#as an argentinian it meant everything

[padmesgreene]

so i finally watched blue beetle and this movie is for latinos and latinos only. gringos, abstenerse.

[gavisuntiedboot]

Gavi asking the reader to be his gf (headcanon)

A/N: omg this is such a cute request

~~

Asking you to be his girlfriend would entail ...

Y'all want me to be honest?

Gavi is for sure most definitely the type of person to just assume that a girl he's been exclusive with is his girlfriend

He is not a huge fan of difficult conversations or uncomfortable situations, so he is never going to go out of his way to DTR (define the relationship)

You two had been going out for a while before he even asked about exclusivity

"So you're not like... seeing other guys, right? I mean it's okay if you are. Well not really. I mean I want you to stop if you are seeing other people, but like I won't be mad if you have done it before... right now I guess."

You'd giggle at his rushed out request, reassuring him that you weren't interested in seeing anyone else

"Everyone is too calm after being with you Pablo"

He had no idea whether he should be flattered by the fact that you liked him as much as he liked you, or insulted that you just called him hyper.

Six to eight months into the relationship, you would probably have to be the one to bring it up

"my roommates keep referring to you as 'the boyfriend'. They think they're funny."

This would be the most confusing sentence of Gavi's life. Was he ... not the boyfriend?

And that's exactly what he asked you.

"Why is it funny that they call me your boyfriend?"

"Because you're not my boyfriend?"

Pablo's phone clattered to the ground, and it took everything in you not to laugh.

"If this is your way of breaking up with me, it's not funny."

The look on Pablo's face was so heartbreaking that it made you get up from your seat, hugging his pouting face into your chest.

"I'm just messing around with you. You've never asked me to be your girlfriend, so I didn't want to jump to any conclusions."

Gavi: i am confusion

"You have to ask?" *eyebrow raise*

After asking his teammates (shyly and in private corners to avoid the teasing) it was true: he would need to ask you to be his girlfriend

"I don't know man, it just makes things seem more official." He complained to Ansu, who was absolutely not listening to a word he said, and Ousmane, who was engrossed in Pablito's love life

"But don't you want things to be more official? She's met the team, your parents, the la masia boys - I don't think the title will really impact things

Pablo didn't want to admit that the real reason he had neglected this question was just that he didn't feel comfortable enough sitting you down and talking about something this serious

So one night, while you were over at his house to watch the Argentinian national team play a friendly, he turned to you

He was in a hoodie, similar to you, with his feet propped up on the coffee table sharing chips from a bowl wobbling dangerously on the sofa

You had just finished yelling at the TV, a replay coming onto the screen

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

You blinked at Pablo slowly, processing what he had said to you

"What?"

"Okay I'll say it again. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"...what?"

"Please don't make me keep saying it I'm sweating bullets."

You restrained the smirk on your face, turning in your place to face him fully.

"Why do you want me to be your girlfriend, Pablo?"

A breath

He didn't think he would get this far

Or have to articulate something that felt so natural

It just felt so right to have you as his partner, to have you beside him, that he didn't think he would have to say that to you

"Well... I'm going to be honest, I have been thinking of you as my girlfriend since our like, second date. I just feel like we fit together. See like this, sitting here, being lazy with you, being around you, it just feels like... it's where I'm meant to be. Also it's easier to say 'hey I need tickets for my girlfriend' rather tha- why are you crying?"

The stretch of your cheeks with joy had prevented you from fully grasping the tears that rolled down your face

"I have no clue I'm really happy"

Hugs. Those ones where you grip each other really tightly like you don't want to fall into the abyss. The one where the lint of their shirt is literally your oxygen, and if you were any closer you would be one organism

Neck kisses. Y'all know the ones, but if you don't there's an example at the end

Hand holding with the thumb-rub for comfort. Yeah, y'all see the vision

"So, is that a yes?"

"Of course, stupid." which was said through sniffles

He literally stopped using your name after that

Only referred to you as 'my girlfriend'

"Oh me and my girlfriend went to.."

"My girlfriend said that..."

"Let me ask my girlfriend."

BONUS: when he won the Nation's League with the Spanish NT (sorry grandpappy Luka), he posted a million things onto his Instagram story, including the team singing along to Titi Me Pregunto by Bad Bunny

You swiped up on the story with: Si tengo muchas novia'?

His response: no, just one with múltiples personalidades

A/N: He just love a good smooch. Anyways it's 4:30am time ti go to bed. PLS Y"ALL i would rlly appreciate if you interacted with this post besides liking (comments/ reblogs) if you feel so inclined. Just a small thing that keeps people including myself motivated to write. JP9 in progress but not ETA due to Eid being next week. Love y'all <<33

[ideas-4-stories]

helloooo! I am once again sharing the cross guild Argentina au ideas. the brainworms are brainworming

also, Romantic Cross Guild!

•Alone, Mihawk would only drink fernet straight up and treat it with as much reverence as a glass of wine. But! With Buggy he starts to be fond of sharing it back and forth as it is meant to, a drink to be shared and enjoyed, he starts to get more loose and eventually he learns to share the moments and be a part of a group that loves him just as much as he loves them. Crocodile wasn't fond of fernet to begin with, but he also got fond of it after Buggy taught them the love that can be shared with it.

•Buggy has an atrocious sweet tooth, borderline solid diabetes. What else did we expect from a clown? Anyways, aside from all the piracy criminal stuff that Cross Guild does, I genuinly think that Buggy would beg on his knees, on his hands, pouting, crying and doing the biggest pretty please he could so Crocodile lets him hire bakers so that they would make him his favourite facturas and sweets every morning and also sold off for a little profit, but mostly for him to eat at mreakfast and merienda. Crododile does try his hardest to resist the pouting clown but he's helpless and obligues after a little while. They now have the best bakers money can get in the island and Crocodile and Mihawk get sugary kisses every morning now. They might have started liking sugar more if it is in their daily clown kisses...but nobody has to know that shhh. Also now on their list of services to offer they have Sweet Argentinian Facturas among other silly little things like murder, kidnapping, taking down pirate ships, y'know, the usual.

•Crocodile is one of the only people in the whole island that drinks mate the bitterest shit yerba can get it and as hot as volcanic lava, nobody wants to drink with him. Mihawk doesn't drink mate, he's more of a terere guy, and Buggy drinks mate with one kilo of sugar on top and midly cold (hes just like me fr). So that's why all three only share the table they put the things on. Every evening at merienda time the table has one stanley termo (like a one liter thing that stores water and keeps it hot), one jug of iced juice, one flashy hand-painted classic metalic kettle, and a distressful amount of sweets and sandwiches and bizcochos of various types and forms. It is always full of color and warmth and love.

▪︎Buggy can and will gobble up a whole jar of dulce de leche with spoonfulls. Croco and Mihawk are horrified.

▪︎Mihawk mainly dresses whith white loose shirts, used to hot climate like in Cordoba. So the moment winter starts he does not go out at all, he is deep in blankets. Buggy and Croco are very amused, but also find it a little cute

▪︎Crocodile gets up at 6am no matter what, even worse, he is an old ass cranky morning person. Mihawk and Buggy do not like it but, he is THEIR old ass cranky morning person, what're they gonna do about it?

(In this AU I headcanon Karai Bari island as looking less tropical and more like the woods around El Bólson(a village?city?town?in argentina) incluiding all the mountains and cascades and rivers and lakes and woods there are there, so the next places i will name are real ones, you can google them i love them all)

•As their first official date together they decide that nothings better than the Bosque de las Hadas (Fairy Forest) because of how magical and quiet it is there, after all, the fairys and gnomes are just stories, right?

Well, turns out stories are there for a reason, the start the date and everything is beautiful and they have the whole forest to themselves so they go al lovey dovey and suddenly they start hearing weird shit until they have to run out of the forest with Crocodiles help. At the end they had a disastrous date and Mihawk was kinda devastated inside, cuz he had suggested the Fairie Forest, but his partners made sure to make him know that it was interesting anyway and they spent a good time even if they were chased off by tiny feral fairies. Smooches are required and they do...other things too...

•As for their next day, they try a place with less magic in it, they fo to the Waterfalls. They have to do a little hicking; Mihawk is unbothered and enjoying the forest, Crocodile cheats with his sand a little, and Buggy whines the whole way up even if he is enjoying it, his whining stops when Crocodile puts him up on his shoulders and does indecent and spontaneous ass-grabbing. The Waterfalls gets to witness public indecency. It is a beautiful and succesful second date.

oooops i got carried away. anyway thank u for your time! have a good day :}

Sorry it took so long to reply, many long projects for school came one after another. Then I had no motivation for some days, but I'm back and I just have to say that I love these ideas. Them drinking together with something they either don’t drink with others or don’t drink at all is so cute to imagine!

I’ve heard ideas where Devil Fruit users need something that gives them energy or something like that… it could be food of some sort or smoking. I wonder if that’s true, Buggy’s must be sugar. Poor Mihawk and Crocodile, watching Buggy eat an entire dinner worth of sugar a day like Crocodile smoking through a pack or two of cigars a day isn’t bad as well.

I’m chuckling because I see Mihawk popping his head out of some blankets with Crocodile and Buggy, thinking Mihawk is being so cute. Love that Crocodile is their cranky old person in the morning. Karai Bari being more woodland area than topical looks nice in my mind, the fairy forest with little feral fae chasing them is so funny to think about. I wonder who pissed them off? The second date is everything, Buggy complaining about the shits n giggles, then gets lifted up onto Crocodile’s shoulder, now able to see more things with price of some public indecency.

[sigmaleph]

yesterday i watched When Evil Lurks, which is a recent argentinian horror film i found out about for reasons entirely unrelated to being argentinian (this rotten tomatoes article ranks it as the best horror film of 2023)

it's at first glance a simple plot, demonic possession in tiny rural town, guy tries to save his family from it, but with an interesting-to-me twist on that, which is that

demonic possession is a recognised phenomenon. The government has standard protocols to deal with it; having actually encountered an instance of demonic possession is rare, but basic things about what to do and not do are common knowledge.

when the main character tells people about the demon, the answer isn't "demons aren't real", it's "how would you, a random hick, recognise a possessed person if you saw one" or "nah, demons are a big city thing, we live in the ass-end of nowhere, there can't be one here".

which leads to a theme of the film; the horror isn't coming from an outside-context event nobody was prepared for, but rather people who should know better acting short-sightedly and failing to deal with a problem they totally could have.

a woman reports her son has been possessed. everyone knows this means a demon is trying to be born into the world, and if they don't kill it (carefully, properly, using specialised equipment and trained professionals) there will be dire consequences (not fully specified, but lots of people die merely in the process of the demon being born). The 'cleaner' (professional demon-killer) doesn't get there for a year. it's not clear why; one wealthy landowner speculates the whole thing was meant to screw with him, and I don't think he's right but clearly something comparably fucked up is going on, even if it's impersonal institutional failure rather than politicking. and because they took too long, the demon has grown in power, its influence has spread, and it mind controls someone into ambushing and killing the cleaner as the starting event of the plot.

the main characters get dragged into a plan where, well, the government isn't dealing with it, so let's just carry the possessed person a few hundred kilometres away (he cannot move under his own power) and make it someone else's problem. everyone has the background to know this is predictably a terrible idea that makes everything worse.

one of the standard things-everyone-knows about demons is you should not use guns against them. nevertheless people keep pointing guns at the various manifestations of demonic activity, while people are yelling at them not to.

in i think fitting accordance to this theme, the protagonists fail. the demon is born, with unclear implications for the general area though certainly bad ones. they failed because they are human and selfish and short-sighted, and also because the entire institutional structure that should be doing better than that let the problem fester.

there's a clear element of contagion to how demonic influence spreads; if you're in contact with the possessed at all, you're supposed to abandon everything you own and burn your clothes (this being part of the reason why it's a terrible idea to move the possessed). if one were to subscribe to the school of thought where every horror monster is a metaphor for a societal problem, this obviously suggests the covid pandemic as The Social Issue We Are Exploring Today

...but I don't, and I think that's a limited reading. i think it's about something broader than that, about individual human weaknesses and how they lead to collective failures. or at least that's what I get out of it.

[statementlou]

Hi, to your anon who was trusting the article in The Sun, as a person who frequently gets visa renewals for the US, there are no circumstances under which you have to do a drug test to get a visa extension. The only exception I can think of is if you’re getting a green card or if you have prior drug charges (the latter might prevent you from even getting a visa at all). Additionally, unlike a toxicology report, a drug test result would be protected under HIPAA as far as I know.

thank you and if you often deal with visas it makes sense you would think this would be the same as your experiences but unfortunately everything in this ask is incorrect. First of all the person who asked that question didn't trust the Sun they just were like ugh I hope this isn't true which I want to emphasize since I actually feel quite bad about using their perfectly good ask as a platform to be mad about something they DIDN'T do I was just in a snit about smth else I'd just seen, and secondly it's well documented and pretty clearly true that Liam's visa required him to pass a medical and psychiatric evaluation due to a history of substance abuse, and the reports that he had successfully cleared all of those hurdles (including the drug testing) and was simply waiting for the paperwork to clear seem credible. Unlike the visas any of us would get, he gets a special 0-1 visa for famous people, as is mentioned in every article about this, which has different rules, which are also outlined in all of the articles which you can easily search up. Because he has a history of drug and alcohol abuse which is well documented in the public record (so probably legally equivalent to prior charges, as you mention) he had to answer yes on a question about prior substance use, which meant he then had to submit to medical and psychiatric review to get the renewal, which is why he was delayed in Argentina past the time he had been meant to leave (which is why his girlfriend Kate went ahead without him on the original schedule.) Finally, HIPAA is an USAmerican legislation which protects doctor patient confidentiality and has no bearing whatsoever on Argentinian medical files or on who gives info to tabloids.

[footballandfics]

heyyy🫶🏽, can you do something w julian alvarez? Like something cute maybe he’s too shy to introduce his gf to his teammates. thank you🤍

sure thing !! thank you for requesting . i hope you like it <3 i didn't know if you meant his Argentinians teammates or mancity; so i picked for you haha

julian is a shy person with everything new to him

now he is in England

everything is new to him

the culture the people his new team mostly everything

but you met each other and it made it easier for both of you

you being a foreign student so you shared the unfamiliar feeling

that made your bond so much stronger

times flew and his international duties

he was hesitating to ask you to come with him

he always wants you around him

part of it because he is not sure if you'll agree

the other part bc he hasn't told anyone in team that he is in a relationship

annnd the nature of the Argentinians is teasing teasing and teasing

he knew that they'll go on for days

but he knew no pain no gain

so he asked you to fly with him after a cozy inside date

"my love i want to ask you something really important " he said while holding you hands and looking deeply in your eyes while sitting closely to each other

now you're nervous it could be anything and you felt how nervous he is "what is it ?"

"can you fly with me next month? you're my lucky charm and i'll feel more confident with you by my side " he said while caressing your face

"sure i would love to '' you hugged him and now you're sitting in his lap talking about what's going to be ahead for you both

flying back to argentine for two for the friendly games

the fly was long but most of the was spent to you to talking about how to spend your free time

holding hands all the time

getting to the hotel to rest and then both of you would meet juli's teammate

"i'm nervous ; what if they don't like me ? julie " hugging julian from behind while he's fixing his hair after a good nap and now both of you are getting ready

"of course they will but just so you know they would tease us a lot but don't worry it's harmless and just jokes " cupping your cheeks to reassure you then he kisses you very sweetly

"ready love? " he hold your hands

"yeah just let me grab my purse " both of you go down to the hotel's restaurant where everyone is meeting

most of the players were seated some of them with their partners

"wait now seeing them it makes me more nervous " holding julian's hand before entering

"no don't worry everything would be okay sweetheart" hugging you to reassure you

"is that julian alvarez ? who's that with you?"

the hug was broken when de paul was trying to enter the restaurant

"i didn't know you have a girlfriend julie why didn't you tell us lover boy " rodrigo was teasing julian

now both of you are blushing you for not really knowing what to say and julian for being caught of guard

and de paul looking at both of you and smirking then he shakes his head " ha julie you're not going to introduce us ?"

then you stepped up and offered your hand for a shake "i'm y/n ', nice to meet you " he shacked your hand smiling " i'm rodrigo de paul . nice to meet you too"

"will she's my girl i'm going to introduce her to everyone tonight" julian said to RDP

"yeah i'm aware ; i'll go in before you guys don't start anything before dinner " said RDP jokingly

"will that was extra awkward let's just enter " you said looking at julian

"yeah to face everyone one time is better " he hold your hand and finally both of you get to the table for the team

and some of them were smirking "julian finally became a man now " one said

"julian what a lucky man " another shimmed in

"okay guys stop let me introduce my girl to you and let us have dinner " julian said want to get this over with

hugging your shoulder " this y/n my girl , y/n those lunatics are the Argentine team " looking at you

"nice to meet you everyone " you said smiling looking at everyone

"hii julian's girl " all of them said in sync

you laughed it's kinda of ridicules to see them say that together like they planned it

"just sit down now i'm sure both of you are hungry" said messi

we finally sit down to have a nice dinner with everyone ; they were friendly and most of the time were cracking some jokes

trying to embarrass julian here and there

it was a nice night filled with laughs and music

" i don't know why i was nervous they're very nice " you whispered to julian who looked at you smiling and hugged you closer to him

"i was nervous you won't like them because of how they joke ; sometimes they take it too far "

"it's okay i'm a tough girl i can handle it ; i do like them . they're funny "

"i'm happy to hear that " looking at you lovingly

and this how your night was ending

[petermaximoffsrealwife]

Campiones

Lionel Messi x reader (1k)

“Hi lovely, I don’t know where your questions went but I was wondering if you could write either Messi or Jude fluff? Readers supporting him at the WC and all, if not that’s ok too! I hope you’re doing well in this winter season! 😁” @moonileo

“Celebrating with Messi after the World Cup? Thx” @yoyodagenius

Quick disclaimer: English is not my first language so please keep that in mind when judging! I am fluent in Spanish so I will be providing a translation after every Spanish phrase.

The game is tied 3-3 with Lio scoring two out of the three. Everyone was either cheering out of excitement or quiet out of suspense. You were there with your three sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro cheering for your husband and their father. They were so close, there were only two minutes left in the game before they would have had to go to penalties.

Unfortunately, the extra time ended up forcing them to go into penalties. You tried your best to gain your husband's attention from all the way up in the stadium but to no avail, Lio didn't see you. A couple of minutes had passed and the penalties were officially starting.

Mbappe scored and you knew there was no way to stop that shot even though Martinez tried his best. Next up was your husband and you were so scared, this would be the last time he would ever touch a ball at the world cup and you desperately hoped he did not miss. He lined up to take the shot and took the shot and made it. You let out a sigh of relief knowing that he had done his part. Next up was Coman whose shot was saved by Martinez. Then was Dybala, he was one of your favorite players except for your husband, the two of you were friends and you hoped that he would make it, luckily he did which meant that Argentina was now in the lead. Up next was Tchouameni and he missed, which meant that Argentina would only have to score two more in the order you win.

The stadium was dead silent, everyone waiting for the shot. Finally, he shot the ball and it went in, meaning that Argentina had officially won the world cup; or your husband had, they all said they wanted to win it for him.

Jumping up and down with Ciro in your arms, every Argentinian in the stadium yelled out of excitement while the team all ran to gather around your husband. When it was done, they were officially world champions. You were so proud of each one of them and you couldn't wait until the “coronation” where you would finally get to hug and congratulate your husband face to face.

You start preparing your family to begin cleaning up so that you can exit the reserved area at the top of the stadium and instead go down to the field so that all the families of the teams would be able to enter once allowed.

The ceremony started soon after as you watched your husband receive the golden ball award, he deserved it for scoring in every stage of the World Cup. Then the French team received their medals and you felt bad for them, some of them refusing to even put on the medal, which is understandable in a way. Up next was finally the medals for the Argentinians and you were so proud of each of them, the way they all love and admire your husband was one of the things uniting them all; not counting their nationality.

Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, the World Cup trophy. After being given a bisht to put on, he finally was given the trophy in which he slowly walked his way over to the center of the platform and finally, after eight years, raised the golden World Cup trophy that he had been trying so hard to achieve. He had lost again and again and throughout everything, he still remained his humble self and all of the work had finally paid off.

Yelling and cheering for him as loud as you could you and all of the other family members rushed onto the field to finally be able to celebrate with your loved champions. It took a little bit, of trying to not lose your children as well as finding your husband in the stampede that had started to begin, but you had finally located your husband and as soon as his eyes locked on to yours, he immediately ran your way so that he could hug his family while holding the trophy.

After he had properly hugged his children, he let them run amok so that they could be with their favorite uncles and players, he trusted them, which made you and Lio finally be alone. He walked over to you and kissed you deeply, expressing all of the emotions running through his head. You deepened the kiss and moved your hands so that they were cradling his head and tugging at his hair.

“Estoy tan orgullosa de ti, te amo con todo mi corazon mi amor” (I'm so proud of you, I love you with all of my heart my love.)

“Yo también te amo, por fin lo hicimos, por fin ganamos!” (I love you too, we finally did it, we finally won!)

“Estaba tan preocupada pero nunca debía haber dudado tú y el equipo, sabía que lo habrías logrado.” (I was so worried but I never should've doubted you and the team, I knew you would've made it.)

“Tambien estaba preocupado pero yo hice my parte y gracias a dios que ellos hicieron su parte tambien” (I was worried too but I did my part and thank god they did their part as well.) “Gracias por estar aqui y apoyarme” ( thanks for being here and supporting me)

“Siempre estare aqui, y siempre te apoyare” (I’ll always be there, and I’ll always support you) “Vamos a celebra campeon ya no quiero hablar mas” (now lets go celebrate champion, i dont want to talk anymore)

And with that, you two broke a part to find your children so that you could take pictures, sing songs, and truly soak in the fact that Argentina was the new world champion, all because of your husband.

So so sorry for the delay christmas caught up to me, hope you guys don’t mind that i combined the two requests since they were so similar. Remember requests are open until January 2nd.

[argentangelhelps]

63 ICONS OF MAIA REFICCO IN DO REVENGE

all icons are free to use with credit to @argentangelhelps!

you may edit to your liking (add borders, psds, textures ect)

do not use for : celebrity/real person rps or paid commissions, everything else is up to user discretion. (don’t make me change this rule)

they are edited (sharpened) in ps, however they are meant to be used under the psd of your choice! if you choose to use them as they are they should work just fine! they are 100px & 75px square and do not come with any borders.

this icon pack was made in collaboration with @stephysource ! all screencaps used were made by stephy and cropped into icons by me. they can be downloaded HERE !

FACECLAIM INFO : maia is argentinian-american

TRIGGER WARNINGS : smoking, drinking

the zip file is free to download on my PAYHIP!

LIKE OR REBLOG IF YOU SAVE OR USE!

[clivedovelover]

Very politely but sorry i was referring to ur oc aus i saw on the other blog 😭😭😭

IM FINALLY ANSWERing THIS ONE BECAUSE I REALIZED I CaNT ACTUALLY do A COOL THING FOR EVERY AU

Hello sorry i think 4 months passed since this ask was sent i'm kissing you on the forehead anon i'm sorry

Okay so there are 3 AU's or so, i'm still thinking of doing more in relation of these main 3 but i don't know!!

Folie a Deux

I don't have this one super elaborated. I just wanted an AU where Valentine beats the shit out of Clive daily

Basically is an AU where pretty much everything stays the same at first (clive blowing up london, Valentine's mom dying) but in relation of both characters they are more morally dubious, Clive goes to prison but he manages to made it appear as if he killed himself there, and then he runs away with another identity to avoid his sentence.

Valentine thinks, in this AU too, about how clive freed him from his mother and, in some percentage, they both were meant to meet. He doenst feel guilty about these thoughts (not like the original who does feel bad about thinking like that). He also doesn't believe the news about this guy killing himself in prison, he feels so upset about it and takes it as a personal attack, Valentine decides to start investigating about that, mostly because he got a fixation with Clive after the destroying of the city.

One way ir another he finds out that Clive is alive, in an almost empty town. As a said before both of them are more morally dubious SO yknow lol. Valentine's mom is dead and Graciella isn't being really helpful, he doesn't have friends or anyone who is close to him so what he has to loss?

Valentine kidnaps Clive on his own place, knowing no one would look up for him and does shitty stuff to him from time to time, but mostly just keeps him at his mercy. Clive develops Stockholm syndrome

Puppy Love

I guess the name is self explanatory, kind of.

Valentine is 14 and Clive is 17, valentine moves to London way earlier in his life. Graciella is a teen here too with the same age as Clive, they are classmates.

I did this one because i wanted something more light hearted and also because i wanted Renata (Valentine's mom) to interact with Clive in some way.

Valentine is still a lonely kid but at least has Graciella as his friend since is the only other argentinian person on his school.

Graciella doesn't like Clive and Clive doesn't mind her, they just team up when it's needed because it's easier to work with the other.

Valentine has a crush with Clive, and it's silly. He's also 14 because i was that age when i found out about Clive and Professor Layton games hehdhehhe

Im not sure how i want for this one to end, but since it's an AU i can give Clive a happier ending? Maybe

Elope

Again, i'm sooooo creative with the names

It's the same as the original story but it ends different, Clive doesnt kill himself and accepts to run away with Valentine, again lying about his own death. Valentine just leaves a letter for Graciella and she doesn't make the report to the police

They run away to the same town as the Folie a Deux AU and have a pretty calm and nice life, they change their names and formalize a relationship after some time.

Valentine becomes an art and theater teacher for the people of the town and Clive takes care of the house most of the time (for safety reasons mainly)

[marlesbian]

How i perceive Marlene Mckinnon

art by olowka.pdf on ig

disclaimer: this one is the one i'm projecting the most with my headcanons, so if you don't agree with them pls stfu because all of these mean a lot to me (also i'm exposing myself a bit)

Basics:

- Marlene Martínez McKinnon

- she/any

- born april 24th 1960

- Butch Lesbian

- Argentinian

- genderfluid, doesn't care when people use other pronouns but is still under a femine gender identity.

- Gryffindor

- Has ADHD and severe anger issues.

Life, family and history:

- Her father is a muggleborn named Sergio and the Mother who came from a wizard family, named Helena. She has a brother older by 9 years named Daniel.

- They moved to the UK right after Marlene was born. Marlene is fluent in spanish because they only speak spanish in the house.

- Kind of a troubled child, she was always putting herself in some sort of fight (physical), as she got older she stopped resorting to violence but sometimes it as bigger than her.

- She grew up very close and sheltered by her dad, he didn't know how to deal with girls so he raised her like he did Daniel, teaching her how to do everything, like: carpentry how to use tools, how to fix things how to play football, how to fix car related things, he wanted herto be independent. Her mother always complained because she wanted a perfect well behaved ladylike daughter, so they had a rocky relationship her entire life.

- After she grew up, both of her parents resented her a bit because of how butch she was, she wasn't what they wanted. She would never be that delicate feminine girl no matter how much they wanted to. Alas, she was still their daughter, even resenting her, they still talked to her, they were just a bit passive agressive about it, complaining of how she dressed and acted but she was always invited for family events and they visited each other a lot during the war. She still went to her parents house a sunday a month for her dad's asado.

- Her brother was the one who taught them to play quiddich, since he learned in school and became a professional player after graduating.

- When Marlene was 5 years old she met James in diagon alley and they became instant friends, they were inseparable, they were always at each others house, which was easy since both lived in Godric's Hollow (GH), their families became friends so they were raised like brother and sister.

- Her dad was obcessed with football and so was Marlene, they even went to Mexico watch the 1970 World Cup (they even took James)

- She taught james to play football and they played it together all the time. Once when they were 12 james helped her play with some muggle boys, disguised as a boy herself.

- She loved their house in GH it was like a farm, big and full of light, lots of rooms and a huge garden.

- They had a dog named Harpy, she was the cutest black lab. It was a family tradition to go watch every world cup (football and quiddich, the Potters usually went along)

- When marls was 9, Peter came to live in GH and became an essential part of the trio.

Hogwarts years:

- She and Mary instantly bonded by being latinas and easily became friends. She was beyond happy when all her friends ended up in the same house.

- She entered the quiddich team in 2nd year with James. She played as a beater. In third year when Sirius entered the team and played with her nobody could stop the dinamic duo they were, their connection was unmatched, they always knew where the other was.

- Their friendship with lily though was different. Lily meant the whole world to her, they were best friends, twin flames. nobody could explain it, they just understood each other, they could speak without words, they would do anything for one another. Their friendship was platonic and romantic at the same time, Lily was the first girl she kissed.

- Marlene fell in love with Mary the second they met, but she only became aware that is was a crush in the end of second year. They were absolute best friends, Mary was one of the only other girls just as obcessed with football as she was. Mary introduced her to brazilian music. Mary and Marlene were both in love with one another at some point in their lives, but never at the same time.

- Lily was the first girl she kissed, her first friend, her closest girl friend. They met on the train before Lily separed herself from the boys with Snape, for some reason Marlene did go with Lily and they just talked for the entire ride, with Severus watching and making some comments, he was never marls' cup of tea, she didn't like the way he treated Lily.

- After Snape called Lily a slur in fifth year, Malene punched him square in the face.

- a quote to define her friendship with Lily "is it romantic? is it platonic? who cares baby, it's homosexual!"

- Marlene loved Lily and Mary so much, but in different ways. The three of them were inseparable. They didn't hang out much with the other girl in their dorm, Greta Catchclove, because she was always with her twin sister on the Hufflepuff common room.

- Marlene was James' biggest deffender, whenever Lily complained about him or treated him badly, she was always deffending him, saying he was the best person they knew.

-Dorcas is the love of her life. They were quiddich rivals in school (Dorcas Slytherin keeper). They were together through the war, both stronger together. They never distrusted one another.

How i perceive her:

Physical appearence;

- Bonde, white, very tall and muscular, had huge biceps.

- She kept her hair long up until she turned 14, then she cut it to her shoulders, in a wolf cut. On 7th year she shaved it to the scalp and then never let it grow out again. Always kept it ver short.

Style:

- Marlene was usually very masc presenting, liked to wear traditional boys clothes, but they had some very rare femme days, on those days she wore lots of eye make up, skirts and fish nets.

- She always raided her dad's closet after flannels, oversize shirts and shorts.

- She wore many sleeveless tanktops, button up shirts, bermudas (longer shorts). Loved wearing big belts and shirts that showed of her arms.

Personality:

- Marlene was just so warm, she was always making her friends laugh, they were extremely loyal, fun, dedicated and smart.

- Marlene loved reading but never really talked about it with other people, she didn't really study either but always got great results.

- Marls was very sceptical, didn't believe in god, in divination, in signs on anything. She only believed magic was real because she lived it every day.

- Marlene was that person that was just effortlessly good at everything, so that made her a little bit cocky but at the same time she was very insecure and anxious. Marlene was extremely competitive and hated losing, she always kept a straight face when she lost but would later cry herself to sleep, because he always took too much responsability and blamed herself for every failiure.

-She was very energetic and could not keep her mouth shut, she was always talking, singing, making jokes and jumping around. Marlene talked with her whole body, she talked moving her hands, her head, her arms and his face was very expressive.

- But that's not to say marls was perfect, oh no she was far from it. She had severe anger issues, she always kept calm to a certain point and then she completely freaked and became agressive andlashed out on whoever was closer, her words shoot to kill when she was mad, sometimes she even punched things around her until she calmed down. her anger was explosive, it was always in the back of her head itching to come out, and that made her feel like a monster, like a terrible person, like this evil was inside of her all the time and one day she feared she might not be able to contain it.

- Marlene struggled a lot with comphet and with that chronic need for male attention. Deep down she always they were a lesbian and would never love a boy

- She over sexualized herself, for some time when she was still young she tried hooking up with different random men at parties, forcing herself to feel something she knew wasn't there. Untill she finally kissed Lily and everything changed, that was the feeling she searched for her whole life. After that it was quite easy to accept herself. After years of crying themselves to sleep for being different, for being broken, for not being able to love a man and feeling like that would make her less worthy, because that would solidify that she was the family rotten dissappointment. She didn't want to be hated by her family, her mind was debating wether to be her true self or to be loved by her father. In the end she chose herself and she didn't regret it in the slightest.

- She embraced being butch, her masculinity and feminity both as a simultaneous intrinsicate part of her. They embraced the beauty that was loving and being loved by women.

- Marlene used a spell to hide her breasts in certain clothes bc sometimes she liked them, sometimes she hated it.

- Marlene loves the sea. It's his place, his safe heaven. her name having sea in it is the most fitting to her personality bc that is who she is.

- Marlene is the sea, she is strong and powerful, beautiful wild and dangerous, but she is also calm, relaxing and free, he is like water, everything in her is fluid, nothing is forever, she is always changing with the tide, she can be sunny and she can be a storm.

- She loved the outdoors, loved going camping, trekking, running, loved any and every activity in nature. Always promoted a match of beach volleyball.

- James called her marley

- Their love language (giving) is touch, she is ways touching people in some way, anytime she sat next to them she put a leg on their lap, holding her friends' hands, walking arm in arm, putting a hand on their shoulders. Receiving is words of affirmation.

- Marls is the best friend anyone can wish for, they are always there for her friends, always helping them, making things for them to get better when they're sick, trying to make them laugh when they're down.

- Marlene was so strong, both physicaly and mentally, sometimes it became a lot to handle, but she always shared it with James, they were both each others shoulders to cry on.

Random headcanons:

-Marlene was always flexing his biceps at her friends, all the time they were just 'bam!! look at those biceps how amazing'

- She borrowed James' clothes all the time, as he did hers, their wardrobe was shared.

- Her favorite bands were Blondie and The Runaways, she also loved Janis Joplin, Fleetwood Mac (Stevie Nicks was her goddess), Queen, Heart and ACDC.

- HUGE Star Wars fan, Princess Leia got her drooling dying on her knees

- The best curse breaker in the order, she and Caradoc worked together on it.

- She was named Harry's godmother along with Sirius.

[f0point5]

idk who's translating what colapinto said, but he most definitely wasn't talking ab driving styles bc they never asked him ab that. the initial question was ab what f1 drivers he looked up to as a child. he mentioned drivers that made a mark in the sport like fangio, schumacher & senna & other argentinian drivers that made a mark in his country. he said there were some drivers whose documentaries he'd seen & that he related to them irt their personal stories. then, as an addition to the last question, they asked him ab current drivers he likes. notice how they weren't talking ab driving styles. he said he liked lando & george. they asked him ab gasly & he said "him not so much... verstappen is crazy, he's won 3 championships. ab him there's smth i also don't like. & it's like, he's a great driver-" one of the guys interrupted him to ask what he doesn't like. another one said "he's arrogant". then colapinto said "yeah..." like unsure. the guy who said that said, "you didn't say it, i did" & colapinto mumbled smth like "i can't/shouldn't say smth like this bc verstappen's fans will hate me". he clarifies that what he meant he didn't like is "i think that when everything is good & you win 3 years in a row it's very easy to be happy. but when things don't go well and things happen that you don't want, you look at verstappen and he loses it a little*. and to me he's the same as before. like when i saw him when i was a kid and things wouldn't go well. to me he's the same it's just that now everything is very easy".

*he said "se sale un poco de sí" which to me means "he loses it/himself a little" in regards to his temper/attitude when things aren't going his way

tldr; he said that he didn't like max's attitude when things weren't going his way. like, max is my favorite driver but... that's fair criticism given the mad max nickname & that max is/was also known for being very cutting (& aggressive even) at times when talking ab/to other drivers. asides from that, i literally cannot see max taking this comment seriously as a 3 times world champion. like imagine hamilton or alonso caring ab this. idk why it's getting sm attention

And I oop!!!!

I feel like I should probably watch the whole podcast but I’m not sure I can be bothered 😂

Tbh, when I originally saw the cut clip what I didn’t think was smart/professional is him basically saying he doesn’t vibe with people, when in theory he could be their colleague one day. It seemed a bit childish to be so ready to speak on people when you are hoping to be spending a lot of time with them professionally. And I stand by that, I feel like he should have just said who he liked and said “I don’t know them so I can’t say” about everyone else. Also, in the translation I saw, he said there was “something he didn’t like” about Max and then there was no more explanation to it, and I felt like it was a bit of a cop out to not say with his chest what the issue was. But he explained himself with his chest so I can take that back. I stick to my point that he should have just talked around the question though.

But.

It’s totally valid for him not to click with people’s vibes. Everyone has their own way with dealing with passion and pressure, and sometimes watching how other people deal with it gives you a bit of an ick. People are giving it attention because people really can’t handle differences of opinion anymore. The snowflake attitude is out of control.

I can’t see Max giving a single fuck. I’m a petty bitch, so I was Max I just wouldn’t go out of my way to help him. But I’m not Max thankfully lol. But seriously, Max is just there to do his job, I don’t think he cares what the temp at Williams thinks of his coping mechanisms. Why would he?

[mercerislandbooks]

50 Years of Island Books: The Staff

This 50 Years of Island Books series is about to reach the grand finale, because November is only a few weeks away and it's almost time to pop the champagne. Since April, I've talked to booksellers and owners from years past, sales reps, and many beloved local authors to paint a picture of what Island Books has meant to the community and how it evolved into the place it is today.

Now, I'm turning my attention to the people who show up hour to hour, in the here and now, to make the store the living, breathing wonderland that it is and will be in 2023 and beyond. On a rainy Monday when the store was closed for cleaning, I pulled them aside for some heart-to-hearts.

So many times we come in and say a quick hi to these friendly booksellers, the face of a familiar place we know and love, but it's rare we think about who they are as people and what they think about as they work. I've known many of them for years and have watched the staff evolve. From my little perch, I can honestly say that they put so much love into what they do, and that our island community wouldn't be the same without them.

Side note: since I already cornered the longest tenured Island Books employee for a separate blog, Cindy only makes a tiny (and fun) appearance via Caitlin in this post. If you want to learn more about Cindy, click here.

To our Island Books booksellers—we love and appreciate all of you. Truly. Now let's get into it.

Miriam: I'm so happy to have a chance to talk to each of you. Let's start with, which book category excites you the most, and why?

Brad: Any day I can turn someone onto the Russians, like Checkhov, Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky, or someone less read, like Pushkin, is a great day. Jorge Luis Borges is a favorite for customers looking for a literary blend of fantasy and science fiction literary. He's Argentinian, and his voice differs from many other classic authors. There are so many large and small presses putting out reprints.

Becca: I'm largely a sci-fi, fantasy, and romance person. I’m not averse to other categories, but the books that I drop everything to read tend to be one of those genres (or fairy-tale retellings). I also love curling up with a good Middle Grade or Young Adult fiction.

Lori Robinson: The genre I get the most energy around right now is romance. I read widely, but I have my favorite places I like to land, although every once in a while something different catches my eye.

Caitlin: I love to sell the books I like to read: short story collections, literary fiction, translated fiction, poetry, some memoirs, and art and ballet history. When I first started at Island Books, a lot of people said, “Oh, short stories don’t sell here.” But I'm happy to say that isn't the case anymore.

Nancy: I like to read literary fiction and good narrative nonfiction, generally science and history.

Lillian: I think people would assume that I read a ton of kids books, but I’m around them so much and read them for work—at least 600 picture books a year (!), so for my own pleasure, I read mostly mystery, romance, and fantasy. 

Miriam: As a group, you have a wide variety of tastes, which is great for customers. Now, tell me about your proudest accomplishments at Island Books.

Brad: I love to draw signs. I’m a part-time illustrator with a cartoony style, maybe because I’m a big graphic novel fan.

Becca: It’s fun to have become a person that customers ask for book recommendations. -- I still feel fairly new (2 years under my belt now), but to have become an integral part of something I love so much is awesome.

Lori Robinson: Mine would be the year we sold over 200 copies of Amy Snow by Tracey Rees in six months because I kept hand selling it. It was the first time I realized the impact a bookseller could have on the success of a book that wasn’t getting all the media attention.

Caitlin: Mine would be proving that our customers do like short stories.

Nancy: I'm proud of the many stories over the years that I could bring home to my family, and tell them how we found the perfect book for a customer’s dying mother or a kid having an issue, things like that. And the funny ones—we used to have a customer who loved to give a certain book to his lady friends. Whenever we saw that title on order, everyone knew he had a successful date! I think he single-handedly kept that book in print. I sure didn’t have those kind of stories when I worked as a web designer.

Miriam: There's no job quite like bookselling, is there? Those are great answers. Can you give an example of when you felt a deep connection with a customer or the community?

Becca: When a kid comes in and says they like fairy tales and you realize that kid is exactly who you were as a small child. Then you give them a pile of books and they buy all of them and you’re like, yes, I’ve found mini-me! Or having someone call back or come in the next time and say, "What you gave me for my grandkid was exactly what I needed and they loved it".

Lori Robinson: I have a certain customer who I remember coming to our door during the pandemic and saying, “Just pick two books out for me, I’ll read anything you want." That trust is challenging. When I don’t know someone, I really want to take care of it and give people good choices. Anytime someone buys a book that I write a blog about, that warms my little heart. And I love when someone comes in and I think, I would never guess you’d read this book, and then they say, “I love this book!” I just love that we all get to like what we like.

Caitlin: One of our customers who loves short stories—having that customer come to me for recommendations is really nice, and an honor because she’s also a big reader, a school librarian, and a mother. I love sharing a common love of certain books with individual customers.

Nancy: Here's my quirky fact - This will be the second 50th anniversary of a bookstore I’ve attended this year. The other one I went to recently was for Red and Black Books, where I used to work with former Island Books bookseller Kay Wilson. I saw her there. Talk about long-time connections.

Lillian: I actually have a really clear one. Earlier this year, a mom came in and said that her queer child felt welcomed and happy to be at the store, and she was so thankful that her child had thought to mention how welcome they felt. I almost started to cry on the spot and it makes me tear up thinking about it. 

Miriam: That's amazing. It's nice to know that your experiences in the store are just as meaningful to you as they are to the customers. I love hearing this good stuff, and I’m also interested in hearing about a challenge you overcame.

Brad: At first I would have said, wrapping, and it’s something I didn’t expect. I had no idea! People on Mercer Island really know how to give gifts. Drawing quickly is also a challenge.

Caitlin: I wish more people would give books I like a try. People will come in and want to read whatever is the bestselling book. What I say is, “What are you in the mood to read?” and then go from there, because not everyone needs to read bestsellers or classics. They’re not in school. Read what you want.

Nancy: There are a lot of books! We like a lot of books, but more and more books come out and we don’t have the space to shelve everything. We can order it, but we can’t stock everything. So every quarter, it’s a huge challenge to say, these are the books we’re going to commit to. 

Lillian: The honest challenge is to stay interested after reading so many books over so many years. What I realize after I go through another season is that the books are different, that’s the great thing about books. Sometimes customers want the same thing over and over, and those things become classics and that’s fine, but for the majority of customers and definitely for me, I have to see what’s different, otherwise, it can get repetitive.

Miriam: Great answers that speak to so many years on the job. Here's another question. How would your colleagues describe you?

Brad: Friendly and kind, I would hope. A good listener.

Becca: Enthusiastic and willing. Laurie says I’m sassy. I'm also the youngest and got sucked into the social media part of things pretty quick, so I get a lot of the, hey, younger generation, technology, things.

Lori Robinson: I know that I’m pretty calm and unflappable when it comes to dealing with whatever you’ve got to deal with.

Caitlin: Oh, ha, here’s a note from Cindy about this question. She said I’m literary and quirky, and a name-dropper. And I was like, “Yeah…I think that’s pretty accurate.”

Nancy: Brilliant, friendly, kind to everyone, no-nonsense. You know. All the good stuff.

Lillian: I’m definitely the squeaky wheel. I guess what they’d say is that I get things done. That’s the thing. I get things done.

Miriam: These answers cracked me up (including the ones that aren't making it to print!). OK, let's do a fantasy question now. What would you do with it if someone gave you one million dollars to improve the book business and/or promote literacy?

Brad: Open more dream bookstores and do them the way I always wanted.

Becca: The industry is already diversifying the characters and cultures in books, and I’d find ways to support that. Everyone deserves to see themselves in what they read.

Lori Robinson: I’d love to do something to fight book bans. Working at the bookstore has opened my eyes to what banning books does, and I appreciate that it’s changed my view on experiencing things rather than being afraid of them.

Caitlin: I’d start with free nationwide healthcare for people earning under a certain amount of money. I grew up in a household filled with books, and I think it’s important for kids to grow up with their own books, and that takes parents earning a living wage. 

Nancy: This is because I’m such a nuts-and-bolts person, but I’d get rid of dust jackets and have everything be paper on board so that we have less damages to deal with. Saves money and they’re annoying.

Lillian: I’d reverse this trend of prices going up because that would make independent bookstores more accessible to people who shop online because it’s cheaper. There are people who can’t afford to shop in independent bookstores, and if you remove that barrier, it would just open up that handpicked-for-you element that can be so special for kids, and adults too.

Miriam: Ah, if only booksellers ran the world. How about this. If I were to work with you in the store for a month, what would I learn about bookstore life that I can’t possibly gather from a brief interview?

Becca: A lot of people don’t know that we get new releases every single Tuesday, or that we get books sent to us a week before they come out so we have them on the actual release day. So many books, all the time.

Caitlin: Customers are pretty savvy. Obviously, there’s that old idea that booksellers and librarians are just sitting around reading all day, but it’s not true, there’s a lot of work. It’s physical work, you’re constantly bending and putting things away.

Nancy: Well I’m sure everyone says, we do not have time to read while we’re working. They also might not know just how much we really know our customers. Sometimes when we’re going through a catalog, we’ll say, “Oh, I know who will like that book.” And we get that book for that particular person in our community. The two big trends in the past years are the normalization of queerness in fiction and nonfiction, so we really have a tiny LGBTQ section, because, there aren’t really any queer novels anymore—they’re mainstream. I love that. The other thing is Tiktok. It’s been crazy for us getting younger women and girls in the store. And we wish Tiktok could work that way for boys too. We now see these backlist authors getting a second wind because of Tiktok and that’s so interesting as a trend. The third thing that everyone is talking about is AI. One of the things that we have on our radar and it’s been coming up in the book world is fake books. We’re seeing them more and more in the travel and cookbook categories. Our job as curators is more important than ever. We’re working with reputable publishers, we’re looking at every book that comes in the store, we’re recommending books. I think with AI, people are becoming even more important. 

Lillian: How much time we spend just putting books away and tidying up and keeping things alphabetized. I can’t tell you how much we hum the alphabet to keep bookshelves in order. And working with me in particular, I’d say that I come across much more serious than I really am. 

Miriam: You all have to be so organized. Let's move on to my final question. What does being part of a small business within a community mean, and how do you play a role in it?

Brad: One of the best things about working at Island Books is how the community supports the store. And it’s not just about books. We’re a hub. About six months after I started, a woman came in and said her car wouldn’t start. Does anyone know how to jump a car? And I said, I can help. She didn’t know me, but she knew I worked at Island Books, so she knew we'd pitch in.

Becca: People are so committed to the small-town vibe here, everyone knowing each other. It’s so cool to see my colleagues interact with all these customers and they know their names and who they are. I also admire the way we work with other small businesses in the community. Everyone is invested in each other.

Lori Robinson: It’s funny for me, because I went to middle school and high school here, and I worked on the south end for longer than I care to admit, but all of that built a lot of relationships for me, the kind where you see people every day. It’s strange to have people to come in who have kids who were four when I met them and are now graduating from college and starting their careers. When I think about being part of a bookstore, I hope that there are some kids and regular customers who have felt like we’ve offered them a safe place and that I’ve personally been a safe person to talk to who they know won’t judge them or what they like to read. It means a lot to people when we remember them. I hope we offer a warm moment and a good experience.

Caitlin: With the exception of Laurie (and Becca, who is moving off-island), none of the staff lives on the island. So I guess we feel we’re representatives of the store and the community and it’s our responsibility to make people feel welcome.

Nancy: I feel like I have really grown with Mercer Island. I don’t live here, but I feel like I’ve really gotten to know this community. I worked for Roger for six years and I’ve worked for Laurie for almost seven, and we see kids grow up, we see people age, we have a lot of customers who have died over the years, and you’re kind of going through life cycles with people. We’ve seen the build up of Mercer Island, the businesses who are all working together now—it didn’t used to be like that. The community feels more like they appreciate their community too. I think our customers really stepped up during Covid and realized, we love this place, and we need it. They’ve been great.

Lillian: As the kids’ specialist, it’s different, because I spend a lot of time chatting with the community kids. I get to watch them grow up. There are people that come in who are going to high school that eight years ago I was recommending chapter books to. So, to have a hand in helping kids become life-long readers, and enhancing how important it is, is great. I always say I’m lucky to not be the teacher or parent because I don’t have to worry about the academics. I worry about, how can I make this kid love books so much that they will be a reader for the rest of their life?

Miriam: Right? That makes so much sense. Thanks, everyone. What a cool crowd. I adore all of you and am so glad you're in my life, and everyone else's!

Next week, for my final installment of 50 Years of Island Books, I'll be talking with the owner, Laurie Raisys, and it'll be a good one. See you soon.

—Miriam

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

Tarja Turunen on Nightwish, celebrity fans and overcoming health issues: “My stroke was caused by stress”

An audience with the original queen of symphonic metal

You’ve said before that Nightwish’s music was meant to be downbeat and acoustic, but your voice pushed them into a more metal direction. Would you have been miserable if they had remained a folk band?

“That’s difficult because, at that time, I really wanted to be an operatic singer and that was the only voice I had. I wasn’t able to do much with it beyond full-on power, so it didn’t fit nicely with the acoustic music we started with.”

You were one of the first female lead singers in that more symphonic end of power metal. Who’s the most famous person that’s come up to you and called you an influence?

“Simone Simons [lead singer of Epica]. She was just like, [starts bowing]. Ha ha ha! It’s funny, I’ve just come home from a tour and one of the girls in one of the support bands was singing backstage. My musicians turned to me and said, ‘This is completely your fault, Tarja.’ Ha ha!”

This year marks 25 years since the first Nightwish album, Angels Fall First. What do you think of that album now?

“I am looking at the gold record hanging on the wall right now. It was kind of a second demo for us. When we were making it, we had no idea that it would become a complete album or bring us a record deal. It was very exciting. We were so young that, when I listen to myself, it’s unbearable. Ha ha ha! But, hey, everybody needs to start somewhere.”

Nightwish fired you using an open letter that was publicly shared. What’s your relationship with them 17 years later?

“The only guy that I had contact with was Marko [Hietala, bass], but he’s no longer in the band. I even sang with him some years ago. The rest, it’s been emailing. Everything is fine but we’re not in touch. That all died a long time ago. I wrote Tuomas [Holopainen, Nightwish band leader] a message when his father passed, so we’re fine.”

Do you want more of a relationship with them, or are you happy with how things are?

“I’m happy. I don’t have any regrets. I hope they’re happy.”

You’re releasing a new retrospective of your solo career called Living The Dream. Why is now the time for a best-of album?

“It took catastrophically long to come up with this record because we had the Covid pandemic; I’m still doing those tours that have been postponed since 2020. I feel like this is a good time because In The Raw, my last album, was my most personal. It came from the shock of my stroke [in 2018] and the struggles with my health. Now, I can release this and start again. It can be the platform for a new album and new start.”

How are you feeling nowadays?

“I’m very good, thank you. Probably in a better condition than ever, physically. The stroke was caused by stress. I’m an artist, not the boss, so when my husband [who’s also Tarja’s manager] stayed home [and I went on tour], I needed to handle things I was not ready to face. When there was a problem, people came to me.”

Why did he stay home?

“Our daughter had been touring with me since she was a baby and, when she turned four, we wanted her to go to school. I had to leave [to go on tour] and closing that door was a bitch. That was the hardest thing to do.”

How did you recover?

“I got a mentor. I had talks with a very old Argentinian man that were a sort of therapy. He just made me realise that I need positive people around me, so that my artistic wings can spread wide open and I can be happy.”

What can you tell us about that new album you mentioned?

“I’m currently writing songs for it, but I can already say to you that it’s pretty heavy. It’s because of my live band. They are absolutely amazing musicians and, when they play, it’s a massive support for me and my big voice. They lift me up with their energy, so this is going to be really powerful, with metal guitars and grooving bass and drums.”

[thatscarletflycatcher]

I'm reading an essay by author Marcos Aguinis titled El Atroz Encanto de Ser Argentinos, The Atrocious Charm of being Argentinians, and while it is generally interesting to me as a dive into the Argentinian psyche, and also food for thought and honing of the idea that Argentinians and Americans have, in terms of national spirit, many, many similarities (a thought I most desperately need to refine down to exact definitions that will stop both Argentinians and Americans to get very pissed by it, because I meant it in the most positive way possible), I reached a part where he reproduces in full a satirical email chain, and it's too good not to be translated here for your enjoyment:

How A True Argentinian Should Behave

While driving:

systematically bother the one behind you; at the same time, blink lights and honk to the one ahead of you. You are super fast and nobody can defeat you.

The indiscriminate use of the honk is capable of dissolving a traffic jam on Córdoba street at 6pm.

The Law of Mass is valid. For example, if you are driving in a 4x4 and by your right your "opponent" cruises in a small Fiat, who has the right-of-way? Bingo!

Read the new traffic law: bikes, motorbikes and motorcycles can go in whatever fashion and direction they want; the helmet can be worn at the elbow, so that the hair can enjoy the breeze.

The pedestrian has a right to nothing, but cross wherever they want. If your insurance payments are up to date, run them over; that will teach them to respect you.

The white lines on street corners are just decoration for the asfalt. Nobody knows who the irresponsible guy who told pedestrians they should cross the street by them.

The car on your side is your mortal enemy.

The car manufacturers commited a complete inconsistency: they put in three pedals, when the vast majority of drivers only has two legs. Don't be confused: eliminated the middle one.

Blinking your lights enables you to do whatever crosses your mind. Not blinking them enables you all the same.

The red light on traffic lights indicates "danger!" you must, then, speed up as much as possible and get out of there ASAP.

Ambulances, firefighters and police can wait. Nobody in the Universe has as much a need to reach destination as you.

At a public bathroom:

Do not press any buttons, in case your fingers might get dirty or cramp.

It is to be assumed that there will be paper, soap, and hand dryers, and that everything will work to perfection.

Use aaaaaaaaaall the paper you want; the one that comes after you won't need it.

Throw all that paper into the wc. Modern physics has demonstrated that it disintegrates in water.

Do not forget to carry a safety pin with you, to write on doors and walls the first stupid thought that comes to your mind. Another one, more stupid than you, will find it funny.

On everyday life:

If it rains and you have an umbrella, walk below roofs and balconies, God forbid your umbrella gets wet.

If you don't have an umbrella, and it starts raining, run like desperate, because once you reach the speed of sound, rain will no longer wet you.

If at a shop you don't find the garment you are looking for, don't be impatient: make the clerk show you all the garments. That way they will be kept nimble and alert at work.

Take a cup of coffee or a soda at a cafe, and never forget to tip 5 cents. The little coins are useful for the bus fare.

If you are calling from a public phone booth, and the number you are calling is busy, insist again and again. The ones waiting in line don't have anything else to do.

At home:

If you live on the top floor, don't forget, before taking the elevator, to call up all the other elevators, so that those who are below and want to go up have time, while they wait, to reflect on what they did during the day.

If, on the contrary, you live on the ground floor, do as well call the elevators, which will allow the neighbours living above you the extra time to plan their activities for the day.

Take the trash out whenever you want. You pay so many taxes that you have a right to expect there to be municipal employees ready to collect it at any time.

Saying "good morning", "excuse me", "I'm sorry", and "thank you" have gone out of fashion.

The windows were invented so that you can have a clean house without the disgrace of having to collect trash in smelly cans. Besides, it's very, very, very funny to throw heavy things from your window or balcony.

At the office:

Keep in mind that locks were created by a guy who resented society and wanted to create a test of ingenuity.

Everything is public property, even the belongings of the people working there. Did you forget to buy cigarrettes? No problem: there's always some other kind smoker to whom it is no extra cost to keep up your vice for eight or nine hours.

If you smoke, close the windows, so the rest can share on the smoke that your generous puffs produce.

Comments such as "you look terrible", "that looks hideous on you", "what an idiot you are" help to boost the self esteem of your subordinates.

It is valid and healthy to note to your female coworker that she has gotten fat.

Same applies to the male coworker that is balding.

Speak very loud, that's how people will listen to you, respect you, and even answer.

The person in charge of cleaning has a servant's mindset. Dirty things up thoroughly, so that they can enjoy cleaning your office and making it spotless.

[corneille-moisie]

tbh having ryonai bring blam honey back with kiwamu's help in the early 2010's was unexepected but its one of the only reason we got hd version of some songs.

or some songs at all... do you know how difficult it was to find ANY blam honey in the early 2000 ? i had scoured the internet and all i could find was like 3 songs.

Thing is if you had a bit of money, the albums/singles/tapes were regularly-ish available on japanese auction sites, but i didnt have money and, idk about now but, japanese fans were not prone to share mp3s, at the time. so you had to cross your fingers that either someone french or argentinian had uploaded it. (or actually you had to ask the frenchs cause they were dicks about how "hard this was to find and whats in it for me" and the argentinians probably had a blog and was happy to share everything as long as you gave them credit)

im glad that blam honey songs are easier to find, now. thats true for many other bands too. there was a thrill to find rare stuff at the time, sure. but its a better thing that its all more accessible, now, i think. are there still people hogging access to some old demo tapes cause they "had to work for it" ? Sure. but i find they are far less common than 12-15 years ago.

there is no point in hoarding weird japanese music from the 90's without sharing it anymore. i glad people seemed to finally understand that theres no point in being the only person listening to a song. songs are meant to be shared !

[feelings-fortilly]

About:  Tilly Beaumont

PERSONAL:

Full Name:  Natalie Faith Davenport Beaumont Nickname:  Tilly Do they like their nickname?:  Yes - she chose it, and if you call her Natalie you will get a perfect manicure poked into your eyes. Birthday:  June 10, 1997 Birthplace:  Los Angeles, CA Hometown:  Hollywood Hills, CA Species:  Human, Empath Ethnicity:  English, Spanish, Scottish, Argentinian Religion:  None Pets:  She would love a fluffy white cat to decorate in bows and scarves - but alas. Major:  Dance and Fashion Design Minor:  Method Acting Current Occupation:  Salesperson at Island Pleasures (she’ll say she doesn’t need the money, she mostly wants the employee discount) Sexuality:  Straight Relationship Status:  Single Do they drive?  What kind of car do they own?:  Back home she has a champagne BMW.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE:

Height:  5′6 Body Type:  Slim and a little rawboned Hair Color:  Naturally dirty blonde, dyes it platinum or sometimes a copper red, depending on the season or her mood.  Has been a brunette - it truly depends. Hair Type:  Straight Hair Style:  She typically just keeps it naturally straight, but sometimes she’ll blow it out or style it in intricate updos.  She doesn’t like curling her hair. Eye Color:  Dark brown Glasses/Contacts?:  She has contacts.  Tilly does have rose gold rimmed glasses that she never ever wears - emergencies only. Prominent Features:  Tilly likes to say her entire being is a prominent feature. Scars:  Under her chin from a swing set chain when she was eight. Tattoos:  A tiny crescent moon on her left ankle - it was a stick and poke at a party. Piercings:  Three on each ear Health Problems or Conditions:  She does a bit of an alcohol/drug problem, which leads to other problems. Style:  Expensive.  Floral and babydoll dresses, sometimes she’ll just wear satin nightgowns/slips as outfits.  Almost always heels - she doesn’t own many flat shoes.  Rarely  Notable Jewelry:  She has a gold star necklace that she does wear a lot. Grooming:  Tilly never shows up looking anything less than perfectly put together.  She’s very clean, taking her beauty standards and skincare routines very seriously.  Lots of lotions and hair and face masks, her nails and toes are always done.

PAST:

Mother’s Name:  Lucille Mother’s Maiden Name:  Davenport Status:  Alive Relationship:  Tilly and her mom are fairly close.  Lucille was a model when she was Tilly’s age, who starred in a couple of movies here and there - it’s how she meant her father.  That gave them a nice bond.  Lucille cares a lot about her looks, her beauty, and fashion, which she shared with Tilly, her first daughter.   Father’s Name:  Harry Beaumont Status:  Alive Relationship:  Harry dotes on her, as she’s his only daughter.  She’s definitely a daddy’s girl - he spoils her rotten, even when it’s against her own good.  She has a lot of respect for him, looks up to him a lot.  They have a great relationship, as best as they can when the both of them are always on the move.   Siblings:  Samuel (+3), Darlie (-8, half sister), and Jack (-9, half brother) What was their childhood like?:  The Beaumonts had literally everything they ever wanted.  Extravagant birthday parties, summer and winter homes, every pet they could ask for.  Samuel was always busy training as a baseball pitcher (he currently plays in the MLB for the Diamondbacks), and Tilly had her acting and theater.  Lots of time split between parents after they divorced, but that meant double the gifts for affection.  Lots of her childhood was spent on TV sets, and as she grew into her teenage years, she got more into parties and slacking off and “trying to make as many memories as possible”. Earliest Memory:  Christmas dinner when she was 2 and her parents got them each a puppy. Happiest Memory:  Her first day on set of Found Family, the TV show she was on that ran for five seasons. Saddest Memory:  Her first day of the first stint in rehab. Education:  Tilly was essentially homeschooled on sets, but because of the rigorousness some of these teachers were, she always says she got some of the finest education with private tutors. Past Jobs:  She was a child actor on Barney, the Found Family, then a few short lived, one season shows, TV movies, some theatrical releases, and a pilot for Disney Channel that ended up not getting picked up.  She has a lot of LA theater on her resume as well, and some sparse indie film as she got older.  She’s also been a spokesperson for a few makeup and beauty brands, advertising on her Instagram. Police Record:  Some drug charges that got dropped, and some speeding tickets. Major Past Trauma/Illness - Are they still affected?:  Being in the spotlight with the demands from producers and directors to child actors always have some negative effects.  Tilly’s always had an inflated sense of self anyway, which meant that any question of that, or really any adversity, was harder for her.  She’s obsessed with her looks and keeping herself thin, which has led to unhealthy habits.  It was easier for her to cope with what she considered “failure” with the ways other teen stars did - alcohol and drugs.  The psychological effects of that didn’t help her any either, heightening her emotions and making her anxious and depressed.  She still isn’t totally over her addictions either.

SEX & ROMANCE:

First crush:  She had a crush on one of the recurring actors in Found Family. First sexual experience - Was it a good or bad one?:  Tilly was shooting a teen drama when she was 15, and one of the boys in the cast was 16 and they both had been flirting with each other the whole time.  They were filming on his 17th birthday, so Tilly’s present to him was for some alone time in his trailer.  It was a lot of fun. Sexual Type:  Switch, but she teeters more into submissive for the show of it. Turn Ons:   Role Play, Giving/Receiving Oral, Bondage, Sensory Play, Spanking, Lingerie, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, Multiple Partners, Orgasm Control, Foreplay, Rough Sex, Hair Pulling, Praise/Compliments, Public Sex, Dub-Con, Consensual Non-Con Turn Offs:  Bathroom Play, Non-con, Infantilism, Feet Love Type:  Tilly likes being spoiled, and does care a lot about looks - if they look good together, that’s even better.  It’s hard for her to let other people know the real her.  She’d want to be adored and loved, but she’s also the biggest hype-woman on earth.  To friends or romances, she loves inflating their egos and making them know how important they are - they have to get onto her level, of course. Significant Past Relationships:  None that lasted longer than a couple of months.  She’s never had anything significant past short-lived boyfriends and the semi-frequent hookup while she was single - which wasn’t often.

MENTAL WELLNESS:

Psychological Issues/Mental Illnesses:  Addiction Outlook on Life:  Life is too short not to have the most fun possible. Myers-Briggs Personality Type:  ENFP Temperament:  Sanguine Sun Sign:  Gemini Moon Sign:  Leo Rising Sign:  Capricorn Venus Sign:  Cancer Alignment:  Neutral Evil Hogwarts House:  Slytherin What/Who do they value most?:  Her clothes, her jewelry, her hair. What/Who are they willing to die for?:  Not many.  Some of her close friends, her family.  Most of the time. Personal Philosophy:  You can never be overdressed or overeducated.  But especially not overdressed. Biggest Fear:  Failure, or being considered irrelevant.  Being forgotten. Are they superstitious?:  Yes - she believes in zodiacs, in witches, and her being an empath has always had her thinking she was in tune to things other people weren’t, or that there were other powerful forces in the universe.  She was ecstatic to be proven right when she got to the Institute. Greatest Strength:  Her confidence. Greatest Weakness:  Her pride.  She can’t back down or admit when she’s on any kind of losing side.  She has a very hard time being wrong. Good Characteristics:  Tilly is very fashionable, and actually quite charitable.  She likes making people feel good about themselves, to the best of her ability.  She isn’t the type of girl that will ever tear others down, even she has a sort of stuck-up look.  She is a good friend with the few she has, she likes to spoil them and make sure they feel special on birthdays, or bad days.  Bad Characteristics:  She’s not humble, by any means.  She’s very much the kind to brag about her accomplishments, then remind the other that “it’s no competition.”  And Tilly is incredibly selfish, because at the end of the day, the most important person to Tilly, is Tilly. Favorite thing about themself?  Why?:  Her looks.  Second, her talent. Least favorite?  Why?:  Her voice.  Someone told her once it doesn’t match her face, and it’s bothered her since.  It’s one thing she can’t really change. Biggest regret:  She has none.  Truly, she isn’t someone who regrets - everything happens for a reason, and everything makes a good story. Proudest moment:  Going to her first awards show - Found Family was nominated for a Golden Globe in its first season. Quirks:  She only takes her coffee with cinnamon in it.  When she’s thinking hard, she bites her lip and screws her eyes shut to concentrate.  She has to have a clean face before she goes to sleep. How are they in crisis?  Tilly is very good in crisis.  She’s had to deal with lots of crisis in party situations, after-parties, vacations, club settings - she’s seen a lot.  And somebody always has to stay calm and not freak out.  She’s an actress, she’s good at it.   What do they wish to change most about themself?:  She doesn’t want to be an addict anymore.  She thinks it’s fun, and she needs it for having good times and getting through the day, but she hates the dependence.  

SPEECH & COMMUNICATION:

Pace:  Even and sure of herself. Voice Tone:  Often inflected, but her voice is more melodic than she gives it credit for.   Accent/Dialect:  She slips into the Valley Girl accent a bit, especially when she’s been drinking.  She will deny it, though. Speech Patterns:  It’s not something she does on purpose, but the ends of her sentences always seem to be like questions, even when they aren’t. Favorite Words/Phrases:  Not so much anything verbal, but she is known to roll her eyes and scoff a lot.   Mannerisms/Demeanor:  Confidence.  She speaks every word with conviction.   Posture:  She stands straight, all the time.  Walks through life unflinching. Gestures:  Tilly uses her hands, a lot.  She’s not over-the-top about it or anything, but she’s a very touchy feely girl, even in casual conversation, not just flirting. How good are they at lying?:  Very good.  Tilly justifies it because she’s an actress.

BEHAVIOR:

Finances:  Tilly is not good with money, it’s typically wasted on booze and clothes and makeup... but is that really a waste, when you think about it? Alcohol Use:  Often.  The fruitier, the better.  The hangover is worth the taste. Drug Use:  Also often, but the “glamorous” drugs - cocaine, LSD, acid, mushrooms, weed.   Morning/Night Person?:  Night person.  If it were up to her, the day wouldn’t have to start until noon. Morning Routine:  Wake up, wash her face.  She doesn’t often drink coffee, only when she’s hungover.  Otherwise, it’s an iced matcha latte in the morning for breakfast, sometimes a bagel.  But that’s rare.  It takes her some time to do her hair and makeup and pick out an outfit, so that tends to bleed into the day routine - none of her classes are before 11am, if she can help it. Day Routine:  She’ll go to the dance studio and choreograph something for herself.  She’ll take videos of it, sometimes.  She’ll go to the gym right after, or do some other kind of workout.  She’ll take a shower, then take a half hour cat nap.  If she doesn’t have any workouts, she’ll go shopping, or window shopping if there’s nothing she likes.  Grab lunch with a girl friend, or someone she met the night before for a little date. Evening Routine:  Typically, she goes out in the evening.  It’s not far off from her morning routine, picking out an outfit and getting herself dolled up for a night on the town.  She spends it dancing in clubs, or drinking, or finding her way into someone’s nice, hopefully four-poster bed - anything not in the cells. Night Routine:  Unless she sleeps over someone’s house, she has her whole evening skincare routine.  It helps wind her down.  Then she’ll read a book until it makes her fall asleep.  If she’s not in the cells, she will still find time to wash her face - she’s very meticulous about it. Sleep Habits:  She’s a heavy sleeper, so she’ll sleep right through the night.  Snores when he’s really tired, but never talk about it. Special Skills:  Dancing, singing.  She’s good at sewing.  She loves fashion - at work she’ll dress up mannequins every day, so the storefront looks different and has variety, showing off her skills and the merchandise.  She loves listening to showtunes, it’s her first love. Unskilled at:  Academics.  Most sports.  Sharing.  Video games.  And driving - she’s not a careless driver on purpose, but she likes to go fast and is pretty addicted to her phone.  She’s not a good reader, but she’ll still read - it just takes her longer. Hobbies:  Makeup, fashion.  She reads fashion magazines like the bible, but does like the occasional thriller or romance.  If she had her own kitchen, she’d be baking, but only small portions.  She does really like the beach, laying out in the sun - except it’s mostly shade, because she isn’t risking wrinkles to her pale skin for that extra bit of warmth.  Watching soap operas and other daytime television.

FAVORITES (AND OTHER MISCELLANIA):

Book:  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Movie:  Legally Blonde TV Show:  The Young and the Restless Album:  Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream Artist:  Taylor Swift Song:  Like a Prayer by Madonna Sport/Sport Team:  The Westminster dog shows Color:  Pink.  Or red.  Sometimes gold.  And silver, too. Meal:  Cheesecake Drink:  Grey Goose Cosmo Snack:  Heart-Shaped Lollipops Outfit:  A pink slip used as a dress with ankle high, white go-go boots, along with a leather jacket and sparkly clutch purse. Quote:  “She’s like a dream girl.  And I think a dream girl should live in a dream world. Prized Possession:  She has a lot of vintage perfumes she hoards and protects.