#dee hicks

[63n3437]

Too Busy Sunday!

“Live outside the state-of-the-art Duckliar Foundation, awaiting the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Duckliar Enterprise, Mr. Solomon Hecks.”

“Wait, Duckliar? Isn’t he the genius who disappeared years ago? Fifteen years, to be exact,” Huey piped up, looking over his handbook.

“Ohhh! Did he make cool things like nanobots or laser guns? Maybe a super flying jet?!” Dewey’s hands flew everywhere in the excitement nearly hitting Louie in the face. Louie swatted the offending hand in annoyance, looked up from his phone, and snorted dismissively.

“Eh,” he shrugged. “Looks like another start-up.”

“Start-up!” Webby exploded from behind the couch, startling the triplets as she squished herself between Dewey and Huey. “No way. They were the most mysterious and probably one of the richest families in the world! Of course, it is nothing compared to your–erm–our family, but I have a separate board just for them.”

Scrooged harrumphed from his armchair, “The man’s no genius, reappearing just to disappear, leaving everything behind. Just looked at what happened to the tower. Gone!”

“You mean the Duckliar Tower?” Della entered the room carrying stacks of chips and sweets in her arms. Penumbra trailing behind, carrying liters of soda. “I was surprised it was replaced by a park. Does Everett still own the land? The last time I visited the area was under the administration of SVA….MP?”

“The Society for the Valorization of Duckburg Monuments manages sites that have historical significance, similar to the program from New Quackmore.” Huey said, closing his handbook with a snap, “If the tower had historical value, we sure don’t know how it could happen.”

“Duckliar Enterprise has been making its presence known after the disastrous moon-vasion. Despite the damage of the unexpected alien attack, which halted some of its operations, they were able to resume as soon as possible to build the Ducklair Foundation.”

Louie scooted next to Dewey to make space for Della and Penumbra. Della snatched one of the popcorn bowls and passed the rest of the snacks around. “Well, it’s another mystery of the Duckliar clan.”

Webby squirmed in her seat. “Oh my gosh! New lore!” She exclaimed with a hushed voice forcing herself not to run off to her room and start updating her board.

“Excuse guys, movie night?” Louie sensing that they would go off the rails again, gestured towards the screen. “Anyone?”

“Yeah – enough about Ducklair, it’s movie night! We need to show Penumbra how to have fun while sitting –”

“Which I doubt.”

“And why is it so much better than exploring the secret of an Incan treasury,” Dewey nodded seriously, though the slight downturn of his mouth hinted otherwise.

“Oh, lad. You should’ve seen the map in the study. If we fly to Peru today, we’ll stumble upon the entrance to the temple effortlessly.”

“When you say treasury?” Louie baited with a smirk. Webby let out a ‘woohoo!’ in the background, yelling, “Secret Inca temple!”

“Wait! Guys–we promised Uncle Donald no adventuring every Sunday,” Huey reminded full-stop, which prompted a series of groans.

“The new CEO of the company was a mystery until three months ago when new information emerged from a one-on-one interview with veteran journalist Ms. Layla Lay. Although the interview answered the common question, questions about his relation to the owner, Everette Duckliar, remained unknown.”

“That’s boring! No offense to Uncle Donald but adventuring is in our blood,” Dewey relayed dramatically.

Della sighed, deciding to stop the brothers from escalating the situation. After all, she owed his brother some peace, even if she wanted to explore just as badly. “Dewey, we did promise your uncle to rest for one day every week. He’s not stopping us from adventuring, and if any of our trips somehow extend until Sunday, no one’s preventing us.”

“I’m sure Uncle Scrooge agreed to this, right, Uncle?” Scrooge scowled in irritation choosing to watch the TV rather than answer his niece.

Scrooge was about to make a sharp remark when he saw the car pulling up on the screen, he focused his attention to observe the unknown head of the company. The upstart has been requesting to meet up with him to consolidate Everette’s investments and liquidated properties under McDuck Enterprises. Scrooge was pleasantly surprised when he reviewed the proposal. He usually let Bradford handle anything remotely business-related, but he couldn't hand off this responsibility, knowing he was dealing with a Duckliar. Though they didn't meet face to face and only made a video conference, once, he knew not to underestimate the younger duck.

“Is that Uncle Donald?” Dewey wondered, it was hard to recognize him without his usual white hat and black sailor outfit.

“Hmm, yeah,” Louie said distractedly, frowning at his phone. “He said he was hired as a driver for a billionaire. I thought it was Uncle Scrooge since the rest were enemies of Uncle Scrooge. It’s an easy mistake to make.”

“Good for him,” Della smiled in fondness. “I… should probably find a job, too.”

“Mom, it’s fine. You just came back from the moon. There’s no need to rush things.”

Della gave a quick smile to Huey, going back to the TV where she saw her brother opening the back seat of the car. A woman with long blond hair, pinned in multiple buns, was the first to step out. She mouthed a quick thank you to him before gathering the security detail. Next to her stepped a man towering over the woman and his brother. He has strawberry blond hair with thick sideburns with a face that means business. He gave a sharp nod to his brother who solemnly nodded back. There was a moment's pause between them, a silent conversation amid chaos before his brother jumped back into the driver's seat and drove off.

It was a bizarre exchange, however, it wasn't notable enough to be remembered. She felt Penumbra nudging her sides, raising an eyebrow, and looked pointedly at the screen.

Della clapped her hands twice and then abruptly announced, “Come on, let’s start the movie! Even if Donald's not here, we need to keep our promise. Capiche?”

“Dibs on ‘Eternal Moonlight’.”

“What? That’s–no. Really, Huey?”

“It fits the theme! I researched the best moon-themed movie we could watch. It is also the highest-rated movie this season. At least I try to be accommodating, Louie. Unlike some people.”

Louie sputtered indignantly, “On what earth do you think Penu–”

Dewey cut him off rudely, “What about ‘Darkwing Duck the Movie? It was released recently.” Louie growled at the interruption.

“Dewey, you already chose the movie last week. It’s not fair if you pick the movie again.” Dewey sent a scathing glare to his red-clad brother before ranting how ‘uninteresting’ his suggestions were. Louie, momentarily distracted, nodded in agreement and declared that he should pick the movie, which was quickly denied by both older brothers. If Huey’s recommendation was dull, Louie’s was downright atrocious.

Unnoticed by the bickering brothers except for the adults, Webby crawled out of her sibling-sandwich, snatched the remote to change the channel to one of the available streaming services, and typed in ‘The Betelgeuse War’.

Della smirked in astonishment and shared a look with Penumbra, who was instantly enamored by the screen.

“Webby!” the triplets collectively shout.

“What? It’s informative, it’s not boring, and the character has depth. It has three sequels, all amazing–as impossible as it is–and it is about space. And the moon. Penumbra will love it and we will geek over the characters. Now, shove off!”

“Atta, lassie,” Scrooge chuckled.

The lights slowly dimmed. Della glanced back by the door and saw Mrs. Beakly adjusting the light switch. She grinned in thanks before settling on the couch. It has been years since she last watched ‘The Betelgeuse War’. If Webby was right, then she’ll enjoy the rest of the series and her honorary niece will certainly be asked to join the exclusive club of the Betelgeuse she founded with his brother.

Penumbra was, always, a nice addition.

————————————————————————

Something was bubbling under the surface.

“Hey, Gandra, grabbing lunch?” Granda put down her soldering iron and removed her goggles. She looked toward the door where Dr. Dendron was standing.

“Is it noon already?” Gandra grabbed her phone from the pedestal and grinned as a series of messages popped up on her notification. She was about to open one when she caught the time. “Woah, time sure flies by.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to disturb you with your work. I am also absorbed in mine, which is almost complete. I thought that we could eat lunch in the pantry,” Dr. Dendron smiled hopefully.

Gandra blinked, pleasantly surprised by the invitation. She gave a jerky nod and said, “Sure, I haven't had my breakfast… or lunch, for that matter.”

“Same here,” Dr. Dendron’s frame relaxed considerably. “Work just sucked you in. Next thing you know, it’s dark out, and you’re only halfway through your task.”

Gandra hummed as she gathered her equipment, placing all the dangerous items in their proper places. She secured the cabinets of confidential experiments before leaving her lab.

As she approached the door, she could hear sections of the lab shutting down. Once she reached the threshold, she pressed her biometrics, and the door closed firmly.

“I still think it’s quite excessive,” Dr. Dendron noted.

“I think it's nice,” Gandra smirked as they walked down the corridor to the department lobby. “None of the other labs I’ve been to is as secure as this one. You would think they’re hiding something sinister.”

Dr. Dendron giggled. “It certainly looks like that. It’s confidential, yes, but anything we do in R&D can be discussed between us, scientists and researchers.”

Gandra challenged. “Such as?”

“I can imagine all of our works are going to converge at one point,” Dr. Dendron explained. “I am working with an Evronian spore and Dr. Einmug is polishing his research on atoms. Sparky is working with Dr. Zibaldo on enhancing security and creating technologies related to clean energy.”

“What the hell is an Evronian spore? And isn’t Dr. Einmug a recluse? How did they manage to convince him to work here?” Gandra asked incredulously. “Dr. Zibaldo’s nice, just a bit overzealous. Sparky…it’s strange having a rat as your co-worker. No offense.”

“Rodents of his species developing intelligence and cognitive abilities are quite rare,” Dr. Dendron grimaced. “Achieving such a feat…”

“It’s not pleasant,” Gandra’s eyes widened as a memory resurfaced, and felt her conscience pang between her gritted teeth.

Dr. Dendron bobbed her head in agreement. “We can continue with the questions after lunch,” she said, tapping her badge.

Gandra willed herself to calm down as she followed Dr. Dendron into the busy hallway. “So I can ask anything under the sun about our work but only within the R&D?”

“Now you're getting it,” Dr. Dendron smiled playfully.

Gandra and Dr. Dendron strolled in comfortable silence as they made their way through the throng of employees getting a quick lunch. When they arrived at the pantry, Gandra told her fellow scientists to line up at the buffet.

“I need to warm up my lunch.”

“Do you want me to get you something?” Dr. Dendron asked, picking up a tray.

“A plate of waffles, if you can, please” and then Gandra waved her hand in appreciation, marching to the refrigerator where she stored her homemade lunch. When she opened the fridge, she saw the note sticking out of her lunchbox, which she had forgotten to remove (and put on a special case with similar notes). Written messily on it was, ‘Go get them, Gadget Girl’.

She couldn't help but grin warmly. She fumbled in her pocket for her phone and sent a short message to ‘Suit’ with a picture of her blue lunchbox.

‘Suit’ replied quickly, ‘I made your favorite, empanadas and guacamole :).’

(Oh, he’s so nice.)

After heating the empanadas, she made her way to the tables when her eyes fell upon an unexpected figure. She knew some sparing information about him. Most striking was that he was the triplet’s uncle and Mr. Scrooge’s nephew.

“Oh, Donald’s here,” Dr. Dendron spoke behind her. “I wonder why –” then her eyes followed where Mr. Duck was staring, “– I see. I forgot the press conference is today.”

Gandra caught the TV and she could see Mr. Hecks sitting on a long table under an onslaught of questions.

“–the company's focus has shifted from weapons manufacturing and engineering to clean energy. How will you ensure the company's financial stability during this period of change?”

“That is an excellent question, Ms. Roxanne. Duckliar Enterprise isn’t always reliant on weapons production. While it has been the previous CEO’s primary focus, being an inventor himself, he understood it is not the sole path for the company’s long-term success.”

Gandra felt a crippling chill running down her spine, and a sudden heaviness clung onto her shoulders. There was a gaze observing her in hindsight. Her eyes returned to where Donald was sitting and felt a surge of trepidation. The consensus is that Donald Duck of the McDuck clan was the polar opposite of his adventurous uncle, Scrooge McDuck. He was averse to adventure and quick to anger, but a great uncle to his nephew, according to some sources–okay, mostly from Huey.

Donald’s eyes flickered like a blade, slowly dissecting each layer of her carefully crafted facade. Leaving her exposed and flayed, like a wound itching to be closed. With a blink, he shifted from a terrifying force to a deceptively weary man.

“You know each other?” Gandra asked Dr. Dendron instead of keeping on staring at Donald.

“You don't?” Dr. Dendron asked, taken aback, though Gandra could hear concern lacing her tone. “We can use another table if you want?”

“No need, I'm curious to know what his deal is.”

“Good to know that you have a sense of humor Mr. Hecks. Unlike your predecessor who again disappeared years ago after a bit of a scandal. Whatever happened to Mr. Duckliar? Any idea of his whereabouts?”

“Thank you for asking, I understand that you are curious and concerned about Mr. Everett. I am placed in confidence to steer the wheel of the Enterprise and Mr. Everett has always valued his privacy which I will be obliged to continue.”

“That doesn't answer my question–”

“Hey, Mr. Duck,” Gandra plopped on one of the fluffy seats a distance away from Donald. Dr. Dendron hesitated for a second before sitting beside Gandra. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Same to you,” Donald raised his eyebrow, then looked at Dr. Dendron with a faint smile. “Hey, Dr. Rhonda. Good to see you, how have you been? Did you manage to find an apartment downtown?”

“Good! About the apartment… I decided to stay in St. Canard. I still like my city, despite the traffic. Also, thank you for shipping the Drosera occidendum’s seed.”

“I have no idea what you need from that plant but–er–you’re welcome?”

“No need to be bashful, it was a rare specimen. Knowing that your family managed to defeat it was amazing.”

Donald beamed like a mini sun, “It’s the kids who figured out that blasted plant.”

“Not surprising,” Gandra nodded, taking a bite of her empanada. “They’re very…inquisitive. Alarmingly so.”

“Oh, you’re just bitter that they foiled your spy career.” Donald's lips curled in amusement, although his eyes held a sharp edge.

“Speaking from experience?” Dr. Dendron, Caesar salad bunched on her fork, piqued in interest.

“Corporate espionage,” they both said at the same time.

“You were selected to work on nanobots?” Donald spoke out of the blue, startling both Gandra and Dr. Dendron. However, Gandra could tell that the other scientist was surprised for a different reason.

“NDA, Mr. Duck. My lips are sealed”

“Just call me Donald,” Donald rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Mr. Duck was my father. If you take my sister’s sons into account, that’s too many Mr. Ducks around.”

“What a nightmare it’ll be,” Gandra deadpanned, piercing the waffles.

“So nanobots… that's your forte, right?” Donald pushed on. “I remembered Huey telling a story about a ‘highly musculature Mark Beaks’ and how you helped win against him. No, I don’t want to imagine ‘Macho Beaks’. Yes, Huey shared his findings about nanobots enthusiastically and without reservation.”

‘I know who you are and what you did,’ was left unsaid.

When Donald spoke, Gandra could hear the resignation in his next statement. “I think you’ll do great with the project.”

“How did you know about it?” Gandra was eager to know because this guy was an enigma wrapped in a cipher. He was not supposed to be here, he was not on her radar of potentially dangerous people but goddamn, anyone who knew about her work with Mr. Hecks was.

“Here I thought that any scientific discussion can only be discussed by fellows and should be discussed inside R&D,” she said, voice drilling in sarcasm.

Donald shook his head, offering no explanation, eyes turning to watch the last thread of the conference. As Mr. Hecks plastered a polite smile, waving goodbye to the press, Donald’s phone rang.

“Hey, Belinda. Yeah, I’ll be there.” He paused. “Will do, thanks. Yeah. Bye.”

“Sorry, I need to go,” Donald, with a sigh, pulled up from the chair. “See you later, enjoy your lunch, Dr. Rhonda, Gandra.” He made his way out of the pantry, not without grabbing a freshly made waffle bag in a take-out bag from the pastry station.

“You know something,” Gandra faced Dr. Dendron in the eye.

“No, not really,” uncertainty seeping on her body. “I am as blind as you are.”

“Why have lunch with me?”

“Is it hard to believe I wanted to know you, or maybe become your friend?” Dr. Dendron's lips turned into a sad frown. “What you’re hiding is not my business but if it, in some ways, affects our work and reputation…” she trailed off, the unspoken implication hanging between them.

Gandra chuckled at the implied threat, “I didn’t think you had it in you, Dr. Dendron.”

Dr. Dendron relaxed and joined her laughter and said, “Oh, please, call me Rhonda.”

————————————————————————

Something was bubbling under the surface. Like lava slowly spilling at the edge of the crater.

“Hey, Layla,” said a duck holding an HDTV camera in one hand and balancing a tray of three coffees in the other. Layla readily helped get the tray out of the older duck’s hand.

“Alright, here’s your frap,” Layla chirped. “And a latte for me.”

The duck glanced at the remaining coffee, a plain black one, placed at the back of the van. “Donald’s will be here?”

“Yep,” Layla replied, popping the ‘p’, and taking a sip of her coffee. “He is Mr. Hecks’ driver.”

The duck hummed, “You’re suspicious about Mr. Hecks. Is he involved with… him?”

Layla took a moment to answer, “You can say. It’s complicated, Donald was more reserved about sharing information, after the moon.”

They dwelled in comfortable silence, finishing their drinks. Layla bit the bottom of her lips and asked, “Stefan, was I a bad friend?”

“I cannot give you a response to that,” Stefan said, slurping his frap.

“Why, weren't we friends in past years?” Layla quirked her eyebrow.

Stefan countered, “Were you?” He set the camera next to the coffee and sat beside it. “Your heart has always been in the right place. It took me a long time to understand that. Donald, we’re not friends, but I always felt a kinship with him due to our… affliction.”

Layla blinked in silence. It was rare for Stefan to speak this long. He continued, “I chanced upon him, months after he lost his sister to the moon. I was investigating the peculiarities of the Duckliar family. We did not talk; the situation was too heavy. And I suspect he lost more than just his sister that day.”

“I – Donald’s been keeping this?”

“It’s not my business, but I thought it might help you.”

“You’re right,” Layla took a deep breath. “I was not there when he needed me. I was so excited; I’ve always wanted to experience the world without restraint. In the process, I left the person who helped me achieve that.”

“Talk to him, once you both have the time,” Stefan stiffly patted Layla’s shoulder, taking the empty paper cup to the nearest trash can. “Come on, they should be here anytime soon.”

Layla exhaled and gathered all her materials ensuring her makeup was all good. She grabbed her coffee; taking one long sip, before closing the van door, pacing beside Stefan.

“Hey, Stefan?” Layla softly called out. “Thank you. And don’t ever doubt that you're my friend.” Stefan's eyes widened, revealing a timid smile.

They secured a good spot in the park where they had a clear shot of the podium. As soon as they saw a glimpse of Hecks’ car, Stefan started rolling the camera.

With a smile, Layla started with, “Channel ‘00, live in Duckliar Park…”

————————————————————————

Something was bubbling under the surface. Like lava slowly spilling over the edge of the crater. It rumbled hotter than the core of any mass in the universe.

Mary Ann Flagstarr was tired. She was running on six cups of coffee, a box of donuts, and a bowl of Garden salad because she wanted something healthy, alright? It wasn't even past three in the afternoon, and she was already flagging under the weight of paperwork and the lingering effect of a jailbreak. And that was many months ago.

If she had known that her first task as a captain of PBI would be tidying up the joint jailbreak of Dr. Fairfax and former Lieutenant McCoy, she wouldn't have taken the position. She’d probably be sleeping in a moldy hotel under a disguise but, at least, she wasn't slaving away to finish this administrative burden and locating escaped criminals in every part of the globe.

Mary Ann rubbed her forehead in frustration. She received help from personnel from Area 51, but despite their combined efforts, they couldn't find where Fairfax and McCoy were hiding. During her first month in her position, she instinctively dialed the Duck Avengers’ number only to remember that no one had seen the hero in decades.

Usually, his AI partner, Uno, would send her an email or fax with crucial information on any issue that may threaten the country before she could bang her head on her desk. It was convenient and very helpful; they’d saved her multiple times. She was grateful, yet a brush of jealous resentment lurked in the periphery of her mind.

The captain sighed sharply. It was all in the past. She would prefer to handle the situation under her own leadership. However, Dr. Fairfax was a dangerous individual, with a spy like McCoy, the danger they posed would affect not just Duckburg and its surrounding area but also target other countries.

She thought of enlisting help from superheroes, like Gizmoduck, or spies from S.H.U.S.H., or the Agency. She dismissed asking for Gizmoduck; he was too green when it came to international conflict. She had reached out to S.H.U.S.H., but they were indisposed without Ludwig. The Agency…their reputation had tanked when Double Duck resigned.

Her last option was to contact the Duck siblings. She did not want to consider it since their family was one of the reasons for her headaches, especially after the Moonlander invasion or the magical disruption two years ago. Therefore, when Mary Ann said they were the last option, it meant she wouldn't contact them under any circumstances unless she was really in-depth.

She needed to contact them, ASAP.

Fairfax and McCoy had been missing for one year and six months. No leads, no clues, no witnesses that may point her in their direction. Mary Ann was uncertain if they were even together. She had a terrible feeling in her guts that their plans would soon implode and everything they swore revenge on would go down badly.

She tried contacting the mansion, but the lines weren't connecting. She found out the telephone lines were blocked due to magical interference. It was a good thing they had a magical expert in the department, and they created a workaround.

But when she called the number and someone answered the phone, the housekeeper (certainly not an ordinary housekeeper) would inform her that the family was off on an adventure.

Then she sent emails to McDuck Enterprise because their digital security system was such a hardass PBI couldn’t retrieve any personal emails, but no reply. Della didn’t have any digital presence since she had just returned from the moon (how crazy was that?). Donald's contact information was easily found in various resumes; curiously, all numbers and emails became disconnected after he left his previous employers.

The captain had tried every avenue but received no luck until today.

Mary Ann paced anxiously in her office, the telephone line ringing once, twice, thrice. She stopped when it continued to ring for the fourth time, head on her hands, and took a deep steady breath.

“Deeeewey express! How can I help you with this fine evening?”

(Oh shit.)

“Good afternoon, my name is Mary Ann Flagstare, captain of PBI. I would like to speak to Dumbella Duck for urgent business.”

“Mom knows someone from the Secret Service?” Mary Ann bit back a groan, she had caught the kid’s wonder over the phone, it was like talking to Ziggy in his teens. Oh right, this kid is a teen. What a joy.

“It appears so. If you could pass the phone to her, I would appreciate it.”

“Why do you need Mom? Ohhh, are you going to send her on a mission? That’s awesome, but we are on a strict no-adventure Sunday, you can call tomorrow, and we can hash out the mission without any issues.” Dewey informed cheerfully, she could register the tell-tale sign of dismissal.

She hurried over to the phone, almost knocking herself on the lamp next to her table, and cried out, “Wait! I am not sending her on any mission. If you can tell her that–” She didn’t want to share the news with an unauthorized person, worst of all, a kid. Desperate times called for desperate measures. “–Dr. Fairfax and McCoy were on the loose, it’s a matter of national emergency. She can contact me through this number, preferably soon.”

“Sure,” Dewey stretched, “I’ll pass it on.”

Mary Ann sighed in relief, “Thank you.”

“Dewey, come on. The third movie is starting!”

“Webby, pause it!” Dewey shouted, muffled. “I have to go, Ms. Captain. Bye!”

The click of the disconnected call echoed in her office, pulsing in her head, syncing with her oncoming migraine. She braced her arms on her large desk; paperwork stewed like a hurricane went past. She can wait, hopefully, before the insanity stirs.

Mary Ann waited and completed her paperwork. Waited, and took a very quick break. Waited and visited a department in crisis which provided a mental breather from all the waiting. Waited until it was almost midnight and resigned herself to another failure.

She was tidying her desk of today’s paperwork and preparing the ones she needed to complete tomorrow when the phone rang.

She shot up like a bullet and swiftly put the receiver to her ear. She could scarcely believe it was Della’s voice on the phone.

“You, speak now.”

————————————————————————

Something was bubbling under the surface. Like lava slowly spilling over the edge of the crater. It rumbled hotter than the core of any mass in the universe. How it melts off the feathers and skin, burning everything inside out.

That is how Donald met his demise, ripped from the Earth’s atmosphere after his ill-fated venture on the moon.

He has, after all, been afflicted with terrible, horrible luck.

[badmovieihave]

Bad movie I have Just Cause 1995

[askdrunkbillcipher]

Day two of the sobriety week in order to get @ford-pines-research to build a portal.

I… hang on… Stop telling me to use an inside voice! That can’t be you! You… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it. Can I just- wait, why the FUCK am I arguing WITH A VOICE IN MY HEAD THAT ISN’T EVEN REAL? FUCK THIS!

OH LOOK AT ME! THE FUCKING HANGOVER IS GONE! WHOOP DEE DOO! WHY DO I STILL FEEL LIKE FUCKING DEATH! WHO AM I EVEN SAYING ALL OF THIS FOR?! WHY DO I HAVE THIS CONSTANT FEELING THAT I’M ROYALLY FUCKED SOMEHOW AND ANY MOMENT THE LITTLE EMPIRE I’VE BUILT FOR MYSELF IS ALL GONNA COME CRASHING DOWN AND SHATTER ME LIKE FUCKING GLASS?! MORE IMPORTANT, HOW DO I FEEL THIS SHITTY BUT FEEL LIKE EVERY INCH OF MY BEING IS ON FIRE?! I CAN’T JUST SIT AROUND TODAY, OHHH FUCK THAT! IS THIS WHY I KEEP FUCKING SHAKING? THIS ITCH TO JUST CLIMB OUT OF MY EXOSKELETON AND SET MYSELF ON FIRE BEFORE RUNNING THROUGH THIS STUPID HICK TOWN SCREAMING UNTIL EVERYONE’S EARS AND EYES BLEED?! HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA! I COULD JUST THROW MYSELF OFF A CLIFF INTO JAGGED ROCKS! BUT I THINK I CAN FIND SOMETHING MUCH, MUCH MORE ENTERTAINING THAN THAT!

HEY, @trickstertriangle ! DID YA LEAVE THE FUCKER ALIVE? I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE WHAT HAPPENED! PROUD OF YA, KNEW YOU WERE ONE OF US! BUT IF YOU LET HIM LIVE, I GOTTA THANK YOU FOR THAT CAUSE IT MEANS I GET TO FUCKING KILL HIM MYSELF!

[whatmutt]

do you support homosexuals that are deeply repressed? thansk

Yes i support randal graves ! and dante hicks ! not to mention dennis reynolds ! matt damon and ben affleck too ! and also... Dee reynolds i know she likes girls ! charlie kelly is a faggot.

[saytrrose]

Sharing my OC list as per a few requests

feat. Nicknames as well if they have them fr fr

———————

- Roseanne Baelodette // Rose

- Kenji Mae // Ji-Ji

- Xagnorok // Toby

- North Starrange

- Doop N’Losh

- Teagan Jay // TJ

- Matteo Wingrove

- Henry Osbourne

- Rein Alvarez // Reindrop

- Chloe Gibson

- Silvia Alvarez

- Nyx Alarie

- Abraham Hutton

- Kasino Krown

- Aku Krown

- Aeryz Damzbiath

- Xagos Pago

- Perkeo Krown // Perky

- Abaddon Alarie

- Spark Alarie

- Marx Krown

- Delphyne Krown // Delphie

- Desponia Krown

- Aurin Devlin

- Azazel Krown // Azzy

- Diego Casales // Dee-Dee

- Klaus Irvine

- Cherī

- January

- Bayu Kogoya // Wolf

- Barrett Hicks // Hickey

- Jezabel Jubilee // Binky // JJ

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

SEPTEMBER Celebrity Birthdays & Events

September Birthdays

Virgo Stars (Aug 23-Sept 22) 1: Bianca Brewton, Zendaya Coleman, Skye Townsend 2: Tiffany Hines 3: Iza 4: Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter, Sammie Ware, Khandi Alexander 5: Clark Backo, Coco Rebecca Edogamhe, Kat Graham, Jade Payton 6: Naomie Harris, Anika Noni Rose, Trina McGee, Daniele Gaither 7: Afton Williamson, Hannah John Kamen, Jodie Turner Smith 8: Pepi Sonuga 9: Camilla Beeput, Loren Lott

10: Treshelle Edmond 11: Taraji P. Henson 12: Jennifer Hudson, Tarana Burke 13: Aisha Dee, Ronke Adekoluejo 14: Jocelyn Ayanna, Ololade "Lolly" Adefope, Rose Jackson 16: Olatokunbo Susan Olasobunmi Abeke "Toks" Olagundoye, Keenyah Hill, Kyla Pratt, Kyla Ramsey 17: Danielle Brooks 18: Aisha Tyler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Zozibini Tunzi 19: Jayme Lawson, Sanaa Lathan, Olivia Swann 20: Debbi Morgan, Enuka Okuma, Victoria Dillard 21: Taral Hicks 22: Teyonah Parris

Libra Stars (Sept 23-Oct 22) 23: LisaRaye McCoy, Janelle James, Cush Jumbo, Oyin Oladejo 24: Kelly Jo Minter, Jessica Lucas, Yetide Badaki 25: Leah Sava Jeffries 26: Serena Williams, Fola Evans-Akingbola 27: Tamara Taylor 28: Karan Ashley, Jerrika Hinton, Tanisha Long 29: Sasha Lane 30: Lyric Ross

September Events:

2: National Gray Hair Day 4: Bey Day | 8: Star Trek Day | 11: Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) |12: International Youth Day | 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins, World Afro Day | 16- 23: Bisexual Awareness Week | 25: Comic Book Day

Selftember Submissions 2021 |

[the-firebird69]

There's more happening today then one can imagine because of this situation in the Midwest people are going to begin getting ready. We have a huge army we're mobilizing others are too and it should be okay we are getting a lot of stuff ready giant armies today is a very big day for us in this weekend and our son and daughter it's a very tenuous time very stressful for them dangerous too Mac Daddy has done a great job and Stan is very young and doing a great job too but these guys are in danger out here and threatened all the time they need to hand off to demons temporarily even if your enemies and they sort of agree and it'll be formal and they understand how it's done they do understand it too these guys are unreasonable and they shouldn't be and Dee has helped out and it's to maintain order and keep our son free also they are possibly going to lose the Midwest areas and will demand them back and it could go sour it went sour kind of with Daniel and his father is saying it's not right it's the Mac proper plan but he says it goes south with someone we get mad at them so we'll defend our son and his father will have to tell him to go away so he goes to Spain and he's working out there and it works out and trying to remember him and he goes after her son's father no his daddy it's really a granddaddy and grabs his body and runs around with it Daniel chases him down as boba Fett and he ends up in doing and loses it people kind of figure out that Tommy f is doing it at that point and the pseudo empire has to deal with it looks like that they lose the Midwest but Tommy F retains his ships and BJ can't get to them and Trump so with that said the pseudo empire would no longer be in control of areas like Florida or much area at all and it would be on against Tommy f and that is what happens coming up very soon very very soon the loss of the Midwest bases and bja fights them lose a lot of ships everybody is under the will of Tommy f. And our son says he's a massive homo so I probably get money but I'm not one so what do I do there LOL Tommy F can't get pregnant with huge kids so it's a waste of time and he's saying that's not what I'm looking for from you you idiot and our son says oh yeah and enjoy the burn from stupid thoughts.. you smiling and saying he's taught him well and if it weren't for Obi-Wan it would be perfect chaos and no that's not true at all it says oh yeah that's Ben that might be true. And he wants Uncle Frank to float him a few bucks so he can get a studio going and he wants to make a movie that's not those kid about Tommy Allen starring Brad no imitate him. Brad Ashley wants to do it and it's kind of a joke show and it said not a serious Western it's not a serious gun shooting thing they do it though and it looks like maybe a trumpster steps in and makes fun of his own character and the name is like duddly studs or something. But for real this is happening Tommy f will take control in in just days and our son says good Golden corral breakfast lunch and dinner and he's laughing say this disgusting.

Say don't sit so close to me dammit this is why do I smell like cookies it says sometimes it smells way too sweet it's weirdness.

But yeah he's going to overcome bja and Trump for a Time and he's going to run all sorts of plans and maneuvers and our son says see what $5,000 can do so don't forget you know it's helping him and we know that he has plans to do stuff instead of sit around harassing and trying for us 24/7 like Gene Simmons says will you have to do it and stuff forever and so on says yeah your dedication is not respected by your people because you are lying for one part and you suck at it and your Billy Hicks.

Thor Freya

I think I can get Hicks beer going and associate you you with it so he bothers you and says well if you say the name it won't make sense unless it's Billy Hicks beer and yeah I figured that out

Tommy f I think we can do it it's not a bad idea I don't want I want to make the company too goobermeister it fits good cuz he did Uber Lyft company and stuff and it makes a lot of sense he's such a jerk to him he's such an ass so our friend would probably wear the armor and bG with design it. I think we do it it shows up in movies all sorts of stuff I'm wearing shoulder pads in one movie it's probably part of it and he says no it's true too they just shoulder pads

I'm encouraged though this will be a decent time it's much better he doesn't approve the bear thing and he says Thor and Freya don't have a great time with the bear and it was annoying Ben won't know a thing and he'll be back together and we have to hold on to him but they're very dangerous and sometimes very huge like as big as a damn bus and we're big like that but boy what a pain in the ass he is when you're the same size it's not that nice usually bigger and he's like Kingsley trying to bite you and they say that Thor and Freya and we know it's true but they don't want to be mean to him because it's not his fault but really it's not as child or hers and a friend says they're an animals but they're important and we get that

Olympus

[e-a-noe-henry]

band names 1. corned bunnions 2. pus gutz 3. water hammer 4. zeeke zaggers 5. crack life 6. courthouse commies 7. brokedix 8. ah-la allahs 9. jam and smelly 10. swampass 11. flaming a's 12. concubine # 9's 13. nema toes 14. lee majors 15. monkey junkies 16. panoramic anorexics 17. g.i. schmoes 18. other white meats 19. 4 - skins 20. keester heisters 21. drizzling shitz 22. donkey zits 23. potted meats 24. snot nose blondes 25. omni potents 26. bacterium 27. body stubble 28. viral velvets 29. slappless chaps 30. candy pants 31. sugar britches 32. snail trails 33. love snots 34. assholes and elbows 35. snail drivers 36. shock rockets 37. monkey knuckles 38. dry sockets 39. root canals 40. funhouse mirrors 41. salt licks 42. blister bunnies ( or bugs ) 43. slut puppies 44. chemo trio 45. pussy boogers 46. slab grabbers 47. rock worms 48. sin balls 49. turkey calls 50. shezus jesus's 51. chili bowls 52. tony ramens 53. peacocks peacock's 54. chicks with ticks 55. barley regals 56. cleavage clowns 57. slop bobbers 58. corn shuckers 59. gimme hives 60. gout doubts 61. band lubbers 62. smolder dash 63. slam funks 64. fun bunch 65. rancid-ronis 66. good ole noise 67. sissy-sassies

68. feeling funnies

69. puppy pills

70. diet thrills

71 . jar-reds

72 . busy-dizzy

73. cased meat

74. salami bolognas

75. slap happy

76. meat nothings

77. fickle fudge

78. bee-pee

79 . sir jacks alots

80. L N degenerates

81. butterfly defects

82. crass-asses

83. the smellin degenerates

84. dee-wormers

85. donkey hicks

86. mac-donalds

88. dash rip-rocks

89. can't -be-aunt-bees

90. polka bots

91. hot sauced buns

92. dead hots

93. out to get me nots

just get with me if one grabs you .... peace t. d.

[uncleshag]

Listen up! Longtown Sound 1426 Blues Hour Featuring Paul Thorn, Jim Brooks, Robbie Ducey Band, Kelly Dees, Tony Deziel, Marshall Lawrence, The Stacy Jones Band, Jim O'Keeffe, Taylor Hicks, Mike Whitney and L A Big Daddy's.https://on.soundcloud.com/jQU8D

Paul Thorn - Burnin' Blue 00:23 Jim Brooks - The Blues Man 05:10 Robbie Ducey Band - Lay The Hammer Down 11:55 Kelly Dees - Blues on a Tuesday 18:56 Tony Deziel - Shades of Blue 24:29 Marshall Lawrence - Biscuit Rolling Daddy 31:28 The Stacy Jones Band - Heavy Water 35:00 Jim O'Keeffe - Down At Joe's 40:59 Taylor Hicks - Birmingham 46:28 Mike Whitney - Same Blues 50:13 L A Big Daddy's - Sweet Sixteen 52:59

[sinceileftyoublog]

Joseph Decosimo Interview: How Does It Make You Feel?

Photo by Libby Rodenbough

BY JORDAN MAINZER

Count multi-instrumentalist Joseph Decosimo as another in the great line of contemporary players making old music for modern times. Like his friend and collaborator Jake Xerxes Fussell, duo Anna & Elizabeth, or even James Yorkston, Decosimo constantly thinks about what traditional folk songs mean to him--and us--today. The fiddler, banjo player, pump organist, and phD-holding folklorist, like Fussell, has had the opportunity to study with legendary trad players. For Decosimo, that’s the likes of Clyde Davenport and others in areas of Tennessee and Kentucky where he grew up. At the same time, Decosimo has surrounded himself with some of yesterday and today’s most exciting players from the thriving scene in Durham, North Carolina, where he lives, from Fussell and Hiss Golden Messenger’s MC Taylor to legendary singer/multi-instrumentalist Alice Gerrard. These influences combine to find a bridge between the past and the present on his upcoming album While You Were Slumbering, out next Friday via Sleepy Cat Records.

To your average music listener (whatever that means these days), many of the songs on While You Were Slumbering do sound from another time. The album starts with recently released single “The Fox Chase”, based on a field recording of Dee Hicks calling up foxhounds, bolstered by the warmth of Decosimo’s nasally vocals and the fiddle, banjo, and strings. It ends with the instrumental “Bob Wills Stomp/Wild Goose Chase”, a two-part song of melancholy fiddle and, yes, a jaunty soundtrack for running amongst waterfowl. Throughout the record, Decosimo conjures Appalachia, with tunes of lost dogs, fruited alcohol, possums and racoons running amok. On the video for first single “Will Davenport’s Tune”, a 19th century banjo piece he learned from visits with Clyde, Decosimo's vivacious plucking is laid atop impressionistic images of nature, interspersed with rippling, yet grainy watercolor, a hazy mirror to a location only folks who have been there will be familiar with.

At the same time, on the album’s best songs, Decosimo’s interpretations offer newfound clarity to tunes etched in a former time. “Man of Constant Sorrow”, which most listeners will know for better or for worse due to its inclusion in Joel and Ethan Coen’s O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?, is presented not as a prickly, nonnative bounce, but as a solemn hymn appropriate for today. Just as prescient is “Trouble”, though the hopefulness inherent in the song’s beautiful harmonies is rooted in the idea that bad things, like everything, will inevitably cease to exist and be replaced by something else, perhaps something better. It’s a stunning song, the album’s emotional centerpiece.

Though Decosimo plays plenty of instruments on While You Were Slumbering, the album is certainly bolstered by his chosen collaborators: Joe and Matt O’Connell of Elephant Micah, fiddler and singer Stephanie Coleman, composer/fiddler/pump organist Cleek Schrey, bass clarinetist Alec Spiegelman (who also mixed the record), and Gerrard. He wouldn’t say this, but to my ears, While You Were Sleeping represents a sort of sharing of the torch moment from Gerrard to Decosimo. This isn’t to say that Gerrard is done--quite the opposite, actually--but that Decosimo’s record has the same connection to the traditional repertoire that so much of Gerrard’s music does, precisely why he wanted her to play and sing on the record. “She’s a national treasure, as far as I’m concerned,” Decosimo told me over the phone in September. “She’s a force of nature.”

During our conversation, Decosimo, somewhat sleep deprived as a result of his newborn baby, nonetheless thoughtfully contemplated where he fits in the music world as a result of his new record, from academia to traditional circles to Durham. Read our interview below, edited for length and clarity.

Cover Art by Gabe Anderson using watercolor assets by Larissa Wood

Since I Left You: Do you feel a kinship with other players, arrangers, and scholars who adapt to contemporary sounds the traditional tunes they’ve learned from various historical channels?

Joseph Decosimo: I think so. I’ve lived most of my musical life in this hardcore traditional world. There [were] opportunities along the way--especially living in Durham--to play with Mike Taylor on the early Hiss [Golden Messenger] stuff. In some way, what I’m doing is different from what Jake [Xerxes Fussell] does, but it’s coming from a similar place of tradition, and the question of, “How can I make this translate for people who are not folks who spend their time listening to field recordings?” This album is me asking that question and figuring out a way to do it. In some way, it probably registers to most ears as pretty traditional, but to me, it feels different. [laughs]

Because I’ve spent so much of my life in traditional places of music-making and artistry, what’s happening here is me trying to do right by that but also something that feels musical and approachable and accessible to normal people. It’s a tall order. We’ll see how it lands. Jake’s approach totally works and does right by those camps.

SILY: I don’t know if you’re referring to Greil Marcus, but when you talk in the liner notes about an “older, weirder America,” I feel like that quality has encapsulated the folk scene for some time. Over the past decade or so, though, there’s been a concentration on more of the expansive qualities of folk instruments--whether you want to call it cosmic Americana or not. I think this record touches on both worlds. Do you think those two worlds can exist in conjunction, or are they at odds?

JD: That term “old weird America” is convenient, but it goes a little overboard and [exoticizes folk]. I grew up in Appalachia, and talking to people around the region, there’s a little bit of cringiness around it. It’s just another form of vernacular music. What I was interested in was working with a traditional repertoire. The way I play is a departure from other folk artists at the moment. A lot of stuff is coming out of the Berklee School of Music’s American Roots Music Program. People who go through there have incredible chops, but a lot of the time there’s a similarity of sound that has to do with bigger trends in traditional string music. I was lucky enough to be able to encounter it, brush against it, and see it firsthand. The weirdness, to me, can be with the texture of how the older players sounded. If you go through a conservatory program, you’re going to be learning different techniques. The funkiness, [on the other hand,] there’s so much depth and beauty there.

I don’t know that I’m pushing towards the cosmic thing. I think it has more to do with Enya or something. [laughs] Using traditional instruments to create something layered and lush. The pump organ’s been around for a while. People used it in vernacular Southern music for a century, creating new sounds with it. I don’t know what the relationship between those two things is, but it feels like a lot of times maybe the way the old weird stuff gets treated is [that] it’s stuck on a 78, and that’s the performance mode. That can be amazing. I’ve seen incredible performances of people lifting material out of 78s and interpreting it beautifully and in a very faithful way to the old recordings. I think there’s something pretty wild in that, too, that’s pretty expansive, the creative uses and tunings of instruments that could register in that cosmic space.

SILY: Speaking of the cringe-inducing nature of the term “old, weird America,” a very Hollywood-ized manifestation of that idea is O’ Brother Where Art Thou?, which obviously made “Man of Constant Sorrow” well-known.

JD: Oh. Oh.

SILY: I can hear you cringing.

JD: A lot of people rode that wave. [laughs] Norman Blake, who is a phenomenal musician, probably made a lot of money from being involved in that movie, and certainly deserved to. The version on [the record] is learned from a field recording. It was kind of fun to dive into that, to be like, “This is not like this other thing.” It feels like it hits in a completely different way.

SILY: To me, the song on the album that’s most timeless because of its sentiment is “Trouble”. Can you talk about that track and why you included it?

JD: One of my favorite banjo players of all time is Virgil Anderson, who lived on the Tennessee-Kentucky line of the Cumberland Plateau, which is the Western edge of what we’d call Appalachia. I grew up on the Southern end, near Chattanooga, TN, but I’d been obsessed with Virgil Anderson forever. There’s a beautiful LP release by County Records in the early 80s, [On The Tennessee Line]. I never got to meet the guy. I love his playing. [“Trouble” is something he learned as a young man in his 20s when he played with two African-American musicians, the Bertrams. They would play in these little camps and communities in that area. [So] it’s a piece that a white player learned from the Black repertoire of Appalachia. He sings it in a chipper way, which is cool and works, but during July 2020, I had been playing it for a while, and it started to resonate in a very different way. I think we were all dealing with things in different ways in that moment. That song started feeling less like a chipper banjo piece. It’s incredibly simple, but it has a kind of power. It was a time when you couldn’t hang out with people who weren’t in your house. I sent it to Joe O’Connell, who is in Elephant Micah and writes great songs and has a great way of arranging stuff. He added this pump organ and harmony part and sent it back to me. My friend Stephanie Coleman added the fiddle part and vocal part. It went from this old field recording of Virgil Anderson and became something that felt way more powerful. My friend Alec Spiegelman said it was making him cry as he was wrapping it up, which was unexpected, to end up with something so direct.

Part of this project was me turning 40 and wanting to expand, wanting my music to connect with more people. [“Trouble”] a piece I was sharing with family members who know nothing about the type of music I make. They were connecting with it.

SILY: For some of the songs on the album that are instrumentals, if somebody doesn’t take the time to learn about the song’s context--and not everyone does--and just looks at the title, and there are no lyrics to go by, they’re interacting with the quality of the arrangements and the instruments themselves. Can you talk about how you treated the instrumentals in context of the whole record?

JD: One thing Jake and I have had several conversations about is that at times, it feels like if you’ve really studied these traditions and have dedicated energy to learn your instrument and play it well, people will reduce you: “Oh, he’s just a fiddler or banjo player.” People will be glad to have you play on their album, but you can’t contribute back out [with your own varied material]. The way I was thinking about a lot of these tunes was, “How does a person in the 21st century listen to a fiddle tune or banjo tune? How does it matter to you? How does it make you feel something?” I know that when I listen to the fiddle, I can feel it. [But] how do you create a connection? One of the [challenges] is trying to find melodies that are just beautiful and stick with you even if you’re not accustomed to listening to a fiddle. A lot of these pieces were played solo for a long time and nourished people, doing the work that art does. How do you make them continue to do that work?

SILY: Take a song like “Clear Fork”. There’s that droney background hum that people like for the same reason they like to look at a Mark Rothko painting. It’s still, but it’s shimmering and rippling at the same time. Contrast that with the tangible sound of a banjo, there’s a lot to take in. People are free to interpret it the way they can, even more than the song that comes before it on the album that references 19th century European politics [“Young Rapoleon”].

JD: [laughs] So much of my musical social life is going to fiddler’s conventions and playing tunes after tunes with people. My relationship with an instrumental piece, I have no concept of how others might hear that kind of thing. I know them in a certain way. There’s a sociality to them because of where they’re played, but to imagine that it’s kind of an expanse for people to imagine their own interpretation or experience is a fun thought. I like the beginning of the “Clear Fork” piece because Stephanie has a shimmery harmonic that at first sounds like it could be a flute. One of the other things we were working with was a little bit of the ambiguity of the sound. The percussion in one spot on “Will Davenport’s Tune” tune is Matt O’Connell knocking on something. He can’t even remember what it was he was knocking on. I had sent him a field recording of a guy from Eastern North Carolina who would wrap his knuckles on a table and create these incredible rhythms that mimic percussive dance. People who know this music might think it’s somebody’s feet, but it’s sort of unclear what it is.

SILY: Can you talk about the relationship between the visuals and the music on the video for “Will Davenport’s Tune”?

JD: My friend Gabe Anderson who runs the label helping put this out, his friend Larissa [Wood] combined to work on the visuals there. There are a couple things at play; Gabe can explain more of the concept. I have a friend who is a folklorist named Sarah Bryan who has been documenting tombstones all over the South, especially North and South Carolina, for the last couple of years. She shared a picture of a tombstone from Stanly County, North Carolina. It’s a weird tombstone without a single word, but there are circles that are imperfect with weird triangles. It looks weirdly contemporary, the way people are into shapes these days. This tombstone stuck with me when I saw it. It started coming to mind when I listened to Clyde Davenport’s piece of music. Larissa made paintings built off of the crude shapes of the tombstones, and those are at play in the video in this really beautiful way over the top of nature scenes. The thing that Gabe came up with in the end feels right for the music in a way. He was hearing the different elements of the reedy, breathy pump organ, and the clackiness of it, and the woody knocking sounds of the banjo. In some of the videos, he was imagining the sound of those images. I’m really curious if I were to show the video to Clyde Davenport what he would have made of it. [laughs]

SILY: What’s the inspiration behind the record title?

JD: The 90′s romcom While You Were Sleeping.

SILY: Is that really true?!?

JD: No, that’s not true. But the ballad “Man of Constant Sorrow”...ends with this line, “While you were sleeping, while you were slumbering / I am sleeping in the ground.” I pulled it out of that. I thought it was a beautiful idea. In some moment, I thought I had clarity on what the project was about: I felt like the project as a whole was emerging during this time of collective slumber. We’re all sort of checked out in our own little dazed worlds. It felt right. The music here is more dream world than real world. I liked the line in the ballad, and I liked the experience of what happens in the space of being asleep.

SILY: I’m sure you’ve played these tunes throughout your life, but are you going to change how you play them in the future based on these specific arrangements?

JD: Having a baby at home is a moment is not the most conducive to get out too much, but I’m definitely hoping to get some shows together, perhaps a little tour. I worked out a little band to perform this stuff, which has been kind of fun. Most of my public performance has been in a string band context, which is fun but has its own logic. [laughs] One of the fun pieces of this has been collaborating with people with little background in traditional music. They might listen to it but aren’t traditional musicians. Joe and Matt O’Connell have become a little bit of a local band. Joe can play pump organ, and Matt can play guitar and percussion. The arrangements are pretty straightforward, so it’s been fun to figure out how to make it work on a stage for an audience. I think it works pretty well; I’m enjoying it. I’ve slipped a little bit out of the usual string band form and context, so it feels a little more open-ended and inclusive. I can bring in sounds or people that feel pretty fresh that I haven’t worked with before. It’s open-ended enough that somebody can bring bass clarinet, and it will work with these settings. I’ve had a couple fun opportunities to play it with different people. My friend Andy Stack from Wye Oak, who can be plugged into anything, played percussion for a festival in Durham back in the summer with me. It’s very different from what Matt does.

SILY: Is there anything you’re working on in the short or long term?

JD: I have a project with my friend Cleek [Schrey], who plays on this album, and a long-time collaborator, Luke Richardson, which is more fiddles, banjos, and pump organ, which feels like very fresh interpretations of tunes. It feels a little more tune-ish, if that makes sense. I’m excited to get it out in the world.

I played a duo show with Jake Fussell back in July, which was a lot of fun. I think people enjoyed it. He was playing acoustic Spanish guitar and an old Gibson I have, and I was playing banjo and fiddle pieces. Maybe there’s more opportunity there. His approach to guitar playing, he knows the old ways of doing stuff but also has his own way. It felt good.

SILY: What material were you playing?

JD: Just a lot of traditional tunes. He occasionally writes instrumental pieces, but we were playing old folk songs from the South, and he had a song that Art Rosenbaum, the great artist and field recorder, recorded that we played. It was pretty listenable and musical. He and I have had similar paths and opportunities to spend time with older players. He’s created his own sound, and I’ve lived a little more in the traditional world, but we mesh nicely.

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

JD: I don’t know if I’m enjoying this: I’m not a big Stephen King reader, but I’m reading The Dark Tower series. I’m kind of stuck in it, and I think I want a break. There are like 8 books, and they’re super long. Maybe it’s not worth mentioning.

SILY: It’s okay. I don’t think he’ll see this.

JD: Most of my waking time has been spent with my little baby. You can’t imagine what it’s gonna be like before [he’s born], and we’re in this phase now where there’s lots of smiling, and he’s making these gurgly noises. It’s very cute. I’m more interested in watching that than a lot of things.

SILY: Do you play for your child?

JD: Mmhmm. He’s gotten a good bit of exposure to the banjo already. He gets regular doses. The fiddle is a little intense. It’s loud, but it really draws his attention. You’re supposed to give babies tummy time, where you put them on their stomach and let them look at stuff. Someone gave us this book of totally psychedelic [images], like a bear with a swirl and blue eyes, pretty trippy stuff. There was a little phase where I had him listening to the Dead and looking at those images.

SILY: You’re raising him to be a Deadhead!

JD: Yeah, from the get-go. He went to his first show Friday night. Our neighbor had a poetry and music thing, and Joe O’Connell played an Elephant Micah set. It’s the perfect show for a 4-month-old. It was super chill. From all accounts, he was pretty into it.

[readingbooksinisrael]

Short Stories I Read Recently, Part 5

Judge Dee and the Three Deaths of Count Werdenfels/Lavie Tidhar-Judge Dee is back to solve a brand-new case involving the mysterious death of the vampire Count Werdenfels. The mystery? Who killed him. The twist? Three different people are proudly proclaiming to have committed the crime. 4/5

Emily’s Husband/L.M. Montgomery-Emily has lived with her older siblings for many years-ever since she left her husband. Now he is seriously ill and she tries to not worry. 2.2/5

After the Ball/Sarah Cross-Dusty has been cursed with the Cinderella curse. She isn’t happy about it, but when a ball shows up she goes along and everything is great-until the prince falls in love with her. 2/5

Church of Birds/Micah Dean Hicks-The swan boy lives in an abandoned church in a sleepy, green town by the river. He is small and young-looking still, though he is sixteen now and has been the swan boy for years. His hair is dirty and grown out long enough to cover his shy face. His clothes are striped with greasy white stains, radiating down from the shoulders of his rough shirt. No one would give him a second look if not for the huge, white shield of a swan’s wing that he has in place of a left arm. The people in town do not talk to him. Though they call him the swan boy, he has a name, and that name is Ben. 3.4/5

[part 4] [part 3] [part 2] [part 1]

[chadillacboseman]

A Moment in the Hawkins PD....

"Oh, Dee, you are an absolute delight," Flo set a donut on the desk in front of the teen, "Such a nice change from that brother of yours."

Dee grinned and gave a mock bow, "It's hard to be the golden child."

From across the room, Callahan watched her warily- she had everyone else fooled, but he wasn't among them.

Since he had started dating Heather, Dee seemed to have made it her personal mission to make his life miserable. The teen and the nurse had a strange friendship that Callahan just couldn't wrap his head around.

Flo disappeared through the doorway and Dee's gaze met his; she contorted her face and extended her middle finger before quickly hiding it when Hopper arrived with her brother in tow.

"What did you do this time?" she placed her hands on her hips and he shrugged sheepishly.

"Graffiti," Hopper growled as he shoved Danny into a chair opposite his sister.

"These hicks don't appreciate fine art," Danny winked and Dee tried to hide her grin.

Callahan narrowed his eyes as the younger sibling whispered something to her brother and pointed in his direction. Danny erupted in laughter and Dee flashed a Cheshire grin at Callahan.

"Alright, you can go," Hopper handed a slip of paper to the elder Davis and folded his arms, "But keep it on the straight and narrow, okay?"

"Oh, I promise, Mr. Hopper." Danny offered a salute and Hopper rolled his eyes.

The two of them made their way to the door and Callahan folded his arms as they approached him. As they passed, Danny leaned over the desk and grinned-

"See you around, stringbean."

He tossed his head back and howled with laughter as they departed; Dee spun on her heel and offered another middle finger before the glass door swung shut behind her.

"What was that all about?" Powell furrowed his brows and Callahan sighed.

"Nothing."

--

Dee belongs to @kabals-nose-scrunch

[yikesharringrove]

Show Pony

Chapter one - Big Sky

Also on Ao3

Billy doesn’t give a fuck about the rodeo. 

He doesn’t care about country music, or fancy horse riding, or the beauty queens, even the bull riders. 

What he does give a fuck about it not being in his house today. 

Not when his dad was obviously itching to pick a fight. Not when Max gave him such an easy out over breakfast. 

“I saw a flyer for a rodeo. I think it’d be kinda neat.”

It was in town for four more weeks. 

And Billy could tell the second he and Max bought tickets, he was about to be spending more time than he ever fuckin’ thought he would spend at a rodeo. 

He based that on the way Max’s eyes lit up the second she stepped inside the big fairgrounds. 

Not knowing that he was right. He was about to spend a lot of time at the rodeo. 

But not for Max. 

For himself. 

And a pretty horse rider named Steve.

He didn’t see Steve that first day. 

Was too busy shelling out his own hard-earned cash to buy Max sugary funnel cakes. Sitting next to her watching the poor suckers get bucked off their pissed-off bull. 

But when Max was in the car she turned to him, the sun setting outside, eyes as wide as dinner plates.

“Can we come back tomorrow?”

And the tickets were dirt cheap. And Billy hates being at home. 

So they did. 

And they watched the rodeo queens. 

And the team-roping. 

But it wasn’t until the calf roping that Billy felt his heart sink. 

Because he thinks Steve Harrington might be the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. 

Tall and broad, smiling like sunshine at his gorgeous black quarter horse, patting her strong neck and leading her to the entry point of the arena. 

His name was loudly announced after the event name. 

Calf roping, with our very own Steve Harrington! Steve will navigate his beautiful June into the arena, trying to rope and tie down a calf as quickly as possible!

Billy had tuned out everything but his name. 

Leaning forward on his bench seat to watch him lead June up to the starting line, give her a few more pats before swinging one leg up, heaving himself up and over her back, settling into the saddle with a grace Billy doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to describe. 

Steve appeared to shake himself out, leaning forward over June’s neck to speak quietly to the sleek horse, wiggling his hips a bit in the saddle. 

And then he sat back up, readying himself and waiting for the countdown. 

He was off like a fucking shot. 

Billy’s never seen anything fucking like it. 

June kicked up dirt as she thundered through the arena behind a small herd of a few calves, Steve ducked low against her neck as he led her forward, his lips moving as he spoke quietly to her, egging her on and forward. He was clinging to her for dear life, his legs straining as he was tossed up and down in the saddle. 

And then he let go of her reins, one hand reaching for the rope on his belt. 

And it was the most hick shit he’s ever seen. 

This flannel-wearing cowboy on his perfect fucking horse, roping a baby fucking cow. 

He slipped the knot around it from his perch on the moving horse, lassoing it easily like that was a common skill, and with a fluid practiced movement, he tossed himself off the slowing horse, getting on one knee to tip over the calf and tie it up like it was second nature. 

And maybe it was. Performing in a show like this. 

That’s all it was, a performance. Practiced and rehearsed over and over for Steve and June. 

It was over in a blink, Steve tossing his hands up to show he was finished, and the calf didn’t break its bonds. 

The whistle blew and Steve’s time was read to the arena. Nine seconds. And apparently, nine seconds was a good time, judging by the way Steve’s raised his fists in the air, and patted June’s neck so gently. 

He mounted back on his gorgeous horse as the calf he had roped was released by a few of the rodeo workers and the next guy took his position at the starting line. 

Steve did a lap around the arena of June’s back, smiling and waving to the crowd. 

And maybe Billy just has an overactive imagination. 

Maybe his stupid gay brain was looking for something not there. 

But he could’ve sworn he saw Steve grin just a little bit brighter in his direction. 

There were a few riders after him. Competing to earn a faster score on the same track. 

But Billy didn’t give a fuck about calf roping if he wasn’t watching Steve and June. 

The sun was setting as Billy finally led Max out of the fairgrounds, one hand on the top of her head, steering her towards the Camaro. 

“So, you think we can come back next weekend” Max was giving him a big shit-eating grin, powdered sugar all done her front from the final funnel cake Billy had shelled out to buy her. 

“Don’t see why not. Get’s us outta the fuckin’ house, don’t it.”

“Plus, there are lots of good-looking cowboys, just everywhere. Did you see the guy doing the cattle roping, or whatever? He was cute .” Billy rolled his eyes. Max was just touching the age when she stopped thinking of boys as gross, saw them as cute, and whatever else she said. It also made her realize that having a gay brother apparently meant talking about nothing but boys. It made Billy wanna slam his head into the steering wheel. He grunted in response as she kept going on and on about Steve. 

Like Billy didn’t see the way his thighs gripped the sides of his horse, like he didn’t watch as he hurled himself off June to tie up the fucking calf. Like he didn’t watch him take that fucking victory lap, shit-eating grin looking like home on his pretty fucking face. 

“You gotta carry your own weight, you know that, right Shitbird? I’m talking, pay for your own damn fried shit.” He bets Susan would give him money for tickets if he acts real nice this week. 

He can’t blow all his savings at the fucking rodeo of all things this summer. He’s got plans for the wad of cash burning a hole in the shoebox in the back of his closet. 

Max huffed at him. 

“What am I supposed to do? Get a job? I’m thirteen .”

“So? Babysit or some shit. Rob an ATM. Fuck if I care. Just quit stealing all ‘a my goddamn cash for your fuckin’ funnel cakes .”

“You’re just pissed off because you didn’t try one. They’re the best. You gotta have one next week.”

“I, unlike you, care about what I put in my body.”

“Yeah, because cigarettes and beer are so much better than fried dough .”

“Whatever.” The truth is, Billy’s gotta watch what he eats. Max didn’t know him when he was prepubescent and chubby. He can’t be sitting there shoving funnel cakes in his mouth and not expect it to all go to his gut. Not like her. There’s not an ounce of fucking baby fat on her. She’s positively scrawny. If anything, the funnel cake might help her out a bit. 

“Yeah, whatever .” She huffed, slumping back in her passenger seat. “But can we come back?”

“Fuck, if you keep askin’ me, the answer’s no .”

She huffed again. She does that a whole lot when they talk. 

“Don’t act like you didn’t like it. I saw the way you were watching Steve race. You were practically drooling .” 

Billy clenched his jaw. 

“Was not .”

“Was too .” 

And Max had a knack of leading Billy into moments like this, childish little arguments that made him feel kinda weird inside. Made him feel kinda warm at how sibling it was. Like they hadn’t been forced together just a few years ago. 

For all his bitching, he really did like the little spit. If he didn’t, he’d be a bigger asshole than she’s always accusing him of being. 

“You don’t even know what I look like when I’m really eyeing a boy, if you think that was it. Just, you know. Respected his riding.”

“ Respected his riding. Yeah ‘cause you wish he was riding-”

“Finish that sentence and I’m pushing you out of the fucking car.”

“I’m right, though.”

Billy just reached forward to turn up the radio, letting Dee Snider drown out any other awful shit Max wanted to say to him. 

Which was probably showing his hand too much. No direct answer pretty much means affirmative when it comes to Billy. And yeah, Max knows that. Judging by the way she’s cackling like a goddamn gremlin over the sound of the music. 

He just pressed his foot down further on the gas pedal, letting them fly down the highway. 

And he thought about Steve and June, thought about how fast Steve could press that girl to go. Thought about him leaning forward, flattening himself to the horse’s neck, gripping onto the reins and urging her forward, urging her faster. 

And if he thought about those strong legs wrapped around him, if he thought about what Max was about to say, Steve riding Billy like he would that fucking horse, his hips flexing as he bounces up and down, well, that’s his business. 

And the next Saturday, Susan slid him a crisp twenty-dollar bill to buy Max some lunch at the rodeo. 

They took it more seriously this time, bringing water bottles, and Max slathering thick white sunscreen on her freckled skin. 

Billy even wore shorts, some old jeans he sacrificed to the summer gods when he wore holes in the thighs and chopped pretty much in half. 

And it was kinda fun. 

He knew what to expect now. Knew the barrel racing was all women, all beautiful horses winding their way along clover-shaped tracks. He knew that the bull riding was a little more fun to watch with a shot in him, and that his fake i.d. could get him an alcohol wristband from the tent at the front.

Max sneered at him when he bought himself a beer later in the day. 

“Uh, you know you have to drive me home, right? Like, and not crash your stupid car on the way home.” 

“Fuck off. It’s one beer.”

“And also that shot earlier, and I know you have a flask.”

“Okay, what are you, the cops? I’m just tryna enjoy myself in this blistering fucking heat. I don’t exactly get my rocks off to any of this shit.” Which is a lie. He’s totally sold on every stupid fucking event at the motherfucking rodeo. 

“Fine. You wanna get stupid and drunk? Then you have to take me to the pageant. I wanna watch it.”

“Since fucking when do you give a shit about the pageant .” Max glared at him. Her nose was beginning to get red. 

Maybe if Billy were less of a shithead he would tell her to put some sunscreen on. But she was really testing his patience today. 

And then her eyes went huge, and her jaw went slack, and Billy was just about to tell her to close it and quit lookin’ like a dead fuckin’ fish when he heard someone cough slightly behind him. 

And when he turned, he almost made the exact same stupid dead fish face as Max. 

Because gorgeous cowboy Steve was standing right in front of him. In another cracker of a flannel shirt, stupid blue jeans, and fucking cowboy boots, because yeah. He’s a goddamn hick that rides a horse and ties up calves in a traveling rodeo for a fucking living. 

And God save Billy, because hot damn. 

Steve had an easy smile on his face, a little bit lopsided, and perfect white teeth showing between perfect pink lips. 

“Hey there.”

“Howdy,” Billy responded before he could stop himself, his face burning up. 

He was hoping he was already sweaty enough Steve wouldn’t notice the flush. 

But thankfully, Steve’s smile went wider, and he laughed, this gorgeous bright laugh, his head tossing back, and that thick hair flowing easily. 

He had gold streaks in his hair, lighter browns tussled within the darker colors. Billy wondered if they were natural, days spent out in the sun on his horse. Part of him hoped they weren’t. Part of him hoped that Steve was that intentional with himself and his goddamn hair. 

He smiled at Billy. 

“I’m Steve.”

“We saw you. Last weekend,” Max blurted out before Billy could kick her. She looked shocked that she had even spoken when Billy turned to give her a death glare. But Steve just laughed his gorgeous laugh again. 

“And what’d you think?”

“She wouldn’t shut up about you on the way home.” And Steve was back to looking at Billy, and his eyes are so fucking big, like, who’s eyes are just. Like that. Just fuckin’. Big. 

“And what about you, uh-”

“Billy. And this is Max. My sister.”

“Well, Billy,” and fuck Billy nearly creamed himself at the sound of Steve saying his name. “Did you like my display of talents ?”

“Could say so. I don’t give too many shits about all this hick farm stuff. But I can respect it.”

“Well, that’s alright then.” And Steve reached out to pat Billy once on the shoulder. “I hope I see y’all around. I gotta head off, June needs some TLC before our time.” He smiled at Max, and her already red face flushed deeper, almost blending into the roots of her flaming hair. 

And then he doubled back. 

“You know what, I forgot why I came over here in the first place.” He was digging through his jeans, rummaging around in his back pockets. 

Billy wanted to slide his hands in there, cop a feel while he helped Steve look for whatever he was going to offer Billy. 

And then Steve brought out two white wristbands. 

“They’re for, uh, VIP seating and stuff. If you’re interested. Gets you closer to the arena. That way I can just see what you look like after I’m comin’ off a ride.”

Hoo boy. 

This little cowboy has some fucking charm. 

And he knows it too, judging by his smug little half-smile he gave Billy while he fastened the wristband around his wrist. 

He helped Max with hers, doing it faster than he had Billy’s, and with a lot less eye contact, which was a good sign. He’s not perving on his twelve-year-old sister. Which is cool. 

And then he was looking back at Billy, and brushing his long fingers over the tops of Billy’s shoulders, his arms out in his shirt, the arms torn off an old Aerosmith t-shirt he found at the Goodwill last year. 

“You should reapply sunblock. Don’t want you burning now.” And Billy’s sure if Steve was wearing a Stetson, he woulda tipped it at them. “Enjoy the pageant.”

And he was off, and Christ, those jeans. How did Steve even successfully ride his horse in those things? They were so tight, showed off his nice peachy ass as he walked through the fairgrounds. 

“Wow,” Max said. And yeah, Billy felt the same. 

“In case it wasn’t clear, based on the way he was flirting with me, and also that he’s way too old for you, but, uh, dibs .”

“Billy, you can’t just call dibs on a person.” Billy just laughed. 

He knows that his twelve-year-old fucking sister doesn’t have a shot in Hell with Steve. Really, he doubts he even has a shot in Hell with Steve, but he also likes to spend his time making her life as difficult as possible without actually being a shitty person. So, he just riles her up. Says shit that’ll get her going. He wouldn’t be doing his brotherly duties if he didn’t say that shit. 

Max calls it even by kicking him in the shin twice and making him watch the stupid beauty pageant. 

Which, like, why the fuck are there beauty pageants at the rodeo anyway? 

Turns out it wasn’t pageant at all, but the four previous Miss Rodeo’s all lined up and looking far too glammed out for this fucking heat. 

Max faked being disgruntled by the disappointment, but Billy knows, somewhere inside that tough bitch little soul of hers, she’s glad she didn’t have to sit through a goddamn pageant just to make Billy miserable. 

Besides, Billy had whipped out his flask a few times, and he was feeling alright. Just buzzed enough that the heat had stopped making him feel quite so disgusting. 

But not too drunk to miss calf roping. 

And yeah, maybe it was a little bit lame to make their way over to the VIP seating earlier enough that they scored the front row. But when Steve came trotting out, leading June behind him, Billy was close enough he could pick out the cluster of moles on Steve’s left cheek. 

So, lame was not in Billy’s vocabulary today. 

It was pretty much the same thing as last week. Steve made everyone in the arena ooh and aah with his riding, tied up the calf in less than ten seconds once again. 

But this time, when he took that jaunty little lap around the small arena, Billy knows for a fact Steve grinned at him. Knows his stupid gay brain wasn’t making up the wink he tossed effortlessly in Billy’s direction. 

And they left, just like last weekend, as the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. 

“Just, c’mon. Mom gave you money .” Max was whining for a corn dog, of all things. When they have perfectly good, not fried food, at home. 

“Maxine, I swear to Christ, I’m fucking tired. Let’s go home so I can crash, and you can fucking drive Susan up the goddamn wall with your whining.”

“You’re such an asshole.”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t seem too bad.” And Billy felt his insides curdling at that voice, felt himself wilting and shriveling because he would not be getting out of this day without one final, no doubt embarrassing, encounter with his gorgeous cowboy. 

Steve was leaning against a booth selling chili fries, looking like a perfect picture of a Clint Eastwood movie. 

Billy had never liked westerns. 

But he was gonna go home and spend all night watching every one he could get his grubby little hands on. 

Steve pushed off the side of the booth as Max found her words again. 

“You don’t have to live with him.”

“And you don’t have to live with my folks. I’d trade you any day.” 

And Billy nearly died. Right there. On the spot. Because. Holy shit. I’d trade you any day. 

Billy was more than happy to follow this fucking hick around America, watch him ride his pretty horse before fucking him against the stable wall. 

Or whatever. Do they have stables? Billy doesn’t know how a traveling rodeo works. 

But like, they’ve gotta have stables, right?

“Nah, you’d get sick of him. He stinks.”

“Have you ever smelled horse shit? Because that’s the fragrance I wake up to every morning.”

And Max was laughing, and Steve was laughing, and Billy was trying to keep his hands as casually as possible in front of his slight chub. 

“Will I get the privilege of seeing you two again?” And what a way to word it? The privilege. And then Steve was looking Billy up and down, and he was biting that perfect bottom lip and opening his mouth and “I could always give you my phone number. So we can. Meet up. Next time you’re here.”

“‘Course. You can give us the grand tour.”

And Steve was digging in those tight back pockets again, and shoving his phone into Billy’s hand, and he doesn’t have a passcode, but his home screen was a picture of him and his fucking horse which is, just about the sweetest thing Billy’s ever seen. 

And Billy put himself in as Billy Hargrove , and then panicked because Steve doesn’t know his fucking last name. So he settled for Billy and then for good measure shoved San Diego after it because. Billy’s a common name, okay?

And Steve took his non-password protected fuckin’ horse girl phone, and Billy was giving him as charming a smile as he could muster with sweat on his upper lip and saying-

“You better text me, Pretty Boy. So I can save your number.” Billy shrugged, looking off to his left to try and seem. Nonchalant. “In case I wanna see you again.” 

And Max was rolling her eyes, but she wasn’t stopping away. Wasn’t even whining at Billy, no doubt on her best behavior in front of hot cowboy Steve. 

But Steve had a glint in his eye, and if Max wasn’t here Billy would be playing this all different, laying on the charm a lot thicker than he was. 

But he can’t be a horny bastard in front of her. That’s just, like, gross. 

So he settles for making a real show of licking his bottom lip, and maybe flexing his bare arms just a tiny bit. 

“We should probably get goin’. Got a curfew for this one,” Billy jerked his head in Max’s direction. She huffed before she could stop herself. “See you around, Cowboy Steve.”

And Steve gave another one of his pretty ringing laughs. 

“Come again soon, Billy and Max.” And again, Billy’s sure that if Steve were wearing a hat, he would’ve flicked the brim at them as he set off back into the rodeo, dodgin off the main thoroughfare. 

“Wow. That was embarrassing for you.” 

Billy whipped his head around to stare at Max, giving her the most disgusted look he could muster. 

“The fuck you mean?”

“You were so obvious.”

“That’s the fucking point . We were flirting. It’s supposed to be obvious, you demon.” Billy shoved her once before stomping in the direction of the parking lot. 

“Yeah but you were like, making these faces at him.”

“Shut the fuck up. I know what I was doing, okay? It was all very calculated . Let him know I’m down for it, and if he texts, then I’m good to go. If not, then I move on.”

And the thought of Steve not texting was kinda, disappointing. Because Billy really wanted him to text. He wanted to stay up late giggling at his phone and the dumb things Steve texts him and pretend they don’t make him flush like a fucking school girl. 

He pointedly didn’t look at his notification when he reached the car, just shoved an old tape in and turned up Black Sabbath when Max wrinkled her nose at it. 

They were both quiet on the drive back home. Something heavy unsaid between them. 

And only as Billy was pulling into his spot in the driveway did Max suck in a big breath to actually put it out there. 

“I won’t tell. About him. Not even Mom. Not even that I think he’s cool.”

“Thanks. Easier just to. Avoid at all costs.” 

And if Billy were a better person, maybe he would hug her or something. 

But they don’t do that. Instead he sighed and didn’t hip check her violently off the porch like his instincts were telling him. So really, he’s a fucking saint. 

[hiddenqveendom]

OC MASTERLIST

here is my working oc masterlist by fandom. i shall be updating as i go. please bear with me!

ORIGINAL STORIES

Boyd ( Westwood )

Clio ( Westwood )

Cosimo ( The Last Messenger )

Crowe ( The Last Messenger )

Dario ( don’t you ever wonder how we survive )

Eleazar ( Westwood )

Eudora ( Westwood )

Farina  ( Westwood )

Fortuna  ( The Last Messenger )

Hesperia ( Westwood )

Keene ( The Last Messenger )

Margrave ( The Last Messenger )

Nadine Farhat ( Magic 8 )

Penelope ( Westwood )

Tahira Alvi ( The Tourists )

Tengu ( Westwood )

Thyri ( Westwood )

Ward ( The Last Messenger )

DCU

Febe Ferrera ( Titans )

Keliand’r ( Titans )

Ruth Reisman ( Titans )

Mariona Roser ( The Batman )

Maude Sweetnam ( Titans )

Merideth Sweetnam ( The Dark Knight)

Millicent Sweetnam (Titans )

Miranda “Nemesis” Keo ( SS2 )

Otto Pritchard ( The Batman )

Salvador Valiente ( Titans )

Wila Leith ( peacemaker )

CAOS

Madge Jourdayn

RIVERDALE

Chasity Combs

Darcy Delgado

Dez Delgado

GAME OF THRONES/ASOIAF

Brigot Karstark ( SYOC AU )

Delyth Tyrell ( SYOC AU )

Dorinda Bolton (GoT)

 Mariya Bolton (Carry Your Throne)

House Oleander*

*House of the Dragon ocs

Zandarra Sand

HARRY POTTER

( removed ) FJKR!

GRISHAVERSE

Lev Denlov

Sayana Gan-Bayar

Stef Denlov

THE WALKING DEAD

Bex Callahan ( SYOC AU )

Ezra Cowell ( SYOC AU )

Mercedes Muniz ( SYOC AU )

JD Santoro

Lila Hughes

VIKINGS

Eisa the damned

MCU

Raquel “Raqui” Hernández ( Daredevil ) 

Ursa ( The Eternals )

Landry Culpepper ( Spider-Man )

Babetta “Babbs” Alcântara ( Moon Knight )

GOSSIP GIRL 2

Evi Lestari

TEEN WOLF

Rita Grange

OBX

Georgia Irvine 

YOU

Portia Clarke

Reeve Clarke

Wren Gallego-Clarke

THE BOYS

Brielle “Brie” Eisen 

Jace Eisen 

Joss Larcombe

Myrna Cardoso

STAR WARS

Haydako “Geneisa” Calmay

DUNE

Lady Eria Deni

SQUID GAME

Cho Kang Tae

Oh Sarang

EUPHORIA 

Dru Lau

YELLOWJACKETS

Dee Andersen 

PEAKY BLINDERS 

Edwin Sloan

Geraldine Sloan Changretta 

Silene Espinoza 

THE WILDS

Alanna Nettleton

BRIDGERTON

Verity Adair

CRUELLA

Sybilla “Billie” Mast

STRANGER THINGS

Cyndi Kazem

Heidi Barstow

Hugh ”Hughie” Barstow

Leanne Barstow

Myrtle Macintyre 

Pamela ”Pam” Dunne

Tara Garcia 

TWILIGHT

Tempest Renault

THOHH

Edith “Edie” Crain

MONEY HEIST/LCDP

Elisenda de Fonollosa Galo

CURSED

Liliane “The Champion of Astolat”

IWTV

Berenice Morrisey

WEREWOLF BY NIGHT

Theo Abaddon

THE LAST OF US

Sully Santana

ALICE IN BORDERLAND

Junko Bushida

1899

Florence Baird

SCREAM

Arnie Estrada

Ophelia Wheeler

Tree Hicks

WEDNESDAY

Cain Eldritch

DJATS

Lark Lennon

THE WITCHER

Petronella of Cintra

Livitha Aep Dend

Vincen of Blaviken

TFOTHOU

Rowena Glendinning

BG3

Attica 

Laverna

Lilit

Rynfri

Gen V

Aliza Galvan

Mick Bates

tag list : @mysticalficvoid , @victoriapedrcttis , @sgtbuckyybarnes , @decennia , @veetlegeuse , @arrthurpendragon , @raith-way , @scootermcooter , @stanshollaand , @chrissymunson , @foxesandmagic , @eddiemunscns ,  @waterloou , @endless-oc-creations, @kingsmakers, @https-svnshine, @starlit-epiphany, @dyhlanobrien​, @fragilestorm​ , @nolanhollogay​ , @connietheecunning​ , @impales​ , @emilykaldwen​, @darkwolf76​​ , @princessmadelines​ ​​, @nyra-fireheart, @thatmagickjuju​​​

[redladydeath]

So, the three recently announced casts have added even more queens with the same name to the roster. Here’s a list of every single one: points to anyone who feels up to charting all the commonalities.

Abby Mueller Abigail “Abbey” Heilman Abigail “Abbi” Hodgson Adrianna “Dri” Hicks Adrianna Cheree Glover Aiesha Naomi Pease Aimie Allen Atkinson Alana Maria Robinson Alexia Elizabeth “Lexi” McIntosh Alicia Tyra Corrales-Connor Alize Ke’Aloha Cruz Amanda Lindgren Amelia Anne Walker Amy Di Bartolomeo Amy Louise Bridges Andrea Cesyl “Dre” Macasaet Anna Leah Uzele Annabel Marlow Artemis Chrisoulakis Ashlee Waldbauer Ashleigh “Ash” Weir Athena Collins Brianna Marie Mooney Brittney “Britt” Mack Bryony Louise “Bry” Duncan Caitlin “Cait” Tipping Candace Leanne “Candy” Furbert Carly Mercedes Dyer Casey Al-Shaqsy Cassandra “Cassy” Lee Cassie Silva Channing Weir Chelsea Dawson Cherelle Jay O’Donnell Chiara Assetta Chloe Cherie Zuel Chloe Hart Christina Modestou Claudia Kariuki Collette Guitart Courtney “Court” Mack Courtney Bowman Courtney Jade Monsma Courtney Jane Stapleton Danielle “Danie” Louise Mendoza Danielle Lauren “Dee” Steers Danielle Rose Didi Romero Dionne Ward-Anderson Elena Gyasi Elizabeth “Lizzie” “Liz” Walker Ella Burns Ellie “Els” Sharpe Emilia Rose “Mills” “Millie” O’Connell Emily Rose Harrigan Erin Palmer Riley Ramirez Esme Rothero Gabriela Francesca Carillo Gabriella Louisa “Gabby” Stylianou-Burns Genesis “Gen” Lynea Georgia Michelle “Gigi” Carr Grace Elizabeth Mouat Grace Melville Hana Louise Cox Davis “Stewart” Harriet “Hazza” Watson Harriet Caplan-Dean Hazel Karoom-Brooker Holly Musgrave Izuka “Zuki” Hoyle Jade Marvin Jaina Brock-Patel Jarneia “Jaye’J” Richard-Noel Jarynn Whitney Sampson Jasmine Jia Yung “Jazz” Shen Jasmine Paige Forsberg Jennifer “Jen” Caldwell Jessica Carolyn Evana “Jess” Niles Jodie Samantha Steele Kala Anne “KG” Gare Kara-Ami McCreanor Karis Oka Keirsten Nicole Hodgens Kelly Denice Taylor Kelly Louise Sweeney Kelsee Sweigard Kennedy Monica Carstens Khaila Anye Wilcoxon Kiana Daniele Kirsty Natisha “Zara” MacIntosh Danile Kristina Walz L’Oreal Roache Laura Blair Lauren Ann Byrne Lauren Drew Lauren Kay Irving Leesa Tulley Loren “Lozza” Hunter Lori-Jane Williams Nicholson “McLare” Lucille “Lucy” “Luce” Aiston Maddison “Maddi” Firth Maddison Rose “Maddie” Bulleyment Madeline Fansler Maiya Jasmin Esi “May” Quansah-Breed Mallory Maedke Marilyn Caserta Maya Jordan Christian Meesha Turner Megan Gilbert Megan Leung Meghan Dawson Melinda Porto Natalie Clare “Nat” Pilkington Natalie May “Nat” Paris Nicole “Nila” Kyoung-Mi Ok Lambert Oliver Wickham Olivia Donalson Olivia Kate “Liv” Davies “Alexander” Oritsetsemaye “Tsemaye” Bob-Egbe Paisley Billings Phoenix Jackson Mendoza Princess Sasha Victome Rachel Rawlinson Rebecca “Becca” Wickes Renee Emily Frances Lamb Roxanne “Rox” Couch Sadie Annabelle Hurst Samantha Megan “Sam” Pauly Scarlet Gabriel Shannen Alyce Chin-Quan Shantel Renee “Shany” Cribbs Shekinah Adarna “Shaka” McFarlane Shelby Taylor Griswold Shimali de Silva Sophie Isaacs Sophie Patrice Golden Sophie-Rose Byrne “Middleton” Storm Lever Sunayna “Sunny” Smith Victoria Louise “Vicki” Manser Vidya Makan Viquichele Victoria “Vee” Cross Wesley Carpenter

[stillunusual]

Pop Avalanche (issue #2) YEAR: 1987 CREATED BY: Brian Orchard (AKA Andrew Rainey), Boy Naughty (AKA Andrew Midgley), Camper Bob (AKA Bob Stanley) and Christoper X (AKA Camper Chris) LOCATION: Peterborough / Edinburgh SIZE: A5 WHAT'S INSIDE.... A fanzine that's "blue for a reason" and has an interesting take on mid-1980s zine culture: "You don't need to read it....we didn't need to write it....we don't need to listen to our records....but we do....do you understand what we're saying? Fanzines are not essential - fatuous views on trivial topics leaning dangerously close to egomania - but the trick is to make them seem to matter....enough to lure you the consumer into buying one at any rate".... It also has The Rolling Stones on the cover and an article about the apparent indestructibility of Keith Richards (Bill Hicks once said that: "I picture nuclear war and two things surviving - Keith Richards and bugs"), both of which would have been unthinkable a few years before, given that the Stones were one of the principal targets of punk's iconoclasm ("no Elvis, Beatles or The Rolling Stones in 1977"). The zine features a fine selection of mid-1980s indie bands, most of whom (ie Hurrah!, 14 Iced Bears, Razorcuts, The BMX Bandits and Talulah Gosh) remained stuck in the indie groove until they eventually split up, and a couple that transitioned to a rock-dance crossover sound under the influence of the rave scene, ie Primal Scream and Age Of Chance (who hailed from Leeds and almost made it into the charts with their cover version of "Kiss"). There's also a retrospective article about Josef K (who influenced all of the above) and a quick guide to up-and-coming bands which includes the future ambassadors of shoegaze - My Bloody Valentine.... Issue #2 of Pop Avalanche is slightly unusual in that it devotes four of its pages to hip hop, which was taking the world by storm at the time but didn't get much coverage in fanzines. Although the empty machismo and casual misogyny in a lot of rap lyrics was not something most indie kids could relate to, the music itself was both groundbreaking and exciting, so kudos to the Pop Avalanche crew for being open minded about it. They recommend the Streetsounds hip hop electro compilations and indicate that #14 was particularly good, although I think the cream of the crop was probably the next one in the series, which I remember buying on cassette and listening to incessantly back in 1986/7. Recent releases by the likes of Schoolly D, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Heavy D And The Boyz, Kool Moe Dee and a few others are also highlighted, as well as one or two by UK artists (who - to be fair - were mostly shit).... The zine's contributors also manifest their culture vulture credentials with articles about writer Martin Amis and comic actor Norman Wisdom. There's a brief mention of The Pastels, who published their own fanzine called Juniper Beri Beri, and a one page ad for a zine called Camping, which was a side hustle for Christopher X and Bob Stanley (who went on to become a proper journalist as well as forming the band Saint Etienne). Two other contemporary zines - The Legend! and Trout Fishing In Leytonstone - are described as "a load of old cobblers" and "trivial, derivative and monotonous" respectively. Click on the title above to see scans of all the zine's pages.... my box of 1980s fanzines flickr