#btw if you don't know the song's called “Escape”

[rarebird22]

Soooo your post really inspired me and I made a thing. I think this reprise would fit between defying gravity and thank goodness: after Elphie escapes the Emerald City, she can finally stop to ponder everything that happened that crazy day and what led up to it. Hope you like it!

(BTW op's tags were: #and don't get me started on how actually elphie gets basically everything she wished for in that song through glinda #at the oz dust when finally no one thinks she's strange #standing hand in hand in the emerald city)

"Galinda and I"

Did that really just happen?

Have I actually understood?

That odd girl I loathed, who once was a foe

Is now a friend who gave me what I deserved

Helped me make good

So I'll make good

When I met Galinda

She showed me my worth

Once I met Galinda

Changed some views I've held since, since birth

She may not seem to have much wisdom

But by my looks she came un-blinded

Did you think my best friend is dumb?

Or like Munchkins so small-minded? No!

We learned to see the me that I truly am

A girl on whom Oz can rely

And my new life began

Galinda and I

When we were at the Ozdust

My whole life was changed

Cause we danced at the Ozdust

And no one called us strange

Though friends may be quick to leave me

Though I may be abhorred

And the Wizard he decived me

But by Galinda, I'm adored

And these gifts and these powers I have inside

Finally at last I know why

We'll save Oz hand in hand

Galinda and I

I know that you said to me "Elphie dear,

a girl who is so superior,

People don't care about what's inside;

Only see the exterior"

You may be right, though I disagree,

So you stayed back while I flew out free

I hope it's all right by you

I promise we'll make it through

Of course I know that you're you while I'm me

I know that you will get by

Still, think what we could be:

Galinda and I

Yes think what we could be:

Galinda and-

Unlimited...

(And of course I would switch over into the defying gravity refrain of Unlimited here because why try to improve perfection?)

Anyways, it's late in my time zone and I'm going to bed. If anyone wants to add on with more lyrics for the end of "Galinda and I" feel free

thinking about how the best case scenario that elphaba can imagine in the wizard and i is that finally someone will come along who will be able to change everything about her. even in her wildest dreams, she views that as her best option.

and then.

along comes galinda. who - after spending an entire night attempting to give her a makeover - settles on: ‘actually, you’re perfect just the way you are. i wouldn’t change a thing. except maybe to tuck a little piece of myself in with you, just there.’

and i just think that’s neat.

[whoa-an-mcyt-blog]

NVM EVERYONE, THERE'S A WORLD DOWNLOAD NOW

as per my previous post, i must tell you that the mediafire link finally had something! it was a download to a minecraft world. the world is in 1.11, btw, because we cannot escape the 11. the following are all my screenshots:

the world is mostly just a patch of a spruce forest floating in the air. it reminds me a lot of the weird chunks of world you can see in 11 or window.

there's a book in the center of the world titled "0", and when you open it, it reads this:

hey! hey uh, are you hurt? … hello? are you alive? … oh my gosh… groan h-hey! you're alive! what happened? are you hurt? shriek woah- hey, it's ok, i'm here to help- w-who are you? i'm here to help, here, stand up, let me see you. does anything hurt? you look pretty beat-OH … i'm sorry dear, here, you can take my jacket, cover up with that. you must be freezing… t-thank you um, what hurts? it looks like you've taken a beating… uh… i don't know can you walk? yes. okay okay, here, come with me, my house is just down the road a bit ok you can warm up there, and i'll uh, i'll call the doctor. you can rest for a while. uhm there, there you go. we can go slowly if you need. let's get you out of this weather. how long have you been out here? …i don't know you don't know? no… i'm sorry no, thats alright don't worry. uhm, lets just get you warmed up. we'll be there in just a few minutes. … … …thank you, s-sir

(the words are colour-coded depending on the person speaking)

ivory is possibly the one that's hurt here, but i have no idea who the other person could be. probably someone that going to be in the video today.

and finally, if you go down to the void there's a secret chest with a book and quill inside that just reads "s".

this is possibly leading to another youtube link eventually? idk.

one final note: the file in mediafire is listed as being from the czech republic. ivory has used czech in some of her song names. i have no idea if this is significant but it is something to mention.

[butterphii]

Just Us

The Party (Part 2)

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

TW: Kissing, pet names, fluff, the squaddd, sweet Jake, happy "couple", fake relationship

Note: Again, thanks to my wife, I'm getting this out as soon as possible. Love you @anyalikeslasagna!! I was also asked to tag @angieisme. Enjoy y'all!!

-------------------Jake Peralta------------------

You stood in front of the body sized mirror, trying to get the perfect picture to send to Jake. Your heels wouldn't look right in the normal pose you did, and the dress would ride up.

You decided on just lifting your leg a little, and making a little kiss-y face. "Perfect!" You exclaimed, sending it to him and then texting, 'im readyyy come onn'.

He replied quickly with a 'omw, look gorgeous btw 💅🏻', which made you giggle. You fixed your dress, grabbed your mini purse, and grabbed a drink from the fridge while waiting for your 'boyfriend' who you really, really want to be your boyfriend.

A knock pattered your door, startling you. "Coming!" You said in a sing song voice. You opened the door to a Jake you haven't seen before. He was dressed up, his shirt well buttoned up and a dark sage color. His black slacks and matte shoes matched perfectly with your shoes.

"You look even better in person, princess." He grinned. You giggled, blushing softly. "Thanks. You look amazing, too, Jakie." The name you called him made him pause, but he didn't mind it.

You stepped into his sort of clean car, the passenger seat cleaned out especially for you. "Thanks," You quietly said when he opened the door for you. "No problem, love." He replied. "Were not even at the party yet, why are you calling me these names?" You asked, buckling yourself in and watching him drive towards the precinct. "Getting into character." He smiled, his cheeks red.

When you finally arrived, he hopped out, opening your door for you. "So, before we go in, I'm gonna be holding you close to me as often as I can, ok? That good?" He asked you, fluffing up your hair for you. "Yeah, that's good." You smiled, looking into his eyes, admiring him.

He held your hand, your tiny fingers interlinked with his lengthy ones. You heard, you think, Terry call from across the room as you stepped out the elevator. "Jake! This must be the lady!" He smiled, his shirt way too tight for him, but you could see who you asssumed to be Gina eyeing him, so you knew she liked it.

"Hey, Terry! Yes, this is her, my gorgeous baby. Is Sharon here?" He asked, kissing your cheek after introducing you. You smiled at Terry, looking around for the only one you sort-of knew, Rosa. "Baby, where's Rosa?" You asked shyly. "She's over in the corner, babe. You can go see her, I gotta talk to Holt anyway. Have fun, love." He smiled, kissing you softly, holding you, then letting you walk away.

Jake walked with Terry, staring at you while you walked away. Rosa looked up, smiling softly then correcting herself when she saw you. "Hey, Rosa! Long time no see, girl." You smiled, hugging her around the neck. "I'm only letting you hug me because I like you. Never again." She growled. "Shut up, you know you love me." You nudged her arm. She grinned. "Yeah, thanks for getting me with that girl. She's the woman of my dreams, man. I love her." You smiled at her heartfelt confession that she'd probably never share with anyone.

"Good. Me and Jake are coming up on 4 months now. I really think I love him.." You closed your eyes, voice all lovey. "That's great. Why don't you go to him? He's been staring at you the whole time you've been over here. Seems like he loves you too." A chuckle escaped her lips. You gasped at the laugh. "Ok, I'll be back, boo." You replied, patting her forehead.

You walked over to Jake, letting his arm slink around your waist as he talked to Captain Holt more. You shook hands with him, introducing yourself quietly. "Well, I'm happy Jake finally found his one." Holt said seriously, his facial expression blank with no emotion.

"I'm happy I found him too. I think he might be the one." You whispered, covering your mouth from Jake, hearing a soft chuckle from the captain and a quiet smile before he went back to his regular R.B.F.

"Well, I'm gonna get some drinks. Capin' you want one?" He asked before pecking your cheek. "No. Flavor means nothing to me. Thank you." He went on, sipping a water bottle. This is why Jake always says he's insane.

Jake comes back with a cup of what you assumed to be punch, then took a sip. He looked got even when drinking a CHILDREN'S drink. What does this mean? Do you really, like, actually like Jake? You can't. That's wrong. You thought and thought, until he caught you staring at him. "Whats up, baby? You ok?.." He whispered into your ear, his arm wrapping around your waist.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I think I'm fine. Just got a little headache." You replied, looking around to see if anyone was near or talking to you for Jake to call you that. There wasn't. Your cheeks warmed pink. "Ok, we'll, we can go home if you want, ok? Most people are clearing out anyway." He ruffled his fingers through his hair, placing his hand on your lower back, making you shiver softly.

"Ok then, uhh..let's go. I need to say goodbye to Rosa and Charles first. We're like..best friends now." You smiled at Jake, his goofy grin smiling back at you.

After saying your goodbyes, Jake kissed your lips softly. He stayed by your face for a minute, then backed away when he realized what he was doing. Hopefully nothing would escalate to the point he would see the damp spot on your panties.

Jake opened his car door for you, kissing your cheek before shutting it. "Jake, there's no one out here, why'd you do that?" You asked, putting on your seat belt. "Oh, really? Could've sworn I saw Terry.." He winked at you before driving you to your apartment.

[lalaballa]

I was thinking about the AM song "Old Yellow Bricks", the Wizard of Oz and the queer term "Friend of Dorothy" - and I found this interesting post from reddit, referencing Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" X

Wikipedia provides some interesting info on yellow-brick road and transgender characters which date back to the very first novels:

The precise origin of the term [Friends of Dorothy] is unknown. Some believe that it is derived from The Road to Oz (1909), a sequel to the first novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). The book introduces readers to Polychrome who, upon meeting Dorothy's travelling companions, exclaims, "You have some queer friends, Dorothy", and she replies, "The queerness doesn't matter, so long as they're friends." There are numerous references to LGBTQ characters and relationships,including a possible innuendo about bisexuality – when Dorothy asks Scarecrow which way to go on the yellow-brick road he says, "Of course some people go both ways" – although it is unknown whether they were intentionally included. For instance, in a case that may be seen as changing gender identity, or being transgender, Ozma, while still an infant, the baby daughter of the former King Pastoria of Oz, was given to the witch Mombi of the North by the Wizard of Oz. Mombi transformed Ozma into a boy and called him "Tip" (short for Tippetarius) in order to prevent the rightful ruler of Oz from ascending to the throne. Thus, Ozma spent her entire childhood with Mombi in the form of the boy Tip, and had no memory of ever having been a girl. Later, Princess Ozma would be the ruler of the fictional land of Oz. Princess Ozma has been referred to as “one of the first transgender characters in literature." This storyline was revived in Emerald City (2017). X

And then, back in 2007, in a brilliant album talking about circuses and identity struggles, under a persona called Jackie Pantomime, Alex Turner put this particular song (possibly about a need to escape) just before the final track 505, which addresses the return to HOME...

AM @ Brit Awards 2007

I don't know whether Alex had Wizard of Oz in mind when writing Favourite Worst Nightmare (btw the album's title seems to perfectly describe Dorothy's journey!), but the subtle engagement with queer culture since that young age... this is exciting to say the least.

[chilipowder9]

the tags need no tw but they are in all caps so if that bugs you don't go to the tags

I love u narrative songs 💖💖💖

[kaymarie-bell]

Diasomnia Book, Chapter 5 Spoilers (and mini translations)

edit: [part 2]

‼️ LONG POST ‼️

Baul reports that the castle is currently surrounded by Henrik, the Knight of Dawn and their troops. They cannot use teleportation magic because they're injured so they must walk all the way there + Lilia is currently not a match for the Knight. Meleanor must stay strong by herself

Baul does not want our group to come along since it's a battle of Fae vs Humans, but Silver says that race doesn't matter and we want to fight for what's right

They find a pair of cooks who give the group food and mention that Silver really looks like "him"

Silver is on his Disney princess era, he's using his ability to talk to animals to help them get to the castle/distract the guards

KNIGHT OF DAWN REVEAL (he's Silver's ancestor 100%)

Silver's ring/necklace started to shine right after we got to see the Knight

Man that Henrik is really ugly

This mf's entire reason to wage war against the Fae is just to take Meleanor's magical orb for his collection??? and to steal her egg??? the Knight is clearly against this but he cannot refuse to fight due to his own circumstances

WE FINALLY GET TO THE CASTLE

Malleus' mother is named Meleanor (we get a confirmation of the spelling from the name of the location)

SHE'S SINGING A LULLABY BEFORE WE SEE HER (yes it's the same song Malleus sings in the overblot scene I wanna kms)

she's gorgeous omg

Meleanor is really mad at Lilia (?) and throws lighting at him and everyone else

Aye we get egg Malleus reveal

Meleanor already calls him Malleus because she was sure he was going to be a boy because of motherly instincts (😭)

Silver and Sebek experience microagressions from the Fae pt. ??? (Meleanor made them kneel before her once she saw their ears)

Meleanor decided to confront the troops by herself

just fell to my knees. hold on

She gives her egg to Lilia and orders them to flee somewhere safe

Lilia protests and Meleanor keeps on throwing lighting at him. Silver steps in to protect Lilia. Lilia scolds him but then Silver begs them to stop fighting because they're doing it only out of concern for the other

Baul and Sebek are surprised by him. Baul asks Meleanor to listen to his words

Lilia: I can't hatch this egg by myself! Dragons can only be hatched with magic and affection from their parents. It only works with true love

I don't understand parental love. I don't know what it is like to love someone.

Meleanor: You love me, don't you? Or were you lying when you proposed to me when we were young?

You love Levan too. The time you two have spent together side by side as generals is even longer than a married couple.

How can you not love a child of our blood?

Meleanor forces everyone away from the castle while saying her goodbyes to Lilia and Malleus

Lilia tries to get back to her but Baul stops him and tells him that as guards they must obey the commands given by the Draconias, or else be punished by lighting. Lilia says it doesn't matter, he will quit the squad and he's already used to the lighting.

Baul says that the egg he's holding is the King who will carry the future of the valley. They must escape. They have to trust that Meleanor is strong enough to win and get back to them, and keep their focus on protecting the egg.

Lilia finally agrees and we keep on moving

The writers are so evil. We get a confrontation of Meleanor vs the Knight of Dawn

Meleanor's battle against the troops is basically the scene of Maleficent vs Prince Philip in the movie (she's in her dragon form). Meleanor's magic attributes are the same as Malleus's dorm SSR btw (fell to my knees)

we're currently escaping via underground passage that's collapsing due to the battle

suddenly the Knight of Dawn appeared. He was blown all the way there by Meleanor's magic

the Knight recognized Lilia's general mask immediately and realized that the egg he's holding must be the Prince and Lilia takes a fighting stance

Baul steps in to fight but the ceiling collapsed, burying Lilia and Malleus under the debris. Silver panics but then an aurora-like light appears. The Knight used his magic to save Lilia and the egg

the Knight shows concern for the egg and Lilia asks him why he saved them. the Knight is speechless

the Knight's mask breaks. He looks just like Silver but with long blond hair. Everyone is shocked

there's two lights comming from them, it's originating from their ring/necklace (they both have identical ones). The Knight says he was given his by his fairy godmother (?) and it was one of a kind. He demands to know who Silver is.

Silver cannot get any words out. We hear a roar and the Knight says there's no time for talking, Henrik is after the egg so they must keep on running quickly

Baul is offended by "being pitied by their enemy" but Lilia says to forget about it and keep moving

Silver is still in shock and remembers the conversation he had with Lilia when he gave him his ring (about how he had it on when he was found)

oh no my son is straight up having a panic attack and crying his heart out. He cannot accept that his own flesh could have done this to Lilia and Malleus. We see the beginning of another overblot...

Sebek is screaming for Silver to stay strong. He tells Lilia and Baul to keep going and that we will catch up later. Silver is our responsibility as his friends.

Yuu gets dragged into darkness, Silver's negative emotions???

Silver is having a lot of negative thoughts, wondering if Sebek hates him now...how will he ever face Malleus again...thinking that maybe if he stays in the dream he won't have to show up in front of them...he wants to stay in the dark...(we have to literally fight his demons away 😭)

Silver is crying. Suddenly we hear a baby. And a familiar voice...

[Abandoned castle, covered in thorns]

Lilia: I'm coming back here again...it must have been 300...no, 400 years already.

We finally signed a peace treaty with the neighboring nations. I was able to return to this place.

It's been a long time since the last time I came here. It took quite a while. Truly.

Silver: This voice...father?

Lilia: The castle of the Wild Roses is abandoned, and it is said that you will get cursed if you step a foot in.

Silver: Father...can't he see me? Could this be part of the scenery in Father's mind, or...?

*cries from a baby*

Lilia: a baby's crying? Is it coming from the throne room? I should go see

[Throne room, covered in thorns]

Lilia: A baby? And what's more, it's a human! Why are you here?

[CG of baby Silver. He has blond hair and a shining ring/necklace]

Lilia: ! this ring...

Silver: This baby! Could it be...? My hair color is different, but those eyes and that ring...

Lilia: Hair golden like the sun, and that ring...It cannot be...the Knight of Dawn's...?

No, it isn't possible. Soon after the castle fell into Henrik's hands, there was another dispute over land and resources.

In that confusion, the Knight and his wife Leah...*sigh*

Cradle, will you show me your memory for a moment?

Far Cry Cradle [To the cradle in the distance!]

Silver: That spell...it's my Father's unique magic.

He can play the memories engraved on "things" for a little bit.

Red Fairy: The enemy is around the corner!

His Royal Highness, who was once titled the Knight of Dawn, has perished. The fall of the castle is just around the corner.

The "Land of Swords" has met its end.

Our dearest Queen Leah, please hurry up and run! We will protect the Prince.

Blue Fairy: Come now, my Prince. You will sleep sweetly for a while, until this sad battle is over.

Green Fairy: It's okay. This ring will strengthen our magic. He will remain in this form, dreaming happily ever after until the spell is broken. Whether it is 10 years, or 100 years.

Blue Fairy: Well then...

When someone who truly loves the prince comes along...this spell will be broken and he will wake up from his slumber.

Red Fairy: Yes, I'm sure of it. In a world without war, in a world of peace...

[Back to Lilia's memory]

Lilia:...I see.

Your parents and guardian fairies protected you from the flames of destruction.

Have you been waiting in this cradle for someone who truly loves you to come along, since the day the country collapsed?

But as time passed, the magic of the guardian fairies must have broken down.

*baby crying*

...the child of the Knight of Dawn...a revenge for Levan and Meleanor's...

Right now...with these hands...

*Silver gasps, the baby wails*

Lilia:...I couldn't face Malleus again if I did that.

If I tell him to love mankind and walk with his neighbors...then I must do the same.

And...I would have lost even Malleus if the Knight of Dawn hadn't granted me mercy that day.

Can this "me" ever love a human being?

Silver: Please stop, Father! -I'm not worthy of being loved by you!

*baby cries*

Silver: STOP IT! STOP CRYING! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRY!

Lilia: There there, don't you cry anymore. I'm surprised that such a small body has been able to endure such loneliness for so long. Good boy, let's go.

Huff, you're heavier than I expected.

I remember the day the Malleus hatched. It seems like it was only yesterday.

Fairies and humans alike wish for their own children to live, even at the cost of their own lives, I suppose.

*baby cries*

Child of the Dawn, today is the birthday of the new master. Therefore, I shall give you my blessing!

Blessing of the night.

[the baby's hair changes from gold to silver]

Silver:..O-oh...my hair...

Lilia: His hair changed color!

Perhaps the Knight of Dawn's hair, which shone like sunlight, was due to the blessing of his servants of the day.

Your hair seems to have been lit by the light of the moon, with the blessing of the night's servants.

That's alright. A person with golden hair would stand out a bit in the Valley of Thorns.

*baby yawns*

Lilia: Hahah. Are you tired from crying all these years?

Now, your name is- hmm? It doesn't seem to be written anywhere on the cradle or the ring...

Hmm...let's see...moonlight...silver...Okay, I've decided.

Silver. From today on, your name is Silver.

The moon illuminates the dark night. Like so, its silver light will illuminate your path.

Despite Lilia adopting him as his son while knowing who his biological father was, Silver still feels guilty about his origins

Okay so I chose one of the spaces where you can heal your cards, and got some lines from Lilia. He's wondering what do human babies eat in order to grow, and remembers that Baul's son-in-law is a human, so he decides to ask for his help (the music changes from dramatic and gloomy to bright and cheerful, it made me tear up)

A new location appears, it is the house in the forest where Lilia raised Silver. Lilia is singing the same lullaby Meleanor sang to Malleus.

Malleus knocks on Lilia's door, he wants to see the baby he has taken in since the fairies in the forest have been talking about it. Lilia tells him to be quiet because he has just gone to sleep.

Malleus calls the baby a naked monkey-like creature and asks what is it (😭). Lilia says he's the baby from the rumors and says he looks lovely.

Malleus:...lovely? that thing? (😭😭😭)

Lilia is like "oh you came at a good time, I have to go shopping so please watch him for me for a bit, okay?" and Malleus is like "huh? This? me?"

Lilia is trying to figure out what "powdered milk" is because that's what his book says he should feed the baby. He has to go to a human store to get it. (Fairies eat flowers' nectar???)

Malleus does not want to stay on his own because he's afraid he'll break the "little creature" if he touches him. Lilia assures him that it'll be okay, he just has to sing a lullaby and the baby will fall asleep even if he's crying.

Lmao Lilia left and baby Silver woke up crying immediately. Malleus is stressed because the baby is noisy and he can't think of any song...but then remembers that he does know one at least one (he sings the song again 😭). Silver fell asleep and Malleus wishes Lilia to hurry up and return.

Malleus doesn't even remember where he heard that lullaby. He thinks it might have been from one of his nannies. The Silver of the present cries when he hears that.

There's snippets of Silver's upbringing throughout this part. Lilia and Malleus were present when he stood up on two legs for the first time (Malleus says it would take about 30 years for a fairy...it took him 20, and he was considered fast). Lilia says that at this rate Silver will be all grown up in the blink of an eye.

Lilia is reading a story, and Silver says his first word

Baby Silver: dada

Lilia: What? I am not your father....

Baby Silver: dada!

Lilia: Well...should I just wait until you understand things better before I tell you?

Well then...yes, I am [your father].

Baby Silver: *laughs*

Another conversation between Lilia and Malleus. Malleus asks where did he find a human baby, Lilia just says he found him during a walk in the forest and tells him to not pay any mind to it. Malleus says that he didn't have to raise him just because he found him, it would've been good to leave the baby with the humans.

Lilia:...your father Levan uses to say this: We fairies need to get to know humans better, and humans need to get to know fairies.

Levan was the one who took the initiative to learn a language in common with humans and also to teach it to other fae.

Silver is a way for Lilia to learn to love humans. Malleus asks him what if he can't get to love them, Lilia says not to jump ahead since there's a lot of time.

Lilia: it says here that they can only eat milk and mashed vegetables

Malleus: if that's what the human book says then that's okay. We're fairies so we shouldn't go against it.

Lilia: but you've been eating meat and fish since you were little

Malleus: But I am a dragon, not some weak human

Lilia: They cry when they are hungry, and sleep when they are full. Babies are similar, it doesn't matter whether dragons or humans.

Malleus:...ha.

Lilia: Oh, you ate the whole plate. Good boy, Silver! Was it good?

That's it, eat a lot and sleep well so you can grow up to be a big boy!

But don't you get tired of the same taste everyday? Next time, I'll try a little more variety-

Should we add meat of a rat to the soup? It's said to be nutritious. Or maybe the powder of a black newt?

Malleus:...don't do that. I'll have food for the baby brought from the castle regularly.

I'm a little nervous about leaving it all to you.

Lilia: Oh? You used to hate humans. What brought such a change of heart?

Malleus: If this baby gets weak, you'll be sad. Isn't that right?

Lilia:...you're such a sweetheart, Malleus.

Silver: Father...Lord Malleus...I...

[blot monster appears]

Silver:...you keep showing up again and again. Go away.

Another battle

Another memory. Young Silver is shouting for Lilia to come see what he has. Silver made a bracelet out of acorns, it is the same one Lilia still has among the things he keeps in his room.

Lilia praises him for being a genius at picking up acorns, and Silver tells him he had help from his animal friends. Silver tells him is for him.

Silver: You know, I heard that if you carry an acorn amulet, you will live a long and healthy life.

The oak tree fairies taught me that.

Be healthy all the time. And we will be together forever.

Lilia:...you will pray for my long life?

You, who are a human....

Silver: What? What's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?

Lilia:...it's nothing. Come here.

Silver: Daddy, it hurts if you squeeze me that hard.

Lilia: It's the best gift ever.

With this charm, I feel like I'll be able to live another thousand years. Thank you.

Silver: Heheh. I love you, daddy

Lilia: So do I, Silver

The current Silver remembers finding that bracelet while cleaning up Lilia's dorm room, he had forgotten it was a gift from him. Lilia had said it was the most precious gift he had ever received, a gift that even Malleus envied.

Silver says that something like that couldn't be worth much. He cries.

The next memory is the day Silver found out he was adopted. He was so shocked he ran out of the house while it rained.

Lilia says that he thought Silver would've figured it out by now, but then he retracts the statement and says he was the one who kept it to himself. He didn't have the courage to tell the truth and see Silver's sad face. Lilia runs into the rain while calling out for Silver.

The current Silver still cannot fathom that Lilia could truly love him while knowing he's the son of the Knight.

Silver says he's tired and cannot keep on going. He apologizes to Lilia and Malleus for not being able to accomplish his dream of being a knight. Then a voice speaks up...

It is general!Lilia, and he calls Silver "Knight of Dawn"

Silver goes to deny it's him, but then his appearance changes and the one with long blond hair and armor is him. General Lilia accuses him of taking away Levan and Meleanor. Silver calls him father, and Lilia tells him to not call him that.

Battle, General Lilia vs Knight of Dawn Silver.

Silver begs Lilia to stop since he doesn't want to fight him, he tells Lilia he will dissappear and never show up in front of him again. Lilia refuses to listen.

Lilia gains the upper hand and he's ready to strike Silver down, but then he starts to change into the blot monster. Silver realizes this is a nightmare, but he's very tired and cannot fight against the darkness any longer.

Lilia's voice tells him to stand up. He tells him that it's not a problem to run away from an enemy, or use cowardly tricks to get away. What matters the most is to not give up on living. So, stand up Silver!

Silver is not sure if the voice is real or just a convenient thing his mind made up. He's unsure of what to do...

[the story continues but I've been here since 1 am, it is currently 8 am ☠️]

some comments/observations so far:

- the lullaby wrecks me every time. The first time we heard it was very chilling because it was during Malleus' overblot, but then seeing Meleanor -> Lilia -> Malleus again...it just makes me sadder and sadder

- Lilia lost the only two people he had ever loved at the same time (😭)

- I hope we get to see more of RSA since the whole "Land of Swords" seems to be related to its origins...

- I kinda called it with Silver being a prince of sorts...I do not feel happy about this, he's in so much pain because of his origins

- I think the scene where Lilia finds Silver dealt me even more damage than Idia and Ortho's backstory in chapter 6. You guys have to listen to it fr. The baby crying? Silver shouting that he has no right to cry while crying himself? Lilia gently soothing the baby at that point feels like it was also meant for grown up Silver.

- Every memory we see of Lilia it's full of the love he chose to have for Silver and it breaks my heart that Silver still cannot allow himself to be loved. I also loved seeing Malleus there.

- I'm calling it now, the spell the fairies put on Silver is the reason he still falls sleep randomly. It hasn't been broken completely because he feels doubts about the love Lilia has for him, but Lilia will finally manage to make him see the light and Silver will be free.

- I also would love for the acorn bracelet to end up being the cure for whatever it is Lilia has. With the power of love everything is possible and all that.

- With all this going on I haven't even thought about what Malleus must be doing in the "real world" rip ☠️

[sourcreamuwu]

Ayreontasia inktober Day 23-24: Wings! (extra doodles are under the cut, btw ;) )

Oof. Using this as an opportunity to dump some more thoughts about the albums. This time about Angel of Babylon.

Okay, listen, this may be a bit messy and may break canons about which I don't know/remember. But I stick to this.

I'll explain. In the final song of The Wicked Symphony Scarecrow is on the edge. He totally gives up and it is accompanied by hard drinking. So he goes unconscious from the high dosage of alcohol. Now we move to Angel of Babylon.

Scarecrow wakes up. But he's not at home. Mephistopheles has claimed his spirit and it is in his domain now.

I headcanon that Scarecrow is going through the out of body experience and Mephistopheles' domain is somewhere on one map with Avantasia. (Well, the project is still called Avantasia, y'know) Some cursed place like The Tower. Maybe really far away from Sesidhbana, divided by the ocean. But still there.

And I imagine it as a big almost bare island with ruins. So there's no simple way out. There are rocks around it and many remnants of crashed ships.

The "other scarecrows" are people, who also got in Mephistopheles' trap and roam in his domain (Death is Just A Feeling, Symphony of Life, Promised Land songs).

As said in The Metal Opera handbook, Gabriel's appearance was changed when he transcended in Avantasia. So... I used this information to fiddle with the idea of wings. Idk if they stay when I decide to make more arts for Angel of Babylon but the symbolism seems pretty interesting to work with. (well you see at the very beginning Scarecrow wanted to fly high but he painfully crashed down and the wings are damaged, which is a reflection of his mental state. and he can't fly with them (anymore), so he can't escape Mephistopheles' grasp)

[hollow-keys]

The Devil's Chord is basically:

"Let's go visit Mr Wifebeater and Co, who are obviously the most important musicians of all time, and act like they were all totally cool people even decades after Mr Wifebeater's wifebeating became public knowledge."

"Oh no, the world went into a nuclear winter without music we have to save it by finding the right chord to banish the evil demon music thief!"

"BTW the music demon is a nonbinary drag queen called Maestro (I'm gonna assume they don't know that's a gendered word lmao) who was safely prevented from destroying the world by the Catholic church banning the chord that summoned them. Please do not think about the subtext of that."

"Also this random washed up musician somehow found out about the summoning chord and played it. Don't ask how no one else tried playing it out of curiosity when it was apparently already public knowledge or how the church knew it was evil without playing it."

"Ruby is just saur important she managed to hold off the music demon with the power of the songs in her soul (???)"

"The Doctor pulled 6/7th of the banishing chord's notes out his own ass first try somehow and Mr Wifebeater and Paul McCartney got the last one first try also."

"Musical number everybody! The End!"

Literally what the fuck was that?

Honestly the original Toymaker serial was so haunting at times with him trapping people from the real world in his domain and turning them into literal toys he would then bring back to life to use against new people who got trapped in his domain. He pit them against each other in games, promising freedom to whoever wins, dooming them to either remain his puppets and let the newcomers go free or doom the newcomers to take their place so they can escape, and that's assuming he was telling the truth. The Doctor can't beat him, only escape and leave the domain with those people trapped inside. The TARDIS team tell themselves they're not real, just puppets pretending to be real people, but it's not clear. They're tricking themselves into thinking it's clearer cut than it is to make it easier to leave them behind.

Those were such good episodes and all RTD can write is pale imitations that are insultingly stupid even for children's television. "We defeated the Toymaker with a game of catch" "We defeated his child (did I mention the Maestro is related to him?) with a musical note password we got first try." What is this?

And they're still going with the pouring salt at the edge of the universe weakened the fabric of time and let supernatural beings in thing? "I invoked a suspicion at the end of the universe where the walls of reality are thin" doesn't sell the salt thing, sorry. I can't take it seriously. If Chibnall wrote this, more of you would be hating. This is like the fucking rat saving the universe in Endgame all over again.

[enoughyi]

#5: Peck & Bite

Ship: Imelda Reyes x f!MC (Julia Wright), Poppy Sweeting

Summary: Imelda and her contemplative mood.

Prompt Number: 64. Being Unable To Open Their Eyes For A Few Moments Afterward. [>>>link to the list]

Word count: 681. Rating: T.

A/N: It's brainrot-powered. Characters are in their 20's.

Based on my Imelda nsfw!headcanons post and on an one where I wrote Imelda is a tad superstitious. I don't remember the number.

Why has my writing blog turned Imelda x f!MC x Poppy kissy fluff? I frankly have no coherent answer nor idea, how. And I regret not, and hope this little nearly-a-week long journey has been so far a joy! :D

This song, btw:

Tags: @thriftstorebabayaga @espressoristretto-patronum @celestial--sapphic @ladyofsappho

Imelda wondered littly about times when it was just Poppy and Julia.

Julia was a dreamy girl. Poppy was peculiar according to some, and pensive to Imelda's mind. A halcyon amidst the disarray of poaching seas; Poppy couldn't be more driven towards her. It was only natural for them to tag along on their beast rescue impetuous escapades -- and at some point, fall head over heels for one another. A Ravenclaw like Julia must've been so at Poppy's crude flirting; a brazen Hufflepuff like Poppy couldn't escape Julia's peck of curiosity.

They looked so happy.

Their funny hobbies; giggly exchanges in the corridors and classes, somehow avoidant of professors' attention or pithy comments; the life they had, against all odds, was picturesque and serene.

And did Imelda envied both of them, many years ago.

Yet did she expect an intervention of nearly divine capability; turned each of their lives to a meeting point on a joint that would lead them to a future of inseparability, reliance, in other words, love.

It was a fairly long story; when a snake falls from the sky there has to be an explanation how it has gotten up in the air, has it not. But its starting point; it has never allowed Imelda a single contemplationless moment. Whenever she would ask Julia if she regretted anything; whenever she would ask Poppy the same question; however they would answer, Imelda would always feel either they didn't know, or were as contemplative, or preferred to call it infuriatingly simple.

Magic.

Only in a fairy tale you'd have everything you could want from life, for a steep faeian price of course, and able to run with it, carelessly.

Poppy and Julia were unanimous in how to call Imelda's worry.

A mere superstition.

Because life is unpredictable; anything can happen; Julia happened, everything was and isn't just probable, it all is possible, no need to be worrisome, yes?..

Perhaps Poppy's word had some weight to it; her peculiar interest to fae creatures could lead her to this conclusion. But Julia's upbringing, inept in a magical sense, could only pack her mind with every fancy piece of literature about magical creatures of inestimable strengths and unfathomable powers. But when confronted, oh, that woman was an obduracy; her eyes almost glimmered with a familiar splinting sharpness Fig had when told his beliefs about magic were strange.

As if Julia knew something nobody else did. Acted as she pleased, -- or, no, was doing in accordance to the flow only she could sense in the air. Or was it a superstition getting a hold of Imelda, again?

So she asked her again.

"Neither of us regrets anything," Julia said. She was nearly asleep, but forced her eyes open at the sight of Imelda's distress.

It didn't feel right keeping her awake. "I know but it's all just…"

"Yes?" Tiredly, Julia added, "What is it?"

"It… It just doesn't feel real."

Julia's intent to sit up wasn't an available option, not for this late hour, not after Julia had been pleased; not after five-technically-six words, again, ruptured something in her heart, visible in a tired spark in her stubborn gaze. Was it Imelda -- or the Slytherin tendency to bite with venom instead of hitting with a peck of a snout; she hurt her, again.

Imelda's hands were on her shoulders, bony under the chemise; Julia's fingers ran up her cheek. She whispered, breathing out air strongly, "I am real very much though. You can't snap fingers and get rid of me. Consider me a pet fae; we've been through this again, and again, but we've yet to meet that bothersome thought of yours."

"Yes but are you really--"

"Really." She always pecked at the lips. "Get to sleep. It might be the Morpheus' clamant call to you. I'm limp. You're about to crash."

And she always got a bite back, always then breathed in sharply, eyelids flutter in the lingering warmth of this want-to-believe kiss. It could also help her to get to her own much warranted, wanted sleep.

Julia was a dreamy girl.

[mysticbeaver]

randomly asking cuz im curious lmao but what kind of music are you into? what are your favorite artists and songs? from what i've seen you're mostly into classic rock, right? (which btw the classic rock to eene pipeline is really funny and quite fascinating but that's another story.)

Oh I'm glad you asked!!! Boy now I can go on a rant 😁

Ok, I'm one of those folks who have a hard time explaining what kind of music I listen to... classic rock was definitely my upbringing since I was a child - like the Who, Led Zep, AC/DC (I feel slightly embarassed by that nowadays, sorry AC/DC fans 😅 good memories tho).

As a teen I started going into 70s progressive rock, especially King Crimson, which I consider my favorite band ever for the simple fact I've been able to stomach pretty much everything they ever put out, even the most self-indulgent and tough to listen stuff (the "ProjeKcts"). I also fell in love with some art-pop (Peter Gabriel, David Sylvian) and generally got more adventurous and tried to slowly discover other artists (but always unabashedly behind the times haha). I went through a Bowie phase, tbf I still don't think I truly "get" Bowie lol, but one of his most interesting albums to me is Outside, probably the weirdest thing he's ever done. I also got into some electronic stuff, Tangerine Dream, Yello (two funny looking swiss guys, you might be familiar with that meme song Oh Yeah lmao). I'm also extremely familiar with Tom Waits... (I'll mention Captain Beefheart since we're at it) I've delved into jazz here and there, Pat Metheny is the first thing that comes to mind, but I'm pathetically ignorant on the genre.

The latest artist I went through a phase and now consider one of my favorites is the band Talk Talk. Their short history is mindblowing, they went from "80s one-hit-wonder pop band" to making music completely out of its time. The Color Of Spring is the best 80s-pop-album-that-doesn't-sound-80s I've ever heard, and Spirit Of Eden is... something, lmao. That album and their last one, Laughing Stock were apparently very influential on later artists in the 90s and onwards, and are now considered masterpieces despite not selling very well at the time. The enigmatic band leader Mark Hollis eventually took the genius decision to... retire (gasp) and disappear from public view for the rest of his life (I think some "artists" out there could learn a lesson from that 🤐)

John Martyn's album One World is another recent favorite, a folk rock guitarist who got kinda trippy/experimental and recorded an album by a small lake, sometimes recording the sound of the speakers in the distance... there's a beautiful track on there called Small Hours where you can even faintly hear the geese.

Finally I want to mention two historical italian artists I'm familiar with - Franco Battiato and Lucio Battisti. I've always shunned music from my country when I was younger, but I'm trying to make up for it, and those two really captivated me (although if you grew up in Italy you can't escape hearing Battisti's more famous hit songs, also apparently Bowie was a big fan, so I've read...)

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg, what came to my head right now. Btw, I wanna know what the "classic rock to eene pipeline" is haha

[poindexters-labratory]

Ask game with everyone's favorite British Rabbit man :3

So glad you asked >:]

Based on this post

A: William Afton's motive for murder is based on grieving rage, absolute jealousy of people's happiness, hatred, and disregard of the people around him. He enjoys causing suffering and watching families tear apart because of him. After all, that's what happened when his own child passed, every moment after being endless suffering, agony, and despair. Michael abandoned him, the town shunned him, the man he thought was his friend could never understand the pain. So, he made him understand.

B: This guy can play guitar by ear (although it takes consistent practice to remember songs thoroughly). His favorite is electric guitar, but he's not impartial to the acoustic. William has a party trick that EVERYONE tells him not to do. He'll play Free Bird all the way through, which he has memorized btw, for the sole purpose of impressing people because he can play Free Bird all the way through.

C: In 1993, William got tricked to go take the animatronics apart within the original Freddy's location. Henry promised him this one thing and everything would go back to normal, or as normal as it could. William finally had a reason to stop raging and rampaging, Henry was here to tell him that everything was going to be okay. William got trapped, begging for Henry to help him (who was helping lure the animatronics), and Henry just... closed the door on him. Left him to die. Unfortunately, he didn't, and he was left for thirty years. Thirty years of isolation, sitting in the same room, withering away. Thirty years without seeing the sun, forgetting who you are or even what you are. All you know is the need to escape, but from what? These inescapable feelings of rage, and betrayal, but you don't even know who or what these feelings came from. You've forgotten. Time passes and the world goes on without you.

D: He met his ex-wife at a market he got lost in. Henry left him behind, William couldn't find where he went, and ending up standing in the corner for more than a few minutes. Claire found him and took him home to get something to eat and call his friend. He ended up getting drunk on expensive liquor.

[ifollowmagicalrivers]

New Romantics

Heartbreak is the national anthem

We hang back

It's all in the timing

It's poker

He can't see it in my face

But I'm about to play my Ace

———

I'll see you and raise you… 4️⃣ ?

fyi - favourite numbers - only the ones that can be divided by✌️count - we all know that 😭 - pisces = exception

———

6 billion streams you say? just delete some shit from your phone in the middle of a show it’s fine - please don’t change - i can’t 😂 - fuckin’ bangerz was HOT TO GO!

ehm… i love black 👀?!

this fan fiction is getting better by the day

———

dear diary

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard

Oh, take me back to the start

going, going, going

gone, gone, gone

people have probably been

playing the other game for too long

this end of all the endings

no proof not much

still processing brain freeze

me? cuckoo’s nest maybe

also spelling is fun

but we know better by now

“gay pride making you you”

is called queer baiting

most people choose what to believe

🌈🌈🌈🌈

nice colours

dress in it from top to bottom

be the major of gaylor town

put the word ‘gay’ in a song

speculation is a crime

whatever

the best people in life are free

3️⃣

———

*homophonic - the greap escape

piazza new york catcher probably/allegedly gay - no way that a 14yo girl (me) has this song (album) on repeat without you going 🤨 it’s starting to give slapstick - not sure if i was really listening to the lyrics though (like singing along to shaggy on the bathroom floor or thinking that ‘let me lick you up and down’ was abt icecream)

i guess 90% of US liking this album back then 🔜 (neurodivergent) gay NOW

this album is so f* gay - it’s bottomless - 83 - infinity - 5x3 rainbows - i can’t be the only one noticing this shit ��� taylor girl - half of my heart- i’m a fucking idiot -🙈- that was you - hits different now ——— < always think before speaking > seriously starting to consider taking johnny’s advice - i’m never going to speak up again - back to being non-vocal

iykyk

spot(ify) the difference - trapped - out (now) i listen to a little bit of everything (until miley came in)

me: i don’t really listen to country music (boomer music snobs aka my dad thought they were too cool for country) - started to listen to johnny cash after the movie. dolly parton - jolene? well.. it took me a little too long to realise that this was not the original version (bisexual anthem says hi) i will always love you is a whitney houston song - soundtrack from the bodyguard. okay cool cool but where the hell is this sam outlaw coming from then driving through a ghost town in 2022? ry cooder produced it? that’s americana - totally different. genres - labels - who cares - 🙇‍♀️ - it’s a country song btw.

———

Now That We Don't Talk (Taylor's Version)

You grew your hair long You got new icons

I don't have to pretend I like acid rock

it's not rocket science. you just have to want to see it

skeletons......

i really really really love my icons

[heatwa-ves]

Hi Tia how r u doing. I have a long ass drive today that I'm not looking forward to... tell me about your jojos

yayyy gonna talk about hot pants because she's been on my mind lately. first of all yeah her name is hot pants from the james brown song it's deeply unserious but also I kinda respect it like she chose it herself as an alias and you gotta be a certain type of person to pull off being called hot pants. i have my own theories as to what her actual name is (helena pucci you are so dear to me) but she's only ever referred to as hot pants in canon.

so the whole plot of part 7 is that there's a load of people doing a pan continental horse race from san diego to new york in 1890 and along the way the main characters find part of a corpse and it gives them stands basically and so we have four or five groups trying to find all these corpse parts for their own goals johnny the main character is trying to find them because he thinks the corpse could help him regain the ability to walk after he was injured pre canon the president wants it because he sucks and loves america and jesus (the corpse is jesus btw) and thinks all these other backwards nations don't deserve the corpse of jesus christ diego is going after it for shits and giggles tbh hes vaguely working for the president but tbh hes just here to get paid

and hot pants she's a nun of the vatican and she's here on behalf of the vatican to find the corpse and take it back to the pope where it belongs I guess. except she's actually trying to get it because she's desperate for salvation and she thinks the corpse will save her from her sins

what sins, you may be asking. well when she was younger she and her little brother were in the woods for whatever reason I think they were picking berries idk and they were attacked by a bear and she survived and her brother didn't. she says that she killed him she pushed him towards the bear in order to escape herself but it's unclear how much of her own recollection of stuff is clouded by self hatred and time she's at least ten years older now than she was then probably more tbh . I imagine it was something like they were running and got separated and he fell behind and she couldn't go back for him or she would've died too she turned back and saw the bear kill him and had to just keep running despite his screams or something like that idk you could extrapolate a lot from here but I don't think she deliberately killed him I think that's something she's internalised and can't move on from. so she returns home and everyone is really sympathetic about the accident and the loss of her brother but because she blames herself so heavily she can't bring herself to be around all these people who love her she feels she doesn't deserve it and so she becomes a nun to get away from her family and try to atone for her sins. at some point she ends up moving to the vatican and then joins the race (at 23!!! she should be at the club!!)

so yeah shes in the race and she's a pretty important supporting character in her first appearance she rides up to johnny and gyro and is like hi im gonna fucking kill you because you killed my cow. she had a cow I guess . I don't really know why. yeah they didn't kill her cow but she's violence first questions later type of guy and so she does nearly kill them with her stand which is uhh. it's an aerosol and it shoots flesh out 👍 she does some pretty cool stuff with it tbh but that's not the point here anyway gyro thinks she's a man at this point which good for her I respect the gender game she's playing. anyway then the three of them get stuck in a timeloop and she passed out and johnny is like omg she's a woman that's cool and doesn't tell gyro because gyro hates women and johnny is the world's first feminist and them they steal her sandwiches and leave. thinking about this arc I missed out a lot because its mostly a gyro arc hp is just there it's her first appearance but she doesn't do that much

she shows up again later when the two of them are like 30 seconds away from death fixes them up with her flesh spray and steals all the corpse parts they had collected by this point she does some more stuff etc implicates herself so now she's wanted by the government and then my fav arc begins it's mostly about johnny and it's brilliant but hp is also here. they end up at a church and hp is there but she's in her nun clothes idr what it's called and gyro doesn't recognise her because he's incapable of being normal about women and he just fucks off to do whatever meanwhile johnny is talking to her and there's this scene which im soooooooooooooo obsessed with

in my beautiful world they fall in love post canon but . well. I'll get to that later and she doesn't answer him she says they're all about to die she's being taken over by this stand ability called civil war which is really really interesting it's basically like. anything the person it's targeting feels grief over comes back to haunt them and idrk how to explain what that's like ill just show u but it's pretty on the nose symbolism about hps whole character and offers pretty interesting insights onto johnny and gyro too

actually forget that im gonna talk about her and johnny they make me sick and somehow no one else sees how good their relationship is. they're really similar they both blame themselves for the deaths of their brothers but while hps family loved her so much she couldn't bear it and ran away johnnys dad said to his face yeah the wrong son died which is like. insane. hello. to your son's face. anyway they're both driven by this desire for something to save them it's like uh yk that post that goes "I hope one day they do a test on me and find out im deficient in some type of vitamin and I'm put on vitamin supplements and that solves every problem ive ever had" it's like that they want this corpse to save them but it CANT because nothing can save them but themselves johnny thinks if he's able to walk again his life will go back to how it was and a) it won't because this journey has irreparably changed him and b) he cant regain the ability to walk he can't and the problem is he can't accept that he's driven by this faith in something that can't save him and the same for hot pants she thinks of she can find the corpse it will save her from her sins but she has to be the one to move past her sins no one else can heal her theres not a switch that when flipped will fix her

she will always carry this grief with her always always and she has to learn to live with that but she's so deep in her own self loathing that all she's thought about in years is how she's a sinner in need of a saviour she has to be her own saviour she has to move on and she CANT she's been static all these years the grief is as raw as it was ten years ago arfghghhlgkfgkaglalgw however unfortunately for us all araki is incapable of writing a good ending to her (and johnnys) arcs because he regains the ability to walk magically thanks to the corpse of jesus christ and she dies in pursuit of salvation which is pointless because thats what she WANTS!!!!!

she'd rather die a martyr than live a sinner and by killing her off (pointlessly and pretty much off screen. Btw ) it ruins what her whole arc was building up toooooo god I'm so mad about this. it's fine in my beautiful world she survives and reunites with johnny after the events of canon and they travel to italy together and johnny is still disabled and they get close and grow as people and he becomes the first person she's let herself really be close to and they Get eachother and have a level of mutual respect from when they first meet and every subsequent meeting adds to that and they need another slower journey where they're not fighting for their lives all the time to address what they've been through and who they are and who they will be aghhjhj this needs to be a longfic so bad if I wasn't the worlds slowest and least motivated writer

I was gonna talk about the rest of civil war arc and her relationship with diego but it's 11:30 pm I have work in the morning and I've talked more than enough goodbye I hope this was understandable

[dakotawritesif]

OC’S AS POISONOUS PLANTS

Tagged by @stephschoices 🖤

I’ll tag @grapecaseschoices @illbealive-nextyear @ot-hoe-me @playbychoices @icanmakewords @to-where-all-paths-lie (no pressure guys!)

rules: create a look-book for one (or more) of your ocs using this meiker and then take this uquiz and share their results

Btw I totally used this as an excuse to do some of my girlies in a modern style 💕

Marcella Dumont, @fallenlightsif (top left)

Lily of the Valley; This is the poison of giving too much. You feel yourself emptying out, dizzying, discoloring-- until you fear you will fade entirely and wither away. You have always had to give. You never had a choice before. They pluck your flowers for their beauty, they trample your leaves carelessly, they pull out your roots by the fistful and berate you for daring to grow. And now that you have a grove to spread out in, your rhizomes tangle and curl in on themselves. When cruelty is all you've ever known, thriving seems impossible. But the answer is not to make yourself small and offer every lovely thing you are to the world in the hopes it will have mercy on you. The answer is to let yourself dare to thrive for thriving's sake, to grow in the wild ways you wish to-- and to do that for yourself for once.

Josie Ellington, @theunseelieif (top right)

Hemlock; This is the poison of intense fear. Your body trembles, your flesh burns. Your limbs won't respond to you. You convulse. You can't seem to control the fear. It seems that it has always lived within you. You hesitate, you agonize, and that breeds regret. Sometimes it threatens to overwhelm you, and that frightens you more than anything. But panic is survival mode in overdrive, and something within you knows you must live. Creation seems to be the only balm for you. Perhaps you survive so stubbornly because you have stories that must be told, songs that must be sung. Soothe your stage fright. The path from surviving to thriving is having a good garden to grow in. And you can't do that completely alone.

Ilaria Thayer, @fallenlightsif (bottom left)

Doll's Eyes; This is the poison of unchecked vices. You slip into hallucinations. You are wracked with convulsions. The delirium threatens to overwhelm you. What are you running from? You look in every direction, wild-eyed at every turn, seeking some reprieve from what torments you. Each vice brings new consequences, and the price of escape seems too great, and yet you cannot seem to face things head on. If you aren't running from yourself, I hope you find a true way to freedom soon. And if you are running from yourself, perhaps you would do well to realize your pain is not something you can simply escape by avoidance. You deserve healing just as much as the ones you love. Someday, soon I hope, you will know this and feel it and reach inward to grant yourself all the kindnesses you offer others. That is the only true way to peace for ones like us. Oh, and if the pain of it seems too great? I hope that you realize you don't have to do it alone.

Ari Novik, @fallenlightsif (bottom right)

Belladonna; This is the poison of falling in love. You taste it and your heart beats fast. Your eyes dilate, you fall into deep delirium. You may be a bit dramatic and impulsive, and it gets you into trouble sometimes, but you just can't help yourself. It's in your blood. You love because it is the truest beauty you've found in this harsh world. Even when it's hurt you before, when it's poisoned you, you still find a way. They may call you naive for still believing in it, or vain for making yourself and your surroundings so meticulously lovely. But to love like this is brave and noble, and I hope you find the beauty you seek. Chances are, it's within and all around you already, if you know where to look.

[positivelybeastly]

Wanna hear something really funny?

I just found out a song I believed was from the Beatles for almost 20 years isn't even a Beatles song. It's actually from a german band called Fools Garden and the song is called Lemon Tree.

I feel like I have been lied to my whole live even if no one ever told me it's from the Beatles. I just heard the song once and went "Yeah that's a Beatles song" and when I looked it up I found it on youtube right away. I even talked about that song so many times cause I often have a catchy tune from it and everytime I asked people if they knew the song Lemon Tree from the Beatles they just said ofc they knew that song... And now all I can find is people talking about that this isn't a Beatles song and I'm just so confused now...

Like all this time this was even one of my favorite "Beatles" song and it's not even their song... or a song that they have ever sung at all...

I only found out about this because I was watching a video about famous german 90s songs...

Here's the song from the original band btw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQfkEkePx8

"In fairness, it's something of an easy mistake to make - the song does have a certain retro styling and a melancholic lyrical quality that Lennon, McCartney and Harrison often brought to their work.

I can hear tinges of Free As A Bird, Something - their later era work, when they were more invested in complex post-production techniques and had replaced their aggressive edge for something more reflective and, in a way, morose."

"That being said, there is something so very 90s Britpop about the song that I can't unhear whenever it hits the ear - it has a twinge of more modern irony that you don't really hear in Beatles lyrics, something more akin to Blur or Oasis, which makes it dateable but not dated, if that makes sense."

"Incidentally, if you've never listened to What's the Story (Morning Glory)? or The Great Escape, you should. Those are both astonishingly good albums."

"🎶 I met him in a crowded room, where people go to drink away their gloom, he sat me down and so began, the story of a charmless man~

Educated the expensive way, he knows his claret from his beaujolais, I think he'd like to have been Ronnie Kray, but then nature didn't make him that way~🎶"

[destinyc1020]

joe and sophie were one of those stories where they got engaged really early on in their relationship. they became a couple in 2016, they got engaged in 2017 but didn’t end up actually getting married until 2019.

once they were married, we soon have the pandemic. and during the pandemic sophie was pregnant with their first daughter. during that time, they were reportedly happier than ever. which makes sense bc of the baby. their first daughter was born in july of 2020 and their second daughter would also be born in july of 2022.

one thing that i found interesting is how joe would describe their relationship. not interesting in a bad way but something admirable. he always said that sophie was a really understanding and empathetic person, which he never experienced before.

sophie was able to save him in that way. sophie has been public and fought for mental health. joe wrote a song about her called “hesitate” which basically just highlights the sacrifices they will always make for each other. it’s actually a beautiful song lol.

another thing that you can possibly take away from, i don’t remember the exact details but when they got married in france (their official ceremony bc they did a fun vegas wedding for their legal certificate in the US) apparently they broke up for a couple of hours. the classic anxiety and panic — which can already be telling — but they talked it out and married confidently.

i think it’s important to note the history of joes family, his parents are still married and his brothers are married. i think he holds that sacred too. i think there was a time publicly where joe’s parents admitted to having bad time in their marriage but sticking it out.

last thing: joe and sophie are notoriously private. especially since their engagement. we’ve obviously seen them share photos of each other but it’s also at a certain time and selective. we don’t really know anything about their relationship. sophie rarely uses her social media.

lol i love tomdaya but i do have a side project with joe and sophie. they are cute and match personalities and we’ll see what happens bc at tonight’s concert he was wearing his wedding ring but 🤷🏽‍♀️

fyi; sophie is bi

sorry for ramble haha

Thanks Anon for more about their backstory. I keep forgetting that Sophie was like 20 when she and Joe started dating, and he was like 27. They started dating in 2016. I think because Sophie looks so "mature", you kind of forget that she was actually quite young when she first started dating Joe. And then, to get engaged after only a year of dating?? Whew...... Idk man.... lol. 😳Especially when you're THAT young?? That's pretty YOUNG to be engaged at 21 imo. 👀 You're still growing and learning about yourself imo.

They definitely seemed to have somewhat of a whirlwind romance. Having kids RIGHT after marriage is also kind of not such a good idea, because the couple hasn't had time to really adjust as a married couple for years yet. Idk... I just think it's best to wait a while as a married couple before bringing kids into the picture...IF you can. JMHO

another thing that you can possibly take away from, i don’t remember the exact details but when they got married in france (their official ceremony bc they did a fun vegas wedding for their legal certificate in the US) apparently they broke up for a couple of hours. the classic anxiety and panic — which can already be telling — but they talked it out and married confidently.

Ooop.... Maybe that there was a sign lol...👀

Btw, never knew they got married in VEGAS! lol

fyi; sophie is bi

I don't think I knew this. Or, if I did, maybe it escaped my memory.