#buy me a piccolo not flowers

[swanerotica]

the piccolo is so dope.

like genuinely. i love the flute in general ( flautists dont get enough love or appreciation. yeaa the vocalist and pianist were great but i kind of dont care ab them ) and probably out of bias because ive been playing it for like 7 years. lol. but i really wanna get a piccolo. their just so cool. anyone who plays the piccolo - i love you

[sirdeln]

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Lord of the Rings musical in Chicago earlier this week and was SO DELIGHTED. I can't stop thinking about it and talking my friends' ears off and wanted to write down all of my thoughts!  Here's my review under the cut :)

A brief background on the musical for those unfamiliar: In the 2000s LOTR excitement was high! This musical originally premiered in 2006 in Toronto and moved to the West End in London the next year. It was extremely expensive to produce and included a massive cast, full orchestral pit, and large, complicated sets. It consequently lost a lot of money. Bummer!!! I did not see this production as I was 8 and living in Oregon at the time. 

Last year (2023) the musical was reworked into a new production for the Watermill Theatre with a smaller cast, more intimate feel, and notably, all the musician/actors on stage. It received generally positive reviews and presumably was commercially successful, because Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced it would be hosting the same production with a new cast this year. Of course I rushed to buy tickets, because I never thought I'd get to see any version of the LOTR musical (and also I lived in Chicago for a short time and love it there 😊 ).  

Of course, there are some necessary plot changes and abbreviations to fit the story of the whole trilogy into a 2 hour and 45 minute musical. Most notably Rohan is entirely absent. No Eowyn :,(, no Eomer, and no Helm's Deep. Theoden and Denethor are combined into one character, "The Steward," which I think works fairly well. There's one large battle between the armies of men and the forces of Sauron, and there's an inserted argument between Frodo and Sam, similar to the movies.  

Unlike the movies, the scouring of the Shire does occur, although we don't actually see Saruman at the end of the show. I think that to someone unfamiliar with the story, it would be a little confusing, especially because it's full of unexplained names, other references to Middle Earth, and singing in elvish, but ultimately I think it's pretty impressive that they've created a mostly coherent plot that's the length of a normal show! 

I'll caveat that I went into this already an opera/musical theater appreciator (although I've only ever been involved in productions playing in the pit, I am certainly no actor). I was really hoping to be pleased based on everything I had heard about last year's UK show and my positive opinion of the old cast recording.  

On to specifics about the Chicago show!  

The cast is extremely impressive. Basically everyone on stage is a quadruple threat; acting, singing, dancing, AND playing instruments. The casting call posted earlier this year made me so curious because it seemed so specific (here it is for those who are curious: https://www.theatreinchicago.com/auditions/industrydetail.php?AuditionID=10319), but they really managed to find Suzanne Hannau, who sings, dances, and acts as Rosie Cotton all while playing piccolo, flute, and recorder (and possibly tin whistle? Tin whistle heads out there, let me know).  

Standout members of the cast are Alina Jenine Taber as Arwen, who gave my favorite vocal performance of the show. She is a perfect Arwen and blends easily with Will James Jr.'s Aragorn in their second act duet. Also she learned harp for the role! Will James Jr. as Aragorn is excellent casting as well. He totally pulls of the humble gravitas of Aragorn and I actually prefer his voice to the Aragorn in the 2008 cast recording.  

More flowers go to Rick Hall, who made a perfect, lovely Bilbo (and is double cast as the Steward), and Spencer Davis Milford as Frodo. His acting chops are WILD! Special mention goes to Ben Mathew as Pippin. He is a truly wonderful cellist and gives a noticeably excellent musical performance while acting and dancing! With a cello strapped to his front! Crazy good!! Generally though the whole cast is excellent. 

Here are my small gripes. These are less flaws, and more things that I would have done differently were I for some reason in charge. Lauren Zakrin plays Galadriel and is an extremely talented singer, but IMO her vocal style is much too "Broadway show tune" for Galadriel. "Lothlorien" is one of my favorite tracks in the show, and while she totally rocks it, I prefer a more ethereal sound for this role.  

Tony Bozzuto brings an incredibly impressive physicality to Gollum (climbing down ropes into the audience, swinging fully around ladders 20 feet up in the air type of stuff) but I think using an Andy Serkis Gollum voice and movie Gollum look is a directorial mistake. Bozzuto does a great job with what he's given, but the Serkis Gollum voice made the audience (at least the night I went) react to Gollum as if he was a comedic character rather than a tragic one. It also slightly cheapens the emotional impact of “Now and For Always,” which is hugely unfortunate. He would say incredibly sad things but the goofy voice made people laugh. 

UK correspondent and subject expert @lotrmusical tells me this wasn’t an issue at the Watermill. The voice wasn’t as much a Serkis-specific voice and worked more with pathos. I also think using the movie Gollum look is a missed opportunity to do something really cool and unique with the character – imagine if they'd gone with a cartoon froggy type Gollum or come up with their own original look! 

My final qualm is a musical qualm. The new orchestration is extremely impressive in that it creates a very similar sound to a full orchestral pit (I've read it was 60 musicians?) with a MUCH smaller group and mostly sounds very very good. Having the actors as the instrumentalists on stage works really well in creating the folk story vibe, and fits with the framing device of this show; it's hobbits telling you their version of this story.  

But a couple of moments are weird. Harmonica during an Aragorn/Arwen love scene is a wack choice, and same for accordion representing wizard magic. There are a few issues with intonation, balance (sorry brass players), and ensemble. I think this is inevitable when your instrumentalists are playing simultaneously to acting, moving across the stage, and performing choreography. To be clear, in no way is this the fault of the musicians themselves, but it's a pretty unavoidable side effect of this staging: you just aren't going to play perfectly together if you're standing 40 feet away from each other and your instruments are individually mic'd. 

@lotrmusical tells me this also wasn’t a problem for the Watermill, maybe because it’s a much smaller venue than Chicago; very possibly these small problems arise from a combination of the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater being a larger/more difficult space and from my seeing the show in its first week. It may resolve itself as it progresses! Personally I think the staging is worth these minor issues because the folk atmosphere works so well with the story, but it's worth pointing out.  

Okay, time for all the stuff I loved!  

I mentioned the folk element of this staging briefly and this angle works really well for LOTR. There's a framing device of hobbits telling this tale to you with ensemble cast members at times narrating, and I think it's a great fit for the story. It creates a feeling of intimacy that I really loved, and that feeling is enhanced by some interactive moments with the audience.  

When I entered the theater, the stage is set for Bilbo's birthday party. There's a beautiful party tree revealed by the backdrop, a large banner proclaims the occasion, and bunting is flying out above the audience. Hobbit actors came out into the audience and interacted with us, playing games and chatting, while Bilbo made the rounds on each level to greet his "party guests". It really effectively transitions the audience into the world of middle earth, and I'll admit to tearing up when everyone sang happy birthday to Bilbo.  

(screenshot from official trailer)

The stagecraft maintains the immersion throughout the show. The lighting design incorporates lights flashing straight out at the audience for a few dramatic moments (there are epilepsy warnings on the website and program for a good reason) and characters move swiftly up and down the aisles throughout the show. Gollum climbs down a rope from the gallery at the beginning of the second act, and the Nazgul snap and prowl around the audience.  

Speaking of the Nazgul, the PUPPETS in this show are totally stunning. Shelob is an absolutely massive puppet that emerges from the back of the stage and moves extremely realistically, and the ringwraiths are glowing, articulated skeletal horse heads, each moving with a dark cloaked puppeteer. The Nazgul are absolute showstoppers; it's impossible to convey the way they move and look under the stage lights, but it was totally enthralling. I could watch just them for ages. The puppet designer is Charlie Tymms, website here if you're curious: https://www.charlietymms.co.uk/ 

(screenshots from official trailer)

The lighting, choreography, and sound design are all fantastic and combine to create a really magical feeling. The best way to get a feel for this is in the short trailer released by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, but even that doesn't really convey how cool it was in person. The fight and dance choreography is super impressive as well. I'm a big believer in the importance of lighting design for live theater, and this production is maybe the best I've seen. Some favorite moments are Galadriel and Lothlorien's swirling, twinkling gold effect, the spotlight and freeze when Frodo puts on the ring, and the projection onto vertical cloth streamers for the Bruinen water horses.  

(Liz Lauren via playbill)

Overall, I loved my experience and if I lived locally, I would go see it a second time. If all goes well and they tour this production, I will absolutely be there if it comes closer to me. This show is clearly made by people who love the Lord of the Rings, and that love absolutely shines through.  

I think you will enjoy this production if you love the atmosphere of the Lord of the Rings and you like the music in the show. You'll enjoy this if you love theater and stagecraft, or don't know much about the Lord of the Rings but are ok with being a little confused/ready to be along for the ride. I think a person who is primarily a film fan and loves the epic battles of LOTR would perhaps not have a great time, and a person who knows that they don't enjoy or aren't immersed by theater would also not have a good time.  

If you're thinking of attending, you should check out the trailer from Chicago Shakespeare Theater:

the cast recording from the west end 2008:

and Mickey Jo Theatre's review of the Watermill production:

Most of what Mickey Jo Theatre says about the Watermill show is applicable to the Chicago production. The trailer and cast recording will give you a sense of the show as a whole (although of course the orchestration is significantly changed), but the overall sound is much the same. 

I'm certainly not an expert, but feel free to reach out if you are thinking of attending or have any questions! I'd also love to hear from/compare notes with anyone who saw the Watermill production from last year 😊 

A huge thank you to @lotrmusical for checking my facts and telling me about their experience with the Watermill show!!! you rock!

[nicotinzwei]

January

So after no December entry my January was still pretty rough. But I think it’s interesting how comforting and chill my January Favorites are compared to Novembers. Also RIP Angelo Badalamenti whose twin peaks soundtrack I mentioned in the last post.

 Instrument

So after tweeting that I have a feeling a harmonica would really fit my vibe I bought a used one for 5€. (The seller was super cute) My favorite song to play is Piano Man by Billy Joel, which was also the inspiration for me getting one. To be honest I had no idea how harmonicas worked, but after finding out they come in different keys and mine was in B I got the same model in C. And then I fell into a rabbit hole. Because the model  I got is discontinued and has been around for a long time, and both of them have different cases so one of them has to be from before 2004 and could even be a lot older. I’m still on a quest to find out so any harmonica experts please hit me up! (It’s the Hohner Piccolo) Also, I really want to buy one of those holders so I can play freehand.

Music

I have a really hard time listening to new music but I came back to an artist I really liked a few years ago. Weyes Blood isn’t really my typical genre of music, but to me her songs don’t feel like singular pieces but like a big body of work so it’s easier for me to listen to her new stuff, because it feels so familiar. I used to be obsessed with her Album and album Artwork for Titanic Rising. (There is a cool youtube video about the making of.) I even wrote my bachelors thesis about her music video Movies. Her new Album And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow has stunning visuals and my favorite new song is God Turn Me Into a Flower, because same. But my favorite overall is probably Something To Believe In. (Like last month this is your cue to listen along) 

Game

As a kid I never got into Professor Layton even though I was a nintendo kid and LOVE puzzles. Because it was available on mobile we kind of started with Pandoras Box so I’m missing some of the lore here and have no idea why a grown man is travelling with some kid stranger. But I’ll assume that Luke has not been kidnapped and forced to solve riddles for this older man but is just having a fun time. I really wish instead of talking about work it would be acceptable in real life for people to just give you a fun little riddle immediately after introduding themselves. Maybe I should just start doing that.

Show

Oh god here we go… I became obsessed with Bluey this month. Bluey is supposed to be a kids show about a cartoon dog family, but to me it feels more like a family sitcom that just happenes to be dogs. Where other kids shows thrown in a few jokes for the parents here and there Bluey really seems to be equally aimed at everyone. The situations and characters feel really real because the creators aren’t afraid to give them flaws. Even Bluey herself (She’s a girl) isn’t always the good guy. (Also if you draw human Bluey fanart please don’t giver her long hair, she’s always mistaken for a boy just give her short hair.) My favorite episode is Sleepytime, and IMDB users agree.

Food

This comes with a little disclaimer. I have been vegetarian for 9 years now, mostly because I just never liked the texture of meat and also because I don’t like the meat industry. But last year broke my streak like 3 times and never really regretted it. Because I never ate meat growing up I also never had the typical bacon and eggs breakfast. So one Sunday (while watching Bluey) we made that with coffee (which I also rarely drink) and IT WAS SO GOOD. So I’ll look out for vegan bacon maybe. But I think as long as it’s an exception I can have a big breakfast sometimes, especially when I’m having a hard time. (Also, butter your bread and put it in the oven for 5 minutes before the rest is done)

Thanks for reading and hopefully on to a better February!

[nella09archive]

Teenagers. 3

Chapter 3: Welcome to the underground

It’s been a whole month since that day. After the street fight, which I won, I sought out where Chichi was. Turns out she was just fine. She was spending the nights at Gohan’s for the moment. I still feel scared to approach her, so I asked Gohan and Piccolo to keep a watchful eye on her. When they ask why I couldn’t I, all I could do was breakdown and cry. I was just extremely low and didn’t think she would actually want to see me.

During the first month I fought in a many street fights to earn quick cash. I even changed my clothes. No longer did I feel like representing that Turtle school or any school. I finally understood why Chichi made me wear different clothes. I traded my fighting gi for a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt (almost like my weighted shirt), military combat boots, and fingerless gloves. You could say I didn’t look like myself, almost relaxed.

Tonight, as I walked the streets for another fight a man walks up to me. “You must be him?” I gave a confused look. “The out of the blue new talent. What you say you work for me. Like be my new fighter.”

“I’m listening.”

The guy took me to what look like an abandon warehouse. When we entered there were bright lights. A loud voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the blood shed!”

I looked at the guy next to me and ask what is this place. “It’s an underground fighting stadium. Rules are simple. Don’t get killed, knock the other person out. Give the people a show. Also, winner gets a buck load of cash.”

“What! I can’t do this! It’s not right.”

“Just do it for the money. I’ve seen your street fights. You only do the ones that worth a lot of doe.” He’s right. “Just do a few fights. Like 2 or 3.”

“Fine, but no more than 2.”

..

After 2 nights of fighting I thought I made enough money to impress my Chichi. During my off day I went about the city. Trying to find a perfect place to bring Chichi. Maybe her favorite restaurant, or maybe a movie and try not to sleep through it. I even went looking for the perfect gift to give her. Even what I wear and say to her.

Just as I walked around the corner, I bumped into someone. It brought me out of my thoughts and who I saw made my heart stop. It was her, but looked different. Yet no matter what I always will recognize those beautiful eyes.

“Hey… Chichi.” I must sound so nervous.

“Goku?” she had a confused look.

“Yeah it’s me. Um... how it’s been?”

“Ok, I guess.”

Better to ask her now while she’s here. “Um... would you be interested on going on a date? Like with me.” I looked away feeling embarrass.

“Are you okay Goku?” You don’t seem like yourself.”

I felt almost defeated and turned away from her. “Never mind. You probably you don’t even want to see me.” Just as I was about to walk away, I heard her.

“I’ll go on a date with you.”

Without thinking I grabbed her in a happy hug. “You mean it.” I felt her nod. “Ok.” Slowly pulling away. “Tomorrow night, let’s meet here. Maybe at 6?” She smiled and nodded.

“Can’t wait.” With that we went our ways for now. Unbeknown to me I was being watched. I’m just too happy that she said yes. Now where to take her. Oh, I’m going to need to dress how she likes. And buy her flowers.

[herimperfectlife]

Capitolo tre

Dicono che il primo giorno di college non si scorda mai… beh, vedremo. Il momento tanto atteso è finalmente arrivato! Devo ammette che lasciare casa degli zii non è poi così facile come avevo immaginato, mi stavo abituando a queste quattro mura e agli schiamazzi di due bambine di 6 anni in giro per casa. Sta tutto in una valigia extra large e uno zainetto dell’Eastpak. Tutta la nostalgia passa subito alla vista spettacolare del campus. Una serie di zone verdi costeggiano gli appartamenti, con panchine ad ogni portone per sedersi a pranzare velocemente o leggere un libro all’aria fresca.

La stanza che mi tocca è piccola ma confortevole. La finestra è subito di fronte l’entrata e rende l’ambiente luminoso, sotto vi è una lunga scrivania e poco distante due letti sono posti uno di fronte all’altro. Sulla destra una mini stanzino fa da armadio e subito dopo vi è il bagno con le piastrelle color acquamarina. Wc, lavandino e una doccia in cui è possibile muoversi a malapena; beh almeno è in camera. Sembra poco ma una gran parte della retta va solo per la camera.

La mia compagna di stanza non è ancora arrivata quindi cerco di sistemare le mie cose lasciando abbastanza spazio anche per lei. Con un po’ di organizzazione e mezza giornata passata così riesco a finire tutto. La sveglia sul comodino segna le sei del pomeriggio e mi tocca accendere la luce dai toni aranciati ormai che sole non è più all’orizzonte. Inizio ad avere anche fame, non mi sono neanche resa conto di aver praticamente saltato il pranzo. Non ho praticamente nulla in camera con me, ma l’abbonamento alla mensa mi salverà la vita. “Fa che non sia polpettone” spero tra me e me.

Contro ogni previsione trovo pollo, patate e insalata. Non mi lamento, non è la pizza di Domino’s ma non è neanche niente male. Benvenuta in un nuovo capitolo della tua vita June! Mi manca Sandy seduta accanto a me nel nostro solito tavolo, lei che è volata a New York per studiare alla Juliard. Per stasera mi tocca mangiare da sola visto che non conosco ancora nessuno. Non sono mai stata popolare però avevo il mio piccolo gruppo di amici con cui condividere un caffè il sabato pomeriggio. Poche feste, mai nessuna in realtà. Ho sempre odiato questo genere di cose e lo ammetto, non hai mai assaggiato qualcosa oltre la birra.

Alla fine quel piatto abbondante mi ha anche saziata per cui decido che è ora di andarmi a riposare in vista dell’inizio delle lezioni. Il resto degli alluni sta iniziando a raggiungere il campus e i corridoi sono molto più popolati di quando li ho lasciati un’ora fa. Si sentono schiamazzi e musica provenire dalle varie stanze. La mia è la 333, un numero particolare e intrigante che spero mi porti fortuna. “I can buy myself flowers…” si sente provenire dalla stanza mentre sto ancora aprendo la serratura. All’interno la mia nuova compagna di stanza sta ballando mentre sistema i libri sulla scrivania, è girata di spalle e non si è neanche accorta della mia presenza. Ha indosso solo una canottiera nera e un perizoma con le ciliegie che si abbinano ai capelli ramati che porta a caschetto, perfettamente allineati sopra le spalle. Quando si gira gli occhi verdi le si spalancano per la sorpresa.

Mi sento improvvisamente in imbarazzo. «Scu scusami, sono June la tua compagna di stanza» balbetto.

Le si arriccia il naso, incorniciato da un sacco di lentiggini. «Io sono Mara, piacere!»

«Scusami se ti ho disturbata» le dico.

«Ma figurati, sto solo cercando di mettere le cose in ordine… non è il mio forte e mi dispiace se lo capirai», risponde.

«A me piace tenere in ordine, non è un problema», cerco di essere cordiale ma ho qualche dubbio che questa convivenza possa sempre filare liscia come l’olio.

«I can take myself dancing, I can hold my own hand» continua a cantare, con una naturalezza unica «conosci questa canzone? Miley ha praticamente asfalto il suo ex».

«Non l’avevo ancora sentita» dico, per non ammettere che in realtà non m’interessano questo tipo di gossip e con il mio unico ex siamo ancora migliori amici.

Restiamo a parlare un altro poco del più e del meno mentre ripone le ultime cose sugli scaffali. A luce spenta sento ufficialmente il peso di questa giornata e la solitudine di un posto nuovo.

[morepeachyogurt]

we are good people (and we've suffered enough)

word count- 2.5k      Pairing- Temily

Summary- After Scratch, Tara and Emily run away to Italy to start a new life, ft. cats, cafes, and gardening. Based on this post, and this prompt. 

Part 2 of my, maybe we’re from the same star, series, work is a standalone, part 1

read here on ao3

tw’s- very minor mentions of substances and ptsd

Things were never the same after Mr. Scratch. The two of them were filled with more trauma than they had room for in their hearts to still hold each other in. Nights were no longer filled with a movie and cuddling, or talking about philosophy but tense sentences, paranoia, and nightmares. Tara knew that something needed to change, anything to stop the monotony of desolation. But still, they went to work every day and drowned their sorrows in killers like that would bring back the part of her that died when Scratch took Emily. There are only so many times one can be held captive and wait for death before something inside them breaks.

One night they get wine drunk, Emily laying sidewise on their black couch, and Tara sitting on the table staring at the ceiling.

“I miss being young, god, that’s such a weird thing to say. I mean, I spent my youth hating it. Hated my mother, and all of our traveling, never could make friends. I hated that I never belonged, hated not being in control of my own life, and here I am 50 years old working for the government that I used to despise trying not to cry myself to sleep every night,” her voice takes on a bitter tone.

“We love in our old age the things we hated as children. Does that make us matured or foolish?”

“Both, I think.”

“What was your favorite place to live? I mean it sounds like hell to keep moving between places but there must have been someplace you loved, right,” Tara’s voice fills with a tang of desperation as she searches for a way to help her lover.

“Rome. The weather and the scenery,” her voice takes on a dreamy tone, “and the food! Man, the food is good, don’t tell Rossi but his carbonara tastes like Olive Garden compared to the real thing,” they both chuckled at that, knowing it would have sent Rossi in a fit if he were to hear that.

“That sounds really nice honey.”

“I miss it sometimes you know? I think about how gorgeous everything was. It feels like home in my distant memories.”

“Then let’s do it. Lets, go move to Rome. You aren’t happy here Emily, I know you say you are, but you do this job for our team, not the position now. I miss when you laughed,” both of them sobered up by now, knowing that it has taken a turn for the more serious.

“No, no we can’t. I, I can’t keep leaving this team and our friends. And, people need us. You love this job Tara I can’t take that away from you, not for me.”

“They’d understand Emily, they all love you so much. Yeah, I love this job, I won’t lie. But, I love you more, and I’m not happy if you aren’t. So let’s do it. Let’s fucking run away to Rome together and be happy .” The two sit in silence for a minute, the unanswered question still hanging in the air.

“Okay. Let’s do it. Maybe I’ll fulfill my long-lost dream to have a nice, big garden.”

The team took it surprisingly well, they’d all noticed a change in Emily in the months following Scratch and knew that Tara had Emily’s best interest at heart. Of course, they were sad to lose two of the best members of their team, but Emily was family, and family looks out for each other.

“I’m going to miss you my favorite dynamic duo and your guys’ jokes. Ugh, it’s going to be so quiet without you two lovely ladies,” her eyes are welling with unshed tears as she says goodbye to more of her family, “Send me things from Rome or I will install a virus in your phones,” they both laughed at Penelope’s antics and promised her that they’d send as much stuff as they could. The last two weeks of their stay in the United States were filled with mixed emotions. They were excited to start the next chapter of their lives together. Away from all the serial killers and monstrous people out there. They could finally live with a fraction of the naivety that most people carry. On the other hand, Tara only speaks minimal Italian, and now they’re going to be living in a brand-new country, surrounded by strangers. A fresh start, but one filled with anxiety.

“Okay 4:30 is way too early for a flight,” Emily grumbled as they made their way to the airport. The pair had woken up at three, knowing that Tara can’t sleep on planes they tried to go to bed early and were now making their way to the airport in the dead of morning.

“Wait, babe, look! It’s a full moon,” they pulled over just for a moment and got out of the car to sit on the hood. The silence between the two is peaceful, the wind was the only whisper in the air. Moonlight shone on Tara’s face and Emily knew that there was no sight in the world as beautiful as this. With the moon reflected in her eyes and a small simple ghosting on her lips. She’s home.

Security was a breeze, they are former FBI agents after all, and they made their way to their gate. Airports always have a certain air to them, a place where time seizes to exist yet completely runs the place. Their gate was quiet, filled with the tired murmuring of people excited to travel.

“Tara, honey, wake up we’re boarding.”

It was odd for the two of them to be flying commercial after all those years on private jets. It was nice to feel normal though, to fade in the background instead of being other . Human desire is both to be noticed and forgotten all at once.

Italy’s airport is very similar to the DC airport, it would seem like they never left. Outside was a whole different story, bustling crowds and hot air hits them as soon as they step outside the building. They had picked out a quaint apartment building a week prior. Yellow walls with a terrace looking out to an alley. The couple's belongings had been shipped and were waiting to be unpacked. Not right then though. Now, it was time to explore.

Hand in hand they walked leisurely down the narrow alley way of the small Italian town they are now calling their home. Vines and every other type of plant that could grow did. Hanging off banisters, and climbing up orange brick walls. The sunlight was close to blinding, and it hit Emily just right. The golden rays hitting her face and illuminating the ghost of the smile now appearing on Emily’s face. That smile told Tara all she needed to know about their decision. Emily catches her staring, “What are you looking at,” humor evident in her voice.

“You, I’m looking at you miss Emily Prentiss. You’re smiling again,” her words come out softer than she intended, but they convey her point.

Happy couples seem to fill the streets, old and new, young and old. The town may be old, but it was filled with a life that they had been lacking. They pass a quaint little bakery. Bread, cupcakes, and assorted pastries fill the windows. There're bookshelves on all the walls filled to the brim with different books. The walls are light blue and there are flowers everywhere. It looks like something from the movies.

“Un Piccolo Angolo di Paradiso,” Emily reads the name of the building in front of them, they’ve since stopped to admire the view in front of them. It reminds the two of them how Emily asked Tara out. With a cupcake and book who had ‘I know there’s plenty of sugar in that cupcake but it’d be even sweeter if you went out with me. Let me take you to dinner Tara? ’ written on the inside.

“As much as I love hearing you speak Italian, what does that mean? Something heaven?”

“Little Slice of Heaven.” It’s truly a perfect name for the place.

“Okay, now we have to go in,” they’re both smiling now. They push open the glass doors, greeted by the high-pitched ringing of a bell and the smell of freshly baked bread.

The woman at the counter finishes the greeting, “Benvenuti nel piccolo angolo di paradiso, cosa posso offrirvi, adorabili signore?” they blush at the compliment and Emily orders them both cupcakes and coffee. Tara busies herself with admiring the books. Some of them have the most beautiful covers she’s seen. She knows not to judge a book by its cover but sometimes the most beautiful things are just as gorgeous on the inside as out. Just like Emily. She buys a book, and they take their drink and desserts to go. They make their way to a waterfront and sit down on the stairs, side by side.

“Rome is just as beautiful as I remembered. I missed it. It really does feel like home, although, anywhere I’m with you is home,” at the end of her sentence, she turns to face Tara, a look of pure love shown clearly on her face. And for that, Tara just has to kiss her.

The next day they unpack their boxes of belongings into their apartment to help rid the homesickness. Paintings go up on the walls and furniture is placed with the best view in mind. After a couple of hours they’re done, their apartment a bit more homey than before. They crack open a bottle of wine, put on an album, and sit out on the terrace. They watch the sun set over the water, the sounds of big band music filter in as the soundtrack for their night. The sky painted yellow, orange, and pink in the way only nature can create. If nature were an artist they’d be in every museum and sold to the wealthy. Instead, they are for the masses, the beauty of nature is for all to enjoy, free of cost, for those who wish to escape and fly into the night sky.

“You know what I’ve always wanted to do?” Tara leans forward on the balcony, not taking her eyes off the view in front of her, even as the colors begin to fade the sky darkens.

“No, tell me, what?”

“I always wanted to open my own bakery. I know it’s stupid, me a baker. But, I don’t know making things, it feels so uncomplicated. Just me and the dough.”

“In this alternate universe, I’d be a gardener. You and your dough and me and my flowers against the world Tara. Wait a second. I think you and I are onto something my dear,” Emily’s joined Tara at the balcony, the two of them leaning against the railing.

“Actually? You’re serious? You want to do this.?”

“Yeah! Why not? We’ve got enough money in the bank for us to last a bit, you can work at Un Piccolo Angolo di Paradiso,” the Italian rolls of her tongue in a way that drives Tara nuts, “I’ll find a gardening place to work at. We’re in fucking Italy let’s make our dreams come true.”

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

Alessia, the owner of the bakery, is pleased to have another employee. Especially one that is actually interested and isn’t in high school. Tara learns the basics of bread and pastry making. She has some skill, she used to bake with her mother before she died, it had been awhile since she had been able to bake without bumming herself out. Now it’s a nice memory of her. Gone but not forgotten, as is the saying. Emily comes in every lunch break for whatever Tara’s whipped up and to get her caffeine fix. One of the things that she still keeps from her law enforcement days.

They aren’t perfect. A move across the country isn’t going to cure PTSD, she has good days, bad days, and worse days, but now they have the time to deal with it. There was never anytime to process things at the FBI. It was always, distract yourself and throw yourself into solving cases. Now they can slow dance in the kitchen and stay up until three am telling stories from college. They fill their days with the happiness that was once stolen from them and bathe in it like perfume.

True to their word, they send Penelope all sorts of things, books from the café, pressed flowers, trinkets from the small shops to adorn her desk. In return, she sends them pictures of Sergio.

“I miss Sergio, his little paws, and his ability to climb on top of anything.”

Emily finds a job at a nearby garden that sells flower arrangements and herbs to local restaurants. It’s convenient, more than they would have thought. Emily now gets to stop into the bakery on occasion to deliver herbs and has plenty of flowers to give her lover. She also sends a few bouquets back to DC. Hoping that the flowers can brighten up the office in a way that fluorescent lights never can.

On one of their late afternoon walks, they hear a rustling by a trash can.

“What’s that noise?”

“I don’t know, let’s go look, it almost sounds like an animal. Could be a mouse,” Emily suggests, absently reaching to where her gun used to rest on her hip. They open the bag to find three small kittens. Seemly abandoned in a corner.

“Oh god, they’re so cute. We have to keep them.” It’s not a question, Tara knows that Emily is thinking the same thing, their minds connected in the way people who love each other’s minds always are. They look up the nearest veterinarian to make sure that their new pets are okay to take home and healthy.

The vet is sterile and a stark reminder of all the hospitals they’ve spent time in. Tara squeezes her girlfriend’s hand to remind her that they are both safe .

“They look fairly health, a bit malnourished but that is to be expected in these circumstances,” the vet is an elderly man with a mustache as thick as his accent,

“I’ve give them the shots they need, for now, come back in few months and let me take another look. Ciao.”

The kittens are fast asleep by the time they make it home. They gently scoop the kittens out of the bag and into their arms and the couch.

“Okay, what are we naming these angels?” Emily’s voice is pitched up as she talks to the kitten in her arms.

“Well, I’ve always been a classics enthusiast, what if we name them Artemis and Apollo?”

“That’s adorable. Little tiny archery kitties, yes, isn’t that right!” she coos, “And I think I’ll name this one Carter.”

“I love it, and you. Come on, sit with me, you look tired,” Tara grabs Emily’s hand and pulls her onto the couch. They fall over a bit and Emily yelps in surprise. They put the old music back on, a sense of peaceful needs for their new lives. The two sit on the couch, Emily’s head in her girlfriend’s lap, a hand playing with her hair. Apollo climbs on Emily’s feet and lays down to rest.

“I love you, Tara,” she doesn’t respond, just lays a gentle kiss to the back of her head.

The world is big and scary but the two of them feel safe in each other's arms.

taglist- @royalpenelope @criminalmindsvibez @haleymalaffey @scandinavian-punk @abitcriminalminds @hellskitchensmurdock @criminalmindzz2 @rosesonmyheart @ssaemxlyprentxss @reidrights if you’d like to be added to my taglist, the survey is here

[darklymelanatedstories]

Oh shxt I forgot!! (ft Vegeta&Bulma)

"So what do you think, sir?"

Vegeta gave a small smile and a nod. "It's perfect." He took one more glance at it before covering it up. Vegeta had been planning this for a while. He wanted this to be the best no threatening surprise she'd have that year.

After he's quick check up on his surprise he headed home. When he entered he was greeted by silence, so he assumed all the lazy bums he loved were still asleep. Not that it really mattered. It was 5am anyway. He crept into the room him and Bulma shared and couldn't help but smile when he saw her peacefully resting with drool running down her chin and messy hair and all. How could he love so many perfect imperfections.

Although Bulma wasn't much of an early bird, he did know that sleep was important to the woman so he decided to let her be.

"Hmm, she's been working hard yesterday on her projects and improving the gravity chamber.",Vegeta thought. "Just as well."

Vegeta moved her hair away then kissed her forehead before going down to the kitchen. He tried making her breakfast but ended up with a messy kitchen and broken eggs. Now he had to remind Bulma to buy eggs again. He was sure he made such a noise that he woke the whole neighborhood.

Trunks walked into the room and gave his father puzzled a look.

"Dad..?"

"Don't!",Vegeta exclaimed. Trunks raised his hands up slowly and backed away. Not wanting to be there during his father's frustration.

"Wait boy.",he said. Trunks immediately stopped. "Yes dad?"

"Clean this place up before you mother sees.",Vegeta ordered as he turned to leave. "I'll owe you one."

"Too late." The two jumped at the sudden voice. Vegeta slowly turned towards his wife.

"What the hell happened here?",Bulma questioned as her eyes scanned her ruined kitchen.

"Uh, you see. I was just trying to make you breakfast.",Vegeta explained, a bit embarrassed at his predicament. Bulma looked shocked, her eyes widened. "Really? That's so unlike you." She crossed her arms and raised her brow. "What are you up to? What's the occasion?"

Vegeta furrowed his eyebrows. "You would know. It's a special day today."

Bulma looked like she was even more confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You really don't remember do you?",Vegeta's expression contorted to slight anger. "I can't believe you. After I actually made an effort this time."

"Vegeta." Bulma carefully approached him and attempted to rest her hand on his shoulder. He immediately shrugged her off.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!",he yelled and stomped out.

"What's he so mad about? He's the one that wrecked my kitchen."

Trunks held his chin and thought. He knew there was something special about today.

"Isn't today your anniversary thing?"

Bulma gasped as she realised. How could she forget? And how did Vegeta remember?

"Oh shxt I forgot!!",she muttered then quickly cupped her hands over her mouth as soon as she remembered that Trunks was in the room.

"Don't worry mom. I've heard that word before.",he assured her.

"What!?"

"Nothing.",Trunks quickly walked out of the room. "I think I hear Bulla crying. I better check on her."

Bulma groaned. "Oh, how could I forget our anniversary? I always bug Vegeta about it."

~

"You forgot your anniversary!?" Chi Chi stared at Bulma with shock. "It's not like you." But what shocked her more was the fact that Vegeta even tried cooking.

"Yeah, I was so busy with my current machines that I forgot completely."

Goku walked into the room, he actually heard enough of their conversation to know what was going on.

"Why don't you just say you were pretending to forget to surprise him?" The two woman stared at Goku like he was crazy.

"That's not a bad idea, Goku."

"Yeah. I've used that a bunch of ti–"he stopped as soon as Chi Chi sent him a glare. "I guess I'm just full of good ideas."

"Anyway gotta go. Bye Chi Chi, Bulma.",Goku said as he rushed out of the house.

"Grrr. Goku!" Chi Chi groaned then turned to her blue haired friend. Bulma got up excitedly, hitting her fist into her palm as a plan formed in her genius head.

"I got it!"

"You're seriously gonna do it?"

"Well maybe...but I'm thinking of getting him a large buffet of food. You know how these Saiyans love to eat."

"I guess. But just hope it's better than Vegeta's gift so he won't be too mad."

"I always give the best gifts."

~

"Hey Vegeta." Goku said as he descended next to the Saiyan prince.

"What do you want Kakarot?"

"Happy anniversary." He opened his arms attempting to hug Vegeta but he ended up with a hand on the face pushing him back onto the ground.

"Doesn't feel happy.",he grumbled. "How could she forget. After all my planning."

"Wow. What did you plan?"

"None of your business!"

Goku gave him a sheepish smile as he crossed his legs and scratched the back of his head. They sat in silence for a while as Goku looked up at the sky.

"Well anyway. I say you should still go ahead with it. I mean think of all the times she did amazing things for you. I bet she'd really appreciate this."

Vegeta just grunted. Goku took that as a bit of a sign and got up to leave.

"Well that's all I wanted to say. I better get going. I promised Piccolo I'd train with him."

And with that Goku took off. Vegeta thought for a moment about what he said.

"Not a bad idea."

~

The sun just started setting and Vegeta waited outside in his maroon suit that he didn't really like wearing but it was a special day and it did make him look good.

He had told Goku to bring her around and was getting impatient. What was taking so long?

~

"Goku. I have to get everything ready."

Goku tilted his head. "What exactly are you doing? Planning a party?",he said as he watched people take food and party supplies out of a bunch of vans. "Because you know Vegeta's not a huge fan of those." He chuckled.

Bulma hung her head. "Ugh, I know. I've been so stressed that I'm not even thinking clearly."

"How bout you just bring the food in and come with me?"

"Fine." Bulma told the workers to put everything back except the food. Once that was done, Goku scooped her up and took her where he agreed to meet Vegeta.

~

The sun had set and finally the two have arrived.

"About time.",Vegeta mumbled.

Goku let Bulma down and took off, leaving the two.

"Vegeta look I–"

She was cut off when Vegeta placed his finger on her lips then lifted up her chin. This was the first time she actually saw him properly or her surroundings.

"Nice suit.",she said. Looking around with awe she couldn't help the feelings of excitement and love clearly showing in her body language.

She was in her garden which was beautifully decorated. The lights placed around the flowers lit it up beautifully, even making the pond sparkle. There were fireflies bringing another mix of light into the jars they were jailed in. It reminded Bulma of when she'd go camping with her sister and father.

"Wow." Without saying another word, or any word since she got there, he took her hand and led her to the gazebo in the middle of the garden.

There was some of Bulma's favourite foods and a large bottle of her favourite champagne in a silver bucket of ice.

What drew her attention was the object concealed under a white tarp.

"Vegeta–"

"Before you say anything.",he walked up to the objects. "I know I shouldn't have gotten angry this morning and that you've been stressed out lately. I'm sorry."

"It's fine Vegeta."

He took hold of the tarp. "I also hate doing this sappy stuff so..." He dramatically pulled it off. "Happy anniversary, my love."

Bulma was left speechless. She got closer and Vegeta watched with a smile on her face.

"What do you think?",he asked but he knew she loved it.

"I had it done by that artist you love so much."

In front of Bulma was a beautiful painting of her and Vegeta on their wedding day.

She trapped Vegeta in an embrace and he wrapped his arms around her waist as he pulled her closer.

"I love you."

"Love you too.",he mumbled.

He pulled out of the hug and pulled out a chair for her in the gazebo.

He looked at the amount of food he had prepared for tonight and frowned.

"There's no way this is satisfying me. Damn, now I'm starving for the woman",he thought. He's hunger must've shown on his face because Bulma gave him a knowing look and winked.

"Oh I got that covered." She took her phone out and dialled a number.

"Bring it in guys."

In a matter of seconds people were bringing so much food that there wasn't any space on the table.

Soon Vegeta was stuffing his face.

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?",he said in between chews.

Bulma giggled then looked over at her paintings.

"Yeah, you even showed me."

Art by @lem0uro

Check her out ppl. She's amazing.

♡♡♡♡♡

[sevenstarsinning]

How would they propose? If they knew the term and the implications (additionally those who sre non married too lol)

Vegeta: Brings you a gift of Saiyan armor and asks you to marry him. He doesn’t fully understand the ritual so he thinks he’s supposed to offer you something of his to show his feelings.

Goku: Proposes over dinner with his mouth full of food. Just blurts it out because your cooking is amazing and he wants to make you his. Will eventually bring you a ring but don’t expect him to buy it, he just finds one randomly.

Bardock: Brings you the head of a dead enemy as an offering. It’s the thought that counts right?

Turles: Tells you he basically wants to fuck you for a lifetime and implies getting you a ring. Eventually gets you one. Don’t expect a big show of emotion.

Raditz: Sets it up completely. Candles, flowers, all the stuff he knows you like. He had to get some help from Bulma on what exactly to do for you.

Piccolo: Will blurt it out nervously after meditation with you. Just like, “marry me?” And it’s adorable how nervous he is.

[thelittleredheadedmusician]

My high school dating experience is like a teen movie:

My first (of 2) boyfriend I started dating in eighth grade and it was The Most middle school relationship. He asked me out via note w/ the check yes or no boxes & everything. I was in band (& orchestra) all thru school & my best friend did chorus with him, I found out later that she talked him into asking me out cause he had a massive crush on me (which is why he’d been avoiding me while I was pissed cause we’d been friends since kindergarten). But, he asked me out. We went to A Lot of movies w/ one of our parents. We played pool & hung out in my pool. It was all really innocent and sweet. We even went to build a bear together.

(First sign I was ace, he & my friends conspired so he could kiss me & they covered as he took me onto my back patio & tried. I just noped out of there & never kissed him. Ever. No regrets on that one.)

We get to high school: I’m in marching band & have new friends & he’s in cross country & stops by our practices after his, meets my friends, & it’s fine. School starts, he meets me at my locker at the end of the day, walks me to the bus, we chat, & all our friends (freshman music nerds) think we’re adorable & life’s fine. At least I think it is. Then the kiss thing happened. A few weeks later he walks me to the bus & breaks up with me. I’m blindsided but not heartbroken cause like I’m me & it wasn’t ever really all that serious. But it’s over. Whatever. I’ve borrowed the book Wicked from a friend to read for the first time & I’m deeply invested so it’s fine.

Our schedules never lined up during the day & I’d texted our friends that he’d broken it off right away so I’m no longer thinking about it by the next day. I’m sitting in biology reading Wicked waiting for class to start when this flute player a year older then me comes rushing in. (I would later grow to hate her but the feeling was mutual & does not relate to this story.) She comes up to me & goes “I just saw something & it’s really going to hurt you but I feel the need to tell you.” Now I’m self aware enough to say I’m a bit of a masochist when it comes to my feelings so I tell her to just say it. She goes “Your boyfriend’s cheating on you. I just saw [now ex-boyfriend] making out with some girl in the hall.” I blink at her & go: “Oh. Ok. Well we broke up so. That’s kinda fast but like whatever. He can do what he wants I guess.” She flips out. I shrug it off. Biology starts.

About a week later I’m approached by a trumpet player friend a year older than me saying he really needed to talk to me about this guy. We weren’t super close (we would get close but not from this) & I had probably gotten my hands on The New Teen Titans by this point & was tearing thru those so I’m curious but not concerned. He tells me that he has lunch with Ex & had since the beginning of the school year, that Ex apparently didn’t have any friends in this lunch but saw a bunch of band kids, knew they were my friends, & asked to sit w/ them. They were apparently very confused but agreed & that was that. One of the senior band kids had another senior friend who sat w/ them too so this table was all band kids, Ex, & this senior girl. Apparently, Girl was flirting w/ him from the start but he said he had a girlfriend & that I was in band but she never let up. My friend goes on to tell me eventually Ex started flirting back & as of a week ago they’d started acting all coupley & kissing at lunch; he knows we broke up but he thinks she convinced Ex to do it & the whole thing just isn’t sitting right &!that I should know. I thank him, say it’s weird Ex would sit w/ my friends & not his own to begin w/, am now a little mad, & the two of us keep talking about it but really that’s that.

2 weeks after we’ve broken up Ex starts acting weird & rude to our mutual freshmen friends, including my best friend who set us up. Eventually he stops talking to them all together & says it’s cause his girlfriend doesn’t want him talking to other girls, especially none that are friends with me. Trumpet player tells me that she’s started being Super controlling w/ Ex at lunch & about a month after I’m mad cause this girl is lowkey abusive, making all of my friends miserable, trashing me, & I don’t even know who she is. They go to prom together, he seems thrilled, everyone else is super pissed that she’s controlling him & that he doesn’t see it. Meanwhile, I haven’t spoken to him since we broke up.

The next year we end up in English class together. We became friends in kindergarten because the miracle of the alphabet meant we sat next to each other. Guess what happens? Yup. Well the room is weird so he’s actually in front of me, I can only get to my desk shoved in the corner by passing him. The first day he didn’t even look at me. The next day I cornered him & pretty much said “we’re going to have to work together. I’m not even mad. Can you just talk to me? If you don’t want to be friends we don’t have to.” He apologized, said they broke up & he was taking a break from dating & we went back to being friends! He started talking to his old friends again! Then he went back to normal. & then slowly turned into a dick. But that was on his own w/out a controlling girlfriend.

Second relationship had drama prior to me entering the picture.

When I was a freshman the band’s assistant drum major was a junior who (for her hair) we’re gonna call Ginger. She was a piccolo, super talented, strong willed, could be mean, but mostly just driven & outgoing. She was going on four years dating the tuba player, also a junior, who was quiet, funny, super nice, & a bit of a little shit. They were the band power couple & everyone knew it. Now, Ginger & I quickly became friends because we had really similar personalities & just clicked (we also kinda looked alike though I was taller & my hair was darker).

Their senior year there was a group of us who hung out all the time & were just close. It was mostly seniors including them, myself, & a few others. Ginger was drum major & it was really obvious to everyone in band I was going to be drum major one day too.

That year was fun! Then the seniors all graduated & were off to college. The power couple were going to school together & we all just kinda thought they’d graduate, get married, buy a house & have kids. & their kids would do band. That’s a nope.

In September a girl their year from the guard got a Snapchat from a guy friend of hers. He was sitting on his bed with a girl in his lap. Who she recognized. As Ginger. She immediately texted the tuba boy saying “this is really awkward & I feel awful but I think Ginger is cheating on you.” He confronts Ginger & she admits to it. They break up.

I’m a junior in high school, bummed most of my friends graduated & being slowly driven miserable by the drum major (flute player from before!). I had been texting my friends while they were at college, Ginger stops texting back & Tuba Boy tells me about the breakup. I tell him I’m sorry but I’m here for him. We end up texting A Lot & wound up getting really close and in December he asks me out. Not knowing what else to do I say yes.

Our first date I’ve actually talked about on here before. It’s in my high school story tag & is worth the look. We were hot gossip for the next 6 months until it was decided I wasn’t a rebound despite indicators. We broke up after I started college (almost 2 years later) & he still buys his mom flowers from my mom.

[localmagicalboi]

✨ local unfriendly black hottie.

— PEOPLE I’D LIKE TO KNOW BETTER !

———  BASICS! ♡

name! ♡     rae or diren or i don’t care, im gonna pull a prince and turn my name into a symbol u can’t even pronounce. dont perceive me. im holy and gorgeous. pronouns! ♡     i dont!!!! give a shit zodiac sign! ♡     capricorn sun, leo moon, leo rising, scorpio venus. we’re mean over here! we have ego! we dress very well! and we love it! taken or single! ♡     engaged to this dumbass  fuckwagon ~> @notevenjupiter​ <~ that’s the dumbass fuckwagon in question.

———  THREE  FACTS! ♡

1! ♡     not to toot my own horn ( tooooooooooooot ) but i really am that bitch at music. flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, saxophone. by saxophones i mean the only ones that matter, the tenor and the baritone. no offense to alto sax players out there but r u aware that ur playing a police siren. french horn, trombone, sousaphone, all the keyboards. im talkin marimba, vibraphone, tubular bells, glockenspiel. snare drum, bass drum, quads, timpani. ur other percussion but who cares about that unless ur a big ass fan of the bongos. or gongs.

i only fiddle on the piano these days tho no more of that for me. i am, tho, working on my digital production! buy my beat tape when i drop it in the year 2038. i havent opened the files for it since 2017 and i think that’s very sexy of me!

2! ♡    i know over 100 kinds of flowers and plants by appearance, alone. i was captain of the floriculture team against my will! however i kept up my studies and i keep myself sharp on the flower world™ for some reason. who knows. guess ill open a greenhouse. sell nothin but venus flytraps

call that the trap house

ba dum tsssssss.

3! ♡     i can lift about 200Ibs. don’t be fooled by my selfies, i’m actually built like a tank glkfjglkdfjgdflgdf. i once broke someone’s nose in one punch. contemplated going to wrestling school but my sensitive side said ‘u should…… do art or music or something……’

bonus fact! ♡ i used to run an improv comedy club in middle school! doing stuff that’s basically ‘whose line is it anyway’ except we werent as funny and we were inexperienced since we were... kids lol. but it taught me a lot on being creative and cohesive on the spot. speaking of improv i wrote an entire, plot hole free novel with a friend using two notebooks and our free time for fun. we had our characters and the basics with what we wanted. one of us would write like 5 pages, pass the notebook to the other during lunch, and then back-forth like that. ‘til we were done.

———  EXPERIENCE! ♡

platforms used! ♡     currently? tumblr. overall? i’m not going back to 2001 to list off all the horrible forums, shoutout to aol babey,

———  MUSE  PREFERENCE! ♡

gender! ♡   female muses, actually! :/// hmu @ deadblush my daughter deserves love.

least favourite face(s)! i never wanna see jake gyllenhaal dopey lookin ass ever again

multi or single! ♡   single. i need a one solid, streamlined motif and focus.

fluff / angst / smut! ♡    

fluff:  yeah sure! but it has to have comedy in it or something, ya bih get bored

angst:   yeah! but it has to be angst with a reason??? i dont like that angst for the sake of angst, lets give it an anchor and a reason for existing pls.

smut :   sure thing babey but vi hasnt had a sex in like 84 years so who’s gonna smang him

plot / memes! ♡   im gonna be honest, i dont like memes because a lot of people dont know how to make them work. you end up with like 6-10 replies in to a thread w. no solid location and its like? lol. and my muse is too erratic for plots. i dont like being tethered to plots either, not when my muse is unpredictable as fuck. i like on-the-fly, on-the-go improv. we have a solid location, a solid motive to start with, and we improvise from there. either learn how to keep up or dont.

✨ TAGGED BY: i stole it :) ✨ TAGGING: im lazy so anyone that wanna do it

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball 113

Now that Emperor Pilaf’s crew is out of the way, King Piccolo can finally get down to business, which is conquering the world.  

Piano tries to brief Piccolo on the current geopolitical situation, but Piccolo just zaps his whole Powerpoint presentation.     I really like Piano as a character, and I’m not entirely sure why, other than that he sort of reminds me of some of Jabba the Hutt’s entourage in Return of the Jedi.    Functionally, he’s probably like Bib Fortuna, but he talks like C-3PO, and he sort of feels like a team mascot, like Salacious Crumb. 

Also, the dynamic between Piano and Piccolo is kind of interesting.    Piano speaks much more candidly to Piccolo than anyone else, indicating that he’s a close and trusted advisor.   Presumably, Piccolo created him just like Tambourine and Cymbal, which means that Piano is exactly what Piccolo wanted him to be.    And yet Piano doesn’t seem to quite fit Piccolo’s plans.   He tries to act like he’s counseling a real king, but Piccolo’s military and domestic policies essentially boil down to “Break Stuff”.   

I think this points to King Piccolo’s defining character trait.  He’s a horrible, merciless villain, sure, but I think what sets him apart from the others is that he’s a bitter outsider who wants to punish everyone on the inside.   That’s why he wants to topple the legitimate king and usurp his throne.   The Red Ribbon Army was content to establish their own power base someplace else, but Piccolo wants the recognition.   He wants people to know that he’s part of their society--the top part-- whether they like it or not.   

So with that ambition comes this attitude that he has to make himself look and feel like a real king.    That’s why he surrounds himself with advisors like Piano, that’s why he sits on a throne, and that’s why he wants to move into King Castle.   I don’t think any of these things actually helps him accomplish his goals, but when your goal is basically “Break Stuff”, I guess it doesn’t matter.   King Piccolo doesn’t isn’t really interested in the final outcome of his reign, just so long as he gets to have authority that he can abuse.

As the pair cruise into the city surrounding King Castle.... You know, I’m just gonna go back to calling it “King’s Castle”.   Funimation added the possessive, and I’m starting to see why.   It just sounds better that way.

Anyway, it’s the 20th anniversary of King Furry’s reign, so there’s a big celebration with fireworks and a parade and so on. 

A lot of this episode is designed to set up King Furry as a counterpoint to Piccolo.    He’s everything Piccolo isn’t: modest, peace-loving, a dedicated public servant.

The catch is that King Furry’s record sort of contradicts a lot of the lawlessness we’ve seen in Dragon Ball leading up to his introduction.   Characters like the Ox King, the Red Ribbon Army, and Mercenary Tao seem to be able to do whatever they please.  I’ve always interpreted this to man that KIng Furry may officially rule the entire world, but he has a hard time enforcing his policies in the periphery of his kingdom.  

To be sure, I don’t expect King Furry to be perfect.   It’s likely that the world was a lot worse off before he assumed power, and the peace and prosperity his subjects are celebrating is a relative thing.    I just find it odd that the Red Ribbon Army was a Big Problem just three years ago, and everyone in this episode is acting like that never happened.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Korin, Goku’s planning to seek help from Korin at the top of Korin Tower.   But he’s all beat up, so Bora suggests that he rest for a few days before making the climb.  But Goku can’t wait, so he says Yajirobe will take him up.    Yajirobe refuses, until Goku tells him that there’s Senzu at the top of the tower, and it’s “Wizard Food”.

This leads Yajirobe to imagine a cereal mascot making giant food items appear out of thin air.   See, this right here is what all those Harry Potter movies should have looked like.   How hot would that be?   Dumbledore fights Voldemort, and they just keep trying to crush each other under giant pizzas and hot dogs.

Bora offers to help the boys out by doing a Fastball Special.   Only it’s even cooler than a Fastball Special because he’s gonna throw two people straight up.

I can’t believe Dragon Ball topped Harry Potter AND the X-Men in this one episode.   Well, actually, I can totally believe it.   This show rules.   Yajirobe grabs Goku’s butt, and Bora grabs Yajirobe’s butt, and we’re off to the races.

Of course, the animators sneak in plenty of upskirt shots of Yajirobe.   Wotta buncha perverts.

Once they’re as high as they can get, Yajirobe starts climbin’, crying out ORAORAORA as he goes.   Wow, a JoJo reference too.   This episode has everything.

Back at King’s Castle... uh... City?   Kingscastletown?  Castle City?   I think I’m gonna start calling it that.

Why are all these soldiers wearing pink?   I mean, they look all right, but they have a real ice cream truck vibe to them.     This makes me wonder if ice cream trucks in this town are Hum-vees driven by army guys in pixelated cookie-dough camo.    That’d be pretty badass.

So Piccolo’s ready to start invadin’.   First thing he does is T-Pose for dominance, and then he drops right on down on King’s Castle.

This guy at the gate tells him he can’t go in, and he has a gun, so Piccolo gives up and leaves.   And that’s the end of the story!   Kind of anticlimactic, but it’s a pretty daring way to wrap up a saga like this.   I think the moral here is--

Just kidding, Piccolo stone cold murders all the guards and just wanders through the castle at will.   Also, Piano finds a bag of chips next to some guy’s corpse and just picks it up like a crow.   This show is amazing.

Meanwhile, Master Roshi and Chiaotzu are still dead.

I feel like Tien’s sort of wasting time here.  I guess the last couple of episodes have taken place in roughly real-time, so it’s been maybe about twenty minutes since Piccolo made his wish?   That’s kind of nuts when you think about it.   But it feels like TIen’s been standing around all week.

The rest of Dragon Team finally arrives, and thank goodness Yamcha’s changed out of his blue tank top and short-shorts.   That outfit looked terrible on him.   Launch, of course, is still wearing her cool outfit from the Tien Saga, because you don’t want to mess with perfection.

So, just to be clear, Master Roshi is dead....

And Chiatozu is dead. 

Yamcha tells Tien that they need to team up to beat Piccolo.  Okay, time out, fantasy booking time.   What if they really did team up, and somehow they found out about the fusion dance, and King Piccolo met his match in... Tiencha!?

Like, TIencha would just instantly master the Mafuba, because he has Tien’s firsthand knowledge of the technique, combined with Yamcha’s ability to improvise moves like the Kamehameha and Spirit Ball.    But he’d be like, no.   No, this King Piccolo dude needs to pay.    So he’d wear him down with some Dodohamehas, and then polish him off with the Wolf Fang Volleyball Fist.    Then he’d cross his arms and shout “The Power of Tiencha!”

Then Tiencha would be made the new king.   Yamcha and Tien would rule jointly, but they’d use the fusion dance before making any important decisions. 

But no, we can’t do anything super mega awesome like that.  Instead, Tien wants to go off by himself and master the Mafuba on his own.   Yamcha offers to learn it with him...

But Tien tells him it would be impossible for Yamcha, since he’s never seen the move performed.  Well neither did Mutaito when he invented it, and so far he’s the only one who ever executed it successfully.

So Tien flies off on his own, leaving Launch to get all a-flutter over his stoic heroism.  Look, I get what they’re going for here.   This is Tien’s redemption arc, and Yamcha would just be in the way.   But this is a really dumb play.   Basically, Tien’s setting himself up to make the same mistake Master Roshi made.   Even if Yamcha doesn’t stand a chance of learning the Mafuba, he could still help in other ways, and if nothing else, he could be there when Tien tries it, and then if things don’t work out, he’ll finally have firsthand knowledge of the technique, so he can learn it himself.

Back at the parade, King Furry receives flowers from little girls from different parts of the world.   One of them is Suno from the Red Ribbon Army Saga.   I think this is the first time her hometown is called “Jingle Village”, and I really wish they had used that name back when I needed it.

Unfortunately, Piccolo blows up a bunch of heavy artillery at the castle, and the explosions finally disrupt the celebration, spoiling Suno’s big moment.

In hindsight, it probably would have been better to call off the rest of the celebration, but this guy in white only got word that a lone intruder was a the castle, and he thought tanks would be enough to stop him, so he decided not to interrupt the ceremony.   It was the wrong call, but I can’t blame the guy, since none of them had any idea what they were dealing with.   Now that he does know, he suggests King Furry leave the area immediately.

Furry really doesn’t want to do that, although he’s wise enough to know that his security chief is right.   Piccolo came her to get Furry, so if he can escape the city, there’s at least a chance Piccolo will follow him instead of hurting anyone else.

Meanwhile this huge dude tries to buy them some time.   From the dialogue, I get the impression that he’s the guy on the security detail they call when conventional weapons don’t work.    So at least King Furry’s staff recognizes that there are fighters in the world strong enough to resist tanks and guns.    It sort of makes me wonder why anyone still bothers with tanks and guns, though.   

Piccolo offers the guy a job, but he’s not interested.   It says a lot about King Furry that these guys are willing to lay down their lives for him, even against a foe this powerful.   This whole part of the saga feels like an inversion of Goku’s assault on Red Ribbon Headquarters, only now it’s a villain no-selling a bunch of good guys with guns.   But unlike the Red Ribbon soldiers, these guys are motivated by honor and loyalty, rather than denial and fear.  

To be sure, a couple of other guards see Piccolo kill this dude and they run away, but at this point, I’d say it’s the smart call.   There’s nothing left to defend here but an empty castle, and they’re way out of their league.    All they’d accomplish by staying is to die.

Unfortunately, Piano spots King Furry making his escape.

And it doesn’t take long for Piccolo to catch him.

Elsewhere, a kid asks his mom if there’s anyone who can stop Piccolo.

Suno knows someone.   

Yeah, Goku’s gonna come back and tear Piccolo apart.   You just wait and see.  

He just needs a little time to get his shit together.   Hang in there, world.

[rose-of-pollux]

Now and Then (Super Mario oneshot)

Title: Now and Then Rating: G Summary: [Slice of life, post-Odyssey] A simple question from Cappy gets Luigi reminiscing about his and Mario’s unique friendship with Princess Peach. Notes: This is my entry for @bossmedley​ for @mariosecretsanta2018​; the prompt was “Mario, Luigi, and Peach at a picnic at the castle.”  Hope you enjoy!

Cross-posted to ff.net if you prefer reading there, can’t link due to the new linking restrictions…

The two brothers had been carrying the largest picnic basket full of food they could find; it was rather heavy, prompting Luigi to complain about it. But Mario cheerfully encouraged him to keep his chin up—after all, how often did they get to enjoy a peaceful picnic, uninterrupted by Bowser or any other villain du jour?

Peach, assisted by Tiara, was putting the final touches on a cake as she glanced out the window to see Mario and Luigi arriving at the castle garden. Mario saw her and waved (releasing his end of the picnic basket, causing Luigi to scramble to keep it from tipping over), a big grin on his face (and an exasperated look on his brother's).

"Hello, Peach!" he called.

"Hey, you two!" she called back. "I'll be right out!"

"Okay; we'll get all this set up in the meantime!" Mario returned. "C'mon, Little Bro!"

Luigi rolled his eyes slightly as Cappy now hopped off of Mario's head to assist him with the picnic basket.

"He gets excited really easily, doesn't he?" the Bonnetor observed. "I seemed to observe as much when we traveled through all of those kingdoms. I thought it was the thrill of the adventure, but it seems he's like that even when things are normal."

"Yeah, he's always been like that. You get used to it," Luigi said, with a shrug. He smirked in spite of himself as he began to set up things on the picnic table once Mario had spread the tablecloth over it.

Cappy chuckled and helped out as Mario now also finally began to help out arranging things—at least until Peach and Tiara arrived with the cake, upon which he promptly dropped everything to help carry the cake.

Cappy watched in interest—Toads that were attending to things in the garden stopped to bow to Peach as she walked past. And yet, Mario hadn't bowed to the princess—had he just been overly excited for the picnic? …Come to think of it, Cappy couldn't recall Mario ever bowing to Peach, even during the times they had met up in the various kingdoms after her rescue. At any rate, she didn't seem to mind.

"I know Mario admires the princess very much," he said to Luigi. "He wanted to propose before Bowser interrupted him."

"Uh-huh," Luigi agreed.

"And you see the princess as a friend, too."

"Of course!"

"But neither of you bow to her like the other Toads do," Cappy observed. "I don't mean to pry, but is there a reason?"

Luigi paused for a moment.

"Actually, there is," he said. "Mario did bow to Peach once—a long, long time ago, when we were all very young. We used to play together as little kids—it didn't matter that Peach was a princess and Mario and I weren't royals… Kamek had predicted that my brother and I would bring trouble for the Koopas, and when Peach's father, the King, found out, he wanted us to remain close with Peach. Our papa thought it was great that we had royal connections, but… Mama was more concerned about Kamek having his eye on us. And then there was an alien invasion…" He shuddered; thanks to E. Gadd's time machine, they got to experience the Shroob takeover twice.

"Oh, I see!" Cappy said. "Because you grew up together and went through all that, no one saw the reason for you two to bow to her?"

"Well, actually, no…" Luigi said. "After the alien invasion, Mama insisted that we leave the Mushroom Kingdom. She'd been making plans with Papa without letting the King find out, but then, one day, while all this planning was going on, Bowser—still a prince at the time—showed up at the castle to cause trouble again while Mario and I were there… I'd gotten a bit battered in the fight, and there's no quicker way to make Mario mad than to do that to me…"

                                         **************************************

At that age, there had been little that Mario could have done to avenge his brother, but angrily chasing Bowser around the throne room with a fire flower had apparently been enough to keep young Bowser on the run.

Luigi had been sniffling on the floor as he had sat up, more shaken than hurt, but still on the verge of tears; Peach had been looking from him to Mario, but before she had been able to say or do anything, all four youngsters had nearly leaped out of their skins as the throne room burst open—revealing a very angry woman shrieking in Italian.

Their mother had been angrier than the brothers could have ever imagined—though, in hindsight, she'd had good reason. In an instant, she had raced across the room, gathering Luigi in her arms and now heading for Mario and Bowser.

Bowser had quickly realized he was in a great deal of danger and leaped out the window to get away from the angry mother; Mario had hastily hidden the fire flower behind his back, but before she could question him, the king had chosen that moment to enter the throne room, and she turned her wrath on him instead.

"Is this how you raise children!? My sons and your daughter were attacked by un piccolo demone! Look at what that beast has done to my little Luigi!"

She certainly hadn't bothered to bow, and neither the king nor Toadsworth had been brave enough to remind her of protocol.

"The Shroobs—they came, and you learned nothing!" she had ranted on. "You have had your chances; my boys are not safe here! Si—we go! Ciao!"

"Er… Yes, of course," Toadsworth had said. "This won't happen next time; you have our word-"

"Next time?" she had replied, incredulously. "No! No next time! We are leaving this kingdom! I have been planning this since the Shroobs attacked—but now we must go earlier!"

Luigi had looked at his mother, and then across the room at his brother, who had dropped the fire flower in shock. Leave the Mushroom Kingdom? Leave their friend Peach?

Peach had obviously arrived at the same conclusion, for she immediately started to wail; Mario had tried to get her to cheer up, but it was difficult when he himself was close to tearing up.

The King and Toadsworth had tried to get the brothers' mother to reconsider, but her mind had been set, and they knew that trying to dissuade a protective mother would be a battle they would not be able to win.

Realizing that they had backed down, she had turned to her other son.

"Mario! Vieni, stiamo andando!"

But Peach was still crying, and Mario didn't want to leave her.

"Mario!" his mother said, again, sternly.

Gently, Mario had taken Peach's hand and bowed; she had been surprised and pleased enough to stop crying, managing a small smile. It was short-lived, however; Mario soon found himself being taken by the hand and leaving with his mother and brother, and as the throne room doors closed behind them, they could hear Peach starting to cry all over again…

                                          *************************************

"…And that was what happened," Luigi finished, back in the present. "The only time Mario ever bowed to Peach."

"But you made it back to the Mushroom Kingdom," Cappy said.

"Not intentionally," Luigi admitted. "As we got older, being raised away from all this, we sort of… forgot about the Mushroom Kingdom and Peach and everything as we grew up—I think Mama wanted it that way… She wanted us to have quiet, normal lives where nothing ever happened. She was so happy when Mario and I wanted to get into a normal, everyday career like plumbing. …But then, while on the job, we found the warp pipe back to the Mushroom Kingdom just as Bowser had kidnapped Peach. We still didn't remember her or the Kingdom, but you know how Mario is—if someone needs help, then he's just gotta go help them. Pauline can back me up on that."

"Yes, of course," Cappy said. "He helped me find my sister, even though he had Peach to worry about."

Luigi nodded.

"Mario led the way, and I followed, and we found Peach… We still didn't remember her, but Mario… I remember he just walked up to her and introduced us, saying that we were getting her out of Bowser's castle, and I was kinda embarrassed at first, since the Toads had told us she was their princess, but… Mario thought that the last thing she needed was someone who wasn't going to be open and honest and wouldn't get caught up in all those protocols. Looking back, I think he was right; we'd have been nervous trying to stick to all those rules, and that wouldn't have helped her feel better at all."

"Ohh, so that's why?"

"Partly," Luigi said. "The real decision came right after the rescue, when Peach wanted to formally thank us for the rescue—with a picnic just like this, actually…"

                                                ****************************

Luigi had been staring absently into the window of a store in Toad Town when he had been jolted from his thoughts by his brother calling his name.

"There you are, Luigi! What's up, Little Bro?"

"I'm just thinking about the picnic this afternoon," Luigi had replied. "We need to buy something to wear."

"We do?"

Luigi had given him a look.

"…You don't expect us to go to the princess's castle dressed like this, do you?" he had asked, indicating their work shirts and overalls. "That warp pipe that brought us here seems to be closed now; we can't exactly go back and get our Sunday best. I think we have enough coins to get something nice, though."

"Hmm, I think we'd be better off saving our coins for food and a place to stay," Mario had replied. "With that warp pipe being closed, we might be here a while."

"Oh… Well, that may be, but if we turn up looking like this, we could get thrown out! If we're embarrassed, it'll be harder finding a place to stay…"

"I don't think the princess is like that," Mario had said. "She seemed nice enough when we found her in that castle."

"We did just free her…"

"Trust me on this, Little Bro; it'll be fine—you'll see!"

Mario seemed to have put all doubts behind him, but Luigi had continued to be nervous as they arrived at Peach's castle later that day. Mario strode in with the same confidence he always had, but Luigi had been looking around, noticing the looks from the Toads—and hearing the whispers.

He had known exactly what they were saying—whispering about how these two battle-damaged plumbers were daring to meet the princess dressed in those old rags. Normally, Luigi was never bothered with the fact that he and his brother were maintenance men; life in a big city meant crossing paths with those of a higher standing, and both he and his brother had learned to look white-collar folk in the eyes without being intimidated (not hard when their usual interactions were said white-collar folk begging them to save their backed-up sinks or busted pipes). But this situation had been nothing like that—strangers in a new land, meeting royalty? Luigi couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

Peach, in an elegant gown, had been there in the throne room to greet them—the same throne room where they had been separated all those years ago, and now formally reunited (though they hadn't realized it yet). She had extended her hand like any royal lady would, having been trained to put up with guests kissing her hand, whether or not she was comfortable with the idea.

Mario wasn't going to have any of that; why should she be forced to have her hand kissed just because she was a princess? And, anyway, he had been determined to put the cards on the table and present himself as he was, no false airs or anything like that.

And so, instead of kissing her hand, he shook her hand, as though greeting a friend.

The reaction had been instantaneous; quiet gasps and murmurs from the Toads about how clueless Mario must be began to fill the room, and Toadsworth had been facepalming. And Luigi had begun to blush in secondhand embarrassment at all of this.

But the only ones who hadn't seem embarrassed were Mario and Peach. Mario had been continuing to look her in eyes with a friendly expression, and Peach, though initially surprised by the handshake, had suddenly looked genuinely pleased.

"Mario, I want to formally thank you and your brother Luigi for risking your lives to rescue me from Bowser."

"We always try to help out," Mario had said, with a grin. "And we thank you for this kind gesture of a picnic."

"The pleasure is mine, my friends."

It had been those two words—'my friends'—that had reassured both Mario and Luigi that everything would be fine. And Peach had been reassured, as well, for she had found friends who would treat her without dancing around her and her royalty, as so many others had done.

                                        ********************************

"And that's why we're here, able to be all casual with the princess," Luigi finished. "She's been a great friend to us all these years, the fact that she's a princess and we're just plumbers was never an issue at all." He smiled as he watched Peach gently chide Mario for trying to sneak a taste of the cake before it was time for dessert. "It's also why their friendship can survive the rejection of a wrongly-timed marriage proposal—at the end of the day, they will always care about each other."

"And you," Cappy added.

"And me," Luigi agreed. "And you and Tiara, too—you pretty much joined our circle of friends when you helped Mario out."

"…I'm honored," the Bonnetor said, sounding rather touched.

Luigi smiled.

"C'mon, let's eat!"

Luigi and Cappy caught up to the others and dug in, enjoying the food and company as they ate, all of them grateful for their circle of friends, and being a part of it.

[davidpwilson2564]

Bloglet

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Continued

Something from the files about my late friend

In Finkel’s Shadow

When I first came to the city in the late Sixties I began hearing about  Ian Finkel, the xylophone virtuoso.  Just before I met him I knew he had gotten a break, an off-Broadway show, Dames At Sea, featuring Bernadette Peters (also a break for her) that was playing  at a small theater on Christopher Street.   I learned that he was quickly bored with the part he was issued and had begun adding to it.  Fine for him, but it discouraged subs, who, after having seen Ian’s performance,  decided they could not put in the time to learn the new and improved book.  When they bailed I’m sure Ian heard some inventive excuses.  (The favorite aunt in Maine who had suddenly taken ill, etc.)

Bernadette Peters became a star, as did Ian.  Some time passed and I’d never have guessed that he and I would end up on so many of the same gigs.  Nor would I have ever imagined that one day my son would buy the house Bernadette grew up in, on Woodhaven Boulevard.

It was during that downtown run of Dames at Sea that Ian met Cheryl Allen.  She was ushering.  It was kismet.  She was not yet twenty, I later learned.  He was slightly older.   After a brief courtship they married.  Being a consummate practicer (five hours a day) Ian took his xylophone on their honeymoon.  Life went on.  Ian and I became parents at about the same time.  Our sons would later work together, as business partners.

Ian and his brother, Elliot, gave recitals, xylophone and piano.   The concept of actually  getting your name out there through recital-ing puzzled me.  I didn’t see the connection.  Ian said he thought of the recitals as an investment in the same way, he said, you’d invest in a business.  I recall attending one of them.  The dad, Fyvush, (a comedian of some note who had yet to hit his stride as a famous TV character actor [Picket Fences, etc]), was standing by the box office, playing the role of greeter.  It was an especially vigorous performance, both brothers playing with, what might be called (ahem) gusto.  Did their recitalling get them work?  I don’t know.  They were going to find work one way or another. 

My first jobs with Ian were at Madison Square Garden.   I had gotten on the contractor’s  list. This was the house band.  We had a good run there until, inevitably, all of the shows would “go to tape.”  I hasten to add that I was warming a chair for Richard Horowitz, who took off from the Met Opera to play “the outside work” whenever possible.  It was during this time that Ian and I spent a lot of time together and talked about music, books, movies and the like.  He liked my book recommendations and still talks about it. 

A friendship grew.  Some projects that followed might be described as unconventional (to say the least).   On hearing about a prize contest for a new one-act opera we attempted to write one.  Mercifully, any trace of this project is lost.  

Ian decided to play club dates and we started at the very bottom, the bungalow colony circuit in the Catskills. This group began as Ian (on vibe), Elliot on piano, me sittng behind the drums.  We wanted a bass but the agent said Elliot could take care of that with his left hand. Funny.  We later added a bass.  These were rustic settings.  Finkel would later joke that one of the venues was so far in the woods we were reviewed by Field and Stream. . 

The Finkel brothers and I later found ourselves together playing in the concert band led by Dr. George Seuffert.  As with the Dames at Sea experience so many years before, Ian, doing the mallets, kept expanding his role.  He often played solos, accompanied by his brother.  To make the experience (that is,  his experience) more interesting, Ian appropriated pages (with permission?) from the flute and piccolo book to play on the glockenspiel. 

One story comes to mind. 

At one point Ian lifted the combined flute parts for an arrangement (you might say bandstration) of “Rosenkavalier.”  Ah...it was the memorable Presentation of the Rose scene in which the band accompanied a pair of singers.  One scorchingly hot Sunday in July Ian decided to take off and it was decided that I (though under great protest) would move over and  sub for him.  Finkel  rarely took off and the conductor had by this time gotten used to Ian's glockenspiel additions.  At the morning rehearsal (prior to our weekly outdoor afternoon concert in Queens’ Forest Park) I struggled with the combined flute parts, with  all of those double sharps and ledger lines. The conductor said, solemnly, “You’ll have that by this afternoon.”  Ever the good soldier,  I resolved to try. While the others broke for lunch I woodshedded.  I was getting much of it but not all.  I faced humiliation. But just before the concert, minutes before the playing of the National Anthem, dark clouds gathered and  it began to rain.  Umbrellas opened, for me it was a welcomed sight, like the blooming flowers of spring. Rain!  Concertgoers sought shelter. The concert was cancelled. I was saved.  I’m not sure I ever told Finkel that story.  I’ll tell him next time I see him.  

[pickleandthequeen]

For the 'Send me a ship and I'll tell you' post... I would love to see your thoughts on any of the three ships you tagged! Chiccolo, Piccolo/Nail, or Goku/Chichi/Piccolo! :D

I’ll go with Piccolo/Nail! 

who hogs the duvet - Piccolo 

who texts/rings to check how their day is going - Nail

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts - Nail 

who gets up first in the morning - Piccolo

who suggests new things in bed - ...Nail

who cries at movies - Nail, but Piccolo has been known to wipe away a tear or two

who gives unprompted massages - definitely Nail

who fusses over the other when they’re sick - they both do, but in different ways! 

who gets jealous easiest - Piccolo

who has the most embarrassing taste in music - Piccolo 

who collects something unusual - Piccolo has odd collections that only he can make sense of, Nail collects actually weird items. 

who takes the longest to get ready - Nail

who is the most tidy and organised - Piccolo 

who gets most excited about the holidays - Nail

who is the big spoon/little spoon - Big Spoon: Nail, Little Spoon: Piccolo (because Piccolo is not always into spooning)

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports - Piccolooooo

who starts the most arguments - Piccolo 

who suggests that they buy a pet - Nail

what couple traditions they have - they follow some Namekian traditions and things that Gohan’s family invites them to

what tv shows they watch together - Nail like The Office, Piccolo secretly likes Bob’s Burgers but won’t admit it

what other couple they hang out with - they hang out with Krillin and Eighteen a lot 

how they spend time together as a couple - mostly meditating, sparring, sometimes exploring

who made the first move - Nail

who brings flowers home - Piccolo 

who is the best cook - they’re hopeless and if they ever want food they ask Chichi to make it for them 

[daysswithyou]

Learning in progress

Characters: DAY6 Dowoon x OC

Genre: fluff, romance

Words: 2.6k

Description: What happens when you try to teach Dowoon how to stop blushing?

---

When your brother is part of DAY6, there is no escaping having to meet them. Your parents had the biggest house and they converted the basement into Jae's personal studio and every now and then, the band would come over to rehearse for the next festival. With the school festival coming up, today was no exception.

"What's up little one?" Your brother, Jae ruffled your hair as he walked into the house and you scowled at him.

"Stop calling me that Jae, I'm not little anymore."

"Still little to me. Also Dowoon might need some help with the drums so give him a hand? I'm a little busy now." To prove his point, he held up his arm, revealing bags of takeaway food. God forbid that Jae ever had a family, he'd spend all his pay on his own food and actually forget to feed his own kids.

However, you kept that thought to yourself and simply nod was your reply and you stepped out of the house to see a struggling Dowoon.

Yoon Dowoon. That mysterious guy that you still couldn't figure out.

You've gotten pretty well-acquainted with the rest of the band, even elusive Sungjin. But whenever you talked to Dowoon, you could never get past single word replies or shifty eyes. Today was no different.

"Hi Dowoon, do you need help with the drums?"

"Yes, no...it's ok."

"Oh ok..."

Standing to the side, you saw Dowoon hastily pick up the different pieces of his drum before scuttling into the house, nervously casting a backward glance at you.

-

That evening, Jae got you to sit in for their band practise but it was getting nowhere because Dowoon was messing up. He kept starting too early or hitting the wrong drum, leaving the rest of the team in shambles. With each mistake, his ears got redder and redder, and you suspected that it wasn't simply because of his mistakes. Sungjin then called for a break, declaring that "everyone needed some time off". The rest of them left the room, leaving Dowoon and you in the room alone. He clutched his drumsticks tightly in anger, gaze fixed on the ground in guilt. Walking up to him, you sat down in front of him to pry the truth out of him.

"What's making you so nervous right now?"

"I...you."

"Because of me?"

A nod.

"Why?"

"I...get more self-conscious when a girl is around. I'm shy."

"But you've played in front of many girls before at all your club gigs."

"Not many that I know."

"So the fact that someone you know is watching you makes you nervous?"

"Yes."

You knew this wouldn't do. Many girls that know him will be watching him play on the day of the school festival. He needed to learn how to be comfortable around girls.

"I'll help you."

"How?"

"I'll teach you how to less nervous around girls. This way you'll be able to play the drums comfortably during the school festival.”

Dowoon nodded, looking into your eyes for the first time.

-

Step 1:

"Today's going to be really simple, we just have to stay in the same room."

Dowoon's eyes grew as large as saucers and you laughed at his comical facial expression, wondering what on earth was he thinking about.

"Don't worry I won't pressure you to do anything, all you have to do is stay in the same room with me in comfortable silence, or well, as comfortable as it can be. Just slowly helping you get used to the presence of a female that you know ok?"

Dowoon finally understood and nodded. You chose the basement and whilst you plopped down on the beanbag at the corner of the room immediately, you could see Dowoon standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do.

"You can just practise the drums or watch some movies. No pressure of social interaction."

Dowoon then chose to sit behind the drums and you allowed yourself to be absorbed into the world of romance and self-discovery expertly crafted by Jojo Moyes. In the background, you could hear the drums starting out soft but as the sun dipped over the horizon, it got louder. For the last piece, you requested a piece.

“Play You were Beautiful for me.”

Dowoon looked at you briefly before starting to play. You listened to the drum solo of your favourite song in rapt attention, smiling wider each time a new part passed without a mistake from him. When the last bang faded out into the night, you proudly announced:

“No mistakes at all Dowoon, You did great!”

Upon hearing your compliment, the poor boy blushed a deep shade of red but he gave you a small smile nonetheless.

“But we still need to work on helping you loosen up, the tension is still there.”

He deflated a little, a grimace on his face.

Despite that, Dowoon learnt something new today: he could now play the drums in front of someone he knew comfortably and sitting with you in silence was actually really comforting.

Step 2:  

Dowoon got there 30 minutes earlier. You had said to meet at Piccolo at 7pm but being worried that he was going to be late, he left his house earlier than he should. He played with the leaves of the flowers that he got you – he had stopped by his grandmother’s flower shop earlier on and seeing him all dressed up nicely for a girl, she had insisted on sending him off with flowers in hand for you. The bouquet he picked out for you had  a nice mixture of peonies, lilies and dandelions all arranged nicely in different shades of pink and white and he smile a little at the thought of you receiving it.

At 7pm sharp, the chorus of staff greetings announced your arrival and you smiled widely when he waved you over. Tonight you chose to wear a soft pink dress that matched the flowers that he had picked out for you – he couldn’t be happier at his choice.

“A dinner jacket and polished shoes? You’ve outdone yourself Dowoon, I look so underdressed next to you gosh!”

Your statement sent Dowoon into a fluster and he immediately waved his hands.

“Nono! You look great tonight Y/N!” Upon hearing those words leave his lips, he turned into a deep shade of pink and so did you – he was not used to giving compliments to girls and you were not used to receiving them.

To clear the awkwardness that was lingering, Dowoon spoke up first.

“I actually got you something…”

“Oh you didn’t have to! Why did you – ”

But when he presented you with the flowers, you couldn’t finish your sentence anymore.

“YOU GOT ME FLOWERS EEPPP!!!” You took over the flowers gratefully and admired each one of them, love shining out of your eyes.

“Thank you so much Dowoon, they’re absolutely lovely.”

“Do you…like them?”

“I love them. You know, this is the first time that someone has gotten me flowers.”

Dowoon had turned from pink to red now but he was glad that he could be the first to present such a lovely lady like you with flowers.

“Now let’s move on to the real thing Dowoon. You know how they say when people eat we can look ungraceful right?”

“Right.”

“So today, we’re going to learn how to be comfortable showing that ugly side of ours to one another. I’m in this with you ok? I’m also really nervous about showing off that ugly side – what if I scare you away?”

You’ll still look pretty even when you think you’re ugly Y/N. – but of course he kept that thought to himself.

That evening, both of you ate and laughed to your hearts content and by the end of the night, Dowoon no longer cared if he talked with his mouth full of food or spilled sauce all over the table. He was now completely carefree about showing off that ugly side to you. You talked with an excited voice and wild hand gestures as you narrated interesting stories or funny jokes and to his surprise, Dowoon learnt that he loved seeing this side of you – raw, and completely honest.

At the end of the night once he had dropped you off outside your house (under Jae’s watchful eye), Dowoon had already learnt how to not care about his image in front of others and just be himself freely, but he also learnt that he liked the sound of your laughter very much.

Step 3:

“Movietime! Pick one!”

You handed Dowoon a bunch of discs and he chose the romantic comedy “200 Pounds Beauty”

“Good choice – I love that movie!”

“It’s my favourite.”

“Mine too!”

You started the movie as Dowoon offered to grab the snacks and he walked in as the opening credits started to play.

“Hurry Dowoon! It’s starting now!”

Hurrying over to you, Dowoon plopped down on the seat next of you without hesitation, kneecaps and elbows brushing. Both of you munched on chocolate and popcorn together, the loud crunching sounds filling the space between both of you. He watched in amusement as you laughed and belted out hit songs from the movie, slapping your palm against his kneecap each time as you howled from the laughter – but not like he minded anyways. In between, Dowoon would comment on something regarding the movie and his facial expressions change drastically, sending you into further fits of laughter. He would laugh along with you, happy to see that you were enjoying yourself.

But at the end when waterfalls were leaking from your eyes as the ending credits rolled on the screen, Dowoon carefully put his arm over your shoulders and pulled you into his chest, stroking your hair softly as you let out all the emotions from the movie. He chuckled a little at your reaction, which earnt him an angry retort from you.

“Don’t laugh at me Yoon Dowoon! This movie is touching alright…”

“I know.”

“But you weren’t even paying attention to the movie!”

Because I was paying more attention to you Y/N-ah.

Dowoon learnt the art of physical comfort with someone of the opposite gender that day but he also learnt one other thing: romantic comedies were the way to make you cry and laugh at the same time.

Step 4:

It was finally the end of finals and Dowoon had suggested bringing you to the amusement park today. You agreed but you face fell when you saw the long snaking queue in front of the cashier. Dowoon watched as your crestfallen face changed as he showed you two pre-booked tickets.

“You’re so smart Dowoon, thinking of buying tickets in advance when all I can think of is finishing finals.”

“Of course.” He said that with a rise of his eyebrows and quirk of his lips.

“Oh look the Viking!” You rushed forward a little, leaving a chuckling Dowoon behind as he watched the childlike joy spread out over your face.

“Dowoon quickly come!” You turned back and held out your hand – which Dowoon gladly took as you took off down the street with him in tow.

-

For the rest of the day both of you rushed around the entire amusement park trying to try as many rides as possible and you held his hand most of the time. You squeezed tight when you sat on the thrill rides – his warm and strong hands served as your anchor to the world. Other times you refused to let go because you were afraid of losing him in the crowd – you were worried that he’ll find you annoying because of this. So when the crowd dwindled as the evening settled in, you quickly let go of his hands.

“Ok we can let go now.”

“But why? I like it like this.”

Before your fingers could slip through his, Dowoon closed his fingers around yours and placed your hands deep within his jacket pockets.

“Hey how about we go to those funfairs over there? I’ll show you my sharp shooting.”

“Ok.” Your last word came out as a breathless whisper and if Dowoon wasn’t watching your lips closely, he would have missed it.

Walking under the street lamps together, Dowoon continued holding onto your hand even though he had his other hand full with bags of your soft toys that he had won for you earlier. With your free hand, you fed him cotton candy on the stick and at one point of time both of you had ate the cotton candy together.

“Did we just have a cotton candy kiss Y/N?”

“I guess you could say so.”

You then pulled him to a stop before eyeing him closely.

“Who are you, and what have you done to Yoon Dowoon? Poor boy would be blushing by now but you look so carefree now… jubilant even!”

“All I can say is that I have a great teacher.”

You shook your head in disbelief – gone was the shy Yoon Dowoon that you knew from before.

You kissed him goodbye on the cheek that night and as he lay in bed unable to sleep and missing your touch, he decided he had learnt another thing today: He liked holding your hand, but he liked your kisses much more.

Step 5:

You were backstage before the school finals and the rest of the boys had gone off for their lunch break, leaving Dowoon and you alone in the room.

“Ok so here’s the last course Dowoon.”

“So what is it?”

“Eyecontact.”

Dowoon visibly gulped – how could he possibly sit through this without doing anything silly?

“The eyes are the windows to the soul and to me they are the most intimate form of contact someone can have with someone else. So if you can survive this, I can officially say that you’ve graduated from my course haha!”

You bent down to his eye level, your faces mere inches from one another.

“10 seconds starts now.”

-

With each passing second, Dowoon could feel his heart speeding up, his breath hitching whenever he realised how close you were. Dowoon was trying so hard to focus on not kissing since that day at the amusement park but the situation right now wasn’t helping his case.

At all.

Leaning forward, he watched as your eyes grew wide from the contact, realisation dawning upon you. Yoon Dowoon was kissing you on his own initiative and you wondered if you were just making this up or if this was real.

But when he placed his hands on your face to pull you closer, you knew it was real and you kissed him back with the same amount of passion, lips melding together. Dowoon only pulled away for oxygen and you announced in a shaky voice,

“Yea you’re definitely ready to graduate.”

“I think I might as well have earnt a master degree with that move just now.”

“Yea I think so too.”

-

That day, Dowoon played without a hitch at the school festival and when he kissed you again, he learnt another thing – that his girlfriend’s lips tasted extremely sweet and all he wants to do is kiss them for the rest of his life.

[primaveregiasfiorite-blog]

è la mia prima ora da 25enne.

con oggi smetto di sentirmi un po' più piccolo.

ho festeggiato le mie ultime ore da 24enne traducendo. poi ho comprato una sacher sotto casa che ho mangiato a casa con dei perfetti sconosciuti. mentre camminavo mi accompagna un cane meraviglioso, e avrei voluto comprare dei fiori per la mia camera, per l'occasione.

non mi circondo di gente familiare, non voglio nessuno. solo sconosciuti, come prima di andare a casa di Ago che il vinaro dove prendo il solito barbera, ogni sabato, mi ha invitato nella cantina dove viene prodotto. diceva che ci saremmo andati con un furgoncino, con tanti altri appassionati di vino come me, che probabilmente comprano quel vino per il prezzo basso, non per la buona qualità.

poi vedo questa coppia di ragazzi che si baciano e dico che la mia libertà è poter sciegliere da chi circondarmi, a 25 anni. come se gli altri anni fossi costretto, e forse un po' lo ero.

sento le voci delle persone che mi circondano che pensano che a 25 anni, loro il mondo se lo mangiavano.

io lo mondo me lo mangio e sono la persona più felice del mondo e grata di essere ancora in vita.

domani vorrei comprare dei fiori e allegare il biglietto "Mrs. Dalloway dediced to buy the flowers herself."

ma forse ho speso troppi soldi in questi giorni, che meglio se me li risparmio.

una nuova persona mi ha rubato il cuore, si chiama C.

le canzoni che mi inteoducono al 25imo anno d'età: Latch, Tramonto occidentale, Wasting my young years.