#could be one of essi's songs

[cerulean-renegade]

The song that Jaskier sings to Ciri in Ep 4 might be from the "A Little Sacrifice" short story (or at least a reference to it) :')

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Watermelon Suga'

A Curtis and Honey One Shot

Summary- 1k Curtis Everett x Plus!Sized Reader. On a lake vacation with the friends and yet Curtis has to have you to himself for a little while.

Warnings- Oral sex, semi public space, some bad cringy talk.

A/N- @bigtreefest I know it's late, but I really wanted to do a little something for your challenge. Please accept this little chaotic mess as my love for you and my contribution to Essie's Summer Lovin' 300 Follower. Congratulations babes.

A/N 2- Listen, it's been a HOT minute since I have written anything real okay. I know this feels rushed and all over the place, it's because it is. It's the best I can do right now. Don't judge me too harshly.

Life Is Short So Make It Sweet Masterlist

Tastes like strawberries, On a summer evenin’, And it sounds just like a song-

Curtis’s tongue flattened against your collarbone, dipping along the edge while his nose trailed against your sun-soaked skin, making little flutters in your belly as he sucked off the popsicle sugar off you. The smell of fresh water mixed with his woodsy bonfire scent made you feel all that fuzzier. 

Just around the lake's bend, you could hear your friends splashing and laughing at the dock, feet thumping on the boardwalk leading from the rented cabin you all shared too far out on the lake. Curtis had you hidden though from sight. His fingers plucking at the bathing suit you put on earlier. In your hand, that forgotten watermelon popsicle quickly dripping away now that he had you distracted. 

Breathe me in, Breathe me out, I don’t know if I could ever go without-

“You’ve been driving me fucking crazy in this Pretty Girl.” He practically growled against you as he pressed himself in closer, the bark of the tree he had you pinned against rough on your bare skin. Cold sugar droplets raced down your hand, sticky and sweet, smearing across his bare back as you grabbed onto him to keep steady.

“You like it?” You whispered back, a little more cautious of being heard when some splashing was sounding closer than before. Your popsicle fell in a mess at your feet, now really forgotten as his hot tongue started tracking back down your body where your bikini showed some skin.  

“You know this one’s my favorite.” He lowered to his knees in front of you, leaning back just a bit to get to look you up and down. You were aware, acutely aware of his gaze taking you in. His hands clasped at the back of your thighs, moving to lift one up over his broad shoulder. Your hand instinctively grasped at him to keep your balance. 

“We’re gonna get caught.” You squeaked while he placed a supposedly innocent kiss on your knee. But you already saw that wicked gleam in his eyes, the blue so intense that it made you shiver with anticipation. He had ideas, ideas that were turning into plans and then would be put into action. You were wonderfully helpless against him. 

I want more berries, and that summer feelin’, It’s so wonderful and warm-

Another press of his mouth was moving higher, inhaling against the softest part of your thigh, the pink of his tongue laying claim to your soft quaking warmth of flesh. His hand kept a steady hold on the back of your other thigh, unwilling to let you pull away from him. “I want you, want you so bad Pretty Girl.” He groaned, almost like he was in agony. “Let me make you feel good.” 

You knew he wasn’t in any pain, but hearing how much you were wanted, how he was so close and just waiting for you to let him have it. The rush made your bikini bottom dampen, aching to let him have what he wanted. Curtis continued teasing you. Presses of kisses were filtering against your spreading thighs, giving him more room. The buzz cut of his hair tickling your palms while you slowly felt yourself melting in place. 

Much like your popsicle is long gone now. 

I'm just thinking out loud, I don't know if I could ever go without-

You gave a sharp nod and felt him smirk against your skin in victory, now he had you. Unwilling to do anything more till you said it was okay. A finger hooked into your bikini bottoms and shifted the fabric till your perfect cunt was bare and with a press of his hand against your inner thigh making you spread wider just for him. 

“Fuck, Curtis.” You hissed at the feeling of him, the broadness of his shoulders, the strong hold of his hands spreading you, his tongue making you quiver in anticipation. You wanted to sink him into you and with your watermelon-sticky hands pressing against the back of his head, pushing him closer to you. He felt so good and right now in that moment, it was all you could allow yourself to think about. 

How his tongue sucked on your lips and spread them to lap away at your slick, his heavy groan rattling through you while he feasted on you, teasing your aching clit till you wanted to push him closer or away. Your hips started shifting, matching his movements and he slipped thick digits into you, making you ride his fingers so he could watch you. “Thass it Honey.” His words slurred like he was drunk off your sweetness. “Don’t stop till you come for me.” 

 It was so easy to just let go, your head tilting back against the tree and moving just right, so close, so close. “Look at me Pretty Girl, that’s right.” He encouraged, taking a moment just to watch you start to unravel, all inhibitions you possessed gone. “Gotta see my girl come… you got my dick so fucking hard right now.” 

His fingers moved faster, his thumb pressing against your clit to make you whine and pant. “Please Curtis.” 

“Want me to bend you over after? Make you come on my dick?” He asked before swiping his tongue along you, and how the fuck were you supposed to answer him when you felt like you were about to shatter in the best way possible. All you could do was nod. So close, so close you just wanted to get lost in it. 

“You're so fucking beautiful like this…” Curtis sucked on you, the sensation shooting through you like fireworks. “And all mine.” 

You were his, so easily his and it made it that much easier to crash, knowing he had a hold of you. You felt yourself crest, dancing on the edge of bliss and then falling, everything floating into perfection while Curtis lowered you into his lap, his arms gathering your into him while you clutched at him, your mouth seeking his in a desperate sobbing kiss. 

I just wanna taste it, I just wanna taste it, Watermelon sugar high, watermelon sugar.

[oracleredbullbabe]

Glitter & Gold.

PART ONE: Childhood Innocence

'Oracle Red Bull Racing Presents.... Schumacher & Verstappen.`

The YouTube video opens up with a vintage video of the Ferrari garage, the number 2000 written across the screen as the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran played in the background.

The sounds of little children giggling filled the speakers, and German and Dutch words mixed together, from excited children-like lisps to proper and fluid adult conversations. The camera pans down slowly, a bleach-blonde-haired little boy had a hold of a curly-haired blonde little girl. Their bright eyes staring up at the camera with their faces bright with the joy that they clearly felt. The person behind the camera softly chuckled, bending their knees to become level with the two toddlers who refused to let go of each other as they sat on a stack of tires.

"Max, wie is je vriend?"

The woman behind the camera asked, the Dutch falling from her lips naturally, allowing viewers to pinpoint that this was Sophie Kumpen, mother of Max Verstappen speaking.

"Essie!"

"Esmerine, wer ist deine Freundin?“

Another familiar voice echoed out, this one fluent in German. The deep and steady voice of Michael Schumacher held a note of pride and adoration as he looked down at the toddlers from behind the camera with Sophie. Clearly a moment where the Schumachers and the Verstappens, two family friends were enjoying themselves together. In the background, Gina-Marie and Mick Schumacher could be seen playing with Victoria Verstappen and Corinna Schumacher. But Sophie and Michael's attention was on the two toddlers who refused to let each other go for more than a few seconds.

A bond formed from the moment that they had met.

"Das ist Maxie!"

The little German girl answered with a puff of her chest, clearly proud of her ability to name her newest friend. Her little body tucked against Max's chest as he sat with her on his lap.

'Wil je Esmerine laten gaan, Maxie?'

Staring at his mother in disbelief, Max could't believe that Sophie was asking if he wanted to let Esmerine go. In fear that they were going to take Esmerine, Max's little arms tightened around Esmerine's torso. His little hand pulled away from her arm to swat at their parents, shaking his hand,

'Mijn Essie."

And behind the camera, the parents laughed, clearly not wanting to separate the two friends. Instead, Sophie zoomed the camera in on where Max had taken Esmerine's hand in his. The toddler boy so gentle with the other toddler who was five months his junior.

The beginning of a beautiful love story, was written across the screen as the video slowly faded away. Replacing the Ferrari garage was a video of a karting track, the number 2005 written across the screen this time.

The camera was focused on the number four kart as it sped around the tracks, the young boy within the kart moved the track with determination and precision, behind the camera,a familiar German voice could be heard as it screamed out in excitement, and as the camera panned out, a little pig-tailed blonde could be seen jumping up and down behind the railing as she held onto the metal pole with all her might,

“MAXIE! GO GO GO!!!”

Now eight-year-olds, Max Verstappen and Esmerine Schumacher had grown quite a bit from the toddlers they had been at the beginning of the video. But the one thing that hadn’t altered was the bond that had been evident in the first portion of the video. If anything, it was clear that the bond was stronger as Esmerine turned to face the camera, a gap-tooth grin spread across her face as she pointed towards the track,

„Sehen Sie, Maxie, Miss Sophie.“

Esmerine Schumacher stated, wanting to make sure that Sophie Kumpen had seen the same thing that she had seen. From beside Sophie, a voice peeked up, laughing in delight at the sight of her daughter cheering on her friend, Corinna Schumacher turned to look towards Sophie, the camera showing the same adoration on Corinna’s face that been on Michael’s face in the previous clip,

„Hochzeiten sind teuer, wir müssen jetzt mit dem Sparen beginnen.“

Corinna stated, playfully reminding Sophie that weddings were expensive, stating that it was better to start saving now than waiting for later. And Sophia could only laugh, the joke had been state between the families hundreds of times between this moment and the first moment that Max and Esmerine had met, but the longer time went by, the more true the statement felt. It was as if the families were seeing firsthand just what soulmates looked like.

Michael often stated that there was no one else that he would accept for Esmerine except for Max, given how he had seen Max treat his daughter since the literal moment that they met.

The camera slowly panned up, watching as the number 4 Kart crossed the finish line first, and as the Kart came to a stop, little bouncing pigtails were all that could be seen as Esmerine suddenly took off, running directly to where Max was climbing out of the kart. Little excited voices filling the air,

” MAXIE!!! “

” ESMEE!! “

” YOU DID IT! “

Suddenly the track faded away, and beautiful stage glistening with glitter and faux snow filled the screen, the classic notes of Pyotr Llyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker filling the air as the camera followed a familiar blue-eyed child, her body donning a beautifully detailed white ballett costume, the blonde curls pulled up into a tight bun that was clipped with a white bow that seemed larger than her head. Esmerine’s face one of determination and focus, the same expressions that Max had on the tracks, but gentler, softer. She was clearly in her own comfort zone as she fluidly moved across the stage.

The crowds didn’t bother her, not even paying a mind to them.

But several eyes were focused on her. A pair of cerulean blue eyes were particularly interested in her. The slightly older Dutch boy beginning to realize just how beautiful his best friend was. His heart fluttering every time Esmerine’s face was visible to him. His hands gripping the seat tightly as he leaned forward.

„Gefällt dir das Ballett?“

Michael asked Max softly, the camera shifting to catch the interaction fully, catching the fact that Max nodded his head without tearing his eyes away from Esmerine on the stage,

„Sie ist so schön..“

Not a comment about the ballet. Not a comment about the dancing. Just a statement on how Max felt Esmerine was beautiful, and to this? Michael peered over Max’s shoulder to where Corinna was sat with Mick and Victoria beside her, a knowing smirk on his face. Corinna nodding her head slowly,

It was simply a matter of time at this point…

How beautiful of a story this love was going to be.

[malkaleh]

Some More Fictional Universe Discord Content

@nocompromise-noregrets

Ellie - just a warning that you will probably want to strangle Armada (i had to take five minutes to scream) but she gets smacked down and also I CANNOT EVEN.

Armada: no really WHAT IS THE KARLIENE REYNOLDS SONG??

i had a name before him/i took it back/but his brand upon me/will never wash away/in the light of the sun and stars/i thought i might be holy moonlight/instead of tainted ground/an eagle collar about my neck.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: I DON’T KNOW BUT I HATE IT [one fear dot gif] because Thomas has been associated with the moon so much (Henry’s poetry, Anne’s - the motifs in their possessions) and Norwich’s personal coat of arms is an eagle owl.

TransCrozier: SHIT SHIT SHIT FUCK. FUCK. I am going to go and lay in the DIRT. AND EAT IT. Waiting is unbearable.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: Okay the watch party is over in #show-watch - it will contain spoilers, live reactions and memes. And PANICK.

PoppyMcGee: THE OPENING. THE OPENING. SHIT FUCK FUCK. Let me break this down.

the entire scene with john and thomas is horrific just horrific. the threat the menace that bruise he left.

and then thomas ripping off all the sheets and covers on his bed and that part with trying to scrub his skin i just…god that’s awful. James Frain you owe me for emotional damages.

how he knew to cover up the self harm scars and the bruises like WHAT DOES THIS MEAN (we know about his father but the scars are…that’s something else).

Armada: it must have been a really bad breakup like that is some bad blood (sorry for the taylor swift) between them to send thomas into that spiral.

TransCrozier: respectfully this is not ‘a bad breakup’ reaction and that is not someone reacting to a bad breakup related guilt. that is an abuser. Norwich is an abuser/was abusive. The way he so clearly used ‘you ruined any trace of me Antonius - when did you gain the notion that you could so ruin that which I own’ that is not romantic.

Armada: Like, I love you Rhi but no - it’s maybe not the healthiest but they were both younger then - Thomas was still early twenties and you don’t make the best decisions then and he’d come off an abusive childhood in the 16th century, I think what we are seeing is a breakdown about how he regrets how it ended/how he ended it specifically (also side note James is so pretty when he cries!)

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock:……OH SHIT ANNE. ANNE. ANNE.

PoppyMcGee: look i am not an Annewell shipper but the way she absolutely takes care of him - gives him the choice every step of the way! Tells him what she’s doing!

TransCrozier: I am a Triad OTPer as we all know (I just find Cromwich interesting as a multishipper) by now etc and just, THE LOVE. THE LOVE. THE WAY ANNE made sure to ask Thomas what coverings he didn’t want. Also I am soft for bathing scenes.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: AGREED RHI. AGREED SO HARD.

Armada: UGH ANNE DO WE HAVE TO SEE HER SO MUCH [Edit: I’m sorry I know the server doesn’t allow character hate but i just don’t like her or Cromannery. Or it’s not that i don’t like her but i don’t like her with Thomas].

Poppy McGee:….yeah i agree with you Essie - I want Anne to be the cool lesbian of my heart that she should be but i do love her taking care of thomas.

Armada: that bit was sweet but yeah, what poppy said. She doesn’t need men and she’s much worse for them! But what’s going on now.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock:

“I was ten years old, my mother not long dead and my father was in need of funds and drink. Lord Norwich, as he was then offered him silver under a disguise so my father would not extort more funds out of him. I came into his household and thought myself landed somewhere better. He branded and bedded me for the first time that same day - I cut it out of me the day I took my chance and fled - five years almost to the day after.”

……I am going to be sick. I am going to be sick.

TransCrozier:

“I am but a tainted thing - he has been on and in every part of me - I could not speak of the shame, though I should have done - I should have never let you, let either of you think I was worthy of you, Your Majesty. I am so sorry.”

THOMAS BLAMES HIMSELF. HE STILL BLAMES HIMSELF I AM GOING TO RESURRECT NORWICH AND KILL HIM AGAIN MYSELF AND THEN REPEAT IT AGAIN.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: ANNE YOUR RESPONSE I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU. NATALIE DORMER YOU GORGEOUS GORGEOUS HUMAN BEING.

TransCrozier: AMINA YOU ARE SO CORRECT. Queen Anne you perfect glorious woman I am once again AT YOUR FEET.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: hi @everyone i checked the history from several reputable sources (see here, here and here) and this is real. the show did not make it up - it’s just a recent discovery. Which i did not know about :(.

TransCrozier: neither did I i went in because RUPERT and then kind of fell into adoration - like obviously we all know triad is endgame because duh, history but i knew nothing else.

PoppyMcGee: I didn’t want to believe it :(. But I checked and it’s true :(. It’s fucking true. Norwich did that and he has no remorse.

RestorationistKingsLeftButtock: also fyi to several people who I’ve had to talk to about this - no ten was very much considered a child in the 16th century. Even fifteen was not ‘fully adult’ as such. This is rape and child sexual abuse and if you spout any more denial about that I will ban you.

TransCrozier: AMINA I AM KISSING YOU ON THE MOUTH. Also the fact that Anne volunteers to tell Henry, reassures Thomas that he won’t be angry just destroyed me all over again. CANNOT WAIT FOR THE POST SHOW CONTENT TO DESTROY ME AGAIN. ALSO HENRY’S REACTION.

Armada: …okay whatever. Sorry for having opinions i guess. can i even just say that even if it is abusive the triad is equally abusive.

[cantsayidont]

Hateration holleration, teevee edition, with important new critical evaluation features:

APPLES NEVER FALL (2024): Engrossing, often funny seven-part mystery-drama, based on a novel by Liane Moriarty, about the dysfunctional family of retired tennis pros Stan and Joy Delaney (Sam Neill and Annette Bening), whose four adult kids — rich dipshit Troy (Jake Lacy), hot mess Amy (Alison Brie), perpetually resentful Brooke (Essie Randles), and neurotic underachiever Logan (Conor Merrigan Turner) — begin to unravel after Joy mysteriously disappears. Did Stan kill her? Does Joy's disappearance have something to do with their former houseguest Savannah (Georgia Flood), a troubled young woman who had persuaded Joy and Stan to take her in under what may have been false pretenses? Everyone knows something more than they're telling, as the situation brings old resentments bubbling to the surface. Perhaps a smidgen too arch for its own good, and the shifting flashback structure sometimes makes it hard to keep track of the sequence of events, but consistently interesting and refreshingly nuanced, with well-drawn characters and excellent performances. (Neill, Bening, and Flood are particularly good.) Only the finale falls short: Certain key character motivations remain murky, and the final scenes are a bit flat, perhaps an inevitable consequence of a story that flits between tones and genres in a way that leaves it without a natural endpoint. Also, the South Florida setting isn't always convincing; big portions of the series were actually shot in Australia. CONTAINS LESBIANS? Yes! (More than one, even.) VERDICT: Flawed but worthwhile.

THE BROTHERS SUN (2024): One-season action-comedy-drama series about an infamous triad underboss from Taipei, Charles Sun (Justin Chien), who's sent to America to protect his mother (Michelle Yeoh) and younger brother Bruce (Sam Song Li) after a cunningly staged attack by an unknown enemy puts his father (Johnny Kou) in the hospital. Mama Sun scarcely needs protection, but the same isn't true of Bruce, a dorky pre-med student who really wants to do improv, and who's totally out of place in his family's world of ultraviolence and organized crime. Meanwhile, Charles' childhood friend Alexis (Highdee Kuan), who's still sweet on him, is now an ambitious assistant DA who sees taking down the triads as a defining career move. Starts off disarmingly light (though always quite violent), but gets significantly darker as it goes on, which really isn't to its credit — after the cheerful amorality of the early episodes, the increasingly maudlin themes of conflicted family loyalty feel heavy-handed, culminating in a credibility-straining climax with about as much subtlety as a cement mixer. It could also have used more Michelle Yeoh and less Sam Li, whose character is such a feckless dweeb that he sometimes grates. Chien actually makes Charles a more credible character than Bruce, impressive considering the level of pulpy plot contrivance involved. A planned second season was canceled, but except for a post-credits tag in the finale, the story feels reasonably complete. CONTAINS LESBIANS? Not so as you'd notice. VERDICT: Starts well, veers too far into turgid melodrama.

PALM ROYALE (2024): Fingernails-on-chalkboard would-be social satire, set in 1969 and featuring Kristen Wiig (with a singularly unconvincing Georgia accent) as conniving but vapid former beauty queen Maxine Simmons, who for some unaccountable reason is determined to wheedle her way into the Palm Beach upper crust, by hook or by crook, while secretly squatting in the mansion of society matron Norma Dellacorte (Carol Burnett), who almost no one realizes is actually in a coma. The glib voiceover narration recalls the early seasons of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, but with no bite and no apparent point — there's no reason to care about the premise, the plot, or any of the characters, who are neither sympathetic enough to be likable nor bitchy enough to be fun. Wiig is just awful, straining to prove she can do the kind of role that in recent years has usually gone to Margot Robbie; she can't, and she's obviously at least 10 years too old for her character. The period production design is suitably glossy, but an interesting supporting cast (including Laura Dern, Allison Janney, and Leslie Bibb) is completely defeated by the dreadful scripts, and Ricky Martin (built like a marble statue with acting to match) eventually arrives to stink up the proceedings as Norma's loyal houseboy. I only barely made it through the third episode, and the idea of enduring seven more is too painful to contemplate. If you're in the mood for genteel Southern bitchiness, you'd get more out of a highlight reel of Rue McLanahan scenes from THE GOLDEN GIRLS, which would actually be funny. CONTAINS LESBIANS? Not in the first three episodes. VERDICT: Alternately dull and agonizing.

[westeroslive]

when the sun rises in the west,   the  gods  eyes  are  drawn.  may  the  seven  have  mercy  upon  you  as  we  welcome  you  to  court,   lady dilara martell, lady narin tarth, lord victarion greyjoy, liege anika moraqos, lord jorah mallister !  now  a  victim  of  the  court,  the  bards  compare your beauty  to  demet özdemir, hafsanur sancaktutan, leo suter, simone ashley, daniel sharmam as  you  play  the  game  in  the  midst  of  seasoned  nobles.

behave  and  follow  the  queen's  word  written  in  our  checklist  and  submit  your  account  within  24 hours.  

𓏲ּ  ֶָ  𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝒕𝒗  ⁝         demet özdemir,  34,  demi - woman,  she / they.    announcing  the  arrival  of  DILARA of  house  MARTELL,  the  LADY  of  SUNSPEAR, LEGITIMISED BASTARD OF PRINCE DORAN & LADY EYVA .  whispers  among  the  court  name  them  to  be  both  OBSERVANT and  TEMPERAMENTAL  in  disposition,  and  those  closest  to  them  speak  to  their  interests  in  learning other tongues.  if  we  bards  could  compose  a  song  for  them,  it  might  tell  stories  of  the sun, which burrows itself against the heads of brilliant, yellow flowers ; dark curls, pinned to sun - deep temples, sweat beading from the heat ; gold, copper, ruby tones, wavering as a mirage does in the wind.  the  seven  whisper  to  their  most  devout  queen  as  she  sleeps,  making  her  question  where  their  loyalties  truly  lie.  are  they  right  to  whisper?  for  their  loyalties  truly  lie  with  HOUSE MARTELL.          (  nikki . )

࣪𓏲ּ  ֶָ  𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝒕𝒗  ⁝         hafsanur sancaktutan,  22,  ciswoman,  she/her.    announcing  the  arrival  of  NARIN  of  house  TARTH,  the  LADY of  CASTAMERE.  whispers  among  the  court  name  them  to  be  both  EAGER  and  PRIDEFUL  in  disposition,  and  those  closest  to  them  speak  to  their  interests  in  sewing.  if  we  bards  could  compose  a  song  for  them,  it  might  tell  stories  of  the roaring ocean filling one's ears when they're trying to think, the sun and the moon together on the skyline, fighting your owns battles with a stolen sword.  the  seven  whisper  to  their  most  devout  queen  as  she  sleeps,  making  her  question  where  their  loyalties  truly  lie.  are  they  right  to  whisper?  for  their  loyalties  truly  lie  with   OTHER.          (  ooc  :  essie,  29,  she/her,  central  ) **aerion and rhaenys' adopted daughter connection!

𓏲ּ  ֶָ  𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝒕𝒗  ⁝         leo suter,  33,  cis man,  he / him.    announcing  the  arrival  of  VICTARION  of  house  GREYJOY,  the  LORD  of  PYKE.  whispers  among  the  court  name  them  to  be  both  PLACID  and  HEDONISTIC  in  disposition,  and  those  closest  to  them  speak  to  their  interests  in  sword fighting.  if  we  bards  could  compose  a  song  for  them,  it  might  tell  stories  of  a reaper disguised as a pious lord, blood dripping from bruised knuckles, boredom in the life of court.  the  seven  whisper  to  their  most  devout  queen  as  she  sleeps,  making  her  question  where  their  loyalties  truly  lie.  are  they  right  to  whisper?  for  their  loyalties  truly  lie  with  THE ISLANDS.          (  ooc  :  lex,  25,  she/her,  est  )

࣪𓏲ּ  ֶָ  𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝒕𝒗  ⁝         simone ashley,  31,  demi woman,  she / her.    announcing  the  arrival  of  ANIKA of  house  MORAQOS,  the  LIEGE  of  MYR.  whispers  among  the  court  name  them  to  be  both  STEADFAST  and  PUGNACIOUS  in  disposition,  and  those  closest  to  them  speak  to  their  interests  in  knives.  if  we  bards  could  compose  a  song  for  them,  it  might  tell  stories  of  sweet face disguising the snake underneath, every move for the benefit of her family above all, sugary sweetness that turns to poison on the tongue.  the  seven  whisper  to  their  most  devout  queen  as  she  sleeps,  making  her  question  where  their  loyalties  truly  lie.  are  they  right  to  whisper?  for  their  loyalties  truly  lie  with  ESSOS.          (  ooc  :  lex,  25,  she/her,  est  )

࣪𓏲ּ  ֶָ  𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝒕𝒗  ⁝         daniel sharman,  32,  cis man,  he / him.    announcing  the  arrival  of  JORAH  of  house  MALLISTER,  the  HEIR  of  SEAGARD.  whispers  among  the  court  name  them  to  be  both  DECISIVE  and  VINDICTIVE  in  disposition,  and  those  closest  to  them  speak  to  their  interests  in  poetry.  if  we  bards  could  compose  a  song  for  them,  it  might  tell  stories  of  steel on steel hitting around the training yard, hidden beast laying in wait, boyish dimpled grins that disguise real thoughts.  the  seven  whisper  to  their  most  devout  queen  as  she  sleeps,  making  her  question  where  their  loyalties  truly  lie.  are  they  right  to  whisper?  for  their  loyalties  truly  lie  with  THE  EMPEROR  OF  ESSOS.  (  ooc  :  lex  ) 

[bambirex]

It's A Game We Play: Chapter 2

Pairings: Geraskier, Yennskier, Radskier

Characters: Jaskier, Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Radovid, original female characters, Essi Daven, Priscilla, Ciri of Cintra, Valdo Marx

Additional tags: inspired by Mamma Mia! (movies), crack, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, omega jaskier, alpha geralt, alpha yennefer, beta radovid, awkwardness, jaskier is a good parent, protective jaskier, weddings, found family, post mpreg, fluff and humor, alternate universe - modern setting

Rating: teen and up audiences

Full word count: 4,816 words

Chapter word count: 2,430 words

Chapters: 2/?

Summary: Jaskier's daughter is about to marry the love of her life, and she decides she wants both her parents at her wedding. Only problem is that Jaskier has slept with a little too many people in his youth, so the identity of the other parent is a mystery. That does not stop the bride-to-be from inviting three potential daddy candidates and unleashing absolute chaos in the process.

*

Otherwise known as Jaskier's terrible horrible no good past decisions leading to terrible horrible no good outcomes. Also known as the Mamma Mia! AU nobody asked for, but I wrote it anyway.

Chapter summary: Amaryllis goes looking for clues in Jaskier's diary. She finds three of them.

Author's notes: All of your lovely feedback motivated me so much that I had to get this chapter out as soon as possible, thank you all!! ❤️ We're getting a glimpse into Jaskier's past and a very vague introduction to the three potential other parents.

Read on Ao3

*

Amaryllis knew she was facing quite the challenge with trying to figure out the identity of her other parent, but she was Jaskier's daughter; that meant she inherited the "never-backing-down-from-a-challenge gene". She was going to find out who it was, come hell or high water.

Her Papa was a little too tight-lipped about the whole ordeal. Amaryllis didn't know if it was because he actually had no clue, or because he just didn't want to reveal it, but it seemed like that if it remained up to him, Amaryllis would never find out.

Clearly, pressing Jaskier for further info wouldn't work, so Amaryllis needed a different method to investigate. And how lucky she was to have a father who was such a hopeless romantic with a great artistic streak, that he sentimentally kept a journal all these years- a journal that may or may not have contained the clues about what Amaryllis so desperately wanted to know.

She felt a little bad about rummaging through Jaskier's drawers to find his diary. She's made a promise she would never read his intimate thoughts, but desperate times called for drastic measures.

"Are you sure there's anything of substance in there?" Vera, one of her friends and bridesmaids, asked, as Amaryllis sat them down in her bedroom and waved Jaskier's diary in front of their noses.

"I know he used to write a lot," Amaryllis explained. She ran her fingers over the birds and flowers on the cover. "He even told me himself. It was a kind of comfort for him. Songs, short stories, just talking about his day... he still wrote in it when I was little."

"And you think he also wrote about all the people he's slept with," Marion, her other bridesmaid, pointed out with a chuckle. Amaryllis snorted.

"I know it sounds weird, but I think he did. He's exactly the type of person who would write epic poems about his romances, no matter how short-lived. I think if there's anything that could help us, it's this diary."

There was a chance she was wrong, of course, and that she wouldn't find anything in the diary. But she had to try: she's dreamt about this all her life. About someone who cared for Jaskier the way he deserved, who helped him through everything. Amaryllis knew she couldn't give Jaskier back all those lonely years of raising her alone, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try and mend things. Maybe it was never too late to try and build the kind of family she and her father both deserved. It was her wedding, after all, which was the best opportunity to make everything perfect.

Taking a deep breath, Amaryllis sat between her friends and opened the diary.

They had to pass through many boring entries about Jaskier's mundane days, and then some angry rants about the one who shall not be named, even though everyone knew exactly, that those entries were about Valdo Marx, Jaskier's biggest rival. They attended the same theater group in high school, and they hated each other with a burning passion, being the two most talented of their peers. They competed with each other all the time, and they applied to the same college of performing arts.

Valdo got in, and Jaskier got pregnant. Jaskier didn’t immediately apply after finishing high school, because he decided to help his aunt on the island by working at the inn. And with having a baby so soon, he never even had the chance to get into that college. Amaryllis swallowed the guilt down heavily.

After many irrelevant drabbles interspersed with various ideas on how Jaskier was planning to murder Valdo, they reached a long segment with many glittery hearts and rainbows drawn on the margins, which caught their attention.

"Look at the date!" Marion squealed, "Summer of 2002!!"

"Shit," Amaryllis's heart sped up. This was it. She was born in the May of 2003, so the summer of 2002 was when Jaskier has spent the most time on the island, and has gotten pregnant with Amaryllis.

"That's a long entry," Vera chuckled. "Slept with a guy named Jonathan... Not very remarkable and he smells like gasoline. Cindy is cute... oh, Cindy is an Omega, we're crossing her off the list. Thomas took me behind a trashcan!? I'll never be able to look into your father's eyes again. Are you planning on going through all of these?"

"Well, we have to narrow it down," Amaryllis said. "Let's count quickly... I was born in May, so nine months back is... August. Let's focus on August."

"August the third, what a night!" Amaryllis read out loud. "After what felt like years of trying to convince him, Geralt finally agreed on spending the night together. Dear Diary, let me tell you, this man is a beast in bed!"

Oh, God. Amaryllis will also never be able to look into her father's eyes again.

"He's so hot, I can't control myself around him. It's been three weeks since he helped me after my car broke down on the road. His defined muscles are practically bursting out of his shirt. I still shiver just remembering the sight of him working on that flat tire... bloated biceps on display... his long, white hair falling into his eyes... those wild, amber eyes, like a wolf, how I wished he would devour me!"

Huh. Jaskier sure had a vivid imagination.

"My brave, strong Alpha knight in black armor! He always wears black. He's spending the month on the island, holidaying with his family. I hope he stays longer, though he says he has to go back to finish college. He's gonna be a personal trainer, which makes so much sense, just look at him! I wanna be in those strong arms all the time. He's a bit grumpy, and he doesn't speak a lot, and he seems so traditional, too, not wanting to jump my bones right away... But then... He did! Dear Diary, when I tell you that he has a huge... "

"Yikes," Amaryllis quickly passed the following, explicit lines about the night Jaskier and his big strong knight spent together. The night when maybe, a white-haired, muscled introvert has knocked up her father.

The next entry was Jaskier talking about being so in love with Geralt, who then broke his heart by telling him that he needed to leave the island earlier with his family, and he didn't want to make things complicated by continuing their romance.

The next entry came a week later. It told the story of Jaskier falling in love again.

"August the tenth, what a night! I was approached by a lovely Beta named Radovid. He is literally blond Prince Charming... not on a white horse, but in a white Bentley. And those blue eyes... and that smile... He's sweet but knows how to flirt. He just inherited his father's company (coconuts? He mentioned what they were trading but I forgot, I think it was coconuts), so he has lots of money. Has the idea of being a sugar baby crossed my mind for a hot second? Maybe. But actually, he could be completely broke and I would still end up in his lap with how smoothly he was talking me out of my pants all night."

"Oh, Papa," Amaryllis chuckled, "you're so easy, bless your little slutty heart."

"He told me I was the prettiest Omega he has ever seen, and that he would love to hear me sing one day! He looked so good in that maroon button up, I couldn't wait to get him out of it. He ordered me the most expensive drink. I didn't want to offend him by telling him it tasted like dishwater. The way he looked at me over the rim of his glass was worth it, though. He could peel an orange open with just one look. We spent a wonderful night together. Very gentle and generous lover! I especially liked it when he..."

"Dude," Vera groaned, "why does your father have to go into such details?"

"Well, he never intended this to end up in our hands," Amaryllis chuckled.

Of course, the Disney Prince left the same way Geralt, the big buff paramour did: his freshly inherited business called out for him, and he left a very sad, and possibly pregnant Jaskier behind on the island.

But Jaskier wasn't mourning for long.

"August the twenty-fifth, what a night! I think I've mentioned Yennefer the chef in training before, right? She's working at the inn for this summer, and I've been trying to seduce her for two months and she refused all of my advances! But then Auntie threw a little party, and this time, she was the one that came up to me! She's such a sassy Alpha. Insanely hot too. Very sharp tongue and also very talented, if you know what I mean... "

They didn't need to know what he meant because Jaskier described it quite vividly in the next paragraph.

"I'm pretty sure the guests heard us going at it the whole night, but it was worth it! She's so beautiful, I couldn't stop looking at her lying next to me, raven-haired, violet-eyed supermodel, God! I wish I could paint so I could capture her beauty as she lay bare next to me. I'm already sad knowing she will have to go home soon, but maybe I can try and convince her to stay..."

He didn't manage, clearly, because Yennefer also went home, oblivious to the fact that maybe she and Jaskier made a baby on that night.

Amaryllis put the diary down with a big sigh. So many emotions swirled inside her: excitement over finally finding clues, sadness for her father's broken heart, also a whole amount of nervousness realizing that three horses were in this race. Her other parent was one of the three that Jaskier played hanky panky with in August.

"It's one of them," Amaryllis said, staring down at the tiny sandpiper in the corner of the cover. "But God, which one?"

"It's hard to tell, like, we cannot exactly determine the date of your conception," Marion replied. "But, out of the thousand people your father has slept with, we managed to narrow it down to Muscle Man, Ritchie Ritch, and Savage Soufflé."

"That's still three people!" Amaryllis threw her hands up in frustration. "How am I supposed to decide which one's the real one?"

She dropped her hands into her lap with a deep sigh. She got closer to the solution, but instead of making things easier, this revelation actually complicated everything even more. Amidst the sea of people Jaskier has had sex with, stood out three islands, but they were so distant.

She couldn't figure it out just by looking at their names. And she couldn't figure it out by asking Jaskier. She looked down on the diary, then opened it again. On the margins, next to the tiny doodles, were addresses scribbled down- with a tiny note saying "if I'd be brave enough to go after them."

An idea formed in her head. A crazy one, perhaps, but right now, it felt like her only chance of finding the other parent she was longing for.

"I'd know if I met them," Amaryllis eventually said. Seeing her friends' confused faces, she continued. "I think if I saw them in person, if I talked to them... I would feel it. Papa wrote down their address. I could send them a letter."

"Or you could find them on social media like any normal person would," Marion told her. "A letter? In this century?"

"Yeah, well... they don't know me. But they know my Papa. And if I wrote in his name and asked them to come see him... they might. I don't want to leave any traces behind, and once something lands on the internet, it stays there forever... besides, I know my father is a hopeless romantic. If he were to write a letter to his previous beaus, he would go all traditional and write a letter with his own hands."

"And what are the chances their address is still the same?" Vera chimed in. "And that the mailman would deliver a letter to someone whose last name you don't even know?"

"I have to try. That's the only way I can figure out who it is. And not a word about this to my father!"

She stared at the hearts on the margins, and smiled. Her Papa will absolutely kill her if he finds out, but that was a risk she was willing to take if it meant finally finding the rest of her family.

--

Strange. Jaskier could have sworn his diary was in the third drawer, not the second. But maybe he remembered it wrong.

He sat on the bed and hugged his diary to his chest with a sigh. It was silly of him, to suddenly feel the need to take a trip down memory lane just now, but truth be told, Amaryllis's question triggered some memories; memories of passionate nights and happy mornings, syrupy-sweet romances and horrible heartaches.

His heart got broken, and he broke other people's hearts, many times. As a young, reckless Omega who fell in love with anyone, he didn't really stop to care.

But now, his adult daughter needed an answer that Jaskier brushed under the rug all the time. Did he not know who it was? He didn't, not really. Did he not have a clue?

Well. He wasn't very good at Math, but he was able to count to nine. It wasn't as if the idea never crossed his mind, and while he has went through half the population of the island that summer, there was only a handful of people he had sex with in August, shockingly.

But Jaskier promised himself he would never go there, even though those three somehow always stood out - his feelings for them ran a little deeper than for the rest. He even had half a mind to seek them out after he parted from them, but he was too much of a coward. And a slut, probably. Who knows, maybe one of his one-night stands that came after knocked him up. Anything was possible with how much he used to sleep around.

They were all in the past, anyway. Those three, and the several others, too. It would tear up too many scars to try and get into this too deeply.

He needed to focus on making Amaryllis's big day special, instead.

[asterism-codex]

♣: Any headcanons about your muse?

♥: One thing you love about your Muse.

☾: Favorite moment from your Muse's canon, and why. (If your Muse is an OC, then favorite aspect of their story.)

☄: What you think of your Muse.

♪: Favorite song.

♣: Any headcanons about your muse?

Haru loves ventriloquism and has their own little clown dummy named Babs. Babs freaks out their housemates so they don't get to use him often. But on the occasion, you might find him hanging out on their back in a little kiddie backpack.

♥: One thing you love about your Muse.

I've come to love writing characters that are super animated (Amai, Chouko, Lola, Chiyo) but I ADORE writing for Essie, and I think it's also because she has a bit of mean girl energy that it makes it funny. And writing about her obsession with Erika is so fun.

☾: Favorite moment from your Muse's canon, and why. (If your Muse is an OC, then favorite aspect of their story.)

One part that I love about Isabella's story is really when she's no longer Isabella. One of her many paths/verses is when she turns her mother in and fakes her own death so she could continue living outside the realm of her family and her mother's control. Once she fully adopts a new identity, she moves on to be the sister of Einosuke, a classmate of hers, and is readily taken in by his parents. After explaining a tiny bit of the hardship she goes through, she and his mother get along so well, and she learns what it's like to have a regular, quiet family. She does have a few regrets, but otherwise she's happy to have moved on.

☄: What you think of your Muse.

I'll always be rooting for Chikako. Not only is she always in the running of Mother of The Year of my OCs (which isn't a hard fight but like she's doing her best) but I think of all of my OCs, she's on the just of the ones I'd enjoy hanging out with.

♪: Favorite song.

I answered this one already, but here's another song by Pentakill that I think is also super good. Mortal Reminder. :D

[project1939]

100+ Films of 1952

Film number 136: Somebody Loves Me 

Release date: September 24th, 1952 

Studio: Paramount 

Genre: musical 

Director: Irving Brecher 

Producer: William Pearlberg and George Seaton 

Actors: Betty Hutton, Ralph Meeker, Billie Bird

Plot Summary: Blossom Seeley is a huge singing star with money and clout to burn. When she falls in love with her piano player, though, can his fragile male ego stand the fact that he is now known as “Mr. Seeley?"

My Rating (out of five stars): ** 

Nooooooo! This film took one of the most horrifying turns into a “happy ending” that I’ve ever had the experience of sitting though. I am so angry! Spoiler alert from here on out! The gist of this movie is: A hugely talented famous woman marries her piano accompanist, but he cannot bear being emasculated by her financial and critical success. So what is a wife to do? Soothe his ego of course! Coach him into being a good performer and throw away her own career, of course! Happy ending! 

The Good: 

Betty Hutton. She looked great, sounded great, and got to wear great costumes. I could listen to her sing anytime. I wish the script was worthy of her talents. 

There certainly was lots of music in this. If you want musical numbers, you won’t be disappointed. 

Billie Bird, the actress who played Essie. Essie was a classic wise-cracking female side-kick role, and Bird stole scenes with her deadpan delivery. And who could possibly not love that Essie’s name from her Burlesque strip tease days was “Dressie Essie”?? 

The Bad: 

Ralph Meeker. Kiss Me Deadly is up there with my favorite films of all time, and he was perfect in it as Mike Hammer. Here he just feels utterly miscast. And, to make things worse... 

Meeker’s vocals are obviously dubbed. His singing voice in the movie doesn’t match his speaking voice, which makes his passable lip-synching skills look even more inept. 

Meeker’s character Benny was extremely unlikeable. He admits he married her for her money and only fell in love with her after the wedding. Then he spends the rest of the film pouting that his wife is 1,000 times more talented than he is. 

Blackface! OMFG, as if the “ladies, submit to your husbands” message wasn’t bad enough, they had to throw in a blackface number too! It was horrifying, and the less said, the better. 

The plot was lackluster. I'm sure the reason there was so much music in this was because of the threadbare story. Whenever the music stopped, I was bored. 

The ending. The ending. The ending! First Benny left her, and for months Blossom refused to perform. Then he finally comes back, she is thrilled, and she spends all her time training him for his own career. When he is a success, she sings one final song before retiring to be “Mrs. Benny Fields.” 

Fragile male ego shyte! Why do people stereotype women as being emotional snowflakes when the most delicate thing on Earth is apparently the male ego! Especially in media from this time, it was a mainstream idea that if a man felt emasculated by his wife’s success, SHE had to do something about it immediately. Even if it meant her career. Even if she was legitimately more talented than he was. I have vintage pulp romance novels from the 1950s and 60s that also explicitly say this. 

It was not a very visually interesting film. The musical numbers were competently shot, but not much more. 

The music wasn’t the best either. There were a couple of good songs, but most of them were pretty forgettable. 

[prtcll]

【Release Info】 Leo Okagawa [Density] (Dissipatio / May 10, 2024) - CD / Digital

[Buy] Dissipatio Bandcamp Page Leo Okagawa Bandcamp Page

[Tracklist]

The Luminous

Awake

Getting Closer

Apoptosis

Counting Clockwise

Into the Deep

Saturation

Manufacture

Intermission

Capture

Hephaestus

Matter

"Density" is the composed album focusing on electric beats/rhythms. Between tones, silences, and rhythms, Leo Okagawa explored the density.

Recorded and mixed in 2020 - 2023 Mastered by Giuseppe Ielasi Cover photography by Leo Okagawa Design by Nicola Quiriconi

【Review】 Vital Weekly: From the few solo releases I heard from Leo Okagawa from Japan, he likes to take a more conceptual approach. When I write this review, this CD is not yet available on Bandcamp, and this label doesn’t do press texts; also, the cover has no details other than 12 song titles and some basic information. Whatever the concept is here, it could be that there is no concept, and we’re dealing here with 12 independent pieces of music. There aren’tis little relations between the pieces if one only looks at the titles. Whereas some of his older works used field recordings, this new one is about electronic sound, I am guessing, but he’s using a modular set-up in these pieces and no field recordings at all. Okagawa creates some strange electronic pieces with this set-up, which may sometimes remind the listener of Pan Sonic, but without any strict rhythm (read: nothing to dance to). There’s that raw synth approach, the intensity of sine waves and block tones. Even when it’s not music to dance to, it’s still something we recognise as inspired by Pan Sonic, all the more in those pieces with more rhythm, in ‘Apoptosis’, for instance, with its machine-like character. It is a great reminder of how far-reaching the influence of Pan Sonic was and still is; we all tried it. But I admit Okagawa’s music also has something distant here. Maybe because it lacks the element of danceability, the head nod aspect as we used to call it, all that remains angular sounds, which sound alright, but in which mood do you have to be to hear this? (reviewed by Frans de Waard)

So What: Elettricità, rumore e suoni ambientali sono gli elementi fondanti della ricerca di Leo Okagawa, particelle essenziali attraverso cui esplorare le potenzialità del suono. Il primo di essi è alla base della proposta elaborata per la Dissipatio di Nicola Quiriconi, utilizzato quale componente ritmico/noise connessa all’utilizzo attivo dei vuoti.

L’ambiente d’ascolto confezionato dal sound artist giapponese si muove all’insegna di una spinta essenzialità, che lascia pieno campo allo sviluppo di tracciati pulsanti spigolosi, la cui ridondanza sa trovare solo a tratti esiti ipnotici accattivanti (Apoptosis, Manufacture) risultando invece spesso eccessivamente piatta (Getting Closer, Counting Clockwise). Decisamente di maggiore impatto sono i frammenti più atmosferici (Intermission) e noise (Capture), che insieme ai differenti livelli di saturazione delle singole tracce – generati dalla distribuzione delle pause e dall’iniezione di frequenze rumorose – determinano le variabili di un’operazione ostica, priva di concessioni. Una sperimentazione algida che brilla per la purezza con cui viene espletata, difficilmente approcciabile da chi non si muove all’interno del suo ambito.

Sodapop: Non so molto di Leo Okagawa, se non che è un sound artist giapponese e che ha inciso diverso materiale a partire dal 2017 su etichette a me oscure (solo la tape label tedesca Grisaille mi torna con qualcosa all’orecchio). Prodotto in versione minimale dalla Toscana Dissipatio il suono di Leo è chirurgico e riesce a mettere in scena la tensione come se ci mostrasse i trucchi e gli effetti speciali da dietro un set cinematografico ma non potessimo comunque trattenere i brividi istintivi. Ronzii, beats, basse frequenze, come se a suonare fossero apparecchiature elettromedicali e non un essere umano. Il suono è pulitissimo, limpido ed asettico, segmentato il necessario per non essere ascrivibile a nessun genere. C’è una sorta di idea dub e di elettronica che non necessita di più nominazioni, visto che si esprime con forza in quello che è: ritmo. Come tale, visto l’effetto che scatena sulle membra, conviene semplicemente tuffarsi, muovendosi e consigliando agli ascoltatori di fare altrettanto. Counting Clockwise in un mondo perfetto sarebbe un riempipista strategico e forse sta proprio a noi, tramiti ed ascoltatori, promuovere un’idea del genere, che si collega direttamente alla funzionalità del suono più minimale ed efficace. Sì ascolta, si balla, si ondeggia e ci si fa trascinare senza remore. Un disco abbacinante, da ascoltare al massimo del volume, all’aperto, in mezzo a gente inconsapevole e sconosciuta, sorridendo, nonostante fischi e larsen. (reviewed by Vasco Viviani)

Bandcamp Daily: In the brief description on the Bandcamp page of Leo Okagawa’s latest work, one sentence reads, “Between tones, silences, and rhythms, Leo Okagawa explored the density.” It’s a rather bare bones way of putting it, but then Density is a set of very simple, mostly short pieces wherein Okagawa finds complexity in the process of repeating basic sounds. This can manifest in both a textural drone like “Intermission,” or an industrial-style stomp like “Counting Clockwise.” Though his textures develop and evolve, he never gives in to the temptation to give them melodic arcs. There’s a purity to the way he doles sounds out, fascinated by what happens when you give noises room to roam. (reviewed by Marc Masters)

ESTÉTICAS CANÍBALES: (Part 1) Density de Leo Okagawa, estrenada el 10 de mayo del 2024 en Dissipatio, que sintetiza de esta manera el trabajo del artista:

"Density" es el álbum que se centra en ritmos eléctricos. Entre tonos, silencios y ritmos, Leo Okagawa explora la densidad. Leo Okagawa es un artista sonoro afincado en Tokio, Japón. Realiza obras de collage de varias capas a partir de elementos de sonidos grabados, ruido de máquinas analógicas y tonos eléctricos simples. También ha estado trabajando en una performance improvisada desde 2017. El uso de algunos dispositivos electrónicos explora las posibilidades estructurales del sonido a través de la combinación de tonos simples. En 2022, fundó su propio sello discográfico "zappak", y ha estado publicando música de otros artistas en CD. Dissipatio: https://www.facebook.com/Dissipatio

El álbum de Leo Okagawa, Density, se puede escuchar en Bandcamp: https://protocell.bandcamp.com/album/density.

Esta primera aproximación a la obra Density propone una lectura que vaya en una doble dirección: la primera, análisis e interpretación desde la filosofía de la música, que no se quede exclusivamente en las sensaciones que provoca y en la sensibilidad que desencadena, aunque este sea el punto de partida; sino que avance y muestre de qué manera esta obra se esta refiriendo a nuestro tiempo y qué puede decirnos sobre este, con sus propios medios. Para este fin será necesario concentrarse en las dualidades entre ritmo y arritmia, y sonido y ruido. En segundo lugar, oír Density tal como escuchamos una voz interior, un monólogo con nosotros mismos, en donde no se trata de acceder a algún tipo de contenidos específicos del flujo psíquico. Por el contrario, esta obra actúa como mímesis del modo de pensar actual. Así como fluye la música, del mismo modo pensamos. Antes de embarcarnos en las reflexiones que surgen de las dos orientaciones hay que recomendar enfáticamente una variedad de tipos de escucha de Density: oír el álbum completo sin cortes ni detenciones, escucharlo mientras hacemos otra cosa como leer, escribir, pasear, manejar, concentrarnos y prestar atención únicamente a la obra, oírla una y otra vez hasta el cansancio. De esta manera las primeras impresiones sobre la sensación y la sensibilidad se ampliarán y diversificarán; aparecerán partes en las que no habíamos puesto atención, ruidos de fondo saltarán al primer plano, la estructura o la desestructuración se tornará evidente, descubriremos cómo las arritmias se convierten en ritmos, el ruido en sonido y este de regreso al ruido. Density es el estado de ánimo de nuestra época. No tanto el estado de ánimo personal, sino de la colectividad. Así nos sentimos, este es la mímesis del paso del tiempo y de las temporalidades en las que estamos sumergidos. Por esto probablemente la obra sea difícil de oírla una y otra vez hasta quedar exhaustos y gritar basta. Seguramente en ese momento pararemos la música y saldremos de la casa y sobre todo de nosotros mismos, como decía Gide. Aunque no ampliaré todavía en este primera parte, propongo el término aspereza como guia interpretativa de la obra en la doble vía de ida y vuelta que he señalado. Y añadir a esta su consecuencia, que viene además de su parentesco: exasperar. En este primer momento sugiero realizar las diversas escuchas de Density con la atención puesta en las nociones: aspereza, exasperar.

(Part 2) Density de Leo Okagawa, estrenada el 10 de mayo del 2024 en Dissipatio. El álbum, se puede escuchar en Bandcamp: https://protocell.bandcamp.com/album/density.

La comprensión de la música suele llevarnos en una doble dirección: primero, mostrar de qué manera impacta en los sentidos y la sensibilidad, provocando la emergencia de unos determinados afectos; es decir, la música vinculada de manera especial a la emoción. Segundo, establecer los paralelismos y las contigüidades entre la música, tomando en cuenta ritmos y arritmias, con la manera en la que pase el tiempo subjetivo o el flujo de la consciencia, a lo que se puede añadir las temporalidades sociales en las que estamos inmersos. Estos dos aspectos pueden ser complementarios, aunque los análisis suelen privilegiar uno y otro enfoque. Sin invalidar estas perspectivas es posible abrirse a una nueva consideración mucho menos explorada, pero que resulta tan importante como las otras dos, porque en vez de reducir el fenómeno de la música a afecto y temporalidad, o incluso a la temporalidades afectivas de los sujetos, se pregunta por la relación de la música con el pensamiento y la razón. ¿Qué tendría que ver la música que huye de la representación y parece quedarse en el plano de la sensibilidad con la racionalidad y la argumentación? ¿Tal vez podría referirse al uso simbólico de la música por las corrientes ideológicas y políticas, como es el caso de parte de la obra de Wagner por el fascismo? Antes que dar una respuesta general a estos interrogantes, que será cuestión de otra nota, tomo la última obra de Leo Okagawa, Density, y es a través de esta que intentaré aproximarme a una respuesta sobre la relación entre música y razón. Para esto, el acercamiento no será tanto la búsqueda de estructuras metafóricas del pensamiento en Density, como introducir una hipótesis de trabajo: ¿en qué medida o de qué forma los modos del pensamiento actual, con su crisis y callejones sin salida, siguen patrones similares a los de Density?

Al oír Density decimos: Así pensamos.

Al escuchar atentamente esta obra tengo la impresión de seguir el flujo de los pensamientos, las trabas, incongruencias, irracionalidades, de la razón globalizada, de la intromisión de la sinrazón por todas partes, del despedazamiento de la racionalidad en los más diversos ámbitos y de la desesperada lucha por su recuperación. A este fenómeno de la obra y de la razón le denomino: exasperación. En los tracks Apoptosis y Counting Clockwises estamos ante un ruido probablemente de interferencia o de un aparato electrónico que se ha quedado vibrando sin control y repitiéndose incansablemente, con pequeños cortes en donde asoman otros ruidos que hacen aún más áspero el sonido. A veces una onda plana interrumpe la interferencia, como si fuera el ruido de una máquina trabada. No hay posibilidad alguna de que una melodía o un ritmo aparezcan. Aquí reina el ruido casual, aleatorio. Sin embargo, a pesar de esta negación del registro melódico, la interferencia tiene un patrón que se forma a fuerza de repetirse sin cesar. Rueda unos segundos, se corta bruscamente y otra vez invade los oídos hasta el cansancio. Probablemente sea en Saturación en donde mejor encontremos las características del pensar. Ruido grave del arrastrarse de alguna cosa sobre el suelo áspero, golpes insistentes que bajan de tono. Imperceptiblemente un ruido plano de fondo comienza a crecer y a superponerse sobre la primera interferencia, hasta hacerla desaparecer casi por completo. Esta vibración grave de un motor potente puesta en marcha y dejado a su voluntad satura el espectro sonoro y, curiosamente, aparece muy levente una corriente de agua que nadie sabe de dónde vino. Luego, el ruido de fondo desaparece y solamente queda el ruido cansino marcado por golpeteos incesantes. Y así, el ruido de fondo se descompone en raspados agresivos que alteran la repetición que sigue sonando en primer plano.

Volvamos al leitmotiv: Así pensamos.

La racionalidad intentando comprender el mundo y descubriendo que le escapa. No puede aprehenderlo y a medida que trata una y otra vez de captar la esencia de las cosas, la estructura de los fenómenos, las series causales, se torna redundante, se choca con una pared que le impide avanzar. La racionalidad armónica de causas y efectos se estrella, se torna ruido y aquello que debería convertirse en sentido, en apertura hacia el significado del mundo, ahora es interferencia de sus propias ondas, de los argumentos devorando a los argumentos, de las razones partiéndose hasta quedar irreconocibles. Así pensamos, con esta aspereza que muestra el roce de los pensamientos en la superficie rugosa de la realidad, dando como resultado una razón herida, unas ideas sangrantes. Desesperación, ira, impulsos destructivos: exasperación. Y como si no fuera suficiente que la razón se encuentre trabada sin poder avanzar, hace su aparición del ruido del fondo que termina por anularla y desvanecerla, aunque a momento logra volver y recuperar al menos el ritmo repetitivo de los intentos de decir con claridad lo real. Este ruido de fondo es el equivalente de la irracionalidad que, ante el fracaso de la razón, emerge desde dentro, tomando posesión de la racionalidad, quebrándole los huesos, reventándolo los ojos, hasta verla caminar a tientas golpeándose en las paredes y emitiendo enunciados incoherentes. La razón incapaz de armonía se ha convertido en ruido. Ante esto, aquellos que intentamos pensar y dar cuenta de las explicaciones del mundo, quedamos sumidos en la exasperación. (Reviewed by Carlos Rojas Reyes)

Kathodik: Dodici tracce registrate fra il 2020 e il 2023, battute post-techno in avviluppo scultoreo da sound artist, tra sibilo frequenziale e belle massicciate sui denti. Notti urbane e sudori freddi al neon, spippolamenti gommosi spersi/sparsi e silenzi verticali. Ricorda il cemento umido e puzzoso dei rave di un tempo, dove ad un certo punto, un simil ingrippo startava senza appello, ma pure, quando divorati dal gelo in un centro sociale, i Pan Sonic (ancora con una A poi scomparsa), ci randellavano mentre tutt’attorno si accendevano fuochi per riscaldarsi. Dunque, ok. (Reviewed by Marco Carcasi)

[iwantmydogtoliveforever]

Things I’m Obsessed With - Entry #3

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan and her insane ability to jog in place and sing at the same time have earned a permanent spot in my heart. The utilization of witty lyrics, her clever personality, mixed with her bright, sensual pop look is what the pop scene needs nowadays. Chappell Roan is the epitome of pop perfection and the most refreshing act I have seen since the emergence and my overindulgence in K-Pop. Chappell Roan, you will always be famous. My favorite song from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is Naked in Manhattan! <3 ;3333

Women’s Basketball

Never would I have thought I’d be soooooooo obsessed with a sport. I would be lying to say that I can comprehend everything that is going on in the game, BUT I will say that I am thoroughly enjoying whatever the hell is going on on my TV screen. Another thing I have to be absolutely candid on is that I did not start watching women’s basketball, because of the idea that I would like the sport. No. It is the copious amount of edits I have seen of - predominantly UConn - players and how utterly taken back I am by them and their talent that I had to tune in. TikTok (& previously Instagram, but that only ages me or tells you that I was too young to be on the internet at that time, but whatever) has truly changed the marketing game and I’m not complaining. Proper American consumerism has gotten me again. Shucks!

Snoopy

To be completely honest. And I mean candid. I do not go a waking day without thinking about Snoopy. Not a single day without Snoopy in my head since I was about 3. If the extreme amount of Snoopy merchandise I have collected across the years doesn’t convince you that I love Snoopy more than most people in my life, I don’t have a clue what will. If Snoopy has one fan, it is me. If Snoopy has zero fans, I am dead and forgotten. Snoopy = Big Brother in my head. Snoopy runs the world I am in.

My nail polish :)

Color 360 Spiked With Style from Essie is God sent. It is perfect for anyone who loves the deep, cherry red color that is like that one Deep Berry Almost Lipstick from Clinique. The coverage on one coat of it is really nice, but I always recommend at least 2 coats of every nail polish, so it really doesn’t matter. Maybe I should be gatekeeping the shade, but I don’t think anyone will read this. Right?

Purple

I would not be the person I am today without the color purple, so much so I am typing this on a purple keyboard, on an iPad with a purple case, next to my purple iPhone, in my purple comfy, next to a bottle of my purple nail polish, near my purple umbrella, near my purple dance bag. Obsessed is not the word for it. It is an unexplainable infatuation. Will I ever change? No. Do I ever regret buying every necessity in purple? I could never. Do I want to be buried in a purple casket? Hell yeah!

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: July 27, 1998

Lyrics:

You don′t have to worry, to find somebody new

Just take a good look and you'll find the thuth (right)

I′m telling you the secret, the one that you should know

Just live your life to the max, and work it slow

Stay

Oh Yeah

Aha, aha

Who you wanna see?

2-4 Family

Stay, don't runaway, please lord just one more day

Stay, don't be walking away

Jay Dogg:

C′mon!

Remember way back in the days, when you was lokin′ with the playas′

Connecting mad chips, colobarating about the capers

No love for the haters and the players of the game

Suspicious inpotane so you can't maintain

No balance of reality from sane to insanity

The traffic jigo size, is what took insanity

But you made a simple boat down to Cally

Lugin′ in the ripps, smoke chips like hally

Anyhting you want, all you have to do is ask

Gets the final person to us, to a situation statice, but

You're not sencere, what could be your future?

Live you life eveal from the highest evil

X 2

Don't be walking away

I don′t wanna leave, but still I can't stay, The same old problems day after day

Face to face, place to place, 2-4 Family

Looking find somebody calling my phone

If ain't my home, don′t wanna talk, leave me alone (aha, aha)

Should I live, should I stay? So many questions got me confused

Lord I′m confessin', I′m stressin', the physics of love are gone

To a happy home, they got me throwing shots on the dome

It′s on, but them about my mind, yo, a treasure

My family left so now I'm stuck with drastic measures

You say you love me but the feeling′s gone away

This relationchip's a lie, can't stay

X 2

Face to face, place to place, one more day, all you gotta do is stay

Songwriter: Jackson

Why you actin like you run outta time, goind down now that′s a lie

Talking bout you gotta fly, everythime I come around, Brotha how you sound

Take a chewes down, frontin like you new of this, nowin that you trigga with

I rafuse to get my heart tore, playin like a hard core, now you wanna go to war

But before, you was lovin it, talking that love shit, won′t play the dum shit, forget it

Essie: (available only in the "perfect tools remix")

And if it split it, that's indeed "m gonna miss it, but pressure by a dollar-push up

I won′t kiss it, won't you spit on me, only lies on your lips, from the lies that you keep

Bigger fish in a dish, you won′t be missed

Lil'Bit: (available only in the? special radio version?)

Deep lo, that′s how this chic rolls, try to blew my out to smoke, brother what you fontin for? (Can you find me?)

You wanna go, ain't go beg you to stay

Got no time for the games you brothas play, you can se a smile up on your face

Now there's only empty space, what I call a happy home, is not a bigger place

Can you rase the past, I repaid the last we used to have

Once I′s camin′ first, now I'm coming last

All we need to do is stay, All we need to do is pray, oh yeah

Just Stay And Pray!

Stay, all we need to do is stay, all we need to do is pray, oh yeah

C′mon

Stay, don't runaway, please lord just one more day

Stay, don′t be walking away (don't be walkin away)

Stay, don′t runaway, please lord just one more day

Stay, don't be walking away (but still I can't stay)

Stay, don′t runaway, please lord just one more day

Stay, don′t be walking away, Stay!

SongFacts:

“Stay” is the debut single from hip hop group 2-4 Family. It is her only song to feature former band member Jo O'Meara singing, as she soon left the band and joined S Club in 1999. Jo O'Meara takes lead vocals and sings dramatically. It charted at number 8 on the Viva Top 100. The video was added to YouTube on November 5, 2006. As of June 17, 2009, it had 81,707 views. It is 2-4 Family's most successful song ever released.

After the single, a Christmas version of Stay was also released.

[marie1-kersaint]

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A LIVE PEACOCK 🦚?

https://youtu.be/TsPh_8Dxl3E?si=2JoeUHdRZJpYKjmu

WE'RE TRYING TO MURDER THEM IN ST LUCIE COUNTY

"THE HUBB with HITLERrian SS POISON GAS 💀 👃 🛁 🚽 "

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

COUNTING CROWS 2006?

FORT PIERCE, ST LUCIE COUNTY Floriduh 🙄is in the process of opening an ART SCHOOL 🖼️ 🏫 [{WE NEED ANYTHING WE CAN GET]}

on my way to church ⛪️ Sunday 11/27 (hoping to kneel listening 👂🤩choir rehearsal -reminding me of my SUNDAYS WORSHIP with FAMILYRADIO.ORG - and saving my seat close to pulpit so i can see the 📺)

🆎 7🕖 a well built young back man tied his hoodie around his waist, flipped open his iPad and 🛫 studying 📚 his lines. i thought rehearsing because he went back a few paces to come forward as though coming into a room and starting to talk (not much physical movements)

It clicked after church ⛪️ when the owner of ESSIE CLEANINGS WHO'S BEEN FEEDING THE PEACOCKS 🦚 FOR DECADES met me 🎶 💔🎤 💔🎵 💔 https://youtu.be/TsPh_8Dxl3E?si=_O9_pQisMlQjvQgm 💔💔💔💔💔💔told me that THE NEW ART SCHOOL wants her THE NEW ART SCOOL OWNER WANTS TO MOVE THE PEACOCK 🦚 AWAY i understood where she pointed was AVENUE A where no one goes unless ☝️ has to.

Rare occasion when you will not see a family or just a 🚘 admiring THE PEACOCKS 🦚

HAVE YOU SEEN A LIVE PEACOCK 🦚 YET⁉️

Sunday morning i turned around the corner BLOCK FENCE i took a chance 🆘🆘🆘🆘heard a peacock's🦚 💔cries shrill, heart breaking like someone is using a bat to practice playing baseball using its head 🐔 as ⚾️ in a good day‼️

No word to describe it that cry 😢 today

i kept walking‼️

AWAY FROM THE CRY‼️

3 commercial size trash 🚮 🗑️ 🚮 cans spilled is THE PEACOCKS' 🦚SUSTENANCE across the street 👀 🆎 half a dozen PEACOCKS 🦚 near a semi 🚛, broken cars houses in various forms of disrepair

😂🤣NO ONE WILL SEE YOU IF YOU KICK 🦵 A PEACOCK 🦚 OUT OF YOUR WAY

😃😄😁😆🥹😅😂🤣NO ONE ☝️ WILL SEE YOU IF YOU RUN OVER A PEACOCK 🦚🦚🦚

NO ONE CARES IF NAKED BOYS TRY TO SIT ON THEM AND PULL THE PEACOCK's 🦚🦚PLUMES

" just funnin"

or by “accident” steps on one and oops “PEACOCK FEATHERS 😎” if they can do that right across from United Methodist church ⛪️and Anytime Fitness 🤷‍♀️ 🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♂️

certainly no one will turn into AVENUE A@ (i guess 8th street⁉️ -the street sign is faded-) to admire or feed THOSE ENDANGERED UNPROTECTED 🦚

i am SURE THE BEAUTIFUL FORT PIERCE PEACOCKS 🦚 CAN LIVE FROM THE PAMPERS CONTENTS cross

AVENUE A @ EIGHTH STREET

yay my little blue kiddie pool has not been thrown away yet‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

FUNNY the cock with ugly feathers on his feet and 2 other chickens were 🦵 kicked out off course BUT STUBBORNLY 😟 crawled back like in John Steinbeck’s THE GRAPE OF WRATH

well, this city needs any 💰 improvement we can get and THE BIBLE DOES SAY https://kjbo.org/Matthew-20-15/

(i always think of this verse when people are cutting trees 🌳 🌲down and 🇺🇸 will not make them replace it with 4 saplings https://kjbo.org/Matthew-20-15/ )

After lockdown and VACCINATIONS (the gymn US1 @ Midway Rd was full)

i tried to propose 🌎 💪 to get the old school 🏫 building on 10th @ Orange 🍊 Avenue with ample parking 🅿️ spaces BUT was 😟 was unable to get the realtor centric ℹ️ needed to complete the form as the gymnasiums are individually owned (no coordination if one has a CUSTOMER SERVICE PROBLEM ONE IS SENT BACK TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM🤣😂🤪)

("kersaint lives in denial") i tried to fill out that form in 2018 in DIXIE COUNTY population 16,000

THE CROSS CITY train DEPOT an old state building (that could be had for a song OR a Sous) in the middle of the highway 🛣️ US-19

Cross City, FL 32628 (county 💺)

i envisioned commercial truck drivers and fishing and other people driving from the Gulf using their Black Card to refresh themselves before their destination

“🙄LIVING IN DENIAL” so not to think OF ART SCHOOL OWNERS philanthropists MISTREATING 🦵 🦚🙄PEACOCKS

PEOPLE KILLING TREES 🌳🌲and not replacing them

Sent from my iPhone

[valewright67]

Ooh, sounds fun!

What's the origin of your blog title?

Well, it's a pun, honestly. "Vale" is actually my name, my chosen one at least, which I first started playing with around 2019? I liked it, because it was "a gender neutral, masculine leaning name" and it's a word for a type of long and narrow valley, used commonly in older poems. It made me happy. It wasn't until later that I discovered the podcast "Welcome to Nightvale" and decided I was very amused at the notion of naming myself after a cryptid podcast, so settled on it as a final decision. "WRIGHT" is the part that's a pun. Vale Wright. Because. I write a lot. (I think I'm clever, it made me giggle.) And then 67 is just my favorite number, haha. Idk why, I just like it. Close to 66, close to 69, and its got a 7 in it.

OTP(s) + Shipname(s)

I've got quite a few, I'll list them in order of how hyper fixated I am on them right now:

Jayvik (Jayce/Viktor) (Arcane)

Vikjayce (Jayce/Viktor) (But SPECIFICALLY the league versions. They amuse me.)

Timebomb (Ekko/Jinx) (Arcane)

Trephacard (Trevor/Sypha/Alucard) (Castlevania)

Bagginshield (Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield) (The Hobbit)

Merthur (Merlin/Arthur) (BBC Merlin)

Geraskier (Geralt/Jaskier) (The Witcher)

Milambert (Milena/Lambert) (The Witcher Fanfics from author Inexplicifics on ao3)

Stucky (Steve/Bucky) (MCU)

Favorite Color

Blue, but specifically like you'll see the sky at twilight! Yknow that kind of glowing blue you'll see where the last traces of light are on the horizon? THAT blue.

Song stuck in your head

Oh, I basically always have background music playing in my head. Right now, I'd probably say "Essie & Paul" by Bastille?

Weirdest Habit/Trait

Umm weirdest habit is that I only like to eat in even numbers? Or at the very least, like... good numbers? Like if I only have one of something, I'll split it into two. 3 and 5 are OK, even though they're not even. 7 is tolerable. 9 and any thing above is wrong. Gotta have 10 pizza rolls, not 11. Gotta have 8 bites of rice, not 9. Does that make sense? It's weird, lol, but I think it's left over from when I had braces? Chewing the same amount of food on either side of my mouth meant pain stayed more even, and faded quicker after adjustment.

Weirdest TRAIT is that I have synesthesia. Chromestesia, specifically. Every sound I hear I also SEE. Music is a visual experience as much as it is auditory to me. It's fun, but can get overstimulating.

Hobbies:

Music! My mom is a music director, and I'm a pit percussion tech - that's mallets and auxiliary - and the synesthesia makes the experience extra fun. Been playing for 9 years now.

Mythology! I've always had a head for mythology, and was utterly obsessed with it as a kid, Greek especially, though I've branched out into some others, mostly Norse.

Astronomy! I volunteer at the local observatory, and I'm being trained as a telescope technician. When we're hosting events, the core group of volunteers all have different niches, I suppose you could say. My head for mythology comes in handy here, because I'm The Storyteller. I'm really good at memorizing the mythologies behind the constellations and planets, so I'll show people where they are, and introduce them. It feels a bit like introducing my old friends, I've been enraptured by the night sky as long as I can remember. It'll never be my career, I'm afraid, but sometimes I'll see the same spark I know had in a little kids eyes, and I'll let them use my laser or help me align my telescope, just like was done for me when I was a kid. I want to encourage that in them. Sometimes the stars were what got me through life.

Reading! I don't read as many physical books as I used to (I would DEVOUR libraries, I got an award in middle school for Reading 60+ books over my 8th grade year, more than any other student) but I still read a LOT of fanfiction, haha.

Writing! (shoves WIP's back into the bulging closet) I love writing! Wanted to be a professional author when I was little. First fanfic I wrote was a Warrior Cats self insert fanfiction, in which I was a Riverclan medicine cat apprentice named LeopardPaw, who did not like fish. I was 7 years old, I did not even know what fanfiction was at that point. It had three chapters, and I have no idea what happened to it, I think the notebook got thrown away at some point?

I Do The Arting! SOMETIMES! I'm not the best, but I've got a few drawings drifting around out there, some paintings. It's fun.

Baking! I am the designated baker for my family, lol. When fruit is about to go bad, it's my job to make something with it so it doesn't go to waste. Syrup, jam, bread, cake, etc.

Crafting! I'm not the craftiest bitch on the block, but I can weild a needle and thread pretty well when I put my mind to it. I've made a ball gown, a cosplay, and some other little things over the years. Tie blankets, plushies, etc.

If you work, what's your profession?

So I work for the school district, and my official job title is "Classified Substitute." This is because I actually do a lot of different jobs. I'm currently listed as a Substitute for: secretary, lunch aid, recess supervisor, custodian, and paraprofessional. (If you don't know, a parapro is the person who works directly with the special education and disabled students.) So if any of them are out, I'm called, and if I'm available, I'll cover their position for the day.

You all remember Substitute teachers? There are also Substitutes for basically everything else in a school. I'm like... the temp agency of the school district. I'm not currently qualified to Substitute for Admin (Principal and their crew), counselors, mainetance, librarians (because my district doesn't DO sub librarians, the neighboring one does, and I would be qualified there) or teachers, BUT I'm currently working on getting my Substitute teaching license! It's just a lot of bureaucracy and waiting on the state education department to get back to me, haha.

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be?

Oh, that's a tricky one. I've had a lot of dreams over the years. To be a writer, to be an astronomer, to be a musician, to be a teacher. For the most part, I've made space for my dreams within my hobbies, and I'm content where I am, at least for now. A lot of "what I'd be if I could be anything" are dependent on living in an ideal world, something we don't have, and never will, and that's ok.

There will never be a perfect solution in an imperfect world, and there shouldn't be. Such a thing would be incompatible with reality, and thus made imperfect in its obsolescence.

That's alright though. "There is beauty in imperfection" and all that. I guess no matter what, I'd want to teach? I love teaching, it's part of who I am, whether that be music or astronomy or whatever student I'm working with as a parapro. I don't even know WHAT I'd teach, just as long as I was helping someone learn.

Something You're Good At

I mean, I like to think I've got a good collection of miscellaneous skills, haha. I'm not sure if there's One Thing I'm like, really really good at. To be an amateur is to do things for the love of it, after all.

Something You're Bad At

Finishing things, I'm afraid. XD Be it a crafting project, a writing WIP, my college homework, whatever. I'm really bad at FINISHING things. Great at starting, not so much completing, lmao.

Something you love

Dragons, I fucking love dragons, they're so cool.

Something you could talk for hours about off the cuff

Really any one of my given hobbies, but. Dragons. Oh, I made an entire chart about their evolution, based off the concept of "Dragon Lords" from BBC Merlin. Ask me questions about it. I'm begging.

Something you hate

*gestures aggressively at the US government*

Something you collect

Dragon stuff. I have. A lot of dragon stuff. Books, shirts, plushies, statues, blankets, artwork, props, keychains, just... dragons.

Something you forget

More than I should, that's for damn sure. I'm kinda time blind, so I guess I forget just how LONG things take, and it has a tendency to make me late. 😅

What's your love langauge

Acts of service and quality time, probably. I just wanna take care of my loved ones and spend time with them.

What's your favorite movie/TV show

How to Train Your Dragon franchise. If I had to pick my top favorite, then I'd probably go with the second movie. (Valka has my heart.)

Favorite food

Great question, I don't remember! Lmao, I'm really bad at this question, because I always just default to "Crepes" - which ARE delicious, don't get me wrong. I just can't ever remember what I'm actually currently obsesses with eating in the moment.

Favorite animal

Seals, I love them, all of them. The sea puppies make me very happy.

What were you like as a child?

Curious and overly excitable and bad at social cues? Lol

Favorite subject at school

Music classes, haha. It's probably the only thing that got me through high school. I did marching band, concert band, drumline, colorguard, concert choir, advanced acapella choir, and one year, I was the directors TA.

If I have to say a core subject, then science. Astronomy is my heart, but science in general makes me happy.

Least favorite subject at school

Idk, probably math? I certainly hated it at the time, and I struggled with it a LOT. But as I've been like... an Adult Person, I realized I'm not actually that bad at it? Maybe it was the way it was being taught at my high school, but like. I was really awful at it through public school, struggled with all of it. But then I get to college, and I'm finally taking astronomy, and I'm doing COMPLICATED shit, and it comes so EASY? And when I'm working with my students, I'll grab an extra worksheet, because I actually find it fun now, and I like to do it with them.

What's your best character trait?

Not sure, the nuture aspect maybe? I do NOT want kids, no no no no no. I love them, I love working with them, I do NOT, N O T, want kids of my own.

So instead I mother the people around me, lol. My partner, friends, students, doesn't matter. If you're in my circle, you're being taken of, haha.

What's your worst character trait?

Procrastination. 😅

If you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be?

My PAY, Jesus Christ. Tis the reality of working in public schools, I suppose, but I make shit pay for what I do. I don't want that much more, but at least a LIVEABLE wage would be nice. I still live with my parents.

If you could travel in time, who would you like to meet?

Ah, that's a hard one. I don't have any particular attachment to someone from the past? Maybe Steve Irwin, I think that'd be pretty fucking awesome.

Tagging: @yonyx-8

I SEE you when you interact with my reposts on tiktok, don't be afraid, come talk to meeeeee (if you wanna, lol)

Get to know your mutuals!

Thanks for tagging me @joyful-soul-collector !

What's the origin of your blog title? Well that’s simply because I got a tiny bit hyperfixated on the Neuvichili ship (Neuvillette x Childe x Zhongli from Genshin Impact) during the Fontaine patch, and that out of the 100 fics that exist for it, I wrote like, 65 of them? 😅 And since I posted them on anon at first, the neuvichili author name stuck.

OTP(s) + Shipname:  Neuvichili (obviously)

Aventio (Aventurine x Dr. Ratio from Honkai Star Rail)

Jayvik (Jayce x Viktor from Arcane)

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite game: I’d say Honkai Star Rail, because I love the characters in this game so much!

Song stuck in your head: Broken Mast Bay – Sail North. Nothing like listening to a selkie song while working on a selkie wip.

Weirdest habit/trait? Not sure if that counts as weird but I love all sorts of animals people usually find disgusting/scary like snakes, lizards, bugs or spiders and I really enjoy taking pictures of them.

Oh also I’ve got a pencil case full of small pieces of paper with the names of characters I’ve gotten attached to throughout the years written on it, and every morning I pick up one to have something positive to think about when I start the day.

Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Crafting, Playing Video Games, Watching Movies/Series, Baking (often the same recipes, but I guess it still counts?), Swimming.

If you work, what's your profession? Technically writer, though tbh I haven’t published anything other than fanfiction in years now.

If you could have any job you wish, what would it be? Oh, I would love a job that has to do with the study of animals (living and/or extinct)!

Something you're good at: Coming up with story ideas! I’d be happy if I managed to write down half of what I imagine.😅 Working on a fic sometimes even feels like a race before a new idea (or even worse, hyperfixation ah ah) arrives

Something you're bad at: Social interactions. I feel much more comfortable writing than talking and I have to plan ahead/brace myself for the smallest things, like checking out at the grocery store/asking a retail worker for advice, otherwise I get overwhelmed quickly.

Something you love: Fanfiction and fanart! (again, obviously)

Something you could talk about for hours off the cuff: Greek Mythology! I got really involved in it as a kid and my interest in it never really left. Also whatever show/book/movie/game/etc I’m hyperfixated on at the moment. And anything related to my OCs.

Something you hate: When people shout/raise their voices.

Something you collect: T-shirts related to the pieces of media I enjoy (my greatest finding so far has been an official Arcane t-shirt that has both Viktor AND Jayce on it, among other characters, which I was overjoyed about because of how little official Jayce merch there is)

Something you forget: To eat, mostly when I’m focused on something I’m really invested in. Often it’s when I’m writing/ working on some craft.

What's your love language? Quality time and words of affirmation

Favorite movie/show: Yu-Gi-Oh!, it will always have a special place in my heart since that’s basically the show that got me into storytelling and writing

Favorite food: Most pasta-based dishes I’d say.

Favorite animal: Oh that’s a tough one, right now I’d say sharks (they’re awesome!) but I love so many animals that I might give you a different answer of you ask me tomorrow

What were you like as a child? The textbook definition of a gifted kid and dealing with medical issues. 0/10, do not recommend. I was/still am very curious/passionate about a lot of things which is nice though.

Favorite subject at school? History.

Least favorite subject: Maths.

What's your best character trait? Creativity, definitely. I love writing stories/making things and sharing them with others.

What's your worst character trait? I’m way too anxious and my mind will come up with the most impossible, worst-case scenarios over the tiniest of things (In a way, I guess that’s the downside of being good at inventing stories)

If you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be? No more chronic pain please.

If you could travel in time, who would you like to meet? Oh if I could travel in time, I would definitely skip the people part and go a few million years back so I could see all kinds of extinct creatures (and probably get eaten by one, because Jurassic Parks hasn’t taught me anything)

Tagging: any of my mutuals who'd like to do this ❤️

[samstree]

Jaskier is easy to please.

It’s a surprise finding, Geralt thinks to himself. At least, it goes against everything he knows about Jaskier.

He’s born noble, spoiled and doted on by a loving family for eighteen years. He has the best education, one that gives him endless titles as a master of the arts and a position at the best university. He wears fine silk, dines with lords and ladies, and sings for kings and queens.

And yet, Jaskier’s eyes always light up when Geralt prepares a simple meal at the side of the road as if a chunk of rye bread is anything finer than what Lettenhove can provide for him. He always leaves the lecture halls of Oxenfurt at the first thaw of spring to catch Geralt’s early contract of the year. He delights in the most mundane days on the path and colors them bright with his songs.

“I wonder how many are as lucky as me. How many souls under the sky,” Jaskier says one night, lying on top of a thin bedroll, under a sky full of stars. “To have found what pleases them, and get to keep it.”

“The stars?” Geralt mumbles sleepily. The day has been long and he’s too tired for Jaskier’s bouts of musing. “You don��t get to keep them, Jask.”

“No, you oaf. It’s…” Jaskier trails off, huffing a smile against Geralt’s shoulder. “Never mind. Sleep for now. You won’t understand today.”

“Yes, sleep.”

“Sleep, and you just might tomorrow.”

Jaskier snores through the night on the ground. He wakes up at the first light of dawn, eyes bleary and hair mussed. He wakes up to Geralt, lying next to him and calling his name gently. A soft smile overtakes his face, their limbs still tangling.

☆  

Geralt just might understand.

Or he starts to, when he pays attention to those things that please Jaskier.

He makes a pair of gloves over the winter with leather and fur in his stash. The plain materials are nothing to be boasted, and his sewing is far from the best. Compared to Jaskier’s doublets and coats, lined with jewels and silver thread, these may as well be two lumps of rags, but somehow, Geralt knows deep in his heart that Jaskier will squeal with joy when he sees them on his birthday.

The sureness settles over his chest, spreading until it unfurls his toes like warm mead on a rainy day. He wonders how long this unnamed confidence has been with him but finds no answer. It seems his life is so full of Jaskier, that there are no traces of what came before his bright-colored existence.

On Jaskier’s birthday, the squeal ends up hurting Geralt’s sensitive ears, but the tight hug that lifts him off the ground makes it all worth it. The gloves never leave the bard’s person even in the worst of the summer days and are proudly shown off to every friend they meet on the road.

And then, Geralt learns ballroom dancing from Essi so he may invite Jaskier to a first dance after the bardic competition. Geralt practices and practices, but when the day comes and Jaskier is all close and eager, all the complicated sequences are forgotten like foams on the sea. The world narrows down to the way Jaskier leans into his embrace and those surprised laughs when Geralt steps on his toes. The first dance turns into a second, a third, and then a fourth. Before Geralt knows it, the music has ended. Jaskier keeps holding on in the silence, his chin resting on Geralt’s shoulder, his scent sweet and happy.

☆  

“So, you are Julian’s witcher.”

An unfamiliar figure appears next to Geralt as the night comes to an end. Jaskier has gone to collect the award from his placement, but there’s no need for an introduction. Golden hair, fancy jewels, sharp eyes—it must be Valdo Marx.

“If I am?”

“Ha!” The other bard nurses his drink. “You’d need my warning, witcher. That one, Julian, is hard to please.”

Geralt could laugh if he didn’t hold too much disdain for the man.

“Don’t believe me? You’ll see. I once filled his room with roses and lilies, composed him full cycles of fine music, but all I got was rejection after rejection. I’d give him all the flowers in the world, all the songs and poetry. But no, none of it was ever good enough for Julian. Our dear Julian, who needs the world and more.”

“Hmm.”

Strange. Jaskier has never needed a world of flowers and poetry.

A bluebell is enough to make Jaskier blush when Geralt picks it from a wild field and puts it in his hand. A simple letter is enough to lift his spirit when solitude weighs down his shoulders while Geralt is away.

The flower will be pinned behind Jaskier’s ear for the rest of the day, and the letter will be read so many times the edges are worn out by the time they finally reunite. One particular songbook in the Jaskier’s pack holds tiny wildflowers and old letters on every other page. That book is growing thick over the years, bursting with little souvenirs of their time together and apart.

Valdo Marx is long gone when Geralt realizes how far his thoughts have wandered. The dance floor is empty. All the bards have left. All except for one.

“Geralt?” Jaskier appears before him, searching, curious. “Goodness, I called your name four times. What’s got you thinking so hard?”

Geralt blinks.

“You.”

“Me? What about—oh!”

Geralt takes Jaskier’s hand and pulls him into a kiss.

It’s desperate and messy, done without so much as a thought. All Geralt knows is that he should kiss Jaskier. All the world could end right now and he should be kissing Jaskier. Their breaths quicken as their bodies press closer. Jaskier lets out a surprised gasp as Geralt opens him up eagerly, teasing him with every swipe of tongue, every quiet moan. He kisses the corner of Jaskier’s mouth at the end before meeting his gaze.

“Wow,” Jaskier breathes, voice hoarse and eyes hazy. He clears his throat. “Wow, Geralt, that was…”

Geralt holds onto the small of Jaskier’s back, practically keeping him upright with how unsteady his legs have become. He can’t help but preen, letting a grin tug at his lips. “That was…?”

“Oh, just…” Jaskier’s cheeks have gone pink. It’s adorable in the candlelight. He lets out a string of giggles, hiding his face in his hands and pressing his forehead to Geralt’s shoulder. “You’ve kissed me, and now I feel like the happiest man on earth,” he mumbles into Geralt’s shirt. “So forgive me if I need a moment. Just a moment to let it all sink in, is all.”

Geralt kisses Jaskier’s hair and feels him suck in another shaky breath. “You are too easy to please,” he chuckles.

When Jaskier finds enough strength to stand on his own and pulls away, his eyes are full of wonder. They are full of Geralt. “Well, of course. It’s you.”

With Jaskier here in his arms, Geralt understands now. He is what pleases Jaskier, and he is lucky. Too lucky, perhaps. To be dear to this loud bard who smiles like a fool at the sight of him is a privilege Geralt would not deserve even if he lived ten lives over. He isn’t sure what to do with this fact yet.

So he answers. “Yes, it’s me.” He makes a promise. “I’m right here.”

Geralt leans in for another kiss, nuzzling Jaskier’s nose, but a finger halts him by the lips.

“You see, if you kissed me in such quick succession,” Jaskier says, swallowing, his eyelashes casting long shadows, “I may burst with joy right this moment. So have mercy on me, will you? Let’s just stay here. Just stay, and remember.”

Under Jaskier’s palm, a witcher’s slow heart flutters at the next beat.

Geralt takes Jaskier’s hand and remembers the moment. He remembers the moment when all the world’s luck is held within their palms, intertwining between their linked fingers.

☆  

It turns out, Geralt is easy to please too.

All it takes is a simple tune under Jaskier’s breath, a slow ballad, full of love and contentment, a private performance for one. It’s such a small thing, such a small joy when they are in the snowy mountains at the top of the world.

Geralt sinks into the big armchair in Kaer Morhen’s library, listening as the last note fades. His eyes flutter shut, tugged heavy by sleep and the burning fireplace. Jaskier put his lute down by the wall and settles on Geralt’s lap, tucking Geralt’s head into the crook of his neck.

“Is my new song putting you to sleep?” Jaskier asks. “Do you not like it?”

Geralt shakes his head, melting under Jaskier’s weight and attention. “Like the song fine. It’s just you.” He lets out a long exhale, his heart slowing. “Want to sleep when I’m safe.”

“Oh.”

Gentle fingers run across Geralt’s eyebrows, and he almost drifts off right there. “We should go to bed,” so he says.

“I’ll join you in a bit.”

Jaskier scrambles away, and the lack of his warmth makes Geralt grumble.

Jaskier huffs, taking Geralt’s hands to pull him up. “Just a few minutes. I have some tidying up to do.”

The world is blurry around the edges and the last line of Jaskier’s song keeps playing in Geralt’s mind. He mumbles an answer, his legs heavy. The bed that belongs to the two of them calls for Geralt with the promise of a mountain of blankets and furs to burrow under.

“Hold on.” Jaskier’s hand is on Geralt’s elbow. “The night is dangerous. Take this with you.”

He turns Geralt around to press a chaste kiss to his cheek.

With his eyes barely open, Geralt winds Kaer Morhen’s halls until the darkness gives way to the warm glow of their bedroom, where the fireplace is lit and his lungs are filled with the clean soap on Jaskier’s clothes.

Geralt returns to bed safely, with a small kiss to guard him.

It turns out, he is easy to please when it’s Jaskier.

It’s as natural as breathing, like these small things, small joys, small kisses. And they are all it takes.

[flowercrown-bard]

You know what I've always loved in fiction? The tension between a king and a foreign ambassador who's delivering threats of war

So obviously I need to cater to my own interest and brainstorm a story I will never write. Like a warlord!Geralt au but instead of Jaskier being send to him as a tribute Jaskier is Redania's ambassador

as such he'd have diplomatic immunity but since he's delivering a declaration of war to the feared Warlord of the North he still fully expects to get die

he doesn't. Instead the witchers offer him a bed and food so he is well rested when he makes his way back to Redania and deliver the Warlord a reply (which of course it something along the lines of  “You’re a tyrant and if you even think about harming anyone under the White Wolf’s protection we won’t hesitate to rid this world of one more monster. We will not sit idly by as you try to take the lands we liberated and if you don’t back down, we will defend ourselves against your army.”)

Jaskier’s stay with the witchers is awkward and it's dangerous but most importantly of all its eye-opening because Jaskier is spending time with people he knows will fight his country soon and actually they seem to be great people and he knows that if things were different they could become friends

still, he has a job to do so he goes back to the king of Redania to deliver the news that the witchers will not let him invade the mountain or any land under their protection

 the war starts and Jaskier gets sent to the witchers' camp multiple times

  sometimes it's so ask them to surrender. Sometimes it's to threaten them. Sometimes it's to offer them a treaty that would end this war but leave the witchers unable to interfere should the Redanian king do anything cruel or unjust

 at first Geralt was dreading Jaskier's arrival bc it always meant that the king was still insistent on fighting this war but with time the reason why he dreads it is bc it means that Jaskier is still in danger of getting hurt on his way to him

but Geralt loves the way Jaskier seems to really do his best to get both sides to stop this war and while he’s at the witcher’s camp, he sometimes sings songs of piece and adventure and of a better life that make Geralt yearn (it also reminds him why he started all of this. He wants to create this peaceful world that Jaskier is singing about and they bond over this dream they have in common)

  and then, one night, Jaskier doesn't come to the witchers' camp openly and confidently as he always did before. He's sneaking around, careful to go unnoticed and Geralt thinks this is it. Jaskier has finally truly realised that Geralt is the enemy and he's here to try and assassinate him in his sleep to end this war

that's not it though. It turns out Jaskier's employers don't know he's with the witchers right now. Jaskier snuck out to tell them that his king has kidnapped Ciri and is trying to use her as bait/for ransom

Jaskier and Geralt (and a couple of other trusted witchers) go on a stealth mission to get Ciri back to safety

 which basically makes Jaskier a traitor to his country. But when Geralt offers him protection Jaskier says he needs to stay in Redania. He has his sister Essi to take care of (that's the reason why he took this dangerous job in the first place) and he can't just leave her

 a couple of days later, Coen tells Geralt that an ambassador arrived, which in isn’t unusual considering how often Jaskier has already come to them. Geralt is excited to see Jaskier again and maybe ask him again to stay by his side and bring his sister with him. But the ambassador isn't Jaskier. And for once Geralt receives a threat that actually scares him

"I have been sent by Redania's honourable King to demand your surrender and that you hand over your conquered territories to Redania or else the traitor and lover of the White Wolf, Jaskier Pankratz will hang."

 Geralt knows that if he agrees to surrender everything he fought for, every land he freed of tyrants and all the people that had found a safe home under his rule while be doomed. But he also knows that he can't leave Jaskier to die

 but maybe there's another way. He had been Warlord for long enough – never wanted this title in the first place - and his second in command, Eskel, would be much better suited for the job anyways. Geralt can't tell his witchers to retreat and basically sacrifice all those they had helped. But maybe Redania's king will accept another deal. A life for a life. A former ambassador for a Warlord. Jaskier’s life for Geralt‘s