheel spindle, because why change into a dragon and destroy everyone all at once when you can draw the torture out over an agonizingly long time and deliver the coup de grace in the prime of a young woman’s life? That’s how Maleficent rolls, baby. She could dole out capital punishment when she has to without batting an eyelid, but causing human suffering is her bread and butter.

Stefan begs the fairies to undo Maleficent’s curse, but it’s too strong for them. Flora and Fauna insist, however, that Merryweather can use her gift to lessen the spell’s potency. Now instead of dying from that fatal prick, Aurora will sleep until she receives True Love’s Kiss™. Stefan’s not one to throw caution to the wind though, so he orders all of the kingdom’s spinning wheels to be burned in the meantime.

I just pray his kingdom’s economy wasn’t based on textiles otherwise they’re screwed.

As the peasantry celebrates Guy Fawkes Day several centuries early, the fairies ponder their next move. They’ve been around long enough to know that removing spinning wheels from the equation won’t put a damper on Maleficent’s scheme. This scene is incredibly effective in establishing two things:

Maleficent’s near-omniscient presence in the film

How well the fairies’ differing personalities play off each other

Maleficent rarely miscalculates her opponents, and that guile puts her one step ahead of the heroes, making her one of the few Disney villains to nearly reach their goal. The only mistake she makes in the entire movie is trusting her henchmen to do their jobs when she isn’t directly supervising them, though that’s more on them than her. The different methods the fairies propose to deal with Maleficent fantastically illustrate what kind of people they are. Fauna believes she’s just a miserable soul who could be reasoned with if they talk things over. Merryweather would rather take the fight to Maleficent and turn her into a toad. Flora, however, is wise enough to know Maleficent’s too wicked to plead to, too clever to bargain with and too strong to face head-on, so their best course of action is to focus on protecting Aurora through any means necessary. Her initial idea is to enchant the princess into a flower (her namesake is her specialty, after all), but Merryweather reminds her that Maleficent enjoys creating bitter frosts just to kill her flowers.

“Well we could try that but stick her in a castle with a beast for a while…nah, that’ll never work.”

Yet never one to give up, Flora alters the plan so they’ll raise Aurora as a peasant girl out in the woods. This means disguising themselves as humans and giving up magic for sixteen years so as to not attract Maleficent, but that amount of time is like twenty minutes to the fair folk. Stefan and Leah reluctantly agree to the plan, and the fairies spirit little Aurora away from the castle that very night.

Sixteen years later, Maleficent is infuriated that her minions have failed to locate Aurora, even more so when one reveals that they’ve spent the whole time looking for a baby instead of a maturing woman. In an interview with the Rotoscopers podcast, Don Bluth called Maleficent a very flat antagonist because she surrounds lackeys dumber than her so she could be the smart one among them and, again, her supposed lack of motivation. But come on, let’s not entirely condemn the bad guys for having too much faith in their underlings. It’s difficult to find minions smart enough to carry out orders but dumb enough to stay unquestioningly loyal. Usually you have to register as Republican in order to get some.

Maleficent gets her anger out in the most therapeutic way – throwing lightning bolts at her orcs, awesome – then leaves the job of finding Aurora up to her trusty raven Diablo. We then finally see the grown-up Aurora herself, whom the fairies renamed Briar Rose as a nod to the Brothers Grimm version of this tale.

I know I’ve made the occasional case for the princesses from Walt’s era compared to the present day, and yet I have a hard time defending how…I don’t want to say bland. Bland would mean there’s nothing interesting about Aurora, and that’s a lie. She’s gorgeously designed and drawn, and even in her peasant dress she has an air of elegance and sophistication. She carries herself like a queen; her innate royalty reveals itself in her graceful movements. Mary Costa also gifts her with an excellent set of pipes. Hearing her song echoing through the forest is nothing short of magical. She’s a flower child who can talk to animals. She has dreams of escaping her adopted aunts’ loving but stifling care and being allowed to grow up, see the world, actually talk to people, and even find a life partner. She has some strong potential. It’s not that Aurora’s boring, she’s just not quite as developed as we’ve come to expect our animated female protagonists to be. I’m grateful for what we’ve got, but I only wish we could have more. What was her childhood like? How did she learn to communicate with animals? When did the fairies trust her enough to let her spend time out on her own? Did the fairies ever subtly teach her lessons in royalty through lessons and games? Heck, nobody bothers to keep her informed about Maleficent or her curse, and they act surprised when she’s shocked to learn she was a princess the whole time. I want to see what Aurora could have been like if she had known the truth already and what kind of steps she would take to defend herself. Blame the source material for this; it’s difficult to write a compelling main character when she’s supposed to sleep through most of her story.

The fairies send Aurora on a fetch quest so they can plan a surprise birthday party for her. Merryweather wants to bring their magic wands back out for the job, but Flora insists on taking no chances now that they’re in the home stretch. Fauna gets to live her dream of baking an elaborate cake (it’s thanks to her referring to a teaspoon as a “tsp” that I do it too), and Flora insists on making Aurora a gown fit for a princess using Merryweather as a dummy. And we also get one of the best burns in the Disney canon:

Merryweather: It looks awful! Flora: That’s because it’s on you, dear.

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The fairies fall into reminiscing over raising Aurora and get teary over having to let her go soon. I see where they’re coming from, they’re the ones who raised her for sixteen years. They must have so many fond memories, not to mention they put all that work into learning to properly raise a child let alone live like normal human beings seeing how two of them still can’t sew or cook without magic. I wonder what that was like –

No, NO, you CGI abominations DO NOT exist! Go back to the fires from whence you came!!

“Ugh, I’m gonna need something strong to expunge that from my eyes.”

There we go.

Aurora wanders through the forest, drawing out the usual bevy of cute woodland critters with her singing. She also catches the attention of a grown-up Prince Philip (Billy Shirley) who’s more dashing and considerably less blonde than he was sixteen years ago.

By this point, the Disney animators were far more confident in their ability to draw realistic but expressive leading men, hence Philip’s expanded role from the story. He’s also the first Disney prince to have a personality; not a terribly deep or defined one, but it’s a step up from his nameless plot-device predecessors. There are some signs of him being a hopeless romantic, he gets a few funny lines here and there, has a sturdy friendship with his horse Samson, and is fiercely determined when it’s time to kick some ass. He does have the same problem as Aurora in he randomly decides to stop talking for the rest of the movie once he reaches the midway mark (at least Aurora has the excuse that she’s sleeping for that remainder), but I suppose you could chalk this up as to him wanting to spite Maleficent with his silence.

The animals steal some of Philip’s clothes so they can pretend to be Aurora’s dream prince. Aurora plays along as she sings the movie’s standout song, “Once Upon a Dream”. Philip and Samson watch until he smooths his way into the dance. Once Aurora discovers the switch, Philip gets a little too up in her personal space for my liking, constantly grabbing her hand so she doesn’t run off and pulling her closer to him. Not as horrible as what the prince does to the sleeping princess in the original story (a questionably consensual kiss is a trifle compared to how the scumbag of a prince treats her there), but still a bit iffy.

“It’s a good thing my aunts taught me to never go anywhere without a loaded pistol taped to my back.”

But once Philip backs off a little and joins in her song, they both dance together and OEHSGBJSGBLL…

I think I’m going to need surgery to get my jaw off the floor back into its proper place thanks to this movie.

As per Disney tradition, Aurora and Philip’s waltz means the two are head over heels in love with each other. But when it comes time to finally exchange names, Aurora panics and runs away, though she sticks around long enough to tell Philip to meet her family at the cottage that evening.

Back at home, the party preparations aren’t proceeding as planned. Flora’s dress looks as good as my attempts at dressmaking, and Fauna’s dessert wouldn’t feel out of place on Cake Wrecks.

A fed-up Merryweather reads Flora and Fauna the riot act and convinces them to finally take up their wands again. This produces more desirable results, though Merryweather still gets stuck with cleanup duty.

Enchanting a broom to come to life and do your dirty work? I don’t see this going wrong in any possible way.

Things start to go south when Flora and Merryweather argue over the dress color and it escalates into a full-blown wizard’s duel. This gag was supposedly based on the animators’ arguments over what was Aurora’s proper dress color. I think they should have compromised and combined both colors to make purple, which would go lovely with Aurora’s violet eyes, but what do I know. I’m just the illustration major writing a blog. Unfortunately, while the fairies remembered to cover every door, window, and crack that could expose their magic, they overlooked the fireplace. The sparkly residue of Flora and Merryweather’s fight fly up the chimney, alerting Diablo to their hideaway.

Going back to what I said earlier about this movie providing some commentary on feminism, consider this: Flora is obsessed with pink, a traditionally female color, and she gives Aurora an attribute that is oft preferred in a woman but not the most important quality, beauty. Merryweather, on the other hand, is all about blue, a color usually geared towards boys, and she has much more common sense and practicality about her. Though Merryweather and Flora are able to put aside their differences in personalities and approaches for a common goal, it’s when they refuse to compromise and begin prioritizing which color – ie. which ideology and extension of themselves – that they want Aurora to step into that they lose sight of what’s important, and allow everything they worked for to collapse on itself. It’s played for laughs very well, sure, but if not’s symbolic of the dichotomy between traditional femininity and modern sensibility that tears apart the feminist movement then I don’t know what is.

The fairies manage to fix their messes in time for Aurora’s return. She’s thrilled with their gifts but shocks them all when she announces her new boyfriend is coming over for dinner. They come clean about her heritage and betrothal to Prince Philip, and Aurora runs up to her room in tears over the fact that she’ll never see her one true love again. That and her entire life has been a lie and she’s being carted off to meet parents she knows nothing about to marry a man she’s never met and rule an entire kingdom with no prior experience or knowledge. But mostly the true love thing.

Meanwhile, Stefan and Hubert are making wedding plans over wine with “Skumps”, the preferred toast between me and my friends. Also adding to the humor is a minstrel who keeps stealing sips until he literally drinks himself under the table.

This was also his way of getting through the Black Plague, co-opted by the rest of the world six hundred years later.

Philip returns and Hubert goes to greet him. He thinks his son is thrilled at the prospect of marrying Aurora but is disappointed to learn that he’s fallen for an anonymous peasant.

“At least tell me if she’s royalty in disguise so you don’t elope to Sicily!”

Philip rides back into the woods for his big date, leaving Hubert with the unenviable task of breaking the bad news to Stefan. As for Aurora, the fairies smuggle her into the castle and prep her for her homecoming. She’s still blue over having to ghost her forest hubby though, so the fairies give her some time to herself.

Biiiiiiiiig mistake.

So imagine you’re me, growing up watching this movie on tape on a television set with a very standard but not spectacular sound system. Then years later you download the remastered soundtrack and give it a listen while you’re falling asleep. You’ve got the whole score memorized, the volume is nice and low, it’s all good.

And then, just as you’re drifting off, you hear a ghostly voice singing in your ear “Auroraaa…Auroraaaaa…”

That reminds me, I haven’t had a chance to talk about the music yet, haven’t I? Forgive me for waiting so long to do so but my reaction to it is equivalent to the visuals. The score is taken straight from the Sleeping Beauty ballet by Tchaikovsky, the same composer as The Nutcracker, and it is lush, sweeping, sumptuous, just…

While George Bruns was mostly faithful with how the score was represented within the context of the ballet, at certain points he took the same approach as The Nutcracker Prince and rearranged the music order to underscore totally different scenes to staggering effect. The beautifully ominous music where Maleficent appears as a ball of green flame and leads the hypnotized Aurora to her doom? It’s from one of the ballet’s divertissements where Puss in Boots dances with his girlfriend. But tell me which is more fitting for a musical composition such as this – two cats pirouetting around each other in a crowded ballroom, or eerie pitch-black spiral staircases illuminated by green fire as a cursed princess inches closer to her dark destiny against her will?

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The fairies realize their error and frantically search the maze of secret passages for Aurora. Though the princess resists Maleficent’s commands for only a moment, they are still too late to save her from fulfilling the curse. Maleficent gloats and leaves the fairies to wallow in their failure. It’s made even worse as the merrymaking from the oblivious revelers below ring out while they put Aurora to bed in a tower and mourn over her. It’s heartbreaking: they raised and loved her as if she were their own daughter, and they still couldn’t protect her. Everyone talks about “Baby Mine” and Bambi’s mom as huge tearjerkers, but why is this scene constantly forgotten?

Stupid onions, stupid stupid onions…

Fauna and Merryweather can’t even begin to imagine how heartbroken Stefan and Leah will be, but Flora has a solution: put the kingdom to sleep along with Aurora until she is woken up. I understand her wanting to spare Aurora’s family some pain, but conking out an entire principality for god knows how long to cover up their failure? AND at a time when Europe was all about invading and conquering itself? Are we sure this isn’t just part of Maleficent’s overarching plan for revenge? This sounds more like something she would come up with instead of the leader of the good guys.

“So what happens if one of the neighboring kingdoms decides to attack while everyone’s sleeping?”

“Then we’ll put them and their armies to sleep, too.”

“And once Aurora is saved, both kingdoms will immediately wake up to find themselves thrust into a war they’re barely prepared for, is that correct?”

“Oh, you’re right, that’s a terrible idea.”

“Finally, thank you.”

“I’ll just turn them all into flowers.”

“THAT’S NOT AN OPTION!!!”

The fairies flitter about the castle grounds spreading their spell over the unwitting royal court, even putting the candles and sconces out. We have another reprise of the “Gifts of Beauty and Song” chorus now altered to sound like a lullaby, providing an interesting bit of symmetry between it and its earlier use in the film. Whereas it first underscored their blessings upon Aurora, now it plays as the fairies are giving the “gift” of sleep to the entire castle.

While Flora knocks out the throne room, she overhears Hubert muttering about Philip eloping with a peasant girl and she makes the connection. The fairies speed to the cottage just as Philip arrives there. But once again Maleficent beats them to the punch. Her goons ambush Philip and she watches them wrestle and bond him with fiendish glee.

You magnificent, kinky bitch.

Maleficent was only out to capture the one man who could break Aurora’s curse; the fact that he’s really the son of her nemesis’ allies is just icing on the cake. Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather resolve to rescue him from Maleficent’s fortress in the Forbidden Mountain.

Some movies reach the brink of greatness only to falter when it comes to the final act. Sleeping Beauty is not one of them. Everything that happens from the moment we slowly zoom in through the purple mist on to the Forbidden Mountain itself up until the storybook closes is perfection. The perfectly paced action, the animation, the music, Maleficent’s hideaway in all its decaying glory (I swear it’s like Jean Cocteau meets Frank Frazetta meets Giotto) all make for the climax of climaxes.

The fairies shrink to insect size and silently sneak through Maleficent’s creepy domain, narrowly running into guards and gargoyles at every turn. They traverse the stronghold until they find her overseeing a hellish bacchanalia in honor of her supposed victory.

“My old gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he could see us now.”

Soon Maleficent gets bored and goes to “cheer up” her captive. Then we have it: The Moment.

I’ve talked about this before, that one small, devious step further the villain takes to make themselves more heinous in our eyes. It’s the Wicked Witch taunting Dorothy with visions of Aunt Em. It’s the Beldam hanging Other Wybie’s remains. It’s virtually everything Heath Ledger’s Joker does. And it is this simple scene where Maleficent details what she plans to do with Philip. She spins “a charming fairy tale come true” of Aurora sleeping without aging, waiting for her prince to come to wake her. And Philip will escape the dungeon, ride to her rescue and prove true love conquers all – in one hundred years, when he’s a broken old husk of a man on the brink of death. DAMN. If you want to know why Maleficent is considered the best of all the Disney villains, it’s not just all her previously praised qualities, it’s her sheer sadism and the pleasure she takes in it.

The fairies enter and free Philip once Maleficent departs. The course of true love never runs smoothly though, so they arm him with the Shield of Virtue (licensed by Carefree Maxi-Pads), and the Sword of Truth to aid in his escape.

“So, why’s it called the Sword of Truth?”

“Anyone who’s subjected to it speaks only the truth…as they bleed out and die, of course.”

“Cool, cool. On an unrelated note, I think I’m gonna go to DC for my honeymoon.”

Diablo sounds the alarm and the Battle With the Forces of Evil kicks off with Philip slashing his Sword of Truth through Maleficent’s goons.

“I steal lunches from the break room fridge!” “I broke wind last Tuesday and blamed it on the dog!” “I cried like a little girl during The Good Place finale!” “I only wash my hands for NINETEEN seconds at a time!”

Philip makes his getaway on Samson and the music reaches truly operatic levels as Maleficent does everything in her power to end him. Yet Philip soldiers through it like a boss. Crumbling mountainsides, Maleficent hurling lightning from the sky and summoning a forest of thorns to block the way? Fuck that shit, he’s gotta go save his girl.

Then, as Philip cuts his way through the briars, Maleficent looks at her watch, realizes it’s No More Fucking Around O’Clock, zooms over to the castle, throws down the most intimidating challenge ever –

“Now you shall deal with me, O Prince, and all the powers of HELL!!”

– and with that, she takes her final form: a massive fire-breathing dragon.

Every Disney villain who’s gone kaiju in the final act owes everything to this gorgeous terrifying beast. The dragon is an awe-inspiring unholy fusion of style, power and darkness. There’s a reason why she’s the final boss in Fantasmic; the chance to watch a live dragon battle is too cool to pass up.

Speaking of battles, Maleficent’s dragon form was animated by Woolie Reitherman, who previously brought us such gargantuan monster clashes as the T-rex brawl in Fantasia and the escape from Monstro The Whale in Pinocchio. And when you have a dragon confronting a fairytale prince, well, you know what’s coming.

Maleficent backs Philip on to a cliff surrounded by flames, leaving him only one desperate shot. With a little extra magic from the fairies, he throws his Sword of Truth at Maleficent and it plunges right into her heart.

“I liked…Frozen 2…more than the first one…”

Maleficent’s spells die with her, clearing the way for Philip. He gives Aurora that wake-up smooch and everyone in the castle slowly rouses, owing their inexplicable simultaneous twenty-minute blackout to the unusually strong wine.

He can attest to that fact.

The royal families are happily reunited, and the film ends on Flora and Merryweather fighting over Aurora’s dress color yet again as she and Philip waltz together on the clouds using animation Beauty and the Beast would borrow thirty-two years later.

Sleeping Beauty is a movie I can never have on in the background because the moment I look up from my work I am spellbound by it. Do I need to elaborate on how this is one of the most beautiful looking and sounding movies Disney’s ever produced? Sleeping Beauty is the swan song of Disney’s first golden age of animation. For better or for worse, their animation process would switch to the rough, cost-cutting Xerox process starting with their next feature, 101 Dalmatians, and few films would reach Sleeping Beauty’s level of gorgeousness ever since.

Though a massive financial and critical hit on release, it wasn’t enough to make up for the monstrous production costs, not unlike Fantasia. Thankfully, home video sales revived interest and made it Sleeping Beauty of the top-selling VHS tapes of the decade, cementing it as a bonafide classic. It’s one of my favorites from Disney for its stunning visuals, gorgeous music, phenomenal villain and overlooked but great cast characters. Revisit it if you haven’t already.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this review, please consider supporting this misfit on Patreon. Patreon supporters receive great perks such as extra votes for movie reviews, movie requests, early sneak-peeks and more! Special thanks to Amelia Jones, Gordhan Rajani and Sam Minden for their contributions!

Artwork by Charles Moss.

Screencaps from animationscreencaps.com

March Review: Sleeping Beauty (1959) Whenever I discuss Sleeping Beauty with someone who doesn't share my enthusiasm for Disney, they have an irksome tendency to get it muddled with Snow White; their excuse being "it has the same plot".

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nickysurfer28 · 5 years ago

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Summary: continued from chapter 1, Dr.Nicky Ransom still searching for her cousin Denise Ames. But she’s gotten herself into something.....

Warning: 18+ only

Chapter 2

You stare at Chris, mouth agape for a fraction of a moment before you compose yourself.

“Fine.” , Nicky answered. “How exactly are going to do that?”

Chris reaches the bottom of the staircase and approaches you. Standing together like this, you realize how much taller he is than you.

“First, let’s sit down.” Chris spoke warmly.

He leads you to what looks like an old fashioned parlor. You see a pitcher of water with some glasses on a nearby table.

Chris noticed you staring. “Would you like some water?”

I...Would. Nicky answered awkwardly. “Some water would be nice.”

“Of course.” Chris answered warmly with a smile.

Chris pours you a glass from the pitcher and hands it you.

“Please, make yourself comfortable.” Chris gestures to a plush, stately couch.

Nicky thought to herself “I’ll ... Sit prim and proper.”

“Oh, um. Thank you.” Nicky awkwardly answered.

Carefully, you lower yourself onto the couch, making sure to keep your back straight.

Chris’s mouth quirks up in amusement. “Very proper, doctor.”

As you sit, you catch a glimpse of a painting across the room.

“What a beautiful painting. That’s “The Nightmare,” right? Nicky spoke curiously.

You look at the image portraying a demon feeding on an innocent woman’s dreams.

Chris sits down opposite you,poised as ever. He answered, “You have a good eye, doctor.”

“Thanks.”,Nicky answered confidently. Sighing, you fix him with a serious look.

“Look, I have to ask. How do you know Denise?”

Chris hums, crossing his arms over his chest and inclining his head to the paintings on the wall.

“I’m a proud patron of the arts, as you can see. I’m on the board for Dreamseeker’s Foundation. I approved Denise’s art grant.”

“Oh.” Nicky shockingly answered. That’s the arts organization that gave Denise funding for her artwork. Nicky thought to herself. Without the grants they provide to aspiring artists, Denise’s gallery opening would never have happened.

“You look surprised.”Chris answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me when we first met?”,Nicky spoke with shock.

“No offense meant, doctor, but you looked like you wanted to skin me alive when we first met.” Chris answered with a smirk. “That, and I was far more concerned with the news of Denise’s well-being.”

He locks eyes with you, his blue eyes bright and piercing even at this distance.

“I may act blasé, but I really do mean it when I say that I’m worried for her, Nicky.” Chris answered concern in his voice.

“That’s... Fair. Nicky answered.

“I certainly think so.” Chris answered warmly.

“Anyway, back to business.” Nicky answered. “How exactly are you going to help me find Denise?”.

But he holds up a hand with an apologetic smile.”Before I can help you, I think it would be best to understand what happened.” “Tell me about the night you supposedly saw me with Denise. You said it was during her art show, yes?”.

“Yeah. But even before that, she was acting odd. Off.”,Nicky spoke with sadness and concern. “She was ignoring all her friends for some guy she was dating, and none of us ever saw him.”

“Then, at the gallery, I saw... well, you.” .”You pulled her into an alley and... you did something to her. Then you left, and she acted like...like she was drugged.”

Nicky close her eyes, remembering that night.

*One Week Earlier*

You’re at Denise’s art gallery, perusing her paintings. Her art is bright and evocative, each canvas more beautiful than the last.

Nicky thought to herself “She’s so talented.”

A glimpse of Denise across the room interrupts your musings. Just as soon as you catch sight of her, though ,she heads to the back door, followed closely by unfamiliar figure.

Nicky thought ,”Who is that?”, I should... all out to Denise. “Denise!” She doesn’t seem to hear you. You consider calling out again when her date looks back at you with a wicked grin on his face. ???,”Hah..”,spoke. His brilliant blue eyes lock onto yours, and there’s something about his expression that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Soon, Denise re-emerges fro. The back door, her eyes unfocused and glazed over as she makes her way to you. “Nicky! I’m so glad you could make it! Denise is swarmed by admirers soon enough, and you can’t help but feel worried.

Nicky thought “I’m sure I’m just letting my worries get the best of me.”

*Present Day*

“And that’s what happened.” Nicky answered after telling the story.

You study Chris’s face. His eyes are dark, his expression serious as he regards you.

“I see.” Chris answered. His voice is practically a whisper.

“Chris....What’s wrong?. Nicky answered with concern. “You’re suddenly a lot more serious than you were.”

“I’ll ask again: do you have a twin? Nicky asked again.

He shakes his head, as if in disbelief. “Twin or not, someone is clearly impersonating me.”

In one fluid motion, he stands up.

“I think I have an idea of what to do next. There would have been some members from The Dreamseekers Foundation at that gallery. I can pull some strings, see who was registered under that guest list.” He give you a small, polite smile.

“It’s late. Let’s reconvene tomorrow, doctor. From there, we can formulate a plan.”

Nicky answered confused. “Huh? But... I just got here.”

“I know, and I greatly appreciate it, but I think that might be as far as we’ll go tonight.”Chris answered politely.

Nicky thought “why do I feel like he’s rushing me out of here?

“One more thing.” He fixes your with a serious look. “I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, but I truly do want to help. I want to work with you, despite your suspicions against me. But it’s a two way street,doctor. I need you cooperate. Are you willing to work together with me Nicky?”

You watch him as he speaks, a small frown on your face.

He’s right. If this is going to work, I need to drop some of this. What should I do? Fight back. He can’t tell me want to do.

“Whatever. I don’t owe you anything,Chris. As far as I’m concerned,you’re guilty until proven innocent.” Nicky answered fighting back.

He sighs and shakes his head,resigned. “Well, I tired. Here.”

He holds out his hand to help you up.

I’ll.... Take his hand. You take his hand, and he pulls you to your feet as though you weigh nothing, and you gasp. He much closer than you realized. The two of you are practically chest to chest as you look at one another. Why is my heart beating so fast?

“Well, it was a pleasure,doctor. I’ll get in contact with you tomorrow, and we can think of the next steps.” Chris answered warmly.

Chris escorts you down the hallway that leads back to the foyer. As he walks ahead of you, your eye catch an open book that had been pulled out of its case. You only catch one word as you pass. “Incubus.” You think back to the painting in the parlor, to the demon looming over the sleeping woman. “What’s this guy’s deal?”

When you return to the foyer, Chris stops and smiles courteously at you. “Try to get home safe. You don’t know what’s out there.”

Nicky thought shockingly “what’s that supposed to mean?”

....sure.

“Thank you, doctor.” He smiles and, with one last nod, closes the door.

Nicky thinking to herself, “okay , he was absolutely acting suspicious.”

You go back to your car in a daze. Something isn’t right here. So, you get in your car and drive behind a nearby tree, with the house in view. “I told him he’s guilty until proven innocent, and he’s acting suspicious.”

A half-hour goes by. You’re just about to call it quits when....

Chris slips into an SUV with darkly-tinted windows and drives off.

“Where are you going?”

You follow him through the city...onto the highway...and finally, to the outskirts of a forest in the Sierra Nevada foothills. “What the hell is he doing all the way out here?”

He parks and disappears into the woods. What should I do? Follow him at a distance. Well, Nicky, let’s get this over with before we think better of it.

You switch on your flashlight and follow him into the trees.

I mean, there can’t possibly be a non-creepy reason to be out in the woods late at night, can there? Ugh, this is exactly how horror movies start...

Your foot catches on an exposed root.

“Ah!” Nicky yelled out.

You fight to stay upright, but it’s no use. You tumble down the hill- right into a patch of thorny brambles.

“Ow!”Nicky yelled again.

“Dr. Ransom, fancy seeing you here.” Chris answered.

Chris is leaning against a nearby tree with an eyebrow raised. you struggle against the brambles, but only seem to get yourself more entangled. My shirt’s stuck on the thorns!

Seeing your struggle, he pushes off the tree with a concerned frown.

“Are you all right? Do you need help? Chris answered with concern.

“I’m fine.” Nicky shrugged.

“Please, Nicky, let me help you. You could injure yourself. Chris spoke with concern.

Dammit, I really do need his help....

“I’m good, thanks. Nicky spoke stubbornly.

You yank yourself free of the thorns, tearing part of your tank top in the process.

“Oh terrific.”

You try to stand, and wince.

“Are you all right? Chris answered with concern.

“I think I might have sprained my ankle.” Nicky answered.

“Want me to take a look? I’m no doctor, but I do know some basic first aid.” Chris spoke warmly. Do I want Chris to take a look at my ankle?

“Please.” Nicky answered helplessly.

Chris eases your shoe off. His warm, strong fingers probe tenderly at your throbbing ankle. His gentle touch leaves an odd tingle of pleasure in its wake. Oh my God, Nicky , stop enjoying this!

“Well, I don’t think it’s sprained, but you’re going to want to get some ice on it as soon as you can.”Chris spoke warmly.

“Noted.” Nicky warmly answered back.

Chris gingerly puts your shoe back on.

“Thanks.” Nicky answered kindly.

“Anytime.”Chris answered with a smile. “And now, Nicky, I’d like to know why you followed me out here. I thought we had a plan. I told you I’d contact you as soon as I was able to find more information.”

“I warned you that I still don’t trust you.Nicky answered.

“I know, but I didn’t think you’d resort to following me.” Chris answered with concern.

He has a point. Maybe I should ... be honest with him.

“I still have my doubts about you.” Nicky answered with guilt.

“And you make a habit of stalking everyone you have doubts about? Chris answered.

“Just the ones who might be connected to my cousin’s disappearance.” Nicky answered.

Chris sighs. “I know you’re worried about Denise, Nicky. I understand that. But if we’re going to be working together to bring her home, there needs to be a degree of trust between us. Part of that trust includes not stalking me.”

He has a point, but...

“What are you doing out here, anyway? Nicky questioning him.

“I happen to own this property, Dr. Ransom, and am well within my rights to be here whenever I so choose. Does that satisfy you? Chris answered with a stern voice.

“Yes..... I mean, legally it makes sense. Nicky answered awkwardly.

“Thank you.” Chris answered warmly.

“But you have to admit, this is weird, Mr. Evans. Nicky answered.

“Nicky, I don’t know what to tell you. This is my property, and I wasn’t yet in the mood for turning in for the night. And no: before you ask, I don’t have the deed on me to prove it. I’m afraid I left it in my other pants.” Chris answered.

Your gaze flickers, unbidden, to his pants.

“Seriously.” Chris answered with a brow raised.

“Hey....get your head out of the gutter! Nicky answered blushing.

“It’s not mine we should be worrying about ?” Chris answered with a smile.

A chilly breeze whistles through the trees. You shiver, your teeth chattering.

“Here.” He shrugs off his jacket and holds it out to you.

“Put this on, please.”

You do with a small flush. The jacket protects you from the cold air, and your shivering comes to a stop.

“Better.” Chris answered warmly.

“Y-yeah.” Nicky awkwardly answers. I should tell him I don’t need his help.

“I don’t need to be coddled. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure. For now, just keep it.”He adjusts the jacket over your shoulders with a small smile.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I did come out here for a purpose.”

“That purpose being?. Nicky questioning.

“None of your business.”Chris snapped back.

“What.” Nicky shocked and taken back.

He leans close, his bright blue eyes piercing and teasing. You feel your breath catch in your throat.

“Remember, Nicky, you’re the one who followed me and trespassed on my property.” Chris answered with a smirk.

Then, he stand up, poised and regal as ever. “I may be a while, if you can walk on that ankle, I’d recommend heading back to your car.”

“Wait... you’re just going to leave me?” Nicky answered in shock with her jaw dropped.

“Well, I certainly can’t take you with me. You’re injured, after all. Just stay put. I’ll get back to help you as soon as I can.” And with that , he leaves you.

If I leave, I’ll never find out what Chris is trying to hide. And I know he’s hiding something. And if I stay here...

A howl rings out from somewhere nearby.

Nope! I am not getting eaten by coyotes tonight!

You rise gingerly on your injured ankle.

it hurts, but it’s not as bad as I expected. All right, Chris Evans. Time to see whatever it is you don’t want me to know about!

You follow the path Chris took through the trees- albeit more carefully this time.

The trees eventually give way to small clearing and what looks like a mine.

Chris’s footprints lead right inside.

You pick your way into the mine, being mindful of sharp edges, when you hear noises up ahead.

Please don’t be a bear, please doesn’t be a bear, please don’t be a bear....

Chris stand be fore a broken wall, a look of utter defeat on his face.

“No...No!” He lets out a howl of frustration, slamming his palms against the wall.

“How could this have happened?”.

Why is he so upset? Following him was... a bad idea. What was I thinking? I need to leave. Now.

There’s a hollow clatter as Chris’s foot strikes something on the ground.

The object rolls toward you in the darkness.

Leave, Nicky. Just leave...

But curiosity gets the better of you. You aim the beam of your flashlight down as the object rolls to a halt at your feet. A skull..

“Oh my God! Nicky shrieked.

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