#because this is the genesis of riley's name

[marypsue]

There are two ways my original characters get named:

So the character who inspired her has the first name Jade, so I tried out some rock/crystal/semiprecious stone names, and I got to Amber, which reminded me of Amber Riley, and I liked 'Riley' better as a first name. Also, her mom's last name is Jones and her dad's last name is Graham, as a wink and a nod to the author of the character who inspired her, but she uses the last name Loomis, which she chose, because the character who inspired her also chose her own name, although that was her first name. And the last name Loomis is a reference to both Halloween and Scream, two iconic slasher movies, and this whole story is about meta slasher horror, and also Dr. Loomis in the Halloween series is, if sometimes a little intense, mostly on the side of the angels, but Billy Loomis in Scream is a villain, and the central tension of this story is about whether its protagonists are heroes or villains and what makes the difference anyway -

That's just their name.

[johnhardinsawyer]

This Here Spirit

John Sawyer

Bedford Presbyterian Church

7 / 16 / 23 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost / Proper 10

Romans 8:1-11

Genesis 25:19-34

“This Here Spirit”

(And This Here Flesh)

There is a beautiful book by Cole Arthur Riley that came out last year.  The book is called This Here Flesh and it is a spiritual autobiography in which Riley, who is a young black woman from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, tells her story through the lens of her family, her faith, her body (which is immunocompromised),[1] and her journey of learning to love herself.

The title, This Here Flesh is based on a scene from Toni Morrison’s literary masterpiece (and sometimes, banned book), Beloved, in which a character named Baby Suggs preaches a sermon to a congregation of traumatized formerly-enslaved people.  She tells them that they need to learn to love themselves because other people will not.  Baby Suggs says,

“Here, in this here place, we flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs, flesh that dances on bare feet in grass.  Love it.  Love it hard.  Yonder they do not love your flesh.  They despise it.  They don’t love your eyes. . .  No more do they love the skin on your back. . .  And O my people they do not love your hands. . .  No, they don’t love your mouth.  You got to love it. . . And O my people, out yonder, hear me, they do not love your neck unnoosed and straight.  So love your neck. . .”   She goes on from there. . . and closes by saying, “Love your heart.  For this is the prize.”[2]

Of course Baby Suggs is speaking to people who do not, exactly, look like most of us or share our life’s experience.  But so many people wrestle with the challenges of being in the flesh and not being able to love the flesh they’re in.  Maybe they are told – implicitly or explicitly – that their flesh is unlovable because of the color of their skin, or because they are trans, or because they don’t have flesh that “conforms with the norms” that our abnormal society places on people.  Or maybe they have never loved their own flesh because they have been taught that it is not good enough, or pretty enough, or skinny enough, or healthy enough.

This goes deeper than body image, though, or what we see when we look in the mirror.  Over the centuries, there has been this prevailing view – at least in Western culture and in the church – that the flesh is somehow bad (sinful) and the spirit (or soul) is good.  But, as Cole Arthur Riley writes,

We are remarkably material beings.  When we speak of bearing the image of God, I believe no small part of that is a physical bearing.  You may have heard it said, “You don’t have a soul.  You are a soul.  You have a body.”  I’m not sure exactly where this notion came from, but the sentiment survives.[3]  

On the surface, we actually see this sentiment at work in today’s first reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.  Paul sets up a pretty stark contrast between life in the sinful flesh that is condemned to death and life in the Spirit that is set free from sin and death.  As Paul says, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”  (Romans 8:9b-10). To simplify this message, some people might interpret it to mean, “Body bad.  Spirit good.”

I think that a lot of people find the contrast or division between body and spirit to be, somehow, easier to categorize and explain and therefore, understand.  You and I are always trying to simplify the world’s complexities so that we can try to understand the world.  And so, we – or people we know – have said, “Well, I am sinful, and a lot of my sinfulness is borne out in the weakness of my body in that it feels hunger, and pain, and sickness.  Oh, and my body is mortal:  it will stop working someday, which can’t be good.  Also, I am tempted to sin because of the appetites that my body has for things like food and drink, pleasure and intimacy, and my appetites can get all out of whack and start to rule the rest of my life, so this must mean that my weak, fallible, human body –with all of its appetites – is bad.  Oh, but my spirit – my soul – is something that is spiritual.  It finds its source in God and God isn’t bad, so. . .”  Body bad.  Spirit good.

This “body bad/spirit good” message has been amplified by so many throughout the centuries – from certain interpretations of Paul, to St. Augustine, to the leaders of umpteen Bible studies on sexual abstinence for teenagers when I was growing up.  For the record, I think Paul’s whole body/spirit dichotomy is a lot more nuanced than most people give Paul credit for being – and we’ll come back to this idea in a minute.  Cole Arthur Riley refutes the strict body bad/spirit good dualism. In thinking about how God became human, she writes,

Many of us, in pursuit of the spiritual, become woefully neglectful of the physical.  We concern ourselves with a doctrine of salvation that is oriented around one underlying hope: heaven.  And our concepts of heaven are often disembodied – a spiritual goal to transcend the material world eternally. . .  I don’t know much about heaven, but I have no reason to believe it won’t be made right here.  Our tales of Christian escapism lead us to the place where the physical is damned and the immaterial is glorified.  Where the only holy things are invisible.  [But] how could you expect me to believe this when I’ve met a God who drank from the breast of his creation?[4]

To put it another way, body and spirit are a lot more connected than we might think – intertwined, because, in the incarnation – when God became human in the birth of Jesus – body and Spirit were intertwined.  Connected.  Not separated. . .  They still are connected – always have been, always will be.  But what does this look like in the world as we see it and know it?  It might sound strange for me to say that today’s story from Genesis – the story of Jacob and Esau – contains a good mixture of flesh and Spirit for us to examine.  

The story of Jacob and Esau is a story of fleshy human struggle, discord, and appetites (both literal and figurative appetites), and yet the Spirit is somehow present and at work through it all.  We see the Spirit opening Rebekah’s womb after Isaac prays to God that they might have a child.  And we see God blessing Isaac and Rebekah doubly with the birth of not just one, but two sons.  The Bible also gives us the fleshy details of how the two twins struggle with one another in the womb, causing Rebekah great discomfort in her pregnancy.  She actually prays, “If it is to be this way, Lord, why do I live?” (Genesis 25:22). She’s not the first – or last – pregnant woman to pray such a prayer.  According to the story, the message she gets back from God is that,

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”  (25:23)

Already, we see that there is going to be some trouble, here.

The Bible does not give us any of the fleshy details of the birth, except to say that Esau is red and hairy and that Jacob literally comes out of his mother’s womb holding his twin brother’s heel.  In the original language, the name Jacob means “one closely following” or “supplanter.”[5]  By the way, to “supplant” someone means “to supersede another by force or treachery.”[6]  Names can be oh, so powerful!  I know someone who named his son “Justice,” and you know what – that kid is pretty awesome and not afraid to stand up for. . . you guessed it:  justice.  Call someone “Justice” or “Peace” or “Mercy” enough and they might just live up to the name.  But to call someone “Supplanter” their whole life would be kind of like naming a child, “Thief” or “Dishonest.”  We see Jacob, the heel-grabbing supplanter, living up to his name in today’s story.  You see, Esau is born first, which entitles him to all of his father Isaac’s wealth.  Everything that Isaac (an only child) has inherited from his wealthy father Abraham should go to Esau.  But Jacob – through being treacherously sneaky – takes his brother’s birthright.  

In this story, we see the fleshy hunger and impatience of Esau.  We also see the fleshy heel-grabbing sneakiness of Jacob.  “I’m so hungry that I’m about to die,” Esau says.  “Well if you’re that hungry, give me your birthright because, right now, I’m not entitled to inherit anything,” Jacob says.  First of all, while Esau is likely very hungry, chances are, he’s exaggerating a bit when it comes to being about to die.  And second, are we supposed to admire Jacob for being so sneaky?  I must admit that when I heard this story as a child, I kind of liked the fact that Jacob tricks his dumb older brother, especially in the story from Genesis 27 and 28 of how Jacob gets his father Isaac‘s blessing by taking advantage of Isaac‘s blindness.  Some might say that Jacob is being shrewd here – making smart moves in order to get ahead which could, somehow, be all part of God’s plan.  But is the Spirit of God really at work through treachery and deceit?  Is this what we are to glean from today’s story?  

I do know some people who read stories like this from the Hebrew Bible, and use them as examples to say, “Well, the appetites of Esau and the cleverness of Jacob are all part of God’s plan.”  Or they might say something like, “Stories like this reveal the some of the reasons why human beings need Jesus.”

It is clear to me in the reading of these old stories that the Spirit of God is somehow at work – growing and preserving God’s chosen people over the generations.  But if we follow the lineage of Jacob all the way through the Hebrew Bible and into the New Testament, God sure takes a circuitous route to bring Jesus into the world.  There has to be some of the Holy Spirit at work through the fleshy family of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all who come after them.  Like every family tree, there are going to be some branches that just don’t grow right – folks who don’t live up to God’s high expectations.  The Bible is filled with stories of people like this – stories of some who are even condemned for how they act, how they treat others, who or what they worship.  

And yet, as I have said before, God still somehow chooses to work through people who are living in this here flesh – just like the flesh we are living in.  What makes the difference – no matter what our flesh may be like – is that just as we are living in the flesh, we have been given the Spirit of God, who lives in us.  The good news is that God still chooses to work through this here flesh by the power of this here Spirit – the Spirit that is alive and among us, within and around us:  leading us to faith, calling us to faithfulness, inspiring good works, and giving us the very ability to love as God loves, and mercifully forgiving us when we fall short – which we always do, and yet God, in Jesus Christ, is always merciful.  

As Paul writes, even though our flesh is so fragile and fallible, so sinful and sneaky, there is no condemnation because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.  We are no longer in the flesh – or rather, ruled by the flesh.  There is something far more powerful than us at work.  Will we sin and stumble?  Yes.  We are still human.  But God is merciful – there is no condemnation – because the love of Jesus is more powerful than human sin, and the Holy Spirit gives us life – right here, and now.

Maybe this is part of what Cole Arthur Riley means when she writes, “I don’t know much about heaven, but I have no reason to believe it won’t be made right here.” [7]  Or, as Jesus teaches us to pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” . . . in this here flesh, by this here Spirit.  Or, as Paul writes – beautifully blurring the flesh/spirit dividing line –  “[the One] who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through the Spirit that dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

God’s Spirit dwells in the flesh – in this here flesh. . . in your flesh and mine – giving life to our mortal bodies. . . on earth as it is in heaven.  Remember this the next time you look in the mirror and are tempted see the flesh that you don’t like instead of the Spirit that dwells in you.  Remember this the next time you see or hear about the flesh and spirit of another person not being loved or honored as the humble, but beloved, vessel of God’s Spirit that they are.  Remember the and embrace Spirit that dwells in you and do not be afraid of the flesh you’re living in.  

In the beginning, God made you and called you good.  God so loves you – and your flesh – that the Spirit has come to stay, and bless, and grant you life in your mortal body.  On earth as it is in heaven.  Thanks be to God.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

-----------

[1] Cole Arthur Riley, This Here Flesh (New York: Penguin Random House LLC, 2022) viii.

[2] Toni Morrison, Beloved (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1987) 88-89.

[3] Cole Arthur Riley, 57.

[4] Cole Arthur Riley, 57-58.

[5] F. Brown, S. Driver, and C. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1997) 784-785.

[6] Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield: Merriam Webster, Inc., 1988) 1185.

[7] Cole Arthur Riley, 57-58.

[rileyandrogyne]

when i was a little girl i was alone,

nobody wanted to play games with me,

the playground a dangerous place,

my mother would have to drag me through the school gates,

how many of those days ended with my tears?

sweet sixteen, in love with an old man,

i gave everything to him, my body, my soul,

breathing at his command and dying too,

my body and mind giving up the ghost.

childhood, growing up, a luxury some are denied,

i am still a child inside when he comes back,

in my mind so lonely and so weak,

femininity, what does it really mean? i don’t know,

is it what i could have been? if he hadn’t bitten into my heart,

i made it to 18, another milestone lost on me,

birthdays are stressful events, the realisation another year is gone,

“why do i still feel so stuck?” 18 was much the same as 16,

i have now been alive 22 years, i remain in limbo,

all these years of feeling different have tired me so,

i am not the girl i was, she is long buried,

riley genesis is my name, my only name,

they call me evangeline because they will never accept me,

being a girl hurt me beyond all pain, almost to death,

i wish to be me, unapologetically, and loudly,

quietness made me lonely, so here are my words,

flamboyantly, loud and colourful, my girlhood is dead and this is me.

[theamazingannie]

Do I know the facts of my case well enough to properly testify in court? No. Do I have established that my character is a lesbian who identifies with this case because her own parents weren’t happy about her marrying a woman and therefore she feels obligated to take the defendant down for murdering their child’s fiancée because the defendant hated the fiancée and while her wife helps her get dressed for court on the day of the trial does she solemnly wonder what her life would be like if her parents had tried to stop the wedding by killing the love of her life and imagining the pain she would feel not being able to hold her while they sleep at night? Absolutely. Why, what’s the problem?

[kallypsowrites]

Midnight Mass--What’s in an Episode Title

All right, this is the first of the Midnight Mass metas I’m putting out into the universe because it’s probably the thing that made me nerd out the most as a religion minor. I wanna talk about the episode titles of the show.

I was intrigued from the start to see why they were titled the way they were. Obviously there are many books of the bible and they had to choose seven of them. They went with:

1. Genesis

2. Psalms

3. Proverbs

4. Lamentations

5. Gospel

6. Acts of the Apostles

7. Revelations

First, I appreciated the fact that the books here are sorted in the order they appear in the bible and I also like that the first four are old testament references and the last three are new testament. This fits with the length of the old testament compared to the new.

Obviously Episode 1 and Episode 7 titles weren’t surprising. Put the first book of the bible as the first episode and the last book as the last. That’s sensible enough. And Psalms, Proverbs and Lamentations all featured key passages from the referenced book in the episode as the major theme. But what REALLY got me jazzed is the naming of episode 5 and 6 and how it matches with the content.

So, for those of you who aren’t particularly familiar with the bible, the Gospel is ‘the good news’. But specifically there are four gospels in the bible and they all tell the story (though it varies a touch in every version) of Jesus. His birth, life, death, and resurrection. The resurrection is the key part here. That’s the good news. The idea that Jesus died for our sins and stuff and then rose from the dead.

BUT the Gospel I want to spotlight today is Luke. Cause he actually wrote both the Gospel of Luke AND Acts (the Acts of the Apostles). His gospel ends with Jesus being taken back to heaven and leaving his disciples with a mission to spread the good news. And Acts shows the journey of those Apostles. Their lives spreading the news of Jesus and their various deaths (most of them met violent fates).

Obviously catholic references and imagery are frequently used as a vessel of horror in this show. But it’s not that simple. Because many of our good characters, the one’s we root for, are religious (some catholic and some muslim). The show is not a condemnation of religion. And this is shown in the fact that the episode titles don’t reflect the journey of our vampiric priest or Bev. They reflect the journey of Riley and Erin.

At the end of Lamentations, Riley appears to have died. In Gospel, he returns miraculously to life. He stays only long enough to pass on his knowledge to Erin so that she can do something to help the town. And then, as a demonstration of who he is, he lets the sun rise on him and ‘take him up into heaven’ as it were. The Gospel of Luke ends with Jesus ascending. Gospels ends with Riley’s final death. And just as the disciples are left to spread word of Jesus, Erin is left to spread the truth of the thing that is poisoning this town. She is the apostle in Acts, along with the other characters she tells. The truth she bears is “unbelievable”. And yet it is no less true.

Midnight Mass focuses a lot on imitation. A vampire that imitates an angel. Vampiric blood imitating communion. And Bev imitating a good person when she is rotten to the core. And yet through all of the lies, our heroes are the one’s actually bringing the truth. They are the ones actually sacrificing. Actually trying to help people even those that have hurt them. Trying to save people they have never met. They are outcasts--an addict, a prodigal daughter, a lesbian, a muslim man--but they are the ones who truly understand the meaning of the gospel. That it is not about them. It is about everyone. And this is clearly intentional based on these episode titles.

The gospel does not come from Father Pruitt. It comes from Riley. And the good news isn’t spread by the “apostle” Bev. It’s spread by Erin. 

And I just think that’s pretty neat

[spirallingintotheabyss]

Hey there, do you have any cool nonbinary name ideas or anything like that? I think I'm he/they if that helps

I have a list of names here!

Arkin

Arlen

Cosmo

Cedar

Hawk

Igor

Ike

Marlo

Mars

Nestor

Oak

Oz

Pax/Paxton

Roscoe

Rocket

Blue

Gray

Jupiter

Moon

Olwen

Storm

Nova

Eden

Horatio

Achilles

Patroclus/pat

Genesis

Kai

Leif

Zayd

Ace

Rowan

Brixton

Anakin (or any name from star wars)

Niko

Ronin

Delta

Wren

Aspen

Some of my oc names too because why not

Vetis

Tero

Zephyr

Lucis

Riley

Vincent

Orion

Malus

Ember

Any of the planets

A name of a character you like might work too!

I hope these help! These are just names I found and liked!

[sinceileftyoublog]

Small Isles Interview: Filmless Music

Photo by Dustin Aksland

BY JORDAN MAINZER

It’s rare that you find a record with a genesis as specific as The Valley, The Mountains, The Sea, the debut album from Small Isles. The new project of guitarist Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy, former Modest Mouse) and songwriter/composer Jacob Snider has its basis in film scoring. The catch? The films don’t exist. The Valley, The Mountains, The Sea is presented as an imaginary score to an imagined sequel to Ang Lee’s 1997 familial drama The Ice Storm, itself based on Rick Moody’s 1994 novel. And the band’s upcoming, unfinished EP, with strings arranged by Snider and recorded by collaborator Sienna Peck, is, according to the band, a distillation of the concept of the band, one that consciously combines film scoring motifs with traditional songwriting. In a way, you could say that Small Isles is music about film scoring as much as scores itself.

Fairchild and Snider hold the belief that film scores should hold their own as a piece of music independent of visuals, and on The Valley, The Mountains, The Sea, they announce themselves convincingly. Opening track “The Concept”--essentially the prototype for the band--combines vaguely harmonic deep bass sounds with pristine, echoing string plucks, and wordless vocals, building up like an Explosions in the Sky tune. Other tracks, too, juxtapose the ambient with recognizable structures. “Fort Wayne” shimmers atop a drum machine, while the vocal samples of “Maybe We Will” cut in and out among the beats and arpeggios. Each track also has a pristine sense of place, as much of the album was written while Fairchild was on tour with Modest Mouse, tracks like “Fort Wayne” and the washy, atonal “Lake Superior” started in those locations.

I spoke with Fairchild (calling from his home in Ojai, California” and Snider (calling from near Philadelphia) last week, a few days prior to the release of the album via AKP Recordings. (The album comes out on vinyl next month). Read our conversation below, edited for length and clarity, about the band’s artistic process, The Ice Storm, adapting the songs live, and what Small Isles has in common with Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour.

Since I Left You: You’ve called this record an imaginary score to an imaginary film. Did you think of the sequencing of the record in a narrative arc?

Jim Fairchild: Kind of, but honestly, there’s a sequence that originally existed, and I don’t remember what it was, and it would have been more aligned with what I pictured from the movie, but it didn’t work as well as a comprehensive piece of music. The last song on here, “The Plot to Take Clover”, that was earlier before. “Life at One”, the first single, really kicked off me and Jacob’s partnership. It was designed that way; it’s not the way the record plays out. I wrote all of the principle themes, the underpinnings of all the compositions, as an imagined score to some sort of a sequel to The Ice Storm. I don’t know exactly how it would play out with Rick Moody. The first one was really successful. I have this idea for a similar type of movie that takes place in contemporary California and all these cues I can use as a mood board. Like, let’s sit down and figure out what this palate is. Let’s write a movie around it. That’s what I was thinking.

SILY: You wrote a lot of this while on tour. Had you conceived of the idea before then and wrote while on tour because of your downtime, or was the downtime the launching point for the idea?

JF: I was totally inspired by the idea. I started some of the themes that popped up, but once the actual Ice Storm Ang Lee idea came to mind, it was really generative. It’s how a lot of this stuff works with me. It kind of floats around for a while, reaching out this way or that. Once the real kernel appears, it’s like, “That’s it!” It all happens pretty quickly. That was definitely the case with this. It was the real fine-tuning that’s the most time consuming. That’s what Jacob and I have experienced. The EP that we’re releasing later this year, basically how it’s worked so far is I send him a sequence of chords and basic rhythm, which happens pretty quickly. Then--and we’ve only done it on Zoom with the new EP, though it was the same with “Life at One”--there was this theme. Jacob came in, we were gonna write some other stuff. He came in with a mic and sang some stacked harmonies. Then it’s carving out all the other elements around that to make it. 

These are unconventional compositions. They’re meant to accompany visual ideas. With that in mind, cues and scoring music doesn’t always work in recorded music, traditionally speaking. There’s all these lengths, sometimes time signatures shift, a melody might exist in an unconventional way to fit what’s happening visually. I really wanted to embrace that. With “Life at One”, Jacob did all this stuff, and there’s this really interesting sound I don’t know how to describe. He asked, “What are those over there?” [My partner Natasha Wheat] had made these ceramic bells for me, and that’s the most fun part about working with Jacob. A lot of the people who are trained as Jacob is--and I say this with great admiration for his abilities--are stuck in certain modalities. This is a perfect example. He looked at the bells and said, “Let’s do that.” He grabbed a drumstick and played the edge of these bells and processed them. That was a big feature in the composition of “Life at One”. This all happens very thematically and reflexively, but to then carve it up and get it to have purpose, meaning, ebb, and flow and make it work visually--that’s where the dirty shit happens. [laughs] I also look forward to when Jacob and I can be in person more. We’ve made a lot happen over the past 7 months, but it’s hard when you’re not in the same room. Plus, I’d like to show off. If he’s sitting right next to me, play some fast guitar...[laughs]

SILY: The title of the record refers to various aspects of topography, and there are song titles that refer to specific places, like “Fort Wayne” and “Lake Superior”. Do these aspects exist within the narrative of the film?

JF: “Lake Superior” and “Fort Wayne” were just started in those places, literally. I picture the Ang Lee movie--the new Ang Lee movie that is inevitably gonna take form because he’s gonna hear me and Jacob’s music and think, “You’re right, we gotta do this,”--in this zone a little bit east of Berkeley. It’s the West Coast equivalent of the Connecticut zone where The Ice Storm exists. It’s this affluent, green place. But the reason I chose to keep the others as titles is like, Fort Wayne, that’s pretty grand and has Batman implications. And Lake Superior, what a fucking great name for a lake, you know? I like the power of those, and if I were sitting down and writing a movie, those titles could be at least generative of a conversation.

SILY: What about the other song titles? What inspired them?

JF: “The Concept” is literally the concept for our band. The concept has expanded since then, but out of the ordinary--no sounds are out of the ordinary in modern production--but in the film scoring landscape, out of the ordinary, ambient, or textural sounds. But then big, beautiful melodies. Jacob’s voice. All that stuff. Synthesizing our two strengths. Jacob’s also a songwriter and makes amazing songs, but my background’s in bands, and so I treat our relationship as if it’s a band. Taking our two strengths. Jacob’s more conventionally trained, schooled, and knowledgeable than I am. He has a richer depth of knowledge in theory and orchestration. I can arrange that way, but he knows what’s going on. Mine is more reflexive--I don’t want to say auto-didactic because that’s kind of an arrogant term--but learning through mistakes. I think Jacob’s made fewer mistakes than I have.

SILY: What were all the instruments used on the record?

JF: There’s a lot of found stuff. 12-string guitar. I was writing it using this Rosewood Fender Stratocaster that Fender made for me. The 12-string is prominent on “Life At One”. There’s a piano Jacob played. There’s a lot of me coming up with drum beats. A lot of the initial stuff was in the box. I’d roll in my portable studio backstage, I’d have a guitar, Universal Audio space, whatever drums and synths I had.

SILY: What is your background in film scoring?

JF: I don’t have a specific background. From a very early age, I’ve been into film scores. I’d buy them starting when I was 15 or 16. CDs. Pretty obvious releases, but things like Danny Elfman’s Batman score, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Sort of getting into Jerry Goldsmith. Elfman, Morricone. I like some of the Bernard Hermann stuff. I started studying it from the way I study everything: figuring out chord sequences, the way the melodies work, to the degree I was able. In the early 2010s, I was making a lot of music that was getting licensed for TV. Once Modest Mouse really started touring [2015 album] Strangers to Ourselves, I let a lot of those pursuits wither a little bit. But I’d always longed for a collaboration. A lot of that stuff was done in a solitary way, so I felt very fortunate when Jacob and I met. He was into that idiom but has a range of skills I don’t have. We also really work well together. All the reflexive stuff that happens, the melodies, it’s easy for us to go back and forth and see what we’re into and where to keep going. Neither of us get upset when the other person isn’t feeling whatever the direction is.

As I get older, I realize the value of stimulating multiple senses. I look forward to Jacob and I doing more of this stuff in collaboration with people. The Riley Thompson video for “Life At One” was him responding to a finished track, but in an ideal world, filmmakers would come to us and, in the way Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross work with David Fincher, where he says, “This is the concept for the new film,” and Jacob and I come back and say, “This is the sonic and melodic landscape we’re thinking of, and here are some character cues. Let’s take it from there.” I love being in conversation with people collaboratively and am attracted to the idea of it across media.

SILY: Do you think the idea that the music might not be responding to a finished film would make the score stand on its own more as a piece of music?

JF: The scores that I like totally stand on their own as music. When Morricone passed away, I read that John Zorn had a quote when they were hanging out in the late 80′s or early 90′s, Zorn said, “Don’t do it unless you’re thinking about what the soundtrack record is gonna be like.” The music needs to be cool enough to just be music.

SILY: Tell me about the album art.

JF: Natasha and I sold our place in Los Angeles last year and moved to Ojai. We thought it was a temporary transition, and now it’s somewhat permanent, because we bought a place here. We’ve been in this guesthouse next door since November. I like taking pictures at night with whatever ambient light [there is], so I took that picture from our place. I wanted there to be contrast with this technicolor paint and silver border on the upper and lower parts of the image. Homes are very interesting to me, and there’s a lot of that in The Ice Storm. There’s that shelf people look at from the outside and think, “It could be dilapidated, it could be beautiful.” People think of it as a thing. But there’s this whole other world that only exists inside of there. It’s always fascinating to me when walking by the place. Stories in the shell. I like the idea of a structure having implications. I don’t have an agenda for what those implications might be, but I like the idea that there could be implications there.

SILY: Jacob, when Jim came to you with this idea, how aware were you of The Ice Storm?

Jacob Snider: I had seen it. I don’t know if in our first meeting, it came up that specifically and clearly that this is where the music was going. In fact, it started more as a casual meeting of creative types. When I came over to Jim’s studio, he just showed me the latest thing he was working on without any huge idea behind it expressed to me in that moment. Jim might have been thinking it in that moment, but that day was more, “Alright, I’m working on something, what do you hear and is there something you think you could contribute to it?” It was really organic. Like Jim mentioned before, the best thing you can do when making something is show it to somebody else, because they’re gonna hear it in a different way or they might suggest something if you’re open to it. People can make amazing solitary music, but it will always be just their thing. You bring in someone else, there’s a different energy, a different perspective. 

As it stands, I do love that film. It’s really haunting. Jim and I talked before that it’s not a movie you can watch every week. It’s heavy, and the themes are deep: family, loss, grief, betrayal. It’s a great one. I think it’s a movie that’s cinematic but also has a lot of depth. I think that’s what we’re going for with Small Isles. It has shades of film music but also shades of rock and roll and romantic string writing from the orchestral traditions. I think we’re trying to combine a few things at once, and we’re really curious how it starts to strike people and how some filmmakers respond to it.

SILY: Are you both generally Ang Lee fans?

JF: I haven’t devoured all of his work. There’s plenty I like. But I’m so in love with [The Ice Storm]. I was in love with the book before the movie came out. He treated it so beautifully. As high in the sky as it is for two nascent film composers to say, “I want to work with Ang Lee,” it’s very important to know where you want to go. It may take a long time to get there, but [it’s important] to have a place where you’re headed. That was definitely the case in the early Grandaddy days, and having watched [Modest Mouse lead singer] Isaac [Brock] for as long as I did, I think it was the case there, too. It may not be as specific knowing that I’m traveling in this direction, but that direction can totally change. There can be diversions that knock you off your course positively or negatively, but thinking about how beautifully he treated that material, that’s where I want to go.

SILY: How are you adapting Small Isles to a live performance?

JF: We’re gonna play at least some of this, maybe all of this live. I’m really looking forward to it. Jacob’s only on half this record, and the 5-song EP we’re releasing later this year, he’s on all of. That’s a straight-up 50/50 collaboration. I’m looking forward to the stuff Jacob didn’t contribute to on the record, hearing what he does with strings. We’re still figuring out how we’re gonna approach it. Jacob will be on keys and vocals, and I might sing a little bit. I’ll be on guitar. Our friend Sienna who Jacob went to school with, who’s doing the strings, we’re talking about having her lead a double string quartet. I would like to have a drummer doing some electronic drums and maybe a kit as well. I definitely don’t imagine we’ll totally nail it on night 1. There’s a lot of stuff we have to work out. There aren’t many antecedents in this zone, but something like Explosions in the Sky mixed with Johann Johannsson. I saw [the latter] in 2010 in San Francisco; there was a little bit of strings, various electronics, and he was on piano. That was a very striking performance. So the explosiveness of a big arena rock show with lots of subtleties and nuance that can come from strings and orchestral.

SILY: What else is next for Small Isles?

JF: We wanna finish this EP. I also really love the way a lot of rap and hip-hop people have gotten it right over the years. Using current listening habits and technology to get out as much music as possible. I definitely have the seeds for at least another EP behind this. Once we get this EP done--there’s just a little bit of tinkering to be done over the next month before going into the mixing stage--I want to make as much music as possible and release it. With the spirits of the world willing, I want to get off the ground live and collaborate with filmmakers, dancers, artists, people in the visual medium. I just love making music with Jacob and this type of music. I’d like to have a few releases a year. EP length [or] album length. I have a number of concepts written down. The seeds that Jacob and I have been playing with to make the EP. I was thinking about The Last Black Man in San Francisco when making this EP, and I’d love to collaborate with those filmmakers. Even just being in person, to tell Jacob, “What do you think of this sequence?” and have him respond without dealing with latency issues and dodgy DSL.

SILY: Anything you’ve been listening to, watching, or reading lately that’s caught your attention?

Jacob Snider: I’ve been listening to a lot of pop. I’ve been listening to the Olivia Rodrigo record [Sour]. I think there’s great writing on there, great production. Watching, I’ll just piggyback on The Last Black Man in San Francisco. It took me a while to finally see it, but I had a filmmaker friend tell me I had to, and I loved it. Also the other film Emile Mosseri did the score for, Kajillionaire, the Miranda July film. Reading-wise, I’m about to jump back into Louise Erdrich’s The Round House.

JF: I’ve been digging the Olivia record, too.

JS: There’s some cool strings on there too from the guy who does a lot of the strings for Portugal. The Man, [Paul Cartwright]. They created a string orchestra sound with just one guy layering violin and viola, which is really cool, and that’s what we’re doing with our collaborator Sienna Peck. There’s totally room for that now, the way the world has been so remote. We can’t put 16 players in a room right now due to public health restrictions, so let’s get one person. It’s really hard to do--you can be a great violinist and not be able to layer yourself in a way that makes it sound like a string orchestra. You have to change your position in the room, the way you’re playing slightly, pretend to be three different people sharing a stand. That’s what you’ll hear on the next record.

JF: I just got into How to Change Your Mind, the Michael Pollan book about psychedelics, which I really loved. I just started a book called The Magic Years, which is about child development. I have a three-and-a-half-year-old son, and I’m very fascinated by what’s going on in his brain and what makes him make the decisions he makes. Just how to be a better dad. I am always a religious reader of The New Yorker, every week it comes out. Natasha and I watched The Kids, a documentary [about the making of Larry Clark’s Kids]. When that movie came out, Grandaddy were skateboarders, so it was important to us. But even as a young kid, I felt that it was really exploitative, and the documentary verifies it. It’s heartbreaking. Larry Clark is a really derelict dude. Truly lecherous. But [The Kids] is a beautiful movie. We’ve been watching Los Espookys. I’m really excited about Vince Staples’ upcoming record. My friend Nik Freitas put out a new song. My musical diet’s gotten really regressive in a way because my son is very into the Super Furry Animals record Radiator. It’s all he wants to listen to in the car.

[sfaira]

Hektor: 5, 9, 23, 25, 35, 36!

Again this is my only unpublished sketch I have somewhat ready to publish for the moment. I’ll have more Hektors once i get home and scan them from the sketchbook. It’s based on this. Load of text under the cut! 

…yyyes and no.  Hektor was not created based on existing face, so there’s no official faceclaim. Some actors have some vibes or look similar in certain movies, like young Jason Isaacs has a pretty good face shape here  and John Keery in Stranger Things is a teenage Hektor in some scenes. But I met only one person that had a face 1:1 how I imagine Hektor to look, and it was a skiing instructor in the Alps on Austrian/Italian border. I saw him in a line to a ski lift for like two minutes. 

As for the voiceclaim, I once decided that I want to find it among German voice actors, because Hektor speaks with German accent, and I guess I’m just picky, but couldn’t find the one. I liked  German voice actor of Deacon in Days Gone, and I just learned his name is Adam Nümm  so I’ll check and let you know :D The problem with Hektor is he’s such a downer, or angry or at least flat most of the time, and the samples are happy and cheerful and with energy it simply doesn’t sound like him. 

What is a random fact about your OC?

The color of his voice, according to Owl’s synaesthesia is green. 

What inspired me to create him/genesis. (I was sure I already shared this information, but apparently i haven’t so)

Hektor was created first for a WWII setting, and was supposed to be simply American, but my friend suggested German surname, which changed his nationality. This also sealed his fate as unloved third son, because at that time he was still supposed to be in American military, and I needed a reason why he left Germany in the 1930s. Then some random changes in player team for a campaign made me sign him up for a Fallout RP group, where he stayed, and which became his main and canonical setting. 

As for the character, the core of it never changed. Since the beginning the thought was for Hektor to be the person who works hard, and is ambitious, and never satisfied with people around him, and who is disliked by his environment for working hard and speaking up. I wasn’t aware of that then, but it was actually a reflection of how i felt in High School, and I basically created myself a determined friend who doesn’t give up, so being ambitious and loud would be easier for me. And then I dragged my poor friend through all the shitty and edgy roleplaying dramas that didn’t have anything to do with my life. He has now some very understandable in postapocalyptic world traumas I’m trying to help him with, but the base is heavy influenced by my own personality. 

How is your character’s imagination? Daydreaming a lot? Worried most of the time? Living in memories?He wouldn’t call it daydreaming, it’s planning. His general tired look comes not only from physical work, he does plan next move, next day of training, vengeance, how to get his NCR rank bank, what can go wrong and how to react to it… He needs to feel in control, and from this stems constant reviewing of thoughts. As for the memories - he would probably say he’s not sentimental at all, pfh, but he happens to zone out into memories of Riley (she died in Fallout setting). He always tries to think of something else when he realizes he does that, aaand we get back to constant planning again! 

What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively? What are they willing to do, to sacrifice, to obtain?

Nina. One is a great military career, getting recognised as a commander who changed something in war with the Legion, and the other is confronting his abusive family and taking revenge. Which would be obtained best through the first thing. He waited for a long time for the latter, almost resigned twice, but everything keeps getting back to revenge being his only aim left. 

I don’t know how much would he be willing to sacrifice. A lot. It scares me, honestly, because I wouldn’t want him to pay too high a price. We will see once the confrontation happens. 

Phew! I love when people ask about Hektor, thank you! 

[anonymous-wolf22]

Survey

Have a name survey because these are always fun.

Bold = like, italics = if I have to choose.

Boys

A Andrew vs. Aaron Alan vs. Alexander Aiden vs. Adam B Brennan vs. Brayden Brandon vs. Braxton  Bentley vs. Brimley C Cayden vs. Camden Cole vs. Cameron Cade vs. Chandler D Denver vs. Dallas Deklan vs. Dylan David vs. Dennis E Ethan vs. Ezra Eitan vs. Elijah Emmanuel vs. Eden

F Fabio vs. Ferdinand Finnegan vs. Finley Fernando vs. Frankie G Gavin vs. Gus Gumby vs. Gerrick George vs. Grant H Harper vs.Harley. Hayden vs. Henry Harlow vs. Hank I Ian vs. Ivan Indigo vs. Iris Indiana vs. Iris

J John vs. Jericho Jacob vs. Jameson Jasper vs. Jedidiah K Kayden vs. Koa Kent vs. Kyle Kevin vs. Konner L Lars vs. Liam Levi vs. Lance Lester vs. Lorenzo M Michael vs. Matthew Maverick vs. Mason Madison vs. Micah N Nolan vs. Nathan Niko vs. Nathaniel Nicholas vs. Nate O Ocean vs. Oscar Orville vs. Otis Otto vs. October P Patrick vs. Percy Preston vs. Paisley Parker vs. Passion Q Quincy vs. Quinn Quada vs. Quinten Quailen vs Quidditch R Raven vs. Riley Rowan vs. Rod Ray vs. Roy: S Skylar vs. Scott: Storm vs. Steven Sorin vs. Solomon T Trevor vs. Travis Todd vs. Taylor Taytum vs. Tanner U Ulysses vs. Uman Umbo vs. Uno Utah vs. Usher V Vance vs. Vincent Vern vs. Vayde Vernon vs. Vayden W Walter vs. Wyatt Wade vs. Winter Wallace vs. Whisper X Xenon vs. Xayden Xayler vs. Xavier Xandon vs. Xennan Y Yvonne vs. Yonder Yuletide vs. Yasser Yancy vs. Yancer Z Zeeland vs. Zayden Zion vs. Zenon Zander vs. Zenner

Girls

A Acacia vs. Alexa Aurora vs. Annalise Avonna vs. Alessandra B Brogan vs. Brooklyn Bianca vs. Brigitta Bailey vs. Brynn C Carlotta vs. Christine Cheyenne vs. Cescily Cecilia vs. Cassidy D Diedra vs. Delilah: Devia vs. Daytona Dakota vs. Darcy E Evonna vs. Eliana Emerald vs. Evangeline Eden vs. Eliza F Felicity vs. Fiona Faith vs. Faye Flavia vs. Flora G Grace vs. Gretchen Genesis vs. Galaxy Gabriella vs. Greta H Harper vs. Hope Holly vs. Hailee Harmony vs. Harvest I Imogene vs. Ivy Isabella vs. Iris Irene vs. Ingrid J Jessica vs. Jacinda Jade vs. Juniper Joanna vs. Joy K Kaleidoscope vs. Kaylee Kennedy vs. Kendall Katelyn vs. Katrina L Lacey vs. Linsey Lynnea vs. Liberty Lara vs. Lola M Morgan vs. Madison Mackenzie vs. Miranda Marissa vs. Monica N Nora vs. Natalie Nevaeh vs. Nicole Niki vs. Noelle O Ophelia vs. Ocean Olivia vs. Onna Opal vs. October P Passion vs. Primrose Penelope vs. Pixie Pandora vs. Palace Q Quintessa vs. Quincy Quaila vs. Quilala Queen vs. Quiencia R Reyna vs. Riley Rosanna vs. Rosemary Rhonda vs. Rodica S Skylar vs. Skye Serena vs. Simone Shailey vs. Sienna T Tessa vs. Taylor Tia vs. Tiana Taytum vs. Trixie U Una vs. Uta Ulyssia vs. Umba Ula vs. Ursula: V Violet vs. Vylette Veronica vs. Victoria Valencia vs. Valerie W Wynona vs. Whitney Wynter vs. Whisper Willow vs. Wanda X Xaila vs. Xara Xana vs. Xenon Xavier vs. Xena Y Yasmin vs. Yvonne Yvette vs Yolanda Yori vs. Yaya Z Zayara vs. Zion Zayana vs. Zoey Zen vs. Zara

Final questions! Your name (first and middle): Kai (don’t have a middle) Do you like it? Yes What your parents almost named you: Zach ;-; Your favorite girl’s name (first and middle): Kiana Nicole List five unique names of girls you have met: Kiana, Celaena, Princess, Ciara, and Layla

List five girl’s names you don’t like: Kathrynn, Becca, Analyse, Amanda, and Cathy List five girls name you really like: Celaena, Ciara, Xayna, Kiana, and Eva Your first best friend’s name: Kiana

Your siblings names: (oldest to youngest) Johnathon, Christopher, and Thomas The name of the first pet that you loved: .Gracie What you would be named if you were the opposite gender: Hmmm....  Xaira

[suckitsurveys]

Have a name survey because these are always fun.

Bold = like, italics = if I have to choose.

Boys

A Andrew vs. Aaron Alan vs. Alexander Aiden vs. Adam B Brennan vs. Brayden Brandon vs. Braxton ( I prefer Brendon) Bentley vs. Brimley C Cayden vs. Camden Cole vs. Cameron Cade vs. Chandler D Denver vs. Dallas Deklan vs. Dylan David vs. Dennis E Ethan vs. Ezra Eitan vs. Elijah Emmanuel vs. Eden: I prefer Eden for a girl.

F Fabio vs. Ferdinand Finnegan vs. Finley Fernando vs. Frankie G Gavin vs. Gus Gumby vs. Gerrick George vs. Grant H Harper vs. Harley: I like both of these for a girl, but I can see a boy named Harley. Hayden vs. Henry Harlow vs. Hank: I like Harlow for a girl, though I Ian vs. Ivan Indigo vs. Iris: Again, I like Iris for a girl. Indiana vs. Iris: ^

J John vs. Jericho Jacob vs. Jameson Jasper vs. Jedidiah K Kayden vs. Koa Kent vs. Kyle Kevin vs. Konner: I prefer the spelling Connor, though. L Lars vs. Liam Levi vs. Lance Lester vs. Lorenzo M Michael vs. Matthew Maverick vs. Mason Madison vs. Micah N Nolan vs. Nathan Niko vs. Nathaniel Nicholas vs. Nate O Ocean vs. Oscar Orville vs. Otis Otto vs. October P Patrick vs. Percy Preston vs. Paisley Parker vs. Passion Q Quincy vs. Quinn: I like Quinn for both. Quada vs. Quinten Quailen vs Quidditch: Seriously?? R Raven vs. Riley Rowan vs. Rod: I also like Rowan for either. Ray vs. Roy: S Skylar vs. Scott: Storm vs. Steven Sorin vs. Solomon T Trevor vs. Travis Todd vs. Taylor Taytum vs. Tanner U Ulysses vs. Uman Umbo vs. Uno: These are dog’s names Utah vs. Usher: ew no. V Vance vs. Vincent Vern vs. Vayde Vernon vs. Vayden W Walter vs. Wyatt Wade vs. Winter Wallace vs. Whisper: ew don’t name your kid Whisper X Xenon vs. Xayden: Girl of the 21st Century?? Xayler vs. Xavier Xandon vs. Xennan: no. Y Yvonne vs. Yonder: excuse me? Yuletide vs. Yasser: these are not names Yancy vs. Yancer Z Zeeland vs. Zayden Zion vs. Zenon: GIRL OF THE 21ST CENTURY. Zander vs. Zenner

Girls

A Acacia vs. Alexa Aurora vs. Annalise: Ugh I like both of these Avonna vs. Alessandra B Brogan vs. Brooklyn Bianca vs. Brigitta Bailey vs. Brynn C Carlotta vs. Christine Cheyenne vs. Cescily Cecilia vs. Cassidy D Diedra vs. Delilah: Devia vs. Daytona: No. Dakota vs. Darcy E Evonna vs. Eliana Emerald vs. Evangeline Eden vs. Eliza F Felicity vs. Fiona Faith vs. Faye Flavia vs. Flora G Grace vs. Gretchen Genesis vs. Galaxy Gabriella vs. Greta H Harper vs. Hope Holly vs. Hailee Harmony vs. Harvest: Yeek don’t name a kid Harvest. I Imogene vs. Ivy: I like both. Isabella vs. Iris Irene vs. Ingrid J Jessica vs. Jacinda Jade vs. Juniper Joanna vs. Joy K Kaleidoscope vs. Kaylee: Are you kidding me Kennedy vs. Kendall Katelyn vs. Katrina L Lacey vs. Linsey: But I prefer it Lindsey. Lynnea vs. Liberty Lara vs. Lola M Morgan vs. Madison Mackenzie vs. Miranda Marissa vs. Monica N Nora vs. Natalie Nevaeh vs. Nicole: PSA Stop naming girls Neveah it’s not clever. Niki vs. Noelle O Ophelia vs. Ocean Olivia vs. Onna Opal vs. October: Don’t name a kid October. That is a dog’s name. P Passion vs. Primrose Penelope vs. Pixie Pandora vs. Palace: Yikes. Q Quintessa vs. Quincy Quaila vs. Quilala: my brain hurts. Queen vs. Quiencia R Reyna vs. Riley: true story, I know twins named Raina and Riley. Rosanna vs. Rosemary Rhonda vs. Rodica S Skylar vs. Skye Serena vs. Simone Shailey vs. Sienna T Tessa vs. Taylor Tia vs. Tiana Taytum vs. Trixie: Tatum would be a better spelling. U Una vs. Uta Ulyssia vs. Umba Ula vs. Ursula: V Violet vs. Vylette Veronica vs. Victoria Valencia vs. Valerie W Wynona vs. Whitney: Winona though. Wynter vs. Whisper: Stop. Willow vs. Wanda X Xaila vs. Xara Xana vs. Xenon Xavier vs. Xena Y Yasmin vs. Yvonne Yvette vs Yolanda Yori vs. Yaya Z Zayara vs. Zion Zayana vs. Zoey Zen vs. Zara

Final questions! Your name (first and middle): Hannah Martina Do you like it? Yes. What your parents almost named you: Matilda Your favorite girl’s name (first and middle): Althea Janet and Frances Lorraine are the names of my favorite girls :D List five unique names of girls you have met: Calliope, Noemi, Iyla(eye-la), Luciana, McKenna....These are all kids in my niece’s class lol. List five girl’s names you don’t like: Addalyn, McKenzie, Madison, Paisley, anything with an unnecessary “leigh” List five girls name you really like: Cecelia, Ramona, Stella, Alex, Josie. Your first best friend’s name: Randal, Sarah, Ellen. Your siblings names: Corrina The name of the first pet that you loved: Featherbrain. What you would be named if you were the opposite gender: Dylan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

[ellvie]

aaaand here’s the connections list for all of my characters that i’ve basically ripped off of everyone else so under the cut you can find taken & wanted plots for all four of my chars! pls lmk if i missed smth or if you would like to plot!

elvie croft

twenty - four, youtuber/tv show host. obsessed with halloween, horror movies and the 80s. is practically a living breathing cartoon character. from salem, massachusetts.

FAMILIAL

paternal cousins - maxine croft

maternal cousins - willow sparks

ROMANTIC

wife - astrea croft

unrequited crush - open.

flirts with him for clout - courtney summers

PLATONIC

best friend forever - margo massey

best guy friend - duncan mcleod and bennett rhys

close friend / ghost gallery costar - logan palmer

family friends - rosalind cox, open to more.

coolsville costars - margo massey, casey mitchell, rosalind cox

friends - wren daily, sahar santini, genesis iver-zaleski, chance kauri, camila jackson, reese villin, romeo harrington, callie mae randall, open to more.

friend/birthday twin - isla thompson

unlikely friends - eden o’connor, chance kauri, open to more.

online → irl friends - saint bonnay, open to a few.

acquaintances - torrance keynes, axel rivers, casey mitchell, open to more.

frenemies - beckley bovér, open to more.

pretends to be his friend for clout - open to a few.

NEGATIVE

enemies / on bad terms - angel almeida, open to more.

former friends - luna reyes, anastasia sangster, open to more.

hal zaleski

twenty - three, two - time olympic gold medalist and professional hockey player with the new york rangers. loves his cat, a fuckboy, a Tough Guy™, and surprisingly fluent in french. from toronto, canada.

FAMILIAL

former stepsibling - open wc on the main! P L E A S E

current stepsibling - torrance keynes

paternal cousins - warren daily and wren daily

maternal cousins / best friend - alek garcia

ROMANTIC

wife - genesis iver-zaleski

ex - fiancée - isabel nichols

ex on good terms - margo massey, alaska almeida, open to more.

ex on bad terms - ivy petit, open to more.

ex who cheated on him - isla thompson, alexis simmons, open to more tbh. 

“ex” - reese villin

exes on good or bad terms - open to many. PLEASE he has a BUNCH especially on bad terms

former fwb - open to several.

PLATONIC

confidant - mia lancaster

acquaintances - courtney summers

friends - chance kauri, angel almeida, marnie marisol, cade jackson, saint bonnay, ian jensen, open to more.

frenemies - open to a few.

NEGATIVE

on bad terms - casey mitchell, open to more.

riley parker-warrington

twenty - six, lead singer and guitarist for punk band rabid porcupine. born into one of THE WEALTHIEST families in the uk. never goes anywhere without his favorite knife and has a dog named heroin bob. from cheshire, england.

FAMILIAL

older twin brother, can’t stand each other - rian parker-warrington 

future stepsister - genesis iver-zaleski

maternal cousin, don’t get along - open.

paternal cousin, basically the only family member he likes - open. 

ROMANTIC

girlfriend / love of his life - anastasia sangster

ex on good terms - rylee ames

unrequited crush - alek garcia

ex on bad terms - mia lancaster, open to more. P L E A S E

former on / off relationship - open.

former ewb - alaska almeida

former fwb - open to more.

PLATONIC

best friend / ride or die - ivy petit, mason grey

close friend / former pr relationship - reese villin

bandmates - millie windsor, mason grey, lavender brooks

acquaintances - phoebe sangster, open to more.

friends - warren daily, willow sparks, normani baldwin, carter baker, open to more.

party friends - chance kauri, cade jackson, saint bonnay, open to more.

friends / former boarding school roommates / menaces - augustus pierce

unlikely friends - wren daily, open to more.

frenemies - open to more.

NEGATIVE

enemies - give him a million more because he’s A GOBLIN

ex friends - margo massey, logan palmer, open to more.

enemies / lifelong feud - casey mitchell

childhood enemies - angel almeida

JYNX

twenty - five, singer and professional nuisance to record companies, managers, collaborators, exes, and basically anyone who’s ever met her. positive traits are often overshadowed and forgotten due to the intensity of her negative traits. from the upper east side, nyc. 

FAMILIAL

maternal cousin - torrance keynes

paternal cousin - margo massey

stepsibling, grew up together - ajay adani

ROMANTIC

ex / first love - callie mae randall

ex on bad terms - logan palmer, chance kauri

pr relationship - open wc on the main! P L E A S E

exes on good or bad terms - open to a few although she probs has a bunch who hate her

fwb - open to a few.

ewb - open to a few.

one night stand - alek garcia, open to a few.

PLATONIC

best friends / #girlsquad - open to two!

pr friends - rosalind cox, open to a few.

friends ( fake or real tbh ) - alexis simmons, saint bonnay, open to many.

frenemies - open to many.

NEGATIVE

enemies - open to many.

ex - friend / collaborator - romeo harrington

ex - friends - open to many.

family rivalry - open.

people she used to advance her career and then ghosted - open to many.

failed music collaborations - open to many. she’s driven several potential collaborators to quit before the project is finished.

[purplesurveys]

628

Have a name survey because these are always fun.

Boys

A Andrew vs. Aaron Alan vs. Alexander Aiden vs. Adam B Brennan vs. Brayden: Both of these are awful but I guess I gotta pick. Brandon vs. Braxton Bentley vs. Brimley C Cayden vs. Camden: Again, both equally cringey for me. Cole vs. Cameron Cade vs. Chandler: Chandler is a cute name for a girl, but I have a bias for Chandler Bing too hahaha. D Denver vs. Dallas Deklan vs. Dylan: I prefer the spelling Declan, though. Also, I technically like Dylan just a little bit more and would have picked it, but I like it for a girl. My sister had a classmate named Dylan and it sounded really good on her. David vs. Dennis E Ethan vs. Ezra Eitan vs. Elijah Emmanuel vs. Eden: Again, I prefer the name Eden for girls.

F Fabio vs. Ferdinand: I very hesitatingly picked Fabio hence the italics, but I very much dislike both. This is also what I’ll be doing for the rest of the names on here. Finnegan vs. Finley Fernando vs. Frankie: For the millionth time, Frankie is cute for a girl (this is where y’all really see that I prefer daughters more HAHAHA), and this is also because there’s a local singer named Frankie that I really admire.  G Gavin vs. Gus Gumby vs. Gerrick George vs. Grant H Harper vs. Harley Hayden vs. Henry Harlow vs. Hank I Ian vs. Ivan Indigo vs. Iris: Can I just say these are both better off as girl names? Indiana vs. Iris: And these, too?

J John vs. Jericho Jacob vs. Jameson Jasper vs. Jedidiah K Kayden vs. Koa Kent vs. Kyle Kevin vs. Konner: I prefer the spelling Connor, though. L Lars vs. Liam Levi vs. Lance Lester vs. Lorenzo M Michael vs. Matthew Maverick vs. Mason Madison vs. Micah N Nolan vs. Nathan Niko vs. Nathaniel Nicholas vs. Nate: I honestly like both. I can go with naming a son Nicholas then giving them Nate as a nickname. O Ocean vs. Oscar: I hate nature names and Oscar screams old-guy-name to me. Sorry to all the Oscars :( Orville vs. Otis Otto vs. October P Patrick vs. Percy Preston vs. Paisley Parker vs. Passion Q Quincy vs. Quinn Quada vs. Quinten Quailen vs Quidditch R Raven vs. Riley Rowan vs. Rod Ray vs. Roy: I have a bit of a sentimental attachment to Roy cos it’s an occasional nickname Gab’s dad uses. S Skylar vs. Scott: Only because a high school classmate named her kid Schuyler and that baby is seriously adorable, bubbly, and well-behaved. Storm vs. Steven Sorin vs. Solomon T Trevor vs. Travis Todd vs. Taylor Taytum vs. Tanner U Ulysses vs. Uman Umbo vs. Uno Utah vs. Usher: I dislike most geographic names, but I’d rather I name my baby Utah then have them be sang sex-themed songs by Usher by meaner kids throughout their childhood lmao.   V Vance vs. Vincent Vern vs. Vayde Vernon vs. Vayden W Walter vs. Wyatt Wade vs. Winter Wallace vs. Whisper X Xenon vs. Xayden: I really wanted to pick one name for each question, but being stuck between a chemical element and a name ending in -den is an easy no to both for me. Xayler vs. Xavier Xandon vs. Xennan Y Yvonne vs. Yonder: These names are getting more awful now that we’re ending dude, lmao. Yuletide vs. Yasser Yancy vs. Yancer Z Zeeland vs. Zayden Zion vs. Zenon Zander vs. Zenner

Girls

A Acacia vs. Alexa Aurora vs. Annalise Avonna vs. Alessandra B Brogan vs. Brooklyn Bianca vs. Brigitta Bailey vs. Brynn C Carlotta vs. Christine Cheyenne vs. Cescily Cecilia vs. Cassidy D Diedra (pronounced Dee-ay-druh) vs. Delilah: But I prefer the spelling Deirdre. Devia vs. Daytona Dakota vs. Darcy E Evonna vs. Eliana Emerald vs. Evangeline Eden vs. Eliza F Felicity vs. Fiona Faith vs. Faye: Both have always been on my blacklist for girl’s names, sorry lol. Flavia (pronoucned Flah-wee-uh) vs. Flora G Grace vs. Gretchen Genesis vs. Galaxy: Please don’t make these names happen. Gabriella vs. Greta: I love both names and have always liked the name Greta because of Greta Garbo, but I’m obviously biased towards my girlfriend so Gabriela/Gabriella it is. H Harper vs. Hope Holly vs. Hailee Harmony vs. Harvest: Again, both cringe material but I guess Harmony makes me cringe juuuuuuust a little less. I Imogene vs. Ivy Isabella vs. Iris Irene vs. Ingrid J Jessica vs. Jacinda Jade vs. Juniper: Juniper would be cute if a baby can stay a baby forever lmao, but I’m generally not a fan. Joanna vs. Joy: But I like the spelling Johanna more. K Kaleidoscope (Kallie for short) vs. Kaylee: Can I just pick the nickname? I hate the other two options :(( Kennedy vs. Kendall: I’d pick both, but thinking as a future mom, I wouldn’t want my daughter to be mercilessly teased for being given a name that’s usually understood to be more masculine in nature. I know we’re all about breaking stereotypes and all, but y’all – realistically, kids can be pretty fucking cruel. Katelyn vs. Katrina L Lacey vs. Linsey Lynnea (proncounced Lynn-ay-uh) vs. Liberty Lara vs. Lola M Morgan vs. Madison Mackenzie vs. Miranda Marissa vs. Monica N Nora vs. Natalie Nevaeh (pronounced Nev-ay-uh) vs. Nicole Niki vs. Noelle O Ophelia vs. Ocean: Only picking Ophelia because I’m generally not a fan of nature names, but there are a lot more better options if I wanted to name my kid after Shakespeare plays, like Beatrice or Emilia. Olivia vs. Onna Opal vs. October: Was never a fan of gemstone names, and there are much better month names than October. P Passion vs. Primrose: I feel the same way for Primrose as I do with Juniper. Mostly cute with babies, but is less cuter on grown-up girls. Penelope vs. Pixie Pandora vs. Palace Q Quintessa vs. Quincy Quaila vs. Quilala (Kwi--lah-lah) Queen vs. Quiencia (Kwee-ence-ee-uh) R Reyna vs. Riley Rosanna vs. Rosemary Rhonda vs. Rodica (Roe-dee-kuh) S Skylar vs. Skye Serena vs. Simone Shailey vs. Sienna T Tessa vs. Taylor Tia vs. Tiana Taytum vs. Trixie: Tatum would be a better spelling. U Una vs. Uta Ulyssia (You-liss-ee-uh) vs. Umba Ula vs. Ursula: Only because it can be a Friends reference lol. V Violet vs. Vylette Veronica vs. Victoria Valencia vs. Valerie W Wynona vs. Whitney: Winona > Wynona, but still. Wynter vs. Whisper Willow vs. Wanda X Xaila vs. Xara Xana vs. Xenon Xavier vs. Xena Y Yasmin vs. Yvonne Yvette vs Yolanda Yori vs. Yaya Z Zayara vs. Zion Zayana vs. Zoey Zen vs. Zara

Final questions!

Your name (first and middle): Robyn Isabelle.Do you like it?I hated the name Robyn throughout my childhood because I always got teased about it. When I got to college and everyone just kinda matured and told me they liked the way my name flowed, I ended up warming up to and loving it.What your parents almost named you:I was almost named Ariel after the Disney princess, and I know my parents were also thinking of naming me Katrina/Katherine/Kaitlyn.Your favorite girl's name (first and middle):Olivia. I don’t have a pick for middle name yet.List five unique names of girls you have met:Shauna, Shontrice, Unila, Ciamae, Rheezan.List five girl's names you don't like:I mostly dislike in-your-face weather/nature names like Winter, Snow, Amethyst, Cloud, Gaia, or Daffodill. But some, like Cheyenne, Rose, and Luna are super cute, too.List five girls name you really like:I’ve done this like 10 times on 10 different surveys but I like names such as Olivia, Elizabeth, Mia, Ava, and Isabella.Your first best friend's name:Kaye.Your siblings names:Nope.The name of the first pet that you loved:Tobi, my pet rabbit.What you would be named if you were the opposite gender:I’ve never asked my parents about this, actually. They’d probably go with a Spanish/Hispanic name, seeing as they went with Joaquin for my brother but were also thinking of naming him Diego.

[sapphiretrams]

Get to Know Me Tag

I was kind of tagged by @intricately-silly? Like, I have a notification that I was mentioned??? Idk, but thanks if you did!

Rules: Post a pic of your simself with your traits and answer the questions!

Traits:  creative + good + music lover

1. What is your full name? Riley, and that’s all I’m gonna say

2. What is your nickname? I kinda gave myself the nickname RPS? You can also call me Trams cause of my url, I don’t mind.

3. When is your birthday? September 5

4. What is your favorite book series? Favorite book series... probably Harry Potter. I’m not obsessed with it (cause J.K. is kinda not a good person) but it’s one of the few series I remember reading.

5. Do you believe in aliens or ghosts? Sure. I’m not a hardcore believer, and when I watch Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural, I’m DEFINITELY a Shaniac, but I’m definitely not closed to the idea.

6. Who is your favorite author? Probably Charles Dickens or Shakespeare. I’m a sucker for that classic literature stuff.

7. What is your favorite radio station? Eh, I don’t really listen to the radio.

8. What is your favorite flavor of anything? Lemon! It’s just SO good in all candy flavors, and I love it so much.

9. What word do you often use to describe something great or wonderful? Rad, awesome, cool, the usuals and occasionally terms that are super dated like tubular.

10. What is your favorite song currently? God that’s hard cause I love music so much... maybe Planetary (GO!) or Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) by MCR.

11. What is your favorite word? Petrichor

12. What is the last song you listened to? The Cage by Genesis

13. What TV show would you recommend everyone to watch? Forensic Files, it’s fascinating to me

14. What is your favorite movie to watch when you’re feeling down? I haven’t been one to watch movies when down so I don’t really have one

15. Do you play video games? Yep! I’ve been playing them a lot

16. What is your biggest fear? Being abandoned. It’s happened to me so often by friends that it’s just sort of become common place and I’m terrified of it.

17. What is your best quality in your opinion? My optimism!

18. What is your worst quality in your opinion? My inability to talk alshdafsdf I’m such a klutz at speaking

19. Do you like cats or dogs better? Dogs, though I do love cats.

20. What is your favorite season? Spring! Everything is turning green and flowering and it’s so refreshing to feel the rain on your face!

21. Are you in a relationship? Nope, I am tragically single

22. What is something you miss from your childhood? Having my parents read stories to me and my brothers, it was such a fun time in my childhood.

23. Who is your best friend? My friend Elli, a super cool nb person who’s been my friend for around 2 years now.

24. What is your eye color? Hazel

25. What is your hair color? Dark brown, though it’s been bleached and I would love to have green hair again.

26. Who is someone you love? Myself 💕

27. Who is someone you trust? My mom. She’s on my side no matter what, and she’s the first family member I told about my sexual and gender identity.

28. Who is someone you think about often? My ocs

29. Are you currently excited about something? Not really, I’m just kinda drifting atm

30. What is your biggest obsession? The Adventure Zone. It is SO. GOOD. I love the McElroys, and they mean a lot to me.

31. What was your favorite TV show as a child? The 1994 Spider-Man series. That SM has always been my favorite and he always will be.

32. Who of the opposite gender can you tell anything to? What’s a gender?

33. Are you superstitious? Sorta I guess

34. Do you have an unusual phobias? I HATE arteries and tendons. HATE HATE HATE them. They freak me out and I have to cover them up when I start getting freaked out by them. I’ve had this fear since I was a child.

35. Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind it? Both baby!

36. What is your favorite hobby? Drawing!!!

37. What is the last book you read? Pieces of Happiness by Anne Ostby

38. What was the last movie you watched? Thor: Ragnorak

39. What musical instruments do you play? Violin, a little guitar, some piano?

40. What is your favorite animal? It’s hard for me to pick, but my favorite since I was a baby is a tiger.

41. What are your top five favorite Tumblr blogs? @viper-fish @berrybloomsims @lunacysims @mellindi @sim-borg

42. What super power do you wish you had? The power to refill stuff.

43. When and where do you feel most at peace? When I’m driving. There’s something about the freedom that just makes me feel so at peace, and I love feeling like I’m not restrained by anything.

44. What makes you smile? My dog. Everything about him just makes my heart swell

45. What sports do you play? I used to be a soccer champ when I was young.

46. What is your favorite drink? Diet Peach Snapple or Dr Pepper

47. When was the last time you wrote a handwritten letter or note to someone? When I was in like, 8th grade

48. Are you afraid of heights? Not really, though I was when I was younger.

49. What is your biggest pet peeve? I’m a very patient person, so probably when people talk to me when I wanna be left alone tbh.

50. Have you ever been to a concert? Yep. Maroon 5 was the last one. I hope to go to more too.

51. Are you vegetarian or vegan? Nah

52. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up? A wild life veterinarian. I would throw my stuffed tiger down the stairs and “rescue” her.

53. What fictional world would you like to live in? The Adventure Zone: Balance world.

54. What is something you worry about? My dog since he’s getting up their in years, finding a college to go to and what I want to major in college, my bf’s safety, occasionally my parents when I’m paranoid and worried something might happen.

55. Are you scared of the dark? Nah. It’s nice. I’m more paranoid something might be in the dark, but,

56. Do you like to sing? Yes! I’m pretty decent at it, too, so I love it.

57. Have you ever skipped school? Yeah. I got really depressed when I was in high school and I stayed at home, calling in sick. Which I was, but it wasn’t entirely honest.

58. What is your favorite place on the planet? My desk, it has all my stuff on it and it’s cluttered to my liking.

59. Where would you like to live? Germany, or maybe France if I can learn the language. Maybe split the difference and move to Switzerland.

60. Do you have any pets? Just my baby boy TJ whom I adore.

61. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Night owl, though I’ve been making more of an effort to wake up early. I also get more done when I wake up early, cause it feels like I have more time to do things before noon.

62. Do you like sunrise or sunsets better? Sunsets, mostly cause I’m able to see them from my house.

63. Do you know how to drive? Yep!

64. Do you prefer earbuds or headphones? Earbuds. I have headphones, but you can’t really wear them in public cause they get in the way.

65. Have you ever had braces? No, though I did have a chin strap when I was younger cause I had (and still have) an underbite.

66. What is your favorite genre of music? My music goes all over the place, but showtunes are my jam.

67. Who is your hero? 1994 Spider-Man. I specify because he’s really different from other versions, and he’s so smart and such a klutz and I grew up with him. I’ve been playing the new Spider-Man game for PS4 and I almost started crying from how close he is to MY SM, and he just reminds me of my morals.

68. Do you read comic books? Nah

69. What makes you the most angry? Politics atm. Don’t even talk to me about them. I don’t like being angry and any talk about the current political situation is just infuriating. 

70. Do you prefer to read real books or on an electric device? Either, though real books hold a special aesthetic to them.

71. What is your favorite subject in school? English. Like I said, I’m a literary nerd.

72. Do you have any siblings? Two, an older and a younger brother.

73. What was the last thing you bought? Ariana Grande’s song No Tears Left to Cry

74. How tall are you? 5′ 7″, perfectly average

75. Can you cook? Eh, I can do the basic stuff, and if I have a recipe in front of me then sure, but otherwise? Don’t ask.

76. What are three things that you love? My dog, myself, my mom.

77. What are three things that you hate? Politics, White™ people, being expected to know things I was never told about (cough cough @ my boss)

78. Do you have more female friends or more male friends? Honestly, I have more nb friends than either

79. What is your sexual orientation? Pansexual

80. Where do you currently live? The Midwest

81. Who was the last person you texted? My mom

82. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday because I was laughing so goddamn hard

83. Who is your favorite youtuber? Game Grumps and you can fight me on that

84. Do you like to take selfies? Yep! I’m hot and I know it. I’ve hated myself for 5 years, I deserve to be infatuated with myself.

85. What is your favorite app? Monster Girl Creator. It’s so fun.

86. What is your relationship with your parent(s) like? My mom and I are super close, but my dad and I... eh. It’s kinda damaged, though it’s better than it was when I was in high school. He doesn’t understand LGBT stuff or depression so he was just... awful.

87. What is your favorite foreign accent? Probably French, but the funniest to try and do is Russian. I suck at it and it turns into Italian after a while.

88. What is a place that you’ve never been to but want to visit? God I want to travel so bad. I’d love to go to Puerto Rico, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Vietnam... so many beautiful places.

89. What is your favorite number? Three

90. Can you juggle? Not for my life

91. Are you religious? I’ve kinda been burned out of religion cause my childhood church was really just... bad. I came out as bi to them when I was a sophomore and it caused a HUGE scene with the church. I was called ‘a slap to the face,’ people left the church, it was just bad. I’m spiritual, but not religious, though my life’s not over yet, so who knows.

92. Do you find outer space or the deep ocean to be more interesting? Space. Space space space. Do you know how badly I want to go to space? I almost became an engineer just so I could go to space.

93. Do you consider yourself to be a daredevil? I’m pretty tame, in all honesty, though I do some stupid shit every now and then.

94. Are you allergic to anything? Bullshit, any and every kind of body soap known to man kind, and pollen.

95. Can you curl your tongue? Yes! I can do the double fold think with your tongue where it looks like a scoop chip, you know what I mean?

96. Can you wiggle your ears? Nah

97. How often do you admit that you were wrong about something? I come from a really stubborn household, though lately I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to be humble and just admit I’m wrong. It’s hard.

98. Do you prefer the forest or the beach? Forest. I’ve only been to the beach twice in my life so it’s not really my scene.

99. What is your favorite piece of advice that anyone has ever given you? Do what makes you happy

100. Are you a good liar? I’ve gotten very good at it. I’m not proud of that fact, but I’ve gotten very very good at it.

101. What is your Hogwarts house? Slyterin. No, I’m not joking.

102. Do you talk to yourself? All the time.

103. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I’m an introvert, though I think I’m more of an ambivert.

104. Do you keep a journal or a diary? Nah.

105. Do you believe in second chances? Yes, but you really can’t give them out really freely. You have to judge who you want to give them to.

106. If you found a wallet full of money on the ground, what would you do? Check for an ID and try to contact the person it belongs to. But if there’s no ID, probably give it to the nearest business or police station.

107. Do you believe that people are capable of change? With most things. If they really wanted to.

108. Are you ticklish? Ye

109. Have you ever been on a plane? Yeah, but not many times. My first time on a plane was 4 years ago.

110. Do you have any piercings? Just the basic earlobe pierecings, but I really really want more.

111. What fictional character do you wish was real? Shiro from Voltron, aka my husband. 

112. Do you have any tattoos? No but I want so many

113. What is the best decision that you have made so far? Learning to love myself. It took a lot of time, but I’m so happy I did it

114. Do you believe in karma? Not entirely, but I think there’s some truth to it.

115. Do you wear glasses or contacts? I  have bad eyes, so yeah, I wear glasses. I tried contacts, but they got irritating to put in after a while.

116. Do you want children? SO badly. I want a little girl so fucking bad

117. Who is the smartest person you know? My little brother. He wants to be a freaking accountant when he’s older.

118. What is your most embarrassing memory? I went to a museum one time, and they had a cool dinosaur tour or whatever, and I wanted to know what the dinosaur Parasaurolophus was called, but I forgot the name and only remebered like, Ducky from Land Before Time, and Phineas and Ferb had just started airing, so I asked the guy if a platypus was a dinosaur and that haunts me to this day

119. Have you ever pulled an all nighter? Yes. Don’t do it.

120. What color are most of your clothes? Blue cause it’s always looked good on me, but now any color looks good on me cause I know how to own it.

121. Do you like adventures? Yeah man! I love them!

122. Have you ever been on TV? Not that I know of

123. How old are you? 20

124. What is your favorite quote?  “When someone leaves your life, those exits are not made equal. Some are beautiful and poetic and satisfying. Others are abrupt and unfair. But most are just unremarkable, unintentional, clumsy.” -Griffin Mcelroy

125. Do you prefer sweet or savory foods? Sweeeets!

I tag @viper-fish @berrybloomsims and @lunacysims

[prkrc]

hey there demons! it me, sam! this is just parker’s same old intro edited with some updates and wanted / taken connections, so feel free to take a look if you’re interested! messaging me @ellvie is probably easiest!

DISCLAIMER: this is a sideblog so i might post stuff to the wrong acc sometimes js

so, this guy right here…riley ignatius parker-warrington…will throw hands if you call him anything other than parker. it’s what everyone calls him. you gotta be really special to call him riley and not immediately get decked for it. tbh most people probably think parker is his first name anyway so! moving on

parker was born to a wealthy family in a small but affluent village called alderley edge in cheshire, england. he’s the youngest of four sons so he has three older brothers.

his family, the parker-warringtons ( known more commonly as the warringtons ) are stupid rich. it hurts me to think about it askdh. they’re basically the british rockefellers. parker’s great x6 granddad started the family business back a couple centuries ago and nowadays they’ve got their hands in everything from business to architecture to real estate to education to oil…they own a lot of stuff. the warrington building in downtown london was completely made up just now is basically the rockefeller center of the uk. 

the family drama has been highly publicized in the uk & europe for longer than anyone can remember at this point, but not as much in america. 

anyway, parker spent his early years sheltered and pampered and homeschooled by tutors and nannies bc his parents never had time for him but it’s whatever he got over it really early on in life.

parker’s always been a huge troublemaker with a restless nature so his wealthy, uptight, lowkey shady af parents who are obsessed with the family’s image could never really deal with him and eventually decided to just ship him off to boarding schools all over europe, just one after the other after the other bc he kept getting kicked out lmao.

about the only thing he enjoyed about his childhood and schooling were his music lessons. he was taught to play piano, violin, and even the harp. other things like math and history and science didn’t come easily to him at all, but music? he was great at it and he’s always loved it. during his teen years while away at boarding school was when he first procured an electric guitar and learned to play. along with that, he also discovered punk music, aka the greatest thing in the entire fucking universe if you ask him. far as music goes, he’d found his calling in his early teenage years.

at school he was basically that rebellious kid in all the movies who wore doc martens with his prim & proper school uniform and carried around a pocket knife and cut class to go smoke while vandalizing school property and would absolutely fuck up some prissy pretty boy’s face just for looking at him the wrong way.

literally the only reason he actually graduated rather than flunking out was because his father was able to pull some strings aka bought his very last boarding school a whole new library wing. parker did actually consider running away a few times, but there was a part of him really reaaaaally deep down that actually enjoyed some aspects of school ( though he very strongly believes many education systems across the world need a serious overhaul and blahblahblah don’t ask him unless you want a lecture ). anyway, the moment he was done with school, he did finally skip out on…well, everything and everyone and ditched the country altogether, heading out first to seattle washington, then to los angeles, california, and then he finally settled in new york city when he was twenty years old, meaning that he’s lived in nyc for the last three years!

started his band, rabid porcupine, right after moving to the city. they’re a punk band, popular among the subculture and virtually unknown to everyone else. parker is the lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, overall face of the band but don’t get it twisted he could never go solo his whole band is important to him.

his parents have threatened to cut him off & disinherit him about a billion times but will probably never actually do it even though they see him as a huge disgrace to the family name. they call sometimes but he never picks up. if anybody asks he’d probably say that he hates his family but he honestly doesn’t. i don’t think he’s capable of hate lmao. he doesn’t like them and he’d rather stay away from them bc he and his family just do not get along, but at the end of the end of the day, v deep down he has like….a teeny tiny molecule of affection for them even though his family is 100% genuinely awful people

so, parker left nyc for a bit! even though it was only like a week ago in real time i wanna say he’s actually been gone for about two to three months maybe? idk but he went back to england in a rush, just kinda vanishing overnight as he tends to do.

he told no one where he was going or that he was even leaving at all. not even his roommate or…the person he’s very attached to, stas. he didn’t wanna tell anyone why he had to leave.

BUT WE’RE ALL GONNA FIND OUT RIGHT HERE AND NOW SURPRISE! his dad died. yikes. now they had a very…complicated relationship. parker hated his father and his father hated him. tbh his death wouldn’t have been enough for parker to go all the way back to england bc he fucking hates it there if it weren’t for the fact that his dad was pulling some fuck shit from the grave.

long story short, he left the family company to parker in his will. not the family, not his wife, not any of his other three sons. nope. the whole ass billion dollar company, every single subset, everything…was left to one riley ignatius parker-warrington.

naturally he was fucking furious. he hates the family business, he hates their company, he hates office work, and he hates knowing that his father only did it to spite him. he immediately attempted to get rid of the company. tried selling it, just straight up giving it away, even driving it into the ground lmao. just, anything to get it off of his hands and out of his responsibility but nothing has worked so far.

and that’s why he’s back in nyc! he wants a lawyer’s opinion so what i think parker is gonna do here? lowkey try to sneak into town, get some help from a lawyer he trusts and then leave without anyone else noticing or knowing that he was in town at all because he absolutely does not want to be here and he especially doesn’t wanna show his face. too bad for him!

lemme…stop? and just give you a few quick facts bc this is getting super long who’s even still reading this?

looks like he could kill you and could actually kill you

he hasn’t been home in like five years but he still has the heaviest most posh british accent you will ever hear in your life + he knows he’s fulfilling a stereotype here but he doesn’t care he fuckin loves tea

his three older brothers are named sebastian, nikolai, & rian. he doesn’t get along with any of them but he and rian he by far has the worst relationship with rian, his identical twin who’s a few minutes older. unlike most stereotypical twins they’ve literally never been in sync, have never gotten along and have probably beaten each other up before.

his family is big on modern day arranged marriages but you can miss parker with that bullshit he will date whoever he wants

that being said i think he’s probably…straight? idk tho & like who’s really straight anymore honestly

most people think that he’s a jerk bc he’s incredibly standoffish and temperamental but he’s actually…not that bad? like he’s sure he’s permanently grumpy but he also holds the door open for people and says thank you to janitors and probably helps old ladies across the street and would literally rather die than be rude to wait staff in a restaurant

seemingly very passionate about everything always openly expresses his emotions. he doesn’t…know how to hide them? he doesn’t know how to pretend like he doesn’t care?

adrenaline junkie, reckless af & likes to party but isn’t into hard drugs. he’s tried once or twice but just really isn’t a fan. he smokes & drinks & smokes weed sometimes but that’s it

very observant and good at reading people

basically the walking talking rl embodiment of the jerk with a heart of gold trope.

knows he’s not the easiest person to befriend but if you are his friend, then he’s gonna be loyal af, the realest ride or die of all time

however, he tends to take the tough love route when he’s trying to help someone out. like just bc you’re his friend he’s not gonna coddle you bc you’re upset he’s gonna tell you how to how to deal with your problems & emotions

which is funny bc lmao he’s angry af 1000% of the time. will throw hands anytime anywhere

so to the surprise as nobody he took up boxing as a kid and to this day it’s the only sport he cares about at all. he still boxes once or twice a week as a hobby & it’s probs pretty good for him tbh

also took a lot of music lessons back in the day. he’s actually a very talented pianist who probably could’ve gone on to play professionally if he stuck with it but nah. he likes the guitar. you’ll probs never catch him playing the piano which is a shame bc he honestly is a beautiful pianist :/

worked as an auto mechanic before he committed to his band full time but highkey misses it sometimes. he still likes cars & absolutely loves motorcycles, will talk about them all day with you if you want.

he has a motorcycle which pretty much built it himself from scratch and it’s just…it’s literally his child ok he will freak if you so much as lay a hand on his motorcycle ok /f r e a k/ like don’t even look at it the wrong way

feminist af

parker is grumpy and angry and standoffish but look he really is and really tries to be a decent guy. anyone who knows him well would see that very clearly and honestly, that’s probably why they stick around even though he can be difficult.

CONNECTIONS

family

future step sibling - genesis iver

maternal cousin, don’t get along - open.

paternal cousin, basically the only family member he likes - ingrid larson

romantic

ex girlfriend / highkey in love - anastasia sangster

ex on good terms - open.

ex on bad terms - open.

former toxic on / off relationship - open.

fwb - maia kauri.

former fwb - open.

platonic

best friend / ride or die - mason grey

roommate - open. please check the main for info on this wc!

close friends - reese monroe, kennedy drakos, isla thompson, open to more.

friends -  warren daily, marnie almeida, sullivan ramsey, alexandra blakely, cameron jones, open to more.

unlikely friends - wren daily, open to more.

frenemies - rosalind cox, jake carver, open to more.

attempted good influence - logan van kamp

workout buddy - willow sparks

negative

enemies - lukas donovan, open to several. parker is a goblin so he could’ve pissed someone off for many reasons

ex friends - jay weston, open to more.

doesn’t like / trust - lex sinclair

since this is officially a novel i think it’s time for me to sTOP LMAO. i have no specific wc in mind but i’d love to plot so please feel free to message me if you’re interested! as always i’m super excited to plot and write with everyone!

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Kill The Infection

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity …cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, …my sin is ever before me” Psm 51:2-3NASB

My granddaughter took one of her twins to a pediatric lung and asthma specialist, associated with the Riley Children’s Hospital. He carefully looked over our little guy’s medical records, testings, and then his body. The doctor’s learned opinion was a sinus infection lurking in my Buddy’s body for a long time. Instructions were: Follow up with thirty days of antibiotics to kill the infection completely.

As I was thinking about my little buddy’s health, God spoke into my spirit. “Sin lurks in the hearts of My children. It comes in like a germ through a thought or a sense. Because it’s not washed out with the Word of God— it grows, causing first lust, then committing the sin.”

Pre- Christ, my life was sin-filled. Every thought drifted around sin’s domain. After my new life began in Christ, some of my ways changed. Deeply rooted in abuse and behavioral disorders, some sins remained. They lurked in my character like a bacteria in a sinus. Even today, I’ll think, ‘I’ve got victory over everything,’ up pops a different hidden sin.

If, I were alone in this fight, I would succumb, crying ‘uncle.’ “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”  1Cor 15:57NASB. I’ve been— you’ve been given victory over this evil, sin germ. Rom 8:37NASB “…in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

Holy Spirit’s antibiotic for these hiding sins is three-fold: **Our new Christian spirit is housed in a sinful body, more obedient to the flesh than the spirit. The mind reprograms the flesh, aka body. Paul wrote to the Romans in 12:2NKJV “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” ***Minds are renewed through Eph 5:26NKJV ”…sanctify and cleanse her (the mind) with the washing of water by the word.” Washing through God’s Word reminds me of the sinus treatments, I received as a child. The ENT doctor would wash my sinuses out with a special medicine, burning like fire. The pain meant healing to raw sinuses. Afterwards, I always felt better. Sometimes God’s Word burns sores in our hearts, as we see what’s really in us. End result is always feeling lighter, joyful and free. **Freedom comes while praying the prayer of repentance. Very familiar territory for me— ‘Hello Papa God, it’s me and boy did I ever mess it up this time!’ Be quick to repent. Reason? Sin cuts off relationship and open communication with God. No fellowship hurts God’s heart and ours. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1Jn 1:9NKJV.

Back in Eden, Adam sewed leaves together to hide his nakedness, (see Genesis 3). We too try to hide, what we’ve done from God. Give it up. Hiding is impossible. He was with you— while you sinned, during His time in Gethsemane.

Do as David did. Admit before the Father your sin. Ask for His cleansing restoration to fellowship.

Of course you don’t have to follow my advice. You can keep your sin germ infection. Before long you’ll spread your germs.  It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Papa God, thank You wanting us to fellowship with us. Please help us to desire fellowship with You, in Jesus’ name I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2017 You have my permission to reblog this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional as author. Thank you.

[outcast-heroes]

“So what you’re saying here, is that there’s someone at the door” Carter rubs her temples impatiently, staring blankly. Rue nods eagerly, tail whipping about behind her and brushing against the edge of Kaden’s wife’s old vase. Carter bristles anxiously as she watches. “There, there, right there” Rue points at the door across the room, barely able to contain herself. “Yeah, thanks, because I didn’t hear them knock” Carter retorts, sighing and brushing her hair back. The Lykamian does this often, every time the doorbell rings in fact. But that won’t stop Carter and Riley from getting annoyed.

         Rue leaps over the couch now, crouching on the other side, ready to pounce. Carter can only make her way around her, frowning the whole way to the door. She pauses, hand hovering over the knob, and glances back warily at Rue. “You good?” It’s not that Carter actually cares, she just needs to make sure that if it happens to be Ratchet or Talwyn on the other side of the door that they won’t be torn to shreds. Not that she cares. Rue scoffs, ears flicking. “Aren’t I always?”

Carter scoffs now, pulling the old fashioned door open with little resistance and peering outside. She blinks as sunlight bleeds into the room and into her eyes, squinting with irritation. “What do you want?” She asks plainly, because it’s just occurred to her that she hasn’t had her cup of coffee yet, and suddenly this doesn’t matter much to her. She needs that coffee.

“Well you look lively as ever,” Ratchet scratches behind his neck, unintimidated, but wary nonetheless. “I got a new lead on the case with Ash. I thought you’d be interested” He says rather sheepishly. Carter quirks a brow. “Anything I don’t already know?” She inquires, crossing her arms.

“Can I come in?” Ratchet counters her question with his own, and for a moment the Markazian can sense the tension behind his throat. There’s something he’s dying to say, so why isn’t he talking? She opens the door wider, turning on her heels and motioning over her shoulder for him to follow. The lombax hesitates for only a second, and then he’s right behind her.

She doesn’t bother to close the door, so the task falls to Ratchet. He clears his throat as he steps into the kitchen. She’s fumbling with her coffee maker now, a little too distracted. “Well?” Ratchet jumps a little when her voice breaks through the silence. He laughs despite himself. “There are more reports of…” He trails off, looking to Rue. She’s perched halfway on the counter, tail thumping lazily as the Lykamian eyes some jerky behind the coffee in the cabinet. For a moment he’s not sure whether she’s wagging her tail at him or the jerky. He blinks, turning his gaze back to Carter. She taps her foot impatiently, repeating herself. “Well?”

“Ash has done it again. Missing children, body parts found floating outside the Quazar sector. It’s like she’s making some sort of frankenstein child or something” His voice is hushed. “Genetic experimentation,” Rue pipes in before Carter can react, and the two meet her gaze. It’s shocking almost, not just what she said, but the fact that Rue just used two big words. Right next to each other!

“What?” the two speak in unison, and Rue raises a brow. “Genetic experimentation. It’s what Ash is working on.” She says, as if it’s common knowledge. Carter blinks. “How the fuck would you know that?” She snaps, and Ratchet frowns. “Language,” He says quietly. “Fuck off,” Carter turns to Rue again.

    “I used to work for her, remember? We’re all required to sign nondisclosure papers and give blood samples before we’re hired. I thought it was weird shit, but I needed the job soo,” She makes her way to the fridge and reaches for the door, but Carter swats her hand away. “She took a sample of your blood? You just let her? How did you find out about the experiments?”

“You ask too many questions,” Rue huffs, nose flaring ever so slightly. “What’s her face told me”

“Ash?”

“No it was uh, the red head.. Fuck. what was her name…? Ross I think? Yeah Ross” Rue opens the fridge and carter scowls. “Rose? The one with the bandage over her left eye?” She presses. “Nono- wait. Shit. There are two redheads with eye patches aren’t there… Fuck. Not the super happy peppy one,  the really quiet one,  shorter than you.  The little shithead,” She taps her chin and Carter frowns.

“Language..” Ratchet repeats, pouting.

“Fuck off,” The two say in sync now, scowling at each other before turning away.

“So it was Ember then?” Ratchet clears his throat. Rue nods, biting into a piece of cold jerky before adding, “Yeah, urpmh, the wittle meawn wone”

“Why would Ember ever tell you that?” Carter looks patiently at the coffee machine as it drips down the last remnants of steaming brew. Rue swallows. “Well I was a ruthless killing machine back in the day, and if I wanted to know  something  people  would  tell  me.  That’s besides the point.  I helped this time right?   I’m not useless after all” Rue almost beams with pride, and Carter rolls her eyes.

“No,  you’re still useless.  That doesn’t help anything. We still don’t know why she’s doing it all. What the fuck  could she possibly need to genetically modify to such an extent that she’s willing to abduct innocent children?” Carter pours herself a cup now, and the smell of fresh coffee fills the air. Rue gags at the smell.

“It is almost as though she is attempting to build her own new unique species. But why?” Clank chimes in from Ratchet’s back, and Carter and Rue both flinch. “I always forget you’re there..” Carter admits, taking a sip. “My apologies, Ms. Apogee,” Clank jumps to the floor and Ratchet smirks at him. “Hey Pal, have a good nap?” He greets the little robot. “Yeah, Don’t call me that. Reminds me of my relatives. Blech,” Carter cringes, taking another sip.

“You make a good point though, why would Ash need a new genetically modified species?” Everyone looks to the left, where Riley is standing with a fluffy blanket wrapped loosely around her. The bax rubs her eyes wearily, blowing a strand of her hair out of her eyes.

“Oh look, the gang’s all here” Carter rolls her eyes.

“The only logical explanation is-”

“Maybe she’s making an army” Rue cuts Clank off, and the robot’s optical’s shift into a mock frown at the stolen revelation.

“But- why would someone like Ash need an army?” Ratchet asks in shock. “It doesn’t line up, she’s been blowing up PDF headquarters all around Polaris, and letting loose crazy monsters all over. She strikes me as more of an anarchist than an organized criminal” He says, crossing his arms and taking a seat at the Island. RIley makes her way to his side and struggles to climb into the bar stool next to his with her huge blanket.

“I agree,” Riley says, ears flicking, “When I met her she was all scatterbrained crazy. I thought it was just a personality quirk at the time, but I don’t think she’s capable of anything too… Well, too complicated. Plus, Ash isn’t crazy smart. She’s all shoot first - think later.”  Carter slides a cup of coffee to the younger bax, who smiles politely.

“Maybe not, not on her own at least,” says Carter, “But Ash wasn’t always working alone. Remember Nova?” Carter turns to Rue, who nods thoughtfully. “Maybe she’s just… fulfilling Nova’s last wishes. She was a scientist after all. I mean, it’s not too crazy, Nova was one crazy bitch.”

Riley and Ratchet both frown, Riley muttering a quiet, “Language please..” Carter throws her hands up gently, conceding, “Sorry.” Ratchet throws his arms up exasperatedly. “Seriously?” He frowns, and Clank sympathetically pats his shoulder.

“So, say Ash is just finishing Nova’s old plans- Nova’s base was left abandoned back on the edge of Genesis, abandoned. Why don’t we go check around for any left over evidence of potential plans?” Ratchet suggests, and the room grows quiet.

“I’m not going back there” Carter breaks the silence, voice harsh and cold. Rue’s gaze falls to the floor, ears falling flat on her head. “Ditto on this one,” The Lykamian adds, uncharacteristically quiet.

Riley raises a brow curiously. “I’ll go.” All eyes shift to her. “Ratchet and Tal can go with me. We’ll check it out and report back, easy-peasy. Maybe we’ll find something worth finding” She shrugs, uncertain of her own plan. There’s something about that station that leaves the most bad A** people she knows uneasy; and that’s terrifying. But if there’s one thing Riley knows for certain, it’s that she’d do anything to stop Ash and bring peace back to Polaris… Even if it’s just enough to bring back the Lombaxes.

She straightens a little, clearing her throat. “It’ll be easy, right Ratchet?”

Ratchet blinks, eyes shifting to Carter. “Yeah, Why not? You two can go check out this old Warehouse in the meantime,” He reaches into his scarcely used pocket and produces a slip of thin paper, coordinates scribbled messily across it.

Carter hesitates, taking a slip slowly. “What’s the deal with this one?” She asks, eyeing the paper warily. Ratchet shrugs. “Supposed illegal weapon factory, using Quantanium. I figure you two could go in guns blazing and knock it out.. If it is. Either way it’s a day out of the house...

“I know you’ve got the gear for the job.”  He looks to Rue, who raises a brow.

Carter chokes on a laugh. “Okay, we’ll take care of it.” She sets her cup down in the sink, a sense of finality settling in the air. Riley and Rue exchange glances before standing and leaving the room to go get dressed. “We’ll get ready,” Riley announces, excusing them.

Carter only nods, hands on the sink. “Bring her back unharmed” She says, looking to Ratchet. He smirks. “I presume you’re talking about Riley there, and not Tal.” The two laugh. “Yeah, I don’t give a flying fuck about your girlfriend. But her... she’s family,” She gestures her head at the door Riley had just slipped past.

Ratchet and Clank exchange glances, lips thinned. “Yeah, got it.”