#berni the news van

[andr0nap]

ROAD TRIP 🚍❄️

[its-jackiemcsoup]

Transporterfest is my fav day🥰

[criticalfai1ure]

hugo van houten, son of hephaestus -> was only at camp for a short time. not a particularly competent demigod. was claimed when he accidentally set fire to the forges and instead of putting it out, caused the fire to grow tenfold. can’t create fire, but can herald some semblance of control over it if he’s concentrating really really hard. currently lives in the bronx, working in manhattan. has befriended a few cast off half-bloods on their way in the world.

bérénice du bouclier, daughter of athena -> dangerous with a sword, otherworldly with a shield in her hand. has been gifted a piece of the aegis by athena.

[fuckyeahvanhalen86-95]

VAN HALEN

LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

TO MAKE VINYL DEBUT ON RECORD STORE DAY

4-LP Set To Celebrate The Classic Album's 30th Anniversary With Limited Edition Red Vinyl Version On April 22, Featuring Three Live Tracks Not Included On Orlginal Release

First Title In A Series Of Upcoming Vinyl Releases From Van Halen With Sammy Hagar Era

Van Halen's first live album -1993's double-platinum Live: Right Here, Right Now will make its vinyl debut on Record Store Day as a limited edition 4-LP set. Recorded in May 1992 as the band was wrapping up their massive world tour in the support of their classic, triple-platinum album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, the collection finds singer Sammy Hagar, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony firing on all cylinders and delivering over two hours of Van Halen's signature hits.

LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Will be limited to 7,500 copies on 180-gram translucent red vinyl and available exclusively at select independent music retailers on April 22 for $99.98.

The vinyl collection has all 24 songs from the original CD release, plus three additional live recordings. This marks the first time that audio for two of the tracks ("The Dream Is Over" and "Eagles Fly") will be released, as they were previously available only on the DVD version of Live: Right Here, Right Now. The third, "Mine All Mine" was recorded in the summer of 1993 during the second leg of the tour and was previously released as part of a European CD maxi-single for a live version of "Jump." All tracks from the original live album were newly remastered from the 5150 Studio master tapes by Bernie Grundman, who also cut the lacquers.

The new vinyl verslon of LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW Is the first Van Halen reissue that focuses on the Sammy Hagar-era. It also kicks off a serles of upcoming vinyl releases spotlighting Van Halen's time with Hagar, which will be overseen by the band's long-time engineer Donn Landee. Additional information about those releases will be announced in the coming months.

LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW debuted 30 years ago, on February 23, 1993. The collection peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold more than two million copies in the U.S. alone.

The group filmed and recorded LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW across two shows at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California on May 14-15, 1992. The result was a concert album packed with exhilarating live versions of Hagar-era hits like "Why Can't This Be Love," "Dreams," "When It's Love," "Finish What Ya Started," "Right Now" and "Runaround." The album also includes live versions of earlier Van Halen anthems like "Panama" "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" and "Jump."

LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW gives each band member a chance to shine with Alex Van Halen's pummeling drum solo, Michael Anthony's "Ultra Bass" solo, and Hagar's acoustic version of his solo hit "Give To Live." One of the show's biggest highlights is Eddie Van Halen's ripping guitar solo. For more than 10 minutes, he lives up to his reputation as the ultimate guitar god with a solo that touches on some of his best- known instrumentals: "316," "Cathedral," and "Eruption."

LIVE: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

4-LP Track Listing

LP1: Side A

"Poundcake" "Judgment Day" "When It's Love" "Spanked"

LP1: Side B

"Ain't Talkin' bout Love" "In 'n' Out" "Dreams" "Man On A Mission"

LP2: Side C

"Ultra Bass" "Pleasure Dome" / "Drum Solo" / "Panama"

LP2: Side D

"Love Walks In" "Runaround" "Right Now" "One Way To Rock"

LP3: Side E

"Why Can't This Be Love" "Give To Live" "Finish What Ya Started" "Best Of Both Worlds"

LP3: Side F

"316" "You Really Got Me" / "Cabo Wabo"

LP4: Side G

"Won't Get Fooled Again" "Jump" "Top Of The World"

LP4: Side H

"The Dream Is Over" "Eagles Fly" "Mine All Mine"

We reached out to Warner Bros for any additional info. They confirmed it was remastered, not remixed. This exclusive, limited release will only be available exclusively at select independent music retailers on April 22. We'll update this article as we hear more.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Phillip Jackson at HuffPost:

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would give federal and state officials more power to hold police departments accused of bad behavior to account. The Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act, led by Warren and in the House by Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), would strengthen the power of state attorneys general to launch investigations into police departments involved in civil rights violations if the Justice Department fails to act on them. The bill would also task the Justice Department with looking beyond “traditional law enforcement mechanisms” when providing reforms to selective police departments such as mental health support, civilian oversight bodies, and community-based restorative justice programs, according to Warren’s office.

Warren had introduced a version of the bill in 2020. This newest version of the measure would also revitalize the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, granting an increase in funding to pursue civil rights investigations into police departments and other government offices accused of discriminatory practices. It would increase funding for the civil rights division to $445 million per year over a 10-year period. (For scale, the 2023 budget for the division was $189.9 million.)

Warren first introduced her bill following the death of George Floyd in 2020. That earlier draft also called for Attorney General Merrick Garland to rescind a 2017 memorandum from his predecessor, Trump-era Attorney General Jeff Sessions, that limited the DOJ’s ability to initiate consent decrees on police departments — a key way of stopping bad behavior. (Garland rescinded that memorandum in April of 2021.)

Nine senators co-sponsored the bill: Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Several civil rights organizations are backing Warren’s new bill, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Urban League and others.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 9 other co-sponsors in the Senate are supporting the Enhancing Oversight to End Discrimination in Policing Act to strengthen police accountability. Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) is pushing this in the House.

[cazzyf1]

pls tell me everything you know about the 1982 drivers strike i think about it often

Right I about to go into as much detail as possible about the driver's strike while hopefully keeping it comprehensible.

*cracks knuckles*

Let's go.

So to give some overall context to the situation, Bernie Ecclestone was doing some meddling. He had control over the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) which meant he could negotiate contracts between teams, track owners, television rights, etc. Realising the sort of power Bernie Ecclestone was getting, the Federation Internationale de I'Automobile (FIA) put Jean-Marie Balestre in charge. There was a big power struggle between these two however both Ecclestone and Balestre united against the drivers in 1982.

At the start of the 1982 season, a new license called a 'super license' was put forward for the drivers to sign. This license was based on other sports, like football's transfer systems, meaning the drivers had fewer rights - their team owners essentially owned them. For example, the super licence meant a team could keep drivers to one team for up to three years, even if the drivers wanted to leave. This happened after, in 1981, Alain Prost was racing for McLaren, and he became convinced that the car wasn't safe. He refused to drive for the team, though he had a contract. He said if necessary, he would walk away from the sport altogether. Then Renault approached Alain Prost, and he joined them. A new license was created to prevent this situation from happening again.

1982 was also the season that (at the time) 2x World Champion Niki Lauda decided to come out of retirement. In 1979 he had been racing for Bernie Ecclestone's team 'Brabham', but halfway through the season, he walked away, finding no more interest in the sport. Eventually Ron Dennis, who ran the team 'Mclaren' tempted Niki back into the sport.

Niki was sent the super license a few days before the start of the season to sign, and being a stickler for detail he made sure to read through all of it. In reading it, Niki realised the control the team owners would have over the drivers and did not approve of it. Quickly, he rang up Didier Pironi who was head of the drivers association, to talk him through what he had found. Didier agreed that these licenses were bad and then called all the other drivers, telling them not to sign the licence. They had been late though, as 24 had technically already signed as they hadn't properly read the licence. The only ones that hadn't were Lauda, Pironi, Villeneuve who had seen something similar in ice hockey and didn't like it, Arnoux, Giacomelli and de Cesaris.

In South Africa, Kyalami the track was prepared for the drivers to start practising, and the drivers were arriving in their normal cars. But before they could get out on track, a bus pulled up with Niki Lauda and Pironi in it. Without their knowledge, Niki and Didier had managed to borrow a bus from Trevor Rowe and were ready to take the drivers back to their hotel at the Kyalami Ranch. They rounded up all the drivers and told them of their plans, and while they were hesitant, eventually, most of them were convinced to get onto the bus. Only two didn't. Jochen Mass, who was late (He's always late, someone said) and Jacky Ickx.

The team owner of March, John McDonald, caught wind of what was happening and tried to prevent the bus from leaving by parking a van in front of the bus. Jacques Laffite got out of the bus to move the van, accidentally stalled it, but eventually got it out of the way. The bus then set off, taking the scenic route back to the Sunnyside Park Hotel while every news van and car chased after the bus, getting clips of Niki Lauda looking out the back of the bus and waving at them.

Eventually, they arrived, and all of them strutted past the journalists and went into the hotel. Thus ensued a fun time for the drivers relaxing around by the pool for the day. However, things back at the track were not shaping up well.

Bernie Ecclestone and Jean-Marie Balestre were pissed. The race organisers threatened to impound the cars, Bernie Ecclestone threatened to sue the drivers, and Balestre announced if the drivers didn't come back, then they would all be fired. Bernie Ecclestone had already fired the drivers from his team, Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Patrese. The mechanics put signs out joking advertising for new drivers. Didier Pironi was doing the main negotiations for the drivers at the track and reporting back to Niki Lauda at the hotel on how it was progressing. During the evening, when dinner was being served, the driver's wives and girlfriends, who were still at the track, started throwing bread rolls at Balestre.

Didier Pironi arrived at the hotel and explained that if they didn't return and drive immediately, they risked life bans. Niki Lauda realised that this strike would last the night, and he knew that if all the drivers returned to their own rooms, the team principles would easily be able to convince them to abandon the strike. They needed to stay united, which meant literally sticking together. He arranged to take over the conference room in the hotel and have all the spare mattresses brought into the room.

All the drivers moved into this one big room, and soon, the entertainment started. Many of the younger drivers felt quite panicked about the whole situation, worried that they would be fired for going on strike, which would have ended any career in motorsports, so they went to the older drivers like Niki for reassurance. Niki tried to lighten up the atmosphere by telling dirty jokes. Bruno Giacomelli, who was quite passionate about machine guns, got his hands on a chart and gave a presentation on how to take a gun to bits. There was also a piano in the room, and driver Elio de Angelis, trained to play the piano, performed for all the drivers. Everyone there said it was the most beautiful playing they had ever heard. Gilles Villeneuve also had a go playing a few joyful pieces.

The team owners and journalists had by now discovered that all the drivers were hiding out in this one big room, and they were trying to get in. At first, Niki gave an interview by the door, but he ensured no one would leave the room. One of the team principles, Mo Nunn of Ensign, had brought the driver, Guerrero's girlfriend, along as a bargaining trip. Niki made sure to accompany Guerrero to see his girlfriend. He said that the situation could have brought a tear to your eye. Eventually, they got the girlfriend away from the team principal and into the room. Team principal Jean Sage of Renault tried to get to Prost and Arnoux but was beaten off.

At this point, the team principals grew frustrated and decided to break into the room, so the drivers had to use the piano to barricade the door.

Then night came, and it was time for the drivers to get even closer. There were not enough mattresses for one each, meaning all the drivers had to bunk up. Many funny photographs have come from this event. Alain Prost and Giles Villeneuve shared a mattress, which led to Patrick Tambay saying if a child came from this, all the others might as well give up.

There was a problem with the toilet as there was only one and it wasn't in the room. There was a key to the toilet and so the drivers agreed to leave it in the middle of the room so they would know if someone left to the toilet and didn't come back. One driver, Fabi, ended up going to the toilet but did not come back.

During the night, Carlos Reuntemann or Keke Rosberg snored so loudly that Gilles Villeneuve threw a blanket over them to cover the sound.

In the morning, all the drivers got up, trying hard not to sniff the odour of the room and got ready to head to the track as Didier Pironi had been able to successfully negotiate a licence they were happy with. No drivers were fired, Nelson Piquet and Riccardo Paterese were rehired, and the race was successful. There were fears that the drivers could be arrested at the airport, but thankfully, that didn't happen. Instead, they were fined for taking part in the strike, which, while it didn't affect some drivers who already had plenty of money, it wasn't ideal for the drivers who were just getting started.

This is as much as I am able to remember; if you know anything more or if there is something wrong in this let me know in the comments below! Hope you enjoyed the read :)

[toopimpabutterfly]

making my INTRO!!!!! or this is my intro. ykykyk. (meet my shitty way of designing intros and stuff too,)

HIHI call me Jésus I'm 16 Apache Mexican American. With some other stuff cause yeah. just mentioning that cause. I will say a lot of stuff yk. I'm autistic and scitzohenic but PLEASEEEE I NEED FRIENDS and PEOPLE TO talk to about my current interests!!!

MOVIES

Oh to go. on ABOUT THIS.. here's my letterboxd I fucking love movies.

DOGMA, MOONLIGHT, CLERKS, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, GOOD WILL HUNTING, FIGHT CLUB, NAKED LUNCH, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, CONSTANTINE, HELLBBOY, GUMMO, MAD MAX + FURIOSA, GODZILLA, I SAW THE TV GLOW, AVATAR, JACKASS, MID 90S, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS, WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S, FRIDAY, THE MATRIX, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK, THIRTEEN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, TRAINSPOTTING, THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT, DUCK TILL DAWN, THE WATERMELON WOMAN, DONT BE A MENACE TO SOUTH CENTRAL, BOYZ IN THE HOOD, 12 MONKEYS, MENACE II SOCIETY, WATCHMEN,MALL RATS, KIDS and a lot more.. coughs.

TV SHOWS

PREACHER, THE BOYS, THE MAXX, ÆON FLUX, THE BOONDOCKS, LOITER SQUAD, CLERKS ANIMATED, AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE, BOJACK HORSEMAN, BEVIS AND BUTTHEAD, JACKASS THE SERIES, SMILING FRIENDS, THE ERIC ANDRE SHOW, FUTURAMA, KING OF THE HILL, MORAL OREL, BLACK DYNAMITE, HOME MOVIES, SPACE GHOST COAST TO COAST, THE OBLONGS, and more stuff again. Assume that a lot tbh.

MUSIC

THE BUTTHOLE SURFERS, KENDRICK LAMAR, ICE CUBE, N.W.A, BLACK FLAG, DEAD KENNEDY'S, LEONARD COHEN, NINE INCH NAILS, OUTKAST, TYLER, THE CREATOR, NAS, DR DRE, BONE THUGZ, QUASIMOTO, EAZY-E, KMFDM, ALEX G, WEEN, CHEMLAB, JANE'S ADDICTION, GERMS, ANGRY SAMOANS, NEW ORDER, JOY DIVISION, COWBOY JUNKIES, JESUS LOVES JUNKIES, PIXIES, DINOSAUR JR, HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, THE DEAD MILKMEN, NECROS, CIRCLE JERKS, HOLE, and a lot more. I love hardcore punk, crust, hip-hop, rap, and basically everything tbh.

MISC + FIXATIONS

I love comics like the Punisher, The Maxx, Preacher, Bratpack, the clerk's comic, Watchmen, Hellboy, little things. I like reading, TOO . I LOVE HUNTER S THOMPSON!!! Mostly Fear and Loathing in las Vegas, Hell's Angels, and the Campaign Trail 72, and other books like Revolt of the Cockroach People, Get in The Van. Little books like that sorta. GAMES TOO I like Faith the unholy Trinity, DOOM, POSTAL, GTA, DUSK, and a few others!

I collect DVDS, games, VHS tapes, books, CDs, records, laser discs, literally any piece of physical media . All of it. I like conspiracy theories, civil rights activists, some art history, Malcolm X. I'm a punk I go to local shows and stuff and might sometimes post that when I can. I have a HUGEEE fixation rn on Dogma(1999) and Kendrick Lamar. But I heavily enjoy the viewaskew universe rn and want to interact with more of the little fandom please... my dad got me into the movies and we watched them all together n stuff. I do powerlifting as a hobby and like to go on walks around my town and say nonsense please interact. I will post whatever I want here really tbh.. BYE.

TAGS!!!

#toopimpabutterfly <- tag for everything I post

#TPAB lyric posts <- me lyric postin, nuff said.

#TPAB rants <- mostly vent or ranting about my horrible life. how fun

I got socials too, discords are irlwillhunting MAIN and h0peeradicated as alt. My Instagram is topimpthebutterfly . Spotify is here .

[phoenixyfriend]

Big news, imo:

I first heard this on Democracy Now broadcast (as presented on Spotify), but today's episode is not up on the site as a transcript yet, so here's Al Jazeera instead:

US senators call on Biden to condition Israel aid on humanitarian access

Eight United States senators have sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to offer Israel an ultimatum: expand aid to Gaza or lose US military assistance.

The letter, released on Tuesday, is the latest effort by US legislators to question ongoing US support for Israel amid its war in Gaza. It also comes as Biden himself has shown more willingness to openly criticise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, both former presidential candidates, were among the senators who signed the letter. Other signatories include Hawaii’s Mazie Hirono, Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen and Oregon’s Jeff Merkley.

Call your reps. If they are already on this letter, encourage them and let them now you support the action. If they are not, encourage them to back/join the action.

[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #348 - Jimmy Raney, A, 1957

La Storia della Prestige Records è anche la storia di una intera generazione di musicisti che ebbe la possibilità di incidere, sebbene in modo anticonvenzionale, con la creatura di Bob Weinstock. Weinstock è famoso per altri motivi, su cui ritornerò nelle prossime storie, prima fra tutte la sua estrema "parsimonia" economica, eppure fu un grandissimo talent scout, con un fiuto davvero notevole, tanto che fu fenomenale nel far registrare più cose possibili ad artisti che sapeva sarebbero poi andati verso concorrenti più grandi ed economicamente attrezzati. Oltre a ciò, viveva un eclettismo di produzione che pochissime case editrici avevano: registrò dischi di arpa jazz, duo e trio con strumenti inusuali, persino di musica d' avanguardia (i tre album che Louis Thomas Hardin, conosciuto come Moondog, incise per la Prestige tra il 1956 e il 1957). Il disco di oggi segue un'altra delle passioni di Weinstock, la chitarra jazz. E mise sotto contratto uno dei più fenomenali chitarristi del bop jazz, Jimmy Raney.

Originario del Kentucky, Raney giovanissimo sostituì alla chitarra Tal Farlow, altra leggenda dello strumento e soprannominato Octopus per le sue grandi mani, nel Trio di Red Norvio, altro gigante, vibrafonista, soprannominato Mr. Swing. Parallelamente all'impegno con il trio, è scelto da Stan Getz per una collaborazione che fece scuola, e che regalò a Raney una fortissima fama: nel 1956 vinse il prestigioso concorso della rivista Downbeat come miglior chitarrista del jazz. Eclettico, capace di spaziare tra i vari generi, Raney fu prolifico nonostante due limiti: le sue dipendenze, soprattutto dall'alcool, che lo terranno spesso lontano dalle scene nella seconda parte della sua carriera, e un impedimento fisico, cioè la Sindrome di Menière, una patologia dell'orecchio che gli provocava vertigini, nausee e drammatici momenti dove muoveva in maniera incontrollata gli occhi verticalmente.

Per la Prestige, oltre che come sessionista, incise due dischi, uno in coppia con Kenny Burrell, altro grandissimo chitarrista, (2 Guitars, del 1957), e il disco di oggi, dove come poche volte la chitarra è protagonista in un quartetto jazz. A è composto da diverse sessioni di registrazione, tenute nel mitico Van Gelder Studio di Hackensack, New Jersey, tra il Maggio del 1954 e due giorni, a Febbraio e Marzo del 1955. Insieme a Raney ci sono John Wilson alla tromba, Hall Overton al pianoforte, Teddy Kotick al contrabbasso e due batteristi Art Mardigan (nella registrazione del 1954) e Nick Stabulas (in quelle del 1955). Nei brani si sviluppa tutto l'ecclettismo e la maestria del chitarrista e il suo valore come band leader. Si sperimenta persino l'overdubbing nella spettacolare Minor, brano autografo di Raney, (che si basa sui cambi di accordi di Bernie's Tune); bellissima è anche Double Image (ispirata a There Will Never Be Another You), più un contrappunto selvaggio improvvisato tra Raney e il pianista Hall Overton in On the Square e un'intricata interpretazione della ballata Some Other Spring. John Wilson viene aggiunto alla tromba per la seconda e la terza data in studio, che consistono principalmente di standard. La vivacemente swingante Spring Is Here, una dolce What's New? di Bob Haggart e una delicatissima You Don't Know What Love Is, che dopo il successo come canzone di film anni '40 era diventata in breve tempo uno standard dopo la registrazione che Miles Davis ne fece nel 1954. Gli originali di Raney includono One More For The Mode, una piacevole rielaborazione di un'invenzione in due parti di Johan Sebastian Bach, e Tomorrow, Fairly Cloudy, un bop fiammeggiante. Completano la scaletta due riletture sentite a due classici: A Foggy Day e Someone To Watch Over Me dei superbi George Gershwin e Ira Gershwin.

Raney ebbe una seconda, ma minore, fama all'inizio degli anni '70, quando firmò un contratto per un'altra casa discografica del jazz indipendente, la Xanadu, con cui incise un bellissimo album, Influence, del 1975. Con lui in quegli anni suonava suo figlio Doug, chitarrista anch'egli, e un altro figlio musicista, Jon, cura un sito memoriale, The Raney Legacy, che raccoglie materiale sul padre e figlio chitarristi. Quando morirà, nel maggio del 1995 a soli 67 anni, il New York Times gli dedicherà un lungo articolo omaggio, descrivendolo come "one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists in the world".

[fezzian]

i was digging through archival news footage from the 1989-1990 pittston coal strike to cheer up my papaw, who has been going through a rough patch medically. he is a lifelong UMWA member and was part of the pittston strike.

i found some clips of the woman who is practically my godmother, sister bernie kenny, being interviewed. she was arrested in july 1989 for "impeding traffic," aka driving slowly on mountains in a winnebago that was outfitted as a mobile health care van, logically. just so happens some *non pittston* coal trucks were behind her, and she was wearing a camouflage scarf; camouflage being the uniform of the striking miners. the police saw this as an opportunity to punish the community and the striking workers. all charges against her were dropped.

solidarity forever.

[catb-fics]

Yes! I saw the full version somewhere on tumblr where Van’s dad talks more about the band, and his mom is like you think they’re great because he is your son. 😁 which made me think of Van’s dad used to drive them around so he was probably at the shows, too listening to his son singing those horny songs and inviting girls to “frustrate” him 😂 the boy has no shame! Poor Mary, they better treat her like the queen she is! I love how sassy she is with both. 🥹

Yeah I love this video I wish we had more Mary and Bernie they seem like great people! Sure everyone has seen the full video before but just in case there are any new fans who haven’t I’ll link it below.

Mary is hilarious, I think she would try and keep Van in line, and it’s probably where Van inherited his straight-talking from. I wonder if she sees videos of his slutty hips on stage and teases him about it ha ha my parents would full on roast me for that 😂 yeah and the old horny lyrics omg

I really need Van to write a song for Mary she so deserves it!

[your-divine-ribs]

One For The Wedding Album Part 1

Words: 3.7k

I’ve been asked for Part 2 of this and it’s still in my drafts and I do promise to complete it one day 🌸

Imagines Masterlist Main Masterlist

"For fuck's sake! Who requested Mr Brightside again?" You squeal tipsily.

The music's pounding and your head is spinning, a giddy feeling taking over as you feel a large hand close over one of yours as someone tugs you on to the dancefloor and spins you around to face them.

"John, I can't dance anymore, my feet are killing me!" You cry over the music, but Bondy's not hearing any of it, shaking his head at your protesting, pointing down at the strappy satin covered stiletto heels that you're wearing.

"Told ya you should have worn your docs!" Bondy chuckles. "Never see ya out of those bloody things, so why should today be any different?"

You roll your eyes playfully at him. "Oh yeah, they'd look great with my dress! Really elegant! Sure Van would have loved that!"

"I know you could carry it off though lass... and I don't think our Van would have minded what you turned up in today." He's still got your hand clasped tightly in his, lifted up, his other hand on your waist, and he's leading you around the dancefloor in a much less sophisticated version of an old-fashioned waltz, twirling you around every so often, making your head spin even more.

You're on top of the world. You're with all your family and friends, the drinks are flowing and you've been smiling so wide and for so long that your cheeks are actually starting to ache. You're having the absolute best day of your whole life. Exactly six hours and fifteen minutes ago you'd said "I do" to the one man who you'd loved since the very first moment you'd clapped eyes on him. You're a married woman. And not just any married woman. You're Mrs McCann.

Just the mere thought of your new name is enough to set off that daft, goofy smile on your face again but you don't have time to ponder it for long. The whole function room bursts into song again at the chorus, screeching out the well-known and much-loved lyrics at the tops of their lungs.

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis

But it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside

"No more... no more... my feet are seriously gonna drop off!" You whine, twisting yourself out of Bondy's arms, ignoring his pleas for you to kick off your shoes and just let loose, promising him that you'll be back to dance with him later on.

Your eyes scan the room, taking in wide beaming smiles wherever you look. Your dad and Bernie are having what looks like some ridiculous kind of dad-dancing dance-off competition, your mum and Mary are setting the world to rights over a bottle of champagne and your best friend and chief bridesmaid Kerry is drunkenly and very provocatively draped over a rather flustered looking Bob, much to Benji's delight. He's taken Bob's Polaroid camera and is snapping away, immortalising the moment. You giggle to yourself, taking a swig from your half-drunken glass of bubbly before setting it down on a nearby table.

Now where did that husband of yours get to...?

Husband...

You let the word roll around inside your head for a bit, trying it out for size, seeing how it feels. You even find yourself whispering it under your breath, a flurry of excited butterflies teaming in your belly as the concept starts to finally sink in. Today is just the start of it. The first day of the rest of your lives together. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part and all that jazz.

You're so caught up in your thoughts you don't notice the tall figure right behind you until you feel large hands on your hips, making you jump and whirl quickly around.

"There you are! Where did you disappear off to? Was just about to send out a search party!"

"Just been out for a smoke with Larry, that's all love. I'm here now."

Van's looking decidedly less suave now than he did when you were standing in front of the altar together earlier that afternoon. His hair's all mussed up, his tie's askew and the flowers in his button-hole have wilted, but the sparkle that's been simmering in those gorgeous blue eyes is still present. In fact he's positively glowing as he looks at you, deeply into your eyes before his gaze slips lower, shamelessly raking over your body.

You know that look. You've seen it a million times before over the course of your relationship. And you know exactly what's coming next.

"Fancy... errr... sneaking off for a bit? You know... just me and you... somewhere quiet?"

As he talks his fingers slide down to your hips, flexing there, his own hips pushing forward to just barely brush yours.

You smirk up at him. "Thought the whole idea of getting married was about you making an honest woman out of me?"

"Yeah well, I've never fucked a married woman before," he grins. "The thought's kinda turning me on if I'm honest. C'mon Y/N, no one'll miss us. I've been dying to get my hands on you all day since you walked into that church."

You shake your head, tutting loudly. "Impure thoughts in church? How very unholy of you."

"I can't help it babe, you look gorgeous in that dress. Don't even wanna take it off when I fuck you, wanna ruin you in it whilst you're looking all pure and pretty."

"Van!" You cry, your hand shooting up to your mouth, your cheeks aflame, giggling loudly.

He knows damn well how much his dirty talk turns you on and you're tempted. You really are. You glance around, seeing everyone dancing and drinking and having fun.

He's right, even though you two are the stars of the show today you don't think anyone would miss you if you were to disappear off for a little while. There's no denying the thought of Van pressing you into the wall of the toilet cubicle whilst he's hitching up the pristine silk of your virginal ivory white dress has set off a throbbing heat between your thighs, but you're having so much fun you don't want to miss a second of the celebrations. And besides, you'll have all the time in the world at the end of the night. You have the bridal suite booked with its gigantic king sized bed and sumptuous satin sheets, a mini bar stocked with champagne on ice and a huge sunken bath. You can take your time with one another then.

"C'mon..." he urges, that irresistible cheeky grin of his playing on his lips. "Ya know you want to."

You place your hands over his, leaning into him and planting a sweet, chaste kiss on those lips, drawing back slightly but staying close so you can whisper teasingly into his ear. "The best thing's come to those who wait... and you're just gonna have to wait!"

Then you're off, ignoring his protestations, entwining one of your hands in his and leading him in the opposite direction to his intended plans, straight on to the dancefloor where a Van Morrison track has just started to play. Bernie immediately makes a beeline for his son, stealing him away from you so he can clap a hand around his shoulder and sway drunkenly to the melody as they animatedly belt out the lyrics in unison.

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

You watch them for a moment before Bondy's there again, reaching for you and twirling you around until you're giggling and dizzy, laughing and stumbling, falling into his arms.

An hour's past and the party's still in full flow. Larry and Bondy have been up dancing on the tables, Benji's been throwing some serious shapes on the dancefloor and even Bob's letting his hair down. You noticed Kerry sneakily leading him away to a dimmed corner of the function room after their slow dance had looked like it was getting a little heated. They're currently making out like high-schoolers would around the back of the bike-sheds. You wonder whether Bob will still remember it tomorrow when he awakens with a sore head and remnants of Kerry's lipstick all over his face.

Van's trapped in between two older female relatives who are fussing and preening over him and his eyes keep darting to you with a pleading "help me" type of expression. You just grin and lean in to take a shot with Bob's camera, laughter erupting from you when one of Van's aunts puckers up to press a sloppy kiss on his cheek, telling him what a handsome boy he is.

"Smile for the camera Van!" You chortle, ignoring the helpless look in his eyes when the other aunt leans and and starts ruffling his hair, talking about how it needs a good cut.

Then you're dancing away, taking snap-shots as you go, capturing those perfect and sometimes hilarious moments in time for your wedding album so that you and Van can look back on them in the weeks and months and even years to come, fondly remembering your special day.

"Oi blushing bride, aren't you supposed to be the one in front of the camera today?"

Kerry's suddenly at your side, snatching the camera out of your hands and turning the lens on you. You yelp in surprise but recover quickly, leaning in with your hands on your hips and a saucy pout whilst she snaps away.

"Oh my god Y/N, you look so beautiful today," she gushes as she retrieves one of the freshly printed photos to admire. "I hope Van realises what a lucky man he is to have you. I don't think he deserves you to be honest. Think I might just have to steal you away for myself!"

She hooks her arm through yours and makes like she's turning for the door, then you're both falling about laughing, holding the Polaroid up to snap a few daft, crazy-faced selfies. You're laughing that much that you've got tears of mirth brimming in your eyes and starting to track down your cheeks. You go to brush one away with the heel of your hand when you notice a black smear on your skin and you let out a groan.

"Ah shit! I knew I should have bought waterproof mascara for today. It was bad enough when I was sobbing at Van's vows but look at me now. I must look like a panda bear!" You turn towards Kerry, tilting your face up to hers. "Is it bad? Is it fixable? I must look such a mess!"

Your friend just laughs, shaking her head. "You look absolutely fine... gorgeous as always! If you don't believe me go and look for yourself!"

You gather up the silky layers of your dress and rush off in the direction of the toilets, cursing when you get there and you realise that you've brought Bob's camera with you in your haste to fix your make-up. The last thing you want is to drop his precious camera on the tiled bathroom floor, especially when he'd shyly admitted that he'd brought it with him especially tonight to gift it to you as a special wedding present to preserve the memories of the day. You place it carefully down on the side of the sink and step back to look at your reflection.

Your dress is gorgeous. Even as modest and unassuming as you are you can't help but admit that you do look stunning in it. It has a beautifully cut bodice embellished with tiny diamantés and freshwater pearls and a breathtaking full layered skirt which floats around your feet like you're walking on clouds. Even your less than sentimental dad had shed a tear and mumbled that you looked like a Disney Princess in it.

It's just a shame that the rest of you doesn't look quite so pristine now. Your hair which had been painstakingly curled and styled around the delicate tiara is now hanging around your bare shoulders in wild cascading waves and your make up is smudged. You're not even sure where your tiara is but you'd last sighted it perched on Bondy's head a few hours previously.

You run a fingertip gently under your eye to try and collect the mascara and eyeliner that's ran, but you just end up smudging it even more.

Despite what your best friend says in your opinion you look a mess... a gorgeous mess but a mess all the same... but maybe that's not such a bad thing after all...

Your thoughts stray to a few weeks back and a wild passionate night with Van after you'd stumbled home in the early hours, how you'd huffed at your reflection in the bathroom mirror and reached for a wipe to clear off your ruined make-up. How Van had snuck up behind you and grasped your wrist, telling you that no... he liked it... that seeing you all raw and disheveled like this in gorgeous disarray turned him on. He'd fucked you right there and then over the sink, pressing you into the cold hard porcelain whilst he'd grabbed your jaw, forcing you to look at your reflection, telling you how beautiful you were when he made you fall apart for him. The thought makes warmth rise to your cheeks and it's not the only part of you that's heating up.

You squirm where you stand, pressing your thighs together, feeling the whisper of soft lace between your legs, thinking about the stunning ivory set you'd purchased especially for this day. You just know Van will go wild when he catches sight of it. But not yet... he's going to have to wait.

Teasing him is so much fun though...

An idea comes to you suddenly in a flash of wicked inspiration and you quickly hitch up your dress and take a naughty snap in the mirror, angled just right to show Van a glimpse of the alluring treat he'll get if he behaves himself and bides his time. Then you take another shot holding the camera aloft and looking up at the lens through your smoky, smudged loaded lashes, wide eyed and sultry looking, your bottom lip caught between your teeth. Perfect.

You emerge from the toilets shortly after and you don't have to look very hard to find Van this time. As soon as your lock eyes with his across the dancefloor he strides straight over with purpose.

"Baby..." he drawls, dragging out the word slow and smooth, a hand curling around your waist, drawing you in. "If I didn't know any better I'd think my gorgeous new wife was trying to avoid me. Ya wouldn't do that would ya?"

"Of course not, I was just coming to find you actually. Got you a little... errr... wedding gift." You hold up the camera whilst you're talking and Van's attention shifts to see what you're holding, puzzlement creasing his brow.

"Oh yeah? What's that then?"

You produce the Polaroid photos, keeping them raised up and away from Van's seeking hand when he goes to take them, fixing him with a look that's pure seductiveness, ramping up the intrigue.

"Ahh, no you don't... not yet. Think you've been a good boy so far, so I'm sure you can wait a little longer. Just thought you might like a little taster of what you'll be getting later..."

Then you slip the photos quickly into the breast pocket of his jacket, nudging aside the flowers in his buttonhole, patting the material with teasing fingers as you look up at him, informing him that he'll have to wait his turn as there's another man who's been craving your attention all evening too.

As you back away to find your dad for that slow dance that you'd promised him earlier, you keep your eyes on Van, watching his reaction as he quickly slips the photos out for a sneaky look. Just as predicted his eyes go wide and his jaw goes slack, the unmistakable longing etched all over his awed expression as he meets your gaze across the dancefloor with a hungry look that can only mean one thing.

You're gonna get it later...

You smile lasciviously, your belly flipping somersaults at the thought of consummating the life vows you made to each other that very afternoon.

Sex had never been a priority in your life before you'd met Van, it was just another element of your past relationships that although enjoyable had never really filled you with the insatiable need that Van had sparked in you the first night that you'd met. He'd come crashing into your life one evening at a festival that you'd both attended, a whirlwind of chaotic energy and endearing goofiness as you'd both shamelessly fan-girled and fan-boyed over the Arctic Monkeys in their headline slot. With a very newly recorded debut album under his belt, you weren't familiar with Catfish at the time and would never have dreamed for one moment that Van  himself was destined to follow in your idols footsteps and burst into the music scene with quite such aplomb. You also never would have dared to dream that the sparkly-eyed, floppy-haired indie boy that caught your attention that fateful night would end up stealing your heart in such a way that he did, but yet here you were, five years on, proving all the nay-sayers wrong, embarking on the next chapter of your life together. You were perfect together in all the ways that mattered... and as for the sex... it was pretty mind-blowing.

You catch Van's eye as your dad twirls you around yet again, the opening bars of another familiar song sparking a memory in you. It's the song that was playing on the radio when Van proposed to you, another Van Morrison tune. He'd been planning an overblown romantic gesture for his proposal featuring heart-shaped balloons and dozens of roses, taking you completely by surprise when you were out at a planned family meal, but he just couldn't wait.

When he'd seen you there in the kitchen that momentous afternoon just over a year ago, kneading cookie dough with a dusting of flour in your hair and a telltale smudge of chocolate on your lips, he'd thought you'd just looked so adorable... so beautiful... so goddamn perfect... that he couldn't wait another second to ask you to be his wife. The sparkling solitaire diamond platinum ring he'd taken to carrying around with him for weeks had been quite literally burning a hole in his pocket, and he'd dropped down on to his knees right there and then on the kitchen floor, much to your shock and delighted surprise, professing his undying love whilst he'd slid the ring on to your finger. It had been a perfect moment, one that you'd treasure forever, slow dancing whilst he'd held you tightly in his arms, and your life had since been made up of many of these perfect moments.

"I hate to steal her away from you, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut in for this song."

Van's voice in your ear and his hand on your dad's shoulder brings you both to a halt, stilling your dance, and your dad lets you go.

He wraps his hands around your waist, pulling you in, close enough that your hips are touching as you begin to sway.

"Got you on your own at last," he looks down on you, dipping his head to plant a small, sweet kiss on your lips. "I can't believe we actually did it babe. Married... the two of us. This is it now... we're gonna spend the rest of our lives together. I hope you're gonna still love me when I'm old and wrinkly."

"Of course I will," you tell him. "I'll always love you... just like I always have. Think I did the first moment I laid eyes on you to be honest."

Van chuckles. "You sure about that? I was a right state at that festival! Remember when you said you wanted to get up on my shoulders and I tripped over and we ended up in a heap on the floor?"

You laugh at the memory. "And you also spilt a whole pint of lager over me if I remember rightly... then instead of apologising you asked if I needed any help getting out of my wet clothes."

Van face palms dramatically, groaning. "God I really was a creep wasn't I? What the hell did you see in me?"

"You made me laugh. You were just so goofy and cute... and adorable... even with the shit chat-up lines."

You drape your hands over his shoulders, looking up at him, your fingers twisting through the hair at the nape of his neck. "And now here we both are..."

"Here we are," he echoes, a faraway look about him like he's caught up in a dream. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. You're the love of my life Y/N."

Again he bows his head to press a soft, lingering kiss on your lips. When you pull apart the grin he's wearing stretches wide on his face as he starts to mouth the words of the song to you.

"And when I'm returning, from so far away

She gives me some sweet lovin'

Brightens up my day

And it makes me righteous, and it makes me whole

And it makes me mellow, down into my soul"

You giggle as he takes your hand and twirls you around, happy and carefree. When you fall back into his arms, he pulls you even closer into his body, impossibly tight.

"She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love... She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love..."

He croons the chorus into your ear before pulling back to look deep into your eyes and the rest of the room seems to melt away. You're exactly where you want to be, it feels like the universe is aligned just right in that moment and everything else is just background noise, orbiting distantly around you both.

And in case you were wondering… this tumblr post was the inspiration for this fic! Part 2 to come…

[emily-mooon]

More 1980s Tumblr!

👩‍🎤starmanss follow

I’m never going to get over the fact that THE DAVID BOWIE and QUEEN made a song together like omg my two faves teaming up to make the ultimate song is awesome!!!!!!!

🔁👨🏻anotheronebitesfollow

OMG SAME BESTIE FREDDIE AND BOWIE STOOD IN THE SAME ROOM AND MADE MUSIC IS SOMETHING THAT ME A FEW YEARS AGO WOULDN’T HAVE BELIEVED LIKE AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

987k notes

💋robbiesmith follow

I’d like to think I’m a nice person

🔁🏜boysdocry follow

Didn’t you roast a smiths fan so hard they deactivated?

🔁💋robbiesmith follow

New year, new me

🔁🏜boysdocry follow

That was a month ago

🔁💋robbiesmith follow

NEW YEAR NEW ME!

1.8m notes

🌃iancurtisss

OMG WAKE UP JOY DIVISON/NEW ORDER GIRLIES NEW ALBUM JUST DROPPED

ALSO NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR ATMOSPHERE LIKE IM NOT GOING TO SPOIL ANYTHING BUT IT MADE ME CRY JUST KNOW THAT

🔁🎸hookysbass

FUCK YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!

GONNA GO WATCH IT NOW AND ILL LET YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL AFTERWARDS

🔁🎸hookysbass

Update: I cried. Like full on sobs. Haven’t done that in years since

🔁💐new-bernie

Same guys same. I’m a mess

🔁🛤stephmorriss

I’m still crying at that last bit

🔁🌃iancurtisss

DONT REMIND ME STEPH😭😭😭😭😭

🔁🧛🏻belalugosifucks follow

Do you all want a hug? Especially @hookysbass cause girl what happened

🔁🎸hookysbass

Ian’s death happened

9k notes

🪨combatrocks follow

CLASHIES! REMEMBER WHEN JOE WENT MISSING BEFORE THEIR UK TOUR IN 82? YEAH GUESS WHAT THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO TODAY

🔁📻thisisradioclash follow

YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT THOSE LONG AND GRUELLING THREE WEEKS HAPPENED THAT LONG AGO

YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT THE TWEET THAT BROKE US IS THREE YEARS OLD NOW?!

i think I’m going to throw up

🔁🥊ifoughtthelaw follow

Show a Clash Stan this and they will tell you their deepest darkest secret

🔁🪨combatrocks follow

STOP PLEASE NO MORE

🔁 🔥londonsburning follow

Hey guys guess how long it’s been now:

6 FUCKING YEARS!!!!!

967k notes

💋robbiesmith follow

I want this man to kiss me passionately on the mouth:

🔁🕸 spellbndgrrl follow

Well I want her to step on me:

Yeah break my back with those black leather heeled boots 😍😍😍😍😍

91.5k notes

🌕killingmoon follow

It’s always Robert Smith this and George Michael that, but where is the respect for the incredibly strange boys?

🔁🐶campervanlassie follow

THIS OMG WHERES THE LOVE FOR MY BOYS? CAMPER😤VAN😤BEETHOVEN!!!!!!!!!

🔁🐁talking-rats

It’s been years since I last heard the name David Byrne spoken on these hallowed grounds. He was once the king for us weridos but now he’s not and it makes me sad. Miss seeing that loser in his big suit everywhere on my dash

25 notes

(Prev fake dash)

[porkchop200324]

New, more organized about me post:

Savana Rose, 20, she/her

Favorite movies- The Wizard of Oz, Twisters, 2000s Barbie Movies, Winnie the Pooh movies, Lilo and Stitch, Cinderella 1950

TV shows- SpongeBob SquarePants, 9-1-1, Daisy Jones and The Six, Full House

Music Artists- Taylor Swift, Daisy Jones and The Six, Suki Waterhouse, The Beatles, Queen, One Direction

Favorite actors-Sam Claflin, Kenneth Choi, Oliver Stark, Joseph Quinn

Favorite Actresses- Camila Morrone, Suki Waterhouse, Grace Van Dien, Marilyn Monroe, Lily Donoghue, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Angela Bassett, Seychelle Gabriel

Ships(by fandom)

Daisy Jones and The Six- Camila x Billy, Karen x Graham, Warren x Lisa, Simone x Bernie, Eddie x Daisy

Stranger Things: Hellcheer, Jancy, Robin x Vickie

911: Madney, Henren, Bathena

Safe space, free Palestine

Taylor Swift, Grace Van Dien antis DNI

[jamiesfootball]

Sooooooooo not to be a downer. Really at all but

(TW suicide)

I think Ted’s gonna try to kill himself.

Rewatching season one there was a moment that stood out to me- it was Ted talking to Rebecca, and he was miming a bunch of ways to kill himself.

And then in season two he talks to Sam about how people only use cuss words when they can’t find the words they actually need to say. Except for Bernie Mac who used cuss words like Van Gogh used the color yellow- effectively.

Van Gogh’s sunflowers were painted during a rare moment of optimism, but are also associated with the artist’s struggles with mental health.

This season opens with Ted with the first shot of the season. We’ve been shown how unmoored he is from his goals and his friends (who all have their own puzzled lives to live and enjoy - even Dr Sharon). We’ve seen a man who started as a beacon of optimism shrunk further and further in, to the point where the lads in the locker room have to prompt him to help - a thing he’d usually offer excessively whether or not they wanted it.

The belief is gone. And he’s holding onto hope now. The hope that things will continue on and get better. He’s holding onto hope for dear life.

But it’s the hope that kills you.

His ex has moved on.

His son feels like he’s slipping away.

And on the surface its not the way that it’s usually portrayed in movies- it’s not all regressive. He did speak his mind to Michelle regarding her new relationship. He talked himself down from a panic attack regarding Henry’s bullying incident. But I don’t think that’s him getting better- I think that’s part of him starting to unconsciously seek closure.

His father is on his mind. And this has always been a show about men, and fathers, and the trauma inflicted upon each other when you don’t feel like you’re allowed to be emotional and vulnerable- when those are the things that make you feel shame. The things you don’t have words for.

Next episode is titled Sunflowers.

[jroycethethird]

setting: friday night at sunset drive in, echo acres

featuring: j. royce van doren iii & cecile van doren @cecevandoren

The sky above Lunar Cove darkened, a seasonably warm and clear night. Royce zipped down the streets in Goldie Hawn — his yellow ‘73 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Veloce 2000 — with her top off and looking stunning in the glow of the downtown streetlights. A flashy car for an often times flashy man, the kind he only ever brought out on humid summer days and nights when the sunlight shown off her hood exquisitely. Lately, though, his mind had been overcome with so much, that he hadn’t had much of a desire for joy rides in his pretentious vintage cars. The Catalyst. The Coven. The Council. All things that took so much of his time and attention, that kept him in some level of stress he hid behind carefully crafted and winsome smiles, a lofty attitude, or simply by locking himself away in his office at the back of the gallery. That futon offered a comfortable spot for many a restless afternoon when he just needed a little shut eye, if it would even come to him. But these lazy tactics just wouldn’t do much longer. After the grief of losing yet another coven member, Royce needed a far better respite than just an afternoon nap. And his other favored way of clearing up frustration was unavailable, at least until much later he figured. That left him with one other potential, one he thought may have been the most centering idea he’d had but regrettably didn’t come to first.

Swerving to a stop by the sidewalk, he’d leaned back in his seat and eyed the entrance of New Leaf, sniffing indignantly at the sight of it. He wasn’t here for new reading material, no. Most of his books he got in various languages from charming book stores on his visits abroad, or in estate sales and auctions as coveted first editions, all pressed tightly into bookcases back home. Novels didn’t entice him today, instead he was there for the blonde who had just barely ducked out the front door. The blonde who was so far above this ridiculous little retail job she stumbled into. “Cece,” he called, grabbing her attention with a wide grin and a single wave of his hand. No doubt she was looking for Bernie in one of the sleek black SUVs the family typically entrusted to staff, but was met instead by the sight of her brother in his ostentatious yellow convertible, prescription sunglasses hanging low on his nose as he beckoned her over. Hair wind blown and tousled while devoid of his usual three piece suit, Royce sat there in a crisp white button down, his jacket and vest neatly tucked away in the back, tie long forgotten. His sleeves were crumpled up to his elbows, collar undone and the top buttons on his shirt unfastened to reveal the scooped neck of a thin white undershirt beneath. If one squinted at him, they may have even noticed his shirt was untucked. He looked utterly unkempt by his standards, nothing like the J. Royce Van Doren III he presented in public, but Cece would see him then for who he was: Tripp, the Van Doren boy who liked running off on untold adventures or silly little inconsequential hijinks once the responsibility of life weighed too heavily on him, sloughing that stern and accountable persona in favor of something a little more relaxed.

By the time she drew near he was leaning over and pushing open the passenger’s door. “Blythe called,” he said, “She’s got a late meeting with the historical society, and the old man took off to Fuck Know’s Where for the night. Kath’s at the country club with that tennis instructor she has a shine for, God she’ll eat them alive. …I think that leaves you and I to our own devices. I figured I could steal you away for some proper brother-sister bonding time. Better than staying cooped up in ol’ Greenie all night.” He referred so affectionately to their aptly named emerald family home, Verdant Vale Hall, where a quiet night in alone with a book likely awaited Cecile. But by God, they could do better. It had been a while since he had really dedicated time to either of his younger sisters, or the family in general, and while he wouldn’t say it out loud, it was certainly weighing on Tripp. It dripped something blue in his heart, seeing Blythe scared to the point of fainting last month on the full moon and for him to have not been there right when it happened to shoulder the burden. He was learning quick that his globe trotting cowardly on the run ways were no good to anyone, especially the Van Doren women he loved so dearly. If only he could properly change.

“The Drive-In’s showing classics — Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Sinatra in High Society. Or was it Grace and Jimmy Stewart in Read Window? …Whatever, point is they’re showing old movies, and I thought it could be fun.” He reached into a small cooler on the floor before the passenger seat and pulled out a pint of Talenti’s Gelato Layers. Black Raspberry Vanilla Parfait, which he knew was a favorite of hers. “And I don’t come empty handed,” he grinned, but he withheld the ice cream as he motioned for her to sit. “C’mon, humor your old brother, won’t you? Before I’ve shuffled off this mortal coil.” Tripp sighed dramatically, before straightening in his seat. He had initially, when the tragedy first struck, thought about jet setting to Mykonos for a hedonistic respite, but he supposed there were great difficulties here in town that required him to stick around, and it wasn’t all too safe to just leave. Maybe this, a relaxed night with his darling little sister, could be just as nice a break from the chaotic noise, in spirit, as a Grecian getaway. Likely not the same, but he could try to enjoy himself more innocently.